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White House says U.S.-Iran ceasefire extension "not true at this moment"

Xinhua) 08:42, April 16, 2026

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt speaks during a White House press briefing in Washington, D.C., the United States, April 15, 2026. Leavitt said Wednesday an extension of the current U.S. ceasefire with Iran is "not true at this moment." (Photo by Li Yuanqing/Xinhua)

WASHINGTON, April 15 (Xinhua) -- White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said Wednesday an extension of the current U.S. ceasefire with Iran is "not true at this moment."

Leavitt said at a White House press briefing that the Trump administration is optimistic the continued negotiations could yield a deal to end the weeks-long war.

"We feel good about the prospects of a deal," she said.

Leavitt also did not confirm when talks with Iran would resume, but said if there were talks, they would continue to be held in Pakistan following stalled talks in Islamabad over the weekend.

U.S. President Donald Trump said Tuesday that fresh U.S.-Iran talks "could be happening over next two days" in Pakistan. Also, he said earlier on Wednesday that the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran is "very close to being over," without providing a clear timeline.

The two-week ceasefire is set to expire next week.

(Web editor: Wang Xiaoping, Liang Jun)
New York, US (PANA) - From election support in the Central African Republic to patrols in the disputed Abyei region, UN peacekeepers are operating in increasingly volatile environments  but shrinking resources and new threats, including drone warfare, are testing their ability to keep communities safe
Todays headlines: Lebanon and Israel are set to hold direct talks later today. Nine Chinese nationals involved in online scams have been arrested in Sri Lanka; Macau's finance minister resigns; Two seminarians are among those killed in road accidents during the Buddhist New Year celebrations in Thailand; A Kazakh billionaire has issued a chess challenge to the president of the Mongolian Chess Federation.

JAPAN

Japan has pledged to provide billion to Southeast Asian countries to secure crude oil supplies. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi announced the new cooperation framework following an online meeting with other Asian heads of government. Whilst Asia is particularly vulnerable to disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz regarding energy supplies, Japan, on the other hand, also depends on Southeast Asia for petroleum-derived products, including certain medical devices such as syringes, gloves and dialysis materials.

LEBANON  ISRAEL

US President Donald Trump has announced that direct talks between Lebanon and Israel will take place today following preparatory diplomatic meetings held in Washington in recent days. Trump did not specify which figures would be involved in the talks, whilst Lebanon and Israel have not yet issued any comments.

MACAO

Macaus Finance Minister has resigned for personal reasons, prompting Chief Executive Sam Hou-fai to take over the role temporarily until a new candidate is appointed. Tai Kin-ip, 57, had taken up the post in December 2024 and is the first Secretary for Economy and Finance to resign since Macaus sovereignty was returned to China.

SRI LANKA

Nine Chinese nationals were arrested at Sri Lankas international airport whilst attempting to smuggle communications equipment worth ,000, which was allegedly intended for cyber fraud operations. Two weeks ago, Sri Lankan police detained 152 foreign nationals on charges of running a scam centre in a hotel in the north-west of the island.

THAILAND

Four teenagers, including two seminarians, died in a road accident in Loei province, in north-eastern Thailand, during the Songkran celebrations, the Buddhist New Year. Between 10 and 13 April alone, 755 accidents and 154 deaths were recorded across the country. According to the police, the accident occurred along a notoriously winding stretch of the Loei-Chiang Khan road, where a motorbike carrying four young men collided with a pick-up truck travelling in the opposite direction.

RUSSIA

The Russian Ministry of Justice has refused for the second time to register the Rassvet party, Dawn, founded by Ekaterina Duntsova, the candidate barred from the 2024 presidential elections, citing delays in the submission of documents and non-payment of fees. Furthermore, according to the ministry, only 113 of the 118 people present at the party congress voted, but Rassvet has announced its intention to appeal.

KAZAKHSTAN

As reported by MiddleAsianNews, Kazakh billionaire Tumir Turlov has issued a chess challenge to the president of the Mongolian Chess Federation, the former Prime Minister of Ulan Bator, Zandanshamar Gombojava. Both countries have incorporated chess into their school curricula with excellent results, enhancing pupils skills in mathematics and physics, as is also the case in Armenia, China and Singapore with their Chess in School programmes and various championships
Some 83 arrest warrants have been issued and 93 Telegram groups blocked following attacks on two schools. Yesterday, nine people were killed (including the attacker) and 13 wounded in Kahramanmaras province. The previous day, a high school in Urfa was attacked. The Ministry of Justice's 2025 report notes that 16.7 million people were under investigation.

Istanbul (AsiaNews)  Turkish authorities issued at least 83 arrest warrants this morning for as many suspects, as part of an investigation into the two, recent deadly school attacks in Sanliurfa and Kahramanmaras. A crackdown is also underway on social media, with hundreds of accounts blocked for violent content.

In a press release, Turkey's General Directorate of Security stated that the warrants targeted individuals accused of sharing content glorifying crime and criminals or aimed at disrupting public order in the wake of the attacks.

Arrest warrants have been issued for 83 individuals identified as having engaged in posts and activities that glorify crime and criminals and aim to disrupt public order, the statement reads.

In the past few hours, cybercrime experts have also blocked access to 940 social media accounts and closed 93 groups on Telegram, a popular messaging and communications platform.

The restrictive measures were issued in the aftermath of a shooting at a middle school in the southern province of Kahramanmaras, which left nine people dead and 13 wounded, six of them seriously, according to Interior Minister Mustafa Ciftci.

Kahramanmaras Governor Mukerrem Unluer later said that an eighth-grade student carried out the attack at Ayser Calk Secondary School. The shooter died during the assault but so far, his motives remain unknown.

The suspect entered two classrooms and opened fire indiscriminately using weapons he had brought, concealed in a backpack.

It is currently unclear whether the young attacker was killed in the firefight or committed suicide after killing others. Authorities said the weapons may have belonged to the shooters father, a former police officer. According to initial reports, the attacker had five firearms and seven magazines.

One of the aims of the investigation, which is just starting, is to shed light on the young man's motives.

Turkish Justice Minister Akin Gurlek said prosecutors have launched a full probe into the attack.

Education Minister Yusuf Tekin travelled to the region following the incident, while his ministry confirmed that at least four ministerial inspectors have been sent to the area to examine the incident and assist with the investigation.

Due to the young age of the victims and to protect the work of magistrates, the Ministry of Justice has imposed a news blackout.

Yesterday's attack is the second in a Turkish school in recent days, in a nation where shootings or incidents of violence with multiple victims in schools are rare.

The day before, Tuesday, a 19-year-old former student opened fire at a high school in Urfa, in the southeast, wounding 16 people. Local sources report that the attacker killed himself while police were trying to convince him to surrender and hand over his weapons.

In a country currently grappling with such acts of violence and the use of deadly weapons, s report published by the Ministry of Justice, with statistics for 2025, provides some background.

The data raise several concerns about the health of democracy in Turkey and the role played by the courts.

Last year, one in five people was the subject of a criminal investigation, with at least 13.3 million case files, and the number of suspects reaching 16.7 million people out of a total population of around 86 million, including 330,000 children.

Also striking is the figure of more than one million restraining orders issued for incidents of violence against women.

Last year, a total of 22.9 million criminal allegations were made, or one in five people ending up in the crosshairs of the judiciary for some reason.

Out of 13.3 million cases, six million were opened in 2025 with crimes against property, crimes against freedom, and crimes against honour ranking as the top three reasons under the Turkish Penal Code (TCK).

The number of cases arriving on the prosecutors desks rose by 57 per cent in a decade: from 7.4 million in 2016 to 11.6 million.

The report also shows an increase in the workload, with 3.8 million cases brought before a court, a significant increase from 2.4 million in 2016 (+58.4 per cent).

A total of 3.9 million people were tried last year, with 3.4 million sentences issued; in 43.4 per cent of cases, people were convicted, while in 20.3 per cent of cases, they were acquitted. The verdict was postponed in 21.6 per cent of cases, while other decisions accounted for 14.7 per cent.

The total number of cases resolved in 2025 was 2.3 million. The average length of criminal court proceedings was 248 days.

Finally, last year, courts examined 332,648 cases involving 330,496 children.

Custodial sentences were handed down in 28,225 cases, with fines imposed in 21,362.
16 April 2026 17:43 (UTC+04:00)

Elnur Enveroglu Read more

The Antalya Diplomacy Forum (ADF) has, since its launch in 2021, become a fixture in the global diplomatic calendar. Its fifth edition, ADF2026, convened under the auspices of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, comes at a moment of heightened unpredictability in international affairs, as is seen in its title. With geopolitical tensions, trade barriers and the weakening of multilateralism shaping the landscape, this years theme, Mapping Tomorrow, Managing Uncertainties, captures the urgency of anticipating risks and opportunities to build a more resilient future.

President Ilham Aliyevs participation, at his Turkish counterpart Erdogans invitation, is emblematic of the deepening AzerbaijanTurkiye relationship. Their bond, often described as one of brotherhood, is not merely rhetorical but strategic. Aliyevs presence highlights Azerbaijans emergence as a South Caucasus nation free of conflict, ready to contribute constructively to global debates on security, energy and diplomacy.

Last years theme, Reclaiming Diplomacy in a Fragmented World, reflected the need to restore dialogue in a fractured international system. It was a call to rebuild trust amid polarisation and unresolved conflicts. This years focus on uncertainty marks a shift: fragmentation demanded reconciliation, while uncertainty requires foresight. The evolution of themes illustrates the Forums responsiveness to the changing demands of diplomacy. In 2022, the Forum coincided with the outbreak of the RussiaUkraine war, underscoring the urgency of dialogue in times of crisis. Today, that war continues, while new tensions in the Middle East add further complexity. Against this backdrop, Azerbaijans conflictfree status offers a striking contrast, highlighting how stability enables constructive engagement.

The Antalya Diplomacy Forum has consistently reinforced the AzerbaijanTurkiye partnership. For Azerbaijan, it is a platform to align with Turkiye in shaping regional and global agendas. For Turkiye, it secures a reliable partner in the South Caucasus. Together, they project solidarity and cooperation, offering a model that resonates with other participants. Their brotherhood is more than cultural, which is rooted in shared interests across energy corridors, defence cooperation and regional stability. Aliyevs presence in Antalya demonstrates how this partnership is increasingly visible on the global stage.

Since 2021, the Forum has provided a valuable space for leaders, policymakers, academics and civil society to engage in dialogue. For Azerbaijan and Turkiye, it has been an opportunity to showcase their partnership and contribute to debates on energy security, regional stability and economic cooperation. For other countries, it offers a rare chance to exchange views and share best practices in an inclusive environment. The Antalya setting itself symbolises openness and hospitality, reinforcing the Forums mission to foster trust and cooperation.

The Forums benefits extend beyond bilateral ties. It has become a venue where pressing global issues are debated, from the RussiaUkraine war to Middle East tensions. This year, the emphasis on managing uncertainties reflects the reality that unpredictability has become the defining feature of international politics. By bringing together leaders, diplomats, academics and civil society, ADF2026 seeks to map pathways to resilience in a volatile world.

President Aliyevs participation in ADF2026 also underscores Azerbaijans transformation from a conflictridden nation to a proactive contributor to global diplomacy. The countrys role in energy security, its mediation efforts in regional disputes, and its commitment to multilateral dialogue position it as a constructive actor. Especially in a world where unresolved conflicts and polarisation dominate, Azerbaijans stability is a reminder that peace can enable meaningful engagement.

The Antalya Diplomacy Forums shift in themes, from fragmentation to uncertainty, captures the evolving challenges of our time. For Azerbaijan and Turkiye, the Forum is both a testament to their brotherhood and a platform to project stability in a volatile world. As the Middle East tensions persist and the RussiaUkraine war continues, Azerbaijans presence as a stable South Caucasus country is a reminder that diplomacy, when rooted in solidarity and foresight, can indeed map tomorrow.
16 April 2026 16:42 (UTC+04:00)

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Azerbaijan significantly increased its imports of solar panels in the first two months of 2026, reflecting growing interest in renewable energy, AzerNEWS reports. According to reported data, total imports during the period amounted to 519,000 units valued at approximately...

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16 April 2026 10:24 (UTC+04:00)

Laman Ismayilova Read more

The Azerbaijan Culture Ministry has hosted a meeting with renowned theatre, film, and television director, People's Artist Ramiz Hasanoglu, AzerNEWS reports.

The Culture Minister Adil Karimli congratulated the director on his 80th anniversary and extended his best wishes.

The minister pointed out that the People's Artist has made a significant contribution to the development of national culture through his many years of productive work.

The television productions directed by Ramiz Hasanoglu have been met with great acclaim. His documentary films, in turn, have contributed to enriching the historical and cultural memory of the Azerbaijani people.

It was also mentioned that the director's creative work has been consistently highly valued and he has been awarded several state honors.

Adil Karimli then presented the jubilarian director with an honorary diploma from the Culture Ministry and wished him good health, a long life, and continued creative success.

Ramiz Hasanoglu expressed his gratitude for the attention and the award.

People's Artists Haji Ismayilov, Ilham Namiq Kamal, and Mebud Maharramov, as well as Honored Art Workers Jamil Guliyev and Ayaz Salayev, who attended the meeting, spoke about Ramiz Hasanoglu's artistic career.

The meeting concluded with a commemorative photo session.
16 April 2026 18:05 (UTC+04:00)

Laman Ismayilova Read more

As part of its ongoing commitment to safeguarding historical identity and architectural legacy, Azerbaijan continues to strengthen the protection of its cultural heritage through systematic review and registration of monuments across the country.

The process involves expert evaluation, legal coordination, and the gradual inclusion of newly identified sites into the national heritage list.

The latest meeting of the Expert Council on the Identification of Immovable Cultural Assets, operating under the Azerbaijan Culture Ministry, has been held, bringing together officials and experts to review ongoing work on the identification, documentation, and protection of newly discovered and historically significant sites across the country, AzerNEWS reports.

The Deputy Culture Minister, Saadat Yusifova, briefed participants on the outcomes of the Council's ongoing work. She noted that to date, expert opinions have been obtained from the Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences in accordance with legislation for 681 monuments and newly discovered sites discussed by the Council. In total, expert assessment reports have been prepared for approximately 4,000 monuments and newly identified cultural assets. These materials are expected to be reviewed by the Council in a phased manner.

It was also highlighted that a draft decision regarding the state protection of 31 newly discovered sites located in the Yasamal district of Baku has been coordinated with relevant institutions and submitted for approval.

The Chair of the Expert Council, Rector of the Azerbaijan University of Architecture and Construction, Professor Gulchohra Mammadova, provided further details on the issues under discussion. She outlined that efforts continue to correct inaccuracies in the official list of state-protected immovable historical and cultural monuments, as well as to ensure that historically, architecturally, and archaeologically significant sites are brought under state protection.

During the meeting, the Council discussed the inclusion of 70 newly identified sites from 4 cities and 15 districts into state protection, as well as amendments to the records of 10 protected monuments located in the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic. Members reviewed proposals and recommendations, and decisions were adopted to implement appropriate measures for registering culturally, historically, and archaeologically significant sites under state protection.

In 2025, records of 8 protected monuments were updated, and in 2026, data on 87 monuments had already been corrected.

Additionally, last year, 51 newly discovered sites were added to the list of immovable historical and cultural monuments.

The Expert Council was established in order to make appropriate additions and changes to the Decision of the Cabinet of Ministers dated August 2, 2001, "On approving the distribution of immovable historical and cultural monuments taken under state protection in the territory of the Republic of Azerbaijan according to their importance".

The Council includes the Azerbaijan Culture Ministry, the State Service of Cultural Heritage Conservation, Development and Rehabilitation, the State Committee on Urban Planning and Architecture, the Baku General Directorate for Architecture and Urban Planning, Baku City Executive Power, the State Service on Property Issues under the Economy Ministry, the State Tourism Agency, Azerbaijan University of Architecture and Construction, Azerbaijan Union of Architects, Institute of Archeology and Anthropology, Icherisheher State Historical-Architectural Reserve, Shusha City State Reserve and Nakhchivan Culture Ministry.
16 April 2026 16:23 (UTC+04:00)

Ulviyya Poladova Read more

On April 16, participants of the 24th meeting of the Russia-Azerbaijan Intergovernmental Commission on Economic cooperation have visited the city of Zangilan, AzerNEWS reports.

Vahid Hajiyev, the Special Representative of the President in Cabrayil, Qubadl and Zangilan districts, provided the delegation from both sides with detailed information about the ongoing development and reconstruction efforts in Zangilan.

It was noted that extensive restoration work is already underway in the city. The Zangilan Congress Center Complex has been inaugurated, marking a significant milestone in the citys redevelopment. In addition, the "Jahangirbeyli" Hydroelectric Power Station, built on the section of the Okhchuchay River passing through the district, has been commissioned.

The Zangilan city mosque, constructed by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, has also been completed, contributing to the cultural and spiritual infrastructure of the area. Furthermore, a State Services Center has been established in the village square to improve access to public services for residents.

The 24th meeting of the Intergovernmental State Commission on Economic cooperation, co-chaired by Shahin Mustafayev, Deputy Prime Minister of Azerbaijan, and Alexei Overchuk, Deputy Prime Minister of Russia, will bring together representatives of relevant ministries and agencies of both countries.
16 April 2026 17:22 (UTC+04:00)

Ulviyya Poladova Read more

Speaker of the Azerbaijani Parliament, Sahiba Gafarova, held a meeting with Chairperson of the Federation Council of the Russian Federal Assembly, Valentina Matviyenko, on April 16 in Istanbul, within the framework of the 152nd Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), AzerNEWS reports, citing the parliamentary press service.

Qafarova emphasized the importance of international platforms such as the IPU and the Non-Aligned Movement Parliamentary Network (NAM PN) in fostering dialogue and cooperation.

During the meeting, the Azerbaijani parliament speaker highlighted the significant potential for further development of bilateral relations between the two countries and underlined the important role of interparliamentary ties. She noted that effective cooperation has already been established between the legislative bodies of Azerbaijan and Russia, with parliamentarians actively participating in both bilateral events and international organizations.

Valentina Matviyenko, in turn, referred to the joint statement by the foreign ministries of Russia and Azerbaijan regarding the December accident near Aktau on December 25, 2024, expressing condolences and stressing the importance of addressing its consequences. She also thanked Azerbaijan for assisting in the safe evacuation of Russian citizens from Iran amid recent conflict developments.

Both sides expressed satisfaction with the current level of bilateral relations and noted the key role played by the heads of state in advancing cooperation between Azerbaijan and Russia.
16 April 2026 20:07 (UTC+04:00)

AzerNEWS Staff Read more

Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev has sent a letter of condolence to the President of Turkiye, Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

According to AzerNEWS, the letter reads:

Dear Mr. President,

My dear Brother,

We were deeply shocked and saddened by the news of the loss of life and the injuries of many people, most of them children, as a result of an armed attack on a school in Kahramanmaras.

We are extremely outraged by this horrific incident and strongly condemn this act of cruelty directed against children.

In these difficult moments, I share your grief and, on my own behalf and on behalf of the people of Azerbaijan, extend my deepest condolences to you, the families and loved ones of those killed, and the brotherly people of Turkiye. I wish you patience and a speedy recovery to the injured.

May Allah rest their souls in peace!

Ilham Aliyev

President of the Republic of Azerbaijan

Baku, 16 April 2026
Washinton, DC, US (PANA) - The World Bank Group, in partnership with multilateral development banks, development finance institutions and key partners, on Wednesday launched Water Forward, a global platform to help improve water security for 1 billion people by 2030
16 April 2026 13:03 (UTC+04:00)

Qabil Ashirov Read more

On April 15, President of the State Oil Company of Azerbaijan (SOCAR), Rovshan Najaf, held a meeting with senior U.S. officials, including Rebecca Neff, Senior Advisor at the U.S. Department of State, and Sarah Lemming, Country Manager at the U.S. Trade and Development Agency, AzerNEWS reports.

According to SOCAR, the sides expressed satisfaction with the long-standing and successful cooperation between Azerbaijan and the United States in the energy sector.

The meeting also highlighted the historic significance of the Strategic Partnership Charter signed in February this year between the governments of Azerbaijan and the United States. The agreement was described as a key milestone in advancing bilateral relations and opening broader prospects for cooperation, particularly in the energy field.

During the discussions, participants underscored the strong and productive ties between SOCAR and various U.S. companies across multiple segments of the energy industry.

The importance of the TRIPP project, along with existing energy routes within the Middle Corridor, was emphasized in terms of enhancing regional cooperation. The sides also exchanged views on other issues of mutual interest.
16 April 2026 11:02 (UTC+04:00)

Ulviyya Poladova Read more

The United States Senate has failed to pass a War Powers Resolution aimed at limiting President Donald Trumps ability to take further military action against Iran without congressional approval, AzerNEWS reports, citing CBS News.

The resolution was rejected by a vote of 52 to 47, largely along party lines. Democratic lawmakers introduced the measure, marking the fourth attempt by the party to impose such restrictions. All similar initiatives have been blocked in the Senate, where Republicans currently hold the majority.

The proposed resolution sought to reinforce Congresss constitutional authority over decisions of war and peace, particularly in light of rising tensions between the United States and Iran. Supporters argued that any escalation in military engagement should require explicit authorization from Congress.

Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky was the only Republican to vote in favor of the measure, and Sen. John Fetterman of Pennsylvania was the only Democrat to vote against it.

The War Powers Act of 1973 mandates that the president must seek congressional approval within 60 days of initiating military action. Without such approval, the president is required to withdraw U.S. forces. This deadline is set to expire at the end of April, although the law allows for a one-time extension of up to 30 additional days under certain conditions.
16 April 2026 13:25 (UTC+04:00)

Ulviyya Poladova Read more

NATO and the European Union are working to develop competing strategies for managing rapidly increasing defense budgets across Europe, AzerNEWS reports, citing Financial Times (FT).

A tense dispute has emerged between the two organizations over how to allocate as much as $1 trillion annually earmarked for rearmament. The surge in defense spending comes amid growing security concerns and pressure linked to the policies of U.S. President Donald Trump.

NATO member states largely agreed in June last year to raise defense spending to 5% of GDP by 2035  a target which, if met, would amount to an increase of around $1 trillion per year spent on defense among EU countries compared to 2024.

But unnamed officials cited by the Financial Times have said that there is disagreement between NATO and the EU over where to procure new arms, with Brussels favoring an approach to buy European - produced systems.

Though Europes defense has long been based largely on US protection guarantees, that dynamic is being reconsidered by many in Europe as a result of increased tensions between Washington and its NATO allies.

U.S. President Donald Trump has recently threatened to withdraw the United States from NATO, citing frustration with the alliances lack of support during the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.

The tensions stem from a war that began in February, when the United States and Israel launched strikes on Iran, triggering a broader regional confrontation. Since then, Washington has sought backing from its NATO allies, including requests for military assistance and support operations in key areas such as the Strait of Hormuz.

Photo: Shutterstock
16 April 2026 20:14 (UTC+04:00)

By News Centre

At a time when geopolitical risks are intensifying across global energy markets, Turkiye is preparing for a fundamental transformation in its energy policy. In an interview with Yeni Safak, Energy and Natural Resources Minister Alparslan Bayraktar emphasized that electrification will form the core of the countrys new energy roadmap, set to be unveiled in 2026. The strategy aims to reduce energy costs while decreasing dependence on foreign resources.

Bayraktar highlighted ongoing efforts to reshape Turkiyes long-term energy planning, noting that the current strategy is undergoing revision. He recalled that five years have passed since the launch of the 30-year energy plan prepared in 2021 with a 2050 perspective. In light of shifting global conditions and technological advancements, the plan will now be updated. The minister stated that the new roadmap is expected to be announced this year, potentially ahead of the Conference of the Parties (COP) process, and will include revised renewable energy targets.

Placing electrification at the heart of the new strategy, Bayraktar explained that the vision to electrify Turkiye extends beyond electricity generation to encompass widespread adoption of electricity across all sectors. From transportation and housing to heating and industry, the government aims to drive a comprehensive transition toward electricity-based systems. He stressed that such a transformation will require robust infrastructure.

Bayraktar warned that prolonged tensions in the Middle East could have lasting consequences for the global economy. He noted that attacks on energy infrastructure in the region directly affect supply security, adding, If similar developments occur in Saudi Arabia or Kuwait, the impact would be far greater. Commenting on oil prices, Bayraktar pointed to forward market pricing, saying, If you want to buy oil today, you are paying $140. The levels you see at $107110 for Brent correspond to June contracts. The market is essentially signaling that if this situation persists, prices will rise further.

Despite global uncertainties, Bayraktar said Turkiye remains relatively well-positioned in terms of supply security, noting limited dependence on the Strait of Hormuz. Roughly 10% of Turkiyes oil imports pass through Hormuz, and we have no dependence on it for natural gas. Therefore, we do not face significant vulnerability in supply security, he said. He added that mechanisms such as the sliding-scale fuel pricing system and tax adjustments are being used to shield consumers from rising fuel prices, noting that without such measures, prices would be significantly higher.

Highlighting a transformation in energy supply routes, Bayraktar pointed to the strategic importance of the TurkStream pipeline. Turkiye previously received its natural gas through the Western pipeline via Ukraine, Moldova, Romania and Bulgaria. This structure has now changed. Thanks to TurkStream, we have reduced transit risks and gained the ability to export gas to Europe, he said.

He also underlined the importance of projects such as the Trans-Anatolian Natural Gas Pipeline (TANAP), Blue Stream pipeline, and floating storage and regasification units (FSRUs), particularly during times of crisis. Risks surrounding the Strait of Hormuz, he added, have accelerated the search for new pipeline routes. Potential lines extending from Saudi Arabia through Jordan and Syria to Turkiye are being evaluated. If these projects materialize, they could reshape not only Turkiyes energy landscape but also Europes energy balance, he said.

Bayraktar also addressed energy cooperation proposals with Iraq. He noted that a pipeline extending from Basra to Turkiye has long been on the agenda. There is a 650-kilometer pipeline reaching Silopi with a capacity of 1.5 million barrels per day. We have maintained this line operational for 50 years, he said, adding that its completion would provide revenue for Iraq and establish a strategic energy corridor for Turkiye.

Touching on the long-discussed project to transport Turkmenistan gas across the Caspian Sea to Azerbaijan and Turkiye, Bayraktar said the idea has been under consideration for decades. This project was discussed 30 years ago during the time of the late Suleyman Demirel. Now, a new window of opportunity may be emerging, he noted.

The minister also revealed that planned operations off the coast of Pakistan have been postponed due to security concerns. We had planned to deploy the Oruc Reis for seismic surveys, but the region has effectively turned into a war zone. There are jammers everywhere, making it extremely difficult to receive signals, he said. He added that exploration activities continue in two offshore fields in Libya, with seismic operations expected to be rescheduled later this year.

Regarding Black Sea gas production, Bayraktar said the offshore platform has reached a critical stage. On August 30, we will move the platform from Filyos. This will be followed by a sail-out operation, testing phases, and the completion of riser connections, he explained.

Bayraktar also provided an update on the Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant, noting that testing is ongoing and that commissioning is targeted toward the end of the year if all proceeds as planned. He confirmed that negotiations with Japan over the Sinop Nuclear Power Plant were terminated due to cost concerns.

On small modular reactor (SMR) technologies, Bayraktar said discussions are continuing with countries such as Canada and South Korea, though he cautioned that expecting large-scale outcomes before 2030 would not be realistic.

Finally, Bayraktar addressed Turkiyes energy exploration efforts in Somalia, expressing optimism about potential discoveries. Expectations among Somalis are high. Based on seismic data, we decided to proceed with deep-sea drilling for oil and natural gas. We are more hopeful about offshore prospects and are currently drilling. I believe we will be able to share good news of a discovery within a few months, he said. He added that while other international companies hold exploration licenses in multiple blocks, many have yet to begin active operations.
16 April 2026 12:51 (UTC+04:00)

Akbar Novruz Read more

Israeli strikes near a south Lebanon hospital have entered a second day, Al-Jazeera reported on Thursday, stating the Israel Defense Forces are targeting the area around Tibnin's last remaining medical facility that is close to the border, AzerNEWS reports.

Meanwhile, ground fighting intensifies in Bint Jbeil. On Wednesday, Lebanese officials accused Israel of deliberately targeting health workers: three successive attacks killed at least three paramedics, including one recently featured in a BBC report. Teams from the Islamic Health Association and other rescue services were struck while trying to aid the wounded.

Apparently, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will speak to Lebanese President Joseph Aoun today, Israeli Science and Technology Minister Gila Gamliel said on Thursday. Gamliel told Israel's Army Radio that the two leaders will speak "after so many years of a total disconnect in the dialogue between the two states" and expressed hope that the renewed contact could "lead to prosperity."

Yesterday, United States President Donald Trump announced that "the two leaders" of Israel and Lebanon will talk today, although he did not provide any details and Lebanese officials were unable to confirm the claim earlier in the day. The conflict between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon has been ongoing since March 2 and has so far resulted in 2,167 deaths, according to Lebanese authorities.
16 April 2026 23:30 (UTC+04:00)

By News Centre

Turkiye is accelerating its digital transformation and strengthening its telecommunications infrastructure, Transport and Infrastructure Minister Abdulkadir Uraloglu said at the Turk Telekom 2026 Business Partners Meeting held in Antalya.

Speaking before more than 1,600 participants and 205 business partners, Abdulkadir Uraloglu emphasized that the information and communications sector has become one of the most strategic and indispensable fields in todays global economy.

He noted that technologies such as artificial intelligence, cloud computing, the Internet of Things (IoT), and high-speed connectivity are directly shaping countries development, boosting innovation and efficiency across industries.

Uraloglu said Turkiye is steadily increasing its ambitions in the transport and data connectivity sectors under the leadership of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, adding that cooperation with leading national institutions such as Turk Telekom is central to the countrys digital transformation strategy.

The minister highlighted Turkiyes progress in 5G deployment, noting that the official rollout began after a ceremony held on March 31, 2026. As of April 1, 2026, 5G services have been gradually introduced across all 81 provinces.

He said the technology has seen exceptionally fast adoption, with around 29 million subscribers already using 5G services within days of expansion, representing over 90% penetration among compatible devices in the country.

Uraloglu described the figures as a strong indicator of public acceptance of next-generation mobile technology, adding that demand is expected to grow further as new compatible devices enter the market. He said nationwide 5G coverage is expected to be completed within two years.

The minister underlined that 5G expansion is closely linked to the strength of Turkiyes fiber infrastructure. Since 2002, the countrys fiber network has expanded from around 81,000 kilometers to 657,000 kilometers.

Turk Telekom has played a leading role in this expansion, laying 231,000 kilometers of new fiber since 2019 and increasing fiber coverage to more than 34 million households. Turkiye now ranks among the top three European countries in fiber household coverage.

Uraloglu also noted that 61% of LTE base stations are now connected via fiberabove both global averages and European targets.

The minister also referred to Turkiyes 5G spectrum auction held in October 2025, which generated $3.53 billion in revenue. He stressed that the government has introduced requirements for increased use of domestically produced and nationally developed communication technologies in mobile networks.

He said Turk Telekom and other operators are expected to contribute to the development of local solutions in cooperation with Turkish technology firms and subsidiaries.

Uraloglu added that Turkiye is rapidly moving toward becoming not only a consumer of 5G technology but also a producer and exporter of telecom solutions, supported by innovation centers and partnerships across the sector.
16 April 2026 17:01 (UTC+04:00)

Akbar Novruz Read more

Armenia authorities have detained 14 members of the Strong Armenia party in connection with a criminal case involving alleged bribery ahead of elections, AzerNEWS reports.

According to a statement by the countrys Anti-Corruption Committee of Armenia, the case concerns the alleged giving and receiving of bribes during the pre-election period.

The committee said that on the morning of April 16, law enforcement officers carried out searches in the offices and residences of party members in the city of Artashat, followed by a series of detentions.

The detained individuals are linked to the political movement associated with businessman Samvel Karapetyan.

Authorities did not disclose further details, stating that additional information will be released if necessary as the investigation continues.
16 April 2026 19:47 (UTC+04:00)

Ulviyya Poladova Read more

Yesterday, as Sudanese citizens continue to suffer the world's most severe humanitarian emergency, the European Union, together with Germany, France, the United Kingdom, the United States and the African Union, co-hosted the Third International Sudan Conference in Berlin, AzerNEWS reports.

According to official website of the European Civil Protection and Huanitarian Aid Operations, the EU, together with its Member States, pledged 812.14 million in aid to urgently respond to the country's ongoing emergency, both within and beyond its borders. Of the total EU pledge, the European Commission's contribution is 360.8 million, of which 215.5 million will support people in need in Sudan, and 145.3 million will help respond to the regional refugee crisis triggered by the war, in countries such as Chad, South Sudan, Ethiopia, Central African Republic, Uganda, Egypt and Libya.

The remaining Team Europe funding was pledged by Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Cyprus, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Lithuania, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Slovenia, and Sweden.

The aid package will focus on tackling food insecurity through cash assistance, as well as providing essential healthcare and nutrition services. It will also support access to clean water and sanitation, offer shelter to displaced populations, and strengthen protection and education services for vulnerable communities.

The ongoing conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) has now lasted for more than three years, resulting in tens of thousands of deaths. According to United Nations estimates, more than 12 million people have been forced to flee their homes, creating one of the largest displacement crises in the world.

Hundreds of thousands of people are currently facing severe hunger and lack access to adequate medical care, further deepening the humanitarian emergency.

Photo: AFP
16 April 2026 17:15 (UTC+04:00)

Akbar Novruz Read more

Pope Leo XIV criticised on Thursday the world leaders who spend billions on wars, claiming that the world is currently being "ravaged by a handful of tyrants", AzerNEWS reports.

During his visit to Cameroon, the pope stressed that the "masters of war" ignore the fact that "it only takes a moment to destroy, yet often a lifetime is not enough to rebuild."

Furthermore, the pontiff also called for "true" dialogue, which will "lead us in the opposite direction, onto a sustainable path rich in human fraternity."

The remarks come just days after a high-profile spat with US President Donald Trump, who posted a lengthy attack on the Pope, a vocal critic of the US and Israeli military operation in Iran.

The Pope had voiced his concern about Trump's threat that "a whole civilisation will die" if Iran did not agree to US demands to end the war and open the Strait of Hormuz.

Leo, who last year became the first US-born pope, has previously also questioned the Trump administration's approach to immigration.

"Leo should get his act together as Pope," Trump wrote in a TruthSocial post at the time.

Speaking in Cameroon, the Pope criticised leaders who "turn a blind eye to the fact that billions of dollars are spent on killing and devastation, yet the resources needed for healing, education and restoration are nowhere to be found."

"The masters of war pretend not to know that it takes only a moment to destroy, yet often a lifetime is not enough to rebuild," he said.

Speaking to crowds on Thursday, the Pope condemned "an endless cycle of destabilisation and death" in a "bloodstained" region of Cameroon that has been gripped by insurgency for nearly a decade.

"Those who rob your land of its resources generally invest much of the profit in weapons, thus perpetuating an endless cycle of destabilisation and death," he told those gathered at a cathedral in the northwestern city of Bamenda.

Pope Leo's wide-ranging Africa tour will include stops in 11 cities across four countries. It is his second major foreign visit since being elected to the papacy last year, and reflects the importance of Catholicism in Africa.

More than a fifth of the world's Catholics are in Africa, some 288 million people, according to figures from 2024.
16 April 2026 20:46 (UTC+04:00)

by Alimat Aliyeva

The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism of Japan has announced new restrictions on the use of portable batteries onboard aircraft, set to take effect on April 24. The measures are aimed at reducing the risk of smoke and fire incidents involving lithium-ion batteries, which can occasionally overheat in confined cabin environments, AzerNEWS reports.

Under the new rules, passengers will be prohibited from using power banks to charge electronic devices during flights, as well as from connecting them to the aircrafts onboard power systems. The restrictions apply to all types of portable batteries, including spare batteries used for cameras and video equipment.

The Japanese regulator is also revising the carry-on limits for such devices. The rule allowing no more than two batteries per passenger will remain in place, but it will now apply to batteries with a capacity of up to 160 Wh. Batteries with a capacity of up to 100 Wh may still be carried without quantity restrictions, while higher-capacity units will be counted within the overall allowance alongside power banks.

Enforcement of the new regulations will be stricter. Passengers violating the rules will first receive warnings, but repeated or serious offenses may result in fines of up to 1 million yen (approximately 10,691 manats, according to The Japan Times).

Interestingly, similar safety measures are being discussed in other countries as aviation authorities worldwide face an increasing number of incidents involving lithium-ion battery overheating. Some airlines are even testing fire-resistant storage pouches and improved onboard smoke detection systems to further reduce risks during flight.
Missouri parents celebrated a major legal victory this week after a Cole County judge refused to shut down funding for the state's MOScholars school choice scholarship program, allowing thousands of students to remain in their current schools while a broader lawsuit continues.

The latest ruling means the MOScholars K12 scholarship program, created in 2021 as Missouri's Empowerment Scholarship Accounts initiative, will keep operating and distributing funds to eligible families.

The case stems from a lawsuit filed by the Missouri National Education Association (MNEA), which argues that state lawmakers violated the Missouri Constitution by sending $5051 million in general revenue directly to the program instead of relying only on private donations and tax credits, as outlined in the original law, according to Ed Choice.

Request To Block the New Funding

The union had asked the court to block the new funding while the case moves forward, but the judge declined to issue that order, preserving access to current and upcoming scholarships.

Parent advocates and school choice supporters framed the decision as a lifeline for families who depend on MOScholars to keep their children in schools where they are doing well.

The Children's Education Alliance of Missouri (CEAM) said the ruling gives "critical stability" to families who feared their children might have to leave their schools if the money stopped. CEAM officials noted that many participating students have special needs, come from low-income households, or were previously assigned to struggling public schools.

Under MOScholars, donors receive tax credits for contributing to approved educational assistance organizations, which then provide scholarships that parents can use for private school tuition, tutoring, transportation, textbooks, or other approved education expenses.

Recent budget changes added tens of millions of dollars in direct state funding, dramatically expanding the number of scholarships available, Heart Lander News reported.

Supporters, including EdChoice Legal Advocates and other school choice groups, argue that the law always allowed the program to receive money from multiple sources and that the new appropriation is constitutional.

Opponents, led by the MNEA, say the legislature "overstepped its authority" by using a budget bill to change how the program is funded and by diverting public money to what they describe as private school vouchers.

The union contends that once general revenue flows directly into MOScholars accounts for scholarships, it alters the program without going through a separate statute change, violating Missouri's single-subject and appropriations rules.

The lawsuit asking the court to permanently block the $51 million appropriation remains active, meaning the larger constitutional fight is still ahead, even as parents enjoy a key early win that keeps MOScholars open for now, as per KCUR.
16 April 2026 20:01 (UTC+04:00)

AzerNEWS Staff Read more

Alexandru Ion Giboi, Secretary General of the European Alliance of News Agencies (EANA), has been elected Officer-at-Large of the Board of the Digital Media Licensing Association (DMLA) for a two-year term, AzerNEWS reports via EANA.

Giboi will represent EANA, a DMLA member, alongside eight professionals from the US and Europeandigital content licensing value chain - from creation and aggregation to distribution, monetisation, and rights enforcement.

"During times when content licensing, the core business model for most content producers, is facing increasing disruption from AI and connected issues, the pace of change becomes faster and media professionals are called to constantly update and broaden their views on an environment which is shifting from what we the business-as-usual a few years ago. I'm happy to contribute to DMLA and bring in the experience and point of view of European news agencies - the pillars of trustworthy content for Europe and the world. The challenges faced by European and US news media and general content producers are mostly the same, and we need to stay united in facing them. Many thanks to the DMLA members for their support and congratulations to all of the members of the Board for their new mandates. I'm looking forward to working together with this fantastic team of professionals," Giboi said.

Alexandru Giboi has been the Secretary General of EANA since 2018, currently serving a third term of three years. Apart from his work with EANA, he is teaching International Strategic Management at the Universita della Svizzera Italiana (USI), in Lugano, Switzerland. Previously to EANA, Alexandru Giboi was the President and Director General of AGERPRES, the Romanian National News Agency (2013-2018). He is a global consultant on media issues and works closely with relevant international stakeholders to advance creators rights protection and strengthen societys information literacy. Supporting the younger generation's access to trustworthy information, he acts as advisor to Politica pentru Toti, a youth-led media project on Instagram.
Where do you stand on the Transgender Issue now that the issue has gotten to the overt point of the open celebration of this lifestyle choice, dictated by certain direct and explicit actions.

86.84% I do not approve of behavior that has within its expressed tenants policies that harm children.11.84% I do support the Trans Community in all its many facets because diversity is at a premium in today's society.1.32% What is a "Children's Drag Queen Story Hour?"
This time it is not notorious far left Fairfax County. It is Albemarle County in the Charlottesville metropolitan area, and it is even worse than Fairfax in imposition of the far left, Marxist and racist, DEI ideology upon students. A recent article in The Federalist tells the story.

Albemarle County pushes students to make a "personal commitment" to the DEI ideology as a "core competency". It reviews teachers lesson plans to insure they are pushing "anti-racism" which is an Orwellian term for promoting racism against white people. It has an "equity" grading system which guarantees at least 50% credit for an incomplete assignment. Its curriculum is steeped in DEI and "anti-rascism"

Of the eight objectives in school board policy to instill in students, two are overtly political; "anti-racism" and "social justice and inclusion". A school board member publicly compared a meeting to Charlie Kirk's Turning Point USA to a Ku Klux Klan rally, and another school board member jumped to her defense on that accusation.

Albemarle County is the location of Thomas Jefferson's Montecello, so it is particularly obscene to see this far left political indoctrination of students going on there. Jefferson was a champion of freedom of speech. The student population subjected to this racist DEI agenda is majority white.

The US State department has designated DEI as a violation of human rights.

https://thefederalist.com/2026/04/15/exclusive-virginia-school-district-encourages-student-commitment-to-dei-as-major-achievement-metric/

Meanwhile, in Indiana, a school counsellor who had been fired for publicly objecting to a school board policy to socially transition children without telling their parents, has received a settlement of $200,000. The case led the state legislature to require parental notification.

https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2026/04/school-agrees-pay-counselor-fired-objecting-transgender-policy/

We in Beaufort County can be thankful that while we have had four solid conservatives on our school board, its policies have been amended to prohibit DEI, CRT, and radical gender theory from our curriculum. One wonders how long that will last now that a cabal of activist teachers have managed to replace two of those conservatives with two members of the NCAE teachers union.
If you'd like to leave a comment (or a tip or a question) about this story with the editors, please email us

We also welcome letters to the editor for publication; you can do that by filling out our letters form and submitting it to the newsroom.
Chris Graff is the former Vermont AP bureau chief, author of "Dateline Vermont," and former host of Vermont This Week. He has covered Vermont politics for more than 50 years. Opinions expressed by columnists do not necessarily reflect the views of Vermont News & Media.
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We frequently lament modern technologys most pernicious effects on our younger neighbors, from classroom disruption caused by student cellphone use to the dangers of excessive social media use wherever youths may access it. So, we certainly agree with the Legislature that this is an area warranting serous consideration of smart regulation that could mitigate the worst ills that the information age poses for young people. Nevertheless, we are skeptical that legislation just passed by the state House of Representatives would be the best way to address these very real concerns.

House bill would ban social media for children under 14, bar phones from schools Lawmakers plan to vote Wednesday on a House bill that would ban social media use for children under 14, require parental consent for teens 14 and 15, and prohibit student cellphone use during the school day.

After the Senates near-unanimous passage of a bill (S.2581) that would ban cellphone use by students throughout the school day, the House added a hefty amendment when it took up the measure: prohibiting social media use for children under 14, while requiring platforms to obtain parental consent for users who are 14 or 15. That version passed the House last week, 129-25. Now, the bill is back in the Senates court.

Theres little doubt that the ubiquity of cellphone use and social media access for young people is causing harm, in the classroom and elsewhere, and legislators are right to look for opportunities to reduce that harm. But is cramming both of these measures into one bill the best way for Massachusetts to lead on smart regulation of techs effects on kids? The contours of the social media restriction aspect of the House version highlights why this well-intentioned effort could use some more deliberation.

While the legislation would prohibit social media use for most minors, the text of the amendment doesnt actually specify what would be restricted if the bill became law. Instead, it leans on the state Attorney Generals Office to write regulations for implementation and, notably, does not indicate which particular platforms would be restricted.

If you ask most Bay Staters, we imagine many would agree that there should be some curbs on youth social media use. Yet if you ask those same people to define what falls under the category of social media, we imagine there wont be unanimity. Its easy to guess which platforms would likely be targeted like Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, X (formerly Twitter)  all of which warrant scrutiny based on legal findings and research that strongly suggest harmful effects, particularly for kids. But then it gets fuzzier. What about streaming services like YouTube or Twitch? What about peer-to-peer gaming services with social media-like features? What exactly counts as social media?

While the legislation the House just passed doesnt specify, it does indicate what kinds of features may subject a platform to user restriction. These include infinite scrolling, push notifications, displays of personal interactive metrics, content generated by algorithm and autoplay video. Some savvy internet users will note that its hard to find a website these days that forgoes any of those elements. Even The New York Times online crossword ticks most of those boxes.

Like most, we find it entirely reasonable to restrict minors access to certain activities and substances. Nearly all such laws on the books are clear with regard to what theyre actually banning. We can definitively determine whether a product contains tobacco or alcohol and therefore should not be sold to minors. But this House proposal to restrict social media is akin to a bill that would ban soda consumption by minors without defining what soda is and then leaving that critical definition up to the AG after the bill is already enshrined in law.

If lawmakers are going to ban or restrict something, they should be able to say what that something is rather than offering up vague generalities as to what it might look like. Else, even their constituents that would welcome protections for youth against legitimately concerning tech trends cant reasonably predict the true effect of the law being passed by their representatives.

That calls for a debate in the Statehouse that goes beyond taking the easy win to rail against social media and undertakes the tougher task of defining it and carefully crafting regulations to proscribe it. The potential downsides of overzealous or ill-considered enforcement underscore the need to get this right. Like it or not, the online portions of our lives have grown considerably for youth and adults alike, and there are real risks of throwing the baby out with the bathwater by limiting kids access to platforms that offer speech, education and socialization opportunities. We can lament all we want that those aspects of life are now more internet-based and algorithm-driven than ever, but if Massachusetts wants to lead on modern protections for children, then Beacon Hill should craft and deliberate on a bill that thoughtfully considers social media restrictions rather than tacking them on in an amendment just to catch up with other states and countries.

Curbing classroom cellphone use and social media harm reduction are valid and valuable aims for our lawmakers. Indeed, each one is valuable enough that it warrants its own legislative and deliberate process to get it right. When the Houses version of this legislation goes before the Senate, we urge the upper chamber to do the prudent thing by rejecting the Houses amendment. That would retain the common-sense classroom cellphone ban while leaving the more far-reaching social media restriction proposal on the Statehouse floor, where it could clearly use more debate and scrutiny.
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A monitor displays President Donald Trump as he delivers an April 1 message on the war in Iran.
Former Labour TD Joe Costellos claim for damages against RTE has been struck out, following an agreement that the politicians High Court action did not require the broadcasters participation.

Costellos action, which centres on legislation relied on by RTE in its defence of a separate libel lawsuit, remains live as against the State.

He sued over the broadcasters failure to notify him of its defence of a defamation action brought by Sinn Fein activist Nicky Kehoe.

In 2018, Nicky Kehoe, who said he was defamed in comments made on a broadcast of RTE Radios Today with Claire Byrne, was awarded 3,500 against RTE.

A High Court jury made an overall award of 10,000 for the defamatory comment made by Costello on the show.

In its defence against Kehoes action RTE pleaded, under provisions of the 1961 Civil Liability Act, that Costello was a concurrent wrongdoer and was responsible for the defamation.

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The jury found the broadcast was defamatory because it meant Kehoe was not a fit person to be involved in the democratic process.

The jury also found the national broadcaster was 35 per cent liable for the defamation, while Costello was 65 per cent at fault.

However, as Kehoe did not sue Joe Costello, there was no judgment against him.

In his action, Costello alleges various breaches of his constitutional rights  including the right to fair procedures  arising from the failure to notify him of RTEs concurrent wrongdoer defence.

It is the Costello case that RTEs reliance on the 1961 Civil Liability Act in its defence required the broadcaster to notify him.

In the alternative, Costello claims that if the Act does not require such notification, the relevant section of the legislation is unconstitutional.

Costello claims that had he known about RTEs defence, he would have wanted to defend [his] good name.

The State denies that Costellos rights have been breached.

The trial of the action opened before Judge Siobhan Stack this week.

Ireland 'Terrible shroud of sadness': Mentally ill man found not guilty of trying to murder brother Read more

On the second day of the trial, following Costellos evidence, the politicians lawyers told the judge that they and the RTE side agreed the correct interpretation of the 1961 Act could be addressed without the participation of RTE in the proceedings.

RTE would not object to any declaration made by the court in relation to the interpretation of the 1961 Civil Liability Act, the court heard.

Eileen Barrington, appearing with Conor Power for Costello, said the case against RTE could be struck out. The judge said she would make the order.

The case continues.
Operational AI platform recognized for measurable impact on imaging center workflow and patient access

AVENTURA, Fla., April 16, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- AbbaDox has received the NextGen Tech Award at the RBMA Rad Honors ceremony during the RBMA PaRADigm annual meeting. The award recognizes solutions delivering measurable innovation and performance in radiology.

AbbaDox was recognized for its operational AI platform, designed to close a persistent gap in radiology: advanced clinical imaging paired with manual, fragmented operational workflows.

Yaniv Dagan, AbbaDox Founder and CEO, accepts RBMA RadHonors Award for Next Generation Technology. The AbbaDox team at RBMA PaRADigm 2026

AbbaDox CareFlow, the company's intelligent operations platform, automates the patient journey from referral through scheduling, registration, and follow-up. By replacing disconnected systems with a unified, AI-driven workflow, imaging centers can increase capacity without adding staff.

Results from a live deployment include:

17,228 imaging orders processed in one week

96% of inbound faxes automated without manual intervention

94% patient satisfaction from AI-supported scheduling interactions

from AI-supported scheduling interactions 24/7 scheduling coverage through VoiceAI, with no additional staffing

"These are real operational problems," said Dianne Keen, Vice President of Strategy and Growth at AbbaDox. "This isn't about adding more technology. It's about removing friction, supporting staff, and improving access to care."

"The NextGen Tech Award exists to spotlight solutions that move radiology forward in practical, measurable ways," said a representative on the selection committee at RBMA. "AbbaDox stood out for its focus on operational workflows that directly impact patient access and practice sustainability."

AbbaDox focuses on operational AIautomating the work that surrounds every scan, not just the scan itself. As demand rises and staffing remains constrained, that focus is delivering measurable returns. One imaging network recovered more than $63,000 in revenue through a single automated patient re-engagement campaign. A multi-location enterprise reported ROI in under 60 days after replacing paper-based intake with digital workflows.

The company continues to expand CareFlow with conversational scheduling and voice-driven workflows that manage patient calls from greeting through confirmation. These capabilities are developed and trained in-house, tailored specifically to outpatient radiology.

This recognition builds on AbbaDox's continued investment in both innovation and the people behind it. The company was also honored at RBMA Rad Honors in 2025 with the Culture and Well-Being Award, reflecting its commitment to supporting not only imaging operations, but the teams who power them.

To learn more, visit https://www.abbadox.com.

About AbbaDox

AbbaDox is the #1 operations platform for outpatient radiology, rated 4.9/5 on Capterra. The company automates imaging center operations, including scheduling, patient engagement, referral management, and document processing, with AI developed specifically for radiology workflows. Since its founding in 2003, AbbaDox has become the platform imaging centers trust to scale efficiently. AbbaDox is headquartered in Aventura, Florida, and has been recognized as a Top Workplace three years running.

For more information, visit https://www.abbadox.com or https://www.abbadox.com/ris-radiology-information-system

Media Contact

AbbaDox Marketing Team

[email protected]

SOURCE AbbaDox
Judgment has been reserved following the trial of three men for the murder of Belfast journalist Lyra McKee.

The non-jury trial at Belfast Crown Court, which started in May 2024, heard evidence supporting a total of 52 charges against nine Derry men accused of being involved in rioting and attacks on police in April 2019.

Defence barristers have criticised the standard of the evidence in the case, which is almost entirely circumstantial.

A barrister for one of the men accused of murder said police properly left no stone unturned in their investigation into McKees death, which he described as undoubtedly a tragedy.

But Mark Mulholland went on to contend: Sadly some officers strayed outside of their duties, lines were crossed and expert witnesses were compromised.

The 29-year-old author died after being hit by a bullet as she stood close to police vehicles while observing the disturbances in the Creggan area of Derry on April 18th 2019.

Flowers at the spot where Lyra McKee was killed in Creggan, Derry (PA)

It came as TV presenter Reggie Yates and an MTV crew were filming in the area for a documentary which included interviewing members of Saoradh, a fringe republican political party with an office in Derry.

Several petrol bombs had been directed at police and a car was set on fire during chaotic scenes which culminated in four shots being fired towards officers, which the prosecution contends were aimed and deliberate.

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The New IRA claimed responsibility for the death of McKee.

Paul McIntyre, 58, of Kells Walk in Derry, Peter Cavanagh, 37, of Mary Street, and Jordan Gareth Devine, 25, of Bishop Street, are facing a joint enterprise murder charge.

They are also facing other charges connected to the shooting and the rioting.

Six other Derry men are facing charges including rioting and throwing petrol bombs in the non-jury trial.

Another man accused of rioting and throwing petrol bombs on the night of the murder died during trial proceedings last year.

It is the prosecutions case that the three men accused of murder had accompanied a lone gunman to the firing point on the night and encouraged or assisted him.

They say the men, who deny the charges, are linked to the scene by clothing and physical features.

The trial has continued in bouts over the course of two years.

Journalist Lyra McKee died while observing rioting (Chiho Tang/Oranga Creative/PA)

In February, Judge Smyth rejected a defence application that there was no case to answer.

The trial previously heard evidence of a horrifying scream being heard after the shot which killed McKee was fired.

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A police witness described the decision being taken to transport McKee to hospital in a police Land Rover rather than waiting for an ambulance, and travelling through the burning vehicles, through the crowd, headed down to Letterkenny Road, across the bridge and up to Altnagelvin (Hospital).

The officers carried out CPR on that journey, which took around five minutes, however McKees death was confirmed shortly after her arrival at the hospital.

The prosecution completed its closing submissions in March, prior to the Easter recess.

Defence barristers delivered their closing submissions across this week.

On Thursday morning, Mulholland, who represents McIntyre, built on his questioning of the quality of evidence on Wednesday.

Mulholland said three witnesses contradict the identification of his client as person D in footage on April 18th in terms of his height, and that no police officer was able to reliably identify McIntyre in the disturbances.

He also queried why D was not seen wearing glasses as McIntyre does.

Judge Smyth suggested McIntyre did not wear glasses all the time.

Mulholland said if a person was intending to pick up bullet cartridges or throw petrol bombs at police, you would wear your glasses.

Concluding, Mulholland referred to the prosecution case as a white dot on a coat, and urged the court to acquit his client.

Judge Smyth thanked all the counsel for their work and submissions in a very complex case.

She described a number of perspectives and said each defendant is entitled to be considered separately.

For that reason, I cannot give a date of final judgment, she said.

It will take some time, but this case will have my prioritisation.
Gardai are investigating a petrol bomb attack on a house in Waterford city in the early hours of Thursday morning, which left a man needing hospital treatment.

Shortly before 3am on Thursday, gardai were alerted to a house fire in the Larchville area of the city.

Gardai are treating fire as arson and that a petrol bomb was thrown through a downstairs window, engulfing the house in flames.

Fire units, the ambulance service and the gardai attended the scene.

The man, aged in his 50s, managed to escape the property and was subsequently brought to University Hospital Waterford (UHW) for treatment.

Significant damage was caused to the property. In a statement, gardai said they and fire services responded to reports of an incident of alleged criminal damage by fire.

A male aged in his 50s was taken to University Hospital Waterford for injuries believed to be non-life threatening, gardai added

The scene is currently held for technical examination.

Gardai are asking that anybody with any information contact Waterford Gardai in confidence on 051-305300 or the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111.
Taoiseach Micheal Martin has defended his leadership amid criticism from party colleagues over the Governments handling of the fuel protests.

Martin said he does not feel under threat as leader of Fianna Fail, as the political fallout from the demonstrations continues.

Senior party members have taken to the airwaves to criticise the Governments handling of fuel protests and blockades after the three youngest Fianna Fail TDs issued a letter voicing their deep concern.

Martin met with the three TDs on Wednesday night, before travelling to Berlin for talks with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on Thursday.

Micheal Martin has faced criticism from within his own party (PA)

Asked about his leadership while in Berlin, he said he does not in any shape or form, feel under threat in that respect.

He added: I do acknowledge the extraordinary pressure on families and people across the country in terms of the rising oil prices as a result of the war in the Middle East, and Government was faced with a very significant dilemma last week in terms of vital critical infrastructure being blockaded.

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He said no one anticipated the nature and scale of the protests, and the Government had an obligation to end blockades to the country's only oil refinery in Whitegate, Co Cork.

Some Fianna Fail members have previously criticised what they said is an issue with collaboration and transparency between the parliamentary party and its leadership.

After the partys presidential election candidate Jim Gavin dramatically withdrew three weeks before polling day, Fianna Fail members said they did not have enough input in the candidate selection process.

There's times that I get really annoyed over the fact that I'm sent the statement 'This is the Government statement, this is the message that you have to deliver' and I don't feel that I've had an input into it Malcolm Byrne, Wicklow-Wexford TD

Martin in particular was criticised for championing Gavin.

On Thursday, party members continued to voice their criticism after hearing from constituents unhappy with the Governments handling of the fuel protests.

Fianna Fail TD for Wicklow-Wexford Malcolm Byrne said the Taoiseach and some ministers could have shown more empathy and more understanding when speaking about the demonstrations last week.

I think some of the tone in some of the language that was used last week didnt help, he told RTE Radio.

I spoke to the Taoiseach, he totally gets it, and he understands the pain and pressure that people are facing.

Byrne said issues around the social contract raised by the three TDs need to be addressed, and said a meeting should be held in the next two weeks to discuss the partys direction.

But he added it can never just be about a particular individual, and said he would not sign a form of no confidence in Martin.

The political fallout from last weeks fuel price protests is continuing (PA)

I think the package that was certainly announced  and weve now seen three-quarters of a billion in terms of supports that were there  I think there was a concern that, from a Fianna Fail perspective, we didnt feel we had enough input into some of the discussion, Byrne said.

Theres times that I get really annoyed over the fact that Im sent the statement This is the Government statement, this is the message that you have to deliver and I dont feel that Ive had an input into it.

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John McGuinness, the Fianna Fail TD for Carlow-Kilkenny and a long-time critic of Martin, called for a new leader of the party.

He said he was at the fuel protests and he met many people whose backs were to the wall, and said Fianna Fail members did not have a chance to have direct input into how matters were dealt with.

The finger of blame, if you like, is pointed fairly and squarely at the Cabinet, and those that represented the Cabinet in public discourse did not do so in a way that recognised the legitimate efforts of people at a local level to get their point across, he told Newstalk radio.

My blame is directed at the Cabinet generally in terms of how things happened. We have a separate issue in Fianna Fail.

We need new leadership, quite frankly, and we need a new direction focused on the social issues of our day and based on the old values of the Fianna Fail party.

Joint statement on behalf of Albert Dolan TD, Ryan OMeara TD and James OConnor TD. @albertdolan_ @ryanomeara_td pic.twitter.com/f7pcycBJGf  James O'Connor TD (@JamesOConnorTD) April 15, 2026

On Wednesday, James OConnor of Cork East, Albert Dolan of Galway East and Ryan OMeara of Tipperary North said it should not take protests for the Government to listen and to act.

We must face that reality that the social contract is strained to breaking point, they said, while noting it was not about challenging any individual.

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Hours after their statement, former Fianna Fail minister Willie ODea, the longest serving current TD, and former Ceann Comhairle Sean O Fearghail also voiced their concerns.

O Fearghail said he had seen anger building among the public for quite some time, and leaving out measures on agri diesel in the first financial package from the Government on the fuel crisis  worth around 250 million  absolutely incensed farm families and the level of rage was contagious and it spread.

He said there was no cohesive line of communication between Government and the Fianna Fail parliamentary party, and backbench TDs had been treated like lobby fodder.

He called for the future leadership of the party to be discussed in the next two weeks.

ODea said being in Government is not about explaining the Governments problems to people, but instead about explaining the peoples problems to the Government and getting action.

We seem to have lost the one virtue on which every democracy depends, namely the ability to hear anger before it turns into rebellion, ODea said.

I think weve taken our eye off the ball. The leadership, the party and the Government have become too detached from ordinary people.
The Taoiseach is under renewed pressure from within his own party over last week's fuel protests.

A number of senior backbench TDs are demanding an urgent meeting of the parliamentary party, with reports some are trying to garner support for a heave against Micheal Martin.

Last night the Taoiseach met with three of the youngest Fianna Fail TDs after they released a statement criticising the timing of the Coalitions response to what they describe as "deep frustration" within communities.

On Wednesday, Fianna Fail TDs James OConnor, Albert Dolan and Ryan OMeara expressed real and deep concern, stating that it should not require protests and deep community frustration to get a Government to listen and to act.

The three TDs said their statement was not about challenging any individual or singling out any member of Government, but instead about provoking the party to do better.

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They said Fianna Fail should listen more closely, speak more honestly and act more ore decisively in pursuit of the common good.

The TDs said their most experienced colleagues share their views.

Former minister Willie O'Dea also said the Government had been "badly damaged" by its handling of the fuel protests.

Speaking to The Irish Times anonymously, one TD said it was last-chance saloon for the Taoiseach. Another said theres a little bit of the straw that broke the camels back when it comes to the fuel protests and Martin's leadership.

The Irish Examiner has been told by TDs and senators that there is more appetite than ever for a change of Fianna Fail leadership.

Meanwhile, thw Irish Independent reports TDs are plotting a "heave" against Micheal Martin, and 'sounding out' the ministers including Dara Calleary, Jim O'Callaghan and Darragh O'Brien over leadership bids.

Any meeting with Martin will likely have to wait as he is in Berlin on Thursday for a meeting with German chancellor Friedrich Merz.
Leas Ceann Comhairle John McGuinness has said the Fianna Fail party needs new leadership and a new direction.

We need new leadership, quite frankly, and we need a new direction focused on the social issues of our day and based on the old values of the Fianna Fail party, which essentially means you listen to the people, you examine their issues, and you then try to assist them by way of maybe the budget or some other measures that will support them, he told Newstalks Claire Byrne show.

But you don't leave marginalised and older people cold in their homes because of the cost of heating oil. That would not have happened in the past.

McGuinness' comments come amid mounting pressure on Taoiseach Micheal Martin following the fuel protests.

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We failed the public, we failed the protesters.

The parliamentary party should meet to discuss what had happened over the past few weeks, he said. We need to look at the policies and how we presented ourselves. We failed the public, we failed the protesters, and the language used to describe them as far-left and far-right was simply not acceptable.

I was on that protest and I met with many community leaders, businesses whose backs are to the wall, and who wanted support from government, understanding from government, and we were not, and when I say we, the arliamentary party was not given the opportunity to have a direct input into how matters were dealt with."

McGuinness said that since Micheal Martin became leader in 2011 there had been a growing centralised administration, where decisions are taken, and then where the parliamentary party is told about those decisions. That is not the way democracy works, and it's not the way a party should work.

Having a meeting on Monday morning at 11 o'clock when so much damage had been done to the party was too little, too late.

The finger of blame was pointed fairly and squarely at the Cabinet, he said. Those that represented the cabinet in public discourse did not do so in a way that recognised the legitimate efforts of people at a local level to get their point across.

There was no real attempt to get the message across to the public that it was understood. And I'm not talking about the extreme elements of the protest group. I'm talking about the people who are in business that wanted to get some form of relief, and business in the country is contractors, farmers, even small businesses and suppliers to those businesses, and they are suffering badly. And we were not able, as a party, to reflect the views of our local communities and therefore have an input. And then, when the Taoiseach was interviewed, his language did not recognise the very genuine people that were out on the picket line

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There was an issue within Fianna Fail where there was no input from representatives in an open and transparent way to the budgets and policies that affect the country, he said.

All of us might have a different view, but when you sit down and discuss these issues, you learn very quickly which issue needs to be addressed immediately.

And Fianna Fail, at parliamentary party level, has moved away from that model of management, and now we have a management by a small number of people of what's happening within the party. And quite frankly, I've spoken about this for years, and it's not acceptable. Now the younger members of the parliamentary party are saying the same thing that I would have said over the last ten years.

'Out of touch'

Veteran Fianna Fail TD Eamon O Cuiv has said the fuel protests must make Fianna Fail sit up and realise how out of touch it is with people.

The former deputy leader told Newstalk Breakfast that politics has changed, but that the party had not compensated for those changes in terms of structures.

The party had been much more of a movement when he started out in politics. In my constituency, there would have been 80 or 90 cumainn, depending on the size of the constituency at various times. And they were a great sounding board, and they left you in no doubt as to what their views were - and they represented a wide swathe of local communities.

In his three decades representing Galway West he had received constant feedback about policy and local issues, he said.

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O Cuiv, who served as TD for Galway West for over three decades, said this meant he received constant feedback about policy and local issues. I think it is fair to say that politics has changed, but we haven't compensated for those changes in terms of the structures.

When asked about the recent fuel protests O Cuiv said that many people taking part had never been involved in a protest in their life. Most werreally hardworking people who were struggling to do their jobs.

These people were largely representative of the indigenous economy. So, you had agriculture, forestry, fishing, construction, retail, all the distributors who are key there and have a big input into those industries.

Because if you're transporting microchips, transport is a very, very small percentage of your costs. If you're transporting agricultural goods, livestock, forestry, timber, or whatever, transport forms a very big part of your operation.

Martin's leadership

On the issue of Micheal Martins leadership of Fianna Fail, O Cuiv said he would not seek to advise the parliamentary party, but said debate as a healthy thing.

There is a wider issue, of course, about the organisation of the party and whether it is possible to create a new form of communications that means that you are getting the feedback from the ground.

Because I've never seen in my time in politics - and I've been through an awful lot - I was through the whole downturn as a Minister, but I never saw such a concentrated, continuous protest amongst Middle Ireland. And I think that that is what must make us sit up.

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Wicklow-Wexford Fianna Fail TD Malcolm Byrne has said that he had not signed and would not be signing any motion of no confidence in Micheal Martins leadership of the party.

Byrne told RTE radios Morning Ireland that , in hindsight the Government could have done things differently during the recent fuel protests.

The Taoiseach understood the pain and pressure that people were facing, he said. And while he was very conscious of the statement by his colleagues James OConnor, Albert Dolan and Ryan OMeara, there were times that I get really annoyed over the fact that I'm sort of sent the statement, this is the government statement, this is the message that you have to deliver, and I don't think that I've had an input into it.

Malcolm Byrne has said that he had not signed and would not be signing any motion of no confidence in Micheal Martins leadership.

There had been some concern from a Fianna Fail perspective, we didn't feel we had enough input into some of the discussion around that, and I think some of the tone and some of the language that was used last week didn't help matters.

I think in terms of the tone from, and I certainly don't want to personalise it, but the Taoiseach and some of the ministers, I think it could have been a case of more empathy being shown and more understanding, because I do know that they get it.

The bigger question now was where do we go from here?. There was a very good Programme for Government that had been agreed.

If we are able to deliver on that Programme for Government, then I think the electorate will start to say, yes, this government has got stuff done.

"I think sometimes there's a need for hands up, you know, we got certain things wrong, not everything, but we got certain things wrong in terms of our approach that happened last week.

When asked if Micheal Martin should resign as leader, Byrne said the Taoiseach was a very experienced and skilled politician who had represented the party and country well on the international stage. He would know when it was time to go.

Last thing we need

Fianna Fail MEP Cynthia Ni Mhurchu has said that a change of leadership of the party is the last thing we need. We dont need a heave.

There was no need for a change in leadership, but there was a need for a meaningful change in the methods of communications within the party, she told RTE radios Today with David McCullagh show.

I think it's time for change and quick change but I don't mean change in terms of the leadership. I haven't lost confidence in Micheal Martin but there's room for improvement and more so now because we've had it before over the presidential debacle and we now see it again.

So I want to see change. I share the views of those three young gentlemen that I admire so deeply. We're lucky to have the talent in the party. We need more of them and by the way we need more women as well, young women particularly.

But I do think that the message was mixed and uncertain last week and of course uncertainty spreads like a virus faster than the problem itself and when leaders don't talk and communicate decisively then people assume the worst and then when leaders do communicate at a time of crisis words really matter and the message has to be not from the world of the bubble or the perspective of the leader or the person giving direction but it has to be using words that the people who are affected on the side of the road and protesting peacefully or protesting democratically understand.

So we don't need preaching, we don't need teaching, we don't need talking down to people, and we don't need moral authority platitudes.

Unfortunately, the communication piece during the fuel protests was defective, said Ni Mhurchu.

It was defective in terms of the words but it was also defective in terms of it being rolled out to the people who were standing and sitting and sleeping at the side of the road peacefully protesting and who needed to know that not only was there active listening and empathetic listening which I repeat women and mothers are particularly good at but that they were given a sign of hope

The Taoiseach had failed to show vulnerability during his dealings with the protests, she added and the leadership he had displayed had been lopsided.

"They want, they're looking for something real to hold on to, to hope for, to believe in and to make sure that they're listened to at the appropriate time.

"Well, Micheal Martin may well feel that he did give leadership last week that he did call out people who were imposing a blockade on fuel depots and causing serious problems for everyone in the country, not just the government. I liked the leadership he showed but the leadership unfortunately was lopsided.

Vulnerability means that a leader comes out at a time of crisis and says do you know what we know? Some things in the government, but we don't know everything, so we're actively listening and we are going to have targeted meetings. 

People need to hope and hold on to something, and they need a listening ear and I think the government have a problem and the leadership have a problem with communicating the fact that they're doing all this hard work in the background and unknown, and that's what they're doing.

I've worked with Micheal Martin. He works night and day. The cabinet do likewise. They need to let the people know that that's what they're doing and speak more frequently about that.

Ireland Taoiseach under pressure within Fianna Fail amid fuel protest fallout Read more

Ni Mhurchu said she had not been approached about a motion of no confidence.

If there is going to be a heave, and of course it's hypothetical at the moment, we don't need a heave. I don't want a leadership challenge. We don't need to be navel-gazing in Fianna Fail.

We have a cost-of-living crisis, a fuel crisis, we have wars going on everywhere. Don't forget about Ukraine. Don't forget about Palestine. This is the last thing we need. 

Ireland now needed to focus on the EU Presidency. We need to win back friends in Europe. And we need Micheal Martin to be the leader of Fianna Fail and to be the Taoiseach during that period.
Two men have appeared in court charged arising out of a Garda investigation into a road traffic collision in which a motorcyclist died in Co Limerick two years ago.

Dan Curtin (63), was killed outright when a car collided with his motorcycle at the R515, Thomastown, Kilmallock, on February 2nd 2024.

The father of three, originally from Tournafulla, west Limerick, and later of Dromohane, Co Cork, who had worked for the Dairygold company, died at the scene.

At Newcastle West District Court, the alleged driver of the car involved in the fatal collision met gardai by appointment outside the courthouse, where he was arrested and charged.

Garda Sean Sheehy, Henry Street Garda Station, Limerick City, told the court that he charged the accused, Peter Danis, with one count of dangerous driving causing the death of Mr Curtin.

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Danis (46), with an address at Broad Street, Charleville, Co Cork, made no reply after he was charged, said Garda Sheehy.

The court heard Danis is currently employed, but he was granted free legal aid due to his financial circumstances.

Garda Inspector Gary Thompson, Bruff Garda Station, told the court that investigating gardai were not objecting to bail, nor were they seeking any specific bail conditions.

Inspector Thompson said the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) had directed that Danis be returned before Limerick Circuit Criminal Court for a trial or a plea.

Daniss barrister, Robert Moloney BL, instructed by solicitor Sarah Ryan, made an application for disclosure of evidence from the State.

A book of evidence is required, Mr Moloney told the court.

Judge Carol Anne Coolican granted the application for disclosure and remanded Danis on bail of his own bond of 100, which did not have to be lodged, to appear before Newcastle West District Court for service of the States Book of Evidence, on July 28th.

Garda Sheehy told the court that he arrested a second man in connection with the fatal collision after he had also presented himself outside the courthouse by apppintment.

Shane Dillon (31), Smiths Lane, Charleville, Co Cork, appeared before the court charged with one count of making a false statement to gardai in respect of the fatal collision.

Garda Sheehy said that Mr Dillon made no reply to the charge.

Inspector Thompson said investiagting gardai had no objection to Mr Dillon being granted bail nor were they seeking any special bail conditions.

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Inspector Thompson said the DPP had directed the prosecution against Mr Dillon be dealt with by way of summary disposal before the district court.

Outlining the alleged facts, Gda Sheehy told the court that, on February 2, 2024, gardai responded to a fatal road traffic collision where they spoke to Mr Dillon who informed gardai that he had witnessed the collision.

Garda Sheehy alleged in court that Mr Dillon gave a detailed statement to gardai that he had been being driving behind the vehicle that allegedly collided with Mr Curtins motorbike.

Garda Sheehy alleged that gardai later discovered that Mr Dillon was actually in front of the vehicle that allegedly collided with Mr Curtins motorbike, and that he was about to turn his vehicle to the right at the time.

Garda Sheehy further alleged that, after gardai made further enquires into the matter, Mr Dillon made full admissions that the statement he had previously given to gardai was false.

Judge Coolican accepted jurisdiction in the case against Mr Dillon.

Mr Dillions barrister, Robert Moloney, instructed by solicitor Sarah Ryan, made an application for disclosure of evidence.

Judge Coolican granted the application and remanded Mr Dillon on bail to appear before Newcastle West District Court on July 28th for a plea or a date for hearing.
Thursday's front pages are dominated by pressure on Taoiseach Micheal Martin over the fuel protests.

The Irish Times, Irish Examiner and Irish Independent all lead with stories on pressure on the Taoiseach from within Fianna Fail.

Speaking to The Irish Times anonymously, one TD said it was last-chance saloon for the Taoiseach. Another said theres a little bit of the straw that broke the camels back when it comes to the fuel protests and Martin's leadership.

The Irish Examiner has been told by TDs and senators that there is more appetite than ever for a change of Fianna Fail leadership.

Meanwhile, thw Irish Independent reports TDs are plotting a "heave" against Micheal Martin, and 'sounding out' the ministers including Dara Calleary, Jim O'Callaghan and Darragh O'Brien over leadership bids.

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Cork City Council has written off nearly 3.7 million in derelict property levies, The Echo reports.

The man charged with killing farmer Michael Gaine was beaten up in prison, the Irish Daily Star reports.

The Irish Sun leads with a story on talks over a Katie Taylor fight at Croke Park.

The Herald leads with a story on a former Love/Hate actor who has been jailed over a robbery spree.

The Irish Daily Mail and Irish Daily Mirror also lead with the fuel protests fallout.

The Belfast Telegraph leads with a story on a dog handler who suffered a savage assault.

The Irish News leads with a story on lost revenue from international students.

The UK front pages lead with a range of stories including the war in Iran and a new dementia drug.

Thursday's FINANCIAL TIMES: Tehran deploys Chinese satellite to target US bases across Middle East#TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/jj2LqwJqcQ  Jack Surfleet (@jacksurfleet) April 15, 2026

Thursday's DAILY EXPRESS: Dementia drug effect is branded 'trivial'#TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/451Ne0kbTo  Jack Surfleet (@jacksurfleet) April 15, 2026

Thursday's DAILY TELEGRAPH: Family tax bills rise 4k under Reeves#TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/6VJhJ959n7  Jack Surfleet (@jacksurfleet) April 15, 2026

Thursday's GUARDIAN: War windfall: big oil makes extra $30m every hour during conflict#TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/cKHc7lS8lB  Jack Surfleet (@jacksurfleet) April 15, 2026

Thursday's TIMES: UK facing summer of shortages on shelves #TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/jmiRfDBd9J  Jack Surfleet (@jacksurfleet) April 15, 2026

Thursday's i: China flexes its muscles in Gulf - as Trump seeks deal with Iran#TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/ZAyAveA4b1  Jack Surfleet (@jacksurfleet) April 15, 2026

The New York Times and The Washington Post lead with the war in Iran.
Russia has hammered civilian areas of Ukraine with hundreds of drones and dozens of missiles in an attack that stretched for hours from daytime into the night, killing at least 16 people and injuring more than 100 others, officials said.

Russia launched nearly 700 drones and dozens of ballistic and cruise missiles, primarily targeting civilians, in its biggest aerial barrage in almost two weeks, authorities said.

Tetiana Sokol, a 54-year-old resident of Kyiv, said two missiles hit near her home and she took cover with her dog in the hallway as flashes lit up the night and windows shattered from the blast wave.





Another night has proven that Russia does not deserve any easing of global policy or lifting of sanctions. Russia is betting on war, and the response must be exactly that: we must defend lives with all available means, and we must also apply pressure for the sake of peace with pic.twitter.com/jHsZjsgXt9  Volodymyr Zelenskyy /   (@ZelenskyyUa) April 16, 2026

On the third attack everything broke, everything flew, we were shocked, we didnt know where to run. I grabbed whatever came to hand and ran away with the dog, she told the Associated Press.

I still cant find the cats in the house, they climbed out somewhere, I dont even know. No windows, nothing, the dog is still walking around in stress.

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Moscows forces have hit civilian areas almost daily since its all-out invasion of its neighbour more than four years ago, with the regular assaults occasionally punctuated by massive attacks. More than 15,000 Ukrainian civilians have died in the strikes, the United Nations says.

The Russian Defence Ministry said the operation was launched in retaliation for Ukrainian strikes deep inside Russia, where long-range drones and missiles have hit Russian oil refineries and war-related manufacturing plants.

The Russian barrage was aimed at facilities associated with the Ukrainian armed forces, the Defence Ministry claimed.

European Council president Antonio Costa described it as yet another horrendous attack while people slept in their homes.



Firefighters tackle a blaze following a Russian attack in Dnipro, Ukraine (Ukrainian Emergency Service via AP)

The latest bombardment came in the wake of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskys 48-hour trip this week to Germany, Norway and Italy in an urgent search for more air defence systems that can stop Russian missiles.

Ukraine has developed a significant domestic arms industry, especially in the production of drones and missiles, but it cannot yet match the sophistication of US Patriot air defence systems. Ukraines top diplomatic priority is securing allies help to buy and build more and better air defences, Mr Zelensky said this week.

Yuriy Ihnat, the head of communications for the Ukrainian air force, said the Russian attack made extensive use of ballistic missiles, which only Patriot systems can reliably shoot down.

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We desperately need more missiles for the Patriot systems, Mr Ihnat told Ukraines private TV channel 1+1.

Cash-strapped Ukraine also needs the speedy disbursement of a promised loan from the European Union of 90 billion euros that has been blocked by Hungary.

Ukraine fears the Iran war is burning through stockpiles of the advanced American-made systems it needs, and has argued against a US temporary waiver on Russian oil sanctions that Kyiv says is helping finance the Kremlins war effort.

Another night has proven that Russia does not deserve any easing of global policy or lifting of sanctions, Mr Zelensky said on X.





We all need a modern and truly effective defense system capable of protecting against any threats. The war has changed, and now, without genuinely strong protection against every type of drone, no one can feel secure.



Ukraine has developed a special format of security agreement, pic.twitter.com/lka2ASt0kC  Volodymyr Zelenskyy /   (@ZelenskyyUa) April 15, 2026

He thanked Germany, Norway and Italy for new agreements this week on supporting Ukraines air defence. Officials are also working with the Netherlands on additional supplies, he said.

At the same time, he noted that some partner countries have not followed through on pledges of military support.

I have instructed the Commander of the Air Force to contact those partners who earlier committed to providing missiles for Patriot and other systems, Mr Zelensky said.

The bombardment was the biggest in weeks. Last month, Russia fired 948 drones and 34 missiles in the space of 24 hours in the largest assault of the war on civilian areas.

At least four people were killed overnight in Kyiv, including a 12-year-old, with more than 50 others injured, according to authorities. Officials said the attack damaged 17 apartment buildings, 10 private homes, as well as a hotel, office centre, car dealership, fuel station and a shopping centre in the capital.

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Nine people were killed and 23 injured in the southern port city of Odesa, three women were killed and around three dozen injured in the central Dnipro region, and one person was killed in Zaporizhzhia in the south.

Such attacks cannot be normalised. These are war crimes that must be stopped and their perpetrators held to account, Ukraines foreign minister Andrii Sybiha said on X.



Cars at a damaged parking site following a Russian missile attack on Kyiv, Ukraine (Efrem Lukatsky/AP)

Ukraines air force said air defences shot down or disabled 667 out of 703 incoming targets, including 636 Shahed-type drones and other uncrewed aerial vehicles.

It said 20 strike drones and 12 missiles hit 26 locations.

Meanwhile, in Russia, Krasnodar regional governor Veniamin Kondratyev reported that a 14-year-old girl and a woman were killed in Ukrainian strikes in the Black Sea port of Tuapse.

He said that attacks damaged six apartment buildings, 24 private houses and three schools. Drone fragments also fell near the port of Tuapse.

Russias Defence Ministry said that its air defences downed 207 Ukrainian drones overnight.
Israel has agreed to a 10-day ceasefire in Lebanon, a truce that could pause fighting with the Hezbollah militant group and boost attempts to extend the ceasefire between Iran, the United States and Israel after weeks of devastating war.

US President Donald Trump announced the agreement as a ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon.

However, Israel has not been fighting with Lebanon itself, but rather with the Iranian-backed militants inside the country.





Hezbollah said in a statement that any truce must apply across all Lebanese territory and must not allow the Israeli enemy any freedom of movement.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he agreed to the ceasefire to advance peace efforts with Lebanon.

We have an opportunity to make a historic peace agreement with Lebanon, he said in a video message.

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Israeli forces have engaged in fierce battles with Hezbollah in the border area.

Israeli troops have pushed into southern Lebanon to create what officials have called a security zone, which Mr Netanyahu has said will extend at least 8km to 10km (five to six miles) into Lebanon.

Hezbollah said that Israeli occupation on our land grants Lebanon and its people the right to resist it, and this matter will be determined based on how developments unfold, a stance that could complicate the ceasefire.

Mr Netanyahu said Israeli troops will stay in an expanded security zone in southern Lebanon much stronger, more extensive and more continuous than before.

That is where we are, and we are not leaving, he said.



Residents stand next to the rubble of a destroyed building that was hit a week ago in an Israeli air strike in central Beirut, Lebanon (Hussein Malla/AP)

Mr Trump posted the ceasefire announcement on his Truth Social platform, saying it was to begin at 5pm Eastern time (9pm GMT).

The announcement comes two days after the countries held their first direct diplomatic talks in decades in Washington.

Hezbollah had opposed direct talks between Lebanon and Israel.

Lebanon has insisted on a ceasefire to stop the fighting between Israel and Hezbollah before engaging in more talks, while vowing to commit to disarming the group.

Israel and Lebanon have technically been at war since Israel was established in 1948, and Lebanon remains deeply divided over diplomatic engagement with Israel.

Mr Trump also invited the leaders of Israel and Lebanon to the White House for what he said would be the first meaningful talks between the countries since 1983.

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Both sides want to see PEACE, and I believe that will happen, quickly, he wrote.

Lebanon and Israel signed an agreement in 1983 saying Lebanon would formally recognise Israel, and Israel would withdraw from Lebanon.



Smoke rises following an Israeli air strike on a village in Lebanon on Wednesday (Hussein Malla/AP)

The deal fell apart during Lebanons civil war and was formally rescinded a year later.

Mr Trump said the pause in fighting followed excellent conversations with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and Mr Netanyahu.

A Hezbollah official said the ceasefire was a result of Irans negotiations with the US, in which Iran had insisted Lebanon be included in its own ceasefire, and came about through efforts by mediator Pakistan.

Meanwhile, Pakistans powerful army chief met on Thursday with Irans parliament speaker as part of international efforts to press for an extension to a ceasefire that has paused almost seven weeks of war between Israel, the US and the Islamic Republic.

It was unclear whether the frantic diplomacy could lead to a lasting deal as the two-week ceasefire passes the halfway mark. The Iran war has killed thousands of people and upended global markets by disrupting the flow of oil.

Iranian state television did not provide details on the meeting between General Asim Munir and Iranian parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, who has emerged as his countrys chief negotiator.

There was no immediate comment from Pakistan, which has become a key mediator after hosting direct talks between the US and Iran that authorities said helped narrow differences between the sides. Mediators are seeking a new round before the ceasefire expires next week.

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The White House said any further talks regarding Iran would likely take place in the Pakistani capital, Islamabad, though no decision had been made on whether to resume negotiations.

The fragile ceasefire is holding despite a US naval blockade of Iranian ports and Iranian counter-threats to target regional ports across the Red Sea.

The war has jolted markets and rattled the global economy as shipping has been cut off and air strikes have pounded military and civilian infrastructure. Oil prices have fallen amid hopes for an end to fighting, and US stocks on Wednesday surpassed records set in January.

During the fragile ceasefire with Iran, fighting has continued in Lebanon between Israel and the Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah.

Mr Trump had announced that the leaders of Israel and Lebanon would speak about halting the fighting. If that were to occur, it would be the first direct conversation between the leaders of the two countries in more than 30 years.



Israeli army vehicles and bulldozers operate in southern Lebanon (Ariel Schalit/AP)

But at one point on Thursday, Mr Aoun refused to speak to Mr Netanyahu, a government official familiar with the developments told the Associated Press.

The government official said the remarks were made during a call with US secretary of state Marco Rubio and that Washington understands Lebanons position.

Washington has not publicly stated its support of a ceasefire as a precondition, and the Israeli government has framed the talks as peace negotiations with a focus on disarming Hezbollah.

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Israel and Hezbollah exchanged fire across the border, with Hezbollah targeting towns in northern Israel with rockets and drones. Israeli fire against southern Lebanon intensified, especially around the cities of Tyre, Nabatieh and the strategic town of Bint Jbeil near the border with Israel.

Israel and Lebanon have technically been at war since Israel was established in 1948, and Lebanon remains deeply divided over diplomatic engagement with Israel.

Israeli troops have pushed deeper into southern Lebanon to create what officials have called a security zone, which Mr Netanyahu has said will extend at fie to six miles into Lebanon.



Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi, right, and Pakistans army chief Asim Munir, in Tehran (Iranian Foreign Ministry via AP)

Even as the US blockade on Iranian ports and renewed Iranian threats strained the ceasefire, regional officials reported progress, telling AP that the United States and Iran had an in-principle agreement to extend it to allow for more diplomacy.

But tensions simmered.

The commander of Irans joint military command, Ali Abdollahi, threatened to halt trade in the region if the US does not lift its naval blockade, and a newly appointed military adviser to Iranian Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei said he does not support extending the ceasefire.

Mediators are pushing for a compromise on three main sticking points: Irans nuclear programme , the Strait of Hormuz and compensation for wartime damages, according to a regional official involved in the mediation efforts.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei said Iran is open to discussing the type and level of its uranium enrichment, but his country based on its needs, must be able to continue enrichment, Iranian state media reported.

The Pentagon urged Iran to make a deal, with US defence secretary Pete Hegseth telling reporters at the Pentagon that ultimately, they need to come to the table.

He said the US will ensure that Iran never has a nuclear weapon.



Defence secretary Pete Hegseth said the US will ensure Iran never has a nuclear weapon (Kevin Wolf/AP)

Wed prefer to do it the nice way through a deal led by our great vice president and negotiating team. Or we can do it the hard way, Mr Hegseth said.

Iran has repeatedly insisted that it does not seek a nuclear weapon and that its nuclear programme is for peaceful proposes.

The fighting has killed at least 3,000 people in Iran, more than 2,100 in Lebanon, 23 in Israel and more than a dozen in Gulf Arab states. Thirteen US service members have also been killed.

US treasury secretary Scott Bessent said the Trump administration would ramp up economic pain on Iran with new economic sanctions on countries doing business with it, calling the move the financial equivalent of a bombing campaign.

Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif met Qatars emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, during a visit to Doha, his office said, as part of a regional visit aimed at discussions on the ongoing US-Iran peace process.

Since the war began, Iran has curtailed maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, which a fifth of global oil transited through in peacetime.

Tehrans effective closure of the strait sent oil prices skyrocketing, raising the cost of fuel, food and other basic goods far beyond the Middle East, and the US has responded with a blockade on Iranian shipping.
Rescued cockatoo regains vision through groundbreaking surgery and now helps neurodivergent children and seniors alongside Amy Hurst, cancer survivor who turned healing into a global mission

SMITHFIELD, Va., April 16, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Boo, a 41-year-old cockatoo, has made history by being named as the Pet Partners Pet of the Year for 2026. Boo is the first bird to ever receive this esteemed national award.

Boo's story is far more than the title.

Boo Pet of the Year Therapy Team Amy & Boo

Once the subject of a police raid, Boo spent half of his life in an abusive environment before finally experiencing safety and care. Despite that second chance, he lost his vision and lived in complete darkness for over a decade.

At the same time, Amy Hurst of Smithfield, Virginia was facing a battle of her own.

While undergoing chemotherapy, Amy discovered that her birds were providing something unexpectedmental, physical, and occupational therapy that helped her through treatment. Inspired by that experience, she returned to school during chemotherapy, building on her Bachelor of Science from Purdue University and earning specialized certification as an AnimalAssisted Intervention Specialist through the Association of AnimalAssisted Intervention Professionals (AAAIP) and certification as an AnimalAssisted Therapist through Husson University.

What happened next would change both of their lives.

Boo entered Amy's life just as she was completing her certificationswhat she describes as divine timing. Determined to give him a chance at a better life, Amy brought Boo to NC State Exotics, where he underwent groundbreaking surgery that restored his vision after 10 years of blindness.

At age 40, Boo could see again.

Soon after, he began a new chapteras a registered therapy bird.

Today, Boo ministers to neurodivergent children and senior citizens, offering comfort, connection, and emotional support. His presence challenges longheld assumptions about what therapy animals can be and demonstrates the powerful role birds can play in human healing.

Inspired by her journey and Boo's transformation, Amy founded the Prism Bird Program, an initiative that places companion birds into homes with special needs individuals. These placements differ from conventional therapy models by fostering lasting relationships, offering steady companionship and valuable support each day.

Their story has now reached a global audience, with media coverage from NBC, Yahoo, USA Today, WAVY News 10, The Smithfield Times, and international outlets.

With this year's recognition, Boo and Amy have officially made historyexpanding the definition of AnimalAssisted Therapy and opening the door for new possibilities worldwide.

"Even after years in darkness, Boo learned to see again," said Hurst. "Now he helps others find light in their own lives."

Boo's journeyfrom abuse and blindness to healing and purpose inspires audiences across the world and proves that it is never too late for a second chance.

About Pet Partners

Pet Partners is the nation's leading nonprofit organization dedicated to improving human health and wellbeing through animalassisted interventions. Established in 1977, this organization offers education, assessment, registration, and insurance for volunteer therapy teams across the country and is well known for establishing ambitious standards within the industry. Pet Partners welcomes multiple species, including birds, and supports therapeutic visits in hospitals, schools, senior living communities, and care settings across the United States. petpartners.org

About Amy Hurst & Boo

Amy Hurst is an AnimalAssisted Therapy professional and founder of the Prism Bird Program at Birds in the Dog House, LLC. Alongside Boo, a forty-oneyearold cockatoo and registered therapy bird, the team specializes with neurodivergent children and senior citizens, helping bring connection, comfort, and healing through the humananimal bond.

Follow the Story

To learn more, visit: www.birdsinthedoghouse.com

Follow on Facebook, TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube: Birds in the Dog House | @birdsinthedoghouse

#PetOfTheYear #AnimalAssistedTherapy #TherapyAnimals #HumanAnimalBondb #RescueStory #MentalHealthAwareness #Neurodiversity #BooTheCockatoo

Media Contact

Amy Hurst

[email protected]

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SOURCE Amy Hurst
The president of Lebanon has refused to speak with the Israeli prime minister ahead of a planned discussion that would have been the first direct conversation between the leaders of the two countries in more than 30 years, a government official told the Associated Press.

US President Donald Trump had announced that the leaders would speak about halting the fighting between Israel and the Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah in Lebanon.

But Lebanese President Joseph Aoun declined to speak to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, a government official familiar with the developments told the Associated Press.

The government official said the remarks were made during a call with US secretary of state Marco Rubio and that Washington understands Lebanons position.



President Donald Trump had said the leaders of Israel and Lebanon would speak about halting the fighting (Julia Demaree Nikhinson/AP)

Mr Aouns office acknowledged a call with Mr Rubio in a public statement, but did not mention the possibility of talks with Mr Netanyahu. Mr Netanyahus office did not do so either.

Meanwhile, Pakistans powerful army chief met Irans parliament speaker as part of international efforts to press for an extension to a ceasefire that has paused almost seven weeks of war between Israel, the US and the Islamic Republic.

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Lebanon and Israel held their first direct diplomatic talks in decades on Tuesday in Washington following more than a month of war between Israel and Iran-backed Hezbollah.

Lebanon has insisted on a ceasefire to stop the fighting between Israel and Hezbollah before engaging in direct talks, while vowing to commit to disarming the group.

Washington has not publicly stated its support of a ceasefire as a precondition, and the Israeli government has framed the talks as peace negotiations with a focus on disarming Hezbollah.

The Pentagon urged Tehran to make a deal, with US defence secretary Pete Hegseth telling reporters that ultimately, they need to come to the table.



(PA Graphics)

He said the US will ensure that Iran never has a nuclear weapon, adding: Wed prefer to do it the nice way through a deal led by our great vice president and negotiating team. Or we can do it the hard way.

Israel and Hezbollah exchanged fire across the border, with Hezbollah targeting towns in northern Israel with rockets and drones. Israeli fire against southern Lebanon intensified, especially around the cities of Tyre, Nabatieh and the strategic town of Bint Jbeil near the border with Israel.

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Israel and Lebanon have technically been at war since Israel was established in 1948, and Lebanon remains deeply divided over diplomatic engagement with Israel.

Israeli troops have pushed deeper into southern Lebanon to create what officials have called a security zone, which Mr Netanyahu has said will extend at least five to six miles into Lebanon.

Pakistani army general Asim Munir met on Thursday in Iran with Iranian parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, Irans state television said. Mr Qalibaf has emerged as his countrys chief negotiator.

It was unclear whether the frantic diplomacy could lead to a lasting deal as the two-week ceasefire passes the halfway mark. The Iran war has killed thousands of people and upended global markets by disrupting the flow of oil.



Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi, right, and Pakistans army chief Asim Munir, in Tehran (Iranian Foreign Ministry via AP)

The TV network did not provide details. There was no immediate comment from Pakistan, which has become a key mediator after hosting direct talks between the US and Iran that authorities said helped narrow differences between the sides. Mediators are seeking a new round before the ceasefire expires next week.

The White House said any further talks regarding Iran would likely take place in the Pakistani capital, Islamabad, though no decision had been made on whether to resume negotiations.

The fragile ceasefire is holding despite a US naval blockade of Iranian ports and Iranian counter-threats to target regional ports across the Red Sea.

The war has jolted markets and rattled the global economy as shipping has been cut off and air strikes have torn through military and civilian infrastructure across the region. Oil prices have fallen amid hopes for an end to fighting, and US stocks on Wednesday surpassed records set in January.

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Even as the US blockade on Iranian ports and renewed Iranian threats strained the ceasefire agreement, regional officials reported progress, telling the Associated Press the United States and Iran had an in-principle agreement to extend it to allow for more diplomacy.



Israeli army vehicles and bulldozers operate in southern Lebanon (Ariel Schalit/AP)

But tensions simmered.

The commander of Irans joint military command, Ali Abdollahi, threatened to halt trade in the region if the US does not lift its naval blockade, and a newly appointed military adviser to Iranian Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei said he does not support extending the ceasefire.

Mediators are pushing for a compromise on three main sticking points: Irans nuclear programme, the Strait of Hormuz and compensation for wartime damages, according to a regional official involved in the mediation efforts.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei said Iran is open to discussing the type and level of its uranium enrichment, but his country based on its needs, must be able to continue enrichment, Iranian state media reported.

The fighting has killed at least 3,000 people in Iran, more than 2,100 in Lebanon, 23 in Israel and more than a dozen in Gulf Arab states. Thirteen US service members have also been killed.



Reported damage on a fishing pier in the port of Qeshm island, Iran, backdropped by ships in the Strait of Hormuz (Asghar Besharati/AP)

US treasury secretary Scott Bessent said the Trump administration would ramp up economic pain on Iran with new economic sanctions on countries doing business with it, calling the move the financial equivalent of a bombing campaign.

Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif met Qatars emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, during a visit to Doha, his office said, as part of a regional visit aimed at discussions on the ongoing US-Iran peace process.

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Since the war began, Iran has curtailed maritime traffic through the strait, which a fifth of global oil transited through in peacetime.

Tehrans effective closure of the strait sent oil prices skyrocketing, raising the cost of fuel, food and other basic goods far beyond the Middle East, and the US has responded with a blockade on Iranian shipping.

US Central Command said on Wednesday that no ships had made it past the blockade since it was imposed two days earlier, while 10 merchant vessels complied with a direction from US forces to turn around and re-enter Iranian waters.
Pakistans army chief is set to meet Iranian officials in Tehran in a bid to extend the ceasefire which paused almost seven weeks of war between Israel, the US and Iran that has killed thousands of people and upended global markets by disrupting the flow of oil.

Uncertainty remains whether the frantic diplomacy can lead to a deal as the ceasefire passes the halfway mark in the original two-week agreement.

The meeting comes as US President Donald Trump announced the leaders of Israel and Lebanon will speak later on Thursday about halting the fighting between them.

If it takes place, the conversation would be the first time the leaders of the two countries have spoken directly in more than 30 years.



President Donald Trump said the leaders of Israel and Lebanon will speak about halting the fighting (Julia Demaree Nikhinson/AP)

Both the Israeli and Lebanese governments refused to confirm a conversation. Meanwhile, the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah and Israels military continued cross-border attacks on Thursday.

The White House said any further talks would likely take place in the Pakistani capital, Islamabad, though no decision had been made on whether to resume negotiations.

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The fragile ceasefire, which halted the fighting in the Middle East a week ago, is holding despite a US naval blockade of Iranian ports and Iranian counter-threats to target regional ports across the Red Sea.

Pakistan has emerged as a key mediator after it hosted direct talks between the US and Iran in Islamabad that authorities said helped narrow differences between the two sides. Mediators are seeking a new round before the ceasefire expires next week.

The war has jolted markets and rattled the global economy as shipping has been cut off and air strikes have torn through military and civilian infrastructure across the region. Oil prices have fallen amid hopes for an end to fighting, and US stocks on Wednesday surpassed records set in January.

Mr Trump said that Israel and Lebanon are expected to speak later on Thursday about a possible ceasefire, but did not elaborate which leaders would speak.



(PA Graphics)

Officials from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus office and the Lebanese government refused to confirm the possible conversation.

An Israeli minister said Mr Netanyahu will speak to Lebanese President Joseph Aoun on Thursday.

Today the prime minister will speak for the first time with the president of Lebanon, after so many years of a complete disconnection in the dialogue between the two countries, Gila Gamliel, Israels minister of science and technology, told Army Radio on Thursday morning.

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Ms Gamliel, who was at a cabinet meeting late Wednesday night about negotiations with Lebanon, is part of Israels security cabinet. She said the talks will hopefully ultimately lead to prosperity and flourishing between the two countries.

Lebanon and Israel held their first direct diplomatic talks in decades on Tuesday in Washington following more than a month of war between Israel and Iran-backed Hezbollah.

But the two countries continued exchanging fire across the border on Thursday, with Hezbollah targeting towns in northern Israel with rockets and drones. Israeli fire against southern Lebanon intensified, especially around the cities of Tyre, Nabatieh, and the strategic town of Bint Jbeil near the border with Israel.



Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi, right, and Pakistans army chief Field Marshal General Asim Munir, in Tehran (Iranian Foreign Ministry via AP)

Israel and Lebanon have technically been at war since Israel was established in 1948, and Lebanon remains deeply divided over diplomatic engagement with Israel.

On Thursday, Mr Aoun said Lebanon wants a ceasefire but Israeli troops must first withdraw from southern Lebanon as an essential step to allow the Lebanese army to deploy to the border and disarm Hezbollah.

Israeli troops pushed deeper into southern Lebanon with the aim of creating what officials have called a security zone, which Mr Netanyahu has said will extend at least five to six miles into Lebanon to avoid threats from short-range rockets and anti-tank missiles.

Even as the US blockade on Iranian ports and renewed Iranian threats strained the ceasefire agreement, regional officials reported progress, telling the Associated Press the United States and Iran had an in-principle agreement to extend it to allow for more diplomacy.

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But while mediators worked for peace, tensions simmered.

The commander of Irans joint military command, Ali Abdollahi, threatened to halt trade in the region if the US does not lift its naval blockade, and a newly appointed military adviser to Iranian Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei said he does not support extending the ceasefire.



Israeli army vehicles and bulldozers operate in southern Lebanon (Ariel Schalit/AP)

Mediators are pushing for a compromise on three main sticking points that derailed direct talks last weekend  Irans nuclear programme, the Strait of Hormuz and compensation for wartime damages, according to a regional official involved in the mediation efforts.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei said Iran is open to discussing the type and level of its uranium enrichment, but his country based on its needs, must be able to continue enrichment, Iranian state media reported.

The fighting has killed at least 3,000 people in Iran, more than 2,100 in Lebanon, 23 in Israel and more than a dozen in Gulf Arab states. Thirteen US service members have also been killed.

US treasury secretary Scott Bessent said the Trump administration would ramp up economic pain on Iran with new economic sanctions on countries doing business with it, calling the move the financial equivalent of a bombing campaign.

Pakistans Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif arrived in Qatar on Thursday as part of a regional visit aimed at discussions on the ongoing US-Iran peace process and efforts to promote stability in the Middle East amid continuing tensions, his office said.

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Since the war began, Iran has curtailed maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, which a fifth of global oil transited through in peacetime.

Tehrans effective closure of the strait sent oil prices skyrocketing, raising the cost of fuel, food and other basic goods far beyond the Middle East, and the US has responded with a blockade on Iranian shipping.

US Central Command said on Wednesday that no ships had made it past the blockade since it was imposed two days earlier, while 10 merchant vessels complied with a direction from US forces to turn around and re-enter Iranian waters.

The blockade is intended to pressure Iran, which has exported millions of barrels of oil, mostly to Asia, since the war began on February 28.
Pope Leo XIV has criticised the handful of tyrants who are ravaging Earth with war and exploitation, as he preached a message of peace in the epicentre of a separatist conflict considered one of the worlds most neglected crises.

Leo travelled to the western Cameroon city of Bamenda, where jubilant people filled the roads, blowing horns and dancing to welcome him.

They were overjoyed that a pope had come so far to see them and put a global spotlight on the violence that has traumatised the region for nearly a decade.



Pope Leo is visiting Cameroon (Andrew Medichini/AP)

Leo, who is in the middle of four-nation Africa tour, presided over a peace meeting involving a Mankon traditional chief, a Presbyterian moderator, an imam and a Catholic nun.

The aim was to highlight the interfaith movement that has been seeking to end the conflict and care for its many victims.

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In his remarks in the St Joseph Cathedral, on land donated by the Mankon, Leo praised the peace movement and warned against allowing religion to enter conflicts.

It is a theme he has been echoing amid the US-Israeli war in Iran and the religious justifications for it by US officials.

Blessed are the peacemakers. But woe to those who manipulate religion and the very name of God for their own military, economic and political gain Pope Leo

Blessed are the peacemakers he said. But woe to those who manipulate religion and the very name of God for their own military, economic and political gain, dragging that which is sacred into darkness and filth.

He called for a decisive change of course that leads away from conflict and the exploitation of the land and its people for military or economic gain.

The world is being ravaged by a handful of tyrants, yet it is held together by a multitude of supportive brothers and sisters, he said.

Leos comments were directed at Cameroons separatist conflict. But Vatican officials have made clear that on this trip, he is preaching the Gospel message of peace that surpasses borders and continents, and is meant for all those responsible for the wars and exploitation ravaging the Earth.

It was not immediately clear if any of the separatist fighters, who announced a three-day pause in fighting to allow the Pope safe passage, would attend.

Thousands of people then gathered on the Bamenda airfield for Leos afternoon Mass, which he was celebrating before returning to the capital Yaounde.

The conflict in Cameroon is rooted in the countrys colonial history, when the country was divided between France and Britain after the First World War. English-speaking regions later joined French Cameroon in a 1961 UN-backed vote, but separatists say they have since been politically and economically marginalised.



Pope Leo is on an 11-day pastoral visit to Africa (Andrew Medichini/Ap)

In 2017, English-speaking separatists launched a rebellion with the stated goal of breaking away from the French-speaking majority and establishing an independent state. The conflict has killed more than 6,000 people and displaced more than 600,000 others, according to the International Crisis Group.

The separatist movement is believed to be backed by several actors abroad. In December last year, a federal jury in the US convicted two individuals for conspiracy to provide funds and equipment to the separatist fighters.

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Belgian authorities in March also announced they had arrested four people as part of its investigations into Belgian residents suspected of being among the separatist leaders and raising money for them from Belgium.

Those who rob your land of its resources generally invest much of the profit in weapons, thus perpetuating an endless cycle of destabilisation and death, Leo said. It is a world turned upside down, an exploitation of Gods creation that must be denounced and rejected by every honest conscience.

Cameroon sits atop significant reserves of oil, natural gas, cobalt, bauxite, iron ore, gold and diamonds, making resource extraction one of the pillars of its economy.

While French and English companies have long dominated the extraction industry in Cameroon, Chinese companies have established a significant presence in recent years, particularly in the gold mining regions of the east.

On the eve of Leos arrival, separatist fighters announced a three-day pause in fighting. A spokesperson for the Unity Alliance, Lucas Asu, said the pause reflects a deliberate commitment to responsibility, restraint and respect for human dignity, even in the context of ongoing conflict.

Though the number of deadly attacks by separatists has decreased in recent years, the conflict shows no sign of resolution. Peace talks with international mediators have stalled, with both sides accusing each other of acting in bad faith.
US President Donald Trump has turned his fire on Italian premier Giorgia Meloni after she called his criticism of Pope Leo XIV unacceptable and did not back the US-Israel war on Iran.

I thought she had courage, Mr Trump said in an interview with leading Italian daily newspaper, Corriere della Sera. I was wrong.

Ms Meloni has not directly responded to Trumps attacks.

But they may be to her advantage as she recovers from a decisive referendum defeat last month and as she seeks to dull the impact of the deeply unpopular Iran war, including higher energy prices.



Giorgia Meloni attacked the US president over his criticism of the Pope (Alessandra Tarantino/AP)

I actually think this is a godsend for her, said Nathalie Tocci, a professor at Johns Hopkins SAIS Europe and the director of the International Affairs Institute.

Trump has become completely toxic across Europe, across much of the world, including Italy.

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Mr Trump doubled down on Wednesday, saying their bond had frayed. Shes been negative, he told Fox News.

Anybody that turned us down to helping with this Iran situation, we do not have the same relationship.

Ms Meloni was the only European Union leader invited to Mr Trumps second inauguration and expected to leverage her strong ties with him once he returned to office 15 months ago.

The two had a perceived natural alliance, with nationalistic tendencies and similarly hard-line stances on immigration.

But Italy was not spared the pain of Mr Trumps tariffs, and some may argue she has gotten little out of the relationship. When asked if they had spoken this month, Mr Trump told Corriere, No, not in a long time.

After an uncomfortable appearance in the Oval Office a year ago when she avoided directly confronting Mr Trump on tariffs, the distance grew over the Iran war.

Ms Meloni has stated Italy will not participate in the war and the country last month refused US bombers the authorisation to land at a pivotal air base in Sicily.

Ms Melonis statement this week calling Mr Trumps attack on the pope unacceptable was the most direct criticism of the president yet.

On Tuesday, she announced Italy would not automatically renew a defence agreement with Israel, after warning shots hit an Italian convoy that is part of the UN peacekeeping mission in southern Lebanon, a move that analysts say is driven more by domestic politics than a strategic shift.
President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine has been awarded the prestigious International Four Freedoms Award at a ceremony on Thursday for his and his nations courage and resilience in resisting the full-scale invasion launched more than four years ago by Russia.

The award, bestowed by the Roosevelt Foundation, is to honour the Four Freedoms outlined by US president Franklin D Roosevelt in his 1941 State of the Union address: freedom of speech and expression, freedom of worship, freedom from want, and freedom from fear.

We pay the highest tribute to the unwavering courage and enduring perseverance of the Ukrainian people and to the steadfast and resolute leadership of their president, Volodymyr Zelensky, said Hugo de Jonge, chairman of the foundation.

Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten paid tribute to Mr Zelensky at the ceremony, saying: It speaks volumes that you only agreed to accept this award if you could do so on behalf of all the people of Ukraine.



The Kings Commissioner of Zeeland, Hugo de Jonge, left, welcomes Volodymyr Zelensky in Middelburg, Netherlands (Peter Dejong/AP)

After receiving a standing ovation, Mr Zelensky asked for a moment of silence for the victims of a deadly overnight barrage by Russia that killed at least 16 people and wounded many more.

Dozens of people have been injured and, sadly, so sadly, there are also lives lost in Odesa, Kyiv, Dnipro. Just ordinary people, children, civilians, killed by Russian madness, he said, as he called for those responsible for war crimes in Ukraine to be held accountable under international law.

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Do not let Russia go unpunished, he said.

Previous winners of the international award include Nelson Mandela, the Dalai Lama, Germanys former chancellor Angela Merkel, and organisations including the United Nations and the International Committee of the Red Cross.

French rape survivor Gisele Pelicot was receiving the Freedom from Fear Award; the Committee to Protect Journalists received the Freedom of Speech Award; Isidora Uribe Silva, from Chile, who has cerebral palsy, earned the Freedom from Want Award for her years of campaigning for inclusion, equal human rights, and gender equality.

The winner of the Freedom of Worship Award was not announced publicly by the foundation, citing security concerns.





Another night has proven that Russia does not deserve any easing of global policy or lifting of sanctions. Russia is betting on war, and the response must be exactly that: we must defend lives with all available means, and we must also apply pressure for the sake of peace with pic.twitter.com/jHsZjsgXt9  Volodymyr Zelenskyy /   (@ZelenskyyUa) April 16, 2026

After the ceremony, Mr Zelensky was meeting with Mr Jetten.

The Netherlands has been a strong supporter of Ukraine since the Russian invasion, including providing Patriot missiles and fighter jets.

On Wednesday, defence minister Dilan Yesilgoz-Zegerius announced that the Netherlands was spending 248 million euros on drones for the Ukrainian military.

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With no plans announced for further US-mediated talks with Russia, Mr Zelensky had already visited three European capitals in 48 hours this week to try to secure promises of further military and financial support from Germany and Norway and Italy.

Germany and Ukraine agreed a defence package valued at four billion euros, and Norway has pledged nine billion euros in assistance, Ukrainian officials said.

The Four Freedoms awards are presented in the New Church in Middelburg, in the province of Zeeland, where president Roosevelts ancestors hailed from.
Industry executives from across the country to convene May 46 for leadership discussion and peer exchange

DALLAS, April 16, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- As care at home continues to evolve within an increasingly complex healthcare and business environment, Axxess will convene national leaders in Dallas for the 2026 Axxess Growth, Innovation and Leadership Experience (AGILE), taking place May 46 at the Fairmont Hotel.

The conference is designed to support leadership effectiveness and decisionmaking as artificial intelligence becomes more embedded in care at home operations and oversight requirements continue to rise. Through facilitated sessions and peer discussion, participants examine how leaders can evaluate AI tools, strengthen governance, and apply safeguards that reduce misuse and fraud risk while supporting responsible growth and organizational resilience.

"Dallas sits at the intersection of healthcare delivery, business leadership and technology growth," said John Olajide, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Axxess. "AGILE provides a consistent forum for leaders across care at home to come together, share perspective and strengthen how they guide their organizations through increasing complexity. That ongoing dialogue helps leaders make sound decisions with greater confidence in a rapidly changing environment."

AGILE's ongoing presence in Dallas reflects the city's role as a national hub for healthcare and business leadership. The region's concentration of healthcare organizations, technology companies, and executive talent creates an ideal environment for an industry convention that brings together leaders from across home health, hospice and home care for focused discussion and peer exchange.

AGILE 2026 is open to professionals across home health, hospice and home care. Additional details and registration information are available at www.axxess.com/agile.

About Axxess

Axxess is the leading global technology platform transforming how care is delivered in the home. Trusted by more than 9,000 organizations worldwide, its robust ecosystem empowers healthcare professionals to deliver exceptional care to more than 7 million patients. As a true partner committed to its clients' success, Axxess listens, adapts and innovates alongside them to meet today's challenges and prepare them for tomorrow's opportunities. Recognized nationally as a "Best Place to Work," Axxess fosters a collaborative culture that fuels innovation and excellence.

Contact: [email protected]

SOURCE Axxess
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BusinessCompaniesTragedy The widow of Britains Bill Gates targeted in hunt for $1.7 billion Matthew Field April 16, 2026  6:15pm Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Share A A A

Hewlett Packard is pushing to investigate the assets of Mike Lynchs widow as it seeks to recoup more than 900 million ($1.7 billion) in legal damages. The US technology giant asked the High Court to appoint administrators over Lynchs estate, who would manage the holdings and investigate past transactions. Hewlett Packard wants administrators of its choice to probe Mike Lynchs past dealings with his family, including his widow, Angela Bacares. HP suggested this would include administrators of its choice probing Lynchs past dealings with his family, including his widow, Angela Bacares. Joseph Curl KC, a barrister for HP, told the court: As night follows day, that is going to include investigating people, not just Bacares, but including Bacares.

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HP is now trying to secure the 920 million in damages from the Lynch estate. The ruling threatens to bankrupt it as the estates value has been estimated at about 330 million. Lawyers for HP said it would be necessary to examine whether Lynch had taken steps to preserve assets to render themselves judgment proof in the face of vast legal claims. When an estate is bankrupt, if the administrator finds transactions that have been made at an undervalue or in preference to the beneficiary, it can seek to have them reversed to repay creditors. The tech tycoon died when his superyacht, the Bayesian, capsized off the coast of Sicily in a freak storm. Bacares owned a 300 million stake in Darktrace, a cyber security business that Lynch helped form, as well as their Suffolk house.

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HP has been seeking to appoint Interpath Advisory, the restructuring firm, to handle the estate. Bacares has applied to appoint Jeremy Sandleson, a former partner at Clifford Chance, who has long represented the family. Related Article Billionaires Who says money cant buy happiness? Meet the unabashedly happy Mrs Sanchez Bezos Lawyers for HP argued Sandleson had a fundamental and irreconcilable conflict of interest given his ties to the family. Bacaress lawyers insisted that the estate could be handled most delicately and effectively by Sandleson. On Wednesday, lawyers for Sandleson said he was willing to take on the appointment himself or a joint role alongside Interpath and disputed whether he could be seen as a friend of Bacares. He added there was no evidence at all that Sandleson had advised Lynch on personal financial transactions.

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Lawyers for Bacares said he should take on a solo role acting for the estate. The court also heard that Lynchs estate had filed an appeal against HPs fraud claims, which were the subject of a High Court case. The case continues. Telegraph, London The Business Briefing newsletter delivers major stories, exclusive coverage and expert opinion. Sign up to get it every weekday morning.

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Expect to wile away plenty of weekends in this open-air diner perched atop a flash new precinct, with views across the surrounding Queenslanders.

Ruma is not a rooftop bar. Yes, its on a rooftop, and yes it comes from Daniel Tuivaiti and Katrina Mead, who own Sunsets Rooftop at Kangaroo Point, but this is a long way removed from that heaving post-game, pre-dinner spot.

People relate a rooftop to drinking, head chef Felipe Oliveira (ex-Tassis Group) says. The first couple of nights earlier this month were odd. We had a very young crowd come in who wanted to party. I thought, This isnt good, but after that I think people started to understand.

Ruma Rooftop opened in New Farm earlier this month. Dean Swindell

Ruma is very much a restaurant first, hence Oliveiras prominence on the venues website and social channels. But the Brazilian-born chef fits in another sense: Ruma means home in the coastal Papua New Guinean language of Meads mother.

My first job in Australia was washing dishes. Thats the first time I felt accepted here, Oliveira says. As a migrant, you come from nowhere  no money, no family, no English. Its really hard. But once I stepped into the kitchen, theres that culture  its the first time I felt accepted here.
Drive-offs spike in Perth amid fuel crisis

West Australian Premier Roger Cook admits he is concerned by a rise in people filling up at the petrol station but refusing to pay.
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PoliticsVictoriaVictorian election Allan urged to recall parliament to stop flow of dark election money Chip Le Grand April 16, 2026  7:22pm Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Share A A A

Campaign finance experts have urged the Victorian government to recall parliament and introduce emergency legislation to prevent the flow of dark money to political candidates ahead of this years state election. Premier Jacinta Allan said the High Courts shock decision to strike out all regulation of campaign finance from Victorias electoral law had blinded the state to how much money is being pumped into the election or where it is coming from. Premier Jacinta Allan says she will not recall parliament following the High Court decision. Wayne Taylor She vowed to move quickly and immediately to bring back transparency ... to bring back a strong framework of election integrity. This is very important to me. Victorians deserve to have a system where they can see where the money is coming, who it is flowing to, Allan said.

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However, the premier added that she had no plans to recall parliament ahead of its next scheduled sitting in three weeks time for the state budget, saying that whatever regime the government introduced would retrospectively apply from the date of Wednesdays High Court judgment. Related Article Updated

Victorian election Victorian election exposed after High Court strikes out campaign finance laws The premiers timeline means that the Nepean byelection, where One Nation is mounting a serious challenge to the Liberal-held seat, will be decided while there are no campaign finance rules in place. Integrity experts urged the government to act with greater haste, saying there is no reason why uncontroversial elements from the old law  such as disclosure requirements for donations and public funding for candidates  could not be reinstated at a special parliamentary session. The government could then take more time to design a fuller campaign finance system including caps on donations and, potentially, expenditure.

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They could do that tomorrow if they wanted to, said Centre for Public Integrity executive director Catherine Williams. Recall parliament and get it done at the very start of next week. There is not even drafting to be done. Just get the thing passed and then worry about what else we do. Dr Yee-Fui Ng, an associate professor of law at Monash University and one of Australias leading researchers on campaign finance, said the government should model its new regime on NSW, which has strict disclosure requirements and caps on both political donations and expenditure, and has withstood legal challenges. Kiera Peacock, the Sydney-based solicitor who ran the High Court challenge against Victorias laws, also agreed there were immediate actions the Allan government could take. The government can legislate the transparency measures and some of the good and uncontroversial aspects of the regime. There is nothing in the courts decision to say they cant do that tomorrow.

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She said a more considered response was also needed. What has been missing in any legislative reform to date is genuine, multi-party consultation. I dont feel like we necessarily have the answers because no one person can have the answers. Related Article Exclusive

Victorian Parliament High Court rejects Victorian bid to stall donation law case The previous laws in Victoria capped political donations but set no limit on what candidates could spend campaigning for a seat, or parties across the state. The High Court struck out the laws after finding that special carve-out from the donation caps gave the major parties a significant advantage over minor parties and independent candidates. University of Sydney constitutional expert Anne Twomey, in a submission to a 2024 review of Victorias campaign finance laws, said that caps on donations and expenditure needed to operate together to be effective. If donation caps reduce the size of donations, but expenditure is unlimited, it creates an environment that encourages corruption and the avoidance of legal constraints to maintain high levels of expenditure, she wrote.

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It also has the benefit of freeing up party structures from the high administrative and time burdens of perpetual fund-raising. Parties might even be able to focus more on policy development and nurturing high-quality candidates. Melissa Lowe and Paul Hopper, fresh from their High Court win, will both stand as independent candidates in November. Simon Schluter Twomey, Williams, Yee-Fui and the Greens in their submissions to the review all called for the introduction of expenditure caps, which were introduced to NSW in 2010 and are also in place in Queensland, Western Australia and the ACT. The new federal campaign finance laws, which include caps on expenditure, are due to come into force on July 1. The Victorian governments in-house lawyers were on Wednesday absorbing the implications of the High Court decision, which went beyond what any parties to the case had anticipated. Although the case was a challenge to rules introduced by the Andrews government in 2018, the court put a red line through other provisions which had been in place for nearly a quarter of a century. The Victorian opposition has offered to work constructively with the government to help fix the problem, but is not calling for parliament to be recalled.

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The two independent candidates who successfully took on the states electoral law, Paul Hopper and Melissa Lowe, on Wednesday said urgent action by the government was required and that the priority was the restoration of disclosure rules. That can be resolved right now, they said. 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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InspirationFiji If you were to imagine the ideal resort in paradise, this would be it Lee Tulloch April 17, 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

If you were to paint a picture in your mind of the ideal, romantic Fijian resort, what features would you include? A clear lagoon brimming with colourful fish, perhaps. A generous curve of beach with pale sand. Overwater bungalows. Private dining options and private cabanas. A beachfront spa. Torch-lit bars serving well-crafted cocktails. Warm Fijian smiles and heartfelt service. This adults-only resort was the first in Fiji to offer overwater bures. Likuliku Lagoon Resort in the Mamanuca group of islands fits the description perfectly. The adults-only resort has been open almost 19 years, so it has had time to get it right. Its the benchmark of rustic luxury against which the newer resorts need to measure up. Likuliku was the first resort in Fiji to feature overwater bures and it still has the only authentic bungalows on a natural lagoon. Theyre understandably popular with honeymoon couples and are booked out several months ahead.

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But the resort is not resting on its laurels. A $7 million revitalisation project, completed in late 2025, has given Likuliku a major refresh without disturbing its serene natural ambience. Sign up for the Traveller Deals newsletter Get exclusive travel deals delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up now. The culinary experience has been enhanced with the addition of a fine dining concept restaurant and theres a new conservation hub where guests can learn about initiatives such as the project to save the endangered Fiji crested iguana. (One of the resorts resident reptiles, Ratu Malolo, is friendly enough to sit on your shoulder.) Eleven of the 29 beachfront bures now have private plunge pools, making them an attractive option if you miss out on one of the coveted overwater ones. Im happy as a clam in Deluxe Beachfront Bure 38, steps from the coral-strewn, soft-sand beach and tidal lagoon. A deluxe beachfront bure, with private plunge pool, is close to the beach and tidal lagoon. The bure has a deep plunge pool and a shaded day bed from which I can gaze at the remarkably clear lagoon and the volcanic shapes of islands in the distance.

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Inside, the airy, traditional-style bure flows seamlessly from a generous sitting room to bedroom to a massive bathroom with indoor and outdoor showers. I can see the lagoon from every vantage point through expansive glass doors to the deck. Likuliku and neighbouring Malolo Island Resort are both properties of Fijian-owned Ahura Resorts, which years ago snapped up two of the best locations in the Mamanuca group, also the location for luxury resorts Six Senses and Castaway Island. Many Likuliku honeymooners transition to family-friendly Malolo once theyve had children. Inside the bure there are plenty of vantage points for gazing out over the water. Its not all honeymooners on Likuliku when I visit. A good percentage of guests are older couples with anniversaries and special birthdays, although some dont need an excuse. One couple has visited 26 times. Some have travelled from as far as Finland. I can see why. The resort is a lovely blend of rustic and sophisticated, the refreshed contemporary decor symbiotic with the beauty of the island. The main restaurant, Fijiana, opens to the sea breeze and spills over multiple terraces, with intimate dining spots on the shore.

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Masima Bar, a classic beach bar above the jetty, soon becomes a favourite for its view of the lagoon. The resorts cultural activities, such as kava ceremonies and choral singing, such an important part of any Fijian visit, happen here. Upstairs in the main building, Dua Tale Bar (meaning one more in Fijian) is a breezy hangout in the evening, serving signature cocktails for Saluwaki restaurant, which it adjoins. (Try a Sakura of Blue Turtle Gin, watermelon and rose.) Likulikus food is indulgent but skews to healthy choices. Saluwaki is the jewel in the resorts revitalisation. Overseen by group executive chef Gregory Llewellyn, the fine dining experience is available for guests staying three nights or more and limited to one visit per stay. During my designated dinner, the skies flash with lightning, but its fun to watch natures show from the open-air terrace. The menu proposes a selection of 19 different small plates with an Asian fusion bent, from which the guests choose six. Options include handmade potato noodles with soft egg, miso-glazed yellowtail, steamed zucchini blossoms or a superb wagyu striploin on a hibachi grill.

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Likulikus food across all the outlets is indulgent but always skews to healthy choices and is cooked with finesse, which is not always the case in Fiji. The weekly traditional Lovo includes a sensationally fresh sushi-sashimi station along with the juicy roast meats. Related Article Luxury holidays Eight of the worlds most coveted honeymoon destinations Lunch and dinner at Fijiana involve four-course set menus that change each day. Breakfast offers both buffet and a la carte. Poolside dining is more casual, serving up pizzas, salads and burgers. (The fish burgers are delectable.) Theres a lot to do if you want to drag yourself away from the beautiful horizon pool or your cabana. Highlights include a private picnic on Mociu or Honeymoon island, an idyllic spot across the lagoon, and a boat trip hopping between the different islands of the Mamanucas. Its all very dreamy. You dont even need to be on your honeymoon.

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THE DETAILS STAY

A Beachfront Bure costs from $FJ2747 ($1753) a night; an overwater bure from $FJ4015 a night. Tariff includes three gourmet meals a day and one dinner in Saluwaki. Land activities and non-motorised water activities are complimentary. See likulikulagoon.com FLY

Fiji Airways flies directly to Nadi from Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Canberra, Cairns and Brisbane. See fijiairways.com The writer was a guest of Likuliku Lagoon Resort.
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WorldEuropeMass shooting Nine killed in Turkey school shooting, the second in as many days Tuvan Gumrukcu and Ezgi Erkoyun April 16, 2026  5:22am Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Share A A A

Ankara: A 14-year-old student shot at least nine people dead, including eight of his fellow pupils, and wounded 13 others at a school in southeastern Turkey, officials said, in the countrys second school shooting in two days. Eight students and one teacher died in the attack in the province of Kahramanmaras on Wednesday (Turkey time), the nations Interior Minister Mustafa Ciftci told reporters, adding that six of the wounded were in critical condition. This was solely a personal attack carried out by one of our students, it is not a terror incident, Ciftci said. Earlier, Kahramanmaras Governor Mukerrem Unluer said the shooter had died by suicide in the commotion.

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An eighth-grade student came with five weapons and seven magazines  which we believe belong to his former police officer father  in his bag, entered two classrooms with fifth grade students, causing deaths and injuries indiscriminately, Unluer said. Fifth-grade students are usually aged 10 and 11 in Turkey. Turkish security forces and emergency workers in the school courtyard. AP The shooter killed at least eight pupils and one teacher. AP School shootings are rare in Turkey. Asked by reporters if authorities would take any measures after the shootings this week, Ciftci said: We will take necessary precautions.

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Broadcaster NTV said the shooters father had been detained. Gun laws are generally strict in Turkey, with only individuals aged over 21 and in possession of a license allowed to own weapons. However, guns are widespread in Turkey, with many security officers allowed to carry and own arms. Unverified footage showed several students jumping from a second-storey window at the school as gunshots echoed around the grounds. Unverified CCTV footage from the school showed the attacker shooting two students walking down a hallway. Turkish media footage from the school grounds on Wednesday showed ambulances arriving at the school where police and crowds had gathered by the gate.

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On Tuesday, a former student opened fire at a school in the southeastern province of Sanliurfa, wounding at least 16 people, including students and teachers, before dying by suicide. Reuters If you or anyone you know needs support, call Lifeline on 131 114 or Beyond Blue on 1300 224 636. 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.

Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Share More: Mass shooting

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32 grants totaling more than $250,000 enable communityled park and green space projects across six states

CHARLOTTE, N.C., April 16, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The Duke Energy Foundation has awarded 32 grants totaling more than $250,000 to local nonprofit organizations working to revitalize parks, playgrounds and shared green spaces across North Carolina, South Carolina, Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky and Florida.

Grant funding will support communityled cleanups, public landscaping efforts, playground improvements and trail enhancements  helping strengthen outdoor spaces where families and individuals gather for recreation, connection and community events.

Why It Matters

These grants represent the first announced awards under the Duke Energy Foundation's America250 initiative, a more than $1 million investment supporting communitydriven projects across the company's service territories in recognition of America's 250th anniversary.

The investment coincides with Earth Day volunteer efforts, as Duke Energy employees participate in park cleanups and beautification projects across the communities they live and work in. Together, these grants and volunteer efforts help improve shared spaces while delivering tangible, local impact.

Additional America250 grant recipients will be announced later this spring, including support for veterans' workforce pathways and initiatives that expand access to history and civics education.

Duke Energy Foundation

Duke Energy Foundation provides nearly $30 million annually in philanthropic support to meet the needs of communities where Duke Energy customers live and work. The Foundation is funded by Duke Energy shareholders.

Duke Energy

Duke Energy (NYSE: DUK), a Fortune 150 company headquartered in Charlotte, N.C., is one of America's largest energy holding companies. The company's electric utilities serve 8.7 million customers in North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Indiana, Ohio and Kentucky, and collectively own 55,700 megawatts of energy capacity. Its natural gas utilities serve 1.6 million customers in North Carolina, South Carolina, Ohio and Kentucky.

Duke Energy is executing an energy modernization strategy, keeping customer value at the forefront as it invests in electric grid upgrades and efficient generation resources to strengthen the system and serve growing energy needs.

More information is available at duke-energy.com. Follow Duke Energy on X, LinkedIn, Instagram, TikTok and Facebook for stories about the people and innovations powering its communities.

Media Contact: Gina DiPietro

24-hour: 800.559.3853

SOURCE Duke Energy
ROLLING MEADOWS, Ill., April 16, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. today announced the acquisition of UK-based Bridge Insurance Brokers Limited ("Bridge"). Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Bridge is a commercial insurance broker specializing in real estate, construction, corporate and private client insurance, primarily for UK-based clients with a small international presence. The Bridge team, led by Roger Potts, Alex Cohen and Andre Backner, will continue to operate from its offices in Manchester and London.

"Bridge is an outstanding fit with our UK-based retail operations, providing highly complementary expertise and growth opportunities for our real estate and construction practice areas," said J. Patrick Gallagher, Jr., Chairman and CEO. "I am very pleased to welcome Roger, Alex, Andre and their associates to our growing, global team."

Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. (NYSE:AJG), a global insurance brokerage, risk management and consulting services firm, is headquartered in Rolling Meadows, Illinois. Gallagher provides these services in approximately 130 countries around the world through its owned operations and a network of correspondent brokers and consultants.

SOURCE Arthur J. Gallagher & Co.
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A MAN who was found fighting in Carlow town in the early hours of the morning and turned aggressive on gardai has been convicted and fined 500 in his absence at Carlow District Court.

Abdul Salawe (22) faced charges under section 4 (being intoxicated in public) and section 6 (aggressive or intimidating behaviour in public) of the Public Order Act.

The court heard that on 6 February 2025 at approximately 2.20am, gardai on patrol in Carlow town observed Mr Salawe engaged in a fight. When an officer approached and spoke to him, it was apparent that he was highly intoxicated.

He became very aggressive towards me, the arresting garda told the court, adding that Mr Salawe was arrested and brought to Carlow Garda Station, where he was subsequently charged.

Mr Salawe, Bealing Woods, Bealing Walk, Bealing Village, Dublin 15 did not appear before Judge Geraldine Carthy on the day, prompting his solicitor Tertius Van Eeden to tell the court: He is not here today. Unfortunately, there is not much I can do for him if hes not present.

Fortunately, hes not before the court on more serious matters, she added, before convicting Mr Salawe and imposing a 500 fine on the section 6 charge. The section 4 offence was taken into consideration.

Funded by the Court Reporting Scheme
Eimear Dodd

A woman has said she was only doing her job when a man sexually assaulted her while she was working as cabin crew on a Ryanair flight.

In a victim impact statement, the woman said she was sexually assaulted in a tight and confined space where colleagues were also present.

She said her sense of safety and peace has been completely shattered.

I was only doing my job when this happened, she said.

She said she fell in love with flying when she joined Ryanair, but has since resigned.

She said she feels there is a layer of shame over me and still feels disgusting.

The road to recovery feels long and unreachable, the woman said, adding that she is taking it one day at a time.

Life hasnt been the kindest to me, and what happened is an extra heavy load, she said.

Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard on Thursday the incident occurred while the flight was in the air, approximately 40 minutes before it was due to land in Dublin.

Aaron Brady (31) of Main Street, Killeshandra, Co Cavan pleaded guilty to sexually assaulting the woman on an inbound flight to Dublin Airport.

The court was told he has no memory of the incident and has a problem with drink, which he is addressing.

Taking the stand, Brady said he drank around five bottles of wine with his partner at the airport before boarding the flight and potentially between 12 and 15 mini bottles of alcohol during the flight.

He said he has not had a drink in a year.

Brady said he was really, really sorry, sincerely and said his offending was out of character.

I cant believe it, Im so sorry for the trauma it has caused you. Its not me at all...Im really, really sorry.

Judge Jonathan Dunphy asked him if he had been banned for life from Ryanair flights, with Brady telling him the ban was for five years.

I understand it is for life, the judge noted.

The court heard the woman also faced financial losses of over 3,000 due to the incident, including sick leave, voluntary absences and her resignation.

Judge Dunphy asked if the woman had to bear those costs instead of her employer, with the prosecution confirming she did.

Keith Spencer BL, defending, said the amount of drink taken by Brady before boarding and on the flight is almost mind-boggling.

He said his client deeply regrets what happened, did not intend it to occur, is ashamed and apologetic.

Counsel asked the court to consider his clients early guilty plea, good work record in an ice cream factory and the contents of a probation report.

He noted his client had 5,000 available as a gesture of remorse, which the court heard the woman is willing to accept.

Spencer said his client is willing to repay the womans expenses and could save another 5,000 if given more time.

Dunphy said he would adjourn the case to June for finalisation to allow Brady to address the womans expenses outlined in the victim impact statement. He directed that the 5,000 should be paid over within the next 24 hours for onward transmission to the woman.

He said he would somewhat reluctantly remand Brady on continuing bail so he could continue to work, adding that the courts concern was the losses experienced by the woman.

Addressing the woman, Judge Dunphy said he was grateful for her attendance, and said he wanted to finalise the case in the right way so that everyone can move on from this.

If you have been affected by any of the issues raised in this article, you can call the national 24-hour Rape Crisis Helpline at 1800-77 8888, access text service and webchat options at drcc.ie/services/helpline/ or visit Rape Crisis Help. In the case of an emergency, always dial 999/112.
High Court Reporter

A number of residents living next to an O'Callaghan Group hotel extension construction site in Dublin's south inner city have been blocking access to the premises for vehicles, the High Court has heard.

Residents living next to the entrance to the site at Boyne Lane, where the Alex Hotel extension is underway, told the court they are protesting because they are suffering serious nuisance from the works.

On Monday, the court granted an interim injunction to the hotel operators, Sherborough Enterprises Ltd and Persian Properties Unlimited Company, following a one-side only represented application.

The injunction restrained two named defendants, local residents Doreen O'Connor and Celine Quinn, as well as "persons unknown" from blocking access to the Boyne Lane construction site behind the hotel.

On Thursday, O'Connor, Quinn, and two other residents who have yet to be formally joined to the proceedings turned up in court.

They told Judge Oisin Quinn they had protested because of problems caused by the construction activity, including walls in one flat shaking and lorries idling outside their homes from 5am with radios playing.

They also said they had been seeking to meet with company director Charles O'Callaghan.

O'Connor said they had been dealing in good faith and had agreed to go to mediation, but found out on Tuesday morning that an injunction had been granted.

"They did not have to go to these extremes if he is just willing to speak to you", she said.

Stephen Walsh, for the hotel companies, said following Monday's order restraining the blocking of access to the site, construction professionals were allowed to get through the gate, but not large vehicles, with residents standing in front of it.

The residents had also made it clear they would not allow scaffolding to be erected on Dublin City Council-owned land next to the flats, which is required as part of the building works, he said.

The council had permitted his clients to put scaffolding there "without which the gable wall will simply collapse," he said.

Counsel also said his clients had engaged with the residents and made an open offer but the difficulty was, and it has happened in similar cases, that deals had been struck for compensation with one group of residents but not another.

The mediation proposal had only arisen on Wednesday, but it had to be a condition of mediation that the access to the site would be allowed, he said.

Judge Quinn said the papers needed to be formally served on the defendants so that they could get legal advice.

He said it was clear there should be "significant and substantial efforts" to reach a settlement through mediation and he adjourned the matter for a week.
NEW YORK, April 16, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- ASA, the financial institution focused on private banking and wealth management founded by Alberto Safra, today announced the expansion of its private banking operations across the United States and Latin America, marking a significant step in its international growth strategy.

As part of this expansion, the Brazil headquartered ASA has appointed Antonio Gonzales as Head of Private Banking for Latin America and Moshe Majeski as Head of Private Banking for the United States.

The initiative strengthens ASA's presence in key markets and reinforces its commitment to serving high-net-worth individuals across the Americas.

The company believes international expansion is a natural step in our company's trajectory. The entry into the U.S. and broader Latin America reinforces ASA's vision for sustainable growth, revenue diversification, and the continued development of a global platform.

Gonzales will lead the build-out of ASA's Latin America platform, overseeing dedicated teams across Mexico, Chile, Panama, Argentina, Colombia, and Florida. He brings more than two decades of experience in wealth management, most recently serving as Head of Latin America Private Banking at Citi. Prior to that, he was Head of Brazil Private Banking at JPMorgan.

"I am excited about the opportunity to combine my experience at leading U.S. banks with ASA's international expansion," said Gonzales. "ASA is a dynamic and diversified financial institution, backed by a multi-generational legacy in the financial markets."

Majeski joins ASA to establish and lead its U.S. private banking operations. A seasoned real estate and finance professional, he brings over 15 years of experience in senior roles at Meridian Capital. In his new role, he will oversee teams across major gateway cities, with a focus on building out the firm's domestic offering for high-net-worth clients.

"There is strong strategic clarity around the company's goals and the role the U.S. market will play," said Majeski. "I look forward to executing ASA's vision in the United States and serving clients across multiple sectors."

About ASA

ASA is an independent, diversified financial institution serving high-net-worth individuals, corporations, and institutional clients. Founded in 2019, the firm offers a global platform across private banking, asset management, and corporate banking, delivering tailored investment and advisory solutions.

For more information, please visit www.asa.com.

U.S. Media Contact

Eduardo Barker

[email protected]

SOURCE ASA
Brazils Companhia Siderurgica Nacional (CSN) is set to begin the binding bid phase for the sale of its cement business, CSN Cimentos, within the next month, according to the companys chief financial officer, Marco Rabello.

Non-binding offers are expected by the end of April, with shortlisted bidders invited to submit binding proposals by the end of June. The transaction could be completed by the end of 2026, subject to regulatory approval.

The sale is expected to attract strong interest from both domestic and international players. Reported potential bidders include Brazils Votorantim and J&F, as well as Chinese groups Anhui Conch Cement, Huaxin Cement and Sinoma International. Additional interest is also anticipated from European and Mexican companies.

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Market sources suggest the business could be valued at more than BRL10bn (US$2bn), although CSN has not disclosed pricing expectations.

CSN is pursuing the divestment as part of a broader strategy to reduce debt. The company previously appointed Morgan Stanley as financial advisor for the sale process.
Tanzania eyes larger share of Chinese tourists

Xinhua) 09:10, April 16, 2026

DAR ES SALAAM, April 15 (Xinhua) -- Tanzania has reaffirmed its readiness to attract a greater share of Chinese tourists as African destinations step up efforts to tap into the world's largest outbound travel market, according to a statement issued on Wednesday by the Tanzania Tourist Board (TTB).

The statement said the commitment was highlighted during a high-level panel discussion titled "China Outbound Travel Trends and African Destinations" held at World Travel Market Africa 2026 in Cape Town, South Africa, which brought together industry stakeholders to explore strategies for positioning Africa as an attractive destination for Chinese travelers.

Representing Tanzania, TTB Director General Ephraim Mafuru said the country is well prepared to attract visitors from China and has developed a deeper understanding of their travel preferences and expectations.

Mafuru noted that insights into Chinese tourists' preferences, ranging from travel styles to desired experiences, are essential for tailoring Tanzania's tourism products to better meet the needs of the market.

Panelists emphasized that African countries must enhance infrastructure, strengthen coordinated marketing strategies, and design tourism experiences that align with the expectations of Chinese visitors.

(Web editor: Wang Xiaoping, Liang Jun)
MEXICO CITY, April 16, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Grupo Aeroportuario del Sureste, S.A.B. de C.V. (NYSE: ASR; BMV: ASUR) (ASUR), a leading international airport group with operations in Mexico, the U.S. and Colombia, announces that its annual report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2025, has been filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. ASUR has also published its 2025 Sustainability Report, which discusses the company's environmental, social, governance performance.

You can access PDF versions of ASURs 2025 Form 20-F and 2025 Sustainability Report at its Investor Relations website www.asur.com.mx.

Investors can receive a printed copy of ASUR's 2025 20-F free of charge by calling The Bank of New York Mellon at 1-212-815-2838.

About ASUR

Grupo Aeroportuario del Sureste, S.A.B. de C.V. (ASUR) is a leading international airport operator with a portfolio of concessions to operate, maintain, and develop 16 airports across the Americas. The Company operates nine airports in southeast of Mexico, including Cancun Airport, the largest tourist gateway in Mexico, the Caribbean, and Latin America; as well as six airports in northern Colombia, including Medellin international airport (Rionegro), the second busiest in Colombia.

ASUR also holds a 60% interest in Aerostar Airport Holdings, LLC, operator of Luis Munoz Marin International Airport in San Juan, the capital of Puerto Rico, the island's primary international gateway. San Juan Airport was the first and remains the only major airport in the U.S. to have successfully completed a publicprivate partnership under the FAA Pilot Program. ASUR has recently expanded into airport commercial services through ASUR US, which partners with airports and airlines to deliver enhanced retail and passenger experiences. ASUR Airports operates at major U.S. hubs, including Los Angeles International, Chicago O'Hare, and John F. Kennedy International, and has a track record of outperforming U.S. commercial revenue benchmarks.

Headquartered in Mexico, ASUR is listed on both the Mexican Bolsa (BMV) under the symbol ASUR, and on the NYSE in the U.S., where it trades under the symbol ASR. One ADS represents ten (10) B-series shares. For further information, visit www.asur.com.mx

SOURCE Grupo Aeroportuario del Sureste, S.A.B. de C.V.
The senior capstone papers of four Spring 2025 graduates from Southern Adventist UniversitysSchool of Computing were presented at the Fall 2025 Future Technologies Conference inMunich, Germany.Computer science majors Meg Ermer, Abishur Moses-Pakkianathan and Ivan Vakal, along withinformation technology major Edwin Regalado, earned the impressive honor while enhancingtheir professional development and preparing for future challenges.I feel incredibly grateful and humbled, Mr.Vakal says. This experience is a reminder of howfaithful God is when we trust Him and work diligently.Each year, seniors in the School of Computing take on multifaceted capstone projects - rangingfrom research papers to presentations and creative works - that demonstrate mastery of theirchosen discipline. This year, Ms. Ermer and Mr. Moses-Pakkianathan collaborated on a paper exploring the role of artificial intelligence in studying, while Mr. Vakal and Mr. Regalado analyzed the business benefits of two virtualization software programs.Both research papers were submitted to FTC and accepted, despite rigorous competition fromgraduate students and industry professionals. The achievement was particularly significant forMr. Regalado, who became the first undergraduate information technology major from Southern tohave a paper presented at a leading international technology conference.In addition, a paper by Corbin Weiss, 25, was accepted for presentation at the ComputingConference 2026 in London, England. Over the past four years, Southern students research hasbeen presented at several prestigious international events, including FTC 2022 and 2024,Computing Conference 2023 and the Intelligent Systems and Applications Conference (IntelliSys) 2023 and 2024. Students papers have been cited in other academic works as well.Most recently, a paper published by Brandon Gustrowsky and Joel Lopez-Villareal was referenced in the acclaimed Journal of Systems and Software journal.At IntelliSys 2024, Ryan Downs, 24, and Daryl Illangovan, senior computer science major, virtually presented their research on an advanced technology designed to combat AI misuse.Their watermarking innovation helps prevent photographers work from being stolen to train AIimage-generator models. Receiving high praise for their breakthrough technology, the pair wonthe Best Presentation Award, selected from among 181 other participants - an impressiveaccomplishment for two undergraduate students.Professor Harvey Alferez, PhD, who teaches in the School of Computing and directs SouthernsCenter for Innovation and Research in Computing on campus, expressed gratitude for hisstudents success and the divine guidance evident throughout their projects.The Holy Spirit guided us to work on these projects, Prof. Alferez says. Its amazing how all thedots connect and the pieces fit together when you put everything in His hands.Beyond the academic recognition, Prof. Alferez emphasizes the spiritual impact of these scholarlyefforts. The most important achievement with these papers is witnessing, he says. Whenpeople read these published papers, they will find Southern Adventist University in the authorsaffiliation. They may ask, What does it mean to be Adventist? and want to learn more. We canreach people in academic circles that we might not be able to reach in any other way.Looking ahead, Prof. Alferez has high hopes for the continued growth of the School of Computing as students engage in research that addresses real-world challenges. In academia, books are veryimportant, he said, but its even more important that, as a university, we continue to generateknowledge.
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Hamilton County and Hamilton County Schools on Wednesday unveiled renderings for the Franklin-Roberts Future Ready Center, offering a first look at the new downtown facility that officials said "will bring career and technical education (CTE) back to Chattanoogas urban core."

Officials also announced a new Entrepreneurship Pathway for students and plans for the center to serve as the future home of the countys small business incubator.

The new business development section of the building, when it opens, will replace the county's longtime business incubator at the former American Lava (3M) building at Cherokee Boulevard and Manufacturers Road, officials said.

The County Commission is to vote on May 6 on whether to issue a Request for Proposals for disposition of the incubator building at 100 Cherokee Blvd.

The move brought protests at the Commission on Wednesday night from a number of tenants of the long-standing North Chattanooga incubator. The tenants said they had only been given two days notice of the planned move.

One business owner said he and his staff had laboriously moved heavy machinery into its space and it was "really devastating to hear" that it might not be able to remain there.

Another speaker said there was no chance given for input from the current tenants. She said, "They were treated like an after thought."

An official of Branch Technology whose successful firm grew up at the incubator after a move from Montgomery, Ala., said there will be a "massive deflation if it moves or goes away. It's a generator of economic impact."

Those speaking to commissioners said the former manufacturing building is soundly built and is uniquely constructed for heavy manufacturing uses. The proposed new site does not have a freight elevator, it was stated.

The plan is to have incubator space on the third and fourth floors and student space on the first two floors.

It will be off Sixth Street downtown at the former Golden Gateway site that included a Zayre's department store. The county earlier bought the property from BlueCross for $10 million.

County COO David Roddy said the BDC (Business Development Center) is in a 96-year-old building that is a tremendous liability for county taxpayers. He said there could be a maintenance crisis costing millions of dollars.

Officials said the roof of the building needs replacement at $1.5 million and reworking the HVAC would be millions more. There are also masonry concerns as well as the need for ADA compliance.

County Mayor Wamp said, "The building is falling apart. It's not exactly an architectural masterpiece. It's not a terribly inspiring building.

"It's way too cold at times and way too hot at other times. It's a ticking time bomb."

He said the move may bring a private investment at the Cherokee and Manufacturers Road corner "that would hit the tax rolls in an enormous way."

County Mayor Wamp said the county is now subsidizing the operation that is managed by the Chamber of Commerce with maintenance covered by the county at about $550,000 a year.

Franklin-Roberts Future Ready Center will stand as a symbol of our commitment to education, opportunity, and innovation in Hamilton County, said County Mayor Wamp at a morning press conference. This investment honors the legacy of Kirkman Technical School and two of our countys foremost citizens, John P. Franklin and Dalton Roberts. Most importantly, Franklin-Roberts will ensure every student from every neighborhood in Hamilton County has access to career and technical opportunities.

He said the Franklin-Roberts Future Ready Center "will serve as a hub for innovation, education, and advancement, expanding access to hands-on learning and career pathways for students from 11 schools across the county. With its opening, the countys network of Future Ready Centers will be complete, giving every high school student in Hamilton County access to a half-day vocational education program, helping them graduate prepared for both college and career."

Supt. Justin Robertson said, We are incredibly excited about the opportunities the Franklin-Roberts Future Ready Center will bring to our students and the schools it will serve. With several pathways that lead to viable, meaningful careers and the Business INCubator located on the same campus, our students will gain critical skills alongside Chattanoogas entrepreneurial community.



The county also announced plans for the Franklin-Roberts Future Ready Center to house the countys small business incubator "in a state-of-the-art facility designed to support the needs of todays entrepreneurs while fostering the next generation of business leaders."



Mayor Tim Kelly said, The One Westside project cant succeed fully without transformational educational opportunities for children, so having this new downtown school with its focus on preparation for tomorrows careers is an exciting moment for Chattanooga. Were grateful to the county and Hamilton County Schools for making it happen.



Building on the countys partnership with Volkswagen to create early, industry-aligned pathways in engineering, the Franklin-Roberts Future Ready Center will include a new Entrepreneurship Pathway, giving students the tools to start businesses, innovate, and lead in a modern economy, it was stated.
Middle Valley Church of God, 1703 Thrasher Pike in Hixson, announces Craig Paul will be preaching on "But God!" this Sunday in the 10:30 a.m. service.Each Sunday at 5:30 p.m. the church conducts a Prayer Meeting. that is open to all who wish to participate, and is designed to encourage prayer. Information on various methods of prayer will be shared with participants. "The goal of this prayer meeting is to encourage believers to seek God through prayer," officials said.Each Wednesday at 7 p.m., an Interactive, Interesting and Informative Bible Study will be held in the church auditorium.Pastor Mitch McClure is currently leading this Bible study on the life of David. "The goal of this Bible study is to encourage believers to study the Bible and discuss with others, making the Scripture their guide," officials said.Middle Valley Church of God is a community-focused church with various ministries in the Middle Valley area and in Cusuna, Honduras. The community is welcome to join in times of worship and community service. MVCOG has been ministering in the Middle Valley Community since 1946 from the same location."If you have questions, contact the church office at 423-843-1539," officials said. "All are welcome. Please note that MVCOG will make public announcements about dangerous road conditions and cancellations. Postings about cancellations will be made on the church Facebook page. Please look there for information."
A U.S. Marshals Service task force in Nashville has arrested a fugitive convicted of aggravated statutory rape, after he fled during his trial in Hamilton County.

James Harold Tolliver, 67, was on trial for the 2023 rape of a runaway teen in Chattanooga when he disappeared on April 9, the third day of trial. Despite his absence, the jury found Tolliver guilty of assault and aggravated statutory rape.



A warrant for Tollivers arrest was issued on April 10, and the U.S. Marshals Service was requested to assist in locating and apprehending him.



Acting on a collateral lead from the U.S. Marshals Service in Chattanooga, the Middle Tennessee Fugitive Task Force located Tolliver on Alameda Street in Nashville.

He was taken into custody without incident and transported to the Davidson County Jail, where he will remain pending transport to Hamilton County.


The Tennessee Department of Treasury, Unclaimed Property Division is again traveling to events across the state to reunite Tennesseans with missing money, starting later this month at the National Cornbread Festival in South Pittsburg.Last fiscal year, the Division returned 168,168 claims, totaling more than $125 million, to the rightful owners. There are currently millions of dollars in unclaimed property waiting to be claimed in Tennessee.Representatives from the Unclaimed Property Division will attend events in each of Tennessees three grand divisions this year.Tennesseans are encouraged to stop by the Unclaimed Property booth to find out if they have missing money. Division representatives will be onsite to help attendees with the claims process and answer any questions. People have located hundreds, and even thousands of dollars, in missing money at past events.Unclaimed Property plans to be at the following events in 2026:- National Cornbread Festival: Saturday, April 25 and Sunday, April 26, in South Pittsburg;- Old Timers Day Festival: Saturday, May 2, in Dickson;- Covington BBQ Festival: Friday, May 29, and Saturday, May 30, in Covington;- Doodle Soup Days: Friday, Sept. 25 and Saturday, Sept. 26, in Bradford; and- Grinch Festival: Saturday, Dec. 5 and Sunday, Dec. 6, in Cookeville.The events and dates could change based on weather and availability.Helping Tennesseans reconnect with their unclaimed property is one of the most meaningful services we provide, said State Treasurer David H. Lillard, Jr. These events allow our staff to meet people where they are and help them claim whats rightfully theirs, often in just a few minutes.Unclaimed property is money turned over to the state by businesses and organizations that were unable to locate the rightful owner. The Unclaimed Property Division is a consumer protection program of the Tennessee Treasury that works to reunite the millions of missing dollars turned over every year with its rightful owners.Anyone can see if they are owed any missing money by searching their name at ClaimItTN.gov, and may file a claim online if they find unclaimed property belonging to them. The searchable online database contains all unclaimed property in Tennessee dating to the beginning of the program.In Tennessee, there is no time limit or fee to claim unclaimed property. It is held for the rightful owner or their legal beneficiaries until it is claimed.
PORCH Chattanooga, a local chapter of PORCH Communities, has teamed up with the International Student Leadership Council at UTC to plan a food drive after an urgent plea for donations to support the food pantry. Together, the two groups coordinated a food drive on UTCs campus to help The Salvation Army of Chattanooga. The food drive has been extended till April 28The food drive began last Thursday and is located on the UTC campus, giving students and teachers easy access to drop-off spots.Donation drop-off locations included Lupton Hall, UTC Library and University Center. At the end of the food drive, PORCH Chattanooga will deliver all collected donations directly to The Salvation Army.We are very grateful to have partners like PORCH and the International Student Leadership Council. It is nice to know that there are people who have our back and are willing to organize things like this, said Major Douglas McClure.Officials said, "PORCH Communities is a grassroots nonprofit uniting neighbors to fight hunger. Through its simple monthly model, volunteers collect non-perishable food from neighborhood porches and deliver it directly to nearby pantries, schools, and community organizations, creating a reliable stream of food support for local communities."Founded in 2010 as a single neighborhood food drive in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, PORCH has grown into a national movement with more than 70 volunteer-led chapters across 15 states. Together, these chapters have delivered more than $17 million in hunger relief. PORCH Chattanooga is one of these locally led chapters, mobilizing neighbors to meet food needs across the Chattanooga community."
4/27/2026

The good news is that Chattanoogas 2026 Armed Forces parade and luncheon will take place as scheduled on Friday, May 1. The parade will step-off from M.L. King and Market Streets at 10:30 a.m. ... more
Award underscores a decade of engineering-led innovation

SCHAUMBURG, Ill., April 16, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- BB Insights (BBI), a global data and AI consultancy, today announced it has been selected as winner of the "Data Integration Solution of the Year" award in the 7th annual Data Breakthrough Awards program conducted by Data Breakthrough, an independent market intelligence organization that recognizes the top companies, technologies, and products in the global data technology market today.

BBI earned this distinction for a large-scale data integration and modernization initiative serving a leading wealth management firm. Rapid growth through acquisitions had left the organization with fragmented systems, inconsistent data, and mounting operational complexity.

BBI designed and implemented a unified, cloud-based data platform that streamlined integration across 80+ partner ecosystems, eliminated redundancies, and established a scalable, governed data foundation. The result is faster onboarding of new data sources, improved data quality, reduced infrastructure costs, and a more agile environment ready to launch the company's AI innovations.

BBI specializes in solving one of the defining challenges of the modern enterprise: how to align data and systems to reliably power the AI initiatives that define the future.

"Since we started BBI 10 years ago, we've watched the challenges our clients face evolve significantly  from early data modernization efforts to the more complex question of how to succeed with AI at scale," said Ravneet Singh, CEO of BBI. "It's almost always the same answer: the integrity of the underlying data. When data is connected, consistent, and governed across the entire environment, everything built on top of it performs the way it should. This award reflects the discipline our team brings to that work every day, and the trust our clients place in us to get it right."

The Data Breakthrough Awards program attracts thousands of nominations from organizations worldwide, evaluating winners based on innovation, performance, ease of use, functionality, and real-world impact across categories including analytics, AI, DataOps, and infrastructure.

"Enterprise data environments are growing increasingly complex and distributed across hybrid and multi-cloud architectures, causing organizations to place more emphasis on practices that introduce automation, governance, and software-engineering rigor into data integration workflows," said Steve Johansson, Managing Director, Data Breakthrough. "By combining deep engineering expertise with modern platform architectures, BBI supports organizations seeking to build scalable, future-ready data ecosystems while improving governance and operational reliability. Congratulations on being our pick for 'Data Integration Solution of the Year!'"

As organizations accelerate digital transformation and AI adoption, the stakes around data infrastructure continue to rise. BBI's work  and this recognition  reflect a broader industry shift: that sustainable AI outcomes are built on a foundation of well-engineered, trustworthy data and systems.

About BBI

BBI is the one-stop shop for making AI work reliably at scale. Working alongside client teams, we build, modernize, and operate data foundations that ensure data and AI output are consistent, traceable, and production-ready across systems. Using AI-driven engineering methods and proven accelerators, we deliver fast, reduce risk, and give clients data they can trust.

Headquartered in Schaumburg, Illinois, BBI operates with more than 600 data professionals across the United States, Canada, and India.

About Data Breakthrough

Part of the Tech Breakthrough organization, a leading global provider of market intelligence and recognition platforms for technology innovation and leadership, the Data Breakthrough Awards program is devoted to honoring innovation and market disruption in data technologies, services, companies, and products. Categories include data analytics, DataOps, data management, infrastructure, storage, Business Intelligence, and more. For more information visit DataBreakthroughAwards.com.

Tech Breakthrough LLC does not endorse any vendor, product, or service depicted in our recognition programs, and does not advise technology users to select only those vendors with award designations. Tech Breakthrough LLC recognition consists of the opinions of the Tech Breakthrough LLC organization and should not be construed as statements of fact. Tech Breakthrough LLC disclaims all warranties, expressed or implied, with respect to this recognition program, including any warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose.

SOURCE BBI
Early voting is underway across Hamilton County. 445 voters cast their ballot across the six early voting sites on Wednesday.

Hamilton County Election Commission headquarters led the way with 142 ballots cast. Other site vote totals:

Chris L. Ramsey Sr. Community Center: 108 ballots cast

Harrison Center (Old Harrison Elementary): 87 ballots cast

Chestnut Hall at the Commons: 52 ballots cast

Hixson Community Center: 37 ballots cast

Soddy Daisy Community Center: 19 ballots cast.

Were thankful to our early voting staff and voters for a smooth start to early voting, said Hamilton County Elections Administrator Scott Allen. Turnout has been modest so far, but theres still plenty of time for everyone to make their voice heard. Voting early helps avoid lines on Election Day and ensures you get your vote cast. I encourage all eligible voters to take advantage of the convenience of early voting and make sure your voice is part of our communitys future.

The early voting period runs through Thursday, April 30.



In addition, voters can still request an absentee ballot no later than Saturday, April 25, by contacting the Hamilton County Election Commission. 753 voters have already returned their absentee ballot through the mail.



For more information on early voting hours or absentee ballots, visit https://elect.hamiltontn.gov/ or call 423 209-VOTE (8683).
A Chattanooga attorney on Thursday was sentenced to serve 340 months in federal prison for child sex offenses.

Patrick Bryant Hawley, 44, of Lookout Mountain, Tn., was sentenced by Chief Judge Travis R. McDonough, who said his actions with a 14-year-old female victim were sadistic. He said videos of the Pennsylvania girl showed her in physical pain.

Following his imprisonment, Hawley will be on supervised release for 20 years and he will be required to register with applicable sex offender registries and comply with special sex offender conditions during his supervised release.

Hawley was also ordered to pay $60,000 in restitution.



As part of the plea agreement filed with the court, Hawley agreed to plead guilty to one count of exploitation of a child.



According to filed court documents, Hawley knowingly exploited a minor victim, who was then 14, causing her to engage in sexually explicit conduct.

Prosecutors said, "Hawley met his minor victim online, and within minutes of the meeting, their conversation turned to sexual matters. Hawley indicated to his victim that no age was too young for his desires. After receiving sexually explicit images of his victim, Hawley told her: 'I need to see your face, and I need to see your contours.' 



Hawley continued communicating with his victim, acknowledging multiple times that she was a minor. He sent her disturbing videos involving sex acts by other minors.

Prosecutor Jay Woods said it was among the top 3 or 5 worst child sex cases to go through the Eastern District in the last 20 years.

He said at one time there were four different FBI investigations underway of Hawley, including in several states and in Canada.

Prosecutor Woods said there were 228 child sex images in Hawley's possession, 161 of whom the victims could not be identified.

Hawley gave a long statement in which he said his life began to spiral downward when his wife left him. He said he could not now understand how he had turned to alcohol, then drugs, and then to child sex.

Attorney Lee Davis had requested a 15-year sentence.

U.S. Attorney Francis M. Hamilton III of the Eastern District of Tennessee; Special Agent in Charge, Terence G. Reilly of the FBI, and Acting Special Agent in Charge, Colin Jackson, of Homeland Security Investigations, made the announcement.

The criminal indictment was the result of a joint investigation by the HSI and FBI.



The case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys Offices and CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims.
Tennessees unemployment rate continues to track well below the national average, according to the latest data from the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development.In February, Tennessees seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 3.6 percent, up slightly from the previous month and from one year ago, when the rate was 3.5 percent.Despite the uptick, Tennessee continues to outperform the U.S. rate, which was 4.4 percent in February. The national rate is up one-tenth of a percentage point from January and two-tenths of a percentage point from a year ago.Over the past year, total nonfarm employment in Tennessee decreased by 6,400 jobs.The largest declines were in the trade, transportation, and utilities sector, followed by manufacturing and federal government.Between January and February, total nonfarm employment in the state decreased by 9,200 jobs, with the biggest losses in the private education and health services sector, followed by the trade, transportation, and utilities sector, and the leisure and hospitality sector.Spring is the perfect time to refresh your resume, whether you're exploring new opportunities or growing in your current role.Career specialists at nearly 80 American Job Centers across Tennessee are ready to help you polish your resume so it stands out among other applications in a competitive job market. This personalized service is available to you at no cost. Spring cleaning for your resume ensures your skills and experience are presented in the best possible light. Visit your local American Job Center today to get started.Tennessee will release the February unemployment data for each of the states 95 counties on Thursday, April 23 at 1:30 p.m. CDT.
Automated production processes with artificial intelligence, faster production through 3D printing or humanoid robots that take over dangerous welding work - Germany's factories are becoming more digital. German industry is largely positive about the use of digital technologies in production: 81% of German industrial companies see Industry 4.0 as an opportunity, while only 16% see it as a risk. At the same time, Industry 4.0 is a competitive factor. For almost all German industrial companies (94%), Industry 4.0 is very important or even indispensable in order to survive in international competition (indispensable: 30%; very important: 64%). Only just under 4 percent, on the other hand, consider Industry 4.0 to be unimportant. These are the results of a representative survey conducted on behalf of the digital association Bitkom among 555 industrial companies in the manufacturing sector with 100 or more employees in Germany on the occasion of the Hannover Messe. "Industry 4.0 is not a technology trend, but the basis for industrial competitiveness," says Bitkom Vice President Dr. Tanja Ruckert. "With AI and future humanoid robots, Industry 4.0 is getting a massive upgrade; the digital transformation of German industry is entering the next round with AI."

The Bitkom study shows just how important these technologies are for the competitiveness of German industrial companies. 9 out of 10 industrial companies (89%) generally consider Industry 4.0 to be very important or somewhat important for the competitiveness of industry, and almost 8 out of 10 (78%) do so for artificial intelligence. Humanoid robots, i.e. AI-based human-like robots, are also considered by the majority to be important for competitiveness: more than 6 in 10 industrial companies (63%) consider this technology to be very important or somewhat important.

Industry 4.0 has arrived in production In production, Industry 4.0 is not a vision of the future, but a reality. 97% of industrial companies use at least one Industry 4.0 application. Artificial intelligence is most widespread in the area of intelligent control and planning. AI is already being used by 40 percent of industrial companies, and almost as many (38 percent) are planning to do so. Digital twins are now also widespread: 45% of industrial companies are using them and 26% are planning to do so. Physical AI, i.e. AI that enables machines or robots to perform physical tasks independently, is used by 6% of German industrial companies. Although the technology is still in its infancy, more than a quarter of companies (28%) are already planning to introduce it. When it comes to digital infrastructures and networking, IoT platforms are at the top of the list of relevant technologies: they are used by 45% of industrial companies and planned by a third (33%). However, data rooms, edge computing, lifecycle management and 5G campus networks are also used in production and contribute to networked production. "A good ten years after the term was introduced, Industry 4.0 is part of everyday life in factories," says Ruckert. "Now it's important to open a new chapter in Industry 4.0 with digital twins, AI and, in future, humanoid robots." 27% of German industrial companies want to invest more in Industry 4.0 technologies in 2026 compared to 2025, while 50% want to maintain their investments at the current level. 20 percent are planning to invest less.

Humanoid robots as an opportunity for greater productivity In addition to widely used applications such as AI, IoT platforms and digital twins, new technologies are increasingly coming to the fore - including humanoid robots. They belong to the field of physical AI and can perform tasks that were previously carried out by humans. Industrial companies see this as a productivity factor: more than 6 out of 10 industrial companies (64%) believe that humanoid robots will make industry more productive. Almost 7 out of 10 (68 percent) are in favor of Germany quickly developing humanoid robots itself and bringing them to the global market. At the same time, almost one in three industrial companies (31%) believe that humanoid robots are a hype that will soon pass, while 41% believe that the technology costs more than it brings. Ruckert: "Opinions are currently divided on humanoid robots."

Humanoid robots are already being used in isolated cases in German industry. 6 percent of industrial companies are working with them, one in ten companies (10 percent) are planning to do so and 8 percent are discussing it. However, for 3 out of 4 industrial companies (72%), the use of humanoid robots is not yet an issue. Looking to the future, the situation looks different. Overall, almost the entire German industry (97%) can imagine the widespread use of humanoid robots in production, at least in the long term. One in five companies surveyed (20 percent) expects humanoid robots to be used in the majority of industrial companies in the next ten years. 3% assume that this will already be the case in five years' time, while 17% expect this to be the case in the next six to ten years. At 54%, the majority of industrial companies believe that such a scenario is only realistic in the long term in the period from 11 to 20 years, 14% expect it to happen in 21 to 30 years and 9% expect it to happen in the very distant future after more than 30 years. However, hardly anyone thinks that humanoid robots will never become widespread in industry. Only 2 percent of industrial companies share this fundamental skepticism towards this new technology.

"Humanoid robots were science fiction the day before yesterday, yesterday they were considered visionary and now they are becoming a real, business-relevant industrial topic," says Tanja Ruckert. "It is crucial that Germany invests equally in the development and use of humanoid robots."

Industry sees AI as a competitive factor The example of humanoid robotics shows how strongly industrial development is now being shaped by artificial intelligence. Ruckert: "AI is no longer just a single application, it is currently becoming the most important basic technology in industrial development, production and operation." Almost 8 out of 10 industrial companies (79%) believe that artificial intelligence will be decisive for the competitiveness of German industry in the future. 76% are of the opinion that German industry should play a pioneering role in the use of AI. Only 19 percent consider AI in industry to be a temporary hype. At the same time, more than half (55%) agree with the statement that German industry is in danger of missing out on the AI revolution, nine percentage points more than last year. Nevertheless, every second German industrial company (51%) sees itself at the forefront of AI. In contrast, 46 percent see themselves as lagging behind (36 percent) or even say they have missed the boat (10 percent).

"Artificial intelligence is probably the most important future issue for German industry," says Ruckert. "Companies see enormous potential in AI for greater efficiency, quality and competitiveness."

Difficult economy slows down digitalization The difficult overall economic situation is having a negative impact on the digitalization of German industry. More than half (58%) of industrial companies believe that the current economic situation will slow down the digitalization of their company. 45% anticipate job cuts in their own company, while 48% expect to be able to recruit skilled workers as a result of job cuts in other industrial companies.

In addition to the economic situation, competition from China is also increasing the pressure on German industry. More than one in eight industrial companies (13%) feel very strong competitive pressure due to increased exports from China, while almost half (49%) feel somewhat strong competitive pressure. Conversely, only one in five industrial companies (22%) feel only slight additional pressure, while 13% feel no additional pressure at all.

Germany has some catching up to do when it comes to Industry 4.0 The economic pressure is hitting industry at a time when international competition is intensifying. According to companies' self-assessment, Germany is only in third place internationally when it comes to Industry 4.0. One tenth (10 percent) of industrial companies see Germany as an international leader in Industry 4.0. China is currently most frequently named as the leading nation in Industry 4.0 (34%), and the USA is also perceived as leading in this area by 21%.

Respondents were somewhat more positive about the situation of their own company. 9 percent of German industrial companies see themselves as leaders, 38 percent as pioneers in Industry 4.0. Conversely, just under half (50 percent) see themselves as laggards, with only 1 percent saying that their own company has missed the boat. "China is setting the pace in Industry 4.0," says Ruckert. "Germany must keep up, with more speed and investment in innovation and digital infrastructure."

Companies and politicians now have a responsibility How can industrial companies be better supported in the introduction of Industry 4.0 applications? The right course needs to be set both in industry itself and in politics:
In 2025, Endress+Hauser generated over four billion euros in sales for the first time. Its successful integration of sensor manufacturer SICKs gas analysis and gas measurement technology enabled good growth. Worldwide, the Swiss measurement and automation technology specialist created new jobs and invested at record levels. The company maintained solid profitability despite strong downward currency effects on sales and its bottom line.

The Executive Board of the Endress+Hauser Group as of 1 May 2026. Endress+Hauser

The business climate in the year under review was characterized by rapid change and great uncertainty. In 2025 we did everything we could to overcome short-term challenges and enable long-term success, CEO Dr Peter Selders said at the companys annual media conference in Basel, Switzerland. The family-owned company performed well overall. While we fell short of our goals, we achieved the best possible result for Endress+Hauser in the circumstances, the CEO said.

The Groups net sales were up 7.2 percent to 4.01 billion euros  an all-time high. This was due largely to the expansion of Endress+Hausers product offering through the incorporation of SICKs gas analysis and gas measurement technology range. The strategic partnership with the German sensor manufacturer took effect at the start of 2025, with sales and service for these instruments in 46 countries transferring to Endress+Hauser, and development and production handled by a joint venture.

Strong exchange rate effects Chief Financial Officer Dr Luc Schultheiss put the Groups organic growth  i.e., adjusted for exchange rate effects and acquisitions  at 2.6 percent. The negative currency translation effects cost Endress+Hauser about 3.3 percentage points of growth. The company also felt the effects of investment restraint in the chemical industry. On the other hand, it saw positive momentum from the AI boom: The cooling and energy systems of new data centers require a lot of measurement instrumentation.

The USA remained the top market by sales, yielding strong growth despite the tariffs. Overall, the companys sales in the Americas grew 10.1 percent. Sales in Europe were up 11.6 percent. In Germany, the companys third-largest market, sales were down, as was also the case in Switzerland. Africa and the Middle East grew 7.4 percent. In its Asia-Pacific region, Endress+Hauser saw a 1.4 percent decrease in sales, due largely to weakness in China, its second-largest market.

New jobs and training positions At the end of 2025, the Group had 18,306 employees, up 7.4 percent. Here, too, the increase was driven by the strategic partnership with SICK, with over 800 sales and service personnel switching to Endress+Hauser. The company also further expanded its training offering. Worldwide, 676 young people were undertaking apprenticeships at the company, studying at university or college with support from Endress+Hauser, or engaging in extended internships in conjunction with their studies.

The Group maintained a good level of profitability, recording a net income of 321.3 million euros, equaling a 10.7 percent return on sales. The strong euro and Swiss franc put downward pressure on profits, said Luc Schultheiss. Profits were also affected by the costs of incorporating the SICK gas analysis and gas measurement technology range.

Long-term investment in the future To remain viable into the future, Endress+Hauser invested a record 370.8 million euros in new buildings, plant, IT and software. The Group opened new facilities at its production and development sites in Waldheim and Nesselwang, Germany. Its capital investments over the past five years total 1.4 billion euros. Our healthy financial position allows us to finance these amounts from internally generated funds, said Luc Schultheiss.

Last year the company brought 41 new products to market. Innovation is a key driver of our growth, said Peter Selders. This claim is underscored by the fact that the company last year had 294 first filings at patent offices all around the world. Expenditure on research and development totaled 281.4 million euros, up 2.1 percent. This equates to 7.0 percent of sales, marginally down from the prior year because of portfolio effects from the integration of the gas instrumentation business.

Changes to the Executive Board There are changes underway on the Groups Executive Board. For age-related reasons, Chief Operating Officer Dr Andreas Mayr, Chief Information Officer Pieter de Koning and Chief Financial Officer Dr Luc Schultheiss will be stepping down from their roles in the coming months. Chief Human Resources Officer Jorg Stegert has left the company.

Dr Mirko Lehmann became Chief Technology Officer back in July 2025. In this position, he will in future also assume responsibility for IT and digitalization. Chief Operating Officer Professor Katja Windt and Chief Human Resources Officer Helena Svensson have now also taken up their roles. The future Chief Financial Officer, Christian Mader, will join Endress+Hauser in July.

Generational handover in the shareholder family The shareholder family is once again playing a closer role in the company. The new President of the Supervisory Board is Steven Endress, a grandchild of the company founder. He has taken over from Matthias Altendorf, who did not seek re-election. Steven Endress has been representing the family on the Supervisory Board since 2024. Prior to that, he served as Managing Director of Endress+Hauser UK. The family is a key factor in the companys success, he said.

The third generation of the family is also shouldering additional responsibility on the Family Council, an important link between the family and the company. Sandra Genge, another grandchild of the founder and a member of the Supervisory Board since 2022, is the Family Councils new Vice Chair. She is thus the designated successor of Dr Klaus Endress, who has chaired the Family Council since its establishment 25 years ago and who has announced his intention to step down in 2027.

Focusing on strengths CEO Peter Selders sees significant business opportunities in the sustainable transformation of the process industry. Endress+Hauser aims to achieve net-zero emissions across the entire value chain by 2050. At the same time, the company has identified great potential for supporting customers on their path to sustainability. For this dual leverage effect, Endress+Hauser received the 2025 German Sustainability Award in the measurement and control technology category.
C&CS catalysts and chemical specialties GmbH is setting another milestone in hydrogen research. Together with TU Dresden (Prof. Haberstroh), the company is launching a project funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWE) to optimize hydrogen liquefaction. The aim is to drastically reduce evaporation losses using innovative bifunctional ortho-para catalysts.

C&CS catalysts and chemical specialties GmbH

The "ortho-para trap" no longer snaps shut Liquid hydrogen is the beacon of hope for heavy goods traffic, trains and long transportation routes. However, the physical laws of quantum theory present logistics with an expensive challenge: hydrogen molecules exist in two states - ortho and para.

If hydrogen is extremely deep-frozen for transportation, the ortho state is transformed into the para state. This process releases heat, which causes up to a third of the laboriously liquefied hydrogen in the tank to evaporate again (the so-called "boil-off" effect).

Bifunctional catalysts as a solution C&CS has developed the solution to this energy problem. As part of the ZIM project (Central Innovation Program for SMEs) that has now been approved, a special catalyst is being developed that:

accelerates the conversion already during the cooling process,

massively increases the efficiency of cryo-coolers,

and virtually eliminates evaporation losses in the tank. Strong partnership and federal funding The project is being funded with up to 236,525 euros by AiF Projekt GmbH on behalf of the German government. C&CS is responsible for the development, production and chemical and structural characterization of the catalysts. TU Dresden is providing scientific support for the project and testing the performance of the catalysts. The aim is to fill cryo-cooler pilot plants with this technology and bring them to market maturity.
German industrial exports could grow at a much slower rate in the future than in the past. While they have risen by 2.1 percent per year over the past ten years, growth could fall to 1.3 percent per year by 2035, according to a recent Deloitte model. The decisive factor for the decline is that exports to the two largest markets - the USA and China - could fall in the long term. According to this forecast, exports to the United States will fall by -1.5% per year to 65 billion euros in 2035, while exports to China will fall by -1.7% to 41 billion euros. At the end of 2025, the volume for the two countries was 76 and 49 billion euros respectively.

The volatile trade policy in recent times has caused considerable problems for the export-oriented German industry. Last year, exports to the USA fell by 13% and those to China by 16% compared to 2024. China was thus overtaken by France as the second largest sales market. Exports there were just ahead of China in 2025 - despite a decline of three percent - at 50 billion euros. "It is to be expected that industrial exports to the Netherlands and the UK will also exceed exports to the People's Republic in a few years," says Oliver Bendig, Partner and Head of Industry Consulting at Deloitte. "As an industrialized nation, Germany needs a new business model."

The current modeling in the "Supply Chain Pulse Check" study series is based on the Global Trade Analysis Project (Purdue University) and analyzes future trade patterns between Germany and 71 countries in the mechanical engineering, electrical, automotive and chemical industries. Among other things, GDP growth, trends in the geopolitical alignment between Germany and the respective trading partner and the development of tariffs and non-tariff trade barriers up to and including March 2026 were taken into account. The export data from previous years was collected by the Federal Statistical Office. A comparable Deloitte model from 2024 assumed annual growth in industrial exports of around two percent.

India and Brazil with considerable potential Sales to large countries in the global South, such as India and Brazil, also fell by two and three percent respectively in 2025. However, there is considerable potential here in the long term. According to the current projection, exports to India could grow by 3.9% and exports to Brazil by 4.1%. This would put sales to these two countries at 13 and 11 billion euros respectively in 2035. Australia could also gain in importance with an increase of 4.7% to nine billion euros. "The new free trade agreements are cause for hope," says Dr. Jurgen Sandau, partner and supply chain expert at Deloitte. "But hope alone is not enough. Companies must diversify their supply chains as well as their sales markets and Europe must continue to reduce its trade barriers in the single market."
Pastor Craig Carlisle. | Screenshot: YouTube/ Alabama Baptist

Craig Carlisle is anticipated to be nominated for the role of first vice president of the Southern Baptist Convention at the denominations upcoming annual meeting in June.

Carlisle currently serves as the SBCs second vice president and works as director of missions for the Etowah Baptist Association. He also recently completed his term as president of the Alabama Baptist State Convention in November.

His ministry background includes being ordained in 1987 at Twelfth Street Baptist Church, where he later served as pastor from 2008 to 2017. He previously led Central Park Baptist Church from 1991 to 2008 and Munford Baptist Church from 1987 to 1991.

Carlisle has also held leadership roles at the state level, having been elected twice as president of the Alabama Baptist State Convention, serving consecutive one-year terms from 2023 to 2025. He secured his second term in 2024 without opposition.

At the national level, Carlisle was elected second vice president of the SBC in June of last year, receiving 56.46% of the 6,668 votes cast. He won the race against Tommy Mann, who earned 30.85%, and Christopher Rhodes, who received 12.09%.

The SBC Annual Meeting, where the nomination is expected to take place, is scheduled for June 710 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando.
PCUSA Headquarters Building in Louisville, Kentucky. | photo credit: PCUSA

The Presbyterian Church (USA) has reviewed new findings outlining why some of its members have discontinued financial contributions to the denomination.

During a recent meeting, PC(USA), A Corporation heard a presentation from Research Services representative Sean Payne addressing the reasons behind declining donor participation.

According to the report, which was shared with media by a denomination spokesperson, researchers reached out to more than 17,000 individuals who had last contributed between Jan. 1, 2019, and September 2024.

Participants in the survey were asked two central questions: Why did you stop giving? and What would help you reconsider giving again? The survey, conducted between November and December of last year, yielded 1,275 responses.

The most frequently cited reason for stopping donations was I chose to focus on my local church, selected by 43% of respondents. Another 21% indicated they stopped giving because I chose to support other causes or organizations.

Financial challenges also played a role, with 11% reporting Personal or family circumstances have changed, while 7% said, I can no longer afford to give.

Some respondents pointed to concerns about the denomination itself, with 7% stating, "I disagree with decisions made by the General Assembly," and 8% saying, "I am uncertain about the denomination's restructuring" plans.

The findings come as the denomination continues to address long-term declines in membership and giving. In 2024, PC(USA) announced plans to streamline various offices and ministries because of a considerable decline in membership and donations over the past couple of decades.
Home News City-sponsored 'drag ball for kids' for 'toddlers to teens' to dress up, meet drag performers Children's book author, Drag Queen Story Hour board member among performers

A Southern California city famous for the Rose Bowl hosted a city-sponsored drag ball for kids event where children were encouraged to dress up and meet local drag artists.

The Armory Center for the Arts in Pasadena, located about 15 miles north of Los Angeles, hosted the Play House on Sunday, a free event billed as a "community drag celebration" where children and families were invited to dress up in wigs, props, jewelry and costumes, meet local drag artists, and participate in activities centered on self-expression.

The event took place at the Armorys Old Pasadena campus and was organized by Armory Teaching Artist and Education Coordinator Austyn de Lugo-Liston, who received an individual artist grant from the Pasadena Arts & Culture Commission and the city of Pasadena Cultural Affairs Division to stage the program.

Described on the Armorys website as a community-sanctioned, family-friendly event, the Play House page  which featured an official city of Pasadena logo  announced that wigs, props, jewelry, and costumes are available for photo ops and urged attendees to dress up, express yourself, and celebrate self-expression in a safe, family space.

In addition to what was billed as age-appropriate activities focused on self-expression to affirm [transgender] and gender-expansive youth, the Play House event also featured local drag performers, including University of Arizona professor Harris Kornstein, who goes by the performer name of Lil Miss Hot Mess.

An undated YouTube video shows Kornstein  who is listed on the Trump Kennedy Center website as a board member of the controversial Drag Queen Story Hour  in drag makeup and costume at what appears to be a local library or bookstore.

Kornsteins work has previously drawn national attention. In 2022, then-U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Florida, publicly criticized one of his books and a related Drag Queen Story Hour event at a U.S. Air Force base in Germany, describing it as placing children in proximity to adults who are intentionally and explicitly sexualized.

In a March 31 promotional video for the event posted on Instagram, de Lugo-Liston said he was hosting a drag ball for kids and wrote: HAPPY TRANS DAY OF VISIBILITY!! PLAY HOUSE is a free event open to the public at the Armory Center for the Arts on April 12th from 12:30p-3:30p! ... Thank you SO much to everyone who has donated so far and continued to spread the word about this event. The video included him sharing a number of event supplies he recently purchased, including a big pack of devil horns which he wore in the video.

About a week earlier, de Lugo-Liston shared a flyer for the event and wrote, This is an ALL ages event  play is for everybody from toddlers, to teens, and all the grownups in their lives who support them.

Its not clear whether the event was paid for using taxpayer funds. The Armory did not respond to a request for comment by The Christian Post.

Founded in 1989 and housed in a historic 1932 California National Guard armory, The Armory is a nonprofit whose stated mission is to advance equity and social justice through arts education. More than 80% of its programming serves socioeconomically disadvantaged youth and families, according to the site.

The Armory also features a Cultural Equity & Inclusion (CEI) page, which acknowledges our presence on the traditional, ancestral, and unceded territory of the Tongva peoples and states that racial inequity is central to most societal issues, particularly when it comes to the distribution of resources.
In the news release, Beamion LUNG-1 study results for zongertinib in treatment-naive patients with HER2-mutant advanced NSCLC published in The New England Journal of Medicine, issued 16-Apr-2026 by Boehringer Ingelheim over PR Newswire, there has been an update to the headline. The complete, corrected release follows:

Beamion LUNG-1 study results for zongertinib in treatment-naive patients with HER2-mutant advanced NSCLC published in The New England Journal of Medicine

RIDGEFIELD, Conn. and INGELHEIM, Germany, April 16, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Boehringer Ingelheim today announced that The New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM) published results from the Phase 1b Beamion LUNG-1 trial of HERNEXEOS (zongertinib tablets) in treatment-naive patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) who have HER2 activating mutations in the tyrosine kinase domain (TKD). The data in the manuscript, titled "First-Line Zongertinib in Advanced HER2-Mutant Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer," demonstrated durable efficacy in this patient population (N=74). As of August 21, 2025:

The confirmed objective response rate (ORR) was 76%, with 11% of patients achieving a complete response and 65% of patients achieving a partial response.

The median duration of response (mDoR) was 15.2 months, and the median progression free survival (mPFS) was 14.4 months.

Treatment-related adverse events (AEs) were predominantly low-grade. AEs led to dose reductions in 12 patients (16%) and dose discontinuations in 7 patients (9%).

Additionally, the NEJM manuscript reported findings from 30 patients with HER2-mutant advanced NSCLC with active brain metastases, of which, 47% experienced a confirmed intracranial objective response (iORR) by Response Assessment in Neuro-Oncology Brain Metastases (RANO-BM).

The data builds on results presented at the ESMO Annual Meeting in October 2025 and was presented at the European Lung Cancer Congress (ELCC 2026) that took place in Copenhagen, Denmark, March 2528, 2026.

"This data shows zongertinib demonstrated durable efficacy as first-line therapy in treatment-naive patients with HER2-mutant advanced non-small cell lung cancer, a setting where there are currently limited options with durable responses," said coordinating investigator for the Beamion LUNG-1 trial, Dr. John Heymach, MD, PhD, chair of Thoracic/Head and Neck Medical Oncology at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. "These findings, now published in The New England Journal of Medicine, may help healthcare providers make informed decisions on HER2 targeted treatment choices."

HERNEXEOS was recently granted accelerated approval by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of adult patients with unresectable or metastatic non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) whose tumors have HER2 (ERRB2) tyrosine kinase domain activating mutations, as detected by an FDA-authorized test. This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on objective response rate and duration of response. Continued approval for this indication is contingent upon verification in a confirmatory trial.

Accelerated approval follows Breakthrough Therapy Designation and selection for the FDA Commissioner's National Priority Voucher pilot program, in recognition of the medicine's ability to address critical unmet need for this rare and aggressive cancer. This builds upon the FDA accelerated approval for use in previously treated patients in August 2025.

About HERNEXEOS (zongertinib tablets)

HERNEXEOS (zongertinib tablets) is an irreversible tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) that inhibits HER2 (ERBB2).1,2 HERNEXEOS has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as the first orally administered, targeted therapy for adult patients with HER2 (ERBB2)-mutant advanced non-small cell lung cancer.

Comprehensive biomarker testing using next generation sequencing determines a patient's eligibility for treatment with HERNEXEOS by identifying HER2 (ERBB2)-mutant advanced NSCLC.1,3

The orally administered treatment is not approved in other markets and is being evaluated in ongoing trials, across a range of earlier stages and advanced solid tumors with HER2 alterations. Beamion LUNG-2 is an ongoing Phase III controlled study evaluating zongertinib as a first-line treatment for patients with advanced NSCLC that has HER2 tyrosine kinase domain mutations (NCT06151574). Beamion LUNG-3 is a Phase III clinical trial investigating zongertinib as an adjuvant monotherapy in patients with early-stage, resectable NSCLC (Stage II-IIIB) with HER2 (ERBB2)-mutations (NCT07195695).

About HER2 (ERBB2)-mutant non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC)

Lung cancer claims more lives than any other cancer type3 and the incidence is set to increase to over 3 million cases worldwide by 2040.4 NSCLC is the most common type of lung cancer.3 The condition is often diagnosed at a late stage, and fewer than 3 in 10 patients are alive five years after diagnosis.5,6 People living with advanced NSCLC can experience a detrimental physical, psychological, and emotional impact on their daily lives.7,8,9 There remains a high unmet need for additional treatment options for people living with advanced NSCLC.

Up to 4% of lung cancers are driven by HER2 mutations (or gene alterations).3 Mutations in HER2 can lead to overexpression and overactivation, which can in turn result in uncontrolled cell production, inhibition of cell death and promotion of tumor growth and spread.10

About Boehringer Ingelheim in oncology

We have a clear aspiration  to transform the lives of people with cancer by delivering meaningful advances, with the ultimate goal of curing a range of cancers. Boehringer Ingelheim's generational commitment to driving scientific innovation is reflected by the company's robust pipeline of cancer cell-directed and immuno-oncology investigational therapies, as well as the smart combination of these approaches. Boehringer's ambition in oncology is to take a diligent and broad approach, creating a collaborative research network to tap into a diversity of minds, which is vital in addressing some of the most challenging, but potentially most impactful, areas of cancer research. Simply put, for Boehringer Ingelheim, cancer care is personal, today and for generations. Read more at Boehringer-Ingelheim.com/US.

About Boehringer Ingelheim

Boehringer Ingelheim is a biopharmaceutical company active in both human and animal health. As one of the industry's top investors in research and development, the company focuses on developing innovative therapies that can improve and extend lives in areas of high unmet medical need. Independent since its foundation in 1885, Boehringer takes a long-term perspective, embedding sustainability along the entire value chain. Our approximately 54,300 employees serve over 130 markets to build a healthier and more sustainable tomorrow. Learn more at Boehringer-Ingelheim.com/US.

What is HERNEXEOS (zongertinib tablets)?

HERNEXEOS is a prescription medicine used to treat adults with a type of lung cancer called nonsquamous nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC) that:

cannot be removed by surgery or that has spread to other parts of your body (metastatic), and

has a certain mutation in the human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) gene

Your healthcare provider will perform a test to make sure HERNEXEOS is right for you.

It is not known if HERNEXEOS is safe and effective in children.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

Before taking HERNEXEOS, tell your healthcare provider about all of your medical conditions, including if you:

have liver problems

have heart problems

have lung or breathing problems other than lung cancer

are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. HERNEXEOS can harm your unborn baby

Females who are able to become pregnant:

Your healthcare provider will do a pregnancy test before you start treatment with HERNEXEOS Use an effective form of birth control (contraception) during treatment with HERNEXEOS and for 2 weeks after your last dose Talk to your healthcare provider about birth control methods that might be right for you during this time Tell your healthcare provider right away if you become pregnant or think you are pregnant during treatment with HERNEXEOS

are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not known if HERNEXEOS passes into your breastmilk. Do not breastfeed during treatment and for 2 weeks after your last dose of HERNEXEOS

Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. HERNEXEOS may affect the way other medicines work, and other medicines may affect how HERNEXEOS works.

Know the medicines you take. Keep a list of them to show your healthcare provider or pharmacist when you get a new medicine.

What are the possible side effects of HERNEXEOS?

HERNEXEOS may cause serious side effects, including:

liver problems. Liver problems are common with HERNEXEOS and can be severe and life-threatening. Your healthcare provider will do blood tests to check your liver function before you start taking HERNEXEOS and during your treatment. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you develop any signs and symptoms of liver problems, including: yellowing of your skin or the white part of your eyes (jaundice) dark or brown (tea colored) urine pain on the upper right side of your stomach area (abdomen) bleeding or bruising more easily than normal feeling very tired loss of appetite nausea or vomiting

Liver problems are common with HERNEXEOS and can be severe and life-threatening. Your healthcare provider will do blood tests to check your liver function before you start taking HERNEXEOS and during your treatment. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you develop any signs and symptoms of liver problems, including:

heart problems that may affect your heart's ability to pump blood. HERNEXEOS can cause severe heart problems. Your healthcare provider will do tests to check your heart function before you start taking HERNEXEOS and during treatment. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have any new or worsening symptoms of heart problems, including: feeling like your heart is pounding or racing dizziness tiredness feeling lightheaded shortness of breath loss of consciousness coughing swelling of your legs, ankles, or feet

HERNEXEOS can cause severe heart problems. Your healthcare provider will do tests to check your heart function before you start taking HERNEXEOS and during treatment. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have any new or worsening symptoms of heart problems, including:

lung problems. HERNEXEOS can cause lung problems that are severe or life-threatening. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have any new or worsening symptoms of lung problems, including trouble breathing, shortness of breath, cough, or fever

Your healthcare provider may temporarily stop, decrease your dose, or permanently stop treatment with HERNEXEOS if you have serious side effects.

The most common side effects of HERNEXEOS include:

diarrhea. HERNEXEOS can cause severe diarrhea. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have new or worsening diarrhea

rash

liver problems

feeling tired

nausea

muscle and joint pain

upper respiratory tract infection

The most common severe abnormal blood tests include decreased white blood cell count, increased liver function tests, and decreased potassium levels.

HERNEXEOS may cause fertility problems in females and males, which may affect your ability to have children. Talk to your healthcare provider if this is a concern for you.

These are not all of the possible side effects of HERNEXEOS. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. For more information, ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist.

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

CL-HER-100001 02.2026

For U.S. Audiences, please see full Prescribing Information and Patient Information.

MPR-US-104011

References:

HERNEXEOS Prescribing Information. Wilding B, Woelflingseder L, Baum A, et al. Zongertinib (BI 1810631), an Irreversible HER2 TKI, Spares EGFR Signaling and Improves Therapeutic Response in Preclinical Models and Patients with HER2-Driven Cancers. Cancer Discov. 2025;15(1):119-138. doi:10.1158/2159-8290.CD-24-0306 Zeng J, Ma W, Young RB, Li T. Targeting HER2 genomic alterations in non-small cell lung cancer. J Natl Cancer Cent. 2021 May 3;1(2):58-73. International Agency for Research on Cancer  World Health Organization. Rates of trachea, bronchus and lung cancer. Available at: https://gco.iarc.fr/tomorrow/en (Accessed: February 2026). National Cancer Institute Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER). 5-Year Survival Rates. https://www.seer.cancer.gov/csr/1975_2016/results_merged/topic_survival.pdf (Accessed: February 2026). Casal-Mourino, A. et al. Epidemiology of stage III lung cancer: frequency, diagnostic characteristics, and survival. Transl Lung Cancer Res. 2021;10(1):506-518 Valentine, T. R. et al. Illness Perceptions and Psychological and Physical Symptoms in Newly Diagnosed Lung Cancer. Health Psychol. 2022 Jun; 41(6): 379388. Andersen, B. L. et al. Newly diagnosed patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer: A clinical description of those with moderate to severe depressive symptoms. Lung Cancer. 2020 Jul;145:195-204. Presley, C. J. et al. Functional Disability Among Older Versus Younger Adults With Advanced NonSmall-Cell Lung Cancer. JCO Oncol Pract. 2021 May 3;17(6):e848e858. Galogre M, et al. A review of HER2 overexpression and somatic mutations in cancers, Critical Reviews in Oncology/Hematology, Volume 186, 2023, 103997.

SOURCE Boehringer Ingelheim
Home News Harvest says lawyer for child sex abuse claimants obtained 200K confidential church files Documents may include 'donor lists, employee files'

Harvest Christian Fellowship in California, along with its founder and lead pastor, Greg Laurie, has accused the attorney for some 22 men and women, who allege they were sexually abused and trafficked as minors while living in Harvest-run homes in Romania, of acquiring more than 200,000 confidential Harvest documents from a former employee not authorized to have them.

Laurie and Harvest filed an ex parte application in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California on April 1 against Jan Cervenka, the attorney from the law firm McAllister Olivarius who represents several plaintiffs alleging former Harvest Christian Fellowship pastor Paul Havsgaard abused them while running multiple childrens homes in Romania from 1998 until 2008.

The application sought to vacate an April 3 deadline for the church to file a motion to dismiss or move consolidated lawsuits from the alleged survivors to Romania until an ongoing dispute over how Cervenka acquired the trove of documents is settled. The request was granted on April 2.

The megachurchs attorney, Howard M. Privette of the law firm Snell & Wilmer L.L.P., argued that they made several good-faith efforts to resolve the dispute over the documents but were unable to do so with Cervenka.

Based on the highly limited information Plaintiffs counsel has provided to Harvest and to Magistrate Judge Pym, the materials in question include an unknown number of Harvests privileged and confidential documents (including, potentially, documents such as donor lists and employee records that may encompass information governed by individuals privacy rights, trade secrets, etc.), Privette argued.

Privette also asked U.S. District Judge Sunshine S. Sykes, who granted the application in part, to preclude Cervenka from asserting that they waive any right to any relief they may seek regarding the confidential files if the deadline wasnt extended.

The dispute over Plaintiffs taking of Harvests records concerns more than 200,000 documents obtained surreptitiously and in an unauthorized fashion from a former Harvest employee who Plaintiffs counsel refuses to identify, Privette argued. Importantly, these documents were obtained outside of the discovery process; the Rule 26 conditions for making disclosures and for seeking discovery from any source have not yet occurred in this case.

Cervenka said in an April 10 court filing, however, that Harvests claim is based on unsupported arguments and mischaracterizations of the facts.

Harvests efforts to style itself as the aggrieved party and the documents at issue (Documents) as misappropriated distort reality beyond recognition. So does its abuse of ex parte procedures, based on manufactured urgency, Cervenka claimed in the filing.

If the Court elects to maintain the April 3, 2026, deadline, Harvest respectfully requests an order providing that Plaintiffs be precluded from asserting principles such as waiver or estoppel, or otherwise opposing any relief Harvest may seek with respect to the documents issue (including, potentially, to disqualify Plaintiffs counsel), on the basis of Harvests filing of the Forum Motion prior to seeking such relief.

In Cervenka's filing opposing Harvest and Lauries ex parte application, he claimed that the former Harvest employee who shared the documents with his firm in February was not a member of the churchs management team and did not sign a non-disclosure agreement, or any confidential agreement on the termination of their employment with Harvest.

He said his firm discovered a total of 16 potentially privileged communications but reviewed only two of them. Harvest, he stated, asserted privilege over the 16 documents, and they were returned to the churchs lawyers.

Cervenka accused Harvests attorneys of refusing to meet to resolve the dispute out of court until he obtained a court order forcing them to do so. In subsequent meetings, Harvest attorneys allegedly made a blanket claim of ownership over all of the Documents, relying on Cal. Lab. Code  2860.

The law asserts that: Everything which an employee acquires by virtue of his employment, except the compensation, which is due to him from his employer, belongs to the employer, whether acquired lawfully or unlawfully, or during or after the expiration of the term of his employment.

Cervenka pushed back on the claim, noting that for decades the law has been applied only to the employers confidential information and trade secrets.

He has asked the court to deny Harvests ex parte application in its entirety and sanction their legal team for misconduct. He further requested that the court require the church to respond to letters from April 1, 7 and 8 by April 14. If they fail to settle the dispute, Cervenka asked the judge in the case to approve proceedings to resolve it in court.

The April 10 filing comes after the judge granted the request to vacate the April 3 forum motion deadline on April 2 but denied the request to preclude Cervenka from asserting waiver or estoppel in future arguments. Estoppel is a legal doctrine that prevents a person from contradicting their own previous actions, statements, or promises if another party relied on them to their detriment.

The Harvest children's homes in Romania were reportedly shuttered some four years after suspicions of abuse were allegedly reported to former missions pastor Richard Schutte and investigated internally, but no employees or others reported the claims to authorities at the time.

In addition to Havsgaard, the lawsuit also names Harvest Christian Fellowship and accuses Laurie and Schutte of negligence for failing to prevent the abuse. The church has previously denied allegations that its leaders covered up abuse.

The plaintiffs in the case include: Marian-Liviu Mihaila, 38; Alexandra-Elena Langa, 28; Ioana Cosmina Pirvu, 32; Gheorghita-Bogdana Tici, 36; Maria Ghenciulescu, 37; Denis-Vasile Otcuparu, 32; Emilia-Mariana Tudosie, 38; Roxana-Maria Turuianu, 39; Cristina-Bianca Popescu, 33; and Alexandru Ionita, 39; Marian Barbu, 33; Mihai-Constantin Petcu, 40; Cristian Aeroaiei, 36; Constantin-Alin Nitu, 36; Razvan-Georghe Nitu, 38; and George-Adrian Vasile, 33; Aurelian Busca, 37; his brother Alexandru-Cristian Busca, 38; Marian Dragne, 36; Bogdan Ionescu, 35; Alexandru Badaluta, 36; and Florin Cristian Caragea, 32.

Barbu is the lead plaintiff in the consolidated case, and the alleged victims all reside in Romania or other European countries.

In a Jan. 16 filing, attorneys for Laurie and Harvest Christian Fellowship told the judge that they have begun legal proceedings in Romania to determine whether the alleged survivors' claims are barred by the Romanian statute of limitations.

In each case, the plaintiff is a citizen of Romania who currently resides in Romania or in another country in Europe. None of them resides in the United States. In each case, the plaintiff purports to state claims based on allegations that the plaintiff suffered abuse in Romania at least 18 years ago, the attorneys state in the federal court filing.

Before these cases were filed in this Court, Defendant Harvest initiated civil proceedings in Romania seeking a determination of whether the plaintiffs claims are barred by the Romanian statute of limitations. Those proceedings are currently pending before the Romanian court in Bucharest, they add.
Home News Pete Hegseth reads fake Bible verse from 'Pulp Fiction' during prayer service, likens press to Pharisees

Secretary of War Pete Hegseth read a fake imprecatory Bible verse similar to one from Quentin Tarantinos 1994 film Pulp Fiction during the monthly Pentagon prayer service on Wednesday, hours before House Democrats filed six articles of impeachment against him over the Iran war.

While speaking about the mission to rescue American pilots shot down over Iran on Good Friday, Hegseth urged his audience to join him in praying a prayer he said was used by Sandy 1, the call sign for the commander who coordinates the search and recovery of downed aircrews.

This prayer was recited by Sandy 1, which is one of the Sandies, to all Sandies  all those A-10 crews  prior to all CSAR [Combat Search and Rescue] missions, but especially this CSAR mission, which happened in real time, Hegseth said.

They call it CSAR 25:17, which I think is meant to reflect Ezekiel 25:17, Hegseth continued, as the Pentagons livestream cut to some audience members laughing.

Pete Hegseth quoted a fake Bible verse from Pulp Fiction during a Pentagon sermon.pic.twitter.com/1o3CJiJYRF  Clash Report (@clashreport) April 16, 2026

So the prayer is CSAR 25:17, and it reads  and pray with me, please  The path of the downed aviator is beset on all sides by the iniquities of the selfish and the tyranny of evil men. Blessed is he who, in the name of camaraderie and duty, shepherds the lost through the valley of darkness, for he is truly his brothers keeper and the finder of lost children, he said.

And I will strike down upon thee with great vengeance and furious anger those who attempt to capture and destroy my brother, and you will know my call sign is Sandy 1 when I lay my vengeance upon thee. And amen, he added.

A viral video clip shared by Russia Today showed how closely the CSAR 25:17 prayer aligned with a famous scene from "Pulp Fiction," in which a character played by Samuel L. Jackson quotes what he describes as Ezekiel 25:17 before shooting someone dead.

The famously violent and profanity-laden film intentionally misquotes the verse in homage to a similar fake passage in "Bodyguard Kiba," a 1973 Japanese martial arts movie.

Ezekiel 25 describes Gods judgment against Judah's neighboring nations. Ezekiel 25:7 actually reads: "I will carry out great vengeance on them and punish them in my wrath. Then they will know that I am the Lord, when I take vengeance on them."

Some X users expressed offense at Hegseths use of the misquoted Bible verse, with some presenting it as the latest in a series of recent religious missteps by the Trump administration.

Taylor Marshall, a Roman Catholic podcaster, described the incident as poisonous theology  reaching to Paula White levels. White, who leads the White House Faith Office, also drew backlash when she compared Trump to Jesus during an Easter luncheon at the White House during Holy Week.

Pentagon chief spokesman Sean Parnell said in a statement Thursday that Hegseth shared a custom prayer, referenced as the CSAR prayer, used by the brave warfighters of Sandy-1 who led the daylight rescue mission of Dude 44 Alpha out of Iran, which was obviously inspired by dialogue in Pulp Fiction.

However, both the CSAR prayer and the dialogue in Pulp Fiction were reflections of the verse Ezekiel 25:17, as Secretary Hegseth clearly said in his remarks at the prayer service. Anyone saying the Secretary misquoted Ezekiel 25:17 is peddling fake news and ignorant of reality, he added.

Hegseth has raised eyebrows in recent months for repeatedly invoking Christianity and biblical rhetoric to suggest Gods favor rests on U.S. military action in Iran and elsewhere.

During a Thursday press briefing at the Pentagon, Hegseth accused the legacy Trump-hating press of being like the Pharisees. He said the thought came to him last Sunday while listening to a sermon on their hard-hearted response to Jesus Christ's healing of a withered hand in Mark 3. He appeared to liken Trump to Jesus in his analogy.

Your politically motivated animus for President Trump nearly completely blinds you from the brilliance of our American warriors. The Pharisees scrutinized every good act in order to find a violation, only looking for the negative, he told reporters.

Pete Hegseth appears to compare Donald Trump and the US military to Jesus performing miracles, says the press are like the blind Pharisees pic.twitter.com/LV7GKqAEUZ  John Loftus (@JohnCFLoftus1) April 16, 2026

During an April 8 press briefing, Hegseth declared decisive military victory in Iran, which he attributed to divine providence. In a press briefing at the White House on Easter Monday, he likened the rescue of the downed American pilot to the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

During last months prayer service at the Pentagon, Hegseth quoted from the imprecatory psalms and read from a U.S. military chaplains prayer invoking divine wrath against U.S. enemies.

Hegseths home denomination is the Communion of Reformed Evangelical Churches (CREC), which has been influenced by the Christian Reconstructionism of the late Calvinist theonomist theologian Rousas J. Rushdoony.
Home News School counselor awarded nearly $200K over firing for opposing trans policy

An Indiana school district has agreed to pay nearly $200,000 to settle a complaint from a counselor who was fired for publicly opposing a gender identity student policy.

School counselor Kathy McCord sued the South Madison Community School Corporation after being fired for refusing to follow a policy that required staff to conceal from parents that their child identified as the opposite sex while at school.

In a joint stipulation to dismiss filed Monday before the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana, Indianapolis Division, the two parties agreed to a settlement.

As part of the agreement, South Madison will pay $195,000 in assorted legal costs and fees, the district having already rescinded the policy following a change in the state law, WRTV reported.

McCord was represented by Alliance Defending Freedom, a legal nonprofit that has successfully argued First Amendment cases before the U.S. Supreme Court.

No American should be fired for expressing her beliefs, especially not an educator speaking in her personal capacity, on her own time, and out of concern for her students, said ADF Senior Counsel Vincent Wagner in a statement released Wednesday.

Kathy knows that kids do best when schools and parents work together. But South Madison left parents in the dark. Its regrettable that South Madison made Kathy endure three years of litigation to get to this point, but we are pleased with this result for Kathy.

In 2021, McCord and her colleagues were required by the school district to begin using a Gender Support Plan paper for students regarding their preferred gender identity and pronouns.

In addition to expecting school staff to use a trans-identified student's preferred name and incorrect pronouns, they were also ordered to hide that information from parents if the student requested it.

The gender support plan, which was reportedly meant to be kept confidential, was the subject of a Daily Signal article in December 2022, in which McCord was cited as expressing opposition to the policy.

In March 2023, the school board for the South Madison Community School Corporation decided to fire McCord for her public opposition to the plan. Following her firing, ADF filed a lawsuit on her behalf in May of that year.

South Madison fired Mrs. McCord for exercising her constitutional rights. And even before its unconstitutional retaliation, it compelled her to speak a viewpoint that violates her religion, stated the complaint.

For decades, Mrs. McCord loved helping students  and excelled at it. Today, she just wants to get back to a school to help more kids. Therefore, she brings this Complaint for injunctive, declaratory, compensatory, and nominal relief.
Home News Jonathan Roumie says he stands with Pope Leo's call for peace in Iran amid Trump feud, urges prayer for both

Catholic actor Jonathan Roumie, who plays Jesus in "The Chosen," is urging his followers to pray for President Donald Trump and Pope Leo XIV as the two are "at odds" over the conflict in Iran, noting that he agrees with the pope's call for peace.

In an Instagram post Tuesday, Roumie addressed the back-and-forth between the pontiff and the president that has made international headlines this week. An image of Roumie shaking Leo XIVs hand accompanied the post.

I never imagined Id see a day when the leader of our nation and the Holy Father might find themselves at odds, he wrote. It speaks to the weight  and uncertainty  of the times were living in. Yet, one thing remains firm: Christ is on the throne. He always has been. Always will be. And His victory is eternal. As Catholics  as Christians  we are called to follow Christs example in all things  even when that path is narrow, costly, and difficult to walk.

In a Sunday Truth Social post, Trump called Leo WEAK on crime, and terrible for foreign policy because of his criticism of the Iran war. The pope responded by stressing that he did not want to get into a debate with Trump while vowing to continue to speak out loudly against war.

Roumie said he carries a deep conviction for peace and restraint whenever possible, noting that he has lost extended family members in the crossfire of war and its humanitarian toll. At the same time, he acknowledged that nations have the right  and the responsibility  to defend their people.

Threats cannot be ignored, he added. But when that defense results in the loss of innocent life  especially women and children  my heart compels me to stand with Pope Leo XIV in his call for peace  even as I fall to my knees in prayer for an end to violence.

Roumie cited Jesus teaching in the Gospel of Matthew, Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God, as especially urgent now. The pontiff also pointed to the verse as a message that the world needs to hear today."

Were living in a time when division comes far too easily  when the devil delights in turning us against one another, using our vulnerabilities, weaknesses and frankly anything and everything he can against us, seeking ultimately to destroy humanity in the process," Roumie said.

As that darkness presses in, I pray  for Pope Leo XIV, that he may continue to lead as a shepherd of light and peace for the Church Christ established. And I pray for our president, and for all leaders entrusted with decisions that carry the weight of life and death  that they may be guided by the Holy Spirit in wisdom, courage and prudence. These are burdens few can truly comprehend. To bear them well requires extraordinary discernment  and grace; that gift given to us as a result of the supreme sacrifice of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Roumie concluded by calling on his followers to pray for them both, specifically that the Sacred Heart of Jesus guide each and every decision they make. He also prayed for wisdom, peace and the protection of the innocent.

In his Truth Social post over the weekend, the president insisted that he did not want a pope who criticizes the president of the United States because Im doing exactly what I was elected, IN A LANDSLIDE, to do. Trump urged him to "stop catering to the radical left, and focus on being a great pope, not a politician.

Responding to Trumps comments, Pope Leo insisted: I do not look at my role as being political.

He told reporters, I have no fear of either the Trump administration or of speaking out loudly about the message of the Gospel.

And thats what I believe I am called to do and what the Church is called to do. Were not politicians. Were not looking to make foreign policy, as he calls it, with the same perspective that he might understand it, he said.
Home News Mississippi bans abortion-inducing drugs amid 'continuing threat' of mail-order abortion

Mississippi has banned the prescription and distribution of abortion-inducing drugs, one of the most common methods used to terminate a pregnancy in the United States, even in states with strong laws restricting abortion.

Mississippis Republican Gov. Tate Reeves signed House Bill 1613 into law last week. The bill ammends the states drug trafficking laws to make it illegal to sell, prescribe or distribute an "abortion-inducing drug," which is defined as "a medicine, drug or any other substance prescribed or dispensed with the intent of terminating the clinically diagnosable pregnancy of a woman to cause the death of the unborn child.

Reeves approval of the measure follows its passage in the Republican-controlled State House of Representatives in a 77-39 vote and the Republican-controlled State Senate in a 36-14 vote.

Support for the legislation fell largely along party lines, with all opposition coming from Democrats and most support coming from Republicans. Two House Democrats and three Senate Democrats broke from their party to back the bill.

The legislation does not apply to the prescription of drugs for the treatment of miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy, fetal demise, induction of labor, and management of postpartum complications.

Violators of the law, which is slated to take effect on July 1, will face a prison sentence ranging from one to 10 years. The measure also authorizes the Mississippi attorney general to bring civil action against anyone who violates the law, which could result in declaratory or injunctive relief as well as civil penalties and costs.

While Mississippi has some of the strongest pro-life protections in the country, women in pro-life states have still been able to access abortion drugs. A report released by the pro-abortion Guttmacher Institute earlier this month found that 91,000 women living in states with strong abortion restrictions obtained the drug.

Human Coalition President Jeff Bradford said the state has taken "decisive action to protect the lives of babies and the health of women in their state.

The continuing threat of mail-order abortion pills being shipped into pro-life states has been one of the most urgent challenges facing the pro-life movement," he said in a statement shared with The Christian Post.

Abortion pills now cause [a] majority of abortion deaths nationwide, and out-of-state distributors have worked aggressively to circumvent protective state laws, he added. Mississippis new law is a critical step in closing those loopholes and affirming the states right to protect its residents. Human Coalition serves the women targeted and injured by the abortion industry. We have seen firsthand the physical and emotional harm that results from the dangerous legal status quo on abortion drugs.

Abortion pills have become a major focus in the national abortion debate after restrictions on the drugs were relaxed during the Biden administration. Concerns about the safety of abortion pills have intensified in recent years, with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration conducting a safety review of mifepristone.

Pro-life advocates have accused the Trump administration of delaying the review for political purposes and urged the agency to reinstate a requirement that women visit a doctor in person before they can obtain abortion drugs.

The right-leaning think tank Ethics and Public Policy Center issued a report last year showing that 10.93% of women who took the abortion pill between 2017 and 2023 experienced adverse events, including hemorrhage, infection, hospitalization, ectopic pregnancy, transfusion and sepsis.

A subsequent report from the Ethics and Public Policy Center, published last month, found that the percentage of women who experienced adverse events after taking the abortion pill increased to 11.50% from July 2020 to December 2023. For all but three of the months examined, the requirement that women see a doctor before obtaining the drug was not in effect.
Home News Woman who claimed she was detained by feds for nearly 2 days actually checked into hotel: sheriff

A Wisconsin sheriff has filed a $1 million defamation lawsuit against an Illinois woman who claimed that federal agents detained her for nearly two days at O'Hare International Airport, presenting evidence she actually checked into a hotel a few hours after landing.

Dodge County Sheriff Dale Schmidt filed the lawsuit Friday and presented documents and text messages during a press conference that he said disproved the claims, seeking repercussions against 28-year-old U.S. citizen Sundas Naqvi and her family friend, Cook County Commissioner Kevin Morrison.

On Monday, a federal judge granted the sheriff's request for an expedited subpoena for potential evidence on Naqvi's phone.

[The claims] have not been supported by any  verified evidence at all, Schmidt said, adding: At no point was Sundas Naqvi in the custody of the Dodge County Sheriffs Office.

Naqvi, from Skokie, drew national attention last month after claiming that U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents at the airport in Chicago detained her and five coworkers for 30 hours. She alleged the incident occurred on March 5 after returning from a work trip to Turkey.

According to Naqvi, she was held at OHare, moved to a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility in Broadview and then transferred to a jail in Dodge County, Wisconsin.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security disputed her claims, releasing surveillance images on social media last month that officials said show Naqvi leaving the airport about 90 minutes after landing.

During Fridays press conference, Schmidt presented a hotel ledger from Rosemont, Illinois, showing Naqvi checked in about three hours after landing at OHare on March 5  the same day she claimed she was detained.

The sheriff also shared screenshots of text messages Naqvi exchanged with an unidentified witness on March 5 during the alleged detention. In one message, she asked to borrow the witnesss card to order food, and in another, she mentioned checking out the hotel gym.

Screenshots of additional messages from March 6 show Naqvi making small talk and asking an unidentified witness, May I use your card to pay my spa lady? The messages appear to have been sent during the period she claims she was detained.

The witness told authorities he drove Naqvi to Wisconsin on March 7 to help her sister, who was having car trouble.

On the way, the pair stopped at a gas station in Slinger, Wisconsin, shortly after 5:30 a.m., according to surveillance footage. They left at 5:47 a.m., and the witness said he later drove Naqvi to a national chain hotel.

The outfit Naqvi is seen wearing in the surveillance footage appears to match clothing she wore in a photo taken hours later and posted on social media by Morrison, a reported friend of her family.

Im so grateful to see Sunny reunited with her family back at home, and [I am] looking forward to telling her story tomorrow. Thank you to everyone who helped elevate her situation, showed up, and helped to get her released, Morrison wrote.

Morrison is a two-term Cook County commissioner who, last month, participated in the Democratic primary for the 8th Congressional District to replace U.S. Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi, D-Ill.

The lawsuit also names Morrison, who helped amplify Naqvis claims. Schmidt said the allegations damaged his offices reputation. Schmidt also claimed that Navqi has a "history of lying to law enforcement," including a "false report" of sexual assault in 2019.

I dont have any charges here in Dodge County to bring against her. My only recourse is to make sure the public knows that she cant do this, he said.

Morrison and his office did not immediately respond to The Christian Posts request for comment.

In a statement last month, after DHS and Schmidt disputed the claims, Morrison accused officials of trying to create a cover-up.

They are seeking not to have any accountability whatsoever. And I think this is terrifying and concerning to us all, he said. We need transparency of the facts of what actually occurred. We need accountability for everyone who took part in this moment. But we need investigations by our Congress, and we need action and legislation to ensure that this doesnt happen again.
Home News Border czar Tom Homan says Vatican should 'stay out of immigration' 'If they understood the atrocities that happen on an open border, I think their opinion would change'

White House border czar Tom Homan is urging the Vatican to stay out of immigration, insisting that they dont know what theyre talking about when it comes to the consequences of illegal immigration.

Speaking with reporters outside the White House Tuesday, Homan was asked about the now-deleted image President Donald Trump shared on social media over the weekend depicting him healing a man. Critics accused Trump of blasphemy by depicting himself as Jesus Christ, while the president insisted that he was merely portraying himself as a doctor.

Homan responded to the inquiry about the controversial image by identifying himself as a lifelong Catholic and weighing in on another one of the top stories of the week: Trumps comments about Pope Leo XIV. I wish theyd stay out of immigration, Homan said, referring to the Vatican.

They dont know what theyre talking about because if they wore my shoes for 40 years and talked to a 9-year-old girl that got raped multiple times or stood in the back of a  tractor trailer with 19 dead aliens at my feet, including a 5-year-old boy that baked to death, if they understood the atrocities that happen on an open border, I think that their opinion would change, he insisted. They dont understand. Illegal immigration is not a victimless crime.

According to Homan, When President Trump had the most secure border in the lifetime of this nation, right now, lives are being saved. Hes saving thousands of lives a year because he has a secure border. Human traffickers are out of business, right? The cartels are going bankrupt.

While the Vatican has not weighed in on Trumps immigration policies recently, Pope Leo XIV expressed concern about the administrations mass deportations last year. Homan is not the only Trump administration official to suggest that the Vatican should refrain from weighing in on immigration policy in the United States.

During an interview on Fox and Friends Monday, Vice President JD Vance acknowledged that the Pope has been critical of our immigration policy while stressing that ultimately, the immigration policy of the United States is set by Donald Trump.

Vance urged the Vatican to stick to matters of morality, to stick to matters of  whats going on in the Catholic Church and let the president of the United States stick to dictating American public policy.

The comments from Homan and Vance come after Trump criticized the pontiff as WEAK on Crime, and terrible for Foreign Policy in a social media post over the weekend, specifically highlighting his disapproval of the conflict in Iran. Trump also described Pope Leo as a very liberal person and indicated that he was not a fan in subsequent remarks to the press.

For his part, the pontiff responded to Trumps criticism by vowing to continue to speak loudly against war.

Leos predecessor, Pope Francis, made similar remarks about the Trump administrations mass deportations earlier last year, which also drew a response from Homan. Ive got harsh words for the pope, Homan said at the time. Accusing him of engaging in hypocrisy, Homan asked a series of rhetorical questions: Hes got a wall around the Vatican does he not? So, hes got a wall around to protect his people and himself, but we cant have a wall around the United States?

As he concluded his remarks about Francis comments about the Trump administrations immigration policies last year, Homan remarked I wish hed stick to the Catholic Church and fix that and leave border enforcement to us.
Home News TPUSA contributor attacked at anti-ICE protest; FBI opens investigation

A Turning Point USA contributor says she has a concussion after being shoved to the ground while covering a protest against federal immigration policy in Minnesota, an incident that led to multiple arrests and an FBI investigation.

A political commentator and reporter for TPUSAs Frontlines, Savanah Hernandez says she was mobbed and assaulted by alleged Antifa activists while filming the protest outside the Whipple Federal Building in Hennepin County on Saturday.

On Wednesday, Hernandez provided an update, saying she had to cancel multiple media interviews after realizing she felt drained and needed time to recover.

Ive been dealing with headaches, dizziness and lightheadedness and was informed by a doctor that I do have a concussion, she wrote in a Wednesday X post.

Typically I try to work as hard as possible to bring coverage to a story, but this has also been a difficult subject for me to rewatch and recount, Hernandez added, expressing gratitude to those who reached out with support.

The Hennepin County Sheriffs Office confirmed that three people were arrested in connection with the assault on a reporter, while a fourth individual was arrested for obstruction with force against a deputy.

Harmeet Dhillon, assistant attorney general for civil rights at the U.S. Justice Department, also confirmed in a social media post on Sunday that the FBI has opened an investigation into the assault on Hernandez.

Speaking with Fox News Laura Ingraham on Monday, Hernandez said she is terrified of doing her job, which she has done for the past six years.

I can't even interview people properly on the street because I got brutally assaulted and pushed to the ground by a 250-pound man by simply going and reporting on anti-ICE activities, Hernandez said.

Hernandez announced on social media TPUSA will ensure she has new security protocols moving forward."

Thank you to everyone who has supported me and reached out these last few days, Hernandez added. I appreciate yall and could not be more grateful.

On Instagram, Hernandez shared footage from the protest over the weekend, stating: This is now the second time I have been mobbed and assaulted for filming a protest on U.S. streets.

Today these Minneapolis protesters were chanting that they were ANTIFA and proved it by mobbing and beating me for reporting on a public protest, the commentator continued.

The footage shows Hernandez surrounded by multiple activists screaming obscenities at her and blowing horns and whistles in her face as she attempted to shield herself and walk away.

Another video shows a man shoving the TPUSA contributor and later being restrained by several other protesters. Hernandez said she woke up with a headache and a stiff neck the following day after being shoved.

I didn't speak a word to him all day, yet he repeatedly called me a bitch and very clearly looked like he wanted to violently hurt me even worse than he did, she said. I'm happy to report that charges will be brought against this man, his wife and daughter.

During an interview this week with Ingraham, White House border czar Tom Homan commended Turning Point USA contributor Savanah Hernandez for filming the protest and called for more prosecutions of violent protesters.

TPUSA CEO Erika Kirk assured Hernandez, Weve got your back.

Kirk quoted 2 Corinthians 10:4, writing, For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds.
Home News Tucker Carlson prompts theological 'firestorm' for claiming 'Muslims love Jesus,' Trump like Antichrist

The Tucker Carlson Network (TCN) prompted intense theological debate Tuesday for an X post claiming Muslims love and revere Jesus Christ, which came a day before Carlson said President Donald Trump is acting like the Antichrist.

"The people in charge don't want you to know this, but Muslims love Jesus," read the Tuesday post, which drew more than 11.3 million impressions as of Thursday. "Islam reveres Him as a major prophet and messenger of the Lord, believes He performed miracles, and states that He will return to Earth to defeat the Antichrist."

The people in charge don't want you to know this, but Muslims love Jesus.



Islam reveres Him as a major prophet and messenger of the Lord, believes He performed miracles, and states that He will return to Earth to defeat the Antichrist. That's why Donald Trump's painting  Tucker Carlson Network (@TCNetwork) April 14, 2026

The post suggested the Islamic reverence for Jesus is what prompted Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian to condemn Trump's Truth Social post from Sunday, which depicted him as a Christ-like figure with light emanating from his hands. Trump deleted the meme following outrage, claiming he believed the AI-generated image was him as "a doctor."

TCN's post linked to the Tuesday edition of Carlson's morning newsletter, which contrasted Islam's supposed views of Jesus with that of "other religions," referencing a clip of Daily Wire host Ben Shapiro dismissing Him as "a Jew who tried to lead a revolt against the Romans and got killed for his trouble."

The post was met with pushback from many X users, including some figures who have generally been supportive of Carlson.

Calvin Robinson, a cleric in the English Catholic Church in North America who was a recurring guest on Carlson's Fox News program, suggested his characterization of Islam failed to take into account that Christians are severely persecuted in many parts of the Muslim world.

"I have a lot of time for Tucker. But Islam is his blind spot," Robinson wrote in an X post. "'Moslems love Jesus' may or may not be true. But they most certainly do not love Christians. Christians are the most persecuted people around the world. Especially in Moslem-majority countries. Islam is oppressive."

Others echoed Robinson by pointing out the large number of Christians who are martyred for their faith by radical Muslims each year, as well as the theological gulf that separates Christians and Muslims regarding the divinity of Christ.

"Muslims reject the divinity of Jesus, reject Jesus as the Son of God, reject Jesus as the second person of the Trinity. In 2025, 4,849 Christians were murdered for their faith. 93% were murdered by Islamists in Africa. But tell us more how Muslims love Jesus and His followers," said conservative podcaster Liz Wheeler.

"Muslims don't love Jesus: they love a bastardized version of him that neither scriptures nor history recognizes. They don't believe he's God, or that he died and rose again. Rather, they believe when he returns he will 'break the cross, kill the pigs, and abolish the Jizya tax,'" said Protestia, a popular Christian X account.

Dan Burmawi, an author and former devout Muslim from Jordan who converted to Christianity, posted a lengthy response to TCN's post, claiming that the Quran's apparent respect for Jesus and Mary is deceptive and merely serves "to affirm Islam's false narrative."

"Muslims love to parade the Quran's mentions of Jesus and Mary as if it's some grand gesture of respect," said Burmawi, who is also the founder and CEO of the Ideological Defense Institute, a nonprofit research and educational organization that provides information and analysis about the Middle East.

Burmawi went on to cite verses from the Quran that confuse biblical figures, which he said proves its author "was historically and theologically illiterate."

The Quran also dishonors Jesus by denying His key claims, portraying His apparent crucifixion as a divine deception and lying about the Gospel in an attempt to redefine Him as lower than Muhammad, Burmawi said.

"The Quran strips Jesus of everything that makes Him the cornerstone of Christianity. It denies His divinity (Quran 5:116), denies His Sonship (Quran 19:35), and denies His redemptive death on the cross (Quran 4:157). Instead of being the Messiah who sacrificed Himself out of love, the Quran portrays Him as a weakling who needed Allah to deceive people in His place," Burmawi said.

Burmawi's line of reasoning was echoed by Salam Almasri, a research fellow at the Ideological Defense Institute, who wrote an op-ed arguing that interfaith assertions of Islam being fundamentally peaceful or respectful toward Jesus are "a profound act of intellectual dishonesty" intended to "annex" Christ and redefine Him on Islamic terms.

Christian author and broadcaster Eric Metaxas described TCN's post as "anti-Christ propaganda" and pushed back against Carlson's comments during a Wednesday episode of his podcast.

Citing remarks he made earlier this week at the final White House Religious Liberty Commission hearing in Washington, D.C., where he warned that "some faiths hate liberty and some faiths love liberty," Metaxas said Carlson's characterization of Islam was wrong to neglect that Muslims ultimately dismiss Jesus as a mere prophet eclipsed by Muhammad.

"So imagine that they have this plausible deniability, where they say  and Tucker is now spouting these Islam talking points  that 'we revere Mary and we revere Jesus.' It's complete nonsense. They don't say He is the Messiah. They don't say we worship Him as Lord. None of that stuff. So it's completely meaningless, but the headline is that Tucker is pushing this," he said.

"It is very difficult to fathom how he could be pushing these lies, why he would be pushing these lies. It's bizarre," added Metaxas, who has increasingly become an outspoken Carlson critic in recent months.

The Wednesday edition of TCN's morning newsletter acknowledged the "firestorm" set off by the previous day's edition, but suggested Americans are generally ill-informed about Islam and the Muslim world, which he maintained was "no accident."

"The forces supporting the Iran War do not want the public to realize that the Quran heralds the Christian savior as a prophet and messenger of the Lord. This does not mean Christianity and Islam are aligned. They definitely are not," the newsletter said in part.

The newsletter went on to argue that anti-Muslim sentiment in the U.S., fueled by neoconservatives, wrongly portrays Islam itself as the root cause of Middle Eastern terrorism, and that Islamic terrorists commit violence not because they are Muslim, but because they are evil criminals who use religion as a justification. It likened such behavior to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu "[invoking] Amalek to excuse his mass killing of innocents" or Nathuram Godse assassinating Mahatma Gandhi "in the purported name of Hinduism."

The uproar is the latest in the contentious debate that has erupted within Trump's political base over the war in Iran, which has raised concerns regarding the role that religion and eschatological beliefs are playing in it.

During his weekly monologue on Wednesday evening, Carlson condemned Trump for what he described as an increasingly sacrilegious attitude toward Christianity, citing his ongoing public feud with Pope Leo XIV and multiple social media posts since Easter that Carlson said were "a mockery of God."

Observing Trump has never shown similar disrespect toward Judaism, Carlson alleged that forwarding the foreign policy interests of the Israeli government  or "Israelism"  has become the dominant civic religion of the U.S. government, even when it "abets the murder of Christians" or inflames conflicts that spill their refugees into historically Christian nations.

Reading from the description of "the man of lawlessness" in 2 Thessalonians 2:3-12 and the prophecy of a boastful king in Daniel 11:36, Carlson suggested the president is exhibiting characteristics typically associated with the Antichrist, though he said it remains "unclear" if Trump is that figure.

Much of Daniel 11 has historically been considered to be a prophecy regarding Antiochus IV Epiphanes, a Seleucid king who reigned from 175 to 164 B.C. and whose desecration of the Jewish temple in Jerusalem prompted the Maccabean Revolt.

Christians have disagreed over whether Daniel 11:36 and the later parts of the chapter are a further reference to Antiochus IV, or if it refers to a future figure referenced in 2 Thessalonians, who will exhibit the same blasphemous spirit. The church has also long debated the identity of the man of lawlessness, with various interpretations including Roman emperors such as Nero, the papacy or a man yet to be revealed.
Home News Wife of NYC Mayor Mamdani apologizes after scrutiny of past pro-Hamas social media activity

Rama Duwaji, wife of New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, apologized in an interview published this week by art magazine Hyperallergic for her past social media activity, which included likes on content celebrating the Hamas massacre of Oct. 7, 2023, as well as posts using racist language to describe minority groups.

"I feel great shame confronting the language I used," she said. "I have read and seen much of what others have said in response. I understand the pain I caused and I am truly sorry."

It is unclear exactly what she was referring to and to whom her apology was directed. The Washington Free Beacon has reported that, going back to the period between 2013 and 2017, she not only used demeaning language to describe members of certain minorities but also made explicit statements supporting Palestinian terrorist groups and their violent actions.

The media storm surrounding Duwajis social media activity began soon after her husband was elected mayor of New York City in November 2025. Responding to questions from journalists, Mamdani said his wife was a private person and noted that most of the likes in question predated their marriage in early 2025, as well as his mayoral campaign, which he launched in October 2024.

The controversy did not subside. Duwaji later deleted most of her old social media accounts, but the move did little to mollify critics, who argued that the citys first couple owed the public a fuller response, beginning with an apology. This weeks interview is the closest thing to an apology to come from New York Citys first lady so far, and it remains to be seen if this will be enough to satisfy her critics.

Rama Sawaf Duwaji was born on June 30, 1997, in Houston, Texas. Her parents are Syrian immigrants to the United States who raised their family in Wayne, New Jersey, before relocating to Dubai, United Arab Emirates, in 2006.

Duwaji lived most of her life in Dubai before spending her first year of university at the Virginia Commonwealth School of the Arts satellite campus in Doha, Qatar. She then completed her studies at the home campus in Richmond, Virginia, graduating in 2019.

She returned to Dubai and launched a successful career in the arts before moving to New York City in 2021 to pursue a master of fine arts degree at the School of Visual Arts in Manhattan, finishing her studies in 2024. She met Zohran Mamdani around that time and they were engaged in October of 2024 and married in Dubai two months later, returning to New York for a civil ceremony in February of 2025 and then having another wedding ceremony for Mamdanis extended family in Uganda in July of 2025.

Many American Jews have expressed deep discomfort with Mamdani, and since he assumed the office of New York mayor in January, the Jewish Agency has reported a large increase in the number of Jewish residents of the city who have opened files to begin the process of immigrating to Israel.

This article was originally published at All Israel News
AMSTERDAM, April 16, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The IP Company today announced a strategic partnership with BlackBerry Secure Communications, a division of BlackBerry Limited (NYSE: BB) (TSX: BB) to bring highly secure, certified communications capabilities to naval and military environments worldwide.

Through this partnership, the companies will explore the integration of BlackBerry SecuSUITE, certified to the highest international security standards, into The IP Company's proven Wireless Communication & Messaging System (WCMS), a proven platform deployed across naval fleets for more than 20 years.

"For over twenty years, securing maritime communications has been at the center of our technology," said Ronald Koppelman CEO of the IP Company. As we looked to expand our architecture, we needed a partner who shares our uncompromising standards. With its CSfC and NATO Restricted certifications, BlackBerry is the perfect match. We are proud to integrate our platform into the SecuSUITE ecosystem. By combining our technologies, we give defence fleets a more secure and effective communication solution."

The planned integration is intended to enable defence organizations to conduct secure, role-based communications across classification levels up to and including Secret and Top Secret, extending the operational scope of The IP Company's solutions and supporting complex, mission-critical environments.

"We are pleased to welcome The IP Company as a BlackBerry partner," said Axel Conrad, Senior Director, BlackBerry Secure Communications. "Their deep domain expertise in naval communications, combined with BlackBerry's certified and mission-critical secure communications platform, creates a compelling and trusted proposition for defence customers."

Governments and organizations in defence and critical infrastructure increasingly prioritize secure communications as a cornerstone of national security. As a core pillar of BlackBerry Secure Communications, SecuSUITE is backed by certifications such as NIAP, NATO Restricted, BSI, and CSfC, and empowers high-risk sectors to confidently secure voice, messaging, file-sharing, and crisis coordination. Trusted by all G7 governments, most G20 members, and 8 of the world's top 10 banks, SecuSUITE protects sensitive conversations and large-scale operations worldwide.

The IP Company's WCMS is already relied upon by naval organizations for mission-critical alarm messaging and crew communication. This partnership strengthens the long-term continuity and security assurance that defence customers require from their strategic technology partners.

About The IP Company

In 2006, the Dutch Ministry of Defense challenged The IP Company to develop a communication concept enabling safe sailing with a reduced crew. The result was the world's first secure, DNV and Lloyd's approved Wireless Communication and Messaging System specifically designed for naval vessels.

Today, our platform integrates seamlessly with existing Combat and Platform Management Systems, ensuring mission-critical messages are delivered securely to the right personnel. Continuous innovation drives us forward from precise track and trace capabilities to the active exploration of Artificial Intelligence to support rapid decision-making in high-pressure scenarios.

Trusted across the defense industry, The IP Company provides the resilient infrastructure modern navies need to operate safely and effectively

About BlackBerry

BlackBerry (NYSE: BB; TSX: BB) provides enterprises and governments the intelligent software and services that power the world around us. Based in Waterloo, Ontario, the company's high-performance foundational software enables major automakers and industrial giants alike to unlock transformative applications, drive new revenue streams and launch innovative business models, all without sacrificing safety, security, and reliability. With a deep heritage in Secure Communications, BlackBerry delivers operational resiliency with a comprehensive, highly secure, and extensively certified portfolio for mobile fortification, mission-critical communications, and critical events management.

For more information, visit BlackBerry.com and follow @BlackBerry.

Media Contacts:

BlackBerry Media Relations

+1 (519) 597-7273

[email protected]

The IP Company

Ronald Koppelman

[email protected]

+31 85 111 9111

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2958259/TheIPCompany_Logo.jpg
Home Opinion I was kicked out of my counseling program  the Supreme Court just vindicated my mission

On March 31, I celebrated when I got the news that the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that Colorados conversion therapy ban for minors violates our constitutional right to free speech. This court decision benefits us all.

First, it sparks the process of dismantling the tyranny of LGBT ideology. For too long, the queer activists have succeeded in manipulating the government to endorse and enforce their worldview over all others regarding sexuality and gender identity. A bedrock strategy of their agenda has been to preemptively censor alternative forms of counseling for individuals conflicted over their sexual attractions and/or sense of gender. If the option to explore ones potential for change is removed in advance, then clients and therapists have only one pathway: LGBT-affirmation.



This starts with indoctrinating graduate school students by exposing them to only one side of the discussion and shaming and punishing any open inquiry, let alone dissent. Then, to fully secure tyrannical control, they make it outright illegal to offer counseling to explore a change in sexuality. They justified this blatant violation of both our rights as Americans and the ethical principle in the counseling profession of client self-determination by manipulating everyone through an aggressive propaganda campaign to believe counseling for the exploration of change in sexuality is intrinsically harmful and ineffective.



In America, we value our freedom enough that the activists knew better than to start by outlawing such therapy goals for adults. But we also value safetyism for our children enough that the activists knew they could get away with banning such counseling for minors, given how effectively they have convinced society to believe non-LGBT-affirming therapy is harmful. So, in 2012, in California, the activists passed their first SOCE (sexual orientation change efforts) ban for minors. Over the past decade or so, over 20 states and dozens of other municipalities have passed similar bans for therapy for minors to voluntarily explore change in unwanted same-sex attractions and behavior or gender identity and expression (what collectively gets called conversion therapy). And even though these laws applied only to counseling minors (and in some cases, what they consider dependent adults), these bans predictably had a larger effect for everyone else  a chilling effect.



The one-way narrative in academia and popular culture, combined with the force of law, made the idea of exploring change in sexuality so unthinkable that most therapists would never dream of offering it even for adults, even when the client explicitly requests it.



The psyop of the conversion therapy narrative did what laws alone could not do: make the majority of the public vilify counselors and view clients as victims. But our constitution exists not to uphold the hegemony of the majority; it exists to protect the rights of the minority. Only the bravest of therapists and clients not possessed by cultural programming would actually buck the system and engage in therapy that the rest of society deems anathema.



This is why the Supreme Courts decision matters to me in a very personal way. I earned my bachelors in psychology at a Christian college in 2007, where I also ran a support group for men dealing with past trauma and a mix of sexual integrity concerns (such as sexual/porn addiction and unwanted same-sex attraction). I ran this group for years before entering graduate school to become a therapist. Despite some spirited classroom conversations about conversion therapy, my graduate school experience was going well until four weeks away from finishing my year-long internship and graduating.



On June 25, 2015 (coincidentally, the day before the Supreme Courts decision on Obergefell that legalized gay marriage), the head of Chestnut Hill Colleges internship program emailed me to tell me to stop my internship immediately because he saw on my online bio that I have experience with men coping with unwanted same-sex attractions. After meeting with him and another professor, the school determined that I must redo my entire year-long practicum and internship at another site. I did not take that lying down. Fortunately, attorneys Randy Wenger and Jeremy Samek from the Independence Law Center and the PA Family Institute came to my aid, eventually securing my ability to graduate from the very institution that kicked me out.

I have experienced first-hand the authoritarianism of LGBT activists, arrogant with their institutional, cultural, and political power. Despite the obvious advantage they have, they have not given up on portraying themselves as the victims or allies of hapless victims of religious conservatism. They need the boogeyman of conversion therapy to maintain their privilege and power; they need the masses to be terrified that, without cultural shame and legal sanctions, individuals with same-sex attractions or gender identity discordance will be unwitting victims of torture and pseudoscientific quackery. They dismiss the reality of a minority of clients seeking help of their own accord. They scoff at individuals reporting degrees of change in their sexuality or committing to chastity regardless of the continuation of same-sex attractions.



The topic of applying mainstream psychotherapy to assist clients with their own goals to explore their potential for change, or at least to bolster their ability to live according to their personal and religious convictions, is not up for debate in graduate school and the governing bodies of the psychotherapy professions. There is no good-faith discussion or curious, scientific inquiry into the possibilities of treating these concerns that clients present. The only approved approach is to affirm an LGBT identity, regardless of the clients wishes.



Well, that stranglehold they have on this controversy is ending. And the anti-therapy activists have only themselves to blame. They forgot the decades it took to convince the public that homosexuality is a good and natural variant of human sexuality, and they thought that after Obergefell, they could easily usher in an embrace of gender ideology and lump efforts to heal gender identity disorder with sexual orientation conversion therapy. And they almost got away with it ... until enough people awoke to the insanity of deconstructing every societal norm around sex and gender and the barbarity of medicalizing children captured by the trans phenomenon.



So, Kaley Chiles challenge to Colorados conversion therapy ban came at just the right cultural moment.

I hope the Supreme Courts ruling will lead to the conversation regarding sexuality and gender that we have long needed in our society and the helping professions. If we begin respecting the clients right to choose his/her own goals for resolving sexuality conflicts, perhaps more therapists will be curious about the change-exploring approaches that are the most theoretically and ethically sound.



This is my mission. It is why I serve as a board member for the Alliance for Therapeutic Choice and Scientific Integrity, as the Training Facilitator for the Reintegrative Therapy Association, and why I have my YouTube channel, PsychoBible.



Having the freedom to counsel is not enough; we must show we can help struggling individuals safely and effectively.
Home Opinion Medias convenient timing: How Swalwell allegations served Democrats

An inconvenient Democrat has had his career torpedoed by an avalanche of allegations, and the media want to give themselves a big pat on the back for their heroic investigative journalism.

They deserve no applause from the American people. In fact, the whole episode is a masterclass in media bias. More on that in a bit.

Rep. Eric Swalwell, D-Calif., announced Monday that he was not only bowing out of the California governors race to replace outgoing Gov. Gavin Newsom, but that he would be leaving Congress entirely.

Swalwell, in just a few days, was hit with an avalanche of accusations that he had inappropriate relationships and engaged in sexual misconduct with a series of women, including a staffer. Swalwell is married.

As I write this, another accuser has come forward saying that Swalwell drugged and raped her in 2018.

So far, Swalwell has denied the allegations and said he was resigning from Congress because he was distracted from his duties.

I am aware of efforts to bring an immediate expulsion vote against me and other members, Swalwell wrote on X. Expelling anyone in Congress without due process, within days of an allegation being made, is wrong. But its also wrong for my constituents to have me distracted from my duties. Therefore, I plan to resign my seat in Congress.

So far, nothing has been proven. Weve seen previous #MeToo crusades turn out to be bunk, and that could be the case here. He could be a cad, but not a criminal. There are many possibilities.

Of course, Swalwell didnt need facts or evidence to rush to condemn others who faced sexual assault accusations in the past. Its hard to feel much sympathy for his plight.

Whats become clear, though, is that the allegations the media are dredging up now have been circulating in Democratic and media circles for a long time, if you can believe the commentary on X. Politico called it a whisper network. One journalist, Bethany Allen-Ebrahimian, wrote on X that she knew about these whispers for years, but the story wasnt her beat.

Oh brother.

Then we get to the most ridiculous claim of all.

On CNN Monday night, Brian Stelter tooted the horn of his own network and showered praise on its due diligence in investigating Swalwell. He called it a testament to the power of investigative reporting.

What would we do without the legacy and corporate media working so hard to keep us informed?

It appears that rumors about Swalwell have been around for nearly a decade, even before he briefly ran for president in 2020. Is this a tribute to the glories of investigative journalism, or an example of malpractice?

These revelations line up in the most convenient way to ensure that Swalwell would leave the governors race at a time before his run could seriously jeopardize his partys ability to win that race.

And thats somehow the unseemliest part of this whole affair.

Despite Democrats holding a virtual lock on state-level politics for more than a decade, they find themselves in a situation where a Republican has a chance at taking the governors office. This is because they have a jungle primary system, whereby the top two vote-getters of any party advance to the general election.

In normal times, this would mean only Democrats would be on the ballot in a general election. But something funny is happening this year.

There are so many California Democrats desperate to get a crack at being governor, and apparently so few compelling candidates, that theyve oversaturated the field. This has allowed two Republicans in the race to rise to the top of the polls, making a Republican/Republican runoff at least theoretically possible.

So what you are seeing now is a Machiavellian scramble, whereby the half-dozen Democrats in the race and their media allies find a way  any way  to delete candidates from the race.

It was just a few weeks ago that Swalwell and his fellow Democrats were accusing the Trump administration of weaponizing the FBI against him because he was allegedly sleeping with a Chinese spy. That couldnt possibly be of concern, given his inclusion on the House Intelligence Committee, right?

Then events took a turn.

Just days before the Swalwell media deluge occurred, it seemed that the California election really could produce a Republican governor.

If the primary were held today, according to the most recent polling, that would mean two Republican candidates, each pulling in just 14% of the primary vote, battling it out for the governors office in the fall, Governing magazine reported on Thursday. A lot could change before primary day, but the Democratic Party is increasingly nervous.

A lot happened, almost immediately.

The allegations poured out. Swalwells supporters pulled out. He was ritualistically denounced by party leaders. In about a week, the California congressman went from being a front-runner in a governors election to resigning from his seat.

What this whole thing looks like, as my colleague Fred Lucas noted on X, is that the media were simply spoon-fed the Swalwell story to ensure that at least one of the other Democrats would make it into the general election and win the race.

That makes this media cycle against Swalwell nothing more than a shining example of how much the legacy media help Democrats, even when they are targeting a Democrat.

Perhaps the bias and collusion are only too obvious at this point. Its still remarkable to witness the swift ruthlessness of the Democrat-media machine in action.

Originally published at The Daily Signal.
Home Opinion Trump's Iran strategy is working. We just need to be patient

What we are witnessing in Iran right now is not just another chapter in a long geopolitical struggle. It is a moment that forces clarity about power, military strategy, and ultimately about the deeper spiritual battle that has always defined this conflict.

The recent U.S. military campaign against Iran has, by every measurable standard, achieved what past administrations repeatedly failed to do. Irans conventional military capabilities have been severely degraded. Its air defenses, naval assets, and weapons infrastructure have been targeted with precision, leaving the regime decimated in ways we have not seen in decades. What is striking is not only the scale of the impact, but the efficiency. Compared to prolonged and costly engagements in Afghanistan, Iraq, or even the 72-day bombing campaign in Serbia, this operation has been swift and decisive.

The human cost, while never insignificant, has been remarkably limited on the American side. Thirteen soldiers lost is 13 too many, and each life carries eternal weight. Yet in the context of modern warfare, where conflicts often stretch for years with thousands of casualties, this outcome reflects a deliberate effort to apply overwhelming force without becoming entangled in endless occupation.

At the same time, the economic indicators tell their own story. Markets have remained stable. Strategic pressure, including the tightening of Irans economic lifelines, has shifted leverage in a way that strengthens the American position globally. Even seasoned diplomats like Ambassador Dennis Ross have acknowledged that the current naval blockade has created a level of pressure on Tehran that few thought possible without a full-scale war.

What makes this moment even more significant is the strategy behind it. The rhetoric coming out from President Trump has been bombastic, at times unpredictable, and clearly intentional. This is not careless language. It is calculated. It echoes a long-standing doctrine in foreign policy that unpredictability can be a tool of deterrence. When adversaries cannot anticipate your next move, they hesitate. That hesitation creates space for leverage.

At the same time, diplomacy has not been abandoned. It has been repositioned. Negotiations have taken place not after conflict, but during it. That alone marks a departure from the way wars have traditionally been conducted. Pressure is being applied while dialogue remains open, creating a dynamic where Iran is not negotiating from strength, but from necessity.

This dual approach is further reinforced by the presence of voices within the administration who serve a different function. While one side projects strength and unpredictability, others offer reassurance and stability. This balance sends a message not only to adversaries but to allies. There is force, but there is also control.

The broader geopolitical consequences are already unfolding. Irans ability to fund and sustain its proxy networks has been disrupted. Groups that have long destabilized the region are now facing financial and operational constraints. Coordination between Israel and key Arab states has improved, and the possibility of a broader regional alignment is no longer theoretical. It is becoming tangible.

Yet even as these developments unfold, it is critical to assess the cost with honesty. Financially, the campaign is significant, but when compared to the trillions lost in prolonged wars or even the billions wasted in domestic waste and fraud we saw in Minnesota and California, it is a contained investment with strategic return. More importantly, there has been a clear effort to avoid large-scale civilian targeting. That distinction matters. It reflects an understanding that moral legitimacy is not separate from military success. It is part of it.

What has not occurred, at least not yet, is regime change. That restraint is deliberate. History has shown that externally imposed regime change often leads to instability rather than freedom. The focus has instead been on weakening the regimes capacity to project power, particularly in the areas of military aggression and nuclear development.

This brings us to the deeper question that cannot be ignored. What is driving the Iranian regime? This is not merely a political system seeking influence. It is an Islamist ideology rooted in a worldview that elevates martyrdom, embraces confrontation, and frames its hostility toward Israel and the United States in existential terms. That reality must be understood if any long-term strategy is to succeed.

In contrast, the United States and Israel operate from a framework that, at its best, seeks to preserve life, advance human dignity, and foster innovation and stability. The difference between these worldviews is not abstract. It plays out in how power is used, how civilians are treated, and what kind of future is envisioned.

For American voters, the political implications are unavoidable. Military success abroad often carries domestic consequences. While initial reactions may be mixed, sustained outcomes tend to reshape public perception. If the current trajectory holds, this campaign will likely be viewed as a defining moment heading into the next election cycle. The stakes are not only political. They are civilizational. The direction of American leadership will determine how these victories are consolidated or squandered.

For Christians, the analysis must go even deeper. National security matters. Protecting the nation from external threats is a legitimate and necessary responsibility. A weakened Iranian regime does reduce certain risks. It limits the reach of a government that has openly supported violence and instability.

However, external threats are only part of the picture. The erosion of values within our own culture presents a different kind of danger. The spread of ideologies that undermine biblical truth, distort justice, and compromise the moral foundation of society cannot be addressed through military means. That battle is spiritual, cultural, and deeply personal.

As someone of Iranian heritage, this moment carries a weight that is difficult to fully express. My heart is not detached from the people there. It cannot be. I grieve their suffering. I know the cost of living under a regime that does not reflect their aspirations or their dignity. There is a longing for freedom that no military campaign can fully deliver.

That is why the question of regime change must be approached with humility. True transformation in Iran must come from within. It must be driven by the Iranian people themselves. External pressure can create conditions. It can weaken oppression. It can open doors. But it cannot replace the internal awakening that leads to lasting freedom.

From a Christian perspective, there is another layer that cannot be ignored. Even in the midst of oppression, the Gospel has been advancing in Iran in extraordinary ways. The underground church has grown. Lives have been transformed. Faith has taken root in places where persecution is real and costly.

The ultimate prayer is not only for political freedom, but for spiritual freedom. For a nation where believers can worship openly, where the name of Jesus is no longer spoken in secret, and where the harvest of souls continues without fear.

This is the tension we are living in. Strategic success on the global stage, coupled with a deep awareness of human suffering and spiritual need. Strength must be exercised, but it must be guided by wisdom. Victory must be defined not only by what is destroyed, but by what is ultimately restored.

The situation in Iran is far from resolved. What has been achieved is significant, but it is not final. The coming months will determine whether this moment becomes a turning point or simply another cycle in a long and painful history.

The responsibility now is not only on leaders, but on all of us. To remain clear-eyed about the realities of power. To remain grounded in truth. And to remember that behind every headline, every strategy, and every policy decision, there are real people whose lives hang in the balance.

That includes the people of Iran. And it includes the future of our own nation.
VANCOUVER, BC, April 16, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Bold Therapeutics, a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company that was founded to develop and commercialize novel metallotherapeutics, has shared new data highlighting the ability of its lead asset, BOLD-100, to demonstrate protective effects against chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy.

BOLD-100 is a first-in-class, ruthenium-based anticancer agent in Phase 2 clinical development for advanced gastrointestinal (GI) cancers in combination with the chemotherapy regimen FOLFOX. BOLD-100 plus FOLFOX improves overall survival and progression-free survival in patients, including advanced colon (mCRC), gastric (GC), and bile duct cancers (BTC). While FOLFOX is a standard-of-care therapy for GI cancers, its clinical utility is limited by acute and chronic peripheral neuropathies which present in the majority of patients. Remarkably, in the ongoing Phase 2 development of BOLD-100, significantly lower than expected incidence of oxaliplatin-induced peripheral neuropathy (OIPN) was observed in patients treated with BOLD-100 plus FOLFOX. Compared to FOLFOX alone historical benchmarks, BOLD-100 plus FOLFOX any-grade neuropathy was:

Colorectal Cancer ; 14% vs 53% benchmark

; 14% vs 53% benchmark Biliary tract cancer; 35% vs 58% benchmark

35% vs 58% benchmark Gastric Cancer; 19% vs 63% benchmark

"These clinical findings are promising given the prevalence of peripheral neuropathy among patients undergoing chemotherapy," said Mark Bazett, PhD, Senior Director of Preclinical Development. "The potential to improve patient outcomes while simultaneously improving quality of life is a key differentiating characteristic of BOLD-100. Our upcoming AACR presentation validates these important results in a range of preclinical models, and provides mechanistic understanding."

Bold Therapeutics will be attending the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Annual meeting later this month in San Diego from April 17-22, where they will present advanced in vivo and in vitro preclinical modelling of BOLD-100's neuroprotection, along with mechanism of action data.

Abstract Title: Clinical-stage Anticancer Agent BOLD-100 Demonstrates Protective Effects Against Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy

Session Time: April 21, 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Location: Poster Section 14; Poster Board 11

Presentation Number: 5753

Abstract link: https://aacrjournals.org/cancerres/article/86/7_Supplement/5753/778155

Bold Therapeutics is currently advancing BOLD-100 through a global Phase 2 randomized controlled trial across sites in Canada, European Union, and South Korea. This trial is investigating BOLD-100's anticancer efficacy but also includes important quality of life questionnaires focused on its neuroprotective potential. Please visit ClinicalTrials.gov for more information (NCT04421820).

For more information or for interest in investing, please visit the Company's website at https://www.bold-therapeutics.com/

Contact: Jim Pankovich, EVP

(604)262-9899

[email protected]

SOURCE Bold Therapeutics Inc.
Hospice UK, which represents over 200 hospices, has delivered a letter to Downing Street to demand an additional 112.5m in recurring revenue funding, among other measures, from the government.

The move comes after the membership body reported recently that nearly six in 10 hospices in England had made, or were planning, cuts to frontline services.

A one-off investment of 100m for hospices, distributed by Hospice UK, was provided by the government last financial year but the umbrella body is now calling for recurring funding.

In a letter addressed to prime minister Keir Starmer, the organisation wrote: Our sector urgently needs a fair funding model that will save existing services.

This would also enable us to meet rising demand and support the delivery of the 10-year health plan, ensuring hospice care is available to everyone who needs it, wherever they live.

In the same letter, the charity also called on the government to introduce a four-point plan for fairer hospice funding, which would include full funding of specialist palliative care; NHS contracts for hospices and money to cover the costs of pay rises.

The 112.5m in recurring revenue funding towards specialist palliative care will be part of the first step of the plan.

Charlie King, director of external affairs at Hospice UK, said: Behind this moment is a stark reality: nearly 60% of hospices are cutting frontline services.

These arent abstract figures  they translate into fewer people receiving the care they need at the end of life, and mounting pressure on an already overstretched NHS. We must act now to prevent further cuts to the care that people need at the end of their lives.

The governments commitment to a modern service framework for palliative and end-of-life care is welcome, and the sector stands ready to help deliver it. But many hospices cannot wait. They need urgent, sustainable funding now to prevent further cuts.

sign up to receive the free Civil Society daily news bulletin here . For more news, interviews, opinion and analysis about charities and the voluntary sector,
In a case involving a rental car hit by an uninsured motorist, the Connecticut Supreme Court has ruled that the auto insurance policy of the driver that extended bodily injury coverage to the rental car must also provide uninsured motorist coverage to the injured passengers even though they are not named insureds on the policy.

The states high court found that public policy on uninsured motorist coverage set forth in state law and regulations supports requiring that the drivers Progressive Direct Insurance Co. policy cover the occupants in the rental car.

Our state has consistently maintained a strong public policy favoring uninsured motorist coverage, the high court noted, ruling the plaintiff occupants in the rental car were entitled to coverage by statute ( 38a-336 (a) (1) (A)) and in accordance with the corresponding state regulation ( 38a-334-6 (a)).

Progressive had denied coverage on the grounds that the occupants were not named insureds on its policy. The insurer further maintained that its policy comports with the states statutory and regulatory scheme governing uninsured motorist coverage.

With the ruling, the high court partially overturned a lower court order that agreed with Progressive while upholding the lower court in allowing Ohio Security Insurance Co. to deny uninsured coverage under a commercial auto policy.

In discussing the Progressive situation, the high court noted that state law expressly provides that every automobile insurance policy must provide its insured with a minimum amount of uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage. Also, although occupants of a vehicle may have their own liability coverage, which would entitle them to uninsured motorist benefits, state insurance regulations designate occupants as a class of persons who may receive more extensive uninsured motorist coverage. The regulation says that the coverage shall insure the occupants of every motor vehicle to which the bodily injury liability coverage applies.

Progressive insured the driver of the rental car. The drivers policy provided bodily injury coverage to motor vehicles rented by the driver. At the time of the accident, the plaintiffs were occupants in the rental car covered by the bodily injury coverage of the Progressive policy. Thus by state law and regulations, Progressive was required to extend uninsured motorist coverage to the occupants even though they were not named insureds on the drivers policy.

At the same time, the high court held that Ohio Security was not required to provide the occupants with uninsured coverage under a commercial auto policy that the plaintiffs maintained was ambiguous. The high court found the Ohio Security policy was not ambiguous and did not extend to cover the occupants. The court said that language in the policy referring to individuals or family members should not be construed as ambiguous because corporations do not have family members. The court found that the Ohio Security policy unambiguously provided that the named insured was the plaintiffs company, not the plaintiff, who was one of the injured occupants, and the rented motor vehicle was not a covered auto under the Ohio Security policy, nor was it rented to replace any motor vehicles listed in the policy.
As people increasingly turn to artificial intelligence for advice, some U.S. lawyers are telling their clients not to treat AI chatbots like trusted confidants when their freedom or legal liability is on the line.

These warnings became more urgent after a federal judge in New York ruled this year that the former CEO of a bankrupt financial services company could not shield his AI chats from prosecutors pursuing securities fraud charges against him.

In the wake of the ruling, attorneys have been advising that conversations with chatbots like Anthropics Claude and OpenAIs ChatGPT could be demanded by prosecutors in criminal cases or by litigation adversaries in civil cases.

We are telling our clients: You should proceed with caution here, said Alexandria Gutierrez Swette, a lawyer at New York-based law firm Kobre & Kim.

Peoples discussions with their lawyers are almost always deemed confidential under U.S. law. But AI chatbots are not lawyers, and attorneys are instructing clients to take steps that could keep their communications with AI tools more private.

In emails to clients and advisories posted on their websites, more than a dozen major U.S. law firms have outlined advice for people and companies to decrease the chances of AI chats winding up in court.

Similar warnings are also appearing in hiring agreements by some firms with their clients. For instance, New York-based firm Sher Tremonte stated in a recent client contract that sharing a lawyers advice or communications with a chatbot could erase the legal protection known as attorney-client privilege that usually shields communications between lawyers and their clients.

A Judicial Ruling

The case that helped set off the alarm bells involved Bradley Heppner, the former chair of bankrupt financial services company GWG Holdings and founder of alternative asset firm Beneficent BENF.O. Heppner was charged by federal prosecutors last November with securities and wire fraud, and pleaded not guilty.

Heppner had used Anthropics chatbot Claude to prepare reports about his case to share with his attorneys, who later argued that his AI exchanges should be withheld because they contained details from the lawyers related to his defense.

Prosecutors argued that they had a right to demand material that Heppner created with Claude because his defense lawyers were not directly involved, and because attorney-client privilege does not apply to chatbots.

Voluntarily revealing information from a lawyer to any third party can jeopardize the customary legal protections for those attorney communications.

Manhattan-based U.S. District Judge Jed Rakoff ruled in February that Heppner must hand over 31 documents generated by Anthropics chatbot Claude related to the case.

No attorney-client relationship exists or could exist, between an AI user and a platform such as Claude, Rakoff wrote.

Lawyers for Heppner did not immediately respond to requests for comment. A spokesperson for the U.S. attorneys office in Manhattan declined to comment.

Courts already are grappling with the growing use of artificial intelligence by lawyers and people representing themselves in legal cases, which among other things has led to legal filings containing made-up cases invented by AI.

Rakoffs decision was an important early test in the AI chatbot era for bedrock legal protections governing attorney-client communications and materials prepared for litigation.

On the same day as Rakoffs ruling, U.S. Magistrate Judge Anthony Patti in Michigan said a woman representing herself in a lawsuit she brought against her former company did not have to hand over her chats with OpenAIs ChatGPT about the employment claims made in the case.

Patti treated the womans AI chats as part of her own personal work-product for the case, rather than as conversations with a person who her employer could seek to use for its defense.

ChatGPT and other generative AI programs are tools, not persons, Patti wrote in his order.

The privacy and usage terms for both OpenAI and Anthropic state that the companies can share data involving their users with third parties. Both also state that they require users to consult a qualified professional before relying on their chatbots for legal advice.

Rakoff at a February hearing in Heppners case noted that Claude expressly provided that users have no expectation of privacy in their inputs.

Representatives for OpenAI and Anthropic did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Lawyers Race to Set Guardrails

The advice from lawyers has ranged from telling clients to select their AI platforms carefully to suggesting specific language to use in chatbot prompts.

Los Angeles-based OMelveny & Myers and other firms said in client advisories that closed AI systems designed for corporate use could provide stronger protections for legal communications, though they said even that remains largely untested.

Some firms said AI legal research is more likely to be protected by attorney-client privilege when it is conducted at the direction of a lawyer. If a lawyer does advise the use of AI, a person should say so in the chatbot prompt, New York-headquartered law firm Debevoise & Plimpton said in a notice on its website.

I am doing this research at the direction of counsel for X litigation, the firm suggested people write.

Information about AI use is also becoming common in contracts used by law firms with clients, according to a Reuters review of contracts posted to a U.S. government website.

Sher Tremonte, which often represents white-collar criminal defendants, said in a new contract in March: Disclosure of privileged communications to a third-party AI platform may constitute a waiver of the attorney-client privilege.

Justin Ellis of New York-headquartered law firm MoloLamken and other lawyers said they expect that more rulings will eventually clarify when AI chats can be used as evidence.

Until then, attorneys are saying that an age-old assumption still applies: Do not talk to anyone except your lawyer about your case  including AI.

(Reporting by Scarcella; Editing by David Bario, Amy Stevens and Will Dunham)
A group of almost 300 petitioners filed a class-action suit against BP Plc and Kenyan authorities seeking compensation for environmental damage caused by disposal of toxic waste at oil-exploration sites in the northern fields of the East Africa nation.

They allege the oil major disposed hazardous materials at drilling wells in northern Kenya, leading to the deaths of about 500 people and a spike in cancer cases, according to the petition filed at a court in Kenya. Thousands of livestock also died after drinking contaminated water, it stated

During the general operation of the sites while conducting drilling and seismic surveys, a substantial amount of hazardous and toxic contaminants were improperly disposed, discharged and released to the environment and has accumulated underneath, the petition filed at the Environment and Land Court stated.

The toxic waste containing heavy metals and radioactive materials was allegedly left in unlined pits or dumped, affecting ground water sources, soil integrity, local livelihoods and the health of both animal and human populations, according to the filing.

Other entities sued include National Oil Corp. of Kenya and the National Environment Management Authority.

The petitioners want BP to bear the cost of environmental restoration, as well as compensation for loss of lives, livelihoods and violations of human rights.

The documented acts and omissions constitute environmental genocide, said Kelvin Kubai, an attorney for the petitioners.

The oil blocks were previously held by Amoco Corp., which merged with BP in 1998. A group led by Amoco drilled 10 wells  eight of them in the Anza Basin and two in the Mandera Basin  between 1985 and 1990, according to documents filed in court.

BP didnt immediately respond to an email seeking comment and Nock Managing Director Leparan Morintat didnt answer calls.

Nema, the Kenyan regulator, said the government environment policy was enacted years after the exploration activity.

We support the local communities on their right to a clean and healthy environment, Director General Mamo Boru Mamo said.

The Kenyan lawsuit is the latest in a string of court challenges against oil and gas companies accused of dumping pollutants harmful to human life.

Judge Oguttu Mboya directed the petitioners to serve BP with the suit papers and said others affected can apply to join the petition.

Copyright 2026 Bloomberg.
Acquisition brings together two like-minded teams focused on client service, integration, and growth

DETROIT, April 16, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Brkthru, a fast-growing media and marketing services company known for its performance-driven and customer-focused approach, today announced the acquisition of Gigawatt, a Milwaukee, Wisconsin-based programmatic media partner for agencies and brands, with a shared philosophy around bridging strategy, technology, and human insight. This marks the first acquisition for Brkthru as part of its continued growth strategy.

The acquisition represents a strategic step in Brkthru's continued evolution, further enhancing its ability to deliver integrated, full-funnel solutions while deepening its commitment to client service and long-term partnership.

Founded in Milwaukee, Gigawatt has built a strong reputation not only for its thoughtful approach to modern marketing, but for the way it serves its clients - prioritizing collaboration, accountability, and results. While both Brkthru and Gigawatt serve clients across a broad range of industries, they share particular strength in delivering media and marketing outcomes for advertisers in the hospitality and tourism sector, an area of expertise that will be further strengthened through the combination.

"From the beginning, this just made sense," said Jeff Hastedt, Co-Founder of Brkthru. "Gigawatt looks at media the same way we do - how do you actually connect what brands want to say with how people engage today, and make it work in the real world. But just as important, they show up for their clients the right way. That shared mindset around service and accountability is what really stood out."

"Gigawatt and Brkthru both place enormous value on client relationships and share an obsession with results, which made this a natural fit. We're thrilled to bring our teams together and give our clients access to an expanded depth of resources, talent, and capabilities," said Adam Parikh, Founder of Gigawatt. As part of the acquisition, Gigawatt's team will join Brkthru, bringing additional depth across media, strategy, and execution. The combined organization will continue to support Gigawatt's existing clients while creating new opportunities to expand and evolve those partnerships over time.

Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

About Brkthru

Brkthru is a modern media and marketing services company focused on service, built to drive both brand and performance outcomes. By integrating media, creative, and data, Brkthru helps brands reach the right audiences, tell compelling stories, and achieve measurable growth. Learn more at https://brkthru.com.

About Gigawatt

Gigawatt is a Milwaukee-based programmatic media company supporting agencies and brands through a balance of strategy, media, and execution. The agency is known for its practical, results-driven approach and strong client partnerships, with a foundation in programmatic media buying and activation. Learn more at https://gigawatt.media.

Media Contact:

[email protected]

SOURCE Brkthru
IRVING, Texas, April 16, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Caterpillar Inc. (NYSE: CAT) will release first-quarter financial results at 5:30 a.m. CDT on Thursday, April 30. The full text of the release will be available at investors.caterpillar.com/financials/quarterly-results and on PR Newswire. The release will be furnished to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) via a Current Report on Form 8-K in compliance with applicable SEC rules.

Teleconference and webcast access:

A real-time, listen-only teleconference and webcast of the quarterly results call that Caterpillar conducts with securities analysts and institutional investors will begin at 7:30 a.m. CDT on Thursday, April 30. Supporting materials will be available before the webcast at investors.caterpillar.com/events-presentations.

In addition to the webcast, the one-hour conference call can also be accessed by telephone from both domestic and international locations, with a conference ID provided below:

Conference ID: 6824010

Participant Toll-Free Dial-In Number: (800) 715-9871

Participant Toll Dial-In Number: +1 (646) 307-1963

The call can be accessed in real-time at investors.caterpillar.com/financials/quarterly-results. Listeners should go to the website before the live event to download and install any necessary audio software. The transcript from the conference call will be available at investors.caterpillar.com/financials/quarterly-results following the webcast.

For those unable to participate in the live broadcast, the replay will be available at investors.caterpillar.com/financials/quarterly-results shortly after the live event. There is no charge to access the webcast. A telephone replay will not be available.

About Caterpillar

For more than a century, Caterpillar has built a better, more sustainable world. With 2025 sales and revenues of $67.6 billion, Caterpillar Inc. is shaping the future as the world's leading manufacturer of construction and mining equipment, off-highway diesel and natural gas engines, industrial gas turbines and diesel-electric locomotives. Backed by one of the largest independent global dealer networks and financing services through Cat Financial, the company's primary business segments: Power & Energy, Construction Industries and Resource Industries are solving customers' toughest challenges through commercial excellence and advanced technology, driven by a highly skilled, dedicated global team. Learn more at www.caterpillar.com.

Caterpillar's latest financial results are also available online:

https://investors.caterpillar.com/overview/default.aspx

https://investors.caterpillar.com/financials/quarterly-results/default.aspx (live broadcast/replays of quarterly conference call)

SOURCE Caterpillar Inc.
A JetBlue aircraft lands under the DC skyline featuring the U.S. Capitol building, near United Airlines, American Airlines and Delta Airlines aircraft on the tarmac at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport in Arlington, Virginia, U.S. January 25, 2025.

A U.S. lawmaker is urging the CEOs of the country's largest airlines to lower prices if and when the cost of jet fuel declines after a massive run-up this year prompted carriers to raise surcharges, bag fees and fares.

"If airline pricing is truly tied to global fuel costs, then it must be truly responsive when those costs decline," U.S. Rep Ritchie Torres, D-N.Y., wrote to the CEOs of Delta Air Lines , United Airlines , JetBlue Airways and Southwest Airlines , according to a letter that was seen by CNBC. "I call on you to publicly commit to lowering costs associated with air travel should jet fuel prices decline. The American people deserve fairness and pricing models that do not only reflect market conditions, but also economic justice."

Fuel is airlines' biggest expense after labor. Jet fuel reached an average of $4.88 a gallon in New York, Houston, Chicago and Los Angeles on April 2, according to Argus, up about 95% since the Feb. 28 attacks by the U.S. and Israel on Iran started. The climb was steeper in other regions that don't produce as much oil or jet fuel as the U.S.

United declined to comment. The other carriers didn't immediately respond for requests for comment.

Delta reported a $2 billion headwind from fuel this quarter and said it would "meaningfully" scale back its capacity plans, something other carriers are likely to discuss when they report results next week.

Lower capacity can drive up fares, especially if demand remains robust. A drop in fuel prices, meanwhile, can encourage airlines to expand capacity, doing the opposite to pricing.

When asked what will happen if fuel prices decline from recent highs, Delta CEO Ed Bastian last week said that "fuel recapture is going to be important. No matter what we do, and the degree in which we can retain any of the pricing strength that we talked about from industry rationalization, that will certainly help us boost our margins this year and clearly into next year as well."

Delta, United, Southwest, JetBlue, American Airlines and Alaska Airlines have all raised bag fees since the attacks began, while airlines around the world have posted higher airfare and surcharges.

Consumers willing to shell out more to travel have been driving the airline industry. Bastian last week told analysts that demand has held up.

"I think the higher-end consumer, the premium consumer is candidly immune or becoming more immune to the headlines and not delaying their investment in the experience economy, waiting to see what the next headline is going to be, on the margin," he said.
Electronic screens display gongs at the Exchange Square Complex, which houses the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, in Hong Kong, China, on Tuesday, March 15, 2022.

Japan's Nikkei 225 hit an all-time high Thursday amid a broader rally in Asia markets, tracking overnight gains on Wall Street, as hopes of a U.S.-Iran deal rose

Japan's Nikkei 225 ended the session 2.38% higher at 59,518.34, boosted by technology and consumer cyclical stocks. Daikin Industries was the top performer, after activist investor Elliott Investment Management pushed the company to improve performance and narrow its valuation gap with peers. The Topix gained 1.17% to 3,814.46 .

Stocks have rallied this week on the possibility of a peace deal between the U.S. and Iran. The S&P 500 , which fully recovered from its Iran war losses on Monday, has risen 3% this week. The Nasdaq and Dow , meanwhile, have added around 5% and more than 1%, respectively.

The Iran war is "very close to over," President Donald Trump said in a Fox Business interview that aired on Wednesday, again claiming that Tehran wants to "make a deal very badly."

A White House official told CNBC on Tuesday that a second round of negotiations between Washington and Iran is under discussion. According to the official, who asked not to be named to discuss the administration's plans, said nothing has been officially scheduled yet.
Barry Callebaut AG ruby natural chocolate discs are displayed at the Sweets & Snacks Expo in Chicago, Illinois, U.S., on Tuesday, May 21, 2019.

Swiss chocolate maker Barry Callebaut on Thursday slashed its operating profit forecast, citing falling cocoa prices, industry overcapacity and potential supply disruption linked to the Iran war.

The company, which is the world's largest chocolate maker, said it now expected earnings before interest and tax (EBIT) to decrease by "mid-teens" percentage in its 2025 to 2026 fiscal year.

The outlook reflects a significant downgrade from just three months earlier, when the Zurich-headquartered company said it was preparing for a return to growth.

Hein Schumacher, who was appointed Barry Callebaut CEO in late January, said Thursday that the firm has an "unparalleled market position" and fundamental growth opportunities, while warning of a "turbulent period" of industry disruption.

"In the first half of our fiscal year, cocoa bean prices decreased, which is encouraging for future chocolate market momentum and supported strong free cash flow generation," Schumacher said in a statement.

"Yet the unique speed of the market decrease combined with a competitive overcapacity market, volume declines and supply disruption impacted EBIT performance and adjusted our profitability outlook for the year as we prioritize restoring volume and leading the market back to growth," he added.

Shares of Barry Callebaut fell as much as 17% on Thursday. The stock was last seen trading off by around 15.8% shortly after 2:30 p.m. London time (9:30 a.m. ET).

Cocoa prices fell 0.72% on Wednesday, reaching $3,537.28 per tonne. Despite rallying over the past week, cocoa prices have slumped 41.6% since the start of the year, and are down 57.6% over the past 12 months, according to Trading Economics data.

Like most commodities, the closure of the Strait of Hormuz has impacted cocoa prices with restricted supply and higher costs. However, much stronger harvests compared to recent years, when prices have soared, have kept a lid on cocoa costs.
The announcement is being made at a private event in Washington, bringing together civic leaders, cultural institutions, business executives and clients during a pivotal week in the nation's capital focused on democracy, leadership and the global economy.

Preserving the Presidency  Past and Present

Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library

Opening July 4, 2026 and set in the North Dakota Badlands  the place that shaped Theodore Roosevelt's worldview and leadership  the library will explore the presidency, conservation, civic responsibility and the evolving American experiment. As a founding sponsor, Bank of America is supporting the development of the library and its inaugural exhibitions, including Theodore Roosevelt's White House and a featured photography exhibit by Pulitzer Prizewinning photographer David Hume Kennerly. As a former Official White House Photographer who has documented thirteen consecutive U.S. presidents, Kennerly's work transcends any single administration. The Kennerly exhibition opening this fall offers an intimate look at the presidency and the people behind it over the last half-century, as well as the cultural moments that shaped the nation. The Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library is currently being built in Medora, N.D., a project made possible through the dedicated support of state leadership, including Sec. Doug Burgum in his capacity as Governor of North Dakota.

"Bank of America has grown alongside our country by helping people, businesses of every size, and communities prosper," said Brian Moynihan, Chair and CEO of Bank of America. "The Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Libraryand the Kennerly exhibition on the modern presidencyreflect Theodore Roosevelt's belief that strong leadership and democratic institutions drive economic opportunity. We commend Secretary Burgum's leadership, from his time as governor to today, in advancing a vision that links history, civic responsibility, and longterm prosperity."

National Portrait Gallery

The sponsorship builds on Bank of America's long-standing support for historic preservation and public education, including its support of the Smithsonian's National Portrait Gallery through the Bank of America Art Conservation Project.

As part of the initiative, the Portrait Gallery is undertaking a comprehensive conservation effort focused on "America's Presidents," its signature exhibition since 1962. The project includes assessment and potential conservation of 110 presidential portraits and frames, many of which have never undergone formal conservation, ensuring these works remain available to the public for generations to come. Following conservation, the portraits will return to public view as part of the museum's collection and the "America's Presidents" gallery.

As America approaches its semiquincentennial, these two efforts reflect a shared recognition: history is not only something to preserve, but something to engagethrough institutions, leadership and civic participation.

More information about Bank of America's celebrations of America's 250th anniversary and its long-standing support for communities, culture and education is available on the company's website at: www.bofa.com/america250.

Bank of America

Bank of America is one of the world's leading financial institutions, serving individual consumers, small and middle-market businesses and large corporations with a full range of banking, investing, asset management and other financial and risk management products and services. The company provides unmatched convenience in the United States, serving nearly 70 million clients with approximately 3,600 retail financial centers, approximately 15,000 ATMs (automated teller machines) and award-winning digital banking with approximately 59 million verified digital users. Bank of America is a global leader in wealth management, corporate and investment banking and trading across a broad range of asset classes, serving corporations, governments, institutions and individuals around the world. Bank of America offers industry-leading support to approximately 4 million small business households through a suite of innovative, easy-to-use online products and services. The company serves clients through operations across the United States, its territories and more than 35 countries. Bank of America Corporation stock (NYSE: BAC) is listed on the New York Stock Exchange.

For more Bank of America news, including dividend announcements and other important information, visit the Bank of America newsroom and register for news email alerts.

Reporters may contact

Carla Molina, Bank of America

Phone: 1.512.397.2402

[email protected]

SOURCE Bank of America Corporation
Members of Houthi security forces stand guard as supporters of Yemen's Houthis movement participate in a rally held to mark the 11th anniversary of the military campaign launched by the Saudi-led coalition on March 26, 2026 in Sana'a, Yemen. Mohammed Hamoud | Getty Images News | Getty Images

A new era of higher defense spending has prompted the International Monetary Fund to warn of an emerging "guns versus butter" trade-off, with governments expected to face tough choices on debt and public spending. The so-called "guns versus butter" dilemma refers to the trade-off governments face when allocating resources between defense spending and social programs. In its latest World Economic Outlook, the IMF said approximately half of the world's countries have raised their military budgets, noting that arms sales by the biggest global defense firms have doubled in real terms over the last two decades. These trends appear set to persist as geopolitical tensions intensify, the IMF said, raising serious questions about whether higher defense spending could crowd out other outlays such as social spending. Citing analysis of 164 countries' experience since the end of World War II, the IMF warned that history shows defense spending booms typically weaken fiscal and external balances, and tend to be followed by sharp increases in public debt and large reductions in social spending.

watch now

French Finance Minister Roland Lescure acknowledged that the defense versus social spending trade-off poses a backlash risk to the government ahead of the country's 2027 presidential election. He stressed, however, that higher defense spending can create a "double dividend" by shoring up sovereignty and creating more domestic jobs. "We have to rethink war. Obviously, drones and new forms of combat have erupted  and we need to address them," Lescure told CNBC's Karen Tso on Wednesday on the sidelines of the IMF and World Bank Group Spring Meetings in Washington this week. "I don't think we're missing any social spending in France; I think we have the highest level of spending. And this is good. This is our model," Lescure said.

"If defense spending is also an industrial strategy that creates jobs, including in areas where people have felt disenfranchised from globalization, they felt left aside from the big movement towards digital innovation, where we're going to have a double dividend of defense spending, which is more sovereignty, but also more jobs," he continued. "If we don't do that  we're going to have a backlash. We don't want that."

'Faith in the system'

Ajay Banga, president of the World Bank, said defense spending has clearly become a priority for many countries, while funding for overseas development has shrunk across the developed world. "On the other hand, even in that period last year, we raised a record amount for IDA21, which is the part of the bank that goes to the poorest countries," Banga told CNBC on Wednesday. The International Development Association's (IDA) 21st funding round secured an additional $24 billion in late 2024, which resulted in $100 billion in financing after leveraging. These funds are used to support 78 of the world's lowest-income countries to enable investment in sectors such as health and education, as well as climate resilience.

watch now

"So, you know, I still have faith in the system. You have to make a case to the countries that are donating as to why this is in their own self-interest," Banga said. "Why does investing in creating jobs for young people in the developing world, why is it in the interest of a taxpayer in the developed world? And mostly it's because you get better middle classes, better growth there, in which case your companies, your intellectual property, your products, your jobs, will benefit," he continued. "But also, you get a more stable economic system, and you get there for better opportunities for young people with lower illegal migration. Both things are important, the plus and the minus."

Polish minister: 'We need to be serious about security'

The European Union has recently recognized security and defense as a top priority, partly driven by Russia's ongoing invasion of Ukraine. Defense spending across the 27-nation bloc is expected to reach 381 billion euros ($448.8 billion) in 2025, reflecting an 11% increase from the prior year and a nearly 63% jump compared to 2020. The U.S.-Israeli war with Iran, meanwhile, is set to complicate both the bloc's rearmament efforts and support for Ukraine, while also further denting confidence in Washington as a reliable guarantor for Europe's defense, according to the European Union Institute for Security Studies.

A speaker addressing the crowd of numerous representative groups and individuals from culture, sport, youth work and social services protesting under the slogan Die Kuh ist noch nicht vom Eis (best translated as We're not out of the woods yet) against the Halle city council's planned budget cuts on March 25, 2026 in Halle (Saale), Germany. Craig Stennett | Getty Images News | Getty Images
Members of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement stand at the scene after a driver of a vehicle was shot in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Jan. 7, 2026.

An Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent has been charged with two counts of assault related to a road rage incident by state prosecutors in Minnesota, who have issued a nationwide warrant for his arrest.

The ICE agent, Gregory Donnell Morgan Jr., is accused of pointing his duty gun at the heads of two people in another car on Feb. 5 as he tried to pass them while illegally driving in his unmarked SUV on the shoulder of a highway in Minneapolis, prosecutors said Thursday at a press conference.

The incident came on the heels of the killings in January of two U.S. citizens, Renee Good and Alex Pretti, by federal agents in Minneapolis, amid the Trump administration's controversial Operation Metro Surge immigration enforcement actions in the Twin Cities.

Those killings, and other incidents involving federal immigration enforcement agents in the Twin Cities, remain under investigation by local prosecutors.

Morgan "is the first federal agent charged in connection with what happened here in Operation Metro Surge," Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty said in announcing the charges of second-degree assault against the agent.

"Is it the first case of its kind nationally? We believe it is," Moriarty said.
Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Dan Caine speaks during a briefing on the Iran war, with a map in the background showing a blockade line on the Strait of Hormuz, at the Pentagon in Washington, D.C., U.S., April 16, 2026.

Just two vessels were observed transiting the sea lane, according to data from LSEG. The tanker Race exited the strait into the Gulf of Oman bound for India, the data showed. The cargo ship Neshat crossed the strait and appeared destined for Iran.

Oil tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz was at a near standstill Thursday, as tensions between the U.S. and Iran remain high.

The U.S. blockade of Iran's ports began Monday. As it enters its fourth day, the Navy has forced 14 vessels to reverse course so far, according to U.S. Central Command. Iran, meanwhile, has threatened to shut down traffic in the Persian Gulf, the Gulf of Oman and the Red Sea in retaliation.

At least two very large crude carriers, the RHN and the Alicia, crossed the strait into the Persian Gulf earlier this week. VLCCs are huge tankers that can carry about 2 million barrels of oil.

Tanker traffic through the strait has plunged during the war, triggering the largest oil supply disruption in history. About 20% of global oil supplies passed through the sea lane before the war.
Crude oil prices neared $100 again on Thursday, as tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz remains very low with no clear pathway to fully reopen the vital sea lane.

International benchmark Brent for June delivery surged nearly 5% to close at $99.39 per barrel. West Texas Intermediate crude for May rose almost 4% to settle at $94.69 per barrel.

Just a few oil tankers are passing through the strait daily as the U.S. Navy blockades Iran's coast and Tehran threatens to retaliate against ships in the Persian Gulf.

President Donald Trump told reporters Thursday that the U.S. and Iran will "probably" meet over the weekend for a second round of negotiations. But a date has not been set officially for the talks.

Trump announced earlier that Israel and Lebanon had agreed to a 10-day ceasefire. Israel's war against Hezbollah had been a sticking point in the failed talks between the U.S. and Iran last weekend in Pakistan.

Several European and Gulf Arab leaders believe it could take six months to negotiate a U.S.-Iran deal, people familiar with the matter told Bloomberg.

Meanwhile, the two-week ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran will expire on Tuesday, April 21.

Trump agreed to the truce in exchange for Iran opening the strait to traffic, but Tehran has sought to maintain control over shipping in the sea lane.
Mark Mobius, widely credited as a pioneer in emerging markets investing, died on Wednesday at the age of 89, according to a statement on his LinkedIn page.

Known as the "Indiana Jones of emerging markets" for his willingness to unlock new, sometimes hazardous jurisdictions, Mobius relished the challenge. "Volatility," he wrote in "Passport to Profits," one of his many books, "is not an enemy to fear but a sign that opportunity is close at hand."

The post did not mention a cause of death.

Having invested in EMs for decades, Mobius was touting new opportunities as recently as January. On Venezuela, he wrote, "with (President Nicolas) Maduro's exit, we may see a new political and economic order and the country could be reopening to investors."

His convictions shaped a generation of fund managers and helped draw billions of dollars into markets once dismissed as peripheral.

His books  part travelogue, part tutorial  offered an unusually human view of global finance. In 2012's "The Little Book of Emerging Markets," he wrote that behind every balance sheet and stock ticker lies a community struggling to grow: "If you want to understand a market, start with its people."

The line distilled his belief that on-the-ground observation mattered more than abstract theory. He recalled that it was during factory visits in Brazil, meetings with privatization officials in Poland, and conversations with shopkeepers in the Philippines that opportunities revealed themselves to him.

As executive chairman of Templeton Emerging Markets Group, where he worked for over 30 years, Mobius traveled relentlessly, often visiting dozens of countries in a single year in search of undervalued businesses and underappreciated economies. He claimed to have visited at least 112 countries.

He became, in effect, the public face of emerging-markets investing just as the asset class was taking shape. His calm manner and encyclopedic knowledge reassured Western investors who were uneasy about political risk, currency volatility, and opaque governance.

Born to Puerto Rican and German parents in Hempstead, New York, Joseph Bernhard Mark Mobius received a Ph.D in economics from MIT in 1964 with a thesis about communication satellites.

He first went to school for fine arts, and in his life worked at a talent agency, as a teacher, and as a marketer of Snoopy products in Asia. He was also a political consultant.

John Ninia and Eric Nguyen, both partners at Mobius Investments, will assume leadership responsibilities, the firm said in a statement. 
Jessica Tisch did not set out with a grand plan to become commissioner of the New York Police Department, the largest police force in the United States. By her own account, her entry into public service was almost accidental.

"I wish I could tell you an honest story about a calling I had to work in public service, but that's not the case," she told CNBC's Julia Boorstin at the CNBC Changemakers Summit in New York City on April 16. The summer after Tisch, 45, graduated with both a law degree and an MBA from Harvard University in 2008, she happened to meet someone who was working in counterterrorism at the NYPD. "He said, 'Why don't you come work for me?' And I did and it turned into one of the biggest joys and blessings of my life," Tisch said.

What followed, however, has been anything but happenstance. Tisch has built a career defined by operational rigor, technological modernization, and a leadership style that offers valuable lessons for anyone  but especially women  navigating intense scrutiny, doubt, and constant change. In 2019, under then-Mayor Bill de Blasio, Tisch was named commissioner of the New York City Department of Information Technology and Telecommunication and led the city's IT response during the height of the pandemic. In 2022, she was named commissioner of the NYC Department of Sanitation, the largest such department in the world.

Her trajectory through New York City's government, under four different mayors, underscores a critical point often overlooked in business school: impactful leadership does not always begin with a perfectly choreographed career path. Instead, as Tisch demonstrates, it often comes from a willingness to seize unexpected opportunities and then commit deeply once inside them.

Just two weeks into her tenure as NYPD commissioner, Tisch faced the high-profile shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson outside a midtown Manhattan hotel and the ensuing manhunt for his killer. The moment tested not only her readiness to lead the massive NYPD but also her leadership style. Rather than centralizing control, Tisch said she relied on a team of experienced police chiefs while maintaining close oversight of key decisions.

"My style is that I like to know what's going on. I like to understand the details, but I also like to allow talented people to do their thing," she said. When it came time to decide to release a photo of the suspect or whether to bring in intelligence analysts to identify the person they were looking for, Tisch described her approach with police leadership as collaborative.
Sens. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., and Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., initiated an investigation into the National Labor Relations Board on Wednesday concerning the agency's decision to drop charges against Elon Musk's SpaceX over retaliatory firings, according to correspondence first obtained by CNBC.

SpaceX is reportedly seeking to go public in June and eyeing a $2 trillion valuation.

Under the Biden administration, the NLRB had charged the aerospace and defense firm with illegally firing employees in retaliation for criticism of Musk in an open letter in which they alleged sexist conduct on his part, and a wider culture of sexual harassment at SpaceX.

The NLRB dismissed those charges citing jurisdictional issues in February.

Warren and Blumenthal have demanded information and records from the NLRB according to correspondence first obtained by CNBC, seeking to determine if the agency dropped the charges based on "political considerations rather than the facts at hand," effectively bowing to the wishes of Musk, who spent around $300 million to propel President Trump back to the White House.

When the NLRB dismissed their charges against SpaceX earlier this year, they said the company should be regulated under the Railway Labor Act, which governs labor relations at railroad and airline companies, and punted the employees' complaints to the National Mediation Board.

In their letter to NLRB, which was dated April 15, Warren and Blumenthal wrote, "In facilitating this change of agency, the NLRB was effectively killing the case: these workers' wrongful termination charges cannot proceed at the NMB because the NMB's governing law does not protect the same kinds of concerted activities as the NLRB's does."

They also said that part of NMB's claim of jurisdictional authority over SpaceX included an "absurd" argument that SpaceX is a "carrier by air transporting mail for or under contract with the United States Government" because SpaceX has sometimes delivered mail to the International Space Station for NASA.

The senators have asked the NLRB to provide, among other things, information and records by April 29 explaining the reasons they changed their position in regard to jurisdiction, and to provide a list of all communications that took place between the agency and Musk or his representatives, and precedent, if any, for counting a rocket company like SpaceX as a mail carrier by air.

In 2024, SpaceX filed a federal lawsuit arguing the NLRB's structure violated the Constitution and that the agency should not be allowed to take enforcement action pertaining to worker complaints of unfair treatment by employers. That suit came after nine SpaceX workers said they were terminated for sending their open letter to management.

Musk has clashed with union proponents for years, including at his automotive business, Tesla. The NLRB decided in 2021 that Tesla and Musk had violated labor laws when they fired a union activist, and when Musk wrote on Twitter in 2018: "Nothing stopping Tesla team at our car plant from voting union. Could do so tmrw if they wanted. But why pay union dues & give up stock options for nothing?"

CNBC has reached out to the NLRB and SpaceX for comment.
President Donald Trump speaks to the media before boarding Marine One on the South Lawn of the White House on April 16, 2026.

President Donald Trump on Thursday brushed aside concerns about much higher gas prices because of the Iran war, even as a new poll showed that most U.S. voters blame him for the pump price spike.

"Well, they are not very high," Trump told a reporter at the White House after she asked how much longer Americans would continue to see high gas prices.

Trump said those prices are not as high as what was expected they would be as a result of the war, which he said was aimed at denying Iran the ability to produce a nuclear weapon.

"Gas prices have come down very much in the last three or four days," Trump said. Gas prices have risen 49% since the beginning of 2026, according to prices tracked by AAA. They dropped by an average of 7 cents a gallon after a two-week ceasefire was announced last week.
US Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Dan Caine speaks as a map of the Strait of Hormuz is displayed during a press briefing at the Pentagon in Washington, DC, on April 16, 2026.

The U.S. Navy has turned back 13 ships since its blockade of Iranian ports in the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman began more than 24 hours earlier, the Pentagon said Thursday.

President Donald Trump announced the blockade on Sunday after complaining that Tehran has not appeared to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, one of his conditions for agreeing to the fragile two-week ceasefire that is currently in effect.

The attempt to ratchet pressure on Iran began after an initial round of U.S.-Iran peace talks failed over the weekend. The U.S. on Wednesday continued to signal optimism about the prospect of reaching a diplomatic end to the war, which began Feb. 28.

"The U.S. action is a blockade of Iran's ports and coastline, not a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz," Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Dan Caine noted at a press briefing Thursday morning.

Trump had declared on Sunday that the U.S. would blockade the strait itself, before U.S. Central Command later clarified the scope of enforcement.

It "applies to all ships, regardless of nationality, heading into or from Iranian ports," Caine specified Thursday.

U.S. forces are also actively pursuing "any Iranian flagged vessel or any vessel attempting to provide material support to Iran" in other areas  including lawbreaking ships known as "dark fleet" vessels, Caine said.
The leaders of Israel and Lebanon agreed to a 10-day ceasefire after officials from the two countries met in Washington, President Donald Trump said Thursday.

The temporary truce will start at 5 p.m. ET, Trump said in a Truth Social post.

In a follow-up, Trump added that he will be inviting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Joseph Aoun of Lebanon to the White House "for the first meaningful talks between Israel and Lebanon since 1983, a very long time ago."

"Both sides want to see PEACE, and I believe that will happen, quickly!" Trump wrote.

The U.S. State Department said in a statement later Thursday that the two countries "will work to create conditions conducive to lasting peace between the two countries, full recognition of each other's sovereignty and territorial integrity, and establishing genuine security along their shared border, while preserving Israel's inherent right to self-defense."

"Both countries recognize the significant challenges faced by the Lebanese state from non-state armed groups, which undermine Lebanon's sovereignty and threaten regional stability," read the statement, which was agreed to by the governments of Israel and Lebanon.

Trump told reporters outside the White House on Thursday afternoon that he believes an agreement will be struck in which Lebanon is "going to take care of Hezbollah," referring to the Iran-backed Islamist militia group that formed in the early 1980s.

The developments add to growing hopes for a deal to end the Middle East war, which the U.S. and Israel launched against Iran on Feb. 28.

Israel's heavy military strikes on Lebanon last week spurred accusations from Iran that its own fragile two-week ceasefire had already been violated.

Despite U.S.-Iran peace negotiations in Pakistan ending without a deal over the weekend, Trump said this week that the war is "very close to over." The White House on Wednesday projected optimism about "the prospects of a deal."

The next round of in-person negotiations could take place "probably, maybe, next weekend," Trump said in his remarks outside the White House on Thursday afternoon.

Trump also suggested that while a deal with Iran will "ideally" be reached before its ceasefire with the U.S. expires next Tuesday, he would be willing to extend it if needed.

Trump, in his social media post announcing the Lebanon ceasefire, declared that he had just completed "excellent conversations" with Netanyahu and Aoun.

The two leaders struck the agreement "in order to achieve PEACE between their Countries," Trump wrote.

Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Joint Chiefs Chairman Dan Caine will "work with Israel and Lebanon to achieve a Lasting PEACE," Trump added.

This is breaking news. Please refresh for updates.
GROTON, Conn., April 16, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (CT03), Congressman Joe Courtney (CT02), Minority Clerk House Defense Appropriation Subcommittee Jennifer Chartrand, and senior U.S. Navy officials visited ThayerMahan on Friday, April 10th to engage with company leadership and engineers on the evolving maritime security environment, the accelerating demand for autonomous sensing systems, and Connecticut-based ThayerMahan's urgent and expanding role in addressing those needs and delivering critical national defense and homeland security capability.

Congressional and Defense Leaders Visit ThayerMahan in Response to Growing Global Maritime Security Challenges Post this Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (CT03) and Congressman Joe Courtney (CT02) receive a tour of ThayerMahan's Operations Center from Robert Oprosky, ThayerMahan's Vice President Delivery and Execution.

The visit comes at a pivotal moment as global tensions continue to rise across multiple theaters, placing increasing strain on traditional naval forces and driving urgent demand for persistent, scalable maritime domain awareness. ThayerMahan's leadership briefed the delegation on how uncrewed autonomous sensing systems are being employed today as a tailored offset for the Navy, joint force, and for interagency operations - closing surveillance gaps while preserving high-value crewed assets for the most critical missions.

Congresswoman DeLauro, Ranking Member of the House Appropriations Committee, and Ms. Chartrand, Minority Clerk for the House Defense Appropriations Subcommittee, used the visit to gain a first-hand understanding of ThayerMahan's ability to deliver solutions to the U.S. Government.



"ThayerMahan is delivering unparalleled undersea defense technology right here in Connecticut," said Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro. "Congressman Courtney and I witnessed their advanced technology firsthand, including their newly launched system, SeaGuard, which provides protection for critical ports and infrastructure. Increasing our underwater capacity to improve our surveillance capabilities and better address threats is crucial to strengthening our national defense. ThayerMahan's innovative technology, driven by skilled Connecticut employees, reinforces our state as a leader in defense while strengthening our domestic industrial base. I will continue to fight for the resources Connecticut companies like ThayerMahan need to keep our national defense strong."

Congressman Courtney, Ranking Member of the House Subcommittee on Seapower and Projection Forces, is a long-standing advocate for undersea capabilities and is well familiar with ThayerMahan's work supporting Navy and allied missions.

"The security environment has shifted dramatically, and undersea awareness has become more important than ever," said Congressman Joe Courtney. "What ThayerMahan is building here in Connecticut shows how innovative, unmanned systems can relieve pressure on our submarine force and provide commanders with persistent awareness in areas where it's increasingly difficult to operate. I have visited the ThayerMahan campus in past years and seen firsthand how these systems are being manufactured, operated, and delivered by a highly skilled local workforce. Friday's visit was different. It was a clear signal that ThayerMahan is ready now to deliver the capability our Naval, Coast Guard, and Border forces need at an incredible pace and impressive scale."

During the tour, visitors observed ThayerMahan's unmanned acoustic intelligence solutions, including Outpost and SeaPicket. They learned how ThayerMahan's TransparenSea software enables on-platform edge processing and delivers mission-critical intelligence to operational commanders in near real time. They were briefed on SeaGuard non-kinetic defeat for UUV threats, and met with the engineers and operators responsible for the deployment, manufacturing, and 24/7 operations of ThayerMahan's acoustic intelligence solutions. The delegation discussed emerging undersea threats and the growing relevance of autonomous sensing in protecting the homeland, forward ports, undersea infrastructure, and strategic maritime chokepoints, particularly as naval forces face simultaneous demands across global theaters.

"Security challenges today are global, persistent, and increasingly complex," said Mike Connor, Chairman and CEO of ThayerMahan and former Commander of the U.S. Submarine Force. "We showed our visitors that Connecticutbuilt systems, designed and operated by a highly skilled local workforce, are already helping the Navy and our partners maintain awareness and deterrence in contested maritime environments. Autonomous sensing is no longer experimental - it's operational, and the demand signal is growing rapidly."

The visit also underscored Connecticut's expanding role as a hub for advanced maritime manufacturing and undersea technology. ThayerMahan's production, integration, and operations are centered in Groton, southeastern Connecticut, the undersea capital of the world. The company continues to heavily invest in facilities, talent, and supply chain resilience to meet increasing US and international government demand. This locally anchored capability allows ThayerMahan to greatly strengthen the regional defense-industrial base.

In discussions with the delegation, ThayerMahan emphasized that their uncrewed acoustic surveillance systems offer a cost-effective, rapidly deployable complement to traditional exquisite naval assets, particularly at a time when shipbuilding timelines, workforce constraints, and global demand are placing unprecedented pressure on the fleet. By shifting routine surveillance and monitoring tasks to autonomous systems, the Navy and interagency partners can preserve critical crewed platforms for deterrence and conflict response.

The visit concluded with an exchange on future cooperation, emerging mission needs, and the importance of maintaining close alignment between Congress, the Department of Defense, and innovative U.S. technology providers as the security environment continues to evolve.

About ThayerMahan

ThayerMahan, Inc. is a maritime technology company specializing in unmanned acoustic intelligence, persistent undersea surveillance, and non-kinetic counter-UUV capabilities. The company provides its government and commercial customers with end-to-end autonomous system deployment, field operations, continuous data collection, and advanced analytics. Using state-of-the-art acoustic and electronic sensors integrated across a range of surface and subsurface platforms, ThayerMahan delivers tailored capabilities that support mission-critical defense, security, and infrastructure protection requirements. Headquartered in Groton, CT, ThayerMahan also maintains offices in Lowell, MA, and Arlington, VA. For more information, please visit www.thayermahan.com or contact the company at [email protected].

MEDIA CONTACT:

Dr. Kevin Lopes

VP, Marketing,

ThayerMahan, Inc.

M: +1 860 287 3563

E: [email protected]

SOURCE ThayerMahan, Inc.
A television station broadcasts Jerome Powell, chairman of the US Federal Reserve, on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) in New York, US, on Monday, March 30, 2026.

The 2-year Treasury note yield, more sensitive to short-term Federal Reserve interest rate decisions, moved higher by more than 1 basis point to 3.778%. The long-dated 30-year Treasury bond yield stood at 4.937% after gaining more than 4 basis points.

The yield on the 10-year U.S. Treasury note  the key benchmark for government borrowing  was up more than 3 basis points at 4.311%.

U.S. Treasury yields rose on Thursday as investors assessed the latest weekly jobless claims data and President Trump's renewed attack on Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell.

Jobless claims for the week ended April 11 came in at 207,000, the Labor Department reported on Thursday, down 11,000 from the previous week and below the Dow Jones forecast for 215,000.

The economic data follows the Federal Reserve's latest regional economic study, known as the "Beige Book," which revealed the growing uncertainty for U.S. businesses as a result of the Iran war.

Investors also faced more attacks on the independence of the U.S. central bank when President Trump threatened Wednesday to fire Fed chair Powell should he not step down once his term concludes next month.

Powell's term as chair ends May 15, but he still has two years to go in his term as a Federal Reserve board governor. Trump, who has nominated former Fed Governor Kevin Warsh as Powell's successor, said he would fire Powell if he does not also quit his position as governor.

Bond market investors also tried to gauge the effect of higher energy prices and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz on the economy.

On Thursday, New York Fed President John Williams raised concern over the war weighing on economic performance.

"The conflict could also result in a large supply shock with pronounced effects that simultaneously raises inflation  through a surge in intermediate costs and commodity prices  and dampens economic activity. This has begun to play out already," Williams said in a speech.

 CNBC's Jeff Cox contributed to this report.
SAN FRANCISCO, April 16, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Cora, a leading provider of natural period care, is excited to introduce two new product launches. Launching on Earth Day in the name of sustainability, The Applicator-Free Tampon offers first of its kind sleek, pocket-sized protection made from 100% organic cotton. The highly requested Less-is-More Thong Liner arrives shortly after on April 28th, exclusively at Target.

These innovations reflect Cora's commitment to meeting the evolving needs of modern consumers by combining comfort, body confidence, and sustainability.

The Less-Is-More Thong Liner

Designed for thong wearers, this ultra-thin liner offers discreet, flexible protection for daily use, light days, or backup support. While thong liners are a top-performing category, clean ingredient options have been limiteduntil now.

The liner features a thong-friendly silhouette, edge-to-edge adhesive with stay-put wings, and a 100% organic cotton topsheet for breathable comfort. A quick-absorbing core helps keep users feeling fresh throughout the day. Made without chlorine, fragrance, or dyes, it is hypoallergenic and dermatologically tested.

Availability: Exclusively at Target stores nationwide and online beginning April 28, 2026.

The Applicator-Free Tampon

Cora also introduces a first-of-its-kind applicator-free tampon that expands widthwise to fit your body's shapethe most popular tampon shape on the market.

Made with 100% organic cotton, including the core and string, the tampon is made without chlorine, dyes, and pesticides. A smooth outer layer made from organic cotton enhances comfort, while a rounded tip allows for easier insertion. The W-style design expands widthwise to provide reliable leak protection.

By eliminating the plastic applicator, the product offers a more environmentally conscious option that remains intuitive and effective.

Availability: Available in light, regular, super, and super plus absorbencies on April 22, 2026.

About Cora: Cora is a leading provider of clean ingredient period and bladder care products that provide comfort through the uncomfortable. The brand's portfolio includes tampons, pads, and liners made with organic cotton and reusable options such as cups and discs. With every Cora purchase, the company provides period products and body literacy resources to people who might otherwise go without. Cora has given over 24 million period products to individuals in need around the world, including in the United States, Kenya, India, and Europe. Cora's products are available at Cora.life and at national retailers such as Target, Walmart, CVS, Walgreens, and Amazon. For more information, visit www.cora.life.

SOURCE Cora
Several major insurance carriers have begun to back away from providing cybersecurity and other insurance to companies using AI to run internal processes, insiders say.

While theres no standard response to customer use of AI in the insurance market, many carriers are now quietly declining to write policies for claims related to AI-generated outputs in cybersecurity and errors and omissions (E&O) coverage, these observers say. Other insurance carriers are jacking up prices to cover AI-related claims, they say.

Dozens of insurance carriers appear to be rethinking coverage for mistakes related to AI, says Connor Deeks, CEO of Codestrap, an AI development and consulting firm that works with insurance firms.
13th China Internet Audio & Video Convention kicks off in SW China's Chengdu

People's Daily Online) 09:17, April 16, 2026

The 13th China Internet Audio & Video Convention opened in Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan Province, on April 15. The convention features a series of thematic forums, release events, film screenings and other activities.

Cao Shumin, deputy head of the Publicity Department of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and head of the National Radio and Television Administration (NRTA), delivered a keynote address at the opening ceremony. Wang Xiaohui, secretary of the Sichuan Provincial Committee of the CPC, also addressed the gathering.

In her keynote, Cao highlighted the significant progress made by China's online audiovisual sector during the 14th Five-Year Plan period, noting that the industry had embraced rapid advances in information technology to spread mainstream values, enrich cultural life, and contribute to economic and social development. Looking ahead to the 15th Five-Year Plan period, she outlined four priorities: expanding the scale and quality of online audiovisual content, promoting the development of high-quality productions, deepening the application of artificial intelligence, and strengthening international communication.

The opening ceremony also saw the release of a research report by the China Netcasting Services Association and the launch of a support plan for high-quality micro-dramas, along with a themed micro-drama creation campaign themed on the Long March.

Now in its 13th year, the conference has grown into the highest-profile annual event in China's online audiovisual industry. This year's edition attracted more than 12,000 attendees from over 4,000 organizations, including government regulators, internet platforms, broadcasters, content producers, universities, and media outlets.

(Web editor: Liang Jun, Hongyu)
The company welcomes dismissal of the case after maintaining its innocence for more than a year

HYDERABAD, India, April 16, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Vasudha Pharma Chem Limited ("Vasudha" or the "Company"), a leading pharmaceutical bulk drug and intermediate manufacturing company, announced today that on March 26, 2026, it entered into a Non-Prosecution Agreement (the "Agreement") with the U.S. Department of Justice ("DOJ"). All charges previously brought against Vasudha were dismissed, the Company was not found guilty of any crime, and there are no longer any outstanding criminal or civil charges against the Company. Vasudha has maintained its innocence from the beginning.

"All of us at Vasudha welcome the resolution of this matter," said M Ashok Srinivas Raju, Executive Director. "We are a family of dedicated chemists, chemical engineers, and scientists, and every employee at this company is committed to the responsible and ethical creation of critical pharmaceutical products that help medical patients around the world."

Anand Mantena, Executive Director, added, "We are very pleased that all charges have been dropped against the company, and that this issue is now resolved. We are back to business as usual and look forward to continuing to serve our customers with the highest degree of care."

The DOJ recognized that the Company has no prior criminal history or history of regulatory actions against it and credited Vasudha for its cooperation with the investigation. Vasudha, for its part, has already enhanced its compliance program and internal controls, and has committed to making future enhancements.

"We are pleased that the DOJ agreed to dismiss all charges against Vasudha," said Glen McGorty, former federal prosecutor in the Southern District of New York and Managing Partner of leading international law firm Crowell & Moring's New York City office. "Vasudha has acted with dignity and total transparency with the DOJ, and we are proud to have represented them and to have achieved such a positive result."

Vasudha Pharma Chem Limited

Vasudha is a well-established, community-oriented, family-owned company that has operated in the pharmaceutical industry with a clean record for over thirty years. The Company proudly serves customers in over 90 countries including multinational corporations and pharmaceutical companies in the United States, Europe, and LATAM. Vasudha's facilities are accredited by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and equivalent agencies in Europe, Japan, and Brazil, and the Company maintains a strong, cooperative relationship with the Central Bureau of Narcotics in India.

The company employs more than 4,000 employees and contractors and has been identified among the top 5% of Indian companies by the Ministry of Corporate Affairs, Government of India for its "excess" Corporate Social Responsibility expenditures (spending more than required on social responsibility measures). Along with its long-recognized dedication to its employees and work culture, Vasudha is a profoundly charitable company, which has pledged 30% of its wealth to philanthropic activities through the founding family's charitable foundation, VRVV Family Vasudha Foundation.

SOURCE Vasudha Pharma Chem Limited
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Principe, Democratic Republic of Saudi Arabia, Kingdom of Senegal, Republic of Serbia and Montenegro Seychelles, Republic of Sierra Leone, Republic of Singapore, Republic of Slovakia (Slovak Republic) Slovenia Solomon Islands Somalia, Somali Republic South Africa, Republic of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands Spain, Spanish State Sri Lanka, Democratic Socialist Republic of St. Helena St. Kitts and Nevis St. Lucia St. Pierre and Miquelon St. Vincent and the Grenadines Sudan, Democratic Republic of the Suriname, Republic of Svalbard & Jan Mayen Islands Swaziland, Kingdom of Sweden, Kingdom of Switzerland, Swiss Confederation Syrian Arab Republic Taiwan, Province of China Tajikistan Tanzania, United Republic of Thailand, Kingdom of Timor-Leste, Democratic Republic of Togo, Togolese Republic Tokelau (Tokelau Islands) Tonga, Kingdom of Trinidad and Tobago, Republic of Tunisia, Republic of Turkey, Republic of Turkmenistan Turks and Caicos Islands Tuvalu Uganda, Republic of Ukraine United Arab Emirates United Kingdom of Great Britain & N. Ireland Uruguay, Eastern Republic of Uzbekistan Vanuatu Venezuela, Bolivarian Republic of Viet Nam, Socialist Republic of Wallis and Futuna Islands Western Sahara Yemen Zambia, Republic of Zimbabwe
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla., April 16, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- To strengthen communities across Florida as the nation approaches its 250th anniversary, the Duke Energy Foundation is awarding $22,500 to five nonprofit organizations through its America250 initiative. The grants are part of a firstround investment totaling more than $250,000 across the company's sixstate service area.

High-impact investments:

The Citizens of Gulf County Recovery Team is preserving affordable housing for Gulf County residents. On 10 lots donated by the Gulf County Board of County Commissioners, the organization is building homes that, while valued at $450,000, will be offered to eligible buyers  prioritizing county and city employees, first responders, health care workers and educators  with a mortgage of approximately $250,000 (considering the donated lot and other subsidies). The $5,000 grant from the Duke Energy Foundation will help offset the cost of purchasing energy efficient appliances for each home.





is preserving affordable housing for Gulf County residents. On 10 lots donated by the Gulf County Board of County Commissioners, the organization is building homes that, while valued at $450,000, will be offered to eligible buyers  prioritizing county and city employees, first responders, health care workers and educators  with a mortgage of approximately $250,000 (considering the donated lot and other subsidies). The $5,000 grant from the Duke Energy Foundation will help offset the cost of purchasing energy efficient appliances for each home. With $5,000 from the Duke Energy Foundation, the Foundation for Parks & Recreation Community Support will build an ADA-compliant dune walkover boardwalk at Sunset Park in Mexico Beach. The boardwalk will provide safe, sustainable access over the existing dune system, allowing both local residents and visitors with mobility challenges to reach the shoreline without impacting the dunes' integrity or role as a natural storm buffer.



will build an ADA-compliant dune walkover boardwalk at Sunset Park in Mexico Beach. The boardwalk will provide safe, sustainable access over the existing dune system, allowing both local residents and visitors with mobility challenges to reach the shoreline without impacting the dunes' integrity or role as a natural storm buffer. The Jefferson County Historical Association will use $5,000 from the Duke Energy Foundation to transform the City of Monticello into a "living celebration of American independence" leading up to and on the Fourth of July. The observance will include a Tribute to the Troops concert, a fireworks display and other immersive, multi-generational activities.





will use $5,000 from the Duke Energy Foundation to transform the City of Monticello into a "living celebration of American independence" leading up to and on the Fourth of July. The observance will include a concert, a fireworks display and other immersive, multi-generational activities. A $2,500 award from the Duke Energy Foundation will allow Keep Alachua County Beautiful to participate in the nation's largest community improvement program, the Great American Cleanup. Conducted over a two-month period from April through May, the program will mobilize volunteers to clean public spaces, address illegal dumping and promote greater awareness around waste reduction and responsible disposal.





to participate in the nation's largest community improvement program, the Great American Cleanup. Conducted over a two-month period from April through May, the program will mobilize volunteers to clean public spaces, address illegal dumping and promote greater awareness around waste reduction and responsible disposal. The All Veterans Center in Polk County will provide nearly 1,000 hot meals for veterans and their families at two separate events, one in the spring and another at the end of the year, using $5,000 from the Duke Energy Foundation to purchase food.

Positive response:

Kathy Gilbert, Citizens of Gulf County Recovery Team executive director: "We are grateful for Duke Energy's support. Safe and affordable housing for our citizens takes commitment from the public, corporate and government sectors. It lies at the core of a healthy, sustainable community. Duke Energy knows that and their generosity means a great deal to a great many."





"We are grateful for Duke Energy's support. Safe and affordable housing for our citizens takes commitment from the public, corporate and government sectors. It lies at the core of a healthy, sustainable community. Duke Energy knows that and their generosity means a great deal to a great many." Kimberly Shoaf, Foundation for Parks & Recreation Community Support vice president: "The partnership between Duke Energy and PARCs to assist in providing an ADA-compliant walkover in Mexico Beach is a testament to strong community support. We appreciate Duke Energy's continued investment in the communities they serve and their role in helping create accessibility for all."





"The partnership between Duke Energy and PARCs to assist in providing an ADA-compliant walkover in Mexico Beach is a testament to strong community support. We appreciate Duke Energy's continued investment in the communities they serve and their role in helping create accessibility for all." Claudette McRae, Jefferson County Historical Association treasurer: "Jefferson County enthusiastically anticipates partnering with Duke Energy to celebrate our nation's 250th anniversary. Duke Energy has always been a leader in our county and played an active role in its future growth."





"Jefferson County enthusiastically anticipates partnering with Duke Energy to celebrate our nation's 250th anniversary. Duke Energy has always been a leader in our county and played an active role in its future growth." Carlos Gonzalez, Keep Alachua County Beautiful executive director: "This investment directly strengthens our effort to build neighborhood pride, reduce blight and encourage long-term stewardship throughout Alachua County. We are truly grateful for Duke Energy's partnership and thank them for believing in our mission to create cleaner, greener and more vibrant communities."





"This investment directly strengthens our effort to build neighborhood pride, reduce blight and encourage long-term stewardship throughout Alachua County. We are truly grateful for Duke Energy's partnership and thank them for believing in our mission to create cleaner, greener and more vibrant communities." Harvey R. Engle, All Veterans Center chief operating officer: "We are afforded opportunities to provide special activities for our veterans through the kindness and generosity of community minded businesses such as Duke Energy. Thank you, Duke Energy, for your support and desire to be a part of our veteran care process."

More to come:

These grants represent the first announced awards under the Duke Energy Foundation's America250 initiative, a more than $1 million investment in communitydriven projects throughout the company's service territories to recognize America's 250th anniversary. Additional grant recipients will be announced later this spring, including support for veterans' workforce pathways and initiatives that expand access to history and civics education.

Duke Energy Foundation

The Duke Energy Foundation provides nearly $30 million annually in philanthropic support to meet the needs of communities where Duke Energy customers live and work. The Foundation is funded by Duke Energy shareholders.

Duke Energy Florida

Duke Energy Florida, a subsidiary of Duke Energy, owns 12,500 megawatts of energy capacity, supplying electricity to 2 million residential, commercial and industrial customers across a 13,000-square-mile service area in Florida.

Duke Energy

Duke Energy (NYSE: DUK), a Fortune 150 company headquartered in Charlotte, N.C., is one of America's largest energy holding companies. The company's electric utilities serve 8.7 million customers in North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Indiana, Ohio and Kentucky, and collectively own 55,700 megawatts of energy capacity. Its natural gas utilities serve 1.6 million customers in North Carolina, South Carolina, Ohio and Kentucky.

Duke Energy is executing an energy modernization strategy, keeping customer value at the forefront as it invests in electric grid upgrades and efficient generation resources to strengthen the system and serve growing energy needs.

More information is available at duke-energy.com. Follow Duke Energy on X, LinkedIn, Instagram, TikTok and Facebook for stories about the people and innovations powering its communities.

Contact: Aly Raschid

24-Hour: 800.559.3853

X: @DE_AlyRaschid

SOURCE Duke Energy
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An unassuming Midwestern mother accused of the cold case murder of an Iowa real estate agent could soon return to her hometown after a judge agreed to lower her bail.

Kristin Ramsey, 53, was charged with killing realtor Ashley Okland at a show home in West Des Moines, Iowa, in April 2011.

The mother-of-one vehemently denies the allegation and has pleaded not guilty to the first degree murder, with her arrest shaking her the small town of Woodward to its core.

Ramsey has remained behind bars since her arrest last month after her bail was set at an unprecedented amount of $2 million cash, but the amount has now been dramatically lowered to $500,000.

Ramsey can be released from that Dallas County Jail after she posts a $50,000 cash bail, the bond order said.

The defense petitioned to lower her bond, citing how her family background and lifelong commitment to the small town of Woodward make the risk of releasing her on bail non-existent.

Prosecutors claim Ramsey is a threat to the very community she professes to adore. They cited her marriage to her high school sweetheart Toby, her devoted parenting of son Tanner, and closeness to her parents, all of whom live locally.

Kristin Ramsey, with her son Tanner and husband Toby, could soon return to her family after an Iowa judge agreed to reduce her bail to $500,000

Ramsey was charged with killing realtor Ashley Okland, seen with her boyfriend Eric, at a show home in West Des Moines, Iowa in April 2011

Kristin Ramsey, appearing before a Dallas County judge on April 10, has pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder

The judge has ordered that she be confined to her $286,240 Woodward home under house arrest, pending trial.

Ramsey will be required to wear a GPS monitor, undergo random drug testing and surrendered all firearms from her home, the bond order said.

Prosecutors, in their filings arguing against a reduction in bail, alleged that Ramsey 'does not have a safe and law-abiding home to return to.'

When officials searched her home in May 2011, they found several firearms, illegal substances, drugs and violent posters inside, court filings stated.

Investigators found the same items at the residence when they executed a search warrant after her arrest of March 17 this year.

Okland, 27, was found dead with two gunshot wounds on April 8, 2011, inside a model townhome she was showcasing for Iowa Realty Co.

A woman living in the adjacent unit heard a commotion and dialed 911.

The realtor was transported to Iowa Methodist Medical Center in critical condition, where she later died.

Kristin Ramsey and her high school sweetheart Toby on their wedding day. The defense highlighted their happy marriage in its petition for bond reduction

Ramsey became overwhelmed with emotion during a court hearing last week in which her lawyers petitioned the judge to reduce her bond

On the day of the murder, Okland was showing a prospective buyer around a show home constructed by Rottlund Homes.

That is the same company where Ramsey was working as a sales manager.

Despite the killing taking place in broad daylight, the case went cold for years.

Prosecutors have filed disturbing court documents that shed some fresh light onto what the authorities say happened on the day of Okland's death.

But the defense argues there is 'minimally sufficient evidence' to indict Ramsey in a crime from 15 years ago.

Investigators have yet to offer any kind of motive for the killing.

They have not shared whether there were any interactions between Ramsey and Okland prior to the murder, or if there was any bad blood between the two women.

Defense lawyers acting on behalf of Ramsey have also highlighted two disturbing incidents that took place shortly after Okland's 2011 murder.

One key witness tried unsuccessfully to kill themselves.

Okland was shot twice in broad daylight inside this model townhome on April 8, 2011

A second individual - a man who worked alongside Okland - took his own life a few months later.

It is unclear if the attempted suicide was in any way linked to Okland's murder, although there is no suggestion of wrongdoing on that witness's part.

The sister of Okland's former coworker who died by suicide said he had been ruled out as a suspect.

The Daily Mail has approached Ramsey's attorneys for comment.

Prior attempts to reach the defendant's family were unsuccessful. The Okland family previously declined to speak to the press.
ARLINGTON, Va., April 16, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Eagle Hill Consulting today announces that it has earned the 2026 USA TODAY Top Workplaces award in the 150499 employees category. This marks yet another Top Workplaces recognition for Eagle Hill, an honor based solely on employee feedback.

"This recognition belongs to our employees," said Melissa Jezior, president and chief executive officer of Eagle Hill Consulting. "Our team's resilience, creativity, and dedication to one another are what define Eagle Hill. When you build a culture where people support each other and feel empowered to do their best work, that translates directly into the value we deliver to our clients. That connection between culture and performance is what enables Eagle Hill to consistently deliver meaningful results."

Eagle Hill also has earned top workplace and consulting awards from Forbes, The Washington Business Journal, and Vault.

The award honors organizations with 150 or more employees that have created exceptional, people-first cultures. This year, more than 42,000 organizations were invited to participate. Winners are recognized for their commitment to fostering workplace environments that prioritize employee listening and engagement.

Winners are selected based on employee feedback collected through a confidential survey conducted by Energage, the HR research and technology company that has administered the Top Workplaces program since 2006. Results are calculated from employee responses to statements measuring key drivers of engagement and performance. Energage surveyed 2,375 organizations, evaluating factors such as pay and benefits, direction and leadership, meaningfulness, and appreciation. Organizations earn Top Workplaces recognition if their aggregated employee feedback scores exceed national benchmarks.

Eagle Hill Consulting LLC is an award-winning business that provides unconventional management consulting services in the areas of Organizational Performance, Business Intelligence, Technology Enablement, Talent, and Change Management. The company's expertise in delivering innovative solutions to unique challenges spans across Fortune 500 companies, government agencies, and global nonprofits. Eagle Hill has offices in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area, Boston, MA, and Seattle, WA. More information is available at www.eaglehillconsulting.com.

SOURCE Eagle Hill Consulting LLC
For a party that claims a strong history of feminism, today's Labour has a sorry record.

Led by a Prime Minister who struggles to define what a woman is, they have been asleep at the wheel for the past year, failing to do the most basic part of their job to protect women's rights.

Last year's Supreme Court ruling clarified beyond all doubt that, in law, sex means biological sex. That means men are men and women are women. Most of us have known that all along  not least Kemi Badenoch, who has been a vocal critic of radical gender ideology for years.

The sad truth is Labour  and the Greens and Lib Dems, for that matter  are completely captured by the religion of diversity, which says a transgender person's right to not be offended trumps the rights of women to safety, dignity and privacy.

This is not just about toilets and changing rooms. It's about hospital wards, girls' sports, prisons, care homes, and even rape crisis centres.

For years Labour MPs have turned a blind eye to the women and girls who have suffered from having the needs of biological men placed above their own. Of course we should make provision for all, but provision does not mean open access.

We must have boundaries that protect women and girls from harm.

Labour has failed to do the most basic part of their job to protect women's rights, writes Conservative equalities spokesman Claire Coutinho

The Supreme Court ruling, brought about by the courageous grassroot activists For Women Scotland, was meant to put an end to this madness.

At the time Bridget Phillipson, the minister for women and equalities, said she accepted the ruling and pledged action to enforce it.

But in the 12 months since, she has done everything in her power to avoid doing anything. She has been sitting on guidance from the equalities watchdog since last September.

Who has been held accountable for the political witch-hunts started by the NHS against hardworking nurses who stated biological sex is real? No-one.

Who is making sure sexual predators are recorded accurately by sex? No-one.

Who is ensuring there are no biological men in women's prisons or on women's hospital wards? No-one.

At the very least, one year on, you would assume that the minister for equalities had ensured her own Government was compliant with the Supreme Court ruling.

Alas, after persistent questioning by the Conservatives, not a single government department could confirm that it was.

Cowardice, obfuscation, and a complete lack of grip. That is all the Labour Party has to offer women's rights.

Claire Coutinho is Shadow Minister for Equalities
Labours Wes Streeting is sometimes talked up as our next Prime Minister, presumably on the grounds that the prospect of either Ed Miliband or Angry Ginge Rayner getting the job when Starmer finally implodes is too awful to contemplate.

He has cultivated a reputation for straight-talking and, to be fair, isnt as evasive as most of his Cabinet colleagues.

No one thinks hes got an easy task turning round the NHS, but some of us might take issue with his idea of progress.

Streeting turned up on Nick Ferraris LBC phone-in taking questions from callers. He at least had the sense to admit that some listeners would be shouting at the radio because their experience of the health service fell well short of the gloss he was trying to peddle.

He hailed his achievement in cutting waiting times, but conceded there was more to do. You can say that again.

Apparently the NHS has come within a whisker of meeting its target of 65 per cent of patients being treated within 18 weeks. And what about the other 35pc?

Sorry, just run that by me again. There are more than seven million treatments outstanding and 18 weeks is nearly four and a half months.

That kind of delay could be fatal in many cases. Its not progress, its a national scandal, along with the near impossibility of getting a speedy GP appointment and the target reflects a paucity of ambition.

Health Secretary Wes Streeting has cultivated a reputation for straight-talking and, to be fair, isnt as evasive as most of his Cabinet colleagues

Wes was also keen to assure us that hes doing his own bit to cut waiting lists. Apparently, he was driving down the street when an ambulance came tearing along in the opposite direction. He pulled over for four seconds to let the ambulance pass, since theres no time to waste in a medical emergency.

Mind you, four seconds is neither here nor there if the ambulance has to queue up in the car park and despite Streetings optimism, one in 10 patients is still experiencing 12-hour waits before being admitted at A&E.

Wes is always keen to foster a straight kinda guy image, but those of us with longer memories recall hes also got a nasty streak, such as the time he said he wanted to push my colleague Jan Moir under a train because shed written something about a gay pop star to which he had taken exception.

Still, at least Streeting answers questions even if some of those answers are unconvincing. The same cant be said of Surkeir, who takes any attempt to get him to explain himself as a personal affront, as evidenced by his petulant response to the Speaker who had to remind him yet again that the whole point of Prime Ministers Questions is to, er, get the Prime Minister to answer questions.

Starmer arrogantly ignores questions from Kemi Badenoch, and either sticks to a lame script, or starts shouting about Liz Truss, who was PM for about ten minutes the best part of four years ago.

We now discover that he misled the House three times about Peter Mandelsons security vetting. Then, again Ive previously described him as a complete and utter lawyer. His oft-repeated achievements are utterly worthless and disingenuous. After being roundly condemned by the respected former Labour Defence Secretary and Nato leader George Robertson, Starmer spluttered about raising spending on the military from 2.3 per cent of GDP to 2.6 per cent  even though its woefully inadequate and hasnt actually materialised yet.

If and when the 3pc target is ever hit some time in the next decade, itll be too little, too late and Starmer will be long gone, his one undeniable achievement being to have left Britain defenceless.

Mind you next to his hapless Chancellor, Surkeir can occasionally seem to be a pillar of honesty and rectitude. Rachel From Complaints was at it again this week, trying to pretend that she had created the fastest growing economy in the G7  a ludicrous boast instantly demolished by the IMF, which said Britain was the worst equipped country to cope with the fall out from the Iran war.

What she has actually done is lumber us with the fastest-growing tax increases, the fastest-growing energy bills, the fastest-growing welfare burden, the fastest-growing youth unemployment numbers and record pub and restaurant bankruptcies.

All of this, predictably, she is trying to blame on Trump  despite the fact that shed turned the British economy into a basket case long before the first bombs fell on Tehran.

From the NHS to defence spending, Net Zero cutting our energy bills, and the record numbers of illegals crossing the Channel, this dreadful, clueless, incompetent government is trying to take us for fools, palming us off with everything from misleading exaggerations to shameless spin and downright lies.

How stupid do they think we are?

Rewilding is all the rage these days, encouraged by environmentalists and animal rights enthusiasts.

I seem to remember that last year there was a crackpot scheme to reintroduce some wolves to the Scottish Highlands.

That fell at the first hurdle after farmers warned of the dangers to sheep and deer  never mind tourists who might wander off-piste after a couple of drams.

Now conservationists have come up with a plan to reintroduce the golden eagle to England.

The birds became virtually extinct 300 years ago and only a few pairs have been spotted since. The Government is pledging 1 million to bring them back. Once again, farmers are up in arms.

Struggling with rocketing fuel and fertiliser bills and Labours vindictive death tax, they fear the birds, which have an eight-foot wingspan, could carry off their sheep, not to mention small children.

Farms are already having to cope with attacks on livestock and sheepdogs by white-tailed sea eagles.

The return of the golden version would present another headache, although it would give Clarkson something else to shoot down at Diddly Squat.

And on that bombshell, Gary its over to you...

Speaking of animal rights fanatics, I loved the story about the madwoman who freed a crayfish from a restaurant in Weymouth, where it wasnt even on the menu, just there for educational purposes.

She put it in the sea, where it hasnt been seen since and is believed to have frozen to death.

Steamed with home-made mayo and chips would have been a more dignified end.

Credit where its due to the BBC for exposing the crooked lawyers and advisers helping migrants to gain asylum by pretending to be gay  even though it merely confirmed the similar findings of a Daily Mail investigation in 2023. Pretending to be homosexual in order to avoid deportation has long been an open secret.

The Government now says it will give a one-way ticket out to any migrants found to be lying about their sexuality. Believe that when you see it, once the yuman rights courts get in on the act. An anonymous Brazilian, who came here three years ago on a tourist visa and was then arrested for overstaying has just won his appeal against being sent back. He argued that his life would be in danger in Brazil because hed had an affair with the ex-wife of a drugs cartel gangster. Why is that our problem?

Still, never mind kicking out bogus gays. We cant even deport heterosexuals these days.
Democrats are shocked  shocked  to find that skeevy Congressman Eric Swalwell is an accused pervert and worse!

Right but did they know there's gambling at Rick's Cafe Americain?

Nearly all of lefty Washington is singing the same sketchy tune after Eager Eric quit the House and dropped his California gubernatorial bid under a wretched cloud of allegations, including claims he sent picture of his junior member to an unsuspecting aide, propositioned an intern  and allegedly sexual assaulted two other women.

One woman says she was drugged, choked and raped. Another claims he forced himself on her twice when she was too drunk to consent.

Swalwell is now the subject of sex crime investigations in Los Angeles and New York and has apologized for 'mistakes in judgement' but he's denied all wrongdoing.

So, what do Swolwell-besties in Congress have to do say?

Arizona Senator Ruben Gallego was twitching like a dopesick meth addict on Tuesday, admitting he heard 'rumors' that his buddy was 'just a flirty social guy.'

'The man lived a double life,' claims Gallego, who says he was 'betrayed' by his friend.

Democrats are shocked  shocked  to find that skeevy Congressman Eric Swalwell is an accused pervert and worse!

Arizona Senator Ruben Gallego (right) was twitching like a dopesick meth addict on Tuesday, admitting he heard 'rumors' that his buddy was 'just a flirty social guy' (Pictured: Swalwell and Gallego on a trip to Qatar paid for by a private business group)

Here's a tip, fella: when a married, 45-year-old elected official with three children is described as 'flirty,' that's when you start asking questions  not starting booking family vacations together.

California's Ro Khanna says he had heard that Swalwell was cheating on his wife, but apparently that nasty bit of opposition research never made it to Nancy Pelosi, who had thrown her power suit of protection over the rising (in more ways than one) Democratic star.

Pelosi, whom Swalwell called his 'work mom,' says this was all news to her.

Spare us, Nancy. Gossip is Washington DC's biggest commodity. Are we really to believe that of all the legs this creep allegedly rubbed and all the late-night Snapchats he allegedly fired off to Congressional interns and staffers that no one knew?

Are we to believe that Pelosi, who had a death grip on her caucus, had no idea this idiot was the ultimate congressional creep?

I have an easier time believing Kamala Harris has never sipped a glass of Chardonnay than Queen Nancy was ignorant of this Trump-deranged cad's unchecked impulses.

Swalwell was often referred to as 'one of Pelosi's boys' as he was ascending through the California machine under the protection of state's political mob boss. The former House Speaker even helped Swalwell avoid getting booted off the House Intelligence Committee in 2020 after he was exposed for close ties to a sensual suspected Chinese spy named Fang Fang. (Maybe, we should reexamine that one?)

Why then did Swalwell seemingly get away with so much, if true, for so long?

Well, because he was the Democrats' unleashed attack dog. He never got any significant legislation passed. And despite his prosecutorial past, he was a below average interlocutor, always looking for a fight, often tongue-tied and hardly original.

Swalwell is an inept mediocrity wrapped in a perpetual 5 o'clock shadow whose sole job was to lob bombs at the Big Orange Monster and lecture America about 'believing all women.'

When a married, 45-year-old elected official with three children is described as 'flirty,' that's when you start asking questions  not starting booking family vacations together (Pictured: Swalwell and wife Brittany Watts)

Lonna Drewes (above, left) says she was drugged, choked and raped. Another accuser claims he forced himself on her twice when she was too drunk to consent

In fact, he reminds me of another former lefty-hero who turned out to be a sleaze ball crook by the name of Michael Avenatti, former Stormy Daniels lawyer.

Avenatti was on the short-list to be the Democratic presidential nominee - until it turned out that he was ripping off his clients.

Let it be known that Swalwell always gave me the willies. I even flipped him off once while we were passing on an escalator at Newark airport. Then we boarded the same flight  and he sat in First Class! I sure hope the taxpayers weren't footing that bill for his lie-flat seat.

Perhaps Eric managed to get away with this behavior, if true, for so long because the halls of Congress are packed with tail chasers, who treat their respective offices like Motley Crue dressing rooms in 1988.

Believe me - I've seen enough bad behavior to start a newsletter.

The one that always stands out to me is Connecticut Democratic Senator Chris Murphy. I've written about this before, but several years ago, I was in a hotel bar in midtown Manhattan with a few friends when we spotted the then-married senator at a corner table.

He was whispering so close to the lips of a hot young blonde, who wasn't his wife, that their foreheads were practically touching. As the bar closed, Murphy headed for the elevators. Moments later, this companion scurried over to the elevators, too. There's no way for me to know what happened next, but Murphy separated from his wife later that year.

Then, there's Republican Adam 'The Zinger' Kinzinger. In his defense, The Zinger was single at the time, but he shamelessly dated one conservative female journalist after another  and they all knew each other!

Several years ago, I was in a hotel bar in midtown Manhattan with a few friends when we spotted the then-married senator, Chris Murphy, at a corner table

Swalwell reminds me of another former lefty-hero who turned out to be a sleaze ball crook by the name of Michael Avenatti (pictured)

In his defense, Adam 'The Zinger' Kinzinger was single at the time, but he shamelessly dated one conservative female journalist after another

Indeed, scoundrels are not unique to the Democrat brand. Republican Representative Tony Gonzales, whose messy affair with a staffer ended in her tragic suicide, resigned the same day as Swalwell.

Could Swalwell's colleagues have known he was an accused rapist? I can't believe that's true. But I sure as heck personally believe that his line-crossing was an 'open secret.'

The problem for this Icky Icarus is that he flew too close to the sun. Running for governor in California put him on a collision course with fellow Democrats who now had a reason to spill the beans  and, it seems to me, that they must have.

Now he's finding out the hard way that as fast as the petty hate machine can build you up, it can tear you apart, limb from limb.

I have a feeling his next lie-flat bed will be in prison.
Downing Street is asking the British people to swallow quite implausible claims as the saga of Peter Mandelson becomes even murkier.

The Government insisted on Thursday that neither Keir Starmer nor any of his ministers knew Mandelson failed vetting procedures before his appointment as Britain's ambassador to Washington DC.

Ministers were also completely in the dark, it is claimed, about the fact that Foreign Office officials decided to overrule such an important vetting verdict.

That outcome cleared the way for Mandelson to take up his plum diplomatic role, despite well-known concerns over his long friendship with the convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein.

Can it really be true that civil servants kept the security services' conclusions from the Prime Minister? Why would senior officials risk such secretive steps?

They would have known that doing so would be not only a dereliction of duty but also a potential national security risk.

The Government's version of events appears to be an almost inconceivable tall tale. We need to know with urgency whether it is the whole, unexpurgated truth, or whether Mandelson was granted vetted status on a 'nod and a wink' by someone else, somewhere in government.

The Conservatives, Reform and the Liberal Democrats have all called for the Prime Minister's resignation. And Labour's Dame Emily Thornberry, chairman of the foreign affairs select committee, was one of the first in her party to stick the boot in on Thursday night.

The Government insisted on Thursday that neither Keir Starmer nor any of his ministers knew Mandelson failed vetting procedures before his appointment as Britain's ambassador to Washington DC

She asked who overrode the vetting concerns, why MPs had been 'kept in the dark' and added: 'People need to stop messing us about and tell us the truth.'

Throughout this sorry affair, Sir Keir has been slippery and disingenuous.

If these latest revelations prove anything less than truthful, he will have no choice but to resign in disgrace.

Lost opportunity

Despite his barely concealed leadership ambitions, Wes Streeting has missed an opportunity to appear prime ministerial.

When the Health Secretary was asked on Thursday whether he supported diverting funds from the soaring welfare bill to the under-funded Ministry of Defence, he could only summon the courage to go halfway.

His remarks gave the appearance of backing this obvious solution to the terrible state of Britain's military, without actually advocating it explicitly.

What he should have done, of course, was to give a resounding 'Yes' to the question of whether Labour needs to take a hard look at the way it spends taxpayers' money.

There will be no meaningful revision of these warped priorities under Sir Keir's gutless leadership. And on the evidence of his remarks, Mr Streeting also lacks the backbone to speak the obvious truth.

Green light for liars

An investigation by the BBC exposed how crooked legal advisers encourage migrants to pretend to be either gay or victims of domestic violence to claim asylum.

Rather than accepting the reports as vital further evidence of a corrupt system, the Green Party castigated the broadcaster for 'heightening the hostile environment facing those claiming asylum'.

If the Greens were to get anywhere near the corridors of power, the pro-immigration lobby would seize upon such naivety  and Britain's derisory border controls would be even worse than they are now.
It started with a weakness in the hands. At the time, Erin Taylor, then a college student in her early 20s, blamed the seemingly harmless, one-off ailment on studying too much and skipping her usual workouts.

But several months later, she began to notice that her voice sounded different. Her entire body felt stiff and her muscles had weakened, causing her walking to slow down. Still, she blamed the changes on her lack of exercise.

'I just thought it was weakness, so I joined a CrossFit gym to get back into condition,' she told the Daily Mail. 'I could never figure out why I wasn't getting stronger. Everything I tried just failed... and my walking slowed way down; one day I thought to myself, "I wonder if I can still run," so I tried and my body wouldn't do it.'

In 2023, about a year after her initial symptoms, Taylor finally went to the doctor at her mother's urging. Testing showed she had sporadic limb-onset ALS, a fatal neurodegenerative disease affecting around 35,000 Americans, including Grey's Anatomy and Euphoria actor Eric Dane, who died in February at 53, just one year after being diagnosed.

'It's weird because I was actually diagnosed with ALS almost immediately,' Taylor, now 26, said. 'I had no inkling that my little hand weakness and twitching and voice issues were fatal.'

Despite her devasting diagnosis, Taylor was able to graduate college. But soon after, her condition worsened.

Taylor was 23 years old and just out of school when she became trapped in her own body. On top of her slow decline in mobility, she gradually lost her ability to communicate.

'My muscles are dying one by one, and so now I'm at the point where anything I try to do with my arms, hands or legs just doesn't happen,' she said. 'I look down at my limbs like they are strangers to me.'

Erin Taylor was diagnosed with ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig's disease, in 2023. The fatal neurodegenerative disease affects about 35,000 Americans, including actor Eric Dane, who died at 53 in February

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ALS - also known as Lou Gehrig's disease - causes nerve cells that connect the brain and muscles to slowly die and stop working.

The brain can no longer send signals to muscles to move, leading to muscle wasting, paralysis and the loss of speech, swallowing and breathing.

Now, a once-aspiring botanist, Taylor has gone from hiking and doing fieldwork to being confined to a wheelchair, unable to feed or bathe herself. She is completely reliant on her mother.

Doctors have given her a life expectancy of just 28 years old.

'The doctors don't really know [how long I'll live],' she said, adding that her prognosis is based on 'an average of how long people generally live.'

'I was told that young people like myself tend to live longer, and I hope that's the case,' Taylor continued.

'But I know that I'm further progressed than a lot of other people, and I'm younger than all of them.'

About 90 percent of ALS cases are sporadic, meaning the patient has no family history of the disease. Only five to ten percent of cases are hereditary.

Taylor's was one of those sporadic cases. She had no prior reference for the disease.

'The moment I heard it was a big question mark,' she said. 'What the heck is ALS? I had never heard of it.'

The aspiring botanist went from hiking and doing fieldwork to a wheelchair, unable to feed or bathe herself. She is fully dependent on her mother

Taylor had no inkling that her hand weakness, twitching and voice issues were fatal. Now, her muscles are dying one by one and her limbs feel like 'strangers'

By just a few months post-graduation, Taylor's condition had worsened to the point that she could no longer hold her job as a field botanist - she was unable to lift and carry heavy loads like she could when she was first hired.

She then had to move back home with her mother. Having lived on her own since 17, Taylor struggled to give up her independence. She described leaving her friends behind as 'gut-wrenching.'

'Someone has to brush my teeth, prepare food and feed me,' she said. 'I also have to be showered and dressed.

'It's insanely frustrating to be reliant on someone else to remove an eyelash from my eye, or find a hair that's fallen across my face.'

Of all her hardships, she misses her ability to speak the most - something she now does with eye-movement detection by a computer.

'No one realizes how powerful the ability to communicate is until it's gone,' Taylor said. 'I'm at the point where I can't really convey my thoughts out loud anymore. If I do speak, I choose very simple words to say, and most people ask me to repeat myself.'

Instead, Taylor uses eye-gaze technology, a camera-based system that tracks where a person is looking on a screen.

By staring at a specific letter, word or icon for a fraction of a second, the person can 'type' out sentences, speak through a computerized voice, control a wheelchair, turn on lights or browse the internet.

She also uses a personal AI avatar - a digital, realistic likeness of the person on a screen that is powered by artificial intelligence.

Last year, Dane revealed he had dismissed an early symptom of ALS - weakness in his right thumb. 'I started experiencing weakness in my right hand and didn't think anything of it,' he said on Good Morning America

Taylor uses an AI avatar that looks and sounds like her. Using eye-gaze to type, the avatar speaks in her original voice with expressions and lip-sync, allowing emotional, human communication rather than a robotic voice

Taylor types words using eye-gaze and the avatar that looks like her speaks those words out loud in a voice that sounds like her original voice - before ALS affected her speech.

The avatar can also show facial expressions, like a smile or a sad look, and move its lips in sync with the words.

This allows Taylor to communicate with emotion and personality, rather than sounding like a generic robot.

'Strangers think I'm illiterate or mentally handicapped, and nothing is further from the truth,' Taylor said. 'I'm just as intelligent as I've always been, and I'm not in any pain. But I'm locked away in this body that is failing me because of this disease.'

Driven to spread awareness about ALS, Taylor now devotes her time online to educating people through her Instagram account, @unsteadyandready.

Her efforts focus on pushing assistive technology developers to make a scalable, barrier-free worldwide solution for those who can no longer speak.

'Not only am I an advocate, and use [the] technology to give speeches and interviews,' she said, 'but I've been in a race car, I've been skydiving and paragliding, I've traveled extensively and hiked - all after I was diagnosed.

'If by posting my story I make even the tiniest dent in this disease by either reach or inspiration, I will feel like my life wasn't wasted.'
Vulnerable dementia patients are being cared for by staff with as little as one hour of training, a major study has warned.

Around 70 per cent of care home residents are living with the condition, yet many workers receive only the most basic preparation.

Experts say the shortfall is leaving workers 'unprepared and unsupported', with serious consequences for the quality and safety of care.

The findings, from research commissioned by Alzheimer's Society and led by the Centre for Dementia Research alongside IFF Research, show that half of all dementia training courses last just one to two hours.

More than a third of staff lack a basic understanding of dementia, while just 52 per cent feel 'very competent' supporting those with the condition.

Around one million people in the UK are living with dementia  a figure expected to rise to 1.4 million by 2040  yet only 55 per cent of care staff in England have received any dementia-specific training.

Only 39 per cent of courses meet recommended levels, and fewer than half of staff receive dementia training during their induction.

A striking 81 per cent of care workers said they want more dementia training, as the charity calls for it to be made mandatory.

Everyone experiences dementia differently. Use this checklist to help you make a note of your symptoms before you talk to your GP. Symptom Checklist

Experts say the lack of proper training is leaving workers 'unprepared and unsupported'

Your browser does not support iframes.

Michelle Dyson, chief executive of Alzheimer's Society, said: 'One hour of dementia training doesn't even scratch the surface.

'Anything less than comprehensive training leaves care workers unprepared, coping with situations they have not been equipped for, which can put people with dementia at risk of inadequate care.

'Baristas can receive more training to make great coffee than care workers receive to provide dementia care.

'Care staff want and deserve better  they need training which gives them the skills and confidence to deliver the best possible care.

'Without high-quality dementia training, social care will remain dangerously inconsistent, leaving families unsure whether loved ones will be supported with dignity and expertise.

'We need to close the training gap  with better dementia care, everyone benefits. It is crucial that the UK Government includes a requirement for all relevant adult social care workers in its dementia plan.'

Joanne, a care worker who also cared for her father with Alzheimer's, said staff often lacked vital skills.

She said: 'There are often assumptions about what carers 'should' do and ignorance around how dementia affects people.

'They did not provide reassurance when he was agitated  he was treated like a child.

'If people understood the condition more, good dementia care could be much more easily replicated.'

It comes after a major win for the Daily Mail's Defeating Dementia campaign, which will see thousands of patients fast-tracked onto clinical trials.

More than 15,500 people aged 65 to 75 have been invited to join the Dementia Trials Accelerator, aimed at speeding up the search for new treatments.

Recruitment remains a major barrier, with just 173 patients in England enrolled in late-stage trials in 202425 through the NIHR Research Delivery Network  far fewer than for other major diseases.

There is currently no cure for dementia, which claims 76,000 lives a year in the UK.
Spending more on artisan bread may not buy you a healthier loaf  with analysis showing some of the cheapest supermarket options come out on top.

Consumer group Which? found that budget wholemeal breads can outperform more expensive rye and malted loaves, with some costing as little as 59p ranking among the most nutritionally balanced.

The findings challenge the common belief that higher price equals higher quality when it comes to bread.

After studying 60 loaves across wholemeal, malted, seeded, blended and rye varieties, the consumer experts stressed that shoppers should not assume a higher price means a healthier option.

Using the 2004 Nutrient Profiling Model (NPM)  a system developed by the Food Standards Agency  each loaf's nutritional value was assessed in detail before being scored out of 100.

Breads were marked up for beneficial nutrients such as fibre and protein, and marked down for sugar, saturated fat and calories.

Among the standout performers was Aldi's Village Bakery Medium Wholemeal, priced at just 59p per loaf.

It contains 7.9g of fibre per 100g, alongside 10.6g of protein, just 2.5g of sugar and less than a gram of salt  giving it one of the strongest overall nutritional profiles in the test.

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While all of the loaves analysed passed the 'healthy' threshold score of 62, there was a significant gap between the best and worst rated.

Aldi's top-performing loaf scored around ten points higher than the lowest-ranked bread in the study.

That title fell to Biona Organic's Original Rye Bread which, despite its 3.10 price tag, came bottom of the rankings.

Although it contained 10g of fibre per 100g, it had the lowest protein content of all 60 breads tested at just 4.2g, alongside 1.13g of salt and 3.7g of sugar.

This made it among the saltiest loaves analysed, while also being one of the most calorific.

Despite scoring 70  meaning it still met the criteria for a 'healthy' product  it ranked last overall due to its poorer nutritional balance compared with cheaper supermarket alternatives.

Commenting on the findings, nutritionist Shefalee Loth said: 'Our analysis sends a powerful message to shoppers: you don't need to pay a premium to get a nutritionally superior loaf.

'In fact, some more expensive breads may even be less healthy than budget wholemeal supermarket versions that cost a fraction of the price.

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'Choosing 100 per cent wholemeal guarantees bread naturally richer in B-vitamins, magnesium and iron, providing essential fibre and protein for lasting satiety.

'For those not keen on wholemeal, our findings show that a blended loaf could provide a significant nutritional boost without compromising on the flavour of a white loaf.'

In total, 13 breads achieved the highest score of 80 in the analysis  making them the most nutritionally balanced options on supermarket shelves according to the NPM model.

All but one of the top-scoring breads were wholemeal, with Hovis's 'Best of Both' the only blended loaf to feature among the healthiest options.

Hovis also appeared with its Wholemeal Medium loaf, while Warburtons was the other major brand to feature among the highest scorers.

The remainder of the top-ranking breads were dominated by supermarket own-label products from Co-op, Lidl, Morrisons, M&S, Ocado, Waitrose and Sainsbury's.

Iceland's The Daily Bakery malted bloomer also secured a place among the best performers, thanks to its relatively low sugar and salt levels.

However, both major brands and budget supermarkets also appeared further down the rankings.

Hovis's Medium Sliced Granary scored just 72, with the bread marked down for its relatively low fibre content of 3.7g per 100g.

M&S's Only 4 Ingredients Wholegrain Sliced Rye received the same score.

Aldi also featured among the least healthy options, with its blended Both in One Medium and Village Bakery Classic Malted Bloomer both ranking near the bottom.

Biona, which took the lowest spot overall, appeared twice more among the lower-ranked loaves with its Organic Rye Bread with Sprouted Seeds and Pumpernickel Rye, both scoring 74.

Other higher-priced brands  including Allinson's, Black Sheep and Schneider  also featured among the less healthy options.

Meanwhile, popular loaves from Warburtons, including its Half & Half and Original Seeded Batch, were also marked down.

Supermarket options from Morrisons and Tesco appeared too, alongside Wildfarmed's Sliced Seeded, which rounded off the list of loaves that fell short on nutritional balance.
One in ten online pharmacies have had their websites 'cloned' by criminals selling counterfeit weight-loss jabs, an alarming investigation has revealed.

Almost half of pharmacists surveyed by the National Pharmacy Association said they had encountered patients who had unknowingly bought fake fat-busting jabs through these illegal services in the last year.

They urged patients to be 'wary' of chemists offering the now household jabs like Wegovy and Mounjaro - which start at around 80 a month - at prices that are 'too good to be true.'

It added that social media companies need to 'wake up and do more' to protect people against the potential dangers posed by counterfeit versions of the drugs.

The body, which represents 6,000 pharmacies across Britain, is now calling on the Government to implement stronger safeguards for patients.

Sehar Shahid, board member at the NPA said: 'I know first hand how distressing it is to see criminals posing as regulated pharmacists to try and trick patients into buying counterfeit medicines.

'Medicines from unregulated providers maybe faked, swapped for an alternative medicine or not meet the strict regulatory standards we have in the UK,' she added.

Their call comes amid a growing number of reports of people being hospitalised and even dying after unknowingly buying counterfeit versions of the popular but costly drugs, either through social media or fake online pharmacies.

Experts have repeatedly warned against buying the jabs on social media and to be aware of scam online retailers posing as pharmacies, over fears they may be selling contaminated versions of the blockbuster injections

One pharmacy only discovered their website had been cloned after being contacted by a patient who had bought a fake version of Mounjaro - which can cost between 129 to 319 per four-week pen - from a site posing as their pharmacy.

The drug was on sale for a quarter of the price.

The fake pharmacy had even copied the Care Quality Commission's logo.

Nearly all of the one hundred online pharmacies surveyed who reported these instances to social media companies said they felt the response was insufficient.

The NPA are now calling for stricter guidelines, asking the Government to consider allowing pharmacies to use a specific domain name - such as pharmacy.uk - to help patients identify legitimate providers.

Shahid added: 'We need tougher enforcement action and the Government should put stronger safeguard in place to help patients clearly identify regulated providers online.'

It comes after Northamptonshire Police carried out a raid to bust the 'sophisticated criminal enterprise' of counterfeit weight loss jabs.

The operation in Northampton led to the largest single seizure of trafficked weight loss drugs ever recorded by law enforcement workers worldwide - worth around 250,000.

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In February this year, almost 2,000 doses of fake weight loss medications were seized from two properties in Lincolnshire and Nottingham just hours before they were due to be dispatched to unsuspecting customers.

At the time Dr Zubir Ahmed, Health Innovation and Patient Safety Minister, said: 'Do not buy weight-loss medicines from unregulated sources.

'These medicines are made with no regard for safety and pose serious risks. We will not allow criminals to profit by exploiting people looking for help with their weight.

'Safe, effective, licensed treatments can make a real difference for those who need them - but they must come from a registered pharmacy, with a valid prescription.'

Possible signs that your weight-loss medication is fake include redness, swelling or warmth at the injection site, pain or discomfort, fluid leakage and a mild fever, fatigue and a sore throat.

Among other concerns, the Medicines and Healthcare Products Agency (MHRA) has warned fake jabs carry the risk of allergic reaction that could pose a danger to health, or even death.

Under current NHS rules, only patients with a BMI over 35 and a weight-related health condition  or those with a BMI between 30 and 34.9 referred to specialist services  should receive the drugs.

An estimated 2.5 million people are taking weight-loss drugs in the UK but severe rationing by the NHS means the vast majority are forced to buy them privately.
Vaping can cause cancer, say researchers  but still isn't as damaging as smoking cigarettes.

More than 5.5 million Britons currently use e-cigarettes, which have long been viewed as a safer alternative to smoking.

The gadgets have previously been championed by the health service as part of a broader anti-smoking drive.

In 2023, the Conservative government even pledged to hand vapes out to more than one million Britons.

But a growing body of research suggests vapes  in all their brightly coloured and sweetly flavoured varieties  may not be as risk-free as once thought.

The latest review from researchers at the University of Canterbury in New Zealand found that vaping may raise the risk of a range of cancers, including of the nose and lung.

Analysing chemicals produced when vape liquid is heated, as well as their effect on the body, the team found that 'vaping presents an unquantifiable cancer risk'.

As cancers can take 15 years or more to develop after exposure to cancer-causing chemicals, however, they added that it could take 'many years' to determine just how large that risk is.

Vaping is likely to cause cancer but not as much as cigarettes, researchers have claimed

While vapes do not contain tar, carbon monoxide or many of the other potentially hazardous chemicals found in cigarettes, studies have found low levels of toxic chemicals, including formaldehyde, which has been linked to cancer, as well as small metal particles, in the devices.

Studies have also shown that people who vape are more likely than non-vapers to develop chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or COPD  a chronic lung condition that which can trigger organ failure.

Vaping is still safer than smoking cigarettes, and can be an effective tool for giving up smoking, concluded the authors of the recent paper, published in the New Zealand Medical Journal.

However, they added, it's 'difficult to identify any benefit of vaping for its own sake'.

Ian Shaw, a professor in physical and chemical sciences at the University of Canterbury and the study's lead author, said: 'Vaping for its own sake adds to life's cancer risks and is therefore unacceptable'.

He added: 'It will take many years to collect clinical data to determine whether vaping causes cancer because it takes at least 15-years for cancers to develop after exposure to cancer-causing chemicals.

'In our paper, we used knowledge of the chemistry of the vaping process to determine the chemical composition of 'vape smoke' and then assessed the carcinogenic risk of each of the 'vape smoke' chemicals from published animal and other toxicity studies.

'From this, we predicted the cancer risk to vapers based on the published levels of these chemicals in 'vape smoke' and concluded that vaping presents a cancer risk.

'However, it is likely that the vaping cancer risk is lower than the cigarette smoking cancer risk.

'Therefore, using vaping for smoking cessation is acceptable because this will lower the overall cancer risk, but vaping for its own sake adds to life's cancer risks and is therefore unacceptable.'

Around 5.4 million Britons aged over 16 are believed to currently vape - more than the number who now smoke cigarettes.

The NHS say vaping is 'less harmful' than smoking and is 'also one of the most effective tools for quitting smoking'.

However, they add: 'Vaping is not completely harmless and we don't know yet what the long-term effects may be.'

The study compared levels of harmful chemicals inhaled from cigarette smoke and vapes.

It found cigarettes usually produce much higher amounts of acrolein - a toxic irritant linked to lung and heart damage - and acetaldehyde, a chemical associated with cancer risk, meaning smokers are exposed to larger doses of these substances.

Formaldehyde, a known cancer-causing chemical, was found at similar levels between cigarettes and vaping, while propionaldehyde was also found at similar levels.

Overall, the findings suggest vaping may expose users to lower levels of some toxic chemicals than smoking, but it does not remove exposure completely.

Experts commenting on the findings said the research was important in highlighting that vaping is not risk-free.

Andrew Waa, co-director of ASPIRE Aotearoa tobacco control research centre at the University of Otago, said: 'For people who smoke, vapes may help them to quit their nicotine addiction completely or at least switch to vapes.

'However, simply because vapes are available, a proportion of those who 'switch' might have otherwise quit their addiction. In this case they may be exposed to more harm.'

George Laking, assicuate professor at Te Aka Matauranga Matepukupu Centre for Cancer Research, University of Auckland, called the report was 'refreshing'.

He added: 'The main problem with vaping nicotine in my view is that it is addictive and this in turn is allowed to be profitable. I worry that physical hazards of vaping can be a distraction from the underlying cycle of addiction and profit.

'Any work that puts hazards of vaping into context will raise the level of the public conversation.

'I became interested in vaping because of my work as an oncologist for lung cancer, that remains overwhelmingly caused by smoking cigarettes, that are still many times more dangerous than vaping.'

The new research comes just weeks after researchers in Sydney, Australia, found that vaping was linked to mouth and lung cancer.

After analysing the available literature into the potential harms of vaping that were published between 2017 and 2025, they concluded that vaping is not risk free.

The most concerning studies, they noted, are the ones that show that vaping can cause changes to a user's DNA, increasing the risk of cell malfunction linked to cancer.

They said vapes cause tissue damage to the respiratory tract, which has been linked to the development of lung cancer, and it also causes changes to the oral microbiome. This drives inflammation and increases the risk of oral cancer.

The risks, they found, are highest for those who smoke both traditional cigarettes and use vapes, approximately half of the smoking population; the toxic combination increases their risk of lung cancer four-fold.
A man living with HIV has been cured of the devastating disease in a pioneering transplant, doctors have revealed.

The 63-year-old from Norway had been diagnosed nearly 20 years prior with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), a virus affecting 1.2 million Americans that attacks the body's immune system and leaves it unable to fight off foreign invaders.

It's unclear what caused the man's HIV-1 subtype B, the dominant strain in Europe and the Americas, but it is most commonly transmitted in men who have sex with men and people who use intravenous drugs.

The man, who was not identified, spent about 11 years on various antiretroviral drugs, which reduce the amount of HIV virus in the body, until he developed the rare and unrelated blood cancer myelodysplastic syndrome in 2018.

After about two years of cancer treatment, doctors began looking for a stem cell donor who had the same genetic mutation as the man, which was a mutation of the CCR5 gene. This gene normally blocks HIV from entering the body's cells. Doctors hoped finding a donor with this mutation would cure not just the cancer but the HIV as well.

When doctors failed to find a donor, they settled on the man's older brother, who was a match to at least treat the cancer. However, on the day of the transplant in 2020, genetic testing found the man's brother also carried the CCR5 mutation, which only affects about one percent of Europeans.

'We had no idea. That was amazing,' Anders Eivind Myhre, one of the man's doctors at Oslo University Hospital, told AFP.

While the man is not the first patient to receive such a transplant, doctors believe he is the first to get the healthy cells from a family member.

A man in Norway has been cured of HIV, a virus that attacks the body's immune system and leaves it unable to fight off foreign invaders (stock image)

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Two years after the transplant, the man was able to stop his antiretroviral regimen, and he no longer has any trace of HIV in his body, as his immune system had been 'completely replaced' by his brother's.

'For all practical purposes, we are quite certain that he is cured,' of HIV and cancer, Myhre said, adding that the patient's story was 'like winning the lottery twice.'

Myelodysplastic syndromes are a group of blood cancers where immature blood cells in the bone marrow fail to mature properly, leading to low red blood cell counts. Red blood cells are crucial for transporting oxygen from lungs to vital tissues.

Striking between 10,000 and 15,000 Americans per year and killing most patients within five years, symptoms include fatigue, shortness of breath, paleness, easy bruising or bleeding, pinpoint-sized red spots just beneath the skin and frequent infections.

The only cure for myelodysplastic syndromes is an allogeneic stem cell transplant, which replaces the patient's diseased bone marrow with healthy blood-forming stem cells. This led to the man, who has been dubbed the 'Oslo patient,' being considered for a stem cell transplant.

For HIV patients receiving stem cell transplants, their immune cells are replaced with cells genetically resistant to HIV due to the CCR5 mutation.

The Oslo patient is one of a handful of people to be functionally cured of both HIV and cancer due to stem cell transplants from donors with the CCR5 mutation.

In 2008, Timothy Ray Brown, who was nicknamed the 'Berlin patient,' had the same procedure as the Oslo patient but from an unrelated donor to cure both his cancer and HIV and was free from HIV for the rest of his life. He died in 2020 at age 54 from leukemia.

Marc Franke, also known as the 'Dusseldorf patient,' was also cured of both HIV and acute myeloid leukemia from the procedure in 2023, which used stem cells from an unrelated donor.

Timothy Ray Brown, also known as the 'Berlin patient,' was the first person to be cured of HIV and cancer with a stem cell transplant in 2008. He is pictured above in 2019 and died in 2020

Brown, pictured with his dog Jack in 2011, was one of just a handful of people to be cured of HIV. About 12 years later, an unidentified man in Norway was cured with the same procedure

An outlier was the 'Geneva patient,' who was cured of HIV in 2021 after receiving a stem cell transplant from a donor who did not have the CCR5 mutation and has been free of the disease ever since. As of late 2024, he still has no HIV detected in his blood.

The Oslo patient's case is particularly unique, however, in that he's the first patient to receive the transplant from a sibling. His doctors wrote in Nature Microbiology that his case 'contributes valuable evidence to the existing knowledge base regarding HIV cure cases.'

However, the researchers cautioned that the procedure is not a cure for most people with HIV and is meant for patients who also have blood cancers. Stem cell transplant is also risky, with complications ranging from infections to bleeding to organ failure and infertility.

The Oslo patient had several complications after the procedure, including graft-versus-host disease, which occurs when the donor cells attack the recipient's body and lead to rashes, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, cramping and jaundice.

However, he has since stopped his HIV medications and is 'having a great time' with more energy than ever, Myhre said.

Given his newly robust health, study co-author Marius Troseid of the University of Oslo said the Oslo patient's nickname may no longer be appropriate.

'The Oslo patient is perhaps no longer a patient. At least he doesn't feel like it,' he told AFP.
SHENZHEN, China, April 16, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Olight marks its 19th anniversary today with two new releases: the Baton Series and the ArkPro Ultra Onyx Black. Coinciding with Earth Month, the launch underscores a clear belief  less waste and longer product life can go hand in hand, realized through deliberate choices in design, use, and packaging.

Baton Series: UserReplaceable Batteries and Precision Control

2007-2026 OLIGHT 19TH ANNIVERSARY & NEW PRODUCT LAUNCH

Userreplaceable batteries mean that when capacity declines after years of use, users can install a fresh cell instead of discarding the entire light.

mean that when capacity declines after years of use, users can install a fresh cell instead of discarding the entire light. A rotating hidden USBC port reduces one of the most common failure points in rechargeable flashlights: port damage. A longerlasting port means fewer premature replacements.

reduces one of the most common failure points in rechargeable flashlights: port damage. A longerlasting port means fewer premature replacements. A dualswitch system (side + tail) gives instant access to moonlight mode (<1 lumen). Users choose exactly the light they need, with no waste and no overillumination.

ArkPro Ultra Onyx Black: Sustainable Lighting for Any Journey

Rechargeable over disposables  The builtin 2,000 mAh battery retains over 80% capacity after 300 cycles. One ArkPro Ultra replaces hundreds or even thousands of disposable AA or AAA batteries in its lifetime. That means less heavy metals, less landfill, less waste.

The builtin 2,000 mAh battery retains over 80% capacity after 300 cycles. One ArkPro Ultra replaces hundreds or even thousands of disposable AA or AAA batteries in its lifetime. That means less heavy metals, less landfill, less waste. Multifunctional use  Integrates four light sources (UV, green laser, spotlight, Pure Flood) into a single compact device. Whether you're commuting home, walking the dog, or camping under the stars  one tool replaces multiple singlepurpose lights, reducing gear waste and manufacturing footprint.

 Integrates four light sources (UV, green laser, spotlight, Pure Flood) into a single compact device. Whether you're commuting home, walking the dog, or camping under the stars  one tool replaces multiple singlepurpose lights, reducing gear waste and manufacturing footprint. Lowimpact lighting  While much of the industry focuses on higher lumens, real-world use rarely requires maximum brightness. The ArkPro Series was designed from the start to deliver just-enough, precisely controlled light. No blinding brightness, no wasted light.

OAluminum and Paper: Designed to Last, Packaged to Protect

Since August 2025, the ArkPro Series has used plastic-free, paper-based packaging, sourced from FSC-certified sustainable forests. The new Baton Series follows the same standard. But sustainability isn't just about what you throw away; it's about what you keep. That's why Baton Ultra and ArkPro Ultra are built with Olight's proprietary OAluminum unibody, nearly twice as strong as standard 6061 aluminum, with a lifetime warranty in the US, Germany, France, Japan, and Australia.

Pricing and Availability

To celebrate Olight's 19th anniversary, the Baton Series is offered with a 10% discount from April 20 to April 24, 2026 (EDT). The Baton 4 Pro is priced at $62.99 after discount, and the Baton Ultra at $89.99. The ArkPro Ultra Onyx Black is priced at $129.99.

About Olight

Founded in 2007, Olight is a global innovator in portable lighting, offering high-tech solutions for everyday carry, outdoor, tactical, and professional use. With over 1,200 patents and iF and Red Dot design recognitions, Olight serves users in over 100 countries.

Contact: [email protected]

SOURCE Olight Group Co.,Ltd
At the luxury end of the fashion industry, designers are in and out of top jobs as rapidly as hemlines are in and out of vogue.

Last year, more than 15 major fashion houses appointed new creative directors  including Chanel, Dior, Gucci and Celine.

But high-end fashion's game of musical chairs is also being played on the high street.

John Lewis has announced the appointment of Jacqui Markham as its new creative director of fashion, where she will oversee the 162-year-old store's women's, men's and childrenswear collections.

She replaces Queralt Ferrer, who held the position for four years.

Where Ferrer, 52, was previously women's design director at Marks & Spencer, Markham's CV is notably more fashion-forward.

She joins from Whistles, the premium high street chain where she has served as creative director since April 2025. Prior to that, she was global design director at Topshop, as well as design director at Asos.

The appointment is the clearest indication yet that John Lewis is sharpening its stilettos in a bid to tempt customers away from its closest rival, M&S, currently on a high with a series of womenswear collections that have been favourably received by customers and fashion critics alike.

John Lewis has announced Jacqui Markham as its new creative director of fashion

Queralt Ferrer held the position at John Lewis for four years and was previously women's design director at Marks & Spencer

As part of an 800 million turnaround programme overseen by managing director Peter Ruis, John Lewis recently added 100 new fashion brands to its roster, including an exclusive collection by Mulberry.

Having worked under disgraced Arcadia boss Sir Philip Green during 18 years at Topshop, Markham  who graduated with first class honours in fashion design at Northumbria University in 1993  is likely to have developed a thick skin as well as a keen understanding of what women want to wear.

She joined Topshop in 1997, rising to become its design director in 2011 before leaving in 2015 to take on the same role at Asos.

An insider says: 'Markham has impeccable taste. She was the one who really brought the cool to Asos, shifting the emphasis from dull dresses to affordable outfits that fashion insiders really wanted to wear.'

She was lured back to Topshop in 2015, where she resumed her design director role until 2019, overseeing successful initiatives such as its London Fashion Week shows, its NewGen sponsorship of emerging fashion designers, and its three-year collaboration with Kate Moss.

So while 50-something Markham might not be as well-known a name as Jonathan Anderson, the new creative director of Dior, she has had far more influence on the average woman's wardrobe.

Her first mission begins with deeper investment in John Lewis's own-label lines, including the launch of its biggest-ever cashmere collection this autumn, a move that it's hoped will lift sales by 20 per cent.

Next week, the retailer will also officially launch an exclusive capsule collection by Amanda Wakeley, a favourite designer of Catherine, Princess of Wales.

With a proven track record of democratising style, Markham believes that you don't have to be a princess to access quality at an affordable price.
Redheads teased on the school playground over their fiery locks are now having the last laugh after a Harvard University study showed their numbers are surging thanks to natural selection.

But whilst the ginger gene has become more common among Europeans, those with copper locks are still only estimated to make up between just one to two per cent of the world's population.

So, don't believe every auburn haired goddess you see, because there's plenty of folk who quietly mimic having naturally flaming locks - including a host of celebrities.

Several A-listers known for being redheads are actually flame-haired fakers, with their fans sometimes totally unaware of their natural blonde or brunette looks.

Read on to discover which famous faces have long been tweaking their hair colour, and who's actually been blessed with copper 'dos...

Julianne Moore

American actress Julianne Moore is beloved for her signature red tresses and frequently showcases her long locks while stunning on the red carpet

American actress Julianne Moore is beloved for her signature red tresses and frequently showcases her long locks while stunning on the red carpet.

Eager fans of the Still Alice star will be pleased to learn that Julianne is, in fact, a natural redhead. While she has occasionally experimented with different looks, Julianne's auburn hair seems to be her go-to colour.

Yet while her copper locks have become an integral part of her public image, Julianne has spoken candidly about how her natural colour made her feel like an 'outsider' in her early years.

'Redheads are two percent of the global population. Nobody wants to feel like they're in the minority,' Julianne told The Times.

'Now, I feel very identified with my hair and freckles. But there's still a part of me that would rather be a tanned blonde,' she added.

Bella Thorne

Since she first graced our screens on Disney Channel show Shake It Up in 2013, Bella Thorne's red locks have often garnered significant public attention

Since she first graced our screens on Disney Channel show Shake It Up in 2013, Bella Thorne's red locks have often garnered significant public attention.

Yet in 2019, Bella left fans amazed when she revealed that her signature look is far from au naturale.

Speaking to Allure, she disclosed: 'A lot of people don't know I'm not actually a redhead. I'm a blonde. I dyed it for Big Love.

'It started off more of a deep red, and Disney was like, Why don't we take Bella all the way to blonde again?' I don't know why, but I had a breakdown and so overreacted. I wanted to go back to red.'

Emma Stone

Award-winning actress Emma Stone has become long-associated with vibrant red hues. Yet, much to the dismay of many, her signature redhead is achieved by the remarkable work of hair stylists, rather than genetics

Award-winning actress Emma Stone has become long-associated with vibrant red hues. Yet, much to the dismay of many, her signature redhead is achieved by the remarkable work of hair stylists, rather than genetics.

Emma is, in fact, a natural blonde and made the decision to transition to a red shade in the early days of her acting career.

'I like to dye my hair red. I'm not a redhead naturally, but you know I'm a great supporter. I love the red. Blonde is the easiest because it keeps growing out this way, but if it weren't for Spider-Man, I'm sure I would still be red,' she previously told Ginger Parrot.

Emma's seemingly effortless hair colour is achieved by longtime colourist Tracey Cunningham who made the actress 'really red' when she was around 17 or 18.

Tracey told Refinery 29: 'I always tell people that one of the biggest reasons why Emma's hair looks so incredible red is because she looks like a redhead.

'Despite the fact that her natural color is blonde, the red suits her so well. It's a unique case, because almost everyone in Emma's family has red hair except her. Her mom is a beautiful natural redhead, and it's actually on both sides of her family.

'I think there's something about those genetics that make the red shade look so gorgeous with her skin tone and her eyes  it's just a look that she can pull off exquisitely.'

To achieve Emma's signature red look, Tracey explained that she uses the Redken Shade EQ gloss to create a simple yet striking auburn tone.

Isla Fisher

Australian actress Isla Fisher's long auburn locks are a staple part of her public image and personal brand, yet she has previously discussed struggling with her gorgeous natural red hair

Australian actress Isla Fisher's long auburn locks are a staple part of her public image and personal brand, yet she has previously discussed struggling with her gorgeous natural red hair.

Speaking to Marie Clarie Australia, Isla openly revealed that during her childhood, she was keen to 'blend in' and struggled with being one of the few redheads growing up.

'Having red hair was something that made me feel a little different to peopleI wouldn't say I naturally embraced that difference, I sort of wanted to blend in,' she said.

However, the Great Gatsby star added that as she grew into her vibrant hair colour, she later realised that being naturally red was an incredible attribute that should be celebrated, rather than shunned.

She added: 'In my journey, and when I got older, I really realised it made me feel unique.'

Lindsay Lohan

When Lindsay Lohan first hit our screens in the legendary film Parent Trap in 1998, she quickly became a leading redhead figure for those growing up in the late 90s' and early 2000s

When Lindsay Lohan first hit our screens in the legendary film Parent Trap in 1998, she quickly became a leading redhead figure for those growing up in the late 90s' and early 2000s.

And while Lindsay has occasionally experimented with blonde and brunette colours, she has always returned to her strawberry blonde tresses - and indeed has spoken openly about how she will always opt to lean into her natural redhead roots.

Speaking to Elle Magazine, she revealed: 'Redheads are unique, and their hair is beautiful. It's a special color. As you get older, you learn to appreciate your natural beauty.

'It took me a long time because when I was a kid, it wasn't cool to have red hair. [I] kind of felt like an outcast when I was young, but that's changed so much. Now I really embrace my red hair.'

Geri Halliwell-Horner

Famously dubbed 'Ginger Spice', Geri Halliwell-Horner's fiery red hair was requested by scores of Spice Girl fans who flocked to the salon in the late 90s'. Yet Geri's signature ginger locks were, in fact, down to the fabulous work of hair dye

Famously dubbed 'Ginger Spice', Geri Halliwell-Horner's fiery red hair was requested by scores of Spice Girl fans who flocked to the salon in the late 90s'.

Yet much to their dismay, Geri's signature ginger locks were, in fact, down to the fabulous work of hair dye.

In actuality, while she may have helped to put red hair on the map, Geri is a natural blonde and has since reverted back to her roots.

However, in 2019, she sent fans of the popular girl group into meltdown when she took to Instagram to show her tussled head of red locks with the caption: 'Ginger is back!'

Later revealing why she opted to dye her hair red during the 90s, Geri told ELLE: 'There is a connotation that comes with being ginger. It's an attitude. There's a fire in you, you're outspoken.

'Going back to red, it's like a comfort zone, it's a safe place. It feels authentic to me.'

Jessica Chastain

Award-winning actress Jessica Chastain has often turned heads with her striking auburn hair which she wears with immense pride

Award-winning actress Jessica Chastain has often turned heads with her striking auburn hair which she wears with immense pride.

Indeed, Jessica, a natural born redhead, is so fond of her ginger tresses that she adamantly refuses to dye her hair for movie roles.

Instead, the film star opts to use careful wigs to ensure that her auburn hair remains in excellent condition.

Opening up about how her signature red hair affected her self-confidence in her teenage years, Jessica told Stylist: Being a redhead, you can't fit into the group. I wanted to be blonde so bad.

'I had really bad self-esteem and I asked my mom if I could dye my hair but she wouldn't let me.'

Christina Hendricks

Mad Men star Christina Hendricks has long been associated with her fiery red locks. Yet much to the surprise of many, she hasn't always been a redhead

Mad Men star Christina Hendricks has long been associated with her fiery red locks. Yet much to the surprise of many, she hasn't always been a redhead.

At the age of 10, Christina was inspired to dye her hair red with Clairol's Nice'n easy after becoming a firm fan of the popular novel Anne of Green Gables.

And the striking auburn colour has pretty much stuck ever since.

'I was a blonde, but I loved Ann-Margret and Lucille Ball, so my mom suggested I change my color to red with a rinse,' she told Wall Street Journal.

Explaining how her signature red look became integral to her public persona, she told Radio Times: 'When I first started modelling I was blonde. Then I got a job and they wanted to do my hair bright red.

'I came back as a redhead and couldn't get my hair back to blonde for two days  in the meantime I had to audition. I booked two or three jobs, because there were a lot fewer redheads than blondes, and I was like, this is working for me, I'm keeping this!'
All eyes have been on the Duchess of Sussex in recent days as she and Prince Harry continue their four-day quasi-royal tour of Australia.

Now, the Daily Mail can reveal the hidden detail in Meghan's jewellery collection as she paid a subtle tribute to her husband on the third day of their trip.

The Sussexes today joined an Aboriginal walking tour, before meeting young advocates involved in mental health engagement programme Batyr at Melbournes Swinburne University of Technology.

For her outing, Meghan, 44, wore a $40 white t-shirt with a red love heart that said 'mama' designed by her best friend Kelly McKee Zajfen while on Melbournes Scar Tree Walk. She completed her look with $169 blue jeans, a $599 trench coat and $298 trainers.

The Duchess then changed into a chic dress from Australian brand Friends with Frank, paired with tights and a Cartier love bracelet worth $7,950.

But it was her rings that really caught the attention of eagle-eyed royal fans. Meghan sported two constellation bands from Logan Hollowell, based in Los Angeles.

She wore the Virgo Diamond Constellation Ring, priced at 2,171, and the Leo Constellation Ring, worth 1,685, to represent her and Harry's star signs.

The Duchess also owns two constellation necklaces from the same brand - one for Gemini, Lilibet's birth sign, and another for Taurus, which is Archie's.

Meghan, 44, wore a $40 white t-shirt with a red love heart that said 'mama' designed by her best friend Kelly McKee Zajfen while on Melbournes Scar Tree Walk

All Meghan's outfits from her tour continue to be uploaded to the OneOff website - described as the 'Spotify of fashion' - where the Duchess will take a percentage of any sales.

She has become a participant and investor in OneOff so she can promote the outfits she wears on her Australia tour.

At Melbourne's Royal Children's Hospital on Tuesday, Meghan wore a $1,250 'Priscilla' dress from local designer Karen Gee, with $780 'Puffy Hearts' stud earrings by Real Fine Studio and 'Iridescent' Christian Dior leather pumps.

Later at the Australian National Veterans Arts Museum, she had a $1,000 St Agni suede 'Utility Cocoon Bomber' jacket, an $890 suede 'Column skirt' by the same brand, a $220 'Annie' top by PJ Femme and 'Purist' 105mm pointed-toe pumps by Aquazzura which are sold out in the US but cost 479 ($904) in the UK.

OneOff, which is based in Los Angeles, also features photos of Meghan from previous events and at her home with options to buy the clothing she is wearing.

Today, Harry and Meghan took part in Melbournes Scar Tree Walk, which connects traditional and contemporary Aboriginal cultures and the histories of the local Indigenous peoples of the Kulin nation.

A scar tree, also known as a canoe tree or shield tree, has had bark removed by Aboriginal Australians for the creation of bark canoes, shelters, weapons, tools, traps and containers.

Scar trees may also be created as a form of artistic and spiritual expression by some Aboriginal peoples, to mark places of significance such as burial sites, and provide a link to 60,000 years of continuous culture.

The Duchess later changed into a chic dress from Australian brand Friends with Frank, paired with tights and a Cartier love bracelet worth $7,950

But it was her rings that really caught the attention of eagle-eyed royal fans. The Duchess sported two constellation bands from Logan Hollowell, based in Los Angeles

The walk was led by local Indigenous guides, beginning at the Koorie Heritage Trust in Melbournes Federation Square. Koorie is a term which refers to Indigenous people from Victoria and parts of New South Wales.

The walk follows the Birrarung (Yarra River) and meanders through Birrarung Wilam (river camp) Aboriginal art pieces and contemporary installations.

Joggers and cyclists looked stunned to see the Duke and Duchess strolling through one of the citys most popular running routes along the banks of the Yarra River.

Following the walk, Harry and Meghan met young advocates involved in mental health engagement programme, Batyr, at Melbournes Swinburne University of Technology.

The Duchess of Sussex said she was 'bullied and attacked' every day for 10 years on social media and was 'the most trolled person in the entire world'.

Speaking to a classroom of young people, Meghan said social media companies were 'not incentivised to stop'.

'And I can speak to that really personally, which is why I like to listen, because it rings true for me in a very real way.

'For now, 10 years, every day for 10 years, I have been bullied and attacked. And I was the most trolled person in the entire world.'
The Sussexes Not Quite A Royal Tour (but they hope it looked like one) ended on Friday after four packed days and seven outfit changes for the Duchess.

There could have been so many more, but no evening galas were on the itinerary, so only royal tour 'adjacent' daywear was required. She could have worn any designer labels, but in the event she followed royal diplomatic protocol and wore only Australian labels. The Duchess accessorised with her signature ultra high heels, the Cartier Tank watch that belonged to Diana, her Cartier gold bracelet, and a few pieces of 'don't scare the horses' jewellery.

And this 'Not A Royal Tour' could have been an opportunity for Meghan to showcase her personal style and cement her image as a woman of taste with her finger on the fashion pulse. Last October she parachuted into Paris fashion week to sit front row at the Balenciaga show, dressed in head-to-toe white by the brand's creative director Pierpaolo Piccioli  a look that was taken by everyone as the starting pistol for the launch of her own high-end clothing line.

The trip to Australia was a golden opportunity  four days in the international spotlight - when Meghan could have flexed her personal style, free from the royal protocol (tights with everything) she so struggled with the last time she was in Australia back in 2018.

In the end what we got was Meghan more ordinary  a series of bland, predictable outfits, all instantly available to buy via a new AI powered fashion platform, OneOff (oneoff.world) from which she'll receive half of the cut from the retailers' 10 or 25 per cent.

Meghan, like many celebrities, is monetising her online style searches and her presence on OneOff proves she is among the roughly one hundred celebrities whose style is most searched for, but given the number of misfires on this trip, it's unlikely to be a moneyspinner sales wise.

On day one Meghan wore a 655 navy sleeveless waisted midi dress, fitted on top with six decorative buttons by Australian designer Karen Gee, finished with 500 Dior black leather heels.

This look is not so much California style guru as parade inspection-ready politician, or slick city business woman.

Meghan wearing a black Karen Gee dress during a visit to the Royal Children's Hospital in Melbourne

The Duchess wore jeans and a trench coat on Melbourne's Scar Tree Walk and is also set to appear as a guest star on Masterchef Australia

Meghan is on the next stage of her journey with As Ever, the company she started to sell jam, and now hopes to expand into every retail market - she's out of the kitchen (where she wore cool creamy separates for the most part) and keen to demonstrate she can walk the walk in the boardrooms.

This tailored navy dress could be Ted Talk, it could be Davos - but great fashion it is not: it looks a lot like the uniform you might find on the concierge of a five-star hotel or front of house in an uptown restaurant at any point over the last 40 years. Polished but ordinary.

And navy, why navy? On their previous Not A Royal Tour, Meghan gravitated towards white linen separates. Admittedly they were in Jordan and the weather was warm, but we felt sure that the Duchess was gunning to make white (the colour of purity, innocence and high fashion minimalism) her personal signature  and that would have been a smart move.

Meghan has worn a succession of white tailored sleeveless dresses before. She has great arms and arms are a status flex now  if you've got them you flaunt them, especially in cool weather. But navy felt like a backwards step, duller, more conservative and less youthful.

Leaving white behind was evidently not, as you might have guessed, a practical decision. Her next outfit was a suede khaki two-piece by St Agni, consisting of a 760 cocoon bomber jacket and a 675 long column midi skirt worn over a 175 sleeveless taupe knit top by P. Johnson once again with those ultra high heels, this time 570 nude 'Purist' pumps by Aquazzura.

The skirt looked cumbersome and hard to walk in (always a hazard with a longer pencil style, ten times harder with clinging suede) and once she took off the jacket (a little bit Camp David in my view) she was in a putty coloured sleeveless nothing with an unflattering solid roll neck. An ivory sweater (if maintaining the stealth wealth tropes was the priority) would have brightened up the room. Or camel with a dash of red. A white shirt... Anything but this. It looked miserably flat and dowdy. Thank heavens for the Cartier gold love bracelet.

For her final appointment on the first day, a Nexus summit meeting, she chose a 223 long sleeve off-the-shoulder wool top by Beare, 150 wide-leg linen pants by Dissh and 417 loop leather sandals by Emme Parsons, all in black. Another safe, uninspiring choice that will not find a place in the style books.

Join the discussion What does Meghans fashion sense say about her evolving public image and influence today?

The 44-year-old wearing a muted jumper coupled with a matching brown denim jacket and skirt in Melbourne

Meghan smiles as she wears a white co-ord outfit, left, before changing into a black ensemble for an event

On day two, Meghan made a surprise appearance as a guest judge on MasterChef Australia and by now no one was surprised that for her big studio entrance she chose an entirely plain black outfit: a 395 long sleeve silk shirt by Matteau, a 587 silky high-waisted midi skirt with a high front split by Camilla and Marc and 695 Manolo Blahnik BB pumps.

Head-to-toe monochrome apart from some pearl earrings she wore on the original Australia tour back in 2018. Evidently Meghan wanted to distance herself from the prettily clad female presenters but slim-fit black on her slender frame was dull and severe  Morticia without the drama. A fuller, shorter, off-the-shoulder black dress with some texture would have had more spark and energy  not to mention glamour.

Just as we were saying 'What about white?', day two brought an ivory two-piece for a leadership summit, another long pencil skirt, this time back split (328), with matching vest (338) both by Posse, accessorised with Aquazurra nude heels. This was Meghan back in her signature territory but narrow cuts are not ideal on very petite figures. Meghan tends to end up looking featureless; she's so slight that she needs definition and curves, a lightly padded shoulder, a waisted peplum top, a textured soft tweed fluid skirt would make all the difference. Chanel would do wonders for her.

Day three and Meghan's chosen outfit for the Scar Tree Walk should have been a walk in the park for her - 117 bootcut jeans by Rolla's, a 30 T-shirt by Alliance of Moms with 220 ivory trainers by Freda Salvador and a 317 light camel coat by Melbourne label Friends with Frank. Once again this outfit managed to look stiff and contrived and outside the fashion conversation (aside from the T-shirt which she wore to support a Los Angeles charity). Eight years ago Meghan put Veja trainers on the map when she was photographed wearing them with slim fit jeans on a boat in Sydney harbour during that first Actually Royal visit. We all wanted what she had then - Vejas flew out of the shops - now it feels like expediency is getting in the way of good style.

Her last outfit of the tour, another Friends with Frank item, a 287 short khaki shift dress worn with black Wolford tights and Manolo Blahnik black suede BB pumps was a fashion rule breaker (short dress plus very high heels) and the absolute low fashion point of the tour.

Any stylist worth their salt would not have let her wear shoes this high, let alone with a dress this short. But worth noting that, as the tour wound up, all the heels she had worn had sold out. As for the clothes, only the split black MasterChef skirt was out of stock. Maybe this is an aberration? Or maybe there's a way to go before Meghan conquers her next challenge. Not A Royal Visit to Paris, anyone?

Additional research: Amy Kester
When I was ten and my younger sister was eight, we decided to become blood sisters.

The pair of us were so close that it felt entirely natural to scratch our wrists with a penknife and rub them together, swearing that wed put each other first for the rest of time.

That was certainly how it worked while we were growing up.

I protected Philippa from bullies and, when we were teenagers, she covered for me when I sneaked off to meet a boy I had met at our youth club.

So when, later in life, doctors told Philippa she might need a kidney transplant, and she asked me to be her donor, you would assume I agreed without hesitation.

Once upon a time, I would have assumed the same.

After all, you think you know what youd do if someone you loved dearly asked for help to save their health  maybe even their life. And kidney donation is almost routine these days, with around 1,000 people becoming living donors in the UK every year, usually to friends or family members.

And yet, when I was put to the test, I said No. Did I make the right decision? You will have to read on and judge for yourself.

Tess, pictured right, and her sister Philippa were 'so close' when they were younger

The pair decided to become 'blood sisters' when Tess, pictured left, was ten and Philippa was eight, swearing to put one another first for the rest of time

But even though I had a very good reason, I dont think Ill ever fully come to terms with my choice  particularly since Philippa died four years ago at the heartbreakingly young age of 53.

Despite our childhood closeness, my relationship with Philly, as I called her, was incredibly complicated. She was both my best friend and the person who let me down the most.

Philly was born when I was two and she was always sickly; in Call The Midwife parlance, she suffered from failure to thrive. Her lungs were weak and by the time she was six, shed had pneumonia more than a dozen times. She also had only one fully working kidney.

Part of the reason Philly and I were incredibly close was because our mother Jane suffered terrible post-natal depression after Philly was born, leaving me in a quasi-maternal role.

Even aged two, I tried to look after her. According to my father, when Philly was a baby I once fed her a bar of cooking chocolate because she was hungry.

And with Philly in and out of hospital for months at a time, there was yet more reason to feel protective of her.

Our bond continued to strengthen as the years went by, during which my mother gave birth to our little brother when I was eight and Philly was six. At school, Phillys frequent absences and emotional vulnerability made her a target, and I appointed myself her fiercest protector, squaring up to anyone who dared mock her or leave her out.

But in our teens, my sister and I took different paths.

Her moods grew more erratic, and she made reckless, rebellious decisions that got her into trouble with our parents.

While at 18 I went off to study at Oxford, Philly left school at 16 and embarked on an affair with a married man, before rebounding into a doomed marriage with a boy she had known only weeks. It lasted less than a year.

It was hard not to disapprove as she ricocheted heedlessly from one relationship to another.

By the age of 22 shed had three children by three different fathers  all in less than three years. Over the next chaotic decade, two more marriages and divorces followed. She drank and took drugs, and eventually her children  then aged 12, 11 and ten  were taken into care for a time.

Meanwhile, I pursued a career as a television news producer and writer, before finally settling in the US with my second husband Erik when I was 35.

I gave birth to our daughter Lily, now 23, and we lived as a happy family of five with my sons from my first marriage, Henry, 31, and Matt, 28.

I didnt blame my sister for being unlucky in love, and sympathised immensely with her divorces.

I knew from personal experience how hard they can be, given the acrimonious ending of my own first marriage after my husband was unfaithful.

Philly was born when Tess was two and she was always sickly  her lungs were weak and she had only one fully working kidney

While Tess went off to study at Oxford, Philly left school at 16 and embarked on an affair with a married man, before rebounding into a doomed marriage

Yet Philly and I had nothing in common any more, and when we met it increasingly felt like talking to a stranger. Inevitably, we drifted apart.

I watched from afar as her life spun out of control. Though I bailed her out financially many times, she never managed to get her life back on track. She even tried to overdose several times.

She was her own worst enemy, smoking and drinking too much; doctors told her shed kill herself if she didnt stop. She carried on regardless  and watching her do it was an agony I didnt know how to express. Part of me was furious. Part of me just grieved.

Eventually, her sole working kidney started to fail and when, in late 2007, when she was 39, she was told she might need a transplant, naturally she turned to me. You might think, even if your relationship has become strained, that when faced with such a request from a sibling there would be no option but to say yes. Yet after a great deal of soul-searching, I told her I wouldnt give her one of mine.

Did I judge her for her lifestyle and the fact that her health issues were exacerbated by her behaviour?

Yes, I cant deny that was a factor. And while the long-term risks of kidney donation  which can include elevated blood pressure  are considered very low, I couldnt help but feel an ugly resentment; why should I put my own health at risk for someone who had shown so little care for her own?

But it was more complicated than that.

My daughter Lily, then just six, had just been diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. Even though its a manageable condition these days, its irreversible, and I was sick with worry about her.

It didnt help that one of my favourite movies is Steel Magnolias, in which Julia Roberts plays a woman who has type 1 diabetes  and goes on to die from kidney failure.

That movie was all I could think about as Erik and I were taught how to give Lily insulin injections and prick her fingers every few hours to test her blood sugar.

Lily was very brave, dealing with this dramatic change to her life without fuss, but it took a lot of getting used to for all of us.

We had to count the carbohydrates in every morsel of food or drink she consumed, and do complex calculations to work out how much insulin to give her with each meal. A single mistake could be fatal.

The whole family  even the boys, then aged 14 and 11  learned how to give Lily an emergency injection of glucose if she fell into a diabetic coma, which happens when someones blood sugar falls too low.

Every aspect of life became more complicated: sleepovers, trips to the water park, birthday parties. Anyone responsible for her for even a short time had to know how to manage her diabetes.

So when my sister asked me if I would consider giving her a kidney, it could not have come at a worse time.

I was furious with her for ruining her own health when my sweet daughters had been damaged through no fault of her own.

And while, yes, Steel Magnolias was just a movie, Lilys doctors told me that kidney disease is a very real risk for people with type 1 diabetes.

Lily was young but there was a chance, albeit small, that one day she would need a kidney transplant. And if I donated one to my sister, I wouldnt be able to help my child should the need arise. For weeks, I wrestled with the decision. I was weighing my sisters imminent need against a theoretical crisis my daughter might never face.

But my sister had made her own bed. She had never had great health, but shed made it so much worse through her lifestyle choices. Lily, on the other hand, had never done anything to deserve her diabetes. As her mother, I had to put her first.

So after many sleepless nights, I told Philly No. I just couldnt risk it.

When I explained why, she said she completely understood. Despite everything she was, at heart, the kindest, most empathetic person I have ever met.

What I didnt know at the time was that, in addition to all her other health problems, she also had bipolar disorder, a chronic mental health condition characterised by extreme mood swings.

She wasnt diagnosed until several years later, in her early 40s. But one of the symptoms of bipolar disorder is poor judgment and risky behaviour, so sufferers often have a chaotic sexual and romantic life.

Things reached breaking point with the sudden death of Tess and Philippa's brother in 2015 (pictured, the three siblings aged 12, ten and four)

If I had known how much her illness affected her life choices, maybe Id have been more sympathetic. But as it was, already distanced, things between us continued to deteriorate. On the rare occasions we talked on the phone, she seemed drunk or high, and we would have rambling conversations she wouldnt remember five minutes later.

I confess that when Philly first told me about her bipolar diagnosis I didnt believe her. I thought she was just saying it to make excuses for her own bad behaviour. I was simply too raw with grief over everything that had happened  and too angry  to find the compassion I wish Id had.

Things reached breaking point with the sudden death of our little brother in 2015, aged just 40, after suffering a cardiac arrest.

With both our parents dead by this point, I felt bitterly let down when Philly refused to get involved with everything that needed doing in the aftermath and I cut contact with her for four years.

Later, I discovered that at the time of those rambling phone calls she had become dependent on morphine, which she was prescribed for agonising hip pain after falling down a flight of stairs.

No wonder she couldnt remember our conversations. No wonder she seemed so flaky.

However, she didnt tell me any of this until we reconnected in 2019, when I was 52 and she was 50.

Tess now says she now wishes she had given her sister 'the show of faith she needed' back when Philly asked for the kidney  adding she is unsure if the 'guilt over that will ever leave'

By now, she had finally come off the morphine, having eventually gone cold turkey after seven years because NHS support to taper off kept failing to materialise. She had got her bipolar disorder under control too, with the help of regular medication.

She was like a different person: funny, earthy, kind and smart. The sister I remembered from our childhood.

We spoke every single week, and exchanged messages on Facebook all the time.

Her health was still never good, but she managed to keep going, although she frequently spent long spells in hospital with pneumonia, anaemia and a host of other issues.

Her kidney somehow still functioned, although never very well, and she got one urinary infection after another.

Lilys diabetes was well under control by now, and as she entered her teens she got an insulin pump, which replaced the need for injections.

At this point, I told Philly that if she really needed one of my kidneys, Id give it to her.

But she refused to consider it, saying I still had to put Lily first.

Given how big her heart was, its a cruel irony that in the end it failed her.

In January 2022 Philly died in her sleep when her heart just stopped one night after she suffered a bout of Covid, one that had required hospital treatment. She didnt die because I refused to give her my kidney. I know that. Doctors would say the two things are not connected.

And yet . . . that doesnt stop the question of whether it would have made a difference if I had from haunting me.

Because when she first asked for my kidney, I judged her. And while any mother would choose her child over her sister, the truth is I dont think I would have given her my kidney back then even if I didnt have children. Im not sure if my guilt over that will ever leave me.

My continuing agony over my decision has helped inspire my new book, The Perfect Accident. In it, a woman has to make an impossible choice after a terrible boating disaster, deciding whether to sacrifice her own son, or let 22 teenagers die  one of them her sisters child.

I wish now that, back when Philly asked me for my kidney, Id given her the show of faith she needed. Perhaps it would have helped her get her life back on track sooner.

I spent so many years feeling bitter at how she had let me down, when the truth was it was me who failed her. And I will spend the rest of my life coming to terms with that.
Former Disney CEO Bob Iger has a hotshot media lawyer pushing back on an unsanctioned biography on the company's dime, according to a new report.

The House of Mouse pegged 'pit-bull' attorney Charles Harder for the assignment sometime after the book's announcement, according to the Friday Puck piece. The word is that the move was made on Iger's behalf, sources said.

The report notes Iger's own status as a free-press advocate, and that his wife, Willow Bay, is the dean of the University of Southern California's school for journalism. Disney is also the parent company of ABC News.

Iger, 75, stepped down as CEO last month. He remains at the company, however, as a senior advisor.

The book, tentatively titled The House of Mouse: Bob Iger and the Fight for the Soul of Disney, is set to spill on the circumstances surrounding his first exit in 2020.

He was brought back barely two years later, following a chaotic pandemic-era stint by Bob Chapek.

Harder, 56, is best known for representing Hulk Hogan in a case against Gawker that saw the late wrestler awarded $140 million in damages in 2016.

He has also repeatedly represented members of the president's family, such as the first lady, Jared Kushner, and Donald Trump himself. He handled Trump's defamation suit against former porn star Stormy Daniels, for instance.

Former Disney CEO Bob Iger with wife Willow Bay at the 2024 Oscars. Bay is the dean of the University of Southern California's school for journalism. Her husband is masterminding a potential intimidation campaign through a lawyer following reports an impending biography is likely to be unflattering, Puck reported Friday

The House of Mouse - seemingly on Iger's behalf - pegged 'pit-bull' attorney Charles Harder for the assignment, according to the report. The LA lawyer is known for helping the late Hulk Hogan to a more than $100 million judgment in 2016

In recent weeks, the LA-based litigator has had his sights set on longtime Wall Street Journal reporter Robbie Whelan and his publisher, HarperCollins, who are behind the looming release.

Whelan, a Journal reporter since 2010, billed it as a look into 'one of the most fascinating personalities in corporate America over the last four or five decades' back in February.

Several threatening letters from Harder, to HarperCollins have followed, per Puck.

In the letters, Disney is demanding more time to 'fact-check' the book, framing Whelan as biased due to his previous style of coverage, sources said.

Longtime Wall Street Journal reporter Robbie Whelan is behind the book, which is being published by Harper Collins

'Fishes for clues as to what is being included' were also seen, according to the report.

The push was described by sources as a potential 'campaign of intimidation,' with Iger being the mastermind.

Harders client, however, is technically Disney.

Iger has repeatedly expressed concern to staffers about the potential contents of the book, sources told Puck.

Reporter Matthew Belloni, widely viewed as Hollywood's go-to source for insider information, refused to specify some of its potential contents due to not having 'reported it out himself.'

'Harder, they likely hope, can kill aspects of the book, particularly anything potentially unflattering about Iger,' Belloni wrote.

In 2018, Harder represented Trump for a series of legal demand letters sent to former Trump strategist Steve Bannon and author Michael Wolff, a columnist for The Hollywood Reporter and The Daily Beast.

Iger has repeatedly expressed concern to staffers about its potential contents, sources told Puck

At the time, Wolff was working on Fire and Fury: Inside the Trump White House, which sought to paint a chaotic picture of Trump's White House, using Bannon as a primary source.

That same year, Harder represented Trump in a defamation lawsuit filed by Daniels, which saw the suit dismissed with prejudice and the president reimbursed nearly $300,000 in attorneys fees.

The Daily Mail has approached Disney, Iger and Whelan for comment. The book has yet to receive a release date. Iger retires for good this time at the end of the year.

The reported letter campaign started before Iger forfeited the CEO title last month, when Josh D'Amaro was chosen as his successor.
It was a rumor that spread across the internet like wildfire. Social media users claimed to have seen Savannah Guthrie disappear from Wednesdays edition of Today halfway through a chat with Anne Hathaway.

Given the February abduction of Savannahs mother Nancy Guthrie, many speculated that she may have received an update.

But the rumor was entirely false, with Savannah back on air 20 minutes later for a cooking segment.

An industry source further told the Mail: 'It's not unusual for a host to tease an upcoming segment at any point, and for another host to do the interview.'

But the sudden switch spawned an avalanche of speculation.

'Maybe she got a call and was going to leave after the last set?' one X user wrote.

Others saw the occurrence as 'odd' as well.

The rumors gained traction thanks to a widely viewed post from one X account, the Crimewives Club. The profile regularly shares updates for ongoing investigations.

Savannah Guthrie segued to an interview with A-lister Anne Hathaway on Wednesday's Today before disappearing

The sudden switch spawned rumors that something was happening in the search for the anchor's missing mother, which ended up being false

'Savannah wasnt seen again on the show until the last minute or so,' they wrote in the post, which received nearly 1million views within hours.

'Definitely strange, and odd to return for the last minute, unless just trying to not let on to anyone,' one person responded.

'She didnt leave, she just wasnt present for one segment,' another X user pointed out,' before echoing the Mail's source.

Nancy has been missing since February 1. She was last seen at her home in Tucson, Arizona, on the evening of January 31.

A Pima County Sheriffs Department spokesperson, on Thursday, told the Mail there are no new updates in the case and that it remains ongoing. No arrests have been made.

Savannah, meanwhile, made her return to the Today set last week. She stepped away during the initial months of the search.

'It's good to be back home,' she told viewers at the outset of her April 6 return.

Sources told Variety a few days before that the Today team was planning to 'play it by ear' for Savannah's return, at least initially.

Nancy Guthrie (right) went missing on February 1, which saw Guthrie temporarily leave her post

Savannah made her return to the Today set last week. She stepped away during the initial months of the search

A preliminary stretch will see showrunners work segments specifically around Savannah as the search continues, the sources said. The spell may also see her limited to stories that aren't about crime or violence, one of the insiders said.

Today's usual lighthearted, comedic tone could also be toned down, the same source said.

The Mail has approached NBC News for comment.
Wall Streets biggest banks raked in more than 100billion in revenues in a record-breaking start to the year as a trading bonanza triggered by the Iran war boosted business.

While the International Monetary Fund warned of the devastating impact of the conflict on the global economy, Morgan Stanley and Bank of America became the latest to report bumper results.

The updates echoed upbeat figures this week from Goldman Sachs, JP Morgan Chase and Citigroup, with revenues at the big five topping 105billion in the first quarter, while profits reached 31.1billion.

The huge earnings were driven by a frenzy on Wall Street trading desks as investors navigated turmoil on markets, with banks that handle the trades cashing in along the way.

The volatility may not be good news for investors blood pressure or portfolios, but for the trading divisions of the big US banks it has proved a boon, said Danni Hewson, financial analyst at AJ Bell.

Stock markets fell sharply after the outbreak of war in the Middle East sent energy prices soaring.

Volatility: Stock markets fell sharply after the outbreak of war in the Middle East sent energy prices soaring. But they have bounced back on hopes the conflict will be short-lived

But they have bounced back on hopes the conflict will be short-lived, with the S&P 500 hitting a record high last night.

Wall Street bosses expressed caution, however, as the war and geopolitical tensions elsewhere combine with concerns about weak growth, rising government debt and vulnerabilities across the financial system including in the private credit market.

We remain watchful of evolving risks, said Bank of America chief executive Brian Moynihan. Jane Fraser, the British boss of Citi and the most powerful female banker on Earth, added: The first quarter is always the strongest and we have an unclear macro environment ahead.

The latest figures came a day after the boss of JP Morgan, Jamie Dimon (pictured), warned: There is an increasingly complex set of risks, such as geopolitical tensions and wars, energy price volatility, trade uncertainty, large global fiscal deficits and elevated asset prices.

Wall Street trading desks have been on a hot streak since Donald Trump returned to the White House  with his tariffs and foreign policies triggering ferocious volatility.

This year has been particularly profitable for investment banks as US military operations in Venezuela and then Iran rattled stock, bond, commodity, and currency markets.

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Concerns over the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) have also triggered sell-offs in industries such as software  adding to market volatility.

At the same time, a surge in merger and acquisition activity and a growing pipeline of mega-listings of AI and space companies  including Elon Musks SpaceX  have boosted investment banking fees.

Yesterday, Bank of America posted a 16 per cent surge in first-quarter profits to 6.3billion after revenues jumped 17 per cent to 22.3billion, while Morgan Stanley earnings rose 30 per cent to 4.1billion following a 16 per cent rise in revenues to 15.2billion.

On Tuesday, JP Morgan revenues jumped 10 per cent to 37.2billion, pushing profits up 13 per cent to 12.2billion, its second-biggest quarterly haul ever.

But Axel Rudolph, an analyst at IG, said: The growing list of geopolitical and macro risks means the outlooks far from straightforward.
Uzbekistan's national investment fund has confirmed plans to list in London, marking the country's first foray into global stock markets.

The Uzbekistan National Investment Fund said it had signed cornerstone agreements with funds including Blackrock and would go ahead with its IPO on the London and Tashkent stock exchanges.

The fund, run by asset manager Franklin Templeton, was established in 2024 as part of Uzbekistan's economic reforms to attract outside investment and strengthen its capital markets.

'UzNIF's IPO represents an important milestone both for Uzbekistan's capital markets and for UzNIF as an investment platform designed to provide exposure to one of Central Asia's fastest growing economies for a wide range of investors,' said Marius Dan, chief executive of Templeton Global Investments.

'This IPO will be the first international equity offering from Uzbekistan, which is a testament to the country's significant progress with its reform programme'.

UzNIF plans to list depositary receipts in London for international investors alongside its listing in Tashkent.

Coup for the City: It marks the first major listing for London this year following an IPO drought

The fund, which is chaired by Uzbekistan's finance minister, says the total net asset value of the stakes held in its portfolio company is $2.44billion, with investments across transport, energy, telecoms, and banking sectors.

Uzbekistan's national miner and fourth largest in the world, Navoi Mining and & Metallurgical Co, is also reportedly mulling a London listing this year.

UzNIF's IPO is likely to be the City's first major float this year amid concerns that the Middle East conflict and AI-induced sell-offs have derailed planned listings.

There had been growing optimism about IPOs this year after listings last year included tinned tuna firm Princes Group and the specialist lender Shawbrook.

Among those thought to be looking at floating in London this year are RAC, Waterstones and Monzo.

But investment bank Peel Hunt last month warned that companies were pausing near-term plans for IPOs because of market volatility.

Online travel agent Loveholidays looks set to delay its 1billion flotation amid disruption to travel plans caused by the war. And Norwegian software firm Visma may delay plans for a 16.5billion listing after a sell-off of software stocks.
When River and Theo Berg packed their five children into a car and headed to the US-Canada border to seek asylum from Donald Trump's America, they thought they were fleeing for a better life.

But a year later, the couple are jobless, living off handouts and River's Veterans Affairs disability checks in a two-bedroom apartment with around $10,000 in debt hanging over their heads.

However, they claim they wouldn't have it any other way as they feel safer outside America, and they don't plan on coming back.

When the family of seven fled the US on March 3 last year, border agents scratched their heads as the couple informed them of the multitude of reasons they were seeking asylum in Canada, including for the safety of their gender fluid and transgender children, Wren, 13, and Milo, 14.

Agents allowed them to pass through without passports, warning them that Americans rarely ever made successful asylum claims.

If you had asked River, who now identifies as nonbinary, a few years ago if they'd be sleeping on used furniture in the living room of a two-bedroom apartment instead of their gorgeous three-bedroom Illinois home, they probably would have told you no.

But that's the reality for the mother, who is currently suffering their eighth miscarriage on top of it all, just a year into their asylum claim.

'We're not living the life of luxury,' they told the Daily Mail. 'We knew this was going to be hard.'

River and Theo Berg packed their five kids into the car and drove to the US-Canadian border to claim asylum on March 3, 2025

One of the reasons they left the US was to protect their transgender son, Milo, (pictured) and their gender-fluid child Wren

Both parents are currently jobless and relying on the generosity of their new community to get by

The family has settled in London, Ontario, and is now navigating a whole new governmental system, including Ontario Works, a welfare program for those living in the province.

'Does it help? Yes. Is it sustainable and livable? No, it's not,' the mother candidly said.

Currently, neither parent is working as River navigates their health problems. Theo found a part-time job at FedEx, but that has since fallen through. He is now trying to pick up handyman jobs to help the family stay afloat.

The only income the couple currently has is River's VA disability checks. The family has not received Ontario Works checks since November, and are waiting to get back on it.

Both River and Theo are military veterans and proudly served their country, which they said made their decision to leave the US even harder.

They went from paying $800 a month for a rent-to-own house that had three bedrooms, two bathrooms, a large backyard and a basement to paying $1,640 CAD (roughly $1,200 USD) for a two-bedroom that doesn't quite feel like home yet.

'I miss home,' River admitted. 'And not even just - there's no home in particular, but just the familiarity. I grew up in the US, it's what I grew up with.

'But at the same time, I would gladly do it again. I would go back a year and do the same thing, I would not change it.'

The family has found themselves accumulating around $10,000 worth of debt since their move, mainly due to people reporting the family after seeing River's TikTok videos about their journey.

They also decided to leave the US due to River's health problems

After moving to Canada, River also discovered they were nonbinary

They falsely claimed the parents were abusing their children, making loads of money off TikTok, and driving while intoxicated.

'It's totally false,' River told the Daily Mail.

Their social worker was able to quickly dismiss the claims. However, that didn't stop the temporary pause on benefits each time, forcing the family to pile their debt on credit cards to survive.

'I'm tired of people scaring me from telling my story,' River said. They have largely stopped posting on TikTok about their journey.

And despite receiving some welfare to help pay for groceries, the Berg family is not eligible to receive child benefits like others normally would through Ontario Works or refugee benefits.

In the US, they would have been eligible for SNAP or WIC, but they cannot in Canada, making the country's high-priced groceries an even bigger burden.

They have resorted to neighborhood apps, like Facebook groups and Nextdoor, to ask locals for help and to take any grocery items their neighbors may not need.

Their Easter dinner was funded by their kind-hearted neighbors, who brought them a ham and cupcakes.

The family now lives in a two-bedroom apartment (pictured) in London, Ontario. The parents sleep in the living room

The children share the two rooms, which are filled to the brim with their favorite things, like stuffed animals and posters. Milo and Wren are pictured inside their room

There's a bed on the floor of the living room. 'We're not living the life of luxury,' the mother told the Daily Mail

The hallways of their Canadian home are filled with art the children made

River and Theo are pictured with their family, including two of Theo's children from a previous relationship

'We didn't have anything,' the mother told the Daily Mail. 'We're very thankful.'

They've gone to food banks and churches for help. All the furniture in their home is used and was largely acquired through Facebook Marketplace.

It's a far cry from their life in the US, but none of that would change the parents' decision to leave America behind - they believe their life in Canada is still safer than living under Trump's 'corrupt' thumb.

River said the US political scene has 'gotten worse.'

During a previous interview in March 2025, River told the Daily Mail that those who are 'not white, not male,' will 'be a target,' adding that they believed the country was 'literally going to be Nazi Germany.'

They still stand by that statement, but believe things have deteriorated even further.

'I don't even think it's male and white [anymore]. I think it's more of the upper class and the government - the corrupt government,' they said.

'Would white males be more protected in the long run? Yes, but also, I feel like just because they're not coming for you now doesn't mean they won't come for you [later].'

They left behind their 'forever' home in Illinois, which had three bedrooms and a large backyard

Much like their apartment, their home was full of little trinkets that represent the family

Their transgender son, Milo, is talking about potentially going on hormone replacement therapy as part of his transition. It's something that he might not have had access to in America.

'In the US, he wouldn't even be able to think about it until 18,' the veteran said. 'And even then, who knows what the laws will be.'

Twenty-seven states across the US have enacted laws that have limited youth access to transgender healthcare. The majority are located in the South and Great Plains, including Florida and Texas, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation.

River's home state of Illinois has not enacted any policies that would limit children from accessing transgender-specific healthcare - although surrounding states have - which could hinder their asylum claim.

Despite the detractors calling River a 'pedophile' for supporting their son's transition, they continue to support his decision.

River reiterated that they are not pushing their son to fully physically transition as a minor. That conversation will wait until he's an adult. But since he came out as transgender at the age of 12, they have made an effort to have informative conversations with him.

Since moving to Canada, the mother has also come to terms with their own nonbinary identity.

Now, River also exists in a gray area within the US, and so does their healthcare. River said their seventh miscarriage, which took place in the US, left them rattled and fearing what was to come for women's and LGBTQ+ healthcare.

River said their new life is a far cry from their life in the US, but none of that would change the parents' decision to leave America behind, as they believe it is still safer than living under Donald Trump's 'corrupt' thumb

Border agents were confused at their asylum request, but let them through, warning them that Americans rarely made successful claims

They went to three hospitals after having more than 40 blood clots, only to be told that their Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (HCG), the pregnancy hormone, was at zero. They claim they were dismissed by doctors and told they were crazy.

'The thing is, I had progesterone issues, so as soon as I start bleeding, it leaves my body pretty quickly,' they told the Daily Mail. 'I was sick, I was throwing up, and they were not helping me at all, and it was just really horrible.

'So, I'm afraid for my life if I were to go back to the US.'

The family wants to have another child. River is documenting new US laws and bills that could potentially harm them reproductively if they were to return to America to help build their case before Canada's Immigration and Refugee Board (IRB).

Ohio recently proposed a state house bill that would force women to get a fetal life certificate once a heartbeat is detected. If the mother were to miscarry, have a stillbirth or get an abortion, they would have to get a fetal death certificate.

In December, Texas signed into law a policy that restricts access to abortion-producing drugs, no longer allowing it to be mailed to patients in the already very restrictive state.

River said their friends in Canada don't understand why Americans don't stand up against the Trump Administration, but the mother-of-seven argued it's not that easy.

'I know there's protests and things like that, but also at the same time, I can't stay there and fight,' they said. 'And I already did my dues being in the Army.

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'I have my children, and if anything were to happen to me there, they won't have me.'

The family has started a GoFundMe page and an Amazon Wishlist to help with their children and expenses as they await an IRB hearing to see if their petition for asylum is successful.

The Berg family's wait time has dropped considerably after Canada passed the Strong Borders Act (SBA) late last month.

At its peak, they were estimated to wait 60 months - five years - before going before the IRB. Now, it's under 12 months.

The SBA essentially bars Americans from making a claim at the border, and any non-American will be turned away until they can prove the US denied their claim there due to the Safe Third Country Act (STCA).

The law states that an asylum seeker must claim refuge in the first safe country they come upon. So a Mexican native traveling through land borders would have to claim in the US and be denied before being able to make a claim in Canada.

In tandem with the STCA, the Strong Borders Act essentially forbids asylum claims from people entering through the US-Canada border, as they will 'continue to be returned to the US,' the Canadian government said. It backdates to June 3.

The STCA doesn't affect Americans, as they already live in a country Canada designates as safe. However, it thwarts most of their asylum claims anywhere because of that.

Berg told the Daily Mail there was no way the family would return to the US and they don't regret their decision. 'I would gladly do it again. I would go back a year and do the same thing, I would not change it,' they said

If their claim is denied, they don't know what they'll do, but they do know one thing for certain: 'We're not going to go back to the US'

'Canada's asylum system is not a shortcut to immigrate to Canada,' Jeffrey MacDonald, an Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) spokesperson, told the Daily Mail.

'Claim referral to the IRB doesn't guarantee that a person will be granted protection and allowed to stay in Canada long-term. Asylum claimants must prove that they have a well-founded fear of persecution or face a risk of serious harm in their home country or where they usually live.'

The IRB does, however, take into account 'well-founded fear of persecution based on race, religion, political opinion, nationality or membership in a particular social group,' as well as those who 'are at risk of torture, or cruel or unusual punishment,' MacDonald said.

An increasing number of American citizens are claiming asylum in Canada since Trump retook office. More than 1,800 did in 2025, the Daily Mail exclusively revealed.

The Berg family's case will be a landmark case if approved, as only four Americans have ever been granted refuge in Canada outside of war times. Three were minors, while the fourth was a gay activist who left the country before his claim was fully processed.

If their claim is denied, the Berg family does not know what they'll do, but they do know one thing for certain: 'We're not going to go back to the US.'

'Honestly, we knew the risk that [a denial] could happen, and we decided to go with the risk anyway, because it's better to try and to keep my kids safe than to not try and be stuck.'

The couple will find out six weeks beforehand when they are due to go before the IRB. In the meantime, the family is prepping their statements and collecting community statements from American and Canadian friends to vouch for their case.

More than 1,800 Americans fled the US for Canada in 2025, the first year of Trump's second term

'I have to prepare my 14-year-old, who has autism and ADHD. [He's] very high functioning, but he hates talking in front of people,' River told the Daily Mail.

'I have expressed to him how important it is for him to talk and to tell a story, and to tell how it would affect him if he could not be who he wanted to be, and get the help he would need.'

River pointed to the statistics about declining mental health among LGBTQ+ youths in the US, especially those who do not have access to gender affirming healthcare.

With laws becoming more restrictive, the Trevor Project found there was a 72 percent spike in suicide attempts among transgender and nonbinary youths.

'I don't want to ever lose a kid over that,' River said.

In fact, they're so serious about keeping their children out of the US, the parents have made a backup plan they hope to never use: to turn their children over to child services in Canada if they are forced to return home.

'There's no way they're going back,' the mother said.
National advisory firm supports Landmark Bio through negotiations for ARPA-H TRANSFORM-EV award

HOUSTON, April 16, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- EverGlade, a national advisory firm that helps innovators navigate the federal funding ecosystem, successfully supported Landmark Bio through negotiations to secure up to $18.3 million in funding. The award will enable the development of an efficient and scalable continuous manufacturing platform for extracellular vesicles (EVs), which, if ultimately successful, would benefit related advanced therapies like viral vectors and cell therapies.

The funding is provided by ARPA-H through its Enabling Access to Transformative Therapies Through Continuous Manufacturing of Extracellular Vesicles (TRANSFORM-EV) program. During this three-year project, Landmark Bio will develop and integrate advanced upstream, downstream, and analytical manufacturing technologies to overcome today's low-yield, high-cost batch methods and broaden patient access to EV-based and similar therapeutics worldwide.

"EverGlade was a huge help as we worked through negotiations with the government," says Gregg Nyberg from Landmark Bio. Post this

"EverGlade was a huge help as we worked through negotiations with the government," said Gregg Nyberg, Chief Technology Officer at Landmark Bio. "The team supported several redesigns across our statement of work, milestones, and financials, including cost volumes and bases of estimate and we look forward to leveraging EverGlade's project management and financial expertise in the post-award phase."

Building on that collaboration, EverGlade also emphasized the broader impact of the award. "We couldn't be more excited for Landmark Bio and for the scientific community as a whole for this award," said Giacomo Apadula, CEO of EverGlade. "This program represents a meaningful step forward in advancing scalable manufacturing for next-generation therapeutics, and we're proud to support the Landmark Bio team as they move into the execution phase."

EverGlade supports companies across the federal funding lifecycle, from early-stage strategy through proposal development, negotiations, and post-award execution, helping innovators successfully navigate agencies such as ARPA-H, BARDA, and DARPA.

About EverGlade

EverGlade connects breakthrough innovation with non-dilutive funding. We create and support strategic partnerships between innovators and federal agencies to maximize the impact of investment dollars while accelerating our clients' growth in addressing the nation's most complex challenges. For more information, visit www.everglade.com or follow us on LinkedIn.

About Landmark Bio

Landmark Bio, an Artis BioSolutions company, provides integrated capabilities to support the development and scalable manufacturing of advanced therapies and emerging biotechnologies. Operating from its facility in Watertown, Massachusetts, the company combines process development, advanced analytics, and GMP manufacturing to help biotechnology and pharmaceutical partners translate breakthrough science into clinical and commercial reality. Learn more at www.landmarkbio.com.

Contact:

[email protected]

SOURCE EverGlade Consulting
The ex-wife of Formula One racing driver Ralf Schumacher has opened up about her devastating split from boyfriend Steven Bo Bekendam.

Cora Schumacher, 49, who was married to Michael Schumacher's younger brother Ralf, 50, for 14 years until 2015, said this week that her heart is 'broken' after the pair ended their five-month relationship.

Cora said she felt 'manipulated' after discovering Steven, 44, had allegedly been messaging other women behind her back.

She said: 'He is not the man he pretended to be. I felt manipulated.'

The revelation comes just months after Cora spoke about her hopes that Steven - who dispute's Cora's account of his alleged behaviour - would be her fairytale romance after years of turmoil following her high-profile divorce from Ralf.

'He's incredibly hot and a fantastic cook. Our love feels like divine providence,' she gushed in January.

The couple had met online through a dating app last October, and their whirlwind romance quickly intensified with constant messages, photo sharing and daily phone calls.

'Steven and I are no longer a couple. I ended the relationship,' Cora said. 'It breaks my heart to see a man who seems so lost that you just want to love and protect him'

Cora told the Daily Mail of her 'total shock' after discovering 'he was apparently keeping at least one other woman in the shadows' during their relationship.

The ex-wife of Formula One racing driver Ralf Schumacher has opened up about her devastating split from boyfriend Steven Bo Bekendam. The pair are pictured here

Cora Schumacher, 49, was married to Michael Schumacher's younger brother Ralf, 50, for 14 years until 2015. The pair are pictured together in 2007

Cora had been 'blindsided' when her ex-husband announced in 2024 that he was in a same-sex relationship with Etienne Bousquet-Cassagne, 36

She said: 'Sadly, what happened to me happens to so many women. I really thought that would never happen to me. I was crying for hours when I found out about it.

'Your friends say you have to quit the relationship, he isn't good for you, but you're still in love. They're so good at manipulating you and giving you empty promises about the future.'

Cora had been 'blindsided' when her ex-husband announced in 2024 that he was in a same-sex relationship with Etienne Bousquet-Cassagne, 36, but thought she had finally found happiness again.

She made regular trips from Germany to visit Steven in Wichita Falls, Texas, a city about two hours' drive from Dallas, flying out to see him as often as possible.

Their relationship reached a significant milestone on Valentine's Day this year when he gave Cora the key to his home. 'He gave me the key to his apartment and to his heart,' she said at the time.

Things moved so quickly that Steven even discussed marriage, with the couple making plans for a dramatic life change.

'Steven really wants us to get married. We're also talking about buying a farm together,' Cora revealed in February, adding: 'It's possible I'll move to America soon and leave my life in Germany behind.'

Cora's friends were delighted to see her looking so happy and hopeful about the future. But it wasn't long before Cora started noticing signs that all was not as it seemed.

'I increasingly noticed parallel communications on his phone with other women during our relationship, such as in December, when I was with him in Texas, from Stephanie G.,' Cora told Bild newspaper this week.

When her ex-husband came out as gay, Cora said she had been kept in the dark about his sexuality during their marriage

'I began to realise that while he was planning our wedding, he was apparently keeping at least one other woman in the shadows.'

Cora is now 'heartbroken' as she comes to terms with the fact that the man she had trusted and loved was not who he claimed to be.

She added: 'He made my heart shine again. I wanted to believe Steven, I wanted to trust him, I wanted to finally feel at home.

'I long for a love that is honest and equal, a love where we can grow old together. I thought Steven was that man. But no, unfortunately, he isn't.'

Cora said she has now deleted all photographs of them together from her social media accounts and blocked his phone number, cutting off all contact.

Her latest heartbreak comes amid continued upheaval in her personal life. When her ex-husband came out as gay, Cora said she had been kept in the dark about his sexuality during their marriage.

The racing driver announced his engagement to Etienne in February this year.

The former couple share a son David, 24, a racing driver, with whom Cora has a famously strained relationship.

David publicly sided with his father after he came out as gay, asking his mother to 'leave us alone' and let them live their lives in peace following her public backlash.

He also claimed that when his parents divorced in 2015, his mother threatened that if he didn't live with her, she would destroy his racing career dream by refusing to sign necessary documents due to custody requirements.

Cora was devastated recently when she wasn't invited to his wedding in February to fellow racer Vivien Keszthelyi, 25, in an intimate civil ceremony at Salzburg's Schloss Mirabell.

She told the Daily Mail at the time that she was 'deeply saddened' at missing her son's big day.

She added: 'David said "Mama" to me thousands of times a day when he was still a little boy. Every time he called out "Mama", my heart would beat just that little bit faster, with nothing but joy and love. I believe every mother can understand that feeling.

'I wish nothing but the very best for my son. That has always been the case and it will always remain so. I hope he experiences the most beautiful day of his life to the fullest, and above all, that he is happy.

'As a mother, I am not angry with my son - I am simply deeply saddened that things are the way they are.'

Steven Bo Bekendam has responded to Cora's allegations he might of been unfaithful.

He told the Daily Mail: 'While I disagree with the interpretation of ambiguities, and have the records to clarify the facts, I prefer to keep my private life private. I have nothing further to add, other than that I truly wish Cora the best in her journey and future goals.'
Ben Roberts-Smith was taking his teenage daughters on a shopping day trip to Sydney when he was arrested getting off a Qantas flight and charged with war crimes.

The Victoria Cross recipient had flown from Queensland to NSW with his 15-year-old twins and partner Sarah Matulin on the morning of April 7 and all four were holding return tickets to Brisbane.

Roberts-Smith, who will apply for bail today in Downing Centre Local Court, had treated his girls to an Easter school holidays expedition and none of the group had checked any luggage.

Federal authorities knew the 47-year-old was making the journey on Tuesday last week and could have arrested him when he returned to his home state that evening, a source close to Roberts-Smith said.

Roberts-Smith has been charged with five counts of 'war crime - murder' allegedly committed between 2009 and 2012 while he served with the Special Air Service in Afghanistan.

He believes authorities chose to arrest and prosecute him in NSW because his case would be more likely to succeed there than in Queensland.

NSW no longer runs committal hearings at which the prosecution brief is weighed by a judge to determine whether there is sufficient evidence to send a person to be tried by a jury.

Roberts-Smith's lawyers believe if their client faced a committal hearing in Queensland, where committals are still held, the evidence against him might be considered too weak for a trial to go ahead.

Ben Roberts-Smith was taking his teenage daughters on a shopping day trip to Sydney when he was arrested getting off a Qantas flight and charged with murdering five Afghans

Roberts-Smith was arrested after a five-year joint investigation by the Australian Federal Police) and the Office of the Special Investigator. He is pictured with partner Sarah Matulin

Roberts-Smith, who will apply for bail today in Downing Centre Local Court, had treated his girls to an Easter school holidays expedition and none of the group had checked any luggage

Australia's most decorated living soldier has been held for the past ten days at the Metropolitan Remand and Reception Centre at Silverwater in Sydney's west.

He was taken into custody after a five-year joint investigation by the Australian Federal Police (AFP) and the Office of the Special Investigator (OSI).

The Daily Mail previously revealed Roberts-Smith had repeatedly offered to present himself to police if they were going to charge him with war crimes.

He is accused under the Commonwealth Criminal Code of shooting dead an unarmed Afghan, murdering another with an SAS comrade, and ordering the execution of three more.

Roberts-Smith's arrest came almost three years after he lost a defamation action against Nine newspapers, which published a series of reports in 2018 accusing him of being a war criminal.

The case against Roberts-Smith will be run by the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions and his defence funded by the Afghanistan Inquiry Legal Assistance Scheme.

Each of the charges against Roberts-Smith carries a maximum penalty of life in prison. He has always denied involvement in any unlawful killings.

Two of the five Afghan men the former corporal is accused of murdering have never been identified by war crimes investigators.

Each of the charges against Roberts-Smith (above) carries a maximum penalty of life in prison. He has always denied involvement in any unlawful killings

Court documents show one of his alleged victims is described only as 'Person Under Control 1', or alternatively 'Enemy Killed in Action 3'.

Roberts-Smith is accused of murdering that Afghan male with another SAS member dubbed 'Person 68' at Syahchow in Uruzgan Province on October 20, 2012.

Another alleged victim who is only known to authorities as 'Person Under Control 2' or 'Enemy Killed in Action 4' was killed on the same day in the same place.

Roberts-Smith is accused in a court attendance notice of aiding, abetting, counselling or procuring an SAS rookie dubbed 'Person 66' to shoot dead 'Person Under Control 2'.

Three of Roberts-Smith's alleged victims are named in court documents, while two other former SAS members have been identified with pseudonyms as having killed detainees but are not charged with any offence.

Roberts-Smith is accused of aiding, abetting, counselling or procuring Person 4 to shoot dead Mohammed Essa on April 12, 2009 at Kakarak in Uruzgan Province.

He is also accused of intentionally causing the death of 'a person identified as Ahmadullah' at Kakarak on the same day.

Mohammed Essa was the father of Ahmadullah, whose prosthetic leg was taken as a trophy after he was killed, and later used as a drinking vessel at the SAS's Tarin Kowt base.

The Victoria Cross recipient, who also earnt the Medal for Gallantry while serving in Afghanistan, is pictured at Buckingham Palace in 2018 meeting Queen Elizabeth II

Roberts-Smith is further charged with aiding, abetting, counselling or procuring Person 11 to kill Ali Jan at Darwan in Uruzgan Province on September 11, 2012.

Ali Jan was the shepherd Nine newspapers claimed Roberts-Smith kicked off a cliff before ordering his execution.

Each of the alleged victims is described in the charge sheets as 'not taking an active part in hostilities' when they were killed.

AFP Commissioner Krissy Barrett held a press conference shortly after Roberts-Smith's arrest.

'It will be alleged the victims were detained, unarmed and were under the control of ADF (Australian Defence Force) members when they were killed,' she said.

'It will be alleged the victims were shot by the accused, or shot by subordinate members of the ADF, in the presence of, and acting on the orders of, the accused.'

OSI director of investigations Ross Barnett said during the same press conference that prosecuting war crimes allegedly committed in Afghanistan was 'incredibly complex'.

Mr Barnett said the OSI had been investigating 'literally dozens of murders alleged to have been committed in the middle of a warzone, in a country 9,000km from Australia that we can no longer access'.

Roberts-Smith was apprehended in front of his twin 15-year-old daughters and partner Sarah Matulin as he arrived on a Qantas flight from Brisbane at Sydney Airport (above)

AFP Commissioner Krissy Barrett and OSI director of investigations Ross Barnett held a joint press conference at the AFP's Sydney headquarters about an hour after Roberts-Smith's arrest

'So, the challenge for investigators is - because we can't go to that country - we don't have access to the crime scene... ' he said.

'So we don't have photographs, site plans, measurements, the recovery of projectiles, blood-spatter analysis, all of those things we'd normally get at a crime scene.

'We don't have access to the deceased - there's no post-mortem, therefore there's no official cause of death, there's no recovery of projectiles to link to weapons that might have been carried by members of the ADF.'

The AFP and OSI have commenced 53 investigations involving allegations of war crimes committed by Australians soldiers in Afghanistan and 10 are ongoing.

One investigation resulted in former SAS member Oliver Schulz being charged with murdering a man called Dad Mohammad at Deh Jawz in Uruzgan Province on May 28, 2012.

Schulz was patrolling a wheat field when he allegedly encountered Dad Mohammad lying on his back with his hands and knees raised and shot him dead.

The now 44-year-old was arrested on March 20, 2023 and spent a week behind bars before being granted $200,000 bail in Downing Centre Local Court.

Judge Jennifer Atkinson said any further time Schulz spent in custody would be 'onerous and difficult and dangerous' and it was likely his case would not go before a jury before 2025.

Former SAS member Oliver Schulz (above) was the first Australian soldier charged with a murder allegedly committed in Afghanistan

Schulz has been listed to face trial in February 2027.

Daily Mail asked the AFP, OSI, CDPP and Attorney-General's Department who had elected to have Roberts-Smith charged in NSW and whether that state was chosen to give the prosecution an advantage.

An AFP spokesperson said: 'This was a joint investigation by OSI and the AFP. Investigators made the arrest at the most appropriate time and location for operational needs. No further comment will be made.'

An OSI spokesperson added: 'I understand you've also received a response from AFP Media on this - just confirming that the OSI has nothing further to add to their response.'

A spokesperson for the Attorney-General's Department directed inquiries to the OSI. The CDPP did not acknowledge receipt of the questions.
A hospice nurse who bet colleagues that a sick patient would die on Christmas Day and refused a traveller family's request to see their loved one while claiming they would 'burn the body in a caravan' has been struck off.

Naomi Butcher, 60, from Burgess Hill, West Sussex, also made a string of serious errors which saw her put a patient at risk of death by administering ten times the amount of medication they were supposed to receive.

She then falsely recorded she had given the correct dosage, meaning an opportunity to intervene and prevent harm to the patient was missed.

Ms Butcher has now been struck off from the nursing register after a Fitness to Practise Committee Hearing found she had committed misconduct and her fitness to practise is impaired.

The former care home manager committed the misconduct while employed by St Peter and St James Hospice, in Lewes, East Sussex, which cares for people with life-limiting illnesses.

During one incident in December 2023, Ms Butcher referred to a patient at the hospice and said words to the effect of: 'I make a bet with all of you that he will die on Christmas Day.'

Three months later, she refused permission for a family to come and visit their loved one at the hospital who had just passed away.

She told colleagues the family 'would stay for hours because they are gypsies' and that '20 of them' were likely to turn up if permission was given.

Naomi Butcher, 60, from Burgess Hill, West Sussex, has been struck off as a nurse after making discriminatory and insensitive comments about patients and their families

The former care home manager committed the misconduct while employed by St Peter and St James Hospice (pictured), in Lewes, East Sussex, which cares for people with life-limiting illnesses

She added that members of the Traveller community 'burn their bodies in caravans when they die'.

The tribunal panel stated her comments were discriminatory, as well as 'unacceptable, degrading and unprofessional', and her refusal to allow the family to visit would have caused them 'emotional and psychological distress'.

'The panel therefore found Mrs Butcher's actions to be an extremely serious breach of fundamental standards of professional conduct and behaviour that a registered nurse is expected to maintain and that they would be seen as deplorable by other members of the profession,' they added.

Ms Butcher also made a series of serious errors during her time at the hospice, including giving one patient ten times the dose of a drug they were prescribed.

She administered 50mg of Midazolam - a type of benzodiazepine three times more potent than diazepam - over 24 hours instead of 5mg, and then falsely recorded that she had given the correct dosage.

The committee heard that this placed the male patient 'at risk of death', and took place on the same day as the incident involving the Traveller family.

The day before, Ms Butcher had administered the wrong drug to another patient, giving them oxycodone instead of morphine sulphate.

On other occasions, she failed to administer medication to patients when she should have done, gave them the wrong dose or failed to complete checks on them.

One patient was left in pain after they were not given their full dose of oxycodone.

Ms Butcher also failed to check in a box of morphine sulphate tablets to the drug control cupboard at the hospice.

She admitted all the allegations against her except her words regarding Traveller families 'burning bodies in caravans'. She acknowledged she had made the other comments about the family.

But the allegation was found proven after the nurse did not turn up to the hearing to dispute it, and on the evidence of another employee who witnessed the comment.

Ms Butcher gave one patient ten times the amount of medication he was supposed to have, placing him 'at risk of death' before falsely logging she had administered the correct dose

The tribunal heard evidence from Kelly Viner, who said: 'Until the incident on 12 March 2024, I have never come across a situation where a family was turned down from seeing their loved one. On this day, Naomi and I and 2 others were at our desks in the nurses' office, writing up patient notes.

'Then Naomi said she had just got a call from Patient X's (then deceased) family saying they wanted to come and see Patient X again but she said no to them coming to the Hospice [...] She also said they normally burn their bodies in caravans when they die.'

It was heard that Ms Viner reported the incident by email the next day.

A second employee added they were told by a member of staff that 'Naomi was talking about how the family were gypsies and so they would burn the patient in a caravan'.

The Hospice emailed Ms Butcher on March 19, 2024, while she was on holiday in Tunisia, to inform her she would be spoken to about the medication errors upon her return to work.

But she handed in her resignation six days later and went on sick leave, meaning no one at the hospice was ever able to do so.

St Peter and St James Hospice referred Ms Butcher's conduct to the Nursing and Midwifery Council on April 4 of that year.

In the strike-off ruling published this week, the committee noted that Ms Butcher has shown 'limited insight' into her conduct and 'has failed to demonstrate an understanding of the impact of her actions on patients, colleagues and members of the public'.

They added she has 'not taken any steps to address the concerns raised in relation to her clinical practice'.

As of eight weeks ago, Ms Butcher was still working in the care sector, picking up shifts at the assisted living facility Arthur Bliss House - but the hearing was told she has not been involved in any frontline care since leaving the hospice.

According to her social media accounts, she is currently employed teaching nursing at University College London.

Ms Butcher, who told the Daily Mail she is now disabled, said: 'I requested twice to self-removal from the register.

'They refused because they wanted to strike me off. I should never have gone back to acute nursing and family issues meant mistakes happened.'

She did not address the comments she is found to have made about either patient.

Ms Butcher will be struck off after the end of a 28-day appeal period.
In the latest episode of the Daily Mail's Photo Evidence, reporter Catherine Barnwell scrutinises new satellite images that reveal how America's Department of War may not be telling the full truth about the scale of its losses during the Iran war.

Since the launch of Operation Epic Fury on February 28, the joint US-Israeli bombing campaign against Iran, the regime has retaliated by targeting American military assets across the Gulf with waves of missile and drone strikes.

As Barnwell explains, Iran's war strategy has been anything but conventional. Rather than targeting fighter jets or bombers, the IRGC has systematically attempted to blind and cripple America's command and control layer, launching attacks against radar and air defence systems.

It is these costly losses in strategic equipment, Barnwell argues, that the Department of War is not being fully transparent about. Her claim is borne out by looking at the latest EU Sentinel satellite images and cross referencing these with open source flight tracking data, ground photography and pictures issued by Iran's state media.

Catherine Barnwell has scutinised new satellite images that reveal how America's Department of War may not be telling the full truth about the scale of its losses during the Iran war

As Barnwell explains, Iran's war strategy has been anything but conventional. Rather than targeting fighter jets, the IRGC has attempted to cripple America's command and control layer

It is these costly losses in strategic equipment, Barnwell argues, that the Department of War is not being fully transparent about

This is significant. The loss of just one AWACS surveillance plane alone costs the American taxpayer $724 million.

The Department of War asked Planet Labs, the world's largest commercial satellite imagery provider, to withhold all images of the conflict region, including the bases of ally nations, indefinitely. The company complied.

Barnwell contends that the Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia provides an example of this alleged lack of transparency.

While the Department of War confirmed ten US service members were injured in a strike on the base, a spokesperson declined to comment over whether any strategic assets had been destroyed.

Watch Barnwell analyse images from multiple other bases targeted by Iran, including strikes on allied bases in Kuwait and Jordan, by subscribing to the Daily Mail World YouTube channel

She explained: 'The Prince Sultan is one of the main bases in the Middle East from which America is fighting its war with Iran.

'The base is not home to combat aircraft. It is where the US keeps its logistics and support planes.

'On March 27th, we know Iran managed to effectively destroy an AWACS aircraft during an attack on the base. Looking at before and after satellite images, you can see the black roto dome of the aircraft is completely gone and there's a black scorch mark on the tarmac.

'These images were published by Iran's state media, so need to be treated with scepticism however, ground photography from the day of the strike shows the tail number of the aircraft, 81-0005.

'This matches an aircraft that was operating as part of the 552nd air control wing out of Tinker Air Force Base in Oklahoma. Flight tracking data traced it to Ramstein Air Base in Germany on February 19th, before it flew on to Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia.'

Beyond the very probable loss of the AWACS, Barnwell shows how as many as seven KC-135 refuelling tankers may have been destroyed or damaged in the March 27 strike.

The loss of just one AWACS surveillance plane alone costs the American taxpayer $724 million

Looking at one air base on just one day of the Iran war, it appears probable that the US lost over a billion dollars worth of equipment

'America is not being entirely honest with the damage being caused by the war', Barnwell said

Images of the air base's main apron, released by Iran's state media, who claim three KC-135 tankers were destroyed and four more damaged in the strike, tally with independent EU satellite imagery.

Replacing just one KC-135 with its modern equivalent could cost the American taxpayer as much as $240 million.

'In the EU image, you can clearly see a scorch mark on the ground which tallies with where the tankers were in the Iranian image', Barnwell said.

'However, in the European images, there does not seem to be any damage below the scorch mark where other tankers were parked. So, Iran's claim of destroying three is unlikely to be true.'

Looking at one air base on just one day of the Iran war, it appears probable that the US lost over a billion dollars worth of equipment. The UK's entire defence budget for 2026 was 62.2 billion.

'America is not being entirely honest with the damage being caused by the war', Barnwell said.

'It has stopped US satellite companies from publishing imagery which shows us the damage that other sources and photographers on the ground are revealing.

'Officials have given off the record briefings confirming that Prince Sultan Air Base was hit on March 27, but have said nothing about the destruction of the aircraft.'

Watch Barnwell analyse images from multiple other bases targeted by Iran, including strikes on allied bases in Kuwait and Jordan, by subscribing to the Daily Mail World YouTube channel.
A mother who got pregnant after sexually abusing her 10-year-old son gave a mortified outburst after being confronted outside her new home.

Doreene Gifford, 47, looked wide-eyed with panic Wednesday after she was approached by a Daily Mail reporter about her incestuous abuse of her son Logan, who is now 27.

Speaking near the run-down apartment building where she lives in New Bedford, Massachusetts, Gifford yelped: 'Oh no!' after being questioned about her shocking crimes.

Gifford then turned away and ignored further questions as she raced back into her apartment, while wearing a clunky black ankle monitor.

The pedophile was heard on the phone a few minutes later speaking to an unidentified individual and saying: 'I didn't want any trouble.'

Gifford spent nine years behind bars in Las Vegas after sexually abusing Logan at the family's Sin City home.

She was freed on probation in July 2024 and now lives in the quaint New England coastal city in a $600,000, 12-bedroom halfway house with a clapboard exterior.

New Bedford is a short drive away from the gorgeous Gilded Age beach resort of Newport, Rhode Island, and across the bay from the celebrity enclave of Martha's Vineyard.

Doreene Gifford is pictured outside the halfway house where she lives in New Bedford, Massachusetts, on Wednesday morning. She refused to speak to a reporter when confronted over her incestuous abuse of her son Logan when he was 10

Logan is pictured bottom right in a family photo with Doreene, his father Theodore and his brother - who he fears is also his biological son

The neighborhood where Gifford resides is full of charming historic homes clad in clapboard or shingle, although many of them have seen better days.

Locals living nearby professed shock at news of Gifford's crimes.

They appeared horrified to learn that one of America's most notorious child sex predators, who is a registered sex offender, is living on their doorstep, and several said they had not been warned.

Since moving to the East Coast, Gifford has got a job working at a substance abuse charity, public records show.

Last year, Gifford was hit by a parole violation after attempting to contact Logan and her younger son, who is now 16.

Logan - who bravely waived his anonymity to share his story of parental abuse - wants nothing more to do with his mother.

He is now raising his brother, who has also been legally named as his son by a judge.

The teenager, whose privacy Logan guards fiercely, suffers from developmental disabilities as well as the spinal condition scoliosis.

Doreene Gifford is seen leaving her home to go to work at a drug rehabilitation charity

Gifford was freed from prison in 2024 and remains on probation. Her ankle monitor was visible on Wednesday morning

Logan Gifford is pictured as a child. His mother began raping him around the time of the 2008 presidential election

Logan fears this may be the result of an incestuous conception, with children born to close relatives at much higher risk of genetic abnormalities.

Initial DNA tests have been unable to definitively determine whether the 16-year-old is Logan's son.

That is partly because Logan's DNA is so similar to that of his biological father Theodore, who he no longer speaks to.

Despite his terrible childhood, Logan has rebuilt his life to an impressive extent.

He is married with a toddler daughter and works as a voting rights advocate for the Nevada Republican Party.

Logan is crowdfunding $30,000 for a more advanced DNA test to try and definitively establish the teenage boy's parentage. He also advocates for abuse survivors on his TikTok page.

The brave anti-abuse campaigner previously told the Daily Mail how his mother began sexually abusing him around the time of the 2008 presidential election.

She gave birth to her younger son when Logan was 11. It was only as he grew into adulthood that Logan realized that his sibling might also be his child.

Logan is pictured with his wife and daughter. He is crowdfunding for a DNA test to learn once and for all whether his brother is also his son

Logan's brother is pictured cradling Logan's daughter shortly after her birth. He asked his brother whether the girl was his niece as well as his sister

Logan previously told the Daily Mail how his mother would force him to watch pornographic videos involving dead bodies when he was 12.

He said Gifford would try to ply him with drugs so they could reenact those scenes.

Gifford was convicted of attempted sexual assault and lewdness with a child under the age of 14 in 2015.

Despite the horrific abuse she perpetrated on him as a child, Logan told the Daily Mail this week that he was focused only on his family life and had moved forward.

If she is abiding by the legal restrictions in place, she deserves the opportunity to heal and find her footing again, he said.

He said rather than looking back, he was focused on advocacy rather than the perpetrator, and was putting his time toward his children.

While many find details of Gifford's crimes distressing and disturbing, Logan said he will continue to share the story to try and help his brother.

'I think there is a moral obligation for my brother to get answers because he is entitled to know why he is disabled he needs help, and he deserves peace of mind over his health records.'

Gifford, pictured in her mugshot, broke the terms of her parole by contacting her son after her release to ask for his help in applying for government benefits in early 2025

Gifford is pictured with his brother, who he continues to care for

'Just because he has special needs, hes still a teenager,' he continued.

Logan says since gaining custody of his brother, the previously-overweight teenager has slimmed down and is doing well at school.

The youngster 'fundamentally understands' the circumstances of his birth, Logan said and knows there is a 'strong possibility' that Logan is both his dad and brother.

Praising his brother's many attributes, Logan said: 'He doesnt appear disabled, he oozes charisma. I took him to go get blood work the other day and he was flirting with the tech... Thats the stuff that people dont see.'

Still, the distressing circumstances of the boy's entry into the world continue to hang over the family.

One of the most upsetting displays of the boy's distress surfaced last year when Logan's daughter was born.

Turning to his brother, the boy asked: 'So, is this my sister or my niece?'
A new Tennessee law declaring June as 'Nuclear Family Month' - and not Pride Month - has sparked outrage.

Governor Bill Lee signed the controversial resolution on April 9, just two days after it was sent to his desk, following passage through both chambers of the Republican-controlled state legislature.

It defines the family unit as comprising 'one husband, one wife and any biological, adopted or fostered children' and describes the nuclear family as 'God's design for familial structure' and 'God's perfect design for humanity.'

The resolution, first proposed last year, also calls the nuclear family the 'basic building block of Tennessee's society throughout her formative years,' saying it has 'built the United States of America and created prosperity within our nation.'

It goes on to cite claims about fatherless households, including links to higher rates of poverty, substance abuse, incarceration and school shootings, to argue for the superiority of the traditional family.

However, studies have shown that once factors such as income and household stability are accounted for, the independent effects of father absence are significantly smaller.

The resolution further denounces the 'humanistic, globalist ideologies' of the World Health Organization, the United Nations and other 'like-minded organizations that fight for population control through the means of promoting sterilization and abortion practices.'

It argues that the nuclear family is 'under attack' and that it is the state's responsibility to 'uplift, protect and support values that help Tennessee.'

Tennessee Governor Bill Lee (pictured in 2023) signed into law a resolution proclaiming June is 'Nuclear Family Month' on April 9

It defines the family unit as comprising 'one husband, one wife and any biological, adopted or fostered children' and describes the nuclear family as 'God's design for familial structure' and 'God's perfect design for humanity'

The bill was sponsored by Republican state Representative Bud Hulsey, of Kingsport, and was backed by 15 GOP co-sponsors.

But it took a year for the bill to make its way through the Tennessee Legislature.

The resolution originally passed the Tennessee House 72 - 18 in April 2025, and finally cleared the Senate 26 - 4 last month.

At that point, it returned to the House for final concurrence in a Senate amendment changing the designation of 'Nuclear Family Month' from June 2025 to June 2026.

LGBTQ groups were quick to denounce the resolution, even though there is no enforcement mechanism, leaving Tennessee residents free to celebrate Pride Month if they so choose.

'Resolutions like this do more to reveal the cluelessness of elected officials whose own families and those of their constituents have various family dynamics and structures,' a spokesperson for GLAAD told the Advocate.

'The strongest families are grounded by love,' the spokesperson continued.

'Lawmakers trying to exclude and intentionally harm some families should be recognized as actively harming all by not focusing their time working for an inclusive Tennessee where all are welcome and can succeed.'

The governor's signature on the resolution came just one month after another bill that would have banned the display of Pride flags and other LGBTQIA symbols in government building died in a Senate committee

The governor's signature on the resolution came just one month after another bill that would have banned the display of Pride flags and other LGBTQIA symbols in government buildings died in a Senate committee, Nashville Scene reports.

Representative Gino Bulso said he had sponsored the 'No Pride Flag or Month Act' after parents complained about teachers and staff displaying Pride flags and other symbols of LGBTQ inclusivity on their desks, doors or other work areas in schools.

'I think the problem is that [LGBTQ people are] targeting children with these values that are represented by the Pride flag, and any time you're dealing with efforts to indoctrinate children at school and get them to adopt a particular political point of view, I consider that a serious matter,' Bulso said.

'I would have thought that all reasonable people can agree that we should not be displaying political flags in our elementary and middle and high schools,' he continued.

'If that continues to go on, and if I continue to hear complaints from parents in our district, we'll bring it back,' Bulso said of the resolution.

The resolution failed after Democratic Senator Jeff Yarbo argued it would violate free speech, and Republican Senator Page Walley argued it is a local government issue.

Tennessee Equality Project Executive Director Chris Sanders celebrated the news when the bill failed.

'Rooted in LGBTQ history and the struggles for freedom, our Pride flags and Pride celebrations are also a test case for every American's liberties,' he said.

'I am glad that we will see strong Pride celebrations across Tennessee this year.'

The Daily Mail has reached out to Governor Lee's office for comment.
Amanda Knox is travelling to the UK to promote her film about the murder of British student Meredith Kercher.

Knox, 38, was twice convicted and twice acquitted of Ms Kercher's murder in Perugia, Italy - after she died while the pair lived together studying abroad in November 2007.

The American is now inviting Brits to 'come say hello' and join her for 'two special nights' screening her new film 'Mouth of the Wolf', a few miles from where Ms Kercher, 21, lived in Coulsdon, south London.

It comes after Knox defended seven-time convicted child murderer Lucy Letby in a new podcast series examining her case, sparking outrage in February.

She will visit London on April 21 and 22. Knox took to social media to say: 'I've never been to the UK, but I'm finally going. It feels great knowing that the two documentary screenings I'm hosting are already sold out!

'I'll be releasing some reserved seats soon to make a few more tickets available! Please join the waitlist! And thank you, London!'

The documentary features some original songs, sung by Knox herself, for which she produced music videos.

Her husband Christopher Robinson directed the film, which tells of her return to the scene of Meredith's murder in their apartment.

Amanda Knox, who was convicted and acquitted twice for the murder of British student Meredith Kercher is coming to the UK to promote her film about the killing

The documentary is directed by her husband Christopher Robins (pictured) and features original songs sung by Knox

Knox has made a lucrative career off the back of her wrongful conviction, writing books, creating podcasts, shooting films and even performing stand-up comedy.

She's become an advocate for the wrongfully accused, as seen with her 'recognition' of Lucy Letby's case.

She posted: 'These intimate screenings are a chance to experience the film in a city that has long embraced bold, thought-provoking storytelling. If you're in London, or know someone who is, we'd love to see you there.'

Knox and her husband will take questions after the film and told those interested to join the waitlist for extra tickets soon to be added for the free screening at Greenwich Picturehouse.

Critics have said that Knox has been 'cashing in' on Meredith's murder since her convictions and acquittals.

The Kercher family lawyer, Francesco Maresca, has previously accused Knox of repeatedly profiting from her murder.

He said: 'On the one hand, Amanda says the trial created so much suffering for her but then she tries to have it all  the fame and the money.

'She continues to make money from it. This time she has no qualms about doing it in Perugia, one of the least appropriate places to return to 17 years since Meredith's death.

'Knox is only interested in the profits she continues to make from an affair on which she should be silent.'

However, some see Knox as a wronged woman who was jailed for four years for a crime she did not commit following her acquittal by Italy's Supreme Court of Cassation in 2015.

Since the court ruling, Knox has hidden from the public eye but managed to publish a memoir, host a true crime podcast called Hard Knox, executive-produced a Hulu true crime series about her own case and recently took to making jokes about her murder conviction to paying audiences in California's stand-up circuit.

Ms Kercher had been a popular student at the University of Leeds when she went on an exchange to Perugia. She moved into a shared flat with two Italian women and Knox, then 20.

Meredith Kercher's family have repeatedly expressed discomfort at Knox's career and brand being so closely related to the murder of their daughter

Knox was questioned by police without a lawyer or qualified interpreter and claims she was physically struck by officers

While attending the University for Foreigners, the two women got along, visiting a EuroChocolate festival together and socialising often.

But Ms Kercher was murdered in her bedroom on the night of November 1, 2007.

She had been sexually assaulted and stabbed in the neck. Her body was found on the floor of her room covered in a blood-soaked duvet.

While police scoured the violent murder scene, Knox was seen kissing her boyfriend of one week, Raffaele Sollecito, outside the flat. The photo shocked the public and Knox later said she had been in shock.

Knox and her partner were questioned by police within days. She said later she had been interrogated without a lawyer or a qualified interpreter and claimed she had been physically struck by officers. Italian police denied this, however.

Knox blamed a boss at a local bar she worked at, Patrick Lumumba, during the interrogation. He had a solid alibi, increasing police suspicions.

After an investigation and trial, a then-20year-old Knox was convicted for the crime in 2009.

She was sentenced to 26 years in prison for faking a break-in, defamation, sexual violence, and murder.

Rudy Hermann Guede, from the Ivory Coast, was eventually convicted of murder after his DNA was found at the crime scene.

Guede was freed in 2021, after serving most of his 16-year sentence.

Rudy Hermann Guede, from the Ivory Coast, was eventually convicted of Ms Kercher's murder after serving most of his 16-year prison sentence

Knox returned to the US in 2011 after being freed and has established herself as a global campaigner for the wrongly convicted.

However, Italy's Supreme Court reneged on the acquittal in 2013 and ordered a retrial. She was convicted of murder a second time in a Florentine appeals court in 2014.

Knox initially refused to leave America, but the second conviction was overturned again in 2015, pointing to 'sensational investigative failures' and 'culpable omissions' by Italian authorities.

It was ordered that no further trial be held.
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has condemned two NYPD detectives who were captured on video brutalizing a man in a liquor store during an arrest in Brooklyn on Tuesday afternoon.

The detectives are part of the Brooklyn North narcotics division, according to their officer profiles on the NYPD's website. They incorrectly believed the suspect had just made a drug sale because he matched a description, the NYPD told the Daily Mail.

Police said that the man was wearing similar clothes to a described dealer, but that he 'was not charged with any offense related to the sale of narcotics because it was later determined that he was not involved in the drug sale.'

In the video, posted on Instagram by user Sinistratm, the detectives can be seen punching the suspect in the face and torso, pushing him into a shelf of wine bottles, dragging him by the legs and kicking and stomping him while he's on the ground.

The wine bottles shattered and slashed the man's leg, causing a deep cut that began bleeding profusely. A pool of blood can be seen growing on the floor in the video.

'The violence used by NYPD officers in this video is extremely disturbing and unacceptable,' Mayor Mamdani wrote on X.

'Officers should never treat a person this way. The NYPD is conducting a full investigation into this incident.'

NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch echoed the mayor's statement and said the video was 'deeply disturbing.' She added that the detectives have been stripped of their badges and guns while the NYPDs Internal Affairs Bureau investigates.

Two NYPD detectives were caught on video brutalizing a man during an arrest in a liquor store in Brooklyn on Tuesday. NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani and NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch called the video 'disturbing'

The detectives were caught on camera repeatedly punching the suspect in the head and torso. They incorrectly believed he had sold drugs because he matched a description

The detectives could also be seen pushing the suspect into a shelf of wine bottles which shattered and slashed his leg

In the video, a crowd can be seen forming after the officers get the suspect to the ground, and witnesses can be heard chastising the detectives and calling them 'pigs.'

The detectives threatened to arrest multiple witnesses while ordering the man to put his arms behind his back and shouting at him to 'stop resisting.' The suspect spent about seven minutes on the ground as the leg wound continued to bleed.

One of the detectives, who has a long history of disciplinary action and allegations of excessive use of force and abuse of authority, could be seen stomping the suspect again after he was placed in cuffs and was lying face down on the ground.

A friend of the arrestee told the New York Daily News that he needed multiple stitches for the deep gash in his leg caused by the broken bottles. She also said that his nose was broken during the arrest.

'The detectives that did this, theyre known out here,' the friend told the outlet. 'Its just this is the first time that someone was smart enough to film from start to finish.'

The person recording the video asked for the names and badge numbers of both the arresting officers.

One replied, '1032... Detective Algerio.' The other shouted back, 'My name is shut up! Im trying to make a call right now because this guy is bleeding out!'

But the person recording zoomed in on the second detective's badge number, clearly showing that it was 5056.

Join the discussion How should police accountability be enforced when officers with repeated complaints use extreme force?

The detectives could be seen pulling the suspect by the legs before continuing to stomp and kick him

The man suffered a deep cut that caused him to bleed profusely. He lay on the floor for about seven minutes while leaking blood

One of the detectives, who has a long history of allegations of abuse of authority and excessive force, can be seen stomping the suspect after he was already cuffed on the ground

The distressed arrestee is pictured while both detectives lean on his back and cuff him

According to the NYPD's officer profile search website, Detective Algerio's full name is Michael P Algerio, and he has been with the department since July 2012. He was promoted to detective in February 2022.

According to 50-a.org, an independent website that compiles Civilian Complaint Review Board complaints, police misconduct records and lawsuits, Algerio has had seven complaints and 12 allegations against him, one of which was substantiated.

Many of those allegations were for abuse of authority and overuse of physical force.

Only one allegation of abuse of authority was substantiated, while the rest of the allegations and complaints were either withdrawn, unsubstantiated or Algerio was exonerated.

Algerio was also involved in two lawsuits alleging unjustified use of force that were settled for a total of $38,090, according to the website. One of the plaintiffs said that they were unable to walk for nine months because of the injuries Algerio caused.

The only NYPD detective with the badge number 5056 is Volkan Maden, who has been with the department since 2014 and was promoted to detective in 2024.

His profile on 50-a.org lists a total of 12 complaints and 51 allegations, 12 of which were substantiated. The substantiated allegations include seven cases of abuse of authority.

The detective has been internally disciplined by the NYPD six times since 2022, according to the website.

One of the arresting officers was Detective Michael P Algerio, who has had seven complaints and 12 allegations against him for excessive force and abuse of authority

The other arresting officer was Detective Volkan Maden, who has had 12 complaints and 51 allegations against him and has been internally disciplined by the NYPD six times

He has also been involved in three lawsuits against the city that were settled for a total of $14,000. One of the plaintiffs said that Maden threw him to the ground and repeatedly punched and kicked him.

Another plaintiff said the detective kicked him in the stomach multiple times and 'continued to batter him' after he had been tased and was already on the ground.
A photo of three cops walking through Melbourne has sparked debate over height requirements after one of them was noticeably shorter than his two colleagues.

The image, snapped by FF News Room, showed the trio walking outside the state library, with the middle one reaching the shoulders of the other two.

Some Aussies raised concerns about the police force, questioning if there was a height requirement.

'They cant be for real, there must be a height and weight restriction when applying,' one said.

'I thought there will be a minimum height requirement for men and women when applying for the role,' a second said.

Victoria Police has 'no minimum or maximum height requirement' to be a cop, but there is a focus on physical fitness and medical and psychological suitability.

Some Aussies swooped to the defence of the police force, saying height should be irrelevant.

'Height doesnt matter if you can do Jet Li or Bruce Lee style, anyone can be taller but doesnt mean not fit for the job, same as David and Goliath,' one said.

This photo of three cops walking through Melbourne , with one noticeably shorter than the rest, has sparked debate over the height requirements of officers

'If someone meets the requirements of the job, it doesnt matter how tall or short someone is,' a second said.

'Being tall has advantages, and being shorter actually can have advantages too.'

'At least he has the guts and integrity to do the job,' another said.

'Most people commenting need to look themselves in the mirror and ask themselves "would I be capable of putting myself on the line every day to serve and protect".'

'How about we stop picking on people just out there doing their job based on their appearance,' a fourth said.

Others also pointed out height requirements were in place many years ago.

'I was told I couldnt join Victoria Police because Im five foot eight inches and you had to be six foot back in the late 80s,' one said.

'Back in my day, you had to be six foot tall and weigh over 90 kg to join the force,' a second said.

Alan Thorn, who is five foot two inches tall, said he was given a cruel nickname by his instructor that stuck

'My mum applied and was refused due to height and heck, shes much taller than him,' a third said.

A Sydney police told A Current Affair in 2021 he was bullied for his short stature for 14 years.

Alan Thorn, who is five foot two inches tall, said he was given a cruel nickname by his instructor that stuck.

'He called me Frodo. I had no idea what Frodo meant until I asked one of the young blokes there and he informed me it was a hobbit out of Lord of the Rings,' he said.

'I don't believe a lot of people would have known my real name, they just knew me as Frodo.'

He was also called 'Papa Smurf' while his colleagues plastered a wall with images of dwarves and crude memes, nicknaming it the 'The Great Little Wall of Thorny'.

He claimed he suffered from depression, anxiety and PTSD and considered taking legal action.
NSW could become the second state to set up its own diesel stockpile, as ongoing supply shortages push premiers to act independently of Canberra.

Premier Chris Minns confirmed NSW is actively weighing a state-based reserve after Western Australia moved this week to unilaterally purchase millions of litres of diesel for its own strategic use.

'We are going to look at it,' Minns said on Wednesday.

'We had a subcommittee cabinet with this issue and will make a decision about what strategic investments we can make here in NSW.'

Minns said his government is planning for all contingencies as global supply pressures continue.

'We'll see what NSW can do if we have to go it alone,' he said, while stressing the government will not commit to any plan 'straight away'.

Federal opposition leader Angus Taylor said it was a sign Prime Minister Anthony Albanese was no longer in control.

'The moves by Western Australia and now NSW show states have lost confidence in the Albanese government's ability to safeguard Australia's energy security,' he told The Daily Telegraph.

NSW could become the second state to set up its own diesel stockpile, as ongoing supply shortages push premiers to act independently of Canberra

Chris Minns (pictured) said the NSW Government was considering a state exclusive stockpile

'I've been clear from the start that fragmented, state-by-state approaches in the middle of a national fuel crisis risks making a bad situation worse, not better.

'When states are forced to scramble and build their own fuel reserves in the middle of a national crisis, it's a clear sign Chris Bowen and Anthony Albanese have lost control.'

The federal government rejects this, insisting state action complements, rather than undermines, the national effort.

On Tuesday, WA Premier Roger Cook announced his government had secured four million litres of diesel at a cost of $10 million to protect supply for the state's agricultural and heavy industrial sectors.

The fuel will be stored locally and used only if required.

Energy Minister Chris Bowen strongly defended Western Australia's decision during a tense on-air discussion with Today host Karl Stefanovic on Thursday morning.

Bowen dismissed suggestions of a 'feeding frenzy' between states.

'I welcome the efforts of Western Australia to secure a relatively small amount of diesel, but material for their purposes,' he said.

Join the discussion Should states take fuel security into their own hands or trust the federal government to deliver?

Bowen (pictured) dismissed claims that the states had lost faith in the Albanese government

'That is states and the Commonwealth working together, and I think that is a good thing.'

When Stefanovic compared state stockpiling to 'Covid 2.0', Bowen pushed back.

'I would be very careful about that sort of language, with the greatest of respect.

'What Western Australia is doing is ensuring they are not taking diesel away from other states and are instead bringing additional supply into Australia.'

Bowen stressed that WA had taken explicit steps to avoid diverting supply from other jurisdictions.

'They sought and received assurances that the diesel they are procuring is additional to Australia,' he said.

'Their approach is complementary to the Commonwealth's actions, not contradictory.'

Bowen said he encourages state governments to act within their powers in a period of ongoing global disruption.

Federal opposition leader Angus Taylor said it was a sign Prime Minister Anthony Albanese was no longer in control (pictured, a service station in Melbourne that ran out of petrol in March)

'Governments taking action, including state governments stepping up where they can, is something I have always welcomed.

'We are comparing notes on our powers and working together to manage an extraordinarily difficult international supply chain.'

He confirmed other states are free to make similar decisions based on their circumstances.
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., April 16, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Evive Brands is launching its "Hands in Action" campaign in recognition of National Volunteer Month, spotlighting the meaningful ways franchise owners across its portfolio give back to the communities they serve.

The nationwide initiative showcases volunteerism and community service efforts from franchisees representing brands Assisted Living Locators, Executive Home Care, Grasons, Maid Brigade, The Brothers That Just Do Gutters, Shine and Pacific Lawn Sprinklers. The campaign aims to amplify the real-world impact of local business owners.

"Across our brands, we see franchise owners stepping up every day to support their communities," said Ryan Parsons, Evive Brands CEO. "Hands in Action is about recognizing those efforts reflecting who we are as an organizationpeople driven by purpose, service and a commitment to making a difference."

Franchisees are already demonstrating that impact in communities across the country.

In California, Assisted Living Locators Santa Clarita franchisee Kevin Hayden leads veterans groups at local senior living communities, creating a space for connection, shared experiences and access to veteran resources.

In Virginia, Executive Home Care Richmond owner Tim Hayes is hosting a community Alzheimer's fundraising event in partnership with the Alzheimer's Association of Greater Richmond, bringing residents together to support awareness and research.

Grasons of Clarksville, TN owner Jonathan Curri partners with local organizations including Yaipak, Habitat for Humanity, Manna's Cafe Ministries and AMVETS to donate items from estate sales, helping individuals and families rebuild their lives.

Maid Brigade of Loudoun and Fairfax Counties operations manager Sally Crosen has contributed more than 3,000 volunteer hours to Habitat for Humanity, including providing free cleanings before home dedications to support families transitioning into stable housing.

In New Hampshire, The Brothers That Just Do Gutters franchisee Mike Manni is supporting workforce development by awarding scholarships to students pursuing careers in the skilled trades.

Shine's founders continue to support orphaned and vulnerable children in Uganda through the Arrows & Hope initiative, funded in part by franchise growth.

Additionally, Pacific Lawn Sprinklers owner Steve Pellicane and his team volunteered to decorate a home for a local family facing cancer, bringing comfort and joy during a challenging time.

The Hands in Action campaign highlights the collective impact of franchise businesses locally while reinforcing the importance of community engagement across Evive Brands network.

For more information about Evive Brands, visit www.evivebrands.com.

Media Contact: Rhonda Grundemann 602-739-8810 [email protected]

SOURCE Evive Brands
Kemi Badenoch told Keir Starmer to get a grip on defence spending yesterday, amid worries the issue will rumble on for months.

The Conservative leader tore into Sir Keir in the Commons over his failure to set out his plans to increase military funds, which have been delayed for over half a year.

Mrs Badenoch seized on criticism by ex-Nato chief George Robertson, who warned this week that Labour's dithering was leaving the UK 'in peril'.

During angry clashes at Prime Minister's Questions, she pointed out that while ministers have published plans for lavish welfare spending until 2031 there is no equivalent for defence.

'The Prime Minister will not fund our military, because he wants to fund more welfare,' she said.

'That is why he has a welfare plan to 2031, but no defence investment plan at all.'

She challenged Sir Keir to address the warning from Lord Robertson that 'we cannot defend Britain with an ever-expanding welfare budget'.

The Prime Minister said he 'respected' Lord Robertson, a former Labour defence secretary who wrote the Government's strategic defence review last year.

'The Prime Minister will not fund our military, because he wants to fund more welfare,' Kemi Badenoch said

'My responsibility is to keep the British people safe, and that is a duty I take seriously,' Sir Keir told the Commons

Join the discussion Should defence spending ever be sacrificed to fund welfare in todays uncertain world?

But he disagreed with the peer's analysis, pointing out he had already pledged to increase defence spending to 2.6 per cent of GDP by cutting foreign aid.

'My responsibility is to keep the British people safe, and that is a duty I take seriously,' Sir Keir told the Commons.

'That is why I don't agree with his comments.' He insisted the long-delayed Defence Investment Plan, which was due to be published last autumn, would be released 'as soon as possible'.

It comes as more Labour figures called for the Prime Minister to go further and faster on the matter.

Geoff Hoon yesterday became the third former Labour defence secretary to urge the Government to tackle the issue.

He told GB News that Lord Robertson's decision to intervene showed something had gone 'seriously wrong'.

Mr Hoon added: 'We have to get on with this, and it's incumbent upon the Prime Minister and ultimately the Treasury to fall in, in order to get this right, to protect our country.

'There are occasions on which it is necessary to twist the arm of the Treasury, and doing so in this very public way is perhaps a way to force the Treasury to recognise that defence spending in the present international situation must be a priority.'

And Tan Dhesi, Labour chairman of the Commons defence committee, told MPs: 'We as a nation are ill-prepared to face the threats in this more volatile world.'

The Daily Mail is campaigning for increased defence funding.

But government sources yesterday claimed such spending plans could not be published now because of rules around 'purdah', which bans official action in the build-up to the local elections.

But insiders said Rachel Reeves is still refusing to provide the cash needed to fund the ten-year programme. The plan may not be finalised until June, one claimed.

Funding for the scheme is said to be 28billion short of what is needed over the next four years.

Yet Ms Reeves has offered just 10billion  and asked the Ministry of Defence to find a further 3.5billion in 'efficiency savings' this year.
A Pennsylvania father who has been in federal immigration custody since February has been released, allowing him to reunited with his cancer-stricken daughter after two months of being separated from her.

Bruno Guedes da Silva, a Brazilian national, was arrested by agents with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), who said he was wanted on firearms charges.

Those charges were dropped against him last week. They involved him allegedly lying about his immigration status when buying a gun in July 2024, something he denies.

On Tuesday, a judge released Guedes da Silva from the Moshannon Valley Processing Center on a $5,000 immigration bond, TribLive reported.

He was picked up by family friends who took him to the Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, where his six-year-old daughter Maria Paula de Araujo Guedes is receiving treatment for Hodgkin's lymphoma.

The family had set up a GoFundMe page to help pay for Maria's care after her father was arrested by ICE. The online fundraiser has brought in more than $101,000 as of Wednesday evening.

The family released a statement thanking the immigration judge for releasing Guedes da Silva.

The spokesperson for the family also conveyed thanks to Guedes da Silva's criminal defense attorney, Tom Farrell, and the Allegheny County District Attorney, the office that withdrew the firearms charges against him.

Bruno Guedes da Silva, a Brazilian national who had been in ICE custody for two months, is pictured with his daughter after being released on Tuesday

Maria Paula de Araujo Guedes, 6, is being treated for Hodgkin's lymphoma. A GoFundMe started by the family has raised more than $101,000 as of Wednesday evening

The family is pictured together over Maria's hospital bed at the Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh

Join the discussion Should families facing medical crises be prioritized for compassion over strict immigration enforcement?

'We are especially grateful to his immigration attorney, Peter Rogers, whose tireless advocacy helped secure Brunos release so he can return home and be with his young daughter as she undergoes critical medical treatment,' the statement continued.

Guedes da Silva sought asylum in the United States in 2022 claiming his family was shot at in retaliation for being employed as a correctional officer.

'As a result, he fled to the United States, and when he got there, he asked for asylum,' Farrell told WTAE-TV.

Farrell said he was granted a work visa, a Social Security card and driver's license upon entering the US.

So when Guedes da Silva tried to buy a handgun from a McCandless firearms store in July 2024, he answered 'no' on to question on a federal Firearms Transaction Record form asking if he was unlawfully in the country.

He was not allowed to buy the gun and since that day, he had a warrant out for his arrest on a charge of lying on a federal gun form. Farrell said Guedes da Silva was unaware of this for two years.

'He was never told why he couldnt purchase a gun. They just said, "No, you cant purchase a gun," and he thought that was the end of it,' Farrell said. 'Everything that the federal government and the state government told him was that he was allowed to be in this country.'

It's unclear if the Department of Homeland Security will continue to pursue a case against Guedes da Silva. The Daily Mail approached the agency and ICE for further comment.
The grieving mother of a young girl who was kidnapped and murdered by a FedEx driver was seen staring down the killer as she delivered heartbreaking testimony.

Maitlyn Gandy, the mother of seven-year-old Athena Strand, took the stand on Wednesday at 34-year-old Tanner Horner's sentencing hearing, wearing a pink suit and dyeing her hair pink to match her late daughter's favorite color.

When she was asked why she makes a point to attend every hearing leading up to Horner's sentencing, Gandy said it is because she had to 'cover up handprint bruises around my daughter's neck and because she no longer has a voice.

'And I want people to know that she's not just some story, she's not just some number. She's not just some picture you see in a headline. She was loved. She is loved,' Gandy told the jurors tasked with deciding whether Horner should face the death penalty.

'And she is missed. And she was real. And she had a life and she wanted to live. And no one can take that from her,' the still-grieving mother continued, turning her attention directly to Horner. 'Not a single person can take that from her.

'And I will be her face and I will be her voice and I will make sure that every person in this world knows that she was loved and that she wanted to live, and we want her in our lives.'

Horner had been delivering a box of Barbie dolls that were due to be the young girl's Christmas present to her home in Paradise, Texas in November 2022 when he saw Strand playing outside unattended.

He then strangled the youngster, abducted her and dumped her body in a creek.

Maitlyn Gandy, the mother of seven-year-old Athena Strand, took the stand at killer Tanner Horner's sentencing hearing on Wednesday

Horner has pleaded guilty to capital murder and aggravated kidnapping

He had been delivering Barbie dolls that were set to be Athena Strand's (pictured) Christmas present when he saw her playing outside her home in Paradise, Texas

Horner has since pleaded guilty to capital murder and aggravated kidnapping.

But he has claimed he accidentally struck Strand with his truck and that he strangled her out of fear she would tell her parents.

He told the court he initially tried to break Athena's neck to kill her, but that it didn't work, so he strangled her with his bare hands instead.

The young girl was remembered by her mother on Wednesday as 'free,' 'wild,' 'independent' and 'strong.'

'She was bright and she was loving,' Gandy said. 'She wanted to be loved and to give love and that's it... Athena loved everything. She loved life.'

When Gandy first learned her daughter was missing, she said she was in disbelief, and she made the drive from her home in Oklahoma to Strand's father's house in Texas in just about 45 minutes - a trip she said that normally takes two hours.

'I just told myself that if I kept going, it would be OK and I would find her,' Gandy testified, only to find that she was not allowed to join in the search efforts for two days as police feared she could throw search dogs off the scent.

When Gandy was later told that her daughter was found dead, she said she 'went into a place of denial.

'I stopped breathing and I started to black out,' she recounted.

Horner strangled the youngster, abducted her and dumped her body in a creek.. The two are pictured in his FedEx truck following the kidnapping

She was finally able to see her daughter on December 6, 2022, when she said she noticed her daughter's 'ears were messed up and she had incision lines and her chin was scraped up.

'...And I searched her body looking for any reason,' Gandy continued. 'But that wasn't my baby. And then we did her makeup so Jacob wouldn't have to see the discoloration and how bad it was,' she said of Strand's father.

From there, Gandy said she went to pick out a dress that was pretty enough for her daughter.

'She was so cold and she didn't like the cold, so I wanted to make sure that she was dressed,' the heartbroken mother continued. 'So I picked out clothes. I picked out socks and panties and shoes and leggings and dresses, and I wanted to make sure she had one of her bows. So I got her some bows.'

Gandy also spoke about her younger daughter, Ry, who was four years and seven months younger than Athena.

Gandy (pictured at Strand's memorial service in 2022) said she still speaks to her late daughter every day

She also spoke about her younger daughter, Ry, who was four years and seven months younger than Athena.

Gandy said she lied to her youngest daughter for almost a year about what happened to Athena

She said Athena was 'beaming' when she got to hold Ry in her arms for the first time.

'She'd been asking me for a sibling for a year or more and she finally got her,' Gandy recounted.

She then received Athena's ashes on December 10, 2022 - Ry's third birthday.

'I brought her sister home. It just wasn't the way I was supposed to,' Gandy said.

'I didn't know how to tell her and I didn't think I was strong enough to tell her, so I lied to her for a long time. I would tell her that she was just staying with her daddy for a little bit longer and when she asked to FaceTime or to call her, I would tell her that she was at school or she was sleeping,' she continued.

'I would lie to her until about a year ago. She didn't know the whole truth. I didn't tell her that she had been killed until what should have been Athena's eighth birthday.'

The mother concluded by saying she talks to her daughter every day and apologizes for not being there to protect her and to stop Horner.

'I tell her that I love her,' she said. 'I talk to her about Ry and what she's doing in life and how much she loves and misses her.'

She also tells her daughter about the people who love her and about the attorneys who are working to make sure she's not forgotten.

At the trial on Monday, jurors were also shown letters Horner wrote to Strand's family

Jurors had previously heard how in January 2023, Horner sent Strand's heartbroken family a remorseful letter saying he does not 'do well with changes or things that are unpredictable' due to his Asperger's Syndrome - an autism spectrum disorder whose sufferers may struggle to cope if their usual daily routine is disrupted.

Horner said in the letter he was extremely stressed by not being able to drive the exact same route in his FedEx truck every day, which he blamed for committing the murder.

'I'm sorry I allowed my mental state to be unstable. I'm sorry I took your little angel away from you. She didn't deserve it. My son didn't deserve to lose his father,' he wrote, as he moaned about the impact his crime would have on his own family.

'My mother didn't deserve to lose her son. My fiance didn't deserve to have her wedding day stripped away from her. I pray my death eases your suffering,' he concluded.

The sentencing hearing is now scheduled to continue on Thursday, when jurors are expected to watch footage from inside Horner's vehicle on the day Strand was kidnapped.
One of two former best friends who chopped down one of Britain's most famous trees with a chainsaw in what was described as 'mindless vandalism' has already been freed from behind bars, it is understood.

Last July, Adam Carruthers, 33, and Daniel Graham, from Carlisle, Cumbria, were sentenced to four years and three months after they felled the 19th-century Sycamore Gap Tree, which sat beside Hadrian's Wall in Northumberland.

The duo drove 40 minutes from Carlisle on September 27, 2023, in Graham's Range Rover, which they dubbed the 'Black Pig' before they chopped down the famous tree in the darkness.

The shameless vandals had even kept a part of the iconic tree's trunk as a trophy and were 'loving it' as the news of the Sycamore Gap Tree's destruction sparked headlines across the country.

During a trial at Newcastle Crown Court, it was heard that shortly after felling the tree, Carruthers told his partner, 'I have a better video than that', after being sent a video of his young child.

On Graham's phone was a two-minute, 41-second video, showing the silhouette of a man standing beside a large tree before the 'unmistakable sound' of a chainsaw could be heard.

At the time, Mrs Justice Lambert, sentencing, told the duo they would serve 40 per cent of their sentence behind bars, with the remainder being served on licence within the community.

When he was jailed, Carruthers had already spent two months in custody, with Graham already serving seven months behind bars before being sentenced to more than four years.

Adam Carruthers, one of two men who chopped down one of Britain's most famous trees with a chainsaw, has already been freed from prison

His accomplice Daniel Graham was also convicted of felling the Sycamore Gap tree following a trial at Newcastle Crown Court last year

The tree was made famous when it appeared in Kevin Costner's 1991 film Robin Hood: Prince Of Thieves.

Now Carruthers has been released under the Home Detention Curfew Scheme in March and must wear an electronic tag and stay at a registered home address, it is understood.

The decision was taken by the governor of the prison where he was serving his sentence, following a risk assessment, ITV News reported.

Speaking to the broadcaster at a Cumbria turf business where he used to work, he said he was happy to be out of prison.

A Ministry of Justice spokesman said: 'Anyone released into Home Detention Curfew faces strict licence conditions and must be tagged. Those who break the rules can be returned to prison.'

It is understood that prisoners must have 12 months or less to serve before their conditional release to be eligible for the Home Detention Curfew Scheme and must be risk-assessed.

Former friends Graham and Carruthers were convicted of criminal damage to the much-loved tree, which had stood for more than 100 years in a fold in the Northumberland landscape.

They were also convicted of criminal damage to Hadrian's Wall, caused when the sycamore fell on the ancient monument in September 2023.

Join the discussion Has enough been done to protect iconic landmarks like this?

The 150-year-old sycamore was felled in 2023 in an act which stunned the nation

Daniel Graham and Adam Carruthers, pictured working together. The pair were formerly best friends who spoke on the telephone daily

The sycamore was planted in the 1800s by wealthy lawyer and antiquarian John Clayton, who spent much of his life buying land around Hadrian's Wall to preserve it.

Nestled in a dip in the Roman structure, it attracted visitors from around the globe and appeared in the 1991 blockbuster Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves, starring Kevin Costner.

It was a place for picnics, marriage proposals and its image was used on souvenirs ranging from postcards to fridge magnets and prints sold to tourists across Northumberland.

When it was mysteriously felled under the cover of darkness, there was a global outpouring of anger and confusion, prompting a furious response from then-Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, tearful visits from mourners and international headline news coverage from India to the United States.
Alarming figures have revealed that less than one third of migrants whose visas were cancelled in the last year have been deported from Australia.

Home Affairs officials cancelled 5,186 onshore visas in 2025, but only removed 1,502 non-citizens, The Daily Telegraph reported.

Of that cohort, 14 were found to be either risks to 'health, safety and good order, vilify segments of the Australian community (or) represent a danger to the Australian community'.

A Freedom of Information request earlier this week revealed that 77,700 unlawful non-migrants remain in Australia.

Almost a third (25,000) of them have been without valid visas for more than a decade.

Liberal senator Jonno Duniam called on the Albanese government to intervene and deport non-citizens rorting the system.

'Too many people living here illegally  getting taxpayer support for housing, our hospital system, roads, the whole gamut,' he said.

'This is despite migrants who have come here the right way and contributed to our great nation immeasurably.'

Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke has put those living illegally in Australia on notice

New figures showed that out of 5,158 onshore visas were cancelled in 2025, only 1,502 non-citizens were removed or deported (stock image)

Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke explained that deportations vary in complexity and timeframes, depending on individual circumstances.

'There are many different people within this cohort  you will have some people who have accidentally overstayed their visa, who need to go in and apply or may have applied but the new visa hasn't been issued,' he told reporters on Wednesday.

'There are people within the group where there is a national interest in Australia that people will want them.

'There are other people who have played a game and I will have more to say about this in the coming months.

'There are people who have played a game in terms of moving from visa to visa where they are saying they are here for a temporary purpose are not planning to ever go back.'

Burke added that the government was working through 'a ridiculous backlog' inherited from the former Coalition government four years ago.

'Some of the backlogs when we came to office were in the order of 100,000,so we've been getting through it, we've been getting the numbers down,' he said.

'The position is really simple from this government- we have a bigger problem that I wish we has

Join the discussion What do you think is really stopping Australia from deporting more migrants with cancelled visas?

Tony Burke (pictured with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese) blamed the figure of non-citizens on 'a ridiculous backlog' inherited by the former Coalition government

Burke also put those living illegally in Australia on notice.

'My simple message to anyone that thinks what you should do when your visa runs out, you should leave Australia- that's how a visa system operates,' he said.

2GB presenter Lucy Zelic blasted Burke's message to non-citizens.

'That will do it Tony - they're trembling in their boots and packing their bags as we speak,' she told listeners.

'I'll tell you my theory of why they're ramped up this type of rhetoric- it's because under the Albanese government, this side of government are desperate poll chasers.'
England's wonkiest church - dubbed 'Britain's answer to The Leaning Tower of Pisa' - is in need of 100,000-worth of repairs to save it from crumbling.

The spire on the 12th century building in the village of Dry Doddington, Lincolnshire, famously angles at 5.1 degrees, giving it its signature tilting look.

But the church ward, Richard Loynes, has now lamented its deterioration - saying 'I wish we had the same level of funding as the Leaning Tower of Pisa'.

St James' Church was built originally as a 'Chapel of Ease' for older residents, so they didn't have to walk to a neighbouring village.

The tower, dating from the 14th century, is believed to have first shifted in the late 19th century and was underpinned in 1918 to prevent it from tilting any further.

Mr Loynes said: 'The church is very much part of the village and we're proud of its uniqueness.

'I wish we had the same levels of funding as the Leaning Tower of Pisa however - but that's not the case and we need help.

'I'm off to Italy with the wife soon and will be visiting Pisa so I perhaps need to get speaking to them to see what the secret is.'

England's wonkiest church (pictured) - dubbed 'Britain's answer to The Leaning Tower of Pisa - is in need of 100,000-worth of repairs to save it from crumbling

St James' Church was built originally as a 'Chapel of Ease' for older residents, so they didn't have to walk to a neighbouring village

Richard Loynes (pictured) said: 'The church is very much part of the village and we're proud of its uniqueness'

Mr Loynes has now set up a GoFundMe page in a bid to raise money for the repairs.

The warden admitted 'we would never want to lose the crookedness of the spire' - explaining it was believed the tilt existed due to the building being on a 'big heap of clay, which can get either very wet or very dry and when it's dry it shrinks'.

He added: 'The church has no foundations and was just plonked on earth. It was underpinned to make sure it doesn't move any more.

'We think that is the most likely cause but some have said it could be on a burial ground too.'

However, Mr Loynes was assured the church is fully stable - adding the intention is 'not to correct the lean as that is what helps make the tower and church so special'.

The tower was previously in danger of collapse in 2015 as the stones were eroding.

Around 100,000-worth of work was undertaken to save it but since then other parts of the building have deteriorated, including the floor.

Now the tower is in danger once more as the wooden church floor has deteriorated and the stone slabs have moved.

Mr Loynes said: 'The floor is now also rather wonky after it sunk and slabs and slates have cracked and moved too.

Around 100,000-worth of work was undertaken to save the building but since then other parts of the building have deteriorated, including the floor

A further 100,000 would be used to fix the floor, replaster some of the walls and upgrade the electricity

'We still have services but warn people about the wonky floor, so we need it replacing really for the safety of parishioners.

'As with hundreds of churches we need to raise funds, but we're as bad, if not worse than most due to having the wonky floor.

'We are turning to the public for help.'

He said the 100,000 would be used to fix the floor, replaster some of the walls and to upgrade the electricity - 'as we only have one plug'.

One villager, Thomas Ratledge said: 'We like to think of it as Britain's answer to The Leaning Tower of Pisa and such a historic church deserves to be saved.

'If the floor and walls get any worse than we worry for its future but we are confident and hopeful it will be protected for generations to come.

'It is a building with such unique character and is a focal point for the community all year round.'
The Trump administration is in talks with automakers and other large-scale American manufacturers in hopes that they'll agree to build more weaponry and military equipment, The Wall Street Journal reported.

Senior officials at the Department of War have spoken with Mary Barra, the CEO of General Motors and the chief executive of Ford Motor, Jim Farley, according to people familiar with the matter.

In January, President Donald Trump and Farley appeared together at a Ford factory in Dearborn, Michigan. And in February, Barra visited the White House.

The Daily Mail approached the White House for comment. Ford and GM did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

A Pentagon official told the Daily Mail that the War Department is 'committed to rapidly expanding the defense industrial base by leveraging all available commercial solutions and technologies to ensure our warfighters maintain a decisive advantage.'

GE Aerospace and Oshkosh, a vehicle and machinery maker, were also involved in these talks, which were described as preliminary and wide-ranging.

The request from the Pentagon to these companies comes as the United States fights two major conflicts; a proxy war in Ukraine to keep an invading Russia at bay and the newly-launched war against Iran.

Defense officials are concerned that the US is depleting its stock of weaponry and have asked firms if they can rapidly shift to a war-time production footing, a role American companies assumed during World War II.

The Trump administration has asked large-scale manufacturers, including Ford and General Motors, to start making weaponry and other military equipment as the US depletes its stockpiles (President DoTrump pictured with Ford CEO Jim Farley on January 13, 2026)

Officials have spoken with Farley and GM CEO Mary Barra (pictured), who visited the White House in February

People who spoke to the Journal anonymously said the discussions with manufacturers began before the war in Iran.

Oshkosh, based in Wisconsin, reportedly began talking with the Pentagon as early as November, when War Secretary Pete Hegseth called for companies to begin upping production.

Logan Jones, chief growth officer for the companys transport segment, said Oshkosh's discussions have largely been focused on 'where could we bring that capacity in a way that matches our core capability'.

Oshkosh currently builds tactical troop carriers for the Army and US allied countries, but most of the company's revenue comes from nondefense sources.

During the talks, officials framed the companies getting involved as a matter of national security, according to the Journal.

Lawmakers have reportedly been concerned that the US will eventually draw down too far on its weapons stockpiles since February 2022, when Washington and NATO began sending weapons to Ukraine.

The Pentagon recently requested a $1.5 trillion budget, which would be the department's largest in history by a longshot. Officials want to invest more heavily in munition and drone manufacturing.

The talks between the companies come as the United States began a war in Iran. Though there is a two-week ceasefire, it is strained by a disagreement over who should control the Strait of Hormuz

There is precedent for automakers and other manufacturers assisting the US during wartime and other emergencies, such as the COVID-19 pandemic (Pictured: A soldier operates a machine gun on board a helicopter)

Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the conflict in Ukraine would be a 'protracted, stalemated conflict'

In an interview with Fox News, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the conflict in Ukraine would be a 'protracted, stalemated conflict.'

'No one has any idea or any plan to bring it to an end,' Rubio said about the drawn-out military operation.

'The plan of the Ukrainians up to now and their allies on Capitol Hill and the people you talk to in other countries is lets just keep giving them as much as they need for as long as it takes. Thats not a strategy.'

There is earlier precedent for the US government relying on companies to assist the citzenry through crises.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, GM and Ford collaborated with medical-device manufacturers to make tens of thousands of ventilators for hospitals that had shortages.

And during World War II, American automakers halted production of consumer vehicles to make tanks, aircraft, engines, guns, and trucks. At the time, they made $29 billion worth of military equipment.

That differs from how military production is done today. There are much fewer manufacturers involved and the ones that are generally specialize in making equipment for the Pentagon.

Notable defense contractors include Lockheed Martin, General Dynamics, Boeing and Northrop Grumman.

GM has a segment that focuses only on defense production. It makes a lightweight infantry vehicle derived from the Chevrolet Colorado pickup.

The automaker is in the running to build an even larger infantry squad vehicle for the Army that would replace the Humvee, which has been in service for over 40 years.
Virgin Australia crew members have suffered electric shocks from in-room appliances in a Bali hotel room during a layover.

The staff were understood to be ironing and using the kettle when the employees were suddenly electrocuted.

A Virgin Australia spokesman said the airline had hired an independent electrician to inspect the hotel and had replaced the electrical items as a precaution.

'We are aware of reports from crew members who experienced minor shocks from in-room appliances while staying at our crew hotel in Bali,' he told the Daily Mail.

'We take any matter related to the safety and wellbeing of our team members seriously and we have worked directly with the hotel to identify and resolve any hazards.'

While any injuries were minor, affected crew members were treated by medical staff.

None have flagged any ongoing health issues.

The incident comes as Virgin Australia prepares to increase the price of some of its airfares to offset rising fuel costs.

Virgin Australia crew members have suffered electric shocks from in-room appliances in a Bali hotel room during a layover (stock image)

The airline will offer fewer flights to deal with the impact of the conflict in the Middle East and will reduce its capacity by one per cent over the next four months.

It claimed fuel costs make up around 21 per cent of total costs as it used about 3.4million barrels of oil in the first half of 2026.

With jet fuel prices having at least doubled since the war started on February 28, Virgin Australia predicted the increase in fuel costs would be as high as $40million above previous estimates.

Its wet lease arrangement with Qatar Airways - under which one airline supplies aircraft, crew, maintenance and insurance - has also been cancelled until mid-June

'As previously disclosed, the wet lease arrangement minimises the risk to Virgin Australia's balance sheet and earnings and therefore is not financially material,' the airline said in a statement.
Ben Roberts-Smith believes authorities chose to arrest and prosecute him in NSW because his war crimes case would be more likely to succeed there than in his home state of Queensland.

NSW no longer runs committal hearings at which the prosecution brief is weighed by a judge to determine whether there is sufficient evidence to send a person to trial, whereas Queensland still does.

Roberts-Smith's lawyers think if the Victoria Cross recipient faced a committal hearing in Queensland, the evidence against him might be considered too weak for a trial to go ahead.

The 47-year-old father-of-two was arrested on April 7 as he arrived on a Qantas flight at Sydney Airport from Brisbane and charged with five counts of 'war crime - murder'.

He was taken into custody in front of his twin 15-year-old daughters and partner Sarah Matulin, then filmed being led from the aircraft to a waiting police vehicle.

Roberts-Smith is accused of shooting dead, or ordering subordinate soldiers to execute, five unarmed detainees while serving with the Special Air Service in Afghanistan between 2009 and 2012.

A source close to Roberts-Smith said arresting Australia's most decorated soldier in NSW was a deliberate ploy by federal authorities to give prosecutors a 'forum advantage'.

'The pathway to trial in NSW is markedly more favourable to the prosecution,' the source said.

Ben Roberts-Smith (above) believes authorities chose to arrest him in NSW because his war crimes case would be more likely to succeed there than in his home state of Queensland

Roberts-Smith's lawyers think if the Victoria Cross recipient faced a committal hearing in Queensland the evidence against him might be considered too weak for a trial to go ahead

'Committal hearings have largely been abolished, replaced by fast-tracked case conferencing and early disclosure.

'By contrast, Queensland retains a committal process that allows the defence to test the prosecution case - including cross-examining witnesses - meaning weak cases can be exposed and, in some instances, discontinued before trial.'

Roberts-Smith has lived in Queensland since he left the SAS in 2012 and none of the key prosecution witnesses is based in NSW.

Each of the charges against Roberts-Smith carries a maximum penalty of life in prison. He has always denied involvement in any unlawful killings.

The case against Roberts-Smith will be run by the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions (CDPP) and his defence funded by Afghanistan Inquiry Legal Assistance Scheme (AILAS).

CDPP policy sets out exactly how the appropriate jurisdiction in which to prosecute a criminal matter should be determined.

The policy states no consideration can be given to 'any real or perceived forensic advantages of the procedure, the laws of evidence or the disclosure regime of a particular jurisdiction'.

Roberts-Smith was charged after a five-year joint investigation by the Australian Federal Police (AFP) and the Office of the Special Investigator (OSI).

A source close to Roberts-Smith said arresting him in NSW was a deliberate ploy by federal authorities to give prosecutors a 'forum advantage'. He is pictured with partner Sarah Matulin

OSI director of investigations Ross Barnett has said that prosecuting war crimes allegedly committed by Australian Defence Force (ADF) personnel in Afghanistan was 'incredibly complex'.

Mr Barnett said the OSI had examined 'literally dozens of murders alleged to have been committed in the middle of a warzone, in a country 9,000km from Australia that we can no longer access'.

'So, the challenge for investigators is - because we can't go to that country - we don't have access to the crime scene...' he said.

'So we don't have photographs, site plans, measurements, the recovery of projectiles, blood-spatter analysis, all of those things we'd normally get at a crime scene.

'We don't have access to the deceased - there's no post-mortem, therefore there's no official cause of death, there's no recovery of projectiles to link to weapons that might have been carried by members of the ADF.'

Instead, the case against Roberts-Smith will rely on testimony given by former SAS members, with Nine newspapers reporting that about two dozen would be subpoenaed to give evidence.

Four of Roberts-Smith's onetime comrades - known as Person 4, Person 11, Person 66 and Person 68 - have been implicated in the five alleged murders.

Two of the five Afghan men Roberts-Smith is accused of murdering have never been formally identified by war crimes investigators.

AFP Commissioner Krissy Barrett and Office of the Special Investigator director of investigations Ross Barnett are pictured at a press conference after Roberts-Smith's arrest

AFP Commissioner Krissy Barrett would not discuss why Roberts-Smith had been arrested at Sydney Airport when she spoke at a press conference on April 7.

'There's a number of operational considerations that we factor into our planning and when to effect an arrest and how,' she said. 'But I'm not going to go into that detail.'

Nine newspapers reporter Nick McKenzie and freelance journalist Chris Masters first accused Roberts-Smith of war crimes in a series of reports published in 2018 and subsequently won a defamation case against him.

McKenzie has put forward a theory about why authorities chose to apprehend Roberts-Smith in NSW, rather than Queensland or Western Australia, where he previously lived.

'One well-placed source suggested investigators might have waited to arrest Roberts-Smith in NSW because they wanted access to a wider and more diverse jury pool,' McKenzie wrote on April 10.

'Roberts-Smith, who clearly knew this was coming, might have preferred a jury in a more conservative state, either his original home of Western Australia or his adopted hometown of Brisbane.'

The source close to Roberts-Smith rejected that proposition.

'Suggestions by Nick McKenzie over the weekend that this was about accessing a broader jury pool miss the point,' the source said.

Roberts-Smith was arrested on April 7 as he arrived on a Qantas flight at Sydney Airport from Brisbane (above) and charged with five counts of 'war crime - murder'

'The more immediate forensic reality is that this is a case dependent on witness evidence alone.

'In the Office of the Special Investigator's own words, this is not a case built on objective or forensic evidence.'

The source said the CDPP would consider NSW a more favourable jurisdiction.

'There is no access to crime scenes, no projectile recovery, no blood-spatter analysis, and no post-mortem material,' the source said.

'Against that backdrop, legitimate questions arise as to why the arrest occurred in a jurisdiction with a more prosecution-friendly pre-trial process.

'In that context, the choice of jurisdiction, and the manner of arrest, warrants scrutiny, including against the requirements of the CDPP prosecutions policy as to the appropriate forum.'

The Daily Mail previously revealed Roberts-Smith's legal team had repeatedly told the AFP and OSI he would present himself 'at a time and place of their choosing should any charges be brought'.

The federal government has reportedly allocated $318million over the past decade to investigate war crimes allegedly committed by Australian soldiers in Afghanistan.

Roberts-Smith has lived in Queensland since the left the SAS in 2012 and none of the key prosecution witnesses set to give evidence against him is based in NSW

Former NSW Supreme Court judge Paul Brereton conducted a four-year inquiry for the Inspector-General of the Australian Defence Force, and in November 2020 published a damning report.

Justice Brereton found 'credible information' 25 Australian special forces personnel had been responsible for 39 unlawful killings in Afghanistan, along with cover-ups and other misconduct.

Since then, the AFP and the OSI have commenced 53 investigations, 10 of which are ongoing.

One investigation resulted in former SAS member Oliver Schulz being charged with murdering an Afghan man at Deh Jawz in Uruzgan Province in May 2012.

The source close to Roberts-Smith noted Justice Brereton was a NSW Supreme Court judge before, during and after he conducted his Afghanistan inquiry.

He sat on the Supreme Court bench for 18 years until his retirement in May 2023.

'While judges are independent, they are also human beings,' the source said.

'The optics of Ben being tried for war crimes by a colleague of Paul Brereton leaves a lot to be desired. Justice needs to be seen to be done - it is not enough to just say it will be done.'

Daily Mail asked the AFP, OSI, CDPP and Attorney-General's Department who had elected to have Roberts-Smith charged in NSW and whether that state was chosen to give the prosecution an advantage.

The CDPP did not respond to those questions, and no agency answered an inquiry about whether trying Roberts-Smith before a NSW Supreme Court judge might raise concerns about perceived bias or impartiality.

An AFP spokesperson said: 'This was a joint investigation by OSI and the AFP. Investigators made the arrest at the most appropriate time and location for operational needs. No further comment will be made.'

About an hour later, an OSI spokesperson stated: 'I understand youve also received a response from AFP Media on this - just confirming that the OSI has nothing further to add to their response.'

A spokesperson for the Attorney-General's Department directed inquiries to the OSI.

Roberts-Smith, who as well as holding the Victoria Cross earned a Medal for Gallantry in Afghanistan, will apply for bail at Downing Centre Local Court on Friday.
Three Australian men who assassinated a Melbourne father-of-six in a gangland-style shooting in Bali will spend more time behind bars.

Darcy Francesco Jenson, 27, Mevlut Coskun, 22, and Paea I Middlemore Tupou, 27, were sentenced last month over the death of Zivan Radmanovic, 32, at a luxury villa in Munggu on the holiday island in June last year.

Following a six-month trial in Denpasar District Court, Jenson was initially jailed for 12 years for his involvement.

The shooting was carried out by his two co-accused, who both avoided the death penalty and were each sentenced to 16 years.

The outcome sparked anger from Radmanovic's grieving family, prompting prosecutors to launch an appeal.

The Bali High Court on Wednesday increased the trio's sentences.

'Darcy Francesco Jenson, has been legally and convincingly proven guilty of committing the criminal offences of aiding and abetting premeditated murder and aiding and abetting attempted premeditated murder, as charged in the indictments of the public prosecutor. Imposing upon the defendant, therefore, a sentence of 17 years imprisonment,' a statement from the panel of judges read.

Jenson's sentence was increased by five years.

Zivan Radmanovic, 32, (pictured with wife Jazmyn) was shot dead while holidaying in Bali

Bali High Court has added an additional five years to Darcy Francesco Jenson' sentence

Coskun and Tupou had their sentences extended by two years.

'Imposing upon the defendants, therefore, a sentence of imprisonment of 18 years each,' the panel of judges said.

'Period of arrest and detention already served by defendants shall be fully deducted from the sentence imposed.'

Jenson, Coskun and Tupou remain in Indonesia's notorious Kerobokan prison, where Australian drug smuggler Schapelle Corby and members of the Bali Nine also served time.

It's not yet known whether their defence teams will launch an appeal in the Indonesian Supreme Court over the latest ruling.

Jenson organised the logistics of the trip for the group in the months before the attack - in which another man was also injured - including accommodation, car hires and scooter rentals.

The trio testified in court that they were hired to collect a debt from another man staying in the villa, Sanar Ghanim, but mistakenly shot dead Radmanovic in their confusion after they broke in on June 14, 2025.

They refused to name the Australian man who hired them.

Coskun Mevlut (left) and Tupou Pasa Midolmore (right) will now spend 18 years behind bars

One man was shot dead and another was injured while staying at this luxury villa last June

Ghanim was shot six times while Radmanovic was beaten with a sledgehammer before being fatally shot. Both men had links to Melbourne's underworld.

The two men had been holidaying in Bali with their partners to celebrate the 30th birthday of Radmanovic's wife, Jazmyn Gourdeas.

She hid under a blanket during the horrific ordeal.

Ms Gourdeas and her family travelled to Bali last month for the initial sentencing, which had been pushed back a week after an unexpected delay.

Emotions boiled over in the courtroom as Radmanovic's loved ones confronted his killers following the sentencing.

'You happy with that, you dog  you f***in' dog,' a male relative shouted at Jenson as he was escorted away in handcuffs.

Outside court, Ms Gourdeas' mother Renata Deegan slammed the sentences as a 'f***ing joke'.

'I have lost a son-in-law and they get 16 years or whatever the hell it was,' she said.

'How can that not be life? It's unfair!'

'This place is a f***ing joke. You come here and kill someone, and you walk away.'
Closing of Merger of DMMS Purchaser, Inc. and MC Bancshares Anticipated for May 1

NEW ORLEANS and ATLANTA, April 16, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- DMMS Purchaser, Inc. and MC Bancshares, Inc., the holding company for M C Bank & Trust Company (the "Companies"), jointly announced today the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System has granted regulatory approval of the proposed merger between the two companies. This approval represents an important milestone in the transaction, and the Companies confirm that all conditions necessary for closing, including a significant capital raise, have been satisfied.

The Companies currently expect the merger to occur on or about May 1, 2026. The Federal Reserve's approval follows receipt of all other required regulatory clearances and represents the final major regulatory hurdle to completion of the transaction.

As previously announced, MC Bancshares has agreed to merge with DMMS Purchaser, Inc., a group of investors and experienced banking executives who see significant opportunity to grow the Southeast Louisiana-based institution. The combination will establish M C Bank as a stronger, more competitive financial institution well-positioned to serve customers, communities, and shareholders across its markets. The markets M C Bank currently serves include Morgan City, New Orleans, Houma, Lafayette, and the Northshore. Immediately upon the merger, the bank's markets will grow to also include Atlanta and Baton Rouge.

"We are extremely pleased to receive the Federal Reserve's approval of this merger," said Daryl Byrd, chief executive officer of DMMS. "This approval reflects the strength and soundness of our proposed organization and the compelling strategic rationale behind our business plan. We are on track to close on or about May 1, and we look forward to bringing our teams together to deliver enhanced value and expanded capabilities for the customers and communities we are privileged to serve."

"This is a momentous day for M C Bank and for our shareholders, associates, and customers," said Kenny Nelkin, chairman of the board of M C Bank. "Receiving the Federal Reserve's approval confirms what we have believed from the beginning  that this merger is in the best interests of everyone we serve."

"We are confident in the opportunities ahead and remain committed to a seamless transition," said Chris LeBato, chief executive officer of M C Bank. "Together, we are building a stronger, more scalable organization while preserving the relationship-driven culture that defines us."

Additional information regarding the merger will be shared as it becomes available. Shareholders and other interested parties are encouraged to review filings made with applicable regulatory authorities for further details.

This press release is not intended to and shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities or a solicitation of any vote of approval.

About DMMS Purchaser, Inc.

DMMS Purchaser, Inc. is a newly-formed acquisition vehicle and a wholly-owned subsidiary of DMMS Holdings LLC, which is led by Daryl Byrd, former CEO of IBERIABANK Corporation, together with a senior team of banking executives focused on building a premier regional banking franchise grounded in relationship banking, strong leadership, and long-term value creation.

About M C Bank and MC Bancshares, Inc.

MC Bancshares, Inc. is the holding company for M C Bank & Trust Company, a Louisiana-chartered state bank. M C Bank first opened its doors in 1955 in Morgan City, Louisiana. On April 1, 1991, MC Bancshares, Inc. was formed as a one-bank holding company. Simultaneously with the formation of the holding company, the bank's name changed to M C Bank & Trust Company. The bank's headquarters are in Morgan City, and it operates ten banking centers and offices across Southeast Louisiana. To learn more, visit www.mcbt.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities laws. These statements are based on current expectations and assumptions and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially. The Companies undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this release.

SOURCE MC Bancshares
A manhunt is underway in NSW after a man was mistakenly released from jail this week.

Kyle Quayle, who is currently serving a sentence for stealing and assault offences, was freed from Clarence Correctional Centre on Tuesday.

The 35-year-old is believed to be in the Newcastle area, some 450km south of where he was released.

NSW Police have issued a warrant for him for being unlawfully at large and are asking the public for help as they try to track him down.

NSW Police told Daily Mail Quayle was still at large as of 11am on Thursday.

Quayle is described as being of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander appearance, 180cm tall, of medium build, with black hair, brown eyes, and unshaven.

An investigation has been launched to see if incorrect paperwork from the court system led to the chain of events which enabled Quayle to be released.

Police are urging anyone with information to contact them.

Kyle Quayle was wrongfully released from Clarence Correctional Centre on Tuesday

It's believed he's now in the Newcastle area, more than 450km from the prison

Daily Mail contacted Serco, which runs Clarence Correctional Centre, for further comment.

'Staff at Clarence Correctional Centre released an inmate according to the court information available to them,' a spokesman said.

The incident echoes a similar scenario in 2023 when a paperwork blunder saw a convicted criminal mistakenly released from prison five months early.

Randolph Harrison Convery, 49, who was in prison for domestic violence offences, was released from his cell by Corrective Services NSW officers at the Newcastle Court House in August 2023.

Convery reportedly even told officers that he was not meant to be freed.

He was arrested at a country club at Port Stephens more than a week after his accidental release.
A Sydney council is in crisis after a Labor MP accused Liverpool Mayor Ned Mannoun of publishing her home address online, claiming it put her family's safety at risk.

Charishma Kaliyanda alleged Mannoun published her address in a heated social media video in which he blamed unions, Labor powerbrokers and so-called bullying for forcing an expensive council by-election.

'I am aware that the Mayor published a social media post last night that included my home address,' Kaliyanda wrote on Facebook on Thursday.

'That post was subsequently shared into multiple Facebook groups by the Liberal candidate and councillor Richard Ammoun.

'This is not just a political tactic, it is doxxing and potentially criminal conduct.'

The Liverpool MP stressed the incident had threatened her family's safety, referencing recent cases where MPs have been stalked and threatened.

'No one should feel unsafe in their own home because of their work in public service. This behaviour crosses a clear line,' she said.

'It is dangerous, unacceptable and unworthy of public office.'

Liverpool MP Charishma Kaliyanda (pictured) has accused Ned Mannoun of publishing her home address in a since-deleted video shared to his Facebook page on Wednesday

An image of Kaliyanda's unredacted address was shared on Mannoun's original video, of which a screenshot is pictured. The Daily Mail has blurred the address for the MP's privacy

The incident sprung from an almost four-minute video in which Mannoun addressed the fallout from former deputy mayor Dr Betty Green's resignation.

Dr Green's sudden exit has forced Liverpool ratepayers to fund a by-election expected to cost from $500,000 to an eye-watering $1million.

The video, which was posted on Wednesday, showed a NSW Electoral Commission form containing Kaliyanda's home address from her 2021 run for council.

Dr Green's address was also visible on the form.

While the Electoral Commission collects candidate addresses for verification, residential addresses are redacted from documents available to the public.

But here, the unredacted version was shown instead of the censored copy.

An edited version of the video, with the candidates' addresses removed, was reuploaded by Mannoun on Thursday after the original clip was hastily deleted when he was contacted by Kaliyanda.

Speaking to the Daily Mail, Mannoun said the address had been shared in error and was taken from the NSW Electoral Commission's website.

Mannoun (pictured) said the address was shared in error from electoral commission details

He said he was unaware the address listed was Kaliyanda's personal residence, adding that the section of the video was intended to highlight a donation by the United Services Union to the Labor campaign.

Mannoun said he and his family had been targeted by Laboraligned campaigns, claiming opponents had previously published his home address online while sharing information about his development application.

Doxxing, the public release of someone's private information without consent, can be criminal in NSW if it involves stalking, intimidation, harassment, misuse of private data, threats or incitement.

The election to replace Dr Betty Green will take place on Saturday.
The Trump administration is seeking to encourage other nations to cut back on global humanitarian aid and 'promote America First values' by investing in US companies, according to reports.

The 'trade over aid' initiative will be an opportunity to use the United Nations system to 'create business opportunities for US companies,' per a cable sent to all American embassies and consulates.

In the cable reviewed by The Washington Post, Secretary of State Marco Rubio ordered all diplomats to issue a demarche - an official call to action - to all foreign nations by Monday that asks them to support the new initiative.

The US is said to be planning to introduce this idea at the UN at the end of April.

Devex was the first to report on the 'trade over aid' initiative and the internal State Department documents fleshing it out.

'For decades, government aid has been flowing from developed to developing countries with only limited impact,' according to one of the notes the outlet obtained.

'It has not solved the world's economic development challenges, and it has often created dependency, inefficiency, and corruption.'

'Donors and developing countries are ready to try a new development aid model,' the note continued.

The Trump administration wants to convince the world to favor supporting the private enterprise over government foreign aid to uplift developing nations, according to its 'trade over aid' initiative

Secretary of State Marco Rubio ordered all US diplomats to issue a demarche - an official call to action - to all foreign nations by Monday that asks them to support the new initiative

Rubio said that the initiative will create new opportunities for American companies abroad

'The old model has been government-centered and one-directional: aid flowed from donor to recipient countries. The new model emphasizes mutually profitable business relationships between private sectors and countries.'

The State Department also argued that private business has 'developed all the worlds successful economies, not government aid'.

An anonymous State official reportedly told the Washington Post: 'Its solidifying our stance on dropping aid completely and letting companies enrich themselves on newer markets.'

Sam Vigersky, an international affairs fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations, told The Post that the demarche from Rubio could be seen as another attempt from the US to undermine the UN.

'Having been on the driving end of many demarches over my time, I would not see this being well received,' he said.

This paradigm shift comes after the Trump administration dismantled the US Agency for International Development (USAID), which had been the world's largest foreign aid agency.

USAID had a $25 billion annual budget and provided global health aid, food assistance, education programs and disaster relief to developing countries around the world.

The organization, founded in 1961, was also America's way to softly promote democracy around the world.

President Donald Trump and his allies, including Elon Musk, have argued that USAID was rife with waste, fraud and abuse. Some have also argued that USAID's efforts have led to nations being entirely dependent on the US.

Trump's attempt to further spread his approach to government charity comes after his administration dismantled the US Agency for International Development (USAID)

USAID had a $25 billion annual budget and provided global health aid, food assistance, education programs and disaster relief to developing countries around the world

Even before Trump returned to power in 2025, Western nations, including Germany, Sweden, Canada and Norway, have been reducing foreign aid since at least 2022.

And since Trump's proposed reordering of the global aid system, France, Germany, Japan and the United Kingdom have largely followed suit.

Data from the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) found that aid from its members has dropped by about 23 percent from 2024 to 2025.

The US drove 'three-quarters of the decline', according to the OECD report.

A study published in The Lancet in February found that countries stepping back from what was once considered a humanitarian responsibility could contribute to 9.4 million additional deaths by 2030.

Beyond upending diplomatic norms, Trump has also been attacking NATO countries for not sufficiently supporting his war effort in Iran.

'NATO wasnt there for us, and they wont be there for us in the future!' he posted to Truth Social on Tuesday.

Trump has long had it out with the North Atlantic Treaty Alliance, the military alliance between dozens of countries in Europe and North America that came about after the fall of Nazi Germany.

NATO has been the bedrock of the world order since 1949, when it was organized to counter aggression from the Soviet Union.

Under NATOs collective defense principle, an attack on one member is considered an attack on all, though each country determines its own response. The alliance is widely credited with helping deter large-scale conflict in Europe since the Second World War.

Beyond upending diplomatic norms, Trump has also been attacking NATO countries for not sufficiently supporting his war effort in Iran

France, Spain and other nations have agreed to help with an international coalition to open the Strait of Hormuz when the conflict ends

During Trump's first term, he repeatedly criticized certain NATO members for failing to meet the alliances defense spending target of 2 percent of GDP.

It was part of his broader message at the time that the US, which spends around 3.3 percent of GDP on the military, should not be broadly responsible for the defense of Europe.

In Trump's second term, his brushes with NATO have been more severe. His talk of using the American military to annex Greenland, a Danish territory, has prompted NATO members to ramp up military exercises and increase their presence in the Arctic amid rising tensions.

Now, NATO allies have largely declined to join US-led military operations against Iran, while continuing to offer limited defensive and diplomatic support, further angering Trump.

Some allies have also placed limits on US operations. Spain has restricted the use of its bases for missions tied to Iran, while the UK has imposed conditions on how American forces can operate from its territory.

Trump has openly floated leaving NATO. He has also proposed moving US troops stationed in NATO countries that have largely stayed out of the Iran campaign.

France, Spain and other nations have agreed to help with an international coalition to open the Strait of Hormuz when the conflict ends.
A Queensland massage therapist has been slapped with a string of alleged sex offences after eight women claimed he sexually assaulted them.

Police allege the Diamond Valley man, 58, offered his services to four women on separate occasions between January 2022 and December 2025.

A search warrant was executed at his business on February 28, and the man was charged with four counts of sexual assault and three counts of rape.

However, police announced on Thursday that four more women had come forward to Sunshine Coast Criminal Investigation Branch detectives.

The women allege they were sexually assaulted by the man during separate incidents between January 2023 and August 2025.

The massage therapist has been charged with an additional eight counts of sexual assault and three counts of rape.

He is due to appear in Maroochydore Magistrates Court on May 6.

Police have urged those with information to come forward as they believe there could be more alleged victims involved.

The massage therapist is due to appear in Maroochydore Magistrates Court on May 6
The shock victory of One Nation candidate Chantelle Thomas in the South Australian seat of Narungga has been thrown into doubt after election officials uncovered dozens of ballot papers that were never counted.

The Electoral Commission of South Australia has ordered yet another count after discovering 81 overlooked votes just weeks after the razorthin result was declared.

Thomas was declared the winner on April 2, defeating Liberal opponent Tania Stock by just 58 votes following a recount, a margin now dwarfed by the uncounted ballots.

The stash included 77 unopened absent ordinary ballot papers and four declaration ballot papers mistakenly returned to the commission with votes inside.

All were located in three sealed boxes linked to Narungga and neighbouring Stuart.

A recount will take place on Friday.

Acting Electoral Commissioner Leah McLay said the discovery prompted immediate action, with all candidates notified of a further count.

McLay said the recount would not necessarily overturn the result of the election, with Thomas already declared the winner by the electoral commission.

The shock victory of One Nation candidate Chantelle Thomas (pictured) in the South Australian seat of Narungga has been thrown into doubt

Chantelle Thomas' (pictured) victory is now in doubt after 81 uncounted votes were found

'The purpose of the count is for the commission to determine whether the result would have differed had those ballots been included in the initial count and subsequent recount,' she explained.

When pressed on what would happen if a recount resulted in a win for the Liberals, Ms McLay said the matter would ultimately be decided by the courts.

'If the recount was to indicate that, then we would seek Crown advice and look to the Disputed Court of Returns,' she said.

Thomas said news of the recount was 'very disappointing' for voters in Narungga, saying it only extended a period of uncertainty for the local community.

'This is very disappointing for my community in Narungga,' she told the Daily Mail.

'We're being forced to wait, again, to see who will be Narungga's representative in Parliament.'

Thomas said the discovery of uncounted ballots raised broader concerns about the conduct of the state election.

'Let's be clear: this raises serious questions about the integrity of the South Australian election, whether the electoral commission was fully prepared for it, and how Labor's new electoral laws, passed with Liberal support, impacted the electoral commission's preparations,' she said.

Thomas said the situation raised questions about the SA Electoral Commission's preparedness

Thomas said she, like other candidates, would now have to wait for the outcome of Friday's count before responding further.

'Like everyone else, I'll have to wait for the count on Friday,' she said.

'Afterwards, I'm sure there will be more to say about it.'

South Australian Opposition Leader Ashton Hurn said it was now up to the Electoral Commission to move swiftly and provide much-needed 'clarity'.

'Who knows what this will mean for the seat of Narungga, but that's why I think the electoral commission need to provide some clarity quickly,' she told the ABC.
The Texas college student accused of throwing a Molotov cocktail at OpenAI CEO Sam Altman's mansion is an 'AI doomer' who called for 'Luigi-ing tech CEOs.'

Daniel Moreno-Gama, 20, spoke out against artificial intelligence in a podcast interview in January when he made the chilling remark referencing Luigi Mangione, who stands accused of shooting dead UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson.

He noted in the interview with 'The Last Invention' podcast that following the assassination 'a lot of people were able to excuse' Mangione's alleged actions - which Moreno-Gama stressed his disagreed with.

'I understand the frustration with a person who might advocate for that, but it's not practical. It's not worth it,' he said in the interview, according to the Wall Street Journal.

'Before we even think about violence, we need to exhaust all our peaceful means,' Moreno-Gama continued. 'I think sharing information, I think doing podcasts like this, that needs to come way before we even consider that.'

But San Francisco police have said Moreno-Gama threw the fire bomb at Altman's mansion just after 4am PST on Friday, before fleeing the scene on foot.

Less than an hour later, officers were called to OpenAI's headquarters on 3rd Street after a man allegedly threatened to burn down the building.

Police recognized the man as the same suspect from the Altman mansion incident and immediately took him into custody. No injuries were reported.

Daniel Moreno-Gama, 20, allegedly threw the fire bomb at Altman's home just after 4am PST on Friday, before fleeing the scene on foot

He suggested in a podcast interview in January 'Luigi-ing tech CEOs,' referring to Luigi Mangione (pictured) who stands accused of killing UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson

Moreno-Gama was allegedly carrying a manifesto when he was arrested, described as a 'three-part series' listing other AI executives and their addresses

The podcasters from media startup Longview had reached out to Moreno-Gama while working on an episode exploring the perspectives of 'AI doomers.'

Some 'doomers' believe we may need to consider violence to protect humanity from what they believe is a digital super-mind that could lead to our extinction.

They originally offered him anonymity in the interview, in which he used the alias 'Discord Dan,' but the producers decided to come forward to reveal Moreno-Gama's identity as the interviewee in Wednesday's episode following his arrest.

They said 'his own actions and online statements have since established a clear link between his pseudonym and his real identity.'

In the podcast, released in an edited form on Wednesday, Moreno-Gama detailed how he became so against artificial intelligence.

He recalled thinking ChatGPT was 'awesome' during his high school years because he could 'cheat on everything.'

But he said he began to learn about the dark side to AI by reading prominent critics like Eliezer Yudkowsky, who warned in a 2023 Time Magazine column that 'the most likely result of building a superhumanly-smart AI, under anything remotely like the current circumstances, is that literally everyone on Earth will die.'

'I was like, OK, I hope he's kind of wrong,' Moreno-Gama said in the interview, for which he used the alias 'Discord Dan.'

'But over time, I realized very few of his main criticisms ever got refuted.'

Join the discussion Should fears about AI justify extreme actions against tech leaders, or is this crossing a dangerous line?

Sam Altman's Lombard Street mansion was targeted in an alleged Molotov cocktail attack early Friday, according to San Francisco police

Diamond Ward, Moreno-Gama's public defender, has argued that prosecutors overcharged her client, calling the incident a 'property crime at best'

By 2024, Moreno-Gama said he joined PauseAI, an online community that advocates for halting the development of some of the most powerful AI systems.

Maxime Fournes, PauseAI's CEO, said he joined the group's public Discord server and posted 34 messages, none of which she said 'contained explicit calls to violence.'

'We unequivocally condemn this attack and all forms of violence,' she told the Journal.

However, on another online forum called Stop AI, Moreno-Gama asked last year: 'Will speaking about violence get me banned?'

He then stopped posting after he was told 'yes.'

'Stop AI has always adhered to nonviolent activism,' the group said.

But behind the scenes, Moreno-Gama allegedly wrote a manifesto that was described as a 'three-part series' listing other AI executives and their addresses.

It included a message to Altman himself, reading: 'If by some miracle you live, then I would take this as a sign from the divine to redeem yourself,' according to the Journal.

Altman, 40, reflected on Friday's terrifying incident on his personal blog, accompanied by a photo of his husband and child (pictured)

FBI agents executed a search warrant at the Texas home of the suspect accused of throwing a Molotov cocktail at OpenAI CEO Sam Altman's luxurious mansion

Yet Diamond Ward, Moreno-Gama's public defender, has argued that prosecutors overcharged her client, calling the incident a 'property crime at best.'

'It is unfair and unjust for the San Francisco District Attorney and the federal government to fearmonger and exploit this young man's vulnerability simply due to the high-profile status of the people involved,' she argued.

She also noted that her client has a history of autism and mental health issues, arguing his actions 'appear to be driven by an acute mental-health crisis, not a desire to harm.'

Moreno-Gama's parents echoed that sentiment, saying they have been trying to get him mental health treatment and were concerned about his well-being.

'He is a very caring person and has never been arrested before,' the parents said in a statement. 'Until very recently, he was working hard at a restaurant and attending college classes.'

In his own statement, Altman, 40, acknowledged there are concerns about AI, but he said that shouldn't lead to violence.

'We should de-escalate the rhetoric and tactics,' he argued, after previously sharing a photo of his husband and child in an effort to deter any future attacks.

'Images have power, I hope. Normally we try to be pretty private, but in this case I am sharing a photo in the hopes that it might dissuade the next person from throwing a Molotov cocktail at our house, no matter what they think about me,' he wrote.

Altman said that the Molotov cocktail bounced off the house. The bomb set an exterior gate on fire.

'Words have power too. There was an incendiary article about me a few days ago,' Altman continued.

'Someone said to me yesterday they thought it was coming at a time of great anxiety about AI and that it made things more dangerous for me. I brushed it aside.

'Now I am awake in the middle of the night and pissed, and thinking that I have underestimated the power of words and narratives.'
The US military has destroyed yet another drug trafficking vessel in the Pacific Ocean, killing 'three male narco-terrorists,' US Southern Command announced.

'A lethal kinetic strike' was carried out on Wednesday, according to SOUTHCOM. The strike was ordered by US Southern Command General Francis L Donovan.

The military said the vessel was operated by a 'Designated Terrorist Organization,' and that intelligence confirmed it was 'transiting along known narco-trafficking routes in the Eastern Pacific and was engaged in narco-trafficking operations.'

No US military personnel were harmed in the strike, according to the announcement.

US Southern Command shared a declassified video on X and its website of the drug smuggling boat getting destroyed.

In the black and white footage, a vessel that appears to have been a three-engine speedboat can be seen cutting through the waves.

About five seconds into the video, a missile can be seen flying towards the boat from out of frame before striking it and causing a large explosion.

The speedboat can then be seen on fire and slowly coming to a stop before the video ends.

The US Military destroyed yet another drug smuggling vessel in the Pacific on Wednesday. The boat is pictured just before being struck by a missile

US Southern Command announced the strike on Wednesday evening and shared a video of the attack. The moment the missile hit the boat and exploded is pictured

US Southern Command said 'three male narco-terrorists' were killed in the strike. The boat is pictured on fire after it was hit

The strike was ordered by US Southern Command General Francis L Donovan as a part of Operation Southern Spear, an initiative meant to reduce the flow of drugs entering the US

The vessel was destroyed as part of Operation Southern Spear, which was launched by the Trump administration in September 2025 in an effort to reduce the flow of drugs entering the US.

The operation's declared aims are 'detecting, disrupting, and degrading transnational criminal and illicit maritime networks.'

US Southern Command is in charge of carrying out the operation.

It is one of the eleven unified combatant commands in the United States Department of Defense, and its area of responsibility is the Caribbean, all of Latin America below Mexico and the surrounding waters.

Following the unveiling of Operation Southern Spear, Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced that several cartels, and even the regime of former Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro, were designated as Foreign Terrorist Organizations.

In December 2025, President Trump signed an executive order designating fentanyl as a weapon of mass destruction.

Those moves have given the US legal leeway to destroy suspected drug trafficking vessels and kill their operators without due process.

Critics of Operation Southern Spear have called the strikes on drug smuggling vessels illegal and expressed concern that the intelligence leading to the attacks may not always be accurate, creating the possibility of innocents being killed.

President Donald Trump's administration launched Operation Southern Spear on September 1, 2025

Shortly after Operation Southern Spear was unveiled, Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced that several cartels and former Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro's regime would be designated as Foreign Terrorist Organizations

Operation Southern Spear faced particularly heightened scrutiny late last year after it was revealed that a second strike had been ordered to kill survivors clinging to wreckage who had not been killed in an initial strike.

Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth had allegedly given verbal orders to leave no survivors. He was accused of a war crime, as killing survivors who are no longer combatants is considered a violation of international law.

The 'double tap' strike was carried out during the first bombing of Operation Southern Spear.

In Hegseth's defense, he and other Pentagon officials said that the survivors were potentially in communication with other nearby drugs boats and were trying to salvage the remaining drugs in the ship's cargo, making them legitimate targets.

Hegseth also argued that he was technically not the person to issue the final order and that Admiral Frank Bradley had done so.

But that shifting of blame only caused further backlash among some military insiders who accused the secretary of defense of throwing an 'American hero' under the bus.

Ultimately, neither Bradley nor Hegseth faced any serious consequences for the alleged war crime, but the military seemed to have learned from the situation in future strikes.

After an attack on February 5 killed two people but left one alive, US forces 'immediately' moved to initiate rescue efforts for the lone survivor, SOUTHCOM announced at the time.

Operation Southern Spear faced particularly heightened scrutiny late last year after it was revealed that Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth had issued verbal orders to kill two survivors of the operation's first bombing

Hegseth argued that Admiral Frank Bradley had been the one to issue the final order, which prompted more backlash from military insiders who accused the secretary of defense of throwing an 'American hero' under the bus

Wednesday's strike has brought the total number of vessels destroyed as part of Operation Southern Spear to 52, and it has brought the total number of people killed in the attacks to 174.

That breaks down to an average of about seven boats destroyed per month and an average of about 23 people killed per month since the operation began on September 1.

Between April 11 and Wednesday's strike, three other attacks that were part of Operation Southern Spear have been conducted.

Two boats in the Pacific were destroyed on Saturday. Two people were killed in the first strike, and a third who abandoned the vessel is presumed to be dead. An additional three people were killed in the second strike.

A third boat was destroyed on Monday, killing two more people.
Donald Trump has announced that the leaders of Israel and Lebanon will meet for the first time in over three decades, signaling a potential breakthrough in the war in Iran.

'Trying to get a little breathing room between Israel and Lebanon,' the president wrote on Truth Social late Wednesday night.

'It has been a long time since the two leaders have spoken, like 34 years. It will happen tomorrow.'

The president did not make clear exactly who would attend the talks. The peace negotiations between the two nations are the first to occur since 1993.

The military campaign between Lebanon and Israel has become a major sticking point in Trumps quest to bring an end to the war in Iran.

The Israeli-US strikes against Iran on March 2 intensified already frayed relationships in the region.

Hezbollah, the Iranian-backed militant group in Lebanon, has been participating in the armed conflict by launching missile attacks against Israel.

Israel's retaliation in Lebanon has resulted in a catastrophic death toll, with estimates exceeding 2,000 Lebanese casualties. More than one million people have also been forced to flee their homes.

Earlier this month, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said the nation was planning to set up a security zone on Lebanese territory, which would prevent thousands from returning to their homes.

Donald Trump, pictured above at the White House earlier this week, shared a late-night announcement alluding to more peace negotiations between Lebanon and Israel

It wasn't clear whether Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu would attend the talks

The announcement follows a discussion on Tuesday between (left to right) US State Department Counselor Michael Needham, US Ambassador to the UN Mike Waltz, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, US Ambassador to Lebanon Michel Issa, Lebanon's Ambassador to the US Nada Hamadeh Moawad and Israeli Ambassador to the US Yechiel Leiter

In an effort to broker peace, several Lebanese and Israeli officials met at the US Department of State headquarters in Washington DC on Tuesday.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio hosted the meeting, which included Lebanese Ambassador to the US Nada Hamadeh, Israeli Ambassador to the US Yechiel Leiter and US Ambassador to Lebanon Michel Issa.

'We discovered today that we're on the same side of the equation, and that's the most positive thing we could have come away with,' Leiter said after the meeting.

He added that the discussion focused on a 'clearly delineated border' between Israel and Lebanon.

'The security of our civilians is not up for negotiation. This was a victory for sanity, for responsibility and for peace,' Leiter said.

Leiter also declared that both nations were 'united in liberating Lebanon' from Hezbollah.

Lebanon's Ambassador to the US Nada Hamadeh Moawad called the meeting 'productive' while Rubio noted that the talks are a 'process.'

Rubio added: 'It's a historic gathering that we hope to build on.'

Instability between Lebanon and Israel has contributed to the enduring conflict in the region.

Lebanese Ambassador to the US Nada Hamadeh, pictured above on Tuesday, was involved in the recent negotiations

Israeli Ambassador to the U.S. Yechiel Leiter, pictured above, declared that both nations were 'united in liberating Lebanon' from Hezbollah after the meeting

Rubio, pictured above in between Needham and Issa, called the talks 'historic' and 'productive'

Hezbollah wields significant power, with experts doubting the ability to achieve peace without the militant group on board. Lebanese authorities have no control over the group and do not speak for them.

Hezbollah was founded on anti-Israel sentiments and is considered a terrorist organization by the US.

The group is a Shiite Muslim political party. Hezbollah launched strikes against Israel after the killing of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

In a televised speech ahead of Tuesday's negotiations, Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem called on Lebanese officials not to attend the talks.

He said the meeting was a ploy to pressure Hezbollah into laying down their weapons against Israel, adding: 'We will not rest, stop or surrender. Instead, we will let the battlefield speak for itself.'

Despite Hezbollah's defiant stance, the recent negotiations have stoked optimism for a cease-fire.

Hezbollah, Israeli and Lebanese officials told the New York Times on Wednesday that Israel was considering a short-term cease-fire in Lebanon.

One of the Israeli officials, who was not named, told the publication that the government has yet to sign off on the truce but that it could be further discussed at a cabinet meeting.

Two of the Israeli officials added that the looming cease-fire could be implemented as early as Thursday and would last about a week.

Hezbollah leader Sheikh Naim Qassem, pictured above in 2023, urged Lebanon officials against participating in the negotiations

Despite negotiations, airstrikes have continued in the region. Pictured above is the aftermath of an Israeli airstrike in Lebanon on Wednesday

A ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon would allow more fruitful peace talks between the US and Iran as Trump seeks an off-ramp to the conflict.

A senior Israeli official also told Reuters that cabinet members met on Wednesday to discuss a possible cease-fire in Lebanon.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters that the administration feels 'good about the prospects of a deal,' calling the negotiations 'productive and ongoing.'

Amid the peace negotiations, conflict has continued in the region. Lebanon's state-run National News Agency reported on Wednesday that at least 20 people were killed in Israeli strikes.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a video message that Israeli forces would continue strikes against Hezbollah and bolster the 'security zone' in the southern part of the nation.

Over 2,000 people have died in Lebanon and a million have been displaced since the war in Iran began in March. Pictured above is a displacement in Beirut on Wednesday

Lebanon and Israel have engaged in peace negotiations in 1983 and 1993. However, following the Hamas-led attack in Israel on October 7, 2023, the conflict drastically escalated.

A fragile cease-fire was implemented at the end of 2024, but was never fully enforced.

It's unclear who will be participating in the negotiations on Thursday. The Daily Mail has reached out to the White House for more information on the president's announcement.
Treasurer Jim Chalmers is plotting a Budget night tax sting on property investors with older homes, with the Prime Minister backing a plan to give bigger capital gains tax (CGT) breaks to taxpayers who bankroll new apartments and townhouses.

At the same time, the government is expected to slash capital gains tax concessions on older properties, with Labor aiming to funnel investor money away from established housing and into projects that add to the supply of homes.

Senior government insiders told the Daily Mail the Treasurer wants the change locked into the May 12 budget and has already won Anthony Albanese's support, with ministers and advisers now mulling over the final details of how hard Labor should go.

At the centre of the push is a 2025 McKell Institute report by UNSW Professor Richard Holden and the institute's CEO Edward Cavanough, the Mail can reveal.

The document is being used inside government as the template for a capital gains tax shake-up.

Under the model being worked through in Canberra, investors buying into newly built apartments and townhouses would get a larger tax break when they sell, while those piling into older housing would get a smaller tax concession.

The formula being examined would lift the current 50 per cent capital gains tax discount to 70 per cent for new attached dwellings such as apartments and townhouses.

It would slash it to 35 per cent for existing dwellings, and leave it unchanged at 50 per cent for new houses.

The Daily Mail can reveal the document Treasurer Jim Chalmers is using as a masterplan for a capital gains tax shake-up in the 2026 Federal Budget

What would make the reform a big surprise on budget night is that - after a years-long debate focused on cutting property tax concessions - some investors could actually end up with a better break than they get now, if they buy new apartments and townhouses.

But that only applies if Labor adopts the institute's model in full.

If it cherry-picks the parts that cut tax concessions, while dumping the more generous treatment for new builds, the government will be selling a tax hit, not a housing incentive.

Existing investments would be grandfathered, meaning current owners would not be hit retrospectively.

Negative gearing would remain untouched, according to the McKell paper. If adopted, that would allow Labor to argue that existing investors are protected, even as the rules are changed for future purchases, minimising the political fallout from the change.

Negative gearing changes still being considered

The numbers in the report are eye-catching.

The McKell plan claims the CGT change could lift housing supply by up to 1.2 per cent and help deliver as many as 130,000 extra homes by 2030, while remaining broadly revenue-neutral over the first five years, if the government sticks to the report's parameters.

Some investors may actually benefit from the suggested changes - which would increase capital gains tax discounts for new-build townhouses and apartments

That gives Labor an obvious political shield, allowing it to frame the change as a housing reform rather than a tax raid. But that defence only holds if the government sticks closely to the original design.

The further Labor moves beyond the institute's model in search of a modest budget gain, the easier it becomes for critics to brand the measure a tax grab dressed up as supply reform.

The move would hand Labor a huge housing headline without dragging it back into a full-scale negative gearing war.

But the Daily Mail understands changes to negative gearing are still under active consideration.

Ministers are also weighing up how closely to stick to the McKell model if they want the package to do more than reshape investor behaviour and instead deliver at least a modest gain to the budget bottom line.

Rather than detonating the political grenade that blew up in Labor's face under Bill Shorten in 2019, Chalmers is carving out a narrower, pro-supply approach.

The McKell blueprint gives Labor a way to edge back towards areas that look uncomfortably similar to Bill Shorten's 2019 tax policy, without appearing to drag the old policy corpse out of storage.

Using a think tank report as the starting point also gives ministers a layer of political cover if they decide to move, with the Treasurer expected to refer to the institute's study during his post-budget sales pitch.

The government's hope is that such a policy would increase the supply of housing - which has long been outstripped by demand

PVO's view: Clever bid to avoid the ghost of Bill Shorten

Capital gains tax property changes: summary of Labor proposal being debated by Albo's team

* The formula being examined would lift the current 50 per cent CGT discount to 70 per cent for new attached dwellings such as apartments and townhouses. * CGT would be slashed to 35 per cent for existing dwellings * It would stay unchanged at 50 per cent for new houses.

Bill Shorten's plan to wind back property tax concessions was turned into a political bloodbath at the 2019 election, including by the now Opposition Treasury spokesman Tim Wilson, who campaigned hard as a backbencher at the time against Labor's proposed changes to franking credits.

Using an outside report to launch the budget changes lets the government spin the move as a fresh housing fix, rather than a rerun of the policy voters killed off seven years ago.

What makes this politically different from Labor's failed 2019 tax agenda is that the government now has a more convincing rationale than simply winding back investor concessions.

Housing scarcity has given Chalmers and Albanese a cleaner argument: this is not about punishing investors, but about steering capital towards new supply.

The risk for Labor is that if Treasury bureaucrats cannot demonstrate a clear supply dividend, the government will be accused of re-fighting an old ideological battle under a new housing banner.

The target of the new policy plans is the same broad problem that's been in play for years: tax settings that favour investors and help put upward pressure on the housing market, adding to the difficulty new home buyers face competing with property investors at auctions.

But the version being considered for the upcoming budget is more surgically targeted and dressed up as a supply-side measure, not simply a war on property investors.

Anthony Albanese is backing a plan to give bigger capital gains tax breaks to investors who bankroll new apartments and townhouses

The Treasurer's political staffers want Labor to stay close to the Holden-Cavanough model.

However, Treasury is still crunching the numbers, and the PM's office is desperate to avoid spooking the property lobby and middle Australia.

That leaves the final budget call on the specifics of expected capital gains tax changes resting on just how much political pain Albanese is prepared to risk in exchange for a housing reform headline.

If the plan goes ahead, the line to the market will be brutally simple: build new properties and get rewarded.

Keep piling your money into older housing stock and get clipped with a higher tax rate.

In effect, investors would be pushed towards backing construction rather than bidding up the price of homes already built.

While the property sector and the Opposition are expected to howl about such a reform, rents are soaring, younger buyers are shut out of the market and housing pressure is biting hard.

Chalmers is betting that voters are more likely to swallow a hit on existing home investors if the government can sell it as a push to get more new properties built to address surging demand that has outstripped current supply.

That calculation is now driving one of the most explosive fights inside government ahead of Budget night next month.
Underpaid and undervalued despite being the backbone of Australia's largest health system, nurses and midwives are getting a substantial pay rise.

The independent Industrial Relations Commission of NSW found the nearly 70,000 employees were entitled to a pay bump over three years, with a significant hike in the first year backdated to July 2025.

'The work of nurses, midwives and assistants in nursing are currently undervalued, and they deserve as a result a one-off increase,' the commission's president Justice Ingmar Taylor said on Thursday.

'They are essential, integral and irreplaceable to the system's function and effectiveness.'

Over a three year period, registered nurses and midwives are now set to receive 16 per cent, 18 for enrolled nurses, and a whopping 28 per cent for nursing assistants.

The two subsequent years of the agreement will see three per cent annual increases.

The last major arbitration of nursing wage rates was more than two decades ago.

Health Minister Ryan Park said it was a 'really positive day for NSW healthcare workers.'

Underpaid and undervalued despite being the backbone of Australia's largest health system, nurses and midwives are getting a substantial pay rise (pictured, nurses protesting in NSW in 2024)

But reaction from the NSW Nurses and Midwives' Association was not overly jubilant.

'Today's announcement gives a historic record-breaking pay deal ... but registered nurses and midwives remain behind those in other states,' the union's head Michael Thwaites told reporters outside the commission.

Annual salaries for registered nurses in the state start the $87,000 mark which falls well behind nation-leading ACT at $103,000 followed by Queensland at $94,000 and Western Australia $91,000.

Nurses and midwives make up about half of all employees of the NSW health service with 90 per cent of them women.

Justice Taylor said the gendered nature of the profession was a factor in how employees had been financially overlooked for decades.

'Nurses and midwives perform invisible skills and there is at least a real possibility that their work is undervalued for gender reasons,' he said.

For midwife Christie, the commission's recognition was well-received but did not go far enough with the figures falling short of the union's demands of a 35 per cent increase.

'As a mother raising two girls here in Sydney - it's tough,' she told reporters.

Over a three year period, registered nurses and midwives are now set to receive 16 per cent, 18 for enrolled nurses, and a whopping 28 per cent for nursing assistants (pictured, nurse conducting a Covid swab at Bondi Beach in 2020)

'We're just looking for more from this government and we won't stop asking for it. We deserve it.'

Treasurer Daniel Mookhey hailed the decision, which took two years since arbitration started, as a 'fair outcome for all parties' trumpeting changes the Labor government ushered in by re-instating the independent labour umpire.

'No one got everything they wanted here,' he said at a press conference.

He said the upcoming budget will be able to handle the billions to be paid out to the nurses and midwives without specifying a dollar amount.

The annualised workforce cost is about $7.5 billion.

'Nurses and midwives are the DNA of the NSW health system,' Justice Taylor said in his judgement.
EXTON, Pa., April 16, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- First Resource Bancorp, Inc. (OTCQX: FRSB) announced that on April 15, 2026, First Resource's Board of Directors declared a regular quarterly cash dividend of $0.02 per share on the Company's common stock. The dividend is payable on May 15, 2026 to shareholders of record as of May 1, 2026.

About First Resource Bancorp, Inc.

First Resource Bancorp, Inc. is the holding company of First Resource Bank. First Resource Bank is a locally owned and operated Pennsylvania state-chartered bank with three full-service branches, serving the banking needs of businesses, professionals and individuals in the Delaware Valley. The Bank offers a full range of deposit and credit services with a high level of personalized service. First Resource Bank also offers a broad range of traditional financial services and products, competitively priced and delivered in a responsive manner to small businesses, professionals and residents in the local market. For additional information visit our website at www.firstresourcebank.com. Member FDIC.

This press release contains statements that are not of historical facts and may pertain to future operating results or events or management's expectations regarding those results or events. These are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934. These forward-looking statements may include, but are not limited to, statements about our plans, objectives, expectations and intentions and other statements contained in this press release that are not historical facts. When used in this press release, the words "expects", "anticipates", "intends", "plans", "believes", "seeks", "estimates", or words of similar meaning, or future or conditional verbs, such as "will", "would", "should", "could", or "may" are generally intended to identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are inherently subject to significant business, economic and competitive uncertainties and contingencies, many of which are either beyond our control or not reasonably capable of predicting at this time. In addition, these forward-looking statements are subject to assumptions with respect to future business strategies and decisions that are subject to change. Actual results may differ materially from the results discussed in these forward-looking statements. Readers of this press release are accordingly cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. First Resource Bank disclaims any intent or obligation to update publicly any of the forward-looking statements herein, whether in response to new information, future events or otherwise.

SOURCE First Resource Bank
Powers used to restrict protests in the aftermath of the Bondi massacre have been deemed by a court to have breached constitutional freedoms.

The controversial measures, which were rushed through NSW Parliament in December, allowed the police commissioner to make a declaration preventing residents from seeking authorisation for rallies in key areas of Sydney for up to three months after a terror attack.

This left protesters vulnerable to arrest for obstructing traffic or pedestrian movements if they marched through the streets.

While the state government said the laws were necessary to maintain order and peace, activist organisations Palestine Action Group and Blak Caucus took them to court.

Chief Justice Andrew Bell on Thursday found the laws were an 'impermissible burden' on various constitutional freedoms in a NSW Court of Appeal decision.

The declaration was imposed after two gunmen opened fire on a Hanukkah celebration at Bondi Beach in mid-December, killing 15 people.

Its restrictions were not eased until February, about a week after police violently broke up a Town Hall protest opposing Israeli President Isaac Herzog's trip to Australia.

During the crackdown, dozens of attendees were pepper sprayed while others were beaten and arrested by police.

Chaos broke out at a protest against the visit of the Israeli President Isaac Herzog in February

The event was also policed under a major events declaration that gave authorities powers to clear the area at their determination.

The Court of Appeal challenge today focused on the police commissioners power to approve protests, not the Major Events Act provisions used during Israeli President Isaac Herzogs visit, which the Supreme Court upheld in February.

Premier Chris Minns said the government was 'disappointed' by outcome.

'The NSW Government absolutely stands by the decision to introduce this legislation that allowed police to restrict authorised assemblies in specific areas for 14 days following a terrorism declaration,' he said.

'This was in the aftermath of the worst terrorist attack our country has seen, in which 15 innocent lives were lost.'

'We believe it was necessary and important for Sydney at the time.'

Asked about the laws ahead of the court's decision, Minns continued to back them.

'I'm not saying there wasn't clashes, I'm not saying it wasn't difficult and I don't regret moving that legislation at all,' he said.

NSW Premier Chris Minns (pictured) said the government was 'disappointed' by the ruling

'It's tricky when you're introducing changes to legislation like that because there's a necessary infringement on constitutional principles.

'But there are other constitutional principles: the right of individual citizens to go about living their life free of intimidation, persecution or violence.'

Palestine Action Group has declared they will hold a protest on Sunday, following the decision.
Hundreds of Aussies who camped out to score a front row seat to the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's engagements have scored better photos - for free - than those who paid thousands to attend Meghan's exclusive retreat.

Meghan and Harry have posed for countless selfies for Aussies waiting outside their official tour stops since touching down on Tuesday.

The fact is likely stinging to those who paid $3,199 for a VIP ticket to Meghan's Australian 'Her Best Life' event at the five-star InterContinental Coogee Beach hotel from Friday to Sunday.

Standard tickets for the retreat cost $2,699 each for a twin share room.

Those paying $3,199 for a VIP ticket are entitled to a 'group table photo' with Meghan as well as a solo premium hotel room and an 'exclusive VIP goodie bag'.

Gemma O'Neill, host of the Her Best Life podcast which is organising the retreat, has described the three-day event at the beachside hotel as 'the ultimate girls weekend'.

O'Neill announced last month that the Duchess would be appearing at the weekend and claimed Meghan had contacted her after being put in touch by a mutual friend.

The 300 attendees will have an 'in-person conversation' with Meghan, a 'meditation and manifestation session' with O'Neill and a 'beautiful sound healing experience'.

VIP participants at Meghan's Her Best Life retreat paid extra to take a group photo with the royal (pictured is Meghan and Harry posing for a selfie in Melbourne)

Hundreds of Aussies have scored selfies with Meghan (above) and Harry for free by waiting outside their tour stops

When O'Neill announced the event last month, she said: 'I have admired this woman (Meghan) and what she has endured, how she's risen above it and how she has demonstrated how a woman can be pushed down and she can still rise.'

She added: 'I feel so flattered that she's effectively doing this as a favour because of our mutual friend.

'She's doing it because she really loves what our community is about, which is women trying to grow, try to be their best selves and trying to help other women.'

The podcast's website said on March 23 that the ticket allocation had been 'exhausted', but an updated note on April 6 stated: 'A handful of additional rooms just released.'

The Sussexes last carried out a tour to Australia in 2018, five months after their wedding, and Meghan's pregnancy with Prince Archie was announced shortly after their arrival.
Five killers who sliced off a man's fingertips as they hacked him to death with machetes in south London are facing life sentences.

Giovanny Rendon Bedoya, 21, died in a 'vicious' onslaught from a South American gang in Hillingdon Street, Walworth, last April.

He had just moved into a flat on the street, where he was squatting.

Angel Gonzalez Angulo, 19, Christian Batista-Gonzalez, 23, Brian Villada-Hernandes, 19, Zozoro Boizo, 21, and Joseph Jimenez, 22, denied murder but were all convicted after 18 hours of jury deliberation.

The court was told how the victim, Giovanny, was chased into an alleyway near Hillingdon Street and Langdale Close, SE17, where he was cornered and ambushed by the gang.

Metropolitan Police officers arrived at the scene just after 9:15 pm on April 14 last year, following reports of a knife fight, finding Giovanny behind a block of flats with catastrophic stab wounds.

Despite the emergency services' frantic attempts to save his life, he was pronounced dead less than an hour later.

A post-mortem examination confirmed that Giovanny died from 'multiple sharp-force injuries'.

Giovanny Rendon Bedoya (pictured), 21, died in a 'vicious' onslaught from a South American gang in Hillingdon Street last April

Bryan Villada Hernandez (pictured), 20, was apprehended at the scene shortly after the murder as forensic analysis later identified the victims blood on his tracksuit

Joseph Jimenez (pictured), 22, was eventually tracked down and arrested in Chichester after fleeing the capital

Detectives believe the targeted killing was the result of escalating tensions between two rival groups in the area.

Hernandez was apprehended at the scene shortly after the murder; forensic analysis later identified the victims blood on his tracksuit, which also bore slash marks consistent with a knife struggle.

Digital forensics further implicated the group, as messages recovered from Hernandezs phone revealed panicked discussions regarding the destruction of evidence and the movement of police.

To piece together the groups movements, Metropolitan Police detectives reviewed over 1,500 hours of CCTV footage.

Footage identified a property on Langdale Close being used as a squat by the attackers.

Immediately following the killing, Angulo and Boizo fled the squat by taxi to seek refuge at a friend's house.

CCTV later captured Angulo changing his clothes and carrying a bin bag, which prosecutors say contained the murder weapons and blood-stained clothing.

While some were caught quickly, others attempted to evade justice by fleeing internally and internationally. Jimenez was eventually tracked down and arrested in Chichester after fleeing the capital.

Most notably, Gonzalez managed to flee the country entirely. Following an international search, he was located and arrested near Barcelona on May 19, 2025, before being extradited to the UK to stand trial for the brutal killing

On Tuesday, exactly one year after the fatal attack, a jury returned unanimous guilty verdicts following an intensive investigation by the Met.

Prosecutor Anthony Orchard, KC, earlier said: 'At 9.15pm on 14 April 2025 Giovanny Rendon Bedoya was chased by a group of armed youths onto the grass area behind the block of flats into which he had just moved in Walworth.

'The group of five armed youths attacked him. The attack was vicious. Three of the fingertips of Giovanny Bedoya's right hand were severed.

Angel Gonzalez Angulo (pictured), 19, was later captured on CCTV changing his clothes and carrying a bin bag, which prosecutors say contained the murder weapons and blood-stained clothing

Immediately following the killing, Olivier Boizo (pictured), 21, fled the squat by taxi to seek refuge at a friend's house

Christian Batista Gonzalez (pictured), 22, managed to flee the country entirely. Following an international search, he was located and arrested near Barcelona on May 19, 2025

'He suffered two substantial injuries to his left eye and face, and further injuries to his body, and his lower limbs.

'A total of at least twelve knife or machete-related injuries were subsequently identified.

'The five defendants chased him. He was cornered and set upon by the whole group. He was defenceless. He had no weapon with him.

'He was surrounded in a corner at the rear of the block of flats and attacked.

'Several members of the public called the emergency services to a group fighting in the street with knives in the areas of Hillingdon Street and Langdale Close.

'The armed attackers ran off. Giovanny Bedoya was left dying.

'When police and paramedics arrived, they found Giovanny Rendon Bedoya collapsed on the ground on the grass area.

'Giovanny Bedoya was pronounced dead 53 minutes later.'

Police went to a nearby address where people were squatting and arrested Villada-Hernades and his girlfriend, the court heard.

All the defendants had been at that address before the stabbing, Mr Orchard said.

Mr Orchard said: 'There had been a dispute between Giovanny Bedoya's friends and these defendants which developed into a violent attack by these defendants.

'The attack had been triggered by the incident that had just occurred between Christian Batista-Gonzalez and four of Giovanny Bedoya's friends, but the nature and ferocity of the attack on Giovanny Bedoya was at a vastly different level.

'That ferocity is evidenced by the number and severity of his injuries.'

Gonzalez Angulo, of Camberwell, Batista-Gonzalez, of Leyton, Villada-Hernandez, of Lambeth, Boizo, of Southwark, and Jimenez, of no fixed address, denied but were convicted of murder.

Detective Chief Inspector Kate Blackburn, who led the investigation, said: 'This was a sustained and extremely violent attack, carried out by a group acting together.

'Giovanny was chased and killed in brutal circumstances, and today's convictions reflect the strength of the evidence and the determination of the investigation team.

'Our thoughts remain with Giovanny's family and loved ones, who have shown immense dignity throughout these proceedings.

'Such brutality has no place on our streets - it rips families and communities apart.

'That's why the Met is doing everything it can to target dangerous offenders and prevent senseless violence.'

All five men are due to be sentenced at the Old Bailey on Wednesday, May 20.
Two of Europe's biggest airlines have cancelled hundreds of flights amid soaring fuel costs triggered by the Middle East war.

Lufthansa said today that a regional subsidiary, Lufthansa CityLine, would be suspending operations from Saturday amid high kerosene prices and labour disputes.

And KLM said it had cancelled 160 flights in the next month due to rising fuel costs.

It comes after the head of the International Energy Agency (IEA) warned the continent has 'maybe six weeks' of jet fuel left in a sobering prediction.

IEA Executive Director Fatih Birol painted a damning picture of the global repercussions of what he called 'the largest energy crisis we have ever faced' in an interview with AP, stemming from the pinch-off of oil, gas and other vital supplies through the Strait of Hormuz.

'In the past there was a group called "Dire Straits." It's a dire strait now, and it is going to have major implications for the global economy. And the longer it goes, the worse it will be for the economic growth and inflation around the world,' he said.

The impact will be 'higher petrol (gasoline) prices, higher gas prices, high electricity prices,' Birol added, with some parts of the world 'hit worse than the others'.

'The front line is the Asian countries' that rely on energy from the Middle East, he said, naming Japan, Korea, India, China, Pakistan and Bangladesh.

'Then it will come to Europe and the Americas,' he added, speaking from his Paris office looking out over the Eiffel Tower.

If the Strait of Hormuz isn't reopened, he said that for Europe, 'I can tell you soon we will hear the news that some of the flights from city A to city B might be canceled as a result of lack of jet fuel'.

Meanwhile, Israel and Lebanon agreed to a 10-day ceasefire beginning at 5pm EST (10pm BST) on Thursday.
Australia has secured an extra 100million litres of diesel shipments to help deal with the global fuel crisis after a series of leaders' meetings in Asia.

Details of the additional supplies were revealed by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese after formal talks in Kuala Lumpur with Malaysian counterpart Anwar Ibrahim that focused on ensuring energy supplies continued between both nations during the oil crunch.

The imports will come via shipments from Brunei and from South Korea under export finance regulations.

In a joint statement signed inside the Malaysian government's Perdana Putra complex, the leaders agreed to a 'no surprises' policy on the trade of critical oil and fuel supplies after disruptions caused by the Iran war.

'The world looks very different to when you were here last year ... global energy markets are under serious stress,' Mr Anwar said at a joint media conference.

'Malaysia will always be a reliable partner to Australia,' he assured his Australian guest.

The Southeast Asian nation is Australia's third-largest fuel supplier, providing 14 per cent of its diesel, 10 per cent of its petrol and 11 per cent of its jet fuel.

In turn, Australia provides almost all of Malaysia's liquefied natural gas imports but Asian nations are concerned the Albanese government could introduce new export taxes on resources in the May budget.

'We commit to promote open and stable trade flows between our two countries, including for essential energy supplies,' the pair said in a joint statement after meeting at the official offices of the Malaysian leader.

Anthony Albanese (pictured) has secured 100million litres of fuel from Asian nations

'We will exchange views on energy trade-related matters on a 'no surprises' basis, and deepen practical co-operation on energy security for both countries.

'Both countries serve as energy suppliers to one another, underpinning a mutually important energy security relationship.'

Before the meeting, Mr Albanese received a formal welcome outside Mr Anwar's office.

Rows of dark-suited dignitaries stood for the national anthems of Australia and Malaysia when the leaders arrived on the stone forecourt, the massive pink granite dome and gold spire of the Putra Mosque looming opposite.

White-and-green clad soldiers holding ceremonial rifles stood to attention as Mr Albanese inspected the guard of honour while Mr Anwar stayed seated.

Mr Albanese will later meet senior executives from Petronas, Malaysia's state-owned oil extraction and refining giant.

Malaysia also imports hundreds of millions of dollars worth of Russian oil and fuel each year, some of which is sold on to Australia.

Ukraine has called for a total ban on the use of Russian oil.

Anthony Albanese (right) secured extra fuel supplies from Malaysia, South Korea and Brunei

The talks follow a 24-hour visit to Brunei during which Mr Albanese received a guarantee the tiny sultanate was not considering restricting the amount of fuel or fertiliser shipped to Australia.

In exchange, Australia - which is Brunei's largest trading partner - will continue to provide crucial food shipments.

Brunei supplies 11 per cent of Australia's fertiliser.

In 2024, Australia was responsible for around three-quarters of Brunei's meat imports.

During a meeting at Brunei's royal palace, both Mr Albanese and Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah expressed ''deep concern'' over the war in the Middle East and pledged to strengthen energy supply chains and maintain open trade flows.

'Australia has always been a trusted friend and partner,' the monarch told Mr Albanese during their bilateral meeting.

'Over the years, our relations have continued to prosper.'

Opposition sources have played down the announcement, arguing that 100million litres of fuel represents little more than a single days supply, given Australia consumes about 90million litres daily, and have called instead for a longterm solution to the crisis.
US tech giant HPE is targeting the assets of Mike Lynch's widow in a 900million damages hunt.

The entrepreneur, known as 'Britain's Bill Gates', died in the Bayesian superyacht tragedy in Sicily in 2024 alongside his teenage daughter Hannah and five others.

His widow, Angela Bacares, 58, who survived the disaster, has her own assets that are legally separate from her late husband's.

The Lynch estate had been embroiled in a lengthy legal battle with Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE) after it accused him in 2012 of inflating his firm Autonomy's value before the acquisition.

In 2022, a judge ruled Mr Lynch and Sushovan Hussain, his chief financial officer, had defrauded HPE over the US tech giant's $11.7billion (8.6bn) acquisition of Autonomy.

Last year the judge awarded HPE 700m in damages but the company has claimed interest on this figure, increasing the amount owed to 920m.

Now the tech company is circling to probe Ms Bacares's assets in a bid to claim back the hefty sum of damages.

HPE submitted a request to the High Court on Wednesday to appoint administrators over the late tycoon's estate, who would handle the holdings and look into previous transactions.

Angela Bacares pictured with her late husband Mike Lynch. US tech giant HPE is targeting her assets in a 900million damages hunt

The entrepreneur, known as 'Britain's Bill Gates', died in the Bayesian superyacht tragedy in Sicily in 2024, pictured

It was suggested that administrators selected by the tech giant would investigate the assets of Mr Lynch's family, including those of Ms Bacares.

Joseph Curl KC, a barrister for HPE, told the court: 'As night follows day, that is going to include investigating people, not just Ms Bacares, but including Ms Bacares.'

The court ruling handing HPE 920m in damages threatens to bankrupt the tech boss's estate which is believed to amount to around 330m.

HPE lawyers insisted it would be necessary to check whether Mr Lynch had 'taken steps to preserve assets to render themselves judgment proof' amid vast legal claims.

In the case of a bankrupt estate, an administrator can seek to have transactions reversed to repay creditors if they were found to have been made at an undervalue or in preference to the beneficiary.

Restructuring firm Interpath Advisory is believed to be HPE's first choice to handle the estate, with Ms Bacares set to appoint Jeremy Sandleson, a former partner at Clifford Chance, who has long represented the family.

But HPE lawyers have argued Mr Sandleson had a 'fundamental and irreconcilable' conflict of interest thanks to his ties to the family.

Ms Bacares's team struck back by claiming the estate could be handled 'most delicately and effectively by Mr Sandleson'.

In turn, lawyers for Mr Sandleson disputed whether he could be viewed as a friend of Ms Bacares and insisted he was willing to accept the appointment himself or in a joint role alongside Interpath.

Mr Lynch's estate yesterday launched a Court of Appeal bid to challenge the damages ruling, Mr Sandleson confirmed.

At a hearing on Wednesday, lawyers for HPE asked a judge to approve the appointment of two administrators, David Standish and Michael Leeds, to 'manage and preserve' Mr Lynch's estate's assets pending an appeal.

In written submissions, Joseph Curl KC, for HPE, said Mr Justice Hildyard's ruling meant that Mr Lynch's estate was 'insolvent to a significant degree', which could only change if the estate's Court of Appeal challenge is successful.

Mr Lynch's estate had sought to challenge the original 2022 decision, and also asked for permission to appeal against the 2025 ruling on the amount of damages and interest.

'HPE is pleased with the court's ruling and its rejection of the estate's request for permission to appeal, which brings us another step closer to resolution of the dispute,' a spokesman previously said.

HPE first sued Mr Lynch for around $5bn (3.79bn) following its purchase of Cambridge-based Autonomy in 2011.

The company claimed at a 2019 trial - then believed to be the UK's biggest civil fraud trial - that Mr Lynch inflated Autonomy's revenues and 'committed a deliberate fraud'.

Mr Lynch's widow survived the 2024 accident, but the tycoon's teenage daughter Hannah, pictured with Mr Lynch, and five other passengers also lost their lives

The hull of the superyacht Bayesian, which sank near Palermo, Sicily, on August 19, 2024, is pulled out of the sea off the village of Porticello in June 2025

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It said this forced it to announce an $8.8bn (6.5bn) write-down of the firm's worth just over a year after the acquisition.

In a 2022 ruling, Mr Justice Hildyard said the American firm had 'substantially succeeded' in its claim, but that it was likely to receive 'substantially less' than the amount it claimed in damages.

He said that Autonomy, founded by Mr Lynch, had not accurately portrayed its financial position during the purchase, but even if it had, HPE would still have bought the Cambridge-based company, but at a reduced price.

In written submissions for the hearing in November, Patrick Goodall KC, for HPE, said Mr Lynch had 'not only perpetrated an enormous fraud, but lied about it at every stage'.

He argued an appeal aimed at 'escaping the consequences of that fraud' should not be allowed to be pursued.

Richard Hill KC, for Mr Lynch's estate, said the $761m (578m) in interest sought by the claimants was an 'excessive sum ... based on a flawed analysis'.

Mr Hill also said Mr Lynch's estate should be allowed to appeal against the two earlier rulings, claiming that the judge 'erred in law'.

In his written submissions he said that there was a 'compelling reason for allowing the appeal to be heard'.

A spokesperson for the Lynch family said in a statement: 'We are disappointed by the Court's refusal and believe an application to the Court of Appeal should follow in the interests of justice. HP's $5bn damages claim has already been shown to be vastly exaggerated.

'Today's judgment describes the exaggeration as "without foundation" and the purposes for which it was "calibrated, publicised and pursued" as objectionable, misleading shareholders and extending the litigation unnecessarily.'

They added: 'Dr Lynch's acquittal in the US, where witnesses were properly cross-examined, exposed the truth. The damage to Autonomy was the result of HP's own actions and failures, not wrongdoing at Autonomy.'

It comes after it emerged the builder of the Bayesian superyacht which sank in 2024 is suing Ms Bacares for 400m, claiming the company lost sales after the disaster.

The Italian Sea Group (TISG) blamed the crew and Bayesian's holding company for the boat's demise and have claimed that company has lost millions of euros in sales as a result of the tragedy.

TISG's majority owner, Giovanni Costantino, an Italian yachting millionaire, claimed that the crews incompetence and negligence led the boat to capsize and sink, insisting that the yacht was 'unsinkable'.

He has alleged doors and portholes were not secured and weather warnings were ignored despite being widely publicised.

Mr Costantino also said the fact that the yacht took 16 minutes to sink meant there was ample time for the passengers and crew to be saved.

His company has now filed a lawsuit in the town of Termini Imerese on the northern coast of Sicily, claiming that the company has lost millions by being blamed for the disaster.

A source close to the family told the Daily Mail: 'This claim is as cynical as it is predictable. The UK investigation has raised serious, unresolved questions about the yachts design, stability and operating characteristics, including vulnerabilities unknown to the owner and crew.

'This action appears designed to distract from those issues, but it will not prevent proper scrutiny of how the vessel was designed, approved and built. It is desperate, opportunistic and in bad faith.'

The lawsuit has been filed against Revtom, the Isle of Man entity which owned the yacht and which is now owned by Angela Bacares, following her husband's death.

It has also been filed against the boat's skipper James Cutfield and two crew members Timothy Eaton and Matthew Griffiths.
Rachel Reeves's criticism of Donald Trump's war on Iran has intensified as she publicly savaged the US President's decision to launch the conflict in the Middle East.

The Chancellor described the war as 'a mistake', telling the International Monetary Fund: 'I'm not convinced that this conflict has made the world a safer place.'

Ms Reeves earlier used an interview to describe the war as a 'folly', saying she was 'very frustrated and angry' about the economic impact of it on ordinary families.

But she stepped up her attacks on Mr Trump while speaking a short distance from the White House  as officials scrambled to salvage a trade deal with Washington.

Now you can vote in the Daily Mail's latest poll on whether you agree with her:

In yesterday's poll, Mail readers were asked: 'Should Donald Trump apologise for criticising the Pope?' Out of more than 9,000 votes, 70 per cent of you said 'yes' and 30 per cent said 'no'.
Brits are being braced for a summer of shortages with warnings that chicken and pork are among a swathe of products at risk from the Iran war.

A 'reasonable worst case' scenario drawn up by the Government suggested that disruption to carbon dioxide supplies from the Middle East could have major impacts.

In a war game staged by ministers, gas needed to be prioritised for healthcare - where it is crucial for kit such as MRI machines - and civil nuclear power.

But that could affect slaughterhouses, with most pigs and chickens killed using the gas. Breweries and soft drinks manufacturing could also be hit.

The possibility will add to fears about looming issues with diesel, jet fuel and fertiliser as the turmoil continues from Donald Trump's war on Iran.

Officials from No10, the Ministry of Defence and the Treasury were among those involved in 'Exercise Turnstone', according to The Times.

Although overall food shortages were seen as unlikely in the Government exercise, there were concerns that shoppers would see less choice (file picture of supermarket)

Keir Starmer is said to have been deeply involved in the contingency planning

It considered a situation where the Strait of Hormuz still had not reopened by June, and there was no permanent ceasefire.

Factories could be ordered to focus all their efforts on producing CO2, and legally compelled if necessary.

Although overall food shortages were seen as unlikely, there were reportedly concerns that shoppers would see less choice.

The war-gaming session was apparently attended by officials from the Food Standards Agency, as well as the health, business, environment and energy departments.

The 'reasonable worst-case' scenario saw supplies of CO2 drop to 18 per cent of normal levels, with a key UK plant suffering a mechanical error.

It also proposed a situation where high natural gas costs squeezed ammonia and fertiliser production across Europe. Those industries generate CO2 as a by-product.

Business Secretary Peter Kyle attempted to cool concerns as he toured broadcast studios this morning.

Asked about the availability of CO2 in the country, he told Sky News: 'At this moment, this is not a concern for the economy.'

He added: 'If any of these things change, I will be up front with the public about it in advance so that we can prepare.

'But right now, people should go on as they are, enjoying beer, enjoying their meats, enjoying all the salads.

'But also there are critical uses for CO2: MRI scanning, for example, water purification; it's involved in our nuclear industry, our civil nuclear power industry, some defensive uses for it as well.'

Mr Kyle refused to comment on specifics of the leak, but told Times Radio the public should be 'reassured that we are doing this kind of planning, and we are doing this kind of scenario planning'.

The possibility will add to fears about looming issues with diesel, jet fuel and fertiliser as the turmoil continues from Donald Trump's war on Iran

'I can tell you, because I'm in these meetings, the Prime Minister has been there since the very start, and he is going through personally and driving deep dives into lots of areas of resilience throughout our economy,' he said.

Mr Kyle pointed to his own decision near the start of the conflict to reverse the mothballing of the Ensus bio-ethanol plant in Teesside to secure supplies of carbon dioxide.

He added: 'People should be reassured that we are doing this kind of action behind the scenes to keep resilience in our economy, so that when the full extent of what may or may not emerge, because this situation is still unfolding in the Middle East, you have a Government that is acting with creativity and boldness.'

Meanwhile, Rachel Reeves has expanded plans to cut electricity bills for thousands of UK manufacturing firms as she continues talks in Washington DC focused on the economic fallout from the Iran conflict.

In a bid to help businesses hit by rising costs, a plan announced last summer to cut electricity bills by up to 25 per cent for more than 7,000 UK businesses will be expanded to cover 10,000 firms.

The British Industrial Competitiveness Scheme (BICS) will cut costs by up to 40 per megawatt-hour from 2027 by exempting businesses from certain extra charges that currently support green energy and back-up power supply systems.

An additional one-off payment in 2027 will be given to an extra 3,000 businesses, including companies in the automotive, aerospace, steel and pharmaceuticals sectors.

The Chancellor, who is in the US for the International Monetary Fund (IMF) spring meetings, said the plan will help UK businesses compete and create jobs despite the uncertain economic backdrop.

During her trip, she has stepped up criticism of US-Israeli military action in Iran, saying war was a 'mistake' and has not made the world a safer place.

Her comments came as she was due to meet US treasury secretary Scott Bessent, who has referred to the impact of the war as 'short-term volatility for long-term gain' which he said would prevent Tehran developing a nuclear weapon.
The Covid-19 vaccine programme in the UK was a success story but those harmed by the jab have been let down, an inquiry has found.

Baroness Heather Hallett, chair of the UK Covid-19 inquiry, described the speed at which the vaccines were developed and rolled out as an extraordinary feat.

But she admitted some people have tragically died or been harmed by the jab and the current Vaccine Damage Payment Scheme requires urgent reform as it is not sufficiently supportive.

This includes almost doubling the maximum amount victims or bereaved families can receive from 120,000 to at least 200,000, with a fairer system for determining the payment.

The threshold for people to be 60 per cent disabled to receive payment should be scrapped because it leaves 'those people with a significant injury that affects how they live, but does not meet the 60 per cent threshold, with nothing', Lady Hallett's report concludes.

Ministers must also take action to rebuild public trust in vaccines, which has plummeted due to the spread of false information on social media and the unprecedented speed at which the new jabs were made available, it adds.

The 274-page report marks the conclusion of the probe's fourth module, which examined how vaccines and drugs were developed, authorised and delivered.

The Covid Inquiry, which opened in July 2022, is set to be one of the longest public inquiries in history. It has already overtaken the Bloody Sunday inquiry to be the most expensive, costing 204million by the end of last year.

Margaret Keenan, then 90, was the first patient in the UK to receive the Pfizer/BioNtech Covid-19 vaccine, at the start of the largest ever immunisation programme in the UK's history

Today's report finds that decades of global research and preparation were fundamental to the UK's Covid-19 vaccine response.

This groundwork, which would ordinarily take between 10 to 20 years, allowed the UK to develop the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine and authorise two further vaccines within a year of its first identified Covid-19 case.

In 2021, approximately 132million Covid-19 vaccinations were given across the four nations, making it the largest vaccination programme in UK history.

One study estimated almost 450,000 lives were saved in England alone.

By June 2022, about 87 per cent of the UK population aged over 12 years had been vaccinated with two doses.

The inquiry report stresses it is neither proportionate nor practicable for the Inquiry to reach a view on the safety of particular vaccines or on causation in specific cases of alleged injury or death, or to attempt to quantify the precise risks of vaccination.

But it says the UK Government and regulatory bodies did not compromise the UKs rigorous safety standards despite the urgency of the task and the record speed at which vaccines were developed.

Safety concerns were identified quickly and monitored and 'many millions' of lives were saved worldwide, with any risks 'far outweighed by the benefits'.

Retired Court of Appeal judge and crossbench life peer Baroness Heather Hallett who chaired the public inquiry into the Covid-19 pandemic

It is nevertheless important to recognise and acknowledge that, in rare or very rare instances, the vaccines did have serious adverse effects,' it continues.

The Inquiry heard moving evidence from representatives of the vaccine injured and bereaved Core Participants, who have often felt silenced or ignored.

Nothing that is said about the rarity of side effects should be taken to diminish the pain and loss of those who suffered injury, or whose loved ones died, after receiving a vaccine.

The Vaccine Damage Payment Scheme was introduced in 1979 and was intended to pay compensation for vaccine damage where vaccination is recommended by a public authority and is undertaken to protect the community.

It is not designed to be compensatory but to make financial assistance available to those who need it.

Entitlement to payment under the scheme is dependent on being able to establish that someone has suffered severe disablement of 60 per cent or more and that on a balance of probabilities this was caused by the vaccine.

The maximum award has gradually increased over time and the current award of 120,000 - received as a one-off tax-free payment - was last revised in 2007.

Lady Hallett said it is clear the current maximum payment of 120,000 is too low, adding: It should be raised at least to come into line with inflation.

A man walks past the entrance to an NHS Covid-19 vaccination centre in Westfield Stratford City shopping centre in east London in February 2021

An inflationary adjustment, as at December 2025, would lead to a payment in excess of 200,000.

She said the Government must then subsequently apply annual increases in line with inflation and introduce multiple levels of payment, commensurate with the degree of injury suffered.

The inquiry heard there were only 790 applications to the compensation scheme in the ten years prior to the pandemic, compared to 17,519 by January 2025, which quickly led to backlog and delay.

Between 2021 and 2023, 125 applications to the damage scheme resulted in payment and 2,266 were refused.

Lady Hallett noted that the process was hampered by insufficient resources, with just four administrative staff handling the scheme in December 2020 despite an entirely foreseeable increase in applications.

Lawyers told the inquiry the process of applying is brutal and there are huge backlogs in processing claims, with some people waiting more than two years for a decision.

Reacting to the inquiry, Kate Scott, representing the Vaccine Injured and Bereaved UK (VIBUK) group, today said: 'It is an uncomfortable truth, but vaccine injury and death are part of the pandemic story.

'Todays recommendations somewhat recognises that reality.

'We welcome this as an important step towards fairness for those who suffered devastating consequences.'

VICTIMS GIVE THEIR REACTION Kate Scott Kate Scott, whose husband Jamie was left with serious brain damage after taking the vaccine, said she hoped the government would finally act to compensate those killed and injured by the vaccine. 'We've had five health ministers, three prime ministers, and they've all promised things but not delivered,' she said. Wes Streeting had given her his word that he would sort it out, she added - but hasn't done so yet. Ms Scott is currently suing vaccine maker Astra-Zeneca. She said pharmaceutical giants have 'felt untouchable', but should pay for damage caused by their products. 'I think they have an ethical responsibility. Their products might save lots of lives, but that doesn't mean they can get away with injuring and hurting people without any consequence,' she said. 'Car companies wouldn't be the same. If a car is faulty by design, it would be taken off the road. It doesn't seem to be the same for pharmaceutical companies.' However, she said it's not just about financial compensation, but support for those harmed and their families. 'Jamie has had over 300 medical appointments, and that's going to be ongoing,' she said. 'The bereaved also need support, and as my children grow up, they're going to have questions that we might need medical help answering. 'Jamie was 44, I'm younger than that, we had a long life planned. We have two young children and everything changed that day. 'Its been an emotional day. I feel both overwhelmed and underwhelmed, and cautiously optimistic that something might change.' - - - James Telfer James Telfer, of Covid-19 Bereaved Families for Justice, said there was a 'total lack of accountability' for those injured by vaccines. 'Where people were seriously harmed after vaccination, having acted in the public good, they deserve proper support and a fair route to redress,' he said. 'We entered the last pandemic without sufficient drug and vaccine manufacturing capacity. More than six years later nothing has changed. 'For the Covid bereaved, this is deeply personal. Many of our loved ones died because the vaccine came too late. We know exactly what is at stake when people are left exposed. 'Lessons in this report must be acted on now. The Government needs a serious long-term plan for vaccines, alongside therapeutics, anti-virals and prophylactics.' - - - Shannon Banks Shannon Banks, from Clinically Vulnerable Families, said the government failed to provide vital medication that could have protected many with serious underlying health conditions. She said the Covid vaccine triggered her lupus, giving her pericarditis - severe heart inflammation. She has been shielding ever since. However, things could have been different if the NHS had given her Evusheld, a preventative drug designed for people with compromised immune systems. 'I spent nine months in and out of hospital, and I now have to take drugs for the rest of my life,' she said. 'All because the Government decided not to buy the preventative treatment. 'I'm a leadership development consultant and haven't been able to do any in-person work since 2020. 'To most people it feels like this all finished a long time ago, but it's not over for people like me.' Fellow lupus sufferer Dr Cathy Finnis added: 'We're living in a kind of twilight zone. We can't go out for meals. I've lost friends. We live a half life now.'

Vaccine uptake was lower in communities with greater levels of deprivation and in some ethnic minority groups.

The Inquiry finds that these disparities were predictable and must be addressed before the next pandemic.

Lady Hallett said: 'Tragically, a number of people suffered harm as a result of having a vaccine.

'This was a small minority compared to the overall scale of the vaccination programme, but of no less importance to the individuals affected and their families.

'I heard moving evidence of representatives from the vaccine injured and bereaved core participant groups, who have often felt silenced, ignored or treated as vaccine deniers.

'It is vital in the context of a whole-population vaccination programme, in which the state is asking people to be vaccinated in part to protect others, that people are adequately supported when side effects do occur.

'A sufficiently supportive government scheme must be in place to help such people and their loved ones.

'I have found that the current scheme for those who have been injured as a result of having a vaccine  the vaccine damage payment scheme  is not sufficiently supportive and requires reform.'

Baroness Heather Hallett, chair of the UK Covid-19 inquiry, described the speed at which the vaccines were developed and rolled out as an extraordinary feat.

The report also highlights the vital role of drugs.

The drug dexamethasone was being used to save the lives of hospitalised Covid-19 patients by June 2020, within hours of trial results confirming its effectiveness.

By March 2021, it is estimated to have saved 22,000 lives in the UK and one million across the globe.

The report makes five recommendations to ensure the UK is better placed to develop and deliver vaccines and therapeutics in any future pandemic, including reform of the Vaccine Damage Payment Scheme.

Others include establishing a pharmaceutical expert advisory panel to oversee the UK's preparedness to develop, procure and manufacture vaccines and therapeutics; and producing targeted vaccination strategies and communications to increase vaccine uptake and reduce inequalities.

Lady Hallett also calls for improving monitoring and evaluation of vaccine uptake to identify which measures are most effecting; and giving regulatory bodies better access to patients medical records so they can better monitor the safety of new vaccines and drugs.

She said: 'We cannot know when, but there will be another pandemic.

My recommendations, taken as a whole, should mean that the UK is better prepared for that pandemic.

I urge governments across the UK to work individually and collectively to implement these recommendations, in full and in a timely manner.

A Government spokesperson welcomed the findings on the vaccine rollout, and said the 'achievements reflect the strength of our world-leading life sciences sector, the universal public health system in each of the four nations which allowed whole-population delivery of vaccines, and the extraordinary dedication of health and care staff'.

They added: 'The Government thanks Baroness Hallett and her team for their thorough work on these serious issues.

'We will consider its findings and recommendations in detail and respond in due course and remain committed to learning vital lessons from the Covid-19 Inquiry and to strengthen our preparedness for the future.'
Rachel Reeves was today accused of resisting pleas to pour billions into Britain's Armed Forces because of their poor record on gender equality.

Amid an increasingly bitter Labour briefing war over demands for a defence spending increase the Chancellor was said to have told MoD chiefs asking for money to do more to employ women.

Ms Reeves is said to be resisting overtures to fill a 28billion black hole in the defence Budget, insisting she will only sign off a 10billion increase, following a demand for 3.5billion savings she wants military chiefs to make this year.

It came amid fears that Labour's Defence Investment Plan (DIP) blueprint could be delayed until the summer, making it almost a year late amid the row over how to fund it.

This morning Health Secretary Wes Streeting signalled his support for increasing defence spending, at the same time saying the welfare bill had to be 'reduced'.

But other frontbenchers have said that the benefits system should not be used, suggesting that an unpopular digital ID scheme be scrapped instead, along with some Net Zero policies.

In funding discussions with the MoD Ms Reeves she is said to have raised its poor record of 'gender parity'.

The claim was described as 'b*****ks' by a Treasury source today, after the PM's spokesman twice declined to say it was untrue.

The government's own statistics show that the MoD's gender pay gap - showing the difference in average pay between male and female employees - was lower than the Treasury's last year.

Tory opposition leader Kemi Badenoch said: 'If [Rachel] Reeves isnt funding our armed forces because 50 per cent of them arent female, she is unfit for government.

'This is a new low.'

The Defence Investment Plan (DIP), due to be published last autumn, may not now appear before the summer despite growing pressure on Keir Starmer to act

Chancellor Rachel Reeves is said to be resisting overtures to fill a 28billion black hole in the defence Budget , insisting the country can only afford 10billion

She has also ordered defence chiefs to save 3.5billion this year, at a time when alarm is rising about the fighting ability of the services, especially the Royal Navy and the British Army

Sir Keir was accused of performing 'an act of national suicide' by handing the Treasury control of DIP after Labour figures lined up to demand more cash.

It was due to be published last autumn, but may not now appear before the summer despite growing pressure from across the political spectrum.

According to the Spectator, Ms Reeves asked military officials: 'Why should we give money to a department that's so far away from gender parity?'

Sir Keir's spokesman refuses to comment on the 'speculation', telling reporters: 'Our focus is on finalising the Defence Investment Plan and we are working on that as we speak.'

Service chiefs were grilled by MPs on this very subject this week.

General Sir Gwyn Jenkins, the first sea lord, told the Defence Committee on Tuesday that 16 per cent of Naval recruits were now women and it was also improving its retention rates.

Meanwhile army chief General Sir Roly Walker said 11.7 per cent of soldiers were now women, though he said that was still too low.

Britain's first female chancellor has made no secret of her feminist views since entering No11.

Months after the 2024 election she ordered the removal of all pictures of men from the lavish state room.

The Chancellor announced that every painting in the room would be replaced by artworks of or by women in order to celebrate 'amazing women who have gone before us'.

In November last year, before her second Budget, she hit out at people 'mansplaining' how she should do her job.

It came as a new poll suggested more than two-thirds (69 per cent) of Brits think the country is poorly prepared for a major conflict.

But the YouGov survey found voters are divided on whether to put more cash into defence.

Some 39 per cent of Brits said a defence spending boost was more important even if it meant cuts to public services, but 31 per cent said public services were more important.

The latter view was held by 60 per cent of supporters of Zack Polanski's Green Party.

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Starmer is said to have been told that he cannot release the plan before the May 7 local elections due to civil service impartiality rules.

That means that while it could come ion the narrow window between the election and the State Opening of Parliament later the same month, it is more likely to come in June at the earliest.

One source told the Times it could take even longer, raising fears that it might not appear before parliament's summer break starts in July.

Three former defence secretaries have gone public with calls for the spending plan to be revealed as soon as possible, with money diverted from the welfare bill to pay for it.

Unite union leader Sharon Graham also weighed in last night, saying the delay was a 'threat to national security' - though she said the money should come from a wealth tax.

Sources were damning to the Spectator about the political impasse in Downing Street over funding, with new Cabinet Secretary Antonia Romeo failing to get the Treasury to have a rethink.
WASHINGTON, April 16, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The Foundation for Energy Security & Innovation (FESI) today announced that Purdue University President, Mung Chiang, has been elected Chairman of its Board of Directors. Chiang, who has served on FESI's inaugural board as a member since May 2024, brings extensive experience in academia, government, and industry leadership to the role.

As the official congressionally chartered, nonprofit partner of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), FESI helps to accelerate American energy innovation and commercialization by serving as a bridge between the DOE, industry, researchers and funders.

"At a time when the United States must accelerate innovation to remain globally competitive, Mung's insight and leadership will be invaluable as FESI works to connect breakthrough technologies emerging from the DOE and national laboratories with the capital and partnerships needed to scale." said Rick Stockburger, Chief Executive Officer of FESI. "We are eager to tap his knowledge and expertise to further the mission and impact of FESI and are extremely grateful for his ongoing commitment to the organization."

Chiang earned his BS, MS, and PhD from Stanford University before joining Princeton University as a faculty member, where he held the Arthur LeGrand Doty Professorship in Electrical Engineering. He founded the Princeton EDGE Lab in 2009 and co-founded several startup companies and industry consortia in the early years of edge computing. Prior to being elected Purdue's president in 2022, Chiang was the John A. Edwardson Dean of the College of Engineering and executive vice president for strategic initiatives. He is also the Roscoe H. George Distinguished Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Purdue.

An accomplished innovator, Chiang holds 26 U.S. patents, most of which are licensed for real-world network deployment. He has been elected to the National Academy of Engineering and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, as well as the National Academy of Inventors and the Royal Swedish Academy of Engineering Sciences, and received one of the highest awards in engineering, the IEEE Founders Medal, as well as the National Science Foundation Alan T. Waterman Award.

Beyond academia, Chiang has served in senior government roles, including as the science and technology adviser to the U.S. secretary of state in 2020, where he initiated tech diplomacy programs for the U.S. He also serves on the board of directors of the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee.

"As a unique nonprofit organization working with the U.S. Department of Energy, FESI has a special role to play for America's energy security and innovation," said Chiang. "I am honored to serve alongside a distinguished board and a dedicated management team at the Foundation."

FESI is well-positioned to help speed up, scale and ensure greater stability for American energy innovation through collaboration and partnership with the DOE, national labs, industry and funders.

"Dr. Mung Chiang's experience across academia, industry, and government makes him a strong choice to serve as Chairman of FESI's Board," said Dr. Dario Gil Under Secretary for Science at the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). "Together, we will continue strengthening the partnerships needed to move DOE-supported technologies from the lab to the marketplace."

About Foundation for Energy Security & Innovation (FESI)

The Foundation for Energy Security & Innovation (FESI) was created to help accelerate innovative solutions in support of American energy security, prosperity, and leadership. Congressionally charted in 2022 under the CHIPS and Science Act, FESI is the official nonprofit partner of the Department of Energy (DOE) and a nonpartisan organization. To learn more visit fesi.org.

Media Relations Contact:

Email: [email protected]

Phone: 571-748-7359

SOURCE Foundation for Energy Security and Innovation (FESI)
An award-winning army influencer is suing the Ministry of Defence for 660,000 after complaining he was subjected to a campaign of bullying by his quartermaster.

Former sergeant Jonathan Biney, who was honoured as Military Communicator of the Year in 2020 for his work promoting army life as an Instagram influencer, says he was repeatedly called a 'c***' by his unnamed superior.

The 38-year-old says he was 'bullied' by the quartermaster, who used bad language to 'humiliate, degrade and denigrate' him after taking against him.

Mr Biney, who was serving in the Royal Logistic Corps, says his superior swore at him on a daily basis, hurling offensive four-letter insults, including calling him a 'miserable c***.'

The quartermaster also singled him out by forcing him to repeatedly march into his office, criticising his performance as though he were a new recruit.

The conduct is said to have taken place while he was deployed in Kenya between 2020 and 2022.

Mr Biney eventually left the Army and is now suing for 660,000 at the High Court, claiming he was left with 'significant depression' following his treatment at the hands of his superior.

But the MoD is fighting the claim, denying that Mr Biney was subjected to bullying or that he was repeatedly sworn at, other than on one occasion when he was described as 'the c***.'

Former sergeant Jonathan Biney, 38, who was honoured as Military Communicator of the Year in 2020 for his work promoting army life as an Instagram influencer, says he was repeatedly called a 'c**t' by his unnamed superior

According to documents filed at the London court, Ghana-born Mr Biney joined the British army in 2009 and initially served as an army chef, later carrying out front line duties in Afghanistan before switching to become a logistics supply specialist.

In 2020, he was presented with an award by the Lord Mayor of London from the Company of Communicators - a guild-style association for communications professionals - for using Instagram to promote understanding of the army and life as a soldier.

He was also praised on the army's website, reportedly for having 'proved himself to be an authentic and outstanding ambassador giving enthralling insight into some of the other tasks the military has been engaged in around the world'.

Mr Biney claims the bullying happened while on deployment with the British Army Training Unit in Kenya from 2020 to 2022, when he was helping in accounts management for the overseas unit.

'While in that role, [his superior] subjected Mr Biney to an unlawful course of conduct that amounted to harassment,' says his barrister, David White, in court documents.

'He treated the claimant less favourably than his peers, inter alia, in the way that he spoke to him, the work load he gave him, and, for example, in making the claimant march formally into his office, which he did not require of others and would be highly unusual for a sergeant in the field army.'

The barrister said the alleged mistreatment came after Mr Biney 'identified a number of accounting discrepancies in the course of his work which revealed that there was a large amount of equipment that should have been present according to the accounts, but which was in fact missing.'

His superior had turned on Mr Biney due to a difference over accounting and on one occasion the officer confronted him and accused him of 'cooking the books' to make him look bad.

The conduct is said to have taken place while Mr Biney (pictured) was deployed in Kenya between 2020 and 2022

Soon afterwards, the quartermaster summoned Mr Biney to his office and 'swore repeatedly at him' - before threatening to punch him in the face, he said.

'When he made that threat, he had come close enough to Mr Biney to punch him, and his conduct and demeanour were such that the claimant reasonably apprehended that he would punch him, or otherwise inflict unlawful violence,' he continued.

'Thereafter, he swore at the claimant on a daily basis, repeatedly referring to the claimant as a 'c**t', and made further threats to him.'

Further alleged humiliation occurred when the quartermaster approached Mr Biney in his open plan office and told him to 'sort your face out'.

When asked what he meant by this, the officer allegedly replied: 'You look like a miserable c***'.

Mr Biney's barrister labelled this comment 'humiliating, degrading, and demeaning for a sergeant in front of colleagues'.

The quartermaster had also forced Mr Biney to march into his office, then laughed and mockingly asked a colleague 'how this c**t ever got through basic training'.

He acted in a similar way on another occasion, repeatedly ordering Mr Biney to march into his office on the basis that he was doing it poorly.

'For the avoidance of doubt, that is not treatment he dealt out to anyone else, nor is it heard of for a sergeant in the field army,' he said.

'It was designed to be dehumanising and degrading to Mr Biney.'

The barrister said Mr Biney had eventually been forced to leave the forces, having developed mental health issues.

'His sleep has been affected, and he has required therapy and psychiatric medication. He has been diagnosed with significant depression, with anxiety and some post-traumatic symptoms, including flashbacks.'

Suing, he claims the MoD was at fault in 'causing, permitting or tolerating a culture which encouraged or allowed bullying and harassment in the workplace'.

Denying the claims in its defence to the action, MoD barrister, Dominic Ruck Keene, says: 'It is denied that [the quartermaster] repeatedly swore at the claimant in an offensive and/or aggressive manner, as opposed to swearing as a means of emphasis.

'Save that it is admitted that, on one occasion, the claimant was referred to as 'the c***', it is denied that [the quartermaster] swore at the claimant on a daily basis, and/or repeatedly called him a c***.

'It is denied that his line manager singled out the claimant inappropriately in front of other members of the QM's Department, or otherwise inappropriately threatened, humiliated, screamed at or intimidated the claimant on the dates alleged or at all.

'It is admitted that his line manager may have told the claimant to "sort his face out" if he was looking glum. It is denied that this would have been in a hostile, intimidating or humiliating manner.'

Occasionally requiring Mr Biney to march in and out of his superior's office was simply part of normal military protocols, he added, and no form of bullying.

Although it was admitted that there were issues with previous loss of equipment, those were thought to have been due to a recent move of base and were 'subsequently resolved in accordance with policy.'

The case recently appeared in court before a judge, Master Richard Armstrong, for a brief hearing dealing with the issue of the legal costs' budget for the future trial.

It will now be listed for a full trial of Mr Biney's compensation claim, unless the parties are able to agree a settlement outside of court.
Russia has warned ships and aircraft to avoid large areas of the Barents Sea in the Arctic, designating them as 'impact areas for Russian missiles' ahead of a planned space launch.

The exclusion zones lie off northern Norway, close to NATO territory, and will remain restricted until April 30 in an unusually long safety notice for the region.

Despite the alarming wording, the 'missile' reference is apparently Russian terminology for rocket launches, where discarded parts of a space rocket are formally classified as falling 'missile elements.'

In this case, the warning relates to a Soyuz-2-1b launch from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome, likely around April 23.

As the rocket ascends, large metal structures known as payload fairings are jettisoned and fall back to Earth and two such components are expected to splash down in the designated areas.

The alerts were issued through both aviation and maritime safety systems, advising seafarers to steer clear of the zones during the window.

The mission is expected to carry a batch of Rassvet broadband satellites, part of Vladimir Putin's push to build a low-orbit internet network rivaling systems like Elon Musk's Starlink.

Launch of the first Russian satellites Rassvet-2 in 2024, a copy of Elon Musk's Starlink orbiting internet provider.

Russia fires up Rassvet satellite network in March 2026 to compete with Elon Musk's Starlink

Russia seals off Barents Sea near Norway with designated 'missile impact zones' ahead of launch of its Starlink-style Rassvet network

The Barents Sea - one of the world's richest fishing grounds - lies partly within Norwegian waters, making such extended exclusion zones notable for both shipping and fisheries.

While debris splashdown zones are routine for rocket launches, the use of 'missile impact' language and the size and duration of the warning underline the scale of the operation just off NATO territory.

It comes as Russia accelerates efforts to build its own satellite network to rival Western systems, including Elon Musk's Starlink, which has played a key role in Ukraine's war effort.

Musk previously faced scrutiny over how the system was used during the conflict - with reports he intervened directly in its operation at a critical moment.

Musk gave an order that led to a communications blackout, causing the attack to fail, as Ukrainian troops attempted to regain Kherson in September 2022, according to Reuters, who spoke with three people familiar with the command.

The order severely diminished Kyiv's trust in Starlink, the satellite internet service Musk provided early in the war to help Ukraine's military maintain connection in the battlefield.

Staff at the American tech firm are said to have deactivated at least 100 Starlink terminals after receiving instructions from the billionaire, who told a senior engineer at California offices of SpaceX, the Musk venture that controls Starlink, to cut coverage.

It shocked Starlink employees because it allowed Musk to 'take the outcome of a war into his own hands', one of the sources familiar with the command said.

The blackout also affected other areas seized by Russia, including some of Donetsk.

Although Ukraine reclaimed Kherson in November 2022, Musk's order directly contributed to their failure when they launched their earlier mission.

Ukrainian troops suddenly faced a communications blackout, causing soldiers to panic.
A local council is set to launch a prosecution against a historic hotel after a woman was killed by a falling wardrobe that crushed her windpipe.

Chloe Haynes, 21, was found dead under the heavy wooden wardrobe at the Britannia Adelphi Hotel in Liverpool after travelling to the city for a night out on September 10, 2022.

She was discovered by a friend who raised the alarm before two men from nearby rooms rushed to lift the piece of furniture off Ms Haynes, but she could not be saved.

Merseyside Police launched an investigation and three men aged 26, 46 and 49 - including the friend and the 'Good Samaritans' who came to Ms Haynes' aid - were arrested on suspicion of murder before being released without charge.

Eventually it was concluded that her death was accidental. However, an investigation was launched by Liverpool City Council's Environmental Health department.

Following the conclusion of that investigation, the council is set to prosecute two Britannia Hotels companies over alleged health and safety breaches.

Proceedings are understood to be starting on May 7 at Liverpool Magistrates' Court.

The Adelphi, situated on Ranelagh Street in the city centre, featured in an eight-episode BBC documentary called 'Hotel' in 1997 following its day-to-day running.

Chloe Haynes, 21, was found dead under a heavy wooden wardrobe at the Britannia Adelphi Hotel in Liverpool on September 10, 2022

Liverpool City Council are now launching a prosecution against the hotel (pictured) over alleged health and safety offences

Ms Haynes' mother, Nicola Williams, said at the time of her animal-loving daughter's death she had just been 'coming out of her shell'.

'She loved animals. She had a little dog called Archie she was obsessed with. There are so many photos of them together,' she said.

'My little nickname for her was birdy. She was so petite and little and when she ate she was like a little bird. She was quiet, she was somebody who didn't speak unless it needed saying.

'But in the last 12 months she was coming out of her shell. She was gaining her confidence and she had a wide circle of friends.

'She was kind and caring and she seemed to connect with gay men and that was how she met the friend she went to Liverpool with.'

Ms Haynes - who had a twin brother and was one of five children - had travelled to Liverpool from Hafan y Mor Haven Holiday Park in north Wales, where she worked, on the night of her death.

Her mother added: 'Chloe left Pwllheli around 7.40pm and they went to the Adelphi, there was some sort of engagement party or something.

'By midnight, she had been drinking shots and so on and she was a bit drunk, so her friend has taken her back to the hotel to sleep it off and then he's gone back out.

'It seems she has got up out of the bed confused, not knowing where she is, and she's opened the door of the wardrobe maybe thinking it is the toilet or the door to go back out of the room.

'It was a big, old, heavy wardrobe and it's fallen on her and crushed her windpipe.'

Ms Williams said Chloe's friend returned to the room in the early hours of the morning and was confronted with the horrific scene.

He tried to save her life along with two other men by performing CPR, but it was too late.

Wayne Kenny, from Bootle, was one of those men. He told the Liverpool Echo a short time later that he was stunned to then be questioned by police.

He said: 'I was thinking could I get accused for something I haven't done, could they make a mistake? To be thinking that for 10 hours was hard work.'

Ms Haynes was described as 'petite and beautiful' by her mother Nicola Williams

Ms Haynes had just been coming out of her shell, her mother said, at the time of her death

Following Chloe's death, Liverpool City Council carried out spot checks on the premises and on September 22, issued prohibition notices to Britannia Hotels regarding the safety of the wardrobes found in Chloe's room.

The spot checks also found issues regarding the windows at the hotel. While not required by law, where window restrictors are in place to prevent falls, they must be kept in good condition.

Britannia appealed the notices regarding the safety of wardrobes and the council agreed to drop them after seeing evidence that work had been carried out to make them safe. The company dropped its appeal against the notice regarding windows and that was affirmed.

A spokesperson for Britannia Hotels said: 'We can confirm that Liverpool City Council has initiated legal proceedings in relation to the Adelphi Hotel and we are fully cooperating with the legal process.

'Our sympathies remain with the families and loved ones of those involved. As this matter is now before the courts, it would be inappropriate for us to comment further at this time.'
Children threw missiles at police in Epsom last night as hundreds of protesters gathered to demand descriptions of men suspected of gang raping a woman.

Footage showed two young boys pelting police with items taken from inside a ripped black bin bag, with one of them also throwing a traffic cone. An officer then appeared to shout the name of one of the boys before he fled.

Protests broke out in the upmarket Surrey town just before 5pm as crowds accused police of failing to release enough information about a group of rape suspects.

A woman, in her 20s, said she was attacked between 2am and 4am on Saturday, April 11, outside the Epsom Methodist Church on Ashley Road.

Surrey Police previously said a group of men had followed her after she left the nearby Labyrinth nightclub. Officers have said they do not yet have 'sufficient information' to provide descriptions of the suspects.

This afternoon, around 200 residents gathered inside Epsom Methodist Church for the 'Hope for Epsom' service attended by community leaders, police officers and clergy.

Reverend Catherine Hutton began with a message: 'Today our community gathers to demonstrate our love for the people of Epsom.'

Rev Hutton said the service was a place for people to express 'our outrage' at the rape of a young woman.

She added: 'People of Epsom we are kind. Together we build the future of hopeful Epsom.'

A specially commissioned song of hope was sung before those attending were given the opportunity to lay stones at the front of the church.

Sir Keir Starmer's official spokesman said today: 'This is a live investigation, it is however a horrific case and our thoughts are with the victim.' He added that 'operational decisions' were for the police to make, including what information is disclosed and when.

A traffic cone flying in the direction of armed police in Epsom on Wednesday evening as protests broke out in the upmarket Surrey town

Crowds converging on Epsom High Street last night, where there was a heavy police presence

A line of riot police facing crowds in Epsom town centre yesterday evening

Helen Maguire, Lib Dem MP for Epsom and Ewell, has called on the public to 'let the police do their work'.

'While I support peaceful protest and understand that members of our community are rightly angry after the appalling assault on a young woman, those who are turning to disruption and intimidation cannot be allowed to do so,' she said.

'Behaviour such as damaging police vehicles, blocking key roads, and intimidating officers is completely unacceptable. To those who have come into Epsom from outside our community to spread division and cause disruption: take it elsewhere. It won't be tolerated here.'

Ms Maguire said the victim was being 'supported by specialist officers'.

She added: 'Gathering evidence in cases as serious and sensitive as this takes time - it is a complex process, and it is right that police are given the time and space to do it properly.

'If you want justice for this young woman, the best thing you can do is let the police do their work. Epsom is a compassionate and united community. Let's show it.'

Video posted on social media showed crowds of protesters gathered in Epsom town centre.

Dozens of police officers could be seen wearing helmets and holding shields, with a cone and other objects apparently thrown in their direction.

Surrey Police said it had put in place a 'significant' police presence, including specially trained public order officers, until protesters left at around 8pm.

The force has maintained it does not have enough information to release the descriptions as demonstrations broke out this evening.

It also urged people not to speculate about the descriptions of the suspects as they work to identify them.

East Surrey Chief Superintendent Mark Chapman said he appreciated the 'significant police presence' in the town may have caused 'concern'.

Protests broke out in Epsom just before 5pm as crowds accused Surrey Police of not releasing enough information about a reported gang rape

Surrey Police said it had put in place a 'significant' police presence, including specially trained public order officers, until protesters left at around 8pm

However, he said they were there to 'support the group's right to lawful protest and minimise disruption to the local community'.

'I appreciate that this may have caused concern to people in the town centre, and I would like to reassure you that our priority was to ensure the safety of the wider public, as well as the safety of those involved in the protest,' he added.

'I also appreciate that there was some disruption in the town centre while the protest was taking place, and I would like to thank all those affected for their patience.

'We respect the right to lawful protest and will facilitate this wherever possible where it is safe to do so.

'However, criminal offences and public disorder will not be tolerated, and we will always take robust action against anyone who commits a criminal offence.

'Surrey Police works with all those seeking to protest, along with our partners and the local community, to ensure everyone's views can be heard while at the same time encouraging them to always act lawfully.'

It comes after the force previously released a statement in a bid to 'reassure' locals amid 'distress and concern' caused by the reported rape for the victim as well as the community.

'I want to reassure you that we are working hard to progress this investigation,' the Chief Superintendent added.

'While we have already carried out extensive enquiries, we do not have sufficient information at this time to update you with the descriptions of the suspects.

'I appreciate that this causes increased concern, and I can assure you that we will update you with these descriptions as soon as we are able to do so.

'In the meantime, I would urge people not to speculate about the descriptions of these suspects as this may lead to additional tensions within our local communities.

'I would also like to reassure you that we have stepped up patrols in the area and this increased police presence will continue over the weekend.

'While we continue to progress our investigation, we would urge anyone with any information who has not already come forward to do so as a matter of urgency.'

A police medic and an armed officer seen walking next to two women as protesters took to the streets of Epsom last night

Epsom Methodist Church is holding a 'community act' tonight in a bid to 'raise our voices for women who are vulnerable and all who are victimised'.

It comes after Merseyside Police was criticised for not revealing the ethnicity of Axel Rudakubana after his arrest in July 2024.

The Southport attacker killed three young girls and injured several more people at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in Southport in an incident that rocked the nation.

Within hours of the attack, posts spread on the internet which claimed the suspect was a 17-year-old asylum seeker who had come to the country by boat.

This later emerged to be misinformation, as it was revealed Rudakubana was born in Cardiff to parents from Rwanda.

Last August, the National Police Chief's Council (NPCC) released interim guidance encouraging police to share the ethnicity and nationality of suspects.

Epsom is the 12th most desirable place to live in England and Wales, according to a 2026 list compiled by Garrington Property Finders, with the average home costing 712,105.

Meanwhile, Surrey Police have urged witnesses or anyone with dashcam footage in the area at the time to contact them by quoting reference number PR/45260041426.

Alternatively, those who wish to report anonymously can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers by calling 0800 555 111 or using their online form.
One of Dubai's most famous luxury hotels is to close for major refurbishments as tourists steer clear of the UAE amid the Iran war.

The seven-star Burj Al Arab has announced a 'carefully phased' renovation programme, with a temporary closure expected to last 18 months.

The hotel said the works will focus on upgrading all 198 suites, while preserving elements of its iconic design including its vast aquarium and marble-clad interiors, as well as its mosaiced washrooms.

Public areas and the spa are also set to be upgraded as part of the overhaul.

It did not reference the conflict between US-Israeli forces and Iran, which has seen Iranian drone strikes across the Gulf, including in Dubai. The closure is not linked to the war and had been planned well before the US strikes on Iran.

It comes as tourism across the Middle East has slumped amid rising tensions.

Middle East Eye reported that Iranian strikes on the UAE and other Gulf states hosting US bases have sparked an exodus of foreign expats and tourists.

Since the conflict began, more than 88bn is said to have been wiped from market value on the Dubai and Abu Dhabi stock exchanges, while over 18,400 flights have been cancelled.

One of Dubai's most famous luxury hotels is to close for major refurbishments as tourists steer clear of the UAE amid the Iran war. The Burj Al Arab has announced a 'carefully phased' renovation programme, with a temporary closure expected to last 18 months

The hotel said the works will focus on upgrading all 198 suites, while preserving elements of its iconic design including its vast aquarium and marble-clad interiors, as well as its mosaiced washrooms

It comes as tourism across the Middle East has slumped amid rising tensions. Pictured: Burj Al Arab royal suite

The hotel suffered damage from debris following the interception of an Iranian drone attack in March

In a statement, the hotel said it is undergoing a long-planned restoration programme following more than 25 years of continuous operation, and offered guests alternative stays within its group.

'The programme has been developed through long-term planning, following more than 25 years of continuous operation.

'We would be pleased to assist with an alternative reservation in one of our Jumeirah properties in town.'

The hotel suffered damage from debris following the interception of an Iranian drone attack in March.

While most drones were intercepted, falling debris reportedly caused damage in Abu Dhabi and Dubai, including near the Burj Al Arab, Palm Jumeirah, Dubai Airport and the Fujairah oil industrial zone.

The conflict and disruption in the Strait of Hormuz continue to hit aviation and tourism, with rising jet fuel costs adding pressure, according to the Express.

Earlier this month, Emirates said it was operating a reduced flight schedule to more than 100 destinations following the announcement of a fragile two-week ceasefire.
The wife of a Spanish doctor who was left fighting for his life after being attacked by a shark on his honeymoon in the Maldives has accused their tour group of 'serious negligence.'

The incident is understood to have happened on Monday afternoon off the coast of the luxury Kooddoo island after the couple joined an excursion to swim near the archipelago's fish processing plant, where sharks are known to roam.

The man, who has been identified locally as a 31-year-old gynaecologist from Alicante called Borja, was airlifted to hospital before doctors amputated his leg.

The families of the couple have since condemned the 'recklessness' of the excursion organiser, while Borja's wife, named by Spanish media as Ana, has filed a complaint with authorities in the Maldives, according to news outlet El Periodico Mediterraneo.

The young couple, who are based in Alicante, had married recently before they headed to the Indian Ocean paradise for their honeymoon.

The Spanish holidaymaker was initially taken to the GA. Atoll Hospital before being airlifted to Male, the densely populated capital of the Maldives, and admitted to an intensive care unit at ADK Hospital.

The area where the attack happened is famous for its 'Shark Alley' diving site, where large schools of Spinner sharks are frequently spotted, although the involvement of a Bull shark has not been ruled out.

Local reports claim the Kooddoo facility had not dumped fish waste for around a week, with one source quoted as saying: 'The sharks were likely in a heightened state of hunger and anticipation.

A tourist is fighting for his life after being attacked by a shark on his honeymoon in the Maldives (file image)

'When the group jumped in, the entry itself may have triggered a predatory response.'

El Periodico Mediterraneo, quoting a source close to Ana's family, said: 'With one bite, it took all the flesh from the knee down off her husband's leg.'

Relatives of Ana, who is said to be the daughter of a well-known Castellon businessman, have flown out to the Maldives to support her.

The family acquaintance told the Spanish daily paper: 'They are trying to save Borja, he's in intensive care, but the medical conditions there are very precarious.'

Kooddoo is home to a four-star hotel called the Mercure Maldives Kooddoo Resort, which is a popular honeymoon destination and is on the Gaafu Alifu Atoll - known for its rich and diverse marine life.

The Mercure is the only resort on the island, but it is unclear whether the couple were staying at the hotel or if they were visiting Kooddoo for the day.

The resort offers several water-based activities, such as diving, sailing and paddle-boarding.

The Maldives is home to some of the clearest waters in the world, making it a desirable tourist destination.

But, as with any complex ecosystem, the remote islands are home to terrifying predators whose only instincts are to kill and devour.

The Maldives are home to 31 shark species, 29 of which are globally threatened.

But ever since diving in shark hotspots has become a popular tourist activity, the Maldives has seen its fair share of shark attacks.

Late last year, a 26-year-old Chinese woman was injured after reportedly chasing a shark in the Maldives to 'play with it.'

She is said to have been on her period at the time and consulted professionals about diving while menstruating before being told it was safe.

The woman used a tampon and went into the water, but was attacked after seeing nurse sharks and chasing them to play. She was left with deep bite marks on her wrists.

Also last year, a dentist was bitten by a shark while on a luxury holiday to the Maldives.

Ekaterina Alexandrova, 30, from Moscow, was bitten in the hand when she was snorkelling with a friend.

She complained of 'insane pain' but was able to get back to her tour boat.

The attack was by normally docile nurse sharks after she was told an excursion was 'safe'.

'I got lucky  I pushed [the attacking shark] away with my left hand, and it didn't manage to bite hard,' she said.

'Of course, I've had men tell me I'm a tasty pie and can make some, you know, bite,' she said. 'But I didn't think I was on the lunch menu of sharks in the Maldives.

'So it was certainly a shock and a huge surprise to me.'

The dentist was filmed shaking from shock in a clinic afterwards as she was given stitches for the gash in her skin.

Another Russian national was also mauled by a shark while snorkelling in the Maldives.

Influencer and singer Nastya Vitonova was swimming off the coast of the paradise islands when a shark sank its teeth into her hand.

Footage showed a tearful Vitonova on an organised tour boat just moments after the horrific attack, as her hand gushed with blood while members of the boat crew hurriedly poured water over her wound.

Vitonova was later transported to the nearest island, where she received medical treatment for her bite, but her injuries were not serious.
An innocent black man arrested after a mass stabbing on a train has made a formal complaint to police alleging racial bias, it has emerged.

Two men - a 32-year-old black British national and a 35-year-old British national of Caribbean descent - were arrested at Huntingdon station in Cambridgeshire where the train was halted on November 1 last year.

Anthony Williams, 32, was subsequently charged with ten counts of attempted murder over the incident on the 6.25pm service from Doncaster to London King's Cross.

His trial is due to take place in October, when he faces three more attempted murder charges relating to separate incidents and a number of other counts.

The 35-year-old man, who has not been named, was released with no further action after officers established he was not involved.

He subsequently filed a complaint to police about his arrest, including the force used by officers, his detention in custody and the claim that officers' actions were influenced by racial bias.

Cambridgeshire Police today confirmed they had 'received a complaint in relation to the arrest which was investigated by our Professional Standards Department'.

A 35-year-old innocent black man arrested after a mass stabbing on a train on November 1 last year has made a formal complaint to police alleging racial bias

'The conclusion of this was that the service received was acceptable in line with policy and procedure,' a spokesman said.

'The complainant has since appealed this via the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) as part of the complaints process and therefore it would not be appropriate for us to comment further at this stage.'

The police watchdog said it had 'received a review request from a man who was unsatisfied with the handling of a complaint' made to Cambridgeshire Police.

'The complaint related to their arrest on November 1, 2025, at Huntingdon train station, including the force used by officers, their detention in police custody and an allegation that the officers' actions were influenced by racial bias,' the IOPC said.

'When carrying out a review, our casework team decide whether the force's handling of the complaint or its outcome were reasonable and proportionate. We cannot reinvestigate the complaint.

'The parties involved will be notified of the outcome of our review.'

British Transport Police (BTP) said at the time of the incident that the two arrested men were taken to separate police stations for questioning.

Anthony Williams, 32, was subsequently charged with ten counts of attempted murder over the incident on the 6.25pm service from Doncaster to London King's Cross

The force has been approached for comment.

Williams was psychotic and had been transferred to a psychiatric intensive unit, a hearing was told in February.

A further hearing at Cambridge Crown Court on Tuesday heard that he was now fit to plead but that the trial date would have to be delayed while other psychiatric assessments are carried out.

The case had been due to go before a jury on June 22 but it will now not start until October 26.

Williams was initially charged with the attempted murder of nine passengers and a train buffet worker on the LNER service from Doncaster to Londons Kings Cross, before it stopped at Huntingdon on the evening of November 1.

He was also accused of the attempted murder of another passenger on a DLR train at 12.45am on November 1 at Pontoon Dock DLR station in Silvertown, east London.

Before his first appearance at Peterborough Magistrates Court, he was charged with possessing a bladed article in relation to the two attacks and a count of actual bodily harm over an alleged assault on a police officer in custody.

The train was stopped at Huntingdon station in Cambridgeshire where the innocent man was arrested

It was revealed on November 20 that he had also been charged with two more counts of attempted murder and an attempted wounding with intent to cause serious harm.

The new attempted murder charges related to alleged attacks on a 14-year-old boy on a footbridge above Henry Penn Walk, Peterborough, and on William Ogelby, 22, in the Rail World car park, Peterborough, on October 31.

The new attempted wounding charge related to an alleged attack on Dawid Taborski, 28, on the footbridge above Henry Penn Walk.

Williams was also charged with affray at Ritzys Barbers in Queens Walk, Peterborough, on October 31, and the theft of a four-pack of kitchen knives to the value of 15 from an Asda store in Stevenage, Hertfordshire, on October 31.
Anthony Albanese has abruptly ended his diplomatic 'fuel-securing' mission to Malaysia and is on his way back to Australia.

His office confirmed about 7pm that the Prime Minister has boarded a plane and will fly overnight to Geelong, where he will visit the Viva Energy oil refinery which erupted in a dramatic inferno last night.

He will receive an update on the damage and be accompanied on a tour by officials from the company, along with Defence Minister Richard Marles and Energy Minister Chris Bowen.

The PM has been set to fly back from Kuala Lumpur to Sydney on Friday.

There will need to be an assessment of the fire's impact on fuel supply, Mr Albanese told reporters after meeting with Malaysia's prime minister on Thursday.

''Clearly, there will be consequences for it, but there'll be a proper assessment taking place over the coming short period as well,'' he said.

The visit to Malaysia resulted in a deal where Australia will receive an extra 100 million litres of diesel to help deal with the fallout from the Iran war.

Details of the additional supplies were revealed by Mr Albanese after formal talks in Kuala Lumpur with Malaysian counterpart Anwar Ibrahim that focused on ensuring energy supplies continued between both nations during the oil crunch.

Anthony Albanese is heading back to Australia following an emergency at one of Australia's two working oil refineries

A large fire destroyed parts of the Viva Energy oil refinery in Geelong early Thursday morning

The refinery supplies 50 per cent of Victoria's fuel and 10 per cent of the country's

The imports will come via shipments from Brunei, which Mr Albanese visited before his Malaysia trip for energy-security talks, and from South Korea under export finance regulations.

In a joint statement signed inside the Malaysian government's Perdana Putra complex, the leaders agreed to a 'no surprises' policy on the trade of critical oil and fuel supplies after disruptions caused by the Iran war.

'The world looks very different to when you were here last year ... global energy markets are under serious stress,' Mr Anwar said at a joint media conference.

'Malaysia will always be a reliable partner to Australia,' he assured his Australian guest.

The Southeast Asian nation is Australia's third-largest fuel supplier, providing 14 per cent of its diesel, 10 per cent of its petrol and 11 per cent of its jet fuel.

In turn, Australia provides almost all of Malaysia's liquefied natural gas imports.

Still, Asian nations are concerned the Albanese government could introduce new export taxes on resources in the May budget.

'We commit to promote open and stable trade flows between our two countries, including for essential energy supplies,' the pair said in a joint statement after meeting at the official offices of the Malaysian leader.

Albanese walks with Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim after an official welcoming ceremony at the Perdana Putra building in Putrajaya, Malaysia

Foreign Minister Penny Wong (second left), Brunei Fertilizer Industries (BFI) CEO Dr Harri Kiiski (centre left), and Albanese (centre right) pose with employees just before he left for Malaysia

'We will exchange views on energy trade-related matters on a 'no surprises' basis, and deepen practical co-operation on energy security for both countries.

'Both countries serve as energy suppliers to one another, underpinning a mutually important energy security relationship.'

Following the meeting with the Malaysian prime minister, Mr Albanese held talks with executives from one of Asia's largest oil companies inside the Malaysian Petroleum Club, seeking to secure more supplies for Australia in response to the fuel crisis.

Visiting Kuala Lumpur's Petronas twin towers, Mr Albanese sat down with senior leaders from the state-owned oil giant after which the building is named.

He spoke of strong trade ties between Australia and Malaysia, particularly in the energy sector, with Petronas having taken a stake in Queensland's Gladstone LNG project.

'Friends need to work together, because we are living in very turbulent times,' Mr Albanese said as the meeting opened.

Mr Albanese described the twin towers in downtown Kuala Lumpur as iconic and said it was his fourth visit to Malaysia, having travelled to the country twice as a tourist in his younger years and one other time as prime minister.

Malaysia also imports hundreds of millions of dollars worth of Russian oil and fuel each year, some of which is sold on to Australia.

Ukraine has called for a total ban on the use of Russian oil.
Emergency services have responded to an aviation incident in regional South Australia.

The first round of police and paramedics were called to Perponda, 111km east of Adelaide, about 5pm (ACST) on Thursday.

Speciality MedSTAR paramedics were then called to the site, in the Murray Mallee region, shortly after 5.30pm.

Initial reports had indicated a light aircraft had run into trouble.

However, emergency services were unable to locate any incident.

'An emergency alert was activated. However, nothing was located and there was no emergency,' an SA Police spokesperson later told Daily Mail.

It appears the triggering of the alert could have been a mechanical malfunction or human error.
The owner of a dog nicknamed 'Badman Bruce' made twisted brags about the animal online only months before it mauled a police officer's stomach in a vicious attack.

Shayla Dalligan, owner of the Belgian Malinois, boasted about her dog being an 'absolute UNIT' in the caption of a video posted to her firm's Instagram page.

In the video, the animal can be seen jumping at the camera, barking and aggressively baring its teeth.

Just months later, Bruce would ferociously bite a plain clothes detective in the stomach in Deptford, London - putting the officer in hospital and leaving them with physical scars.

On Friday, Rodney King - who was in charge of the dog at the time - was given an eight-month suspended sentence at Croydon Magistrates' Court for the incident.

King, 66, accepted he was in charge of the dog when it attacked the officer on May 27 of last year, and apologised immediately to the detective.

Dalligan was not charged with a crime. However, she asked the court to spare her dog from being destroyed, claiming that his behaviour had improved.

Speaking to the court, the detective described the physical wound from Bruce as 'very painful,' saying the teeth marks from the bite were clearly visible.

She said he felt 'helpless' during the attack, adding that King did 'nothing' to stop Bruce despite her colleague asking him to take control of the animal.

The owner of a dog named 'Badman Bruce' (pictured) bragged about the animal online only months before it mauled a police officer's stomach

In a video shared to Instagram, Bruce (pictured) could be seen jumping at the camera, barking and aggressively baring his teeth

Owner Shayla Dalligan (pictured) asked the court that Bruce be spared from a destruction order, claiming his behaviour had improved since the time of the attack

The detective - who has not been named - said she walked away after the attack, but felt Bruce 'chase' her down the street.

In remarks reported by The Sun, she said: 'It felt like I was in slow motion, I knew the danger was there but could do nothing. I have had recurring nightmares of this scenario.

'I have been kept up at night thinking about it and have had flashbacks of the attack.'

Following the attack, the detective needed hospital treatment including vaccinations and antibiotics.

She still has scars on her stomach from where she was bitten, and told the court she now has panic attacks when coming into contact with Belgian Malinois dogs.

Dalligan asked the court that Bruce be spared from a destruction order, claiming his behaviour since the time of the attack - which occurred when he was six months old - had improved.

Dalligan, who owns 'dog training and obedience' business Delta Force K9s, said Bruce had 'basic training' with her, but has since been on a month-long course with other trainers.

She said he has since been trained using an e-collar, and that the trainers have 'turned him around.'

Rodney King (pictured), who was in charge of Bruce at the time of the incident, was given an eight-month suspended sentence at Croydon Magistrates' Court

Dalligan (pictured) is the owner of Delta Force K9s and claims to be an 'experienced dog handler with reactive dogs'

In the months prior to the attack, Dalligan - a self-professed 'experienced dog handler with reactive dogs' - shared footage of Bruce on her Delta Force K9s Instagram page barking aggressively and launching at the camera.

The post, which was shared in September 2024, was captioned: 'Badman Bruce five Months Old & An Absolute UNIT.'

On Friday, Judge Kumar ruled that Bruce be put down.

Rodney King was handed an eight-month suspended sentence and was ordered to pay 720 to the detective in compensation through monthly installments.

Sentencing King, Judge Kumar accepted he had difficulties earlier on in life and acknowledged he had little financial means.

King works as a handyman and earns on average 30 per day.

Judge Kumar said King - who gave his address as DD Scrap Metals Ltd, a scrapyard owned by the Dalligans - also owed much to the 'largesse' of the Dalligan family.
CHICAGO, Apr. 16, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Geminii, Inc., a company developing bioelectronic medicines, today announced that it will present new data at the AACR Annual Meeting 2026 in San Diego highlighting its non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) program. The poster, titled "Bioelectromagnetic reprogramming of tumor-immune metabolism to selectively destroy NSCLC," will be presented on April 22, 2026.

Geminii, Inc. Illustration of intended home-based overnight treatment concept.

The data to be presented show that Geminii's bioelectronic therapy slowed tumor growth, extended survival, and enhanced the activity of chemoradiation in multiple preclinical NSCLC models without toxicity to healthy tissue. The studies also show increased markers consistent with tumor-cell damage and evidence of increased immune activation in the tumor microenvironment.

Geminii is developing a non-invasive bioelectronic therapy designed to work alongside existing cancer treatments. The company believes these findings support the potential of its platform to address cancer through a differentiated mechanism, expand the reach of its platform beyond metabolic disease into oncology, and potentially open a new avenue for home-based cancer treatment delivered during sleep.

"These findings are exciting not only because they highlight a differentiated approach in NSCLC, but also because they suggest our platform may extend beyond metabolic disease into oncology," said Calvin Carter, PhD, CEO of Geminii. "We believe this work supports the broader potential of bioelectronic medicine and may help open a new avenue for at-home, sleep-compatible cancer therapy. These data support the advancement of our bioelectronic platform toward clinical development."

For more information and to view the Company's abstract, visit the AACR Annual Meeting website.

Poster Presentation Details Title: Bioelectromagnetic reprogramming of tumor-immune metabolism to selectively destroy NSCLC

Poster Number: 7793

Session Category: Clinical Research

Session Title: Immunomodulatory Agents and Interventions

Date/Time: April 22, 2026, 9:00 a.m.12:00 p.m. PT

Location: Poster Section 43, Board 21

About Geminii, Inc.

Geminii is developing bioelectronic medicines designed to modulate disease metabolism through targeted electromagnetic interventions. The company is advancing a platform intended to address major unmet needs across oncology and other disease areas.

CONTACT: [email protected]

SOURCE Geminii, Inc.
The moment police catch a sex pest targeting young women in central London's Soho and taking 'upskirting' photos has been revealed after he was put behind bars.

Officers then discovered videos of 20 victims on James Manchand's phone, all taken that same night.

Manchard, 62, from Camden in north London, has now been jailed for 20 months.

Police had spotted him on Friday 16 January this year repeatedly pacing along queues outside busy venues in the capital's West End.

The plain-clothed officers initially suspected he was scouting for potential thefts and began to monitor him more closely.

Uniformed officers stepped in to carry out a search when Manchand continued to hover around groups of young women.

After providing his details, police checks revealed Manchand was a known offender with an active Sexual Harm Prevention Order for a previous voyeurism offence.

Under the order, he was required to hand over his phone and unlock it for inspection.

The moment police caught sex pest James Manchand (pictured) targeting young women in central London's Soho and taking 'upskirting' photos has been revealed after he was jailed

Manchard, 62, from Camden in north London, has now been jailed for 20 months - officers who arrested him found videos of 20 victims on his mobile phone

On opening the device, officers immediately found 29 videos involving more than 20 victims - all filmed that same evening in Soho - and he was arrested at the scene.

Westminster magistrates have now sentenced Manchand to 20 months in prison, while he was also told to forfeit a laptop and mobile phone.

Manchand was stopped by Met officers during a Live Facial Recognition Operation on Tottenham Court Road in central London.

Scotland Yard said officers found Manchand using Virtual Private Network software allowing him to erase cookies and browsing history - both prohibited under his SHPO.

Det Con Sam Pearson, who led the investigation, said: 'Manchands predatory behaviour was calculated, persistent and showed a complete disregard for the women he targeted.

'Thanks to the vigilance and quick instincts of officers on patrol, we were able to intervene before he could continue offending and recover clear evidence that he had committed multiple voyeurism offences in a single evening.

'No one should have to worry about being violated in this way while simply enjoying a night out. We will continue to act swiftly and decisively against anyone who poses a threat to women and girls.'

The officers who caught Manchand were deployed under Operation Martello, aimed at targeting theft and pickpocketing hotspots across the West End.

Uniformed officers stepped in to carry out a search when James Manchand continued to hover around groups of young women in central London on January 16 this year

After his details were provided, police checks revealed Manchand was a known offender with an active Sexual Harm Prevention Order for a previous voyeurism offence

Commander Clair Kelland, the Mets public protection lead, said: 'Voyeurism can take many forms, but at its core it is a blatant intrusion into someones privacy, often carried out in crowded or busy places where victims may not immediately realise what has happened.

'There is absolutely no excuse for this behaviour. Whether motivated by sexual gratification or a desire to cause humiliation, distress or alarm, voyeurism is always deeply unsettling for those targeted.

'We also want to encourage bystanders to look out for one another.'

She urged Londoners: 'If you see someone behaving in a way that feels predatory or attempting to film under clothing, please report it to officers or venue staff straight away. Your quick action could prevent someone from being targeted.'

Manchand was sentenced to 12 months imprisonment for each of two breaches of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order, to run concurrently.

He was also given four months behind bars for recording images under clothing, to run consecutively, and also a further four months which formed part of a previously suspended sentence and now activated by the court to run consecutively.
She selflessly served as sovereign for 70 years and 214 days.

And today, more than three years after her death, it was revealed that Queen Elizabeth II remains Britain's most popular royal.

The late monarch, who died aged 96 in September 2022, is still viewed positively by three out of four Britons (81 per cent) - higher than any of her living relatives.

Polling carried out by YouGov ahead of what would have been her 100th birthday next week, April 21, also shows that 84 per cent believe she did a good job as Queen.

Showing her legacy lives on with the British people, and despite the scandal surrounding her son Andrew and years of transatlantic potshots from Harry and Meghan, support for the monarchy among Britons is strong at 64 per cent.

Like the late Queen, Princess Diana also remains very popular among the British public, with 77 per cent of Britons having a positive view including 41 per cent who are 'very positive'.

She is followed closely by her eldest son Prince William, his wife the Princess of Wales and Princess Anne. King Charles is himself is popular with 60 per cent of Britons, which is unchanged since the last YouGov royal popularity poll.

At the other end of the scale is Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, who comes dead last, with just three per cent holding a positive view of the former prince.

Around 93% of Britons have a negative view of the former Duke of York, including 85 per cent who have a 'very negative' view.

And Prince Harry, who was once as popular in Britain as Prince William, and wife Meghan Markle continue to be unpopular, with just 30 per cent and 20 per cent respectively taking a favourable opinion of the Sussexes.

More than three years after her death, Queen Elizabeth II remains the most popular member of the royal family

The Queen, Princess Diana, Prince William, the Princess of Wales, Princess Anne and King Charles are the most popular with Andrew Mountbatten Windsor dead last followed by Meghan and then Harry

Most of the popularity ratings of the royals have remained stable or even risen - but Andrew, Meghan and Harry's have fallen off a cliff

The polling shows continued respect for the late Queen Elizabeth II

The Sussexes are looked upon more favourably by young Britons, compared to their elders.

Only 19 per cent of over-65s have a positive view of Prince Harry, compared to 35 per cent of 18-24 year olds, and just 10 per cent of the oldest Britons feel favourably towards Meghan, compared to 31 per cent of their youngest counterparts.

Harry's grandfather Prince Philip, the late Duke of Edinburgh, like his wife the Queen, retains a positive view among most Britons, although at the lower rate of 54 per cent.

The new YouGov poll shows that one in three (34%) have a negative view of the reigning monarch, King Charles III.

Attitudes towards King Charles' performance as monarch largely mirror attitudes towards him in general, with 61% saying he is doing well.

However, fewer Britons say he is doing a bad job as king (20%).

Almost half of all Britons (49%) are 'proud' of the institution and 59 per cent of people think the monarchy is good for the UK with just 15 per cent believing it is 'bad for Britain' - although this is up to 39 per cent among younger Brits under the age of 25.

More generally attitudes towards the Royal Family and monarchy as a whole remain mostly positive, with nearly six in ten Britons (57-59%) seeing the royal family in general and the institution of the monarchy in a favourable light, though a third (34-36%) see both negatively.

Overall, there's little desire to see the monarchy come to an end, with 64 per cent of Britons believing the UK should continue to be a Kingdom, consistent with the 61-67% who have felt so throughout Charles's reign.

Around a quarter of the public (24%), though, would rather the UK had an elected head of state instead.

Harry and Meghan, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, pose for a selfie photo at the Scar Tree Walk in Melbourne. They are more popular with young people in the UK than older generations

The views of Briton on its royals was releases a Harry and Meghan's controversial tour of Australia continues.

Today the Duke of Sussex declared that he never wanted to be a working royal because it 'killed' his mother.

Speaking at the $1,000-a-head InterEdge Summit in Melbourne Park, Harry said he had felt 'lost, betrayed, or completely powerless' during his life.

The Duke claimed he had his 'head in the sand for years and years' until he quit his role as a working royal and moved to the US with Meghan, suggesting that it is also what his mother Princess Diana would have wanted for him.

'After my mum died just before my 13th birthday I was like: "I don't want this job. I don't want this role wherever this is headed, I don't like it," he said.

'It killed my mum, and I was very much against it, and I stuck my head in the sand for years and years. Eventually I realised  well, hang on, if there was somebody else in this position, how would they be making the most of this platform and this ability and the resources that come with it to make a difference in the world?

'And also, what would my mum want me to do? And that really changed my own perspective.'

Earlier in the day the couple spoke to students at Melbourne's Swinburne University of Technology about the dangers of social media and its impact on mental health, urging them to be 'strong'.

'And I can speak to that really personally, which is why I like to listen, because it rings true for me in a very real way,' Meghan said.

She added: 'For now, ten years, every day for ten years, I have been bullied and attacked. And I was the most trolled person in the entire world.'

'I'm still here.'

The outpouring came shortly after her protective husband looked annoyed after her path was blocked by a reporter asking for a selfie on Melbourne's famous Scar Tree Walk.

The couple had been attending an event honouring Aboriginal culture when the TV presenter asked for a picture with Harry.

Prince Harry left Melbourne after giving an emotional speech to a summit of business leaders, worth $997 per ticket, admitting he never wanted to be a working royal because it 'killed' his mum

Meghan meets students at Swinburne University of Technology, where she told students she was the most 'trolled person in the entire world'

During the same university group discussion, Harry said Australia's ban on under-16s using social media was 'epic' from a 'responsibility and leadership standpoint'.

He then went on to make remarks about himself at the InterEdge Summit in Melbourne on 'leadership, psychosocial safety and human connection in the workplace', with the Duchess of Sussex watching on in the audience.

The Duke told those present in the Centrepiece conference venue that there was a 'lot in the world right now leaving us feeling anxious, stressed, helpless, powerless and completely overwhelmed'.

Wearing a jacket and white shirt, Harry said: 'When I was invited to speak at this summit, I wasn't sure whether I was expected to speak as someone who, despite everything, has their s*** together.

'Or as someone who, despite what it may look like, actually doesn't have his s*** together.

'But I was struck by something quite simple - that while my experiences may be unusual, the feelings that come with them are not.

'In my experience, loss is disorienting at any age.

'Grief does not disappear because we ignore it. Experiencing that as a kid while in a goldfish bowl under constant surveillance, yes, that will have its challenges. And without purpose, it can break you.'

Prince Harry looked annoyed when a reporter asked for a selfie as they left Scar Tree Walk in Melbourne, getting in Meghan's way

Harry continued: 'There have been many times when I've felt overwhelmed.

'Times when I've felt lost, betrayed, or completely powerless.

'Times when the pressure - externally and internally - felt constant.

'And times when, despite everything going on, I still had to show up pretending everything was ok, so as not to let anyone down.

'For many years I was numb to it, and perhaps that was easier then, but I also didn't yet have the tools to deal with it.'

The Duke said becoming a father changed his approach because you 'start to notice the ripple effect more clearly'.

He added: 'When a parent is overwhelmed, children feel it. When someone is supported, families feel it.

'For me, one of the biggest shifts came when I realised that asking for help isn't a weakness. It's very much a form of strength.'

After the speech Harry took part in a discussion with Australian business leader Brendan Nelson where he admitted he didn't want to be a working royal after his mother died, claiming it 'killed her'.

A profile of Harry on the summits website said that he has 'dedicated his life to service and uplifting communities, while emphasising the importance of our collective mental health in his philanthropic and advocacy work globally'.

The Duke also discussed regional differences in mental health support with the young people, telling them: 'I'm not a city person, my mental health could not stand living in a city  no way.'
Jobless young adults should be pushed towards the Armed Forces to help solve its drastic manpower shortage instead of being paid to do nothing, a former senior officer has suggested.

Major General Tim Cross said that people classed as Neets - not in employment, education or training - should be given the opportunity to serve their country instead of getting benefits.

Official figures showed a staggering 957,000 people aged 16 to 24 were in this category in the final three months of last year.

That was up from 946,000 in the previous quarter and equivalent to around one in eight from the age group - with unemployment blamed for the uptick.

Some 510,000 were young men and 448,000 were women.

It comes as the British Army, Royal Navy and Royal Air Force struggle to attract enough new recruits.

Speaking to Times Radio Gen Cross, 74, who served in Northern Ireland and helped plan the invasion of Iraq, said: ''We are short of soldiers, sailors and airmen.

'What are we doing paying these youngsters welfare money when we could be saying to them: 'You're going to join the military'?'

Major General Tim Cross said that people classed as Neets - not in employment, education or training - should be given the opportunity to serve their country instead of getting benefits

The number of NEETs stood at 957,000 in the last three months of 2025, equivalent to around one in eight from the age group

He added that he did not back compulsory conscription but military service should be part of a national service programme.

It comes as the government faces major questions about the readiness of the Armed Forces to fight a war.

Another former general, General Sir Richard Barrons, last month warned the British Army has ben left so depleted by years of cuts and declining troop levels that it would only be able to take a small market town - on a good day.

He added that UK land forces would be unable to do anything 'substantial' in a war and would only be able to help out with small tasks in operations led by the US or Nato.

Lord Robertson of Port Ellen claimed the UK is underprepared for war and ministers are unwilling to make the necessary investment.

The former Labour defence secretary warned 'we cannot defend Britain with an ever-expanding welfare budget' in a speech on Tuesday.

Rachel Reeves has been accused of resisting pressure to fill an estimated 28billion black hole in budgets over the next four years.

Instead she is said to be insisting that the Treasury can only afford 10billion of extra funding, leaving the Ministry of Defence scrambling to find cuts and efficiencies.

The wrangling comes despite Lord Robertson adding his voice to warnings that Britain has been left in 'peril' by the lack of investment in the armed forces.

After Ms Reeves scrapped the two-child benefit cap and dropped efforts to curb spiralling handouts, the peer said the 'cold reality of today's dangerous world is that we cannot defend Britain with an ever-expanding welfare budget'.

Two other Labour former defence secretaries have criticised the Government.

Geoff Hoon said that Lord Robertson's public intervention showed something had gone 'seriously wrong'.

Lord Hutton said the issue was the 'defining moment' in Sir Keir's premiership, saying he has 'a very, very short period of time to start putting this right'.

Defence Secretary John Healey is believed to be pushing for more than 10billion extra over the next four years, pointing to the increasing demands on the military from tensions with Russia and chaos in the Middle East.

Ms Reeves has already imposed more than 75billion a year worth of tax rises on Brits.

But that has been eaten up by the slowing economy, more benefits, big public sector pay awards and higher debt interest costs.

A Ministry of Defence spokesperson said: 'We are delivering on the strategic defence review to meet the threats we face, adopting a whole-of-society approach to increase national warfighting readiness and build national resilience.'
A son has admitted keeping his dead mother's body in a freezer for more than two years so he could pocket her pension in order to continue funding his bachelor lifestyle, a court has heard.

Christopher Phillips' mother Sylvia - who was in her 80s - died at some point in 2023 at their home in the Welsh seaside town of Porthcawl.

However instead of reporting the death, Phillips stored her body in a chest freezer and accessed the retired company secretary's bank account so he could take money from her account and dip into her savings.

The 60-year-old was also in receipt of her 1,000 a month benefits which he pocketed in order to fund his bachelor lifestyle.

Sylvia's frozen remains were only discovered in February this year when South Wales Police were called to carry out a 'welfare check' after doctors raised concerns they had not heard from Mrs Phillips.

Officers found her body in the chest freezer and Phillips was arrested.

Phillips appeared at Cardiff Crown Court where he pleaded guilty to preventing a decent and lawful burial of his elderly mother.

He also admitted two counts of fraud for accessing her accounts and pocketing her pension.

Christopher Phillips (pictured arriving at Cardiff Crown Court) stored his mother Sylvia's body in a chest freezer after she died sometime in 2023 so he could pocket her pension in order to continue funding his bachelor lifestyle

Pictured: Cardiff Crown Court where Phillips pleaded guilty to preventing a decent and lawful burial of his elderly mother. He also admitted two counts of fraud for accessing her accounts and pocketing her pension

On top of this, Phillips was accused of preventing a burial between October 2nd 2022 and February 16 2026 - although the court later heard Mrs Phillips died in 2023.

The fraud charges said Phillips had failed to disclose to the department of work and pensions and Bridgend Council that his mother had died.

Ruth Smith, defending, said: 'There will be a basis of plea which specifies the date of the death of Mr Phillips' mother which was in 2023.

'The defence do seek bank statements and information from the two agencies themselves. It is accepted that Mr Phillips did continue withdrawing the monies from his mother's account and effectively lived on them.'

He was remanded in custody ahead of sentence in June.

An inquest opening held on Wednesday was told it was unclear how Mrs Phillips died.

Coroner's officer Joanne Webb said: 'Police received a phone call from a GP practice requesting a welfare check on an elderly patient.

'During the search of the property they located the body of a female believed to be Sylvia Phillips in a chest freezer.'

The Pontypridd hearing was told that criminal investigations were 'ongoing'.

She was born in Gloucester in March 1936 but it is not known exactly when she died.

Ms Webb said: 'A post mortem examination was carried out by Dr Stephen Leadbeatter at the University Hospital of Wales on 2nd March.

'The pathologist has provided a provisional cause of death as 1a) awaiting further investigations.'

Coroner Graeme Hughes adjourned the hearing for a date to be fixed.

At the time of the investigation a force spokesperson for South Wales Police said: 'South Wales Police attended an address on Poplar Crescent, Porthcawl at 1.45pm on Tuesday, February 17, after a call concerning the welfare of a woman.

'A woman in her 80s from Porthcawl was found dead within the property.

'Investigations into the death are on-going.'
Small boats are being launched from Belgium as smugglers change their tactics.

Police say 'taxi boats' are leaving towns as far as 60 miles from Britain before picking up migrants along the Belgian and French coastlines.

Though numbers remain comparatively small, there have been 17 such departures this year, compared with no more than two per year since 2021.

Last month, volunteers pulled 19 people from a sinking dinghy during a night-time operation in De Haan, according to Belgium police spokesperson An Berger.

More attempts are expected with better weather coming.

The numbers from Belgium are still dwarfed by the France-Britain route, which continues to be the focus for law enforcement.

More than 5,300 migrants have crossed the Channel in small boats so far this year.

Last Thursday, two men and two women died near a beach in northern France, leading to police arresting a teenager who was accused of piloting the boat.

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French police watch on as dozens of migrants depart from Dunkirk on Monday

A migrant swimming in the sea after failing to board a boat on the beach at Dunkirk on the French coast on Monday

The 16-year-old Afghan national was charged with endangering others during a sea crossing to the UK without a valid entry clearance - the first alleged offence of its kind since it became law on January 5.

At Margate Magistrates' Court yesterday, the boy appeared wearing a black coat and spoke to confirm his name, date of birth and plead not guilty.

Speaking through a Dari interpreter, he said: 'I plead not guilty, I was forced to do so.'

'We submit (the boy) has piloted a boat across the Channel. There were 46 other people on that boat and that by piloting the boat he put them in danger,' said Julie Farbrace, prosecuting.

District Judge Archie Mackay later added: 'The harm that was risked was potential fatalities.'

The boy was remanded in custody and will appear at Canterbury Crown Court on February 9.

The new offence of endangering others during a sea crossing is part of a range of measures introduced to curb Channel crossings which came into force under the Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Act which became law in December.

According to the Home Office, the offence is designed to stop more people being crammed into unsafe boats and would apply to those involved in physical aggression and intimidation, as well as anyone who resists rescue.

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Britain is currently in the process of negotiating a new deal with France to subsidise patrols along its northern coast.

Two weeks ago, officials agreed a new two-month deal to pay France 16.2million more to police the Channel while the two countries thrash out a long-term agreement.

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood signed off deal, which extends a previous one, to subsidise French beach patrols.

EU border agency Frontex claimed the shift to Belgium was an attempt to avoid police patrols in France.

However, the French police response has been heavily criticised, with gendarmerie regularly seen watching on as migrants board boats.

Claire Hedon, the highly influential Defender of Rights, said in January that heavy-handed tactics such as slashing boats with knives or restraining migrants with tear gas or rubber bullets were 'disproportionate' and risked harming the thousands of young men flooding into Britain.

Under the terms of a deal signed in July, Britain can send a small boat migrant back to France in return for accepting one who has not previously tried to arrive illegally.

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But so far, just 497 people have been returned to France and 482 have come to the UK. During this time, tens of thousands of people have made the crossing.

A Home Office spokesperson said: 'We are aware of dangerous and illegal small boat launches from Belgium.

'Through continued shared intelligence and close partnerships with Belgian authorities, numerous others have been successfully prevented to prevent illegal arrivals to the UK.'
Pete Hegseth appeared to draw inspiration from a fake Bible verse recited in the 1994 film Pulp Fiction while giving a sermon on Wednesday.

During a service at the Pentagon complex, Donald Trump's defense secretary invited the audience to join him in a prayer, which he explained is frequently used in combat search-and-rescue missions, including a recent operation involving two US Air Force crew members who were shot down over Iran.

'They call it CSAR 25:17, which I think is meant to reflect Ezekiel 25:17,' Hegseth explained, before delivering the prayer.

'The path of the downed aviator is beset on all sides by the iniquities of the selfish and the tyranny of evil men,' Hegseth said.

'Blessed is he who in the name of camaraderie and duty shepherd the lost through the valley of darkness, for he is truly his brother's keeper and the finder of lost children.

'And I will strike down upon thee with great vengeance and furious anger those who attempt to capture and destroy my brother. And you will know my call sign is Sandy One when I lay my vengeance upon thee. Amen.'

As footage of Hegseth's sermon circulated online, viewers were quick to point out that his wording didn't sound much like Ezekiel 25:17, which  in the King James Bible  reads, 'And I will execute great vengeance upon them with furious rebukes; and they shall know that I am the Lord, when I shall lay my vengeance upon them.'

But some internet users noticed that it resembled a monologue in Quentin Tarantino's iconic film, Pulp Fiction.

Pete Hegseth appeared to take inspiration from a Bible verse used in Pulp Fiction

Samuel L Jackson recites the verse before pulling out his gun in Quentin Tarantino's 1994 film

Social media users pointed out how the defense secretary changed the wording for the prayer to include aircraft Sandy1 and the crew involved in rescue missions.

In the movie, Jules Winnfield, played by Samuel L Jackson, recites a bible verse before shooting another character.

'The path of the righteous man is beset on all sides by the inequities of the selfish and the tyranny of evil men. Blessed is he who, in the name of charity and goodwill, shepherds the weak through the valley of darkness, for he is truly his brother's keeper and the finder of lost children. And I will strike down upon thee with great vengeance and furious anger those who attempt to poison and destroy my brothers.

'And you will know my name is the Lord when I lay my vengeance upon you,' he says before pulling the trigger.

While the dialogue was written by Tarantino and director Roger Avary, and drew inspiration from the passage Ezekiel 25:17, the second part of the prayer is part of an original Bible verse which was written as a condemnation of the Philistines and the Cherethites, who are historic enemies of the Israelites, and dates back to the 5th century BC.

Since becoming defense secretary, Hegseth has found no shortage of ways to bring his Christian faith into the Pentagon.

He is known to host monthly Christian worship services for employees, while his department's promotional videos have displayed Bible verses alongside military footage.

In speeches and interviews, he often argues the US was founded as a Christian nation and troops should embrace God, potentially risking the military's secular mission and hard-won pluralism.

It comes as President Trump drew criticism this week after sharing an AI-generated image showing himself dressed as Jesus

And Hegseth's Christian rhetoric appears to have taken on new meaning after the US and Israel went to war with Iran, an Islamic theocracy.

'The mullahs are desperate and scrambling,' he said at a recent Pentagon press briefing, referring to Iran's Shiite Muslim clerics.

He has also recited Psalm 144, a passage of Scripture that Jews and Christians share: 'Blessed be the Lord, my rock, who trains my hands for war and my fingers for battle.'

Hegseth has a history of defending the Crusades, the brutal medieval wars that pitted Christians against Muslims.

In his 2020 book 'American Crusade,' he wrote that those who enjoy Western civilisation should 'thank a crusader'.

It comes as President Trump drew criticism this week after sharing an AI-generated image showing himself dressed in red and white robes in a Jesus-like pose, appearing to heal a man as American symbols, including the flag, military personnel and fighter jets, fill the background.

Trump shared the AI-generated image after attacking Pope Leo, accusing the Church leader of being 'weak on crime, and terrible for Foreign Policy', and claimed that 'if I [weren't] in the White House, Leo wouldn't be in the Vatican.'
Jodie Marsh has been charged with assault after allegedly putting her hands on her neighbour's neck in a row over her animals.

The former glamour model, 47, said she 'lost it' with her neighbour after he carried out a 'campaign of harassment' against her.

She claims the neighbour had been filming animals at her sanctuary, Fripps Farm in Lindsell, near Braintree in Essex.

She said the neighbour had doctored footage to make them look 'skeletal' after trespassing onto her land.

Marsh has previously blamed online trolls for ruining her 'life dream' of running an animal sanctuary.

The farm is home to more than 250 animals, including goats, horses, alpacas, emus, lemurs and reptiles.

The former bodybuilder could face six months in prison after she was charged with common assault.

She is due to appear at Chelmsford Magistrates' Court tomorrow.

Jodie Marsh, 47, pictured with a horse in her animal sanctuary Fripps Farm in Essex

47, said she 'lost it' with her neighbour after he carried out a 'campaign of harassment' against her

Marsh (pictured in 2003) is a former glamour model, media personality and bodybuilder

Speaking about the incident, she told The Sun: 'I put my hand on his neck because I leaned in to whisper to him.

'I can't even remember what I said because I was so upset. It lasted around 30 seconds.

'I'm scared to sleep in my own house. I'm scared to go out.'

She insisted she did not harm her neighbour in the outburst.

An Essex Police spokesman said: 'At around 12.40pm on Friday, January 16, officers were called to an address in Lindsell to reports of a woman behaving aggressively towards a man and assaulting him.

'It was further reported that verbal threats were made.

'As a result of further enquiries, charges of common assault and using threatening/abusive/insulting words or behaviour have since been authorised against Jodie Marsh, 47, of Lindsell.

'She is due to appear at Chelmsford Magistrates' Court on Friday, April 17.'

Marsh appeared in the ITV series Essex Wives in 2002 and went on to feature in several reality shows and magazines including Celebrity Big Brother.

However she turned her back on the limelight to open the sanctuary, with many of the animals rescued from slaughter.

The Fripps Farm website also claims that Marsh has 'brought sick or injured animals back from the brink of death'.

The media personality last year had an application for lemurs to kept at her sanctuary rejected.

It was then overturned after she argued that online trolls had been behind a campaign against her.

She told the court: 'I've wanted an animal sanctuary since I was five years old - this is my life dream.'

Marsh also said that 'everybody in the public eye has trolls', adding: 'They lash out, they pick on you, as in my case.'

'When I was bodybuilding they trolled me for that, when I was modelling they trolled me for that; now it's the animals,' she said.

The court heard Essex Police, Essex Fire and Rescue Service and the RSPCA had not raised any concerns over the application for the lemurs, an endangered species from Madagascar.

A judge said there was 'considerable animosity between Ms Marsh and the members of the local community'.

But he added: Ms Marsh may not be popular in the surrounding area but, based on the evidence given to this court, I conclude that she is a person who genuinely cares for her animals.

Ms Marsh is not, and has not been, responsible for any harm or ill-treatment [of the animals in her care].

Marsh also defended taking a meerkat called Mabel to the pub.

Marsh said she had 'wanted an animal sanctuary since I was five years old' and gave up the limelight to open the sanctuary

The former model founded her animal sanctuary Fripps Farm in Lindsell, Essex, in 2020

She said she took the meerkat to a pub 'on a few occasions when I was hand-rearing her'.

'The pub I would take her to was a friend's pub a mile from my house,' she said. 'It's a food pub, not a drinking pub. It's never busy in the week.'

She said she would go and get a 'bowl of chips or something for my dinner then come back'.

'Most of the time when I did take Mabel to the pub nobody even knew she was there, she was in my jumper or in her case,' she said.

She said that 'it's not illegal to take a meerkat in a pub' and that Mabel 'was hand-reared from a baby, she lives with me in the house as well'.

Marsh has previously spoken of how she has helped fund the animal sanctuary through her use of the website OnlyFans.

In 2023, she told BBC Essex that OnlyFans was 'amazing' and 'paid my staff wages for the first year'. She added: 'They all joke and say 'your boobs pay our wages'.'

Marsh also had a run-in with Paul Weller after she tried to flog his memorabilia in an online auction to raise funds for Fripps Farm.

After telling her followers that a Paul Weller gold disc, signed posters and concert tickets were up for auction, his official X page uploaded a post to say they aren't endorsed by him.

The tweet from Paul's profile on X, said: 'Paul wants it known that a recent auction that has gone live for competition prizes and memorabilia is not official and not endorsed by him'.

Marsh subsequently took to Instagram to hit out at the musician, 67, and accuse him of 'disassociating himself because I'm friends with Nigel Farage'.

In the now deleted post, she said: 'Hi guys, just a quick one. Paul Weller has got the hump because I'm friends with Nigel Farage so he's disassociated himself from the auction.

'That's fine. It's a shame we can't just all get along and have our own opinions and our own friends and just respect each other's choices. I think that's very sad. But I can assure you the auction is real.

'He doesn't want to publicly support something, that's absolutely fine. It's just very disappointing from somebody you've done nothing but promote, support and adore for years.

'I think some people care too much about their image rather than what's real in life and what matters.'

Marsh went on to claim the memorabilia was official, owned by Paul's later father John, who was the singer's manager and put up for auction with the support of Nicky Weller.

Marsh opened Fripps Farm in 2020 following the tragic death of her mother Kristina from cancer.

Jodie previously told Daily Mail: 'When my mum got sick, her decline was fairly quick. It was during Covid so me and my dad had to care for her at home because the hospitals had kicked all the cancer patients out.

'It was just horrific. I gave up work and gave up everything to care for my mum. And that was what made me realise that life's too short, watching my mum die in front of me.

'Why would I go and do another TV show or another photoshoot or whatever it is when that's not what I want to be doing in life? That's not what's gonna make me happy.

'What's gonna make me happy is having an animal sanctuary, because it's the only thing I've ever truly wanted. I always knew that was the end goal.'

It wasn't a hard decision for Jodie to step away from the limelight.

By her own admission, 'I hated being famous. If I had money no one would ever see me again!'
A Chicago criminal notorious for livestreaming the racist torture of a disabled white teenager has been arrested again.

Tesfaye Cooper, 30, who served a seven-year prison sentence for the 2017 on-camera incident, was arrested on April 8 after allegedly chasing down and mugging a cyclist near a train station in the city.

He was taken into custody alongside Mazi Pearson, 33, who also had active warrants for failing to appear in court on four pending felony court cases, reports CWB Chicago.

The two men allegedly chased and robbed the white cyclist when the victim waved at them, which led them to shout that they are 'GDs', or 'Gangster Disciples', police said.

Cooper and Pearson allegedly chased the man into the train station, punched and spat at him, before stealing his bike and fleeing.

Police captured the two men soon after, and Pearson was allegedly found with ten bags of heroin and four bags of cocaine. Pearson was charged with robbery and possession of a controlled substance, and Cooper was charged with robbery.

The incident comes just two years after Cooper finished serving his seven-year prison stretch for the torture of the disabled 18-year-old.

Cooper and three others brutally tortured and racially abused the teenager while livestreaming it on Facebook Live. The violent incident generated such outrage that then-President Barack Obama even expressed his horror at it.

Tesfaye Cooper, 30, a Chicago criminal who shocked the nation by livestreaming the racist torture of a disabled white teenager in 2017, has been arrested again after allegedly robbing a white cyclist

Cooper, 30, who served a seven-year prison sentence for the 2017 on-camera torture incident, when he and three others kidnapped and abused a disabled white teenager for three days and livestreamed the crime on Facebook

Cooper was taken into custody alongside Mazi Pearson, 33, (pictured) who also had active warrants for failing to appear in court on four pending felony court cases

Cooper was caught by police following the torture of the teenager alongside Jordan Hill, Tanishia Covington, and Brittany Covington.

The gang kidnapped and tied up the victim in a Chicago apartment as they physically tortured and racially abused him on the livestream.

They could be heard shouting 'f*** white people' and 'f*** Trump' during the ordeal.

During the days-long torture campaign, Hill also called the victim's mother and demanded $300 in ransom for his return.

The victim was kidnapped on New Year's Eve after telling his parents he was meeting Hill at a McDonald's and staying at his home.

Instead, Hill drove the victim around in a stolen van for a couple of days, ending up at a home in Chicago, where two of the other suspects lived.

Horrific livestream footage showed the victim with tape over his mouth and his hands tied as he was beaten and abused for hours at a time.

The victim eventually escaped and a police officer spotted him wandering down a street, bloodied and disoriented.

Cooper in his original mugshot in 2017

From left. Brittany Covington, Tanisha Covington and Jordan Hill were each handed plea deals following the torture incident

Following the gang's arrests, they were all given plea deals, with Brittany Covington avoiding jail time and being handed a sentence of four years' probation.

Tanishia Covington was handed three years behind bars, Cooper was given seven and Hill eight.

The relatively light sentences sparked backlash at the time as gory details of the victim's torture emerged.

The gang had gagged the victim for days, cut out part of his scalp with a knife, and forced him to drink from a toilet, police said.

Prosecutors said the gang's livestream stayed up on Facebook for over half an hour, while the victim's abuse lasted over three days.

When Cooper was sentenced, the victim's family said they went out of their way to ensure he would receive support services when he was freed from prison.

The judge in the case told Cooper: 'Theyre interested in making sure  that there are some resources that are available that will help you... To make you understand that hatred is not something that is going to be a possibility for you when you get out.'
A woman who claimed she was held in ICE custody for two days has been sued by a Wisconsin sheriff for defamation after allegedly fabricating the story about her detention.

Sundas 'Sunny' Naqvi, 28, claimed that immigration officers stopped her at Chicago's O'Hare Airport on March 5 and detained her for 30 hours.

Naqvi, an American citizen, alleged federal agents then took her across state lines to the Dodge County Jail in Wisconsin and kept her there for 43 hours.

Last Friday, Dodge County Sheriff Dale Schmidt announced that he was filing an assault libel and slander civil lawsuit in the US District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, seeking $1 million.

'She checked into the Hampton Inn and Suites in Rosemont, Illinois, for the entire duration of this alleged event,' Schmidt said.

Schmidt showed alleged WhatsApp messages from Naqvi on March 5 in which she told an unnamed witness that she was 'going to look into this hotel' before later adding that she was 'in the room now.'

The following day, Naqvi allegedly asked the same person if she could use their credit card to 'pay for my spa lady' and 'order some food.'

'There is no spa lady in our jail here in Dodge County,' Schmidt said.

Sundas 'Sunny' Naqvi, 28, had alleged that she was detained by ICE in March, though that was refuted by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS)

Dodge County Sheriff Dale Schmidt filed a federal civil lawsuit against Naqvi for allegedly lying about being detailed by ICE while she was actually receiving spa payments at a hotel

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said last month on X that Naqvi's 'claims of spending 43 hours in DHS custody are FALSE.'

Surveillance footage from the Chicago international airport showed her going into Customs and Border Protection at 10.21am on March 5, entering secondary inspection at 10.46am and leaving at 11.42am.

Schmidt said Naqvi checked into the Hampton Inn and Suites in Rosemont at 1.17pm that same day and did not leave until March 8.

Schmidt displayed hotel records which allegedly verified her stay, while offering other details that seemingly refuted Naqvi's story.

On March 7, Naqvi allegedly asked the witness to drive her to Wisconsin so that she could help her sister with some car problems.

The witness' identity has not been released because of the Wisconsin's Victim's Rights Law, according to the sheriff's office.

'This is the morning when she allegedly was released from the sheriff's office over at the jail,' Schmidt said.

Naqvi's case has been compared online to actor Jussie Smollett's hoax in 2019.

Naqvi could be seen moving around the morning of March 7, according to Schmidt, which was also caught on tape

The evidence presented by Schmidt against Naqvi included alleged WhatsApp messages in which she described receiving a spa treatment and ordering food

Surveillance video allegedly captured Naqvi at a gas station in Slinger, Wisconsin, around 5.38am on March 7, when she was meant to have been released from detention

While on the way to see her sister, Naqvi stopped at a gas station in Slinger, WI, at 5.38am.

Schmidt played surveillance video that allegedly captured Naqvi at the station during a roughly ten minute period.

In addition to the evidence of Naqvi moving around the area, Schmidt said that there was 'no record of booking, there is no record of detention, there is no record of release, no contact with the individual.'

'At no point was Sundas Naqvi in the custody of the Dodge County Sheriff's Office,' he added.

When he was asked why Naqvi would make this up, Schmidt said that he did not know of a motive.

'For the life of me, I can't figure out why somebody would do that,' Schmidt said. 'In the end, it has taken her reputation and that will now take a nosedive.'

The sheriff stressed that Naqvi's alleged hoax was not a 'misunderstanding or a minor discrepancy.'

'The claims that have been made about the situation are not supported by facts,' Schmidt said.

Schmidt showed a guest folio detailing when Naqvi had checked in and out of the Hampton Inn and Suites in Rosemont, IL

Cook County Commissioner Kevin Morrison posted a photo of Naqvi's supposed reunion with her family after her alleged detention

The Department of Homeland Security had said that Naqvi had left secondary inspection at Chicago O'Hare on March 5 at 11.42am, posting a screenshot of when that happened

Schmidt's lawsuit also names Cook County Commissioner Kevin Morrison as a defendant.

Morrison, who described himself as the 'best friend' of Naqvi's sister Sarah Afzal and was running for Congress at the time, had repeatedly posted about her alleged detention on social media.

One of his Facebook posts shared by Schmidt showed Morrison claiming that Naqvi was 'in a detention facility in Wisconsin.'

Morrison also posted a photo of Naqvi 'reunited with her family back at home' after her alleged detention.

Schmidt said that he was filing the suit with Morrison included to hold Naqvi 'accountable and reinforce that misuse of the system will not go unanswered.'

Schmidt added that the point of his suit went beyond the $1 million sought in damages, and was about Naqvi's alleged history of false claims.

At the press conference, Schmidt pointed to past instances when Naqvi had allegedly made false accusations of abuse against a former college professor and an exboyfriend.

The Daily Mail has reached out to Samuel Hall Jr. and Maia Hentges, who are listed as Schmidt's attorneys in court records, Morrison, an email address associated with Naqvi, as well as her sister Afzal for comment.

It was not immediately clear whether Naqvi or Morrison had an attorney or whether they had been served with the suit.
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani's wife is facing massive backlash after she issued a half-hearted apology for using the N-word and making homophobic remarks on social media - but not for her posts supporting terrorists.

Rama Duwaji, 28, expressed her remorse for the inappropriate posts made to her X and Tumblr accounts in her teenage years and early twenties.

'When a tabloid recently published old tweets I wrote as a teenager, I felt a lot of shame being confronted with language I used that is so harmful to others; being 15 doesnt excuse it,' New York City's first lady told Hyperallergic.

'Ive read and seen a lot of what others have had to say in response, and I understand the hurt I caused and am truly sorry.'

But netizens quickly realized that Duwaji did not apologize for her posts celebrating Hamas' attack on Israel on October 7, 2023 or supporting Palestinian terrorists.

The Washington Free Beacon, which uncovered the posts in a March 18 report that linked the posts to her using facial recognition software, noted that Duwaji was in her early 20s when she shared posts lauding Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine's Leila Khaled, who participated in plane hijackings in 1969 and 1970.

In 2015, at the age of 17, Duwaji also shared a post honoring Shadia Abu Ghazaleh, who bombed an Israeli bus, as the 'first Palestinian woman to fight in resistance after 1967 occupation.'

'Duwaji did not attribute her Ghazaleh post to youthful ignorance,' the Free Post noted.

Rama Duwaji, 28, who is married to New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, issued an apology in an interview following a report by the Washington Free Beacon of her history of inappropriate posts made online in her teenage years and early twenties

The discovery of the First Lady of New York City's purported profile comes shortly after she made headlines for liking posts that celebrated the October 7 attack by Hamas on Israel

More recently, Duwaji called reports that Hamas was sexually assaulting Israelis on October 7 a 'mass rape hoax,' Free Press reporter Olivia Reingold added in her own post on X on Wednesday.

She even provided illustrations for an essay by Susan Abulhawa, an author who called the October 7 attack 'spectacular' and blasted Jewish Israelis as 'vampires' and 'rootless, soulless ghouls,' according to the Free Beacon.

Mayor Mamdani has since called those remarks 'reprehensible.'

But online, many hit out at Duwaji for not speaking out about her posts herself.

'Rama Duwaji was NOT 15 when she shared a post calling Jews filth and other racial slurs,' one X user wrote in response to reports about the New York City First Lady's apology.

'And NO ARTIST accepts a job not knowing what's involved [with] author and story. AND it has since come out the affiliation with the Mamdanis and "the author" go back 15 years.

'THEY ARE ALL LYING TO SAVE FACE,' the X user concluded.

Conservative commentator Paul Szypula echoed those remarks in his own post.

'Rama isn't really sorry,' he claimed. 'She's just sorry she got caught.'

'Her "apology" was probably drafted by one of Mayor Mamdani's PR people to cover for Rama's vile beliefs.'

Duwaji did not apologize for her posts celebrating Hamas' attack on Israel on October 7, 2023 or supporting Palestinian terrorists

Duwaji allegedly made a post to X in 2013 which used the N-word

The New York City First Lady's history of hateful content appeared to begin in 2013, when she used a vile racial slur in a tweet to a friend.

The post reads: 'Helllll yeah, n****. Super duper genius* excuse you.'

That same year, the same account posted a list of new followers, referring to them with an apparent homophobic slur.

'Whyyyyyy are all these fgts folllowing [sic] meeeeeeeee,' the post read.

But just two years later, Duwaji appeared to start posting about Israel - and allegedly even re-shared content that blamed the creation of Al-Qaeda on white people.

'You can't blame Muslims for terrorism because they didn't construct, fund, or train Al-Qaeda,' read the upload to Tumblr, which came when Duwaji was in her 20s. 'White people did that, too.'

The account also took aim at US troops, noting how they were not brave and were 'mercilessly slaughtering third world civilians to maintain American hegemony.'

A spokesman for Duwaji told the New York Times that she had no comment when asked what content the first lady was apologizing for.

The content appeared to have been deleted from the accounts when the Daily Mail conducted a search.

The first lady of New York also appears to have taken aim at US troops in 2015, noting how they were not brave

One image from the post she liked showed a bulldozer used by Hamas to break through into Israel on that day in which nearly 1,200 people died

The discovery of the posts came shortly after she made headlines for liking posts that celebrated the October 7 attack by Hamas on Israel, including one that called reports of sexual violence a 'mass rape hoax.'

The post made by leftist group The Slow Factory included images of groups of people after having taken over an IDF vehicle, with 'Free Palestine' scrawled over it.

Another image said: 'Breaking the walls of apartheid and military occupation', followed by the date.

The image showed a bulldozer used by the group to break through into Israel on that day, in which nearly 1,200 people died.

But Mamdani has dodged questions about her liking a post in support of the October 7 attack.

'My wife is the love of my life, and she is also a private person who has held no formal position on my campaign or in my City Hall,' the mayor previously said.

When he was then asked whether Duwaji felt any remorse over her more recent posts on Thursday, Mamdani refused to directly answer the question.

'You know, she shared some of her reflections in this interview,' he said of his wife's apology. 'I won't add much to them.'

'What I will say, however, is that she is someone of incredible integrity, she is someone I am lucky to call my wife and that I am proud of her each and every day.'

The Daily Mail has reached out to Duwaji for comment.
France's approach to cultural relics restitution is worth learning for Japan

09:28, April 16, 2026 By Global Times editorial ( Global Times

Recently, the French National Assembly passed a bill unanimously, in a "rare" show of consensus, deciding to simplify the restitution procedure of artworks looted during the colonial era. Previously, France had to advance restitution on a case-by-case basis through special legislation. The passage of the new bill means that, in the future, restitutions can be carried out via administrative orders without the need for separate laws. Lawmakers have also called on the French government to publish an annual list of artifacts suspected of having been acquired illegally. During the debate, a member cited the vision of French writer Victor Hugo, who once expressed the hope that "a day will come when France, delivered and cleansed, will return this booty to despoiled China." The lawmaker said "this day has finally come."

The recovery and restitution of displaced cultural relics is a global challenge, mainly because of the limitations of the existing international legal framework. At present, the main legal bases for pursuing the return of such relics are the Convention on the Means of Prohibiting and Preventing the Illicit Import, Export and Transfer of Ownership of Cultural Property adopted by UNESCO in 1970, and the Convention on Stolen or Illegally Exported Cultural Objects adopted by the International Institute for the Unification of Private Law (UNIDROIT) in 1995 (hereinafter referred to as "the Conventions"). However, these conventions apply only to relics stolen or illegally exported after their entry into force. They offer little effective legal constraint regarding the vast number of artifacts that were stolen prior to that - especially those lost in modern history through war, plunder, or coercion. As a result, countries of origin often find themselves in a dilemma when seeking the return of historically displaced relics, with no sufficient legal ground to rely on.

In this sense, whether displaced cultural relics can return home is largely up to the countries that currently hold them. In recent years, as global reflection on history has deepened, the wave of decolonization has extended into the cultural and museum sectors. As the South China Morning Post noted, "there was now a broad ethical consensus that artefacts looted during war or colonial rule should be returned." Building on the Conventions, the international community is forming an increasingly strong moral consensus and collective momentum to redress historical injustices and facilitate the restitution of looted cultural relics.

Countries around the world have been progressively engaging in the repatriation of cultural relics at various levels. Germany has restituted artifacts looted during the colonial era to Nigeria and Tanzania; the Netherlands has restituted hundreds of colonial-era artifacts to Indonesia, Sri Lanka, and other countries; Italy has restituted stolen cultural relics to China in multiple cases, including 56 pieces of art and artifacts in 2024 alone; and France, following a pledge by President Emmanuel Macron in 2018, restituted 26 artifacts to the West African nation of Benin. France's proactive stance on restitution has emerged amid the broader wave of decolonization and has, in turn, injected positive momentum into this trend.

In this context, Japan stands out as a negative example. Not only has Tokyo long avoided acknowledging the fact that Japan looted artifacts during its aggressive past, but it has even glorified such stolen items as militarist "trophies." A pair of stone lions displayed at the entrance of Yasukuni Shrine were taken by Japanese forces from Haicheng, China's Liaoning Province, during the First Sino-Japanese War and are now exhibited as a "war achievement." The Tang Honglu Well Stele, known as the evidence of Tang Dynasty jurisdiction over the northeast frontier, was looted by Japanese forces in 1908 and secretly kept in the imperial palace. Despite irrefutable evidence, the Japanese government refuses to restitute it.

In response to calls for restitution, Tokyo either equivocates and evades the issue or builds a so-called "defensive wall" using its domestic laws, citing "acquisition in good faith" and "statute of limitations" as grounds for refusal. This evasion of history and disregard for justice reveals Tokyo's persistent refusal to reflect on its colonial and militarist past. France's approach to cultural relics restitution is worth learning for Japan.

The essence of cultural relics restitution is about the restoration of history, respect for the cultural heritage and diversity of all nations, and a bridge toward rebuilding trust and achieving reconciliation between countries.

France's decision shows that it is feasible to strike a balance between national interests and historical justice, and to standardize the restitution process through legal procedures. Countries that still hold large quantities of looted artifacts should follow this positive example, have the courage to assume historical responsibility, fulfill their obligations under international law, and respond earnestly to the just demands of the peoples of the countries of origin. Hopefully France's initiative will become a new starting point for the global movement to return cultural relics.

It is hoped that more relevant countries will keep pace with the times, enabling more displaced cultural relics to return home as soon as possible, and allowing different civilizations to achieve better exchange and coexistence through respect for history and mutual tolerance.

(Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Liang Jun)
Three emerging shorts filmmakers to receive $10,000 grants, industry mentorship, and exclusive screening opportunities

Second year of the partnership and first expanding to support NYC-based filmmakers

NEW YORK, April 16, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Genesis House and The Gotham Film & Media Institute (The Gotham) today announced the launch of the Genesis House x The Gotham Shorts Fellowship, a program providing finishing support for three New York City-shot narrative short films in the final stages of production and/or distribution. For independent filmmakers, the final stages of production are often the most challenging and hands-on support and funding can make all the difference. Each project will receive a $10,000 grant for finishing funds, industry-led mentorship, access to exclusive programming at Genesis House, and will be screened to select industry professionals during the 2026 Gotham Week.

Genesis House x The Gotham Shorts Fellowship logo

"This fellowship brings together Genesis House's position as a cultural hub for creative collaboration with The Gotham's longstanding support of independent voices," said Tedros Mengiste, chief operating officer of Genesis Motor North America.

"We're excited to see our partnership with Genesis House continue to evolve, opening up meaningful new opportunities for our community of filmmakers to develop their work and advance their careers," said Jeffrey Sharp, executive director of The Gotham Film & Media Institute.

Genesis House x The Gotham Shorts Fellowship

Three selected filmmakers will each receive:

$10,000 towards the finishing funds of a narrative short film shot in and around the NYC area

Specialized mentorship sessions with industry professionals

Special industry screening of short film and panel event during Gotham Week (September/October 2026)

Two in-person dinners with industry leaders and mentors at Genesis House in the Meatpacking District of Manhattan

Visibility throughout Gotham Week and acknowledgement at Gotham Week Honors

Eligibility & Timing

Films must be shot in NYC, with principal photography completed between April 1, 2025  April 1, 2026

Applicants must be U.S.  based and authorized to work in the United States

and authorized to work in the United States Films must be scripted projects.

Films must not premiere before Gotham Week (September 27-October 23, 2026)

Key Dates

Applications open: Thursday, April 16, 2026

Thursday, April 16, 2026 Virtual info session: Tuesday, April 21, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. ET

Tuesday, April 21, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. ET Applications close: Thursday, May 14, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. ET

Full submission guidelines and application details are available at thegotham.org/genesis-house-shorts

The Genesis House x The Gotham partnership serves as a yearround cultural and industry convening platform for filmmakers. Planned 2026 activations include The Gotham Television Awards, Gotham Week, and fall programming including the 2026 Gotham Film Awards and the Filmmaker Magazine Celebration, hosted at Genesis House.

About Genesis House

Genesis House is a sophisticated oasis in the Meatpacking District offering a curated escape into Korean hospitality, innovative design, and progressive experiences. Across three purposeful floors, guests discover a technology hub for creative collaboration, a design-forward vehicle showcase revealing Genesis engineering excellence, and the second-floor Restaurant, the jewel of the experience. Here, distinctly Korean hospitality comes alive through refined modern techniques that honor timeless recipes, each dish crafted with fresh, locally-grown ingredients and served with exemplary Son-Nim, the philosophy of treating every guest as an honored visitor. Together, these spaces create a comprehensive immersion into Genesis brand values. For more information, visit www.genesishouse.com.

Genesis House on Facebook | Instagram

Genesis Motor North America

Genesis is a new global automotive brand that delivers the highest standards of design, safety, refined performance, and innovation while looking towards a more sustainable future. Drawing from its cultural heritage and distinctly Korean hospitality, Genesis crafts experiences focused on customers as "son-nim", or honored guests.

Genesis Motor North America offers a growing range of award-winning SUV, sedan, and electric models through its network of more than 200 independent U.S. retailers, in addition to its more than 30 Canadian agency distributors. Genesis now counts more than 100 standalone retail facilities across the North American region, with dozens more in development. Consumers can discover the brand through its many retail points, at Genesis House, the brand's flagship space in New York City, or online at www.genesis.com.

Please visit our media site for the latest news at www.genesisnewsusa.com (United States) and www.genesisnews.ca (Canada).

About The Gotham Film & Media Institute

The Gotham celebrates and nurtures independent film and media creators, providing career-building resources, access to industry influencers, and pathways to wider recognition. The organization, under the leadership of Executive Director and award-winning producer Jeffrey Sharp, fosters a vibrant and sustainable independent storytelling community through its year-round programs, which include Gotham Week, Gotham Labs, Filmmaker Magazine, the Gothams, Gotham EDU, Owning It, and Expanding Communities.

SOURCE Genesis Motor America
A female tribal leader called for a professor to be raped after the academic questioned the narrative around the discovery of mass graves of Indigenous children at Canadian government schools.

Chief Charlene Belleau, a member of the Esketemc First Nation, directed the shocking call to violence at former Mount Royal University professor Frances Widdowson during a debate on April 14.

Belleau was speaking with the University of British Columbia's (UBC) Derek K Thompson about her work preserving Indigenous history when she erupted at Widdowson, who was not part of the debate.

Her outburst came as the conversation turned to denials by some academics, including Widdowson, over the 215 missing children found buried in unmarked graves under a former residential school in British Columbia.

Belleau recalled previously meeting Widdowson and telling her she was 'hurting' her people by casting doubt on claims the bodies were found at the Kamloops school.

'I was really angry with her,' she said to Thompson on Tuesday.

'I told her: "I wish that our people could grab you, drag you over to the Kamloops Residential School, put you into a basement, speak our language to you, nothing but Secwepemc, beat you, rape you, hurt you, and maybe you would understand what our people went through,'" Belleau said.

The tribal leader continued her story with no pushback from debate moderator Thompson or UBC.

Chief Charlene Belleau, a member of the Esketemc First Nation, appeared to wish rape on Professor Frances Widdowson, questioned the narrative around the discovery of mass graves of Indigenous children at Canadian government schools

Widdowson is among a group of academics who are calling for the claims of unmarked graves to be reexamined

Belleau's remarks were seized on by Dallas Brodie, the leader of the right-wing OneBC party in Canada.

Brodie called Belleau a 'vile person' and criticized UBC and Thompson for giving her 'ZERO pushback' when she mentioned wanting revenge on Widdowson through assault.

'This is the insane revenge fantasies of a professional bully, not someone who cares about truth and justice,' Brodie wrote on X.

She called for the attorney general to press charges against Belleau and for the tribal leader to apologize to Widdowson.

UBC spokesperson, Mieke Koehoorn, told the Daily Mail in a statement the school 'does not condone any speech that endorses or promotes harassment or violence of any kind.'

'An invitation for a community member to participate in an event does not constitute endorsement of their specific remarks or views,' Koehoorn said.

The Daily Mail has contacted Belleau and Widdowson for comment.

The Kamloops Indian Residential School operated from 1890 to 1978, where children from 108 communities and 38 Indigenous Nations were forcibly sent.

'They endured mental, physical, emotional, spiritual, and sexual abuse, forced labor, malnutrition, and high rates of disease,' the Canadian government said.

'Many died and never returned to their families.'

Chief Charlene Belleau speaks about her interaction with me (and to some extent @Dallas_Brodie) @thompsonriversu: "I wish that our people could grab you [Frances Widdowson], drag you over to the Kamloops Residential School, put you into the basement, speak our language to you, pic.twitter.com/Bc1sHBrqGc  Frances Widdowson (@FrancesWiddows1) April 14, 2026

The two have clashed before at protest at Thompson Rivers University

Belleau's remarks were called out by OneBC leader Dallas Brodie who called for her to apologize

The school was run by the Catholic Church and the residential schools were 'designed to destroy Indigenous cultures,' the government said.

The Kamloops site was designated an historic site in 2024 and the history of the grounds is often referred to as a genocide.

In 2021, the children's remains were found on the grounds using ground-penetrating radar.

However, some, including Widdowson, have cast doubts on the bodies as the government has not exhumed the remains.

The academic has called for claims to be properly scrutinized and supported.

'Claims should be asserted on the basis of reason, evidence and logic, not the basis of a prescribed doctrine,' she told The National Post.

'If we dont have the truth, we will not be able to figure out the best way to organize society.

'Thats whats happened to Aboriginal people now, is that theyre being fed a whole bunch of falsehoods which are making it impossible for Aboriginal people to thrive and live full lives in modern society.'

The Kamloops Indian Residential School operated from 1890 to 1978. In 2021, children's bones were found on the ground using ground-penetrating radar

Widdowson was terminated from her position at Mount Royal University in December 2021 over harassment allegations.

An arbitrator later found her dismissal to be unwarranted in 2024.

She has previously clashed with Belleau over alleged discrepancies in her account of her relative's suicide after attending St Joseph's Mission residential school.

Belleau said her relative was the only child to follow through on a suicide pact he made with classmates when he was just nine years old due to alleged abuse at the school.

His remains were never found, and Belleau has made searching for them a central part of her activism.

However, Widdowson cast doubt on her story due to the fact Belleau referred to the relative concerned as both an uncle and a grandfather.
Parents of a Philadelphia school district have rallied together to get pencils back in their children's hands and writing on paper again after seeing the damage of learning on Chromebooks.

At least 200 parents of the Lower Merion School District (LMSD) have signed an ongoing petition to opt their children out of a one-to-one electronic device program, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer.

The petition claimed several teachers at LMSD support the refusal of technology-based learning after seeing the harms of devices such as Chromebooks, iPads, and MacBooks cause in real time.

Technology can harm students by distracting them, exposing them to cyberbullying and inappropriate online content and weakening their socialization skills, the complaint noted.

The petition added that devices can lead to teacher burnout, excessive screen time, privacy concerns, poor behavior in class, and concerns about the role of AI in children's academic lives, among other issues.

Despite concerns, administrators said that children can't opt out of having a computer, according to the outlet.

'We can't have a room for 20, 30 kids that want to opt out, and the rest of the school is operating differently,' Superintendent Frank Ranelli said at a policy committee meeting on Monday.

'Public schools are not just an open forum for whatever any kid needs that does not have an IEP,' said the superintendent, referring to individualized educational programs.

At least 200 parents of the Lower Merion School District (LMSD) have signed an ongoing petition to opt their children out of a one-to-one electronic device program. However, administrators claim that opting their children out of the program is impossible (Penn Wynne Elementary School in LMSD pictured)

Parents claim that there are several factors that make using technology dangerous for learning such as inappropriate online content and games during the school day

Administrators are also planning to revise a policy that frustrated parents are asking them to enforce.

The petition seeks that the district honor Administrative Regulation 137.

'Policy 137 makes clear that if a parent or student declines to participate in the 1:1 Electronic Device Initiative by refusing to sign the device agreement, the building principal is responsible for making accommodations so that the student's education is not adversely affected,' reads the petition.

However, Megan Shafer, Lower Merion's assistant to the superintendent for district administration, told the inquirer that the policy is outdated.

Shafer said that the rule was implemented 15 years ago when the district first introduced one-to-one devices.

It was an option for parents who did not want their child to have a computer, but 'it's simply not an ability we have any longer, to say there would be an equivalent experience for a child that opts out,' said assistant to the superintendent.

She added that the updated policy 'will need to be adjusted to reflect the current status of how we deliver curriculum and instruction in our classrooms.'

The petition also requested the school to 'offer an equal and meaningful lower tech or device reduced educational option for interested students,' as well as, 'hold a follow-up community meeting to discuss next steps, including how LMSD can support families seeking to opt out of 1:1 devices.'

Parents are asking the enforcement of Administrative Regulation 137. A policy that allows guardians to opt their children out of one-to-one devices but does not hinder the quality of their learning

Administrators claim that the policy is outdated and are working towards revising the policy

Yair Lev, a parent who started the petition, told the Inquirer that parents won't let the district say no.

'We know the current situation with Chromebooks and sending them home is detrimental to our children,' Lev said.

'By September, we will opt out. It's not about if they say no. It's happening.'

LMSD recently voted to purchase iReady, a math curriculum that includes physical books as well as a digital component.

The Daily Mail has reached out to the Lower Merion School District for comment.
A South Carolina truck driver was accused of driving under the influence after allegedly hitting a 14-month-old who wandered into the street, following his father.

David Ronald Metz, 62, was charged with a felony DUI after allegedly striking and killing Christopher Rodrigo Perez Tapia on Monday in Anderson around 8.20pm.

Tapia followed his father outside while his parents were cleaning El Latino Bar and Grill after closing, the Anderson County Coroner's Office told the Daily Mail.

The toddler's dad opened the door to take out the trash without realizing Tapia was following him.

The tot wandered through the parking lot and out onto South Murray Avenue, where Metz's truck was traveling southbound, police told the Daily Mail.

'If the driver would not have been under the influence, he may, could have reacted a little bit quicker and switched lanes,' a spokesperson for the Coroner's Office told WYFF.

'That one decision changed not only his life, but this family in this child's life, forever.'

The Anderson Police Department and the Anderson Fire Department found Tapia with critical injuries and transported him to AnMed Medical Center. It is unclear who called 911.

Christopher Rodrigo Perez Tapia died on Monday after being struck and killed by an alleged drunk driver

Anderson, South Carolina police charged David Ronald Metz with a felony DUI after the incident

Tapia's family was cleaning El Latino Bar and Grill after it closed when the boy wandered into the street

Tapia was declared dead at 9.10pm, less than an hour after he was tragically hit.

The child's cause of death was multiple traumatic injuries and the manner of death was accidental.

According to Law & Crime, Metz allegedly kept driving after striking the boy before turning around and returning to be arrested at the scene.

Tapia was the son of Delfino Perez Huizache and Olivia Tapia Benitez, per his obituary. The couple described him as 'the light of their lives.'

'Though his time here was far too brief, the love he sparked will never fade,' read the death announcement.

'He remains the light of our lives, forever barefoot, forever loved, and forever playing in the sunshine.'

Tapia loved the outdoors, his pets Pooch and Warrior and having a good meal. He was described as 'a small boy with a zest for life.'

Metz was granted a $60,000 security bond at a hearing held Tuesday at the Anderson municipal courthouse. The suspect was telecast in from custody.

Detective McKindra Bibb told the court that Tapia's family is 'devastated' by his death, reported the Independent Mail.

'They are unable to even pull it together enough to come to court this afternoon,' she said. 'It's been less than 24 hours since their baby died.'

Metz allegedly continued driving after the boy was struck before turning around and returning to the scene

Metz was telecast in from custody during his bond hearing on Tuesday

The man's lawyer, Austin McDaniel, stated that Metz was a local business owner with no prior criminal record who had deep ties to the community.

McDaniel expressed sympathy toward the family during Tuesday's hearing.

'I can't imagine how the family feels as a parent,' McDaniel said per the Independent Mail.

Metz was ordered to have no contact with the victim's family or their restaurant. He must remain under GPS monitoring once he is released.

It is unclear if Metz entered a plea. His next court date is scheduled for June 11.

The Anderson Police Department is still investigating the crash with the help of the South Carolina Highway Patrol.

The Daily Mail contacted McDaniel and Metz for comment.
A British Muslim convert has appeared in court accused of being a platoon leader for an Islamist terror group based in Somalia and fighting in their battles.

Jermaine Grant, 43, is charged with directing the activities of Al-Shabaab.

Prosecutors allege London-born Grant attended Al-Shabaab commando training camps, becoming a platoon leader and taking part in a number of battles in Somalia.

He appeared by videolink from HMP Frankland at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Thursday.

Grant, wearing a grey jumper, spoke only to confirm his name and date of birth and has not yet entered pleas to the charges.

Carl Kelvin, prosecuting, said the charges related to 'his time being trained in commando techniques and taking part in the battles carried out by Al-Shabaab in Somalia' and becoming a 'platoon leader'.

His case was adjourned on a previous occasion while the court waited for the Attorney General's permission to prosecute, which it now has.

District Judge Hina Rai said Grant's case was 'too serious' to be dealt with by a magistrates' court.

Muslim convert Jermaine Grant, 43, is charged with directing the activities of Al-Shabaab

Grant is charged with two counts of possessing an AK47 assault rifle during the Somali Civil War in addition to three counts of attending an Al-Shabaab commando training camp in Kismayu, a port city in southern Somalia, between December 31, 2007, and January 1, 2009

Grant, who is remanded in custody, will appear at the Old Bailey on May 1.

He was charged last week with directing the activities of Al-Shabaab between December 31, 2007, and January 1, 2010.

The defendant is charged over the same dates with two counts of possessing an AK47 assault rifle during the battle of Karan and the Battle of Mogadishu Stadium during the Somali Civil War.

Grant also faces three counts of attending an Al-Shabaab commando training camp in Kismayu, a port city in southern Somalia, between December 31, 2007, and January 1, 2009.

The charges followed an investigation by Counter Terrorism Policing London.

Frank Ferguson, head of the Crown Prosecution Service's special crime and counter terrorism division, previously said of its decision to charge Grant: 'We have decided to prosecute Jermaine Grant with directing the activities of a terrorist organisation, three counts of attending a place for terrorist purposes and two counts of possession of an article for terrorist purposes.

'The charges relate to Mr Grant's alleged involvement in 2008 and 2009 with Al-Shabaab, a terrorist organisation operating in Somalia.

'Our prosecutors have worked to establish that there is sufficient evidence to bring this case to court and that it is in the public interest to pursue criminal proceedings.

'We have worked closely with the Metropolitan Police's Counter Terrorism Command as it carried out its investigation.

'We remind all concerned that criminal proceedings against this defendant are active and that he has the right to a fair trial.'

Acting Commander Kris Wright, of Counter Terrorism Policing London, said: 'These are serious charges and come as the result of a long-running investigation.

'This case shows we will always pursue anyone suspected of being involved in terrorist activity, no matter where in the world or how long ago it is alleged to have taken place.'

Al-Shabaab, which was proscribed as a terrorist organisation by the UK in March 2010, is an Islamist armed group that claimed the 2013 Westgate shopping centre attack in Nairobi, Kenya, which killed more than 60 civilians.

Pictured: An injured woman is helped out of the Westgate Shopping Centre in Nairobi, Kenya where Al-Shabaab gunmen went on a shooting spree, in Nairobi on September 21, 2013

Soldiers and armed police hunt gunmen who went on a shooting spree killing 60 people in the attack 13 years ago

The organisation, which has been linked to Al-Qaida, was labelled a 'persistent threat' in Somalia's capital Mogadishu and carries out 'high-profile attacks that challenge government authority', according to a 2025 assessment by the UK Government.

It has targeted international aid workers, journalists, business people and non-governmental organisations which have opposed or resisted it.

The group, which is estimated to have between 5,000 and 9,000 fighters, developed in the early 2000s alongside and later in partnership with the Union of Islamic Courts (UIC), a group of Sharia courts in the Somalian capital of Mogadishu.

The coalition overran the city and installed themselves as administrators there and across much of the rest of the country in 2006.

Al-Shabaab, which translates as 'Movement of Jihadi Youth', was the young, radical armed wing of the UIC.

The union had been founded in the early 2000s to handle the fallout from the ongoing Somali Civil War.

But the organisation outlasted the UIC, which was ousted from Mogadishu in December 2006 by Ethiopia.

Addis Ababa staged the interventions over fears for its security and regional and international interests.

Al-Shabaab went on to launch a successful guerilla insurgency, conquering large parts of Somalia, including crucial port cities like Kismayo.

It now administrates many of these regions, primarily across the south and southwest of the country, which is de facto referred to as the Islamic Emirate of Somalia.

Al-Shabaab was behind the massacre at Westgate Shopping centre in Nairobi Kenya in September 2013 in which four masked gunmen killed 67 people.

Among their members was Samantha Lewthwaite, the widow of 7/7 bomber Jermaine Lindsay, who joined the group in 2011, six years after the bombings killed 52 people in London.
The Pope has claimed the world is 'being ravaged by a handful of tyrants' as his feud with Donald Trump escalates.

Pope Leo XIV made the unusually forceful remarks during a trip to Cameroon on Thursday after the US President launched a tirade against him over his repeated criticism of the war in Iran.

Leo, the first American pope, also decried leaders who use religious language to justify wars and urged a 'decisive change of course'.

He condemned 'an endless cycle of destabilisation and death' on a visit to Bamenda, a 'bloodstained' region of Cameroon which has been gripped by a separatist insurgency for nearly a decade.

'Those who rob your land of its resources generally invest much of the profit in weapons, thus perpetuating an endless cycle of destabilisation and death,' the US-born pontiff said in a speech at Saint Joseph's Cathedral.

He added: 'The masters of war pretend not to know that it takes only a moment to destroy, yet often a lifetime is not enough to rebuild.

'They turn a blind eye to the fact that billions of dollars are spent on killing and devastation, yet the resources needed for healing, education and restoration are nowhere to be found.'

It comes amid a growing row between Trump and the head of the Catholic Church, who has in recent weeks criticised the war in the Middle East.

The Pope has claimed the world is 'being ravaged by a handful of tyrants' as his feud with Donald Trump escalates

It comes after the US President labelled the head of the Catholic Church a 'very liberal person' and said he is 'WEAK on Crime , and terrible for Foreign Policy'

In a fiery rant on Truth Social on Sunday, Trump branded the pontiff 'a very liberal person' who is 'WEAK on Crime, and terrible for Foreign Policy'.

He also said that Leo, 70, was only made Pope 'because he was an American', and 'If I wasn't in the White House , Leo wouldn't be in the Vatican.'

He added: 'I don't think he's doing a very good job. He likes crime I guess.

'We don't like a pope who says it's ok to have a nuclear weapon. We don't want a pope that says crime is ok. I am not a fan of Pope Leo.'

Trump then sparked further controversy by posting an AI-generated image seemingly depicting himself as Jesus Christ, triggering backlash among his usual supporters.

On Thursday, the Pope criticised those who manipulate religion and the name of God 'for their own military, economic and political gain', during a speech at Saint Joseph's Cathedral.

The Pope arrived at the cathedral under military escort in a vehicle with bulletproof windows, blessing the joyful crowds which had gathered to greet him.

Singing, blowing horns and making music, people waved Vatican and Cameroonian flags while dressed in traditional outfits bearing the pope's image.

In a veiled dig at Trump's administration, he said: 'Woe to those who manipulate religion and the very name of God for their own military, economic and political gain, dragging that which is sacred into darkness and filth.

'It is a world turned upside down, an exploitation of Gods creation that must be denounced and rejected by every honest conscience.'

On Monday he said that he plans to continue speaking out against war, telling Reuters: 'I don't want to get into a debate with him.'

Speaking aboard the papal flight to Algiers, where Leo began a 10-day tour to four African countries, he added: 'I don't think that the message of the Gospel is meant to be abused in the way that some people are doing.

Trump sparked controversy by posting an AI-generated image seemingly depicting himself as Jesus Christ, triggering backlash among his usual supporters

'I will continue to speak out loudly against war, looking to promote peace, promoting dialog and multilateral relationships among the states to look for just solutions to problems.

'Too many people are suffering in the world today. Too many innocent people are being killed. And I think someone has to stand up and say there's a better way.'

The Archbishop of Canterbury rushed to the Pope's defence on Thursday, claiming she stood with Leo's 'courageous call for a kingdom of peace'.

Dame Sarah Mullally said: 'I stand with my brother in Christ, His Holiness Pope XIV, in his courageous call for a kingdom of peace. As innocent people are killed and displaced, families torn apart, and futures destroyed, the human cost of war is incalculable.

'It is the calling of every Christian and of all people of faith and goodwill to work and pray for peace. We must also urge all those entrusted with political authority to pursue every possible peaceful and just means of resolving conflict.'

The Pope has repeatedly condemned the war in Iran, saying it has caused absurd and inhuman violence.

Last Saturday he told worshippers at St Peters Basilica: 'Enough of the idolatry of self and money! Enough of the display of power! Enough of war!'

He then criticised the president over his threats against Iran, when he warned that 'a whole civilisation will die tonight, never to be brought back again'.

The Pope called it a 'truly unacceptable' statement.

Trump's comments have caused a rupture with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, his closest European ally.

The right wing leader had been a vociferous supporter of Trump, but she strongly criticised his decision to go to war with Iran, and on Monday, denounced his tirades against the pope as 'unacceptable'.

She added: 'The Pope is the head of the Catholic Church, and it is right and normal that he calls for peace and condemns all forms of war.'

Trump hit back at the Italian premier in an interview with Corriere della Sera, claiming he has not spoken with Meloni 'for a long time' and she was 'very different from what I thought'.

'She is the one who is unacceptable,' he said, 'because she doesnt care if Iran has a nuclear weapon and would blow up Italy in two minutes if it had the chance.'

Trump first attacked the pontiff on Sunday night, hitting out at his alleged weakness on crime and foreign policy.

Join the discussion Should religious leaders speak this bluntly on global politics?

Singing, blowing horns and making music, people waved Vatican and Cameroonian flags while dressed in traditional outfits bearing the pope's image

He had earlier told reporters on Sunday: 'Im not a big fan of Pope Leo. Hes a very liberal person, and hes a man that doesnt believe in stopping crime.'

Trump also accused the leader of the Catholic Church, which has 1.4billion members, of 'toying with a country that wants a nuclear weapon'.

On Tuesday he again lashed out again, writing: 'Will someone please tell Pope Leo that Iran has killed at least 42,000 innocent, completely unarmed, protesters in the last two months, and that for Iran to have a Nuclear Bomb is absolutely unacceptable.'

Trump's public row with the leader of the Vatican has prompted widespread condemnation from public figures and politicians.

Irans president Masoud Pezeshkian took to X in the Pope's defence, saying that he condemned 'the insult to [Pope Leo] on behalf of the great nation of Iran, and declare that the desecration of Jesus, the prophet of peace and brotherhood, is not acceptable to any free person. I wish you glory by Allah.'

Meanwhile, Spanish prime minister, Pedro Sanchez said that 'while some fill the war with war, Leo XIV sows peace with courage. It will be an honour to receive him in Spain in a few weeks.
The former Lieutenant Governor of Virginia has murdered his estranged wife and killed himself at their $1 million home.

Justin Fairfax, a Democrat, shot his dentist spouse Cerina dead in the unfinished basement of their home in Annandale in the early hours of Thursday, Fairfax County Police said.

The couple's son Cameron, 16, and 14-year-old daughter Carys were home at the time, but unharmed. They are being tended to by relatives and victim services.

Cerina, 49, filed filed for divorce from Fairfax last year and the proceedings were underway at the time of their deaths, with court appearances pending for next week.

Fairfax was recently served paperwork indicating when he was next due to appear in court which investigators say 'may have been a spark' to the deadly act of violence.

The couple had been living together despite being separated and were understood to have separate bedrooms, Fairfax County Police Chief Kevin Davis said.

Davis said his officers responded to the home in January this year after Fairfax alleged that Cerina assaulted him inside the home.

Investigators determined that the alleged assault never occurred and no arrests were made, police said.

Former Virginia Lt Gov Justin Fairfax murdered his wife Cerina in their $1 million Annandale early Thursday morning before turning the gun on himself, police said

Justin Fairfax and his wife Cerina, seen with their daughter Carys and son Cameron

Cerina filed filed for divorce from Fairfax last year and the proceedings were underway at the time of their deaths, with court appearances pending for next week. The couple are seen with their children in an undated photo

Fairfax, a former federal prosecutor and civil litigator, served as Virginia's lieutenant governor from 2018 to 2022 under then-governor Ralph Northam.

He was the state's second most powerful lawmaker during that period.

Fairfax launched his own bid for governor in 2021, but finished fourth in the Democratic primary after his campaign was heavily overshadowed by sexual assault allegations from two women.

Fairfax adamantly denied the women's allegations and said both encounters were entirely consensual. Cerina stood by his side throughout the scandal.

Police descended on the residence just after midnight after Cameron called 911 to say that he thought his father stabbed his mother.

When officers arrived on scene, they discovered Cerina unconscious and bleeding inside the home. Police determined she had been shot.

Cameron told responding officers he did not know where his father was.

Investigators later found Fairfax in a separate area of the home with what appeared to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head.

Both victims were pronounced dead at the scene.

Justin Fairfax launched a failed bid for Virginia governor in 2021. He is seen during the last Democratic primary debate in June that year

Cerina and Justin Fairfax with Carys and Cameron in an undated photo. The children were home at the time of the deadly shooting

Fairfax at the Steelers Training Camp in July 2022. He was born in Pittsburgh but raised in DC

The circumstances leading up to the deadly shooting remain under investigation. Police say there is no ongoing threat to the community.

'It is high profile in nature, it's tragic in nature. Certainly a fall from grace for a relatively high profile family that seemingly had had a lot of things going in their favor,' Davis said during a press briefing Thursday.

'So tragic for the children to lose both parents, extra tragic for them to actually be in the home when it occurred.'

The couple had been married for 20 years but were in the midst of what Davis called a seemingly 'complicated or messy divorce.'

Cerina formally filed for divorce in July last year, but the couple had reportedly been separated since June 2024. The reason for their split was not immediately clear.

Fairfax was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania but raised in Washington DC.

He studied public policy at Duke University and earned his law degree from Columbia University in 2005.

He worked as a litigation partner in Northern Virginia and DC before serving as a federal prosecutor for the Eastern District of Virginia.

Law enforcement secure the crime scene outside the home of Justin Fairfax on Thursday

Fairfax County Police Chief Kevin Davis, during a press briefing Thursday, said Justin and Cerina Fairfax were in the midst of a seemingly 'complicated or messy divorce'

Fairfax, a descendant of slaves, was elected lieutenant governor in 2017, making him the second African American person in Virginia history to win a statewide office.

He was dragged into scandal in 2019 after a photo surfaced from Gov. Ralph Northam's 1984 medical school yearbook page showing a man in blackface standing next to someone in a Ku Klux Klan hood and robe.

Northam faced calls to resign over the racist photo and issued a public apology, while also denying being either of the individuals in the photograph.

Fairfax, in a statement at the time, said he was 'shocked and saddened by the images.'

'As someone whose great-great-great-grandfather was enslaved in Virginia, this episode strikes particularly close to home,' he wrote.

'The Governor needed to apologize, and I am glad that he did so. He also reached out to me personally to express his sincere regrets and to apologize.'

Northam faced near-unanimous calls to resign over the yearbook scandal and Fairfax appeared poised to become Virginia's governor.

But two women, just days apart, accused Fairfax of sexual assault in February 2019. The allegations did not result in criminal charges.

The Fairfax family at a basketball game at DeMatha Catholic High School in December 2022

Lt. Gov. Justin Fairfax answers a question during a Democratic primary debate held in Bristol, Virginia on May 6, 2021

One accused him of forcing her to perform oral sex in his hotel room during the Democratic National Convention in Boston in 2004.

The second accused Fairfax of raping her in 2000 while they were students at Duke University.

Fairfax denied the allegations and filed a $400 million defamation lawsuit against CBS News after the outlet broadcast interviews with his two accusers.

A federal judge threw out the lawsuit in February 2020 after Fairfax failed to prove 'actual malice.'

Both Northam and Fairfax ultimately went on to finish their terms in office.
A packed holiday jet from Bournemouth to Gran Canaria has been diverted to Faro over 'smoke in the cabin.'

The incident triggered a 'red code alert' at the Algarve airport, with emergency response vehicles being mobilised although the plane landed safely.

Local sources said the diversion was due to 'smoke in the cabin.'

The flight had departed from Bournemouth at 9.55am and was due to arrive in Gran Canaria around 3.5 hours later.

The Jet2 Flight LS3643 landed at Faro around 12.25pm local time in Portugal.

A Jet2 spokesperson said: 'Our highly trained crew operating flight LS3643 from Bournemouth to Gran Canaria elected to divert to Faro as a precautionary measure after an aroma was detected in the cabin.

'At no point was safety compromised whatsoever, and the aircraft landed safely.

'A standby aircraft will fly customers from Faro to Gran Canaria, and we would of course like to sincerely apologise to customers for this delay.'

A packed holiday jet from Bournemouth to Gran Canaria (pictured, stock) has been diverted to Faro over 'smoke in the cabin.'

In December last year, another plane, heading from London Stansted to the Canary Islands, was diverted to Portugal following a red alert.

The Boeing 737 was on its way to Fuerteventura but instead landed at Faro Airport.

Emergency services, including paramedics and firefighters, were put on standby at Faro Airport as part of the protocol red alert procedure.

Civil Protection said 35 vehicles and more than 80 responders had been mobilised, including their workers, police, ambulances and firefighters.

Squawk Alert, which follows commercial airlines that declare emergencies, said on its site on X at the time: 'The crew of Jet2 flight EXS83LV from London to Fuerteventura has declared an emergency and are diverting to Faro.'

Another flight emergency site said: 'Diverting to Faro due to a problem with engine number one.'

Earlier the same month, a plane packed with returning UK tourists had to divert following a mid-air toilet malfunction.

Ryanair flight FR1667 should have reached Bristol around 5pm on December 8 after departing from Fuerteventura at lunchtime.

But it diverted to the neighbouring Canary Island of Lanzarote shortly into its 3.5 hour journey after 'some toilets' stopped working, according to local air traffic controllers.
Shoplifting offences reported to police in England and Wales have more than doubled in five years  but just one in five are resulting in a charge, a study revealed today.

Total thefts rose by 133 per cent from 228,128 in 2020/21 to 530,457 in 2024/25, according to House of Commons Library data analysed by the Liberal Democrats.

But just 19.8 per cent of offences in 2024/25 resulted in a charge being made - with the worst rate coming from the Metropolitan Police, which was only 6.5 per cent.

British Transport Police had a charge rate of 10.8 per cent, then Gloucestershire at 11.9 per cent, Avon and Somerset at 12.2 per cent and Dyfed-Powys at 14.3 per cent.

It comes as London retailers face an escalating shoplifting crisis with the Met having reported 93,626 cases in 2024/25, up 202 per cent from 31,008 in 2020/21.

Durham Constabulary had the best record, bringing charges in 32.7 per cent of cases in 2024/25, followed by Humberside at 31.9 per cent and Norfolk at 30.6 per cent.

Lib Dem MP Max Wilkinson, its home affairs spokesperson, said: 'Our communities deserve better than the surge of shoplifting that's ransacking our local high streets.

'For years, the Conservatives quietly dismantled community policing and this Labour Government has failed to properly restore it. Retail workers have in too many cases been left to fend for themselves as hundreds of thousands of shoplifters get away scot free.

Video footage showing prolific criminal Liam Hutchinson stealing from a Boots store

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'Our brilliant small businesses simply cannot afford for this to continue, as they are hammered by other costs from energy bills to business rates.

'Liberal Democrats have time and again said we need a visible neighbourhood police presence, with staffed police counters in every community and officers on the ground, only then can we make our high streets safe for shopkeepers and shoppers.'

But a Home Office spokesman told the Daily Mail: 'This government inherited unacceptable levels of shop theft. Real progress is being made, with the number of people caught and charged rising by 21 per cent.

'Alongside major policing reforms to boost neighbourhood patrols, supported by 13,000 extra neighbourhood officers, we are giving police the powers they need to tackle shop theft, including scrapping the 200 rule that lets too many offenders off the hook.'

Chief Inspector Rav Pathania, the Metropolitan Police's lead for tackling retail crime, also told the Mail: 'Retail crime is a top priority for the Met. Last year, we solved nearly double the number of shoplifting cases and made almost 50 per cent more arrests.

'These results reflect our relentless approach, the effective use of technology such as facial recognition, and close collaboration with retailers - who are vital partners in helping us identify and pursue the repeat offenders causing fear and harm to retail workers and communities.'

On Monday, Chief Inspector Pathania insisted shoplifters are escaping justice because storekeepers are refusing to hand over CCTV.

He claimed that if retail managers released more footage of offences then officers would be able to clamp down on crime  saying that the force never got CCTV for 80 per cent of crimes last year.

Mr Pathania added that in cases where shopkeepers did pass on footage, police could identify 80 per cent of suspects by running the images through databases of known offenders.

The Met claims to be making significant progress in tackling shoplifting, with reported offences in London falling by 3 per cent between April 2025 and March 2026, compared with the same period the previous year.

Its 'positive outcome rate'  including charges, cautions, penalty notices  has risen to 14 per cent in 2024/25, up from 8 per cent in the previous financial year.

However the Iceland executive chairman claimed earlier this month that security guards in shops should carry pepper spray and truncheons to tackle retail crime.

Lord Walker of Broxton, who is also the Government's cost-of-living tsar, said that 'just one incident of violence against my staff is too many' as he pointed to the example of armed Spanish security guards, saying they 'don't mess about'.

A Marks & Spencer store in Clapham was overrun by looting teenagers earlier this month

It comes after Marks and Spencer's retail director, Thinus Keeve, claimed its customer-facing staff were being subjected to violence and abuse every day, and called for the Government and London Mayor Sir Sadiq Khan to crack down on crime.

Mr Keeve spoke out after unrest involving one of the retail giant's stores in Clapham, South London, which saw hundreds of youths swarm high street shops as part of an online trend.

Meanwhile Costa Coffee has hired security guards at around ten stores facing repeated incidents of shoplifting in a bid to prevent its food and drinks being stolen.

Lucy Whing, crime policy lead at the British Retail Consortium, told the Mail: 'The high level of shop theft is a major issue, and retailers are having to take decisive action to tackle it. Ultimately, we are all victims of retail crime, which pushes up the price of goods for honest shoppers.

'Retailers welcome the imminent passage of the Crime and Policing Bill, which will strengthen action against offenders, including making assaulting a retail worker a standalone offence, and removing the 200 threshold for investigating theft.

'It is vital the Police respond to every reported incident to visibly demonstrate to offenders that all types of retail crime will not be tolerated.'

A survey of 1,000 customer-facing workers in the UK by the Institute of Customer Service found around 43 per cent of frontline staff had experienced hostility or abuse from customers in the past six months, up from 36 per cent the previous year.

The Crime and Policing Bill, once passed, will make the assault of a retail worker an offence.

The Bill has cleared both the Commons and Lords, but is going through a 'tidying up process' between the two Houses of Parliament, which must agree on a final draft for the statute books. It returned to the Lords for further consideration today.

The latest Office for National Statistics (ONS) figures available show shoplifting offences increased in England and Wales in the year to September, but remained slightly below record levels seen in the 12 months to March 2025.

There were 519,381 shoplifting offences in the year to September 2025, up 5 per cent from 492,660 the previous year. A total of 530,439 offences were recorded in the year to March 2025.

The Government has pointed to how the rise in levels of shop theft is slowing, with the 5 per cent increase comparing to a 29 per cent rise in the year before Labour came to power.

The data for the 2010/21 year in the Lib Dems' research was also affected by the coronavirus pandemic when many shops were closed due to lockdown restrictions.
Pete Hegseth claimed the US military is 'locked and loaded' to strike Iran, even as Donald Trump insists his administration is still pursuing a deal with the Islamic regime.

The Defense Secretary said US military remains at the ready to destroy the regime if they choose to not accept a peace deal.

Hegseth warned Iranian senior leadership: 'We are watching you.'

'Remember, this is not a fair fight, and we know what military assets you are moving and where you are moving them to,' Hegseth continued. 'We are reloading with more power than ever before, and even more importantly, better intelligence than ever before. As you expose yourself with your movement to our watchful eye.'

Hegseth vowed the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz would remain in place and warned it would be followed by further military strikes if Tehran failed to reach a deal with the US.

'To Iran, choose wisely. I pray you choose a deal which is within your grasp for the betterment of your people and for the betterment of the world,' Hegseth said. 'In the meantime, the War Department is locked and loaded.'

Hegseth's comments contradicts Trump's claim on Wednesday that the strait is 'permanently open' after secret talks with Xi Jinping, claiming the Chinese leader had agreed to stop arming Iran.

After peace talks with the Islamic regime collapsed over the weekend, the President launched a naval blockade of Hormuz, a critical oil chokepoint through which one-fifth of the worlds supply flows.

Hegseth claimed the US military is 'locked and loaded' to strike Iran , even as Donald Trump insists his administration is still pursuing a deal with the Islamic regime

Hegseth's comments contradicts Trump's claim on Wednesday that the strait is 'permanently open' after secret talks with Xi Jinping

After peace talks with the Islamic regime collapsed over the weekend, the President launched a naval blockade of Hormuz, a critical oil chokepoint through which one-fifth of the worlds supply flows

Hegseth also appeared to criticize NATO European allies for not assisting the US military with blocking off the strait.

'You can't live in a world in perpetuity, and this is a message to the rest of the world and our allies, where you just rely on America to continually do the heavy lifting.'

'Oh, Iran might get a nuclear bomb. Who's going to do something about it? America and America only,' Hegseth added. 'Other allies need to invest in their capabilities so they can project power and do basic tasks like clearing a strait.'

Roughly 40 percent of Europes jet fuel supply passes through the Strait of Hormuz, along with about 10 percent of the continents liquefied natural gas imports.

The blockade has fueled global energy inflation, pushing oil prices above $100 per barrel.

'This is a waterway that the American commerce doesn't use all that much,' Hegseth told reporters on Thursday.

'We don't rely on the energy coming out of the Strait of Hormuz, but Asia does, and Europe does, and large parts of the rest of the world do, and so their ability to muster a collective defense or a clearing of the straits would be a wonderful thing.'

Despite Hegseths claim that the U.S. is not economically reliant on the strait, Trumps naval blockade has driven gas prices above $4 per gallon nationwide and is beginning to push up the cost of consumer goods.

Hegseth vowed the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz would remain in place and warned it would be followed by further military strikes if Tehran failed to reach a deal with the US

Hegseth also appeared to criticism NATO European allies for not assisting the US military with blocking off the strait

Iranian diplomats have been in contact with Pakistani mediators in recent days regarding securing a long-term peace agreement with the US.

Trump has told reporters that Iran will make a deal and that the war is effectively over; however, no final agreement has been reached as the two-week ceasefire approaches its expiration.
A mother has condemned a nursery worker for leaving her 14-month-old boy to die 'alone, scared and in pain' after he suffocated while staff tried to make him fall asleep.

Noah Sibanda died after the incident in 2022, having been wrapped in a sleeping bag designed for camping, laid face down and restrained at a nursery with exceptionally dangerous sleeping practices for infants, a court heard.

Fairytales Day Nursery Limited in Dudley, its director and a staff member were being sentenced at Wolverhampton Crown Court this afternoon over the death of Noah.

A victim impact statement read out from Noah's mother Masi Sibanda said today: 'Since his death, there has not been a single day I haven't regretted being alive when he is not. My guilt comes from knowing I handed him over to people who killed him.'

Ms Sibanda compared the 'excessive' force used on him to that used in prisons, adding: 'I can't forgive myself and cannot forgive [the] defendants. Guilt lives with me every time I look at my daughter. Why did [Cookson] hate our son so much?

'From what I've seen she simply does not care, she treated him worse than an animal. They are the reason he died... my child died alone, scared and in pain.'

She added that she wondered whether Noah's treatment was due to his skin colour, adding: 'Behind closed doors, they were playing Russian Roulette with our children.

'Last time I saw and held my child was in hospital, shortly after I was told nothing more could be done. He wouldn't open his eyes when I whispered to him that it was time to go home.'

Masi Sibanda is pictured with her husband Thulani Sibanda and their son Noah Sibanda

Noah Sibanda died after the incident at Dudley's Fairytales Day Nursery on December 9, 2022

Business owner Deborah Latewood, 55, admitted a Health and Safety at Work Act offence

The toddler, who attended the nursery in Bourne Street five days a week, had been seen tightly wrapped and struggling over an hour before he was eventually left to sleep in a three-season sleeping bag designed for camping.

Nursery practitioner Kimberley Cookson, 23, admitted gross negligence manslaughter in relation to her actions in trying to make the toddler sleep on December 9, 2022.

Last month, Fairytales Day Nursery Limited admitted one count of corporate manslaughter and a Health and Safety at Work Act offence.

Director and business owner Deborah Latewood, 55, also admitted a Health and Safety at Work Act offence on the basis that she did not know  but should have known  children were being put down to sleep in a dangerous way.

Prosecutors said the incident, which was captured on CCTV at the nursery, saw Noah tightly wrapped in the sleeping bag with a blanket over his head and laid face down to sleep by Cookson.

She is said to have restrained him with her knee for seven minutes before walking away when the child finally appeared to have gone to sleep.

Between 1.12pm and 3.13pm, when Cookson checked on Noah and realised he was unresponsive, he was not seen to move.

Once Cookson realised there was a problem, an ambulance was called and staff began resuscitation attempts.

Nursery practitioner Kimberley Cookson, 23, has admitted gross negligence manslaughter

Fairytales Day Nursery Limited admitted two offences including corporate manslaughter

The toddler was transferred by ambulance to hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 4.15pm, the court was told.

Cookson told police she had learnt how to wrap and swaddle babies at the nursery, and thought it was fine to cover childrens faces as long as airflow was not restricted.

She said she had no formal training in how to put children down to sleep, and that Noah liked to be wrapped and usually fell asleep instantly.

Rashad Mohammed, defending Cookson, who had no previous convictions, said she bitterly regrets what happened and admits she deserves to be punished.

He told Wolverhampton Crown Court: Her motivation that day was to try and put Noah to sleep.

She did not intend to cause him any harm.

But Mr Mohammed said there were wholesale failures by all the staff at the nursery that day and not just Miss Cookson. A failure to adequately train staff saw Cookson learning on the joband what she was learning was just wrong, he added.

Dominic Kay KC, representing the nursery, which opened in 2003, acknowledged that the Sibandas had trusted their child to Fairytales and this should never have happened.

He said a culture of ill-treatment seemed to have developed amongst some staff in the baby room in the weeks leading up to Noahs death, and that management had failed to stop that.

Mr Kay said the nursery had a safe sleep policy and staff had been trained trained, but it had clearly not been effective with regard to sleeping practices, he sai

He said it could be inferred that the decline in standards coincided with Latewood spending more time at a second site the business had.

Mark Balysz KC, for Latewood, read a letter from the mother-of-one in which she told the court of her sorrow. She said it had been her life-long dream to set up a nursery after working at other sub-standard businesses in the past.

He said that she was shocked and dismayed by the conduct of staff on the footage disclosed by police and added that her personal and professional life had collapsed as a result of Noahs death.

Latewood had been forced to sell her home and now had large debts, the court heard.

The court heard Ofsted had last inspected the nursery in early 2022 and it was rated as good.

However, the report did not inspect the sleeping arrangements of the children.

Noahs parents had been attracted to the nursery's good rating by Ofsted, but were actively looking for alternative childcare arrangements at the time of Noahs death due to staffing changes.

The couple welcomed the birth of their daughter just ten days after Noah's funeral.

The court heard Fairytales Day Nursery has no assets and went into liquidation after it was ordered to close following the death.

The case was adjourned until tomorrow afternoon when Mr Justice Choudhury will sentence Cookson, Latewood and the nursery.
BEIJING, April 16, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- A sea of people surged through the venue, voices overlapping as deals were struck and cameras flashed, with the latest products drawing eager attention. It felt like a vast open market, yet with a global twist: visitors from around the world, each seeking opportunity in China's increasingly open consumer landscape. They were gathered at the annual China International Consumer Products Expo (CICPE) in Haikou, capital city of South China's Hainan Province.

The CICPE, now in its sixth edition, is the largest consumer goods exhibition in the Asia-Pacific region. This year's event features national pavilions from 22 countries and regions, including Ireland, Switzerland, South Korea, and Italy, with the number of participating country and regional delegations reaching a record high.

More than 3,400 brands from more than 60 countries and regions are participating in this year's CICPE, with international exhibits accounting for 65 percent of the total, up 20 percentage points from the previous edition.

More than 200 product series will make their debuts, with more than 40 organizations and nearly 100 brands taking part in the launches, covering areas such as healthcare, jewelry, and digital technology.

Amid profound shifts in the global economic and trade landscape, market access has become an increasingly scarce resource. China's continued commitment to opening up has strengthened the willingness of companies worldwide to bring their products and services to the Chinese market, a trend clearly reflected in the strong participation at this year's CICPE, a Chinese expert said.

Catherine O'Grady, CEO of Glen Keen Estate Irish Whiskey, is attending the expo for the first time, hoping to explore partnership opportunities. She has brought a range of family-produced whiskies, some of which are already available in the Chinese market.

"My main focus over the six days is to build long-term partnerships," she told the Global Times at the expo. She noted that Ireland remains overly reliant on a few key markets, particularly the US. With diversification becoming increasingly important, China is an important new market for the company to explore, she noted.

Also at the Irish booth, a Global Times reporter met with Deputy Head of Mission of the Embassy of Ireland in China Barry Mulligan. He has been here since 2024 when Ireland was the country of honor of the CICPE.

"This year, we're focusing more on our high-quality premium products, rather than a diverse range of products," he said, giving examples of whisky, dairy products and skin products.

In early January, Irish Prime Minister Micheal Martin visited China, marking the first visit to China by an Irish Taoiseach in 14 years. "Ireland and China have an ongoing very good relationship," said Mulligan, noting that China is Ireland's biggest trading partner in Asia, and it grew by 5 percent last year.

"So we see opportunities for all of our Irish companies to come to China, to invest in China, and to sell our products in China," the Irish envoy said.

Alberto Morettini, general manager of Oleificio Toscano Morettini, represents the third generation in his family business, which has made its olive oil products available in many parts of the world, ranging from the US to Europe.

But it is now looking into new and fast-growing markets such as China. Last year, it sold about 1,000 bottles in the China market, and it hopes to at least double this number this year.

"China is a huge market with 1.4 billion people we cannot miss that, which is why we are here," he said.

Marvis, a 27-year-old businessperson from Nigeria who started her own trading company in Haikou last year, is exploring the expo with great excitement as she looks for new partnerships.

She currently trades China-made products to African countries such as Nigeria, and hopes to eventually bring African products to China, where she sees strong potential for cooperation.

As the first major event following the launch of island-wide special customs operations of the Hainan Free Trade Port (FTP), this year's CICPE is not only the first major domestic exhibition in the opening year of the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-30), but also a landmark event showcasing the achievements of the customs closure while leading global consumption.

Celebrating its 70th anniversary this year, the TCP Group is participating in the CICPE for the sixth consecutive year with the Red Bull brand.

Khun Supachai Junkeiat, CEO of TCP China, commented: "Guided by China's 15th Five-Year Plan and the Healthy China strategy, China's consumer market is rapidly transforming toward being quality-oriented, health-conscious, and diverse - a direction that closely aligns with TCP Group's development positioning. We have always been confident in the upgrading potential of China's super-large consumer market. As a gateway for high-level opening-up, CICPE provides TCP Group with a valuable platform for exhibition and exchanges as well as product innovation."

Oscar Felipe Rueda Plata, commercial counselor, Colombian Embassy in China, told the Global Times that it is the first time for him to attend this event, but "I do believe that this exhibition is going to become more and more important and I do believe there are a lot of opportunities for Colombian products."

We are a major exporter of agricultural products, so we do hope to bring some of them here in the near term, he said.

More and more brands from countries and regions around the world are coming to the expo, a trend that once again reflects growing confidence and willingness among global suppliers to tap into China's consumer market, Zhou Mi, a senior research fellow at the Chinese Academy of International Trade and Economic Cooperation, told the Global Times on Monday.

Moreover, China has continued to lower import tariffs and expand imports of a wide range of goods from various countries, providing important support for overseas consumer goods suppliers to meet China's regulatory requirements and expand exports to the Chinese market at lower costs, Zhou said.

These developments suggest that despite ongoing uncertainties in global trade driven by unilateralism and protectionism, the world's second-largest economy's continued opening-up provides a stable and sustainable pathway for companies worldwide to share in its opportunities, said Zhou.

SOURCE Global Times
Keir Starmer today warned tech firms he is 'going to act' on protecting young people on social media - but admitted he didn't yet know what he's going to do or when.

The Prime Minister hauled bosses from X, Snap, TikTok, Google, and Instagram parent company Meta into Downing Street on Thursday morning.

He pushed them to go further on protecting children as the Government mulls the introduction of new restrictions.

At the top of the meeting, Sir Keir told tech bosses: 'Things can't go on like this, they must change because right now social media is putting our children at risk.

'In a world in which children are protected, even if that means access is restricted, that is preferable to a world where harm is the price of participation.'

The talks came midway though Labour's consultation on how to protect children online, with potential measures including an Australian-style social media ban for under-16s, limits on addictive features and stronger controls on AI chatbots.

Speaking later to LBC, Sir Keir said it was 'not a question of whether there's going to be something done, we are going to act'.

But the PM added: 'The question now is what exactly is that and what is the timescale around it.'

Keir Starmer warned tech firms he is 'going to act' on protecting young people on social media - but admitted he didn't yet know what he's going to do or when

(From left to right) Ronan Harris, EMEA president of Snap, Wifredo Fernandez, director of global affairs at X, and Alistair Law, TikTok director of public policy and government affairs for northern Europe depart the No10 talks

Sir Keir would not commit to action by the summer but pointed to how the Government was already taking powers so it could act 'swiftly' when it decides what to do.

He said: 'We took powers earlier in Parliament to make sure we can act very quickly, so this won't be like the Online Safety Act which took years - this is going to be much quicker than that.

'We're not a Government that is going to sit back here, we're going to act... this has to be done and it has to be done swiftly.'

The PM suggested he used to limit his own children's social media use when they were younger.

'So far as any parent, all of us are worried about social media,' he added. 'My children are slightly older now. My boy is nearly 18, my girl is 15, so they're a bit older.

'But yes, we talk to them about social media  and when they were younger we had limits on how long they could be on, etc, the same sort of discussions as many parents will be having.

'But this isn't about what individual parents are doing. I think most parents are saying, we want help.

'Most parents are saying, we are concerned about this, please put a framework around it. And that's why I say we are going to act here.'

Among those to attend the talks in No10 on Thursday were Wifredo Fernandez, X's director of global government affairs, and Alistair Law, TikTok's director of public policy and government affairs for Northern Europe.

They were joined by Markus Reinisch, Meta's vice president for public policy in Europe, and Kate Alessi, vice president and managing director of Google UK and Ireland.

Sir Keir's promise of action came despite MPs again rejecting calls for a default ban on children accessing social media.

As part of the Children's Wellbeing and Schools Bill, ministers are set to gain a flexible power to curb children's social media use with curfews, scrolling limits and restrictions on location sharing.

The Government could also choose to block under-16s from specified platforms.

A consultation, set to close next month, was set up to help ministers decide what action they should take.

Tory former minister Lord Nash had proposed a default ban on children using the social media platforms deemed harmful, with a 12-month implementation window, which the House of Lords initially agreed to.

But the House of Commons has now twice rejected it - during 'ping pong' between the two parliamentary chambers - in favour of the flexible power.

On Wednesday night, MPs voted by 256 to 150, majority 106, to side with the Government.

Education minister Olivia Bailey told the Commons: 'Instead of the narrow amendment proposed in the House of Lords, our consultation allows us to address a much wider range of services and features.'

She promised the Government would not pursue 'endless rounds of consultation'.

But Tory shadow education secretary Laura Trott said: 'I will keep fighting until the Government offers a ban on social media on the face of the Bill.'
Shocking new images show an unsecured crane swinging from the trailer of a lorry moments before it struck and killed a mother as she pushed her toddler in a pram.

Rebecca Ableman, 30, was hit on the head in Willingham, Cambridgeshire, seconds after moving her two-year-old daughter Autumn to safety in a final act of heroism.

Lorry driver Kevin Miller, 71, continued on his journey totally unaware of the collision shortly after 11am on September 22, 2022.

It wasn't until the worker returned to his depot hours later and was confronted by police that he realised what had happened.

Video footage shared by the Daily Mail this week showed Miller's lorry rumbling along a road with the unsecured crane hanging by its side moments before striking Ms Ableman.

And new images have now laid bare just how loosely the crane was secured to the back of Miller's vehicle.

Checks showed that he had failed to secure the crane to the bed of his lorry and instead attached it loosely to an 18-ton load of disused railway track he was transporting for scrap.

The load then shifted during his journey on a winding road, causing the boom to swing out.

Shocking new images show an unsecured crane swinging from the trailer of a lorry moments before it struck and killed a mother as she pushed her toddler in a pram

The crane had not been secured to the lorry's trailer and was instead attached to an 18-ton load of disused railway track

Rebecca Ableman, 30, was hit on the head by the crane in Willingham, Cambridgeshire, seconds after pushing her two-year-old daughter Autumn to safety in a final act of heroism

Miller, of Bawsey, was jailed for 13 months on Tuesday at Peterborough Crown Court after pleading guilty to causing death by careless/ inconsiderate driving. He was also banned from driving for two years and six months.

Ms Ableman's heartbroken partner Chris Tuczemskyi told the court earlier this week that he had been planning to have fish and chips for dinner with his girlfriend on the day she died.

Their daughter Autumn started school for the first time in 2024, with Chris admitting life was 'still hard'.

He said in a victim statement: 'Becky died because basic safety measures were not taken. A 10 ratchet strap could have prevented this.'

Miller's shocking lax attitude to safety happened despite industry body the Association of Lorry Loaders Manufacturers and Importers launching a campaign in February 2022 - just seven months before Miller's fateful journey - called 'Strap down your loader crane'.

Ms Ableman was near her home in the village of Willingham when she received the fatal blow from behind.

The mental healthcare assistant was flown to hospital by air ambulance with catastrophic head and brain injuries but died just over three weeks later when her life support was turned off.

Her sisters Natalie and Christina revealed her heroism in their impact statement yesterday, saying: 'Her last act was to push the pram out of the way, taking the force herself and saving her child.'

The defendant, of King's Lynn, Norfolk, was due to go on trial in February for causing death by dangerous driving.

But the prosecution accepted an alternative charge he admitted of causing death by careless driving, following consultations with expert witnesses and Mrs Ableman's family.

Kevin Miller, 71-year-old driver of the lorry, was this week jailed for 13 months at Peterborough Crown Court after pleading guilty to causing death by careless/ inconsiderate driving

Miller remained unaware that the crane had left Ms Ableman with unsurvivable head injuries as he carried on with his run

The court heard yesterday how Miller had set out from his depot in King's Lynn at 3.50am and had driven to a Network Rail depot in Leigh-on-Sea, Essex, to pick up his load of scrap rails.

He left the depot at around 8.30am, heading back north and going down the B1050 country road through Willingham because traffic was heavy on his usual route.

Prosecutor William Carter said: 'As he went through Willingham, the boom on his loader crane slewed to the near side. That left it in the position which we can see on CCTV where the crane grab can be seen overhanging the nearside of the lorry.'

He said that Miller had 'failed to adequately secure the boom on his crane, which amounted to carelessness' and which 'fell below what would be expected of a competent and careful driver'.

'It was that which led to Rebecca's death because leaving it unsecured enabled it to slew from the lorry trailer and it ended up sticking out over the pavement in a position to strike Rebecca on the back of her head, causing her death,' Mr Carter added.

'The route he was taking on the B1050 was not the route he regularly used. It meant he was travelling along a road which was not straight and flat. He had to negotiate a number of roundabouts and brake a number of times.'

Mr Carter told the court the crane boom was jutting out for between 30 and 40 seconds before the collision on the 30mph limit road.

Miller 'drove on apparently completely unaware that anything untoward had happened', with the crane still hanging off his trailer.

Once he had driven through Willingham, he spotted in his mirror that the crane had moved and pulled over to mechanically move it back into place.

He then carried on his journey, stopping at March to drop off his load before returning to his yard in King's Lynn where police were waiting to speak to him after identifying his lorry from CCTV.

Mr Carter said: 'He had not taken what the Crown say was an elementary precaution by strapping the boom down to the trailer itself.

'All that was required was further strapping which could be thrown over the boom and tightened but he had not done that.'

As he was arrested, Miller protested: 'What happened mate? I ain't hit no one mate.'

The defendant insisted he had always secured the crane the same way by attaching it to his load, thinking that its hydraulics were sufficient to keep it in position.

He also claimed he had been stopped routinely by vehicle inspectors and had never been told that the crane should be strapped down separately.

But Mr Carter said: 'The prosecution say that, self-evidently, this method of securing the crane and boom was inadequate.'

Experts found that Miller's crane was also dangerous and beyond economic repair, with defects present prior to the collision, suggesting there had been 'a sustained period where little or no maintenance had been carried out'.

An overload safety system had been overridden, there were cracks in the chassis and bolts holding the crane down were in poor condition, with no locks on stabilisers which were 'pinned awkwardly'.

An emergency stop button was also not working and hydraulic hoses and pipes were in an 'appalling' condition.

Ms Ableman was hailed a hero by her sisters, who said: 'Her last act was to push the pram out of the way, taking the force herself and saving her child.'

Ms Ableman pictured with Autumn and partner Chris Tuczemskyi, 27

Mr Carter said there was also 'excessive play' in the slew, which may have contributed to excessive movement of the loader crane during travel, particularly when cornering.

Paying tribute to his partner shortly after her death, Mr Tuczemskyi, 37, said: 'To me, she was my light in the darkest of nights, my rock for when I stumbled and my best friend.

'She made me a better person, she pushed me to be and do better because she could see my potential when I could not.'

Mr Tuczemskyi started a fundraising page on GoFundMe in memory of his partner, who worked in a mental health hospital in Cambridge, with funds going to East Anglian Air Ambulance and Addenbrooke's Neuro ICU.

He was also raising funds for Autumn to explore the world and create a memorial bench for her late mother.

She had her first day at Willingham Primary School in September 2024.

DC Kev Drury, who investigated, said: 'This was a shocking incident where an innocent young mum, who was walking with her daughter following a visit to a farm shop, was killed because of Miller's carelessness in not securing the crane properly.

'I hope this case serves as a reminder to all professional drivers to make sure their loads and equipment are fully secured. Rebecca would be alive today had Miller done this.

'I would also like to thank the passers-by who went to help Rebecca in the aftermath of the collision despite the traumatic scene.

'My thoughts continue to be with her family and friends as they continue to grieve.'
Thousands of migrants have descended on consulates across Spain after the country approved plans to give legal status to 500,000 migrants.

Since Saturday, some 8,000 migrants have visited the Moroccan consulate in Almeria alone to collect the necessary documentation needed to gain legal entry into the country.

It comes as online applications opened today after Spain's socialist government rubber-stamped the initiative at a cabinet meeting on Tuesday.

Images from this weekend from Madrid, Bilbao, and Almeria showed snaking queues consisting of hundreds of people in the streets.

In a bid to alleviate pressure on an already overburdened immigration system, only five of the country's 54 immigration offices are responsible for handling applications.

The rest are being distributed among social security offices, post offices, and NGOs, according to the Spanish union CCOO.

Immigration offices across the country this week threatened to strike next week in protest at Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez's mass amnesty program for undocumented migrants.

The amnesty is a central plank of Sanchez's progressive agenda to harness the economic benefits of migration for its ageing population, even as other European governments move to tighten their borders.

Footage captured migrants clambering on to security gates as they attemped to get into the consulates in Spain

People wait in a long queue to enter the Consulate General of the Kingdom of Morocco in Bilbao, Spain, on April 15, 2026

Several people queue to enter the Moroccan Embassy and Consulate, 15 April 2026, in Madrid

Online applications opened today after Spain's socialist government rubber-stamped the initiative at a cabinet meeting on Tuesday

Immigration officers warned that the system is unprepared for the challenge and have threatened a strike from April 21, halting all immigration applications in protest at the lack of resources allocated to the process.

'The government is once again implementing a new regularization without giving offices enough economic resources to handle it,' Cesar Perez, a union leader for Spain's immigration officers, said to Reuters earlier this week.

Spain's 50 million-strong population has swelled in recent years to include around 10 million people living in Spain who were born abroad.

Spanish think tank Funcas estimates that roughly 840,000 undocumented migrants are in the workforce at present.

The country's opposition Popular Party has deemed the drive reckless, despite former conservative governments pushing through similar measures.

Isabel Diaz Ayuso, president of the community of Madrid and a prominent figure in the party, has threatened to appeal the drive in court.

Sanchez described the drive in a letter addressed to citizens published on Tuesday on X as not only an act of justice but also an economic necessity.

'Spain is ageing... Without more people working and contributing to the economy, our prosperity slows, and our public services suffer,' he wrote.

In the past three years, Spain's population rose by 1.5 million to 48.9 million, with almost all the increase due to immigration.

Latin Americans make up 70 per cent of recent arrivals.

Sanchez argues immigrants are key to Spain's economy, which expanded 2.8 per cent last year - more than twice the average expected in the entire eurozone.

The country has been outperforming other EU nations in recent years, with unemployment - a longstanding issue in the Spanish economy - dipping below 10 per cent for the first time since 2008.

Join the discussion Is this a solution or a mistake?

Spain's left-wing government yesterday approved a decree expected to regularise around 500,000 undocumented migrants, said Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, who has bucked a European trend cracking down on irregular immigration

Several people queue to enter the Moroccan Embassy and Consulate, 15 April 2026, in Madrid

The amnesty is a central plank of Sanchez's progressive agenda to harness the economic benefits of migration for its ageing population, even as other European governments move to tighten their borders

But with about 90 per cent of new jobs going to immigrants, income per person has barely grown in Spain.

Moreover, each year sees 140,000 new households, but only about 80,000 new homes built.

A lack of affordable housing has become a central grievance among voters, contributing to social tension.

Critics of the new programme argue that without simultaneous housing policy reforms, legalising large numbers of migrants increases competition for scarce accommodation, particularly in urban centres such as Barcelona and Madrid.

Santiago Abascal, the leader of the populist hard-right party Vox, accused the Socialist-led coalition of accelerating what he called an 'invasion'.

Pepa Millan, spokeswoman for Vox, said the plan 'attacks our identity', pledging that the party would appeal before the Supreme Court in an attempt to block it.

The political row escalated after Musk posted a link on X - which he owns - to a post by a man named Ian Miles Cheong who called the plan 'electoral engineering', along with the comment: 'Wow.'

'Spain just legalized 500,000 illegal aliens to "defeat the far-right",' Cheong wrote in the post which has had over 16 million views.

'The logic is simple: legalise half a million people, fast-track them to citizenship (which takes as little as two years for many), and you've effectively imported a massive, loyal voting bloc that's indebted to the left,' he continued.

Sanchez hit back at Musk, responding to the tech mogul's post on X with the message: 'Mars can wait. Humanity can't.'
Emergency services aircraft such as air ambulances would be prioritised under 'worst case scenario' planning for jet fuel shortages, the Daily Mail can reveal today.

Ministers are currently war-gaming the possibility of supplies of the fuel starting to dry up around the May half-term holidays, in about five to six weeks' time, if the Strait of Hormuz remains closed.

As it stands, officials believe less than 10 per cent of flights would have to be cancelled if shortages hit because Britain has 'diversified' where it buys the fuel from.

However, this could still affect thousands of passengers as the summer holiday high season ramps up.

Officials have told airlines they must give passengers at least two weeks' notice of any cancellations to avoid a repeat of chaotic scenes during the Covid-19 pandemic, when flights were axed at the eleventh hour and passengers left in the lurch.

According to sources familiar with shortages planning, were supplies to completely dry up, emergency services craft such as air ambulances and lifeguard and police helicopters would be prioritised for receiving supplies.

However, it is understood that ministers believe this is an unlikely scenario.

It came as the head of a global energy watchdog said they believed shortages in Europe could be just six weeks away.

Workers use a fuel truck to service an easyJet plane at Milan's Malpensa Airport on Monday

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Fatih Birol, the executive director of the International Energy Agency, said there would be flight cancellations 'soon' if oil supplies from the Middle East were not restored within the coming weeks.

Mr Birol said the conflict was causing 'the largest energy crisis we have ever faced'.

He said Asian counties such as Japan, India and China that rely on energy from the Middle East are on 'the front line', but pressure will then 'come to Europe and the Americas'. Europe has 'maybe six weeks or so (of) jet fuel left', he warned.

If the Strait of Hormuz is not reopened, the impact on Europe may be that 'some of the flights from city A to city B might be cancelled as a result of lack of jet fuel', he added.

How are global airlines responding to the surge in jet fuel prices? AEGEAN AIRLINES: The Greek airline expects suspended Middle East flights and a spike in fuel prices to have a 'notable impact' on its next results. AIRASIA X: The Malaysian airline's executives said the company had cut 10% of flights across the group, with a surcharge of about 20% on fuel. AIR FRANCE-KLM: The airline group said it planned to increase long-haul ticket prices to address surging fuel costs, with cabin fares set to rise by 50 (44) per round trip. AIR INDIA: The Indian flag carrier said it would revise its fuel surcharge from a flat domestic surcharge to a distance-based grid, as surcharges on international routes don't compensate for an exponential rise in jet fuel prices. AIR NEW ZEALAND: The airline said on April 7 it would slash flights through May and June and hike fares, having been one of the first to confirm broad price increases when the war began. AKASA AIR: India's Akasa Air said it was introducing a fuel surcharge ranging between 199 and 1,300 Indian rupees (2 to 10) on domestic and international flights. ALASKA AIR: The US airline said it will hike fees for the first checked bag by $5 (4) and by $10 (7) for the second on its North American flights, as well as for its Hawaiian Airlines unit. It increased prices for a third checked bag from $50 (37) to $200 (148). AMERICAN AIRLINES: The US carrier said it would hike checked baggage fees by $10 (7) each for the first and second checked bags and by $150 (111) for the third checked bag on domestic and short-haul international flights. The airline also trimmed certain benefits for economy passengers. CATHAY PACIFIC: The Hong Kong airline said it would cut some flight from mid-May until the end of June, cancelling about 2% of its scheduled passenger flights, while its budget airline HK Express is cutting around 6% of flights. The carrier previously said it would hike its fuel surcharge by 34% across routes from April 1 and review them every two weeks. CEBU AIR: The Philippines-based airline said the sharp rise in fuel prices was a concern and it would continue to review its pricing and network strategies to mitigate the impact. CHINA EASTERN AIRLINES: The airline said it would raise fuel surcharges for domestic flights from April 5, with flights of 800km and below hit with a 60 yuan (6) surcharge and a 120 yuan (13) surcharge for flights over 800km. DELTA AIR LINES: Delta said it would cut capacity by around 3.5 percentage points from its original plan and raise fees for checked bags in an attempt to offset soaring jet fuel costs, with an increase of $10 (7) on the price of first and second checked bags and a $50 (37) increase on the third checked bag. The US airline pulled all planned capacity growth for the current quarter and forecast profit below Wall Street expectations. EASYJET: EasyJet CEO Kenton Jarvis said European consumers should expect higher ticket prices towards the end of summer, when existing fuel hedges come to an end. FRONTIER AIRLINES: The US airline is reviewing its full-year forecast as fuel prices have increased significantly since it issued the outlook. GREATER BAY AIRLINES: The Hong Kong-based company said it would raise fuel surcharges on most routes from April 1, while keeping them unchanged on mainland China and Japan routes. Its surcharge for flights between Hong Kong and the Philippines will more than double. HONG KONG AIRLINES: The airline said it would raise fuel surcharges by up to 35% from March 12, with the sharpest increase on flights between Hong Kong and the Maldives, Bangladesh and Nepal, where charges would rise to HK$384 (36) from HK$284 (27). IAG: British Airways-owner IAG said on March 10 it did not plan to increase ticket prices immediately, as it has hedged much of its fuel for the short- to medium-term. INDIGO: India's biggest airline said it would introduce fuel charges on domestic and international flights from March 14, including a charge of 900 rupees (7) for flights to the Middle East and a charge of 2,300 rupees (18) for flights to Europe. JETBLUE AIRWAYS: The US-based low-cost carrier said it was increasing fees for optional services such as checked baggage as it experiences 'rising operating costs'. Baggage prices will rise by either $4 (3) or $9 (7), it said. KOREAN AIR: The South Korean flag carrier will enter emergency management mode from April, as rising oil prices weigh on costs, a source told Reuters. The airline plans to implement phased response measures based on oil price levels, and step up company-wide cost efficiency to offset surging fuel costs. PAKISTAN INTERNATIONAL AIRLINES: The carrier said it would raise domestic flight fares by $20 (15) and international fares by up to $100 (74), citing higher fuel surcharges. QANTAS AIRWAYS: Australia's Qantas said it had delayed a planned A$150million buyback and was raising its estimated fuel bill for the second half of 2026 to A$3.1bn-A$3.3bn, from a previous A$2.5bn forecast. SAS: The Scandinavian airline said it would cancel 1,000 flights in April because of high oil and jet fuel prices, after cancelling a 'couple hundred' flights in March. SAS, which had already increased flight prices, said that even if it tried to absorb the rising fuel costs, the price surge would still be a blow to the aviation industry. SPRING AIRLINES: The budget Chinese airline said it would raise fuel surcharges on domestic flights from April 5, with details to be announced later. SOUTHWEST AIRLINES: The American carrier said it would hike checked baggage fees by $10 (7) for the first and second bags, raising costs to $45 (33) for the first bag and $55 (41) for the second. TAP: The Portuguese airline said its price hikes would partially mitigate the impact of fuel price changes on its revenue. THAI AIRWAYS: The Thailand-based carrier said it would raise fares by 10% to 15% to address rising fuel costs. TURKISH AIRLINES, LUFTHANSA: SunExpress, a joint venture between Turkish Airlines and Lufthansa, said it would impose a temporary fuel surcharge of 10 (9) per passenger from May 1 on routes between Turkey and Europe. The surcharge will apply to bookings made on or after April 1 for departures on or after May 1. T'WAY AIR: The South Korean low-cost carrier said on April 13 it plans to furlough some of its cabin crew without pay in May and June as part of its measures to address the impact of the war in the Middle East. UNITED AIRLINES: The US airline is cutting unprofitable flights over the next two quarters as it prepares for oil prices to remain above $100 until the end of 2027, CEO Scott Kirby said. United has raised fares without materially hurting bookings in response to the rapid increase in oil and jet fuel prices, its Chief Commercial Officer said. The carrier is also increasing first and second checked bag fees by $10 (7) for customers travelling in the US, Mexico and Canada and Latin America, it said. VIETJET: The Vietnamese budget airline said it had adjusted flight frequency on selected routes due to potential fuel shortages. VIETNAM AIRLINES: The carrier plans to cancel 23 flights per week across domestic routes from April, Vietnam's aviation authority said, after the airline requested government assistance to remove an environmental tax on jet fuel. VIRGIN ATLANTIC: The airline is adding fuel surcharges to fares but will still struggle to return to profitability this year, its CEO Corneel Koster told the Financial Times. VIRGIN AUSTRALIA: Virgin Australia said it expects an increase in jet fuel cost of around A$30million (16million) to A$40million (21million) for the second half of this fiscal year, as well as a 1 per cent reduction in capacity in the fourth quarter. The airline previously said it was adjusting fares to reflect rising cost pressures. WESTJET: The Canadian airline will add a C$60 (32) fuel surcharge to some bookings and combine flights as costs soar.

The US-Israel war on Iran has caused turmoil in global energy markets since the first strikes at the end of February.

In retaliation, Iran has effectively closed the strait, a vital export route for oil from the Gulf.

As a result, jet fuel prices have rocketed at a faster rate than petrol or diesel prices for cars at forecourts, roughly doubling since the start of the conflict.

It means holidaymakers are also facing sharp fare increases this summer, with some airlines already passing on higher fuel costs to passengers.

EasyJet said today that the conflict in the Middle East cost the airline about 25million in higher jet fuel prices last month.

It means the airline will likely hike fares to cover the loss, with several others facing a similar situation.

EasyJet chief executive Kenton Jarvis said: 'We only ever in this industry have three to four weeks visibility (of jet fuel supplies), and that is the same as it was pre-crisis.

'We have visibility to the middle of May, and we have no concerns. What we're seeing is airports and fuel suppliers working well to bring jet fuel to the airports.'

The Luton-based airline said it expects to report a headline loss before tax of between 540million and 560million for the six months to the end of March.

The war has introduced 'near-term uncertainty around fuel costs and customer demand', easyJet reported.

Bookings are down two percentage points for the three months to the end of both June and September compared with a year ago.

A government spokesperson said: 'We continue to engage with British airlines to support their operations against the backdrop of war in the Middle East, and to limit the impact on passengers.

'Most airlines purchase their aviation fuel in advance to offset price fluctuations, however we are aware of the impact to businesses, and are working with international allies to see a reopening of the Strait as soon as possible.'

Meanwhile Spain and Portugal are bracing for a tourism boom as millions of travellers avoid war-affected destinations in the Middle East.

Summer flight bookings to Spain have soared 32 per cent year-on-year with hotel searches up 28 per cent, according to digital travel marketing platform Sojern.

Portugal has recorded a 21 per cent rise in flight bookings with hotel searches rising 16 per cent, as both countries see a surge in interest for late spring and summer.

Travel data firm Mabrian reported a notable shift where tourists are no longer booking Middle Eastern destinations and instead heading for the southern Mediterranean.

Countries in the eastern Mediterranean such as Cyprus, where a drone hit a UK base last month, have faced a wave of cancellations - with demand also falling for the likes of Turkey, Greece and Egypt.

European officials are drafting up emergency plans to tackle the jet fuel crisis after airlines warned of possible shortages within weeks due to the Iran war.

The war has sent jet fuel prices soaring as much as $200 (158) a barrel in recent weeks, upending the aviation industry and forcing airlines to curb growth plans.

The latest average global jet fuel cost was $198 per barrel last week - double the $99 in late February when the war began, the International Air Transport Association said.

Meanwhile families with young children have been stranded abroad due to the new Entry/Exit System (EES) which requires travellers from third-party countries, including the UK, to have their fingerprints and photos taken as they enter the Schengen area.

Further checks take place when they leave, and because these can take hours, some travellers have been stuck at passport control after their flights have already left.

Passengers travelling across Europe were hit by delays and cancellations over the weekend with long queues forming at destinations including Geneva, Lisbon and Malta  while others faced two-hour waits on Monday in Brussels and Amsterdam.

Despite concerns over the EES, Spanish tourism industry group Exceltur has noted an uplift in bookings to the country due to the conflict, with vice president Oscar Perelli saying today: 'Summer holidays are planned months in advance.

'As destinations that attract large numbers of tourists are affected by the conflict, a significant part of this safe-haven effect is already materialising in purchases and bookings to Spain.'

Sylvia Weiler, Sojern's general manager for global destinations, added: 'Travellers are adapting rather than retreating.'

Up to 181million tourists visit the Middle East and eastern Mediterranean annually. Spain alone received a record 97million last year.

Exceltur last week forecast Spain's tourism activity would grow 2.5 per cent in real terms this year to 227billion (197billion) up from a previous 2.4 per cent projection and last year's 2.1 per cent expansion.

It estimates diverted tourists could generate an additional 4.2billion (3.7billion) to that industry total this year.

The sector, a cornerstone of the economy that has helped Spain outpace most European peers in the past few years, is expected to expand faster than overall economic growth, which is forecast at 2.3 per cent.

Spain's main hotel association Cehat expects room occupancy rates to rise by up to 3 per cent this summer.

'Tourists are choosing destinations farther from Mediterranean conflict zones, such as the Canary Islands, for their summer family holidays,' said Cehat president Jorge Marichal, warning however that gains could be offset by a reduction in overall travel.

Airlines are boosting capacity, with nearly 6 per cent more seats available in April than a year ago, according to the official tourism agency Turespana, with the strongest increases on flights from Britain and the US.

However, higher jet fuel prices and further disruptions for long-haul travelers at Middle Eastern transit hubs could curtail the gains, Exceltur cautioned.

Mr Marichal added: 'It will all depend on what happens in the Strait of Hormuz, because all these forecasts could go out the window.'

Now, the European Union has been writing up plans to tackle the looming jet fuel supply crunch and maximise refinery output ahead of the busy summer seasons..

Europe is more dependent on jet fuel imports than for any other transport fuel, with some 75 per cent from the Middle East  and the European Commission will introduce EU-wide mapping of refining capacity for oil products from next month.

The EU is also working on measures targeting jet fuel supply, but those are believed to still be in development  with the full plans due to be published next Wednesday.

Hopes are rising of a swift end to the conflict after President Donald Trump said the war could end soon - telling the world to watch out for an 'amazing two days'.

But airlines are preparing for a potential supply crunch, with the International Energy Agency (IEA) forecasting jet fuel shortages by June if the region can only replace half of the supplies it normally gets from the Middle East.

Increased imports from Africa and the US are unlikely to fully make up for the drop, while fuel handling consortia that feed into airports do not always keep long-term stocks  and many airports do not keep large stocks on hand, according to analysts.

Some airports have warned of shortages within three weeks if the Strait of Hormuz remains closed to fuel shipments.

As domestic oil production has shrunk and governments have sought to shift to cleaner energy sources, Europe's refining capacity has declined in recent years.

The IEA said this month that many European refiners are already operating at maximum capacity for jet fuel production.

A spokesperson for Heathrow Airport said that the impacts of the war had not yet hit its operations, although it was monitoring the situation.

The proposed EU rules would not be expected to impact Britain, which is outside the 27-member bloc.

Jet fuel supplies are highly uneven across Europe. Spain has eight refineries and is a net exporter of jet fuel, while imports cover more than 60 per cent of British demand.

Fatih Birol, the executive director of the International Energy Agency, speaks to the Associated Press today as he claims jet fuel shortages in Europe could be just six weeks away

European airlines have asked the EU to improve monitoring of jet fuel supplies and consider joint purchasing of kerosene.

The OECD Europe region, which includes EU countries as well as others like Britain and Norway, imports more than 30 per cent of its jet fuel, IEA data shows, with most going through the Strait.

The EU requires its members to maintain 90 days of emergency oil reserves as a buffer against supply shocks. This does not include a specific requirement on jet fuel, although countries can count it and other oil products towards their stock.

The Mediterranean 'leisure airports' used by millions of holidaymakers heading to Spain, Greece and Italy could be hit especially hard by the jet fuel issues as they operate on 'thin fuel buffers' - meaning they are not set up to store large reserves.

The airport industry association ACI Europe has warned they are about three weeks away from 'systemic' jet fuel shortages if the Strait is not fully reopened by the end of April.

Even Mr Trump succeeds in 'permanently' opening the Strait as he said he would yesterday, safety concerns could remain, including fears of widespread undersea mines.

Airports in Asia are also vulnerable due to their reliance on supplies from the Gulf.

EasyJet today forecast a headline pre-tax loss of 540million to 560million for the first half, including 25million in additional fuel costs in March and 30 pounds in expenses from higher legal provisions. It reported a loss of 394million a year earlier.

The airline added that summer bookings were down on last year, with third-quarter bookings 63 per cent sold compared with 65 per cent last year. Fourth-quarter bookings were 30 per cent sold so far.

EasyJet had already warned that the Iran war would push up ticket prices towards the end of the summer, and that the conflict had impacted bookings, with customers moving away from booking trips to Turkey, Egypt and Cyprus.

Carsten Spohr, the chief executive of Lufthansa, one of Europe's biggest airlines, has already warned of planes being grounded due to a lack of fuel.

Passengers left behind at Milan Linate Airport on Sunday due to the border control chaos

The rollout of the EU's new Entry/Exit System causes delays at Brussels Airport on Monday

These new biometric Entry/Exit System machines have been set up at Malaga Airport in Spain

He added: 'Kerosene will remain in short supply and therefore more expensive for the rest of the year.'

Virgin Atlantic has already placed an extra 50 fuel surcharge on economy tickets, with premium economy and business class fares increasing by 180 and 360 respectively.

Chief executive Corneel Koster warned that passengers will face further increased prices for the next few months and possibly the rest of the year.

The UK is dependent on jet fuel from the Middle East, with Kuwait supplying four million tons annually.

Experts at flight comparison booking website Skyscanner urged customers to 'shop around and compare live prices' given dynamic pricing strategies used by airlines.

The company's travel expert Laura Lindsay told the Daily Mail: 'Prices are not rising on every route, nor at the same rate, which means there are still deals to be found for travellers who can be flexible or are open to exploring alternative destinations.'

Speaking about potential delays caused by the EES rollout, she added: 'Europe remains a key summer destination, but travellers should plan ahead and allow extra time. There is a possibility of longer wait times at some border crossing points, particularly during busy holiday periods.

'That does not mean disruption everywhere, but it does mean some travellers may face additional border processing time in certain locations.

'Travellers should check the latest travel advice, allow extra time, make sure the relevant documents are ready before departure, and monitor airport and airline communications closely.'
Crowds are gathering at a church in Epsom where a woman was allegedly gang raped by a group of men.

Around 200 residents descended on Epsom Methodist Church for the Hope for Epsom service just hours after furious protesters hurled objects at riot police over cops' refusal to give descriptions of the suspects.

A woman, in her 20s, said she was attacked outside the place of worship on Ashley Road between 2am and 4am on Saturday, April 11.

Surrey Police previously said a group of men had followed her after she left the nearby Labyrinth nightclub. Officers are not issuing the suspects' details as they do not yet have 'sufficient information'.

Community leaders, police officers and clergy attended the service on Thursday and Reverend Catherine Hutton began with a message: 'Today our community gathers to demonstrate our love for the people of Epsom.'

Rev Hutton said the service was a place for people to express 'our outrage' at the rape, adding: 'People of Epsom we are kind. Together we build the future of hopeful Epsom.'

A specially commissioned song of hope was sung before those attending were given the opportunity to lay stones at the front of the church.

Earlier, children threw missiles at police as hundreds of protesters gathered in the upmarket Surrey town, turning it into a tinder box.

Footage showed two young boys pelting police with items taken from inside a ripped black bin bag, with one of them also throwing a traffic cone. An officer then appeared to shout the name of one of the boys before he fled.

Sir Keir Starmer's official spokesman said today: 'This is a live investigation, it is however a horrific case and our thoughts are with the victim.'

He added that 'operational decisions' were for the police to make, including what information is disclosed and when.

Around 200 residents descend on Epsom Methodist Church for the Hope for Epsom service on Thursday just hours after furious protesters hurled objects at riot police

Community leaders, police officers and clergy attended the service on Thursday afternoon

A traffic cone flying in the direction of armed police in Epsom on Wednesday evening as protests broke out in the upmarket Surrey town

Speaking during Thursday's service, Liberal Democrat MP for Epsom and Ewell, Helen Maguire, said: 'I'm attending this incredibly important event here today after the tragic incident that happened on Saturday at night.

'And unfortunately, we have had some awful protests that happened last night as well, which seem to have fanned flame of division, completely unnecessarily, but at the moment, we really need to be talking about women's safety.'

A local branch of bakery Gail's provided refreshments for the service.

Julia Giles, a mother-of-two who attended the Hope for Epsom event, said: 'I thought it was a really good opportunity to meet with people who are so supportive of Epsom and who are so angry with what happened.'

She added: 'I have two daughters, who are living in Epsom, and they travel through Epsom and they don't feel safe. But that is the same anywhere they go.

'They are careful, they are always checking in and watching around. Awful things happen and it is about how we react to them.'

Another resident in attendance, who did not wish to disclose her name, said she felt 'unsettled and horrified' about the protest last night.

Ms Maguire previously called on the public to 'let the police do their work'.

'While I support peaceful protest and understand that members of our community are rightly angry after the appalling assault on a young woman, those who are turning to disruption and intimidation cannot be allowed to do so,' she said.

'Behaviour such as damaging police vehicles, blocking key roads, and intimidating officers is completely unacceptable. To those who have come into Epsom from outside our community to spread division and cause disruption: take it elsewhere. It won't be tolerated here.'

The MP said the victim was being 'supported by specialist officers'.

She added: 'Gathering evidence in cases as serious and sensitive as this takes time - it is a complex process, and it is right that police are given the time and space to do it properly.

'If you want justice for this young woman, the best thing you can do is let the police do their work. Epsom is a compassionate and united community. Let's show it.'

Video posted on social media showed crowds of protesters gathered in Epsom town centre.

Dozens of police officers could be seen wearing helmets and holding shields, with a cone and other objects apparently thrown in their direction.

Surrey Police said it had put in place a 'significant' police presence, including specially trained public order officers, until protesters left at around 8pm.

The force has maintained it does not have enough information to release the descriptions as demonstrations broke out this evening.

It also urged people not to speculate about the descriptions of the suspects as they work to identify them.

East Surrey Chief Superintendent Mark Chapman said he appreciated the 'significant police presence' in the town may have caused 'concern'.

Reverend Catherine Hutton speaking to the media outside Epsom Methodist Church on Thursday

A specially commissioned song of hope was sung before those attending were given the opportunity to lay stones at the front of the church

Crowds converging on Epsom High Street last night, where there was a heavy police presence

A line of riot police facing crowds in Epsom town centre yesterday evening

Protests broke out in Epsom just before 5pm as crowds accused Surrey Police of not releasing enough information about a reported gang rape

However, he said they were there to 'support the group's right to lawful protest and minimise disruption to the local community'.

'I appreciate that this may have caused concern to people in the town centre, and I would like to reassure you that our priority was to ensure the safety of the wider public, as well as the safety of those involved in the protest,' he added.

'I also appreciate that there was some disruption in the town centre while the protest was taking place, and I would like to thank all those affected for their patience.

'We respect the right to lawful protest and will facilitate this wherever possible where it is safe to do so.

'However, criminal offences and public disorder will not be tolerated, and we will always take robust action against anyone who commits a criminal offence.

'Surrey Police works with all those seeking to protest, along with our partners and the local community, to ensure everyone's views can be heard while at the same time encouraging them to always act lawfully.'

It comes after the force previously released a statement in a bid to 'reassure' locals amid 'distress and concern' caused by the reported rape for the victim as well as the community.

'I want to reassure you that we are working hard to progress this investigation,' the Chief Superintendent added.

'While we have already carried out extensive enquiries, we do not have sufficient information at this time to update you with the descriptions of the suspects.

'I appreciate that this causes increased concern, and I can assure you that we will update you with these descriptions as soon as we are able to do so.

'In the meantime, I would urge people not to speculate about the descriptions of these suspects as this may lead to additional tensions within our local communities.

'I would also like to reassure you that we have stepped up patrols in the area and this increased police presence will continue over the weekend.

'While we continue to progress our investigation, we would urge anyone with any information who has not already come forward to do so as a matter of urgency.'

Surrey Police said it had put in place a 'significant' police presence, including specially trained public order officers, until protesters left at around 8pm

A police medic and an armed officer seen walking next to two women as protesters took to the streets of Epsom last night

Epsom Methodist Church is holding a 'community act' tonight in a bid to 'raise our voices for women who are vulnerable and all who are victimised'.

It comes after Merseyside Police was criticised for not revealing the ethnicity of Axel Rudakubana after his arrest in July 2024.

The Southport attacker killed three young girls and injured several more people at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in Southport in an incident that rocked the nation.

Within hours of the attack, posts spread on the internet which claimed the suspect was a 17-year-old asylum seeker who had come to the country by boat.

This later emerged to be misinformation, as it was revealed Rudakubana was born in Cardiff to parents from Rwanda.

Last August, the National Police Chief's Council (NPCC) released interim guidance encouraging police to share the ethnicity and nationality of suspects.

Epsom is the 12th most desirable place to live in England and Wales, according to a 2026 list compiled by Garrington Property Finders, with the average home costing 712,105.

Meanwhile, Surrey Police have urged witnesses or anyone with dashcam footage in the area at the time to contact them by quoting reference number PR/45260041426.

Alternatively, those who wish to report anonymously can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers by calling 0800 555 111 or using their online form.
One of the steepest bridges in the world is so daunting that drivers say it gives them nightmares.

Dubbed the 'rollercoaster bridge', the Eshima Ohashi in Japan links Matsue in Shimane Prefecture with Sakaiminato in Tottori Prefecture.

The 119million crossing is used by thousands of motorists each day and rises sharply to allow ships to pass underneath.

The bridge is the third largest of its kind in the world, and from certain angles appears almost vertical - fuelling viral footage that makes it look like vehicles are climbing an impossibly steep incline.

Stretching approximately 1.1 miles, it towers 147ft as it spans Nakaumi Lake.

Construction took place between 1997 and 2004, replacing a previous drawbridge that had significant design flaws.

For instance, it could only handle around 4,000 vehicles a day, compared to roughly 14,900 now crossing every 24 hours.

The old bridge was also blocked for around eight minutes each time ships passed, and only vehicles weighing under 14 tons were permitted to cross.

One of the steepest bridges in the world is so daunting that drivers say it gives them nightmares.

Dubbed the 'rollercoaster bridge', the Eshima Ohashi in Japan links Matsue in Shimane Prefecture with Sakaiminato in Tottori Prefecture. Photographs of the bridge are typically captured using a telephoto lens, which makes it appear more dramatic than it really is

The 119million crossing is used by thousands of motorists each day and rises sharply to allow ships to pass underneath

At its steepest, the incline measures around 6.1% on the Shimane side - where most photos are taken - while the opposite side is a gentler 5.1%.

Images and footage of the bridge frequently circulate on social media, sparking debate about its 'terrifying' appearance, with one Reddit user writing: 'One of my lifelong recurring nightmares involves bridges that look like this.'

Another posted: 'Oh. My. God. I get terrified shivers just looking at these pictures. Massive phobia of heights, I don't think I'd do well on that bad boy.'

Photographs of the bridge are typically captured using a telephoto lens, which makes it appear more dramatic than it really is.

It's still relatively steep, and additional caution is needed during winter to stop it becoming blanketed in ice and snow.

The Japan National Tourist Organisation describes it as one of the 'craziest' or 'scariest' bridges in the country.

Even without a vehicle, visitors can cross it on foot or by bicycle, and it serves as an excellent location for photographs.

Telescopes and binoculars are also provided for tourists to gaze across the lake when it's clear enough.
Locals have been left 'traumatised' after a row of houses were daubed with red and black paint in yet another mysterious attack across the country.

Residents on Lowfield Road in Kilburn, north-west London, woke up yesterday morning to find their walls covered with splashes of paint - which one person likened to 'a murder scene'.

Graffiti falsely claiming one of the seven affected properties was a brothel also appeared outside multiple homes.

It comes amid a spate of properties across Britain being vandalised and spray-painted with the word 'brothel' as part of a series of mysterious nighttime attacks over the last year and a half.

Back in 2023, houses on Maygrove Road and Iverson Road, in the same NW6 postcode as Lowfield Road, were targeted by paint splashing gangs.

More than a dozen attacks have taken place in London over the past 18 months, with more reported in Liverpool, Manchester, Bradford, Reading, Huddersfield and Clacton-on-Sea.

Experts have suggested the attacks are being carried out out by gangsters attempting to intimidate rivals running brothels or people in debt to loan sharks.

The reason for the latest attack, which is said to have happened between 2am and 3am, is unknown.

Residents on Lowfield Road in Kilburn, north-west London , woke up yesterday morning to find their walls covered with splashes of paint

Graffiti reading 'brothel 21A' appeared outside multiple homes on Lowfield Road

One neighbour who was outside cleaning the paint off her walls said she had been left 'traumatised' by the ordeal - which had left a Magnolia tree she planted following the pandemic covered in red paint.

The woman, who asked to remain anonymous, said: 'I just don't want something like this to happen to other people, or myself really.

'Things like this shouldn't happen in the first place. It's sad that people can't respect each other in London very much.'

Another neighbour said: 'It's crazy. Apparently this has been happening around London a lot when people owe money.

'We scrubbed the words 'brothel 21A' on some of the walls'.'

Another neighbour, whose home managed to avoid being splashed by paint, added: 'They've ruined seven houses, and people are going to have to pay for that.

'We got away with it, luckily, but these guys have it all over.

'All the articles are saying it's triads, and Chinese - the people that live there are Asian, and all the articles from all the previous incidents says black and red paint is a triad thing.'

Residents said they had contacted Camden Council following the attack, but said they were told the authority would not be able to help with the clean up.

Since then, workers from a contractor headquartered on the street - Treehab Arboricultural - have been painting over the damage for their neighbours free of charge.

One of the company's workers said: 'It doesn't faze me.

'I'm here to change it and help, to bring it back, but this is going to happen again in many places.'

Last month, audible CCTV from an attack in Acton, West London, provided the clearest clue yet of who is responsible for the vandalism.

Residents said they had contacted Camden Council following the attack, but said they were told the authority would not be able to help with the clean up

'Brothel 21A' is sprayed across the brick wall of a property, as residents rushed to scrub it off

The video, shows a man using a hammer to smash the windows of a property as two associates deface it with pots of paint and motor oil.

CCTV obtained by London Centric for the first time recorded the vandals speaking in Mandarin with accents associated with northern China.

Oliver Chan, an associate professor of criminology at the University of Birmingham, has suggested the attacks were carried out by gangsters attempting to intimidate rivals running brothels or people in debt to loan sharks.

Mr Chan said that 'red paint splashing' was a tactic regularly used by loan sharks in Hong Kong and cities in mainland China to remind the owners to pay their debts or as an 'intimidation act' against rivals.

'The use of red paint, instead of other-colour paints, traditionally symbolises anger and impulsion,' he told The Times.

'It is used to threaten or to intimidate someone they want to warn, in many instances their debtors, and is common in Chinese societies, especially in the southern part of China and neighbouring countries of major Chinese communities or societies.

'It is more commonly seen as a threat or warning to those who are in debt to loan sharks, who often operate in an organised criminal network'.

There is no evidence to suggest the people living in the targeted houses are running brothels or are in debt to loan sharks.

A spokesman for the Met Police said: 'Police in Camden are investigating an allegation of criminal damage after paint was thrown at neighbouring residential properties in Lowfield Road, Kilburn.

'The incident is believed to have taken place on the night of Tuesday, 14 April.

'Enquiries are ongoing by local police. At this early stage we retain an open mind regarding any motive.

'We recognise the impact that incidents of this nature have on those affected and will be contacting the victims in due course.'

A Camden Council spokesperson said: 'This is a highly distressing incident. We are here to support residents and are arranging a visit to the properties to support with removing the paint. We are also supporting the police with their investigations including sharing CCTV.'
Keir Starmer is facing furious demands to quit tonight after Downing Street admitted Lord Mandelson was made Britain's ambassador to the US despite failing security checks.

In an astonishing development, No10 confirmed Lord Mandelson was given the go-ahead to take on the role against the recommendation of security vetting officials - but claimed the Prime Minister didn't know.

The Foreign Office is said to have pushed ahead with appointing Lord Mandelson as the UK's top diplomat in Washington DC despite the advice.

Downing Street insisted neither the Prime Minister nor any other Government minister was aware until Tuesday evening, at which point Sir Keir immediately ordered a Whitehall probe.

It only emerged that Lord Mandelson had failed security vetting when The Guardian newspaper published explosive claims on Thursday afternoon - with No10 remaining silent for nearly three hours.

The newspaper reported that security officials initially denied Lord Mandelson clearance, but the PM had already named him as ambassador and the Foreign Office took the rare step of overruling the recommendation.

There were claims at Westminster that Olly Robbins, the architect of Theresa May's Brexit deal who is now the most senior civil servant at the Foreign Office, is being lined up as a fall guy.

The Foreign Office said it is urgently working to comply with Sir Keir's demand to know how Lord Mandelson was cleared to become US ambassador.

The extraordinary revelations have piled more pressure on Sir Keir's position in Downing Street, with the Tories, Reform UK, Liberal Democrats and Green Party all calling on him to resign over his 'lies' about Lord Mandelson's appointment.

It has been pointed out how, in February, the PM publicly insisted that a security vetting process for Lord Mandelson 'gave him clearance for the role'.

Sir Keir has also been accused of misleading Parliament over his previous claims that 'full due process' was followed in the appointment of Lord Mandelson.

Tory leader Kemi Badenoch said: 'The PM appointed Peter Mandelson before the vetting had been completed, vetting Mandelson failed.

'Starmer then said full due process was followed. THAT is misleading Parliament. I'm only holding him to the same standards to which he's held previous PMs - that if they mislead parliament, they should resign.

'In these dangerous times, Britain cannot afford to have a PM who the country doesn't trust. Starmer has betrayed our national security. He should go.'

Keir Starmer is facing furious demands to quit after Downing Street admitted Lord Mandelson was made Britain's ambassador to the US despite failing security checks

Downing Street claimed neither the Prime Minister nor any other Government minister was aware until Tuesday evening, at which point Sir Keir immediately ordered a Whitehall probe

Tory leader Kemi Badenoch said Sir Keir 'misled the House' over Mandelson's vetting process

Nigel Farage said the PM had 'blatantly lied' and should resign

A three-page 'due diligence' report supplied to Sir Keir on December 11, 2024 flagged the ties between Mandelson and Epstein

Reform's Nigel Farage said: 'Now we discover that he has blatantly lied, the Prime Minister should resign.'

Lib Dem leader Ed Davey also called for the PM's resignation. 'Keir Starmer had already made a catastrophic error of judgement,' he said.

'Now it looks as though he has also misled Parliament and lied to the British public. If that is the case, he must go.'

No10 sources said information about Lord Mandelson's vetting was obtained by officials trawling through piles of documents, as the Government scrambles to comply with MPs' demand for the publication of all files related to his appointment.

A Government spokesperson said: 'The security vetting process for Peter Mandelson was sponsored by the FCDO.

'The decision to grant Developed Vetting to Peter Mandelson against the recommendation of UK Security Vetting was taken by officials in the FCDO.

'Neither the PM, nor any Government minister, was aware that Peter Mandelson was granted Developed Vetting against the advice of UK Security Vetting until earlier this week.

'Once the PM was informed he immediately instructed officials to establish the facts about why the Developed Vetting was granted, in order to enact plans to update the House of Commons.

They said the Government is committed to complying with the parliamentary 'humble address' motion to disclose documents relating to Lord Mandelson's appointment 'in full as soon as possible'.

The cross-party Intelligence and Security Committee (ISC) has been given the final say on what is too sensitive for publication.

'Any documentation within the scope of the humble address that requires redaction on the basis of national security or international relations will be provided to the ISC, the spokesperson added.

'This will include documents provided to the FCDO by UK Security Vetting.'

A Foreign Office spokesperson said: 'The PM has initiated a process to establish the facts of the granting of developed vetting and we are working urgently to comply with that process.'

It is understood that recommendations by UK Security Vetting are non-binding on Government departments.

The PM and Cabinet Secretary are said to have agreed on a 'fact-finding' exercise once the information about Lord Mandelson's vetting was uncovered.

The Government is being forced by MPs to release of a batch of documents about the process after the Commons passed a 'humble address' motion earlier this year.

It is not clear whether the recommendation against Lord Mandelson by vetting officials was because of his ties to paedophile Jeffrey Epstein.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves told reporters in Washington DC this evening: 'I didn't know anything about the vetting process.

'I'm the Chancellor, I'm not the foreign secretary, and I'm not 10 Downing Street, so I can't give you any more information on that.'

Thursday's developments have revived the furore that already came close to exploding Sir Keir's premiership in February.

One senior Labour source told the Daily Mail that the picture was 'far more complicated' than it appeared.

They said when they learned details of what had happened their initial response was 'holy f***'. 'This is a huge failure,' they added.

Labour MPs have been up in arms that Lord Mandelson was given the key job despite long-standing ties to Epstein.

It is understood Lord Mandelson is adamant that he did not know he had been rejected by vetting officials until the reports today.

It is also not clear who in the Foreign Office made the apparent decision to overrule UKSV.

Sir Olly is believed to have been the permanent secretary at the Foreign Office at the time, while Deputy PM David Lammy was Foreign Secretary.

Senior Labour MP Emily Thornberry, the chair of the House of Commons' Foreign Affairs Committee, said she would summon Sir Olly to clarify information he gave it at a previous hearing.

She said: 'My committee asked several times whether red flags had been raised by Peter Mandelson's vetting process. It seems there were.

'Who overrode these concerns? Why were we kept in the dark? People need to stop messing us about and tell us the truth.'

Developed vetting is standard for most mid-level diplomatic staff. An outright refusal of clearance is believed to be quite rare, although 'mitigations' can be requested.

In another potentially incendiary claim, the Guardian said senior Government officials have been considering whether to withhold documents about the refusal from Parliament.

Labour MPs rebelled to insist on the publication of a huge range of material about the process, and the cross-party ISC is meant to be having the final say on what is too sensitive for publication.

The Daily Mail understands no document showing that vetting clearance was initially refused has been supplied to the ISC so far.

Sir Keir previously insisted Lord Mandelson was subject to 'security vetting, carried out independently by the security services, which is an intensive exercise that gave him clearance for the role'.

Asked about his appointment of Lord Mandelson during a press conference in East Sussex on February 5, Sir Keir said: 'There was a due diligence exercise that culminated in questions being asked because I wanted to know the answer to certain issues.

'That's why those questions were asked. The answer to those questions were not truthful.

'There was then, I should add, security vetting carried out independently by the security services, which is an intensive exercise that gave him clearance for the role, and you have to go through that before you take up the post.

'Clearly, both the due diligence and the security vetting need to be looked at again.

'I've already strengthened the due process. I think we need to look at the security vetting because it now transpires that what was being said was not true. And had I known then, what I know now, I'd never have appointed him in the first place.'

On September 16 last year, Yvette Cooper - by then Foreign Secretary - and Sir Olly wrote to the Foreign Affairs Select Committee in response to questions about the vetting.

'Peter Mandelson's security vetting was conducted to the usual standard set for developed vetting in line with established Cabinet Office policy,' the letter said.

However, it did not mention that UKSV had initially refused clearance.

Labour MP Bell Ribeiro-Addy said: 'The Government must come clean about why the Foreign Office overrode security officials' decision to deny Mandelson clearance.

'This scandal has been beyond damaging, as has the Government's handling of it. We need the full facts.'

Fellow Labour backbencher Rachael Maskell said: 'All we want is the truth.

'Now a different account of Mandelson's security clearance has been brought to light we need accountability as to why we were provided a different version of events.'

The Prospect union, which represents vetting officers at UKSV, accused No10 of allowing the 'impression to circulate' that people had not done their jobs properly.

General Secretary Mike Clancy said: 'It is deeply unfortunate that following the resignation of Morgan McSweeney Downing Street allowed the impression to circulate that the vetting of Peter Mandelson had not been done correctly by UK Security Vetting.

'Not only were UKSV put in an invidious position by being asking to conduct vetting after an appointment had been announced, but now deeply troubling reports have appeared in in the media claiming that UKSV advice was overruled.

'Civil Servants, particularly those working in the most sensitive parts of government cannot speak publicly, and deserve ministers to take responsibility for the decisions they take and not to seek to deflect blame onto them.'

Senior Tory MP David Davis suggested Sir Keir must have known if Mandelson had failed his security vetting.

The ex-Cabinet minister posted on X: 'In what sort of Government does the Foreign Office override a vetting failure for the most senior ambassadorship in the world without notifying the Prime Minister?

'It must be presumed that Starmer knew of this vetting failure when he officially appointed him.

'Frankly, this calls into question the Prime Minister's claims that he made the decision because Mandelson had lied to him, since he would have had the accurate conclusions of the vetting process when he made the decision.'

It previously emerged that Sir Keir did not speak to Mandelson personally before appointing him as US ambassador.

The PM is said to have left his aides to ask questions about his ties to Epstein.

That was despite being presented with evidence that Mandelson's friendship with the financier had continued after he was jailed.

National security adviser Jonathan Powell also expressed misgivings during the process.

However, Sir Keir went ahead, after apparently agreeing with chief of staff Morgan McSweeney on three questions that Mandelson needed to be asked.

Mr McSweeney resigned in February saying he took full responsibility for the appointment going ahead.

Mandelson was arrested on February 23 on suspicion of misconduct in public office, having been accused of passing sensitive information to Epstein during his time as business secretary under Gordon Brown.

He was subsequently bailed, but later handed his passport back and freed under investigation. He has denied any criminal wrongdoing or acting for personal gain.
A teen suspected of luring an Alabama high school student to be violently murdered allegedly managed to sneak a gun into a police station before hiding it in the trash of an interrogation room.

The 17-year-old suspect was 16 when he allegedly shot Ronald Martez Bennett Jr, 18, alongside several other masked gunmen on February 1, 2025, in Birmingham, according to Al.com.

The teen suspect was arrested on May 2, 2025, on a capital murder charge, three months after the shooting.

The teen, who has not been identified due to his age, is the only person charged so far.

The suspect appeared before Jefferson County District Judge William Bell on Wednesday, where testimony revealed the suspect had a gun on him during his arrest and subsequent interrogation, according to the outlet.

As the teen was handcuffed in a police interrogation room, he managed to hide a firearm at the bottom of a trash can between a container and its liner.

Former Birmingham homicide detective Nicholas Clark was a witness during the hearing who acknowledged the suspect was allegedly in possession of a gun during his arrest.

Clark noted that the gun did not match any of the shell casings officials found from at least two different guns.

Ronald Martez Bennett Jr was fatally shot by several masked gunmen on February 1, 2025, in Birmingham, Alabama

Bennett was allegedly lured by a 17-year-old who was 16 at the time of the slaying

However, he added that there was a 'hit' that connected the weapon to a different homicide that had also occurred.

Deputy District Attorney Nick Taggart claimed that the night Bennett was murdered, the teen suspect messaged him on Instagram to meet at a location.

Officials said when the Huffman High School senior arrived, the masked gunmen opened fire without exchanging any words.

'He brought him there for the sole purpose of having him murdered,' Taggart said.

The group of masked killers fired 26 shots at Bennet Jr., according to Birmingham's Shot Spotter gunfire detection system, cited by the outlet.

Bennett was struck three times in the neck and spinal cord. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Clark had testified that a male friend of Bennett's was with him at the time of the shooting.

The friend also confirmed that the victim was communicating with someone who sent them a location to meet but did not recall the reason why, said Clark.

Bennett was hit with three shots to the neck and spinal cord. His friend was with him at the time and tried to take him to the hospital, but he died at the scene.

Bennett was a senior at Huffman High School and was 18 years old at the time of his death

The friend attempted to get Bennett out of the driver's seat to take him to the hospital, but he died from his injuries.

The former detective testified that the teen suspect's phone was discovered through forensic analysis of Bennett's phone.

'It's this defendant's phone that was at that location, this defendant's phone that brought (the victim) there, and it's this defendant that post-Miranda denied knowing him at all, denied knowing that phone number at all, denied knowing the victim,' said Taggart in his closing arguments.

'He rejects the idea that he is involved in this case in any sort of way. Yet it's undeniable from his cell phone and he shared his location.'

'Regardless, even if the defense counsel says he's not a shooter, we can't show he's the shooter, the aiding and abetting statute shows that he should be charged equally,' Taggart added.

The suspect allegedly told police that he was at home during the time of the killing under electronic monitoring, but police discovered that was untrue, according to the outlet.

Bennett pictured with his mother, Brittney Monique

The teen's attorney, Darryl Bender, who believes the shooting was the result of a drug deal gone wrong, argued his client should be granted bond.

'If this court were to grant a bond, could (the suspect) leave and go to Mexico and live the rest of his life?' Bender said.

'He doesn't have the means to do that. There's no chance of him leaving.'

'He is not a threat to anyone. He is not a threat to society as a whole,' the attorney. added. 'This was an isolated incident where you had a drug deal go bad.'

'To have him sit in the Jefferson County Jail for 2  or three years until this case can be tried, I think would be unfair,' he said.

The suspect was transferred to the Jefferson County Jail in March after being held in juvenile detention.

The judge said the bond decision would be under review; however, the outlet noted it would likely not be made public due to the suspect's age.
Vladimir Putin is planning a Pearl Harbor-style attack against satellites in space that could cause pandemonium across the world, a US military chief has warned.

General Stephen Whiting, the head of US Space Command, said that the Trump administration is 'very concerned' by the Kremlin's plans.

Whiting told the Times: 'They are thinking about placing in orbit a nuclear anti-satellite weapon that would hold at risk everyone's satellites in low Earth orbit, and that would be an outcome that we just couldn't tolerate.'

He added: 'Russia remains a sophisticated space power and they continue to invest in counter-space weapons.'

Asked why Russia would want to place nuclear weapons in space, he said: 'From a Russian perspective, they look at the United States, they look at NATO and they see an overmatch there of conventional arms.

'And they believe that novel ways of trying to undermine the United States and NATO, such as by neutralising our space capabilities, helps them to level the battlefield.'

He declined to comment on how the US came to its understanding of Russia's plane.

If true, they would be a major violation of the Outer Space Treaty. which Russia is a signatory to.

The undocking of Soyuz MS-25 space station on September 23 2024

Vladimir Putin (pictured) is planning a Pearl Harbor-style attack against satellites in space that could cause pandemonium across the world, a US military chief has warned

It would also be the latest evolution in Russia's strategy of increasing its aggression in space, which Whiting said included 'sustained satellite communication and GPS jamming' at such a large scale that it puts 'civilian airliners at risk.'

In light of Russia's increased aggression, the heads of the EU and NATO today discussed efforts to bolster Europe's arms production, as US President Donald Trump throws doubt on Washington's commitment to the transatlantic alliance.

'We need to invest more, to produce more and to do both faster,' European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen posted online after meeting NATO chief Mark Rutte.

European nations are scrambling to bolster their militaries in the face of Russia's war on Ukraine and pressure from Trump.

Fears over Washington's role in NATO have been heightened as the mercurial US leader has threatened he could leave the alliance in anger over the European response to his war in Iran.

NATO allies last year pledged to ramp up core defence spending to 3.5 percent of GDP in a bid to assuage Trump's criticism that Europe was not spending enough on defence.

But there are ongoing complaints that Europe's defence industry is failing to keep pace and is not able to meet the new, higher demands despite a raft of initiatives from the EU.

NATO officials say that the issue of industrial production is set to be one of the central topics for the alliance's upcoming summit in Ankara.

Rutte - who held talks with Trump in Washington last week - posted online that a 'stronger Europe means a stronger NATO'.

General Stephen Whiting, the head of US Space Command, (pictured) said that the Trump administration is 'very concerned' by the Kremlin's plans

He wrote that he had discussed with von der Leyen 'how to further strengthen our essential NATO-EU cooperation, including ramping up defence industrial production, continuing vital support to Ukraine, and protecting critical infrastructure.'

The United States has said it wants to see European allies take over the conventional defence of their continent, so that Washington can focus more on other threats such as China.

European countries meanwhile are realistic that decades of relying on America to keep Europe safe are over and that they increasingly will have to take their security into their own hands.

The EU - which long shied away from defence issues - has massively ratcheted up its efforts to bolster industry in recent years, and some countries are asking if it can play a bigger role.

NATO officials insist that the bloc should focus on its core strengths such as marshalling funding and not stray into the alliance's traditional field of military planning.
Resolution signals growing community support as nurses have voted to authorize a potential strike to ensure safe, local care

GREENFIELD, Mass., April 16, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- In a unanimous vote on April 15, the Greenfield City Council approved a resolution supporting registered nurses at Baystate Franklin Medical Center (BFMC), represented by the Massachusetts Nurses Association (MNA), as nurses fight for a fair union contract that protects patient safety and preserves access to high-quality local care.

The council resolution (read on page 34 of this document) calls on Baystate Health to negotiate in good faith and highlights the importance of safe nurse staffing levels, competitive wages to recruit and retain experienced nurses, and ensuring patients in Franklin County can continue to receive care close to home.

The Council's vote came one day after BFMC nurses voted overwhelmingly to authorize a limited duration strike, increasing pressure on Baystate to reach a fair agreement. The strike authorization does not mean a strike will automatically occur, but it gives the nurses' elected bargaining committee the authority to schedule one if necessary.

"We are grateful to the Greenfield City Council for standing with nurses and recognizing what is at stake for our patients and our community," said Suzanne Love, BFMC RN and Co-Chair of the MNA Bargaining Committee. "This resolution sends a clear message to Baystate that our community expects them to invest in safe patient care and the nurses who make that care possible."

"The City Council's vote signals wide community support for Baystate Franklin nurses and our patients," said Marissa Potter, BFMC RN and Co-Chair of the MNA Bargaining Committee. "We are eager to work with Baystate to reach a fair agreement that acknowledges how essential nurses are to patient care, our community hospital, and our local economy."

Nurses Highlight MNA Contract's Broader Impact

Beyond the immediate impact on patient care, nurses emphasized that a fair union contract is also critical to the economic health of the entire Greenfield and Franklin County community. As the second largest employer in Greenfield and the sixth-largest in Franklin County, BFMC plays a major role in the local economy, with nurse wage levels and working conditions impacting the area broadly.

At the same time, nurses care for an increasingly vulnerable patient population. Most BFMC patients rely on Medicare or Medicaid, reflecting a community with significant numbers of elderly and low-income residents. Franklin County is also facing rising unemployment and a sharp increase in mental health hospitalizations, placing additional strain on the local healthcare system.

Despite these realities, Baystate insists on offering wages that lag other unionized hospitals in the region and statewide averages, undermining efforts to recruit and retain experienced nurses. This approach not only threatens safe patient care but also disrespects the community by driving down wages in one of its most important sectors.

Update on ULP and Staffing Proposal

The ULP charge by BFMC nurses focused on Baystate's previous proposal to use a non-union float pool  bringing in Baystate system nurses from outside BFMC  and tying that proposal to existing contractual nurse-patient limits. On April 15, following the 98.2% strike authorization vote by the nurses, the two sides made progress at the bargaining table about that issue, though a full contract agreement still needs to be reached.

Core Issues in Negotiations

BFMC nurses are calling for a contract that ensures:

Safe, high-quality patient care.

The preservation of hard-fought nurse-patient staffing limits.

Competitive wages to recruit and retain experienced nurses.

Protections for nurses who are sick or injured.

Local, community-based care in Franklin County.

Why Local Union Nurses Matter

At rural community hospitals like Baystate Franklin Medical Center, safe patient care depends on a permanent nursing workforce that knows the community and can manage a wide range of needs without extensive specialty support. While larger urban hospitals have IV teams, wound care nurses, NICUs, and round the clock pharmacies, in rural hospitals well-trained nurses pivot between all these roles and others, several times each shift.

The award-winning Baystate Franklin nurses have experience stepping into these types of roles every day. That versatility is critical in more rural settings. BFMC nurses are calling on Baystate to invest in their permanent union workforce to preserve access to safe, community-based patient care.

Community Support Growing

Nurses are urging community members to support their efforts by signing a public petition calling on Baystate Health to agree to a fair contract that protects patients and preserves local access to care: www.massnurses.org/FranklinCommunity.

The petition had more than 475 signatures as of April 16.

MassNurses.org  Facebook.com/MassNurses  Twitter.com/MassNurses  Instagram.com/MassNurses

Founded in 1903, the Massachusetts Nurses Association is the largest union of registered nurses in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Its 26,000 members advance the nursing profession by fostering high standards of nursing practice, promoting the economic and general welfare of nurses in the workplace, projecting a positive and realistic view of nursing, and by lobbying the Legislature and regulatory agencies on health care issues affecting nurses and the public.

SOURCE Massachusetts Nurses Association
The Chicago home of the brother of Pope Leo XIV was hit with a bomb threat amid the pontiff's ongoing feud with President Trump.

John Prevost, the brother of the papal leader Robert Prevost, had his home in the Chicago suburb of New Lenox targeted by a bomb threat on Wednesday evening.

Police said officers were called to Prevost's home around 6:30pm and secured a perimeter around the property, reports NBC5.

Neighbors were ordered to evacuate their homes as officers scoured the residence, with bomb sniffing K9 units also dispatched to the scene.

Police eventually determined the threat was unsubstantiated and no explosive devices were found.

New Lenox police said in a statement the investigation remains open to 'determine the origin of the report', warning that making false reports of this nature 'is a serious offense and may result in criminal charges.'

The bomb threat comes amid the feud between Pope Leo XIV and Trump over the war with Iran, which the Vatican leader has sharply criticized in recent weeks.

After the Pope condemned the rhetoric from the White House and called for peace earlier this week, Trump issued a scathing Truth Social rant branding the pontiff 'weak on crime.'

John Prevost (right), the brother of Pope Leo XIV (center), had a bomb threat called on his home amid the religious leader's ongoing feud with President Trump

The Pope has condemned the rhetoric from the White House and called for peace in the Middle East, leading Trump to issue a scathing Truth Social rant branding the pontiff 'weak on crime'

The Pope's brothers previously made headlines when Prevost was unveiled as the new pontiff last year, as they said they were stunned to see their sibling emerge at the Vatican following a Conclave watched around the world.

And while John Prevost's home was targeted by a bomb threat this week amid the Pope's spat with Trump, his other brother Louis has made no secret that he is a fan of the president.

Louis Prevost was invited to the White House by Trump after his brother became the Vatican leader, as the White House appeared intent on fostering a relationship with the first ever American Pope.

Soon after, Louis's old social media tirades emerged, showing his anti-woke takes on social issues and branding supporters of Joe Biden 'mentally afflicted.'

The White House's attempts to woo the Prevost family have been curbed in recent weeks following the Pope's criticism of the war with Iran.

Last week he condemned the President over his threats against the country, when he warned that 'a whole civilisation will die tonight, never to be brought back again'.

The Pope called it a 'truly unacceptable' statement.

Pope Leo has become a vocal critic of Trump's war with Iran in recent weeks

It came after the US President unleashed an attack on Pope Leo on social media, branding him 'WEAK on Crime, and terrible for Foreign Policy'

And on a trip to the African nation of Cameroon this week, the Pope made a thinly veiled dig at Trump as he said the world is being 'ravaged by a handful of tyrants.'

Without citing Trump by name, Pope Leo decried leaders who use religious language to justify wars and urged a 'decisive change of course'.

He condemned 'an endless cycle of destabilisation and death' on a visit to Bamenda, a 'bloodstained' region of Cameroon which has been gripped by a separatist insurgency for nearly a decade.

'Those who rob your land of its resources generally invest much of the profit in weapons, thus perpetuating an endless cycle of destabilisation and death,' the US-born pontiff said in a speech at Saint Joseph's Cathedral.

He added: 'The masters of war pretend not to know that it takes only a moment to destroy, yet often a lifetime is not enough to rebuild.

'They turn a blind eye to the fact that billions of dollars are spent on killing and devastation, yet the resources needed for healing, education and restoration are nowhere to be found.'

The pointed sermon followed Trump's stunning Truth Social post on Sunday, where he branded the pontiff 'a very liberal person' who is 'WEAK on Crime, and terrible for Foreign Policy'.

He also said that Leo, 70, was only made Pope 'because he was an American', and 'If I wasn't in the White House , Leo wouldn't be in the Vatican.'

Trump also sparked furious backlash after he posted an AI-generated image seemingly depicting himself as Jesus Christ this week

He added: 'I don't think he's doing a very good job. He likes crime I guess.

'We don't like a pope who says it's ok to have a nuclear weapon. We don't want a pope that says crime is ok. I am not a fan of Pope Leo.'

Trump then sparked further controversy by posting an AI-generated image seemingly depicting himself as Jesus Christ, triggering backlash even among his usual supporters.
A Palestine Action activist told a security guard 'this place is not going to exist tomorrow' during a raid at an Israeli-linked weapons factory, a jury has heard.

Charlotte Head, 29, Samuel Corner, 23, Leona Kamio, 30, Fatema Rajwani, 21, Zoe Rogers, 22, and Jordan Devlin, 31, are all charged with criminal damage after the incident at the Elbit Systems site near Bristol on August 6, 2024.

Corner faces a further count of causing grievous bodily harm with intent to Sergeant Kate Evans, who suffered a fractured spine, the court heard.

At Woolwich Crown Court on Thursday, a jury was played footage of clashes between the defendants, who were seen wearing red jumpsuits, and three security guards  Nigel Shaw, Patrick Luke and Angelo Volante.

Footage from a body-worn camera strapped to the chest of Mr Volante, who initially could be seen carrying a whip in one hand and a radio in the other, appeared to show him wrestling a sledgehammer out of Rogers' hands.

During the confrontation, Devlin, who wore a keffiyeh tied around his waist in the footage, could be heard shouting 'it's not worth your job', 'you're not going to have a job tomorrow so don't try to protect it', and 'this place is not going to exist tomorrow'.

In footage appearing to show a confrontation between Mr Shaw and Kamio, Head and Corner elsewhere in the warehouse, the activists, armed with sledgehammers and a flare, could be heard shouting 'get the f*** out'.

Prosecutor Deanna Heer KC told the jury Mr Shaw, who could be seen pointing an umbrella at the defendants, told them 'I feel a little bit concussed', to which Kamio replied: 'You're literally bleeding.'

Jordan Devlin, 31, is one of six defendants charged with criminal damage at the Elbit Systems site near Bristol on August 6, 2024

Activist Charlotte Head, 29, arrives at Woolwich Crown Court to stand trial for criminal damage

Zoe Rogers, 22, and Leona Kamio, 30, are also among those accused over the raid at the Israeli-linked defence firm

Fatema Rajwani, 21, is among the six defendants standing trial for criminal damage

Corner could be heard adding: 'You've only got a f****** umbrella.'

Footage played to the jury recorded on Mr Luke's body-worn device appeared to show him telling the defendants they were 'going to be doing criminal damage'.

Kamio could be heard responding: 'We're f****** doing that.'

Ms Heer told the court footage showed Kamio using her sledgehammer to 'smash up items' inside the warehouse before she picked up a fire extinguisher.

As Mr Luke backed away from the activists, Ms Heer said he told them 'police are on their way'.

The defendants deny all the charges brought against them. The trial continues.
A disturbing 911 call detailed the moments immediately after Virginia's former Lieutenant Governor killed his wife and himself in a murder suicide.

Justin Fairfax, a Democrat, shot his dentist spouse Cerina dead in their $1 million Annandale home in the early hours of Thursday. He then turned the gun on himself.

Their son Cameron called 911 just after midnight after he discovered his mother's blood-covered body lying on the floor, according to audio obtained by the Daily Mail.

A dispatcher detailed how the 16-year-old had said that his dad 'might have stabbed his mom'. The dispatcher said Cameron had told them that Cerina was 'lying on the ground bleeding' and he could 'see holes in her shirt.'

Cameron added that he did not know where his father was.

Cerina, 49, filed for divorce from Fairfax in July last year, alleging that he was a 'deadbeat' father and alcoholic, according to court filings obtained by the Daily Mail.

She alleged that he defaulted on the mortgage, dodged paying household bills, and even spent money earmarked for their children's horseback riding lessons on a handgun, according to the filing.

It is unclear if that gun was the weapon used in Thursday's deadly shooting.

Former Lt Gov Justin Fairfax with his wife Cerina, their daughter Carys and son Cameron

Justin Fairfax, a Democrat , shot his dentist spouse Cerina dead in their $1 million Annandale home in the early hours of Thursday

Fairfax County Police Major Crimes Bureau detectives at the family's home in Annandale

When officers arrived on scene, they discovered Cerina unconscious and bleeding in the unfinished basement of the home.

'The husband's not gonna be here. It's gonna look like an obvious D.O.A.,' a responding medic told dispatch, adding the victim 'doesn't have a pulse.'

Fairfax, 47, was found in his bedroom with the firearm and appeared to have suffered a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head.

Cameron and his 14-year-old sister Carys were home at the time of the murder, but unharmed. They are being tended to by relatives and victim services.

The circumstances leading up to the deadly shooting remain under investigation. Police say there is no ongoing threat to the community.

Crime scene investigators have cordoned off the residence and remain on scene as they carry out their investigation into the horrific shooting.

Officials with the Fairfax County coroner's office were seen removing bodies from the home. Autopsies will be conducted to determine the couple's exact cause of deaths.

The couple had been married for 20 years but separated in June 2024 and were in the midst of what Fairfax County Police Chief Kevin Davis called a 'messy divorce.'

Cameron, with his father in an undated photo, called 911 after discovering his mother's blood-covered body just after midnight

Cerina filed for divorce last year, alleging Fairfax was a 'deadbeat' father. In the court filings, she claimed that he used funds earmarked for their children's horseback riding lessons to purchase a handgun

Fairfax had been drinking heavily and would lock himself in his home office, only surfacing 'long enough to get food or smoke cigarettes,' the divorce documents said.

His estranged wife described in the petition how Fairfax was living in squalor, surrounded by 'empty wine bottles, trash and piles of dirty laundry'.

In 2022, he even spent money that had been earmarked for the children's horseback riding lessons to purchase a handgun, Cerina alleged in the complaint.

She further said that Fairfax 'had chosen not to be a productive member of the family and that the dictionary definition of "deadbeat" was accurate as applied to him.'

A judge noted in the court filings that Fairfax did not dispute the claims Cerina made against him.

Fairfax was recently served paperwork indicating when he was next due to appear in court which Chief Davis said 'may have been a spark' to the deadly act of violence.

Court records show the couple were due back in court next week.

'It is high profile in nature, it's tragic in nature. Certainly a fall from grace for a relatively high profile family that seemingly had a lot of things going in their favor,' Chief Davis said during a press briefing Thursday.

'So tragic for the children to lose both parents, extra tragic for them to actually be in the home when it occurred.'

A police officer puts cordon tape on a hydrant outside the home of former Virginia Lieutenant Governor Justin Fairfax

A Fairfax County Police Major Crimes Bureau detective carries an evidence bag out of the home of former Virginia Lt. Gov. Justin Fairfax

Despite their separation, the couple continued living together in the 2,000 square-foot suburban home. They were understood to have separate bedrooms, police said.

Davis said his officers responded to the home in January this year after Fairfax alleged that Cerina assaulted him inside the home.

Investigators determined that the alleged assault never occurred and no arrests were made, police said.

Fairfax, a former federal prosecutor and civil litigator, served as Virginia's lieutenant governor from 2018 to 2022 under then-governor Ralph Northam.

He was the state's second most powerful lawmaker during that period.

Fairfax launched his own bid for governor in 2021, but finished fourth in the Democratic primary after his campaign was heavily overshadowed by sexual assault allegations from two women.

The Democrat adamantly denied the women's allegations and said both encounters were entirely consensual. His wife stood by his side throughout the scandal.

Cerina ran a family dentistry practice in northern Virginia. She graduated from Duke University and the Virginia Commonwealth University School of Dentistry, which honored her in 2015 as its most outstanding alumna of the last decade.

Virginia Lt. Gov. Justin Fairfax, followed by his wife Cerina, waves to the crowd as he arrives for his inauguration at the state capitol in Richmond, Virginia in 2018

The couple's tragic deaths stunned political leaders throughout the state.

'We are keeping Cerina and Justin Fairfax's family - especially their two children - in our prayers as we all process this shocking and horrifying news,' Virginia's Democratic US senators Mark Warner and Tim Kaine said in a joint statement.

Fairfax had served as co-chair for Warner's 2014 reelection campaign.

Ghazala Hashmi, Virginia's current lieutenant governor, called the deaths devastating.

'My thoughts are with their children, loved ones, and numerous friends,' Hashmi said in a statement. 'Along with so many in the Commonwealth, I am filled with sorrow; I await further insights from our law enforcement officials.'
A bombshell new court filing in the case against Charlie Kirk's accused killer Tyler Robinson provides new details about the bullet that took the conservative activist's life and the gunman that allegedly fired it.

Robinson, 22, is facing capital murder charges and a potential death sentence for Kirk's murder at Utah Valley University on September 10.

The forensic details surrounding the bullet examinations have fueled numerous debates and conspiracies surrounding the case, especially after the defense revealed in a recent court filing that the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) 'was unable to identify the bullet recovered at autopsy to the rifle allegedly tied to Mr. Robinson.'

But an ATF summary of the forensic report, part of documents filed by the defense in January, was unsealed by a judge on Wednesday revealing more details of the forensic investigation and recovered evidence from the scene.

The report reveals that one bullet jacket fragment that was recovered from Kirk's autopsy matched a .30 caliber class bullet. Four other lead bullet fragments were also recovered.

'The ATF lab described the item as a ".30-caliber class deformed/damaged bullet jacket fragment,"' the filing reveals, citing evidence included in the report after the FBI lab conducted analysis of the bullet jacket fragment.

That matches the same caliber as the Mauser 98 30-06 rifle recovered near the scene, that prosecutors claim was allegedly used by Robinson to kill Kirk. Robinson received the gun as a gift from his grandfather, authorities said.

The report also reveals that the rifle recovered near the scene was tested and found operable and that the recovered cartridge case bears a 'Remington headstamp' designating its proper caliber for the rifle.

Tyler Robinson, accused of the murder of Charlie Kirk, reacts during a hearing in Fourth District Court in Provo, Utah.

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Details of the alleged murder weapon and the bullet that struck activist Charlie Kirk are revealed in the ATF forensic report

The cartridge case, ATF investigators wrote in the report, was identified as having been fired in the 'Exhibit 1 rifle,' the alleged murder weapon.

The remaining bullet jacket fragment, however, could not be 'conclusively linked or excluded' as having been fired by Robinson's specific gun, as the examiner concluded that the shattered bullet was too damaged for conclusive findings.

While the defense focused on the inability to link the bullet fragments directly to the bullet, the report notes that it does not exclude the possibility either.

The new information s a blow to Robinson's defense, which continues their efforts to stop further testing on the bullet jacket fragment after it was revealed that the bullet recovered during Kirk's autopsy had shattered upon impact.

Other evidence examined by the ATF includes the 30-06 rifle recovered near the scene, a 30-06 Springfield caliber cartridge case, and three 30-06 Springfield caliber cartridges.

Evidence uncovered by the ATF demonstrates that the bullet matching the caliber of Robinson's rifle, plus a confirmed match with the spent casing, offers a fuller picture of the alleged murder weapon, making it more difficult for the defense to argue that Robinson did not fire the bullet that killed Kirk.

The state wants to conduct further testing of the bullet fragment to produce additional details about the rifle that fired it.

Robinson is now due back in court on April 17, when his defense attorneys and prosecutors will debate the issue of allowing cameras and microphones in the courtroom

Kirk's widow, Erika Kirk, has called for transparency in the case

Robinson and his attorneys are asking that additional testing be stopped because it could alter the evidence, citing investigators using 'pliers or similar gripping tools' in the jacket of the bullet casing fragment.

The defense filed a motion asking the court to require FBI investigators to allow a defense examiner to be present for further testing of the fragment or videotaping of the examination. That could serve as a stalling tactic by the defense, as prosecutors revealed in the document that the FBI does not allow that.

The defense team is working to push back Robinson's preliminary hearing scheduled for May 17. Robinson is also due back in court April 17 for a hearing on a defense motion to ban cameras from the courtroom.
Passengers on an EasyJet flight were left in 'disbelief' after being told their plane could not take off unless six of them disembarked because it was too heavy.

The flight - which was travelling from Southend Airport to Malaga, Spain on April 11 - was preparing for departure when the captain informed them of the issue.

Passenger Kelly Wayland, 45, who is an independent travel agent, said: 'I honestly couldn't believe what was happening - I thought he was joking at first.

'It was bizarre, I had never heard anything like it before.

'The pilot came out of his cockpit and told everyone we couldn't set off unless six of us got off the plane.

'He said it was either that or we leave all of the luggage behind.

'I was travelling with my dad, who is disabled, my mum, and my partner, so it would have been hard work for us to get off.

'Five people got off fairly quickly in around 10 minutes.'

Kelly Wayland, 45, travelling with her mother, father, and partner, said she initially thought the request was a joke

Flight records show the plane - an Airbus A319 - was due to fly at 8:40 am but set off at 8:59 am (Pictured: Ms Wayland and her mother onboard the plane)

EasyJet said customers were given free travel from Essex to London Gatwick for an alternative flight later the same day, and are being offered compensation

The volunteers were give a round of applause as they left the plane, Ms Wayland said.

Flight records show the plane - an Airbus A319 - was due to fly at 8:40 am but set off at 8:59 am.

EasyJet said the flight was delayed by 12 minutes.

An Airbus A319 has a max take-off weight of 75.50 tonnes, according to Airbus.

EasyJet said customers were given free travel from Essex to London Gatwick for an alternative flight later the same day, and are being offered compensation.

The firm blamed the weather conditions and the short length of the runway for the weight limit.

A spokesperson said: 'The safety and welfare of our passengers and crew is always easyJet's highest priority.

'Weight restrictions are in place for all airlines for safety reasons.'

They did not disclose any information relating to compensation.
A film director who was allegedly stabbed to death by her sister in her north London flat fled the Six-Day War as a 12-year-old girl, a court has heard.

Jennifer Abbott, 69, was found dead in Mornington Place, Camden, on June 13 with gaffer tape covering her mouth and wearing just her knickers.

It is claimed that Nancy Pexton, 70, slit her throat and stole a diamond-encrusted Rolex worth 70,000 - shutting Ms Abbott's corgi, Prince, in the kitchen where he was found alive three days later.

A neighbour had broken down the door after Ms Abbott, a film director and author also known as Sarah Steinberg, did not answer to Pexton's daughter, who Pexton had asked to go round to the flat after a call from Ms Abbott's son.

The court previously heard from Ms Abott's son Brad Carlson about the 'bubbling' resentment between his mother and aunt.

Giving evidence via video-link, Mr Carlson had said: 'There was interaction and sometimes anger and hostility between my mother and Nancy, there was resentment seemingly bubbling up.'

Pexton, who is nine months younger than her sister, denies murder.

Ms Abbott's and Pexton's nephew Feras Abu-Kait gave evidence today assisted by an Arabic interpreter.

Jennifer Abbott (left) and Nancy Pexton (right) pictured together in a social media post

Nancy Pexton (left), 70, is accused of killing her sister Jennifer Abbott (right), 69, and gagging her with adhesive tape at her flat in Mornington Crescent, Camden, last June

The court heard that when Mr Abu-Kait was born and Ms Abbott was 12 years old they lived in the Middle East.

He said Ms Abbott carried him in her arms as they fled to Kuwait during the 1967 Six Day War - adding Ms Abbott brought him up alongside his grandmother.

Mr Abu-Kait explained Ms Abbott got married in Kuwait and gave birth to her son, Brad. She and her husband and son then left Kuwait to move to the US.

He added that Pexton had her daughter Mai when she was in Kuwait but they left to go to the UK when Mai was one year old.

Mr Abu-Kait remained in Kuwait before moving to Jordan but he remained in regular contact with Ms Abbott and she visited him.

Pexton also visited Mr Abu-Kait in Jordan but their contact besides this was limited, the court heard.

Previously, Mr Carlson told jurors he had received a number of messages from Pexton expressing her 'anger and resentment and furiousness' towards Ms Abbott.

Mr Carlson said: 'She was angry - I think there was at times a feeling of disrespect.

At the Old Bailey, Ms Abbott's son Brad Carlson previously told jurors about the 'bubbling' resentment between his mother and aunt

'I think a feeling that she was unappreciated and that my mother had not shown gratitude for some of the things Nancy had done and been there for her.'

The victim's diamond-encrusted gold Rolex watch was missing when she was found and was later recovered from Pexton's belongings after she was admitted to hospital, jurors previously heard.

Mr Carlson, who bought his mother the Rolex, said he 'wanted people to get along' and encouraged them to make 'peace'.

He said: 'I, at times, was very honest with my mother. I asked my mother to be more gentle and sometimes more careful in her words. Sometimes people need to be treated more gently.'

He added that he felt 'empathy' and 'love' for Nancy.

The court also previously heard Ms Abbott had told her nephew she thought Pexton was 'capable of anything', and that she feared for her safety.

She allegedly told Mr Abu-Kait that Pexton had attempted to murder two of her boyfriends and hired two people to beat up someone called David.

Ms Abbott also asked her nephew if she should apply for a restraining order and even wrote a note about it on a scrap of paper, jurors previously heard.

On June 10, the defendant called her sister nine times, the final call lasting just over 15 minutes.

Bill Boyce KC, prosecuting, said it was 'no coincidence' Ms Abbott was not seen or heard from after she took her corgi dog, Prince, for a walk that morning.

He alleged Pexton was the last person to see her alive having fatally attacked her in her home and leaving just before 2pm.

Pexton was arrested on June 18 after the discovery of her sister's watch in her bag, having initially been treated as a witness.

She said she had overdosed in the aftermath of Ms Abbott's death and went to hospital, where she was subsequently detained.

Pexton denied killing her sister and claimed Ms Abbott had given her the Rolex to 'keep for her', jurors heard.

The defendant, who was homeless at the time of the crime, claims she only visited Ms Abbott on the day of her death to pick up pills to help her depression, suggesting a local drug dealer may have been responsible for the murder.

Pexton, of Gloucester Place, Marylebone, told medical staff that she is 'half Jewish, half Italian'.

The trial continues.
Donald Trump broke his silence on rape and sexual misconduct allegations against ousted Democratic Congressman Eric Swalwell, speaking exclusively with the Daily Mail.

Swalwell, 45, resigned from office and suspended his California gubernatorial campaign this week after five women publicly accused him of sexual misconduct.

A former staffer claimed he raped her twice while she was intoxicated in 2019 and 2024. Another woman, Lonna Drewes, alleged the California lawmaker drugged and raped her in 2018.

'We'll see what happens,' Trump told the Daily Mail when asked about the political fallout from the scandal.

'He's a sleazebag. Always has been. He's a long timer, and he's a bad guy. I don't know anything about the charges, but he's a bad guy.'

Swalwell has been one of Trumps most vocal critics in Congress, accusing the President of colluding with Russia during the 2016 election. He also served as an impeachment manager during Trumps second trial in 2021.

'He's always been a bad guy, hes a corrupt politician, and everyone knows it, so it's happening to him, and we'll see what happens. Right? Let him go defend himself,' Trump added.

Two criminal investigations into the assault claims against Swalwell have been started by both the Manhattan District Attorney's Office and the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department.

Swalwell has denied any wrongdoing in connection with the rape and sexual assault allegations. While rejecting the claims, the former lawmaker acknowledged making 'mistakes in judgment' and apologized to his wife, Brittany Watts.

'We'll see what happens,' Trump told the Daily Mail when asked about a possible investigation into Swalwell

'He's a sleazebag. Always has been. He's a long timer, and he's a bad guy. I don't know anything about the charges, but he's a bad guy' President Trump told the Daily Mail in a phone call interview about Swalwell (left). His best friend in Congress, Senator Ruben Gallego is on the right

Two Swalwell accusers and an influencer who helped get their story out spoke with CBS News in an interview that aired on April 14

Until today, the President had limited his response to reposting articles about the sexual assault allegations on Truth Social

Swalwell addressed wife Brittany Watts, saying that he apologized to her 'deeply for putting her in this position'

The accusations against Swalwell destroyed his political career and prompted calls for further investigations from both parties.

Trump had not spoken publicly about the scandal until he was reached via phone by the Daily Mail.

Until today, the President has limited his response to reposting articles about the sexual assault allegations on Truth Social.

Prior to the scandal, Swalwells attorneys sent a cease-and-desist letter to FBI Director Kash Patel, seeking to block the release of the agencys investigative files into the lawmakers past relationship with an alleged Chinese spy.

Christine Fang, a Chinese national, was accused by the FBI of engaging in intelligence on behalf of the Chinese government by cultivating relationships with politicians, including Swalwell and Midwest mayors.

Swalwell maintained a relationship with Fang from 2011 until 2015, where she helped him with fundraising and placed an intern in his office.

He cut all ties to her in 2015 after an FBI investigation. Swalwell has not been accused by law enforcement of any wrongdoing regarding this matter.

After the scandal broke, Swalwell was removed by then-Speaker Kevin McCarthy from the House Intelligence Committee in 2023.

Another woman, Lonna Drewes, alleged the California lawmaker drugged and raped her in 2018

Until last week, Swalwell was the leading Democratic candidate in the 2026 California gubernatorial primary to succeed outgoing Governor Gavin Newsom

Swalwell accused Patel of weaponizing the FBI to go after his political opponents. He pointed to a list in Patels book that includes his name on an 'enemies list.'

Until last week, Swalwell was the leading Democratic candidate in the 2026 California gubernatorial primary to succeed outgoing Governor Gavin Newsom.

Newsom has not yet commented on the scandal.

Swalwell's campaign had successfully raised several million dollars, as polling from March showed him leading the crowded field with 17.3 percent support.
Fuel theft is on the rise as petrol prices soar due to the oil supply disruption in the Middle East as a result of the Iran War.

Police have released CCTV footage of a woman in her pyjamas filling up her car at two petrol stations before 'driving off without paying' in Gwyedd, north Wales.

This is one of a number of recent incidents as fuel costs soar across the globe because of the closure of the Strait of Hormuz off the coast of Iran - a vital shipping lane which normally hosts 20 per cent of the world's oil supply.

UK pumps have seen an 18 per cent rise in price for petrol and as high as a 34 per cent rise for diesel, according to the latest government figures.

The alleged thief who was wearing pyjamas is said to have filled up her silver car at Garej Ni in Pwllheli and Prysor Service Station in Trawsfynydd over Easter.

Judith Troughton, owner of Prysor Service Station, the theft was 'awful' and claimed that 50 worth was stolen from the forecourt on Easter Monday. North Wales Police have said they are investigating the spree of thefts.

Fuel theft like this has soared by 28 per cent since the Iran War began on February 28.

Petrol station managers are reporting a surge in No Means of Payment (NMoP) incidents - when a customer fills up their tank and tells the cashier they are unable to pay.

A pyjama clad woman was allegedly seen stealing petrol at a north Wales petrol station

Fuel theft is on the rise as prices skyrocket due to shortages following the war in Iran

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This method of theft is favoured by fuel thieves as they are treated as a civil matter in the eyes of the law, while drive-offs are a criminal offence.

Michelle Henchoz, director at surveillance firm Forecourt Eye, told The Mirror: 'They think the police are not going to go after them. But when you get a repeat offender that keeps doing it, that becomes fraud, so it does become a criminal matter.'

Police hunted down another alleged petrol thief who struck a petrol station in North Yorkshire.

He is said to have made off without paying for a full jerry can at Scaling Dam Filling Station in Easington on March 26.

Officers said: 'It is believed he had been driving a dark blue Ford and had run out of fuel in the Grosmont area before getting a lift to the filling station.'

CCTV footage was released online by cops who later said they had identified a man in connection.

Thefts like these are more difficult to trace as they evade number plate recognition systems, Ms Henchoz said. She added that some people even walk up to pumps with Coca-Cola bottles and simply walk off.

'Bilkers' are turning to old school methods and targeting unattended vehicles and siphoning petrol tanks. Some are drilling holes in the side of petrol tanks to bypass anti-siphoning technology, according to reports from Clacton-on-Sea.

James Hemingway found this out the hard way when he said his Bradford-based drainage firm WCG was hit by thieves who stole 2,500 of fuel from two lorries last week.

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Police in Grantham re investigating the theft of 25,000 litres of diesel stolen from a haulage firm last month when hidden pipes were discovered draining the company's tank. They led back to a vehicle parked in an A1 layby across the countryside.

It's not just petrol and diesel that are being targeted by thieves either as Suffolk Police warned that heating oil was under threat too, being siphoned off to sell on the black market or used.

Two properties were hit by bandits after heating oil in the Woodbridge area in March, with the force issuing warnings to residents to protect their oil 'following current price rises'.

They said hiding fuel tanks from the road, installing CCTV and alarms and properly locking tanks in secure storage compounds are the best way to defend against thieves, as well as immediate reporting of suspicious activity.
Sir Keir Starmer has told tech bosses that 'things can't go on like this' as he demanded action on the risks faced by children on social media.

The Prime Minister hauled in chiefs from X, Meta, Snap, TikTok and Google, which owns YouTube, to demand they take action to protect children.

But the Tories accused him of mixed messaging for issuing the call just a day after his MPs voted down a proposal to ban under-16s from accessing social media.

The PM told the gathered tech giants that 'looking the other way is not an option' as he warned that the consequences of failing to act were 'stark'.

'Things can't go on like this, they must change because right now social media is putting our children at risk,' he said.

'In a world in which children are protected, even if that means access is restricted, that is preferable to a world where harm is the price of participation.'

The Prime Minister added: 'I am determined we will build a better future for our children, and look forward to working with you on this.

'I do think this can be done. I think the question is not whether it is done, the question is how it is done.'

Keir Starmer warned tech firms he is 'going to act' on protecting young people on social media - but admitted he didn't yet know what he's going to do or when

Sir Keir is under pressure from bereaved families who have called for more action on taming the tech giants.

But his MPs voted down a proposal to ban social media for under-16s, despite other countries doing so.

Last month, MPs voted against a Lords proposal for an outright ban. One Labour MP John McDonnell previously rebelled against the Government to support a ban.

The shadow education secretary Laura Trott said: 'The PM has the nerve to say that parents are worried about social media and rightly expect fast action, when the only person standing in the way of any action is him.

'He instructed Labour MPs to vote against a social media ban for a second time last night. Parents will feel desperately let down, everyday Labour don't act more children are being harmed.'

Sir Keir would not commit to a timeline when pressed on when the Government might begin making changes.

Asked whether he would act by the summer, the Prime Minister told LBC after the meeting: 'We'll get through the consultation, obviously, but the reason we took the powers early was to make sure that once the consultation is over and we've evaluated it, we can move very quickly.'

The Government says it is not supporting the amendments because it is consulting on online safety measures for children, which could include a social media ban for under-16s.

Sir Keir has previously been hesitant to support an outright ban but has signalled he will take action to make social media safer.

Australia restricted access for under 16s at the end of last year, while other European countries including Spain and Greece have similar plans.

Andy Burrows, chief executive of the Molly Rose Foundation, urged the Prime Minister to 'decisively commit to strengthening regulation to make unsafe and addictive design a thing of the past'.

Asked about a ban on Wednesday night, Labour deputy leader Lucy Powell said: 'We absolutely have to act more'.

Asked why MPs were voting against a ban, she said: 'A ban is on the table. A ban is absolutely on the table. In fact, we've already acquired the powers.'
President Donald Trump announced a tenday ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon on Thursday, describing the truce as an initial step toward a permanent end to hostilities between the two nations.

He also mentioned an invitation he sent to the prime minister of Israel and the Lebanese president for further talks at the White House.

The announcement, made via Trump's Truth Social platform, follows highlevel discussions held in Washington earlier this week. The ceasefire is scheduled to take effect today at 5pm EST.

The President stated that the agreement was reached following personal conversations with the Israeli and Lebanese leaders, noting that representatives from both countries met in Washington on Tuesday, marking the first such diplomatic encounter in 34 years.

'I just had excellent conversations with the highly respected President Joseph Aoun, of Lebanon, and Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu, of Israel,' Trump wrote. 'These two leaders have agreed that in order to achieve peace between their countries, they will formally begin a ten-day ceasefire at 5pm EST.'

Trump explains further that the administration has tasked a senior delegation to oversee the transition from a temporary truce to a longterm agreement. This team includes Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Dan 'Razin' Caine.

The President added: 'It has been my honor to solve nine wars across the world, and this will be my tenth, so let's get it done!'

This ceasefire comes amid heightened regional tension and follows months of diplomatic maneuvering by the White House.

While the tenday window is brief, the pause is intended to provide the necessary space for formal negotiations regarding longterm stability.

President Donald Trump announced a tenday ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon on Thursday, describing the truce as an initial step toward a permanent end to hostilities between the two nations

Despite negotiations, airstrikes have continued in the region. Above, the aftermath of an Israeli airstrike in Lebanon on Wednesday

It wasn't clear whether Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu would attend future talks

The military campaign between Lebanon and Israel has become a major sticking point in Trumps quest to bring an end to the war in Iran.

The Israeli-US strikes against Iran on March 2 intensified already frayed relationships in the region.

Hezbollah, the Iranian-backed militant group in Lebanon, has been participating in the armed conflict by launching missile attacks against Israel.

Israel's retaliation in Lebanon has resulted in a catastrophic death toll, with estimates exceeding 2,000 Lebanese casualties. More than one million people have also been forced to flee their homes.

Earlier this month, Israeli defense minister Israel Katz said the nation was planning to set up a security zone on Lebanese territory, which would prevent thousands from returning to their homes.

In an effort to broker peace, several Lebanese and Israeli officials met at the US Department of State headquarters in Washington, DC, on Tuesday.

Rubio hosted the meeting, which included Lebanese Ambassador to the US Nada Hamadeh, Israeli Ambassador to the US Yechiel Leiter and US Ambassador to Lebanon Michel Issa.

'We discovered today that we're on the same side of the equation, and that's the most positive thing we could have come away with,' Leiter said after the meeting.

Trump stated that the agreement was reached following personal conversations with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Lebanese President Joseph Aoun. Pictured: Aoun shaking hands with Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani

Rubio, center, in between Michael Needham and Ambassador Michel Issa, called the talks 'historic' and 'productive'

Israeli Ambassador to the US Yechiel Leiter declared that both nations were 'united in liberating Lebanon' from Hezbollah after the meeting

Join the discussion Is this a turning point or just another pause?

He added that the discussion focused on a 'clearly delineated border' between Israel and Lebanon.

'The security of our civilians is not up for negotiation. This was a victory for sanity, for responsibility and for peace,' Leiter said.

Leiter also declared that both nations were 'united in liberating Lebanon' from Hezbollah.

Lebanon's Ambassador to the US, Nada Hamadeh Moawad, called the meeting 'productive' while Rubio noted that the talks are a 'process.'

Rubio added: 'It's a historic gathering that we hope to build on.'

Instability between Lebanon and Israel has contributed to the enduring conflict in the region.

Lebanon and Israel have engaged in peace negotiations in 1983 and 1993. However, following the Hamas-led attack in Israel on October 7, 2023, the conflict drastically escalated.

A fragile cease-fire was implemented at the end of 2024, but was never fully enforced.
The new solution, built on Hedera and HashSphere, creates a shared, verifiable source of property data to improve underwriting and risk analysis

NEW YORK, April 16, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Hashgraph, the organization driving the development of Hedera, today announced a partnership with The Institutes RiskStream Collaborative, the insurance industry's largest not-for-profit emerging technology consortium, to develop an interoperable property risk and resilience portal.

The new solution, using a hybrid distributed ledger model, will transform how commercial and residential property risk data is shared, verified, and used across the insurance industry. The interoperable portal establishes a single, trusted source of truth for property and risk data, helping insurers, brokers, and reinsurers reduce fragmentation, improve data accuracy, and streamline underwriting.

The RiskStream Collaborative, whose consortium includes insurers, brokers, and reinsurers, focuses on improving how insurance data is shared and verified. Through the partnership with Hashgraph, RiskStream will leverage a hybrid distributed model that combines HashSphere, Hashgraph's private, permissioned ledger, with the Hedera public network. This approach enables sensitive data to be securely managed in a private environment while anchoring key records, through a token, to a public ledger for improved risk tracking and data sharing related to the underlying asset.

"The process of gathering and sharing data for insurance placement and underwriting today is tedious, highly manual, and inefficient," said Pat Schmid, President of The Institutes RiskStream Collaborative. "There are multiple parties within the insurance experience (carriers, brokers, reinsurers, data providers, and so on) that routinely duplicate the same work, with no standardized way to verify, track, or maintain this critical data over time. By strategically partnering with Hashgraph on this solution, we're aiming to leverage emerging technologies to improve this process. The vision is to tokenize risk assets to create a persistent, unique identifier that serves as a shared data foundation for the risk management and insurance industry. Property is the perfect place to start."

The United States property and casualty insurance market now exceeds $1 trillion in direct annual premiums, with approximately $169 billion in homeowners and $103 billion in commercial property premiums, according to S&P Global,1 underscoring the vast scale of risk underwritten across the industry. At the same time, insurers are contending with growing perils, including natural catastrophes, that are increasing both the complexity and volatility of that risk. Insurers continue to face persistent challenges in collecting and standardizing the core data required for accurate risk assessment. Stakeholders within the insurance ecosystem rely on a fragmented mix of manual forms, legacy systems, and third-party data sources to capture critical property characteristics, resulting in inconsistent data quality and operational inefficiencies that ultimately affect underwriting accuracy and pricing decisions.

The initial partnership between Hashgraph and RiskStream will focus on tokenizing commercial and residential properties to create a shared identifier with an interoperable portal that can streamline the collection and sharing of associated risk data. There are also plans to expand data tokenization efforts to other lines of insurance and other parts of the insurance process.

"HashSphere was built to remove the barriers that have historically hindered adoption of public blockchain solutions by regulated industries," said Kurt Bierbower, CRO at Hashgraph. "This partnership demonstrates how hybrid models can unlock real-world use cases at scale. By tokenizing property and risk data, we're creating a shared foundation of trust that accelerates underwriting and modernizes how risk is evaluated."

About Hashgraph

Hashgraph is a rapidly growing software company comprising world-renowned leaders and builders in web3. Founded with the mission to foster a secure, trusted, and sustainable decentralized world, Hashgraph powers Hedera, the leading distributed ledger technology (DLT) network for enterprise and web3 builders. With a global presence, Hashgraph spearheads Hedera's marketing, product innovation, and technical development. Committed to accelerating application deployment, Hashgraph introduces pioneering products and services that bridge traditional and decentralized finance, advancing us towards an internet of value. For more information visit Hashgraph.com.

About The Institutes RiskStream Collaborative

The Institutes RiskStream Collaborative aims to create an ecosystem within the risk management and insurance industry that leverages emerging technology platforms to design/build (or leverage existing) solutions that aim to streamline the flow and verification of data in multiparty business processes. RiskStream's goals as a blockchain and emerging technology consortium are to help industry participants lower operating costs, drive efficiency from improved processes, and enhance the customer experience.

Media Contact

[email protected]

1Jason Woleben, "In Industry First, U.S. P&C Insurers Exceed $1 Trillion in Direct Annual Premiums," S&P Global, March 24, 2025.

SOURCE Hashgraph
Labour whips launched an audacious bid to cancel next week's session of Prime Minister's questions following a bust-up between Keir Starmer and the Commons Speaker.

Parliamentary sources told the Daily Mail that the party tried to end the Commons session early next week to avoid Sir Keir having to endure another bruising clash with Kemi Badenoch.

The Prime Minister reacted furiously on Wednesday after Sir Lindsay Hoyle ordered him to stop dodging Kemi Badenoch's questions.

Setting out the parliamentary business for next week, Commons leader Sir Alan Campbell said that debates and votes beyond Tuesday would only take place 'if necessary'.

Peers were pressed to drop their objections to a string of government bills awaiting approval before the scheduled end of the session on April 29, when parliament will be prorogued ahead of the King's Speech on May 13.

But a House of Lords source told the Daily Mail that peers had rejected the bid.

'There was a lot of pressure to push everything through by next Tuesday so that Starmer wouldn't have to do another PMQs. But people are not having it,' the source said.

'The concerns about legislation on things like social media and pensions are genuine  they are not going to be dropped to give the Prime Minister an easier time.'

Sir Keir Starmer has endured a series of painful clashes with Kemi Badenoch in recent weeks

The Prime Minister was seen having a furious argument with the Speaker after PMQs this week

Join the discussion Should Prime Ministers be held accountable for dodging tough questions in Parliament

The bid came as Sir Keir faced calls to apologise to the Speaker after ranting at him in the Commons chamber on Wednesday.

The PM confronted Sir Lindsay in the chamber after being told to stop dodging Mrs Badenoch's questions.

Shadow Commons leader Jesse Norman raised the episode at Business Questions in the Commons on Thursday.

As Sir Lindsay watched on stony-faced, Mr Norman said of 24 responses given by the PM to Mrs Badenoch in recent weeks, 23 had 'ignored the question and changed the subject'.

'Yesterday we even saw the PM hectoring you and on live television just for doing your job,' he said.

'That is a shameful record, for which the PM should write to you and therefore by implication to this House and apologise.'

Mr Norman said the behaviour 'is contemptuous of you, of the Leader of the Opposition, and of us all as MPs'.

Asked about the incident, the PM's spokesman insisted he had 'addressed all the questions that were put to him yesterday'.

The spokesman confirmed Sir Keir still has confidence in the Speaker.

Allies of the Speaker have pointed out that he regularly gets emails from members of the public complaining that the premier constantly dodges questions at PMQs.

Sir Lindsay interrupted the exchanges with Mrs Badenoch On Wednesday to say: 'Prime Minister, it's Prime Minister's Questions. We've got to concentrate.'

Following the heated clashes, the PM was leaving the chamber when he was seen to approach Sir Lindsay's chair.

One MP who witnessed the scene at close quarters said Sir Keir was clearly incensed at the Speaker.

'He was fuming with Lindsay,' they told the Daily Mail.

It was the third occasion in recent weeks in which Sir Lindsay has had to intervene to remind Sir Keir that he is supposed to be answering questions.

The Speaker later issued a statement saying that he occasionally had to remind PMs of the 'rules of engagement' in the chamber.

He added that the point had been made to No10 officials 'on several occasions recently' following similar interventions on previous weeks.

A spokesman for the Speaker's Office said yesterday: 'The Speaker is not responsible for the questions asked by Members or the answers given by Ministers.

'Questions to Ministers should relate to matters for which they are officially responsible. Equally, answers should be confined to the points contained in the question.

'Every so often the Speaker has to remind Prime Ministers - and Ministers - of the rules of engagement in the Chamber.

'The Speaker has made this point to officials at No 10 on several occasions recently as well.'
The Church of England's top bishop has stood in solidarity with Pope Leo after he condemned a 'handful of tyrants' ravaging the world in a savage rebuke to Donald Trump.

Dame Sarah Mullally, who is set to meet with the Pontiff later this month in Rome, backed the Pope's 'courageous call for a kingdom of peace'.

She also urged those in positions of political power to pursue every 'possible peaceful and just means of resolving conflict'.

The Archbishop of Canterbury said: 'I stand with my brother in Christ, His Holiness Pope XIV, in his courageous call for a kingdom of peace.

'As innocent people are killed and displaced, families torn apart, and futures destroyed, the human cost of war is incalculable. It is the calling of every Christian  and of all people of faith and goodwill  to work and pray for peace.

'We must also urge all those entrusted with political authority to pursue every possible peaceful and just means of resolving conflict.'

It comes after Pope Leo issued unusually forceful remarks during a trip to Cameroon on Thursday, after the US President launched a tirade against him over his repeated criticism of the war in Iran.

The first American pope decried leaders who use religious language to justify wars while also condemning 'an endless cycle of destabilisation and death', while on a visit to Bamenda - located in a 'bloodstained' region of Cameroon.

Dame Sarah Mullaly backed Pope Leo XIV today after he condemned 'handful of tyrants' ravaging the world in a savage rebuke to Donald Trump

The Pope has claimed the world is 'being ravaged by a handful of tyrants' as his feud with Donald Trump escalates

In a speech at Saint Joseph's Cathedral, located in the region, which has been gripped by separatist insurgency for nearly a decade, the pope said: 'Those who rob your land of its resources generally invest much of the profit in weapons.

'Thus perpetuating an endless cycle of destabilisation and death,' he added. 'The masters of war pretend not to know that it takes only a moment to destroy, yet often a lifetime is not enough to rebuild.

'They turn a blind eye to the fact that billions of dollars are spent on killing and devastation, yet the resources needed for healing, education and restoration are nowhere to be found.'

It comes as Donald Trump lambasted the Pope's 'weak' and demanded the religious leader 'focus on being a Great Pope, not a politician' in a fiery rant on Truth Social.

On Sunday, Trump branded the pontiff 'a very liberal person' who is 'WEAK on Crime, and terrible for Foreign Policy'.

He also said that Leo, 70, was only made Pope 'because he was an American', and 'If I wasn't in the White House, Leo wouldn't be in the Vatican.'

He added: 'I don't think he's doing a very good job. He likes crime I guess.

'We don't like a pope who says it's ok to have a nuclear weapon. We don't want a pope that says crime is ok. I am not a fan of Pope Leo.'

Trump then sparked further controversy by posting an AI-generated image seemingly depicting himself as Jesus Christ, triggering backlash among his usual supporters.

Join the discussion Should religious leaders speak this bluntly on global politics?

Trump sparked controversy by posting an AI-generated image seemingly depicting himself as Jesus Christ, triggering backlash among his usual supporters

Singing, blowing horns and making music, people waved Vatican and Cameroonian flags while dressed in traditional outfits bearing the pope's image

Following criticism, the US President rejected the idea he had likened himself to the son of God, saying: 'It's supposed to be me as a doctor, making people better. And I do make people better. I make people a lot better.'

Trump's scathing criticism of the Pope followed an Easter message from the Pontiff earlier this month, where he strongly criticised war, calling on 'those who have weapons (to) lay them down'.

Since then, the Pope insisted he will continue to 'stand up and say there's a better way' and that he is 'not afraid of the Trump administration', although he also said he did not intend to 'get into a debate' with the US leader.

In remarks on Thursday during his current four-nation Africa tour, Pope Leo remained outspoken in his desire for peace, adding that peacemakers are 'blessed'.

In a veiled dig at Trump's administration, he added: 'But woe to those who manipulate religion and the very name of God for their own military, economic and political gain, dragging that which is sacred into darkness and filth.

'It is a world turned upside down, an exploitation of Gods creation that must be denounced and rejected by every honest conscience.'

On Monday, he said that he plans to continue speaking out against war, telling Reuters: 'I don't want to get into a debate with him.'

Speaking aboard the papal flight to Algiers, where Leo began a 10-day tour to four African countries, he added: 'I don't think that the message of the Gospel is meant to be abused in the way that some people are doing.

'The world is being ravaged by a handful of tyrants, yet it is held together by a multitude of supportive brothers and sisters.'

'I will continue to speak out loudly against war, looking to promote peace, promoting dialogue and multilateral relationships among the states to look for just solutions to problems.

'Too many people are suffering in the world today. Too many innocent people are being killed. And I think someone has to stand up and say there's a better way.'

The Pope has repeatedly condemned the war in Iran, saying it has caused absurd and inhuman violence.

Last Saturday, he told worshippers at St Peters Basilica: 'Enough of the idolatry of self and money! Enough of the display of power! Enough of war!'

He then criticised the president over his threats against Iran, when he warned that 'a whole civilisation will die tonight, never to be brought back again'.

The Pope called it a 'truly unacceptable' statement.
Dubai police snooped on a private WhatsApp group to snare an airline worker who shared images of a building damaged in the Middle East crisis.

Authorities accessed a closed chat between colleagues, downloaded evidence and then lured the man to a meeting and arrested him.

He is in custody facing charges including publishing information deemed harmful to state interests which carries a maximum sentence of two years.

Radha Stirling, chief executive of Detained in Dubai, said: 'Dubai Police have now explicitly confirmed they are conducting electronic surveillance operations capable of detecting private WhatsApp messages.

'Individuals are being tracked, identified, and arrested not for public statements, but for private exchanges between colleagues.

'Companies like WhatsApp must answer urgent questions about user privacy.

'If private communications can be detected and used as the basis for arrest by overreaching or hypersensitive states, users worldwide need clarity on how their data is being accessed.'

According to the police report, authorities stated the clip was detected 'through electronic monitoring operations'.

Dubai police snooped on a private WhatsApp group to snare an airline worker who shared images of a building damaged in the Middle East crisis (Dubai International Airport pictured)

The material showed smoke rising from a building following the March 2026 Iran-related incidents and had only been shared only within a closed WhatsApp group of airline colleagues.

A specialised team from the Electronic and Cybercrime Department was then formed to identify the account holder.

He was subsequently located, lured to a meeting point and arrested by police.

He remains in detention after the case was escalated to State Security Prosecution.

The UAE government has the majority holdings in telecom operators Etisalat and Du, meaning security services can monitor all communications on their networks.

It has also historically used the Israeli-developed Pegasus spyware, which allows agents to tap private phones  even if they are messaging on encrypted apps like WhatsApp.

They have deployed it most notably against a number of Western politicians and journalists.

The software can infect a device without the user even clicking on any link. For instance, a target can be compromised via a simple WhatsApp voice call  even if the call is not answered.

Once compromised, it can access all WhatsApp call logs, messages and contacts.

Security experts recommend regularly rebooting your phone, frequently updating the software and even using Lockdown Mode to reduce vulnerability.

Ms Sterling said she has received other reports involving tourists, residents, and airline crew detained for sending, receiving, or retaining content, even where there was no public dissemination.

The use of surveillance technology to monitor private messaging platforms raises serious questions about privacy, proportionality, and the scope of the UAEs cybercrime laws.
An American Airlines pilot was forced to 'slam on the brakes' after a truck came within feet of colliding with him on the taxiway at a North Carolina airport.

The unidentified pilot was maneuvering his plane toward the runway at Charlotte Douglas International Airport on Wednesday when he suddenly had to stop the aircraft.

Two vehicles drove past the plane, seemingly unaware that Flight 1197 had its taxi lights on.

'They just went right in front of us,' the male pilot told the air traffic controller, according to CBS News. 'We nearly hit them, I had to slam on the brakes.'

He informed the air traffic controller they had already begun moving before the car passed by.

'Somebody's going to be notified right away, that was really bad,' he chastised.

The air traffic controller confirmed he got the message and asked which direction the truck had been moving before locating it on an internal system.

The early morning flight was heading from Charlotte to Washington, DC. It arrived in DC safely on time around 9am.

An American Airlines pilot had to 'slam' on the brakes after two vehicles passed by him while he was taxing toward the runway

'Somebody's going to be notified right away, that was really bad,' he chastised to air traffic control

Charlotte Douglas International Airport said it was 'aware of the reported incident.'

'Safety and security are top priorities of CLT,' it said in a statement to CBS News.

The incident is now under investigation by the airport as well as the Federal Aviation Administration. The Daily Mail has contacted American Airlines for comment.

The close call in Charlotte comes just weeks after an Air Canada flight crashed into a fire truck on the runway at LaGuardia Airport, killing the pilots.

Surveillance footage of the runway showed the Air Canada Bombardier CRJ-900 aircraft landing around 11.30pm ET Sunday night, at the same moment a fire truck crossed its path on the tarmac.

The plane was traveling at approximately 150 mph when it struck the fire truck during heavy rainfall, and the footage showed a huge splash of water as the collision sent the truck careening across the runway.

It injured 41 people, including two people who were in the fire truck.

Audio from air traffic control revealed workers pleaded for the fire truck to stop in the seconds before it crashed into the jet.

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The incident took place at Charlotte Douglas International Airport in the early morning

The fire truck had been given permission to cross the runway to deal with an unrelated issue on a separate plane, where a pilot reported that an 'odor' was filling the aircraft that left 'flight attendants feeling ill,' officials said.

As the fire truck raced to the other aircraft, air traffic controllers appeared to realize it was on a collision course with the Air Canada jet seconds before impact, as one said in the audio: 'Truck One, stop, stop, stop!'

America's most dangerous airports have been exposed by federal officials, with dozens of high-risk runway 'hot spots' flagged across the country.

Data from the FAA shows 291 locations within US airports where the risk of runway incursions, near-collisions and taxiing errors are significantly elevated.

The problem is especially acute in California, where the FAA's latest report identifies 34 airports with more than 80 runway hot spots.

It warns that complex layouts at San Francisco, Los Angeles and San Diego's main airports increase the risk of pilot error, confusion and potential accidents.

At Phoenix Sky Harbor in Arizona, crews have mistaken taxiways for departure runways.

Other major hubs flagged by officials include Seattle-Tacoma, Harry Reid International in Las Vegas, Salt Lake City International and Albuquerque International Sunport, where wrong-runway departures, misalignment risks and complex layouts have all been highlighted.
Eric Swalwell's supporters and donors had to know about his alleged sexual misconduct with his subordinates, claims California Democrat Ro Khanna.

Swalwell, 45, resigned from Congress and canceled his California gubernatorial bid this week after being accused of rape and sexual misconduct.

At least five women have accused Swalwell of sexual misconduct, some of whom claim that the ex-Congressman raped them. Lonna Drewes has accused the Democrat of drugging and date-raping her in 2018.

'Look, I had heard rumors about womanizing,' Khanna told the Daily Mail in a sit-down interview. 'So that's why I didn't endorse him.'

'But I had no idea about the extent of it, that he actually was having totally inappropriate relationships with subordinates, that is, against the rules, and that he was engaged in alleged date rape and rape.'

He said the revelations are 'sickening and shocking and I'm glad he's left.' Swalwell, meanwhile, has denied wrongdoing.

Despite the sordid behavior and claims from Swalwell's friends and confidants that they knew nothing, Khanna believes those close to the ex-lawmaker had to have known.

'Again, I don't know the particulars, but I will say that I find it hard to believe that all these years people were close to him, or endorsing him or supporting him, that no one heard about some of this.'

Congressman Ro Khanna believes that some in Eric Swalwell's circle new about the ex-lawmaker's nefarious behavior with subordinates. Though he had heard of Swalwell's 'womanizing,' Khanna did not feel compelled to report it since he's not the 'morality police'

California Democrat Eric Swalwell canceled his gubernatorial bid and resigned from Congress this week amid allegations that he raped several women, including his own staff

Swalwell with his friend Senator Ruben Gallego on a trip to Qatar in 2021. Gallego has said that he did not know about Swalwell's sexual relationships with staffers

'I find it hard to believe that they didn't know what was happening, and they had an obligation to speak up,' he continued.

Khanna said if he knew about the misconduct, he would've reported Swalwell.

'I had heard about the womanizing enough for me to say, "I'm not going to endorse him," but my guess is that there may have been other people who knew that he was actually engaged in abuse of his own staff.'

Despite his knowledge of Swalwell's 'womanizing,' Khanna did not feel compelled to take action against his fellow California Democrat because he's not the 'morality police.'

'There's a very big difference between someone's private life and someone abusing power. What Swalwell did was not engage in affairs. What Swalwell did is abuse power with his own staff and potentially rape folks,' Khanna explained.

'So I don't believe that we have an obligation to shame people if they're having an extramarital affair. That's not my job to be a morality police, but it is my job to speak up if there's someone who's abusing their staff or engaged in sexual assault.'

Some critics have raised suspicions of Arizona Senator Ruben Gallego, a close friend of Swalwell's who served as chair of the California Democrat's failed 2020 presidential campaign, wondering what he knew about the allegations and when.

'I never saw him engage in any of the predatory behavior, harassment, sexual assault,' Gallego said this week.

Lonna Drewes reacts during a news conference in Beverly Hills, California, Tuesday, April 14, 2026, to detail allegations of sexual misconduct by Swalwell, after Swalwell exited the California governor's race and said he'll resign his seat in Congress

Drewes alleged that Swalwell drugged and raped her

'Look, we all heard rumors in Washington, D.C., about Eric Swalwell for many years,' Gallego said at a press conference on the accusations against his friend.

Both the Manhattan District Attorney's Office and the Los Angeles Sheriff's Department have opened criminal probes into the ex-lawmaker.

While rejecting the claims, the former lawmaker acknowledged making 'mistakes in judgment' and apologized to his wife, Brittany Watts.

Khanna noted that the Swalwell saga 'shows that the culture needs to change in Congress, that there needs to be stricter rules for reporting when staff members are abused.'

When pressed on whether he has always treated women fairly and respectfully throughout his career, Khanna shot back: 'Yes, of course.'
Public money is being misused to 'punish' SAS veterans who served heroically in Northern Ireland, two former Army commanders have claimed.

After a judge in Belfast dismissed a legal challenge by the family of an IRA man killed during an SAS operation in Coagh, Co Tyrone, in 1991, General Sir Peter Wall, the former head of the Army, and General Sir Nick Parker, the former Commander Land Forces, said taxpayers' money is funding 'meritless challenges.'

They called on the government to urgently review its Troubles Bill, which scrapped measures enacted in the Conservative government's Legacy Act designed to protect Northern Ireland veterans from prosecution.

'Public money is being misused to fund meritless challenges, wasting precious judicial time and dragging veterans and their families through years of unnecessary distress,' they said in a joint statement.

Their response came after a judge in Belfast on Thursday dismissed a second appeal against a coroner's findings that SAS soldiers were justified in their use of lethal force when they killed three IRA men almost 35 years ago.

The Army unit had intelligence that members of the IRA's East Tyrone brigade planned to murder an off-duty Ulster Defence Regiment [UDR] soldier at a public car park in Coagh.

A soldier had disguised himself as the UDR man and stood in wait.

When one of the IRA volunteers opened the passenger door of their vehicle with a rifle aimed, the SAS team opened fire, killing paramilitaries Peter Ryan, Tony Doris and Lawrence McNally.

Doris was later described by a judge as being part of an 'active service unit intent on murder.'

An IRA guard of honour at the funeral for volunteer Lawrence McNally, killed by SAS troops during an operation in County Tyrone in 1991

Tony Doris, a cousin of Northern Ireland First Minister Michelle O'Neill, was killed. His daughter launched a legal challenge against a coroner's conclusion that lethal force was justified

Doris' daughter, Roisin Nugent, received legal aid to challenge the coroner's 2024 verdict, launching a judicial review application into the SAS team's use of force  focussing on one veteran, known as Soldier B, now in his 60s.

She claimed that Soldier B, who fired eight shots towards her father in the space of two seconds, should have instead shouted a 'warning' or at least paused after each shot to think whether it was absolutely necessary.

Doris' cousin is Michelle O'Neill, the current First Minister of Northern Ireland and vice president of Sinn Fein.

In an excoriating judgement following a hearing at the High Court in Belfast last year, Mr Justice McAlinden roundly dismissed Ms Nugent's claim, saying the grounds of the legal challenge were 'utterly divorced from the reality of the circumstances and challenges faced by Soldier B.'

He added: 'Faced with a vehicle containing three members of an IRA active service unit intent on murder, what was Soldier B to do? Should he have fired one shot in the hope that this would have frightened the occupants of the vehicle into surrendering?

'What if the occupants of the vehicle instead of surrendering, directed automatic rifle fire at the soldiers in the lorry, who were lying prone and trapped in their positions? The soldiers would have effectively been sitting ducks.

'The only realistic response available to the soldiers was to neutralise the immediate threat to life posed by the occupants of that vehicle and Soldier B clearly acted in a restrained and proportionate manner.'

Describing the challenge as 'ludicrous', he added: 'I cannot conclude this judgment without expressing my surprise that legal aid funding was made available to mount such a challenge.'

The aftermath of the incident in Coagh, Co Tyrone. A judge concluded that the three IRA men were part of an 'active service unit' and were intending to kill on the day in question

Despite his findings, Ms Nugent again used legal aid to take her case to Northern Ireland's Court of Appeal.

The legal aid system in Northern Ireland is devolved from central government although the Northern Ireland Department of Justice is assisted by Westminster funding.

In a summary of her findings, again refusing Ms Nugent's request to seek judicial review of the inquest conclusion, released on Thursday, Lady Chief Justice Siobhan Keegan said Soldier B 'honestly believed' the IRA unit posed an 'immediate threat to life'.

She added that his actions were a 'proportionate response in a fast-moving and lethal situation. She also questioned whether the challenge was an 'effective use of public funds.'

'To us the challenge really amounted to a disagreement with the coroner's findings,' she said.

Responding to the judge's finding, Sir David Davis, a former SAS reservist, said: 'This is large amounts of public money being misspent masquerading as justice, whilst in truth it promotes serial injustice.'

He described the Labour government's proposed Troubles legislation as 'a disgrace and a scandal.'

A joint statement from Special Forces associations said the judge's finding in the Soldier B case 'exposes how attempts to deal with the legacy of the Troubles are being exploited at public expense to punish and persecute veterans and to peddle a false narrative.'

A Ministry of Defence spokesman said: 'We welcome the Court of Appeal's judgment dismissing the Nugent appeal.

'This case is part of the complex legacy of the Troubles, which affected so many veterans, families, and communities.'
A beloved father has been identified as the man who died after he was struck by lightning while walking across a gas station parking lot in Wisconsin, his family said.

Peter Garamone Sr., 41, was fatally struck by a lightning bolt on Wednesday evening at a Kwik Trip gas station in Pewaukee, according to the Waukesha Police Department.

Garamone worked as a long haul trucker for JB Hunt and had just exited the gas station when he was hit by the bolt, his heartbroken father, Jim Garamone, wrote in a Facebook post on Thursday.

'I dont really know how to say this, but our older son  Peter Paul Garamone Sr.  was hit by lightning while hauling goods in Wisconsin last night. He is dead at 41.

'I keep hoping I will wake up and find this is a bad dream, but I know it isnt. This is a lesson to all of us to hug those we love a bit tighter,' Jim wrote in the emotional post.

Garamone, of York, Pennsylvania, leaves behind his wife Lisa, 45, and their young son Peter Jr.

His father just celebrated his 72nd birthday and completed chemotherapy and radiation treatments for esophageal cancer, Jim shared just days ago.

A witness called 911 around 7.45pm, reporting that a man was down and they were 'unsure if he was breathing,' the police said.

Peter Garamone Sr., 41, was fatally struck by a lightning bolt on Wednesday evening at a Kwik Trip gas station in Pewaukee. He leaves behind his wife Lisa and their son Peter Jr (pictured together)

Garamone worked as a long haul trucker for JB Hunt and had just exited the gas station (pictured) when he was hit by the bolt, his heartbroken father, Jim Garamone, said

The victim also called first responders when it happened, CBS 58 reported.

Police said that witnesses, as well as physical evidence at the scene, 'were consistent with a lighting strike'.

Medics found Garamone unresponsive and took him to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

His death comes as a number of tornadoes and grapefruit-sized hail have battered the Midwest in recent days.

At the time of the incident, the area was experiencing heavy rainfall, thunder and lightning.

Beau Snowden, a local who lives near the gas station, told the outlet he heard the lightning strike.

'We could feel it through the whole house right over there, right up University Drive. It was the loudest thunderbolt we ever heard.

'It could have been any of us going to the gas station. It's terrible. You got to watch out for these storms. Its real dangerous,' Snowden said.

Police said that witnesses, as well as physical evidence at the scene, 'were consistent with a lighting strike'

At the time of the incident, the area was experiencing heavy rainfall, thunder and lightning. (Pictured: Garamone with his father Jim Garamone)

The Daily Mail contacted the Waukesha Police Department and the Waukesha County Medical Examiner for comment.

Severe thunderstorms started tearing through Wisconsin, Iowa, and Kansas on Tuesday night.

When lightning strikes a human, it immediately damages the cardiovascular and nervous systems.

About 90 percent of victims survive, but are known to suffer life-long injuries and disabilities as a result, according to University Hospitals.

This is the first fatal lightning strike in the US this year and the second fatality in Wisconsin in the last seven months.

The incident comes just weeks after a beloved Florida middle school teacher described his experience after being struck by lightning.

James Fernandez, 42, was on a mountain biking trip to Peru in December 2025 when he and his friend Yuri Botelho, 36, were struck by a bolt from the sky.

When lightning strikes a human, it immediately damages the cardiovascular and nervous systems. (Pictured: Stock image of lighting bolt)

The friends were on a guided downhill excursion high in the Andes when a sudden storm rolled in out of clear skies.

Botelho was killed instantly, while Fernandez was thrown fifteen feet from his bike.

Fernandez woke on the ground unable to move and told his tour guide, who had frozen in panic, to get help.

Fernandez survived, but the impact and resulting crash left him with catastrophic spinal cord damage and multiple neck fractures, leaving him paralyzed from the neck down.

'This is where Im at right now. It could change. I hope it changes. But if it doesnt, I have to accept and find ways to keep living, right?' he told the Tampa Bay Times.
A British pensioner has died after reportedly being swept out to sea by a rip current while swimming in Thailand.

The 75-year-old pensioner found himself caught up in deep waves as his Thai girlfriend helplessly watched from the beach in the coastal city of Hua Hin.

He was thought to be unable to swim back to shore in the choppy waters, and a fisherman later discovered his body close to a pier at around 4.30pm local time on Wednesday.

Police Captain Prasong Jaturat, deputy inspector at the Hua Hin station, said the man had travelled to Thailand alone, having been widowed previously.

He said: 'His family is in England, and his wife has passed away, so he lives with his children.

'He had previously been staying in Kalasin province with a Thai girlfriend before they travelled to Hua Hin together.

'They arrived on April 6 and were due to return on April 20.

'Since arriving, he had been swimming alone every morning at the same location. Conditions were usually calm.

A British pensioner has died after reportedly being swept out to sea by a rip current while swimming in Thailand. Pictured: The scene close to where the man's body was found

The 75-year-old pensioner found himself caught in deep waves as his Thai girlfriend watched from the beach in the coastal city of Hua Hin (file pic)

'However, on the day of the incident, the waves were strong, and no one else was swimming.

'He entered the water near the mouth of the bay, in a ferry channel used by vessels travelling to Chonburi.

'The area is particularly deep due to dredging for large boats. It is believed he may have been caught in a rip current and pulled under by the waves.'

The British man's body was taken to the Hua Hin Hospital for a post-mortem examination.

A Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office spokesperson told Daily Mail: 'We are in contact with Thai authorities following the death of British man in Thailand'.
Sperm whale sounds are 'one of the closest parallels' in the animal kingdom to human language, a new study found.

While humpbacks sing hypnotic songs, sperm whales communicate through rhythmic clicks known as codas and scientists at Project Ceti have discovered that each click comes at a different frequency - like human vowel sounds.

Previous studies have focuses on the timing of their clicks to try to decipher their language, similar to Morse code, but this study departs from this idea and focuses on the frequency of the clicks themselves.

There are two click types - 'a' and 'i' vowels - that can be used at different pitches and even create diphthong double pitches (where one syllable is formed by the combination of two adjacent vowels), similar to languages like Mandarin.

Different whale pods were found to use different types of clicks, suggesting regional accents could exist in these marine communities.

University of California researchers attached small underwater microphones to 15 sperm whales for four years and computer analysis revealed a 'highly complex' linguistic system with similar patterns present in human speech.

Lead author, linguist at the University of California, Berkeley, Gasper Begus, told Scientific American: 'On the surface, [these vocalisations] sound like this alien, ocean intelligence that has nothing to do with us. But when you actually look at it closely, you realise, 'Oh, we're way more similar.''

Analysis measured the sound waves and found a-vowels have a single distinct peak and i-vowels have two peaks.

Sperm whales appear to have a 'highly complex' linguistic system which has similar patterns to human speech

Sperm whales are even though to have regional accents as different pods use different frequency clicks to communicate

These are similar patterns to those in human speech like Arabic which distinguishes between vowels based on their length. Delays in a vowel sound change the meaning of a word, as they seem to in sperm whales' language.

The findings were published in Proceedings of the Royal Society B. They suggest that whales have a 'highly complex' linguistic system which informs what type of click they make when communicating with each other.

Scientists speculate that the patterns of the clicking were 'highly suggestive' of language carrying meaning, though it is still shrouded in mystery.

'We demonstrate that sperm whale codas not only resemble human vowels acoustically but also pattern like them,' the study said. '[The patterns] have close parallels in the phonetics and phonology of human languages, suggesting independent evolution.

'Sperm whale coda vocalisations are thus highly complex and represent one of the closest parallels to human phonology of any analysed animal communication system.'

Whales are ancient creatures that descended from land mammals which shared a common ancestor with humans around 90 million years ago.

Sperm whales have the biggest brains of any species on Earth and can weigh up to 20lb - around
Gentleman's Relish may still be saved despite the British anchovy spread being discontinued after spending 177 years on supermarket shelves.

The pungent paste has outlasted six monarchs and two world wars and has been a staple of traditional pantries since 1849.

Now the owners of the spread, officially known as Patum Peperium, are in the 'early stages of exploring options with several third parties' over keeping the brand alive.

'We have been blown away by the response from Gentleman's Relish fans since we confirmed our decision to stop production,' a spokesman for AB World Foods said.

Some of the country's most famous restaurants use the relish, with chefs attempting their own version to ensure supply, while shoppers start to stockpile the spread.

The company itself is 'very aware of the strength of feeling' and whether its passionate fans are enough to secure its future rests on upcoming negotiations.

The seemingly quick U-turn can invite scepticism that the brand has been strategically 'withdrawn' to drum up interest and nostalgia.

Cadbury's Wispa and Heinz Salad Cream took this route, long being cited as masterclasses in marketing in this way.

Gentleman's Relish has ceased production after 177 years, owing to struggling sales

The paste, first conceived deep into the Victorian era, is made mainly of anchovies, along with spices and butter

However, the production of Gentleman's Relish was seemingly stopped some time quietly before the story was first reported in The Spectator.

And now the backlash over the decision to discontinue the product seems to be more reactive than an orchestrated one.

The current appears to be more of a salvage mission than a stunt, with the most likely outcome being a handover rather than a full-scale return under AB Foods.

Most plausibly, it appears a licensing arrangement would be agreed with a third-party producer.

It would allow the brand to continue without the burden of in-house manufacture.

The Spectator, which is edited by Lord Gove, looks to be playing a significant role in its revival, as it said in an article this week that 'quiet diplomacy' between the relish's owners and the magazine had assisted in advancing negotiations.

The paste was created in 1828 by John Osborn, an English grocer who lived in Paris, from a mixture of anchovy fillets, rusk, butter and a secret selection of herbs and spices.

However, he didn't market it until 1849, when it was launched at the Paris Food Show.

To make it seem distinguished, he called it Patum Peperium, a sort of mock Latin for pepper pate.

The paste consists of around 60 per cent anchovy and is typically enjoyed spread on hot buttered toast.

James Bond author Ian Fleming was a fan, and would order the paste when dining at Scott's, the historic London restaurant, served on toast with scrambled egg  a dish known as Scotch woodcock.

Tom Brown, whose restaurant was awarded a Michelin star in February, said Gentlemen's Relish was a national treasure.

He told The Telegraph: 'It is such a shame, it is a really versatile British product, like Worcestershire sauce or English mustard. If they aren't going to make it any more, they should release the recipe.'

Mr Brown added: 'It's good stuff. It is fermented and salty like soy or miso. I don't want to see it go, it has such a history to it.'

Glynn Purnell, whose restaurants Jessica's and Purnell's have both been awarded Michelin stars, told the newspaper he was 'gutted' to see the end of the product, adding he used it in dressings, mousses and glazes.

Fans of the spread have begun petitions and written letters in a bid to reverse the decision, while bidding on one eBay listing of a pot rose to 51 with five days remaining.

The same pot was priced at less than 5 when it was stocked in shops.

Ameer Kotecha, a food writer who wrote the Platinum Jubilee's official cookbook, has started a campaign to save the relish, writing to ABF's chief executive to urge him to release the recipe.

Mr Kotecha said 750,000 pots of Gentlemen's Relish were sold per year during its peak in 2000, which had declined to five per cent of that figure - 37,500 - at the time production was halted.

Jeremy King, who has run famous eateries including the Ivy, the Wolseley and Le Caprice, has instructed his chef at the recently reopened Simpson's on the Strand to create a version of the condiment.

Mr King told the Guardian: 'We actually make our own, due to the difficulty in obtaining, so are able to continue to serve it.'

Simpson's serves the relish on toast for 6.50.

Mr King, 71, added: 'My chef found and adapted a classic Victorian recipe for Patum Peperium, which is its proper name. It is similar to mass-produced versions, but dare I say, I prefer it.'

Fortnum & Mason will also reportedly continue to produce and sell a version of the relish for 14.95.

Celebrity chef Nigella Lawson once named the spread as one of the ten foods she could not live without and said: 'I love Gentleman's Relish on generously buttered toast. I think of it as the savoury version of cinnamon toast, and it is just as comforting, particularly if served on white sliced.'
SACRAMENTO, Calif., April 16, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Put on your finest hat and join Wayfinder Family Services for Derby Day 2026, Sacramento's most spirited afternoon fundraiser, on Saturday, May 2, 2026, from 1:30 to 5:00 p.m. at Mulvaney's B&L in downtown Sacramento.

Hosted by Wayfinder's Community Council, the event brings together more than 100 supporters and community leaders for a live stream of the Kentucky Derby, a competitive hat contest, a live auction, and an afternoon of celebration, all in support of children and families served by Wayfinder.

Wayfinder's annual Derby Day fundraiser benefits children in foster care, adoptive and kinship families, families in need and so many more. Tickets are still available, register at www.wayfinderfamily.org/derby

An Afternoon of Fun with Real Impact

Proceeds from Derby Day directly support Wayfinder Family Services' programs, including foster care and adoption services, and kinship care support.

"Derby Day is one of our most beloved traditions in Sacramento," said Jay Allen, Wayfinder's president and CEO. "Every ticket purchased and every bid placed helps us show up for children in foster care, families navigating adoption, kinship caregivers and so many more. It's a great party with a profound purpose."

2026 Wayfinder Award Recipients

This year's event will honor two outstanding community members with the Wayfinder Award. Annie Hallsten Narayan and Kcammee Vreman will be recognized for their commitment to Wayfinder's mission and the communities it serves.

"I look forward to honoring Annie and Kcammee, two of Wayfinder's biggest champions. From Annie's tireless work building community for foster and adoptive families to Kcammee's decades of dedicated fundraising for the children we serve, both women exemplify the spirit of this award."

How to Attend

Individual tickets are available now at wayfinderfamily.org/derby-day-tickets. Sponsorship opportunities are also available for businesses and organizations wishing to make a greater impact. For more information, visit wayfinderfamily.org/derby-day.

About Wayfinder Family Services

Wayfinder Family Services is the place to turn for people facing the greatest challenges. The organization provides expert, individualized support and services to children, youth, adults and families through child welfare programs, including foster care and adoption; vision impairment and disability programs and medical and mental health programs.

SOURCE Wayfinder Family Services
A judge has given permission for 15,000 drivers to pursue a US style class action compensation claim against Arnold Clark over a dark web data breach.

Lord Sandison has allowed thousands of consumers to bring group proceedings at the Court of Session, Scotlands highest civil court.

He has heard evidence that many customers of the Scots car dealership believe it didnt do enough to protect their personal information.

They instructed lawyers after their data emerged online following a cyber attack on the firms IT systems in December 2022.

Lord Sandison gave permission to proceed following hearings at the court earlier this year.

Arnold Clarks lawyer Roddy Dunlop KC asked for permission not to be granted to the motorists to proceed.

He told Lord Sandison that a similar action was being heard at the High Court in London involving other customers.

Mr Dunlop, the Dean of the Faculty of Advocates, argued that it would be more appropriate for the Scottish motorists to join in the English action.

However, in a written judgment, Lord Sandison rejected the arguments made to him by Arnold Clarks legal team. He wrote: Over 95 per cent of the group members in the proposed litigation are domiciled in Scotland.

Customers have been given permission to sue the Scots dealership over the data breach

Customer information was found on the dark web after a cyber attack

They entered into a contractual relationship in Scotland with a company registered here which was governed by Scots law.

'As a consequence of their domicile, the loss and damage for which they seek compensation was suffered, on the hypothesis upon which their case proceeds, in Scotland. Nothing about their situation has any nexus whatsoever with England.

The forum with the most real and substantial connection to the dispute, and that which is clearly more appropriate to deal with it, is this court.

Compensation can be claimed from any organisation that breaches data protection laws.

Solicitors Thompsons previously said it had been approached by more than 5,000 people who have received a letter from Arnold Clark advising them that their personal data had been compromised.

Solicitors Jones Whyte, based in Glasgow, said it had also been contacted by more than 1,000 people and that this number was continuing to rise by the day.

Associate Dominic Ritchie, who heads up the data breach claim for the firm, said: We are in the process of building a strong case and will be looking for significant compensation from Arnold Clark for our clients.

The dealership said it had taken several steps to protect victims of the attack, including setting up a call centre with its credit reporting agency partners.
A Scots model has condemned a torrent of racist abuse he suffered after revealing the countrys Commonwealth Games ceremony outfits.

Adam Belarbi and fellow model Victoria Epia were subjected to the vile comments by a legion of anonymous keyboard cowards after showing off the outfits set to be worn by the countrys athletes in Glasgow this summer.

Racist comments were made on social media, accusing them of not being Scottish.

The offensive posts were yesterday denounced by Commonwealth Games Scotland, the woman who designed the outfits, and by Mr Belarbi, who said: I did not expect this amount of blatant hate and racism.

The models were bombarded with a torrent of online hatred

Siobhan Mackenzie, who designed the outfits for the Scottish athletes

Im truly disappointed by the comments under this post.

I was honoured to have landed the job as the model for the launch of the ceremonial Commonwealth Games outfit of my home country and host nation.

From my experience growing up, going to school, living, working and studying in Scotland, I am saddened by these comments and believe they are not representative of our society.

I take pride in being from Scotland and take pride in the kind, warm and open-minded nature of the people. However, its clear we still have a long way to go.

Designer Siobhan Mackenzie said: It has been incredibly disheartening to witness the volume of racist comments circulating across multiple platforms.

And a Team Scotland spokesman said: Commonwealth Games Scotland condemns in the strongest possible terms the abhorrent online abuse aimed at the models who featured in our ceremonies outfit reveal this week.

Discrimination has no place in sport or society. Adam and Victoria have our full and ongoing support.
President Donald Trump's Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr faced another round of grilling on Capitol Hill Thursday.

Kennedy was asked about comments that he made in a 2024 podcast appearance about black children and ADHD medication.

Terri Sewell, a Democrat from Alabama, questioned Kennedy, kicking off a fiery exchange.

'You said every black kid is now just standardly put on Adderall, SSRIs, benzos, which are known to induce violence, and that those children are going to have to go somewhere to get reparented,' said Sewell.

She reminded Kennedy that the forced separation of black children from their parents has a long and painful history, stretching back to slavery.

'Have you ever re-parented or parented a black child?' Sewell then asked.

Kennedy Jr. responded that he was not going to answer for something that he didn't say.

Sewell then fired back that Kennedy 'absolutely said it.'

During his time as a presidential candidate in 2024, Kennedy appeared on the 19Keys 'High Level Conversations' podcast.

U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. testifies on U.S. President Donald Trump's budget request during a House Ways and Means Committee hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., U.S., April 16, 2026

U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell (D-AL) speaks as U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. testifies on U.S. President Donald Trump's budget request during a House Ways and Means Committee hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., U.S., April 16, 2026.

In July of 2024, he said, 'Psychiatric drugs  which every black kid is now just standard put on Adderall, SSRIs, benzos, which are known to induce violence, and those kids are going to have a chance to go somewhere and get re-parented to live in a community where there'll be no cellphones, no screens, you'll actually have to talk to people.'

HHS spokesperson Emily Hilliard told the Associated Press that Kennedy, before joining the administration, was referring to spaces where young people facing alienation, mental health challenges, and despair could get re-parented.

She said it's a psychotherapy term for 'developing the emotional regulation, discipline, boundaries, and self-worth that may not have been established in childhood.'

During Thursday's hearing, Kennedy was also spotted visibly shaking while trying to turn a page in his notes.

He was late to the hearing, taking his seat as Ways and Means Chairman Jason Smith was giving his opening statement.

Additionally, Kennedy was also grilled once again about his stances on vaccines.

Polling from the President's own data guru Tony Fabrizio, obtained by the Wall Street Journal last year noted broad support for some vaccines.

'Our recent national survey of voters shows that there is broad unity across party lines supporting vaccines such as measles (MMR), shingles, tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis (TDAP), and hepatitis B,' read a polling summary that was shown to staff on the Senate Finance Committee ahead of Kennedy's appearance before the group last September.

Additional polling by the Journal released in July showed that respondents were not fans of the Trump administration's position on vaccines and even preferred the Democratic Party's views on the matter.

Trump himself even appears at times to be at odds with Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. on the importance of vaccines when it comes to public health.

During a press conference in the Oval Office last September, Trump told reporters that 'you have some vaccines that are so amazing. The polio vaccine, I happen to think is amazing.'

The President also noted that 'you have to be very careful when you say that some people don't have to be vaccinated ... It's a very tough position.'
Donald Trump has renewed his war of words with the Pope over Iran, after trading blows with him over the state of the world.

Earlier on Thursday, Pope Leo made a pointed criticism of world leaders who spend billions on wars, adding that the planet is being 'ravaged by a handful of tyrants'.

He also blasted those he claimed had manipulated 'the very name of God' for their own gain.

Responding to the American pope's comments at the White House, Trump claimed the pontiff did not understand 'the real world'.

He added: 'It's a nasty world. If the Pope would allow Iran to have a nuclear weapon, he cannot do that.

'The pope has to understand: Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon. The world would be in great danger.'

Asked whether he would meet the Pope to hash out any differences between them, Trump dismissively said: ' I don't think it's necessary.'

Earlier, Archbishop of Canterbury Sarah Mullaly, the head of the Church of England, said she is standing in solidarity with Pope Leo following his comments.

Donald Trump (pictured) has renewed his war of words with the Pope over Iran

Pope Leo (pictured) made a pointed criticism of world leaders who spend billions on wars, adding that the planet is being 'ravaged by a handful of tyrants'

She also urged those in positions of political power to pursue every 'possible peaceful and just means of resolving conflict'.

Speaking in a 'bloodstained' region of Cameroon, Pope Leo said on Thursday: 'Those who rob your land of its resources generally invest much of the profit in weapons.

'Thus perpetuating an endless cycle of destabilisation and death,' he added. 'The masters of war pretend not to know that it takes only a moment to destroy, yet often a lifetime is not enough to rebuild.

'They turn a blind eye to the fact that billions of dollars are spent on killing and devastation, yet the resources needed for healing, education and restoration are nowhere to be found.'

Mullaly said following his comments: 'I stand with my brother in Christ, His Holiness Pope XIV, in his courageous call for a kingdom of peace.

'As innocent people are killed and displaced, families torn apart, and futures destroyed, the human cost of war is incalculable. It is the calling of every Christian  and of all people of faith and goodwill  to work and pray for peace.

'We must also urge all those entrusted with political authority to pursue every possible peaceful and just means of resolving conflict.'

Dame Sarah Mullaly (pictured) backed Pope Leo XIV today after he condemned 'handful of tyrants' ravaging the world in a savage rebuke to Donald Trump

But Trump is not happy with Pope Leo, on Sunday claiming he is 'a very liberal person' who is 'WEAK on Crime, and terrible for Foreign Policy'.

He also said that Leo was only made Pope 'because he was an American', and 'If I wasn't in the White House, Leo wouldn't be in the Vatican.'

He added: 'I don't think he's doing a very good job. He likes crime, I guess.

'We don't like a pope who says it's okay to have a nuclear weapon. We don't want a pope that says crime is okay. I am not a fan of Pope Leo.'
Keir Starmer falsely insisted Lord Mandelson was subject to an 'intensive security vetting exercise' that gave him clearance for the US ambassador role, extraordinary footage shows.

In an astonishing development, No10 on Thursday confirmed the disgraced peer was given the go-ahead to take on the role against the recommendation of security vetting officials  but claimed the Prime Minister didn't know.

The Foreign Office is said to have pushed ahead with appointing Lord Mandelson as the UK's top diplomat in Washington DC, despite the advice.

A clip from a press conference in East Sussex on February 5 has now circulated in the aftermath  where a flustered Starmer attempts to wrongly pin the blame for Mandelson's appointment on 'independent' security vetting services.

Sir Keir said: '[It was] an intensive exercise that gave him clearance for the role, and you have to go through that before you take up the post.'

The Prime Minister added: 'Clearly both the due diligence and security vetting need to be looked at again.

'I've already strengthened the due process and I think we need to look at the security vetting because it now transpires that what was being said was not true.

'And had I known then what I know now I'd never have appointed him in the first place.'

A clip from a press conference in East Sussex on February 5 has now circulated in the aftermath

Sir Keir said at the conference: '[It was] an intensive exercise that gave him clearance for the role, and you have to go through that before you take up the post'

Keir Starmer is facing furious demands to quit after Downing Street admitted Lord Mandelson was made Britain's ambassador to the US despite failing security checks

Tory leader Kemi Badenoch said Sir Keir 'misled the House' over Mandelson's vetting process

Nigel Farage said the PM had 'blatantly lied' and should resign

A three-page 'due diligence' report supplied to Sir Keir on December 11, 2024, flagged the ties between Mandelson and Epstein

Downing Street has now insisted neither the Prime Minister nor any other Government minister was aware until Tuesday evening, at which point Sir Keir immediately ordered a Whitehall probe.

It only emerged that Lord Mandelson had failed security vetting when The Guardian newspaper published explosive claims on Thursday afternoon  with No10 remaining silent for nearly three hours.

The newspaper reported that security officials initially denied Lord Mandelson clearance, but the PM had already named him as ambassador and the Foreign Office took the rare step of overruling the recommendation.

There were claims at Westminster that Olly Robbins, the architect of Theresa May's Brexit deal, who is now the most senior civil servant at the Foreign Office, is being lined up as a fall guy.

The Foreign Office said it is urgently working to comply with Sir Keir's demand to know how Lord Mandelson was cleared to become US ambassador.

The extraordinary revelations have piled more pressure on Sir Keir's position in Downing Street, with the Tories, Reform UK, Liberal Democrats and Green Party all calling on him to resign over his 'lies' about Lord Mandelson's appointment.

Sir Keir has also been accused of misleading Parliament over his previous claims that 'full due process' was followed in the appointment of Lord Mandelson.

Tory leader Kemi Badenoch said: 'The PM appointed Peter Mandelson before the vetting had been completed, vetting Mandelson failed.

'Starmer then said full due process was followed. THAT is misleading Parliament. I'm only holding him to the same standards to which he's held previous PMs - that if they mislead parliament, they should resign.

'In these dangerous times, Britain cannot afford to have a PM who the country doesn't trust. Starmer has betrayed our national security. He should go.'

Reform's Nigel Farage said: 'Now we discover that he has blatantly lied, the Prime Minister should resign.'

Lib Dem leader Ed Davey also called for the PM's resignation. 'Keir Starmer had already made a catastrophic error of judgement,' he said.

'Now it looks as though he has also misled Parliament and lied to the British public. If that is the case, he must go.'

No 10 sources said information about Lord Mandelson's vetting was obtained by officials trawling through piles of documents, as the Government scrambles to comply with MPs' demand for the publication of all files related to his appointment.

A Government spokesman said: 'The security vetting process for Peter Mandelson was sponsored by the FCDO.

'The decision to grant Developed Vetting to Peter Mandelson against the recommendation of UK Security Vetting was taken by officials in the FCDO.

'Neither the PM, nor any Government minister, was aware that Peter Mandelson was granted Developed Vetting against the advice of UK Security Vetting until earlier this week.

'Once the PM was informed he immediately instructed officials to establish the facts about why the Developed Vetting was granted, in order to enact plans to update the House of Commons.

They said the Government is committed to complying with the parliamentary 'humble address' motion to disclose documents relating to Lord Mandelson's appointment 'in full as soon as possible'.

The cross-party Intelligence and Security Committee (ISC) has been given the final say on what is too sensitive for publication.

'Any documentation within the scope of the humble address that requires redaction on the basis of national security or international relations will be provided to the ISC,' the spokesman added.

'This will include documents provided to the FCDO by UK Security Vetting.'

A Foreign Office spokesman said: 'The PM has initiated a process to establish the facts of the granting of developed vetting and we are working urgently to comply with that process.'

It is understood that recommendations by UK Security Vetting are non-binding on Government departments.

The PM and Cabinet Secretary are said to have agreed on a 'fact-finding' exercise once the information about Lord Mandelson's vetting was uncovered.

The Government is being forced by MPs to release a batch of documents about the process after the Commons passed a 'humble address' motion earlier this year.

It is not clear whether the recommendation against Lord Mandelson by vetting officials was because of his ties to paedophile Jeffrey Epstein.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves told reporters in Washington DC on Thursday evening: 'I didn't know anything about the vetting process.

'I'm the Chancellor, I'm not the foreign secretary, and I'm not 10 Downing Street, so I can't give you any more information on that.'

Thursday's developments have revived the furore that already came close to exploding Sir Keir's premiership in February.

One senior Labour source told the Daily Mail that the picture was 'far more complicated' than it appeared.

They said when they learned details of what had happened, their initial response was 'holy f***'. 'This is a huge failure,' they added.

Labour MPs have been up in arms that Lord Mandelson was given the key job despite long-standing ties to Epstein.

It is understood Lord Mandelson is adamant that he did not know he had been rejected by vetting officials until the reports on Thursday.

It is also not clear who, in the Foreign Office, made the apparent decision to overrule UKSV.

Sir Olly is believed to have been the permanent secretary at the Foreign Office at the time, while Deputy PM David Lammy was Foreign Secretary.

Senior Labour MP Emily Thornberry, the chair of the House of Commons' Foreign Affairs Committee, said she would summon Sir Olly to clarify information he gave at a previous hearing.

She said: 'My committee asked several times whether red flags had been raised by Peter Mandelson's vetting process. It seems there were.

'Who overrode these concerns? Why were we kept in the dark? People need to stop messing us about and tell us the truth.'

Developed vetting is standard for most mid-level diplomatic staff. An outright refusal of clearance is believed to be quite rare, although 'mitigations' can be requested.

In another potentially incendiary claim, the Guardian said senior Government officials have been considering whether to withhold documents about the refusal from Parliament.

Labour MPs rebelled to insist on the publication of a huge range of material about the process, and the cross-party ISC is meant to be having the final say on what is too sensitive for publication.

The Daily Mail understands no document showing that vetting clearance was initially refused has been supplied to the ISC so far.

On September 16 last year, Yvette Cooper  by then Foreign Secretary  and Sir Olly wrote to the Foreign Affairs Select Committee in response to questions about the vetting.

'Peter Mandelson's security vetting was conducted to the usual standard set for developed vetting in line with established Cabinet Office policy,' the letter said.

However, it did not mention that UKSV had initially refused clearance.

Labour MP Bell Ribeiro-Addy said: 'The Government must come clean about why the Foreign Office overrode security officials' decision to deny Mandelson clearance.

'This scandal has been beyond damaging, as has the Government's handling of it. We need the full facts.'
FBI agents investigating the abduction of Nancy Guthrie have discovered 'potentially critical' new DNA at her Arizona home.

Agents sent the sample to a private Florida lab in recent days, sources told ABC News on Thursday.

Pieces of hair found inside Nancy's Tucson home are among the new evidence being tested, according to NewsNation.

They will use the latest technology to analyze the results and see if it flags a possible suspect for the February 1 abduction of Today star Savannah's 84-year-old mom.

The Pima County Sheriff's Department previously said that DNA recovered from Nancy's home was a sample that came from more than one person.

Sources told the outlet that Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos recently revealed to a neighborhood watch group that it could take six more months to identify the sample.

Nanos, who has gotten a lot of pushback for how he and his department have handled the case, said that five other labs around the US are working on Nancy's case.

The names of the facilities, what their roles are, and if there are additional DNA samples that are relevant to the case remain unclear, per the outlet.

FBI agents investigating the abduction of Nancy Guthrie have discovered 'potentially critical' new DNA at her Arizona home

A masked person is seen on Nancy Guthrie's doorbell footage the morning of her disappearance on February 1

Nancy's puzzling disappearance quickly captivated the world, as she has not been seen or heard from since the evening of January 31.

The ongoing investigation, which includes about two dozen Pima County and FBI investigators, has looked into a series of blackmail messages sent to the family and to media outlets demanding money in bitcoin in return for Nancy.

None of the ransoms were ever paid as the Guthrie family demanded that they proof of life, but never got it.

Authorities and the family also could not verify the authenticity of the ransom notes, despite their willingness to pay.

Over the course of the investigation, only a few people have been taken in for questioning. No one has been arrested.

Various pieces of evidence have also been found at the home and in the surrounding area, including drops of blood on Nancy's front porch, a torn-down doorbell camera, and various gloves.

Surveillance footage also captured a masked person outside her front door, appearing to tamper with the doorbell camera before it was snatched off.

Her daughter Savannah has since made her way back to New York City and is back on-air at the Today show.

Pieces of hair found inside Nancy's Tucson home (pictured) are among the new evidence being tested, according to NewsNation

Nancy's puzzling disappearance quickly captivated the world, as she has not been seen or heard from since the evening of January 31

All eyes have been on the TV personality as she continues to fight for answers about what happened to her mother.

A rumor quickly spread on Wednesday after social media users claimed to have seen Savannah disappear from the show halfway through a chat with actress Anne Hathaway.

Given the abduction of her mother, many speculated she may have received an update and had to step away.

But the rumor was entirely false, with Savannah back on air 20 minutes later for a cooking segment.

An industry source told the Daily Mail: 'It's not unusual for a host to tease an upcoming segment at any point, and for another host to do the interview.'

But the sudden switch spawned an avalanche of speculation.

'Maybe she got a call and was going to leave after the last set?' one X user wrote.

A rumor quickly spread on Wednesday after social media users claimed to have seen Savannah disappear from the show halfway through a chat with actress Anne Hathaway

Others saw the occurrence as 'odd' as well.

The rumors gained traction thanks to a widely viewed post from one X account, the Crimewives Club. The profile regularly shares updates for ongoing investigations.

Savannah made her return to the Today set last week. She stepped away during the initial months of the search.

'It's good to be back home,' she told viewers at the outset of her April 6 return.

Sources told Variety a few days before that the Today team was planning to 'play it by ear' for Savannah's return, at least initially.
Donald Trump has issued another brutal swipe at the Albanese government over its apparent lack of support for the ongoing war in the Middle East.

Defence Minister Richard Marles on Thursday pledged to increase spending to three per cent of GDP by 2033, adding 0.2 percentage points to defence spending over the next seven years.

It falls short of Trump's previous demands for Australia to spend 3.5 per cent of GDP.

The US President lashed out at Australia when questioned about the government's latest defence pledge at the White House.

'Well, I'm not happy with Australia because they were not there when we asked them to be there,' Trump told reporters.

'They were not there with Hormuz. So I'm not happy, I'm not happy with them.'

He did not respond to further questions about whether he was still on good terms with his Australian counterpart Anthony Albanese.

Federal Treasurer Jim Chalmers, who is also currently in Washington, has since responded, commenting that Trump's remarks were consistent with sentiments the president had expressed previously.

Donald Trump issued another swipe at Australia when he was asked about the Albanese government's latest defence pledge

'It's not unusual for President Trump to call for more investment from partners and allies when it comes to defence,' Chalmers told reporters.

'When it comes to the commitment in the Strait of Hormuz, as far as I'm aware, there hasn't been a formal request from the Americans along those lines.'

It comes hours after Trump announced that Israel and Lebanon had agreed to a 10-day ceasefire.

The president last week included Australia in a list of US allies he slammed over what he characterised as a lack of assistance during the conflict.

'You know who else didn't help us? Australia didn't help us,' he said on April 7.

'Japan didn't help us, Australia didn't help us, South Korea didn't help us!'

Albanese revealed earlier this week that Trump not asked for Australia's assistance in the US blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.

He confirmed that Australia will not join the blockade of the key trade route, which until recently carried one-fifth of the world's oil supplies.

The latest swipe from Trump comes as Prime Minister Anthony Albanese returns to Australia

'We've received no requests... they've made this announcement overnight and they've done that in a unilateral way,' Albanese said.

'We haven't been asked, and I don't expect that we will be.

'The requests we've received were for support for Gulf countries, particularly the UAE and that's why we sent our Wedgetail aircraft that's been doing amazing work.'

Meanwhile, Albanese has abruptly ended his diplomatic 'fuel-securing' mission to Brunei and Malaysia, returning to Australia early.

His office confirmed on Thursday night that he will fly overnight to Geelong where he will visit the embattled Viva Energy oil refinery following a massive fire on Friday.
California Governor Gavin Newsom has asked his supporters to send his political action committee $35 each in the wake of Rep. Eric Swalwell's resignation from Congress.

Swalwell, a Democrat, stepped down from his seat on Tuesday after he was accused of rape by a former female staffer. Three other women alleged that he sexually harassed them.

On Wednesday, Newsom sent out a fundraising email that mentioned Swalwell, who represented California's 14th District in the Bay Area. There will now be a special election to replace him on August 18.

'The people of Californias 14th District deserve representation in the House as soon as possible, and with a very slim Republican majority in Congress I was not going to give Mike Johnson even a single extra day before filling this seat,' Newsom's email said.

The email, according to the New York Post, asked fellow Democrats to donate $35 to Campaign for Democracy PAC, which is affiliated with Newsom.

Prior to the accusations against Swalwell, he was running in the gubernatorial primary and was quickly emerging as a front-runner in a crowded field.

Newsom had been silent about the sexual misconduct allegations until Sunday, hours before Swalwell withdrew from the California governor's race.

'As we continue to learn more, these allegations from multiple sources are deeply troubling and must be taken seriously,' Newsom said in a statement.

California Governor Gavin Newsom sent out a fundraising email in the wake of Eric Swalwell resigning from Congress over the sexual misconduct allegations. He asked fellow Democrats to send $35 each to his own political action committee (Newsom is pictured with wife Jennifer Siebel Newsom at White House dinner for the nation's governors on February 24, 2024)

Swalwell has been accused by five different women of varying levels of misconduct, ranging from harassment to rape. He strongly denies the allegations against him

Newsom's wife, gender activist and actress Jennifer Siebel Newsom, has not said anything publicly about the accusations against Swalwell.

Earlier this month, she implied that President Donald Trump was sexist because the two most prominent people he has fired so far - former Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and former Attorney General Pam Bondi - were women.

Before Swalwell dropped out, Newsom refused to endorse anyone in the race to succeed him. He still does not plan to do so.

'California has always benefited from a depth of talent and vision within our Democratic Party, and this upcoming race for governor is no exception,' Newsom told the Post in a statement.

'The field represents a diverse group of leaders who are deeply committed to continuing our states progress, and I have full confidence that voters will choose a candidate who reflects the values and direction Californians believe in,' he added.

Privately, Newsom has commented on some of the candidates. According to CNN, he has said billionaire Tom Steyer would be too wishy-washy ideologically and believes former Rep. Katie Porter could cause a private sector contraction in California.

Swalwell, no longer a congressman or an actively running politician, has strongly denied the allegations against him and plans to fight them in court if necessary.

He is facing at least three different probes into his alleged conduct with women. A source confirmed to The Hill on Thursday that the Department of Justice has opened an investigation.

Pictured: Swalwell at a campaign stop part of his bid to be California's next governor on April 7, 2026. Three days later, the San Francisco Chronicle published an account of a former staffer who said Swalwell sexually assaulted her twice

Jeanine Pirro, the US Attorney for the District of Columbia, set up a tip line to solicit information about allegations against Swalwell.

'If you hear about someone who was allegedly drugging, choking, raping victims, who has lived in this district for a significant period of time, I would expect there would be victims who might have information,' Pirro said in a video posted to X.

The Manhattan District Attorney's Office is investigating the allegation that Swalwell drugged and raped a former staffer of his after a charity gala in New York City.

And after a fifth woman, Lonna Drewes, came forward to accuse Swalwell of raping her in a West Hollywood hotel in July 2018, the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department has confirmed it is investigating the report.
Keir Starmer will urgently 'correct the record' on his appointment of Peter Mandelson - after falsely claiming the disgraced peer was given clearance via 'intensive security vetting'.

The Prime Minister is expected to break his silence next week after No10 today confirmed the former ambassador to the US had in fact failed his security checks.

In an astonishing development, the Foreign Office was said to have pushed ahead with appointing Mandelson as the UK's top diplomat in Washington DC against the advice of vetting officials.

A clip from a press conference in East Sussex on February 5 re-emerged this evening - where a flustered Starmer attempted to wrongly pin the blame for Mandelson's appointment on 'independent' security vetting services.

He said: '[It was] an intensive exercise that gave him clearance for the role, and you have to go through that before you take up the post.'

The Prime Minister added: 'Clearly both the due diligence and security vetting need to be looked at again.'

It is now understood Sir Keir will address the 'depth of fury' in Westminster - after parties across the political divide called for his resignation.

The Labour leader will go to the Commons on Monday and give a statement to 'correct the record', Sky News understands.

Keir Starmer will urgently 'correct the record' about his appointment of Peter Mandelson - next week (file image)

In an astonishing development, the Foreign Office was said to have pushed ahead with appointing Mandelson as the UK's top diplomat in Washington DC against the advice of vetting officials (file image)

Sir Keir said previously: '[It was] an intensive exercise that gave him clearance for the role, and you have to go through that before you take up the post. He is pictured at the February 5 press conference

Sir Keir is expected to defend himself against allegations he knowingly misled the House by admitting errors have been made - but insisting he was unaware Mandelson had failed his security vetting.

Downing Street today insisted neither the Prime Minister nor any other Government minister was unaware until Tuesday evening, at which point Sir Keir immediately ordered a Whitehall probe.

It only emerged that Lord Mandelson had failed security vetting, over his links to paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein, when The Guardian newspaper published explosive claims on Thursday afternoon - with No10 remaining silent for nearly three hours.

The newspaper reported that security officials initially denied Lord Mandelson clearance, but the PM had already named him as ambassador and the Foreign Office took the rare step of overruling the recommendation.

There were claims at Westminster that Olly Robbins, the architect of Theresa May's Brexit deal who is now the most senior civil servant at the Foreign Office, is being lined up as a fall guy.

The Foreign Office said it is urgently working to comply with Sir Keir's demand to know how Lord Mandelson was cleared to become US ambassador.

The extraordinary revelations have piled more pressure on Sir Keir's position in Downing Street, with the Tories, Reform UK, Liberal Democrats and Green Party all calling on him to resign over his 'lies' about Lord Mandelson's appointment.

Sir Keir has also been accused of misleading Parliament over his previous claims that 'full due process' was followed in the appointment of Lord Mandelson.

Tory leader Kemi Badenoch said: 'The PM appointed Peter Mandelson before the vetting had been completed, vetting Mandelson failed.

'Starmer then said full due process was followed. THAT is misleading Parliament. I'm only holding him to the same standards to which he's held previous PMs - that if they mislead parliament, they should resign.

'In these dangerous times, Britain cannot afford to have a PM who the country doesn't trust. Starmer has betrayed our national security. He should go.'

Reform's Nigel Farage said: 'Now we discover that he has blatantly lied, the Prime Minister should resign.'

Tory leader Kemi Badenoch said Sir Keir 'misled the House' over Mandelson's vetting process

Nigel Farage said the PM had 'blatantly lied' and should resign

A three-page 'due diligence' report supplied to Sir Keir on December 11, 2024, flagged the ties between Mandelson and Epstein

Lib Dem leader Ed Davey also called for the PM's resignation. 'Keir Starmer had already made a catastrophic error of judgement,' he said.

'Now it looks as though he has also misled Parliament and lied to the British public. If that is the case, he must go.'

No10 sources said information about Lord Mandelson's vetting was obtained by officials trawling through piles of documents, as the Government scrambles to comply with MPs' demand for the publication of all files related to his appointment.

A Government spokesperson said: 'The security vetting process for Peter Mandelson was sponsored by the FCDO.

'The decision to grant Developed Vetting to Peter Mandelson against the recommendation of UK Security Vetting was taken by officials in the FCDO.

'Neither the PM, nor any Government minister, was aware that Peter Mandelson was granted Developed Vetting against the advice of UK Security Vetting until earlier this week.

'Once the PM was informed he immediately instructed officials to establish the facts about why the Developed Vetting was granted, in order to enact plans to update the House of Commons.

They said the Government is committed to complying with the parliamentary 'humble address' motion to disclose documents relating to Lord Mandelson's appointment 'in full as soon as possible'.

The cross-party Intelligence and Security Committee (ISC) has been given the final say on what is too sensitive for publication.

'Any documentation within the scope of the humble address that requires redaction on the basis of national security or international relations will be provided to the ISC, the spokesperson added.

'This will include documents provided to the FCDO by UK Security Vetting.'

A Foreign Office spokesperson said: 'The PM has initiated a process to establish the facts of the granting of developed vetting and we are working urgently to comply with that process.'

It is understood that recommendations by UK Security Vetting are non-binding on Government departments.
With concerns of shortages after a major fuel refinery blaze played down by the company and energy ministers, attention has turned to clean-up efforts and the search for answers.

The fire broke out late on Wednesday at the Viva Energy Geelong refinery, southwest of Melbourne, which supplies more than half of Victoria's fuel and about 10 per cent nationwide.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is due to tour the site after flying home early from a trade mission to Malaysia, describing the scenes of the blaze as 'very distressing'.

University of Melbourne chemicals expert Ian Rae said such accidents at Australian refineries were extremely unusual, as stringent safety measures were crucial for dealing with such delicate and dangerous chemicals.

'Those places, they're extremely dangerous and they're extremely well run,' he said.

'Fires like that are very unusual because they know how dangerous it is.

'There are regular inspections to every little bit of it to make sure it's working, but somehow something got missed this time.

'It's hard to know what happened, but it might have been something simple, like a pipe rupture or a valve that was leaking and nobody noticed for a little while.'

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese (pictured) is due to tour the site after flying home early from a trade mission to Malaysia , describing the scenes of the blaze as 'very distressing'

The fire broke out late on Wednesday at the Viva Energy Geelong refinery, southwest of Melbourne, which supplies more than half of Victoria's fuel and about 10 per cent nationwide

There refinery, which is one of two left in Australia, is pictured on Thursday

Professor Rae said one of the hazards of any big fire was what happened to the dirty water after it had been sprayed on the fire.

'When there are fires of any sort, particularly where things like petroleum or chemicals are involved, there's a lot of water washed into the environment,' he said.

'The first thing they want to do is start putting out the fire, and then they start putting in barriers to stop the fire water getting into the environment.'

With smoke from the fire detectable for many kilometres, concerns were raised over air quality and potential chemical run-off into the nearby Corio Bay.

'When you have a big refinery like that, there's a number of things that are potentially a problem,' Oliver Jones, a professor of chemistry at RMIT University, told AAP.

'You've got a load of hydrocarbons, you've got benzene, you've got very small particulate matter that might get off site.'

EPA monitoring showed the impact on local air and water quality was minimal, but precautionary warnings were posted for nearby waterways and testing continues.

Energy Minister Chris Bowen said while the disaster was 'not good for the atmosphere and the environment', emergency authorities had not flagged any specific health and safety concerns.
The article outlines how experience, communication, and local knowledge guide clients in selecting the right legal representation.

READING, Pa., April 16, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- What steps should someone take before deciding to hire a lawyer in Berks County? HelloNation has published an article that answers this question by offering practical guidance to help clients make informed legal decisions.

Mark E. Zimmer, Attorney and Partner Speed Speed

The HelloNation article explains that choosing the right attorney begins with understanding the type of legal issue a client is facing. It notes that individuals who work with a lawyer experienced in their specific area often receive clearer guidance and more consistent support. The article presents insights from a family law attorney practicing with Mogel, Speidel, Bobb & Kershner PC, emphasizing how focused experience shapes the legal process.

The article highlights that identifying the nature of a case is one of the most important early steps. Clients who match their needs with a Berks County attorney familiar with similar matters are better positioned to move forward efficiently. This is especially important in family law, where timelines can be tight, and communication plays a central role in case progress.

Another key takeaway involves the questions clients should ask before hiring legal representation. The article suggests asking about experience with similar cases, typical outcomes, and years of practice in that area. These questions help clarify whether the attorney can explain the legal steps clearly and practically. A family law attorney, in particular, must be able to communicate effectively as cases often require quick decisions.

The article also emphasizes the importance of communication throughout the legal process. It explains that clients benefit from knowing when they will receive updates and how their questions will be handled. A Berks County attorney who sets clear expectations helps reduce uncertainty and allows clients to stay informed as their case moves forward. This level of communication is especially valuable for those unfamiliar with Pennsylvania courts.

Cost is another factor discussed in the article. It explains that understanding legal fees in advance helps clients avoid unexpected expenses. Many people find it helpful when a Reading lawyer outlines hourly rates, flat fees, and potential additional costs before work begins. Transparent discussions about pricing support better planning and build trust between the client and attorney.

The article further notes the importance of local courtroom experience. Attorneys who regularly work within Berks County courts understand how cases typically proceed and what judges expect. This knowledge allows them to provide more accurate timelines and develop strategies that reflect actual court practices. A family law attorney with local experience can guide clients more effectively through each stage of the process.

Meeting with an attorney is also encouraged as part of the decision-making process. The article explains that referrals are helpful, but a direct conversation provides a clearer sense of communication style and approach. Clients should feel comfortable asking questions and discussing timelines. A family law attorney should be able to listen carefully and explain the next steps without confusion.

The article concludes by emphasizing that strong attorney-client relationships are built on clarity and preparation. Clients who take time to understand their options are more likely to choose a lawyer who aligns with their needs. The insights presented reflect the practical experience of professionals working with firms such as Mogel, Speidel, Bobb & Kershner PC, where local knowledge and consistent communication shape client outcomes.

How to Choose the Right Lawyer in Reading, PA: A Local Expert's Checklist features insights from Mark E. Zimmer, Family Law Attorney of Reading, Pennsylvania, in HelloNation.

About HelloNation

HelloNation is America's Good News Network, a premier media platform built on the idea that good news travels faster when real people tell real stories. Through its community-focused digital publications and innovative "edvertising" approach, HelloNation delivers expert-driven, good-news content that informs, inspires, and spotlights the leaders making a meaningful impact in their communities. HelloNation maintains partnerships with the National Governors Association, the U.S. Conference of Mayors, and the United States First Responders Association.

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Congresswoman Lauren Boebert wants to know why everyone on Capitol Hill is so rife and randy.

When asked by a reporter on Thursday what needs to be done to prevent lawmakers from sexually harassing their staff, the 39-year-old grandmother who was once busted for groping a man during a musical, offered some advice.

'Go to church. Find Jesus,' she said. 'Why is everybody so horny here?'

The question came after a pair of resignations roiled the House of Representatives following sexual misconduct allegations against former Congressmen Eric Swalwell and Tony Gonzales.

The two men called it quits this week after mounting pressure and allegations of fornicating with their staffers.

Boebert's statement about the 'horny' lawmakers prompted a flood of hilarious responses pointing to how the Colorado Republican was caught on surveillance footage groping and being groped during a 'Beetlejuice' musical in 2023.

That footage shows a man placing his hands on Boebert's chest, and she reciprocates by placing her own paws on him. She was later kicked out of the Denver theater after being caught vaping during the show.

'Didn't you get caught jerking a guy off during the Beetlejuice musical?' radio host Emma Vigeland reacted to the Republican's remarks.

'Why is everybody so horny here?' Congresswoman Lauren Boebert fumed on Thursday

Aspen bar owner Quinn Gallagher fondles the chest of Rep. Lauren Boebert and she in turn puts her hands between his legs during a perfrmance of "Beetlejuice" at the Denver Center for the Performing Arts

Boebert and her mystery man quickly made their way through the lobby and out the front doors

'Handjob Boebert talking about horny?' another user wrote.

Some pointed out how the 39-year-old fumed over congressional libidos while wearing a form-fitting black dress. She had donned a similar outfit the day before.

'Rep. Boebert has a point. Take it to the theatre like a civilized person. Perhaps a showing of Beetlejuice, returning to Broadway at the National this summer,' wrote DC-based journalist Jim Lokay.

Townhall editor Matt Vespa piled on: 'I do find it amusing that the woman kicked out of beetlejuice [because] she was  handsy with her date said this.'

Surveillance footage of the 2023 theater incident shows Boebert, wearing a tight, low-cut gold dress and high heels, making a considerable fuss as she and a hunky mystery man are ordered out.

An incident report noted the two received a warning at intermission about their behavior.

But five minutes into the second act, security officials got another complaint about a person being loud and recording the show.

'It's true, I did thoroughly enjoy the amazing Beetlejuice at the Buell Theatre and I plead guilty to laughing and singing too loud!' she wrote at the time.

'Everyone should go see it if you get the chance this week and please let me know how it ends!' Boebert added in her 2023 social-media post.

Boebert told the Daily Mail after the clip went viral: 'Just giving advice as someone who knows, Jesus saves!'
Alleged war criminal Ben Roberts-Smith is expected to make a bail bid for freedom after spending more than a week in one of Australia's most notorious prisons.

The former SAS soldier, 47, was arrested on April 7 and charged with murdering five unarmed non-combatants while deployed in Afghanistan between 2009 and 2012.

He was placed on remand and is listed to appear in Sydney's Downing Centre Local Court on Friday to seek bail.

He is expected to appear by audio-visual link from prison.

Friday marks 10 days the Victoria Cross recipient has spent behind bars in Silverwater Correctional Centre in Sydney's west, a maximum security facility.

Australia's most decorated living soldier is accused of directly murdering two Afghan individuals and aiding, abetting or procuring the murder of three more.

Roberts-Smith allegedly ordered another soldier, only known as Person 4, to kill Mohammed Essa at Kakarak in Uruzgan Province in April 2009, court documents reveal.

He also allegedly murdered another unarmed civilian, Ahmadullah, during that same raid.

Alleged war criminal Ben Roberts-Smith (pictured) is expected to make a bail bid for freedom after spending more than a week in one of Australia's most notorious prisons

Prisoners at Silverwater Correctional Centre in Sydney's west are pictured

Roberts-Smith allegedly ordered the murder of another man, Ali Jan, during a raid on the village of Darwan, also in Uruzgan Province, in September 2012.

The remaining two charges relate to incidents in Syahchow, Uruzgan.

There, Roberts-Smith is accused of jointly murdering an unnamed Afghan prisoner with another soldier, only known as Person 68, and ordering the execution of another.

Court documents reveal both deceased men were listed as enemies killed in action.

War crime allegations against Roberts-Smith were first exposed by the now Nine-owned Fairfax Media in 2018.

The war veteran sued the paper for defamation in the Federal Court but suffered a crushing defeat with a judge finding the accusations of murder were, on the balance of probabilities, true.

He failed to overturn these findings on appeal to the full Federal Court and the High Court.

The move from a civil case to criminal charges means prosecutors have to prove the allegations beyond reasonable doubt for a guilty verdict to be handed down.

Roberts-Smith attends an Anzac Day memorial service with partner Sarah Matulin in 2023

Roberts-Smith (pictured with the late Queen) was charged with murdering five unarmed non-combatants while deployed in Afghanistan between 2009 and 2012

Roberts-Smith is the second former SAS soldier facing the courts on war crime charges.

Oliver Schultz was charged in 2023 with the war crime of murder of a young man Dad Mohammad in a wheat field in Uruzgan Province in 2012.

Both war crime accused have maintained their innocence.
Keir Starmer was facing mounting calls to quit last night after it emerged that Peter Mandelson was made US ambassador despite failing security vetting.

Foreign Office officials pushed the controversial appointment through regardless, it was revealed, and the Prime Minister faces the deeply damaging allegation that he lied to Parliament.

In a last-ditch attempt by Sir Keir to cling on, Downing Street claimed the Foreign Office had acted alone in granting Mandelson the developed vetting (DV) status needed to take up his job in Washington against the advice of internal security experts.

Insiders yesterday predicted that the most senior civil servant at the Foreign Office, Sir Olly Robbins, would be made the fall guy, and so it proved as he was sacked late last night.

An investigation into what went wrong has been launched by No 10.

Sir Keir has insisted on numerous occasions that disgraced Labour peer Mandelson had been properly cleared to take up Britain's most important diplomatic post.

He was told by opposition leaders last night that he must stand down if he is found to have misled MPs over the scandal, while even some of his own backbenchers admitted his position was untenable.

It was claimed last night that Sir Keir, his ministers and No 10 officials knew nothing about the extraordinary decision to overrule security concerns until earlier this week, when it was discovered as part of the process of sifting through files on the scandal to be published.

Keir Starmer was facing calls to resign last night after it was revealed that Peter Mandelson failed vetting checks before his appointment as US ambassador

The disgraced peer was sacked as US ambassador over his ties to paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein

An undated image released by the US Department of Justice shows Mandelson, left, grinning as Epstein, right, blows out the candles on a birthday cake

But Tory leader Kemi Badenoch said: 'The Prime Minister appointed Peter Mandelson before the vetting had been completed  vetting Mandelson failed.

'Starmer then told me full due process was followed. That is misleading Parliament, that is a resignation offence.'

She went on: 'If Starmer was told Tuesday night, why didn't he take the first opportunity to update the House on Wednesday at midday?

'I'm only holding him to the same standards to which he's held previous prime ministers  that if they mislead Parliament, they should resign. In these dangerous times, Britain cannot afford to have a Prime Minister who the country doesn't trust. Starmer has betrayed our national security. He should go.'

Reform leader Nigel Farage said: 'Keir Starmer said in February that the security services had given Mandelson "clearance for the role". Now we discover that he has blatantly lied, the Prime Minister should resign.'

The Liberal Democrats' Sir Ed Davey added: 'Keir Starmer had already made a catastrophic error of judgment. Now it looks as though he has also misled Parliament and lied to the British public. If that is the case, he must go.'

What the PM had to say Sir Keir Starmer repeatedly insisted Peter Mandelson's appointment as US ambassador was done by the book: September 10, 2025, Prime Minister's Questions in the House of Commons: Full due process was followed during this appointment, as it is with all ambassadors. As I say, full due process was gone through in relation to this appointment, as would be expected. I have made clear to the House, full due process was gone through when the appointment was made. September 15, interview with Channel 4 News: Peter Mandelson, before he was appointed, went through a due diligence process. February 4, 2026, Prime Minister's Questions: As the House would expect, we went through a process. There was a due diligence exercise, and then there was security vetting by the security services. February 5, press conference in Hastings: There was then, I should add, security vetting carried out independently by the security services, which is an intensive exercise that gave him clearance for the role, and you have to go through that before you take up the post.

SNP Westminster leader Stephen Flynn reported Sir Keir to the ministerial sleaze watchdog, saying: 'These new revelations are the most serious yet for the Prime Minister.

'It is vital that we learn when Starmer knew that Mandelson's clearance had been refused, and what role he played in overruling that decision.'

Veteran Labour backbencher Graham Stringer told the Daily Mail: 'If he has lied to the Commons, he has to go now.'

A Tory source said: 'Are Downing Street seriously asking us to believe that Olly Robbins, the most proper of proper civil servants, decided not to tell No 10 or any minister that Mandelson had failed the vetting until this week?'

Conservative peer Lord Kempsell added: 'Having worked in No 10, I find it highly implausible that the Prime Minister didn't get tipped the wink that Mandelson failed his DV. Has he just lied about it from day one?'

Since Mandelson was sacked as US ambassador over his ties to paedophile Jeffrey Epstein, Sir Keir has repeatedly insisted that officials followed the correct procedures but were misled by the New Labour grandee.

As recently as February, the day the Commons passed a motion calling on the Government to publish all the relevant documents in the case, the PM said: 'There was a due diligence exercise, and then there was security vetting by the security services.'

Yesterday's dramatic twist revealed that Mandelson had in fact failed clearance in an exercise carried out by United Kingdom Security Vetting officials in January 2025, weeks after Sir Keir had already announced he would be taking up the role.

It is not known why the agency, which receives top-secret guidance from the security services, raised the red flag.

The concerns were then secretly overruled by the Foreign Office and Mandelson was granted the DV status needed to take up his job the following month.

A Government spokesman said: 'The security vetting process for Peter Mandelson was sponsored by the Foreign Office.

'The decision to grant developed vetting to Peter Mandelson against the recommendation of UK Security Vetting was taken by officials in the Foreign Office.

'Neither the Prime Minister, nor any Government minister, was aware that Peter Mandelson was granted developed vetting against the advice of UK Security Vetting until earlier this week.

'Once the PM was informed, he immediately instructed officials to establish the facts about why the developed vetting was granted.'

There will now be an official investigation into what went wrong.

Despite the sacking of Foreign Office Permanent Under-Secretary Sir Olly last night, he could still face a grilling by MPs on the foreign affairs committee, whose chairman Dame Emily Thornberry said: 'My committee asked several times whether red flags had been raised by Peter Mandelson's vetting process.

'It seems there were. People need to stop messing us about and tell us the truth.'
Wes Streeting has piled pressure on Rachel Reeves to cut welfare spending to boost defence.

In the first sign of open Cabinet dissent over the defence emergency, the Health Secretary on Thursday appeared to suggest benefits could be curbed, saying the money for the Armed Forces has 'got to come from somewhere'.

But, Mr Streeting stopped just short of breaching the cabinet's collective responsibility rules.

Asked if he would support diverting funds from welfare to the Armed Forces, Mr Streeting told LBC: 'Well, yeah. We want to reduce the welfare budget...'

He added: 'We have been putting more money into defence as a government, but we will need more.

'That is the reality of the challenge of the world that we face.'

Asked if the money should come from the welfare budget, he replied: 'Well it's got to come from somewhere.'

The row came as the Treasury was forced to deny explosive claims the Chancellor is blocking increased funding for defence because of the Armed Forces' poor record on 'gender parity'.

In the first sign of open Cabinet dissent over the defence emergency, Health Secretary Wes Streeting (pictured) appeared to suggest benefits could be curbed, saying the money for the Armed Forces has 'got to come from somewhere'

British Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves arrives at G-20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors Meeting in Washington on April 16

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Aides to the Chancellor intervened after Downing Street failed to dispute reports her woke views are the source of the damaging Whitehall deadlock over defence spending.

Kemi Badenoch described the alleged comments, first reported by The Spectator, as a 'new low', adding: 'If Reeves isn't funding our Armed Forces because 50 per of them aren't female, she is unfit for government. This is a new low.

'Labour have no idea how to protect us and know nothing about defence.'

Former Nato chief Lord Robertson pointed the finger at the Chancellor for the defence spending deadlock this week, accusing 'non-military experts in the Treasury' of 'vandalism'.

A long-awaited Defence Investment Plan setting out spending for the next decade is now more than six months overdue.

Ministers have identified a 28 billion black hole in defence funding over the next four years.

But Ms Reeves is currently arguing she can't afford to hand over more than 10 billion.

According to The Spectator, Ms Reeves asked military officials: 'Why should we give money to a department that's so far away from gender parity?'

Sir Keir's spokesman repeatedly refused to comment on the 'speculation' on Thursday, telling reporters: 'Our focus is on finalising the Defence Investment Plan.'

The Treasury later denied the claim, with one source describing it as 'b******s'.

Addressing spending at a meeting of the International Monetary Fund in Washington last night, Ms Reeves said: 'We are working through a range of options.'

The Mail is urging increased spending through its Don't Leave Britain Defenceless campaign.
The Greens have criticised the BBC for exposing the lies migrants are telling about their personal lives in order to have their asylum claims approved.

In a surprise attack on the corporation, the Greens on Thursday accused it of worsening the already 'hostile environment' faced by those claiming asylum.

It followed the BBC revealing that migrants are falsely claiming to be gay, victims of domestic abuse or to have bogus medical conditions to stay in the UK.

In some cases, law firms and advisers are charging thousands of pounds to advise migrants how they can claim to be gay and in fear for their lives if they return to Pakistan or Bangladesh.

Immigration services commissioner Gaon Hart, who oversees the regulation of immigration advisers, said there was 'abhorrent abuse of the system' and a minority of advisers were damaging the reputation of the sector.

The Government has launched an investigation into asylum seekers lying about their sexuality or being victims of domestic abuse, branding the practice 'shameful'.

But the Greens turned on the BBC for trying to 'heighten the hostile environment facing those claiming asylum' through its reporting  despite a third of Britons thinking the broadcaster has a Left-wing bias.

'We are disappointed the BBC failed to put this report in context, showing the challenges those genuinely claiming asylum face,' a Greens spokesman said.

In a surprise attack on the BBC, the Greens accused it of worsening the already 'hostile environment' faced by those claiming asylum. Pictured: Green Party leader Zack Polanski

'When they give so much prominence to the report, stretching it out over multiple days of reporting, it ceases to be in the public interest and instead serves to heighten the hostile environment facing those claiming asylum.'

The spokesman added that the report 'gives an entirely false impression of a system which is, in reality, stacked against people seeking asylum'.

But Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp said: 'The Green Party do not understand the immigration crisis.

'Repeatedly they ignore the concerns of the public and want a world without borders. It is an extreme, dangerous fantasy. Vote Green, get chaos.'

It comes after the Greens were criticised for saying they would spend more on foreign aid than on defence.

Other policies that have been roundly criticised include calls to reduce the speed limit on motorways to 55mph, and the legalisation of all drugs.

An analysis of the Greens' immigration policies found that the UK's population would increase by 4.4million in five years.
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With spring finally here, we can expect brighter, longer days, along with chilly mornings and unpredictable rain showers.

As a result, it's arguably one of the trickiest times of year when it comes to deciding what to wear.

One royal who consistently gets it right is Catherine, Princess of Wales, making her a go-to source of style inspiration.

Kate has mastered spring dressing, effortlessly navigating sudden showers with a reliable outfit formula: a well-cut coat, sturdy boots, an umbrella and sunglasses.

Royal experts Rebecca English, Daily Mail Royal Editor, Claire Cisotti, Assistant Royal Editor at dailymail.co.uk, and British fashion designer Amanda Wakeley recently discussed this timeless approach on the latest episode of Palace Confidential.

I've also rounded up key pieces from her wardrobe, along with high street alternatives you can shop now.

Coats

Kate is renowned for her enviable coat collection, a wardrobe essential for her many official engagements.

She consistently gravitates towards structured silhouettes that fall gracefully to the shin, favouring timeless British tailoring with classic details such as notch lapels, clean lines and military accents.

For more relaxed outings, she has been spotted in parkas and quilted jackets.

Her outerwear range includes versatile grey wool coats, elegant camel styles, bold red statement pieces, tartan prints and this season's standout shade: rich burgundy.

Boots

A dependable pair of boots is equally essential for braving the elements.

Kate has worn Le Chameau Wellington boots for over a decade of public appearances, while her Penelope Chilvers long tassel boots have been on rotation since 2004.

Umbrellas

Kate has taken inspiration from Queen Elizabeth II in her choice of umbrellas.

The late monarch famously favoured Fulton, frequently using its Birdcage domed design, custom-trimmed to match her outfits.

Kate has been seen with similar styles, most recently appearing to carry a Mayfair walking umbrella during a visit to the Natural History Museum.

Sunglasses

Kate's sunglasses collection is equally considered, featuring classic Ray-Ban frames alongside designs from Victoria Beckham, Finlay and Ralph Lauren, with tortoiseshell styles emerging as a clear favourite.
The Duchess of Sussex made a surprising wardrobe choice today as she continues to tour Australia alongside Prince Harry.

After complaining about having to wear 'pantyhose' for official engagements as a working royal, Meghan, 44, donned a pair of semi-sheer black tights under a khaki A-line dress on a sunny day in Melbourne.

The Sussexes are on a four-day quasi-royal tour of Australia, with an itinerary that includes a mix of charity and business events across the country.

For her visit to Swinburne University, Meghan wore a 286 'Anya' dress from Australian label Friends with Frank, which has since been uploaded to her new AI-powered storefront on the OneOff website.

The Duchess finished the look with a pair of Manolo Blahnik pumps and 50 tights from Wolford. She previously criticised royal fashion protocol that forbade women in the Firm showing their bare legs on official outings.

In an interview with Bloomberg's Emily Chang last August, Meghan said wearing the sheer tights 'felt a little bit inauthentic' and that she 'hadn't seen pantyhose since movies in the 80s'.

While promoting the second series of her Netflix show, With Love, Meghan, she told Emily that she is 'just being herself', before appearing to take a dig at her former life in the royal fold.

Meghan said: 'It was different several years ago, when I couldn't be as vocal and I had to wear nude pantyhose all the time!

'Let's be honest, that was not very myself. I hadn't seen pantyhose since movies in the 80s! That felt a little bit inauthentic.'

Meghan previously complained about having to wear sheer tights for royal events, such as at King Charles's 70th Birthday Patronage Celebration on May 22, 2018

For her visit to Swinburne University with Prince Harry, the Duchess wore a 286 'Anya' dress from Australian label Friends with Frank, as well as Wolford tights and Manolo Blahnik pumps

Despite this, Meghan was photographed several times with bare legs during her time in the UK, including in her and Prince Harry's engagement picture that was released in 2017.

Today is Prince Harry and Meghan's last day in Melbourne before they head to Sydney, where the Duchess is set to headline a 1,400-per-head 'girls' weekend' retreat organised by women's networking group Her Best Life.

For their first engagement the Sussexes visited Melbourne's famous Scar Tree Walk, with both opting for casual looks.

While the Duke was dressed in a blue shirt and trousers, Meghan was spotted wearing a 'Mama' t-shirt designed by her best friend Kelly Zajfen.

The $40 white tee with a red heart is now for sale on Meghan's OneOff page along with the $169 blue jeans, $599 trench and $298 trainers she wore with it at the event honouring Australia's aboriginal culture.

The dress, tights and jewellery she later wore to Melbourne's Swinburne University of Technology were also immediately available on OneOff to fans who want her 'look', in return for thousands of dollars.

At the university, Harry and Meghan spoke to students about the dangers of social media and its impact on mental health, urging them to be 'strong'.

The Duchess opened up about being 'bullied' online for a decade in a heartfelt moment, as she said: 'For now, ten years, every day for ten years, I have been bullied and attacked. And I was the most trolled person in the entire world.'

'I'm still here.'

In an interview with Bloomberg's Emily Chang last August, Meghan said wearing the sheer tights 'felt a little bit inauthentic' and that she 'hadn't seen pantyhose since movies in the 80s'

Despite royal protocol, Meghan was photographed several times with bare legs during her time in the UK, including in her engagement picture with Prince Harry released in 2017

Harry also made an emotional confession as he declared he never wanted to be a working royal because it 'killed' his mother, Princess Diana.

Speaking at the $1,000-a-head InterEdge Summit in Melbourne Park, Harry said he had felt 'lost, betrayed, or completely powerless' during his life.

The Duke claimed he had his 'head in the sand for years and years' until he quit his role as a working royal and moved to the US with Meghan, suggesting that it is also what his mother would have wanted for him.

He said: 'After my mum died just before my 13th birthday I was like: "I don't want this job. I don't want this role wherever this is headed, I don't like it."

'It killed my mum, and I was very much against it, and I stuck my head in the sand for years and years. Eventually I realised  well, hang on, if there was somebody else in this position, how would they be making the most of this platform and this ability and the resources that come with it to make a difference in the world?

'And also, what would my mum want me to do? And that really changed my own perspective.'

The couple arrived in Melbourne from Los Angeles on Tuesday, but are not accompanied by their children, Archie, six, and Lilibet, four, who are at home in California.

Soon after, it was announced that Meghan had become an investor and participant in OneOff - an AI-powered fashion discovery website, where all her looks from the Australia tour are being uploaded in real time.

Meghan met students at Swinburne University of Technology in Melbourne, where she claimed she was the most 'trolled person in the entire world'

These include the $1,250 (922) 'Priscilla' dress from local designer Karen Gee that Meghan wore for a visit to the Royal Children's Hospital in Melbourne, as well as the $1,000 (737) St Agni suede 'Utility Cocoon Bomber' jacket she was seen wearing at the Australian National Veterans Arts Museum.

OneOff, an American firm based in Los Angeles, also features photos of Meghan from previous events and at her home with options to buy the clothing she is wearing.

She has a personal page on the site which already works with a series of actresses such as Kate Hudson, Emma Roberts, Shay Mitchell and Suki Waterhouse.

It has also since been announced that Meghan will be guest-starring on the new season of MasterChef Australia, but fans are divided about the Duchess's cameo.

Channel 10 took to Instagram last night to make the announcement, alongside an image of the Duchess smiling proudly with judges Jean-Christophe Novelli, Poh Ling Yeow and Sofia Levin.

'We're welcoming someone SUPER special into the MasterChef Kitchen,' the caption began.

'Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, makes a special guest appearance this season as she returns to Australia for the first time since 2018,' it continued.

MasterChef Australia also shared footage of the moment Poh introduces Megan to this year's cast.

Commenters were divided over the appearance, with some saying they would turn off the show.

'You've got to be joking,' said one stunned fan.

'There goes (the show's) credibility right down the drain,' another wrote.

A third user added: 'Were paying so much money for her to be here, while some families dont even have food on the table.'

But others were thrilled that she had joined the program.

'The wonderful Meghan! A royal treat,' one said.

Another agreed: 'Oh I love this! She's such a beauty'.

'Very nice. Cooking and presentation were her interest before meeting Harry - she had a blog. Her preparations have been lovely,' someone else chimed in.
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Kate Middleton's brother James has marked his 39th birthday by sharing a sweet photo of himself and wife Alizee Thevenet - as eagle-eyed fans noticed a special link to the future Queen.

James, who earlier this month returned to Instagram after a prolonged break, entered the 'final year of my 30s' and documented his birthday with a selection of personal photos on Thursday.

One of the photos showed James planting a kiss on his wife Alizee's cheek during a hiking trip to the Lake District, accompanied by the couple's beloved dogs.

A royal style watcher later noticed the French financial analyst, 36, was wearing a brown gilet from Hide Park that looked strikingly similar to a style worn by Kate 20 years ago.

It is not known whether Alizee has the same taste in outerwear as her sister-in-law or borrowed the quilted jacket from Kate, who wore the piece several times before her royal wedding in 2011.

She was photographed wearing the Hide Park garment when Kate came out to support her then-boyfriend Prince William at the Field Game in an old boys' match at his alma mater, Eton College, in March 2006.

While Kate styled it with a pair of dark-wash skinny jeans, a black sweater, and a pair of brown leather boots, Alizee picked a gorgeous yellow sweater and light-wash jeans to style it with.

Kate Middleton's brother James has marked his 39th birthday by sharing a sweet photo of himself and wife Alizee Thevenet - as eagle-eyed fans noticed a special link to the future Queen

A royal style watcher later noticed the French financial analyst, 36, was wearing a brown gilet from Hide Park that looked strikingly similar to a style worn by Kate 20 years ago when she supported then-boyriend Prince William during the Field Game in an old boys' match at his alma mater, Eton College

Instagram user Middleton Maven noted that Pippa Middleton has also worn the same jacket, as one fan wondered if the gilet has 'become one of those [pieces of]gear you leave at a country house for the whole family to grab after too many years'.

On Wednesday, James shared a carousel of photos to ring in his 39th birthday on Instagram as he wrote 'every year feels like a bigger climb'.

In one photo, James - dressed in a white striped shirt, shorts and hiking boots - can be seen posing with his dogs, including two of four cocker spaniels and both his golden retrievers, Mabel and Isla.

He captioned the post: 'Todays my birthday and every year feels like a bigger climb, but reaching the top and seeing how far youve come never gets old.

'Entering the final year of my 30s and more excited than ever.'

It comes after James made a social media comeback with adorable photos of Inigo on Easter and revealed why he had been inactive on Instagram for the past few months.

'We are back,' he wrote. 'Many of you have been asking if I am ok. I have been absent from social media for a while. The truth is, this Lent I decided to give up social media (and it was wonderful)

'Sometimes we dont fully realise the pressure social media puts on us until we take a step back. If I could offer one piece of advice for 2026, it would be to try it yourself; a week, a month, or even longer'

Ever the doting grandmother, Carole Middleton, 71, was pictured reading 'The Tale of Benjamin Bunny' to little Inigo as he was perched on her lap, on a bench, during a sunny day out.

In one photo, James - dressed in a white striped shirt, shorts and hiking boots - can be seen posing with his dogs, including two of four cocker spaniels and both his golden retrievers, Mabel and Isla

In other photos, the toddler looked to be enjoying the outdoors by roaming around flowers and playing with the dogs.

In a cute video, he kept up with his mother and their pooch on a bicycle as they sped through a countryside stroll.

James and Alizee welcomed their firstborn, son Inigo, on September 21, 2023.

And in December, he revealed that the future Queen is always on hand with parenting advice and words of encouragement as he opened up about his fatherhood journey.

In an interview with Hello!, James said he can always count on his sisters, the Princess of Wales and Pippa Matthews, 42, for guidance, adding: 'They're definitely at the end of the phone if we need a bit of advice.'

'Also, it's the confidence [they give me],' James, who lives in Berkshire, continued.

'You're always on edge with being a parent, particularly this time of year with coughs and colds and sniffles going around the place.'

Elsewhere, he shared that Inigo wears hand-me-down clothes from the Prince and Princess of Wales's three children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis, adding there is an 'abundance of paraphernalia' for the toddler to choose from.

'One of the wonderful things about being the youngest [sibling] and having children last is that there is an abundance of paraphernalia that comes in very handy,' he said.

Pippa and her husband James Matthews also share three children, son Arthur Michael William, and daughters Grace Elizabeth Jane and Rose Louise Victoria.
He documents the Royal Family in great detail in his meticulously well-informed biographies, but Hugo Vickers's own life appears to be just as intriguing.

I hear that the royal historian has separated from his wife and is enjoying a passionate romance with an American known as the 'queen of plastic surgery'.

Vickers, 74, is now going out with Cindy Jackson, 70, a former girlfriend of royal cad James Hewitt.

'We have been together since last year,' Cindy tells me. 'People have been surprised. They didn't realise that people could experience such joy at our age. I tell them that it's a plot twist and this is our final chapter.'

Cindy, who used to model herself on Barbie, was reported in 2011 to have undergone a former world-record 52 cosmetic treatments. She describes herself as an aesthetics and anti-ageing specialist. She split up with Princess Diana's former lover Hewitt in 1999.

'I knew James had a terrible reputation and my friends warned me to stay away from him,' Cindy said at the time. 'Stupidly, I thought I was the one who could change him. But now I know I was wrong.

'He is a total rat. I trusted him and he repaid me by breaking my heart.'

Eton-educated Hugo has three children with his second cousin Elizabeth Vickers, whom he married in 1995. 'I first met her when she was six,' he explained. 'She was a little girl on a tricycle. That was in 1970, when I was 18.'

He joked: 'I'm a thoroughly modern man. I've allowed my bride to keep her maiden name for professional reasons. One has to make concessions.'

His relationship with Cindy has not been without its hiccups. She was delayed at the airport en route to Germany, where they are promoting his latest book, Elizabeth II, serialised in the Daily Mail. She posted on social media: 'Held up at passport control again for not looking 70, as my passport states.'

Hugo Vickers, 74, is going out with Cindy Jackson, 70, who used to model herself on Barbie

Cindy pictured in 1979 before she started having cosmetic surgery

Jo parcels up ditched lover's little helper...

Jo Wood was devastated when her husband, Rolling Stones guitarist Ronnie, abandoned her for an 18-year-old Russian cocktail waitress.

Now, however, the 71-year-old is turning her heartbreak into business. The ex-model and Strictly star is launching 'break-up boxes' for the newly single, worth more than 200, including a silk pillowcase, a bottle of rose and a sex toy.

'When you break up you need something to cheer you up,' Jo, pictured, tells me at the launch party for her audiobook, The Resurrection Of Flo. 'Who needs a man when you've got a satisfier?

'There's a book to write your feelings, also a lovely candle to remind you that you must love yourself.'

Jo Wood has turned her heartbreak into business, creating 'break-up boxes' for the newly single (pictured at the audiobook launch for her book, The Resurrection Of Flo)

Mariella Frostrup is at the end of her tether with her husband, Jason McCue, thanks to his newly acquired habit of saying 'toodle-pip' to everyone. 'It's really disconcerting,' says the broadcaster, 63. 'He's not really a 'toodle-pip' kind of guy. He's a human rights lawyer  very serious. I don't know why he's started saying it. He says it to the kids, the supermarket driver. I need to say something.'

Mr Loophole ensures he's the one and only

Nick Freeman, the lawyer known as Mr Loophole for helping the likes of David Beckham beat driving convictions, has taken steps to protect his nickname.

'I read the local newspaper over breakfast when my eyes drifted to a solicitor in Ashton-under-Lyne who'd won his first driving case for his client, and the article referred to the 'local Mr Loophole'. That really hacked me off,' he says.

'I might not have liked having the tag, but I certainly wasn't going to let anyone take advantage of it  of my success in court  so I embraced the loophole and I trademarked it.'

Nick Freeman, known as 'Mr Loophole', has trademarked his signature nickname

Matt Brittin, the former Team GB rower and Google president who takes over the BBC next month, wasn't always a high-flier. 'I'm at primary school and my parents are called in and told by my teacher that I am appalling and I'm going to be a juvenile delinquent by 14,' he says. 'I was quite disruptive. It was smart-arse remarks.' A psychologist said the teenager was bored. Team rowing, offered at his secondary school, ignited a lifelong passion and set Brittin on the path to greatness.

Matt Brittin, who takes over the BBC next month, was 'quite disruptive' in primary school

Yasmin leaves fiance in her wake

His jet-set proposal may have won Yasmin Mills' heart, but the former model has now called off her engagement to 'eco-chef' Justin Horne.

'Unfortunately, it didn't work out, and we're just friends,' she tells me at a party at Fitzrovia Studios in London.

'I don't know if getting married is the most important thing to me any more. I've been married before and know how hard it can be. But as long as you're happy, that's the main thing.'

Yasmin, 60, met Justin, 48, at a party hosted by make-up guru Charlotte Tilbury and he proposed on a speedboat in the Med in 2023.

She was previously wed to TV producer and man about town Simon Mills.

Yasmin, 60, met Justin, 48, at a party hosted by make-up guru Charlotte Tilbury and he proposed on a speedboat in the Med in 2023

'Unfortunately, it didn't work out, and we're just friends,' Yasmin said of her ex-fiance Justin

Ody's odyssey ends with a cracked skull

Like his ancient Greek namesake Odysseus, who faced many perils on his epic homecoming journey, Odysseas of Greece has hit turbulence on his travels.

I hear that the 21-year-old son of Crown Prince Pavlos of Greece is recuperating after being seriously injured in Italy.

'My sweet Ody had a bad fall and fractured his head,' reveals his London-born mother, Marie-Chantal.

'We had to forgo our Orthodox Easter with the family and rush to Florence to be by his side and bring him home.'

She added: 'We made the long journey back to London by train. Not quite the Easter we had imagined, but just very grateful he's safe and on the mend.'

Ody's sister Maria-Olympia is King Charles's goddaughter.
Disgraced ex-Congressman Eric Swalwell and now-Senator Ruben Gallego both spent campaign funds at Puerto Rican resorts during the same weekend as Gallego's wedding, Federal Election Commission records show.

Gallego has scurried to distance himself from Swalwell, his former close friend, after the congressman and candidate for California governor resigned from both positions following a series of troubling sexual assault allegations.

But the true intimacy of their relationship is beginning to unravel, the Daily Mail can reveal.

Swalwell's political operation made a pair of expenditures at the Hyatt Regency Grand Reserve Puerto Rico, totaling $1,522.11 on June 7th, 2021.

An Instagram post by a wedding guest, reviewed by the Daily Mail, tagged that hotel as the location of Gallego's wedding on that same date.

The political operation of Gallego - the groom - spent $2,000 at the nearby Fairmont El San Juan that same day. Gallego, a congressman at the time, was elected to the Senate in November 2024.

After publication Tuesday night, a Gallego spokesperson provided an invoice from a September donor retreat in Puerto Rico showing a $2,000 charge 'transferred at check-in.'

The Gallego spokesperson claims it corresponds to the June 7 FEC disbursement. However, a contract the campaign also shared a document late Tuesday showing $0 paid on every deposit installment, including the one due June 15.

Democrat Representatives Eric Swalwell of California, left, and Ruben Gallego of Arizona, right, at the US Capitol on Thursday, September 30, 2021

Ruben Gallego and wife Sydney on their wedding day in Puerto Rico

Hyatt Regency Grand Reserve Puerto Rico

The caption of an instagram reviewed by the Daily Mail that denotes the location of Gallego's wedding

Gallego spokesman Jacques Petit said the then-congressman's team made the first deposit for the September Puerto Rican retreat in May, which showed up on an FEC report on June 7, the Monday after his wedding.

'There is a difference in reporting to the FEC and spending in real-time,' Petit wrote in an email to the Daily Mail Wednesday. 'A deposit on a hotel for a retreat months after the wedding is routine campaign activity, not splurging.'

Politico reported in 2021 that Swalwell was present at the wedding in the Monday, June 7th, 2021, edition of Politico Playbook.

California Democratic Congresswoman Linda Sanchez, also in attendance at the event per Politico, spent campaign funds at the Hyatt Regency totaling $1,809.79. On May 18th of 2021, Sanchez spent an additional $540.93 for a 'lodging deposit' at the hotel.

The Daily Mail contacted Sanchez's office for comment about the disbursement as well as Swalwell's attendance at the event, and did not receive a response.

Under federal law, campaign funds cannot be used for personal expenses.

Gallego and Sydney Barron Gallego were legally married in December 2019 in Washington, DC, at the National Gallery of Art, but went public with their engagement in February of 2020 ahead of their 'marriage' ceremony in Puerto Rico in June 2021.

Sydney was, at the time of the wedding, the Director of Government Advocacy at the National Association of Realtors, a top lobbying group, focusing on legislative strategy targeting House Democrats on housing finance, fair housing, and related issues. Mrs. Gallego left the organization in December of 2024. She also worked on Hillary Clinton's campaign and for the Senate Democrats campaign arm.

Gallego, Arizona's junior senator, held a press conference in his office on Tuesday during which he claimed he had no knowledge of Swalwell's inappropriate behavior, even though he had heard that Swalwell was 'flirty.'

He broke down in tears at one point, insisting that he 'trusted' his friend.

'And it hurts, the fact that he hurt a lot of people, and it pisses me off that now we all have to deal with all of his BS, his family, the poor victims that are still going to have to seek justice,' Gallego said.

Turning on his longtime friend and colleague, he said that Swalwell 'became very good at being a predator.'

FEC Record showing Swalwell's campaign expense in Puerto Rico on Gallego's wedding weekend, June 7th, 2021

FEC Record showing Gallego's campaign expense in Puerto Rico on his wedding weekend, June 7th, 2021

FEC Record showing Sanchez' campaign expense in Puerto Rico on Gallego's wedding weekend, June 7th, 2021

He also noted that Swalwell 'lied to all of us' during his time on the House Judiciary Committee, where he was an active voice in the push to impeach Donald Trump.

The two men have been close throughout their time in Congress, with their families on friendly terms. Gallego said Tuesday he had reached out to Swalwell's wife through a mutual friend over the mounting allegations against her husband.

At least five women have accused Swalwell of sexual misconduct, including rape, sexual assault, and sending unsolicited messages and photographs.

Swalwell announced Monday he would resign his seat in Congress after being engulfed by the scandal. The Democrat - who had suspended his campaign for California governor only the day before - apologized to his family and staff while insisting the claims are false.

Gallego's own personal life came under scrutiny during his Senate race. He is now on his second marriage, having filed for divorce from his first wife - Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego - while she was pregnant.

According to divorce records, he told Kate their marriage was over on December 15, 2016.

Although such records are normally public in Arizona, Gallego filed to have them sealed on the same day, citing the couple's status as 'high-profile public officials' whose case would 'likely receive intense scrutiny from the media.'

He later fought the conservative Washington Free Beacon in court to keep them sealed after the outlet sued for access.

In the filings, Kate appeared blindsided by Gallego's claim that their marriage was 'irretrievably broken', responding that she was 'without knowledge' of his intentions.

The divorce was finalized in April 2017. Kate was then serving on the Phoenix City Council and went on to be elected Mayor of Phoenix in March 2019.
HOWARD BEACH, N.Y., April 16, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Henry Repeating Arms proudly announces that Founder and CEO Anthony Imperato has been named Law Enforcement Supporter of the Year by New York State Fraternal Order of Police Memorial Lodge 100. The honor was presented at the Lodge's 22nd Annual Awards Dinner held on Wednesday, April 15, 2026, in Howard Beach, New York.

Anthony Imperato (right), Founder and CEO of Henry Repeating Arms, accepts the Law Enforcement Supporter of the Year award from Richard Clifford (left), Retired NYPD Lieutenant and President of the New York State Fraternal Order of Police Memorial Lodge 100, during the Lodges 22nd Annual Awards Dinner on April 15, 2026, in Howard Beach, New York.

The award recognizes Imperato's decades-long commitment to supporting the men and women of law enforcement, their families, departments, and the charitable organizations behind them through both personal efforts and the philanthropic initiatives of Henry Repeating Arms.

"I stand here to reaffirm something I have believed in my entire life  my support for law enforcement is unwavering, unconditional, and grounded in deep respect," said Imperato on stage while receiving his award. "In a time when law enforcement is too often second-guessed, criticized, taken for granted, and looked down upon, I want you to be absolutely clear  I stand with you, I support you, and I will continue to use my voice, my platform, and my resources to advocate for a return to respecting our men and women in uniform."

Born and raised in Brooklyn, Imperato began his career working in his family's police equipment business before founding Henry Repeating Arms in 1996. Today, the company is one of America's leading firearms manufacturers, employing over 700 people and operating more than 400,000 square feet of manufacturing space in Wisconsin.

Through its "Guns For Great Causes" program, Henry Repeating Arms has supported numerous law enforcement organizations nationwide, including the National Fraternal Order of Police, National Association of Police Organizations, National Fallen Officers Foundation, and many others. The program has also provided significant contributions to families of fallen officers and first responders, as well as pediatric healthcare initiatives.

In recognition of the occasion, Henry Repeating Arms donated two engraved .22 caliber rifles to be auctioned during the event, with proceeds benefiting the Lodge's ongoing initiatives. Additionally, the company has committed to producing two one-of-one commemorative rifles for Memorial Lodge 100 to utilize in future fundraising efforts.

The NYS FOP Memorial Lodge 100 Awards Dinner serves as an annual gathering to honor individuals who have demonstrated exceptional service and dedication to the law enforcement community.

To learn more about Henry Repeating Arms, visit HenryUSA.com.

ABOUT HENRY REPEATING ARMS

Henry Repeating Arms is one of the leading firearm manufacturers in the United States and a world leader in the lever-action category. The company's motto is "Made in America, Or Not Made At All." Every Henry firearm comes with a Lifetime Warranty and a 100% Satisfaction Guarantee backed by award-winning customer service. Henry Repeating Arms employs over 800 people and has 400,000 sq. ft. of manufacturing space in Rice Lake and Ladysmith, Wisconsin. The company is also known for its Guns for Great Causes charitable program, which supports families of sick children, children's hospitals, military veteran organizations, law enforcement and first responder groups, Second Amendment advocacy groups, and wildlife conservation organizations. The company is named in honor of Benjamin Tyler Henry, who invented and patented the Henry lever-action rifle in 1860  the first practical repeating rifle and America's unique contribution to the international stage of firearms design. Visit Henry Repeating Arms online at henryusa.com, on Facebook, X, LinkedIn, and Instagram.

SOURCE Henry Repeating Arms
French President Emmanuel Macron announced that France and the United Kingdom will host a diplomatic event in Paris this Friday to address the crisis in the Strait of Hormuz, notably excluding President Donald Trump from the proceedings.

In a post on X, Macron urged that the strait be opened 'as soon as possible.'

The announcement followed a conversation with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian. Macron said the meeting would involve 'nonbelligerent countries ready to contribute, alongside us, to a multilateral and purely defensive mission aimed at restoring freedom of navigation in the strait when security conditions allow.'

The 'belligerent' countries Macron referred to likely include Israel, the United States, and Iran.

The move comes as several European nations have started to exclude Trump from postwar Middle East planning. This blossoming coalition intends to deploy military resources and assist in mineclearing operations to protect commercial vessels passing through the vital waterway.

In an interview that aired Wednesday morning, Trump declared the Strait of Hormuz 'permanently open' after secret talks with Xi Jinping, claiming the Chinese leader had agreed to stop arming Iran.

But the White House told the Daily Mail later contradicted the claim from the President, saying the blockade continues.

'The United States doesn't need help from any other country  the blockade is working perfectly, implemented by the greatest Navy in the world, while Iran's navy is at the bottom of the ocean,' White House spokeswoman Olivia Wales responded.

French President Emmanuel Macron announced Tuesday that France and the United Kingdom will host a diplomatic event in Paris this Friday to address the crisis in the Strait of Hormuz, notably excluding President Donald Trump from the proceedings

NATO leaders held. a twoday summit on June 24 and 25 in The Hague. According to a Daily Mail/JL Partners flash poll of over 1,000 registered voters, the nation is split on whether the US should withdraw from NATO following the refusal of other member states to contribute military support for reopening the Strait of Hormuz

A view of the vessels passing through Strait of Hormuz following the twoweek temporary ceasefire reached between the United States and Iran on the condition that the strait be reopened

Trump talks with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer next to French President Emmanuel Macron, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte back in August of 2025. French diplomats believe Trump's participation in their strategy plans for the Strait would make their proposals less attractive to Tehran and jeopardize diplomatic progress, sources familiar with the matter told the Wall Street Journal

French diplomats believe Trump's participation would make their proposals less attractive to Tehran and jeopardize diplomatic progress, sources familiar with the matter told the Wall Street Journal.

However, British officials have reportedly expressed concern that sidelining the US leader would enrage Trump and create further diplomatic obstacles.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has indicated he wishes to remain distanced from the ongoing friction between Washington and Tehran.

'We're not supporting the blockade,' Starmer told the BBC. 'My decision has been very clearly that whatever the pressure, and there's been some considerable pressure, we're not getting dragged into the war.'

The coalition's primary objective is to ensure shipping companies feel confident in safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz once active hostilities end. The strategy includes plans to rescue stranded ships, execute de-mining operations to remove Iranian mines, and establish a program for military personnel.

French Foreign Minister JeanNoel Barrot noted Tuesday that the mission is contingent on regional stability.

Oil tankers and cargo ships line up in the Strait of Hormuz as seen from the United Arab Emirates. According to a Daily Mail/JL Partners flash poll of over 1,000 registered voters, the nation is split on whether the US should withdraw from NATO following the refusal of other member states to contribute military support for reopening the Strait of Hormuz

British officials have reportedly expressed concern that sidelining the US leader would enrage Trump and create further diplomatic obstacles

The two leaders met after Trump ripped into NATO allies for doing 'nothing' to help secure the Strait of Hormuz amid his war on Iran  and has threatened to pull the US out of the alliance

Trump meets with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte in the Oval Office of the White House in October of last year

'The mission we are referring to could only be deployed once calm has been restored and hostilities have ceased,' Barrot said.

Germany is likely to join the operation and could officially commit to the plan as early as this week, according to the Journal.

The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

President Trump has often ripped into NATO allies for doing 'nothing' to help secure Hormuz during his war on Iran  and has threatened to pull the US out of the alliance.

During a highstakes encounter hours after a closeddoor meeting with the President, the Daily Mail cornered NATO SecretaryGeneral Mark Rutte with several inquiries.

Rutte was asked by the Daily Mail whether he truly believes Trump will maintain America's commitment to NATO after their meeting.

Rutte said last week that member countries are doing everything Trump had requested to strengthen the military alliance, even if some were initially 'a bit slow' to provide support to the US amid its war with Iran.

'Some allies were a bit slow, to say the least,' Rutte said. 'In fairness, they were also a bit surprised.'

The move comes as several European nations have started to exclude Trump from postwar Middle East planning. This blossoming coalition intends to deploy military resources and assist in mineclearing operations to protect commercial vessels passing through the vital waterway

Rutte described a 'mindset shift' in Europe which he claimed was evidenced by the UK leading a coalition of countries to help reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

Trump told Rutte that words from NATO allies are no longer enough  he wants action.

Writing on Truth Social, Trump said last week: 'None of these people, including our own, very disappointing, NATO, understood anything unless they have pressure placed upon them!!!'

During his speech, Rutte heaped praise on Trump as he admitted Europe must step up its spending on the alliance.

He said: 'We must applaud Trump for his bold leadership and vision'.
First Lady Melania Trump made a rare trip to Capitol Hill on Wednesday to lobby for legislation that would better serve foster youth.

The Capitol Hill event marked Melania's first public appearance since her jaw-dropping statement last week, distancing herself from serial pedophile Jeffrey Epstein.

The First Lady, sporting a powder pink suit, spoke at a roundtable hosted by the House Ways & Means Committee, attended by both Republicans and Democrats.

'We are gathered here today, not because America's children rely on us, but rather because America's children are our moral equals,' she told the audience.

'New legislation for the foster care community is a moral imperative,' the First Lady added.

Committee leaders noted how there were several bipartisan bills they were working on to help with this effort.

'Beginning here in this room, we can once again change peoples lives. With new legislation, we can ensure that opportunity is more than hopeful for individuals in the foster care community - it can be their birthright,' the First Lady encouraged the lawmakers.

Since telling the world she was no 'friend' or 'victim' of Epstein, Melania and the President also hosted the Dutch royal couple, King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima, and Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten, for a dinner on Monday, but cameras only captured the White House arrival.

First Lady Melania Trump (right) speaks in front of the House Ways and Means Committee at a roundtable event on America's foster youth alongside House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Jason Smith (left)

First Lady Melania Trump arrives Wednesday on Capitol Hill to speak before a roundtable on America's foster care children in front of the House Ways and Means Committee

This latest lobbying effort comes after the First Lady pushed to have the Take It Down Act passed last April.

She and the President jointly appeared at a White House signing ceremony the next month, with Melania adding her signature to the new law.

Melania launched her Fostering the Future initiative in 2021, after her husband's first term, under the umbrella of her broader 'Be Best' platform.

Part of Fostering the Future deals with providing more support to young people advancing out of foster care.

'My goal is to prepare these individuals to secure entry-level jobs, become financially independent, and eventually, innovate, create new businesses, and generate employment opportunities,' she said.

The President signed an executive order in November directing federal agencies to provide more support for foster youth.

'When I first developed Fostering the Future, one thing became very clear: the foster care community requires action over awareness. This truth stands today,' she said.

Part of her initiative was a scholarship program, which has found homes at major universities, including Vanderbilt, the University of Georgia, the University of Alabama, the University of Texas, the University of Florida, the University of Miami and others.

First Lady Melania Trump (center right) appeared in front of a bipartisan group of lawmakers on Wednesday to lobby for more legislation that would help children in foster care blossom to educated and employed adults

First Lady Melania Trump (left) listens to remarks from the ranking member of the House Ways and Means Committee Subcommittee on Work and Welfare, Democratic Representative Danny Davis (right)

The First Lady gave a shout-out to a number of those universities at Wednesday's roundtable.

'Although reports vary, roughly three percent of individuals in the foster care community earned a college degree in 2025,' she noted.

'We can close this gap,' the First Lady said.

During Trump's February State of the Union address, Melania brought a woman who was formerly in the foster care system to highlight the Foster Youth to Independence initiative.

The program, which is run by the Department of Housing and Urban Development, offers up to 36 months of rental assistance to Americans formerly in foster care, in an effort to avoid homelessness.

The First Lady lobbied to have $25 million included in the fiscal year 2026 budget for the program.

Even a former staffer of a Democratic First Lady was impressed by her actively lobbying Congress, which is not something a presidential spouse usually does.

'Game respects game,' Michael LaRosa, an ex-spokesperson for Dr. Jill Biden, told the Daily Mail. 'I give her credit for taking risks by putting all her cards on the table and showing her hand in her second White House chapter.'

'It's refreshing to see the First Lady take such an active role in lobbying the Hill on public issues that matter to her,' LaRosa added.
French President Emmanuel Macron announced that France and the United Kingdom will host a diplomatic event in Paris this Friday to address the crisis in the Strait of Hormuz, notably excluding President Donald Trump from the proceedings.

In a post on X, Macron urged that the strait be opened 'as soon as possible.'

The announcement followed a conversation with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian. Macron said the meeting would involve 'nonbelligerent countries ready to contribute, alongside us, to a multilateral and purely defensive mission aimed at restoring freedom of navigation in the strait when security conditions allow.'

The 'belligerent' countries Macron referred to likely include Israel, the United States, and Iran.

The move comes as several European nations have started to exclude Trump from postwar Middle East planning. This blossoming coalition intends to deploy military resources and assist in mineclearing operations to protect commercial vessels passing through the vital waterway.

Strait of Hormuz Confusion

In an interview that aired Wednesday morning, Trump declared the Strait of Hormuz 'permanently open' after secret talks with Xi Jinping, claiming the Chinese leader had agreed to stop arming Iran.

But the White House told the Daily Mail later contradicted the claim from the President, saying the blockade continues.

'The United States doesn't need help from any other country  the blockade is working perfectly, implemented by the greatest Navy in the world, while Iran's navy is at the bottom of the ocean,' White House spokeswoman Olivia Wales responded.

French diplomats believe Trump's participation would make their proposals less attractive to Tehran and jeopardize diplomatic progress, sources familiar with the matter told the Wall Street Journal.

However, British officials have reportedly expressed concern that sidelining the US leader would enrage Trump and create further diplomatic obstacles.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has indicated he wishes to remain distanced from the ongoing friction between Washington and Tehran.

Beyond the Blockade

'We're not supporting the blockade,' Starmer told the BBC. 'My decision has been very clearly that whatever the pressure, and there's been some considerable pressure, we're not getting dragged into the war.'

The coalition's primary objective is to ensure shipping companies feel confident in safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz once active hostilities end. The strategy includes plans to rescue stranded ships, execute de-mining operations to remove Iranian mines, and establish a program for military personnel.

French Foreign Minister JeanNoel Barrot noted Tuesday that the mission is contingent on regional stability.

'The mission we are referring to could only be deployed once calm has been restored and hostilities have ceased,' Barrot said.

Germany is likely to join the operation and could officially commit to the plan as early as this week, according to the Journal.

The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The Rutte Realignment

President Trump has often ripped into NATO allies for doing 'nothing' to help secure Hormuz during his war on Iran  and has threatened to pull the US out of the alliance.

During a highstakes encounter hours after a closeddoor meeting with the President, the Daily Mail cornered NATO SecretaryGeneral Mark Rutte with several inquiries.

Rutte was asked by the Daily Mail whether he truly believes Trump will maintain America's commitment to NATO after their meeting.

Rutte said last week that member countries are doing everything Trump had requested to strengthen the military alliance, even if some were initially 'a bit slow' to provide support to the US amid its war with Iran.

'Some allies were a bit slow, to say the least,' Rutte said. 'In fairness, they were also a bit surprised.'

Rutte described a 'mindset shift' in Europe which he claimed was evidenced by the UK leading a coalition of countries to help reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

Trump told Rutte that words from NATO allies are no longer enough  he wants action.

Writing on Truth Social, Trump said last week: 'None of these people, including our own, very disappointing, NATO, understood anything unless they have pressure placed upon them!!!'

During his speech, Rutte heaped praise on Trump as he admitted Europe must step up its spending on the alliance.

He said: 'We must applaud Trump for his bold leadership and vision'.

Share your thoughts with us in the comments
Disgraced ex-Congressman Eric Swalwell and now-Senator Ruben Gallego both spent campaign funds at Puerto Rican resorts during the same weekend as Gallego's wedding, Federal Election Commission records show.

Gallego has scurried to distance himself from Swalwell, his former close friend, after the congressman and candidate for California governor resigned from both positions following a series of troubling sexual assault allegations.

But the true intimacy of their relationship is beginning to unravel, the Daily Mail can reveal.

Swalwell's political operation made a pair of expenditures at the Hyatt Regency Grand Reserve Puerto Rico, totaling $1,522.11 on June 7th, 2021.

An Instagram post by a wedding guest, reviewed by the Daily Mail, tagged that hotel as the location of Gallego's wedding on that same date.

Pictured: Eric Swalwell, D-Calif., left, and Ruben Gallego, D-Ariz

Scrutiny over political spending tied to luxury nuptials

The political operation of Gallego - the groom - spent $2,000 at the nearby Fairmont El San Juan that same day. Gallego, a congressman at the time, was elected to the Senate in November 2024.

Curiously, neither has ever posted photographs that include the other from the nuptials.

Gallego's office did not immediately respond to a request for comment from the Daily Mail when asked if the then-congressman spent campaign funds on a hotel during his island nuptials or if Swalwell attended the event.

Politico reported in 2021 that Swalwell was present at the wedding in the Monday, June 7th, 2021, edition of Politico Playbook.

California Democratic Congresswoman Linda Sanchez, also in attendance at the event per Politico, spent campaign funds at the Hyatt Regency totaling $1,809.79. On May 18th of 2021, Sanchez spent an additional $540.93 for a 'lodging deposit' at the hotel.

The Daily Mail contacted Sanchez's office for comment about the disbursement as well as Swalwell's attendance at the event, and did not receive a response.

Under federal law, campaign funds cannot be used for personal expenses.

Gallego and Sydney Barron Gallego were legally married in December 2019 in Washington, DC, at the National Gallery of Art, but went public with their engagement in February of 2020 ahead of their 'marriage' ceremony in Puerto Rico in June 2021.

Sydney is the Director of Government Advocacy at the National Association of Realtors, a top lobbying group, focusing on legislative strategy targeting House Democrats on housing finance, fair housing, and related issues. She also worked on Hillary Clinton's campaign and for the Senate Democrats campaign arm.

Gallego, Arizona's junior senator, held a press conference in his office on Tuesday during which he claimed he had no knowledge of Swalwell's inappropriate behavior, even though he had heard that Swalwell was 'flirty.'

He broke down in tears at one point, insisting that he 'trusted' his friend.

'And it hurts, the fact that he hurt a lot of people, and it pisses me off that now we all have to deal with all of his BS, his family, the poor victims that are still going to have to seek justice,' Gallego said.

Turning on his longtime friend and colleague, he said that Swalwell 'became very good at being a predator.'

He also noted that Swalwell 'lied to all of us' during his time on the House Judiciary Committee, where he was an active voice in the push to impeach Donald Trump.

Congressman steps down amid multiple misconduct allegations

The two men have been close throughout their time in Congress, with their families on friendly terms. Gallego said Tuesday he had reached out to Swalwell's wife through a mutual friend over the mounting allegations against her husband.

At least five women have accused Swalwell of sexual misconduct, including [criminal sexual conduct], sexual assault, and sending unsolicited messages and photographs.

Swalwell announced Monday he would resign his seat in Congress after being engulfed by the scandal. The Democrat - who had suspended his campaign for California governor only the day before - apologized to his family and staff while insisting the claims are false.

Gallego's own personal life came under scrutiny during his Senate race. He is now on his second marriage, having filed for divorce from his first wife - Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego - while she was pregnant.

Pictured: Lonna Drewes reacts during a press conference alleging U.S. Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-CA) sexually assaulted her alongside a photo of Drewes with Swalwell (R) on April 14, 2026 in Beverly Hills, California.

According to divorce records, he told Kate their marriage was over on December 15, 2016.

Although such records are normally public in Arizona, Gallego filed to have them sealed on the same day, citing the couple's status as 'high-profile public officials' whose case would 'likely receive intense scrutiny from the media.'

He later fought the conservative Washington Free Beacon in court to keep them sealed after the outlet sued for access.

In the filings, Kate appeared blindsided by Gallego's claim that their marriage was 'irretrievably broken', responding that she was 'without knowledge' of his intentions.

The divorce was finalized in April 2017. Kate was then serving on the Phoenix City Council and went on to be elected Mayor of Phoenix in March 2019.

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Americas AI boom is facing its first major rebellion  and its coming from an unlikely place.

The quiet coastal state of Maine has moved to slam the brakes on the rapid spread of data centers powering artificial intelligence, passing a first-of-its-kind ban that could halt major projects in their tracks.

More than 5,000 data centers have sprung up nationwide, coinciding with rising grassroots opposition driven by concerns over health risks and surging electricity costs.

Lawmakers in Maine have approved a bill that would impose an 18-month moratorium on the construction of large-scale data centers - a dramatic step that risks billions of dollars in investment and much-needed jobs.

The move lays bare a growing national backlash against the infrastructure behind AI, as fears mount over soaring electricity bills, environmental damage and the sheer scale of the facilities being built across the US.

Then there's the health fears as scientists ring the alarm on the potential for data centers to pump out dangerous pollutants that can cause asthma, cancer and even death.

These data centers - used by tech giants like Google and Microsoft to power everything from chatbots to cloud computing - can consume vast amounts of electricity, in some cases rivaling the energy use of entire towns.

Under the proposed law, any new data center using more than 20 megawatts of power would be blocked until at least November 2027, giving officials time to study the impact and draw up new rules.

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Though the bill has passed both chambers, it's up to Governor Janet Mills to enact it into law - and she wants a carve out allowing a $550 million data center project to go through this year

The bill in Maine has passed both the House and Senate, been approved by the Legislature's appropriations committee and is now headed to Governor Janet Mills' desk.

Mills has not said whether she will allow it to become law or veto it, as she continues to push for the proposed $550 million project at the former Androscoggin paper mill in Jay to be exempted. Such a project would inject billons into the local economy with jobs and added spending in local hotels, shops and restaurants from construction workers.

The mill, which closed its doors in March 2023, was once part of the state's historic lumber industry - now hit hard by President Donald Trump's tariffs, as much of its machinery is imported from Canada and Scandinavia.

Employment in Maine's forest industry is down 7 percent, according to a report by the Maine Forest Products Council, and Mills has been vocal about the use the data center project would have in boosting jobs.

'The people of Jay need those jobs, with appropriate guardrails on preserving water resources, electricity resources, local generation and all those things,' Mills told reporters during an event in Bangor last week.

This sentiment was echoed by Tony McDonald, who is developing the data center in Jay, telling the Wall Street Journal that the project was set to begin construction in July before they got 'caught in this dragnet'.

Fears around these data centers in Maine have accelerated as the state holds some of the country's highest residential electricity prices. Elected officials are concerned that a surge in data-center power demand might further inflate costs.

Depending on Mill's decision, a coordinating council of government officials, experts and other stakeholders would develop policy recommendations and guidelines aimed at limiting the impact of future data centers in the state.

The sleepy state of Maine has become the first in the nation to pass a bill that would temporarily ban the construction of AI data centers as anti-AI sentiments grow across the US

Mills is pushing for an exemption for the proposed project at the former Androscoggin paper mill in Jay, which closed in March 2023

Across the country, the rapid expansion of AI infrastructure is pushing up electricity costs for consumers, while also generating substantial tax revenues for local governments that continue to court developers (PICTURED: Stargate AI data center in Abilene, Texas)

Scientists are ringing the alarm on the potential for data centers to pump out dangerous pollutants that can cause asthma, cancer and even death

Mark Zuckerberg compared his latest data center to the size of Manhattan in a recent Threads post

In cities that have already been experiencing water issues, like this water break in Texas, centers are exacerbating local droughts

The bill, which carries a $95,000 price tag to fund the panel, was approved by the Legislature's appropriations committee on Monday.

While Mills said she appreciates the intent of the measure, she has also noted that the Jay project would bring much-needed jobs, tax revenue and broader economic development to the region.

Though Maine is the first to potentially enact these measures state-wide, legislators in New York, South Carolina and Oklahome have already introduced measures to temporarily ban or restrict data centers.

Ohio, which is one of the top states for data-center development, has a group of rural activists currently collecting signatures to put a statewide ban of large data centers on a November ballot.

On a smaller-scale, municipalities and counties in Michigan and Indiana have already imposed their own temporary pauses, while Denver and Detroit are among the major cities that are considering such bans.

Maine has not attracted Alphabet's Google, Microsoft or other hyperscale AI data center developers, partially due to opposition. Recent proposals in Wiscasset and Lewiston were paused or rejected locally amid resident opposition.

Some projects have focused on abandoned industrial sites, including closed mills, while one company has even floated a $415 million underwater data center off the Maine coast.

Governor Mills didn't immediately respond to the Daily Mail's request for comment.
Redheads who were teased in the school playground now have the last laugh  as a study reveals their numbers are surging thanks to natural selection.

Researchers have found that humans are still evolving, and at a much faster rate than previously realised.

DNA analysis shows that over the past 10,000 years, the ginger gene has become more common among Europeans.

It means the red hair sported by Ed Sheeran, Prince Harry, and Florence Welch could increasingly become more widespread.

Other variants that appear to have become more common include a light skin tone, a lower chance of male-pattern baldness, a faster walking pace and higher intelligence.

Additional traits that have proliferated are a susceptibility to celiac disease, immunity to HIV, resistance to leprosy, a lower risk of rheumatoid arthritis and a lower body fat percentage.

The researchers, from Harvard University, aren't completely sure what survival advantage red hair may have in modern times.

'Perhaps having red hair was beneficial 4,000 years ago,' they said. 'Or perhaps it came along for the ride with a more important trait.'

DNA analysis shows that the ginger gene has become more common among Europeans, left. Meanwhile a major genetic risk factor for gluten intolerance also began to spike around 4,000 years ago, right

The red hair sported by Ed Sheeran could become increasingly more common, experts revealed

The findings challenge conventional theories that humans have changed little in evolutionary terms since we first emerged 300,000 years ago.

For the study, the researchers analysed ancient DNA from nearly 16,000 people across more than 10,000 years in West Eurasia  which is now Europe and parts of the Middle East.

They collaborated with more than 250 archaeologists and anthropologists to sift through the DNA.

Overall, they found that most of the genetic selection accelerated after the introduction of farming, reflecting how different traits became advantageous as people shifted to agriculture from hunting and gathering.

Some of the changes seem logical  for example developing a resistance to certain diseases.

But others appear counterintuitive, like the major genetic risk factor for gluten intolerance spiking after people began farming wheat.

'With these new techniques and large amounts of ancient genomic data, we can now watch how selection shapes biology in real time,' first author Ali Akbari, from Harvard University, said.

'Instead of searching for the scars natural selection leaves in presentday genomes using simple models and assumptions, we can let the data speak for itself.'

The study found the ginger gene is becoming more common, meaning the number of redheads such as Florence Welch, left, and former Spice Girl Geri Horner is increasing

Other variants that appear to have become more common include a faster walking pace and higher intelligence

Traits that are becoming more common Red hair

Light skin tone

Lower chance of male pattern baldness

Faster walking pace

Higher intelligence

Susceptibility to celiac disease

Immunity to HIV

Resistance to leprosy

Lower risk of rheumatoid arthritis

Lower body fat percentage

Genetic quirks are usually the result of random mutations that occur during errors in copying parents' DNA during reproduction.

Most mutations hardly have any impact, but if one provides some kind of survival advantage then the carrier is more likely to live longer and pass on the variant to their children.

Over generations, the most advantageous variants can become dominant across a whole species, driving evolution via natural selection.

'This work allows us to assign place and time to forces that shaped us,' Harvard Geneticist David Reich said.

The authors, who published their work in the journal Nature, plan to repeat the research in East Asia, East Africa and Central and South America to uncover yet more genetic variations.

They hope this could help with disease prevention and pave the way for developing new gene therapy medications.

'To what extent will we see similar patterns in East Asia or East Africa or Native Americans in Mesoamerica and the central Andes?' Professor Reich asked.

'If we can't use ancient DNA to study the most important period in human evolution one million to two million years ago, then at least we can study selective pressure on human genomes during more recent periods of change and learn broader principles.'

The red hair trait runs in the royal family thanks to Prince Harry. Meanwhile the Weasley family, including Ron, played by Rupert Grint, from the Harry Potter franchise are renowned for their ginger locks

Despite the findings, redheads are still relatively rare  making up less than 2 per cent of the global population.

A previous study found that red-headed women have genetically different pain thresholds to the rest of the female population.

A report in the medical journal Anesthesiology said redheads' pain thresholds were linked to the hair gene mutation which partially switches off a sensory receptor.

They also have the highest orgasm rates of all hair types, experts found.

'The sex lives of women with red hair were clearly more active than those with other hair colour, with more partners and having sex more often than the average,' Dr Werner Habermehl, from the University of Hamburg, said. 'The research shows that the fiery redhead certainly lives up to her reputation.'
Earlier this year, Punch the monkey captured the hearts of millions across social media, after he was shunned by his mother.

Now, an adorable baby Asian elephant has suffered the same fate  becoming a viral internet sensation in the process.

Linh Mai was born at the Smithsonian's National Zoo in Washington on 2 February.

Unfortunately, her mother initially showed aggression towards the calf, forcing Linh Mai's 'auntie' Swarna to step in.

Thankfully, Swarna is a 'natural', according to the museum.

'Although Swarna has never birthed a calf herself, she is a natural when it comes to instinctually caring for one,' it explained.

'Swarna displays just the right balance of "maternal care" along with giving Linh Mai some independence.'

The adorable calf has quickly become a favourite across social media, with one TikToker saying: 'We have another punch situation. my heart can't take this anymore.'

Linh Mai was born at the Smithsonian's National Zoo in Washington on 2 February. Unfortunately, her mother initially showed aggression towards the calf, forcing Linh Mai's 'auntie' Swarna (pictured with Linh Mai) to step in

Why Linh Mai's mother, Nhi Linh (pictured), shunned her remains a mystery. However, abandonment is 'very rare' amongst Asian elephants

Why Linh Mai's mother shunned her remains a mystery.

However, abandonment is 'very rare' amongst Asian elephants, according to Joshua Plotnik, a psychology professor at City University's Hunter College in New York who specialises in elephant behaviour.

Speaking to the Guardian, he explained that 'elephant mothers and families can sometimes reject a calf', especially if the mother is 'under stress, or when circumstances jeopardise the safety of the rest of the herd'.

With Linh Mai now separated from her mother, Swarna is helping to raise her.

'Initially, Linh Mai was more focused on us, her keepers, as the ones who gave her bottles,' the zoo explained.

'With Swarna taking an auntie role, that has changed and we're starting to see her follow Swarna's lead.

'Rather than running far ahead of Swarna as she did in the early days, Linh Mai now hangs back with her, waiting for the "ok" to move forward.

'It's been really cool to see their relationship blossom and to watch them communicate with each other in this way.'

'Initially, Linh Mai was more focused on us, her keepers, as the ones who gave her bottles,' the zoo explained

Thankfully, Swarna (pictured with Linh Mai) is a 'natural' with the calf, according to the museum

Despite being separated from her mother, Linh Mai is 'full of life', the zoo added.

'Even though Linh Mai is not with her mother, Nhi Linh, she is full of life and tons of fun,' they said.

'Caring for an elephant calf  including roundtheclock feedings  is one of the most exhausting experiences our team has ever been through.

'Equally, it has been incredibly rewarding and worth all the blood, sweat and tears to see her thrive.'

Since her birth two months ago, animal fans have flocked to social media to express their concerns about Linh Mai's relationship with her mother.

'Why would the mom reject her????' one fan commented on TikTok.

Another added: 'mamas keep rejecting their babies almost like they feel forced to have them. i have such a mixed amount of emotions right now.'

And one joked: 'now i am crying over baby elephants.'
Venice is renowned for its unique canal system and popular gondolas  but the 'Floating City' might have to be relocated to protect it from rising sea levels, experts warn.

The tourist hotspot is already at risk of succumbing to its sinking foundations and rising waters, with 18 extreme flooding events occurring over the last 23 years.

Experts predict that over the next 300 years, global sea levels could rise by up to seven metres  while a 16metre rise 'cannot be ruled out'.

To help protect the historic place, researchers explored the cost and effectiveness of four different measures for protecting the city from the effects of climate change.

Even with the implementation of additional pumps to remove water during storms, Venice's current defences may only be adequate up to roughly 1.25 metres (4.1ft) of sea level rise.

And they said relocating the most historically significant parts of the city may be more feasible than constructing additional flood defences.

However, this would come at a hefty cost, with a relocation estimated to cost a whopping $100 billion (87 billion)

'Under extreme sea level rise, relocation of monuments to suitable inland areas and abandonment would be the only remaining strategy, which might become unavoidable in the 22nd century under current climate policies and an Antarctic icesheet collapse,' the team wrote.

For their study, a team from the University of Salento in Italy assessed four potential strategies to save the city from sea level rises

One of Venice's worst flooding events occurred in 2019, when the iconic Saint Mark's Square was covered in several feet of water

The historic city of Venice is built atop 120 small islands crisscrossed by 177 canals and nearly 400 bridges.

Its current flood defences include a trio of movable barriers at the lagoon's edge which can seal the area from high tides.

For their study, a team from the University of Salento in Italy assessed four potential strategies to save the city from sea level rises.

This includes introducing more movable barriers, installing a continuous line of flood defences called ring dikes, closing the Venetian Lagoon with a 'super levee' and relocating the city, its residents and historic landmarks further inland.

The authors estimate that dikes or closing the lagoon may be necessary in the case of a 0.5m sea rise, which may occur before 2100.

But they warned relocating the city might be necessary beyond 4.5 metres of sea level rise, which is projected to occur after 2300.

'Planned relocation and abandonment by residents are two components of the retreat strategy,' they wrote in the journal Scientific Reports.

'Planned relocation consists of dismantling buildings and reassembling them in new higher locations.

Venice (located at number one on this map) is especially susceptible to rising sea levels, the experts warns

The four options to save Venice Implement more movable barriers Install a continuous line of flood defences called ring dikes Close the Venetian Lagoon with a 'super levee' Relocate the city

'This unprecedented and complex operation would not prevent the loss of the cultural, historical and monumental assets of the original settlement.'

They added: 'The relocated monuments could be visited by tourists and new residential areas built around them. The flooded remains would progressively deteriorate and could be visited for a limited period by boat.'

In their study they referenced the smallerscale relocation of the Abu Simbel temples in Egypt.

Between 1964 and 1968, the temples were cut into over 1,000 massive blocks weighing 2030 tonnes each, and moved 65 metres higher and 200 metres inland to escape flooding from the construction of the Aswan High Dam and Lake Nasser.

This drastic measure, if implemented in Venice, would be the most expensive option, the researchers said  costing up to $100 billion (87 billion).

One of Venice's worst flooding events occurred in 2019, when the iconic Saint Mark's Square was covered in feet of water.

The tide reached a peak height of 187cm (6.1ft) above sea level, resulting in more than 80 per cent of the city being under water.

The worst ever flooding event, which took place in 1966, saw water levels rise to 194cm (6.4ft) above sea level, and is thought to have seriously damaged at least threequarters of the city's shops, businesses and studios.

The researchers referenced the smaller-scale relocation of the Abu Simbel temples in Egypt. Between 1964 and 1968, the temples were cut into over 1,000 massive blocks weighing 20-30 tonnes each and moved 65 metres higher and 200 metres inland to escape flooding

The scientists warned that, as the construction of largescale interventions such as permanent barriers can take between 30 and 50 years, early planning is essential.

Coauthor Professor Robert Nicholls, from the University of East Anglia, said: 'This analysis shows that there is no optimal adaptation strategy for Venice.

'Any approach taken must balance multiple factors including the wellbeing and safety of Venice's residents, economic prosperity, the future of the lagoon's ecosystems, heritage preservation, and the region's traditions and culture.

'This study shows that all lowlying populated coastal areas should recognise the challenge of longterm sealevel rise and start considering adaptation implications now.'
A scientist experimenting with anti-gravity tech was found dead at 34 after warning that her life could be in danger, marking another mysterious case of deaths and disappearances in recent years.

Amy Eskridge was just 34 years old when she allegedly died from a self-inflicted gunshot to the head in Huntsville, Alabama on June 11, 2022. However, neither the police nor the medical examiners have publicly released any details of an investigation ever taking place.

Before her death, she was openly researching and trying to develop anti-gravity technology, a way to control or cancel out gravity, which could revolutionize space travel and energy production.

Anti-gravity propulsion has also been widely discussed by UFO researchers, who have claimed this advanced technology is what allows alien spacecraft to achieve impossible speeds.

Conspiracy theorists have also claimed the US military has been experimenting with this technology for years, but the government has denied that alien technology exists.

In 2020, Eskridge stated she was planning to present novel foundational work regarding antigravity but needed approval from NASA.

Since her passing, shocking details, including an unearthed interview with Eskridge herself and independent findings submitted to Congress have claimed that the death was not a suicide and was instead part of an elaborate 'murder' conspiracy.

Eskridge's death marks the eleventh person with ties to America's space or nuclear secrets who has died or mysteriously vanished in recent years, putting US national security experts on edge.

Amy Eskridge (Pictured) was a scientist researching anti-gravity technology before her death in 2022 at age 34

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The Daily Mail has reached out to Eskridge's family as well as medical officials in Huntsville for comment on the circumstances surrounding her death.

The scientist also claimed that she specifically co-founded her research company, The Institute for Exotic Science, to create a 'public-facing persona to disclose anti-gravity technology.'

Eskridge said during the podcast: 'If you stick your neck out in public, at least someone notices if your head gets chopped off.

'If you stick your neck out in private... they will bury you, they will burn down your house while you're sleeping in your bed and it won't even make the news. That's why the institute exists,' she warned.

However, the Institute for Exotic Science has apparently closed since its co-founder's death, and its website is no longer accessible.

Files of the company's records and mission statement have emerged online, including detailed studies of anti-gravity propulsion and pictures of alleged UFO-inspired aircraft.

Eskridge had founded the institute with her father, Richard Eskridge, a retired NASA engineer who specialized in plasma physics and fusion technology - another form of advanced propulsion. He reportedly served as the lab's Chief Technology Officer.

In 2018, Eskridge and her father delivered a presentation on behalf of their company, HoloChron Engineering, describing both historical and modern experiments related to gravity modification, including alleged black projects said to be developing triangular antigravity craft known as the 'TR3B.'

Amy Eskridge was the co-founder of The Institute for Exotic Science, along with her father, former NASA scientist Richard Eskridge

According to documents shared online, the now-closed research company was working on anti-gravity technology they claimed had been used in UFO-inspired aircraft

Eskridge spoke in a 2020 podcast interview where she had detailed a plan for the public disclosure of UFOs and extraterrestrials, but feared the threats against her were growing more and more dire.

Eskridge said: 'I need to disclose soon, man. I need to publish soon because it's like escalating. It's getting more and more aggressive. This has been going on for like four or five years, and over the past 12 months, it's been escalating, like more aggressive, more invasive digging through my underwear drawer and sexual threats.'

Before her death, Eskridge contacted retired British intelligence officer Franc Milburn for help investigating the incidents of harassment and intimidation she was allegedly the victim of, with Milburn ultimately concluding that her death was not from suicide.

Both Eskridge and Milburn documented multiple occasions where she had been subjected to physical and psychological attacks, including an unknown suspect firing a 'directed energy weapon' at her, causing burns across her body using powerful microwaves.

Milburn's findings were submitted to Congress by an independent investigator in 2023.

While presenting a report on UAP whistleblowers, journalist Michael Shellenberger cited the case in which Milburn claimed Eskridge was 'murdered by a private aerospace company in the US because she was involved in the UAP conversation.'

Milburn said on the fringe science radio show Coast to Coast AM: 'Somebody was after her work. It was either one of two main objectives. One, trying to get her to desist from doing the work, and two, with these attacks, with the harassment, and the directed energy weapon attacks, to actually stop her, to debilitate her so she was unable to do the work.'

Eskridge's story appears to continue a growing trend of dead scientists who were researching key areas of technology or space exploration around the time they were murdered or found dead.

Since Eskridge died in 2022, five other prominent researchers have died, including two who were murdered in their own homes.

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Nuno Loureiro, 47, was assassinated at his home in the Boston suburb of Brookline on December 15, 2025. Authorities said the gunman was Claudio Neves Valente, a former classmate from Portugal.

However, a former FBI official and independent investigators have noted that Loureiro's revolutionary work in nuclear fusion may have made him a target of a greater conspiracy against US scientists.

Similar to Eskridge's work with anti-gravity technology as a potential source for energy production and long-distance travel, Loureiro's research centered on plasma physics, the study of super-hot, ionized gases, and how to apply them to fusion energy, a promising clean power source.

A breakthrough in this field could disrupt the trillion-dollar fuel industry by reducing demand for oil, gas, and coal, especially for generating power and transportation. High-demand users like data centers could also switch to fusion for reliable, green energy.

Another scientist was gunned down in an unprovoked attack at his home in California. Astrophysicist Carl Grillmair, 67, was killed on February 16, 2026, after being shot on his front porch around 6am local time.

The scientist had worked on the NEOWISE and NEO Surveyor, NASA's infrared telescope projects that track asteroids but use the same physics as military systems for tracking satellites and missiles.

The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department named Freddy Snyder, 29, as a person of interest in Grillmair's homicide case and later charged the man with murder, carjacking and burglary.

Scientists Nuno Loureiro (left) and Carl Grillmair (right) were both murdered in their own homes after making significant progress in the fields of nuclear fusion and astrophysics

Meanwhile, NASA scientists Michael David Hicks and Frank Maiwald, who both worked at the space agency's Jet Propulsion Lab in California, died from unknown circumstances at an early age.

Maiwald, 61, was the lead researcher on a breakthrough that could help future space missions detect clear signs of life on other worlds just 13 months before he died in 2024.

Hicks, who passed away in 2023 just a year after leaving JPL at age 59, had been involved with the DART Project, NASA's test to see if humans could deflect dangerous asteroids away from Earth.

NASA'S JPL has not commented on the deaths of Maiwald or Hicks, and did not reply to the Daily Mail's inquiries into the nature of the scientists' work before their deaths.

In another mysterious incident, Jason Thomas, a pharmaceutical researcher testing cancer treatments at Novartis, was found dead in a Massachusetts lake on March 17, 2026, after disappearing without a trace three months earlier. Local police have claimed there was no foul play suspected.

As for the individuals who disappeared and still have not been found, four cases have been connected to missing Air Force General William Neil McCasland, who allegedly had knowledge of the government's nuclear and UFO-related secrets.

Tennessee Congressman Tim Burchett told WABC radio in New York that McCasland had been the key figure in America's secret research into UFO and extraterrestrial technology before his retirement.

Burchett claimed: 'He's the guy that had a lot of nuclear secrets. I've been told by several sources that he was the gatekeeper for the UFO stuff.'

William Neil McCasland, 68, was last seen around 11am on February 27 near Quail Run Court NE in Albuquerque, the Bernalillo County Sheriff's Office said

The strange circumstances surrounding the general's disappearance on February 27 in New Mexico were almost identical to the four missing person cases taking place between May and August 2025 in the Southwest.

Nuclear research workers Steven Garcia, Anthony Chavez, and Melissa Casias and NASA scientist Monica Reza have all been tied to McCasland through his work overseeing the Air Force Research Lab (AFRL).

AFRL is also based at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, which has been rumored to study extraterrestrial technology since the 1947 Roswell UFO crash.

While at Wright-Patterson, McCasland oversaw and reportedly approved the funding for Reza's work on a space-age metal for rocket engines called Mondaloy.

Reza, 60, disappeared while hiking with friends in California on June 22, 2025. She had just become the director of the Materials Processing Group at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory.

The three other disappearances all involved workers at some of America's most important nuclear facilities, and all three were last seen walking out of their homes without their phones or keys, just like McCasland.

An anonymous source told the Daily Mail that McCasland also oversaw research at New Mexico's Kirtland Air Force Base during his career, which works closely with the country's nuclear labs on national security projects.

'That entire mission runs out of Kirtland Air Force Base. A big part of it, including the technology and the production of the technology that they use, is all built in Albuquerque. So McCasland would have absolutely known and been to these facilities,' the source revealed.
A senior cybersecurity official at one of America's most secretive nuclear laboratories left behind files after his death that an insider has claimed reveal the US government has long been studying UFOs.

The documents, described as containing internal memos, scientific reports and images, were allegedly discovered among the belongings of the former head of cybersecurity at Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL).

The lab, located in northern New Mexico, approximately 35 miles northwest of Santa Fe, is linked to UFO lore primarily through its proximity to New Mexico's 'Nuclear Triangle' and reported sightings of 'green fireballs' near atomic sites in the late 1940s.

After the official's death, his son Johnny was sorting through personal effects when he reportedly stumbled upon files labeled with references to 'atmospheric anomalies.'

The identities of the deceased staff member and his son are being withheld to protect their privacy and safety.

The discovery was later passed to investigative journalist Jeremy Corbell, who said the contents shocked even him. 'This is a real scientific study at the classified level within our military of UFOs,' he told the Daily Mail.

Corbell, who featured the details in his new documentary Sleeping Dog, set for release on May 12, claimed the material included records of high-level government meetings and scientific studies linked to UFO propulsion systems.

'Los Alamos was always a place where there were elements of the study of the UFO phenomenon these documents are 100 percent proof that Los Alamos was taking it very seriously,' Corbell said.

A senior cybersecurity official at one of America's most secretive nuclear laboratories died, leaving behind files that an insider claimed reveal classified UFO studies that were never intended to become public

The documents, described as containing internal memos, scientific reports and historic images, were allegedly discovered among the belongings of the former head of cybersecurity at Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL)

The case is now drawing renewed attention to LANL, a laboratory long associated with nuclear weapons development and deep government secrecy.

As a premier nuclear research facility, LANL has been connected to Cold War atmospheric surveillance, classified aerial research and conspiracy theories regarding retrieved technology, including unverified worker claims of alien materials stored in hidden warehouses.

According to Corbell, the discovery began when the cybersecurity chief's son began reviewing stored materials left behind after his father's death.

'This kid, after his dad passed away, starts going through and realizes, "oh, this is some heavy stuff,"' Corbell said.

In Corbell's Sleeping Dog, a film by Michael Lazovsky, he receives a package from Johnny, bursting with files reportedly from LANL.

Johnny told Corbell on the phone that the files included 'official documents from the lab that talk about meetings they had about atmospheric anomalies.'

'There's also some information in there about Russian sightings,' Johnny can be heard saying to Corbell over the phone.

Corbell told the Daily Mail: 'I mean, everything from original Polaroids of very studied UFO cases throughout history, to internal memos and documents of when they have meetings and they're discussing this at a high-level government capacity.'

The lab, located in northern New Mexico, approximately 35 miles northwest of Santa Fe, has a historical and ongoing connection to UFOs

A cylinder-shaped UFO from the files sent to Corbell

Corbell shared several pages with the Daily Mail showing what appeared to be mysterious saucer-like craft, crop circles etched across fields and a cylinder-shaped UFO.

There was also a document titled Illustrations and Photos by the Gulf Breeze Witness, which contains dozens of witness sketches and photographic enlargements depicting unidentified flying objects repeatedly seen over the coastal Florida town between 1987 and 1991.

The files pointed to a sustained pattern of sightings rather than isolated incidents.

Many witnesses described disc-shaped craft with rows of bright white lights, red and green flashing lights and visible 'portholes,' with some objects estimated to be 10 to 20 feet tall and up to 120 feet wide, hovering silently above homes, shorelines and wooded areas.

Several photographs attributed to key witness Ed Walters show glowing objects with overexposed white centers surrounded by red or blue-green halos.

Later images appear to show ejected material or protrusions from the craft, details that investigators highlighted as unusual visual characteristics.

Across multiple pages, the appendix documents repeated sightings of glowing red, white and yellow objects moving across the sky, sometimes leaving thick luminous trails or streaks, reinforcing claims from residents that the sightings occurred frequently and over several years.

There was also a document from 1987 titled Illustrations and Photos by the Gulf Breeze Witness, which contains dozens of witness sketches and photographic enlargements depicting unidentified flying objects repeatedly seen over the coastal Florida town between 1987 and 1991

Several photographs attributed to key witness Ed Walters show glowing objects with overexposed white centers surrounded by red or blue-green halos

Corbell claimed that some of the names listed in the documents were recognizable to him as scientists he had encountered during previous investigations.

'I start noticing, I know some of the names. I know some of the scientists personally. They've never told me that they did these studies on UFOs,' he said.

He further suggested that the material pointed to decades of government attention on unexplained aerial phenomena.

Los Alamos National Laboratory, located in New Mexico, played a central role in the development of the atomic bomb during World War II and continues to support US national security and nuclear research programs.

The facility has long been associated with high-level classified work, making any claims of additional secret research particularly sensitive.

Corbell said he spent years verifying the authenticity of the materials before discussing them publicly, noting that intelligence agencies often attempt to identify or pressure sources connected to UFO-related investigations.

The files included several pictures of crop circles from undisclosed locations

The files were obtained by the son of a deceased lab cyber chief, who sent them to investigative journalist Jeremy Corbell, above

'I've researched them down I've gone to every single author that I could find that's still alive, and I said, "Can you talk about this now?"' he said.

Despite his claims, Corbell acknowledged that the documents alone may not convince skeptics but insisted they confirm longstanding suspicions about government secrecy surrounding UFO programs.

'There's nothing I would say revelatory to me in these documents, but it's confirmation that I'm on the right track,' he said.

He also warned that whistleblowers connected to classified programs often fear retaliation, adding that some individuals have reported threats after speaking publicly.

'There have been some situations that give everybody pause whistleblowers have been squeezed,' Corbell said.

The release of the material is expected to coincide with the upcoming documentary, which Corbell said aims to bring hidden information into public view and spark renewed debate over what governments may know about unidentified aerial phenomena.

For now, the claims remain controversial, but the alleged discovery of files linked to a senior Los Alamos official has added another chapter to the growing public fascination with UFO secrecy and national security.
As a crypto infrastructure leader, HTX continues to position trading as its core engine, underpinned by a rock-solid foundation of security and compliance. By leveraging product innovation and globalization as key growth drivers, the platform has achieved synergistic progress across all business lines. During the quarter, HTX co-released the 2026 Digital Asset Trends White Paper with key media outlets, further reinforcing its thought leadership. By the end of March 2026, HTX's total registered users officially surpassed 59 million, while quarterly brand reach hit a record 53.55 million. From high-impact spot listings to the surge of TradFi futures contracts, HTX is delivering a stellar performance report that sets the stage for a new crypto era starting in 2026.

Spot and OTC: Capturing 2026's "Wealth Effect" While Advancing Global Expansion

In the volatile market environment of this first quarter, HTX fortified its security moat while leveraging sharp market insights and rapid execution to consistently capture alpha returns for its users. The quarter was marked by a steady stream of breakout assets, driving spot trading volume past the 3-billion-dollar level.

During Q1, HTX listed 39 new assets, with initial listings accounting for 53.85%. Among them, breakout assets such as ELSA, , and  performed exceptionally well, posting peak gains of 620%, 572.73%, and 411.81%, respectively. Other assets such as BTW, BNKR, and RIVER also recorded strong gains, with BTW debuting on HTX and RIVER achieving significant post-listing momentum. Furthermore, by leveraging premier events like the Blockchain Forum 2026, HTX's Spot Fee Rebate Program successfully engaged high-net-worth individuals, driving cumulative trading volume beyond 30 billion USDT.

HTX's OTC business is expanding its global footprint. With significant breakthroughs in compliant operations in Australia and expansion into the PKR market, HTX is extending its regulatory presence across high-growth regions. Moving forward, HTX will cultivate deeper ties with premium OTC clients, driving user loyalty and enhancing the overall experience. Simultaneously, the platform is accelerating its global outreach, proactively broadening partnership channels and extending seamless fiat on/off-ramp capabilities across a wider range of ecosystem scenarios.

On the security front, HTX has released its latest Proof of Reserves (PoR) update for April, marking 42 consecutive months of Merkle tree-based disclosures, with major asset reserves consistently exceeding 100%. Notably, BTC and ETH holdings recorded net increases of 142 and 538 coins, respectively, while TRX reserves grew by over 91.78 million tokens. The platform also upgraded its stablecoin asset display by introducing a unified USDs aggregation model, consolidating USDT, USDC, and other dollar-backed stablecoins to enhance transparency and clarity for users.

Futures and Earn: A $300 Billion Vision Backed by TradFi Expansion and Stable Yields

In 2026, HTX's futures business is undergoing a structural transformation, through a "full-category, one-stop" strategy that bridges traditional finance and crypto markets.

In Q1, HTX significantly expanded its futures trading pairs in the TradFi zone, introducing over 22 new assets across gold, silver, crude oil, U.S. equities, and major indices. Currently, the total number of tradable pairs on the platform has surpassed 276, driving an increase in futures market share and a steadily expanding active trader base. Simultaneously, HTX's SmartEarn delivered a peak APY of 7.21%, with an average yield of 2.68% throughout the quarter. Characterized by zero entry barriers, no lock-up requirements, and daily rewards, SmartEarn offers uninterrupted futures trading flexibility. Its performance consistently outpaces industry benchmarks.

With the rollout of Copy Trading 4.0 and the Smart Copy feature, the trading volume increased by 50% in Q1, while the number of copy trading users doubled and liquidation volumes dropped by 61%. These improvements not only enhanced the user experience but also demonstrated HTX's ability to reduce trading risk and protect followers' interests through technological innovation.

HTX Earn also introduced its flagship VIP Flexible product in Q1, tailored for Prime 5+ users, offering up to 9% APY on USDT with a per-user cap of 100,000 USDT. The Flexible Earn products for stablecoins, such as USDT, USDC, USDD, U, and USD1 offer industry-leading yields of up to 15% APY, with tiered platform subsidies. The platform also launched the Flexible Earn products and campaigns for USDe and USAT, drawing over $110 million in subscriptions. Meanwhile, six Earn campaigns for new cryptos launched during the quarter attracted over $10 million in subscriptions.

Product Evolution and Industry Influence: Deep Integration of AI and Web3 Ecosystems

In 2026, HTX is fully embracing AI to empower trading, evolving into an intelligent financial platform.

HTX launched a beta version of its AI assistant, enabling advanced market analysis and personalized Earn recommendations. The Community posting section was upgraded with interactive features such as "topics" and "bullish/bearish sentiment indicators," improving user decision-making efficiency. The platform also introduced HTX Private membership benefits and a desktop client, alongside upgrades to margin position modes and Earn order pages. From asset-liability comparisons to one-click functions such as closing positions, transfers, and repayments, the trading experience has reached industry-leading standards. HTX also launched an on-chain yield product for USDe, allowing users to mint and redeem assets directly within the CEX environment, significantly lowering the barrier to Web3 participation.

Ecosystem development continues to expand through HTX DAO, with the launch of on-chain staking, the listing of $HTX on compliant European exchanges, and the introduction of community-driven initiatives such as the "People's Experience Officer" program to enhance community participation and governance activity. The next quarterly token burn for $HTX is scheduled for mid-April.

Meanwhile, HTX Ventures continues to provide industry insights. In January, the arm released its 2025 Year in Review report, systematically outlining the critical pathways toward mainstream crypto adoption. By maintaining a high-profile presence at premier global summits like Consensus HK and ETHDenver, and providing high-quality decision-making resources through its weekly market recaps, HTX Ventures reinforces the platform's thought leadership across the industry.

Looking Ahead to Q2: AI and Compliance as the Next Growth Drivers

HTX's strong Q1 performance reflects the execution of its four core strategies: global compliance, ecosystem expansion, wealth creation, and security assurance.

For Q2, the integration of third-party custody solutions such as Ceffu and the advancement of asset transfer upgrades will further enhance capital efficiency and liquidity on HTX, solidifying its position as an unwavering builder of crypto financial infrastructure. In an increasingly mature crypto market, competition is no longer defined by short-term volatility, but by the sustained accumulation and execution of long-term capabilities. HTX is steadily advancing along this path.

About HTX

Founded in 2013, HTX (formerly Huobi) has evolved from a virtual asset exchange into a comprehensive ecosystem of blockchain businesses that span digital asset trading, financial derivatives, research, investments, incubation, and other businesses.

As a world-leading gateway to Web3, HTX harbors global capabilities that enable it to provide users with safe and reliable services. Adhering to the growth strategy of "Global Expansion, Thriving Ecosystem, Wealth Effect, Security & Compliance," HTX is dedicated to providing quality services and values to virtual asset enthusiasts worldwide.

To learn more about HTX, please visit https://www.htx.com/ or HTX Square , and follow HTX on X, Telegram, and Discord.

SOURCE HTX
Tens of thousands of bees have filled the skies over Israel, sparking fears of a chilling biblical warning.

Authorities have urged residents and store owners in the commercial center of Netivot to keep windows and doors shut as swarms descended on the area.

Many viewers linked the eerie scene to Israel's ongoing tensions with Iran, claiming the spectacle signaled a looming disaster.

The bees appeared on Wednesday, with thousands of insects seen hovering over streets, parked vehicles, shops and balconies.

The eerie scenes have drawn comparisons to the biblical warning in Deuteronomy 1:44, which describes enemies pursuing people 'like a swarm of bees.'

'The Amorites who lived in those hills came out against you; they chased you like a swarm of bees,' the verse reads. Some observers also pointed to Isaiah 7:18, which refers to 'the bee that is in the land of Assyria,' a passage often associated with warnings of approaching judgment.

While the swarm echoed dramatic biblical imagery, experts say such events are typically caused by natural spring swarming, when overcrowded hives split and thousands of bees leave with a queen to establish a new colony.

The phenomenon is seasonal and normal, often triggered by warm weather and abundant flowering plants.

The bees appeared in the city of Netivot, Israel, on Wednesday, with thousands of insects seen hovering over streets, parked vehicles, shops and balconies

Local news reports stated that the swarm has also moved into residential neighborhoods, with residents warned not to approach the bees.

One social media user, who likened the scene to Deuteronomy 1:44, said: 'This describes a military defeat of the Israelites after they disobeyed Gods command to go up and possess the land.

'Instead of trusting God, they went up on their own, and the Amorites attacked them.'

Another user shared on X: 'n Isaiah 7:18, God uses the metaphor of bees to describe an invading army brought to punish the people of Israel: "In that day the LORD will whistle for the fly that is at the end of the streams of Egypt, and for the bee that is in the land of Assyria."

'This "whistling" by God brings the Assyrian armies (the bees) to the land of Judah, described as swift, aggressive, and stinging agents of divine judgment.'

Experts noted that large swarms can look alarming but are often a sign of a healthy and expanding bee population, not a dangerous one.

When colonies grow rapidly during peak nectar seasons, they produce additional queens and divide into multiple groups, increasing the chances of highly visible swarming events across populated areas.

Israels landscape also plays a role, as the country sits along a major migratory corridor for insects and pollinators moving between Africa, Europe and Asia. Combined with dense agriculture, including citrus groves, wildflowers and irrigated farmland, this creates ideal feeding conditions that can support unusually large bee populations at certain times of year.

The eerie scenes have drawn comparisons to the biblical warning in Deuteronomy 1:44, which describes enemies pursuing people 'like a swarm of bees'

Many viewers linked the eerie scene to Israel's ongoing tensions with Iran, claiming the spectacle signaled a looming disaster

Urban expansion has further increased encounters between humans and bees.

As cities grow outward, bees increasingly establish nests in walls, rooftops, utility boxes and abandoned structures, meaning that when colonies relocate, they are more likely to appear over streets, markets and residential neighborhoods rather than remote fields.

Weather patterns may also contribute to sudden mass sightings, with periods of warm temperatures followed by mild winds that can encourage bees to leave established nests at the same time, creating the appearance of coordinated swarms even when the movement is part of routine colony behavior.

Specialists also pointed out that these dramatic scenes are rarely linked to aggression. Swarming bees are typically focused on protecting their queen and locating a new nesting site, making them less defensive than bees guarding an established hive.

Thousands of crows last month were filmed circling high-rise buildings, including the iconic Azrieli Towers, in dramatic footage that quickly went viral online

The swarm of bees comes less than a month after thousands of crows filled the skies over Tel Aviv.

Footage captured on March 24 was followed by claims of a 'harbinger of doom' warning.

'This is considered by many to be a 'harbinger of doom' as it is often followed by total catastrophe,' one user on X shared, while others linked it to a biblical prophecy.

They cited the Book of Revelation 19:17, which describes an angel standing in the sun, shouting to birds flying in midair to gather for 'the great supper of God.'

The swirling flock created dark, shifting clouds over the skyline, leaving residents and viewers stunned by the sheer scale of the migration.

However, scientists who study birds said the phenomenon is not supernatural but part of a routine seasonal migration along one of the world's busiest bird flyways.

Experts noted that roughly 500 million birds pass through Israel each year during spring migration, with hooded crows frequently gathering in urban areas during nesting season.
Donald Trump has been briefed on the mysterious string of missing and dead scientists, a growing list that has now reached ten cases.

The President addressed the alarming situation after landing at the White House on Thursday, where he was met by reporters and questioned by FOX News about whether the disappearances and deaths were random or potentially connected.

'Well, I hope it is random, but we are going to know in the next week and a half,' said Trump. 'I just left a meeting on that subject, so pretty serious stuff. Hopefully, coincidence... but some of them were very important people, and we are going to look at it.'

These scientists, who had ties to NASA, nuclear research, aerospace programs and classified projects, have raised alarms since 2023.

Many of the individuals, including researchers from NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory and Los Alamos National Laboratory, had access to sensitive information on space missions, nuclear technology or advanced defense systems, prompting speculation about possible connections.

The President's statements follow a Wednesday briefing at the White House, where press secretary Karoline Leavitt was also asked about the ten people linked to space or nuclear secrets who have mysteriously died or vanished without a trace.

'I haven't spoken to our relevant agencies about it. I will certainly do that and will get you an answer,' said Leavitt.

'If true, of course, that's definitely something I think this government and administration would deem worth looking into. So let me do that for you,' Leavitt continued.

Retired Air Force General William Neil McCasland, 68, vanished from his New Mexico home without his phone, wearable devices or glasses on February 27

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This disturbing pattern became apparent after retired Air Force General William Neil McCasland vanished on February 27.

He was last seen leaving his New Mexico home without his phone, wearable devices or glasses less than two months ago. He was only carrying a pistol and his wife told 911 dispatchers that it appeared he was trying 'not to be found.'

The strange circumstances surrounding the general's disappearance were almost identical to four other missing person cases taking place between May and August 2025 in the Southwest.

Concerningly, all four have been tied to McCasland through his work overseeing the Air Force Research Lab (AFRL), based at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, which has been rumored to study extraterrestrial technology since the 1947 Roswell UFO crash.

While at Wright-Patterson, McCasland oversaw and reportedly approved the funding for scientist Monica Jacinto Reza's work on a space-age metal for rocket engines called Mondaloy.

Reza, 60, disappeared while hiking with friends in California on June 22 last year. She had just become the director of the Materials Processing Group at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory.

The three other disappearances all involved workers at some of America's most important nuclear facilities, and all three were last seen walking out of their homes without their phones or keys, just like McCasland.

Steven Garcia, 48, vanished without a trace on August 28 last year. He was last seen leaving his Albuquerque, New Mexico, home on foot, carrying only a handgun.

The President addressed the alarming situation after landing at the White House on Thursday, where he was met by reporters and questioned by FOX News about whether the disappearances and deaths were random or potentially connected

Steven Garcia was last seen on August 28 last year. A source has revealed to the Daily Mail that he worked as a government contractor at a key nuclear weapons facility

Monica Jacinto Reza, 60, was last seen hiking in the rugged San Gabriel Wilderness area within the Angeles National Forest on the trail to Waterman Mountain summit on June 22 last year

An anonymous source told the Daily Mail that Garcia was a government contractor working for the Kansas City National Security Campus (KCNSC), a major facility in Albuquerque that manufactures more than 80 percent of all the non-nuclear components that go into building the military's nuclear weapons.

Anthony Chavez and Melissa Casias both worked at the Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), one of the nation's most important nuclear research sites.

Chavez, 79, worked at the lab until his retirement in 2017, although his role there has not been made clear. Casias, 54, was an active administrative assistant at the facility and is believed to have had top security clearance.

Anthony Chavez (left) and Melissa Casias were both employees at the Los Alamos National Laboratory. Both disappeared within weeks of each other last year

All three were last seen leaving their homes in New Mexico on foot, leaving behind their cars, keys, wallets and phones before disappearing without a trace. Police have not had any updates in the cases since last year.

In addition to the string of disappearances, five scientists in key areas of research have died over the last three years, including two who were murdered in their own homes.

Nuclear physicist Nuno Loureiro and Astrophysicist Carl Grillmair were both shot to death in their homes in recent months.

Independent investigators have noted that Loureiro's revolutionary work in nuclear fusion may have made him a target of a greater conspiracy against US scientists, as his work may one day upend the energy industry.

Last year, Claudio Neves Valente was identified by Boston authorities as a suspect in the shooting of Loureiro, as well as two Brown University students, Mukhammad Aziz Umurzokov and Ella Cook.

After eluding police for days, Valente, 48, died by suicide in a storage unit in Salem, New Hampshire, on December 16.

Scientists Nuno Loureiro (left) and Carl Grillmair were both murdered in their own homes after making significant progress in the fields of nuclear fusion and astrophysics

Jason Thomas was found dead after being pulled from a Massachusetts lake on March 17. He had been missing since December 12

Grillmair's work with NASA's NEOWISE and NEO Surveyor has also been linked to the Air Force, as the telescopes used the same systems the military relies on to track satellites and missiles.

Meanwhile, NASA scientists Michael David Hicks and Frank Maiwald, who also worked at the Jet Propulsion Lab, died from unknown circumstances at an early age.

Maiwald, 61, was the lead researcher on a breakthrough that could help future space missions detect clear signs of life on other worlds just 13 months before he died in 2024.

Hicks, whose death came just a year after leaving JPL at age 59, had been involved with the DART Project, NASAs test to see if humans could deflect dangerous asteroids away from Earth.

NASA's JPL has not commented on the deaths of Maiwald or Hicks, and did not reply to the Daily Mail's inquiries into the nature of the scientists' work before their deaths.

In another mysterious incident, Jason Thomas, a pharmaceutical researcher testing cancer treatments at Novartis, was found dead in a Massachusetts lake on March 17, after disappearing without a trace in December. Local police have claimed there was no foul play suspected.
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has condemned two NYPD detectives who were captured on video using violence against a man in a liquor store during an arrest in Brooklyn on Tuesday.

The detectives are part of the Brooklyn North narcotics division, according to their officer profiles on the NYPD's website. They incorrectly believed the suspect had just made a drug sale because he matched a description, the NYPD told the Daily Mail.

Police said that the man was wearing similar clothes to a described dealer, but that he 'was not charged with any offense related to the sale of narcotics because it was later determined that he was not involved in the drug sale'.

In the video, posted on Instagram by user Sinistratm, the detectives can be seen punching the suspect in the face and torso, pushing him into a shelf of wine bottles, dragging him by the legs, and kicking and stomping him while he's on the ground.

The wine bottles shattered and slashed the man's leg, causing a deep cut that began bleeding profusely. A pool of blood can be seen growing on the floor in the video.

'The violence used by NYPD officers in this video is extremely disturbing and unacceptable,' Mayor Mamdani wrote on X.

'Officers should never treat a person this way. The NYPD is conducting a full investigation into this incident.'

NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch echoed the mayor's statement and said the video was 'deeply disturbing'. She added that the detectives have been stripped of their badges and guns while the NYPDs Internal Affairs Bureau investigates.

Incident: Two NYPD detectives were caught on video brutalizing a man during an arrest in a liquor store in Brooklyn on Tuesday

In the video, a crowd can be seen forming after the officers get the suspect to the ground, and witnesses can be heard chastising the detectives and calling them 'pigs'.

The detectives threatened to arrest multiple witnesses while ordering the man to put his arms behind his back and shouting at him to 'stop resisting'. The suspect spent about seven minutes on the ground as the leg wound continued to bleed.

One of the detectives, who has a long history of disciplinary action and allegations of excessive use of force and abuse of authority, could be seen stomping the suspect again after he was placed in cuffs and was lying face down on the ground.

A friend of the arrestee told the New York Daily News that he needed multiple stitches for the deep gash in his leg caused by the broken bottles. She also said that his nose was broken during the arrest.

'The detectives that did this, theyre known out here,' the friend told the outlet. 'Its just this is the first time that someone was smart enough to film from start to finish.'

The person recording the video asked for the names and badge numbers of both the arresting officers.

One replied, '1032... Detective Algerio.' The other shouted back, 'My name is shut up! Im trying to make a call right now because this guy is bleeding out!'

But the person recording zoomed in on the second detective's badge number, clearly showing that it was 5056.

Horror injury: The man suffered a deep cut that caused him to bleed profusely. He lay on the floor for about seven minutes while leaking blood

According to the NYPD's officer profile search website, Detective Algerio's full name is Michael P Algerio, and he has been with the department since July 2012. He was promoted to detective in February 2022.

According to 50-a.org, an independent website that compiles Civilian Complaint Review Board complaints, police misconduct records and lawsuits, Algerio has had seven complaints and 12 allegations against him, one of which was substantiated.

Many of those allegations were for abuse of authority and overuse of physical force.

Only one allegation of abuse of authority was substantiated, while the rest of the allegations and complaints were either withdrawn, unsubstantiated or Algerio was exonerated.

Algerio was also involved in two lawsuits alleging unjustified use of force that were settled for a total of $38,090, according to the website. One of the plaintiffs said that they were unable to walk for nine months because of the injuries Algerio caused.

The only NYPD detective with the badge number 5056 is Volkan Maden, who has been with the department since 2014 and was promoted to detective in 2024.

His profile on 50-a.org lists a total of 12 complaints and 51 allegations, 12 of which were substantiated. The substantiated allegations include seven cases of abuse of authority.

The detective has been internally disciplined by the NYPD six times since 2022, according to the website.

He has also been involved in three lawsuits against the city that were settled for a total of $14,000. One of the plaintiffs said that Maden threw him to the ground and repeatedly punched and kicked him.

Another plaintiff said the detective kicked him in the stomach multiple times and 'continued to batter him' after he had been tased and was already on the ground.
To many travellers, the most exciting part about visiting a new country is trying out local delicacies, whether traditional dishes at rustic restaurants, unique eats at street stalls, or fresh produce at bustling markets.

In light of this, a new study has revealed the most highly rated food markets across the globe, narrowed down to a list of 20 standout locations.

Specialists at AllClear looked at which markets have the highest percentage of four and five-star reviews, ultimately showing where globetrotting foodies can their fix all over the world.

While the top 10 featured a diverse mix of global cities, the USA dominated 25 per cent of the top 20, and an iconic London market helped secure the UK's spot as the world's number two.

Letitia Smith, Head of Communications at AllClear, said: 'Food markets are one of the best ways to sample lots of different local treats at the same time.

'We hope the research helps people narrow down their travel choices for the upcoming year and provides inspiration for food lovers to try delicious cuisines all over the world.'

From Sao Paulo, to Amsterdam, to Bangkok and New York City, here are the must-visit culinary hotspots and top foodie destinations for your next trip.

20. Foodhallen, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Foodhallen has exploded over the years into foodie haven, boasting 21 stalls offering everything from Indonesian street food, Spanish tapas, French pastries, and traditional Bitterballen

Founded in 2014, Amsterdam's Foodhallen has exploded over the years into foodie haven, boasting 21 stalls offering everything from Indonesian street food, Spanish tapas, French pastries, and traditional Bitterballen.

The dog-friendly food market also provides a wide range of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, ranging from local craft beers to quality wines.

With a total 87.5 per cent of four and five-star online reviews, the venue has been described by visitors online as a 'cool, trendy hidden gem' and a 'brilliant place to eat'.

19. St. Lawrence Market, Toronto, Canada

St. Lawrence Market is a world-renowned hub with fresh, local produce at its core

A focal city landmark that is over two centuries old, St. Lawrence Market is a world-renowned hub with fresh, local produce at its core.

Best visited on weekdays or mornings, the venue boasts over 120 specialty stalls offering fresh fruit, vegetables, meat, pasta and dairy products, as well as artisanal bread and lobster.

For hot food options, visitors can try Japanese hand rolls at Quik Sushi, friend chicken Italian sandwiches at Uno Mustachio, or peameal bacon sandwiches from Carousel Bakery.

With a 87.8 per of four and five-star reviews, St. Lawrence is a hit with tourists, who have called it a 'great downtown attraction' that offers an 'enormous variety' of food.

18. Municipal Market of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil

In Sao Paulo, the colourful Municipal Market was originally the city's first grocery market, now known for rare fruit offerings along with its bustling food court

Located north of Sao Paulo central, the colourful Municipal Market was originally the city's first grocery market, now known for rare fruit offerings like jackfruit, sapoti and jabuticaba, along with its bustling food court.

With more than 1,500 employees working across the venue, visitors won't be short for options, though Cod Cakes, Cana Broth, and Bar do Mane's famous (and generously-sized) mortadella sandwiches are particularly popular.

Visitors have been left amazed by 'so many options of food and fruit', leading to a total of 88.1 per cent of four and five-star reviews.

16. Mathallen Oslo, Oslo, Norway

Mathallen Oslo is known to offer the 'very best of' Norwegian cuisine and international food at over 30 specialist outlets and eateries

In Norway's capital is Mathallen Oslo, known to offer the 'very best of' Norwegian cuisine and international food at over 30 specialist outlets and eateries, while also offering food-related activities such as courses, fairs and competitions.

Visitors can sample a range of mouthwatering dishes, from juicy beef patties at Doug's Hamburgers, to local game and Norwegian beef at Helt Vilt, to authentic Korean corndog and Tteokbokk at KornDoKKi.

Former diners have given Mathallen 88.3 per cent of four and five-star reviews, calling the venue a 'perfect lunch spot' with 'reasonably priced' food and 'good service'.

16. Or Tor Kor Market, Bangkok, Thailand

Or Tor Market is a popular food market where visitors can find superior quality produce and a jaw-dropping selection of ready-to-eat food, including curries and nam priks

Located in the north of the Thai capital, Or Tor Market is a popular food market where visitors can find superior quality produce and a jaw-dropping selection of ready-to-eat food.

Known throughout Bangkok as the city's high-end market, the venue offers seasonal fruit, vegetables, fish and meat, and a buzzing food court serving up Pad Thai, steamed seafood, spicy Masamam curries, and a range of dry and fresh chili sauces and dips, known as nam priks.

The market, joint sixteenth with Mathallen, has a total of 88.3 per cent of four and five-star online reviews, described as 'not too crowded', with 'varieties of cooked & raw food'.

15. Viktualienmarkt, Munich, Germany

Viktualienmarkt is a historic market known for its traditional Bavarian charm and wide variety of fresh produce and ready-to-eat food

Located in the heart of Munich, Viktualienmarkt is a historic market known for its traditional Bavarian charm and wide variety of fresh produce and ready-to-eat food.

Across 100 stalls are offerings of classic bratwurst and pretzels to artisan cheeses, fresh juices, and local delicacies, alongside international street food options, with highlight dishes including fresh honey at Honighausl, as well as Sachertorte, beer and currywurst.

Former diners have given the market 88.7 per cent of four and five-star reviews, praising its 'lively atmosphere' and 'authentic local experience'.

14. Pike Place Market, Seattle, USA

Pike Place Market is one of the oldest continuously operating markets in the United States, famous for its flying fish and vibrant stalls

Overlooking the waterfront, Pike Place Market is one of the oldest, continuously operating markets in the United States, famous for its flying fish, vibrant stalls, and 'Happy Hour' specials after dark.

The venue boasts a range of restaurants, retail shops and eateries offering fresh seafood, gourmet snacks, baked goods, and coffee.

From Pike Place Chowder's award-winning clam chowder, to Russian pastries at Piroshky Piroshky, there's an option for all visitors.

The market has earned 88.8 per cent of four and five-star reviews, with guests calling it a 'must-visit'.

13. Marche Atwater, Montreal, Canada

At Marche Atwater, visitors can enjoy fresh pastries, regional cheeses, meats, and seasonal fruits, alongside prepared meals and specialty items across dozens of local stalls

Set along the Lachine Canal, Marche Atwater is a beloved food destination offering a mix of local produce, baked goods, and gourmet products across

Visitors can enjoy fresh pastries, regional cheeses, meats, and seasonal fruits, alongside prepared meals and specialty items across dozens of local stalls and restaurants.

For traditional French-Canadian fare, try farm-fresh cheeses from Fromagerie Atwater and mouthwatering tarts from Creation Madeleine. For something a little different, dig into Singaporean street food at Satay Brothers.

The market has received 89.3 per cent of four and five-star reviews, with visitors praising its 'quality setting,' while one said there is 'no need to go to France' thanks to the 'hundreds of cheeses' to choose from.

12. La Boqueria, Barcelona, Spain

La Boqueria is one of Europe's most famous food markets, known for its colourful displays and diverse offerings, and specialities like baby squid with fried eggs at El Quim De La Boqueria

Located just off Las Ramblas, La Boqueria is one of Europe's most famous food markets and the largest in Barcelona, known for its colourful displays and diverse offerings.

Boasting over 300 stalls, visitors can sample tapas, fresh seafood, cured meats, fruit juices, and traditional Spanish dishes prepared on-site at the venue, with favourites including garbanzo beans and blood sausage at Bar Pinotxo, as well as baby squid with fried eggs at El Quim De La Boqueria.

The market holds 89.5 per cent of four and five-star reviews, described as a destination 'not to be missed'.

11. Milwaukee Public Market, Milwaukee, USA

Milwaukee Public Market offers a modern and cosy indoor food hall experience with 19 independently owned merchants

Situated in the Historic Third Ward, Milwaukee Public Market offers a modern indoor food hall experience with 19 independently owned merchants.

Visitors can dig into cheese curds and sip on Bloody Marys, all while exploring diverse ethnic foods, ready-to-eat meals, seven bars, Milwaukee merchandise, artisan groceries all under one roof.

It has earned 90.1 per cent of four and five-star reviews, with guests highlighting its 'clean layout' and 'great food variety'.

10. Ferry Building Marketplace, San Francisco, USA

At the Ferry Building Marketplace, visitors are treated to unique offerings at stalls such as Far West Fungi, El Porteno Empanadas and Fort Point Beer Company

Along San Francisco's waterfront is the Ferry Building Marketplace, known for its focus on high-quality, locally sourced food and artisan products.

Home to nearly 50 artisan food merchants, restaurants and small eateries, visitors are treated to unique offerings at stalls such as Far West Fungi, El Porteno Empanadas and Fort Point Beer Company.

The venue has 90.3 per cent of four and five-star reviews, praised for its 'premium food selection'.

9. Chelsea Market, New York City, USA

At Chelsea Market, visitors can enjoy everything from tacos, pizza and sushi to baked goods and desserts from popular vendors

Housed in a former industrial building in New York City's Meatpacking District, Chelsea Market is a bustling indoor food hall offering a wide range of global cuisine.

Visitors can enjoy everything from tacos and sushi to baked goods and desserts from popular vendors that include Black Seed Bagels, Filaga Pizzeria, and Big Tings Jerk Chicken and Rum Bar.

It has received 90.5 per cent of four and five-star reviews, with visitors calling it 'perfect for food lovers'.

8. Granville Island Public Market, Vancouver, Canada

Granville Island, this market is known for its vibrant atmosphere and focus on fresh, local produce and artisan foods

Located on Granville Island, this market is known for its vibrant atmosphere and focus on fresh, local produce and artisan foods that are 'all fresh from the ocean, the oven or the field'.

Visitors can browse stalls offering seafood, baked goods, and international street food at eateries such as Bon Macaron, Zara's Italian Deli, and The Stock Market.

The market has earned 92.0 per cent of four and five-star reviews, praised as 'full of variety'.

7. Marche Bastille, Paris, France

In Paris, Marche Bastille is a favourite among locals for its fresh produce and traditional French foods.

One of Paris' largest open-air markets, Marche Bastille is a favourite among locals for its fresh produce and traditional French foods.

Visitors can enjoy cheeses, pastries, meats, and ready-to-eat dishes in a lively street setting, with standouts including hot Coq au Vin and fresh Rouget, Sole, Turbot, Wild Shrimp.

It has 92.7 per cent of four and five-star reviews, with guests highlighting its 'authentic feel' and 'excellent quality food'.

6. Torvehallerne, Copenhagen, Denmark

In Denmark, Torvehallerne offers Danish smrrebrd, fresh seafood, pastries, and international cuisine from a range of vendors

A gourmet indoor and outdoor market in Norreport, central Copenhagen, Torvehallerne is known for its modern design and high-quality food offerings across more than 60 stalls.

Visitors can sample Danish smrrebrd, fresh seafood, pastries, and international cuisine from a range of vendors.

The market has 93.2 per cent of four and five-star reviews, praised for its 'clean design' and 'premium food'.

4. South Melbourne Market, Melbourne, Australia

South Melbourne Market boasts almost 150 stalls offering seafood, paella, dim sum, pastries, and specialty coffee

A historic market with a modern twist, South Melbourne Market is known for its fresh produce and popular food stalls.

With almost 150 stalls operated by small business owners, visitors can enjoy seafood, paella, dim sum, pastries, and specialty coffee in a lively setting, with popular vendors including Ba Ba Rolls, Cobb Lane Bakery and Fritz Gelato.

It has 93.4 per cent of four and five-star reviews, with visitors praising its 'great food mix'.

4. Mercado Central, Valencia, Spain

Mercado Central is one of Europe's largest fresh food markets, featuring an eye-watering 1,000 stalls

Housed in a stunning historic building, Mercado Central is one of Europe's largest fresh food markets, featuring an eye-watering 1,000 stalls.

Across the colossal complex, visitors can explore stalls offering meats, seafood, produce, and traditional Spanish delicacies, such as Arroz Negro (squid ink rice with monkfish) and Gambas al ajillo (garlic prawns with potatoes).

Joint fourth with South Melbourne Market, the venue also holds 93.4 per cent of four and five-star reviews, described as 'authentic' and 'full of fresh options'.

3. Adelaide Central Market, Adelaide, Australia

In Adelaide Central Market, visitors can sample international cuisine, gourmet products, and freshly prepared meals at the likes of Le Souk and Lucia's Pizza & Spaghetti Bar

In third place is Adelaide Central Market, a long-standing food hub known for its multicultural food scene and fresh local produce.

With over 70 stalls, the venue is South Australia's most visited attraction, where visitors can sample international cuisine, gourmet products, and freshly prepared meals at the likes of Le Souk and Lucia's Pizza & Spaghetti Bar.

It has earned 94.2 per cent of four and five-star reviews, with guests calling it 'diverse' and 'great for food lovers'.

2. Borough Market, London, UK

London's Borough Market has exploded into a major food destination in recent years, so it's little surprise it now ranks as the second-best food market in the world

One of London's oldest and most famous food markets, Borough Market has evolved into a major food destination in recent years, so it's little surprise it now ranks as the second-best food market in the world.

Across more than 100 stalls, foodies can enjoy modern takes on classic dishes, alongside viral street food, artisan products, and global cuisine.

Dishes currently experiencing notable hype on social media are The Black Pig's slow-roasted pork ciabatta sandwiches, blow-torched marshmallow dessert at Humble Crumble, chocolate-covered strawberries at Turnips and traditional Paella at Bomba Paella.

The market has received 94.3 per cent of four and five-star reviews, praised for its 'high-quality food' and 'buzzing atmosphere'.

1. Reading Terminal Market, Philadelphia, USA

Philadelphia's Reading Terminal Market, a historic yet quirky indoor market offering an exceptional range of food vendors and cuisine, helping cement its status at the world's best

Topping the list is Reading Terminal Market, a historic yet quirky indoor market offering an exceptional range of food vendors and cuisines across more than 80 independently owned stalls.

Visitors can enjoy everything from classic American comfort food to international dishes, fresh baked goods, and local specialties, and are encouraged by former diners to try Roast Pork Sandwiches at DiNic's and Barbecue Chicken at Dienner's.

Other favourites include Sweet potato treats at Sweet T's and Whoopie Pies at Flying Monkey.

The market boasts 94.5 per cent of four and five-star reviews, with diners praising the venue's 'incredible variety' and 'lively atmosphere'.
Two major European airlines have had to hike their flight prices up by nearly 100 after feeling the burden of rising fuel costs.

Jet fuel prices have surged with the Strait of Hormuz being blocked by Iran since war broke out on February 28.

Now, KLM and Air France have announced they are increasing their fares for the second time.

Both are part of the same company and last month it was revealed they would be hiking ticket prices due to the rising cost of jet fuel.

Economy fares were increased by 50 (43.47) for a round trip, according to The Sun.

This week, Air France-KLM announced they would be increasing fares again.

Many of the company's long-haul round trips will see another another 50 - totalling to 100 (87).

Meanwhile, a round economy route will be increased by 10 (8.69) and routes to America, Mexico and Canada will see a 70 (60.85) rise.

Air France and KLM, owned by the same company, are increasing their fares again

Your browser does not support iframes.

Many of the company's long-haul round trips will see another another 50 - totalling to 100 (87)

The Daily Mail has contacted Air France-KLM for comment.

Air France-KLM are not the only carriers to have to react to the rising cost of jet fuel, plenty of others across Europe and around the world have made adjustments too.

One Spanish carrier, Volotea, has even reportedly been pushed to demand extra fees from some passengers after they have booked and paid for their flight.

The budget airline apparently added a small fuel surcharge and asked travellers, who had already covered their costs, to pay in an email, according to Simple Flying.

Some people online claimed they were asked to cough up between $8 to $11 (5.90 to 8.10).

The airline seems to be using a clause in its conditions of carriage - reportedly referred to as its 'Fair Price Promise'.

Volotea's website has a 'Fuel Cost Adjustment' clause listed under section four, Prices, of its conditions of carriage.

The clause outlines how passengers will have been informed of the possibility of a price change during the booking process and explains how rising fuel prices are the cause.

Other airlines have made adjustments too, including Volotea, who has even reportedly been pushed to demand extra fees from some passengers after they have booked and paid for their flight

It states: 'In the event of extraordinary variations in fuel prices affecting international energy markets, Volotea may apply a limited and temporary adjustment to the ticket price prior to the scheduled departure of the flight.

'Any such adjustment will be calculated in accordance with the methodology, thresholds and limits published on Volotea's website.

'Passengers will be informed during the booking process of the methodology applicable to any adjustment resulting from increases or decreases in fuel costs, which may lead to a corresponding increase or decrease in the price of their Ticket.

'The exact amount of any such adjustment will be communicated to passengers prior to departure, once the applicable fuel cost variation has been determined.

'Such adjustments will only apply to passengers who have been informed of this possibility during the booking process, allowing them to make an informed decision before completing their purchase.

'By completing their purchase after being informed of the possibility of any adjustment to the Ticket price, passengers acknowledge and accept that such adjustment may be applied and authorise Volotea to charge any corresponding increase, or reimburse any decrease, using the same payment method used to purchase the Ticket.'

The clause appears to be a new addition to Volotea's terms, with previous versions of the website from earlier this year not showing the 'Fuel Cost Adjustment' section.

It comes as jet fuel prices have surged with the Strait of Hormuz being blocked by Iran since war broke out on February 28.

Around 20 per cent of global oil and liquefied natural gas supplies pass through the strategic passage in the Gulf.

A spokesperson for Volotea told the Daily Mail: 'The airline has chosen not to introduce arbitrary fixed fuel surcharges, instead adopting an innovative approach that combines flexibility, fairness, freedom of choice, and transparency.

'Within this framework, the Fair Travel Promise has been introduced for bookings made from the 16th of March 2026 onwards, an exceptional and temporary measure, designed to protect travellers and ensure operational stability, while minimizing the impact amid evolving global conditions.

'Volotea will use fuel market prices, from publicly available sources, seven days before departure as a reference and, if necessary, adjust ticket prices up or down accordingly.

'In the event of an increase, the airline will apply a surcharge up to 14 per passenger, per flight; conversely, if prices decrease, the company is committed to refunding customers the difference, up to the same maximum amount.

The core element of the Fair Travel Promise is flexibility, the true strength of the initiative: passengers can modify their flight or cancel their booking free of charge up to four hours before departure, an especially beneficial feature not commonly offered by airlines.'

They added: 'Volotea will continue to closely monitor market developments and, in parallel, keep passengers informed in a timely manner, ensuring maximum transparency and flexibility, while enabling informed travel decisions and offering greater peace of mind.'
With travel to faraway destinations in the Middle East, or spots that require flights with stopovers in the region, many holidaymakers are opting for locations closer to home this year as the conflict continues.

Spain is expected to be particularly busy and last year saw a record-breaking 97million tourists.

Now, experts are predicting this summer could even hit 100million visitors to the sunny European spot, The Sun reports.

Flight bookings to Spain surged by 32 per cent year-on-year, as of April 2, according to digital travel marketing platform Sojern.

But for holidaymakers wanting to avoid rammed beaches and busy streets, there are thankfully plenty of hidden gems to check out.

Almeria

Almeria is a lesser-known destination that can be found tucked away on Spain's Mediterranean coast

Located in southeastern Spain, Almeria is a relatively lesser-known spot and basks in year-round, near-summer sunshine, seeing just 26 days of rainfall each year.

Tucked away on Spain's Mediterranean coast, the region is recognised as the continent's only true desert thanks to its proximity to the Tabernas Desert and its geographical placement in the rain shadow of the Sierra Nevada mountain range.

Almeria saw around 2.7million tourists visit last year, much less than the over 11million that headed to the likes of Madrid.

Beyond its balmy weather, the area boasts breathtaking natural landmarks, unique landscapes, and a coastline that is largely free of high-rise hotel blocks.

It is home to an impressive fortress, Alcazaba de Almeria, the 16th-century Catedral de la Encarnacion, and a multitude of museums and galleries, including the Museum of Almeria and Museo de la Guitarra, home to a range of vintage guitars.

Stroll amid palm trees and pools in the Nicolas Salmeron Park, then along the Paseo de Maritimo to the San Miguel and Zapillo beaches.

Sierra de las Nieves

Sierra de las Nieves is a National Park in Andalusia that boasts 1,500 different plant varieties

A dreamy mountain escape, Sierra de las Nieves is a beautiful National Park and UNESCO Biosphere reserve.

Located in the region of Andalusia, it boasts 1,500 different plant varieties and 14 picturesque villages to explore.

The tranquil spot is home to the deepest vertical cave in the region and has peaks that soar 2,000 metres high, according to the local tourism board, which describes the area as 'a paradise of contrasts'.

It was named a National Park in 2021, becoming Spain's 16th overall and the first in the Malaga region.

La Rioja

La Rioja is a beautiful region that manages to avoid hordes of tourists

According to Spain's National Institute of Statistics (INE), La Rioja was the country's least visited region in 2024.

The gorgeous destination, known for its wine production, welcomed just 123,123 visitors.

Around 10,000 Brits head there a year, as per The Telegraph, so you shouldn't find restaurants overcrowded with tourists and busy streets.

La Rioja is an inland region in northern Spain and deserves far more attention than it tends to get.

Lonely Planet reveals: 'Wine goes well with the region's ochre earth and vast blue skies, which seem far more Mediterranean than the Basque greens further north.

'This diverse region offers more than just the pleasures of the grape, though, and a few days here can see you mixing it up in lively towns and quiet pilgrim churches, and even hunting for the remains of giant reptiles.'

Cantabria

Cantabria is another spot often skipped over by tourists but has plenty to offer

Often one of Spain's least-visited coastal regions, Cantabria is often missed by tourists.

But it shouldn't be overlooked, it boasts the jaw-dropping Picos de Europa mountains as well as countless unspoilt sandy beaches.

For those wanting to delve into the history of the region, there is even world-renowned prehistoric cave paintings.

According to Lonely Planet, there are many more Spanish tourists than foreigners - at a ratio of four to one.

Its capital, Santander, is home to the Palacio de la Magdalena - formerly a roayl summer residence - and is a popular spot for Spaniards to visit.

El Hierro and La Gomera

El Hierro is the smallest Canary Island with far fewer crowds than popular spots like Tenerife and Lanzarote

While the Canary Islands are one of Spain's busiest destinations, a couple of the islands get much less attention.

According to Statista, both La Gomera and El Hierro received just 69,000 visitors in 2022.

And Marek Bron, travel expert at the Indie Traveller, previously told the Daily Mail that La Gomera is the most underrated of the Canary Islands.

He said: 'It has these very lush forests that feel like rainforests and they're amazing for hiking.'

Meanwhile El Hierro is the smallest Canary Island with far fewer crowds than popular spots like Tenerife and Lanzarote.

Tourists can visit the pretty hidden gem by taking a ferry or plane from Tenerife or Gran Canaria.

Navarre

The region of Navarre, in northern Spain, has lots to offer, including the Royal Palace of Olite, wihtout the crowds

Another typically quieter spot, located in northern Spain, Navarre boasts peaceful villages and stretches of countryside.

It's also home to Pamplona, a city renowned for its running of the bulls festival.

The Running of the Bulls takes place every July over several days and brings the city's small population of 200,000 to over one million for the big event.

But otherwise, Navarre is a relatively sleepy region. Visitors can explore the Bardenas Reales - a natural park and UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.

Or, if delving into the area's history is of interest, Castillo de Javier is the oldest civil monument in the region and was built in the 10th century. There's also the medieval Royal Palace of Olite, too.

Marina Lucense

With 100km of coastline, Marina Lucense is a great spot for those seeking a quiet break by the sea

Marina Lucense is the Spanish stretch of coast that's the least visited, according to statistics from the INE and Turespana, but it's not one to be missed.

It boasts 100kilometres of stunning coastline and is located on Spain's northern Galician coast where some of the country's least well-known beaches are.

While the weather can't be guaranteed to be sunny, the beaches in Marina Lucense are much quieter than in the Costa del Sol or Costa Blanca.

The area has a focus on promoting sustainable and slow tourism in an attempt to prevent hordes of visitors.

Visit Spain explains: 'The Marina Lucense has around 100km of coastline where you'll find old whaling ports and a variety of landscapes.'

One of the region's most spectacular beaches is As Catedrais, or the Cathedrals. The 1.5km long beach earned its name from the Gothic-looking rock towers and arches on its sands.
Temptation Island returned to our screens with its 10th series earlier this week.

And the reality show, presented by Mark L. Walberg, has not disappointed viewers since landing on Netflix on April 10.

Four new couples have joined the experiment to test their relationship and see if they give into temptation.

Jack Mason and Shyanne Blankenship decide to throw their five year relationship away after they both get intimate with other people.

Entrepreneur Jack got into bed with bartender Carter Erin (one of the temptresses) and told her: 'It's hard to act like there's not something there.'

The pair then started kissing and Carter told him: 'You're like giant.'

Jack Mason and Shyanne Blankenship decide to throw their five year relationship away after they both get intimate with other people

Jack gets close with Jesenia Sosa

Suffice to say, one thing led to another...

In the same episode he later took Carter and content creator Jesenia (also a temptress) into the sex tent.

So Shyanne decided to get her own back and had sex with entrepreneur Preston Viltx - a 'tempter', the show's version of a Love Island bombshell.

All nine episodes of Temptation Island are available to watch on Netflix.

'In this new season of Temptation Island, emotions run high as a fresh group of couples, each at a crossroads in their relationship, attempt to discover if their love can truly conquer all.

'The couples face plenty of temptation as they part ways to live with a group of singles of the opposite sex.

'Only time will tell if the choices they make in paradise push them closer together, into the arms of a new lover, or into the single life,' the synopsis reads.

Many have shared their thoughts on the show.

Many have shared their views on Temptation Island, with some saying it's 'toxic' and others sharing how much they enjoy the show

One said on Reddit: 'Temptation Island is the most toxic show on TV.'

They continued: 'Why would anyone agree to go on this show? And more importantly, why would anyone volunteer to be a tempter? Like, who seriously signs up to be a homewrecker? I swear these tempters must be hired actors or fame-hungry gold diggers. Because whos that desperate to get with someone whos already in a relationshipespecially someone whos cheating right in front of cameras? Gross. The entire premise is just people being messy, emotionally unstable, and publicly okay with zero self-respect.'

'It's very toxic, but there is a similar show called Love Never Lies.'

'I agree, the concept is absolutely diabolical. Makes you wonder how much of the show (the couples) was real.'

Meanwhile others have shared on X, formerly known as Twitter, that they really enjoy watching it.

'#temptationisland is wild!!!'

'#TemptationIsland is mental i love it.'

'One of my favorites is back #TemptationIsland.'

'im strapped in #TemptationIsland.'

Last month a clip of a furious Temptation Island: Spain hunk who was restrained by security after watching his partner cheat on camera and charging into the villa to seek revenge went viral.

The reality show, also known as La Isla De Las Tentaciones, is the Spanish version of the popular franchise.

Temptation Island: Spain  created by Andrew Perry  hit our screens back in 2020 and premiered its 10th season earlier this week.

The ninth series, hosted by Sandra Barneda and which was filmed in the Dominican Republic last year, went viral on X ahead of this month's return.

In the shocking scene, Gilbert Mina is left furious when he watches his girl Claudia Chacon kissing and grinding on another man in a swimming pool.

He grabs the iPad that he is watching it on and chucks it into the distance, before running over to the villa that Claudia is in.

A furious Temptation Island: Spain hunk was restrained by security after watching his partner cheat on camera and charged into the villa to seek revenge

In the shocking scene, Gilbert Mina is left furious when he watches his girl Claudia Chacon kissing and grinding on another man in a swimming pool

He grabs the iPad that he is watching it on and chucks it into the distance, before running over to the villa that Claudia is in

Gilbert shouts to get Claudia's attention and tries to enter the complex, but a security man gets in his way.

Many have compared the scene to when season eight star Jose Carlos Montoya watched his girlfriend Anna Arboledas have sex with another man.

'A new Montoya has been discovered on Temptation Island Spain crashing out after seeing his girlfriend kiss another contestant.'

'Guys? I neeeeeed to watch Temptation Island Spain.'

'The pain , the suffering. Netflix I need Temptation Island Spain now!!!'

'A new Montoya has emerged on Temptation Island Spain  he crashed out after seeing his girlfriend kiss another contestant.'

'I NEED to start watching temptation Island Spain.'

Season 10 is set to hit screens in Spain next month.

Many rushed to X, formerly known as Twitter, to share their shock over the clip from Temptation Island: Spain

The series was filmed earlier this year in the Dominican Republic.

It will air between April and June 2026.

If you're interested in the drama and want to see what the show offers, you can watch season eight on Amazon Prime Video.

Apple TV also offers some seasons for a price.

Temptation Island hit our screens in 2001 on Fox.

The American show, presented by Mark L. Walberg, has had nine successful series over the years.

It aired on Fox between 2001 and 2003, on USA Network between 2019 and 2023, and then went to Netflix last year.

'In this spicy update to the hit reality series, four couples test their relationships by splitting up and dating eligible singles on a tropical island,' Netflix's synopsis reads.

There are various other international versions of the show.

Some include L'Ile de la tentation (France), Temptation Island  Versuchung im Paradies (Germany), Ilha da Seducao (Brazil), Vero amore Temptation Island (Italy) and Temptation Island UK.

Temptation Island airs on Netflix.
I'm A Celeb's Beverley Callard opened up to her fans in a new cancer battle update, telling her following she's 'trying to be brave and strong' in a vulnerable new video.

The actress admitted she 'didn't know' what the 'weird' update on the disease meant as she revealed she had been called in for another consultation by her doctor.

Beverley, 68, who recently revealed she was battling breast cancer, previously told fans she was planning on having her lymph nodes removed in a precautious move to ensure the cancer wouldn't spread.

She shared another update on Wednesday in the form of a video posted on social media, where she could be seen sitting at home talking to the camera.

Beverley said: 'As you know I am waiting for my results which as made me paint for England  well for Ireland.

'I got a text message today, just a couple of hours ago, saying that my results oh it says that my consultant is away at the moment but theres another consultant who wants to discuss my results on Thursday at midday.

I'm A Celeb's Beverley Callard opened up to her fans in a new cancer battle update, telling her following she's 'trying to be brave and strong' in a new video

The actress admitted she 'didn't know' what the 'weird' update on the disease meant as she revealed she had been called in for another consultation by her doctor

'So Ive got a consultation then. So I dont know what that means.'

The former Coronation Street star went on to explain it had increased her worry as she was expecting to next talk to a nurse in a regular call about the cancer.

'I am just wondering if this has happened to anybody else?' she asked her fans, before signing off: 'OK lots of love everyone and I am being strong.'

Her friends and fans were quick to rush to the comment section to offer up their support to Beverley, who captioned the post: 'Had a bit of a weird update and not sure how to feel about ittrying to be brave and strong.'

One follower penned: 'I think if it was anything theyd have you in yesterday or the day before. Its horrible having to wait. Sending lots of love.'

A second shared: 'Sending you all the positivity,' as a third wrote: 'Thinking of you Beverley wishing you all the luck in the world. Praying for you.'

A fourth fan added: 'No news is good news I reckon Beverley. As for the consultation. I would say they just want to fill you in on what they are going to do next.'

While a fifth simply concluded: 'Bless ya hope all will be good.'

Earlier this month, Beverley said she 'cannot paint a smile on her face' as she revealed her breast cancer surgery results had been delayed due to a backlog.

The former Coronation Street star went on to explain it had increased her worry as she was expecting to next talk to a nurse in a regular call about the cancer

The soap star revealed she has been battling the disease after being diagnosed just after she relocated to Dublin to start her new job on Irish soap Fair City.

In another update to fans, Beverley explained that she is still waiting for the results of her latest procedure and opened up about her husband and how he has been supporting her in a post shared to Instagram.

Beverley said that her husband, Jon McEwan, was decorating their new home to ensure she was comfortable during her recovery.

In the clip, she said: 'Well, I had to do a photoshoot yesterday and on the way there - it was for a magazine about Fair City - and on the way there, Jon [my husband] was driving, and I was in the passenger seat.

'My phone rang, and it said the caller ID. Usually, it's the hospital or one of the consultants from the hospital and I thought 'Okay, this is it, my results.'

'It was one of the amazing cancer care nurses from Norfolk and Norwich Hospital, they are fantastic. She wanted to know how I was doing.

'I told her that I've got quite a lot of soreness, which I've not had for ages but it came on a few days ago.

Beverley previously took to Instagram and shared a video updating fans on her cancer journey

'She said I could be overdoing things, hopefully I'm not, I've had a lazy day today. But then she said 'No results yet because there is a backlog,' so hopefully I will get them next week.

'You know when your heart is in your mouth? You think 'This is it. It's coming now, any minute,' and then, no, nothing.

'Obviously, we were still moving in the car, and I just thought 'I can't do this now, I cannot paint a smile on my face again.'

'Anyway, I did it. You just do, don't you? Then we went out for some dinner and it was really nice.

'The other thing I was thinking was that Jon's painting the bedroom in our new home and doing all that so it will be lovely for me for radiotherapy, etc, if I am tired, and I just thought 'Oh, I could not go through this by myself.'

'I really feel for anyone who is going through it by themselves, I really do. If you are, you're much stronger than me, that is for sure, and I'm sending you so much love.'

The actress also sparked health concerns among I'm A Celebrity fans as she was seen tackling brutal trials days after sharing an update on her cancer battle.

The Coronation Street legend has been among the returning favourites appearing on the I'm A Celebrity South Africa spin-off.

Unlike the regular Australia series, the show was almost entirely pre-recorded in September 2025, with a live final set to reveal the winner later this month.

During the launch episode, she furiously declared 'up yours' to boxer David Haye as he sent her to the dreaded Savannah Scrub camp

In February 2026, Beverley revealed she had been diagnosed with breast cancer - and some I'm A Celebrity viewers were unaware South Africa was recorded months ago and shared their confusion.

One viewer wrote in concern for Beverley: 'When was this recorded? I thought Beverly was going through cancer treatment and was ill?'

Another penned: 'Aww Beverly great to see her with what shes going though recently routing for her,' as a third added: 'I absolutely love Beverly a lovely lovely lady who I hope is doing ok at the moment wishing her love better heath and a full recovery.'

A fourth commented: 'How is Bev Callard here? Thought she at death door?'

While a fifth chimed in: 'I might be imagining but Beverly was definitely tweeting a few weeks ago about being on treatment.'

During the show's launch episode earlier this month, Beverely showed her fiery side by declaring 'up yours' to boxer David Haye as he sent her to the dreaded Savannah Scrub camp.

On David's arrival, he emerged victorious against Gogglebox's Scarlett Moffatt in the challenge Unlucky Lodges, which saw the stars search high and low for keys in a lodge.

As a result his team was given the right to decide who out of Scarlett and Beverley would be immediately sent to the very basic Savannah Scrub camp - and David's decision to send the soap star did not go down well.

She furiously said: 'David you're going to pay for that decision. I'm telling you now.'

'I have really no hard feelings, I'm only kidding,' Beverley began, before pausing and hilariously adding: 'Up yours.'

As she walked through the jungle, she said: 'David Haye. I will get my own back on him.'

Later in the evening as she joined Adam Thomas in Savannah Scrub, Beverley made her fury towards David known.

'Been a fan of his for years and years and years - not anymore I tell you,' she joked. 'He sent me to Savannah scrub and I thought "you're gonna get it mate".'

Adam suggested she shouldn't make an enemy out of David, before Beverley replied: 'I've thought about this, I'm gonna chin him.'

I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! continues at 9pm on ITV1 and ITVX
Disney+ viewers were left sickened by a 'vile' The Testaments scene showing a sexual abuse act between a dentist and his young teenage patient, sending 'shivers down the spines' of fans.

The new series, which was first announced to be in the works back in 2019 while the Handmaid's Tale, based on Margaret Atwood's 1985 novel, was still on screens, follows the story of the sequel book of the same name.

The story picks up in the spin-off series approximately 15 years later after June Osbourne's plight to bring down the world of Gilead and get back her daughter, Hannah, who was kept under their power.

The Testaments tells the story of Hannah, now named Agnes MacKenzie and living with an influential Gilead family, and her new-found friend Daisy - a teenager from Canada who goes undercover into Gilead.

The first episode saw the two being placed together by the formidable Handmaid's Tale character Aunt Lydia, played by Ann Dowd, as Daisy, known as a 'pearl girl' underwent her conversion to life in Gilead.

However, viewers were soon treated to flashback scenes that revealed Daisy was not who she said she was, and worked alongside Mayday, an underground resistance network trying to bring down Gilead.

Disney+ viewers were left sickened by a 'vile' The Testaments scene showing a sexual abuse act between a dentist and his young teenage patient, Agnes (pictured: Chase Infiniti as Agnes)

In a trip to the dentist, she is left alone with her friend Becka's father for a check-up, which shocked viewers as it suddenly saw him touch her across her chest (pictured: Randal Edwards as Dr Grove)

The storyline also detailed how Agnes had 'come into womanhood' with her first period, a rare occurrence in the world Attwood crafted in her original novel, The Handmaid's Tale.

And while it meant that Agnes was soon being showered with praise by her teachers and friends, she notices that some of the men around her are acting differently.

In a trip to dentist Dr Grove, organised by her step-mother, she is left alone with her friend Becka's father for a check-up, which shocked viewers as it suddenly saw him touch her across her chest.

Slipping a protective vest over her while he conducts an X-ray, the dentist creepily tells her: 'Now, I hope this won't be too heavy for you, I can imagine your breasts must be quite tender.'

The sickening scene shows him fixing the vest in place, while brushing his hands over the teenage character's chest, adding: 'You really are getting to be a big girl, Agnes.'

While Agnes is left in shock, looking uncomfortable, she doesn't say anything about the abuse to her friend or her parents after leaving the appointment.

Later in episode four, Agnes has to return to the dentist to have some work done, and the dentist is seen putting her to sleep with a mild sedative for the procedure.

When Agnes gets home later that night, getting undressed and ready for bed, she notices that her shirt is already undone - and knows it was not her who did it.

The sickening scene shows him fixing the vest in place, while brushing his hands over the teenage character's chest, adding: 'You really are getting to be a big girl, Agnes'

When Agnes gets home later that night, getting undressed and ready for bed, she notices that her shirt is already undone - and knows it was not her who did it

The episode comes to an end with Agnes looking horrified as she understands that the dentist might have touched her while she was under anaesthetic.

Fans were left in shock by the scene, and took to social media with their disgust, writing on X, formerly Twitter: 'I cant believe I just witnessed Agnes being SAd by the dentist,' as another chimed in: 'Oh no the molester dentist!'

'I knew that dentist was going to assault Hannah/Agnes. VILE, VILE, VILE,' a third wrote, as a fourth said: 'Ugh! That dentist disgusts me! He and his way with Agnes while she was under anesthesia!'

'I knew Agnes being sedated in that dentist office wasn't just to fix teeth,' a fifth penned, while someone else added: 'Wtf did the dentist do to her omg.'

'The scene at the end with Agnes is so heartbreaking, especially because as a viewer youre uncomfortable with her being unconscious and alone with the dentist,' a sixth concluded.

It comes after The Handmaid's Tale fans were left 'in tears and freaking out' as one of the iconic show's stars made an unexpected appearance in new spin-off series The Testaments.

The Handmaid's Tale came to a tense finale last May, with Elisabeth Moss' June returning to Gilead to document what happened to her in the Waterford home.

However, as viewers tuned in for the first episode when it launched on Disney+ earlier this week, they were given a shock as June made an appearance.

Elisabeth, 43, was seen as June in one scene as the first episode of the new drama came to an end, with no further details released of how much involvement she will have going forward.

The Handmaid's Tale fans were left 'in tears and freaking out' as one of the iconic show stars made an unexpected appearance in new spin-off series The Testaments

Elisabeth, 43, was seen as Jun ein one scene as the first episode of the new drama came to an end, with no further details released of how much involvement she will have going forward

Nonetheless, fans were left overjoyed and flooded X, formerly Twitter, with their excitement at the hopes character June would be appearing more.

'Yeaaaahhh my girl June is back & I think she coming to play with nobody in Gilead,' one penned, as another chimed in: 'OMG I FREAKED WHEN I SAW JUNE AT THE END OF EPISODE 1!!!'

A third penned: 'OMG JUNE IM SO HAPPY,' as a fourth agreed: 'Episode one was so good! It was just seeing June again!'

'I didn't think Elisabeth Moss would actually appear in the show the way I gagged? I teared up like I'm sorry but June is my princess,' a fifth gushed.

While a sixth concluded: 'Best part of The Testaments is June from The Handmaid's Tale. Gosh it turns out I missed this show universe so much.'

Show creator Bruce Miller teased to the Hollywood Reporter that fans would be seeing much more of June, explaining: 'Theres an aspect of superhero to June that we wanted to have in this, because her shadow is over the whole show.

'Shes looming over the whole thing. June would always be in this show.

'Its a show about her daughter, and she certainly would be very curious about what happened and would be as influent in that life as she could be.'

The first trailer for The Handmaid's Tale spin-off series The Testaments gave fans a first look at the tense teenage spy plot back in March.

The Disney+ coming-of-age series, which premiered on April 8 with three episodes, has further episodes to launch weekly and follows young teens Agnes and Daisy.

Dutiful and pious Agnes and new arrival Daisy, a convert from beyond Gilead's borders, navigate the gilded halls of Aunt Lydia's elite school for future wives together.

Dutiful and pious Agnes and new arrival Daisy (pictured), a convert from beyond Gilead's borders, navigate the gilded halls of Aunt Lydia's elite school for future wives together

Their bond soon 'becomes the catalyst that will upend their past, their present, and their future', working together to expose the secrets of the regime.

It will see the return of Aunt Lydia actress Ann Dowd to the franchise, this time joined by One Battle After Another's Chase Infiniti and newcomer Lucy Halliday.

They will also be joined by Mabel Li, Amy Seimetz, Brad Alexander, Rowan Blanchard, Mattea Conforti, Zarrin Darnell-Martin, Eva Foote, Isolde Ardies, Shechinah Mpumlwana, Birva Pandya and Kira Guloien.

A first look at the series sees us introduced to Chase as Agnes for the first time - and coming face to face with Daisy, and navigating life at the school for wives. '

'I'm not really sure what year it was, I know I still had my doll house, it looked just like our real house,' Agnes' voice can be heard ringing out.

'Some dolls were always busy, others were always doing the important work, and there was a little girl doll, that's me.'

'Back then, we still believed in this world,' Agnes says, on top of scenes of her playing with her school friends. 'I guess it's easier to believe in a story, then believe that the people around you are monsters.'

The series, which was first announced to be in the works back in 2019 while the original series, based on Margaret Atwood's 1985 novel, was still on screens

'I have to save those girls,' Daisy is then seen saying, as she plugs in headphones to her ears as part of her plot to uncover the Gilead regime.

'There comes a time when you have to take action, when you have to choose your own destiny,' Daisy is then heard telling Agnes.

Last month, The Handmaid's Tale star Elisabeth was announced as the lead in a twisted new crime thriller alongside Kerry Washington and Kate Mara.

Elisabeth, 43, portrayed June Osbourne throughout the dystopian series' entire six season run.

Earlier in her career, she held roles such as Peggy Olson in Mad Men and Zoey Bartlet in The West Wing.

The acclaimed actress is now starring in Apple TV's scandalous new thriller Imperfect Women.

Also starring Scandal star Kerry, 49, and House Of Cards actress Kate, 42, the trio play Mary, Eleanor and Nancy, friends whose lives are destroyed by an unspeakable crime.

The show explores themes including guilt, betrayal, love and retribution - as the women's friendship starts to unravel amid an investigation.

Based on Araminta Hall's novel, Imperfect Women stars Elisabeth Olsen, Kerry Washington and Kate Moss

Meanwhile, the eight-episode limited series is based upon Araminta Hall's novel of the same name.

Speaking previously about the series, Elisabeth said: 'From the moment I received Aramintas novel, I couldnt put it down.

'It was such an electrifying read; I fell in love with it immediately'.

'Ive admired Kerry and her work as an actor and producer for many years and have been looking for something to work with her on and was so thrilled that she responded to the material when we sent it to her and Pilar at Simpson Street.

While Emmy Award-winner Kerry added: 'I could not have been more thrilled to get this call from Elisabeth.

'I have been an immense fan of hers  both as a brilliant actor and groundbreaking producer  for years.

'Elisabeth and Lindsey have impeccable taste, as evidenced by the way they have championed Aramintas gripping novel, and I cant think of a better person to bring this project to life on screen than the amazing Annie Weisman.

'Imperfect Women is exactly the type of exciting, complex, raw storytelling we strive to create at Simpson Street.

Meanwhile, the teaser concludes with Mary (Elisabeth Moss) and Eleanor (Kerry Washington) sat in a police interrogation room

'Pilar and I are tremendously inspired by the opportunity to team up with Love & Squalor Pictures, and we are thankful to everyone at Apple Studios and the team at 20th Television for believing in this project as much as we do.'

The cast also includes Joel Kinnaman, Corey Stoll, Sandrine Holt, Sheryl Lee Ralph, Ana Ortiz and Leslie Odom Jr, among others.

On Tuesday (February 3), Apple TV debuted a teaser for the upcoming show ahead of its debut on March 18 - with weekly drops until April 29.

It shows the three lead characters at a fancy bar, with Nancy (Kate Mara) toasting to Mary and Eleanor - the 'two women I love most in the world.'

She says: 'Who I feel most loved by, the true friends who see me so deeply and accept me so completely. You guys seriously saved my life.'

But the scene then dramatically shifts - showing snapshots of passionate trysts and dramatic moments including Nancy slapping another woman.

It concludes with Mary and Eleanor shown sat in a police interrogation room, both looking distressed.

The Testaments is available to stream on Disney+
Jay Slater's mum Debbie Duncan has opened up on how 'tragedy trolling' made her life hell, and admitted that they have 'never stopped' with their tirade against her because there is no punishment for social media users.

The mother-of-two joined Ben Shephard and Cat Deeley on the sofa on This Morning on Thursday to open up about the messages she's received online as she promoted her campaign for Jay's Law - designed to hold social media companies accountable.

Debbie, 57, detailed some of the cruel online abuse that pushed her to 'the brink of a nervous breakdown' following Jay's death in Tenerife in 2024, at the age of 19.

Jay's disappearance in June 2024 sparked a massive manhunt across Tenerife but also a torrent of conspiracy theories and trolls who made unevidenced claims about what had happened to him, even abusing his relatives and friends.

Conspiracy theorists were quick to make false claims such as that his disappearance was a 'revenge attack' for his past behaviour and even questioned his mother's own behaviour asking why she wasn't visibly more upset.

Jay's body was discovered four weeks after he disappeared in a remote area near Masca - but even after the inquest in 2025 that found he'd died on June 17, 2024, with injuries on his body consistent with a 'heavy fall from height', online sleuths continued to put forward fabricated claims about the case.

Jay Slater's mum Debbie Duncan has opened up on how 'tragedy trolling' made her life hell, and admitted that they have 'never stopped' with their tirade against her because there is no punishment for social media users

The mother-of-two joined Ben Shephard and Cat Deeley on the sofa on This Morning on Thursday to open up about the messages she's received online as she promoted her campaign for Jay's Law

Home Office pathologist Dr Richard Shepherd said his post-mortem examination gave the cause of death as head injuries, and Jay's body showed no evidence of restraint or assault - but it didn't stop the messages.

Debbie told Ben and Cat: 'It's just never ended, two years on almost, and they just keep coming - it's going round in circles, the comments about, "He was involved in the mafia and drug dealing", and then it gets really personal.

'[Trolls have been] calling his family, calling me [saying] "they're drug dealers... he had a bad upbringing", it just got really personal.

'They don't know us, they don't know our family, they don't know Jay but yet they just judge... and the conspiracies started almost immediately.'

Debbie touched on social media users hitting out against a GoFundMe page that was set up during the search for Jay - which topped more than 70,000 in donations.

At the time, she thanked all the well-wishes and revealed the money had been used to help the family stay in Tenerife during the search, support the teams who were 'tirelessly searching for Jay', and give him the 'send off he deserved'.

'Then the GoFundMe was set up which caused a lot of... and people, where there's money concerned, so many families rely on GoFundMe's now, I'm eternally grateful for all the help and support and the donations,' Debbie continued.

'We were transparent with the people at GoFundMe, they know what the money was used for but there will probably be a video out later today, "Oh, there's Debbie Duncan again sat on the sofa talking about Jay and how much is she getting paid?"

Debbie told Ben and Cat: 'It's just never ended, two years on almost, and they just keep coming - it's going round in circles'

'But I'm sat on this sofa to get across the trolling and the awful side to social media.'

Asked by Cat if the online abuse had ever stopped, Debbie simply replied: 'No.'

Opening up on her campaign for Jay's Law, she continued: 'We started the government petition at the end of last year, we've got over 13,000 signatures, the government responded, we have been down to Parliament three or four times.

'[The law is] to make the big tech companies take more responsibility on what is actually put on their platforms, at the minute, it's just lawless, they're given this platform to say what they want.

'The damage it is causing to not just our family, there's a lot of other families that have gone through it, but we want to try and fight to put a stop to tragedy trolling, because that is what it is.'

She concluded as Ben asked how she and the family were 'coping' with Jay's loss amidst the social media storm: 'It just feels like time's stood still, it's very raw still.

'What goes online has affected us as a family, and as a mother, there is no pain like losing a child but this is why I'm spurred on to help future families with this online hell.'

Last year, Debbie hit back at 'disgusting' online trolls after the family were bombarded with over 30million videos speculating about the case.

She first revealed she was calling for a law change to tackle the spread of misinformation and online abuse during the investigation into a missing persons case back in October 2025.

Debbie, 57, detailed some of the cruel online abuse that pushed her to 'the brink of a nervous breakdown' following Jay's death in Tenerife in 2024, at the age of 19

In the first days after his disappearance, the heartbroken mother revealed she was immediately subjected to harassment over the phone and online.

She said last year: 'Well at the beginning I didn't look online and I was contacting Lucy [Jay's friend who was on holiday with him]. I didn't even think of checking who would have known it would have blown up.

'Me and Zac [Jay's brother] walked out of the airport and I got a WhatsApp message saying "kiss your son goodbye he owes us money". I was ringing the number back but no one answered.'

Mrs Duncan continued to receive similar messages after her phone was printed on a missing person's poster for Jay.

On top of this, a Facebook group set up by concerned family and friends gained traction online and soon became rife with speculation about the case.

'A friend who'd flown out, Jay's friend Brad's mum, came out and set up a the page appealing for information,' Ms Duncan said.

'And then that was bombarded with all kinds of conspiracy theories videos of people saying is that a body and there were voices saying he said he wasn't going to be stabbed.

'Footage of Jay in the club and that got put out all over social media and then there was a video from the festival of his friends that got out saying he'd dropped a bag and it was full of drugs.

In the first days after his disappearance, the heartbroken mother revealed she was immediately subjected to harassment over the phone and online

'And you're like what is going on, you're going down all these rabbit holes as well.'

It sparked Debbie to work with her local MP, Sarah Smith, to put forward a law change to tackle the spread of misinformation and online abuse during the investigation into a missing persons case.

Social media companies have previously stated they would remove misinformation that was likely to contribute to the risk of imminent physical harm or interference.

Last September, Debbie fought back tears as she revealed this morning that callous online trolls accused her of murdering her own son after he went missing in Tenerife.

She described how, while she and Jay's loved ones were left 'desperate' for any lead, online trolls were making despicable claims accusing her of killing her own son - despite her being in the UK at the time of his disappearance.

'They just kind of sensationalised it all online. I even got accused of murdering my own child at some point - we were all accused of different things,' she told BBC Breakfast.

'Jay's friends, other family members, dragged into this whole made-up story. It was unbelievable really.

'All this misinformation - we didn't know what was real and what wasn't real. When we found Jay, it just blew up even more. To this day, it's still going on.'

Last September, Debbie fought back tears as she revealed this morning that callous online trolls accused her of murdering her own son after he went missing in Tenerife

Opening up ahead of a Channel 4 documentary looking at Jay's disappearance, Debbie said she suffered a breakdown due to the vile theories and comments being propagated online.

'You've got a family who've been through the most awful experience, they've lost their son and they're being trolled,' she said.

'It just evolved - you couldn't keep up with what was happening online. And what is still happening. It's happening right now - it's just horrendous.

'It's not ok at all, the things that the family have been accused of - murdering Jay, being part of a huge conspiracy for money, his friends have been accused of killing him. It was difficult to even select a few to include in the film.'

The documentary release coincided with her calls for tighter laws to stop so-called 'armchair detectives' from spreading misinformation online in sensitive cases.

She wants to see the introduction of 'Jay's law', which would clamp down on those spreading falsehoods about missing people online, and has the backing of her local Labour MP Sarah Smith.

Hyndburn MP Ms Smith said: 'It is entirely wrong that people can continue to speculate, with no end date, about what's happened in these incredibly tragic circumstances, with no consideration of how that is impacting on those that have lost a loved one.'

She added: 'These people are moving from family to family causing them an absolute living hell'.

Debbie said of the online trolling: 'These people are moving from family to family causing them an absolute living hell'

Jay went missing during his first holiday without his parents, after partying at the NRG music festival and Papagayo nightclub in Playa de Las Americas.

After the event died down, he got into a car with two men he'd met on the holiday and drove to their Airbnb in the village of Masca, about 20 miles away.

After leaving the property, he phoned his friend Lucy Law saying he was lost in the mountains and his other friend Bradley Geoghegan to tell them he was trekking home after missing a bus.

When he failed to return to his accommodation he was reported missing.

Before long, dozens of conspiracy theories about Jay's whereabouts were posted online.

Some of the theories claimed that he had been kidnapped by drug dealers and murdered in the mountains after losing a bag of drugs, while others claimed he had staged his own death or been killed by relatives.

According to Ms Duncan, some conspiracy theorists even asked whether the right body had been buried after his funeral.

'When the facts were out there people didn't want to believe the truth,' she said.

Ms Duncan continued: 'It was hard to understand their motivation. We were just a desperate family and then a grieving family when we found Jay.

'We didn't feel like there was any sympathy from these people, they were just sensationalising it all online.'

The impact of her son's loss has been profound. Speaking to the Mirror in recent days, Ms Duncan told how she has left her job as a finance assistant at a local school and has received private counselling sessions.

She still hasn't unpacked Jay's case from Tenerife, heartbreakingly admitting that she often opens it up, just to smell his clothes, before closing it back up again.

Jay's family hope to finally put the conspiracy theories to bed by speaking out ahead of a Candour Productions documentary for Channel 4 - The Disappearance of Jay Slater - which airs on Sunday, September 28 at 9pm.

Ms Duncan, together with Jay's father, Warren, 59, and older brother, Zak, 25, gave TV producers unprecedented access to Jay's story by sharing highly personal home footage, as well as coverage from inside Jay's funeral.

Cameras were even allowed into his post-mortem.

Warren hopes that by showing the t-shirt and trainers Jay wore the night he died, it will put an end to the cruel conspiracy theories that their son is still alive.

This Morning airs weekdays from 10am on ITV1 and ITVX.
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A documentary series branded the 'greatest of all time' is coming to an end with a tear-jerking finale.

The 'Up' series first hit screens in 1964, following fourteen participants who were all seven years old at the time.

There have been nine films, each released seven years apart and exploring how the cast members' lives changed in the intervening period.

However, the final chapter is now imminently coming with a poignant finale film titled 70 UP.

Familiar returning faces include 'cheeky chap' Tony, a London cabbie who had wanted to be a jockey - alongside Neil, who dreamed of being an astronaut and experienced homelessness.

Public schoolboy Bruce, who wanted to be a missionary, as well as Symon, who has fostered more than 120 children and has 12 (and counting) grandchildren.

The legendary 'Up' series of documentaries is set to conclude with a poignant finale titled 70 Up

The films began back in 1964 with '7 Up' - following fourteen children who were all seven years old at the time

There is also Paul, who was shy and is now a grandparent and Jackie, who left Scotland with a new partner.

In addition, Sue will discuss marrying Glenn and her decades spent working at Queen Mary University of London.

Also returning are Peter with music news, lawyer Andrew, KC John, who had wanted a powerful career, as well as Suzy - who began as a young ballerina who hated her private school.

Viewers will also hear from Charles, a former participant who stopped appearing in the films at 21 years old.

70 Up will also remember the participants who have passed away, including Lynn, who was part of a trio of friends.

There will also be interview footage of the late Nick, a farmer's son who became a nuclear physicist and died in 2023.

70 Up is due to air later in 2026.

Late director Michael Apted, who passed away in 2021, helmed the films from 1970 to 2021.

Jo Clinton-Davis, Controller of Factual ITV and Commissioner 70 Up said: 'The 7 Up story is much more than a TV documentary, it's a document of our times.

'A truly distinctive landmark piece of film-making that has become part of our cultural fabric.

'In the evolving stories of our cast we see the universal themes of life play out. It is the series that made me want to get into television.

'It is the series that I am beyond proud of having been involved in since 56 Up.

'It is a tribute to Michael Apted who will forever be associated with it and to the continued dedication and remarkable skill of Claire Lewis.

Michael Apted, who passed away in 2021, directed the 'Up' films from 1970 up until 63 Up in 2019

'Yet in Asif Kapadia we have an outstanding director who will bring his passion, creativity and incredible flair whilst safeguarding the very precious 'Up' legacy.

'Ultimately, this is a tribute to the courage of all the cast who continue to share their lives with us so we can see our lives in them.'

Asif Kapadia, Director, 70 Up said: 'In 2014 I named the Up Series as my favourite documentary of all time.

'Who knew that a decade later I would have the incredible honour and privilege to be asked to direct 70 Up, the legendary documentary series. I love the show!

'I have watched it all my life, first as a child with my parents and siblings, growing up in East London and then as an adult.

'I was lucky to meet Michael Apted a few times. I first came in contact with Apted when he interviewed me after he saw SENNA and he liked the fact I directed drama and documentaries, like him.

'Directing 70 Up has been a dream project for me, the ultimate portrait of human life, working with my amazing editors Andrew Hulme and Patrick Saxer, we had the challenge of cutting hours of archive material shot over decades, while also looking at the nature of documentary filmmaking itself.

' I hope the audience feel my team and I have done the epic series justice with the closing chapter.'

Producer Claire Lewis said: 'After over 40 years of working with the participants of 7 Up it seems extraordinary that we have come to the end of this unique series.

'It's been an incredible lifetime's work and has given me a second family. I'm sad and content at the same time that it's ending.

'Working with Asif, as well as Michael, has been an honour. But the highest accolade goes to the fortitude of our trusted contributors.

'We miss Michael, Nick and Lynn terribly; the jigsaw is not complete without them.

'Thank you to them and thank you to the team. Each episode captures an era for our society and one for each individual.

'It's pure magic. Thank you to the pioneers of ITV who made it happen. It's film history.'
Rivals stars have stripped naked for eye-popping sex scenes in a raunchy new trailer for the Disney+ 'bonkbuster' - as fans cheered 'we are so back!'

Within the first few seconds of the trailer, two mystery naked bodies can be seen writhing on top of one another in very steamy display.

James Vereker, TV host at Corinium, played by Oliver Chris strips down completely naked and viewers also see Danny Dyer go shirtless as Freddie Jones for a passionate kiss .

The trailer showcases the five main characters, including David Tennant's Lord Tony Baddingham, the ruthless managing director of television company Corinium - and Emily Atack's rising TV star Sarah Stratton.

Then there's antagonist and long-standing enemy of Baddingham, Rupert Campbell-Black, played by The Tragedy Of Macbeth's Alex Hassell, a retired Olympic show-jumper, now a Tory MP.

Declan O'Hara, played by Poldark's Aidan Turner, the ex-BBC journalist who got recruited to Corinium, and Black Lighting's Nafessa Williams' Cameron Cook, an American TV-producer, also return.

Rivals stars have stripped naked for eye-popping sex scenes in a raunchy new trailer for Disney+ 'bonkbuster' released on Thursda, (pictured Emily Atack's character Sarah Stratton

James Vereker, TV host at Corinium, played by Oliver Chris strips down completely naked

Within the first few seconds of the trailer, two mystery naked bodies can be seen writhing on top of one another in very steamy display

The series will roll out in two six-episode batches, beginning with a three-episode premiere on May 15 in the US, followed by the second batch later this year on Disney+ in the UK.

The main line-up is completed by Sex Education's Bella Maclean as Taggie O'Hara.

In the final episode of series one, Lord Baddingham was left for dead after being struck on the head with a trophy during an explosive confrontation with Cameron.

But the trailer has confirmed he's alive and well, making his return in a shiny helicopter scene, suffering 'a headache' and back 'at war' with his TV rival Rupert.

The synopsis teased: 'The battle for the Central South West television franchise reaches a fever pitch as the war between Corinium and Venturer enters a dangerous new phase.

'More ruthless than ever, Tony Baddingham is determined to dismantle his rivals piece-by-piece, weaponising scandal and manipulating those closest to him to maintain his grip on power.

'Amidst the hedonistic glamour of 80s excess, the personal lives of our Rutshire heroes spiral into chaos.

'Marriages fracture under the weight of ambition, illicit affairs threaten to shatter families, and long-buried secrets ignite with explosive consequences.

Danny Dyer's character Freddie Jones whips off his top for a kiss

Declan O'Hara, played by Poldark's Aidan Turner, the ex-BBC journalist who got recruited to Corinium

The trailer showcases the five main characters, including David Tennant's Lord Tony Baddingham

'As rivalries push everyone to the brink, loyalties are tested and hearts are broken in the pursuit of victory. But what is the true cost of war?'

'The naughtiest show on television returns,' Disney+ added under the trailer, confirming its release date for May 15.

Earlier this month it was reported that the new series will be raunchier than ever.

The Disney+ series, based on the late Jilly Cooper's novel of the same name, became an instant hit when it debuted in 2024.

A second series is due to air in May and Disney are said to be so confident it will do well that talks of a third series have already begun.

The third instalment of the show would be based on Jilly's 1991 novel Polo, the third book in her Rutshire Chronicles.

A source told The Sun: 'It's not clear yet if the next series will still be called Rivals or flip to become Polo, or perhaps another title altogether.

'Either way, Disney are so confident the second series will be as well received as the debut season they already have wheels in motion on the third.

'Fans will be delighted to know that almost all the characters in Rivals also appear in Polo  and the follow-up novel is just as steamy as its predecessor, if not more so.'

Filming for the third series could begin later this year and would likely air in late 2027 or early 2028.

Katherine Parkinson previously shared the cast's devastated reaction to the death of Dame Jilly Cooper midway through filming.

Dame Jilly had been heavily involved in the production of the series, including overseeing the writing of the scripts, and joining the cast of the big-budget 80s show on set.

Speaking to Daily Mail at the Royal Television Society Programme Awards, she added that the cast hope the second series will 'do Jilly justice.'

Ms Parkinson said: 'It was a real shock. Obviously she was, whatever age she was, it was a real shock and everyone was really quite stunned by it.

'But I think that we just want the show to do her justice even more than before, and I think it will, and we've got 12 episodes, and I'm really excited for you all to see.'

.
Girls burst onto screens in 2012 as a raucous, realistic and rough around the edges portrayal of young women living in New York in their twenties.

The HBO series won a Golden Globe Award for Best Television series as well as the BAFTA for Best International Programme and in 2023 Variety included it at 86th on its list of greatest TV series of all time.

Yet Lena Dunham's career breakthrough moment also came with its fair share of controversies.

This week, Lena, who both created and starred in the series, made explosive claims about her Girls co-star Adam Driver in her new memoir Famesick.

The actress, now 39, has alleged the now 42-year-old Academy Award nominee threw a chair at a wall next to her, punched a hole in his trailer wall, and screamed in her face during their days working together.

Lena's character Hannah Horvath was in an on-off relationship with Driver's character Adam Sackler throughout all six seasons from 2012-2017 starting when Lena was 25, and Adam was 28.

But aside from these new claims that Adam was 'spectacularly rude' to her, over the years the series has also faced claims of whitewashing, a controversial rape scene and nepotism.

Meanwhile Lena has been subject to intense body shaming, with critics questioning the series' need for such confronting nudity and sex scenes.

Lena Dunham's Girls' complicated legacy: From whitewashing and nepotism backlash, to THAT controversial 'rape' scene and intense body shaming as creator makes explosive claims about violent co-star Adam Driver

Whitewashing

Following the lives of the four main characters Hannah, Marnie Michaels (Allison Williams), Jessa Johansson (Jemima Kirke) and Shoshanna Shapiro (Zosia Mamet), the show soon faced backlash for its lack of diversity.

In 2016 writing in the Hairpin, Jenna Wortham was the first critic to raise the fact that almost the entire cast, including the secondary characters, were white.

Addressing the race question in an interview with NPR a year later, Lena explained that she wished to 'avoid tokensim in casting'.

She said: 'I wrote the first season primarily by myself, and I co-wrote a few episodes. But I am a half-Jew, half-WASP, and I wrote two Jews and two WASPs.

'Something I wanted to avoid was tokenism in casting. If I had one of the four girls, if, for example, she was African-American, I feel like  not that the experience of an African-American girl and a white girl are drastically different, but there has to be specificity to that experience [that] I wasnt able to speak to.'

Later in series two, Lena cast black actor Donald Glover to play Sandy, Hannah's new boyfriend, who starred in two episodes.

However the casting sparked a whole new backlash of its own and people assumed that Lena had him join the cast purely to help combat the whitewashing claims.

Following the lives of the four main characters Marnie Michaels (Allison Williams), Jessa Johansson (Jemima Kirke), Hannah, and Shoshanna Shapiro (Zosia Mamet) (pictured L-R), the show soon faced backlash for its lack of diversity

Later in series two, Lena cast black actor Donald Glover to play Sandy, Hannah's new boyfriend, who starred in two episodes

During his final scene on the show, where Sandy and Hannah are breaking up, Sandy hurled insults at his girlfriend by imitating her white privilege, in lines completely improvised by Donald.

He mocked: '"Oh, Im a white girl, and I moved to New York, and Im having a great time.

'"Oh, Ive got a fixed-gear bike, and Im going to date a black guy, and were going to go to a dangerous part of town."'

Lena later theorised that his lines may have hinted at his true feelings about being on the show, adding that she later realised that he may have felt 'tokenized'.

She went on to email him writing: 'I hope you feel the part didnt tokenize you, and he replied: 'Lets not think back on mistakes we made in the past, lets just focus on what lies in front of us.'

'Rape' scene

Lena never shied away from including realistic and often cringe-worthy sex scenes while filming Girls.

Speaking back in 2015 she said: 'I never understand when people say "Sex scenes are so mechanical; it doesn't feel like anything." It feels like someone f**king you! It's confusing.'

However the show caused major controversy in 2013, when one scene in particular between Adam Driver's character and his new girlfriend Natalia (Shiri Appleby) left viewers wondering whether it was or wasn't rape.

The scene explored the uncomfortable and blurred lines of 'bad sex' and sexual assault and the issue of consent.

When Adam and Natalia have sex for the first time and Natalia explains she wishes to take it slow, he respects this.

However later the episode takes a dark turn when Adam tells Natalia: 'I want to f**k you from behind, hit the walls with you'.

Although she consents, she seems hesitant and after the sexual encounter is over she says: 'I don't think I like that, I, like, really didn't like that'.

In a review of the episode for Slate, David Haglund described the scene as 'exceedingly uncomfortable sex', as it raised question of what happens when you want to have sex with the person, but not in a certain way.

Body shaming

Lena has been very open about the body shaming she received while starring on Girls, telling The New York Times that there 'was an intense rage about my body which is so crazy to look back on now, because I was this little slip of a 26-year-old.'

In an interview last year with Variety, when asked if she thinks the success of the show made different body types more acceptable, she answered, 'I wish I could say yes, but I really dont. I think we had this moment: Body positivity was here, and then it was gone.'

Presenting a realistic portrayal of sex and nudity in the series, Lena was hit with cruel backlash after Linda Stasi's scathing review in 2013.

Writing in The New York Post, she asked why 'a woman with giant thighs, a sloppy backside, and small breasts is compelled to show it all.'

Howard Stern later took a swipe at the star as he said: 'Its a little fat girl who kinda looks like Jonah Hill, and she keeps taking her clothes off, and it kind of feels like rape. She seems  its like  I dont want to see that.'

Hitting back at the presenter, Lena called into his radio show, stating: 'Im not that fat, Howard.

'I dont mean to take major issue with you about this. Im not super thin, but Im thin for, like, Detroit.'

Lena has been very open about the body shaming she received while starring on Girls, telling The New York Times that there 'was an intense rage about my body'

When Lena's character engaged in a weekend-long affair with a wealthy, attractive doctor (Patrick Wilson), the internet was full of discourse that Lena was not attractive enough to 'deserve' a man so handsome.

In 2014 at the Television Critics Association press event, Lena and executive producer Judd Apatow were questioned about the nudity on the show.

The Wrap's Tim Molloy asked: 'I dont get the purpose of all the nudity on the show. By you, particularly. I feel like Im walking into a trap where you say no one complains about the nudity on, but I get why theyre doing it. Theyre doing it to be salacious. To titillate people. And your character is often naked at random times for no reason.'

Lena shot back: 'Yeah. Its because its a realistic expression of what its like to be alive. But I totally get it. If youre not into me, thats your problem.'

Murray Miller rape accusations

In 2017 Lena found herself the subject of a major backlash again when she and her Girls co-showrunner Jenni Konner publicly defended Girls writer Murray Miller after he was accused of rape by actress Aurora Perrineau.

In a statement defending Murray, Lena inferred that Aurora was lying about the alleged assault, which she said happened in 2012, when she was 17 and Miller was 35, according to The Wrap.

Lena and Jenni claimed to have 'insider knowledge' that the accusation was false, as they penned: 'While our first instinct is to listen to every womans story, our insider knowledge of Murrays situation makes us confident that sadly this accusation is one of the 3% of assault cases that are misreported every year.'

After massive backlash on social media - including from actress/feminist activist Asia Argento - Lena backpedaled and issued a subsequent statement apologizing over her first take on the situation involving Murray, who has denied the claims made by Perrineau.

'Every woman who comes forward deserves to be heard, fully and completely, and our relationship with the accused should not be part of the calculation anyone makes when examining her case,' Lena wrote November 18. 'Every person and every feminist should be required to hear her.

'Under patriarchy, "I believe you" is essential. Until we are all believed, none of us will be believed. We apologize to any women who have been disappointed.'

In 2017 Lena and her Girls co-showrunner Jenni Konner publicly defended Girls writer Murray Miller (pictured in 2017) after he was accused of rape by actress Aurora Perrineau

Nepotism

The cast of Girls were plagued by nepotism speculation after word began to spread that the majority of the show's stars had successful parents.

Lena, who's father is painter Caroll Dunham and mother is the artist and photographer Laurie Simmons, addressed the nepotism claims in 2012.

She said: 'I really did want to challenge all the people crying nepotism to actually tell me who either of my parents were, because its the contemporary art world.

'Okay, Im Laurie Simmonss daughter. In one sentence, give me the concentrated version of her Wikipedia entry. You cannot! Shes had a lovely career, but shes a feminist photographer from downtown New York.'

The cast of Girls were plagued by nepotism speculation after word began to spread that the majority of the show's stars had successful parents

Allison Williams has also spoken out about such claims, insisting that she and her co-stars didn't receive proper credit for their performances due to the criticism of their privileged backgrounds.

Allison is the daughter of former NBC news anchor Brian Williams and journalist Jane Stoddard Williams, while Zosia's mother is Broadway actor Lindsay Crouse and father is playwright David Mamet.

Jemima also comes from privilege, her mother is the vintage boutique owner Lorraine Dellal, who supplied a number of outfits for Sex and The City and her dad is Bad Company drummer Simon Kirke.

Allison reflected: 'We were all pretty privileged people who were the leads of this HBO show that was definitely skewering our own, but we werent given credit for that, or for being on it.'

'The shame is that, when it is coupled with misogyny and fatphobia and everything, the valid criticism gets lost. We were easy targets, I get it.'

Adam Driver

In her shock new memoir, Lena has claimed Adam was 'spectacularly rude' to her while filming, claiming he threw a chair at a wall next to her, punched a hole in his trailer wall, and screamed in her face during their days working on the HBO series together.

Daily Mail has reached out to representatives for Driver and Dunham and has yet to hear back.

She addressed the claims about Adam in a new interview with The Guardian as she said: 'At the time, I didnt have the skill to it never entered my mind to say, "I am your boss, you cant speak to me this way."

'And, at that point in my 20s, I still thought thats what great male geniuses do: eviscerate you. Which is weird, because I was raised by a male genius who would never do that.'

Elsewhere in the memoir, Lena also claimed that she and Adam nearly shared an intimate exchange just a month before he got engaged to his now-wife Joanne Tucker.

The star explained that she and Adam were spending much time with one another rehearsing - and conversing in a manner that bordered on flirtatious - prior to his engagement announcement.

She said they grew close when Joanne was out of town working on a play, writing: 'That week... he came over almost every night.

'I was still frail and fawning, a careful and terrified version of myself - and maybe he liked me most that way.

'Maybe it made his heart go out to me, or maybe it just leveled the balance of power.'

Lena said Adam told her, 'You still home alone, Dunham. Okay. I'm riding down to you. But I'm warning you, if I come up, I'm not leaving this time.'

In her new memoir, Lena has claimed Adam was 'spectacularly rude' to her while filming, claiming he threw a chair at a wall next to her, punched a hole in his trailer wall (pictured 2013)

Daily Mail has reached out to representatives for both parties for further comment on the story and has yet to hear back.

Lena wrote that she replied, 'Call me when you're outside,' but stopped short at answering the door upon his arrival.

'It felt as simple as ignoring your doorbell, as pretending to be asleep, as impossible as stopping your blood from flowing,' she said. 'But some part of me knew-some wise part of me, some bold part of me-that if we crossed whatever boundary we were threatening to cross, the return to work would be tinged with humiliation.'

She said she felt she'd 'be minimizing any authority I still had, and that, however it went, my heart-bruised but improbably not yet broken-would crack.'

Lena said that Adam subsequently told her, 'When my girl was away, I realized I'm no good alone. I need someone to keep me in line.'

Recalling her thoughts when Adam revealed his engagement, she wrote; 'It was absurd to be heartbroken, to have thought I meant anything, that I occupied any role beyond distraction,' she said.

'I was his scene partner, sure - and so when we were in a scene, his attention was piercing, his presence all-consuming.

'But in life? It would never be me who kept him in line. I didn't have the chops. Even at work, I couldn't do it, in the one place I was meant to make the rules.'
Channel Nine presenter Amber Sherlock's unfair dismissal claims against her old network over her axing last November have been challenged in court.

The veteran journalist has alleged that Nine's Head of News, Fiona Dear, told Sherlock only months earlier that her job was safe.

In documents presented to the Federal Court on Wednesday, Nine said that a 'coffee meeting' had taken place between Sherlock and Dear.

But they denied Sherlock's allegation that Dear had told the Today show presenter that she would be at the network 'forever, we'll wheel you and [Nine News anchor Pete Overton] out of here.'

'During the coffee meeting, the applicant and Ms Dear discussed publicity opportunities in Sydney,' Nine said in the court documents.

'The only reference about other employees presenting on the evening news was made by the applicant, not Ms Dear, in the context of the applicant's request to have updated headshots taken.'

ChannelNine presenter Amber Sherlock's unfair dismissal claims against her old network over her axing last November have been challenged in court. Pictured: The veteran journalist has alleged that a Nine boss told Sherlock only months earlier that her job was safe

Nine denied Sherlock's allegation that the boss told her that she would be at the network 'forever'

Nine also denied Sherlock's claim that the network had fired her because she was about to turn 50, with the presenter reaching the birthday milestone on December 1.

Nine's counterclaim was that Sherlock was made redundant from her regular gig as a weather presenter in Sydney because there was no 'ongoing operational need' for the role.

No longer offering the weather presenter position as a dedicated job, Nine said that the gig was then split between several presenters as part of their regular duties.

These included Nine regulars, Sophie Walsh, 40, Maggie Raworth, 33, and Kate Creedon, 39.

In her statement of claim, Sherlock notes her duties were handed to TV presenters because they were 'at least ten years younger' than her.

Nine also claimed that Sherlock was offered roles at regional stations, including Newcastle, Tamworth and Port Macquarie, after she was made redundant - but the journo showed 'no interest' in redeployment, the network said.

But she was informed via Zoom two days later that there were no options available in the Sydney newsroom and that her employment would be terminated.

The documents from Nine also said they did not accept Sherlock's claim that she was a 'well-liked and popular member of the news division's team.'

Nine's counterclaim was that Sherlock was made redundant from her regular gig as a weather presenter because there was no 'ongoing operational need' for the role. The gig was then split between several presenters as part of their regular duties, including Sophie Walsh (pictured)

In her statement of claim, Sherlock said that two months after her one-on-one meeting with Dear, on November 10, news director Michael Best and an HR employee told Sherlock her role was redundant.

She claims she had 'faithfully and diligently served Nine' for 18 years, was publicly recognised for her work, and that it was no coincidence her retrenchment took place three weeks before her 50th birthday.

The documents claimed Sherlock 'developed extensive broadcasting experience on Nine's television bulletins, including Today, Today Extra, Early News, Morning News, Afternoon News, Nine News, and the Late News' between 2007 and 2025.

They also said she developed experience as a writer and producer of television bulletins and weather bulletins, had experience in field reporting, and was a 'well-liked and popular member of the news division's team'.

She is seeking rulings that Nine discriminated against her based on age and sex, and that it contravened the terms of her award.

Sherlock is seeking $100,000 in damages over her sacking, which she claims hurt her reputation and career.

She is also claiming $293,154 for economic loss and asking $30,000 for each breach of the Fair Work Act, with the court set to determine each contravention.
The family of Kendra Duggar, the embattled spouse of accused molester Joseph Duggar, say they're 'troubled, 'heartbroken' and 'devastated' in their first public comments in the near month since both landed in legal hot water.

'Our family is both troubled and heartbroken over the alleged actions committed by our son-in-law,' the Caldwell family said in a statement on their Instagram account.

Joseph, 31, was arrested March 18 in connection with lewd and lascivious molestation of a victim less than 12-years-old, according to Florida's Bay County Sheriff's Office. He has pleaded not guilty on all charges, and is slated to appear in court May 18.

Kendra, 27, was arrested in Arkansas on March 20 in connection with endangering the welfare of a minor and false imprisonment. Both have since been released on bail. She and Joseph are set to appear in court in their native Arkansas April 29.

The Caldwell family said they were 'devastated for the young girl' involved, describing her as a 'child who was courageous in every way to share her truth,' and vowing, 'We stand by her, both in support and prayer, and forever will.'

The Daily Mail has reached out to representatives for the Duggar family for comment on the story.

The family of Kendra Duggar, 27, the embattled spouse of accused molester Joseph Duggar, 31, say they're 'troubled, 'heartbroken' and 'devastated' in their first public comments in the near month since both were arrested last month

The Caldwell family said they were 'devastated for the young girl' involved, describing her as a 'child who was courageous in every way to share her truth,' and vowing, 'We stand by her, both in support and prayer, and forever will'

The Caldwells said of the victim, 'Our love for this child remains at the forefront of our family's priorities and minds. We are proud of her for being strong enough to share her story while also retaining her own identity and joy.'

The Caldwell family, echoing previous sentiments the Duggar side has made following Joseph's arrest, say they've turned to their faith in trying to get through the tough time.

'We believe in a God who is just and loving,' said Kendra's family. 'One who loves all of His children, especially the vulnerable and innocent.

'We pray all victims of crimes can be as courageous as this young girl is.

'They should be able to share their story, to trust in the judicial process, and to do so without fear of retaliation. You are not alone.'

The Caldwells addressed the suffering of Kendra and Joseph's four young kids after his arrest in connection with child sex charges, years after his older brother Josh disgraced the Duggar family with a series of sordid scandals that ultimately landed him in prison.

'At the same time, we also recognize how traumatic this incident has been for our grandchildren as well and continue to pray for their strength,' they said. 'Our love for them, and our daughter Kendra, remains.'

The family said they feel 'the only way to freedom is to shine light in the darkness,' 'and in this time, part of the light in our lives has come through the outpouring of love and prayer from people near and far.'

Kendra snapped a selfie with relatives in 2023, three years after the alleged incident in question

Joseph, 31, was arrested March 18 in connection with lewd and lascivious molestation of a victim less than 12-years-old, according to Florida's Bay County Sheriff's Office

Joseph and Kendra wed in 2017 and are parents to four young children

They concluded: 'Thank you who have given in all the ways, through prayer, finances, time, energy and words of encouragement. We love you all.

'At this time, we have no further comment and request privacy.'

The incident involving Joe occurred in 2020 in Panama City Beach, Florida during a vacation, according to the Bay County Sheriff's Office.

'As the vacation continued, he also asked [the victim] to sit next to him on a couch and covered them with a blanket,' officials said. 'During this time, Duggar manipulated the victim's underwear and grazed her genitals.

'Duggar would also continue to rub his hands on her thighs. The victim stated Duggar eventually apologized for his actions and the incidents stopped after the apology.'

Joseph and Kendra wed in 2017 and are parents to four young children - ages seven, six, five and three.

Oldest son Josh's past molestation of five young girls led to the swift cancellation of the family's TLC series in 2015.

The show, which began airing in 2008, was centered on Michelle and Jim Bob, the devout Arkansas couple who named all 19 of their children with the first letter J.

Jim Bob and wife Michelle posted a statement on Facebook at the time explaining how they dealt with the initial incident.

Kendra and Joseph are set to appear in court in their native Arkansas April 29

Joseph and Kendra have been seen on the Duggar family's TLC programs

'Back 12 years ago our family went through one of the most difficult times of our lives,' they said in a May 21, 2015 Facebook post. 'When Josh was a young teenager, he made some very bad mistakes and we were shocked.

'We had tried to teach him right from wrong. That dark and difficult time caused us to seek God like never before.'

Jim Bob and Michelle continued, 'We pray that as people watch our lives they see that we are not a perfect family. We have challenges and struggles everyday. '

Josh, 38, is currently serving a prison sentence in connection with his 2021 conviction for receiving and possessing material depicting minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct.

For those who have been impacted by sexual abuse, text 'STRENGTH' to the Crisis Text Line at 741-741 to be connected to a certified crisis counselor.
Shannon Elizabeth revealed that she is joining OnlyFans for a 'new chapter' in her life and to 'just be free.'

The 52-year-old actress - who shot to fame after playing exchange student Nadia in the 1999 comedy American Pie - opened up about her reasons for launching an account on the platform during an interview with People published on Wednesday.

'I've spent my entire career working in Hollywood, where other people controlled the narrative and the outcome of my career,' she expressed.

'This new chapter is about changing that, showing off a more sexy side no one has seen, and being closer to my fans.'

Elizabeth - who is currently residing in South Africa - further discussed how she will be able to easily connect with an audience and fans through the platform.

'I'm choosing OnlyFans because it allows me to connect directly with my audience, create on my own terms, and just be free,' the star said. 'I really do think this is the future.'

Shannon Elizabeth, 52, revealed that she is joining OnlyFans for a 'new chapter' in her life and to 'just be free'; seen in 2024 in L.A.

'This new chapter is about changing that, showing off a more sexy side no one has seen, and being closer to my fans,' the actress said; seen above in American Pie 2 (2001)

Her account will officially launch on Thursday, April 16.

Elizabeth became a sex symbol throughout the 90s and 2000s after she portrayed an exchange student named Nadia in the 1999 teen comedy American Pie.

She reprised the role two years later for the sequel American Pie 2 in 2001.

The actress has appeared in other film projects such as Scary Movie (2000), Thirteen Ghosts (2001), Love Actually (2003) and Cursed (2005).

Elizabeth has also stepped away from the big screen over the years for roles in television shows including Baywatch, That '70s Show and Melissa & Joey.

But when it came to her breakout role in American Pie, the star recently expressed that she had been thrilled when she got the job 27 years earlier.

'I'd never done anything that big. But I was auditioning a lot at the time, and I was so excited when I got the role,' she told Fox News Digital last week.

Elizabeth - who had done modeling leading up to her being cast in the comedy - explained that stepping into the character of Nadia wasn't too difficult.

'I'm choosing OnlyFans because it allows me to connect directly with my audience, create on my own terms, and just be free,' the star said. 'I really do think this is the future'

Elizabeth became a sex symbol throughout the 90s and 2000s after she portrayed an exchange student named Nadia in the 1999 teen comedy American Pie (seen above)

'I'd never done anything that big. But I was auditioning a lot at the time, and I was so excited when I got the role,' she told Fox News Digital last week

'Because I had done so much modeling, and you do a lot of underwear shoots and bathing suits and things like that, I think falling into the role of Nadia... it felt like I was doing another modeling shoot in a way.'

She added, 'I didn't think of her as anything else. I was just playing a character. I wasn't really thinking too much about it. I was playing the character that's on the page.'

Elizabeth further reflected on how she sometimes is not 'super comfortable in my own skin.'

'But, you just overcome that. When you have to turn it on, you have to work, because I do love working. I do love acting. So you just let everything else go.'

Her last acting credit was in the 2024 movie Plan B.

Elizabeth is also vocal about her advocacy for protecting animals and wildlife. In 2018, she launched the Shannon Elizabeth Foundation.

It is 'dedicated to protecting endangered species, preserving critical habitats, supporting rangers on the frontlines, and building lasting solutions for conservation,' per the official website.

Her dedication to helping animals began in 2001 when she launched Animal Avengers in Los Angeles to rescue both dogs and cats.

'But, you just overcome that. When you have to turn it on, you have to work, because I do love working. I do love acting. So you just let everything else go,' she added; seen above in American Pie (1999)

Elizabeth is also vocal about her advocacy for protecting animals and wildlife. In 2018, she launched the Shannon Elizabeth Foundation

'I knew I wanted to do more and do something on a bigger scale or help more animals,' she also told Fox News Digital. 'And eventually, all roads were leading me to South Africa.'

Elizabeth also offered insight into her life in South Africa after moving there a decade earlier in 2016.

'I think a lot of people, when they hear that I'm living in South Africa, they imagine you're living in the bush.'

The actress continued, 'Even though our sanctuary is in the bush, my base camp is in Cape Town. It's beautiful.

'But I think a lot of people only imagine Africa with lions walking around on every road you go.'

Elizabeth also offered insight into her life in South Africa after moving there a decade earlier in 2016; seen in 2005 in NYC

Last year while making an appearance at Steel City Con in NYC, Elizabeth further explained that her foundation is 'building a sanctuary,' per People.

'We have a blind black rhino we've been taking care of, and we're going to bring in more rhinos as soon as we can do an expansion.'

The star added, 'I started my charity, which was called Animal Avengers at the time.

'And it's been going since then, it's just morphed over the years into conservation and wildlife from dogs and cats.'
Fans have roasted Nicole Kidman for having another 'wig fail' on the red carpet with fellow actress Sandra Bullock this week.

The Scarpetta star, 58, made a stunning arrival at CinemaCon in Las Vegas on Tuesday alongside her longtime friend.

Nicole flaunted her wrinkle-free visage as she walked the red carpet, looking effortlessly chic in a black slip dress with sheer detailing and ruffles around the bust.

Beaming as she posed alongside Sandra  who dazzled in a red pant suit worn open to reveal her black bra  Nicole looked anything but heartbroken following her recent divorce from Keith Urban.

The Moulin Rouge! star completed her look with a pair of black patent pumps, a full face of makeup including winged eyeliner, lipstick, and a bombshell-esque hairdo.

However, it was Nicole's coiffure that caught the attention of some fans, with many declaring it a follicular fail.

Fans have roasted Nicole Kidman for having another 'wig fail' when she stepped onto the red carpet with fellow actress Sandra Bullock this week

Nicole's habit of wearing wigs on screen and on the red carpet has earned her a cult following over the years

One eagle-eyed commenter wrote: 'You can see where her real hair ends just above her collarbone.'

Another rejected an assertion that Nicole looked radiant, arguing that the actress was sporting bedhead.

'She doesnt look radiant. Her hair looks like shes just coming out of bed,' they offered.

A third summed up the sentiment with: 'It is a wig or at least some of it is a hair piece.'

Nicole's habit of wearing wigs on screen and on the red carpet has earned her a cult following over the years.

The Hollywood star has rarely showcased her natural hair in films and on the red carpet since the early days of her career, and almost always wears wigs for her roles.

Nicole has stepped out in a series of dramatic wigged looks  ranging from sleek, straight styles to blunt cuts, and one that became a viral misfire.

At last year's Cannes Film Festival, fans noticed a rare misstep from the star when the mesh cap of her wig peeked through in red carpet photos  prompting chatter online.

The Scarpetta star, 58, made a stunning arrival at CinemaCon in Las Vegas on Tuesday alongside her longtime friend Sandra Bullock

The Moulin Rouge! star completed her look with a pair of black patent pumps, a full face of makeup including winged eyeliner, lipstick, and a bombshell-esque hairdo. However, it was Nicole's coiffure that caught the attention of Daily Mail readers, with many declaring her look a follicular fail

One eagle-eyed commenter wrote: 'You can see where her real hair ends just above her collarbone'

Nicole also turned more than a few heads when she stepped out with a very dramatic look at the Met Gala in May.

More recently, Nicole dipped into her wig collection for Paris Fashion week in January.

A closer look at her straightened locks showed the tell-tale sign of a wig positioned just behind the actress' hairline, blending in with her real hair.

Nicole admitted on Channel Seven's Sunrise in May last year that she 'loves changing her hair' and uses hairpieces to achieve new looks.

'As you know, I love changing my hair,' she said.

Nicole also addressed her edgy short hairstyle that she debuted at the 2025 Met Gala.

'For the Met Gala, everyone was questioning if I had chopped my hair off. But no, I didn't,' she added.

Nicole gave fans a rare glimpse of her trademark curly auburn locks during a family holiday in July last year.

The Hollywood star has rarely showcased her natural hair in films and on the red carpet since the early days of her career, and almost always wears wigs for her roles. Nicole is pictured at the 2025 Met Gala

Nicole gave fans a rare glimpse of her trademark curly auburn locks during a family holiday in July last year. Nicole is pictured with her niece, Lucia Hawley, and sister Antonia Kidman

Her niece, Lucia Hawley was enjoying a getaway in Croatia and took to Instagram to document the trip.

One photo showed Lucia cuddling up to her mother, Antonia Kidman, 54, and Nicole, with the trio clearly chuffed to be in each other's company.

Like her sister and niece, Nicole was a vision in white in the photo, wearing a flowing silk dress with a subtle floral embellishment.

Nicole also flaunted her naturally curly hair, which cascaded down her back, in what was a rare sighting of her trademark locks.
Sir Lenny Henry has shared how he felt the moment he found out about his biological father as he opened up about his childhood.

Lenny, 67, was the product of a passionate and illicit love affair between Albert Green and his Jamaican-born mother Winnie  a married mother of four at the time.

For years, Lenny grew up thinking his real father was a man named Winston before discovering his dad was actually a family friend called Albert.

The beloved comedian told The Mirror: 'I had this bombshell dropped in my life, and I played amongst the ruins - hoping it would all work out in the end. And you know what? It did.'

He added: 'Winston was my dad - he raised me.'

Aged 10, Lenny's mum told him he needed to go and meet 'Uncle' Albert on Fridays to help with some chores.

Sir Lenny Henry, 67, has shared how he felt the moment he found out about his biological father as he opened up about his childhood

'I'd never met this [Albert] guy before. I said, "Good evening", and went in. He had the hat on, he made chicken and rice, and it was great. So I started to see him every Friday.

'I'd take chores like Cinderella - I'd hoover, clean the windows. He'd give me two and six, which was a Cadbury's chocolate bar and a can of Coke  and that was the level of our relationship.'

That went on for a while until at the age of 12, when Albert's son Lloyd told him the truth. 'One day, Lloyd turned to me and said, "You've got no idea why you're here, do you?" I said: "No". He said: "That's your dad".'

Recalling how he felt, Henry said: 'I was starting to shake. It was like somebody flipped me upside down.'

Albert and Winnie's forbidden love, which lasted several years, eventually foundered, and decades later Albert would die alone, in near poverty.

The story begins in Lenny's native Dudley in 1957. Winnie, then 32, had arrived there alone, leaving behind her husband, two sons and two daughters in the Caribbean with the plan that she would send for her family once she was settled.

She found work as a cook in a hospital and moved into shared lodgings at 103 Wellington Road, Dudley, a rambling and dilapidated house that was later knocked down to make space for a leisure centre.

It was there that she was introduced to 30-year-old Albert, who had come to industrial Dudley from Jamaica a few years earlier. Thrown together by loneliness and homesickness, they began an affair.

Another tenant at the shared house was a then 19-year-old fellow Jamaican, Vince Holness.

Join the discussion How would YOU react if a truth about your past suddenly changed everything?

Lenny was the product of a passionate and illicit love affair between Albert Green and his Jamaican-born mother Winnie (pictured with Lenny in 1975)

For years, Lenny (pictured aged 16) grew up thinking his real father was a man named Winston before discovering his dad was actually family friend called Albert

Lenny, christened Lenworth George Henry, was born on August 29, 1958, at Dudley's Burton Road hospital. But among the close-knit Jamaican community, the identity of the baby's father was an open secret from the outset.

For a time, the lovers and their baby son lived as a family. But Winnie's Jamaican life was about to catch up with her. In the early 1960s, Winston arrived with the couple's four children, Hylton, Beverly, Seymour and Kay, and Winnie moved out and into a flat in the town with them, and the young Lenny.

Coincidentally, Winston  who decided to forgive his wife and bring up the boy as his own  found a job in the same factory, Bean Industries in nearby Tipton, where Albert worked as a spin grinder making parts for British Leyland.

Speaking about Albert previously, Lenny said: 'On his deathbed he wanted to cram a lot in. He'd talk about Jamaica, and his life there and when he first came to England.

'I would just sit there and nod and then he was gone. I didn't cry. There was respect for him but the emotional connection wasn't there.

'Seymour, my second-oldest brother, cried at my dad's funeral like a howling wolf and I thought, 'Where's that for me?'

He was devastated, however, when his formidable mother died in 1998 after suffering years of heart problems and diabetes which resulted in doctors having to amputate both her legs.
The upcoming Baywatch reboot is getting an extra dose of nostalgia now that one of the original show's cast members has signed on.

It was announced on Friday that Erika Eleniak would be back on the Fox reboot as her original character, Shauni McClain.

The 56-year-old actress will return to play Shauni in a guest role, according to Deadline.

Eleniak was featured throughout the first two seasons of the original Baywatch, but she departed the show early in its third season.

She'll be joined on the rebooted version by newcomers, including the model-turned-reality star-turned-actress Brooks Nader and the influencer and former gymnast Livvy Dunne.

The announcement that the Baywatch reboot would feature multiple non-professional actors sent fans into a frenzy as they complained about the casting choices.

The upcoming Baywatch got an extra dose of nostalgia now that one of the original show's cast members has signed on. It was announced on Friday that Erika Eleniak would be back as her original character, Shauni McClain; Eleniak is pictured in 1991 with Billy Warlock

Eleniak was featured throughout the first two seasons of the original Baywatch, but she departed the show early in its third season; pictured in January in LA

In her upcoming storyline, Shauni  who's now a city councilwoman in seaside Santa Monica  will be dropping by the series to help Hobie Buchannon put on the first-annual Beach Games, which will feature the Baywatch lifeguards squaring off with members of the Coast Guard in a series of competitions.

In a strange twist, Hobie, who was the son of David Hasselhoff's character Mitch Buchannon, is returning as a regular of the new version of the show, but he has been recast, with Arrow's Stephen Amell taking up the role.

The part was previously played in Baywatch's first season by Brandon Call, though Jeremy Jackson is most identified with the role after taking it over for the remainder of the series.

Amell will be taking over the lead role on the new Baywatch in a similar position to Hasselhoff on the original series.

He's now been bumped up from a regular lifeguard to the captain of the Baywatch team, a role his father previously held.

But even as he deals with the everyday grind of oceanside rescues, Hobie has to contend with a new stressor: the appearance of his daughter, Charlie, with whom he doesn't have a relationship.

Charlie (played by Jessica Belkin) creates a major headache for Hobie when she decides to join Baywatch as a lifeguard.

Other stars of the reboot include Noah Beck, Hassie Harrison, Thaddeus LaGrone, Pretty Little Liars actress Shay Mitchell and David Chokachi, who's back playing Cody Madison.

Shauni  who's now a city councilwoman in seaside Santa Monica  will be dropping by the series to help Hobie Buchannon put on the first-annual Beach Games, which will feature the Baywatch lifeguards squaring off with members of the Coast Guard in a series of competitions

In a strange twist, Hobie is returning as a regular of the new version of the show, but he has been recast, with Arrow's Stephen Amell taking up the role; Amell is pictured on March 19 in LA

Hobie, who was played by Jeremy Jackson from the second season on, was the son of series lead Mitch Buchannon, played by David Hasselhoff. Hobie is now following in his father's footsteps as the Baywatch captain; the cast is pictured in 1989

The upcoming reboot came under fire from fans for its unorthodox casting. The new show features multiple models and influencers among more seasoned actors, including Brooks Nader (pictured on March 20) and gymnast-turned-influencer Livvy Dunne

Fans of the original Baywatch may be in for a surprise when Eleniak makes her guest appearance, as the blond beauty has added massive sleeves of tattoos on her arms in recent years.

It's unclear if she'll only be back for a single episode or if Shauni's role as a city councilwoman means she'll be back for more episodes in the future.

In 2018, Eleniak spoke with Fox News about her time on Baywatch, which premiered in 1989 and ended its run after 11 seasons in 2001.

'It really was just like a big family, honestly,' she said of her former costars. 'Brothers and sisters. There was this big camaraderie, and we had a lot of lifeguards and paramedics [on set] that were real because one of the main creators was a real lifeguard'

She added that 'there was a real brotherhood among all the lifeguards The cast and crew were just really amazing.'

However, she decided that her time on the series would have to come to an end after she started to feel that Baywatch was becoming 'a little risque.'

But the decision to leave the show also opened her up to take more appealing film roles.

'But for me, I wasn't super comfortable, but that wasn't the main motivation for me [to leave]. It really wasn't. My heart was in films, and it was calling,' she said.
The land that once hosted the home that Bella and Gigi Hadid grew up in has been sold for a record-breaking price after the mansion was destroyed in the LA fires of January 2025.

The 3.25-acre property  once known as the Carbon Canyon Estate  closed its sale on Wednesday for an eye-popping $6.5 million, TMZ reported.

That appears to mark the most expensive property sale in Malibu in the wake of the LA fires.

The site of the former HadidFoster mansion was initially listed for a little less than $12 million.

The property had previously been owned by the modeling sisters' mother, Yolanda Hadid, and her ex-husband, David Foster, who divorced in 2017.

Bella, 29, previously said goodbye to her old home in terrifying Instagram posts showing the house burning as it and many other properties through Malibu, Pacific Palisades, Altadena and other communities around Los Angeles went up in flames early last year.

The land that once hosted the home that Bella and Gigi Hadid grew up in has been sold for a record-breaking price after the mansion was destroyed in the LA fires of January 2025; Gigi and Bella Hadid pictured in 2022 in NYC

The 3.25-acre property  once known as the Carbon Canyon Estate  closed its sale on Wednesday for an eye-popping $6.5 million, TMZ reported. Bella previously documented her old home's destruction (pictured)

The mansion that once stood at the property was bought by Yolanda Hadid and her then-husband David Foster (pictured in 2012) for $4.5m in 2007. They later married in 2011, before splitting in 2015 and finalizing their divorce in 2017

The listing was held by Daniel Milstein and Aaron Kirman for Christie's International Real Estate. The Daily Mail has reached out to Milstein for comment on the sale.

While speaking to TMZ, Milstein said they were proud to hold the listing and to have set a new record as Malibu tries to recover from the fires that ravaged the seaside community.

He noted that the impressive sale happened amid a tough real estate market and suggested that buyers in LA and Malibu still see great value in the area despite the recent natural disaster.

The listing urged potential buyers to imagine the lavish property that could be erected on the fire-ravaged land via renderings from the Bowery Design Group.

Their fantasy version of a new home featured 14,000 square feet with six bedrooms and 10 bathrooms, along with amenities including a screening room, gym, spa, game room and abundant outdoor areas for sports.

Although those accommodations are only proposed, the new owners will still get tangible benefits from the seaside property, including access to the La Costa Beach Club, which comes with the deed.

They'll also be close to popular spots, including the Malibu Pier, Carbon Beach, the exclusive Soho House club, and the Japanese restaurant Nobu, which is a favorite of celebrities, including the KardashianJenner clan.

Hadid and Foster were only dating when they reportedly purchased the estate back in 2007, though they went on to tie the knot in 2011.

The sale appears to mark the most expensive property sale in Malibu in the wake of the LA fires. The site of the former HadidFoster mansion was initially listed for a little less than $12m; Yolanda and Bella are pictured in 2017

In January 2025, Bella revealed how the home she spent part of her teens in was completely reduced to rubble

She and her sister Gigi, 30, made appearances on The Real Housewives Of Beverly Hills (pictured) in the home. Yolanda appeared on the series from 2012 to 2016

The mansion, which was described as a 'European-style villa,' was snatched up for $4.5 million.

A year after she wed Foster, Hadid began appearing on The Real Housewives Of Beverly Hills, and so her home became a regular shooting location for the iconic Bravo series.

She appeared on the reality show from seasons three through six, from 2012 to 2016, and during that time her daughters Bella and Gigi, 30, and son Anwar, 26  all three of whom she shares with her ex-husband Mohamed Hadid  lived there.

After the family had moved on, Kylie Jenner later rented the Malibu property for a time.

Prior to its destruction in the LA fires, its previous owner had put up the mansion for sale for $35 million in July 2024.

Both Bella and her mother later relocated to Fort Worth, Texas. Bella bought a property there to stay close to her cowboy boyfriend, Adan Banuelos, while Hadid constructed a home in the area with her then-fiance, Joseph Jingoli, though the couple ended their engagement and split in June of last year.
The IBM-Illinois Discovery Accelerator Institute will launch research on new quantum-centric supercomputing architecture, which will integrate IBM quantum computers and high-performance computing from U. of I.'s National Center for Supercomputing Applications.

Over the next five years, the Institute will pursue breakthroughs in quantum-centric supercomputing to combine the strengths of quantum and classical computing.

The Institute will also develop next-generation AI systems and AI-driven engineering, alongside novel algorithms for problems intractable for classical supercomputers today.

ARMONK, N.Y. and URBANA--CHAMPAIGN, Ill., April 16, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- IBM (NYSE: IBM) and the Grainger College of Engineering at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (U. of I.) today announced an expansion of the IBM-Illinois Discovery Accelerator Institute. This includes deploying quantum-centric supercomputing to Illinois innovators through the integration of U. of I.'s National Center for Supercomputing Applications (NCSA) Delta and DeltaAI supercomputers with IBM quantum computers.

L-R: Rashid Bashir, Vice Chancellor for Chicago Strategic Partnerships, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, and Dean, The Grainger College of Engineering; Illinois Governor JB Pritzker; Jay Gambetta, Director of IBM Research and IBM Fellow (Credit: The Grainger College of Engineering, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign)

Launched in 2021, the Discovery Accelerator Institute has 20 current, ongoing projects across hybrid cloud, AI, quantum computing, materials discovery, and sustainability, and its members have published more than 230 research papers.

Moving into this new phase, the Institute will build on its first five years of technological progress in AI systems and computational science to shape how quantum computing and AI will drive the next generation of supercomputing. These new initiatives will include the development of new algorithms that enable classical and quantum systems to work together on problems neither can solve alone; as well as the creation of novel AI systems designed for emerging AI workloads and the use of AI to accelerate the design of specialized computing systems.

"I'm pleased to see the IBM-Illinois Discovery Accelerator Institute building on years of progress and partnership with U. of I. as Illinois innovators pursue critical discoveries in quantum computing and AI," said Governor JB Pritzker. "Illinois' world-class research institutions, unique industry collaborations, and unmatched research talent position our state at the forefront of global progress, and I look forward to seeing the countless advancements that this expansion will bring."

Advancing the next era of computing with systems, software, and algorithms

Quantum-centric supercomputing represents IBM's vision for the future of computation, where quantum processors (QPUs) work alongside high-performance classical systems powered by CPUs and GPUs to solve complex problems in science and industry. As part of the Institute's expansion, IBM and U. of I. researchers will collaborate on the development of quantum-centric workflow management tools to seamlessly integrate the most powerful IBM quantum computers on the cloud with NCSA Delta and DeltaAI supercomputers, creating an environment for ongoing quantum-centric supercomputing-powered research across academia, industry, and government in Illinois.

Institute members will explore how quantum-centric supercomputing architectures and novel algorithms can integrate the power of IBM quantum computers and NCSA HPC to solve classically hard problems and pursue near-term quantum advantage, as well as solutions for fundamental problems in chemistry, condensed-matter physics, and materials science.

In addition, over the next five years, the IBM-Illinois Discovery Accelerator Institute will push the frontiers in AI systems research by tackling challenges in the efficient, scalable, and adaptable distributed inference of next-generation AI workloads across diverse computing infrastructures. The Institute will also launch Algorithms-to-Silicon-to-Systems (AS2), a new research area to accelerate the integration and implementation of algorithms into silicon for specialized systems. AS2 will represent a shift toward a unified, AI-native design paradigm, where algorithms, silicon, and systems software are co-evolved, rather than developed in isolation. The results will be a step change in productivity, accessibility, and scalability to enable the rapid creation of complex, high-performance systems with strong guarantees of correctness, robustness, and real-world usability.

"IBM is thrilled to help provide quantum-centric supercomputing to Illinois researchers, alongside an expansion of the IBM-Illinois Discovery Accelerator Institute's efforts in AI for systems design. As the brilliant minds within the Institute discover and test new algorithms, they will drive groundbreaking research to power the applications made possible by AI and quantum computing," said Jay Gambetta, Director of IBM Research and IBM Fellow.

In addition to research, the expanded collaboration emphasizes education and workforce development. IBM, U. of I. will lead education initiatives aimed at building expertise across quantum computing, AI systems, and HPC. Through curriculum development, hands-on training, and collaborative research, IBM and U. of I. seek to develop the next generation of scientists and engineers equipped to advance heterogeneous computing architectures.

Together, these updated research priorities will keep U. of I. and the State of Illinois at the forefront of progress as a global hub for AI- and quantum computing-enabled scientific discovery, bridging theory and practice through tightly coupled hardware, software, and algorithm innovation.

IBM has a long-standing relationship with the State of Illinois' quantum ecosystem, including with the University of Chicago, members of the Chicago Quantum Exchange and the U.S. Economic Development Administration-designated Bloch Quantum Technology Hub. The company is also committed to leading the National Quantum Algorithm Center in the Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park (IQMP) in Chicago, which will be anchored by an IBM Quantum System Two, to be online later this year.

Deming Chen, IIDAI co-director and Abel Bliss Professor of Engineering at The Grainger College of Engineering:

"Our goal with the expansion is to build on past successes and continue advancing the institute's impact. We aim to reach new heights in the next five years. Our students have expressed appreciation to both Illinois and IBM for involvement in a truly unique program. They benefit from working on-site at IBM  gaining access to advanced computing resources and mentorship by IBM colleagues  while continuing to make progress on their thesis."

Rashid Bashir, dean of The Grainger College of Engineering and vice chancellor of Chicago strategic partnerships with the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign:

"The Grainger College of Engineering is thrilled to host this flagship partnership with IBM to define the future of how AI, quantum and supercomputing will come together for the greatest impact. Additionally, the Institute's presence in Chicago at the Discovery Partners Institute (DPI) will allow for greater integration with IBM and the Chicago quantum ecosystem."

Susan Martinis, senior vice chancellor for research and innovation at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign:

"Collaborative efforts like the IBM-Illinois Discovery Accelerator Institute foster strong connections and advance discovery in areas such as AI, quantum and supercomputing. The Institute is a wonderful example of how Illinois research partners with industry to create momentum and drive innovations that will change the world."

About The Grainger College of Engineering

The Grainger College of Engineering at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign is one of the world's top-ranked institutions and a globally recognized leader in engineering and computing education, research and public engagement. With a diverse, tight-knit community of faculty, students and alumni, Grainger Engineering sets the standard for excellence in engineering and computing, driving innovation in the economy and bringing revolutionary ideas to the world. Through robust research and discovery, our faculty, staff, students and alumni are changing our world and making advances once only dreamed about, including the MRI, LED, ILIAC, Mosaic, YouTube, PayPal, flexible electronics, electric machinery, miniature batteries, imaging the black hole and flight on Mars. The world's brightest minds from The Grainger College of Engineering tackle today's toughest challenges. And they are building a better, cooler, safer tomorrow. Visit the Grainger Engineering website for more information.

About IBM

IBM is a leading global hybrid cloud and AI, and business services provider, helping clients in more than 175 countries capitalize on insights from their data, streamline business processes, reduce costs and gain the competitive edge in their industries. Thousands of governments and corporate entities in critical infrastructure areas such as financial services, telecommunications and healthcare rely on IBM's hybrid cloud platform and Red Hat OpenShift to effect their digital transformations quickly, efficiently and securely. IBM's breakthrough innovations in AI, quantum computing, industry-specific cloud solutions and business services deliver open and flexible options to our clients. All of this is backed by IBM's legendary commitment to trust, transparency, responsibility, inclusivity and service.

For more information, visit https://research.ibm.com.

Media Contacts:

Erin Angelini

IBM Research Communications

[email protected]

Aaron Seidlitz

The Grainger College of Engineering, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

[email protected]

SOURCE IBM
Sharon Osbourne has said she will be attending an anti-immigration march organised by far-Right commentator Tommy Robinson.

Next month's 'Unite The Kingdom' march follows a similar rally in September at Trafalgar Square, which drew over 100,000 participants.

Robinson has been drumming up support for the march in social media posts and earlier this week shared an Instagram video on the Gauci Reports account galvanising followers to mark May 16 as the date 'Britain rises and reunites'.

'It's the date the world hears our roar, and that we have had enough of migration and mass immigration and the oppression from a tyrannical government,' he said.

Robinson said he wanted to 'bring London to a standstill' adding, 'they have tried to silence us for decades, but we will be silenced no more'.

Osbourne commented on the post: 'See you at the march.'

Sharon Osbourne has said she will be attending an anti-immigration march organised by far-Right commentator Tommy Robinson, commenting on a social media video this week

The Gauci Reports account replied 'yes Sharon' and later in a new post wrote: 'CONFIRMED: SHARON OSBOURNE "See you at the march" The Queen of Rock replied to my Instagram post yesterday.

'After years of watching Britain change, especially her home town of Birmingham, she's standing up!'

A representative for Osbourne has been contacted by Daily Mail for comment.

The September 'Unite The Kingdom' march saw protesters meet at Stamford Street, near Waterloo Bridge, before making their way to the southern end of Whitehall.

A counter-protest organised by group Stand Up To Racism (SUTR) formed at the other end of Whitehall with 5,000 in attendance

Later in the day there was a guest video appearance from Tesla CEO Elon Musk, who criticised the Government for a 'rapidly increasing erosion of Britain' and told protesters to 'fight back or die'.

While the rally began largely peacefully as demonstrators voiced their anger over free speech and Britain's small boats crisis, it exploded into violence when protesters and counter-protesters closed in on each other along Whitehall.

Met Police chiefs blasted anti-migrant protesters for displaying a 'wholly unacceptable' level of violence - with at least 25 people arrested and 26 police officers injured, including four who were seriously hurt.

Osbourne has been more outspoken in her political views in recent months. In February Tories invited her to stand as their candidate in Birmingham's upcoming local elections against a convicted terrorist.

Next month's 'Unite The Kingdom' march follows a similar rally in September at Trafalgar Square, which drew over 100,000 participants

Osbourne said she would move to Birmingham and run in the ballot for the inner-city Sparkhill ward to prevent Shahid Butt from gaining a local council seat.

In 1999, Mr Butt and five other UK nationals were found guilty of plotting to blow up the British consulate, an Anglican church and a hotel in Yemen, but denied the charges.

He was later handed a five-year sentence on terrorism charges.

The Mail on Sunday has revealed Mr Butt previously praised jihad as a 'compassionate act' despite claiming he has turned his back on extremism, and has instructed Muslims 'not to take Jews and Christians as friends' in an interview.

After watching a social media video featuring Mr Butt, Osbourne commented on her Instagram: 'This has nothing to do with racism. I think I'm gonna move to Birmingham and put my name down for the ballot to be on the council,' adding 'I'm serious'.

The original post was later removed from Instagram.

Osbourne does not live in the Midlands but has strong links to the area through her late husband, who was born in nearby Aston.

Since her husband's death in July 2025, Sharon has been splitting her time between the couple's Buckinghamshire home and an apartment in Los Angeles with insiders revealing last week that she will always consider England 'her home'.

Since her husband Ozzy's death in July 2025, Sharon has been splitting her time between the couple's Buckinghamshire home and an apartment in LA with insiders revealing that she will always consider England 'her home'

Whilst her son Jack lives in LA with his family, Sharon's daughter Kelly has remained in the UK since Ozzy's death and her split from fiance Sid Wilson.

Sharon is selling the Los Angeles estate she shared with her late husband and has put it on the market for $17million.

Sharon and Ozzy purchased the 1920s home in 2015 for $11.85million and have previously listed it for $18million in 2022 before dropping in to $17.5million.

At the time, the couple were considering a full time move to the UK, but later removed their stateside property from the housing market, report Carolwood Estates.

Sharon has now decided to sell the sprawling pad in the exclusive Hancock Park enclave, which is five miles from downtown Los Angeles.

A source said: 'Sharon doesn't need such a big house in LA any more, and instead plans to buy a smaller flat nearby so she can be close to her grandchildren when she is in town seeing them.

'She is splitting her time between California and the UK but is constantly flying back and forth. She loves being close to her grandchildren, but England is her home.'
Anna Wintour made a rare appearance with her daughter Bee Carrozzini as they attended the Broadway opening night of The Fear Of 13 in New York on Wednesday.

The former Vogue editor, 76, looked incredible in a white long-sleeved dress with a khaki green and blue print.

The fashion maven also wore a bejewelled necklace and added height to her frame with a pair of snake print heels.

She completed her look for the evening by styling her locks into her trademark bob and sporting a pair of sunglasses.

Bee, 38, who Anna had with her late ex-husband David Shaffer, turned heads in a white sleeveless dress with a red floral print.

She also sported a pair of gold sandals and wore her brunette locks loose down her shoulders.

Anna Wintour made a rare appearance with her daughter Bee Carrozzini as they attended the Broadway opening night of The Fear Of 13 in New York on Wednesday

The former Vogue editor, 76, looked incredible in a white long-sleeved dress with a khaki green and blue print

Bee, whose birth name is Katherine, is married to director and photographer Francesco Carrozzini whose mother Franca Sozzani was the former editor-in-chief of Italian Vogue.

Also in attendance on opening night were actors Adrien Brody and Tessa Thompson who both star in the play.

Adrien looked dapper in a black suit while Tessa opted for a black dress with a grey and white floral print.

Oscar-winner Adrien was joined by his girlfriend Georgina Chapman who looked sensational in a floral multi-coloured dress.

The play tells the story of Nick Yarris (played by Adrien) who was convicted and sentenced to death for a crime he didn't commit and spent 22 years on death row before he was released after new DNA evidence proved his innocence.

The outing comes after Anna recently reunited with Meryl Streep when they posed on the cover of Vogue together.

Anna, the former editor-in-chief of the fashion bible, is famously the muse behind Streep's The Devil Wears Prada character Miranda Priestly, the cut-throat leader of Runway magazine who is feared by her employees.

The spread - shot by acclaimed photographer Annie Leibovitz - captures the two legends, fittingly dressed in Prada, as they prepare for the sequel to the original 2006 hit.

Also in attendance on opening night were actors Adrien Brody and Tessa Thompson who both star in the play

Adrien looked dapper in a black suit while Tessa opted for a black dress with a grey and white floral print

Oscar-winner Adrien was joined by his girlfriend Georgina Chapman who looked sensational in a floral multi-coloured dress

The play tells the story of Nick Yarris (played by Adrien) who was convicted and sentenced to death for a crime he didn't commit and spent 22 years on death row

The Devil Wears Prada 2 will be released on May 1 and sees Anne Hathaway return as Andrea Sachs, the former Runway assistant who returns to work with Priestley as her features editor.

In an interview conducted by Greta Gerwig, Streep and Wintour - both 76 - candidly discussed 'power-dressing, longevity, and the perspective of age'.

Ahead of the upcoming The Devil Wears Prada sequel, which the article refers to as DWP2, Wintour shared, 'What I liked about the first film is that it showed the world what a huge business fashion is.

'It's a true economic force globally, and the first film acknowledged that. So much has changed. But I like to think we're evolving rather than disintegrating. We are still here.

'We're all doing our jobsin different ways and across multiple platforms instead of just one, but how wonderful is that? We're reaching far more people.'

And the industry icon said she 'trusted' Streep 'implicitly' when it came to shooting the second movie.

'I do think they've located something true about the business now,' Streep noted about returning to the film 20 years later.
Michael J. Fox has made his first red carpet appearance since he was forced to reassure fans he was 'still alive' after death rumours.

The actor's supposed demise was sparked earlier this month after a colossal blunder by US news outlet CNN who accidentally posted an article titled 'Remembering the Life of Actor Michael J. Fox'.

It immediately raised alarms among Michael's legion of fans, forcing him to confirm through his representative that he was alive.

On Wednesday evening, Michael appeared to be in good spirits as he attended his foundation's 'A Country Thing Happened On The Way to Cure Parkinson's' event.

Held at The Fisher Center for the Performing Arts in Nashville, Michael wore a denim jacket over a grey t-shirt with navy chinos.

He posed with a number of attendees on the carpet, including Lisa Cohn, Marc Cohn, Dusty Slay, Maggie Hughes DePalo and Aaron Weber.

Michael J. Fox has made his first red carpet appearance since he was forced to reassure fans he was 'still alive' after death rumours

The actor's supposed demise was sparked earlier this month by a colossal blunder by US news outlet CNN who accidentally posted an article online

CNN apologised to Michael and his family for their blunder and when contacted by the Daily Mail, a spokesperson said: 'The package was published in error; we have removed it from our platforms and send our apologies to Michael J. Fox and his family.'

Speaking about the hoax at his charity evening, Michael said he was on the way to dinner when he discovered the article, but saw the funny side in it.

He told ET: 'It was just funny. I was on my way to dinner and I said to Mike, who was driving for me, "pull over I gotta text".

'I answered it and I can't remember what I said, but basically gave him a bit of needle about it but everyone wants to be so ahead of the curve on this stuff.

'They lose track of what they're trying to say ahead of the curve on him and there's a guy going to dinner who's quite surprised to find that he's dead but I understand it. I understand people have a curiosity and they have a lot of investing in me, whether it's their interest in our research or whether it's just an association with me from when they're kids and that's very special.'

When the reporter asked Michael if he received worried messages from close friends and family members, he said he was so quick to respond to the hoax and correct the situation.

He added: 'I'm a pretty rock hard guy and I don't get upset about stuff like that. I was always looking for the joke.'

Michael was diagnosed with Parkinsons disease in 1991, at just 29 years old, and publicly revealed his condition in 1998.

Over the years, his symptoms have progressively worsened, with Fox revealing in interviews that he experiences tremors, difficulty with movement, and speech challenges.

Despite these setbacks, he continues to raise awareness and funding for Parkinsons research through his foundation, which has raised over $1 billion for clinical trials and research aimed at finding a cure.

He set up the Michael J Fox Foundation in 2000 to fund research to find a cure for his condition.

On Wednesday evening, Michael appeared to be in good spirits as he attended his foundation's 'A Country Thing Happened On The Way to Cure Parkinson's'

The charity event took place at The Fisher Center for the Performing Arts in Nashville

Pictured left to right: Marc Mariani and Carly Mariani attend A Country Thing Happened On The Way To Cure Parkinson's

Lisa Cohn and Marc Cohn attending in support of actor Michael

Jimi Westbrook, Karen Fairchild, Kimberly Schlapman and Phillip pose for snaps on the red carpet ahead of the evening

The Michael J Fox Foundation was set up in 2000 to fund research to find a cure for his condition. It has invested $2.5 billion in research for the incurable disease

The Michael J. Fox Foundation has invested $2.5 billion in research for the incurable disease.

Last year, Michael's wife Tracy Pollan opened up about how their four children have grown as a result of their father's Parkinson's.

They share son Sam, 36, daughters Aquinnah and Schuyler, 30, and daughter Esme, 24.

Tracy said: Michael is so optimistic, which is wonderful and really helps him, but it's really important to also understand that this is a huge challenge.

'It's very difficult for the family, for the caregivers and, obviously, for the patient. So it's important to acknowledge that and acknowledge that it's not just all sort of easy. It's not easy. It's hard for them, but they show up and they're there for us.'
Lord Sugar has crowned Karishma Vijay the winner of The Apprentice - and she has vowed to use her platform to tackle racism and toxic beauty standards.

The business owner, 29, told the Daily Mail that becoming the BBC show's latest champion is a 'huge statement', citing her Indian heritage and upbringing as the daughter of immigrant parents.

Karishma beat Pascha Myhill, 22, the youngest candidate in the process, during Thursday night's final, where both presented their respective businesses to Lord Sugar and a panel of experts.

After impressing with a dynamic pitch for her beauty brand, Kishkin Skin, Karishma secured Lord Sugar's 250,000 investment during the show's 20th series.

She said her victory will not only help her get onto the property ladder, after months of sleeping on a mattress at her parents' home in Croydon, but also allow her to challenge an industry she believes has historically overlooked people of her ethnicity, and push for fairer opportunities in the future.

Karishma said: 'The winner of the Apprentice is the daughter of an immigrant and that is a huge statement and a light of hope to people who feel things will never change.

'There are girls that don't look like me that do well and girls that look like me that have to really fight tooth and nail for a single opportunity.

'I have been locked out of that list for such a long time because of what I look like. I am not conventionally the beauty standard, the Eurocentric beauty standard that people go for, and whatever.

'I am the girl next door, and people actually buy what the girl next door talks about.'

Lord Sugar has crowned Karishma Vijay the winner of The Apprentice - and she vows to use her platform to tackle racism and toxic beauty standards

The business owner told the Daily Mail that becoming the show's latest champion is a 'huge statement', citing her Indian heritage and upbringing as the daughter of immigrant parents

Karishma says she entered The Apprentice because she was in 'survival mode' after struggling to generate sufficient online sales of her beauty elixir, which claims to help combat acne.

While she has built a substantial social media following of almost one million across Instagram and TikTok, she said she was not always able to convert viewers into consistent customers - leaving her increasingly anxious about generating enough income to sustain her lifestyle.

She explained: 'When I applied for The Apprentice, it was a massive survival move for me. I had no money in my bank account, the rent was due, what's my next move? I couldn't sell anything.

'I don't want to sleep in a room with a mattress on the floor and be in this situation for much longer. I want my own property and an impressive property.

'The reason I have a mattress on the floor is because I will only buy myself a bed when I have a home. I will have the headboard and the fancy pillows and all but right now, if I don't have a home, I don't have a bed.

'All of this moving around has been exhausting - each time buying new furniture only to move into a rented house where someone else is the landlord. It's demoralising. When I've earned it, I'll have the best for me and my family.

'It's not about money or land or cars - you haven't accomplished anything by having luxury things - I really want comfort and stability.

'I don't want to be stressing about rent. I am a very normal person who's had very s*** cards dealt to her, and I have tried my best to turn it around - and now I have won the Apprentice.'

Karishma says she entered The Apprentice because she was in 'survival mode' after struggling to generate sufficient sales of her beauty elixir, which claims to help combat acne

She beat Pascha Myhill (right) the youngest candidate in the process, during Thursday night's final, where both presented their respective businesses to Lord Sugar

Karishma explained how her family has experienced both highs and lows in business over the years.

She said her father is regarded as a 'legend' in India after working across various trades in Delhi, following in the footsteps of her great-grandfather, who made a living selling dry fruits in Afghanistan.

However, after the family relocated to the UK, her father struggled to establish himself and at times sold watches in London's Trafalgar Square to make ends meet.

Alongside facing a challenging job market, Karishma said the family also experienced racism, including from customers at her father's convenience store.

Despite those difficulties, she added that her appearance on The Apprentice has even won over support from 'the most racist man in Croydon', who has praised her business and work ethic.

She said: 'There's this man who used to come to my dad's off licence - he was 100 per cent the most racist man in Croydon.

'He used to come to the shop to buy bread, eggs, water, and every time he would make a comment about my dad being an immigrant, being brown, having an accent, all these things.

'But now that man is coming to my watch party on Thursday. He's 92, he's the oldest Apprentice fan there is. I am sending him a taxi and everything. I must be forgiving to the people that got it wrong who are older.

'I'm not saying I fixed racism overnight but one man at a time and we did that. I have brown skin and that is what it is. This is how you flip the script.'

Karishma impressed Lord Sugar not only with her business acumen and intellect, but also with the deeply personal story behind her beauty brand.

After suffering from cystic acne at just 18, she tried countless products on the market that promised a solution - but none delivered.

During her presentation to leading industry experts, including high street giant Boots, she boldly challenged those very brands, insisting their products had failed her.

The severity of her acne took a heavy emotional toll, with Karishma revealing she often avoided mirrors, unable to face her own reflection.

She said: 'I was 18, I had acne, and nothing was helping me. All these scientists and lab developers were recommending me this brand and that brand - a never-ending list and nothing worked. I addressed that in the final episode.

'It wasn't a joke - they were laughing because they knew it was true. I said I bought into your lies, and not to p*** them off but to be very honest.

'As an impressionable 18-year-old girl who was imperfect in every way, it robbed me of my confidence to have skin like that. It was distressing. When I looked in a mirror, I would immediately look away. Every day was a bad skin day when you have cystic acne.'

She said her victory will not only help her get onto the property ladder, after months of sleeping on a mattress at her parents' home in Croydon

With her own brand, Kishkin, Karishma says she is determined to offer her audience - including her thousands of followers - equal representation.

She believes the influencer industry should provide opportunities, from luxury brand partnerships to promotional trips, to diverse communities and people of all body types.

Karishma said: 'I threw myself into the deep end with social media because I saw zero advocates for me. I saw zero people that looked like me and at that age - it was the era of footage, Facetune, Photoshop, perfect face, tiny waist.

'I don't have the perfect face, and I don't have a tiny waist. You would be surprised by the things people can now do to have that. You can pay for it! The influencer industry is very toxic.

'I just feel like when I was growing up, there was no one that looked like me, so I became the girl with acne that did makeup tutorials and that took two years to build to 2,000 followers, but then it grew to something that people started relating with.

'I'll be doing my own brand trips - I'll be doing brand trips that are inclusive and giving opportunities to people that look like me and don't get the work but need it. They took the risk; they sat in front of a camera and put it all out there for the world to see. And what? The brands don't see their potential.'

It's been quite the week for Karishma; she revealed her engagement just a day before the final as she took to social media with the 'hardest soft launch' with her fiance

This past week has been life-changing for Karishma.

Not only has she secured Lord Sugar's investment and celebrated her 29th birthday, she has also got engaged.

She shared the heartwarming news on Instagram, posting a series of photos with her husband-to-be, keeping his face out of view, as the couple danced together on a beach.

She explained: 'We were at the beach where we met on a shoot because he is a videographer and drone pilot, and I was a shoot director at the time.

'We have been together for almost four years. He's four years older than me. I need someone who's figured it out a little bit more than me. He may not be a businessman, but I need his sixth sense sometimes. There's a big Indian wedding coming!'
Scottish actor Alexander 'Sandy' Morton, who is best known for playing Golly Mackenzie in the BBC series Monarch of the Glen, has died aged 81.

The TV star appeared in all 64 episodes of Monarch of the Glen between 2000 and 2005 and also had parts in a string of British shows including Taggart, Casualty, Luther and Shetland.

Morton was also the stepfather of White Lotus and Bridget Jones star Leo Woodall, 29, after marrying the young actor's mother Jane.

He met his third wife Jane before filming Monarch of the Glen when she was his landlady whilst he was working in London.

Morton founded the Raindog Theatre Company with fellow actors Robert Carlyle and Caroline Paterson, and Carlyle led tributes on social media on Thursday.

'Not only a brilliant actor, but one of the kindest men I ever knew. Working with him through the years with Raindog Theatre Company was an education,' he wrote.

Scottish actor Alexander 'Sandy' Morton, who is best known for playing Golly Mackenzie in the BBC series Monarch of the Glen, has died aged 81

Morton founded the Raindog Theatre Company with fellow actors Robert Carlyle and Caroline Paterson, and Carlyle led tributes on social media on Thursday

'His unique, naturalistic style was a thing of beauty. So real that you would forget he was even acting at all. I've never seen anyone do it better than Sandy.

'He taught me so much. I owe him so much, and he will forever be in my heart. RIP Alexander Morton.'

Also paying tribute was fellow actor Gavin Mitchell, who posted: 'Such devastating news to hear of the passing of Sandy Morton today from his son Jamie.

'He taught and gave me so much. Warm, wise, encouraging, generous and gentle. An exceptional talent.'

'I was lucky enough to work with him on various things over the years, from the inception of Raindog Theatre Company and One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest, panto, radio, Monarch of the Glen, of course, and much more.

'His door was always open and always tales to share. He loved music, history, politics, radio, and remained eternally curious. I loved him dearly and I owe him a lot.'

'I'll miss our chats and I'll miss catching him off guard and making him chortle. We've lost one of the best. All my love. Travel well Sandy.'

Born in Glasgow in 1945, Morton trained at Londons Central School of Speech and Drama in the 1960s.

The TV star appeared in all 64 episodes of Monarch of the Glen between 2000 and 2005 and also had parts in a string of British shows including Taggart, Casualty, Luther and Shetland; Pictured with Alastair McKenzie in Monarch of the Glen

He had an uncredited role in the 1971 film Get Carter, working alongside Michael Caine and Britt Ekland.

In 1980, he landed the role as Andy Semple in the STV soap opera Take the High Road, and continued in the role for 14 years.

More recently, he took on the character of Billy Kennedy in River City from 2012 to 2015, returning to the role again in 2022.
Paris Fury has played matchmaker as she attempted to set her teenage son up with Princess Andre in her brand new Netflix reality show.

In scenes from the new show At Home With The Furys, which dropped on Sunday, Paris could be seen introducing Princess, 18, to her son Prince, 14 and nioted that they could be a match when they're older because they have similarly royal names.

He had supported his mother at her collagen launch party, which saw celebrities including Katie Price's daughter in attendance.

During the event, Paris, 36, grabbed her attention and said: 'Hey Princess this is Prince.

'He is only 14 at the minute but you could marry the Prince and the Princess.'

Princess appeared surprised by the forward introduction and just simply asked in reply: 'Is his actual name Prince?'

Paris Fury has played matchmaker as she attempted to set her teenage son up with Princess Andre in her brand new Netflix reality show

Speaking to the camera, Paris said: 'I know their ages don't match up but if we could say them two's gonna end up that'd be so cute'

Speaking about the moment, Prince told producers afterwards: 'I actually don't know what to say.

'Me mum's a complete and utter mental case.'

Speaking to the camera, Paris said: 'I know their ages don't match up but if we could say them two's gonna end up that'd be so cute.'

Paris and Tyson are also parents to Venezuela, 16, Prince Tyson II, nine, Valencia, seven, Prince Adonis Amaziah, six, Athena, four, and Prince Rico, two.

Meanwhile, after his comeback fight last week against Arslanbek Makhmudov, which he won, Tyson and Paris enjoyed a date night on Wednesday.

Taking to social media, Paris shared a snap of them both enjoying a meal at a restaurant as she wrote: '1st date night in a long time'.

Their new series follows the boxer as he attempts retirement once again while surrounded by wife Paris, their seven children, and outspoken father John Fury.

It comes three years after the original docuseries debuted, as viewers are once again taken behind the scenes of the heavyweight champion's family life in Morecambe.

The family are already preparing for one fairytale wedding, following daughter Venezuela's engagement last year to Noah Price.

The bride-to-be and her mum appeared on Hits Radio earlier this week to promote their new series as she was asked about her reaction to the engagement.

'I've always said to Venezuela, you know, go out, find what you want to do in life. I've tried to put every different opportunity in front of her,' Paris replied.

Venezuela interrupted, pointing out: 'This is coming off very much like she's disappointed.'

'No I'm not disappointed! I'm not!' insisted Paris. 'But I didn't expect it to happen. Venezuela came to me at 15 and was like "I've got a boyfriend" and she wasn't really supposed to have a boyfriend until she was 16. So I was like "wait until he [Tyson] comes home"'.

Princess appeared surprised by the forward introduction and just simply asked in reply: 'Is his actual name Prince?'

Speaking about the moment, Prince told producers afterwards: 'I actually don't know what to say. 'Me mum's a complete and utter mental case'

After his comeback fight last week against Arslanbek Makhmudov, which he won, Tyson and Paris enjoyed a date night on Wednesday

Venezuela insisted though that her dad told her 'well, I'm happy for you because none of my nieces can get boyfriends and you're the first one.'

'He was all excited. Tyson's an old romantic, he got more excited than me,' Paris agreed.

'My dad's real lovey dovey... my dad loves all that, he really does,' continued Venezuela gushing that her fiance asked Tyson's permission before popping the question, which was filmed by Netflix.

'Noah told me that he walked in and my dad literally went "here put this microphone on before you ask me anything",' she laughed.
Katie Price's husband Lee Andrews has addressed rumours of marital strife in his latest slew of social media ramblings.

The glamour model's fourth husband, 42, has been accused of being a 'scammer' amid a host of boasts about his life, including his statement that he is a millionaire businessman with a PHD from Cambridge University and links to Elon Musk.

Away from his various claims, it was alleged earlier this week that her family's concerns about her relationship with her Dubai-based husband has put a strain on their marriage - something he was keen to quash on Thursday.

On Instagram, Lee made a spoof article titled: 'Lee Andrews confirms return to the UK', with the words: 'The couple are stronger than ever and will make the commitment to living together this May ahead of their winter wedding this year'.

As well as his defiant display about marital woes, Lee also shared an X-rated image of his crotch alongside a shirtless snaps to plug his OnlyFans page, on which he charges $18-a-month and lists himself as 'Dr. Lee Andrews'.

Katie Price's husband Lee Andrews has addressed rumours of marital strife and suggested he was headed to Turkey for a hair transplant in his latest slew of social media ramblings

On Instagram, Lee made a spoof article titled: 'Lee Andrews confirms return to the UK', with the words: 'The couple are stronger than ever and will make the commitment to living together this May ahead of their winter wedding this year'

He shared snaps from Katie's trip to Dubai. Lee is yet to fly to the UK amid rumours of a flight ban, which he has repeatedly denied

In his posts, the self-proclaimed 'Doctor' was seen grabbing his crotch while wearing a pair of jeans while another shot saw him show off his shirtless physique.

In a video while speaking to the camera, Lee showed his thinning hair and said he 'needed to get to Turkey' to undergo a hair transplant.

Amid ongoing talk of his love of using AI, Lee was sure to defiantly point out that he was not using a filter and his illuminated skin was merely the Dubai sunshine.

Lee's defiant post alluded to rumours of woes in their cross-continent marriage, while he also shared screenshots of his Facetime calls with Katie.

It comes amid claims Katie's family's concerns over her marriage as well as Lee's inability to leave Dubai has taken the shine off their whirlwind romance.

A source told The Sun: 'Katie felt like she was in a fairy tale when Lee swept her off her feet and showered her with love and a diamond engagement ring.

'But the growing concerns from friends, fans, and particularly family members, who Katie is very loyal to, began to take the shine off.

'The knock-on effect the war in Iran had on Dubai also made her realise how far away she was from home and she missed her kids.'

He posted a link to his OnlyFans account, where he is listed as Dr Lee Andrews

He posted a screenshot showing him on the phone to Katie

As well as his defiant display about marital woes, Lee also shared an X-rated image of his crotch alongside a shirtless snaps to plug his OnlyFans page, on which he charges $18-a-month and lists himself as 'Dr. Lee Andrews'

The insider added the toll it has taken on Katie was clear when she uploaded a vlog complaining about staying in England and ruled out a permanent move to Dubai.

Although the source said she is still 'committed' to Lee, there is a niggling feeling as to how it will all work in the longterm.

Daily Mail has contacted representatives of Katie Price for comment.

Katie initially tied the knot in January just weeks after meeting, before holding a second, legal ceremony in February. However, throughout their marriage he has been living in the UAE while Katie has travelled between the UK and Dubai.

She has now declared she will not return to her husband's home and is instead hoping he will fly to the UK to see her soon, as she has 'done her bit'.

Speaking on her YouTube channel, she detailed her travel plans and navigating her cross-continent marriage to Lee, who has repeatedly denied claims that he is under a travel ban after forging his ex-girlfriend's signature to secure a 200,000 loan.

Insiders have claimed Lee has left the country, although there has been no solid evidence, while Katie has admitted she 'hopes' he will come to her.

Speaking to the camera, she said: 'Hopefully Lee will be flying to the UK soon. When he can, he'll come over and just do normal stuff here.

Join the discussion Is this confidence or pure cringe?

Katie initially tied the knot in January just weeks after meeting, before holding a second, legal ceremony in February. However, throughout their marriage he has been living in the UAE while Katie has travelled between the UK and Dubai.

'I love that I'm back [in the UK]. I'm not going to go to Dubai now for a bit. I've done my bit in Dubai and with everything going on there, it's all quiet and I've got things to do back here as well.

'I still want to sort the house out, work, even though I can work there, I just like being home, everything is here. Where I've been in Dubai, it hasn't even been sunny, it's been raining.'

She spoke of her trips, saying: 'When I go to Dubai, I don't look at it like a holiday, I don't do all the holiday stuff...

'People always look at Dubai as pool parties, there are pool parties and you get those sides where it looks rich and people pose with flash cars...

'But when I go there, it's not like how you see it on Instagram, I do normal stuff. What I would do here, it's the same there.'
Jenny Powell showcased her jaw-dropping figure as she slipped into a red swimsuit for a cold water lake swim.

The TV presenter, 58, who is known for her love of fitness, took to Instagram and shared snaps by the lake as she took a break from work on Greatest Hits radio.

She captioned the snaps with: 'Earlier this week, just breathing, resetting everything.'

Alongside the post, she wrote: 'From stillness to showtimeEarlier this week  sunshine, cold water, quiet moments by the lake just breathing it all in.

'Fast forward to now  rain on the windows, back to reality and back on the radio.

'And I've realised you kind of need both. The pause and the pace. The calm and the chaos.'

Jenny Powell showcased her jaw-dropping figure as she slipped into a red swimsuit for a cold water lake swim

The TV presenter, 58, who is known for her love of fitness, took to Instagram and shared snaps by the lake as she took a break from work on Greatest Hits radio

It comes after earlier this year Jenny made a rare appearance with her fiance Martin Lowe as they celebrated New Year's Eve at Soho House in Manchester.

The radio and television presenter looked incredible as she slipped into an elegant black sheer dress.

The couple were not only celebrating the turn of the new year, but they were also celebrating their 12th year of engagement.

Martin proposed to Jenny on New Year's Eve in 2014, but the star previously said the couple have no plans to get married, and she thinks they'll remain 'permanently engaged'.

Jenny has two children, daughters Constance, 24, and Pollyanna, 16, from her previous relationship with Toby Baxendale, a British entrepreneur.

Last year, Jenny revealed that Constance, known as Connie, had been hospitalised for surgery as she reflected on undergoing a hysterectomy a year prior.

Jenny underwent a robotic hysterectomy 12 months ago to manage extreme symptoms as a result of menopause.

She has been open about her health battle and has often displayed her scars from the gruelling surgery as a way of raising awareness.

She captioned the snaps with: 'Earlier this week, just breathing, resetting everything'

Alongside the post, she wrote: 'From stillness to showtimeEarlier this week  sunshine, cold water, quiet moments by the lake just breathing it all in'

She told how on one year to the day that she had her surgery Connie was back in the same hospital with the same surgeon to have a cyst removed amid her PCOS battle.

Jenny penned in her post: 'Well what a freaky moment... one year to the day since my hysterectomy and by pure coincidence we are back in the same hospital with the same surgeon for my Connie this time.

'As she's just gone in now for surgery, it's an emotional one on so many levels. She's been beautifully brave, in for removal of a cyst and then Dr.El-Gizawy walks in... not seen him for exactly one year!

'He said that he recommends his patients follow my hysterectomy journey on here as it is a help and comfort for many. I teared up... so much to say and not sure where to start.

'Ladies .. don't turn a blind eye to your symptoms / act on it / be persistent with doctors, consultants /talk about it /share your experiences and if you're scared, unsure, remember you're not alone... we have all been there.

'My life has changed considerably... but it has taken a year to feel complete physically and mentally. I feel so passionately for all the women and even partners of those women who have connected with me and @dramirygynae in the past 12 months...

'Our journey is a collective one and just to say my quality of life/ my zest for life as a womb free woman is pretty awesome. Don't give up on that thought!'
Aaron Taylor-Johnson and his director wife Sam look more loved-up than ever as they packed on the PDA on a recent outing.

The 007 favourite has shown he doesn't need a Bond girl on his shoulder as Sam puckered up for a kiss in the street on Tuesday.

Aaron, 35, had his arm around his wife, 59, in new snaps showing the happy couple walking through Notting Hill in London.

They were seen strolling back from a visit to Oh My Cream! cosmetics on Westbourne Grove as they sported casual looks.

Sam kept a low profile in khaki tracksuit bottoms which she paired with a black t-shirt and jacket.

Aaron donned bright green tracksuit bottoms, with a brown suede jacket over a grey sweatshirt.

Aaron Taylor-Johnson and his director wife Sam look more loved-up than ever as they packed on the PDA on a recent outing

The 007 favourite has shown he doesn't need a Bond girl as Sam puckered up for a kiss in the street on Tuesday

Flanked by his wife, Aaron leaned in for a kiss as Sam puckered up.

The pair first met 18 years ago on the set of Nowhere Boy, where Aaron played a young John Lennon in the biographical film that she directed.

While their collaboration was a success, the pair have only teamed up once more in the years since, with the duo co-writing the 2019 film adaptation of James Frey's memoir A Million Little Pieces - which Sam directed and Aaron starred in.

A year after they met, Sam and Aaron were engaged, and they tied the knot in 2012.

The pair went on to welcome two daughters together; Wylda, 15, and Romy, 14.

Their family also includes Sam's eldest daughters Angelica, 27, and Jessie, 18, whom she shares with ex-husband Jay Jopling.

Both Sam and Aaron are extremely private and keep their youngest children firmly out of the spotlight.

Sam previously opened up on their privacy during an interview with Harper's Bazaar.

He explained: 'We live behind walls. Literally, figuratively, and deliberately. You'll never see our children or any of our most personal moments on social media or in the press.'

He continued to the outlet: 'We have our professional lives and our life together, and we keep them apart.'

Last year Sam said she can't believe the 'fascination' fans have had with their age gap marriage.

Speaking to the BBC, she said that the initial interest in their relationship was 'intense' because 'people want to understand things when they can't'.

Sam told Radio 4's This Cultural Life: 'I guess that interest was more when we got together, which was now 14 years  at the beginning, was quite intense.

Aaron, 35, had his arm around Sam, 59, in new snaps showing the happy couple walking through Notting Hill in London

They were seen strolling back from a visit to Oh My Cream! cosmetics on Westbourne Grove as they sported casual looks

Sam kept a low profile in khaki tracksuit bottoms which she paired with a black t-shirt and jacket while Aaron donned bright green tracksuit bottoms, with a brown suede jacket

The pair met 17 years ago on the set of Nowhere Boy, in which he played a young John Lennon in the biographical film that she directed [pictured in 2009]

'And that sort of fascination, because he's younger than me, which you know, we couldn't really fathom the fascination. But I guess it's sort of gone away a little bit.

'Mostly when I'm doing press and things like this it sort of resurges a little bit. But yeah, I guess people want to understand things when they can't.

'They want to pick up art when they can't fathom what a certain love story that doesn't fit in a box is.'

Meanwhile, last month it emerged that Aaron was back in the running to become the next James Bond, after Daniel Craig left the role.

While it had been a two-horse race between Callum Turner and Jacob Elordi for months, a 'major curveball' saw his odds slashed.
Sheridan Smith unveiled her radiant new look as she attended the premiere of her new thriller The Cage at Soho Hotel in London on Thursday.

The British actress, 44, looked sensational in a white satin shirt dress as she posed for photos on the red carpet.

Styling her blonde tresses in a neat waved up-do, Sheridan accessorised with chunky gold hoop earrings, a pendant necklace and a gold hoop nose ring.

The Two Pints Of Lager And A Packet Of Crisps star showed off her many tattoos on her hands and elevated her frame in a pair of towering black stilettos.

Sheridan posed with co-stars Michael Socha, House of the Dragon's Barry Sloane, Dope Girls' Geraldine James as well as BAFTA-nominated writer Tony Schumacher.

The series, which was filmed in Liverpool, follows Leanne (Sheridan) and Matty (Michael) as they discover they are both robbing from the safe at the inner-city casino they work in.

The five-part thrilling drama is directed by Al Mackay and is set to be released on BBC One on Sunday April 26 at 9pm.

Sheridan Smith unveiled her radiant new look as she attended the premiere of her new thriller The Cage at Soho Hotel in London on Thursday

The British actress, 44, looked sensational in a white satin shirt dress as she posed for photos on the red carpet

It comes after Sheridan was unable to contain her emotions as she was interviewed on This Morning with the inspirational mother she portrays in the new ITV drama I Fought The Law.

The Royle Family actress appeared visibly close to Teesside mum Ann Ming, whose tireless campaigning saw the law changed and her daughter Julie's murderer brought to justice.

The inspirational mum embarked on a 15-year campaign to change the Double Jeopardy Law, which prevented her daughter's killer, who was initially acquitted of the offence, from being retried.

Ann told hosts Rylan Clarke and Sian Welby that she couldn't imagine anyone but Sheridan stepping into her shoes to tell the story.

'I came on set twice, and she didn't know I was there,' Ann said, surprising Sheridan.

'And I watched her, playing me, in one of the difficult scenes  when we told Kevin the truth. It was like watching me.'

This prompted Sheridan herself to well up and say: 'All I wanted was Ann to be proud.'

Ann continued: 'I don't think they could have got another actress to do it as well. She takes on a role and becomes that person.'

The brave mother was heavily involved in the dramatisation of her story and served as a consultant on the four-part series.

Ann admitted that she had her reservations about the series when ITV first made contact with her.

The show, written by Jamie Crichton, is notably based on Ann's book For The Love Of Julie.

Styling her blonde tresses in a neat waved up-do, Sheridan accessorised with chunky gold hoop earrings, a pendant necklace and a gold hoop nose ring

The Two Pints Of Lager And A Packet Of Crisps star showed off her many tattoos on her hands and elevated her frame in a pair of towering black stilettos

Sheridan posed with co-stars Michael Socha, House of the Dragon's Barry Sloane, Dope Girls' Geraldine James as well as BAFTA-nominated writer Tony Schumacher

The series, which was filmed in Liverpool, follows Leanne (Sheridan) and Matty (Michael) as they discover they are both robbing from the safe at the inner-city casino they work in

The five-part thrilling drama is directed by Al Mackay and is set to be released on BBC One on Sunday April 26 at 9pm; pictured Sheridan and Michael

Ann said: 'I had a team of lawyers backing me all the way. They didn't think it was a one-man band.

'And then they said they were thinking about approaching Sheridan Smith, and I've watched everything she's ever been in.

'I thought they couldn't get anyone better to play me.'

As the show is based on a real-life story, it will be accompanied by a documentary about Ann herself, I Fought The Law: The Ann Ming Story.

Ann's daughter Julie tragically died when she was just 22 in 1989 after being strangled and sexually assaulted by William Dunlop.

He proceeded to hide her remains behind a bath panel and was acquitted of the crime twice in the 1990s.

However, in 2006, he was finally brought to justice thanks to Ann's tireless determination.

While William has applied for parole since being jailed for life with a minimum term of 17 years, his request was blocked by the Secretary of State in March.
China, Spain to deepen cooperation in innovation, industrial chains

Xinhua) 09:45, April 16, 2026

BEIJING, April 15 (Xinhua) -- China is willing to work with Spain to strengthen strategic alignment and policy coordination, continuously improve the business environment, and promote deeper cooperation among enterprises in technological innovation and industrial and supply chains, Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao said on Wednesday.

The two countries can foster more landmark projects in sectors such as new energy vehicles, intelligent manufacturing, and photovoltaic and wind power, which will benefit enterprises and people of both sides, Wang said at the China-Spain innovative enterprises exchange conference.

He added that economic and trade relations between the two countries have grown steadily with deepening industrial chain integration, demonstrating strong complementarity and stability.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said at the conference that bilateral relations are at their best in history, with deep cooperation in trade, investment, green energy, industrial manufacturing and technological innovation.

Spain welcomes more Chinese companies to invest and do business in Spain, he said, adding that he looks forward to enhanced strategic collaboration between the business communities of the two countries.

The conference brought together over 100 representatives from Chinese and Spanish businesses. Participants shared cooperation experience and held discussions on technology research and development as well as investment cooperation.

(Web editor: Wang Xiaoping, Liang Jun)
BELLEVILLE, Ill., April 16, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Illinois American Water announced in its Community Impact Report that during 2025, the company provided more than $785 thousand in charitable donations through grants, general charitable contributions and programming support to 195 organizations across Illinois. When combined with the $411 thousand provided by the American Water Charitable Foundation, the total amount of support reached $1.2 million.

"At Illinois American Water, our work extends beyond providing safe, clean and reliable water and wastewater services to our customers," said Rebecca Losli, president of Illinois American Water and American Water Charitable Foundation board member. "Together with the American Water Charitable Foundation, we're committed to supporting organizations that make our communities a better place to live and operate."

In 2025, Illinois American Water contributed $113.4 thousand to 113 local fire and rescue organizations; $23.4 thousand to 10 health and wellness organizations; and $80 thousand to 40 organizations working in community sustainability. The company also contributed $138 thousand to help its customers through its H2O Help to Others customer assistance program, a resource that has been available to customers for 30 years.

In addition, Illinois American Water employees engaged in philanthropic endeavors by raising $88 thousand for charitable causes and volunteering 650 hours to nonprofits through the Foundation's Employee Volunteer and Matching Gift Program.

"The American Water Charitable Foundation is proud to partner with eligible nonprofit partners to support impactful initiatives and projects across Illinois," said Carrie Williams, President, American Water Charitable Foundation. "Our charitable focus to Keep Communities Flowing empowers our employees to get involved and our communities to learn how every drop counts."

The American Water Charitable Foundation's 2025 Keep Communities Flowing Grant Program focuses on three pillars of giving: Water, People, and Communities. Since 2012, the Foundation has invested more than $25 million in funding through grants and matching gifts to support eligible organizations in communities served by American Water.

To learn more about Illinois American Water's community involvement, read the company's 2025 Community Impact Report.

About Illinois American Water

Illinois American Water, a subsidiary of American Water, is the largest regulated water utility in the state with approximately 600 dedicated employees working to provide safe, clean, reliable and affordable water and wastewater services to approximately 1.3 million people. American Water also operates a quality control and research laboratory in Belleville.

About the American Water Charitable Foundation

The American Water Charitable Foundation, a philanthropic non-profit organization established by American Water (NYSE: AWK), focuses on three pillars of giving: Water, People, and Communities. Since 2012, the Foundation has invested more than $25 million in funding through grants and matching gifts to support eligible organizations in communities served by American Water. The Foundation is funded by American Water shareholders and has no impact on customer rates. For more information, visit amwater.com/awcf.

SOURCE American Water
Ellie Bamber's transformation into iconic supermodel Kate Moss was displayed in full in the first trailer for the Moss & Freud biopic.

The movie, which is set for release next month having first premiered at the London International Film Festival in October, explores the unlikely bond between Kate and artist Lucian Freud, who together curated Naked Portrait 2002.

Lucian is played by Derek Jacobi in the film, which features the real life Kate as an executive producer, with the trailer opening with the leads in a gallery, where Lucian is first seen to float the idea of painting Kate.

After she accepts the idea, the ethereal, moody and glitzy teaser, the extremes of their relationship were displayed, with the pair seen to argue over her dedication to their project while later enjoying blissful giggles.

Derek's Lucian is seen saying to Kate: 'Could you imagine anything more beautiful? I think a painting - but do you have time? I'm quite aware of what a busy life you must lead', after which she agrees to undertake the task: 'Lucien, I like the idea of truth.'

Ellie Bamber's transformation into iconic supermodel Kate Moss was displayed in full in the first trailer for the Moss & Freud biopic

The movie, which is set for release next month having first premiered at the London International Film Festival in October, explores the unlikely bond between Kate and artist Lucian Freud, who together curated Naked Portrait 2002

Lucian is played by Derek Jacobi in the film, which features the real life Kate as an executive producer, with the trailer opening with the leads in a gallery, where Lucian is first seen to float the idea of painting Kate

The distinguished artwork captured a nude, then 28-year-old Kate while she was pregnant with her daughter Lila, who she welcomed with ex Jefferson Hack.

Sexy and raw, the image, which was painted by Lucian - then 80 and at the time 52 years older than Kate - showcased the model in a way she'd never been seen before.

The lead up and process of the painting is teased in the trailer, as Lucian demands: 'If I were to paint you I need absolute commitment', before viewers later see him becoming enraged at Kate for missing their sessions.

Standing in front of his canvas, he roars: 'You are late, do you treat all of this as some kind of game? Three evenings a week is all I ask and to be on time'.

Kate is quick to hit back, as she is seen jabbing images of herself in a glossy magazine, saying: 'This, this, some of them are long-term relationships!' in relation to her relationships with designers and photographers.

She then muses: 'The painter must think of everything he sees as being entirely for own use and pleasure is that what I'm here for? To be used by you'.

A slow-moving clip sees the duo dancing at a recreation of Kate's legendary 30th birthday bash, which was held at Claridge's hotel in 2004, took on the theme of F Scott Fitzgerald's book, The Beautiful And Damned.

The movie's initial release in October was met with mixed reviews, however next month the film will be opened to a wider audience.

After she accepts the idea, the ethereal, moody and glitzy teaser, the extremes of their relationship were displayed, with the pair seen to argue over her dedication to their project while later enjoying blissful giggles

Ellie rocked a leggy look in the movie

Ellie stripped off for a number of scenes to pose for the naked portrait

The duo were pictured dancing at scenes based on iconic 30th birthday look

The distinguished artwork captured a nude, then 28-year-old Kate while she was pregnant with her daughter Lila, who she welcomed with ex Jefferson Hack

Standing in front of his canvas, he roars: 'You are late, do you treat all of this as some kind of game? Three evenings a week is all I ask and to be on time'

The German-born painter - also famed for his modern and selfie-esque painting of The Queen in 2001 - passed away aged 88 over a decade ago

In a dramatic moment, Kate sped through an empty space in a stunning blue silk gown with a Union Flag jacket

The result of Lucian's artwork of Kate was groundbreaking, with the painting fetching a whopping 3.9million at an auction in 2005.

Lucian and Kate's time together established a one-of-a-kind friendship, and the model would later describe him as the most interesting person she'd ever met.

So fierce was their bond, prying eyes have long questioned whether they shared something more than just friendship.

The German-born painter - also famed for his modern and selfie-esque painting of The Queen in 2001 - passed away aged 88 over a decade ago.

Moss & Freud, aims to explore his life and art, and focuses strongly on how the 90s superstar came to be his beloved muse.

Kate's arrival on the scene in the early 90s signified a new era of models, joining the likes of Naomi Campbell, Cindy Crawford and Linda Evangelista as some of the biggest names in the industry.

Meanwhile Lucian Michael Freud, born in 1922 in Berlin, Germany, was by then a renowned painter and draughtsman who specialised in figurative art; his work on human subjects such as friends, family and lovers earned him the reputation as one of the foremost 20th-century English portraitists.
Victoria Beckham has spoken out on her family's estrangement from eldest son Brooklyn Beckham, insisting that she and husband David have always 'tried to protect and love our children'.

The Spice Girl was asked about her relationship with Brooklyn in a new interview with the Wall Street Journal.

Whilst the magazine says 'she does not reply with his name,' the mother of four, 51, has, for the first time, spoken directly about their ongoing feud.

'I think that we've always  we love our children so much', she said. 'We've always tried to be the best parents that we can be.

'And you know, we've been in the public eye for more than 30 years right now, and all we've ever tried to do is protect our children and love our children. And you know, that's all I really want to say about it'.

Brooklyn, 27, cut ties with his family in a scathing social media statement in January, declaring he has no plans to reconcile with his famous parents and accusing them of 'controlling him for most of his life'.

Victoria Beckham has spoken out on the family's estrangement from eldest son Brooklyn Beckham

The Spice Girl was asked about her relationship with Brooklyn in a new interview with the Wall Street Journal. Above, Brooklyn and Victoria in 2019

Victoria was also asked about whether she feels 'remorse' about bringing her family, including her four children, Brooklyn, Romeo, 23, Cruz, 21, and Harper, 14, as well as her parents, into the public spotlight.

'I wouldnt say it comes with guilt, Id say that there was a lot of adjusting from my mum and dad, when all of a sudden there were paparazzi outside their house,' she replied. 'Weve really taken our families on this ride with us'.

David and Victoria haven't spoken to Brooklyn since last May, when he and his wife Nicola Peltz snubbed the former footballer's 50th birthday celebrations.

Brooklyn and Nicola's lawyers wrote to the Beckhams' legal team demanding that they only converse through them.

Shortly before Christmas, Brooklyn blocked his parents on Instagram, and in January, he posted a brutal, bombshell six-page letter on the social media platform.

He claimed David and Victoria controlled him for most of his life, tried to split him and Nicola up and left him embarrassed when his mother danced 'inappropriately' with him during his first dance at his wedding.

Speaking about all four of her children earlier in the interview, Victoria added that 'being a parent of young adult children and adult children, gosh, I mean, it's very different from having little children'.

'I think that we're trying to do the best we can,' adding that the negative press in the past three months has not affected her fashion and beauty business.

'I think that ultimately people are buying my product because the product is really good. I dont think theyre buying my eyeliner just because its me,' she said.

Whilst the magazine says 'she does not reply with his name,' the mother of four, 51, for the first time has spoken directly about their ongoing feud

Brooklyn cut ties with his family in a scathing social media statement in January, declaring he has no plans to reconcile with his famous parents. Above, with his wife, Nicola Peltz

Earlier this month, Brooklyn appeared to take a swipe at his estranged family in his gushing four-year anniversary card to his wife Nicola.

The aspiring chef, 27, has made his feelings clear yet again with a defiant anniversary message to wife Nicola, where he said they 'have been through so much together but are stronger than ever'.

The 2022 Florida wedding was once again thrust into the spotlight earlier this year when Brooklyn insisted he wanted no further contact with his family in a bombshell statement.

He claimed his mother had cancelled making Nicola's dress at the last minute, 'hijacked' the first dance, and 'danced inappropriately' on him.

On his Instagram Story on Friday, Brooklyn shared a card he had sent to Nicola which read: 'Happy 4 year anniversary baby I love you with all my heart.

'We have been though so much together but today we are stronger than ever and you are my best friend.

'I can't wait to grow old together with you. Love you so much x.'

'I think that we've always - we love our children so much,' Victoria said. 'We've always tried to be the best parents that we can be'

Victoria was also asked about whether she feels 'remorse' about bringing her family, including her four children, Brooklyn, Romeo, 23, Cruz, 21, and Harper, 14, into the public spotlight

Brooklyn captioned his Instagram Story: 'Happy anniversary @nicolaannepeltzbeckham x love you with all my heart. Can't wait to stay young with you xx love you so much x.'

It comes just days after Brooklyn appeared to take another 'swipe' at his estranged family as he showed off his brand new tattoo tribute to Nicola.

In a new post, promoting the new baby-sized bottle of his hot sauce, Cloud 23, Brooklyn posed with his left hand resting on his wife's chest.

The new inking was clearly visible and read: 'Our little bubble.'

Brooklyn previously used those words to describe his home with Nicola in the US after relocating from the UK to be with her.

He was asked if the move was a difficult one.

He said: 'No, because Im marrying my best friend, so we kind of have our own little bubble together now and its just really nice.'

'I wouldnt say it comes with guilt, Id say that there was a lot of adjusting from my mum and dad,' she replied

In her interview with the WSJ, Victoria gushed about her pride for her youngest son, Cruz, and his success with his band.

Cruz and his group, The Breakers, recently wrapped up their debut tour with three nights at the Courtyard Theatre in London, and for their first gig at the venue, the frontman's parents, Victoria and David, were both in the audience along with his older brother Romeo.

It was an emotional evening, as gig-goers reported that Cruz was 'overcome' whilst performing a song rumoured to be about Brooklyn.

Cruz's London set included his band's track Loneliest Boy, which features the lyrics: 'Loneliest boy, mama don't talk too much, it's breaking her heart.'

A concert-goer told The Daily Mirror: 'At one point during the song, he seemed overcome with emotion as his bandmate put his arm around his shoulder and affectionately ruffled his hair.'

Fans have been left convinced the scathing lyrics are about Brooklyn's widening estrangement from his family.

Loneliest Boy's lyrics also say: 'It shows in the small things that you don't do, I guess in the end that it's you, yourself, and you. Tell me how do you live, when you've got nobody to lose?'

'I think that we're trying to do the best we can', adding that the negative press in the past three months has not affected her fashion and beauty business

The song goes on: 'Loneliest boy, place all your bets on him, To find something bad in somebody good, he always does, Loneliest boy, I hope that youre listening, Dont push all your friends away, when were tryna show you love.'

Elsewhere, the chorus reads: 'So tell me youre scared, and that you need someone to hold. Cause youre in the room but really, does it even show?

'But, why cant they see that youre a million miles away, theyll never know, when you look so close.'

Brooklyn dealt another blow to his devastated parents as he failed to mention Victoria on Mother's Day, though he praised his mother-in-law on social media.

Taking to Instagram, Brooklyn shared a photo of himself alongside Claudia Heffner Peltz and Nicola, with the accompanying caption: 'Happy birthday to the best mother-in-law. Love u so much and hope u had the most amazing day.'

With Claudia's birthday falling on March 12 - three days earlier - it seemed a particularly calculated move.
Katie Price has confirmed her husband Lee Andrews does have a travel ban - despite his repeated denials that he is barred from leaving Dubai.

It was previously claimed British-born Lee, 42, spent three weeks locked up in a Dubai jail for 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.

Last month, Lee was also hit with a fresh accusation that he took $1000 from another woman and has thus far failed to pay her back - he denied the claims on Instagram soon after.

Now, the former glamour model, 47, who married Lee in Dubai in January, has confirmed he is currently unable to travel during a recent episode of her podcast.

During the episode, Katie was quizzed by her sister Sophie about her husband's situation.

Katie said: 'Of course Im going back to Dubai and Lee will come here when he needs to.

Katie Price has confirmed her husband Lee Andrews does have a travel ban - despite his repeated denials that he is barred from leaving Dubai

It was previously claimed British-born Lee, 42, spent three weeks locked up in a Dubai jail for 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

'People have to remember hes lived in Dubai for 21 years, thats where he lives and where he does his work. Therell be a time when he does come to England and hell be with me.'

Sophie then asked: 'I thought he had a travel ban?'

Katie replied: 'Do you know what? Everyone has said to me you can get a travel ban over anything in Dubai.

'A parking ticket or if you owe a bill for electricity or something you can get a travel ban for absolutely anything.'

Sophie asked: 'Do they do anything like that over here?'

Katie joked: 'No. If they did, Id be banned for life! But yeah, you can get one for even breathing the wrong way in Dubai. Its so strict.'

However, according to Chambers and Partners, a single, unpaid parking ticket in Dubai is highly unlikely to cause a travel ban.

However, if multiple traffic fines pile up, remain unpaid for a long time, and exceed AED 10,000, they could potentially turn into a civil case leading to a travel ban.

Now, the former glamour model, 47, who married Lee in Dubai in January, has confirmed he is currently unable to travel during a recent episode of her podcast

It comes as Katie's husband Lee addressed rumours of marital strife in his latest slew of social media ramblings.

The glamour model's fourth husband has been accused of being a 'scammer' amid a host of boasts about his life, including his statement that he is a millionaire businessman with a PHD from Cambridge University and links to Elon Musk.

Away from his various claims, it was alleged earlier this week that her family's concerns about her relationship with her Dubai-based husband has put a strain on their marriage - something he was keen to quash on Thursday.

On Instagram, Lee made a spoof article titled: 'Lee Andrews confirms return to the UK', with the words: 'The couple are stronger than ever and will make the commitment to living together this May ahead of their winter wedding this year'.

As well as his defiant display about marital woes, Lee also shared an X-rated image of his crotch alongside a shirtless snaps to plug his OnlyFans page, on which he charges $18-a-month and lists himself as 'Dr. Lee Andrews'.

Lee's defiant post alluded to rumours of woes in their cross-continent marriage, while he also shared screenshots of his Facetime calls with Katie.

It comes amid claims Katie's family's concerns over her marriage as well as Lee's inability to leave Dubai has taken the shine off their whirlwind romance.

A source told The Sun: 'Katie felt like she was in a fairy tale when Lee swept her off her feet and showered her with love and a diamond engagement ring.

It comes as Katie's husband Lee addressed rumours of marital strife in his latest slew of social media ramblings

On Instagram, Lee made a spoof article titled: 'Lee Andrews confirms return to the UK', with the words: 'The couple are stronger than ever and will make the commitment to living together this May ahead of their winter wedding this year'

'But the growing concerns from friends, fans, and particularly family members, who Katie is very loyal to, began to take the shine off.

'The knock-on effect the war in Iran had on Dubai also made her realise how far away she was from home and she missed her kids.'

The insider added the toll it has taken on Katie was clear when she uploaded a vlog complaining about staying in England and ruled out a permanent move to Dubai.

Although the source said she is still 'committed' to Lee, there is a niggling feeling as to how it will all work in the longterm.

The Daily Mail has contacted representatives of Katie Price for comment.

Katie initially tied the knot in January just weeks after meeting, before holding a second, legal ceremony in February. However, throughout their marriage he has been living in the UAE while Katie has travelled between the UK and Dubai.

She has now declared she will not return to her husband's home and is instead hoping he will fly to the UK to see her soon, as she has 'done her bit'.

Speaking on her YouTube channel, she detailed her travel plans and navigating her cross-continent marriage to Lee, who has repeatedly denied claims that he is under a travel ban after forging his ex-girlfriend's signature to secure a 200,000 loan.

Insiders have claimed Lee has left the country, although there has been no solid evidence, while Katie has admitted she 'hopes' he will come to her.

Speaking to the camera, she said: 'Hopefully Lee will be flying to the UK soon. When he can, he'll come over and just do normal stuff here.

'I love that I'm back [in the UK]. I'm not going to go to Dubai now for a bit. I've done my bit in Dubai and with everything going on there, it's all quiet and I've got things to do back here as well.

'I still want to sort the house out, work, even though I can work there, I just like being home, everything is here. Where I've been in Dubai, it hasn't even been sunny, it's been raining.'

She spoke of her trips, saying: 'When I go to Dubai, I don't look at it like a holiday, I don't do all the holiday stuff...

'People always look at Dubai as pool parties, there are pool parties and you get those sides where it looks rich and people pose with flash cars...

'But when I go there, it's not like how you see it on Instagram, I do normal stuff. What I would do here, it's the same there.'
Clavicular revealed that he would like to stay clean after the scary incident that landed him hospitalized after a suspected overdose, but is unsure if he could continue his highly-popular livestreaming career without use of what he calls his 'substances.'

The 20-year-old 'looksmaxxer' - real name Braden Eric Peters - did not want to talk about why he landed in the hospital but did talk about how he wanted to move forward during a livestream on Wednesday evening before making a club appearance.

The previous night, the influencer could be seen on a livestream beginning to slur his speech and hold his head as his colleagues attempted to help him.

Hours after coming home from the hospital he said on a livestream: 'Yeah man, I ain't gonna be doing any more substances for a little while. Hopefully forever.

'But that means I can't really IRL stream because as you guys know I'm quite brutal without that s***.'

An IRL - which means In Real Life - stream is a live broadcast where a creator shares their daily life, adventures, or activities in real-time, away from a desk or gaming setup as Clavicular's IRL streams usually find him out partying and trying to pick up women.

Clavicular revealed that he would like to stay clean after the scary incident that landed him hospitalized after a suspected overdose , but is unsure if he could continue his highly-popular livestreaming career without use of what he calls his 'substances'

The 20-year-old 'looksmaxxer' (right) - real name Braden Eric Peters - is seen on Tuesday evening's livestream at a bar in Miami. Moments after this, he slumped over on the table

He then surprised many fans as he revealed that his livestreaming career may be coming to an end unless he figures a way to pivot.

Clavicular said: 'I think I have to figure something else out. I have to figure out a new method. I can practice mogging sober or find a new form of content.

'I don't know. It's f***ing done for. It's f***ing done for.'

Mogging is internet slang for appearing significantly more attractive, stylish, or physically superior to someone else, effectively 'outshining' or dominating them in appearance.

The vow for sobriety did not stop him from making an appearance at a nightclub in Miami later on that evening.

He had announced last week that he would be launching a new venture at the Bacara Club in Miami on Wednesday, April 15.

Many of his fans have wondered if he will be able to make the appearance at Miami Beach's first streaming club as he was released from the hospital earlier in the day on Wednesday morning, but he confirmed he would make the appearance despite friends and family urging him to take it easy following the scary medical emergency.

'Hey guys, I'm all good. Bacara Club grand opening is still tonight, so I will see you guys at 12 [a.m.],' he said via his Instagram Story. He wrote in text over the clip, 'See yall tonight at @bacaraclub.'

He did not want to talk about why he landed in the hospital but did talk about how he wanted to move forward during a livestream on Wednesday evening

He said: 'Yeah man, I ain't gonna be doing any more substances for a little while. Hopefully forever. 'But that means I can't really IRL stream because as you guys know I'm quite brutal without that s***'

He had announced last week that he would be launching a new venture at the Bacara Club in Miami on Wednesday, April 15

On Wednesday Clavicular confirmed that he is still planning on making the appearance at the nightlife venue despite friends and family urging him to take it easy

Many fans wondered if he would make the event as he was released from the hospital earlier that morning

Clavicular donned a grey suit as he partied the night away and even joined rappers Blueface and O. T. Genasis on stage

Clavicular donned a grey suit as he partied the night away and even joined rappers Blueface and O. T. Genasis on stage.

Meanwhile, sources told TMZ that the 'looksmaxxing' pioneer's family is 'very concerned' about how fast his fame has come at such a young age with insiders saying that 'he's a sweet kid at heart.'

The sources told the news site that those in his inner circle want him to be focused on his health and not hitting a club 24 hours after a suspected overdose.

Earlier in the day Clavicular revealed that he was discharged from the hospital as he even claimed that his situation was so serious that he was given a 'life support mask'.

He took to his X (formerly Twitter) on Wednesday morning to post a selfie as he had visible red markings on his face.

As he has stated he has autism previously, he admitted that he had used substances to feel 'neurotypical' while out in public which led to the scary incident.

Clavicular wrote: 'Just got home, that was brutal. All of the substances are just a cope trying to feel neurotypical while being in public, but obviously that isnt a real solution.

'The worst part of tonight was my face descending from the life support mask.'

Earlier in the day Clavicular revealed that he was discharged from the hospital as he even claimed that his situation was so serious that he was given a 'life support mask'

A CPR mask - also known as a 'pocket mask' or 'face shield' - is a critical tool for safely responding to a drug overdose as according to the CPR Care Association: 'Certain overdoses can slow or stop breathing. Rescue breaths given with a mouth-to-mask device can keep oxygen flowing until medical help arrives. This can be done without the risks of direct contact.'

According to police radio chatter, a call came in at around 8:45pm ET on Tuesday night claiming a 20-year-old man was overdosing on South Miami Avenue in Miami. Clavicular is 20 and was inside the location.

TMZ was the first to report that Clavicular possibly suffered an overdose and was hospitalized.

During the stream on Kick, Clavicular and two other individuals sat down at a booth in a club. One of his friends asked him, 'How f***ed up are you?'

Clavicular responded by laughing and saying a few unintelligible phrases. A glass of water was placed in front of him before he appeared to slump over.

His friend, another 'looksmaxxer' named Androgenic, asked him if he wanted an Addy - meaning the stimulant Adderall - three times before Clavicular appeared to slump over on the table in front of him. Shortly after that, the livestream cut out.

Videos circulated on social media appear to show a limp Clavicular being carried out to an ambulance by two men. Early Wednesday morning, reporter Taylor Lorenz was told that he was in stable condition but still in and out of consciousness after having a seizure.

Clavicular is known online for his 'looksmaxxing' content, urging young men to upgrade their looks through extreme and controversial methods such as facial 'bone smashing' and steroid use

There have been rumors that Clavicular uses methamphetamine to suppress his appetite and achieve his desired body proportions.

Clavicular is known online for his 'looksmaxxing' content, urging young men to upgrade their looks through extreme and controversial methods such as facial 'bone smashing', which he claims makes the bones heal stronger after they're broken.

He also advocates for steroid use, admitting that he has taken testosterone since he was 14.

He believes being attractive is crucial to a man's success, especially in getting attention from women.

This philosophy from the looksmaxxing community overlaps with beliefs espoused by incels, or involuntary celibates. These are men who have strong animosity toward women because they can't find someone who wants to have sex with them.

In a recent interview on 60 Minutes Australia, Clavicular was asked about what incels had in common with his looksmaxxers and got defensive.

'I'm not linked to that group in any way,' Peters said of incels. 'Looksmaxxing is self-improvement, right? So it's about potentially ascending out of that category and so that would be one of the goals is to disassociate from being an incel and overcome that.'

The interviewer then asked him about his relationship with Andrew Tate, a social media personality who is under criminal investigation in the United Kingdom and Romania for allegedly running a human trafficking operation.

Pictured: Clavicular during the contentious 60 Minutes Australia interview

Pictured: Clavicular with Andrew Tate in January. Tate is is under criminal investigation in the United Kingdom and Romania for allegedly running human trafficking operation

Clavicular was arrested on March 26 near Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on a misdemeanor assault charge

Clavicular was spotted at a nightclub in Miami with Tate and white nationalist commentator Nick Fuentes in January.

'You've obviously shared company with Andrew Tate and other, dare I say, rather controversial figures,' the interviewer said. 'Why do you spend time with people like that?'

Clavicular immediately disengaged, saying 'all right, have a nice day' before standing up and walking off.

On March 26, Clavicular was arrested in connection to a misdemeanor assault. Reporter Taylor Lorenz was the first to confirm this, saying that the arrest near Fort Lauderdale stemmed from an Osceola County Sheriffs Office warrant from March 9.

Lorenz speculated the charge may be connected to a physical altercation involving his girlfriend, known as Violet, and influencer Jenny Popach.

The altercation between Violet and Popach unfolded during a Kick livestream earlier this year that racked up hundreds of thousands of views online, with the pair seen hitting and pulling each others hair inside a house before being separated.

Clavicular was taken into custody after he was filmed unloading a gun on a dead alligator in a Florida Everglades swamp. His arrest had nothing to do with this vid
Star Trek actress Marina Sirtis has claimed she was sexually harassed by the late British film director Michael Winner, as she recalled her horrific experience working with him.

Marina, 71, best known for her role as Counselor Deanna Troi on the television series Star Trek: The Next Generation, first worked with Michael on the 1983 film The Wicked Lady.

But the star does not have fond memories of working with Michael and claims he made her lie topless on the concrete floor freezing for five hours during filming after feeling blackmailed into taking the role.

Speaking on The Show People podcast, Marina told host Andrew Keates: That man I hope hes on a spit in hell as we speak. He was a misogynist, and he was cruel.

I did The Wicked Lady for him. I was about 26. I was doing Rocky Horror in Milan and I got a call from my agent saying, Michael Winner has offered you another job: Death Wish 3. I said, Pass, Im not doing Death Wish 3. Ive seen Death Wish, and its disgusting. So, as far as I was concerned, it was done.

Then I got a call from my agent saying, Marina please do this part because hes threatening to sue us if you dont, saying that we verbally agreed that you would play the role, and although he would never win the case, he would drag us through the courts and although he will never win, itll cost us a fortune. Well do everything we can to protect you. So I was kind of blackmailed into playing the part.

Star Trek actress Marina Sirtis has claimed she was sexually harassed by the late British film director Michael Winner, as she recalled her horrific experience working with him

Marina, 71, first worked with Michael (pictured) on the 1983 film The Wicked Lady

I decided I would call Equity and see if they would protect me. I said, There is a nude scene, and Im a bit worried about it. Their attitude at first was, Oh, heres another actress. Shes said shell do it, and now shes trying to back out.

Marina recalls that when Equitsy learned the film was Death Wish 3 they agreed to be in attendance when filming nude scenes.

She added: That scene was never on the schedule. And then one morning, he said, Were filming that scene now. So I immediately called Equity. We were filming in Lambeth. They got down there really quickly, actually.

Ive gone topless on the beach. The girls can come out, I dont care. But the bottom half, I was like, No, no, no. Wardrobe and I made this nappy that we stuck on with double-sided tape. Michael was like, I need to see naked on the side. So I am lying on concrete for five hours. I was freezing.

At one point, the cinematographer came and put his coat over me, and Michael said, Get that effing coat off her, who put that effing coat on her. I was drinking endless cups of tea to keep warm. I was dying to go to the loo. As I rushed off to the loo, when I was out of earshot, Michael shouted on his megaphone, And she wasnt even good in bed.

'So I do hope hes rotting in hell as we speak, I really do.'

Marina is not the first actress to come forward about Michaels inappropriate behaviour.

In 2017, soap stars Debbie Arnold and Cindy Marshall-Day told how Michael allegedly demanded to see their naked breasts.

Debbie from EastEnders and Cindy of Crossroads say they decided to come forward after rape allegations made against Hollywood mogul Harvey Weinstein.

At the time, Debbie told This Morning's Amanda Holden and Ben Shephard that in her early 20s, she was invited to Winner's house for an audition, which was normal for the time.

Speaking on The Show People podcast, Marina told host Andrew Keates (pictured): That man I hope hes on a spit in hell as we speak. He was a misogynist, and he was cruel'

'Calm down, dear': Film director worth 45m Michael Winner, who directed more than 30 films during his career, died of liver cancer aged 77 in January 2013. His most well-known films included Death Wish (1974), The Sentinel (1977) and The Big Sleep (1978). He was also famous for the car insurance TV commercial featuring the catchphrase: 'Calm down dear!' Winner's wife Geraldine, who married him two years before his death, was the biggest beneficiary of his legacy, receiving 20million of his 45million. She was left his Holland Park mansion which was sold to pop star Robbie Williams for 17.5 million, a second London home and 5 million cash.

She was then taken to an office to meet him, before he allegedly told her: 'Right, I'd like you to go over by the window, I'd like to see you in the light. Now I'd like you to take off your top, and then take off your bra, and massage your breasts.'

She added that he asked her three times, before she was 'very rude' to him and left  as he claimed he would report her to her agent and actors' union Equity.

But Michael is said to have later insisted he had played a trick on Debbie to see how she would react, and that she had coped with it brilliantly.

Cindy added: 'It was just shocking what the man did to young actresses - and it was a modus operandi. He asked me to take my top off.'

Debbie said she was invited to Michaels home in the early 1980s after he got in touch with her mother Mary, who was her theatrical agent.

Although she was not trying out for a specific role, she hoped the meeting with the powerful film director in London would help kick-start her acting career.

She went up to the first floor of his mansion in Holland Park, where she was asked to stand by a large window so he could supposedly see her in a better light.

She told the Sunday People: 'He asked me to take off my top, then my bra, and told me to massage my breasts. I asked him to repeat the question because I thought I was hearing things.

'I started walking away from the window, and he asked me why. I told him I couldn't believe what he had said. I thought it was a joke, so I was appalled when he repeated the question. I walked right up to him and told him, f*** off, you dirty old pervert.

She said she felt too scared to go to the police as she feared it would wreck her career, but added: 'It doesn't matter that he is dead, he still needs to be exposed.'

When asked about the allegations at the time, Michaels widow, Geraldine, who married him two years before his death, said: 'I feel any story you print would be untrue.'

Michael died at his home in Holland Park in January 2013, aged 77, from liver disease.

His wife Geraldine confirmed his death and said in a statement: Michael was a wonderful man, brilliant, funny, and generous. A light has gone out in my life.
Heather Locklear and Lorenzo Lamas have been dating for the past six months.

But they have actually known each other for over 40 years as they became friends when they were both starting their Hollywood acting careers.

In the 1980s she was on the hit series Dynasty with Joan Collins and he was a big star thanks to the primetime soap opera Falcon Crest that featured Jane Wyman.

Now The Daily Mail has dug up a racy magazine cover the actors posed for in skimpy swimsuits.

Locklear, 64, beamed in a red bikini while Lamas, 68, sported a black Speedo as they graced the cover of a 1983 issue of Playgirl magazine, which aimed to be Playboy magazine for women.

Lamas celebrated the cover in a recent X post where he wrote, 'I cannot believe that this was 43 years ago! Side note, speedos on request only #HeatherLocklear #Playgirl #80s.'

Heather Locklear and Lorenzo Lamas have been dating for the past six months. But they have actually known each other for over 40 years as they became friends in the 1980s

The cover headline read: Lorenzo Lamas & Heather Locklear In Very Bare Swimwear, and inside, the actors cuddled together as if they were dating.

Earlier this week his rep shared with E! News that he has been romancing the Melrose Place actress for the past several months.

They were first seen together in November at a dinner party at The World's Largest Disco event in Buffalo, New York.

Then on New Year's Eve they were spotted on a date at Barry's Steakhouse in the Circa Resort & Casino in Las Vegas.

Then on January 17, they both attended The Brave & Rescued Awards at The LA City Fire Museum where they walked arm in arm.

The stars on the cover of Playgirl in 1983

TMZ reported that last weekend Locklear met Lamas' children and grandchildren as they gathered at her Thousand Oaks, California mansion before enjoying lunch and going to the movies.

Locklear was previously married to Pamela Anderson's ex Tommy Lee, 63, from 1986 to 1993, and Bon Jovi vet Richie Sambora, 66, from 1994 to 2007.

She shares 28-year-old daughter Ava with Sambora.

She also had an on-again, off-again romance with ex-fiance Chris Heisser for five years, until their split in 2025.

Meanwhile Lamas has been married six times and has six children.

His new romance with Locklear comes just one year after he filed for divorce from Kenna Nicole - his sixth wife - in 2025.

He previously filed for divorce from his fifth wife, Shawna Craig, in June of 2018.

They were first seen together in November at a dinner party at The World's Largest Disco event in Buffalo, New York, left. Then on New Year's Eve they were spotted on a date at Barry's Steakhouse in the Circa Resort & Casino in Las Vegas, right

Then on January 17, they both attended The Brave & Rescued Awards at The LA City Fire Museum where they walked arm in arm

Prior to that, Lamas was married to Falcon Crest co-star Victoria Hilbert from 1981-1982; the late Michele Cathy Smith from 1983-1985; actress Kathleen Kinmont from 1989-1993 and one-time Playboy model Shauna Sand from 1996 until 2002.

He shares son A.J., 42, and daughter Shayne, 40, with the late Smith.

He also has daughters Victoria, 26, Isabella, 25, and Alexandra, 28, with Sand, and daughter Paton, 37, with actress Daphne Ashbrook.

Lamas is best known for playing Lance Cumson on 228 episodes of the CBS soap Falcon Crest from 19811990. He also played Reno Raines on the hit TV series Renegade from 1992 until 1997, and had a small role in the hit movie Grease.

He has steadily worked on films over the past two years, racking up credits with parts in Love in the Clouds, Checkmate, Stepmom from Hell, Prepare to Die and Team of Two.

Locklear famously shot to global superstardom on the hit series Melrose Place, where she starred from 1993 until 1999. She played scheming Amanda Woodward on Melrose Place until the show ended in 1999.

The blonde also popped back on the new version of the show from 2009 until 2010.
Kelsey Grammer looked every inch the proud father as he was spotted for the first time with his baby son during a Beverly Hills outing on Thursday.

The Frasier star, 71, and his fourth wife Kayte Walsh, 47, couldn't hide their smiles as they treated their newborn son Christopher - welcomed in October and Grammers eighth child - to a lunch date in the upscale Los Angeles neighborhood.

Dressed casually in a cardigan, T-shirt and sneakers, the Emmy-winning actor appeared in good spirits despite wearing a brace on his left hand.

Walsh, a former flight attendant, cut a relaxed figure in a flowing floral maxi dress, her hair swept into a loose bun for the low-key outing.

She was seen tenderly cradling the couples baby boy, who looked content and cheerful as he was dressed in an adorable outfit.

The couple, who have been married for 15 years, also share three children together - daughter Faith, 14, and sons Kelsey Gabriel, 12, and Auden James, 9.

Kelsey Grammer looked every inch the proud father as he was spotted for the first time with his baby son during a Beverly Hills outing on Thursday

The Frasier star, 71, and his fourth wife Kayte Walsh, 47, couldn't hide their smiles as they treated their newborn son Christopher - welcomed in October and Grammers eighth child - to a lunch date in the upscale Los Angeles neighborhood

When the couple announced their pregnancy in June 2025, a source told the Daily Mail that the news had reignited the spark between them.

Kelsey is thrilled to finally have time to fully enjoy being a father all over again, the insider said.

Hes been incredibly supportive of Kayte throughout this pregnancy, which, though unexpected, has reignited a spark in their marriage that they both needed.

This will be their fourth child together, and with Kelseys other children from his past marriages, their new bundle of joy will have so much love.

After giving Frasier one last go, he has hung his hat up on that character and is ready for the next phase of his life, they added, referencing the Frasier revival, which was cancelled after two seasons.

'He is looking forward to embracing the hands-on parenting he missed in the past.

The actor also shares daughter Spencer Grammer, 42, with ex-wife Doreen Alderman, and daughter Greer Grammer, 34, with ex-girlfriend Barrie Buckner.

He also has two children with ex-wife Camille Grammer - daughter Mason Olivia Grammer, 24, and son Jude Gordon Grammer, 21.

The couple, who have been married for 15 years, also share three children together - daughter Faith, 14, and sons Kelsey Gabriel, 12, and Auden James, 9; (Walsh and Grammar pictured in 2024)

'Honestly, the beauty of being an older dad is you get a chance to kinda try it again. That's been a real gift,' Grammar told The Guardian in 2018.

Walsh, a former flight attendant, first crossed paths with Grammer in 2009 when he was a passenger on one of her London-bound flights.

Their romance began while the actor was still legally married to The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills alum Camille Grammer.

We actually met in the air on a plane to England, he told Jimmy Kimmel in 2012 of how their relationship started.

It was very romantic, she was working on the plane.

'We went out for coffee several days later and had this magical night in the snow in London around Christmas time.'

The pair announced their engagement in December 2010 and married just two months later in a romantic ceremony at The Plaza Hotel in New York City on February 25, 2011.

Grammers divorce from Camille was finalized only days before, on February 10.

After giving Frasier one last go, he has hung his hat up on that character and is ready for the next phase of his life, a source told the Daily Mail, referencing the Frasier revival, which was cancelled after two seasons

Reflecting on his fourth marriage at the time, the actor told People, [Its] like its never happened before, later describing Walsh as fantastic.

Grammer first introduced Frasier Crane on NBCs Cheers, where the character was meant for a short six-episode arc before becoming a series regular and fan favorite.

He later reprised the role in the spin-off Frasier, which followed the psychiatrist back to Seattle as he hosted a radio advice show.

The series also starred David Hyde Pierce as Niles, John Mahoney as Martin, Peri Gilpin as Roz, and Jane Leeves as Daphne.

It ran for 11 seasons from 1993 to 2004, becoming one of the most successful sitcom spin-offs in television history.
Aubrey Plaza showed off her growing baby bump as she stepped out in New York City on Thursday.

The 41-year-old actress wore a bright blue, sleeveless minidress while heading to Hudson Square ahead of her appearance on The View.

She looked effortlessly chic as she walked down the street in the garb paired with white, leather loafers and a matching shoulder bag.

Plaza later changed her shoe of choice into a pair of black sandals while inside of the building.

The Parks and Recreation alum was also seen posing with a mascot dressed as the titular character in her upcoming adult animated comedy series titled Kevin.

Her outing comes shortly after she announced she is expecting her first child with Christopher Abbott.

Aubrey Plaza flaunted her baby bump as she stepped out in New York City on Thursday

The 41-year-old actress wore a bright blue, sleeveless minidress that highlighted her baby bump

Her appearance at The View was amid her promo tour for her latest project: Kevin.

In the Amazon Prime Video series, Plaza is a co-creator as well as a voice actor alongside Whoopi Goldberg, a co-host of The View.

The eight-episode series, which Plaza co-wrote with showrunner Joe Wengert and Dan Murphy, will premiere on the streaming service on April 20.

While on the show, Goldberg, 70, joked that she predicted Plaza's pregnancy during the actress's appearance on the show back in October.

Goldberg said when she was being 'silly and having fun' when she joked about Plaza's pregnancy back then.

At the time, Plaza referred to her upcoming animated series as she jokingly announced on the talk show: 'Whoopi and I have a little secret. We're pregnant! I'm carrying Whoopi's baby, but it's a cat.'

Referring to her show Kevin again, Plaza showed off her baby bump in present day and said: 'Thank you. The cat is doing great.'

She previously shared her pregnancy news during an appearance on an upcoming episode of Smartless podcast.

On the show, she said that her baby is 'doing great' while she and Whoopi Goldberg joked about previously predicting her pregnancy in her latest appearance on The View

When the audience applauded in reaction to her happy news, Plaza gushed: 'Thank you. The cat is doing great'

They played a clip of Plaza on The View back in October, in which she quipped: 'Whoopi and I have a little secret. We're pregnant! I'm carrying Whoopi's baby, but it's a cat'

The Parks and Recreation alum was also seen posing with a mascot dressed as the titular character in her upcoming adult animated comedy series titled Kevin

She later changed her shoe of choice into a pair of black sandals while inside of the building

She styled her hair in bouncy beach waves and rocked light makeup to showcase her natural beauty

After her appearance on The View, she was seen walking out of the building hand-in-hand with the mascot

In the Amazon Prime Video series Kevin, Plaza is a co-creator as well as a voice actor alongside Whoopi Goldberg, a co-host of The View

While talking about her past experience with contraception methods, she revealed she and her boyfriend were preparing to welcome a baby together.

'There is a baby inside of me right now,' she said on the podcast.

'Today was a big day. I went to the doctor's today and my dog also went to the doctor's. My dog's getting a scan right now. I got a scan earlier. I'm not kidding.'

She continued: 'She had to get an ultrasound on her stomach and then I got an ultrasound on my stomach and there is a baby in there.'

Injecting her signature quirky humor, she joked, 'It already has a cloak and a little hat. I think it's gonna come out.'

Asked if she was 'excited' about becoming a first-time mom, she said she 'always wanted to see what that's all about.'

'It just seems so interesting,' she added.

Last week, Plaza and Abbott were pictured together for the first time since their baby news went public.

Her outing comes shortly after she announced she is expecting her first child with Christopher Abbott; pictured in January 2020

Earlier this week, the pair were snapped while celebrating the Broadway revival of Death of a Salesman at the show's opening night afterparty at Katz's Deli in New York City

She recently shared her pregnancy news during an appearance on an upcoming episode of Smartless podcast; pictured in November 2023

The pair were snapped while celebrating the Broadway revival of Death of a Salesman at the show's opening night afterparty at Katz's Deli in New York City.

Prior to announcing their exciting baby update, they had kept their romance under wraps.

The couple first worked together in 2019 on the indie psychological drama Black Bear, followed by the Off-Broadway revival of Danny And The Deep Blue Sea, which ran from October 2023 to January 2024.

Her pregnancy announcement came over a year after her estranged husband, filmmaker Jeff Baena, died at age 47 in January 2025.

Last August, the Parks and Recreation star reflected on her grief while appearing on former co-star Amy Poehler's podcast Good Hang.

She shared: 'Right in this very, very present moment, I feel happy to be with you. Overall, I'm here and I'm functioning.

'I feel really grateful to be moving through the world. I think I'm okay, but it's like a daily struggle.'
Summer House star Ciara Miller is one of the most eligible bachelorettes in Hollywood following the shock revelation that her best friend and former hookup are now dating.

Fans have been pining for the beloved reality star to get redemption by moving on with a bigger and more powerful star than her ex and costar West Wilson.

The rumor mill was buzzing when, just a week ago, the gossip Instagram account DeuxMoi received a titillating tip that linked Miller to Alister Michael B. Jordan.

The anonymous tipster claimed that Rihanna  a wellknown, diehard Summer House fan who had shown her allegiance to Miller, 30, by reportedly unfollowing West and Amanda Batula on Instagram  had 'decided to play matchmaker for Ciara.'

'She's been DMing her and a VERY prominent Alist actor who JUST won an award and is apparently very interested,' the tip continued.

Followers immediately concluded that the tip must have been about Jordan, 39, as he had just won the Oscar for Best Actor for his dual roles in the hit film Sinners.

A source has exclusively revealed to the Daily Mail the truth behind the rumors that Rihanna set up Ciara Miller, above, with Michael B. Jordan

The rumor began after a tipster claimed to DeuxMoi that Rihanna had DMed both Miller and Jordan and was playing 'matchmaker'

Earlier this week, when Andy Cohen asked Miller's best friend and costar, Mia Calabrese, on Watch What Happens Live if there were any truth to the rumors, she played coy and said: 'I'm open to it. I hope it's true.'

The Daily Mail has exclusively learned, however, that Jordan has not had any contact with Miller and any claims that he has expressed interest in dating her are untrue.

'It's just a rumor,' a source close to the actor exclusively told us. 'He's editing his film and has no time for anything else right now.'

Jordan has been tied up with the highly anticipated The Thomas Crown Affair in which he not only stars as the leading man but has also directed.

On Wednesday evening in Las Vegas, he made his first appearance since the Oscars to give the audience at CinemaCon a first look at the 1968 crimethriller remake.

The original film centers around a billionaire who steals a painting from the Metropolitan Museum of Art who is then pursued by an insurance investigator (played by Adria Arjona in Jordan's version), and the two fall in love.

Jordan has been very open about the fact that romance has taken a back seat to his profession in recent years due to his busy schedule.

'I go back and forth between wanting partnership and then not knowing what's the best partner for me,' the Creed star explained on the Jay Shetty Podcast in 2024.

'Like bringing them into my world and what I have going on isn't easy. It's not just I love you, you love me. That should be enough right? It's not quite that simple. Finding the right person to understand all of me, but then all that comes with me, as well.'

A source exclusively denied that Jordan has been in touch with Miller, adding: 'He's editing his film and has no time for anything else right now'

Ahead of the Academy Awards, sources explained further to the Daily Mail that Jordan can find it 'difficult' to date because it's not easy to find someone aligned with his lifestyle and goals.

'He doesn't want to be single, but he is choosing to be because that is what life is bringing him right now. He's likely going to be single for a while,' a source said.

The insider noted that after things did not work out with Lori Harvey  with whom he was in a headlinemaking relationship  he figured he 'may as well put his all into his work,' which has paid off given all of the accolades he has accomplished.

It's unclear whether Miller, for her part, is ready to dive into the dating pool after Wilson and Batula's betrayal.

She has yet to directly address the scandal, but is set to speak on it soon when she and her costars come facetoface at the Summer House season 10 reunion.

Meanwhile, Batula, 34, and Wilson, 31, are still going strong as they were spotted barhopping in New York City together last weekend  despite the public backlash.

In a joint statement that confirmed their romance following weeks of secrecy and speculation, the pair said: 'It was never our intention to purposely hide anything.

'Given the complicated relationship dynamics involved and the scrutiny that comes with being on a reality show, we needed a little space to process things privately before speaking on it.'

Miller made headlines for a secret love triangle involving her exfling West Wilson, left, and former best friend Amanda Batula, center. They all star on Bravo's Summer House

They added: 'We've shown up for each other as friends over the years, through all the highs and lows, and what's developed recently was the last thing either of us expected. Our connection grew out of a genuine, longstanding friendship, which made it especially important for us to approach this with care.'

Batula is still legally married to her other Summer House costar Kyle Cooke, though the two announced their split in January, just before Batula and Wilson went public.

Cooke, 43, has shown support for his estranged wife and her mental health despite all of the drama, but shared he was preparing to 'confront' Wilson.

The Daily Mail has reached out to representatives for Miller and Jordan for comment.
Original Baywatch cast member Erika Eleniak has been seen for first time on the set of the TV reboot from Fox and Fremantle.

The new series stars Brooks Nader, Shay Mitchell and Livvy Dunne as well as original Baywatch member David Chokachi.

Eleniak is returning as Shauni McClain in a guest role, according to Deadline.

The 56-year-old actress wore a beige blouse over a green tank top and slacks as she stood on the beach in Marina Del Rey in Southern California.

All of her many arm and neck tattoos she has gotten in recent years were covered up by beige makeup.

Eleniak was one of the standouts of the original Baywatch, which she was on for three seasons from 1989 to 1992.

At around the same time she also appeared on the cover of Playboy Magazine, which her Baywatch costars Pamela Anderson and Carmen Electra also did.

Original Baywatch cast member Erika Eleniak has been seen for first time on the set of the TV reboot from Fox and Fremantle. Pictured in 1989

Eleniak is returning to play Shauni McClain in a guest role, according to Deadline. She was on three seasons of the original Baywatch from 1989 to 1992

In her upcoming storyline, Shauni  who's now a city councilwoman in seaside Santa Monica  will be helping Hobie Buchannon put on the first-annual Beach Games, which will feature the Baywatch lifeguards squaring off with members of the Coast Guard in a series of competitions.

In a strange twist, Hobie, who was the son of David Hasselhoff's character Mitch Buchannon, is returning as a regular of the new version of the show, but he has been recast, with Arrow's Stephen Amell taking the role.

The part was previously played in Baywatch's first season by Brandon Call, though Jeremy Jackson is most identified with the role after taking it over for the remainder of the series.

Amell's Hobie has been bumped up from a regular lifeguard to the captain of the Baywatch team, a role his father previously held.

But even as he deals with the everyday grind of oceanside rescues, Hobie has to contend with a new stressor: the appearance of his daughter, Charlie, with whom he doesn't have a relationship.

Charlie, played by Jessica Belkin, creates a headache for Hobie when she decides to join Baywatch as a lifeguard.

Seen with Tom McTigue, David Hasselhoff, Billy Warlock, Pamela Bach, Richard Jaeckel, Monte Markham and Jeremy Jackson

Other stars of the reboot include Noah Beck, Hassie Harrison and Thaddeus LaGrone.

Baywatch was enormously successful thanks to beauties like Eleniak

Eleniak was born in Glendale, California, to parents of Ukrainian, Estonian and German descent.

The star was a part of cinematic history in 1982 when she was cast as a girl who kisses E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial child star, Henry Thomas during a classroom scene.

Her next film role was in 1983's Imps*, which only received a belated release in 2009.

In 1987, she began appearing on television with guest roles on Silver Spoons, Still the Beaver and Boys Will Be Boys.

After a multi-year absence, she returned to film to play one of the victims in 1988's remake of The Blob, which is now considered a science fiction horror cult classic.

She was on the shows Silver Spoons, The New Leave It To Beaver and Boys Will Be Boys. On film, she appeared in the The Blob, Under Siege and The Beverly Hillbillies adaptation (pictured)

She followed it up with roles in bigger budget films, including the Steven Seagal action film Under Siege, the 1993 film adaptation of The Beverly Hillbillies, the 1995 rom-com A Pyromaniac's Love Story and the 1996 Tales From The Crypt spinoff film Bordello Of Blood.

Her subsequent films in the late '90s, 2000s and 2020s were less frequent and were small-budget independent productions.

Eleniak's most recently film was 2024's Lolipop Gang, in which she appeared as herself five years after her previous film role.

As she was starting to appear in more high-profile films, she also had a three-episode run opposite Scott Baio on Charles In Charge in 1989 before beginning her stint on Baywatch.

The 56-year-old actress wore a beige blouse over a green tank top and slacks as she stood on the beach in Marina Del Rey in Southern California

She was seen standing on a platform next to a male costar

All of her many arm and neck tattoos she has gotten in recent years have been covered up by makeup

Seen with her arm tattoos in 2024

She appeared in the show's TV movie pilot Panic At Malibu Pier as Shauni McClain before joining the main cast for the first two seasons.

Her character started up a relationship with Billy Warlock's character Eddie Kramer, and they married at the beginning of the third season and moved to Australia, ending her time on the series.

Erika's most recent project was narrating an eight-episode podcast series, The Murder Years, from last year, according to IMDb.

These days the actress has a striking look as she is covered in tattoos.

Eleniak revealed what propelled her to ink her body in a recent episode of the Still Here Hollywood podcast with Steve Kmetko.

She revealed that she started getting tattoos on her back sometime in her 'late 20s,' after her stint on Baywatch ended at the start of the third season.

'Every tattoo that I have is significant of something,' she said, citing one that had her mother's name for example.

'I love tattoos. I love that my body is a canvas to tell my stories,' she added.
ATHENS, Ohio, April 16, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The article outlines durable flooring options that help homeowners manage scratches, moisture, and daily wear from pets.

What flooring choices best support homes with pets while maintaining durability and style? A HelloNation article provides the answer with insights from Eric Lucas of Carpet One Floor and Moore in Athens, Ohio, offering guidance on practical materials designed for long-term performance.

Eric Lucas - President / CEO - Carpet One Floor and Moore Speed Speed

The HelloNation article explains that selecting pet-friendly flooring in Athens, Ohio requires a careful balance of durability, maintenance, and overall appearance. Homes with pets often experience increased wear from daily activity, making it important to choose materials that can handle scratches, moisture, and frequent cleaning without sacrificing visual appeal.

Luxury vinyl plank continues to stand out as one of the most reliable solutions for pet owners. The article describes how its layered construction delivers strong scratch-resistant flooring for pets while maintaining a consistent appearance over time. It also notes that many products fall into the category of waterproof flooring, which Athens, Ohio, homeowners often choose to help protect against spills and accidents that could otherwise cause long-term damage.

Tile flooring is another option the article identifies as effective for pet-friendly flooring in Athens, Ohio. It explains that tile naturally resists scratches and moisture, making it ideal for high-traffic areas such as entryways, kitchens, and mudrooms. The article also notes that tile flooring does not trap odors, helping households maintain a cleaner indoor environment.

Laminate flooring is discussed as a practical alternative when carefully selected. The HelloNation article explains that modern laminate flooring products often include protective coatings that improve durability and enhance scratch resistance. While laminate flooring may not offer the same level of waterproof flooring performance as luxury vinyl plank, it can still perform well in moderate conditions with proper maintenance.

Hardwood flooring is addressed as a more traditional option that requires additional care in homes with pets. The article notes that while hardwood can function as durable flooring for pets in certain situations, it is more vulnerable to scratches and moisture exposure. Some homeowners choose harder wood species or specialized finishes, but the article emphasizes that maintenance requirements are typically higher compared to other materials designed for pet use.

The article also highlights the importance of traction when selecting flooring. Surfaces that are too smooth can make it difficult for pets to move comfortably, particularly as they age. Materials such as luxury vinyl plank and certain tile flooring options often include textured finishes that provide better grip, helping reduce the risk of slips inside the home.

Maintenance is another key factor discussed in the article. Pet owners benefit from flooring materials that allow for quick and simple cleaning routines. Options like luxury vinyl plank and tile flooring typically require only regular sweeping and occasional mopping, making them practical for busy households managing daily pet activity.

Style remains an important consideration as well. The HelloNation article explains that many pet-friendly flooring options are available in designs that replicate the look of natural wood or stone. Luxury vinyl plank, in particular, offers a wide range of finishes that combine visual appeal with dependable performance. Flooring Expert insights throughout the article reinforce the importance of choosing materials that meet both functional and design needs.

The article concludes that selecting the right flooring depends on factors such as the type of pets, level of activity, and where the flooring will be installed. By focusing on scratch-resistant flooring for pets and durable flooring for pets, homeowners can create spaces that remain both functional and visually appealing over time. Flooring Expert perspectives featured in the article emphasize making informed decisions that support long-term performance.

Best Flooring for Homes With Pets in Athens, Ohio features insights from Eric Lucas, Flooring Expert of Athens, Ohio, in HelloNation.

About HelloNation

HelloNation is a premier media platform that connects readers with trusted professionals and businesses across various industries. Through its innovative "edvertising" approach that blends educational content with storytelling, HelloNation delivers expert-driven, good-news articles that inform, inspire, and empower. Covering topics from home improvement and health to business strategy and lifestyle, HelloNation highlights leaders making a meaningful impact in their communities.

SOURCE HelloNation
The 'Indiana Jones of investing' Mark Mobius has died aged 89 - leaving behind a legacy as one of the most daring and influential money managers of his generation.

According to a post on his LinkedIn page, the pioneer - best known for his early investment in emerging markets - passed away on Wednesday April 15.

At the time of his death, the legendary financier was managing director and chief investment officer of Mobius Emerging Opportunities Fund.

John Ninia, Partner at Mobius Investments, and Eric Nguyen, Partner at Mobius Investments, will assume leadership responsibilities going forward. 'The firm will continue to operate without changes to its investment approach or day-to-day operations,' the LinkedIn post said.

Mobius, who spent decades scouring the globe for overlooked opportunities, earned his swashbuckling nickname for venturing into some of the world's riskiest and most unpredictable markets - from post-Soviet economies to fast-growing Asian powerhouses - long before Wall Street caught on.

His career was most closely tied to Franklin Templeton Investments, where he built and ran a string of hugely successful emerging markets funds, helping to turn what was once seen as a fringe corner of finance into a must-have for global investors.

During a period when many steered clear of developing economies, Mobius leaned in - boarding planes to countries others wouldn't touch, meeting executives face-to-face, and placing bold bets on places like China, India and Brazil well before they became investment darlings.

It was this appetite for risk - and a willingness to go against the crowd - that underpinned the simple but ruthless mantra he credited for much of his success: be greedy when others are fearful.

Mark Mobius has died aged 89 - leaving behind a legacy as one of the most daring and influential money managers of his generation

Mobius was known as the 'Indiana Jones of investing' - he earned his swashbuckling nickname for venturing into some of the world's riskiest and most unpredictable markets

His career was most closely tied to Franklin Templeton Investments, where he built and ran a string of hugely successful emerging markets funds

He was also known for an even starker piece of advice that captured his contrarian style: investors should be willing to step in 'when there's blood in the streets' - buying into markets at their darkest moments, when fear kept everyone else on the sidelines.

The philosophy meant snapping up assets during times of crisis - when prices were low and sentiment was bleak - and holding firm while others panicked.

Its a strategy that helped him deliver eye-catching returns over decades, and cemented his reputation as a pioneer in the field.

After more than 30 years at Franklin Templeton, Mobius stepped down in 2018 but showed little sign of slowing. He went on to co-found Mobius Capital Partners, continuing to hunt for opportunities in frontier and emerging markets well into his later years.

Known for his distinctive bald head, boundless energy and love of travel, Mobius became a larger-than-life figure in global finance - as comfortable navigating volatile political environments as he was speaking to investors in major financial capitals.

Though markets and technologies have transformed dramatically over the course of his career, Mobius's core message remained unchanged: fortune favors those willing to go where others won't - and to act when fear is at its peak.
Sydney Sweeney has done it again - and Wall Street is loving every second of it.

The blonde bombshell sent shares of American Eagle soaring Wednesday after dropping a sizzling new ad campaign that's already turning heads - and ringing tills.

The teen retailer's stock jumped a punchy 9 percent, closing above $19, as it unveiled its latest denim push fronted by the Euphoria star.

The cheeky campaign, dubbed 'Syd for Short,' sees Sweeney flaunting an array of skimpy cutoffs in a sun-drenched, beachside blitz.

In the 15-second clip, the actress teases viewers with a coy question: 'What brand am I wearing?' before flashing a knowing smile - 'Yeah, that one.'

It's a formula that's worked wonders before.

The retail giant first teamed up with Sweeney last July for its headline-grabbing 'Great Jeans' campaign - a viral smash that helped send shares more than doubling by the holiday season.

The company even boasted the partnership hauled in a staggering one million new customers.

The blonde bombshell sent shares of American Eagle soaring Wednesday after dropping a sizzling new ad campaign that's already turning heads - and ringing tills

The retail giant first teamed up with Sweeney last July for its headline-grabbing 'Great Jeans' campaign - a viral smash that helped send shares more than doubling by the holiday season

But the ride hasn't been all smooth sailing.

Heading into this week's reveal, American Eagle stock had slumped 27 percent since the start of the year, making this latest rally a much-needed shot in the arm.

And not all the attention has been flattering.

Last year's campaign sparked fierce backlash in some quarters, with critics bizarrely branding it 'Nazi propaganda' over a controversial line about genetics delivered by Sweeney in a promo video.

Even Donald Trump waded into the row, quipping: 'If Sydney Sweeney is a registered Republican, I think her ad is fantastic.'

Despite the noise, the numbers spoke volumes.

American Eagle revealed the Sweeney collab sold out within a week - with some pieces vanishing in just 24 hours - while racking up more than 150 million social media views and breathing new life into the once-stale high street staple.
DAVENPORT, Iowa, April 16, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Iowa American Water, a subsidiary of American Water, the largest regulated water and wastewater utility in the U.S., proudly highlights American Water's 140 year milestone of providing safe, clean, reliable, and affordable water and wastewater services to the communities it serves. Founded in 1886, American Water now serves more than 14 million people across 14 regulated states and 18 military installations, including approximately 225,000 people in Iowa.

"Iowa American Water remains committed to investing in the systems and communities who rely on us every day," said Brad Nielsen, President of Iowa American Water. "As our parent company celebrates 140 years of providing safe, reliable water and wastewater service in 2026, we are proud to continue that legacy locally. In Iowa, we plan to invest more than $52 million in infrastructure upgrades in 2026, to further enhance reliability and affordability for our customers."

Additionally, Iowa American Water will recognize the following milestones in 2026, including:

Our Project Help to Others customer assistance program will mark more than 30 years of service, with enhancements designed to better support qualifying customers. The program has been administered since its inception in 1993 by Community Action of Eastern Iowa.

will mark more than 30 years of service, with enhancements designed to better support qualifying customers. The program has been administered since its inception in 1993 by Community Action of Eastern Iowa. The 15 th anniversary of the American Water Charitable Foundation , commemorating more than $25 million in funding through grants and matching gifts to communities served by American Water. In 2025, the American Water Charitable Foundation contributed over $197,000 to 59 organizations in Iowa.

, commemorating more than $25 million in funding through grants and matching gifts to communities served by American Water. In 2025, the American Water Charitable Foundation contributed over $197,000 to 59 organizations in Iowa. The 45th anniversary of American Water's Research & Development Program, advancing science and innovation to support the longterm safety and reliability of drinking water systems.

Learn more about American Water's history here.

About American Water

American Water (NYSE: AWK) is the largest regulated water and wastewater utility company in the United States. With a history dating back to 1886 and celebrating 140 years in 2026, We Keep Life Flowing by providing safe, clean, reliable and affordable drinking water and wastewater services to approximately 14 million people with regulated operations in 14 states and on 18 military installations. American Water's approximately 7,000 talented professionals leverage their significant expertise and the company's national size and scale to achieve excellent outcomes for the benefit of customers, employees, investors and other stakeholders. For more information, visit amwater.com and join American Water on LinkedIn, Facebook , X and Instagram.

About Iowa American Water

Iowa American Water, a subsidiary of American Water (NYSE: AWK), is the largest regulated water utility in the state with approximately 85 dedicated employees working to provide safe, clean, reliable and affordable water and wastewater services to approximately 225,000 people.

For more information, visit iowaamwater.com and follow Iowa American Water on Facebook, X and LinkedIn.

SOURCE American Water
HOUSTON, April 16, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- From classrooms and libraries, to animal shelters and supporting members of the U.S. military, JERA Americas employees fanned out across Houston on Wednesday for the company's annual spring volunteer event, Powered by Purpose. The company partnered with six local nonprofit organizations to deliver hands-on service projects across the region.

The companywide volunteer day engaged employees in a wide range of activities, including assembling therapeutic play kits and care packages, sorting professional clothing donations, supporting animal rescues and preparing educational materials. Volunteer opportunities were designed by each nonprofit partner and offered flexible schedules and locations, allowing employees to serve where their efforts were needed most.

"By partnering with local nonprofit organizations, we're able to make a meaningful impact in our communities while bringing our teams together around a shared purpose," said Cindy Garcia, chief human resources officer at JERA Americas. "These experiences strengthen our culture and reinforce the values that guide how we work and serve."

Nonprofit partners for the 2026 Powered by Purpose Spring volunteer event included:

Children's Museum Houston, where employees assisted floor staff, assembled materials and helped prepare conference spaces.

Dress for Success Houston, supporting women's economic independence by sorting and organizing professional clothing donations.

Houston Public Library, where volunteers boxed and sorted materials and prepared incentives and books for the Summer Reading Program.

Houston Humane Society, assisting with dog walking, cat interaction and pet pantry support.

Project Sunshine, assembling therapeutic activity kits for children with medical needs.

United Services Organizations (USO), creating care packages with snacks, toiletries and essential items for U.S. military service members. Employees also participated in an officewide snack donation drive in support of the organization.

Powered by Purpose reflects JERA Americas' ongoing commitment to corporate responsibility and community engagement, providing employees with opportunities to give back while strengthening connections across the company.

In addition to organized volunteer events, JERA Americas provides employees with two days of paid time off each year to volunteer with organizations of their choice. The company also plans to host a Powered by Purpose volunteer event later this fall.

Through initiatives like Powered by Purpose, JERA Americas continues to invest in its communities while fostering collaboration and connection across the organization.

ABOUT JERA AMERICAS

JERA Americas is a large-scale power generation company providing sustainable, affordable and stable energy across the United States. The company is a leader in lower-carbon fuels projects, including LNG, clean hydrogen and ammonia for U.S. and global markets. Headquartered in Houston, JERA Americas is the U.S. subsidiary of Tokyo-based JERA (Japan's Energy for a New Era), which produces about 30% of Japan's electricity. JERA is one of the world's largest energy providers and LNG buyers.

Media Contact:

Jennifer Mathlouthi

Director of Communications

[email protected]

SOURCE JERA Americas, Inc
BOSTON, April 16, 2026 /PRNewswire/ - The John Hancock Closed-End Funds listed in the table below announced earnings1 for the three months ended March 31, 2026. The same data for the comparable three-month period ended March 31, 2025 is also available below.

Three Months Ended 03/31/26 Ticker Fund Name Current Fiscal Year End

Net Investment Income Per Common Share NAV Total Managed Assets

Total Net Assets HEQ Hedged Equity & Income Fund 12/31 $1,834,357 $0.153 $12.03 $160,881,023

$143,931,023 BTO Financial Opportunities Fund 12/31 $2,660,734 $0.134 $35.61 $835,767,831 * $705,767,831

















Three Months Ended 03/31/25 Ticker Fund Name Current Fiscal Year End Net Investment Income Per Common Share NAV Total Managed Assets

Total Net Assets HEQ Hedged Equity & Income Fund 12/31 $1,623,007 $0.134 $11.71 $141,635,946

$141,635,946 BTO Financial Opportunities Fund 12/31 $2,216,652 $0.112 $32.48 $771,929,173 * $641,929,173

















*Total managed assets include assets attributable to borrowings under a Liquidity Agreement.



1 Earnings refer to net investment income, which is comprised of the Fund's interest and dividend income, less expenses. Earnings presented represent past earnings and there is no guarantee of future results.

Amounts distributed by the Funds may vary from the earnings shown above and will be announced in separate press releases. Up-to-date distribution rate information is available on John Hancock Investment Management's web site at www.jhinvestments.com by clicking on "Closed-End Funds" under the "Daily Prices" tab.

Statements in this press release that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements as defined by the United States securities laws. You should exercise caution in interpreting and relying on forward-looking statements because they are subject to uncertainties and other factors which are, in some cases, beyond the Fund's control and could cause actual results to differ materially from those set forth in the forward-looking statements.

An investor should consider a Fund's investment objectives, risks, charges, and expenses carefully before investing.

About Manulife John Hancock Investments

We serve investors through a unique multimanager approach, complementing our extensive in-house capabilities with an unrivaled network of specialized asset managers, backed by some of the most rigorous investment oversight in the industry. The result is a diverse lineup of time-tested investments from a premier asset manager with a heritage of financial stewardship.

About Manulife Investment Management

Manulife Investment Management is the global brand for the global wealth and asset management segment of Manulife Financial Corporation. We draw on more than a century of financial stewardship and the full resources of our parent company to serve individuals, institutions, and retirement plan members worldwide. Headquartered in Toronto, our leading capabilities in public and private markets are strengthened by an investment footprint that spans 18 geographies. We complement these capabilities by providing access to a network of unaffiliated asset managers from around the world. We're committed to investing responsibly across our businesses. We develop innovative global frameworks for sustainable investing, collaboratively engage with companies in our securities portfolios, and maintain a high standard of stewardship where we own and operate assets, and we believe in supporting financial well-being through our workplace retirement plans. Today, plan sponsors around the world rely on our retirement plan administration and investment expertise to help their employees plan for, save for, and live a better retirement. Not all offerings are available in all jurisdictions. For additional information, please visit manulife.com.

Media Contact: Gordon Haight

(617) 572-0034

Investor Contact: (800) 843-0090

SOURCE John Hancock Investment Management
Beloved Texas craft brewery invites Houston to raise a glass with celebrations including Anniversary Bash on May 9

HOUSTON, April 16, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Karbach Brewing Co., Texas' second-largest craft brewery, is tapping into its past and toasting its future in May with a 15th-anniversary celebration featuring 15 consecutive days of events, anchored by a community-driven time capsule that gives fans the chance to win a free surprise from Karbach.

Throughout the month of May, guests can contribute to Karbach's time capsule, a repurposed beer barrel, by dropping in notes, photos or small mementos that highlight a favorite Karbach memory or offer a snapshot from a night at the brewery. Patrons who bring a Karbach keepsake to any Anniversary event will be rewarded with a surprise for their submission to the time capsule. The time capsule will be reopened in 2041, on the brewery's 30th anniversary.

Festivities at the brewery build each day with a mix of fan-favorite traditions and elevated experiences, starting May 1. The celebration peaks on Saturday, May 9, when Karbach hosts its 15th Anniversary Bash, a free, all-day event open to the public. Karbach invites the community to celebrate this milestone in classic Texas fashion with live music from Texan artists, a crawfish boil, a local vendor market, specialty new beer releases and giveaways.

Karbach will host 15 daily events throughout May, including:

May 1: Astros Watch Party with the Shooting Stars and a special Astros guest

May 2: Karbach Brewing hosts its beloved Wiener Dog Derby

May 3: Karbach's sixth-annual Hot Sauce Festival

May 7: Ticketed Brewmaster's Table Dinner, featuring Chef Aaron Bludorn, with a portion of proceeds benefiting Feeding Texas

May 8: Retro Tap Takeover brings a variety of favorite Karbach brews from years past back to the Karbach campus

The anniversary fun culminates on May 15, when Karbach will throw out the first pitch at the Houston Astros game, commemorating the brewery's role as a cornerstone of the Houston community.

"Fifteen years ago, we started with a simple idea: to brew great beer and build something meaningful in Houston," said Chris Meyer, general manager of Karbach Brewing. "This celebration is about giving back to those in Houston and throughout the state who have supported and loved us from the beginning through our growth and evolution."

Founded in Houston in 2011 by Ken Goodman and Chuck Robertson on the same street where they ran a beer distribution business for decades. Today, Karbach Brewing Co. has grown from a local passion project into one of Texas' most recognized names in craft beer. Popular Karbach Brewing varieties include ZiegenBock, Hopadillo IPA and new Karbach Lager.

All anniversary events will take place at Karbach Brewing Co., 2032 Karbach St. in Houston. For the full event schedule, giveaway opportunities, time capsule details and to plan your visit, visit karbachbrewing.com.

ABOUT KARBACH BREWING

Founded in Houston in 2011, Karbach Brewing Co. is one of Texas' largest and most decorated craft breweries. Home to the state's No. 1 traditional IPA with Hopadillo and No. 2 Blonde with Love Street, Karbach has earned international recognition for its creativity and variety, offering bold flagships and seasonal favorites alike. Beyond the beer, Karbach's Houston campus features a lively biergarten, two restaurant concepts, and community events that embody the brewery's spirit: fearless craft, unbridled fun and a taste for bringing people together. Karbach Brewing Company, where bigger things are always brewing. To learn more, visit karbachbrewing.com or follow @ KarbachBrewing on social.

Media Contact:

Danielle Bramley, SPM Communications

[email protected]

214-379-7000

SOURCE Karbach Brewing Co.
CHICAGO, April 16, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Katten announced today that Laura Keidan Martin was selected for the Crain's Chicago Business list of Notable Leaders in Health Care for 2026.

The Notable Leaders in Health Care list highlights a wide range of prominent health care executives and professionals who are influencing care delivery and policy for patients, communities and institutions across the Chicago area.

Katten Partner Laura Keidan Martin Named Notable Leader in Health Care

"This distinction highlights Laura's long-term dedication and leadership in Chicago health care and beyond," said Kenya S. Woodruff, national chair of Katten's Health Care practice. "Laura is a trusted strategic advisor, an effective negotiator, and an authority in transactional, regulatory and antitrust matters. We congratulate her on this well-deserved honor."

Counseling health care providers on their most complex transactions, physician arrangements, antitrust matters and compliance challenges, Martin is a top advisor to hospitals and health systems, ancillary and post-acute care providers, physician groups and life sciences companies. She assists clients on strategic transactions and value-based arrangements while navigating high-stakes compliance matters and proactively reducing regulatory risk through preventive measures and sound guidance.

For example, Martin represented AdventHealth's acquisition of Redmond Medical Center in Georgia, a highly complex transaction that involved prolonged coordination with the Federal Trade Commission. She was also proud to counsel Shirley Ryan Ability Lab (SRAlab) in a multifaceted affiliation with Henry Ford Health System to develop a cutting-edge rehabilitation hospital in Detroit, a transformative development for the region.

Martin has held numerous leadership positions within Katten, including serving on the firm's Executive Committee and Board of Directors and as chair of its Health Care practice and Women's Leadership Forum. She is involved in several organizations outside the firm, including the American Health Law Association, and served as past president of the Illinois Association of Healthcare Attorneys. Her civic leadership includes roles with the Children's Research Fund, Museum of Contemporary Art, Navy Pier Executive Committee and the WOW Advisory Board of Youth Guidance.

Katten is a full-service law firm with nearly 650 attorneys in locations across the United States and in London and Shanghai. Clients seeking sophisticated, high-value legal services turn to Katten for counsel locally, nationally and internationally. The firm's core areas of practice include corporate, financial markets and funds, insolvency and restructuring, intellectual property, litigation, real estate, structured finance and securitization, transactional tax planning, private credit and private wealth. Katten represents public and private companies in numerous industries, as well as a number of government and nonprofit organizations and individuals. For more information, visit katten.com.

SOURCE Katten Muchin Rosenman LLP
Adrienne Gernand Steps into the Newly Created Role Leading Global Strategy and Category Expansion, Underscoring the Brand's Commitment to Building the House of Kendra Scott

AUSTIN, Texas, April 16, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Kendra Scott, LLC ("Kendra Scott") , today announced the appointment of Adrienne Gernand as Chief Business Officer, effective on April 27. Gernand combines agility and enterprise-scale execution, with an expertise in driving transformative growth across global markets. In the newly created role, Gernand will play a pivotal part in strengthening the organization's strategic category expansion, enabling scalability and advancing the brand's vision of building the House of Kendra Scott.

Kendra Scott Appoints First Chief Business Officer

"Adrienne has a proven track record for identifying high potential growth opportunities. Her appointment lays the foundation for advancing the brand onto the global stage and into new product categories," said Chief Executive Officer Chris Blakeslee. "Her ability to navigate complex retail environments, spanning emerging companies to large, established organizations, makes her uniquely qualified to accelerate our expansion strategy."

Gernand is a global leader known for turning opportunity into scalable evolution. She has led retail, wholesale, licensing and real estate initiatives across both emerging and established brands from Gap Inc. including Old Navy, Gap, Banana Republic, and Athleta to The Children's Place, consistently aligning high impact partnerships with shifting consumer behavior. At Gap Inc., she oversaw the company's international portfolio across 40+ countries, while leading growth through wholesale expansion and licensing. Her expertise spans launching new market entry models, structuring complex strategic partnerships, and optimizing real estate portfolios to unlock long term brand value and operational scale. She has a proven track record of driving transformation across multi-market ecosystems, delivering sustainable growth and enduring brand equity.

"I am thrilled to join Kendra Scott at such an exciting time," said Chief Business Officer Adrienne Gernand. "I look forward to building on the company's strong customer-first foundation and shaping a future-ready strategic partnership portfolio that supports Kendra and Chris' vision for globalization."

Following Mike McMullen's appointment as Chief Financial Officer, the brand's new hires will help drive its next chapter with the intention of becoming the most joyful and beloved expression of attainable luxury. Kendra Scott continues to build its success on authenticity, strengthening its position as a leading contemporary lifestyle brand while expanding into new categories including eyewear and footwear. Early momentum across the portfolio includes the strong debut of Yellow Rose by Kendra Scott to the continued growth of the core Kendra Scott business. From Yellow Rose by Kendra Scott's expansive lifestyle offering to its debut into hospitality, the brand's evolution underscores strong consumer demand for more immersive, experience-led lifestyle engagement. The company remains focused on driving industry innovation.

"We are investing in world-class leadership and strengthening our global retail capabilities as we evolve into an attainable luxury house." said Chief Executive Officer Chris Blakeslee.

About Kendra Scott

Kendra Scott, LLC was founded in 2002 by Kendra Scott, who serves as Founder, Executive Chairwoman and Chief Visionary Officer of her namesake lifestyle brand. Renowned for design innovation, distinctive color palettes, and iconic shapes. The brand is the destination for joyful expression of attainable luxury. Kendra Scott offers Fashion, Demi-Fine and Fine Jewelry, watches, engagement rings, eyewear, fragrance, home accessories, a men's collection, and a western-inspired line, Yellow Rose by Kendra Scott. The company remains true to its founding philosophy of "Family, Fashion, and Philanthropy," and has donated over $70M in monetary and in-kind donations since 2010. Kendra Scott's customer-centric omni-channel approach includes a network of 165+ namesake experiential stores and pop-up locations, wholesale partners, including Nordstrom, Dillard's, and 1,000+ specialty boutiques. With over 3,200 employees, the Austin-based company was honored as one of Newsweek's Top 100 Most Loved Workplaces in 2022, 2023 and 2024. Learn more at KendraScott.com.

For media enquiries, please contact:

Kelle Knight

[email protected]

SOURCE Kendra Scott
New development platform brings together leadership training across entire enterprise, offering growth opportunities for associates

CINCINNATI, April 16, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The Kroger Co. (NYSE: KR) today announced the launch of Pearl Street Academy, a comprehensive career development and training platform designed to provide high-quality learning opportunities to associates across the Kroger Family of Companies.

"Pearl Street Academy represents our commitment to investing in the growth and development of our people," said Tim Massa, Kroger's executive vice president and chief experience officer. "By creating a single, connected home for development opportunities, we're ensuring that associates across our stores, supply chain and more, have access to the tools and experiences they need to advance and thrive in their careers."

Pearl Street Academy centralizes leadership development, training courses and professional growth experiences, making it easier for associates to access consistent, intentional development aligned with the company's leadership goals. Pearl Street Academy will enable associates to:

Enhance their skills and capabilities in their current role and prepare to take their career to the next level

Explore new skills and opportunities for growth across the business

Drive impact and results to reach business and career goals

The academy is named in honor of Barney Kroger, who opened his first store on Pearl Street in Cincinnati with a passion for fresh products, innovation and care for communities and customers. Pearl Street Academy embraces Kroger's legacy by inspiring the next generation of talent across the company to discover their potential, take steps toward growth and confidently lead with purpose.

Associates can also benefit from Kroger's tuition reimbursement program, offering up to $21,000 for both part-time and full-time associates, covers GED courses to Ph.D. programs. Since its inception, this program has contributed more than $64 million to empower associates at the Kroger Family of Companies further their education with 89% of the recipients being hourly associates.

Kroger is Hiring for Roles that Enhance the Customer Experience

Those seeking a fresh opportunity are invited to apply using the mobile-friendly candidate experience, which makes it easier than ever to find the perfect role, seamlessly apply using profile import capabilities from LinkedIn or Indeed and join our team  quickly. Associates have immediate access to Pearl Street Academy's comprehensive development programs to support their success at Kroger.

Visit krogerfamilycareers.com to learn more about pursuing a career at Kroger.

The Kroger Co. has been honored by Handshake for excellence in early career hiring, earned recognition as One of America's Most Trustworthy Companies by Newsweek and ranked among Computerworld's Top 100 best places to work in IT for eight years.

About Kroger

At The Kroger Co. (NYSE: KR), we are dedicated to our Purpose: To Feed the Human Spirit. We are, across our family of companies more than 400,000 associates who serve over 11 million customers daily through an e-Commerce experience and retail food stores under a variety of banner names, serving America through food inspiration and uplift, and creating #ZeroHungerZeroWaste communities. To learn more about us, visit our newsroom and investor relations site.

SOURCE The Kroger Co.
Thelatest World Economic Forum report argues that the emerging global economy will be defined by the rapid uptake of artificial intelligence, intensifying geopolitical competition, rising levels of public and private debt, and increasing environmental and demographic pressures.

Learn more about the Future of Growth Initiative.

At present, high energy costs and political instability are holding back faster growth, although sectors such as IT services, advanced manufacturing, healthcare and leisure are expected to drive output in the years ahead.

Issued in Geneva on 15 April 2026, the report suggests that the strategies which underpinned global economic expansion over the past thirty years are no longer sufficient. It calls instead for a refreshed framework capable of addressing a rapidly changing landscape shaped by technological disruption, inequality, and mounting global pressures.

The findings draw on two years of consultation with nearly 200 business leaders, policymakers and specialists, as well as a survey of more than 11,000 executives worldwide.

Focusing on four central areas of economic policy, Growth in the New Economy: Towards a Blueprint outlines both reliable strategic directions and unresolved tensions that will influence decision-making over the coming decade.

In the area of technology, productivity, and human capital, the report emphasises that sustainable growth will depend on improving productivity and developing skills, as knowledge and innovation become the main drivers of value. Governments and businesses must decide how best to convert innovation into growth while ensuring that its benefits are broadly shared, weighing coordinated approaches against more competitive models, and considering whether to prioritise redistribution or increased mobility to promote inclusion.

With regard to global cooperation and domestic capacity, the report identifies the continued importance of exploiting comparative advantage and diversifying economic activity as dependable strategies for expanding opportunity and resilience.

At the same time, it notes the need to strike a balance between international engagement and strengthening domestic capabilities, requiring choices between greater self-reliance and deeper global integration.

In examining the business environment and the role of government, the report highlights the enduring importance of strong economic fundamentals, including credible institutions, high-quality infrastructure and macroeconomic stability, as well as effective collaboration between stakeholders. It also points out that governments may take on varying roles in economic transformation, from limited involvement to more interventionist approaches, while facing difficult decisions on managing debt through either fiscal restraint or more unconventional financial measures.

On sustainability, the report stresses that highlighting the economic and social advantages of the transition to greener systems is essential for achieving long-term prosperity and resilience. However, significant questions remain over how to manage the associated costs and trade-offs, with policymakers having to choose between investment-led pathways and approaches focused on cost control.

According to Attilio Di Battista, Head of Economic Growth and Transformation at the World Economic Forum, the current environment requires governments and businesses to make decisive choices and accept trade-offs. He notes that investment in productivity, skills and sound economic foundations remains a consistently effective strategy across countries at all income levels. At the same time, leaders must contend with complex challenges, including historically high debt levels, widening inequality, increasing geopolitical competition, an ongoing climate crisis and the most rapid technological shift seen in a generation.
SPOKANE, Wash., April 16, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Kutak Rock is pleased to announce that Susan Nelson has joined the firm's Spokane office as of counsel in the Litigation practice group effective March 25.

Susan brings extensive experience handling all phases of complex civil litigation, including discovery, mediation, arbitration, and trial. She advises and represents clients across a broad spectrum of civil matters, including employment law, business disputes, intellectual property, and wills and trusts. Her work encompasses cases involving wrongful termination, retaliation, wage and hour issues, hostile work environment claims, negligence and gross negligence, disciplinary matters, non-competes, trademark infringement, breach of contract, trade secret misappropriation, tortious interference, unfair competition, and estate and trust disputes, among others.

Susan earned her J.D. from Case Western Reserve University School of Law in Cleveland, Ohio and her B.A. in history from Whitman College in Walla Walla Washington. While in law school, Susan clerked for Judge K.J. Montgomery for two years in Cleveland.

She is admitted to practice in Washington and Oregon, the U.S. District Courts for the Eastern and Western Districts of Washington, the District of Oregon, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, and the United States Supreme Court.

About Kutak Rock

With a footprint spanning 21 offices in 15 states and the District of Columbia, Kutak Rock's 600+ attorneys work seamlessly to provide clients excellent, responsive legal service. The firm's multidisciplinary practice comprises more than 25 areas of focus and dozens of discrete specialties. For more information, see www.KutakRock.com.

SOURCE Kutak Rock LLP
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Macao SAR holds series activities on national security education

Xinhua) 10:45, April 16, 2026

Sam Hou Fai, chief executive of China's Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR), addresses the opening ceremony of a series of national security education activities in Macao, south China, April 15, 2026. (Xinhua/Cheong Kam Ka)

MACAO, April 15 (Xinhua) -- The Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) on Wednesday held the opening ceremony of a series of national security education activities.

China's National Security Education Day is observed annually on April 15.

Jointly hosted by the Macao SAR government and the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Macao SAR, this year's activities took the theme "Coordinating Development and Security: Safeguarding the New Journey of the 15th Five-Year Plan."

As introduced by the Macao SAR government, the lineup includes key events such as a national security education exhibition and a public screening of national security-themed films. The exhibition will be open to the public free of charge through May 15.

Addressing the occasion, Macao SAR Chief Executive Sam Hou Fai said that safeguarding national sovereignty, security and development interests is the highest principle of the "one country, two systems" and the solid foundation for Macao's socio-economic development. He noted that the SAR government will implement a holistic approach to national security, continuously improve Macao's legal frameworks and enforcement mechanisms to safeguard national security, strengthen security capabilities across all sectors, and modernize systems.

Zheng Xincong, director of the liaison office, expressed hope that the Macao SAR government will unite and lead all sectors of society to implement a holistic approach to national security, actively fulfill the constitutional responsibility of safeguarding national sovereignty, security and development interests, and steadily advance the modernization of the national security system and capacity, working together to build a higher level of a safe and secure Macao.

This photo taken on April 15, 2026 shows a lighting ceremony for China's National Security Education Day in Macao, south China. (Xinhua/Cheong Kam Ka)

Zheng Xincong, head of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR), addresses the opening ceremony of a series of national security education activities in Macao, south China, April 15, 2026. (Xinhua/Cheong Kam Ka)

This photo taken on April 15, 2026 shows a performance during the opening ceremony of a series of national security education activities in Macao, south China. (Xinhua/Cheong Kam Ka)

Robots perform during the opening ceremony of a series of national security education activities in Macao, south China, April 15, 2026. (Xinhua/Cheong Kam Ka)

People visit an exhibition on national security education in Macao, south China, April 15, 2026. (Xinhua/Cheong Kam Ka)

This photo taken on April 15, 2026 shows a drone light show as one of a series of national security education activities in Macao, south China. (Xinhua/Cheong Kam Ka)

(Web editor: Wang Xiaoping, Liang Jun)
CHICAGO, April 16, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- LaSalle Investment Management ("LaSalle"), the global real estate investment manager, today announced that it has hired Russell Ginise as Executive Managing Director, Portfolio Management, and Kyle Winning as Senior Managing Director, Portfolio Management, effective April 1. The pair will lead LaSalle's affordable housing efforts, reporting to Americas CIO Richard Kleinman.

The appointments further strengthen LaSalle's investment capabilities in affordable housing, a growing sector of the market at the intersection of sustained housing demand, evolving public policy, and long-duration capital. Mr. Ginise and Mr. Winning bring a long-standing focus on affordable and multifamily housing including the preservation of existing affordable housing, and a strong track record of investing and operating across U.S. markets.

Prior to joining LaSalle, Mr. Ginise served as President of Walker & Dunlop Affordable Preservation, leading that firm's affordable housing preservation, workforce housing, and qualified opportunity zone investment initiatives. Earlier in his career, he held senior leadership roles at public and private firms that collectively invested in, owned, or managed more than 100,000 apartment units across the U.S. and Puerto Rico. He is an active member of the Urban Land Institute and its Affordable/Workforce Housing Council. Mr. Ginise holds a Bachelor of Arts from the University of California, Los Angeles, and a Juris Doctor from Pepperdine University School of Law.

Mr. Winning previously served as Chief Investment Officer of Walker & Dunlop Affordable Preservation. Before that, he was a Partner and Managing Director of Residential Properties at Steadfast Companies, where he oversaw investment activity and portfolio management for a large multifamily platform. Over his career, Mr. Winning has been responsible for, and held ownership interests in, over 50,000 multifamily units across the U.S., roughly half of which were affordable housing. A former Chairman of the Affordable/Workforce Housing Council at ULI and ULI Foundation Governor, Mr. Winning holds a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from Knox College and an MBA from Rice University.

Richard Kleinman, Chief Investment Officer for the Americas at LaSalle Investment Management said: "We are very excited to welcome Russ and Kyle to our team in this new capacity. Their experience across affordable and multifamily housing further strengthens our Americas investment platform and reinforces our focus on generating long-term value for clients in an increasingly important market segment."

About LaSalle Investment Management | Investing Today. For Tomorrow.

LaSalle Investment Management, a subsidiary of JLL, is a globally integrated, diverse real estate investment manager. On a global basis, LaSalle manages US$86.9 billion of assets in private and public real estate equity and debt investments as of Q4 2025. LaSalle's client base includes public and private pension funds, insurance companies, governments, corporations, endowments and private individuals from across the globe. LaSalle sponsors a diverse range of investment vehicles, including separate accounts, open- and closed-end funds, public securities and entity-level investments.

For more information, please visit www.lasalle.com, and LinkedIn.

Media Contacts:

Alissa Schachter

LaSalle Investment Management

[email protected]

+1-312-339-0625

Doug Allen

Dukas Linden Public Relations

[email protected]

+1-646-722-6530

SOURCE LaSalle Investment Management
PICTURED ABOVE: Patrick McKeown, Finance Director, NWRC, Malachy ONeill, Chair of Governing Body, NWRC, Leo Murphy, Chief Executive and Principal, NWRC, Dr Caoimhe Archibald, Minister for the Economy, Caoimhe McLoone, student, Ciara Tease, student, and Gillian Moss, Head of Client Services at NWRC. (Photo: Martin McKeown)

Northern Irelands Minister for the Economy Dr Caoimhe Archibald has spent the afternoon in Derry at North West Regional College (NWRC) to see firsthand how it is responding to the changing needs of the local economy.

During the visit to the colleges Springtown Campus, the Minister met the senior leadership team as well as staff from the colleges Business Support Centre, who were recently awarded the prestigious 2025 Queen Elizabeth prize for Education in London, recognising their outstanding work in business support.

Leo Murphy, Principal and Chief Executive of NWRC said: I would like to thank the Minister for her time spent visiting our staff and students at Springtown campus, and for allowing us the opportunity to showcase the colleges work to support skills and employment in the region.

We are proud of the track record of our award-winning college supporting our students, employers, businesses and the local community.

READ NEXT: Magical lodges overlooking Swatragh's Fairy Hill awarded four stars by Tourism NI

And being awarded the Queen Elizabeth Award for Education recognises the significant impact our sector makes on the lives of our citizens and businesses.

Economy Minister Dr Caoimhe Archibald said: NWRC is a tremendous asset to the local economy and community. Im delighted that the excellent work of staff and students has been recognised with this prestigious award and I look forward to seeing further success in the future.

NWRC Springtown is home to the highest quality, industry-standard training facilities, for in demand skills across Northern Ireland. They include: Electrical Installation, Fabrication and Welding, Mechanical Engineering, Motor Vehicle Repair, Light Vehicle Body Repair, Plumbing, Carpentry & Joinery, Brickwork, Wall and Floor Tiling, Painting and Decorating, and Renewables.

In 2022, Springtown Campus underwent a multi-million-pound refurbishment as part of a wider 10.8m Estates Improvement Programme across NWRC, fully funded by the Department for the Economy.

This saw the campus transformed with new workshops for each vocational area, fitted with the latest technology and equipment that provide an enhanced learner experience. Other developments include a state-of-the-art industry 4.0 Centre, new Computer Numerical Control (CNC) technology in both Engineering and Construction; Robotic Welding Capability, Electric Vehicle Training Rigs and Charging Stations, Electrical Testing and Inspection Rigs, and much more.

And in the past month participants on the 5th Assured Skills Academy in Electrical Switchgear with NWRC and Vertiv completed their course. This course was fully funded by the Department for the Economy NI.
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Northern Irelands leaders have called for a meeting with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer about budgetary constraints amid a fuel crisis.

The Northern Ireland Executive met on Thursday morning after a week where some farmers took part in slow-moving tractor convoys on busy roads to protest against the hike in fuel prices triggered by the war in Iran.

First Minister Michelle ONeill said ministers around the table had outlined stark budgetary issues in delivering public services across their departments and said the budget was at breaking point.

She and deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly said they had decided to call for a cross-party meeting with Sir Keir in relation to the budget allocated to Northern Irelands powersharing institutions.

Political choices being made in London are creating a really difficult atmosphere for our Executive to be able to work with, she said.

We had invited Hilary Benn, the Secretary of State, along today  he couldnt make it (because of) diary arrangements, apparently.

However, we as an Executive have today decided that we want to meet with Keir Starmer.

We make a direct appeal to the British Prime Minister to meet with us in a cross-party delegation, because the budget realities that we face are so challenging and so dire and so difficult that he needs to listen to the concerns that all of us are expressing on behalf of the people that we collectively serve.

She added: The direct message from this Executive today is its not good enough for Keir Starmer not to listen. Its not good enough for Keir Starmer not to turn up.

But what it demonstrates for the people here is that policy decisions that are being taken in London, this reckless war thats happening internationally, those things all have consequences.

Bad policy decisions in London have consequences for the people here.

Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly called on Sir Keir to act and to act now, because the UK Government has the tools, it has the responsibility, and this is the moment to use both.

Our message to the Prime Minister is simple: this cannot wait. People cannot wait, she said.

We need a comprehensive package of support and we need it now, because behind every statistic is a family and behind every decision we make must be a determination to stand with them.

Ms ONeill and Ms Little-Pengelly were speaking after announcing a further 19.2 million scheme to give one-off 100 vouchers to help people pay for the cost of home heating oil.

It comes after 17 million in funding was allocated to Northern Ireland as part of the British Governments response to a sharp spike in heating oil costs because of the war in the Middle East.

Communities Minister Gordon Lyons said if the NI Executive had not announced further funding, people would have only received 45, which he said would have been a small return for people in Northern Ireland.

Around 300,000 low-income households are expected to qualify for the voucher, which people will be able to apply for online for the 100.

Those who are receiving an income-based benefit, a disability benefit or a state pension, as well as households whose income is less than 30,000 are eligible for the vouchers.

Ms Little-Pengelly said that she knows farmers are under pressure as fertiliser costs increase, and said the Executive were actively working on this issue.

People are angry out there. Theyre incredibly apprehensive, she said, adding that Sir Keir needed to step up and do everything that he can.

We want to make very clear that we understand the pressure that farming is under.

We understand why they would want to register a protest, that they need that support.

But of course, we would urge people to be responsible  the disruption to other businesses, disruption to people in terms of critical work, is very challenging for everyone.

We dont need to be persuaded by the farmers that theyre under pressure, we get that, we understand that, and well be doing everything we can to stand up for them.

Indeed, we had this discussion at the Executive, and we had asked for the Agriculture Minister to write formally in relation to the range of these issues, and to ask for that additional support for our farmers across the UK, but particularly here in Northern Ireland.

On Thursday, the UK Government announced it would provide the Northern Ireland Executive with funding to develop a British Industrial Competitiveness Scheme (BICS) in Northern Ireland, subject to business case approval.
Legacy is also expanding access to sperm DNA fragmentation testing

NEW YORK, April 16, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Legacy, the leading digital male fertility clinic, today announced a revamp of its clinical offering, expanding access to high-quality semen analysis for patients and providers.

Despite male factors contributing to roughly half of infertility cases, sperm testing remains underutilized due to cost and access barriers, and men are frequently sidelined during the fertility journey. Legacy aims to close that gap with clinically-validated, affordable, and data-driven options designed to engage men throughout the process.

Legacy's Basic Semen Analysis uses the same industry-leading, clinically validated collection kit as its Standard and Advanced Analysis options, testing sperm count and motility for just $145.

Today, the company is launching its Basic Semen Analysis. Priced at just $145, the product leverages Legacy's mail-in process, delivering industry-leading time-to-analysis and superior motility preservation compared to competing options, resulting in more accurate and reliable results for patients.

The launch builds on recent lower-cost offerings, including post-vasectomy semen analysis (PVSA) and Legacy's proprietary Sperm Insights product.

These changes reflect Legacy's broader strategy to increase accessibility to male fertility testing  particularly for individuals paying out-of-pocket  and to deliver a more comprehensive, flexible solution for clinics across the United States.

Introducing the industry's most affordable mail-in semen analysis

Legacy is launching its diagnostic-grade Basic Semen Analysis at $145, establishing a new benchmark for affordability without compromising clinical quality.

The Basic Semen Analysis provides a highly accessible entry point for individuals seeking proactive fertility data, particularly those early in family planning who may not have insurance coverage for testing.

Despite its lower cost, the Basic Semen Analysis maintains Legacy's high-performance standards and includes key clinical parameters:

Volume

Count

Concentration

Motility, including estimated initial motility

Progressive motility

The Basic Semen Analysis excludes morphology, allowing for a streamlined, cost-effective option while preserving critical diagnostic value.

Expanding access to sperm DNA fragmentation testing

In another move that improves affordability of male fertility care, Legacy clinician partners and patients can now access Advanced Semen Analysis, which includes DNA fragmentation testing, for just $495.

This adjustment reflects growing clinical demand for DNA fragmentation analysis, particularly among reproductive endocrinologists and urologists. Legacy is the highest volume provider of DNA fragmentation testing nationwide.

Additionally, starting this month, patients that have previously completed a standard semen analysis will be able to order a stand-alone DNA fragmentation test at a lower price point.

Delivering the most comprehensive clinical offering in male fertility

These updates are part of a broader effort positioning Legacy as the most comprehensive and flexible male fertility solution for clinics nationwide.

Legacy now offers a full spectrum of services for clinics and patients, including three tiers of semen analysis (Basic, Standard, Advanced), a proprietary Sperm Insights data product, PVSA, DNA fragmentation testing, STI testing, supplements, clinical consultations, and multi-geographic cryogenic storage, all starting with an at-home sample collection kit.

Combined with industry-leading logistics and kit performance  including 30% faster turnaround times and 11% higher motility preservation than competitors  Legacy enables providers to tailor solutions to the specific needs of their patients.

"Male fertility is still dramatically under-tested, despite being a factor in nearly half of infertility cases. Cost and access have been major barriers, and this is a step toward changing that," said Dr. Scott Lundy, Chief Medical Officer at Legacy.

A continued commitment to accessibility and innovation

Legacy continues to redefine male reproductive healthcare through a combination of clinical excellence, advanced technology, and patient-centric design. By lowering costs and expanding its product suite, the company is advancing its mission to make fertility testing more accessible, actionable, and widely adopted.

These updates are now available to Legacy's clinic partners and patients nationwide.

About Legacy

Legacy is the leading digital male fertility clinic, offering at-home sperm testing, cryopreservation, and advanced analysis. With a mission to make fertility care more accessible, Legacy combines clinical expertise with cutting-edge technology to empower individuals to understand and take control of their reproductive health.

SOURCE Give Legacy, Inc.
Northern Irelands Executive has agreed to fund an additional 19.2 million to go towards helping low-income households with rising fuel costs.

The decision was agreed during a lengthy meeting on Thursday, and comes on top of the 17.2 million of support from the UK Government which was announced last month.

The scheme will mean 300,000 low-income families will receive 100 fuel vouchers.

Speaking to reporters after the meeting, deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly said: It will make a difference, but it will not solve the problem.

She and First Minister Michelle ONeill called on Sir Keir Starmer to meet with the Executive.

Ms Little-Pengelly said: Our message to the Prime Minister is simple, this cannot wait, people cannot wait.

We need a comprehensive package of support, and we need it now.

The new measures will mean eligible households will be able to apply for a 100 prepaid card that can be used at home heating oil suppliers.

Announcing details of how the scheme will work, Communities Minister Gordon Lyons said it will be open to those receiving an income-based benefit, a disability benefit or state pension or with an income under 30,000.

He said the income threshold is based on the national minimum wage, aligns with that of my departments discretionary support scheme and represents a fair assessment of where the available funding can be directed.

Pensioners will be eligible to apply if they are not in receipt of Pension Credit or if they have an income above 30,000.

Only one voucher will be available per household and will be for oil customers at this time.

Mr Lyons said roughly two-thirds of households, around 500,000 homes, in Northern Ireland rely on heating oil and recent price increases of nearly 100% have been punishing.

He acknowledged there has been criticism of how long it has taken for us to progress this adding it was important that we brought forward something that would actually help, that was of sufficient scale, that would actually provide help to those who need it.

Mr Lyons said he wanted to manage expectations and said it would take time to implement.

He said: We need to make sure that we have the legislation in place, that we have the mechanism of delivery in place, and that we ensure that the eligibility checks are able to be carried out.

Ms Little-Pengelly said the Executive will have more to say in the coming weeks in terms of discounts to electricity customers, because obviously our Economy Minister has been working on that for some time.

She also said the Infrastructure Minister spoke about freezing transport fares on Wednesday, adding: Thats ultimately about giving people choice, because if you cant put fuel in your car, you may choose to take public transport.

Asked where the money for the scheme will be coming from, Mr Lyons said: This is an Executive agreement, so the Executive will find the funding for that in line with the other pressures that we faced.

That was the decision that was taken today.
A budget agreed with the current funding settlement for Northern Ireland would lead to significant cuts and massive impacts in public services, deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly has said.

Finance Minister John ODowd said there needed to be an injection of investment from the UK Government before budget challenges facing Stormont departments can be met.

Despite the delay in powersharing ministers agreeing to a budget, First Minster Michelle ONeill said she had not given up on the prospect of securing a multi-year settlement.

Mr ODowd published draft proposals for a multi-year budget in January, but they have not yet been agreed by the powersharing Executive.

In February, the UK Government announced it would make 400 million available from reserves to the Executive to deal with overspend pressures in health and education.

The money has to be repaid over the next three years and the Treasury said it would be conducting an open-book exercise looking at the Executive budget.

SDLP opposition leader Matthew OToole has said the powersharing Executive was now in breach of the law by not agreeing a budget by the start of the financial year.

Speaking following a meeting of Executive ministers on Thursday, Ms Little-Pengelly said they all wanted a multi-year budget agreed as quickly as we can.

She added: But the reality is that there is a very, very significant shortfall, and that shortfall is not between just simply what ministers would like to do and what we have.

This is about core statutory services.

We heard today right across all of the departments, the pressures and what this proposed budget would mean for them.

The moment that budget would be agreed, unless we secure additional resource from Treasury would simply lead to significant cuts and massive impacts in terms of our public services and on the people that we are here to serve as well.

We dont believe that is right, we dont believe that is fair.

The deputy First Minister said ministers were making a reasoned argument to the Treasury for more funding.

She added: This is not about going to the Treasury or the UK Government or the Prime Minister with a begging bowl, this is about going there and asking for collaboration that we will do everything that we can to root out that inefficiency and waste, to make sure that we are transforming to do things differently.

But in the meantime, we also need that help and support in terms of ensuring that we can continue to deliver core public services.

Asked when the budget would be agreed, Mr ODowd said: To achieve the ambition of the budget is going to take an injection of investment from the British Government.

He said he had met with Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn on Monday on the issue and would speak with him again on Thursday.

He added: That engagement with the British Government will continue and I will continue to engage with my Executive colleagues in regards to that matter.

But the challenges they face cannot be met currently with what the executive has available to it.

Ms ONeill added: Im not giving up on getting a multi-year budget, because I think thats what we all really, really want to see, because that itself provides some sort of certainty in terms of planning purposes.

Its a work in progress, is how I would describe the budget.

The reality is that every minister spoke this morning about how they cant live within the allocation thats there right now and thats not something that they say lightly, thats something that they have all indicated will lead to real-life implications.

The First Minister added: We didnt get elected just to move the numbers around.

We got elected to make a difference to peoples lives.

There is an ongoing conversation across the Executive but directly, directly with Westminster, around the fact that it is woefully inadequate in terms of what people are entitled to.

Its not special treatment, because I really resent whatever that is sometimes articulated to us, the case were making is for fairness, and the case were making is for what is appropriate for the level of need that we have here among our public.
Kazakh telco Transtelecom JSC says it has signed a partnership agreement with national postal operator QazPost to expand telecoms services to rural areas in Kazakhstans Kyzylorda region.

Under the framework agreement announced on Tuesday, Transtelecom and QazPost aim to connect rural settlements and develop digital infrastructure of Kyzylorda, which sits in the southwest on the Kazakhstan-Uzbekistan border.

The agreement calls for QazPost employees to help residents in Kyzylorda connect to Transtelecom services.

Kanat Syrlybayev, MD of Transtelecoms Kyzylorda branch, said the partnership will get people connected faster and make the Internet more accessible in remote areas, reducing the gap in telecoms services acces access between cities and the countryside.

"It is important for us that residents of rural settlements have the same access to communication as in cities, Syrlybayev said in a statement. Partnership with QazPost allows us to bring our services faster to people where it is really needed.
Ooredoo and DE-CIX have connected Doha IX - Qatars first commercial Internet Exchange (IX)  to DE-CIX Marseille.

This will allow networks connected to Doha IX to exchange data directly with almost 120 networks in the French city, as well as remotely with almost 1,100 networks connected to DE-CIX Frankfurt, Europes largest IX. The interconnection between the Middle Eastern and European exchanges enables carriers from the Gulf region to access cloud and connectivity services not yet available locally in Qatar.

Doha IX launched in October 2025, hosted in Ooredoos data centre and operating under the DE-CIX as a Service model. With the DE-CIX service DirectCLOUD already available at Doha IX, leading cloud providers such as AWS, Google Cloud, Microsoft Azure, Oracle, IBM Cloud, and Alibaba Cloud can now be reached in a dedicated and private manner.

Enterprises can use the DE-CIX Cloud Router to optimise communication between different providers in hybrid and multi-cloud environments, enabling the direct exchange of data between cloud services in a cost-efficient way.

Ivo Ivanov, CEO of DE-CIX, said: By providing even better performance and user experience for Internet-based content and applications, our collaboration with Ooredoo opens up new opportunities for Qatars digital economy.

Hassan Ismail Al Emadi, Chief Business Officer at Ooredoo Qatar, added: By linking our national interconnection platform with one of Europes leading Internet Exchange ecosystems, we are enabling differentiated digital performance through lower latency, enhanced resilience, and secure, seamless access to global cloud and content networks.
Following yesterday's Hughes-Air India news, another partnership has been announced for in-flight connectivity (IFC). This initiative is designed to support the evolving connectivity needs of airlines and aviation customers across Europe, Turkey and the Middle East Africa (MEA) region.

Viasat Aviation, part of global communications company Viasat, satellite operator and integrated communications service provider Turksat and Saudi Arabia-headquartered provider of air-to-ground (A2G) inflight connectivity solutions SkyFive Arabia have announced plans to establish a strategic roaming collaboration aimed at advancing next-generation IFC solutions.

The roaming framework is intended to enable seamless cross-border in-flight connectivity for commercial airlines, private aviation and other aviation customers. This includes those using SKYFives air-to-ground (A2G) network and Viasats integrated satellite and complementary ground component connectivity European Aviation Network (EAN) customers, who stand to gain access to Turksats network in Turkey. The three networks will use the same S-band spectrum, making roaming easier to implement.

Turksat is developing a nationwide A2G network in Turkey to support in-flight connectivity services for commercial airlines, private aviation, and other aviation customers operating within Turkish airspace.

The service offering is intended to provide low-latency, high-capacity broadband connectivity, complementing satellite-based IFC solutions and enhancing service continuity for aircraft transitioning between regional coverage zones.

Turksat is joining an existing collaboration between Viasat and SkyFive and will act as a strategic bridge between East and West, connecting ongoing investments in IFC by both Viasat and SKYFive Arabia. This collaboration is intended to help create a practical basis for wider cross-network cooperation as IFC adoption expands.

Turkey air travel, the partners explain, is a major, high-volume market with tens of millions of passengers annually, supported by strong tourism demand, business travel and hub connectivity via Istanbul. Istanbul Airport is one of Europes busiest hubs, linking Europe to Turkey and onward destinations.

The parties expect the roaming framework to contribute to a more scalable and commercially attractive model for next-generation IFC. This includes the potential to improve interoperability across adjacent coverage areas, support more efficient use of existing network infrastructure, and provide aviation customers with a high-speed connectivity experience proposition aligned with evolving route structures and passenger expectations.
A new investigation by the Tech Transparency Project has raised new concerns about the presence of so-called nudify apps in the Apple and Google app stores. According to the report, both Apples App Store and Google Play Store continue to feature apps capable of creating deepfake nude images, sometimes through search suggestions and paid promotions.

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According to the report, many of the top search results for terms related to such content included apps that can digitally alter images to depict women in explicit or semi-nude forms. The report also mentioned several instances in which promoted listings appeared at the top of search results.

In one case, a face-swapping app was displayed as a sponsored result for a deepfake-related query, and testing revealed that it can insert a persons face into explicit video content with no meaningful safeguards. This was observed in the other apps as well. All these apps offered face swap templates that can help users combine clothed and naked images with few restrictions.

Also read: Microsoft unveils MAI Image 2 Efficient AI model, calls it production workhorse: How to access

Furthermore, the report also mentions autocomplete suggestions as a concern. Partial search inputs were discovered to direct users to more explicit queries, which in turn revealed additional apps of this type among the top results.

TTP also stated that some developers may not fully comprehend the capabilities of the AI tools they are utilising. In one case, a developer admitted to using AI image generation technology and promised to implement stronger moderation measures after the issue was raised.

However, the companies have not issued a detailed public response to the discovery, but Apple has taken action by removing several of the apps, the report said. However, the watchdog group believes that more consistent enforcement and stronger safeguards are required to keep such apps from reappearing on mainstream platforms.
Migration marks a new chapter for open source Radio Access Network development, with continued O-RAN ALLIANCE partnership

LF Networking now addresses full end-to-end network stack with formal inclusion of O-RAN initiative

SAN FRANCISCO, April 16, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Linux Foundation Networking (LFN), the facilitator of collaboration and operational excellence across open source networking projects, welcomes the formal migration of the O-RAN Software Community (O-RAN SC) under the LFN umbrella, marking a significant milestone in the evolution of open source Radio Access Network (RAN) software development. The O-RAN ALLIANCE and LFN will collaborate throughout the migration process and will support the initiative going forward.

The O-RAN SC was established as a collaboration between the O-RAN ALLIANCE and the Linux Foundation with the mission of developing open source software for the RAN  the next major frontier for the open source community. The O-RAN SC focuses on developing modular, open, intelligent, efficient, and agile disaggregated RAN solutions aligned with O-RAN ALLIANCE open architecture and specifications.

The O-RAN SC has long been one of the largest consumers of LF project output, drawing on OpenDaylight (ODL), Nephio, ONAP, Duranta, and others to build and evolve its open RAN software. At the same time O-RAN ALLIANCE provided its open and intelligent RAN architecture, technical specifications, and governance for efficient development of over a dozen O-RAN SC projects. Until now, this collaboration has taken place across organizational boundaries. The full integration of O-RAN SC into LF Networking enables tighter, more efficient, and more streamlined collaboration with its fellow LFN projects under a single, unified governance structure.

Completing the Open Source 5G Stack

The O-RAN SC's contribution to LFN extends well beyond organizational alignment. With its portfolio spanning the Service Management and Orchestration (SMO) framework, RAN Intelligent Controllers (RICs), rApps, and xApps, O-RAN SC brings critical RAN layers into the LFN fold. Combined with LFN's existing projects addressing transport, orchestration, and infrastructure automation, the ecosystem now encompasses the full RAN stack in open source.

"After eight years, the O-RAN Software Community successfully accomplished its mission to jumpstart open source RAN software closely aligned with the O-RAN architecture and specifications, supporting the RAN industry in building open and intelligent Radio Access Networks," said Thomas Lips, chair of the board of O-RAN ALLIANCE and SVP RAN Disaggregation at Deutsche Telekom. "Ever since, relevant open-source initiatives have continued to expand, and the O-RAN ALLIANCE looks forward to further supporting the broader LF open source community in developing O-RAN consistent open source software."

About the Migration

Plans for the migration were initially shared by the O-RAN ALLIANCE during its O-RAN ALLIANCE Summit held at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona last month.

The technical aspects are being carefully coordinated with the O-RAN SC development schedule to minimize disruption to ongoing work. The O-RAN SC's Technical Charter has been updated to reflect LFN's meritocratic governance principles, ensuring that project leadership and direction are driven by technical contribution and community participation.

Learn more at o-ran-sc.org, lfnetworking.org and www.o-ran.org.

About O-RAN ALLIANCE

The O-RAN ALLIANCE is a worldwide community of mobile operators, vendors, research, academic and government institutions operating in the Radio Access Network (RAN) industry. As the RAN is an essential part of any mobile network, the O-RAN ALLIANCE's mission is to re-shape the industry towards more intelligent, open, virtualized and fully interoperable mobile networks. The O-RAN specifications enable a more competitive and vibrant RAN supplier ecosystem with faster innovation to improve user experience. O-RAN based mobile networks at the same time improve the efficiency of RAN deployments as well as operations by the mobile operators. To achieve this, the O-RAN ALLIANCE publishes RAN specifications, releases open software for the RAN, and supports its members in integration and testing of their implementations.

For more information, please visit www.o-ran.org. Follow O-RAN ALLIANCE on LinkedIn.

About the Linux Foundation

The Linux Foundation is the world's leading home for collaboration on open source software, hardware, standards, and data. Linux Foundation projects are critical to the world's infrastructure including Linux, Kubernetes, Node.js, ONAP, OpenChain, OpenSSF, OpenStack, PyTorch, RISC-V, SPDX, Zephyr, and more. The Linux Foundation is focused on leveraging best practices and addressing the needs of contributors, users, and solution providers to create sustainable models for open collaboration. For more information, please visit us at linuxfoundation.org.

For a list of trademarks of the Linux Foundation, please see its trademark usage page: www.linuxfoundation.org/trademark-usage. Linux is a registered trademark of Linus Torvalds.

Media Contacts

Jill Lovato

The Linux Foundation

[email protected]

O-RAN ALLIANCE Media Contact

Zbynek Dalecky

[email protected]

O-RAN ALLIANCE e.V.

Buschkauler Weg 27

53347 Alfter/Germany

SOURCE LF Networking Fund
Dundalk Chamber has hailed its Cross-Border Tourism Conference, held in the Four Seasons Hotel, Carlingford, as a major success, with over 200 attendees from across the North East and beyond coming together to explore the future of regional tourism.

The event brought together people from tourism, business, culture, and local government to highlight the immense potential of cross-border collaboration in driving sustainable economic growth and enhancing the visitor experience across the region.

A strong programme of speakers provided valuable insights into the evolving tourism landscape. Paul Hayes and Mary Claire Cowley of An Tain Arts Theatre delivered an engaging presentation on the importance of cultural tourism and the role of creative partnerships in shaping authentic visitor experiences.

Olivia McCormack of Louth County Council outlined the continued development of tourism initiatives under Visit Louth, with a particular focus on trails, tours, and the strategic promotion of the county as a leading destination.

Grainne OConnor of Cuilcagh Lakelands Global Geopark highlighted the success of cross-border tourism models and the opportunities presented by leveraging natural assets and shared heritage across jurisdictions.

Rory King of Rorys Travel Club provided practical insights into The Power of Social Media and Email Marketing, demonstrating how digital platforms can significantly amplify reach and attract new visitors to the region.

The highlight of the conference was a keynote address by Pol O Conghaile, travel writer with Irish Independent, whose insights into Irelands tourism offering, storytelling, and global positioning underscored the importance of authenticity and place in tourism development.

The conference also featured a vibrant exhibition space, with over 20 local tourism and hospitality businesses showcasing their offerings. Exhibitors included Carlingford Oysters, Narrow Water Lodges, Carlingford Adventure Centre, Dundalk Tourist Office, and many more, highlighting the depth and diversity of experiences available across the region.

Dundalk Chamber also extended a special thanks to the events sponsors and supporters, whose contribution was instrumental in the success of the conference:

Shane Rafferty, Failte Ireland

Nikki Campbell, Louth Local Enterprise Office

Clare OHagan, Louth County Council

Paul Hayes and Mary Claire Cowley An Tain Arts Centre

Sean Farrell Marshes Shopping Centre

Speaking following the event, Dundalk Chamber CEO John McGahon said:

This conference showcased the strength of collaboration across our region and the enormous opportunity that exists when we work together on a cross-border basis. With over 200 people in attendance, it is clear there is real momentum behind tourism in the North East, and Dundalk Chamber is proud to play a leading role in driving that forward.

Read Next: Early morning boost for Louth commuters as new rail service announced

Dundalk Chamber President Hanna McDonnell added:

The scale and energy of this conference demonstrates just how strong our tourism offering is across the North East. There is a real appetite to work together, tell our story, and position this region as a must-visit destination on the island of Ireland. The conference reaffirmed Dundalk Chambers commitment to supporting tourism as a key economic driver, while fostering partnerships that enhance the regions profile both nationally and internationally."
Louth Senator Alison Comyn, has encouraged artists across to apply for the newly launched Basic Income for the Arts Scheme.

Applications for the new scheme are now officially open.

Welcoming the initiative, Senator Comyn described the scheme as a transformative step for the arts sector and a vital investment in Irelands cultural future.

This landmark scheme represents a real commitment to supporting our artists, creators and cultural workers, Senator Comyn said. For the first time, we are seeing a permanent national basic income model for the arts  a world-leading approach that recognises the immense value artists bring to our society.

Under the scheme, 2,000 practising artists will receive a guaranteed payment of 325 per week for three years, providing financial stability and enabling recipients to dedicate more time to their creative work.

This support allows artists to focus on what they do best  creating, innovating and enriching our communities  without the constant pressure of financial insecurity, Senator Comyn added. We know from previous phases that this kind of support reduces stress and improves wellbeing, while also delivering strong economic returns.

Research from earlier pilot programmes found that every 1 invested in the arts through basic income generated approximately 1.39 in wider societal benefit, highlighting the schemes value not just culturally, but economically.

The scheme is open to:

Practising professional artists based in the Republic of Ireland

Individuals aged 18 and over

Applicants who can demonstrate ongoing professional artistic activity

Applications opened on April 15th and close on May 12th 2026 with successful applicants notified later in 2026.

Read Next: "The time for talking is over" - Drogheda Cllrs clash during no confidence motion in Government

Senator Comyn is urging all eligible artists to consider applying and to share the opportunity widely.

I strongly encourage artists from all disciplines to apply for this scheme and to spread the word. This is a unique opportunity to gain meaningful support and to contribute to a thriving, sustainable arts sector in Ireland.

For more information and to apply, artists should visit the official government arts funding portal.
Louth Senator Alison Comyn has welcomed the announcement that Hatchs Castle in Ardee has been awarded 100,000 in funding under the Community Monuments Fund.

The funding will support the ongoing care, conservation, maintenance, protection and promotion of the Hatch's Castle, ensuring that it can be preserved and appreciated by future generations.

Senator Comyn said the investment represents a significant boost for both heritage preservation and the local community in Ardee.

Ardee is steeped in history, and Hatchs Castle is a central part of that story. This funding of 100,000 is a very positive development and will help ensure that this fantastic monument is properly protected and maintained, she said.

The Community Monuments Fund plays a crucial role in supporting local authorities, private owners, custodians and community groups who are working hard to safeguard our heritage. This investment is not just about preserving the past  it is about strengthening community identity and pride, and recognising the value of our shared history.

This year, a total of 104 heritage projects have been approved for funding across the country, highlighting the continued commitment to protecting Irelands archaeological heritage at a local level.

Senator Comyn added: I want to commend everyone involved locally who continues to advocate for and care for our heritage. This funding is a reflection of that dedication and will have lasting benefits for Ardee and the wider community.
Iarnrod Eireann is to start a new limited stop Commuter train servicing Louth commuters between Drogheda and Dublin Connolly Stations from next Monday 20th April.

The new 06:05hrs Drogheda to Dublin Connolly will serve Balbriggan, Skerries, Rush & Lusk, Donabate and Malahide Stations en route, arriving in Dublin Connolly at 07:09hrs.

The additional service will be a six-carriage train, utilising the train set which then operates the 07:40hrs Dublin Connolly to Belfast Grand Central service. It will bring to ten the number of trains departing Drogheda in the morning peak with a pre-09:00hrs city centre arrival, and twelve with a pre-09:30hrs arrival.

The service commences following the recent engagement with the Minister for Transport Darragh OBrien TD, the National Transport Authority, transport agencies and other stakeholders to identify early opportunities for additional measures to boost public transport capacity or ease congestion.

It comes at a time of record demand on the rail network, and ahead of next years introduction of the new battery-electric DART fleet on the Drogheda to Dublin Northern Commuter route. A total of 55 million journeys were made across Iarnrod Eireanns services in 2025, including 4.65 million journeys on the Northern Commuter route.

The new DART fleet will begin entering service in the first half of 2027 and, together with battery-electric charging infrastructure at Drogheda Station, will replace existing Intercity and Commuter trains on the Northern Commuter route.

This will add capacity between Drogheda and Dublin Connolly by providing longer trains on a number of services, and will also allow the Intercity and Commuter trains to be added to other routes to further increase capacity on a range of services.

Iarnrod Eireann Chief Executive Mary Considine said: Our investment programme will begin to deliver significant additional capacity from 2027 on the Northern Commuter and other routes, but this new service allows us to quickly bring real benefit to existing commuters, and those wishing to switch to public transport on one of our busiest routes in the country.

Read Next: Dundalk hosts key Ohio-Ireland business summit at Oriel Park

Minister for Transport Darragh OBrien welcomed the new service, saying: This is very welcome news for commuters across North County Dublin. The new 06:05hrs service from Drogheda to Dublin Connolly will make a real difference for early morning commuters, providing greater choice, reliability and convenience.

Im delighted to see this additional capacity being delivered and to support the growing needs of our communities along the line.

For more info see: irishrail.ie
On 16 April 2026, Womens Aid Dundalk representatives Ann Larkin, Grainne Smyth and Ciora Sarsfield received a 10,000 cheque from Olive Cluskey Deasy on behalf of the Ireland Stand at the Bazar International de Luxembourg, which occurred in November 2025.

Olive Cluskey Deasy, who has been a member of the events Ireland Stand for many years, has a local connection to Womens Aid Dundalks service area, as she is originally from Castlebellingham, Co Louth.

The Bazar International de Luxembourg is the largest international, annual fundraising event in Luxembourg that donates its profits to humanitarian projects worldwide. The Bazar features dozens of stands representing single countries or country groups, with each one selling a tempting assortment of food, drinks and non-food items that authentically showcase their nations.

All funds raised through these sales get distributed to selected charitable causes, efforts and groups. This weekend-long event is run entirely by approximately 1,500 volunteers.

Bazar International de Luxembourg supports a wide range of humanitarian projects, with new candidates selected each year by Bazar members. Those on the events charity team evaluate each one and make the final decisions.

Read also: Excitement builds ahead of new store opening at Marshes Shopping Centre in Dundalk

The chosen organisations collectively receive all profits related to Bazar International de Luxembourg. Womens Aid Dundalk was the Ireland Stands selected recipient of funds it raised in 2025.
Two Louth students have been awarded an All Ireland Scholarship which will cover the full duration of their undergraduate studies.

Caitlin Dyas and Roisin Torris were honoured at the All Ireland Scholarships Awards Ceremony on the 4th of April in University Concert Hall, University of Limerick.

In attendance at the ceremony was All Ireland Scholarships Sponsor, JP McManus, Guest of Honour and Double Olympic Champion, Kellie Harrington, Deputy Willie ODea TD, and Head of the Skills and Education Group for the Department for the Economy NI, Louise Watson, as well as the family, friends and school representatives of the scholarship recipients.

Commenting at the awards ceremony, All Ireland Scholarships Sponsor JP McManus said: I am delighted to be here today to celebrate the outstanding academic achievements of the 2025 All Ireland Scholarship winners from across the island of Ireland. To date, 2,051 students have received an All Ireland Scholarship and 1,437 of those students have since graduated from university.

"Today is a very special occasion for the scholarship winners, their families, and teachers. We wish them every success as they continue their studies at university and look forward to seeing what they accomplish in the years to come.

Commenting on the event, Guest of Honour and Double Olympic Champion, Kellie Harrington said; Im delighted to be here today as the Guest of Honour for the All Ireland Scholarship Awards in the University of Limerick. It is a very special occasion for the 2025 winners, their families, and school principals, and they should be very proud of themselves and their accomplishments.

Read Next: Hatch's Castle in Ardee receives 100,000 for conservation works

The All Ireland Scholarships, established by JP McManus in 2008, provide financial support to gifted students pursuing third-level education. Each year, 125 scholarships are awarded across the 32 counties of Ireland. Recipients receive 6,750 per annum in Ireland and 5,500 per annum in Northern Ireland, covering the duration of their undergraduate studies. The third level educational scholarship is awarded to 125 of the highest  achieving students per year, with a minimum of two students from each county.
Louth County Council's plans for a major Dundalk road have been labelled "anti-car" amid concerns it could cause "serious backlogs".

The local authority was seeking Part 8 planning permission from councillors to carry out works to the Dublin Road in Dundalk from Xerox to Greengates.

Concerns were raised that four new bus stops along the road would not include bays for buses to pull in.

The Council confirmed the decision prioritises public transport ahead of private vehicles, resulting in more reliable journey times for bus users.

A spokesperson for Louth County Council told the April meeting of the Dundalk Municipal District said the plans were created in consultation with bus drivers and Bus Eireann.

"What bus drivers complain about is that when they pull in, all of the cars behind them then jump in front of them and the bus is delayed. Were trying to encourage the bus transfers to be as efficient as possible," he said.

Independent councillor Ciaran Fisher labelled the plans "anti-car" and said the council wants "people sitting behind the bus, wishing they were on the bus".

Councillors raised concerns that buses stopping in the middle of the road would cause traffic congestion.

Read Next: Louth artists urged to apply for Basic Income for the Arts Scheme

However, Green Party councillor Marianne Butler defended the proposals and said it takes "a matter of seconds" for people to get on and off buses.

"I understand peoples concerns about the bus bays but look at whats happening around the town. If you hop on a bus down at Smyth's chemist, Sean OMahonys, the Blackrock road, theres no bus bays and the world doesnt end.

People get on and off the buses and it takes a matter of seconds. I dont think Ive ever been delayed because people were getting on and off the bus," she said.

Fianna Fail councillor Shane McGuinness warned the new bus stops could cause "serious backlogs" for motorists.

"I know we can talk about a lot of different bus stops around the town and people are jumping on and off but were talking about a road that is seriously, seriously busy."

"I mean putting four bus stops between Greengates and Meehans Garage, youre looking at a serious backlog," he said.

Cllr Butler acknowledged that bus bays are needed in "high-frequency areas" but said bus shelters should be a higher priority.

Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.
NEWTON, Mass., April 16, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Orthopedic surgeon Daniel Quinn, MD, has successfully completed more than 150 surgeries using a smart technology that helps personalize shoulder replacement surgery for patients in the Boston area.

Advita Ortho's GPS technology provides real-time visual guidance during the joint replacement procedure. Similar to a navigation device in your car, GPS provides a visual map of the patient's shoulder on a screen in the operating room, helping the surgeon place the implant relative to the patient's needs.

Daniel Quinn, MD, an orthopedic surgeon in the Boston area, uses Advita GPS technology to help personalize shoulder replacement surgery, supporting precision and alignment with each patients anatomy.

"Advita GPS provides real-time guidance that supports a high level of precision, helping me position the implant in a way that aligns with each patient's anatomy," said Dr. Quinn.

GPS combines surgeon expertise with an advanced computer system to perform the patient's shoulder surgery with a goal of improved accuracy and precision. Personalized for a patient's unique bone structure and anatomy, GPS is designed to allow surgeons to decide where to remove bone and place the shoulder implant in the optimal position.

Before surgery, advanced imaging is used to create a 3D model of the patient's shoulder. This allows the procedure to be planned through the technology's preoperative planning tool. During surgery, the GPS system helps guide the surgeon step by step, following the personalized plan while allowing adjustments as needed in real time.

Since he started using this advanced technology in 2021, Dr. Quinn has now performed more than 150 shoulder replacement surgeries with GPS.

"By combining advanced planning with real-time guidance, GPS supports a more personalized approach to care," said Dr. Quinn.

GPS is used with the Equinoxe Shoulder System, which for 20+ years has provided data-driven clinical solutions.1-3 Together, they combine a proven implant foundation with smart guidance technology to support personalized shoulder replacement surgery.

For more information about GPS or to schedule an appointment with Dr. Quinn, call Newton Wellesley Orthopedic Associates at 617-964-0024 or visit http://advita.com/daniel-quinn/.

Additional information about the technology can be found at www.advita.com/patients.

GPS is manufactured by Blue Ortho SAS, an Advita Ortho subsidiary, and distributed by Advita Ortho, LLC.

References:

Roche CP et al. Longitudinal analysis of shoulder arthroplasty utilization, clinical outcomes, and value: a comparative assessment of changes in improvement over 15 years with a single platform shoulder prosthesis. J Shoulder Elbow Surg. 2023 Aug;32(8):1562-1573. doi: 10.1016/j.jse.2022.12.018. Epub 2023 Jan 18. PMID: 36681103. Friedman RJ et al. Comparison of long-term clinical and radiological outcomes for cemented keel, cemented peg, and hybrid cage glenoids with anatomical total shoulder arthroplasty using the same humeral component. Bone Joint J. 2023 Jun 1;105-B(6):668-678. doi: 10.1302/0301-620X.105B6.BJJ-2022-1033.R2. PMID: 37259565. Neel, G. et al. Prospective Observational Study of Anatomic and Reverse Total Shoulder Arthroplasty Utilizing a Single Implant System With Long-Term Follow-Up. Seminars in Arthroplasty: JSES. 2022

SOURCE Advita Ortho, LLC
The median house price for houses sold with the Dundalk Eircode A91 in February 2026 was 335,000, up 2000 from January according to figures released by the CSO (Central Statistics Office) in their Residential Property Price Index report.

The county wide median house price for Louth now stands at 370,000, the same as January.

Of the 47 houses sold in Dundalk in February, 19 were to first time buyer owner-occupiers; 23 to former owner-occupiers and 5 were to non occupiers.

Thirty-one of these houses were existing builds while sixteen were new homes.

The median price of the new houses sold was 402,500 (up 10,000 on January) and the median price of existing houses sold in February was 300,000 (up 50,000 on January).

In Drogheda, the median price of residential properties sold in A92 in February 2026, was 385,000, an increase of 2000 on January.

Of the 97 houses sold in Drogheda in February, 49 were to first time buyer owner-occupiers; 45 to former owner-occupiers and 3 were to non occupiers.

Thirty-five of the houses sold were new houses and the other 62 were existing. The median price for the new houses sold was 400,000 (up from 750 in January) while for existing houses it was 343,000 (up from 2,000 on January.)

The national Residential Property Price Index (RPPI) increased by 6.8% in the 12 months to February 2026, down from the 7.1% recorded in the year to January 2026. Property prices in Dublin rose by 5.6% and prices outside Dublin were up by 7.8% compared with February 2025.The median price of a dwelling purchased in the 12 months to February 2026 was 390,000.

The highest median price for a dwelling in the 12 months to February 2026 was 681,500 in Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown, while the lowest median price was 198,000 in Donegal. In February 2026, 3,370 dwelling purchases by households were filed with the Revenue Commissioners at a total value of 1.47 billion. These purchases were made up of 2,558 existing dwellings and 812 new dwellings.

Revenue data shows there were 1,333 first-time buyer purchases in February 2026.

Commenting on the release, Samantha Walsh, Statistician in the Prices Division, said:

Residential property prices rose by 6.8% in the 12 months to February 2026, down from the 7.1% in the year to January 2026. In Dublin, residential property prices saw an increase of 5.6%, while residential property prices outside Dublin were 7.8% higher in February 2026 when compared with a year earlier.

Read Next: Early morning boost for Louth commuters as new rail service announced

The annual increase in residential property prices nationally of 6.8% for February 2026 was also observed in November 2025 and December 2025. These annual increases in residential property prices represent the lowest annual increases since the 6.2% recorded in February 2024.

In the 12 months to February 2026, house prices in Dublin rose by 5.0% while apartment prices increased by 7.5%. The highest house price growth in Dublin was in Dublin City at 6.8% while Fingal saw a rise of 2.7%.

Outside of Dublin, house prices were up by 7.4% and apartment prices rose by 13.2%. The region outside of Dublin that saw the largest growth in house prices was the Midlands (Laois, Longford, Offaly, and Westmeath) at 15.3%, while at the other end of the scale, the South-West (Cork and Kerry) saw a rise of 4.2%.
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Postal Code
A Cork youth, who faced charges relating to two separate incidents that occurred when he was 16 years old, has been convicted of public order and driving offences in the district court.

Sergeant Tom Mulcahy told Bantry District Court the first incident occurred in the early hours of April 13, 2025, at a town in West Cork. A garda patrol was alerted to a fight that had broken out between a number of youths and they arrived at the scene at 1.15am.

As gardai were dealing with the fighting youths, the young man came out of a nearby takeaway and began filming the proceedings. The court heard the youth was shouting obscenities at gardai, calling a female member a retard and a c**t. The youth was described as being highly intoxicated, but was not arrested.

The court was told those involved in the fighting were brought to a garda station where the youth in question attended at 2.20am, enquiring after his friends. The court was told he again became abusive, calling gardai c**ts and retards and was arrested for threatening and abusive behaviour and public intoxication.

The second incident occurred on September 21, 2025, when a mobile garda patrol observed a car driving around a town in West Cork at 4am. The vehicle was observed pulling into a supermarket car park, where it parked but the headlights remained turned on. When gardai approached the car, the youth in question was identified as the driver and had no licence or insurance, and the car was seized.

Defence solicitor Letty Baker said her client had no previous convictions and had gone through a significant personal trauma at the time of the incidents. She said he was very drunk on the night of the incidents, and apologised to the court. The court heard the youth was now working full-time and was intent on making a positive future for himself.

Judge Joanne Carroll said the youth should be aware that alcohol may bring out the worst in him. She said his behaviour was not good, but recognised he had dealt with significant personal trauma.

For the threatening and abusive behaviour, he was placed on a probation bond for nine months on condition he attends anger management counselling. The public intoxication charge was taken into consideration. For driving without insurance, he was convicted and fined 100 and the no-licence charge was struck out.
The first phase of a landmark Cork city housing development  consisting of 97 homes  will be completed before the second, 170-home, phase is put out for tender, the housing minister has confirmed.

Two years ago, the Land Development Agency (LDA) was granted amended planning permission to build 267 homes  an increase of two units  at the former St Kevins hospital on the Lee Rd.

After years of fires, the derelict building in Shanakiel was completely gutted in a 2017 blaze. It has long been earmarked for housing, with planning permission initially granted as far back as 2021, with a 2023 completion date forecast.

Initial enabling works were delayed by concerns about roosting bats at the site, but the LDA then said the first homes would be completed in 2024, and then, when that date passed, in 2025.

Tender

In the Dail this week housing minister James Browne told Thomas Gould, Sinn Fein TD for Cork North Central, that the first 97 homes at St Kevins will now be completed this year, but the remaining 170 homes will only then be put to tender.

On final completion, this development will provide 267 new homes, 52 houses and 215 apartments, with a tenure mix of cost rental, affordable purchase and social homes. Construction of the first phase is currently underway, Mr Browne said.

Speaking to The Echo, Mr Gould said there already had been a three-year delay in building 97 homes, and now further delays seemed inevitable.

There is no excuse for the length of time this is taking. It has now been five years since this announcement was made, he said.

It is less than 300 homes. Families should be living in them by now.

I am calling for the tender to be immediately issued for the remaining homes on the site.

The red brick St Kevins psychiatric hospital opened in 1899, housing almost 500 patients. It closed in 2002.

An LDA spokesperson said: From the outset it has been known that development at St Kevins would be challenging owing to the complexity of the site.

"In this regard a phased approach including the tender process was deemed most appropriate.

.
The large garda force mustered to break the fuel protestor blockade at the Whitegate refinery in East Cork belies a lack of day-to-day policing in the region which, according to local councillors, has led to stations being regularly closed and calls left unanswered.

Senior gardai are being asked by the council to explain why theres a major resourcing issue in Cobh, Midleton and Carrigtwohill.

There have been claims that patrol cars have been summoned from as far away as Youghal to incidents in Cobh  a distance of 42km.

Fianna Fail councillor Dominic Finn said he has serious concerns about the lack of a garda presence in the Carrigtwohill and Cobh areas, which have a combined population of more than 30,000.

I went to call to Cobh garda station recently and asked to speak to a garda, but no one was available. On one Monday the nearest garda car (available to attend an incident in Cobh) was in Youghal. There was nobody rostered for Tuesday (in Cobh).

"On the Wednesday a garda was borrowed from Carrigtwohill, with the result there was nobody there. If something happened here where we have to rely on a patrol car coming from Youghal, were in big trouble, Mr Finn said.

MATCH

Independent councillor Ger Curley, a former member of the navy, said at a recent Cork City v Cobh Ramblers match in Cobh there was trouble with fans clashing and no garda presence. Thats not a good sight for our town and the Carrigtwohill station is closed most of the time, he added.

Probably the most damming comments came Labour councillor Cathal Rasmussen, chairman of the countys newly-formed community safety committee.

He said it took nearly 20 minutes for gardai to respond to a serious incident in a Cobh estate  as they had to come from Midleton.

He said he advises people to ring 999 if they cant get through to the station.

A garda spokesperson said: Every hour that garda is required to remain inside a station to keep it open, is an hour that garda cannot be on patrol in their local community.
A young woman who was deported by ICE in Los Angeles to face old theft charges of stealing two hams and cosmetics in Cork was unhappy today to be given one more week to chew on her situation.

Ciocolata Munteanu brought 380 compensation to court last week, and pleaded guilty to the two theft charges but Judge Mary Dorgan said the young woman was inappropriately smiling and chewing gum in court as her solicitor was speaking.

In here we look for respect. She can come back on April 16, the judge said last week.

Today the case had to be adjourned again because it was not possible for solicitor Dennis Healy to attend, and solicitor Diarmuid Kelleher had just been contacted by Mr Healy and asked to stand in for the case.

Mr Kelleher said he did not know anything about the case.

Judge Dorgan then said: I will put it back for a week.

But why? Ms Munteanu asked.

Judge Mary Dorgan said the young woman was inappropriately smiling and chewing gum in court as her solicitor was speaking.

It was explained by Mr Kelleher that it was not possible for Mr Healy to attend and that he had asked him to stand in. The 26-year-old defendant then said: Okay, but why did he not talk to you about this?

She complained that she had been in court three times already, pleaded guilty and paid the full compensation.

Judge Dorgan said:

You have been out of the jurisdiction for years. You are landing back now. I will put it back to April 23. The defendant was deported by US Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

Last week, Mr Healy said that in mitigation the thefts dated back to a time before her family left Cork to live in Los Angeles. ICE came along and decided they were removing foreigners. They took her savings of $20,000, they took her car, they left her with $200, Mr Healy said.

It was at that point that the judge put a stop to the sentencing hearing because the accused was smiling and chewing gum.

On March 25, Garda Pat Costello said at Cork District Court that he arrested Ciocolata Munteanu at Dublin Airport when she arrived on a deportation flight.

The circumstances are that she was deported back by American authorities and we were alerted to her arrival. She was deported from the US after five years, on a flight from LA (on March 24). Her whole family were there for the last six years, Garda Pat Costello said.

There was no objection to the accused being remanded on bail on conditions, including that she would live at 50 Orchard Court, Blackpool, Cork, sign daily at the Bridewell garda station, and not leave the jurisdiction.

On November 27 2018 she stole two hams, valued at 80, and on January 24 2019, she stole 264 worth of cosmetics at Boots in Blackpool in Cork.
LONG BEACH, Calif., April 16, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- In honor of National Donate Life Month in April, MemorialCare's Long Beach Medical Center and Miller Children's & Women's Hospital, along with its partners, OneLegacy, raised the Donate Life flag to honor organ donors whose final act of generosity continues to save and transform lives across Southern California.

From left: Gabrielle Smith, coordinator, pediatric emergency care, Miller Childrens & Womens Hospital; Angie West, program manager, Stroke Program, MemorialCare Neuroscience Institute, Long Beach Medical Center; Eva Perez, OneLegacy ambassador; Joanne Remaro, executive director, Critical Care, Long Beach Medical Center; and Chaplain Amy Henegar during a tribute honoring Evas son, Hernan, an organ donor.

The flagraising ceremony, held on Long Beach Medical Center and Miller Children's & Women's shared campus, brought together caregivers, OneLegacy representatives and community members to reflect on the profound impact of organ donation. The event included an opening blessing, reflections from care teams and donation leaders, and a moving tribute to donor families whose loved ones continue to save lives long after they're gone.

Among the speakers was Eva Perez, a OneLegacy ambassador and Long Beach community advocate, shared her son's story and how his decision to become an organ donor helped save the lives of others. She also encouraged attendees to register as organ donors, emphasizing the lasting impact one decision can have on families and communities. During the event, Eva and community members gathered around her son's photo, pausing to write messages of thanks and inspiration in honor of his selfless decision to donate.

"At MemorialCare, organ donation is deeply personal, as we witness both the loss and the lifesaving hope it creates," said Joan Romero, DNP, RN, CENP, CCRN, executive director, Emergency Department, Trauma & Critical Care, MemorialCare Long Beach Medical Center. "To honor this remarkable act of compassion, our care teams, leadership, volunteers, and administration participate in honor walks, which is when a donor and their family make the profoundly selfless decision to give the gift of life. These moments remind us that behind every donation is a family, a story and a lasting legacy."

Over the past year, Long Beach Medical Center recorded 13 organ donors, 20 tissue donors and 12 ocular donors, resulting in 41 organ transplants and improving the lives of more than 1,550 people. For nearly two decades, Long Beach Medical Center and Miller Children's & Women's Hospital have partnered with OneLegacy to raise awareness about organ, eye and tissue donation throughout the Long Beach community.

During the ceremony, speakers emphasized the ongoing need for donors nationwide. More than 100,000 people in the United States are currently waiting for a lifesaving organ transplant, while thousands more rely on tissue and eye donation to restore health and quality of life.

As part of Donate Life Month, MemorialCare is also encouraging individuals to take proactive steps to document their wishes. MemorialCare patients may now choose to register as organ donors directly through MyChart, MemorialCare's patient portal. Registration is securely recorded in the National Donate Life Registry, which travels with patients even if they move out of state, and remains private from their care teams.

MemorialCare also encourages families to have conversations about organ donation and advance care planning before a medical crisis occurs. National Healthcare Decisions Day, observed April 16, promotes informed decisionmaking around health care preferences, including organ donation. MemorialCare offers a free advance directive form in seven languages: English, Spanish, Khmer, Vietnamese, Farsi, Chinese and Tagalog.

MemorialCare patients can sign up for organ donation in the MyChart portal, non-MemorialCare patients sign up at Donate Life.

SOURCE MemorialCare Long Beach Medical Center and Miller Children's & Women's Hospital
A young man with a several-hundred-euro-per-day addiction to crack cocaine, heroin and cannabis was remanded in custody until May 13 on drug-dealing charges.

Gardai objected to bail last week for 26-year-old Aaron ODriscoll of Desmond Square, Greenmount, Cork, believing that his addictions had spiralled out of control and that he would deal more drugs if released from custody.

Today, at Cork District Court, on the application of Sergeant Aisling Murphy, the accused was remanded in custody by Judge Mary Dorgan until May 13 to allow time for directions to be obtained from the Director of Public Prosecutions.

Garda James Byrd said that on March 29, gardai attached to Cork City district drugs unit executed a warrant on the home of Aaron O'Driscoll at 24 Desmond Square, Greenmount, Cork City, under the Misuse of Drugs Act.

Aaron O'Driscoll and other males were present in the property at the time of entry. A large amount of suspected drugs, including cannabis, cocaine and diamorphine were located in the kitchen and a bedroom in the property. Cash totalling 1,675 was located in the property and this was broken down into predominantly small denomination notes.

Amongst the suspected controlled drugs located on the kitchen table were two digital scales, plastic wrapping and other paraphernalia used to package drugs."

Caught red-handed, Aaron O'Driscoll cooperated with Gardai during the course of the search regarding ownership of the suspected drugs, drug paraphernalia and cash.

It is my belief that Aaron O'Driscoll will commit further offences if granted bail.

Aaron O'Driscoll is currently unemployed and by his own admission suffers from a heavy addiction to crack cocaine, heroin and cannabis. This addiction is believed to be costing several hundred per day.

With no other means to support his habit, gardai believe Aaron O'Driscoll will continue to sell controlled drugs in Cork City. It is the contention of gardai that Aaron O'Driscoll's drug use has spiralled out of all control, Det Garda Byrd said at Cork District Court.
The third annual Baltic Film Festival in Cork on April 17-18 will showcase the finest cinema from Estonia, Lithuania, and Latvia.

Taking place at Triskel Cinema, the festival will feature one film from each Baltic state.

Estonian Ambassador Kairi Kunka says the festivals have been celebrated globally for 15 years and is delighted that Cork is again part of this tradition. She adds that this year, the 35th anniversary of the Baltic states regaining independence, is a particularly meaningful time for reflection.

Since restoring independence, Baltic states have undergone extraordinary transformations - from centrally planned systems to open democracies, from isolation to full participation in European and global life, she said.

By showcasing contemporary Baltic cinema alongside stories that reflect memory, transition, and multicultural experience, we can demonstrate that Baltic societies are dynamic, outward-looking, and constantly evolving.

This years opening film, Marias Silence, represents Latvia. Its ambassador Juris Stalmeistars describes it as a powerful historical drama set in 1937 about the Latvian silent film actress Maria Leiko, who becomes entangled in Stalinist terror while visiting her granddaughter in Soviet Russia.

The film portrays the darkest chapters of Latvias history, it also shows our countrys strong theatrical and artistic traditions, as well as reflecting our cultural sensibilities, such as quiet dignity, restrained emotions and a strong connection between personal tragedy and national history, said Juris. By focusing on this very tragic story, the film presents Latvia as a nation whose culture and identity endured despite political violence and repressions.

Five And A Half Love Stories In An Apartment In Vilnius, Lithuania, directed by Lithuanian-American film-maker Tomas Vengris, is a Lithuanian-Irish co-production.

According to Dalia Sukackiene, the charge daffaires ad interim of Lithuania, the film explores profound transformations occurring in the region, not only in the political and economic spheres, but also in everyday life.

It is uniquely suited to capturing these shifts, as it portrays change as it is lived and experienced by individuals rather than described through statistics or policy documents.

Ambassador Kunka says the film representing Estonia, Goodbye Soviet Union, directed by Lauri Randla, captures the closed and absurd atmosphere of the 1980s, offering a nostalgic yet humorous view of that time.

It tells the story of the collapse of an evil empire, highlighting the contrast between the old symbols, like Lenins, and the modern times, Barbies or adverts, while telling the story of the upbringing of a child in Soviet Estonia. Although the movie does not directly depict the major events of the period, they are strongly felt in the background, such as the Chernobyl nuclear disaster, the war in Afghanistan and the disintegration of the Soviet Union, which serve an important role in shaping the story.

Ireland is to host the EU Presidency later this year, and charge daffaires Sukackiene believes that film festivals help connect countries through shared experience.

Lithuania will assume the EU Presidency at the beginning of 2027, and festivals like this take on even greater significance and symbolic weight. They help highlight the idea that EU leadership is not only about policy coordination, but also about mutual listening and understanding between societies. By working together, we underscore the value of small and medium-sized EU Member States in shaping Europes cultural narrative.

The three embassies hope the festival will attract both Cork locals and Baltic communities. They highlight that it is an opportunity for the Irish to discover new stories, history, and cinema from the Baltic region.

Ambassador Stalmeistars says the Latvian community is fostering connections by sharing its culture.

We hope that it will become an integral part of Corks cinema life. We are proud that Latvians make an active contribution to Irelands cultural life through community festivals, choirs, folk dance groups, concerts and exhibitions across the country. Our musicians, artists and filmmakers also participate in Irish festivals and creative projects, helping to build cultural links between our two countries and enriching Irelands multicultural society.

Charge daffaires Sukackiene is proud to see the Lithuanian community in Cork growing.

This is reflected not only in numbers, but also in the communitys energy, creativity, and willingness to cooperate, ranging from cultural events to initiatives that introduce Lithuanian traditions, language, and history to a wider audience. The recent opening of a Lithuanian Saturday school is a particularly meaningful milestone.

The Lithuanian community in Cork demonstrates a strong commitment to preserving language and cultural identity. This film festival is a perfect opportunity to bring together local residents and Baltic diaspora communities, helping our societies understand one another through stories, emotions, and shared human experience.

Ambassador Kunka says although the Estonian community is not the largest in Ireland, at 2,500, it is active and connected.

The relationship between Estonia and Ireland has been growing for nearly four decades now. Many Estonians have made Ireland their home; here, they grow their families and build their careers.

Film offers us a wonderful opportunity to introduce our Irish neighbours to Estonians, Latvians, and Lithuanians and to share our culture, which unites us and what makes us different. Our goal is to change the Baltic Film Festival into a lasting tradition.

The Baltic Film Festival takes place on April 17-18 at Triskel Cinema. See triskelartscentre.ie
One of the longest-running clubbing collectives in Cork, World Bass Culture was founded in 2007. They are mainly remembered for many a wild night at The Pavilion, at the time under an ownership that was overseeing a golden era of clubbing and live music from that time on up to 2014.

World Bass Culture encompassed DJs, MCs, music producers and artists. As the name suggests, they were primarily focused on a spectrum of bass music that ranged from roots reggae to dub and drum n bass and they were aligned with local dub jam band Wiggle, digi-dub producer Prof. Ruff Chuff and reggae sound system Revelation Sound.

Whats particularly interesting about this crew is that the majority of them are part of Corks Polish community. If they have a leader, it may as well be Man-G. A DJ in Poland, he arrived in Cork in 2005. I came here only for six months, he once joked.

He got his first gig through the Tikki Lounge, a cosy little alternative bar upstairs from Jim Cashmans on the corner of Academy Street and Paul Street, with a night called Jungle United. Through that he met the people behind Impact Drum N Bass, a night which was running in the Cruiscin Lan on Douglas Street, and he got to play there.

Cork was also home to other compatriots of Man-G who shared a similar musical outlook. One of them was Mateusz Miller. A producer who made music under the name Radikal Guru, Miller was into instrumental hip-hop and jungle, but his time in Cork exposed him to soundsystem culture and heavy dub music, courtesy of Revelation Soundsystem, influences which would feed into his music. As well as that, it was in Cork he connected with reggae artist Cian Finn, who became a regular collaborator on vocals for Radikal Guru.

With Impact Drum N Bass having reached its demise, Man-G and Miller founded World Bass Culture, inspired by nights like Impact and Revelation Sound, as a way of promoting the underground bass music they loved.

Its not about the clothes. Its not about being cool. Its like all the friends coming together in the one spot and dancing together, having a good time, explained Man-G.

While Miller would return to Poland in 2010, Man-G had gathered enough friends under the World Bass Culture umbrella to create a diverse family of like-minded people. DJs like Killamanselector, Spetz, Kukura, Almer and Smokesystem, and MCs like RasTinny, Fyahred and Harry J. They also borrowed Wiggles live visual mixer, VJ Present.

In 2015, World Bass Culture also became a label, releasing a single featuring Spetz and Revelation Soundsystem. Indeed, Spetz has been a mainstay of every release since. In 2017, they launched WBC Soundsystem. While their appearances in Cork in recent years have been sporadic, and in more off-the-beaten-path spaces like Crack Jennys on Union Quay, Masons Rooftop on Tuckey Street, and An Spailpin Fanach (they even put Radikal Guru on in Ma Murphys in Bantry in 2023), they have appeared regularly at festivals such as the Trenchtown Stage at Electric Picnic.

It is therefore great to be able to check them out at Dali on Lavitt's Quay this Friday, April 17. The simple posting on their socials merely said WBC Full Crew & Guests, which is enough guarantee of a good vibe. Expect steppers, dub and heavy low bass. And its free!
James Cox

Thursday's front pages are dominated by pressure on Taoiseach Micheal Martin over the fuel protests.

The Irish Times, Irish Examiner and Irish Independent all lead with stories on pressure on the Taoiseach from within Fianna Fail.

Speaking to The Irish Times anonymously, one TD said it was last-chance saloon for the Taoiseach. Another said theres a little bit of the straw that broke the camels back when it comes to the fuel protests and Martin's leadership.

The Irish Examiner has been told by TDs and senators that there is more appetite than ever for a change of Fianna Fail leadership.

Meanwhile, thw Irish Independent reports TDs are plotting a "heave" against Micheal Martin, and 'sounding out' the ministers including Dara Calleary, Jim O'Callaghan and Darragh O'Brien over leadership bids.

Cork City Council has written off nearly 3.7 million in derelict property levies, The Echo reports.

The man charged with killing farmer Michael Gaine was beaten up in prison, the Irish Daily Star reports.

The Irish Sun leads with a story on talks over a Katie Taylor fight at Croke Park.

The Herald leads with a story on a former Love/Hate actor who has been jailed over a robbery spree.

The Irish Daily Mail and Irish Daily Mirror also lead with the fuel protests fallout.

The Belfast Telegraph leads with a story on a dog handler who suffered a savage assault.

The Irish News leads with a story on lost revenue from international students.

The UK front pages lead with a range of stories including the war in Iran and a new dementia drug.

Thursday's FINANCIAL TIMES: Tehran deploys Chinese satellite to target US bases across Middle East#TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/jj2LqwJqcQ  Jack Surfleet (@jacksurfleet) April 15, 2026

Thursday's DAILY EXPRESS: Dementia drug effect is branded 'trivial'#TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/451Ne0kbTo  Jack Surfleet (@jacksurfleet) April 15, 2026

Thursday's DAILY TELEGRAPH: Family tax bills rise 4k under Reeves#TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/6VJhJ959n7  Jack Surfleet (@jacksurfleet) April 15, 2026

Thursday's GUARDIAN: War windfall: big oil makes extra $30m every hour during conflict#TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/cKHc7lS8lB  Jack Surfleet (@jacksurfleet) April 15, 2026

Thursday's TIMES: UK facing summer of shortages on shelves #TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/jmiRfDBd9J  Jack Surfleet (@jacksurfleet) April 15, 2026

Thursday's i: China flexes its muscles in Gulf - as Trump seeks deal with Iran#TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/ZAyAveA4b1  Jack Surfleet (@jacksurfleet) April 15, 2026

The New York Times and The Washington Post lead with the war in Iran.
By Rebecca Black, Press Association

Judgment has been reserved following the trial of three men for the murder of Belfast journalist Lyra McKee.

The non-jury trial at Belfast Crown Court, which started in May 2024, heard evidence supporting a total of 52 charges against nine Derry men accused of being involved in rioting and attacks on police in April 2019.

Defence barristers have criticised the standard of the evidence in the case, which is almost entirely circumstantial.

A barrister for one of the men accused of murder said police properly left no stone unturned in their investigation into McKees death, which he described as undoubtedly a tragedy.

But Mark Mulholland went on to contend: Sadly some officers strayed outside of their duties, lines were crossed and expert witnesses were compromised.

The 29-year-old author died after being hit by a bullet as she stood close to police vehicles while observing the disturbances in the Creggan area of Derry on April 18th 2019.

Flowers at the spot where Lyra McKee was killed in Creggan, Derry (PA)

It came as TV presenter Reggie Yates and an MTV crew were filming in the area for a documentary which included interviewing members of Saoradh, a fringe republican political party with an office in Derry.

Several petrol bombs had been directed at police and a car was set on fire during chaotic scenes which culminated in four shots being fired towards officers, which the prosecution contends were aimed and deliberate.

The New IRA claimed responsibility for the death of McKee.

Paul McIntyre, 58, of Kells Walk in Derry, Peter Cavanagh, 37, of Mary Street, and Jordan Gareth Devine, 25, of Bishop Street, are facing a joint enterprise murder charge.

They are also facing other charges connected to the shooting and the rioting.

Six other Derry men are facing charges including rioting and throwing petrol bombs in the non-jury trial.

Another man accused of rioting and throwing petrol bombs on the night of the murder died during trial proceedings last year.

It is the prosecutions case that the three men accused of murder had accompanied a lone gunman to the firing point on the night and encouraged or assisted him.

They say the men, who deny the charges, are linked to the scene by clothing and physical features.

The trial has continued in bouts over the course of two years.

Journalist Lyra McKee died while observing rioting (Chiho Tang/Oranga Creative/PA)

In February, Judge Smyth rejected a defence application that there was no case to answer.

The trial previously heard evidence of a horrifying scream being heard after the shot which killed McKee was fired.

A police witness described the decision being taken to transport McKee to hospital in a police Land Rover rather than waiting for an ambulance, and travelling through the burning vehicles, through the crowd, headed down to Letterkenny Road, across the bridge and up to Altnagelvin (Hospital).

The officers carried out CPR on that journey, which took around five minutes, however McKees death was confirmed shortly after her arrival at the hospital.

The prosecution completed its closing submissions in March, prior to the Easter recess.

Defence barristers delivered their closing submissions across this week.

On Thursday morning, Mulholland, who represents McIntyre, built on his questioning of the quality of evidence on Wednesday.

Mulholland said three witnesses contradict the identification of his client as person D in footage on April 18th in terms of his height, and that no police officer was able to reliably identify McIntyre in the disturbances.

He also queried why D was not seen wearing glasses as McIntyre does.

Judge Smyth suggested McIntyre did not wear glasses all the time.

Mulholland said if a person was intending to pick up bullet cartridges or throw petrol bombs at police, you would wear your glasses.

Concluding, Mulholland referred to the prosecution case as a white dot on a coat, and urged the court to acquit his client.

Judge Smyth thanked all the counsel for their work and submissions in a very complex case.

She described a number of perspectives and said each defendant is entitled to be considered separately.

For that reason, I cannot give a date of final judgment, she said.

It will take some time, but this case will have my prioritisation.
David Raleigh

Family and friends of Scarlett Faulkner paid tribute to her on Thursday with a stunning pink and purple coloured vigil of flowers and photographs.

Mourners paid their respects at the 29-year-old Limerick mothers removal, held at Crosss Funeral Home, Limerick City, where loved ones erected life-sized gold coloured framed images of the mother-of-one.

Faulkner died last Monday from injuries she suffered in an alleged iron-bar attack on the side of a road in Co Tipperary, on March 21st last.

Faulkners family had to make the heartbreaking decision to allow doctors to remove her from life support at Cork University Hospital, last Sunday.

Large heart-shaped floral tributes with photographs of Faulkner and closest family members were erected outside Crosss funeral home today.

The massive shrine included messages from Ms Faulkners loving sisters, Victoria, Barbara, Margaret, Mary, Lisa, Pamela, Kathleen, Nora, Louise; as well as her loving brothers, Martin Anthony, Stephen, Jason, and Thomas.

A heart-shaped tribute containing a photograph of Ms Faulkner and her six-year old daughter Oceanna, included the poignant inscription: Love u mommy, ur diamond eyes daughter Oceanna.

Another read: From ur love of ur life Pa.

Pink rose petals made up further floral tributes, which read Mommy and Daughter.

A large canvass containing pictures of symbols of Ms Faulkners life was also placed outside the funeral home, which included Louis Vuitton heels and handbags, perfume, and a can of Redbull.

A number of female mourners wore purple t-shirts, including a photograph of Ms Faulkner, which read RIP Scarlett.

Photographs of the deceased were also placed on the windows of cars of mourners who attended the reposing of Faulkners remains.

Faulkners family, neighbours and friends released balloons into the air in her memory at her family home at Longpavement Halting site, last Wednesday.

As Faulkners family prepared to bury the mother of one on Friday, her sister, Victoria Faulkner, on behalf of their father, asked people to keep the peace at her wake and funeral.

My father asked me to pass on a message, that if anyone is fighting, any crowds that is coming to the funeral and are not getting on with each other, can ye please just pass each other for the sake of Scarlett and the day thats in it, said Faulkner.

We have had the hardest here weeks of our lives, and look, we are suffering as it is with the loss of Scarlett, god love her and her lovely soul.

But, any families that is fighting, please I beg of you, just pass each other for the day thats in it.

In a video posted online, Victoria Faulkner appealed to mourners not to consume alcohol around her sisters funeral.

Lads, no alcohol to be allowed, no drink whatsoever. Drink cannot be allowed near any of the funeral or wakes, she said.

Please, lads, we dont want any trouble, no trouble at all at all, at the funeral. Thanks very much.

A post-mortem examination was conducted on Ms Faulkners remains this week, however Gardai did not release details of the autopsy.

Garda investigations into her alleged assault and subsequent death are continuing.

A 16-year-old girl is currently before the courts accused of carrying out the attack.

Gardai alleged in court that the girl, who cannot be named because of a judges order, had struck Ms Faulkner eleven times with an iron bar, after allegedly chasing her along the hard shoulder of the R494, outside Birdhill village, north county Tipperary.

A 40-year old woman, who also cannot be named for legal reasons, is charged before the courts with endangerment and violent disorder and burglary. Gardai alleged in court that the accused woman rammed a van, that Ms Faulkner and a man were travelling in, moments prior to the alleged attack.

Ms Faulkners funeral mass takes place at St Munchins Church, at 11am Friday, followed by burial at Meelick Cemetery, south east Clare.
Fiona Ferguson

A man who twice violently assaulted his former partner has been jailed for two years.

Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard that the woman feared she would be killed during the attacks perpetrated on her by Toyatma Fedee (40) at her home.

Defence counsel, Keith Spencer, told the court it had been a time of high stress as the couple cohabited during the Covid lockdown. He said his client had also consumed alcohol.

Fedee of Mountjoy Square West, Dublin 1, pleaded guilty to assaulting his former partner, causing her harm at her Dublin home on March 2, 2020.

A further charge of assaulting the woman, causing her harm on July 3rd, 2020 was taken into consideration. He has no previous convictions and entered the guilty plea on his trial date.

Passing sentence, Judge Martin Nolan said Fedee had attacked and assaulted the woman.

He said he had beaten, slapped and choked the woman after knocking her to the ground. He noted the woman was in fear for her life and thought she may be killed or suffer serious injuries.

He noted she was prepared to forgive the first time, but the behaviour was repeated and that ended the relationship. He said the events were frightening and the woman was unsurprisingly traumatised.

He said the court took into account his guilty plea, work history and lack of prior convictions.

Judge Nolan noted the man has taken steps to deal with his aggression and is now married.

He said the fact that there was a second incident of assault meant a custodial term was warranted.

Judge Nolan set a headline sentence of four years imprisonment and, taking into account mitigation, imposed a sentence of two years.

An investigating garda told Jane Murphy, prosecuting, that the couple began a relationship in November 2019 and the woman described experiencing possessive behaviour from the accused from the outset.

The garda said on March 2nd, 2020 the couple had been socialising together in the city centre and both had alcohol to drink.

A 'massive rage'

They returned to the womans home and were having a chat when Fedee became angry. He claimed she made a remark about his father, but he could not recall what it was.

He grabbed her wrist, hurting and frightening her. She asked what he was doing, and in response he punched her on the cheek with force at least twice. She fell to the ground on her back.

She described the man as being in a massive rage. He grabbed her hair and hit her head off the wooden floor. He continued the assault, slapping and choking her. She said the choking went on for ages and she thought she was going to die.

He began shouting where is my money?" but was not interested in her offer to go to an ATM.

Fedee threatened her family and told her he has people. He followed her to the bedroom where he began crying and said he did not know why he behaved like that

He apologised and after a long conversation she felt this was a once-off and agreed to resume the relationship. He texted with further apologies the next day.

The second assault

There was no further violence until July 3rd, 2020. She said in the days leading up to the second assault, he was acting aggressively and complaining about the noise of her dogs and of her exercising.

She said on the day in question, they were awoken at 6.30am by her dog going to the toilet which made him angry.

Later in the kitchen he shoved her into an extractor fan and grabbed her face with force. He began choking and slapping her. She said she could not recall how many times he slapped her.

She said she kept trying to run away, but he grabbed her back. She was terrified and could not speak. The accused man started shouting speak up, what is wrong with you?

She said while he was choking her, he asked her: Whats wrong with you, I didnt even punch you this time. She went to her bedroom and said she was going to leave.

He told her she was not going anywhere and pinned her to the bed. He kneeled on her shoulder and took her phone.

She said he then began to show some concern for her and gave her a glass of water. She ran from the house. The accused followed her out onto the street, she got back inside and locked the door behind her.

He banged on the windows and told her she would see him again. He demanded a months rent back and threatened to burn the premises.

The woman went to a garda station and made a report. The following year the accused was arrested and interviewed.

Spencer said Fedee made some admissions, accepted it was not normal and that he needed psychological intervention. He told gardai he had unresolved grief from the death of his mother.

Spencer said his client has made a financial gesture of remorse, but the injured party is not willing to accept it. The accused man took the stand and offered an apology for his behaviour.

In her victim impact statement, the woman said prior to the events she had a career, a social circle and her future mapped out. She trusted people and was happy, strong and confident.

She said she no longer felt safe, suffered night terrors, hypervigilance and PTSD. She said she finds intimacy and relationships difficult, she is more guarded and mistrusting.

I have had to rebuild from scratch, and the process has taken years and continues to take effort,  she said.

If you have been affected by any of the issues raised in this article, you can contact Womens Aid (24-hour freephone helpline at 1800-341 900, email helpline@womensaid.ie) or Mens Aid Ireland (confidential helpline at 01-554 3811, email hello@mensaid.ie) for support and information.

Safe Ireland also offers a number of local services and helplines at safeireland.ie/get-help/where-to-find-help/. In the case of an emergency, always dial 999/112.
Elizabeth City, NC  Elizabeth City State University (ECSU) Foundation has received a $500,000 investment from the William R. Kenan, Jr. Charitable Trust to launch Vikings PREP: Pathway to Readiness, Excellence and Persistencea six to eight-week residential summer bridge program designed to expand college access and support long-term student success across its 21-county service region in northeastern North Carolina.

Serving predominantly rural communities, many of which are designated as Tier I and Tier II for economic distress, ECSU will implement the program across its service area. Vikings PREP reflects the universitys commitment to meeting students where they are and helping them navigate the path to college and beyond.

The program will support up to 100 incoming first-year students who show strong potential. Through a thoughtful and supportive experience, Vikings PREP will strengthen academic skills, build confidence and foster a sense of belonging before the start of the fall semester. Participants will engage in coursework, mentoring, enrichment activities, and guided access to campus resources, all within a welcoming residential environment.

This initiative comes at a pivotal moment, reflecting our commitment to building intentional pathways for student success and growth. Through innovative, academically driven programs and clearly defined tiers of support like this, we are creating meaningful opportunities that empower every student to thrive and reach their full potential said Provost Robert N. Corley III.

Beginning in Fall 2026, new UNC System admissions requirements will require certain applicants to submit standardized test scores alongside their GPA. While intended to strengthen admissions standards, university officials say this shift may create additional hurdles for students from rural and underserved communities.

Vikings PREP is about opening doors and walking alongside our students as they step into a new chapter, said Chancellor S. Keith Hargrove. We know our students bring talent, resilience and promise. This program is designed to nurture that potential, helping them feel prepared, supported, and confident from the very beginning of their college journey.

ECSU enrolls approximately 2,360 students, many of whom reflect both significant need and remarkable determination. Nearly 52% receive federal Pell Grants; 20% are first-generation college students; 14% are military-affiliated, and close to 60% come from rural counties. About half of ECSU students live on campus, contributing to a close-knit, supportive learning community.

Vikings PREP is intended to support first-generation and underrepresented students, including those with limited prior exposure to college expectations. The program focuses on academic readiness, early engagement and student transition, with the goal of supporting persistence and graduation outcomes.

Vikings PREP is grounded in care, connection, and preparation, said Kevin J. Wade, vice chancellor for Student Affairs. We are creating a space where students can build skills, form relationships, and begin to see themselves as successful college scholars. Its about giving students a strong, confident start and reminding them they belong here.

Ulysses Bell, Planned Giving officer, added, This initiative allows us to be intentional in how we support our students from day one. By investing early, we are helping to shape stronger outcomes and brighter futures, particularly for the first-generation and rural students we are honored to serve.

As a vibrant living and learning community where access, diversity and opportunity come together, this institution is committed to transforming lives and strengthening the region it serves, said Wade. Vikings PREP represents a meaningful step forward, ensuring that students not only reach college but are ready to thrive once they arrive.

For more information about Vikings PREP, please contact Kevin Wade.
The addition of GraVoc brings expanded capabilities in ERP, business solutions, and creative servicessupporting a more connected, strategic approach to IT.

DENVER, April 16, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- New Charter Technologies, a unified, people-first technology partner focused on innovation and client outcomes, today announced that GraVoc, a Massachusetts-based technology solutions provider known for its integrated approach to IT, cybersecurity, business solutions, and creative services, has joined New Charter.

GraVoc

GraVoc has been around for more than 30 years, steadily building a model designed to meet clients where they are and grow with them. Today, the company brings together IT services, cybersecurity, business solutionsincluding Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP)and creative technology into one team, so organizations can tackle complex challenges without juggling multiple partners.

"We grew the company piece by piece over time, with a focus on our customers, our employees, and doing what we said we would do," said David Gravel, founder of GraVoc. "If you put your word out there and say you can do something, you've got to do it, no matter what it costs."

Today, GraVoc serves nearly 1,000 clients with a team of approximately 80 employees, operating as what the company describes as a "360-degree" partner across technology and business needs. Its horizontal, client-centered approach aligns closely with New Charter's strategy of delivering deeper engagement and broader outcomes through a unified platform.

GraVoc's leadership spent several years evaluating potential partners before selecting New Charter, prioritizing cultural alignment, long-term vision, and a shared commitment to people and community.

"We were looking for a partner that thought the same way we doabout customers, about employees, and about building something that lasts," Gravel added. "We've always felt like we approached this business a little differently, and we were looking for a company that shared that perspective. With New Charter, we found it."

New Charter continues to expand by partnering with organizations that bring differentiated capabilities and strong cultural alignment. GraVoc adds particular strength in ERP and business solutions, as well as a creative services capability that is truly unique within the managed services landscape.

"GraVoc represents exactly the kind of partner we're building New Charter around," said Peter Melby, CEO of New Charter Technologies. "They've built a business that goes deeper with clients by combining technology, security, and business solutions to solve real problems. That aligns directly with where we're going: a more integrated, advisory-driven model that helps clients navigate what's next, not just manage what's in front of them."

Melby continued, "What stood out most is their mindset. They've always focused on the customer at the center and built around that. That's the same foundation we're scaling across New Charter, bringing together great companies to create something more powerful for clients, while preserving what makes each team special."

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MEDIA CONTACT

Allison Francis

New Charter Technologies

[email protected]

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SOURCE New Charter Technologies
Earlier this year it was revealed that Apple and Google were offering "nudify" apps on their stores despite having clear policies barring such content. Nearly three months later, such apps are not only still available, but being actively promoted on the iOS App Store and Google Play, according to a new report from the Tech Transparency Project (TTP). Many of those were labeled "E" for Everyone, meaning they can be downloaded by children.

Searching for "nudify," "undress" and other terms in those stores gives users access to apps that can make real people nude or put them into pornographic videos. The new report alleges that "the platforms are key participants in the spread of AI tools that can turn real people into sexualized images," TTP wrote. The app stores even ran ads for similar nudifying apps in the search results. (Engadget has reached out to Apple and Google for comment.)

The group identified 18 nudify apps in Apple's App Store and 20 in Google Play. Some were marketed with sexual images, while others weren't advertised as such but could still be used for deepfakes. Those apps have collectively generated around $122 million in revenue and been downloaded 483 million times, according to the report.

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"Its not just that the companies are failing to actually appropriately review these apps and continue to approve them and profit from them," TTP director Katie Paul told Bloomberg. "They are actually directing users to the apps themselves."

Apple and Google both have policies banning sexual or pornographic material, and Google has a specific policy against nudifying apps. Apple told Bloomberg that it removed 15 apps identified by the group, while Google said that it suspended a number of them. One of the apps cited in the report called Video Face Swap AI: DeepFace, advertises itself by showing an actress's face swapped onto another actress's body and allows users to put a real person's face on the bodies of partially undressed women. The app was rated "E" for Everyone.

The proliferation of nudify and deepfake apps has pushed some governments to propose laws against them. The UK's Children's Commissioner recently called for a ban on AI deepfake apps that create nude or sexual images of children. The US and other countries have proposed or created laws banning explicit deepfakes, and the California Attorney General recently sent Elon Musk's X a cease and desist order over Grok's explicit deepfakes.

Update April 16 at 3:42 AM ET: Google gave Engadget the following comment:

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"Google Play does not allow apps that contain sexual content.
The European Commission has proposed new measures for Google aimed at bringing the tech giant's search business into compliance with the Digital Markets Act. In order to allow third-party online search engines to be competitive with Google, the EC has recommended that Google permit those services to access its treasure trove of search engine data. As it stands, the proposal would require Google to let rivals see data points "such as ranking, query, click and view data, on fair, reasonable and non-discriminatory terms."

"Data is a key input for online search and for developing new services, including AI," said Teresa Ribera, the Commission's executive vice-president for Clean, Just and Competitive Transition. "Access to this data should not be restricted in ways that could harm competition. In fast-moving markets, small changes can quickly have a big impact. We will not allow practices that risk closing markets or limiting choice."

European regulators have been using the Digital Markets Act to hammer at Google's dominant market position for several years. Beginning in March 2024, Google was required to be in compliance with the DMA and it did plan some changes in accordance with the legislation. A year later, though, the Commission levied preliminary charges against Google arguing that Google Search and the Play Store had not met their obligations for market competition. Google offered some possible adjustments to how search results are displayed in response, but it seems the regulator is going to keep fighting for more robust changes to Google's search business.

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If you think all that sounds like something Google is unwilling and unlikely to do, you'd be correct. For starters, the actual requirements for Google could change in the coming months. The EC is accepting comments on the proposed measures through May 1, and Google's legal team is certain to have a lot of opinions to share. We've reached out to the company for a comment on these preliminary measures. A final, binding decision on Google's next steps is due by July 27, so we're expecting a lot of back-and-forth between the parties until that date.

Update, April 17 2026, 11:36AM ET: Reached for comment, Google's Senior Competition Counsel Clare Kelly told Engadget, "hundreds of millions of Europeans trust Google with their most sensitive searches  including private questions about their health, family, and finances  and the Commissions proposal would force us to hand this data over to third parties, with dangerously ineffective privacy protections. We will continue to vigorously defend against this overreach, which far exceeds the DMAs original mandate and jeopardizes peoples privacy and security."
Apple's MacBook Neo is a $600 (or $500 for students) shot across the bow at affordable Windows laptops, and it seems like Microsoft has ready its first response. The newly announced "Microsoft College Offer" is a bundle of Microsoft 365 Premium, Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, custom Xbox controller and discounted laptop that the company thinks could woo students away from Apple's new deal.

With the purchase of a discounted machine directly from Microsoft, retailers like Amazon and Best Buy or PC makers like HP, ASUS and Acer, you can get what the company says is an extra $500 of value from its bundle. The laptop deals include a Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3x with a Snapdragon X chip, 16GB of RAM and 256GB of storage for $500 from Best Buy, around $250 off the laptop's usual $750 price. Or if you wanted something even cheaper, Walmart is selling an HP Omnibook 3 for $429, a discount of $270 off its usual $699 price. Microsoft is less generous with the deals on its own laptops and tablets, but you can even get a discount on a Surface Laptop as part of the offer.

A discounted laptop is great, but where the value of the Microsoft College Offer gets harder to define is with the services the company is packing in. Getting what would normally be a $200 year-long subscription to Microsoft 365 Premium for free is a meaningful deal, but many colleges give their students access to Microsoft's apps (and other software) with the cost of their tuition. A year of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, which costs $30 per month as of October 2025, sounds like significant savings, but the offer is only valid for new subscribers. That leaves the free custom Xbox controller as the simplest bonus of the bunch, a value of around $76.

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Windows PC makers are expected to make more serious attempts to compete with the Neo over the next year. For now, though, the Microsoft College Offer isn't exactly a bad deal, but it's certainly not as straightforwardly appealing as an Apple-quality laptop for $500 with a college discount.

The Microsoft College Offer is available to students starting April 15 and runs through June 30, 2026. Microsoft says redemption of the full bundle of services and accessories its offering needs to happen by July 31, 2026.
The Oversight Board  the policy body Meta created to weigh its most impactful moderation rulings  has seen its role within Mark Zuckerberg's empire come into question due to shifting content policy priorities and dwindling investment. The Oversight Board has taken steps to formalize its long-contemplated desire to work with other companies, but Engadget has learned Meta has thus far declined to move forward with that process.

Over the last year, board members have become increasingly interested in artificial intelligence policy and how their experience shaping Meta's content rules could translate into advising companies in the generative AI space. That interest has intensified as some AI companies have privately signaled they would be open to working with the board, according to a source familiar with the organization who was not permitted to speak publicly. The board began talks with Meta last fall about the possibility, which would require the company to sign off on changes to the legal documents that govern the board's operations. But Meta officials have not indicated whether the company is willing to make those changes, which would likely require approval from top executives.

Platformer, which first reported on Meta's budget negotiations with the Oversight Board, noted that the company "has long encouraged the board to seek additional funding sources." So far, no other company has publicly shown interest in working with the group, though the board has had conversations with other firms behind the scenes.

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Oversight Board co-chair Paolo Carozza told Engadget in December that there had been "really preliminary" discussions between the board and AI companies, though he declined to name which ones in particular. "It feels like quite a different moment now, largely because of generative AI, LLMs, chatbots [and] the way that a variety of retail-level users of these technologies are facing a whole new set of challenges and harms that's attracting a lot of scrutiny," he said at the time.

Meta has readily agreed to amend the board's governing documents in the past  like when the trust that controls the Oversight Board's budget funded a new organization to mediate content moderation disputes in Europe. While Meta executives once promoted the idea of its ostensibly independent Oversight Board working with other social media platforms, the prospect of the group working with a competitor as it pursues AI superintelligence is apparently more complicated.

Over the last five years, board members have received briefings from officials at Meta about the inner workings of its moderation systems and other non-public details as part of their work with the company. That raises practical questions about how the board would safeguard Meta's proprietary information, as well as larger strategic questions about whether Meta would want its Oversight Board to work with some of the companies it's now fiercely competing with, the source said. It's not clear how invested Meta's current leadership is in ensuring a future for the board. Former president of global affairs Nick Clegg, who was one of the most vocal champions of the board's work, left the company last year.

Meanwhile, other board members have publicly made the case that the group, which consists of free speech and human rights experts from around the world, is well-positioned to guide AI companies grappling with an increasing number of real-world harms. When Anthropic published a "Claude Constitution" earlier this year, the board published a lengthy analysis from member Suzanne Nossel arguing that Claude also needed the kind of "oversight" the board has provided for Meta. She made a similar argument for the wider AI industry in an op-ed in The Guardian last month.

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While Nossel denied that she was directly pitching the Oversight Board to Anthropic, she said that AI companies face many of the "same dilemmas" as social media platforms. "When the board was first created, there was the notion that we might work across the industry," she told Engadget. "Now, as the world shifts toward an AI-centric paradigm, we're very interested in what our experience can bring to that conversation."

Oversight Board members, who naturally have a vested interest in expanding their purview, aren't the only members of the industry who have warned that generative AI platforms are essentially speed-running social media companies' playbook. A former OpenAI researcher recently wrote that "OpenAI Is Making the Mistakes Facebook Made," citing the AI company's moves toward optimizing for engagement and its plans for in-app advertising. The researcher cited Meta's Oversight Board as an example of the kind of independent governance that's needed in the AI industry.

The question of working with other companies has taken on new urgency as the Oversight Board faces the possibility that it will lose its backing from Meta. In a statement, a Meta spokesperson pointed to previous reports that Meta has committed to funding the board through 2028 and said that "nothing has changed." But a source familiar with the board tells Engadget that Meta has so far only handed over half of the smaller tranche of 2028 funds to the board amid ongoing discussions about its future, including whether it will expand its purview beyond Meta.

There are also very real questions about how the Oversight Board fits into Meta's current strategy around content moderation. Zuckerberg announced last year that Meta was shifting away from most proactive moderation, ending fact-checking in the United States and rolling back hate speech rules. Zuckerberg himself reportedly led the push for these changes following a meeting with then President-elect Donald Trump. The Oversight Board, which Meta has sometimes asked to advise on major policy changes, was not consulted. The company recently said it plans to reduce the number of human moderators in favor of AI-based systems.

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"The Oversight Board is currently engaged in meaningful discussions with Meta regarding its future and the evolution of its model to ensure the organization can address the most urgent emerging challenges in AI governance, standards, and accountability," an Oversight Board spokesperson said in a statement. "At this time, no decisions have been made about the Boards future, and the organizations day-to-day work and mandate remain unchanged.

Critics have long said that the board, which has received more than $280 million from Meta, moves far too slowly. In a little more than five years of operation, the board has published more than 200 decisions about specific moderation issues, which Meta is required to uphold. Those decisions  a tiny fraction of the millions of requests it receives  can take months, though the board can opt to move more quickly. The board has also made hundreds of policy recommendations, which Meta has to respond to but isn't required to implement. The company has agreed to at least some changes in response to 75 percent of recommendations, according to the board.

For the Oversight Board, working with a company besides Meta would begin to address some of the challenges it now faces. It would boost the group's credibility at a time when Meta seems to be re-evaluating its relationship with the board, and it would open up the possibility of new sources of funding. But the situation underscores another long-simmering tension when it comes to the role of the "independent" oversight organization. Meta has always been in control of how much influence the group can actually have. And it's not clear that the company is ready to let the board, which has spent the last five years learning the minutiae of Meta's content moderation and policy processes, advise the companies it's now competing with.

During its work with Meta, the Oversight Board has weighed in on its rules for AI several times. The board has criticized the company's "manipulated media" policy that governs deepfakes and other content, which led to Meta adopting new rules around AI labeling. In its most recent decision dealing with AI, the board urged Meta to invest in better AI detection tools and to collaborate more closely with other platforms. The company has not yet formally responded to those recommendations.
FM's definitive collection of 1,007 sprinkler devices at the FM Research Campus in Rhode Island embodies its property-protection mission of nearly two centuries

JOHNSTON, R.I., April 16, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Staying true to the property protection philosophy that has driven the company for nearly two centuries, commercial property insurer FM today announced that it has earned a Guinness World Records title for the world's largest display of fire sprinklers.

A total of 1,007 sprinklers line the wall of the FM Research Campus lobby in West Glocester, Rhode Island, with models spanning from the 19th century to the present. The display vividly illustrates FM's commitment to protecting commercial and industrial property, from Industrial Revolution textile mills to digital age data centers.

Guinness World Records Adjudicator Thomas Bradford counted every device in the display, keeping track of the tally on a handheld clicker counter. "You are officially amazing and the recipient of a brand-new Guinness World Records title," Bradford said as he handed a framed certificate to FM Research Campus Manager Ron Hinthorn following the confirmation.

The work behind the display

The record-setting display reflects serious workincluding simulated commercial property firestaking place deeper inside the 1,600-acre (648-hectare) FM Research Campus, the world's largest and most sophisticated center for advancing the science of property loss prevention. FM's legacy of resilience began with Zachariah Allen (1795-1882), a risk management visionary and founder of the company that would become FM. Today, FM holds several patents on sprinkler technology.

Automatic sprinklers, activated by heat, remain one of the most effective technologies available for suppression of early stage fires. In 94 percent of the structure fires reported in the United States from 2017 to 2021 in which sprinkler systems were present, fire spread was confined to the object or room of origin, according to the National Fire Protection Association. That compares to only 70 percent in properties with no automatic extinguishing system.

"Fire is the costliest and most dangerous risk to commercial property, and automatic sprinklers can be tremendously effective in mitigating it," said Christopher Wieczorek, Ph.D., staff vice president, senior engineering technical specialist at FM. "We celebrate the technology as part of a strategy that includes research, data analysis, practical guidelines and product-approval criteria. Zachariah Allen would be proud of this record and the legacy of protection and loss prevention that it represents."

Rhode Island State Fire Marshal Timothy McLaughlin attended the official award ceremony at the FM Research Campus. "In my business, we're big proponents of sprinklers. It's part of our code," he said. "In this facility it's provenand everywhere it's proventhat sprinklers prevent loss."

To learn more about FM's past and present fire research history, listen to the Sound Policy podcast episode with FM Chief Science Officer Lou Gritzo.

For more information about Guinness World Records, click here.

Photos/video available: https://www.fm.com/insights/fm-earns-a-guinness-world-records-title-for-worlds-largest-fire-sprinkler-display.

About FM

Established nearly two centuries ago, FM is a leading mutual insurance company whose capital, scientific research capability and engineering expertise are solely dedicated to property risk management and the resilience of its policyholder-owners. These owners, who share the belief that the majority of property loss is preventable, represent many of the world's largest organizations, including one of every four Fortune 500 companies. They work with FM to better understand the hazards that can impact their business continuity to make cost-effective risk management decisions, combining property loss prevention with insurance protection.

Follow FM on LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook. Visit our newsroom for updates on FM, and listen to our new podcast, Sound Policy, on Spotify or Apple Podcasts.

SOURCE FM
Ruby Rose has filed a police report against Katy Perry over sexual assault allegations tied to an incident Rose says happened at Spice Market nightclub in Melbourne in 2010, and Victoria Police have confirmed they are investigating the complaint.

Rose first made the allegation on Sunday, Apr. 12, 2026, in a Threads post that said Perry "sexually assaulted me at Spice Market nightclub in Melbourne." She later said the alleged incident happened when she was in her early 20s and that it had taken almost 20 years for her to speak publicly about it.

In her posts, Rose described the alleged assault as happening when she was trying to avoid Perry by resting her head on a friend's lap. Rose said Perry then bent down, pulled her underwear aside, and rubbed her genitals on Rose's face until Rose "projectile vomited" on her, according to Fox News.

Sexual Assault Allegations

Rose also said she had seen Perry earlier in the night and that the two had arrived together at the now-defunct venue with other people in their group. A former Spice Market manager said the club was crowded that night and described the event as a "security nightmare," but said he did not personally witness the alleged assault, People reported.

Police said the case is being handled by Melbourne's Sexual Offences and Child Abuse Investigation Team and described it as a historical sexual assault inquiry. Officers said the reported incident is tied to a licensed venue in Melbourne's central business district, and no charges have been announced.

Perry's representative has denied the claim and called it "categorically false" and "dangerous, reckless lies." The representative also said Ruby Rose has a well-documented history of making serious public allegations on social media that have been denied by those named, as per the Los Angeles Times.

The matter remains under investigation, and police have said they will not provide further comment while inquiries continue. If you or someone you know needs support, contact RAINN at 800-656-HOPE (4673) or use the National Sexual Assault Hotline at rainn.org.
The Department of Homeland Security faced internal turmoil during the overlapping tenures of former South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem and political operative Corey Lewandowski, according to multiple media reports.

The accounts describe heightened tension among staff, abrupt personnel decisions, and controversy surrounding leadership style and internal access to sensitive information. Noem and Lewandowski have publicly responded to some, but not all, allegations detailed in recent reporting.

RadarOnline reported that Lewandowski's presence inside the department created what sources described as a "reign of terror" among employees. The report described staff reactions using the following term: "terrified." The report included examples of employees leaving notes such as the following. "In a meeting. In the restroom."

According to The New York Times, Lewandowski made his presence known throughout DHS corridors, including behavior described as methodical and disruptive. A source characterization in the report referred to internal conditions as a "reign of terror."

The report also included an assessment of his management style, described as "tightly controlled department operations, building a reputation for abruptly firing staff and instilling fear among fellow Trump aides."

READ MORE: Corey Lewandowski: Donald Trump Campaign Manager Charged With Battery, Watch VIDEO

The publication also reported concerns about Lewandowski's demeanor in the workplace. A former account described his behavior in a brief characterization as having a "quick temper."

It described additional controversy involving Noem's public messaging and internal reactions. A former official referred to her widely used nickname in this statement, "ICE Barbie." The report also included concerns about perceived operational signals in this account, "push the limits."

A former associate counsel at U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services described a contentious public event during Noem's tenure. The report included this reaction to the atmosphere of the meeting. "It felt like a South Park moment."

President Donald Trump later addressed leadership changes involving Noem. A statement attributed to Trump summarized his view of her service as having "served us well, and has had numerous and spectacular results."

Separately, Trump disputed authorization for a costly advertising campaign, stating in the report that he "never knew anything" about the ad. A source quoted in the reporting described Trump's reaction in informal terms as "not a happy camper."

Additional reporting from the same source detailed public backlash over a multimillion-dollar advertising campaign associated with Noem's tenure, including criticism of spending priorities and messaging strategy.

The report also pointed out that the conflicts between insiders intensified when decisions made by leaders and the availability of classified information began to become sources of conflict.

Following the personnel shakeup, both Noem and Lewandowski were reported to have left their roles, marking the end of a brief but highly scrutinized period inside the Department of Homeland Security. Oversight officials and former employees disputed management accounts.

READ MORE: Donald Trump Update: Matthews Confronts Trump on Lewandowski [VIDEO]
Bryon Noem, the husband of former South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem, is facing allegations that his personal spending tied to fetish models contributed to significant financial strain on the couple. The couple's multimillion-dollar loans, along with payments to adult content creators and dominatrix figures, form the basis of the claims.

Radar Online reported that several fetish models have claimed Bryon Noem spent tens of thousands of dollars on their services, describing a pattern of high-cost interactions linked to what they called a "bimbofication" fetish.

The allegations have not been independently verified by authorities, and Noem has not publicly responded to the claims as of publication, and remain part of ongoing media-driven allegations circulating online.

According to financial disclosures reviewed by The Daily Mail, the couple took out six loans totaling $2.6 million between 2020 and 2022, including a $1 million mortgage secured at 4.59 percent. Kristi Noem reported income from her tenure as governor and later federal role, while Bryon Noem reportedly earned more than $1.1 million through his insurance business.

The publication noted that, despite high reported incomes, the filings suggest significant outgoing expenses and debt accumulation during the same period.

READ MORE: Kristi Noem's Husband's Leaked DMs to Fetish Model Reveals Lavish Spending Spree on 'Bigger Boobs' and Pink Thongs

Bryon Noem's Alleged Paid Fetish Models for "Bimbofication"

Nicole Raccagno is identified by the source as the first model to publicly raise claims about Noem's alleged fetish-related spending, described as receiving substantial payments tied to private content and appearances. She detailed how payments were structured around ongoing interactions and explicit financial arrangements connected to her content.

"He would never say no to me. He had to pay for my fillers, my Botox. Whenever I was not looking like a hot bimbo, he would give me money," the Las Vegas-based model boasted.

Shy Sotomayor, also known as Raelynn Riley, alleged she had long-term contact with Bryon Noem beginning in 2016, according to The Daily Mail. She claimed he spent thousands on messaging sessions and discussions about personal and gender-related fantasies, and that he ultimately canceled an in-person meeting that would have cost significantly more.

The allegations remain unverified and are based on statements from individuals as noted by the outlets. Neither Bryon Noem nor Kristi Noem has publicly confirmed the claims. The reports have prompted renewed online scrutiny of the couple's finances and personal spending habits.

READ MORE: Trump Reacts to Kristi Noem's Cross-Dressing Husband Scandal as Leaked 'Bimbo Pics' Spark Blackmail Fears at DHS
Nicole Kidman drew attention at CinemaCon in Las Vegas this week after stepping onto the red carpet alongside longtime friend Sandra Bullock, with online commentators focusing less on the event itself and more on Kidman's hairstyle.

The 58-year-old Scarpetta star arrived in a black slip dress featuring sheer detailing and ruffled accents at the bust. She appeared alongside Bullock, who wore a red pantsuit left open over a black bra, drawing widespread praise for her red carpet presence.

Kidman's appearance, however, quickly became the subject of online discussion, with some viewers questioning whether her hairstyle looked natural or enhanced.

One commenter wrote, as reported by the Daily Mail, "You can see where her real hair ends just above her collarbone."

Another social media user criticized the styling, focusing on its appearance under red carpet lighting. "She doesn't look radiant. Her hair looks like she's just coming out of bed," they offered.

A third commenter added further speculation about the look. "It is a wig or at least some of it is a hair piece."

Despite the online chatter, Kidman's longtime approach to hairstyling is well known, with the actress frequently using wigs and hairpieces for both film roles and public appearances. The outlet noted that she has rarely showcased her natural hair on red carpets in recent years, instead opting for a variety of styled looks.

Kidman has previously acknowledged her preference for changing hairstyles to suit different projects and appearances. "As you know, I love changing my hair," she said.

She also addressed speculation surrounding a shorter hairstyle she debuted at a prior Met Gala appearance. "For the Met Gala, everyone was questioning if I had chopped my hair off. But no, I didn't," she added.

Bullock's appearance alongside Kidman received comparatively positive attention, with many fans highlighting her confident red carpet styling. The two actresses, known for their long-standing friendship, were photographed together throughout the CinemaCon event, which showcased upcoming film projects and studio presentations.

Recently, Nicole Kidman said she is studying to become a death doula after being deeply affected by the death of her mother in 2024. Speaking at the University of San Francisco, she said the experience shaped her interest in end-of-life care and emotional support roles.

"That's part of my expansion and one of the things I will be learning," she said, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

Kidman said she was drawn to the idea after wishing more support had been available during her mother's final days. "I wish there was these people in the world that were there to sit impartially and just provide solace and care," she said.

It is unclear whether she plans to practice professionally or study the field for personal insight.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle could generate as much as $10 million during their current visit to Australia, with experts pointing to speaking engagements, brand deals, and exclusive events as major sources of income.

The couple's week-long tour, which began in Melbourne, is already drawing attention not just for its public appearances but also for its business potential.

According to Page Six, wealth advisor Ted Jenkin said the pair could earn millions through "audience aggregation, premium access, [and] brand leverage," estimating that "this tour could fetch $10 million or more." He added that whenever the couple steps into the spotlight, "it usually follows with a flowing cash register."

According to estimates, around $2 million could come from speaking appearances, while sponsorships and brand partnerships may bring in about $3.5 million. Another $4.5 million is expected from media exposure and content opportunities tied to the trip.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle could rake in staggering payday from Australia tour after losing Netflix deal https://t.co/VUCMMsDCLo pic.twitter.com/OXSlygx6oc  New York Post (@nypost) April 15, 2026

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle Balance Charity Work and Business

The tour includes visits to charities and organizations, such as hospitals and veterans groups, alongside high-profile events.

Prince Harry attended engagements connected to Invictus Australia, while Markle met with community groups supporting women. Their schedule also features a mental health event, a summit appearance, and a sailing activity in Sydney Harbour.

One of the most talked-about parts of the trip is Markle's upcoming "Girl's Weekend" wellness retreat, Yahoo reported.

The event includes a gala dinner, therapy sessions, yoga, and meditation activities. Ticket prices range from about $2,699 to over $3,000, with premium packages offering a photo opportunity with the duchess.

The couple's approach reflects a shift since stepping back from royal duties in 2020.

Former royal staff member Grant Harrold said their efforts to earn independently are expected, noting, "We live in a modern world and the family must adapt." He added that focusing on lifestyle and wellness projects may be a more favorable path compared to media tell-all projects.

Still, not everyone is convinced the trip is well-structured. Some insiders described the visit as "more like a brand tour than anything structured," with questions about its overall purpose.
Comedian Dave Chappelle has revealed a tense encounter with Rep. Lauren Boebert following a viral 2023 photo that sparked controversy online.

Speaking in a recent interview, Chappelle said he confronted Boebert during a live show in Washington, D.C., after she posted a selfie with him and Rep. Anna Paulina Luna. The image, taken at the Capitol, quickly gained attention because of Boebert's caption referencing gender, which many critics viewed as divisive.

Chappelle explained that he had visited Capitol Hill in November 2023 to talk with lawmakers before performing at a nearby arena. During that visit, he took photos with several officials from both political parties. He said he didn't screen who asked for pictures and simply went along with the moment.

"This is before I learned the phrase, 'I respectfully decline,'" Chappelle said, noting he had already posed for dozens of photos when Boebert approached him, People reported.

According to Chappelle, the situation changed once the photo was shared publicly. He said the caption attached to the image frustrated him, especially because it tied his comedy to political messaging around transgender issues.

"I did resent that the Republican Party ran on transgender jokes," Chappelle said. "I felt like they were doing a weaponized version of what I was doing. That's not what I was doing."

Dave Chappelle calls out Lauren Boebert for exploiting his good faith for political gain.



It started when Chappelle was on Capitol Hill, and Boebert asked to take a picture with him.



Boebert instantly used that picture for something Chappelle says you should never do to a https://t.co/QpIXvwKzTV pic.twitter.com/lvwPFYw1dg  The Vigilant Fox  (@VigilantFox) April 15, 2026

Dave Chappelle Criticizes Caption of Viral Capitol Photo

The comedian stressed that his work, including his 2021 Netflix special "The Closer," had already faced heavy public debate. He believes the reaction to his jokes was amplified by media coverage and political use.

"That's a tough one for me," he said when asked about criticism of his material. "I feel like the way they were reporting on that show was rage baiting, to some degree."

According to Yahoo, Chappelle said Boebert posted the photo just before he went on stage that night, which made the situation feel more immediate and personal. He responded during his performance, addressing the issue directly in front of the audience.

"So I got to the arena, and I lit her ass up for doing that," he said. "She should never do that to a person like me."

Despite the heated moment, Chappelle made it clear that his main concern was being pulled into political narratives he did not intend to support. "You do whatever it is you do," he added, "but don't  get me out of the splash zone."

A spokesperson for Boebert has not publicly responded to Chappelle's remarks.
CHARLOTTE, N.C., April 16, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Leadership at Okuma America Corporation, a global manufacturer of computer numeric control (CNC) machine tools and automation systems, is pleased to share that its Okuma Machine Tool Academy program, in partnership with Rowan-Cabarrus Community College (RCCC), has been recognized with multiple awards.

Leadership at Okuma America Corporation is pleased to share that its Okuma Machine Tool Academy program has been awarded by the North Carolina Community College System and American Association of Community Colleges.

The American Association of Community Colleges bestowed the company with the 2026 Outstanding College/Corporate Partnership Award, which recognizes collaborative excellence between a business and a U.S. community college. Okuma was also recognized by the North Carolina Community College System with their 2026 Innovative Leadership Award, which honors a business that demonstrates innovative approaches in partnership with North Carolina community colleges.

The partnership between Okuma and RCCC began in 2021 with the establishment of the Okuma Machine Tool Academy (OMTA) at the college's Advanced Technology Center on the North Carolina Research Campus in Kannapolis, N.C. OMTA bridges traditional education and modern manufacturing with high-level technical training through a variety of courses, such as electrical maintenance, mechanical maintenance, programming, and operation on CNC machine tools. OMTA houses several Okuma CNC machine tools for hands-on instruction, including a GENOS M460V-5AX (five-axis vertical machining center), GENOS L3000-e MYW (horizontal lathe), MA-4000H (horizontal machining center), and MULTUS B400II (multitasking lathe).

"We were honored to receive these prestigious awards, and equally honored to have an opportunity to work with the Rowan Cabarrus Community College Team to offer continuing education programs to workforce members within the manufacturing industry," shared Natalie Rogers, Training Program Manager at Okuma. "Partnering with Rowan Cabarrus has enabled Okuma to elevate its classroom and hands-on training programs, allowing attendees to level up their skills, maximize impacts for their businesses, and advance the manufacturing industry. We couldn't be more pleased with the partnership."

Since its founding, more than 800 students have attended an OMTA course. These students represent world-class companies, including SpaceX, Harley Davidson, and more, from all over the United States and the world, positioning North Carolina as a leader in global industrial innovation.

For more information and a list of upcoming courses, please visit the OMTA webpage. To register for an OMTA course, please complete the interest form.

About Rowan-Cabarrus Community College

Opening its doors in 1963, Rowan-Cabarrus Community College is one of 58 colleges in the state-supported North Carolina Community College System. Rowan-Cabarrus is a comprehensive, community-focused institution of higher learning, serving the residents of Rowan and Cabarrus counties at multiple campus locations and through on-line programs. Rowan-Cabarrus offers fully-accredited associate degree programs in more than 30 areas of study, including arts and sciences, business, information technology, health and public services, engineering technologies, and biotechnology, as well as dozens of diplomas and certifications. Rowan-Cabarrus provides more than 2,000 course offerings, serving a yearly overall enrollment of more than 20,000 students. In addition, Rowan-Cabarrus provides education and job-training programs at the North Carolina Research Campus in Kannapolis.

https://www.rccc.edu/ | Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | X

About Okuma America Corporation

Okuma America Corporation is the U.S.-based sales, marketing, engineering, and service affiliate of Okuma Corporation, a world-leading manufacturer of CNC (computer numeric control) machine tools, controls, and automation systems. The company was founded in 1898 in Nagoya, Japan, and is the industry's only single-source provider of CNC machines, drives, motors, encoders, spindles, and automation systems, all manufactured by Okuma. The company designs its own CNC controls that drive each machine tool's functionality. In 2014, Okuma launched the Okuma App Store, a centralized online marketplace for machine tool apps and related content. Along with its extensive distribution network (largest in the Americas), and Partners in Technology network of enhanced manufacturing technologies, Okuma is committed to helping users gain competitive advantages through the open possibilities of machine tools and automation systems today and into the future. For more information, visit Okuma.com or follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and X.

SOURCE Okuma America Corporation
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Farmers are being offered fresh funding to trial new ideas on farm as Defra opens the latest round of its ADOPT innovation programme.

The scheme provides backing for projects worth between 50,000 and 100,000, with farmers able to receive up to 80% of costs. The current round is open until 3 June, giving applicants a limited window to secure support.

The initiative is designed to help farmers, growers and foresters turn practical ideas into on-farm trials, even without previous research experience. However, securing funding is expected to be competitive, with projects needing to demonstrate clear, practical benefits.

The move comes as farm businesses face increasing pressure to improve efficiency and sustainability while managing rising costs and tighter margins.

Applicants only need a concept they want to test but lack the time, funding or expertise to deliver, with the programme offering both financial backing and hands-on guidance.

A key feature is the free ADOPT Support Hub, delivered by ADAS, the UK Agri-Tech Centre and the Soil Association, which helps applicants develop ideas, submit proposals and deliver projects.

Additional grants are also available to work with facilitators, who support application writing as well as project management, reporting and administration.

Collaboration sits at the heart of the programme, with funding prioritised for projects where farmers work together, sometimes alongside businesses or academic partners.

Thomas Slattery, engagement lead at the UK Agri-Tech Centre, said the focus is on practical outcomes.

What matters most is the project focusing on practical, farmer-led trials to deliver meaningful improvements productivity, sustainability or resilience, he said.

One project already backed by the programme highlights how the funding can be used in practice.

David Tavernor, who secured support in an earlier round, is leading a trial using insects as an alternative protein source in broiler production.

We had been feeding live black soldier fly larvae to commercial broiler chickens on a very small scale but only in pens, he said.

The ADOPT funding has enabled us to scale this up making the data more robust and applicable to commercial broiler farming.

He said the aim is to assess whether the approach could be adopted more widely across the sector.

We want to see if theres an opportunity to show farmers the benefits and even if the results arent what we expect, thats still valuable to know.

Defra hopes the programme will encourage more farmer-led innovation and help accelerate the adoption of practical solutions across the industry.
ANN ARBOR, Mich., April 16, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- OmnexFuturepast announced today that it has formally achieved ANAB accreditation as a product certification body for Functional Safety, Product Cybersecurity and SOTIF in alignment with ISO/IEC 17065  Conformity assessment: Requirements for bodies certifying products, processes, and services. The accreditation was officially granted on Thursday, April 2, 2026.

This milestone confirms OmnexFuturepast's technical competence, impartiality, and consistent operation as a thirdparty certification body for automotive products and productrelated processes, strengthening confidence across the global automotive and semiconductor supply chain.

Accredited Automotive Product Certification

The OmnexFuturepast Automotive Product Certification Scheme (OFAS) defines the scope of this accreditation and enables certification of automotive products or manufacturingrelated processes against internationally recognized automotive safety and cybersecurity standards, including:

ISO 26262  Functional Safety (FuSa)

ISO/SAE 21434  Automotive Cybersecurity Engineering

ISO 21448  Safety of the Intended Functionality (SOTIF)

OFAS certifications apply specifically to products (e.g., automotive E/E items, systems, components, and elements) or processes used in the manufacture or development of those products.

They do not constitute certification of organizational management systems.

Independent, Impartial, and Globally Recognized

Achieving ANAB accreditation demonstrates that OmnexFuturepast meets the rigorous international requirements of ISO/IEC 17065, including:

Impartial and independent certification decisionmaking

Competent and qualified assessment and review personnel

Robust governance, risk management, and conflictofinterest controls

Consistent, auditable certification and surveillance processes

This accreditation enables OmnexFuturepast to issue accredited product certificates, providing regulators, OEMs, Tier 1 suppliers, semiconductor manufacturers, and technology developers with enhanced confidence in certified automotive safety and cybersecurity claims.

Supporting the Future of Safe, Secure Automotive Technology

"As vehicles continue to increase in software content, system complexity, and connectivity, the need for trusted, accredited product certification has never been greater," said John Shideler, Managing Director of OmnexFuturepast. "ANAB accreditation reinforces OmnexFuturepast's commitment to supporting the automotive industry with credible, impartial, and technically robust product certifications."

About OmnexFuturepast

OmnexFuturepast is a specialized conformity assessment body focused on automotive functional safety, cybersecurity, and safety of intended functionality. As the owner and operator of the OmnexFuturepast Automotive Product Certification Scheme (OFAS), the organization provides thirdparty product and process certification services aligned with global automotive standards and regulatory expectations.

OmnexFuturepast is also accredited by ANAB to provide verification and validation services in accordance with ISO/IEC 17029, including for statements of greenhouse gas emissions and removals in most organizational and project level scopes. Please visit their website for additional information regarding these services.

OmnexFuturepast is headquartered in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and operates globally across the automotive and environmental ecosystems.

SOURCE Omnex
The government is facing mounting criticism after refusing to reform Britains fly-tipping laws, despite previously acknowledging the system is unjust.

Ministers rejected proposed changes on Wednesday 15 April that rural campaigners say would have corrected a long-running unfairness, leaving farmers and rural communities to continue bearing the cost of crimes committed against them.

Under current rules, fly-tipping remains one of the few offences where victims are held financially responsible. Landowners must clear waste dumped on their property and, if they fail to do so, risk prosecution for having controlled waste on their land.

Critics say this contrasts sharply with weak enforcement against offenders, with many local authorities rarely pursuing prosecutions. The result, campaigners argue, is a ridiculous system that punishes victims while allowing perpetrators to avoid accountability.

Pressure for reform had been building in recent months. On 25 February, the House of Lords backed amendments aimed at overhauling the system  a move welcomed by rural groups across the UK. The government opposed the changes but was defeated in the vote.

A coalition of organisations, led by the Countryside Alliance, then urged ministers to act, pointing to the governments own Waste Crime Action Plan, published on 19 March, which acknowledged the unfairness of existing laws.

The proposed amendments would have made convicted fly-tippers automatically liable for clean-up costs and any damage caused, while ensuring victims were no longer left to foot the bill.

They also sought to place a duty on local authorities to remove dumped waste and recover costs from offenders  a shift campaigners say would have strengthened enforcement while easing the burden on landowners.

Despite this, ministers declined to accept the changes, prompting accusations that the government is ignoring its own findings.

The issue is continuing to escalate. Fly-tipping is estimated to cost the UK economy around 1 billion each year, with incidents in England rising to 1.26 million  a 9% increase on the previous year.

The government has previously said it is committed to tackling waste crime through measures set out in its Waste Crime Action Plan, though campaigners argue progress on the ground remains limited.

Johnnie Furse, spokesperson for the Countryside Alliance, said the decision had deepened frustration among rural communities.

Everyone agrees that the current system is a ridiculous injustice  even the government has admitted that. And so it beggars belief that now, when the opportunity was presented to the government to fix the broken system, they refused to do so.

It seems that this government is all talk, and no action. If those in Westminster wish to prove otherwise, urgent action is direly needed.

The decision is likely to intensify pressure on ministers, with campaigners warning the issue could become an increasingly significant concern for rural voters.
To understand our relationship with Asha aunty, one has to go back to our father, music director Chitragupts bond with both Lata aunty and Asha aunty. When our dad started around 1946, he got a lot of small-budget films and Asha aunty sang for most of them. Her songs composed by Chirtagupt were big hits like Do dil dhadak rahe hai (Insaaf,1956) with Talat Mehmood, Teri deed se tasalli (Samson, 1964), Aana hai to chale aao with Mohammed Rafi (Taxi Stand, 1958), Ae saba unse keh zara (Ali Baba Aur 40 Chor, 1954), or her fabulous fusion song with Manna Dey. Jodi hamari jamega kaise jaani (Aulad, 1968). Despite so much good work to his credit, we feel our father never got his due.



In 1954-55 AVM studios approached SD Burman for a South film called Shiv Bhakt (1955) but he begged off saying he did only four films a year and directed them to our father and that film was a hit. And thanks to that our dad did a lot of South films.

In Naag Panchami (1953), for which Ashaji sang Oh naag kahi ja basiyo re, Kalyanji bhai played the Been for our dad. Seeing how well he had played the Been, Hemant Kumar invited Kalyanji bhai to play it in Nagin (1954).





Whenever Lataji was recording at Mehboob Studios she would call up and say after recording she would come home for lunch and would stay the whole day. So both Lata aunty and Asha aunty had close relations with our family. In fact Milind was named Milind Madhav by Lata aunty.



Our dad worked in many Bhojpuri films. One of his big hits was Balam Pardesiya (1979). We saw people throwing coins in Elphinstone cinema in Bihar when the song Gorki patarki re, picturised on Rakesh Pandey and Padma Khanna, came on. That song too was sung by Ashaji with Rafi saab. Towards the end of his career we assisted him in about 30 films. He had suffered a heart attack and then a paralytic stroke. So we did all the balancing and arranging for his movies. We worked on all the interludes on his last few movies.



When dad was seriously ill in 1991, Ashaji was the first person to come to Bombay Hospital and check on him. She took us to meet the hospital management and told them our dad was very close to her and they should ensure that hes well taken care of. When dad passed away a few days later she immediately came to the hospital to assist us further. Usually the formalities for getting the body after a patient dies takes hours but she ensured that all the necessary paperwork was readied within half an hour. Thats the kind of apnapan and love Asha aunty had for dad and us. Who does that today?



When we composed music for our first film Ab Ayega Mazaa (1984), Lata aunty sang the first song Raja tere raste se. Then Ashaji sang two songs along with Kishore da, Solah baras ki kamsin umariya and Kab jaane anjaane. We worked with Ashaji many times in songs like Aa bhi ja (Vansh, 1992), Bolo kya tum and Chalte chalte (Daayra, 1996). Even Pancham uncle was so happy when we got Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak (1988), despite it being made under the banner he had been closely associated with for decades. He really liked our new tunes. We saw how the industry was treating him in his low phase and he calmly told us thats the way of the world.

We met Ashaji after a long time, just after COVID and she hugged us as warmly as before. Everyone gets busy with their lives and we might lose touch sometimes. But we shall always retain fond memories of our childhood with the Mangeshkar sisters - our wonderful Lata and Asha aunties.



Also Read: Anuradha Paudwal Recalls Singing With Legendary Asha Bhosle, Fulfilling Her Father-in-laws Wish.
In a proud moment for Indias cinematic legacy, the restored version of the iconic Bengali film Saat Paake Bandha (1963) will be showcased in the Out-of-Competition section at the 48th Moscow International Film Festival, scheduled to take place from April 16 to 23, 2026.





The 4K restoration of the film has been undertaken by Prasad Corporation, Indias leading film restoration and post-production facility. Directed by Ajoy Kar and produced by RD Bansal, Saat Paake Bandha (1963) stars Soumitra Chatterjee and Suchitra Sen. The film is a nuanced exploration of marriage and individuality, tracing a relationship that unravels under ego, class divides, and societal pressures. Known for its emotional honesty, it remains strikingly relevant today.





Running scratches, emulsion damage, and heavy stains posed the most complex challenges of the entire restoration. To address this, the restoration team employed a combination of filters and, in the most severe cases, manual retouching, painstakingly reconstructing image information using surrounding undamaged frames and the restorers understanding of the films original visual intent. Notably, it returns to the same festival where Suchitra Sen won Best Actress in 1963, marking a landmark moment for Indian cinema. A 35mm release print from archival collections was scanned at 4K resolution for picture restoration. The scanned film element exhibited numerous issues, including dust, dirt, extended line scratches, splice marks, stains, film tears, emulsion damage, image instability, and flicker.









Over the years, Saat Paake Bandha has continued to influence storytelling in Indian cinema, inspiring adaptations across languages and generations. Its sensitive portrayal of human relationships and social structures ensures that it remains not just a film, but a cultural touchstone.



Directed by Ajoy Kar, the film was remade in Telugu as Vivaha Bandham, and in Hindi as Kora Kagaz. Speaking about the restoration, Abhishek Prasad, Director & CTO at Prasad, said, "Restoring Saat Paake Bandha was both a technical and emotional journey for us. The film carries a quiet intensity and cultural depth that needed to be preserved with utmost sensitivity. Our goal was not just to clean the image, but to retain the original texture and soul of the film while bringing it to contemporary viewing standards." The restoration forms part of the Government of Indias National Film Heritage Mission, dedicated to preserving Indias cinematic legacy. The films selection at the Moscow International Film Festival marks a full-circle moment, returning it to the stage where it first gained global acclaim over six decades ago. The restored version will be screened during the festival dates, with the presentation by Varsha Bansal, granddaughter of producer RD Bansal.

Also Read: Hrithik Roshan celebrates his Bengali roots as he flaunts traditionals at Eshaan Roshans wedding
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - April 15, 2026) - NovaRed Mining Inc. (CSE: NRED) (OTCQB: NREDF) ("NovaRed" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has acquired historical exploration data for the Wilmac Copper-Gold Project (the "Project" or the "Property") from the optionor of the Property. The data, generated by the previous optionee in 2024, includes geochemical and geophysical datasets that the Company plans to integrate into its geological model to support drill target identification ahead of the planned 2026 geophysical survey program.

The acquired data package comprises:

a soil sampling program conducted on the North Lamont target area of the Project; and

a Volterra 3DIP/AMT (induced polarization / audio-magnetotelluric) geophysical survey comprising seven lines spaced at 300-metre intervals.

The acquired geophysical survey combines induced polarization (IP) chargeability with audio-magnetotelluric (AMT) resistivity measurements, techniques commonly used in porphyry copper-gold exploration to identify chargeable zones and map subsurface conductivity contrasts at depth. The Company believes these datasets, together with its existing geological and structural data, will assist in refining target areas ahead of drilling.

"Acquiring this data package is a positive step for the Wilmac Project," said Brian Goss, Chief Executive Officer of NovaRed Mining Inc. "The 3DIP/AMT survey and soil geochemistry from the North Lamont area give us additional information to work with as we plan the 2026 geophysical survey and move toward identifying drill targets."

The Company's 2026 exploration program at Wilmac, as outlined in its news release dated March 11, 2026, includes a geophysical survey program. Following integration and interpretation of the historical and new datasets, NovaRed intends to identify drill targets at the Project.

Qualified Person

The scientific and technical information in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Rick Walker, P.Geo., a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101. Mr. Walker is not independent of the Company within the meaning of NI 43-101.

About NovaRed Mining Inc.

NovaRed Mining Inc. (CSE: NRED) (OTCQB: NREDF) is a mineral exploration company focused on the identification, acquisition, exploration and development of copper-gold porphyry projects in British Columbia. The Company's optioned Wilmac copper-gold project comprises 11,504 hectares located within the Quesnel porphyry belt in the Similkameen Mining Division, southwest of Princeton and approximately 10 kilometres west of Hudbay Minerals Inc.'s producing Copper Mountain Mine. For more information, visit novaredmining.com.

Readers are cautioned that the discussion of mineralization on adjacent or similar properties, including the Copper Mountain Mine, is not necessarily indicative of the mineralization or potential of the Wilmac Project. The Company has no interest in, or right to acquire any interest in, any such adjacent properties.

ON BEHALF OF NOVARED MINING INC.

FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION

This news release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation, including statements regarding the planned integration of historical exploration data into the Company's geological model, the identification and refinement of drill targets at the Wilmac Project, and the completion of the planned 2026 geophysical survey program. Forward-looking information is based on a number of assumptions that, while considered reasonable by the Company at the date of this news release, are inherently subject to significant business, economic and competitive uncertainties and contingencies. Such assumptions include, without limitation, the availability of adequate funding to complete the proposed exploration, receipt of all necessary permits and authorizations, the availability of qualified personnel and geophysical contractors, favourable weather and field conditions, access to the Project area, the accuracy of current geological interpretations, and the reliability of the historical data acquired.

Forward-looking information is subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. Important risk factors include, but are not limited to: the continued availability of capital and financing; adverse weather or terrain conditions that may delay or prevent fieldwork; risks inherent in mineral exploration activities; the possibility that the historical data may not be reliable or may not support the identification of drill targets; changes in applicable laws and regulations; the ability to retain key personnel and contractors; litigation; failure of counterparties to perform their contractual obligations; and general economic, market or business conditions. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information, except as required by applicable securities laws.

The Canadian Securities Exchange has not reviewed this press release and does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/292805

Source: NovaRed Mining Inc.
TOKYO, April 15, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Anaqua, a leading provider of innovation and intellectual property (IP) management technology solutions and services, today announced that Yazaki Corporation, a global leader in automotive wire harnesses and electrical components, has selected Anaqua's AI-powered AQX IP management platform to streamline, unify, and elevate the management of its worldwide IP portfolio.

Yazaki, a Japan-based manufacturer recognized for its expertise in wire harnesses, meters, and next-generation automotive technologies, will deploy the AQX platform to unify their global IP operations, enhance decision-making with advanced analytics, and ensure secure, centralized portfolio management. As an enterprise managing a large and diverse set of IP assets across multiple regions, Yazaki sought a modern, scalable solution to support its long-term innovation strategy while simplifying day-to-day operations.

The AQX platform stood out for its flexibility, powerful analytics, and ability to standardize workflows across global teams, ensuring consistency, transparency, and efficiency throughout the organization. The strong collaboration with the Anaqua team throughout the evaluation process further reinforced Yazaki's confidence in building a long-term strategic partnership.

Anaqua's AQX platform will provide Yazaki with:

Integrated IP data management with patent office connectivity for accuracy and compliance

with patent office connectivity for accuracy and compliance Advanced dashboards and analytics for strategic decision-making

for strategic decision-making Scalable global implementation to support Yazaki's expanding operations





Yazaki will also leverage Anaqua's integrated Annuity Services (AQS) to unify IP financial tracking and gain full visibility into the lifecycle cost of its patent families. With tools like HyperView dashboards and the Annuities Decision Report (ADR), Yazaki's IP team will be empowered with actionable insights, and a centralized workspace to make faster, data-driven decisions.

"We are honored to welcome Yazaki to the Anaqua community," said Justin Crotty, CEO of Anaqua. "Their selection of Anaqua's industry-leading AQX platform underscores our commitment to delivering flexible, secure, and insight-driven IP management solutions that meet the evolving needs of global innovators."

"Yazaki Corporation is one of the world's largest and most respected automotive suppliers, known for its leadership in wire harnesses, power distribution systems, and advanced connectivity solutions. Their commitment to innovation spans not only the automotive sector but also energy and environmental technologies, including solar-powered and air-conditioning systems," said Kazuyasu Adachi, president and general manager, Japan & APAC, Anaqua. "We are proud to partner with Yazaki to support their global IP operations. By leveraging Anaqua's AQX platform, Yazaki will be able to transform how they manage and protect their valuable IP assets, driving greater efficiency, strategic insight, and long-term innovation success."

About Yazaki Corporation

https://www.yazaki-group.com/en/

About Anaqua

Anaqua, Inc. is a premier provider of integrated intellectual property (IP) management technology solutions and services for corporations and law firms. Its IP management software platforms, AQX, PATTSY WAVE, and RightHub offer best practice workflows with big data analytics and tech-enabled services to create an intelligent environment designed to inform IP strategy, enable IP decision-making, and streamline IP operations, tailored to each segment's needs. Today, nearly half of the top 100 U.S. patent filers and global brands, as well as a growing number of law firms worldwide use Anaqua's solutions. Over two million IP executives, attorneys, paralegals, administrators, and innovators use the platform for their IP management needs. The company's global operations are headquartered in Boston, with offices across the U.S., Europe, Asia, and Australia. For additional information, please visit anaqua.com, or on Anaqua's LinkedIn.

Media Inquiries:

media@anaqua.com

+1-617-375-5808
OSWIECIM, PL / ACCESS Newswire / April 15, 2026 / In the shadow of one of history's darkest sites, more than 120 senior law enforcement leaders gathered this week in Poland for a program with an urgent mandate to translate memory into action.

The seminar, titled "Operationalizing Never Again Not On Our Watch 2026," was hosted at the Auschwitz Jewish Center Foundation in Oswiecim, adjacent to the former Nazi death camp Auschwitz. Organized in partnership with the Rutgers University Miller Center on Policing and Community Resilience and the University of Virginia, the program brought together police leaders, policymakers and security officials from across the United States, Europe and beyond for an intensive period of study and discussion.

Among the highest-ranking participants were New Jersey State Police Acting Superintendent Jeanne Hengemuhle, New York Police Department Executive Director Amy E. Bishop, Washington DC Metropolitan Police Department Assistant Chief Tasha Bryant and Royal Canadian Mounted Police Superintendent Sanjaya Wijayakoon, alongside senior European leadership including German Police Union Federal Chairman Jochen Kopelke. Their presence underscored the program's reach into the upper ranks of global policing at a moment of heightened concern over extremism, antisemitism and other forms of hate.

For the Auschwitz Jewish Center Foundation, the convening reflects a broader educational mission that has, over the past decade, engaged tens of thousands of diplomats, military personnel, law enforcement officials and educators in Holocaust based training programs focused on tolerance, human rights and ethical leadership.

Participants spent time in Oswiecim combining historical study with professional dialogue. They toured the remains of the Auschwitz Birkenau camp complex, engaged in seminars on the role of state institutions in enabling atrocities and took part in discussions designed to connect those lessons to contemporary policing.

"Law enforcement officers hold immense authority and responsibility," said Auschwitz Jewish Center Foundation Director General Jack Simony. "Our responsibility is to ensure that the lessons of the Holocaust are not confined to history but are actively shaping how today's leaders confront bigotry, hatred and the dehumanization of others."

The program's structure reflects a growing emphasis on professional audiences particularly those entrusted with public authority. While Holocaust education has long focused on students and the general public, institutions like the Auschwitz Jewish Center have increasingly tailored their work to judges, diplomats and law enforcement officials, arguing that such groups play a decisive role in preventing hate and protecting vulnerable communities.

"Never Again is not a slogan it is a responsibility," said Auschwitz Jewish Center Foundation Chairman Simon Bergson. "By bringing together leaders from across countries and disciplines we are building a community committed to recognizing warning signs and acting before prejudice and hatred escalate into violence."

The delegation reflected that international scope. In addition to senior American officials, participants included police leaders and union representatives from Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands and Estonia as well as officials from Canada, Kenya and Australia. Many hold positions that shape training standards, departmental policy and national policing strategy.

The program was led by Paul Goldenberg, chair of the initiative, alongside colleagues from Rutgers and the University of Virginia and featured a mix of lectures, site visits and small group discussions.

For many, the setting itself a short distance from the barracks and crematoria of Auschwitz served as a stark reminder of how ordinary institutions including police forces were once drawn into systems of persecution and mass murder.

"In Oswiecim, where the consequences of hatred were carried out with the participation of ordinary institutions, we are consistently reminded that the line between protection and persecution is defined by human choices," said Tomasz Kuncewicz. "Programs like this are about equipping today's leaders with the awareness and moral clarity to ensure that authority is always used to defend human dignity, never to erode it."

Sessions focused on the incremental nature of authoritarianism, the normalization of bias and the ethical obligations of officers when confronted with unlawful or discriminatory directives.

The delegation included senior law enforcement officials from across the United States and abroad. including:

From Arizona: Cochise County Sheriff's Office Captain Tim Williams.

From California: San Mateo Police Department Chief Ed Barberini.

From Colorado: Denver Sheriff's Department Major Keri Adcock; Boulder Police Department Deputy Chief Ron Gosage; Colorado State Patrol Captain Wesley Kartus; Colorado State Patrol Lieutenant Colonel Joshua Downing.

From the District of Columbia: Metropolitan Police Department Assistant Chief Tasha Bryant; Metropolitan Police Department Captain Gavin Nelson.

From Florida: Aventura Police Department Chief Michael Bentolila; St Lucie County Sheriff's Office Reservist Adam Dobrin.

From Maryland: Montgomery County Department of Police Captain Kathy M. Estrada; Hyattsville Police Department Deputy Chief Laura Lanham.

From Massachusetts: Massachusetts State Police Lieutenant Colonel Daniel Tucker; Wellfleet Police Department Reserve Officer Marc Spigel.

From Minnesota: Minneapolis Police Department Bureau Chief Ganesha Martin.

From New Jersey: New Jersey State Police Acting Superintendent Jeanne Hengemuhle; South Brunswick Police Department Captain Jeffrey Russo; Monmouth Junction Police Department Chief Raymond J. Hayducka; Cinnaminson Police Department Chief William Obuchowski; New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police Executive Director Mitchell Sklar.

From New York: New York Police Department Executive Director Amy E. Bishop; Suffolk County Police Department Assistant Commissioner Elizabeth Daitz.

From North Dakota: North Dakota Bureau of Criminal Investigation Chief Agent Casey Miller.

From Tennessee: Knoxville Police Department Captain Tracy Hunter; Tennessee Bureau of Investigation Director David Rausch.

From Texas: Harris County Sheriff's Office Sergeant Joseph Saavedra; Collin County Sheriff's Office Sheriff AJ Skinner.

From Virginia: Virginia State Police Lieutenant Colonel Norman Gray; Loudoun County Sheriff's Office Major David Hill; Louisa County Fire and EMS Deputy Chief Chris Lee.

From Washington: Seattle Police Department Lieutenant Dorothy Kim.

From Australia: Queensland Police Service Assistant Commissioner Virginia Nelson.

From Belgium: Antwerp Police Department Chief External Relations Karl Hereen; Antwerp Police Department Commissioner Bob Davits; Local Police Antwerp First Inspector Van Bogaert Koen.

From Canada: Royal Canadian Mounted Police Superintendent Sanjaya Wijayakoon.

From Estonia: Estonian Police and Border Guard Prefecture Head Vaiko Vaher.

From Germany: German Police Union Federal Chairman Jochen Kopelke; German Police Union Deputy Chairman Sven Huber; Bavarian State Police Colonel Bernd Burger; Lower Saxony Police Detective Superintendent Damian Janitzki.

From Kenya: Anti-Terrorism Police Unit Chief Inspector Alvince Osura.

From Netherlands: Dutch Police Union Strategic Advisor Michel Oz; National Police Superintendent Koen Simmers; Dutch Police Union President Vanessa van den Berg.

From Portugal: Public Security Police Superintendent Rui Paulo Domingues Neves.

As the program concluded, participants departed Oswiecim with a shared charge to carry forward the lessons of a place synonymous with human destruction into institutions tasked with protecting life and liberty.

For the Auschwitz Jewish Center Foundation, the hope is that such efforts will ensure that remembrance is not passive but operational embedded in the daily decisions of those who wield authority in societies around the world.

The Auschwitz Jewish Center Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to harnessing the lessons learned from the Holocaust to combat hatred and bigotry through educational programs and by providing direct humanitarian aid to victims of mass atrocities. It supports survivors of genocides and other tragedies, including Ukrainian refugees and those impacted by Hamas's October 7 attacks. The Foundation maintains the Auschwitz Jewish Center, the last remaining synagogue in Oswiecim (Auschwitz) and serves as the primary institution dedicated to preserving the memory of the town's Jewish community while addressing hate. To date, over a million people have visited the center, more than 300,000 students participated in its educational programs and tens of thousands of diplomats, military and law enforcement personnel and educators, have taken part in its educational initiatives on tolerance and the Holocaust. For more information, visit: https://ajcfus.org/ .

-30-

Contact:

Joshua Steinreich

Steinreich Communications

(212) 491-1600

jsteinreich@scompr.com

SOURCE: Auschwitz Jewish Center Foundation

View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/business-and-professional-services/never-again-in-focus-as-global-law-enforcement-leaders-gather-at-1158031
TOKYO, April 16, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Cle de Peau Beaute announced the renewal of its three-year global partnership with UNICEF, marking a new phase of commitment to empower an additional 7.3 million girls. With a total pledge of US$17.4 million since 2019, this represents the largest private sector contribution to UNICEF's Global Gender Equality Program that aims to accelerate positive change for adolescent girls. To date, the partnership has already supported 12.9 million girls worldwide, significantly surpassing the partnership's original expectations.

With the renewal of its third term, programs supported by Cle de Peau Beaute will expand beyond a sole focus on STEM to place greater emphasis on STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics), integrating art and creativity as complementary forces alongside science and technology. In Indonesia, for example, girls participating in project-based learning initiatives are already combining scientific knowledge with creative expression to develop innovative solutions to enhance climate resilience.

"Witnessing how this partnership has transformed the lives of the girls - inspiring confidence, creativity and new possibilities for their future - made the decision to renew our commitment an incredibly meaningful one," said Naomi Kawanishi, Global Brand President of Cle de Peau Beaute. "We are particularly excited about the focus on STEAM, empowering girls not just with technical knowledge but with the creative confidence to become true innovators. This is how we help unlock their full potential."

The renewal builds on the strong foundation of impactful programs with innovative STEM learning initiatives already providing a breadth of opportunities for girls through the partnership.

"UNICEF welcomes Cle de Peau Beaute's continued leadership on gender equality and deep commitment to empowering girls," said Carla Haddad Mardini, UNICEF's Director of Private Sector Fundraising and Partnerships. "Our renewed partnership, and expanded focus on strengthening critical STEAM skills, is a powerful investment in girls as changemakers who have a powerful role to play in shaping our future."

The Critical Need for Continued Investment[1]

This renewed commitment comes at a crucial time. Globally, girls continue to face significant barriers to education and skills development. 122 million girls remain out of school, and nearly 40 percent of adolescent girls and young women do not complete upper secondary education. Girls are also underrepresented in STEM and digital fields, accounting for just 35 percent of STEM graduates and 3 percent of ICT graduates, while nearly 50 million girls lack basic literacy skills. In low-income countries, around 90 percent of girls remain offline, limiting access to learning and opportunity.

These challenges are driven by intersecting barriers - including harmful gender norms, child marriage, and unpaid care responsibilities - underscoring the critical need for sustained investment and gender-responsive approaches that enable girls to gain the skills and opportunities necessary to build their futures.

Through this renewed collaboration, Cle de Peau Beaute and UNICEF will continue working together to expand opportunities for girls worldwide and support the next generation in realizing their full potential.

Notes to Editors

About the Cle de Peau Beaute - UNICEF Partnership

Since 2019, Cle de Peau Beaute has partnered with UNICEF to support girls' education, skills development and empowerment through the Skills4Girls initiative. The partnership focuses on expanding access to future-ready skills, including digital literacy, STEAM learning and life-skills programs, while addressing the social and structural barriers that limit girls' opportunities.

About Cle de Peau Beaute

Cle de Peau Beaute, the global luxury brand from Shiseido Co Ltd, was founded in 1982 as the ultimate expression of elegance and science. Cle de Peau Beaute means the key to skin's beauty. The philosophy of the brand is to unlock the power of a woman's radiance by harnessing makeup technologies and advanced skincare from around the world. Forever guided by an exquisite aesthetic sensibility and intelligence, Cle de Peau Beaute has instilled its products with modernity, enchantment, and dynamism to emerge as an industry leader in delivering radiance so remarkable, it emanates from within. Available in 28 countries and regions worldwide.

Cle de Peau Beaute Official Website: https://www.cledepeau-beaute.com/global/

Cle de Peau Beaute for UNICEF Landing Page: https://www.cledepeau-beaute.com/global/cpb-for-unicef.html

Cle de Peau Beaute Official Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cledepeaubeaute/

Cle de Peau Beaute Official Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@cledepeaubeaute

About UNICEF

UNICEF works in some of the world's toughest places, to reach the world's most disadvantaged children. Across more than 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, to build a better world for everyone. Visit https://www.unicef.org/

UNICEF does not endorse any company, brand, product, or service.

[1] UNICEF Girl Goals: What Has Changed for Girls? Adolescent girls' rights over 30 years

Translations in languages other than English and Japanese are provided for distribution convenience only.

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CGTN explores Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez's visit to China, emphasizing the role of sustained high-level exchanges as a key driver in strengthening China-Spain relations amid global uncertainty. The piece further examines expanding economic cooperation and shared commitments to multilateralism, stable global supply chains, and open cooperation, positioning the relationship as a stabilizing force in an increasingly fragmented international environment.

BEIJING, April 15, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- At the headquarters of China's tech giant Xiaomi, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez sampled cutting-edge consumer gadgets, test-drove electric vehicles and repeatedly described the experience as "Muy bien" (very good). Later, he addressed students at Tsinghua University, urging greater mutual understanding between Europe and China.

The moments formed part of his April 11-15 visit to China - his fourth in four years - setting the tone for a trip that blended symbolism with policy signals and underscoring a relationship that has gained momentum through sustained high-level exchanges.

During talks in Beijing, Chinese President Xi Jinping said China and Spain should strengthen cooperation in fields including trade, new energy and intelligent economy, and to encourage exchanges in culture, education, scientific research and sports.

He noted that despite a shifting and turbulent international landscape, China and Spain have maintained a steady relationship, forging ties with strategic determination, and that an important lesson learned is the significance of making correct decisions based on common interests.

Sanchez, for his part, said his four visits reflected the high importance both countries attach to the relationship, calling for deeper engagement and mutual understanding. Spain highly values China's status as a major country, he said.

The meeting reflects a broader push by both countries to maintain consistent high-level exchanges. Such regular interactions have provided continuity in bilateral ties, even as geopolitical uncertainties have increased.

On top of high-level political dialogue, economic cooperation also remains a central pillar of the relationship. China has for years been Spain's largest trading partner outside the European Union, with bilateral trade continuing to expand. Recent data point to growing exchanges in goods and services, alongside new areas of collaboration in green energy, electric vehicles and digital industries. In 2025, bilateral trade in goods between China and Spain exceeded $55 billion, marking a year-on-year increase of 9.8%.

Meanwhile, Chinese companies have stepped up investment in Spain in sectors such as power batteries, renewable energy and infrastructure, contributing to local employment and industrial development. Spanish agricultural and food products - including olive oil, wine and pork - have gained wider access to the Chinese market, reflecting a complementary trade structure.

Sanchez's visit reinforced this trend, with both sides exploring ways to further balance trade and expand market access. Cooperation documents in areas such as economy and trade, education, science and technology, and agriculture and food were signed as part of a broader effort to sustain economic ties amid global supply chain adjustments.

Beyond bilateral gains, the visit also carried wider international implications. Xi called on China and Spain to work closely together to reject any backslide into the law of the jungle, and jointly uphold true multilateralism, highlighting shared support for a rules-based international order.

Sanchez similarly emphasized the importance of multilateral cooperation and a balanced globalized economy that delivers shared prosperity. His remarks align with Spain's positioning as a proponent of dialogue and cooperation within the European Union, particularly as debates over trade, security and global governance intensify.

The two sides also signaled common ground on maintaining stable global industrial and supply chains, at a time when protectionist pressures and calls for economic decoupling have grown in some parts of the world. This cooperation serves as an example of how major economies can pursue openness while addressing differences through dialogue.

The broader context of Sanchez's visit reflects a period of heightened global uncertainty, with conflicts and economic fragmentation shaping policy debates. Against this backdrop, both China and Spain have stressed the value of predictability in bilateral relations, positioning their partnership as a source of stability.

As Sanchez concluded his visit, the emphasis on continuity - in leadership exchanges, economic cooperation and shared positions on global issues - pointed to a relationship that both sides see as resilient. In a fluid international environment, China-Spain ties are being framed not only as mutually beneficial, but also as part of a wider effort to sustain cooperation in an increasingly complex world.

https://news.cgtn.com/news/2026-04-15/How-China-Spain-deepen-ties-amid-global-uncertainty-1Mn08gN0HlK/p.html

Contact: CGTN Digital jiang.simin@cgtn.com
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - April 15, 2026) - ATEX Resources Inc. (TSXV: ATX) (OTCQB: ATXRF) ("ATEX" or the "Company") regrets to report that, earlier today, a contractor transporting road maintenance materials to the Valeriano Copper-Gold Project (the "Project") suffered a fatal injury approximately 32 kilometres from the Project, located in the Atacama Region of Chile.

The Company has been working with local authorities in Chile to investigate the incident.

Chris Beer, Interim President & CEO of ATEX, stated: "We are profoundly saddened by this tragic incident and offer our heartfelt condolences and support to our colleague's family, friends and team members during this difficult time. The health, safety and well-being of our entire team, employees and contractors remains our highest priority."

The Company is working closely with employees and contractors to provide support during this difficult time.

As required by local regulations, activities at the Project have been temporarily suspended pending completion of the investigation.

The Company will provide further information in due course, as appropriate.

About ATEX

ATEX is exploring the Valeriano Copper-Gold Project which is located within the emerging copper gold porphyry mineral belt linking the prolific El Indio High-Sulphidation Belt to the south with the Maricunga Gold Porphyry Belt to the north, located in the Atacama Region, Chile. This emerging belt, informally referred to as the Link Belt, hosts several copper gold porphyry deposits at various stages of development including, Filo del Sol (Lundin Mining/BHP), Josemaria (Lundin Mining/BHP), Lunahausi (NGEx Minerals), La Fortuna (Teck Resources/Newmont) and El Encierro (Antofagasta/Barrick).

1-647-398-9405

or visit ATEX's website at www.atexresources.com.

Neither TSX Venture Exchange Inc. nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange Inc.) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/292832

Source: ATEX Resources Inc.
VERONA, Italy, April 16, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Veronafiere and Vinitaly in collaboration with Wine Spectator, the world's leading wine magazine, kicked off Vinitaly 2026 at an exclusive premiere event that brought together producers of Italy's finest wines with an invited audience of influential figures from the world of wine. At the invite-only 2026 edition held at the former Gallerie Mercatali, the number of wines selected to participate increased from 130 to 150.

OperaWine 2026 returned to Verona on April 11th 2026, bringing together 150 Italian producers

The 15th edition of OperaWine, Finest Italian Wines: Great Producers selected by Wine Spectator, was held on 11 April 2026 at the site of the former Gallerie Mercatali, an impressive post-industrial site that has been revitalized as a stunning event and exhibition space. For the first time, 150 top producers, selected by the American magazine Wine Spectator and divided into three categories: Legacy, Classic and New Voices, were invited to share their wines with an exclusive audience of invited international journalists, sommeliers, wine experts, ambassadors and educators.

Following the arrival of producers at their stands in the late morning and a mouth-watering buffet lunch, the official program continued with welcoming speeches by representatives of Wine Spectator: Jeffery Lindenmuth, Alison Napjus, and Bruce Sanderson. The event also saw the participation of the President of Veronafiere, Federico Bricolo, the CEO of Veronafiere, Barbara Ferro, the General Manager, Gianni Bruno, Vinitaly Managing Partner, Stevie Kim, the Minister of Agriculture, Food Sovereignty, and Forests, Francesco Lollobrigida, the Minister of Enterprises and Made in Italy, Adolfo Urso, the Minister of Tourism Gianmarco Mazzi, the President of Italian Trade Agency, Matteo Zoppas, and the Mayor of Verona, Damiano Tommasi.

After the the official ribbon-cutting ceremony, the annual group photo with producers marked the start of the gala tasting event. The arrival of VIP guests, including Italian Wine Ambassadors, 5StarWines judges, and ITA - the Italian Trade Agency Buyers was followed by the arrival of other invited guests, as the official Vinitaly curtain raiser reached its climax.

Once again, the event demonstrated the rich diversity of Italian wine, showcasing its great quality and excellence to a domestic and international audience. The prestigious tasting once again saw red wines taking center stage, representing 114 out of 150 references, followed by 28 still whites, 7 sparkling wines, and 1 sweet wine.

Commenting on this year's event, Federico Bricolo of Veronafiere, said: "OperaWine reaching its 15th edition is a milestone that reflects its extraordinary journey to becoming one of the most anticipated Italian wine tastings, not only in Italy but on the global stage. Our longstanding partnership with Wine Spectator has been unwavering, built on a shared commitment to showcasing the finest expressions of Italian wine, particularly for the American market. While its focus remains the U.S., OperaWine attracts wine trade buyers and journalists from all over the world, reinforcing its role as a truly international platform. OperaWine continues to represent a moment of excellence where quality, vision, and international dialogue come together to strengthen the global positioning of Italian wine."

Integral to the event's success were the partners who supported the event. These include official institutional partners, the Ministry of Agriculture, Food Sovereignty and Forestry, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, ITA  the Italian Trade Agency; official partners, UniCredit and Cattolica Generali; sponsors, Banco BPM and Salumi Coati; mobility partner, Air Dolomiti; technical partners; Acqua Minerale San Benedetto, La Cruncheria, Polin Forni, Sabelli, Caffe Morettino, Perbellini, Q.B. Gelato, Pulltex, and Valledoro.

Planning for next year's OperaWine, scheduled for 10 April 2027, is already well under way.

About Vinitaly:

Vinitaly, now in its 58th edition, is the compass for the Italian wine business worldwide. An incubator of ideas, trends, and transformations, this international wine and spirits fair at Veronafiere, took place from April 12th to 15th, engaging the entire wine industry. A must-attend event for the industry, Vinitaly continues to strengthen its role as a global networking platform, bringing together nearly 4,000 exhibitors and leading professionals representing Italian wine excellence. With renewed formats and content, and a programme featuring more than 100 official events including tastings and in-depth focus sessions, the show further enhances its ability to attract and connect international operators. It stands out as a strategic business hub for both established and emerging markets for Italian wine.

This positioning is reinforced by the joint incoming programme developed by Veronafiere and ITA  Italian Trade Agency, which has brought more than 1,000 carefully selected and hosted top buyers to Verona, representing over 130 countries. Vinitaly features 18 pavilions to explore, offering regional or thematic focuses to discover the latest innovations in the wine industry. With a mission to promote the excellence and diversity of Italian wine worldwide, Vinitaly launched the Vinitaly International Academy (VIA), an educational initiative. This year, VIA Verona celebrated its eleventh edition hosting the 34th edition of its prestigious Certification Course. To date, there are 464 Certified Italian Wine Ambassadors of which 22 are also Italian Wine Experts.

About Wine Spectator:

Wine Spectator is the world's leading authority on wine. Anchored by Wine Spectator magazine, a print publication that reaches around 3 million readers worldwide, the brand also encompasses the Web's most comprehensive wine site (WineSpectator.com), mobile platforms and a series of signature tasting events. Wine Spectator examines the world of wine from the vineyard to the table, exploring wine's role in contemporary culture and delivering expert reviews of more than 10,000 wines each year. Parent company M. Shanken Communications, Inc., also publishes Cigar Aficionado, Whisky Advocate, Market Watch, Shanken News Daily and Shanken's Impact Newsletter.

SOURCE OperaWine
Hong Kong, SAR--(Newsfile Corp. - April 15, 2026) - On April 14, the two-day 2026 World Internet Conference Asia-Pacific Summit, themed "Digital and Intelligent Empowerment for Innovative Development - Jointly Building a Community with a Shared Future in Cyberspace," came to a successful conclusion.

John Lee, Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region

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This year marks the second consecutive time that Hong Kong has hosted the international conference. Approximately 1,000 participants attended, including ministerial-level officials from government departments, senior representatives of international organizations, diplomatic envoys to China, leaders from prominent internet enterprises, as well as experts and scholars from more than 50 countries and regions.

John Lee, Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, stated that the successful hosting of the summit fully demonstrates Hong Kong's unique advantages under the "One Country, Two Systems" framework. The HKSAR Government is accelerating the development of innovation and technology, with artificial intelligence as a key pillar. Hong Kong ranks among the world's leading economies in AI readiness and is committed to harnessing the power of AI in a responsible and inclusive manner.

Zhuang Rongwen, Chairman of the World Internet Conference and Director of the Cyberspace Administration of China, noted that the summit aims to align with the accelerating trends of digitalization, networking, and intelligent transformation. It seeks to build consensus and pool strengths across sectors, leveraging new achievements and cooperation outcomes in the digital and intelligent fields to make greater contributions toward a brighter digital future for the Asia-Pacific region.

On the afternoon of April 13, the main forum of the 2026 World Internet Conference Asia-Pacific Summit, along with the Distinguished Contributors Ceremony, was held in Hong Kong.

Wang Jingtao, Deputy Director of the Cyberspace Administration of China, and Francis Gurry, Vice Chairman of the World Internet Conference and former Director General of the World Intellectual Property Organization, attended and delivered keynote speeches. Ren Xianliang, Secretary-General of the World Internet Conference, was also present.

Wang Jingtao pointed out that the global wave of intelligent transformation is surging, with breakthroughs in artificial intelligence emerging collectively. He emphasized the need to build consensus and deepen cooperation to address the critical question of how digital technologies can better benefit humanity. He proposed four key measures:

Uphold openness and cooperation to expand the digital economy; Promote inclusiveness and shared benefits to bridge digital and intelligence divides; Strengthen coordinated governance to build a fair and equitable cyberspace order; Reinforce security foundations to safeguard cyberspace safety.

Francis Gurry stated that digital and intelligent empowerment means enabling individuals, enterprises, institutions, and diverse cultural and economic actors to adapt to the digital and AI environment, seize social and economic opportunities, and share in development dividends. He emphasized that all stakeholders bear important responsibilities in this process. The Distinguished Contributors Ceremony was established to honor individuals and enterprises that have driven the development of digital and intelligent technologies, recognizing both their technological excellence and their deep concern for the societal impact of technological transformation.

Paul Chan, Financial Secretary of the HKSAR Government, and Sun Dong, Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, also attended and delivered speeches. Other distinguished participants included Wu Jianping, Academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering and Director of the Zhongguancun Laboratory; Nii Quaynor, Chairman of Ghana Dot Com and recipient of the 2024 Distinguished Contribution Award; and Kilnam Chon, Honorary Professor at KAIST and also a 2024 award recipient. Wu Dong, Chief Engineer of the Cyberspace Administration of China, also attended the event.

Hong Kong Dialogue

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The event invited individuals, enterprises, and prominent figures who have made outstanding contributions to the development of the global internet. Through keynote speeches, roundtable discussions, and personal narratives, participants shared their practices and insights on building a community with a shared future in cyberspace. The program featured four thematic sections: "Tribute to the Connectors of the World," "Tribute to Technological Innovators," "Tribute to Digital Pioneers - Hong Kong Dialogue," and "Tribute to Technology for Good." Participants also explored future directions and opportunities for artificial intelligence.

During the event, the launch of the 2026 World Internet Conference Leading Science and Technology Awards and the global call for case studies on jointly building a community with a shared future in cyberspace were announced. The launch ceremony for the 2026 Distinguished Contribution Awards was also held.

On April 14, six sub-forums on different themes were held in Hong Kong. Participants engaged in in-depth discussions on topics including intelligent agent innovation and applications, digital finance, AI safety governance, smart livelihoods, digital health, and the digitalization and dissemination of classical texts.

On the same day, ten think tanks participating in the World Internet Conference Think Tank Cooperation Program released a series of research outcomes at the Smart Livelihoods and Digital Finance Forum of the 2026 Asia-Pacific Summit.

The 2026 World Internet Conference Asia-Pacific Summit was organized by the World Internet Conference, hosted by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government, and co-organized by the Innovation, Technology and Industry Bureau of the HKSAR Government.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/292833

Source: Global News
At the Board of Directors meeting held on April 15, 2026, Juvise Pharmaceuticals officially acknowledged the resignation of Frederic Mascha from his role as CEO of the pharmaceutical group and his appointment as Executive Chairman and Chairman of the Supervisory Committee. The Board of Directors appointed Renaud Sermondade as the Group's new CEO, effective July 1, 2026.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260415884303/en/

From left to right: Frederic Mascha and Renaud Sermondade

Founder of Juvise Pharmaceuticals in 2008, Frederic, who is still the majority shareholder today, led the Group since its inception. With its medicines marketed in more than 80 countries worldwide and a portfolio of essential medicines, some of which are still protected by patents, Juvise Pharmaceuticals is now a recognized pharmaceutical player with a strong European footprint. In addition, the recent financial transaction with the British fund Hayfin that concluded in early 2026 will provide the Group with significant financial resources to sustain its growth through targeted M&A operations that have contributed to Juvise's success to date.

The appointment of Frederic as Executive Chairman and Chairman of the Supervisory Committee reflects the desire to ensure the Group's long-term strategic direction while supporting a new stage in its development. As Executive Chairman of the Group, Frederic will oversee operations globally, with a particular focus on M&A activities as well as corporate finance operations.

At the same time, Renaud Sermondade, 48, has been appointed CEO of Juvise Pharmaceuticals. He joins the company with extensive international experience acquired in the pharmaceutical sector.

Throughout his career, Renaud has held leadership positions at local, regional, and global levels, notably overseeing sales, marketing, finance, strategy, business development, R&D, commercial excellence, and market access, with recognized expertise in managing P&L responsibilities exceeding one billion euros across both mature and emerging markets.

He previously served as President of the Aptar Injectables division, after holding the positions of Global Market Development and General Manager EMEA for the prescription business within the Aptar Group. He also held senior leadership roles at Sanofi in China, the United States, and at global headquarters, at MSD in China, and at Bristol Myers Squibb in Europe.

Renaud was a member of the Executive Committee of Polepharma, the French competitiveness cluster dedicated to the pharmaceutical industry.

This governance evolution reflects Juvise Pharmaceuticals' ambition to continue its growth by building both on the entrepreneurial legacy of its founder and on the international expertise of its new leadership team.

About Juvise Pharmaceuticals

Since its creation in 2008, Juvise Pharmaceuticals has played a key role in improving patient care by facilitating access to treatments with high medical value. Juvise has reprioritized essential medicines in neurology, gastroenterology, and oncology. Through its products, Juvise is present in more than 80 countries across 5 continents and relocates 95% of its production in Europe.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260415884303/en/

Contacts:

Antoine Guillot, CFO

Antoine.guillot@juvise.com

https://juvisepharmaceuticals.com/
Collaboration aims to deploy ATLANT 3D's DALP atomic-scale technology within NUS I-FIM's robotic materials hub to support the National Research Foundation, Singapore's AI for Science Programme

COPENHAGEN, Denmark and SINGAPORE, April 16, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- ATLANT 3D and the Institute for Functional Intelligent Materials (I-FIM) at the National University of Singapore (NUS) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to collaborate on the establishment of a shared, AI-driven materials discovery foundry intended to operate within the robotic laboratory at CREATE (Campus for Research Excellence and Technological Enterprise).

The MOU sets out the parties' intention to deploy ATLANT 3D's Direct Atomic Layer Processing (DALP) technology and NANOFABRICATOR platform as a core synthesis platform within NUS I-FIM's robotic materials hub. The platform would support AI-driven automated synthesis, experimentation, and data generation workflows, made accessible to researchers across participating programmes. Application areas of particular interest include 2D materials and nanoelectronics, advanced semiconductor packaging, quantum materials, catalytic materials discovery, and photonics.

The initiative is designed to support the AI for Science programme - and its associated automated laboratories - under the National Research Foundation, Singapore (NRF). Both parties envision a long-term, scalable research infrastructure becoming a reference model for self-driving laboratories that connects atomic-scale manufacturing with AI-enabled materials discovery, advanced manufacturing research, and ecosystem engagement across academia, industry, and government.

"An AI-driven materials discovery foundry in Singapore represents our vision for what becomes possible when atomic-scale manufacturing and AI are deeply integrated. Singapore is one of the world's most forward-thinking environments for deep-tech and AI-for-science materials discovery, and we are excited to pursue this with NUS."

- Dr. Maksym Plakhotnyuk, CEO & Founder, ATLANT 3D

"We are excited to partner with ATLANT 3D in harnessing new capabilities in atomic-scale fabrication. The ability to fabricate and test novel material combinations with atomic precision, while producing device-relevant structures, would accelerate experimental studies and open new lines of inquiry. I look forward to integrating advanced fabrication platforms into our AI-driven workflows at NUS I-FIM."

- Professor Sir Kostya S. Novoselov, Institute for Functional Intelligent Materials, NUS

For more information, visit atlant3d.com

ABOUT ATLANT 3D

ATLANT 3D is a deep-tech company enabling AI-driven advanced materials innovation. The company has built an atomic-scale manufacturing platform, providing precise, programmable control of matter atom by atom to turn digital materials design into physical reality. ATLANT 3D's DALP technology and NANOFABRICATOR platform empower researchers and industry partners to synthesize, validate and scale next-generation thin-film materials and devices at the atomic scale. For more information, visit atlant3d.com.

ABOUT INSTITUTE FOR FUNCTIONAL INTELLIGENT MATERIALS, NATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF SINGAPORE (NUS I-FIM)

Launched on 7 October 2021, the Institute for Functional Intelligent Materials (I-FIM) is the world's first institute dedicated to the design, synthesis and application of Functional Intelligent Materials. Hosted at the National University of Singapore (NUS), I-FIM is Singapore's sixth Research Centre of Excellence (RCE) and the fourth RCE at NUS. I-FIM brings together world-class investigators to advance research at the intersection of materials science, artificial intelligence and nanotechnology. For more information, visit ifim.nus.edu.sg

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The company drops more than 450 billboards across the UK, celebrating its British roots with cheeky "British is Blockchain" campaign

LONDON, April 16, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Blockchain.com today announced the launch of "British is Blockchain," one of its boldest out-of-home advertising campaigns to date. Spanning nine months and featuring over 464 billboards across the UK, the campaign serves as a tribute to the company's origins. From the 40 prominent sites across London to the furthest reaches of the Isles, Blockchain.com is deploying 100 hyper-local, individually customised creative executions tailored to reflect the best of British deep culture and wit that defines the UK.

The campaign honours Blockchain.com's deep British heritage and the company's success story. Founded in York in 2011, with its global headquarters now in London, Blockchain.com is one of the longest-standing and most recognised names in the digital assets industry. "British is Blockchain" draws a bold parallel between the can-do values that define British identity and the foundational principles of blockchain technology itself.

Every piece of creative has been written to speak to its specific location and community. Commuters crawling through the Euston underpass are greeted with a twist on Henry V - "Once more under the bridge, dear friends" - while Brick Lane gets "How hot do you want it?", onto Wuthering Heights references in Yorkshire, and Robert Burns quotes in Scotland. Comedic references to classic British comedy, such as Fawlty Towers, Blackadder, and Monty Python.

The campaign launches on the back of Blockchain.com's recent registration with the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), marking a significant milestone in the company's commitment to regulated, compliant operations in the UK market.

"We're a British-grown company, and this campaign celebrates the striking parallels between Britain and blockchain technology," said James Maddison, Chief Marketing Officer at Blockchain.com. "It is about championing individual autonomy, driving innovation and commerce, and embracing a healthy and often humorous skepticism of systems that seek to monopolise power. As a Brit myself, I wanted to celebrate everything that makes this country brilliant, including our wit and creativity. We have infused that spirit into every line, billboard, and local reference."

Blockchain.com has expanded its global red era campaign to the UK, following successful takeovers in Los Angeles and Dallas earlier this year. While each of these cities has focused on deep-rooted cultural phrases and IYKYK iconic references, the unified message is the same across: the tools that were once reserved for elites now belong to everyone.

About Blockchain.com

Blockchain.com is connecting the world to the future of finance. The global leader in crypto services helping millions across the globe access cryptocurrency. Since its inception in 2011, Blockchain.com has earned the trust of more than 90 million wallets and over 40 million verified users, and has facilitated over $1.2 trillion in crypto transactions. Visit Blockchain.com for more information.

Media Contact:press@blockchain.com

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84% of UK CFOs say their organisation has been too slow to modernise payments

91% say they are concerned competitors are ahead on payment automation while a confident few are already setting the pace

Card-led payments are widely seen as a competitive advantage say 81%

Research commissioned by global S&P500 corporate payments company, Corpay, finds that many organisations continue to rely on manual or partially manual spend processes, while finance leaders increasingly view automation and card-led payments as strategically important.

The research of 300 CFOs including those in retail, wholesale, manufacturing, and IT sectors found that more than eight in ten CFOs (83%) agree that spend management within their organisation is more manual than it should be. A similar proportion, 84%, say their business has been too slow to modernise how it pays suppliers and manages expenses while card-led payments could turn the dial, with 81% saying that they are a competitive advantage.

The findings suggest a difference between current processes and the priorities CFOs have identified for the coming years. While finance leaders recognise the importance of digitised, card led and automated payment solutions, many organisations still report a mix of manual and automated processes.

The operational impact of this gap is significant. More than eight in ten CFOs (86%) say their finance teams spend over six hours per person, per week on expense, invoice and supplier payment administration, with more than a quarter reporting between 11 and 15 hours. When asked how they would use 25 to 50% of reclaimed finance time, the top three responses were not cost-cutting. Instead, CFOs cited business partnering, cash flow forecasting and strategic planning, highlighting the opportunity to redirect capacity toward higher value activities.

The research also highlights mounting competitive pressure. Nine in ten CFOs (91%) say they are concerned that competitors are ahead in adopting automated, card led payment processes. For many organisations, the issue is no longer simply operational efficiency. Card-led payments are also widely seen as a competitive advantage, with a majority of CFOs agreeing with this statement.

Looking ahead, CFO priorities for 2026 are firmly focused on financial resilience and visibility. Improving working capital management, strengthening spend controls and increasing real time visibility rank as the top three areas of focus.

Almost all respondents, 99%, say that additional working capital flexibility would be at least somewhat valuable to their organisation. This underlines the growing importance of modern payment methods that can support improved working capital and greater visibility over outgoing spend.

Piero Macari, VP Product Corporate Payments at Corpay, said: "The message from UK CFOs is clear. Payment automation is increasingly being viewed as a strategic priority. When so many finance leaders believe competitors are ahead, we can see that there are a competitive few that are setting the pace. Many view card-led payments as one of the most practical ways to begin modernising spend management, improving how spend is controlled and analysed. This reflects the growing importance of more automated and integrated payment infrastructure."

He added: "We recently launched Corpay Complete to bring accounts payable, domestic and international payments, and corporate card spend into a single digital environment. By reducing reliance on manual processes, strengthening controls and delivering full visibility across transactions, it helps CFOs improve working capital management while lowering risk and administrative burden. For those looking to stay competitive, card-led payments with integrated and automated spend management is now fundamental to financial resilience and growth."

The research suggests growing attention among UK CFOs on modernising spend and payment processes, with automation becoming a more prominent strategic priority.

For more information, visit: The Card-First Approach to Spend Modernisation

Notes to editor:

The research was conducted by Censuswide, among a sample of 300 CFOs (aged 25+) with a turnover of 20m+

About Corpay

Corpay (NYSE: CPAY) is a global S&P500 corporate payments company that helps businesses and consumers pay expenses in a simple, controlled manner. Corpay's suite of modern payment solutions help its customers better manage vehicle-related expenses (like fuelling and parking), travel expenses (like hotel bookings) and payables (like paying vendors). This results in our customers saving time and ultimately spending less.

Corpay Payments made easy.

'Corpay' and 'Corpay Complete' are trading names of the Corpay Group of companies. Payment services provided by Allstar Business Solutions, Canberra House, Lydiard Fields, Swindon, Wiltshire, SN5 8UB, Registration Number 2631112 GB. Authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority under the (Register reference 1018326) for the provision of payment services. International payment solutions are provided in the United Kingdom through Cambridge Mercantile Corp. (UK) Ltd. Authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority (Register reference 900702).

To learn more visit www.corpay.com

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260415767309/en/

Contacts:

Media Contact

Scott Girling-Heathcote

Account Director

SkyParlour

scott@skyparlour.com

Tel +44 (0)330 043 1315
255-home riverside rental community in London Commuter Belt continues to take shape

MAIDENHEAD, United Kingdom, April 16, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Starlight Investments, a leading global real estate investment and asset management firm, has announced the completion and launch of the first phase at The Waypoint, the company's newest build-to-rent (BTR) community in Maidenhead, Berkshire.

This milestone delivers 73 new rental homes, offering a carefully curated mix of one-, two- and three-bedroom suites with elegant open-plan designs and elevated finishes - marking a significant step toward the development's full completion later this year. The completed community will include 255 thoughtfully designed homes across three residences.

The Waypoint forms part of Starlight's broader BTR development within the St Cloud Way regeneration scheme, one of the largest revitalization initiatives underway in the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead.

"Completing the first phase at The Waypoint reflects our commitment to expanding high-quality build-to-rent housing in the UK and supporting communities where demand for professionally managed, modern rental homes continues to grow," said Jonnie Milich, Head of UK Residential, Starlight Investments. "Maidenhead's transport connectivity, economic strength and forward-looking regeneration plan make it an ideal location for long-term community building."

The Waypoint is located steps from the River Thames, provides direct access to Maidenhead's town centre, and is only a short walk from the main train station, offering Overground and Elizabeth Line services with journey times of approximately 35 minutes to central London, as well as connections across the wider Thames Valley. The town is located centrally within an established employment hub for technology, life sciences, and advanced manufacturing.

Once completed, The Waypoint will offer nearly 20,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor lifestyle-focused amenity space, including a state-of-the-art fitness centre, co-working areas, private dining, inviting resident lounges, a rooftop terrace, and a landscaped courtyard - spaces designed to encourage connection, well-being and enhanced urban living. The community also integrates sustainability features throughout its design, reflecting Starlight's commitment to long-term quality and responsible development.

The property's name, "The Waypoint", speaks to life's journeys, connections, and the meaningful pauses along the way. Inspired by Maidenhead's position as a key link between London and the Thames Valley, it captures a place that is both perfectly connected and defined by its riverside calm. Grounded in themes of navigation and orientation, The Waypoint represents a place to return to - a community where residents can rest, recharge, and confidently chart their next steps.

The completion of the first phase marks another significant milestone for Starlight's UK BTR program and reflects ongoing progress across the firm's wider UK portfolio, which includes rental communities in major regional cities including Manchester, Liverpool and Leeds and key London Commuter Belt markets experiencing rental housing shortages. With a UK portfolio of 4,000 homes and 1.1 billion in assets under management, Starlight is committed to supporting housing targets across the region and providing best-in-class rental options backed by strong operational stewardship.

"As we begin to welcome the first residents to The Waypoint, we are proud to be delivering modern, well-connected homes that support the needs of today's renters," added Milich. "We look forward to fostering a vibrant community in a beautiful location as this scheme continues to take shape."

To learn more about The Waypoint and for leasing information, go to: https://www.thewaypoint-maidenhead.co.uk/

About Starlight Investments

Starlight Investments is a leading global real estate investment and asset management firm headquartered in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. A privately held owner, developer and asset manager of over 70,000 multi-residential suites and over 7 million square feet of commercial property space with CAD $30 billion AUM, Starlight offers a range of investment vehicles across various real estate strategies. Starlight's guiding mission is to balance its tenure with visionary curiosity to create positive impact for investors and communities alike. At Starlight, we invest with impact.

Learn more at www.starlightinvest.com or connect with us on LinkedIn.

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View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/starlight-investments-marks-major-milestone-with-completion-of-first-phase-of-new-build-to-rent-community-at-the-waypoint-in-maidenhead-302743979.html
President Chivite and the founder and Chairman of Hithium, Jeff Wu, ratify this investment in a strategic sector, which will mean around 400 million euro and 700 jobs

BEIJING, April 16, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The President of Navarre, Maria Chivite Navascues, met this Wednesday with representatives of the Chinese energy storage company Hithium, within the framework of the working trip of the Navarrese delegation to China that is taking place these days. During the meeting with the Founder and Chairman of Hithium, Jeff Wu, and in the presence of the President of the Government of Spain, Pedro Sanchez, an agreement was signed between the regional government and the Chinese company to advance in "the development, construction and operation" of the future gigafactory of battery energy storage systems (BESS) and cell.

The future factory involves an investment of around 400 million euros and will involve the creation of 700 direct jobs.

The text points out in this regard that this initiative will make "a substantial contribution to Europe's green energy transition, while strengthening the solid economic and trade cooperation between China and Spain".

During the meeting, President Chivite stressed that, "although there are still steps and details to be specified", the investment "will materialise in the Community, which is good news for all the people of Navarre". He also announced that the company's forecast is that it can start production in 2027.

Chivite also stressed that Navarre has experience in the materialisation of foreign projects and stressed the seriousness of the Community when it comes to working, the proximity of the institutions and the strengthening of the Navarrese ecosystems that these investments entail.

For his part, the Minister of Industry and Ecological and Digital Business Transition, Mikel Irujo, remarked that the agreement reached has been the result of "intense work of two years of direct contact, seven visits by Chinese representatives to Navarre and four trips to China by delegations from the regional executive". In this sense, he stressed that the Community has been chosen for this project for its industrial ecosystem, specifically, "the engineering services it offers, its level of technology centers, industrial services, training, universities and vocational training".

In addition to the Navarrese delegation, Dr. Qi Tang, Hithium's Managing Director of Strategy Development Office, participated in the meeting on behalf of the company, stating that the agreement marks a "milestone" in the Chinese company's investment in Navarre. Tang has thus positively assessed the relations between China and Spain, and has expressed Hithium's intention to launch the project "as soon as possible".

"We believe that both Navarre and Spain offer the right commercial atmosphere for us and for other Chinese companies to develop their business in Europe," he explained, while expressing his confidence that the project of the future battery factory in Navarre "will be very successful".

Likewise, Tang stressed that one of the reasons for the choice of Navarre has been the "efficiency of the Navarrese authorities in the process", as well as the "strong support" shown by them during decision-making.

Relationship between Navarre and Hithium

Last November, during the previous trade mission carried out by the Government of Navarre to China, President Chivite was also able to visit the company's facilities in Chongqing. Subsequently, this March the Chinese company announced its intention to build a gigafactory in Navarre, aimed at both the manufacture of cells and the assembly of storage systems in stationary batteries, with a total investment of around 400 million euros.

Along the same lines, a meeting was also held on March 10 at the Palacio de Navarre between President Chivite, Minister Irujo, the investment director of Hithium, Hao Wang, and the company's legal director Lily Lu.

Hithium

Hithium is a Chinese company founded in the year 2019, headquartered in Xiamen. It has battery production facilities in Xiamen, Chongqing and Heze in China and Dallas in the USA. The new factory will therefore be the second location of this company outside China, and the first in the European Union.

The Chinese energy company specialises in stationary energy storage systems (BESS) in particular, and has multiple R+D+i centres and production plants. Today, it is positioning itself among the leading global players in the large-scale battery sector for industrial, commercial, and utility applications. It is the leading company in this sector in China, and the number two in the world.

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payabl. has launched Click to Pay with Visa, a new card payment experience designed to help merchants reduce checkout friction, improve authorisation rates, and deliver a faster, more secure online payment journey.

Click to Pay replaces manual card number entry with a token-based checkout experience. Once a customer's card is enrolled, they can complete purchases in just a few clicks, without re-entering card details. The result is a faster checkout that mirrors the ease of contactless payments in-store, while maintaining strong security standards.

For merchants, the impact is measurable. According to Visa, Click to Pay can deliver up to a 11% uplift in authorisation rates compared to manual card entry(1), alongside significant fraud reduction through network tokenisation. Faster checkout also helps reduce cart abandonment, particularly on mobile, where typing card details remains a major source of friction.

"With online checkout, every extra step costs conversion," said Breno Oliveira, Chief Product Officer at payabl. "Visa Click to Pay removes one of the biggest points of friction at the moment of purchase. It helps merchants approve more legitimate transactions, reduce fraud exposure, and give customers the experience they already expect."

Visa Click to Pay is available through payabl.checkout, enabling merchants to activate the service without additional integration complexity. The solution works across devices and supports existing security flows, including 3D Secure where required.

"Consumers have come to expect a highly personalised, intuitive, and seamless payment experience, whether they're buying a coffee, shopping online, or applying for a loan. Visa Click to Pay aims to meet these expectations by removing the need to manually enter card details, thus enhancing both security and the consumer experience in online card payments. With the support of network tokens, Visa Click to Pay enabled a more secure and smoother transaction process, available in many countries around the world. According to European VisaNet data, Visa Click to Pay may allow a 4.5% uplift in merchant sales, meaning a possible annual increase of 51 bn in SMB eCommerce sales in the UK and EU," said Michael Ioannides, Country Manager, Visa Cyprus.

The launch forms part of payabl.'s broader focus on checkout optimisation, helping merchants improve conversion, approvals, and payment reliability at scale. Click to Pay with Visa is now live for eligible merchants across Europe.

Checkout expectations are rising across Europe

Insights from payabl.'s State of European Checkouts report underline why frictionless checkout experiences are becoming a commercial priority. The research found that consumers cite speed (46%), convenience (44%), and security (41%) as the top reasons for choosing a payment method. More than half of consumers (53%) are open to switching to newer payment methods and nearly half (48%) are open to one-click checkouts, provided the solution is backed by a trusted brand such as Visa.

"Checkout is no longer just the final step of a transaction," said Oliveira. "It is a critical part of the overall customer experience. Our research shows that 43% of European consumers will not return to a site after a poor checkout experience. For merchants across the UK and Europe, that translates directly into lost customers and lost revenue."

The launch forms part of payabl.'s broader focus on checkout optimisation, helping merchants improve conversion, approvals, and payment reliability at scale. Click to Pay with Visa is now live for eligible merchants across Europe.

References:

VisaNet Data, GBI Monthly Authorisation Report, May 2022

About payabl.

payabl. is a financial technology provider offering payments and business accounts for businesses of all sizes, enabling companies to accept online and in-person payments, manage multi-currency business accounts, issue virtual and physical cards, and access over 300 local and alternative payment methods. Combining in-house development with strategic partnerships, payabl. delivers secure, compliant, and scalable financial solutions that help businesses optimise operations and expand internationally. The company has offices in London, Amsterdam, Frankfurt, Limassol, and Vilnius. To learn more, visit: payabl.com.

About Visa Inc

Visa (NYSE: V) is a world leader in digital payments, facilitating transactions between consumers, merchants, financial institutions and government entities across more than 200 countries and territories. Our mission is to connect the world through the most innovative, convenient, reliable and secure payments network, enabling individuals, businesses and economies to thrive. We believe that economies that include everyone everywhere, uplift everyone everywhere and see access as foundational to the future of money movement.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260416907732/en/

Contacts:

Media contacts

Viali Munteanu

+44 7547 819 438

viali.munteanu@payabl.com
Expanding local availability, logistics, and support for mobile EV charging solutions across the region

AMSTERDAM, April 16, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Zerova, a provider of EV charging solutions, today announced a distribution partnership with Skarebo, a leading distributor in the Nordics specializing in charging solutions. Under the agreement, Skarebo will support Zerova's expansion in the region by providing local importing, warehousing, and distribution capabilities, making it easier for customers to purchase and receive Zerova products with local terms and delivery.

Skarebo's distribution model helps address a key challenge in the Nordics market: smaller customers often need the ability to buy in lower quantities without taking on complex international shipping and customs processes. With Skarebo handling logistics, Zerova can serve a broader range of customers, including those purchasing single units, while improving delivery speed and predictability.

"Partnering with Skarebo strengthens our local presence and makes it simpler for customers in the Nordics to access Zerova products," said Andreas Bruzelius, Zerova. "Skarebo's logistics and market reach help us support both small and large customers with a smoother buying experience."

"Zerova brings a strong product offering and a clear fit for Nordic customer needs," said Ulf Thorwalls, Head of Sales, Skarebo. "We are excited to support regional availability and help customers adopt solutions that match real operational requirements."

About Zerova

Zerova specializes in designing and producing branded EV charging solutions, delivering fully customized systems. With over 50 years of manufacturing excellence and more than a decade of EV charging, Zerova offers a comprehensive range of DC chargers ranging from 30kW to megawatt solutions - serving diverse sectors such as fleets, depots, mining, constructions, utilities, CPOs, hospitality, retail and service stations. For more information about Zerova's EV charging solutions and service network, visit www.zerovatech.com

About Skarebo

Skarebo is a Nordic specialist and wholesaler in EV charging solutions, providing a comprehensive range of charging stations, accessories, and related services. Founded in 2020 and headquartered in Jonkoping, Sweden, the company partners with leading industry brands while also developing its own products to deliver high-quality, cost-effective solutions. With a strong focus on installers and resellers, Skarebo combines technical expertise, tailored logistics, and end-to-end support to enable efficient deployment of EV charging infrastructure and contributes to the transition toward sustainable mobility. www.skarebo.com

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View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/zerova-signs-nordics-distribution-agreement-with-skarebo-302741643.html
KUALA LUMPUR, MY / ACCESS Newswire / April 16, 2026 / Golden Destinations Group Berhad ("Golden Destinations" or the "Company"), a full-service outbound travel experience curator, made its debut today on the ACE Market of Bursa Malaysia Securities Berhad ("Bursa Securities"). The Company's shares opened at RM0.49 per share, representing a 8.89% premium over its IPO price of RM0.45 per share, reflecting positive market reception and investors' confidence in the Company's fundamentals and growth prospects.

(From L-R) Mr. Charles Lim, Chief Operating Officer, GD; Ms. Emily Chan, Chief Financial Officer, GD; Mr. Tan Meng Kim, Managing Director, Capital Markets, UOBKH; Mr. David Lim, Chief Executive Officer, UOBKH; Mr. Lim Swee Chuan, Executive Director / Chief Corporate Officer, GD; Mr. Mita Lim, Managing Director, GD; Mr. Cheong Kee Yoong, Independent Non-Executive Chairman, GD; Ms. Chan Mun Shee, Independent Non-Executive Director, GD; Ms. Yeat Soo Ching, Independent Non-Executive Director, GD; Mr. Khoo Choon Keat, Independent Non-Executive Director, GD

Golden Destinations was listed under the stock name "GDGROUP" with the stock code "0398".

Golden Destinations operates primarily as a business-to-business (B2B) outbound travel experience curator under its flagship Golden Destinations ("GD") brand portfolio. The Company focuses on designing curated travel itineraries, developing travel experience packages and coordinating travel services with global travel partners, supported by a nationwide network of over 800 travel agents for distribution to outbound travellers.

The successful initial public offering of Golden Destinations raised RM90.00 million through the issuance of 200.00 million new shares. The proceeds from the IPO will primarily be utilised for the following initiatives:

The establishment of a new centralised headquarters with the aim to strengthen GD brand presence and corporate identity as well as to consolidate the Company's operations and support its expanding workforce and operational requirements.

Strengthening branding, marketing and promotional initiatives to enhance the visibility of the Golden Destinations brand and reinforce its market presence within the outbound travel industry.

Expansion of geographical presence, including strengthening market penetration in East Malaysia and exploring opportunities to establish a presence in the Singapore market.

Enhancement of IT systems and operational infrastructure to improve workflow efficiency, strengthen data capabilities and support the Company's growing scale of operations.

Working capital and general corporate purposes, enabling the Company to support day-to-day operations and sustain future growth initiatives.

Mr. Mita Lim , Managing Director of Golden Destinations Group Berhad remarked, "Today's listing marks a significant milestone in Golden Destinations' corporate journey. We are grateful for the strong support shown by investors throughout our IPO process. This achievement reflects the dedication of our team and IPO working group, together with the confidence the investment community has placed in our business model and long-term growth prospects."

He added, "With the proceeds raised from our IPO, we are well positioned to strengthen our operational capabilities, enhance our brand presence and expand our curated travel offerings. We remain committed to delivering distinctive travel experiences while continuing to broaden our presence in the outbound travel market."

With approximately three decades of experience in the travel industry, Golden Destinations has established a strong presence in Malaysia's outbound travel segment. The Company offers a diverse portfolio of travel experience packages covering destinations across Asia, Europe, the Americas, Oceania and Africa, catering to a wide range of traveller preferences through its extensive travel agent network.

UOB Kay Hian (M) Sdn. Bhd. is the Principal Adviser, Sponsor, Underwriter and Placement Agent for Golden Destinations' IPO.

###

ABOUT GOLDEN DESTINATIONS GROUP BERHAD

Golden Destinations Group Berhad ("Golden Destinations" or the "Company") is a full-service outbound travel experience curator, offering a comprehensive suite of outbound travel experience products and services under Golden Destinations (GD) , our flagship brand portfolio. Through its subsidiaries, the Group offers a comprehensive range of travel products, including series travel experience packages, cruise travel experience packages and other outbound travel experience packages, distributed primarily via an established network of travel agents. As at its latest reporting period, Golden Destinations' travel portfolio spans over 84 countries, with more than 2,000 travel experience packages across multiple destinations worldwide, supported by long-standing relationships with airlines, cruise operators and overseas ground service providers. The Group is focused on scaling its operational capabilities, enhancing service delivery and strengthening its market presence in the outbound travel segment.

Issued By: Swan Consultancy Sdn Bhd on behalf of Golden Destinations Group Berhad

For more information, please contact:

Jazzmin Wan

Email: j.wan@swanconsultancy.biz

William Yeo

Email: w.yeo@swanconsultancy.biz

SOURCE: Golden Destinations Group Berhad

View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/travel/golden-destinations-group-berhad-debuts-on-ace-market-with-opening-price-of-rm0.49-1158203
Chinese language studies gain popularity in Vietnam amid rising labor demand

Xinhua) 10:57, April 16, 2026

HANOI, April 15 (Xinhua) -- Amid the early summer heat in Vietnam's capital Hanoi, applause and cheers filled a hall at the University of Languages and International Studies on Wednesday as students shared their personal journeys with the Chinese language in a speech contest during a celebration marking the United Nations Chinese Language Day.

The finalists, majoring in Chinese studies, spoke passionately about their experiences, describing the language as a bridge to broader career opportunities and a competitive edge in Vietnam's job market.

Their enthusiasm reflects a broader trend in Vietnam, where admission to Chinese language and China studies is increasingly competitive due to rising demand for Chinese-speaking talent in the local labor market.

Ha Le Kim Anh, vice president of the University of Languages and International Studies under Vietnam National University, Hanoi, told Xinhua that enrollment in Chinese-language majors has surged in recent years in response to strong labor market demand.

"For the Chinese language teacher education program, which offers only 25 places, there are often more than 2,000 applications," Anh said, noting that admission to the program in 2025 required a perfect score of 30 out of 30 in the country's national high school graduation exam.

She added that the university's Chinese language program, though not subsidized by the government like teacher training programs, is also highly competitive.

"If the enrollment quota is 300, the number of applications can reach between 3,000 and 4,000," she said, adding that the university increased its quota for the major by around 10 percent for the 2026 academic year.

Nguyen Dinh Hien, dean of the university's Faculty of Chinese Language and Culture, said the rapid development of bilateral ties, as well as the neighboring country's role as a major global economic engine, has further driven demand for Chinese-speaking talent.

"The most direct reason is that the job market needs Chinese-speaking workers," Hien told Xinhua, adding that many Chinese-invested enterprises in Vietnam are seeking large numbers of local employees with Chinese proficiency.

The rising popularity of Chinese learning is also reinforced by peer influence, Hien noted.

"When students see their seniors graduating and securing good jobs thanks to Chinese proficiency, they are encouraged to follow the same path," he said.

Driven by such practical outcomes, Vietnamese students majoring in the Chinese language are gaining a competitive edge even before graduation.

Among them is Pham Hoang Anh Thu, a third-year student majoring in Chinese language teacher education, who works part-time as a tutor.

With three classes a week, Thu said her part-time income is enough to cover her daily expenses. "I can save around 5 million to 7 million Vietnamese dong (about 266 U.S. dollars) each month," she added.

The market demand is also reflected in social media statistics, where a Vietnamese Facebook group called "Chinese-language jobs" has attracted more than 166,000 members, with recruitment posts updated daily.

According to a report on Vietnam's salary levels and labor market released by local recruitment platform JobOKO, around 13,000 positions for Chinese-speaking professionals were up for grabs in 2025, an increase of 50 percent from 2024.

(Web editor: Wang Xiaoping, Liang Jun)
CAIRO, April 15, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- A report from Shandian News.

In an effort to advance the Global Civilization Initiative, Shandong Radio and Television Station held the unveiling ceremony of the "Oriental Screening Room" in Egypt, along with the presentation of the international version of Shining Treasures of China, in Cairo on April 14 local time.

The "Oriental Screening Room" serves as an international cultural exchange base established overseas by Shandong Radio and Television Station. By screening high-quality documentaries, short videos and other audiovisual content, it engages in "film and television diplomacy" to foster cultural exchange between nations. The initiative has already been launched in Greece, Uzbekistan, Australia and other countries, becoming an important window for local people to get a sense of China and learn about Shandong.

Shining Treasures of China was jointly produced under the guidance of the National Radio and Television Administration and the National Cultural Heritage Administration, in collaboration with 31 provincial-level radio and television stations and cultural heritage institutions, including Shandong Radio and Television Station. The Arabic version presented at the ceremony was translated by the Shandong International Communication Center.

Emad Zabady, Secretary General of the Egypt-China Cultural Exchange Association, said in an interview with a reporter from Shandong International Communication Center that he has visited Shandong five times and was deeply impressed by its profound historical heritage and vibrant development momentum. He expressed hope for deepening exchanges and pragmatic cooperation between the two sides in areas such as film and television media, cultural tourism and youth education, jointly promoting mutual learning between the Chinese and Egyptian civilizations and people-to-people bonds.

SOURCE Shandian News
Brings two decades of experience including senior roles at S&P Global, Misys

Proven track record of driving digital transformation will help deepen customer relationships

LONDON, April 16, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- SimCorp, a global leader in financial technology, today announced the appointment of Neslihan Yegul to support the company's expanding pipeline of clients in UK and Northern Europe, as Senior Managing Director of the region.

Yegul's experience within financial technology will help deepen SimCorp's client relationships in the UK and Northern Europe. She has more than two decades' experience in scaling global SaaS businesses, driving digital transformation and accelerating revenue growth in capital markets. She will report to Chief Revenue Officer Oliver Johnson effective April 20.

"We're delighted to welcome Neslihan to SimCorp, as her experience will help us develop closer relationships with our clients," said Johnson. "This region has experienced significant growth since 2020, and meeting the needs of our clients is absolutely critical."

Most recently, Yegul was at S&P Global (previously IHS Markit and Markit), where she held a series of roles with progressive responsibility. There, she served as Vice President, Head of Enterprise Data Management, and before that, was Vice President and Head of Commercial Strategy in EMEA, as well as Executive Director and Head of Client Management.

Prior to joining S&P Global, Yegul held product and commercial leadership roles at Misys (now Finastra), Wallstreet Systems, and began her career in financial services consulting with Ernst & Young and Cap Gemini.

Based in London, Yegul has a Master of Science Degree from the University of Vienna.

About SimCorp

SimCorp is a provider of industry-leading integrated investment management solutions for the global buy side.

Founded in 1971, with more than 3,500 employees across five continents, SimCorp is a truly global technology leader that empowers more than half of the world's top 100 financial companies through its integrated platform, services, and partner ecosystem.

SimCorp is a subsidiary of Deutsche Borse Group. As of 2024, SimCorp includes Axioma, the leading provider of risk management and portfolio optimization solutions for the global buy side.

For more information, see?www.simcorp.com.

Media Contacts: Sren Rathlou Top, +45 3115 8706, soren.r.top@simcorp.com; Sean B. Pasternak, +1-647-975-7326, sean.pasternak@simcorp.com

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View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/simcorp-appoints-neslihan-yegul-to-lead-uk--northern-europe-302742015.html
In partnership with Alchemer, Emplifi surveyed more than 1,600 consumers to better understand how they perceive brand authenticity and AI usage within social media and customer care engagements

NEW YORK, April 16, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Emplifi, a leading AI-powered social media marketing platform, today released the "Digital Authenticity in the Age of AI" report to examine how consumers perceive brand authenticity as AI adoption rates soar among social media marketing and customer care teams. For the report, Emplifi, in partnership with Alchemer, surveyed more than 1,600 consumers across the U.S. and UK to better understand how consumers define authenticity within product and services research, social media ratings and reviews, AI imagery, and customer care experiences.

Key findings from the report include:

Authenticity drives trust, loyalty, and risk: Consumers clearly reward brands that feel real-93% say authentic engagement builds trust, and 85% are willing to pay more for brands they perceive as authentic. But the downside is just as strong: more than half of consumers would stop buying after an inauthentic experience, and one in three would go as far as leaving a negative review.

Where authenticity shows up in content: When evaluating brands, consumers place the most trust in what they can independently verify or see from others. Sixty-six percent cite search engine results as a top source of authenticity, closely followed by 63% who point to user-generated content-highlighting the importance of discoverability and peer validation.

How brands deliver experiences matters most in customer care: Transparency and responsiveness define authentic interactions. More than 90% of consumers expect brands to disclose AI usage in marketing. In customer care specifically, 84% say quick response time is

"Our research proves consumers are not against brands using AI, they simply want brands to be transparent about AI use while giving them the information they need to make informed decisions ," said Emplifi CMO Susan Ganeshan. "Consumers expect always-on, instant access, and they trust brands that keep up. That means responding quickly and meeting customers in the moment is more important than ever. As brands introduce an autonomous customer experience they drive a real opportunity to fuel those expectations at scale; but only if they put the right guardrails in place to ensure speed doesn't come at the expense of trust."

Emplifi's report comes at a pivotal time as businesses increasingly integrate AI solutions within their marketing and customer care initiatives. Just over a year ago, EMARKETER reported that nearly 50% of marketers were using AI for image and video creation. Meanwhile, Gartner predicts brands will leverage agentic AI solutions to autonomously resolve 80% of common customer service issues-without human intervention at all-in the next three years.

As AI becomes a central force in brand marketing and customer care strategies, Emplifi's findings shed light on consumer perceptions around AI use. In addition to examining consumers' perceptions on brand authenticity, the report also includes insights on consumer product research, social media usage, and online purchasing trends:

For products or services that cost more than $500, 56% of survey respondents report visiting three or more websites before making the purchase working to uncover the trust they desire.

For purchases under $20, product research most commonly starts with online marketplaces and company websites.

"If there's one thing this report makes clear, it's that consumers are doing their homework and rewarding brands that earn their trust in those moments," said Ganeshan. "Authenticity is built through real customer interactions; how brands show up, how quickly they respond, and how consistently they deliver. The brands that get this right won't just win attention, they'll win long-term loyalty and revenue growth."

To review the full survey findings, download Emplifi's report at: "Digital authenticity in the age of AI."

About Emplifi

Emplifi is a leading AI-powered social media marketing platform, empowering brands to deliver meaningful, connected experiences across digital channels. Recognized as a Leader by renowned analysts and celebrated as a customer favorite, Emplifi provides innovative, data-driven insights and AI-powered tools to help brands optimize social media performance, elevate their influencer marketing strategies, and deliver impactful customer engagement across marketing, commerce, and care.

Contact:

Jordan Lukes, Corporate Communications Director, Emplifi

jordan.lukes@emplifi.io

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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!
Ottawa, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - April 16, 2026) - Focus Graphite Inc. (TSXV: FMS) (OTCQB: FCSMF) (FSE: FKC0) ("Focus" or the "Company"), a Canadian developer of high-grade flake graphite deposits and advanced graphite materials for battery, defence, and industrial applications, is pleased to announce the appointment of General (Retired) Wayne Eyre, former Chief of the Defence Staff ("CDS") of the Canadian Armed Forces ("CAF"), to its Advisory Board.

This appointment comes at a time when global security priorities are increasingly shaped by access to secure, reliable supply chains for critical minerals essential to defence systems, energy storage, and advanced technologies.

General Eyre served more than forty (40) years in the CAF, culminating as CDS from 2021 to 2024, where he led Canada's military through a period of rapidly evolving geopolitical and security challenges. Throughout his career, he commanded at all levels, including the Canadian Army and Military Personnel Command. He served on numerous overseas missions including in the Former Yugoslavia, Afghanistan, and as Deputy Commander of United Nations Command in Korea, where he was the most senior Canadian officer ever permanently stationed in the Asia Pacific region.

He brings extensive operational and institutional experience across U.S. and allied defence systems, including completion of the U.S. Army Special Forces Qualification Course, the U.S. Marine Corps Command and Staff College, the U.S. Marine Corps School of Advanced Warfighting, and the U.S. Army War College. General Eyre holds a Bachelor of Science and three master's degrees in Military Studies, Operational Studies, and Strategic Studies.

His decorations include the Commander of the Order of Military Merit, the Meritorious Service Cross, and multiple international honours from allied nations, recognizing his leadership and service across the globe. He is currently a Visiting Professor and Senior Fellow at the University of Ottawa's Graduate School of Public and International Affairs, and continues to advise on global security, defence transformation, and strategic leadership.

In his role with Focus, General Eyre will provide strategic guidance on defence-related applications of graphite, support engagement with allied and NATO-aligned partners, and advise on positioning the Company within evolving North American and allied critical minerals frameworks.

"Our high-quality material and thermal purification process lends itself to defence and advanced systems," said Dean Hanisch, CEO of Focus Graphite. "General Eyre's leadership at the highest levels of the Canadian Armed Forces, combined with his deep experience across NATO and allied operations, brings critical insight to our strategy. His perspective will help position Focus Graphite as a trusted supplier supporting defence, energy, and advanced material systems across allied nations."

"The character of modern security is changing, with supply chains becoming as critical as the systems they support," said General Wayne Eyre. "Materials like graphite are foundational to energy storage, advanced technologies, and defence readiness. Focus Graphite is well positioned to contribute to strengthening secure, sovereign supply chains, and I look forward to supporting the Company as it advances its role within Canada and across NATO partners."

This appointment further strengthens Focus Graphite's positioning at the intersection of critical minerals, defence readiness, and advanced materials development. The Company continues to advance its Lac Knife and Lac Tetepisca projects, alongside downstream processing initiatives, to support a secure and resilient North American supply chain.

About Focus Graphite Advanced Materials Inc.

Focus Graphite Advanced Materials is redefining the future of critical minerals with two 100% owned world-class graphite projects and cutting-edge battery technology. Our flagship Lac Knife project stands as one of the most advanced high-purity graphite deposits in North America, with a fully completed feasibility study. Lac Knife is set to become a key supplier for the battery, defense, and advanced materials industries.

Our Lac Tetepisca project further strengthens our portfolio, with the potential to be one of the largest and highest-purity and grade graphite deposits in North America. At Focus, we go beyond mining - we are pioneering environmentally sustainable processing solutions and innovative battery technologies, including our patent-pending silicon-enhanced spheroidized graphite, designed to enhance battery performance and efficiency.

Our commitment to innovation ensures an eco-friendly supply chain from mine to market. Collaboration is at the core of our vision. We actively partner with industry leaders, research institutions, and government agencies to accelerate the commercialization of next-generation graphite materials. As a North American company, we are dedicated to securing a resilient, locally sourced supply of critical minerals - reducing dependence on foreign-controlled markets and driving the transition to a sustainable future.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements contained in this press release constitute forward-looking information. These statements relate to future events or future performance. The use of any of the words "could," "intend," "expect," "believe," "will," "projected," "estimated," and similar expressions, as well as statements relating to matters that are not historical facts, are intended to identify forward-looking information and are based on the Company's current beliefs or assumptions as to the outcome and timing of such future events.

In particular, this press release contains forward-looking information regarding, among other things, the anticipated contributions of General Wayne Eyre in his role as an advisor to the Company; the Company's ability to leverage his experience to support engagement with defence stakeholders, NATO-aligned partners, and allied supply chain initiatives; the growing importance of secure, North American sources of graphite for defence, energy storage, and advanced technologies; and the Company's plans and objectives for advancing its Lac Knife and Lac Tetepisca projects, downstream processing capabilities, and broader critical minerals strategy.

Forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause actual results, performance, or achievements to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such statements. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, risks related to market conditions, regulatory approvals, changes in economic conditions, the ability to raise sufficient funds on acceptable terms or at all, operational risks associated with mineral exploration and development, and other risks detailed from time to time in the Company's public disclosure documents available under its profile on SEDAR+.

The forward-looking information contained in this release is made as of the date hereof, and the Company is not obligated to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, except as required by applicable securities laws. Because of the risks, uncertainties, and assumptions contained herein, investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information.

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/292837

Source: Focus Graphite Inc.
Report finds a consistent pattern across AI, cybersecurity, digital identities and sustainability: sharing and coordinating operational data across systems and partners is a key focus for the industry

GENEVA, April 16, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- SITA's 2025 Air Transport IT Insights report finds that, while the air transport industry invested a record $50.8 billion in technology in 2025, a common obstacle keeps emerging: where data does not flow freely between systems and partners, that investment cannot fully deliver what it was designed to unlock. The cost of this data coordination gap is higher than ever now that the conflict in the Middle East continues to disrupt the industry at a global scale. Operators investing in closing that gap are building foundations that will outlast the current disruption.

"We are publishing this research at a moment when the industry is under significant pressure. Across every area we measured, the same constraint emerges: where data does not flow freely across systems and partners, investment cannot fully deliver what it was designed to unlock. That constraint carries a higher cost today, but also a clear opportunity to emerge stronger,"said David Lavorel, CEO of SITA.

Airlines and airports are increasing their investment in IT. In 2025, airlines committed $36 billion, or 3.6% of revenue, while airports raised their spend to $14.8 billion, representing 7.3% of revenue, up from 6.4% the previous year. The reason is consistent across both: eighty-three percent of airlines and 89% of airports say data-driven decision-making is a strategic priority, a clear signal that the industry is actively building the operational foundations it believes resilience depends on.

Operational reliability has become a direct driver of financial performance

When operations run close to capacity, disruption carries a direct financial cost. Flight delays alone account for $30 billion of total industry revenue, according to IATA. Improving the predictions and response to disruption is key, which is why data integration is starting to be actively addressed: 46 percent of airlines are upgrading their flight operations systems to make information consistent and accessible across flight, crew, aircraft and passenger systems in real time. The goal is to give operational teams the shared picture they need to intervene earlier, before a single delay becomes a network problem. Yet 49% of airlines identify data integration and consistency as the primary barrier to achieving this. When information is fragmented across systems, the window for early intervention closes before it can be used.

AI stands to deliver the most value when it coordinates decisions across multiple systems at once

Early AI deployments in aviation focused on individual systems: predictive alerts, route optimization, maintenance forecasting. The shift now underway is more significant. Sixty-three percent of airlines use AI in operations control to manage disruption, aircraft assignment and crew availability simultaneously, evaluating recovery options across multiple constraints at once before recommending actions. Seventy-nine percent name generative AI and large language models as their top investment priority for the next 12 months, a signal that ambition is running well ahead of current deployment.

AI is used most confidently when using it within a single system. It is used least where decisions require consistent data from multiple partners: only 17% of airlines use AI to monitor turnaround activity in real time. Airports are moving to close that gap, with 53% now applying AI to aircraft turnaround, up from 36% in 2024. But the ceiling on AI's impact is not capability. It is data alignment.

"Aviation is deploying AI with real ambition. But the survey is clear: the primary barrier to maximizing that investment is the lack of data integration across the operation. The technology is there. The data infrastructure to connect it often is not,"added Lavorel.

Cybersecurity now protects shared operational data, not just individual platforms

As airlines and airports connect more systems across operations, passengers and partners, the exposure from a cyber incident has changed. A breach would no longer affect a single platform. It risks affecting the accuracy and availability of the shared data that operations depend on: gate changes, turnaround status, passenger information. Seventy-one percent of airports now rank cybersecurity as their top overall IT focus area, and 68% name it as the primary driver of infrastructure upgrades. The industry is responding: 64% of airports are already applying AI in cybersecurity to detect anomalies earlier and reduce response times, up from 51% in 2024.

Digital identity solutions are scaling fast, but coordination remains the primary constraint

The move toward airline and airport-issued digital identity credentials is accelerating sharply. Sixty-four percent of airlines plan to use their own issued credentials, up from 32% in 2024, and biometric border control, already live at 54% of airports, is expected to reach 83% by 2028. The technology is ready and the investment is committed. The key to delivering value is coordination: 57% of airlines cite airport cooperation as the primary requirement for scaling digital identities, up from 40% the previous year. An identity program only works when every touchpoint in the passenger journey recognizes the same record consistently. Without that alignment, the infrastructure exists, but the benefit does not.

Sustainability investment is most advanced where operators control the data directly

The sustainability data in this year's report tells the same story. The focus is strongest where a single operator owns the data and the decision: 83% of airlines are implementing fleet renewal programs, 67% are sourcing Sustainable Aviation Fuel in selected locations and 75% of airports use building management systems to monitor terminal energy. However, adoption of total emissions tracking and airside carbon measurement - capabilities that require consistent data sharing across airlines, ground handlers and infrastructure - remains below 20%.

The pattern is not a coincidence. Across AI, cybersecurity, digital identities and sustainability, the report finds the same ceiling: progress is most advanced where data is coordinated across systems and partners.

"Across AI, cybersecurity, digital identities and sustainability, operators name the same constraint: data that does not flow freely across systems and partners. It is consistent across every area we measured. Data coordination is not a future priority. It is what is limiting outcomes today,"concluded Lavorel.

The report can be found by clicking on this link.

About SITA

SITA is the air transport industry's tech engine, making travel safer, easier, and more sustainable for everyone. From the earliest days of commercial aviation to today's digital frontiers, SITA has been there, connecting the industry and helping it evolve through every leap forward.

With around 2,500 customers, SITA technology supports over 1,000 airports and more than 19,600 aircraft worldwide. It also helps over 70 governments strike the balance between secure borders and seamless journeys. Behind the scenes, SITA bridges 45-50% of the industry's data exchange, enabling a highly complex global network to operate smoothly and reliably, every step of the way.

SITA is transforming fast. From advanced self-service and operations control to airport design and digital borders, it is shaping the next generation of travel through key acquisitions like Materna IPS, ASISTIM, and CCM. It is also expanding beyond aviation with initiatives such as SmartSea, bringing its trusted technologies to cruise, rail, and urban air mobility.

This transformation is about more than new products. SITA is investing in the right skills, tools, and partnerships to help the industry move with greater intelligence and agility, bringing together smart systems, seamless data, and sustainable innovation. Because as global travel surges, flow is everything.

As part of our bold climate strategy, SITA is cutting emissions by 4.2% each year and targeting net zero by 2050. SITA's science-based targets are validated by the SBTi, and its growing portfolio is helping customers reduce their own carbon footprints too.

Owned by the industry and driven by its needs, SITA operates in more than 200 countries and territories.

Find out more at www.sita.aero

Contact: media.relations@sita.aero

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/033cdca0-e64f-4bed-9dd9-cabe46989460
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - April 16, 2026) - Happy Belly Food Group Inc. (CSE: HBFG) (OTCQB: HBFGF) ("Happy Belly" or the "Company"), a leader in acquiring and scaling emerging food brands is pleased to announce the grand opening of Heal Wellness' first location in Quebec, located at 6985 Boulevard, Decarie, Montreal, this Saturday April 18th, 2026. Heal Wellness ("Heal") is a quick-service restaurant ("QSR") brand specializing in fresh smoothie bowls, acai bowls, and smoothies.

Happy Belly 1

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This grand opening marks a significant milestone for the Company, as Heal Wellness becomes Happy Belly's third operating brand in the province of Quebec, joining Rosie's Burgers and Yolks Breakfast in expanding the Company's growing footprint in the region.

"The grand opening of our first Heal Wellness location in Quebec represents an exciting step forward in our North American expansion strategy," said Sean Black, Chief Executive Officer of Happy Belly. "As a key market for us, establishing Heal alongside our existing Quebec brands demonstrates our ability to successfully scale multiple concepts within the province. With experienced local operators and growing demand for fresh, wellness-focused food options, we are building a strong foundation for continued growth and reinforcing our broader strategy of expanding high-quality restaurant brands across Canada."

"By working with area developers who possess deep local expertise, we are positioning Heal for long-term success in the province. Today's announcement is not only validation of our growth model, but also another step toward realizing our vision of making Heal Wellness North America's leading smoothie bowl chain, measured both by scale and strong unit economics."





Happy Belly 2

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"Heal Wellness continues to expand rapidly across Canada and into the United States, solidifying its position as a leading acai and smoothie bowl brand. With 37 locations now open and more than 171 in development, Heal contributes to Happy Belly's broader portfolio of 666 contractually committed retail franchise locations across multiple emerging brands in various stages of development, construction, and operation. Our predictable and disciplined growth engine continues to deliver measurable results as we expand our brands across Canada and the U.S. to create long-term value for our shareholders."

"We are just getting started", said Sean Black.



About Heal Wellness

Heal Wellness was founded with a passion and mission to provide quick, fresh wellness foods that support a busy and active lifestyle. We currently offer a diverse range of smoothie bowls and smoothies. We take pride in meticulously selecting every superfood ingredient on our menu to fuel the body, including acai smoothie bowls, smoothies, and super-seed grain bowls. Our smoothie bowls are crafted with real fruit and enriched with superfoods like acai, pitaya, goji berries, chia seeds, and more.



Franchising

For franchising inquiries please see www.happybellyfg.com/franchise-with-us/ or contact us at hello@happybellyfg.com.

About Happy Belly Food Group

Happy Belly Food Group Inc. (CSE: HBFG) (OTCQB: HBFGF) ("Happy Belly" or the "Company") is a leader in acquiring and scaling emerging food brands across Canada.

Happy Belly 3

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Sean Black

Co-founder, Chief Executive Officer

Shawn Moniz

Co-founder, President

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this press release, which has been prepared by management.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

All statements in this press release, other than statements of historical fact, are "forward-looking information" with respect to the Company within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Forward-Looking information is frequently characterized by words such as "plan", "expect", "project", "intend", "believe", "anticipate", "estimate" and other similar words, or statements that certain events or conditions "may" or "will" occur and include the future performance of Happy Belly and her subsidiaries. Forward-Looking statements are based on the opinions and estimates at the date the statements are made and are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements. There are uncertainties inherent in forward-looking information, including factors beyond the Company's control. There are no assurances that the business plans for Happy Belly described in this news release will come into effect on the terms or time frame described herein. The Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking information if circumstances or management's estimates or opinions should change except as required by law. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. For a description of the risks and uncertainties facing the Company and its business and affairs, readers should refer to the Company's Management's Discussion and Analysis and other disclosure filings with Canadian securities regulators, which are posted on www.sedarplus.ca.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/292835

Source: Happy Belly Food Group Inc.
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - April 16, 2026) - Metalsource Mining Inc. (CSE: MSM) (OTCQB: MSMMF) (FSE: E9Z) (the "Company" or "Metalsource") is pleased to announce recently received assay results from ongoing exploration drilling at the Silver Hill Project, located approximately 15km south of Lexington, NC.

Drill hole SH26-08 intersected 447 g/t silver equivalent (AgEq) over 13 metres, highlighting the scale and strength of mineralization. Within this broad interval, the company identified multiple zones of exceptional grade, including:

705 g/t AgEq over 5.4 metres

1,063 g/t AgEq (1.1 kg/t) over 3.1 metres, featuring 53% combined lead-zinc

604 g/t AgEq over 2.6 metres

The results from SH26-08, combined with previously reported high-grade gold intercepts from SH26-07, indicate the emergence of a robust and expanding high-grade polymetallic system at Silver Hill. The system is characterized by both high precious metal grades and significant base metal mineralization.

While SH26-07 confirmed the presence of bonanza-grade gold, SH26-08 demonstrates that intervals of high-grade lead-zinc-silver mineralization extend down dip and remain open.

Importantly, drilling continues to show that mineralization extends approximately 260 metres from surface and remains open at depth, underscoring the significant expansion potential of the system.

The consistent presence of sphalerite, galena, and chalcopyrite provides a clear mineralogical signature, enabling the exploration team to efficiently identify and target high-grade zones in real time, accelerating discovery and reducing uncertainty.

Silver Hill is emerging as a compelling polymetallic asset, supported by:

Strong precious metal credits (silver and gold)

High base metal content (zinc and lead)

A growing footprint with expansion in multiple directions

With ongoing drilling focused on extending mineralization along strike and down dip, Metalsource is rapidly advancing toward unlocking the full scale of this system.

Drill Hole ID From (m) To (m) Length (m) Au (g/t) Ag (g/t) Pb (%) Zn (%) Cu (%) AgEq (g/t) SH26-08 186.05 199.00 12.95 1.3 42.5 6.5 13.4 0.2 447 Including 186.05 191.48 5.43 1.6 61.6 11.1 23.5 0.2 705 Including 188.37 191.48 3.11 2.2 94.1 17.2 36.0 0.3 1,063 And 196.44 199.00 2.56 2.1 74.8 8.8 15.0 0.3 604

Table 1: Composite assay results from SH26-08. Widths reported are core length, as additional data is needed to estimate the true width of intercepts at this stage of the project. *Details on AgEq calculations below.





Figure 1: Panoramic photograph showing the nature of mineralization at Silver Hill. Run blocks are in feet.

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Figure 2: Massive galena + spahlerite at 617ft. (188m).

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Figure 3: Massive sphalerite + galena + pyrite at 619ft. (188.7m).

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Figure 4: Massive sphalerite + galena + pyrite at 645ft. (196.5m).

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Figure 5: Cross section looking north showing current drill results. Blank hole traces indicate pending assays.

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Figure 6: Long section looking east-northeast (113) showing intercept locations colored by AgEq grade. Note black intersections indicate assays pending with approximate locations.

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Joe Cullen, CEO of Metalsource Mining, commented:

"SH26-07 highlighted the high-grade gold potential at Silver Hill, while SH26-08 demonstrates that this mineralization is part of a broader and strengthening polymetallic system. As drilling progresses deeper, we are intersecting thicker and higher-grade intervals that remain open down dip. These results support both the precious metal upside and the growing scale potential of the system."

Drill Hole ID Easting (m) Northing (m) Elev. (m) Azimuth Dip Length (m) SH25-01 572408 3951597 224 107 -63 109 SH25-02 572408 3951597 224 96 -85 101 SH25-03 572410 3951751 236 96 -46 305 SH25-04 572410 3951751 236 352 -89 100 SH26-05 572280 3951624 262 125 -73 199 SH26-06 572280 3951624 262 129 -51 154 SH26-07 572280 3951624 262 74 -89 200 SH26-08 572280 3951624 262 297 -77 231 SH26-09 572237 3951590 262 89 -70 15 SH26-10 572237 3951590 262 91 -76 188 SH26-11 572237 3951590 262 26 -83 197 SH26-12 572237 3951590 262 293 -84 255 SH26-13 572237 3951590 262 145 -82 215 SH26-14 572237 3951590 262 125 -67 185 SH26-15 572168 3951658 261 107 -79 267 SH26-16 572168 3951658 261 85 -76 267 SH26-17 572168 3951658 261 94 -61 245

Table 2: Drill collar locations and layout azimuth/dip for exploration drilling thus far at the Silver Hill Project. Collar survey in progress and will likely change reported collar elevations. Collar coordinates in WGS84 / UTMZ17N.

Metalsource QA/QC protocols are maintained through the insertion of certified reference material (standards), blanks, and duplicates within the sample stream. The drill core is cut in half with a diamond saw, with one half placed in sealed bags and shipped to the laboratory and the other half retained on site. Chain of custody is maintained from the drill to the submittal into the laboratory preparation facility.

Analytical testing is performed by ALS Geochemistry (Reno, NV) and ALS Canada (Vancouver, BC). The entire sample is crushed to 70% passing 2mm mesh, with a 250 gram split pulverized to 85% passing minus 75 micron. A four-acid digest is performed on 0.25g of sample to quantitatively dissolve most geological materials. Analysis is performed with a combination of ICP-AES and ICP-MS and fire assay.

The exploration results described herein are preliminary in nature and are insufficient to define a mineral resource. Further drilling is required to determine the continuity, geometry, and grade distribution of mineralization. At the time of this release, analytical results remain pending; accordingly, the reported intervals are based solely on geological logging.

*Metal values used in AgEq calculations are from the 200-day moving average values from 2/6/2026, and all values are in USD. PAu= $124.5/g, PAg= $1.58/g, PCu= $4.9/lbs, PPb=$0.90/lbs, PZn=$1.11/lbs, 0.00220462262 = grams-to-pounds conversion factor, 22.0462262 = pounds per tonne for 1% metal.





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Qualified Person

All scientific and technical information has been reviewed and approved by Alex Bugden, B.Sc., P.Geo., a Director of the Company and a "Qualified Person" as defined under NI 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects.

Silver Hill Project

Located in the Carolina Terrane, the property is underlain by volcaniclastic and volcano-sedimentary rocks predominantly of Neoproterozoic and Cambrian age. Current interpretations suggest this terrane is an extension of the Avalon Terrane. The property is 1,225 acres located in Davidson County, North Carolina. As the first significant discovery and first silver-producing mine in America, the property is supported by an extensive historic dataset, including drillhole data, underground mapping, historic dumps and underground chip samples. Currently known mineralization extends to 550m from surface, in a steeply trending series of lenses, which remain open in multiple directions. Recent surface sampling bolsters the historic dataset; results include SH25-003, which returned 444 g/t Ag, 17.7 g/t Au, 8.61% Pb, and 0.507% Zn.

Byrd-Pilot Mountain Project

The Byrd-Pilot Mountain Project is located in central North Carolina within the Carolina Terrane. Initial USGS surveys in the 1980s identified the area as a potential host for a porphyry gold-copper system. Subsequent exploration demonstrated broad gold mineralization in soils, trenches, and shallow RC drilling, coincident with strong self-potential anomalies. Geology shows intense quartz-sericite-pyrite alteration, high-sulfidation signatures, and high-alumina minerals (like Haile and Brewer deposits to the south), suggesting potential for a large epithermal or porphyry-related gold system. Geologic modelling of currently identified mineralization indicates an east-west trend open in multiple directions, with oxidation noted down to a depth of 30m. No drilling has tested the Meridian discovery zone since those 1980s campaigns, leaving potential for significant resource expansion through work commitments of the agreement.

About Metalsource Mining Inc.

Metalsource Mining Inc. is a Canadian mineral exploration company focused on advancing high-potential mineral assets through modern, systematic exploration and value-driven discovery.

Cautionary Note About Forward-Looking Statements

This news release may include forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties. By its nature, this information is subject to inherent risks and uncertainties that may be general or specific and which give rise to the possibility that expectations, forecasts, predictions, projections, or conclusions will not prove to be accurate, that assumptions may not be correct, and that objectives, strategic goals and priorities will not be achieved. These risks and uncertainties include but are not limited those identified and reported in the Company's public filings under the Company's SEDAR+ profile at www.sedarplus.ca. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events, or results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such information will prove to be accurate as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise unless required by law.

Neither the CSE nor the Market Regulator (as that term is defined in the policies of the CSE) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/292826

Source: Metalsource Mining Inc.
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - April 16, 2026) - Group Eleven Resources Corp. (TSXV: ZNG) (OTCQB: GRLVF) (FSE: 3GE) ("Group Eleven" or the "Company") is pleased to announce new assay results from its Ballywire discovery ("Ballywire") at the 100%-owned PG West Project ("PG West"), Republic of Ireland.

Highlights:

25-3552-53 - Extends previous interval from 25-3552-51 announced on 19-Jan-2026, totalling 29.9m of 15.3% Zn+Pb, 552 g/t Ag and 0.67% Cu (from 338m downhole, at base of Waulsortian Limestone), downdip and to the SE along two zones: Waulsortian Limestone hosted (40m extension from 25-3552-51) 57.3m of 6.2% Zn+Pb (3.4% Zn and 2.8% Pb), 35 g/t Ag (from 322m downhole), incl. 23.5m of 12.3% Zn+Pb (6.2% Zn and 6.1% Pb), 46 g/t Ag , incl. 11.3m of 17.6% Zn+Pb (8.2% Zn and 9.4% Pb), 60 g/t Ag , incl. 4.7m of 27.6% Zn+Pb (15.7% Zn and 11.9% Pb), 92 g/t Ag , incl. 1.0m of 47.0% Zn+Pb (27.0% Zn and 20% Pb), 171 g/t Ag Deeper Cu-Ag Zone (70m extension from 25-3552-51) 7.5m of 22 g/t Ag and 0.79% Cu (starting from 582m downhole), incl. 3.5m of 35 g/t Ag and 1.28% Cu Assays from downhole intervals 379m to 579m and 593m to 609m are pending

- Extends previous interval from 25-3552-51 announced on 19-Jan-2026, totalling 29.9m of 15.3% Zn+Pb, 552 g/t Ag and 0.67% Cu (from 338m downhole, at base of Waulsortian Limestone), downdip and to the SE along two zones: 25-3552-51 - Remaining assays from this hole returned three zones of mineralization from the Deeper Cu-Ag target (starting from 434m downhole) 1.9m of 17 g/t Ag, 0.28% Cu and 1.8m of 59 g/t Ag, 0.61% Cu, 0.14% Sb and 2.8m of 30 g/t Ag, 0.72% Cu (incl. 1.0m of 78 g/t Ag, 1.91% Cu, 0.16% Sb )

- Remaining assays from this hole returned three zones of mineralization from the Deeper Cu-Ag target (starting from 434m downhole) Cu-Ag mineralization announced today provides additional evidence of steeply south-dipping fault zones, interpreted to be continuation of Cu-Ag bearing fault zones intersected 350m to the NE (in holes 25-3552-40, -44 and -47, announced in 2025), adding support to hypothesis that Cu-Ag bearing fault zones may extend along strike length of entire Ballywire discovery

25-3552-52 - Extends mineralized strike length of the Ballywire discovery by approx. 600m from 2.6km to 3.2km, by intersecting 22m of mineralization hosting 2.8m of 3.3% Zn+Pb (3.2% Zn and 0.1% Pb), 16 g/t Ag, including 1.0m of 7.7% Zn+Pb (7.4% Zn and 0.3% Pb) and 38 g/t Ag

"Today's results represent another major step forward in our understanding of the Deeper Cu-Ag target at Ballywire," stated Bart Jaworski, CEO. "With significant Cu-Ag bearing fault structures now pierced by five holes along two drill fences located 350m apart, we have increasing conviction that Deeper Cu-Ag mineralization may extend across the entire discovery to date. Extending the mineralized strike length of the discovery by 600m to 3.2km bodes well for our ongoing drilling along our 6km prospective trend. Today's impressive Waulsortian-hosted mineralization is also very encouraging. With a robust treasury and our most ambitious drill campaign to date - recently bolstered by our $12m financing allowing go-forward funded drilling to increase from 20,000m to approx. 67,000-75,000m, we are poised to continue unlocking this discovery's full potential."

Exhibit 1. Cross-Section A-A' Showing 25-3552-53 (and 25-3552-51) at Ballywire

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Note: True thickness of mineralization as a percentage of the down-hole interval, is estimated to be 90-100% (for 25-3552-53), and 70-90% (for today's results from 25-3552-51)

Exhibit 2. Plan Map of Main Ballywire Discovery Corridor, Showing New Holes

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Exhibit 3. Summary of Today's New Assays from 25-3552-53, -51 and -52 at Ballywire

Item From

(m) To

(m) Int

(m) Zn

(%) Pb

(%) Zn+Pb

(%) Ag

(g/t) Cu

(%) Sb

(%) 25-3552-53 321.66 378.98 57.32 3.44 2.78 6.22 35.2 0.02 - Incl. 337.46 360.99 23.53 6.18 6.14 12.32 46.0 0.02 - Incl. 337.46 357.22 19.76 7.22 6.52 13.74 50.9 0.03 - Incl. 337.46 344.97 7.51 6.26 2.93 9.18 42.0 0.02 - And 345.90 357.22 11.32 8.24 9.38 17.61 59.9 0.03 - Incl. 345.90 350.60 4.70 15.71 11.89 27.60 91.7 0.05 - Incl. 347.74 348.71 0.97 27.00 19.95 46.95 171.0 0.10 - And 365.78 377.06 11.28 2.51 0.75 3.27 63.5 0.06 - Incl. 366.73 367.70 0.97 2.09 0.47 2.56 194.0 0.22 - And 376.11 377.06 0.95 0.70 1.96 2.66 166.0 0.14 - Pending 378.98 578.98 200.00 n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a And 581.86 589.31 7.45 - - - 21.7 0.79 - Incl. 581.86 585.31 3.45 - - - 35.2 1.28 - Incl. 582.80 584.67 1.87 - - - 50.1 1.76 - Pending 592.90 608.80 15.90 n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a



















25-3552-51 433.98 435.89 1.91 0.02 0.01 0.04 16.7 0.28 0.05 And 448.02 449.83 1.81 0.05 0.01 0.06 58.8 0.61 0.14 And 472.30 475.15 2.85 0.06 0.02 0.08 29.9 0.72 0.06 Incl. 473.24 474.20 0.96 0.16 0.01 0.18 77.7 1.91 0.16



















25-3552-52 424.00 445.68 21.68 0.55 0.04 0.59 3.2 - - Incl. 424.00 439.06 15.06 0.73 0.06 0.78 4.2 - - Incl. 424.00 427.75 3.75 2.40 0.08 2.47 11.9 - - Incl. 424.00 426.77 2.77 3.18 0.10 3.29 15.8 - - Incl. 424.00 425.82 1.82 4.61 0.16 4.77 23.3 - - Incl. 424.86 425.82 0.96 7.42 0.29 7.71 38.3 - -

Note: True thickness of mineralization as a percentage of the down-hole interval, is estimated to be 90-100% (for 25-3552-53); 70-90% (for 25-3552-51); and to be determined (for 25-3552-52); "-" means less than 0.01%

Ballywire Drill Update

The Ballywire prospect at the Company's 100%-owned PG West Project in Republic of Ireland, represents the most significant mineral discovery in Ireland in over a decade. First announced in Sept-2022, the discovery has 77 holes drilled and reported by Group Eleven to date, including the most recent two new holes (25-3552-53 and -52) reported today. Today's results from 25-3552-51 are in addition to partial assays announced on 19-Jan-2026 and 25-Feb-2026. All of today's results are summarized above and below (see Exhibits 1 to 5).

Mineralization reported today consists predominantly of sphalerite, galena and pyrite, with Cu-Ag bearing zones also containing chalcopyrite and locally, suspected tennantite-tetrahedrite.

Hole 25-3552-52 was a significant step-out hole drilled approx. 350m ENE of its nearest drill hole (see Exhibit 2), on the far east portion of the Ballywire discovery. This hole returned robust mineralization totalling 2.8m of 3.3% Zn+Pb (3.2% Zn and 0.1% Pb) and 16 g/t Ag, including 1.0m of 7.7% Zn+Pb (7.4% Zn and 0.3% Pb) and 38 g/t Ag (see Exhibits 2 and 3). Relative to the nearest significantly mineralized hole (G11-3552-08), this hole expands the strike-length of mineralization intercepted to date at Ballywire by approx. 600m from 2.6km to 3.2km (see Exhibit 2).

Exhibit 4. Summary of Previously Released Assays from 25-3552-51 at Ballywire

Item From

(m) To

(m) Int

(m) Zn

(%) Pb

(%) Zn+Pb

(%) Ag

(g/t) Cu

(%) Sb

(%) 25-3552-51 338.83 391.11 52.28 5.84 4.51 10.35 329.6 0.40 0.03 Incl. 338.83 368.70 29.87 9.74 5.52 15.26 552.3 0.67 0.06 Incl. 339.78 343.53 3.75 23.47 4.41 27.88 82.5 0.04 0.02 And 350.96 357.52 6.56 7.74 10.09 17.82 144.8 0.12 0.01 And 358.48 366.91 8.43 10.40 7.84 18.24 1,775.6 2.21 0.18 Incl. 364.08 365.35 1.27 12.40 10.55 22.95 4,260.0 4.58 0.46 And 368.70 391.11 22.41 0.64 3.16 3.79 32.7 0.06 - Incl. 368.70 385.51 16.81 0.78 3.99 4.76 41.8 0.07 0.01 Incl. 368.70 376.19 7.49 0.88 7.19 8.06 61.3 0.07 0.01 Incl. 368.70 371.50 2.80 0.89 9.72 10.61 98.6 0.15 0.01 And 401.38 409.75 8.37 0.10 5.57 5.67 131.9 0.52 0.04 Incl. 405.10 408.81 3.71 0.13 2.53 2.66 224.5 1.03 0.07 Incl. 405.10 406.05 0.95 0.46 9.81 10.27 601.0 3.19 0.19 And 415.37 424.70 9.33 0.02 0.46 0.47 17.2 0.17 0.02 Incl. 421.99 424.70 2.71 0.02 0.02 0.04 34.6 0.36 0.06 And 559.89 570.96 11.07 0.02 0.01 0.03 12.3 0.42 0.04 Incl. 564.52 567.26 2.74 0.04 0.01 0.05 25.7 1.10 0.09





Exhibit 5. Regional Gravity Map Showing 6km Long Prospective Trend at Ballywire

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Note: Of the four gravity-high anomalies above, only the 'C' anomaly has been systematically drilled to date

Given the Company's recent C$12.0m financing (closed 11-Mar-2026), the go-forward funded drill program has increased from 20,000m to between 67,000m and 75,000m (subject to detailed planning), largely earmarked for Ballywire, with the remainder at Stonepark.

Four rigs continue to be actively drilling at Ballywire. Currently, eleven (11) new holes are completed (and in the process of being logged, sampled and assayed) or in the process of being drilled. These are shown in Exhibits 2 and 5, including: (i) three holes collared on a fence at the SW extent of the discovery; (ii) two holes stepping out approx. 100m SW from today's drill fence; (iii) three holes drilled in a fan pattern immediately SW of G11-3552-08; (iv) one hole testing 300m NE of today's 25-3552-52, testing the 'D' gravity-high anomaly; (v) one hole testing for parallel zones of mineralization approx. 100m NNE of G11-3552-08 and (vi) one hole testing the 'A' gravity-high anomaly.





Exhibit 6. Regional Map of Ballywire Discovery and Surrounding Prospects

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Notes to Exhibit 6: (a) Pallas Green MRE is owned by Glencore (see Glencore's Resources and Reserves Report dated December 31, 2025); (b) Stonepark MRE: see the 'NI 43-101 Independent Report on the Zinc-Lead Exploration Project at Stonepark, County Limerick, Ireland', by Gordon, Kelly and van Lente, with an effective date of April 26, 2018, as found on SEDAR+; and (c) the historic estimate at Denison was reported by Westland Exploration Limited in 'Report on Prospecting Licence 464' by Dermot Hughes dated May, 1988; the historic estimate at Gortdrum was reported in 'The Geology and Genesis of the Gortdrum Cu-Ag-Hg Orebody' by G.M. Steed dated 1986; and the historic estimate at Tullacondra was first reported by Munster Base Metals Ltd in 'Report on Mallow Property' by David Wilbur, dated December 1973; and later summarized in 'Cu-Ag Mineralization at Tullacondra, Mallow, Co. Cork' by Wilbur and Carter in 1986; the above three historic estimates have not been verified as current mineral resources; none of the key assumptions, parameters and methods used to prepare the historic estimates were reported and no resource categories were used; significant data compilation, re-drilling and data verification may be required by a Qualified Person before the historic estimates can be verified and upgraded to be compliant with current NI 43-101 standards; a Qualified Person has not done sufficient work to classify them as a current mineral resource and the Company is not treating the historic estimates as current mineral resources. 'Rathdowney Trend' is the south-westerly projection of the Rathdowney Trend, hosting the historic Lisheen and Galmoy mines.

Stonepark Update

At the Stonepark Project (77.64% Group Eleven, 22.36% Arkle Resources plc), located contiguous to the PG West Project, one hole (25-449-04) was drilled late last year at the Bruff prospect (see background information on Bruff and Kilteely prospects in news release dated 16-Jun-2025). Drilled to a depth of 480m, this hole tested the base of the Waulsortian Limestone near a suspected fault structure. A significant zone of blocky calcite was intersected from 194m to 200m with a brecciated lower contact, while minor disseminated pyrite was observed in the 10m above the base of the Waulsortian Limestone at 445m. While assays (recently received) did not return anomalous grades, the hole is encouraging as it shows a geological environment prospective for Irish-type zinc mineralization (i.e. calcite zones, brecciation and sulphides).

Building on the above geological observations, the Company is mobilizing a rig to Stonepark this week, supplementing the four rigs operating at Ballywire. A four-hole drill program totalling 2,700m is planned, comprising: one hole at the Stonepark deposit testing beneath known Zn-Pb mineralization for possible Cu mineralization; one hole at the Kilteely prospect; and two holes at or near the Bruff prospect. Arkle Resources has elected not to participate in funding this program, with its interest in the Project estimated to decrease from 22.36% to 21.38% (subject to cost actuals after fieldwork completion). The Company aims to provide further information on this program later this year.

Qualified Person

Technical information in this news release has been approved by Professor Garth Earls, Eur Geol, P.Geo, FSEG, geological consultant at IGS (International Geoscience Services) Limited, and independent 'Qualified Person' as defined under Canadian National Instrument 43-101.

Sampling and Analytical Procedures

All core drilled at Ballywire is NQ (47.6mm) and is cut using a rock saw. Sample intervals vary between 0.20m to 1.45m with an average (over 326 samples) of 0.93m. The half-core samples are bagged, labelled and sealed at Group Eleven's core store facility in Limerick, Ireland. Selected sample bags are examined by the Qualified Person. Transport is via an accredited courier service and/or by Group Eleven staff to ALS Laboratories in Loughrea Co. Galway, Ireland. Sample preparation at the ALS facility comprises fine crushing 70% < 2mm, riffle splitter, pulverise up to 250g 85% < 75um. Analytical procedures are 34 element four acid ICP-AES (codes ME-ICP61 and ME-OG62). Other than paying for a professional analytical service, Group Eleven has no relationship with ALS.

Quality Assurance/Quality Control (QA/QC) Information

Group Eleven inserts certified reference materials ("CRMs" or "Standards") as well as blank material, to its sample stream as part of its industry-standard QA/QC programme. The QC results have been reviewed by the Qualified Person, who is satisfied that all the results are within acceptable parameters. The Qualified Person has validated the sampling and chain of custody protocols used by Group Eleven.

About Group Eleven Resources

Group Eleven Resources Corp. (TSXV: ZNG) (OTCQB: GRLVF) (FSE: 3GE) is drilling the most significant mineral discovery in the Republic of Ireland in over a decade. The Company announced the Ballywire discovery in September 2022, demonstrating high grades of zinc, lead, silver, copper, germanium and locally, antimony. Key intercepts to date include:

10.8m of 10.0% Zn+Pb and 109 g/t Ag (G11-468-03)

10.5m of 14.7% Zn+Pb, 399 g/t Ag and 0.31% Cu (G11-468-12)

11.2m of 8.9% Zn+Pb and 83 g/t Ag (G11-3552-03)

29.6m of 10.6% Zn+Pb, 78 g/t Ag and 0.15% Cu (G11-3552-12) and

11.8m of 11.6% Zn+Pb, 48 g/t Ag (G11-3552-18)

15.6m of 11.6% Zn+Pb, 122 g/t Ag and 0.19% Cu (G11-3552-27)

12.0m of 560 g/t Ag, 2.30% Cu and 0.17% Sb (25-3552-31), including

6.4m of 838 g/t Ag, 3.72% Cu and 0.27% Sb (25-3552-31)

39.7m of 9.5% Zn+Pb, 131 g/t Ag and 0.27% Cu (25-3552-35)

25.6m of 9.2% Zn+Pb, 28 g/t Ag (25-3552-39)

52.3m of 10.3% Zn+Pb, 330 g/t Ag and 0.40% Cu (25-3552-51), including

8.4m of 18.2% Zn+Pb, 1776 g/t Ag, 2.21% Cu and 0.18% Sb (25-3552-51)

23.5m of 12.3% Zn+Pb and 46 g/t Ag (25-3552-53)

Ballywire is located 20km from Company's 77.64%-owned Stonepark zinc-lead deposit1, which itself is located adjacent to Glencore's Pallas Green zinc-lead deposit2. The Company's two largest shareholders are Michael Gentile (13.7% interest) and Glencore Canada Corp. (12.9%). Additional information about the Company is available at www.groupelevenresources.com.

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information

Technical and scientific information disclosed from neighbouring properties does not necessarily apply to the current project or property being disclosed. This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities legislation. Such statements include, without limitation, statements regarding the future results of operations, performance and achievements of the Company, including the timing, content, cost and results of proposed work programs, the discovery and delineation of mineral deposits/resources/ reserves and geological interpretations. Although the Company believes that such statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. Forward-looking statements are typically identified by words such as: believe, expect, anticipate, intend, estimate, postulate and similar expressions, or are those, which, by their nature, refer to future events. The Company cautions investors that any forward-looking statements by the Company are not guarantees of future results or performance, and that actual results may differ materially from those in forward looking statements as a result of various factors, including, but not limited to, variations in the nature, quality and quantity of any mineral deposits that may be located. All of the Company's public disclosure filings may be accessed via www.sedarplus.ca and readers are urged to review these materials, including the technical reports filed with respect to the Company's mineral properties.

1 Stonepark MRE is 5.1 million tonnes of 11.3% Zn+Pb (8.7% Zn and 2.6% Pb), Inferred (Apr-17-2018)

2 Pallas Green MRE is 45.4 million tonnes of 8.4% Zn+Pb (7.2% Zn + 1.2% Pb), Inferred (Glencore, Dec-31-2025)

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/292809

Source: Group Eleven Resources Corp.
Highlights

Hole 26MN-063 returned 2.09 g/t gold over 22.25 metres ("m") from 34.14 m , including 45.19 g/t gold over 0.85 m from 39.84 m along the Zanzibar Trend.

, including along the Zanzibar Trend. Hole 26MN-061 returned 0.54 g/t gold over 18.07 m from 50.21 m at Stray Dog.

at Stray Dog. Hole 26MN-059 returned 1.05 g/t gold over 13.26 m from 199.03 m and 1.05 g/t gold over 13.01 m from 281.61 m along the Reliance Trend.

Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - April 16, 2026) - Scorpio Gold Corp. (TSXV: SGN) (OTCQB: SRCRF) (FSE: RY9) ("Scorpio Gold", or the "Company") is pleased to announce results from five step-out holes of the Phase Two drill program at the Manhattan District Project ("Manhattan"), Nevada, USA: 26MN-059 through 26MN-063, see Figure 1. The results are tabulated in Table 1 and discussed below. Scorpio Gold has drilled 72 drill holes to date from its Phase Two diamond drilling program, 25MN-011 through 25MN-045, 26MN-046 through 26MN-077, 26MN-079, and 26MN-081, for a grand total of 20,518 m. With the results herein, Scorpio Gold has reported assays on 48 of these (25MN-011 through 25MN-045 and 26MN-046 through 26MN-063), totalling 17,393 m, and assays are pending from 16 holes (26MN-064 through 26MN-077, 26MN-079, and 26MN-081), totalling 3,125 m. The pending results will be reported as they become available.

"The Zanzibar Trend has quickly emerged as a priority-one target for the Company, representing a newly defined zone that splays off the main Reliance structure. Surface mineralization first demonstrated in hole 25MN-044, which returned 3.14 g/t gold over 49.62 metres, has now been successfully followed up with a step-out to the southeast along a 700-metre largely untested strike corridor extending from Goldwedge to Mustang Hill. Drill hole 26MN-063 further demonstrates continuity along the trend, particularly along the eastern limb of the Manhattan Anticline. As a splay off the principal structural corridor and with limited historical testing, we believe this trend has significant potential to be additive to the existing resource base, supported by the presence of promising grades encountered to date. We continue to allocate focused drilling to this area, with one of our three active rigs currently dedicated to advancing the Zanzibar Trend," stated Harrison Pokrandt, VP Exploration of Scorpio Gold.

Figure 1. Surface Plan Map of drill results, with highlights noted. Map Inset area shown in Figure 2.

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Drill hole 26MN-063 was drilled along the Zanzibar Trend as ~50 m step-outs to both holes 25MN-044 and 25MN-045, see news release dated February 19, 2026, see Figure 2. Drill hole 26MN-059 is a 50 m step-out to the southwest, along the Reliance Trend, to hole 25MN-026, see news release dated November 24, 2025. Drill hole 26MN-062 is a 50 m step-out to the northwest, along the Reliance Trend, to hole 26MN-047, see news release dated February 27, 2026. Two drill holes, 26MN-061 and 26MN-062, drilled at Stray Dog, stepping out from the historic USD Pit. All the drill holes tested beyond the Inferred Resource Constraining Pit ("IRCP"), see Figure 4. Step-out drill holes targeted non-pit constrained inferred category mineralization and uncategorized mineralization. For further details see "Mineral Resource Estimate and NI 43-101 Technical Report, Manhattan Property, Nye County, Nevada" with an effective date of June 4, 2025, on Scorpio Gold's website at https://wp-scorpiogold-2025.s3.ca-central-1.amazonaws.com/media/2025/10/Scorpio-Gold-Manhattan-Mineral-Resource-Estimate-43-101-FINAL-2025-10-23.pdf.

Figure 2. Inset Surface Plan Map of Zanzibar Trend Target Area, with drill hole traces projected to surface and result highlights noted.

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Table 1. Results from the current batch of drill holes. Note: There is insufficient geological information to estimate a true width for the drill intercepts reported.

Drill Hole ID Target

Azimuth / Dip From (m) To (m) Intercept (m) Gold (g/t) 26MN-059 Reliance 96.02 96.93 0.91 9.18 401 m 060 / -50 156.91 165.93 9.02 0.48



199.03 212.29 13.26 1.05

including 204.06 207.26 3.20 3.53



221.59 226.92 5.33 0.46



252.53 256.95 4.42 0.29

including 281.60 283.40 1.80 7.16



281.61 294.62 13.01 1.05



298.63 311.20 12.57 0.72 26MN-060 Stray Dog 109.03 130.06 21.03 0.20 290 m 060 / -45 212.20 217.17 4.97 0.28 26MN-061 Stray Dog 3.99 12.62 8.63 0.43 245 m 060 / -45 21.64 41.42 19.78 0.20



50.21 68.28 18.07 0.54

including 61.14 66.96 5.82 1.23



107.59 114.27 6.68 0.30



188.45 198.36 9.91 0.81

including 196.91 198.36 1.45 3.50 26MN-062 Reliance 67.82 83.03 15.21 0.29 392 m 060 / -55

including 67.82 69.98 2.16 1.51



126.19 137.74 11.55 0.29



224.19 227.66 3.47 0.70 26MN-063 Zanzibar Trend 13.41 16.40 2.99 0.45 100 m 045 / -45 25.30 29.93 4.63 0.83



34.14 56.39 22.25 2.09

including 39.84 40.69 0.85 45.19  Intervals contain no more than 3 continuous metres grading less than 0.1 g/t gold.



Zanzibar Trend Results:

26MN-063: This drill hole tested the Ordovician Zanzibar Formation and associated mineralization, as it trends from the southeast of Goldwedge towards Mustang Hill. The drill hole contains three intervals hosted in Ordovician Zanzibar Formation limestones and fine grained meta-sedimentary units, including 0.45 g/t gold over 2.99 m from 13.41 m, 0.83 g/t gold over 4.63 m from 25.30 m, and 2.09 g/t gold over 22.25 m from 34.14 m; including 45.19 g/t gold over 0.85 m from 39.84 m (see Figure 3). The latter interval represents new mineralization outside the current IRCP, see cross-section A to A' (Figure 4) and cross-section B to B' (Figure 5).

Figure 3. Drill hole 26MN-063, interval 38.56 m to 41.27 m, displaying Ordovician Zanzibar Formation limestones with quartz-calcite-adularia epithermal veins.

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Figure 4. Cross-section A-A', showing gold grades with reported intervals highlighted.

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Figure 5. Long-section B-B', showing gold grades with reported intervals highlighted.

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Reliance Trend Results:

26MN-059: contains seven intervals hosted in the Cambrian Gold Hill Formation along the Reliance Trend to the north of the West Pit. These intervals are hosted in fine grained meta-sedimentary clastic and carbonate units, including 9.18 g/t gold over 0.91 m from 96.02 m, 0.48 g/t gold over 9.02 m from 156.91 m, 1.05 g/t gold over 13.26 m from 199.03 m, including 3.53 g/t gold over 3.20 m from 204.06 m, 0.46 g/t gold over 5.33 m from 221.59 m, 0.29 g/t gold over 4.42 m from 252.53 m, 7.16 g/t gold over 1.8 m from 281.6 m, and 1.05 g/t gold over 13.01 m from 281.61 m, including 0.72 g/t gold over 12.57 m from 298.63 m.

26MN-062: contains three intervals hosted in the Cambrian Gold Hill Formation along the Reliance Trend to the north of the West Pit. These intervals are hosted in fine grained meta-sedimentary clastic and carbonate units, including 0.29 g/t gold over 15.21 m from 67.82 m, including 1.51 g/t gold over 2.16 m from 67.82 m, 0.29 g/t gold over 11.55 m from 126.19 m, and 0.7 g/t gold over 3.47 m from 224.19 m.

Stray Dog Results:

26MN-060: contains two intervals hosted in the Cambrian Gold Hill Formation to the southwest of the historic USD Pit. These intervals are hosted in fine grained meta-sedimentary clastic units containing 0.20 g/t gold over 21.03 m from 109.03 m and 0.28 g/t gold over 4.97 m from 212.2 m.

26MN-061: contains five intervals hosted in the Cambrian Gold Hill Formation to the southwest of the historic USD Pit. These intervals are hosted in fine grained meta-sedimentary clastic units containing 0.43 g/t gold over 8.63 m from 3.99 m, 0.20 g/t gold over 19.78 m from 21.64 m, 0.54 g/t gold over 18.07 m from 50.21 m, including 1.23 g/t gold over 5.82 m from 61.14 m, 0.30 g/t gold over 6.68 m from 107.59 m, and 0.81 g/t gold over 9.91 m from 188.45 m, including 3.5 g/t gold over 1.45 m from 196.91 m. See cross-section C to C', Figure 6.

Figure 6. Cross-section C-C', showing gold grades with reported intervals highlighted.

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/9779/292741_scorpiogold6.jpg

QA/QC

HQ sized diamond drill core samples were cut in halves, then bagged and secured with security tags to ensure integrity during transportation to the Reno, NV, Paragon Geochemical facility for preparation. For quality assurance ("QA"), unmarked coarse blanks, unmarked certified reference materials, and requested laboratory duplicates were inserted into the sampling sequence. QA samples were systematically inserted into each batch of samples, amounting to approximately 10% of the run of samples. Samples were analyzed for gold using method PA-AU02 (~500 g), a two-cycle PhotonAssayTM analysis of crushed material (70% passing 2 mm). All Paragon Geochemical facilities comply with ISO 17025:2017.

About the Manhattan District

Manhattan, located in the Walker Lane Trend of Nevada, USA, is road accessible and lies approximately 20 kilometers south of the operating Round Mountain Gold Mine (https://www.kinross.com/operations/default.aspxamericas-roundmountain), which has produced more than 15 million ounces of gold. For the first time, the Company has consolidated Manhattan's past-producing mines under a single entity that holds valuable permitting and water rights. Historically, Manhattan has produced approximately 700,000 ounces of gold from high-grade placer and lode operations dating from the late 1890s through to the mid-2000s. The maiden mineral resource estimate (the "Maiden MRE") covering the Goldwedge and Manhattan Pit areas of Manhattan is comprised of 18,343,000 tonnes grading 1.26 g/t gold for a total of 740,000 oz contained gold in the inferred category.

A historical mineral resource estimate (the "Historical MRE") covers the Black Mammoth, April Fool, Hooligan, Keystone, and Jumbo areas of Manhattan and comprises 1,652,325 tonnes grading 5.89 g/t gold for a total of 303,949 oz contained gold. The deposit is interpreted as a low-sulfidation, epithermal, gold-rich system situated adjacent to the Tertiary-aged Manhattan caldera in the Southern Toquima Range of Nevada. A "Qualified Person" as defined in National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects ("NI 43-101") has not done sufficient work to make the Historical MRE current, and the Company is not treating the Historical MRE as current.

Notes

Adjacent Properties: The Company has no interest in, or rights to, any of the adjacent properties mentioned, including the Round Mountain Gold Mine, and exploration results on adjacent properties are not necessarily indicative of mineralization on the Company's properties. Any references to exploration results on adjacent properties are provided for information only and do not imply any certainty of achieving similar results on the Company's properties.

Historical Data: This news release includes historical information that has been reviewed by the Company's qualified person. The Company's review of the historical records and information reasonably substantiate the validity of the information presented in this presentation. The Company encourages readers to exercise appropriate caution when evaluating these data and/or results.

Third-Party Mineral Projects : These deposits are cited solely for geological context. The Company cautions that these properties are not necessarily adjacent to, nor does the Company or have any interest in or control over them. Although certain geological features may be similar, there is no assurance that mineralization comparable to these deposits will be discovered on any of the Company's properties. Information regarding the aforementioned deposits is taken from publicly available sources and technical reports believed to be reliable but has not been independently verified by the Company. The Company encourages readers to exercise appropriate caution when evaluating these data and/or results.

Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE): All scientific and technical information relating to Manhattan pertaining to Maiden MRE contained in this news release is derived from the Technical Report dated October 23, 2025 (with an effective date of June 4, 2025) titled "Mineral Resource Estimate and NI 43-101 Technical Report" (the " Technical Report ") prepared by Matthew R. Dumala, P.Eng (BC) of Archer Cathro Geological (US) Ltd., Patrick Loury, M.Sc., CPG (AIPG) of Daniel Kunz & Associates, Annaliese Miller, LG (WA) of Geosyntec Consultants, Inc. and Art Ibrado, PhD, PE (AZ) of Fort Lowell Consulting PPLC. The information contained herein in respect of the Maiden MRE is subject to all of the assumptions, qualifications and procedures set out in the Technical Report and reference should be made to the full text of the Technical Report, a copy of which has been filed with the applicable securities regulators and is available under the Company's profile on www.sedarplus.ca.

Historical MRE: A Qualified Person has not done sufficient work to make the Historical MRE current, and the Company is not treating the Historical MRE as current.



The Company considers the Historical MRE relevant as it demonstrates the presence of significant gold mineralization across multiple zones within Manhattan; however, its reliability is uncertain because it was prepared prior to the adoption of the current CIM Definition Standards and current QA/QC practices. The Historical MRE provides limited disclosure of assumptions, parameters, estimation methods, cutoff grades, and QA/QC protocols, and therefore these cannot be fully verified by the Company. The categories used in the historical estimate predate, and are not directly comparable to, current CIM Definition Standards, and the Company is not treating the Historical MRE as a current Mineral Resource Estimate. To upgrade and verify the Historical MRE in order to make it a current Mineral Resource Estimate, the Company would be required to undertake confirmatory drilling, modern QA/QC sampling, validation and digitization of historical datasets and updated geological modeling followed by the preparation of a new Mineral Resource Estimate in accordance with CIM Definition Standards and NI 43-101. The Company encourages readers to exercise appropriate caution when evaluating the Historical MRE.



All scientific and technical information relating to Manhattan pertaining to the Historical MRE contained in this news release is derived from the Technical Report dated May 1997 titled "Exploration and Pre-Production Mine Development, Manhattan District Project, Nye County" (the " Historical Technical Report ") prepared by New Concept Mining, Inc. The information contained herein in respect of the Historical MRE is subject to all the assumptions, qualifications and procedures set out in the Historical Technical Report and reference should be made to the full text of the Historical Technical Report.

References: (1) Strachan, D. G., and Master, T. D., 2005: Update and Revision of the Gold Wedge Project Development, Nye County. Report prepared for Nevada; Royal Standard Minerals, Inc. and dated March 31, 2005; (2) Dumala, M. R., and Lowry, P., 2025: Mineral Resource Estimate and NI 43-101 Technical Report, Manhattan Property, Nye County, Nevada. Report prepared for Scorpio Gold Corporation and dated October 23, 2025 (with an effective date of June 4, 2025); and (3) Berry, A., and Willard, P., 1997: "Exploration and Pre-Production Mine Development, Manhattan District Project, Nye County". Report prepared for New Concept Mining, Inc. and dated May 1997.

Qualified Person

The scientific and technical information in this news release has been reviewed, verified and approved by Thomas Poitras, P. Geo., Chief Geologist of Scorpio Gold, a "Qualified Person", as defined under National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects. Verification included review of laboratory certificates, review of field logs and chain-of-custody records, inspection of blank/standard/duplicate performance, and review of collar and down-hole survey data. No limitations or failures to verify were identified.

About Scorpio Gold Corp.

Scorpio Gold holds a 100% interest in the Manhattan District located in the Walker Lane Trend of Nevada, USA. Scorpio Gold's Manhattan District is ~4,780-hectares and comprises the advanced exploration-stage Goldwedge Mine, with a 400 ton per day maximum capacity gravity mill, and four past-producing pits that were acquired from Kinross in 2021 (see news release dated March 25, 2021 https://scorpiogold.com/news/scorpio-gold-closes-purchase-of-kinross-manhattan-property-nye-county-nevada/). The consolidated Manhattan District presents an exciting late-stage exploration opportunity, with over 140,000 metres of historical drilling, significant resource potential, and valuable permitting and water rights.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF SCORPIO GOLD CORPORATION

Connect with Scorpio Gold:

Email | Website | Facebook | LinkedIn | X | YouTube

To register for investor updates please visit: scorpiogold.com

(TSXV: SGN) (OTCQB: SRCRF) (FSE: RY9)

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains statements that constitute "forward-looking statements" or "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities laws (collectively, "forward-looking statements"). Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the Company's actual results, performance or achievements, or developments to differ materially from the anticipated results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts and are generally, but not always, identified by the words "expects," "plans," "anticipates," "believes," "intends," "estimates," "projects," "potential" and similar expressions, or that events or conditions "will," "would," "may," "could" or "should" occur. Forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs, estimates and opinions of the Company's management as of the date of this news release.

Forward-looking statements in this news release include, among others, statements relating to: the timing, scope and interpretation of assay results; potential for resource growth and discovery; the potential continuity, extent, grade and characteristics of mineralization along the Reliance Trend, Gap Zone, Zanzibar Trend and Mustang Hill; the intended follow-up exploration activities and timing thereof; the Company's exploration plans and objectives; expected future drilling programmes; anticipated timing of future disclosures and announcements; and other statements that are not historical facts. In making the forward-looking statements in this news release, the Company has applied several material assumptions, including: that the Company will be able to obtain sufficient financing to complete planned exploration activities; that the Company will be able to obtain necessary permits and regulatory approvals in a timely manner; that exploration results will be consistent with management's expectations; that general business and economic conditions will not change in a materially adverse manner; that equipment and qualified personnel will be available when required; and that the Company's interpretations of geological data are accurate. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause our actual results, performance or achievements, or other future events, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors and risks include, among others: the Company may require additional financing from time to time in order to continue its operations, which may not be available when needed or on acceptable terms and conditions; the inherent risks involved in the exploration and development of mineral properties, including uncertainties related to the interpretation of drill results and other geological data; fluctuations in commodity prices; compliance with extensive government regulation and changes in domestic and foreign laws and regulations that could adversely affect the Company's business and results of operations; uncertainties related to obtaining necessary permits and regulatory approvals; risks related to the Company's ability to retain key personnel; environmental risks and hazards; title matters and surface rights issues; competition in the mining industry; the stock markets have experienced volatility that often has been unrelated to the performance of companies and these fluctuations may adversely affect the price of the Company's securities, regardless of its operating performance; and other risks and uncertainties disclosed in the Company's public filings.

The forward-looking information contained in this news release represents the expectations of the Company as of the date of this news release and, accordingly, is subject to change after such date. Readers should not place undue importance on forward-looking information and should not rely upon this information as of any other date. The Company undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements in the event that management's beliefs, estimates or opinions, or other factors, should change.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/292741

Source: Scorpio Gold Corp
TSX:ORV

OTCQX: ORVMF

TORONTO, April 16, 2026 /PRNewswire/ - Orvana Minerals Corp. (TSX: ORV) (OTCQX: ORVMF) ("Orvana" or the "Company") is pleased to report production results for the second quarter of fiscal year 2026, ended March 31, 2026 ("Q2 FY2026") and provide an update on the Oxides Stockpile Project at its Don Mario operation in Bolivia.

Juan Gavidia, CEO of Orvana, stated: "Q2 FY2026 marks the restart of dore production at Don Mario in Bolivia, a significant milestone for Orvana. Operations in both Bolivia and Spain are performing in line with current expectations for FY2026 production guidance. We are pleased to be operating two production units again and are focused on completing the ramp-up and integration of the processing circuits at Don Mario, with the objective of increasing production levels over the coming quarters."

Highlights:

Consolidated production of 10,738 of Gold Equivalent Ounces ("GEO") (1) during Q2 FY2026.





during Q2 FY2026. Orovalle, the Company's subsidiary in Spain, produced 9,827 GEO (1) (8,464 gold ounces, 0.8 million copper pounds and 25,424 silver ounces).





(8,464 gold ounces, 0.8 million copper pounds and 25,424 silver ounces). EMIPA, the Company's subsidiary in Bolivia, produced dore during Q2 FY2026 as part of the phased restart of the Don Mario operation, contributing 911 GEO (1) (893 gold ounces and 1,055 silver ounces) during the quarter.

Certain statements in this news release, including statements regarding ramp-up and production expectations, constitute forward-looking information. See "Cautionary Statements  Forward-Looking Information" below.

Orovalle Q2 FY2026:

Orovalle

Q2

FY2026 Q1

FY2026 Q2

FY2025 YTD-Q2

FY2026 FY 2026

Guidance Ore milled (tonnes)

130,506 129,622 111,272 260,128

Gold equivalent (oz)(1)

9,827 10,576 8,416 20,403

Gold











Grade (g/t)

2.20 2.41 2.06 2.30

Recovery (%)

91.9 92.9 92.0 92.4

Production (oz)

8,464 9,308 6,792 17,772 34,000 - 37,000 Copper











Grade (%)

0.34 0.33 0.43 0.33

Recovery (%)

78.7 75.4 84.0 77.1

Production (K lbs)

772 706 885 1,478 2,700 - 3,000 Silver











Grade (g/t)

7.74 9.43 9.81 8.59

Recovery (%)

78.2 78.9 80.1 78.6

Production (oz)

25,424 31,007 28,129 56,431



Orovalle is on track to meet FY2026 production guidance, based on results to date and current operating assumptions (see "Cautionary Statements  Forward-Looking Information").





The mill processed approximately 130,506 dry tonnes during Q2 FY2026, in line with the prior quarter.





8,464 gold ounces produced in Q2 FY2026, 9% lower than the previous quarter primarily due to 9% lower head grade and 1% lower recoveries, slightly off-set by 1% higher tonnes milled.





0.8 million copper pounds produced in Q2 FY2026, 9% higher copper than the previous quarter due to 3% higher copper grade, 4% higher recoveries and 1% higher tonnes milled.





Quarteroverquarter grade movements reflect changes in oxide and skarn proportions associated with ore extraction and blending sequencing.

EMIPA Q2 FY2026:

EMIPA

Q2

FY2026 Q1

FY2026 Q2

FY2025 YTD-Q2

FY2026 FY 2026

Guidance Ore milled (tonnes)

47,387 - - 47,387

Gold equivalent (oz)(1)

911 - - 911

Gold











Grade (g/t)

0.94 - - 0.94

Recovery (%)

62.1 - - 62.1

Production (oz)

893 - - 893 13,000 - 14,000 Copper











Grade (%)

- - - -

Recovery (%)

- - - -

Production (K lbs)

- - - - 6,700 - 7,500 Silver











Grade (g/t)

10.89 - - 10.89

Recovery (%)

6.4 - - 6.4

Production (oz)

1,055 - - 1,055



EMIPA is on track to meet FY2026 production guidance, based on results to date and current operating assumptions (see "Cautionary Statements  Forward-Looking Information").





EMIPA produced dore during Q2 FY2026 as part of the phased restart of the Don Mario Plant. Following completion of performance verification of the comminution and thickening circuits, and upgrades to the Au-Ag desorption and smelting areas, EMIPA performed during February and March 2026 operational trials by processing legacy low-grade sulfide ore through the Au-Ag circuit, resulting in dore production.





The Don Mario plant processed approximately 47,387 dry tonnes during Q2 FY2026, producing 893 gold ounces and 1,055 silver ounces. Recoveries were affected by the grade characteristics of the material processed and by operational interruptions inherent to testing activities.





The testing phase was completed during the second half of March, after which EMIPA commenced the integration of the AuAg circuit with the new plant circuits as part of the transition to sustained operations.



(1) Gold Equivalent Ounces ("GEO") is a Non-GAAP Financial Performance Measure. Non-GAAP measures do not have standardized meanings under IFRS and may not be comparable to similar measures of other issuers. GEO is calculated by converting copper and silver to gold equivalent using the metal prices disclosed below and adding the result to gold ounces produced. The Company believes GEO provides a useful measure to help evaluate production across multiple metals. Refer to the Company's most recent Management's Discussion and Analysis for additional information. GEO were calculated using the following average market prices:

Q2 FY2026: $4,875.39/oz Au, $84.39/oz Ag, $5.83/lb Cu

Q1 FY2026: $4,141.90/oz Au, $54.71/oz Ag, $5.03/lb Cu

Q2 FY2025: $2,862.56/oz Au, $31.91/oz Ag, $4.24/lb Cu

Oxides Stockpile Project

The Don Mario operation, located in the Don Mario district in southeastern Bolivia, is owned and operated by EMIPA, Orvana's Bolivian subsidiary. Mining and milling operations at Don Mario were temporarily suspended in the first quarter of fiscal 2020 following depletion of the mineral reserves then being mined.

The Company is now advancing the Oxides Stockpile Project ("OSP"), which is designed to process oxide material that was stockpiled during previous years of mining at Don Mario. The project includes an expansion and upgrade of Don Mario Processing Plant to optimize the recovery of copper, gold and silver from these stockpiles.

The OSP consists of three components:

plant expansion proper, including new circuits for acid leaching, filtering, solvent extraction and electrowinning to produce Cu cathodes, and enhancement of the pre-existing Au-Ag detox circuits; overhaul of legacy comminution (ore crushing and grinding) and thickening circuits; and business-readiness initiatives, including upgrades to power generation, chemical and metallurgical laboratories, warehouses and workshops, and the recruitment and training of new personnel.

Don Mario Processing Plant - Restart Progress

In December 2025, EMIPA commenced verification of the Don Mario Plant AuAg circuit, following the completion of upgrades to the comminution, thickening, desorption and smelting areas. During Q2 FY2026, legacy sulphide ore was processed through the AuAg circuit, resulting in dore production. Following completion of this testing phase in the second half of March, the AuAg circuit was shut down to allow integration with the new plant circuits.

Next operational milestones include final construction and commissioning closeout of the Cu circuits, followed by completion of the phased integration of all processing circuits. Feeding the plant with oxide ore from the stockpiles is expected to commence in the coming weeks, subject to commissioning progress and operational readiness, followed by a progressive rampup over the subsequent months, with the objective of achieving full planned production levels during Q4 FY2026.

Qualified Person

The scientific and technical information in this news release related to the Company's Orovalle operation has been reviewed and approved by Guadalupe Collar Menendez, Chief of Geology of Orovalle Minerals S.L., a Qualified Person as defined under National Instrument 43-101 and an employee of Orovalle Minerals S.L., a subsidiary of Orvana, and is not independent of the Company.

The scientific and technical information in this news release related to the Company's EMIPA operation has been reviewed and approved by Luis Isla, Chief of Geology of Empresa Minera Paititi, S.A. ("EMIPA"), a Qualified Person as defined under National Instrument 43-101 and an employee of EMIPA, a subsidiary of Orvana, and is not independent of the Company.

Consolidated Operational and Financial Performance

Q2 FY2026 consolidated operational and financial highlights will be released with the second quarter financials, expected mid-May, 2026.

ABOUT ORVANA  Orvana is a multi-mine gold-copper-silver company. Orvana's assets consist of the producing Orovalle operation in northern Spain; the Don Mario operation in Bolivia; and the Taguas property located in Argentina. Additional information is available at Orvana's website (www.orvana.com).

Cautionary Statements  Forward-Looking Information

Certain statements in this news release constitute forward-looking statements or forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws ("forward-looking statements"). Forward-looking information in this news release includes, without limitation, statements regarding, among other things, current expectations, estimates, projections and assumptions about future events and operating performance, including: statements that Orovalle and EMIPA are "on track" to meet FY2026 production guidance; the expected timeline for completing the construction, commissioning and integration of all circuits at Don Mario and resuming production; the expected timeline to reach stabilized planned production levels at Don Mario; the Company's ability to meet FY2026 production guidance at Orovalle and EMIPA; and the anticipated timing of the Company's second quarter financial results.

Forward-looking statements are not statements of historical fact and are generally identified by words such as "believes", "expects", "plans", "estimates", "intends", "anticipates", "forecasts", "projects", "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will", or similar expressions.

Forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon a number of estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable by the Company as of the date of such statements, are inherently subject to significant business, economic and competitive uncertainties and contingencies. The estimates and assumptions, including those relating to production guidance and ramp-up expectations, underlying the forward-looking statements in this news release include, without limitation: (i) timely completion of planned maintenance, commissioning and ramp-up activities; (ii) no material disruptions to operations due to labour, supply chain, power, equipment damage or other events; (iii) permitting, development, operations and expansion activities at Orovalle, Don Mario and Taguas proceeding consistent with the Company's current expectations; (iv) political, regulatory and social conditions in the jurisdictions in which the Company operates remaining broadly consistent with the Company's current expectations; (v) commodity prices and input costs (including labour, energy and key supplies) remaining within ranges consistent with the Company's current expectations; (vi) the accuracy of the Company's current mineral reserve and mineral resource estimates; and (vii) the availability of necessary funds to execute the Company's plans. There can be no assurance that such expectations or guidance will be achieved.

A variety of risks, uncertainties and factors, many of which are beyond the Company's control, could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by forward-looking statements. These risks, uncertainties and factors include, among others: delays or difficulties in obtaining or maintaining necessary permits and authorizations (including environmental and tailings-related authorizations); the impact of global economic and geopolitical conditions; fluctuations in the price of gold, silver and copper; variations in ore grades, metallurgical recoveries and throughput; failure to achieve production estimates or guidance; increases in operating costs (including energy, power and environmental compliance costs); availability of qualified personnel; risks generally associated with mineral exploration and development; the Company's ability to successfully resume production at Don Mario; the Company's ability to successfully carry out exploration and development plans at Taguas; the Company's ability to obtain financing on acceptable terms when required; challenges to the Company's property interests and mineral rights; and legislative, regulatory, political, social and economic developments in the countries in which the Company operates. Additional risks are described in the Company's most recent Management's Discussion and Analysis and Annual Information Form, available under the Company's profile at www.sedarplus.ca.

Forward-looking statements are based on management's current plans, estimates, projections, beliefs and opinions, and except as required by law, the Company does not undertake any obligation to update forward-looking statements. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements and actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied in such statements.

SOURCE Orvana Minerals Corp.
The procurement platform trusted by Anthropic, Northwestern Mutual, and Dollar Tree enters the contract management market

Early customers are already cutting contract cycle times by more than half and reducing outside legal contractor hours by 50 percent

Zip, the leading AI platform for enterprise procurement, today launched AI Contract Orchestration, a solution that automates supplier contract review, negotiation, and compliance, eliminating the manual back-and-forth that costs companies millions in legal fees and procurement delays every year. Hundreds of industry leaders including Anthropic, AMD, Northwestern Mutual, Dollar Tree, and OpenAI use Zip to orchestrate their procurement process. AI Contract Orchestration brings that same intelligence into contracting for the first time, with AI agents that don't just assist the work, they do it.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260416262512/en/

Zip Launches AI Contract Orchestration, Giving Legal and Procurement Teams Back the Millions of Hours Lost to Manual Contract Review. The procurement platform trusted by Anthropic, Northwestern Mutual, and Dollar Tree enters the contract management market. Early customers are already cutting contract cycle times by more than half and reducing outside legal contractor hours by 50 percent

Every company buys things. And every time a new supplier is needed, the same slow process kicks in: a request over email, a contract bounced between procurement and legal, redlines exchanged across inboxes, and approvals chased across many fragmented systems. Procurement teams are left waiting, while legal teams spend hours reinforcing the same policies and clauses across thousands of agreements per year. The tools both teams have been given were never built to eliminate the busy work, only to organize it. And once signed, the problem compounds.

Most companies sign contracts and move on. The terms get buried, the renewal dates pass unnoticed, and the pricing that was negotiated never actually gets enforced. What was agreed to in writing quietly diverges from what's actually being paid or delivered, and no one catches it until the leverage is gone. This is the domain of contract obligation management, and until now, no system has owned it end-to-end. Zip's AI Contract Orchestration changes that: flagging bad terms before signature, and actively surfacing what's owed, expiring, or at risk before a payment or renewal forces the issue.

Zip currently processes well over 1 million contract reviews annually through its platform. At an average attorney billing rate of approximately $300 per hour and a typical four hour review cycle, that represents an estimated $1.32 billion in legal review time, with the vast majority spent on routine agreements. AI Contract Orchestration is Zip's solution to automating that work at scale, not just for legal but for all the stakeholders in the contract review process.

"Contracts don't need to be managed, they need to be orchestrated," said Rujul Zaparde, Co-founder and CEO of Zip. "There are so many people involved in the supplier contract process: procurement, legal, finance, risk, insurance, and marketing. Until now, the contract was the only thing everyone had in common, and even that lived in five different places. With AI Contract Orchestration, we're giving those teams an AI solution that doesn't just store agreements, but actively coordinates the reviews, stakeholders, and decisions around them so companies can move faster, enforce what they've negotiated, and get ahead of risk before it becomes a problem."

Zip starts at the request. The moment an employee asks for a new supplier, Zip's AI already has full context: the intake data, the supplier profile, the spend category, the risk classification, and the company's own legal playbook. By the time a contract arrives for review, the analysis is already underway, and the agents are already doing the work:

AI-suggested redlines aligned to company playbooks: When a supplier contract comes in, Zip's AI compares it against pre-approved legal playbooks and auto-suggests redlines. Teams see exactly where the contract falls outside acceptable terms before review begins, cutting the time spent on first-pass markups.

When a supplier contract comes in, Zip's AI compares it against pre-approved legal playbooks and auto-suggests redlines. Teams see exactly where the contract falls outside acceptable terms before review begins, cutting the time spent on first-pass markups. AI contract review and risk detection: Zip reviews the full contract and surfaces risk across key categories including liability, data privacy, and termination. Each review includes a risk summary and recommended actions, so teams can prioritize and act faster.

Zip reviews the full contract and surfaces risk across key categories including liability, data privacy, and termination. Each review includes a risk summary and recommended actions, so teams can prioritize and act faster. Intelligent contract triage and automatic routing: Zip evaluates every incoming contract by type and risk level, then routes it to the right team for sign off. Standard, low-risk agreements move through automatically. Higher-risk contracts are escalated to the right reviewer with context already attached.

Zip evaluates every incoming contract by type and risk level, then routes it to the right team for sign off. Standard, low-risk agreements move through automatically. Higher-risk contracts are escalated to the right reviewer with context already attached. AI contract generation: Legal teams can generate first-draft contract language directly in Zip, grounded in pre-approved playbooks and historical agreements. Drafts can be tailored by contract type, counterparty, and deal terms, reducing time spent on initial drafting.

Legal teams can generate first-draft contract language directly in Zip, grounded in pre-approved playbooks and historical agreements. Drafts can be tailored by contract type, counterparty, and deal terms, reducing time spent on initial drafting. End-to-end contract compliance: Pre-signature, contract terms are embedded directly into catalog, PO, and invoice workflows so spend limits and compliance are enforced; post-signature, supplier obligations are tracked automatically through the full contract lifecycle.

Early customers, including N26 and Bandwidth, are already beginning to see results. Across the board, AI Contract Orchestration is reducing contract cycle times by 51 percent, cutting manual contract requests in half, and reducing outside legal contractor hours by 50 percent. Because Zip already sits at the center of the procurement workflow, connecting intake, approvals, supplier data, and payments, AI Contract Orchestration integrates naturally into how teams already work.

"Zip's Contract Orchestration tool has been a game changer for our team," said Cathy Reynolds, Director of Global Sourcing Vendor Management at Bandwidth. "Previously, we were routing through Ironclad to DocuSign just to create a template. Now for the first time, we're truly on the same page all of our contracts are in one place, with complete clarity from start to finish. We've already seen our NDA turnaround decrease by 60%. It's a dramatically improved workflow."

"Implementation, adoption, and user experience are the biggest issues plaguing traditional CLM," added Nikhil Gaur, Director of Strategic Projects Research Analyst at The Hackett Group. "Zip's new Contract Orchestration solution solves all of these given Zip's well-deserved reputation for rapid implementations, cross-functional adoption, and ease of use. Moreover, the functionalities go beyond contract review workflows to incorporate post-signature activities such as obligations and renewals, which are typically where organizations require the most value from technology."

AI Contract Orchestration is available now. It was unveiled on stage at Zip Forward Europe 2026 on April 16 in London. To learn more or request a demo, visit ziphq.com.

About Zip

Zip is the leading AI platform for enterprise procurement. Through one platform, Zip unifies how companies purchase replacing fragmented tools and manual processes with intelligent orchestration that procurement teams and employees actually want to use. Zip is the only procurement orchestration platform with full intake-to-pay capabilities and has the most widely deployed AI agents in enterprise procurement. Zip has delivered over $6 billion in customer savings and powers modern procurement for hundreds of global enterprises, including Anthropic, AMD, Discover, Dollar Tree, OpenAI, T-Mobile, and more. Visit www.ziphq.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260416262512/en/

Contacts:

chrysta@theolsoncompany.co
But nearly one in three UK consumers cannot recall a single memorable brand promotion signalling an urgent need for creativity beyond price cuts.

Consumers are ready for a new era of brand promotions, with over half (51%) saying a genuinely creative promotion would make them try a brand for the first time but many brands are still defaulting to basic "money off" discounts.

That's according to Creative Currencies in Promotions, a new report produced commissioned by Talon.One the leading incentives platform powering loyalty and promotions for over 300 global enterprise brands including analysis from WPP Enterprise Solutions and Mando.

The report, based on a survey of 2,000 UK consumers, carried out by Censuswide, reveals a significant gap between the promotions brands are serving up and what consumers actually respond to. Loyalty points, BOGOF (buy one get one free) offers and discount codes dominate what consumers see yet nearly one in three (29%) cannot recall a memorable promotion at all. Meanwhile, over half (51%) describe the promotions they receive as generic or predictable, and 48% often find them irrelevant.

The commercial cost of this over-reliance on discounting is clear. More than half of respondents (55%) say that when brands discount products constantly, they become reluctant to pay full price damaging a brand's equity and bottom line.

Christoph Gerber, CEO and Founder of Talon.One, commented: "Price promotions are one of the most overused and costly activities in marketing not only are brands discounting away 20% of their revenue to drive short-term metrics, but constant discounts train customers to wait for price drops, eroding brand equity and margin. While a price cut might drive an immediate transaction, marketers need a more creative approach to build the equity and emotional pull that brings customers back."

Consumers are hungry for something different. As well as over half (51%) saying a creative promotion would make them try a new brand, the same proportion like promotions that go beyond a straightforward discount.

Over a third (37%) say a promotion has made them feel more positively about a brand beyond simply saving money. This figure rises to 56% among 18-34 year olds, pointing to an opportunity to use thoughtful, creative promotions to build long-term brand affinity with younger audiences.

The data also points to strong consumer appetite for gamified promotional mechanics. Forty-one percent of UK consumers say they enjoy a game or a challenge in a brand promotion, and 66% are aware of or have participated in McDonald's Monopoly, a prime example of gamified promotions. This rises to around 80% among 18-34 year olds.

These findings are reinforced by research carried out by System1 Group, included in the Creative Currencies in Promotions report, which found that gamified mechanics consistently outperform straightforward discounts on the metrics that drive long-term brand value memorability, excitement and uniqueness.

Leonie Walker, Managing Director at Mando, added"The data consistently demonstrates that creativity in promotions pays. Mando's own research, "What the Brits want from Promotions 3.0" shows that over half of consumers (55%) take part in gamified promotions. Other creative rewards such as gift with purchase, instant win and prize draws achieve participation rates close to the classic cashback mechanic. This less creative, delayed discount mechanic can be made better through the smart application of gamification principles. The brands that invest in creative execution, not just price reduction, are the ones that build long-lasting relationships."

Katherine Lauritzen, Business Consultancy Director, MAP at WPP Enterprise Solutions said "Marketers have long shown their expertise building emotional connection through creativity in advertising and brand storytelling but this creativity is too rarely applied to promotions. Delivering differentiated promotional experiences at scale requires the right architecture: unified data, real-time activation, technology, and clear ways of working that let business teams operate without being in a constant queue for IT.

To help brands break out of margin-draining habits, Creative Currencies in Promotions introduces eight Creative Currencies, giving marketers a practical framework for delivering value beyond price from gamified mechanics and cultural moments to aspirational experiences and purpose-driven rewards. The report can be downloaded here: talon.one/download/creative-currencies-in-promotions.

Notes to editors

Research methodologies

Talon.One commissioned research from Censuswide and System1 Group. Censuswide surveyed 2,000 nationally representative UK respondents aged 18+ between 25-27 March 2026. System1 Group conducted research using their "Test Your Innovation" methodology amongst 1,800 nationally representative respondents across six markets (US, UK, DE, FR, AU and KSA). Results were benchmarked against System1's norms database of 61,000+ ideas.

About Talon.One

Talon.One is the most powerful incentives engine, unifying loyalty, personalized promotions and offer management into a single platform.

Built for enterprise scale and security, Talon.One helps businesses design and deliver incentives that drive real customer behavior repeat purchases, higher basket sizes, and long-term loyalty without defaulting to margin-draining discounts. The world's most-loved brands including Adidas, Sephora and Carlsberg work with Talon.One to turn their incentives into a reliable growth engine.

Founded in 2015, the company has a global reach with teams in Berlin, London, Boston and Singapore, and over 300 clients across North America, Europe and APAC. It was recognized in Gartner's 2025 Market Guide for Loyalty Program Vendors, and as a major player in IDC's 2024 MarketScape report for Loyalty Software Providers.

https://www.talon.one/

About Mando

We are Mando, WPP's specialist Promotions, Partnerships, Loyalty and Rewards agency.

We design and deliver brilliant promotions, partnerships, loyalty solutions and rewards based on the smart use of cutting-edge data and insight, using our specially built Insights EngineTM. Our expertise lie in the breadth of mechanics, sectors and rewards we use to deliver tailored campaigns.

We believe in the power of collaboration, innovation and the use of data and insight to design brilliant solutions that get bigger and better results, faster. www.mando.co.uk

About WPP Enterprise Solutions

WPP Enterprise Solutions builds the platforms and systems competitive businesses depend on.

WPP Enterprise Solutions brings together customer experience, commerce, CRM, content transformation and technology capabilities. It helps clients navigate AI transformation and marketing modernisation, connecting strategy directly to execution.

For more information, please visit: https://www.wpp.com/en-us/wpp-enterprise-solutions

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260416889037/en/

Contacts:

Press enquiries

Talon.One talonone@firstlightgroup.io
Calgary, Alberta--(Newsfile Corp. - April 16, 2026) - Comprehensive Healthcare Systems Inc. (TSXV: CHS) (OTCQB: CMHSF) (the "Company" or "CHS"), an industry leader in healthcare benefits administration software and services, today announced the appointment of John C. Seguin as Vice President of Sales. In this role, Mr. Seguin will help lead the Company's sales organization and drive expansion of its commercial pipeline.

Seguin brings more than three decades of experience in healthcare technology and enterprise sales, with a strong track record of building strategic partnerships, expanding market presence, and consistently exceeding growth targets. He has held senior leadership roles across a range of healthcare and health technology organizations, including Luna PT, RevSpring, and PT Solutions Physical Therapy, where he successfully developed and scaled high-performing sales teams and drove significant revenue growth.

"John is an excellent fit for CHS at this stage of our growth," said Chris Cosgrove, Chief Executive Officer of CHS. "He brings a strong track record of leading complex enterprise sales cycles and building long-term strategic partnerships with C-suite stakeholders across the healthcare ecosystem. As we continue to scale our commercial organization, we believe John will play a key role in accelerating pipeline conversion and strengthening our go-to-market execution."

Seguin's earlier career includes senior sales and leadership roles at organizations such as CareFusion (now BD), Lumeris, Edifecs, and McKesson, where he developed deep expertise in enterprise healthcare solutions, population health, and revenue cycle technologies. He is known for his consultative, value-based selling approach and his ability to build long-term, trust-based relationships with enterprise clients.

"I am excited to join CHS at such a pivotal time in its growth journey," said Mr. Seguin. "The Company's Novus 360 platform addresses a critical need in a complex and rapidly evolving healthcare landscape. I look forward to working with the team to expand our market presence, deepen client relationships, and help drive the next phase of growth."

The appointment of Seguin reflects CHS's continued investment in its commercial organization as it builds on increasing demand for its Novus 360 platform and advances its strategy to scale revenue and expand its customer base. As previously announced, the Company has been strengthening its go-to-market team and enhancing its sales infrastructure to support a growing pipeline and improve conversion efficiency.

About Comprehensive Healthcare Systems Inc.

Comprehensive Healthcare Systems Inc. is a corporation incorporated under the laws of the Province of Alberta and is the parent company of Comprehensive Healthcare Systems Inc. (Delaware). The Company is a vertically integrated software as a services (SaaS) company focused on digitizing healthcare with Healthcare Benefits Administration solutions, providing reliable and high-volume transaction-capable systems. The Company's state-of-the-art Novus 360 Healthcare Welfare and Benefits Administration (HWBA) SaaS platform is used by clients for all aspects of healthcare benefits administration (including self-funded employers, providers, and labor unions), providing healthcare administrative software and technology-enabled services.

FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION:

The press release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Forward-looking statements can be identified by words such as: "anticipate", "intend", "plan", "budget", "believe", "project", "estimate", "expect", "scheduled", "forecast", "strategy", "future", "likely", "may", "to be", "could", "would", "should", "will" and similar references to future periods or the negative or comparable terminology, as well as terms usually used in the future and conditional. These forward-looking statements are based on assumptions as of the date they are provided. However, there can be no assurance that such assumptions will reflect the actual outcome of such items or factors.

Additionally, there are known and unknown risk factors that could cause the Company's actual results and financial conditions to differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements. Therefore, you should not rely on any of these forward-looking statements. Important risk factors that could cause actual results and financial conditions to differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements, include among others: general economic, market and business conditions in Canada and globally; market volatility; unforeseen delays in timelines for any of the transactions or events described in this press release; and the risk of regulatory changes that may impact the business of the Company. All forward-looking information is qualified in its entirety by this cautionary statement, and the Company disclaims any obligation to revise or update any such forward-looking statement or to publicly announce the result of any revisions to any of the forward-looking information contained herein to reflect future results, events, or developments, except as required by law.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Service Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/292815

Source: Comprehensive Healthcare Systems Inc.
First eVTOL to complete two-way piloted transition switching from helicopter mode to airplane mode and back again under civil aviation Design Organisation Approval regulatory oversight

Advances Valo's path to certification, targeted for 2028, with entry into service expected shortly thereafter on routes such as Canary Wharf to Heathrow and JFK to Manhattan

Reinforces UK leadership in next-generation aerospace, supporting high-skill jobs and export growth

Vertical Aerospace ("Vertical" or "the Company") (NYSE: EVTL), a global aerospace and technology company pioneering electric aviation, has successfully completed a historic two-way piloted transition flight.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260416648511/en/

On 14 April 2026, Vertical became the second company globally to complete a two-way piloted transition flight in a full-scale tiltrotor eVTOL and the first to do so under civil aviation Design Organisation Approval regulatory oversight.

On 14 April 2026, Vertical became the second company globally to complete a two-way piloted transition flight in a full-scale tiltrotor eVTOL and the first to do so under civil aviation Design Organisation Approval regulatory oversight.

Chief Test Pilot Simon Davies completed the flight transitioning from vertical take-off to wingborne cruise and back to vertical landing all in one continuous flight. This builds on Vertical's thrustborne transition on 2 April 2026 and marks the completion of two-way transition, the defining capability of eVTOL aviation.

Put simply, this is what makes electric air taxis possible. Transition flight validates the technology which will enable Valo, Vertical's commercial aircraft, to take off vertically from a city-centre vertiport or rooftop with passengers, fly efficiently at speed like an airplane, and land vertically at its destination comfortably, quietly and without a runway. This unlocks planned real-world routes such as Canary Wharf to Heathrow or JFK to Manhattan, making them operationally and commercially viable.

Stuart Simpson, CEO, Vertical Aerospace, said: "This is now the most significant technical milestone in our history. Full piloted transition is the most critical and complex challenge in eVTOL development, and we've achieved it under more rigorous regulatory oversight than anyone in the category. We're not just participating in this industry we are helping to define it. Our focus now is on executing our roadmap and bringing certified electric flight into commercial service."

Path to Certification

As with all Vertical flight tests since 2023, this milestone was achieved under the direct oversight of the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), who are working in close collaboration with the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) toward Type Certification of Valo. Testing is conducted under Vertical's Design Organisation Approval, a pre-requisite for entry into service.

With all phases of flight now proven vertical take-off, wingborne flight and transition between the two Vertical is moving into the next stage of certification testing. This will include critical design review, when the aircraft design is locked, followed by the build of seven pre-production Valo aircraft in the UK for compliance and verification testing with the CAA and EASA.

Vertical is targeting certification of Valo in 2028 to the highest safety standards in the category, with entry into service expected shortly thereafter. The certification approach is designed to be transferable to other regulators, including the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Brazil's National Civil Aviation Agency (ANAC) and the Japan Civil Aviation Bureau (JCAB), supporting global deployment with airline and operating partners including American Airlines, Avolon, Bristow, GOL and Japan Airlines.

Steve Johnson, Vice Chair and Chief Strategy Officer, American Airlines, said: "Advanced air mobility represents a natural extension of American's broader commitment to innovation and shaping the next era of aviation. As both an investor and long-term supporter of Vertical Aerospace, we share a clear ambition to make safe, scalable, and sustainable eVTOL flight a reality, and today's news is a foundational step toward that end. Together, we're not just imagining the future of travel, we're actively building it."

UK Secretary of State for Business and Trade, Peter Kyle, said: "This is a fantastic milestone not only for Vertical, but for the UK's position in the future of aerospace as we continue to lead the way on zero emission flight.

"Through our Industrial Strategy and the Aerospace Technology Institute we're backing companies like Vertical who are demonstrating the kind of innovation, engineering excellence and export potential that can keep Britain at the forefront of the global aerospace industry, and create high-skilled jobs for local people."

Bob Buddecke, president, Electronic Solutions, Honeywell Aerospace, said: "Successful transition flight represents meaningful progress not only for Vertical, but for the entire advanced air mobility industry.

"Our Compact Fly-by-Wire team worked closely with Vertical's team to help enable the successful flight, and we expect countless more to come. Vertical's progress underscores the strength of our joint engineering approach and the importance of disciplined system integration in bringing next-generation aircraft to market."

A Major Opportunity for the UK

As Europe's only eVTOL developer to achieve full piloted transition, this milestone reinforces the UK's position at the forefront of next-generation aerospace.

Vertical expects its UK-based manufacturing and supply chain to support thousands of high-skilled jobs and significant export growth, with its ecosystem projected to grow to over 2,000 jobs by 2035.

Progressing Key Strategic Milestones

Vertical will continue its focus on executing key strategic milestones over the next twelve months and beyond. These include public flight demonstrations, including at Farnborough International Airshow in July, progression of the hybrid-electric demonstrator, expansion of the Vertical Energy Center, advancement of the manufacturing facility, and production of the first full-scale Valo certification aircraft.

Vertical's piloted flight test programme explainer:

Phase 1: Tethered stabilised hover while tethered (Completed September 2024)

stabilised hover while tethered (Completed September 2024) Phase 2: Thrustborne vertical take-off, landing and low-speed manoeuvres (Completed February 2025)

vertical take-off, landing and low-speed manoeuvres (Completed February 2025) Phase 3: Wingborne conventional take-off, flight and landing (Completed September 2025)

conventional take-off, flight and landing (Completed September 2025) Phase 4: Transition transitioning between thrustborne and wingborne flight Thrustborne transition (vertical take-off to wingborne flight): Completed April 2026 Two-way transition (including return to vertical landing): Completed April 2026

transitioning between thrustborne and wingborne flight

About Vertical Aerospace

Vertical Aerospace is a global aerospace and technology company pioneering electric aviation. Vertical is creating a safer, cleaner, and quieter way to travel. Valo is a piloted, Electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing (eVTOL) aircraft, with zero operating emissions, designed to fly up to 100 miles at speeds of up to 150 mph. Vertical is also developing a hybrid-electric variant, offering increased range and mission flexibility to meet the evolving needs of the advanced air mobility market.

Vertical combines partnerships with leading aerospace companies, including Honeywell, Syensqo, Evolito, Isoclima and Aciturri, with its own proprietary battery and propeller technology to develop the world's most advanced and safest eVTOL. Vertical has c.1,500 pre-orders of Valo, with customers across four continents, including American Airlines, Avolon, Bristow, GOL and Japan Airlines. Certain customer obligations are expected to be fulfilled via third-party agreements. Headquartered in Bristol, UK, Vertical's experienced leadership team comes from top-tier aerospace and automotive companies such as Rolls-Royce, Airbus, GM, and Leonardo. Together, they have previously certified and supported over 30 different civil and military aircraft and propulsion systems.

Forward Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 that relate to our current expectations and views of future events. We intend such forward-looking statements to be covered by the safe harbor provisions for forward-looking statements as contained in Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the Exchange Act. Any express or implied statements contained in this press release that are not statements of historical fact may be deemed to be forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, statements regarding the design and manufacture of our aircraft and the hybrid-electric variant; certification and the commercialization of our aircraft and our ability to achieve regulatory certification of our aircraft product on any particular timeline or at all; the features and capabilities of the aircraft; business strategy and plans and objectives of management for future operations, including the building and testing of our prototype aircrafts on timelines projected; selection of suppliers; the differential strategy compared to our peer group; expectations surrounding pre-orders and commitments; as well as statements that include the words "expect," "intend," "plan," "believe," "project," "forecast," "estimate," "may," "should," "anticipate," "will," "aim," "potential," "continue," "are likely to" and similar statements of a future or forward-looking nature. Forward-looking statements are neither promises nor guarantees, but involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected, including, without limitation, the other important factors discussed under the caption "Risk Factors" in our Annual Report on Form 20-F filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") on March 24, 2026, as such factors may be updated from time to time in our other filings with the SEC. Any forward-looking statements contained in this press release speak only as of the date hereof and accordingly undue reliance should not be placed on such statements. We disclaim any obligation or undertaking to update or revise any forward-looking statements contained in this press release, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, other than to the extent required by applicable law.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260416648511/en/

Contacts:

For more information:

Justin Bates, Head of Communications justin.bates@vertical-aerospace.com +44 7878 357463

Samuel Emden, Head of Investor Affairs samuel.emden@vertical-aerospace.com +447816 459 904
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - April 16, 2026) - NORTEC MINERALS CORP. (TSXV: NVT) ("Nortec" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the appointment of Tom Baechler, P.Geo., as Vice President of Exploration, effective immediately.

Mr. Baechler is a Professional Geoscientist with approximately ten years of experience in the mineral exploration sector and has worked across multiple jurisdictions on both gold and base metal projects. Tom holds a B.Sc. (Honours) in Geology from Western University.

"We are very pleased to welcome Tom to the Nortec team. His technical acumen and experience managing exploration programs across multiple jurisdictions will be instrumental as we advance and seek to unlock value from the Pearl Gold Project in Nevada and the Barker Bay Project in Ontario.

Tom's extensive experience in 3D modelling, geoscience and exploration software and data management, provides the Company with a highly versatile technical leader with a broad and practical skill set," commented Ryan Hrkac, Chief Executive Officer of the Company.

About Nortec Minerals Corp.

Nortec is a mineral exploration company focused on identifying gold and copper properties with high discovery potential and advancing those projects to create outsized shareholder value. Current property holdings comprise 100% interests in two exploration stage critical mineral (zinc) projects, namely the Sturgeon Lake VMS and the Mattagami River Zinc properties, both located in Ontario, Canada. Additionally, the Company holds a 16.4% interest in the Tammela Gold in Southwest Finland.

On November 5, 2025, the Company announced that it entered into an asset purchase agreement to acquire the Barker Bay Gold Property, located in Ontario, Canada.

On February 25, 2026, the Company announced that it entered into an option agreement to acquire the high-grade, past producing, Pearl Gold Project, located in Nevada, U.S.A.

Additional information can be found on the Company's SEDAR profile at www.sedarplus.ca and its website at www.nortecminerals.com.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Market Regulator (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

No securities regulatory authority has either approved or disapproved of the contents of this news release. The securities of the Company have not been, nor will they be, registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or any state securities laws, and may not be offered or sold in the United States, or to or for the account or benefit of any person in the United States, absent registration or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements. This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any common shares in the United States, or in any other jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful.

Information set forth in this press release may contain forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are statements that relate to future, not past events. In this context, forward-looking statements often address a company's expected future business and financial performance, and often contain words such as "anticipate", "believe", "plan", "estimate", "expect", and "intend", statements that an action or event "may", "might", "could", "should", or "will" be taken or occur, or other similar expressions. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause our actual results, performance or achievements, or other future events, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, among others, risks associated with project development; the need for additional financing; operational risks associated with mining and mineral processing; fluctuations in palladium and other commodity prices; title matters; environmental liability claims and insurance; reliance on key personnel; the absence of dividends; competition; dilution; the volatility of our common share price and volume; and tax consequences to Canadian and U.S. Shareholders. Forward-looking statements are made based on management's beliefs, estimates and opinions on the date that statements are made and the Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements if these beliefs, estimates and opinions or other circumstances should change. Investors are cautioned against attributing undue certainty to forward-looking statements.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/292836

Source: Nortec Minerals Corp.
CHICAGO, IL / ACCESS Newswire / April 16, 2026 / The American College of Osteopathic Family Physicians (ACOFP) announces its new Board of Governors, following their election on Wednesday, April 15, 2026, during the ACOFP Congress of Delegates in Orlando, Florida. New appointments include:

President Greg D. Cohen, DO, FACOFP dist.

President-Elect David A. Connett, DO, FACOFP dist.

Secretary/Treasurer Saroj Misra, DO, FACOFP dist.

Governor Lynn M. Wilson, DO, FACOFP

New Physician-in-Practice Governor Sean M. Johnson, DO, MPH

Resident Governor Evan Bischoff, DO

Student Governor Ly Nguyen, OMS-III

Congress of Delegates Speaker Antonios J. Tsompanidis, DO, FACOFP dist.

Congress of Delegates Vice Speaker Rachel A. Young, DO, FACOFP

The following members were reelected to their positions:

Governor Peter F. Bidey, DO, FACOFP

Governor Traci-lyn Eisenberg, DO, FACOFP

Governor Jennifer L. Gwilym, DO, FACOFP dist.

Governor Derrick J. Sorweide, DO, FACOFP

Governor Rebecca D. Szewczak, DO, FACOFP

Gautam J. Desai, DO, FACOFP dist., automatically becomes immediate past president.

Past President Brian A. Kessler, DO, DHA, FACOFP dist.; New Physician-in-Practice Governor, Ryan M. Smith, DO; Resident Governor Christina S. Sedaghat, DO; Student Governor Creed Mainz, OMS-IV; and Congress of Delegates Speaker Elizabeth A. Palmarozzi, DO, FACOFP, are all outgoing Board members.

More About New Board of Governors Appointees

"I am honored, grateful, excited, and humbled to be given the opportunity to serve as President of the ACOFP," said Greg D. Cohen, DO, FACOFP dist., 2026-2027 ACOFP president. "In the year ahead, I hope to help our members rediscover the joy of practicing medicine. In an environment where the jobs of physicians are becoming harder, I want us to reclaim the excitement, the passion, and the enthusiasm of our calling. I look forward to working with ACOFP leaders and our members on this and many other initiatives."

Dr. Cohen practices at Lucas County Health Center Medical Clinics in Chariton, Iowa, serving his community through outpatient care, osteopathic manipulative medicine, emergency room, nursing home services, and obstetrical care within his rural family practice. He is an Assistant Professor of Family Medicine for Des Moines University and has been precepting third- and fourth-year Osteopathic Medical students in rural family medicine since 2001. Dr. Cohen previously served as the president of the Iowa Osteopathic Medical association, as well as Chairman of the Iowa Maternal Child Health Advisory Council. An active ACOFP member for many years, Dr. Cohen has served on the ACOFP Board of Governors since 2017. His many ACOFP committee roles include the Federal Legislation and Advocacy Committee, the Rural Residency Taskforce, the Delphi Long Range Planning Committee and the Preceptorship Committee.

Dr. Lynn Wilson is an osteopathic family physician, geriatrician, and medical educator. She currently serves as Section Chief of Geriatrics and Program Director of the Geriatrics Fellowship at Lehigh Valley Health Network, where she is also Associate Professor at the USF Morsani College of Medicine and Adjunct Associate Professor at Thomas Jefferson University-Sidney Kimmel Medical College. She contributes as National Faculty in Family Medicine for the NBOME, and is a Fellow of ACOFP, AAFP, and the American Geriatrics Society. Her scholarly work includes numerous peer-reviewed publications, national presentations, and contributions to curriculum development in geriatrics, palliative care, and lifestyle medicine.

Dr. Rachel Young is the Program Director of Corewell Health Grosse Pointe Family Medicine Residency in Grosse Pointe, Michigan. She is passionate about the business of medicine and became certified in practice management in 2021. Dr. Young is a nationally recognized leader and conference speaker, particularly on advocacy. She has been honored as the ACOFP New Osteopathic Physician of the Year (2021) and a National Emerging Leader (2022).

Dr. Sean Johnson is dual-board certified in Family Medicine and OMT. Prior to joining Mercy Health in 2025, he served as faculty and as a preceptor within several medical schools and residency programs. He has held numerous leadership and committee positions within the American Osteopathic Association and ACOFP and also served as an editor for the Yale Journal of Health Policy, Law, and Ethics. He received his Master of Public Health from Yale University, focusing on informatics, health policy, advocacy, and health equity, particularly within the disability community.

Dr. Evan Bischoff is a Family Medicine Resident at Henry Ford Genesys in Grand Blanc, Michigan. He earned his Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine from Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine (VCOM) - Virginia Campus. During medical school, he served as a National Student Governor for ACOFP. He was also a member of several national committees focused on diversity, inclusion, and student experience.

Student Doctor Ly Nguyen is a student at Des Moines University, Des Moines, Iowa. He currently serves as chair of the ACOFP Student Education Committee and chair of the ACOFP Des Moines University chapter.

Dr. Desai, ACOFP immediate past president, is a Professor of Family Medicine, and Chair, Department of Primary Care at Kansas City University, where he also serves as director of KCU's Global Health Program and oversees the honors track in global medicine. He joined the ACOFP Board of Governors in 2016.

"Serving as ACOFP President has been one of the greatest honors of my career," said ACOFP Immediate Past President Gautam J. Desai, DO, FACOFP dist. "In a year when medicine became increasingly politicized, ACOFP remained steady in advocating for evidence-based medicine and the osteopathic principles that define who we are. We are also addressing the projected shortage in family medicine by investing in mentorship, leadership development, and clear communication about the value of our specialty. With Dr. Cohen's leadership as ACOFP's incoming president, and our excellent Board of Governors, our organization will continue to thrive."

About the American College of Osteopathic Family Physicians

Founded in 1950, the American College of Osteopathic Family Physicians (ACOFP) is a community of more than 25,000 current and future family physicians that champions osteopathic principles and supports its members by providing resources such as education, networking and advocacy, while putting patients first. ACOFP empowers its members with education and resources that allow them to adapt to new models of care and quickly changing government policy. For more information, visit acofp.org.

Contact: Emily Bennett, Director of Communications and Engagement, emilyb@acofp.org, 847-952-5100

SOURCE: ACOFP

View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/healthcare-and-pharmaceutical/american-college-of-osteopathic-family-physicians-announces-2026-2027-1157167
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - April 16, 2026) - Prospector Metals Corp. (TSXV: PPP) (OTCQB: PMCOF) (FSE: 1ET0) ("Prospector" or the "Company") today announced that they have entered into a definitive agreement dated April 15, 2026 (the "Agreement") pursuant to which Prospector will sell all of its non-Yukon mineral exploration projects (the "Transferred Assets"), to BeMetals Corp. ("BeMetals") in exchange for shares of BeMetals (the "Consideration Shares").

Transaction Summary

Prospector will receive 29,400,000 shares representing 49.9% of all issued and outstanding BeMetals post-consolidation shares in exchange for the Savant, Devon and Whitton mineral properties in Ontario and the Toogood project in Newfoundland. Prospector intends to distribute these shares to all shareholders of record on a pro rata basis immediately following closing. The record date will be announced in advance of the planned distribution.

BeMetals will undergo a name change to Lightning Resource Corp. (" Lightning ") and nominate a new board of directors that will include representatives from each of Prospector and BeMetals Inc. and one mutual nominee. Proposed board members include: Rob Carpenter as Chairman (Prospector), Andrew Rockandel (Prospector), Andrew Brown (B2Gold Corp. (" B2Gold ")) and Roger Richer (BeMetals) and Jay Sujir (Farris LLP). Additionally, Clive Johnson of B2Gold will join the Lightning board in Q3 2026. An advisory board is also currently being finalized.

Upon closing, it is anticipated B2Gold will own 28.4% of all issued and outstanding shares of Lightning Resource Corp.

Lightning Resource Corp. will employ a new business model focussed on acquiring and exploring for Canadian gold projects with an emphasis on evaluating advanced stage opportunities that also exhibit excellent long term exploration potential. The Prospector team will continue to provide technical input, and Rob Carpenter will serve as CEO on an interim basis during the search for a fulltime CEO.

Prospector will retain the ML Project, where it reported a significant discovery in 2025, and which will become Prospector's sole focus going forward. Prior to closing of the transaction, BeMetals will undertake a share consolidation on the basis of 1 new share for each 10 pre-consolidated shares. The 29,400,000 Consideration Shares will be post-consolidation shares and are expected to be free of resale restrictions under applicable Canadian securities laws. Closing of the transaction is expected to occur within 60 days, subject to the satisfaction of customary closing conditions, including regulatory and stock exchange approvals as well as an order of the Supreme Court of British Columbia permitting the distribution of the Consideration Shares as a return of capital.

Benefits for Prospector Shareholders

Transaction will unlock value in projects that have been overshadowed by the flagship ML Project, Yukon.

Intended share distribution gives Prospector shareholders direct exposure to a new ground floor opportunity led by proven leadership.

The transaction is intended to create two focused exploration companies. Prospector will concentrate on developing its ML Project and is planning a 25,000m drill program on ML in 2026.

Lightning Resource will emerge as a new Canadian-focused exploration company with a portfolio of prospective projects and a mandate to pursue new discoveries under the leadership of Rob Carpenter.

Prospector Co-Chairman and CEO Rob Carpenter stated: "This transaction gives Prospector shareholders the opportunity to benefit from the entire project portfolio which has been largely overlooked due to our focus on the ML Project, Yukon. We are looking forward to working with the BeMetals team to create a new opportunity for shareholders through development of Canadian mineral projects".

BeMetals' Interim CEO, Kristen Reinertson, stated: "We are very pleased to announce this transaction with Prospector, which will provide BeMetals shareholders with a portfolio of prospective Canadian-focused projects and a combined team led by experience, backed by strength and driven by discovery. The new company, under the leadership of Rob Carpenter and a highly experienced board of directors and technical team, will actively explore the project portfolio and continue to pursue additional acquisition opportunities to provide further value and growth potential to shareholders."

Directors of Lightning Resource Corp.

Rob Carpenter - Chairman of the Board

Dr. Carpenter is President, CEO and Co-Chairman of Prospector, with over 30 years of corporate and technical mineral exploration experience. Co-Founder, President and CEO of Kaminak Gold Corporation (acquired by Goldcorp) and led the company through the discovery of the 5 million-ounce Coffee Gold Project. Completed his Ph.D. at Western University, London, ON.

Andrew Rockandel - Director

Mr. Rockandel is Executive Director of Prospector and is an accomplished entrepreneur whose four decades of business experience span mineral resources, renewable energy, forestry, and specialized chemicals. Involved in the junior mining market for over 25 years, he has helped found multiple junior companies, bringing together management teams, assets, and financing.

Jay Sujir - Director

Mr. Sujir is a Partner in Farris' Mining and Securities practice groups and has nearly 30 years experience acting for mining and other natural resources companies. He was called to the BC Bar in 1986 after obtaining his LLB from the University of Victoria. He obtained his BA (Economics & Philosophy) in 1981, also from the University of Victoria. Jay is recognized in the Best Lawyers (2025) directory, as a Lexpert Leading Lawyer in Canada (2024), and as a Lexpert Leading Energy & Mining Lawyer (2024).

Andrew Brown - Director

Andrew Brown is the Vice President, Exploration for B2Gold, overseeing the planning and execution of the company's global exploration programs. Andrew joined B2Gold in 2012 and has over 25 years of experience in the mining industry. Appointed Chief Geologist, West Africa in 2014, Andrew has held increasingly senior positions in B2Gold's principal exploration programs, including his most recent as Exploration Manager, Africa. The African team was instrumental in the growth of the resource base at the flagship Fekola Mine in Mali, including the discovery of new deposits at Anaconda, and of the Toega deposit, in Burkina Faso. From 2004 to 2007 Andrew was part of the Bema Gold exploration team, providing technical contributions to Kupol and Julieta Mine, in Russia and to Bema's South African operations. Following Bema's acquisition by Kinross Gold, Andrew was a founder and CEO of Laurentian Goldfields Ltd., a TSX-V listed exploration company focused on early-stage gold exploration in Canada. Mr. Brown holds a B.Sc. (Honours) in Geology and an M.Sc. in Geology, both from Laurentian University, in Sudbury, Ontario and is a Registered Professional Geologist (P.Geo) with the Engineers & Geoscientists of British Columbia and the Northwest Territories and Nunavut Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists.

Roger Richer - Director

Mr. Richer is a founder of B2Gold and BeMetals, and an early member of Bema Gold. He served as the Executive Vice President, General Counsel of B2Gold from 2007 to 2022. Mr. Richer has over 30 years of experience in mining law, corporate finance and international business transactions and practices. He has served as a director or officer of several other public companies operating in the resource sector. He has a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Law degree from the University of Victoria.

Clive Johnson - Future Director Nominee

Mr. Johnson is a founder of Bema Gold, B2Gold and BeMetals. Mr. Johnson currently serves as President, CEO & Director at B2Gold, overseeing the long-term strategy and development of the company and leads its executive team. At Bema Gold and B2Gold, Mr. Johnson was a driving force in each company's transition from a junior exploration company to an international intermediate gold producer. Collectively, he has raised over US$2 billion in equity and debt financings for the construction of numerous profitable operating mines around the globe.

Assets Portfolio

Savant Project (Au): District-scale land position (24,197 ha) in a proven greenstone belt in northwestern Ontario, with underexplored iron formations and favorable shear zones providing opportunity for a discovery of size.

Devon Project (Ni, Cu, PGEs): Located near Thunder Bay, Ontario, the Devon Project lies on the Archean craton margin, covered by a sulphide-bearing sedimentary basin, a known ideal geotectonic setting for major magmatic sulfide deposits.

Whitton Project (Au, Ni, Cu, PGEs ): Dominant land position in the Archean Heaven Lake greenstone belt located in northwest Ontario. Numerous Nickel and PGE occurrences as well as potential for banded iron formation hosted gold mineralization.

TooGood Project (Au): High-grade district-scale potential in Newfoundland with strong access and infrastructure, with a successful drill campaign in 2025 identifying a 15-km long target corridor. Currently optioned to TooGood Gold Corp.

Proprietary geological database relating to gold deposits in Ontario and Quebec.

Marketable securities consisting of 5,000,000 shares of TooGood, together with potential future share option payments under an option agreement with TooGood.

Prior to giving effect to the transaction, B2Gold holds 108,726,290 common shares in the capital of BeMetals, representing approximately 36.9%% of BeMetals' issued and outstanding shares, and 29,801,506 common shares in the capital of Prospector, representing approximately 19.2% of Prospector's issued and outstanding shares and as such B2Gold is currently an insider of both BeMetals and Prospector. Prospector and BeMetals are Non-Arm's Length under TSV Venture Exchange ("TSXV") definitions by virtue of having B2Gold as a common insider as a result of its shareholdings in the respective companies, however Prospector and BeMetals are not "related parties" as defined in National Instrument 61-101. The parties' current boards and management are independent of one another and the valuation of the proposed transaction was determined through arm's length negotiation by the parties' officers, and has been unanimously approved by both Prospector's and BeMetals boards of directors. There are no finders' fees payable to any person in connection with the proposed transaction.

As a result, the proposed transaction will be a Non-Arm's Length transaction and a "Reviewable Disposition" under the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange (the "TSXV"). Closing of the proposed transaction remains subject to a number of customary closing conditions including receipt of all required corporate and regulatory approvals, including the approval of the TSXV for the transaction and the proposed board appointments. There are no finders' fees payable to any person in connection with the proposed transaction.

On behalf of the Board of Directors,

Prospector Metals Corp.

Dr. Rob Carpenter, Ph.D., P.Geo.

President & CEO

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Prospector Metals Corp. is a proud member of Discovery GroupTM. For more information please visit: discoverygroup.ca

Forward-Looking Statement Cautions:

This press release contains certain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation, including, but not limited to, the Company's plans with respect to the Company's projects, including the ML Project, and the timing related thereto of the drill program, the merits of the Company's projects, the Company's objectives, plans and strategies, and other project opportunities. Although the Company believes that such statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts; they are generally, but not always, identified by the words "expects," "plans," "anticipates," "believes," "intends," "estimates," "projects," "aims," "potential," "goal," "objective,", "strategy", "prospective," and similar expressions, or that events or conditions "will," "would," "may," "can," "could" or "should" occur, or are those statements, which, by their nature, refer to future events. The Company cautions that Forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs, estimates and opinions of the Company's management on the date the statements are made and they involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Consequently, there can be no assurances that such statements will prove to be accurate and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Except to the extent required by applicable securities laws and the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange, the Company undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements if management's beliefs, estimates or opinions, or other factors, should change. Factors that could cause future results to differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements include the risk of accidents and other risks associated with mineral exploration operations, the risk that the Company will encounter unanticipated geological factors, or the possibility that the Company may not be able to secure permitting and other agency or governmental clearances, necessary to carry out the Company's exploration plans, risk of political uncertainties and regulatory or legal changes in the jurisdictions where the Company carries on its business that might interfere with the Company's business and prospects. The reader is urged to refer to the Company's reports, publicly available through the Canadian Securities Administrators' System for Electronic Document Analysis and Retrieval (SEDAR+) at www.sedarplus.ca for a more complete discussion of such risk factors and their potential effects.

UNITED STATES ADVISORY. The securities referred to herein have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act"), have been offered and sold outside the United States to eligible investors pursuant to Regulation S promulgated under the U.S. Securities Act, and may not be offered, sold, or resold in the United States or to, or for the account of or benefit of, a U.S. Person (as such term is defined in Regulation S under the United States Securities Act) unless the securities are registered under the U.S. Securities Act, or an exemption from the registration requirements of the U.S. Securities Act is available. Hedging transactions involving the securities must not be conducted unless in accordance with the U.S. Securities Act. This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities, nor shall there be any sale of securities in the state in the United States in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful.

NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO UNITED STATES NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/292821

Source: Prospector Metals Corp.
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - April 16, 2026) - Kirkland Lake Discoveries Corp. (TSXV: KLDC) (OTCQB: KLKLF) ("KLDC" or the "Company") is pleased to announce assay results from its ongoing 2026 diamond drilling program at the past-producing Mirado property, located 20 km southeast of Kirkland Lake, Ontario.

The first drill hole targeting the South Zone at Mirado, confirms mineralization originally identified by Golden Shield Resources in the 1980s and is integral to advancing and expanding the modern understanding of this mineralizing system. Drilling continues at Mirado with a fence of holes testing the extent of mineralization along strike and at depth at the South Zone and testing mineralization at the North Zone (see Figure 1).

Highlights

KLM26-001

1.10 g/t Au over 15.1 m from 39.6 m to 54.6 m

5.66 g/t Au over 18.2 m from 62.0 m to 80.2 m, including 23.03 g/t Au over 4.3 m

3.30 g/t Au over 18.7 m from 96.7 m to 115.3 m, including 5.49 g/t Au over 4.9 m, and 3.92 g/t over 4.1 m

KLM26-001B Wedge

1.78 g/t Au over 23.9 m from 88.5 m to 112.5 m

Visible gold observed in multiple holes ( see Figure 2)

Broad zones of continuous mineralization

Expedited assay results through Paragon and use of PhotonAssay

KLDC Chief Executive Officer Stefan Sklepowicz commented, "Intercepting 5.66 g/t Au over 18.2 m in our very first hole at Mirado is an exceptional start to this program. These results confirm a robust gold system with the potential for both bulk-tonnage scale and high-grade zones. With mineralization open in multiple directions, we believe we are only beginning to unlock value at KL South."

"One of the fascinating things about this project is that the highlight table doesn't always tell the story. We have an extremely broad and prolific system here at Mirado. Historically this may have been missed, and this drill hole exemplifies the potential scale with 103 m of continuous mineralization," commented Denis Laviolette, KLDC Executive Chairman

Figure 1 - Drill collar locations at Mirado property. KLDC is systematically testing the lateral and depth extents of the South Zone as well as testing mineralization in the North Zone. High-grade surface grab samples were not systematically tested and represent a significant resource expansion opportunity. Historical workings are shown in white where exploration drifting was completed into the South Zone in the late 1980s. Commercial production did not commence due to the stock market crash in 1987.

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/5701/292814_97cf581f54c82a18_001full.jpg

Figure 2 - Mirado drill core: A - KLM26-001 from 73.28 m to 85 m. B - KLM26-001 from 96.65 m to 97.3 m, visible gold. C - KLM26-004 from 46.4 m to 63.37 m, assays pending. D - KLM26-004 from 58.7 m to 58.9 m. E - KLM26-004 visible gold at 58.9 m. The company cautions that the presence of visible gold mineralization is not indicative of high-grade gold assays and that drill core samples will be or have been submitted to a certified laboratory for analysis of gold content. Assay values for the discussed intervals will be released when available. All intervals are downhole depths, and true widths are not known at this time.

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/5701/292814_97cf581f54c82a18_002full.jpg

Mineralization Style and Geological Context

The Mirado system hosts two distinct and complementary styles of gold mineralization, of which, the South Zone style has been reinforced by the current drill results. The South Zone is defined by high-grade, structurally controlled gold mineralization hosted in quartz-carbonate/chlorite vein arrays within lower grade envelopes (see Table 1 and Figure 3). On the other hand, the North Zone comprises semi-conformable, stratigraphically controlled sulphide mineralization within felsic volcaniclastics, which ongoing drilling is testing.

Results reported herein not only confirm the presence and continuity of historically defined gold mineralization but also demonstrate clear continuity of mineralization downhole. These results support the Company's evolving geological model and highlight the significant growth potential of the Mirado system, with multiple zones remaining open for expansion.

The combination of wide intervals and consistent mineralization suggests strong potential for a bulk-tonnage system, complemented by higher-grade zones that could enhance project economics.

Table 1 - Drill Results

Drill Hole From (m) To (m) Interval (m) Au (g/t) Zone KLM26-001 9.0 19.5 10.5 0.65 South Zone

39.5 54.6 15.1 1.10 South Zone

62.0 80.2 18.2 5.66 South Zone including 75.9 80.2 4.3 23.03 South Zone

96.6 115.3 18.7 3.30 South Zone including

96.7 101.6 4.9 5.49 South Zone and 108.9 113.0 4.1 3.92 South Zone KLM26-001B

Wedge 88.5 112.4 23.9 1.78 South Zone

Figure 3 - Au assays from KLM26 - 001 from 9 m to 115 m. Mineralization at the South Zone is a series of stacked mineralized zones with larger low-grade envelopes and high-grade, structurally controlled quartz-carbonate/chlorite veins. All samples contained anomalous gold to downhole depth of 115 m.

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/5701/292814_97cf581f54c82a18_003full.jpg

Progress Update and Next Steps

Initial results from the 2026 drill program demonstrate meaningful progress across several of the Company's stated objectives, including the confirmation of historical mineralization, successful infill of key zones, and the extension of gold mineralization both laterally and at depth. Drilling to date has validated the presence of high-grade mineralization within the South Zone while also supporting the continuity of stratigraphically controlled mineralization in the North Zone. These results are contributing to an increasingly robust geological dataset and are being actively integrated into a developing 3D model, refining the Company's understanding of structural controls and mineralization trends.

With this foundation in place, the ongoing drilling will continue to focus on step-out targeting along strike and at depth, while systematically testing newly identified structural and geophysical targets. Ongoing work will also prioritize further data density to support future resource modeling, as the Company advances Mirado's broader growth potential.

To ensure rapid market communication and superior analytical precision, KLDC has made the strategic decision to move forward with Paragon Geochemical to utilize Chrysos PhotonAssay technology for the 2026 program at KL South.

Unlike traditional fire assay, PhotonAssay uses high-energy X-rays to excite atomic nuclei, providing a non-destructive, faster, and more environmentally friendly analysis of larger (~500 g) samples. This is particularly critical for the Mirado property, where the presence of "nuggety" or coarse gold can lead to grade variability in smaller samples. By utilizing this state-of-the-art technology, the Company expects to significantly reduce turnaround times for drill results while improving the statistical reliability of high-grade intercepts.

By operating in a Tier-1 mining jurisdiction with a focused exploration budget, Kirkland Lake Discoveries Corp. is committed to advancing Mirado from a historical prospect into a modern, well-defined gold asset in the Abitibi Greenstone Belt.

Video Footage

The latest episode of KLDC's Treasure Hunters series on YouTube follows the ongoing journey for discovery in Kirkland Lake. Follow along with Senior Project Geologist Drake Hyden as he discusses the core from our ongoing drill program at Mirado and features video of the core from this release.





Cannot view this video? Visit:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4o3YV-Pyuvw

Data Verification & Quality Assurance/Quality Control (QA/QC)

Gold analyses were completed at Paragon Geochemical using Chrysos PhotonAssay technology, a fast, non-destructive analytical method that utilizes high-energy X-rays to directly measure gold content in large (~500 g) samples. This approach improves analytical precision and reduces the impact of coarse gold ("nugget effect") compared to traditional fire assay methods, while also enabling faster turnaround times.

Drill program design, QA/QC", and interpretation of results were conducted by qualified persons employing a QA/QC program consistent with National Instrument 43-101 and industry best practices. Certified reference standards and blanks were inserted into the sample stream at regular intervals, approximately one control sample per twenty samples, to monitor analytical accuracy and precision.

Reported intervals are calculated using a weighted average grade with a 0.2 g/t Au cutoff. To reflect the continuity of mineralization within the broader system, up to 3.0 metres of internal dilution (consecutive material below cutoff) is included within reported composites. No top-cutting has been applied to high-grade results.

Qualified Person

The technical information contained in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Benjamin Cleland, P.Geo., Vice-President Exploration, who is a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects.

About Kirkland Lake Discoveries Corp.

Kirkland Lake Discoveries Corp. (TSXV: KLDC) (OTCQB: KLKLF) has assembled a 420-km exploration portfolio in the Kirkland Lake region of Ontario's Abitibi Greenstone Belt, one of the most prolific mining districts in the world. The Company's properties span key fault zones, geophysical anomalies, and volcanic-sedimentary contacts within the Blake River Group, a highly prospective assemblage known to host both gold and polymetallic massive-sulphide deposits.

With exploration permits now in place, KLDC is positioned to advance a strong pipeline of drill-ready targets at KL South, KL West and KL East, supported by multiple anomalous soil trends, historical mineral showings, and structurally controlled intersections.

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Forward-Looking Statements This news release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable securities legislation. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements in this news release include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to the Company's 2026 drilling program, the expansion of high-grade zones, the validation of historical data, and the potential for a mineral resource. Generally, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "plans", "expects" or "does not expect", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", or "believes", or variations of such words and phrases or state that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will be taken", "occur" or "be achieved".

Forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements, including but not limited to: the results of exploration and drilling activities; the reliability of historical data; the price of gold and other commodities; and general economic, market or business conditions. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking statements that are incorporated by reference herein, except in accordance with applicable securities laws.

Hole Id UTM

Easting UTM

Northing Azimuth Inclination Final Length (m) Target/Showing Assay Result Status KLM26-001 587230 5318337 70 -50 115 Mirado SZ Released KLM26-001B 587230 5318337 70 -50 303 Mirado SZ Released KLM26-002 587301 5318309 70 -45 300 Mirado SZ Pending KLM26-003 587290 5318352 70 -55 300 Mirado SZ Pending KLM26-004 587311 5318276 70 -55 300 Mirado SZ Pending KLM26-005 587300 5318242 70 -50 498 Mirado SZ Pending KLM26-006 587687 5318705 224 -50 504 Mirado NZ Pending KLM26-007 587290 5318195 70 -50 504 Mirado SZ Pending

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/292814

Source: Kirkland Lake Discoveries Corp.
The Powerful New Wildlife Series is Hosted by Wildlife Expert/Biologist Forrest Galante

STAMFORD, Conn., April 16, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Phantasticus Pictures today announced the global rollout of Vantara: Sanctuary Stories  a groundbreaking new wildlife docuseries set to premiere across Discovery's international network of platforms beginning April 19. Launching first in the UK and Ireland, the six-part series will debut across more than a dozen territories spanning Europe, Asia-Pacific, the Middle East, and Africa.

Forrest Galantes Vantara: Sanctuary Stories takes global audiences to India for a rare, unprecedented look at Vantara  one of the worlds largest wildlife sanctuaries.

Hosted by renowned wildlife biologist and adventurer Forrest Galante, the series will offer viewers from around the world unprecedented and rare access inside Vantara - the largest wildlife rescue and rehabilitation facility on Earth.

International Release Dates

DNE Discovery UK & Ireland April 19 Animal Planet Taiwan April 19 DNE Middle East Africa April 22 Discovery Poland May 3 Discovery Central Europe May 4 Animal Planet NZ (New Zealand) May 6 Animal Planet SE Asia May 6 Animal Planet Australia May 13 DNE Discovery Finland, Norway, Sweden, Denmark May 13 Discovery Africa May 16 Animal Planet Japan May 16 Discovery Spain and Portugal June 5

Located in Gujarat, India, Vantara is a closed-to-the-public sanctuary designed first-and-foremost for the well being of the animals who live there. Now, Galante offers viewers an unprecedented look behind its walls - into a world very few have ever been allowed to enter.

Spanning over 3,500 acres and home to over 1 million animals, Indian businessman Anant Ambani is the visionary behind Vantara who set out to redefine what animal rescue and welfare could look like in the modern world. What began as a mission to provide care for mistreated and displaced animals has evolved into one of the most ambitious conservation projects ever built - a sanctuary rooted in science, compassion and innovation.

A New Era in Wildlife Storytelling

Produced to the highest cinematic standards by Phantasticus Pictures, Vantara: Sanctuary Stories premiered on Animal Planet in the United States last November and earned widespread acclaim, backed by an 8.5/10 IMDb rating.

About Forrest Galante

Forrest Galante is a globally celebrated wildlife biologist, conservationist, and television host known for his fearless approach to exploration and animal advocacy. Raised in Zimbabwe, he gained international recognition through Discovery's Extinct or Alive.

Subscribe to his YouTube channel.

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2956452/Phantasticus_Pictures_VSanctuary_Stories.jpg
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - April 16, 2026) - Maple Gold Mines Ltd. (TSXV: MGM) (OTCQX: MGMLF) (FSE: M3G0) ("Maple Gold" or the "Company") today announced assay results from 14 drill holes completed during its ongoing, fully-funded 30,000-metre ("m") winter drill campaign (the "Program") at its 100%-owned Douay Gold Project ("Douay") and Joutel Gold Project ("Joutel") (together, "Douay/Joutel" or the "Property") located along the Casa Beradi-Douay Gold Trend in Quebec, Canada. Results include 12 drill holes from the Nika Zone and two (2) drill holes from the Porphyry West Zone, targeting higher-grade southeast-plunging shoots to confirm continuity and extend mineralization at depth following encouraging results from the 2025 winter program.

Highlights

In the Nika Zone, drill hole DO-25-57X returned 2.8 grams per tonne gold (" g/t Au ") over 13.5 m within a broader interval of 1.1 g/t Au over 74.0 m, located approximately 100 m down-plunge from previous drill hole DO-21-282X which returned 5.5 g/t Au over 9.6 m within a broader interval of 1.6 g/t Au over 132.5 m ( see news release dated May 26, 2021).

Also in the Nika Zone, drill hole DO-25-353 returned 1.4 g/t Au over 21.6 m within a broader interval of 0.4 g/t Au over 358.5 m, located approximately 150 m below previous drill hole DO-25-338 which returned 4.9 g/t Au over 17.0 m within a broader zone of 2.1 g/t Au over 108.6 m ( see news release dated April 3, 2025 ).

In the Porphyry West Zone, drill hole DO-26-369 returned 1.9 g/t Au over 30.0 m , including 3.1 g/t Au over 9.0 m, within a broader interval of 1.0 g/t Au over 138.0 m located along a similar moderate southeast plunging shoot as is demonstrated in the Nika Zone.

The ' Nika Plunge ' model is now confirmed at both Nika and Porphyry West , supporting the broader geological interpretation at Douay and resource expansion potential to depth.

Ongoing exploration drilling continues to demonstrate that gold mineralization at Douay extends well beyond the 2022 Mineral Resource Estimate (" MRE ") and remains open in multiple directions .

The Company has completed 51 holes (~24,000 m) to date, with 28 reported and 23 pending assay results ; additional drilling is planned in 2026, including 2,000 m to follow up on recent high-grade intercepts at Joutel.

Updated Douay and maiden Joutel MRE, excluding current drilling, are expected in H1 2026.

"These results validate the continuity and similarity of higher-grade plunging shoots within the Nika and Porphyry West zones, while successfully extending bulk tonnage gold mineralization to depth," stated Ian Cunningham-Dunlop, P.Eng., Executive Vice President of Maple Gold. "With the largest drill program in the Company's history nearing completion, our team is now in the planning phase for even more aggressive fully funded drill programs in H2 2026 and 2027 that will target near-term resource expansion opportunities at Douay/Joutel and the significant district-scale growth potential we see across the broader Property."

Discussion of Douay Drilling Results

Nika Zone

The Nika Zone lies in the northwestern portion of the Douay MRE (see Figure 1) and is hosted within a mixed basalt-syenite intrusive sequence, including thick syenitic dykes that are well mineralized.

In May 2021, drill hole DO-21-282X returned 1.6 g/t Au over 132 m, including 1.8 g/t Au over 100.3 m, including 5.5 g/t Au over 9.6 m, which was the best intersection reported in the Nika Zone at the time (see news release dated May 26, 2021). In April 2025, the Company reported step-out drill hole DO-25-338, located 300-m down-plunge from drill hole DO-21-282X (see Figures 1, 2 and 3), which returned 2.10 g/t Au over 108.6 m, including 3.2 g/t Au over 55.8 m, including 6.2 g/t over 7.8 m, and including 5.2 g/t Au over 17.0 m, representing the best hole drilled to date in the Nika Zone based on gold accumulation (grade x thickness) (see news release dated April 3, 2025). Step-out drill hole DO-25-54EXT, located 30 m north of drill hole DO-25-338, returned 1.3 g/t Au over 60 m, including 2.9 g/t Au over 20 m, and including 5.5 g/t Au over 7 m (see news release dated July 15, 2025).

Gold mineralization at the Nika Zone is hosted within strongly fenite-altered (biotite, K-feldspar, amphibole, magnetite), hematized and albitized syenite, with hydrothermal breccias creating a fracture network filled by fine quartz, carbonate, 5-10% disseminated pyrite (locally 15%), and chlorite. 3D modeling of the fenite alteration corridor shows a steep southeasterly plunge open at depth. This plunge corresponds to the intersection lineation between the early east-southeast trending regional fabric as shears, breccias and sericitic shears, and later northeast trending quartz-carbonate-pyrite-fracture network.

Drilling reported today includes 12 drill holes which tested the breadth of the higher-grade core of the Nika Zone from shallow drill holes within poorly drilled portions of the Nika modeled open pit, infill drill holes between drill holes DO-21-282X and DO-25-345 (approximately 100 m down plunge from DO-21-282X), and step-out drill holes located 50 m down-plunge from drill hole DO-25-338. Drilling has confirmed the continuity of the Nika plunging shoot with wide intervals intersected in new drill holes DO-25-57X and DO-25-353 (Figures 2 and 3) including:

0.6 g/t Au over 185.5 m, in diamond drill hole (" DDH ") DO-25-57X, including 1.1 g/t Au over 74.0 m , including 1.7 g/t Au over 26.5 m , including 2.8 g/t Au over 13.5 m, including 5.6 g/t Au over 5.5 m



0.42 g/t Au over 358.5 m , in DDH DO-25-353, including 1.4 g/t Au over 21.6 m , including 2.3 g/t Au over 9.0 m, including 3.2 g/t Au over 5.0 m

, in DDH DO-25-353, including

2.2 g/t Au over 11.8 m , in DDH DO-25-367, including 2.7 g/t Au over 9.0 m, including 13.5 g/t Au over 1.5 m

, in DDH DO-25-367, including

The Nika Zone now extends to 900 m vertical depth and remains open in multiple directions. The zone is also located 1,200 m east of the existing Douay headframe and mining infrastructure. The Company recently completed the construction of an all-season drill access trail at Nika to allow year-round drilling of the middle and upper portions of the Nika Zone on closer-spaced drill centres.

Porphyry West

The Porphyry Zone hosts high tonnage, lower-grade, structurally controlled gold mineralization within the Porphyry West, Porphyry Central and Porphyry East Zones with >55% of the contained Indicated and Inferred gold ounces within the current Douay MRE. The Porphyry West Zone sits within albite- or K-feldspar altered syenites which are part of the Douay Intrusive Complex ("DIC"), with most mineralization occurring near the DIC's hanging wall margin.

The Company completed three (3) drill holes, DO-25-341, DO-25-342 and DO-25-343, during the 2025 Winter Drill Program which all intersected the modeled Porphyry West Zone with promising gold mineralization hosted within the DIC, a mixed zone with basalt intruded by syenite dikes, and a new lower intermediate tuff horizon in the footwall to the DIC which may be part of the northern Taibi volcaniclastic units. Highlights included 0.9 g/t Au over 31.0 m including 1.2 g/t Au over 16.0 m and 1.1 g/t Au over 10.5 m including 3.1 g/t Au over 2.8 m in drill hole DO-25-341, 0.6 g/t Au over 49.0 m including 1.8 g/t Au over 3.0 m AND 0.6 g/t Au over 16.0 m in drill hole DO-25-342, and 0.6 g/t Au over 30.0 m including 1.4 g/t Au over 4.5 m in drill hole DO-25-343 (see news release dated July 15, 2025).

Program drilling in the Porphyry West Zone has applied the 'Nika Plunge' model to target a moderate south-southeast plunging shoot. Drilling has focused on the areas between drill holes DO-25-341 and DO-25-343, and up-plunge from drill hole DO-25-342 (see Figure 2).

The Company completed two (2) holes, DO-26-368 and DO-26-369 along the projected 'Nika Plunge'(see Figures 1, 2 and 4), both of which intersected wide intervals with promising grades including:

0.5 g/t Au over 87.0 m, in DO-26-368, including 1.0 g/t Au over 20.0 m, including 1.7 g/t Au over 9.0 m 1.1 g/t Au over 16.0 m, including 1.4 g/t Au over 6.0 m

0.9 g/t Au over 158.0 m, in DO-26-369, including 1.0 g/t Au over 138.0 m , including 1.9 g/t Au over 30.0 m, including 3.1 g/t Au over 9.0 m , and including 2.4 g/t Au over 8.0 m, including 15.2 g/t Au over 1.0 m



The higher-grade core of the Porphyry West Zone is located ~900 m southeast of the Nika Zone and now demonstrates a similar southeasterly plunge geometry. The zone remains open on all directions and additional follow-up drilling is planned.

DDH locations can be found in Figures 1, 2, 3 and 4 with significant assay highlights in Table 1.

Figure 1: Douay DDH plan map of highlighting MRE modeled resource blocks and pits and 2025-2026 Completed Drill Holes

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/3077/292784_9dea7b89b47e4824_001full.jpg

Figure 2: Douay DDH longitudinal section with Nika Zone and Porphyry West Zone, Higher-Grade Shoots and 2025-2026 Completed Drill Holes with Significant Assay Results. Looking Northeast (045 Deg Az)

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/3077/292784_9dea7b89b47e4824_002full.jpg

Figure 3: Douay DDH cross-section - Nika Zone - 2025-2026 Completed Drill Holes with Significant Assay Results. Looking West (towards 290 Deg Az)

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/3077/292784_9dea7b89b47e4824_003full.jpg

Figure 4: Douay DDH cross-section - Porphyry West Zone - 2025-2026 Completed Drill Holes with Significant Assay Results. Looking West (towards 270 Deg Az)

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/3077/292784_9dea7b89b47e4824_004full.jpg

Table 1: Douay Winter Drill Program - Significant Assay Results

Target From To Length Au_FA Drill Hole (meters) (meters) (meters) (g/t) Nika Zone Follow-Up







DO-25-353 519.0 877.5 358.5 0.4 And Including 631.4 653.0 21.6 1.4 Including 642.0 651.0 9.0 2.3 Including 642.0 647.0 5.0 3.1 And Including 689.0 705.5 16.5 0.6 Including 704.8 705.5 0.8 6.3 And Including 736.0 749.0 13.0 0.7 And Including 836.0 840.0 4.0 1.5 Including 836.0 837.0 1.0 3.4 And Including 870.3 877.5 7.2 0.9 And 921.0 960.5 39.5 0.2 DO-25-355 63.0 78.0 15.0 0.4 And 391.5 490.5 99.0 0.3 And Including 459.1 487.5 28.4 0.4 Including 459.1 475.5 16.4 0.5 And 747.0 766.5 19.5 0.3 DO-25-57X 369.5 555.0 185.5 0.6 Including 465.0 539.0 74.0 1.1 Including 465.0 491.5 26.5 1.7 Including 478.0 491.5 13.5 2.8 Including 486.0 491.5 5.5 5.6 Including 487.5 490.5 3.0 7.2 Including 487.5 488.5 1.0 13.9 And 603.0 672.0 69.0 0.3 Including 611.0 613.0 2.0 1.6 And Including 645.5 650.2 4.6 1.1 Including 648.5 650.2 1.6 1.8 *Intersections are reported as drilled width; true width is estimated to be 60-90% of drilled width

Table 1: Douay Winter Drill Program - Significant Assay Results (Continued)

Target From To Length Au_FA Drill Hole (meters) (meters) (meters) (g/t) Nika Zone Follow-Up







DO-26-152X 802.0 804.0 2.0 2.1 Including 802.0 803.0 1.0 4.0 DO-26-358 283.5 326.0 42.5 0.3 Including 283.5 288.0 4.5 1.6 Including 283.5 287.0 3.5 1.8 And 352.5 355.5 3.0 0.8 And 407.0 414.0 7.0 0.5 Including 411.0 414.0 3.0 0.7 And 438.0 444.0 6.0 0.4 DO-26-360 33.0 64.5 31.5 0.4 Including 33.0 48.0 15.0 0.7 Including 34.5 36.0 1.5 1.4 And Including 40.5 48.0 7.5 0.9 Including 43.5 45.0 1.5 1.4 And 109.5 139.5 30.0 0.2 Including 109.5 111.0 1.5 1.0 And 172.5 208.5 36.0 0.2 Including 175.5 178.5 3.0 1.2 DO-26-362 88.5 94.5 6.0 0.2 And 109.0 115.0 6.0 0.2 DO-26-363 35.0 52.0 17.0 0.4 Including 43.5 48.0 4.5 1.3 Including 43.5 46.0 2.5 1.6

Table 1: Douay Winter Drill Program - Significant Assay Results (Continued)

Target From To Length Au_FA Drill Hole (meters) (meters) (meters) (g/t) Nika Zone Follow-Up







DO-26-364 81.0 117.0 36.0 0.2 Including 91.5 103.5 12.0 0.3 And 178.5 208.5 30.0 0.4 Including 190.5 204.0 13.5 0.5 And 225.0 235.5 10.5 0.2 And 252.0 302.0 50.0 0.3 Including 252.0 274.0 22.0 0.4 Including 252.0 263.0 11.0 0.6 And 390.0 393.0 3.0 1.8 And 406.0 411.0 5.0 0.5 DO-26-366 351.0 390.0 39.0 0.2 And 420.0 436.5 16.5 0.2 And 464.0 467.0 3.0 1.8 Including 464.0 465.0 1.0 4.4 DO-26-367 95.6 106.5 10.9 1.0 Including 99.0 101.0 2.0 4.5 And 154.2 166.0 11.8 2.2 Including 157.0 166.0 9.0 2.7 Including 164.5 166.0 1.5 13.5 And 201.0 238.5 37.5 0.1 And 586.0 596.0 10.0 0.3 And 629.0 644.0 15.0 0.3 And 672.0 719.5 47.5 0.2 Including 684.0 697.0 13.0 0.3 And 755.2 851.0 95.8 0.2 Including 755.2 770.0 14.8 0.3 And Including 848.0 851.0 3.0 1.0

Table 1: Douay Winter Drill Program - Significant Assay Results (Continued)

Target From To Length Au_FA Drill Hole (meters) (meters) (meters) (g/t) Porphyry West Zone Follow-Up







DO-26-368 147.5 157.0 9.5 0.7 And 362.0 449.0 87.0 0.5 Including 362.0 382.0 20.0 1.0 Including 363.0 376.0 13.0 1.4 Including 363.0 372.0 9.0 1.7 And Including 413.0 449.0 36.0 0.7 Including 426.0 449.0 23.0 0.9 Including 433.0 449.0 16.0 1.1 Including 433.0 437.0 4.0 1.4 And Including 443.0 449.0 6.0 1.4 And 483.0 505.0 22.0 0.2 And 522.0 573.0 51.0 0.2 Including 572.0 573.0 1.0 2.8 DO-26-369 172.0 330.0 158.0 0.9 Including 177.0 315.0 138.0 1.0 Including 177.0 186.0 9.0 1.3 And Including 194.0 198.0 4.0 2.7 And Including 210.0 288.0 78.0 1.3 Including 213.0 243.0 30.0 1.9 Including 213.0 222.0 9.0 3.1 Including 213.0 217.0 4.0 4.6 And Including 248.0 264.0 16.0 1.1 And Including 280.0 288.0 8.0 2.4 Including 280.0 281.0 1.0 15.2 And Including 306.0 309.0 3.0 1.7 And 368.0 374.0 6.0 0.6 And 390.0 394.0 4.0 1.0

2026 Winter Program Update

The Company has completed 51 drill holes totaling ~24,000 m as part of its ongoing 32,000 m Douay/Joutel Program, with approximately 75% of the Program now complete. At Douay, drilling has focused on testing of the down-plunge extensions of the higher-grade Nika, 531, Douay West, and Porphyry West Zones. At Joutel, drilling is following-up on encouraging results from drill holes JO-25-01/05/06/07 with 50-m-spaced step-out drill holes.

Assays have been reported for 28 drill holes to date, with additional results expected as they are received and validated in accordance with QA/QC protocols.

Concurrent development initiatives are planned throughout 2026 to advance and de-risk Douay/Joutel, including an updated Douay and a maiden Joutel MRE, both targeted for H1 2026, along with an internal scoping/engineering study.

A total exploration budget of $13.9 million has been approved for 2026, covering permitting, approximately 32,000 m of diamond drilling, regional sonic drilling, assaying, personnel, and site support costs. The Program is fully funded from the Company's existing treasury, with planning for H2 2026 and 2027 drilling currently underway.

Additional Notes

Starting azimuth, dip and final length (Azimuth/Dip/Length (m)) for the 14 drill holes reported in this news release are noted as follows: DO-25-353 (004/70/981), DO-25-355 (345/64/834), DO-25-57X (358/43/Extended from 348 to 711m), DO-26-152X (012/47/Extended from 699m to 930m), DO-26-358 (350/54/444), DO-26-360 (000/60/252), DO-26-362 (360/60/120), DO-26-363 (360/60/162), DO-26-364 (012/52/414), DO-26-365 (340/50/52), DO-26-366 (340/50/531), DO-26-367 (006/57/867), DO-26-368 (010/55/639), and DO-26-369 (007/45/438).

Quality Assurance and Quality Control

The Company implements strict Quality Assurance ("QA") and Quality Control ("QC") protocols at Douay covering the planning and placing of drill holes in the field, drilling and retrieving the NQ-sized drill core, drill hole surveying, core transport, core logging by qualified personnel, sampling and bagging of  cut drill core for analysis, and the transport of samples from site to commercial laboratories for analysis.

All core drilling conducted by the Company is oriented. Samples of drill core were cut by a diamond blade rock saw, with half of the cut core placed in individual sealed polyurethane bags and half placed back in the original core box for permanent storage at the Douay site. Sample lengths typically vary from a minimum 0.3-m interval to a maximum 1.5-m interval, with an average 0.5 to 1.0-m sample length. Drill core samples were delivered by truck in sealed woven plastic bags to AGAT laboratory facility in Val d'Or, Quebec for sample preparation with final analysis at AGAT Geochemistry Analytical Lab facility in Thunder Bay, ON and Calgary, AB. AGAT Geochemistry operate meeting all requirements of International Standards ISO/IEC 17025:2017 and ISO 9001:2015.

For sample preparation,  cut drill core is dried and crushed to 90% passing 2 mm, split to 500g, pulverizing to 95% passing 105 microns. Gold is determined by fire-assay fusion of a 50-gram sub-sample with inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES). Samples that return values >10 ppm gold from fire assay and ICP-OES are determined by using 50-gram sample fire assay and a gravimetric finish. Selected samples with visible gold or high-grade mineralization are assayed by Metallic Screen Fire Assay on a 1.00 kg sample. A sub-sample from the homogenized pulps after sample prep is sent to Calgary, AB for the multi-acid digestion (4 Acid Digest) analysis. 0.2 g is weighed out for each sample for 4 Acid Digest and analyzed by inductively coupled plasma emissions spectrometry or mass spectrometry (ICP-OES/MS). ICP-OES/MS analyzes various metals including silver, gold, copper, lead and zinc. All AGAT Geochemistry sites comply with ISO/IEC 17025:2017. AGAT Geochemistry follows the quality management and operational guidelines set out in the international standards ISO/IEC 17025 - "General Requirement for the Competence of Testing and Calibration Laboratories" and ISO 9001 - "Quality Management Systems". The Company maintains a robust QA/QC program that includes the collection and analysis of duplicate samples and the insertion of blanks and standards (certified reference material).

Qualified Person

Pascal Lessard, Geo. (OGQ #00434), Vice President, Exploration of Maple Gold, has reviewed and approved the scientific and technical information related to exploration and Mineral Resource matters contained in this news release. Mr. Lessard is a Qualified Person as defined by Canadian National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects.

About the Douay/Joutel Gold Project

The Douay/Joutel Gold Project is located adjacent to Highway 109 in the heart of Quebec's Abitibi greenstone belt, Canada's premier gold mining jurisdiction. This large, 100%-owned land package includes the Company's flagship Douay Gold Project, which hosts an established mineral resource1 containing 511,000 ounces of gold (Indicated) and 2.53 million ounces of gold (Inferred), as well as the past-producing, high-grade Joutel Mine Complex2. The Property contains ~481 square kilometers of highly prospective geology within the influence of the major gold-bearing Casa Berardi Deformation Zone. Gold mines in the immediate region include the Casa Berardi Gold Mine, recently acquired by Orezone Gold Corporation from Hecla Mining Company, and the Detour Lake Gold Mine operated by Agnico Eagle Mines Limited.

About Maple Gold

Maple Gold Mines Ltd. is a well-funded Canadian gold exploration company focused on advancing its 100%-owned, district-scale Douay/Joutel Gold Project located in Quebec's prolific Abitibi Greenstone Gold Belt. Douay/Joutel benefits from exceptional infrastructure access and boasts ~481 square kilometers of highly prospective ground including an established gold mineral resource at Douay with significant expansion potential as well as the past-producing Telbel and Eagle West mines at Joutel. In addition, the Company holds an exclusive option to acquire 100% of the Eagle Mine Property, a key part of the historical Joutel Mining Complex.

Maple Gold's property package also hosts a significant number of regional exploration targets along a 55-kilometer strike length of the Casa Berardi Deformation Zone that have yet to be tested through drilling, making the property ripe for new gold and VMS discoveries. The Company is currently focused on carrying out exploration and drill programs to grow mineral resources and make new discoveries to establish an exciting new gold district in the heart of the Abitibi. For more information, please visit www.maplegoldmines.com.

ON BEHALF OF MAPLE GOLD MINES LTD.

"Kiran Patankar"

Kiran Patankar, President & CEO

NEITHER THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE NOR ITS REGULATION SERVICES PROVIDER (AS THAT TERM IS DEFINED IN THE POLICIES OF THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE) ACCEPTS RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS PRESS RELEASE.

Forward-Looking Statements and Cautionary Notes:

This news release contains "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" (collectively referred to as "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation in Canada. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts; they are generally, but not always, identified by the words "expects," "plans," "anticipates," "believes," "intends," "estimates," "projects," "aims," "potential," "goal," "objective,", "strategy", "prospective," and similar expressions, or that events or conditions "will," "would," "may," "can," "could" or "should" occur, or are those statements, which, by their nature, refer to future events. Forward-looking statements in this news release include, but are not limited to, resource expansion and discovery potential across the Company's gold projects, and its intention to pursue such potential, and the Company's exploration work and results from current and future work programs. Although the Company believes that forward-looking statements in this news release are reasonable, it can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct, as forward-looking statements are based on assumptions, uncertainties and management's best estimate of future events on the date the statements are made and involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Consequently, actual events or results could differ materially from the Company's expectations and projections, and readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. For a more detailed discussion of additional risks and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by forward-looking statements in this news release, please refer to the Company's filings with Canadian securities regulators available on the System for Electronic Document Analysis and Retrieval Plus (SEDAR+) at www.sedarplus.ca or the Company's website at www.maplegoldmines.com. Except to the extent required by applicable securities laws and/or the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange, the Company undertakes no obligation to, and expressly disclaims any intention to, update or revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

________________________

1 The Douay Project contains Indicated Mineral Resources estimated at 10 million tonnes at a grade of 1.59 g/t Au (containing 511,000 ounces of gold), and Inferred Mineral Resources estimated at 76.7 million tonnes at a grade of 1.02 g/t Au (containing 2,527,000 ounces of gold). See the technical report for the Douay Gold Project entitled "Technical Report on the Douay and Joutel Projects Northwestern Quebec, Canada Report for NI 43-101" prepared by SLR Consulting (Canada) Ltd. with an effective date of March 17, 2022, and dated April 29, 2022.

2 The Eagle, Eagle West and Telbel Gold Mines at Joutel were in production from 1974 to 1993 and produced 1.1 million ounces of gold at an average grade of 6.5 g/t Au (Agnico Eagle Mines Limited's corporate website).

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/292784

Source: Maple Gold Mines Ltd.
EndaceProbe's forensic packet data integrates directly into leading IDS/IPS, SIEM, SOAR, XDR, firewalls, NPM/APM, and AI/MLL detection solutions for faster MTTR.

New and upgraded integrations with Endace's always-on packet capture deliver the crucial visibility and forensic evidence that NOC and SOC teams need to protect their networks

EndaceProbes help teams detect and investigate threats and performance issues more efficiently and resolve incidents faster and more accurately

Packet capture authority, Endace, has announced a raft of new partners and updated integrations as part of its Fusion Partner Program, including Cisco XDR, Splunk SIEM, Splunk SOAR, Vectra AI, Microsoft Sentinel, Google SecOps, Exabeam LogRhythm, Palo Alto Networks XSOAR, Sumo Logic, and Fortinet FortiNDR.

"Customers realize that always-on, full packet capture is critical to giving their SOC and NOC teams sufficient visibility into threats and issues on their networks," said Michael Morris, Senior Director of Technology Alliances at Endace. "Our partners see the value of integrating this critical evidence source directly into their solutions to put forensic data right at analysts' fingertips when they're investigating and resolving threats and issues. It's a very synergistic approach. It gives customers a seamless, tightly integrated solution that streamlines and accelerates incident detection, investigation and response."

For 25 years, Endace has provided organizations with innovative, scalable, always-on packet capture that delivers unalterable network truth. Endace's Fusion Partners offer a wide range of solutions including XDR/NDR, SIEM, SOAR, IDS/IPS, firewalls, NPM/APM, and AI/ML detection, all of which benefit from being able to provide users with fast, easy access to full packet data. EndaceProbes also support open-source tools, including Wireshark, Suricata, and Zeek. In fact, Endace is a contributor to Wireshark, the de facto standard for network packet analysis, and is a gold sponsor of the Wireshark Foundation. A full version of Wireshark is hosted on all EndaceProbes.

In 2025 and 2026, EndaceProbes have been providing full packet capture in the Cisco and Splunk "SOC-in-a-Box" at major cybersecurity trade shows and conferences, including RSAC, Black Hat, and Cisco Live.

Many of Endace's Fusion Partners have provided insights about the value of packet data in Endace's Packet Forensics Files interviews. Examples include:

Jessica (Bair) Oppenheimer , Director, SOC Integrations Splunk Security, discusses creating the next-gen SOC, and how Cisco and Splunk built their SOC-in-a-Box solution to protect some of the world's largest cybersecurity and sporting events. Endace is part of the SOC-in-a-Box technology stack.

, Director, SOC Integrations Splunk Security, discusses creating the next-gen SOC, and how Cisco and Splunk built their SOC-in-a-Box solution to protect some of the world's largest cybersecurity and sporting events. Endace is part of the SOC-in-a-Box technology stack. Jack Chan, VP Product Management at Fortinet, talks about how and why NDR is evolving and why network visibility is crucial for cyberdefense.

VP Product Management at Fortinet, talks about how and why NDR is evolving and why network visibility is crucial for cyberdefense. Taran Singh , VP Product Management at Keysight Technologies, highlights the pivotal role of network visibility for incident response and stresses the importance of historical lookback and analyzing packet-level data for incident investigations.

, VP Product Management at Keysight Technologies, highlights the pivotal role of network visibility for incident response and stresses the importance of historical lookback and analyzing packet-level data for incident investigations. Gerald Combs, Wireshark Founder, and Stephen Donnelly, Endace CTO, discuss why packet capture and analysis provide the detailed data required for network troubleshooting.

Morris concluded, "We've added a lot of new partners and integrations over the last year, and interest continues to escalate, with many more partners coming in the months ahead. It truly feels like 2026 is the year that always-on packet capture has become table stakes for all NOC and SOC teams."

Additional Resources:

https://blog.endace.com/2026/04/14/2026-the-year-of-the-packet

https://www.endace.com/introducing-endace

https://www.endace.com/fusion-partners

About Endace:

Endace's scalable, always-on packet capture gives Network Operations and Security teams the deep visibility they need for fast, accurate incident investigation with rich forensic evidence at their fingertips from all their tools. EndaceProbes provide enterprise-class packet sniffing in on-prem, public and private cloud environments, with rapid, centralized search and one-click access to full pcap data from leading security and performance solutions (including Microsoft, Palo Alto Networks, Fortinet, Cisco, Splunk, Elastic, and many others). Analyze network traffic using a single, unified console across all on-prem, private, or public cloud infrastructure for total hybrid cloud visibility. Capture every packet. See every threat. www.endace.com

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260416818765/en/

Contacts:

Email: pr@endace.com

Phone:

Mark Evans, mobile +64-21-494 850 New Zealand APAC

Kimber Smith-Fidler, +1 775 298 5260 USA North America

Leah Jones (The CommsCo) +44 203 697 6680 UK EMEA
Veteran tech leader joins from Google at a pivotal moment, will help expand partnerships with nations around the world as demand for sovereign spatial intelligence systems surges

Vantor, the leader in unified spatial intelligence, today announced that Elie Tabchouri has joined the company as Executive Vice President and General Manager of its International Government business segment. He will lead Vantor's efforts to further scale its international footprint across Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia-Pacific, and Latin America, capitalizing on surging demand for the company's sovereign intelligence capabilities.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260416989135/en/

Elie Tabchouri has joined Vantor as Executive Vice President and General Manager of its International Government business segment. He will lead Vantor's efforts to further scale its international footprint across Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia-Pacific, and Latin America, capitalizing on surging demand for the company's sovereign intelligence capabilities.

Around the world, governments are racing to build advanced geospatial intelligence systems they can own and operate independently-integrating sensors across space, air, and ground, automating intelligence workflows, and deploying insights within secure, sovereign environments.

Vantor is uniquely positioned to meet this need. Its industry-leading satellite constellation, highly accurate spatial foundation, and AI-powered Tensorgloble spatial intelligence platform automate the full intelligence cycle-from collection to analysis to delivery-delivering mission-ready capabilities that support everything from persistent site monitoring to targeting to real-time tactical operations.

Tabchouri joins Vantor from Google with deep experience helping governments integrate advanced AI-powered capabilities into sovereign environments. At Google, he spent the best part of a decade focused on helping governments build AI-powered and sovereign cloud capabilities, including leading public sector cloud businesses across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. Most recently, he led sales for Google's Distributed Cloud business in EMEA, partnering with ministries of defense and government agencies to deploy sovereign on-premise systems.

"Elie has spent his career helping governments build sovereign capability in cutting-edge technology-from the early days of cloud to today's AI-driven systems-often taking programs from concept to reality," said Dan Smoot, Vantor CEO. "That experience is critical for this moment. As governments seek greater control over how intelligence is built and deployed, demand for mission-ready capabilities is accelerating. That demand drove double-digit growth in our international business last year, and I'm excited for Elie to scale that momentum as we help nations strengthen their sovereignty."

Vantor already supports more than 60 government partners worldwide, reflecting growing demand for its capabilities. The company delivers high-resolution satellite imagery, 2D and 3D maps, and AI-powered spatial intelligence infrastructure to support defense, intelligence, civil, and humanitarian missions. Vantor also provides direct access capabilities, enabling nations to task and securely downlink imagery from its constellation into their own environments.

Tabchouri has a track record of building and scaling high-impact businesses internationally, including launching and growing new markets into significant revenue drivers. Prior to Google, he worked at The Boston Consulting Group, where he led digital transformation and strategy initiatives for public sector and regulated industry clients.

"For many years, I've helped nations build sovereign cloud and AI infrastructure from the ground up," said Tabchouri. "What's changing now is how intelligence fits into those systems. Nations are no longer looking for standalone tools-they want integrated capabilities that operate within their own environments and support real missions. Vantor stands out by bringing this together in a single system, from the underlying data to operational deployment. That's what customers are asking for, and I'm excited to help Vantor deliver at a critical time."

While many providers offer either imagery or analytics, governments increasingly require a complete system they can own and operate. Vantor delivers that through Tensorglobe-a unified platform that brings together data from its industry-leading satellite constellation and other sensors into a continuously updated model of the world. Built on Vantor's highly accurate global 2D and 3D spatial foundation, the platform automates the full intelligence cycle and enables customers to move seamlessly from collection to analysis to real-time operations-delivering mission-ready capability across cloud, on-premise, and tactical edge environments.

About Vantor

Vantor is forging the new frontier of spatial intelligence to unlock a more autonomous, interoperable world. We give decision makers and operators the power to build a unified intelligence picture, delivering the clarity they need to navigate what's happening now and shape what's coming next. We fuse data from our constellation, which includes the most capable imaging satellites on orbit, with real-time sensor feeds from space, air, and ground to create an AI-ready digital twin of Earth. Our spatial intelligence platform automates every part of the cycle-from tasking to collection to production-to update and analyze this foundation at the pace of change. Our products drive deeper mission-critical insights and connect the next generation of autonomous systems across the defense, intelligence, and commercial landscape. To learn more, visit www.vantor.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260416989135/en/

Contacts:

Media Contact:

Tomi Maxted

Vantor Communications

Tomi.maxted@vantor.com
Potential Carlin-style host rock on western-flank of Tuscarora, adding to diversity of systems and structures across the District

ICG is continuing to consolidate prospective land in northern Nevada, as activity in the region accelerates, including the planned restart of First Majestic's Jerritt Canyon mine

Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - April 16, 2026) - ICG Silver & Gold Ltd. (CSE: ICG) (FSE: JI0) ("ICG" or the "Company") is pleased to announce a significant expansion of the Tuscarora District ("Tuscarora", the "District", or the "Project") located in Elko County, Nevada, through the payment and staking of 104 additional unpatented mining claims on the western flank of the property (see Figure 1). The acquired claims cover approximately 2,000 acres of highly prospective ground and represent a strategic step toward consolidating the broader Tuscarora District. Given the growth in exploration and development activity in northern Nevada, as evidenced by First Majestic Silver Corp.'s planned restart of the Jerritt Canyon mine, which sits only 16 kilometers away from the Tuscarora District, ICG has made it a top priority to consolidate key claims.

"The newly acquired claims reinforce the district-scale nature of the Tuscarora District, and highlight the prospectivity of the Beard Hill and Dacite targets," said Steven Sirbovan, President, CEO & Director of ICG Silver & Gold Ltd. "The addition of Carlin-style host rock on the western flank is a great complement to the layer cake of epithermal systems we are seeing on the central and eastern portions of our Project."





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This land expansion builds upon the Company's recently completed Controlled-Source Audio Magnetotelluric (CSAMT) geophysical survey (see April 9, 2026 news release). Results from the survey, when integrated with historical geologic mapping and regional datasets, highlighted compelling structural and lithological targets extending onto the newly staked ground (see Figures 2-5).

Highlights

104 new claims staked , adding approximately 2,000 acres to the Tuscarora District

, adding approximately 2,000 acres to the Tuscarora District Expansion captures the western extension of key structural corridors

Ground selection driven by CSAMT results and geological interpretation 3, 5

Supports ICG's strategy to consolidate and control a district-scale land position

Figure 1: Complete land package with CSAMT lines and McCann Creek Structural Zone.

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Geological Upside - Multiple Mineralizing Systems

The Tuscarora District is located between the greater Carlin Trend and the Independence Trend, two Carlin-type gold belts in northern Nevada. The Carlin Trend is one of the world's most prolific gold districts, with production and resources exceeding 100 million ounces of gold2,4. The Independence Trend hosts multiple gold systems, including the Jerritt Canyon District, which has produced approximately 9.85 million ounces of gold1. This favorable regional setting highlights the District's proximity to large, well-endowed mineral systems and underscores its potential to host significant gold mineralization. The recently expanded land position is interpreted to encompass a highly prospective geological setting where two distinct, but potentially related mineralizing systems may be present:

Established low-sulphidation epithermal silver-gold and gold-silver systems within the Tuscarora District 2

Proximal to favorable sedimentary lithologies associated with Carlin-style, sediment-hosted gold systems

Figure 2: Inset regional geology map3 showing the Tuscarora District land position (outlined in black and pink), including newly staked claims, interpreted structural corridors, and historical sample locations.

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Importantly, both geological environments are interpreted to be of similar Eocene age (approximately 39.97-39.3 million years old5), suggesting the potential for shared or, more likely, overlapped mineralizing episodes.

This geological setting creates a compelling exploration scenario in which structural controls, fluid pathways, and lithologic contrasts may have focused mineralization of multiple styles into a district-scale target.

Dacite and Beard Hill Targets - Emerging Feeder System

Recent integration of CSAMT data, historical mapping, and geological interpretation has significantly advanced the Company's understanding of the Dacite and Beard Hill targets. These targets, previously interpreted as near-surface expressions of mineralization, are now understood to be linked to a deeper, structurally controlled source. Interpretation of the dataset indicates that mineralization at both Dacite and Beard Hill is likely sourced from the McCann Creek Structural Zone, which is interpreted to represent a fluid conduit and feeder structure within the District.

Figure 3: Line 900 (L900) Inverted Resistivity Complete Section with newly identified structures and known mineralization.

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Figure 4: Line 900 (L900) Inverted Resistivity Section, Eastern Half with surface gold values and silver values.

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https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/12036/292781_3cf7e85f04630a45_005full.jpg

Figure 5: Line 900 (L900) Inverted Resistivity Section, Western Half with surface gold values.

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/12036/292781_3cf7e85f04630a45_006full.jpg

This evolving model suggests that the Dacite and Beard Hill targets are not isolated or rafted fragments of a mineralized system, but rather represent the upper expressions of a coherent mineralizing system rooted at depth. The identification of this feeder relationship materially enhances the exploration potential of the project by:

Demonstrating a clear genetic link between surface mineralization and a deeper source

Highlighting the McCann Creek Structural Zone as a priority target for future drill testing

Supporting the potential for increased scale both laterally and at depth

Providing a vector toward higher-grade or more continuous mineralization along structural pathways

This interpretation reinforces the Company's district-scale thesis for Tuscarora and provides a compelling framework for targeting deeper mineralization beneath known surface showings.

By securing this ground, ICG has expanded its control over the broader mineral system and is now positioned to evaluate the Project as a district-scale opportunity with multiple target types and exploration vectors.

Next Steps

The Company is advancing toward a comprehensive exploration program that will incorporate:

3D inversion modeling of all the CSAMT datasets

Integration of historical drilling and mapping into a 3D geological model

Refinement of high-priority drill targets across the expanded land package

Continued evaluation of additional consolidation opportunities

Live Webinar

The Company is hosting a live webinar, today, to provide an overview of the Company and the Tuscarora District, outline ICG's current focus and growth strategy and discuss recent developments and what they could mean for potential value creation.

Date: Thursday, April 16th, 2026

Time: 4:30pm ET / 1:30pm PT

Registration Link: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_swHd76-7QUWL-2ZGvy_dMA

Corporate Update

The Company also announces that it has granted an aggregate of 350,000 stock options (the "Options") to certain consultants of the Company. The Options are exercisable $0.51 per common share for a period of 5 years from the date of grant. The Options will vest as to one-third (1/3) at six (6) months from the date of grant, one-third (1/3) at nine (9) months from the date of grant, and the remaining one-third (1/3) at twelve (12) months from the date of grant, in accordance with the Company's stock option plan and the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange (the "CSE").

In addition, the Company has issued an aggregate of 3,400,000 restricted share units (the "RSUs") to certain directors and officers of the Company pursuant to its equity incentive plan. The RSUs will vest as follows: one-third (1/3) on the first anniversary of the date of grant, one-third (1/3) on the second anniversary of the date of grant, and the remaining one-third (1/3) on the third anniversary of the date of grant, subject to the terms of the Company's equity incentive plan and applicable award agreements.

All securities issued pursuant to the Options and RSUs are subject to applicable hold periods in accordance with Canadian securities laws and the policies of the CSE.

References:

First Majestic Silver Corp.. (2026, April 2). First Majestic announces restart plan for Jerritt Canyon gold mine. https://www.firstmajestic.com/investors/news-releases/first-majestic-announces-restart-plan-for-jerritt-canyon-gold-mine Ghiglieri, R., & Patterson, L. (2025). Major mines of Nevada 2024: Mineral industries in Nevada's economy (Nevada Bureau of Mines and Geology Special Publication P-36). University of Nevada, Reno. Henry, C.D. and Boden, D.R., (1998), Geologic Map of the Mount Blitzen Quadrangle Nevada, Nevada Bureau of Mines and Geology, Map 110, 1:24,000. Jowitt, S. M., Micander, R., Richards, M., & Reynolds, D. (2023). The Nevada mineral industry 2022 (Nevada Bureau of Mines and Geology Special Publication MI-2022). University of Nevada, Reno. Wright, J.L. (2026). Tuscarora Property CSAMT Survey - 2026 GIS Database. Report prepared for ICG Resources Ltd., J.L. Wright Geophysics, January 9, 2026.

Disclosure on Sampling Data

Figures shown include historical data and data collected by the Company. Historical sampling programs were conducted by various operators and may not meet current QA/QC standards as defined under National Instrument 43-101. The Company has not verified all historical sampling data and such information should be considered indicative only. Any future work conducted by the Company will incorporate industry-standard QA/QC protocols.

QP STATEMENT

The scientific and technical information contained in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Steven L. McMillin, P.G., of Rangefront Mining Services, a "Qualified Person" as defined by National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects and independent consultant to the Company.

About ICG Silver & Gold Ltd.

ICG Silver & Gold Ltd. is a new mineral exploration and development company advancing the Tuscarora District in northern Nevada. The Company's strategy is centered on:

Advancing the Tuscarora District through systematic exploration and technical studies;

Building a district-scale geological model; and

Progressing the project toward resource definition and future development.

The Tuscarora District is a silver-gold epithermal system located on the Carlin Trend, approximately one hour northwest of Elko, Nevada. ICG controls 100% of the approximately 10,000-acre land package, which has extensive rock chip sampling, thousands of meters of reverse circulation and core drilling, and tens of kilometers of CSAMT geophysics completed on the property. ICG fundamentally believes in the long-term value of precious metals exploration, especially silver and gold, and is led by a technical and management team with extensive experience in exploration, permitting, capital markets, and development of mining projects in the Western United States, including Nevada.

The Canadian Securities Exchange has neither approved nor disapproved the contents of this news release.

Forward-looking Information

This news release includes certain statements that may be deemed "forward-looking statements". All statements in this news release, other than statements of historical facts, that address events or developments that the Company expects to occur, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts and are generally, but not always, identified by the words "expects", "plans", "anticipates", "believes", "intends", "estimates", "projects", "potential" and similar expressions, or that events or conditions "will", "would", "may", "could" or "should" occur. Forward-looking statements in this news release include, without limitation, statements related to ICG's exploration plans; the potential for shared or overlapped mineralizing episodes; the identification of feeder structures and structural controls on mineralization; the Company's strategy to consolidate and control a district-scale land position; and the vesting of stock options and restricted share units. Although the Company believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause the actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include market prices, continued availability of capital and financing, exploration risks and uncertainties, the ability to obtain necessary permits and regulatory approvals, changes in environmental and other applicable legislation, the uncertainty of mineral exploration and development, title risks, reliance on key personnel, and general economic, market or business conditions. Investors are cautioned that any such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs, estimates and opinions of the Company's management on the date the statements are made. Except as required by applicable securities laws, the Company undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements in the event that management's beliefs, estimates or opinions, or other factors, should change.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/292781

Source: ICG Silver & Gold Ltd.
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan--(Newsfile Corp. - April 16, 2026) - 1844 Resources Inc. (TSXV: EFF) ("1844" or the "Company") is pleased to provide a follow-up on its recent geological disclosure, further refining the understanding of mineralization styles and controls at its flagship SV2 copper project in the Gaspe Peninsula, Quebec.

The Company has integrated historical data, stratigraphic interpretation, and alteration models to better characterize the distribution of copper mineralization across multiple horizons within the system.

Key Geological Developments

The discovery of porphyry- and skarn-style copper deposits in Gaspe, associated with felsic to intermediate porphyritic intrusions, requires a detailed understanding of the geological units present. The Mont Copper porphyry copper deposit, together with the cupriferous skarns at Mont Needle and Sullipek, provides a strong illustration of this style of mineralization.

All of these deposits share common characteristics: they developed within the same stratigraphic unit, the Gaspe Superior Limestones, and are linked to a deep heat source responsible for hydrothermal activity. This activity produces an alteration halo which, under favorable conditions, can lead to the formation of significant mineral deposits. This extensive alteration system includes unaltered sedimentary rocks, as well as skarns, porcelanites, hornfels, marbles, and porphyritic intrusive rocks. Copper may occur throughout the alteration halo, but it is primarily associated with skarns, porcelanites, and retrograde vein systems (stockworks) formed during the cooling of the intrusive units.

Several factors favor the emplacement of mineralization within this alteration halo:

Host rock lithogeochemistry : The chemical composition of the host rocks plays a key role, as it may favor the precipitation of sulfide minerals. Suitable geochemistry allows mineralizing elements to migrate and accumulate.

: The chemical composition of the host rocks plays a key role, as it may favor the precipitation of sulfide minerals. Suitable geochemistry allows mineralizing elements to migrate and accumulate. Fracture zones and porosity: Fractures, faults, and rock porosity facilitate the circulation of mineralizing fluids, increasing the probability of mineralization. These zones act as preferential pathways for the transport of the elements required to form deposits.

Fractures, faults, and rock porosity facilitate the circulation of mineralizing fluids, increasing the probability of mineralization. These zones act as preferential pathways for the transport of the elements required to form deposits. Heterogeneity of sedimentary formations with impermeable strata: The alternation of permeable and impermeable layers creates natural traps for minerals, promoting their movement and accumulation. This heterogeneity helps retain mineralizing fluids in specific areas, maximizing deposit formation.

The alternation of permeable and impermeable layers creates natural traps for minerals, promoting their movement and accumulation. This heterogeneity helps retain mineralizing fluids in specific areas, maximizing deposit formation. Upward-dipping strata: Upward-dipping beds facilitate the vertical migration of mineralizing fluids, promoting the movement of mineralizing elements toward favorable zones of concentration.

Upward-dipping beds facilitate the vertical migration of mineralizing fluids, promoting the movement of mineralizing elements toward favorable zones of concentration. Folds: Anticlinal and monoclinal folds create structural traps where fluids may accumulate and mineralization may concentrate. Secondary parasitic folds associated with major regional folds may also locally focus mineralization and create priority exploration targets.

The Gaspe Superior Limestones include several sedimentary formations capable of hosting metamorphic and metasomatic alteration zones related to the emplacement of felsic to intermediate porphyritic intrusions. At Murdochville, these formations include Indian Cove, Shiphead, and Forillon (Figure 1).

Figure 1



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At Sullipek and Sullipek East, the prospective units, which occur lower in the sedimentary sequence, are the Forillon, IP1, and West Point formations (Figure 2).

Figure 2



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Management Commentary

Sylvain Laberge, President & CEO, added:

"What is particularly compelling is the direct correlation between surface mineralization at SV2 and the deeper horizons observed in the Murdochville district. This positions our project within the same mineralized system and provides a clear geological framework to guide exploration. With permits secured and targets advancing, we are now moving toward a focused drill program designed to test this model."

Next Steps

The Company is incorporating this refined mineralization model into its 2026 exploration program. Upcoming work will focus on:

Final targeting of priority drill zones

Integration of historical drilling with modern geophysics

Systematic testing of key stratigraphic and alteration-controlled targets

Further updates will be provided as the Company advances toward its planned drill campaign in late summer / early fall 2026.

About 1844 Resources Inc.

1844 is a Canadian exploration company focused on unlocking the value of strategic and energy-transition metals in the underexplored region of the Gaspe Peninsula, Quebec. The Company is committed to disciplined exploration and long-term value creation through discovery.

Qualified Person

Bernard-Olivier Martel, P.Geo, Director of Exploration, is a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 and has reviewed and approved the technical information contained in this news release.

Forward-Looking Information

This press release contains forward-looking statements and information within the meaning of applicable securities laws. These statements relate to future exploration plans, geological interpretations, and potential mineralization. Forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The Company undertakes no obligation to update such statements except as required by law.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/292853

Source: 1844 Resources Inc.
Calgary, Alberta--(Newsfile Corp. - April 16, 2026) - Resverlogix Corp. (TSX: RVX) ("Resverlogix" or the "Company") announces the revocation, effective April 15, 2026, of a management cease trade order ("MCTO") issued by the Alberta Securities Commission (the "ASC") on April 1, 2026 at the request of the Company.

The Company filed its audited financial statements, management's discussion & analysis, certifications of annual filings, and annual information form for the year ended December 31, 2025 on April 10, 2026.

The MCTO applied only to the Company's Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer and did not restrict trading by the general investing public.

The Company confirms it is current with its disclosure obligations and anticipates complying with upcoming filing deadlines.

About Resverlogix

Founded in 2001, Resverlogix is a Calgary based late-stage biotechnology company, and a world leader in epigenetics, with the goal of developing first-in-class therapies for the benefit of patients with chronic disease.

Resverlogix is developing a new class of epigenetic therapies designed to regulate the expression of disease-causing genes. We aim to improve patients' lives by restoring biological functions - altered by serious illnesses such as cardiovascular disease - back to a healthier state.

The Company's clinical program is focused on evaluating the lead epigenetic candidate apabetalone for the treatment of cardiovascular disease, associated comorbidities, and post COVID-19 conditions.

Resverlogix common shares trade on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX: RVX).

Follow us on:

X.com: @Resverlogix_RVX

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/resverlogix-corp-/

Forward Looking Statements:

This news release may contain certain forward-looking information as defined under applicable Canadian securities legislation, that are not based on historical fact, including without limitation statements containing the words "believes", "anticipates", "plans", "intends", "will", "should", "expects", "continue", "estimate", "forecasts", and other similar expressions. In particular, this news release includes forward looking information related to the potential role of apabetalone in the treatment of patients with cardiovascular disease, post COVID-19 conditions, pulmonary arterial hypertension, associated comorbidities, and other chronic diseases. Our actual results, events or developments could be materially different from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. We can give no assurance that any of the events or expectations will occur or be realized. By their nature, forward-looking statements are subject to numerous assumptions and risk factors including those discussed in our Annual Information Form and most recent MD&A which are incorporated herein by reference and are available through SEDAR at www.sedarplus.ca. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement and are made as of the date hereof. The Company disclaims any intention and has no obligation or responsibility, except as required by law, to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

www.resverlogix.com

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/292827

Source: Resverlogix Corp.
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - April 16, 2026) - Lodestar Metals Corp. (TSXV: LSTR) (OTC PINK: SVTNF) (FSE: PR90) ("Lodestar" or the "Company") a junior exploration company focused on unlocking world-class gold potential in Nevada, is pleased to announce the acquisition of an important mining patent on its flagship Gold Run project.

"The purchase agreement on the Black Diamond patent is another important step forward for Lodestar," said Lowell Kamin, President & CEO of Lodestar Metals. "Research into the mining history at Black Diamond and recent fieldwork have elevated the potential of this exciting prospect area and given us more flexibility to drill and unlock its value."





Figure 1: Gridded silver-in-soil image showing rock assays for silver (ppm) clearly demonstrating extensive silver mineralisation over at least 550 metres strike

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/3029/292737_d7db0eb4c4a5ebdb_001full.jpg

Black Diamond Mining Patent

A privately-owned mineral patent (the "Black Diamond Patent" or the "Patent"), measuring 600m by 80m, partially covers the northern portion of the Independence Trend, one of Lodestar's highest-priority drill target areas (Figure 1). The Patent covers much of the Black Diamond structure, where historical records document high-grade silver mineralization that was historically mined. Under the 1872 Mining Act, surface and mineral rights on unpatented mining claims with established mineral potential could be transferred to private ownership, creating a patented mining claim. Lodestar executed a lease-and-purchase agreement for the Black Diamond Patent for the consideration set forth below. This is a significant opportunity for Lodestar, given that the Patent has been held for over 100 years and has never been drilled.

Previous work over the Black Diamond Patent has shown compelling evidence to support the validity of the target area for future exploration efforts:

Extensive historical rock chip sampling, as well as that by Lodestar in 2024, demonstrates that silver mineralisation at surface ranges from 20 g/t and up to 3,307 g/t over at least 550 metres of strike (Figure 1) (see NI 43-101 Technical Report on the Gold Run property, May 12, 2025).

Soil sampling by Lodestar shows a high tenor silver-in-soil anomaly over the Black Diamond Patent over the same 550m strike with soil values over 1 g/t silver and up to 33 g/t silver (see News Release Oct 28, 2025).

Historical DDIP work indicates at least one strong, untested chargeability anomaly along the western edge of the Black Diamond Patent (Figure 2), which is a target for the current round of drilling (see News Release Dec 2, 2025).

New DDIP work by Lodestar Metals showed a second DDIP anomaly with depth extent down to 200m (Figure 2) along the western edge of the Patent area, further supporting the validity of the prospect area (see News Release March 10, 2026).





Figure 2: 3D Image looking northwest showing the Black Diamond Mining Patent (dash white) and highlight rock assays for silver and gold (coloured cubes) and associated DDIP chargeability anomalies.

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/3029/292737_d7db0eb4c4a5ebdb_002full.jpg

The geology of the Black Diamond area is characterized by extensive irregular thrust faults and a close association with felsic dykes that were mapped by Cambior in 1997 (Figures 1 and 3). Rock chip assays by Lodestar at Black Diamond in 2024 indicate a close association of high grade silver with various other metals: gold up to 2.7 g/t, copper up to 0.5%, lead up to 1%, zinc up to 0.4% and pathfinder metals arsenic up to 1000 ppm, molybdenum up to 49 ppm, and antimony up to 955 ppm. This metal association suggests possible polymetallic, intrusion-related mineralization.

With the Black Diamond Patent lease, Lodestar has the flexibility to drill near-surface targets for silver mineralization. The Patent area is being assessed for drilling in the current program.





Figure 3: Interpreted bedrock geology map of the Gold Run Project showing the highlight gold intercepts from previous drilling, location of DDIP lines, and the location of the newly acquired Mining Patent.

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/3029/292737_d7db0eb4c4a5ebdb_003full.jpg

Terms of the Lease and Purchase Agreement

Under the terms of the Lease and Purchase Agreement, Lodestar may acquire the Patent by making cash payments totalling USD $75,000 as follows: USD $20,000 on signing; USD $20,000 on the first anniversary; and USD $35,000 on the second anniversary. Upon acquisition of the Patent, Lodestar will grant a 2% net smelter return royalty to the vendor, which may be repurchased in its entirety for USD $75,000.

Disclaimers

1 Summaries of drill targets and intercepts, and supporting technical data were provided in the Company's December 2, 2025, News Release.

2 The Company has identified historical drill intercepts in the Property's historical database, which was acquired. The Company has not verified the intercepts, and there is limited available information regarding sampling methodologies, analytical procedures, and associated QAQC protocols. The historical intercepts are considered relevant for exploration targeting, which is intended to validate and assess the continuity and reliability of the reported mineralization. Readers are cautioned that the historical information should not be relied upon until it has been independently verified.

Qualified Person

Ty Magee, P. Geo., a Qualified Person, as defined by NI 43-101, and a consultant to the Company, has reviewed and approved the scientific and technical information contained in this news release.

ABOUT LODESTAR METALS

Lodestar Metals Corp. is a Canadian gold exploration company focused on advancing the drill-ready Gold Run Project in Nevada, strategically located on a major Carlin-type gold trend and adjacent to some of the largest gold deposits in North America. With decades of combined geological and capital markets expertise, Lodestar follows a disciplined, step-by-step approach to discovery. The Company's strategy is clear: focus capital on high-value targets, move quickly on known mineralization, and build a compliant gold resource that delivers lasting shareholder value. For more information, please visit www.lodestarmetals.ca.

Forward-Looking Statements

The information set forth in this news release contains forward-looking statements based on assumptions as of the date of this news release. These statements reflect management's current estimates, beliefs, intentions, and expectations. They are not guarantees of future performance. Lodestar cautions that all forward-looking statements are inherently uncertain and that actual performance may be affected by several material factors, many of which are beyond Lodestar's control. Such factors include, among other things, risks and uncertainties relating to Lodestar's limited operating history and the need to comply with environmental and governmental regulations. Accordingly, actual and future events, conditions, and results may differ materially from the estimates.

NEITHER TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE NOR ITS REGULATION SERVICES PROVIDER (AS THAT TERM IS DEFINED IN THE POLICIES OF THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE) ACCEPTS RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS RELEASE.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/292737

Source: Lodestar Metals Corp.
SAN MARCOS, Texas, April 16, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Pivot Charter Schools, a California network of four tuition-free public charter schools, announces the continued expansion of student-led academic initiatives across its campuses, highlighting measurable outcomes among students who have not found success in conventional school settings.

Pivot Charter Schools Turns Journalism Class to Newspaper, Enrolling K12 Beyond Traditional Settings Pivot Charter Schools Turns Journalism Class to Newspaper, Enrolling K12 Beyond Traditional Settings

At Pivot San Diego, a small on-site Journalism class launched last spring has developed into a fully student-run newspaper, now led by an editorial team of nine students spanning multiple grade levels. The initiative provides a structured platform for student voice, creativity, and collaboration, contributing to increased student engagement and participation on campus.

The development reflects Pivot Charter Schools' broader educational model, which is designed to provide supportive learning environments where students can identify and build on their individual strengths.

At the center of the model is a deliberate use of online coursework not to replace in-person learning, but to personalize each student's educational experience. Students can engage online and at the small, safe learning centers. Credentialed teachers can identify what students understand and where they need support in real time, then provide targeted help through workshops and tutoring.

"We can see what a student did seconds ago. If they're stuck, we get on it right away  through workshops, direct instruction, or one-on-one tutoring," says Jayna Gaskell, Executive Director and Superintendent of Pivot Charter Schools.

In addition to online coursework, students participate in site-based programs that offer in-person classes and enrichment opportunities  from core academics like Algebra to hands-on creative courses, social activities, field trips, and community-building events at each campus resource center.

The model is designed for students who may not thrive in traditional large school settings, including those who have experienced bullying, fallen behind academically, prefer a quieter environment, or want to accelerate their learning. The flexible structure allows students to move at a pace that fits their needs, whether they are working, parenting, or managing other circumstances.

Pivot's approach begins with understanding each student socially, emotionally, and academically. Teachers and support staff build strong connections with students and work as a coordinated team to design highly personalized programs that help students re-engage with their education.

"Our goal is to help students rediscover their confidence as learners. When given the right environment and a different way to access learning, they often realize they are capable of far more than they believed," adds Gaskell.

Many high school students at Pivot concurrently enroll in community college courses, earning credits early and expanding their academic opportunities. The network also runs a Grad Track program for students who arrive credit-deficient, building a graduation path around each student's actual circumstances.

Pivot Charter Schools offers a blended learning model that pairs an online curriculum with in-person instruction, individualized teacher support, and college and career preparation across campuses in Sonoma, Butte, Riverside, San Diego, and all adjacent counties.

About Pivot Charter Schools

Pivot Charter Schools is a network of tuition-free, fully accredited public charter schools serving K12 across four California campuses  Pivot North Bay (Santa Rosa), Pivot North Valley (Chico), Pivot Riverside (Corona), and Pivot San Diego (San Marcos). Students access an online curriculum 24 hours a day alongside resource center classes, virtual workshops, and credentialed teacher support  a flexible model for students who are working, parenting, credit-deficient, or have not succeeded in a traditional school setting.

Contact

PangeaGlobe on behalf of Pivot Charter Schools

[email protected]

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2958405/Pivot_Charter_Schools_Photo_1.jpg

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SOURCE Pivot Charter Schools
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - April 16, 2026) - Founders Metals Inc. (TSXV: FDR) (OTCQX: FDMIF) (FSE: 9DL0) ("Founders" or the "Company") announces the completion of a comprehensive two-year environmental baseline assessment at its Antino Gold Project ("Antino" or the "Project") in southeastern Suriname. The study, conducted by Caribbean Environmental Risk Solutions ("CARI-ERS"), spanned four seasonal campaigns from July 2024 to November 2025 - covering two wet seasons and two dry seasons - and represents the first environmental baseline study at the Antino project area. Environmental baseline data is a prerequisite for environmental impact assessment and project feasibility work, and its early completion positions the Company to advance these longer lead-time studies in parallel with its ongoing exploration program.

Colin Padget, President & CEO, commented, "Environmental baseline data is one of the longest lead-time items required to advance a project toward development, and completing this work now keeps us well ahead of the curve. The data collected over these four seasonal campaigns provides us with the evidence base required to design future development plans in a manner that meets international environmental standards. It also positions us to move directly into environmental impact assessment and feasibility work when the time comes to advance the project toward production."

Highlights

First-ever environmental baseline at Antino: No previous operator conducted environmental baseline studies at the project area, despite exploration activity dating back to early 1990s. The completed study fills this critical data gap and establishes the evidential foundation required for future environmental impact assessment and project feasibility work.

No previous operator conducted environmental baseline studies at the project area, despite exploration activity dating back to early 1990s. The completed study fills this critical data gap and establishes the evidential foundation required for future environmental impact assessment and project feasibility work. International standards compliance: All fieldwork was conducted in accordance with IFC Performance Standards and the Convention on Biological Diversity, providing a dataset acceptable to potential future international funding sources.

All fieldwork was conducted in accordance with IFC Performance Standards and the Convention on Biological Diversity, providing a dataset acceptable to potential future international funding sources. Comprehensive four-season dataset: The study integrated aquatic ecosystem assessments (water quality, sediment quality, fish communities, benthic macrofauna, periphyton, and environmental DNA) with terrestrial biodiversity evaluations (mammals, birds, and botany) across ten sampling locations and four seasonal campaigns.

The study integrated aquatic ecosystem assessments (water quality, sediment quality, fish communities, benthic macrofauna, periphyton, and environmental DNA) with terrestrial biodiversity evaluations (mammals, birds, and botany) across ten sampling locations and four seasonal campaigns. Pre-existing environmental impacts documented: The study identified and quantified pre-existing environmental impacts attributable to decades of small-scale mining activity, including habitat fragmentation and alteration of stream systems. These impacts predate Founders' involvement and provide essential context for future environmental management and rehabilitation planning.

The study identified and quantified pre-existing environmental impacts attributable to decades of small-scale mining activity, including habitat fragmentation and alteration of stream systems. These impacts predate Founders' involvement and provide essential context for future environmental management and rehabilitation planning. Positions Company for future development studies: Completion of the baseline assessment is a prerequisite for environmental impact assessment and feasibility studies. Having this work substantially complete at the exploration stage allows Founders to advance these longer lead-time workstreams in parallel with its ongoing drill program as the Company works toward a maiden mineral resource estimate.

Study Overview

The baseline assessment was designed and executed by CARI-ERS Suriname N.V., an independent environmental consultancy, across ten sampling locations within the Antino project area (Figure 1). Fieldwork covered four seasonal campaigns (Wet Season 2024, Dry Season 2024, Wet Season 2025, and Dry Season 2025) and was conducted in accordance with IFC Performance Standards and the Convention on Biological Diversity.

Next Steps

Founders intends to continue baseline monitoring at a minimum of twice per year to further strengthen the dataset, in parallel with its ongoing exploration activities at Antino. The Company will use the data to inform future environmental impact assessment and project feasibility studies as the project continues to advance.





Figure 1: Environmental Baseline Study Area at Antino

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About Founders Metals Inc.

Founders Metals Inc. is a Canadian gold exploration company building a district-scale gold camp in southeastern Suriname. The Company controls a 102,360-hectare contiguous land package in the Guiana Shield - the largest uninterrupted package of highly prospective greenstone belt geology in the region. Founders is backed by strategic partnerships with Gold Fields and B2Gold and is executing one of the most active exploration programs in the global junior gold sector. The Company is committed to responsible exploration, strong community engagement, and disciplined capital allocation as it advances Suriname's next major gold camp.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS,

Per: "Colin Padget"

Colin Padget

President, Chief Executive Officer, and Director

Qualified Persons

The technical content of this news release has been reviewed and approved by Michael Dufresne, M.Sc., P.Geol., P.Geo., an independent qualified person as defined by National Instrument 43-101.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information

This press release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation, including statements regarding the Company's plans for continued environmental baseline monitoring, future environmental impact assessment and feasibility studies, rehabilitation planning, and the Company's prospects. Forward-looking information can generally be identified by words such as "plans", "expects", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates", "believes", or variations indicating that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will" occur or be achieved.

Forward-looking statements are based on management's current expectations and reasonable assumptions but are subject to business, market, and economic risks, uncertainties, and contingencies that may cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied, including: general business and economic uncertainties; exploration results; mining industry risks; environmental risks and regulatory requirements; and other factors described in the Company's most recent annual management discussion and analysis. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially, other factors may cause results not to be as anticipated. There can be no assurance that forward-looking information will prove accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking information except in accordance with applicable securities laws. Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

All material information on Founders Metals can be found at www.sedarplus.ca.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/292830

Source: Founders Metals Inc.
Pawtucket, Rhode Island--(Newsfile Corp. - April 16, 2026) - Teknor Apex B.V., a subsidiary of Teknor Apex Company today announced it has entered into a joint venture with Shriram Polytech Ltd., a subsidiary of DCM Shriram Ltd. - one of India's leading industrial companies engaged in PVC compounds. The joint venture will operate under the brand name PolyTek.

This partnership represents a significant milestone in Teknor Apex's strategy to strengthen and grow its Polymer compounds portfolio and develop its global partnerships in high-growth sectors. By combining Shriram Polytech's strong domestic presence and manufacturing capability in vinyl compounds with Teknor Apex's global formulation capabilities, the joint venture aims to deliver high-performance and technically advanced, specialty polymer solutions for diverse industrial applications.

India's emergence as one of the world's fastest-growing manufacturing and consumption hubs presents a compelling opportunity for innovation-led growth in advanced polymer compounds. Through PolyTek, the partnership will leverage India's strategic position to enhance supply chain resilience, improve access to cutting-edge material technologies, and elevate product performance standards across industries.

Donald Wiseman, Chief Executive Officer of Teknor Apex, said: "Our collaboration combines Shriram Polytech's presence in vinyl materials with Teknor Apex's formulating expertise to deliver high-performance solutions for one of Asia's largest industrial ecosystems. By combining our strengths, we gain immediate access to a well-established local platform, deep market insight, and a strong manufacturing foundation."

Ajay S Shriram, Chairman & Sr Managing Director, DCM Shriram Ltd., added: "This partnership reflects our strategic intent to build future-ready businesses by combining global expertise with strong domestic capabilities. India is at an inflection point in advanced technologies and manufacturing, and through this joint venture, we aim to create a platform that delivers high-performance products and solutions at scale. Together with Teknor Apex, we are well positioned to drive innovation, strengthen supply chain resilience, and serve the evolving needs of both Indian and global customers."

The joint venture reflects a shared commitment to operational excellence, scale, sustainability, and responsible growth. PolyTek will focus on providing advanced polymer solutions that meet evolving customer needs while aligning with global environmental standards.

By integrating global innovation with local execution capabilities, the partnership is well positioned to accelerate growth, deepen customer engagement, and expand its footprint in one of the world's most dynamic markets.

###

About Teknor Apex Company

Teknor Apex Company, founded in 1924 and headquartered in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, USA, is a global provider of plastic material science solutions. The company manufactures a broad portfolio of materials including vinyl compounds, thermoplastic elastomers, and engineering thermoplastics, with operations across the United States, Europe, and Asia.

For more information, visit: www.teknorapex.com

About Shriram Polytech Ltd.

Shriram Polytech Ltd., a subsidiary of DCM Shriram Ltd., is a leading plastics compounding company in India. It specializes in vinyl compounds and specialty polymer solutions, serving a wide range of industrial applications with a strong focus on quality, innovation, and customer-centricity.

For more information, visit: www.dcmshriram.com.

READER INQUIRY INFORMATION: Americas: Teknor Apex, 505 Central Avenue, Pawtucket, RI 02861 U.S.A. Tel.: 1-401-725-8000. Email: info@teknorapex.com Europe: Teknor Germany Gmbh, Am Rodlein 1, 91541 Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Germany Tel.: +49-(0) 9861 97497 0 Asia: Teknor Apex Asia Pacific, 41 Shipyard Road, Singapore 628134. Tel.: 65-6265-2544.





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Source: Teknor Apex
Siegfried AG / Key word(s): AGMEGM

Siegfried shareholders approve all proposals at Annual General Meeting 2026



16.04.2026 / 13:47 CET/CEST





Media Release

Zofingen, April 16, 2026 The 123rd Annual General Meeting (AGM) of Siegfried Holding AG held in the Stadtsaal Zofingen was attended by 240 shareholders representing more than 63% of the share capital. The AGM passed the following resolutions: The Annual Report, the annual financial statements, and the consolidated financial statements for the 2025 financial year, as well as the Report on Non-Financial Matters were approved.

The proposal to reduce the company's ordinary share capital by reducing the current nominal value of CHF 0.72 per share by CHF 0.40 to CHF 0.32 per share. The payment will be made on April 30, 2026, to shareholders holding the shares on the record date (April 29, 2026). Shares must be purchased by April 27, 2026 (cum date) to be eligible. In this context, the renewal of the capital band to increase the share capital by a maximum of 10% with a maximum term until April 16, 2031 was approved.

The Board of Directors was granted discharge.

The Remuneration Report for the 2025 financial year was approved in a consultative vote. The maximum remuneration of the Board of Directors for the coming term of office, the maximum fixed remuneration of the Executive Committee for the 2027 financial year, the short-term performance-related remuneration of the Executive Committee for the 2025 financial year, and the long-term performance-related remuneration for the current financial year in the form of performance share units were approved.

The existing members of the Board of Directors - Dr. Alexandra Brand, Elodie Carr-Cingari, Isabelle Welton, Prof. Dr. Wolfram Carius, Dr. Martin Schmid and Dr. Beat Walti - were reelected for a further term of office. Dr. Andreas Casutt did not stand for re-election.

Karl Petersson and Dr. Thomas Wozniewski were newly elected to the Board of Directors, strengthening the Board's industry expertise and strategic perspective.

Dr. Beat Walti was elected as Chair of the Board as the successor of Dr. Andreas Casutt.

The Remuneration Committee will be composed of Isabelle Welton, Dr. Martin Schmid and Dr. Thomas Wozniewski

Rolf Freiermuth, attorney-at-law in Zofingen, and PricewaterhouseCoopers AG, Basel, were reelected as independent voting proxy and external auditors, respectively. At today's 123rd Annual General Meeting, Siegfried Holding AG's shareholders approved all proposals of the Board of Directors. They approved to reduce the ordinary share capital by CHF 0.40 to CHF 0.32 per share. The shareholders also approved the election of Dr. Beat Walti as Chair, and Karl Petersson and Dr. Thomas Wozniewski as members of the Board of Directors. Contact Financial analysts: Media: Dr. Reto Suter Peter Stierli Chief Financial Officer Head Corporate Communications reto.suter@siegfried.ch peter.stierli@siegfried.ch Tel. +41 62 746 11 35 Tel. +41 62 746 15 51 Siegfried Holding AG Untere Bruehlstrasse 4 CH-4800 Zofingen

About Siegfried



The Siegfried Group is a global life sciences company with sites in Switzerland, Germany, Spain, France, Malta, the USA and China. In 2025, the company achieved sales of CHF 1,327.8 million and employed on 31.12.2025 more than 3,800 people at thirteen sites on three continents. Siegfried Holding AG is publicly listed on SIX Swiss Exchange (SIX: SFZN). Siegfried is active in manufacturing pharmaceutical APIs (and their intermediates) as well as drug products (tablets, capsules, sterile vials, ampoules, cartridges and ointments) for the pharmaceutical industry and provides development services.







Cautionary statements regarding forward-looking statements



This media release includes statements concerning the future. They are based on assumptions and expectations that may prove to be wrong. They should be considered with due caution as, by definition, they contain known and unknown risks, insecurities and other factors which could result in a difference in the actual results, financial situation, developments or the success of Siegfried Holding AG or Siegfried Group from the explicit or implicit assumptions made in these statements. expect more

Siegfried AG

Untere Bruhlstrasse 4

4800 Zofingen, Switzerland



+41 62 746 11 11

info@siegfried.ch

www.siegfried.ch





End of Media Release

View original content: EQS News
Partnership highlights streamlined spatial biology workflows combining advanced multiplex IF reagents and AI-powered image analysis

OBERKOCHEN, Germany, April 16, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Revolune GmbH, a life science company focused on simplifying spatial biology through streamlined multiplex immunofluorescence (mIF) reagents, today announced it will exhibit at the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Annual Meeting 2026 together with MindPeak, a leader in AI-powered pathology analysis.

At AACR 2026, the companies will present a joint approach designed to simplify complex spatial biology workflows by combining Revolune's multiplex IF reagents with MindPeak's advanced image analysis solutions. Together, the technologies enable researchers to generate high-qua lity multiplex tissue data and rapidly extract meaningful biological insights.

Multiplex immunofluorescence has become an increasingly important tool for understanding tumor biology, immune interactions, and biomarker spatial context. However, many multiplex workflows remain technically complex and difficult to scale. Revolune and MindPeak aim to address this challenge by offering a more integrated and accessible workflow-from staining to analysis.

"Spatial biology requires both robust experimental workflows and reliable data interpretation," said Florian Leiss, CEO of Revolune. "By combining Revolune's multiplex IF chemistry with MindPeak's powerful AI-based analysis capabilities, we can help researchers simplify the path from tissue sample to actionable spatial insight."

MindPeak's AI-driven pathology software enables automated analysis of multiplex imaging data, supporting quantitative biomarker assessment and spatial interpretation across complex tissue samples.

"We are excited to collaborate with Revolune to support researchers working with multiplex tissue data," said Felix Faber, CEO of MindPeak. "Together we aim to reduce the barriers that often slow adoption of spatial biology workflows."

Visitors to AACR 2026 will be able to learn more about the combined workflow and discuss how integrated staining and analysis solutions can support translational cancer research and biomarker discovery. Attendees are invited to visit the Revolune and MindPeak at booth 1660 to learn more about simplifying spatial biology workflows through integrated multiplex staining and AI-driven analysis.

About Revolune

Revolune is a life science company dedicated to advancing spatial biology through streamlined multiplex immunofluorescence solutions at the ease of IHC. By developing reagent technologies designed for clarity, speed, and confidence, Revolune enables researchers to reveal critical biological insights within complex tissue systems. The company focuses on delivering reliable multiplex workflows that empower translational and biopharma research. For more information visit www.revolune.de

About Mindpeak

Mindpeak is a leading company in AI-powered digital pathology, bridging the gap from biomarker development to clinical diagnostics. Founded in 2018, Mindpeak's AI technology enables laboratories to extract actionable insights from H&E, IHC and mIF tissue images, ranging from subcellular biomarker quantification to predictive patient stratification. The solutions support both routine diagnostics and the translation of novel biomarkers into real-world clinical applications. For more information, visit www.mindpeak.ai or follow Mindpeak on LinkedIn.

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Compliance Permit Analysis Agent and Next-Gen Emissions Calculation Management Toolset help enterprises reduce risk, improve auditability, and act faster on complex environmental requirements

TORONTO, April 16, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Cority , the converged platform for preventing EHS+ risks in operations, today announced it has won two 2026 Environment+Energy Leader Awards for product innovation in environmental compliance and emissions management. The annual program recognizes companies delivering measurable progress in energy management, environmental performance, and sustainability. The two awards recognize Cority's Compliance Permit Analysis Agent and Next-Gen Emissions Calculation Management Toolset, two capabilities built to help organizations manage rising environmental complexity with greater accuracy, efficiency, and confidence.

The recognition reflects Cority's broader focus on embedding practical AI and advanced data management directly into enterprise workflows. Both award-winning capabilities are part of CorityOne, Cority's EHS+ platform, which helps organizations connect trusted data, automate critical work, and improve decisions across environmental management, employee health, safety, quality, and sustainability. Cority has been a market leader in EHS+ for 40 years and is trusted by more than 1,500 organizations worldwide.

Cority's Compliance Permit Analysis Agent , part of the Cortex AI suite in CorityOne, was recognized for applying purpose-built AI to one of the most persistent operational challenges in environmental compliance: the manual interpretation of permits. The solution automatically deconstructs permit language and translates it into structured, trackable compliance tasks, helping organizations reduce administrative burden, improve consistency across sites, and lower compliance risk. It also supports multi-language permit analysis and interactive Q&A, allowing users to engage directly with permit content and surface specific requirements faster.

Cority's Next-Gen Emissions Calculation Management Toolset was recognized for helping organizations generate accurate, auditable, and decision-ready emissions data at scale. The embedded toolkit gives sustainability teams greater control over how emissions are calculated and managed, including access to more than one million time-stamped emissions factors, flexible methodology management, gap-filling functionality, and audit dashboards that provide detailed visibility into data sources and calculation logic. It is designed for organizations moving beyond basic carbon accounting into more rigorous reporting and assurance environments.

Judges praised Cority's Compliance Permit Analysis Agent as "a strong and well-focused entry" with "a compelling use of embedded, purpose-built AI to address a real and growing compliance challenge." They highlighted the solution's automated permit deconstruction, multi-language support, and interactive Q&A as examples of AI applied thoughtfully to a specific, high-value workflow.

Judges also described Cority's Next-Gen Emissions Calculation Management Toolset as "highly mature" and "technically robust," citing its ability to support accurate, auditable emissions data at a global scale. They also pointed to Cority's factor library, methodology controls, and audit dashboards as meaningful differentiators in a market where traceability and flexibility are increasingly critical.

The award-winning products reflect real-world needs already emerging across Cority's customer base:

Early users of the Compliance Permit Analysis Agent have used it to cut permit review time from hours or days to seconds in some workflows, while improving visibility across multilingual, multi-site operations.

Cority's emissions capabilities are also helping organizations improve consistency across Scopes 1, 2, and 3 reporting, streamline external assurance, and adapt to changing methodologies and reporting standards with less manual work.

"These awards reflect where the market is headed," said Ryan Magee, CEO, Cority. "Environmental and sustainability teams need tools that can handle real complexity, whether that means interpreting permits across jurisdictions or producing emissions data that stands up to scrutiny. We are focused on building capabilities that are deeply embedded in the work itself, so teams can move faster, reduce risk, and make better decisions."

About Cority

Cority helps customers see and prevent risks across their operations in real time. Our EHS+ platform converges people, processes, data, and AI agents to provide a clear view of information people can trust, automate workflows that make people more impactful, and deliver personalized insights and expertise to improve decision-making. Cortex AI puts domain-expert intelligence directly into everyday workflows - secure by design, governed by you, and built to scale. While most solutions respond to risks one at a time, Cority helps prevent them across environmental management, employee health, safety, quality, and sustainability. For 40 years, Cority has been the market leader in EHS+, recognized by top analysts and trusted by more than 1,500 of the most complex organizations worldwide. Learn more at our homepage.

Media Contact:

Natalie Rizk

natalier@theriotmind.agency

About the Environment + Energy Leader Awards

Now in its 14th year, the Environment+Energy Leader Awards program recognizes excellence across products, projects, startups and organizational initiatives that deliver meaningful advancements in environmental programs, sustainability, and energy management. Entries are evaluated by an independent panel of industry experts, with a focus on innovation,

scalability, and measurable impact. Winners are recognized as leaders in advancing best practices and setting new standards across the global energy and environmental landscape.

For Media Inquiries, Please Contact:

Kay Harrison

Head of Awards Program

VP | Associate Publisher - kay@environmentenergyleader.com

Note to Editors: The "About the Environment + Energy Leader Awards" section should be included in all coverage.


WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - The U.S. Government has intensified pressure on Iran's illicit oil transportation infrastructure by sanctioning more than two dozen individuals, companies, and vessels operating within the network of Iranian oil shipping magnate Mohammad Hossein Shamkhani.



Shamkhani is the son of Ali Shamkhani, who was a powerful figure in the Iranian regime, and was killed in the targeted strikes on the Iranian Defense Council meeting on February 28, at the outbreak of the Middle East war.



The latest round of U.S. sanctions target elements of U.S.-designated Mohammad Hossein Shamkhani's multi-billion-dollar oil smuggling empire that enriches the Iranian regime and its elites. It also targets a separate oil-for-gold network that finances Hezbollah and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corp-Qods Force.



Shamkhani heads a multi-billion dollar Iranian and Russian petroleum sales empire that enriches a family connected to the elite leaders of the Iranian regime.



The Shamkhani network evades sanctions through a group of seemingly legitimate administrative, consulting, and shipping firms that manage all aspects of the network's fleet. These firms and their employees maintain a robust public presence to provide a veneer of legitimacy while allowing the network to support the Iranian regime and enrich the Shamkhani family.



UAE-based Oriel Group, a shipping, commodity, and logistics company under which much of the Shamkhani network's operations fall; UAE-based Corplinx Consultancy LLC FZ (Corplinx), which acts as an administrative, consulting, and business services firm within the Shamkhani umbrella of companies; UAE-based House of Shipping Investment FZCO (House of Shipping), which acts as a shipping firm for Shamkhani; House of Shipping Private Limited, which is the Indian office for, and a direct subsidiary of, House of Shipping; UAE-based Shipstar Shipchandling LLC, a company controlled by House of Shipping; and UAE-based Meritron DMCC (Meritron), which is a Shamkhani front company used to clandestinely procure new vessels for the network's shipping operations and facilitate the transportation of sanctioned petroleum products from Iran are among the companied sanctioned by the OFAC.



The Department of the Treasury said that on the basis of a joint investigation by its Office of Foreign Assets Control and Homeland Security Investigations, it is also designating Iranian national and Lebanese Hezbollah-financier Seyed Naiemaei Badroddin Moosavi and three companies linked to a complex money laundering scheme involving the sale of Iranian oil in exchange for Venezuelan gold under the former Venezuelan dictatorship, all on behalf of Hezballah and Iran's IRGC-QF.



The Iranian regime continues to enrich corrupt elites like the Shamkhani family while ordinary Iranians suffer under a deteriorating economy. The regime likewise funnels the wealth of the Iranian people to Hezbollah and other terrorists in the Middle East. 'These designations underscore our commitment to maximum pressure on Iran and its terrorist proxies,' the State Department said.



The complex schemes involving illicit Iranian oil, gold, and terrorist financing demonstrate the lengths to which Iran and its partners will go to evade sanctions and fund malign activities.



Since President Donald Trump issued National Security Presidential Memorandum 2, the United States has sanctioned more than 1,000 persons, vessels, and aircraft as part of its campaign against Iranian malign activity.



Copyright(c) 2026 RTTNews.com. All Rights Reserved



Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX

 2026 AFX News
DENVER, April 16, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Glocusent's portable mini sleep sound machine "N18" achieved Kickstarter success in just two weeks, with funding from 117 backers across 17 countries. Based in Colorado, Glocusent developed the N18 Mini Sound Machine - a compact, travel-friendly sleep device that combining engineered acoustic frequencies with ambient lighting for multi-sensory relaxation, bringing accessible sleep technology to insomnia sufferers worldwide.

The N18 Mini Sound Machine prioritizes structured sleep support with its compact design, soothing 2700K low-melanopic LED fade, and engineered sound masking to help users establish stable sleep routines. Backers praised its soothing lighting and portability. The N18 will be available through Glocusent's official website and Amazon following the Kickstarter campaign.

In March 2026, Glocusent joined the U.S. National Sleep Foundation's SleepTech Network - a strategic marketing move to better align with market demands. This partnership reinforces Glocusent's commitment to delivering reliable sleep solutions that prioritize everyday users' needs.

This successful Kickstarter campaign represents more than just funding - it embodies a journey of relentless refinement and teamwork. "From concept to launch, we scrapped and rebuilt this project eleven times to get it right," the Glocusent brand team shared. "We're grateful to Mason for his invaluable support in product strategy and marketing execution." The product team championed "accessibility for all" as the core selling point, ensuring exceptional value for users.

Glocusent N18 Mini Sound Machine on Kickstarter:

The world's most immersive lighting in a portable white noise device.

The world's first mini sound machine with a 35mm halo ring.

Your pocket-sized escape from city buzz to deep sleep.

Glocusent New Launch N Series on Official Website:

Best Gifts 2026: All White Noise Series on Official Website

About Glocusent

Founded in Colorado Springs, Glocusent began with innovative reading lights and expanded into the N Series sound machines and C Series outdoor camping lights. Guided by "Light Up Your Chapters" philosophy, the brand designs products that accompany users through daily life. From the pages you read at night, to the adventures outdoors, to the dreams that carry you into tomorrow. By combining thoughtful engineering with user-centered innovation, Glocusent creates reliable, functional lighting and sound solutions that enhance both rest and everyday experiences.

Glocusent Official Social Media

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/glocusent/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/glocusent/

Brand Contact: Samantha@glocusent.com

B2B Contact: Spring@glocusent.com

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The collaboration is designed to increase trial visibility, support more structured referrals from community and specialist care settings, and improve coordination for patients, families, and referring providers

AMSTERDAM and ATLANTA, April 16, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- myTomorrows, a health technology company that helps connect patients and physicians to all pre-approval treatment options, and Rare Disease Research (RDR), an independent U.S. clinical research site network focused exclusively on rare disease studies, today announced a partnership designed to improve how patients are identified and referred into rare disease clinical trials.

Initially supporting RDR's sites in Georgia, Florida, and North Carolina, the collaboration aims to make it easier for patients, families, community physicians, and specialist centers to connect with relevant RDR studies through a more structured and coordinated referral pathway.

Patients living with rare diseases often face major obstacles in finding appropriate clinical trials. Complex eligibility criteria, rapidly evolving recruitment needs, and limited visibility into active studies can make it difficult for both clinicians and families to identify relevant opportunities. Referring physicians may also lack a practical, consistent way to connect potentially eligible patients to specialized research sites.

Through this partnership, RDR will use the myTomorrows platform to help referring physicians and specialist centers identify potentially relevant RDR trials and submit structured referrals directly to RDR site teams. The platform is intended to support preliminary matching against study criteria and improve the completeness and consistency of referral information before site-level review.

Once a potential match is identified, referring providers can submit referrals to the appropriate RDR clinical research team and communicate through a centralized workflow designed to reduce fragmented back-and-forth and improve coordination. RDR investigators and site teams will continue to conduct protocol-specific review and determine screening suitability and enrollment in accordance with study requirements.

The collaboration will also provide support for patients and families seeking information about RDR trials. When appropriate, myTomorrows patient navigators may help gather relevant medical information, review potential trial options, and support referrals of potentially eligible patients to RDR for site follow-up.

By enabling more structured, better-qualified referrals, the partnership is intended to help RDR teams spend less time managing incomplete or mismatched inbound requests and more time supporting patients who may be a fit for active studies. The goal is to create a smoother experience for families and referring physicians while improving operational efficiency at the site level.

"This partnership strengthens our ability to connect with patients earlier and more effectively through the physicians and specialist centers already involved in their care," said Han C. Phan, MD, CEO of Rare Disease Research. "More structured referrals and clearer eligibility alignment can help our teams focus on the patients most likely to be a fit for a given study, while creating a more efficient and supportive experience for families and referring providers."

"For trial sites, complex recruitment workflows can create unnecessary administrative burden and slow patient access," said Michel van Harten, M.D., CEO of myTomorrows. "By supporting RDR with structured referrals, preliminary trial matching, and coordinated patient engagement, we aim to help simplify the path from referral to site follow-up."

The partnership is also intended to support more centralized visibility into referred cases, improve coordination across stakeholders, and reduce reliance on fragmented email-based communication. Together, RDR and myTomorrows aim to create a more efficient, patient-centered pathway into rare disease clinical trials, with the goal of improving referral quality, reducing administrative friction, and making it easier to connect patients to relevant research opportunities.

Find out more here.

About myTomorrows

myTomorrows is a global health technology company dedicated to breaking down barriers for patients seeking treatment options. The company has built proprietary technology to search clinical trials and, where appropriate, Expanded Access Programs (EAPs), using global public registries. This helps connect patients, physicians, trial sites, and biopharma companies to simplify and accelerate access to drugs in development. Headquartered in Amsterdam with an office in New York City, myTomorrows has helped more than 17,700 patients and 3,000 physicians across 440+ sites in more than 135 countries.

More information: mytomorrows.com

myTomorrows Media Contact:

Kate Schoenstadt

Headline Media

kate@headline.media

+972-54-7776684

About Rare Disease Research

Rare Disease Research (RDR) is an independent clinical research site network focused exclusively on rare disease studies. With sites in Georgia, and North Carolina, Florida and New Jersey, RDR partners with biopharma sponsors, CROs, physicians, and patient advocacy organizations to expand access to clinical trials and deliver high-quality, patient-centered study execution for rare and complex conditions.

More information: https://rarediseaseresearch.com

RDR Media Contact:

info@rarediseaseresearch.com

+1-470-665-3051

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/mytomorrows-and-rare-disease-research-partner-to-improve-access-to-rare-disease-clinical-trials-302744531.html
Four-year contract began March 31, 2026

GOLDEN, Colo., April 16, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- PlanetiQ today announced it has been awarded a $15 million, 48-month Strategic Funding Increase (STRATFI) contract by the U.S. Air Force. The program will support the development and launch of spacecraft equipped with next-generation Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) RO, R and PRO instruments and the delivery of high-value weather data to the US Air Force.

The mission will focus on advancing GNSS-RO (radio occultation), GNSS-PRO (polarimetric radio occultation), and GNSS-R (reflectometry) capabilities. In addition, the program includes the development of advanced data assimilation techniques to integrate enhanced GNSS-PRO data into Numerical Weather Prediction (NWP) models, improving forecast accuracy and enabling new insights into atmospheric conditions.

"This award represents a major step forward in delivering more advanced, actionable weather information to the warfighter," said Ira Scharf, CEO of PlanetiQ." Post this

After spacecraft commissioning, PlanetiQ will provide on-orbit data delivery during the contract period. This will support multiple applications across the Department of the Air Force, to include artificial intelligence (AI) model training, data assimilation, and performance evaluation.

As the largest commercial provider of GNSS-RO data, PlanetiQ currently operates a global constellation of satellites, including spacecraft equipped with advanced receivers capable of capturing high signal-to-noise-ratio (SNR) GNSS-RO and GNSS-PRO measurements. GNSS-PRO has demonstrated strong efficacy for measuring precipitation, a key capability for improving severe weather forecasting.

This STRATFI award will enable the development of a next-generation receiver that adds GNSS-R capabilities, supporting new applications such as ocean surface wind measurement, sea state characterization, and soil moisture monitoring over land.

"This award represents a major step forward in delivering more advanced, actionable weather information to the warfighter," said Ira Scharf, CEO of PlanetiQ. "By combining GNSS-RO, PRO, and R measurements in a single platform, we are unlocking a more complete picture of the atmosphere and Earth's surface. We are proud to partner with the U.S. Air Force to accelerate these capabilities and bring next-generation environmental data into operational use."

About PlanetiQ

PlanetiQ provides the highest-quality GNSS/GPS radio occultation (RO) data available from a commercial constellation of satellites, offering unmatched temporal and spatial resolution. The data drive accurate, high-impact weather and climate forecast models, helping improve Numerical Weather Prediction and AI forecasts, and safeguard lives and property from severe weather. In 2025, PlanetiQ was awarded NOAA's largest-ever contract for satellite weather data, valued at $24.3 million. PlanetiQ is a space-tech company that serves the most mission-critical government, defense, and industry leaders, including international weather agencies, enabling more resilient operations across sectors. Founded in 2015 and privately owned, PlanetiQ designs, builds, and operates a commercial constellation of GNSS-RO satellites, setting the standard for precision and reliability in atmospheric monitoring. For more information, contact [email protected]

About AFWERX

As the innovation arm of the DAF and a directorate within the Air Force Research Laboratory, AFWERX brings cutting-edge American ingenuity from small businesses and start-ups to address the most pressing challenges of the DAF. Headquartered at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, AFWERX employs military, civilian and contractor personnel executing an annual $1.4 billion annual budget. Since 2019, AFWERX has awarded over 10,400 contracts worth more than $7.24 billion to strengthen the U.S. defense industrial base and drive faster technology transition to operational capability. For more information, visit: afwerx.com.

SOURCE PlanetiQ
EQS-News: Global Fashion Group S.A. / Bekanntmachung der Einberufung zur Hauptversammlung

Global Fashion Group S.A.: Bekanntmachung der Einberufung zur Hauptversammlung am 20.05.2026 in Luxemburg mit dem Ziel der europaweiten Verbreitung gema 121 AktG



16.04.2026 / 15:05 CET/CEST

Bekanntmachung gema 121 AktG, ubermittelt durch EQS News

- ein Service der EQS Group .

Fur den Inhalt der Mitteilung ist der Emittent / Herausgeber verantwortlich.



Global Fashion Group S.A., societe anonyme Registered office: 5, Heienhaff, L-1736 Senningerberg, Luxembourg RCS Luxembourg B 190.907 Convening notice to the annual general meeting

of the shareholders of Global Fashion Group S.A. (the "Company") The annual general meeting of the shareholders of the Company is to be held at: Arendt & Medernach SA

Arendt House, 41A, Avenue John F. Kennedy

L-2082 Luxembourg, Grand Duchy of Luxembourg

at 14:00 CEST on Wednesday, 20 May 2026 to deliberate and vote on the below agenda (the "Annual General Meeting"). We are delighted to welcome shareholders to attend our Annual General Meeting in person (video conference will not be available). Shareholders may refer to Section D. "Availability of the documentation, attendance and voting procedure" in this convening notice for further information. A. Agenda and Proposed Resolutions for the Annual General Meeting of the Company Agenda 1. Presentation of the combined consolidated management report of the management board of the Company (the "Management Board") and of the report of the approved statutory auditor (reviseur d'entreprises agree) on the Company's consolidated financial statements for the financial year ended 31 December 2025 prepared in accordance with the International Financial Reporting Standards as adopted by the European Union ("IFRS") and on the Company's annual accounts for the financial year ended 31 December 2025 prepared in accordance with Luxembourg Generally Accepted Accounting Principles ("Luxembourg GAAP"). 2. Approval of the Company's consolidated financial statements for the financial year ended 31 December 2025. 3. Approval of the Company's annual accounts for the financial year ended 31 December 2025. 4. Allocation of results for the financial year ended 31 December 2025. 5. Granting of discharge to Christoph Barchewitz, member of the Management Board, for the exercise of his mandate during the financial year ended 31 December 2025. 6. Granting of discharge to Helen Hickman, member of the Management Board, for the exercise of her mandate during the financial year ended 31 December 2025. 7. Granting of discharge to Gunjan Soni, former member of the Management Board, for the exercise of her mandate during the period of her service in the financial year ended 31 December 2025. 8. Granting of discharge to Cynthia Gordon, member of the supervisory board of the Company (the "Supervisory Board"), for the exercise of her mandate during the financial year ended 31 December 2025. 9. Granting of discharge to John Baker, member of the Supervisory Board, for the exercise of his mandate during the financial year ended 31 December 2025. 10. Granting of discharge to Carol Shen, member of the Supervisory Board, for the exercise of her mandate during the financial year ended 31 December 2025. 11. Granting of discharge to Laura Weil, member of the Supervisory Board, for the exercise of her mandate during the financial year ended 31 December 2025. 12. Granting of discharge to Andreas Bernstrom, member of the Supervisory Board, for the exercise of his mandate during the financial year ended 31 December 2025. 13. Granting of discharge to Georgi Ganev, former member of the Supervisory Board, for the exercise of his mandate during the period of his service in the financial year ended 31 December 2025. 14. Renewal of the appointment of Ernst & Young as the approved statutory auditor (reviseur d'entreprises agree) of the Company for a period ending at the general meeting of shareholders of the Company approving the annual accounts for the financial year ending on 31 December 2026. 15. Presentation of, and advisory vote on, the remuneration report for the members of the Management Board and the Supervisory Board for the financial year ended 31 December 2025. 16. Presentation of, and advisory vote on, the revised remuneration policy for the members of the Management Board and the Supervisory Board. 17. Approval and, to the extent necessary, ratification of the remuneration of the members of the Supervisory Board, payable annually and for the period of their mandate. 18. Authorisation for the Management Board to repurchase up to 20% of the total number of common shares of the Company issued on the date of the Annual General Meeting within a period of five (5) years as from the date of the Annual General Meeting. Proposed Resolutions and Explanatory Notes to the Business of the Annual General Meeting Resolutions 1 to 4 - Approval of Financial Statements The Management Board proposes that the Annual General Meeting, after having reviewed the combined management report of the Management Board and the report of the approved statutory auditor, approve: - the consolidated financial statements for the financial year ended 31 December 2025 in their entirety, showing a consolidated net loss of EUR 62.2 million; - the annual accounts for the financial year ended 31 December 2025 in their entirety, showing a net loss of EUR 99.8 million; - allocation of the results of the Company based on the annual accounts of the Company prepared in accordance with Luxembourg GAAP for the financial year ended 31 December 2025 as follows: - Results of the financial year 2025: loss of EUR 99.8 million to be carried forward - Losses brought forward: EUR 3.24 billion Shareholders are reminded that no vote is required for agenda item 1. Resolutions 5 to 7 - Discharge of Current and Former Members of the Management Board The Management Board proposes that the Annual General Meeting approve that discharge be granted to each current and former member of the Management Board, for the exercise of their mandates during the financial year ended 31 December 2025. Resolutions 8 to 13 - Discharge of Current Members of the Supervisory Board The Management Board proposes that the Annual General Meeting approve that discharge be granted to each current and former member of the Supervisory Board, for the exercise of their mandates during the financial year ended 31 December 2025. Resolution 14 - Reappointment of Auditor The Management Board proposes that the Annual General Meeting appoint the auditing firm Ernst & Young as approved statutory auditor (reviseur d'entreprises agree) to perform the independent audit of the Company regarding the financial year ending 31 December 2026. Resolution 15 - Presentation of, and advisory vote on, the remuneration report for the financial year ended 31 December 2025 for the members of the Management Board and the Supervisory Board The Management Board proposes that the Annual General Meeting pass an advisory vote in favour of the remuneration report for the members of the Management Board and the Supervisory Board for the financial year ended 31 December 2025. Resolution 16 - Presentation of, and advisory vote on, the revised remuneration policy for the members of the Management Board and the Supervisory Board The Management Board proposes that the Annual General Meeting pass an advisory vote in favour of the remuneration policy for the members of the Management Board and the Supervisory Board. The Company has revised its remuneration policy for the Management Board and the Supervisory Board, as previously approved by the shareholders on 12 June 2025, and submits it to an advisory vote of the Annual General Meeting as required by Article 7bis of the Luxembourg law of 24 May 2011 on shareholders rights, which became effective on 24 August 2019, as amended (the "Shareholders Rights Law"). The proposed changes adjust the fees for the members of the Supervisory Board to reflect the streamlined structure of the Supervisory Board, which is intended to better align with the size of the Company. Specifically, the membership of the Supervisory Board will be reduced from five (5) members to four (4) members and the Committees of the Supervisory Board will be consolidated from four (4) Committees to two (2) Committees. The Supervisory Board fees will not exceed the fees paid in 2025. In addition, certain other minor administrative amendments have been made to the policy to correct typographical errors and clarify the policy's drafting. All other material terms of the remuneration policy remain the same. Resolution 17 - Remuneration for the Members of the Supervisory Board The Management Board proposes that the Annual General Meeting approve the remuneration for the members of the Supervisory Board, payable annually and for the period of their mandate, as follows: Supervisory Board: Supervisory Board Audit Committee Remuneration &

Nomination Committee Chairman EUR 95,000 EUR 40,000 EUR 20,000 Member EUR 38,000 EUR 18,000 EUR 10,000 Resolution 18 - Authorisation for the Management Board to repurchase up to 20% of the total number of common shares of the Company issued on the date of the Annual General Meeting within a period of five (5) years as from the date of the Annual General Meeting The Management Board proposes that the Annual General Meeting approves and votes the following resolution: "The Annual General Meeting resolves to authorise and delegate all necessary powers to the Management Board to acquire up to 20% of the fully paid-up common shares of the Company (the "Shares") issued on the date of this meeting, by way of open market purchases, tender offer, or any other lawful means (including through the use of derivatives such as put or call options, or a combination thereof, provided that the term of any such derivative does not exceed eighteen (18) months) (the "Buyback"). The Buyback may be conducted by the Company either directly or through any person acting in their own name on behalf of the Company. The Buyback price per share (excluding ancillary costs) may not be less than the nominal value (or accounting par value) and shall not exceed 130% of the average of the daily volume-weighted average prices (VWAP) in Xetra (or a corresponding successor system) over the five (5) trading days immediately preceding (i) in the case of purchases on a stock exchange or multi-lateral trading facility, the date of repurchase, or (ii) in the case of a tender offer, the date of public announcement of the tender offer. In the case of a purchase other than on a stock exchange or multi-lateral trading facility, the purchase price may be determined by the Management Board provided it does not exceed 115% of the average of the daily volume-weighted average prices (VWAP) in Xetra (or a corresponding successor system) on the five (5) trading days prior to the date of the purchase agreement. In each case, provided that the Company's total holding of Shares shall not at any time exceed 10% of subscribed share capital, excluding shares previously acquired and subsequently, transferred, disposed of, or cancelled. The Management Board is authorised to conduct the Buyback and use the shares for any purpose permitted by law, including but not limited to: (i) cancellation, (ii) delivery to employees or directors under share based compensation plans, or (iii) as consideration for M&A transactions. The Buyback shall occur in one or several transactions without cancellation of the acquired shares and without prejudice to i) the principle of equal treatment of all shareholders who are in the same position and ii) the applicable market abuse rules. The Annual General Meeting shall further authorise the Management Board to take all measures and execute any formalities which may be necessary in relation to the Buyback. The duration of the authorisation granted by the Annual General Meeting shall be for five (5) years from the date of this meeting, expiring on 19 May 2031." B. Important Notes about the Annual General Meeting 1. Timing The Annual General Meeting will start promptly at 14:00 CEST. Shareholders wishing to attend the meeting should arrive at the venue no later than 13:45 CEST. 2. Location of Meeting The Annual General Meeting is to be held at the offices of Arendt & Medernach SA, Arendt House, 41A, Avenue John F. Kennedy, L-2082 Luxembourg, Grand Duchy of Luxembourg. 3. Questions about the Annual General Meeting If you have any questions about the organisation of the Annual General Meeting, please contact the Company's agent, GFEI HV GmbH ("Agent"): Global Fashion Group S.A.

c/o GFEI HV GmbH

Address: Ostergrube 11, 30559 Hannover, Germany

E-mail: HV@gfei.de C. Availability of the documentation, attendance and voting procedure 1. Available information and documentation This convening notice is to be published in the RESA (Recueil Electronique des Societes et Associations), the Luxembourg newspaper, Luxemburger Wort, and other media (which may reasonably be expected to be relied upon for the effective dissemination of information to the public throughout the European Economic Area, and which are accessible rapidly and on a non-discriminatory basis) as well as separately dispatched by regular mail or, if agreed with the respective addressee, by e-mail to (i) the members of the Management Board, (ii) the members of the Supervisory Board and (iii) the approved statutory auditor. The following information is available for inspection by the shareholders from the date of the convening notice for at least until and including the day of the Annual General Meeting on the Company's website at https://ir.global-fashion-group.com/annual-general-meeting/ and at the registered office of the Company as from the day of publication of this convening notice in the Luxembourg official gazette (Recueil Electronique des Societes et Associations): - this convening notice for the Annual General Meeting 2026; - the total number of common shares in issue and voting rights at the date of the convening notice; - the full text of any document to be made available by the Company at the Annual General Meeting 2026 (i.e. inter alia the annual report containing the financial year 2025 standalone and consolidated accounts); - the management report; - the approved statutory auditor report on the Company's standalone and consolidated accounts; - the full text of the draft resolutions in relation to each of the items included in the agenda to be adopted at the Annual General Meeting; - the full text of the remuneration report for financial year 2025; - the full text of the revised remuneration policy for the Management Board and Supervisory Board; - the In-Person Attendance Declaration (as defined below); - the Certificate of Holdings (as defined below); and - the Proxy Form and Voting Form (both as defined below) to be used to vote by proxy or to vote by post. Shareholders may obtain without charge a copy of the full text of any of the above documents, and copies of the In-Person Attendance Declaration, the Certificate of Holdings, the Proxy Form and the Voting Form upon request to the Company's Agent at HV@gfei.de or download them from the Company's website https://ir.global-fashion-group.com/annual-general-meeting/ 2. Quorum and majority requirements There are no quorum requirements for the proposed resolutions 1 to 18 to be passed which are adopted by a simple majority of the voting rights duly present or represented except for agenda item 1, for which no vote is necessary. 3. Share capital and voting rights At the time of convening the Annual General Meeting, the Company's issued share capital amounts to two million two hundred and eighty-six thousand, four hundred and twenty-nine euro and twelve cents (EUR 2,286,429.12), represented by two hundred twenty-eight million six hundred forty-two thousand nine hundred and twelve (228,642,912) common shares with a nominal value of one cent (EUR 0.01) each. Each common share entitles the holder to one vote. 4. Requirements for participating in the Annual General Meeting and exercising voting rights 4.1 Record Date The rights of a shareholder to participate in the Annual General Meeting and to vote shall be determined with respect to the shares held by that shareholder at 23:59 CEST on 6 May 2026 (the "Record Date"). Eligibility to participate in the Annual General Meeting is determined exclusively by share ownership on the Record Date. Any transferee having become owner of any shares after the Record Date has no right to vote at the Annual General Meeting. Therefore, only a shareholder who holds one or more shares of the Company on the Record Date, registers for the Annual General Meeting (where applicable) and provides the Certificate of Holdings, shall be admitted to participate and vote at the Annual General Meeting, in person, by proxy or by way of written vote. 4.2 Registration procedure and evidence of share ownership Shareholders who wish to participate in the Annual General Meeting and to vote the shares held by them on the Record Date (regardless the manner they wish to participate, either in person or by representation through proxy or by Voting Forms) shall provide proof of their shareholding on the Record Date. Proof of shareholding being a prerequisite for a shareholder to participate and vote in the Annual General Meeting, shareholders whose shares are held in book-entry form through the operator of a securities settlement system or with a professional depositary or sub-depositary designated by such depositary must submit a certificate from their depository bank or financial institution certifying the number of shares recorded in their account and evidencing their ownership of shares as at the Record Date (the "Certificate of Holdings") the latest at 18:00 CEST on 15 May 2026. The right of the shareholder to participate and vote in the Annual General Meeting will only be completed and confirmed when the Certificate of Holdings is provided before the deadline established herein. The Certificate of Holdings shall be submitted in writing by e-mail to the Company's Agent in the period from the Record Date until 18:00 CEST on 15 May 2026. 4.3 Attendance in person Shareholders are invited to attend the Annual General Meeting in person, by proxy or by sending in their Voting Form. Video conference will not be available. In order to be admitted to participate in person in the Annual General Meeting, any shareholder who has duly provided a Certificate of Holdings in accordance with Section 4.2 above or any duly appointed proxy holder, must submit a form (the "In-Person Attendance Declaration") to the Company's Agent in writing by e-mail no later than 18:00 CEST on 15 May 2026. Shareholders and proxy holders participating in the Annual General Meeting are asked to register at the reception desk upon arrival at the venue and will be required to provide proof of identity. No shareholder nor proxy holder will be admitted to the Annual General Meeting without carrying proof of identity. There will be a security check at the venue prior to admission to the meeting. Please try not to bring any large bags or suitcases with you to the Annual General Meeting, as they will delay admission. We ask you also not to bring cameras, laptop computers or other recorders. Mobile phones should be switched off from admission for the duration of proceedings. The venue has full wheelchair access. If you are hard of hearing and would like access to supportive facilities, or if you have a query about any other disability, please let us know in advance (via email at agm@global-fashion-group.com) so that we can make the appropriate arrangements. 4.4 Proxy voting representative To simplify the execution of their voting rights, the Company provides its shareholders the option of appointing a proxy voting representative named by the Company and bound by the instructions of the shareholder prior to the Annual General Meeting. Shareholders are able to appoint a proxy voting representative other than that named by the Company. One person may represent more than one shareholder. Shareholders who wish to vote via proxy must complete and sign a proxy form (the "Proxy Form"). To be valid, the completed and signed (including for the avoidance of doubt, signed pursuant to a valid, legal and binding power of attorney and/or signed electronically) Proxy Forms must be received by the Company's Agent by e-mail no later than 18:00 CEST on 15 May 2026. Exercise of voting rights of shares in connection with duly filled and signed Proxy Forms received after 18:00 CEST on 15 May 2026, will not be admitted at the Annual General Meeting. If, pursuant to a signed Proxy Form as described above, shareholders appoint a person other than the person appointed by the Company as their proxy holder, please note that the proxy holder will need to provide a new Voting Form in the name and on behalf of the shareholder by no later than 18:00 CEST on 15 May 2026. 4.5 Voting by correspondence Shareholders who do not wish to participate in person in the Annual General Meeting nor appoint a proxy may exercise their voting rights by casting their votes by correspondence using the forms provided by the Company (the "Voting Forms"). Only signed Voting Forms will be taken into account (including for the avoidance of doubt, signed pursuant to a valid, legal and binding power of attorney and/or signed electronically). To be valid, the Voting Forms or electronic votes must be received by the Company's Agent by e-mail no later than 18:00 CEST on 15 May 2026. Exercise of voting rights of shares in connection with duly filled and signed Voting Forms received after 18:00 CEST on 15 May 2026 will not be admitted at the Annual General Meeting. 5. Shareholder Questions Shareholders who have correctly submitted their Certificate of Holdings shall have the opportunity to submit questions to the Company. Questions may be submitted in writing in advance of the Annual General Meeting and/or, if shareholders or a duly appointed proxy holder has submitted an In-Person Attendance Declaration as per Section 4.3 above, during the Annual General Meeting. Shareholders wishing to have their questions considered must submit them in advance of the Annual General Meeting, along with their full name, by e-mail to the Company's Agent no later than 18:00 CEST on 15 May 2026. Questions submitted after this deadline or through any other means may not be answered or considered. The Company will address submitted questions at its reasonable discretion and to the extent possible in view of the preparation of the organisation and process of such meeting, and subject to the protection of confidentiality and its commercial interests. In particular, questions may be summarised, combined or separated. Reasonable questions may be selected in the interest of the other shareholders, and questions from shareholders' associations and institutional investors with significant voting interests may be given preference. 6. Submission of Revised Agenda Shareholders holding individually or collectively at least five percent (5%) of issued share capital of the Company as at the Record Date are entitled to (i) request the addition of items to the agenda of the Annual General Meeting and (ii) to table draft resolutions for items included or to be included on the agenda of the Annual General Meeting. Such right must be exercised by sending such a request by no later than 23:59 CEST on 28 April 2026 to the e-mail address of the Company's Agent. Such request will only be accepted by the Company provided it includes (i) the wording of the new requested agenda item, and (ii) the justification or the wording of the proposed resolution pertaining to the items included or to be included, and (ii) an e-mail address or a postal address to which the Company may confirm receipt of the request. Where the requests entail a new item in the agenda for the Annual General Meeting already communicated to the shareholders, the Company will publish a revised agenda before or on 5 May 2026 at the latest. Subject to compliance with the threshold notification obligations provided for by the Luxembourg law of 11 January 2008 on transparency requirements for issuers of securities, as amended, there is no limit to the maximum number of votes that may be exercised by the same person, whether in its own name or by proxy. The results of the vote will be published on the Company's website within fifteen (15) days following the Annual General Meeting. 7. Contact details of Agent The contact details of the centralising agent duly mandated by the Company to receive copies, followed by the original of the Certificate of Holdings, the Proxy Form, the Voting Form, the In-Person Declaration, proposals of additional agenda items and proposed resolutions pursuant to this convening notice are as follows: Global Fashion Group S.A.

c/o GFEI HV GmbH

Address: Ostergrube 11, 30559 Hannover, Germany

E-mail: HV@gfei.de



Luxembourg, 16 April 2026 For the Management Board,



Christoph Barchewitz

Chief Executive Officer & Member of the Management Board



16.04.2026 CET/CEST Die EQS Distributionsservices umfassen gesetzliche Meldepflichten, Corporate News/Finanznachrichten und Pressemitteilungen.

Originalinhalt anzeigen: EQS News
Seed round led by Norrsken22, with participation from Flourish Ventures, Twenty Two Ventures, Phosphor Capital and Y Combinator

LONDON, April 16, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Lua , the operating system for human agent collaboration in the workspace, announced today it has secured $5.8M in funding led by Norrsken22. Additional investors include Flourish Ventures, 20VC, P1 Ventures, Phosphor Capital and Y Combinator along with notable angels Henri Stern (CEO Privy), Kaz Nejatian (CEO of Opendoor) and Med Benmansour (CEO of Nuitee).

Lua enables any team, regardless of technical depth, to build, own, and manage their own agent workforce from day one. The company is founded by Lorcan O'Cathain and Stefan Kruger , who met while scaling a fintech business in East Africa - Lorcan as COO, Stefan as CTO. Before Lua, Lorcan was MD of Zephyr Management's Africa business, a leading VC/PE fund operating across Africa, India and Sri Lanka. Stefan was VP of Engineering at Paystack, joining before the Stripe acquisition.

Lua will use the funding to continue to build out its developer community and the Lua Implementation Network, a growing community of independent partners deploying Lua agent workforces in their own markets around the world.

Since launching its agent developer platform in October 2025, Lua has grown revenue close to 30% week-on-week. In February 2026 alone, more agents were built on Lua than in the entire cumulative period since launch.

Where teams collaborate with agent workforce

Lua is an opinionated, full-stack agent platform with one-click deployment, accessible via CLI or a natural language interface. The company handles infrastructure, model orchestration, data, channel integrations, and monitoring so that businesses only have to write business logic and choose the integrations their agents need. Technical builders get a powerful framework and full developer tooling. Non-technical teams get a visual interface that puts the same capability in their hands. Both work on the same agents, on the same platform. In hours, a team can have a fully functioning agent workforce, coordinating handoffs between agents and humans, running inside their existing systems.

"The companies that will win over the next few years are the ones that build their agent workforce with the same intentionality they bring to their human workforce," said CEO Lorcan O'Cathain. "Most businesses are either blocked by technical complexity or locked into rigid tools that don't reflect how their teams actually work. Most agent platforms compound this with black box tooling and per-outcome pricing: the more your agents succeed, the more you pay, with no pathway to improving your agent economics. Lua is built on the opposite principle: teams own their agents, own their outcomes, and build compounding efficiency over time."

"We are thrilled to support Lua. The founders fundamentally understand how agent and human workforces need to collaborate to get work done," said Lexi Novitske, General Partner at Norrsken22. "Additionally, they are a global company that has deployed in Africa, Asia, the U.S. and Europe with deep experience, a volume of data, and a pricing intuition that's difficult to replicate. We're excited to help them build out this operating system for human and agent workforces."

About Lua

Lua is one of the first companies to build an operating system for human and agent collaboration where any team, regardless of technical depth, can build, own and manage their own agent workforce. Lua has been global since day one, deployed across emerging markets in Africa and Asia alongside customers in the US and Europe. It is also rapidly growing its Lua Implementation Network, a growing community of independent partners deploying Lua agent workforces in their own markets. Lua is backed by Norrsken22, Flourish Ventures, Twenty Two Ventures, Phosphor Capital and Y Combinator along with notable angels Henri Stern, Kaz Nejatian (CEO of Opendoor) and Med Benmansour (CEO of Nuitee). To learn more visit https://heylua.ai .

About Norrsken22

Norrsken22 is a tech growth equity fund partnering with ambitious entrepreneurs to scale disruptive businesses across Africa. The firm was founded on the belief that scalable entrepreneurship drives long-term and sustainable economic growth. The fund is managed by a pan-African investment team with previous experience backing Africa's fastest growing tech unicorns. It is backed by 33 unicorn founders, contributing entrepreneurial skills and funding, and supported by an advisory council of business leaders from across the continent.

Contact:

Kerry Metzdorf

kerry@big-swing.com

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/932a6bf8-7dac-4dec-bca8-b3448d40c201
The Powerful New Wildlife Series is Hosted by Wildlife Expert/Biologist Forrest Galante

STAMFORD, Conn., April 16, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Phantasticus Pictures today announced the global rollout of Vantara: Sanctuary Stories - a groundbreaking new wildlife docuseries set to premiere across Discovery's international network of platforms beginning April 19. Launching first in the UK and Ireland, the six-part series will debut across more than a dozen territories spanning Europe, Asia-Pacific, the Middle East, and Africa.

Hosted by renowned wildlife biologist and adventurer Forrest Galante, the series will offer viewers from around the world unprecedented and rare access inside Vantara - the largest wildlife rescue and rehabilitation facility on Earth.

International Release Dates

DNE Discovery UK & Ireland April 19 Animal Planet Taiwan April 19 DNE Middle East Africa April 22 Discovery Poland May 3 Discovery Central Europe May 4 Animal Planet NZ (New Zealand) May 6 Animal Planet SE Asia May 6 Animal Planet Australia May 13 DNE Discovery Finland, Norway, Sweden, Denmark May 13 Discovery Africa May 16 Animal Planet Japan May 16 Discovery Spain and Portugal June 5

Located in Gujarat, India, Vantara is a closed-to-the-public sanctuary designed first-and-foremost for the well being of the animals who live there. Now, Galante offers viewers an unprecedented look behind its walls - into a world very few have ever been allowed to enter.

Spanning over 3,500 acres and home to over 1 million animals, Indian businessman Anant Ambani is the visionary behind Vantara who set out to redefine what animal rescue and welfare could look like in the modern world. What began as a mission to provide care for mistreated and displaced animals has evolved into one of the most ambitious conservation projects ever built - a sanctuary rooted in science, compassion and innovation.

A New Era in Wildlife Storytelling

Produced to the highest cinematic standards by Phantasticus Pictures, Vantara: Sanctuary Stories premiered on Animal Planet in the United States last November and earned widespread acclaim, backed by an 8.5/10 IMDb rating.

About Forrest Galante

Forrest Galante is a globally celebrated wildlife biologist, conservationist, and television host known for his fearless approach to exploration and animal advocacy. Raised in Zimbabwe, he gained international recognition through Discovery's Extinct or Alive.

Subscribe to his YouTube channel.

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2956452/Phantasticus_Pictures_VSanctuary_Stories.jpg

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/phantasticus-pictures-announces-the-international-release-of-vantara-sanctuary-stories-premiering-on-discovery-international-platforms-this-spring-302743757.html
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - April 16, 2026) - Arya Resources Ltd. (TSXV: RBZ) ("Arya" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that, further to its previously announced non-brokered private placement (see news release dated April 08, 2026), the Company has increased the flow-through component of the financing from $2,000,000 to $2,190,000 due to strong investor demand.

The upsized flow-through component will now consist of up to 4,380,000 flow-through common shares (the "FT Shares") at a price of $0.50 per FT Share, for gross proceeds of up to $2,190,000.

Rasool Mohammad, President and CEO of Arya Resources, commented:

"We initially capped the flow-through financing at $2.0 million, with only a modest increase to $2.19 million to manage dilution prudently. While demand was strong, we elected not to accept additional subscriptions to maintain a disciplined capital structure and minimize dilution to our shareholders."

"We were very encouraged by the strong demand for the flow-through financing," said Peter K. Deacon, Director. "While we would have welcomed all interested participants, we remain committed to protecting our existing shareholders by carefully managing dilution. We are also very proud of Rasool's leadership and the tangible value he continues to build for the Company."

The proceeds from the FT Shares will be used to incur eligible "Canadian exploration expenses" that qualify as "flow-through mining expenditures" (as defined in the Income Tax Act (Canada)) and will be renounced to subscribers with an effective date no later than December 31, 2026. Funds will be directed toward the continued advancement of the Company's Saskatchewan exploration projects, including the Wedge Lake Gold Project and the Dunlop Nickel-Copper-Cobalt Project.

All other terms of the financing remain unchanged from the Company's prior announcement, including the terms of the concurrent non-flow-through component of the financing. The financing remains subject to acceptance by the TSX Venture Exchange (the "Exchange"). Finder's fees may be payable in accordance with applicable securities laws and Exchange policies.

About Arya Resources Ltd. (TSXV: RBZ)

Arya Resources Ltd. is a Canadian mineral exploration company focused on the acquisition, exploration, and development of precious and critical-metal projects in Saskatchewan. The Company is advancing its flagship Wedge Lake Gold Project and its Dunlop Nickel-Copper-Cobalt Project, both located in mining-friendly jurisdictions with excellent infrastructure.

As a Tier 2 issuer on the TSX Venture Exchange, Arya is committed to building shareholder value through discovery-driven exploration, disciplined execution, and responsible development. For more information, please visit us at www.aryaresources.com.

Twitter: @ARYARESOURCES

Facebook: @AryaResourcesLtd.

LinkedIn: @AryaResourcesLtd.

YouTube: @ARYARESOURCES

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release.

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release includes "forward-looking statements" that are subject to assumptions, risks and uncertainties. Statements in this news release which are not purely historical are forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, any statements concerning the Company's intentions, plans, estimates, expectations or beliefs. Although the Company believes that any forward-looking statements in this news release are reasonable, there can be no assurance that any such forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate. The Company cautions readers that all forward-looking statements, including, without limitation to those relating to the Company's future operations and business prospects, are based on assumptions, none of which can be assured, and are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements. Readers are advised to rely on their own evaluation of such risks and uncertainties and should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Any forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this news release, and the Company assumes no obligation to update the forward-looking statements, or to update the reasons why actual events or results could or do differ from those projected in the forward-looking statements. Except as required by law, the Company assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/292863

Source: Arya Resources Ltd.
EQS-News: tZERO / Key word(s): Financial

tZERO Enhances TZROP Conversion Proposal to Include Participation in tZERO Common Equity



16.04.2026 / 16:41 CET/CEST

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.



SALT LAKE CITY, UT - April 16, 2026 ( NEWMEDIAWIRE ) - tZERO Group, Inc. , a leading innovator in blockchain-powered multi-asset infrastructure, today announced an enhancement to its previously announced proposal to convert its TZROP security tokens into tokenized Series B preferred stock. After launching the conversion proposal on April 7, 2026, tZERO had the opportunity to consider feedback from some of the investors regarding their desire to participate across the company's capital structure and receive additional equity interests that may permit them to participate in future upside, if any, that may be associated with that part of our capital structure. To that end, tZERO is pleased to expand the proposal as follows. If the proposed amendment is approved by the majority of outstanding TZROP holders, all other conditions are met, and the shares are converted, then each TZROP share would convert into - in addition to the three shares of Series B preferred stock previously announced - eight shares of the company's common stock. The resulting shares of common stock are expected to be fully tokenized and custodied on-chain within tZERO's regulated wallet infrastructure. While the value of these interests will depend on future development of the company's business, terms and dilution associated with potential future financing rounds and strategic transactions that may be available, if any, the objective is to provide an enhanced exposure to another layer of tZERO's capital structure and any potential upside that may attach to them in the event of a potential liquidity event. Bed Bath & Beyond, Inc., tZERO's largest shareholder and the founder and initial and longest funder of tZERO, expressed its intention to support this proposal, including the significant dilution to its common stock position as a result of the enhanced conversion ratio, subject to certain corporate governance enhancements being adopted by tZERO. First, Bed Bath & Beyond will receive a designated Board seat to fill the vacancy on tZERO's Board and will name its director upon effectiveness of these changes. Additionally, as part of its ongoing efforts to increase operational efficiency and reduce costs while continuing to develop and operate market-leading tokenization infrastructure, tZERO will engage Alvarez & Marsal to assist it with a comprehensive review of its current technology resources, vendor services and operational footprint. "tZERO was born out of Beyond's vision for tokenization in financial services - one that anticipated much of what is now becoming the industry standard. Our shareholders have supported that vision for years, and it is our responsibility to ensure that investment delivers results. We appreciate the constructive engagement from the broader TZROP holder group and recognize the value they have brought to the platform. As a holder of TZROP, common stock, and Series B preferred stock, we support the enhancements to the original proposal, particularly the addition of meaningful common equity for all TZROP holders, which we believe creates a more balanced and aligned structure. This next phase must be defined by stronger governance, clear accountability, and a materially lower cost structure. We expect to see streamlined operations, reduced spend, and disciplined capital allocation as the Company positions itself for growth. I remain committed to tZERO's mission and confident in its role in the future of capital markets," said Marcus Lemonis, Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Bed Bath & Beyond, Inc. Upon closing of the conversion, tZERO's CEO, Alan Konevsky, will assume the role of Chairman of the Board as Matt Mosman transitions to a director role where he will continue to contribute his long-standing institutional knowledge of tZERO's ecosystem. All changes will become effective upon closing of the conversion. "It has been a privilege to serve as Chairman during such a transformative period for the company. As we move forward with this proposal, I am fully confident that it aligns the interests of our shareholders and strengthens our foundation for growth. I am delighted to pass the gavel to Alan, whose vision and industry footprint are what the board needs for this next chapter. I look forward to continuing my service as a Director and enabling the tZERO team to realize its potential and shareholder value," said Matt Mosman, Chairman of the tZERO Board of Directors. "I would like to express my sincere gratitude to Matt for his dedication and unwavering support for this proposal. We are also deeply appreciative of the ongoing support from Beyond, which remains a vital partner in our journey - their high standards are matched by our post-reset commitment to realizing tZERO's mission. It is a privilege to work with the board - which will now also include a direct representative of Beyond - as Chairman at such a transformative time for our company," said Alan Konevsky, Chief Executive Officer of tZERO. "This revised proposal reflects feedback from our investor community, who expressed a strong desire for additional participation across our capital stack and the ability to share in the company's future upside. By simplifying our equity structure and responding to these investor needs, we strive to reposition tZERO to create value organically and/or through strategic transactions." Under the original terms, TZROP holders would receive approximately 31% of the outstanding Series B preferred stock. Following the adoption of this enhanced proposal and conversion, existing TZROP holders will also hold approximately 31% of the company's outstanding common stock and restricted stock units issued with respect to such common shares. The enhanced proposal, in the aggregate, will reduce the interests of the current holders of our common stock (including employee RSUs) by approximately 30% in that class, and the interests of the current holders of our Series B preferred stock by 27% in that class. Upon conversion, the Series B preferred stock and common stock shares issued to TZROP holders would together represent approximately 31% of the company on a fully diluted basis based current capitalization of tZERO - although their share of the company at any exit or liquidity event will depend on a range of factors in the future, including the impact from financings and strategic transactions, the completion of the convertible note described previously, the terms of other issuances of the company's equity for fundraising and commercial purposes and the terms of such exit or liquidity transaction, if one occurs. In connection with the conversion, as disclosed in the original announcement, tZERO engaged Dahn Consulting Group, an independent advisor, to conduct an analysis and prepare a written report to express its opinion for the board and its independent special committee on the relative value of TZROP, Series B preferred stock and common stock. The implied fair value conversion ratios indicate that each share of Series A Preferred stock is equivalent to approximately 1.13 shares of Series B preferred stock or 2.76 shares of common stock. A summary of the Dahn report is posted on the TZROP Amendment webpage, accessible here . This enhancement is intended to further align early supporters of tZERO with the company's long-term growth trajectory by providing direct participation in the equity of the company across each of the current share classes that will exist following conversion, alongside the governance and liquidation preference protections associated with the Series B preferred stock. Given the intended purpose of this additional exposure to tZERO common stock, the company does not intend to provide near-term liquidity opportunities for the tokenized common shares, unlike for the Series B shares, which are expected to have access to liquidity opportunities as previously described. An updated pro forma capitalization table and set of FAQs are available for investors to review on the TZROP Amendment webpage, accessible here . The terms of tZERO common stock are described in the Consent Solicitation Statement dated April 7, 2026. Except as described in this announcement, which supplements the Consent Solicitation Statement dated April 7, 2026, the previously disclosed terms of the conversion remain unchanged. The proposed restructuring remains subject to approval by the required classes of security holders and the satisfaction of other conditions described in the consent solicitation materials. The enhanced proposal has been approved by the majority holders of the Series B preferred stock. The terms of the original proposal and the amended proposal have been approved by an independent special committee of the Board of Directors of tZERO. As disclosed earlier, in connection with the proposed conversion, tZERO entered into a letter of intent with Bed Bath & Beyond pursuant to which Bed Bath & Beyond indicated its intention to lead up to $10 million in additional capital to tZERO through a convertible note financing (which may be secured), to be funded over time in tranches that may be tied to specified operational and financial metrics. The terms of this financing and related risks are summarized in the Consent Solicitation Statement dated April 7, 2026, and the letter of intent is available on the TZROP Amendment webpage, accessible here . As a reminder, eligible existing tZERO investors and other qualified parties who wish to participate in this financing on similar terms may contact tZERO at ir@tzero.com. The letter of intent was approved by an independent special committee of the Board of Directors of tZERO, and the final terms of this financing arrangement are subject to the approval of such committee as well. TZROP Investor Information Additional details regarding the proposal and approval process have been provided to eligible holders through formal shareholder communications and details relating to the conversion are available on our website at tzero.com/tzrop-amendment . Holders of TZROP can access our secure portal at https://tzrop.consent.vote or by accessing the link provided in an email sent from votemyproxy@taloncommunications.com , entering the unique log-in provided in the email, and confirming their identity by entering a personal identification number. If you have already voted, no further action is required. tZERO Media Contact:

Julie Ros, Head of Marketing & Communications

jros@tzero.com About tZERO tZERO Group, Inc. (tZERO) and its broker-dealer subsidiaries provide an innovative liquidity platform for private companies and assets. We offer institutional-grade solutions for issuers looking to digitize their capital table through blockchain technology, and make such equity available for trading on an alternative trading system. tZERO, through its broker-dealer subsidiaries, democratizes access to private assets by providing a simple, automated, and efficient trading venue to broker-dealers, institutions, and investors. All technology services are offered through tZERO Technologies, LLC. For more information, please visit our website . About tZERO Digital Asset Securities, LLC tZERO Digital Asset Securities, LLC is a broker-dealer registered with the SEC and a member of FINRA and SIPC . It is the broker-dealer custodian of all digital asset securities offered on tZERO's online brokerage platform. More information about tZERO Digital Asset Securities may be found on FINRA's BrokerCheck . About tZERO Securities, LLC tZERO Securities, LLC is a broker-dealer registered with the SEC and a member of FINRA and SIPC . It is the operator of the tZERO Securities ATS. More information about tZERO Securities may be found on FINRA's BrokerCheck . Investor Notice Digital asset securities, as well as any particular investment, may not be suitable or appropriate for everyone. Investors should note that investing or trading in securities could involve substantial risks, including no guarantee of returns, costs associated with selling and purchasing, and no assurance of liquidity which could impact their price and investor's ability to sell, and possible loss of principal invested. There is always the potential of losing money when you invest in securities. There are also unique risks specific to digital asset securities, including, without limitation, fraud, manipulation, theft, and loss. No Offer, Solicitation, Investment Advice or Recommendations This release is for informational purposes only and does not constitute an offer to sell, a solicitation to buy, or a recommendation for any security, nor does it constitute an offer to provide investment advisory or other services by tZERO or any of its affiliates, subsidiaries, officers, directors or employees. No reference to any specific security constitutes a recommendation to buy, sell, or hold that security or any other security. Nothing in this release shall be considered a solicitation or offer to buy or sell any security, future, option or other financial instrument or to offer or provide any investment advice or service to any person in any jurisdiction. Nothing contained in this release constitutes investment advice or offers any opinion with respect to the suitability of any security, and the views expressed in this release should not be taken as advice to buy, sell or hold any security. In preparing the information contained in this release, we have not taken into account the investment needs, objectives, and financial circumstances of any particular investor. This information has no regard to the specific investment objectives, financial situation, and particular needs of any specific recipient of this information and investments discussed may not be suitable for all investors. Any views expressed in this release by us were prepared based upon the information available to us at the time such views were written. Changed or additional information could cause such views to change. All information is subject to possible corrections. Information may quickly become unreliable for various reasons, including changes in market conditions or economic circumstances. Forward-Looking Statements by tZERO This release contains forward-looking statements. In addition, from time to time, tZERO, its subsidiaries, or its representatives may make forward-looking statements orally or in writing. These forward-looking statements are based on expectations and projections about future events, which is derived from currently available information. Such forward-looking statements relate to future events or future performance, including financial performance and projections; growth in revenue and earnings; and business prospects and opportunities. You can identify forward-looking statements by those that are not historical in nature, particularly those that use terminology such as "may," "should," "expects," "anticipates," "contemplates," "estimates," "believes," "plans," "projected," "predicts," "potential," or "hopes" or the negative of these or similar terms. In evaluating these forward-looking statements, you should consider various factors, including, without limitation: the ability of tZERO and its subsidiaries to change the direction; tZERO's ability to keep pace with new technology and changing market needs; performance of individual transactions; regulatory developments and matters; and competition. These and other factors may cause actual results to differ materially from any forward-looking statement. Forward-looking statements are only predictions. The forward-looking events discussed in this release and other statements made from time to time by tZERO, its subsidiaries or their respective representatives, may not occur, and actual events and results may differ materially and are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions. tZERO, its subsidiaries, and its representatives are not obligated to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of uncertainties and assumptions, the forward-looking events discussed in this release and other statements made from time to time by tZERO, its subsidiaries or its representatives might not occur.

News Source: tZERO





16.04.2026 CET/CEST Dissemination of a Corporate News, transmitted by EQS News - a service of EQS Group .

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.



The EQS Distribution Services include Regulatory Announcements, Financial/Corporate News and Press Releases.

View original content: EQS News
Reformulated Testosterone Optimization Product is Powered by Four Human Clinical Studies, Delivering Enhanced Strength, Energy and Focus

MORRISTOWN, N.J., April 16, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- PLT Health Solutions, Inc. announced that Jocko Fuel (Jay, Maine. USA), the performance nutrition brand founded by retired Navy SEAL officer Jocko Willink, is launching COMBAT TESTED 3.0, a reformulated testosterone optimization supplement featuring TestFACTOR, PLT's clinically studied botanical complex for men's health. The new formula replaces 300 mg of Fadogia agrestis with 325 mg of TestFACTOR, reflecting Jocko Fuel's commitment to science-backed ingredients and disciplined formulation standards. COMBAT TESTED 3.0 will be available direct-to-consumer via jockofuel.com, Amazon, and select retail partners beginning in mid-April 2026.

Jocko Fuel (Jay, Maine. USA), the performance nutrition brand founded by retired Navy SEAL officer Jocko Willink, is launching COMBAT TESTED 3.0, a reformulated testosterone optimization supplement featuring TestFACTOR, PLT's clinically studied botanical complex for men's health. Ashley Freeman, Product Research & Development Specialist, Jocko Fuel's lead formulator for the new product, added that testosterone was a primary endpoint in all of TestFACTOR's clinical studies - a key factor in the reformulation decision.

Reformulated Around Clinical Evidence

According to Cam Fischer, Marketing Director for Jocko Fuel, the reformulation aligns directly with the brand's mission: Your mission is our purpose. "Jocko Fuel is built for serious lifelong workout diehards and those getting back on track," said Fischer. "When we evaluated the clinical data behind TestFACTOR, we saw measurable outcomes in testosterone and vitality. That's the standard we hold ourselves to  no fillers, no fairy dust, no compromises."

Ashley Freeman, Product Research & Development Specialist, Jocko Fuel's lead formulator for the new product, added that testosterone was a primary endpoint in all of TestFACTOR's clinical studies  a key factor in the reformulation decision. "Our target consumer is the active, health-conscious man  often in his mid-40s and beyond  who wants to support strength, performance, and vitality as part of a disciplined lifestyle," she said. "TestFACTOR gave us a clinically substantiated anchor ingredient." COMBAT TESTED 3.0 retains complementary nutrients such as vitamin D and boron to support hormonal balance, while centering the formula around 325 mg of TestFACTOR.

Four Clinical Studies Support Enhanced Testosterone

TestFACTOR is a patented botanical complex derived from Mangifera indica bark and Sphaeranthus indicus. The ingredient has been evaluated in four randomized, placebo-controlled trials in both trained and untrained subjects. In these studies, supplementation with TestFACTOR demonstrated:

Up to 19% increase in total testosterone levels

Up to 20% increase in free testosterone levels

Improvements in measures of vitality and energy

Support for strength performance, including grip strength

TestFACTOR was recently recognized with the "Ingredient Idol" award at SupplySide Global, underscoring its scientific and market validation.

According to Steve Fink, Vice President of Marketing for PLT Health Solutions, the partnership reflects aligned philosophies. "Jocko Fuel stands for discipline, transparency, and performance," said Fink. "By reformulating COMBAT TESTED 3.0 around TestFACTOR, they've elevated this product with a clinically demonstrated solution that supports healthy testosterone, vitality, and strength in men. We are excited to see consumers respond to this product in the market," he added.

Built for the Mission-Driven Consumer

Jocko Fuel intentionally differentiates itself from trend-driven, neon-colored performance supplements, focusing instead on clean, purpose-driven formulations. COMBAT TESTED 3.0 is designed for men who are committed to training, leadership, family, and long-term performance  including those rebuilding momentum and lifelong athletes alike.

For more information on Jocko Fuel, visit jockofuel.com.

For more information on TestFACTOR, visit plthealth.com/TestFACTOR,

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

About Jocko Fuel

Founded by Jocko Willink, Jocko Fuel is a performance nutrition brand committed to fueling progress with clean, superior ingredients for body and mind. Headquartered in Jay, Maine, the company develops energy drinks, protein, supplements, and functional products built around discipline, uncompromising quality, and mission-driven performance.

About PLT Health Solutions

Headquartered in Morristown, NJ, USA, PLT Health Solutions is a discoverer, developer, and marketer of high-quality, scientifically supported ingredients that enhance health and functionality. Through a global network of strategic partnerships, PLT provides clinically validated ingredient solutions designed to help brands grow and consumers live healthier, higher-performing lives.

Media Contact:

Mark Falconer

Sciencewerks

[email protected]

407-412-9705

PLT Company Contact:

Steve Fink

PLT Health Solutions, Inc.

[email protected]

Jocko Fuel Contact:

Cam Fischer

Jocko Fuel

[email protected]

SOURCE PLT Health Solutions
Delivery of TacFLIR 280-HDEP systems will provide advanced situational awareness, target identification, and other recon capabilities

Third award this year for technology integration on armored vehicles in Europe

Agreement with WB Group in Poland builds on years of collaboration to improve warfighter mission success and safety

Teledyne Technologies Incorporated (NYSE:TDY) announced today that Teledyne FLIR Defense has been awarded a contract worth more than $35 million by WB Electronics S.A. (part of the WB Group) to equip reconnaissance vehicles with TacFLIR 280-HDEP medium range multi-spectral surveillance systems.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260415144990/en/

Teledyne FLIR Defense has been awarded a contract worth more than $35 million by WB Electronics S.A. (part of the WB Group) to equip reconnaissance vehicles with TacFLIR 280-HDEP medium range multi-spectral surveillance systems. Designed for a wide range of land missions, TacFLIR 280-HDEP delivers best-in-class daylight and thermal imagery, along with powerful video processing and Aided Target Recognition (AiTR) capability. The advanced sensor system has been field-tested in Europe for nearly a decade, proving its effectiveness and reliability in harsh environments.

Designed for a wide range of land missions, TacFLIR 280-HDEP delivers best-in-class daylight and thermal imagery, along with powerful video processing and Aided Target Recognition (AiTR) capability. The advanced sensor system has been field-tested in Europe for nearly a decade, proving its effectiveness and reliability in harsh environments.

"The integration of TacFLIR 280-HDEP into the reconnaissance vehicles is a testament to our years-long collaboration with WB Electronics," said Dr. JihFen Lei, president of Teledyne Defense and Aerospace. "By providing warfighters the clearest picture of the battlefield through superior EO/IR imagery and intelligent tracking, TacFLIR technology will enhance situational awareness for military forces while reducing operator risk."

The contract win is Teledyne FLIR Defense's third announcement this year involving an armored vehicle program in Europe. In February, the company reported that its Black Hornet 4 nano-drone would be digitally integrated on Switzerland's Piranha 8x8 vehicles to stream live video and target data to commanders and crew. In January, FLIR Defense said it would provide long-range thermal imaging sights and radars for Bulgaria's new Stryker vehicles. In total, the three contracts are valued at more than $85 million.

TacFLIR 280-HDEP is designed and built by Teledyne FLIR Defense in Billerica, Massachusetts.

About Teledyne FLIR Defense

Teledyne FLIR Defense has been providing advanced, mission-critical technology and systems for more than 45 years. Our products are on the frontlines of the world's most pressing military, security and public safety challenges. As a global leader in thermal imaging, we design and build sophisticated surveillance sensors for air, land and maritime use. We develop the most rugged, trusted unmanned air and ground platforms, as well as intelligent sensing devices used to detect chemicals, biological agents, radiation and explosives. At Teledyne FLIR Defense we bring together this expertise to deliver solutions that enable critical decisions and keep our world safe from any threat, anywhere. To learn more, visit us online or follow @flir and @flir_defense.

About Teledyne Technologies

Teledyne Technologies is a leading provider of sophisticated digital imaging products and software, instrumentation, aerospace and defense electronics, and engineered systems. Teledyne's operations are primarily located in the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, and Western and Northern Europe. For more information, visit Teledyne's website at www.teledyne.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260415144990/en/

Contacts:

Media Contact:

Joe Ailinger, Jr.

Teledyne Defense and Aerospace

Email: joe.ailinger@teledyne.com
Lighthouse Point, Florida--(Newsfile Corp. - April 16, 2026) - J.R. Dunn Jewelers, one of the largest independent fine jewelry and watch retailers in South Florida, has acquired a 3.02 carat Old Mine Brilliant diamond with grading characteristics that are extremely uncommon for stones of this antique cutting style, particularly the combination of Excellent polish and symmetry, which is exceedingly rare in Old Mine Brilliant diamonds cut prior to the advent of modern proportioning standards.

3.02 Carat Elongated Old Mine Brilliant Diamond, acquired by J.R. Dunn Jewelers

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/12348/292764_3_02_carat_elongated_old_mine_cut_diamond.jpg

"This is what my father taught me to find," said Sean Dunn, President of J.R. Dunn Jewelers. "Not the stone with the best certificate. The stone that stops you."

Diamond Acquisition

The 3.02 carat Old Mine Brilliant diamond (GIA Report No. 5232695813) with a U-V color grade, VS2 clarity, and Excellent ratings for both polish and symmetry was acquired during the Miami Antique Show by Mia Chalik, J.R. Dunn's Graduate Gemologist and diamond buyer. "I look at the material and the make," said Chalik. "Almost any color in a diamond can be beautiful if the cut is right and it's crisp." The 3.02 carat Old Mine Brilliant met that standard on both counts.

The Old Mine cut dominated diamond production in the 1800s. Stones of this era were ground by hand, without the precision tools available to contemporary cutters. GIA Excellent ratings for polish and symmetry on such stones are, according to the company, exceptionally rare.

The diamond is planned to be set in an original design by Robert Pelliccia, the company's award-winning in-house designer, who has been with J.R. Dunn Jewelers for over four decades.

5 Carat Oval U-V Light Yellow Diamond Ring, another work by 23-time award winning designer Robert Pelliccia



To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/12348/292764_5_carat_oval_u-v_light_yellow_diamond_ring.jpg

According to J.R. Dunn Jewelers, the acquisition was made in the context of ongoing observations within the diamond market, with the Miami Antique Show reinforcing continued interest in antique-style diamonds, fancy shapes, and warm-colored diamonds with visible body color. The company reported that stones in the G through J color range and beyond, as well as antique cuts, have demonstrated steady interest among market participants, informing its decision to acquire a diamond of this type.

About J.R. Dunn Jewelers

J.R. Dunn Jewelers was founded in Lighthouse Point, Florida in 1969 and remains family-owned and operated under second-generation President Sean Dunn. The company is one of the largest independent fine jewelry and watch retailers in South Florida and is an Official Rolex Jeweler, as well as an authorized partner to several luxury brands, including Roberto Coin, Breitling, and Tag Heuer. The company operates a 14,000 square foot showroom, maintains an in-house design studio, and employs a GIA-trained diamond buying team.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/292764

Source: J.R. Dunn Jewelers
> From Science to Long-Term Value Creation

Regulatory News:

Medincell (Euronext Paris: MEDCL) will host an online R&D Day, held in English, on Tuesday, May 12, 2026, from 4:00 to 5:30 pm CEST (10:00 11:30 am ET 7:00 8:30 am PT).

The webcast will cover Medincell's Long-Acting Injectable technologies, R&D execution, pipeline strategy, partnership model, and the approach to protecting and managing proprietary technologies and know-how.

The live webcast of the event and the presentation materials will be available on Medincell's website at: https://www.medincell.com/events

A replay of the webcast will be accessible within 24 hours after the end of the live event.

About Medincell

Medincell is a clinical- and commercial-stage biopharmaceutical licensing company developing long-acting injectable treatments across multiple therapeutic areas. Our innovative treatments are designed to ensure adherence to medical prescriptions, enhance the effectiveness and accessibility of medicines, and reduce their environmental impact.

These treatments combine active pharmaceutical ingredients with our proprietary BEPO BEPO Star technologies, which enables controlled drug delivery at therapeutic levels for several days, weeks, or months following a subcutaneous or local injection of a small, fully bioresorbable depot.

Risperidone LAI was the first treatment based on BEPO technology to receive FDA approval, initially for schizophrenia in April 2023, and subsequently for Bipolar I Disorder in October 2025. It is marketed in the United States by Teva under the brand name UZEDY. Medincell's risperidone LAI was also approved for schizophrenia in Canada and South Korea in 2025.

A New Drug Application (NDA) for Olanzapine LAI as a once-monthly treatment for schizophrenia in adults was submitted to the U.S. FDA in December 2025 by Medincell's partner, Teva. U.S. FDA accepts Teva's New NDA for Olanzapine LAI on February 20, 2026.

Medincell's investigational pipeline includes numerous innovative therapeutic candidates in various stages of development, from formulation to Phase 3 clinical trials. We collaborate with leading pharmaceutical companies and foundations to advance global health through new treatment options.

Headquartered in Montpellier, France, Medincell employs over 140 people representing more than 25 nationalities.

medincell.com

UZEDY is a trademark of Teva Pharmaceuticals. Medincell's BEPO technology is licensed to Teva as SteadyTeq, a trademark of Teva Pharmaceuticals.

This press release contains forward-looking statements, including statements regarding Company's expectations for (i) the timing, progress and outcome of its clinical trials; (ii) the clinical benefits and competitive positioning of its product candidates; (iii) its ability to obtain regulatory approvals, commence commercial production and achieve market penetration and sales; (iv) its future product portfolio; (v) its future partnering arrangements; (vi) its future capital needs, capital expenditure plans and ability to obtain funding; and (vii) prospective financial matters regarding our business. Although the Company believes that its expectations are based on reasonable assumptions, any statements other than statements of historical facts that may be contained in this press release relating to future events are forward-looking statements and subject to change without notice, factors beyond the Company's control and the Company's financial capabilities.

These statements may include, but are not limited to, any statement beginning with, followed by or including words or phrases such as "objective", "believe", "anticipate", "expect", "foresee", "aim", "intend", "may", "anticipate", "estimate", "plan", "project", "will", "may", "probably", "potential", "should", "could" and other words and phrases of the same meaning or used in negative form. Forward-looking statements are subject to inherent risks and uncertainties beyond the Company's control that may, if any, cause actual results, performance, or achievements to differ materially from those anticipated or expressed explicitly or implicitly by such forward-looking statements. A list and description of these risks, contingencies and uncertainties can be found in the documents filed by the Company with the Autorite des Marches Financiers (the "AMF") pursuant to its regulatory obligations, including the Company's universal registration document, filed with the AMF on July 29, 2025, under number D. 25-0580 (the "Universal Registration Document"), as well as in the documents and reports to be published subsequently by the Company. In particular, readers' attention is drawn to the section entitled "Facteurs de Risques" on page 30 et seq. 26 of the Registration Document.

Any forward-looking statements made by or on behalf of the Company speak only as of the date they are made. Except as required by law, the Company does not undertake any obligation to publicly update these forward-looking statements or to update the reasons why actual results could differ materially from those anticipated by the forward-looking statements, including in the event that new information becomes available. The Company's update of one or more forward-looking statements does not imply that the Company will make any further updates to such forward-looking statements or other forward-looking statements. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements.

This press release is for information purposes only. The information contained herein does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy or subscribe for the Company's shares in any jurisdiction, in particular in France. Similarly, this press release does not constitute investment advice and should not be treated as such. It is not related to the investment objectives, financial situation, or specific needs of any recipient. It should not deprive the recipients of the opportunity to exercise their own judgment. All opinions expressed in this document are subject to change without notice. The distribution of this press release may be subject to legal restrictions in certain jurisdictions.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260416900945/en/

Contacts:

David Heuze

Head of Corporate and Financial Communications, and ESG

david.heuze@Medincell.com +33 (0)6 83 25 21 86

Grace Kim

Chief Strategy Officer, U.S. Finance

grace.kim@medincell.com +1 (646) 991-4023

Nicolas Merigeau Arthur Rouille

Media Relations

Medincell@newcap.eu +33 (0)1 44 71 94 94

Louis-Victor Delouvrier Alban Dufumier

Investor Relations France

Medincell@newcap.eu +33 (0)1 44 71 94 94
AM Best has upgraded the Financial Strength Rating to A (Excellent) from A- (Excellent) and the Long-Term Issuer Credit Ratings (Long-Term ICR) to "a" (Excellent) from "a-" (Excellent) of the rated operating subsidiaries of SiriusPoint Ltd. (SiriusPoint) (Bermuda) [NYSE: SPNT]. Additionally, AM Best has upgraded the Long-Term ICR to "bbb" (Good) from "bbb-" (Good) of SiriusPoint, which is a non-operating holding company. (See below for a detailed listing of the companies and Credit Ratings [ratings]). The outlook of these ratings has been revised to stable from positive.

The ratings reflect SiriusPoint's consolidated balance sheet strength, which AM Best assesses as very strong, as well as its adequate operating performance, neutral business profile and appropriate enterprise risk management. The ratings of the group's operating subsidiaries factor in their strategic importance to SiriusPoint.

The rating upgrades reflect SiriusPoint's improved balance sheet strength fundamentals following actions taken by management including de-risking of the company's investment portfolio, reduction in its catastrophe exposure, and streamlining of its ownership structure. AM Best expects that the group will maintain its risk-adjusted capitalisation comfortably at the strongest level, as measured by Best's Capital Adequacy Ratio (BCAR), supported by prudent capital management, effective underwriting exposure management and positive operating results.

SiriusPoint's balance sheet strength is underpinned by its risk-adjusted capitalisation, which was at the strongest level at year-end 2025, as measured by BCAR. The group has grown its capital base organically through full earnings retention, as evidenced by the increase in its reported equity at year-end 2025 to USD 2.5 billion (2024: USD 1.9 billion). Furthermore, the balance sheet strength assessment considers SiriusPoint's conservative investments allocation, which was composed predominantly of cash and high-quality fixed income securities at year-end 2025, as well as its reduced financial leverage. A partially offsetting rating factor is the limited fungibility of the group's capital due to a significant, albeit reducing, portion of consolidated available capital being held as a safety reserve in the group's Sweden subsidiary.

SiriusPoint has a track record of adequate underwriting performance. Since 2023, the group's combined ratios have ranged between 93% and 96% (as calculated by AM Best). This represents a sustained material improvement against the period prior to 2023, when the group's net combined ratios were consistently above 100%. AM Best expects SiriusPoint's prospective underwriting results to remain profitable with reduced volatility as its management continues to rebalance the business mix away from catastrophe-exposed property business and toward less volatile accident and health and specialty lines of business. SiriusPoint reported a robust pre-tax profit of USD 541 million in 2025 (2024: USD 233 million), benefiting from underwriting earnings, solid investment income, and gains from the sale of some affiliated strategic investments.

SiriusPoint's neutral business profile assessment reflects its market position as a mid-tier global (re)insurer, which operates from platforms in Europe, the United States, Bermuda and at Lloyd's. The group reported gross written premium of USD 3.7 billion in 2025 and maintains a good level of diversification by line of business.

The FSR has been upgraded to A (Excellent) from A- (Excellent) and the Long-Term ICRs to "a" (Excellent) from "a-" (Excellent) with the outlooks revised to stable from positive for the subsidiaries of SiriusPoint Ltd.:

SiriusPoint America Insurance Company

SiriusPoint Bermuda Insurance Company Ltd.

SiriusPoint International Insurance Corporation (publ)

SiriusPoint Specialty Insurance Corporation

This press release relates to Credit Ratings that have been published on AM Best's website. For all rating information relating to the release and pertinent disclosures, including details of the office responsible for issuing each of the individual ratings referenced in this release, please see AM Best's Recent Rating Activity web page. For additional information regarding the use and limitations of Credit Rating opinions, please view Guide to Best's Credit Ratings. For information on the proper use of Best's Credit Ratings, Best's Performance Assessments, Best's Preliminary Credit Assessments and AM Best press releases, please view Guide to Proper Use of Best's Ratings Assessments

AM Best is a global credit rating agency, news publisher and data analytics provider specialising in the insurance industry. Headquartered in the United States, the company does business in over 100 countries with regional offices in London, Amsterdam, Dubai, Hong Kong, Singapore and Mexico City. For more information, visit www.ambest.com

Copyright 2026 by A.M. Best Rating Services, Inc. and/or its affiliates. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260416455480/en/

Contacts:

Todor Kitin, ACA

Associate Director, Analytics

+44 20 7397 0335

todor.kitin@ambest.com



Jessica Botelho-Young, CA

Director, Analytics

+44 20 7397 0310

jessica.botelho-young@ambest.com



Christopher Sharkey

Associate Director, Public Relations

+1 908 882 2310

christopher.sharkey@ambest.com



Al Slavin

Senior Public Relations Specialist

+1 908 882 2318

al.slavin@ambest.com


EQS-Media / 16.04.2026 / 18:57 CET/CEST

A fair energy transition for Africa will not be decided by how quickly we install solar panels or sign climate commitments LAGOS, Nigeria, April 16, 2026/APO Group/ -- By Sola Adebawo, General Manager - Government, Joint Venture and External Relations, Heritage Operational Services Limited ( https://www.HeritageOilLtd.com/ ). Africa's energy challenge is not a shortage of resources. It is a shortage of governance that works. The continent holds some of the world's richest solar potential, vast wind corridors, major gas reserves, hydropower capacity, and critical minerals. Yet Africa still consumes less electricity per capita than in almost any other region. Millions of homes remain unconnected. Industries depend on diesel. Hospitals ration power. Geology cannot explain this contradiction; only institutions can. A fair energy transition for Africa will not be decided by how quickly we install solar panels or sign climate commitments. It will be decided by whether our governance systems can convert resources into reliable power, affordable access, and inclusive growth. Governance is what determines whether projects reach completion or remain abandoned; whether contracts are honoured or disputed; whether investors stay or leave; and whether communities benefit or feel excluded. Africa is not transitioning from abundance. We are transitioning from scarcity. In that reality, a fair transition must first deliver access, affordability, and reliability. Climate responsibility matters, but development responsibility matters just as much. This is why good governance sits at the centre of Africa's energy future. Good governance doesn't replace capital. It attracts it. It doesn't generate power. It enables power generation to survive politics, currency shocks, and institutional uncertainty. Across the continent, the evidence is clear. Where regulation is predictable, projects move. Where procurement is transparent, financing costs fall. Where institutions are independent, investor confidence grows. Kenya's clean energy progress, Senegal's improving power sector credibility, and Uganda's hydropower expansion came from institutional discipline, not ideology. Namibia's energy story is similar: where governance is steady, projects advance. With clear regulation and credible institutions, Namibia has built investor confidence in solar and wind, positioning itself as a disciplined player in Southern Africa's clean energy transition. Public budgets alone will never fund Africa's energy transition. Private capital is essential and urgent. But capital responds only to credibility. If policies change midstream, money flees immediately. When politics overrides contracts, confidence collapses. Governance is a matter of economic survival. A just transition also demands honest balance. Africa's energy transition cannot precede prosperity; hydrocarbons remain essential until it is secured. Natural gas remains a vital transition fuel. When properly governed, oil and gas revenues can fund renewable energy deployment, grid expansion, education, and healthcare. The fairness of the transition is determined less by resource choice than by how revenues are managed and reinvested. A just transition is one where: Renewables expand access.

Gas stabilises grids.

Oil revenues fund diversification.

Local capacity is built.

Communities see lasting benefit. Fairness is not speed. Fairness is inclusion. Africa must not be asked to leapfrog over development stages that others climbed slowly, using the same resources we are now told to abandon. The transition must respect history while preparing for the future. Governance goes beyond systems. It is about leadership. Leadership that protects institutions, resists short-term politics, and understands that energy is the backbone of national survival. Africa's energy wealth is real. But wealth becomes prosperity only when governance converts it into an opportunity for ordinary people. Our sun will not develop us. Our gas will not industrialise us by accident. Our wind will not educate our children. Only governance, focused on fairness and development, can achieve this transformation. Africa does not reject transition, but insists on one with justice, made possible by good governance. We reject transition without justice. And good governance is what makes a just transition possible. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Heritage Operational Services Limited. Download image: https://apo-opa.co/4mvO2wO (Sola Adebawo, General Manager - Government, Joint Venture and External Relations, Heritage Operational Services Limited)



End of Media Release



Issuer: Heritage Operational Services Limited

Key word(s): Energy



16.04.2026 CET/CEST Dissemination of a Press Release, transmitted by EQS News - a service of EQS Group .

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.



The EQS Distribution Services include Regulatory Announcements, Financial/Corporate News and Press Releases.

View original content: EQS News
It becomes the first Spanish airline to implement MedAire's integrated ecosystem across its operation, giving crews access to real-time medical support across all phases of flight while helping identify potential risk situations before departure.

Madrid, Spain, April 16, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Air Europa takes another step forward in improving passenger safety on board. The airline will be the first Spanish company to implement and put into service a set of advanced medical assistance solutions across its entire fleet, ensuring that healthcare professionals are available to assess emergency situations. In order to do so, it has established a strategic alliance with MedAire, a leading provider of safety and medical assistance services to the aviation industry, whereby, starting this March, all its flights benefit from the most advanced technology in this field, as well as the knowledge accumulated throughout more than four decades of serving crews around the world.

The project significantly expands emergency response capabilities. Air Europa and, progressively, Air Europa Express will have efficient prevention and intervention systems in place, both before boarding and during the flight.

From now on, ground staff can use MedAire's Passenger Fit-to-Fly digital tool to assess passengers who appear unwell or who may have recently experienced a medical event, such as hospitalization or surgery. With support from healthcare professionals, the tool helps determine whether a passenger may be at increased risk of in-flight medical events, potentially preventing serious in-flight medical events. On board, crews will have access to the MedAire In-Flight App, which provides AI-guided, step-by-step support during medical incidents, as well as MedLink, MedAire's real-time in-flight medical advisory service. Through satellite communications or onboard connectivity, crew can contact directly with aviation-trained emergency physicians, who can assess the situation, advise on the use of onboard medical kit contents, and support operational decision-making, including whether diversion should be considered.

All of the above contribute to the ongoing improvement of service and overall safety on board, which is why Air Europa has just been recognized as the first European airline to receive the prestigious Seven Star PLUS certification from AirlineRatings.com. Crew members already undergo regular first-aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation training, enabling them to deploy the necessary procedures to assist passengers in any situation. This includes everything from stabilising a patient and making clinical assessments to taking operational decisions based on the above information. They also have first aid kits, medical kits, automatic external defibrillators, and rapid response equipment on board, which, together with the new solutions, allow them to act with complete confidence in complex scenarios where responding as quickly as possible is key.

"We are constantly working to ensure the maximum safety of our passengers, and being able to respond quickly, accurately, and efficiently, especially while in flight, is part of that. Deploying these solutions reinforces the solid preparation of our crews and provides even more peace of mind for travelers, as we now have the direct support of professionals who are used to dealing with any emergency situation. Furthermore, the fact that we are the only Spanish company capable of providing these services demonstrates our spirit of continuous improvement," explains Ivan Gutierrez, Director of Operations at Air Europa.

"Air Europa's crews will now have access to the same proven medical support ecosystem trusted by more than 300,000 crew members worldwide," says Peter Tuggey, Managing Director, Europe, Middle East, Africa and Asia Pacific, MedAire. "What makes these tools so powerful is not only the speed of access to expert support, but the depth of operational insight behind them. The MedAire In-Flight App guides crew through structured onboard assessments informed by more than one million real aviation medical cases, while MedLink connects them in real time with emergency physicians who can assess the same information and help guide care and operational decisions. With the future addition of clinical-grade 12-lead ECG capability, Air Europa will be taking another important step forward in strengthening onboard cardiac response."

Project in progress

The solutions deployed by Air Europa across its entire fleet and throughout its various routes will benefit over 12 million passengers who fly with the airline each year. They also place the company in a unique position amongst Spanish airlines. The MedAire In-Flight App's AI-guided assessment protocols have been trained on more than one million real-world in-flight medical cases managed by MedAire, the largest dataset of its kind in aviation medicine. This means that Air Europa's more than 2,200 cabin crew members have at their disposal assessment algorithms built not on theoretical models, but on actual emergency scenarios encountered across thousands of flights worldwide. This significantly increases the reliability and accuracy of guidance provided during critical moments.

In a second phase, and also in a pioneering move in Spain, Air Europa will equip its Boeing 787 Dreamliner long-haul fleet with lightweight ECG devices designed for use by non-medical personnel. Paired with a crew member's mobile device, the system enables comprehensive cardiac data to be captured and transmitted in real time to MedLink emergency physicians, supporting more confident diagnosis and care recommendations.

About MedAire

MedAire, an International SOS company, has been the preferred partner to the aviation industry since 1985. Today, MedAire is the aviation industry's proven leader for integrated travel health and aviation security solutions. Six of the world's largest business jet manufacturers (Boeing, Bombardier, Embraer, Gulfstream, Honda Jet, and Textron Aviation) come standard with MedAire's service. Additionally, 180+ of the world's leading airlines and more than 6,800 private aircraft - including 75% of Fortune 100 Companies - trust MedAire for their travel health and security risk management needs.

MedAire's integrated solutions include aviation security intelligence, real-time health and security advice and assistance, training, equipment, and professional services for crew and passengers in and beyond the cabin. MedAire handles thousands of calls annually to help crew and passengers manage medical and travel safety events in the air and on the ground with 24/7 access to emergency care doctors, nurses, and aviation security specialists.

About Air Europa

Flying since 1986, Air Europa is a Spanish airline and a member of the SkyTeam alliance. The company's fleet of 59 aircraft is among the most modern and sustainable in the industry, ensuring maximum operational efficiency and passenger comfort. It currently consists of Boeing 787 Dreamliner and Boeing 737 models, which will soon be joined by new Airbus A350-900s. Air Europa flies to more than 55 destinations around the world and has a strategic position in the Adolfo Suarez Madrid-Barajas airport hub, connecting Europe and America. The company stands out for its firm commitment to sustainability and decarbonization, as well as for its commitment to innovation through the implementation of the most advanced technologies for the digitalization and optimization of its processes. In addition, Air Europa offers a high level of excellence to its passengers and is regularly ranked among the most punctual airlines in Europe.

Attachments

AED applied to unwell passenger in the Galley

MedLink In-Flight App used to Mitigate an In-Flight Illness

Christopher Potter MedAire, an International SOS Company 1-480-367-3762 chris.potter@medaire.com
AM Best has affirmed the Financial Strength Rating of B (Fair), the Long-Term Issuer Credit Rating of "bb+" (Fair) and the Mexico National Scale Rating of "a+.MX" (Excellent) of Momento Seguros, S.A de C.V. (Momento) (Mexico). The outlook of these Credit Ratings (ratings) is stable.

The ratings reflect Momento's balance sheet strength, which AM Best assesses as strong, as well as its adequate operating performance, limited business profile and marginal enterprise risk management (ERM).

Momento is a Mexico-based insurtech that started operations in July 2023 and was established to offer insurance products, with technological advantages over other traditional companies in its market. It specializes in the motor line of business, with operations concentrated primarily in Mexico City and its metropolitan area, while maintaining presence in other states, mainly in the central region of the country, with limited presence in northern states. The company operates in a highly competitive market, which limits its market position.

In June 2025, Momento launched a motorcycle insurance product across the states in which it operates. As of year-end 2025, the company's portfolio has begun to show early signs of diversification within the business line, with motorcycles representing 16% of premiums, while automobiles continue to account for the majority at 84%. AM Best assesses Momento's business profile as limited, reflecting its early stage of development, concentrated product offering and limited market presence.

Momento's balance sheet strength is supported by its risk-adjusted capitalization at the strongest level, as measured by Best's Capital Adequacy Ratio (BCAR). The company's capital base was strengthened by a capital injection completed in April 2025 through a Series A equity issuance backed by venture capital investors. The strong balance sheet assessment also reflects Momento's prudent capital management, supported by a strong liquidity position and conservative underwriting leverage profile. However, AM Best's view is constrained by the company's ongoing operating losses, which limit its ability to generate capital internally and result in continued reliance on external funding sources.

AM Best assesses Momento's operating performance as adequate. As of year-end 2025, the company reported strong premium growth, with gross written premium increasing by 186% year over year. Loss ratio improved compared with the prior year, reflecting the effectiveness of containment measures following weather-related events. Nevertheless, profitability remains constrained by a high expense base, consistent with the company's growth phase. The company expects to reach break-even by 2027, although execution risk associated with this target remains.

Momento has established policies and procedures for its investments and underwriting practices that are aligned to its risk tolerance. The ERM framework is still developing, consistent with its early stage of operations. AM Best notes a high execution risk associated with Momento's business plan, given its limited operating track record and the competitive dynamics of the motor segment in Mexico. AM Best assesses Momento's ERM as marginal.

Negative rating actions could occur if capital levels are no longer commensurate with Momento's growth, particularly in the absence of sustained profitability, resulting in pressure on its risk-adjusted capitalization and balance sheet fundamentals. Negative rating actions also could result if operating results fall short of expectations, leading to a delay in reaching break-even or making it impossible to reach it in the medium term. Positive rating actions could result from a sustained improvement in the company's ERM framework, leading to enhanced risk management capabilities.

This press release relates to Credit Ratings that have been published on AM Best's website. For all rating information relating to the release and pertinent disclosures, including details of the office responsible for issuing each of the individual ratings referenced in this release, please see AM Best's Recent Rating Activity web page. For additional information regarding the use and limitations of Credit Rating opinions, please view Guide to Best's Credit Ratings. For information on the proper use of Best's Credit Ratings, Best's Performance Assessments, Best's Preliminary Credit Assessments and AM Best press releases, please view Guide to Proper Use of Best's Ratings Assessments.

AM Best is a global credit rating agency, news publisher and data analytics provider specializing in the insurance industry. Headquartered in the United States, the company does business in over 100 countries with regional offices in London, Amsterdam, Dubai, Hong Kong, Singapore and Mexico City. For more information, visit www.ambest.com.

Copyright 2026 by A.M. Best Rating Services, Inc. and/or its affiliates. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260416164905/en/

Contacts:

Frida Garcia

Associate Financial Analyst

+52 55 1102 2720, ext. 133

frida.garcia@ambest.com

Alfonso Novelo

Senior Director, Analytics

+52 55 1102 2720, ext. 107

alfonso.novelo@ambest.com

Christopher Sharkey

Associate Director, Public Relations

+1 908 882 2310

christopher.sharkey@ambest.com

Al Slavin

Senior Public Relations Specialist

+1 908 882 2318

al.slavin@ambest.com
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - April 16, 2026) - Chicane Capital I Corp. (TSXV: CCIC.P) ("Chicane") is pleased to announce that it has entered into a binding letter of intent dated April 15, 2026 (the "LOI") with Elton Resources Corp. ("Elton"), a corporation incorporated under the laws of the Province of British Columbia, pursuant to which Chicane and Elton propose to complete a three cornered amalgamation, whereby a wholly-owned subsidiary of Chicane will amalgamate with Elton under the provisions of the Business Corporations Act (British Columbia) (the "Proposed Transaction"), and which is expected to result in the reverse take-over of Chicane by Elton, and constitute the "Qualifying Transaction" (as defined in Policy 2.4 - Capital Pool Companies ("Policy 2.4") of the TSX Venture Exchange (the "Exchange")) of Chicane. The Proposed Transaction is not expected to constitute a non-arm's length qualifying transaction or a related party transaction pursuant to the policies of the Exchange.

Elton is a private exploration stage mining issuer focused on the exploration of the Darnley Bay Gravity Anomaly (the "Darnley Bay Project") located in the Northwest Territories, Canada. The Darnley Bay Project is host to a large gravity and magnetic anomaly (the "Anomaly") and is considered to be one of the strongest isolated gravity anomalies in the world1. The Darnley Bay Anomaly exhibits a measured gravity amplitude of 132 mGal, with dimensions of 80 km x 100 km, and a coincident magnetic anomaly with an amplitude of 1,350 nT2. The Anomaly is considered prospective for nickel-copper-platinum group elements (Ni Cu-PGE)2. Its source has drawn favourable comparisons to the prolific mining camps of Sudbury (Canada), Noril'sk (Russia) and the Bushveld Complex (South Africa) by the Geological Survey of Canada, geological consultants and major mining companies2. In July 2018, a Magnetotelluric survey was completed by Quantec Geoscience over a 40 x 50 km area on the Anomaly. The results identified several targets that are expected to be followed up through Elton's future drill program.

Elton acquired the rights to explore the Darnley Bay Project from Generation Mining Limited (TSX: GENM) ("Generation") pursuant to an asset purchase agreement dated December 20, 2022, as amended, between Generation and Elton (the "APA"). Elton further entered into a letter of agreement dated December 23, 2022 with the Inuvialuit Regional Corporation and the Inuvialuit Land Corporation, which owns the lands underlying the Darnley Bay Project in fee simple absolute pursuant to the Western Arctic (Inuvialuit) Claims Settlement Act (Canada), which provided Elton with a concession to explore, assess, mine and conduct certain other mining activities in respect of the Darnley Bay Project.

Following completion of the Proposed Transaction, the resulting issuer from the Proposed Transaction (the "Resulting Issuer") shall carry out the business of Elton and is expected to be listed on the Exchange as a Tier 2 mining issuer.

The Proposed Transaction

Pursuant to the LOI, prior to the closing of the Proposed Transaction (the "Closing"), it is anticipated that Chicane will complete a stock consolidation (the "Consolidation") in respect of its issued and outstanding common shares ("Chicane Shares") on the basis of 1 pre-Consolidation Chicane Share for every 0.75 post-Consolidation Chicane Shares (or such other ratio as to ascribe a deemed value per pre-Consolidation Chicane Share of $0.15) (the "Consolidation Ratio"). Based on the initially ascribed Consolidation Ratio, it is expected that immediately following the Consolidation, there shall be approximately 4,491,000 post-Consolidation Chicane Shares issued and outstanding. Additionally, all outstanding incentive stock options of Chicane ("Chicane Options") shall be adjusted in accordance with their terms pursuant to the Consolidation such that, based on the initially ascribed Consolidation Ratio, there shall be approximately 174,000 Chicane Options each exercisable to acquire one post-Consolidation Chicane Share at an exercise price of $0.067 expiring August 29, 2027, and 180,000 Chicane Options each exercisable to acquire one post-Consolidation Chicane Share at an exercise price of $0.13 expiring December 14, 2032.

Immediately prior to the Closing, and excluding securities issued pursuant to the Financing (as defined below) and the APA as further described below, it is expected that Elton will have approximately 70,000,000 common shares ("Elton Shares") and 2,000,000 incentive stock options of Elton ("Elton Options") issued and outstanding.

In connection with the Proposed Transaction, it is expected that Elton shall complete one or more concurrent private placements of flow-through and non-flow-through subscription receipts of Elton (together, the "Subscription Receipts") in such combinations, on such terms and amounts as may be determined by Elton in its sole discretion for aggregate gross proceeds of no less than $10,000,000 (the "Financing").

Pursuant to the APA, among other things, the aggregate purchase price for the rights acquired by Elton in respect of the Darnley Bay Project is $1,000,000 in cash, of which $150,000 has been paid and $850,000 will be paid to Generation immediately at or following Closing, and the number of Elton Shares equal of the greater of the number that is (A) a fraction, the numerator of which is $4,000,000 and the denominator of which shall be the price at which the Financing is effected, and (B) 16% of the total number of issued and outstanding common shares of the Resulting Issuer ("Resulting Issuer Shares"), as determined on a fully diluted basis, immediately following the Closing.

Pursuant to the LOI, as consideration for the acquisition of all of the outstanding securities of Elton, holders of issued and outstanding Elton Shares (including Elton Shares issued on conversion of any Subscription Receipts and the Elton Shares issuable pursuant to the APA) will receive one (1) post-Consolidation Chicane Share for each one (1) Elton Share (the "Exchange Ratio") held immediately prior to Closing. Additionally holders of any convertible securities of Elton, including, without limitation, Elton Options and any Elton Share purchase warrants issued pursuant to the Financing, if and as applicable, will exchange their securities for securities to acquire post-Consolidation Chicane Shares at the Exchange Ratio. The final structure of the Proposed Transaction is subject to the receipt of tax, corporate and securities law advice by both Chicane and Elton.

Following Closing, Chicane shall change its name to "Elton Resources Corp." or such other name as may be determined by Elton (the "Name Change").

In connection with the Proposed Transaction, it is expected that Chicane shall hold a meeting of its shareholders (the "Meeting") to approve, among other things, the Name Change, a continuance of Chicane into the Province of British Columbia and the adoption of new articles of continuance on terms determined by Elton, the election of the board of directors of the Resulting Issuer, the Consolidation, the adoption of a new equity incentive plan on terms determined by Elton, and such other matters as may be prudent or necessary in connection with the Proposed Transaction.

Conditions Precedent

The completion of the Proposed Transaction is subject to the satisfaction of various conditions as are standard for a transaction of this nature, including but not limited to (i) the negotiation and execution of a binding definitive agreement in respect of the Proposed Transaction (the "Definitive Agreement"), (ii) the receipt of shareholder approval for the Proposed Transaction (including at the Meeting) to the extent as required by applicable law and policies of the Exchange, (iii) the filing with the applicable securities regulatory authorities of a filing statement or information circular regarding the Proposed Transaction including the requisite technical reports and financial statements so required, (iv) the completion of the Financing, and (v) the receipt of conditional approval from the Exchange for the Proposed Transaction and the listing of the Resulting Issuer Shares upon completion of the Proposed Transaction. There can be no assurance that the Proposed Transaction will be completed on the terms proposed above or at all.

Insiders of the Resulting Issuer

Upon completion of the Proposed Transaction, it is anticipated that all of the current directors and officers of Chicane will resign. The board of directors of the Resulting Issuer is expected to consist of five nominees: Carson Phillips (Chairman), a director to be appointed by Generation, and three (3) other directors appointed by Elton. The senior management of Elton shall become the management of the Resulting Issuer, with Carson Phillips as Chief Executive Officer and other members of management to be appointed in due course.

Carson Phillips, Age 43, Proposed Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Resulting Issuer

Carson Phillips is a mining executive with over a decade of experience with a focus on precious metals. He was also an initial founder and director of Ecuador Gold & Copper Corp. which was subsequently acquired by Lumina Gold Corp. in 2016 for C$70 million. Carson has a degree in Business Administration from the University of British Columbia (Okanagan) as well as a degree in International Business from Hogeschool Zeeland in the Netherlands. Mr. Phillips has also completed a Master of Engineering in Mine Economics & Finance from the University of British Columbia in 2014.

Halt

Trading in the Chicane Shares has been halted in accordance with the policies of the Exchange and are expected to remain halted until such time as all required documentation in connection with the Proposed Transaction has been filed with and accepted by the Exchange and permission to resume trading has been obtained from the Exchange.

Finder's Fee

Upon Closing of the Proposed Transaction, a finder's fee in the amount of $25,000 will be payable to Carlo Rigillo, an arm's length party to both Chicane and Elton (the "Finder's Fee"), of which $10,000 will be paid in cash and $15,000 will be paid in Resulting Issuer Shares at a deemed price per Resulting Issuer Share equal to the deemed value per Resulting Issuer Share in the Proposed Transaction.

Qualified Person

David White, P. Geol., an independent consultant of Elton and a qualified person in accordance with National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects, has reviewed and approved the scientific and technical disclosure in this news release.

About Chicane Capital I Corp.

Chicane was incorporated under the Business Corporations Act (Ontario) on February 23, 2022, and is a Capital Pool Company (as such term is defined in Policy 2.4) listed on the Exchange. Chicane has no commercial operations and no assets other than cash.

Further Information

This is an initial press release. Chicane and Elton plan to issue additional press releases, including a comprehensive news release in accordance with the policies of the Exchange providing further details in respect of the Proposed Transaction, additional background information regarding the other proposed directors and officers of the Resulting Issuer, the Definitive Agreement, and other material information as it becomes available.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

This press release does not constitute an offer of securities for sale in the United States. The securities being offered have not been, nor will they be, registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and such securities may not be offered or sold within the United States absent U.S. registration or an applicable exemption from U.S. registration requirements.

Completion of the Proposed Transaction is subject to a number of conditions, including but not limited to the Exchange acceptance and, if applicable pursuant to the Exchange requirements, majority of the minority shareholder approval. Where applicable, the Proposed Transaction cannot close until the required shareholder approval is obtained. There can be no assurance that the Proposed Transaction will be completed as proposed or at all.

Investors are cautioned that, except as disclosed in the management information circular or filing statement to be prepared in connection with the Proposed Transaction, any information released or received with respect to the Proposed Transaction may not be accurate or complete and should not be relied upon. Trading in the securities of Chicane should be considered highly speculative.

The Exchange has in no way passed upon the merits of the Proposed Transaction and has not approved or disapproved of the contents of this news release.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information

This press release contains statements which constitute "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities laws, including statements regarding the plans, intentions, beliefs and current expectations of Chicane and Elton with respect to future business activities and operating performance. Forward-looking information is often identified by the words "may", "would", "could", "should", "will", "intend", "plan", "anticipate", "believe", "estimate", "expect" or similar expressions and includes information regarding: expectations regarding whether the Proposed Transaction will be consummated and whether the Financing will be completed, including whether conditions to the consummation of the Proposed Transaction and completion of the Financing will be satisfied, the timing and terms for completing the Proposed Transaction and Financing, and any results or the timing of such results or exploration activities on the Darnley Bay Project.

Investors are cautioned that forward-looking information is not based on historical facts but instead reflect management of Chicane and Elton's expectations, estimates or projections concerning future results or events based on the opinions, assumptions and estimates of management considered reasonable at the date the statements are made. Although Chicane and Elton believe that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking information are reasonable, such information involves risks and uncertainties, and undue reliance should not be placed on such information, as unknown or unpredictable factors could have material adverse effects on future results, performance or achievements of the combined company. Among the key factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking information are the following: the ability to consummate the Proposed Transaction and/or Financing; the ability of Chicane meet its obligations under its material agreements; the ability to obtain requisite regulatory, shareholder and other approvals and the satisfaction of other conditions to the consummation of the Proposed Transaction and/or Financing on the proposed terms and schedule; investor demand and interest in the Financing; the potential impact of the announcement or consummation of the Proposed Transaction and/or Financing on relationships, including with regulatory bodies, employees, suppliers, customers and competitors; changes in general economic, business and political conditions, including changes in the financial markets; changes in applicable laws; compliance with extensive government regulation; and the diversion of management time on the Proposed Transaction and/or Financing. This forward-looking information may be affected by risks and uncertainties in the business of Chicane and Elton and market conditions.

Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should assumptions underlying the forward- looking information prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described herein as intended, planned, anticipated, believed, estimated or expected. Although Chicane and Elton have attempted to identify important risks, uncertainties and factors which could cause actual results to differ materially, there may be others that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. Chicane and Elton do not intend, and do not assume any obligation, to update this forward-looking information except as otherwise required by applicable law.

1 Goldak, David K. and Olson, Ryan W., 2015, New developments in audio-magnetotelluric exploration: Case study from Darnley Bay area, N.W.T., CSEG Recorder, Volume 40, No. 2, February 2015.

2 Reford, Stephen W., 2012, Report on the Darnley Bay Anomaly Project, Inuvialuit 7(1)(a) Mineral Concession at Paulatuk and Prospecting Permits 7669, 7670, 7793, 7794, 7795, 7796, 7797, 7798, 7799, 7800, 7801, 7802, 7803, 7804, 7805, 7806, 7807, 7808, 43-101 Technical Report, Darnley Bay Resources Limited.

Not for distribution to United States newswire services or for dissemination in the United States.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/292920

Source: Chicane Capital I Corp.
Partnership explores tokenizing 400M+ sqm of African land to unlock global capital flows and power next-generation urban infrastructure

TORONTO, April 16, 2026 /PRNewswire/ - Polymath, a leading provider of institutional-grade digital asset infrastructure, today announced a strategic collaboration with Africa123, a pan-African land and infrastructure platform, to explore the tokenization of large-scale land assets across the African continent.

Image Courtesy of Polymath (CNW Group/Polymath)

The partnership represents a bold step toward connecting one of the world's largest undercapitalized asset classes  land  with next-generation financial infrastructure. Africa123 controls a strategic landbank exceeding 400 million square meters across multiple jurisdictions, with a 25-year pipeline of regenerative urban development projects designed to deliver housing, infrastructure, and economic growth at scale. According to Martin Halford, CEO of Polymath:

"Africa's next generation of infrastructure needs new ways to attract capital that are transparent, trusted, and open to global investors. By working with Africa123, we have a chance to show how tokenization can connect major land development opportunities with long-term investment in a more efficient and accountable way."

Through this collaboration, Polymath and Africa123 will explore the development of a land-backed digital treasury model, enabling large-scale land assets to be:

structured to institutional standards

digitized and governed on blockchain infrastructure

made accessible to global pools of long-term capital

Africa is entering one of the most significant urbanization cycles in modern history, with its population projected to reach 2.4 billion by 2063, including over 1.5 billion people living in cities. Meeting this demand will require entirely new models of capital formation.

Africa123's approach centers on Regenerative SMARTER Urban-Ecosystem (RSU) city-building, large-scale developments designed to integrate housing, infrastructure, and socio-economic systems into cohesive, investable platforms. Polymath's role is to provide the underlying infrastructure that supports this transition.

Together, Polymath and Africa123 aim to:

bring institutional-grade structuring and governance to land assets

enhance transparency through blockchain-based systems

enable access to global capital markets

support real-economy outcomes, including housing, infrastructure, and job creation

The collaboration will initially focus on evaluating technical, regulatory, and commercial frameworks required to support large-scale tokenization initiatives. According to Gita Goven, Chairperson of Africa123:

"Africa123 has established land access, partnerships, and a regenerative city-building framework that unlocks Africa's long-term urban infrastructure opportunity at scale.

Our collaboration with Polymath represents a critical step in transforming land and urban infrastructure into a transparent, well-governed, and globally investable platform.

We believe Africa is not only investable  but essential to the future of global real estate allocation."

While much of the digital asset market has focused on financial speculation, this partnership reflects a different thesis: that blockchain's most important role is in restructuring real-world assets at a global scale. By applying institutional-grade infrastructure to land and urban development, Polymath and Africa123 are exploring a model that could redefine how capital flows into emerging markets.

The collaboration will begin with a structured discovery and feasibility phase, evaluating jurisdictions, asset classes, regulatory pathways, and go-to-market strategy before progressing toward potential pilot implementations. Africa123 is actively engaging with global institutional partners and will provide access to detailed materials, including asset-level data, governance frameworks, and implementation models.

About Polymath

Polymath builds enterprise-grade infrastructure for the issuance, compliance, and lifecycle management of tokenized securities and real-world assets, enabling institutions to create and manage digital financial products across global markets.

About Africa123

Africa123 is a pan-African land and infrastructure platform focused on unlocking the value of land through structured, transparent, and investment-grade development. Its mandate is to deliver scalable urban ecosystems aligned with global sustainability and economic development frameworks.

SOURCE Polymath




Not for release, publication or distribution directly or indirectly to any U.S. person (as defined in Regulation S ("Regulation S") of the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act")) or any other person located or resident in the United States of America, its territories and possessions (including Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, Wake Island and the Northern Mariana Islands), any State of the United States of America or the District of Columbia or in any other jurisdiction in which it is unlawful to release, publish or distribute this press release





INDIGO Group S.A. announces the Maximum Acceptance Amount and the 2030 Bonds Maximum Acceptance Amount in respect of its recently launched tender offer on its (i) 800,000,000 1.625% bonds due 19 April 2028 (ISIN: FR0013330099 ) and (ii) 650,000,000 4.500% bonds due 18 April 2030 (ISIN: FR001400LCK1 ) and a successful new bonds issuance





On 15 April 2026, INDIGO Group S.A. (the "Company") announced the launch of a capped tender offer (the "Tender Offer") on its 800,000,000 1.625% bonds due on 19 April 2028 (ISIN: FR0013330099) (the "2028 Bonds") and 650,000,000 4.500% bonds due on 18 April 2030 (ISIN: FR001400LCK1) (the "2030 Bonds" and, together with the 2028 Bonds, the "Existing Bonds") and its intention to issue, subject to market conditions, new senior unsecured fixed rate bonds (the "New Bonds").

The Company announces today that the maximum aggregate principal amount of Existing Bonds which it intends to accept for purchase pursuant to the Tender Offer was set at 400,000,000 (the "Maximum Acceptance Amount") and that the maximum aggregate principal amount of the 2030 Bonds which it intends to accept for purchase pursuant to the Tender Offer was set at 200,000,000, subject to ultimate adjustment at the sole and absolute discretion of the Company.

The Company also announces today the successful placement of the New Bonds in the principal amount of 600,000,000 with an annual coupon of 3.750% due 24 April 2032. The New Bonds issuance has been oversubscribed more than 6.2 times. The Maximum Acceptance Amount is therefore equal to the principal amount of the New Bonds, less 200,000,000.

The net proceeds of the New Bonds will be allocated to the repurchase of the Existing Bonds. The balance of the net proceeds of the New Bonds will be used for the Company's general corporate purposes and the expected refinancing of some of the amounts drawn by the Company under its syndicated credit facility.

The final terms of the New Bonds and the base prospectus of the Company dated 30 March 2026 will be available on the Company's website (www.group-indigo.com).

The Tender Offer is subject to the terms and conditions described in a tender offer memorandum dated 15 April 2026. The acceptance by the Company of the Existing Bonds tendered under the Tender Offer is at its sole and absolute discretion.

As a reminder, the period during which the Existing Bonds may be tendered has begun on 15 April 2026 and will end at 5 p.m. (Paris time) on 22 April 2026, with the results of the Tender Offer to be announced as soon as reasonably practicable on 23 April 2026 (all subject to change due to extension, withdrawal, termination or amendment of the Tender Offer). The completion of the Tender Offer will be conditional upon the settlement of the New Bonds which is expected to take place on 24 April 2026 save for the waiver of such condition by the Company. Settlement of the Tender Offer is expected to take place on 27 April 2026.





**********





INDIGO Group

Analysts / investors contact: Press contact: Mathieu Barnavon Bruno Tallent ir@group-indigo.com bruno.tallent@group-indigo.com





About INDIGO Group S.A.

The INDIGO Group, which owns nearly 100% of INDIGO Infra, INDIGO Neo and INDIGOweel, is a global player in parking and urban mobility, managing 1.7 million parking spaces and their associated services in 10 countries.

INDIGO Group is indirectly 49.5% owned by Credit Agricole Assurances, 34.5% owned by Vauban Infrastructure Partners and 14.9% owned by MR Infrastructure Investment GmbH (MEAG), and held 0.1% of its own shares in treasury, with the Group's management owning the remainder of the shares.

www.group-indigo.com





Offer restrictions

New Bonds

Each capitalised term used below is as defined in the base prospectus dated 30 March 2026 (the "Base Prospectus") unless otherwise defined herein.

Prohibition of Sales to European Economic Area

The New Bonds are not intended to be offered, sold or otherwise made available to and should not be offered, sold or otherwise made available to any retail investor in the EEA. For these purposes, a retail investor means a person who is one (or both) of: (i) a retail client as defined in point (11) of Article 4(1) of Directive 2014/65/EU (as amended, "MiFID II"); or (ii) a customer within the meaning of Directive (EU) 2016/97 (as amended or superseded), where that customer would not qualify as a professional client as defined in point (10) of Article 4(1) of MiFID II. Consequently, no key information document required by Regulation (EU) No 1286/2014 (as amended, the "PRIIPs Regulation") for offering or selling the New Bonds or otherwise making them available to retail investors in the EEA has been prepared and therefore offering or selling the New Bonds or otherwise making them available to any retail investor in the EEA may be unlawful under the PRIIPs Regulation.

United States

The New Bonds have not been and will not be registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act") and may not be offered or sold, directly or indirectly, within the United States of America or to, or for the account or benefit of, U.S. persons (as defined in Regulation S under the Securities Act) except in certain transactions exempt from or not subject to the registration requirements of the Securities Act. Terms used in this paragraph have the meanings given to them by Regulation S under the Securities Act ("Regulation S").

Prohibition of Sales to UK Retail Investors

The New Bonds are not intended to be offered, sold, distributed or otherwise made available to and should not be offered, sold, distributed or otherwise made available to any retail investor in the United Kingdom ("UK"). For these purposes, a "retail investor" means a person who is either one (or both) of the following: (i) not a professional client, as defined in point (8) of Article 2(1) of Regulation (EU) No 600/2014 as it forms part of UK domestic law by virtue of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018 (the "EUWA"); or (ii) not a qualified investor as defined in paragraph 15 of Schedule 1 to the Public Offers and Admissions to Trading Regulations 2024. Consequently, no disclosure document required by the FCA Product Disclosure Sourcebook ("DISC") for offering, selling or distributing the New Bonds or otherwise making them available to retail investors in the UK has been prepared and therefore offering, selling or distributing the New Bonds or otherwise making them available to any retail investor in the UK may be unlawful under the DISC and the Consumer Composite Investments (Designated Activities) Regulations 2024.

Canada

The New Bonds may be sold only to purchasers purchasing, or deemed to be purchasing, as principal that are accredited investors, as defined in National Instrument 45-106 Prospectus Exemptions or subsection 73.3(1) of the Securities Act (Ontario), and are permitted clients, as defined in National Instrument 31-103 Registration Requirements, Exemptions and Ongoing Registrant Obligations. Any resale of the New Bonds must be made in accordance with an exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, the prospectus requirements of applicable securities laws.

Securities legislation in certain provinces or territories of Canada may provide a purchaser with remedies for rescission or damages if this press release or the Base Prospectus (including any Supplement or amendment thereto) contains a misrepresentation, provided that the remedies for rescission or damages are exercised by the purchaser within the time limit prescribed by the securities legislation of the purchaser's province or territory. The purchaser should refer to any applicable provisions of the securities legislation of the purchaser's province or territory for particulars of these rights or consult with a legal advisor.

Japan

The New Bonds have not been and will not be registered under the Financial Instruments and Exchange Act of Japan (Act No. 25 of 1948, as amended; the "FIEA") and the New Bonds are not intended to be, and should not be, offered or sold, directly or indirectly, in Japan or to, or for the benefit of, any resident of Japan (which term as used herein means any person resident in Japan, including any corporation or other entity organised under the laws of Japan), or to others for re-offering or resale, directly or indirectly, in Japan or to, or for the benefit of, a resident of Japan, except pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of, and otherwise in compliance with, the FIEA and any other applicable laws, regulations and ministerial guidelines of Japan.

Singapore

The New Bonds are not intended to be, and should not be, offered or sold or caused to be made the subject of an invitation for subscription or purchase, and this press release and the Base Prospectus have not circulated or distributed, nor should this press release, the Base Prospectus or any other document or material in connection with the offer or sale, or invitation for subscription or purchase, of the New Bonds be circulated or distributed, whether directly or indirectly, to any person in Singapore other than (a) to an institutional investor (as defined in Section 4A of the SFA) pursuant to Section 274 of the SFA or (b) to an accredited investor (as defined in Section 4A of the SFA) pursuant to and in accordance with the conditions specified in Section 275 of the SFA.



Tender Offer

Each capitalised term used below is as defined in the tender offer memorandum dated 15 April 2026 (the "Tender Offer Memorandum") unless otherwise defined herein.

This press release does not constitute an invitation to participate in the Tender Offer in or from any jurisdiction in or from which, or to or from any person to or from whom, it is unlawful to make such invitation or for there to be such participation under applicable securities laws. The distribution of this press release or the Tender Offer Memorandum in certain jurisdictions may be restricted by law. Persons into whose possession this press release or the Tender Offer Memorandum comes are required by each of the Company, the Dealer Managers, the Tender Agent and the Information Agent to inform themselves about, and to observe, any such restrictions.

No action has been or will be taken in any jurisdiction in relation to the Tender Offer that would permit a public offering of securities.

United States

The Tender Offer is not being made and will not be made directly or indirectly in or into, or by use of the mails of, or by any means or instrumentality (including, without limitation, facsimile transmission, telex, telephone, email and other forms of electronic transmission) of interstate or foreign commerce of, or any facility of a national securities exchange of, or to owners of Existing Bonds who are located in the United States as defined in Regulation S ("Regulation S") of the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), or to, or for the account or benefit of, any U.S. persons as defined in Regulation S (each a "U.S. Person") and the Existing Bonds may not be tendered in the Tender Offer by any such use, means, instrumentality or facility from or within the United States, by persons located or resident in the United States or by U.S. Persons. Accordingly, copies of the Tender Offer Memorandum, this press release and any documents or materials related to the Tender Offer are not being, and must not be, directly or indirectly, mailed or otherwise transmitted, distributed or forwarded (including, without limitation, by custodians, nominees or trustees) in or into the United States or to any such person. Any purported offer to sell Existing Bonds in response to the Tender Offer resulting directly or indirectly from a violation of these restrictions will be invalid, and purported tender of Existing Bonds made by a person located in the United States, a U.S. Person, any person acting for the account or benefit of a U.S. Person, or any agent, fiduciary or other intermediary acting on a non-discretionary basis for a principal giving instructions from within the United States or any U.S. Person will not be accepted.

Each Qualifying Holder of Existing Bonds participating in the Tender Offer will represent that it is not participating in the Tender Offer from the United States, that it is participating in the Tender Offer in accordance with Regulation S and that it is not a U.S. Person or it is acting on a non-discretionary basis for a principal located outside the United States that is not giving an order to participate in the Tender Offer from the United States and who is not a U.S. Person.

United Kingdom

The communication of this press release, the Tender Offer Memorandum and any other documents or materials relating to the Tender Offer is not being made, and such documents and/or materials have not been approved by an authorised person for the purposes of section 21 of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000, as amended (the "FSMA"). Accordingly, such documents and/or materials are not being distributed to, and must not be passed on to, the general public in the United Kingdom. The communication of such documents and/or materials is only being made to those persons in the United Kingdom falling within the definition of investment professionals (as defined in Article 19(5) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005 (as amended) (the "Financial Promotion Order") or persons within Article 43 of the Financial Promotion Order or any other persons to whom it may otherwise lawfully be made under the Financial Promotion Order.

European Economic Area

In any European Economic Area Member State (each, an "EEA Member State"), this press release and the Tender Offer Memorandum is only addressed to and is only directed at qualified investors within the meaning of Article 2(e) of the Regulation (EU) 2017/1129 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 June 2017, as amended (the "Prospectus Regulation") in that EEA Member State.

This press release and the Tender Offer Memorandum has been prepared on the basis that the Tender Offer in any EEA Member State will be made pursuant to an exemption under the Prospectus Regulation from the requirement to produce a prospectus.

Each person in an EEA Member State who receives any communication in respect of the Tender Offer contemplated in this press release and the Tender Offer Memorandum will be deemed to have represented, warranted and agreed to and with each Dealer Manager and the Company that it is a qualified investor within the meaning of Article 2(e) of the Prospectus Regulation.

Belgium

None of the Tender Offer, this press release, the Tender Offer Memorandum or any other documents or materials relating to the Tender Offer or the Existing Bonds have been or will be notified to, and neither the Tender Offer, this press release, Tender Offer Memorandum or any other documents or materials relating to the Tender Offer or the Existing Bonds have been or will be approved by, the Belgian Financial Services and Markets Authority (Autoriteit voor Financiele Diensten en Markten/Autorite des Services et Marches Financiers). The Tender Offer may therefore not be made in Belgium by way of a public takeover bid (openbaar overnamebod/offre publique d'acquisition) as defined in Article 3 of the Belgian law of 1 April 2007 on public takeover bids, as amended (the "Belgian Takeover Law"), save in those circumstances where a private placement exemption is available.

The Tender Offer is conducted exclusively under applicable private placement exemptions. The Tender Offer may therefore not be advertised and the Tender Offer will not be extended, and neither this press release, the Tender Offer Memorandum nor any other documents or materials relating to the Tender Offer have been or will be distributed or made available, directly or indirectly, to any person in Belgium other than (i) to qualified investors within the meaning of Article 2(e) of the Prospectus Regulation (as defined below) and (ii) in any circumstances set out in Article 6, 4 of the Belgian Takeover Law.

This press release and the Tender Offer Memorandum have been issued for the personal use of the above-mentioned qualified investors only and exclusively for the purpose of the Tender Offer. Accordingly, the information contained in this press release and the Tender Offer Memorandum may not be used for any other purpose nor may it be disclosed to any other person in Belgium.

Republic of Italy

None of the Tender Offer, this press release, the Tender Offer Memorandum or any other documents or materials relating to the Tender Offer or the Existing Bonds have been or will be submitted to the clearance procedure of the Commissione Nazionale per le Societa e la Borsa ("CONSOB"), pursuant to applicable Italian laws and regulations.

The Tender Offer is being carried out in the Republic of Italy as an exempt offer pursuant to Article 101-bis, paragraph 3-bis of the Legislative Decree No. 58 of 24 February 1998, as amended (the "Financial Services Act") and Article 35-bis, paragraph 4 of CONSOB Regulation No. 11971 of 14 May 1999, as amended.

Qualifying Holders or beneficial owners of the Existing Bonds that are located in the Republic of Italy can tender Existing Bonds for purchase in the Tender Offer through authorised persons (such as investment firms, banks or financial intermediaries permitted to conduct such activities in the Republic of Italy in accordance with the Financial Services Act, CONSOB Regulation No. 20307 of 15 February 2018, as amended from time to time, and Legislative Decree No. 385 of 1 September 1993, as amended) and in compliance with applicable laws and regulations or with requirements imposed by CONSOB, the Bank of Italy or any other Italian authority.

Each intermediary must comply with the applicable laws and regulations concerning information duties vis-a-vis its clients in connection with the Existing Bonds or the Tender Offer, this press release, the Tender Offer Memorandum or any other documents or materials relating to the Tender Offer.

General

This press release and the Tender Offer Memorandum do not constitute an offer to buy or the solicitation of an offer to sell Existing Bonds, and tenders of Existing Bonds for purchase pursuant to the Tender Offer will not be accepted from Qualifying Holders in any circumstances in which such offer or solicitation is unlawful.

In addition to the representations referred to above in respect of the United States, each Qualifying Holder of Existing Bonds participating in the Tender Offer will also be deemed to give certain representations in respect of the other jurisdictions referred to above and generally as set out in "Terms of the Tender Offer" in the Tender Offer Memorandum. Any tender of Existing Bonds for purchase pursuant to the Tender Offer from a Qualifying Holder that is unable to make these representations will not be accepted. Each of the Company, the Dealer Managers, the Information Agent and the Tender Agent reserves the right, in its absolute discretion, to investigate, in relation to any tender of Existing Bonds for purchase pursuant to the Tender Offer, whether any such representation given by a Qualifying Holder is correct and, if such investigation is undertaken and as a result the Company or the Tender Agent determines (for any reason) that such representation is not correct, such tender shall not be accepted.

The Company, the Dealer Managers, the Information Agent and the Tender Agent (or their respective directors, employees or affiliates) make no representations or recommendations whatsoever regarding this press release, the Tender Offer Memorandum or the Tender Offer. The Tender Agent and the Information Agent are each an agent of the Company and each owes no duty to any Qualifying Holder.

None of the Company, the Dealer Managers, the Information Agent or the Tender Agent makes any recommendation as to whether or not Qualifying Holders should participate in the Tender Offer.

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Full and original release in PDF format:https://www.actusnews.com/documents_communiques/ACTUS-0-97643-20260416-press-release-pricing-new-issue-and-maa-vf.pdf
Calgary, Alberta--(Newsfile Corp. - April 16, 2026) - Argyle Resources Corp. (CSE: ARGL) (OTCQB: ARLYF) (FSE: ME0) ("Argyle" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that on April 14th, 2026, it entered into an option agreement (the "Agreement") with Metallic Minerals Corp. ("Metallic"), pursuant to which the Company will, subject to receipt of approval from the Canadian Securities Exchange ("CSE"), have the right (the "Option") to earn a 100% interest in the McKay Hill Property (the "Property").

Jeff Stevens, Chief Executive Officer of the Company, states, "Acquiring the McKay Hill property marks an exciting new chapter for our company as we expand into the Yukon, one of Canada's most storied and prospective mining districts. This is a rare opportunity to advance an under-explored project in a jurisdiction that has a long history of significant mineral exploration activity. We see strong potential at McKay Hill, and our team is eager to apply modern exploration techniques to expand on the previous work completed by Metallic Minerals Corp. This acquisition fits squarely within our strategy of assembling a portfolio of high-quality assets in established mining regions, and we're looking forward to beginning our work in the Yukon."

The McKay Hill Option

The Company has entered into the Agreement with Metallic, pursuant to which the Company may, subject to receipt of CSE approval, exercise the Option to earn a 100% interest in the Property. The Agreement contemplates that the Company would have three years to exercise the Option, subject to acceleration as set forth below. To exercise the Option, the Company would have to make / incur the following non-refundable cash, equity and work expenditures:

Category On Signing Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Total Cash $75,000 $75,000 $100,000 $200,000 $450,000 Equity (Common Shares)(1) $150,000 $100,000 $150,000 $200,000 $600,000 Work Expenditures Nil $100,000 $350,000 $750,000 $1,200,000

Note:

(1) Shares (as defined below) to be issued at a 10-day volume weighted average price, subject to approval by the CSE.

The Company, in its sole discretion, may accelerate the exercise of the Option by making the cash, equity and work commitments set forth above ahead of schedule. Upon exercise of the Option, the Company would earn a 100% interest in the Property. Upon exercise of the Option, the Property would be subject to an aggregate net smelter returns royalty ("NSR") of 3.5%, with 2.0% of the aggregate NSR subject to a buy-back right by the Company, such that the first one percent (1%) of the Existing Royalty may be repurchased for cancellation for the price of $300,000 and the second one percent (1%) may be repurchased for cancellation for $1,200,000.

About the McKay Hill Property

The Property is currently 100% owned by Metallic and is comprised of 55 square kilometres of claims located approximately 50 kilometres north of the Keno Hill silver district in the Yukon Territory. The Property shows potential to host district-scale silver-gold-copper-lead-zinc mineralized systems. The Property is a historic silver and gold producer with copper, lead, and zinc mineralization. The Property is currently subject to a 3% NSR held by a third-party and Metallic currently holds a right to buy back up to 2% of this NSR.

Exploration at the Property has identified six kilometer-scale targets based on soil and rock sampling. To date 37 high-grade silver-gold-copper-lead-zinc structures have been identified at the Property, that have seen very limited modern exploration. As part of Metallic's broader regional exploration program at and around the Property, which was partly funded by the Yukon Geological Survey's innovative Yukon Mineral Exploration Program, several new clusters of significant silver-gold-copper-lead-zinc mineralization have been identified in the area. Follow-up work resulted in the discovery of mineralization centered at three new kilometer-scale target areas. No significant field work was completed in 2025, with efforts focused on data compilation and targeting.

The Company also announces that it intends to consolidate the common shares of the Company (each, a "Share") on the basis of one (1) post-consolidation Share for every five (5) pre-consolidation Shares (the "Consolidation"). Currently, a total of 55,508,149 Shares are issued and outstanding. Accordingly, upon the Consolidation becoming effective, a total of 11,101,630 Shares, subject to adjustments for rounding, will be issued and outstanding. There is no maximum number of authorized Shares. The exercise or conversion price and the number of Common Shares issuable under any of the Company's outstanding stock options or Common Share purchase warrants will be proportionately adjusted to reflect the Consolidation in accordance with the respective terms thereof.

Endeavor Trust Corporation will mail out a Letter of Transmittal to the shareholders of record as of the record date providing instructions on exchanging pre-Consolidation share certificates for post-Consolidation share certificates. Shareholders are encouraged to send their share certificates, together with their Letter of Transmittal, to Endeavor in accordance with the instructions in the Letter of Transmittal.

Shareholders who hold their Common Shares through a broker, investment dealer, bank or trust company or other intermediary should contact that nominee or intermediary for assistance in depositing their Common Shares in connection with the Consolidation.

The Consolidation is subject to the approval of the Canadian Securities Exchange (the "CSE"). Upon acceptance by the CSE, the Company's trading symbol will remain the same, but the CUSIP and ISIN numbers will change upon the completion of the Consolidation. The Consolidation is subject to the approval of the Canadian Securities Exchange (the "CSE"). The Company will provide further information on the consolidation, at a later date.

Scientific and Technical Information

George Yordanov, P.Geo., Director, reviewed and approved the scientific and technical information disclosed in this press release, acting as the Company's Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects.]

For a discussion of the Company's QA/QC and data verification processes and procedures, please see its most recently-filed technical report, a copy of which may be obtained under the Company's profile at www.sedarplus.ca.

About Argyle Resources Corp.

Argyle Resources Corp. is a junior mineral exploration company engaged in the business of acquiring, exploring, staking and evaluating natural resource properties in North America. The Company owns a 100% interest in the Pilgrim Islands, Matapedia, Lac Comporte and Saint Gabriel quartzite silica projects in Quebec, Canada. The Company also has an option to acquire 100% of the following properties: the Clay Howells Rare Earth Element Project in northern Ontario, Canada.

The Company was incorporated in 2023 and its head office is located in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains forward-looking statements and other statements that are not historical facts. Forward-looking statements are often identified by terms such as "will", "may", "should", "anticipate", "expects" and similar expressions. All statements other than statements of historical fact included in this news release such as statements regarding the Option, future plans regarding the Property, the Consolidation, and future exploration activities at the Property are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the Company's expectations include but are not limited to the risks detailed from time to time in the filings made by the Company with securities regulators. The reader is cautioned that assumptions used in the preparation of any forward-looking information may prove to be incorrect. Events or circumstances may cause actual results to differ materially from those predicted, as a result of numerous known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors, many of which are beyond the control of the Company.

Factors that could cause actual results to vary from forward-looking statements or may affect the operations, performance, development and results of the Company's business include, among other things, that: mineral exploration is inherently uncertain and may be unsuccessful in achieving the desired results; that mineral exploration plans may change and be re-defined based on a number of factors, many of which are outside of the Company's control; the Company's inability to obtain required regulatory approvals; the Company's ability to access sources of debt and equity capital; competitive factors, pricing pressures and supply and demand in the Company's industry. Such information, although considered reasonable by management at the time of preparation, may prove to be incorrect and actual results may differ materially from those anticipated. Forward-looking statements contained in this news release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as of the date of this news release and the Company will update or revise publicly any of the included forward-looking statements as expressly required by applicable law.

The Canadian Securities Exchange (CSE) has not reviewed, approved, or disapproved the contents of this press release. Not for distribution to United States newswire services or for release publication, distribution or dissemination directly, or indirectly, in whole or in part, in or into the United States.

NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO UNITED STATES NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/292872

Source: Argyle Resources Corp.
Calgary, Alberta--(Newsfile Corp. - April 16, 2026) - Saturn Oil & Gas Inc. (TSX: SOIL) (OTCQX: OILSF) ("Saturn" or the "Company"), a light oil-weighted producer focused on unlocking value through the development of our assets in Saskatchewan and Alberta, confirms that the Company intends to report our Q1 2026 financial results on Wednesday, May 6, 2026 after market close.

A conference call and webcast will be held on Thursday, May 7, 2026, at 8:00 am MT (10:00 am ET) for interested investors, analysts, brokers and media representatives. Details and instructions for accessing the call are provided below.

CONFERENCE CALL AND WEBCAST DETAILS

The call will include a discussion with Saturn's leadership team, who will provide an overview of our Q1 2026 results, followed by a question-and-answer session with attendees.

Date: Thursday, May 7, 2026

Thursday, May 7, 2026 Time: 8:00 am MT (10:00 am ET)

8:00 am MT (10:00 am ET) Live Webcast Link: https://www.gowebcasting.com/14645

https://www.gowebcasting.com/14645 North America (Toll Free) Dial In: 1-800-715-9871

1-800-715-9871 International Dial In: 1-647-932-3411

An audio replay of the webcast will be available one hour after the end of the call at the link above and will remain accessible for 12 months. The replay link will also be posted on Saturn's website.

ABOUT SATURN OIL & GAS INC.

Saturn is a returns-driven Canadian energy company focused on the efficient and innovative development of high-quality, light oil weighted assets, supported by an acquisition strategy targeting accretive and complementary opportunities. The Company's portfolio of free-cash flowing, low-decline operated assets in Saskatchewan and Alberta provide a deep inventory of long-term economic drilling opportunities across multiple zones. With an unwavering commitment to building an entrepreneurial and safety-focused culture, Saturn's goal is to increase per share reserves, production and cash flow at an attractive return on invested capital. The Company's shares are listed for trading on the TSX under ticker 'SOIL' and on the OTCQX under the ticker 'OILSF'. Further information and our corporate presentation are available on Saturn's website at www.saturnoil.com.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/292978

Source: Saturn Oil & Gas Inc.
Longueuil, Quebec--(Newsfile Corp. - April 16, 2026) - Greenheart Gold Inc. (TSXV: GHRT) (OTCQX: GHRTF) (the "Company" or "Greenheart Gold") is pleased to announce that it intends to proceed with a non-brokered private placement of up to 50,000,000 common shares at a price of C$1.00 per common share for gross proceeds of up to C$50 million (the "Offering").

The Company is also pleased that La Mancha Investments S.a.r.l. ("La Mancha"), which holds approximately 4.62% of the outstanding common shares of the Company, intends to participate in the Offering and increase its ownership position to approximately 19.90%. In addition, G Mining Ventures Corp. through its wholly owned subsidiary G Mining Guyana Corp. which holds approximately 10.5% of the Company's outstanding common shares, has indicated its intention to exercise its right to participate in the Offering and to acquire such number of shares required to maintain its ownership position. The allocation of the number of common shares each will acquire will depend on the participation of other investors in the Offering.

The Company expects to enter into an investor rights agreement with La Mancha similar in form and substance to the investor rights agreement the Company currently has with G Mining Guyana, which will provide La Mancha with the right to nominate one Board member, and to maintain its ownership interest in the Company in the event of the issue of securities by the Company. La Mancha will also commit to standstill restrictions and to restrictions on the transfer or sale of common shares held by La Mancha.

The Company intends to use the proceeds of the Offering for exploration work on its projects in Suriname and Guyana, potential new acquisition in the Guiana Shield and exploration work thereon, as well as working capital and general corporate purposes.

Insiders of the Company may participate in the Offering. Any participation by G Mining Guyana Corp. or other insiders would be considered a "related-party transaction" under Multilateral Instrument 61-101. However, the Company expects such participation to be exempt from the formal valuation and minority shareholder approval requirements on the basis that neither the fair market value of the common shares subscribed for by the insiders, nor the consideration paid for the common shares by such insiders, would exceed 25% of the Company's market capitalization.

The Offering is expected to close on or about April 30, 2026, or such other date as the Company, in consultation with the principal subscribers, may determine. Closing is subject to certain conditions including, but not limited to, the receipt of subscription agreements, settlement of the investor rights agreement with La Mancha, the receipt of all necessary regulatory and other approvals including the acceptance of the TSX Venture Exchange. The common shares to be issued under the Offering will be subject to a hold period expiring four months and one day after the closing date.

The common shares have not been registered and will not be registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements. This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of the securities in any State in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful.

About Greenheart Gold Inc.

Greenheart Gold is an exploration company that builds on a proven legacy of discoveries within the Guiana Shield, a highly prospective geological terrain that hosts numerous gold deposits yet remains relatively under-explored. The Company is led by former executives and members of the exploration group of Reunion Gold, a team that was most recently noted for the discovery and delineation of the multimillion-ounce Oko West deposit in Guyana. Greenheart Gold is building on its management's technical knowledge, strong contact base and previous success from exploring in the Guiana Shield to assemble, maintain and explore a portfolio of early-stage exploration projects in Guyana and Suriname that are prospective for orogenic gold deposits.

Additional information about the Company is available on SEDAR+ (www.sedarplus.ca) and the Company's website (www.greenheartgold.com).

Cautionary Statement on Forward-Looking Information

All statements, other than statements of historical fact, contained in this press release constitute "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of certain securities laws and are based on expectations and projections as of the date of this press release. Forward-looking statements contained in this press release include, without limitation, those related to the Company's plans and objectives, the anticipated size of the Offering, the timing of closing of the Offering, the anticipated participation of La Mancha Investment and G Mining Guyana in the Offering , the terms of the anticipated investor rights agreement, the planned use of proceeds and, more generally, the section entitled "About Greenheart Gold Inc."

Forward-looking statements are based on beliefs, expectations, estimates and projections as of the time of this press release. Forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon a number of estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable by the Company as of the time of such statements, are inherently subject to significant business, economic and competitive uncertainties and contingencies. These estimates and assumptions may prove to be incorrect. Such assumptions include, without limitation, those underlying the statements in the section entitled "About Greenheart Gold Inc."

Many of these uncertainties and contingencies can directly or indirectly affect, and could cause, actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in any forward-looking statements. By their very nature, forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties, both general and specific in nature, including among others, the risk that La Mancha and/or G Mining Guyana withdraw from the Offering, the TSX Venture Exchange does not approve the Offering, and those risks and uncertainties set forth in the Company's audited interim consolidated financial statements and related notes for the initial period from April 19, 2024 to December 31, 2024, and the associated management's discussion & analysis, as well as any subsequent filings, and other documents and reports filed by the Company with Canadian securities regulators available under the Company's profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca, and the risk that estimates, forecasts, projections and other forward-looking statements will not be achieved or that assumptions do not reflect future outcomes. Forward-looking statements are provided for the purpose of providing information about management's expectations and plans relating to the future. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements as a number of important risk factors and future events could cause the actual outcomes to differ materially from the beliefs, plans, objectives, expectations, anticipations, estimates, assumptions and intentions expressed in such forward-looking statements. The Company cautions that the list of factors set forth in the Company's filings that may affect future results is not exhaustive, and new, unforeseeable risks may arise from time to time. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements or to explain any material difference between subsequent actual events and such forward-looking statements, except to the extent required by applicable law.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this press release.

NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO UNITED STATES NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/292897

Source: Greenheart Gold Inc.
Victoria, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - April 16, 2026) - Cosigo Resources Ltd. (TSXV: CSG) (OTCQB: COSRF) ("Cosigo" or the "Company"):

Further to the Company's press releases dated December 10, 2025 and April 1, 2026 regarding its Private Placement, the Company plans to issue 8,750,000 common shares ("Units") at $0.08 raising $700,000 in gross proceeds. Each Unit consists of one Common Share in the capital of the Company and one Common Share purchase Warrant. Each Warrant will entitle the holder to acquire one Common Share at a price of $0.15 within 60 months following issuance.

Certain directors and officers of the Company ("Interested Parties") purchased a total of 2,247,157 common shares under the Private Placement. The placement to those persons constitutes a "related party transaction" within the meaning of Multilateral Instrument 61-101 - Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions ("MI 61-101). Notwithstanding the foregoing, the directors of the Company have determined that the Interested Parties' participation in the Private Placement will be exempt from the formal valuation and minority shareholder approval requirements of MI 61-101 in reliance on the exemptions set forth in sections 5.5(a) and 5.7(1)(b) of MI 61-101. The Company did not file a material change report 21 days prior to the closing of the Private Placement as the details of the participation of Interested Parties had not been confirmed at that time.

The Company intends to use the proceeds for its 2026 exploration program and for general working capital purposes.

All securities issued pursuant to the Private Placement will be subject to a statutory hold period of four months plus one day from the date of issuance, in addition to such other restrictions as may apply under applicable securities laws of jurisdictions outside Canada.

This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to sell any of securities in the United States. The securities have not been and will not be registered under the U.S. Securities Act or any state securities laws and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to U.S. Persons unless registered under the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws or an exemption from such registration is available.

The Private Placement is subject to the final approval of the TSX Venture Exchange.

About Cosigo Resources

Cosigo Resources Ltd. is a junior exploration company trading on the TSX Venture Exchange (symbol CSG.V). The Company is focused on exploring and developing the gold potential of its properties in the Taraira District in south-east Colombia near the border of Brazil. The Company also holds a 100% interest in the Willow Creek property, located in the northern sierras of Nevada near Winnemucca, a 100% interest in the Damian property in the Cordillera region of Colombia, and owns 13.26% of DHK Diamonds Inc. a company exploring for diamonds in the DO27 region of the Northwest Territories of Canada.

To find out more about Cosigo Resources visit our website at www.cosigo.com.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the Policies of the TSX-Venture Exchange) nor the OTC Markets Group Inc. accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this Release.

Cautionary and Forward-Looking Statements

This news release announces that the Company's current Private Placement is closed and is subject to final approval by the TSX, which is a statement of historical fact. The information in this news release is accurate at the time of posting and may be superseded by more current information.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/293032

Source: Cosigo Resources Ltd.
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - April 16, 2026) - Trojan Gold Inc. (CSE: TGII) (the "Company") wishes to announce that it intends to arrange a non-brokered private placement of 1,000,000 units ("Units") at a price of $0.10 per Unit for total gross proceeds of $100,000.

The Units are comprised of one common share in the capital of the Company which will be issued as a "flow-through share" pursuant to the Income Tax Act (Canada) and one common share purchase warrant (a "Warrant"). Each Warrant will entitle the holder thereof to purchase one additional common share in the capital of the Company for a period of 24 months from the closing date at an exercise price of $0.15, subject to acceleration in certain circumstances.

All securities comprising the Units are subject to a four-month and one-day hold period from the closing date. No finders' fees will be paid in connection with the issuance of the Units.

The Company intends to use the gross proceeds from the sale of the Units to incur exploration expenses that are eligible "Canadian exploration expenses" that qualify as "flow through critical mineral mining expenditures" as such terms are defined in the Income Tax Act (Canada).

The issuance of the Units in the private placement constitutes a "related party transaction" as such term is defined by Multilateral Instrument 61-101 Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions ("MI 61-101"). The Company has relied on the exemptions from the MI 61-101 valuation and minority approval requirements for related party transactions in connection with the issuance of the Units that are set out in sections 5.5(a) and 5.7(1)(a) of MI 61-101 as neither the fair market value (as determined under MI 61-101) of the subject matter of, nor the fair market value of the consideration for, the issuance of the Units, exceeds 25% of the Company's market capitalization (as determined under MI 61-101).

Completion of the Private Placement remain subject to the receipt of all necessary regulatory approvals, including approval of the Canadian Securities Exchange (the "CSE").

About Trojan Gold Inc.

Trojan is an active Ontario-based prospect generator junior exploration company, led by a team of professionals having exploration, engineering, project financing and permitting experience. Trojan has accumulated land positions in the Hemlo Gold Camp and Shebandowan Greenstone Belt which in management's view represent mineral exploration potential. For further information on the Company, please visit www.trojangold.com. Trojan is listed on the Canadian Securities Exchange under the symbol (CSE: TGII) and on the Frankfurt Exchange under the symbol KC1.

Further Information

This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy, nor shall there be any sale of these securities, in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful.

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities laws. All statements contained herein that are not clearly historical in nature may constitute forward-looking information. In some cases, forward-looking information can be identified by words or phrases such as "may", "will", "expect", "likely", "should", "would", "plan", "anticipate", "intend", "potential", "proposed", "estimate", "believe" or the negative of these terms, or other similar words, expressions, and grammatical variations thereof, or statements that certain events or conditions "may" or "will" happen, or by discussions of strategy. Forward-looking information contained in this press release includes, but is not limited to, statements relating to the number and pricing of securities that the Company expects to issue.

Where the Company expresses or implies an expectation or belief as to future events or results, such expectation or belief is based on assumptions made in good faith and believed to have a reasonable basis. Such assumptions include, without limitation, that the Company will receive all necessary approvals required in order to complete the issuance of the securities described in in this press release.

However, forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties, and other factors, which could cause actual results to differ materially from future results expressed, projected, or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such risks include, but are not limited to, the risk that the Company will not be able to proceed with the issuance of the securities on the terms described in this press release or at all due to not having received all necessary approvals or for other reasons beyond the Company's control.

Accordingly, undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking statements and the forward-looking statements contained in this press release are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. The forward-looking statements contained herein are made as at the date hereof and are based on the beliefs, estimates, expectations, and opinions of management on such date. The Company does not undertake any obligation to update publicly or revise any such forward-looking statements or any forward-looking statements contained in any other documents whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise or to explain any material difference between subsequent actual events and such forward-looking information, except as required under applicable securities law. Readers are cautioned to consider these and other factors, uncertainties, and potential events carefully and not to put undue reliance on forward-looking information.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/293034

Source: Trojan Gold Inc.
ST. LOUIS, April 16, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Post Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:POST), a consumer packaged goods holding company, today announced it will hold a conference call on Friday, May 8, 2026 at 9:00 a.m. ET to discuss financial results for the second quarter of fiscal year 2026 and fiscal year 2026 outlook and to respond to questions. Robert V. Vitale, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, Nicolas Catoggio, Chief Operating Officer, and Matthew J. Mainer, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer, will participate in the call.

Post also announced it plans to release its financial results for the second quarter and management prepared remarks after market close on Thursday, May 7, 2026.

Interested parties may join the conference call by dialing (800) 579-2543 in the United States and (785) 424-1789 from outside of the United States. The conference identification number is POSTQ226. Interested parties are invited to listen to the webcast of the conference call, which can be accessed by visiting the Investors section of Post's website at www.postholdings.com.

A replay of the conference call will be available through Friday, May 15, 2026 by dialing (800) 839-4906 in the United States and (402) 220-2684 from outside of the United States. A webcast replay also will be available for a limited period on Post's website in the Investors section.

About Post Holdings, Inc.

Post Holdings, Inc., headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri, is a consumer packaged goods holding company with businesses operating in the center-of-the-store, refrigerated, foodservice and food ingredient categories. Its businesses include Post Consumer Brands, Weetabix, Michael Foods and Bob Evans Farms. Post Consumer Brands is a leader in the North American branded and private label ready-to-eat cereal and granola, pet food and nut butter categories. Weetabix is home to the United Kingdom's number one selling ready-to-eat cereal brand, Weetabix. Michael Foods and Bob Evans Farms are leaders in refrigerated foods, delivering innovative, value-added egg and refrigerated potato side dish products to the foodservice and retail channels. For more information, visit www.postholdings.com.

Contact:

Investor Relations

Daniel O'Rourke

[email protected]

(314) 806-3959

SOURCE Post Holdings, Inc.
HMD has announced a new partnership with Indian actor and entertainer Raghav Juyal, appointing him as the brand ambassador for the companys upcoming smartphone series.

The collaboration is aimed at strengthening HMDs connection with Generation Z and millennial demographics. According to the company, Juyals career trajectorywhich spans dance, television, OTT platforms, and mainstream cinemaaligns with HMDs current brand positioning and its focus on accessible technology and competitive pricing. The brand selected Juyal to leverage his widespread appeal and relatable public image among younger consumers.

Campaign Rollout

As the face of the new smartphone lineup, Juyal will be featured prominently in HMDs upcoming marketing efforts. The company is planning a comprehensive, multi-channel promotional campaign that will span across several mediums, including:

Out-of-Home (OOH) Media: Billboard placements in targeted locations.

Billboard placements in targeted locations. Print Media: Advertisements in traditional print publications.

Advertisements in traditional print publications. Digital Integration: Marketing across social media channels and video-sharing platforms.

Marketing across social media channels and video-sharing platforms. Influencer Networks: Collaborations with digital creators to expand the campaigns reach.

HMDs 2026 Strategic Initiatives

The appointment of a new brand ambassador follows a series of strategic business moves made by HMD earlier in 2026 to expand its market presence in India. These recent corporate milestones include:

Sports Sponsorship: An official association with the Rajasthan Royals franchise for marketing activations during the Indian Premier League (IPL) season.

An official association with the Rajasthan Royals franchise for marketing activations during the Indian Premier League (IPL) season. AI Integration: A technology collaboration with Sarvam AI designed to integrate advanced voice technology features into HMDs line of feature phones.

A technology collaboration with Sarvam AI designed to integrate advanced voice technology features into HMDs line of feature phones. Retail Partnership: An exclusive launch agreement with e-commerce platform Flipkart to facilitate the nationwide distribution and availability of the new smartphone lineup.

This series of alliances and the recent ambassadorship indicate HMDs continued focus on expanding its consumer base and retail footprint in the Indian market.

Sharing thoughts on the recent onboarding, Ravi Kunwar, VP and CEO, HMD India, APAC and ANZ, said:

As we enter our next phase of growth, this partnership with Raghav marks a defining step in HMDs bold reinvention journey. Raghav Juyal embodies the disruptive spirit, authenticity, and creative energy that sits at the core of our brand, with a natural resonance among Gen Z audiences who value individuality, relatability, and self-expression. His persona aligns seamlessly with our vision of building smartphones that empower this new generation to express themselves freely. At HMD, we are reimagining smartphone innovation by combining cutting-edge technology with accessible, value-driven pricing, and as we gear up to introduce our new line of smartphones on Flipkart, this collaboration brings that vision to life in a culturally relevant way.

Speaking about the association, Raghav Juyal commented:

HMDs human-centric approach to technology truly resonates with me, its about empowering creators, not algorithms. What I deeply connect with is their spirit of doing things differently, which mirrors my own journey of making bold, unconventional choices that strike a chord with a generation that values authenticity and individuality. Their smartphones equip versatile storytellers like me with the clarity, power, and reliability to push creative boundaries across every screen and platform. Im genuinely excited to bring a fresh, new-age energy to audiences through HMDs bold campaigns unlocking effortless creativity on the go and turning every moment into something truly alive and meaningful.
The 2026 Sustainable Procurement Barometer shows leading companies are turning sustainability into measurable business performance, with AI accelerating results

PARIS and NEW YORK, April 16, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The 2026 Sustainable Procurement Barometer from EcoVadis, in collaboration with Accenture, shows that top-performing organizations now generate more return from innovation than compliance. Among the top 10% of performers (leaders), 80% cite innovation, now surpassing compliance, as the primary driver of ROI in their sustainable procurement programs, compared to 54% of other companies.

Procurement leaders increasingly prioritize value creation through circular products, resource efficiency, and supplier-driven innovation. Today, 58% of organizations run innovation initiatives across 26%75% of supplier spends, compared with just 9% in 2024.

The findings reflect a broader shift. Procurement teams are under pressure to manage cost, risk, and disruption while delivering on sustainability goals. Leading organizations are responding by embedding sustainability into core business decisions and using it to improve resilience, efficiency, and growth.

According to research conducted by Accenture, disruptions are costing organizations more than $1.6 trillion in lost annual revenue growth. Organizations that proactively build more resilient supply chains are better equipped to manage multi-tier sustainability risks, achieving 3.6% higher revenue growth than their peers.

A new gap is also emerging: a growing digital asymmetry between buyers and suppliers. To build resilience and turn supplier data into faster, more effective decisions, procurement teams are also turning to AI. The Barometer shows that while a majority of buyers are now deploying AI tools operationally for predictive analytics (72%), risk screening (64%), and data validation (62%), suppliers are lagging on AI adoption.

This emerging digital asymmetry risks widening existing ESG data gaps and limiting visibility and value creation across supply networks. In fact, nearly 80% of buyers have visibility into the sustainability performance of more than half of their Tier 1 suppliers, but Tier 2 remains a blind spot (only 12% at 50%+ visibility) and Tier 3 is largely opaque.

"The question is no longer whether to invest in sustainable procurement. It is how to make it deliver measurable business results," said Pierre-Francois Thaler, Co-Founder and Co-CEO of EcoVadis. "The leaders are using sustainability data to make everyday sourcing decisions, applying AI to manage risk and performance at scale, and holding suppliers accountable for improvement. That is what turns sustainability into cost control, resilience, and growth."

The Barometer also shows global convergence around three core topics: net-zero and carbon management, supplier workforce practices, and circularity and resource efficiency. But regional differences in other sustainability priorities reflect varying regulatory and market trajectories.

Carbon management remains the strategic constant. Managing supply chain emissions and advancing net-zero progress is still the leading priority, cited as a top-three program focus area by 54% of organizations. Teams expect carbon to remain just as important over the next two to three years. Supplier labor practices are foundational to programs. High labor standards are becoming a baseline expectation as programs mature, driven by continued stakeholder scrutiny and tightening due diligence requirements. Organizations face growing pressure to increase visibility into working conditions and human rights risks across their supply base. Value levers and emerging risks are rising on the agenda. As core priorities become embedded in program foundations, organizations are shifting their focus toward value-creation opportunities  such as circularity and responsible AI  and emerging risk areas like data ethics and digital traceability.

Across all regions, organizations are aligned on net-zero and carbon management, supplier workforce and labor practices, and circularity and resource efficiency as the most significant sustainability topics shaping sustainable procurement strategies.

"Many companies now consider sustainable procurement a core driver of business performance," said Matias Pollmann-Larsen, Global Risk, Resilience and Sustainable Value Chain Lead at Accenture. "Organizations that combine sustainability data with AI are making faster, more informed decisions across their supply chains. That is improving resilience, reducing disruption, and driving measurable growth."

For a complete look at the key trends and issues in the sustainable procurement landscape today, download the full 2026 Sustainable Procurement Barometer here.

To hear directly from EcoVadis' Pierre-Francois Thaler and Accenture' Matias Pollman-Larsen, register here to join our dedicated webinar as part of EcoVadis' Green Room series, on the 6th of May at 10.30am CET.

Methodology

The report is based on an in-depth survey of executives and senior leaders across 1,000 multinationals with more than $1 billion in annual revenue, and nearly 2,000 suppliers across global supply chains, collectively representing 20 industries and a balanced geographic distribution across the Americas, EMEA, and APAC. More information is included in the report.

ABOUT ECOVADIS

EcoVadis is a purpose-driven company dedicated to embedding sustainability intelligence into every business decision worldwide. In 2024, EcoVadis acquired Ulula, a leading worker voice platform that strengthens its capabilities in supporting human rights due diligence. With global, trusted, and actionable ratings, businesses of all sizes rely on EcoVadis' detailed insights to comply with ESG regulations, reduce GHG emissions, and improve the sustainability performance of their business and value chain across 250 industries in 185 countries. Leaders like Johnson & Johnson, L'Oreal, Unilever, Bridgestone, BASF, and JPMorgan are among 175,000+ businesses that use EcoVadis ratings, risk, and carbon management tools and e-learning platform to accelerate their journey toward resilience, sustainable growth, and positive impact worldwide.

Learn more on: ecovadis.com or LinkedIn.

SOURCE EcoVadis Inc.
The Cape town-born brand brings its clean-label, low-sugar sodas to American shelves

CAPE TOWN, South Africa, April 16, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Pura Beverage Company, is bringing a new kind of soda to U.S. shoppers. Its better-for-you line, PuraSoda, crafted with simple ingredients and just a touch of pure cane sugar, is making its nationwide debut at Sprouts Farmers Market. This exclusive partnership marks the brand's first major retail presence in the United States, introducing its modern take on soda to American consumers seeking flavorful, lower-sugar options made without artificial ingredients or stevia.

PuraSoda Image

As modern consumers move away from traditional sodas and overly processed alternatives, PuraSoda offers a better-for-you option that delivers everything people love about classic soda, the bubbles, the flavor, the satisfaction, without the negative ingredients. Crafted with just four simple ingredients, including real fruit extracts and a touch of pure organic cane sugar, each 10 oz can packs bright flavor with 65 calories or less. Free from artificial colors, sweeteners, stevia, or unrecognizable additives, PuraSoda provides a clean, refreshing middle ground that out flavors sparkling waters and under-sugars traditional sodas, letting everyone, Live a Little Pura.

PuraSoda will launch at Sprouts with a lineup of refreshing flavors, including:

Cucumber & Lime  Made from Florida cucumbers and limes from Mexico and Peru, this cold-pressed soda is as cool as shade on a summer afternoon.

 Made from Florida cucumbers and limes from Mexico and Peru, this cold-pressed soda is as cool as shade on a summer afternoon. Cranberry  Tart and crisp with just the right amount of boldness, best enjoyed ice cold.

 Tart and crisp with just the right amount of boldness, best enjoyed ice cold. Ginger Ale  Crisp and bright with a ginger bite. This Ginger Ale brings real ginger warmth and lively bubbles for a classic spicy-sweet flavor.

Available as single cans, making it easier than ever for shoppers to discover and enjoy the brand.

"Launching as an exclusive at Sprouts marks an exciting milestone for Pura as our soda officially hits store shelves," said Greig Jansen, Founder and CEO of Pura Beverage. "We created PuraSoda to give people a drink they can feel good about sipping, one that delivers real flavor, simple ingredients, and just the right amount of sweetness. As more consumers look for better-for-you alternatives, Sprouts is the perfect partner to help us introduce PuraSoda to American shelves in a meaningful way."

PuraSoda is now available at Sprouts Farmers Market locations nationwide and online at drinkpura.com and Amazon.com

About Pura Beverage Company

Founded in 2015 by Greig Jansen, Pura Beverage Company was created to offer a better alternative to traditional sodas and juices, delivering great taste without compromising on ingredients. In 2017, the company launched its flagship product, PuraSoda, a low-sugar soda made with just four simple ingredients, including real cane sugar, and free from artificial colors or sweeteners. Since then, Pura has expanded its portfolio to include PuraKids, a line of juice boxes, and continues to grow its global footprint through international markets, e-commerce platforms like Amazon, and an expanding retail presence in the United States. Rooted in a commitment to simplicity and balance, Pura crafts beverages that let consumers enjoy what they love while making more mindful choices every day. To learn more visit drinkpura.com

SOURCE Pura Beverage Company
China brings arts criticism to public squares as communities reshape folk traditions

Xinhua) 10:59, April 16, 2026

Representative inheritors of Mudong mountain songs, listed as part of China's national intangible cultural heritage, perform during an event in Banan District of Chongqing Municipality, southwest China, March 27, 2026. (Xinhua)

CHONGQING, April 15 (Xinhua) -- On a spring morning in a public square in southwest China's Chongqing Municipality, a performance of traditional mountain songs turned into a lively debate.

One audience member, seemingly in his 50s or 60s, said the rhythm was too fast for farmers to sing while working. A woman of a similar age countered that people her age enjoyed square dancing, and that faster tempos could help the songs reach a wider audience.

This exchange formed part of "Sparrow Art Reviews," a grassroots cultural initiative that is taking arts criticism beyond academic circles into everyday community spaces.

Launched in 2017 in Chongqing's Banan District, the program has held more than 600 events and engaged over 300,000 participants, according to organizers.

Designed to address the perception that arts criticism is "lofty and detached" from everyday life, the initiative moves discussions out of academic settings and into neighborhood squares, village courtyards and community centers, using plain language instead of technical jargon. Participants are encouraged not only to watch performances but also to comment on lyrics, melody, staging and cultural relevance, often resulting in sharply differing views.

"Everyone speaks from their own experience and says what they think," said Zhao Shenzhu, vice chairwoman of the Henan Provincial Literary and Art Critics Association. "That kind of atmosphere, where voices contend freely and everyone evaluates together, brings arts criticism down from the ivory tower into everyday life."

REVIVING TRADITION VIA PUBLIC VOICES

China has listed more than 1,500 items of intangible cultural heritage on its national registry since 2006, many of which face declining transmission as younger generations move to cities, among other factors. Initiatives like "Sparrow Art Reviews" are increasingly being used to address this challenge.

Mudong mountain songs, a local folk tradition rooted in the labor rhythms of rice cultivation along the Yangtze River and listed as part of China's national intangible cultural heritage in 2006, have gained renewed attention through such events.

Qin Qiuyue, a representative inheritor of Mudong mountain songs intangible cultural heritage, said the forums had opened up new directions for her work.

"Their suggestions were valuable," she said. "They made me think about how to make Mudong mountain songs fit people's everyday lives and get more people not just to listen, but to take part."

Suggestions from attendees have ranged from integrating the songs into short videos and mobile games to adapting their rhythms for square dancing.

The approach is also filtering into classrooms. Xu Daoquan, a music teacher, encourages students to comment on folk songs during lessons, making classes more interactive. A curriculum he helped develop has since been introduced across the district.

Traditional crafts are also finding new audiences. Wang Hua, an inheritor of Yudong random stitch embroidery, said the public forums have changed how she engages with her work.

"The first time I took part, I was very nervous," she said. "I didn't expect the audience to respond so warmly to my work." She added that the experience helped her become more confident in both practicing and explaining her craft, while also helping to attract younger apprentices.

FROM CULTURAL POLICY TO COMMUNITY CHANGE

Chinese authorities have in recent years stepped up efforts to expand public cultural services and promote a people-centered approach to cultural development. Grassroots initiatives such as "Sparrow Art Reviews" are seen as a way to enrich cultural life while improving public appreciation of the arts.

The program typically combines performances, expert commentary and open discussion, allowing professional critics and ordinary citizens to engage on the same platform.

Yuan Yan, an associate researcher at the Jiangxi Academy of Social Sciences in east China, said the model reflects a form of cultural participation in which non-professional voices are given full respect.

Beyond the arts, organizers say the initiative is reshaping community life.

In Dongwenquan Town, residents who once spent leisure time playing mahjong now gather for waist drum performances and square dancing after attending the sessions. Some groups have gone on to develop original programs and take part in local competitions.

The initiative highlights a broader challenge facing China and beyond: how to preserve traditional culture while keeping it relevant to contemporary life.

For performers, feedback from audiences can be immediate and sometimes contradictory. For participants, it offers a rare opportunity to influence how artistic traditions evolve.

Building on the success of "Sparrow Art Reviews," districts and counties across Chongqing have established their own literary and art critics associations, each developing what officials describe as a distinctive local model of community arts engagement.

Critics, said Xu Yuechun, vice chairman of the China Literature and Art Critics Association, should play a greater role at the grassroots level and help improve public appreciation of the arts.

(Web editor: Wang Xiaoping, Liang Jun)
CONSHOHOCKEN, Pa., April 16, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Quaker Houghton (NYSE: KWR) today announced the following schedule and contact information for its first quarter 2026 earnings release and investor call.

Earnings Release: Thursday, April 30, 2026 (after market close)

Visit the investor relations portion of Quaker Houghton's

website at https://investors.quakerhoughton.com/



Teleconference: Friday, May 1, 2026, at 8:00 a.m. (ET)

Participate live by phone or listen to live audio webcast through

the investor relations portion of Quaker Houghton's website at

https://investors.quakerhoughton.com/



Dial-in Number: +1-877-269-7756 (toll-free)

+1-201-689-7817 (toll)

Please call 5-10 minutes prior to the scheduled start of the call.

No password required.



If unable to participate live, select from one of the following replay options:

Digital Replay: Available through May 15, 2026

Call +1-877-660-6853 (toll free) or +1-201-612-7415 (toll)

Conference ID No. 13759650



Archived Webcast: Visit the investor relations portion of Quaker Houghton's website

at https://investors.quakerhoughton.com/

About Quaker Houghton

Quaker Houghton is the global leader in industrial process fluids. With a presence around the world, including operations in over 25 countries, our customers include thousands of the world's most advanced and specialized steel, aluminum, automotive, aerospace, offshore, container, mining, and metalworking companies. Our high-performing, innovative and sustainable solutions are backed by best-in-class technology, deep process knowledge and customized services. With approximately 4,700 employees, including chemists, engineers and industry experts, we partner with our customers to improve their operations so they can run even more efficiently, even more effectively, whatever comes next. Quaker Houghton is headquartered in Conshohocken, Pennsylvania, located near Philadelphia in the United States. Visit quakerhoughton.com to learn more.

SOURCE Quaker Houghton
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.
The new Royal Caribbean Group Foundation formalizes a commitment to scale the company's philanthropic partnerships globally, expanding its ability to collaborate with organizations and institutions that support economic opportunity, community well-being, and environmental stewardship.

"Strong communities are essential to delivering exceptional vacation experiences, and the Royal Caribbean Group Foundation reflects the company's belief that tourism can be a force for long-term positive change," said Jason Liberty, chairman and CEO of Royal Caribbean Group. "Supporting the education of emergency medicine physicians in South Florida is an example of how we invest in the long-term vitality of the places we operate, contributing to the essential systems that help communities thrive and sustain meaningful economic opportunity."

The Royal Caribbean Group Foundation is powered by the mission of the company's existing SEA the Future framework - Sustaining the planet, Energizing communities, and Accelerating innovation. Its inception is an authentic step forward in Royal Caribbean Group's mission to invest in the long-term vitality of the destinations people are eager to discover, ensuring that tourism continues to create shared value for generations to come.

Continual learning and advancing innovation are key components of SEA the Future's focus embodied by such purposeful projects as:

$15 million in scholarships awarded to 6,660+ students since 1998

235+ community partners supported across 85+ destinations in 2025

$13 million invested in conservation efforts and transformational operations work with World Wildlife Fund since 2016

$1.6 million donated to disaster relief in 2025

15 years of operating L'Ecole Nouvelle Royal Caribbean (ENRC) school in Haiti with 4,600 graduates and 700 scholarships awarded

280+ scholarships awarded to United Kingdom Cadet Program maritime students

26 reimagined educational spaces impacting 26,000+ teachers and 400,000+ students over 20 years

In addition, Royal Caribbean Group employees have contributed thousands of volunteer hours supporting education, disaster relief, ocean conservation, and community development initiatives around the world. To learn more about the company's efforts and SEA the Future platform, go to royalcaribbeangroup.com/corporateresponsibility.

About Royal Caribbean Group

Royal Caribbean Group is a leading global vacation company spanning cruise, exclusive destinations, and land-based vacation experiences. The company operates 69 ships sailing to more than 1,000 destinations across all seven continents through its three wholly owned brands - Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises, and Silversea - and a 50% joint venture interest in TUI Cruises, which operates the Mein Schiff and Hapag-Lloyd brands.

The Group is expanding its portfolio of private destinations from three to eight by 2028 through its Perfect Day and Royal Beach Club collections, and the company will enter river cruising in 2027 with Celebrity River Cruises. Powered by innovative brands, advanced technology, and an industry-leading loyalty program, the company has built a connected vacation ecosystem, turning the vacation of a lifetime into a lifetime of vacations.

Named to the Fortune World's Most Admired Companies 2026 list and to Forbes' 2026 Best American Companies lists, Royal Caribbean Group is guided by its mission to deliver the best vacations responsibly. For more information, visit royalcaribbeangroup.com .

About Royal Caribbean Group Foundation

Launched in 2026, the Royal Caribbean Group Foundation is a charitable entity established by Royal Caribbean Group to advance positive, lasting change through global and regional partnerships and community-based solutions. This dedicated focus builds on a deep-rooted history in global impact, supporting 235+ community partners across disaster relief, ocean conservation, and more. Anchored by the mission of Royal Caribbean Group's SEA the Future program, the Foundation aids efforts that Sustain our planet, Energize communities, and Accelerate innovation. The Royal Caribbean Group Foundation is a 501(c)(3) taxexempt organization, and donations are tax deductible to the extent permitted by law (EIN 393424030). Learn more at RCGfoundation.org.

SOURCE Royal Caribbean Group
The French government is pressing the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to release the 86-year-old French widow of a military veteran from immigration custody in Louisiana after she was detained earlier this month
IRGC intelligence forces capture 4 Mossad spies, dismantle terror teams in Iran

Iran Press TV

Wednesday, 15 April 2026 6:12 PM

The Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) intelligence forces have captured four people in the northern province of Gilan on charges of spying for the Israeli spy agency Mossad, and dismantled terror teams in the southeastern part of the country.

According to a statement released by the Public Relations Department of the provincial IRGC Quds Force on Wednesday, the arrestees were each in contact with Mossad intelligence officers, gathering intelligence on sensitive security and military installations.

They would then take pictures of the sites and share their relevant coordinates with Mossad officers via social media platforms.

The detainees have been handed over to judicial authorities to face due legal procedures.

The statement said the IRGC intelligence and security forces are closely monitoring all movements and attempts by individuals affiliated with foreign intelligence services, and all such operatives will be detected and harshly dealt with.

Separately, Iranian intelligence and security forces have managed to detect and dismantle a number of terror teams in the southeastern province of Sistan and Balouchestan since the onset of the illegal, imposed US-Israeli war on the Islamic Republic on February 28.

The IRGC Quds Base announced in a statement that 55 terrorists have been apprehended ever since, and another 13 have been eliminated.

The statement said that the terror teams sought to carry out acts of sabotage concurrent with the US-Israeli aerial assaults.

They were, however, arrested during separate operations before any terrorist attack, and a considerable amount of ammunition, assault rifles, explosives and communications devices were seized from them.

The statement said the terrorists reportedly intended to plant and set off roadside bombs, attack military installations, assassinate senior officials, and identify critical infrastructure to be targeted by US-Israeli strikes.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Israel detains woman over alleged espionage for Iranian intelligence agencies

Iran Press TV

Wednesday, 15 April 2026 11:32 AM

Israel's so-called internal security service, known as Shin Bet or Shabak, has detained an Israeli woman over allegedly spying for Iranian intelligence agencies.

According to reports from Shin Bet on Wednesday, the woman, whose identity has not been disclosed pending further investigation, is accused of engaging in activities that jeopardized the regime's so-called national security.

The agency alleged that she gathered intelligence by photographing key Israeli military installations, including army bases, security installations, and critical oil refineries situated in Haifa.

It also claimed that the woman received financial compensation in exchange for her espionage efforts, particularly for providing information on a high-profile former Israeli official.

This is not the first time Israel has arrested people over alleged spying for Iran.

Israeli authorities have said they have arrested two men over allegedly surveilling minister of military affairs, Israel Katz, on behalf of Iran.

The regime's so-called security agencies have also claimed they arrested a 16-year-old teen over allegedly spying for Iran in exchange for cash.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Russia and Belarus Intel Agencies Jointly Expose Malicious Foreign Plans - Russian Intel Head

Sputnik News

20260415

"The situation on Russia's and Belarus's western borders can be described as tense," Sergei Naryshkin, director of Russia's Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR), said, speaking at a joint board meeting of the Russian and Belarusian intelligence services in Kaliningrad.

Other key statements:

EU countries oppose a peace settlement in Ukraine because they have invested heavily in the war

The Baltic states and Poland are increasing their mobilization potential

European populations, deceived by their authorities over Ukraine, could trigger a political tsunami

Ukrainian forces will soon lose their ability to organize resistance, after which a just peace will be established

Iran's tough stance proves that dictating terms to other countries is no longer an option today

Russia has offered its services as a mediator and host for bilateral negotiations on Iran

 Sputnik

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






CHAMBERSBURG, Pa., April 16, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The Franklin County Visitors Bureau invites you to celebrate America's 250th birthday and kick off a season of countywide festivities at the EPIC Franklin County America250PA Parade on Saturday, April 18, 2026, stepping off at 1:00 PM in downtown Chambersburg. This once in a generation celebration is your chance to experience the full spirit, color, and creativity of Franklin Countyright from the parade route or from a special birds eye view.

Celebrate America's 250th anniversary at the EPIC Franklin County America250PA Parade in downtown Chambersburg PA. One hundred entries are taking to the street to celebrate the American semiquincentennial. Come in person or discover how to view online in the adjacent story.

With one hundred entries, the parade promises an afternoon packed with excitement for all ages. Families can look forward to:

Floats of every shape and size

Greencastle Antrim Marching Band bringing hometown pride

Forts, horses, and wagons

Classic cars and Jeeps

Antique fire engines alongside impressive modern equipment

Veterans' groups, youth performers, and community organizations

Living history, arts, agriculture, and innovation displays

And so much more filling the streets with energy and celebration

This is Franklin County showing up in full force to honor 250 years of America and the people, stories, and communities that make our nation what it is.

Pennsylvania's America250PA initiative embraces the acronym EPICEducate, Preserve, Innovate, Celebrate. The Franklin County parade brings these themes to life with entries that highlight the county's heritage, creativity, and forward-looking spirit. Every participant helps tell the story of Franklin County and what the county is proud to share with the world.

Join the celebration in person or enjoy a birds-eye view from home. With family, neighbors or along the streets of downtown Chambersburg, the afternoon of April 18 will be filled with music, history, horses, tractors, fire engines, and unforgettable community pride.

For those unable to attend in person, the Franklin County Visitors Bureau is offering a special second floor livestream from the Franklin County 11/30 Visitors Center. This elevated vantage point provides a unique bird's eye view of the parade as it moves through downtownperfect for anyone who wants to be part of the celebration from afar.

Tune in here on parade day and celebrate America's 250th birthday with Franklin County PA.

The Franklin County Visitors Bureau invites all to explore history, arts and architecture, recreation, natural beauty, fresh foods, and the warm hospitality of communities like Chambersburg, Greencastle, Mercersburg, Shippensburg, and Waynesboro. Franklin County PA is located just north of the Mason-Dixon Line and is an easy drive from Washington DC, Philadelphia, and New York. For more information, visit ExploreFranklinCountyPA.com or contact the Franklin County Visitors Bureau at 866.646.8060 for information and 11/30 Visitors Center activities.

SOURCE Franklin County Visitors Bureau
Contracts

Contracts for April 15, 2026

NAVY

Lockheed Martin Space, Titusville, Florida, is being awarded a $850,410,935 cost-plus- incentive-fee modification (P00024) to a previously awarded and announced contract (N0003024C0100) for TRIDENT II (D5) Life Extension 2 SSP Alteration Advanced Design and Development Program efforts. Work will be performed in Denver, Colorado (55.20%); Cape Canaveral, Florida (8.06%); Magna, Utah (4.04%); Titusville, Florida (3.35%); Elkton, Maryland (2.61%); Culpepper, Virginia (2.59%); Sunnyvale, California (2.44%); Orlando, Florida (1.70%); Clearwater, Florida (1.22%); and Folsom, California (1.17%); and locations less than 1.0% each (17.62%). Work is expected to be completed Sept. 30, 2030. Fiscal 2026 weapons procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $850,410,935 will be obligated on this modification award and no funds will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract is being awarded to the contractor on a sole source basis under 10 U.S. Code 2304(a)(1) and was previously synopsized on the Systems for Award Management (SAM) website, with one proposal received. Strategic Systems Programs, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity.

The University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, Texas, was awarded a $75,480,869 cost-only contract for surface combatant ship design and engineering efforts for land-based testing of shipboard power systems. This contract includes options which, if exercised, would bring the cumulative value of the contract to $86,416,590. Work will be performed in Arlington, Texas, and is expected to be completed by April 2031. Fiscal 2026 research, development, test and evaluation (Navy) funds in the amount of $7,875,275 (88%); and fiscal 2025 research, development, test and evaluation (Navy) funds in the amount of $1,058,164 (12%), will be obligated at time of award, of which $1,058,164 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured via white paper selection under a broad agency announcement, with multiple offers received. Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity. (Awarded April 10, 2024).

General Dynamics Electric Boat Corp., Groton, Connecticut, is awarded a $37,604,626 cost-plus-fixed-fee modification to a previously awarded contract (N00024-20-C-2120) for lead yard support and development studies and design efforts related to Virginia-class submarines. This contract modification includes options which, if exercised, would bring the cumulative value of the contract change to $71,029,423. Work will be performed in McLeansville, North Carolina, and is expected to be completed by April 2027. Fiscal 2026 research, development, test and evaluation (Navy) funds in the amount of $23,000,000, will be obligated at time of award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity.

Ayuda Companies, Denver, Colorado is awarded a $35,000,000 firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for environmental compliance services. Work to be performed includes environmental services to ensure operations demonstrate and maintain compliance with all applicable federal, U.S. territory, and local environmental statutes and regulations. Work will be performed at Joint Region Marianas, Guam, and is expected to be completed by April 2031. Fiscal 2026 operations and maintenance, (Navy) funds in the amount of $2,554,071 will be obligated at time of award, and will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured via SAM.gov website with six offers received. The Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command Marianas, Santa Rita, Guam, is the contracting activity (N4019226D5000).

Architects Pacific Inc., Honolulu, Hawaii, is awarded a $20,000,000 firm-fixed price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for architect-engineer-services. Work will be performed within the Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command (NAVFAC) Hawaii area of responsibility and is expected to be completed by April 2031. Fiscal 2026 operation and maintenance, (Navy) funds in the amount of $10,000 will be obligated at time of award for the minimum guarantee, and funds will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured via the sam.gov website, with eight offers received. NAVFAC Hawaii, Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, is the contracting activity (N62478-26-D-5042).

Lockheed Martin Corp., Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co., Fort Worth, Texas, is awarded a $17,519,461 modification (P00006) to a cost-plus-fixed-fee, firm-fixed-price order (N0001925F2558) against a previously issued basic ordering agreement (N0001924G0010). This modification adds scope to procure material modification kits and special test and tooling equipment necessary to support retrofit and modification efforts for the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter program for the Air Force, Marine Corps, Navy, Foreign Military Sales, and non-U.S. Department of War (DOW) participants. Work will be performed in Fort Worth, Texas, and is expected to be completed in December 2028. Fiscal 2024 aircraft procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $5,029,653; fiscal 2025 aircraft procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $4,120,008; fiscal 2025 aircraft procurement (Air Force) funds in the amount of $4,635,895; and non-U.S. DOW participant funds in the amount of $3,733,905, will be obligated at the time of award, $5,029,653 of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract action was not competed. Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity.

Union Paving & Construction Co. Inc., Mountainside, New Jersey, is awarded a $17,154,700 firm-fixed-price construction contract. Work to be performed includes repair of 16 degraded corrugated metal pipe culverts supporting the Normandy Road Ammunition Rail, Naval Weapons Station Earle, Colts Neck, New Jersey, and is expected to be completed by July 2027. Fiscal 2026 Commander, Navy Installations Command operations and maintenance, (Navy) funds in the amount of $17,154,700 will be obligated at time of award and will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured via the SAM.gov website with three offers received. The Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command, Mid-Atlantic, Norfolk, Virginia, is the contracting activity (N40085-26-C-0008).

D. Gillette Industrial Service's Inc.,* Easton Pennsylvania, is awarded $14,714,694 firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for the procurement of up to 130 quick engine change assembly and propeller maintenance dollies, as well as associated adapter assemblies in support of the Navy's E2-D aircraft program and both the Navy and Air Force C-130 aircraft programs to support all variants of the E-2D and C-130 at the organizational and intermediate levels to perform T56 engine and propeller maintenance. Work will be performed in Easton, Pennsylvania, and is expected to be completed by April 2029. No funds will be obligated at the time of award; funds will be obligated on individual orders as they are issued. This contract was non-competitively competed. Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division, Lakehurst, New Jersey, is the contracting activity (N6833526D0008).

Platform Systems Inc.,* doing business as Platform Aerospace, Hollywood, Maryland, is awarded a $12,893,010 firm-fixed-price modification to a previously awarded job order contract (N0016425FJ608) for Vanilla Long Endurance Unmanned Aircraft Systems, supporting hardware, spare parts, engineering support, and logistics support. Work will be performed in Hollywood, Maryland, and is expected to be completed by August 2026. Fiscal 2026 research development, test, and evaluation (Navy) funds in the amount of $12,893,010 will be obligated at time of award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Naval Surface Warfare Center, Crane Division, Crane, Indiana, is the contracting activity.

AIR FORCE

Raytheon Co., Tucson, Arizona, was awarded a not-to-exceed $234,757,000 cost plus fixed-fee undefinitized contract action for the Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile (AMRAAM) Extended Range (ER) Transition to Production. This contract provides for the activities needed to transition the AMRAAM ER into full-rate production. Work will be performed at Tucson, Arizona, and is expected to be completed by April 13, 2030. This contract involves Foreign Military Sales (FMS) to Hungary, Kuwait, Lithuania, Netherlands, Norway, and Taiwan. This contract was a sole source acquisition. FMS funds in the amount of $61,569,156 are being obligated at time of award. The Air Force Lifecycle Management Center Weapons Superiority Contracting Branch, Robins Air Force Base, Georgia, is the contracting activity (FA855626CB002). (Awarded April 14, 2026).

Chromalloy Gas Turbine LLC, Newnan, Georgia, was awarded a ceiling $13,724,345 indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for the remanufacture of F-100-PW-220 6th-12th Stage Stators and 4th-5th Stage Shrouds. This contract provides for remanufacturing services resulting in a supply of the F-100-PW-220 6th-12th Stage Stators and 4th-5th Stage Shrouds. Work will be performed at Newnan, Georgia, and is expected to be completed by April 13, 2027. This contract involves Foreign Military Sales to Taiwan, Belgium, Chile, Egypt, Indonesia, Israel, Japan, Jordan, South Korea, Norway, Pakistan, Portugal, Romania, Saudi Arabia, and Thailand. This contract was a competitive acquisition and one offer was received. Fiscal 2026 working capital funds in the amount of $2,660,150 are being obligated at time of award. Air Force Sustainment Center PZA Engines Section, Tinker Air Force Base, Midwest City, Oklahoma, is the contracting activity (FA812126D0007).

DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY

Masimo Corp., Irvine, California, has been awarded a maximum $100,000,000 modification (P00021) exercising the five-year option period of a five-year base contract (SPE2D1-21-D-0010) with one five-year option period for patient monitoring and capital equipment. This is a fixed-price with economic-price-adjustment, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract. The ordering period end date is April 19, 2031. Using customers are Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines Corps, and federal civilian agencies. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2026 through 2031 defense working capital funds. The contracting activity is Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

SupplyCore Inc.,* Rockford, Illinois, has been awarded a maximum $75,000,000 firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for facilities maintenance, repair and operations supplies. This was a sole-source acquisition using justification 10 U.S. Code 3204 (a)(1), as stated in Federal Acquisition Regulation 6.302-1. This is a 321-day bridge contract with no option periods. Location of performance is Alaska, with a March 2, 2027, ordering period end date. Using customers are Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2026 through 2027 defense working capital funds. The contracting activity is Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (SPE8E3-26-D-0007).

Goodwill Industries of South Florida Inc.,** Miami, Florida, has been awarded a maximum $69,734,496 firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for combat uniform female trousers. This is a five-year contract with no option periods. The ordering period end date is April 14, 2031. Using military services are Army, Air Force, and Space Force. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2026 through 2031 defense working capital funds. The contracting activity is Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (SPE1C1-26-D-N012).

UPDATE: The Janz Corp.,*** Columbus, Ohio (SPE2DE-26-D-0007, $49,000,000), has been added as an awardee to the multiple award contract for medical and surgical supplies for the Defense Logistics Agency Electronic Catalog, issued against solicitation SPE2DE-22-R0017 and awarded Sept. 28, 2023. The contracting activity is Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

ARMY

General Dynamics Land Systems, Sterling Heights, Michigan, was awarded a $44,394,688 modification (PZ0004) to contract W912CH-25-D-0025 for definitizing the undefinitized contract action and establishing pricing for the five-year requirements contract for maintenance and training module/squad leader display version 3 kits to upgrade technology and diagnostics for Stryker Double V-Hull A1 vehicles. The modification brings the total cumulative face value of the contract to $63,961,392. Bids were solicited via the internet with one received. Work locations and funding will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of Feb. 20, 2030. Army Contracting Command, Detroit Arsenal, Michigan, is the contracting activity.

Panacea Construction Group LLC,* Dubois, Wyoming (W50S96-26-D-A010); Razor Consulting Solutions Inc.,* Fargo, North Dakota (W50S96-26-D-A011); Gil Haugan Construction Inc.,* Sioux Falls, South Dakota (W50S96-26-D-A012); Gast Construction Co. Inc.,* Wahpeton, North Dakota (W50S96-26-D-A013); MDM Construction LLC,* West Fargo, North Dakota (W50S96-26-D-A014); T.F. Powers Construction Co., Fargo, North Dakota (W50S96-26-D-A015); Huot Construction and Services Inc., South St. Paul, Minnesota (W50S96-26-D-A016); Sterling Constructors LLC,* Denver, Colorado (W50S96-26-D-A017); BHI Construction LLC,* Harrisburg, South Dakota (W50S96-26-D-A018); RJS Construction Inc,* Union Gap, Washington (W50S96-26-D-A019); MCL-MRK VII LLC,* La Vista, Nebraska (W50S96-26-D-A020); TATCO LLC,* Caputa, South Dakota (W50S96-26-D-A021); and Bruce Kreofsky & Sons Inc.,* Plainview, Minnesota (W50S96-26-D-A022), will compete for each order of the $25,000,000 firm-fixed-price contract for construction services under the South Dakota National Guard construction, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity, multi award, task order contract. This total cumulative face value is $25,000,000. Bids were solicited via the internet with 21 received. Work locations and funding will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of April 14, 2036. U.S. Property and Fiscal Office for South Dakota is the contracting activity.

*Small business

**Mandatory source

***Small business

https://www.defense.gov/News/Contracts/Contract/Article/4459874/

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Flintlock 26 Commences in Cote d'Ivoire and Libya

Exercise Flintlock 2026, U.S. Africa Command's premier special operations exercise, officially began with dual opening ceremonies in Libya and Cote d'Ivoire on April 14, 2026.

By Tech. Sgt. Katelynn Moeller , Special Operations Command Africa Libya Apr 13, 2026

SIRTE, Libya, and ABIDJAN, Cote d'Ivoire -- Exercise Flintlock 2026, U.S. Africa Command's premier special operations exercise, officially began with dual opening ceremonies in Libya and Cote d'Ivoire on April 14, 2026.

This year's exercise brings together approximately 1,500 service members from more than 30 African and international partner nations to strengthen interoperability and collective readiness.

"I'm happy to announce that our premiere special operations exercise in Africa, Flintlock 2026, has begun," said U.S. Army Lt. Gen. John Brennan, U.S. Africa Command Deputy Commander. "This exercise will forge stronger bonds between all those participating and demonstrate our shared commitments to confronting and degrading terrorism in Africa."

For the first time, Libya is hosting an operating location with joint forces training alongside one another. These efforts are supported by a committee supporting Libyan joint forces efforts, known as the 3+3 Libyan Joint Military Committee.

"Due to the investment of visionary leaders on both sides and the diligence of the 3+3, it is now a reality," said Brennan. "Security breeds prosperity and this is clearly visible in Libya today and as you've seen on the demonstration field in front of you

Co-hosted with the Italian Special Forces, the training location in Sirte will focus on enhancing counterterrorism capabilities and running a multinational Joint Operations Center to improve regional security coordination. Simultaneously, a ceremony in Abidjan commenced at the main training location of Flintlock 26 in Cote d'Ivoire, a key security leader in West Africa. Ivorian-led operations will center around a command-and-control headquarters in Jacqueville, directing special operations units conducting tactical objectives.

"Your presence here reflects our shared commitment to cooperation, collective security, and peace," said Ivorian Special Forces Deputy Commander Col. Kitchafolwori Sekongo during the Opening Ceremony in Cote d'Ivoire. "In doing so, we strengthen our ability to operate together, particularly in the face of complex and evolving security challenges

Flintlock is an African-led, partner-centric exercise designed to build the sovereign capacity of nations to provide for their own security. By sharing costs, leadership, and expertise, participating nations make a collective investment in regional stability.

The exercise will continue throughout April and is designed to reinforce adherence to the rule of law and the protection of civilians in military operations. Through shared training and collaboration, Flintlock strengthens the network of trusted partners committed to peace and security in Africa.

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U.S. Army announces popular name for the MV-75 FLRAA: "Cheyenne II"

By U.S. Army Public Affairs April 15, 2026

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- The U.S. Army announced today that its next-generation multi-role vertical lift aircraft, the MV-75 Future Long Range Assault Aircraft, will carry the Native American name "Cheyenne II".

The announcement was made during the Army Aviation Association of America's annual conference on April 15, 2026, where the MV-75 Mission Design Series was unveiled. The new platform represents a leap forward in technology and capability, combining speed, payload, and survivability in ways never before achieved in a single aircraft.

Developed as FLRAA, the MV-75 Cheyenne II delivers pivotal aviation capabilities to the Joint Force, flying twice as far and twice as fast as the current rotary aviation fleet. This medium-sized, multi-role aircraft combines the versatility of a helicopter with the speed and range of an airplane, making it a game changer for Army aviation.

"The Cheyenne people represent a resilient warrior culture and embody the key attributes of the MV-75 - speed, reach, lethality, and adaptability," said the HON Brent Ingraham, Army Acquisition Executive. "I am honored to be part of this historic occasion as we officially name our multi-mission tiltrotor aircraft."

The Cheyenne tribes, known for their adaptability, resilience, and strong warrior culture, inhabited the Great Plains for over 400 years. They were proficient hunters and gatherers, thriving in harsh environments and developing a social structure that allowed them to relocate quickly and efficiently. Today, the Cheyenne are divided into two federally recognized tribes: the Cheyenne and Arapahoe tribes in Oklahoma and the Northern Cheyenne tribe in Montana.

"Representing the future of Army aviation, the MV-75 embodies the strength and versatility of the Cheyenne tribes," said MG Clair Gill, Portfolio Acquisition Executive and commanding general at Fort Rucker, Ala. "This aircraft will revolutionize how the Army fights and wins, delivering unmatched capabilities to the Joint Force and ensuring we maintain a decisive advantage on the battlefield."

The Army followed a deliberate and disciplined process in evaluating nominations of more than 500 tribes, Native American figures, and terms before selecting the name "Cheyenne II". The name was previously used in the late 1960s for the AH-56 Cheyenne, which was developed to be an advanced, high-speed attack helicopter. While the AH-56 program did not move forward, its legacy of innovation and speed lives on in the new tiltrotor platform.

"This is a historic day for our MV-75 Cheyenne II team and the Army," said Rodney Davis, Capability Program Executive, Aviation. "Stakeholders across the Army aviation enterprise were deeply involved in the research and analysis during the naming process. We are proud to honor the Cheyenne tribes and their legacy."

The MV-75 Cheyenne II will dramatically expand the Army's operational reach, enabling long-range air assault missions from safer distances. Built with a Modular Open Systems Approach and a plug-and-play digital backbone, the aircraft is "engineered to evolve," allowing for seamless integration of advanced technologies throughout its lifecycle. With fly-by-wire technologies and advanced autonomy, the Cheyenne II is designed to meet the challenges of future battlefields.

"The MV-75 is a transformational aircraft that will provide our Joint Force with unparalleled versatility to dominate a wide array of mission sets," said Col. Jeffrey Poquette, Project Manager for the MV-75 Cheyenne II. "We are honored to have the Cheyenne tribes' approval to use their name, which embodies the power of this aircraft."

As the Army modernizes for the future, the MV-75 Cheyenne II is a key component in ensuring the Army of the future maintains a decisive advantage on an evolving battlefield.

For media inquiries, please contact: Jennifer Ivey-Harper; jennifer.j.ivey-harper.civ@army.mil.

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Moldova to exit post-Soviet CIS bloc in 2027, foreign minister says

Azerbaijan State News Agency - (AZERTAC)

15.04.2026 [18:52]

Baku, April 15, AZERTAC

Moldovan Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mihai Popsoi said his country will officially cease to be a part of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), a post-Soviet regional bloc formed after the collapse of the Soviet Union, as of April 8, 2027, according to Anadolu Agency.

In remarks following a government meeting on Wednesday, Popsoi said that Chisinau has notified the CIS' secretariat in the Belarusian capital, Minsk, of the country's decision to leave the organization after withdrawing from its founding treaties earlier this month.

"We received confirmation of receipt of this notification. Thus, from a legal point of view, after 12 months, on April 8 next year, according to international law, we will no longer be part of the CIS," Popsoi was quoted as saying by state news agency Moldpres.

Saying that Moldova has practically not been participating in the CIS for many years, Popsoi said that it will still remain part of several economic agreements connected with the organization.

"Here, Georgia's experience is telling. They denounced the fundamental agreements, as we did, but they remained part of the economic agreements, which is exactly what we do," Popsoi added.

Moldova suspended its participation in CIS meetings in 2022 and has abandoned several CIS-related agreements across various areas of cooperation since 2023.

In January, Popsoi declared that Moldova had begun the process of denouncing key CIS agreements, with the Moldovan parliament approving the country's withdrawal from the organization's founding treaties on April 2.

Moldovan President Maia Sandu promulgated the law on Chisinau's withdrawal from the CIS on April 6.

The CIS was established in 1991 following the dissolution of the Soviet Union to promote cooperation in economic, political and security affairs.

Its full members are Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, while Turkmenistan holds associate membership.

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Further phase tasks successfully completed in "Anatolian Phoenix - 2026" exercise

Azerbaijan State News Agency - (AZERTAC)

15.04.2026 [16:41]

Baku, April 15, AZERTAC

The tasks of the further phase of the "Anatolian Phoenix - 2026" International Search and Rescue Exercise, held in the city of Konya in brotherly Turkiye, have been successfully completed, Azerbaijan's Ministry of Defense told AZERTAC.

During the exercise, tactical tasks were carried out involving Su-25 and F-16 aircraft, as well as T-70 helicopters, to achieve air superiority and provide air support for the search and rescue of crew members of an aircraft that had crashed in an imaginary enemy territory.

During the operation, air support was provided with a high level of coordination, ensuring the minimization of risks in the training area and enhancing the effectiveness of rescue operations. Pilots of the Azerbaijan Air Force completed the assigned tasks with professionalism, achieving significant results in meeting the objectives of the exercise.

In the international search and rescue exercise, Azerbaijan is represented by Air Force pilots, specialists of the parachute landing and search-and-rescue service, air controllers, as well as technical personnel and aviation assets.

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Canada announces new support to address humanitarian crisis in Sudan

Global Affairs Canada

News release

April 15, 2026 - Berlin, Germany - Global Affairs Canada

Canada is gravely concerned about the worsening humanitarian crisis in Sudan, driven by a civil war that began three years ago and has grown in scale and severity. This conflict has resulted in war crimes, the largest human displacement crisis in the world, widespread sexual violence, famine, the longest nationwide school closures globally and the collapse of basic services that are critical for people's safety, health, protection and dignity.

Today, at the International Sudan Conference in Berlin, Germany, the Honourable Randeep Sarai, Secretary of State (International Development), announced more than $120 million in new funding to support the people in Sudan and neighbouring countries impacted by this conflict.

Canada's contribution for Sudan includes more than $94 million for humanitarian assistance in 2026, delivered through experienced and trusted partners, to provide critical life-saving assistance such as emergency food and nutrition, health care, protection, shelter, water and sanitation to vulnerable people affected by the crisis in Sudan, South Sudan and Chad.

This announcement also includes $25 million for new development assistance in Sudan which includes $18 million to Save the Children Canada to deliver safe, quality education for more than 60,000 children and to help keep children safe from violence, exploitation and trauma. This funding also includes $7 million to UN Population Fund (UNFPA) to expand sexual and gender-based violence prevention and response services across the country, including in Darfur and Kordofan.

As part of this new funding, Canada is also providing $1.25 million to expand peace and stabilization efforts, including civilian-led initiatives.

Canada is committed to working with partners to ensure rapid and unimpeded humanitarian access, the protection of civilians, and the urgent need for a permanent ceasefire in Sudan. This aligns with Canada's foreign policy commitment to uphold international humanitarian law and international human rights law and is consistent with Canada's Africa Strategy to advance peace, security, and resilience, and to save lives in humanitarian crises.

Quotes

"Today's announcement of more than $120 million underscores Canada's commitment to the people of Sudan and the region in the face of an escalating humanitarian crisis. This support will deliver urgent, life-saving assistance to those most in need. Humanitarian assistance must reach those in needsafely, rapidly and without obstruction. Canada calls on all parties to end the violence and commit to a ceasefire. The people of Sudan deserve more than survival: they deserve safety, dignity and a path to lasting peace." - Anita Anand, Minister of Foreign Affairs

"Canada's support for the people of Sudan has been unwavering since the conflict began. As needs continue to reach catastrophic levels, we are committed to working with trusted and experienced international and local partners to deliver life-saving assistance, protection and education to those who need it most while also supporting neighbouring countries responding to this crisis." - Randeep Sarai, Secretary of State (International Development)

Quick facts

In 2025, Canada announced over $107 million in assistance for Sudan, including humanitarian ($68 million), development ($14.5 million), and peace and stabilization ($24.8 million). Canada was the sixth-largest humanitarian donor in 2025.

More than 13 million people have been forcibly displaced, more than 21 million people are facing acute hunger, and more than 33 million people are in urgent need of humanitarian assistance.

Famine conditions have persisted in Sudan since August 2024, when famine was declared by the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification.

The Berlin conference, co-hosted by Germany, the United Kingdom, France, the United States of America, the European Union and the African Union, marks the third year of the start of the current conflict in Sudan.

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Backgrounder: New funding to address humanitarian crisis in Sudan and neighbouring countries

Global Affairs Canada

Backgrounder

Today, the Honourable Randeep Sarai, Secretary of State (International Development), announced more than $120 million in humanitarian assistance, development, and peace and stabilization funding to help address the growing needs of the people in Sudan and neighbouring countries.

2026 Humanitarian Assistance

Country: Sudan

Partners: World Food Programme (WFP), UNICEF, UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR), UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), Save the Children, Plan Canada, International Rescue Committee, Development and Peace, CARE, Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA), Action Against Hunger (ACF)

Funding: $50.9 million

Country: South Sudan

Partner: WFP, International Organization for Migration (IOM), UNHCR, UNICEF, OCHA, ICRC, ACF, CARE, Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF), Oxfam, Save the Children

Funding: $23.9 million

Country: Chad

Partner: WFP, UNICEF, UNHCR, OCHA, ICRC, World Vision, Plan Canada, Oxfam Canada and Oxfam-Quebec, MSF, CARE, ACF

Funding: $16.6 million

Country: Regional Sudan Crisis

Partner: UNHCR

Funding: $3 million

This funding will provide life-saving humanitarian assistance, such as the delivery of food and nutrition, shelter, protection (including sexual and gender-based violence response), emergency health care, water, sanitation and hygiene, and other essential relief services.

Development funding



Project: Building Resilient and Inclusive Teaching and Education Systems in Sudan (BRITE Sudan)

Partner: Save the Children Canada

Funding: $18 million (2026 to 2030)

This project aims to improve and strengthen access to safe, quality and crisis-resilient education. Canada's contribution will help ensure continued learning for 60,000 children amidst the world's longest school closures due to conflict. The project focuses especially on girls and survivors of conflict-related sexual violence and gender-based violence. By addressing the massive school disruption caused by the ongoing conflict, this initiative seeks to empower children to claim their right to education, improve the gender responsiveness and overall quality of learning environments and reinforce child-protection mechanisms that safeguard students and support resilient education systems in a complex emergency context.

Project: Combatting and Responding to Sexual and Gender-Based Violence in Sudan

Partner: UN Population Fund (UNFPA)

Funding: $7 million (2026)

Canada is providing an increase of $7 million this year to extend this initiative's activities for an additional six months to December 2026 in response to rising sexual and gender-based violence in Darfur and Kordofan. Canada has already contributed $8 million to this initiative, bringing Canada's total to $15 million.

Recent escalation of violence in North Darfur, particularly El Fasher, and South Kordofan, characterized by widespread sexual violence, has heightened displacement and sexual and gender-based violence risks, demanding urgent expansion of services for displaced women and girls. Canada's additional support will support the continued provision of clinical care and psychosocial support for rape survivors across eight states and scale interventions to Darfur and Kordofan. It will reach 80,000 more people with direct services and 400,000 people by strengthening protection systems an expanding life-saving services.

Peace and stabilization funding

Project: Civilian Protection and Grassroots Dialogue in Sudan Partner: Name withheld for safety reasons

Funding: $750,000 (2026)

Canada is allocating an additional $750,000 in project funding for a total of $2.75 million to continue supporting Sudanese community groups responding to the crisis in Sudan, improving the participation and leadership of women and youth in community-led conflict resolution, advocating against conflict-related sexual violence and engaging civilian-led dialogue efforts in support of the political peace process.

Project: Supporting Pro-Democratic Sudanese Civilian Actors and Platforms for Peace

Partner: Norwegian People's Aid, implemented by Leadership Initiatives for Transformation

Funding: $500,000 (2026)

This project aims to strengthen the capacity, legitimacy and coordination of Sudanese civilian actors to shape and lead inclusive political and peace processes. It will provide support to pro-democratic actors alongside independent civilian networks and youth and women's platforms within and outside Sudan. This work will include establishing and operationalizing inclusive civilian coordination mechanisms, providing training to pro-democracy actors to enhance organizational and strategic capacities, convening regional consultations and dialogue and facilitating civilian engagement, including youth and women, with the African Union, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development and UN-led mediation processes.

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EU Statement - UN General Assembly: Prevention of armed conflict

European External Action Service (EEAS)

15.04.2026

New York

15 April 2026, New York -- Statement on behalf of the European Union and its Member States by H.E. Ambassador Hedda Samson, Delegation of the European Union to the United Nations, at the United Nations General Assembly on Item 31 (a): Prevention of armed conflict

Check against delivery

President,

I have the honour to speak on behalf of the European Union and its Member States.

The Candidate Countries North Macedonia, Montenegro*, Ukraine, the Republic of Moldova and Georgia, as well as Armenia, Andorra, Monaco, San Marino and the United Kingdom align themselves with this statement.

The fall of the Assad regime in December 2024 marked a historic turning point, renewing hope for justice and accountability in Syria.

In this context, the work of the International, Impartial and Independent Mechanism for Syria (the Mechanism) remains crucial, as emphasised by the General Assembly last December in its resolution on the situation of human rights in in the Syrian Arab Republic (RES/80/224).

We thank the Head of the Mechanism, Mr. Robert Petit, for his leadership and we welcome the Mechanism's twelfth report to the General Assembly outlining the important advances made over the past year.

We are pleased to read in the report that after the Head of the Mechanism's initial mission to Damascus on 21 December 2024, the first in over a decade, near-monthly visits took place throughout 2025 and early 2026, which enabled continuous dialogue with the new Syrian authorities. The EU welcomes such constructive cooperation and dialogue and calls on the Syrian transitional authorities to formalise it by granting the Mechanism an official presence in Syria, in line with its mandate.

We acknowledge the Mechanism's efforts to expand its central repository of evidence, with 96 new evidence properties processed in 2025, as well as the 107 new requests for assistance received by the Mechanism during the reporting period, bringing the total to 544 requests from 17 competent jurisdictions. The breadth of activities and the continued increase in requests for assistance confirms once again the important role the Mechanism plays in the pursuit of accountability.

The EU particularly commends the Mechanism's commitment to inclusive justice, notably through its victim and survivor-centred approach, as well as efforts to integrate a child and youth perspective into its work. We also note the implementation of the Mechanism's gender strategy and action plan. The Mechanism's cooperation and consultation with affected community civil society actors, including victims and survivor associations, ensures that their voices and priorities guide its efforts.

We also acknowledge the contribution of the Mechanism to clarifying the fate and whereabouts of missing persons in Syria. In this regard, we note the Memorandum of Understanding between the Mechanism and the Independent Institution on Missing Persons.

More broadly, we underline the importance of ensuring cooperation among international mechanisms and between international and national mechanisms, namely the National Commissions for Transitional Justice and for Missing Persons.

All these achievements are all the more remarkable given the concerning persistent resource constraints facing the Mechanism.

The Mechanism's regular budget continues to be insufficient, which risks undermining its ability to preserve evidence, support ongoing prosecutions, and engage effectively with Syrian institutions and civil society.

The EU and its Member States will continue to do their part. The EU remains a staunch supporter of the Mechanism, both politically and financially, having allocated EUR 3 million for the period 2025-2026.

In this critical juncture, we call on all States to increase financial support to the Mechanism through both the regular budget and voluntary contributions, ensuring it has the resources necessary to fulfil its mandate and meet the growing demands for assistance.

President,

The EU is committed to supporting a peaceful and inclusive transition in Syria, upholding the human rights of all Syrians without discrimination of any kind, including based on gender, ethnicity, or religion. We also support the country's recovery and reconstruction. To that end, the EU lifted all economic restrictive measures on Syria as early as May 2025, with the exception of those based on security grounds, and of the individual measures on Assad and his accomplices.

Accountability and justice for victims are key for the success of these processes and essential for a stable and peaceful Syria.

The EU is at the forefront of the fight against impunity in Syria. We will continue supporting the Mechanism, as well as the Commission of Inquiry and the Independent Institution on Missing Persons.

As Syria advances on its transition, the international community must stand united in its commitment to justice, accountability, and the rights of victims and survivors, and must ensure that the Mechanism has the necessary resources and tools to carry out its crucial work.

Thank you.

^North Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia, Albania and Bosnia and Herzegovina continue to be part of the Stabilisation and Association Process.

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EU and Member States pledge over 811 million in response to crisis in Sudan

European Commission

Press release

Apr 15, 2026

Berlin

Today, as Sudanese citizens continue to suffer the world's most severe humanitarian emergency, the European Union, together with Germany, France, the United Kingdom, the United States and the African Union, co-hosted the Third International Sudan Conference in Berlin.

As the Sudan war enters its fourth year, the conference aims to mobilise global action in support of Sudan at this critical moment.

The EU, together with its Member States, pledged 811.84 million in aid to urgently respond to the country's ongoing emergency, both within and beyond its borders. Of the total EU pledge, the European Commission's contribution is 360.8 million, of which 215.5 million will support people in need in Sudan, and 145.3 million will help respond to the regional refugee crisis triggered by the war, in countries such as Chad, South Sudan, Ethiopia, Central African Republic, Uganda, Egypt and Libya. The remaining Team Europe funding was pledged by Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Slovenia, and Sweden.

EU aid will address food insecurity through cash assistance, healthcare and nutrition services, water and sanitation, shelter support, protection and education. This funding will also help sustain essential services, support livelihoods, and strengthen resilience, while fostering long-term peacebuilding in Sudan.

Background

Three years since the outbreak of war, Sudan continues to face an unprecedented crisis, with more than 13 million people forcibly displaced, 33.7 million in need of assistance, and famine confirmed in multiple regions. With 30 million requiring food aid and 12 million, including children, at risk of gender-based violence, the conference will rally international support to alleviate suffering, demand an end to hostilities, and chart a path toward a civilian-led democratic and peaceful future for Sudan. It will also give a voice to Sudanese civilians and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) making a difference on the ground

At the 2025 London High-Level Conference for Sudan, the EU and its Member States pledged 522 million in humanitarian aid for the regional Sudan crisis, following 260 million allocated by the Commission in 2024 (including 147 million for in-country response). Today's Berlin conference builds on these efforts to scale up support amid worsening famine and violence.

The EU has been supporting the humanitarian response in Sudan with over 1 billion in humanitarian assistance since 2013. The EU's humanitarian funding in Sudan is implemented by trusted humanitarian partners like the UN agencies, the Red Cross Red Crescent Movement, and international NGOs.

The EU also supports projects focused on human rights, livelihoods, health and school feeding in displacement-affected areas, while also helping neighbouring countries such as Chad, South Sudan, Ethiopia and the Central African Republic address the spillover effects of the crisis. The EU's approach is to maintain essential services to build long-term resilience and sustainable recovery.

Quote(s)

Sudan is the worst humanitarian disaster of our time. Every day, families face unimaginable horrors: hunger, violence, and displacement. Today's pledge sends a clear message: Europe stands with the Sudanese people to save lives now and support a future of recovery and democracy. I thank all Member States for their strong Team Europe solidarity. As violence continues to sweep across Sudan, all warring parties must respect international humanitarian law. Attacks on civilians must stop. Those responsible must be held accountable. There is no military solution to this war, only a political one. Let this be the last conference where we speak of such suffering. The Sudanese people deserve peace. Hadja Lahbib, Commissioner for Equality, Preparedness and Crisis Management

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Five things you should know about Sudan's food crisis

Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)

Why Sudan's agrifood system is under severe strain in 2026

15/04/2026

Rome -- In April 2023, violent conflict broke out between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces in the capital city, Khartoum, eventually ripping through the entire country. Three years on, Sudan is facing what is now verifiably the largest humanitarian crisis and the largest displacement crisis globally.

Humanitarian needs continue to rise as the conflict persists. In 2026, 33.7 million people require assistance - the highest number globally, and 3.3 million more than in 2025. Today, 41 percent of the population is acutely food insecure, with Famine confirmed in multiple areas and millions more at risk.

Agriculture, which employs two-thirds of the population, has been decimated: critical infrastructure destroyed, food stocks looted and fields and markets rendered inaccessible. As the main planting season approaches in June, the window to recover national cereal production and prevent further deterioration is closing fast.

Here are five things you should know about the impact of the conflict on food security and agricultural livelihoods in Sudan:

1. Millions are trapped in a hunger cycle - and the 2026 planting season is at risk

The ongoing conflict has left millions trapped in a cycle of acute hunger. Over the past three years, the share of people facing acute food insecurity has fluctuated between just under half and over half of the population.

Since September 2025, Famine conditions have been confirmed in El Fasher town, North Darfur and the besieged town of Kadugli, South Kordofan. Millions more are at immediate risk of Famine in 20 areas across Darfur and Kordofan - regions where access is limited.

Children haven't been spared. Over 4.2 million children under five are acutely malnourished, including 800 000 who face severe malnutrition.

FAO is scaling up its response to deliver lifesaving emergency agriculture assistance, with the aim of ensuring that farmers don't miss the critical 2026 main planting season. Supporting farming activities at key moments of the agricultural calendar is vital to protect livelihoods, restore food production and prevent further deterioration in food security and malnutrition.

2. Funding shortfalls have left the country at a crossroads

Hunger levels have skyrocketed, needs continue to rise, and yet, humanitarian funding is increasingly limited. Over the past few years, the humanitarian sector has faced a steady decline in financial support given to reduce needs and address the causes and impacts of hunger.

As a result, humanitarian actors have been forced to adopt a prioritization approach, targeting the most vulnerable. The 2026 Sudan Humanitarian and Needs Response Plan calls for $2.9 billion, including approximately $645 million for food security and livelihood assistance to reach 11.4 million people. This marks a sharp reduction from 2025, when $4.1 billion was requested, including $1.54 billion for food security and livelihoods to reach 16.5 million people. The 2025 Plan was only 40 percent funded. As of April 2026, the 2026 Plan is only 16.2 percent funded.

FAO has launched its Emergency and Resilience Plan 2026-2028 to address immediate needs while supporting long-term recovery and resilience. In 2026, FAO requires $99 million to support 1.5 million households with comprehensive livelihood packages, including seeds, tools and fertilizers. To date, the Government of Italy has contributed $5 million to these efforts. No other funding has so far been received.

While parts of the country have seen modest agricultural recovery, millions remain trapped in crisis conditions. Fragile gains in food production risk disappearing without sustained, predictable investment.

3. National crop production is under significant pressure

Conflict, displacement and the impacts of economic and climate shocks have left the country far from self-sufficient. FAO estimates cereal production for the 2025/26 season at 5.2 million tonnes, representing a 22-percent decline compared to 2024 and 19 percent below the five-year average.

In 2025, FAO's main season seed campaign contributed an estimated 22 percent of national sorghum production, valued at approximately $515 million. These efforts must be sustained and scaled up.

Without time-sensitive emergency agricultural support, farmers risk missing the critical planting window, resulting in reduced harvests and increased vulnerabilities.

Acting now will make the difference.

4. Livestock are a lifeline - and need more investment

The livestock sector, with an estimated 115 million head of cattle, sheep, goats and camels, has suffered immense damage and losses since the conflict began. Impacts include reduced vaccination coverage, increased disease outbreaks, herd depletion, reduced access to grazing areas and water sources, and market constraints.

For rural communities, animals are more than a source of food or income - they are a lifeline. Livestock provide nutrition, particularly for children, underpin food security and resilience, and sustain livelihoods and ways of life for millions of people across Sudan.

Since the start of the conflict, FAO has vaccinated 7.3 million animals nationwide, benefiting 530 000 households (2.6 million people), including 3.6 million animals vaccinated since November 2025 benefitting 105 000 households. FAO estimates that these interventions helped prevent the loss of 82 million litres of milk, equivalent to providing approximately 754 000 children under five with a daily cup of milk for a year.

However, with only approximately 6 percent of the national herd reached, these efforts have so far only scratched the surface of what is needed.

5. The crisis risks becoming forgotten

It is a difficult reality that the world faces multiple crises at any given time, all vying for our attention. However, as other crises command headlines, the suffering of Sudan's people must not be ignored or forgotten.

Humanitarian funding is shrinking, yet the drivers of the world's largest food security crisis persist. Conflict, displacement and economic pressures continue to fuel unprecedented levels of hunger and humanitarian need.

Restoring and sustaining agricultural production remains one of the strongest defenses against hunger and malnutrition. Emergency agricultural assistance is cost-effective, impactful and exactly what affected communities are calling for: the means to meet their own needs, remain in their homes where possible and shape their own recovery.

Between March and December 2026, FAO plans to reach 7.5 million people with time-critical assistance across Sudan. The Organization urgently seeks $75 million to bolster food production, protect livestock and help the agriculture sector recover before conflict erases the gains sown by generations.

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PHILADELPHIA, April 16, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Signant Health, the evidence generation company, today announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Ametris (formerly ActiGraph), a global digital health solutions provider, subject to customary regulatory processes and approvals and closing conditions. More details about the transaction and combined offering will be shared upon completion of the acquisition.

About Signant Health

Signant Health is the evidence generation company. We are focused on leveraging software, deep therapeutic and scientific knowledge, and operational expertise to consistently capture, aggregate, and reveal quality evidence for clinical studies across traditional, virtual, and hybrid trial models. For more than 25 years, over 600 sponsors and CROs of all sizes  including all Top 20 pharma  have trusted Signant solutions for remote and site-based eCOA, EDC, eConsent, RTSM, supply chain management, and data quality analytics. Learn more at www.signanthealth.com

Contact:

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SOURCE Signant Health
Germany Federal Foreign Office

15.04.2026 - Press release

1. In Berlin today, we, Germany, France, the United Kingdom, the United States of America, the African Union and the European Union organised the third International Sudan Conference, three years after the beginning of the devastating war in Sudan. The Conference built upon the Sudan Conferences held in Paris 2024 and London 2025.

2. The Third International Sudan Conference brought together ministers and representatives of 55 States, including neighbouring and regional countries and donors; representatives of regional organisations such as the Intergovernmental Authority on Development and the League of Arab States; the Personal Envoy of the United Nations Secretary-General for Sudan, the leaders or representatives of many United Nations programmes and agencies, including OCHA, the UNHCR, WHO, the WFP, the IOM, UNFPA and UNDP; the General Secretary of the International Committee of the Red Cross; representatives of the World Bank and the African Development Bank as well as 38 international and Sudanese NGOs. They as along with members of Sudan's Emergency Response Rooms, shared their stories of tremendous resilience and courage that is needed to serve in the midst of the most severe humanitarian crisis of our times.

3. Participants gathered to focus on shared goals: calling on the warring parties to put an end to the hostilities, to immediately comply with international humanitarian law, to guarantee full, safe and unhindered humanitarian access to the whole Sudanese territory, including through cross border operations, as well as to remove all bureaucratic impediments to the delivery of urgently needed assistance, to commit to the protection of civilians and to safeguard the implementation of humanitarian operations. Sustained humanitarian access cannot be made contingent on a humanitarian truce or ceasefire agreement. Participants also mobilised essential funding required for the humanitarian response in Sudan and neighbouring countries.

4. The Third International Sudan Conference foregrounded Sudanese civilian voices, providing a dedicated platform to amplify their collective call for de-escalation and progress toward a political resolution of the conflict. In light of the continued escalation of the conflict in Sudan and its severe consequences for the civilian population, civilian actors from Sudan met today in Berlin on the invitation of the AU-led Quintet (African Union, United Nations, European Union, Intergovernmental Authority on Development, League of Arab States) to discuss the launch of an intra-Sudanese political dialogue that could pave the way to a civilian led transition in Sudan once a permanent ceasefire will be concluded. We see this process as fundamental to ensure an inclusive, civilian and democratic future for Sudan. This civilian engagement is intended to complement ongoing international mediation efforts, including the work of the Quad on a ceasefire and the Quintet's consultations in support of an eventual inter-Sudanese political dialogue.

5. Sudan is the world's most severe humanitarian emergency. More than 13 million people have been forcibly displaced by the conflict, including seven million internally displaced and over 4 million who were forced to flee to neighbouring countries at the peak of the crisis. Humanitarian needs continue to grow, with an estimated 33,7 million people in Sudan in need of assistance. Famine has been confirmed in multiple parts of Sudan and nearly 30 million people require food assistance. About 12 million people in Sudan, including children, are currently at risk of gender-based violence. Participants renewed their calls on the parties to the conflict to lift all impediments restricting the delivery of lifesaving assistance and guarantee safe, rapid, and unimpeded access throughout Sudan for humanitarian supplies and personnel. We specifically called on the parties to the conflict to respect the lifesaving and neutral character of humanitarian assistance, and to engage constructively with humanitarian agencies that deliver life-saving aid throughout Sudan in an impartial, safe and transparent manner. We also called on parties to enable and facilitate the operations of humanitarian organisations, including the UN, and to ensure that all students are able to sit their upcoming national educational exams safely across the entire Sudanese territory.

6. Germany, France, the United Kingdom, the United States of America, the African Union and the European Union express their solidarity with and support for the Sudanese civilian population, the primary victims of this war. Intensified fighting in recent months in El Obeid, Dilling, Kadugli and Babanussa in the Kordofans, as well as in Blue Nile and along the Chad border in Darfur, has resulted in hundreds of civilian deaths, indiscriminate shelling and civilians being trapped and denied access to lifesaving assistance. We strongly condemn the abhorrent violence against civilians, particularly women and children, including attacks on ethnic grounds, attacks on humanitarian personnel, as well as bombardment of civilian and humanitarian infrastructure and sexual and gender-based violence, and all violations of international humanitarian law. These violations may amount to war crimes or crimes against humanity and must be promptly and impartially investigated, with those responsible for international crimes and atrocities brought to justice. We urge an end to all external support to the warring parties that continues to prolong the conflict and suffering.

7. We commend the work of international and local humanitarian organisations including Sudanese mutual aid groups and Emergency Response Rooms to support populations in the hardest to reach areas of Sudan and the efforts of neighbouring States to take in large numbers of people seeking refuge within their borders. Local first line responders are most exposed to risks while trying to reach people in need. An estimated 130 humanitarians have been killed in the line of duty since the war began in April 2023 with many more injured, detained and tortured. Humanitarian personnel are protected under international humanitarian law. All parties to the conflict must take immediate concrete steps to protect those who risk everything to save lives.

8. We support the efforts of the AU-led Quintet to find a solution to this conflict and alleviate suffering. We welcome the appointment of the Secretary General's Personal Envoy Pekka Haavisto.

9. International donors have today announced that they will provide around 1,5 billion Euro, including more than 811 million Euro from the European Union and its Member States, to respond to humanitarian needs in Sudan and neighbouring countries who continue to take in large numbers of people seeking refuge within their borders.

10. We commit today that our collective efforts to ensure that Sudan does not become a forgotten crisis will continue steadfastly and we urge all our partners to step up their efforts to bring the conflict to an end.
Decree on Certain Documents Related to Export Control of Dual-Use Items enters into force

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Finland

15.4.2026 News

The Decree of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs on Certain Documents Related to Export Control of Dual-Use Items entered into force on 15 April 2026. The decree supplements the Act on the Export Control of Dual-Use Items (500/2024), which entered into force in 2024, and clarifies the reporting and notification obligations for exporters. The provisions of the decree concern reporting on the use of the global export authorisations and the content of the notifications and reports related to the internal compliance programme and the use of the Union general export authorisations.

The decree lightens and harmonises the reporting obligations for exporters using the global and European Union general export authorisations. It supports companies in meeting their obligations by clarifying the EU Regulation's reporting obligations for exporters and provides guidelines on how operators are to notify the Ministry for Foreign Affairs, Finland's licensing authority. In this way, the decree helps the authorities gain a clearer view of Finland's exports of dual-use items.

Reporting requirements for users of the global and European Union general export authorisations

Section 2 of the decree lays down more detailed provisions on the obligation to report on the use of the global and Union general export authorisations.

Exporters who use a global export authorisation must report on its use to the Ministry for Foreign Affairs annually. If the total value of the user's exports and transfers during the previous calendar year is less than EUR 5,000,000, the user needs only to notify the Ministry that the total value of exports and transfers has not been exceeded.

The reporting obligation applies to users of the European Union general export authorisations when the total value of the user's exports and transfers of dual-use items during the previous calendar year exceeds EUR 5,000,000. By excluding smaller exports from the reporting obligation, the decree seeks to reduce the administrative burden, particularly for small and medium-sized operators.

The reports must be submitted to the Ministry for Foreign Affairs no later than 1 April each year, using either the Ministry's reporting template (in Finnish) or the exporter's own template. The reports can be submitted via the security email service to kpo-40@gov.fi. Earlier in the spring of 2026, the Export Control Unit contacted operators it had identified as potentially subject to the reporting obligation with a request for reporting for 2025.

Minimum requirements for the internal compliance programme

Section 3 of the decree specifies the minimum content of the Internal Compliance Programme (ICP), which is required of exporters using the global export authorisations. The purpose of the ICP is to ensure that exporters have in place appropriate procedures to facilitate compliance with export control provisions. The decree defines the minimum requirements for the programme, but operators retain discretionary powers regarding the structure and contents of the programme.

Procedure for notifying the use of the European Union general export authorisations remains unchanged

The procedure for notifying the use of the European Union general export authorisations is specified in section 4 of the decree. The current practice of notifying and keeping registers of the use of the general export authorisations will remain unchanged. Exporters must notify, among other information, the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of the general export authorisation's number and the user's contact details when the authorisation is used for the first time. The notification is submitted via the Ministry's e-services.

The decree only applies to the EU general export authorisations, not to the national general export authorisations.

No new obligations

The decree issued by the Ministry for Foreign Affairs does not impose any new substantive obligations for exporters; rather, it clarifies existing obligations under EU regulation and national legislation. The aim is to improve predictability and the operator's legal certainty and to streamline official processes.

In addition, the harmonisation of reported information supports Finland's annual reporting to the EU and provides a clearer overall picture of Finland's exports of dual-use items.

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During His Briefing to the European Parliament's Committee on Foreign Affairs, HE GCCSG Commends the EU's Supportive Stance towards the GCC Regarding Iranian Aggression,Stressing that Gulf Security is Fundamental Pillar for the Stability of Global Economy

General Secretariat of the Gulf Cooperation Council

Apr 15, 2026

General Secretariat - Brussels

His Excellency Mr Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi, Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), commended the European Union (EU)'s supportive stance towards the GCC states regarding Iranian aggression, which constitutes a direct threat to regional and international security, stressing that the Gulf security is a fundamental pillar for the stability of the global economy and that the GCC-European partnership is a strategic necessity.

This came during HE the Secretary General's briefing to members of the European Parliament's Committee on Foreign Affairs, chaired by His Excellency Mr David McAllister, Chairman of the Committee on Foreign Affairs, on Wednesday (April 15, 2026) at the European Parliament headquarters in Brussels.

At the beginning of the briefing, HE the Chairman of the European Parliament's Committee on Foreign Affairs welcomed HE the Secretary General of the GCC, noting the importance of this meeting in updating the Committee members on the latest developments in the region and on GCC-European relations. He also emphasised the European Parliament's keenness to develop its relations with the GCC countries.

HE the Secretary General began his briefing by stressing that this important meeting comes at a highly sensitive time regionally and internationally, reflecting the importance of parliamentary dialogue as a cornerstone of the partnership between the GCC and the EU.

He expressed his sincere appreciation for the kind invitation extended by the Chairman of the Committee to provide this briefing at the European Parliament, while also commending Ms Roberta Metsola's leadership in promoting the European Parliament's engagement with the GCC region and her commitment to supporting dialogue and strengthening relations.

HE the Secretary General also expressed his gratitude to the Committee on Foreign Affairs and the Delegation for Relations with the Arabian Peninsula for their ongoing communication with GCC representatives and their continued support for relations between the two sides, pointing out that the Gulf region is going through a critical phase, as the ongoing Iranian escalation and aggression pose a direct threat to regional and international security and stability, and a serious challenge to international law and Security Council resolutions.

His Excellency further explained: "This is evident in the Iranian attacks targeting GCC countries, despite clear assurances from the GCC states that they would not allow their territories to be used for any military operations against Iran. These attacks targeted civilian and economic facilities in GCC countries, resulting in casualties and injuries, and causing serious damage to the foundations of regional and international security and stability."

Moreover, HE the Secretary General stressed that the GCC countries strongly condemns this aggression against its member states, affirming that these violations, if not addressed firmly and responsibly, could have long-term repercussions lasting for decades.

"We call on the international community to play a stronger and more effective role in supporting stability and de-escalation, and we stress the need for the UN Security Council to fulfill its responsibilities in maintaining international peace and security," he stated while also expressing the GCC's appreciation for the joint European support for the adoption of Security Council Resolution 2817 and Human Rights Council Resolution L.38.

Additionally, HE the Secretary General noted that these brutal attacks have resulted in serious humanitarian, environmental, and economic consequences, explaining that many children and students in the GCC countries have been deprived of basic education since the beginning of these attacks, while many projects have been halted, impacting the most vulnerable groups, including migrant workers who are the breadwinners for their families.

Meanwhile, His Excellency commended the EU's stance in condemning these attacks and its swift response through holding several Gulf-European meetings to exchange views on the escalation, in addition to providing the necessary technical defence support, affirming that this reflects a convergence of views on the importance of multilateral action and respect for international law.

Elaborating further, His Excellency said: "The Strait of Hormuz must remain an open and secure international waterway, free from threats or restrictions. Any attempt to impose a new reality by force or to use it as a tool of political or economic pressure is unacceptable and condemned regionally and internationally, in accordance with the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea."

He continued: "The closure of the Strait of Hormuz has disrupted global agriculture, affecting approximately 30% of global fertiliser production, which could have serious future repercussions for global markets, while Energy supplies and trade chains have also been affected, with repercussions felt worldwide."

His Excellency stressed that the relationship between the GCC and the EU, spanning more than 38 years, is growing in importance amidst current global challenges.

"Strengthening these ties is no longer merely a political choice, but a strategic imperative necessitated by the nature of shared challenges," His Excellency said, lauding the distinguished level of working ties between the two sides. Besides, he highlighted his recent meeting with Ms Kaja Kallas, which reflected three fundamental realities: first, the existence of shared positions on numerous regional and international issues; second, the importance and success of the ongoing dialogue; and third, that relations have reached a level of maturity that requires transitioning toward deeper practical and institutional coordination to achieve a genuine strategic partnership across various sectors, including digital transformation, critical infrastructure, telecommunications and artificial intelligence.

HE the Secretary General explained that strengthening political and security communication serves as a fundamental pillar for addressing current challenges, including the commitment to international law, the rule of law, justice and equality, and the fulfillment of the aspirations of peoples for security, stability, and economic prosperity.

"The GCC is anticipating holding the Second GCC-EU Summit, which would contribute to elevating links to broader horizons," His Excellency added, expressing his hope that it would yield tangible results given its positive impact on economic, commercial and cultural exchange.

Furthermore, His Excellency also reviewed a number of areas in which the GCC seeks to achieve tangible results, including energy exports through power grid interconnection, the export of clean hydrogen to EU member states, as well as the enhancement of logistics connectivity through railway networks and airports, in addition to bolstering digital connectivity between the two sides.

Additionally, His Excellency emphasised that security represents the fundamental pillar of development, necessitating enhanced cooperation between the GCC and the EU to support peace initiatives and achieve stability.

He also highlighted the significance of the parliamentary role, asserting that the European Parliament's function is not limited to legislation, but extends to being an influential political actor in shaping European policy directions, particularly in light of complex challenges.

In this context, His Excellency expressed the GCC's aspiration to elevate parliamentary cooperation between the two sides, pointing out that a proposal was shared last week with the European Parliament to establish a parliamentary cooperation mechanism between the GCC legislative bodies and the European Parliament, in preparation for its signature at the earliest opportunity.

"This mechanism aims to bolster consultation and coordination on issues of mutual interest, develop legislative cooperation, build sustainable institutional capacities, and enhance the role of parliaments in supporting peace and sustainable development," His Excellency explained.

In another context, HE the Secretary General underscored that the stability of the Gulf region is not limited in its impact to regional security, but extends to global stability, including the global economy, supply chains, and energy security.

He pointed out that the GCC member states have proven their ability to maintain their internal stability and continue their role as a significant economic and developmental hub despite current challenges, embodying the strength and sustainability of their institutions, and the effectiveness of their policies.

In conclusion of his briefing, HE the Secretary General affirmed that the GCC remains a reliable and responsible partner on both the regional and international levels, reaffirming the Council's commitment to enhancing regional and international stability, and emphasising that cooperation and coordination with the EU, supported by the European Parliament, represent a fundamental pillar for addressing current challenges.

He expressed his anticipation for the continuation of this constructive dialogue and the strengthening of cooperation to serve mutual interests and contribute to building a more stable and prosperous future.

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The Presidents of Lithuania and Estonia: Security of the Baltic region Is an integral part of Europe's overall security

President of the Republic of Lithuania

April 15, 2026

On Tuesday, President Gitanas Nauseda met with the President of Estonia, Alar Karis, who is on a state visit to Lithuania. The Presidents discussed bilateral relations, strengthening regional security and defense, support for Ukraine, strategic energy and infrastructure projects, and the expansion of economic and cultural cooperation. This year marks the 105th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Lithuania and Estonia and the 35th anniversary of their restoration.

During the meeting, a joint declaration by the Presidents of Lithuania and Estonia was signed, consolidating the strategic partnership between the two countries and setting out a shared vision through 2030. The declaration commits to strengthening cooperation in security, defense, the economy, energy, infrastructure, culture, and education, and emphasizes the need to reinforce NATO deterrence, collective defense, and long-term support for Ukraine, as Russia remains the primary threat to Euro-Atlantic security.

Lithuania and Estonia, acting on NATO's eastern flank, in the Baltic Sea region, and within the NB8 and Baltic Three (3B) formats, underline the importance of strengthening regional unity and ensuring a coordinated response to security challenges. This partnership remains one of the most important examples of Baltic leadership within the European Union and NATO.

The meeting focused primarily on security and defense issues. The Lithuanian President stressed the need to strengthen NATO's eastern flank and increase allied capabilities in the region.

"Russia remains the greatest, most direct, and long-term threat to Euro-Atlantic security. Therefore, we must consistently strengthen deterrence and collective defense, especially on NATO's eastern flank," the President said.

The Lithuanian leader emphasized that the Baltic States are taking responsibility for the region's security, while a strong transatlantic link remains the key guarantee of security.

"Our commitment to invest 5 percent of GDP in defense sends a clear signal that we are ready to defend not only our own, but also Europe's security," the President noted.

The Presidents devoted significant attention to support for Ukraine. The Lithuanian leader emphasized that Ukraine's victory is a prerequisite for long-term security in Europe: "We must not only continue but also strengthen comprehensive support for Ukraine, while increasing pressure on Russia and ensuring accountability for the crime of aggression," the President said.

The meeting also addressed strategic regional projects and further cooperation to strengthen energy security. The Presidents noted that the Baltic States have achieved a historic goal - energy independence and synchronization of their electricity systems with the continental European grid.

"This is not the end - it is the beginning of a new phase. We must continue to strengthen energy interconnections, protect critical infrastructure, and build a resilient and secure regional energy system," the President said.

In the EU context, the Presidents emphasized the need to ensure that the European Union's next multiannual financial framework for 2028-2034 places greater emphasis on the security of the eastern flank, defense, military mobility, and strategic infrastructure. This is considered an essential condition for strengthening the resilience of the entire Union.

Significant attention was devoted to transport and military mobility projects. The heads of state emphasized the strategic importance of Rail Baltica for regional connectivity and security: "Rail Baltica is not only a transport project - it is the backbone of our region's security and military mobility. We must ensure its implementation by 2030," the President stressed.

Economic cooperation was also discussed. Estonia is one of Lithuania's key trade and investment partners, and the countries agreed to strengthen cooperation in high value-added sectors, particularly in digitalization, cybersecurity, and the defense industry.

The Presidents also highlighted the importance of cultural, academic, and historical ties, as well as the need to strengthen joint initiatives in the field of European historical memory, including the project for a memorial to the victims of totalitarian regimes in Brussels.

During the state visit, the two leaders will open a bilateral business forum and visit the Lithuanian State Modern Archives. On the second day of the visit in Kaunas, the President of Estonia will be awarded an honorary doctorate from Vytautas Magnus University. The heads of state will inspect the Rail Baltica construction site and visit Rukla.

The President's Communication Group

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A look at the Defence news 6 - 12 April

Netherlands Ministry of Defence

News item15-04-2026 | 13:32

HNLMS De Ruyter is en route to the Indo-Pacific with a crew of around 200 personnel. To promote free passage and to keep strategic waterways safe, the Netherlands wants to establish diplomatic, security, and economic ties with the countries in the region. The naval vessel plays a key role in this effort.

HNLMS De Ruyter will also pass through the Red Sea, where it will contribute to EU Operation Aspides, intended to protect international shipping. The security situation in the Middle East will be monitored closely during the journey, and the Netherlands may respond to new developments in the area.

Exhibition on father and son Sosabowski during the Second World War

The father was a general during the Battle of Arnhem, the son played an important role in the Polish resistance. The exhibition 'Sosabowski - een familie verdeeld door oorlog' (Sosabowksi - a family divided by war) tells the remarkable story of a father and a son who were separated for many years during the Second World War. The exhibition is on display until 3 January 2027 in Airborne Museum Hartenstein in Oosterbeek, near Arnhem.

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UN experts condemn Israel's unprecedented bombing in Lebanon after ceasefire announcement, demand immediate halt to hostilities

Press releases

Special Procedures

15 April 2026

GENEVA -- UN experts* today condemned Israel's illegal aggression and indiscriminate bombing campaign against Lebanon on 8 April, only hours after a ceasefire agreement was brokered by Pakistan between the United States and Iran.

"We are witnessing the continuing utmost contempt for the international legal order, for diplomacy, and above all for the lives of civilians and the environment in Lebanon," the independent experts said. "Israel has chosen the very moment a ceasefire was announced - one that its Pakistani mediator stated included Lebanon - to unleash the largest coordinated wave of strikes on the country since 1980."

"This is not self-defence. It is a blatant violation of the UN Charter, a deliberate destruction of prospects for peace, and an affront to multilateralism and the UN-based international order," they said.

The experts were concerned that despite the recent announcement of a ceasefire between the United States and the Islamic Republic of Iran, prospects for wider regional de-escalation remain uncertain. The lack of tangible progress on talks last weekend underscored the fragility of existing ceasefire efforts and urgency of stepping up diplomatic engagement.

"The United States' imposition of a naval blockade is an act of war that has further destabilised the situation," the experts warned.

Since the cessation of hostilities between Lebanon and Israel on 27 November 2024, Israel has repeatedly violated Lebanon's sovereignty. In a 10-minute onslaught on 8 April 2026, Israeli forces struck more than 150 locations simultaneously across Lebanon, killing at least 303 persons, and wounding 1,150 others. Hundreds remain under the rubble. Many strikes hit densely populated residential neighbourhoods and commercial areas in central Beirut in violation of the principles of distinction and proportionality and the obligation to take all feasible precautions under customary international humanitarian law (IHL). The strikes caused severe environmental damage by releasing toxic air pollutants and greenhouse gas emissions, contaminating water systems, and destroying ecosystems through fires, debris, and chemical residues.

According to the Government of Lebanon, since 2 March, the Israeli army has killed more than 2,000 people in Lebanon, including health workers and journalists, and injured 6,588 others. Over 1 million people have been displaced amounting to approximately one in five of Lebanon's population, of which an estimated 140,682 are in overcrowded shelters. Already in March 2026, the experts raised alarm over a rapidly escalating displacement crisis in Lebanon, after intense Israeli airstrikes and evacuation warnings in southern Lebanon and parts of Beirut. The pace of displacement in this phase of the conflict has been described by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees as faster than during the 2024 escalation. Thousands of civilians  among them women, children, the elderly, and persons with disabilities  have been compelled to abandon their homes.

"The issuance of blanket evacuation orders, combined with the destruction of urban and village housing that displaced persons would have returned to, is consistent with the pattern of domicide that was initiated during the genocide in Gaza," the experts warned. "The deliberate destruction of homes is a weapon of war and a form of collective punishment, particularly in Shiite areas in the rural South of the country. It also points to ethnic cleansing."

"Forced displacement of a civilian population constitutes crimes against humanity and is a war crime under international law," they said.

The experts also condemned Hezbollah's recent cross-border attacks against Israeli civilians and urged it to abide by the 2024 ceasefire deal, pursuant to Security Council resolution 1701.

The experts urgently called for:

Israel to immediately cease all military operations in Lebanon, comply with the ceasefire framework and Security Council Resolution 1701, withdraw its forces, enable the safe return of displaced persons, and engage in direct negotiations with Lebanon.

to immediately cease all military operations in Lebanon, comply with the ceasefire framework and Security Council Resolution 1701, withdraw its forces, enable the safe return of displaced persons, and engage in direct negotiations with Lebanon. The United States to use its influence to ensure Israel halts strikes on Lebanese civilians and infrastructure without delay.

to use its influence to ensure Israel halts strikes on Lebanese civilians and infrastructure without delay. All Member States to suspend arms transfers to Israel while there is credible evidence of serious violations of international humanitarian and human rights law.

to suspend arms transfers to Israel while there is credible evidence of serious violations of international humanitarian and human rights law. The international community to support Lebanon's humanitarian response, including funding the USD 308 million Flash Appeal.

*The experts:

George Katrougalos, Independent expert on the promotion of a democratic and equitable international order;

Ben Saul, Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms while countering terrorism;

Paula Gaviria Betancur, Special Rapporteur on the human rights of internally displaced persons

Farida Shaheed, the Special Rapporteur on the right to education

Claudia Mahler, Independent Expert on the enjoyment of all human rights by older persons

Balakrishnan Rajagopal, Special Rapporteur on adequate housing as a component of the right to an adequate standard of living, and on the right to non-discrimination in this context

Morris Tidball-Binz, Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions

Nicolas Levrat, Special Rapporteur on minority issues

Astrid Puentes Riano, Special Rapporteur on the human right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment

Claudia Flores (Chair), Ivana Krstic (Vice-Chair), Dorothy Estrada Tanck, Haina Lu, and Laura Nyirinkindi, Working Group on discrimination against women and girls

Working Group on discrimination against women and girls Gina Romero, Special Rapporteur on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association

Mai Sato, Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Islamic Republic of Iran

Francesca Albanese, Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Palestinian territory occupied since 1967

Reem Alsalem, Special Rapporteur on violence against women and girls, its causes and consequences

Siobhan Mullally, Special Rapporteur on trafficking in persons, especially women and children

Elisa Morgera, Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of human rights in the context of climate change

Surya Deva, Special Rapporteur on the right to development

Attiya Waris, Independent Expert on foreign debt, other international financial obligations of States on the full enjoyment of all human rights, particularly economic, social and cultural rights

Mariana Katzarova, Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Russian Federation

Special Rapporteurs/Independent Experts/Working Groups are independent human rights experts appointed by the United Nations Human Rights Council. Together, these experts are referred to as the Special Procedures of the Human Rights Council. Special Procedures experts work on a voluntary basis; they are not UN staff and do not receive a salary for their work. While the UN Human Rights office acts as the secretariat for Special Procedures, the experts serve in their individual capacity and are independent from any government or organization, including OHCHR and the UN. Any views or opinions presented are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of the UN or OHCHR.

Country-specific observations and recommendations by the UN human rights mechanisms, including the special procedures, the treaty bodies and the Universal Periodic Review, can be found on the Universal Human Rights Index https://uhri.ohchr.org/en/

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DFA Statement on the Use of Cyanide in Ayungin Shoal

Republic of the Philippines - Department of Foreign Affairs

MANILA 15 April 2026 -- The Department of Foreign Affairs has taken note of the press conference yesterday of National Security Council (NSC) Assistant Director General and Spokesperson Cornelio H. Valencia regarding the illegal discharge and use of cyanide in Ayungin Shoal.

The DFA is now awaiting to receive the formal report of the findings from the scientific and technical analysis done by relevant authorities on the chemicals confiscated from Chinese fisherfolk in Ayungin Shoal last year. The formal report will serve as the basis for the DFA to evaluate and determine the appropriate diplomatic action to take on this matter.

The use of cyanide and other similar toxic agents in the marine environment is irresponsible and unacceptable, and runs counter to obligations of States Parties under the 1982 UNCLOS, particularly the duty to protect and preserve the marine environment and prevent pollution at sea.

The Philippines will continue to monitor and call out any infringements on its sovereignty, sovereign rights and jurisdiction across all its maritime zones. END

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DFA condemns cyanide use at sea as UNCLOS violation

Philippine News Agency

By Joyce Ann L. Rocamora

April 15, 2026, 7:57 pm

MANILA -- The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Wednesday warned against the use of cyanide and other toxic agents at sea, saying this is "unacceptable" and a violation of international law, specifically the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

The statement was made following the discovery of cyanide in yellow bottles from Chinese sampans near BRP Sierra Madre (LS-57) in Ayungin Shoal, West Philippine Sea (WPS) last year.

"The use of cyanide and other similar toxic agents in the marine environment is irresponsible and unacceptable, and runs counter to obligations of States Parties under the 1982 UNCLOS, particularly the duty to protect and preserve the marine environment and prevent pollution at sea," it said.

The DFA said it is waiting for the final report on the findings from the scientific and technical analysis done by relevant authorities on the chemicals confiscated from Chinese fisherfolk, which will serve as the basis for its diplomatic action on the matter.

"The Philippines will continue to monitor and call out any infringements on its sovereignty, sovereign rights, and jurisdiction across all its maritime zones," it added.

The Philippine Navy had seized the bottles from Chinese fisherfolk in February 2025 and on Oct. 24, 2025.

On Tuesday, Navy spokesperson for the WPS Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad said they have pictures not only of the cyanide but also of the other illegal fishing methods used by the Chinese that include the use of "fine mesh nets and even larger nets on the entrance of Ayungin Shoal."

He said these nets are designed to impede or hamper Philippine rotation and resupply missions in the WPS, and that these are also responsible for damaging or destroying coral reefs in the area. (PNA)

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PH calls on states for vigilance vs. efforts to undermine UNCLOS

Philippine News Agency

By Joyce Ann L. Rocamora

April 15, 2026, 7:34 pm

MANILA -- The Philippines is rallying maritime nations to maintain "vigilance against efforts to undermine international law," particularly the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

Speaking at the 9th Indian Ocean Conference in Mauritius on April 11, Foreign Affairs spokesperson for maritime affairs Rogelio Villanueva Jr. said the Indian Ocean and the South China Sea are interconnected, and that nations must double efforts to cooperate in promoting a rules-based maritime order.

He said challenges at sea have already "transcended" traditional geographic boundaries -- from the prevalence of illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing; piracy; environmental degradation to the accelerated impacts of climate change on states.

"[N]o national effort, however robust, can succeed in isolation. The maritime challenges that we face yesterday, today, and tomorrow will persist to be transboundary by nature," he said in a speech, released by the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Wednesday.

"They demand cooperation grounded in shared norms and mutual trust," he stressed.

For the Philippines', he said the government continues to adhere to the UNCLOS and the 2016 Arbitral Award on the South China Sea, stating that both serve as the "twin anchors" of Philippine maritime foreign policy.

"The Indian Ocean and the South China Sea are linked not only by trade routes, but by shared challenges and shared stakes. The choices we make - individually and collectively - will determine whether these waters remain zones of cooperation or become arenas of contestation," he said.

He vowed for the Philippines' commitment "to working with all our partners to uphold a maritime order that is lawful, peaceful, and sustainable, one that ensures the continued flow of commerce, the protection of our marine environment, and the prosperity of our peoples."

The event gathered at least 300 representatives from 33 states to discuss pressing regional issues and promote regional cooperation in the Indian Ocean.

High-level participants come from foreign ministries, regional and international organizations from the Indian Ocean region and beyond. (PNA)

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'Balikatan' 2026 to include drone warfare defense - US spox

Philippine News Agency

By Priam Nepomuceno

April 15, 2026, 12:04 pm

MANILA -- Defending against hostile drone systems is among the exercises to be undertaken in this year's "Balikatan" drills.

"The defensive aspect of countering drones is very much a part of the exercise. You might see that during the counter landing live fire exercise," Exercise Balikatan spokesperson 41-2026 US spokesperson, Col. Robert Bunn, said during an interview with reporters late Tuesday.

He made this point after noting that a large part of drone warfare is "offensive in nature."

"And this exercise, as I mentioned, is about security with our Philippine allies and operations that help that (are) primarily defensive in nature and along with our humanitarian assistance efforts," Bunn said.

More than 17,000 military personnel from the Philippines, the United States, Australia, Japan, Canada, France, and New Zealand are expected to participate in the drills set from April 20 to May 8.

Asked if the American side will be deploying new weapons systems for this Balikatan, the US military official said the public can expect to see platforms that would improve interoperability between the two nations.

"I think when we talk about combined joint all-domain operations, you can expect us to use some of those advanced weapon systems again to focus on the interoperability between our two nations and our partners," he added.

Bunn also said that it would be best to discuss the specific details of these weapons systems once they are deployed. (PNA)

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NEW YORK, April 16, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Speedy Sticks, a nationwide provider of mobile phlebotomy services and diagnostic logistics, is building the infrastructure enabling healthcare organizations to extend specimen collection beyond traditional clinical settings. Operating across major U.S. markets including New York, Los Angeles, Miami, and Chicago, the company supports laboratories, hospitals, provider groups, clinical research organizations, concierge medical practices, and insurance partners with at-home blood draw and on-site mobile blood collection services.

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Speedy Sticks is expanding interoperability with leading EHR platforms, including Epic, allowing organizations to integrate mobile specimen collection into existing clinical workflows.

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Founder Perspective

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SOURCE Speedy Sticks LLC
Navy: No damage so far to BRP Sierra Madre from cyanide incident

Philippine News Agency

By Priam Nepomuceno

April 15, 2026, 11:36 am

MANILA -- There are no signs of damage to the Philippine Navy ship BRP Sierra Madre (LS-57) stationed in Ayungin Shoal in the West Philippine Sea, despite reported Chinese attempts to spray cyanide within its vicinity.

"So far, we have no report of any damage to the ship or the men. What has been reported, and all the pictures are there, the videos are there, is the irreparable damage to the reef," Philippine Navy (PN) spokesperson for the WPS, Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad, said in an interview with reporters late Tuesday.

He noted that cyanide is a dangerous substance and could jeopardize the lives of the personnel manning the ship if used constantly.

"It could put the lives of the men aboard the ship at risk, considering that the fish stocks and their water supply, which they get from the ocean, desalinate it, could be contaminated. So, there are also risks to the health of the men," Trinidad said.

He earlier rejected claims that the discovery of cyanide in yellow bottles seized from Chinese sampans near the BRP Sierra Madre was staged and fabricated.

"Number one, our actions in the WPS are designed to secure and to protect our sovereignty and sovereign rights, and that would include protecting the environment. Number two, all of our actions are based on scientific evidence. We do not fabricate news. It took more than a year to be able to have this liquid checked to confirm that, indeed, it contains cyanide. Number three, the area surrounding LS-57 would show that the irreparable damage to the coral reef, it's quite extensive," Trinidad said.

The National Security Council (NSC) earlier said the Navy seized these bottles from Chinese sampans in February 2025 and on Oct. 24, 2025.

The NSC said laboratory testing conducted by the National Bureau of Investigation's Forensic and Scientific Research Service "has conclusively established" that the yellow bottles seized from the sampans contain cyanide. (PNA)

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PH, Oman hope for de-escalation of Middle East conflict

Philippine News Agency

By Ruth Abbey Gita-Carlos

April 15, 2026, 9:30 am

MANILA -- The Philippines and Oman have expressed hope for the peaceful and diplomatic resolution of the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.

During a meeting at Malacanan Palace on Tuesday, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and Omani Ambassador to the Philippines Nasser bin Said bin Abdullah Al Manwari raised concern over the rising tensions in the Gulf region.

"Both expressed hope that it will be resolved through dialogue and diplomacy, and that lasting peace can be achieved," the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) said in a statement on Tuesday night.

At the start of the Middle East conflict, Oman immediately opened its borders to Filipinos seeking repatriation.

Marcos thanked Oman for extending assistance to displaced Filipinos in times of crisis.

"We recognize Oman's support in the safe return of our seafarers and the assistance extended to our OFWs during difficult times. These partnerships make a real difference in protecting and supporting our kababayans (countrymen) abroad," he said in a Facebook post.

Al Manwari reaffirmed Oman's commitment to assist the Philippines and its citizens, as he emphasized the two nations' close and strong ties.

Marcos expressed his intent to bolster Manila's relations with Muscat, "especially in areas that matter to Filipinos."

"We will keep building on this momentum, expanding opportunities, improving mobility, and opening more doors for Filipinos," he said.

During the meeting, Marcos said he looks forward to the third investment forum with Oman in Manila, following the Gulf state's successful hosting of the second conference with over 60 Philippine business leaders in Muscat in February 2026.

Bilateral relations between the Philippines and Oman have continued to strengthen in recent years, with several agreements signed and cooperation expanding across political, labor, and economic sectors.

Marcos thanked the Omani government for facilitating the release and repatriation of 17 Filipino seafarers in January 2025 and nine others in December 2025, who were all held hostage by the Houthis.

He also expressed gratitude to Oman for granting royal pardons to overseas Filipino workers.

Nearly 49,000 Filipinos are currently residing and working in Oman, data from the Department of Foreign Affairs showed.

The Philippines and Oman will mark the 46th anniversary of their bilateral relations this year, which were formally established on Oct. 6, 1980. (PNA)

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Potential Lebanon truce result of Hezbollah, Axis of Resistance's persistent struggle: Qalibaf

Iran Press TV

Wednesday, 15 April 2026 9:59 PM

The speaker of Majlis (Iran's Parliament) says the emergence of a potential ceasefire in Lebanon will be down to the persistent struggle put up by Hezbollah and other members of the regional Axis of Resistance.

"The completion and consolidation of a comprehensive ceasefire in Lebanon will be the result of the resistance and steadfast struggle of the great Hezbollah and the unity of the Axis of Resistance," Mohammad-Baqer Qalibaf wrote in a post on X on Tuesday.

The remarks came amid Hezbollah's successive and decisive retaliatory strikes against sensitive Israeli military targets and illegal settlements in the northern part of the occupied territories.

The Lebanese resistance movement has also directed sustained reprisal against Israeli troops and aerial assets trying to make advances in southern Lebanon.

The counterstrikes have been aimed at countering the Israeli regime's incessant violations of a 2024 ceasefire agreement with Hezbollah, as part of which Tel Aviv was supposed to end its deadly escalation targeting Lebanon.

Iran has stressed that the realization of a comprehensive ceasefire in Lebanon is an indivisible part of the ceasefire agreement that ended the unprovoked American-Israeli aggression against the Islamic Republic last Wednesday.

Hours after Iran and the US announced a ceasefire ending 40 days of aggression against the Islamic Republic, the Israeli regime violated the truce last Wednesday morning by launching devastating strikes on civilian areas across Lebanon.

In response, the Hezbollah resistance movement launched a series of retaliatory strikes a day after, targeting multiple Israeli military and strategic installations.

The retaliatory operations continued with full intensity on Wednesday, April 15, as the Israeli regime continued to target civilian areas in Lebanon, particularly in South Lebanon.

Islamic Resistance fighters on Wednesday targeted the "Metulla", "Kfar Giladi", and "Kiryat Shmona", "Doviv", "Shlomi", "Matzuva", "Ya'ara", "Avdon", "Kfar Vradim", "Nahariya", and "Shavei Tzion" settlements with multiple rocket barrages.

"Resistance and Iran are one soul, both in war and in ceasefire," Qalibaf stated.

He noted that the United States was obliged to abide by any potential ceasefire in Lebanon, and "withdraw from 'Israel First' mistake," referring to Washington's invariable policy of rendering all-out support for Tel Aviv's deadly aggression and occupation targeting the region.

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Hezbollah checks Israeli advance against southern Lebanon during fierce clashes

Iran Press TV

Wednesday, 15 April 2026 9:06 PM

Hezbollah says its fighters engaged in ongoing clashes with Israeli forces in the southern Lebanese town of Bint Jbeil and surrounding border areas, repelling attempts by Israeli troops to advance into the areas.

In a series of statements issued by its Military Media, the Lebanese resistance movement said on Wednesday, the fighters "continued valiantly repelling all the attempts" by Israeli forces to take control of Bint Jbeil, while also confronting troops in other nearby villages.

The statements came amid the Israeli regime's incessant violations of a 2024 ceasefire agreement with the movement as part of which Tel Aviv was expected to end its deadly escalation targeting Lebanon.

Recently, Hezbollah's Secretary-General Sheikh Naim Qassem said the breaches - which throughout several consecutive days beginning last Wednesday claimed the lives of hundreds of people, including women and children - was aimed at "masking" Tel Aviv's defeats on the battlefield.

Rocket barrages, drone strikes

According to the statements, Hezbollah carried out multiple retaliatory rocket attacks targeting Israeli positions and illegal settlements in the northern part of the occupied territories, including Metula, Kfar Giladi, Kiryat Shmona, Nahariya, and Avivim.

"In defense of Lebanon and its people, and in response to the enemy's violation of the ceasefire agreement and its repeated attacks... the Islamic Resistance fighters targeted the settlements with rocket barrages," the group said across several statements.

It also reported deploying loitering drones against positions located in northern occupied territories such as the Metat barracks and artillery bunkers in areas including Khirbet Ma'ar. Drone strikes also hit Israeli targets in the town of al-Bayyada in southern Lebanon.

Engagements with invading aircraft

Hezbollah said it confronted Israeli aerial assets on multiple occasions, including a warplane over Debaal, drones of the "Hermes 450 - Zik" type over Qabrikha and al-Shabriha, and an Apache helicopter over al-Mansouri, which it said was forced to retreat.

Bint Jbeil a focal point of fighting

The group said Bint Jbeil in southern Lebanon remained a central battleground, reporting repeated strikes on Israeli troop gatherings in and around the town, including "10 waves of rocket barrages" carried out at different times.

In a separate statement, Hezbollah described an ambush targeting a unit from Battalion 101 of the Israeli Paratroopers Brigade near Maroun al-Ras, still in southern Lebanon. It said fighters detonated an explosive device and engaged the unit at close range, resulting in casualties, while Israeli forces later evacuated the wounded under fire.

Continued operations across multiple locations

Additional attacks were reported on troop gatherings and equipment in areas including al-Khiam, al-Bayyada, Kfar Kila, and near detention facilities as well as on newly established artillery positions and a military bulldozer in southern Lebanon.

The group also said it targeted sites such as the Meron air surveillance base and Filon base, both situated on the southern side of the occupied territories, with rocket fire.

Across all statements, Hezbollah emphasized that "this response will continue until the Israeli-American aggression against our country and our people ceases."

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April 15: Hezbollah's operations against Zionist regime in response to truce breach

Iran Press TV

Wednesday, 15 April 2026 7:28 PM

By Press TV Website Staff

Hours after Iran and the US announced a ceasefire ending 40 days of aggression against the Islamic Republic, the Israeli regime violated the truce last Wednesday morning by launching devastating strikes on civilian areas across Lebanon.

The cessation of attacks on all fronts, including in Lebanon, was one of the key points of the Iranian proposal that was initially accepted by the American side.

In response, the Hezbollah resistance movement launched a series of retaliatory strikes on Thursday, a day after, targeting multiple Israeli military and strategic installations.

The retaliatory operations continued with full intensity on Wednesday, April 15, as the Israeli regime continued to target civilian areas in Lebanon, particularly in South Lebanon.

Since early March, Hezbollah's operations have been primarily focused on Israeli military sites in the occupied territories, inflicting heavy and irreparable blows on the Zionist enemy.

The movement's actions come in response to both the assassination of the Leader of the Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, and the Israeli regime's relentless ceasefire violations over the past year.

The cessation of Israeli-American attacks on all fronts, including in Lebanon, was a key component of the 10-point proposal that Washington agreed to as part of the ceasefire.

Iran has warned of severe retaliation if Israeli attacks against Lebanon continue.

Below is a list of operations carried out by the resistance movement in Lebanon against the Zionist regime on Wednesday, April 15:

Hezbollah:

In defense of Lebanon and its people, in response to the enemy's violation of the ceasefire agreement and its repeated attacks on the villages and towns of the south, and after the Resistance adhered to the ceasefire while the enemy did not, the Islamic Resistance fighters targeted the "Metulla", "Kfar Giladi", and "Kiryat Shmona" settlements with rocket barrages.

In defense of Lebanon and its people, and in response to the enemy's violation of the ceasefire agreement and its repeated attacks on the villages and cities of the south, and after the Resistance committed to the ceasefire while the enemy did not, the Islamic Resistance fighters targeted the settlements of "Doviv", "Shlomi", "Matzuva", "Ya'ara", "Avdon", "Kfar Vradim", "Nahariya", and "Shavei Tzion" with rocket barrages.

In defense of Lebanon and its people, in response to the enemy's violation of the ceasefire agreement and its repeated attacks on the villages and cities of the south, and after the Resistance committed to the ceasefire while the enemy did not, the Islamic Resistance fighters targeted the "Kiryat Shmona" settlement for the second time with a rocket barrage.

In defense of Lebanon and its people, in response to the enemy's breach of the ceasefire agreement and its repeated attacks on the villages of the south, and after the Resistance committed to the ceasefire while the enemy did not, the Islamic Resistance fighters targeted a gathering of Israeli soldiers in the northern outskirts of the city of Bint Jbeil with a rocket barrage.

In defense of Lebanon and its people, and in response to the enemy's violation of the ceasefire agreement and its repeated attacks on the villages of the south, and after the Resistance committed to the ceasefire while the enemy did not, the Islamic Resistance fighters targeted a convoy of Israeli military vehicles and soldiers in the northern outskirts of the city of Bint Jbeil with a rocket barrage.

In defense of Lebanon and its people, and in response to the enemy's violation of the ceasefire agreement and its repeated aggressions against the villages of the south, and after the Resistance adhered to the ceasefire while the enemy did not, the Islamic Resistance fighters targeted the "Misgav Am" settlement with a rocket barrage.

In defense of Lebanon and its people, in response to the enemy's violation of the ceasefire agreement and its repeated attacks on the villages of the south, and after the Resistance committed to the ceasefire while the enemy did not, the Islamic Resistance fighters targeted the "Matat" barracks with a swarm of attack drones.

In defense of Lebanon and its people, and in response to the enemy's violation of the ceasefire agreement and its repeated attacks on the villages of the south, and after the Resistance committed to the ceasefire while the enemy did not, the Islamic Resistance fighters engaged an Israeli warplane in the skies over the town of Debaal with a surface-to-air missile.

In defense of Lebanon and its people, in response to the enemy's violation of the ceasefire agreement and its repeated attacks on the villages of the south, and after the Resistance adhered to the ceasefire while the enemy did not, the Islamic Resistance fighters targeted gatherings of Israeli soldiers in the city of Khiam with rocket barrages.

In defense of Lebanon and its people, and in response to the enemy's violation of the ceasefire agreement and its repeated attacks on the villages of the south, and after the resistance committed to the ceasefire while the enemy did not, the Islamic Resistance fighters targeted gatherings of Israeli soldiers and their vehicles in the town of Al-Bayada with a rocket barrage.

In defense of Lebanon and its people, and in response to the enemy's violation of the ceasefire agreement and its repeated attacks on the villages of the south, and after the Resistance committed to the ceasefire while the enemy did not, the Islamic Resistance fighters confronted a drone belonging to the Israeli army of the type "Hermes 450 - Zik" in the skies of the town of Qabrikha with a surface-to-air missile.

In defense of Lebanon and its people, in response to the enemy's violation of the ceasefire agreement and its repeated attacks on the villages of the south, and after the resistance committed to the ceasefire while the enemy did not, the Islamic Resistance fighters targeted a base in "Philon" south of the "Rosh Pinna" settlement with a rocket barrage.

In defense of Lebanon and its people, and in response to the enemy's violation of the ceasefire agreement and its repeated aggressions against the villages of the south, and after the Resistance committed to the ceasefire while the enemy did not, the Islamic Resistance fighters targeted gatherings of Israeli soldiers in the town of Al-Bayada for the second time with a large number of artillery shells.

In defense of Lebanon and its people, and in response to the enemy's violation of the ceasefire agreement and its repeated attacks on the southern villages, and after the Resistance committed to the ceasefire while the enemy did not, the Islamic Resistance fighters targeted gatherings of Israeli soldiers in the city of Bint Jbeil with ten rocket barrages.

In defense of Lebanon and its people, and in response to the enemy's breach of the ceasefire agreement and its repeated attacks on the villages of the south, and after the resistance committed to the ceasefire while the enemy did not, the Islamic Resistance fighters targeted the enemy's newly established artillery batteries near the "Al-Sadah" site with a rocket barrage.

In defense of Lebanon and its people, and in response to the enemy's violation of the ceasefire agreement and its repeated attacks on the villages of the south, and after the Resistance committed to the ceasefire while the enemy did not, the Islamic Resistance fighters confronted an "israeli" enemy army drone of the "Hermes 450 - Zik" type in the skies of the Al-Shabriha area with a surface-to-air missile.

In defense of Lebanon and its people, and in response to the enemy's violation of the ceasefire agreement and its repeated attacks on the villages of the south, and after the Resistance committed to the ceasefire while the enemy did not, the Islamic Resistance fighters confronted an Israeli military "Apache" helicopter in the skies of the town of Al-Mansouri with a surface-to-air missile.

In defense of Lebanon and its people, in response to the enemy's violation of the ceasefire agreement and its repeated attacks on the villages of the south, and after the resistance committed to the ceasefire while the enemy did not, the Islamic Resistance fighters targeted the artillery positions of the Israeli military in Khirbet Ma'er with a swarm of attack drones.

In defense of Lebanon and its people, and in response to the enemy's violation of the ceasefire agreement and its repeated attacks on the villages of the south, and after the Resistance adhered to the ceasefire while the enemy did not, the Islamic Resistance fighters targeted an Israeli military contingent positioned inside a house in the town of Kafr Kila with a guided missile.

In defense of Lebanon and its people, and in response to the enemy's violation of the ceasefire agreement and its repeated attacks on the villages of the south, and after the Resistance committed to the ceasefire while the enemy did not, the Islamic Resistance fighters targeted a gathering of Israeli soldiers and their vehicles east of the Khiam detention center with a rocket barrage.

In defense of Lebanon and its people, and in response to the enemy's breach of the ceasefire agreement and its repeated attacks on the villages of the south, and after the Resistance committed to the ceasefire while the enemy did not, the Islamic Resistance fighters targeted the "Nahariya" settlement with a rocket barrage.

In defense of Lebanon and its people, and in response to the enemy's violation of the ceasefire agreement and its repeated aggressions against the villages of the south, and after the resistance committed to the ceasefire while the enemy did not, the Islamic Resistance fighters targeted the settlements of "Kiryat Shmona" and "Kfar Blum", and Al-Malikiyah with rocket barrages.

In defense of Lebanon and its people, and in response to the enemy's breach of the ceasefire agreement and its repeated attacks on the villages of the south, and after the resistance adhered to the ceasefire while the enemy did not, the Islamic Resistance fighters targeted the enemy's newly established artillery positions in the town of Al-Bayyadah with a rocket barrage.

In defense of Lebanon and its people, and in response to the enemy's violation of the ceasefire agreement and its repeated attacks on the villages of the south, and after the resistance committed to the ceasefire and the enemy did not commit to it, the Islamic Resistance fighters targeted the "Meron" base for air surveillance and air operations management in northern occupied Palestine with a rocket barrage.

In defense of Lebanon and its people, and in response to the enemy's violation of the ceasefire agreement and its repeated attacks on the villages of the south, and after the resistance committed to the ceasefire while the enemy did not, the Islamic Resistance fighters targeted a gathering of Israeli soldiers east of the Khiam detention center with artillery shells.

In the framework of countering the attempt by the Israeli army to infiltrate the city of Bint Jbeil, and during an attempt by a force from the 101st Battalion, Paratrooper Brigade, to advance from the town of Maroun al-Ras towards the southwestern neighborhoods of the city of Bint Jbeil at dawn on Tuesday, and upon the force reaching the kill zone in a pre-prepared ambush, the Hezbollah fighters detonated an explosive device among them, and then engaged them in clashes from point-blank range with light and medium weapons, which resulted in their members being killed or wounded.

In defense of Lebanon and its people, and in response to the enemy's violation of the ceasefire agreement and its repeated attacks on the villages of the south, and after the Resistance committed to the ceasefire while the enemy did not, the Islamic Resistance fighters targeted the "Avivim" settlement with a rocket barrage.

In defense of Lebanon and its people, and in response to the enemy's violation of the ceasefire agreement and its repeated attacks on the villages of the south, and after the Resistance adhered to the ceasefire while the enemy did not, the Islamic Resistance fighters targeted the "Kiryat Shmona" settlement with a rocket barrage.

In defense of Lebanon and its people, and in response to the enemy's breach of the ceasefire agreement and its repeated attacks on the villages of the south, and after the resistance adhered to the ceasefire while the enemy did not, the Islamic Resistance fighters targeted an Israeli military "D9" bulldozer in the city of Bint Jbeil with an attack drone.

In defense of Lebanon and its people, and in response to the enemy's violation of the ceasefire agreement and its repeated attacks on the villages of the south, and after the Resistance adhered to the ceasefire while the enemy did not adhere to it, the Islamic Resistance fighters targeted two "Merkava" tanks in the vicinity of the square in the town of Mays al-Jabal with two attack drones, and achieved direct hits.

In defense of Lebanon and its people, in response to the enemy's violation of the ceasefire agreement and its repeated attacks on the villages of the south, and after the Resistance adhered to the ceasefire while the enemy did not, the Islamic Resistance fighters targeted gatherings of Israeli soldiers and their vehicles east of the city of Bint Jbeil with rocket barrages and artillery shells.

In defense of Lebanon and its people, in response to the enemy's violation of the ceasefire agreement and its repeated aggressions against the villages of the south, and after the Resistance adhered to the ceasefire while the enemy did not, the fighters of the Islamic Resistance targeted gatherings of Israeli soldiers in the vicinity of the Mousa Abbas complex in the city of Bint Jbeil with large rocket barrages.

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US lawmakers move to impeach War Secretary Hegseth over Iran 'war crimes'

Iran Press TV

Wednesday, 15 April 2026 7:05 PM

A number of US lawmakers are set to file five articles of impeachment against Secretary of War Pete Hegseth over war crimes committed in Iran.

The impeachment resolution will be introduced by Rep. Yassamin Ansari (D-Ariz.), the first Iranian American Democrat in Congress, on Wednesday, accusing Hegseth of war crimes in connection with the US-Israeli aggression against Iran, abuse of power and mishandling of the Department of War, according to Axios.

Eight Democrats are co-sponsoring the resolution, including Reps. Steve Cohen (Tenn.), Jasmine Crockett (Texas), Nikema Williams (Ga.), Sarah McBride (Del.), Brittany Pettersen (Colo.), Dina Titus (Nev.), Dave Min (Calif.), and Shri Thanedar (Mich.).

Ansari announced last week that she was filing articles of impeachment, saying Hegseth was "complicit" in President Donald Trump's "devastating, illegal war" against Iran.

The first article says Hegseth violated his oath of office in overseeing an "unauthorized war against Iran and reckless endangerment of United States service members."

According to the resolution, the secretary is guilty of war crimes by targeting civilians and breaking the rules of armed conflict, citing the deadly US bombing of a girls' elementary school in Iran's Minab.

The articles also focused on the mishandling of sensitive information, referring to the use of the Signal app on his personal cell phone to discuss a pending strike on targets in Yemen.

Moreover, the resolution accuses Hegseth of obstructing Congress's ability to oversee the military by withholding information regarding military actions in Venezuela and Iran, and other countries.

It also accuses the secretary of abusing his power, "including targeting and launching bogus investigations against specific elected officials for the express purpose of political retribution."

The articles, however, are almost certain to go nowhere in the House controlled by the Republicans.

Trump's war on Iran, which began on February 28, has further fueled Americans' anger. According to a poll published last week, most Americans want Congress to impeach US President Donald Trump over his war on Iran and other controversial policies.

The costly and illegal war on Iran has already consumed tens of billions of dollars and raised concerns about the strain on US weapons stockpiles.

The war has also carried a considerable political cost for Trump. His approval rating dropped to 39 percent in early April, down from 42 percent in late February before the war began, with 53 percent disapproving, marking the lowest rating of his second term.

Inside Congress, Democrats supported impeachment by 84 percent to 8 percent, with 78 percent strongly backing removal. Republicans, however, opposed impeachment by 81 percent to 14 percent, with 77 percent of GOP foes strongly opposed. Independents swung toward impeachment, 55 percent to 34 percent.

In the House, lawmakers need only a simple majority to impeach Trump, but Democrats lack the majority.

Senate conviction requires a two-thirds vote in a chamber that remains firmly Republican. Currently, no votes for removal exist on either side of the chamber.

Iran has declared a "historic victory" following the war of aggression by the United States and the Israeli regime that lasted 40 days, announcing that Washington had been forced to accept an Iranian proposal.

On April 8, the United States and Iran agreed to a two-week ceasefire after Washington received the 10-point proposal from Tehran.

Israel's Maariv newspaper admitted that the US-Israeli war against the Islamic Republic has ended in a "decisive victory for Iran," with both the US and Israel conceding to a "strategic surrender" and retreating from the battlefield.

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US military: 400 troops wounded in Iranian reprisal strikes

Iran Press TV

Wednesday, 15 April 2026 2:26 PM

The US military has updated the number of casualties from its joint aggression with Israel against Iran.

The United States Central Command (CENTCOM) said on Wednesday that at least 399 US service members had been wounded during the aggression on Iran that began on February 28 and ended in a two-week ceasefire on April 7.

CENTCOM spokesman Capt. Tim Hawkins said that three US troops were seriously wounded in massive Iranian retaliation against US bases in the region.

The new figure is an increase of 51 from a toll announced two weeks ago. The US military had said in its previous update that six out of 348 service members were seriously injured in the aggression against Iran. It has not provided further details on the situation of those wounded since then.

Hawkins said that some 345 troops had returned to duty after receiving treatment.

Iranian retaliatory attacks also left 13 US service members killed.

Experts suspect the US casualties in the confrontation with Iran were much higher, especially the number of fatalities which increased as Iran's reprisal attacks expanded to cover more locations across the West Asia and Persian Gulf regions.

The US-Israeli aggression has also inflicted huge financial losses on the United States, amid the declining economic standards in the country.

Figures on the Iran War Cost Tracker, a website dedicated to real-time monitoring of the expenditures of the aggression, showed that the costs inflicted on US taxpayers because of the war on Iran were nearing $52 billion.

That would be equal to the finances needed to cover annual health insurance for 1.5 million families of four in the United States.

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US Navy Confirms 'mishap' to $250 million spy drone downed by Iran

Iran Press TV

Wednesday, 15 April 2026 8:56 AM

The US Navy has confirmed that an MQ-4C Triton unmanned surveillance aircraft crashed in the Persian Gulf region on April 9, with the incident now described as a mishap, although little was revealed regarding the circumstance under which it was lost.

After the aircraft had vanished unexpectedly from online flight tracking sites while flying over the Persian Gulf, multiple sources reported that it had been shot down by Iranian air defenses.

The MQ-4C is a significantly rarer and higher value aircraft than the F-15E strike fighter, MQ-9 drone, and other aircraft that have been shot down by Iranian forces, with only the US Air Force E-3 Sentry AWACS destroyed on the ground in Saudi Arabia being more valuable.

Where the E-3 is an ageing aircraft that was scheduled for retirement within the next 15 years, the MQ-4C is a cutting edge platform that is still being produced for the Navy.

Each MQ-4C is estimated to have a value of $235-250 million, with its extreme cost meaning only 20 have been brought into service.

The destruction of one of the aircraft by Iranian air defenses would not be wholly unprecedented, with the closely related RQ-4A Global Hawk developed for the US Air Force having been shot down by the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps on June 20, 2019.

Iran's ambassador to the United Nations Majid Takht Ravanchi reported at the time that the aircraft "conducted an overflight through the Strait of Hormuz to Chabahar port in a full stealth mode as it had turned off its identification equipment and engaged in a clear spying operation.. When the [US] aircraft was returning towards the western parts of the region near the Strait of Hormuz, despite repeated radio warnings, it entered into the Iranian airspace."

Iranian forces have more recently from late February shot down an estimated 17 MQ-9 drones, and multiple drones of other types such as the Israeli Heron.

The Triton is a derivative of the MQ-4 Global Hawk, and is specialized in maritime surveillance. The aircraft have ranges of over 13,000 kilometers, which are necessary for persistent wide-area surveillance, and have reinforced airframes for harsh ocean weather allowing them to stay on station over oceans in all conditions.

Each integrates the AN/ZPY-3 Multi-Function Active Sensor radar, which was designed for 360 maritime surveillance and can track ships over vast areas. They also integrate electro-optical / infrared sensors, as well as electronic support measures for signals detection.

Real-time data links via satellite communications allow them to serve as nodes in wider surveillance networks, sharing data with naval, air and ground assets. The aircraft are particularly heavily relied on in the Pacific theatre, although their survivability has repeatedly been questioned.

Before its sudden disappearance from flight tracking systems, the Iranian-downed MQ-4C Triton reportedly exhibited a dramatic loss of altitude, plunging from its typical cruising height of around 50,000 feet to below 10,000 feet.

At the time, the drone appeared to be returning to its base at Naval Air Station Sigonella in Italy after completing a surveillance mission in the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz, the US Navy said.

At the time of its descent, the drone's transponder was broadcasting a distress signal, commonly known as "squawking." Initially, it transmitted the code 7400, indicating a loss of communication with ground controllers, and later switched to the emergency code 7700.

While the latter is a general declaration of an in-flight emergency, it does not divulge the specifics of the situation.

In 2019, Iran successfully shot down a Navy RQ-4 Broad Area Maritime Surveillance-Demonstrator (BAMS-D) drone over the Sea of Oman and showcased the remains of the uncrewed aircraft.

Another MQ-4C was detected conducting a routine mission over the Persian Gulf on Wednesday.

Last week, defense publication TWZ noted that Tritons are likely to be crucial for monitoring the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz, especially during the fragile ceasefire between the United States and Iran.

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Trump Would Welcome 'End Of Hostilities' In Lebanon, US Official Says

By Alex Raufoglu 22:29 15.4.2026

WASHINGTON -- The United States has not requested a Lebanon cease-fire, but President Donald Trump would welcome an end to the war in which Israel is targeting Iranian-backed Hezbollah militants in Lebanon, a senior US administration official said on April 15.

Hezbollah is both a militant group and political party that controls much of southern Lebanon. It is considered a terrorist organization by the United States, while the European Union has only blacklisted its armed wing.

"This is not something we have asked for nor is it part of the peace negotiations with Iran, but the president would welcome the end of hostilities in Lebanon as part of a peace agreement between Israel and Lebanon," the official said on condition of anonymity.

"The United States wants to see a durable peace but did not demand an immediate cease-fire," the official said.

"The United States' focus is on building trust between the two governments so that we can create space for a peace deal, and so that any future understandings can be durable. Both sides need to build political momentum," the official added.

Israel's current war with Hezbollah began days after the US-Israeli war with Iran began on February 28. On April 14, the United States hosted the Israeli and Lebanese ambassadors to Washington in the first direct talks between the neighboring countries in decades.

Iran has argued that a two-week cease-fire agreement it reached with the United States on April 7 applied to Lebanon as well, but the United States and Israeli said it did not.

Citing an unnamed senior Israeli official, Reuters reported that Israel's security cabinet convened on April 15 to discuss a possible Lebanon cease-fire

During the security cabinet meeting, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a video statement that Israeli forces continued to strike Hezbollah targets in southern Lebanon, which borders Israel. Netanyahu said he had told the military to continue reinforcing the "security zone" in southern Lebanon while also negotiating a peace deal with Lebanon.

With reporting by Reuters

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-protests-live-blog- trump-khamenei/33640284.html?lbis=449687

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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Trump Says Peace Talks Could Resume Soon As US Military Chokes Iran's Maritime Trade

By RFE/RL's Radio Farda 12:00 15.4.2026

US President Donald Trump suggested that peace talks with Iran could resume in a day or two as the US military chokes off the country's maritime trade in a move to get Tehran to the negotiating table.

Trump ordered a naval blockade targeting vessels headed to or from Iranian ports after US-Iranian peace talks in Islamabad on April 11-12 failed to produce an agreement to end the war, which began with US and Israeli air strikes on Iran on February 28.

In comments to the New York Post on April 14, he indicated that negotiators could meet again in the next couple of days.

"You should stay there, really, because something could be happening over the next two days, and we're more inclined to go there [than to another location]," an Islamabad-datelined story in the Post quoted Trump as saying.

The clock is ticking on a two-week cease-fire agreed by the United States and Iran on April 7 and Trump said later in an interview that he has no plans to extend the deal.

"It could end either way, but I think a deal is preferable because then they can rebuild," Trump told ABC News reporter Jonathan Karl in an interview.

Pakistan is said to be seeking to facilitate a new round of talks while Vice President JD Vance, who led the US delegation in the first round, raised the prospect of further meetings by saying "a lot of progress" was made at the April 11-12 talks.

"The ball is in the Iranian court," according to Vance, who said disagreements over Iran's nuclear program ultimately ended the talks without an accord.

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-protests-live-blog- trump-khamenei/33640284.html?lbis=449584

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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MIAMI BEACH, Fla., April 16, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Starwood Property Trust (NYSE: STWD) today announced that the Company will release its first quarter 2026 financial results on Friday, May 8, 2026, before the opening of trading on the New York Stock Exchange. A conference call will be held on Friday, May 8, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time.

During the conference call, the Company's officers will review first quarter performance, discuss recent events and conduct a question-and-answer period.

Webcast

The conference call will also be available in the Investor Relations section of the Company's website at www.starwoodpropertytrust.com. To listen to a live broadcast, go to the site at least 15 minutes prior to the scheduled start time in order to register, download and install any necessary audio software. A replay of the call will also be available for 90 days on the Company's website.

To Participate in the Telephone Conference Call:

Dial in at least five minutes prior to start time.

Domestic: 1-877-407-9039

International: 1-201-689-8470

Conference Call Playback:

Domestic: 1-844-512-2921

International: 1-412-317-6671

Passcode: 13758022

The playback can be accessed through Friday, May 22, 2026.

Full Text of the Earnings Release

Internet -- The full text of the earnings release will be available on Friday, May 8, 2026, at the Company's web site, www.starwoodpropertytrust.com.

Mail -- For those without Internet access, the first quarter earnings release will be available by mail or fax, on request. To receive a copy, please call the Company's Investor Relations line at 203-422-7788.

About Starwood Property Trust, Inc.

Starwood Property Trust (NYSE: STWD), an affiliate of global private investment firm Starwood Capital Group, is a leading diversified finance company with a core focus on the real estate and infrastructure sectors. As of December 31, 2025, the Company has successfully deployed $115 billion of capital since inception and manages a portfolio of over $30 billion across debt and equity investments. Starwood Property Trust's investment objective is to generate attractive and stable returns for shareholders, primarily through dividends, by leveraging a premiere global organization to identify and execute on the best risk adjusted returning investments across its target assets. Additional information can be found at www.starwoodpropertytrust.com.

Contact:

Zachary Tanenbaum

Starwood Property Trust

Phone: 203-422-7788

Email: [email protected]

SOURCE Starwood Property Trust, Inc.
IDF Urges Evacuation As Strikes Continue in South Lebanon

11:32 15.4.2026

Israel's military has issued a fresh evacuation order for residents of southern Lebanon as it pressed on with an offensive against Hezbollah -- a militant group and political party that controls much of southern Lebanon and is considered a terrorist organization by the United States, while the EU has blacklisted its armed wing.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said in a statement on April 14 that "air strikes are ongoing" as its personnel are operating "with significant force in the area."

"Therefore... we reiterate our urgent appeal for you to evacuate your homes immediately and head north of the Zahrani River," the IDF added.

The order is the first to be issued by Israel's military since direct talks were held on April 13 in Washington between Lebanon and Israel's ambassadors to the United States.

It comes amid renewed fighting between Israel and Hezbollah, with both sides exchanging fire despite the ongoing diplomatic efforts.

Lebanese state media reported fatalities from Israeli air strikes in the south, while Israel said it was conducting "targeted ground operations" against Hezbollah positions.

The Iran-backed group claimed attacks on northern Israel, where about 30 projectiles were recorded and one person was injured.

With reporting by AFP and dpa

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-protests-live-blog- trump-khamenei/33640284.html?lbis=449578

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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MoND's humanitarian actions in support of the civilian population in Lebanon

Romania - Ministry of National Defence

Press release No. 72

15.04.2026

Two Romanian Air Force aircraft were scrambled on Wednesday, April 15, at around 10:15 a.m., from the 90th Air Base, in Otopeni, to airlift humanitarian aid for the civilian population of Lebanon, who is facing a humanitarian crisis.

Thus, a C-130 Hercules military transport aircraft and a C-27J Spartan aircraft carrying 15 tons of food, tents and quartermaster elements from the national state reserves will arrive in Amman and, subsequently, as part of a multinational humanitarian convoy, in Beirut.

The humanitarian support request was received by Romania through the EU Civil Protection Mechanism.

The Press Office

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Ranking Member Shaheen, Senators Booker, Coons, Merkley, Van Hollen Statement on the Third Anniversary of the Sudan Civil War

Senate Foreign Relations Committee

April 15, 2026

WASHINGTON -- Today, U.S. Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Cory Booker (D-NJ), Ranking Member of the Africa and Global Health Policy Sub-Committee of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Chris Coons (D-DE), Jeff Merkley (D-OR) and Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) issued a statement on the third anniversary of the start of the Sudanese Civil War urging all parties to take immediate action to end the suffering of the Sudanese people and for the Quad, led by the United States, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Egypt, to push for a durable path forward with a peaceful transition of power.



"Since April 15, 2023, the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have been embroiled in a war that has no military solution. For three years, millions of civilians including women, children, journalists and humanitarian aid workers have faced egregious violations of basic human rights and dignity.



"Sudan is the world's worst humanitarian crisis with more than 13 million people displaced and more than 29 million people facing acute hunger. The RSF's 18-month siege of El-Fasher in Darfur, which choked off food, medicine and humanitarian access, culminated on October 26, 2026, in a deadly campaign of ethnically targeted killing, leaving tens of thousands dead. The unspeakable acts of systematic sexual violence against women and girls means there is no safe place for women and girls in Darfur. In South Kordofan, the SAF have launched attacks on civilian infrastructure, impeding lifesaving humanitarian access. Three years into the conflict in Sudan, the U.S. has determined that the RSF has committed genocide and the SAF have committed crimes against humanity.



"The SAF, RSF, allied parties and their external supporters must take immediate action to end the suffering of the Sudanese people. We call on all parties to the conflict to end attacks on civilian sites and to enable full and meaningful humanitarian access throughout Sudan. Additionally, securing a ceasefire and a durable political settlement remains essential. We call on the Quad to urgently bring forward a plan that holds perpetrators of gross human rights violations accountable and will end the violence and lay the groundwork for a peaceful transition of power."





###

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Risch Statement on 3rd Anniversary of Sudan Conflict

Senate Foreign Relations Committee

April 15, 2026

WASHINGTON -- U.S. Senator Jim Risch (R-Idaho), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today released the statement below on the third anniversary of the war in Sudan.

"Today marks the tragic third anniversary of the beginning of the war in Sudan. Characterized by genocide, the use of chemical weapons, and other atrocities, there is consensus among the international community and the belligerents that this war cannot be won through kinetic meansnegotiations are the only way forward. Sadly, regional actors continue to take sides and facilitate weapons flows from malign proxies, impeding a peaceful resolution. My message to those actors is this: Sudan is not a one stop shop for natural resources, nor is it your venue to get a leg up on your neighbors.

"If this war continues, it will not only destroy Sudan but it will allow instability to fester across Africa and beyond. We can't allow this instability to threaten U.S. national security. Ending the war in Sudan is central to our efforts to fight terrorism, stem migration, and engage in greater trade and commercial engagement.

"In the coming weeks, I intend to introduce legislation to support U.S. efforts to end the conflict in Sudan and hold the perpetrators, aiders and abettors accountable. We must redouble our efforts to stop the fighting and ensure the people of Sudan receive the help they desperately need from both the United States and our partners."

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Secretary Rubio's Meeting with Kyrgyz Republic Chairman of the Cabinet Adylbek Kasymaliev

US Department of State

Readout

Office of the Spokesperson

April 15, 2026

The below is attributable to Principal Deputy Spokesperson Tommy Pigott:

Today, Secretary of State Marco Rubio met with Kyrgyz Republic Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers Adylbek Kasymaliev to discuss key priorities in the United States-Kyrgyz Republic bilateral relationship. Secretary Rubio encouraged further collaboration on immigration enforcement. He also underscored the importance of the Kyrgyz Republic working to strengthen its sanctions compliance. Secretary Rubio shared opportunities to strengthen economic ties with the Kyrgyz Republic, including through infrastructure, critical mineral, and investment cooperation. The United States looks forward to continued engagement with the Kyrgyz Republic and ongoing regional cooperation through the C5+1 diplomatic platform.

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The United Kingdom remains concerned by the deteriorating humanitarian situation in the Great Lakes region: UK statement at the UN Security Council

Speech

Statement by Jennifer MacNaughtan, UK Minister Counsellor, at the Security Council meeting on the Great Lakes Region.

From: Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office and Jennifer MacNaughtan, UK Minister Counsellor

Published 15 April 2026

Location: United Nations, New York

Delivered on: 15 April 2026 (Transcript of the speech, exactly as it was delivered)

President, before I begin my statement on the Great Lakes region, I want to recognise that this month marks the 32nd anniversary of the genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda.

As we remember the horrific crimes that were committed, my thoughts are with the families and victims at this sombre time.

I will now make three points.

First, the United Kingdom remains concerned by the deteriorating humanitarian situation in the region, particularly driven by regional conflicts.

We note that millions of civilians have been internally displaced in eastern DRC, and hundreds of thousands have sought refuge in neighbouring states.

We have also seen the Sudan conflict driving displacement into South Sudan and Uganda.

We call on all parties to facilitate full, safe, and rapid humanitarian access to those in need.

We also urge support for regional humanitarian appeals.

The United Kingdom provided over $130m of humanitarian and peacebuilding funding to eastern DRC and the region last year.

We also urge an intensification of efforts to bring an end to conflicts in the region.

We commend the diplomatic progress in negotiations to end the conflict in eastern DRC and commend the leadership of the United States, Qatar, and the African Union in driving peace.

But diplomatic progress must also translate into progress on the ground.

Second, it is critical that the protection of civilians is prioritised.

We note that over 2,900 human rights violations have been documented by the UN in eastern DRC in the last six months.

Women and girls continue to be disproportionately impacted by conflict, including widespread reports of conflict-related sexual violence.

We call on all actors to protect civilians in line with their obligations under international law.

Third, the United Kingdom is concerned at growing restrictions on civic and political space in certain parts of the region, including arbitrary arrests and, in some states, the detention of opposition members.

Inclusive governance, accountability, and the safeguarding of rights are essential for long-term stability in the region, helping to address grievances and undercut cycles of instability.

We ask all countries to uphold civic space and protect freedom of expression.

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The United Kingdom condemns violence against UN peacekeepers who work tirelessly to protect international peace and security: UK statement at the UN Security Council

Speech

Statement by Ambassador Archie Young, UK Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN, at the UN Security Council meeting on UN Peacekeeping Operations.

From: Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office and Archie Young CMG

Published 15 April 2026

Location: United Nations, New York

Delivered on: 15 April 2026 (Transcript of the speech, exactly as it was delivered)

The safety of peacekeepers is critical.

This year has seen unacceptable attacks on blue helmets.

This includes the killing of peacekeepers in UNMISS, MINUSCA, UNISFA and most recently in UNIFIL.

Our sympathies are with the families of those killed.

The United Kingdom condemns violence against UN peacekeepers who work tirelessly to protect international peace and security.

We recall that attacks on peacekeepers may constitute war crimes.

We urge accountability, strengthened protection measures, and respect for the mandates given by this Council.

The United Kingdom commends the courage and professionalism of personnel serving in UN peacekeeping operations.

We are grateful for the briefing today from the MINUSCA and UNISFA Force Commanders.

And I would like to make a couple of points specific to those two missions.

In the Central African Republic, MINUSCA continues to play a critical role in a complex environment.

We commend MINUSCA's support to elections in December 2025 and encourage the Government of CAR, with MINUSCA's support, to sustain progress on the national disarmament, demobilisation, and reintegration programme, in order to advance security sector reform and to strengthen accountability for human rights violations.

UNISFA also plays a vital stabilising role.

Growing interference by the Rapid Support Forces and other armed actors, and limited progress by the Sudanese and South Sudanese authorities on the benchmarks outlined in the 2025 mandate renewal, leave UNISFA stretched.

The drawdown of Joint Border Verification and Monitoring Mechanism (JBVMM) sites has weakened early warning and confidence-building mechanisms at a time of rising insecurity.

We call on all parties to respect Abyei's demilitarised status and on the Sudanese and South Sudanese authorities to support UNISFA to deliver its mandate.

Finally, President, the United Kingdom remains committed to ensuring that UN peacekeeping remains an effective tool in support of international peace and security.

We note the importance of UN missions being grounded in robust political strategies, and their mandates being clear, prioritised, and matched with the right resources and capabilities.

Restrictions on missions' freedom of movement are unacceptable.

We should also protect progress on performance, accountability, safeguarding, and the meaningful participation of women in peacekeeping.

We look forward to the publication of the Secretary-General's review on the future of all forms of UN peace operations to advance this effort.

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Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General

Department of Public Information . News and Media Division . New York

15 April 2026

The following is a near-verbatim transcript of today's briefing by Farhan Haq, Deputy Spokesman for the Secretary-General.

** Secretary-General's Travel

All right, good afternoon, everyone. The Secretary-General travelled to Washington, D.C., this morning, where he will participate in the Spring Meetings of the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF). On the margins of the Spring meetings, the Secretary-General will attend the launch of the Borrowers' Platform. In his remarks, which should be made within the hour, the Secretary-General will highlight that this is a Platform in which borrowing countries sit together, learn from each other and speak with a collective voice.

The Secretary-General is also taking part in the launch of the World Bank's Water Forward Initiative, aimed at contributing to turning water commitments into delivery, ahead of the 2026 UN Water Conference. And as he told you yesterday, he will then travel onward to The Hague to participate in the commemoration of the eightieth anniversary of the International Court of Justice.

** Deputy Secretary-General's Travel

And as we told you yesterday, the Deputy Secretary-General is also in Washington, D.C., today, where she will attend a series of public and private meetings to draw attention to the damaging effects of the war in the Middle East for development prospects in the world's poorest countries. She will call for fast and strong multilateral action to reinforce country efforts to mitigate the war's impact. While in Washington, D.C., the Deputy Secretary-General will participate in a public event [livestreamed on UN Web TV] with Prime Minister Mia Mottley of Barbados to discuss the impact of the Middle East war on sustainable development, and the urgency of reforms to the international financial architecture to shield the most vulnerable countries and to promote investments in resilience.

** Iran

The Secretary-General's Personal Envoy for the Middle East Conflict and its Consequences, Jean Arnault, is visiting the Sultanate of Oman. He is meeting with senior Omani officials to listen to their unique perspective on the conflict and discuss the potential contribution of the United Nations to its settlement.

Meanwhile, the Emergency Relief Coordinator, Tom Fletcher, yesterday allocated $12 million from the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) to support the humanitarian response in the country. The CERF funding will support life-saving activities in health, water, sanitation and hygiene, and food security. Where possible, response activities will be implemented through our local partners, aligned with large-scale efforts led by the Government.

According to authorities, between 28 February and 8 April, large-scale air strikes across the country caused more than 2,360 civilian deaths, including 257 women and 220 children, and tens of thousands of injuries, severely stretching trauma care, burn management and primary health services. The strikes also damaged homes, schools, health facilities and other critical infrastructure nationwide, including cutting off people's access to essential services. Needs are most acute in municipalities that experienced the heaviest bombardment and are also hosting displaced people from nearby areas.

Although the ceasefire has eased insecurity, widespread destruction, rubble and explosive or toxic remnants of war continue to prevent people from accessing basic services and hinder rescue and response efforts. The crisis spans a broad geographic area, with particularly severe consequences in densely populated regions.

** Israel/Lebanon

Turning to Lebanon, I can tell you that we welcome yesterday's meeting between Lebanon and Israel, convened by the United States. The meeting constitutes an important first step to end the hostilities and towards breaking the recurrent rounds of violence that have caused considerable suffering for too long. Maintaining dialogue will be essential in resolving outstanding issues and achieving progress towards stability. We remain ready to support these efforts and continue to urge the full implementation of Security Council resolution 1701 (2006).

On the ground, United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) continues to report ongoing hostilities, including projectiles fired towards Israel and Israel Defense Forces (IDF) in southern Lebanon, and Israel Defense Forces operations throughout the mission's area of operations, such as airstrikes, armoured movements and other kinetic activities. Our peacekeeping colleagues continue to report violations. Yesterday afternoon, a routine convoy transporting military and civilian peacekeepers, along with essential contractors, from Beirut to UNIFIL Headquarters was halted by Israel Defense Forces personnel a few kilometres from its destination in Naqoura.

UN-marked vehicles were eventually allowed to proceed; however, local contractors were required to return to Beirut under security arrangements, despite the convoy having been fully deconflicted in advance, including their presence being explicitly cleared.

This is not an isolated incident. Similar restrictions, through physical roadblocks or the reversal of prior clearances, have affected both peacekeepers and the essential personnel who support them. These actions raise serious concerns about the timely delivery of critical supplies, including food, fuel and water, to UNIFIL positions, particularly along the Blue Line. We reiterate our call on the IDF to respect agreed arrangements and to uphold its obligations to ensure the safety and security of peacekeepers, as well as the freedom of movement of all UNIFIL patrols and logistical convoys.

** Lebanon/Humanitarian

On the humanitarian front in Lebanon, the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) tells us that a growing number of casualties and continued hostilities continue to drive humanitarian needs higher across the country. More than 1.2 million people have been displaced by the crisis. Across southern and eastern Lebanon, dozens of locations are being hit daily by Israeli strikes. Reports indicate that at least 35 villages in the south were struck yesterday, with extensive damage to residential areas. OCHA says it is particularly concerned by the situation in the district of Bint Jbeil in Nabatieh Governorate, with reports of armed clashes since Monday further restricting the movement of civilians, limiting their access to essential services and humanitarian aid.

The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and others have reached more than 90,000 displaced people across 448 collective shelters and within host communities with psychosocial support and other protection services. They are focusing on people most at risk, including families experiencing repeated displacement, children and people with disabilities.

And just to flag that the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, Barham Salih, is in Lebanon. He visited affected areas in Beirut and the Bekaa valley, where he met displaced families in Government-established sites. The High Commissioner underscored the organization's continued commitment to the humanitarian response and the urgent need for sustained international support for national efforts amid ongoing hostilities and large-scale displacement.

As the situation continues to deteriorate, we continue to call for immediate de-escalation, full respect for international humanitarian law, including protection of civilians; sustained and unimpeded humanitarian access; and stepped-up funding now.

** Occupied Palestinian Territory

Turning to the situation in Gaza, the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) said yesterday that it was forced to reduce the operating hours of the electrical generators in their facilities in the first week of April, as they were approaching critical levels of mechanical failure. These facilities provide a range of services to vulnerable people. As we mentioned yesterday, the UN and our humanitarian partners need more approvals to take much-needed spare parts and lubricants into Gaza to avoid further disruptions.

Meanwhile, partners continue to deliver preventive and therapeutic nutrition services to girls and boys. Last month, they screened over 72,000 children and identified about 2,700 with acute malnutrition  and provided thousands with ready-to-use therapeutic food. Also, in the first week of this month, partners working on child protection organized counselling and recreational activities for about 4,700 children. These activities help girls and boys cope with ongoing displacement and dire humanitarian conditions.

** Sudan

Turning to Sudan, today marks three years since the war began, a tragic milestone in what has become the world's largest humanitarian crisis. Nearly 34 million people inside Sudan now need humanitarian assistance. More than 4.5 million have been forced to flee across borders.

In a video message to the International Humanitarian Conference for Sudan in Berlin today, the Secretary-General called for an end to this nightmare. He appealed for unity and urgency to protect civilians, ensure safe and unimpeded humanitarian access, to fully fund aid operations and to secure an immediate cessation of hostilities alongside a credible path towards an inclusive, civilian-led political process. External interference and the flow of arms that fuel this war must finally end.

Addressing the conference in Berlin today, Tom Fletcher, the Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, described the country as "an atrocities laboratory," citing sieges, the denial of food, the use of sexual violence as a weapon of war and the targeting of schools and hospitals. He noted that drone strikes have killed 700 people so far this year, while more than 130 humanitarian workers have been killed over the past three years.

For his part, High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Turk, stressed that we need urgent joint action to hold those responsible to account. That is the only way to end the violence and prevent further atrocities. He added that the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) has proposed a set of human-rights-based confidence-building measures that reinforce accountability as a core component of any pathway towards peace.

And just to note that the Secretary-General's Personal Envoy, Pekka Haavisto is also in Berlin, as you know. We are hopeful that the conference will help catalyse increased Member State support for the humanitarian response both within Sudan and in neighbouring countries, as well as foster concerted engagement around an enhanced protection of civilians and advance progress towards durable and inclusive peace that the people of Sudan demand. The Resident Coordinator and Humanitarian Coordinator, Denise Brown, emphasized that one message is constant across the country: people are calling for peace. They want the violence to stop and to return home.

On this grim milestone, we once again call for an immediate cessation of hostilities. Civilians and civilian infrastructure must be protected in line with international humanitarian law. The parties to the conflict are obliged under international humanitarian law to facilitate safe, rapid, unimpeded and sustained humanitarian access. And the response within Sudan and in neighbouring countries must be urgently and fully funded, as delays continue to cost lives.

** Security Council

This morning, the Security Council held a briefing on the Great Lakes region. Briefing Council members, Huang Xia, Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for the Great Lakes Region, said that while the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo has witnessed a notable intensification of diplomatic initiatives, the security and humanitarian situation has deteriorated in a deeply concerning manner. He said that the continued erosion of trust among regional actors partly explains the persistent gap between political commitments and the reality on the ground. Mr. Xia stressed that no resolution, no mediation and no verification mechanism can succeed unless the directly concerned parties choose the path of peace.

Also briefing Council members, Sima [Sami] Bahous, UN-Women's Executive Director, said that peace in the Democratic Republic of the Congo will only be secured when women are treated not as collateral victims and their bodies as spoils of war, but as empowered agents of stability, accountability and peace. Without safety, women cannot lead, and without their leadership, peace and recovery efforts fail. The same applies across the broader region. Both remarks were shared with you.

** Central African Republic

Turning to the Central African Republic, OCHA tells us that severe funding constraints are impeding aid organizations from reaching people in need. Only 18 per cent of this year's $264 million Humanitarian Response Plan is funded, putting critical, life-saving operations at risk across the country. To date, 60 humanitarian organizations have reduced their footprint across the country, including in areas with the highest levels of humanitarian needs.

Food security has been heavily affected. According to the World Food Programme (WFP), without the needed funding, food and cash-based assistance for Sudanese refugees and displaced Central Africans could be suspended as early as August of this year. Since April of 2023, more than 35,000 Sudanese refugees have fled to the Central African Republic, with Sudanese nationals now accounting for 70 per cent of refugees in the country. In parts of the northern region of Vakaga, the arrival of Sudanese refugees has effectively doubled the population, straining already scarce local resources.

WFP provides food or cash assistance to more than 22,000 Sudanese refugees every month in the Vakaga region. Aid organizations aim to reach 1.3 million people this year, but OCHA warns that without immediate and continued support, many of them could be left without support.

** Andaman Sea

We are deeply saddened by reports that approximately 250 people may have lost their lives or remain missing after a boat carrying Rohingya refugees and Bangladeshi nationals capsized in the Andaman Sea. We join our colleagues at the International Organization for Migration (IOM) in expressing grave concern. The trawler, which departed from Bangladesh en route to Malaysia, reportedly sank last Thursday due to rough seas, strong winds and overcrowding.

This tragedy underscores the lack of sustainable solutions for Rohingya refugees. Smuggling and trafficking networks prey on this desperation, driven by displacement and lack of safe alternatives, placing Rohingya refugees and Bangladeshi nationals alike at serious risk. We urge the international community to scale up support for refugees and host communities in Bangladesh and to address the root causes of displacement in Myanmar to establish safe and dignified return.

** Wellness Day

Today marks International Wellness Day, a reminder that investing in prevention, healthy lifestyles and people-centred care saves lives and lowers healthcare costs. By prioritizing these approaches, we move closer to achieving health for all.

** Guest Tomorrow

And tomorrow, our guest will be Jean Martin Bauer, WFP Director of Food Security and Nutrition Analysis. He will be here in the room to brief on the World Hunger Map. That's it from me. Yes, Edie?

** Questions and Answers

Question : Thank you, Farhan. On Jean Arnault, I know we all appreciate knowing his travels, but can we get an update on what actually he's trying to accomplish, been accomplishing  what kind of, you know, reaction he's gotten?

Deputy Spokesman : Well, this is his first visit to some of the partners in the region. And at this stage, what he's doing is sounding out their various views and seeing what points of agreement there are, and where we can play a role. Once he's done that, he'll be better in a position to talk about what sort of accomplishments he's making. But, right now, he's going to hear from all the different participants, both in the conflict and the mediation efforts.

Question : Okay. And on Gaza and this issue of spare parts for generators, is the UN being told by the Israeli authorities that these spare parts are not being allowed in because they're dual-use items?

Deputy Spokesman : We had heard this in the past, and we've raised our concerns about that. What we're trying to tell the Israeli authorities is that these are necessary parts in order for us to keep our facilities functioning.

Question : And also staying in Gaza, has the opening of the Zikim border made any kind of a significant difference in the amount of aid that the UN has been able to get into Gaza?

Deputy Spokesman : Well, as we reported earlier this week, there has been some aid coming in through the Zikim Crossing; and of course, we also mentioned that the World Health Organization (WHO) was able to transfer people who needed medical assistance through the Rafah Crossing. So, these are improvements from the period when only the Kerem Shalom/Karem Abu Salem Crossing was being used. So, we're pleased by that, but we still want more aid to come in and indeed for further crossings to be opened. Yes?

Question : Thank you, Farhan. There are press reports that the US and Iran are considering to extend the ceasefire for another two weeks. Is that something the UN can confirm? And what is the SG's ideas about this?

Deputy Spokesman : Well, I think the Secretary-General made clear yesterday when he spoke to you that the information he had received, when he spoke to the Deputy Prime Minister of Pakistan, gave him a certain amount of confidence that there would be further talks coming up. And he was welcoming any progress towards extending the ceasefire and continuing negotiations. And of course, we will continue to support that. I don't have any confirmation to give about any of this information. You'd probably need to see or hear that from the parties themselves. Yes, Gabriel?

Question : Thank you, Farhan. A follow-up question on UNIFIL. Barely a day goes by now that we don't hear from the podium or hear from UNIFIL themselves about some sort of IDF obstruction of their movements in southern Lebanon. Who is the UN speaking to to get the message across to the people in power in Israel that have influence over the decisions to allow freedom of movement for UNIFIL personnel to happen?

Deputy Spokesman : Well, we have been in touch with the Israeli authorities. As you know, UNIFIL itself has a tripartite mechanism involving the Lebanese Armed Forces and the Israel Defence Forces, and we try to make sure that everything is coordinated. At the same time, as we just informed you, even in cases where we've given the necessary information, where we've gone through the process of deconfliction, we faced obstructions, and we've raised our alarm at this. And, of course, the Secretary-General reiterates his call to all parties in this conflict to immediately cease hostilities.

Question : But, none of the obstructions have been happening by the Lebanese, is that correct?

Deputy Spokesman : Well, not by the Lebanese Armed Forces. We have also reported some obstructions, as you know, from Hizbullah, and we've let you know at the time. Today's note was, as you know, more about the IDF. And with that, I wish you all a happy Wednesday.

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UNHCR's Salih urges civilian protection and sustained support as escalation in Lebanon continues

UNHCR - United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees

Press releases

15 April 2026

BEIRUT -- Protection of civilians in Lebanon and sustained international support for the Government-led response to the country's huge displacement crisis are imperative, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, Barham Salih, said on Wednesday. One fifth of Lebanon's population is now displaced, with needs growing daily. Salih urged a quick end to the conflict before it spirals out of control.

During his first official visit to Lebanon as UNHCR chief, Salih reaffirmed the UN Refugee Agency's solidarity with Lebanon and its people. He underscored the organization's continued commitment to the humanitarian response and the urgent need for sustained international support for national relief efforts, amid ongoing hostilities and large-scale displacement. More than 1 million people were forced to flee Israeli strikes in less than six weeks.

"What I witnessed on the ground is devastating," Salih said. "The destruction is immense, and the stories of civilian loss and suffering are heartbreaking. Entire families have been displaced, lives uprooted and communities pushed to the brink. The needs are growing by the day, and the international community must act urgently to protect innocent civilians, provide life-saving assistance and prevent a further spiral into catastrophe."

The High Commissioner visited affected areas in Beirut and the Bekaa valley, meeting displaced families in government-established sites. Many were forced to flee their homes at very short notice without personal belongings amid repeated evacuation orders, triggering fear and uncertainty. They stressed to the High Commissioner their wish to return to their homes despite the large-scale destruction in their towns and villages.

Since early March, over 1 million people have been displaced across Lebanon with over 2,100 deaths and 7,000 injuries, according to the Lebanese Ministry of Public Health. Refugees are among the casualties, with 48 fatalities and 116 injuries.

More than 140,000 individuals are sheltering in 684 Government-designated collective shelters, nearly all at full capacity. Among the displaced are Syrian refugees who had fled to Lebanon looking for safety in the past, and now are forced to flee for their lives again. Over 280,000 people have crossed into Syria since 2 March through the three official border crossings, including nearly 238,000 Syrians and around 44,000 Lebanese.

UNHCR is supporting the Government, leading the emergency response to address the crisis and people's needs, and working with local authorities and humanitarian partners. Salih met with President Joseph Aoun, Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, Speaker of Parliament Nabih Berri, Deputy Prime Minister Tarek Mitri, Minister of Foreign Affairs Youssef Raggi, and Minister of Interior and Municipalities Ahmed Al-Hajjar.

UNHCR and partners have assisted over 196,000 displaced individuals by providing essential relief items. UNHCR has also increased emergency shelter assistance to help create safe and dignified conditions for the displaced. UNHCR is also providing psychosocial support, cash assistance and protection counselling and advice to help displaced people recover lost documents, reunite with family, and access services and accommodation.

But the needs far exceed current resources. UNHCR reiterates its call for increased international funding and engagement so the response can keep pace with rising needs and prevent these from escalating into tensions. The international community must continue supporting Lebanon and its people at this critical juncture.

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Today's top news: Sudan, Iran, Lebanon, Occupied Palestinian Territory, Central African Republic

UNOCHA - United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs

Sudan

After three years of war, Sudan now an "atrocities laboratory," UN aid chief warns

Today marks three years since the war in Sudan began - a tragic milestone in what has become the world's largest humanitariancrisis.

Addressing the International Humanitarian Conference for Sudan in Berlin today, Tom Fletcher, the Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, described the country as "an atrocities laboratory," citing sieges, the denial of food, the use of sexual violence as a weapon of war, and the targeting of schools and hospitals.

He noted that drone strikes have killed 700 people so far this year, while more than 130 humanitarian workers have been killed over the past three years. "This isn't just a situation grinding on - it's getting worse," he noted.

Fletcher reiterated his appeals for increased funding, the elimination of red tape, and the halt to the flow of advanced weaponry.

For her part, the Humanitarian Coordinator, Denise Brown, stressed that civilians continue to pay the highest price.

Brown emphasized that one message is constant across the country: people are calling for peace. They want the violence to stop and to return home.

She once again called for an immediate cessation of hostilities. Civilians and civilian infrastructure must be protected in line with international humanitarian law. The parties to the conflict are obliged under international humanitarian law to facilitate safe, rapid, unimpeded and sustained humanitarian access. And the response within Sudan and in neighbouring countries must be urgently and fully funded, as delays continue to cost lives.

*Donations made to UN Crisis Relief help UN agencies and humanitarian NGOs reach people in Sudan with urgent support.

Iran

UN relief wing releases emergency funding for life-saving aid

The Emergency Relief Coordinator, Tom Fletcher, allocated $12 million yesterday from the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) to support the humanitarian response in Iran.

According to authorities, between 28 February and 8 April, large-scale airstrikes across the country caused more than 2,360 civilian deaths - including 257 women and 220 children - and tens of thousands of injuries, severely stretching trauma care, burn management and primary health services. The strikes also damaged homes, schools, health facilities, care homes, humanitarian warehouses, and water, energy, transport systems, and other critical infrastructure nationwide, including cutting off people's access to essential services.

Needs are most acute in municipalities that experienced the heaviest bombardment and are also hosting displaced people from nearby areas.

Although the ceasefire has eased insecurity, widespread destruction, rubble, and explosive or toxic remnants of war continue to prevent people from accessing basic services and hinder rescue and response efforts. The crisis spans a broad geographic area, with particularly severe consequences in densely populated regions.

The CERF funding will support life-saving activities in health, water, sanitation and hygiene, and food security. Where possible, response activities will be implemented through our local partners, aligned with large-scale efforts led by the Government.

Lebanon

Civilians caught in conflict as strikes continue

OCHA reports that a growing number of casualties and continued hostilities continue to drive humanitarian needs higher across Lebanon.

According to the Ministry of Public Health, more than 2,100 people have been killed and over 6,900 injured since 2 March and more than 1.2 million people have been displaced by the crisis.

Across southern and eastern Lebanon, dozens of locations are being hit daily by strikes. Reports indicate that at least 35 villages in the south were struck yesterday, with extensive damage to residential areas.

OCHA says it is particularly concerned by the situation in the district of Bint Jbeil in Nabatieh governorate, with reports of armed clashes since Monday further restricting the movement of civilians, limiting their access to essential services and humanitarian aid.

The UN Refugee Agency and others have reached more than 90,000 displaced people across 448 collective shelters and within host communities with psychosocial support and other protection services. They are focusing on people most at risk, including families experiencing repeated displacement, children, people with disabilities.

As the situation continues to deteriorate, the UN continues to call for immediate de-escalation, full respect for international humanitarian law, including the protection of civilians; sustained and unimpeded humanitarian access; and more funding.

Occupied Palestinian Territory

Mechanical failures threaten essential services

In Gaza, The UN and humanitarian partners continue to deliver assistance, despite ongoing impediments.

Yesterday, UNRWA said that they were forced to reduce the operating hours of the electrical generators in their facilities in the first week of April, as they were approaching critical levels of mechanical failure. These facilities provide a range of services to vulnerable people. The UN and its humanitarian partners need additional approvals to bring in much-needed spare parts and lubricants into Gaza to avoid further disruptions.

Meanwhile, partners continue to deliver preventive and therapeutic nutrition services to girls and boys. Last month, they screened over 72,000 children and identified about 2,700 with acute malnutrition - and provided thousands with ready-to-use therapeutic food.

In the first week of this month, partners working on child protection organised counselling and recreational activities for about 4,700 children. These activities help girls and boys cope with ongoing displacement and dire humanitarian conditions.

Central African Republic

Funding shortfall imperils aid

OCHA reports that severe funding constraints are impeding aid organisations' ability to reach people in need in the Central African Republic (CAR).

Only 18 per cent of this year's $264 million Humanitarian Response Plan is funded, putting critical, life-saving operations at risk across the country.

To date, 60 humanitarian organizations have reduced their footprint across the country, including in areas with the highest levels of humanitarian needs.

Food security has been heavily impacted. According to the World Food Programme (WFP), food and cash-based assistance for Sudanese refugees and displaced Central Africans could be suspended as early as August of this year.

Since April of 2023, more than 35,000 Sudanese refugees have fled to the CAR, with Sudanese nationals now accounting for 70 per cent of refugees in the country. In parts of the northern region of Vakaga, the arrival of Sudanese refugees has effectively doubled the population, straining already scarce local resources.

WFP provides food or cash assistance to more than 22,000 Sudanese refugees every month in the Vakaga region.

Aid organizations aim to reach 1.3 million people this year, but OCHA warns that without immediate and continued support, many of them could be left without assistance.

Posted on 15 April 2026

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Innovative Tuition-Free Program Opens More Caregiver Career Opportunities Amid Rising Demand

SAN FRANCISCO, April 16, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- As the U.S. faces a deepening caregiver shortage alongside a rapidly aging population, the San Francisco Campus for Jewish Living (SFCJL) is expanding a workforce solution that began on its campus and now aims to serve the broader community.

The Campus Academy is a tuition-free, "earn-and-learn" certified nursing assistant (CNA) training program designed to create meaningful career pathways. The program's inaugural cohort reflects a bold but human-centered idea: the people who already sustain a care communityhousekeeping staff, kitchen workers, laundry teams, and their relativesare often best positioned to grow into healthcare roles when given access, support, and opportunity.

To mark this milestone, SFCJL will host its first Campus Academy Graduation Ceremony on Friday, April 24, at 11:00 am, on campus located at 302 Silver Ave, San Francisco, CA, celebrating the inaugural class and highlighting the program's next phase of expansion. Media are invited to attend and speak with graduates, program leadership, and campus residents about the intersection of aging, workforce development, and care quality.

Led by Edwin Cabigao, PhD, RN, SFCJL's Chief Nursing Officer and a former Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA), the program pairs state-required CNA training with leadership development and patient-centered care practices. Initially focused on existing campus employees and their families, The Campus Academy is now being broadened to reach individuals seeking meaningful entry into healthcare work, removing cost barriers while offering hands-on, real-world training in a senior living environment. "We want to change lives," Cabigao said. "Not just job titles or confidence levels, but the future of entire families."

The need is urgent. As the population over 65 continues to expand, and the number of adults over 85 grows faster than any other age group, the demand for skilled, compassionate caregivers is outpacing supply. Healthcare systems nationwide are struggling to recruit and retain workers, putting pressure on care quality, staff wellbeing, and families seeking support for aging loved ones.

The Campus Academy responds by pairing rigorous CNA training with leadership development and a values-based approach to care. In addition to meeting California Department of Public Health requirements, the curriculum includes advanced instruction in patient-centered practices and Conscious Touch, an energy-based healing modality taught and practiced at the Campus. Graduates are prepared not only for certification but for long-term growth within the healthcare field.

For residents and families at SFCJL, the impact is immediate and personal: a stronger, more stable workforce; caregivers who are connected to the community; and a care environment rooted in continuity, dignity, and trust. For staff participants, the program offers economic mobility, professional validation, and a pathway into a resilient career at a time when healthcare talent is needed more than ever.

The Campus Academy reflects SFCJL's broader commitment to innovation in aging services, recognizing that quality care for older adults depends not only on buildings and programs, but on investing in the people who deliver care every day.

About the San Francisco Campus for Jewish Living (SFCJL)

Nestled in San Francisco's Excelsior neighborhood on nine acres, the San Francisco Campus for Jewish Living (SFCJL) is a non-profit leading senior services organization in Northern California, providing older adults with comprehensive and innovative care that fosters purpose, dignity, and joy. Serving people of all faiths and backgrounds, SFCJL brings together skilled nursing, rehabilitation, assisted living, memory care, and workforce development on one integrated campus. For more than 150+ years, SFCJL has fully embraced aging in a community rooted in Jewish values of compassion, connection, and excellence, with 950+ staff proudly serving over 2,500 individuals each year. Learn more at www.sfcjl.org and frankresidences.org.

PRESS CONTACT:

Angela Ingel

[email protected]

415.235.2599

SOURCE San Francisco Campus for Jewish Living
Women's Leadership Key to Peace in Great Lakes Region, Security Council Hears as Rwanda, Democratic Republic of Congo Trade Barbs on Causes of Conflict

Meetings Coverage

Security Council

10136th Meeting (AM)

SC/16339

15 April 2026

Despite diplomatic progress aimed at ending the brutal conflict in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, senior officials today warned the Security Council that violence in the country's east continues unabated  with millions of women and girls disproportionately affected  and risks jeopardizing an otherwise positive trajectory in the wider Great Lakes region.

Tensions have been high between ethnically aligned armed groups in parts of the region for decades, punctuated by the horrific killing of nearly a million people during the 1994 Rwandan genocide. More recently, in 2022, the Democratic Republic of the Congo accused Rwanda of supporting the M23 armed group's intervention on Congolese soil. A peace agreement  known as the Washington Accords  was brokered in June 2025 and endorsed by the Council in resolution 2803 (2025), though fighting continues.

Without Women's Leadership, Peace, Recovery Efforts Fail

"Peace in the Democratic Republic of the Congo will only be secured when women are treated not as collateral victims and their bodies as spoils of war, but as empowered agents of stability, accountability and peace," said Sima Sami Bahous, Executive Director of UN-Women, as she briefed the 15-member Council.

Describing the opportunities for women's leadership in the Great Lakes region as "unique and transformative", she said countries of the region already have some of the highest percentages of women's representation in politics in the world. However, the region's security now hinges on ending violence in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. "Without safety, women cannot lead, and without their leadership, peace and recovery efforts fail," she stressed.

Against that backdrop, she asked the Council to redouble its support for women's equal representation in peacemaking and for the work of women-led civil society organizations. She also urged members to protect funding for the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO), whose work supports local women and includes crucial protection for women human rights defenders.

Huang Xia, Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for the Great Lakes region, outlined the various diplomatic initiatives focused on the conflict in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Those included the signing of the Washington Accords in December 2025, the resumption of negotiations in Washington in March and the resumption of the Doha Framework talks aimed at defusing the violence perpetrated by the M23 militia.

Special Envoy Warns of Rising Sexual Violence, Mistrust

Despite those efforts, he said "the violence has taken on a new dimension" marked by the increasing use of advanced military technology, drone attacks and GPS jamming. Human displacement is widespread, food insecurity is rising and there has been an increase in sexual violence. "This is compounded by a worrisome rise in hate speech and identity-based polarization," he said, warning that the conflict could exacerbate tensions between countries in the region.

Indeed, he said, a persistent sense of mistrust among countries demonstrates the need to address the root causes of the conflict. The Council should lend its full support to regional talks led by Togo, as the African Union's mediator, including at the financial and technical levels.

Appealing directly to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Rwanda and all relevant actors to resume "frank dialogue", he cautioned: "No resolution, no mediation, no verification mechanism can succeed unless the parties directly concerned choose the path of peace."

Council members took the floor to outline their views on recent diplomatic progress as well as the region's security situation  especially for women and girls.

Speakers Welcome Diplomatic Gains, African Leadership of Mediation Efforts

"The signing of the Washington Accords [...] is a significant achievement," said the representative of the United States, voicing her country's expectation that the parties will abide by its terms. She also welcomed complementary diplomatic processes, including African Union-led talks, stressing: "Lasting peace and stability in the Great Lakes must ultimately be led and sustained by the region itself."

Many Council members and invited speakers also welcomed recent diplomatic strides, even as some struck a note of caution.

"Diplomatic progress must also translate into progress on the ground," said the United Kingdom's delegate. Millions of civilians have been displaced in the country's east, with women and girls disproportionately impacted. Inclusive governance, accountability and the safeguarding of rights are essential for the region's long-term stability.

Liberia's representative, also speaking for Somalia and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, said the Washington Accords and Doha Frameworks show that diplomacy is still alive. However, those agreements  without credible commitments to implementation  do not build trust, "nor do they stop a single bullet". The African members of the Council are "clear-eyed" that there can be no peace in Africa while the Great Lakes region is unstable.

Emphasizing that African leaders have stepped up their mediation and support efforts, he said their work deserves stable and sustainable international support matched by concrete follow-through. "When mediation speaks in multiple voices, spoilers listen carefully and they will act accordingly," he warned, adding that violence in the region is fuelled not only by weapons but also profits from the illicit exploitation of natural resources.

China's representative echoed that point, noting that the region is home to rich natural resources and has enormous development potential. He called on countries to support development in the Great Lakes countries, while warning geopolitical actors against politicizing Africa's natural resources.

Moscow Denounces 'Pompous' Washington Accords as Others Voice Hope for 'New' MONUSCO Role in Ceasefire Implementation

"International diplomatic efforts are failing to generate the sought-after results," said the representative of the Russian Federation, issuing a blunt rebuke to the "pompous" announcement of an agreement reached recently between the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda in Washington, D.C. "The truce and the ceasefire remain dead-letter," she said, adding that real progress will only be possible when the parties begin to fulfil their obligations in good faith.

Angola's representative said his country has been actively engaging with Congolese stakeholders to create conditions for an inclusive, inter-Congolese dialogue. Stressing the importance of coordination among all mediation initiatives, he said the Council should compel all concerned parties to engage fully and meaningfully and implement their commitments.

Many speakers  including the representatives of Panama, Greece, Denmark, Bahrain (Council President for April) and Colombia  echoed the briefers' focus on the plight of women in that country's east, as well as their enormous potential to help end the deep-rooted and long-running conflict.

"The role of women must not be overlooked," said the representative of France, noting that women and girls are the main victims, largely due to armed groups' widespread use of sexual violence as a weapon of war. However, women can also play a decisive role in dealing with the drivers of conflict, the demobilization of armed groups, facilitating community-based reconciliation and fostering economic stabilization.

Meanwhile, the representative of Pakistan focused on MONUSCO's critical role in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, expressing support for the Mission's new task in ceasefire implementation, per Council resolution 2808 (2025). The representative of Latvia agreed, pointing out that Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has proposed that the Mission's new function be "conditions-based". "It is the responsibility of all parties to enable those conditions," she added.

Kinshasa, Kigali Offer Divergent Accounts of Threats, Obligations

The representative of the Democratic Republic of the Congo emphasized the complementary nature of the various diplomatic processes, noting that they all share common ground in firmly condemning the M23 offensive. Rwandan troops in his country have refused to yield to threats of international sanctions, leading all peace initiatives adopted at the regional and international levels to fail. More broadly, he rejected Kigali's "genocidal ideology" and said its concerns about hate speech could hardly be compared to actual massacres committed against his people.

Rwanda's delegate, meanwhile, said the Forces Democratiques de Liberation du Rwanda  known as FDLR  and related groups represent an "existential threat" to his country and to wider regional stability. Kigali has upheld its commitments "in both letter and spirit", he said, strongly rejecting the escalation of hate speech and ethnic targeting against Rwandophone communities. In light of the 1994 genocide, the Council has historic evidence that it should pay close attention to such rhetoric, he said.

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Secretary-General's video message to the third International Humanitarian Conference for Sudan

United Nations Secretary-General

15 April 2026

Berlin, Germany

Statements | Antonio Guterres, Secretary-General

Excellencies, distinguished partners,

I thank the co-hosts of this vital conference: Germany, the African Union, the European Union, France, and the United Kingdom.

Today marks three years since the war in Sudan began.

It is a tragic milestone in a conflict that has shattered a country of immense promise - and created the world's largest humanitarian crisis.

Nearly 34 million people inside Sudan now need humanitarian assistance.

More than 4.5 million have been forced to flee across borders.

And credible allegations of the gravest international crimes continue to emerge.

Women and girls have been terrorized and systematic sexual violence has prevailed.

Families and communities have been devastated by bombardments and drone strikes.

Humanitarian and commercial lifelines have been choked off.

And famine has taken hold in what was once a breadbasket for the region.

An entire generation of children has been robbed of education.

The consequences are not confined to Sudan.

They are destabilizing the wider region.

Excellencies,

This nightmare must end.

That requires unity and urgency.

Civilians must be protected.

Humanitarian workers must be able to carry out their life-saving work safely and without obstruction.

Humanitarian operations must be fully funded.

Yet last year, less than 40 per cent of the humanitarian support required was delivered.

This forced devastating cuts to food aid, medical services, and critical support for survivors of sexual violence.

And despite growing needs, this year's response is falling even further short.

Partners must step up.

But let's be clear: funding alone cannot substitute for peace.

An immediate cessation of hostilities is essential.

External interference and the flow of arms that fuel this war must finally end.

And a credible path must open toward an inclusive, civilian-led political process that reflects the aspirations of the Sudanese people.

The United Nations is committed to work with you - to deliver life-saving aid today, and to help build a better future tomorrow.

Once again, thank you for coming together in solidarity with the people of Sudan.

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Trump Says Israel, Lebanon Leaders To Hold Discussions; Beirut Says It's 'Not Aware' Of Talks

06:30 16.4.2026

US President Donald Trump says the leaders of Israel and Lebanon will hold talks on April 16, the first such negotiations since 1993, as they seek a cease-fire to end more than six weeks of war with Iran-backed Hezbollah, a militant group and political party that controls much of southern Lebanon. It is considered a terrorist organization by the United States, while the European Union has blacklisted its armed wing.

Lebanon, however, said it had no knowledge of any such discussions.

"We are not aware of any planned contact with the Israeli side, and we have not been informed of any through official channels," an official Lebanese source told the AFP news agency after Trump's remarks.

"Trying to get a little breathing room between Israel and Lebanon. It has been a long time since the two leaders have spoken, like 34 years. It will happen tomorrow," Trump wrote in a social media post late on April 15.

He did not give specifics on who will be involved in the talks or offer any other details.

Lebanon's prime minister is Nawaf Salam and his Israeli counterpart is Benjamin Netanyahu, while the two presidents are Joseph Aoun and Isaac Herzog, respectively.

Ending the fighting in Lebanon, which broke out after US and Israeli air strikes were launched against Iran on February 28, has been a key sticking point in ending that conflict.

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-protests- live-blog-trump-khamenei/33640284.html?lbis=449706

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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UNRWA Situation Report #217 on the Humanitarian Crisis in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, including East Jerusalem)

UNRWA

16 Apr 2026

All information updated for 8 - 14 April 2026 [1]

Days 913 - 919 since the start of the war in the Gaza Strip

Highlights

The Gaza Strip

Airstrikes, shelling, and gunfire continued across the Gaza Strip, resulting in civilian casualties. Escalations were reported notably in Beit Lahia, Jabalia, Bureij, Maghazi, Deir al Balah, Khan Younis, and Rafah.

There are continued reports of ectoparasitic infestations, including scabies and fleas, and rodent infestations in displacement sites, driven by overcrowding, disrupted WASH services, and poor environmental conditions. OCHA reported findings from the latest rapid assessment conducted by the Site Management Cluster in March, spanning more than 1,600 active displacement sites. The assessment showed that 80 per cent of such sites have frequent and visible rodent and pest presence, while skin diseases are widespread in 48 per cent.

The third round of an immunization catch-up campaign, led by UNRWA, WHO, UNICEF, and partners in collaboration with the Ministry of Health, took place between 5 and 9 April, aiming to vaccinate 6,000 children under 3 years of age. UNRWA teams vaccinated almost 2,100 children as part of the campaign. Out of the 147 teams involved, 27 were from UNRWA. Furthermore, a total of 83 students received routine immunizations through UNRWA's school health services.

Key points

The Gaza Strip

Fatalities and injuries

Between 7 October 2023 and 8 April 2026, according to the Ministry of Health, as reported by OCHA, 72,315 Palestinians were killed in the Gaza Strip and another 172,137 injured.

UNRWA has recorded 391 colleagues killed in Gaza since the start of the war (310 UNRWA personnel, and 81 persons who were supporting UNRWA[2]), up to 31 March.

Health crisis

UNRWA teams have observed an increase in cases of ectoparasitic infection and chickenpox, with challenges in securing medication and pesticides affecting the ability to control the problem. UNRWA continues to closely monitor the trend in infectious diseases across multiple collective emergency shelters, with heightened risks related to overcrowding, deteriorating wastewater systems, shortages of hygiene supplies on the local market, and restrictions on the entry of chemical products.

Displacement, Site management

UNRWA continues to monitor the movement of displaced persons and displacement sites. An estimated 67,000 displaced people are living in 83 collective emergency shelters managed by the Agency.

Currently, 127 UNRWA facilities are located within the Israeli-militarised zone behind the so-called "Yellow Line" and in areas where access is subject to Israeli approval or coordination.

Operational implications and humanitarian response

Around 11,000 Palestinian UNRWA personnel continue to provide services and assistance to people in Gaza. In the occupied West Bank, UNRWA continues to play a central role with over 4,000 UNRWA Palestinian personnel providing education, health, and other services to Palestine Refugees.

All UNRWA international staff are prevented from entering the Occupied Palestinian Territory - the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, including East Jerusalem. This follows the implementation of laws passed by the Israeli parliament on 28 October 2024[3] that purport to prohibit UNRWA's operations in areas that Israel considers its sovereign territory, including occupied East Jerusalem, and seek to bar any contact by Israeli officials with UNRWA. The Israeli authorities have not granted the Agency's international staff visas or permits to enter the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including Gaza, since the end of January 2025.

Since March 2025, the Israeli authorities have been blocking UNRWA from directly bringing humanitarian personnel and aid into the Gaza Strip. Meanwhile, pre-positioned outside Gaza, UNRWA has enough food parcels, flour, and shelter supplies for hundreds of thousands of people.

The occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem

According to OCHA, between 7 October 2023 and 30 March 2026, 1,079 Palestinians - at least 235 of them children - were killed in the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem. Thirty-three of them have been killed since the beginning of 2026.

A Palestinian child was shot and critically injured in Jalazone Camp during armed clashes between Israeli forces and Palestinians during a search operation late on 9 April.

A Palestinian was shot and killed by Israeli settlers in Deir Jarir, near Ramallah, on 11 April. Settler violence has spiked, with 10 Palestinians killed in this context since the end of February 2026,. March was one of the deadliest months of settler violence ever recorded in the occupied West Bank. The latest death came just days after it was publicly reported that the Israeli security cabinet had approved the establishment of 34 new Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank, which remain illegal under international law.

Movement and access restrictions across the occupied West Bank were somewhat eased following the 7 April announcement of a two-week ceasefire in the wider regional conflict that began on 28 February. This included a loosening of limits on gatherings at religious sites, with worshippers marking Orthodox Easter in Jerusalem Old City.

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Russo-Ukraine War - 15 April 2026 - Day 1512

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, 133 combat encounters have taken place since the beginning of this day.

The Russian enemy made one missile strike, fired three missiles, made 50 air strikes, dropped 137 controlled air bombs. In addition, Russian forces engaged 5645 kamikaze drones and carried out 2,380 shells of settlements and positions of Ukrainian troops.

In the Northern Slobozhansky and Kursk directions, the Russian enemy launched two aerial strikes, dropped four controlled bombs, carried out 85 shells of settlements and positions of Ukrainian troops, two of which were using reactive systems of arson fire.

In the South Slobozhansky direction, the Russian enemy three times stormed the positions of Ukrainian units in the areas of the settlements of Staritsa, Vovchansk, Vovchansky farms. One battle is going on.

In the Kupans komu direction, Ukrainian defenders repelled two Russian attacks in the direction of Novoplatonivka.

In the Lyman direction, Ukrainian soldiers repelled four Russian attempts to advance in the direction of settlements of Shiykivka, Novosergiyivka, Lyman. Yet another battle is underway.

In the Slovak direction, Ukrainian soldiers repelled one Russian attack in the area of Zakitnogo.

In the Kramators komu direction, the Russian enemy attacked four times in the areas of the settlements of Minkivka, Nikiforivka and towards Tikhonivka, Fedorivka.

Defense forces repelled 12 Russian assaults in the Konstantinivsky direction near the settlements of Konstantinovka, Pleshiyivka, Sofiyivka and towards Illinivka, Novopavlivka. Yet another battle is underway.

Russian troops made 33 attacks in the Pokrovsky direction. The Russian occupiers tried to advance in the areas of the settlements Rodinske, Pokrovsk, Udaachne, Grishine, Muravka, Novomikolaivka, Molodetske, Filiya and towards the settlements Novooleksandrivka, New Shahove, Shevchenko, Bilitske, Ivanivka. Three clashes are still ongoing.

According to preliminary calculations, 62 Russian occupants were eliminated and 15 wounded in this direction; five car units and seven special equipment units were destroyed, one self-propelled artillery rig, three artillery systems, an automobile equipment unit and 19 Russian personnel shelters were damaged. Destroyed or suppressed 76 unmanned aircraft of different types.

In the Oleksandrivsky direction, the occupiers tried seven times to improve their position by attacking in the areas of settlements Oleksandrograd, Vorone, Ternove, Kalinivskie, Zlagoda. An aviation strike was hit on the outskirts of settlements Ivanivka and Pidgavrilivka.

In the direction of Gulyaipil, 11 Russian attacks took place in the area of Gulyaypol, Zaliznychny, Pryluk and towards the settlements of Dobropillya, Gulyaipilske, Staroukrainka, Girke, Tsvitkove. The Russian enemy caused air strikes in the areas of settlements of Vozdvizhivka, Charivne, Kopani.

In the Orihiv direction, the Russian opponent made aviation strikes on the city of Orihiv.

In the Pridniprovsky direction, the Russian enemy carried out five futile attacks in the direction of the Antonivsky Bridge.

The Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation reported that the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation continue the special military operation.

As a result of resolute actions, units of the Sever Group of Forces established control over Volchanskiye Khutora settlement (Kharkov region).

Three mechanised brigades of the Armed Forces of Ukraine have been hit near Izbitskoye, Pyatikhatki, and Sosnovy Bor (Kharkov region).

In Sumy region, manpower and hardware of one mechanised brigade of the AFU and three territorial defence brigades were neutralised close to Bachevsk, Zapselye, Malaya Slobodka, and Pokrovka (Sumy region).

The AFU losses amounted to up to 175 troops, one armoured personnel carrier, 17 motor vehicles, and seven materiel depots.

The Zapad Group of Forces improved the situation along the front line. Russian troops engaged manpower and military hardware of four mechanised brigades, one security brigade of the General Staff of the AFU, and two national guard brigades near Berezovka, Monachinovka, Palamarevka, Pristen, Staroverovka (Kharkov region), and Krasny Liman (Donetsk People's Republic).

The AFU losses amounted to up to 180 troops, five armoured fighting vehicles, 12 motor vehicles, and two artillery guns. Two ammunition depots were destroyed.

The Yuzhnaya Group of Forces took more advantageous lines and positions. The Group's units inflicted losses on manpower and hardware of seven mechanised brigades, one motorised infantry brigade, one mountain assault brigade, and one security brigade of the General Staff of the AFU near Konstantinovka, Ray-Aleksandrovka, Novoselovka, Stenki, Tikhonovka, and Nikolayevka (Donetsk People's Republic).

The enemy lost over 210 troops, four armoured personnel carriers, one Canadian-made Senator armoured fighting vehicle, 18 motor vehicles, and one field artillery gun. One radar station and two ammunition depots have been eliminated.

The Tsentr Group of Forces improved the tactical situation. Strikes were delivered at manpower and hardware of two mechanised brigades, one airmobile brigade, one jaeger brigade, one assault regiment of the AFU and four national guard brigades close to Belitskoye, Grishino, Dobropolye, Zolotoy Kolodez, Kucherov Yar, Sergeyevka, Torskoye (Donetsk People's Republic) and Novopavlovka (Dnepropetrovsk region).

The AFU losses amounted to more than 300 troops, two armoured personnel carriers, five armoured fighting vehicles, six motor vehicles, four field artillery guns, including two U.S.-made 155-mm M777 howitzers and one U.S.-made 155-mm Bogdana-B towed artillery system. An ammunition depot was destroyed.

The Vostok Group of Forces continued advancing to the depth of the enemy's defences. The Group's units inflicted losses on formations of one mechanised brigade, two air assault brigades, and four assault regiments of the AFU close to Dobropasovo, Pokrovskoye (Dnepropetrovsk region), Barvinovka, Vozdvizhevka, Dolinka, and Charivnoye (Zaporozhye region).

The enemy lost over 240 troops, four armoured fighting vehicles, and seven motor vehicles.

The Dnepr Group of Forces inflicted losses on manpower and hardware of one mechanised brigade of the AFU and one territorial defence brigade near Orekhov, Preobrazhenka (Zaporozhye region) and Kherson.

Up to 40 troops, one armoured fighting vehicle, 18 motor vehicles, one Israeli-made RADA radar station, four electronic warfare stations, one ammunition depot, and one materiel depot were defeated.

Operational-tactical aviation, unmanned aerial vehicles, missile troops and artillery of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation have inflicted damage on fuel and power infrastructure of Ukraine, used for the interests of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, a launching site of long-range unmanned aerial vehicles, as well as temporary deployment areas of Ukrainian armed forces and foreign mercenaries in 143 areas.

Air defence systems shot down 12 guided aerial bomb and 225 fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicles.

Units of the Black Sea Fleet destroyed three uncrewed surface vehicles.

In total, since the beginning of the special military operation the enemy has lost: 671 aircraft, 284 helicopters, 134,179 unmanned aerial vehicles, 656 anti-aircraft missile systems, 28,908 tanks and other armoured fighting vehicles, 1,700 MLRS combat vehicles, 34,446 field artillery guns and mortars, and 59,440 units of support military vehicles.

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Small Satellites, Big Impact  MC3 Network Inspires Space Innovation at NPS

US Navy

14 April 2026

From Matthew Schehl, Naval Postgraduate School Office of University Communications

On Jan. 14, 2025, a commercial SpaceX rocket successfully launched from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California, carrying an NPS small satellite, also known as a CubeSat, called Otter. Two hours later, a small team of NPS researchers huddled inside the school's Satellite Operations Center (SOC), the hub for interacting with NPS assets in space as well as the central node of its globe-spanning Mobile CubeSat Command and Control (MC3) ground network.



As the satellite deployed and arced across Canada into the Northern Pacific 515 km above the earth, several of MC3 sites within view of the vehicle across the United States began picking up its signal and the NPS team prepared to make first contact.

"We're tracking!" exclaimed Alex Savattone, a faculty associate for research in the Space Systems Academic Group (SSAG), as the satellite's beacon came into focus.

Over the next several days, the Otter team refined the vehicle's orbital parameters, transmitted several commands, and data began streaming to the SOC: good status confirmed via the MC3 network.

The MC3 system is an operational ground station satellite network now owned by NPS  unique among the nation's academic institutions  which supports space operations and research in the proliferating domain of CubeSats across a community of users, including a wide range of U.S. government organizations, contractors, universities as well as foreign allies and partners.

"Having the MC3 owned and operated as a Navy system speaks to the steady success of the SSAG in its contributions towards CubeSat research infrastructure," noted SSAG chair Wenschel Lan.

"We have the unique opportunity to build on lessons learned from operating dozens of spaceflight missions over the last 15 years and continue that momentum going forward," she continued. "Space is truly interdisciplinary, and MC3 enables NPS faculty across campus to expand their research in the space domain. As a result, students are empowered to make significant contributions throughout the course of their graduate education at NPS."

"It will be exciting to see MC3 grow with the needs of the space community, not just within the Navy and the DOD, but the industry at large," she added.

The MC3 system was initially founded in 2011 at NPS with DOD sponsorship to meet a surge of interest in CubeSats. In a complete paradigm shift from the large, multibillion-dollar enterprise investments of traditional space operations and research, the military pursued relatively cheap, quick-launch CubeSat systems. In creating a federated network, users could contribute to a pool of resources to conduct space operations and foundational research while keeping costs low.

The first MC3 prototypes were rack-mounted, easily transportable systems with antennas that could be swiftly assembled, according to Giovanni Minelli, SSAG research associate professor and principal investigator (PI) for the MC3 network.

"The idea was you could build the CubeSat and the ground segment very quickly, ship it off somewhere and then respond with a very fast launch and get eyes over whatever you need to as quickly as possible," he recalled.

The MC3 network has since grown to nine other tracking facilities nationwide, including three other DOD service institutions, civilian institutions, industry partners and government agencies. Additional stations are located in New Zealand and the United Kingdom, making the MC3 network a truly global space operations asset.

Together, these organizations share satellite tracking and communications responsibilities through parallel ground stations, allowing missions to benefit from increased contact opportunities, redundancy, and resiliency.

Over the past decade, the network has supported nearly 40 spacecraft across more than 20 missions for a wide range of DOD organizations, Otter being the most recent built by NPS.

Administrative ownership of MC3 resides completely inside NPS, including day-to-day operations, technical maintenance and mission support. So too is responsibility for managing and growing the network, allowing the university to guide MC3's future direction while continuing to support current users.

"We have the ability to shape where it goes next  how it grows, who we partner with, and how we use it for education and research," Minelli said.

"In effect, the program functions as a fully integrated capability. We designed and built the system, understand its operation and own the equipment, spectrum and associated licenses - eliminating the need for new acquisitions," he added.

One of MC3's distinguishing features is its ability to operate to DOD cybersecurity standards while remaining an unclassified government-owned network. This enables MC3 to support missions ranging from unclassified research to highly sensitive national security applications, something commercial or civilian networks cannot easily do. MC3 fills that gap, providing a rare capability tailored specifically to low-cost research and operational satellites.

Another defining element involves the relationships formed with other partner institutions which include other service schools like the Naval Academy, Coast Guard Academy and Air Force Institute of Technology, as well as civilian institutions that conduct government research.

"That central position we occupywhere we are part of the DOD but also a government institution  gives us strong connections across other government research organizations," said Noah Weitz, SSAG researcher and MC3 co-PI along with Minelli.

"We're looking forward to expanding both the amount and the types of research we can do, not only at NPS but beyond it, by bringing more partners into what we're doing," he continued. "We have a strong desire to work more closely with them  not just informally, but through established processes. We understand what it takes to develop Cooperative Research and Development Agreements (CRADAs) or Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) and to formalize those relationships around shared goals, with the ability to provide final approval to move the research forward."

MC3 already supports student thesis research across multiple disciplines, including satellite communications, alternative position, navigation and timing (PNT), energy security and systems engineering, and faculty anticipate broader collaboration across departments and with international partners, including Five Eyes allies and NATO-affiliated researchers.

"MC3 gives students access to real infrastructure, real missions, and real constraints," said Weitz. "It's not just theory: students can design something, test it, and see how it performs in an operational environment."

Weitz's own academic work itself draws on the collaborative nature of the NPS environment.

In addition to being co-PI on the MC3 program, he is also a Ph.D. candidate in the Systems Engineering (SE) department. In conjunction with the Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE) department, Weitz is exploring how the MC3 platform can support microgrid technology and operations in locations where traditional communications infrastructure does not exist.

"My dissertation focuses on conceptual design architectures for microgrids in austere environments," he said. "That includes places like the Arctic Circle, remote Pacific islands, and even lunar infrastructure for future bases. Communications are a finite resource in such places. If you're deploying power infrastructure quickly, you also need communications. That's where MC3 fits naturally."

In combining microgrid technology with satellite communications capabilities, he's investigating whether compact, containerized systems could provide both power and connectivity for forward operations. Such systems could potentially be transported to remote locations and quickly activated to support small operational sites.

This is not just theoretical work, however. Working with SE professor Douglas Van Bossuyt and ECE professor Giovanna Oriti, Weitz is building a microgrid system on the roof of Spanagel Hall at NPS. The platform will incorporate solar panels and other energy components designed to test whether MC3 systems can remain operational during scheduled or unexpected power outages.

"We want to see if we can run our current MC3 infrastructure without changing how it works," Weitz said. "Can a microgrid keep the system operational during outages? What are the limitations? What do we learn from actually trying it?"

The experiments are designed not only to answer technical questions but also to demonstrate how different research efforts across campus can integrate with MC3.

"With NPS behind the network, we have the opportunity to explore unique applications of the technology," Weitz said. "We can maintain our mission support for partners while also using the platform to experiment and collaborate with other departments."

The interdisciplinary possibilities are what make MC3 particularly exciting, he added.

"It's like opening a box of Legos with no instructions," Weitz said. "We have the hardware infrastructure, the institutional support, and the relationships across campus and with our partners. That gives us the freedom to explore new ideas and bring people together to see what's possible."

That spirit of experimentation and collaboration is already translating into hands-on research opportunities for students across campus.

U.S. Marine Corps Capt. Chris Henderson, an NPS student in the space systems operations curriculum at NPS, is using the MC3 network to conduct cutting-edge, hands-on research that could help shape the future of military communications.

His thesis centers on free-space optical communications, a method of transmitting data using visible light rather than traditional radio frequency (RF) signals. Often compared to "fiber optics without the cable," optical communications rely on lasers or LEDs to send information through space at extremely high data rates.

In fact, the recent Artemis II mission demonstrated their O2O system (Orion Artemis II Optical Communications) as a proof of concept. Using infrared light, NASA confirmed that the O2O system crossed the 100 GB threshold of data sent back to Earth within the first four days of the mission, much higher capacity than traditional radio signal.

"There's been a big push toward space-to-ground and ground-to-space optical links," Henderson explained. "The physics of it allow for much faster data transfer and far more available bandwidth than RF."

That research became possible when NPS installed a new telescope in August, just as Henderson began his thesis work. Using the telescope, he is developing an optical receiver capable of detecting and decoding light-based signals transmitted from orbiting satellites. Those satellites include NPS-owned spacecraft such as Mola and Otter, which carry LED payloads designed for experimental communications.

Otter, in particular, plays a key role in Henderson's work. Through the MC3 network, operators can command the satellite to transmit encoded messages using a blinking LED.

"It's essentially like Morse code," Henderson said. "You set it up through MC3, the light blinks on and off, and the receiver decodes the information."

The MC3 network is central to that process, enabling students and researchers to schedule satellite passes, send commands, and collect data from multiple ground stations working in parallel. For Henderson, having direct access to the network has been critical.

"Having MC3 fully under NPS control just gives us more flexibility," he said. "We can experiment more freely, integrate new capabilities, and work more closely with partners."

Those partners include allied organizations, such as Five Eyes collaborators, that operate satellites equipped with more powerful laser transmitters. Henderson is coordinating with those teams to observe optical signals beyond NPS' own spacecraft, expanding the scope of his research.

The advantages of optical communications extend well beyond academia. Compared to RF systems, optical links are far harder to detect, intercept, or jama feature known as low probability of detection and low probability of intercept. For the Marine Corps, that has clear operational relevance.

"As a Marine, I think about expeditionary forces," Henderson said. "If Marines are operating forward, you don't necessarily want to broadcast where they are. Optical communications can help with that."

While Henderson will graduate this summer, his work is intended to outlast his time at NPS. A major goal of his thesis is to develop a system that can be replicated across other MC3 sites, enabling future students to build on his foundation.

"We're really starting from ground zero," he said. "But ideally, this becomes something that other students can pick up and continue. That's what makes MC3 such a great opportunity  it lets students do real, hands-on research that matters."

For NPS, ownership of MC3 reinforces its role as a leader in applied space research and military-relevant education. For the broader defense and research communities, it ensures that a unique, low-cost and highly capable satellite ground network remains available - and continues to evolve  at a time when small satellites are playing an increasingly central role in national security and scientific discovery.

Naval Postgraduate School (NPS) is located in Monterey, California, provides defense-focused graduate education, including classified studies and interdisciplinary research, to advance the operational effectiveness, technological leadership, and warfighting advantage of the naval service. Established in 1909, NPS offers master's and doctorate programs to Department of War military and civilians, along with international partners, to deliver transformative solutions and innovative leaders through advanced education and research.

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China's Qingzhou experimental cargo spacecraft enters long-term operation phase, releases first batch scientific results

Global Times

By Deng Xiaoci Published: Apr 15, 2026 05:13 PM

China's Qingzhou experimental cargo spacecraft, which was successfully launched on March 30, released on Wednesday to the public its first batch of scientific and engineering experimental results. The spacecraft has successfully completed flight control tests, actively raised its orbit to 600 kilometers and officially entered the long-term operation phase, Global Times learned from the spacecraft's developer, Innovation Academy for Microsatellites (IAMCAS) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences.

The Shanghai-based academy announced Wednesday that this test flight focused on three main aspects - key technology verification, low-cost design exploration, and mission expansion. All predetermined objectives were successfully accomplished, laying a solid foundation for the subsequent formal development of the Qingzhou cargo spacecraft.

Per the academy, the entire spacecraft weighs 4.2 tons and carries one ton of scientific experimental payload. It is designed with a three-year on-orbit operational capability.

It is now systematically carrying out key technology verification of the flight platform as well as stability and expansion mission tests, the academy disclosed to the Global Times Wednesday.

The experimental spacecraft has achieved multiple breakthroughs in key platform technologies, said the academy. It adopts new technologies and processes in the design of its pressurized module, propulsion system, laser Inertial Measurement Unit, thermal control and environmental control systems and related products.

Its core design features autonomous proximity and safe departure for large-inertia spacecraft, long-term on-orbit residency capability, distributed integrated spacecraft management, and scalable energy systems.

While ensuring system reliability, these innovations have significantly reduced development costs, providing technical, development, and launch process validation

Further elaborating on test flights, the academy revealed that the spacecraft's universal payload platform enables "plug-and-play" integration of payloads. So far, six new technology payloads have completed testing, and experiments such as active vibration isolation and on-orbit metal manufacturing have achieved positive results, filling multiple technological gaps in related fields.

The Qingzhou experimental spacecraft began simultaneous concept demonstration and design in October 2024. The scheme was finalized in January 2025. After 11 months of development, it was successfully launched into orbit on March 30, 2026.

This test flight not only provides critical data support for the formal development of the cargo spacecraft and explores a new, efficient, and reliable development model, but also opens up a feasible path for low-cost, commercialized space operations and cooperation.

Looking ahead, the Qingzhou cargo spacecraft will continue to be optimized, striving to build a reliable bridge for cargo transportation between Earth and space, promoting the high-quality development of China's commercial space industry, and contributing to humanity's journey of exploring the universe, the academy noted.

The Qingzhou cargo spacecraft test vehicle will be followed by a final version that will dock with the China Space Station and provide cargo supply services, Xinhua News Agency reported on April 1, citing the academy.

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Defence prepares for new National Defence Strategy

By Corporal Michael Rogers

15 April 2026

A bigger, stronger and more lethal Defence Force is better placed to defend Australia and its interests, according to Chief of the Defence Force Admiral David Johnston.

At a round table with Australian media, Admiral Johnston highlighted the ADF's achievements under the 2024 National Defence Strategy, leading up to the 2026 strategy announcement this week.

He said global and domestic news were making Australians more aware of defence and national security issues.

"They don't need to be national security specialists to know and feel that the world is different from what it was a few years ago," he said.

The past 18 months delivered credible capability at speed, including the testing and integration of long-range strike weapons.

In 2024 the Navy successfully tested the Naval Strike Missile, Standard Missile 6 and Tomahawk missile from Australian warships.

The Air Force followed in March 2025 with the first Australian test of the Long-Range Anti-Ship Missile from a Super Hornet, while the Army fired the Precision Strike Missile from Australia's first HIMARS launcher last July.

The Navy took delivery of Anduril Australia's Ghost Shark autonomous underwater vehicles, while the Australian-made Ghost Bat uncrewed aircraft system successfully shot down an aerial target for the first time in December.

Across Defence, new platforms continued to enter service.

For Navy, the first of six Arafura-class offshore patrol vessels were commissioned, work continued under AUKUS to acquire conventionally armed nuclear-powered submarines, and Japan's upgraded Mogami-class design was selected as Australia's future general-purpose frigate.

For Army, the first of seven Australian-built Boxer combat reconnaissance vehicles rolled off the production line. The first Apache attack helicopters were delivered and the new Black Hawk helicopter fleet achieved operational readiness.

For Air Force, the first three MQ-4C Triton, the first two MC-55A Peregrines and the 13th P-8A Poseidon aircraft were delivered.

Admiral Johnston said Defence's workforce was also growing. As of March 1, the permanent full-time ADF stood at 62,653 personnel - the highest number since 2002.

The growth was a combination of improved recruiting practices and a lower separation rate, currently at 7.5 per cent.

"Separation rate comprises involuntary separations - those who we seek to leave - and people who choose to leave. The voluntary separation rate is around 4.8 per cent. It's very healthy at the moment," Admiral Johnston said.

Defence also deepened key partnerships, signing the Puk Puk Treaty with Papua New Guinea, hosting the largest Exercise Talisman Sabre yet with 40,000 personnel from 19 countries, and signing a new security treaty with Indonesia.

Admiral Johnston said Defence personnel have worked tirelessly over the past 18 months to defend Australia's interests while delivering changes laid out in the National Defence Strategy.

"They have done it with service, courage, respect, integrity and excellence. I am proud of what our people have achieved," he said.

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Press conference - Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei Darussalam

Transcript

Wednesday 15 April 2026

Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei Darussalam

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese

The Hon Anthony Albanese MP

Prime Minister of Australia

ANTHONY ALBANESE, PRIME MINISTER: I'm very pleased to be here in Brunei on my first official visit, and there's no more important time to engage with our neighbours than the current time. The conflict in the Middle East is a long way away, but it's having an impact particularly in Asia, in our own region, because of the relationship of suppliers that come through the Strait of Hormuz and that disruption that has occurred and the uncertainty that is there with regard to a resolution to this conflict. Australia wants to see a de-escalation. We want to see talks between the United States and Iran resume, and we want to see a resumption of normal economic activity that is so important for the global economy. Australia and Brunei have a very positive relationship. We are Brunei's largest trading partner, and that is the context of the welcome that we had here from His Majesty, the Sultan of Brunei. Who welcomed us here and who I've just had my seventh meeting with as Prime Minister, including twice hosting His Majesty in Australia since I've been elected as Prime Minister.

We are both feeling, of course, the consequences, as are countries right around the world, about changes to supply. And Australia has a lot to benefit from engaging with our neighbours in this region. Brunei supplies nine per cent of Australia's diesel imports, and more than that, 11 per cent of our fertiliser-grade urea imports. Today, at the Brunei Fertilizer Industries, we had the opportunity to talk firsthand about the potential that's there as well for an increase in Australia receiving fertiliser in particular from Brunei and we had very positive discussions and that will continue. It will continue in the context as well of the agreed Joint Statement on Energy and Food Security that was signed by myself and His Majesty. This underscores our commitment to ensuring that essential goods continue to flow between our countries. And that guarantee which is there will make a difference as well to provide that certainty by building regional cooperation on energy, security and economic resilience. We strengthen our fuel security, and we strengthen the economies in our region as well.

There's just one further thing before I turn to the Foreign Minister, which is to reaffirm the announcement that's been made by Minister Bowen, which follows last week's announcement that we made in Brisbane about using Export Finance Australia, EFA, to underwrite the purchase of additional fuel loads from around the world. From spot markets that are available, but that require additional government support in order to give businesses, the private sector the confidence to be able to go out there and participate in this market. Last week, we announced Viva and Ampol had come to agreements with EFA. And today we're partnered with IOR and Park Fuels to enable them to be able to secure additional fuel into the Australian market. Now, this is particularly important because these smaller companies are particularly focused on regional Australia. And one of the things that we know is that some of the shortages which we have seen have particularly been in regional Australia, so giving them that security as well. This isn't business as usual. This is in addition to the normal flow that would come into Australia. Literally shiploads of additional fuel are getting here to Australia, targeted to regional communities where it is most needed. I'll turn to the Foreign Minister, then happy to take a couple questions.

SENATOR PENNY WONG, FOREIGN MINISTER: Thank you, Prime Minister, and it is great to be back here in Brunei with the Prime Minister on this visit. And I last visited here in, I think, 2022 as part of our work over the last term to strengthen our relationships in Southeast Asia. I've been very pleased to meet again with my friend Dato Erywan, the Foreign Minister, as well as the Prime Minister having the opportunity to engage for the seventh time with His Majesty the Sultan. I want to make a couple of comments about the context of this visit, which obviously is energy security. And energy security is central to our cooperation. What this visit is about is recognising the challenges that the world faces and the region faces as a consequence of the conflict in the Middle East and the continued closure of the Strait of Hormuz. And we know, as the Government has said, even if the ceasefire does return, and we do wish, we do call for that, that global supply pressures will continue for some time.

So, the Prime Minister's engagement here in Brunei and in Singapore and in Malaysia is about making sure we have strong, reliable and trusted partnerships for us to navigate what may be a longer economic tail of this conflict. The statement that was signed today reflects that willingness to work with each other on our shared security, on energy security, on food security, the recognition that the urea and diesel that we seek, we import from Brunei and that we continue to seek comes back to the region as food. That is very well understood here. And what this demonstrates is the willingness of Australia and Brunei on the back of the announcement the Prime Minister made in Singapore to have regional partners work together at these challenging times. Thank you.

JOURNALIST: Prime Minister, you said that there was some guarantee that was struck today. That word isn't used in the statement that was issued. It just says that Australia and Brunei will work together, you're committed to strengthening energy and food security. Can you clarify what exactly was guaranteed?

PRIME MINISTER: What's guaranteed is that they are not looking at imposing export restrictions on Australia. And as we go forward, of course, in today's uncertain world, there are pressures on all of the economies in the region. But what Australia has done is to, not only did we speak today about existing supplies coming, we spoke about additional supplies as well. And so, the work will continue between our High Commission here and between - I have the Secretary of the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet here as well, and talking with their counterparts in the Brunei government about ways in which we can secure additional supplies, particularly of fertiliser, in return for, of course it goes back to Brunei as food. That's the benefit that we have here.

JOURNALIST: Prime Minister, the IMF has warned of the risk of a global recession. I'm curious if that is a fear that you're hearing from other leaders that you're engaging with. And separately, there are reports today that Australia is due to receive its final pre-war shipment of fuel from the Middle East this weekend. Does that mean that we start to get into the danger zone for suppliers from that area after the weekend?

PRIME MINISTER: What we have said, I think the figure yesterday that Minister Bowen gave was in the 50s of the number of ships that were on-water due to arrive in Australia. So, we have shipments that are due to continue certainly well beyond the weekend. And in addition to that, we've made very clear and transparently there were six ships that were cancelled for April that were due to arrive, and of those, they've been replaced by nine. Now, in addition to that as well, the work that the EFA are doing is meaning that we can add to that supply going forward. With regard to the discussions I've had with leaders, there is a great deal of consternation, understandably, about the impact that this Middle East conflict is having. You can't take that much supply out of global supply without having consequences for the global economy. So, international organisations will make those assessments.

We continue to monitor on a regular basis, and we are doing what we can right across the board to shield Australia as best as we can from the impact of this global action, but we're not immune from it. As I said in my statement to the nation, that we cannot make, ourselves, like every other nation, is being impacted by this. What we can do though is to not retreat from action, is step forward with further action. That's what we've done with the changes that we made to supply by changing the fuel requirements to allow more diesel and petrol to be able to be distributed that would normally only be available for export. That's what we've done with the agreements that we've struck through EFA. And now we are hearing positive signs about the work that those companies are doing to secure those additional shiploads as well, and we hope to have further announcements about that once they are secured. But we have been as well making sure that we engage in our region with our partners, with our suppliers, to make sure that as far as is possible, we restrict any impact on Australia.

JOURNALIST: Brunei may be a major fuel and fertiliser supplier to Australia, but it also has a somewhat chequered human rights record. For example, the punishment for homosexuality here is death by stoning. How do you square the need for more fuel from Brunei with Australia's obligations to uphold human rights, particularly in our region?

PRIME MINISTER: Australia engages constructively in our region, including with Brunei. We continue to do so, and Australia speaks up on human rights issues in global forums. What we discussed today was the fuel needs and security needs of Australia, as shown in the statement that we released.

JOURNALIST: Prime Minister, we're here today because of a war launched by President Trump. Your government appears to not want to join any US-led blockade, but what about other efforts that are perhaps proposed by the UK or France? Could we deploy if a country like that set up the coalition?

PRIME MINISTER: There are discussions taking place. We have said that we want the Strait of Hormuz to be open and we've been a signatory, along with other countries, to statements along those lines. We want safe passage of trade. That is in Australia's interest. We're a trading nation. One in four of our jobs is dependent upon trade.

FOREIGN MINISTER: We've made that clear that we support freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, as do many other countries. And you might recall that I joined a meeting convened by the United Kingdom of some 40 plus countries. We continue to engage as the Deputy Prime Minister has made clear with the United Kingdom, with France, with all countries, including the US, in terms of making sure post the conflict, we can see a return to freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.

JOURNALIST: The leaders of France and the UK made it sound like these talks will be at leader level. Is that your understanding?

FOREIGN MINISTER: We've had discussions at Deputy Prime Minister, Defence Minister level. We've had discussions at Foreign Minister level. We'll continue to engage constructively.

PRIME MINISTER: And I continue to engage with a range of leaders constructively, have good relations with leaders, and that is part of my job and what Australians would expect. Thanks very much.

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Soft power 'win' for Beijing as Chinese medical ship treats 5,400 for free in PNG

Floating hospital Silk Road Ark's 220-day goodwill humanitarian mission ends with Port Moresby port call

By Harlyne Joku and Eugene Whong for RFA

2026.04.15

PORT MORESBY, Papua New Guinea -- Thousands of sick, disabled and otherwise unwell queued at Wharf T over the past week, hoping to board a Chinese hospital ship to receive free medical care.

Some who were lucky enough to be taken in told Radio Free Asia that it was "a miracle" to receive medical services that are not available in local hospitals on board the Silk Road Ark, a type 920 hospital ship run by China's People's Liberation Army Navy, in town for only seven days.

After seeing its last patients Tuesday and holding a farewell ceremony on deck with PNG's Prime Minister James Marape, the ship departed Wednesday, having completed a 220-day humanitarian mission, where it visited around a dozen countries in Latin America and the South Pacific.

"My daughter Margaret is a sick child," Kimberly Yanogen, a PNG resident, told RFA Tuesday. "I would have paid 1,000 kina (US$230) or more if I took her to the public hospital or private clinics here."

She said the doctor performed a physical checkup on her daughter and advised her how to deal with her condition.

"I am so happy to be given this advice free of charge," she said. "I would like to say thank you to the Chinese government for sending this ship here. They have made our access to service and our lives easier," she said.

For the Papua New Guinea port call, the final tally was 5,493 patients seen, 339 surgeries performed, China's ambassador to PNG Yang Xiaoguang reported during a speech at the ceremony.

"This is a visit that deepens friendship," he said. "As a Chinese saying goes, 'more exchanges will bring families and friends closer together.'"

Soft power win

Humanitarian visits by the Silk Road Ark and other Chinese hospital ships, that often include services like surgeries, are very effective soft power diplomacy for Beijing, Graeme Smith, Associate Professor at the Department of Pacific Affairs at The Australian National University, told RFA.

"It's interesting in that it is something that China can do that probably the U.S. and Australia can't do because of their appetite for risk, he said, noting that complications after surgery could arise and the hospital ship will not be around for post-operative care.

"So if you're in a country where the immediate medical care is not really there to provide that kind of support then you are opening yourself up to liabilities that I think Australia and the U.S. wouldn't be willing to take on," he said.

The U.S. Navy also sends hospital ships on goodwill missions, and they do perform surgery, but a visit of the USNS comfort to Trinidad in August last year performed two "critical surgeries" among 46 procedures, compared to the 339 of the Silk Road Ark's Port Moresby port call.

Smith recalled his encounter with the Peace Ark, another Chinese medical ship that visited Vanuatu as part of a previous mission.

"It's not just the soft power of being able to offer these services but also the soft power of 'we will train up people from your country to become doctors,' and to be fair I don't think America in particular does enough of that, or Australia," he said. "It is an easy win."

Missions carried out by Chinese hospital ships in the Pacific however "risk undermining health sovereignty by reinforcing dependence on external providers," Malika Knapp, a fourth-year student at the Australian National University wrote in an article published by the Australian Institute of International Affairs in March.

"Medical assistance and defense objectives are closely intertwined, with free treatment serving to normalize a foreign military presence while advancing China's geopolitical aims," Knapp wrote. "But from a health systems perspective, the benefits are immediate but fleeting."

Long lines

On Tuesday, the final day that the Silk Road Ark was performing medical services, residents at a local marketplace told RFA that people have even slept at the wharf overnight to try to get on the ship.

"I want to take my husband for an eye check on the China ship," a resident identified only by her given name Grace, told RFA. "I hear all the medical services are free and; there are lots of people waiting in lines so long, but people are sleeping outside the gate to be early enough to get a pass in."

Some waited long hours to be seen, but told RFA that they left the wharf empty handed.

"I am so worried and disappointed," said Sherina, who had visited with her husband hoping to remove a lump. They were told to instead visit Port Moresby General Hospital, or PMGH.

Enno Awoi, a diabetic, and her husband, who has been immobile since 2003 when he suffered a stroke, waited in line since 1 a.m. on Tuesday. She was given medicine to manage her condition, and they referred her husband's case back to PMGH.

For Junior Pule, who has high blood pressure, filling out the intake forms was so difficult that he asked RFA for assistance.

But residents who assisted with the Silk Road Ark's visit told RFA they were glad they were able to help.

"It was a good experience for me," Ayisha Gizoria, a dentistry student in her final year at the University of Papua New Guinea, who volunteered at the pre-boarding triage station, told RFA. "As volunteers we come and do the job for free. We don't get paid. We do it because we have the heart and empathy to help the sick people around us."

Ronald Jack, who served as a security guard, said he was happy to witness thousands of the country's ill come for medical help. He told RFA he wanted to thank the Chinese government.

Though there were many positive reviews on social media, some on wrote that it was "not heartwarming" to see families queuing overnight for basic medical services provided by a foreign entity, adding that it exposed the fact that their own government could not provide these services.

Giving free medical services is "pretty effective, the caveat being that it's sugar-hit effective," Smith said. "So they're there for five days and then you don't see them for a couple more years."

But regardless of the mission's ineffectiveness in terms of long-term health outcomes, Smith said it was "money well spent in terms of building goodwill."

Edited by Charlie Dharapak.

Copyright 1998-2026, RFA. Used with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2026 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. For any commercial use of RFA content please send an email to: mahajanr@rfa.org. RFA content April not be used in a manner which would give the appearance of any endorsement of any product or support of any issue or political position. Please read the full text of our Terms of Use.

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Nonprofits can apply through May 15 for two-year grants supporting communityled solutions to reduce barriers to health

LEARN MORE AND APPLY HERE

MEMPHIS, Tenn., April 16, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Building on years of community investment and employee volunteerism across Tennessee, The Cigna Group Foundation, the philanthropic arm of The Cigna Group (NYSE: CI), today announced the expansion of its Impact Fund to Memphis. The expansion reflects the Foundation's continued focus on advancing population health by complementing prior investments in youth and veteran mental health and addressing additional barriers that shape longterm health and wellbeing.

Employee volunteers from The Cigna Group assembled hundreds of jump ropes, inflated dozens of basketballs and built much-needed furniture items for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Middle Tennessee.

"We're proud to support communities across Tennessee, home to thousands of our employees and their families," said Ellie Polack, president of The Cigna Group Foundation. "Through our philanthropy, local partnerships, and employee volunteerism, we've helped make a meaningful impact statewide. Now, we're building on that commitment by deepening partnerships in Memphis to reduce barriers to health, and we look forward to continuing our work to improve health access for individuals and families across Tennessee."

How Memphis Organizations Can Get Involved

The deadline to apply is May 15, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. ET. Selected nonprofits will be notified about the next steps in the process. Grant terms begin Dec. 1, 2026, and run through Dec. 1, 2028. Eligible nonprofits may apply for $250,000 in funding over two years to support projects focused on adults in one or more of the following areas:

Increase access to affordable primary care services.

Increase access to healthy foods, nutrition education, and healthy lifestyle activities.

Interested organizations can review eligibility requirements and submit an interest form online.

In addition to receiving grant funding, nonprofits will be invited to participate in an annual convening with Foundation representatives and health experts to collaborate, share insights, and strengthen collective impact. Progress achieved through the Fund will be reported externally, with impact measured across outcomes related to utilization of primary care services and access to healthy foods, nutrition education and healthy lifestyle activities.

About the Fund

The Fund supports community-based organizations working to address the social drivers of health and improve health outcomes. Since 2024, The Foundation has invested more than $6 million in 29 nonprofit organizations in Connecticut, Missouri, and Texas through the newly established Fund.

By launching the Fund in Memphis, The Foundation aims to partner locally to help strengthen access to care, improve well-being, and support communities that have historically faced barriers to good health.

Research indicates that many Memphis residents experience higher rates of chronic conditions, such as diabetes and heart disease, and face barriers to accessing affordable primary care. These challenges are often compounded by a shortage of primary care providers, transportation barriers to medical visits, and limited access to healthy, affordable food  factors that can delay care and contribute to poorer longterm health outcomes.

Building on a Strong Commitment to Tennessee Communities

The Cigna Group Foundation and related charitable efforts directed nearly $1.8 million in support across Tennessee in 2025. In the same period, more than 4,800 Tennesseebased employees volunteered over 6,700 hours with local organizations across the state, including Girls on the Run Memphis, Le Bonheur Children's Hospital, MidSouth Food Bank, and the YMCA of Memphis & the MidSouth.

Through Cigna Healthcare and Evernorth Health Services, The Cigna Group supports hundreds of thousands of Tennesseans through a combination of health benefits, pharmacy services, and care support. Evernorth pharmacies help individuals across the state manage complex and chronic conditions through medication support, convenient home delivery, and efforts to reduce avoidable disruptions that can lead to poorer health outcomes.

Evernorth's Accredo Specialty Pharmacy supports patients living with complex and chronic conditions, such as endocrine disorders, hepatitis C, HIV, bleeding disorders, rare diseases and more. In Memphis specifically, Accredo has a team of pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, patient care advocates, and more, who are all focused on helping individuals live healthier lives.

About The Cigna Group

The Cigna Group (NYSE:CI) is a global health company committed to creating a better future built on the vitality of every individual and every community. We relentlessly challenge ourselves to partner and innovate solutions for better health. The Cigna Group includes products and services marketed under Cigna Healthcare, Evernorth Health Services or its subsidiaries. The Cigna Group maintains sales capabilities in more than 30 countries and jurisdictions and has more than 180 million customer relationships around the world. Learn more at www.thecignagroup.com.

About The Cigna Group Foundation

The Cigna Group Foundation is a private foundation funded by contributions from The Cigna Group (NYSE:CI) and its subsidiaries. The Cigna Group Foundation aims to support, collaborate, and convene with nonprofit organizations addressing society's greatest health challenges. In addition to increasing access to programs and care in geographies demonstrating significant need, the Foundation responds with humanitarian aid relief during critical times and strengthens colleagues' support of causes through matching donations and volunteer rewards. To learn more, visit www.thecignagroup.com/community.

Media Contact

Kelly Mathews

[email protected]

423-260-9267

SOURCE The Cigna Group Foundation
UN watchdog says North Korea is boosting nuclear weapons capacity

Azerbaijan State News Agency - (AZERTAC)

15.04.2026 [12:40]

Baku, April 15, AZERTAC

North Korea has made "very serious" advances in its abilities to turn out nuclear weapons, with the probable addition of a new uranium enrichment facility, as it stepped up activity at a key complex, IAEA chief Rafael Grossi said on Wednesday, Reuters reported.

Enriching uranium can provide an alternative, and experts say, a more effective, path to acquiring weapons-grade material in addition to reprocessing spent plutonium extracted from a nuclear reactor.

Speaking in Seoul, the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency confirmed a rapid rise in activity at the five-megawatt reactor, the reprocessing unit, a light water reactor and other facilities at the North's Yongbyon nuclear complex.

North Korea's nuclear programme was estimated at a few dozen warheads, he told a news conference, citing signs of activity such as the operation of a light water reactor and activation of other facilities besides Yongbyon.

"All of them point to a very serious increase in the capabilities of the DPRK in the area of nuclear weapons production," Grossi said, using the initials of the North's official name, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.

The watchdog had observed construction of a new facility similar to Yongbyon's uranium enrichment halls, he said, adding that analysis of external features showed a significant expansion of enrichment capacity.

Grossi told a meeting of the agency's governors this month that it was monitoring a new building at Yongbyon with similarities to an enrichment facility at Kangson, another key nuclear site near the capital, Pyongyang.

Satellite imagery from April supported the IAEA's assessment, the U.S.-based Center for Strategic and International Studies said on Monday.

It indicated completion of a suspected uranium enrichment plant, capable of producing weapons grade material, the centre said in a report.

On Wednesday Grossi said the agency had not seen any evidence of Russian technology being used in North Korea's nuclear weapons programme.

References in a cooperation pact both countries signed last year appeared to be limited to civilian nuclear projects, though it was too early to draw firm conclusions, he added.

"Moving towards nuclear weapons would never give any country increased security," Grossi said, but could instead trigger proliferation.

Turning to South Korea's programme to build nuclear-powered submarines, Grossi said he invited Seoul to work closely with the agency to avert proliferation risks, with formal talks to begin on the matter.

Naval reactors pose special challenges as nuclear fuel on submarines can go uninspected for long periods during missions.

"It is essential that this activity is not conducive to proliferation of nuclear weapons," Grossi said, adding that the IAEA would seek an "ironclad guarantee" against any diversion of the material.

South Korea's submarine ambitions advanced after President Lee Jae Myung and U.S. President Donald Trump finalised joint steps on trade and security last November, in which Washington approved its ally's plan to build the nuclear-powered vehicles.

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Two U.S. Nationals Sentenced for Facilitating Fraudulent Remote Information Technology Worker Scheme that Generated $5M in Revenue for the Democratic People's Republic of Korea

Wednesday, April 15, 2026

For Immediate Release

Office of Public Affairs

The Defendants Managed and Operated "Laptop Farms" Intended to Deceive Victim Employers Into Believing They Had Hired U.S.-Based IT Workers

The Justice Department today announced the sentencings of two U.S. nationals, Kejia Wang, 42, and Zhenxing Wang, 39, for their roles in facilitating North Korean remote information technology (IT) workers posing as U.S. residents to obtain work at more than 100 U.S. companies. The multi-year scheme used the stolen identities of at least 80 U.S. persons and generated more than $5 million in illicit revenue for the government of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK).

Kejia Wang, of Edison, New Jersey, was sentenced to 108 months in prison. In September 2025, he pleaded guilty in the District of Massachusetts to conspiracy to commit wire fraud, conspiracy to commit money laundering, and conspiracy to commit identity theft. Zhenxing Wang, of New Brunswick, New Jersey, was sentenced to 92 months in prison. In January 2026, he pleaded guilty in the District of Massachusetts to conspiracy to commit wire fraud and conspiracy to commit money laundering. In addition to the sentences of imprisonment, U.S. District Court Judge Nathaniel M. Gorton ordered the defendants to serve three years each of supervised release and to forfeit a total of $600,000 that was paid to them for facilitating the North Koreans. As of today, the United States has already received $400,000 of the ordered forfeiture amount. The court also ordered Kejia Wang to pay a judgment of $29,236.03 in restitution.

"For years, the defendants enriched themselves by assisting North Korean actors in a fraudulent scheme to gain employment with U.S. companies," said Assistant Attorney General for National Security John A. Eisenberg. "The ruse placed North Korean IT workers on the payrolls of unwitting U.S. companies and in U.S. computer systems, thereby harming our national security. NSD will hold accountable those who facilitate North Korea's illicit revenue generation efforts."

"This case exposes a sophisticated scheme that exploited stolen American identities and U.S. companies to generate millions of dollars for a hostile foreign regime. By operating so-called 'laptop farms,' these defendants enabled overseas actors to infiltrate U.S. businesses, access sensitive data and undermine our economic and national security," said U.S. Attorney Leah B. Foley for the District of Massachusetts. "The sentences imposed this week reflect the seriousness of this conduct and our commitment to holding accountable those who facilitate sanctions evasion and foreign threats from within our borders."

"Today's announcement sends a clear message: U.S. nationals who facilitate DPRK IT worker schemes and funnel revenue to North Korea will face FBI investigation and potential prison time," said Assistant Director Brett Leatherman of the FBI's Cyber Division. "Working closely with our partners, the FBI will pursue their co-conspirators and hold accountable those who seek to empower the DPRK by defrauding American companies and stealing the identities of private citizens."

"These sentencings should act as a deterrent to foreign individuals and entities attempting to illegally access and export critical defense information," said Special Agent in Charge John Helsing for the Department of Defense Office of Inspector General's Defense Criminal Investigative Service (DCIS), Western Field Office. "Investigating the theft, illegal export, diversion, or proliferation of sensitive Department technologies is a priority for DCIS, particularly where such compromises could enable foreign adversaries to use those capabilities against our nation's warfighters. We will continue to work aggressively with our law enforcement partners and the Department of Justice to investigate and prosecute those who threaten our national security."

"Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) is steadfast in its commitment to protecting the integrity of the U.S. financial system from foreign adversaries and criminal actors," said Acting Special Agent in Charge Kevin Murphy of HSI San Diego. "This case demonstrates the critical importance of collaboration across law enforcement agencies to disrupt schemes that threaten our economy and national security. HSI will continue to aggressively pursue those who exploit our financial institutions and technology infrastructure for illicit purposes, ensuring that the United States remains a safe and secure place to do business."

"Today's sentences should serve as a warning to those who continue to carry out schemes intending to deceive U.S. companies," said Special Agent in Charge Christopher S. Delzotto of the FBI Las Vegas Field office. "We will relentlessly pursue those responsible! The FBI is committed to working with our partners to expose and mitigate these fraudulent IT schemes and provide unwavering support to victims of North Korean cyber actors. The FBI strongly advises organizations to closely monitor their data, strengthen their remote hiring processes, and report any suspicious activity or fraud to the FBI."

According to court documents, from approximately 2021 until October 2024, the defendants and their co-conspirators compromised the identities of more than 80 U.S. persons to obtain remote jobs at more than 100 U.S. companies, including many Fortune 500 companies, and caused U.S. victim companies to incur legal fees, computer network remediation costs, and other damages of at least $3 million. Kejia Wang traveled to Shenyang and Dandong, China on two separate occasions in 2023, to meet with overseas actors about the scheme, including a former classmate that Kejia Wang knew was from North Korea. Kejia Wang went on to serve as the U.S.-based manager for the scheme, supervising at least five facilitators in the United States who collectively hosted hundreds of computers of U.S. victim companies at their residences. Zhenxing Wang was among the U.S. facilitators who received and hosted victim company laptops at his residence. He and the others also enabled overseas IT workers to access the laptops remotely by, among other things, connecting the laptops to hardware devices designed to allow for remote access (referred to as keyboard-video-mouse or "KVM" switches).

Kejia Wang and Zhenxing Wang created shell companies with corresponding financial accounts, including Hopana Tech LLC, Tony WKJ LLC, and Independent Lab LLC, to make it appear as though the overseas IT workers were affiliated with legitimate U.S. businesses. In fact, these companies had no employees or operations and existed only to further the scheme and enable the defendants and their co-conspirators to receive proceeds from the scheme. The financial accounts established by the two defendants for these shell companies ultimately received millions of dollars from victimized U.S. companies, much of which was subsequently transferred to overseas co-conspirators. In exchange for their services, Kejia Wang, Zhenxing Wang, and the four other U.S. facilitators received nearly $700,000 for their respective roles in the scheme.

IT workers employed under this scheme also gained access to sensitive employer data and source code, including International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) data from a California-based defense contractor that develops artificial intelligence-powered equipment and technologies. Specifically, between on or about January 19, 2024, and on or about April 2, 2024, an overseas co-conspirator remotely accessed without authorization the company's laptop and computer files containing technical data and other information. The stolen data included information marked as being controlled under the ITAR.

The other eight defendants indicted in June 2025 remain at large and wanted by the FBI. Concurrent with today's announcement, the U.S. Department of State's Rewards for Justice (RFJ) program, administered by the Diplomatic Security Service, announced a reward of up to $5 million for information leading to the disruption of financial mechanisms of persons engaged in certain activities that support DPRK, including money laundering, exportation of luxury goods to North Korea, specified cyber-activity and actions that support weapons of mass destruction proliferation. The reward is offered for the following eight defendants who are alleged to have participated in the above-described scheme and one suspected IT worker:

Xu Yongzhe ()

Huang Jingbin ()

Tong Yuze ()

Zhou Baoyu ()

Yuan Ziyou (Samuel Yuan)

Zhou Zhenbang ()

Liu Menting ()

Liu Enchia ()

Song Min Kim (also known as Chengmin Jin)

Previously, in June 2025, the FBI and Defense Criminal Investigative Service (DCIS) announced the seizure of 17 web domains used in furtherance of this scheme and the seizure of 29 financial accounts, holding tens of thousands of dollars in funds, used to launder revenue for the North Korean regime through the remote IT work scheme. In October 2024, as part of this investigation, federal law enforcement executed searches at eight locations across three states that resulted in the recovery of more than 70 laptops and remote access devices, such as KVMs. Simultaneously with that action, the FBI seized four web domains associated with Kejia Wang's and Zhenxing Wang's shell companies Hopana Tech LLC, Tony WKJ LLC, and Independent Lab LLC.

The FBI Las Vegas Field Office, DCIS San Diego Resident Agency, and Homeland Security Investigations San Diego Field Office investigated the cases.

Assistant U.S. Attorney David Holcomb and former Assistant U.S. Attorney Jason Casey of the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Massachusetts and Trial Attorney Gregory J. Nicosia Jr. of the National Security Division's National Security Cyber Section prosecuted the cases, with significant assistance from Legal Assistants Daniel Boucher and Margaret Coppes. Valuable assistance was also provided by Mark A. Murphy of the National Security Division's Counterintelligence and Export Control Section and the U.S. Attorneys' Offices for the District of New Jersey, Eastern District of New York, and Southern District of California.

***

Today's announcement represents the Department's latest actions to combat North Korean IT worker schemes as part of a joint NSD and FBI Cyber and Counterintelligence Divisions effort, the DPRK RevGen: Domestic Enabler Initiative. This effort prioritizes targeting and disrupting the DPRK's illicit revenue generation schemes and its U.S.-based enablers. The Department previously announced sentencings of DPRK IT worker facilitators in July and December 2025, and February and March 2026.

As described in Public Service Announcements published in May 2024, January 2025, and July 2025, North Korean remote IT workers posing as legitimate remote IT workers have committed data extortion and exfiltrated the proprietary and sensitive data from U.S. companies. DPRK IT worker schemes typically involve the use of stolen identities, alias emails, social media, online cross-border payment platforms, and online job site accounts, as well as false websites, proxy computers, and witting and unwitting third parties located in the U.S. and elsewhere. North Korean IT workers leverage these third parties, which include U.S.-based individuals, to gain fraudulent employment and access to U.S. company networks to generate this revenue

Other public advisories about the threats, red flag indicators, and potential mitigation measures for these schemes include a May 2022 advisory released by the FBI, Department of the Treasury, and Department of State; a July 2023 advisory from the Office of the Director of National Intelligence; and guidance issued in October 2023 by the United States and the Republic of Korea (South Korea). As described the May 2022 advisory, North Korean IT workers have been known individually to earn up to $300,000 annually, generating hundreds of millions of dollars collectively each year, on behalf of designated entities, such as the North Korean Ministry of Defense and others directly involved in the DPRK's weapons programs.

Topic: National Security

Components: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)

National Security Division (NSD)

USAO - California, Southern

USAO - Massachusetts

USAO - New Jersey

USAO - New York, Eastern

Press Release Number: 26-362

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Artillery Firing Contest of Artillery Sub-units Held on Significant Day of Sun

Korean Central News Agency of DPRK

Pyongyang, April 16 (KCNA) -- Comrade Kim Jong Un , General Secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea and President of the State Affairs of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, oversaw an artillery firing contest of artillery sub-units under the large combined units of the Korean People's Army in the western area organized on April 15, the Day of the Sun.

Comrade Kim Jong Un was greeted on the spot by No Kwang Chol, minister of National Defence of the DPRK, Ri Yong Gil, chief of the General Staff of the KPA, Kim Song Gi, director of the General Political Bureau of the KPA, and other commanding officers of the Ministry of National Defence and military and political commanding officers of the KPA large combined units in the western area.

The artillery firing contest was conducted according to the contest rules set up in conformity with the simulated tactical environment.

In the contest, the artillery sub-units powerfully demonstrated their militant marksmanship they have consolidated to the full with a high desire to perfect combat preparations, and clearly showed their full war posture.

The artillery sub-unit of the Capital City Defence Corps won the first place in the contest.

The 4th Corps of the KPA came second, the 2nd Corps third, the 8th Corps fourth and the 3rd Corps fifth.

Comrade Kim Jong Un expressed satisfaction over the fact that the artillery firing contest, held to mark the greatest auspicious holiday of the nation, served as an important occasion in enhancing the training enthusiasm of our artillerymen and remarkably strengthening their militant might.

The positive utilization of the artillery force is the most important factor deciding the victory in operation and battle and furthermore in war, he said, stressing that the People's Army should as ever put spurs to the artillery combat readiness, true to the Party's policy of attaching importance to the artillery and strengthening the artillery force and that the Party Central Committee's strategic plan for modernization of the artillery force should be thoroughly implemented within the new five-year plan for the development of the national defence.

He said that it is good to frequently organize training contests at all levels of the army on national holidays and other major occasions as seen today and the People's Army should be engrossed only in the training for rounding off the combat preparations, adding that it is precisely the way for realizing the great leader Comrade Kim Il Sung 's desire for building a powerful army and an expression of loyalty to the Party, the revolution, the country and the people and the duty of the army.

The sub-unit which won the training contest was awarded a diploma, medal and badge.

That day, Comrade Kim Jong Un met the soldiers of the successful artillery sub-unit and appreciated their high combat capability before having a photo session with officers and men.

The KPA commanding officers and artillerymen, blessed with the warm love and trust of the great brilliant commander on the auspicious spring holiday of April, hardened their pledge to devotedly defend the Party Central Committee and reliably safeguard the inviolable sovereignty and dignity of the glorious DPRK and the honor of the Korean People's Army with remarkable success in strengthening the combat power of the artillery. -0-

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India - Germany Foreign office Consultations (April 14, 2026)

India - Ministry of External Affairs

April 15, 2026

The India-Germany Foreign Office Consultations (FOC), co-chaired by Shri Vikram Misri, Foreign Secretary, Government of India and Dr. Geza Andreas von Geyr, State Secretary of German Foreign Office, were held on 14 April 2026 in Berlin. During the visit, Shri Vikram Misri also met Foreign Minister of Germany, Mr. Johann Wadephul.

2. The consultations were held in a significant year for bilateral ties, as India and Germany are commemorating 75 years of diplomatic relations this year, following the celebration of 25 years of the Strategic Partnership in 2025. The Co-chairs also launched the logo commemorating the 75th anniversary of establishment of India-Germany diplomatic relations.

3. The discussions provided an opportunity for both sides to take stock of the current status of bilateral relations and explore avenues for further deepening the India-Germany Strategic Partnership. During the Consultations, both sides undertook a comprehensive review of the full spectrum of India-Germany bilateral relations, including trade and investment, defence and security, technology, green and sustainable development, mobility, and people to people exchanges. They agreed to further deepen and diversify cooperation in areas of contemporary relevance, including critical and emerging technologies, defence, industrial collaboration, digital governance, renewable energy, green hydrogen, innovation, and development cooperation in third countries. The two sides also exchanged views on key regional and global developments including the situation in West Asia and the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

4. Foreign Secretary also interacted with senior Foreign Policy experts, Members of Parliament, and senior officials from Federal and State Governments of Germany at Korber Foundation.

5. The discussions were held in a cordial and friendly atmosphere. The visit of Foreign Secretary followed the visit of German Chancellor H.E. Mr. Friedrich Merz to India in January 2026, which gave significant momentum to bilateral ties. The visit also helped advance ongoing cooperation across key priority areas and explore substantive outcomes for the next India-Germany Inter-Governmental Consultations scheduled later this year. Foreign Secretary Misri invited State Secretary von Geyr to visit India at a mutually convenient time.

Berlin

April 15, 2026

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FIRST EDITION OF NAVAL COMMANDERS' CONFERENCE-2026 COMMENCES AT NAUSENA BHAWAN, NEW DELHI

India - Press Information Bureau

Ministry of Defence

Posted On: 15 APR 2026 10:22AM by PIB Delhi

The Indian Navy Commanders' Conference 01/2026 commenced at Nausena Bhawan on 14 Apr 2026 with an inaugural address by Adm Dinesh K Tripathi, Chief of the Naval Staff, to senior naval leadership, outstation Operational and Area Commanders, and Command Headquarters and Naval Headquarters staff.

The CNS commended the Navy's achievements in safeguarding India's maritime interests, including energy security amidst the ongoing conflict in West Asia, increased tempo of operations, and enhanced inter-service synergy. CNS laid emphasis on the continued focus on combat readiness and adapting emerging technologies to build a Future Ready force.

The CNS reiterated the Indian Navy's commitments in the Indian Ocean Region and beyond in the emerging geostrategic scenario, and the significance of Cohesive and Credible approach through proactive engagements with Friendly Foreign Countries (FFCs) in multilateral and bilateral exercises.

Operational highlights, including salient issues pertaining to jointness, capability enhancement (afloat and ashore), maintenance and refits, multi-domain safety practices, training, foreign cooperation, HR issues, and innovation and indigenisation, were discussed during the Conference.

Gen Anil Chauhan, Chief of the Defence Staff, addressed and interacted with the naval commanders on matters pertaining to changing geopolitical orders, and urged the Navy to plan for rapidly evolving character of war, including economic and technological factors.

*****

VM/SPS

(Release ID: 2252126)

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How Iran's Proxies Were Impacted During Operation Roaring Lion: Iranian Funding, Training, and Arming from North to South

Israel Defense Forces

The damage to Iran's terror regime can be understood as a domino effect. Beyond the blows to its missile program, nuclear efforts, and weapons production, Hezbollah and Hamas have also been struck and are feeling the consequences, as ammunition, funding, and training steadily decline. This reflects how Iran has operated its terror proxies, as well as the ongoing impact on their capabilities.

09.04.26

IDF

After the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps seized power in 1979, Iran, which had previously maintained friendly relations with Israel, became the world's leading sponsor of Islamic terrorism. Through its elite Quds Force, established in the late 1980s, the regime extended its reach beyond its borders in order to strike its enemies from a distance.

One of the primary tools used by the Quds Force to carry out attacks and build terror infrastructure has been the network of terrorist organizations it operates across the globe, particularly in the western Middle East.

Two of the regime's central proxies, located on Israel's border, are Hezbollah in the north and Hamas in the south. Both have suffered significant blows, whether directly or indirectly, during the fighting against Iran.

North: The Origins of Hezbollah

Understanding this project requires a closer look inside Iran, particularly at the Quds Force. It is a complex system of commands, sub-units, headquarters, and intelligence bodies, each with a specific role, all composed of some of the regime's most ruthless operatives.

Looking back to the early 1970s, the Amal militia was established and became the most dominant Shiite force in Lebanon for years. It later contributed to the formation of Hezbollah, which was founded in 1984 and became the central component of Iran's Shiite terror network.

Hezbollah recruited many of its fighters from Amal, due to both ideological alignment and stronger financial incentives. This was made possible by the support of Iran.

The organization was established with assistance from the IRGC, which worked with Sheikh Sayyed Hussein Fadlallah, a highly influential Shiite religious figure. Through this cooperation, many operatives were recruited, trained, and armed by Quds Force personnel sent into Lebanon. Hezbollah quickly became the most powerful and dominant terror organization in the country.



Developments During Five Weeks of the Operation

After Hezbollah launched a barrage of rockets toward Israel on the second day of Operation Roaring Lion, the IDF initiated intensive operations against the group. Forces have continued to raid terror infrastructure in villages and forested areas, clearing militants and destroying weapons depots, military equipment, and ammunition.

As part of these operations, Golani Brigade troops captured two Radwan Force terrorists, Hezbollah's elite unit, approximately two weeks ago.

In addition, the IDF targeted the organization's financial network, nearly dismantling the Al-Qard al-Hassan association, which transfers significant funds to Hezbollah while presenting itself as a civilian loan institution.

Hezbollah's chain of command has also been significantly weakened since the start of the operation. Several senior figures have been eliminated, including the commander of Hezbollah's southern front, Hajj Yusuf Ismail Hashim, who was involved in advancing rocket and UAV attacks against Israel.

South: The Origins of Hamas

In the south, in Gaza, and in Judea and Samaria to the east, the IDF has been engaged in ongoing operations against Hamas for more than two and a half years. Even as attention shifted to other arenas, activity against Hamas in Gaza has continued consistently.

Hamas was founded in the late 1980s in Judea and Samaria as a religious-political Islamist movement by Sheikh Ahmed Yassin, who also served as its spiritual leader.

Initially, its members focused on protests and demonstrations. Over time, these actions escalated into increasing violence, including kidnappings and terror attacks inside Israel. Eventually, a structured military wing was established.

In 2006, elections for the Palestinian Legislative Council were held, after which Hamas rose to power in Gaza. Shortly afterward, tensions with the rival Fatah leadership intensified. Approximately two years later, Hamas used force to take full control of the Gaza Strip, carrying out widespread violence, seizing bases, destroying institutions, and dismantling the existing government.

At this stage, Iran began providing significant support to Hamas. Although Hamas is a Sunni organization, both sides share the objective of targeting Israel. As a result, the Iranian regime has provided financial assistance and facilitated the transfer of weapons to Hamas' military wing.



Developments During Five Weeks of the Operation

Over the past month, IDF forces have continued enforcing the ceasefire, preventing Hamas operatives from crossing the designated Yellow Line. At the same time, numerous underground tunnel routes and the weapons stored within them have been destroyed.

In the first two weeks of the operation alone, six kilometers of tunnels were destroyed. These tunnels had been used by terrorists from the East Rafah Battalion, who were later eliminated by IDF engineering forces in the area.

Targeted strikes have also increased, with more than 60 terrorists eliminated during Operation Roaring Lion. Some were neutralized inside tunnels that were uncovered, while others were eliminated after approaching or entering areas where IDF forces were operating.

Among them was Yahya Abu-Labda, a key figure in Hamas' weapons supply unit, who was responsible for acquiring many of the weapons used by Nukhba terrorists during the October 7 attacks on Israeli communities near Gaza.

The significant damage inflicted on Iran's terror regime over the past month, including its military industry, economy, launch systems, and senior leadership, has had a broader impact-it has also severely weakened the regime's ability to fund and sustain its proxies across the Middle East.

The past weeks have made one reality increasingly clear: Iran's terror network does not operate in isolation, it functions as a connected system. When pressure is applied at the center, the effects ripple outward. Hezbollah in the north and Hamas in the south are not independent actors, but extensions of the same strategy, built on Iranian funding, training, and direction.



As Operation Roaring Lion continues to degrade the regime's military capabilities and leadership, it is also constricting the lifelines that sustain these proxies. The result is not only a direct blow to Iran, but a broader weakening of the entire network it has spent decades building.

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Press remarks by President Antonio Costa following the visit to United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and Qatar

European Council / Council of the European Union

European Council

Statements and remarks

15 April 2026 13:30

I have just concluded two days of meetings with the leaders of the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar. This visit came at a critical moment, in the context of a fragile ceasefire and the unjustifiable attacks these countries have faced.

The European Union stands in full solidarity with the countries and people of the Gulf. Iran's attacks have violated their sovereignty and territorial integrity. And this is unacceptable. We also deeply appreciate the care our Gulf partners have taken to ensure the safety of many European citizens living in the region. In my discussions, I reaffirmed that the European Union is a reliable partner for the Gulf countries. The Gulf countries can count on the European Union - now and in the future.

The purpose of my visit was simple. Listen to the leaders. Get their assessment of the current situation. And offer the support of the European Union - with two main priorities in mind:

work towards a stable and lasting ceasefire that could pave the way to sustainable peace in the region restore freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz

Since the beginning of this conflict, the European Union has been consistent in calling for de-escalation and negotiations in full respect of international law. It is essential that all parties use the momentum created by the recent US-Iran ceasefire brokered by Pakistan in order to address the concerns of the international community regarding Iran. That means nuclear programme of course. But also its ballistic missile programme. Iran's support of proxies destabilising the region. And the blockade of international sea lanes. The Strait of Hormuz and the Red Sea are vital arteries for the global economy, supply chains, and world trade.

This war has already had disastrous consequences that are being felt all over the world. And that will only get worse, with every day without a solution to this conflict. Restoring freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz is crucial and urgent. And Europe is committed to help guarantee the safe and unimpeded passage of ships. This is the objective of the coalition of countries that France and the UK are assembling, with partners around the world.

Before concluding, let me say a few words in particular about the situation in Lebanon. Hezbollah poses an existential threat for Lebanon and a dangerous destabilising factor for international peace and security. The EU commends President Aoun's historic decision to ban the military activities of Hezbollah. The EU will continue to support Lebanon. Empowering the authorities to disarm Hezbollah is the only sustainable solution for restoring Lebanon's international stability. The negotiations held yesterday between Israel and Lebanon in Washington are a welcome step. It is crucial that these talks continue and yield results - for the sake of the people, and for the prospect of peace.

Let me conclude by repeating that the EU is a reliable and predictable partner for the Gulf countries. We are here to support the region's stability and security. We want to make our cooperation deeper and stronger. And this is the message I heard from all the leaders I met this week.

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Japan-Iran Foreign Ministers' Telephone Call

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan

April 15, 2026

On April 15, commencing at 8:30 p.m. for 30 minutes, Mr. MOTEGI Toshimitsu, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, held a telephone call with H.E. Dr. Seyyed Abbas ARAGHCHI, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Iran.

At the outset, Minister MOTEGI stated that it is very meaningful that he and Foreign Minister Araghchi are continuing very close communication, and that what matters most is that the ceasefire is maintained and that de-escalation, including ensuring the safety of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, is steadily achieved. He expressed his strong hope that the talks will resume and a final agreement will be reached promptly through dialogue. In addition, Minister MOTEGI stated that Japan has held telephone calls with relevant countries including those involved in the mediation, and that Japan supports, along with other countries, the diplomatic efforts towards a final agreement. Furthermore, Minister MOTEGI re-emphasized that restoring the stabilization of the Strait of Hormuz, a strategic chokepoint for global logistics and an international public good, is urgently needed, and strongly urged Iran to ensure the freedom and safety of navigation as soon as possible for all vessels, including those of Japan and other Asian countries. In response, Foreign Minister Araghchi explained Iran's views including the result of the U.S.-Iran talks held during the weekend as well as the future outlook, and both ministers concurred on continuing close communication.

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April 15: Iran-US ceasefire set to extend to Lebanon as Tehran shapes regional diplomacy

Iran Press TV

Wednesday, 15 April 2026 11:19 PM

By Press TV Website Staff

Regional diplomacy gathered momentum on Wednesday as Iran's growing influence steered toward a ceasefire in Lebanon, reportedly set to take effect soon.

The possible week-long truce, aligned with the Iran-US ceasefire window, follows sustained coordination between Tehran, Hezbollah, and regional partners.

Iranian and Pakistani officials also deepened mediation efforts, with Pakistan's army chief Field Marshal Asim Munir arriving in Tehran ahead of a possible second round of US-Iran talks, expected to return to Islamabad.

At sea, Iran firmly rejected Washington's attempted "blockade," warning that any restriction on maritime trade in the Persian Gulf or the Sea of Oman would trigger a decisive response.

Meanwhile, as the US expanded its military deployments and announced new illegal sanctions against Iran, the White House signaled cautious optimism about a "potential deal."

Key developments on day 47 of the war, eighth day of the ceasefire:

Following Iran's strenuous efforts and pressure, a ceasefire in Lebanon is expected to take effect soon, according to Lebanese media reports.

Iran's Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf stated that "the completion and consolidation of a comprehensive ceasefire in Lebanon will be the result of the resistance and steadfast struggle of the great Hezbollah and the unity of the Axis of Resistance."

Israeli Channel 13 reported that the United States has effectively accepted Iran's condition linking renewed negotiations to a ceasefire in Lebanon.

Talking about the US-Israeli war on Iran, the US President Donald Trump said, "I think it's close to over, yeah. I view it as very close to being over."

The United States is ramping up its military presence in West Asia, with the Trump administration deploying thousands of additional troops, according to the Wall Street Journal.

Iran's top military commander, Major General Ali Abdollahi, issued a stern warning to the United States, stating that any attempt to block maritime trade in the Persian Gulf or the Sea of Oman would be met with decisive action.

Iranian armed forces warned of blocking all sea trade in the Persian Gulf, the Sea of Oman, and the Red Sea if the US continues its maritime blockade.

Pakistan's Army Chief, Asim Munir, who is in Tehran, held preliminary talks with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, ahead of a more substantive meeting scheduled for Thursday.

FM Araghchi thanked Pakistan for its "gracious hosting" of the US-Iran dialogue as he received the country's high-level delegation in Tehran.

President Masoud Pezeshkian said no power in the world can force the Iranian nation into submission, slamming double standards in international policies.

The Trump administration feels "good about prospects of a deal" with Iran, the White House said, while noting that Pakistan would be the likely location of a potential second round of in-person talks.

Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman said that the Islamic Republic is "not blockable," rejecting the US attempt to impose a naval blockade on the country, while warning that it violates the fragile ceasefire and could trigger a proportional response from Iranian armed forces.

Iran said that the physical remnants recovered from weapons used in recent aggression, identified in multiple affected cities, confirm these arms were part of the arsenals of some Persian Gulf states.

Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani spoke over the phone with Trump about ongoing regional developments and called for de-escalation.

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) Vice President and Deputy Prime Minister Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan held a phone call with Qalibaf, discussing the recent war and the UAE's involvement in it.

Iran vehemently rejected a UAE-backed proposal adopted by the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) on establishing a so-called "safe maritime corridor" in the Strait of Hormuz, slamming it as alegally-groundless and politically-motivated move.

Iran's Foreign Ministry said the country's right to enrich uranium was "indisputable", although the level of enrichment is "negotiable."

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov defended Iran's inalienable right to enrich uranium for peaceful purposes, saying that Russia accepts any decision that suits the Iranian side.

Several US lawmakers are set to file five articles of impeachment against Secretary of War Pete Hegseth over war crimes committed in Iran.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan warned against the Israeli regime's attempts to sabotage a fragile ceasefire between the US and Iran, saying that Ankara will push for an extension of the truce and ensure peace talks continue.

UAE is to close its flagship Burj Al Arab hotel for one and a half years amid a sharp drop in tourist visits to the Persian Gulf country, caused by Iran's retaliatory attacks against US bases in the region, a report said.

Belgian authorities seized two British shipments of military components bound for Israel, invoking a ban on any military-laden aircraft using the country's facilities or airspace

The United States Central Command (CENTCOM) said on Wednesday that at least 399 US service members had been wounded during the aggression on Iran that began on February 28 and ended in a two-week ceasefire on April 7.

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the US is "now willing to apply secondary sanctions" on countries that buy Iranian oil.

The US Treasury Department announced a fresh package of illegal sanctions on more than two dozen Iranians, companies and vessels.

Sri Lanka repatriated 238 Iranian sailors stranded in the South Asian country after the Iranian naval vessel, IRIS Dena, was torpedoed by a US submarine in the Indian Ocean on March 4. The maritime terrorist attack claimed the lives of at least 104 crew members.

The US Senate could vote as early as Wednesday on a Democratic-led effort to limit Trump's war powers.

The Chinese foreign ministry said that it "opposes groundless smear and ill-intentioned association."

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Profiles: Top commanders and officials martyred in 40-day US-Israeli war on Iran

Iran Press TV

Wednesday, 15 April 2026 4:12 PM

By Humaira Ahad

The fateful morning of February 28, 2026, shattered every conventional assumption about the limits of modern - albeit illegal and unprovoked - warfare.

The American-Israeli aggression in the heart of Tehran led to the assassination of the Leader of the Islamic Republic, Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, along with several top-ranking military commanders, in acts of unprovoked and illegal terrorism.

It was the opening strike of a targeted-killing campaign by the US and Israel, unprecedented in scale and political intent, marking a decisive phase in the 40-day war imposed on Iran.

Yet even as the military confrontation intensified, the strategic balance told a different story.

The United States, having exhausted its conventional levers of pressure - economic sanctions, media propaganda, and military aggression - was ultimately forced to enter negotiations, mediated by Pakistan.

Talks held in Islamabad between Iran and the United States continued for 21 hours before ending without an agreement, derailed by "maximalist demands" from the American side.

The failure of those talks underscored a broader reality emerging from the war: the tools Washington had relied on for decades - military threats, economic pressure, and propaganda - no longer produced decisive outcomes.

Instead, the war closed - or at least halted - with deepened mistrust, unresolved tensions, and a rapidly shifting strategic landscape.

To understand the scale of Washington's miscalculation and the depth of its failure, one must look closely at the personalities the aggressors assassinated during the 40-day war.

Each of the prominent figures targeted during the war occupied a critical node in Iran's Islamic establishment. However, the Islamic Republic continues to stand tall and mighty.

We profile some of them, starting with Leader of the Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, the standard-bearer of the resistance against the world's arrogant and corrupt powers for nearly four decades, whose martyrdom marked the end of an era.

Ayatollah Sayyed Ali Khamenei

US-Israeli war machine struck the Leader's office in downtown Tehran, assassinating him as he recited the Holy Qur'an in the state of fasting. His martyrdom instantly reverberated across Iran and the wider Muslim world, with people filling the streets in mourning and protest.

Ayatollah Khamenei was born on April 19, 1939, in the holy city of Mashhad, into a modest religious household. He was the second son of Sayyed Javad Khamenei, a humble and deeply pious Islamic scholar who believed in living simply and serving others.

From an early age, Ayatollah Khamenei gravitated toward Islamic learning, completing his primary education before entering the seminary in Mashhad and later pursuing advanced theological studies in the holy city of Qom.

Alongside his scholarship, he nurtured a lifelong love of poetry and literature, a passion that shaped the intellectual depth of his sermons and speeches.

His political awakening came early. In the 1960s, he joined the movement led by the founder of the Islamic Revolution, Imam Khomeini, against the Western-backed Pahlavi regime.

Beginning in 1963, Ayatollah Khamenei was repeatedly arrested by the notorious secret police SAVAK for organising protests, distributing revolutionary literature, and mobilising youth against the West-backed dictatorship.

He spent years under surveillance and imprisonment in dreadful prison cells. The experiences hardened his resolve and deepened his commitment to the revolutionary cause.

After the triumph of the Islamic Revolution in 1979, Ayatollah Khamenei emerged as one of the Islamic Republic's most qualified officials, who was deeply trusted by Imam Khomeini.

He became the president of Iran in 1982 after the martyrdom of President Mohammad Ali Rajai. It was during this period that he survived an assassination attempt at the Abu Dhar Mosque in Tehran, an attack that left him hospitalised for months.

He helped steer the nation during the tumultuous years of the Holy Defence against Saddam Hussein's West-backed Ba'athist regime.

Over the years, the martyred Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran held a wide array of influential positions: Deputy Minister of Defence, Imam of Tehran's Friday Prayers, Tehran Member of Parliament, Imam Khomeini's Representative to the High Council of Defence, President of the Expediency Council, Chairman of the Committee for the Revision of the Constitution, and Chairman of the Revolution's Cultural Council.

"In the areas of political and revolutionary ideas and Islamic jurisprudence, I am certainly a disciple of Imam Khomeini," he once said, in a statement reflecting his ideological alignment and also his deep personal loyalty to the founder of the Islamic Revolution.

Following the passing of Imam Khomeini in 1989, the Assembly of Experts elected Ayatollah Khamenei as Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran.

Over the decades that followed, he guided the country through the post-war reconstruction period, the tightening noose of illegal Western sanctions, and repeated regional crises triggered by US-Israeli aggression - most recently in June last year.

Central to his leadership was the principled support for resistance movements across West Asia, from Lebanon to Iraq, Yemen to Palestine.

Under his able leadership, Iran became the backbone of the Axis of Resistance, a coalition of nations and movements committed to standing firm against Israeli occupation and destabilising US interference in the region.

This unwavering policy reshaped the region's strategic landscape and positioned Iran as the moral and political anchor of a rising front for sovereignty and justice.

Through his scholarship, his resilience, and his lifelong defiance of tyranny, Ayatollah Khamenei became a symbol of steadfast resistance.

His legacy endures in the generations he inspired in Iran and across the world, to reclaim dignity, independence, and justice in the face of oppression.

Dr Ali Ardeshir Larijani

Dr. Ali Larijani, a seasoned statesman, philosopher and political strategist of the Islamic Republic of Iran, attained martyrdom on March 17, in an American-Israeli act of aggression.

He headed the country's top decision-making body on security matters, the Supreme National Security Council (SNSC), a post he had held since August 2025.

His brave leadership during the recent war of aggression against the Islamic Republic was widely commended as Iran inflicted heavy military and economic costs on the enemy.

Larijani, one of the most seasoned figures in the Islamic Republic's political and security establishment, was appointed secretary of the SNSC in August 2025, a role he previously held nearly two decades ago.

In May 2020, Ayatollah Khamenei appointed him as one of his senior advisers and a member of the Expediency Discernment Council, which mediates disputes between parliament and the Guardian Council.

Larijani was born in 1958 in the holy city of Najaf, Iraq, to Iranian parents from a prominent religious family. His father, Ayatollah Mirza Hashem Amoli, was a distinguished cleric who moved to Najaf in 1931 due to persecution by the Pahlavi dictator Reza Shah but returned to Iran in 1961 when Larijani was three years old.

He initially studied mathematics and computer science, earning a bachelor's degree from Sharif University of Technology. However, after consulting with renowned Islamic scholar Martyr Morteza Motahhari, who later became his father-in-law, Larijani shifted to Western philosophy for his graduate studies.

He completed both his master's and PhD in philosophy at the University of Tehran, with his doctoral dissertation focusing on the 18th-century German philosopher Immanuel Kant.

His philosophical background often informed his public speeches, where he framed Iran's challenges in moral and historical terms. This scholarly perspective influenced his strategic thinking in the crucial roles he occupied over the decades.

He began his career in the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC), rising to the level of deputy commander during his decade of service in the 1980s amid the imposed Iraq war.

He later gained prominence during his decade-long stewardship of the national broadcaster Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB) from 1994 to 2004, a period remembered by many for expanding domestic programming.

In August 2005, then-president, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad appointed Larijani as Secretary of the top security body. In this role, Larijani also served as Iran's chief nuclear negotiator, managing the country's most sensitive foreign policy portfolio during a critical period.

Under his leadership, Iran resumed uranium enrichment activities, which led to its referral to the UN Security Council by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in 2006 and the subsequent imposition of illegal and unjustified sanctions.

In 2007, he resigned due to disagreements with Ahmadinejad over nuclear policy. Following his resignation from the SNSC, Larijani won a parliamentary seat Qom in 2008 elections and was elected speaker of parliament, a position he held for three consecutive terms until 2020.

Major General Seyed Abdolrahim Mousavi

Major General Seyed Abdolrahim Mousavi, the former Chief of Staff of Iran's Armed Forces, was assassinated in a cowardly Israeli-American aggression on February 28.

Major General Mousavi succeeded Major General Mohammad Bagheri following the 12-day war in June last year, carrying forward the remarkable legacy of his predecessor.

He played a particularly key role in the June 2025 US-Israeli war, leading the Iranian armed forces in their retaliatory operations that forced the Israeli regime to beg for surrender.

Born in 1960 in the holy city of Qom in central Iran, he was a graduate of the Army's Ground Forces Officers' University and held a doctorate in defence studies from the Supreme National Defence University. He joined the Iranian army in 1979.

During the years of the Imposed War in the 1980s, Major General Mousavi served in the Army's artillery unit on various fronts, including the western battlefields in Kurdistan (28th Kurdistan Division) and the southwestern fronts (33rd Artillery Group of the Ground Forces) in Khuzestan province.

From 1999 to 2005, he served as the Chief of Joint Staff of the Army, and from 2008 to 2016, he was Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the Army. Following that, from 2016 to 2017, he held the position of Deputy Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces.

On August 21, 2017, he was promoted from Brigadier General to Major General and appointed Commander-in-Chief of the Islamic Republic of Iran Army by the martyred Leader.

Later, on May 28, 2019, Ayatollah Khamenei appointed him as the commander of the Khatam al-Anbia Air Defence Base, while he continued to serve as the army's top commander.

Major General Mousavi also served as the head of Imam Ali (PBUH) Officers' University, where he contributed to the training and development of military personnel.

Brig. General Aziz Nassirzadeh

Brigadier General Aziz Nassirzadeh, Iran's Minister of Defence, also attained martyrdom on February 28 in a US-Israeli aggression that targeted senior Iranian military leadership.

In August 2021, upon the recommendation of General Mohammad Bagheri, Chief of the General Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces, and through a decree by the Leader, he was appointed Deputy Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces.

Brigadier General Nassirzadeh was nominated as Minister of Defence by President Masoud Pezeshkian.

Born in 1965 in the city of Sarab, known for its rich tradition of rug weaving in Iran's East Azerbaijan province, Nassirzadeh began his military career in 1982. He joined the Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force at the height of the Holy Defence War against Iraq.

After graduating from the Air Force Pilot School, he served as an F-14 fighter pilot and, following advanced training, joined the F-14 tactical battalion.

Throughout the war with the West-backed Ba'athist regime, he flew numerous combat missions and participated in multiple operations against Iraqi forces.

After the end of the war, Brigadier General Nassirzadeh continued to hold various positions within the Air Force, including military attache to Italy, manager of electronic warfare, Deputy Chief of Law Enforcement Operations, Deputy Chief of Law Enforcement Plans and Programs, and Deputy Chief of Air Force Intelligence.

From 2009 onward, he entered senior command and management roles within the Iranian Army's armed forces.

Between 2009 and 2017, he served as Deputy Coordinator of the Air Force, known as the Law Enforcement Headquarters, where he oversaw coordination among different units of the Air Force.

In 2017-2018, he served as Deputy Commander of the Air Force of the Islamic Republic of Iran. In 2018, by order of the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces and Leader of the Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Khamenei, he was appointed Commander of the Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force.

During his three-year tenure, Brigadier General Nassirzadeh earned a reputation for exceptional leadership, operational acumen, and organisational command.

Major General Mohammad Pakpour

Major General Mohammad Pakpour, the commander-in-chief of the IRGC, was also martyred in the Israeli-American aggression on February 28.

Major General Pakpour was appointed as the top IRGC commander following the assassination of Major General Hossein Salami in the 12-day war in June last year.

During the 12-day imposed war in June 2025, he led the IRGC from the front, inflicted heavy blows on the Zionist enemy and forced it to seek surrender after 12 days.

Born in 1961 in Arak, a province in central Iran, Major General Pakpour had a master's degree in geography from the University of Tehran and a PhD in political geography from Tarbiat Modares University.

His expertise was in managing Iran's volatile border regions and developing the doctrine of asymmetric warfare.

Joining the IRGC Quds Force after the 1979 Islamic Revolution, General Pakpour was immediately deployed to combat terrorist groups in Iran's Kordestan region.

During the Imposed War in the 1980s, he commanded multiple frontline divisions, including the elite 8th Najaf Ashraf and 31st Ashura units.

After the war, he took on strategic leadership roles within the IRGC. In 2009, General Pakpour was appointed commander of the IRGC Ground Forces, spearheading efforts to modernise, restructure, and reposition Iran's military strategy amid mounting foreign threats.

General Pakpour's role in counterterrorism was especially notable. He directed the deployment of elite Saberin units during the 2017 Daesh terror attacks on the Iranian parliament and Imam Khomeini's mausoleum, demonstrating the IRGC's critical role in safeguarding the nation.

Rear Admiral Ali Shamkhani

Ali Shamkhani, the secretary of Iran's Defence Council and a senior adviser to the late Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Khamenei, was also martyred on February 28 in the US-Israeli aggression on the Islamic Republic of Iran.

Shamkhani was severely injured in an Israeli terrorist aggression against Iran on June 13 last year. He was immediately transferred to a hospital, where he received medical treatment.

The country's former top security official was born in 1955 in the city of Ahvaz in southern Iran. Under the Western-backed Pahlavi regime, he emerged as a prominent organiser of combat groups and a key figure in popular revolutionary movements.

His early activism placed him among those who laid the groundwork for the Islamic Republic's defensive doctrine even before the Revolution's victory.

Shamkhani earned an engineering degree from Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz and later pursued a master's degree in management. Beyond his operational experience, he contributed significantly to Iran's military intellectual tradition.

He authored the first naval strategy doctrine of the Islamic Republic of Iran, as well as a comparative study of US and Soviet strategic doctrines. His scholarship made him a sought-after instructor at various military academies across the country.

Throughout the Iran-Iraq War, Shamkhani held several key positions: Commander of the IRGC Ground Forces, Joint Commander of the Naval Forces of both the Army and the IRGC, and Head of the Defence and Security Committee of the SNSC.

He also served as Iran's Minister of Defence and Armed Forces Logistics for eight years, one of the longest tenures in the history of the ministry.

Rear Admiral Alireza Tangsiri

Rear Admiral Alireza Tangsiri, the commander of the IRGC Navy, whose strategic leadership helped close the Strait of Hormuz to enemies and shake their military and economic calculations, was martyred on March 30, days after sustaining injuries in an attack by the US and Israel.

Tangsiri was born in 1962. He was originally from Tangestan County in southern Bushehr province, though he spent much of his youth in Khuzestan province due to his father's work in the Arvandkenar region.

From 2006 to 2010, he served as commander of the IRGC Navy's First Naval District in Bandar Abbas, a port city in Hormozgan province.

He then served as deputy commander of the IRGC Navy from June 2010 to September 2018, a position he held for eight years.

In August 2018, the IRGC Navy conducted major naval drills in the Persian Gulf as the United States was preparing to impose new sanctions on Iran. At the time, Tangsiri was the IRGC Navy's deputy commander.

In late August 2018, Tangsiri was appointed the sixth commander of the IRGC Navy, a post he held until his martyrdom on March 30, 2026.

Tangsiri was regarded as one of the most influential commanders of the IRGC Navy, whose actions and positions on the security of the Persian Gulf drew wide regional and international attention.

In a post on X on March 21, amid the US-Israeli aggression against Iran, Tangsiri warned the United States and the Israeli regime against any attempt to seize Iranian islands. "Across all Iranian islands, we have prepared the graves of the child-killing invaders," he said.

Major General Gholamreza Soleimani

The commander of the volunteer Basij force, General Gholamreza Soleimani, was assassinated on March 17 in a targeted strike by America and Israel.

He was born in 1964 in the city of Farsan, in Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari Province, a region known for its proud tribal heritage and deep revolutionary spirit.

He earned a Bachelor's degree in History from the University of Isfahan and, at the time of his martyrdom, was pursuing a doctoral degree in Iranian History, a testament to his belief that the defence of the nation is handled both militarily and intellectually.

In July 2019, he was appointed by Ayatollah Khamenei as the head of the volunteer Basij Organisation, succeeding Brigadier General Gholam Hossein Gheybparvar.

For Soleimani, the role was a continuation of a lifelong commitment to grassroots defence and mobilisation that began when he first entered the battlefield as a teenager.

His military journey started in the spring of 1981, when he joined the Basij as a volunteer during the Iran-Iraq War. He quickly rose to serve as a company and battalion commander in the 44th Qamar Bani Hashem Brigade.

In 1982, he formally joined the IRGC, where he distinguished himself through discipline, field expertise, and an unwavering sense of duty.

During the imposed war, he advanced to positions of company and later battalion commander, participating in some of the most pivotal operations of the Holy Defence.

His service extended long beyond the warfront. Between 1998 and 2001, he commanded the 57th Hazrat Abolfazl Brigade; from 2001 to 2004, he led the 19th Fajr Division; and from 2004 to 2006, he was the commander of the 41st Tharallah Division.

From 2006 to 2008, he headed the 14th Imam Hossein Division. After the establishment of the IRGC Saheb al-Zaman Provincial Command in Isfahan, he was appointed its commander, a post he held with distinction for 11 years until 2019.

Esmail Khatib

On March 18, Iran's Minister of Intelligence, Esmail Khatib, was assassinated in a joint US-Israeli airstrike. The attack also led to the martyrdom of his daughter.

He was appointed in 2021 under the presidency of Ebrahim Raeisi and assumed office following the approval of the Leader, Ayatollah Khamenei.

Born in 1961 into a deeply religious environment, Khatib's early life was shaped by clerical scholarship and ideological formation.

He entered religious studies at a young age, studying under prominent figures of Iran's religious leadership, including Ayatollah Khamenei and other senior authorities. This foundation would later inform both his political outlook and institutional role.

Khatib's entry into the intelligence sphere dates back to the early 1980s, a decisive era when Iran was building and fortifying its security architecture in the aftermath of the Islamic revolution and amid external aggression.

He joined the intelligence apparatus of the IRGC, contributing to the consolidation of internal security structures during one of the most volatile periods in the country's modern history.

Over the decades, Khatib rose steadily through the ranks of Iran's intelligence system. In 1991, he was appointed head of the General Intelligence Directorate in Qom, a key religious and political centre. He later served as head of the Leader's office in Qom.

His career also extended into the judiciary, where between 2012 and 2019 he led the Centre for Protection and Intelligence of the Judicial Authority, an institution tasked with safeguarding the integrity of Iran's legal system against internal and external threats.

As Minister of Intelligence, Khatib oversaw a wide spectrum of domestic and foreign intelligence operations, especially against the Israeli regime, playing a pivotal role in defending Iran's security and countering external threats.

His retention in office even after the presidency transitioned to President Masoud Pezeshkian underscored his institutional significance and the trust placed in him across administrations.

Until his assassination, Khatib remained a central figure in Iran's security framework, navigating an increasingly volatile regional landscape while reinforcing the country's intelligence capabilities in the face of sustained external aggression.

Brigadier General Seyed Majid Khademi

General Seyed Majid Khademi was martyred on April 6 in a US-Israeli strike. He had served for years in senior roles within Iran's intelligence structure, where he was known for his discipline and experience.

Famous for his rigorous academic grounding with doctorates in national security and strategic defence studies, General Khademi occupied an influential position within Iran's security architecture.

Following the establishment of the IRGC Intelligence Organisation, General Khademi emerged as one of its central figures.

His responsibilities extended into the counterintelligence sphere as well, where he served as deputy of the IRGC's protection and internal security apparatus.

In May 2018, General Khademi was appointed as the head of counterintelligence at the Ministry of Defence.

The appointment highlighted Iran's trust in his ability to safeguard military institutions from infiltration and foreign espionage at a time of escalating hybrid warfare against the country.

His subsequent rise became public in late June 2022, when media outlets reported his selection as the incoming chief of IRGC Counterintelligence, a position formally introduced on July 1 of that year.

Khademi's name now joins the ranks of those who dedicated their lives to shielding Iran from the multifaceted threats imposed by its enemies, a legacy honoured in public spectacle, and in the enduring strength and resilience of the Islamic Republic he safeguarded.

These assassinations over the course of the 40-day US-Israeli war marked one of the most extensive targeting campaigns against a state leadership structure in recent regional history.

In the aftermath of these strikes, official statements and public gatherings across Iran emphasised continuity within the armed forces and government structures despite the losses.

The system they helped build continued to function through established chains of command and institutional succession, which remained in place as the US-Israeli war on Iran and subsequent diplomatic efforts unfolded.

Dr. Kamal Kharrazi

Dr. Kamal Kharrazi, head of the Strategic Council on Foreign Relations and former Iranian foreign minister, succumbed to injuries sustained in a US-Israeli attack on April 9.

Dr. Kharrazi, who had been wounded in an attack that targeted his home in Tehran, attained martyrdom on Thursday night. His wife was martyred in the same attack on April 1.

Dr. Kharrazi held numerous high-profile positions throughout his distinguished career of public service, spanning decades since the 1979 Islamic Revolution.

He headed the Strategic Council on Foreign Relations and served as a senior advisor to the Leader of the Islamic Revolution.

Established in June 2006, the Strategic Council on Foreign Relations is a prominent Iranian think tank and advisory body that reports directly to the Leader of the Islamic Revolution.

Dr. Kharrazi also served as the foreign minister from 20 August 1997 to 24 August 2005 and as a member of the Expediency Discernment Council.

In his message of condolence, Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei hailed Dr. Kharrazi as "a distinguished professor in the field of science and culture and an experienced figure in the field of foreign policy".

His martyrdom, the Leader said, is a badge of honor for "the academic community, university professors, and political officials of Iran", and at the same time a "shameful testament to the villainy of the American-Zionist arrogant powers and the enemies of the science, culture, and civilization of Iran."

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Showcasing excellence within the Salesforce ecosystem

TOKYO, April 16, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- transcosmos is proud to announce that it has been named Japan Partner of the Year  Innovation  at the Salesforce Japan Partner Award 2026. The company was recognized for its support of Kanagawa Prefecture, a client, in addressing challenges in the #7119 / #8000 Contact Center Project through the effective use of a range of products, including Agentforce for Public Sector, Agentforce Service, Data 360, Tableau, and Agentforce.

transcosmos proactively leverages Agentforce, Salesforce's AI agent solution, in contact center operations to address potential challenges in continuously securing human agents, standardize service quality, and simplify human agents' after-interaction work. The company also uses Tableau and Data 360 to help clients analyze accumulated data, as well as to develop and operate systems that drive operational improvement.

Upon receiving the award, transcosmos was provided with the following comment from Atsushi Urano, Senior Vice President - Japan, Korea & Taiwan, Alliance & Channels & Global Technology Partners:

"transcosmos strives to accelerate clients' growth and enable them to make a leap forward by helping address their challenges across the entire CX domain, in a world where technologies continue to progress at an unprecedented pace and the AI revolution advances. For Salesforce, all partner companies are essential to driving clients' success."

Salesforce Japan Partner Award 2026 marks its 19th anniversary this year. Through this award program, Salesforce recognizes its partnersincluding consulting firms, digital agencies, sales agencies, and ISV partnersfor their significant contributions across cloud, industries and sectors, and a wide range of partner programs.

*transcosmos is a trademark or registered trademark of transcosmos inc. in Japan and other countries.

*Salesforce is a trademark of Salesforce, inc., as are other names and marks.

*Other company names and product or service names used here are trademarks or registered trademarks of respective companies.

*Please visit the following link for a list of winners of the Salesforce Japan Partner Award 2026.

https://appexchangejp.salesforce.com/learn/fy27-partner-award

About transcosmos inc.

transcosmos launched its operations in 1966. Since then, we have united superior "people" with cutting-edge "technology" to enhance the competitive strength of our clients by providing them with superior and valuable services. transcosmos currently offers services that support clients' business processes, focusing on both sales expansion and cost optimization through our 186 bases across 36 countries/regions with a focus on Asia, while continuously pursuing Operational Excellence. Furthermore, following the expansion of the e-commerce market on a global scale, transcosmos provides comprehensive One-Stop Global E-Commerce Services to deliver our clients' excellent products and services to consumers in 46 countries/regions around the globe. transcosmos is committed to treating the challenges of its clients and society as its owndiscussing and addressing their issues from planning to executionand Make It Real, Together. Visit us here https://www.trans-cosmos.co.jp/english/

SOURCE transcosmos inc.
Araghchi thanks Pakistan for hosting Iran-US talks as he receives army chief Asim Munir

Iran Press TV

Wednesday, 15 April 2026 2:40 PM

Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said in a social media post that he thanked Pakistan for its "gracious hosting" of the US-Iran dialogue as he received the country's Army chief Field Marshal Asim Munir in Tehran on Wednesday.

Araghchi received Munir, who is heading a high-level political-security delegation, at a formal meeting shortly after he arrived in Tehran to deliver a message from Washington.

The delegation includes representatives from Pakistan's Foreign Ministry, security institutions and technical experts.

"Expressed gratitude for Pakistan's gracious hosting of dialogue, emphasizing that it reflects our deep and great bilateral relationship," he posted on X.

"Our commitment to promoting peace and stability in the region remains strongand shared."

The purpose of the Pakistani delegation's visit is to deliver a US message to the Iranian leadership and to plan the next round of negotiations.

The arrival of Pakistan's top military official underscores Islamabad's growing role as a key mediator between Tehran and Washington.

Earlier on Wednesday, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei confirmed that Tehran would host a Pakistani delegation, adding that indirect exchanges of messages between Iran and the United States continue.

"Following the talks that took place in Islamabad, and also the discussions that the Pakistani side has had with the United States, our views have been conveyed and heard," Baghaei said.

"Naturally, during this visit, the two sides are expected to discuss their viewpoints in detail."

The diplomatic push comes as a two-week ceasefire between Iran and the United States, brokered by Pakistan, remains in effect.

The Munir-led delegation is expected to discuss the framework for a possible second round of talks between Tehran and Washington, with Islamabad emerging as the likely venue. The first round of talks in Islamabad failed to produce an agreement over the weekend.

The truce took effect after 40 days of fighting that began on February 28, when the United States and Israel launched an unprovoked war of aggression against Iran.

The aggression included the assassination of Iran's then-Leader, Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, and strikes on nuclear facilities, schools, hospitals and civilian infrastructure.

Iran's armed forces responded with 100 waves of retaliatory strikes under Operation True Promise 4, launching hundreds of ballistic and hypersonic missiles, as well as drones, against American military bases across West Asia and Israeli positions throughout the occupied territories.

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Turkey's Erdogan: Israel must not be allowed to sabotage US-Iran ceasefire

Iran Press TV

Wednesday, 15 April 2026 1:32 PM

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has warned against the Israeli regime's attempts to sabotage a fragile ceasefire between the US and Iran, saying that Ankara will push for an extension of the truce and ensure peace talks continue in Pakistan.

Addressing a parliament session on Wednesday, Erdogan said that the Israeli prime minister's cabinet, "which is known to be unhappy with the ceasefire process, must not be allowed to sabotage it."

The Turkish leader said that his government is making the "necessary appeals and initiatives" to ease tensions and extend the ceasefire.

The two-week ceasefire, announced last week, 40 days after the US and the Israeli regime launched their war of aggression against Iran, provided a fragile window for diplomacy. It will expire on April 22.

Over the weekend, high-level peace talks between US and Iranian officials took place in Pakistan's capital, Islamabad. While the talks ended without an agreement, regional governments are urging both sides to return to the negotiating table.

Erdogan also urged the two sides to utilize "the window of opportunity opened by the ceasefire" before its expiration.

"If there is to be peace in our region, it will be despite the Zionist regime," Erdogan said. "If stability is achieved, it will again be despite the Israeli government."

The Turkish president also condemned the aggression against Lebanon, warning that continued airstrikes are harming hopes for peace.

He said that Turkey will continue "to be the follower of the cause of children killed in their sleep in Lebanon," referring to Israel's airstrikes that have killed more than 2,000 peopleincluding many women and childrensince early March, according to the Lebanese health ministry.

Despite the fact that the ceasefire between the US and Iran explicitly covered Lebanon, the Israeli regime continues its military aggression against the country, blatantly ignoring the terms of the truce.

This ongoing aggression is seen by regional observers as a deliberate attempt by Tel Aviv to sabotage the peace talks.

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'Iran not blockadable': Tehran says all 'means of pressure' will fail

Iran Press TV

Wednesday, 15 April 2026 1:20 PM

Iran is "not blockadable," the Foreign Ministry spokesman says, rejecting the US attempt to impose a naval blockade on the country, while warning that it violates the fragile ceasefire and could trigger a proportional response from Iranian armed forces.

Esmail Baghaei was responding to recent American announcements that Washington has imposed a blockade of Iranian ports and disrupted the country's maritime trade.

He dismissed the feasibility of any such effort.

"Firstly, Iran is not blockadable," the spokesman said. "Secondly, if you fail to reach a result through a diplomatic process, resorting to other means of pressure will certainly not lead to any result and you will not succeed."

He added that the US move is a provocative act, contrary to the principles of international law, and has no legal legitimacy. "This US action could be considered a prelude to violating the ceasefire," he warned.

"The Islamic Republic of Iran and its armed forces are carefully monitoring developments and will respond proportionally wherever necessary."

Strait of Hormuz security assured with regional help

The spokesman also addressed European proposals for an international coalition, potentially under UN auspices, to secure navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, including mine-sweeping operations.

"The security of the Strait of Hormuz has been ensured by Iran for decades. Iran has been the guardian of this waterway's security," he said.

"The only reason security and safety in this waterway were disrupted during the past 40 days was the US-Zionist-imposed war."

He rejected foreign intervention, saying any move or interference in regional affairs would only complicate the situation further.

"We are glad that many European countries have the wisdom not to fall into the trap laid by the US and the Zionist regime."

He stressed that Iran, as a coastal state and with the help of regional countries, is fully capable of providing security for the strait, provided that American aggression and interference in the region come to an end.

Neighbors' role in aggression documented

Asked about Persian Gulf states that allowed the use of their infrastructure for attacks on Iran, the spokesman said Tehran has documented all cases.

"We consider any use of these countries' facilities or territory for aggression against Iran, whether missile launches, drone launches, refueling or any logistical support, as part of the US-Zionist military aggression."

He said any assistance to aggressor nations entails international responsibility for the assisting countries.

"This is an accepted principle in international law, clearly stated in the UN General Assembly's Definition of Aggression resolution and affirmed by general principles of international law."

"All cases we have been informed of have been documented by the armed forces and are being pursued seriously."

He warned that countries involved in such assistance will be held accountable.

US presence fuels insecurity

The spokesman painted a bright outlook for Iran's relations with regional countries, provided that all parties learn from recent events.

"The first lesson is that US military presence in the region fuels insecurity and does not create security."

"Second, regional security will only be achieved through cooperation and collaboration among regional countries."

"Third, regional countries must not allow the Zionist regime and the US to use their facilities, territory and capacities for aggressive actions against another country."

He expressed hope that regional governments would end any unintentional or intentional provision of facilities for US-Israeli attacks on Iran.

"Relations between Iran and regional countries must be based on good neighborliness, friendship and respect for each other's sovereignty and territorial integrity."

Iran will not accept US dictates

Turning to the ongoing Iran-US talks mediated by Pakistan, the spokesman dismissed any notion that Tehran would accept American conditions.

"We are not entering negotiations to accept US conditions. Our criterion is the interests and rights of the Iranian nation."

"If negotiations are based on one side imposing conditions on the other, that is not negotiation; that is dictation and imposition. The Islamic Republic of Iran and the Iranian nation will never accept such imposition."

He said Washington's expectation that Iran would unconditionally accept its proposals is unrealistic and incompatible with the logic of negotiations.

"No date has been set for the next round of talks," he added, noting that the nuclear issue remains the most significant point of disagreement between the two sides.

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Russia backs Iran's 'inalienable right' to uranium enrichment: Lavrov

Iran Press TV

Wednesday, 15 April 2026 8:58 AM

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has defended Iran's inalienable right to enrich uranium for peaceful purposes, saying that Russia accepts any decision that suits the Iranian side.

Speaking at a press conference in Beijing on Wednesday, following talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping, Lavrov asserted that Moscow is prepared to assist in resolving issues surrounding Iran's nuclear program.

He was echoing the stance that "every country has the right to enrich uranium exclusively for peaceful purposes," a right he affirmed extends to the Islamic Republic.

"Russia will accept any decision that suits the Iranian side" within these "legitimate rights," Lavrov stated, highlighting Moscow's readiness to play a role in any potential resolution concerning enriched uranium.

He outlined possible contributions, including reprocessing highly enriched uranium into fuel for nuclear power plants or transferring specified amounts to Russia for storage, all while respecting Iran's right to civilian nuclear energy.

Lavrov said Russia will accept any decision by Iran regarding enriched uranium, noting he has discussed the issue with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and with US, Israeli, and Iranian representatives, and that the topic has arisen repeatedly in contacts involving Russian President Vladimir Putin.

The top Russian diplomat emphasized that Iran has never sought to militarize its nuclear program and that the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has found no evidence of diversion for military objectives.

He recalled Moscow's active role in the 2015 nuclear deal, particularly in managing Iran's enriched uranium.

He also criticized European nations for failing to condemn Washington's withdrawal from the pact while demanding Tehran's continued adherence.

The remarks come amid significant regional tensions, including a recent US blockade of Iranian ports and claims by US President Donald Trump that a resolution is imminent.

The core dispute over uranium enrichment persists, with the US demanding "zero enrichment" while Iran maintains its right to enrichment for civilian use.

Lavrov also characterized the situation in West Asia as a complex "crisis knot" that is difficult to resolve through simple means.

He argued that Iran's actions, such as blocking the Strait of Hormuz, are a direct consequence of perceived aggression from the United States and Israel.

"My friends from the Arab states of the [Persian] Gulf and I have been talking regularly... and they cannot object to the thesis... that Iran would have taken some steps... if not for Washington and Israel's aggression," Lavrov stated, adding that Arab counterparts agree with this assessment.

He further noted that Russia is prepared to supply energy resources to China and other nations affected by the crisis, recalling prior discussions on the matter.

Lavrov criticized an aggressive campaign by certain countries aiming for Iran's destruction, referencing a past hostile statement by Trump.

Underscoring Russia's diplomatic approach, Lavrov insisted that Iran-US negotiations, which began in Pakistan, should continue.

He confirmed that Moscow and Beijing support realistic and lawful objectives and are ready to assist these talks in various external formats.

On February 28, the United States and Israel initiated a large-scale and unprovoked war against Iran, assassinating Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei and several high-ranking military commanders.

In response, the Iranian Armed Forces carried out a series of retaliatory missile and drone operations against US and Israeli military assets for over 40 days, which resulted in significant damage.

A two-week ceasefire was brokered on April 8, followed by negotiations in Islamabad, where Iran proposed a ten-point plan seeking US troops' withdrawal and the lifting of sanctions.

Despite 21 hours of intensive discussions, the negotiations ended without an agreement, with Iran citing a lack of trust in US commitments.

Trump later announced a naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, aimed at intercepting vessels that had paid tolls to Iran. The US military said that the blockade would begin on Monday at 1400 GMT, escalating the situation further.

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Iran Sentences Four More To Death Over Mass Protests, Rights Groups Say

By Frud Bezhan and Hannah Kaviani April 15, 2026

Iran has sentenced four more protesters, including a woman, to death over mass demonstrations in January that posed one of the biggest threats to the country's clerical rulers in years, according to two human rights groups.

The authorities have so far executed seven people in connection with the protests, which were crushed in an unprecedented government crackdown that left thousands of people dead, rights groups said. Tens of thousands of others were detained or summoned for questioning.

Human rights defenders have repeatedly accused Iran of using the death penalty to instill fear in society in the wake of a wave of anti-government protests in recent years.

Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court convicted the four protesters of carrying out acts on behalf of the United States and "hostile groups," the US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) and the Abdorrahman Boroumand Center, a British-based organization that promotes human rights in Iran, said in separate statements.

It was not immediately clear when the verdict was issued.

The four were accused of taking part in the antiestablishment demonstrations in the capital Tehran in January, chanting protest slogans, throwing objects at security forces, damaging public property, and injuring a member of the paramilitary Basij force.

They were identified as Mohammadreza Majidi-Asl and his wife Bita Hemmati. The others were Behrouz Zamaninejad and Kourosh Zamaninejad, two men who lived in the same apartment building as the couple.

First Female Protester Sentenced To Death

Hemmati is believed to be the first woman to be sentenced to death over the demonstrations that erupted on December 28, 2025, and continued for weeks.

Amir Hemmati, a fifth person and a relative of the married couple, was sentenced to five years in prison on the charge of "assembly and collusion against national security," as well as eight months in jail for "propaganda against the regime."

"The ruling contains vague accusations against the protesters, which do not meet the 'most serious crimes' threshold for capital punishment, interpreted as intentional killing," the Abdorrahman Boroumand Center said in its statement on April 14.

"The ruling failed to provide detailed evidence of each defendant's role or to attribute specific acts to individual defendants," the statement added.

HRANA said in an April 13 statement that "reports concerning possible coerced confessions are among the issues that, according to legal experts, may raise serious questions about the judicial process."

"No information has been released regarding the defendants' access to counsel of their choosing, the details of the court sessions, or their conditions of detention," it added.

At least 1,639 people were executed in 2025, including 48 women, according to the Norway-based Iran Human Rights (IHR) and the Paris-based Together Against the Death Penalty (ECPM), one of the highest rates in the world.

Apart from the seven people executed so far this year over the protests, another 26 others have been sentenced to death, according to IHR.

"Whenever public protests occur, individuals who participated are often under various forms of pressure, torture, and abuse, forced to confess to certain actions," Naeimeh Doostdar, an Iranian journalist and human rights advocate based in Sweden, told RFE/RL's Radio Farda.

Doostdar said the aim of the death sentences is to intimidate Iranians.

"If citizens come to believe that even chanting slogans, throwing stones, or similar actions could ultimately result in severe punishments like the death penalty, then -- according to the authorities' perspective -- they will likely become more fearful and refrain from participating in future protests," she said.

In Iran, different crimes are judged by different courts. Rape and murder cases are handled by the criminal courts, while revolutionary courts are responsible for issuing severe sentences to those found to have criticized the authorities.

Responsible for most of the death sentences issued in recent years, the revolutionary courts are not transparent, rights defenders say, and judges are known for the extraordinary abuse of their legal powers, denying lawyers access to convicted individuals, and allowing exhausting interrogations using torture to coerce suspects to confess to crimes.

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-protests-january- executions/33732949.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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Trump Says War Could End 'Very Soon,' Top Pakistani Mediator Travels To Iran

By RFE/RL's Radio Farda April 15, 2026

US President Donald Trump said the war with Iran could be over "very soon," and Pakistan's powerful army chief visited Tehran in a bid to bridge the gap between the United States and Iran and pave the way for a new round of talks.

"I think it can be over very soon. If they're smart, it will end soon," Trump said of Iranian negotiators in an interview with Fox Business News that was recorded on April 14 and broadcast on April 15.

"I think it's close to over.... I view it as very close to being over," Trump said. Earlier that day, he told the New York Post that negotiators, who ended April 11-12 talks in Islamabad without a deal, could meet again in the next couple of days.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baqaei told a weekly press briefing in Tehran on April 15 that since the talks ended, Iran has been exchanging messages with the United States via Pakistan.

The clock is ticking on a two-week cease-fire agreed by the United States and Iran on April 7, and Trump said he has no plans to extend the truce after it expires on April 22, suggesting it would probably not be necessary.

Upon arriving in Tehran, Pakistani Army chief Asim Munir was greeted by Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi. A senior Iranian source told Reuters that Munir, who had mediated the last round of talks, was heading to Iran "to narrow gaps" between the two sides.

In Washington on April 15, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said "conversations" about a second round of talks were "productive and ongoing" and that "we feel good about the prospects for a deal." She said any new talks would likely be held in Pakistan, which has emerged as the "only mediator."

Vice President JD Vance, who led the US delegation in the first round, raised the prospect of further talks by saying "a lot of progress" was made on April 11-12.

"The ball is in the Iranian court," Vance said on April 13. He said disagreements over Iran's nuclear program ultimately ended the talks without an accord.

Later that day, at an event in the southern US state of Georgia, Vance said Trump wanted to make a "grand bargain" with Iran but there was a lot of mistrust between the two countries.

Iranian President Masud Pezeshkian has blamed Washington for the failure of the talks, but he also has said that "diplomacy is the preferred path to resolving disputes."

One of the most contentious issues has been Iran's effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a conduit for about one-fifth of the world's oil and gas shipments before the war began.

After the Islamabad talks broke up without a deal, Trump announced a US blockade targeting ships bound to or from Iran. The strait connects Europe with Asia via the Suez Canal and is considered one of the most important maritime trade routes in the global economy.

The US military on April 15 said it successfully turned back 10 vessels that attempted to sail out of Iranian ports over the first 48 hours of the l blockade.

"Ten vessels have now been turned around and ZERO ships have broken through since the start of the US blockade on [April 12]," US Central Command (CENTCOM) said in a post on X.

CENTCOM had earlier put the number of ships turned back at nine but later included a 10th that it said was"redirected" back to Iran by a US guided missile destroyer.

While CENTCOM said no vessels had made it through the blockade, maritime tracking data appeared to contradict that assertion.

Citing tracking services, Reuters separately reported that three Iran-linked vessels that transited the strait were not headed for Iranian ports and were not affected by the blockade. Two of the three vessels are under US sanctions and one of them is Chinese-owned, Reuters reported.

Iran on April 15 threatened to resume attacks in the Gulf region if the blockade threatened the safety of Iranian cargo vessels and tankers, saying it would amount to a violation of the cease-fire agreement.

The war with Iran, which effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz, has wreaked havoc on world energy prices, while the halt in shipments of other commodities worth billions of dollars that flow through the narrow shipping lane has threatened economies around the globe.

One nation that has benefited from the restriction of oil shipments is Russia, which has seen sanctions over the Kremlin's full-scale invasion of Ukraine eased to help bolster supplies.

Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said during a trip to Beijing on April 15 that Russia is able to make up for an energy shortage in China caused by the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.

"Russia can, without a doubt, compensate for the shortfall in resources that has arisen" for China and "other countries that are interested in working with us," Russia's top diplomat told a news conference.

Beijing, meanwhile, has been looking to play a more visible role in diplomacy around the war in the Middle East as tensions between Tehran and Washington evolve.

While some reports, including comments from Trump himself, have suggested China played a part in encouraging the recent cease-fire talks, it remains unclear how central a role Beijing played in pushing Tehran to the negotiating table.

With reporting by Alex Raufoglu in Washington and Reuters

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/trump-peace-talks-iran- blockade-china-russia/33732708.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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Azeem Ibrahim: Iran Conflict Will Be Decided By Who Can 'Endure The Most'

By Alex Raufoglu April 15, 2026

WASHINGTON -- Developments around the Strait of Hormuz are moving fast, two days after the start of a US naval blockade.

While US Central Command initially stated no ships had made it past the blockade of Iranian ports and six vessels had turned back, later reports indicated that around 20 commercial vessels had transited the strait in the past 24 hours.

The US blockade specifically targets ships entering or leaving Iranian ports; ships transiting to or from non-Iranian ports are still permitted to pass through the Strait of Hormuz.

In an interview with RFE/RL on April 14, Azeem Ibrahim, a longtime Middle East observer and director of special initiatives at the New Lines Institute for Strategy and Policy in Washington, D.C., said the Strait of Hormuz is increasingly becoming more than just a chokepoint for oil, describing it as a space where economic pressure, military risk, and geopolitical ambition converge, with significant implications for what comes next.

RFE/RL: Two days into the blockade, what do you see as its core objective? Is it pressure or leverage?

Azeem Ibrahim: It's difficult to say because US objectives have been shifting. Around 88 percent of the oil passing through the Strait of Hormuz is non-Iranian. That means Gulf countries -- and major consumers like China, which gets roughly a third of its oil from this route -- are heavily affected.

We've already seen signals from Beijing pushing back, emphasizing that its energy arrangements with Iran are not open to outside interference. Reports indicate that some ships -- particularly Chinese -- are bypassing the blockade altogether.

If vessels can pass through, then it raises serious questions about whether this is a blockade in any meaningful sense.

'Long-Term Capacity To Absorb Pain'

RFE/RL: But the US were seeking leverage. How quickly could that translate into real concessions?

Ibrahim: That's one of the central challenges. This conflict won't be decided by who can inflict the most damage, but by who can endure the most. The US unquestionably has superior military power. But Iran has demonstrated a long-term capacity to absorb pain.

During the Iran-Iraq War, Iran endured immense losses, including chemical attacks, yet did not capitulate. For Tehran, this is existential. Conceding could mean the end of the regime.

Iranian leaders have also studied US conflicts like the Vietnam War and the war in Afghanistan. In both cases, the US achieved battlefield success but ultimately withdrew. Tehran believes Washington lacks the patience for prolonged confrontation.

So Iran is likely to wait it out. Its system has been structured over decades to endure precisely this kind of pressure.

RFE/RL: If Iran continues to resist, what is the next step for Washington -- more pressure, or a shift in strategy?

Ibrahim: If I had to guess, I would say the blockade may simply fizzle out. Ships -- especially those backed by major powers -- will continue to pass. Eventually, the US may declare a form of victory and withdraw.

But the long-term consequences could be significant. Iran has effectively weaponized the Strait of Hormuz, through which about 20 percent of global oil flows. This creates an opportunity for Tehran to monetize access, potentially charging vessels for safe passage.

At the same time, we're seeing a shift in sanctions enforcement. Some previously restricted oil -- both Iranian and Russian -- is reentering the market to stabilize supply.

Perhaps most concerning is the strategic lesson Iran may draw. With [former Supreme Leader] Ali Khamenei gone and his religious prohibition on nuclear weapons no longer binding, Tehran may conclude that only a nuclear deterrent can prevent future conflicts. That outcome would run counter to the goals of nearly all international actors.

Could Iranian Retaliation Be Contained?

RFE/RL: If there is retaliation, how contained can this remain? And what does that say about the risk of broader escalation -- are we already approaching a point where the conflict could widen beyond the Strait of Hormuz and draw in additional regional or external actors?

Ibrahim: Iran has already signaled it could target desalination plants across the Gulf. In a region where water scarcity is acute, that would be catastrophic.

At the same time, US military bases -- long considered secure due to air superiority -- are increasingly vulnerable to drones and missile strikes. The battlefield has changed.

There's also external involvement. Support from Russia in intelligence and from China in materiel complicates the balance. Iran still holds significant asymmetric leverage.

RFE/RL: Where do US allies stand in this?

Ibrahim: The challenge is that countries most affected by disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz may not blame Iran -- they may blame Washington.

The US is the world's largest oil producer and less vulnerable to supply shocks. But countries heavily dependent on Gulf energy could face severe consequences. Many are already exploring independent diplomatic channels with Tehran.

We're seeing signs of fragmentation in the international order the US helped build. Some governments are openly considering bypassing Washington in negotiations. That's a significant shift.

RFE/RL: Are China and Russia benefiting from this situation

Ibrahim: Yes. They see the US becoming entangled in another costly and complex Middle Eastern conflict. Meanwhile, Washington is expending vast resources and depleting key munitions.

This also exposes limitations in the US and European defense industrial base. Sustaining a long-term, high-intensity conflict is proving difficult.

For China in particular, there are strategic opportunities. Hypothetically, even a blockade of Taiwan could shift global pressure dramatically, especially given Taiwan's central role in semiconductor production.

RFE/RL: Ultimately, what would a successful outcome look like?

Ibrahim: Ideally, it would mean a negotiated agreement in which Iran commits to abandoning nuclear weapons ambitions, allows full inspections by the International Atomic Energy Agency, and takes steps to reduce regional tensions. In return, it would receive sanctions relief and a degree of economic reintegration into the global system.

But that outcome, in my view, looks increasingly unlikely. From Tehran's perspective, even compliance may not provide durable security guarantees. The leadership may calculate that agreements can be reversed or undermined over time and that confrontation with the United States and its partners is therefore effectively inevitable.

On that basis, they may conclude that the more rational long-term strategy is to absorb pressure now and emerge later with more deterrence capabilities rather than rely on a deal that may or may not hold. That's the challenge the US has to confront as we move forward.

This interview has been edited for length and clarity.

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/azeem-ibrahim-iran-conflict-will- be-decided-by-who-can-endure-the-most/33732700.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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Bessent Confirms US Won't Renew Iran, Russia Oil Waivers

20:55 15.4.2026

Washington will not be renewing waivers that had enabled purchases of Iranian and Russian oil exempt from US sanctions, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said on April 15.

On April 14, Reuters reported that the United States did not plan to renew a 30-day waiver -- expiring this week -- of sanctions on Iranian oil at sea, and let a similar waiver on sanctions on Russian oil expire over the weekend.

"We will not be renewing the general license on Russian oil, and we will not be renewing the general license on Iranian oil. That was oil that was on the water prior to March 11. So all that has been used," Bessent said told a briefing at the White House.

This could be an end to Washington's efforts to use sanctions waivers to free up more oil supplies amid soaring global energy prices.

The Treasury Department had issued the Iranian waiver on March 20, allowing some 140 million barrels of oil to reach global markets and relieve pressure on energy supply during the war, Bessent said last month. The waiver is set to expire on April 19.

With reporting by Reuters

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-protests-live-blog- trump-khamenei/33640284.html?lbis=449659

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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Pakistani Army Chief Arrives In Tehran To 'Plan Second Round of Iran-US Talks'

16:51 15.4.2026

Iranian state media reported that Pakistani Army Commander Asim Munir had arrived in Tehran on April 16 as the head of a high-ranking political-security delegation.

The Islamic Republic Radio and Television, Iran's official state media channel, announced that the senior Pakistani military official was traveling to Tehran with the aim of "conveying the American message and planning for the second round of talks."

A senior Iranian official also told Reuters that Munir was seeking to "reduce differences between Iran and the United States."

Citing "informed sources" in Pakistan, the Iranian Broadcasting Corporation announced that the second round of Iran-US talks is scheduled to be hosted by Islamabad in the coming days.

Media reports have indicated that Pakistan is trying to host a new round of talks between Iran and the United States later this week.

The first round of talks was held in the Pakistani capital on April 11-12, but the sides failed to reach an agreement after about 21 hours of negotiations. However, US Vice President JD Vance, who led the US delegation, raised the possibility of further meetings in an interview, citing "significant progress" in the first round of talks in Islamabad.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baqaei said that Pakistani delegation could be present in Iran on the same day.

Munir arrived in Tehran as the United States, on the orders of President Donald Trump, began a naval blockade of Iran on April 13.

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-protests-live-blog- trump-khamenei/33640284.html?lbis=449640

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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Russia's Uranium Removal Proposal For Iran Was Good Solution, But US Rejected It - Kremlin

Sputnik News

20260415

The initiative to transport enriched uranium from Iran to Russia is not currently under discussion, but Russian President Vladimir Putin is ready to return to it, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Wednesday.

Other key statements:

on Iran:

The IAEA has never claimed that Iran attempted to build nuclear weapons

The situation at Bushehr NPP after the US-Israeli attacks was potentially very dangerous, but there are no negative consequences

Russia expects no more attacks on Bushehr NPP

Moscow hopes the Middle East ceasefire holds and strikes do not resume

Russia urges all parties of the Iranian conflict to guarantee free commercial shipping

Iran and Israel have the right to security guarantees - but not at the expense of others' defense

Russia remains in constant contact with Iran, Israel and Persian Gulf states

Russia highly values Pakistan's role in organizing US-Iran negotiations

Other:

Putin will attend the BRICS Summit in India in any case

Russia is in contact with Venezuela and expects joint projects to continue

Russia would not welcome any invasion of Cuba

 Sputnik

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Dr. Marc Booker and Bridget Beville share practical approaches to institutional agility, workforce pathways and federal policy readiness, while McCeil Johnson serves in UPCEA leadership.

PHOENIX, April 16, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- University of Phoenix announces that Marc Booker, Ph.D., vice provost, Strategy, and Bridget Beville, JD, vice president of Resolution Services and Title IX coordinator, are participating in programming at the 2026 UPCEA Annual Conference, held April 1517 in New Orleans, sharing approaches institutions can use to connect learning pathways to real-world success, strengthen organizational agility through culture and navigate federal policy developments affecting online and professional continuing education. McCeil Johnson, J.D., vice president for Accreditation and Regulatory Compliance, serves in UPCEA leadership as the Engagement and Opportunity Committee's representative on the UPCEA Board of Directors (20252027).

Key takeaways

Learning pathways : Marc Booker shared practical approaches for turning learning pathways into real-world success, including strategies to align education-to-employment pipelines with evolving workforce needs.

: Marc Booker shared practical approaches for turning learning pathways into real-world success, including strategies to align education-to-employment pipelines with evolving workforce needs. Culture as strategy : Marc Booker presented how a culture of strategic planning and disciplined change management can support agility, engagement and outcomes across higher education operations.

: Marc Booker presented how a culture of strategic planning and disciplined change management can support agility, engagement and outcomes across higher education operations. Federal policy readiness : Bridget Beville contributed to UPCEA's federal policy update discussion, framing how legislative and regulatory developments may shape priorities for online and professional continuing education leaders.

: Bridget Beville contributed to UPCEA's federal policy update discussion, framing how legislative and regulatory developments may shape priorities for online and professional continuing education leaders. UPCEA engagement & opportunities: McCeil Johnson supported UPCEA's Engagement and Opportunity priorities through Board service as the committee's representative for a two-year term (20252027).

University Leadership at the Conference

Marc Booker, Ph.D., Vice Provost, Strategy

Booker spoke in two UPCEA 2026 sessions: "Hire" Education: Turning Learning Pathways into Real-World Success (Wednesday, April 15) and Culture as Strategy: Building Agility, Engagement, and Outcomes in Higher Education (Friday, April 17). Across both sessions, Booker's focus centers on how institutions can design and execute strategies that translate institutional activities into meaningful progress to deliver learners more value  and how culture and operational discipline can serve as the engine for sustained improvement.

Booker's UPCEA engagement also includes being named a recipient of UPCEA's Business & Operations Award for Operational Excellence for 2024, which recognized his work aligning resources and strategy to strengthen academic outcomes and institutional performance.

Bridget Beville, J.D., Vice President of Resolution Services and Title IX coordinator

Beville spoke in the session, Federal Policy Update: A New Era for Higher Education and the Federal Government. The session was designed for senior administrators and policy leaders and explored legislative and regulatory developments affecting online and professional continuing education  including topics spanning Title IV regulations, financial aid changes, accreditation standards, workforce funding initiatives and emerging compliance requirements.

In her University role, Beville leads institutional efforts related to Title IX compliance, investigations, complaint resolution and response, student and faculty conduct and academic appeals  experience that informs an operating lens grounded in clear processes, accountability and student-centered practice.

McCeil Johnson, J.D., Vice President for Accreditation and Regulatory Compliance

Johnson attended UPCEA 2026 in her capacity serving a two-year term as Chair of the Engagement and Opportunity Committee in UPCEA leadership, as the Committee's representative on the UPCEA Board of Directors. Her service reflects ongoing engagement in the association's governance and priorities related to welcoming, student-centered educational practices. In her role as University of Phoenix's vice president, Accreditation & Regulatory Compliance, Johnson provides leadership and management for the University's institutional and college-specific accreditation and regulatory initiatives, including institutional, programmatic, state boards, and other regulatory functions.

Additional University of Phoenix Leadership Activities

In April 2026, University leaders are participating in the ASU + GSV Summit, UPCEA Annual Conference, AACRAO Annual Meeting, and PESC Data Summit. These engagements underscore the University's commitment to innovation and thought leadership in higher education for working adult learners, providing valuable insights on workforce trends, skills-alignment, AI frameworks, and transfer credit.

Learn more here about the 2026 UPCEA Annual Conference.

About University of Phoenix

University of Phoenix innovates to help working adults enhance their careers and develop skills in a rapidly changing world. Flexible schedules, relevant courses, interactive learning, skills-mapped curriculum for our bachelor's and master's degree programs and a Career Services for Life commitment help students more effectively pursue career and personal aspirations while balancing their busy lives. For more information, visit phoenix.edu.

SOURCE University of Phoenix
Economic Fury Targets Illicit Oil Smuggling Network Run by Iranian Regime Elite

U.S. Department of the Treasury

April 15, 2026

Action Also Targets Hizballah Gold Scheme Benefitting Iran's Military

WASHINGTONToday, the Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) intensified pressure on Iran's illicit oil transportation infrastructure by sanctioning more than two dozen individuals, companies, and vessels operating within the network of Iranian oil shipping magnate Mohammad Hossein Shamkhani (Shamkhani), the son of now-deceased senior Iranian security official Ali Shamkhani.

"Treasury is moving aggressively with Economic Fury by targeting regime elites like the Shamkhani family that attempt to profit at the expense of the Iranian people," said Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent. "Under President Trump's leadership, Treasury will continue to cut off Iran's illicit smuggling and terror proxy networks. Financial institutions should be on notice that Treasury will leverage all tools and authorities, including secondary sanctions, against those that continue to support Tehran's terrorist activities."

Shamkhani heads a multi-billion dollar Iranian and Russian petroleum sales empire that enriches a family connected to the highest echelons of the Iranian regime at the expense of the Iranian people. Today's action builds on OFAC's July 2025 designation of the Shamkhani networkwhich remains its largest single action to date since the Trump Administration revived the maximum pressure campaign against Iran.

In a joint investigation with Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), OFAC is also designating Iranian national and Lebanese Hizballah-financier Seyed Naiemaei Badroddin Moosavi and three companies linked to a complex money laundering scheme involving the sale of Iranian oil in exchange for Venezuelan gold under the former Venezuelan dictatorship, all ultimately on behalf of Hizballah and Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps-Qods Force (IRGC-QF).

Today's action is being taken pursuant to Executive Order (E.O.) 13902, which provides authority to the Secretary of the Treasury, in consultation with the Secretary of State, to identify and impose sanctions on key sectors of Iran's economy, and the counterterrorism authority E.O. 13224, as amended by E.O. 13886 ("E.O. 13224, as amended"). It marks the latest round of sanctions targeting Iranian oil sales and proxies such as Hizballah since the President issued National Security Presidential Memorandum 2 (NSPM-2), instituting a campaign of maximum economic pressure on Iran and its regional proxies. Since the issuance of NSPM-2, OFAC has sanctioned over 1,000 persons, vessels, and aircraft as part of this campaign.

Network Uses Front Companies to Evade Sanctions and Finance Iranian Regime

The Shamkhani network evades sanctions through a group of seemingly legitimate administrative, consulting, and shipping firms that manage all aspects of the network's fleet. These firms and their employees maintain a robust public presence to provide a veneer of legitimacy while allowing the network to support the Iranian regime and enrich the Shamkhani family.

UAE-based Oriel Group is a shipping, commodity, and logistics company underwhich much of the Shamkhani network's operations fall, including many of the shipping and commodity trading firms sanctioned in July 2025. One such company, UAE-based Corplinx Consultancy LLC FZ (Corplinx), actsasan administrative, consulting, and business services firm within the Shamkhani umbrella of companies. Shamkhani network employees use Corplinx web domains to disguise the financial and corporate operations of the network. Another such company,

UAE-based House of Shipping Investment FZCO (House of Shipping), acts as a shipping firm for Mohammad Hossein Shamkhani and his business partners. House of Shipping Private Limited is the Indian office for, and a direct subsidiary of, House of Shipping. UAE-based Shipstar Shipchandling LLC, a company controlled by House of Shipping, provides supplies to the Shamkhani network's shipping operations, including parts and provisions to ensure vessels can stay crewed and in good repair on the water.

UAE-based Meritron DMCC (Meritron)is a Shamkhani front company used to clandestinely procure new vessels for the network's shipping operations and facilitate the transportation of sanctioned petroleum products from Iran. Between 2025 and early 2026, Meritron sought to purchase two new construction vessels, worth tens of millions of dollars, from South Korea on behalf of the Shamkhani network. Meritron replaced designated Shamkhani company Teodor Shipping L.L.C. in this transaction and has contributed tens of millions of dollars toward the vessels' construction. Meritron DMCC was previously managed by Shamkhani network associate Elisabetta Cadeddu and is a former subsidiary of Max Energy Fuel Trading LLC, both of which were sanctioned as part of OFAC's July 2025 action against the network.

UAE-based Chetan Prakash Balhotra is a director of Meritron and has worked on behalf of U.S.-designated ship management firm Marvise SMC DMCC. Marvise SMC DMCC shifted operations to UAE-based Helmatic Consultancy DMCC following its July 2025 designation. UAE-based Tanjore Sunilkumar Srinivas has served as an official of multiple firms in the Shamkhani network, including by acting as a procurement manager for Marvise SMC DMCC, and as an executive in multiple Shamkhani-associated companies.

UAE-based Taylor Shipping FZCO (Taylor Shipping), formerly known as Lazar Shipping, which was also affiliated with Marvise SMC DMCC,is a shipping company that has held key roles with multiple sanctioned vessels in the Shamkhani fleet. For example, the Shamkhani network tapped Taylor Shipping to manage the sanctioned vessel YUG as it delivered Iranian commodities to East Asia on behalf of Iranian Armed Forces General Staff front company Sepehr Energy Jahan. Marshall Islands-based Shipza Shipping Limited similarly acts as a Shamkhani network shipping company and has been linked to multiple sanctioned vessels used by the network to transport cargo, including STAR (IMO 9436484) and TAVA 4 (IMO 9292151; formerly MOANA).

House of Shipping Investment FZCO, Taylor Shipping FZCO, Corplinx Consultancy LLC FZ, Helmatic Consultancy DMCC, Oriel Group, and Chetan Prakash Balhotra are being designated pursuant to E.O. 13902 for having materially assisted, sponsored, or provided financial, material, or technological support for, or goods or services to or in support of, Mohammad Hossein Shamkhani.

Shipza Shipping Limited, Meritron DMCC, and Tanjore Sunilkumar Srinivas are being designated pursuant to E.O. 13902 for being owned or controlled by, or having acted or purported to act for or on behalf of, directly or indirectly, Mohammad Hossein Shamkhani. Shipstar Shipchandling LLC and House of Shipping Private Limited are being designated pursuant to E.O. 13902 for being owned or controlled by, or having acted or purported to act for or on behalf of, directly or indirectly, House of Shipping Investment FZCO.

TARGETING SHADOW FLEET VESSELS GENERATING BILLIONS OF DOLLARS

Mohammad Hossein Shamkhani continues to rely on a mix of crude oil, oil product, and liquified petroleum gas (LPG) tankers to generate billions of dollars for the Iranian and Russian regimes. Today, OFAC is taking action against the following vessels and shell companies operating as part of the Shamkhani network's fleet:

Marshall Islands-based company Aura Lines Inc. is the registered owner, operator, and manager of the Mozambique-flagged AURA (IMO 9274563). AURA regularly transports shipments of Iranian LPG, carrying more than three million barrels of Iranian LPG since the beginning of 2025. AURA has been part of the Shamkhani network's fleet since 2024.

is the registered owner, operator, and manager of the Mozambique-flagged (IMO 9274563). AURA regularly transports shipments of Iranian LPG, carrying more than three million barrels of Iranian LPG since the beginning of 2025. AURA has been part of the Shamkhani network's fleet since 2024. India-based Fleet Tanqo Private Limited (Fleet Tanqo) manages the Panama-flagged HORAE (IMO 9413004), VERSA (IMO 9379301), ANAYA (IMO 9326885), DAPHNE V (IMO 9321677), and Cameroon-flagged SILVAR (IMO 9291262), which have all transported multiple cargoes of Russian oil or petroleum products on behalf of the Shamkhani network. Fleet Tanqo's fleet transported more than 20 cargoes of Russian petroleum products in 2025.

(Fleet Tanqo) manages the Panama-flagged (IMO 9413004), (IMO 9379301), (IMO 9326885), (IMO 9321677), and Cameroon-flagged (IMO 9291262), which have all transported multiple cargoes of Russian oil or petroleum products on behalf of the Shamkhani network. Fleet Tanqo's fleet transported more than 20 cargoes of Russian petroleum products in 2025. Marshall Islands-based Hapuka Marine Ltd., Nardie International S.A., and Anika Lines Inc. manage, own, and operate the following vessels: Cameroon-flagged CAUVERI (IMO 9282508), Panama-flagged BELLARIS (IMO 9332614), and Panama-flagged ANIKA (IMO 9417464). CAUVERI, BELLARIS, and ANIKA have each transported millions of barrels of Russian oil or petroleum products on behalf of the Shamkhani network.

Aura Lines Inc. is being designated pursuant to E.O. 13902 for operating in the petroleum sector of the Iranian economy. AURA is being identified as property in which Aura Lines Inc. has an interest.

The following companies are being designated pursuant to E.O. 13902 for having materially assisted, sponsored, or provided financial, material, or technological support for, or goods or services to or in support of, Mohammad Hossein Shamkhani:

Fleet Tanqo Private Limited

Hapuka Marine Ltd.

Nardie International S.A.

Anika Lines Inc.

The following vessels are being identified as blocked property of the previously identified blocked persons:

SILVAR (Fleet Tanqo Private Limited)

VERSA (Fleet Tanqo Private Limited)

ANAYA (Fleet Tanqo Private Limited)

DAPHNE V (Fleet Tanqo Private Limited)

HORAE (Fleet Tanqo Private Limited)

CAUVERI (Hapuka Marine Ltd.)

BELLARIS (Nardie International S.A.)

ANIKA (Anika Lines Inc.)

IRANIAN illicit OIL AND south american GOLD NETWORK LINKED TO HIZBALLAH

As part of a joint investigation with HSI, OFAC is targeting Iranian illicit oil and gold smuggling that serve as part of the regime's financing streams for terrorist activities, including those of Hizballah. Iranian national and Hizballah-financier Seyed Naiemaei Badroddin Moosavi (Moosavi), who is also linked to Iran's IRGC-QF, has facilitated terror-financing activity in conjunction with others, including leaders within former Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro's regime. Moosavi's connections to the former Venezuelan regime include direct contact with the former dictator Maduro, and he had assumed some of U.S.-designated Alex Saab's financial facilitation efforts after Saab's previous arrest in 2020.

For more than five years, Moosavi cultivated a financial facilitation network of nefarious actors throughout the world to circumvent U.S. sanctions on Iranian oil for the benefit of Hizballah and the Iranian regime. Moosavi smuggled Iranian oil to Maduro's regime in exchange for gold, including gold procured at below-market rates. These were sent back to Iran for the IRGC-QF as part of a financing channel for Hizballah. This was accomplished by transferring the gold on U.S.-designated Mahan Air to Hizballah members in Tehran, including U.S.-designated Hizballah financier Ali Qasir, from where the gold would then be smuggled to Turkiye for sale. Moosavi was allowed unimpeded movement throughout Maduro's Venezuela due to his connections to the former regime.

Moosavi worked with U.S.-designated narcotics trafficker Tarek Zaidan El Aissami Maddah and U.S.-designated illicit shipping facilitator Viktor Artemov to smuggle Iranian oil into Maduro's Venezuela for the benefit of the dictatorial regime, utilizing smuggling tactics such as ship-to-ship transfers, automatic identification system spoofing, and zombie tankers to facilitate the oil smuggling, which was paid for with gold and diamonds. Moosavi is also tied to the sale of Iranian LPG and crude oil and worked with his business partner, U.S.-designated Iran gas magnate Seyed Emamjomeh, to use a number of companies, including U.S.-designated Caspian Petrochemical FZE and Pearl Petrochemical FZE, to conduct facilitation activities.

Moosavi is closely affiliated with three companies: Netherlands-based A.C.S. Global BV andUAE-based ACS Trading LLC and Lotus Universal LLC.

Seyed Naiemaei Badroddin Moosavi is being designated pursuant to E.O. 13224, as amended, for having materially assisted, sponsored, or provided financial, material, or technological support for, or goods or services to or in support of, Hizballah.

ACS Trading LLC is being designated pursuant to E.O. 13224, as amended, for having materially assisted, sponsored, or provided financial, material, or technological support for, or goods or services to or in support of, Seyed Naiemaei Badroddin Moosavi.

A.C.S. Global BV and Lotus Universal LLC are being designated pursuant to E.O. 13224, as amended, for being owned, controlled, or directed by, or having acted or having purported to act for or on behalf of, directly or indirectly, Seyed Naiemaei Badroddin Moosavi.

SANCTIONS IMPLICATION

As a result of today's action, all property and interests in property of the designated or blocked persons described above that are in the United States or in the possession or control of U.S. persons are blocked and must be reported to OFAC. In addition, any entities that are owned, directly or indirectly, individually or in the aggregate, or 50 percent or more by one or more blocked persons are also blocked. Unless authorized by OFAC, or exempt, OFAC's regulations generally prohibit all transactions by U.S. persons or within (or transiting) the United States that involve any property or interests in property of designated or otherwise blocked persons.

Violations of U.S. sanctions may result in the imposition of civil or criminal penalties on U.S. and foreign persons. OFAC may impose civil penalties for sanctions violations on a strict liability basis. OFAC's Economic Sanctions Enforcement Guidelines provide more information regarding OFAC's enforcement of U.S. economic sanctions. In addition, financial institutions and other persons may risk exposure to sanctions for engaging in certain transactions or activities involving designated or otherwise blocked persons. The prohibitions include the making of any contribution or provision of funds, goods, or services by, to, or for the benefit of any designated person, or the receipt of any contribution or provision of funds, goods, or services from any such person. Non-U.S. persons are also prohibited from causing or conspiring to cause U.S. persons to wittingly or unwittingly violate U.S. sanctions, as well as engaging in conduct that evades U.S. sanctions. Individuals located in the U.S. or abroad who provide information about sanctions violations to Treasury's Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) Whistleblower Incentive Program may be eligible for awards if the information they provide leads to a successful enforcement action that results in monetary penalties exceeding $1,000,000.

The power and integrity of OFAC sanctions derive not only from OFAC's ability to designate and add persons to the SDN List, but also from its willingness to remove persons from the SDN List consistent with the law. The ultimate goal of sanctions is not to punish, but to bring about a positive change in behavior. For information concerning the process for seeking removal from an OFAC list, including the SDN List, or to submit a request, please refer to OFAC's guidance on Filing a Petition for Removal from an OFAC List

Click here for more information on the persons designated and vessel identified as blocked property today.

###

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Iranians, Mediators Study US Proposals With Eye On Possible Second Round Of Talks

By RFE/RL's Radio Farda April 16, 2026

Iranian officials are set on April 16 to meet with Pakistani mediators to discuss new US proposals and decide on a possible second round of talks a day after US President Donald Trump asserted that the end of the war could come "very soon."

"After today's meeting of the Pakistani delegation headed by Pakistani Army Chief Asim Munir with Iranian officials, the Iranian team will conduct the necessary review and then a decision will be made about the next round of negotiations between Iran and the US," the Tasnim state-run news agency reported.

Pakistan's powerful army chief arrived in Tehran on April 15 and was greeted by Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi. A senior Iranian source told Reuters that Munir, who had mediated a first round of talks, was in Iran "to narrow gaps" between the two sides.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baqaei told a weekly press briefing in Tehran on April 15 that since the talks ended, Iran has been exchanging messages with the United States via Pakistan.

'Can Be Over Very Soon'

Trump expressed optimism about reaching an eventual peace deal. However, the US president has often asserted that an agreement was near only to later restate threats to devastate Iran's remaining military assets and leaders, along with its energy and power infrastructure.

"I think it can be over very soon. If they're smart, it will end soon," Trump said of Iranian negotiators in an interview with Fox Business News that was recorded on April 14 and broadcast on April 15.

"I think it's close to over.... I view it as very close to being over," Trump said.

Earlier that day, he told the New York Post that negotiators, who ended April 11-12 talks in Islamabad without a deal, could meet again in the next couple of days.

Vice President JD Vance, who led the US delegation in the first round, raised the prospect of further talks by saying "a lot of progress" had been made.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters a new round of talks "would very likely" be in the Pakistani capital. "Those discussions are being had [and] we feel good about the prospects of a deal."

The clock is ticking on a two-week cease-fire agreed by the United States and Iran on April 7, and Trump said he has no plans to extend the truce after it expires on April 22, suggesting it would probably not be necessary.

A major point of contention is over Iran's ability to enrich uranium. The West has accused Tehran of seeking to build a nuclear weapon, while Iran insists its program is strictly for civilian purposes.

Another contentious issue has been Iran's effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a conduit for about one-fifth of the world's oil and gas shipments before the war began.

After the Islamabad talks broke up, Trump announced a US blockade targeting ships bound to or from Iran. The strait connects Europe with Asia via the Suez Canal and is considered one of the most important maritime trade routes in the global economy.

The Iranian military adviser to Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei on April 15 warned that Tehran would sink US ships in the strait if the United States decided to "police" the key shipping bottleneck.

"Mr Trump wants to become the police of the Strait of Hormuz. Is this really your job? Is this the job of a powerful army like the US?" said Mohsen Rezaei, a former commander-in-chief of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps.

Khamenei himself has not been seen since the outbreak of hostilities amid speculation about his health and potential injuries from air strikes.

US Sets Financial Measures

Meanwhile, along with threats of additional military action, Washington sought to pressure Tehran with a number of financial measures.

The US Treasury Department said it was slapping further sanctions on Iran's oil transportation infrastructure by targeting more than two dozen individuals, companies, and vessels.

The sanctions target a network of Iranian oil shipping magnate Mohammad Hossein Shamkhani, the Treasury Department said. Hossein Shamkhani is the son of Ali Shamkhani, a powerful nuclear and security policymaker who was killed in US-Israeli air strikes on Tehran on February 28.

"Treasury is moving aggressively with Economic Fury by targeting regime elites like the Shamkhani family that attempt to profit at the expense of the Iranian people," Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said, referring to the US military campaign known as Operation Epic Fury.

Also, Bessent said Washington will not be renewing waivers that had enabled purchases of Iranian and Russian oil exempt from US sanctions.

The 30-day waiver -- expiring this week -- of sanctions on Iranian oil at sea was similar to a waiver on sanctions on Russian oil.

"We will not be renewing the general license on Russian oil, and we will not be renewing the general license on Iranian oil. That was oil that was on the water prior to March 11. So all that has been used," Bessent told a briefing.

Washington has bid to use sanctions waivers to free up more oil supplies amid soaring global energy prices.

Amid talks of potential peace negotiations, the Pentagon is deploying thousands of additional troops to the Middle East as the US administration seeks to pressure Iran into a deal while preparing for possible escalation if the cease-fire collapses, The Washington Post reports.

The buildup is said to include about 6,000 personnel aboard the USS George H.W. Bush aircraft carrier and more than 4,000 Marines with the Boxer Amphibious Ready Group, adding to roughly 50,000 US troops who are already in the region

With reporting by RFE/RL's Alex Raufoglu in Washington and Reuters

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-war-negotiations- pakistan-trump-ceasefire/33733113.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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PM Netanyahu on the Situations with Lebanon and Iran

Israel - Prime Minister's Office

Type: Events and Speeches

Government: The 37th Government

Publish Date: 15.04.2026

Prime Minister Netanyahu, this evening:

"I stand by the residents of the north who are continuing to stand firm. At the same time, our forces are continuing to strike Hezbollah. The fighting is focused on Bint Jbeil. Bint Jbeil was the capital of Hezbollah in southern Lebanon. This is the place where Hassan Nasrallah said 26 years ago: 'The Israelis are cobwebs.' We are about to overcome Bint Jbeil; we are, in effect, about to eliminate this great stronghold of Hezbollah.

At the same time, I instructed the IDF yesterday to continue widening the security zone and to also spread it eastward toward the slopes of Mount Hermon, so that we can better assist our Druze brothers in their time of distress.

Concurrently, we are conducting negotiations with Lebanon. These negotiations have not taken place for over 40 years. They are happening now because we are very strong, and nations are coming to us, not just Lebanon. In the negotiations with Lebanon, there are two central goals: First, the disarming of Hezbollah, and second, a sustainable peace. Peace through strength.

And there is one more thing, of course. Our American friends are updating us constantly on their contacts with Iran. Our goals and those of the United States are identical: We want to see the enriched material removed from Iran, we want to see the cancellation of enrichment capabilities within Iran, and of course, we want to see the opening of the straits.

It is too early to say how this matter will end, or even how it will progress. In anticipation of the possibility that fighting may resume, we are prepared for any scenario."

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Belgium seizes two British cargoes of military components bound for Israel

Iran Press TV

Wednesday, 15 April 2026 5:54 PM

Belgian authorities have seized two British shipments of military components bound for Israel, invoking a ban on any military-laden aircraft using the country's facilities or airspace.

Last month, a coalition of news outlets and human rights groups alerted Brussels authorities to a military shipment traveling from Britain to Israel via Liege airport.

Dispatched from Britain on March 23, the shipments were intercepted at the airport just twenty-four hours later.

Upon inspection, a specialized engineer identified "fire control systems and spare parts for military aircraft," which had not been properly declared.

Belgian authorities reportedly opened a criminal investigation into the affair but have declined to name the companies involved in the complaint.

However, the Walloon regional government in southern Belgium named one of the companies Moog, an American aerospace firm with factories in Britain.

The firm manufactures actuators for the M-346 aircraft used to train Israeli pilots.

According to a Belgian government spokesperson, no transit license request was issued for the cargo. "If it had been, it would have been refused."

Sources involved with the tracking process stated that the components were exported from the UK under an Open Individual Export License and were classified as aircraft-related components rather than military hardware.

They added that at least 17 consignments from Moog have been moved from the UK to Liege Airport, bound for Israel.

In September 2024, the UK government suspended 30 of its 350 arms export licenses to Israel, following intense pressure from humanitarian groups who argued that such exports would make Britain complicit in the Israeli regime's genocide in the Gaza Strip.

The UK, however, has issued over 100 export licenses for military equipment to Israel between October 2023 and May 2024 alone, covering components for fighter jets, tanks, and ammunition.

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Japan-New Zealand Defense Ministerial Video Conference (Summary)

Ministry of Defense of Japan

(Press Release, provisional translation)

15 April, 2026

Ministry of Defense

On April 15, commencing at 5:20 p.m. for approximately 15 minutes, Minister of Defense Koizumi held a video conference with Minister for Defence of New Zealand the Hon Chris Penk.

Defense Minister Koizumi expressed his congratulations on Defence Minister Penk's inauguration, and exchanged views on defense cooperation in the future. The Ministers concurred to work closely together to deepen Japan-New Zealand defense cooperation.

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Japan-Bahrain Foreign Ministers' Telephone Call

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan

April 15, 2026

On April 15, commencing at 3:30 p.m. for approximately 20 minutes, Mr. MOTEGI Toshimitsu, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, held a telephone call with H.E. Dr. Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Bahrain.

At the outset, Minister MOTEGI expressed his sympathy regarding attacks by Iran that have extended to civilian facilities in Bahrain, including crude oil facilities, and have resulted in casualties. In addition, Minister MOTEGI stated that it is important for the international community to unite in raising its voice regarding the safety of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, which is an international public good, and that Japan intends to continue working closely with Bahrain, which continues its diplomatic efforts as the current chair of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and the United Nations Security Council. Furthermore, Minister MOTEGI expressed appreciation for Bahrain's support in ensuring the safety of Japanese nationals and assisting their departure, and requested continued cooperation. In response, Minister Al Zayani stressed the importance of resolving issues through dialogue and diplomacy, and stated that Bahrain would like to continue cooperating with Japan for the early de-escalation of the situation and for peace and stability in the region. Minister MOTEGI stated that he shares Minister Al Zayani's concerns and the orientation for the solution of issues.

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Japan-Poland Summit Meeting and Working Lunch

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan

April 15, 2026

On April 15, commencing at 11:45 a.m. for approximately one and a half hours, Ms. TAKAICHI Sanae, Prime Minister of Japan, held a summit meeting with H.E. Mr. Donald Tusk, Prime Minister of Poland, who is visiting Japan. Following the meeting, the two leaders attended a signing ceremony for the Japan-Poland Social Security Agreement, a joint press announcement and a working lunch.

1. Opening Remarks

Prime Minister TAKAICHI stated that Japan-Poland relationship has been deepening while the cooperation between the two countries has steadily been developing in a wide range of fields on the basis of the Strategic Partnership launched in 2015, and expressed her intention to further strengthen the cooperation, including the areas of economy and security. In response, Prime Minister Tusk conveyed Poland's desire to further strengthen the relationship between the two countries in various fields, in particular economy and security. The two leaders concurred inbuilding even stronger bilateral relationship by elevating it to the "Comprehensive Strategic Partnership."

2. Bilateral Relations

The two leaders, and concurred in promoting discussions between the relevant authorities in order to intensify the cooperation on security matters, including the discussion on developing a framework for information security. Prime Minister TAKAICHI referred to Poland's steady economic growth and the deepening of economic cooperation, including the establishment of approximately 400 branches of Japanese companies operating in Poland, and welcomed the signing of the Agreement on Social Security as contributing to further facilitate economic exchanges between the two countries. The two leaders concurred in deepening the economic cooperation including infrastructure that contributes to enhancing regional connectivity and advanced technologies such as AI. Prime Minister TAKAICHI expressed her hope that the 70th anniversary of the re-establishment of diplomatic relations between Japan and Poland next year will serve as an important opportunity for cultural exchange between the two countries.

3. Regional Issues

Prime Minister TAKAICHI highlighted the role of Poland as a hub to support to Ukraine and expressed her intention to continue to cooperate with Poland for realizing a just and lasting peace in Ukraine, recognizing that the fundamental principle that any unilateral attempts to change the status quo by force or coercion must not be tolerated remains unchanged. The two leaders discussed the situation in Indo-Pacific such as China and their policies towards North Korea, including on the missile and nuclear issues as well as the abductions issue and the situation in the Middle East, and confirmed that they would cooperate closely toward the realization of "Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP)".

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Secretary Rubio's Meeting with Kazakhstan Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Economy Zhumangarin

US Department of State

Readout

Office of the Spokesperson

April 15, 2026

The below is attributable to Principal Deputy Spokesperson Tommy Pigott:

Secretary of State Marco Rubio met today with Kazakhstan Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Economy Serik Zhumangarin and Special Representative for Negotiations with the United States Ambassador Erzhan Kazykhan to expand opportunities for bilateral cooperation. Secretary Rubio and Deputy Prime Minister Zhumangarin discussed Kazakhstan's role in peacemaking and regional initiatives, and ways to expand economic ties between the United States and Kazakhstan. The Secretary welcomed Kazakhstan's active participation in the C5+1 diplomatic platform and leadership in promoting regional cooperation. The United States remains committed to supporting Kazakhstan's sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity and looks forward to further strengthening the U.S.-Kazakhstan strategic partnership.

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Saudi Arabia to provide $3B to Pakistan amid debt repayment obligations to UAE

Azerbaijan State News Agency - (AZERTAC)

15.04.2026 [12:33]

Baku, April 15, AZERTAC

Pakistan's finance minister confirmed late Tuesday that Saudi Arabia has agreed to provide $3 billion in financial assistance to Islamabad to avert stress on its weak foreign reserves amid debt repayment obligations to the United Arab Emirates, according to Anadolu Agency.

Muhammad Aurangzeb, who is in Washington to hold staff level talks with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), told reporters that Riyadh will provide the promised amount next week, Pakistani broadcaster Geo News reported Wednesday.

"We have held a detailed meeting with the Saudi finance minister today. He has clearly told (me) that $3 billion will be provided (to Pakistan) as additional deposits," Aurangzeb was quoted as saying.

The development comes as Pakistan is set to repay a $3.5 billion debt to the UAE by the end of the month.

Anadolu last week reported that Saudi Arabia and Qatar will provide Pakistan $5 billion in financial assistance, enabling Islamabad to avert stress on the country's weak foreign reserves while making external payments by June.

Riyadh has assured Islamabad of its financial support amid mounting external pressures and rising costs linked to ongoing tensions in the Middle East.

Last week, Saudi Finance Minister Mohammed bin Abdullah Al-Jadaan visited Islamabad and met with Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to discuss the financial assistance issue.

Pakistan's foreign exchange reserves remain under pressure due to rising import costs, and officials warn that without fresh inflows, reserves could decline further in the coming weeks. The government is also engaging with international partners ahead of key financial meetings in Washington.

Pakistan will repay $3.5 billion in debt to the UAE by the end of April following a request from Abu Dhabi for immediate settlement, said a senior official.

Pakistan's liquid foreign exchange reserves total approximately $21.89 billion. The State Bank of Pakistan holds $16.4 billion, while commercial banks hold approximately $5.49 billion.

According to Aurangabad, Pakistan made $1.4 billion in external payments last week.

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NATO envoys visit Seoul to discuss defense industry cooperation

KOREA.net

Apr 15, 2026

By Hong Angie

A visiting delegation of 30 NATO ambassadors has discussed bilateral cooperation with Korea in the defense industry at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs compound in Seoul.

The ministry on April 14 said the ambassadors from major allies like the U.S., U.K., France and Germany paid a courtesy call on Minister of Foreign Affairs Cho Hyun and spoke about cooperation in the defense sector, as well as regional affairs including issues surrounding the Korean Peninsula.

They agreed to bolster cooperation in space and innovative technologies given the close security links between the Indo-Pacific and Europe-Atlantic regions.

The delegation also stopped by the industrial sites of domestic defense contractors to see their cutting-edge know-how and prowess firsthand, gaining a deeper understanding of Korea's advancement in the sector.

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9th Togo Int'l Film Festival, China Film Week open in Lome

Xinhua) 13:23, April 16, 2026

This photo taken on April 14, 2026 shows a performance at the opening ceremony of the ninth Togo International Film Festival and China Film Week in Lome, capital of Togo. The ninth Togo International Film Festival and China Film Week opened here on Tuesday. (Xinhua/Si Yuan)

LOME, April 15 (Xinhua) -- The ninth Togo International Film Festival and China Film Week opened on Tuesday in Lome, the capital of Togo.

The five-day festival, themed "Telling Our Realities: African Cinema in Local Languages and Everyday Narratives," aims to showcase film productions rooted in African cultural and linguistic realities.

At the opening ceremony, Togo's Minister of Tourism, Culture and Arts Issac Tchiakpe expressed gratitude to the Chinese side for the support for this year's festival, saying the Togo International Film Festival is gradually developing into a film event with international influence.

Togo stands ready to take this opportunity to further deepen cultural and people-to-people exchanges with China and enrich bilateral relations, Tchiakpe said.

In her speech, Chinese Ambassador to Togo Wang Min congratulated the opening of the festival, noting that films serve as a bridge for mutual learning among civilizations.

Beyond conveying stories and aesthetics, films reflect a nation's love of life, pursuit of beauty and aspirations for the future, she said, adding that the festival is an important platform to enhance mutual understanding and build consensus between the peoples of China and Africa.

As this year marks the China-Africa Year of People-to-People Exchanges, Wang said China is willing to use film as a bridge to carry forward traditional friendship with Togo and enable audiences in Togo and across Africa to see a real, multidimensional and comprehensive China.

This year's festival features two competition sections. The international competition showcases 16 feature films: eight documentaries and eight fiction films from countries including Benin, Senegal and France. The national competition, open to Togolese filmmakers, focuses on short films, with 17 entries comprising five documentaries and 12 fiction works.

The China Film Week, jointly hosted by the China Film Administration, the Chinese Embassy in Togo, Togo's Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Arts, and the Togolese National Center for Cinema and Animation, and organized by the China Film Archive, will feature the screening of six Chinese films, including YOLO, The Wandering Earth 2, and My People, My Country.

Togo's Minister of Tourism, Culture and Arts Issac Tchiakpe speaks at the opening ceremony of the ninth Togo International Film Festival and China Film Week in Lome, capital of Togo, April 14, 2026. The ninth Togo International Film Festival and China Film Week opened here on Tuesday. (Xinhua/Si Yuan)

Chinese Ambassador to Togo Wang Min speaks at the opening ceremony of the ninth Togo International Film Festival and China Film Week in Lome, capital of Togo, April 14, 2026. The ninth Togo International Film Festival and China Film Week opened here on Tuesday. (Xinhua/Si Yuan)

(Web editor: Wang Xiaoping, Liang Jun)
NEW YORK, April 16, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- U.S. Critical Materials Corp. ("USCM") and Columbia University have signed a two-year Sponsored Research Agreement seeking to advance scientific pathways that enable the development of future U.S. production of gallium, scandium, titanium, and rare earth elements from red mud, a major byproduct of aluminum refining.

Mud to Metal Solution

The United States is fully import-dependent for gallium and scandium, materials essential to secure communications, advanced semiconductors, directed-energy systems, hyper sonics, and next-generation aerospace platforms. The program, "Mud To Metal," will be led by Greeshma Gadikota, Lenfest Earth Institute Professor of Climate Change at the Columbia Climate School, Professor of Earth and Environmental Engineering at the Columbia Engineering School and Director of the Lenfest Center for Sustainable Energy at Columbia.

Exhibit A of the Agreement notes that red mud contains elevated concentrations of these metals and that the project aims to develop intensified recovery technologies and advance them toward potential field-scale deployment.

Consistent with the Agreement, USCM and Columbia will investigate red mud from various locations for characterization and process-development activities including from locations operated by Alcoa.

"Gallium and scandium are strategic choke points for the U.S. defense and aerospace industrial base," said Harvey Kaye, Executive Chairman of US Critical Materials. "This agreement with Columbia positions us to build the scientific foundation for a future domestic supply."

"Our team is focused on rigorous, environmentally responsible pathways for recovering critical metals from complex materials," said Professor Greeshma Gadikota, Principal Investigator. "Red mud presents a significant opportunity to strengthen U.S. resource security through innovation."

The program includes mineralogical characterization, ambient-temperature oxidative leaching, selective separations, co-recovery of titanium dioxide and iron oxide, and techno-economic and life-cycle modeling.

About U.S. Critical Materials Corp.

U.S. Critical Materials Corp. is a private exploration and technology company focused on developing rare-earth elements and critical minerals to support U.S. national security, supply chain independence, and advanced manufacturing. The company's Sheep Creek Project in Ravalli County, Montana, is reported to be one of the highest-grade rare earth deposits in the United States, containing rare earth elements, gallium, and other strategic minerals. U.S. Critical Materials is advancing the project through collaborations with Idaho National Laboratory and strategic partners focused on exploration, processing technologies, and domestic supply chain development. U.S. Critical Materials is uniquely positioned because of its high-grade mineral assets, its relationship with Idaho National Labs, and access to numerous other processors to be the indispensable resource for helping the United States become rare-earth and critical mineral independent in the shortest possible time.

For more information visit: www.uscriticalmaterials.com, or LinkedIn  US Critical Materials Corp.

Brigit Hennaman

VP, Rubenstein Public Relations

[email protected]

212-805-3005

Rachel Winn

Director of Operations

US Critical Materials Corp.

[email protected]

801-680-7448

www.uscriticalmaterials.com

SOURCE US Critical Materials Corp
Meeting on economic issues

Vladimir Putin held a meeting on economic issues.

April 15, 2026

14:25

The Kremlin, Moscow

The meeting was attended by Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin, First Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov, Deputy Prime Minister and Chief of the Government Staff Dmitry Grigorenko, Deputy Prime Ministers Tatyana Golikova, Alexander Novak, and Marat Khusnullin, Deputy Chief of the Presidential Executive Office Maxim Oreshkin, Finance Minister Anton Siluanov, Energy Minister Sergei Tsivilev, Central Bank Governor Elvira Nabiullina, Head of the Federal Taxation Service Daniil Egorov, Head of the Federal Customs Service Valery Pikalyov, and Chairman of PSB Bank Pyotr Fradkov.

* * *

President of Russia Vladimir Putin: Good afternoon, colleagues.

We continue our series of meetings on the current state of the country's economy, its key sectors, and the public finance system. At the same time, I believe it is essential to keep focusing our efforts on developing specific measures to stimulate growth and on crafting effective responses to the trends that have been emerging recently.

Statistics show that economic growth has, unfortunately, been slowing for two consecutive months. Overall, GDP contracted by 1.8 percent between January and February. Manufacturing and industrial production as a whole have suffered losses, as has construction, a strategically important sector.

Yes, experts point to calendar effects, weather conditions, and seasonal factors as the reasons for this negative performance. As I mentioned at our last meeting, we are fully aware that in January this year there were two fewer working days than last year, and in February, one fewer. These are, of course, objective circumstances, but it is clear that they are far from the only factors shaping business and investment activity in the country.

I expect to hear detailed reports today on the current economic situation and on why the trajectory of macroeconomic indicators is currently falling short of expectations. This is not only below experts and analysts' expectations, but also below the Government's own forecasts and those of the Central Bank.

As I have already said, I look forward to hearing proposals for additional measures aimed at restoring growth in the domestic economy, supporting business initiatives, and improving the employment structure in favour of industries with more productive jobs that generate high added value.

In this connection, I note that despite the overall economic momentum, the unemployment rate remains low. It currently stands at 2.1 percent. This, among other things, suggests that our labour market is changing, with flexible, platform-based employment on the rise.

These and other objectives are reflected in the Plan for Structural Transformation of the Russian Economy. The Government prepared it last year and has begun implementing it. Today, we will discuss how this plan is being put into practice and what might need to be clarified, added, supplemented, or strengthened in light of the current situation.

We will also discuss the state of public finances separately. We have repeatedly emphasised the importance of maintaining a balanced budget, preserving its sustainability and its focus on development, including in the face of sharp fluctuations in foreign markets. We are monitoring this closely and observing what is happening. The Government has prepared appropriate measures. We will discuss them today.

<...>

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Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's opening remarks during talks with President of the People's Republic of China Xi Jinping, Beijing, April 15, 2026

15 April 2026 07:22

570-15-04-2026

Mr President,

I would like to express our sincere appreciation for your kind words and this meeting. They are evidence of your personal attention to the development of mutually beneficial strategic relations with the Russian Federation, and to the issues that will be discussed at the next summit during the upcoming visit of President of Russia Vladimir Putin to the People's Republic of China. I held a detailed discussion of preparations for the next vital visit with my friend, Wang Yi, yesterday.

Thanks to the diplomacy pursued by our leaders, you and President Putin, our relations have demonstrated high resilience to the economic and geopolitical shocks that have swept the world, as you have pointed out. Regrettably, these differences are increasingly acquiring a military dimension. In this situation, relations between Russia and China, which are playing a stabilising role in international affairs, are becoming increasingly important for the rest of the world, for the Global Majority, which does not want problems and turbulence but peaceful conditions for sustainable and long-term development. We have held an in-depth discussion in this context and will report to you about its results today.

Our bilateral relations are growing in trade, the economy, investment, humanitarian, cultural and other spheres. We discussed regional and international issues in terms of Russia and China's future bilateral actions, as well as in light of our activities at the UN, the UN Security Council, the SCO, BRICS, G20 and APEC.

As it was noted yesterday, we have very good roadmaps for advancing in all directions which you and President Putin have outlined for the coming period.

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Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's remarks and answers to media questions following his visit to the People's Republic of China, Beijing, April 15, 2026

15 April 2026 08:15

571-15-04-2026

Ladies and gentlemen,

My visit to the People's Republic of China was held yesterday and today. Yesterday, I held talks with Foreign Minister of China Wang Yi, which lasted over four hours. During the talks, we discussed a broad range of issues, mostly our bilateral relations but also international issues, which is understandable. The international situation, which is deteriorating as a result of the actions by our Western colleagues and developments in Ukraine, Latin America, the Strait of Hormuz and other parts of the Eurasian continent we share with China, is directly influencing bilateral relations between various countries, including between Russia. China and our partners in the SCO, BRICS and other multilateral associations.

We discussed the implementation of agreements reached by President Vladimir Putin and President Xi Jinping on developing our trade, economic and investment cooperation in a way that would protect it from the malicious influence of those who do not rely on the ability to compete fairly but on sanctions and other illegal methods of enforcement, blackmail and dictate. We noted that we successfully fulfilling the tasks formulated at the top level.

Our trade exceeded $200 billion for the fourth year running. That goal was previously formulated, has been achieved ahead of schedule and maintained as the foundation of our material and practical cooperation.

The relevant structures, primarily the mechanism of annual meetings between our heads of government and the five intergovernmental commissions operating within that mechanism at the level of deputy prime ministers, are tackling various tasks across various sectors. These include energy, which has certainly acquired special importance in the current situation, as well as high technology, space exploration and nuclear energy, artificial intelligence, education and culture.

Speaking about humanitarian issues, President Vladimir Putin and President Xi Jinping launched the 14th cross year in January 2026. We held cross years of culture; now we will hold the Cross Years of Cooperation in Education. We have proposed highlighting this aspect of education when preparing the programme and the agenda of President Putin's visit to China in the first half of the year.

At the international level, we are interested in foiling the open attempts by the West, including the United States and Europe, to maintain or even renew their hegemony in the hope that the 500-year-long experience of controlling the world, subordinating it to their interests, and creating global control mechanisms that allowed them to live off others, in particular through slave trade, colonialism and other instruments, could be modernised and further used to continue living off others and bend them to their will. Neither China nor Russia, nor the majority of countries throughout the world, can accept this approach.

We talked about the situation in various parts of the world, focusing on Eurasia where more seats of tensions are developing. In Europe, NATO has been trying to find a new meaning for its continued existence, primarily by incorporating Ukraine. We are watching the EU's militarisation against the backdrop of crises within NATO over differences between Washington and European capitals, primarily the Brussels bureaucracy.

The Middle East and the Persian Gulf zone, the site of events of concern for all sides, are a crisis knot that will not be easy to untie. I do not think that the ongoing attempt to cut that knot will succeed. Nevertheless, Palestine, the Gaza Strip and the West Bank of the Jordan River must not be overshadowed or pushed to the back burner, as we and the Chinese delegation have clearly stated today.

Central Asia - an interesting geopolitical struggle is unfolding there due to the Werst's attempts to enforce its "rules," play the key role in how Central Asian states should live and who they should develop relations with. The same is taking place in the South Caucasus, although not so obviously. There are also crises elements that developed over years due to Western policy in Southeast Asia, Northeast Asia (primarily on the Korean Peninsula), the Taiwan Strait, and in the East and South China Seas.

The Eurasian continent is, one way or another, an arena of serious conflicting trends and actions by the leading members of the international community. It is the largest and richest continent with virtually inexhaustible resources. That is why the geopolitical and geoeconomics components are especially important.

Our leaders, President Putin and President Xi Jinping, traditionally prioritise these processes within the framework of their trust-based contacts during mutual visits. Russia and China also highlight these issues within the framework of the SCO and BRICS, and in relations with ASEAN, the Eurasian Economic Union and China in the context of Beijing's Belt and Road Initiative.

We mostly spoke about Eurasian issues, which are coming to the fore of global politics and attract increasing attention of the international community. However, this does not mean that we are not concerned about strengthening positive and neutralising negative trends in other parts of the world. This includes Latin America (Venezuela and Cuba), and Africa, which has overcome the economic effects of political decolonisation but remains strongly dependent on the former parent states.

A second awakening underway in Africa, as I have noted on numerous occasions, involves fighting for economic independence, when the continent will cease to be the colonial and neo-colonial raw materials base for the West but will start taking advantage of the benefits of industrialisation. We remember that the Soviet Union actively helped the liberated African countries advance towards that goal by strengthening their independence. Russia and China intend to continue to help African countries take control of their lives, countries and economies.

I planned to make this brief; I hope that I have succeeded. I am ready to take your questions now.

Question: In 2026, we will mark 30 years of Russian-Chinese relations of strategic cooperation and partnership and 25 of the Treaty of Good-Neighbourliness, Friendship and Cooperation. Foreign Minister of China Wang Yi has said that our bilateral relations have stood rock-solid against all odds. How would Russia define the essence and global significance of Sino-Russian relations of comprehensive strategic cooperation and partnership in the era at the current stage?

Sergey Lavrov: I fully agree that our relations stand rock-solid against all odds. This is not just a nice phrase but a statement of fact proved by a number of processes where Russia and China act like a stabilising force in the battle of trends for global domination.

The trends we support boil down to unwavering cooperation in promoting the ideals of justice, equality, non-interference in each other's affairs, respect for others' sovereignty and the right of nations to choose their own path of development. All these ideals have been enshrined in the UN Charter. When Russia and China formulate their goals as you have said just now (other options include "standing together" and "working together to promote our interests"), what we primarily have in mind is that all countries must respect the UN Charter.

Regrettably, our Western colleagues did not intend to act in compliance with the UN Charter even when they signed it in 1945 (or in compliance with many other documents they have signed since then), and with the principle of sovereign equality of states, a vital element of that fundamental international legal document. Look at the West's actions after 1945, when that principle became an international law, to judge the West's compliance with the principle of respect for the sovereign equality of all states. It has not done this in any conflict that has happened in our history.

Neither does it respect it now, as you can see from the self-assigned right of the West (both Europe and the United States) to outlaw, adopt economic sanctions, deny visas, terminate agreements in the sphere of cultural exchanges, and banish participants from festivals for failure to support the openly racist and neo-Nazi slogans of the Brussels bureaucracy.

You know, power lies in truth. If it is true that all nations have ratified the UN Charter, then all nations must comply with it. We and our Chinese friends remain committed to the high ideals enshrined in the UN Charter, which we not only cherish as ideals but also as a guide to action. That's why our positions are very strong. And that's why Russia and China are supported by a large group of countries which we describe as Global Majority.

Question: You said that July 16, the day when we signed the Treaty of Good-Neighbourliness, Friendship and Cooperation, which will be extended, will become a landmark day we will never forget. Can you explain why? Do you have a special programme for that day? Is it possible that President Vladimir Putin will visit China on that day?

Sergey Lavrov: That is, you want me to say why we will remember an event that has not yet happened?

Yes, we will remember it. As for why, I can't tell you now because the programme of extending the treaty is still being considered.

I think you know that that such programmes are not made public until their final approval. The same goes for the timeframe and agenda of visits, especially top-level ones.

Question: China is experiencing energy shortages caused by the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. Can Russia make up for these shortages? Has this issue been raised during the talks, in particular the implementation of the Power of Siberia-2 Project?

Sergey Lavrov: Russia can certainly make up for the resource shortages facing the PRC and other countries that are interested in working with us on an equal and mutually beneficial basis. We have discussed this more than once. President Vladimir Putin briefly touched on this issue in connection with the European countries' or rather the European Commission's plans to sever all ties with Russia in the energy sector meaning our hydrocarbon supplies.

It is no coincidence that after this crisis had erupted following the unprovoked aggression of the United States and Israel against the Islamic Republic of Iran, European officials started calling on the European Commission to have mercy on EU member states' national sovereignty and postpone its plans to completely shut off the valve. Figuratively speaking, they are beginning to realise that if Europe were to get off, in their words, the Russian oil and gas needle now, it could automatically end up on an energy aspen stake of another great power, which it is busy sharpening for later use on the Europeans. So, we are witnessing a captivating inflection point.

On a broader scale, though, the Power of Siberia 2 Project has been discussed by Moscow and Beijing for quite a while now. They compared its advantages over existing infrastructure and energy routes and how they will harmoniously complement each other, including with the projects being developed in Central Asia as part of the Belt and Road Initiative.

It's a vast continent. As part of what President Vladimir Putin has called the emerging Greater Eurasian Partnership, we would prefer to avoid duplication and create a group of integration participants who, while developing their own subregional programmes, will harmonise and complement each other. The Eurasian Economic Union has such relations with the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation. The EAEU also has signed an intergovernmental agreement with the People's Republic of China on the harmonious combination of the Eurasian Union's integration plans with the implementation of the Belt and Road Initiative. The SCO and the EAEU cooperate with ASEAN as well. These are the three most active integration associations striving to coordinate their actions with each other and thus maximise the benefits derived from the advantages provided to us by our geopolitical and geoeconomic position as well as us being part of the vast Eurasian continent.

However, all of that took place when the rules on international markets, including energy markets, were more or less observed. As you may recall, these rules were established by none other than the West primarily as part of their globalisation model, which the United States strongly promoted after World War II bringing its other allies to heel and promoting this globalisation with the dominant role of the US dollar, ensuring in practice, as they believed, respect by all for the principles of free competition, the presumption of innocence, inviolability of property, and much more that has now been thrown onto the scrap heap.

This process began well before the special military operation during the first administration of US President Donald Trump, and under Joe Biden as well. It continues now with renewed vigour as part of the sanctions imposed by the previous administration which remain in place and which the new administration maintains, reinforces, and expands, as well as the discrimination of Russian companies on global energy markets, and the direct consequences of the aggressive US military policy and military actions.

That brings me to Venezuelan oil. First, they made an argument that Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro needed to be brought to reason because he was supposedly the chief drug lord. No one remembers the drug narrative anymore. They say drugs are coming from Mexico, but, they claim, we made a deal and took Maduro away, and now we own the petroleum. They planned to do the same with regard to Iran. US President Donald Trump said more than once that he was ready to take Iranian oil, or at least to agree on managing it jointly with Iran.

The Strait of Hormuz has been blocked. It was never blocked before the attack on Iran, nor did it create any inconveniences for the movement of goods be it energy, oil, LNG, or food and fertilisers as well as many other things that, by the way, ensure, ensured, and I hope will continue to ensure to a large extent the socioeconomic development and trouble-free life of our close partners from the Arab monarchies of the Persian Gulf. All of that has come under great risk.

Not far away, on the other side of the Arabian Peninsula, runs a water artery that begins in the Mediterranean Sea, goes through the Suez Canal, then reaches the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait, which washes the part of Yemen that it now controlled by the Ansar Allah movement, or the Houthis, who are allies of Iran. They have been put on notice that they too will be bombed if they try to interfere with shipping in this artery that is vital for world trade. However, the question is not who will do what and who will punish whom. The question, as always, lies in the root causes.

I have regularly and frequently spoken with almost all of my friends from the Arab countries of the Gulf over the past few weeks, and they cannot refute a very simple-sounding talking point. Would Iran have taken any steps to block the Strait of Hormuz and to strike US assets on the Arabian Peninsula, if not for the aggression of Washington and Israel against the Islamic Republic of Iran? Everyone recognises that this would have never happened.

So, as in any other conflict, the core cause is precisely this aggressive policy with two things standing behind it. For Israel, it is an absolutely unshakable conviction that Iran must be wiped off the face of the Earth. How can one believe in this? I have no idea, I don't understand.

US President Donald Trump also said (he was unable to hold it back) that he would, quote, destroy that civilisation. You are aware of what kind of reaction that caused. Beyond this ideological charge to overthrow a regime that embodies a culture and civilisation that has existed for many millennia, such a goal in itself can command neither respect from a universal human perspective, nor respect in terms of anyone's belief in its feasibility. The second task is again about the petroleum markets, which the United States, above all, set for itself, in addition to backing up Israel.

We could discuss these topics at length but thankfully the People's Republic of China and Russia have everything they need such as the already operational capacities, reserve capacities, and planned capabilities so as not to depend on such aggressive adventures that undermine the global economy and energy sector.

Question: Moscow is increasingly warning about the militarisation of the European Union in anticipation of a so-called possible war with Russia. How does this affect Serbia's cooperation with Russia and China, given that they are permanent members of the UN Security Council, that they have not recognised the self-proclaimed independence of Kosovo and are an important pillar in the struggle to preserve Serbia's territorial integrity?

Sergey Lavrov: Moscow is warning of the dangers of EU militarisation. However, the principal aspect of what is occurring is not that we are issuing warnings, but that the militarisation itself is proceeding at a very rapid and tumultuous pace. There is no concealment of the fact that it is precisely this militarisation that is regarded by the current European elites as the guarantee of their own existence.

The Americans are assiduously cultivating these processes of European militarisation in line with their policy of divesting themselves of responsibility for the security of the Old World. They desire that everything they have wrought - having unleashed a war against Russia through the hands of the illegitimate Ukrainian regime, which was brought to power by the West twelve years ago - that all the consequences of this adventure should be borne by Europe, and that they should no longer burden the American treasury. This is stated in plain text.

Mr Keith Kellogg, who was one of Donald Trump's special envoys for Ukrainian affairs - in particular, he was assigned "the portfolio" of communicating with the Kiev regime - disappeared for a time, but now he is actively promoting the idea that a new military alliance must be created. Not to draw Ukraine into NATO, because that has already been rejected both by President Donald Trump and other members of his administration, but rather, Keith Kellogg, being also no stranger in Washington, is advancing together with European "grandees," as they are called, the idea of establishing a new military bloc with Ukraine as a member. Indeed, not merely as a member, but as its leading participant. Vladimir Zelensky actively supports this idea. The United States thus wishes to shift onto Europe the primary responsibility for containing Russia, in order to free its own hands for the Chinese direction. They do not conceal this. In pursuit of these interests, they are attempting to stimulate not only discussions, but practical steps towards the creation of such a military bloc - announced as anti-Russian in advance - with Ukrainian participation.

I mentioned Keith Kellogg in this context, but he is not entirely in the frame at present; rather, one of the leading military figures, the Under Secretary of War, Elbridge Colby, recently stated at hearings in the United States Senate that Donald Trump is inclined to persuade Russia and Ukraine towards a compromise and regards achieving peace on terms fair to Kiev as the most important element of a system for the long-term containment of Russia. That, in essence, is all one needs to know about how the negotiation process - initiated on the initiative of Donald Trump and President Vladimir Putin - is proceeding, which we welcomed and continue to express our readiness to see continued.

Although it has also had an impact on us. In August 2025 in Alaska we accepted proposals which, we were convinced, were put forward by the United States in good faith and with the most benign intentions. Regrettably, since then those agreements - not the spirit, but the agreements and understanding of Alaska - are being blocked, and torpedoed by that very European ruling elite, ensconced in Brussels, Paris, and Berlin, whom London actively sings along with, even attempting from there to lead this "discordant chorus," which openly desires to preserve the Russophobic charge of the entire European continent (including both NATO and the European Union). Now a new bloc with Ukraine as its principal participant is being contemplated. Vladimir Zelensky states plainly that Ukraine will defend Europe from Russia. All this against the backdrop of discussions that after the cessation of hostilities, security guarantees must absolutely be provided to Ukraine.

The Nazi, Russophobic, openly racist regime of Vladimir Zelensky has banned Russian culture. It is the only country in the world to have done so, which receives absolutely no advice from the West on this matter whatsoever, simply banning the Russian language, Russian education, culture, and the canonical Ukrainian Orthodox Church. We tell our Western colleagues, who attempt to mediate, that this is wrong: "Let us now agree somewhere on where we will halt hostilities, but then we will deal with this later." No. This is not something to be dealt with later. It is not some element of any conditions, of any negotiating positions. It is what any normal country is obliged to do.

This is enshrined in the UN Charter: respect for the rights of every person, including those pertaining to language and religion, as well as in the numerous human rights conventions, and in the Constitution of Ukraine. But amidst all the talk about the European prospects of the Kiev regime, no one from the Western countries ever dares to tell it that, for a start, before we later address specific matters concerning the future of the Ukrainian state, let us bring it into a normal, human shape. No one does this. Everyone prefers not to speak about this.

Instead, from both Europe and Washington, statements are heard to the effect that however you agree on something on the ground and wherever you stop with Russia, we will immediately provide you with a guarantee. The deployment of stabilisation forces is also mentioned. French President Emmanuel Macron revels in this thought. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer likewise echoes this point. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said not long ago that apparently the French and the British wish to deploy some sort of stabilisation contingent there. It is clear that without the technologies possessed by the United States, they will not manage this. Washington's position is that if there is peace, it will be ready to support them. That is to say, there is no talk whatsoever of transforming the Ukrainian regime into something normal through elections, nor through the imposition of any requirements from the "democratic" world.

I've wandered a bit from the Kosovo issue, but not by accident. In Kosovo, the West showed that it considers itself "a law unto itself." Or rather, it follows the bits of the law that suit it on any given day. Back then, what suited it was the UN Charter provision that all nations are equal and that every nation has the right to self-determination. But the West had no intention of going through the usual process for exercising that right, by holding a referendum (or some other form of public consultation). Instead, it simply declared Kosovo an "independent state." It doesn't matter that a number of EU and NATO members rejected that outcome. It is now being cemented and pushed forward. They are trying by hook or by crook to "shoehorn" Kosovo into the UN, the Council of Europe, and other organisations designed for sovereign states.

When the West tried to "carve up" the Russian Federation, to drive a wedge between us and the Ukrainian people, to derail our efforts to restore the Russian state's authority over the lands it founded, and where a people who had always been part of that state lived, they suddenly said there was no right to self-determination, only the need to respect sovereignty.

I am straying from Kosovo again, but I'll come back to it. After the West-orchestrated coup in Kiev twelve years ago, when Crimea rebelled and broke away, and Novorossiya also refused to accept the new regime, we got the big lie about the Minsk Agreements. Their implementation was guaranteed by the UN Security Council. If that had actually happened, the conflict would have been resolved long ago. And we wouldn't be seeing what's unfolding now. Russia was ready to accept the Minsk Areements. We supported them, co-authored them. We were ready to stop there, if only everyone else had acted in good faith. And all this time, the UN Secretary-General and his spokesperson, when talking about Ukraine, have been insisting that the UN Charter and Ukraine's territorial integrity must be respected. When we asked about the right to self-determination, they simply dodged the question.

Recently, Donald Trump mentioned Greenland. And suddenly Mr Antonio Guterres's official spokesperson - the Frenchman, Stephane Dujarric - believes that the Greenland issue should be resolved on the basis of the UN Charter, respect for sovereignty, and the right of peoples to self-determination. So we officially asked the Secretariat leadership: if Greenland has the right to self-determination, would you now retroactively recognise the right to self-determination of the peoples of Crimea, Novorossiya, and Donbass? We were told that was a different story. I am not joking. The sheer crudeness of the policy being pursued by the Secretariat leadership is appalling.

And the same goes for Kosovo. On Kosovo, the Secretariat hides behind the International Court's ruling - the Serbs appealed to that court back in 2008. Shortly after Kosovo's unilateral declaration of independence, the International Court decided that when a part of a state declares independence without the consent of the central authorities, that does not violate international law. It's permitted.

President Vladimir Putin has repeatedly reminded our Western colleagues of that ruling, saying: at the time, we believed that applying this to Serbia was a betrayal of its history, because Kosovo is tied to centuries of Serbian statehood. But since our Western colleagues accepted that International Court ruling, why not apply it to the events that followed the coup in Ukraine, especially given that, unlike in Kosovo, there were referendums held there? And there is simply no way to suspect those referendums of being rigged. There were huge numbers of foreign observers on the ground. No answer.

Now, on Serbia. Why do I keep bringing up other things when I'm supposed to be talking about Kosovo? Probably because the Serbian people need to understand where they are being invited. President Aleksandar Vucic, in conversations with President Putin and with your humble servant, has repeatedly said that he sees the European prospects for Serbia mainly in terms of his country's economic interests and integration into EU-built infrastructure. But those interests will never be pursued at the expense of relations with Russia, because the Serbian people, as all the polls show, have always had a positive attitude towards the Russian Federation, as well as towards the People's Republic of China. President Vucic has repeatedly said he will not join the EU on anti-Russian terms.

We respect that position. But we also hear what Europe is saying: you can restart accession talks if you meet two conditions. First, recognise Kosovo's independence (which alone tells you everything you need to know about the anti-Serb nature of Brussels' stance), and second, you must impose every single EU sanction on the Russian Federation without exception. That's that. In other words, they are trying to turn Serbia into a buffer zone against Russia.

Unlike the European Union, we want to see the Balkans have unifying infrastructure in every sense: economic and cultural. China's Belt and Road Initiative, which is also very popular and actively promoted in the Balkans, has the same goal - to unite and maximise benefits for everyone. So of course, we stand with the Serbian people, as does the People's Republic of China. I have no doubt we will respect the choice of the Serbian people. They should be asked what future they want for themselves. And President Vucic understands that perfectly. As an experienced and leading politician, he has his finger on the pulse of his citizens.

Question: We note that you maintain constant contact with your Iranian counterpart, Abbas Araghchi. Ahead of your departure for Beijing, you also held a telephone conversation. Do you regard the United States' demand for the complete transfer of Iran's enriched uranium stockpiles as objective?

Sergey Lavrov: I would reframe this question. All the more so, as we have long addressed this matter in engagements with both the American and Israeli sides, as well as with representatives of the Islamic Republic of Iran, and equally within multilateral frameworks, including the UN Security Council.

This began over ten years ago, during the elaboration of an arrangement concerning the Iranian nuclear programme.

Ultimately, the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) to settle this issue was agreed, wherein Russia likewise played a leading role, including in addressing the Iranian dimension of this understanding. A specific volume of uranium for energy needs was agreed upon, which Iran retained for use in research activities and electricity production. The remaining enriched uranium was transported to the Russian Federation, where it underwent dilution and conversion into fuel for the Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant. Consequently, Russia, within this equation, has consistently played a constructive role, which was both accounted for and acknowledged by the JCPOA in the settlement of the Iranian nuclear programme. After the administration of Donald Trump withdrew from this plan - and it had been among the most significant achievements of multilateral diplomacy in modern times - during his first term in the White House, the Europeans did not accuse Washington of violating such a sound multilateral arrangement. Instead, they began demanding that Iran continue to observe all the restrictions imposed by this programme. We all participated in these negotiations and elucidated to our Western counterparts that an arrangement is precisely that - its durability is underpinned by reciprocity. If one state, moreover a state such as the United States, which played a pivotal role in the talks, merely declares that it now considers itself unbound, then how can one demand that Iran adhere to limitations it assumed over and above those stipulated by the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons and the universal safeguards administered by the IAEA.

It was the European Union that played the most detrimental role in twisting the substance of the UN Security Council resolution concerning the Iranian nuclear programme, "engineering" nothing short of a disgraceful swindle against diplomacy. Now it asserts, on the basis of these adventurist actions, that UN sanctions against Iran have been reinstated. Neither Russia nor China recognises this, nor do the majority of other normal states. We continue our relations with Iran in full accordance with international law, which currently makes no provision for any international sanctions.

Negotiations are due to resume any day now. As we are informed, the problem that currently remains unresolved at the talks held in Islamabad is "what to do with enriched uranium." I have communicated with Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Iran Abbas Araghchi. We are in contact, as I have already indicated, with the American side as well. This topic has surfaced repeatedly over the past two to three months, including in contacts between President Vladimir Putin and American, Israeli, and Iranian representatives. We will accept any decision that satisfies the Iranian side within the framework of its legitimate rights.

International law presumes that every country possesses the right to enrich uranium exclusively for peaceful purposes. Never, anywhere, not once has Iran attempted to expand these peaceful purposes into any ambiguous interpretations or thereby sought to employ its technologies for military ends. There exists no evidence whatsoever.

In Iran, as you know, before the brutal killing of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei at the onset of the aggression, there existed his fatwa categorically prohibiting the production of nuclear weapons. The IAEA has never - despite Iran being the most inspected country under the Agency's purview - recorded any suspicions that enriched uranium could have been diverted towards military objectives.

The right to enrich uranium for peaceful purposes is an inalienable right of the Islamic Republic of Iran. However, the Islamic Republic itself disposes of this right in the course of negotiations - whether it takes a pause or insists on preserving this right - any approach grounded in this principle of the universality of the right to enrichment will be accepted by the Russian side.

I very much hope that those who directly participate in the negotiations - the American side in this instance - will be realists and take into account the interests of the entire region, and will not persist with the unprovoked aggression from which, first and foremost and most of all, let us call things by their proper names, the allies of the United States suffer - I refer to the Arab monarchies of the Persian Gulf countries, our good friends. We are not indifferent to how such adventures impinge upon their economy, well-being, prosperity, and population.

Question: Peter Magyar who won the elections in Hungary said that he would not call Moscow, but that he would take a phone call from Russia, if any. In this context, what does Moscow think about prospects for establishing relations with the new authorities in Budapest, especially in the light of the fact that Brussels is already demanding that Peter Magyar start quickly revising Viktor Orban's foreign policy?

Sergey Lavrov: We are polite people, and when someone, including President of France Emmanuel Macron, says that he will soon call President of Russia Vladimir Putin, we see this as his intention. When he does not call, we see this as an indication of the fact that his mood has changed.

If Peter Magyar, the leader of the party that has won the elections in Hungary, now says that he will not call President of Russia Vladimir Putin, then we see this as his personal right to be the master of his own wishes. I do not want to comment on anything here.

We never shy away from dialogue. President of Russia Vladimir Putin has repeatedly noted this and proved this by specific deeds. Of course, we would like people conducting dialogue with us to really represent national interests of their countries and peoples. Consequently, this would facilitate substantive dialogue.

Question: You've confirmed Russia's readiness to help with the Iranian settlement. Does that mean Moscow is prepared to take on the role of formal guarantor of any future agreements, like the Normandy format, or is this more of an advisory role? Could Russia initiate an emergency inspection to confirm that Iran has no nuclear weapons, or offer other security guarantees?

Sergey Lavrov: Historically speaking, across modern history, Russia has always been part of the process that ultimately led to the agreement on safeguards for resolving Iran's nuclear programme. To that end, we have the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, which was agreed by the five permanent members of the UN Security Council plus Iran and Germany, and endorsed by a Security Council resolution. That comprehensive plan and the resolution backing it contain everything needed to address any concerns that Iran might one day start producing nuclear weapons. They contain everything needed for reliable verification that Iran's peaceful nuclear programme is not being diverted into a military one. The United States destroyed that programme. That's what Israel always wanted. It happened in 2019. It's a sad fact of modern world history.

Now the only hope is to rebuild something similar from the ruins left by that major multilateral diplomatic agreement. Russia, just as it was when that programme was agreed back in 2015, is ready to play its part in resolving the enriched uranium issue. That could take various forms, including converting highly enriched uranium into fuel-grade uranium and transferring a certain amount to Russia for storage. Anything acceptable to Iran, as long as it doesn't violate Iran's inalienable right (like any other state's) to enrich uranium for peaceful purposes.

Negotiations are currently underway in Islamabad. The first round has taken place. The parties have commented on it in different ways, but they haven't walked away from the idea of continuing. We'll see. That should become clearer in the coming days. At the same time, there's a group of countries that want to organise external diplomatic support for settlement efforts: Pakistan, Turkiye, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia. They have already met in that format.

We are in touch with all of those states and their representatives who are working on resolving issues around shipping in the Strait of Hormuz and, more broadly, the Iranian problem. We discussed this with our Chinese friends today. We are willing to help these efforts if our help - and China's - is needed.

In that context, let me remind you that many years ago, our country proposed developing a Security Concept for the Persian Gulf. That would have brought together the six Arab monarchies of the GCC, the Islamic Republic of Iran, and their immediate neighbours - Iraq and Jordan. At the time, we envisaged the five permanent members of the UN Security Council forming an "external perimeter", supporting negotiations that, following the principles of those "good old days" of the pan-European process, would focus on developing security guarantees, confidence-building measures, and transparency around military exercises. That initiative never got off the ground, even though several meetings of political scientists from all the countries I mentioned found it quite promising.

But there were also those who were dead set against any steps towards normalisation between the Arabs and Iran, in particular in the Gulf region. Later, before these military actions began, before the hostilities were unleashed, before the aggression of June 2025, and two or three years before that, we tried to revive interest in this idea.

Our Chinese colleagues put forward a similar initiative. They have done a great deal to kick-start a practical process of reconciliation and normalisation between the Arabs and Iran. In particular, the PRC leadership quietly facilitated agreements between Saudi Arabia and the Islamic Republic of Iran to normalise relations and exchange embassies. That, too, wasn't to everyone's taste.

You can see what's happening now. Beyond the stated existential desire to wipe out Persian civilisation, to take control of or get hold of the oil, there is a hidden desire to prevent rapprochement and normalisation between the Arabs and Iran. That's also achieved by stoking the intra-Islamic tribal tensions between Sunnis and Shiites.

We, like China, are trying to push in the opposite direction. Yesterday, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and I discussed how we can help facilitate normalisation at this stage. I won't go into details, but we sense growing interest in achieving that kind of normalisation. We'll see how things go - but the position of the GCC itself will be crucial.

The Islamic Republic of Iran has stated publicly that it is ready for this kind of interaction between the littoral states, so that both the Gulf and the straits become zones of peace, cooperation, and mutual benefit.

Question: On Monday, US President Donald Trump said that the United States might "stop by" Cuba after it was through with Iran. As you see it, what is the likelihood of the US putting into practice its threat in relation of Cuba? What are the likely implications of this step for Cuba and the situation in the world? Has Cuba applied to Russia for mediation in talks with the United States?

Sergey Lavrov: I will not engage in guesswork as to what consequences this step is likely to entail. We have heard a lot of statements from Washington. Far from all of these later materialised into practical actions.

We have repeatedly reiterated our firm support for sovereignty and independence of our Cuban friends. Statements by Cuban leaders, including President Miguel Diaz-Canel, confirm their resolve to uphold freedom to the end by all expedients at their disposal. We, like the People's Republic of China, are rendering Cuba political (at the UN and other forums), economic and humanitarian support.

We have sent the first tanker with 100,000 tonnes of oil for Cuba. This is certain to last them for a couple of months. I have no doubt that we will continue to give them assistance of this kind and that the People's Republic of China will also go on participating in this effort.

I hope that the United States will not relapse into the era of direct colonial wars and suppression of free nations. It is not Cuba that has renounced a dialogue with Washington for decades. The United States did whatever it could to isolate the Cuban state, although the Europeans maintained and continue to maintain diplomatic relations with Cuba for a long time. In the meantime, Washington was attempting to engineer a regime change by "stifling" the Cuban economy. Regrettably, this policy continues to this day.

I would advise the United States to start a dialogue with a government whenever it dislikes one. Throughout history, not a single country, including Venezuela, ever refused to dialogue with the US. But the United States used to make a deal and later would renege on its promises. Agreements were signed with Cuba during the Obama administration. Havana accepted them. They were mutually respectful and mutually beneficial. They say that politeness and good manners can achieve much more than the opposite traits of human nature.

Question: With the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz announced by President Trump effectively in place, another key strait - the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, which is also used to ship energy - may be shut down as well. Does Moscow think that, in the absence of a peaceful settlement and due to mounting economic pressure, the Gulf countries might join the conflict? In your assessment, how high is the probability of the conflict widening, and what are Moscow and Beijing doing to prevent this scenario from playing out?

Sergey Lavrov: I have touched on this topic several times in my previous remarks.

They want to drag the Gulf countries into the war. To reiterate, those who started this strongly want to prevent the normalisation of relations between the Arabs and Iran, and to advance the two-war concept. According to them, the fact that the Islamic Republic of Iran was attacked by the United States and Israel doesn't mean much when it comes to Iran's right to respond. Why? Because, they claim, Iran begins its response on the territory of the Arab countries of the Persian Gulf. The Arabs did not attack and stated from the very beginning that they would not provide airspace or allow the use of US bases on their territory to attack Iran. That much is true.

We strongly supported this approach in our contacts with the Arab nations, including at the top level. President Vladimir Putin spoke with the President of the UAE and other leaders. We pointed out that we not only deeply respect this position but also stand in solidarity with them that they should not be affected by that war.

Let's be frank about it. I have conversations with all my counterparts. It was impossible not to understand that US military assets on the territory of Iran's Arab neighbours would become legitimate targets that Iran would attack in response to the aggression against itself. Everyone was clear about that. The Arabs have tried, primarily with the help of the Americans, to push a resolution at the UN Security Council that would simply condemn Iran for an unprovoked attack on its neighbours and for blocking the Strait of Hormuz, without saying a single word about what happened before that. In conjunction with the People's Republic of China, we made an honest effort to explain that this resolution does not reflect the objective process, but was once again used to promote cancel culture.

The West is fond of cancelling the historical period which inconvenienced it when it tried to justify its actions in a particular crisis. This is how it began the modern history of the Ukraine crisis as well. We were accused of annexing Crimea. We say that the people of Crimea refused to recognise the coup d'etat. They say the coup was one way democracy works, while Russia allegedly up and annexed Crimea. The same thing happens whenever the West finds earlier developments or root causes inconvenient; it goes ahead and cancels them, end of story.

This resolution, which the People's Republic of China and Russia did not support and prevented from being adopted, had the root cause blotted out from it as well. Future generations would have been left with a record that Iran supposedly attacked its neighbours for no particular reason.

History has proven that this resolution would have changed nothing, because just a few hours after that UN Security Council meeting, it was announced that peace talks would take place in Islamabad. Had this resolution been adopted, Iran, which was unjustly condemned in it, would have been antagonised, and the talks might not have taken place. We would all have understood the reason behind Iran's position. Or, if those talks had not taken place and the war had continued, those who attacked Iran could have said that the UN Security Council approves their actions and that they were acting in accordance with it. Neither we, nor our Chinese colleagues, nor the Arab countries themselves need any part of that. No one needs to see the UN Security Council steamrolled that way as it undermines the authority of the UN and its Security Council.

We insist on these talks continuing and on an agreement on returning to freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz be reached. This would remove the risks of a recurrence of this situation in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. The leaders of Ansar Allah, the Houthis, have already made clear that if this aggression were to continue, they would be forced to resort to such measures.

There is no need to provoke the developments which cripple most of the global economy. Throughout the entire existence of the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Strait of Hormuz has never been mentioned among the problems concerning freedom of navigation and maritime trade. Never. The problems arose only following the February 28 attack, which took place in the midst of negotiations.

Russia and China are strongly in favour of seeing these talks continue so that the parties pursue realistic and fair goals, fully taking into account the legitimate rights of every country in accordance with international law. We and China stand ready to support various formats for external facilitation of these negotiations. We discussed this matter in detail yesterday as well.

Question: Russian-Chinese ties are growing stronger, but what about relations between Moscow and Washington? Have we overcome the freezing point? For example, the talks on Ukraine have been put on ice. Is there hope for their resumption?

Sergey Lavrov: Our relations are not frozen. They were put on ice under President Biden, whose administration fully terminated all contacts. A summit meeting was held in Geneva in June 2021. It looked to me like a candid and serious conversation between two experienced politicians, but the United States soon started knocking together an anti-Russia coalition of Western countries and states that depend on the West and Washington, making waves and alleging that we plan to take over Ukraine. You remember these narratives.

We responded on President Putin's instructions with the idea of signing Russia-US and Russia-NATO treaties on security guarantees, which would formalise the agreements reached several decades ago, namely, that NATO will not expand into the post-Soviet space. The proposal was rejected categorically and arrogantly.

As part of that process, I met with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken in Geneva in January 2022. He said it was out of the question, speaking with a sense of superiority that was characteristic of the "talking heads" of the Biden administration.

That's when things happened. Their categorical refusal to guarantee NATO's non-proliferation and Ukraine's non-admission to the bloc has created a situation when our relations were shut down. It was not our fault. Even when we started the special military operation, we remained open for contact, ready to answer questions and explain our actions. But they blocked all communication channels. When President Trump was elected, he said that it was wrong, that he did not start that war, that he inherited it, that he wanted to stop it and to launch dialogue with President Putin.

A dialogue was launched very soon. They spoke on the phone. In February 2025, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and then National Security Adviser Michael Waltz held a meeting with me and Presidential Aide Yury Ushakov in Riyadh. It was a candid conversation when we said that ideology should be put aside, and that we should be guided by national interests, which Russia, the United States and all other countries certainly have.

After that, there were other phone calls between President Putin and President Trump, and finally, the meeting in Alaska. Before it, Special Envoy Steve Witkoff visited Moscow several times to put forth their ideas. The Americans put these ideas on paper and presented to us in Alaska. All the participants made their comments, including President Putin and me.

To cut a long story short, we accepted the proposal made to us in Alaska and remain committed to these arrangements, as President Putin has pointed out on multiple occasions. We are not to blame that the European "pack" hastened to convince the US administration to reject and withdraw its own proposal.

I have told you before what they are saying now. Their main idea is to end the war at the current contact line. At the same time, Zelensky says that they will never recognise these regions as Russian territories. No referendum, the Crimea and Donbass are Ukraine, and they will only designate them as "temporarily occupied territories." This is not what was proposed in Anchorage, where the United States proposed the idea of the de jure recognition of realities on the ground.

They also say that if the conflict is frozen, Zelensky will tell the people that Ukraine has not surrendered, the West will continue to guarantee the security of the current Kiev regime without changing it and its Nazi essence, and that it won't do anything to stop its flagrant violations of human rights, the rights of ethnic, language and religious minorities, and the glorification of Nazism. They have it enshrined in law and actively applied.

As for the "freezing point," our relations with the United States have not reached that stage. We engage regularly at various levels. We remain open to contacts: some initiated proactively, others at the request of the American side. Not all of these interactions are publicised, as very often practical results depend on the "regime of silence." I have said this on numerous occasions and I want to highlight this again: we harbour no illusions about the objectives pursued by the United States, even when it claims to be guided by national interests, in contrast to the previous administration of Joe Biden.

These interests are clearly outlined in doctrinal documents such as the national security and energy strategies, which explicitly set the goal of achieving dominance in global energy markets. This objective is being actively pursued, including in relation to Venezuelan oil. Now, they are also trying to use some kind of "scheming" around Iranian oil, aiming to profit from it one way or another.

Look at the recent decisions by the Donald Trump administration. Not only have sanctions introduced under Joe Biden been extended (all sanctions Joe Biden introduced against Russia have been extended), but additional measures have targeted Lukoil and Rosneft, effectively pushing them out of most international projects and limiting their operations largely to the domestic market.

We assess the situation soberly. Should the Ukrainian crisis be resolved with full consideration of Russia's legitimate interests, we would be interested in restoring investment cooperation with the countries willing to engage on an equal and mutually beneficial basis.

We sense that there are companies in the United States interested in such cooperation, and that the administration shares this interest. We will see what promising mutually beneficial projects remain by the time the US says 'Thank God, we have settled the Ukraine issue, so let's get down to business now.' So far, only the theoretical dimension has been discussed. First, the Ukrainian crisis must be resolved, then there will be business. However, the scope of these projects may shrink by the time the US decides to start business talks.

I would like to conclude with the fact that the global developments once again reaffirm that the upcoming anniversary of our relations with China will be dedicated to more than just festivities, though they are important, too. It is also essential to reinforce public understanding in both Russia and China of the deep bilateral ties, strategic partnership, and readiness to act together in the current international environment.

Naturally, these anniversary engagements will largely focus on identifying shared interests and developing concrete approaches to advancing them amid profound global changes. As attempts by Western countries to preserve their dominance continue, the international system is shifting from globalisation toward fragmentation.

The fragmentation can be seen as a form of emancipation from global economic and financial mechanisms historically shaped and controlled by the West. Major reforms are imminent. The role of such organisations as BRICS, the SCO, and the G20 in shaping new global governance mechanisms will, of course, only increase.

In this context, the global governance initiative proposed by Beijing in August 2025 appears particularly timely. The formation of structures to address such issues is now being actively considered.

Today, when receiving our delegation, President of China Xi Jinping emphasised the initiative's importance for consolidating the global majority around efforts to ensure stability and order in international relations, grounded in the principles of the United Nations Charter - which was highlighted once again. This opens up huge opportunities for further cooperation with our Chinese friends.

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Press release on Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's visit to the People's Republic of China

15 April 2026 08:27

572-15-04-2026

On April 14-15, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov paid an official visit to the People's Republic of China. He was received by President of the People's Republic of China Xi Jinping and held extensive talks with China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi.

The head of the Chinese state welcomed the Russian Minister's visit and spoke of the unprecedented level of development in bilateral relations, noting the significant results achieved over 30 years of strategic cooperation, underpinned by the Treaty of Good-Neighbourliness and Friendly Cooperation of July 16, 2001, which has been implemented successfully for a quarter of a century.

Sergey Lavrov conveyed to Xi Jinping friendly greetings and best wishes from the President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin, who is preparing to pay an official visit to China in the first half of 2026. The Russian Foreign Minister emphasised the guiding role of leader-level diplomacy in advancing Russian-Chinese ties across the board.

During the talks, Sergey Lavrov and Wang Yi held an in-depth exchange of views on a wide range of bilateral and international issues of mutual interest.

The officials focused on pressing issues, including the situation around Iran, the Ukraine crisis and developments in Latin American region. They stressed the importance of strengthening coordination between Moscow and Beijing on the international stage, including at the UN and the UN Security Council, the SCO, BRICS, APEC, the G20 and other multilateral frameworks. The ministers also addressed issues related to maintaining peace and stability in the Asia Pacific region and discussed collaboration in the post-Soviet space.

The talks were held in the friendly, trust-based and constructive atmosphere characteristic of Russian-Chinese relations.

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Joint Statement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan

15 April 2026 15:00

576-15-04-2026

In line with the agreements reached by the presidents of the Russian Federation and the Republic of Azerbaijan during their meeting in Dushanbe on October 9, 2025, the Parties have agreed on an appropriate settlement of the consequences, including the payment of compensation, relating to the crash of the Embraer 190 aircraft belonging to AZAL near Aktau on December 25, 2024. The crash resulted from an unintentional strike by an air defence system in the airspace of the Russian Federation.

These steps reaffirm our shared commitment to further developing mutually beneficial cooperation within the framework of our allied partnership.

We express our confidence that the progressive development of Russian-Azerbaijani relations, based on mutual respect, trust, and regard for each other's interests, will continue to strengthen our neighbourly ties and broaden cooperation for the benefit of both nations.

We once again offer our deepest condolences to the families and loved ones of those who lost their lives in the aircraft crash, and we share the pain of this irreparable loss with all those affected by this tragedy.

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Briefing in the Russian Foreign Ministry for representatives of the embassies of BRICS member states and partner countries on the upcoming election of the UN Secretary-General

15 April 2026 16:10

578-15-04-2026

On April 15, Director of the Department of International Organisations of the Russian Foreign Ministry Kirill Logvinov held a briefing for representatives of the embassies of BRICS member states and partner countries on the upcoming election of the UN Secretary-General.

Kirill Logvinov outlined the criteria Russia applies to candidates for the post of the chief administrative officer of the United Nations.

Particular emphasis was placed on the importance of ensuring that the future Secretary-General strictly observe the principles of the UN Charter in their entirety and interconnection, pursue an impartial course, promote a unifying agenda, and counter the dominance of Western officials within the Secretariat.

Otherwise, the UN will be unable to fully restore its effectiveness and standing.

Diplomats from BRICS member states and partner countries confirmed their readiness for close coordination during the upcoming UN Secretary-General election in order to ensure due regard for the legitimate interests of the countries of the Global South and East.

It was agreed that the interactive dialogues with candidates for the post of UN Secretary-General, due to begin at the UN General Assembly on April 21, will provide member states with a good opportunity to voice their expectations.

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Chief of General Staff of Armed Forces of Russian Federation Valery Gerasimov holds talks with his Mongolian counterpart

15 April 2026 08:23

In Moscow, in the context of developing a bilateral military cooperation, Chief of General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation / First Deputy Minister of Defence of the Russian Federation General of the Army Valery Gerasimov held talks with Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Mongolia Lieutenant General Sunrev Ganbyamba.

'We consider Mongolia as one of Russia's most important partners, with which cooperation is traditionally based on friendship, trust and good-neighbourliness,' noted the Chief of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces.

General of the Army Valery Gerasimov stressed that Russian-Mongolian cooperation is carried out in the spirit of comprehensive strategic partnership and on the basis of the agreements, reached during the September 2024 meeting of the leaders of the two countries in Ulaanbaatar.

'The military delegation exchange is actively developing. Joint operational and combat training events are held on a regular basis. We have established cooperation between military and educational organisations, as well as along the lines of the border military districts,' said the head of the Russian General Staff.

General of the Army Valery Gerasimov expressed confidence that the results of the meeting would give new impetus to cooperation between countries in mutually beneficial areas.

In his turn, Chief of the General Staff of the Mongolian Armed Forces Lieutenant General Sunrev Ganbyamba noted that relations between Russia and Mongolia are now at the highest level.

'The heads of our countries have signed a treaty on friendly relations and comprehensive strategic partnership. In this regard, our relations are developing in all spheres, including the defence sphere,' Lieutenant General Sunrev Ganbyamba highlighted.

Department of Information and Media Affairs of Defence Ministry of the Russian Federation

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HRH the Crown Prince, European Council President Discuss Saudi-EU Strategic Partnership, Regional Developments

Saudi Press Agency

Tuesday 26/10/1447

Jeddah, April 15, 2026, SPA -- His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, met in Jeddah yesterday with President of the European Council Antonio Costa.

During the meeting, both sides reviewed the strategic partnership between the Kingdom and the EU and discussed the latest regional developments and their security and economic implications at the international level, as well as the coordination of efforts in this regard to enhance security and stability.

The meeting was attended by Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah; Minister of State, Member of the Cabinet, and National Security Advisor Musaed bin Mohammed Al-Aiban; and Saudi Ambassador to the EU Haifa Al-Jedea.

From the European side, the meeting was attended by EU Ambassador to the Kingdom Christophe Farnaud; Chief Foreign Policy Advisor to the President of the European Council Anna-Maria Boura; EU Special Representative for the Gulf region Luigi Di Maio; and a number of officials.

-- SPA

02:03 Local Time 23:03 GMT

0005

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Ministry of National Defense Holds Regular Press Conference - "Han Kuang 42 Computer-Assisted Command Post Exercise Planning" and "Impact of the Unpassed 2026 General Budget on National Defense"

ROC Ministry of National Defense

2026.04.02

Issuing AuthorityAdministration Office

Ministry of National Defense Press Release

Time: 1000 hours, April 2, 2026

I.Press Conference Topic: ROC Armed Forces "Han Kuang 42" Computer-Assisted Command Post Exercise Planning and the Impact of the Unpassed 2026 General Budget on National Defense.

II.Moderator: Vice Chief of the General Staff (Executive) General Huang Chih-wei.

Attendees:

Vice Chief of the General Staff for Execution (Executive) Admiral General Huang Chih-wei

Director of the Political AffairsAdministration Office Lieutenant General Sun Li-fang

Chief of Staff, Army CommandHeadquarters Lieutenant General Chen Chien-yi

Chief of Staff, Navy CommandHeadquarters Lieutenant GeneralVice Admiral Chu Hui-min

Chief of Staff, Air Force CommandHeadquarters Lieutenant General Li Lee Ching-jan

Director of the Joint Operations Division, Operations Planning Office of the Deputy Chief of the General Staff for Operations and Planning Major General Tung Chi-hsing

Director of the Budgeting Division, Finance Comptroller Bureau Major General Yen Ming-te

Director of the Electronic and Electronic Warfare Development and Planning Division, Communications and Electronics Office of the Deputy Chief of the General Staff for Communications, Electronics and Information Major General Hsu Tsun-cheng

Director of the Military Training Division, Training Office of the Deputy Chief of the General Staff for Training Major General Chen Chun-nan

Director of the Force Buildup Planning Division, Department of Strategic Planning Department Major General Weng Yu-heng

Director of the Mobilization Management Division, All-Out Defense Mobilization Agency Major General Wu Kuo-liang

Deputy Director of the Materials Mobilization Division, All-Out Defense Mobilization Agency Colonel Cheng Chi-liang

Senior InspectorSpecialist, Human Manpower Resources Division, Resources Department of Resources Planning Mr. Lu Hsing-ting

Senior InspectorSpecialist, Material Finance and Property Resources Division, Resources Department of Resources Planning Mr. Lin Ta-ching

Deputy Director of the Joint Intelligence Research Center, Intelligence Office of the Deputy Chief of the General Staff for Intelligence Colonel Pan Chun-kuang

Host of the Zhaomin Project, Aeronautical Systems Research Division, National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology Mr. Chi Li-ping

Director of the Procurement Management Division, Procurement Office Colonel Yu Tsung-hsueh

Deputy Director of the Logistics Management Division, Logistics Office of the Deputy Chief of the General Staff for Logistics Colonel Chang Chih-hui

Director of the Student Affairs Division, National Defense University Colonel Chang Kai-chieh

Section Chief of the Cultural Publicity and & Psychological Warfare Operations Division, Political Warfare Bureau Colonel Yen Chia-hung

IV.Press Conference Reference Materials:

Topic: ROC Armed Forces "Han Kuang 42" Computer-Assisted Command Post Exercise Planning

1.Introduction

The ROC Armed Forces "Han Kuang 42" Computer-Assisted Command Post Exercise was scheduled from April 11 to 24. Using the "Joint Theater Level Simulation (JTLS)" platform, the exercise induced command posts at and above the operational level of the three services to conduct a 14-day, 13-night wargame confrontation drill. The goal was to hone commanders' operational guidance, force employment decision-making, staff judgment, and planning capabilities, thereby achieving the "high combat readiness" required for defensive operations.

2.Exercise Concept

The exercise was designed based on enemy threats and recent international military action patterns. It simulated the PLA conducting gray-zone harassment, transitioning from exercise to war, and then launching an armed invasion of Taiwan. The ROC Armed Forces were divided into operational phases including situation response, preparedness deployment, force protection and preservation, joint counter-landing, littoral strike and beachhead battle, in-depth defense, and sustained operations, exercising various military actions for defensive operations.

3.Exercise Phases and Key Actions

(1) Situation Response and Preparedness Deployment

The PLA used gray-zone harassment to create favorable conditions for an invasion of Taiwan. The three services gradually activated response mechanisms and raised readiness postures in accordance with combat readiness regulations. Strategic communication was conducted to shape the narrative, while mobilization preparation, material prepositioning, barrier preset, and defensive mine-laying were implemented as part of the transition from peacetime to wartime.

(2) Force Protection and Preservation

Assuming the PLA prepared for loading and transit under cover of naval, air, and joint blockade, the ROC Armed Forces employed partial naval and air forces to conduct joint counter-blockade operations. Ground forces carried out mobilization implementation, barrier setting, anti-sabotage measures, and protection of critical infrastructure and important political-military targets to ensure the safety of key areas and create a favorable posture for defensive operations.

(3)Joint Counter-Landing, Littoral Strike, and Beachhead Battle

The simulation assumed the PLA launched joint fire strikes and maritime transit of landing fleets, employing multi-point amphibious landing scenarios. The three services, organized under joint operations tasking, jointly executed key actions such as seizing local air superiority, missile defense of key areas, sea-air coordination, littoral strikes, and near-shore defense to examine the overall effectiveness of joint maritime denial operations.

(4)In-Depth Defense and Sustained Operations

After the PLA consolidated beachheads under naval and air fire support and special operations, it continued to seize ports and airfields and establish landing zones, advancing inland. The ROC Armed Forces used terrain, barriers, and troop and fire power to conduct joint interdiction and attrition operations, delaying, weakening, and disrupting enemy actions and combat power. At the same time, all-of-society total force support for military operations was employed to maintain operational resilience.



4.Training Focus

Building on the experience gained from the Han Kuang 41 Exercise, and corresponding to enemy threats and possible actions, as well as the revised key items of the 2026 Joint Operations Plan and recent exercise preparation guidance, the following key verification topics were formulated to strengthen combat readiness preparation, command and control mechanisms, joint key actions, and force deployment and maneuver wargame confrontation drills:

(1)Command Mechanism Operational Sustainability

To ensure uninterrupted command and control operations, the Joint Operations Command Center, military policy (armaments) departments, tri-service coordination centers, and subordinate centers at all operational levels adopted dispersed deployment and off-site staff operations to establish a multi-layered command and control system, testing backup switching, order transmission, and decentralized execution effectiveness.

(2)Authorization of Military Actions

To enable the ROC Armed Forces to complete "peacetime-to-wartime transition, command reinforcement, and rapid response" in a short time, authorization levels for military actions were formulated according to operational phases to verify enemy threat triggering conditions, decision-making order issuance, and authorization procedures.

(3)Multiple Command and Control Backup Means

In simulated complex electromagnetic environments and communication disruptions, command and control could still be maintained. Each unit used primary (P) communication means to sustain the command chain. When systems were interfered with or failed, they sequentially switched to backup (A), contingency (C), and emergency (E) communications to establish information and communications resilience and enhance operational timeliness and command sustainability.

(4)Cross-Regional Force Deployment

Based on assessment of the PLA's most likely actions, cross-regional deployment was executed to concentrate forces in the most threatened areas. During maneuver, simulated enemy special operations harassment and attacks were incorporated to verify cross-regional activation timing, force maneuver, command handover, combat power commitment, and logistics sustainment for overall operational continuity.

(5)Joint Fire Coordination Mechanism Resilience

To improve joint fire coordination efficiency and resilience, a network-distributed architecture was used to integrate command nodes at all levels, sensors, and fire units. Real-time intelligence sharing, common operational pictures, and multiple communication backups were adopted to achieve rapid decision-making, dispersed cross-regional lethality, and sustained combat objectives.

(6)Pre-Planned Enemy Destruction Zones and Fire Integration

To enhance joint operations and coordination consistency of ground forces, engagement areas were designated according to enemy offensive progress and approach routes, combined with terrain key points. Multi-layered barrier settings were used with fire power to conduct key area fire destruction, sequentially attriting the enemy with layered forces to verify delay and weakening of enemy operational effectiveness.

(7)Mobile Logistics Support Operations

Logistics support was integrated with operational actions. Material dispersed storage points, supply routes, and forward support maintenance locations were combined with unit maneuver routes and in-depth deployment. Concealment, camouflage, and deception trace management were strengthened to verify logistics support operational sustainability.

(8)Whole-of-Society Defense Resilience

To improve central command decision-making, coordination with the Central Joint Response Center during the computer-assisted command post exercise period was used to drill intelligence transmission, inter-ministerial coordination, and military-civilian integrated support operations, verifying the horizontal coordination and linkage mechanism between the military and the central government.



5.Conclusion

The ROC Armed Forces upheld the concept of "new training, new concepts, new equipment, and new technologies" to strengthen combat readiness preparation and realistic combat training. The results obtained from the exercise were incorporated into revisions of the Joint Operations Plan, force structure adjustments, and subsequent military buildup and readiness planning to comprehensively enhance "multi-domain denial and resilient defense" capabilities and demonstrate self-defense resolve through concrete actions.

Topic: Impact of the Unpassed 2026 General Budget on National Defense



1.Affected Budgets and Programs

The Ministry of National Defense's 2026 expenditure budget was NT$561.4 billion, an increase of NT$87.5 billion compared to 2025. Excluding legally mandated personnel maintenance expenditures that must be paid as incurred, 21% of the budget could not be executed according to the original schedule. The affected budget of NT$78 billion made it difficult to complete equipment acquisition, maintenance, and full replenishment of fuel and ammunition within 2026. The main affected areas and programs were as follows:

(1)Deterrence Combat Power:

In recent years, the PRC threat had continued to increase. In response to the rapidly escalating situation, the ROC Armed Forces needed to rapidly build deterrent combat power to curb gray-zone harassment. Without full budget allocation, affected programs such as the "HIMARS Multiple Launch Rocket System" totaling NT$20 billion would be impacted.

(2)Asymmetric Combat Power:

Facing the PRC's increasingly diverse military threats, the ROC Armed Forces adhered to the operational concept of "multi-domain denial and resilient defense" to strengthen "asymmetric warfare" capabilities. Without full budget allocation, affected programs such as "Javelin Missile Replenishment" totaling NT$41.5 billion would be impacted.

(3)Protection of Combat Personnel:

To ensure the ROC Armed Forces could maintain personnel combat sustainability and weapon system operability in high-intensity conflict environments, unit training, personal protective equipment, medical rescue equipment, and logistics support supplies were enhanced to consolidate force combat power. Without full budget allocation, affected programs such as "F-16 Fighter Follow-on Training" totaling NT$8.8 billion would be impacted.

(4)Care for Service Members:

While acquiring advanced weapons and equipment, active efforts were made to improve service members' rights and optimize the service environment to foster unity and cohesion. Without full budget allocation, affected programs such as "Increasing Fixed Operational Funds for Grassroots Units" totaling NT$4.3 billion would be impacted.

2.National Defense and National Security

The defense budget was a concrete manifestation of national security policy. Facing changes in the international situation and multiple challenges from non-traditional security threats, failure to review the budget on schedule would be detrimental to building national defense combat power. More seriously, it would trigger doubts from allied countries about Taiwan's self-defense resolve, weaken international trust, and have far-reaching effects.

3.Conclusion

The current enemy threat was becoming increasingly severe, and the rapid enhancement of national defense combat power brooked no delay. Since the review of the 2026 budget proposal had not been completed, the Ministry could only limitedly maintain the continuation of ongoing programs. However, in terms of new programs, it faced the dilemma of "having plans but no budget." The establishment of national defense strength relied on stable resource input. Any delay in time would cause irreversible negative impacts. The Ministry called on all citizens and the Legislative Yuan to support the smooth passage of the 2026 national defense budget so that military buildup and readiness work could advance steadily, and everyone could work together to safeguard national security and peace and stability.

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Minister Koo Receives Delegation from the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate Hopes to Deepen Bilateral Defense Exchanges

ROC Ministry of National Defense

2026.04.08

Issuing AuthorityAdministration Office

Ministry of National Defense Press Release

Time: 1910 hours, April 8, 2026

Minister of National Defense Wellington Koo Li-hsiung received two U.S. congressional delegations today (April 8). In the morning, he met with the delegation led by Chairman Zach Nunn of the National Security Task Force of the Republican Study Committee (RSC) in the U.S. House of Representatives. In the afternoon, he met with the delegation led by Senator Jim Banks. Both sides exchanged views on important issues including the special defense budget, defense policy, Taiwan-U.S. security cooperation, and the current situation in the Taiwan Strait. The goal was to deepen bilateral defense exchanges and jointly maintain peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.

When receiving the House delegation in the morning, Minister Koo first thanked Chairman Nunn for publicly reminding attendees at the February hearing of the House Select Committee on the Strategic Competition between the United States and the Chinese Communist Party that the PRC threat to Taiwan had extended beyond traditional military dimensions to gray-zone harassment such as cyberattacks, information manipulation, and economic sanctions. This helped gain U.S. congressional support and attention for Taiwan's security and demonstrated the firm commitment that Taiwan and the United States were important partners to each other.

During the later meeting with Senator Banks, Minister Koo stated that Senator Banks had actively sponsored Taiwan-friendly bills such as the Taiwan Peace Through Strength Act since his time in the House of Representatives. As a key member of the Senate Committee on Armed Services, he had also helped promote multiple Taiwan-friendly provisions in the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026 (NDAA 2026), putting into practice the strategic goal of "peace through strength."

Minister Koo emphasized that, facing increasingly severe regional security challenges, Taiwan urgently needed to strengthen Defense Resilience and asymmetric warfare capabilities. The special defense budget bill currently proposed by the government, in addition to traditional weapons procurement, also focused on "defense industry self-reliance" and "Taiwan-U.S. technological cooperation." It was hoped that through bilateral technological exchanges, private sector production capacity could be stimulated, achieving the goal of symbiotic prosperity between defense technology and the economy.

Minister Koo further explained that U.S. arms sales to Taiwan were a key force in enhancing Taiwan's self-defense capabilities and maintaining peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region. In addition to thanking the U.S. side for completing the congressional notification procedure for some arms sales items, he sincerely hoped that the remaining unfinished cases could be accelerated to facilitate the review and passage of the special budget.

Both Chairman Nunn and Senator Banks expressed affirmation for Taiwan's efforts to enhance defense self-reliance and self-defense resolve. They emphasized that Taiwan-U.S. security cooperation was irreplaceable for regional stability. In the future, both sides would continue to strengthen military exchanges and strategic dialogue to jointly defend the values of freedom and democracy and safeguard peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.

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LAKE MARY, Fla., April 16, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Vibrant Ingredients, the world's largest private equity-owned natural ingredient supplier, is building on a period of meaningful transformation and momentum following the appointment of CEO Vince Macciocchi in 2024. Under his leadership, the organization has completed a company-wide rebrand, implemented a customer centric go-to-market strategy, strengthened its leadership structure, and expanded its capabilities through investments in new and enhanced technologies across its sites.

These efforts have accelerated product development, expanded Vibrant's customer base, and enhanced the company's ability to deliver high-quality, innovative ingredient solutions at scale. The progress reflects a disciplined approach to growth, paired with a clear vision for the company's future.

That same philosophy extends beyond business performance, with an increased focus on community engagement becoming a defining priority during Macciocchi's tenure.

In 2025, Vibrant launched a partnership with Soldiers' Angels, a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing aid, comfort, and resources to military personnel, veterans, and their families. The partnership holds particular significance for Vibrant, as several members of its leadership team and employees have direct ties to military service and veteran communities.

As part of this collaboration, Vibrant will sponsor and participate in multiple initiatives throughout the year. In June, the company will support the Orlando Sponsored Food Distribution Event, followed by participation in the Orlando-based Veterans Day event, "Home of the Brave," in November. In addition to event sponsorship, Vibrant will contribute donations to support Soldiers' Angels' ongoing mission. The company will also lead and participate in nationwide food drives throughout the year, engaging employees across all sites, from Florida to Indiana to California, in a unified effort to fight food insecurity in the communities it serves.

Earlier in 2025, Vibrant participated in the Soldiers' Angels' "Adopt-a-Family" program as a company-wide initiative. Teams across all U.S. locations, along with remote employees, came together to support designated families by fulfilling holiday wish lists through coordinated donations, demonstrating a shared commitment to giving.

Further demonstrating its commitment, Vibrant Ingredients also sponsored and presented a $10,000 donation during a military and veteran food distribution event in August 2025, at the Lake Baldwin VA Clinic.

"At Vibrant, we believe our responsibility goes beyond the business itself," said Vince Macciocchi, CEO of Vibrant Ingredients. "Giving back to the communities we serve, especially those who have given so much through military service, is something we take seriously. Ultimately, what matters most is making a real difference in people's lives."

These initiatives highlight a growing emphasis on giving back, reinforcing Vibrant's commitment to building not only a stronger business but a stronger community.

About Vibrant Ingredients

Founded in 1954, Vibrant Ingredients is a leading provider of natural, clean label ingredients and systems that power extraordinary food and beverage experiences. The company's broad portfolio  including natural flavors, botanical extracts, functional nutrition, cold brew coffee, tea essences, and food protection solutions  enhances taste, texture, color, shelf life, and performance across a wide range of applications. Vibrant operates four state-of-the-art facilities across the United States and works with leading brands, manufacturers, and foodservice operators. With vertically integrated capabilities and a proven track record of innovation and execution, Vibrant helps customers accelerate to market without compromise. Learn more at www.vibrantingredients.com

Media Contact: Kelsey Anderson, Brand Manager, Vibrant Ingredients, [email protected]

SOURCE Vibrant Ingredients
PLA activities in the waters and airspace around Taiwan

ROC Ministry of National Defense

2026.04.16

Issuing AuthorityPolitical Warfare Bureau

PLA activities in the waters and airspace around Taiwan

1.Date:

6 a.m. Apr. 15 (Wed.) to 6 a.m. Apr. 16 (Thu.) (UTC+8)

2.PLA activities:

3 sorties of PLA aircraft, 6 PLAN ships and 3 official ships operating around Taiwan were detected as of 6 a.m. (UTC+8) today. 3 out of 3 sorties entered Taiwan's southwestern and eastern ADIZ. ROC Armed Forces have monitored the situation and employed CAP aircraft, Navy ships, and coastal missile systems in response to detected activities.

1150416_PLA activities in the waters and airspace around Taiwan

1150416_PLA air activities in the vicinity of Taiwan

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UK military chiefs asked to find 3.5bn in savings - and get ready for war

Azerbaijan State News Agency - (AZERTAC)

15.04.2026 [14:50]

Baku, April 15, AZERTAC

UK military chiefs have been asked to find 3.5bn in "efficiencies" and other savings this year, even as Sir Keir Starmer says he is readying his armed forces for war, according to Sky News.

One source said the heads of the army, Royal Navy, Royal Air Force and other top brass were due to meet this week to discuss the funding pressures.

A second source said the squeeze is because the current budget is insufficient simply to deliver the programme of record - let alone ambitions set out in a major review of defence that was published last June to rebuild and rearm in response to escalating threats.

A third source said that the Ministry of Defence - like all government departments - has to operate within the agreed budget set out by the Treasury.

Defence officials had been holding out for the possibility of more money being made available faster as part of a major, 10-year plan to invest in new equipment and capabilities.

However, the government has still not signed off on the Defence Investment Plan (DIP) - even though it should have been published last autumn.

It means that there is no let-up in the financial squeeze, leading to further demands on military officers and civil servants to look for new ways to cut costs.

The revelations about the in-year cash crisis emerged as Lord George Robertson, the lead author of the prime minister's Strategic Defence Review and a former Labour defence secretary, prepares to issue a devastating critique of the government's record on defence.

In a speech this evening, he will accuse the prime minister and his chancellor of "corrosive complacency" that has left the armed forces "underprepared" for the threats they face.

Lord Robertson, also a former head of the NATO alliance, will take particular aim at Rachel Reeves, her apparent lack of interest in defence and the incompatibility of vast welfare spending with supercharging the defence budget.

He will accuse "non-military experts in the Treasury" of "vandalism", adding: "We cannot defend Britain with an ever-expanding welfare budget."

Asked about the claim that military chiefs have been urged to find 3.5bn in efficiencies and other savings in-year, a Ministry of Defence spokesperson said: "The defence budget is rising to record levels as this government delivers the biggest boost to defence spending since the Cold War, totalling 270bn this parliament alone.

"Demands on defence are rising, with growing Russian aggression, the crisis in the Middle East and increasing operational requirements.

"We are finalising our Defence Investment Plan that we will publish as soon as possible, putting the best kit and technology into the hands of our forces, rebuilding British industry to make defence an engine for growth and doubling down on our own commitment to NATO."

A request to make efficiency savings is different to a budget cut. Military chiefs have repeatedly been requested over the years to find ways to do things cheaper or more efficiently.

They will typically draw up lists of options - including extremely unpalatable ones that could not be accepted - in a back and forth with defence and Treasury officials to try to make the in-year finances work.

In a defence review in 2015, however, much of the investment plans to buy more military kit were predicated on billions of pounds in unspecified efficiency savings that were never achieved, leaving the armed forces more hollow.

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1,200 UK jobs supported by nearly 900 million defence deal to keep military helicopters mission-ready

Press release

More than 1,000 jobs have been secured through a new contract to help sustain Army Apache and RAF Chinook helicopters.

From: Ministry of Defence and Luke Pollard MP

Published 15 April 2026

879 million contract awarded to Boeing Defence UK to keep the British Army Apache and RAF Chinook helicopters mission-ready.

Deal brings support for both helicopter fleets together under one arrangement for the first time, improving efficiency and value for the taxpayer.

Work supports more than 1,000 UK jobs, as record government investment makes defence an engine for growth.

More than 1,000 jobs have been secured through a new contract to help sustain Army Apache and RAF Chinook helicopters.

The three-year 879 million contract has been awarded to Boeing Defence UK to maintain and support the British Army's Apache attack helicopters and RAF's Chinook heavy-lift helicopters.

The contract brings together support for both fleets under a single arrangement - the Rotary Wing Enterprise - for the first time. This will improve how the aircraft are maintained, reduce duplication and deliver better value for the taxpayer.

It comes as the Minister for Defence Readiness and Industry, Luke Pollard, visits the Army Aviation Centre in Hampshire to announce the contract and meet apprentices and staff at Boeing Defence UK.

700 skilled jobs will be supported at Boeing Defence UK sites across the UK, including at Middle Wallop, Wattisham, Odiham, Bristol, Gosport and Yeovil. A further 500 jobs are supported across the supply chain, including 300 at StandardAero.

The contract is another major investment made possible by the Government's record increase in defence investment, which will total 270 billion over this parliament and make defence an engine for growth across Britain.

In recent weeks, the Ministry of Defence has awarded:

A 1 billion contract for New Medium Helicopter programme, securing over 3,000 jobs in Yeovil.

Half a billion invested in state-of-the-art radar systems for Britain's Typhoon jets - jets which are flying daily defensive missions in the Middle East.

A 100 million boost to support RAF P8 submarine hunting aircraft - aircraft involved in exposing the recent Russian submarine operation in and around UK waters.

A multi-million contract with UK start-up Cambridge Aerospace to supply new interceptor missiles and launchers to the UK Armed Forces and Gulf partners.

Minister for Defence Readiness and Industry, Luke Pollard MP said:

From the workshop to the frontline, this investment delivers for our military, for the British people and the British defence industry. Our workhorse Chinooks and lethal Apaches help keep our Armed Forces safe and operating effectively while on deployment. This contract shows how we're ensuring our Armed Forces have the kit and equipment they need to keep Britain safe. We are investing record levels into defence, meaning no return to the hollowed out and underfunded Armed Forces of the past, while making defence an engine for growth.

Boeing Defence UK will provide maintenance, technical services, logistical support and training for both fleets. The Apache gives the Army its crewed attack capability, while the Chinook supports multi-service operations as the RAF's primary heavy-lift aircraft. Together, they are essential to the UK's battlefield effectiveness.

Sir Jeremy Quin, President of Boeing UK & Ireland, said:

This contract highlights the UK Government's commitment to maintaining a world-class rotary wing capability and strengthening the country's defence industrial base. It will help ensure our armed forces remain equipped to meet both current and future operational challenges with confidence and resilience.

The UK Armed Forces boasts the Apache AH-64E aircraft - the world's most advanced attack helicopter. Its radar can passively geolocate threats without giving away the aircraft's position, detecting more than 1,000 targets, classifying 256 and prioritising the top 16 in seconds.

The UK also has Chinook helicopters which can operate in diverse environments, from the Arctic to deserts. The aircraft primarily support troop transport, resupply, and casualty evacuation, carrying up to 55 troops and 10 tonnes of cargo.

The investment underlines the Government's commitment to UK defence jobs, backed by the largest sustained increase in defence spending since the end of the Cold War - hitting 2.6% from 2027.

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"We are partners for a secure Europe"

Germany - Federal Government

Press conference on German-Ukrainian intergovernmental consultations

Germany and Ukraine want to move closer together. At the German-Ukrainian intergovernmental consultations, Federal Chancellor Merz emphasised the common goal of learning from each other and investing in the future together.

Transcript of press conference

Tuesday, 14 April 2026

Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz received Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for German-Ukrainian intergovernmental consultations in Berlin. The first consultations in over 20 years set the course for a strategic partnership. "Our cooperation is more effective today, our trusting partnership stronger and our friendship and the bond between our societies deeper than ever," said Merz at the end of the meeting.

Both governments agreed on a joint declaration that further strengthens this partnership. Ukraine and Germany also signed agreements on security cooperation and on industrial reconstruction in Ukraine.

Read the most important facts in brief here:

Partners for a secure Europe: Since 2026 Germany has become Ukraine's most important bilateral partner, the Chancellor emphasised. Military support also strengthens Germany's security, and at the same time, Germany continues to support Ukraine's aspirations to join the EU.

Since 2026 Germany has become Ukraine's most important bilateral partner, the Chancellor emphasised. Military support also strengthens Germany's security, and at the same time, Germany continues to support Ukraine's aspirations to join the EU. Economic dynamism and innovation: Germany could benefit from Ukraine's experience in the digitalisation and modernisation of state services. In Ukraine, on the other hand, German companies can contribute their extensive expertise to the reconstruction process. "And, of course, we are providing Ukraine with intensive support in the area of energy security," emphasised Federal Chancellor Merz with a view to the coming winter.

Germany could benefit from Ukraine's experience in the digitalisation and modernisation of state services. In Ukraine, on the other hand, German companies can contribute their extensive expertise to the reconstruction process. "And, of course, we are providing Ukraine with intensive support in the area of energy security," emphasised Federal Chancellor Merz with a view to the coming winter. Cultural exchange and municipal partnerships: A German-Ukrainian Year of Culture is planned for 2027/2028. A joint municipal partnership conference is to be held in 2026. The two countries also want to work more closely together to make it easier for Ukrainian citizens who have found refuge in Germany to return to Ukraine. Germany also supports Ukraine's efforts to reduce the number of Ukrainian men of military age leaving the country to travel to the EU.

A German-Ukrainian Year of Culture is planned for 2027/2028. A joint municipal partnership conference is to be held in 2026. The two countries also want to work more closely together to make it easier for Ukrainian citizens who have found refuge in Germany to return to Ukraine. Germany also supports Ukraine's efforts to reduce the number of Ukrainian men of military age leaving the country to travel to the EU. Peace for Ukraine: The Federal Chancellor reaffirmed the goal of a negotiated end to the Russian war of aggression. "Ukraine is ready for it, but will rightly not accept a dictated peace," said the Chancellor. Supporting the country is part of clever and powerful diplomacy. The agreed EU loan is now set to be put in place. At the same time, further measures are planned to dry up the sources of Russian war funding.

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Foreign Minister Tsahkna: readiness of 17 countries to join the agreement on the crime of aggression brings us closer to launching the special tribunal

Republic of Estonia - Ministry of Foreign Affairs

15.04.2026 | 17:02

Yesterday, 14 April, Iceland and Poland confirmed their readiness to join the Council of Europe's Enlarged Partial Agreement establishing the administrative committee of the special tribunal for the crime of aggression against Ukraine. According to Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna, this marks significant progress towards launching the tribunal's work.

"As of now, 17 member states have expressed readiness to join the administrative agreement for the special tribunal, exceeding the threshold required by the Council of Europe for its adoption," the foreign minister explained. "We commend all our partners and allies who have already signalled their intention to participate. I call on all other Council of Europe members, as well as non-members who have not yet done so, to join the agreement and support the work of the special tribunal."

Tsahkna stressed that the special tribunal for the crime of aggression must be launched as soon as possible. "Russia has shown no indication of abandoning its objectives; on the contrary, its aggression against the Ukrainian state, its people and its environment continues, and international norms are being violated daily," he said. "It is therefore essential that supporting countries swiftly complete their domestic procedures for the administrative agreement so that the tribunal can begin investigating the crimes of those responsible for the aggression."

The special tribunal for the crime of aggression is an independent international court to be established on the basis of an agreement between the Council of Europe and Ukraine. Its purpose is to investigate and prosecute those individuals most responsible for committing the crime of aggression. The tribunal will complement the work of the International Criminal Court (ICC): while the ICC investigates war crimes and crimes against humanity committed in Ukraine, the special tribunal will focus specifically on the crime of aggression.

The tribunal's founding documents were prepared by a core group established in 2022, comprising legal experts from 40 countries, including Estonia, as well as representatives of the European Union and the Council of Europe. In June 2025, Council of Europe Secretary General Alain Berset and President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed the agreement establishing the tribunal. In February, Estonia became the first country whose parliament approved the agreement on establishing the administrative committee of the Council of Europe's special tribunal for the crime of aggression.

The resolution to adopt the administrative agreement is scheduled for discussion in the Council of Europe in early May and will be submitted at the meeting of the Council of Europe Committee of Ministers in Chisinau on 14-15 May.

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Yulia Svyrydenko met with U.S. Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent

Ukraine Government

Department of Information and Public Communications of the Secretariat of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine, posted 15 April 2026 22:21

Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko met with U.S. Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent. The focus of the meeting was on the financial and energy situation in Ukraine and the impact of the conflict in the Middle East on global markets.

Following up on the meeting of the Governing Board of the U.S.-Ukraine Reconstruction Investment Fund (URIF), which took place in March in Kyiv, the parties noted the importance of approving upcoming investment projects. They agreed to expand URIF's capabilities and establish a co-investment fund.

The importance of significantly expanding the mechanism for covering war risks for potential investors in the Ukrainian economy was also discussed. The unique instruments of the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC), which are capable of supporting private capital in wartime conditions, can play an important role here.

"We specifically focused on the need to strengthen sanctions policy against russia to prevent the strengthening of its military capabilities. Ukraine's position remains unchanged: sanctions against russian companies must be tightened, particularly regarding restrictions on the supply of weapons components and the reduction of russia's oil and gas revenues. We are already seeing their effect," noted Yulia Svyrydenko.

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Germany remains our key partner in the energy sector: Denys Shmyhal

Ukraine Government

Ministry of Energy of Ukraine, posted 15 April 2026 09:37

During the plenary session of the Ukrainian-German intergovernmental consultations, chaired by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and German Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz, First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Energy of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal outlined the challenges facing energy security, the current needs of the Ukrainian energy sector, and described the opportunities for developing Ukrainian-German cooperation.

Denys Shmyhal thanked Germany for EUR 552 million to the Energy Support Fund, delivered hundreds of humanitarian shipments, and provided thousands of tonnes of equipment.

"We highly value our cooperation within the German-Ukrainian Energy Partnership. More than 100 German companies have provided 22,000 pieces of equipment for the repair and maintenance of Ukraine's critical infrastructure. Thank you!" stressed the Minister of Energy.

According to Denys Shmyhal, no less important is the continued engagement of Siemens Energy, which has remained involved in Ukraine even during the most difficult periods.

First Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Energy of Ukraine proposed to the German side the creation of a joint mechanism for building a strategic reserve of energy equipment with the participation of Germany, other partners, and international institutions. This means pre-positioned stocks of critical components ready for rapid deployment in the event of large-scale damage.

Another practical and rapid solution, according to Denys Shmyhal, is the use of equipment from decommissioned thermal power plants in Germany.

"At the same time, we are not just restoring - we are transforming our energy system. Our goal is to build a modern, resilient system integrated with ENTSO-E. Germany's experience in the energy transition is extremely valuable to us," noted the First Deputy Prime Minister..

Moreover, Denys Shmyhal stressed that Ukrainian specialists were working under constant pressure, while also building a system designed for long-term resilience and integration. German companies entering the Ukrainian market today have the opportunity to become early participants in this process.

"We are open to cooperation and ready to offer concrete investment projects," summed up First Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Energy Denys Shmyhal.

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Denys Shmyhal holds meeting with German Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and Energy Katherina Reiche

Ukraine Government

Ministry of Energy of Ukraine, posted 15 April 2026 09:29

As part of the visit of the Ukrainian delegation led by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to Germany, the First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Energy of Ukraine, Denys Shmyhal, held a meeting with the German Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and Energy, Katherina Reiche.

The Head of the Ministry of Energy of Ukraine thanked Germany for its close cooperation and significant support for Ukraine's energy sector. "The total volume of assistance already amounts to EUR 552 million - this is an important contribution to the restoration and strengthening of our energy system," he noted.

During the meeting with Katherina Reiche, Denys Shmyhal raised the issue of transferring a 38 MW gas turbine unit, linked to the Nord Stream infrastructure, for the needs of JSC Ukrnafta in repairing the Kryvyi Rih Combined Heat and Power Plant.

"This will be an important political decision. I am grateful to our German colleagues, who are already working on this matter," the Minister of Energy remarked.

The parties agreed to strengthen cooperation on the procurement of necessary equipment for the restoration of energy infrastructure and the formation of reserves ahead of the 2026/2027 heating season. In particular, this involves the use of equipment from decommissioned energy facilities in Germany.

The ministers also paid particular attention to the development of cooperation in the field of biomethane exports. Germany is a priority market for Ukraine, and expanding cooperation has significant potential.

"Thank you for your support and readiness to continue working together to strengthen Ukraine's energy security," concluded the First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Energy of Ukraine.

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NATO Secretary General welcomes additional aid at Ukraine Defence Contact Group meeting

NATO - North Atlantic Treaty Organisation

15 April 2026

On Wednesday (15 April 2026) NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte participated in a meeting of the Ukraine Defence Contact Group (UDCG) in Berlin. The meeting was jointly chaired by German Minister of Defence, Boris Pistorius and UK Defence Secretary, John Healey.

Ukraine's Minister of Defence, Mykhailo Fedorov, briefed Allies on the situation on the battlefield and highlighted Ukraine's most urgent needs. During his intervention, the Secretary General stressed the need for continued support to Ukraine. He stressed: "We cannot lose focus on Ukraine, even with the many security challenges we face." Mr Rutte also welcomed new contributions by Germany, the UK and the Netherlands and further announcements of support to PURL and the Czech ammunition initiative. "Today we reaffirmed our commitment to Ukraine", the Secretary General said.

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Press Release

Romania - Ministry of National Defence

Press release No. 71

15.04.2026



On the morning of Wednesday, April 15, military forces of the Russian Federation conducted multiple attacks targeting civilian and infrastructure objectives in Ukraine, in areas near the Danube River border with Romania, opposite Tulcea County.

Following the detection of a group of drones operating in proximity to Romanian airspace, the National Military Command Center notified the General Inspectorate for Emergency Situations to initiate alert measures for the population in the northern part of Tulcea County. Consequently, a RO-Alert warning message was issued at 02:37.

Two Romanian Air Policing F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft were scrambled from the 86th Air Base Fetesti. At the same time, air defense systems were activated and prepared to respond to potential threats.

A few hours later, a new formation of drones was detected heading toward Izmail, prompting the issuance of a second RO-Alert message at 05:08.

No unauthorized incursions into Romanian national airspace were recorded.

The air defense alert was lifted at 05:42.

The Ministry of National Defense continues to maintain all necessary surveillance, monitoring, and coordination measures to ensure the protection of the population and the integrity of national territory.



The Press Office

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CHARLESTON, W.Va., April 16, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- West Virginia American Water is pleased to announce a $550,000 infrastructure upgrade project on E. Maple Avenue in Fayetteville.

"We are committed to continued investment in our infrastructure systems across the state," said Scott Wyman, President of West Virginia American Water. "This project will benefit the Fayetteville community and customers we serve and will allow us to continue providing safe, clean, reliable and affordable water to the community."

The project entails replacing 1,020 feet of aging pipe with 6-inch PVC main and will occur on E. Maple Avenue from Huse Street to Ankrom Street. It is scheduled to be completed by the end of June, and the final street restoration will be completed in the summer of 2026.

This infrastructure upgrade project is part of West Virginia American Water's plan to invest more than $134 million in continued infrastructure upgrades across the state in 2026, supporting the economic health of communities across the company's service area. Economic impact studies show that for every $1 million invested in water infrastructure, 10 jobs are generated throughout local economies.

Over the past decade, West Virginia American Water has invested over $805 million in infrastructure projects and capital upgrades to address aging infrastructure across the Mountain State, including more than 168 miles of new water main. To learn more about these ongoing investments, visit the company's interactive upgrade map.

During construction, crews will work Monday through Friday between 7:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Traffic restrictions will be in place for the duration of the project. Additionally, customers may experience temporary service interruptions, discolored water, and/or lower than normal water pressure. Crews will work as quickly as possible to shorten the length of these temporary inconveniences. To report water related emergencies such as leaks, main breaks or other service disruptions, customers can submit a service request on the company's website.

About American Water

American Water (NYSE: AWK) is the largest regulated water and wastewater utility company in the United States. With a history dating back to 1886 and celebrating 140 years in 2026, We Keep Life Flowing by providing safe, clean, reliable and affordable drinking water and wastewater services to approximately 14 million people with regulated operations in 14 states and on 18 military installations. American Water's approximately 7,000 talented professionals leverage their significant expertise and the company's national size and scale to achieve excellent outcomes for the benefit of customers, employees, investors and other stakeholders.

For more information, visit amwater.com and join American Water on LinkedIn, Facebook, X and Instagram.

About West Virginia American Water

West Virginia American Water, a subsidiary of American Water, is the largest regulated water utility in the state with approximately 300 dedicated employees working to provide safe, clean, reliable and affordable water and wastewater services to approximately 610,000 people.

SOURCE American Water
UK announces biggest ever drone package for Ukraine to push back Putin

Press release

Biggest ever UK drone package for Ukraine announced, including more than 120,000 drones, supplying cutting-edge battlefield technology.

From: Ministry of Defence

Published 15 April 2026

The UK has announced the biggest ever drone package for Ukraine, delivering at least 120,000 drones for Ukraine this year and driving growth and jobs across the UK.

It comes as the Defence Secretary travels to Berlin today to co-chair the 34th meeting of the 50-nation strong Ukraine Defence Contact Group in Berlin, alongside German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius, Ukrainian Minister of Defence Mykhailo Fedorov, and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte.

The new package, the largest of its kind ever supplied by the UK, will include thousands of long-range strike drones, intelligence and reconnaissance drones, logistics drones and maritime capabilities, which are all battle-proven on Ukraine's frontline. Deliveries of these new drones to Ukraine have already started this month.

Drones are proving critical to both Ukrainian counterattacks across the frontline over the past months, as well as their defence against continued Russian attacks. Approximately 6,500 one-way attack drones were launched by Russia against Ukraine in March 2026, a significant increase on February's total.

In a boost to British business, the majority of this investment will be spent with UK-based companies, including Tekever, Windracers and Malloy Aeronautics - creating new UK jobs whilst defending Ukraine's security and sovereignty. The British drone sector is rapidly advancing, and supports both UK security and wider European deterrence, while driving skills and innovation in every region of the UK.

Defence Secretary John Healey MP said:

In the fifth year of Putin's brutal war, the UK is stepping up further and providing the highest ever number of drones for Ukraine this year. This big boost of battle-proven drones will give Ukrainian forces the capability they need to defend their people and fight back against Russian aggression. With eyes on the Middle East in recent weeks, Putin wants us to be distracted, but Ukrainians continue to fight with huge courage and nothing will distract us from continuing to stand with them for as long as it takes to secure peace.

The new drone package is backed by the UK's wider 3 billion military support for Ukraine this year, as well as ERA funding. The Defence Secretary will also confirm that the UK will be providing hundreds of thousands of artillery rounds and thousands of air defence missiles for Ukraine this year.

This follows the new world-leading defence partnership, agreed last month, that will see the UK and Ukraine work together to boost global defensive capability against the proliferation of low cost, high tech military hardware, including drones.

The UK continues to play a leading role in international support, with Healey convening and co-chairing the Ukraine Defence Contact Group alongside Germany, working closely with allies across NATO and beyond. The Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rachel Reeves is also expected to announce further support for Ukraine later today at a meeting of international finance ministers in Washington DC.

Today's announcement builds on the UK's recent 500 million air defence package announced in February at the Ukraine Defence Contact Group at NATO headquarters in Brussels.

That package included 150 million for NATO's Prioritised Ukraine Requirements List (PURL) initiative, enabling the rapid delivery of air defence interceptors, alongside the provision of more than 1,000 Lightweight Multirole Missiles manufactured in Belfast.

It also supported a 390 million deal to boost collaboration between UK and Ukrainian industry, including the transfer of production and support for air defence systems to Ukraine.

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Andrii Sybiha held a meeting with Minister of Foreign Affairs of Norway Espen Barth Eide

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine

15 April 2026 08:17

Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Andrii Sybiha: "As part of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's visit to Norway, I met with Ukraine's true friend, my Norwegian colleague Espen Barth Eide.

We agreed that today's visit marks an important step toward the development of a strategic partnership between our countries.

I expressed our sincere gratitude for Norway's unwavering support, especially throughout the winter period, our strong cooperation in the energy sector, and our close defense and security partnership.

We discussed further defense support and security cooperation, joint defense production, and development of the PURL initiative.

We also spoke about ways to advance our mutually beneficial partnership. Norway remains a reliable partner, and we are committed to deepening our cooperation across key areas."

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Andrii Sybiha held phone talks with Minister of Foreign Affairs of the State of Israel Gideon Sa'ar

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine

15 April 2026 08:12

Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Andrii Sybiha: "I held a call with my Israeli counterpart Gideon Sa'ar on a wide range of bilateral issues.

We focused in particular on security matters and the situation in the Middle East, exchanging views on possible further developments.

I also drew attention to a Russian vessel carrying grain stolen from Ukraine that was allowed to dock in one of Israel's ports. I stressed that the illegal export of stolen Ukrainian agricultural products is part of Russia's broader war effort. Such illegal trade with stolen goods must not be allowed.

We reaffirmed our mutual interest in advancing the bilateral agenda and maintaining an active dialogue, including on security-related matters. We agreed to remain in close contact."

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Losses of russian forces now exceed russia's mobilization rates, says Mykhailo Fedorov at the opening of the 34th Ramstein-format meeting

Ministry of Defence of Ukraine

15 April, 2026, 4:43 PM EEST

The 34th ministerial meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group in the Ramstein format has begun in Berlin.

At the opening of the meeting, Ukraine's Minister of Defence, Mykhailo Fedorov, addressed defense ministers, partners, and media representatives. He first expressed gratitude to every country helping to strengthen Ukraine's defense capabilities.

"Ukraine seeks peace. Our diplomatic efforts continue on a daily basis. However, diplomacy is effective only when Ukraine is strong on the battlefield and when russia's ability to continue the war is significantly diminished," said the Minister of Defence.

Mykhailo Fedorov explained that Ukraine's approach to the war, structured around three domainsair, land, and the economyis already producing results.

Effectiveness of Ukraine's air defense

According to the Minister of Defence, during the previous winter, the enemy launched the following against Ukraine:

462 ballistic missiles;

nearly 600 cruise missiles;

27,000 Shahed-type drones.

"The objective was to destroy the energy system and leave people without electricity. Ukraine endured," Mykhailo Fedorov emphasized.

Ukraine has enhanced its air defense capabilities, with interception rates reaching nearly 80% for cruise missiles and up to 90% for drones.

"I thank our partners for their support through the PURL programme. I am grateful to Germany, the Netherlands, Spain, Poland, and Romania for Patriot missiles, and to the United States for enabling partners to procure the necessary interceptors," said Ukraine's Minister of Defence.

Losses of russian forces have exceeded russia's mobilization rates

The Minister noted that on the battlefield, the Defence Forces of Ukraine are not only holding the line but also intensifying pressure. Losses of russian forces have reached a level that exceeds russia's mobilization rates.

"We are inflicting significant costs on the enemy for every meter of Ukrainian land," Mykhailo Fedorov added.

Today, russia is sustaining losses of 254 personnel per square kilometer, and in the Donetsk region, an average of 428.

In parallel, Ukraine is increasing pressure on russia's economy, particularly in the energy sector. At the same time, efforts are underway to disrupt the enemy's logistics, increase its expenditures, and constrain the resources available to finance the war.

According to Mykhailo Fedorov, Ukraine's priorities remain unchanged:

air defense;

scaling up Ukrainian drones and missiles;

ensuring the supply of long-range artillery ammunition.

"Today, we will present new initiatives to strengthen cooperation. These are true win-win partnerships. Together, we will advance a just and lasting peace," Mykhailo Fedorov concluded.

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Air defence, drones, data exchange and joint production: Ukraine and Germany scale up cooperation

Ministry of Defence of Ukraine

15 April, 2026, 5:19 PM EEST

Ukraine and Germany are scaling up key areas of defence cooperation, particularly in air defence, the exchange of battlefield data, the development of drone capabilities, and joint weapons production.

These topics were discussed during a series of meetings between Ukraine's Minister of Defence, Mykhailo Fedorov, and the leadership of the Federal Ministry of Defence of Germany, as well as representatives of the Bundestag, as part of the visit to Berlin.

Ukraine's Minister of Defence also addressed the intergovernmental consultations, attended by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, and representatives of both governments, during which he outlined priorities for developing a partnership with Germany in accordance with Ukraine's War Plan.

Key areas of cooperation

During a meeting with Germany's Minister of Defence, Boris Pistorius, the parties agreed on the key areas of defence cooperation.

Mykhailo Fedorov expressed gratitude to Germany for its critically important support, particularly in air defence and the development of mid-strike capabilities.

He also highlighted Germany's initiative to supply Ukraine with PAC-3 missiles, which, together with contributions from other partners, helped safeguard critical infrastructure and protect the lives of Ukrainians during the challenging winter period.

The parties also devoted considerable attention to data exchange. Ukraine's Minister of Defence outlined the capabilities of the DELTA system and reaffirmed Ukraine's readiness to share its unique experience of modern warfare.

Air defence and long-range capabilities

The parties discussed further strengthening Ukraine's air defence systems, including the provision of air defence munitions ahead of the next winter. The Ukrainian side emphasised the importance of continuing the PURL (Prioritized Ukraine Requirements List) mechanism and expects EU loan funds to be used to finance it.

The development of joint solutions for intercepting ballistic missiles was also discussed.

The enhancement of long-range capabilities remains a priority, particularly under the "Czech initiative", which is important for supplying the Defence Forces of Ukraine with extended-range munitions.

Joint production and the testing of technologies

During a meeting with Jens Plotner, State Secretary at the Federal Ministry of Defence of Germany, the parties agreed to develop defence industry cooperation and joint weapons production.

Projects with leading German companies are already being implemented, and the parties envisage scaling up this cooperation.

A dedicated area of cooperation will be the testing of German defence solutions in Ukraine. Ukraine can test systems in real combat conditions and obtain subsequent objective feedback. The Test in Ukraine initiative enables the rapid identification and selection of technologies that have demonstrated their effectiveness on the battlefield.

The parties also discussed the development of unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs). The DELTA system already enables the tracking of logistics operations using such solutions, and Ukraine plans to scale up their deployment to save personnel lives.

Defence agreement package worth 4 billion

As reported on April 14, Ukraine and Germany concluded a package of defence agreements totalling 4 billion, focused on strengthening air defence, developing unmanned systems, and joint defence production.

In particular, a contract has been concluded for the supply of several hundred missiles for Patriot systems. Furthermore, the agreements provide for the delivery of launchers for IRIS-T air defence systems.

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The President of Ukraine and the Minister of Defense of Italy Discussed Cooperation in the Defense Sector and Possible Formats of Such Partnership

President of Ukraine

15 April 2026 - 22:04

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a meeting with Minister of Defense of Italy Guido Crosetto to discuss opportunities for cooperation in the defense sector.

The Head of State thanked Italy for its political, military, and diplomatic support since the very beginning of Russia's full-scale invasion. Guido Crosetto assured that this assistance will continue.

The Ukrainian leader noted that during today's meeting with the President of the Council of Ministers of Italy, the Drone Deal was discussed. Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasized that Ukraine is ready to work to ensure proper protection everywhere. Our country is already cooperating for this purpose with nations in the Middle East and the Gulf region, and such a system of protection must also be built in Europe.

The Head of State stressed that Russia continues its terror against Ukraine and our people, and it is important to strengthen Ukrainian air defense with additional systems and missiles.

During the meeting, various formats of cooperation were discussed - both bilateral and multilateral with partners in Europe. In particular, Ukraine is ready to cooperate within the SAFE instrument.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Guido Crosetto share the same position: there is significant potential for defense cooperation, and it must be realized. Future partnership will cover many different areas, including capability development, exchange of experience, and industrial cooperation in various sectors: air defense, unmanned systems, ammunition, and the maritime sphere. The President expressed gratitude for Italy's assurance of readiness in this regard.

The parties agreed to continue work on preparing the Drone Deal and defining all areas of cooperation.



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The President of Ukraine and the President of Italy Met in Rome

President of Ukraine

15 April 2026 - 21:05

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with President of Italy Sergio Mattarella.

The Head of State thanked the President of Italy for his unwavering, principled stance in support of Ukraine and the Ukrainian people.

Sergio Mattarella assured that his country's position remains unchanged and that support for Ukraine will continue.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed particular gratitude for the assistance to Ukraine's energy sector during this difficult winter. The Presidents discussed further support necessary for Ukraine's energy resilience.

The leaders also addressed the security situation in Ukraine and around the globe, including in the Middle East and the Gulf region. Volodymyr Zelenskyy noted that a ceasefire in the region is an important signal of de-escalation and opens opportunities for diplomatic solutions. Ukraine has long emphasized that the same approach should be applied to ending Russian aggression.

The President spoke about Ukraine's agreements with countries of the region on security cooperation and stressed the importance of building a joint protection system in Europe as well. Volodymyr Zelenskyy informed about the agreement with the President of the Council of Ministers of Italy, Giorgia Meloni, to work through the details of the Drone Deal between the two countries.

Particular attention was given to strengthening Ukraine's air defense. The President outlined the need for additional systems and missiles.

"Almost every day, Russia strikes our cities and communities, our energy facilities, and residential buildings with missiles and drones. Under these conditions, air defense is our absolute priority," emphasized Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

The parties also discussed unblocking the decision on the 90 billion financial package for Ukraine, the twentieth sanctions package against Russia, and negotiation clusters on Ukraine's accession to the European Union.





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Statement by the President of Ukraine Following His Meeting with the President of the Council of Ministers of Italy, Giorgia Meloni

President of Ukraine

15 April 2026 - 20:33

Dear Giorgia,

Dear journalists,

Dear Italy,

Thank you for this visit and for your unwavering support for all of us, for Ukraine and Ukrainians. I especially want to thank you for the respect shown to our state, to our independence, to our territorial integrity, and, first of all, to our people. Respect is just as important as security. In my view, when people and states are respected, and when security is guaranteed, there can be truly dignified relations and truly normal life. This is exactly how we work together with Italy, and I am grateful to you, Giorgia, for such relations, and, of course, for the dialogue we have built between us and between our peoples. We work together with Italy and with partners to guarantee security in every sense of the word and to ensure that relations between us are always friendly and meaningful.

In the very first days of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Italy made a clear value-based choice - in favor of life, in favor of our defense. I am grateful for all the assistance from Italy to Ukraine and Ukrainians - political, security, economic, and humanitarian. Let us not forget this winter - it was very difficult. Thank you, Giorgia, for the energy support. We thank you for your leadership, which helps us and Europe as a whole navigate this time of crisis, and for your personal efforts to protect European interests.

I informed Giorgia today about the situation on the battlefield in Ukraine. Sadly, even on Easter, Russia continued assaults on the front. And Russian air strikes persist - hundreds of "shaheds" almost every day, alongside missile attacks. Right now, "shaheds" are once again filling Ukraine's skies - it's another massive attack. Therefore, the task of securing additional air defense remains our foremost priority. We discussed this pressing need and the possibility of working together on air defense production. It is crucial to continue the necessary pressure on Russia because of this war. Sanctions against Russia, preventing the normalization of Russia in its current form, and ensuring sufficient support for Ukraine truly matter for peace. And today, we also addressed, in particular, the need to unblock the European support package for Ukraine worth 90 billion - this decision is necessary. We thank Italy for its support.

We also addressed the situation in the Middle East and the Gulf against the backdrop of the war in Iran. We shared the outcomes of our talks with the leaders of the region and assessments of key positions. It is critical that after this war, there will be more security, not less, and that the interests of all nations are honored. What security will look like after this war is a global concern. And right now, all of us in Europe especially need to coordinate substantively - to safeguard both our interests and our way of life. No country is immune to the consequences of the war in Iran - everywhere the cost of living is rising, everyone feels it, and energy risks are increasing. This worsens social conditions and preparations for the next winter. Ukraine is already contributing to stabilizing the situation in that region - we are working with the relevant countries, teams, and leaders to protect against "shahed" attacks and to develop their defense. Ukraine proposes similar steps for Europe as well. We all need a modern and truly effective defense system capable of protecting against any threats. The war has changed, and now, without genuinely strong protection against every type of drone, no one can feel secure. Ukraine has developed a special format of security agreement, which we call the Drone Deal format. Our military expertise and defense capabilities in drones, missiles, electronic warfare, data sharing, and more. We propose combining all of this with our partners' capabilities. We will only make each other stronger. It is significant that Italy has shown interest in this format of cooperation. Giorgia and I agreed that our teams will work through the details of a Drone Deal between our countries. We are also working to increase engagement between our defense sectors, between our defense companies - this will certainly add strength, technology, and jobs to both our countries.

Of course, we discussed diplomacy - communication with the American side, which is not easy for anyone at the moment, as well as communication at the European level and with other partners around the world. Our new joint achievements will follow. I am very grateful for this dialogue, for this visit. Grazie, Italia!

Glory to Ukraine!

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The Teams of Ukraine and Italy Will Work through the Details of a Drone Deal between Our Countries - Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Following His Meeting with Giorgia Meloni

President of Ukraine

15 April 2026 - 20:08

In Rome, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy and President of the Council of Ministers of Italy Giorgia Meloni discussed the strengthening of security cooperation, further support for Ukraine, and efforts to achieve peace.

The Head of State thanked Giorgia Meloni for the unwavering support of Ukraine, respect for our country, its independence, territorial integrity, and our people. He highlighted Italy's political, security, economic, and humanitarian assistance, including support for Ukraine's energy sector during this winter.

"We work together with Italy and with partners to guarantee security in every sense of the word and to ensure that relations between us are always friendly and meaningful," emphasized Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

The President informed Giorgia Meloni about the situation at the front and Russia's air attacks. Even on Easter, Russia continued assaults on the front. The Head of State stressed that one of the main priorities is strengthening air defense. The leaders discussed Ukraine's needs and the possibilities of working together on air defense production.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Giorgia Meloni also spoke about the importance of continuing sanctions pressure on Russia.

"Italy continues to advance economic pressure on the Russian Federation within the Group of Seven and the European Union. The twentieth sanctions package, which Europe is now preparing to adopt, is an extremely important step to reduce the strength of Russia's war machine," noted the President of the Council of Ministers.

Particular attention was paid to the need to unblock the European support package for Ukraine worth 90 billion. The President highlighted Italy's support in this matter.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Giorgia Meloni also focused on the situation in the Middle East and the Gulf region, exchanging outcomes from talks with the leaders of the region and assessments of key positions.

"It is critical that after this war, there will be more security, not less, and that the interests of all nations are honored. What security will look like after this war is a global concern. And right now, all of us in Europe especially need to coordinate substantively - to safeguard both our interests and our way of life," emphasized the President.

The parties discussed the special security agreement format developed by Ukraine - the Drone Deal.

"Our military expertise and defense capabilities in drones, missiles, electronic warfare, data sharing, and more. We propose combining all of this with our partners' capabilities. It is significant that Italy has shown interest in this format of cooperation. Giorgia and I agreed that our teams will work through the details of a Drone Deal between our countries," said the Head of State.

Giorgia Meloni emphasized that, during the meeting, much attention was devoted to strengthening cooperation in the field of security and defense.

"Italy is interested in establishing joint production, especially in the sphere of drones. We know that over these years Ukraine has truly become advanced in this area," she said.

The leaders discussed the course of peace negotiations and the next steps necessary to achieve peace. According to the President of the Council of Ministers of Italy, her country will continue to provide all necessary support.

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Strengthening Ukraine's Air Defense and Agreements on Drone Deals: Results of the President's Visits to Germany and Norway

President of Ukraine

15 April 2026 - 16:35

During the visits of President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy to Germany and Norway, bilateral documents were signed that strengthen Ukraine's air defense, attract investment, and launch work on Drone Deals.

In Berlin, the President of Ukraine and the Federal Chancellor of Germany, Friedrich Merz, agreed on strengthening Ukraine's air defense, defense cooperation, new contributions to Ukrainian drone production and the PURL initiative, as well as support for the energy sector and reconstruction.

Ukraine proposed a Drone Deal to Germany, and teams are already beginning concrete work in this direction.

At various levels in Berlin, 10 documents were signed, including:

Declaration on the Strategic Partnership between Ukraine and Germany.

Arrangement Concerning Data Cooperation in the battlefield data exchange.

Joint Declaration of Intent on Support of Industrial Recovery and Resilience.

Implementing Arrangement between the Federal Ministry of Defense of Germany and the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine, implementing the Arrangement on Defense Industry Cooperation between the Federal Ministry of Defense of Germany and the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine of October 15, 2025, covering the joint production of Anubis and Seth-X-G unmanned systems.

Contract for the supply of GEM-T missiles between the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine and Raytheon. Contract value - EUR 3.2 billion.

Contract between the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine and Diehl Defence GmbH & Co. KG for the supply of IRIS-T SLM and IRIS-T SLS launchers for the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Contract value - EUR 182 million.

Memorandum of Cooperation between the Ministry for Development of Communities and Territories of Ukraine and the Federal Ministry for Housing, Urban Development and Building of the Federal Republic of Germany.

Memorandum of Understanding between the State Service of Geology and Subsoil of Ukraine and the Federal Institute for Geosciences and Natural Resources of Germany (BGR) on joint efforts in the fields of critical minerals exploration, geoscientific research, and the provision of expert advice to the Government and industrial stakeholders.

Joint Communique of the Ukrainian-German Cooperation in the Field of Mineral Resources.

Joint Declaration of Intent on the Extension of the Institutional Partnership on Social Policy in the Light of the Current Armed Aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine, Ukraine's War-Related Needs and Long-Term EU Requirements between the Federal Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs of the Federal Republic of Germany and the Ministry of Social Policy, Family and Unity of Ukraine.

Ukrainian and German companies signed six documents:

TAF Industries and Thyra - Memorandum of Understanding on the establishment of a Ukrainian-German joint venture for the production of interceptor UAV systems.

WIY and Quantum Systems - Memorandum of Cooperation on the establishment of a joint venture for the production of WIY STRILA interceptor drones.

Ukraviasystem and POINToX - Memorandum of Cooperation for the joint production of missile/aerial systems.

German company Helsing and Ukrainian Culver Aerospace agreed on joint drone production.

Two technology cooperation agreements between Diehl and Ukrainian companies FirePoint and Luch were concluded.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Friedrich Merz held intergovernmental consultations for the first time in over 20 years.

In Oslo, the President of Ukraine and the Prime Minister of Norway, Jonas Gahr Stre, signed the Joint Declaration on Enhanced Defense and Security Cooperation. This document is the first step towards a Drone Deal. The declaration defines priority areas of cooperation, in particular, strengthening Ukraine's defense capabilities.

There is also an agreement with Norway on strengthening Ukraine's air defense and an additional contribution to the PURL initiative.

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LAKELAND, Fla., April 16, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Florida Polytechnic University will welcome renowned astronaut Dr. Koichi Wakata as its 2026 commencement speaker. Wakata made history as the first Japanese commander of the International Space Station (ISS) and the first from his country to spend more than 500 days in space.

Dr. Koichi Wakata, distinguished astronaut and chief technology officer at Axiom Space, will be Florida Polytechnic Universitys 2026 commencement speaker.

"It is a true honor to join the 2026 graduates of Florida Polytechnic University as they embark on their own journey as a new generation of explorers," said Dr. Koichi Wakata astronaut and chief technology officer at Axiom Space. "This 2026 graduating class has proven they possess resilience, adaptability, and a commitment to innovation and discovery which reflects the very spirit required to reach for the stars."

Upon retiring from the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) in 2024, Wakata's accomplishments included five space missions, more than any other Japanese astronaut. During his time on the ISS, Wakata completed two spacewalks for a total of 14 hours and two minutes and operated four of the station's robotic systems.

Florida Poly leaders said his remarkable career reflects the ambition and pursuit of excellence celebrated at commencement for the state's only university exclusively dedicated to STEM education.

"Dr. Wakata's extraordinary career embodies the spirit of exploration, innovation, and perseverance that we strive to instill in our graduates," said Dr. Devin Stephenson, Florida Poly's president. "His groundbreaking contributions to human spaceflight will inspire our students to think bigger and push their limits as they shape the technologies of the future."

As Astronaut and CTO of Axiom Space, Wakata currently leads the expansion of its business strategies in the Asia-Pacific region and contributes to the advancement of Axiom Space's Axiom Station, a commercial space station.

Wakata said he hopes to share insights from his career in engineering and exploration to encourage graduates to reach beyond boundaries in their quest for knowledge and discovery.

"Throughout my career I've learned boundaries are often starting points for discovery," Wakata said. "When faced with challenges or uncertainty, I've learned that leading with curiosity and discipline builds a strong foundation for a life of exploration and deep fulfillment."

Wakata earned a Ph.D. in aerospace engineering, master's degree in applied mechanics, and bachelor's degree in aeronautical engineering from Kyushu University in Fukuoka, Japan.

Florida Poly's 2026 commencement will take place at 2 p.m. on Saturday, May 9 at the RP Funding Center, 701 W. Lime St., in Lakeland, Florida. Visit the commencement webpage for more information.

SOURCE Florida Polytechnic University
Meeting Between the President of Ukraine and the Crown Prince of Norway Took Place in Oslo

President of Ukraine

15 April 2026 - 12:39

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a meeting with Crown Prince Haakon of Norway.

The Head of State thanked Norway, its government, and all its people for their support of Ukraine, in particular for allocating 9 billion in assistance for this year.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy informed about the ongoing Russian strikes and the situation on the frontline. Russia continues its terror against people and life, and therefore, together with its partners, Ukraine is doing everything possible to bolster air defense and enhance protection.

The President noted that Ukraine and Norway are building a strategic partnership in the field of security and defense. In particular, yesterday Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stre signed the relevant declaration, which also marks the beginning of work on the Drone Deal.

The Head of State emphasized that our country seeks to build a long-term, mutually beneficial partnership that will strengthen the defense capabilities of both Ukraine and Norway.

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Volodymyr Zelenskyy Met with the President of the Storting of Norway and Leaders of Political Parties

President of Ukraine

15 April 2026 - 12:12

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with President of the Storting of Norway Masud Gharahkhani and leaders of political parties.

The Head of State thanked the parliamentarians for their strong and unwavering support for Ukraine throughout all the years of Russian aggression.

The President of Ukraine informed that during yesterday's meeting with Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stre they agreed to begin work on preparing the Drone Deal.

"Over the years of this struggle against Russian aggression, Ukraine has gained unique experience in protecting lives. And we are ready to share it for the security of Norway and the entire region," the Head of State noted.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasized that Ukraine counts on the relevant support of the Norwegian parliament.

Special attention was given to the establishment of a Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine. The President stressed that the swift launch of the Special Tribunal is important not only for Ukrainians, but for everyone who seeks peace and the restoration of justice. The parties discussed the work on the Special Tribunal and the steps necessary to launch it. The Head of State called on the Norwegian parliament to support efforts toward the Special Tribunal and a compensation mechanism.

The parliamentarians assured that their support for Ukraine will be unanimous and strong across all possible areas.

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Featured

MoMo crackdown: MobileMoney Fintech clamps down on agents over rule breaches

GraphicOnline Business News Apr - 16 - 2026 , 14:50

MobileMoney Fintech LTD has tightened oversight of its mobile money agent network, introducing stricter compliance checks aimed at safeguarding customers and reinforcing trust in Ghanas fast-growing digital payments ecosystem.

The company, in a media release issued in Accra on April 16, said it had begun routine verification exercises across the MoMo agent platform to ensure adherence to regulatory standards and enhance system security.

As part of the exercise, a number of agent accounts have been subjected to temporary restrictions depending on the severity of identified infractions.

The firm explained that agents found to have committed minor breaches would receive warnings, while those involved in more serious violations could face suspension or permanent termination from the platform.

MobileMoney Fintech indicated that it has already engaged affected agents and, in some cases, restored access where appropriate, pending the outcome of ongoing investigations. The measures, it said, are designed to protect customers, safeguard the MoMo Agents platform, and maintain trust across the agent network.

The move comes at a time when mobile money services continue to play a central role in Ghanas financial inclusion drive, with millions of users relying on agent networks for daily transactions. By reinforcing compliance, the company aims to reduce operational risks and ensure that agents operate strictly within approved guidelines.

MobileMoney Fintech further urged all agents to comply fully with regulatory requirements, stressing that continuous engagement with stakeholders would be key to building a more resilient and sustainable ecosystem.

The company reaffirmed its broader commitment to advancing Ghanas digital economy through secure and reliable financial services, noting that its long-term strategy focuses on empowering individuals, businesses and communities through accessible digital solutions.

With over 17 million registered subscribers since its launch in 2009, MobileMoney Fintech remains one of the countrys leading mobile financial service providers, offering products ranging from payments and remittances to savings and loans, all aimed at deepening economic participation.
Unclaimed Baggage and Society of Illustrators host live 'Love Luggage' painting event on May 2 to kick off National Foster Care Month

SCOTTSBORO, Ala., April 16, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Unclaimed Baggage, the nation's only retailer of lost luggage, is partnering with the Society of Illustrators to launch Love Luggage "Illustrators Unite for Foster Kids," a creative nationwide initiative timed with National Foster Care Month that transforms reclaimed suitcases into powerful works of art for children in foster care.

A Love Luggage painted suitcase

The Love Luggage project addresses a heartbreaking reality: many foster children in the United States move their belongings in black trash bags during sudden home transitions. Love Luggage, a nonprofit initiative of Unclaimed Baggage, replaces those bags with personalized suitcases that convey respect and care.

Hosted at the Society of Illustrators in New York City, the May 2 launch event will feature 20 acclaimed children's book illustrators participating in a live painting project. These artists will turn hard-sided suitcases into "canvases of hope" representing resilience and belonging.

Featured artists include:

Daniel Salmieri: Illustrator of the No. 1 New York Times bestseller Dragons Love Tacos .

Illustrator of the No. 1 bestseller . Brendan Wenzel : Caldecott Honor-winning author and illustrator of They All Saw a Cat.

: Caldecott Honor-winning author and illustrator of James Yang: Geisel Award winner for Stop! Bot!

Geisel Award winner for C.G. Esperanza : Caldecott Honor and Pura Belpre Honor recipient for My Daddy Is a Cowboy .

: Caldecott Honor and Pura Belpre Honor recipient for . Claudia Rueda : New York Times bestselling creator of Bunny Slopes .

: bestselling creator of . Lisk Feng: Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree and award-winning illustrator for Apple, Chanel and Airbnb.

The full list of participating artists is available here.

"This event reflects the heart of the Society of Illustrators' mission to promote the art of illustration and to contribute the service of its members to the welfare of the community," said Arabelle Liepold, Executive Director at the Society of Illustrators. "We're honored to partner with Unclaimed Baggage to bring illustrators and the public together in support of foster youth and to show what creativity can do when it's rooted in compassion."

Attendees of the "Illustrators Unite for Foster Kids" May 2 event will have the unique opportunity to watch the professionals at work and pick up a brush themselves to paint suitcases that will be donated directly to local foster children.

Each gifted suitcase will include a copy of Unclaimed Baggage's book, Tuesday's Bear, which shares the story of a bear left behind but ultimately rescued and loved, along with a teddy bear for comfort and a "first night" bag of essential toiletries.

"Every child in the foster care system deserves to feel seen, valued and deeply loved," said Sharon Owens, Chief Brand Officer at Unclaimed Baggage. "Each painted suitcase is more than a container for belongings; it's a tangible message of worth. Through Love Luggage, we aim to turn a difficult transition into one of dignity and hope."

Following the event, the professional artworks will form a national touring exhibition, appearing in airports, museums and libraries across the country. This exhibition of lost luggage transformed to Love Luggage creates a powerful collective story--sparking awareness, empathy and action for foster children. It invites thousands of people to pause and see the realities of foster care through a new lens.

Concurrent with National Foster Care Month in May, Love Luggage painting workshops will take place nationwide, from New York to Texas to Tennessee. Highlights include senior illustration students from the School of Visual Arts, and a large-scale event at Unclaimed Baggage's flagship store in Scottsboro, Alabama, where more than 250 suitcases will be painted and donated.

"When art, storytelling and purpose come together, a simple suitcase becomes a story of love, dignity and hope," added Owens. "We hope to make a meaningful difference in the lives of foster childrenone suitcase at a time."

The Love Luggage "Illustrators Unite for Foster Kids" event is free to the public and will take place on Saturday, May 2, 2026, from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. EDT at the Society of Illustrators in New York City.

For more information about the event, visit the Unclaimed Baggage website. To learn more about Love Luggage, visit unclaimedbaggage.com/pages/reclaimed-for-good.

About Unclaimed Baggage

Located in Scottsboro, Alabama, Unclaimed Baggage is a one-of-a-kind retail store and the country's only merchant of unclaimed and lost airline baggage and its contents. Unclaimed Baggage offers a treasure trove of goods that airlines have been unable to reunite with their former owners. The store has made national news for its ever-changing array of unique items from around the world, all sold at an incredible value. As part of its commitment to service and generosity, the company created the Reclaimed for Good foundation which has given millions of dollars' worth of product and profit to meet needs around the globe. For more information, visit unclaimedbaggage.com.

About Love Luggage

Love Luggage is a nonprofit initiative of Unclaimed Baggage. The program provides new, personalized suitcases to children in foster care, replacing the plastic bags often used during transitions with something that conveys dignity, care, and belonging. Through partnerships with local and national agencies, Love Luggage has served thousands of children, offering a small but meaningful touch of hope during challenging moments in their lives.

About Society of Illustrators

Founded in 1901, the Society of Illustrators (SI), along with its Museum of Illustration, is the oldest nonprofit organization dedicated to the art of illustration in America. Our mission is to promote the art and appreciation of illustration, its history, and its evolving nature through exhibitions and education programs. Notable SI members have been N.C. Wyeth and Norman Rockwell, among others. Our museum, with its Permanent Collection of 3,500 pieces, is open to the public Wednesdays-Saturdays year-round. Through our exhibitions and hybrid programs, we serve approximately 55,000 people annually. To learn more about the Society, visit societyillustrators.org.

SOURCE Unclaimed Baggage
Chinese national given one year in prison for smuggling ants out of Kenya

Next article: Chinese national given one year in prison for smuggling ants out of Kenya

Featured

Japan pledges $10bn to help Asian countries deal with oil crisis

BBC International News Apr - 16 - 2026 , 10:58 3 minutes read

Japan has pledged to provide $10bn (7.4bn) to help its Asian neighbours, especially those in South East Asia, secure energy including crude oil as the region reels from disruptions caused by the Iran war.

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi announced the new cooperation framework on Wednesday after an online meeting with other Asian leaders.

Japan relies on South East Asia for petroleum-derived products, most notably medical equipment - something that Takaichi stressed at a press briefing on Wednesday.

"Japan is closely interconnected with each Asian country through supply chains and mutually dependent with them," she said.

Japan's cooperation framework aims to help Asian countries procure crude oil and petroleum products, as well as maintain supply chains and expand stockpiles.

Asia is especially vulnerable to energy supply disruptions stemming from blockades of the Strait of Hormuz, as nearly 90% of the oil and gas passing through the key waterway is bound for the region.

Japan's foreign ministry said the $10bn in financial aid was roughly equivalent to a year's worth of crude oil imports by countries in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean).

It added that the initiative was welcomed by leaders at the meeting - including those from the Philippines, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, Bangladesh and South Korea - and that funding for the project would come from a range of sources.

These include state-backed institutions like Japan Bank for International Cooperation and Nippon Export and Investment Insurance, as well as the Japan International Cooperation Agency and the Asian Development Bank.

Takaichi said the initiative would not negatively impact Japan's domestic oil supplies.

At the end of 2025, Japan's reserves held enough oil for 254 days of domestic consumption - but the global energy crisis has prompted authorities to tap into these reserves.

Last month, Japan released a record 50 days' worth of oil from its reserves. Authorities have said they would release another 20 days' worth in early May.

Fears about a shortage of naphtha - a petrochemical produced from crude oil and a key raw ingredient in plastics - are also simmering in Japan. These worries are especially pronounced in hospitals, where critical medical supplies like syringes, gloves and dialysis equipment are made with the substance.

While Takaichi has urged calm and said there would be no immediate disruptions, fears remain that naphtha shortages could further stress the country's healthcare system, already straining under an ageing population.

There are also anxieties across South East Asia, which has been hit hard by soaring oil prices. Governments have urged people to carpool and curb the use of air-conditioning in a bid to conserve energy. The Philippines, meanwhile, has declared a national energy emergency.

On Wednesday, at the same summit hosted by Japan, Philippine president Ferdinand Marcos Jr called on Asean to activate its fuel-sharing pact.

"No single country in Asia can insulate itself from supply chain shocks of this scale by acting alone," he said.
Featured

Pope Leo, in Cameroon, decries world 'ravaged by tyrants'

Reuters International News Apr - 16 - 2026 , 12:59 4 minutes read

Pope Leo blasted leaders who spend billions on wars and said the world was "being ravaged by a handful of tyrants", in unusually forceful remarks in Cameroon on Thursday after U.S. President Donald Trump attacked him again on social media.

Leo, the first U.S. pope, also decried leaders who used religious language to justify wars and urged a "decisive change of course" in a meeting in the biggest city in Cameroon's anglophone regions, where a simmering conflict going back nearly a decade has left thousands dead.

"The masters of war pretend not to know that it takes only a moment to destroy, yet often a lifetime is not enough to rebuild," the pontiff said.

"They turn a blind eye to the fact that billions of dollars are spent on killing and devastation, yet the resources needed for healing, education and restoration are nowhere to be found."

'A WORLD TURNED UPSIDE DOWN'

Trump's attacks on Leo, first launched on the eve of the pope's ambitious four-country tour of Africa and repeated late Tuesday, have caused dismay in Africa, where more than a fifth of the world's Catholics live.

Leo, who kept a relatively low profile for most of his first year as leader of the 1.4-billion-member Church, has emerged as an outspoken critic of the war that began with U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran.

On Thursday, the pontiff sharply criticised leaders who invoked religious themes to justify wars.

"Woe to those who manipulate religion and the very name of God for their own military, economic and political gain, dragging that which is sacred into darkness and filth," he said.

"It is a world turned upside down, an exploitation of Gods creation that must be denounced and rejected by every honest conscience."

The pope made similar remarks last month, saying God rejected prayers from leaders with "hands full of blood", in comments widely interpreted as aimed at U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who has invoked Christian language to justify the Iran war.

Trump began his criticism of Leo on Sunday, when he called the pope "WEAK on Crime, and terrible for Foreign Policy" in a post on Truth Social.

The U.S. president attacked him again on social media late on Tuesday, and on Wednesday Trump posted an image of Jesus embracing him, after an earlier image he posted that portrayed him as a Jesus-like figure prompted widespread criticism.

CLERGY CAUGHT UP IN CAMEROON CONFLICT

Leo told Reuters on Monday that he would not stop speaking out about the Iran war and has avoided responding to Trump directly since then.

After arriving in the Cameroon capital Yaounde on Wednesday, he urged the government of the Central African nation - led by President Paul Biya, at 93 the world's oldest ruler - to root out corruption and resist "the whims of the rich and powerful".

Leo's trip on Thursday to the anglophone city of Bamenda has stirred faint hope that steps might be taken to resolve the conflict there, rooted in the country's complex colonial and post-colonial history.

Cameroon, a former German colony, was partitioned by Britain and France after World War One. The French part won independence in 1960 and was joined a year later by the smaller English-speaking British area to the west.

More than 6,500 people have been killed and more than half a million displaced in fighting between government forces and anglophone separatist groups, according to the International Crisis Group.

Priests are frequently kidnapped for ransom and some have been killed. A separatist alliance said it would observe a three-day ceasefire to allow civilians and visitors to move freely during the pope's visit.

Biya has not travelled to the anglophone regions since the fighting began.

Efforts to broker a peace deal have so far amounted to little, though on Thursday Leo said he was heartened that the crisis "has not degenerated into a religious war" and expressed hope that Christian and Muslim leaders could mediate an end to the fighting.
Next article: South African opposition figure Malema sentenced to five years in prison

Chinese national given one year in prison for smuggling ants out of Kenya

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Featured

Vote to stop Iran war fails in US Senate again as Democrats vow to keep trying

BBC International News Apr - 16 - 2026 , 10:46 2 minutes read

A resolution aimed at limiting President Donald Trump's ability to wage war in Iran has failed in the US Senate for the fourth time.

If passed, the war-powers measure would have halted US military action in the conflict without congressional approval. Senators rejected it 52-47, largely along party lines in the chamber, which is run by the president's fellow Republicans.

Democrats said they planned to introduce similar measures every week, even if they did not pass, so each lawmaker's stance on the war can be recorded.

While most Republicans have blocked the resolutions, some said they could vote differently if the war continued beyond this month.

Trump has offered varying timelines on how long the war might last. He told Fox in an interview aired on Wednesday that the war was "close to over".

For now, nearly every Republican has remained in lockstep support for Trump as he has ordered a US military blockade of Iranian ports.

One Democrat, Senator John Fetterman of Pennsylvania, also voted against the measure that would halt the war.

Republican Senator Josh Hawley of Missouri said he believes it would be in the best interests of the US to end the conflict quickly. He told the BBC he hoped talks succeed within the next few days.

"That would be ideal," Hawley said.

Senator Rand Paul was the lone Republican to vote with Democrats - for the fourth time - to stop the war.

Federal law requires congressional approval to continue military actions for more than 60 days. The US-Israel strikes began on 28 February.

"I think that after 60 days, there may be a few more Republicans [who] join me," Paul told the BBC.

The White House can extend the deadline 30 days, citing national security.

In the meantime, Democrats said they would keep proposing the resolution.

"If we're unsuccessful, at least we'll make clear to the American people who owns this war," Senator Tim Kaine of Virginia told the BBC.

The law setting the timelines for congressional approval, the War Powers Resolution in 1973, was passed by Congress to constrain the ability of then-President Richard Nixon to continue waging war in Vietnam.
Featured

AMA arrests suspect for illegal dumping in Accra

Jemima Okang Addae Apr - 16 - 2026 , 13:21 2 minutes read

The Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) has arrested a 32-year-old Nigerian national, Yusif Dahiru, for allegedly engaging in unauthorised waste dumping and extorting money from members of the public at an illegal refuse site near UTC in Accra.

The Head of Public Affairs at the AMA, Gilbert Nii Ankrah, who disclosed the incident, said the suspect was apprehended at about 3:00 a.m. on Monday following a tip-off.

In a statement posted on Facebook, Mr Ankrah explained that the suspect had positioned himself at the site, receiving refuse from members of the public as though he had been officially assigned to manage waste disposal there, despite having no authorisation from the Assembly.

He said the suspect was also allegedly collecting money from residents under the pretext of providing waste disposal services and claimed to be working for a supervisor.

During interrogation, Mr Ankrah disclosed that Dahiru denied being an official waste collector but admitted that he had been assisting to drag refuse to the site in exchange for payment. He explained that the waste was transported in a small rubber container and that he was often called upon to help move it in return for money.

Mr Ankrah further stated that the suspect mentioned an Asafoatse and two other individuals whom he claimed to be working for, alleging that the Asafoatse periodically visited the site to collect proceeds generated from the illegal dumping activities. He noted that these claims had opened a new line of investigation into the possible involvement of other persons.

He said the arrest formed part of the Assemblys ongoing efforts to clamp down on illegal dumping, unauthorised waste handling and extortion, which continue to undermine sanitation management in the capital.

Mr Ankrah stressed that only individuals and companies duly authorised by the Assembly were permitted to engage in waste collection and disposal and warned that offenders would face the full rigours of the law.

He added that investigations were ongoing to verify the suspects claims and to identify any other persons who might be linked to the alleged illegal operation for prosecution.
Featured

Attorney-General to take over all OSP prosecution cases after High Court ruling

GraphicOnline Apr - 16 - 2026 , 17:24 2 minutes read

The Deputy Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Dr Justice Srem-Sai, has confirmed that the Attorney-Generals Department will assume control of all criminal prosecutions currently being handled by the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP), in compliance with a High Court order.

The decision follows a ruling by the Accra High Court on Wednesday, April 15, 2026, which directed that all ongoing prosecutions initiated by the OSP be taken over by the Attorney-General until the required authorisation for such prosecutions is secured. The court further declared the OSPs ongoing prosecutions null and void pending compliance.

The ruling stemmed from a legal challenge filed by an accused person, Peter Archiblod Hyde, who questioned the OSPs authority to initiate and conduct prosecutions without prior authorisation from the Attorney-General. His legal team argued that both the Constitution and the Office of the Special Prosecutor Act require such authorisation before proceedings can lawfully commence.

Court records, according to the Deputy Attorney-General, indicated that the OSP was unable to demonstrate that it had obtained the necessary approval, prompting the courts directive for the Attorney-General to take over the cases.

In a statement shared on social media on Thursday, April 16, Dr Srem-Sai said the Attorney-Generals Department would fully comply with the ruling and begin steps to implement the order in the coming days.

The Honourable Attorney-General has no intention or capacity to disobey or ignore the High Courts order. Accordingly, the Office of the Attorney-General will, in the coming days, begin to take the necessary steps to give effect to the Courts order, he stated.

He added that the Department remained committed to the rule of law and would ensure a smooth transition in handling the affected cases.

The ruling represents a significant development in Ghanas anti-corruption prosecution framework, as it temporarily shifts active cases from the OSP to the Attorney-Generals Department while questions over prosecutorial authorisation are addressed.

Meanwhile, the Office of the Special Prosecutor has indicated that it will challenge the High Courts decision, signalling a potential legal confrontation over the scope of its prosecutorial mandate and institutional independence.
Featured

CSOs urge President Mahama to clarify position on OSP

Mohammed Ali Apr - 16 - 2026 , 13:36 4 minutes read

Three prominent civil society leaders have urged President John Dramani Mahama to clearly state his governments position on the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP), cautioning that perceived inconsistencies between the Presidency and the Attorney-General could undermine public trust in the fight against corruption.

Speaking in a radio interview on Joy FM on Thursday, April 16, 2026, Dr Kojo Asante, Director of Policy Engagement and Partnerships at the Ghana Centre for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana), Ms Mary Addah, Executive Director of Transparency International Ghana, and Mr Sulemana Braimah, Executive Director of the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA), called on the President to provide clarity.

Their appeal follows a ruling by the High Courts General Jurisdiction Division 10 on Wednesday, April 15, 2026, in which Justice John Eugene Nyadu Nyante directed the Attorney-General to assume responsibility for all criminal prosecutions initiated by the OSP. The court held that cases commenced without prior authorisation from the Attorney-General lacked a constitutional basis and awarded costs of GH15,000 against the anti-graft body.

The OSP has rejected the ruling, insisting that its prosecutions remain valid under the Office of the Special Prosecutor Act, 2017 (Act 959), and indicating that it has initiated steps to challenge the decision.

The development adds to an ongoing constitutional case before the Supreme Court. A private legal practitioner, Mr Noah Ephraem Tetteh Adamtey, filed a writ in December 2025 challenging the prosecutorial authority of the OSP. In the case, Adamtey v. Attorney-General, Suit No. J1/3/2026, the Attorney-General, Dr Dominic Ayine, through his deputy, Dr Justice Srem-Sai, filed submissions on April 8, 2026, supporting the plaintiffs argument that Section 4(2) of Act 959 is unconstitutional, on the grounds that prosecutorial powers are vested exclusively in the Attorney-General under Article 88 of the 1992 Constitution.

The civil society leaders noted that this legal position appears to diverge from earlier public comments by the President. In December 2025, President Mahama urged Parliament to withdraw a Private Members Bill seeking to repeal the OSP Act, describing the move as premature and affirming the relevance of the office in addressing corruption.

The President was in France when this happened. He is now back. There has to be a pronouncement, Dr Asante said, stressing that any shift in the governments stance should be clearly communicated to the public.

He argued that recent developments  including the attempted repeal of the OSP law, the Attorney-Generals position in court and the High Court ruling  make it imperative for the President to clarify the governments direction. What is governments position on the OSP? The Attorney-General has made his position clear. The President has also made a position that is different. If the President agrees with the Attorney-General, he should say so, he added.

Ms Addah warned that the ruling could stall gains made in tackling corruption, recalling that the OSP was established to address longstanding concerns about the effectiveness of prosecuting corruption cases within the Attorney-Generals office. She urged the Special Prosecutor, Mr Kissi Agyebeng, to remain steadfast in his role.

Mr Braimah also pointed to what he described as a pattern of developments requiring explanation, noting that although the President had earlier called for the withdrawal of the repeal bill, subsequent legal and judicial actions suggested a different trajectory. It does appear that a number of things are happening at the same time, he said.

Dr Asante further argued that any concerns about the OSP law should be addressed through constitutional review processes rather than judicial actions that could disrupt ongoing prosecutions. He also questioned the High Courts jurisdiction on matters of constitutional interpretation, which he said fall within the remit of the Supreme Court.

Ms Addah called on civil society, the media and the public to continue supporting anti-corruption institutions, and urged the government to act on recommendations from past governance reviews, including those under the African Peer Review Mechanism.

The OSP, established under Act 959 in 2017, was created to investigate and prosecute corruption-related offences, particularly those involving public officials, following years of advocacy for an independent anti-graft body.
Next article: OSP unfazed by power to prosecute ruling

Ghana Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics backs Mahamas warning on late-night eating

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Featured

File income tax returns by end April  GRA

Maclean Kwofi Apr - 16 - 2026 , 11:18 4 minutes read

The Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) has intensified its nationwide campaign for the filing of income tax returns.

The campaign is part of the Tax and Good Governance Month to encourage all eligible individuals and businesses to meet the end-of-month deadline.

This means that taxpayers, including individuals and businesses across the country, are expected to file their income tax returns by the end of April this year.

The revenue collection agency explained that filing returns was a legal obligation for all income earners, serving as a statutory declaration of a persons income from business, employment or investment, as well as the tax payable.

However, it warned that failure to file by the stipulated deadline attracted a GH500 penalty, an additional GH10 daily fine, and possible prosecution leading to a jail term for wilful default.

Reliefs

The authority stressed that beyond compliance, filing returns enabled taxpayers to access reliefs and refunds, reinforcing its importance to both personal financial benefits and national revenue mobilisation.

The Commissioner of the Domestic Tax Division at GRA, Dr Martin Kolbil Yamborigya, in an interview with the media in Accra yesterday, stated that improved participation remained critical to boosting domestic revenue mobilisation and good governance.

Filing returns is a statutory obligation for all persons who earn income and we expect full compliance before the end of April.

Beyond meeting a legal requirement, it allows taxpayers to benefit from reliefs and refunds while supporting national development, he added.

Background

The GRA has designated April as Tax and Good Governance Month to intensify public education on tax payment procedures and responsible citizenship as part of efforts to boost domestic revenue and support socio-economic development.

The period also coincides with the nationwide filing of income tax returns by individuals and businesses.

The initiative places particular emphasis on promoting compliance through timely filing of tax returns.

Understanding tax returns

The Commissioner, Domestic Tax, explained that a tax return was a statutory document that captured a taxpayers total income and corresponding tax obligations within a given year.

Mr Yamborigya said income subject to declaration was derived from three main sources  business, employment and investment  making it mandatory for individuals and entities to disclose all earnings.

He emphasised that filing returns went beyond compliance, describing it as a civic duty that supported national development, while ensuring transparency in personal and corporate finances.

Income tax was an annual obligation, and the return was simply a declaration of what you had earned from all sources and the tax payable, Mr Yamborigya said.

He added that the exercise was critical in helping the government plan effectively and mobilise adequate domestic revenue for development.

Filing process, taxpayer support

To improve compliance, Dr Yamborigya stated that the authority introduced a digital filing system that allowed taxpayers to submit their returns online through a dedicated portal.

He said the system enabled users to register using their Ghana Card details, declare income from multiple sources and automatically compute their tax liabilities.

It also provided an avenue for taxpayers to indicate applicable reliefs, including child education, marriage, disability and mortgage benefits.

The Commissioner responsible for Domestic Tax stressed that the platform had simplified what was previously a manual and time-consuming process, making it easier for individuals and businesses to comply.

Mr Yamborigya added that taxpayers who overpaid their taxes were eligible for refunds upon filing, encouraging the public to take advantage of the system.

Compliance gaps

In spite of ongoing reforms, the commissioner stated that the authority acknowledged that compliance, particularly among individuals and the informal sector, remained below expectations.

Mr Yamborigya said while some tax categories recorded over 50 per cent compliance, the GRA was targeting levels above 85 per cent in the medium term.

He said it was estimated that a significant proportion of informal sector operators were yet to register, underscoring the need for intensified education and enforcement.

Tax education

As part of the campaign, he said, the GRA rolled out tax clinics, public education programmes and media engagements nationwide to guide taxpayers through the filing process.

It also strengthened enforcement measures to address non-compliance and ensure fairness in the tax system, he said.

Dr Yamborigya reiterated the authoritys commitment to improving compliance and expanding the tax net.
Featured

OSP unfazed by power to prosecute ruling

Emmanuel Ebo Hawkson Apr - 16 - 2026 , 11:03 5 minutes read

The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has indicated that it will continue to prosecute cases already in its hands despite the landmark ruling by the High Court that the OSP does not have the power to prosecute.

The OSP firmly assures the public that all the criminal prosecutions it has commenced before the courts and all the criminal prosecutions it is about to commence before the courts remain valid and would proceed based on its mandate under the Office of the Special Prosecutor Act, 2017 (Act 959), which remains valid and in force as the matter has not been decided by the Supreme Court, the anti-graft body said in a statement yesterday.

The OSP states that it is taking steps to quickly overturn the decision of the General Jurisdiction Court since the High Court does not have jurisdiction to, in effect, strike down parts of an Act of Parliament as unconstitutional.

It is only the Supreme Court which can strike down parts of an Act of Parliament as unconstitutional, the statement added, in virtual defiance of yesterdays ruling.

The High Court in Accra declared as void the power of the OSP to prosecute, throwing into limbo the legal status of corruption and other corruption-related cases being prosecuted by the anti-graft body.

The court, presided over by Justice John Eugene Nyadu Nyante, in the ruling delivered yesterday, held that the OSP lacked independent prosecutorial power, and, therefore, it could only prosecute by deferring to the authority of the Attorney-General (A-G) in accordance with Article 88 of the 1992 Constitution.

The decision of the court, which has attracted varied views from legal experts and the public at large, has brought into the limelight the work of the OSP and the countrys anti-corruption drive and legal framework, with some criticising the ruling and others hailing it.

Response from OSP

But the OSP reacted strongly to the High Courts ruling, vowing to take steps to overturn it.

It further stated that it would continue to execute its mandate of prosecuting corruption and other corruption-related offences.

Views

Meanwhile, a Professor of Law at the University of Ghana School of Law (UGSoL), Prof. Kwadwo Appiagyei-Atua, in an interview with the Daily Graphic, criticised the ruling, stating that the High Court acted beyond its powers by virtually striking down the powers of a body established by Parliament.

The High Court does not have the power to interpret the Constitution, and, therefore, the current case at the Supreme Court is best placed to determine whether or not the OSP has the power to prosecute without authorisation from the A-G, he said.

He further stated that the ruling by the High Court would render the OSP useless as it seeks to strip the office of the power to function effectively.

The OSP Act deliberately gave the OSP the power to prosecute in order to cure a mischief of the A-G not having the moral courage to prosecute politicians and politically exposed persons of corruptions.

The OSP Act passed by Parliament aimed to insulate the OSP from interference to be able to prosecute without any political favours, he said.

However, a private legal practitioner, Martin Kpebu, also in an interview with the Daily Graphic, welcomed the decision of the High Court, stressing that it would open the conversation for much needed reforms at the OSP.

It is very possible that the Supreme Court will nullify the decision of the High Court, but the decision would help to put to the fore conversations about making the OSP better and also to hold its officers accountable, he said.

According to him, the OSP was very important in fighting corruption, but it was equally important to hold the office accountable, adding that because we want to fight corruption, we have an unlimited soft place for the OSP, forgetting that the people who work at the OSP are also potential candidates for corruption and abuse of office.

Application

The ruling by the High Court followed an application for quo warranto by one Peter Archibold Hyde, who was charged by the OSP, arguing that the OSP lacked the legal authority to initiate prosecution without authorisation from the A-G.

The applicant wanted the court to declare that in the absence of such authorisation from the A-G, the OSP lacked the constitutional authority to prosecute cases, and, therefore, such powers should be declared by the court as null and void.

He, therefore, urged the court to restrain the OSP from prosecuting cases except it had been duly authorised by the A-G.

Case at the Supreme Court

In a related development, the Supreme Court is yet to determine a suit bordering on the constitutionality of the OSP to conduct prosecutions.

The suit, initiated in 2025 by a private legal practitioner, Noah Ephraem Tetteh Adamtey, invoked the exclusive original jurisdiction of the Supreme Court to interpret the Constitution and to declare the exercise of prosecutorial powers by the OSP as unconstitutional.

The plaintiff is seeking, among other reliefs, a declaration that the OSP Act, 2017 (Act 959) is unconstitutional to the extent that it confers original or insulated prosecutorial authority on the Office of the Special Prosecutor, is inconsistent and in contravention of Articles 1(2), 88(3), (4), 93 (2) and 296 of the Constitution, and is, therefore, null, void and of no effect.

Again, he is seeking a declaration that Sections 3(3) and 4 of Act 959, in purporting to make the OSP independent of the A-G in the initiation, conduct and termination of prosecutions, violate the Constitution.

The A-G, who is the defendant in that action, has filed a draft statement of case supporting the action of the plaintiff.

In his draft statement of case, the A-G argues that Article 88 (3) of the 1992 Constitution solely vests prosecutorial powers in the A-G alone, and, therefore, Parliament acted unconstitutionally by passing the OSP Act, 2017 (Act 959), which made it compulsory for the A-G to delegate part of its prosecutorial powers to the OSP.
Featured

President charges Ghanaians to lead healthy lifestyles

Diana Mensah Apr - 16 - 2026 , 10:35 5 minutes read

President John Dramani Mahama has called on Ghanaians to adopt healthy eating habits and lifestyles, saying they contribute significantly to the countrys non-communicable diseases (NCDs) burden.

Launching the Free Primary Healthcare Programme yesterday, President Mahama linked those health conditions to unhealthy eating habits and sedentary lifestyles, advising the populace against physical inactivity and late-night heavy meals.

Our fathers ate these foods but remained active on the farms. Today, many of us sit all day, drive everywhere and still expect to eat heavily without consequences, he said.

Free Primary Healthcare

The Free Primary Healthcare Programme which will expand access to healthcare services across the country focuses on early detection and preventive treatment, particularly in underserved and rural communities.

Under the new policy, basic health services, including screening for hypertension, diabetes and other conditions, will be provided free of charge at Community-based Health Planning and Services (CHPS) compounds, health centres, polyclinics and the newly introduced health kiosks.

Patients requiring advanced care will be referred to higher-level facilities where National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) coverage will apply.

Preventive healthcare

Speaking at the launch at the Shai Osudoku District Hospital in the Greater Accra Region, the President described the initiative as a major step towards strengthening preventive healthcare to achieve universal health coverage.

With the NHIS, you see patients only when they are sick. So it's mostly curative. But one key aspect of free healthcare is that it is preventive. We identify illnesses and treat them early before they develop into something else, he said.

President Mahama added that while primary-level services would be free, citizens were encouraged to maintain active NHIS membership for advanced care.

He said the new policy built on gains made under the NHIS, but sought to address existing gaps in access and preventive care.

So, the free primary health care is complementary to the national health insurance. It's not coming to replace it but to strengthen it, President Mahama said.

The President announced the deployment of trained health volunteers, including national service personnel and unemployed nurses, who will conduct community outreach, screenings and public education.

These volunteers, he said, would be equipped with portable medical kits to deliver basic services directly to households and public spaces.

He also revealed plans to establish container-based health kiosks in underserved areas, as well as revive mobile health clinics to extend services to remote communities.

The launch brought together government officials, health officials, traditional rulers, community leaders, among others.

Lifestyle

President Mahama further introduced an additional support through the Ghana Medical Trust Fund, popularly known as MahamaCares, which will provide financial assistance to patients with critical conditions such as kidney failure, requiring dialysis services often unavailable at district-level facilities.

He said the initiative was particularly timely, given the rising burden of non-communicable diseases in Ghana, including hypertension, diabetes, cancers and cardiovascular conditions.

Success

President Mahama urged religious institutions and communities across the country to actively support the rollout of the new free primary healthcare policy.

President Mahama underscored the importance of collective responsibility in ensuring the success of the policy. Every Ghanaian must be screened at least once a year, he said.

He called on traditional and religious leaders to mobilise their communities to participate in routine health checks aimed at early detection of diseases.

President Mahama reaffirmed the governments commitment to building a resilient and equitable healthcare system, stressing that the success of the policy would depend not only on government action but also on public participation.

Rollout

The Minister of Health, Kwabena Mintah-Akandoh, said the rollout of the policy would begin in phases, starting with 150 districts across the country.

He said as part of the first phase of the implementation, equipment would be distributed to 150 districts, and more than 350 container-based service delivery points will be established in high-traffic areas such as markets and lorry parks.

He credited the initiative to the leadership of President Mahama, highlighting key reforms such as the uncapping of the NHIS, which he said, had created the fiscal space needed to implement transformative health policies.

Primary healthcare services within the defined package will now be free at the point of use, ensuring financial protection for all Ghanaians, he said.

He explained that the policy would also encourage uninsured individuals to enrol onto the NHIS, enabling them to access higher levels of care at district, regional and tertiary health facilities.

Mr Akandoh further revealed that by 2030, the government aimed to reduce out-of-pocket health expenditure to below 20 per cent, achieve over 95 per cent access to essential primary healthcare services and ease congestion at major hospitals.

He added that over 24,000 pieces of essential medical equipment, such as incubators, glucometers, hospital beds and ultrasound machines, had been procured to support service delivery nationwide.

Mr Akandoh said the government planned to roll out digital health systems to enhance transparency and accountability, while deploying trained volunteers to support community health services.

The minister also announced intensified public education campaigns through community engagements and town hall meetings to ensure widespread awareness and participation.
Featured

JICA backs Ghana again: Volivo Bridge and Kumasi Ring Road set for take-off

Kester Aburam Korankye Apr - 16 - 2026 , 15:09 2 minutes read

Ghana is set to advance two major transport infrastructure projects following renewed financing assurances from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), as discussions on the countrys economic recovery and investment priorities continue at the IMF/World Bank Spring Meetings in Washington, D.C.

The Finance Minister, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, disclosed that fresh engagements with JICA had paved the way for progress on the Volivo Bridge and the Kumasi Inner Ring Road. The announcement followed a bilateral meeting with JICA Senior Vice President, Ando Naoki, where both sides reviewed Ghanas improving macroeconomic outlook and infrastructure pipeline.

Dr Forson reiterated that Ghana had emerged from the economic crisis of 2022, stressing that public debt was now on a sustainable trajectory and that the country was on course to return to a moderate risk of debt distress, a development that has strengthened investor confidence.

On the Volivo Bridge project, Mr Naoki said JICA was encouraged by Ghanas economic recovery and was confident of mobilising additional funding to support construction. He expressed optimism that the contractor would be ready to move to site before the end of the year.

He also provided an update on the Kumasi Inner Ring Road, noting that the procurement process was ongoing, with the project expected to commence once tender procedures are completed.

The Volivo Bridge, a flagship component of President John Dramani Mahamas Big Push infrastructure agenda, is designed to become Ghanas tallest bridge. The 540-metre cable-stayed structure will span the Volta Lake and is expected to significantly enhance connectivity along the Eastern Corridor, facilitating trade between the northern and southern parts of the country.

Meanwhile, the Kumasi Inner Ring Road project forms part of a broader urban transport improvement strategy. Ghana signed a 3 billion grant agreement with JICA in October 2025 to support the initiative, which includes road widening, installation of traffic signals, and upgrades to pedestrian and drainage infrastructure along a key stretch between Santasi and Ahodwo.

When completed, the project is expected to ease congestion and substantially improve travel times within the Kumasi metropolis, while complementing other major interventions such as the Suame Interchange and the proposed Outer Ring Road.

The renewed commitment from JICA underscores growing confidence among development partners in Ghanas economic recovery and its capacity to deliver large-scale infrastructure projects.
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2025 ESG Report Highlights:

ESG Recognition : XPENG received the MSCI ESG AAA rating for the third consecutive year, the highest rating among global automakers, underscoring the Company's strong sustainability leadership.

: XPENG received the MSCI ESG AAA rating for the third consecutive year, the highest rating among global automakers, underscoring the Company's strong sustainability leadership. Short-term Carbon Target : By 2027, XPENG aims to reduce carbon emissions per passenger vehicle it produces by 9% across its entire lifecycle compared to 2023, and to lower the carbon emission intensity of its corporate operations by 38%.

: By 2027, XPENG aims to reduce carbon emissions per passenger vehicle it produces by 9% across its entire lifecycle compared to 2023, and to lower the carbon emission intensity of its corporate operations by 38%. Long-term Carbon Target : XPENG aims to achieve carbon neutrality throughout the lifecycle of its products and within corporate operations by 2050.

: XPENG aims to achieve carbon neutrality throughout the lifecycle of its products and within corporate operations by 2050. Sustainable Energy Utilization : XPENG's annual clean energy consumption reached 73,000 MWh, with photovoltaic power generation totaling 106,000 MWh, demonstrating continued progress in scaling renewable energy use.

: XPENG's annual clean energy consumption reached 73,000 MWh, with photovoltaic power generation totaling 106,000 MWh, demonstrating continued progress in scaling renewable energy use. Low-carbon Products : The vehicles produced by XPENG in 2025 are expected to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by more than 6 million tons over their lifecycles compared to conventional cars, supporting emissions-reduction and climate-transition goals.

: The vehicles produced by XPENG in 2025 are expected to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by more than 6 million tons over their lifecycles compared to conventional cars, supporting emissions-reduction and climate-transition goals. Product Quality : Seven affiliates of XPENG have obtained ISO 9001 quality system certification, and XPENG won the "2025 Quality Progress Award" and the "2025 Quality Management Figure Award," further strengthening its quality management systems.

: Seven affiliates of XPENG have obtained ISO 9001 quality system certification, and XPENG won the "2025 Quality Progress Award" and the "2025 Quality Management Figure Award," further strengthening its quality management systems. Product Safety : Three XPENG models received five-star safety ratings from C-NCAP, three models earned five-star safety ratings from EURO NCAP, and two models obtained five-star ratings from both C-NCAP and C-GCAP, highlighting the Company's strong safety performance.

: Three XPENG models received five-star safety ratings from C-NCAP, three models earned five-star safety ratings from EURO NCAP, and two models obtained five-star ratings from both C-NCAP and C-GCAP, highlighting the Company's strong safety performance. Information Security : XPENG successfully renewed its ISO 27001 Information Security Management System and ISO 27701 Privacy Information Management System certifications. No cybersecurity incidents or data breaches occurred in 2025, underscoring XPENG's effective data and information security framework.

: XPENG successfully renewed its ISO 27001 Information Security Management System and ISO 27701 Privacy Information Management System certifications. No cybersecurity incidents or data breaches occurred in 2025, underscoring XPENG's effective data and information security framework. Responsible AI governance : XPENG implemented an AI security and compliance management system covering the entire AI lifecycle  from R&D and testing to deployment, operation and decommissioning  to strengthen governance, protect stakeholder interests, and support responsible innovation and sustainable growth.

: XPENG implemented an AI security and compliance management system covering the entire AI lifecycle  from R&D and testing to deployment, operation and decommissioning  to strengthen governance, protect stakeholder interests, and support responsible innovation and sustainable growth. Community Influence: As of the end of 2025, the XPENG Volunteer Service Task Force had enrolled over 2,100 registered volunteers, fostering a harmonious community.

To view the full 2025 ESG Report, please visit the ESG section of XPENG's Investor Relations website: https://ir.xiaopeng.com/esg.

About XPENG

XPENG is a leading Chinese Smart EV and NEV company that designs, develops, manufactures, and markets Smart EVs and NEVs that appeal to the large and growing base of technology-savvy middle-class consumers. Its mission is to become a smart technology company trusted and loved by users worldwide. In order to optimize its customers' mobility experience, XPENG develops in-house its full-stack advanced driver-assistance system technology and in-car intelligent operating system, as well as core vehicle systems including powertrain and the electrical/electronic architecture. XPENG is headquartered in Guangzhou, China, with main offices in Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen, Silicon Valley and San Diego. The Company's Smart EVs and NEVs are mainly manufactured at its plants in Zhaoqing and Guangzhou, Guangdong province. For more information, please visit https://www.xpeng.com/.

Safe Harbor Statement

This announcement contains forward-looking statements. These statements are made under the "safe harbor" provisions of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as "will," "expects," "anticipates," "future," "intends," "plans," "believes," "estimates" and similar statements. Statements that are not historical facts, including statements about XPENG's beliefs and expectations, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties. A number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement, including but not limited to the following: XPENG's goal and strategies; XPENG's expansion plans; XPENG's future business development, financial condition and results of operations; the trends in, and size of, China's EV market; XPENG's expectations regarding demand for, and market acceptance of, its products and services; XPENG's expectations regarding its relationships with customers, suppliers, third-party service providers, strategic partners and other stakeholders; general economic and business conditions; and assumptions underlying or related to any of the foregoing. Further information regarding these and other risks is included in XPENG's filings with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission. All information provided in this announcement is as of the date of this announcement, and XPENG does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statement, except as required under applicable law.

Contacts:

For Investor Enquiries:

IR Department

XPeng Inc.

Email: [email protected]

Jenny Cai

Piacente Financial Communications

Tel: +1 212 481 2050 / +86 10 6508 0677

Email: [email protected]

For Media Enquiries:

PR Department

XPeng Inc.

Email: [email protected]

SOURCE XPeng Inc.
Next article: Ghana Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics backs Mahamas warning on late-night eating

Featured

President Mahama attends Congo Presidents swearing-in in Brazzaville

GraphicOnline Apr - 16 - 2026 , 11:58 1 minute read

President John Dramani Mahama has arrived in Brazzaville to attend the investiture of Denis Sassou Nguesso, who has secured another five-year term in office.

The ceremony follows President Nguessos victory in the March 15 election, where he polled 94.82 per cent of the vote, extending his decades-long leadership of the Central African oil-producing nation.

President Mahama travelled to the Republic of the Congo shortly after launching Ghanas Free Primary Healthcare Programme in Dodowa in the Greater Accra Region on Wednesday, underscoring a swift transition from domestic policy engagement to regional diplomatic duties.

The Ghanaian leader is expected to participate in Thursday mornings swearing-in ceremony before returning to Accra the same day.

The visit highlights Ghanas continued diplomatic engagement within Africa and reflects efforts to maintain strong bilateral and regional ties among African states.

President Nguesso, one of the continents longest-serving leaders, has governed the Republic of the Congo for close to 42 years across different periods, with his latest electoral victory further consolidating his hold on power.

President Mahamas presence at the ceremony aligns with customary protocol among African leaders to attend key national events, particularly presidential inaugurations, as a sign of solidarity and cooperation.
Featured

UPSA Law School honours Tsatsu Tsikata with Lifetime Achievement Award

GNA Apr - 16 - 2026 , 07:31 2 minutes read

The University of Professional Studies Accra (UPSA) Law School has conferred a Lifetime Achievement in Law Award on Tsatsu Tsikata in recognition of his distinguished career, teaching and enduring impact on Ghanas legal landscape.

Mr Tsikata was celebrated for his remarkable lifetime achievements as a distinguished lawyer, public servant and legal academic, with the honour highlighting decades of contribution to constitutional development and public interest advocacy.

The award ceremony, the third edition of the UPSA Law Schools Honorific Lecture and Award series, acknowledged his exceptional service to the legal profession and his influence in shaping generations of legal practitioners and scholars in Ghana and beyond.

The event drew a high-profile audience comprising members of the Bench and Bar, academia, the diplomatic corps and other stakeholders, underscoring Mr Tsikatas standing within the legal community.

Among the dignitaries present were Vice-President Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang, as well as prominent legal and public figures including Francis Emile Short, Anna Bossman, Joshua Alabi, George Akilakpa Sawyerr and Larry Gbevlo-Lartey.

Paying tribute, former Attorney-General Betty Mould-Iddrisu described Mr Tsikata as a symbol of resilience and excellence, noting that his career had been defined by an unwavering commitment to justice and the rule of law.

She highlighted his steadfastness in the face of personal and professional challenges, including periods of ill health and legal battles, emphasising that his belief in due process never wavered.

According to her, such conviction demonstrated the importance of trust in legal institutions, which she said was essential for sustaining democratic governance and political leadership.

She further described Mr Tsikata as a brilliant legal mind whose influence extended beyond courtroom advocacy to mentorship and intellectual engagement, inspiring many to approach legal practice with rigour, honesty and ethical responsibility.

The Chief Justice, Paul Baffoe-Bonnie, also commended Mr Tsikata for a lifetime dedicated to legal excellence, stating that the recognition was well deserved.

Excellence in law is achieved through sustained dedication over time, he said.

He noted that Mr Tsikatas contributions had left a lasting imprint on Ghanas jurisprudence and the development of legal thought, urging young lawyers to emulate his discipline, commitment and ethical grounding.

The Chief Justice added that Mr Tsikatas legacy remained an enduring source of inspiration, reinforcing the principles of justice, accountability and the rule of law.
Reflecting back on this year's Wyoming Legislative session, Sweetwater County legislators were largely optimistic about the budget that was passed and the progress that was made, although they still disagreed on some issues from the session, which Rep. Bob Davis described as the "most intense session I've ever experienced."

Rep. Davis of House District 47 was joined by Rep. J.T. Larson of House District 17, Rep. Cody Wylie of House District 39, Rep. Darin McCann of House District 48, Rep. and House Majority Floor Leader Scott Heiner of House District 18, Rep. Marlene Brady of House District 60, Sen. Laura Pearson of Senate District 14, Sen. John Kolb of Senate District 12 and Sen. Stacey Jones of Senate District 13 at a Legislative Report town hall event last week. Hosted by the Rock Springs Chamber of Commerce at Young at Heart Community Center, the Legislative Report gave local legislators the opportunity to share about the session and answer questions from constituents.

Since this year was a budget session, legislators recognized that the focus was on getting the budget passed. Rep. Wylie described the process as "a pretty heavy lift" and "pretty contentious," while Rep. Larson said there were "a lot of political games going on in the House side" that he tried to push back against.

Rep. Heiner reported that the House initially passed a budget significantly under the amount Gov. Mark Gordon recommended, the Senate passed a budget over the initial amount, and the end result was a budget slightly under what was recommended. Heiner claimed that the state budget has grown 59% under Gov. Gordon and that the government has grown by almost a third in six years, and he said that he and others are working to curb that growth.

"What our main focus was was to slow the growth of government, not to slash and burn, but to slow the growth," Heiner said.

Rep. McCann agreed, saying more work is needed to make the government more efficient, but that there has been a good start. Rep. Brady also agreed and said she didn't see any of the initially proposed cuts as being drastic.

Reps. Wylie and Larson both pushed back against some of Heiner's claims, with Larson saying he didn't know where the 59% statistic was coming from but that it was "false and misleading," and that anyone can look at finances on the state website to see how much the budget has increased over the years. Wylie pointed out that it's important to justify cuts, not just to cut funds for the sake of it.

Sen. Jones explained that the Senate felt they couldn't work with the recommended budget they received from the Joint Appropriations Committee because it "had things slashed and burned to the ground," so they worked from the governor's recommended budget instead, which she believed was the right thing to do. Sen. Pearson noted that she voted against this decision, feeling that the Senate should have respected the taxpayer-funded time that the Joint Appropriations Committee put in. Sen. Kolb added that the budget process is nuanced and focuses on strategic negotiations between the House and Senate.

Specific budget issues that were debated during the session included funding for the University of Wyoming and Wyoming Business Council.

Ultimately both entities received continued funding under the approved budget, but the legislators had split opinions on whether this was the right decision. McCann said the goal for cutting funding to UW was to see more money going to education than to administrators, while Heiner said the purpose of the cut was to get the university's attention and send a message, specifically noting they didn't want funding for "DEI" and "woke agendas" and classes like ecofeminism and gender studies. Brady agreed that the college should support careers to advance the state rather than "woke" programs, while Pearson added that parents are concerned about sending their children to school and having them come back changed. Larson, on the other hand, noted that most of the classes Heiner mentioned are doctorate level elective courses that aren't widely open to all UW students, and said that students choose and pay to take these courses, and that having choices is part of freedom. Wylie noted that the university focuses on other courses and programs far more, and added that change comes from things like having new leadership, not from "ripping things down." Sen. Jones also agreed that cutting funding is more than a hand slap and reiterated her support for the university.

Ultimately, Larson said that the decisions to fund both UW and the Wyoming Business Council came from hearing from constituents who made it clear they didn't want cuts and wanted to keep those entities strong.

"The budget was a good reflection of what the people of Wyoming told their legislators," Rep. Davis said. "We heard a lot from you guys. That's why we're there, to fight for you."
Wildlife officials are using research to curb the spread of mule deer departing a catastrophically infected herd by adjusting hunting regulations.

One doe mule deer took off from the Pilot Butte area in the middle of the Wind River Indian Reservation and trekked roughly 90 miles northwest bound. She ascended the foothills, then high country, crossed the Continental Divide and spent the summer deep in the Teton Wilderness north of Jackson Hole.

Another GPS-collared mule deer was drawn southeast, likely migrating along a path learned from mom. Some 60 miles later, the animal landed at its preferred summer habitat: Near the Oregon Buttes, off South Pass.

Migrations like this are celebrated and even occasionally protected because of the clear biological benefits, but wildlife managers would prefer these deer stay put. They're part of the Project Mule Deer Herd, which has the highest rates of chronic wasting disease documented in any wild ungulate herd on the planet.

Other members of the research cohort - 111 deer were captured over several years - shot out in different directions. They migrated dozens of miles, ending up in summer habitat not far from Dubois, Lander, near Beaver Rim, the Sweetwater River drainage and the southern tip of the Wind River Range. In winter, however, the animals hang in an area where the always-lethal prion disease has been catastrophic, cratering survival rates, populations and hunting opportunities.

"They're eventually going to pick [CWD] up and take it out with them," Wyoming Game and Fish Department wildlife biologist Zach Gregory said. "That's the concern."

Now, Wyoming wildlife managers are taking steps to prevent the CWD-infected mule deer from spreading CWD prions via their migrations. Saving other deer herds might come at the cost of the Project Herd losing its migration routes, but the aim is to stop the devastation from repeating elsewhere.

Starting in 2025, the Wyoming Game and Fish Department opened up hunting within the herd unit to over-the-counter "general" season tag holders - a plan they're repeating. And this coming fall, the agency is proposing to adjust hunting seasons in two adjoining mule deer herds in hopes of killing more antlered deer - it's bucks that carry the highest rates of the disease.

"The change to a general season this last fall, our attempt is to maintain as high a harvest as we can on bucks," said Daryl Lutz, who coordinates wildlife management for Game and Fish's Lander Region. "It will maybe help protect some of the surrounding herds from having chronic wasting disease, or an increased amount of it."

Lutz was addressing a roomful of hunters who convened on March 26 for the state agency's annual "season setting" meeting in Riverton. They were in the domain of the Project Herd, a population that may never recover from CWD's destruction.

"This might - and I emphasize, only might - help with deer here," Lutz said. "But we may be way too late."

"It's a scourge," he added, "there's no question."

Continued devastation

At the Riverton meeting, Gregory walked the 18 hunters who attended through the latest data on the Project Herd. The plight of 53 collared mule deer that were alive at the onset of 2025 told the story: Only 29% of the bucks and 44% of the does remained on their feet at the end of the year. The rest tipped over.

"You won't grow deer that way," Gregory told the crowd.

It's an insurmountable rate of death compared to the average annual survival rate of 85% for female mule deer in the Intermountain West.

Unsurprisingly, chronic wasting disease was the leading cause of death. The incurable prion disease killed 36% of all the research animals over the last four years. But 26% of the mortalities were "unknown" and the true toll CWD was taking was "likely higher," Gregory said.

"We'll get to sites where the deer is dead, and there's nothing left," Gregory said. "And so, we don't know."

When enough tissue was available to test dead deer for CWD, they had it 72% of the time.

That statistic comes from a recently published study led by former University of Wyoming graduate student Tucker Russell. It's part of a broader research project that Game and Fish and the U.S. Geological Survey have been collaborating on.

Russell, who's now a tribal liaison for the University of California-Berkeley's Beyond Yellowstone Living Lab, also sussed out how CWD-infected deer fared relative to their disease-free counterparts. Using the "RT-QuIC" technology that can detect prions in live animals, he found that infected deer survived any given year just 27% of the time. Deer without CWD survived the year 69% of the time, according to Russell's study.

One positive shred of evidence uncovered by Russell was that the long-distance travelers were least likely to have CWD. It's the "residents" - those that spend their whole lives in and around agricultural areas - that have the most sky-high rates of disease.

At the Riverton meeting, Gregory showed the hunters who gathered what it looks like to encounter a dead, CWD-infected deer.

"This is pretty common for what we find," Gregory said. "Sickly looking deer that laid down and died."

Rates of CWD in the Project Herd have stayed "alarmingly high," Gregory said, even as populations plummeted. Over the last five years, 62% of hunter-harvested adult bucks have tested positive. So have 33% of does and 23% of yearling males. The persistently high disease rates are a hallmark sign of one of the degenerative neurological disorders' most harmful traits: The prions that spread CWD don't need animals to be effective vectors. They can live and remain infectious in the landscape, indefinitely.

"It's essentially environmental transmission now," Gregory said. "We don't have the deer numbers for them to be spreading it to each other."

That underlies concerns about the migrations. Game and Fish officials understand their adjusted hunting seasons are "hammering" deer in an already struggling population, Gregory told hunters in Riverton.

It's CWD, however, that really did the hammering.

Russell's recent paper outlined the decline of hunting in the decade after CWD was discovered in the Project Herd. License numbers plunged from nearly 1,500 to barely more than 100. Hunter success rates did the same, declining from over 70% to nearly 30%. During the 2023 hunting season, only an estimated 20 deer were killed in the Project Herd. One hunting outfitter reached by WyoFile at the time simply gave up.

Game plan

Game and Fish took an abrupt turn by opening up the herd to "general" licenses in the 2025 season - a strategy the agency proposes to continue in 2026. Essentially, hunting there is now unlimited. Reducing the number of buck deer, which have higher rates of CWD, is the best strategy wildlife officials have to combat a particularly hard-to-manage disease.

"The main reason we're really trying to harvest a lot of deer is to prevent [CWD] movement outside of this herd unit, to Dubois, to Sweetwater, to Beaver Rim," Gregory said.

Nearby hunting seasons are also being tweaked with the same end goal.

Prevalence rates of CWD are slowly building in the migratory Dubois Mule Deer Herd, which borders the Project Herd to the west. Last fall, 14% of hunters who tested buck mule deer received a positive test result.

This fall, Game and Fish has proposed increasing the length of the hunting season and the number of limited "type 1" licenses that let hunters kill antlered mule deer.

"The goal is to harvest more bucks," Gregory said. "Just in an attempt to slow the spread and increase in CWD prevalence."

Other Game and Fish wildlife biologists in charge of nearby mule deer herds are on the same page. Rates of CWD in the South Wind River Herd ticked up from 0% to nearly 12% between 2021 and 2025. In hopes of blunting the surge, the state agency is planning to do away with antler point restrictions that safeguarded some bucks.

"It's going to be a big change," biologist Stan Harter told the crowd in Riverton. "It's a hard thing to think about: Going from saving bucks to shooting a lot of bucks."

Hunters who attended the Riverton meeting didn't push back on the heavier hunting in store for several of the Wind River Basin's mule deer herds.

Lutz even solicited their feedback: "No concerns or comments or thoughts about the Project Herd and chronic wasting disease?" he asked.

Only two people piped up.

"There's hardly any deer here anymore," one man remarked.

A nearby hunter piggybacked on the point: "There's no deer left to mess with," he said.

The newly discovered migrations might be another casualty of Wyoming's efforts to protect mule deer herds from a particularly insidious disease that's on the upswing.

"Some of these migration routes may be lost, unfortunately," Gregory said. "We may likely do that, just by killing deer."

WyoFile is an independent nonprofit news organization focused on Wyoming people, places and policy.
PINEDALE - The Daniel man who brought global outrage to Sublette County by parading an injured and bound wild wolf around the Green River Bar was sentenced Wednesday for a single count of felony animal cruelty.

Cody Joe Roberts, 44, will serve 18 months of supervised probation and was ordered to pay $1,432 in fees and court costs. He must report to Sublette County Probation and Parole by the end of this week.

During the sentencing hearing, Sweetwater County District Court Judge Richard Lavery told Roberts, "I have to be honest with you, the charge in this case is disturbing."

Sublette County Prosecutor Clayton Melinkovich recognized "that there are some who are disappointed with the result in this case. The State is not." He added, "The State feels that this is an appropriate sentence given the totality of the circumstances regarding this case."

"The judge must isolate himself from the 'sob-sister' type who pressures for leniency on the basis of the convicted person's humanity without consideration of the injured victims and other pertinent factors," Melinkovich explained, "and the vengeful 'blood-at-any-cost' type who pressures for 'hanging' without consideration of the human nature of the convicted one and the circumstances surrounding him and the crime itself."

The suspended two-year prison sentence in favor of 18 months of supervised probation "addresses the crime," Melinkovich told the court Wednesday.

"By definition, cruelty to animals is a nonviolent offense. This is not to say that this case did not include violence, but rather the Legislature designates this crime as nonviolent," he said.

He noted the agreement also aligns with the recommendation within the pre-sentence investigation.

Pre-sentence investigation and probation terms

A PSI report filed with the court found Roberts is at "low risk for reoffending," but that he requires level one alcohol treatment. Under the terms of his plea agreement, Roberts must complete the level one alcohol program. He is prohibited from consuming alcohol, keeping alcohol at his home, and being in locations where alcohol is sold or stored.

He is also prohibited from all forms of hunting, including shed hunting, and fishing for the entirety of his probation and is not allowed to possess any firearms.

At his March 5 change of plea hearing, Roberts' attorney Robert Piper said his client had preemptively removed all firearms from his home.

Roberts must abide by any curfew set by his probation agent, submit to a DNA sample, and cooperate with all requests for breath, blood and urine testing. He is required to report all contact with law enforcement to probation and parole within 24 hours.

Lavery told Roberts that he considered the "crime, circumstances of the crime, and your character" when making his decision to accept the terms of the plea agreement. He noted Roberts does not have a substantial criminal history and acknowledged his prior offense, in 2012, was also alcohol- related.

"I think there are some things you can get out of this probation if you do it right... You have every reason to make this a success," Lavery told the father of four.

Roberts declined to make any additional statements at his sentencing hearing, though he did offer a public apology to the community and his family during his March 5 change-of- plea hearing, stating, "I sincerely regret my actions and apologize to the community and my family."

Sitting behind him on Wednesday were nearly 20 community members, several of whom were ranchers taking a break from a busy start to calving season.

Addressing the court, Lavery said he believes Roberts is genuinely remorseful. After sentencing Roberts, Lavery offered two words to the man: "Good luck."

Also present at Wednesday's sentencing was Lisa Robertson, co-founder of Wyoming Untrapped.

"I agree with the county attorney, this is the appropriate outcome. I think this is groundbreaking for future protections for predators," she told the Roundup.

"This case goes beyond one individual and raises a basic question about what standards we're willing to accept," Robertson added. "When fair chase and humane treatment are optional instead of enforceable, outcomes like this are inevitable."

There is still work to be done, Robertson added.

"This outcome also reflects the system. There's a legislative session this year that could address some of these issues," she said. "Our wildlife management leadership needs to take action on this. The whole world has responded to this. Wyoming needs to pay attention."

Other animal rights activists also weighed in, including Dagny Signorelli, Western Watersheds Project Wyoming Director.

"This outcome spotlights a difficult reality in Wyoming that some forms of cruelty to wild animals are still legal or considered nonviolent," said Signorelli. "A wolf was deliberately and maliciously run down with a snowmobile, tormented, and publicly displayed while suffering, yet the legal outcome for the wolf's killer is a plea deal that includes no jail time. At the very least, Roberts should have received a permanent revocation of hunting and firearms privileges."

Wayne Pacelle, president of Animal Wellness Action and the Center for a Humane Economy, said, "While we would have preferred prison time for Roberts, we are grateful to the Sublette County prosecutor and the judge for securing a felony conviction for cruelty to animals in this case."

Roberts' guilty plea in March came more than two years after the Feb. 29, 2024, incident and after photos and videos of him posing with the wounded wolf went viral online. The guilty plea was arranged as part of a Feb. 17 plea agreement made between Roberts' defense attorney, Robert Piper, and Melinkovich.

Roberts has 30 days from the date the judgment is filed in court to appeal the ruling.
4/11/1938 - 3/29/26

Maurice Albert Van Ieperen, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, passed away peacefully at his home in Rock Springs, Wyoming on Sunday, March 29, 2026, at the age of 87.

He was born April 11, 1938, in Regina, Saskatchewan, the son of Cornelius Van Ieperen and Erie Cooper Van Ieperen. Maurice spent his childhood and teen years in Consul, Saskatchewan, where he attended school and worked on the farm.

After finishing school, Maurice lived a fulfilling life working in the oil fields in Canada and the United States and had many other business ventures that followed. He married and had four children before moving to the United States and becoming a U.S. citizen. While continuing his working life in the U.S., he remarried and was predeceased by one stepson.

Most of Maurice's life he lived in Riverton, WY and was an enthusiastic outdoorsman who embraced the serenity of nature. His adventures in the mountains, hunting, and fishing escapades were shared with many friends, leaving behind a legacy of cherished memories. His hobby and interest in guns, hunting, and fishing earned him great respect and admiration among his peers. In 2021, Maurice moved to Rock Springs, Wyoming, to receive the care he needed and lived there happily and content with excellent care until his passing.

Maurice is survived by one son, Stephen Van Ieperen; three daughters, Michelle Van Ieperen, Gina Van Ieperen, and Denielle Van Ieperen; three grandchildren, Jillian Lalonde, Stephanie Van Ieperen, and Alexis Van Ieperen; one great-granddaughter; and many nieces and nephews and their families from his sister and brother-in-law, Ron and Dorothy Reesor.

Cremation will take place; no services will be conducted at his request.

For those wishing to pay their respects, condolences may be left at http://www.vasefuneralhome.com, where his family invites friends, loved ones, and all who knew Maurice to share their memories and tributes.

He will be dearly missed but forever remembered in the hearts of many.

Maurice will be dearly missed but forever remembered in the hearts of many.
2/19/1954 - 3/16/26

Tonnie L. Chatman, a beloved resident of Rock Springs, Wyoming, passed away peacefully at his home on Monday, March 16, 2026, at the age of 72. Tonnie was born on Friday, February 19, 1954, in Leaksville, North Carolina, to Gather Lee Chatman and Pearl O. Wilson. He was raised amidst the charm of North Carolina, where he also attended school.

In a heartfelt ceremony on October 6, 1990, he married the love of his life, Jane Ann Dufour, in Casper, Wyoming. Their union was a testament to love and partnership, spanning over three decades and blessed with family commitments.

Tonnie dedicated much of his life to building his career, starting as a rig helper with a Getter Trucking. His determination and work ethic saw him rise through the ranks to heavy equipment operator and eventually, a respected crane operator in Industrial Construction and Oil Field. Unfortunately, his career was cut short in 2007 when he retired following a traumatic brain injury.

Tonnie was known for his charismatic personality and his generous spirit that touched all who crossed his path. Whether working in his garage or lending a helping hand to neighbors, his presence brought warmth and vitality to the community.

He is survived by his devoted wife, Jane Chatman of Rock Springs, Wyoming; Jane's sons, Thomas John Sisemore of Green River, Wyoming, and Brett Brian Sisemore of Nebraska. His legacy also includes his siblings: half-brother Sandy Overby, and precious grandchildren Scarlett, Wyatt, and Michelle, with the joy of a great-grandchild, Ella Sisemore-Jones.

Tonnie was preceded in death by his parents, his sister Mary Alice, half-brother Michael Overby, and loving step-parents Elmer Overby and Margaret.

In accordance with his wishes, Tonnie will be cremated and there will be no public services held. His family welcomes condolences which may be left at http://www.vasefuneralhomes.com.

Tonnie L. Chatman's memory will be forever cherished by those who had the privilege of knowing and loving him. His legacy of kindness, hard work, and jovial spirit remains an inspiration to all.
For the second consecutive year, Interior Secretary Doug Burgum has proposed a budget that attempts to undermine the agencies that care for Americas public lands. Released in early April, the fiscal 2027 budget plans to cut nearly 3,000 positions from the National Park Service alone, plus thousands more staffers across the Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Geological Survey, Fish and Wildlife Service, and Bureau of Indian Affairs.

Congress largely rejected those cuts the last time around, but the administration is trying again, hoping to bully Congress into further weakening the management and protection of our public land.

A major part of Burgums strategy has been to continue the administrations policy of driving out the people who do the work. Over the past year, Elon Musks DOGE-driven firings and buyouts gutted the Interior Departments workforce. About a quarter of National Park Service employees have left since January 2025, including rangers, biologists, historians and maintenance workers, all pushed out through waves of terminations and early retirement offers. Theres also been the slow demoralization of being told your lifes work doesnt matter.

This month, Interior announced yet another round of buyouts, the latest effort to thin the ranks of the people who keep trails open and fight wildfires.

Whats almost hard to believe is the policy of erasing history itself. Under orders from Secretary Burgum and President Trump, the National Park Service has removed or flagged for removal hundreds of interpretive signs and exhibits across the country.

At Independence National Historical Park in Philadelphiathe birthplace of the 250-year-old democracy that were about to celebratean exhibit about enslaved people at the Presidents House has been removed. At the Grand Canyon, signs acknowledging that white settlers displaced Native American Tribes were taken down. At the Selma to Montgomery National Historic Trail, some 80 items have been flagged for removal. At Stonewall National Monument, the Pride flag came down.

Climate science has been banished from Glacier National Park, and Grand Teton removed a sign about an army officer who bragged about the massacre of more than 170 Piegan Blackfeet people. The stories of Japanese American internment in the western states, of womens suffrage, of labor rightsall deemed unpatriotic by an administration that believes you can only honor Americas 250th birthday by pretending half of its history never happened.

At the end of March, Burgum also convened the God Squad, officially known as the Endangered Species Committee, for the first time in more than three decades. Its meeting lasted less than 30 minutes, yet the committee voted unanimously to exempt all oil and gas drilling in the Gulf of Mexico from the Endangered Species Act. The decision will almost certainly doom the Rices whale, a species found nowhere else on Earth, of which roughly 50 remain. It was the first time national security has been invoked to override the Endangered Species Act, and conservationists warn that it will not be the last.

As for the U.S. Forest Service, draconian cuts in its staff are planned along with wholesale closings of regional offices and dozens of research stations. The agencys reorganization also includes moving its main headquarters from Washington, D.C. to Salt Lake City, Utah.

This administration has made its intent clear: Cut budgets, drive out the workforce, erase history, greenlight extinction. Energy extraction is paramount, while conservation, research, and preservation are all values that can be discarded.

These are not disconnected policy decisions. They are part of the coherent vision of a cabinet secretary who sees public lands as surplus inventory and history as a branding problem.

But this is what Doug Burgum will learn: Americans are not going along with it. Polling shows that nearly 80 percent of the public opposes removing factual history from national parks. More than 99 percent of public comments opposed rolling back roadless protections for national forests. Congress rejected the worst of last years budget cuts, and it will be pressed to do so again. When the administration, aided by Senator Mike Lee of Utah, tried to sell off public lands through the reconciliation bill, bipartisan outrage killed it.

Doug Burgum can propose all the budget cuts he wants, but he will face determined opposition from all of us who treasure our public lands.

Aaron Weiss, director of the Center for Western Priorities, is a contributor to Writers on the Range, writersontherange.org, an independent nonprofit dedicated to spurring lively conversation about Western issues.
The Sweetwater County Sheriff's Office has lost a beloved member of their K9 team. The sheriff's office recently announced that K9 Lieutenant Jara passed away peacefully last Wednesday, April 8, in the arms of her handler and human, Lieutenant Derek Morrell.

Jara served the sheriff's office for just shy of eight years, retired almost three years ago, and was nearly 13 years old at the time of her passing. The sheriff's office described her as "a trusted partner, a fierce protector, a founding force in the evolution of our agency's K9 program, and a treasured member of our sheriff's office family."

Jara, a Belgian Malinois and full-utility K9, began her service in 2016. She was instrumental in revamping and expanding the sheriff's office's K9 program, which previously only had single-purpose narcotics dogs.

"She's our original, our first one for doing all this stuff," Morrell said back in 2023 when Jara retired. "And she was actually the first one for the majority of the state of Wyoming."

Jara's service included helping locate lost individuals, tracking dangerous individuals, removing large quantities of illegal drugs from the roads, and protecting both deputies and the public, according to the sheriff's office.

One of the events that made Jara especially well-known, both locally and nationally, was when she helped locate a missing four-year-old boy in Rock Springs in the summer of 2019.

"On a hot evening, with time running short, Jara picked up the child's scent, led deputies to a locked vehicle hidden away in an alley, and helped bring that little boy home alive," the sheriff's office explained. "The moment drew national attention, earned her a Heroic Dog Award, and eventually led to a feature on Dr. Phil. But to those who knew her best, that moment was simply Jara doing what she was born and trained to do."

Jara's achievements were only part of her full legacy, the sheriff's office added.

"She worked with unmatched instinct, intensity, and intelligence," they said. "She could be relentless when the mission demanded it, and gentle when the moment called for compassion. She was that rare dog who seemed to understand exactly what the job required and exactly who needed her."

For Lieutenant Morrell, Jara was not just a dog or even a partner, but a close member of his family.

"Their bond was clear to anyone who ever saw them work together, and her loss is being felt deeply not only by him and his family but by this entire office and the community they served side by side," the sheriff's office said. "Thank you, Jara, for your service, your loyalty, your courage, and the countless ways you made this county safer. You served with honor, and you will never be forgotten. Rest easy, friend; we'll take watch from here."
April has been officially recognized as a month dedicated to awareness and prevention, both locally in Green River and across the state of Wyoming, following a series of proclamations from Mayor Pete Rust, the Sweetwater County Board of County Commissioners and Governor Mark Gordon. The declarations highlight issues ranging from child welfare and emergency response to combating sexual violence.

During its recent meeting, the Green River City Council issued three separate proclamations, underlining the city's commitment to community safety and well being.

Council Member Robert Berg, on behalf of Mayor Pete Rust, proclaimed April as Child Abuse Prevention Month, urging all citizens to dedicate themselves to improving the quality of life for all children and families.

The proclamation emphasizes that prevention is possible through the "right policies and investments," allowing families and children to "thrive and avoid contact with child welfare and other costly systems." The proclamation also noted the profound impact of early childhood experiences on future life, the collective responsibility to prevent adverse childhood experiences and promote positive childhood experiences, and the importance of community partnerships involving child welfare, education, health, law enforcement, and faith based groups, to increase awareness and promote safe, stable, and nurturing environments.

Council Member Berg also declared the week of April 12 through 18, 2026 as National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week. This proclamation honors the men and women of the Sweetwater Combined Communication Center who serve as our first link in emergencies.

The city recognized telecommunicators as "knowledgeable and skilled professionals" who are tasked with "obtaining information, making critical decisions and quickly dispatching needed assistance." The proclamation stressed that the safety of police, fire, EMTs, and paramedics is dependent upon the quality and accuracy of information these dispatchers secure, acknowledging their substantial contribution to "the apprehension of criminals, suppression of fires, and treatment of patients."

Mirroring a statewide and national effort, the council also declared April 2026 as Sexual Assault Awareness Month in Green River. The proclamation recognizes the importance of increasing public awareness and supporting agencies that provide services to victims.

The city highlighted the important work of volunteers and service providers, specifically naming the YWCA Center for Families and Children. The YWCA provides a continuum of care, including 24-hour hotlines, counseling, advocacy, and medical care, while also promoting prevention through educational presentations to schools, churches, and civic organizations.

In collaboration with local efforts, Gov. Mark Gordon also issued an official proclamation recognizing April 2026 as Sexual Assault Awareness Month in Wyoming, calling on individuals and communities to raise awareness, promote prevention strategies, and support survivors across the state.

The Wyoming Coalition Against Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault noted that sexual violence remains a significant issue, citing Wyoming Department of Health data that shows 33.9% of women and 30.5% of men in the state experience intimate partner physical violence, sexual violence, and/or stalking during their lifetimes.

Linda Hawkins, Executive Director of WCADVSA, praised local efforts, saying "Wyoming communities are doing real work to change how we respond to sexual violence.We are working toward a better tomorrow, one where survivor centered, trauma informed responses are the norm."

The WCADVSA pointed to successful evidence-based strategies, such as the University of Wyoming's implementation of the Green Dot bystander intervention program, which contributed to an 11% decline in reported sexual assault on campus between 2018 and 2022. The organization has also launched its "Equality Means Safety" campaign to connect prevention with broader conditions for women's safety and economic security.

The Sweetwater County Board of County Commissioners also read proclamations recognizing both National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week and Sexual Assault Awareness Month during their April 7 meeting, hearing from local representatives from the Sweetwater Combined Communication Center and the YWCA of Sweetwater County about the work they do to support these important causes.
ISTANBUL, April 16, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Yadea, the world's leading electric two-wheeler brand, will make its official debut in the Turkish market at the upcoming Motorbike Istanbul exhibition, marking a key step in its global expansion.

Invitation from Yadea to the Istanbul Motobike 2026

From April 2225, at Hall 8 (8.SALON), Booth 8-151, Istanbul Expo Center (Istanbul Fuar Merkezi), the brand will present its latest product lineup and core technologies. More than a standard exhibition appearance, this debut represents Yadea's first official move as a self-operated brand in Turkey, signaling a long-term commitment to building a sustainable market presence.

With over two decades of focus on electric mobility, Yadea has ranked as the world's No.1 electric two-wheeler brand by sales for nine consecutive years. Its products are available in over 100 countries, supported by more than 40,000 retail outlets and a global user base exceeding 100 million. This scale is reinforced by strong in-house capabilities, including fully self-developed battery, motor, and controller systems.

At a time when urban mobility users are placing increasing emphasis on efficiency and cost predictability, electric two-wheelers are gaining broader attention as a practical everyday solution. With significantly lower energy costs and simplified maintenance requirements, the overall cost of ownership can be reduced to even one-tenth of gasoline mobility options.

Against this backdrop, Yadea's entry into Turkey is structured around long-term investment rather than short-term participation. The company has initiated localized production as of March 2026 to improve supply efficiency and responsiveness, while a nationwide sales and service network is being progressively established to support future growth.

As the Turkish electric two-wheeler market evolves, product durability, quality, and after-sales reliability are becoming key differentiators. Yadea's emphasis on manufacturing standards, quality control, and long-term operations positions it to compete effectively in an increasingly competitive and still-fragmented landscape.

During the exhibition, Yadea will also host a new product launch event on April 22, where two flagship models will be officially unveiled. While details are still under wraps, the launch is expected to show the brand's ability to deliver reliable, high-quality electric mobility solutions for a wide range of use cases.

Guided by its vision to "provide a wonderful journey for global users," Yadea aims to support the development of Turkey's electric mobility ecosystem through continued investment, product innovation, and a strong focus on user needs.

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2958104/20260416_144455.jpg
The Razr Fold, unveiled by Motorola in January as its first book-style foldable, is now available for pre-order in the UK and Europe. And while Motorola hasn't explicitly mentioned the Razr Fold's release date for these regions, the brand has revealed that pre-orders will ship starting May 6, which could also be the day the Razr Fold is released in the UK and Europe.

Motorola is accepting pre-orders for the Razr Fold till May 3. Those who pre-order one will receive the Moto Watch and a pair of Moto Buds Loop earphones for free, in addition to a discount of 220 in the UK and 250 in Europe.

The Motorola Razr Fold is priced at 1,799.99 in the UK and 1,999.99 in Europe. With the pre-order discount, the price comes down to 1,579.99 and 1,749.99 in the UK and Europe, respectively.

What about the US? Well, there's no word on the Razr Fold's availability in the US, and all you have on Motorola's US website right now is a form you can fill out to get notified when it's available.



Motorola Razr Fold

The Motorola Razr Fold is powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 SoC, features three 50MP rear cameras, and packs a 6,000 mAh battery. You can read our Motorola Razr Fold hands-on to learn more about it.
Just as promised, vivo is releasing the X300 Ultra outside of China, and today it's announced the beginning of the phone's global rollout. Unfortunately, the company has remained shy about pricing and what exact markets are getting it and when. Recently, vivo's Spanish online store revealed that the X300 Ultra will be arriving in that specific market on April 24. It may be the same date for the rest of the EU, we can't be sure.

vivo X300 Ultra

The X300 FE is also getting a global release, vivo has confirmed today. This phone was initially launched in Russia last month, and will now be made available more broadly, though like for the X300 Ultra no pricing or actual availability information has been shared. The global X300 FE's design is slightly different from the one that surfaced in Russia for whatever reason.

vivo X300 FE

The vivo X300 Ultra is the company's all-out imaging flagship for this year, initially unveiled in China in late March and released earlier this month. It has a 6.82-inch 1440x3168 LTPO AMOLED screen with a 144Hz refresh rate, the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 SoC at the helm, 12/16GB of RAM, 256GB/512GB/1TB of storage, and a 6,600 mAh battery with support for 100W wired and 40W wireless charging.

vivo X300 Ultra 5G

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On the rear there's a 200MP main camera using a 1/1.2" type sensor with gimbal OIS, a 200MP periscope telephoto using a 1/1.4" type sensor with 3.7x optical zoom and OIS, and a 50MP ultrawide using a 1/1.28" type sensor with autofocus and OIS. For selfies there's a 50MP camera with autofocus. Stay tuned for our full review.

The X300 FE has a 6.31-inch 1216x2640 LTPO AMOLED screen with 120Hz refresh rate and 5,000-nit peak brightness, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 SoC, 12GB of RAM, 256/512GB of storage, a triple rear camera system (50MP main with OIS, 50MP periscope telephoto with 3x optical zoom and OIS, 8MP ultrawide), a 50MP front-facing camera with autofocus, and a 6,500 mAh battery with support for 90W wired and 40W wireless charging. Both devices run Android 16 with vivo's OriginOS on top.
Back in February, Spotify announced Page Match, its feature that syncs your reading progress across audiobooks, e-books, and printed books. During that announcement, it also revealed plans to partner up with Bookshop.org and let you buy physical printed books via Spotify.

This has gone live today in the US and the UK. For now, support for purchasing books is only available in Spotify's Android app. It's coming to iOS next week.

Page Match is also expanding to more than 30 additional languages, including French, German, and Swedish. The feature seems to have been quite successful so far, as Spotify says those who have used it stream an average of 55% more audiobook hours each week than other listeners. Also, 62% of "Page Matched" audiobook titles on Spotify are books that users had never streamed previously.

Audiobooks on Spotify are now live in 22 countries with 700,000 titles. Audiobook Recaps are now available on Android, after an initial launch on iOS. These are short audio summaries "tailored to your most recent listening point to give you a refresher on the story so far, making it easier to jump in", according to Spotify.

Finally, Audiobook Charts are landing in Germany, with rankings for Top Audiobooks overall and by genre, based on listening behavior and engagement. These rankings will update weekly. And in the UK and US, where these are already available, there will be a dedicated chart for kids and family titles.

Source
The Guam Fire Department rescued a distressed male individual in the water near Oka Point in Tamuning at around 4:20 p.m. Thursday.

GFD spokesperson Nick Garrido told reporters Thursday evening that rescue personnel were able to successfully make contact with the individual through a rescue swimmer.

The male individual was brought safely onto the responding vessel, though had sustained minor injuries and is currently undergoing assessments, Garrido said.

"Guam Fire Department reminds the public to continue exercising caution and strictly adhere to all issued advisories, Garrido told reporters.

The island has been under multiple active marine watches and warnings due to Super Typhoon Sinlaku.

Guam continues to face hazardous sea and surf conditions and high risk of rip currents.

Residents are advised to remain out of the water due to life-threatening conditions.

"Rip currents can sweep even the best swimmers away from the shore into deeper water, the Joint Information Center said on Thursday. Residents are also advised against venturing along trails close to the water or shoreline, as high surf can know a person down and sweep them off beaches and rocks. These waves can be deadly, even for the most experienced swimmers.
Guams tourism industry could take a hit from Super Typhoon Sinlakus passage through the Marianas earlier this week, at a time when its already challenged by higher air fare and suspended air services because of the conflicts in the Middle East, according to tourism industry representatives.

Prior to the Iran war and Sinlaku, Guams tourism was already burdened by slow recovery from the pandemic and other global events.

At least 1,500 visitors were stuck on Guam through Sinlakus passage, spread out through various hotels, though Adelup said there were likely many more who rode out the storm.

Guam Hotel and Restaurant Association president Mary Rhodes said typhoon recovery makes it more difficult for the tourism industry.

Typhoon recovery only exacerbates the situation, she told the Pacific Daily News on Thursday.

David Tydingco, vice chairman of Pacific Asia Travel Association Micronesia and president and CEO of the Valley of the Latte Guam, said much of the impact would fall on disruptions to air service and damage sustained by tourism service providers.

Tydingcos Valley of the Latte, a popular tourist attraction, had minimal damage related to Sinlaku, primarily fallen trees and minor damage to the visitor center.

We should be fully operational by Sunday, he said. Because the damage has been relatively minor island-wide, according to the governor, the island should rebound quickly.

Tydingco said other factors are still impacting the industry negatively.

The price of fuel and currency exchange from our core markets. I believe these factors have more of an influence on our speed of recovery, as opposed to the impact of Sinlaku, he said.

Rhodes said the industrys stakeholders are already working together to [take] care of everybody, despite the situation were in.

A bit of an offset

Hotel occupancy on Guam has increased over the past few days, Rhodes said, related to Sinlaku.

On Sunday and Monday, for example, some 150 Federal Emergency Management Agency responders had pre-positioned themselves prior to the typhoons arrival.

This does not include the more than 100 Red Cross volunteers and other non-government organizations that are on the island or are making their way to Guam to assist in the CNMI, which had a direct hit from Sinlaku and sustained massive damage.

Locals, tourists, military and federal contractors are also in the hotels at this time, Rhodes added.

Summer tourism figures are looking weak, she said, but on the bright side, Guam still has time to pick up those numbers.

How we mobilize today impacts our tomorrow, she said.

The next couple of months means recovery and sending the message Guam is safe to the islands visitors.

In the short term, Rhodes said, GHRA and the Guam Visitors Bureau are working with the federal government to mobilize resources to expedite recovery efforts.

GHRA has been tallying the number of businesses on the island which are on the islands power grid versus generator power over the past few days.

Additionally, the association has been mobilizing fuel, water, sanitation, and laundry services across the hotels.

Rhodes explained that hotels are categorized as Emergency Support Function level six, which encompasses mass care, emergency assistance and temporary housing.

Air service, damage

Guams tourism industry has already seen some challenges, even prior to Sinlakus arrival.

Jin Air and Air Busan canceled some of its flights to Guam earlier this month, while Philippine Airlines suspended its new Guam-Cebu route starting April 16 as global jet fuel costs remain high due to the Iran war.

Guam hospitality and tourism veteran Richard Rennie said depending on the damage, Guam shouldnt see a big impact on visitor arrivals.

In the short term, arrivals will be impacted for Guam as recovery begins. I think if the basic and infrastructure can be patched up and the hotels operations get back to normal, we should get back to normal quickly, he said.

This is even more important, Rennie added, as the Japanese Golden Week holiday starts on April 29.

GVB will have to get the PR machine out, letting the source markets know that we are ready to welcome them, he added.

Guam spared

The bottom line for Guam is that the island was spared the worst of Sinlaku, according to Rhodes.

[We are] just starting our recovery efforts, but we were spared considering our brothers and sisters up north, she said. [We] still have enough time to have a good tourism summer.

Tydingco said he is also really concerned for those in the CNMI and Chuuk.

We were truly blessed to get through Sinlaku relatively unscathed, he said.

For the CNMI, whose tourism industry has also been recovering from typhoons in the past and the COVID-19 pandemic, Sinlaku would mean the industry will be set back even farther.

How long remains to be seen as the government is just beginning to dig out and will have to assess the extent of the damage. We can only pray for the speedy recovery of both of our islands given the importance of tourism to us, Rennie said.

Flights resumed Thursday

On Thursday, the Guam International Airport Authority resumed all airline activity for both day and night operations.

Flight service was previously suspended or restricted to daylight operations, with priority given to humanitarian or relief cargo.

The first post-Sinlaku flight was United Airlines flight UA158 that arrived at 7 a.m. Thursday from Koror, Palau.

More flights are expected throughout the week, according to GIAAs flight schedule, though the airport advises travelers to contact their respective airlines for the latest regarding their flight schedules and rebooking options.
PORTAGE, Mich., April 16, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Charles Zhang, CFP MBA, MSFS, ChFC, Founder and President of Zhang Financial, a Fee-Only wealth management firm, has been ranked #5 in Forbes List of 2026 America's Top Wealth Advisors, the highest ranked advisor on the list not affiliated with a wirehouse. [The 2026 list was released on April 7, 2026, based on data for the 12-month period ending June 30, 2025. Zhang Financial does not pay a fee to be considered for or included in Forbes rankings, which are developed by Shook Research. The firm pays a licensing fee to Forbes for the right to use the rankings and logo in marketing materials. The reference to "non-wirehouse" is based on a review of the firms listed in the 2026 Forbes ranking. See zhangfinancial.com/disclosure for full ranking criteria and methodology.]

Charles Zhang, CFP, MBA, MSFS, ChFC, CLU, Founder and President

In addition to his national ranking, Charles was ranked #1 in Michigan in Forbes List of 2026 Best-In-State Wealth Advisors, which marks the ninth consecutive year that Charles has held the top ranking in Michigan (2018-2026). [The 2026 list were released on April 7, 2026, based on data for the 12-month period ending June 30, 2025. Previous consecutive rankings (2018-2025) were released annually in April, based on data for the 12-month period ending June 30 of the preceding year. Zhang Financial does not pay a fee to be considered for or included in Forbes rankings, which are developed by Shook Research. The firm pays a licensing fee to Forbes for the right to use the rankings and logo in marketing materials. See zhangfinancial.com/disclosure for full ranking criteria and methodology.]

Charles Zhang's professional excellence was further recognized by being ranked #1 in Barron's List of 2026 Top Advisors in Michigan, which marks the 14th consecutive year that Charles has held the top ranking in Michigan (2013-2026). [The 2026 list was released on March 20, 2026, based on data for the 12-month period ending September 30, 2025. Prior rankings were released annually in March of their respective years, based on data for the 12-month period ending September 30 of the award year. Zhang Financial does not pay a fee to be considered for or included in Barron's rankings. The firm pays a licensing fee to Barron's for the right to use the rankings and logo in marketing materials. See zhangfinancial.com/disclosure for full ranking criteria and methodology.]

Nationally, Charles was ranked #1 in Barron's List of 2025 Top 100 Independent Advisors, a position also held in 2024, 2023, and 2021. [The 2025 list was released on September 15, 2025, based on data for the 12-month period ending June 30, 2025. Prior rankings were released annually in September of their respective years, based on data for the 12-month period ending June 30 of the award year. Zhang Financial does not pay a fee to be considered for or included in Barron's rankings. The firm pays a licensing fee to Barron's for the right to use the rankings and logo in marketing materials. See zhangfinancial.com/disclosure for full ranking criteria and methodology.]

As a Fee-Only firm, Zhang Financial is compensated solely by its clients. The firm does not receive commissions or third-party compensation contingent on the purchase or sale of financial products. Under the leadership of Charles Zhang and CEO Lynn Chen-Zhang, the firm manages over $8 billion in regulatory assets. Guided by the principle that clients' interests must come firstalwaysthey have built the firm on a foundation of fiduciary integrity, disciplined long-term investing, and an unwavering commitment to client trust.

About Zhang Financial:

Zhang Financial is a fee-only wealth management firm headquartered in Southwest Michigan. For more information, or to request a consultation, please visit www.zhangfinancial.com.



Contact:

Megan Hause

[email protected]

SOURCE Zhang Financial
In the news release, Zum Raises $100 Million From TPG to Accelerate Zum's Connected Mobility Experience (CMX) and for Continued Growth and Expansion, issued 16-Apr-2026 by Zum over PR Newswire, we are advised by the company that changes have been made. The complete, corrected release follows, with additional details at the end:

Zum Raises $100 Million From TPG to Accelerate Zum's Connected Mobility Experience (CMX) and for Continued Growth and Expansion

New investment brings total funding to $430 million and valuation to $1.7 billion

REDWOOD CITY, Calif., April 16, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Zum, the leader in Connected Mobility Experience (CMX), today announced a $100 million strategic investment from TPG, bringing the company's total funding to $430 million and valuing Zum at $1.7 billion. TPG is making its investment through The Rise Funds, the multi-sector strategy of its global impact investing platform, and in connection with the investment, Steve Ellis, a Managing Partner of The Rise Funds, will join Zum's Board of Directors.

Zum is revolutionizing mass mobility with its Connected Mobility Experience (Zum CMX) system that connects and coordinates people, vehicles, and operations in real time. In the $50 billion student mobility market  the largest segment of the mass mobility industry  Zum CMX is transforming a daily source of anxiety and disruption into a reliable, transparent, and efficient mobility experience for students and families. Speed Speed Zum, the leader in Connected Mobility Experience (CMX), today announced a $100 million strategic investment from TPG, bringing the companys total funding to $430 million and valuing Zum at $1.7 billion. (PRNewsfoto/Zum)

The funding follows the introduction of the Zum CMX platform, a Connected Mobility Experience designed to address the fragmentation, delays, and lack of visibility that have long defined student mobility. New research unveiled today quantifies the impact of this antiquated system, identifying that 54% of parents report their child experiences worry or concern about school transportationcontributing to what Zum calls a nationwide "Transportation Anxiety Crisis"  and roughly $15 billion educational loss a year.

Together, these developments reflect a growing recognition that while transportation moves vehicles, mobility is about moving people, and that daily experience has remained largely unchanged for decades.

"Every day, millions of students depend on systems that were never designed to work in real time," said Ritu Narayan, Founder and CEO of Zum. "Zum CMX is our answer  a system we have been building and refining across 4,500 schools that brings visibility, coordination, and reliability to daily mobility. This funding allows us to accelerate what we know works and bring it to every student in America."

Investor Conviction in a Category-Defining Platform

"TPG invested in Zum because it's the leading innovator in one of the largest and most underserved critical transportation markets in the country," said TPG's Steve Ellis. "By fundamentally redesigning how student mobility is managed in real time, Zum's fully integrated AI powered system is delivering measurable gains in reliability, efficiency, and outcomes for students, their families, and school districts across the country."

This is a category-defining movement. Zum is not just improving student mobility it is fundamentally redesigning how people, vehicles, and operations are coordinated in real time.

Across the $50 billion student mobility market, the largest segment of mass mobility, millions of daily rides are still managed through fragmented systems that lack real-time coordination. Zum CMX addresses this by integrating routing, dispatch, workforce management, safety, and communication into a single, continuous operating system.

Scaling Across School Districts Nationwide

Zum currently operates across more than 4,500 schools in 17 states, serving some of the largest districts in the country, including Los Angeles Unified School District, Boston Public Schools, San Francisco Unified School District, Omaha Public Schools, and Kansas City Public Schools.

The $100 million investment will accelerate:

Expansion of Zum CMX across additional school districts nationwide

across additional school districts nationwide Continued investment in AI-driven coordination and predictive operations

Scaled infrastructure to support large-scale, real-time mobility systems

Proven Outcomes at Scale

Zum CMX is already delivering measurable results across every district it serves:

98% on-time bus arrival rate on average

20% reduction in bus fleet size through route efficiency

4.9 out of 5-star parent satisfaction across more than 1.7 million reviews

Up to 10% reduction in annual transportation costs for the San Francisco Unified School District

These outcomes demonstrate how improved transportation reliability directly impacts attendance, learning readiness, and district financial sustainability.

The Transportation Anxiety Crisis

The investment coincides with the inaugural Zum Mobility Symposium in Sunnyvale, where school district leaders, policymakers, and researchers will gather to discuss the future of student mobility. At the event, Zum will formally introduce CMX as a new category and unveil research from NORC at the University of Chicago.

The findings highlight a system that was never designed to operate in real time, in which routing, dispatch, communication, and safety have historically operated in silos, creating anxiety for families and inefficiencies for districts. Zum CMX is designed to eliminate these root causes by bringing visibility, coordination, and accountability to every ride.

About Zum

Zum is revolutionizing mass mobility with its Connected Mobility Experience (Zum CMX) system that connects and coordinates people, vehicles, and operations in real time. In the $50 billion student mobility market  the largest segment of the mass mobility industry  Zum CMX is transforming a daily source of anxiety and disruption into a reliable, transparent, and efficient mobility experience for students and families. Today, more than 4,500 schools rely on Zum CMX. Recognized globally for its innovative approach and operational execution, Zum has been named to Fast Company's World's Most Innovative Companies, CNBC Disruptor 50 and Changemakers, the World Economic Forum, and the Financial Times' Fastest Growing Companies lists. Zum is backed by leading investors including Sequoia Capital, GIC, SoftBank, and TPG. Zum, Zum CMX, and associated logos are trademarks of Zum Services, Inc. All rights reserved. Learn more at www.ridezum.com.

About TPG

TPG is a leading global alternative asset management firm, founded in San Francisco in 1992, with $303 billion of assets under management and investment and operational teams around the world. TPG invests across a broadly diversified set of strategies, including private equity, impact, credit, real estate, and market solutions, and our unique strategy is driven by collaboration, innovation, and inclusion. Our teams combine deep product and sector experience with broad capabilities and expertise to develop differentiated insights and add value for our fund investors, portfolio companies, management teams, and communities.

About The Rise Funds

The Rise Funds are a core pillar of TPG's global impact investing platform. Founded in 2016 by TPG in partnership with Bono and Jeff Skoll, The Rise Funds invest behind impact entrepreneurs and growth-stage, high potential, mission-driven companies that are focused on building and scaling solutions to the world's most complex challenges. The Rise Funds deliver capabilities and expertise across a wide variety of sectors and countries at scale, focusing on opportunities in climate and decarbonization, education, financial inclusion, healthcare, and impact technology.

TPG's Impact Platform is the world's largest of its kind, managing approximately $31 billion in assets across a family of funds that pursue non-concessionary returns and social and environmental impact at scale through growth equity, private equity, and infrastructure investing strategies.

CONTACT:

For Zum:

Jenny Mayfield

Vice President of Communications

[email protected]

For TPG:

Ari Cohen

[email protected]

Correction: The hyperlink under 'The Transportation Anxiety Crisis' header was updated.

SOURCE Zum
Nvidia is planning a gigantic takeover that will fundamentally change the PC and server landscape like nothing else since the invention of the computer. This is what Semiaccurate recently wrote about a potential takeover of a PC manufacturer by Nvidia.

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The report was so well received that Nvidia has since denied it to various US media: The media report is false; Nvidia is not in talks to acquire a PC manufacturer.

Dell was a hot candidate

Dell was the focus of speculation, as it manufactures desktops and notebooks as well as servers (in addition to other components like PC monitors, including the Alienware brand). The choice of Dell would not have been entirely out of the question: Dell founder and CEO Michael Dell and Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang apparently get along well. In a joint interview in 2024, Dell first revealed the existence of Nvidia's notebook processor N1X.

Dell currently has a market capitalization of just under 120 billion US dollars. Nvidia made almost as much net profit in the past three quarters. The takeover would therefore be financially feasible thanks to the many billions from AI.

As with the planned but failed ARM takeover by Nvidia, antitrust issues would arise from the purchase of a PC manufacturer: If Nvidia manufactures its own notebooks while simultaneously selling processors to other manufacturers, the company could potentially disadvantage competitors.

Dell's stock shot up by about seven percent after the rumors, but has since settled back to its previous week's level after the denial. The stock has risen by over 40 percent since the beginning of the year.

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Empfohlener redaktioneller Inhalt Mit Ihrer Zustimmung wird hier ein externer Preisvergleich (heise Preisvergleich) geladen. Preisvergleiche immer laden Preisvergleich jetzt laden

(mma)

Don't miss any news  follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn or Mastodon. This article was originally published in German. It was translated with technical assistance and editorially reviewed before publication.
The survey by research company Verian found that 66 percent of respondents believe the government has handled its tasks poorly. Of those, 39 percent described its performance as poor and 27 percent as fairly poor.

Two thirds of Finns say Prime Minister Petteri Orpo s government has performed poorly, according to a new party barometer that places the coalition among the weakest rated administrations in three decades.

Only 27 percent gave the government a positive assessment, with six percent saying it had performed well and 21 percent fairly well. The result marks the lowest rating of the current term and ranks as the fifth weakest outcome since the series began in 1995.

The figures place Orpos government close to some of the lowest ratings recorded for previous administrations. The cabinets led by Juha Sipila and Alexander Stubb both reached 20 percent approval at their lowest points, while Jyrki Katainens government recorded 23 percent and Paavo Lipponens 22 percent.

The survey also measured views on political parties. Among them, the Social Democratic Party and the Centre Party received the most favourable ratings. Forty-six percent of respondents said they held a positive view of the Social Democrats, while 45 percent said the same of the Centre.

Support for parties has weakened across the board compared with last autumn. The sharpest drop was recorded for the Christian Democrats, whose positive rating fell by eight percentage points. The Centre Party and the National Coalition Party also saw declines of seven points each.

Among governing parties, the National Coalition Party attracted positive views from 35 percent of respondents, the Swedish Peoples Party from 29 percent and the Finns Party from 25 percent. In opposition, the Greens were viewed positively by 39 percent and the Movement Now party by 27 percent.

Despite stronger ratings for some opposition parties, voters expressed limited confidence in their ability to present alternatives. Fifty-seven percent of respondents said the opposition had performed at least fairly poorly in offering policy options to the government.

Only 29 percent rated the oppositions performance as good or fairly good. Supporters of the Left Alliance and the Social Democrats were the most likely to view the opposition positively.

The findings suggest dissatisfaction extends beyond the government to the broader political field. While voters have turned more critical of the ruling coalition, they have not shifted decisively towards opposition forces.

The survey was conducted between 25 and 31 March among 1,335 respondents aged 18 and over, excluding the Aland Islands. The margin of error was up to 2.7 percentage points.

HT
The new system will form part of an existing network that already includes radio, television, websites and the 112 Suomi mobile application.

The Interior Ministry said the upgrade will rely on Cell Broadcast technology, a system that allows authorities to send messages directly to all mobile phones within a specific area without using phone numbers or subscriber lists.

Finland is preparing a new phase in its public warning system with the introduction of mobile-based alerts designed to reach people more quickly during emergencies.

Authorities currently issue warnings through multiple channels to ensure coverage, including traditional broadcasts and online platforms, as well as sirens and loudspeaker vehicles.

The planned addition of Cell Broadcast aims to strengthen this approach. Messages will be transmitted through selected mobile network base stations, reaching all devices within range. Unlike mass text messaging, the system does not rely on individual contacts and does not place the same load on telecommunications networks during peak demand.

Officials said the system follows the EU-Alert framework, which is being adopted across Europe. More than 20 countries have already introduced or are developing similar systems.

In Finland, most mobile phones already support Cell Broadcast reception, often enabled by default. Users do not need to download an application to receive alerts, though authorities continue to promote the 112 Suomi app as part of the wider system.

The government is also expanding the app itself. A new feature under development will allow warnings related to airborne threats, adding to existing capabilities. The application has more than two million users in Finland.

The upgraded system is expected to be completed by 2027.

HT
Leo addressed a gathering at Saint Josephs Cathedral, where religious leaders from different faiths met to promote dialogue.

Speaking in the city of Bamenda, at the centre of a long-running separatist conflict, the pope said the world was being ravaged by a handful of tyrants and called for a shift away from violence and economic exploitation.

Pope Leo XIV criticised global leaders for fuelling wars and exploiting religion as he delivered a message of peace in Cameroon, days after renewed attacks from US President Donald Trump .

He warned against the use of religion to justify conflict and said sacred beliefs were being misused for political and military aims.

Woe to those who manipulate religion and the very name of God for their own military, economic and political gain, he said.

The remarks came during an 11-day tour of Africa and followed a series of public exchanges between the Vatican and Washington. Trump had criticised the pope on social media, calling him weak and questioning his stance on global conflicts, including the illegal US-Israel war against Iran.

The pope had called Trumps threat to destroy Iranian civilisation before the ceasefire truly unacceptable, after which Trump wrote on Truth Social that I dont want a Pope who thinks its OK for Iran to have a Nuclear Weapon. I dont want a Pope who thinks its terrible that America attacked Venezuela.

Leo declined to respond directly to the criticism but reaffirmed his position. The masters of war pretend not to know that it takes only a moment to destroy, yet often a lifetime is not enough to rebuild, he said.

Leo has criticised the use of religious language in support of military action, while US officials have defended their position. Vice-President JD Vance said earlier that religious arguments about war must be anchored in the truth.

Pope Leo has maintained that faith should not be used to justify violence. During a recent address in Rome, he said Jesus rejects war and cannot be invoked to support armed conflict.

He also criticised the scale of global military spending, saying billions were directed towards destruction while resources for education, healthcare and reconstruction were lacking.

The popes visit placed attention on the conflict in Cameroons English-speaking regions, where separatist fighters have been engaged in an armed struggle with government forces since 2017. The violence has killed more than 6,000 people and displaced over 600,000, according to the International Crisis Group.

Ahead of the visit, separatist groups announced a temporary pause in fighting to allow safe passage. Local leaders, including Christian and Muslim representatives, joined the pope in calls for peace and reconciliation.

The pope said that competition for natural resources often drives violence, and that profits from resource extraction were being channelled into weapons, prolonging instability.

Those who rob your land of its resources invest much of the profit in weapons, perpetuating an endless cycle of destabilisation and death, he said.

Cameroon holds reserves of oil, gas and minerals, which form a key part of its economy.

The Africa tour marks the second major foreign trip of Leos papacy. The region is home to more than 280 million Catholics.

HT
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100 days of island-wide special customs operations: Journalists focus on Hainan's business environment progress

People's Daily Online) 13:26, April 16, 2026

On March 26, a press conference marking 100 days of island-wide special customs operations at the Hainan Free Trade Port was held at the Culture Park on Dongyu island in Boao, south China's Hainan Province. The event drew 120 journalists from 46 domestic and overseas media outlets, who conducted multiple rounds of interviews focused on progress in building the business environment of the Hainan FTP since the launch of special customs operations.

"What have businesses been most concerned about since the launch of island-wide special customs operations?" The question came from a reporter who made her way swiftly to Wang Xuehao, deputy head and spokesperson of the Hainan Provincial Department of Business Environment Development, the moment the main briefing segment of the press conference wrapped up. In response to the reporter's question, Wang said that the most frequent inquiries and demands from businesses have centered on talent policies, fiscal and tax policies, and trade policies.

She noted that the province's 12345 hotline platform has been upgraded into a policy service hub for the free trade port, with dedicated desks added for FTP policy consultations and port services. The platform has also established a three-party call mechanism in coordination with the provincial tax authority, Haikou Customs, and the provincial market regulation authority. In 2025, the platform handled 143,700 FTP policy consultation cases, logged 2,613 entries into its FTP policy knowledge database, and provided services in seven foreign languages including English and Spanish, significantly improving its policy consultation capabilities and international service standards.

A reporter from Hong Kong Commercial Daily then asked about innovative measures Hainan has introduced to support enterprise development. Wang said that during the Boao Forum for Asia 2026 Annual Conference, Hainan released the "Key Twenty Measures for Business Facilitation and Enterprise Support," signaling to the world the province's determination and commitment to supporting high-quality enterprise development. The policy aims to reduce overall business operating costs by accelerating the development of a coordinated enterprise service system, improving regular government-enterprise communication and consultation mechanisms, and establishing an enterprise project service specialist system. Wang also revealed that the full English text of the policy will soon be made available on the Hainan Free Trade Port International Service Portal, providing clear guidance for investors on matters such as business registration procedures and tax policies.

A reporter from China Business Network focused on the results of Hainan's efforts to resolve typical cases for businesses. Wang introduced the province's innovative "rule-of-law consultation" mechanism for resolving major and complex business environment issues, through which 950 historical legacy cases involving enterprises have been identified. As of early March 2026, 782 of these cases had been closed, representing a completion rate of 82.32 percent, with a number of cross-level, cross-sector, and cross-regional legacy issues successfully resolved. This year, business environment departments across the province are working to bring the resolution rate for outstanding legacy enterprise cases to 90 percent.

A reporter from Shanghai Securities News asked about the progress and results of Hainan's initiative to "efficiently handle things in one go." Wang said Hainan has fully completed the first four batches of priority items under the State Council's initiative, with several indicators ranking among the top in the country. The province is working to shift government services from simply being "doable" to being "easy and convenient to handle."

A reporter from China Daily was more interested in the real experiences of businesses, asking which types of policies receive the most inquiries. Wang said that policy stability, ease of benefit delivery, and guarantees for talent relocation are the most frequently mentioned topics on the 12345 hotline platform. Businesses and the public, she noted, are not only interested in understanding policies but are even more concerned about whether those policies can be put into practice. Business environment departments across the province are working to translate policies from documents on paper into tangible benefits in the hands of enterprises.

In 2025, a survey of 10,000 private enterprises organized by the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce found that nearly 90 percent of businesses felt the business environment in Hainan had further improved. One hundred days into island-wide special customs operations, Hainan's business environment work represents not only a report card, but a commitment to ensuring that businesses are heard and that the government responds  striving to build a business environment where "once you arrive in Hainan, nothing is too difficult," so that enterprises can invest with confidence, operate with peace of mind, and develop with ease.

(Web editor: Liang Jun, Hongyu)
Fletcher Building releases its quarterly update of key product sales volumes for the March quarter of the 2026 financial year (Q3 FY26).

Andrew Reding, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, said: Quarterly volumes for the March quarter continued to show early signs of improvement across the portfolio, with the important caveat that this quarter largely preceded the current geopolitical escalation. Light Building Products benefited from improved Alterations & Additions (A&A) activity in New Zealand and a broad-based uplift in Australia. Heavy Building Materials remains subdued overall, although were seeing pockets of activity tied to project work. Distribution, particularly frame & truss, continues to show steady improvement as underlying demand gradually returns. As was the case in prior quarters, trading conditions remained competitive, with ongoing margin pressure and compression continuing across business units and most notably in the Distribution division, Firth and the Steel business units.

Divisional Volumes

- Light Building Products volumes continued a positive trend and are generally up versus Q2 and prior corresponding period (pcp). Volume growth was seen in Waipapa Pine and Iplex NZ, with both up versus Q2 (1.4% and 5% respectively) and versus pcp (16.5% and 15.9% respectively) with Waipapa Pine benefitting from onboarding of two key industrial clients. In Australia, volumes have generally improved relative to both Q2 and pcp, with Laminex AU, Iplex AU and Fletcher Insulation delivering positive performance as momentum continued across all states.

- Heavy Building Materials performance remained mixed. Winstone Aggregates volumes declined -0.9% versus Q2 and -10.4% versus pcp. However, there were positive movements in aggregates and concrete pipes in Q3 with the start of new major projects. Humes volumes were also down -0.7% and -4.8% on Q2 and pcp respectively. Firth and Golden Bay volumes had minor declines on both Q2 and pcp. Steel volumes were uneven, despite positive developments in Dimond and ColorCote.

- Distribution Frame & Truss volumes continued to be positive, up 3.4% versus Q2 and 6.6% versus pcp, as increasing building consents lifted overall market activity, as well as ongoing improvement in market share.

- Residential took 93 residential and apartment units to profit in Q3, including 7 bulk lot sales. Excluding bulk lots, underlying take to profit (TTP) was 21 units lower than Q2 in FY26, reflecting ongoing challenging market conditions. TTP was 22 units lower vs pcp, largely driven by the phasing of three long-standing sold-out developments.

The majority of Q3 FY26 volume data predates recent global geopolitical developments, with escalation occurring only in the final weeks of the period.

Post-quarter impact of Middle East conflict

The escalation of the Middle East conflict has heightened global geopolitical risk, particularly in energy markets, key shipping routes, and the pricing and availability of critical inputs. While Fletcher Building has no direct operations in Iran, the Group is exposed indirectly through supply chains, freight routes, energy costs, and broader macroeconomic impacts on construction demand across Australasia.

Business Units have responded promptly in a measured manner, with actions focused on maintaining continuity of supply, protecting margins and cash flow, and preserving strategic optionality under a range of downside scenarios.

Key areas of risk across the Group

- Direct supply chain risk: The most immediate exposure is in plastics (i.e., resins), with Iplex NZ and AU most impacted. Urea used in Laminex AU, Laminex NZ and Fletcher Insulation products is also exposed. Short-term supply has been secured, with mitigation actions underway to diversify sourcing and manage potential constraints.

- Fuel exposure: Fuel remains a material cost driver, with diesel representing the majority of consumption across the Group. While the price increases to date are significant, the impacts are being partly mitigated through bulk purchasing, hedging and pass-through pricing mechanisms. Unhedged, a 10c increase in diesel prices results in an incremental cost of approximately $3.4m p.a. at a Group level ($2.4m p.a. excluding Construction), while a 10c increase in petrol prices equates to approximately $0.2m p.a incremental cost at a Group level.

The Group consumes nearly 36 million litres of fuel annually, with diesel accounting for 94% of total usage. The Heavy Building Materials division represents over half of total consumption, with the Construction division accounting for nearly a third.

- Pricing and customer response: Price increases across divisions range from modest (~15%) to more significant in plastics (up to 36%) and include fuel-linked surcharges, reflecting input cost pressures. These have been broadly in line with wider industry responses. Early signs of demand softening are emerging, particularly through some project delays.

- People impact: Direct impacts on employees have been limited to date, with anecdotal feedback on increased commuting costs, some requests for greater WFH flexibility, and references to fuel-driven cost-of-living pressures in union discussions. Activity has primarily focused on planning, with expectations that workforce impacts may increase if conditions escalate.

Direct liquid fuel use data is available in the attached chart.

The overall impact of the Middle East crisis on the Groups financial performance, including for the FY26 year, cannot be ascertained with certainty at this time. It will be potentially impacted by a range of factors, including the duration of the crisis, changes to global supply chains, fuel and commodity availability and price volatility, recoveries of fuel-linked surcharges, emerging counterparty credit risk and changes in market volumes and customer behaviour and plans. However, the Group is closely monitoring the impacts and taking prudent mitigating actions where available, and has a strong balance sheet and liquidity position to enable it to manage through these impacts.

The quarterly volume data for Q3 FY26 is available in the attached table.

ENDS

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April 23rd Morning Report


April 15, 2026: A $222 million dollar Russian missile-armed icebreaker, the only one in existence, was damaged by a bomb dropped by a Ukrainian civilian transport. Earlier Ukrainian drones flew 1,000 kilometers to attack a Russian patrol ship near St Petersburg. The drones returned to Ukraine for reuse. The attack delayed the completion of Russias second icebreaker by years. At the same time Russia is having problems building new icebreaker ships because of Ukraine War economic sanctions. Despite the sanctions, Russia wants to build as many as 17 nuclear powered icebreakers. Achieving that goal depends on getting out from under the sanctions. That means negotiating an end to the Ukraine War. With nuclear-powered icebreakers, Russia can keep the Northern Sea Route/NSR that stretches across northern Russia from Archangel and Murmansk to Vladivostok open longer and better protected.

Russia, the country with the longest Arctic Ocean shoreline, has long been the largest producer and user of icebreaking ships. Currently there are nearly 200 icebreakers in service worldwide. This degree of activity not only encourages replacement of older icebreakers nearing retirement age but is also increasing the worldwide icebreaker fleet. Russia operates 40 icebreakers, the largest number of any nation.

While Russia is the largest builder and user of icebreakers, they owe much to Finland. Since World War II Finland has led the world in developing more efficient icebreaker designs. One icebreaker innovation Finland did not develop was the armed combat icebreaker. Russia has already built one armed icebreaker, the 9,000-ton Papanin.

The Papanin joined the Northern Fleet, near the Arctic Circle, in late 2025. Construction of the Papanin began in 2017. Armament consists of a 76mm gun, four 12.7mm machine-guns and two 30mm multi barrel Close In Weapons/CIWS for defense against missiles or small surface vessels. There is also space onboard for Uran anti-ship and Kalibr land attack missiles. Four more Papanins are under construction.

The Papanins have a top speed of 33 kilometers an hour and a max range of 19,000 kilometers at a speed of 19 kilometers an hour. These ships are designed to break through ice up to 1.7 meters thick. Maximum endurance on internal fuel and crew supplies is 70 days. The ship crew is 60 with accommodations for another 50 specialists and observers. A helicopter is carried with a hanger to shelter the helicopter from harsh Arctic weather. There are also two small Raptor class patrol boats that can carry 23 people or just the crew of three and over a ton of supplies or equipment. Some small drones can also be carried. There is room for adding sonar and anti-submarine torpedoes. Papanin is similar to current unarmed Norwegian and Canadian icebreakers.

Papanin is armed to protect traffic on the 5,600 kilometers long Russian NSR that links East Asia with Northern Europe. This Arctic sea lane passes along the exclusively Russian northern coast. Russia wants to maintain control of this corridor even though large parts of it are in international seas, outside Russian coastal waters. Russia also has several land bases along this route. These bases are controlled by the Russian Northern Fleet which has assigned over 10,000 troops, more than a hundred aircraft and several dozen warships and submarines to protect the NSR.

As of 2025 the NSR could accommodate nearly 600 merchant ships a year and that capacity is steadily increasing. Because of the ice and Arctic storms, this route can be treacherous. Safety is achieved if the Russians can maintain enough land bases and ports along the route to monitor weather and sea conditions and provide ports if commercial ships must seek temporary refuge. The Northern Sea Route cuts the time required by a third for ships carrying cargo between East Asia and Northern Europe. China and Russia are two major users of this route and Russia wants to increase the safety and security of this route to encourage heavier use. Russia does not charge a fee to use the Northern Sea Route even though Russia has spent billions of dollars to build and maintain this route.
April 14, 2026: Recently American defense contractors successfully launched a Hellfire missile from the new Grizzly launcher in a three-meter high cargo container. The Grizzly system is based on the M299 missile launchers, which can be configured several ways to launch both the Hellfire and Joint Air-to-Ground/JAG Missile. Hellfire missiles can track targets autonomously and are used by the Army, Navy and numerous foreign nations using nearly 20 platforms across air, land and sea.

The first five tests occurred six months after research and development, through internal Lockheed Martin investment, demonstrating the ability to quickly deliver a mobile and versatile launcher capability to defeat evolving threats. Built out of low-cost commercially available materials, the containerized launcher can be easily lifted and transported by a wide variety of commercial freight and transport equipment, including trucks, aircraft and ships. The development comes as the Navy is seeking the development of containerized payloads, which can potentially be placed on unmanned surface vessels to increase firepower and flexibility at sea.

The Hellfire II weighs 48 kg carries a 9 kg warhead and has a range of 8,000 meters. The Hellfire is fast, travelling at about 450 meters a second, meaning that it can hit a target at maximum range in less than 20 seconds. Hellfire is popular for use in urban areas because its small warhead has only about a kilogram of explosives and reduces casualties among nearby civilians. The missile is accurate enough to be sent through a window because of its laser guidance.

The U.S. Army uses M299 helicopter missile racks. Introduced in 1994, each one of these racks holds four Hellfire missiles, or sixteen 70mm DAGR guided markets which are guided versions of the venerable 70mm unguided rockets. Alternatively, each rack can hold eight DAGRs and two Hellfires. The racks can be used on the AH-64, AH-1Z, Tiger or the SH-60B helicopters. Each rack weighs 45 kg. Loaded with four Hellfires, the rack weighs 167 kg. Attack helicopters usually carry two of these racks.
April 16, 2026: In 1994 a North Korean official declared, during a meeting with his South Korean counterpart at the North Korean capital Panmunjom, that the South Korean capital is not far from here. In wartime Seoul will become a sea of fire. This is what passes for North Korean diplomacy, subtle but brutal.

It began with a minor border war along the DMZ between 1966 and 1969. This was sometimes referred to as the Second Korean War and involved skirmishes and infiltrations that resulted in hundreds of casualties. This period coincided with South Koreas military involvement in Vietnam, during which both the White Horse and Tiger divisions were sent to Vietnam.

In early 1968, North Korean commandos attempted to assassinate President Park Chung-hee. A few days later, they seized the USS Pueblo, capturing its crew and igniting an international crisis that would drag on for the rest of the year.

Many wondered if North Koreas objective was to cause a breakdown in relations between the U.S. and South Korea These two actions, coming just days before North Vietnam's Tet Offensive, serve as a kind of opening event for what was to come at the end of the month? A way to catch the U.S. off guard, maybe even shift its attention back toward the Korean Peninsula? Was it all just a coincidence? Or something more deliberate. Was it an understanding between Kim Il-sung and Ho Chi Minh to stretch Americas resolve across two widely separated wars?

There was more to come. In early 1969, North Korea escalated tensions by downing an American Navy reconnaissance plane over the East China Sea, killing all 31 aboard, the largest loss of life aboard an American aircraft during the Cold War. That same year, President Nixon announced the Guam Doctrine, revealing a shift in U.S. foreign policy and a gradual withdrawal of troops abroad, including the withdrawal of the 7th Infantry Division from South Korea.

While the Americans were retreating, North Korea advanced with shovels. During the 1970s, South Korean forces discovered three infiltration tunnels running beneath the DMZ. Each was large enough to move thousands of troops an hour. This demonstrated that if diplomacy worked, the North had a more direct route planned. A fourth tunnel was discovered in 1990.

Then there was the infamous axe murder incident of 1976, when two U.S. Army officers were killed while trimming a tree in the Joint Security Area.

That moment marked a turning point. North Korea began to change its approach, from direct confrontation to terrorism. There was a failed assassination attempt on President Chun Doo-hwan in Myanmar in 1983, a bombing at Kimpo International Airport in 1986 and the downing of Korean Air Flight 858 in 1987. This was a deliberate and brutal effort to derail the Seoul Olympics before the torch was lit.

South Korea has sought to resolve its problems with North Korea and their nuclear weapons as well as plans to develop South Korean nuclear missiles. These weapons are the primary threat to South Korea, which currently has a per-capita GDP more than 50 times that of the North. South Korea is one of the top ten industrial powers and a major manufacturer and exporters of conventional weapons to allied nations. South Korean armored vehicles to Poland will give that country the largest tank force in the world. These achievements are what provides South Korea with serenity.
Ukraine is on the offensive while Russia is sliding into bankruptcy. Russian offensive operations have stalled in the past few months while Ukrainian forces advance, often unopposed because there are no Russian troops available to stop them. Ukrainian drone production from local factories have Russian troops fleeing or committing suicide rather than face obliteration by these drone swarms.

Meanwhile Ukraine is exporting thousands of defensive interceptor drones to Persian Gulf states. These drones are used to destroy Iranian drones unleashed against the Gulf States and their critical oil production facilities. In March, the number of combat sorties of drone interceptors and the number of targets destroyed in Ukraine increased by over 50 percent compared to the previous month. FPV/First Person View drones are now causing 90 percent of Russian losses.

At the same time Ukraine increased the procurement of engineering mines and explosives for drones. In the first three months of 2026 quantities equaled more than half the purchases in 2025 and they will be significantly greater by the end of the year. Munitions for drones enables targeted strikes against infantry and vehicles without use of expensive 155mm shells or artillery rockets. They are used against the enemy where other means are ineffective, and save artillery and missile resources for more substantial targets.

Ukraine has become Europes source for drone warfare innovation. Ukraine is the testing ground for a new generation of drones capable of flying 20 kilometers through electronic warfare defenses while carrying ten to twenty kg of explosives. In late March Ukrainian Air Assault Forces Command revealed that it had halted a Russian advance near the border of the Donetsk and Dnipropetrovsk provinces.

While Russia continues to advance overall, Ukraine has reclaimed 470 square kilometers of occupied territory this year, marking its first territorial gains since 2023. Ukraine provided more than enough evidence to support the liberation of at least 334 square kilometers and this is believed to underestimate Ukrainian advances. Meanwhile the Russian rate of advance has declined by two-thirds over the past 18 months.

Russian forces advanced at a rate of 14.9 square kilometers a day from October 2024 to March 2025, compared with 10.7 square kilometers a day from March 1, 2025, to October 1 and 5.5 square kilometers a day in the first three months of 2026.

Ukrainian President Zelenskyy declared that the front-line situation is the best it has been in 10 months. The offensive Russia was planning for March were thwarted  by the Ukrainian forces. That is why the Russians will attempt to increase their number of attacks.

Ukraine began attacking Russias two oil export terminals on the Baltic Sea to deny Russian efforts to benefit from increasing oil income. Oil companies warned buyers they could declare force majeure on supply contracts from major Baltic Sea ports. Oil export facilities at the Baltics Ust-Luga and Primorsk account for about 60 percent of Russias oil export capacity. The closure of one will significantly restrict Russias ability to generate income for its war in Ukraine.

So far Russia lost 40 to 43 percent of its oil export capacity and oil exports had fallen from four million to 2.32 million barrels per day. These operations have also reduced the domestic oil supply.

The loss of Ust-Luga also means reductions of oil refining at four of the largest refineries in European Russia, Kirishi, Yaroslavl, Moscow and Ryazan. These facilities refine about 55 million metric tons of oil each year. Thats 400,000 barrels per day. Ukraine also attacked the Kirishi and Yaroslavl refineries in late March. The Russian government banned exports of vehicle fuel between April and July in an attempt to stabilize domestic prices. Russia banned vehicle fuel exports in September in response to Ukrainian attacks on refineries.

Ukraine has also been attacking Russian munitions manufacturing. Ukraine attacked the Promsintez explosives plant using Flamingo drones. Promsintez produces 30,000 tons of military explosives a year. Russia admitted that it has lost 45 percent of its missile production because of these attacks.
Hong Kong marks key education day on safeguarding national security

Xinhua) 13:35, April 16, 2026

John Lee, chief executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), addresses the opening ceremony for the National Security Education Day in Hong Kong, south China, April 15, 2026. The HKSAR held an opening ceremony for the National Security Education Day at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre on Wednesday morning, with more than 2,300 people from all sectors of Hong Kong society in attendance. (Xinhua/Chen Duo)

HONG KONG, April 15 (Xinhua) -- The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) held an opening ceremony for the National Security Education Day at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre on Wednesday morning, with more than 2,300 people from all sectors of Hong Kong society in attendance.

Xia Baolong, director of the Hong Kong and Macao Work Office of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council, delivered a video address at the ceremony.

He stressed the need to bolster Hong Kong's transition from stability to prosperity with high-level security, and open up new prospects for the "one country, two systems" cause during the 15th Five-Year Plan period.

To support Hong Kong's transition from stability to prosperity with high-level security, it is essential to deeply understand the logic of this transformation and cherish the hard-won situation. It is also essential to stay sober-minded that security is not a once-and-for-all achievement, and remain vigilant against various risks and hidden dangers affecting Hong Kong's prosperity and stability, he said.

Additionally, it is essential to seize strategic opportunities amid the profound changes unseen in a century, align proactively with the national 15th Five-Year Plan, and accelerate high-quality development in Hong Kong. Moreover, joint efforts and guardianship from the entire society are required to pool formidable strength for building a better Hong Kong, he added.

Hong Kong's transition from chaos to order and then to prosperity profoundly demonstrates that development presupposes security. Without security, nothing can be achieved. Only by safeguarding the bottom line of security can we secure development and the future. Hong Kong is a "safe harbor," and a "safe harbor" is a "harbor for development." Security has become Hong Kong's developmental advantage, he noted.

On the new journey of the 15th Five-Year Plan, with the strong support of the motherland, the united efforts of all Hong Kong compatriots, and the guarantee of high-level security, Hong Kong's high-quality development will surely thrive and prosper. The practice of "one country, two systems" will surely forge ahead steadily and soundly, Xia said.

Addressing the occasion, John Lee, chief executive of the HKSAR, said that amid the accelerated evolution of the profound changes unseen in a century, one must understand and uphold the holistic approach to national security, be prepared to deal with worst-case scenarios, firmly fulfill the constitutional responsibility of safeguarding national security, continuously consolidate the national security defense line, unswervingly develop high-level security, and ensure the steady and long-term practice of "one country, two systems."

Heads of central government organs stationed in Hong Kong attended the opening ceremony.

Students attending the opening ceremony for the National Security Education Day visit an exhibition in Hong Kong, south China, April 15, 2026. The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) held an opening ceremony for the National Security Education Day at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre on Wednesday morning, with more than 2,300 people from all sectors of Hong Kong society in attendance. (Xinhua/Chen Duo)

(Web editor: Wang Xiaoping, Liang Jun)
It arrived, as so many institutional decisions do, in the form of an email. In February 2025, faculty at California State University campuses across the state opened their inboxes to find an announcement: the system had signed a $17 million deal with OpenAI, giving all 460,000 students and 63,000 faculty and staff access to ChatGPT Edu. Nobody had asked them. Nobody had warned them. And for many, the news landed like a slap.

"In February 2025, we all got an email out of the blue announcing the AI-Empowered CSU initiative that we hadn't heard anything about," said Martha Kenney, a professor of women's and gender studies at San Francisco State University. "In the middle of the budget crisis, it's best to invest in the humans that make the CSU system great, rather than buy in to Silicon Valley's hype."

San Francisco State had, by that point, already eliminated 615 lecturer positions over two years and offered buyouts to all tenured and tenure-track faculty. The CSU system had been staring down a potential $375 million state budget cut when the OpenAI contract was signed. To many on campus, the juxtaposition was impossible to ignore: colleagues losing their jobs while administrators wrote a nine-figure cheque to a Silicon Valley tech company.

Now, with the CSU contract up for renewal in June, a growing movement of thousands of faculty and students is urging the system not to sign again  and the California case is just one front in a widening national and international rebellion against top-down AI procurement decisions in higher education.

"From my perspective, the impacts on teaching and learning are beyond significant; they have the potential to unsettle the entire purpose of higher education." Lori Emerson, Professor of Media Studies, University of Colorado Boulder

THE COLORADO STANDOFF

Hundreds of faculty, staff, and students at the University of Colorado system signed a formal letter of dissent earlier this month after the university entered a $2 million-per-year, three-year agreement with OpenAI in February  committing to provide ChatGPT Edu to more than 100,000 people across its four campuses, with a planned rollout by March 31.

Critics argued the deal lacked transparency and technical oversight, and raised serious concerns that campus leaders had not adequately addressed around student privacy, academic integrity, corporate influence, and environmental sustainability. Faculty said they had not been meaningfully consulted before the agreement was finalised.

The privacy concerns were particularly pointed. While CU's contract states that student data remains university property and that OpenAI cannot use it to train its public models, faculty worry that anonymised or aggregated versions of student and faculty interactions could still be used by OpenAI for product development  effectively commercialising university activity. There were also concerns that Colorado's public records laws could expose private chat logs to law enforcement requests, potentially ending any reasonable expectation of academic privacy.

The faculty pushback drew a partial victory. Under pressure from the Faculty Council, CU has delayed student access to ChatGPT Edu until at least August 14  the start of the fall semester  giving professors space to end the academic year without being required to redesign their courses around AI access. Faculty and staff access proceeded on March 31 as originally planned.

For faculty critic Lori Emerson, a media studies professor at CU Boulder, the delay was meaningful but insufficient. The underlying issue, she argued, was not logistical but philosophical. The university's move, she said, "suggests that the integration of these AI products, particularly into higher education, is inevitable and that we must prepare our students for this world. But nothing is inevitable."

A PATTERN REPEATING ACROSS CAMPUSES

The CSU and CU situations are not isolated incidents. They reflect a pattern emerging across dozens of institutions as universities rush to announce AI partnerships  often framed in the language of workforce readiness and digital equity  while faculty and students find themselves sidelined from the decisions.

At the University of Southern California, a letter signed by 12 professors and sent to the student newspaper in November 2025 pointedly criticised the university's institutional ChatGPT subscription. "USC has told students it can't afford to pay the real people they trusted," the letter read. "Instead, it's buying them a pretty toy." Faculty who signed said they had not been consulted before the deal was made, raising what they described as fundamental concerns about shared governance. Writing professor Patti Taylor, one of the co-authors, said she had once been enthusiastic about generative AI's potential  but changed her view after studying its classroom effects. She cited emerging research on "deskilling," in which professionals who relied heavily on AI tools experienced measurable skill deterioration within months.

Across the Atlantic, more than 350 staff at the University of Edinburgh signed an open letter demanding their institution end its partnership with OpenAI entirely, describing the company's products as "unsafe" and "insecure." The letter cited multiple data breach incidents, ongoing litigation, concerns about OpenAI's labour practices, and a recently announced partnership between the company and the US Pentagon  which critics argue fundamentally misaligns with a public university's values. "We wish to express our concerns and ask that the relationship with OpenAI does not continue," the letter stated plainly.

THE DEEPER ARGUMENT: GOVERNANCE, NOT JUST TECHNOLOGY

What unites these protests across vastly different campuses and continents is less a blanket rejection of artificial intelligence than a pointed demand for democratic process. Faculty are not simply saying AI is bad. They are saying: we were not asked, we were not heard, and that matters.

According to a 2025 survey by the American Association of University Professors, 15 percent of faculty reported that their institution mandates the use of AI  and 81 percent said they are required to use learning management systems and other educational technology embedded with AI tools that they cannot turn off. The survey paints a picture of a profession in which technological choices are being made above and around faculty, not with them.

The Conference on College Composition and Communication  the world's largest professional organisation of writing educators  passed a formal resolution this month affirming the rights of students and faculty to refuse the use of generative AI in writing classrooms. The vote was overwhelming. "This is an academic freedom issue, and students and teachers should be able to make a choice," said Jennifer Sano-Franchini, an associate professor of English at West Virginia University and immediate past chair of the organisation. "Those claims  'It's here to stay,' 'Students need it for their careers'  are all things we can unpack more. I'm not particularly convinced."

Faculty critics have also raised concerns that go beyond the classroom. Many pointed to the significant environmental cost of running large language models at scale  water usage, power demands, and carbon footprint  and argued that universities championing sustainability goals cannot square that commitment with mass AI adoption contracts.

"No policy document can reflect the way in which these corporate AI products are participating in dismantling the principles of public education that our universities were built on." Faculty dissent letter, University of Colorado

WHAT FACULTY ARE ASKING FOR

Across the institutions where resistance has been most organised, faculty critics are not simply calling for contracts to be cancelled. They are calling for a different process  one in which faculty councils, student representatives, and academic governance bodies are meaningfully involved before deals are signed, not informed about them afterward.

Specific demands have included faculty-led ethics frameworks for AI use; clear, enforceable policies governing how AI tools interact with grading and assessment; transparent data agreements that specify exactly how student and faculty information will and will not be used; and a shift away from "productivity" metrics in favour of learning outcomes as the measure of educational success.

At CU, the Faculty Council's success in delaying student rollout offered a proof of concept: organised faculty pressure can move institutional decisions. Whether it can affect the terms of contracts  or prevent them from being signed in the first place  remains to be seen.

THE ROAD AHEAD

The CSU's June renewal deadline will be the next major test. With thousands of faculty and students on record opposing the deal, and with the system's financial pressures still very much present, CSU administrators face a choice between a well-resourced tech partnership and a faculty body that has made its views unmistakably clear.

For Martha Kenney in San Francisco, the answer is straightforward. The CSU system's identity  and its academic integrity  depends on investing in people, not platforms. Whether the people who sign the contracts agree remains, for now, an open question.
Russian university students are facing "immense pressure" to join the military as Moscow appears to widen its search for manpower without announcing another politically risky mass mobilization to fight in the war with Ukraine, according to a new report.

CNN cited students saying atmospheres on campus have changed sharply this year, with one saying "the pressure is colossal" to join the ranks and another describing how university leaders were now actively urging students to go to war.

Several students told CNN that recruitment efforts are no longer limited to optional events or outside contractors. Instead, university administrators, professors, and even department heads are now involved in encouraging enlistment.

"All the top people in the university are now talking about contracts," one student told the outlet, in reference to the paid agreements with the Russian Defense Ministry allowing recruits to serve without being formally conscripted.

The outlet added that, in some cases, students are being invited to meetings where military service is presented not just as an opportunity, but as a practical solution to personal and academic challenges. For those struggling to pay tuition or at risk of failing courses, the offer of a contract can come with promises of financial stability, academic leave, and a path to avoid expulsion. One student told the network that it felt less like a choice and more like "you either go, or you deal with the consequences here."

Reuters had already reported earlier this month that Russian authorities and universities are aggressively courting students, especially for new drone units, with promises that include academic leave, tuition waivers, free housing, and salaries that can reach up to 7 million rubles, or about $87,000 a year.

A report from The Times, citing independent Russian outlet Vlast, said that Education and Science Minister Valery Falkov told rectors at major universities that at least 2% of their student body should sign contracts with the Defense Ministry. The Institute for the Study of War, citing that reporting, said the quota could produce about 44,000 new soldiers from universities alone, and as many as 76,000 if extended to technical colleges.

Under Russia's longstanding draft rules, full-time students have often been able to defer compulsory military service. Reuters noted that, however, that those protections are becoming harder to rely on as the state retools the draft system and expands its search for recruits.

Originally published on IBTimes
Erika Kirk faced a wave of 'huckster' accusations after she failed to appear at a Turning Point USA event in Georgia on Sunday, 14 April.

The high-profile Erika Kirk's no-show controversy left Vice-President JD Vance to address the University of Georgia crowd alone. Organisers cited 'very serious threats' as the reason for her absence, yet the decision has reignited a storm of rumours about the Erika Kirk-JD Vance affair on social media.

The Vice-President proceeded with the scheduled appearance in Athens under heavy Secret Service protection.

JD Vance Billed To Share Stage With Erika Kirk, But Only One Shows

According to the New York Post, TPUSA spokesperson Andrew Kolvet stepped in for Erika Kirk at the lectern and told the crowd that she had stayed away on security advice. He said he was appearing 'instead of our friend Erika Kirk because unfortunately she has received some very serious threats in her direction.'

JD Vance, who did attend despite the alleged threats, publicly backed that explanation. The vice president, quoted by the Post, pointed to his Secret Service detail and said he had concluded it was safe enough for him to proceed, while adding, 'Let's let Erika do what she needs to do for herself and her family.'

Nothing in those remarks has been disputed by TPUSA or Vance's team, and no further details of the alleged threats have been released. There has been no independent confirmation of who made the threats, what form they took, or whether law enforcement is investigating.

Erika Kirk is skipping an event with Vice President JD Vance due to "some very serious threats in her direction," TPUSA says. pic.twitter.com/loYqCgpipH  Lexie (@its_Lexieroy) April 15, 2026

Following the event, Fox News posted on X about Erika Kirk's noshow. She quickly reposted the item to her own feed and framed the decision as one taken on expert advice, writing that it had been her 'security team's recommendations' that she skip the University of Georgia appearance altogether.

That did little to calm her online critics. Instead, the gap between JD Vance's presence on stage and Erika Kirk's empty seat became the spark for a flood of hostile commentary.

Erika Kirk, JD Vance And Anger Over A HighProfile NoShow

In the hours after the event, detractors seized on the contrast between JD Vance turning up with a Secret Service detail and Erika Kirk opting out. Some users on X argued that if the vice president could appear in public under the same climate of threats, Kirk's explanation did not quite stack up.

'The literal Vice President showed up. If it was safe enough for the Secret Service to say that was okay. The truth is that no one is buying what Erika Kirk is selling,' one user wrote, accusing her of hiding behind security language to dodge scrutiny.

Another critic used the moment to recycle a personal jab, claiming that 'walking out, she was reportedly heard complaining, 'Now what? I'll have to babysit my own kids?'. That line has not been verified and appears as part of the general swirl of online mockery rather than a documented quote.

The noshow played into an existing narrative among some conservatives who view Erika Kirk as a selfpromoting operator rather than a serious organiser. The latest controversy, at least in their eyes, simply confirmed a suspicion that she is more interested in cultivating a brand than in standing beside allies when the stakes rise.

Erika Kirk backs out of TPUSA event with JD Vance at last minute due to unknown 'threats', vice president says https://t.co/KvJmOvHfpo  Daily Mail (@DailyMail) April 14, 2026

During the event itself, JD Vance tried to steady the mood by offering a public defence of Erika's decision to stay away. He stressed, according to the Post, that she had to weigh up security considerations for 'herself and her family' and implied that it was not his place to secondguess that call.

That support, however, only gave her critics another target. Some users used Vance's remarks to argue that senior Republicans were propping up a figure they no longer trusted. Others questioned why, if the threats were as serious as claimed, there had been no visible tightening of security protocols around the venue for the remaining speakers.

I was so looking forward to tonights event at the @universityofga with our Vice President @JDVance, but after all our family has been through, I take my security teams recommendations extremely seriously. Thank you to our amazing Georgia chapter for your support. God bless you https://t.co/f2rBre9ArJ  Erika Kirk (@MrsErikaKirk) April 14, 2026

TPUSA, for its part, has not issued a detailed statement beyond Kolvet's brief explanation from the stage. There has been no public comment from Erika Kirk herself apart from her repost on X. Without further ontherecord information from her or from security officials, it is impossible to know precisely what advice she received or how imminent any risk was perceived to be.

Erika Kirks treatment is one of the most shameful things I have seen in the social media era. Her husband was murdered seven months ago. Im not sure Ive ever seen a widow attacked like she has been. Its truly indefensible. https://t.co/EyKlq9DA0b  Clay Travis (@ClayTravis) April 15, 2026

What is clear is that a single empty chair at a university event has spiralled into a reputational problem for Erika Kirk, with 'huckster' accusations now following her across social media and overshadowing whatever message she had originally planned to deliver alongside JD Vance.

Originally published on IBTimes UK
by Lei Wang

I used to be one of those people who used science to try to explain everything. The poetic part of me suspected science wasnt the only ultimate truth, but I resisted my own knowing. I really did believe at one point that dopamine and oxytocin were the causes and conditions of love, and not just what love happens to imperfectly look like under a scanner for mammals.

Years ago, I argued with an ex-Orthodox Jew about God. Though to all extents and purposes he had left the religion and its practical edicts, he had not stopped studying the scriptures. He was adamant that it was impossible for humans to know God, and I said it wasto the extent that it was humanly possible. (Clearly, though, it was a matter of temporal lobes, right vs. left hemispheres, etc.) Otherwise, were all the mystics lying or deluded?

I wasnt sure then (or even now, despite everything) if I believed in God as entity or object, however abstract or non-corporeal, but I believe in God as experience. I believe in the sense of God, the way I believe in the sense of love, even if its subjective and immeasurable and irreproducible in the lab, the opposite of science yet indisputably real.

The anthropologist and religious scholar T.M. Luhrmann, author of How God Becomes Real, concludes after decades of research that faith is really hard work. The most important question to ask about religion is not why but how, she writes. Why is a skeptics questiona puzzle around the seemingly absurd ideas (a talking snake, a virgin birth) that we find in religions. If we start not with the puzzle of belief, but with the question of whether the effort people invest in their faith helps them to feel that their gods and spirits are real, we are forced to focus on what people do when they worship gods and spirits, and on how those practices themselves might change those who do them.

All devotees of religion, from pagans to evangelical Christiansas opposed to the mere lip-service believerspractice. Their practices are not just extrinsic rituals for show, the way they may look from the outside, but work that causes them to change on the inside. Prayer, perhaps the most common religious practice, Luhrmann writes, is a method of attending to thought: an act of thinking about thinking. And thinking about thinking changes both the thinking and the thinker.

Luhrmann thinks religion is a story that shifts attention away from the ordinary, by using rich detail, imagination, and the inner senses, so the story becomes real. To be religious, essentially, is like being utterly engrossed in the world of a juicy book. In fact, the more likely someone is able to lose themselves in imagination, the more likely they are to experience the presence of Godwhat Luhrmann refers to as an invisible other. Luhrmann calls these acts of real-making kindlingways of using the mind so that an invisible other can be grasped.

Making God real seems to require both talent and training, a use of all our human capacities for meaning-making and imagination, and imagination IS real. Whatever is imagined exists in some way, as opposed to the utterly unimagined. A good book, after all, causes you to feel real feelings.

And yet our imaginations are limited. After all, we are monkeys. So neither the ex-Orthodox Jew and I were wrong, really; it was a silly argument, whether or not humans can know God. And yet the fact that so many people are religious is not nothing; theyre not all dumb and deluded, and religion is more than an allegory. Which is different still from your God story is wrong and mine is rightthat is just monkeys doing a bad job of interpretation.

(I guess I dont understand the Fundamentalist debate because why is evolution not just part of the divine plan unfolding? We are fancy monkeys, but why couldnt God have used biology to create these fancy monkeys?)

The Tao that can be told is not the eternal Tao, the famous opening line states: but why then a whole book about it? According to the spiritual teacher A.H. Almaas, of course language can describe mystical experiences, but that language is useful mostly for communicating to people who already recognize the numinous states and can resonate. When you dont have the experience, language can only point to it. But this is the case with many things.

How would you describe the sky to someone who has only ever lived in a windowless box or a cave? Imagine something with no boundaries, with none of these six lines? It is just as tricky to describe water to one who has never experienced it as it is to describe God. Its smooth, one might say. But what is wetness? Might as well say the ocean is vast.

Try just describing gingerits prickly?

My favorite philosopher, Bernardo Kastrup, likes to say that the intellect is the bouncer of the heart. He is my favorite philosopher because, as someone once described William James, he has the mind of a scientist and the heart of a poet. (Writers, too, according to Nabokov, should have precisely these qualities of both poetic precision and scientific imagination.) Kastrup says the gooey people of the worldexemplified perhaps by credulous hippieswould do well to rigorously vet their beliefs and close themselves more, so as to be open to the right things, while the pricklies of the worldoften intensely analytic, world-weary intellectualsmight do well to not close themselves off too much.

Why not at least pretend then that God is in everything, or at least pretend the world is sacred? Pretend just for the day that the world is your ashram, that God is in the person driving the slow car in front of you.

Even with our imperfect tools and perceptions, there are some things we just know. When love is not quite right, we want to analyze it with our friends, but some animal part of us recognizes when something is right. For a long time, I couldnt trust my own feelings, which is why I kept looking for some objective measure of rightness.

Im still not sure what life is about, but I know what life is probably not about. Its not about gaining the most bananas, a scared monkey way of being. We can remember we are monkeys, with our limitations, and also that we are something else. The monkey shouldnt be the one that thinks it is God and now can do anythingthat would be the worst monkeybut God is being expressed here and now through an evolved monkey.

Monkeys are not in the business of ultimate truth any more than termites are in the business of understanding quantum field theory, says my favorite philosopher. But we remain in the business of the truth that is good enough. Maybe we will never know where we go after we die because no one so far has managed to truly report back. Buddhism warns of the Four Imponderables, questions which cannot or should not be pondered upon lest one go insane These are: the powers of the Buddha, the powers of meditation, the workings of karma, and the origin of the world. And yet we have to do the hard work of understanding what can be the Good Enough Truth.

A friend in meditation group has a four-month-old baby she brings sometimes to our group sits. Everyone adores him, of course. He is discerning, for a baby, not immediately burbling for attention. He has those celestial eyes. We all think hes a tiny guru. Look at him, someone said. Hes meditating all the time.

Is this your guru?

And yet this is untrue. He is not meditating, because he does not need to, as monkeys dont. He has not yet lost God, and so does not need to work to find a way back. No disillusionment, no enlightenment. Rainer Maria Rilke has described human beings on the inside as being adorned with many festive frescoes. And yet as children, it is still too dark to see this magnificence. But as we grow up, the light comes in but we cover the frescoes up with our stories and problems so we cant see them again, for other reasons.

In a recent talk between (who else) Bernardo Kastrup and the philosopher and neuroscientist Iain McGilchrist, McGilchrist said that the secret to objectivity is not the view from nowhere, as if that would even be possible. Rather, true objectivity is not just having one view but holding many truths and seeing what the truths can do together.

The rational, scientific part of me isnt wrong, either. Science is the modern langauge, after all, and I must learn to speak it, to make sense to others, if I want to communicate at all. The monkey, the God, the child, the poet, the gooey, the prickly, the skeptic, and the fool all have a place in the pantheon.

A Hasidic teaching by Rabbi Simcha Bunim of Peshischa advises: keep two pieces of paper in your pockets, one in each pocket. One piece of paper says, I am but the dust of the earth. The other: The world was created for me alone.

***

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In Brief: Governments across Europe are increasing control over tourism demand through a combination of new taxes and tighter regulation of short-term rentals, signaling a shift in how destinations manage visitor flows and accommodation supply.

Europe Tightens Control Over Tourism As Taxes and Short-Term Rental Rules Expand - Image Credit HNR News

Published April 15, 2026 | By HNR News Staff Reporter

Policy Shifts Toward Demand Management

European destinations are increasingly adopting policies designed to regulate tourism demand, reflecting concerns about housing availability, infrastructure strain, and overtourism.

Measures, including overnight visitor taxes and new regulatory frameworks for short-term rentals, are being implemented across multiple markets, reshaping the operating environment for both hotels and alternative accommodations.

England Moves Toward Registration System

In England, the government is advancing plans for a national registration scheme for short-term rental properties, introducing a formal mechanism to monitor and regulate the sector.

The system is intended to improve transparency and enable local authorities to better manage the impact of short-term lets on housing supply and community dynamics.

This follows a broader European trend, in which cities such as Barcelona, Amsterdam, and Paris have introduced stricter controls on short-term rentals, including licensing requirements, caps on rental days, and enforcement measures targeting unregistered listings.

In some European cities, short-term rental listings have declined by double-digit percentages following the introduction of stricter enforcement measures

Taxes Add Pricing Pressure

At the same time, a growing number of destinations are introducing or expanding tourism-related taxes, adding to the overall cost of travel.

In the United Kingdom, proposals for a new holiday tax have triggered debate across the industry. An Oxford Economics study estimates that such a measure could result in a 2.2 billion reduction in GDP, reflecting potential declines in visitor spending and broader economic impact.

Separate analysis suggests that Londons planned tourist tax could create a pricing test for hotels and travel demand, as the industry weighs potential revenue gains against the risk of reduced competitiveness. (Full coverage)

These charges, typically applied per night or per stay, are increasingly being used not only to generate revenue but also to influence visitor behavior and manage volume.

Selected European Cities: Tourist Taxes and Short-Term Rental Regulation

City Short-Term Rental Rules Tourist Tax (Approx.) Key Policy Direction Barcelona Strict licensing, new permits largely frozen 45 per night Reducing STR supply to address housing pressure Amsterdam 30-night annual cap for STR rentals ~7% of room rate Aggressive demand control and volume reduction Paris 120-night cap, registration required Up to ~5+ per night (higher for luxury) Balancing tourism with residential housing needs London 90-night cap (existing), registration scheme proposed Proposed / under discussion Moving toward stricter oversight and taxation Rome Registration and regional controls expanding 37 per night Increasing taxation and monitoring Berlin Permits required for STR rentals ~5% of room rate Strict enforcement of housing protection laws Lisbon New licenses restricted in central zones ~2 per night Limiting STR growth in high-density areas

Supply and Demand Rebalancing

The combination of stricter rental regulations and higher travel costs is contributing to a rebalancing of supply and demand across accommodation types.

Reduced availability of short-term rental properties in regulated markets is beginning to shift demand back toward hotels, particularly in urban areas where enforcement is most active.

At the same time, higher travel costs may dampen demand growth among price-sensitive segments, including domestic and short-haul travelers.

Implications for Hotels and Operators

For hotel operators, these policy changes present both opportunities and challenges.

Greater regulation of alternative accommodations may reduce competition in some markets, supporting occupancy and pricing.

However, the cumulative effect of higher taxes and regulatory complexity may alter travel patterns, potentially shortening stays or redirecting demand to less regulated destinations.

Industry groups have warned that the combined impact of taxation and regulation could affect competitiveness, particularly in markets where tourism plays a significant role in the local economy.

Outlook

The direction of travel in European tourism policy suggests a shift away from maximizing visitor growth toward actively managing its impact.

As governments introduce additional controls on both pricing and supply, the balance between demand, affordability, and sustainability is likely to become a defining issue for the regions hospitality sector.
In Brief: Femke Nollet's article explores the financial implications of manual versus automated pricing methods in independent hotels, highlighting the potential costs and benefits of each approach.

Manual vs. Automated Pricing for Independent Hotels: What's the Real Cost of Doing it Manually? - Image Credit Lighthouse

You open your laptop, check what a few nearby hotels are charging for next weekend, make a call on your rates and get on with your day.

It's a routine that works, until a sudden demand spike, a local event or a competitor price drop changes the picture while you're busy with everything else.

Most independent hoteliers price this way, and it's a perfectly reasonable place to start. The challenge isn't the intention, it's the execution speed and accuracy. Markets move faster than a manual process can keep up with and when you're also managing check-ins, guest requests and the day-to-day of running a property, pricing is often the first thing that gets less attention than it deserves.

So what does the alternative actually look like and what difference does it make in practice?

The manual pricing routine most hoteliers know too well

On a good day, manual pricing looks like this: you log into Booking.com, check a few competitor listings, maybe open Expedia in another tab, update your rates and get on with your day. On a bad day  a busy weekend, a late arrival or a staffing shortage  it doesn't happen at all.

Manual pricing doesn't fail because you lack market instincts. It fails on execution speed and data quality. Without a centralized view, you're piecing together an incomplete picture from multiple sources, and by the time you've acted on it, the market has already moved on.

The pitfalls tend to stack up quietly:

Fragmented data: you're pulling information from OTAs, past booking reports and guesswork. None of them give you a complete or real-time view of what's actually happening in your market

Slow reaction: by the time you've spotted a competitor move or a high-demand spike, the best nights may already be sold at the wrong price

Channel inconsistency: if you update one platform but not another, guests see different rates  which erodes trust, hurts your OTA ranking and can cost you bookings

Pricing strategy crowded out by admin: two hours spent gathering data is two hours not spent on anything more valuable

As Troy Clarry, owner of Whangaparaoa Lodge & Kerikeri Property , put it: "Before Lighthouse, I'd pop my rates up for next week without really analyzing what was happening."

That's not a failure of effort. That's what manual pricing looks like when you're also running the rest of a hotel.

From reacting to planning: the automated pricing shift

The shift with automated pricing isn't that a machine makes all your decisions. It's that you stop starting from zero every morning.

Instead of opening tabs and cross-referencing platforms, you open one dashboard where competitor rates, market data and your own occupancy are already consolidated. The data is current, updated hourly not whenever you last had time to check. You review, make any adjustments you want and move on. What used to take two hours takes a fraction of the time and the quality of the picture you're working from is sharper than anything you could build manually.

The other change is in how far ahead you can think. Manual pricing tends to be reactive. You're focused on the next few days, adjusting to what's already happening. With automated hotel pricing, you can spot a slow period forming weeks out and do something about it before it arrives.

Hotel La Nouvelle Republique in Paris is a good example. In one of Europe's most fast-moving hotel markets, their lean team used to rely on spreadsheets and OTA data pieced together by hand. The workload was unsustainable, and reacting to demand spikes (events, festivals, sudden shifts, market trends) was nearly impossible when you were always slightly behind. With real-time data and forward-looking insights, they moved from reactive to proactive: adjusting rates early, reducing last-minute panic changes and planning around demand rather than scrambling to catch up to it.

Troy describes the same shift in practical terms: "Now, I can see competitor pricing, market demand and trends immediately, and I know I'm leaving less money on the table."

Manual vs. automated pricing: a side-by-side look

Picture your typical Monday morning pricing routine. Here's what that looks like depending on how you work:

Manual pricing Automated pricing Workload Checking OTAs, making test bookings and updating channels one by one, without ever getting a complete picture Competitor rates, demand signals and your own occupancy levels already consolidated, you review, adjust if needed and move on Competitor visibility Requires logging into multiple OTAs or making test bookings to see what others charge Live competitor rates in one dashboard Rate update speed Done when you get to it, often a day or more behind the market Rates adjust automatically as demand signals change throughout the day Channel consistency Risk of mismatched rates across platforms if one update gets missed Synced across all channels every time a rate changes Forward planning Focused on the next few days, longer-term gaps often only visible in hindsight Demand visibility months ahead so you can act before peaks or slow periods arrive After-hours coverage Rates stay static the moment you step away from your desk Autopilot keeps pricing active through evenings, weekends and busy check-in rushes Impact on workload Troy Clarry spent two hours daily across two properties, or skipped it entirely because there wasn't time With automation, Troy covers both properties in one hour, doing more than he ever did before

The "or skipped it entirely" detail says it all. When you're running a property on your own, pricing is rarely the only thing on your list, and on a busy day it's often the thing that waits.

Eleni Karousi at B-aparthotels describes what the manual process used to involve: "Before it wasn't so easy for us to always be up to date. We had to do a lot of investigating, go into their websites or go into the OTAs, look into the prices... Now I don't have to keep opening tabs or pretend to make a new reservation so I can see prices. It's much quicker." And if you've ever made a fake booking just to check a competitor's rate, you know exactly what she means.

The impact independent hoteliers are seeing

Time savings matter, but profitability impact is the real argument. Here's what the data says:

Troy Clarry saw average rates increase 16-17% year-over-year , generating higher top-line revenue despite a slight dip in occupancy, mainly driven by dynamic pricing rules he simply couldn't execute manually before

Welsby Mather , National Revenue Manager at Hemisphere Hospitality Solutions managing de Russie Boutique Hotel , cut his rate management workload by nearly 50% after switching. This is time he reinvested into strategy and client work instead of manual rate checks

Across a study of 84 independent hotels , Lighthouse users saw an average RevPAR increase of 21% after implementation, with an ROI of over 50x the monthly subscription cost

Typical users run around 35 automated price pushes per day, the equivalent of roughly 10 hours of manual pricing work , done automatically

The point isn't just that automation saves time. It's that manual pricing has a hidden cost most hoteliers never fully account for: every slow update, every missed demand spike, every rate that sat two euros too low on a busy weekend. It adds up, quietly, over every week of the year.

As Welsby puts it: "Since working with Lighthouse, we've seen clear gains in efficiency and client revenue, with ROI coming through almost immediately. It's a tool that supports smarter decision-making and pricing efficiency during our business hours, but even after hours we can count on it via automation."

Built for hoteliers who want control without the daily grind

The Lighthouse platform's Pricing Optimization capability is built around one idea: you should be able to make smarter pricing decisions in less time, without giving up control over your strategy.

In practice, that means:

Hourly-updated rate recommendations based on your occupancy, competitor rates and real market demand  so you're always working from a current picture, not yesterday's historical data

Autopilot mode that pushes room rates automatically, even when you're at the front desk, out doing room checks or simply not in front of your laptop

Full transparency into why a rate is recommended. You can see the reasoning, override it anytime and adjust the rules to fit your property's specific situation

Forward-looking demand signals so you can plan weeks or months ahead, not just react to what's already on the books

The key thing (and what separates this from handing control to a black box) is that your judgment stays central. The platform gives you the data and the automation. You still make the calls.

Anna Okma manages all commercial strategy solo for The Fritz Hotel Amsterdam , a 20-room boutique property a few steps from the Rijksmuseum, describes it this way: "Having the tool to guide me in long-term pricing is really helpful. I can spot gaps early and get ahead of them."

The Lighthouse platform brings Pricing Optimization and Channel Management together in one place, so the right rate reaches the right booking channel automatically. You set the data-driven strategy, the platform handles the execution  including the parts that happen while you're focused on your guests experience.

Less time on rates, more time on guests

Your market doesn't pause when you're busy. Demand shifts, competitors adjust their rates and events get announced  often all in the same week. Keeping up with that manually is possible, but it comes at a cost measured in hours that could go elsewhere.

The hoteliers who've made the switch to automated pricing software haven't stepped back from their business. If anything, they're more involved in the parts that matter: their guests, their property and the decisions that actually shape where their hotel is heading.

Femke Nollet

Femke Nollet is a content specialist, passionate about helping independent hoteliers thrive. With a passion for visual storytelling and industry insights, Femke translates complex trends into practical strategies so hoteliers have the tools to navigate the evolving digital landscape.

About Lighthouse

Lighthouse (formerly OTA Insight) is the leading commercial platform for the travel & hospitality industry. We transform complexity into confidence by providing actionable market insights, business intelligence, and pricing tools that maximize revenue growth. We continually innovate to deliver the best platform for hospitality professionals to price more effectively, measure performance more efficiently, and understand the market in new ways.

Trusted by over 65,000 hotels in 185 countries, Lighthouse is the only solution that provides real-time hotel and short-term rental data in a single platform. We strive to deliver the best possible experience with unmatched customer service. We consider our clients as true partners - their success is our success.

Source: View the original article at Lighthouse.
In Brief: Indian Hotels Company (IHCL) has signed an agreement for a greenfield Gateway hotel project in Dirang, Arunachal Pradesh.

Indian Hotels Company (IHCL) has signed an agreement to develop Gateway Dirang, a greenfield hotel project in Dirang, Arunachal Pradesh. The hotel will be located in the West Kameng district.

The 70-key Gateway Dirang will feature an all-day dining restaurant, a specialty restaurant, and a bar. The property will include a banquet hall, dedicated meeting rooms, a swimming pool, a fitness center, and a spa.

The project is being developed in partnership with Mr. Phurpa Tsering. No timeline for the hotel's opening or completion was provided.

Dirang is located in the West Kameng district and is en route to Tawang. The area is known for its natural hot water springs.

With this agreement, IHCL will have 21 hotels in the North East, including 12 under development.
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The video begins with Narendra Modi enthusiastically shaking hands with a foreign leader, before it dissolves into bursts of laughter, an exaggerated hug and a candid look to the camera mid-conversation. The English is deliberately garbled, the pauses theatrical, but the mannerisms unmistakable. As a satire of Indias prime minister it is sharp, absurd, and instantly recognisable.

Posted on Instagram by comedian Pulkit Mani, the reel captioned POV: How Moody Gee Greets Foreign Ministers racked up more than 16 million views before it suddenly disappeared for users in India.

In its place now sits a stark notice saying access to the content has been restricted pursuant to a legal request from the government under the countrys information technology laws.

This is not an isolated case. In recent weeks, popular X accounts known for satire and political commentary have been taken down or restricted, only to be partially restored later following court intervention. Even then, some posts remain blocked, pending review by government-appointed panels.

The takedowns have sparked growing concern among digital rights advocates and creators, who warn of an expanding crackdown on online speech critical of the government and the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party.

The restrictions come as the government moves to widen its regulatory net, proposing amendments that would extend rules governing news publishers to ordinary users, including influencers, comedians, and independent journalists, who post about news and current affairs on platforms such as Facebook, YouTube and X.

Critics say the move could fundamentally reshape online freedom of speech in India, giving the authorities greater control over what hundreds of millions of users can say and how far their voices can travel.

For Prateek Sharma, the man behind a parody account called Dr Nimo Yadav that posts satirical political content, the shift from amusing side-project to all-consuming legal battle came abruptly and in the middle of the night.

I received an email from X on 19 March at 12.23am, he recalls in an interview with The Independent. It said that we have blocked your account on order from MeitY, referring to the Ministry of Electronics, Information and Technology.

The message, he said, offered little clarity. We dont have blocking orders, Xs mail said. And they told me to get in touch with MeitY for account restoration. Sharma wrote to the ministry asking why his account had been withheld and which posts had triggered the action. I did not receive a response, he said.

The Independent has reviewed the tweets cited in the blocking order. Most were critical or satirical of prime minister Narendra Modi or his Bharatiya Janata Party.

In an email exchange between X and MeitY seen by The Independent, the ministry said the flagged accounts fell under Section 69A of the IT Act. This provision allows the government or intermediaries to block content in the interest of sovereignty, integrity, defence and security of India, as well as to maintain relations with friendly states and prevent incitement to violence.

The ministry added it had attempted to identify and contact the users but was unsuccessful. It also alleged that posts by the Dr Nimo Yadav account contained AI-altered content that defamed the government and the prime minister, spread false narratives, and portrayed him as incompetent  content it said could harm public order and pose a security risk.

Sharma disputes this, saying he did not receive any formal communication from the ministry before the blocking.

According to the blocking order, also seen by The Independent, at least 11 other accounts, including Nehr_Who and Activist Sandeep, known for critical or satirical posts about the prime minister, were withheld in India. MeitY directed X to block them within an hour or face action.

The Elon Musk-owned platform pushed back against the 18 March directive, arguing the accounts did not meet the legal threshold under the IT Act and that the action was disproportionate. X also sought a fair hearing for the account holders, noting the order showed no clear attempt to contact them. It suggested withholding specific posts, rather than entire accounts.

A lawyer for X, advocate Ankit Parhar, tells The Independent that the platform sees account blocking as disproportionate and in instances of defamatory content, X suggests taking down posts instead of blocking the account as a whole. Ultimately, however, the government orders are passed under a legitimate and legal takedown regime in India. We have to comply, he says.

There is some pushback, he adds, For instance, if the account is generally posting newsworthy content and in some posts there may be something that MeitY finds objectionable, then the pushback is to please block only the posts you think are objectionable, says Parhar. Don't block the entire account. He says that it is rare for the ministry to take Xs objections into account.

open image in gallery Comedian Pulkit Mani posted reel captioned 'POV: How Moody Gee Greets Foreign Ministers' that racked up more than 16 million views before it was suddenly pulled down at the direction of the government of India ( Dhruv Rathee/X )

The Independent reached out to MeitY for a response to this and other points raised throughout this article, but had not received a response at the time of publication.

Sharma has decided to fight the take-down order in court, a course of action that has transformed the anonymous satirist into a litigant at the centre of a wider debate over free speech  one that, according to digital rights advocates, has been building for years.

This concern is not speculative. It is empirical, says Apar Gupta, founder of the Internet Freedom Foundation. Section 69A blocking orders have been issued for reasons like decency and morality, which are not grounds permitted under the statute.

Gupta argues that a pattern is already visible in the kinds of content that gets removed. Accounts running political satire of the prime minister have been throttled or taken down. So when you ask whether this architecture could be used to curb dissent, it already is.

Part of the issue, he says, lies in how the system itself is structured. Blocking orders are confidential by design, meaning users often only learn about them after the fact, if at all. At the same time, mechanisms such as the governments Sahyog portal have streamlined and scaled the process, allowing multiple agencies to send take-down requests to all platforms quickly and in bulk.

open image in gallery India's prime minister and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Narendra Modi addresses his supporters during a mass rally in Kolkata on 14 March 2026 ( AFP/Getty )

The swiftness is structural, not episodic, Gupta says, adding that platforms tend to over-comply because the cost of resistance, the potential loss of legal protections for hosting user content, is too high. The result, he argues, is a system engineered for over-removal.

The whole process lacks transparency, he says. There is no public register of takedown orders, and users are often left in the dark about why their content was blocked or who ordered it. Even when legal recourse exists, it is difficult to access in practice.

If you dont know your content was blocked, you cant challenge it. If you do know, the costs and timelines of constitutional litigation are prohibitive for most individuals, he said. The process is the punishment.

For Sharma, the consequences have been both immediate and deeply personal.

An engineer by profession, he had been running the account since 2018-19. What began as a joke  created on his birthday under the name of fugitive businessman Nirav Modi  gradually grew into a following of 1.3 million users, drawn to its sharp takes on political messaging.

A watershed moment came when Sharma used the account to take part in a pro-Modi PR campaign called #MaiBhiChowkidar (I too am a watchman). When an automated response from the prime ministers account thanked Nirav Modi  a fugitive pursued for extradition from the UK by the Modi administration  it quickly went viral.

Sharma believes it was this episode that put him on the radar of political operatives. After significant trolling the [automated PMs] tweet was deleted, recalls Sharma. He began receiving a backlash of his own online, with attacks labelling him Pakistani or Bangladeshi because of his decision to list his location broadly as South Asia.

open image in gallery Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) supporters holding posters of India's prime minister Narendra Modi attend a mass rally in Kolkata on 14 March 2026 ( AFP/Getty )

Still, he insists his content stayed within legal and constitutional boundaries. I take complete responsibility that none of my posts were in bad taste, he says. It was not derogatory I do not think I have written anything that the Constitution does not allow me to write.

The legal battle has also stripped away the anonymity he once relied on. Forced to approach the courts, Sharma had to reveal his identity, something he had deliberately protected for years.

I was hoping to stay anonymous. But it is not possible now, he said. With my identity card they have all my details, he says referring to the ID submission in court to the ministry. It is easy for them to target me, he says, fearing harassment from the right-wing supporters of the prime minister.

Since then, he claims to have received threats online. We now know where you live and who you are we will not spare you, some messages read, according to him. Others allegedly called for violence.

The Delhi high court later directed that Sharmas account, along with another parody account called Nehr_Who, be restored. However, individual posts flagged in the original order remain withheld pending further review.

The court also instructed that the matter be examined by a review committee within MeitY, which must determine whether the content falls within the scope of the law.

For Sharma, the fight is far from over. If they continue to withhold the posts, then we will file a fresh writ, he says.

The government has described some of the flagged content as being in bad taste and potentially harmful to public order  an assessment that Sharma strongly disputes.

How are my tweets derogatory? he asked. We live in a democracy we have the right to criticise our PM or any public figure. We are not living in North Korea.

Despite the risks, Sharma says he does not plan to change what he does.

I have never done anything that can disrupt public order. I dont intend to either, he says. However, if I think there is something that should be criticised, then I will continue do it.
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Pakistan's military has announced the successful test-firing of a new, domestically developed ship-launched anti-ship missile.

In a statement, the military confirmed the missile "accurately engaged its target with high speed at extended range" during a live firing exercise. The event was witnessed by Chief of the Naval Staff Adm. Naveed Ashraf, alongside scientists and engineers involved in the programme.

The military said the missile improves on earlier systems with an advanced guidance package and enhanced manoeuvrability designed to "evade threats, adapt to dynamic conditions and deliver with precision and lethality," calling the launch a demonstration of the country's precision-strike capability.

The military statement underscored the navy's commitment to maintaining "credible sea-based deterrence" in the conventional domain and ensuring maritime security and stability in the region.

Pakistan's military frequently tests its domestically developed missiles, with its programme largely aimed at countering potential threats from neighbouring India.

open image in gallery Pakistans army chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, has arrived in Tehran to revive peace talks between the US and Iran, with the White House optimistic about a deal to end the war ( Iranian Foreign Ministry )

Meanwhile, Pakistan's army chief is set to meet with Iranian officials in Tehran on Thursday in a bid to ease tensions in the Middle East and arrange a second round of negotiations between the United States and Iran after almost seven weeks of war.

The White House said any further talks would likely take place in the Pakistani capital of Islamabad, though no decision had been made on whether to resume negotiations.

The US naval blockade of Iranian ports continued as US treasury secretary Scott Bessent said the Trump administration would ramp up economic pain on Iran with new economic sanctions on countries doing business with it, calling the move the "financial equivalent" of a bombing campaign.

Pakistan has emerged as a key mediator after it hosted direct talks between the US and Iran in Islamabad that authorities said helped narrow differences between the two sides.

Mediators are seeking a new round before the ceasefire expires next week.

Meanwhile, Mr Trump wrote late Wednesday on Truth Social that leaders from Israel and Lebanon would speak the next day in a renewed effort to broker a ceasefire after the countries' first direct talks in decades ended the previous day in Washington without a deal.

It was not clear what leaders Mr Trump was referring to.
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The article below is an excerpt from Steve Fowlers DriveSmart newsletter. To get the email delivered straight to your inbox every Monday, simply enter your email address in the box above.

Plug-in hybrids are one of the hottest talking points in the car market right now, with new models from China in particular drawing plenty of attention for their looks, value and real-world range. Against that backdrop, as The Independents electric vehicles editor, I have been hearing from readers weighing up whether these fast-rising new brands are really worth the risk.

I recently received an email from Bob Richardson, who asked: I saw that the Jaecoo 7 has become the best-selling car in the UK, but can I ask you for an honest view  is it any good? I am seeing them all over the place now, and theyre great looking cars, but Ive also heard of a few reliability issues, too. Should I take the plunge or would I just be following the herd?

Bob wasnt the first  and probably wont be the last  person to ask me that question. The Jaecoo 7 (and to a lesser extent the Jaecoo 5) is very much the car of the moment and its been one of the UKs best-sellers for quite a while.

With so many new Chinese brands arriving in the UK over the past couple of years  and more on the way  its becoming increasingly difficult for them to stand out. Jaecoo, however, has a clear point of difference: design.

open image in gallery Steve Fowler behind the wheel of the Jaecoo 5 ( Steve Fowler )

Its models bear more than a passing resemblance to Range Rover products, with the larger Jaecoo 7 echoing the Velar and the smaller Jaecoo 5 reminiscent of the Evoque. Yet despite those premium looks, both start in the 20,000s  a long way south of the cars they appear to emulate.

Are they the most sophisticated cars to drive? No. The ride can be on the firm side, and the steering lacks the precision of some European rivals.

When I drove the Jaecoo 7, the constant beeps and bongs quickly became tiresome, although software updates have improved matters and the newer Jaecoo 5 is a step forward. Both cars also rely too heavily on touchscreens for basic controls, and usability could be better.

That said, the powertrains  particularly the 7s plug-in hybrid system  are impressively advanced, delivering strong efficiency. Build quality is also remarkably solid for the price, and the level of kit on offer comfortably outstrips similarly priced models from more established brands.

Wrap all of that in bodywork that turns heads, and its easy to see why Jaecoo is attracting attention  especially with some tempting finance deals currently available.

There have been some reports of reliability issues, and it remains to be seen how Jaecoo and its dealer network respond, including to a recent recall  something that, its worth noting, is not uncommon in the industry. As more cars hit the road, more issues are inevitably reported, so it will be important to watch how widespread these problems prove to be and how effectively theyre handled.

So, should you buy one? As my recent comparison of seven Chinese plug-in hybrids showed, the Jaecoo 7 isnt the best all-rounder. But it is, by some margin, the best looking  and that alone makes it hugely appealing.

I wouldnt blame you for choosing it over alternatives from MG, BYD, Geely, Chery or Omoda  or even the new Lepas models. (Jaecoo, Omoda and Lepas are all part of the wider Chery group, mirroring the Volkswagen Groups long-standing strategy of sharing technology across multiple brands.)

Looks matter enormously in the car-buying process, and on that front Jaecoo is getting it absolutely right. The question now is how rivals  both new and established  respond.

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Each edition of DriveSmart offers clear, expert guidance on the fast-moving world of electric vehicles and modern motoring, from trusted reviews and practical tips to the biggest industry news of the week.

You can also head to our newsletter preference centre to sign up for the email.
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Rachel Reeves has announced an expansion of plans to reduce electricity bills for thousands of UK manufacturing firms, as she continues high-level talks in Washington focused on the economic fallout from the Iran conflict.

Ms Reeves, who is in Washington for the International Monetary Fund (IMF) spring meetings, stated the plan would help UK businesses compete and create jobs despite the uncertain economic backdrop.

During her trip, she intensified her criticism of US-Israeli military actions in Iran, saying war was a "mistake" and had not made the world a safer place.

Her comments came as she was due to meet US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, who has referred to the impact of the war as "short-term volatility for long-term gain," which he said would prevent Tehran developing a nuclear weapon.

Ms Reeves also cautioned against "knee-jerk responses" to the cost-of-living crisis triggered by the war in a joint statement with international counterparts at the IMF.

In a bid to help businesses hit by rising costs, the British Industrial Competitiveness Scheme (BICS), a plan announced last summer to cut electricity bills by up to 25 per cent for more than 7,000 UK businesses, will now be expanded to cover 10,000 firms.

From 2027, BICS will cut costs by up to 40 per megawatt-hour by exempting businesses from certain extra charges that currently support green energy and back-up power supply systems.

open image in gallery Rachel Reeves is due to meet US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, who has referred to the impact of the war as short-term volatility for long-term gain which he said would prevent Tehran developing a nuclear weapon. ( PA )

An additional one-off payment in 2027 will be given to an extra 3,000 businesses, including companies in the automotive, aerospace, steel and pharmaceuticals sectors.

The Government said it will also cover the support firms would have received if the BICS had been in place from this month.

The scheme is expected to be worth up to 600 million per year from next April.

Ms Reeves said: This Government has the right plan for the economy: backing British industry, cutting electricity costs and building a stronger, more resilient future.

Todays announcement will cut energy bills for over 10,000 manufacturers, helping businesses to compete, win and create good jobs across the country, and to deliver our modern industrial strategy.

Business Secretary Peter Kyle said: We are a Government of action, and when global instability puts businesses under pressure well always do whats needed to support them and ensure Britains resilience.

open image in gallery Rachel Reeves also cautioned against "knee-jerk responses" to the cost-of-living crisis triggered by the war in a joint statement with international counterparts at the IMF ( PA )

By extending the reach of BICS by 40%, were acting decisively to tackle the number one issue that businesses face head-on.

Household energy bills are forecast to increase this year because of the conflict pushing up global oil and gas prices, while motorists are already feeling the impact of higher costs at the pump.

Ms Reeves has signalled that any energy bill help this year will be targeted at the poorest households, rather than a universal bailout of the type offered by Liz Truss when she was prime minister after the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

The White House has said talks are ongoing about holding fresh face-to-face negotiations between the US and Iran and that Washington had not yet formally requested an extension of the ceasefire due to expire next Tuesday.
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A GLP-1 weight loss pill, already on sale in the United States, has hit a regulatory snag.

The Food and Drug Administration has asked U.S. drugmaker Eli Lilly to collect more long-term safety data on its once-daily tablet Foundayo, according to an April 1 letter published by the FDA Tuesday.

The FDA approved the pill under its program to fast-track drugs using 72-week, Phase 3 trial data but still needs to look at years-long data to understand all of the potential risks.

At the heart of the request is whether taking Foundayo - made using a new active ingredient called orforglipron - could be linked to liver, heart and gastrointestinal problems.

We have determined that only a clinical trial (rather than a nonclinical or observational study) will be sufficient to assess a signal of a serious risk of retained gastric contents and to identify an unexpected serious risk for major adverse cardiovascular events, drug-induced liver injury and exposure to [Foundayo] during lactation, the FDA wrote.

open image in gallery The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has asked drugmaker Eli Lilly for more safety data related to its new GLP-1 weight loss pill. Foundayo was approved by the agency earlier this month ( Reuters )

Eli Lilly has until the end of April to complete that clinical trial and until July to submit a final report.

An Eli Lilly spokesperson told The Independent that patient safety is Lillys top priority and that the company actively monitors, evaluates and reports safety information for all its medicines.

The FDA approved Foundayo based on its review of data from the ATTAIN clinical program, with postapproval requirements consistent with the agencys standard approach to ongoing safety evaluation of newly approved medicines, the spokesperson noted. No hepatic safety signals have been observed for Foundayo across the Phase 3 program to date.

Its unclear if the pill will need to be altered in the future, based on the additional trial requested by the FDA. Eli Lilly has already conducted shorter-term research in patients with obesity and type 2 diabetes who are at increased risk of cardiovascular problems.

Foundayo is the second GLP-1 pill to hit the U.S. market after Novo Nordisks Wegovy pill. The Wegovy pill was approved by the FDA in December.

The FDA did not request additional safety data on the Wegovy pill but its active ingredient, semaglutide, was first approved in 2017 and its effects have been tested more than orforglipron.

The majority of weight loss pills come with side effects such as nausea and muscle loss. Drugmakers hope to address those issues and are working on ways to improve the medications and stop patients from dropping them.

open image in gallery Weight loss pills were introduced as an easier way to take GLP-1 weight loss drugs than injections. The pills are also more affordable ( PA )

Phase 3 results shared by Eli Lilly showed significant weight loss for people taking Fundayo, which acts to suppress appetite similar to popular injectable drugs.

Adults taking the highest-approved dose of the pill solely to lose weight shed an average of 17.2 pounds over the course of 72 weeks, according to Eli Lilly. Patients taking the Wegovy pill lost around 3 percent more of their body weight on average, according to a recent Novo Nordisk trial.

Weight loss pills were designed to help expand access to GLP-1s and offer a less invasive method of taking the medications.

Drugmakers are also working to make their products more affordable. GLP-1 injectables cost thousands of dollars a month for people without insurance. Outofpocket prices for weight loss pills are generally lower than injections but may still cost hundreds of dollars.

The lowest dose Wegovy pill, 1.5mg, costs around $25 a month for patients who have insurance and $149 a month out-of-pocket. The price is the same for 0.8 milligrams of Foundayo, Eli Lilly said.
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While President Donald Trump has repeatedly said the prices of prescription drugs would be lowered under deals with drugmakers, a Thursday analysis released by Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders suggests that has not been the case.

All but one of the 16 drugmakers involved in the TrumpRx project have continued to increase their prices since the deals were struck late last year and all of the companies have raised the prices of 337 drugs since January 21, 2025, the 11-page report shared with The Independent  which cites data from the price tracking software NAVLIN  shows.

Drugs to treat cancer, multiple sclerosis and cell and gene therapies were among those that saw price hikes. Some annual costs increased by as much as over $14,000 while drugmakers were negotiating the deals with the Trump administration, the data shows.

Sanders, the ranking member on the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, told The Independent that he agrees with Trump regarding how outrageous it is that Americans pay the highest prescription drug prices in the world.

Unfortunately, despite President Trumps rhetoric, prescription drug prices in America have only gone up, not down, since he was elected, the Independent senator said in an emailed statement.

open image in gallery A new analysis from Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders and Senate Democrats shows drugmakers have continued to raise the prices of prescription drugs for cancer and other life-threatening conditions - despite deals made with the Trump administration ( Getty )

The report also hits at the White Houses TrumpRx online prescription drug platform, saying it does not appear to provide meaningful savings to patients either and noting that drugs TrumpRx have lower-cost generic alternatives not available on the site.

Instead of promoting the lowest cost drugs, TrumpRx may actually drive patients toward more expensive drugs, it says. That doesnt benefit patients; it lines the pockets of the drug companies who signed the MFN deals.

Kush Desai, a spokesman for the White House, told The Independent that the report fixates on prescription drug list prices, which are meaningless because they do not reflect the actual purchase prices that patients pay at the pharmacy counter.

BLS data thats based on what patients do actually pay for drugs show that prescription drug prices have, in fact, not only declined since President Trump took office, but just clocked the biggest three-month decline since BLS started reporting this data in the 1960s, he said. Bernies report proves that he either has no idea how drug pricing works in America or that he remains in a delusional state of denial about the unequivocal fact that President Trump is delivering real results for the American people.

Drugmakers agreed to offer some of their products for a discounted price for people who paid with cash on TrumpRx.gov. The discounts are separate from list prices, which indicate how much drugmakers can charge insurance.

The 16 drugmakers include Johnson & Johnson, Merck, Novo Nordisk, Novartis, Eli Lilly, Pfizer, AstraZeneca, Amgen, Bristol Meyers Squibb, Boehringer Ingelheim, Genentech, Sanofi, Gilead Sciences, GSK, EMD Serono and AbbVie.

The Independent has reached out to all of them for comment.

open image in gallery Sen. Bernie Sanders and other senators have introduced new legislation to require drug companies to lower their prices ( AFP/Getty )

The drugmakers included in the deals have launched 23 new drugs since Trump became president, the reports data shows. The average launch price of the drugs is $353,000.

And annual profits of the drugmakers reportedly increased by a whopping 66 percent, up from $107 billion in 2024 to $177 billion last year.

But rising prices are hurdles that Congress can help to clear, according to the report. New legislation introduced by Sanders and other senators would require drug companies to lower the prices of their products to the average price of the same products in five peer countries: Canada, France, Germany, Japan, and the United Kingdom.

If the drugmakers did not lower their prices, the government would be required to approve low-cost generic alternatives to the brand name products.

If the president is serious about taking on the greed of the pharmaceutical industry, he should support legislation I introduced to cut drug prices by more than half and ensure Americans pay no more than the Europeans or Canadians, saving over $180 billion a year, Sanders told The Independent.

Nearly a third of U.S. adults say that they have taken an over-the-counter drug instead of a prescription medication due to high costs and about one in five say they have cut pills in half or skipped doses to save money, according to recent polling data from the health policy research non-profit KFF.

The report was released ahead of the Senate HELP committees hearing focused on drug prices. It follows a January analysis by 46brooklyn, a non-profit drug price research firm, that NPR first reported showed the companies had raised the prices of 872 drugs in the first two weeks of the year.
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The number of emergency room visits related to tick bites just reached its highest level in the U.S. in nearly a decade.

For every 100,000 visits, 71 were due to tick-related complaints, according to the most recent data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The normal average number of visits is just around 30 for this time of year, indicating to experts that the blood-suckers are out and about earlier this year.

"It's not entirely clear how much of this is increased recognition and as people become more aware of this, more going to the emergency room. But there seems to be a clear increase in the number of ticks out there, Dr. John Halperin, a neurologist New Jerseys Atlantic Health Overlook Medical Center, told ABC News.

More than 31 million people experience a tick bite each year, and 89,000 contract Lyme disease that can cause heart, joint and nervous system problems. So what do you do if you find a tick? Well, first, you might want to keep it.

open image in gallery Tick ER visits are abnormally high across the U.S., according to new federal data. If youre bitten, experts say you should save your tick ( Getty Images/iStock )

It seems like a strange thing to do, but keeping the tick that bit you can help doctors to identify what kind of tick it was and the known health risks associated with exposure.

For example, Lyme disease is spread by blacklegged ticks, which are found in the eastern and southern U.S.

And three different kinds of ticks spread alpha-gal syndrome, the red meat allergy that killed a New Jersey pilot last year. it was previously believed that only lone star ticks, found east of the Rocky Mountains, could trigger the reaction.

Now, researchers say western blacklegged ticks and deer ticks are also involved.

Something to be aware of is that the range of ticks is also expanding due to warming temperatures fueled by human-caused climate change. Ticks, which thrive in humid conditions, are moving north.

And the warming climate has also been extending the tick seasons peak. Typically, the peak tick months run from April to October. Now, the peak months are starting in March and lasting through November.

However, ticks can still be active during the winter months.

Ticks dont take a winter vacation, and as long as temperatures stay above freezing, they remain active and looking for blood, Dina Fonseca, a Rutgers University-New Brunswick expert on tick biology, said in a statement.

So, how do you save your tick?

open image in gallery Ticks can still be active during the winter months ( Getty Images )

First, remove the tick as soon as possible with fine-tipped tweezers, grasping the tick as close to the skin as you can, the CDC instructs.

Then, pull upward with steady, even pressure.

Put the tick in rubbing alcohol or place it in a sealed bag.

After removing the tick, clean the bite area and your hands with rubbing alcohol or soap and water.

If you are in an area where Lyme disease is common, consider calling or visiting a doctor.

Otherwise, watch for any symptoms of Lyme or other disease for 30 days after a bite.

For Lyme disease, that can mean a rash, fever, fatigue, headache, muscle pain and joint swelling. However, the risk of developing Lyme disease is very low if a tick has been on your body for fewer than 24 hours.

Also, dont worry if the tick breaks as you are pulling it out, Harvards Lyme Wellness Initiative says. Or, if your doctor cant even fully get it.

If you or your doctor cant fully remove the tick, its okay to leave parts of it in your skin. They will come out as the skin heals, the initiative says. The tick cannot continue to transmit pathogens while only part of it is in your skin, but be aware that it may have already infected you.
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Archaeologists are set to embark on a deeper exploration of a "truly remarkable" Welsh cave that was once home to a hippopotamus that roamed the country 120,000 years ago.

This significant site also holds compelling evidence of early prehistoric human activity.

The University of Aberdeen has secured funding to spearhead a five-year investigation into Wogan Cavern, located beneath Pembroke Castle.

The enormous cave, accessible via a spiral staircase, was previously believed to have been largely excavated by Victorians, leading to assumptions that little archaeological material remained.

However, small-scale excavations conducted between 2021 and 2024 have unearthed abundant evidence of both human and animal visits spanning over 100,000 years.

Crucially, much of Wogan Caverns ancient sediments have been found to be intact.

Researchers now state that these discoveries mean the cave is rapidly emerging as one of the most important prehistoric archives in Britain. Dr Rob Dinnis, who directed the initial excavations, will lead the ambitious project for the University of Aberdeen.

Despite the limited work done so far, we can already say that Wogan Cavern is a truly remarkable site, he said.

Not only is there extremely rare evidence for early Homo sapiens, there are also hints at even earlier human occupation, probably by Neanderthals.

There is no other site like it in Britain  it is a onceinalifetime discovery.

With this new project we can learn a great deal about our early prehistoric forebears, about how they lived and what their worlds looked like.

The researchers said larger scale excavations could provide insights into past climate change, extinct species, and the multiple periods when humans called the cave their home.

Dr Dinnis continued: We are optimistic that the cave can chart a long sequence of human activity, from hunter-gatherers living there immediately after the last Ice Age around 11,500 years ago, back to Britains earliest Homo sapiens between 45,000 and 35,000 years ago, and maybe also earlier traces likely left by Neanderthals.

Pembroke Castle in west Wales was the birthplace of Henry Tudor, who went on to become King Henry VII ( David Davies/PA )

We have also found hippo bones, which probably date to the last interglacial period, around 120,000 years ago.

The site could therefore tell us about how multiple changes in climate and environment affected people living there over 100,000 years or more.

The project, which is funded by the Calleva Foundation, will see researchers from the University of Aberdeen join forces with other leading specialists across Britain and Europe.

Professor Kate Britton, a specialist in science-based archaeology at the University of Aberdeen, said: Wogan Cavern provides a unique chance to use all the scientific techniques now available to archaeologists.

Because the bones are well preserved, we can learn a lot about past environments and ecosystems, and do high-resolution scientific dating. Furthermore, pilot studies have shown that ancient DNA is preserved, in both the bones and the cave sediments.

The projects team of specialists are excited to learn as much as possible about the cave and its early inhabitants  animal and human  in the coming years.

For Pembroke Castle  the birthplace of Henry Tudor and already a popular tourist attraction  the project begins a new and exciting chapter in its storied history.

Dr Jonquil Mogg, the newly appointed collections manager at the castle, said: Pembroke Castle has long been a very important part of Welsh and British history.

Wogan Cavern has the potential to also establish it as a place of huge significance to British archaeology.

Castle manager Jon Williams described the news as incredibly exciting.

We have watched with great interest as Wogan Cavern has started to reveal its secrets  its very different from the medieval history we usually deal with at the castle.

We are thrilled that work on this wonderful cave will continue  we very much look forward to working more with Rob and his team, and securing the collection for the people of Pembroke, Wales and beyond.

New excavations are scheduled to begin at the end of May.
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A quiet cemetery in upstate New York is proving far from still as new research shows its buzzing with millions of bees living just beneath the surface.

The East Lawn Cemetery in Ithaca is home to an estimated 5.5 to 5.6 million ground-nesting bees, making it one of the largest and possibly oldest known bee aggregations ever recorded, researchers at Cornell University found.

The bees belong to the species Andrena regularis, or the regular mining bee, a solitary species that nests in the ground rather than forming hives. While bees are often associated with large colonies such as what is seen with honeybees, scientists say roughly 70 percent of bee species in the United States actually live underground and operate independently.

The discovery began almost by accident. In 2022, a Cornell University technician noticed large numbers of bees while walking through the cemetery and brought samples back to the lab. That observation prompted a more detailed study, led by entomologist Bryan Danforth and his team, to determine the scope of the bees living under the graves.

During several weeks in the spring of 2023, researchers placed small emergence traps across the cemetery to catch bees as they surfaced. By measuring how many bees emerged from specific patches of land, the team calculated population density and scaled it across roughly 6,000 to 6,500 square meters. The result: an estimated range of 3 million to 8 million bees, with an average of about 5.5 million.

open image in gallery Researchers at Cornell University found that East Lawn Cemetery in Ithaca, New York, is home to an estimated 5.5 to 5.6 million ground-nesting bees, making it one of the largest, and possibly oldest, known bee aggregations ever recorded ( Bryan Danforth )

Even at that scale, this isnt a single, unified colony. Each female bee digs and provisions her own nest, laying eggs in individual chambers stocked with pollen and nectar. The species spends the winter underground as adults before emerging in early spring, synchronizing its activity with the blooming of plants such as apple trees.

I was completely floored when we did the calculations, Danforth told Scientific American about the discovery. I have seen published estimates of bee aggregations in the hundreds of thousands. But I never really imagined that it would be 5.56 million bees.

In Arizona, researchers estimated that about 1.6 million Centris caesalpiniae bees emerged from a 1,290-square-meter site in a single year, according to a 1990 study. In upstate New York, another 2024 study documented roughly 651,440 Melissodes bimaculatus bees occupying a suburban lawn, while research in Brazil, released in a 2020 report, found a much smaller, but still significant, group of about 13,500 Epicharis picta bees within a 160-square-meter area.

open image in gallery East Lawn Cemetery's undisturbed soil, minimal pesticide use and rarely disturbed ground create ideal nesting conditions, researchers said ( Bryan Danforth )

The cemeterys undisturbed soil, minimal pesticide use and rarely disrupted ground create near-perfect nesting conditions, Danforth told the Cornell Chronicle. The nearby Cornell Orchards and other flowering plants also provide a steady, abundant food supply, making it the perfect bee haven.

The new research makes clear that cemeteries can double as important habitat for ground-nesting bees.

The solitary bees are totally underappreciated. I spend a lot of time trying to encourage people to appreciate the solitary bees, just because they do so much, and theyre kind of under the radar, Danforth told Scientific American. But theyre fascinating creatures.
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Protests broke out in a Surrey town amid a police investigation after a woman was raped by several men who followed her home from a nightclub.

Footage posted on social media showed a large crowd of protesters gathering in the town centre on Wednesday evening. The demonstrations are understood to have been sparked by a Surrey Police statement saying the force does not have sufficient information to release descriptions of the suspects.

The force said it respects the right to lawful protest but warned criminal offences and public disorder will not be tolerated.

In a previous statement, police had said they are currently unable to issue descriptions of any suspects following the alleged incident in the early hours of Saturday morning, but added they are working hard to identify those involved.

Dozens of police officers could be seen wearing helmets and holding shields, with objects appearing to have been thrown at them. It is understood no arrests were made at the demonstration, which ended at around 8pm.

Officers said a heightened police presence in the area would continue over the weekend.

open image in gallery Surrey Police urged people not to speculate about the descriptions of the suspects ( Getty )

The alleged rape is believed to have taken place on Saturday between 2am and 4am outside Epsom Methodist Church on Ashley Road.

The victim, aged in her twenties, said she was followed after leaving Labyrinth Epsom nightclub and then attacked, Surrey Police said in a social media post.

On Wednesday evening, East Surrey Chief Superintendent Mark Chapman said there had been a significant police presence in Epsom town centre to support the groups right to lawful protest.

I appreciate that this may have caused concern to people in the town centre, and I would like to reassure you that our priority was to ensure the safety of the wider public, as well as the safety of those involved in the protest, he added.

Surrey Police works with all those seeking to protest, along with our partners and the local community, to ensure everyones views can be heard while at the same time encouraging them to always act lawfully.

In a prior statement, Surrey Police urged people not to speculate about the descriptions of the suspects.

I understand the distress and concern that this incident has caused, both for the victim herself and amongst our local communities, and I want you to reassure you that we are working hard to progress this investigation, the force said.

open image in gallery Epsom Methodist Church on Ashley Road near where the alleged rape took place ( Google Maps )

While we have already carried out extensive enquiries, we do not have sufficient information at this time to update you with the descriptions of the suspects.

I appreciate that this causes increased concern, and I can assure you that we will update you with these descriptions as soon as we are able to do so. In the meantime, I would urge people not to speculate about the descriptions of these suspects as this may lead to additional tensions within our local communities.

I would also like to reassure you that we have stepped up patrols in the area and this increased police presence will continue over the weekend.

While we continue to progress our investigation, we would urge anyone with any information who has not already come forward to do so as a matter of urgency.

Epsom Methodist Church said it would be holding a community act on Thursday night to raise our voices for all women who are vulnerable.

Reverend Catherine Hutton told the BBC the attack was "horrifying and completely shocking", but criticised the protest as having been "pretty intimidating".

She said the event was intended to be a way for people to express any "feelings of compassion and outrage in a meaningful and positive way".

Epsom MP Helen Maguire said the protest had been hijacked by "right-wing online activists" who wanted to "fan the flames of divisiveness", the BBC reported.

Merseyside Police was criticised for not revealing the ethnicity of Axel Rudakubana when he was arrested on suspicion of murder after he killed three young girls at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in Southport in July 2024.

Within hours of the attack, posts spread on the internet which claimed the suspect was a 17-year-old asylum seeker who had come to the country by boat.

In August last year, police forces were told to share suspects ethnicity and nationality with the public after authorities were accused of covering up offences carried out by asylum seekers.

Policing minister Dame Diana Johnson previously said the government was very supportive of forces being as open and transparent as possible when charging decisions are announced.

We're now saying that should then include nationality and ethnicity, unless there's a very good reason not to do so, she told Sky News.

But she warned disinformation could still spread if ethnicity information is released.

Witnesses or anyone with dashcam footage from the area at the time have been urged to contact Surrey Police quoting reference number PR/45260041426.

Information can also be provided anonymously through independent charity Crimestoppers by calling 0800 555 111 or using its online form.
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More than half of adult social care staff begin caring for patients without receiving any dementia training, according to new research.

The Alzheimers Society is now demanding that such training be made mandatory, highlighting concerns that "baristas can receive more training to make great coffee" compared with the preparation given to care workers looking after vulnerable adults.

The charity commissioned analysis from the Centre for Dementia Research at Leeds Beckett University and the IFF Research agency.

Their study reviewed 119 training packages across 53 social care providers in England and surveyed 184 care staff.

The findings revealed that fewer than half (47 per cent) of social care staff received dementia training as part of their induction.

This leads to the conclusion that over half of staff commence caring for individuals with dementia without any prior instruction.

Furthermore, half of the existing dementia training packages were found to include only one or two hours of dementia-specific content, while just over a third (39 per cent) of the training met the recommended level for staff who regularly support people living with dementia.

Just 52 per cent of staff surveyed said they felt very competent in the care they were providing, the charity added.

The organisation said most dementia care is provided through social care rather than the NHS, but that while it would be up to Government how to respond to its call for training to be mandatory, it is possible this could be done through the health service.

Around a million people in the UK have dementia, the society said, with this figure expected to rise to 1.4 million by 2040.

Michelle Dyson, chief executive at the Alzheimers Society, said gaps in training can put people with dementia at risk of inadequate care.

She said: One hour of dementia training doesnt even scratch the surface. Anything less than comprehensive training leaves care workers unprepared, coping with situations they havent been equipped for, which can put people with dementia at risk of inadequate care.

The Alzheimers Society is now demanding that such training be made mandatory ( Alamy/PA )

Baristas can receive more training to make great coffee than care workers receive to provide dementia care. Care staff want and deserve better; they need dementia training which gives them the skills and confidence to deliver the best possible care.

Without high quality dementia training, social care will remain dangerously inconsistent, leaving families unsure whether loved ones will be supported with dignity and expertise.

We need to close the training gap, with better dementia care, everyone benefits. Its crucial that the UK Government includes a requirement for all relevant adult social care workers in its dementia plan.

The Association of Directors of Adult Social Services said it welcomes any call for upskilling and providing adequate training for care staff as part of improving the lives of those living with dementia.

Its president Jess McGregor said: Our social care system is vastly underfunded and we need a proper plan and funding to support the provision of training, and to ensure that all care workers have access to comprehensive professional training and are reimbursed to attend.

This is a high priority given the hugely valuable role care workers play in the lives of those people in our communities who draw on care and support, and their families.

In a speech last month, Baroness Louise Casey, who is leading a major review into adult social care in England, suggested dementia is not given the necessary focus in healthcare because it generally affects retired elderly people.

She called for investment in dementia trials to be urgently scaled up and for a new full-time dementia tsar to be appointed.

The Department of Health and Social Care said at the time that it was accelerating work to transform dementia care and research, including by creating a dementia leadership role to drive forward action.

The Government has been contacted for comment regarding mandatory training.
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Since the first US-Israeli strikes on Tehran on 28 February, around 20 per cent of the world's oil and gas supplies have been effectively blockaded by the Iranian regime's control of the Strait of Hormuz.

This has led to soaring fuel prices, which in turn has led to heated demands by politicians and from some corners of the media for the UK to turn to digging up its own oil and gas from the North Sea.

On Tuesday, Donald Trump, whose decision to attack Iran has led to oil prices reaching highs of almost $120 a barrel, rounded on the British government saying it should "DRILL, BABY, DRILL" to extract fossil fuels from the North Sea.

Nigel Farage's Reform UK party then said that if elected they would aim to extract "every last barrel, every last drop" from the North Sea.

Reform's deputy leader and business and energy spokesman, Richard Tice promised this week that a Reform government would give the go-ahead to the Rosebank and Jackdaw projects in the North Sea.

open image in gallery Reform UKs Richard Tice has pledged to squeeze every last barrel, every last drop from the North Sea ( PA )

After 43 days of fuel price rises, warnings that the average UK household will already be almost 500 worse off this year due to the war's impact on energy bills, it is perhaps unsurprising that politicians and the media are calling for action to tackle the problem.

But numerous climate experts have told The Independent drilling the UK's remaining gas and oil reserves won't lower prices or boost energy security, branding it a "total red herring".

There are several reasons why drilling the North Sea won't bring prices down or boost the UK's energy security. Let's go through them:

1. Oil and gas are sold on the open market

Oil and gas drilled from the North Sea are sold by the companies that extract them on the open market which sets global prices. We don't get a discount because it's locally sourced. Furthermore, the amount we could produce is trivial, according to Bob Ward from LSE's Grantham Research Institute, meaning it would make no difference to the global price".

Professor Gavin Bridge, Fellow of the Durham Energy Institute and UK Energy Research Centre Researcher, agreed. He told The Independent: "More drilling in the North Sea will not bring energy costs down for British consumers. The UK is not an isolated energy island where new supply has the effect of decreasing prices. The prices we pay in the UK for oil and gas are driven by international markets regardless of whether it is extracted from the UK North Sea or somewhere else."

This was also echoed by Dr Anupama Sen, from Oxford University's Smith School of Enterprise and the Environment. She told The Independent: "Oil and gas are priced on international markets, wherever theyre produced  so the idea that more North Sea extraction will bring down bills is misleading."

2. There's hardly any oil and gas left in the North Sea

North Sea oil and gas production peaked during the 1980s and 1990s, and remaining reserves are in increasingly difficult  and therefore more expensive  areas to drill.

Professor Bridge described the North Sea as a "highly mature basin", which is now "in long-term decline".

"It has been drilled for over half a century, so available new supply is now very small relative to overall market demand," he said. "Squeezing additional output from the North Sea will have a negligible impact on prices or the UK cost of living."

The two oilfields which Reform have said they would immediately licence  Rosebank and Jackdaw  are also relatively small, even by North Sea standards.

Robert Gross, professor of energy policy at Imperial, and director of the UK Energy Research Centre, told The Independent: "Neither field is large, either in relation to UK demand or historical production from the UK North Sea. Jackdaw could eventually produce about 6 per cent of UK gas production (3 per cent of total UK gas demand)."

open image in gallery Climate activists during a demonstration against Rosebank and Jackdaw (PA) ( PA Archive )

Meanwhile, Rosebank is also on the petite side. According to LSE's Mr Ward, "Rosebank, at peak, will increase by less than 2 per cent current daily UK gas output ... They're just too small to make any difference to international prices."

Any oversupply of UKproduced gas wouldnt lower prices because it wouldnt be stored here; instead, Professor Gross said it would simply flow out through interconnectors as increased North Sea exports. Since the UK relies on twoway gas movement with Europe due to having very little gas storage, trying to hold gas back would undermine energy security, making claims that more drilling could transform prices a total red herring.

3. Gas sets the price of UK electricity as it's the most expensive form of energy

Gas is the primary driver of high UK energy prices  it is the most expensive form of energy, and we still rely heavily on it.

Around 30 per cent of the nations electricity comes from gasfired power stations  far more than Germanys 17 per cent or Frances three per cent  and more than 70 per cent of British homes rely on it for heating, and many for cooking as well.

High bills are partly driven by the UKs marginal pricing model, which means that electricity prices are almost entirely dictated by gas prices.

This increasingly controversial system means the costliest power source needed at any given moment  which is almost always gas  sets the price for all electricity on the grid, even when cheaper renewables are supplying the majority of the power. With gas determining the market price around 98 per cent of the time, household bills in Britain are acutely exposed to swings in global gas markets.

open image in gallery Solar and wind energy are shielding world from worst impacts of Iran war, data shows ( PA )

Do people actually want the North Sea to be drilled?

Durham University's Professor Bridge said it is vital to recognise that while some fossil fuel champions may be calling for the North Sea to be drilled, it does not necessarily reflect broader desire among the public for such action.

He told The Independent: "Plenty of people are not calling for this. That loud voices are pushing now for more oil and gas says more about the state of British politics than it does about sound energy policy.

The Tony Blair Institute recently came under fire after suggesting the Labour government's approach to energy concerns failed to include greater provision of North Sea fossil fuels.

In an email to The Independent, the organisation's energy policy expert, Tone Langengen, said the former PM's think tank recognised that "North Sea drilling wont directly reduce household bills", because prices are set on global markets, but added: "As long as the UK still relies on oil and gas for around 70 per cent of its energy, producing more at home reduces exposure to the most volatile imports  especially LNG  while supporting revenues for the exchequer and strengthening our energy security."

But the Grantham Institute's Mr Ward warned against the argument that exploiting fossil fuels was good for the economy of the country.

"If you add up the amount of tax that the treasury has received from the increased rate of taxation through the energy profits levy  78 per cent  it's still less than half of the 44bn the government had to spend in 2022/23 helping consumers with the high price of energy."

He added: "Our dependence on fossil fuels is actually bad for our economy because the costs are so high."

The UK has a poor track record on managing fossil fuel revenues. During the peak of North Sea oil production in the 1980s and 90s, the UK government spent oil tax revenues to fund day-to-day government spending, cut national borrowing, and fund tax cuts, rather than saving it.

Meanwhile, Norway created what has become one of the world's largest sovereign wealth funds, which ironically the UK, which did not establish a long-term investment vehicle for saving for the future, now actually contributes to through buying gas from Norway.

Don't forget the climate crisis

While keen to lay out the economic futility of drilling the North Sea for small amounts of oil and gas, the experts The Independent spoke to also spoke about the need to leave fossil fuels in the ground as the climate crisis worsens and clean energy targets become existential considerations.

"Climate change cant be ignored or willed away," said Professor Bridge. "The scientific, economic and moral case for increasing renewables and reducing the extraction and burning of fossil fuels is clear. That the oil and gas industry leverages geopolitical events and high prices to promote their interests is not surprising. Whats disappointing is to see these claims dressed up by others as being in the national interest."

Mr Ward echoed these concerns, and made the case that the UK should show climate leadership by moving away from fossil fuel consumption: "The main reason we shouldn't be drilling in the North Sea is that we already have more oil and gas reserves around the world that can possibly be burnt and stay within our climate targets.

"We are not going to be able to persuade other countries to leave their fossil fuels in the ground if we are trying to max out [ours], let alone the fact that it's not actually going to reduce prices and will make very little difference to our security. So there's no real benefit to any more drilling."

Oxford Universitys Dr Sen said: "If we are serious about cutting energy costs, the real gains lie in investing in renewables, storage and electrification, and in fixing a system that continues to expose households to volatile global gas prices.
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A Lincolnshire church dubbed Englands answer to the Leaning Tower of Pisa has issued a desperate plea for 100,000 to repair its uneven floor.

St James Church in Dry Doddington is famous for its wonky tower, which tilts at 5.1 degrees, compared to the 3.97 degrees of the Italian medieval structure.

But the parish is in desperate need of funding in order to renovate its off-tilt floor, as well as replaster the walls and upgrade its electricity.

Residents of Dry Doddington are raising money for renovations ( Geograph/Derek Voller )

The building dates back to the 12th century, and the famous leaning spire was built early in the 14th century. The grade-II listed structure has undergone numerous repairs over the decades, including major restoration to the stonework of the tower in 2015.

The churchs floor is very uneven, and the timber sections are badly rotted and infested with woodworm, according to the Lincolnshire Parish Councils website.

It adds that the parish is currently unable to hold community events at the church, thanks to its precarious state.

Church warden Richard Loynes has set up a GoFundMe page to help raise the money to reopen the church doors.

On the page, he wrote: We need to replace the very old floor in our 14th-century church, which has the famous tower that leans more than Pisa!

Speaking to LincsOnline, he added: As with hundreds of churches, we need to raise funds, but were as bad, if not worse than most, as we have a wonky floor.

We are hoping to raise just over 100,000 to tackle the floor, replaster some of the walls, and to upgrade the electricity as we only have one plug.

Future proposed restoration projects include repairs to the east window and other work to keep the building safe.

The village name Dry Doddington is a combination of Old English dryge and Dodda+ing+ton meaning dry estate of a man called Dodda. It is also named in the 1086 Domesday Book as Dodintune.

St James also contains a memorial to a 49 Squadron Avro Lancaster bomber that crashed near the village in November 1944.
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An award-winning Army social media star who says he was bullied by a quartermaster who repeatedly called him a "c**t" is suing the MoD for 660,000 compensation.

Former sergeant Jonathan Biney was honoured as Military Communicator of the Year in 2020 for his work promoting army life as an Instagram influencer - but took exception to blue language aimed his way by his superior.

The 38-year-old says he was subjected to a campaign of "bullying" by the foul-mouthed quartermaster, who used bad language to "humiliate, degrade and denigrate" him after taking against him.

Mr Biney, who was serving in the Royal Logistic Corps, says his superior swore at him on a daily basis, hurling offensive four-letter insults, including calling him a "miserable c**t."

The quartermaster had also singled him out by forcing him to repeatedly march into his office, criticising his performance as though he were a new recruit.

Mr Biney eventually left the Army and is now suing for 660,000 at the High Court, claiming he was left with "significant depression" following his treatment at the hands of his superior.

But the MoD is fighting the claim, denying that Mr Biney was subjected to bullying or that he was repeatedly sworn at, other than on one occasion when he was described as "the c**t."

open image in gallery Jonathan Biney ( Supplied by Champion News )

According to documents filed at the London court, Ghana-born Mr Biney joined the ranks in 2009 and initially served as an Army chef, later carrying out front line duties in Afghanistan before switching to become a logistics supply specialist.

In 2020, he was presented with an award by the Lord Mayor of London from the Company of Communicators - a guild-style association for communications professionals - for using Instagram to promote understanding of the Army and life as a soldier.

On the Army website at the time he was reportedly praised for having "proved himself to be an authentic and outstanding ambassador giving enthralling insight into some of the other task the military has been engaged in around the world".

He says the bullying happened while on deployment with the British Army Training Unit in Kenya from 2020 to 2022, when he was helping in accounts management for the overseas unit.

While in that role, [his superior] subjected Mr Biney to an unlawful course of conduct that amounted to harassment," says his barrister, David White, in claim documents.

He treated the claimant less favourably than his peers, inter alia, in the way that he spoke to him, the work load he gave him, and, for example, in making the claimant march formally into his office, which he did not require of others and would be highly unusual for a sergeant in the field army.

The barrister said the alleged mistreatment came after Mr Biney identified a number of accounting discrepancies in the course of his work which revealed that there was a large amount of equipment that should have been present according to the accounts, but which was in fact missing."

His superior had turned on Mr Biney due to a difference over accounting and on one occasion the officer confronted him and accused him of cooking the books to make him look bad.

Soon afterwards, the quartermaster summoned Mr Biney to his office and swore repeatedly at him - before threatening to punch him in the face, he said.

When he made that threat, he had come close enough to Mr Biney to punch him, and his conduct and demeanour were such that the claimant reasonably apprehended that he would punch him, or otherwise inflict unlawful violence," he continued.

Thereafter, he swore at the claimant on a daily basis, repeatedly referring to the claimant as a c**t, and made further threats to him.

open image in gallery Nyati Barracks ( Supplied by Champion News )

Further alleged humiliation occurred when the quartermaster approached Mr Biney in his open plan office and told him to sort your face out.

When asked what he meant by this, the officer allegedly replied: you look like a miserable c**t - a comment which Mr Bineys barrister labelled humiliating, degrading, and demeaning for a sergeant in front of colleagues.

The quartermaster had also forced Mr Biney to march into his office, then laughed and mockingly asked a colleague, "how this c**t ever got through basic training".

He acted in a similar way on another occasion, repeatedly ordering Mr Biney to march into his office on the basis that he was doing it poorly.

"For the avoidance of doubt, that is not treatment he dealt out to anyone else, nor is it heard of for a sergeant in the field army," he said.

"It was designed to be dehumanising and degrading to Mr Biney."

The barrister said Mr Biney had eventually been forced to leave the forces, having developed psychiatric symptoms, which affect his work, domestic and life lives.

"His sleep has been affected, and he has required therapy and psychiatric medication. He has been diagnosed with significant depression, with anxiety and some post-traumatic symptoms, including flashbacks."

Suing, he claims the MoD was at fault in causing, permitting or tolerating a culture which encouraged or allowed bullying and harassment in the workplace.

Denying the claims in its defence to the action, MoD barrister, Dominic Ruck Keene, says: "It is denied that [the quartermaster] repeatedly swore at the claimant in an offensive and/or aggressive manner, as opposed to swearing as a means of emphasis.

"Save that it is admitted that, on one occasion, the claimant was referred to as the c**t, it is denied that [the quartermaster] swore at the claimant on a daily basis, and/or repeatedly called him a c**t.

It is denied that his line manager singled out the claimant inappropriately in front of other members of the QMs Department, or otherwise inappropriately threatened, humiliated, screamed at or intimidated the claimant on the dates alleged or at all.

It is admitted that his line manager may have told the claimant to sort his face out if he was looking glum. It is denied that this would have been in a hostile, intimidating or humiliating manner."

Occasionally requiring Mr Biney to march in and out of his superiors office was simply part of normal military protocols, he added, and no form of bullying.

Although it was admitted that there were issues with previous loss of equipment, those were thought to have been due to a recent move of base and were "subsequently resolved in accordance with policy."

The case recently appeared in court before a judge, Master Richard Armstrong, for a brief hearing dealing with the issue of the legal costs budget for the future trial.

It will now be listed for a full trial of Mr Biney's compensation claim, unless the parties are able to agree a settlement outside of court.
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Forres, a town nestled in the Scottish Highlands, may be the only place in Britain where people want more traffic wardens.

Only two parking tickets have been issued in the area over the past three years, despite widespread reports of illegal parking.

The town has been without dedicated traffic wardens since 2013, when Moray Council slashed those jobs to cut costs. Responsibility for tackling illegal on-street parking then shifted to Police Scotland.

Officers possess the power to fine drivers 100 for offences such as pavement parking, double parking, or blocking dropped kerbs, with the penalty reduced to 50 if paid within 14 days.

However, a recent Freedom of Information (FOI) request reveals that just two fines were handed out in the three years from January 2023. Both of those were issued on Forres High Street in 2025, with no illegally parked drivers fined in either 2023 or 2024.

A Police Scotland spokesperson added: With regards to providing figures prior to this date, the information is not held by Police Scotland in line with our record retention policy.

open image in gallery Three vehicles parked illegally on Tolbooth Street in Forres ( Cover Images )

Morays police inspector Neil Morrison suggested that low staffing levels and the prioritisation of more significant crimes were to blame for the low figures, explaining that keeping people safe across Moray is our priority.

He added: Financial constraints and significant increase in demand requires us to make hard choices. We ensure our focus and resources are aligned and committed to national and divisional priorities.

Enforcement will be carried out in problematic areas and, while we have no capacity to provide daily dedicated patrols, officers will respond to incidents and issue tickets as appropriate.

Mr Morrison also called for people to park responsibly in Forres, saying: Please consider the needs of your community and other road users. It is important to take personal responsibility when parking.

Moray Council leader Councillor Kathleen Robertson said she understands the frustration felt by local residents and businesses.

Illegal parking creates unnecessary safety issues and impacts the flow of our town centre, she said.

While I appreciate the pressures facing Police Scotland regarding resources, individuals must also be more considerate by parking safely and legally. We are fortunate to have abundant free parking only a short distance from the High Street. Its important people make use of it to keep the town centre accessible and safe."

open image in gallery A caravan parked at a spot in Forres that causes issues for drivers attempting to pass safely ( Cover Images )

Fellow councillor Scot Lawrence also believes local concerns are reasonable. He said: When illegal parking is seen regularly, it can feel as though rules are not being applied consistently, undermining confidence. Many towns of a similar size simply do not have our level of free parking provision, so theres less need for shortstay parking on High Street.

Mr Lawrence said that the explanation given by Mr Morrison around capacity and competing priorities reflects wider pressures on public services.

It explains why enforcement is not as visible or routine as people might expect.

Councillor Draeyk van der Horn is concerned the current approach to enforcement may not be sufficient.

I understand that Police Scotland have to prioritise limited resources, but issuing only two parking tickets in five years suggests illegal parking is effectively going unenforced in Forres town centre, he said.

It can cause accidents, reduce visibility and contribute to congestion.

Mr van der Horn believes the problem raises wider questions about road design and how we behave as a community. "People shouldnt need enforcement to act responsibly, but consistent lack of enforcement can normalise poor behaviour. I would like to see data on where and when issues occur and a review of whether signage is fit for purpose. Involving the local authority more in routine enforcement could also help relieve pressure on police while improving consistency."
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London has experienced a significant drop in primary school applications this year, driven by a declining birth rate and families relocating from the capital.

According to analysis from London Councils, published on National Primary Offer Day, a total of 80,658 applications were submitted for primary school places.

This marks a 3.5 per cent decrease compared to the previous year.

The umbrella group for local authorities projects a further reduction in reception places, estimating a fall equivalent to around 87 primary classes over the next four years.

Jon Abbey, chairman of the Pan-London Admissions Board, said: Falling birth rates and the ongoing cost-of-living pressures facing London families, including high housing costs, have again contributed to a decrease in overall applications this year, a trend we expect to continue in the years ahead.

Despite the overall decrease, six councils saw a slight increase in applications.

A majority of children in London got their first preference school (88.4%)  up by 0.5 percentage points compared with 2025.

Almost all (97%) were offered a place at one of their top three.

The umbrella group for local authorities projects a further reduction in reception places, estimating a fall equivalent to around 87 primary classes over the next four years ( Getty/iStock )

According to the figures from the Pan-London Admissions Board, children were most likely to get their first choice in Barking and Dagenham (95.3%), followed by Hillingdon (94.6%).

Getting a first preference was least likely in City of London (73.9%), but all children in the area who did not get their first preference received their second (26.1%).

Primary school offers are being sent out by email on Thursday.

London Councils found earlier this year that secondary school place applications were down 1.6% from 2025.

The falling birth rate, which has particularly affected the capital, has already seen several councils plan primary school closures or mergers.

The number of children under 16 in England is expected to fall by 6% over the next decade.

The Education Policy Institute found last year that nine of the 10 local authorities with the largest drops in primary pupils over the past five years were in London.

Antonia Jennings, chief executive at Centre for London, said the fall in primary school enrolment should not be mistaken for a reduction in pressure on our schools.

Councils and school leaders are left trying to manage sharply uneven demand across the capital, where family needs changes rapidly year-on-year, she added.

Falling enrolment means less funding for schools. Ninety schools have closed or merged in the past five years.

London faces a 45 million reduction in school funding over the next four years, and a quarter of schools are already in budget deficit. This means cuts to staff, specialist support and the curriculum.

At the same time, the needs of London children are becoming more complex. More pupils are growing up in poverty, with limited access to food, living in overcrowded homes or temporary accommodation.

This places increasing pressure on schools as education is interrupted and teachers plug the gaps left by stretched public services.
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The government must fund more than a thousand extra educational psychologists in mainstream schools as part of its reforms for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), a new report has warned.

Research by the Education Policy Institute (EPI) recommended that schools should boost the current number of specialists by 40 per cent  an increase of 1,400. This would cost 140 million, which the group says could be funded by existing government grants.

Some areas of the country have just one educational psychologist for every 480 pupils, its report finds, which the worst-affected have just one for every 9,400.

It adds that the extra psychologists would be needed to bring the 96 local authorities that do not have enough up to the right level.

Educational psychologists work with teachers, parents and other professionals to address barriers pupils face to learning, or behavioural barriers, and are part of making sure children facing difficulties get the right support to succeed emotionally and academically.

James Zuccollo, director for school workforce at EPI, said the report highlights a stark reality, adding: We cannot deliver the governments goal of inclusive mainstream education while the educational psychologist workforce remains critically under-resourced.

The government set out a raft of reforms to the SEND system in February, saying it would become more inclusive for those with additional needs.

Schools across UK short of 1,400 of educational psychologists, experts warn ( PA Wire )

EPIs research found official data on educational psychologists undercounts by about a third  but said the estimated 1,300 full-time staff missed off are not evenly distributed where there are gaps.

Previous surveys from the British Psychological Society (BPS) and the Association of Educational Psychologists have also warned that if about 10 per cent of the workforce leaves each year  about 350 staff  the workforce must also replace them first before it can grow.

Despite this, in 2025/26, only around 200 government-funded training places were available.

As part of the SEND reforms, the Government has announced 1.8 billion to create a bank of SEND specialists and experts in every area.

Mr Zuccollo said: The 1.8 billion Experts at Hand programme provides a welcome framework, but its sufficiency is entirely dependent on a stable EP pipeline.

Given the length of specialist training required, the Governments three-year delivery timeline is at risk without additional investment to reach adequate staffing levels.

Continuing to fund training for only 200 EPs each year will not be enough to adequately support childrens needs.

A relatively modest investment of around 140 million would allow EPs to work more effectively to improve outcomes and break the cycle of burnout and attrition that currently threatens the service.

A Department for Education Spokesperson said: Our once-in-a-generation reforms are overhauling a broken, one-size-fits-all SEND system resetting the way we view inclusion to create an education system fit for every child no matter their needs or background. They are backed by 4 billion to ensure every child gets the right support, in their local school, at the earliest possible stage, without having to fight for it.

Were investing 26 million to train hundreds of new Educational Psychologists over the next few years - meaning more specialists working directly with schools to spot issues before they escalate, train staff, and run group exercises for pupils with autism, ADHD and other needs.

This is strengthened further by our 1.8billion investment to open up access to advice, guidance and support from specialists like speech and language therapists and educational psychologists, so help is faster, earlier and easier to get.
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The Church of England's top bishop has expressed solidarity with Pope Leos calls for peace, amid an escalating war of words between the pontiff and US president Donald Trump. Archbishop of Canterbury Dame Sarah Mullallys backing came as the head of the Catholic Church warned on Thursday that the world is being "ravaged by a handful of tyrants".

Dame Sarah, who will meet the Pope later this month in Rome, said she stands with the pontiff "in his courageous call for a kingdom of peace" and urged "all those entrusted with political authority to pursue every possible peaceful and just means of resolving conflict".

The endorsement follows Mr Trump branding the Pope "weak" earlier this week, demanding the religious leader "focus on being a Great Pope, not a Politician".

These comments stand in stark contrast to his remarks almost a year ago, when, following the election of the first US-born Pope, Mr Trump had described the event as a "Great Honor for our Country" and anticipated a "very meaningful moment!" upon meeting the religious leader. This week, however, the US president told reporters he did not think the pontiff was "doing a very good job", adding he was "not a fan of Pope Leo".

The scathing criticism from Mr Trump followed an Easter message earlier this month, in which the Pope strongly condemned war, calling on "those who have weapons (to) lay them down". Since then, the Pope insisted he will continue to "stand up and say theres a better way" and that he is "not afraid of the Trump administration", although he also said he did not intend to "get into a debate" with the US leader.

In remarks on Thursday during his current four-nation Africa tour, Pope Leo remained outspoken in his criticism of war and his want for peace.

open image in gallery In a now-deleted post, Mr Trump had earlier this week, shared an image of himself which many said appeared to be the president as a Jesus-like figure ( AFP/Getty )

Speaking at a cathedral in the western Cameroon city of Bamenda, he said: Blessed are the peacemakers.

But woe to those who manipulate religion and the very name of God for their own military, economic and political gain, dragging that which is sacred into darkness and filth.

He added: The world is being ravaged by a handful of tyrants, yet it is held together by a multitude of supportive brothers and sisters.

In a now-deleted post, Mr Trump had earlier this week, shared an image of himself which many said appeared to be the president as a Jesus-like figure.

Following criticism from some, Mr Trump rejected the idea he had likened himself to the son of God, saying: Its supposed to be me as a doctor, making people better. And I do make people better. I make people a lot better.

Dame Sarah said: I stand with my brother in Christ, His Holiness Pope Leo XIV, in his courageous call for a kingdom of peace.

As innocent people are killed and displaced, families torn apart, and futures destroyed, the human cost of war is incalculable. It is the calling of every Christian  and of all people of faith and goodwill  to work and pray for peace.

We must also urge all those entrusted with political authority to pursue every possible peaceful and just means of resolving conflict.

Dame Sarah said she will meet and pray with Pope Leo at the Vatican during her four-day visit to Rome, which is due to begin on April 25.
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William Shakespeare was long known to have bought a property somewhere near Blackfriars in the City of London, but the exact location has remained a mystery for over 200 years.

But a new discovery has upended the modern history of the bard, with a precise location and even a floor layout pinpointing the location of the building Shakespeare bought in 1613 as he neared the end of his life and used as his London lodgings, and where he may even have written some of his last plays.

Shakespeare expert Professor Lucy Munro from Kings College London established the location from three documents  two from the London Archives, and one from the National Archives.

open image in gallery William Shakespeare bought the property three years before his death. New research suggests he could have written parts of his last plays there ( National Portrait Gallery )

However, the building no longer stands. Just a year after Shakespeare's granddaughter sold the property in 1665, 49 years after the playwright died, the Great Fire of London swept through the City, devastating much of Blackfriars and destroying tens of thousands of houses.

Shakespeares Blackfriars property was initially thought to be part of what was known as the Great Gate over the entrance to the Blackfriars precinct, a major 13th-century Dominican friary.

This led to a City of London plaque being placed on a nineteenth-century building at 5 St Andrews Hill, which reads: On 10th March 1613 William Shakespeare purchased lodgings in the Blackfriars Gatehouse located near this site."

open image in gallery The existing plaque claimed Shakespeares property had been nearby. This turned out to be very accurate ( AP )

But until now, it was not known how near the plaque was to Shakespeare's actual property.

Professor Munro's discovery of the London Archives document now reveals the plaque is on exactly the right spot.

I was doing research as part of a wider project and couldnt believe it when I realised what I was looking at  the floorplan of Shakespeares Blackfriars house," she said.

"It had been assumed that there wasn't much more evidence to gather about it, so research on it has laid dormant for a while. These findings really help us tell the complete story of Shakespeares Blackfriars house and thanks to this new discovery we now know exactly where it stood.

open image in gallery Professor Lucy Munro, who has pinpointed the exact location of Shakespeare's London lodgings in Blackfriars ( Kings College London )

The carefully drawn plan reveals that the property stood in what is now the eastern end of Ireland Yard, the bottom of Burgon Street and parts of the late-nineteenth-century buildings at 5 Burgon Street and 5 St Andrews Hill  precisely where the existing plaque is.

Professor Munros research paints a clear picture of exactly where this property was, how it was laid out and the buildings surrounding it.

"Perhaps Shakespeare would have had a drink in the neighbouring tavern at the Sign of the Cock or viewed the converted friary buildings from a window," a news release from King's College London suggests.

Professor Munro said the findings, in particular the size of the property  which was large enough to be split into two houses by 1645  suggests Shakespeare could have spent more of his later years in London than previously thought.

open image in gallery The plan showing Blackfriars and revealing the location of Shakespeare's house ( The London Archives/City of London Corporation )

This discovery throws into question the narrative that Shakespeare simply retired to Stratford and spent no more time in the city," she said. "It has sometimes been thought that he bought his Blackfriars property merely as an investment, but we dont know that this is true, or that he never used it for himself. After all, he could have bought an investment property anywhere in London, but this house was close to his workplace at the Blackfriars theatre."

She added: We know that Shakespeare co-authored Two Noble Kinsmen with John Fletcher later in 1613, and this new evidence that the Blackfriars house was quite substantial makes it not inconceivable that some of it may have been written in this very property. We also know that Shakespeare was visiting London in November 1614  is it not likely that he stayed in his own house?"

The two documents Professor Munro found in the National Archive relate to the sale of the property in 1665 by Shakespeares granddaughter, Elizabeth Hall Nash Barnard  the daughter of Shakespeares eldest daughter, Susanna.

open image in gallery Shakespeare's London Lodgings were burned down in the Great Fire of London in 1666 ( AP )

They reveal for the first time, how and when the property left the possession of the writers descendants and how much they sold it for.

Dr Will Tosh, director of education at Shakespeare's Globe, said: "Professor Munros fantastic discovery proves theres no replacement for human graft in the archive, and our reward for her hard work is a dazzling new sense of Shakespeare the London writer.

"Shes helped us to understand how much the city meant to our greatest ever dramatist, as a professional and personal home."
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Sir Keir Starmer will summon senior figures from TikTok, X, Meta and other social media giants to Downing Street to push them to go further on protecting children as the Government weighs new restrictions.

The Prime Minister said the talks on Thursday will be about making sure social media companies step up and take responsibility as failing to act would have stark consequences.

Senior leaders from Mark Zuckerbergs Meta, Elon Musks X, Snap, TikTok, and Google  which owns YouTube  will be questioned by Sir Keir and Technology Secretary Liz Kendall on what they are doing to protect children and respond to parental concerns.

The meeting comes midway through the Governments consultation on how to protect children online, which could include an Australia-style social media ban for under-16s, limits on addictive features, and stronger controls on AI chatbots.

Ministers are under continued pressure to follow Australias lead, with opposition MPs seeking to keep Tory peer John Nashs amendment barring under-16s from platforms deemed the most harmful in the Childrens Wellbeing and Schools Bill as it returns to the Commons in the final ping pong stages of parliamentary scrutiny.

Sir Keir has previously been hesitant to support an outright ban but has signalled he will take action to curb features such as infinite scrolling that keep young users hooked to social media.

Ahead of the talks, the Labour leader said: Social media shapes how children see themselves, their friendships and the world around them. When that comes with real risks, looking the other way is not an option.

Parents rightly expect action and fast. Thats why weve already taken the powers needed to move quickly once our consultation ends.

I will take whatever steps necessary to keep children safe online. Today is about making sure social media companies step up and take responsibility.

The consequences of failing to act are stark. We owe it to parents, and to the next generation, to put childrens safety first  because they wont forgive us if we dont.

Some social media firms have already ramped up protective measures such as disabling autoplay for younger users, giving parents more control over screen time and introducing curfews, but the Prime Minister has said they must go further, No 10 said.

A ban for under-16s has received pushback from the industry, with Googles UK boss warning that is not the right approach and could push children towards more dangerous corners of the internet.

Kate Alessi, managing director and vice-president of Google UK and Ireland, told the Press Association last month: We believe blanket bans take choices away from parents and push kids out of supervised spaces.

Lord Nash, a Conservative former schools minister, has said recent court cases in the US which found social media platforms liable for designing addictive platforms and exposing children to harmful content were game changers for his cause of introducing an age limit.

The Government has promised to move quickly once its Growing Up In The Online World consultation closes on May 26, with changes to be made within months.

It has already received more than 45,000 responses, including from nearly 6,000 young people, according to Downing Street.

On Wednesday evening, MPs rejected a second bid from the Lords to bring in an immediate social media ban on under-16s.

Peers have twice voted to introduce an age limit in the Childrens Wellbeing and Schools Bill but both efforts have been seen off in the Commons.

Education minister Olivia Bailey said: Instead of the narrow amendment proposed in the House of Lords, our consultation allows us to address a much wider range of services and features.

Andy Burrows, chief executive of the Molly Rose Foundation, responded with a call for Sir Keir to decisively commit to strengthening regulation to make unsafe and addictive design a thing of the past.

Ellen Roome, who believes her 14-year-old son Jools Sweeney died while attempting an online challenge, criticised the meeting as a stunt.

She said: Photo opportunities in Downing Street do nothing to protect children. I have written to the Prime Minister and he has never bothered to reply.

Social media companies have sat in rooms with parents like me  parents who have lost their children  and heard exactly what their platforms do. They have heard it in meetings and they have heard it in courtrooms. And still they do nothing. This meeting will be no different.

It is just a stunt designed to distract from the fact that the Government told its own MPs to vote against raising the age limit.

The Prime Minister says he will take all necessary steps to protect children  except the one step that is actually in his power: acting now to raise the age limit for harmful social media to 16. My message to the Prime Minister is very clear: we dont need more meetings, we just need leadership.
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Independent readers have been debating a new poll which suggests support for Reform UK may be slipping  just as the Conservatives begin to close the gap following a heavy defeat at the last general election.

For some, the more significant story is the Tories early signs of recovery, with Kemi Badenoch seen as offering a steadier and more credible alternative to Nigel Farage.

Others are less convinced, warning that a single poll does not signal a lasting shift, and that Reforms support could remain resilient despite recent dips.

Several readers pointed to growing fragmentation on the right, with smaller parties such as Restore Britain potentially drawing voters away from Reform and muddying the picture ahead of upcoming elections.

At the same time, doubts about the Conservatives persist, with critics arguing the party has yet to fully rebuild trust or clearly distinguish itself from Reform on key issues, particularly immigration.

Some suggested that a divided right could have wider consequences, potentially allowing Labour to do well at elections with a relatively modest share of the vote  renewing questions about whether the UKs electoral system is fit for purpose.

Heres what you had to say:

Kemi is on the way up

The fall in Reform poll numbers is less interesting than the rise in Tory poll numbers.

There is a steady hand at the Tory tiller, and it shows. People can see the difference between Kemi and the ever-flapping Jenrick or the superficial Farage. There is a policy compass on the Tory ship pointing in the right direction. Kemi is the leader the Tories should have had years ago. Better late than never.

Then, there is the fundamental soundness behind Conservative political philosophy and thought. Notwithstanding the chest-beating hollering of the idle leftist voter on benefits, the creation of wealth has a unique attraction among those who are willing to work and progress. For the hardworking citizen, a legitimate pound in the pocket is better than that pound with the taxman.

Kemi is on the way up, and I hope she remains on that course.

Krispad

Loss of one nation conservatism

A good Tory party existed some time ago; Boris Johnson kicked out the last vestiges of that. It was called One Nation Conservatism and was about unity, not division. Im afraid the current version is going after minorities in a way that mimics Reform, UKIP and worse.

PeterC

Reform versus Restore

Interesting to see the effect Rupert Lowe is having, and the percentage shift away from Reform has all gone to him; it wont go to Kemi Badenoch.

Anecdotally, a lot of fervent early Reform supporters now seem to prefer Restore, but the pollsters have said they are spread too thin to make much of a dent in Farages progress.

Time will tell, though, and May is not far off now...

MatthewGibbs

Populism is easy

Populism is easy, but populists do not have a good track record in running a country effectively. However, parties need to understand that Reforms growth is a reflection of peoples concern with immigration, and all parties need to ensure they have effective strategies; otherwise, Reform will grow again.

allsorts

Restore taking support from Reform

If Lowes far-right cult are polling at 4 per cent, then that is almost certainly coming from Reform, so it seems logical that, as Restore rise in the polls, albeit by only a very small amount, then that is to Farages detriment. Two fascist parties fighting for the same vote.

Fru T-Bunn

Electoral system is not fit for purpose

Im actually quite pleased to see the Tories recovering a little at Reforms expense. Splits the right-wing vote more evenly. If they are both stuck in the low 20s, then Labour could win by polling in the high 20s.

Though that would be damning proof that our electoral system is not fit for purpose in a multi-party world.

chrisw27

Reform will wipe out Labour

Reform are still however topping the polls and will wipe out Labour in the red wall. If the two main parties hadnt decided to invoke a policy of mass immigration, which has overall been detrimental to the nation, Reform wouldnt even exist. And the open borders supporting Greens would make matters ten times worse.

Noverngit

Farage Ferries is doing well

Well, on the bright side, Farage Ferries Ltd. is doing very well. Never before have so many people made the Channel crossing. Brexit made it impossible to return the expats to France. Hence, we welcome so many new settlers here.

Thank you, Nigel.

Justanotherfool

A mess

Badenoch joined the Conservatives under Cameron. She was elected MP and supported May and then Gove for Tory leader. Badenoch signed the accession protocol for the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership, supporting Johnsons Brexit policy. She then became a minister under Truss, and served under Sunak. She appears to go along with every version of Conservatism and, as leader, she now tries to make her Conservatism distinct from Farages Conservatism. A total mess.

Croxted

Time for ranked-choice voting

Reforms lead is very shaky.

The Conservatives will gain now Reform have taken their Boris-era cretins.

Those attracted to Reform because they offer change have the Greens in England, Plaid and SNP elsewhere.

Theres probably a chunk of support that will go back to Labour if immigration stays as is and the NHS improves.

Restore are also taking the true believers from Reform.

Soon everyone is going to be around 20 per cent. Time for ranked-choice voting.

Queenofthesooth

Trump factor and distrust of Tory promises

Trump is unlikely to survive as US president until the next UK election, and a great deal can happen between now and then. The Tories are taking Reform support partly because of the Trump factor, but also because they are trying to appear more like Reform themselves. The voters need to be reminded that the Tories have made many promises in the past along the same lines as they are making today, only to betray them once in power.

Dogglebird

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Sir Keir Starmer has been accused of misleading parliament over Peter Mandelsons appointment as US ambassador after it emerged that he failed crucial security vetting but was given the job anyway.

Lord Mandelson was denied critical clearance after the prime minister had already announced he would be sent to Washington, but the Foreign Office took the rare step of overruling the recommendation.

The disgraced peer was sacked months later over his links to Jeffrey Epstein and is now facing a police inquiry over claims he leaked sensitive government documents to the paedophile financier when he was business secretary.

open image in gallery Keir Starmer said due process had been followed in appointing Peter Mandelson as ambassador to the US ( PA )

The latest revelations have sparked a clamour of calls from across the political spectrum for the prime minister to resign. Leading them was Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch, who said Sir Keir had told parliament three times that full due process had been followed.

She said: If he has misled parliament, as it looks like he has, he should resign. If he has broken the ministerial code, as it looks like he has, he should resign. If he withheld documents by a cover-up from parliament, he should resign. Labour MPs are the ones who can remove him; they need to look at whether they want someone who has been telling lies to all of us and to the country, whether they want to keep him in No 10 or not.

The reports follow The Independents report last September of concerns that Lord Mandelson had not cleared vetting due to worries over his business links to China and fears that his past links to Epstein would compromise him. Lord Mandelson is believed to have been unaware that he failed the vetting.

In the wake of reports in The Guardian, the government admitted that officials in the Foreign Office had overruled the recommendation and granted Lord Mandelson what is known as developed vetting. But a government spokesperson insisted that neither the prime minister nor any government minister was aware that this had happened until earlier this week.

Once the prime minister was informed, he immediately instructed officials to establish the facts about why the developed vetting was granted, in order to enact plans to update the House of Commons, they said.

open image in gallery Mandelson (right) was sacked when more details emerged about his relationship with the convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein (centre), who died in 2019 ( US Department of Justice )

The vetting was a two-step process that initially looked at information in the public domain at the time and was followed by highly confidential background vetting by security officials. But documents released last month showed that Sir Keir was warned of a general reputational risk over the association with Epstein, even before he made Lord Mandelson the UKs top diplomat in the US.

The Foreign Office has said it is working urgently to comply with a request from the prime minister to establish the facts of how developed vetting was granted.

The revelation about Foreign Office officials will pile pressure on the former foreign secretary David Lammy, who is now deputy prime minister.

Sir Keir said in February that Lord Mandelson had been cleared by security vetting, and suggested the system had to be strengthened as he hit out at what he said were his lies. He said: There was a due diligence exercise that culminated in questions being asked because I wanted to know the answer to certain issues. Thats why those questions were asked. The answers to those questions were not truthful.

There was then, I should add, security vetting carried out independently by the security services, which is an intensive exercise that gave him clearance for the role, and you have to go through that before you take up the post.

Clearly, both the due diligence and the security vetting need to be looked at again. Ive already strengthened the due process. I think we need to look at the security vetting because it now transpires that what was being said was not true. And had I known then what I know now, Id never have appointed him in the first place.

Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey said: Keir Starmer had already made a catastrophic error of judgement. Now it looks as though he has also misled parliament and lied to the British public. If that is the case, he must go. Labour came into government on a promise to clean up politics. Instead, were seeing the same old sleaze, scandal and cover-ups as we did under the Conservatives.

open image in gallery Tory leader Kemi Badenoch accused Keir Starmer of misleading parliament ( PA )

The Green Party also called on Sir Keir to resign, accusing him of having lied and lied again. Green MP Sian Berry said: He must resign. Starmer told parliament due process had been followed. This report makes clear that was untrue. He has tried to blame the vetting process, when in fact it is reported that a decision was taken to ignore a failed vetting. We need answers on what and when Starmer and David Lammy knew about this decision to overrule the vetting report.

Ms Berry also called for the precise reasons that Lord Mandelson failed the vetting to be made public.

Mike Clancy, the general secretary of Prospect, the trade union which represents vetting officers at UK Security Vetting, said: It is deeply unfortunate that following the resignation of Morgan McSweeney, Downing Street allowed the impression to circulate that the vetting of Peter Mandelson had not been done correctly by UK Security Vetting.

Not only were UKSV put in an invidious position by being asked to conduct vetting after an appointment had been announced, but now deeply troubling reports have appeared in the media claiming that UKSV advice was overruled.

Civil servants, particularly those working in the most sensitive parts of government, cannot speak publicly, and deserve ministers to take responsibility for the decisions they take and not to seek to deflect blame onto them.

Ministers are set to release more documents on Lord Mandelsons appointment in the coming months, but The Guardian also reported that senior government officials had been weighing up whether to withhold some papers that would show he failed vetting. This was denied by the government.

Some material is expected to be held back because it relates to the police investigation, following Lord Mandelsons arrest in February on suspicion of misconduct in public office. Parliaments intelligence and security committee will consider whether the material could jeopardise national security or diplomatic relations. But keeping papers from the committee could amount to a breach of the Conservative motion, which requires ministers to release all papers relating to Lord Mandelsons appointment.
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Sir Keir Starmer's Downing Street flat has been furnished and refurbished at a cost of almost 30,000.

The Cabinet Office, responsible for outfitting the Downing Street estate's residences, spent 14,319 on refurbishment and 15,442 on furnishing the flat for Sir Keir.

This total of 29,761 is notably less than the 30,000 taxpayer-funded allowance, the annual public grant allocated for the prime minister's official residence.

A freedom of information request revealed purchases including three sofas (4,440), a bed (1,400), six kitchen chairs (990), 9,000 for internal painting and 1,600 for a shower screen.

Sir Keir's family resides in No 11, one of two ministerial flats, having moved in after Jeremy Hunt.

Starmer hosted Dutch PM Rob Jetten at Downing Street this week ( Kirsty Wigglesworth - WPA Pool / Getty Images )

The residence was previously occupied by Boris Johnson, whose lavish refurbishment reportedly totalled over 200,000, far exceeding the allocated grant and sparking controversy over its funding.

A Downing Street spokesperson said: The flat was empty when the PM entered office, so the Cabinet Office furnished it as per long-standing guidance across successive administrations.

The refurbishment came under the allocated budget, and none of the items belong to the Prime Minister. They will remain the property of the Government for future use.

The Conservatives said Labour ministers had refused to say how the money was spent when asked through parliamentary questions to disclose an itemised list.

Alex Burghart, shadow chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, said: They were happy to keep MPs in the dark about sofas, furniture and refurbishment costs funded by taxpayers, until FOI forced the information into the open.

Scrutiny is important and pushes the Government to make better decisions  sunlight is the best disinfectant.
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Wes Streeting has become the first senior cabinet minister to appear to suggest that increased defence spending could be found from welfare savings.

The health secretary said that the money has to come from somewhere in a move interpreted as backing Labours former defence secretary and ex-Nato secretary general George Robertson earlier this week.

The health secretary has since issued a clarification denying that he specifically wants to slash benefits to fund defence.

But there is growing alarm at Sir Keir Starmers failure to decide on the UKs defence spending, with the Defence Improvement Plan (DIP) still stuck on his desk after months of rowing between the Treasury and Ministry of Defence (MoD).

In a stark warning, Lord Jock Stirrup, the former chief of the defence staff, told The Independent the UK needs a decade to rebuild its defence capabilities and urged Sir Keir to show leadership and start the reinvestment now, in the latest intervention over the parlous state of the defence estate.

open image in gallery Health secretary Wes Streeting later clarified that he did not want to reform welfare to specifically fund defence ( PA Wire )

Mr Streeting, who is understood to still be hoping to replace Sir Keir as Labour leader and prime minister, is the first cabinet minister to appear to argue in favour of cutting the 334bn benefits budget to fund Britains military.

In so doing he risks reopening the dividing lines which saw Sir Keir forced into a humiliating U-turn by furious Labour backbenchers last year when he tried to trim the burgeoning welfare budget.

Mr Streeting has previously made it clear that money cannot be diverted from health spending following Labours manifesto commitment to increase it.

But asked if he would support switching funds from the welfare budget, Mr Streeting told LBC: Well, yeah. We want to reduce the welfare budget.

Mr Streeting was asked by LBCs Nick Ferrari about claims of corrosive complacency made against Sir Keir by Lord Robertson and other military leaders last week.

Lord Robertson of Port Ellen, the lead of Labours strategic defence review, warned the military could not be properly funded with an ever-expanding welfare budget.

Mr Streeting said: Yes, and we do need to put money into defence.

We have been putting more money into defence as a government, but we will need more. That is the reality of the challenge of the world that we face.

But with Treasury said to be blocking increases to defence spending, including a deal for UK troops to be peacekeepers in Ukraine, the health secretary said it was up to Rachel Reeves to set out in future Budgets, adding: I want to make sure I stay in my lane.

A source close to Mr Streeting later clarified: The governments position is to increase defence spending and reform welfare. Wes didnt link those two positions, and he robustly defended the abolition of the two-child limit, for which he was a strong advocate. Wes is a product of the welfare system, so knows the value of it, and the need to reform it, better than most.

There was a furious backlash from charities and Labour MPs to the health secretarys intervention.

Evan John, policy adviser at Sense, said: Its extremely concerning that the government seems to be laying the groundwork for further cuts to disability benefits, fuelling anxiety among disabled people already struggling as the cost of living rises.

Labour MP Rachael Maskell, who led the welfare rebellion last year, warned: I am clear that we have to provide household security and national security. It is a false choice to play one off against another. People supported by the Department for Work and Pensions are already struggling to make ends meet. The government must not contemplate such moves.

Former shadow chancellor John McDonnell said: Having lost the argument on the two child limit, the winter fuel allowance and cuts to disability benefits, now playing the poor off against the defence of the country to secure cuts in welfare benefits comes across as intellectually pretty desperate.

Another rebel, Norwich South MP Clive Lewis added: The usual siren voices are giving us Maginot Line thinking for a blitzkrieg world.

Comparing the UKs situation to 1930s France before Hitlers invasion, he said: The French state almost bankrupted itself building a fortification based on the lessons of the First World War. As the generals congratulated themselves behind their new defences, Germany developed the tank and drove around them. These calls to gut welfare in the name of security deserve to be seen in exactly that light - as the work of people fighting the last war, at the expense of our ability to fight the one that may or may not actually be coming.

The leading union, Unite, one of Labours biggest backers, demanded that more money be ploughed into defence, but resisted calls to find the cash in welfare savings.

General secretary Sharon Graham said: The governments failure to produce the DIP is a threat to national security as well as to jobs and skills.

It is becoming more apparent by the day that our armed forces are overstretched and under-equipped to deal with the global challenges we face.

open image in gallery Chancellor Rachel Reevess Treasury is the main block to increased defence spending ( Getty )

Our defence workers should be treated as a strategic national asset and, when the much-delayed defence investment plan is finally agreed, the money must be spent in the UK.

Failing to preserve and protect the skills and experience of these workers would mean throwing away vital know-how for defence projects.

The government must now ensure that contracts for a new tranche of Typhoon fast jets, the Skynet satellite and the A400M transport plane are signed off and production lines in Britain get rolling as soon as possible.

But Ms Graham rejected the suggestion by Lord Robertson and others that increased defence spending should be raised by cutting the welfare bill, adding: It is completely wrong to suggest that caring for the most vulnerable is risking national security.

We are the sixth richest country in the world. If the government needs to raise funds, it should introduce a wealth tax rather than attack the most vulnerable in society yet again.
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South African opposition leader Julius Malema has been sentenced to five years in prison after a magistrate's court found him guilty of firing a rifle in the air at a rally.

The ruling, delivered on Thursday, could significantly impact the political career of the 45-year-old.

Malema was convicted in 2025 on five charges, including unlawful possession of a firearm and discharging a weapon in a public place.

The charges stemmed from a 2018 incident at a stadium in the Eastern Cape province.

His lawyers immediately sought leave to appeal the decision, which was read out in a court in KuGompo City, formerly East London.

Should the sentence be upheld after all appeals, it would disqualify Malema from serving as a politician.

open image in gallery Supporters gather outside court ahead of Malema's sentencing ( Reuters )

The outcome would represent a considerable setback for his far-left Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) party, which commands strong support among young South Africans.

The EFF's base is often described as frustrated by the persistent racial inequality that has endured since the end of white minority rule in 1994.

The EFF currently stands as the fourth-largest party in the South African parliament.

Malema had pleaded not guilty to the charges brought against him.
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A minibus taxi fire on a highway in southwest Zimbabwe has claimed the lives of approximately 18 people, police have confirmed.

Police spokesperson Paul Nyathi stated that while authorities required more time to ascertain the precise number of victims, the figure stood at "approximately 18".

The vehicle "exploded into fire" near Bulawayo, the nation's second-largest city, though the cause of the blaze was not immediately given.

Minibus taxis are a popular, yet often perilous, mode of public transport in the southern African nation, frequently operating beyond their recommended capacity.

Deadly road accidents are common in Zimbabwe, exacerbated by widespread speeding as drivers attempt to maximise daily trips, and the dangers posed by poorly maintained roads.

The country, with a population of around 15 million, records a road accident every 15 minutes, leading to at least five deaths daily, according to the national statistics agency  one of Africa's highest road fatality rates.

Neighboring South Africa also struggles with high accident rates for its popular minibus taxis and has also reported several deadly crashes involving the vehicles recently, including one in January that left 14 schoolchildren dead.
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Guards at a state-run immigration detention facility in Floridas Everglades, known as Alligator Alcatraz, allegedly severely beat and pepper-sprayed detainees earlier this month, according to a lawyer representing two of them.

In a court declaration, lawyer Katherine Blankenship said her clients and other detainees were targeted after they complained on April 2 about being unable to access working phones. The phones, which were not operational, serve as detainees main means of communicating with family members and legal counsel.

Blankenship stated that guards began taunting those held in a cell before becoming more aggressive and were yelling and threatening to enter the cage.

When one detainee approached a guard, he was punched in the face. The guards then started beating other detainees in the cell.

Blankenship stated that guards began taunting those held in a cell before becoming more aggressive ( Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFP via Getty Images )

One of Blankenship's clients was punched in the right eye, thrown to the floor and beaten by several guards. He was kicked in the head and his shoulder and arm were injured. A guard put his knee on the detainee's neck while restraining him, according to the attorney's declaration, which included a photo made during a video call almost a week later showing the detainee with a bruised eye.

The officers beat several people during this incident and broke another detained individuals wrist, Blankenship wrote. The detainee whose wrist was broken is not one of her clients.

Phone service was restored the next day without any explanation for why it was cut off.

The Florida Department of Emergency Management didn't respond to questions emailed Wednesday about the incident.

Blankenship's declaration was included in a court filing accusing state and federal officials of failing to comply with a federal judge's preliminary injunction last month ordering detention center officials to provide access to timely, free, confidential, unmonitored and unrecorded outgoing legal calls. U.S. District Judge Sheri Polster Chappell in Fort Myers, Florida also said facility officials must provide at least one operable telephone for every 25 people held in the facility.

The judge's order came in a response to a lawsuit that claimed detainees' First Amendment rights were being violated.

State officials have denied restricting detainees' access to their attorneys and cited security and staffing reasons for any challenges. Federal officials who also are defendants denied that detainees First Amendment rights were violated.

The Everglades facility was built last summer at a remote airstrip by Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis administration to support President Donald Trumps immigration policies. Florida also has built a second immigration detention center in north Florida.

During a visit last week to the detention center, U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, a Florida Democrat, said she wasn't given the chance to talk to detainees. She described conditions at the detention center as inhumane.

The way the detainees are housed is cruel and unnecessary, she said.
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Im starting to feel sorry for Pete Hegseth. Week after week, the defense secretary turns up at 8 a.m. sharp to defend the latest disaster in the Iran war  and week after week, he gets more angry about it, more visibly desperate, and more bizarrely religious.

Hegseth is quite clearly a man who wants to cosplay as Captain America but instead keeps wandering onto the set of Joker. This is not a fair fight, he said at the podium today, supposedly directly addressing Iran. We are locked and loaded Wed rather not have to do it You dont have a Navy or real domain awareness! You cant control anything!

If that werent enough, he then dabbled in threatening war crimes again: Iran will have blockades and bombs falling on infrastructure, power and electricity if they dont sign a deal, he added. Truly, diplomacy at its finest.

So far, none of this deviated from his usual rhetoric. But then Pete took a hard pivot  and began to address the press directly. Speaking of choosing wisely, he said, having just implored Iran to choose wisely lest they be bombed into submission, a note to the press of the press corp.

I just cant help but notice the endless stream of garbage, he continued, his voice speeding up. The relentlessly negative coverage Sometimes its hard to figure out what side some of you are on. Its incredibly unpatriotic.

open image in gallery Pete Hegseth appeared to threaten journalists during a desperate Iran War press conference ( Reuters )

Pete was sitting in church with his family this Sunday, he said, when the pastor conveniently started talking about Chapter 3 of the book of Mark, and specifically the part where Jesus heals the sick on the Sabbath but the stickler Pharisees  the so-called elites of their time  criticize him for it.

They came to see if hed heal them on the Sabbath so that they might accuse him, said Hegseth, a funny little smirk playing on his lips. The Pharisees, you see, were only looking for the negative. And as he sat there in church with his family, ruminating upon those lessons of the bible, Hegseth couldnt help but think: Our press are just like the Pharisees. These enemies of Jesus had the hardened hearts of our press, who steadfastly refuse to open your eyes to the goodness.

Its hard to even know whether to laugh or cry at such blasphemous chaos, just as its hard to know how to respond to an AI-generated image of Trump depicted as Jesus, which is then swiftly deleted and replaced with another AI-generated image of Trump being hugged by Jesus.

But the look on Petes face as he delivered this asinine attempt at rhetoric was genuinely worrying. The man who insists on calling himself Secretary of War instead of Secretary of Defense  a Christian move if ever there were one, whatever that silly, non-MAGA Pope thinks  had a curiously vacant expression. His words were absurd and his delivery was flat. It was an unsettling combination.

There was another, jerky pivot into how great military recruitment numbers are (Where are the reports on that?... The surge of Americans wanting to join the greatest military in the world?!) Then he bludgeoned the Pharisees point again, in case anyone had missed the analogy: The American people, with goodness in their hearts, see past the Pharisees in the press. Finally, he promised that the US military would stay aggressive and that the War Department is locked and loaded.

So, yes: a holy war! Just what the people voted for, in the name of AI Jesus, amen.

open image in gallery Hegseth has used his press conference to highlight military success against Iran - and blast the media for its coverage of the conflict ( Getty Images )

Hegseth then opened the floor to questions, and used them as an opportunity to play around with his favorite themes: Americas allies are meanies and bad for not following them into the war; America is very, very strong and excellent and winning all the time; Donald Trump is the greatest deal-maker in the world and that label isnt contingent on whether or not he can actually make deals.

Petes defense mechanism is logical fallacies, and they were out in force today. At this point, what else does he have?

Then he walked right into a trap that may or may not have been set deliberately. A reporter in the room asked his opinion about Irans latest propaganda video: an AI graphic showing Jesus casting Donald Trump into the fires of hell.

As far as a video like that, thats disgusting and detached from reality, the Secretary of War, a man with no sense of irony, responded.

Poor Pete. He doesnt deserve our Christian sympathy, but still: Poor Pete.

A man called upon to defend the indefensible; to apply biblical passages to a useless, unpopular war and a failing ceasefire and now even to the journalists reporting on it; a man whos in way, way too deep and only knows how to scream that he doesnt need rescuing and he isnt in the water anyway. A man whose leader put up not one but two images of himself as a holy icon over the past few days, not long after calling Iran you crazy bastards and adding praise be to Allah. A man who thought the best way to paper over all of this was to invoke the tale of the Pharisees, which is supposed to warn against calling good things evil and evil things good, and also to warn about the dangers of acting in bad faith. A man who thought it was a good idea to spend a press conference stretching out an analogy where reporters are the Pharisees and Donald Trump is, once again, Jesus.

But sometimes you dont need a cherry-picked passage from the Book of Mark or a star-spangled image generated by an algorithm. Sometimes the lessons are simpler and more straightforward, and staring you right in the face. Lessons like: a truly popular government doesnt need to shout about how popular it would be from a podium every day, if everyone just stopped criticizing it. And a truly popular war doesnt require a press conference warning people not to talk about the negatives any longer, specifically to choose wisely when they think about what to write.

Its a lesson the Trump administration really could have learned from the Iranian regime a long time ago.
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Former Virginia Lieutenant Gov. Justin Fairfax and his wife were found dead at their home in a murder-suicide Thursday morning as the couple was going through a messy divorce, police said.

The 47-year-old Democrat, who served from 2018 to 2022, shot and killed his wife, Cerina Fairfax, before he shot himself shortly after midnight Thursday, Fairfax County police said at a press conference.

The couple married in June 2006 and were in an ongoing domestic dispute surrounding what seems to be a complicated or messy divorce, county police chief Kevin Davis said.

From what I understand at this early stage, [Justin Fairfax] was recently served some paperwork associated with an upcoming court proceeding. That apparently led to this incident last night, Davis said.

Their two teenage children were at the familys Annandale home at the time of the shootings.

open image in gallery Former Virginia Lieutenant Gov. Justin Fairfax (pictured) and his wife were found dead at their home in a murder-suicide Thursday morning. The couple was going through a messy divorce, police said ( FairfaxJustin/ X )

The police chief said Justin Fairfax shot his wife several times in the basement of the house before he ran upstairs to a bedroom, where he shot himself.

The couples son called 911, Davis added.

It's very sad for this community, Davis added. A lot of people who know the Fairfax family, everybody's shocked. We're shocked.

Davis said officers responded to the home in January after Justin Fairfax alleged his wife had assaulted him, which police found to be untrue.

There are several cameras set up inside the house. Apparently. Mrs. Fairfax, at some point during these divorce proceedings, set up a lot of cameras inside the home, Davis said. We reviewed those cameras, and we corroborated that the alleged assault never occurred. So, there was no arrest made.

Justin Fairfax met Cerina Fairfax at Duke University in 1997, he wrote in a social media post from 2017 marking their wedding anniversary.

Friends and former teachers said that Justin Fairfax seemed innately meant for politics from early on, according to a 2019 profile in The New York Times. After college, he landed a job working on Al Gores 2000 presidential campaign before attending Columbia Law School. From there, he worked as a federal prosecutor in the U.S. attorneys office in Virginias Eastern District.

open image in gallery The couples two teenage children were at the familys Annandale, Virginia, home (pictured) at the time of the shootings and their son called 911, police said ( Getty )

In 2012, he ran for attorney general of Virginia, but was narrowly beaten to the post. Five years later, he was elected Virginias lieutenant governor.

His wife was a dental surgeon and ran her own dentistry practice in Fairfax. She was once awarded the Alumni Association Award from Virginia Commonwealth University as an OUtstanding Graduate of the Last Decade, according to her dental practice. In her spare time she loved to read, run the trial and tavel.

Justin Fairfax served with former governor Ralph Northam, who said he was devastated by the news.

Pam and I are devastated by this heartbreaking news. I had the privilege of getting to know the Fairfaxes while our families served together, the statement said.

Sophia A. Nelson, an author and journalist, described Justin Fairfax as a close friend in a social media post and said he was suffering from depression. He was going through a bad divorce, Nelon said in a post on X. Still sharing home with his wife. And those who knew him we were talking to him. We never saw this coming. Ever. We are all devastated.

In 2019, two women accused Justin Fairfax of sexual assault dating back to 2000 and 2004. He denied the allegations and no criminal charges were filed in the case, but the scandal tainted Fairfaxs political career.

Despite calls for his resignation, Fairfax finished the term before launching an unsuccessful bid for governor in 2021.

Once a favorite to win, the ordeal ultimately ended his campaign.

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Police in Illinois are investigating a bomb threat at the home of Pope Leo XIVs brother.

The New Lenox Police Department issued a statement on Thursday saying that its officers responded to the home around 6:30 pm on Friday in response to a bomb threat. New Lenox is a suburban area southwest of Chicago.

Police were dispatched to the scene and neighbors were asked to evacuate their homes while the threat was investigated, NBC 5 reports.

The Popes brother, John Prevost, lives in New Lenox.

Following a search of the area, police determined there was no active threat. No explosives or otherwise hazardous devices were found at the property, according to police.

A bomb threat was made against Pope Leo XIV's brother, John Prevost, at his home in the suburbs outside of Chicago ( Reuters )

The Will County Sheriffs Office lent its bomb sniffing police dogs to assist in the investigation, according to the press statement.

The bomb threat occurred amid an ongoing feud between President Donald Trump, his administration, and the Pope over the Catholic leader's critical views of the war in Iran.

On Thursday, Trump told reporters that he likes the Popes brother Louis, who he described as MAGA all the way. He made the comments after being asked why he is fighting with the Pope.

I have to do what's right. The Pope has to understand that very simple. I have nothing against the Pope, his brothers, MAGA all the way. I like his brother, Louis. I'm not fighting with him, Trump said. The Pope made a statement. He says Iran can have a nuclear weapon. I say Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon.

The Pope never said that Iran can have a nuclear weapon. He has, however, been vocally critical of aggressor nations waging war, including the U.S. and the war in Iran.

Pope Leo has pushed back on Trump's now infamous Truth Social post, threatening to destroy Iran's entire civilization. He has indirectly rebuked Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's call for Americans to pray for the downfall of his enemies.

After Trump shared an AI image of himself as Christ healing the sick  which he tried to claim was an image of him as a doctor  the president faced backlash from Christians, leading him to delete the image.

Vice President JD Vance, a recent Catholic convert, also pushed back against the Pope, questioning the Catholic leaders grasp of the churchs theology.

Trump made the baffling claim that the Pope was soft on crime and then later told reporters directly that he doesn't like the head of the Catholic church.

We dont like a Pope thats going to say that its OK to have a nuclear weapon.  Hes a man that doesnt think that we should be toying with a country that wants a nuclear weapon so they can blow up the world, Trump told reporters while referencing Iran. Im not a fan of Pope Leo.

The president's disapproval does not trouble Pope Leo.

I have no fear of the Trump administration or speaking out loudly of the message of the Gospel, which is what I believe I am here to do, what the church is here to do, Pope Leo told reporters this week.

He continued, saying his job wasn't to be a politician, but a peacemaker.

We are not politicians, we dont deal with foreign policy with the same perspective (as) [Trump] might understand it, the Pope said. But I do believe in the message of the Gospel, as a peacemaker.
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A parasitic fly that eats human tissues and lays eggs in open wounds has been detected just 90 miles from the U.S. border. 

New World screwworms also deposit their eggs, which hatch into maggots and larvae, around the noses, eyes, ears and mouth of humans and livestock, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Sid Miller, the Texas agriculture commissioner, said in a statement that the discovery of the flies in the Mexican state of Nuevo Leon is a direct and imminent threat to his own state.

The New World screwworm is not some distant problem, he said last week. It is a direct and imminent threat to Texas, and we are treating it that way. 

This is a high-stakes situation for our ranchers, our livestock industry, and our food supply, and we are moving aggressively to stay ahead of it.

open image in gallery New World screwworms feast on human tissue after hatching around open wounds and bodily orifices ( John Kucharski/USDA )

Miller went on to say that the U.S. Department of Agriculture has begun taking steps to respond, but that efforts to contain the spread of the parasitic flies have not been successful to date.

Check your animals. Know the signs, he told producers. If you see anything unusual, report it immediately.

There is zero margin for delay when it comes to screwworm.

Miller added, Early detection is the difference between containment and a full-blown crisis that could devastate herds and livelihoods.

The New World screwworm is usually found in South America and parts of the Caribbean.

However, since 2023, parasitic flies have moved farther north, spreading through every country in Central America and into Mexico.

Infestations, which include the presence of maggots on or inside the body, do not regularly occur in the United States, the CDC says.

The agency does note, though, that infestations have occasionally been recorded among travelers returning from countries that are home to New World screwworms.

open image in gallery New World screwworms can lay up to 3,000 eggs over their lifetime, according to the CDC ( CDC )

Infestations can lead to serious infections, which can be fatal.

Female flies are attracted to the smell of open wounds and body openings, even ones as small as a tick bite. They can lay 200-300 eggs around a body opening at a time.

Over her 10-30 day lifespan, a female fly can lay up to 3,000 eggs. 

Once hatched, the larvae feed on flesh for around 7 days before dropping into the ground. Then, they burrow into the soil and later emerge as adult flies.

The CDC urges anyone who sees or feels maggots around a wound to contact their healthcare provider. Each maggot will need to be removed by a medic, sometimes even surgically.

To combat the spread of New World screwworms, the USDA is investing in technology to bolster the production of sterile flies, according to the agencys website.

Surveillance teams across the U.S.-Mexico border also work to trap the flies and contain the spread of New World screwworms.

The parasites were eradicated from the United States decades ago and there is no evidence to suggest that they have returned to the country yet, the USDA has said.
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Prosecutors in Minnesota have criminally charged a federal immigration officer with assault in what appears to be a first-of-its-kind case following surges of agents into cities under Donald Trumps administration.

Gregory Donnell Morgan Jr. faces two counts of second-degree assault for allegedly threatening victims with his firearm, according to a criminal complaint announced by Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty on Thursday.

Morgan is accused of speeding up alongside a victims car, pulling out a gun and repeatedly pointing it at people inside during a February incident.

Local law enforcement has issued a warrant for Morgans arrest. If convicted, he could face up to 36 months in prison.

The charges mark the first against an Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer for actions during Operation Metro Surge, which saw hundreds of federal agents deployed to the state for dragnet-like arrests targeting immigrants and protesters. The surge also included the fatal shooting of two Minnesota residents in scenes that sparked outrage throughout the nation.

open image in gallery Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty announces second-degree assault charges against an ICE agent who is accused of threatening motorists with a gun while driving on a highway in February ( AP )

On February 5, Morgan  behind the wheel of an unmarked rental SUV  was illegally driving on the shoulder of Highway 62 when another car briefly moved into the shoulder to slow him down, according to Moriartys office.

When the victim moved back into traffic, Morgan sped up and then matched the pace of the other car, opened his window, and pointed his gun directly at both victims in the other vehicle while continuing to drive illegally on the shoulder, her office said.

The charges reflect an important milestone in our efforts to seek accountability for the harms inflicted on community, Moriarty said in a statement.

Asked during a press conference whether her office is concerned about potential blowback from the Trump administration, which has resisted efforts from local law enforcement to investigate federal agents who have shot and killed Minnesota residents, Moriarty said it is not a concern of ours.

Our role, by the way, is to hold people accountable if they violate the laws of Minnesota, she added. In this particular case, we feel strongly that this agent committed second-degree assault against both of these victims. We have charged the case, and our intent is to hold them accountable.

The Trump administration has also suggested federal agents possess absolute immunity from state-level prosecutions, and White House deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller, in a statement shared by Homeland Security, has told agents that no one  including city and state officials  can prevent you from fulfilling your legal obligations and duties.

Moriarty told reporters that the administration is wrong to believe that agents possess absolute immunity from criminal prosecution.

The Department of Justice could, however, try to remove a state-level case to federal court, where state prosecutors could continue to press a case against the officers.

The burden is on the agent to show that what they were doing was in the scope of their authority as a federal agent, Moriarty said.

Our opinion is that illegally driving on a shoulder, pulling up to a car, and pointing a gun at the heads of two community members ... is well beyond the scope of their authority as federal agents, she said. We will litigate that in court.

The Independent has requested comment from Homeland Security.

open image in gallery Criminal charges against an ICE agent appear to be the first of their kind following the Trump administrations surges of officers into Democratic-led states and cities beginning in 2025 ( Getty Images )

Moriartys office is investigating several other violent incidents involving federal officers, though she has accused the administration of obstructing efforts to collect evidence.

In this case, her office was able to collect evidence from state and local law enforcement, including Minnesota State Patrol, Minneapolis Police and the Ramsey County Sheriffs Office.

Officials in Minnesota are separately investigating the arrest of a U.S. citizen after ICE broke into his home at gunpoint and dragged him outside into freezing conditions while he was wearing only boxer shorts and Crocs sandals.

The arrest of 56-year-old ChongLy Scott Thao is being reviewed as a potential case of kidnapping, burglary and false imprisonment, officials in Ramsey County announced earlier this week.

ICE and Border Patrol agents killed three people in Minneapolis  Julio Cesar Sosa-Celis, Renee Good and Alex Pretti  within the month of January alone. But more than two months later, the status of those investigations remains unclear.

A lawsuit filed by Minnesota officials last month calls on a federal judge to force the Trump administration to share evidence it collected after the shootings, alleging that Homeland Security and federal law enforcement agencies have stonewalled attempts for information about incidents that triggered national demonstrations against the presidents mass deportation efforts.

In the cases of Good and Pretti, both 37-year-old U.S. citizens, Homeland Security officials insisted that both protesters posed a direct threat to law enforcement officers when they were fatally shot.

In the weeks after their deaths, Trumps border czar Tom Homan assumed control of Minnesota operations from Border Patrols Greg Bovino, who was relieved of his commander-at-large duty and sent back to his role in southern California.

Homan announced in February that immigration agents would be winding down operations in the state, which resulted in the arrests of thousands of immigrants and drew dozens of lawsuits alleging illegal use of force and unconstitutional arrests.
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A progressive group has launched a new college campus program aimed at countering Turning Point USA and winning over young voters, according to a new report.

The progressive media organization More Perfect Union announced its new More Perfect University program on Wednesday. The initiative has been described as a competitor to Turning Point USA, the conservative youth activist group co-founded by Charlie Kirk, according to the New York Times.

Josh Miller-Lewis, More Perfect Unions co-founder and editor in chief, wrote on social media: Excited to announce the launch of More Perfect University today. Its past time for Turning Point to have some competition on college campuses.

More Perfect University plans to host campus events and build a digital community where students can collaborate, attend virtual events and trainings, and connect with organizers already building power and winning, according to its website. Theyll also offer training for students to tell local stories that take on unchecked power and inspire students beyond their own campus.

[More Perfect University] connects you with students everywhere and equips you with the tools you need to unrig our broken economic system, the website reads.

A progressive organization has founded a campus initiative described as a competitor to the conservative activist group Turning Point USA, according to a new report ( AFP via Getty Images )

The program is also aimed at winning over younger voters, particularly those who may have swung right in the last presidential election, according to the Times.

Faiz Shakir, executive director of More Perfect Union, told the outlet: Were hoping that an economic populist movement for the next generation will start through More Perfect Union on campuses.

The Independent has contacted More Perfect Union and Turning Point USA for comment.

Turning Point USA, co-founded by Kirk in 2012, is dedicated to identifying, educating, training, and organizing students to promote freedom, according to its website. The group has a presence on more than 3,500 campuses in the U.S.

Since its founding, Turning Point USA has embarked on a mission to build the most organized, active, and powerful conservative grassroots activist network on high school and college campuses across the country, Turning Points website reads.

Kirk was well known for visiting college campuses and hosting the Prove Me Wrong debate series, where he invited students to challenge his beliefs. He was killed in September 2025 while speaking at a debate event on Utah Valley Universitys campus.

The organization also has a wide network of contributors, described as some of the countrys top conservative influencers. The list includes conservative activists like Benny Johnson, Jack Posobiec and Riley Gaines.
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Former congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene has told British media personality Piers Morgan that President Donald Trump showed no compassion over death threats towards her family.

Greene was a fervent supporter of the president before a public feud last fall, which culminated in the Georgia Republicans resignation from Congress.

Greene broke with Trump on various issues, including healthcare, foreign affairs, and perhaps most notably, her support of the release of government files related to the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

In response, Trump called Greene a traitor and rescinded his support for her. The former congresswoman has vehemently denied Trumps characterization, telling Piers Morgan, Standing up for rape victims doesnt make me a traitor.

In an interview on Piers Morgan Uncensored released Wednesday, Greene said she reached out to Trump after her resignation, along with other members of the administration, about death threats she and her family were receiving. Greene has claimed that Trumps rhetoric against her had fueled the death threats.

open image in gallery Former Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene has told British media personality Piers Morgan that President Donald Trump showed 'no compassion' over death threats towards her family ( Getty Images )

I cant even count how many death threats, Greene told Morgan, adding that the threats were also aimed at one of her adult children. I was so upset over death threats on my children because of him.

Greene said Trump was very unkind about these death threats when she confronted him over text message.

He blamed me, basically that if my son were to get killed, it would be my fault, the former congresswoman said. And I said back to him, No ones children should ever be the victim of death threats or have any kind of political violence brought on them because of our politics.

I dont know what kind of person basically has no compassion or care to someones child being threatened to be killed. Its unimaginable, really, Greene said.

The Independent has reached out to the White House for comment.

open image in gallery Greene said Trump was 'very unkind' about the alleged death threats against her adult son when she confronted him over text message ( AFP via Getty Images )

Greene previously told podcaster Jillian Michaels that her team had reported more than 700 death threats to Capitol Police.

I started getting serious death threatsserious death threats. A pipe bomb death threat on my home, a pipe bomb death threat on my family construction business, and then direct death threats on my youngest child, my son, Greene said.

In December, Trump said at a North Carolina rally that the reason for his falling out with Greene is that he didnt return her phone calls, calling her highly neurotic.

After Trump withdrew his support of Greene, she said she hasnt called him at all, but that she did send him text messages about the so-called Epstein files.

open image in gallery Greene was a fervent supporter of the president before a public feud last fall, which culminated in the Georgia Republicans resignation from Congress ( Getty Images )

Republican Clay Fuller, who was endorsed by Trump, was sworn in to replace Greene on Tuesday after winning a special election runoff against Democrat Shawn Harris.

Greene told Morgan shes very happy to no longer be in Congress, pointing out its dismal approval rating. According to Gallup, only 16 percent of Americans approve of the way Congress is handling its job as of February.

Looking ahead, Greene told CNNs Christiane Amanpour in a recent interview that she is focused on helping Gen Z.

Going forward, Im looking past Donald Trump. Im looking towards a future that is focused on my childrens generation. Theyre all in their 20s. And I think thats the generation that we should be fighting for, and thats the generation thats been largely failed, the former congresswoman said.
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Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin was accused of parroting a racist comment about migrants Wednesday when he said the United States only wants the right kind of immigrants in the country.

Mullin, who recently replaced Kristi Noem, raised familiar criticisms about the previous administration allowing immigrants into the country, saying those with criminal records were permitted to reside. He complained of the high cost associated with deporting immigrants because the U.S. offers everyone due process  or the right a fair hearing.

But the problem is we want immigration, we want legal immigration, people that want to make the country stronger, were a nation of immigrants, we understand that, Mullin told Fox News host Laura Ingraham.

Ingraham interjected, The right kind of immigrants.

But the right kind of immigrants, thats right, Mullin said in agreement.

open image in gallery Markwayne Mullin succeeded Kristi Noem as Homeland Security Secretary after she was fired ( Getty )

Mullin did not specify what he meant by the right kind of immigrants during the show, though he complained about those who take advantage of the United Statess generosity.

When asked for clarity, a Department of Homeland Security spokesperson told The Independent that Mullin was referring to legal ones when referring to the right kind of immigrants.

While Mullin and other administration officials often claim they want immigrants to enter the U.S. legally, many of President Donald Trumps immigration policies have impacted methods of legal immigration.

A recent analysis from the CATO Institute found that the president's crackdown on the ability to claim refugee and asylum, implementation of travel bans and regulations on student and H-1B employment visas led to a larger decrease in legal immigration than illegal immigration.

The administrations immigration policies have disproportionately impacted people of color with travel bans on nearly a dozen African countries, the end of asylum claims at the U.S.Mexico border, immigration agents using racial profiling, and removing protected status for people from Haiti, Myanmar, Honduras, Venezuela and Ethiopia, among other countries.

open image in gallery The administration halted visa processing on more than 70 countries, claiming migrants from the countries were over-utilizing US welfare ( AFP/Getty )

As a result, Mullins claim about the right kind of immigrants coming into the U.S. was interpreted as a dog whistle for a preference over white immigrants.

Why dont they just say white? X user Michael Freeman wrote.

Nick, another X user, replied: Todays blatant racism. by the right kind of immigrants they mean white people. I remember the days when the republicans used dog whistles. Those days are long gone.

This is just disgustingly racist, X user Shawn wrote.

While those opposed to the harsh immigration policies criticized Mullins comments, some MAGA voters disagreed with Mullin about wanting the right kind of immigrants in the U.S.  saying they didnt want any form of immigration.

Comments and reports on conservative commentator Eric Daughertys X post were flooded with people displeased with the secretarys claim about legal immigration.
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The Trump administration is reportedly reaching out to U.S. automakers about using their factories to produce military gear, as the ongoing wars in Iran and Ukraine drain American defense supplies.

Defense officials have spoken with top executives at General Motors, Ford, GE Aerospace, and machinery maker Oshkosh about the effort, The Wall Street Journal reports.

The Wisconsin-based Oshkosh told The WSJ it began speaking with Pentagon in November, prior to the Iran war, in response to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseths call to put U.S. military manufacturing on a wartime footing.

Weve been out looking at capabilities that we think fit their needs, just proactively, Oshkosh chief growth officer Logan Jones told the outlet. Weve heard it loud and clear that this is important.

The Independent has contacted General Motors, Ford, GE Aerospace, the White House and the Pentagon for comment.

open image in gallery The Trump administration has reportedly reached out to major U.S. manufacturers about assistance making defense supplies, as the ongoing conflicts in Iran and Ukraine drain supplies of munitions and other key military gear ( AFP/Getty )

Oshkosh and a GM subsidiary already build vehicles for the military, and in March of last year, GE Aerospace won a U.S. military contract valued at up to $5 billion for aircraft engines to be sold to allied nations.

A government-led effort to bolster defense manufacturing would expand on these existing ties, calling to mind how Detroit automakers were recruited to build military equipment during WWII.

The ongoing Iran conflict has rapidly depleted supplies of key U.S. weapons such as Tomahawk missiles.

The U.S. maintains somewhere between three and four thousand of the cruise missiles, and the military reportedly used more than 850 of the multimillion-dollar weapons as part of the Iran war, which began in late February.

open image in gallery The Iran war has highlighted the need for the U.S. to produce more drones and counter-drone defense mechanisms, in the face of nations including Iran and Russia using cheap, highly lethal UAVs on the battlefield ( Getty )

The Trump administration is seeking to raise defense spending to $1.5 trillion as part of the 2027 budget, the largest military funding request in decades.

The Pentagon has pushed to beef up defense manufacturing, following months of worldwide operations by the Trump administration in Venezuela, the Caribbean and Yemen, as well as multiple years of U.S. support for Ukraines defense against the Russian invasion.

Outside experts have warned that the U.S. doesnt have enough munitions at the present to sustain a high-intensity conflict with a Beijing, given the extensive manufacturing base in China.

The Iran war has also highlighted the increasing use of cheap, highly lethal unmanned drones in conflict, a tactic pioneered in the Ukraine war.
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Pope Leo has said that the world is being ravaged by a handful of tyrants as a row deepens with President Trump over the war in Iran.

Speaking on a visit to Cameroon, the pontiff, in markedly forceful remarks, blasted leaders who spend billions on wars. Leo, the first American pope, also decried leaders who use religious language to justify wars and urged a decisive change of course.

The masters of war pretend not to know that it takes only a moment to destroy, yet often a lifetime is not enough to rebuild, Leo said. They turn a blind eye to the fact that billions of dollars are spent on killing and devastation, yet the resources needed for healing, education and restoration are nowhere to be found.

open image in gallery Leo said billions of dollars are spent on killing and devastation ( Reuters )

He also sharply criticised leaders who invoked religious themes to justify wars, saying: Woe to those who manipulate religion and the very name of God for their own military, economic and political gain, dragging that which is sacred into darkness and filth.

Leo said the world had turned upside-down, and that this was an exploitation of Gods creation that must be denounced and rejected by every honest conscience. He made similar remarks last month when he said that God rejected the prayers of leaders with hands full of blood, which were widely interpreted as an attack on the US defence secretary, Pete Hegseth, who has used Christian language to justify the ongoing war in Iran.

open image in gallery Trump posted a picture with Jesus Christ after saying he had thought a previous version of him healing a sick person was depicting himself as a doctor ( @realDonaldTrump/Truth Social )

The new Pope has emerged as an outspoken critic of Donald Trumps war in Iran, which has sparked fighting across the Middle East and a global economic crisis. The president has in turn attacked the Pope, writing on Truth Social that he was WEAK on crime and terrible for foreign policy.

Mr Trump attacked him again on social media on Tuesday, and on Wednesday posted an image of Jesus embracing him, after an earlier image he posted that portrayed him as a Jesus-like figure prompted widespread criticism.

JD Vance then sparked further controversy when he warned the Pope, the most visible leader of Christianity in the world, that he should be careful when he talks about theology, saying: How can you say that God was never on the side of those who wield the sword?

Mr Trump said later on Thursday the pontiff was free to say what he wanted,but that it was important for him to understand that Iran could never have a nuclear weapon.

"The Pope has to understand - it's very simple - Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon. The world would be in great danger," he told reporters at the White House.

Leo spent nearly 50 years working in the church, including as a priest, missionary and cardinal, before being elected pontiff last year.

The Archbishop of Canterbury, Sarah Mullally, said on Thursday that she stood with Pope Leo in his courageous call for a kingdom of peace.

"I stand with my brother in Christ, His Holiness Pope Leo XIV, in his courageous call for a kingdom of peace," Mullally, the spiritual head of the Anglican Communion, said in a statement.

open image in gallery Trump attacked the Pope earlier this week ( AFP via Getty Images )

Leo arrived at the Cameroonian capital, Yaounde, on Wednesday at a time of ongoing conflict. More than 6,500 people have been killed and more than half a million displaced in fighting between government forces and anglophone separatist groups, according to the International Crisis Group.

Priests are frequently kidnapped and held for ransom, and some have been killed, according to Reuters. It was announced that a three-day ceasefire would be observed during the Popes visit, allowing civilians and visitors to move freely around the country.

Leo expressed optimism, even though efforts to broker a peace deal have proved largely ineffective so far, saying he was heartened that the conflict has not degenerated into a religious war and that Christian and Muslim leaders could mediate an end to the fighting.

Urging the government of the Central African nation to root out corruption and resist the whims of the rich and powerful, his presence in the country has stirred hopes that steps could be taken to resolve the conflict.
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Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. faced aggressive grilling from House Democrats for his stewardship of the nations lead health agency - and faced criticism for his previous autism statements and hanging out with Kid Rock.

Kennedy testified before the House of Representatives Ways and Means Committee Thursday, which sets tax policy, and the House Appropriations Committee, which writes the 12 spending bills that make up the budget, about the presidents proposed budget.

During the hearing, Republicans focused primarily on Kennedy and President Donald Trumps Make America Healthy Again agenda, which focuses on oversight of chemicals and pushes healthy eating and exercise. Democrats focused on the departments slashing money for on cancer research, promoting misinformation about vaccines.

A longtime promoter of the idea that vaccines cause autism, Kennedy has overseen the changing of the nations vaccine schedule, which a federal judge temporarily blocked, and used his perch to promote ideas that the use of acetaminophen, commonly known as Tylenol, causes autism spectrum disorder.

Not surprisingly, we were right to be skeptical of your promise to support the childhood vaccine schedule, because at your direction, the [Centers for Disease Control] removed its universal vaccine recommendations for children, covering seven immunizations, including things like flu, covid, hepatitis A, hepatitis B and rotavirus, Rep. Linda Sanchez (D-Calif.) said.

open image in gallery U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. testifies in Congress. There he faced questions on his policies and spending time with Kid Rock ( Reuters )

That policy change came as measles spiked in the United States under Kennedys stewardship.

We have done better at preventing measles than any country in the world, Kennedy said. When Sanchez pressed Kennedy that the measles vaccine could have saved a childs life in Texas, the secretary responded, It's possible. Certainly.

Sanchez also criticized the fact that the CDC ended pro-vaccine messaging ,while at the same time promoting videos of Kennedy hanging out shirtless in a hot tub with Kid Rock. In February, RFK released a video of him spending time with Kid Rock and participating in many MAHA encouraged activities, such as drinking whole milk.

Somehow you think that's a better public health message than informing the public about the benefits of vaccines. Really? she asked.

open image in gallery U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell (D-AL) speaks as U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. testifies on Capitol Hill. Democrats grilled RFK Jr. on his vaccine skepticism ( Reuters )

In a particularly fiery moment, Rep. Terri Sewell (D-Ala.) criticized Kennedy for previously saying that Black children who are medicated for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder should be re-parented.

I don't even know what that phrase means, he said during a heated exchange. Im not going to answer something that I didn't say.

This came despite the fact that Kennedy made the remarks on the 19Keys internet show in 2024.

Every Black kid is now, just standard put on Adderall, SSRIs, benzos, which are known to induce violence, he said. And those kids are going to have a chance to go somewhere and get re-parented, to live in a community, where will be no cell phones, no screens, youll actually have to talk to people.

There is little evidence that all Black children are given psychiatric medication and many Black people are not diagnosed with ADHD until later in life. Sewell denounced Kennedys terms, specifically in how they relate to separating Black children from their families.

For you to suggest that black families are not capable of raising their own children is deeply offensive, Sewell told Kennedy. Sir, you are the Secretary of Health and Human Services for the world's most powerful country, and your words matter.

open image in gallery Kennedy also faced questions about his 2024 statements calling for Black children to get re-parented ( Reuters )

But Kennedy did not just receive criticism from Democrats. Rep. Blake Moore (R-Utah), the father of an autistic son, said that he appreciated Kennedys focus on autism, but expressed alarm about his and Trumps comments about acetaminophens alleged link to autism. Studies have shown that the use of acetaminophen by pregnant women has no link to autism.

We don't even know she took Tylenol during her pregnancy, but that was a hurtful moment for her, and I just want to encourage the administration and your team to keep at it, Moore said. And I think there's, there's more we can do here.

Kennedy has promoted the idea that the United States has an autism epidemic, even though the CDCs own research shows that the increase in the last three decades came thanks to improved screening and an expanded diagnostic criteria.

Next week, Kennedy is set to testify on the Senate side, where he will come face to face with Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-La.), a who staked much of his credibility as a gastroentrologist to confirm Kennedy only for President Donald Trump to endorse the senators primary challenger Rep. Julia Letlow.
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Top White House official Stephen Miller warned Iran Wednesday evening that the war could drag on indefinitely if the Iranian regime did not capitulate to President Donald Trumps demands.

Despite Trumps claims the Iran war would likely last four to five weeks, Miller asserted it could go on much longer after the president enforced a naval blockade around Iranian ports to strain the countrys economy.

This embargo is squeezing the economic life out of the Iranian regime, and the United States has the capacity to continue this indefinitely if Iran chooses the wrong path, Miller told Fox News host Sean Hannity.

Like other Trump administration officials, Miller boasted about the strength of the U.S. military, asserting America has all of the cards in negotiations with the regime  pressuring it further to cease its nuclear enrichment program.

President Trump has made clear he wants peace, he wants a deal, he wants Iran to choose the right path. But he will not allow Iran to pursue or achieve weapons, and this embargo and every other option is on the table as President Trump seeks that final, safe, secure outcome, Miller added, pausing briefly on the word final.

open image in gallery Stephen Miller insisted a US blockage on Iranian ports would squeeze the country's economy, further pressuring the regime to give in to the president's demands ( Fox News/Hannity )

Miller, the White House deputy chief of staff for policy and homeland security adviser, is one of the administrations most commanding voices to reinforce the presidents agenda and threats.

While he repeatedly insisted the president wants peace, Miller also bolstered the presidents threat to bomb Irans infrastructure and warned the Iranian regime that Trump wasnt bluffing.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth echoed Millers sentiments Thursday morning, urging Iran to choose wisely or face the wrath of the U.S. military, which could include a blockade and bombing of infrastructure.

Trump has said he wants to eliminate Iran as a threat to the U.S. and others by forcing the regime to end its nuclear enrichment program to prevent the country from obtaining a nuclear weapon.

But first round negotiations between the U.S. and Iran faltered, ending in no deal. After that announcement last week, Trump expressed positivity toward Irans proposed 10-point peace plan, calling it workable.

open image in gallery Trump initially claimed the war would last four to five weeks and has repeatedly said the US has achieved nearly all of its objectives and 'won' ( AFP/Getty )

Yet, by Monday, the president had ordered a blockade on Iranian ports to pressure the regime into agreeing to his terms.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Wednesday that the U.S. had other plans to strain Irans economy further, including by imposing secondary sanctions on countries buying Iranian oil.

Pakistan is expected to host a second round of peace talks sometime in the future, though a date is unclear.

Americans are eager for the president to end the war in Iran, as surging oil prices and a shaky stock market create financial fears. A Reuters/Ipsos poll, conducted in March, found that 66 percent of respondents want the U.S. to end the war even if it means not achieving the administrations goals.
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MAGA media personality Steve Bannon is urging Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to have a military briefing  and scale back on the religious rhetoric that has started to overshadow his statements on the Iran war.

Bannon, who once served as an advisor to President Donald Trump, argued on his War Room podcast Thursday that Hegseths frequent religious references are a distraction from operational details being shared by military leaders during these briefings.

During what was supposed to be a briefing on U.S. operations against Iran on Thursday, Hegseth launched into a biblical tirade against journalists over their coverage of the war. He compared the press corps to Pharisees, or a group of ancient religious scholars who are often depicted as enemies of Jesus in the New Testament.

The legacy Trump-hating press, your politically motivated animus for President Trump nearly completely blinds you from the brilliance of our American warriors, Hegseth said.

Bannon lauded Gen. Dan Caine, the chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and Adm. Brad Cooper, the commander of U.S. Central Command, for doing a magnificent job explaining the U.S. blockade of the Strait of Hormuz during the briefing, but said that information was overshadowed by Hegseths religious messaging.

open image in gallery Steve Bannon is urging Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to tone back his religious tirades during Pentagon briefings ( War Room )

My observation or recommendation: I dont think I would start that with some references to the New Testament, Bannon said in an episode posted Thursday.

Thats all the mainstream media is covering right now, is Petes opening remark about the Gospel according to Mark and the reference to the Pharisees, which is, I think, great, he continued. Its just when are you going to do it? I would not do it because itit steps on whats important.

He later added, My two cents: We ought to tone that down and focus, when we got the Pentagon, lets have a military briefing.

Hegseth, a frequent critic of the American media, has long turned to Christian language to discuss the war. Both Hegseth and Trump referred to the Easter Sunday rescue of a downed airman in Iran as a miracle.

During a prayer service last month, Hegseth prayed for troops to deliver overwhelming violence of action against those who deserve no mercy.

He was also mocked on social media after appearing to quote a fictional Bible verse from Pulp Fiction during a prayer service Wednesday at the Pentagon.

open image in gallery Hegseth has long turned to Christian language to discuss the ongoing war in Iran ( Reuters )

The defense secretarys attempt to compare the D.C. press corps to antagonists of Jesus comes as Trump has shared numerous religious-themed images of himself on social media this week.

On Sunday, Trump posted an AI image on Truth Social portraying himself as Jesus in flowing robes and healing a sick man with beams of light coming out of his hands. In the image, Trump is surrounded by patriotic symbols, including an American flag, the Statue of Liberty and eagles.

The image was posted amid a Truth Social rant where Trump also lashed out at Pope Leo XIV, after the Chicago-born pontiff spoke critically about the conflict in Iran.

Trump later deleted the image following intense criticism from religious groups and right-wing conservatives. He also claimed to have thought the image portrayed him as a doctor, not Jesus.

Yet days later, Trump reposted another image that appeared to be AI-generated. The image shows him being embraced by Jesus, with the two men posed in front of a halo of light and an American flag.

He wrote along with the Wednesday post: The Radical Left Lunatics might not like this, but I think it is quite nice!!! President DJT.
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President Donald Trump seriously discussed nominating Sen. Ted Cruz to the U.S. Supreme Court during the presidents first term, but the Texas Republican says he declined to seek the role.

In the first Trump term, the president spoke to me seriously about all three vacancies, and three times I said no, Cruz said on Wednesday at a Wall Street Journal event. Because I dont want to be out of the arena of the political battle. I think theres too much need there.

Cruz said elsewhere during the event that it is humbling to be considered for a role on the high court but he sees a need for someone like him in Congress instead.

There is a real need for elected officials who are principled free market conservatives who know how to fight and know how to win, and so Id like to be part of nominating and confirming hundreds of principled constitutionalist judges, Cruz said. I dont want me to be one of them.

The Independent has contacted the White House for comment.

open image in gallery Sen. Ted Cruz says he rejected multiple first-term requests from President Donald Trump to consider seeking the nomination for the Supreme Court ( Getty )

Cruzs comments came as Trump spoke this week about the possibility of facing new Supreme Court vacancies during his second term.

It could be two, could be three, could be one. I dont know  Im prepared to do it, he told Fox Business in an interview that aired on Wednesday.

Political observers have speculated that the conservative Justice Samuel Alito, 76, who was nominated under the George W. Bush administration, could be the next to step down.

Alito was taken to the hospital in March and treated for dehydration, the Supreme Court confirmed.

He also has a forthcoming book, So Ordered: An Originalists View of the Constitution, the Court, and Our Country, fueling further discussion that he is cementing his public legacy before leaving the Supreme Court.

Sen. Chuck Grassley, chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, told reporters hes fully prepared to forward a new nomination if the need arises.

open image in gallery Political observers speculate that the conservative Samuel Alito, 76, could be the next justice to retire, given his work on a forthcoming book and a recent hospitalization ( Reuters )

I hope he doesnt retire, Grassley said of Alito. But if he does retire, Im going to suggest that either [Sen. Mike] Lee or Cruz be put on the Supreme Court.

During the first Trump administration, the president successfully nominated three justices to lifetime appointments on the high court: Neil Gorsuch, Brett Kavanaugh, and Amy Coney Barrett.

The nominations locked in a 6-3 conservative supermajority on the court that could persist for years.

The court has often ruled in favor of the administration, especially in emergency appeals of lower decisions that originally found Trump administration policies to be illegal.

It has also delivered multiple high-profile victories to Trump, including a ruling allowing immigration stops based on appearance and a 2024 decision finding that presidents have broad immunity from prosecution for official acts taken in office. The decision stalled a pending federal trial against the Republican, who then managed to entirely evade prosecution by winning reelection.

open image in gallery The president nominated three new justices in his first term, cementing a 6-3 conservative supermajority on the court ( Reuters )

The Trump-packed court hasnt always sided with the president though.

A February ruling striking down the Republicans sweeping tariff policies was a major blow to the administration.

The court is currently considering another significant case, over whether the administration can use an executive order to end birthright citizenship, which is enshrined in the 14th Amendment.

The president has put public pressure on the court to rule his way in the birthright citizenship case, attending oral arguments in person earlier this month, the first time a sitting president has ever watched the deliberations in person.
What is happening after U.S. "blockades" Strait of Hormuz?

Xinhua) 13:36, April 16, 2026

CAIRO, April 15 (Xinhua) -- No vessel breached the U.S. blockade on Iran in the first 24 hours, the U.S. Central Command said on Tuesday, while ship-tracking data showed that several vessels continued to pass through the Strait of Hormuz on the same day.

That raises three questions: What is the current situation in the Strait of Hormuz? To what extent has shipping through the strait declined since the conflict began? And where could the standoff head next?

WHAT IS HAPPENING IN THE STRAIT?

The U.S. Central Command said on Tuesday that no vessel had breached the U.S. blockade in the first 24 hours, adding that six merchant ships had turned back under U.S. instructions to an Iranian port in the Gulf of Oman. More than 10 warships and dozens of aircraft had been deployed to enforce the blockade.

A day earlier, U.S. President Donald Trump said Washington would start blocking all ships entering or leaving Iranian ports from 10 a.m. Eastern Time (1400 GMT) on Monday, a move widely seen by international media as aimed at choking off Iranian oil exports and pressuring Tehran into making concessions, including reopening the Strait of Hormuz.

Yet the waterway was not completely shut on Tuesday. Reuters, citing shipping data and vessel-tracking analysis, reported that at least eight ships transited the strait that day. Three of them had previous business links with Iran, but were not sailing to or from Iranian ports at the time and therefore were not subject to the blockade.

One Panama-flagged tanker that sailed through the strait, for example, was heading to Hamriyah Port in the United Arab Emirates. The ship typically carries Iranian naphtha, a petrochemical feedstock, to other Middle Eastern ports for onward export.

HOW HAS THE TRAFFIC CHANGED?

As a major international energy transport corridor, the Strait of Hormuz links the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman. Twenty-five percent of global seaborne oil trade passed through the strait in 2025, according to the International Energy Agency.

Iran has effectively closed the strait and barred vessels linked to hostile parties from transiting through the waterway since the United States and Israel launched military strikes on Iran on Feb. 28.

Data from the Belgium-based shipping analytics firm Kpler showed that a total of 279 ships passed through the strait between Feb. 28 and April 12.

Before the conflict, more than 130 ships passed through the strait each day. Average daily traffic has fallen by over 95 percent since the outbreak of the war.

A two-week ceasefire took effect last Wednesday after the United States and Iran reached an agreement. But Iran has maintained restrictions on the strait after the ceasefire, citing continued Israeli airstrikes on Lebanon and Washington's toleration of violations of the truce.

Kpler's data showed that 45 ships passed through the strait between last Wednesday and Sunday, suggesting that traffic picked up after the ceasefire but remained far below pre-war levels.

WHAT COMES NEXT?

Last weekend's talks between the U.S. and Iranian delegations in Islamabad, capital of Pakistan, concluded without results. It's reported on Wednesday that the two sides were planning another round of talks there later this week.

Trump also hinted on Tuesday that Washington and Tehran could return to the negotiating table within the next two days. He told The New York Post that "something could happen" in the next two days, suggesting that Washington was open to resuming talks.

Analysts in the Middle East say Washington may refrain from resuming a major military confrontation for now, whether to contain the costs of escalation or to buy time. Instead, it may take limited actions such as a maritime blockade to keep up pressure on Tehran and seek leverage in negotiations.

Abdulaziz Alshaabani, a Saudi researcher at Al Riyadh Center for Political and Strategic Studies, said both sides understood the high cost of a wider war, but neither was willing to back down without gain. For now, he said, the situation may remain one of limited military confrontation alongside continued contacts, as both sides seek a stronger position ahead of further talks.

(Web editor: Wang Xiaoping, Liang Jun)
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President Donald Trump has ended a multimillion-dollar contract for a Catholic charity serving migrants amid his ongoing feud with Pope Leo XIV.

The Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Miami provides housing and assistance to migrant children and has done this work for 60 years. Without the funding provided by the $11 million federal contract, the charity may cease to exist by the year's end, according to the Daily Beast.

Thomas Wenski, the archbishop of Miami, wrote in the Miami Herald that he found it "baffling" that the government would cut off funding to a service that has provided help to children for more than half a century. The archbishop predicted the center would only last another three months without the funding.

The funding came through the Department of Health and Human Services and a spokesman said the cut happened because the number of kids under the archdiocese's care dropped, according to the Daily Beast. It was at 1,900 under Trump, down from around 22,000 under former president Joe Biden. The cancellation was first discussed in March, according to the report.

The contract's cancellation comes at a time when the Trump administration and the Vatican are at odds.

open image in gallery The Trump administration has cancelled an $11 million contract with the Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Miami. The charity has served migrant children since the 1960's and may close due to lack of funding ( AFP/Getty )

The American-born Pope Leo has been vocally critical of the Trump administration, both for the way it treats immigrants and because of its warmongering. During the Pope's annual address to the Vatican diplomatic corps  sometimes referred to as his "state of the world" address  he called for peace and rebuked world leaders who sought out conflict.

That criticism did not sit well with Trump.

In January, apostolic nuncio Cardinal Christophe Pierre  serving as Pope Leo's U.S. representative  was called to the Pentagon to meet with U.S. officials.

A report by The Free Press claims that Pierre was dressed down by Pentagon officials over the Pope's anti-war comments and that he was told that "the United States has the military power to do whatever it wants" and that the Vatican should side with the U.S.

The Department of Defense acknowledged that the meeting happened but said in a statement that the Free Press's reporting was "exaggerated and distorted" and later said on X that Secretary of State Pete Hegseth's deputy, Elbridge Colby, "had a substantive, respectful, and professional meeting" with the cardinal.

Since then, Pope Leo has pushed back on Trump's now-infamous Truth Social post threatening to destroy Iran's entire civilization and has indirectly rebuked Hegseth's call for Americans to pray for the downfall of his enemies.

The relationship has become more strained since. Trump shared an AI image of himself as Christ healing the sick  he tried to claim he thought the image was showing him as a doctor  and Vice President JD Vance, a recent Catholic convert, made comments questioning the Pope's grasp on Catholic theology.

open image in gallery The relationship by Trump and the Pope grew even more strained in recent weeks. Trump also posted an AI image on social media of himself as Jesus ( @realDonaldTrump/Truth Social )

Trump made the baffling claim that the Pope was soft on crime and then later told reporters directly that he doesn't like the head of the Catholic church.

We dont like a pope thats going to say that its OK to have a nuclear weapon.  Hes a man that doesnt think that we should be toying with a country that wants a nuclear weapon so they can blow up the world, Trump told reporters while referencing Iran. Im not a fan of Pope Leo.

The president's disapproval does not trouble Pope Leo.

I have no fear of the Trump administration or speaking out loudly of the message of the Gospel, which is what I believe I am here to do, what the church is here to do, Pope Leo told reporters this week.

He continued, saying his job wasn't to be a politician, but a peacemaker.

We are not politicians, we dont deal with foreign policy with the same perspective (as) [Trump] might understand it, the Pope said. But I do believe in the message of the Gospel, as a peacemaker.

The Independent has requested comment from the White House.
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President Donald Trumps decision to post an AI meme of himself as Jesus Christ healing the sick was not made alone, according to a report.

Axios reports that the president consulted with Bill Pulte, director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency, a combative Trumpworld figure who was described as an agent of chaos by The Financial Times last year.

The outlet writes that it was Pulte who first brought the image to Trumps attention in Florida over the weekend, citing two advisers close to the president, one of whom commented: Everyone thought it was a joke.

open image in gallery President Donald Trump and the offending meme he posted and then deleted, depicting himself as Jesus Christ ( AFP/Getty )

A third person denied that Pulte was responsible for showing Trump the meme, muddying the waters somewhat.

But however it originally came to the presidents attention, his decision to post it on Truth Social after rebuking Pope Leo XIV for being weak and catering to the Radical Left sparked several days of arguments between Catholic members of his administration like JD Vance and Tom Homan and the Vatican and risked a further breach with the devout Christians among his base.

Trump subsequently took the image down, saying it had been misunderstood, only to replace it with another of the Messiah embracing him.

As for Pulte, he was described earlier this year as a driving force behind the Department of Justices decision to launch a criminal investigation into the Federal Reserve, which hit the rocks last month when a judge threw out two subpoenas and ruled it had been launched to harass and pressure the central banks outgoing chair, Jerome Powell.

Pulte denied involvement in the affair but was described by Bloomberg as a vocal force within the administration, pushing controversial housing policy ideas and investigating Trumps foes for mortgage fraud.

The FHFA director, normally expected to do nothing more exciting than ensure the underlying soundness of the mortgage market, has instead transformed the position into a megaphone to denigrate Trumps perceived political foes, according to the Associated Press.

Last year, he accused New York Attorney General Letitia James, California Sen. Adam Schiff and Fed governor Lisa Cook of mortgage fraud, all of whom denied wrongdoing. None of their cases is moving forward.

open image in gallery Bill Pulte, director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency, was allegedly involved in Trump's decision to post the AI image of himself as the Messiah ( AFP/Getty )

Pultes reputation for stirring the pot almost led to violence in September, when Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent came to believe the official had been badmouthing him to the president and, in a rage, confronted him.

Why the f*** are you talking to the president about me? Bessent reportedly asked Pulte. F*** you. Im gonna punch you in your f***ing face.

Asked to leave the event they were attending, the hot-headed secretary is said to have invited Pulte outside, with the latter asking if they could talk over their differences.

No, Bessent answered. Im going to f***ing beat your ass.

The AP further reported last year that, prior to joining the Trump administration, Pulte began cultivating the dark arts by practicing on his own family, with whom he has publicly feuded over his late grandfathers property business, PulteGroup.

Pulte was described in court records as having accused his grandfathers widow of insider trading, trashed his aunt online as a phony Catholic and called a step-aunt a fat slob, weirdo and grifter.
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President Donald Trump has lashed out at conservative figures in a Truth Social rant on Thursday, slamming a host of former allies in the right-wing media and name-checking Joe Kent, the Trump administration counterterrorism chief who resigned in March and criticized the Iran war.

He was really a SLEAZEBAG, and some would say, on top of it all, A LEAKER! Trump wrote. I dont know whether or not that was true, but next time, NO MORE MR. NICE GUY! Kent is a LOSER, just like Tucker [Carlson], Candace [Owens], Megyn [Kelly] and the rest of them are LOSERS.

Trump also attacked the right-wing broadcasters last week in a similar rant, writing, They think it is wonderful for Iran, the Number One State Sponsor of Terror, to have a Nuclear Weapon  Because they have one thing in common, Low IQs.

In his Thursday post, President Trump claimed he gave Kent the job leading the National Counterterrorism Center in sympathy, after the former special forces operative was defeated in multiple congressional campaigns and lost his wife to an ISIS attack in Syria.

Trump wrote on Truth Social that he met Kent at the dignified transfer ceremony at a military base in Delaware in which her remains were returned to the U.S.

In a Truth Social rant on Thursday, President Trump attacked the recently resigned National Counterterrorism Center director Joe Kent, accusing the Iran war critic of being a sleazebag and a leaker ( AFP/Getty )

While I didnt know him other than our brief Dover encounter, but feeling sorry for him after the two Election losses, I told my people, Hire him for the White House. Give him a job, make him feel good, he lost his wife and two Elections, Trump wrote. They did so and, while I rarely saw him, I certainly didnt expect disloyalty, but thats what I got.

The Independent has contacted Kent for comment.

The former official has vocally criticized the war since resigning.

President Trump is sending more military power to the Middle East as Iran rejects our initial peace offerssetting the escalation trap, he wrote on X on Wednesday, adding, We must learn from our past and recognize when it is time to cut our losses and walk away. In the end, working to restore order will strengthen America far more than any military action ever could.

Trump wasnt the only administration official fuming about Iran on Thursday.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth berated reporters at the Pentagon for what he saw as unfairly negative coverage of the war.

I just can't help but notice the endless stream of garbage, the relentlessly negative coverage you cannot resist pedaling, despite the historic and important success of this effort and the success of our troops, he said. Sometimes it's hard to figure out what side some of you are actually on  it's incredibly unpatriotic.

Throughout Thursday afternoon, Trump railed online against his critics, bashing a Washington federal judge for halting his ballroom project at the White House and accusing New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani of destroying the city with his tax policies. The men had previously struck up a surprisingly friendly rapport.
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President Donald Trump on Thursday claimed not to have any beef with Pope Leo XIV and suggested that his multiple attacks against the American-born leader of the Catholic Church over the past week are merely the product of a disagreement over Irans nuclear weapons program  something the pontiff has never spoken publicly about.

Speaking to reporters outside the White House before he departed for a series of political appearances in Las Vegas and Arizona, Trump denied that he was fighting with Leo while simultaneously claiming that the Pope had voiced approval of Irans right to have a nuclear weapon.

I'm not fighting with him. The pope made a statement. He says Iran can have a nuclear weapon. I say Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon, Trump said.

Leo, whose real name is Robert Prevost, has never said Iran should be permitted to possess nuclear weapons and has repeatedly spoken out against them, including in a March 5 video in which he prayed that nations renounce weapons and choose the path of dialogue and diplomacy so the the nuclear threat would never again dictate the future of humanity."

Nonetheless, the Chicago native has found himself in Trumps crosshairs since earlier this week after he criticized the presidents rhetoric towards Iran, including his threats to attack civilian infrastructure and his warning that Irans whole civilization will die ... never to be brought back again last week as he pressured Tehran to agree to a ceasefire deal and open the Strait of Hormuz.

President Donald Trump speaks with reporters before departing on Marine One from the South Lawn of the White House, Thursday, April 16, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon) ( PA )

After the pontiff called Trumps bellicose threats against Iranian civilians truly unacceptable, the president lashed out on Truth Social late Sunday with a post blasting Leo as WEAK on crime and terrible on foreign policy, posted as part of a late-night spree that also saw him upload an AI-generated image of himself as Jesus.

Pressed further by reporters on why he was continuing to feud with the leader of the worlds 1.4 billion Catholics, Trump said he had to do what is right.

The pope has to understand that this is the real world. It's a nasty world. But as far as the pope and saying what he wants, he can do that. ... I'm sure the Pope is a great guy. I haven't met him but I disagree with the pope, if the pope would allow Iran to have a nuclear weapon, he said.

The presidents attempt to lower the temperature on his days-old pontifical tiff comes days after his late-night Truth Social tirade against the 267th successor to Saint Peter, seemingly in response to Leos repeated calls for peace.

During an April 11 prayer service, Leo appeared to criticize the U.S.-Israeli war against Iran when he decried what he called "delusion of omnipotence that surrounds us and is becoming increasingly unpredictable and aggressive."

"Enough of the idolatry of self and money!" the pope said. "Enough of the display of power! Enough of war! True strength is shown in serving life."

The next day, Trumps social media screed rattled off a lengthy list of grievances against Leo, took credit for his election by the College of Cardinals last year, and warned that the Windy City native should get his act together as Pope, use Common Sense, stop catering to the Radical Left, and focus on being a Great Pope, not a Politician.

When asked about the presidents comments by reporters traveling with him en route to Africa that same day, Leo said he had no fear of the Trump administration or speaking out loudly of the message of the Gospel.

"I do not look at my role as being political, a politician. I dont want to get into a debate with him. I dont think that the message of the Gospel is meant to be abused in the way that some people are doing, he said.

Trumps open feuding with the Pope has drawn criticism from even some of his close supporters, including Catholic Bishop Robert Barron, who is a member of the presidents White House religious liberty commission.

Barron said it was Leos job to speak about matters of Catholic doctrine, called Trumps attack on the pontiff entirely inappropriate and disrespectful and added that he thought Trump owes the Pope an apology.

Trump also targeted Leo with another Truth Social post on Wednesday, writing: Will someone please tell Pope Leo that Iran has killed at least 42,000 innocent, completely unarmed, protesters in the last two months, and that for Iran to have a Nuclear Bomb is absolutely unacceptable.

And while his remarks to reporters appeared to be an effort to lower the temperature amid criticism, just hours before he left the White House police in New Lenox, Illinois announced that theyd responded to a bomb threat at the home of John Prevost, one of Leos brothers.
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I am not a politician; I speak of the Gospel. Pope Leo XIVs recent remarks, made during his apostolic journey to Africa, immediately suggest that his clash with Donald Trump operates on a different level to the US presidents usual political spats.

This is not the classic kind of confrontation that Trump has often had with foreign heads of state and government in the past, such as in recent months with the UK prime minister, Keir Starmer, whose refusal to fully back the US and Israel in their war against Iran attracted Trumps ire.

Rather, it is a clash rooted in fundamentally different moral and political visions: between a president who treats power in transactional terms and a pope who frames war, migration and human dignity as matters of moral principle.

When Cardinal Robert Prevost was named as Pope Leo in May 2025, Trump and his administration initially appeared to welcome the new pontiff warmly. In fact, in a post to his Truth Social platform the US president appeared to take credit for his election as pope, writing that Prevost was only put there by the Church because he was an American, and they thought that would be the best way to deal with President Donald J. Trump.

But the war in the Middle East launched by the US and Israel has made the differences between their positions clearer  further heightening tensions between them. On Palm Sunday, the week before Easter, it became clear that Leo had decided to take a firm line against the war in Iran, saying that Jesus does not listen to the prayers of those who wage war, but rejects them, saying: Even though you make many prayers, I will not listen: your hands are full of blood.

open image in gallery In the last presidential election, 55% of Catholic voters supported Trump, including 62% of white Catholics ( AP )

His Easter message was equally clear: 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.

Days later the pope denounced the US presidents apparent threat to destroy the whole of the Iranian civilisation as truly unacceptable in comments which roundly criticised the war and called for a return to dialogue, negotiations.

Trump responded in harsh terms, describing the pope in a Truth Social post as weak on crime and terrible for foreign policy. He went on to say that he did not want a pope who thinks it is OK for Iran to have nuclear weapons, adding that Leo should use common sense, stop doing the bidding of the radical left, and focus on being a great pope rather than a politician.

Returning to Washington from Florida, Trump also told reporters: I dont think hes doing a good job. Im not a fan of Pope Leo. The pope replied on Monday by saying that he was not afraid of the Trump administration and would continue to speak out against war.

Trump did not stop there. He went so far as to publish an image portraying himself as Jesus Christ, a move that appeared to go too far even for many of his conservative supporters. The reaction was strong enough to force him to delete the post and backtrack.

This could hurt the US president

Trump has clashed with the Vatican before, but this confrontation unfolds in a very different setting. Pope Francis, the first Argentine pope and the first pontiff from the global south, was often openly critical of Trump, particularly on migration. In 2016, he famously suggested that a leader who thinks only of building walls rather than bridges is not Christian, crystallising the tension between them.

About the author Massimo D'Angelo is a Research Associate in the Institute for Diplomacy and International Affairs, Loughborough University. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.

The key difference was that Francis was also a divisive figure within sections of the American Catholic Church. He was frequently targeted by conservative Catholic commentators and church networks in the US, and in 2019 he remarked that its an honour that the Americans attack me.

Leo, by contrast, is the first US pope  and that changes the political equation. His voice is likely to carry different authority among Catholic voters, who are an important part of Trumps electoral base.

In the last presidential election, 55% of Catholic voters supported Trump, including 62% of white Catholics. Senior Catholics also occupy prominent positions in his administration, including Vance and Trumps secretary of state Marco Rubio.

That is why Leos criticism may prove more politically consequential. It does not come from an external moral voice alone, as was often the case with Francis, but from an American pontiff speaking into a church and an electorate that Trump cannot afford to ignore.

Early reactions suggest that many Catholic voices in the US have rallied behind Leo, making this not only a diplomatic clash, but a potentially significant domestic one too. (This could also really hurt J.D. Vance. As the likely contender to succeed Trump on the Repulican ticket, he is deeply invested in his Catholic faith and is about to publish a book devoted to his conversion.)

open image in gallery Pope Leos voice is likely to carry different authority among Catholic voters, who are an important part of Trumps electoral base ( Reuters )

From an international perspective, the break with the pope has also had visible repercussions. Giorgia Meloni, the Italian prime minister, long regarded as Trumps closest ally in Europe, went publicly in defence of Pope Leo, the bishop of Rome, drawing criticism from Trump himself, who defined the Italian prime ministers behaviour as unacceptable.

To conclude, this is not a political confrontation like the many others the world has become used to with this US president. The stakes are higher at home and on the world stage. At home, it risks alienating many Catholic voters whose support will matter not only in the midterm elections but also in the next presidential race. Internationally, it may complicate Trumps relationship with European conservative parties, many of which have long sought close association with the Vatican.

The pope, as the leader of a vast global community, cannot be treated as though he were just another political opponent.
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Rama Duwaji, the wife of New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, has issued an apology for "harmful" social media posts she made as a teenager.

Her public statement follows a conservative news outlet's investigation into her online profiles, which resurfaced material including a post containing an anti-gay slur.

In an interview with the arts website Hyperallergic, Duwaji, an illustrator by profession, conveyed "a lot of shame being confronted with language I used that is so harmful to others," adding that "being 15 doesn't excuse it."

She further stated, "Ive read and seen a lot of what others have had to say in response, and I understand the hurt I caused and am truly sorry."

open image in gallery Mayor Mamdani previously described his wife as a private person who does not hold a formal position in City Hall ( Getty )

Duwaji did not specify which comments she was referring to, nor did she address other, more recent social media activity concerning Israel.

This activity has drawn considerable scrutiny as Mayor Mamdani endeavors to alleviate concerns among some in the city's Jewish community regarding his own criticisms of Israel's treatment of Palestinians.

Last month, The Washington Free Beacon reported on years of Duwajis online activity across various platforms.

Their findings included posts praising female Palestinian militants involved in plane hijackings and bombings in the 1960s and early 1970s.

In 2015, she shared a post where another individual wrote that Tel Aviv was occupying Palestinian land and "shouldnt exist."

The report also noted Duwaji's use of a racial slur for Black people, albeit while affectionately addressing a friend, and an abbreviated slur for gay people in 2013.

open image in gallery When asked about the posts his wife regretted, Mamdani said, What I will say, however, is that she is someone of incredible integrity ( AP )

Mayor Mamdani previously described his wife as a "private person" who does not hold a formal position in City Hall.

When asked Thursday about the specific posts his wife regretted, Mamdani demurred, stating, "She shared some of her reflections in this interview. I wont add much to them, what I will say, however, is that she is someone of incredible integrity."

He added that questions about Duwaji's social media activity were "part and parcel" of his decision to run for mayor, "a decision that has ramifications for those that I love."

Separately, Duwaji has faced criticism for liking an Instagram post that appeared to celebrate Hamas' October 7, 2023, surprise attack on Israel.

The Free Beacon also reported that Duwaji provided an illustration for an essay by an author who described the October 7 attack as "spectacular" and referred to Jewish Israelis as "rootless soulless ghouls."

Mamdani clarified that his wife had been commissioned to illustrate an excerpt of a book by a third party, had never engaged with or met the author, and had not seen the author's previous comments.

He condemned the author's rhetoric as "patently unacceptable" and "reprehensible."
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An Australian judge has dismissed an appeal by Daniel Duggan, a former US Marine Corps pilot, who is fighting extradition to the United States over allegations he illegally trained Chinese military aviators more than a decade ago.

Mr Duggan is accused of training Chinese military pilots while working for the Test Flying Academy of South Africa. He denies the allegations, calling them "political posturing" and claiming the US unfairly singled him out.

Federal Court Justice James Stellios ruled no jurisdictional error was made in 2024 by then Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus in ordering Duggan's extradition.

Outside the Canberra court, Duggans wife, Saffrine Duggan, a mother of six, said his lawyers would consider a further appeal. They are also urging the current Attorney-General, Michelle Rowland, to reverse the extradition order.

We are very disappointed by this ruling and we will consider our options carefully. But make no mistake, we will not give up, Saffrine Duggan said. Today does not end our search for justice.

open image in gallery Saffrine Duggan, the wife of Daniel Duggan, talks to the media outside the Federal Court of Australia in Canberra. ( AFP/Getty )

Rowlands office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

A 2016 indictment from the U.S. District Court in Washington, which was unsealed in late 2022, alleges Duggan conspired with others to provide training to Chinese military pilots in 2010 and 2012, and possibly other times, without applying for an appropriate license.

Prosecutors allege Duggan received about nine payments totaling around 88,000 Australian dollars ($61,000) from another conspirator as well as travel to the U.S., South Africa and China for what was sometimes described as personal development training.

Duggan, who is 57 and was born in Boston, has been held in maximum security prisons since he was arrested in 2022 at a supermarket near his family home in New South Wales.
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Money is changing at a pace that would have seemed unthinkable even a few years ago. In just the last ten years, credit cards, debit cards and mobile phones have displaced cash, with notes and coins being used less and less as physical money gives way to digital.

Given this growing trend, the European Central Bank (ECB) is now working towards the launch of the digital euro  an electronic version of public money  with the aim of providing a safe, secure public option for making digital payments.

Europe is not alone in this pursuit, as more than 130 countries are exploring or have already launched their own digital currency. China leads the pack with its digital yuan  also known as the digital renminbi  which has seen more than 7 trillion yuan in transactions and is used in over 26 cities.

The idea seems simple, but it will have major, potentially complex implications, both for ordinary people and for Europes financial systems.

What exactly is the digital euro?

The digital euro is non-bank public money. It has the same validity as a physical banknote but in digital form, and it is issued by the ECB without the involvement of private banks. Unlike a bank balance  which is a promise from the bank that could fail  it is as secure as cash.

A tentative timeline for the digital euros rollout ( Banco de Espana )

Digital euros will be stored in a virtual wallet, which will not work like a traditional bank card (whether physical or stored on a mobile phone). Although handling it will be similar, it is fundamentally different because will be linked to public money issued by the ECB, not to money deposited in a private bank.

Debit cards will continue to rely on traditional bank accounts, while the digital euro will be like carrying cash in your pocket. It will be a balance that does not depend on the solvency of any financial institution.

The digital euro will not be used to take out loans or make investments, nor will it generate interest. It will simply be a means of payment, like cash, cards or online transfer services like Bizum. The ECB will not perform the functions of a commercial bank and will not open personal accounts. The digital wallets themselves will be provided by financial institutions, just as they currently offer cards and current accounts. Businesses will accept it just as they currently accept cash.

One key feature is that the digital euro will also work without an internet connection, enabling payments in rural areas or in the event of network outages. This sets it apart from most current digital banking services.

Rollout by 2029

In February 2026, the European Parliament formally endorsed the digital euro project, describing it as essential to strengthening EU monetary sovereignty.

The ECB is currently developing the technical and legal infrastructure required for its implementation. The Bank of Spain has summarised this process in a timeline, which shows how the digital euro will progress towards a possible launch in 2029:

2026-2027: Technological development and pilot projects in several European countries

2028: Launch of a limited use programme for selected businesses and citizens

2029: Possible official issuance of the digital euro throughout the eurozone. This final stage will only occur if the test phases have been satisfactory, and if the digital euro does not pose a threat to financial stability.

Privacy and the digital wallet

One of the most sensitive issues is that of privacy. To address this, the ECBs proposed design for the digital euro ensures that neither governments nor central banks will be able to see citizens balances and transactions. Only financial institutions will have access to that information, just as they do today.

About the author Debora Gonzalez Celdran, Profesora lectora en Finanzas, Universitat de Barcelona. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.

Furthermore, in offline payment mode not even the financial institution would be aware of the details of each transaction. The digital euro will therefore offer a level of privacy comparable to that of cash.

The digital euro and the banking system

A 2022 study by the International Monetary Fund warned that if citizens transfer part of their bank deposits to digital euro wallets, it could reduce banks ability to grant loans, which is one of their core businesses.

To safeguard the stability of the banking system, the ECB will cap the digital euro at around 3,000 per person. This will prevent the risk of banks running out of funds to provide mortgages or loans.

What are the risks?

A payment network serving hundreds of millions of Europeans would be an ideal target for hackers. The Bank for International Settlements has warned that if the security of the European digital currency were to fail, confidence in the financial system could collapse overnight.

This means it is vitally important that the digital euro be inclusive and accessible. This can be achieved through a technological design that allows it to function offline and on low-end devices. It must also meet basic accessibility criteria  2023 data from Eurostat estimated that 21% of Europeans aged between 16 and 74 lacked basic digital skills.

One of the biggest fears is that the digital euro could become an instrument of control. In China, the digital yuan allows the government to see every transaction made by its users. Europe has explicitly rejected this model, as Christine Lagarde, President of the ECB, highlighted at a press conference in 2025.

The digital euro represents the natural evolution of public money in an increasingly digital economy. Its success will depend on whether or not it can offer security, respect privacy, and be made accessible to all citizens.
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An elaborate rescue operation has commenced in Germany to save a sick humpback whale, which has repeatedly stranded itself off the Baltic Sea coast and captured national attention for weeks.

Nicknamed "Timmy" by local media, the whale is currently lying in shallow waters near the eastern German town of Wismar, having barely moved for several days.

Concerns are mounting that the animal may not survive.

Timmy was first sighted in the region on 3 March. Its presence in the Baltic Sea, far from its natural habitat, remains a mystery.

Experts speculate the whale may have become disoriented while pursuing a shoal of herring or during its migration.

The animal faces long odds in finding its way back to the North Sea  a journey of several hundred kilometres  and then to the Atlantic Ocean.

Previous rescue efforts have failed

Attempts to refloat the mammal with the help of police boats, excavators and inflatable boats had temporarily freed it.

But the whale, which measures 12 to 15 meters (39 to 49 feet) long, never found its way back to the North Sea and was stranded again while becoming weaker and sicker.

open image in gallery The whale, which has been nicknamed Timmy by local media, is lying in shallow waters near the eastern German town of Wismar and has barely moved for days ( AP )

Local media have started days-long livestreams to feed the outsized public atttention on the fate of the whale, which is lying in shallow waters and only breathing slowly and heavily.

Online newspapers have pushed alerts with the smallest developments about Timmy's health including updates on its bad skin condition, which is related to the Baltic Sea's low salt content.

Activists have staged protests on the beach in Wismar calling for the animal's liberation, while influencers have debated whether the best way to help the animal was to let it die in peace or keep trying to assist its return to the Atlantic Ocean.

Timmy getting police protection and expert assistance

Interest in the whale has been so strong that police had put up a 500-meter (1,640 foot) protection zone to keep curious bystanders from getting too close and stressing the stranded whale even more.

open image in gallery Rescuers try to help a stranded humpback whale off the Baltic Sea coast near the island of Poel, near Wismar, northern Germany ( AFP/Getty )

Despite these efforts, a 67-year-old woman jumped off a boat on the weekend trying to get close to the whale before she was stopped.

Experts have come up with a sophisticated plan to use air cushions to lift the animal onto a tarp, which will be secured to two pontoons and attached to a tugboat.

State officials have approved a private initiative to transport the whale back to the North Sea and possibly further to the Atlantic. If everything goes according to plan, the tugboat carrying Timmy will have left the Baltic Sea by Friday.

Hes not active, and hes certainly not agile, but he shows that theres still life in him, Till Backhaus, the environment minister of the state of Mecklenburg-Pomerania, where Wismar is located, said Wednesday as he announced the new rescue plan. Hes definitely suffered serious damage, thats for sure.
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A Polish national has been sentenced to 13 years in a maximum-security penal colony by a court in Russian-controlled Luhansk for allegedly fighting for Ukraine.

The Russian Prosecutor General's Office announced on Thursday that Krzysztof Flaczek, 47, arrived in Ukraine in September 2024, underwent training, and began combat operations. Russia claims he received financial compensation and was detained by their forces in November 2024.

Prosecutors stated: "Taking into account the position of the state prosecutor, the court sentenced the militant to 13 years of imprisonment to be served in a maximum-security penal colony."

The trial took place in Russian-controlled Luhansk, one of four Ukrainian regions Moscow unilaterally claimed in 2022  a move rejected by Kyiv and Western nations as an illegal land grab. Russian courts have previously sentenced several other Western Europeans, including two Britons, for similar charges.

open image in gallery The trial took place in Russian-controlled Luhansk ( Sputnik )

On Thursday Russia has hammered civilian areas of Ukraine with hundreds of drones and dozens of missiles in an attack that stretched for hours from daytime into the night, killing at least 16 people and injuring more than 100 others, officials said.

Russia launched nearly 700 drones and dozens of ballistic and cruise missiles, primarily targeting civilians, in its biggest aerial barrage in almost two weeks, authorities said.

Moscow's forces have hit civilian areas almost daily since its all-out invasion of its neighbour more than four years ago, with the regular assaults occasionally punctuated by massive attacks. More than 15,000 Ukrainian civilians have died in the strikes, the United Nations says.

The Russian Defence Ministry said the operation was launched "in retaliation" for Ukrainian strikes deep inside Russia, where long-range drones and missiles have hit Russian oil refineries and war-related manufacturing plants.

The Russian barrage was aimed at facilities associated with the Ukrainian armed forces, the Defence Ministry claimed.

European Council president Antonio Costa described it as "yet another horrendous attack" while people slept in their homes.

The latest bombardment came in the wake of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's 48-hour trip this week to Germany, Norway and Italy in an urgent search for more air defence systems that can stop Russian missiles.
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Hungarys incoming prime minister has vowed to shut down state media news channels when he takes power, describing it as a factory of lies in an extraordinary series of interviews after his landslide election win.

In its place, prime minister-elect Peter Magyar said, the incoming Tisza party will build a real, independent public broadcaster  one where the opposition finally has a voice too.

Mr Magyar won a critical election against nationalist prime minister Viktor Orban on Sunday, ending a 16-year tenure that saw his government take strict control over state media channels as part of his so-called illiberal democracy.

open image in gallery Election winner Peter Magyar, leader of the opposition Tisza Party, speaks to the media on the day of a meeting with Hungarys president, Tamas Sulyok ( Reuters )

In a series of tense interviews on the pro-Orban channels, on which he was not platformed during the election campaign, Mr Magyar lashed out at what he described as a propaganda machine, accusing them of spreading lies and comparing the coverage to that of North Korea and Nazi Germany.

Every Hungarian deserves a public service media that broadcasts the truth, the leader-elect told Kossuth state radio, stating his government would pass a new legislation and create a new media regulator which would allow state media to actually do what it is meant to do.

In an interview on TV channel M1, Mr Magyar said, according to a translation shared by the political scientist Branislav Slantchev: Before we get started, let me just point out how strange this is. The last time I was invited on public media was more than a year and a half ago.

It took an unprecedented mandate from over 3.3 million Hungarians for the leader of the strongest party to finally be allowed back on air.

He continued: We will immediately suspend this lying news service.

After we form the government, one of our very first tasks will be to shut down this factory of lies and build a real, independent public broadcaster  one where the opposition finally has a voice too.

open image in gallery Peter Magyar shared a photograph of himself with president Dr. Tamas Sulyok in a tense standoff ( Peter Magyar / X )

These mark only the latest of Mr Magyars attacks on the existing status quo in Hungary. On Wednesday, the new prime minister ramped up pressure on the countrys president to resign, just moments after he was asked to form a government.

Mr Magyar shared a picture of himself alongside president Dr Tamas Sulyok, hands crossed as they stood in front of the flags of Hungary and the European Union.

He tagged the president, an ally of his predecessor Viktor Orban, in the post, saying he was unworthy of representing the unity of the Hungarian nation, unfit to serve as the guardian of legality, and not fit to serve as a moral authority or a role model.
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There is an odd sense of isolation when you are covering Pope Leo XIV from inside the Vaticans travelling press pool: Escorted from venue to venue with police motorcades that clear even the most congested of traffic jams, its a membership that has many privileges.

But during Leos epic four-nation trip to Africa, being inside the Vatican bubble has been an almost surreal experience, as an unprecedented back-and-forth plays out between U.S. President Donald Trump and historys first American pope.

Every morning this week, waking up to developments in Washington from the evening before, the questions have abounded: Will Leo bite? How will he address the latest criticism, if at all, while focusing on the Africa program he has planned?

That was certainly the case on Wednesday, as Leo, the Vatican delegation and a pool of around 70 accredited reporters boarded the ITA Airways charter for the second leg of Leos 11-day odyssey  the flight from Algiers, Algeria, to Yaounde, Cameroon.

open image in gallery Pope Leo XIV speaks to journalists aboard his flight bound for Algiers Houari Boumediene International Airport ( AP )

Much to the reporters delight, Leo had responded head-on to Trump at the start of the trip when he gamely came to the back of the plane and greeted journalists travelling April 13 from Rome to Algiers. He responded to those who asked him about Trumps Truth Social post a day earlier, in which the U.S. president had accused him of being soft on crime, cozy with the left and owed his papacy to Trump.

Trump was responding to Leos calls for peace, in reference to the Iran war, and comments that Trumps threat to annihilate Iranian civilisation was truly unacceptable.

Stopping to chat as he made his way from row to row that first day, Leo had told journalists that he was merely preaching the Gospel when he called for peace and criticised war, and that he didnt fear the Trump administration.

A comment about peace

On Tuesday, on the short flight from Algiers to Annaba, the ancient city of Hippo, Leo stayed in the front of the plane where the Vatican delegation sits, dashing the Vatican pool's hopes for another Trump vs. Leo news cycle.

On Wednesday, with a five-hour flight ahead of us to Cameroon, excitement grew in economy class when Vatican personnel came to the back of the plane, readied the microphone and did sound checks to make sure the whole cabin could hear.

Emerging from behind the curtain, Leo didnt take questions from reporters and kept his remarks focused on his just-concluded visit to Algeria, where he honoured the legacy of his spiritual inspiration, St. Augustine of Hippo.

open image in gallery Pope Leo XIV meets the Algerian Community in the Basilica of Our Lady of Africa in Algiers ( AP )

In brief remarks standing at the front of the cabin, Leo didnt refer to war or Trump. But he spoke in terms that could suggest the latest overnight lobs from Washington certainly hadn't gone unnoticed. Perhaps tellingly, he spoke exclusively in English.

Trump had kept up the criticism on Truth Social, while U.S. Vice President JD Vance, a Catholic convert, said that Leo should be careful when speaking about theology.

For starters, Leo noted the sign of goodness, generosity, and respect that the Algerian government showed him in welcoming him on the first-ever papal visit. He said that the Algerian honours had included a full military aerial escort of the papal plane through Algerian airspace.

He also recalled his visit to the Great Mosque in Algiers, which he said was a significant way to show that although we have different beliefs, we have different ways of worshipping, we have different ways of living, we can live together in peace.

He said that St. Augustines message of searching for God, searching for truth, building bridges and seeking unity and community is something which the world needs to hear today and that together we can continue to offer in our witness as we continue on this apostolic voyage.

A papal press pool

Like other heads of state, the pope travels internationally with both his own media team as well as a group of external news organisations that pay, oftentimes handsomely, to have their reporters travel aboard the papal plane and have special access to cover his events. The Associated Press is always on the plane, paying for as many as four journalists per trip.

Being inside the Vatican bubble has journalistic advantages and disadvantages. You get the best access and are travelling under the Vaticans security umbrella, meaning theres little or no hassle from local security organisers. The Vatican facilitates visas and local SIM cards in advance, and arranges hotels and local transportation, allowing reporters to focus on the news rather than logistics.

Journalists in the bubble get the popes speeches ahead of time and have occasional access to delegation members, as well as other information in real time from the Vatican spokesman.

open image in gallery The Pope waves as he boards the papal plane ahead of his first journey to Algeria, Angola, Cameroon and Equatorial Guinea ( Reuters )

But the real reason news organisations choose to spend thousands of dollars per journalist, per trip, to be on the papal plane is to be on hand for the popes news conferences. The only time a pope holds such briefings with journalists is at an altitude of 35,000 feet (around 10,000 meters)

Who could forget Pope Francis famous line on his maiden trip as pope, in 2013 to Rio de Janeiro, when he uttered the line Who am I to judge, when he was asked about a purportedly gay priest.

The downside of being in the Vatican bubble is obvious for many of the same reasons its helpful: You are removed from local reality, whether in Algeria or Alaska, and rarely have time to do the type of on-the-ground reporting that makes a news report balanced.

Those news organisations that have the resources have teams on the ground producing such content, or journalists within the bubble break away to do their own reporting, so that the end result is a healthy combination of official Vatican information and local input.

But when the real drama involving the pope is occurring thousands of miles and time zones away, being in the Vatican bubble is a somewhat jarring experience. The news everyone wants to know isnt necessarily what the pope has on his agenda.

But on this trip, the first by an American pope to Africa, being in the Vatican bubble certainly had its advantages. The next stop is Angola. Who knows what Leo will have to say.
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Soldiers fighting in Ukraine are increasingly turning to the supernatural, seeking solace and solutions from figures like self-described witch Natalia Malinovskaya.

Amidst the ongoing conflict and economic uncertainty, a growing number of Russians are being drawn to the dark arts.

Operating from her darkened Moscow apartment, Malinovskaya, who claims to have inherited her powers from her grandmother and frequently appears on Russian television, offers a range of services from love spells to protection from evil. Demonstrating her method of detecting negative energy by wafting a lit match over a glass, she notes that most clients seek help for relationship problems, including soldiers worried about their partners' faithfulness.

"They contact me, and there are many of them," Malinovskaya stated, though she cautions that spells can only be cast in person when soldiers are on leave. "It's impossible to carry out a ritual at the front. Where would someone burn candles, and how would I even send them there?" This reliance on mysticism reflects Russia's centuries-old tradition where Orthodox Christianity, folk superstitions, and mystical beliefs have coexisted, even through periods of religious repression.

open image in gallery A fortune teller lays out Tarot cards on a table in a bar in Moscow ( Reuters )

Interest surged in the final years of the Russian Empire - when faith healer Rasputin's influence over the tsar's family caused public outrage - and again during the chaotic years after the Soviet Union's collapse. After a period of decline it is on the rise again.

"Today's geopolitical and economic challenges in Russia and worldwide heighten anxiety, triggering a surge in mysticism," state pollster VTsIOM said in March as it published a poll showing that 85% of Russians had dabbled in magical practices.

"In such conditions, especially against the backdrop of military threats, belief (regardless of which gods are involved) turns into a tool of psychological defense," it said. Russian forces have been on the offensive in Ukraine for over four years, fuelling a deadly crisis that has damaged Russia's international standing, slowed the economy and driven up the cost of living.

Nearly half of Russians believe that some people may be able to predict the future or have magical powers, the survey showed, up from less than a third in 2019.

open image in gallery Evgeniya Chassagnard, founder of the voodoo-themed bar Marie Laveau, speaks during an interview in Moscow, Russia February 13, 2026 ( Reuters )

Demand for crystal balls and protective amulets more than doubled last year, while sales of aspen stakes - said to defend the owner from evil spirits - quadrupled, said Russian cash register operator ATOL, citing consumer spending data.

At Witch Store in Moscow, which sells crystals, tarot guides, and other magical paraphernalia, a couple of customers browsed the shelves looking for incense to cleanse the air or bring good luck.

"Black obsidian spheres are very popular and in high demand. Obsidian is considered a stone of safety," said the shop's co-owner, Yulia Gusanova, referring to volcanic glass.

open image in gallery Fortune teller Arina Frants lays out Tarot cards on a table in the voodoo-themed bar Marie Laveau in Moscow ( Reuters )

Voodoo-themed bar Marie Laveau, which offers tarot readings, has benefited from the zeitgeist, said owner Evgeniya Chassagnard. "It turned out that we matched perfectly with the moment," she said.

A Devilish power

The revival has its opponents. Last year, a group of lawmakers submitted a bill to ban adverts for services such as astrology and energy healing, warning that they can lead to the financial exploitation of vulnerable people.

Patriarch Kirill, the head of Russia's Orthodox Church, backed the idea of a ban last year and in January decried the "mass manipulative influence" of fortune-tellers and psychics.

"There is a dark force present in fortune-telling. If miracles involve divine power and grace, then fortune-telling involves a devilish power," he told state news agency TASS in a separate interview, implying a link with "satanism" which was outlawed by the Supreme Court last year.

open image in gallery Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia leads the Orthodox Easter service at the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour in Moscow, Russia April 12, 2026 ( Reuters )

Asked if the church, which sometimes performs exorcisms, considered psychics as rivals, a spokesman for the church, Vakhtang Kupshidze, told Reuters that this was missing the point.

"We don't exactly see them as competitors, because competition implies ... a struggle for clients," he said.
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A 14-year-old student opened fire at a school in southern Turkey on Wednesday, killing eight students and a teacher and wounding 13 others.

This is the second school shooting in the country in two days and the deadliest in recent memory.

The attacker, an eighth-grader at Ayser Calik Secondary School in the Kahramanmaras area, entered the building carrying five guns and seven magazines and reached two fifth-grade classrooms before being killed, officials said.

Local governor Mukerrem Unluer said the weapons were believed to belong to the student's father, a former police officer, and both parents were detained.

Six of the 13 wounded were in intensive care, three of them in critical condition.

Interior minister Mustafa Ciftci said the government did not consider the shooting a terrorist attack but an "individual incident", adding that authorities "will take necessary precautions" without providing details.

Video footage showed students jumping from first-floor windows and running from the premises.

Witnesses described scenes of panic as the attack unfolded. "The sound of gunfire was very intense," a reporter for Turkish broadcaster NTV said.

open image in gallery Members of education unions chant slogans as they hold a banner which reads "We will not surrender our schools to violence" during a protest against school shootings in front of the Ministry of National Education headquarters in Ankara ( AFP/Getty )

Tearful parents gathered outside as news broke, with one father, Omer Erdag, telling AFP that his child had witnessed the scene. "My child said, 'Dad, my friend got hurt'," he said. "How am I going to bring my kids to this school again?"

Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan said he wished for a "speedy recovery to our children, our families, and our teachers."

The shooting came a day after a former student opened fire at a vocational school elsewhere in southern Turkey, wounding 16 people before killing himself. There were no immediate indications the two attacks were connected, but together they have shaken a country where mass shootings are rare and where educators have spent years warning that violence in schools is on the rise.

Last month, a former student stabbed a teacher to death in a classroom at a vocational high school in the city of Istanbul, injuring another teacher and a student in the same attack.

Educators said the pattern of violence reflected deep structural failures. Kadem Ozbay, chair of educators' union Egitim Is, said the growing sense of insecurity in schools stemmed from poverty, high rates of gun ownership, and government policies he argued undervalued teachers and education.

"When a parent sends his child to school, he trusts only in the school," he told New York Times. "But people don't have safety anymore in schools." Another union official said one of its members had taught the Wednesday attacker, describing him as "very reserved, speaking to no one, asocial".

Unions have called on the government to deploy more security guards, school nurses and counsellors to identify and support troubled students before violence occurs.
Zelensky blames Iran was for stalled weapon supply as Russia continues to attack Ukraine

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Volodymyr Zelensky has hit out at Israel amid a burgeoning row over the purchase of grain stolen by Russia from occupied Ukrainian territories.

The Ukrainian president said on Tuesday that Israels decision to buy from Russia cannot be legitimate business and that Kyiv was preparing sanctions against those attempting to profit from it.

A Ukrainian diplomatic source, speaking earlier on condition of anonymity, said that if Israel did not reject the latest cargo, Kyiv would reserve the right to deploy a full suite of diplomatic and international legal responses.

Ukraines foreign ministry said on Monday it had summoned Israels ambassador for not acting to stop Russian shipments of grain from entering the country. Kyiv confronted Israel earlier this month over another Russian ship allowed to dock in Israel with stolen grain.

Israels foreign minister said that Ukraine had provided no evidence to support the claims that the grain was stolen, accusing him of conducting diplomacy through the media.

Kyiv considers all grain produced in the four regions Russia claimed as its own since invading Ukraine in 2022, and Crimea, annexed by Russia in 2014, to have been stolen by Moscow.
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Israel and Lebanon have agreed to a 10-day ceasefire, Donald Trump said on Thursday, as he claimed credit for solving his 10th war.

The truce follows a month-long bombing campaign by Israel against targets it says are linked to the Iran-backed Hezbollah militant group.

Lebanon, which has insisted on a ceasefire before engaging in more talks, says the Israeli army has killed more than 2,000 people in its country, including health workers and journalists, since the start of last month.

The president invited the leaders of both countries to the White House for the first such high-level talks since 1983.

He wrote on Truth Social: It has been my Honor to solve 9 Wars across the World, and this will be my 10th, so lets, GET IT DONE!

Ursula von der Leyen welcomed the 10-day ceasefire as a relief, adding that the war had already claimed far too many lives.

Lebanon and Israel signed an agreement in 1983 saying Lebanon would formally recognise Israel, and Israel would withdraw from Lebanon. The deal fell apart during Lebanon's civil war and was formally rescinded a year later.

Israel and Hezbollah on Thursday exchanged fire across the border, with Hezbollah targeting towns in northern Israel with rockets and drones. Israeli fire against southern Lebanon intensified, especially around the cities of Tyre, Nabatieh and the strategic town of Bint Jbeil near the border with Israel.

Israel and Lebanon have technically been at war since Israel was established in 1948, and Lebanon remains deeply divided over diplomatic engagement with Israel.

Israeli troops have pushed deeper into southern Lebanon to create what officials have called a security zone, which Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu has said will extend at five to six miles into Lebanon.

Earlier, Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth warned that American forces are locked and loaded to attack Iran again if it does not agree to a deal after its current ceasefire.

The US defence secretary warned the Iranian regime to choose wisely, as Pakistani mediators work to bring officials from Washington and Tehran back to the negotiating table.

We are reloading with more power than ever before, and better intelligence, he told a news briefing. We are locked and loaded on your critical dual-use infrastructure, on your remaining power generation, and on your energy industry. Wed rather not have to do it.

Officials from the US, including President Trump, have launched repeated threats against Iran in their attempts to push the regime towards accepting a deal on its terms.

open image in gallery Pete Hegseth speaks during a briefing on the Iran war at the Pentagon in Washington ( Reuters )

High-level talks on Saturday, mediated by Pakistani officials, failed to produce an agreement with both sides appearing to remain far apart on key issues. A delegation from Pakistan arrived in Iran on Wednesday to convey a message from the US, but no date has been set for a resumption in talks, nor confirmation that they will actually take place.

Continuing his warning, Mr Hegseth said: You, Iran, can choose a prosperous future, a golden bridge, and we hope that you do for the people of Iran. But if Iran chooses poorly, then they will have a blockade and bombs dropping on infrastructure, power and energy.

At the centre of the ongoing gap in position between the US and Iran is the issue of the Strait of Hormuz, the critical waterway through which one-fifth of the worlds oil supply typically flows. The US imposed a blockade of the Strait earlier this week, seeking to ramp up pressure on the Iranian economy.

But Washington has expressed optimism that the war is nearing an end, believing that the blockade could push Tehran to its limit.

open image in gallery General Dan Caine speaks during a briefing on the Iran war, with a map in the background showing a blockade line on the Strait of Hormuz ( Reuters )

Addressing the Iranian leadership, Mr Hegseth said that the blockade is the polite way that this can go. General Dan Caine, the chair of the US militarys Joint Chiefs of Staff, who was present at the press briefing, said American forces are ready to resume major combat operations at literally a moments notice.

On Thursday, Chinas foreign minister Wang Yi said the priority was to push the two sides back towards the negotiating table, noting the serious impacts the protracted conflict has had on international energy security and the security of shipping routes in the Strait of Hormuz.

Beijing had told Iran earlier on Thursday that it must reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

open image in gallery One fifth of the worlds oil supply typically passes through the Strait of Hormuz ( Reuters )

It came one day after Trump vowed to reopen the strait for China in an unusual concession to a trade rival, promising the situation will never happen again. He claimed Xi Jinping would give me a big, fat hug when I get there in a few weeks, referring to a planned visit to Beijing.

In the press conference, Gen Caine said that US Navy ships would pursue any Iranian-flagged vessel that attempted to provide material support to Iran.

Such ships would be intercepted, and he warned that if you do not comply with this blockade, we will use force. Enforcement, Gen Caine added, would occur inside Irans territorial seas and in international waters.
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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Pakistans army chief is set to meet with Iranian officials in Tehran on Thursday in a bid to ease tensions in the Middle East and arrange a second round of negotiations between the US and Iran after almost seven weeks of war.

Field Marshal Asim Munir and a high-level delegation arrived in Tehran as part of Islamabad's ongoing efforts to renew talks between the US and Iran.

Pakistan has emerged as a key mediator after it hosted direct talks between the US and Iran in Islamabad that authorities said helped narrow differences between the two sides. Mediators are seeking a new round before the ceasefire expires next week.

Trump has referred to Munir as his "favourite field marshal" and has met him at least two times at the White House.

The White House said any further talks would likely take place in the Pakistani capital of Islamabad, though no decision had been made on whether to resume negotiations.

The US naval blockade of Iranian ports continued as US treasury secretary Scott Bessent said the Trump administration would ramp up economic pain on Iran with new economic sanctions on countries doing business with it, calling the move the financial equivalent of a bombing campaign.

Meanwhile, Trump wrote late Wednesday on Truth Social that leaders from Israel and Lebanon would speak the next day in a renewed effort to broker a ceasefire after the countries' first direct talks in decades ended the previous day in Washington without a deal. It was not clear what leaders Trump was referring to. The Israeli prime ministers office did not immediately respond for comment, which was posted before dawn in Israel and Lebanon.

open image in gallery Wael and Ali Sabbagh, whose mother Afaf Sidaoui and brother Hassan were killed in an Israeli strike on an apartment building on April 8, stand at the strike site in Tallet El Khayat in Beirut, Lebanon ( Reuters )

The war has jolted markets and rattled the global economy as shipping has been cut off and airstrikes have torn through military and civilian infrastructure across the region. Oil prices have fallen amid hopes for an end to fighting, and US stocks on Wednesday surpassed records set in January.

Even as the US blockade on Iranian ports and renewed Iranian threats strained the ceasefire agreement, regional officials reported progress, telling The Associated Press the United States and Iran had an in principle agreement to extend it to allow for more diplomacy. They spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive negotiations.

Iran's foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, took part in a preliminary meeting on Wednesday with Asim Munir, Pakistan's army chief of staff, Iranian state media reported.

But even as mediators worked for peace, tensions simmered. The commander of Irans joint military command, Ali Abdollahi, threatened to halt trade in the region if the U.S. does not lift its naval blockade, and a newly-appointed military adviser to Iranian supreme leader Mojtaba Khamenei said he doesnt support extending the ceasefire.

Mediators are pushing for a compromise on three main sticking points that derailed direct talks last weekend  Irans nuclear program, the Strait of Hormuz and compensation for wartime damages, according to a regional official involved in the mediation efforts.

open image in gallery Smoke rises from the site of an Israeli airstrike that targeted the southern Lebanese village of Kfar Tibnit on April 15, 2026. ( AFP/Getty )

Iranian foreign ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei said Iran is open to discussing the type and level of its uranium enrichment, but his country based on its needs, must be able to continue enrichment, Iranian state media reported.

The fighting has killed at least 3,000 people in Iran, more than 2,100 in Lebanon, 23 in Israel and more than a dozen in Gulf Arab states. Thirteen US service members have also been killed.

Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi said the window of peace was opening during a phone call with his Iranian counterpart, who briefed him on the latest developments in Iran-US negotiations and Tehrans considerations on the next step, according to a statement from Chinas foreign ministry late Wednesday.

Wang told Araghchi that the situation has reached a critical juncture between war and peace, and said Irans sovereignty, security, and legitimate rights should be respected as a littoral state of the Strait of Hormuz, while freedom of navigation and safety through the strait should be ensured.

Since the war began, Iran has curtailed maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, which a fifth of global oil transited through in peacetime. Tehrans effective closure of the strait sent oil prices skyrocketing, raising the cost of fuel, food and other basic goods far beyond the Middle East, and the US has responded with a blockade on Iranian shipping.

US Central Command said Wednesday that no ships had made it past the blockade since it was imposed two days earlier, while 10 merchant vessels complied with direction from U.S. forces to turn around and reenter Iranian waters.

The blockade is intended to pressure Iran, which has exported millions of barrels of oil, mostly to Asia, since the war began on 28 February. Much of it has likely been carried by so-called dark transits that evade sanctions and oversight, providing cash thats been vital to keeping Iran running.

Meanwhile, Israel pressed ahead with its aerial and ground war in Lebanon. The country's National News Agency reported airstrikes and artillery shelling throughout southern Lebanon on Wednesday, including near Bint Jbeil, where Israeli forces have encircled Hezbollah fighters.

Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israeli troops were about to eliminate this great stronghold of Hezbollah and would continue expanding control of areas in southern Lebanon. Netanyahu said negotiations are continuing, with disarming Hezbollah a key goal.

The Lebanese Health Ministry said Israel struck three teams of paramedics on Wednesday in southern Lebanon, first hitting one team and then two more that rushed to help. The attacks killed three paramedics and wounded six others, the ministry said.

The Israeli military did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Israel and Lebanon have technically been at war since Israel was established in 1948, and Lebanon remains deeply divided over diplomatic engagement with Israel.
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The United States has commenced mine-clearing operations in the Strait of Hormuz and could draw on an array of drones, explosive-laden robots, and helicopters in an effort to mitigate risks.

The mission aims to counter Iran's disruption of shipping, which has severely impacted global energy supplies following U.S and Israeli strikes against Iran at the end of February.

Despite the availability of modern technology for remote mine detection and removal, former naval officers and industry specialists caution that clearing a vital waterway like the Strait of Hormuz will remain a protracted, multi-stage endeavour.

Furthermore, de-mining crews could still face significant vulnerability to potential Iranian attacks.

The U.S military confirmed over the weekend that the operation had begun, with two warships already navigating the strait.

While specific equipment details were scarce, it was announced on Saturday that additional forces, including underwater drones, are expected to join the effort in the coming days.

Reuters reported last month, citing informed sources, that Iran had recently deployed approximately a dozen mines in the strait, though their precise locations remain undisclosed.

U.S President Donald Trump stated over the weekend that all of Irans minelaying ships had been sunk. However, some specialists warn of the persistent risk that Tehran could deploy further devices.

open image in gallery Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Dan Caine speaks next to a map showing a blockade line on the Strait of Hormuz ( Reuters )

Mine warfare is effective because the devices are cheap, are costly to clear and even the threat of a minefield is enough to stop ships, especially commercial ships," said Jon Pentreath, a retired British navy rear admiral who is now a consultant.

Modernising mimesweeping

Traditionally, the U.S. Navy relied on manned minesweeping ships that physically entered minefields, using sonars to locate the devices and mechanical gear dragged behind the vessel to clear explosives, sometimes supported by human divers. Much of that aging fleet has been retired.

They are being replaced by lighter vessels known as littoral combat ships, which carry modern minehunting equipment such as semiautonomous surface and underwater drones as well as remotecontrolled robots that enable crews to distance themselves from the minefield. The navy has three of these in deployment.

Two of those ships were undergoing maintenance in Singapore, a senior U.S. official told Reuters in late March. At the time, the U.S. minesweeping capacity in the Middle East included unmanned undersea vehicles, four of the traditional Avenger-class vessels, helicopters and divers, according to the official.

The U.S. Navy did not respond to a comment request on the mine-clearing capability it currently has in the Middle East. U.S. Central Command declined to provide further details.

open image in gallery The U.S. is trying to secure the strait from mines as part of efforts to end Iran's disruption of shipping, which has severely curbed global energy supplies since the U.S. and Israel launched strikes against Iran at the end of February. ( AFP/Getty )

Tehran is believed to possess several types of maritime mines, former naval officials and other specialists say.

These include bottom mines that rest on the seabed and detonate when ships pass above, tethered mines that are anchored but float closer to the surface, drifting mines that move freely on the water, and limpet mines that attach directly to a ships hull.

The U.S. operation will likely involve searching for mines using unmanned surface and underwater vehicles equipped with sensors.

Once a minelike object is detected, the data is typically transferred to crews operating outside the minefield, who identify the device. They then determine how it should be neutralized.

The Navys search capability now includes sonar-mounted unmanned surface and undersea vehicles, as well as helicopters that are used to spot mines near the surface, former naval officials say.

To destroy mines, the Navy can deploy systems such as the torpedoshaped Archerfish, a remotely operated device about 2 metres long that carries an explosive charge and transmits video back to operators via cable, according to its manufacturer, BAE Systems. Designed to be expendable, it costs tens of thousands of dollars.

The U.S. could also use unmanned boats towing minesweeping sleds that trigger detonations or gather mines, said Bryan Clark, a retired U.S. naval officer and senior fellow at the Hudson Institute. Human divers are also sometimes used, including for intelligence gathering, specialists say.

Slow process of clearing the Strait of Hormuz

Clearing the strait could take two or three weeks, Clark said, and Iranian attacks on mineclearing crews could slow the process and raise risks.

As a result, he said, the U.S. military may deploy defensive measures like ships and airborne drones to defend crews and equipment.

open image in gallery The U.S. operation will likely involve searching for mines using unmanned surface and underwater vehicles equipped with sensors in Strait of Hormuz ( Reuters )

Finding and destroying mines is very time consuming, U.S. Admiral Daryl Caudle, chief of naval operations, said in March. That leaves mineclearing capability vulnerable, he added.

New technologies are being developed to speed up mine clearance, particularly through advances in sensors used for detection, specialists say.

French technology and defence group Thales says its latest sonar can scan a suspected mine from three different angles in one pass, a process that typically requires multiple sweeps.

Advances in artificial intelligence are also enabling more data analysis to be carried out onboard unmanned vessels.

Longer term, the ambition is to deploy groups of unmanned systems that can search for, identify and destroy mines, rather than it being a multi-step process.

That doesnt exist today, said Mark Bock, a retired U.S. Navy captain who is now vice president of business development at Thales U.S. Navy business. But it is what all nations are trying to achieve now.
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Six weeks of U.S. and Israeli bombardment have served to degrade Irans nuclear facilities and cripple parts of its military.

But the Islamic Republics offensive capabilities have been built up over nearly 50 years, during which Iran has been either at war or under the threat of conflict.

As an expert in military history and theory, I believe that to understand what may come next in Operation Epic Fury, its valuable to grasp the development of Irans modern military structure, capabilities and international activities.

Iranian military technology

Prior to the establishment of the Islamic Republic of Iran in 1979, Irans military was largely supplied by Western powers, particularly the United States.

It entered the Iran-Iraq war in 1980 with a substantial amount of then-modern equipment. That included nearly 80 F-14 fighter aircraft, over 200 F-4 and F-5 aircraft and thousands of tanks.

Iran has constantly sought means of exerting military influence beyond its borders, without risking external attack ( Erik Marmor/Getty Images )

But Irans military was exhausted when the war ended in 1988. And the government had by then become a world pariah, making resupply all but impossible.

Although Iran imported some military equipment from the Soviet Union and China in 1990, its economy could not support substantial military spending.

Ironically, the arms embargoes that Iran faced during and after its war with Iraq made the regime self-reliant on its weapons stockpiles. And that triggered the development of a substantial domestic arms industry.

Most modern Iranian military equipment consists of reverse-engineered American and Soviet equipment, much of it obsolete. Since 1990, however, Iranian missile technology has substantially improved. Thats due to domestic production and importing expertise from other marginalized states, such as North Korea.

Starting in the 1990s, Iran also innovated a series of one-way attack drones, a relatively inexpensive way to attack distant targets.

The modern Iranian military

The Iranian military is split into the regular military, or Artesh, and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. The Artesh plays a domestic defense role akin to a militia, while the Revolutionary Guard serves as the more professional military force.

The Revolutionary Guard projects regional power. During the 2003 U.S.-Iraq war, for instance, it provided improvised explosive devices to insurgents targeting American forces.

The Revolutionary Guard tends to receive the bulk of Iranian military resources, including the best personnel and equipment. Quds Force, the unconventional warfare wing of the Revolutionary Guard, has long played a role in exporting the revolutionary beliefs of the Iranian rulers. The Quds Force provides arms and guidance to proxies throughout the Middle East, primarily by fomenting insurrections against Arab Sunni governments.

Iran has long been the patron of Hezbollah, based in Lebanon, whose primary goal is the eradication of Israel. More recently, Iran has also engaged in substantial support of Hamas in Gaza, despite the fact that Hamas is a Sunni organization, while the rulers of Iran are members of the Shiite branch of Islam.

Iran has constantly sought means of exerting military influence beyond its borders, without risking external attack. It has embraced the use of cyber warfare, a method of attack with a relatively low cost for participation and a potentially outsized influence on the world stage.

Iranian hackers have attacked Western military and government networks, including a hack of FBI Director Kash Patels personal emails. Iranian-backed hackers have also launched attacks on infrastructure and cultural institutions, including U.S. wastewater treatment plants and electrical grids.

Irans pursuit of atomic weaponry

Irans government has relentlessly pursued nuclear weapons since at least the 1980s.

The Iranian government has always maintained that its nuclear program is to provide power for the developing nation, rather than weaponry. But definitive evidence of uranium enrichment far beyond the requirements of power generation have caused Western states to demand an end to the Iranian nuclear program.

In 2010, cybersecurity researcher Sergey Ulasen discovered an incredibly complex malware program, dubbed Stuxnet, that was created to undermine the Iranian nuclear program by disrupting the function of enrichment centrifuges. No nation has ever taken responsibility for the attack, which set back Iranian uranium enrichment efforts by years.

In 2015, after negotiations with the five permanent members of the U.N. Security Council and Germany, Iran agreed to halt its uranium enrichment program in exchange for relief from economic sanctions and the release of frozen Iranian assets. The negotiations resulted in the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, or JCPOA.

Although the Trump administration withdrew the U.S. from the JCPOA in 2018, the agreement continued to function, and Iran seemed poised to reenter the global economy.

However, in 2020 the Iranians restarted their nuclear program. They also ramped up production of ballistic missiles and one-way attack drones.

In June 2025, the United States and Israel launched a massive aerial attack on Iranian nuclear facilities, an effort that Trump characterized as having destroyed Irans nuclear facilities.

Iran responded by launching a wave of ballistic missiles and drones toward Israel, most of which were intercepted before entering Israeli airspace.

About the author Paul J. Springer is a Professor of Comparative Military Studies at Air University. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.

The missile and interceptor war

Prior to Operation Epic Fury, analysts estimated that Iran possessed 3,000 ballistic missiles and tens of thousands of one-way attack drones. They also concluded that Iran had a substantial production capacity to increase its stockpiles.

In the first six weeks of the current conflict, Iran expended at least 650 missiles in attacks on Israel and hundreds more against other targets in the region.

The U.S. has placed a heavy emphasis on attacking missile production and storage facilities. But its difficult to ascertain how many missiles and drones the Iranian military might still possess.

Iranian production and transportation has almost certainly sustained substantial losses in capacity. And U.S. and Israeli aircraft prowl the skies over Iran seeking signs of mobile launchers or attempts to transport missiles to firing locations.

The rate of Iranian missile fire has substantially declined since the first days of the conflict, but it has never dropped to zero. That has led some analysts to suspect that Iran maintains a significant cache of long-range weaponry in reserve, while U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth argues that it has lost the capacity to launch major barrages.
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Donald Trump has claimed the leaders of Lebanon and Israel will speak on Thursday, as they look to bring an end to more than six weeks of war between Israel and militant group Hezbollah.

The US president said he is trying to get a little breathing room between the two countries, claiming that it has been a long time since the two leaders have spoken, like 34 years. He did not clarify which leaders would speak, and prime ministerial offices in Lebanon and Israel have not responded.

The discussions would follow a series of talks between Lebanese and Israeli delegations in Washington, the first direct talks the two countries have held in decades.

It brought together Israels ambassador to Washington, Yechiel Leiter, and Lebanons ambassador, Nada Hamadeh Mouawad, with the Americans mediating.

open image in gallery Pictured: U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio (C), accompanied by U.S. State Department Counselor Michael Needham (C-L), U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon Michel Issa (C-R), Lebanese Ambassador to the U.S. Nada Hamadeh Moawad (R) and Israeli Ambassador to the U.S. Yechiel Leiter ( Getty )

Why has Israel invaded Lebanon?

Israel launched an intense bombardment on Lebanon and an invasion of the countrys south after Hezbollah fired several rockets across the border on 2 March in response to the US-Israeli attacks on Iran days earlier.

Israel has deployed five divisions in Lebanon since 16 March, and has destroyed the main bridges on the Litani river, in order to cut off the south from the rest of Lebanon.

The military described the invasion as a "targeted ground operation against key targets" in southern Lebanon which was aimed at establishing "the forward defense area. On 24 March, Israeli defense minister Israel Katz declared that military forces would demolish the border settlements in Lebanon and occupy southern Lebanon up to the Litani River.

open image in gallery First responders gather at the site of an Israeli airstrike that targeted the southern Lebanese village of Srifa on April 14 ( AFP/Getty )

On 8 April came the deadliest day of the conflict, when Israel launched a scores of airstrikes in just 10 minutes, killing more than 350 people according to Lebanese authorities.

Tens of thousands of Lebanese people were displaced from their homes and are yet to return - but Katz said these operations would continue until Hezbollah no longer posed a threat to communities in northern Israel, and ruled out allowing the displaced to return south until then.

What are the key issues being discussed in talks?

Soon after Israel's bombardment and invasion of Lebanon began, the countrys relatively new leadership - elected in early 2025 on a reformist platform which vowed to disarm non-state actors such as Hezbollah - began requesting direct talks.

Lebanon wants the talks to precede a long-term ceasefire, after Israeli officials rejected a ceasefire with Hezbollah ahead of the talks, which were confirmed by Netanyahu on 10 April. It wants Israeli forces to withdraw from southern Lebanon, the release of Lebanese prisoners held in Israel, reconstruction of the large areas in southern Lebanon and Beirut that have been destroyed, and a return of displaced people to their home.

Beirut is also pushing for international funding for its military, to allow it to deploy across the country and gain full control over Hezbollah strongholds.

open image in gallery Smoke rises following an Israeli airstrike on the village of Qlaileh, as seen from the southern port city of Tyre ( Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All right reserved )

From Israels perspective, the critical issue at hand is the future of Hezbollah and its influence in Lebanon. Furious at the militant groups decision to enter a new war, the Lebanese government has since banned the Iranian Revolutionary Guard and moved to criminalise Hezbollahs military activities.

But while Lebanese president Joseph Aoun and prime minister Nawaf Salam have moved against the Iranian-aligned group, Hezbollah retains the ability to launch attacks on northern Israel.

Could talks lead to a ceasefire?

The first direct talks were held on Tuesday, and were described by Israeli representative Mr Leiter as wonderful. During the two hour talks, he said, there was a convergence of opinion with regard to removing Hezbollahs influence in the country.

"The Lebanese government made it very clear that they will no longer be occupied by Hezbollah," Mr Leiter stated. "Iran has been weakened. Hezbollah is dramatically weakened. This is an opportunity."

open image in gallery Israeli Ambassador to the US Yechiel Leiter speaks with reporters outside of the State Department in Washington ( Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved )

But Hezbollah, which was not represented at the talks, opposed the negotiations and appeared to intensify its attacks on northern Israel in response. Senior officials have said they will not abide by any agreements made.

It is also unclear whether Israel, whose senior officials have previously rejected calls for it to halt hostilities in Lebanon, are prepared to agree to an immediate ceasefire. They did, however, halt attacks on Beirut last Wednesday on Washingtons request.

The Lebanese delegation has not officially commented on the talks.
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Lufthansa has grounded dozens of planes and Nigerian carriers are threatening to stop flying altogether as governments and airlines sound increasingly urgent alarms about diminishing jet fuel supplies and soaring prices due to the Iran war.

Carriers have hiked air fares, introduced fuel surcharges and cut some routes to preserve cash and cut costs since the start of the U.S.-Israeli war against Iran on Feb. 28.

Airlines have warned of fuel shortages within weeks, disrupting travel ahead of the Northern Hemisphere's peak summer season and deepening the aviation industry's worst crisis in years.

Germany's Lufthansa said Thursday that it will ground as many as 27 planes imminently, the first major carrier to do so, whilst Britain's easyJet warned bookings were lagging last year's.

Analysts say further capacity cuts, groundings and surcharges are likely, with markets watching airlines' results for clues to the extent of the war's impact on fragile profit margins and revenue.

The decision to ground 27 planes servicing its CityLine subsidiary, as well as four older Lufthansa-branded jets, rattled unions ( AP )

A two-week ceasefire has provided little relief with the ongoing closure of the Strait of Hormuz removing roughly a fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas supplies from the market, and refineries requiring time to repair damage from the war.

EasyJet's shares fell by as much as 9% before paring losses to close 5% lower. Ryanair was down 6% and Wizz Air and Lufthansa lost around 3% each.

Dudley Shanley, head of aviation at Goodbody, said airlines' profit outlooks will have to be pulled back, adding that slower bookings and lower yields are feeding into investor scepticism.

Nigerian airlines on Thursday warned they could stop flying as soon as Monday unless fuel prices, which have risen about 270% since late February, come down.

Currently, airline revenues are insufficient to cover the cost of fuel alone, the Airline Operators of Nigeria said.

In Australia, a fire at the largest of the country's two oil refineries added to worries about fuel security, with owner Viva Energy VEA.AX saying it expects output of petrol and aviation gasoline to be affected.

LATER BOOKINGS, MORE DOMESTIC TRAVEL

EasyJet CEO Kenton Jarvis said on a media call that travellers are booking flights closer to their travel dates and there had been an initial shift to more domestic, city destination travel.

"It's a later booking window...And if there is any shift, it's a little bit away from the eastern Mediterranean, a little bit towards the western Mediterranean," Jarvis said, adding that travel to Cyprus, Egypt and Turkey, however, was slowly recovering.

Lufthansa had launched a number of new flights to Asia in an effort to capitalise on shifting demand tied to the war. It vowed to continue its broad restructuring strategy, promising investors a more streamlined, cost-efficient company.

However, the decision to ground 27 planes servicing its CityLine subsidiary, as well as four older Lufthansa-branded jets, rattled unions. Lufthansa has faced costly and disruptive strikes by pilots and cabin crew in recent weeks.

Airlines have said it is difficult to predict how demand might shift in the second half of 2026 as tourists fear travel turmoil and price hikes.

Bookings for the July-to-September quarter were 30% sold, easyJet's Jarvis said, while load factors, the portion of available seats filled by paying customers, were uncertain.

"That will very much depend on what the late-summer market is like, and obviously what happens to the conflict in the next week or two," he said.

EasyJet, which had already warned that the war had impacted bookings and would push up ticket prices towards the end of the summer, said 70% of its summer fuel need was locked in at $706 per metric ton.

The airline's hedges will start unwinding towards the end of the summer, however, potentially pushing higher costs onto fares.

SCRAMBLE FOR ALTERNATIVE SUPPLIES

The conflict has triggered panic buying, stockpiling and diplomatic jostling for jet fuel, but countries previously reliant on the Middle East are unlikely to be able to make up for the drop in supplies from the region.

The European Union is drawing up emergency plans to maximise refinery output and importing record levels of jet fuel from the United States. It is more dependent on imports of jet fuel than for any other transport fuel, with some 75% from the Middle East.

Australia's Prime Minister Anthony Albanese embarked on a tour of Southeast Asia this week to try and secure fuel and cushion the supply shock to the economy.

On Thursday, he said Australia, which imports about 80% of its fuel, had already secured 100 million litres of diesel from Brunei and South Korea under newly expanded strategic reserve powers. Analysts warned the refinery fire would intensify upward pressure on prices.
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Indian police are set to file a criminal case against KLM Royal Dutch Airlines following a two-year legal battle by a family that spent 40,000 on tickets to Peru but were denied boarding by the flag carrier of the Netherlands, prompting questions about visa rules.

The familys plans for a 14-day holiday in South America ended in a lengthy court battle and financial losses after the airline denied them boarding at the last minute.

JS Sathishkumar, chairman of a medical institution in the southern state of Tamil Nadu, had purchased eight business-class tickets for roughly 40,000, but the airline said they didnt hold the appropriate visas to enter Peru. After several hours of waiting, they were told they wouldnt be permitted to take their flight.

The incident occurred on 19 June 2024 but grabbed headlines this week after an Indian court ordered police to register a criminal case against KLM Royal Dutch Airlines.

open image in gallery File. A KLM Royal Dutch Airlines jet at the Los Angeles airport in California ( AFP via Getty )

The affected family alleged they suffered financial losses and repeated travel disruptions after being red-flagged by the airline.

Heres a breakdown of visa rules for Indians travelling to Peru.

Do Indian nationals need a visa for Peru?

Yes. In most cases, Indian passport-holders are required to get a visa before travelling to Peru. The visa costs around Rs 3,000 (24).

Tourist and business visa applications are usually processed within 7-10 working days of the personal interview.

The embassy of Peru in Delhi told The Independent that their government had not introduced any recent change to the visa policy applicable to Indian nationals.

It clarified that Indian nationals holding ordinary passports were generally required to obtain a visa prior to travelling to Peru.

There is an exception, however, that has led to confusion.

According to Peruvian immigration rules, Indian nationals may be eligible for visa-free entry if they hold a valid visa for the US, UK, Canada, Australia, or the Schengen area. But this exemption is not automatic and comes with conditions such as that the other visa have a validity of at least six months.

The embassy said Indian nationals holding a valid visa issued by the US with a minimum validity of six months could enter the South American country without obtaining a Peruvian visa.

The above-mentioned provisions are established under Peruvian immigration regulations and are reflected on official platforms of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the National Superintendence of Migration, it added.

Alternatively, Indian passport-holders with permanent residency in any of the listed countries are eligible for visa-free entry. They may stay for up to 180 days per year, either in a single visit or over multiple trips, with the final decision resting with immigration authorities at the port of entry.

open image in gallery Machu Picchu in Peru ( Getty )

But still, airlines are responsible for verifying passenger documentation prior to boarding, generally through international database management systems such as Timatic, according to the embassy.

Why do airline checks matter?

Even if a traveller believes they meet Perus entry requirements, airlines play a critical role. This is because airlines operate under whats called carrier liability rules, which mandate them to verify travel documents before letting passengers board under international aviation norms.

Carriers can face penalties and must bear repatriation costs if a passenger is denied entry on arrival. As a result, they may take a stricter view of visa rules, particularly where exemptions are open to interpretation.

They rely on databases and guidance aligned with International Air Transport Association standards to make their decisions.

What are your rights if you are denied boarding?

In India, the compensation rules are set out by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation. If a passenger is denied boarding, their rights depend largely on the reason for the refusal.

If a passenger is denied boarding due to overbooking or operational decisions by the airline, for example, they are eligible for compensation after 24 hours or if no alternative flight is provided.

Where an airline denies boarding over documentation concerns, compensation isnt always guaranteed, particularly if the carrier believes the traveller may be refused entry at the destination.

However, if the denial is later found to be unjustified, the passenger may be entitled to refund or rebooking and, in some cases, compensation under airline policies.

The passenger may also choose to escalate the matter to senior officials or the aviation regulator.

The embassy said any passenger who believed they had been wrongly denied boarding could submit a formal complaint to the airline concerned, seek recourse before the relevant civil aviation authority, and contact the embassy with supporting documentation for further guidance.

Authorities of Peru, the embassy said, were committed to ensuring clarity in the dissemination of immigration regulations and strengthening communication with relevant stakeholders, including air carriers, to minimise the occurrence of similar situations.

What did KLM Royal Dutch Airlines and the court say in this case?

A spokesperson for KLM told the New Indian Express that the airline was obliged to comply with all applicable travel regulations.

The airline reportedly urged customers to make sure they carried the required documentation and said it regrets that some passengers experienced inconveniences without addressing the particular case.

The Devanahalli court in Karnataka directed the police to register a formal complaint against the CEO and COO of KLM Royal Dutch Airlines. The matter is now under judicial consideration.
Designs for Donald Trump's 250-foot (76-meter) "Triumphal Arch" have been unveiled by the White House.

Renderings of the ivory-colored arch, resembling the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, were formally submitted ahead of a meeting to advance the project that the president has touted for months.

The structure, intended to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the United States this year, would tower over the approximately 100-foot-tall Lincoln Memorial.

It would be the largest federal monument built in Washington DC since Franklin D. Roosevelt oversaw construction of the Thomas Jefferson Memorial in 1943.
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Amazon sellers who use the company's "Fulfillment by Amazon" service are going to be hit by a new "fuel and logistics" charge.

The new 3.5 percent charge will be in addition to the existing fulfillment fees and will go into effect on Friday, April 17.

According to Amazon, the new fees will add an average surcharge of approximately 17 cents per unit for FBA sellers, but that price can differ based on the size and dimensions of the product being sent.

The company said the fee is just a temporary measure to offset the spike in fuel costs caused by President Donald Trump's war with Iran. It did not provide a timeline outlining when the fee will be removed.

Elevated costs in fuel and logistics have increased the cost of operating across the industry," Amazon said in a statement.

Amazon is introducing a 3.5 percent surcharge on sellers using its Fulfillment By Amazon service in an effort to offset the rising cost of fuel ( PA )

The surcharge is being applied to FBA services in the U.S. and Canada, and for Remote Fulfillment with FBA shipping from the U.S. to Canada, Mexico, and Brazil.

The fee is also going to be applied to Buy with Prime in the U.S. and Multi-Channel Fulfillment services in the U.S. and Canada on May 2.

Though the surcharge is going to directly affect sellers, it's likely that Amazon customers will also foot someor allof the fee by way of price increases.

Amazon isn't the only major shipper boosting its prices to respond to surging fuel costs.

Both FedEx and UPS have introduced new fees to cover the cost of rising fuel prices, Supply Chain Dive reports.

In March, UPS announced it was introducing a $0.64 per-pound fee for parcels traveling between the U.S. and 15 Middle Eastern countries. FedEx also began applying a $0.50 per-pound charge for its parcel and freight shipments between the U.S. and the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa. Shipments from nations in those areas to the U.S. pay a $0.70 per-pound fee.

FedEx is also charging a $1.50 per-pound surcharge on parcels and freight moving between the U.S. and Israel, raising that cost from its previous surcharge of $0.50 per pound.

Amazon said in a statement in early April that it had tried to absorb the cost to avoid applying additional fees, but ultimately followed suit with its competitors.

We have absorbed these increased costs so far, the company said at the time. However, similar to other major carriers, when costs remain elevated, we implement temporary surcharges on our fulfillment fees to recover a portion of the actual cost increases we are experiencing.
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A 10-number mistake is costing a popular grocery store a seven-figure settlement.

Trader Joes has agreed to pay out a $7.4 million settlement for a 2019 receipt snafu, according to Los Angeles County Superior Court documents. Affected customers could receive an estimated $102.45, although the figure could change depending on how many people join the lawsuit.

Those affected by the mistake should receive an email or mailed notice informing them of next steps. Recipients will have one of four options: submit a claim for a portion of the settlement, opt out of the settlement, object to the settlement or do nothing.

If an affected customer chooses to do nothing, they will not receive a portion of the settlement, court records say.

The lawsuit began on July 17, 2019, when a customer filed a class-action lawsuit in Florida against Trader Joes, court documents note. He claimed the company printed receipts for debit and credit card transactions that included 10 digits of the card number. Card transaction receipts can show a maximum of the last five digits of a card number, per the Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act.

Customers of certain Trader Joes locations may be entitled to a cut of a $7.4 million settlement over receipts ( Getty Images )

Through research of his own and the help of a consultant, Keim discovered that the mistake impacted 757,663 unique class member card numbers, court documents show. Trader Joes analyzed Keims findings and agreed they were accurate.

Court records indicate that just under half of the $7.4 million settlement will pay for attorney fees and costs, and other court-related fees. The three law firms involved in representing Keim and other participants will each receive one-third of a $2.5 million payout.

The $7.4 million figure still has to be approved by the court. An approval/denial hearing is slated for 8:30 a.m. on August 10, according to court records.

Other notable settlements in the companys recent history include a $3.4 million payout in 2014 for inaccurate all natural and 100% natural labelling on certain food products that contained artificial materials, according to Trial Lawyer Magazine.

In 2016, a customer filed a lawsuit against the grocer for underfilling tuna tins that claimed to contain 5 ounces of fish. Federal testing indicated that the sample tuna tins they tested contained up to 24.8 percent less than what federal regulations required. Trader Joes eventually agreed in 2021 to pay out a $1.3 million settlement.
It is a week since the President of the United States threatened Iran that its whole civilisation will die tonight in what was interpreted variously as an extreme (even for Donald Trump) opening bargaining position, a real threat to commit a genocide against one of the worlds oldest civilisations, an attempt to buy time, or a cry of frustration with a war already running out of control.

What appeared to be the central US demand was that Iran reopen the Strait of Hormuz to all shipping, not only fee-paying vessels belonging to friendly powers. That objective has not been achieved.

Since then, however, a great deal has happened. A two-week ceasefire has been declared that may or may not have included Israel and Lebanon, but in practice hasnt. Direct talks between the US and Iran were held in Pakistan, which broke down  albeit without further drama  after 21 hours. The US has declared a blockade of Iranian ports in a further attempt to force the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, and  as of Wednesday evening  a new round of US-Iran talks has been announced for next week in Pakistan. Talks have also taken place between representatives of Israel and Lebanon in Washington.

As of now, Thursday, the sounds from the White House are hopeful, with the press secretary, Karoline Leavitt, saying, We feel good about the prospects of a deal, and describing US-Iran talks as productive and ongoing. The presidents of Israel and Lebanon were also due to speak directly by phone.

All of which seems more positive than for a very long time  or what seems a very long time, but is in fact only a matter of weeks since the US and Israel launched their attack on Iran.

The reality is, however, that the direction could be reversed in an instant with the next social media post from Trump  and the variables range from all-out war on Iran, including US boots on the ground, to an agreement that halts all hostilities and includes much of what the US has been demanding, including an end to what might remain of Irans nuclear programme and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz to all shipping.

In the best case, this would represent a return, more or less, to the situation, however uneasy, that prevailed in the early weeks of this year. Either way, however, there are some ways in which the situation could be judged an improvement. The US and Iran have now established direct lines of communication at practically the highest level for the first time in nearly 50 years.

Remnants of an Iranian missile in the Golan Heights buffer between Israel and Syria: The US and Iran will go into a new round of talks in Islamabad next week, the whole region seems suspended between intermittent, fractious peace and all-out war ( Getty )

Something similar could be said of Israel and Lebanon, which have been talking directly  at ambassador level in Washington, and between the two presidents by phone  for the first time in 30 years. At this stage, it would be foolhardy to hold out the prospect of a whole new dynamic in the Middle East, but a case could be made, and one of those who could make it might well be Donald Trump.

I say that because there were times in Trumps first term when his approach to the Middle East appeared to combine two extremes. On the one hand was the process that produced the Abraham Accords, with the formal recognition of Israel by some Gulf states, and potentially also Saudi Arabia. On the other was a sort of counsel of despair, where, it seemed, almost the optimum solution might be a regional cataclysm precipitating a period of chaos that would force a whole re-ordering of the Middle East and concluding in a stable peace for the first time since the founding of the state of Israel in 1948.

Dream on, you might object, given that something of that cataclysm did indeed happen with the Hamas attacks on Israel of 7 October 2023, but produced only the destructive aftermath in Gaza and no detectable positive result at all.

Nor does the immediate future in and around Iran look much brighter. As it appears, the US and Iran will go into a new round of talks in Islamabad next week, but the whole region seems suspended between intermittent, fractious peace and all-out war.

And here, Tony Blairs much-quoted remarks in the wake of 9/11 might come to mind, of the kaleidoscope being shaken and the pieces being in flux. Soon they will settle again. Before they do, let us re-order this world around us.

In many ways, this is a tempting prospect: just a little more regional disorder and perhaps everyone can be persuaded to see sense, set a new baseline, and hammer out a new and comprehensive settlement that can last. But there are two problems with this.

First, Blairs exhortation that the state of flux can be used to re-order the world around us, with the implication being that it would be the US and the West that would act. That might have seemed a reasonable contention in 2001, but it produced the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan that turned into ignominious defeats for the might of the US and its allies. Any new conflagration involving Iran could be, if not longer, then as brutal and, in the end, counterproductive.

Which leads to the second problem. The war begun by the US and Israel against Iran at the end of February has already entailed enormous costs. This includes the human and physical losses to Iran, the damage to the Gulf states and their economic and political models, the devastation and destabilising of Lebanon, and the not inconsiderable damage both to the reputation of the US and to Trump himself and the prospects for US Republicans. There is also the as yet incalculable damage to individual national economies and to the global economy from the closure of a major trade route.

Now, just maybe, the end result could be, if not peace in the world, then peace in a region that has been a centre of instability for a very long time. And maybe, as seen through the longer historical lens, something of this will turn out to be. From the current perspective, however, it is not at all clear that any benefits there might be from this Trump-induced chaos will outweigh the costs.
Emma Delaney is set to be the new boss of OMV. Photo: BP

Dublin-born BP executive Emma Delaney is set to become the first female chief executive officer at Austrian oil, gas and chemicals company OMV.

The Vienna-headquartered company employs 22,000 people and had revenues of 24bn last year. Ms Delaney will take up the role in September, subject to approval at OMVs next board meeting, the company said in a statement.
Ikea in Dublin sold 105,000 moving boxes last year, more than any other branch in the world

Swedish retailer says Ireland also tops the league for sales of red wine glasses

Top IKEA Picks Ireland

John Mulligan Thu 16 Apr 2026 at 06:30

Moving-boxes and red wine glasses were among the biggest sellers at Ikeas Irish arm last year, the Swedish retailer has revealed.
Travel retail beauty market is valued at more than $30bn annually

Irish beauty brand Hildun is set to start selling its products on Aer Lingus flights later this month, in a move that will expand its presence in the travel retail market following a year of growth.

From April 22, passengers travelling on European and transatlantic Aer Lingus routes will be able to buy Hildun products during flights.

It adds a new sales channel for the Dublin-founded company as it continues to scale operations across Ireland and the UK. Hildun reported revenues of more than 1.1m in 2025, with growth driven largely by international demand.

The UK accounted for approximately 55pc of the companys online sales, reflecting its expansion beyond the domestic market. To support this, the business operates warehouse facilities in Dublin and in Bedford in the UK.

The company was founded in 2022 by Suzy Griffin Dunne to target a gap she saw in the market for high-performance make-up products positioned at a more accessible price point.

Since its launch, the brand has expanded from a single product into a broader cosmetics range.

Summer is a key period for retail sales within airports and on flights

The Aer Lingus deal builds on Hilduns recent entry into airport retail outlets, following its expansion into sales points in Terminal 2 in Dublin Airport.

The addition of in-flight retail places the brand directly in front of passengers on short- and long-haul routes, including North American services.

Dublin Airport handled more than 36 million passengers last year, with a number of transatlantic routes served by Aer Lingus.

With the influx of people going on holiday during the summer, the timing of the in-flight product launch will let Hildun capitalise on the summer travel season  a key period for retail sales within airports and on flights.

The company said cosmetics account for an estimated 40pc of global duty-free sales, while the travel retail beauty market is valued at more than $30bn annually.

Hildun has also taken part in retail development programmes, including being named the winner of the Pitch 2025 accelerator run by Brown Thomas Arnotts.

The programme supports emerging brands looking to expand into the retail sector. The winner receives 10,000 in funding and gets access to financial advice.
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
The Irish Farmers Association has admitted that they were not aware of the full details of the 500m government support package until it went public. The government announced the package, which includes a 10c per litre reduction on petrol and diesel, in response to days of protests and blockades which resulted in dwindling fuel supplies across the country.
Large numbers of dentists are registering to work in Ireland, but a new report warns of major care gaps including failure to check the teeth of thousands of schoolchildren and treat medical card holders.

The report of the Oireachtas health committee on dental services highlights ongoing problems including the fact too many children are leaving primary school with not dental screening  fewer than 104,000 were seen in 2023 out of 208,000.
Cost-rental properties are an average of almost 30pc cheaper compared with like-for-like properties on the market, new research has found.

Introduced as part of the Governments housing plans in 2021, cost rental is a not-for-profit housing model where rents are tied to the cost of building and maintaining the property, instead of market rates.
A man who twice violently assaulted his former partner has been jailed for two years.

Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard that the woman feared she would be killed during the attacks perpetrated on her by Toyatma Fedee (40) at her home.
Flu vaccines also reduce dementia and stroke risk, experts tell Oireachtas Health Committee

Medics urge creation of schedule of jabs for those over 65

Health committee hears how effective adult vaccines can help reduce stroke and dementia in the elderly

Eilish O'Regan Thu 16 Apr 2026 at 06:30

Evidence is growing that vaccination against viral infections such as flu and RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) reduces the risk of developing dementia by as much as 20pc, according to a leading geriatrician.
GAA president Jarlath Burns said the recent debate around Allianz sponsorship in the GAA will be the thing that will cause the most sleepless nights for him during his tenure.
Revealed: How to find out whether the HSE is holding money belonging to your deceased or missing relative
Junior Minister will meet Waterford hill sheep farmers in rent dispute with Duke of Devonshire

Owners of Lismore Castle are accused of driving families off the land by increasing land lease price

Traditional hill sheep farmers in West Waterford: William Greehy, Michael Morrissey, Michael Morrissey, Thomas Fitzgerald, Paudie Coleman, Brian Prendergast and Michael Coleman. Photo: Patrick Browne

Aisling Moloney Wed 15 Apr 2026 at 19:47

The junior minister for agriculture has said he will meet with Waterford hill sheep farmers over challenging rent dispute with the Duke of Devonshire.
President Connolly could have damaged Irish relationship with America, says US ambassador to EU

US ambassador to EU says Europe needs to move on AI and energy regulations

Andrew Puzder, the US ambassador to the European Union. Photo: AP

Adrian Weckler Wed 15 Apr 2026 at 18:55

The US ambassador to the EU says Irelands relationship with the US could have been damaged by recent comments from President Catherine Connolly and government politicians over US action in Iran.
22 useful hacks to get the most out of your wine experience in the supermarket or restaurant

From speed-chilling to clever glassware dupes, Irelands top sommeliers share their secret tips to drinking better wine

Some of Ireland's top sommeliers share their tips

Aoife Carrigy Thu 16 Apr 2026 at 06:30

Having a good sommelier to guide your wine choices, reckons legendary winemaker Bo Barrett of Napa Valleys Chateau Montelena, is like going to the racetrack with an Uncle Mo onside who has studied the form all his life and is full of insider tips that can steer your bets towards a likely winner.
Ksenia Samotiy: Making an effort to show up for others is the purest form of love and friendship
Why is Peter Thiel talking about the Antichrist in Rome? And what does it reveal about the intersection of tech and belief?

On this weeks episode of The Big Tech Show, Adrian Weckler speaks to Dr. Massimo Faggioli, professor in Ecclesiology at the Loyola Institute at Trinity College, Dublin. From Catholic theology to Silicon Valley ideology, he explains how ancient religious ideas are being reshaped by modern tech elites and why some now see technology itself as a path to salvation.
It has been a busy first week back in the Dail, as the effects nationwide fuel protests continue to be felt within the coalition government.

And as the Healy-Rae's jump ship, Micheal Martins leadership of Fianna Fail facing renewed threats, with a group of TDs approaching senior ministers to discuss a change at the top.

While it is understood the disgruntled backbenchers are not close to having the numbers for a successful no-confidence motion. They are trying to build support. And are in search of a leader to lead a heave.

The confidence vote led to further controversy, as Independent Irelands TDs were accused of misogyny during the debate. With Foreign Affairs Minister Helen McEntee accusing the TDs of barking down female ministers during the debate.

On this episode of Indo Politics, host Mary Regan is joined in-studio by Irish Independent political reporter Aisling Moloney to assess it all.
The Indo Daily: Gerry Hutch says karma has come for Daniel Kinahan as by-election run kicks off
People are not being rewarded for going out to work, stated Anthony Kelleher a haulier from Millstreet who criticised the government for their response to last weeks nationwide protests.

Anthonys family are stepped in the haulage business, and he works for the family business Denis Kelleher & Sons.

The blockade of Irelands only oil refinery at Whitegate in Cork commenced on Wednesday, April 8 and Anthony was one of the first six people to descend on the East Cork village.

Cost of fuel increase has made life unbearable for businesses

Mr Kelleher admits the huge increase in the cost of fuel in recent weeks has made life unbearable for the business which is losing money. Three or four of us made the decision that it was the most strategic place to hit and get results. We are losing money. It is cheaper to park a truck than move them. The spike in the last couple of weeks has made it unbearable for us to be honest. Everyone is in trouble. It is not just truck drivers who are affected, lots of sectors and people are struggling.

The support from the public last week was unbelievable, stated Mr Kelleher. We met local residents on the first evening in Whitegate. They were 100% behind us. We were offered beds and they were so supportive. During my five days in Whitegate, I got one hour and 20 minutes sleep.

Reflecting on the government response to the fuel protests, Anthony remains angry over their dismissive approach. The government response while we were in Whitegate was one of pure ignorance. It was so dismissive. They thought we were stupid and only truck drivers and farmers. They didnt count on the support that we would get. The government are completely out of touch with the general public and they have been for a long number of years.

They thought we were stupid and only truck drivers and farmers

Gardai secured full access to the Irving Oil Refinery at Whitegate at lunchtime on Saturday, April 11 after an overwhelming show of force with about 100 officers on the scene, including several public order units from across the country.

An earlier attempt to clear the protest on Friday failed when about 300 protesters formed a human chain across the villages main street.

Respect on both sides as gardai praised

Anthony said they ended the demonstration after it was suggested that some people flocking to the protest were allegedly intent on causing trouble and confronting gardai. The response from An Garda Siochana was brilliant. I could not fault any member of the gardai. We communicated well with them.

We had great respect for them, and they had great respect for us. There was never any hassle. We said it was going to be a peaceful protest from the very start and if anyone didnt agree with that, we urged them not to come down, he added.

The Cork haulier said people are sick of working hard and getting no bang for their buck. I was talking to a carer on Monday who is putting in an extra 180 worth of diesel into her car to go to work. She is going out looking after sick people and the most vulnerable people in society. We have two trucks. It was costing between 1,200 and 1,400 a week extra.

On Sunday, April 12, the Irish Government unveiled a 505m support package.

It consists of new measures, as well as rolled over measures announced last month which have been extended.

Carbon tax increases scheduled for May have been delayed until October.

The package announced last Sunday night is a waste of time

Mr Kelleher said the measures announced dont go far enough. The package announced last Sunday night is a waste of time. We got 10c in the haulage, 5c of that is taxed. Diesel went up 8c again on Monday night. We must get the government to listen to us. There are still a lot of very angry people out there. The packages arent going far enough at all.

People are not being rewarded for going out to work, stressed the Cork haulier. We need a package to look after farmers, fishermen, hauliers, the ordinary mom and dad, carers, doctors and nurses who are all feeling it very hard.

I have heard from people that they have nothing in their fridge and no way of getting to work. We need a package that will work for everyone. You just cant trust this government. I have a feeling that if the government dont listen, there will be more protests, he added.
The airport is jointly owned by Galway City Council and Galway County Council.

A meeting between Galways local authorities and parties interested in taking on the Galway airport has been cleared for takeoff later this month.

Almost a year after Galway City and County Councils invited proposals for the site, shortlisted parties are now due to present their economic strategies outlining their interest in acquiring the airport.

Following this stage, and once a preferred applicant is selected, the formal planning process may proceed.

As joint landowners, both local authorities will attend the meeting alongside independent property agents, who will facilitate proceedings between the parties.

Speaking at a Galway County Council meeting last November, Director of Services Liam Hanrahan said the local authorities had yet to receive a serious proposal for the site since 2016.

However, ahead of the upcoming engagement, Galway City Councillor Shane Forde said any potential sale proceeds should not be split equally between the two councils, arguing the city should receive a significantly larger share.

At minimum he seeks 80pc of the money collected from the sale, if not the full amount, otherwise we will not collect any business rates of any future development on that land. We have to make sure that we get the best bang for our taxpayers buck in this city, Cllr Forde told the Irish Independent.

Galway City Council now have to show leadership. We cannot get left behind.

The local authorities jointly purchased the former commercial airport for 1.1 million in November 2013 but had been unable to find a permanent use for the 118-acre site in the ensuing years.

Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting scheme.
Kerry murder accused beaten up in prison while awaiting trial

Michael Kelley, before his second arrest, in Tralee. Domnick Walsh

An American charged with the murder of Kenmare farmer Michael Gaine has been moved into his own cell after he was assaulted in Cork Prison.

Michael Kelley (54) is in custody facing a single charge of murder at the victims farm in Carrig, Kenmare between March 20 and 21, 2025.

He appeared by video link at Tralee District Court on Wednesday morning.

However, he spoke to his solicitor ahead of the sitting to inform of his injuries.

Mr Mann told The Kerryman, I was on a phone call on Tuesday morning from him, just to confirm he was on the video link Wednesday morning, which he said he was.

And he said, dont be shocked when you see the marks on my face.

And I said, why, what happened?

And he said, there was an incident in the cell and Ill be telling you about it and we left it at that.

But before their phone call ended, Mr Kelley assured Mr Mann of his well-being, said the solicitor.

Mr Mann explained, I said, Are you ok now?

And he said, I am. I was on the top floor and now Im on the bottom floor in a cell on my own.

Mr Mann said he would to look into the matter.

Its my intention to make inquiries to get more details, said the solicitor. Im not going to allege anything until I find out what the facts are.

The Irish Prison Service told The Kerryman it does not comment on individual prisoner cases.

As of Wednesday, Cork Prison had 304 beds with 99 mattresses on the floor, according to the Irish Prison Service.

Mr Kelley was one of 126 inmates remanded in custody at the medium-security prison while waiting their cases to be heard. This represents just under a third of its 411 inmates. An additional 55 men were on temporary release.

Michael Kelley, before his second arrest, in Tralee. Domnick Walsh

News in 90 seconds - Friday, April 17

Nationally, the prison service has added 446 spaces since 2022 and plans to provide another 65 this year as part of its goal of 1,500 additional spaces by 2031. It has a 2026 budget of 67.9 million dedicated to new spaces, upkeep and modernisation.

Mr Gaine disappeared from his farm on March 20 last year and was reported missing a day later. Nearly two months later, his remains were found in a slurry tank on his farm, six kilometres outside Kenmare.

Mr Kelley lived on the farm.

Since his arrest and charge in February, Mr Kelley has appeared at Tralee District Court every two weeks by video link while the Book of Evidence is being prepared.

On Wednesday, Mr Mann indicated he will proceed with a High Court bail application.

Mr Kelleys next court appearance is May 6 at Tralee District Court by video link.

Funded by the Courts Reporting Scheme
Kerry owners stunned as dogs car horn antics go global  Hes always at it, his patience is very thin!
Officials at the National Roads Office have said the Eastern Bypass will not be considered until the Western route has received planning approval, ruling out the possibility of both projects being developed simultaneously

Councillors in the Ballina Municipal District have reported that journeys across the town can take between 30 and 60 minutes during peak travel times, as they continue to call for new road infrastructure to ease congestion. Photo: Stock image.

Plans for an Eastern Bypass in Ballina will not be considered until statutory consent and planning approval have been secured for the Western Bypass, councillors have been told.

Cllr Marie-Therese Duffy raised the issue at the April meeting of Mayo County Council calling on the local authority to prioritise the Eastern Bypass of Ballina as the number one road project for Mayo and to engage with Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) to ensure fast-tracked delivery.

Her motion follows a similar proposal tabled at the March meeting of the Ballina Municipal District, as calls for improved road infrastructure in the north Mayo town continue to grow.

Councillors have reported that it can take around 45 minutes to travel across Ballina during peak times, warning that delays are deterring people from visiting and shopping in the town.

With congestion continuing to build, local representatives say the existing road network is no longer fit for purpose and that additional infrastructure is urgently needed.

The Western Bypass, which forms Phase One of the overall Ballina Bypass project, will involve a 2.3km route linking the N26 Foxford-to-Dublin Road with the N59 Crossmolina Road.

The project is currently at Stage Three of an eight-stage development process, with 300,000 in funding allocated by TII this year. A planning application submission to An Coimisiun Pleanala is expected by June.

The proposed Eastern Bypass, identified as Phase Two, would involve a 7.5km route running from the Foxford Road near Hollister, including a new bridge crossing the River Moy and linking onto the Sligo Road.

Speaking at the April meeting, Cllr Marie-Therese Duffy said that while the project may be centred in the Ballina district, the traffic situation in Ballina affects all of Mayo.

She noted that Ballina is the second-largest town in the county, with a population of 10,500, and is home to major employers including European Refreshments Unlimited Company (Coca-Cola) and Hollister.

It is the key town in north Mayo, but it lacks an orbital route. On an average day, if you drive through Ballina, it can take between 30 and 60 minutes, and businesses and motorists are being affected,

We have thriving businesses yet no orbital route, Cllr Duffy said, adding that TII traffic counter data shows 8,806 vehicles pass daily on the N26 from Foxford into Ballina, one of the highest volumes in the county and up 2.4pc on the previous year.

Traffic volumes through Ballina are increasing with up to 5.2pc on key routes, comparable with towns in Ireland such as Longford, Dungarvan and Enniscorthy,

Castlebar has a bypass, and there is also a dual carriageway into Westport, but the only way to get from Foxford road to the Sligo road in Ballina is through the town centre and over a bridge that was built in the 1800s, she added.

Cllr Duffy said the proposed Eastern Bypass route is ideal and ready to go, noting that it is a sterilised corridor that is in the Ballina Local Transport Plan.

She said the project would provide a much-needed additional river crossing and help ease pressure on the Lower and Upper bridges and surrounding roads.

Cllr Duffy pointed out that no funding application had been made by Mayo County Council for the project under the 2026 allocations, and called for immediate engagement with TII to seek an amendment and have the eastern route recognised as the countys top priority.

She asked for Phase 0, scope and pre-appraisal of the project, to begin without delay, and for a feasibility study to be carried out along the preferred route.

Responding to the motion, Paul Hyland, Senior Engineer with the National Roads Office, said the council is currently focused on advancing the Western Bypass.

While the council recognises the strategic benefits that an Eastern Bypass could bring to Ballina, he said the immediate priority remains the Western route.

Cllr Duffy appealed for both projects to progress simultaneously, highlighting the serious need to address what she described as almost daily gridlock in the town.

Mr Hyland confirmed that the council has raised the Eastern Bypass with TII, which has acknowledged the increasing local interest in the proposal but noted that no funding allocation has yet been made.

He said the development of major road schemes is a long and complex process requiring significant funding and resources, and that the current availability of funding and technical resources does not permit both schemes to be progressed concurrently.

He added that progressing the Western Bypass to the statutory consent stage would strengthen the councils position when seeking future funding for the Eastern route by providing clarity on delivery, maintaining investment continuity, and avoiding a situation where two major bypass proposals for Ballina compete for funding allocations.

TII has advised that the optimal point to consider initiating work on an Eastern Bypass is when statutory consent has been secured for the Western Bypass, which is expected in 2027, subject to planning approval,

At that stage, any request for funding for an Eastern Bypass will be assessed within the context of TIl's national programme and the resourcing capacity available within the National Roads Office, Mr Hyland said.

This article has been funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.
Entertainment

Ardal OHanlon: Even though I didnt always agree with Dads politics, I always admired his conviction and his attempts to bring people along with him

Ardal OHanlon made his first attempt at writing a book when he was still a teenager. I actually tried to write a crime novel when I was about 18, the now 60-year-old comedian and actor says. He is sitting in a back room of The Odeon venue in 
The idea of cultivating wine grapes is still relatively young in Ireland

Vines are best suitable for growth on a southern slope to get the maximum amount of sun

Ireland is often celebrated for its whiskey and stout, but a new tradition rooted in tourism is now emerging with one Offaly man creating his own vineyard.

Irish Wine Estates based in south Co Offaly on the Tipperary border is close to where Stephen Whyte grew up on his familys dairy farm before emigrating to the UK over 30 years ago.

Stephen worked on the farm growing up but had more of an interest in going to university to study business at the time, leaving the farm in the capable hands of his younger brother.

He left for the UK working as a manager with the Kerry Group before setting up his own software business which he sold just three years ago.

But Stephens love for Ireland and farming was never too far away and the dream was always to come home to Offaly.

My wife and I obviously love Ireland and love coming back to visit. We always had a long-term vision of how great it would be to move back, he said.

Five years ago we decided to start making plans for the move. And the main thing was well what are we going to do? We decided we would need to buy land but then what do we do with that land? Can we start a farm?.

The idea of cultivating wine grapes is still relatively young in Ireland

Both Stephen and his partner have a love for wine and travelled the world for tastings but have no experience as such in the wine or tourism industry, with the Irish Wine Estates a complete new venture for both of them.

Ive tasted wine from all over the world and the amazing thing about it is that every wine is different and Ive always been very interested in that. Every wine is rooted in the location in which its grown and the environment, he said.

Having lived in England for 30 years we have seen and observed how the English wine industry has become very successful. There are over 1,000 vineyards in England right up into Scotland.

English wine is winning awards globally and competing against the big champagne houses out of France and the likes. We thought if the English can do it then surely the Irish can too.

Stephens journey began by educating himself about the production of wine in colder climates. One of the trickiest parts of the journey was finding suitable land to base the vineyard on, a search that took two years.

If youre up too high, for example over 150 metres above sea level, then youre liable to heavy frost. So you want to be ideally below 100 metres above sea level, Stephen said.

Then you dont want to be too low because frost settles in lower areas. So elevation is one thing and hills is another.

Ireland is probably 50% hills. So ideally you want a southern slope so that your vines get the maximum amount of sun. All the land my brother owns is on northern slopes so it was not suitable for vines.

Vines are best suitable for growth on a southern slope to get the maximum amount of sun

Then youre looking at soil types. Vines will not grow in peat as its too acidic so youre looking for types like limestone, till or marl. Then you want a site that is sheltered, not too exposed to the wind and when its warm the heat will stay there.

The challenge here in Ireland will not be growing grapes. We will grow grapes, but the challenge is ripening the grapes sufficiently to make wine.

Stephen received data from the weather station at the Gorteen Agricultual College about 20 miles from his soon to be vineyard.

The data shows that there will be just enough growing degree days in south Offaly to ripen grapes, this is where the temperature is high enough and the sun is shining enough to ripen grapes.

Stephen currently has 3,300 young vines which are stored in Dublin at the moment and have come from four different nurseries across France, Germany, Belgium and Italy.

The goal is for these vines to all be planted by the middle of next month and to have the first batch of grapes by 2029.

The long-term vision is clear with a goal to create still wines by 2030 including crisp whites and refined reds showcasing Irelands cool-climate potential. Sparkling wines will come by 2032.

And while quality wine is Stephens main focus, he also wants to create a welcoming winery on-site where the product will be produced from a converted farm shed, open to visitors.

Stephen said the midlands tends to be forgotten about when it comes to tourism opportunities despite the areas potential.

If you go somewhere in Kerry you could spend a week or two there. You could do the same in the likes of Tipperary, could you do that is south Offaly? Im not too sure.

Im talking to tourism operators around here locally and the long-term plan is that hopefully one by one we could open more locations such as ours, somewhere for people to come and visit and make south Offaly more attractive, he said.

For now the focus remains on nurturing vines and learning from each growing season. While it might take time before bottles from Offaly reach shelves, Stephen is hoping it gets Offaly talking about tourism.
SIPTU members employed as firefighters at Sligo Airport in Strandhill will commence industrial action on Thursday, 16th April), which will include a ban on overtime, maintenance work, and other measures, in a dispute arising from what the union says is management's refusal to engage in collective bargaining.

SIPTU Organiser, Andrew Clune, said: Earlier this month, our members voted overwhelmingly for industrial action, up to and including strike action. SIPTU members placed airport management on notice of the action but provided every opportunity to resolve this matter.

However, managements insistence and its continued refusal to engage with the workers union of choice, which is SIPTU, for collective bargaining purposes, has placed our members with no other option but to commence their work-to-rule industrial action. This will slow airport operations.

He added: This action will not result in an immediate halt to the airports operations, as our members will continue to provide crucial emergency services, but it will degrade its operation over time. All this can be resolved immediately by management respecting their employees' wishes to be professionally represented by their Union for collective bargaining purposes.

SIPTU Aviation Sector Organiser, Niall Phillips, said: Support for rescue and medical flights will continue and fire prevention operations will be maintained throughout shifts at the airport to allow the emergency services to operate.

Ireland lags behind other industrialised and European countries in respect of providing workers with collective bargaining rights. Without this right being enshrined in legislation, workers in Ireland are forced into taking industrial action to pursue their right to collective bargaining through their trade union.

He added: SIPTU representatives remain available to meet with the company to find a resolution to this dispute.

The airport is home to the Coastguards search and rescue helicopter and also caters for private flights.

Sligo Airport management has been contacted for a comment.
An afternoon of musical brilliance is expected at the National Opera House in Wexford, on Sunday, April 19, as the New Ross Piano Festival will mark two decades of exceptional piano performances.

The event will be presented by RTEs Anne Cassin, as the festivals 20th year celebration concert brings two of Irelands most distinguished pianists together for the anniversary event. The festivals Artistic Director, Finghin Collins, has invited his colleague, the internationally acclaimed pianist Barry Douglas, to join him for a concert featuring two pianos. Mr Collins is among Irelands most successful and respected performers. After earning numerous awards at home, he captured international attention by winning first prize at the Clara Haskil Competition in Switzerland in 1999.

Sharing the stage is Mr Douglas, who first rose to global prominence after winning the 1986 Tchaikovsky International Competition, which was a triumph that launched a far-reaching career as both pianist and conductor. Mr Douglas is renowned for his powerful artistry and profound musical insight.

A founding member of the festival, Connie Tantrum, reflected on her 20 years with the voluntary group as festival director and said that to be celebrating 20 years of its success is quite remarkable.

Originally from Wales, Connie has lived in Ireland for 55 years, having moved over with her husband and three small children. It was her interest in music and finding people with a common interest as such, who also enjoyed attending concerts, that brought the New Ross Piano Festival into its fruition.

I started to get a group together in 1996 of people who went to concerts, because it was the beginning of all computer things and I kept getting emails from Music Network suggesting people who would come here for a concert at one stage, the name of John O'Conor came up, said Connie, outlining that she then began to work with Music Network and got this little group of people together to organise their first concert. And weve been together ever since, Connie added.

A decade later, Connie and the committee members realised they had done something remarkable and brought fantastic and talented pianists" to a New Ross stage. The concerts were sporadic, and during their 10-year anniversary celebrations, it was decided that rather than renting out a piano at such an expensive cost for one concert, they would make use of it for a weekend and plans for the weekend festival were quickly underway. We had decided it that night around the kitchen table, and before the meeting was finished, wed basically had it organised, said Connie.

We received funding from the Arts Council and Finghin Collins came on board as artistic director, and we havent looked back, Connie added.

In addition to the well-established professionals, Connie said the New Ross Piano Festival has been a platform for talented teenagers to showcase their skills such as Jonathan Morris from Templeudigan and Kevin Jansson from Waterford. Its really lovely to see that progression, she said.

Having been established in the town for 20 years now, Connie said the support from locals and those who have a love for music continues to connect the audiences every year.

I can't believe we're celebrating 20 years. I don't think we would have foreseen that it could have lasted, but there's never been any doubt actually. We've never once thought, shall we keep going. It's always been a question of what will we have next year and who will we have next year.

There's a very loyal following. There are people who follow Finghin, and a huge number of our audience would travel to Wexford for the festival, but theres also a strong, local following from around the Wexford area and then across the south east, Connie said.

As the New Ross Piano Festival usually takes place over a weekend in September, Connie extended her gratitude to the Arts department of Wexford County Council and the National Opera House as the festivals 20th year celebration concert on Sunday, April 19 is one of five groups to be selected for special funding.

"We were very lucky to get a place as one of five groups, and we look forward to bringing the concert outside New Ross for a change with a fresh approach, Connie concluded.

The special anniversary concert features a rich and varied programme and performing classics by Schubert and Prokofiev individually in the first half of the concert, Collins and Douglas will then join forces in the second half to perform much-loved masterpieces by Mozart and Rachmaninov. It will include: Schubert  Drei Klavierstucke (Three Piano Pieces) D. 946  Finghin Collins; Prokofiev  Romeo and Juliet, Op. 75 (arr. Prokofiev: Nos. 38)  Barry Douglas; Mozart  Sonata for Two Pianos in D major, K. 448, and Rachmaninov  Suite for Two Pianos in C minor, Op. 17.

The concert will take place at 3.30pm.
Reports indicate that up to 14,000 children have been killed since the onset of hostilities, and countless others injured or traumatised

Having raised 3,911, in two days, for children who are suffering in Palestine, a Wexford community group revealed that a sponsor has stepped in and doubled the sum by donating 1 for every euro raised.

Wexford Lions Club held a successful on-street collection over the Easter weekend. Their members were on Wexfords historic Main Street on Friday and Saturday appealing to the public for their support.

We are delighted with the response and despite the yellow wind warning, the public of Wexford were not found wanting and their support was magnificent, the club said.

The final sum being delivered directly to UNICEF will be approximately 8,000. We hope this will help alleviate the severe hardship being experienced by the children, currently. We know that UNICEF are working hard to alleviate some of this suffering and we are delighted to be a partner on this project. 

They say the situation has been endured in the region for almost two and a half years, and hope that it reaches an urgent conclusion.

We cannot intervene in the war, but the community of Wexford has again inspired us with their generosity by supporting this fundraising initiative.

UNICEF Ireland said a staggering 94.7pc of schools have sustained damage, depriving children of education and a sense of normalcy. Access to clean water remains severely restricted, with nearly 1.4 million people lacking adequate drinking water, and hygiene conditions continue to deteriorate due to the collapse of waste management systems.

Children remain at the heart of this crisis. Reports indicate that up to 14,000 children have been killed since the onset of hostilities, and countless others injured or traumatised.
Brian McDonagh (65), formerly of Drummin House in Delgany, Co. Wicklow, at Wicklow Circuit Court. Photo: Colin Keegan, Collins, Dublin.

A Dublin businessman has been granted permission to appeal a previous appeal decision over the revocation of his gun licences, following an alleged incident in which he is accused of producing a shotgun

Brian McDonagh (65), of Walkinstown, Dublin 12, appeared before a sitting of Bray District Court for an appeal of an appeal decision after his gun licence was revoked in January 2026.

Judge David Kennedy rejected the accuseds appeal in March 2026. Mr McDonagh had previously been granted several firearms licences, most recently on March 26, 2024, for a Beretta shotgun and a BS4 air rifle.

Superintendent John Fitzgerald opposed the appeal in April 2026, outlining an alleged serious incident that allegedly took place on February 24, 2025.

While on duty at Bray Garda Station, he said gardai were alerted that the Dublin County Sheriff was attempting to repossess the defendants former property at Drummin House in Delgany, County Wicklow.

The court previously heard that the accused allegedly pointed a shotgun at the sheriff and staff as they tried to enter the house.

Supt Fitzgerald said armed gardai, negotiators, and the Emergency Response Unit were deployed amid fears of a hostage or suicide situation.

Brian McDonagh (65), formerly of Drummin House in Delgany, Co. Wicklow, at Wicklow Circuit Court. Photo: Colin Keegan, Collins, Dublin.

News in 90 seconds - Thursday, April 16

Attempts to contact Mr McDonagh initially failed, but later two firearms were left outside the property and seized by gardai.

Mr McDonagh then exited the house and was arrested by Detective Brian Higgins.

CCTV footage shown in court included bodycam audio referencing a firearm, as well as video of Mr McDonagh holding a shotgun while moving inside the house.

The accused gave evidence at the previous appeal that he had never been in trouble with gardai prior to the alleged incident and said he held the firearms as a member of a clay pigeon shooting club.

Mr McDonagh denies all allegations.

He is charged with the production of a shotgun during a dispute, unlawful possession of a firearm, and the wilful obstruction of a sheriff.

Solicitor for the accused, Michael OConnor, remarked that the 14-day appeal period had elapsed, but said he was instructed that Mr McDonagh was unable to appeal due to the busy Easter period.

In Irish law, a person usually has 14 days to appeal a court decision, including cases involving firearms under the Firearms Acts 19252009.

Judge David Kennedy granted Mr OConnors request and allowed the defendant to appeal the decision of his original appeal.

Funded by the Court Reporting Scheme
Vogue Williams announced she is expecting fourth child with husband Spencer Matthews. Photo: Instagram/Vogue Williams

Spencer Matthews and Vogue Williams with their three children. Photo: Instagram/Vogue Williams

Vogue Williams announced she is expecting fourth child with husband Spencer Matthews. Photo: Instagram/Vogue Williams

Irish podcaster and presenter Vogue Williams has announced she is expecting her fourth child with husband Spencer Matthews.

The entrepreneur (40) shared the news on social media alongside a picture of her family in St Barths in the Caribbean.

"Baby number 4 incoming, she wrote in a post on Instagram.

Williams and her husband, English TV personality Spencer Matthews (37), tied the knot in June 2018 in Scotland.

They have three children together  Theodore (7), Gigi (5), and Otto (3).

We need your consent to load this Social Media content. We use a number of different Social Media outlets to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review your details and accept them to load the content

Williams, who starred in Im A Celebrity Get Me Out of Here!, where she was the third celebrity to be voted off the show, recently said she will be sending her children to a smartphone-free school.

During an episode of Vogue & Amber podcast, which she hosts with her sister Amber Wilson, she said her son Theodore will be attending a primary school where pupils are not allowed a phone up to the age of 12.

The model, who co-hosts My Therapist Ghosted Me alongside comedian Joanne McNally, was recently a grand marshal for the St Patricks Day parade in Dublin.
Your job here is not to fight one another, it is to fight this climate crisis, UN climate chief tells Cop30 in Brazil
At least 250 people, including Rohingya refugees and Bangladeshi nationals, were feared dead or missing after a boat capsized in the Andaman Sea on the way to Malaysia, according to the UN refugee and migration agencies.

While details remained sketchy, Bangladesh Coast Guard spokesperson Lt Cmdr Sabbir Alam Suzan said yesterday that nine people, including three Rohingya and six Bangladeshis, were rescued on April 9. Mr Suzan said that the Bangladesh flag carrier MT Meghna Pride rescued the nine people when the crew found them floating at sea after the capsizing.
Meghan tells Australian students she was most trolled person in the world; Harry says he felt lost, betrayed, or completely powerless

She made the comments during a group discussion with young people at Melbournes Swinburne University of Technology

Meghan tells Australian students she was most trolled person in the world

Sam Hall Press Association Thu 16 Apr 2026 at 07:59

Meghan Sussex, known as the Duchess of Sussex, said she was bullied and attacked every day for 10 years on social media and was the most trolled person in the entire world.
Keir Starmer has insisted he is not going to yield to pressure from Donald Trump, after the US president threatened to change the terms of a trade deal with the UK after the prime ministers refusal to get involved in the Iran war.
Pope was dragged into war of words with Trump  leading Trinity professor tells podcast

The leading Trinity College Dublin professor of ecclesiology, Massimo Faggioli, says that Donald Trumps threat to end Irans civilisation was the event that triggered Pope Leo to fire back

An AI image reposted by US President Trump

Adrian Weckler Thu 16 Apr 2026 at 12:14

Pope Leo was "dragged" into a war of words with Donald Trump over the US president's threat to wipe out an entire civilisation, according to the leading Trinity College professor of ecclesiology, Massimo Faggioli.
Pupil (14) kills nine in Turkeys second school shooting in two days

Shooter killed himself and left 13 people wounded, six of whom are in critical condition

A screen grab from a video shows students jumping from a classroom window to escape a deadly school shooting, in the south-eastern province of Kahramanmaras, Turkey. Photo: IHA (Ihlas News Agency) via Reuters

Tuvan Gumrukcu and Ezgi Erkoyun Thu 16 Apr 2026 at 06:30

A 14-year-old student shot at least nine people dead, including eight of his fellow pupils and wounded 13 others at a middle school in south-eastern Turkey on Wednesday, officials said, in the countrys second school shooting in two days.
Donald Trump reviews proposal to end war as Vladimir Putin hosts Iran minister



US president Donald Trump discussed a new Iranian proposal on resolving the war with Tehran with his top national security aides on Monday, with the conflict currently in a standoff and energy supplies from the region reduced.



Iranian sources disclosed Tehrans latest proposal earlier on Monday, which would set aside discussion of Irans nuclear programme until the war is ended and disputes over shipping from the Gulf are resolved. That is unlikely to satisfy Washington, which says nuclear issues must be dealt with from the outset.



Work has not halted to bridge gaps between the US and Iran, sources from mediator Pakistan said, despite the absence of face-to-face diplomacy after Mr Trump called off a trip by his envoys over the weekend.



Hopes of reviving peace efforts have receded since Mr Trump scrapped a visit on Saturday by his envoy Steve Witkoff and son-in-law Jared Kushner to Islamabad, the Pakistani capital, where Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi shuttled in and out twice over the weekend.



Mr Araghchi also visited Oman over the weekend and went to Russia day, where he met president Vladimir Putin and received words of support from a long-standing ally.



With the warring sides still seemingly far apart on issues including Irans nuclear ambitions and access through the crucial Strait of Hormuz, oil prices resumed their upward march yesterday, hitting a two-week high.



Mr Trump met his national security team on Monday morning.



I dont want to get ahead of the president or his national security team, White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt said.



What I will reiterate is that the presidents red lines with respect to Iran have been made very, very clear, not just to the American public, but also to them as well.



Mr Araghchi told reporters in Russia that Mr Trump had requested negotiations because the US has not achieved any of its objectives.



Senior Iranian sources told Reuters the proposal carried by Mr Araghchi to Islamabad over the weekend envisioned talks in stages, with the nuclear issue to be set aside at the start.



A first step would require ending the US-Israeli war on Iran and providing guarantees that Washington cannot start it up again. Then negotiators would resolve the US blockade and the fate of the Strait of Hormuz, which Iran aims to reopen under its control.



Only then would talks look at other issues, including the long-standing dispute over Irans nuclear programme, with Iran still seeking some kind of US acknowledgment of its right to enrich uranium for what it says are peaceful purposes.



In a sign that no face-to-face meetings are planned any time soon, streets reopened in Pakistans capital Islamabad, which had been locked down for a week in anticipation of talks that never took place. Pakistani officials said negotiations were still taking place remotely, but there were no plans to convene a meeting in person until the sides were close enough to sign a memorandum.



Although a ceasefire has paused the US-Israeli strikes on Iran that began on February 28, no agreement has been reached on terms to end a war that has killed thousands, driven up oil prices, fuelled inflation and darkened the outlook for global growth.



Iran has largely blocked all shipping apart from its own from the Gulf through the Strait of Hormuz since the war began.



This month, the US began blockading Iranian ships. Six tankers loaded with Iranian oil have been forced back to Iran by the US blockade in recent days, ship-tracking data shows, underscoring the impact the war is having on traffic.



Between 125 and 140 ships usually crossed in and out of the strait daily before the war, but only seven have done so in the past day, according to Kpler ship-tracking data and satellite analysis from SynMax and none of them were carrying oil bound for the global market.



Fighting has intensified in Lebanon, where Israeli strikes killed 14 people and wounded 37 in the south on Sunday, according to the health ministry, making it the deadliest day since a US-brokered ceasefire was agreed in mid-April.



Iran says it will not hold talks on the wider conflict unless a ceasefire also holds in Lebanon, which Israel invaded in March in pursuit of the Iran-backed group Hezbollah, which fired across the border in support of Tehran.



German chancellor Friedrich Merz said on Monday, Irans leadership was humiliating the US and getting US officials to travel to Pakistan and then leave without results, in an unusually abrupt rebuke over the conflict.



The Iranians are obviously very skilled at negotiating, or rather, very skilful at not negotiating



Mr Merz also said he not see what exit strategy the US was pursuing in the Iran war  comments that underlined deep divisions between Washington and its Nato allies, which had already been festering over Ukraine and other issues.



The Iranians are obviously very skilled at negotiating, or rather, very skilful at not negotiating, letting the Americans travel to Islamabad and then leave again without any result, he said during a talk to students in the town of Marsberg.



An entire nation is being humiliated by the Iranian leadership, especially by these so-called Revolutionary Guards. And so I hope that this ends as quickly as possible, Mr Merz said.



Steve Holland, Ariba Shahid and Parisa Hafezi

Reuters




Walking will slash your cancer and dementia risk  but only at the right pace. Heres what you need to know
Police on Thursday were investigating a bomb threat made to the Chicago-area home of Pope Leo's brother John Prevost after a search found no explosives or hazardous materials.

A bomb threat was reported Wednesday evening at the home of John Prevost in New Lenox, Illinois, according to media outlets that cited police. Prevost lives on the same street cited as the location of the attack by police. New Lenox police did not return a call for comment on the report.
Since 1963, The Independent has helped create a great community!

Since our founding in September of 1963, The Independent has been dedicated to giving Livermore, Pleasanton, Dublin, and Sunol readers the news they need to be in-the-know about what's going on in the Tri-Valley region.
Indias Trade Performance in FY 2025-26: Moderate Export Growth Amid Shifting Trade Dynamics

Available language



Indias export figures hit the US$860.09 billion mark in FY 2025-26, fueled largely by a thriving services industry and a strategic pivot toward new trade partners.

Indias external trade performance in FY 2025-26 reflects steady, albeit moderate, expansion in exports, in the midst of ongoing geopolitical tensions and the US tariff challenge. While services exports continued to underpin overall growth, merchandise trade showed relatively subdued momentum, highlighting structural shifts in global demand and domestic export composition.

Indias exports trends maintain upward trajectory

As per the central government estimates, the total exports of goods and services during FY 2025-26 (April-March) are estimated at US$860.09 billion, marking a 4.22 percent increase over US$825.26 billion recorded in the previous fiscal year.

On the import side, total inbound trade rose at a faster pace, reaching US$979.40 billion, reflecting a 6.47 percent increase year-on-year.

Indias Trade Figures (Value in US$ Billion) FY 2025-26 FY 2024-25 Merchandise Exports 441.78 437.70 Imports 774.98 721.20 Services* Exports 418.31 387.55 Imports 204.42 198.72 Total trade

(merchandise + services) Exports 860.09 825.26 Imports 979.40 919.92 Trade balance -119.30 -94.66

Source: Ministry of Commerce and Industry

As a result, the overall trade deficit expanded to US$119.30 billion, compared to US$94.66 billion in FY 2024-25.

Merchandise trade: Marginal export growth, rising deficit

Export performance

Merchandise exports for FY 2025-26 stood at US$441.78 billion, registering a modest 0.93 percent growth compared to the previous year. This limited expansion suggests continued pressure on goods exports amid fluctuating global demand and commodity price volatility.

Import trends and trade deficit

Merchandise imports increased significantly to US$774.98 billion, up from US$721.20 billion in FY 202425. Consequently, the merchandise trade deficit widened sharply to US$333.19 billion, indicating persistent reliance on imports, particularly in energy and industrial inputs.

Non-petroleum exports show stronger momentum

Exports excluding petroleum products reached US$387.88 billion in FY 202526, reflecting a 3.62 percent increase over the previous year.

Similarly, non-petroleum and non-gems & jewelry exports grew to US$359.67 billion, highlighting relatively stronger performance in diversified manufacturing and value-added sectors compared to traditional commodity-driven exports.

Monthly snapshot: Trade moderates in March 2026

In March 2026, Indias total exports (goods and services combined) were estimated at US$74.11 billion, representing a 4.58 percent decline compared to March 2025. Imports also contracted by 5.76 percent, totaling US$76.55 billion.

Despite the decline in trade volumes, the monthly trade deficit narrowed to US$2.44 billion, compared to US$3.55 billion a year earlier.

Merchandise and services breakdown

Merchandise exports declined to US$38.92 billion, while imports fell to US$59.59 billion.

Services exports remained relatively stable at US$35.20 billion, with imports at US$16.96 billion.

Key export drivers: Sectoral performance in March 2026

Several sectors contributed positively to export growth during March 2026:

Petroleum products exports rose by 5.88 percent, reaching US$5.18 billion.

Engineering goods recorded a 1.13 percent increase, maintaining their position as a major export category.

Minerals, including mica, coal, and processed ores, saw a strong 11.27 percent growth.

Other cereals registered a sharp surge of over 100 percent, albeit from a low base.

Handicrafts (excluding handmade carpets) grew by 8.51 percent, indicating resilience in niche export segments.

Import trends: Broad-based decline in key categories

A range of import categories recorded contraction in March 2026, including:

Petroleum crude and products Gold Cotton (raw and waste) Project goods and industrial inputs Chemicals, iron and steel, and transport equipment

This decline suggests a combination of lower global prices, demand moderation, and possible inventory adjustments.

Services trade remains Indias key pillar of growth

Indias services sector continued to drive overall export performance.

Services exports for FY 202526 is estimated at US$418.31 billion, reflecting a 7.94 percent growth over the previous year.

Services imports rose modestly to US$204.42 billion.

The resulting services trade surplus expanded to US$213.89 billion, substantially offsetting the merchandise trade deficit and reinforcing the sectors strategic importance in Indias external balance.

Trade data excluding petroleum and gems & jewelry provides a clearer view of underlying economic activity: Non-petroleum exports in March 2026 stood at US$33.74 billion, while imports reached US$47.41 billion.

For the full fiscal year, non-petroleum imports rose to US$601.03 billion, indicating sustained domestic demand for industrial and intermediate goods.

Shifting trade partnerships: Emerging export and import markets

India recorded strong export growth to several markets in March 2026, including:

Singapore Malaysia China Tanzania Sri Lanka

On an annual basis, notable growth was observed in exports to:

China Spain Hong Kong Vietnam Sri Lanka

Key sources of increased imports during the year included the following:

China United States Hong Kong Peru United Kingdom

These trends point to evolving trade linkages and diversification in both export destinations and sourcing strategies.

Business analysis: Strategic implications for trade and investment

The FY 202526 trade data points less to cyclical fluctuation and more to a structural realignment in Indias external sector, with clear implications for business strategy.

First, the persistent gap between import intensity and export scalability suggests that India remains a demand-driven growth market rather than an export-led one. For investors, this reinforces Indias attractiveness as a consumption and production base while simultaneously trying to position itself as a globally competitive manufacturing export hub across sectors.

Second, the increasing reliance on services exports introduces concentration risk. While the sector delivers strong surpluses, it is more exposed to regulatory shifts, digital trade barriers, and demand cycles in advanced economies. Businesses with heavy exposure to IT and digital services should factor in potential policy frictions, particularly in the US and EU.

ALSO READ: Certificate of Origin Goes Digital: DGFTs 2026 Amendment to FTP

Third, the relative improvement in non-commodity export segments indicates a gradual shift toward value-added trade, but scale remains a constraint. Export-oriented firms will need to prioritize cost efficiency, supply chain integration, and market diversification to remain competitive amid pricing pressures.

Fourth, elevated imports of intermediate and capital goods highlight both an ongoing investment cycle and supply chain dependencies. This creates opportunities for import substitution, localization strategies, and domestic capacity building, especially in sectors aligned with industrial policy incentives.

Finally, evolving trade partnerships signal a move toward multi-market engagement, reducing overdependence on traditional destinations. Businesses should align export strategies with high-growth regions such as ASEAN and emerging markets, while hedging geopolitical and supply chain risks.

Overall, the data suggests that India is in a transitional phase, where long-term competitiveness will depend on strengthening manufacturing depth while sustaining services-led momentum.

Outlook: Balancing export growth with structural challenges

While Indias overall exports continue to grow, the divergence between merchandise and services performance remains evident. The expansion of the trade deficit, driven by higher imports, highlights underlying structural dependencies.

Going forward, sustaining export momentum will depend on strengthening manufacturing competitiveness, diversifying export baskets, and leveraging high-growth sectors such as services and value-added goods.
Deputy Minister to the Prime Minister Giorgos Mylonakis remained intubated in the intensive care unit at Evangelismos Hospital after collapsing during a meeting at the Maximos Mansion, officials said.

Mr. Mylonakis was rushed to the Athens hospital around 9:30 a.m. after suffering what was believed to be a brain aneurysm during a Cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis. Doctors said he underwent an embolization procedure that was completed successfully.

Hospital sources said Mr. Mylonakis was later placed

on a ventilator in the ICU and that his condition, while serious, was under control.

The deputy minister, who serves as deputy to the prime minister, was attending the meeting when he suddenly fell ill. He was transferred quickly to the nearby hospital for treatment.

Officials have given no further details on his prognosis.

   iefimerida.gr

Deputy Minister to the Prime Minister Giorgos Mylonakis remained intubated in the intensive care unit at Evangelismos Hospital after collapsing during a meeting at the Maximos Mansion, officials said.

Mr. Mylonakis was rushed to the Athens hospital around 9:30 a.m. after suffering what was believed to be a brain aneurysm during a Cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis. Doctors said he underwent an embolization procedure that was completed successfully.

Hospital sources said Mr. Mylonakis was later placed on a ventilator in the ICU and that his condition, while serious, was under control.

The deputy minister, who serves as deputy to the prime minister, was attending the meeting when he suddenly fell ill. He was transferred quickly to the nearby hospital for treatment.

Officials have given no further details on his prognosis.

   iefimerida.gr
Protests by livestock farmers in Lesbos are escalating against government measures to tackle foot-and-mouth disease, with a pan-Lesvos rally and a blockade of the port.
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A presidential spokesperson stated on Thursday that President Bola Tinubu must be allowed a second term in office to complete the constitutionally allowed eight years.

Bayo Onanuga stated this in response to ex-Vice President Atiku Abubakars statement on Wednesday that he did not believe it was still the turn of Southern Nigeria to hold the office of the president in 2027.

Mr Onanuga said Atiku has a history of jettisoning an unwritten rotational principle that many citizens agree to, which allows the office of the president to rotate between the North and the South every eight years.

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Since Buhari completed his eight years, Tinubu too must complete his own, Mr Onanuga wrote on X on Thursday morning.
Kimberly Daniels, Florida state representative and chairwoman of the United World Congress of Diplomats (UN-WCD), has called for the removal or redeployment of Bello Matawalle, minister of state for defence, over concerns raised in a security assessment report on Nigeria.

Daniels made the call in a statement on Tuesday while releasing a report on Nigerias security crisis and recent killings in the north-central and north-west regions.

The report examined the implications of Nigerias security leadership following attacks during the 2026 Easter period that left many dead in Plateau, Kaduna, and Nasarawa states.

Daniels said the findings revealed a surge in violence targeting religious congregations during Palm Sunday and Easter services.

She said local leaders and survivors reported a disconnect between government rhetoric and the reality of safety on the ground despite official condemnations.

The report expressed concern over retaining Matawalle as minister of state for defence, citing alleged red flags.

These include allegations of complicity with bandits during his tenure as governor of Zamfara state, claims of harbouring bandit leaders, and concerns over a lack of relevant security experience.

She called for the removal or redeployment of Matawalle to restore the integrity of the defence ministry.

To the Government of Nigeria, the results of the assessment urge President Tinubu to look inward and remove elements that compromise national security, she said.

Specifically, immediate leadership review. The removal or redeployment of Minister Bello Matawalle to restore the integrity of the defence ministry.

Daniels also recommended a transparent investigation into allegations of high-level complicity with banditry and stronger protection for vulnerable communities.

She urged the United States government and international partners to increase diplomatic pressure to ensure accountability for those accused of aiding terrorism.

The position I take on this issue is because of citizens reaching out to me from Nigeria, she said.

My connection to Nigeria as a minister of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the Chairwoman of UN-WCD would not allow me to be silent.

Based on the referenced report, the attacks against believers in Northern Nigeria are allegedly protected by leadership from the inside.

The greatest form of terrorism a person can experience is terror that comes from homegrown familiar enemies.

When the people you trust to protect you work undercover with others who want to harm you, it must be devastating!

She added that House Resolution 761 supports redesignating Nigeria as a country of particular concern, and received bipartisan support in the Florida house.
Most large enterprises run on deterministic software foundations. Business rules are embedded within workflows, state transitions are modeled explicitly and escalation paths are defined in advance. System behavior is specified in advance, making outcomes predictable. Meaningful scenarios are encoded as conditional branches and validated before release. For decades, this approach has delivered the reliability and control required for mission-critical operations.

This model assumes most situations can be anticipated and expressed in logic. It works well when variation is limited and conditions remain manageable. If new requirements can be added as workflow branches, the structure holds. It begins to strain when processes must respond to context  not just thresholds, but the broader circumstances of a case.

In my experience, customer onboarding in banking makes this tension visible. Onboarding sits at the intersection of digital channels, fraud detection, regulatory obligations and revenue goals. It must satisfy Know Your Customer (KYC) and Anti-Money Laundering (AML) requirements while minimizing abandonment and resisting synthetic identity attacks.
An electrician works on a Peco power line during a storm-related outage in this 2019 file photo. Read more

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Peco announced Thursday that it is withdrawing a request to the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) for $520 million in rate increases to customers for electric and natural gas delivery in 2027.

The utility faced significant consumer and political backlash when it announced in March that it was seeking the increase. Among the chief critics was Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, who had demanded that Peco withdraw the request.

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Shapiro called Thursdays announcement a major win for the people of Pennsylvania.

The increase, if approved, would have meant a typical residential electric customers bill would rise by $20.08, or 12.5%, per month. And a typical residential natural gas customer would have seen a rate increase of $14.52, or 11.4%, per month. Most Philadelphians get their natural gas via Philadelphia Gas Works (PGW), which sets a separate rate.

At the time of the request, Peco cited the need for significant upgrades to meet power demand and to increase reliability of the grid amid more frequent and powerful storms.

But opponents of the rate hike request noted that it came after Peco had received approval for increases split over 2025 and 2026. And they noted that last year, Peco made $814 million in net income, up 48% from 2024, according to its parent company, Exelon.

IBEW Local 614, a union representing 1,500 Peco workers, also objected, and filed its own petition to the PUC against the rate hike, calling the utility a state-sanctioned monopoly thats fleecing ratepayers and workers to benefit executives and shareholders. The union is currently in negotiations with the company after its workers contract expired March 31.

In their withdrawal announcement, Pecos leaders, including David Vahos, president and CEO, cited significant financial pressures facing households and businesses across southeastern Pennsylvania.

 READ MORE: Their electric bills hit record highs this summer, from the Main Line to the Jersey Shore

Customers and communities across the region are facing sustained financial strain driven by rising costs for housing, food, healthcare, transportation, energy supply costs, and other everyday essentials, the statement said.

It also cited conversations with Gov. Josh Shapiro, as well as input from customers, community partners, and stakeholders as causing it to reassess the request. And Peco said it also has been in communication with Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle L. Parker and Council President Kenyatta Johnson.

We recognize that Pennsylvanians are struggling with basic necessities like gas, food, and energy and have decided to withdraw our proposal, Vahos said.

Shapiro praised Pecos decision.

Pennsylvanians are already being squeezed by rising costs from the Trump Administrations chaotic economic policies and the war in Iran, Shapiro said in a statement.

Based in Philadelphia, Peco delivers electricity to 1.7 million customers, and natural gas to 556,000. Founded in 1881, it is the states largest electric and natural gas delivery company.

The company said the rate hike application was meant to support near- and long-term electric and natural gas system modernization.

However, it said advancing those plans would place additional strain on customers.

The company said it is keeping intact a $12.5 million customer relief fund for low- and middle-income customers.

We appreciate our ongoing partnership with Gov. Shapiro and regional stakeholders and look forward to continuing to work together to deliver safe, reliable electric and natural gas service for the communities we are privileged to serve  all while prioritizing affordability and keeping bills as low as possible, Vahos said.
Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle L. Parker says she wants to encourage commercial and military shipbuilders and port-related businesses in "Lower South" Philly, in hopes of developing well-paying work. The photo shows Hanwha Philly Shipyard (bottom left), Navy contractor Rhoads Industries (right). Read more

Philadelphia officials are offering to fast-track permits for big employers with complex development plans as part of a campaign to entice companies to invest in and hire workers at former industrial sites near the Schuylkill and the Delaware River.

Mayor Cherelle L. Parker and City Council President Kenyatta Johnson on Wednesday convened port, shipbuilding, and real estate leaders for a tour of Lower South Philadelphia sites that have recently attracted significant investments.

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They rolled out a program called PHL PRIME  Project Review and Infrastructure Made Easy  and a short online application to move some applicants to the head of the line.

Our job is to make your lives easier, Johnson told the group before a four-vehicle caravan carried city officials and company leaders to nearby sites that are the focus of new and projected private and public investment.

Government needs to get out of the way of the private sector, so you can move at the speed of business, Parker said.

She told the executives and company owners that Philadelphia cant just rely on eds and meds  the universities and hospitals that are its leading private employers  but needs more private-sector jobs with family-sustaining wages to send those nonprofit institutions more students and patients.

The Delaware and Schuylkill waterfronts are flood-prone, with a long and often toxic industrial history that complicates redevelopment. City officials say they can speed large-scale investments while still respecting protections written into law.

In recent years, Center City has lost corporate headquarters and regional retail, leaving developers to convert office towers and department stores into apartments.

But with the Trump administration and Congress funding subsidies to rebuild U.S. basic industries, Parker and others at the meeting said port, shipbuilding, and modern industrial employers offer what Philadelphia needs: a range of well-paid skilled and unskilled jobs.

Union shipyard welders and operators, for example, start at around $50,000 a year, with pay rising to $100,000 for more experienced workers, including overtime.

Which companies could benefit?

Parker named four expanding companies that already qualify for PHL Prime:

Bureaucratic delay kills projects and sends investors elsewhere, said Roberto Perez, CEO and cofounder of HRP Group (formerly Hilco), which bought the defunct refineries and has been planning the Bellwether development since 2020. Speed to market is important. Permitting speed is critical.

HRP needed permits to replace century-old utilities, demolish refinery structures, smooth earth  and to promise it could frame the hulking building by next month and open it next year  so it could land California-based DrinkPAKs East Coast location, Perez said.

Timing was everything. We dont sell land. We sell strategy, Perez said, and that includes getting buildings done faster than rival sites in other states.

When HRP started on Bellwether six years ago, permitting was a long process, said Blake Rowan, the company official who is overseeing DrinkPAK construction. We have 85 workers on the job this week. It will be 110 next week [as walls go up] and then 150.

Our permits for this were the fastest ever, Rowan said. I am looking forward to PHL PRIME to cut times for future projects.

Perezs company plans more than a dozen more large industrial buildings, each needing multiple permits, as it finds tenants.

Projects in the pipeline

Staff supporting PHL PRIME will be busy with more applications from those initial program members.

Over the next 30 days, Hanwha will be finalizing designs to add automation and robotics at the shipyard and has secured the use of nearby properties controlled by the Navy and the Philadelphia Industrial Development Corp. (PIDC) to build more ship sections faster, Michael Coulter, CEO of Hanwha Defense USA, said at a briefing Thursday.

Hanwha plans to finish three civilian ships this year, up from an average of less than one a year under the yards former owners. Company officials have said the yard will become profitable, with costs per ship falling, if it can turn out 10 to 20 ships a year.

Hanwha also has applied to build Navy landing ships and oilers and has a backlog of orders to produce LNG-powered cargo ships when this years ships are completed, ensuring that its workforce of more than 2,000 stays busy, Coulter added.

Rhoads is readying plans for an additional 100,000-square-foot building, its government affairs director, Joe Welsh, told the mayors meeting Wednesday. The Navy is telling us, Please, do more work, and that means adding more permitted facilities, he added.

Kim and Welsh said their companies are recruiting contractors and suppliers to the neighborhood who will need their own facilities and permits.

Who qualifies for this special treatment? A project that stands to create at least 100 jobs is a good candidate, said Karen Fegley, the citys acting commerce director.

City officials said they also expect new projects in the port district, which reported record cargo volume last year, and plans to expand Korean auto imports on newly acquired land. The city and port operator Holt Logistics Corp. also hope to boost container cargoes with new facilities, even as Delaware plans a rival container port at Edgemoor.

The mayor projects tens of thousands more jobs from the citys new strategy. So far, results are incremental. DrinkPAK and Hanwha are investing big in labor-saving robots and automation. The DrinkPAK facility is larger than Amazon warehouses but will employ far fewer workers.

Hanwha officials, however, say they can double employment while adding automation to make many more ships because even robot welders will need skilled human guidance.

The city faces challenges keeping current employers in place. Minaris Advanced Therapies (formerly Altaris), successor to gene and cell therapy manufacturer WuXi AppTec, is subletting vacant space in its Navy Yard complex. Axalta, the DuPont automotive-paint spinoff with a Navy Yard headquarters and research center, was recently sold to Dutch rival AkzoNobel, though the buyer says it will keep the facility.

Jodie Harris, president of Navy Yard landlord PIDC, said other Navy Yard businesses are adding people, including Urban Outfitters, the retail group that is among the largest office employers at the yard after the Navy itself.
Ahmad Al-Azzam was sentenced to 8-1/2 to 17 years in state prison during a hearing Wednesday at the Chester County Justice Center. Read more

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On social media, Ahmad Al-Azzam styled himself as a crusader protecting children by hunting down and attacking pedophiles across two states, and he posted evidence of his own crimes to his followers on social media.

In reality, Chester County prosecutors said Wednesday, the Downingtown resident was little more than an armed sadist who broke into a 73-year-old mans home in West Chester and gleefully beat him with a hammer, leaving the terminally ill cancer patient with severe injuries that plagued the final months of his life.

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The victim, they said, was not a pedophile, and had taken steps to cut off communication with Al-Azzam when Al-Azzam pretended to be an underage boy in an online chatroom.

On Wednesday, Chester County Court Judge Allison Bell Royer sentenced Al-Azzam, 21, to 8 to 17 years in state prison in the May 2024 assault, for which he pleaded guilty to kidnapping, robbery, burglary, and simple assault.

In handing down the sentence, Royer decried the brutality of the nearly hour-long assault, a full recording of which was played in court.

But she acknowledged that Al-Azzam had taken responsibility for his actions by pleading guilty, and recognized that his past trauma, including having been raped as a boy, shaped a crime that was tantamount to torture.

This is a bad case, Royer said. A lighter sentence would diminish the seriousness of what happened.

Al-Azzam, speaking Wednesday in court, apologized, saying he did not fully understand the seriousness of what he was doing at the time, and asked for a second chance.

He faces similar criminal charges in Burlington County, where prosecutors say he attacked another man he accused of being a pedophile after luring him to a Dicks Sporting Goods store.

Chester County Deputy District Attorney Pete Johnsen said Al-Azzam operated an online Instagram account in which he posted videos of himself attacking and robbing the 73-year-old West Chester man, who he claimed was a pedophile who had attempted to meet up with a teenage boy.

Al-Azzam had met the man in an online chat room, prosecutors said. After a brief exchange, they said, he told the man he was 15, not 18 as he initially represented.

The man immediately stopped messaging him, according to Johnsen, and there was no evidence Al-Azzam believed the man was actually a pedophile. But Al-Azzam pleaded to continue the conversation, he said, and offered to send him a fast-food meal through DoorDash. The man accepted the offer and gave him his address.

While he held himself out as a vigilante exacting justice, what the commonwealth submits we just watched was somebody who reveled in inflicting pain and suffering on an elderly man, Johnsen said.

A graphic video of the assault filmed by Al-Azzam showed him arriving at the mans home, posing as the delivery driver. He bound the mans hands with packing tape, interrogated him about being a pedophile, and demanded money.

Despite the mans protests that the accusations were false, Al-Azzam demanded he tell the truth, threatening to kill and maim him.

When the man attempted to free himself, Al-Azzam punched him in the head several times, drawing blood. He then hit him in the torso with his hammer and threatened him with a knife, dragging its blade across the mans chest.

He forced the man to pose in photos for him, expressing how excited he was to confront him.

I love it when I see fear, Al-Azzam said. Im so wanting to kill you its unbelievable.

The victim required multiple surgeries for injuries that included internal bleeding in his brain, prosecutors said. He required constant care for the following year, according to his family, and had to relearn how to speak and walk.

The man died in April 2025, unable to resume his cancer treatments.

Al-Azzams attorney, Evan Kelly, said his client has been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, and related mental illnesses. An expert Kelly hired to investigate the case testified that Al-Azzam was raped three times while visiting his fathers native Jordan as a boy, and that some of the behavior he exhibited in the video seemed to be him acting out revenge for what was done to him.

Al-Azzam, Kelly said, was radicalized on the internet after learning about pedophiles who used dating apps specifically to target young boys.

As a result of not dealing with his past trauma, he saw himself as becoming a protector, a knight, Kelly said. Its a crime, its awful, and hes taken responsibility for it.

As detectives investigated, they learned the Instagram account controlled by Al-Azzam had posted videos of the assault, and discovered evidence of another apparent assault in New Jersey that took place weeks before the attack in West Chester.

According to the an affidavit of probable cause for Al-Azzams arrest in that case, he befriended a man on Grindr, a dating app for gay men, and asked him to meet him outside the Dicks Sporting Goods in Mount Laurel.

When the man arrived, the document said, Al-Azzam zip-tied his hands together while threatening him with a knife, beat him, and demanded to know why he was there to meet with a teenager.

The man said he was there to meet an adult, but Al-Azzam continued to attack him, and stole his wallet, cell phone, and car keys, the affidavit said.

Al-Azzam was charged with kidnapping, assault, theft, and related crimes. That case is pending.
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A 61-year-old man was injured in a shooting outside a strip mall Wednesday afternoon in Cherry Hill, the Camden County Prosecutors Office said.

Shortly after 3:50 p.m., police responded to a report of a person shot inside a vehicle in the parking lot of Liberty Bell Plaza on the 2000 block of Route 70 East, Camden County Prosecutor Grace C. MacAulay said in a statement.

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The victim was transported to Cooper University Hospital, where he was listed in stable condition, MacAulay said.

The shooting, which appeared to be an isolated incident, was being investigated by the Major Crimes Unit of the prosecutors office and the Cherry Hill Police Department, MacAulay said.

No arrests were reported.
Crime scene tape is left behind on the 1900 block of North Darien Street the day after a 26-year-old man was shot and killed. Read more

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Philadelphia police have identified a person they believe was involved with the fatal shooting of a 26-year-old man affiliated with the Young Bag Chasers last month, law enforcement sources said Wednesday.

Melvin Seabron, 20, is wanted and expected to be charged with murder and related crimes in connection with the killing of Dahviair Autry near Eighth and West Berks Streets on March 14, said the sources, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss an ongoing investigation.

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Police searched a home near Eighth and Diamond Streets Wednesday morning, looking for Seabron, but he wasnt there, the sources said.

Investigators are still working to identify at least two other people involved with the crime.

Autry, also known as Davinchi, was affiliated with the West Philadelphia-based crew known as YBC. Before his death, he was among few YBC members who remained on the street following a yearslong back-and-forth that left many young men dead and in jail  and after several other remaining YBC affiliates were charged with shootings and murders in a sprawling indictment earlier this year.

Police believe Seabron was among at least two people who had been searching for Autry for several days beginning in early March, circling the block where his mother lived at all hours of the day, said the sources.

On the evening of March 14, police said, two men parked a black Honda Accord on the 1900 block of North Darien Street, and waited for him to come out of his mothers home.

Around 6:15 p.m., he did  and the gunmen, armed with a rifle and 9mm handgun, jumped out and chased Autry down the block, shooting him multiple times, police said. He died at a hospital a short time later.

The shooters fled in the Honda, which was later found on fire near 17th and Wishart Streets. A gun magazine was found in the grass next to the car, sources said.

In the weeks that followed, detectives reviewed surveillance video and other information to trace the movements of the gunmen before and after the shooting, the sources said.

The investigation continues.
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More than 100 years ago, Drexel president Hollis Godfrey laid out the enormous challenges facing the school, following World War I and a global pandemic.

Antonio Merlo, Drexel Universitys new president, referenced that time Thursday in his inaugural address, optimistically noting that the schools signature co-op program had come out of the adversity Drexel faced at that time.

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Drexel now finds itself with another significant set of challenges, as it seeks to overcome budget deficits, overhaul academic programs, change from a quarter-based calendar to semesters by fall 2027, and cope with another national dip in high school students beginning this year.

This is another moment of reinvention, Merlo, an Italian-born political economist and former New York University dean, told the audience.  Drexel will reimagine itself.

Many colleges are facing challenges similar to Drexels in an increasingly competitive higher education market with fewer students and more questions about the value of college education.

Over about the last decade, the West Philadelphia university has lost about 20% of its enrollment. Last fall, Drexel saw a 19% drop in freshmen. And it is projected to continue to run deficits through fiscal year 2028, according to a recent report from Moodys, which downgraded the schools rating this month.

 READ MORE: Drexels new president says hes ready to focus on the schools academic overhaul

But those are not the numbers that Merlo is dwelling on. He touts that 96% of Drexel graduates have jobs or are in graduate school within one year and their starting salaries are 6% above the national average. Alumni, he said, are in the top 3% nationally in lifetime earnings. Ninety-one percent of students do co-ops, which are mostly paid six-month work experiences, and about half get full-time jobs from those co-ops, he said.

The school in the last year has advertised those numbers on banners at 30th Street Station and Philadelphia International Airport, Merlo said.

While some other schools are just beginning to talk about the need for more experiential and career-based learning, we wrote the textbook on it, Merlo said, referring to the co-op program.

There is a palpable sense of optimism and energy, Merlo said Wednesday in his large office conference room, now adorned by watercolor paintings from his late fathers art gallery in Italy.

The university will complete its academic overhaul this spring, he said, a new team is managing enrollment, and the school is projecting to end the year with a $20 million deficit, down from almost $40 million last year and $63 million in 2024.

A change in enrollment management

Merlo said senior vice president Subir Sahu, who had been overseeing student success, is now also leading on enrollment management, replacing Dawn Medley, who has since taken a job elsewhere. There is a new vice president, too.

Part of the reason for the 19% drop in freshmen was the schools decision to lower its admittance rate last year by nearly 10 percentage points to 69.9%.

Merlo, who became president last July after the admissions process was complete, said that was not a good move. That strategy is being altered for the fall 2026 class, he said. The school also is restructuring financial aid and offering more merit aid to families who had not previously qualified for assistance, he said.

Imagine that youre sitting there in a family that makes $150,000 to $200,000 a year, he said. Suppose that you have a kid who has a 4.0 average. This year we went out with a merit-based scholarship that essentially now tells those families a very compelling story. You can come here for a much reduced net tuition.

The school already is seeing promising signs from the shifts, he said. More students have submitted deposits to attend this fall and attendance is up at admitted student days, he said.

He also anticipates the percentage of admitted students who enroll at Drexel will increase. Last year, only 7.2% of those admitted enrolled, down from 8% in 2024 and 9.1% in 2023.

Overall, Drexels enrollment has gone from a high of 26,359 in 2014-15 to 20,868 this year.

Merlo said he does not have a specific enrollment number in mind.

Bigger is not necessarily better, he said. I am actually not chasing after head counts. My goal is to improve the quality of the student experience at Drexel.

Knocking down deficits

Moodys earlier this month said Drexel was projected to run deficits through 2028 and then steadily improve.

That is the plan, Merlo said. We know exactly what we need to be doing.

Moodys this month downgraded Drexels financial rating, citing a weakness in financial policy and financial management but noting the schools credible plans to improve. Merlo pointed out that S&P Global, another rating agency, maintained the schools higher rating this month and gave it a stable outlook.

He puts more stock in that one. Drexels regular Moodys analyst died in a plane crash, he said.

We had a brand new team of people who knew nothing about Drexel, he said.

The school laid off 60 employees in 2024 and announced about 3.6% of its workforce had taken voluntary retirement. The school also said at that time it was cutting and freezing some salaries and slashing benefits as part of a plan to reduce the deficit.

Merlo said he has no plans for additional employee layoffs but there will be reallocation of personnel as the university completes academic program changes.

 READ MORE: Years into historic affiliation, Drexel University and Academy of Natural Sciences may sever ties

In another potential belt-tightening move, Drexel may sever ties with the Academy of Natural Sciences. A source familiar with the situation told The Inquirer the academy had become a drain on the university. The school, which has provided the academy with more than $8 million in each of the last two years, has given the academy the choice of fully merging into Drexel or disaffiliating.

We are working collaboratively with the mayor and the governor to figure out what the future of the academy is, Merlo said this week. And to be very clear, our primary goal is to protect and preserve the collections, which is an amazing resource for our students, for our city, for our region.

But, he said, attendance and grant funding at the academy have declined and all parties need to come up with a plan to have something that is sustainable.

An academic transformation

Also in 2024, Drexel announced it would undergo a multiyear process to merge two of its colleges and one of its schools into one entity. The College of Engineering, the College of Computing and Informatics, and the School of Biomedical Engineering, Science, and Health Systems are merging into the new College of Engineering and Computing. The consolidation will be complete this spring, and Drexel earlier this month appointed Eunice E. Santos, a University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign dean, as the new colleges inaugural dean.

 READ MORE: Drexel University is consolidating schools and asking several deans to step down

The School of Education also was merged into the College of Arts and Science and the School of Entrepreneurship into the College of Business. The Autism Institute has become part of Public Health. And Drexel is consolidating its medical college programs in University City and likely will sell or repurpose its Queen Lane campus and a building in Center City.

Experiential education, while long a Drexel cornerstone, will become a requirement in the new curriculum, Merlo said.

We want to just stand up and say this is who we are, he said.
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Ric Edelman has spent decades in the field of financial planning, earning national acclaim for his work and leading the largest independent financial planning firm in the country.

Now, he plans to teach what he learned as the founding leader of a new School of Financial Planning at Rowan University. The company he founded, Edelman Financial Engines, has pledged $10 million to establish the school, Rowan announced Thursday.

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The new school will start offering classes this fall and will include both undergraduate and graduate courses and prepare students to earn a certified financial planner designation, the school said.

 READ MORE: Rowan scholarship recipients will leave with a $17,000 cash bonus if they graduate in four years

The move comes as the nation faces a shortage of 100,000 financial advisers within the next decade and as millions approach retirement, university officials said.

Edelman, a Rowan alumnus who still serves on the board and is the largest shareholder of the Boston-based firm he and his wife, Jean, started in 1986, is currently a distinguished lecturer and an executive-in-residence at Rowans business college. Jean Edelman is a Rowan trustee and an alumna.

Rowan officials said they hope the university can become a leader in financial planning education, which they said fewer than 200 colleges offer.

Rowan president Ali Houshmand said at a news conference that higher education needs to bring more professionals into the classroom to teach.

Im so excited that we are really starting to do education in the right way by the people who have experimented, who have done it, and they can bring it to the class and pass it to the students, he said.

Ric Edelman has been named the nations top independent financial adviser three times by Barrons and is in its hall of fame. He will help develop the schools curriculum and teach in the program, which will be based at Business Hall on the Glassboro campus.

They always used to say that old joke  those who cant do, teach, Edelman said. I think we phrase it as those who did it, teach.

 READ MORE: Tickets to South Jerseys Jurassic Park-like fossil park and museum on sale now

The Edelmans have long been major donors to Rowan. They gave $25 million to help fund the Edelman Fossil Park and Museum of Rowan University, which opened last year. They also donated $10 million to fund scholarships for students who are strong academic performers and come from low-income families. Rowans College of Communication and Creative Arts and its planetarium also bear his name.

The couple both graduated from Rowan when it was Glassboro State College, he in 1980 and she in 1981. She grew up in Cranbury, N.J., and got her degree in consumer economics, and he grew up in Cherry Hill and got his degree in communications.

Ric Edelman has written 14 books, most recently The Truth About College: The Essential Guide for Parents and Teens  So You Can Make the Right Choice Together, and he also has had a podcast series on the topic.

He was Rowans commencement speaker in 2024.

We care very much about the development and growth of the university and the opportunities that its affording students, particularly in the South Jersey region, Ric Edelman said.
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On a sensory level, California chardonnay is a far more diverse category today than it was 20 years ago. The regions premium chardonnays were heavier barrel-fermented whites that were generously seasoned with new oak, but todays offerings are all over the white wine map. In the key $15 to $25 range, some are completely unoaked  like a pinot grigio  while most mix in oaked chardonnay for a happy medium. Still, its rare to find an affordable example like this one thats still rich enough to pair with all the steakhouse classics.

Back when California was still finding its footing as a fine wine region, vintners often looked to France for inspiration. Chardonnay pioneers in places like Napa Valley and Sonoma aimed for the ripe and voluptuous style associated with Frances top-notch white Burgundies by adopting techniques such as barrel fermentation and batonnage, which involves frequently stirring the lees to maximize the wines creaminess. Central to this tradition was patient maturation in not just French barrels, but in new oak, where up to half of the barrels are replaced yearly to infuse the wine with the distinctive nutty flavor of caramelized oak.

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Decoy is a line of wines that began as the second label of Napa Valleys legendary Duckhorn Vineyards. As such, their value line is a steakhouse staple that stays true to the richer and oakier retro style that Duckhorns chardonnays are known for. While this California-tier bottling isnt as opulent as Duckhorns Napa Valley classics, it has enough heft on the palate to pull off flavors of juicy mango and muskmelon with a buttery oak gloss reminiscent of a fresh-baked croissants crunchy exterior.

Decoy Limited Chardonnay

Sonoma Coast, Calif.; 14.2% ABV

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Mezzaluna KSQ started as a roaming pizza operation, firing pies at breweries, wineries, and pop-ups around southern Chester County. Six years later, Ben and Samantha Tobin have turned it into one of the western suburbs more distinctive pizzerias. The shop, off the main drag in Kennett Square, has both a local following and growing credibility on the national pizza competition circuit.

Both Tobins have placed at the International Pizza Challenge in recent years, unusual for a small-town shop. Ben Tobin finished second in the Northeast and sixth in the world in the nontraditional division in 2023, and that year placed sixth in the Worlds Best Cheese Slice at the Pizza & Pasta Expo in Atlantic City.

In March 2025 at the International Pizza Challenge, he took first in the Northeast and third in the world with a Reuben-inspired Detroit-style pizza. (Its a crispy-edged square pie slathered with garlic cream sauce, topped with corned beef, sauerkraut, Irish cheddar, gruyere, and caraway seeds, and finished with a drizzle of Thousand Island dressing and parsley.)

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Last month, he was inducted into the World Pizza Champions team, comprising 71 top pizzaioli, including Pizzata Pizzerias Davide Lubrano Lavadera, Ciro Lubrano Lavadera, and Vinny Gallagher.

In 2025, Samantha Tobin also competed at the International Pizza Challenge, finishing ninth in the Northeast and 24th overall among 75 competitors in the New York-style cheese category. This year, her New York cheese was third in the Northeast and eighth overall.

The couple eased into the business. Ben, a Norristown native who moved to Kennett Square in 1998 and graduated from Kennett High School in 2007, was a local police officer. Samantha taught elementary school music. They met in 2011 at the Kennett Square Memorial Day Parade through Kennett Fire Company, where Ben volunteered.

On their way to a new home in Charleston, S.C., the couple turned the drive into a 46-state food crawl.

A visit to the vaunted Tonys Pizza Napoletana in San Francisco really changed my thinking, Ben said. Growing up around here, I didnt have much of a sense of what pizza could be beyond Franzones in Bridgeport. After that, I got the pizza bug.

Ben dove into dough, ovens, YouTube videos, and technique. In the Charleston area, he was driving for Uber when he met a couple who owned a wood-fired pizza and catering business; he went to work for them. After a move to Denver, he worked for a mobile wood-fired oven company, teaching customers how to cook on the equipment.

The couple began planning a return to Chester County to open a food truck. They incorporated Mezzaluna on March 9, 2020  a week before the pandemic scrambled those plans. (The name  Italian for half-moon  refers to the curved pizza cutter and also nods to Half Moon Restaurant & Saloon, where Ben once worked.)

Their first catered event was that October for Kennett Fire Company, bringing them full circle, as they say in the pizza biz.

From there, the company grew steadily. Mezzaluna started with two tiny Ooni ovens, then added a small trailer and regular pop-up stops. By summer 2021, the business had grown to a five-person team and a larger trailer nicknamed Big Red.

In June 2024, the Tobins opened their brick-and-mortar shop in a steel building. It seats about 20.

Crispy New York pizzas and crunchy-crusted Detroits remain the backbone of the business, though tavern-style pies added earlier this year have gained traction. Competition pizzas and monthly specials have also become part of Mezzalunas identity, such as the Reuben-inspired Detroit pie thats offered in March as a St. Patricks nod. Other specials have included a shepherds pie pizza topped with potatoes whipped with Dubliner cheese and baked until the edges crisp.

Samantha Tobin had planned to keep substitute teaching while helping to build the food truck, but when that work dried up during the pandemic, she moved more fully into the company.

When we started the food truck, the plan was for me to keep substitute teaching, she said. I was starting to lose the joy in teaching, and when you lose the joy in something, you feel like youre doing a disservice to the craft. The food truck gave me a chance to step back while still keeping a foot in the door.

Her role, she said, quickly expanded beyond bookkeeping.

People would say, You can do the books and Ben can run the restaurants, she said. And I always thought, I can do more than the books. At the end of the day, I do a lot of the books, yes, but I also love coming in and making pizza. I like working with my hands.

Mezzaluna KSQ, 216 S. Mill Rd., Kennett Square. Hours: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday to Saturday.
Yoel Polack, the CEO of Chariot Allaire, presented what he called an "aspirational" plan for the former Crozer-Chester Medical Center campus at a town hall meeting in Widener University's Lathem Hall. Read more

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The new owner of the shuttered Crozer-Chester Medical Center in Delaware County shared what he called an aspirational plan to restore healthcare services to the Upland facility at a town hall meeting Tuesday in Chester.

The vision includes reopening of the emergency department, creating a small hospital above the ED, and developing outpatient services  all operated by one or more local nonprofit health systems, Yoel Polack told a standing-room-only crowd of more than 200 at Widener University.

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Polack is CEO of Chariot Allaire, the for-profit partnership that paid $10 million for Crozer in January. His group has been talking to all the regional health systems for months and expects soon to begin a study process with two and hopefully three of the major academic medical centers in the region, he said.

That is expected to last up to 90 days, he said, and hopefully at the end of that period, were going to be having some outline of partnership with the system. Polack described his anticipated partner as an institution you know and trust.

The entire process could take two or three years after a partnership is formed, he said Polack, whose company is registered in Lakewood, N.J.

He provided no details on how much Chariot Allaire would be willing to invest to attract a health system to the site, where state-led efforts previously failed to save a major safety-net provider for Delaware County that closed last May amid the bankruptcy of its California-based owner, Prospect Medical Holdings Inc.

Chariot Allaire paid relatively little for the 64-acre campus, which gives the company a low cost basis for owning the site. But that doesnt mean it will be easy to attract a partner at a time of thin to nonexistent profit margins for the regions health systems.

It does not seem like theres an easy and obvious candidate, said Dan Grauman, managing director at VMG Health, a national healthcare consulting firm.

Theres no question theres need for care and for services, said Grauman, who has decades of familiarity with the Philadelphia regions healthcare market.

A welcome public meeting

During an hourlong question and answer session, residents expressed gratitude for the meeting with Polack and his senior medical adviser, Arthur Klein, a pediatric cardiologist who spent decades as an executive at nonprofit health systems in New York.

Many times things happen in our community, and we are the last to know, so you started off very, very well, said Zulene Mayfield, chairperson of Chester Residents Concerned for Quality Living, a community group known for the fight to close a large trash incinerator in the city.

Some residents pushed back against Polack and Kleins plans for a much smaller hospital than the more than 400 beds Crozer-Chester Medical Center had at its peak. During a March interview with The Inquirer, Klein suggested the new hospital could have 80 beds.

You dont want a hospital of the 1990s, Klein said Tuesday.

The current hospital structure encompasses 750,000 square feet  now completely empty. Crozers shuttered ED took up 30,000 of the square feet. Chariot Allaire contemplates opening a hospital a tenth of the size of the old hospital.

Operating that hospital cost way too much, Polack said. It also doesnt meet the way medical care is done today, which is mainly on the outpatient side," said Polack, who has worked in healthcare real estate development in New York.

Simone Development Cos., where Polack worked before striking out on his own, often collaborated on real estate deals with Montefiore, a health system in the Bronx that serves many patients with Medicaid insurance, Grauman said.

That experience is relevant to the effort here, he said, given that Crozer also served large numbers of people with Medicaid, which pays significantly lower rates than private insurers.

The role of local health systems

Before Prospects bankruptcy filing in January 2025, a few local health systems explored establishing a new nonprofit to take over Crozer-Chester Medical Center. Those talks continued during the bankruptcy, but failed to produce a solution.

The University of Pennsylvania Health System said it remains at the table.

We continue to work with committed partners to restore crucial healthcare services for Delaware County residents, Penn said in a statement. Its important that any new models for the former Crozer-Chester site are built to be sustainable amid a rapidly changing healthcare landscape and persistent financial challenges.

ChristianaCare, which plans to open a micro-hospital in Aston in June, is not in discussions with Chariot Allaire, it said, but supports their efforts to expand access to quality heath care in Delaware County.

While Chariot Allaire is wooing health systems, the new owners of two other closed Crozer Health hospitals, Taylor and Springfield, are doing the same thing. Local investors paid $1 million each for those hospitals. Those low prices could allow the owners to offer below market rate leases to attract tenants.

Polack noted that if no local systems want to bring services to the Crozer site, he would look farther afield.

We dont control hospital systems and operators, but we are doing everything that we can to put the pieces together to illustrate the opportunity that we see here to those hospital systems, he said.
Listen to article  0:00 min

The Norwegian Jewel is docked in the Port of Philadelphia (PhilaPort) and ready to welcome passengers aboard today for a seven-day, round-trip cruise to Bermuda, marking the first time in 15 years a cruise ship has sailed out of Philly.

While Norwegians Cruise Lines 965-foot vessel is ready to go, PhilaPorts new Cruise Ship Terminal is not yet shipshape. Construction of the terminal in Tinicum  at a site adjacent to the Philadelphia International Airport formerly known as the Hog Island Dock Terminal Facility  began in December but was delayed by winter weather and remains ongoing.

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As a result, passengers taking the voyage out of Philadelphia are being asked to check in and drop off their luggage at the Clarion Hotel at the airport. From there, they will be shuttled to the terminal. Guests and civilians cant access the terminal, except via the approved shuttles, and there is no option to check-in at the ship.

Prior to departure, members of the media will be given a tour of the ship and a ceremony will be held aboard. Expected speakers include Gov. Josh Shapiro, Mayor Cherelle L. Parker, and Norwegian Cruise Line president Marc Kazlauskas.

Built in 2005 and refurbished last year, the Norwegian Jewel holds 1,069 crew members and up to 2,368 passengers. The ship has more than a dozen dining options, including an Irish pub, French bistro, and a Japanese hibachi restaurant, as well as 14 bars. Theres also a casino, Starbucks, spa, and theater on board.

Norwegian Cruise Lines seven-year agreement with PhilaPort runs through 2033 and includes an initial commitment of 41 voyages a year to places like the Caribbean, New England, and Canada.
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The Camden County commissioners voted Thursday to bar ICE agents from conducting civil immigration enforcement on county property, a ban that includes administrative buildings, parks, county technical schools, the college, and the jail.

The 7-0 vote moves the county into line with a national trend in which more and more local Democratic-led governments are barring the federal agency from their land.

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ICE has torn families apart, hardworking members of our community have been wrongfully detained, and children have been left terrified to go to their school bus stop, Commissioner Director Louis Cappelli Jr. said in a statement. Our residents and visitors deserve to feel safe when they are playing with their families in our parks, or visiting one of our agencies, or attending an event on county property.

The resolution bans ICE agents from entering county-owned or -leased buildings, citing concerns for the health, safety, and welfare of residents, and saying people must be able to securely access services they need.

The exception, as in most places, would be if ICE agents arrive with a warrant signed by a judge.

The county and its law enforcement agencies will continue to uphold the law and rights of due process as guaranteed in the state and federal constitutions, the resolution said.

Officials in Montgomery County approved a similar policy in March.

Across the country, more Democratic-led jurisdictions are resisting the ICE surge in enforcement, drawing lines not just on police assistance but also on the ways the agency can use local properties to support its mission.

For local governments, barring U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement hangs out a big Not Welcome sign, enabling a local board or council to publicly proclaim its opposition. The measures also can complicate the agencys logistics, as ICE can need big open spaces like parking lots to set up officers, cars, and equipment for its operations.

These types of measures have been approved by government leaders in places including Los Angeles, Oakland, Cincinnati, New York City, Seattle, San Jose, Calif., Providence, R.I., Denver, Asheville, N.C., and Worcester, Mass.

All embraced land-use policies, as the Vera Institute of Justice pointed out in a study, that limit federal use of local property as staging areas, operational bases, or processing sites for arrests.

By doing so, the institute said, localities can disrupt the infrastructure for large-scale raids, reassert local control over public property, protect residents from enforcement activity, and reinforce trust between immigrant communities and local government.

Crucially, the institute noted, these ICE-free zones make no attempt to bar the agency from doing its work. Instead, they clarify that federal authorities can conduct arrests on city and county property when supported by a judicial warrant.

That signals to courts that local governments are not trying to obstruct federal enforcement, and it reinforces lawful enforcement practices.
A view of U.S. Steels Clairton Plant along the Monongahela River in Pennsylvania in 2025. Read more

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North Americas largest coke plant hugs the west bank of Pennsylvanias Monongahela River, belching out emissions from turning superheated coal into a carbon-rich fuel.

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Researchers say the children at Clairton Elementary School about a mile away pay the price. They discovered the students there and at other elementary schools near major pollution sites in Pennsylvania had higher asthma rates than other children in the state.

Residents and environmental advocates saw reason for hope and relief in the form of a Biden administration rule designed to tamp down on coke oven plant pollution. But even before it took effect, President Donald Trump granted all 11 coke plants in the U.S.  including the one in Clairton  a two-year exemption from the standards.

Trump and Republicans have sought to align themselves with the Make America Healthy Again movements populist ideals, such as improving Americans food choices and reducing corporate harm to the environment. But the administration is ratcheting up its attacks on the very environmental protections that MAHA followers hold dear.

Taken together, these anti-environmental initiatives will lead to more pollution-related illnesses and higher healthcare spending, health researchers say. They could also have political ramifications, eroding MAHAs support for GOP candidates in the November midterm elections if followers believe the party is more beholden to industry than to the movements agenda.

Only 1 in 5 American adults, including about a quarter of Republicans, support rolling back environmental regulations, according to a poll by the Energy Policy Institute at the University of Chicago and the Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research.

Some MAHA supporters believe voters will support Republicans because the Trump administration is delivering on other goals important to the movement.

MAHA has a pretty diverse set of policy goals, ranging from medical freedom to food and the environment, said David Mansdoerfer, who served in Health and Human Services leadership during Trumps first term. In totality, the Trump administration has strongly delivered on much of the MAHA agenda.

While MAHA voters have been upset at some of the administrations actions that promote industry, its hard to know how that may play out in the midterms, said Christopher Bosso, a professor of public policy and politics at Northeastern University. Many were disillusioned by a Trump executive order they viewed as promoting glyphosate, which HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has called poison.

The glyphosate thing really ticks off a lot of them; theyre really upset, Bosso said. Kennedy said it was poison. If it is a poison, why arent we regulating it? Thats where the tension plays out.

The situation with the Clairton coke plant and the others granted exemptions from regulations underscores the potential public health risks. Six of the 11 factories had high priority violations of the Clean Air Act as of last May, according to a KFF Health News analysis. Five coke oven plants logged major violations every quarter for at least three years straight.

Poisoning continues to some of the most vulnerable residents of Allegheny County, David Meckel, who had lived in nearby Glassport, Pa., said at a March 2025 county meeting about the coke plant.

Environmental Protection Agency spokesperson Brigit Hirsch said the president gave companies extra time because the technology needed to meet a new standard isnt ready yet.

Forcing plants to comply before the tools exist doesnt make the air cleaner, it just shuts down facilities and kills jobs with nothing to show for it, Hirsch said.

But environmental groups disagree that the plants were unable to comply at a reasonable cost, and they say the exemption from the EPA requirements shows the Trump administration is prioritizing the coal industry at the expense of public health.

The Trump administrations relentless actions to dismantle lifesaving environmental protections are a gut punch to the administrations own promise to Make America Healthy Again, said Cathleen Kelly, a senior fellow at the Center for American Progress, a liberal think tank.

Hard times in Clairton

Sprawled across nearly 400 acres, the Clairton plant operates ovens in which coal is heated to as much as 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit to make up to 4.3 million tons annually of the carbon-rich fuel known as coke. The product is used in blast furnaces to produce iron.

Its a dirty operation. The process leads to hazardous emissions of benzene, a carcinogen that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says can lead to anemia and leukemia, as well as sulfur dioxide, which can trigger severe asthma.

The Clairton operation has had repeated problems with its emissions and operations, including fatal explosions and excess releases of toxic chemicals. The plant has received more than $56 million in fines from the Allegheny County Health Department since 2022, stemming largely from a fire in 2018 that led to high emissions, and violated the Clean Air Act in each of the last 12 quarters, with the last compliance monitoring in July 2025, according to the EPA.

Nippon Steel Corp. last year acquired U.S. Steel, which now operates as a subsidiary. The company didnt respond to an email seeking comment. U.S. Steel said it spends $100 million annually on environmental compliance at Clairton.

Environmental stewardship is a core value at U. S. Steel, and we remain committed to the safety of our communities, spokesperson Andrew Fulton said in a written statement.

Clairton was once bustling with movie theaters, a mix of grocery stores, and riverside parks, with a dance pavilion and a performing hot-air balloonist. But the decline of steel hit hard. The towns population dwindled from more than 19,000 people in the mid-20th century to fewer than 6,000 as of 2024. Dozens of homes stood abandoned until they were razed and replaced with signs saying to keep out. The 1978 movie The Deer Hunter, which depicts a hardscrabble industrial town, is partly set there. Today, about 33% of residents live in poverty.

While the plant brings jobs and revenue, residents of the town and the surrounding areas have long complained about health problems they attribute to its emissions.

My parents are gone. My mom had cancer, my dad, Carla Beard-Owens, a Clairton resident, said at a 2025 County Council meeting. I lost a lot of loved ones and seen other ones pass because of this mill.

Pediatric allergist Deborah Gentile looked into asthma rates among 1,200 children who attended school near major pollution sites in the area  including students at Clairton Elementary School. They had nearly triple the national rate of asthma, with the highest rate among African American youth, according to the study she led.

We were shocked, she said. It was double or triple what we expected. The people are proud of their industrial background. We need steel, but theyre not running a good enough operation.

A follow-up study found children with asthma living near the coke plant had an 80% higher chance of missing school when sulfur dioxide pollution was elevated.

Allegheny County, which includes Clairton and Pittsburgh, is home to a number of industrial plants, and researchers have linked its air pollution to increased deaths, chronic heart disease, and adverse birth outcomes. It was ranked in the top 1% of counties in the nation for cancer risk from stationary industrial air pollutants in a 2018 EPA report.

Clairton has an age-adjusted cancer death rate of 170 per 100,000 people, higher than the broader countys rate of 150 deaths per 100,000 people, based on a KFF Health News analysis of state and federal data.

The American Lung Association in 2025 gave the county an F rating for its particle pollution levels. PennEnvironment, an environmental group that was party to a settlement with U.S. Steel involving the Clairton plant, says the coke operation caused 1.1 million pounds of toxic releases in 2021, which amounted to 60% of all such releases in the county that year.

From 2020 through 2025, the Clairton plant racked up more in fines from Clean Air Act penalties than any other coke oven facility nationwide, costing U.S. Steel over $10 million, according to EPA facility reports.

We are deeply concerned with exemptions, which allow air toxics to affect public health, Allegheny County Health Department spokesperson Ronnie Das said in a statement.

The Clairton plant provides 1,200 manufacturing jobs and hundreds of millions of dollars in tax revenue to the area. The jobs help generate nearly $3 billion in annual economic output, according to estimates from the Pennsylvania Manufacturers Association.

Some community members and advocacy groups hoped air quality would improve after the coke plant was sold. Nippon Steel has pledged to upgrade facilities in the Monongahela River Valley.

Politics, waivers, and environmental concerns

Under the Biden-era rule, coke plants were supposed to start meeting new limits on leaks from the lids and doors of ovens that heat coal. They would also have had to monitor for benzene at their property lines and take steps to lower emissions of the carcinogen if they exceeded certain levels. Compliance deadlines were set for July 2025.

The Trump administration, which has sought to revive the coal industry, intervened. Last year, it invited hundreds of industrial plants, including coke plants such as Clairtons, to seek presidential waivers from nine separate rules issued in 2024 by the EPA.

Then Trump in November went further, granting all coke plants a two-year compliance break.

The reprieve was necessary, the EPA spokesperson Hirsch said, because the requirements would have meant extra costs for the industry when standards already in effect work extremely well at reducing pollution.

Hirsch also said the agency under Trump is protecting the environment, pointing to action the administration has taken to reduce long-lasting chemicals called PFAS, prevent lead poisoning, strengthen chemical safety, and protect Americans food and water supply.

We are building a future where the next generation of Americans is the healthiest in our nations history, and they inherit the cleanest air, land and water in the world, Hirsch said.

However, the administration has taken several steps that environmental advocates say weaken health protections.

The presidents executive order on glyphosate, an herbicide the World Health Organization has linked to cancer, which touched off a furor among MAHA enthusiasts who said they felt betrayed. The EPA has decided to stop considering the health-related economic benefits of reducing pollution when making policy decisions, instead focusing on the cost to industry of complying with rules. The agency also rescinded the legal and scientific basis that had long established greenhouse gases as dangerous to public health.

The actions have rankled some MAHA enthusiasts who counted on the administration to tackle chronic disease, especially among children. A petition to Trump on Change.org with more than 15,000 signatures called for the removal of EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin, citing deregulatory actions it said supported corporations over MAHA goals.

Some MAHA enthusiasts have sounded off on social media.

No one should believe that MAHA is being upheld at the EPA at this point, Kelly Ryerson, a leader of American Regeneration, which focuses on a conservation approach to farming, said Feb. 8 on X.

Alex Clark, host of a health and wellness podcast, also aired her concerns on X, saying there is something really freaking spooky going on at the EPA and I refuse to let the American people be gaslit into thinking theyre upholding the MAHA agenda.

A significant number of people who supported Trump are worried these rollbacks are going to hurt their health, said Max Burns, a Democratic strategist and the founder of the communications firm Third Degree Strategies. The MAHA voters, especially women, are very sensitive to this. Republicans have put themselves in a bind.

MAHA supporters shouldnt be surprised by a Trump administration that doesnt prioritize environmental protections over industry, because the president has always championed fossil fuels, said Kyle Kondik, managing editor of Sabatos Crystal Ball, a nonpartisan election forecasting newsletter published by the University of Virginia Center for Politics.

The coke plant exemptions have disappointed some community members, environmental groups, and regulators concerned about public health and emissions.

Nearly 300,000 people live within 3 miles of the 11 active coke plants across the U.S., according to EPA data compiled by the Environmental Defense Fund.

Weakening environmental rules has helped boost Trump with the $91 billion U.S. coal industry. In February, mining industry executives and lobbyists gathered at the White House, greeting Trump with applause.

Coal miners, including some in white hard hats bedecked with American flags, presented him with a bronze-colored trophy emblazoned The Undisputed Champion of Beautiful Clean Coal.

At the event, Trump praised their work. We love clean, beautiful coal, he said.

KFF Health News is a national newsroom that produces in-depth journalism about health issues and is one of the core operating programs at KFF  the independent source for health policy research, polling, and journalism.
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HARRISBURG  Pennsylvania will not share disability data with the federal government under an executive order signed Wednesday by Gov. Josh Shapiro.

Citing Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.s effort to use Medicaid and Medicare data to determine the cause of autism, Shapiro directed Pennsylvania not to participate unless required under federal law.

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Kennedys so-called autism registry announced last year sent shock waves through the autism and intellectual disability community with fears that it would stigmatize, marginalize, or track people with autism with the intention of eliminating the disorder.

Kennedy announced the database as a pilot program between the National Institutes of Health and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to use insurance claims, medical records, and data from smartwatches to find the root causes of the disorder, with plans to expand the data tracking to other chronic disorders.

Shapiros executive order  which was one of three signed Wednesday  adds data privacy protections for people with intellectual disabilities and autism and prohibits state agencies from sharing data not required by federal law.

Sadly, right now in our nations capital, we have a president and a secretary of health and human services who openly disregard and disrespect and mock people with disabilities, Shapiro said in a news conference ahead of the executive order signing. Were different here in Pennsylvania.  We believe in building a government that is compassionate, thoughtful, and creates safe and loving spaces for all.

Shapiro said the Department of Health and Human Services requested the data from the state last year and Pennsylvania did not comply. The order formalizes that policy.

Kennedy has a history of anti-vaccine rhetoric, and he sparked criticism from medical professionals last year when he ordered the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to drop its long-standing position that vaccines do not cause autism, the New York Times reported in November.

The whole thing about vaccines have been tested and theres been this determination made is just a lie, Kennedy claimed at the time. The phrase Vaccines do not cause autism is not supported by science.

Shapiro joined a multistate lawsuit against President Donald Trumps administration earlier this year after the CDC removed its childhood vaccine recommendations for a slew of illnesses.

A spokesperson for HHS rebuffed Shapiros executive order in a statement, adding that the National Institutes of Health initiative is intended to advance our understanding of autism. The data used by NIH researchers is de-identified, and the spokesperson compared its tracking efforts to those of a national cancer registry that dates back to the 1970s.

These efforts are not about tracking individuals whatsoever, said Emily Hilliard, the press secretary for HHS. All NIH-managed databases follow the highest standards of security and privacy, with the protection of personal health information as a top priority.

New Jersey keeps its own state-level registry of children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder, which requires healthcare providers to register anyone under the age of 22 that they diagnose to be able to access critical resources.

New Jersey parents can choose to have their child listed anonymously, even if they were originally reported by name, and the registry will not share identifiable data with federal agencies, according to the New Jersey Department of Health.

Shapiro also created a new Governors Advisory Commission on People with Disabilities, which will advise him and his administration on policies related to people with disabilities, including those with intellectual disabilities, developmental disabilities, and autism.

The third executive order codifies changes already made at the federal level in the Intellectual Disabilities Council, which is created and funded by the federal government but operated by the Pennsylvania Department of Health and Human Services.

Shapiro was lauded by intellectual disability and autism advocates Wednesday, who cited their fears of federal overreach and increased surveillance of their communities that are already marginalized and misunderstood.

I worry about being openly autistic in these times. I worry a lot that people may not understand me or they might judge me because of the fact that Im autistic, said Tom Bak, 26, a musician who graduated from West Chester University last year. Its very important to me that people with autism are treated equally.

Sherri Landis, the executive director of the Arc of Pennsylvania, said the governors new advisory commission will help identify gaps in accessibility and shift perspective from viewing disability as a limitation to recognizing it as a natural and valuable part of human diversity. It is the seventh advisory commission operated by the state, all of which are made up of volunteer members and paid staff.

Improving government services for people with intellectual disabilities and autism has become a priority for Shapiro and his wife, Pennsylvania first lady Lori Shapiro. Shapiro has boasted a 31% decrease in the emergency waiting list for services for adults with intellectual disabilities and autism, down from 4,600 people to 3,191, according to Shapiros office.

He also helped raise rates for direct-support professionals, who often are paid low wages for the physically demanding roles of caring for people with significant intellectual disabilities.

But people with intellectual disabilities and autism still face an uphill battle to obtain resources in Pennsylvania, said Mark Davis, the president and CEO of the Pennsylvania Advocates and Resources for Autism and Intellectual Disabilities (PAR), as rates require annual increases to attract and retain quality care professionals.

A study conducted by PAR and other disability advocacy groups released this month found that direct-support professionals serving these communities have a 41% turnover rate and an 18.2% vacancy rate.

If you dont make regular investments, then youre always fighting uphill, Davis said. When we have manageable turnover and we have zero vacancies, then well know weve reached homeostasis in the market.
Laura A. Carlson, who will be inaugurated as president of the University of Delaware on Friday, understands that a great university is measured not only by what it achieves for itself, but by what it makes possible for others, Tony Allen writes. Read more

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I first set foot on the campus of the University of Delaware as a high school student from William Penn in New Castle through the Forum to Advance Minorities in Engineering  FAME  a program founded in 1976 by African American executives at the DuPont Co. FAME put us on UDs campus, in UDs classrooms, doing UD-level work, before we had any reason to believe we belonged there. By the fall of 1988, I enrolled as a first-generation college student with a charge that was clear, even if the path was not: Go to college, get it done, and bring somebody with you.

I went on to earn my doctorate at UDs Biden School of Public Policy, serve on UDs board of trustees for eight years, and partner with provost emeritus Dan Rich on the education reform work that became the Wilmington Education Improvement Commission.

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That partnership  a UD professor and a UD alumnus, working from different perches on the same problem  was, in some measure, what convinced me to make the career change to Delaware State University, where I serve as president.

All of which is to say: When the University of Delaware inaugurates Laura A. Carlson as its 29th president on Friday, I will be paying very close attention. And I am genuinely encouraged by what I see.

Carlson is a Dartmouth-educated cognitive psychologist who spent 28 years at the University of Notre Dame. Her scholarly life has been devoted to spatial cognition: How we mentally represent the places and objects around us. There is something fitting about that expertise landing at a university in a small state that has always had to think carefully about how it positions itself.

But what distinguishes Carlson is her disposition. She came to UD as provost in 2022, built relationships, listened  genuinely listened  and earned the communitys trust so thoroughly that when the board named her the permanent president in December, it was the first time in 50 years UD had elevated an internal candidate.

She has said publicly that her top value is purpose, and that she wants to lead not with what UD needs from Delaware, but with what Delaware needs from UD. When she says UD should welcome with promise, I hear a leader who understands that a great university is measured not only by what it achieves for itself, but by what it makes possible for others.

That conviction matters enormously to me  because the history between our two universities demands it.

In 1890, Congress passed the second Morrill Act. The law required states to either admit Black students to their land-grant colleges or establish separate ones. Delaware chose separation. In 1891, the Delaware College for Colored Students was established on a 95-acre farm south of Dover. That institution became Delaware State University. Our two universities were born from the same federal act and divided by the same failure of moral imagination.

But there is also a history of partnership  imperfect, intermittent, and real. Rich recently shared with me a photograph from the UD Presidents Report for 1969-70: E.A. Trabant, seated with Luna I. Mishoe of Delaware State College and Paul K. Weatherly of Del Tech, formalizing a voluntary Council of Presidents. They were already developing cooperative programs, including a tripartite teacher education initiative. That was more than half a century ago. The architecture for collaboration is not new. What has been missing, at times, is the will.

Mishoe led Delaware State for 27 years, transforming it from a college of fewer than 400 students into a thriving institution. He fought off efforts to have UD absorb it entirely. When I became DSUs 12th president in 2020, I succeeded his daughter, Wilma Mishoe  the first woman to hold the role. The thread is unbroken.

Today, real things are being built that would have made Trabant and Mishoe recognize the echo of what they started.

The dual-degree engineering partnership sends DSU students to UD for masters-level work, a descendant of that 1970 teacher education program.

The competition to build Delawares first medical school, with Jefferson and the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine submitting bids funded by $42.5 million in federal dollars, is an arena where DSUs health sciences programs in Dover and UDs research infrastructure in Newark could be transformative together.

Every UD president I have known has expressed a genuine commitment to access and equity. The question has never been intent. The question is whether this moment demands something structural: a partnership that outlasts any single presidency.

I believe Carlson brings that possibility. Her instincts are right. Her intelligence is evident. And her framing  purpose over prestige, service over self-regard  is exactly what Delaware needs from the leader of its largest university.

She is a scholar who studies how people build cognitive maps of where they are and where they might go. I have spent my life trying to expand the map of possibilities for people who look like me. Those commitments are complementary. And in a state as small and as consequential as Delaware, they must be.

President Carlson, welcome to The Green. Welcome to the work. And know that 53 miles south, on a campus whose history is inseparable from your own, we are ready to build something together that neither of us could build alone.

The shoulders upon which we both stand demand nothing less.

Tony Allen is the 12th president of Delaware State University. He earned his bachelors and doctoral degrees from the University of Delaware and is a Whitney M. Young Awardee for the Advancing Racial Equality, the National Urban Leagues highest honor.
During a January march, advocates and protesters in Center City call for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to leave Philadelphia. City Council has preliminarily approved legislation that would restrict ICE operations in the city. Read more

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Philadelphia was founded as a sanctuary city. And Philadelphians have sought to protect our most vulnerable residents from violence and persecution for centuries. As City Council considers legislation meant to resist the Trump administrations mass deportation campaign, it is worth reminding ourselves of this history and why protecting our neighbors matters for all of us.

When kings, presidents, and other authorities have pursued violence and oppression, Philadelphians  and sometimes our local government  have resisted.

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The meanings of sanctuary have changed over time, yet the moral commitments behind it have remained remarkably consistent. In the 1680s, William Penn and fellow Quakers established Pennsylvania as one of the few territories in the New World where people of all religions were welcome. Unlike other colonial cities, Philadelphia was built without defensive walls, a place designed to live in peace with its neighbors.

This aspiration surely contradicted many realities, including for Native Americans and enslaved Africans. But Philadelphia did become the largest and most culturally diverse city in colonial North America thanks to its official tolerance of different peoples.

In 1688, a group of Quakers in Germantown penned the first petition against slavery in the English colonies. Greater Philadelphia became a leading center of abolitionist movements in the ensuing centuries. From Lawnside and Medford in New Jersey to Darby, Kennett, and Quakertown in Pennsylvania, Black and white residents of our region sheltered people escaping slavery via the Underground Railroad.

Across the 19th and 20th centuries, members of newcomer and receiving communities helped protect people targeted by racial and ethnic violence, sometimes in opposition to public policies of racial exclusion and deportation. These included Irish immigrants attacked in anti-Catholic riots of the 1840s, Chinese Americans targeted under the Chinese Exclusion Act (1882-1943), African Americans fleeing the Jim Crow South, and Italians and other European immigrants whom other Americans did not consider fully white.

In 1882, Philadelphians established the Association for the Protection of Jewish Immigrants (today HIAS-PA) to help people like my ancestors who fled pogroms in Poland, Ukraine, and other parts of the Russian empire. In 1917, Quakers in Philadelphia founded the American Friends Service Committee, which helped rescue and welcome refugees from World War I and subsequent wars. During World War II, Philadelphia became the first major East Coast city to welcome Japanese American students to continue their education while the federal government interned their families.

In the 1980s, Philadelphias civil rights and interfaith movements helped make our region an important center of the Sanctuary Movement. Eleven congregations in West and Northwest Philadelphia, Fox Chase, Wayne, Media, Southampton, and Concord harbored people fleeing genocide in El Salvador and Guatemala  even as the United States denied over 98% of their asylum claims for reasons of politics, not refugee law.

 READ MORE: Officials should be ready to protect Philadelphia from Trumps immigration overreach | Editorial

Thirty-seven other congregations supported this hospitality. Sanctuary activists took journalists and public officials to Central America to witness the brutality supported by our government. They convinced U.S. Sen. Arlen Specter and other politicians to help end U.S. support for that violence and change asylum policy for people from Central America and Haiti, where the U.S. had supported the murderous Duvalier dynasty for decades.

By 1987, two states and 24 cities and towns across the country, including Allentown and Swarthmore, had sanctuary policies. But Philadelphia activists who launched a sanctuary city campaign in 1986 abandoned their effort. At the time, there were very few Central Americans living in the city, they reasoned, and few immigrants overall.

In the 21st century, Philadelphias sanctuary policy matters far more, as the city and region have become home to people from around the world. Immigrants are our neighbors, members of every community across our region. They are a boon  not a threat  to our peace and prosperity. The overwhelming evidence shows that immigrants make cities safer and economically vital.

In May 2001, Mayor John F. Street issued Philadelphias first sanctuary policy in response to federal pressure to enter an agreement for local police to collaborate in immigrant detention and deportation. Since 2007, Philadelphia has been a major center of the New Sanctuary Movement. In 2014, activists convinced City Council to make the citys sanctuary policy one of the strongest in the nation. Mayor Michael Nutter canceled this policy in his last weeks in office, but Mayor Jim Kenney signed it back into force on his first day in 2016.

 READ MORE: Quakertown police mimic ICE brutality | Editorial

The Kenney administration successfully defended the policy against the first Trump administration, affirming that sanctuary policies are constitutional since cities cannot be obligated to do the federal governments job, including immigration enforcement. To remain legal, though, sanctuary city policies are always passive, offering limited protection, as local authorities may not actively stand in the way of federal agencies like U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

It remains unclear how far Mayor Cherelle L. Parker might go to defend immigrants in our city. This is one reason why City Councils ICE Out legislation, which was given preliminary approval Monday, is necessary. The Trump administration is seeking to dismantle virtually our entire immigration system. Even people who came to the United States as refugees, often fleeing places where U.S. intervention decimated their homes and livelihoods, are at risk.

As Philadelphians have long demonstrated, organized communities and local government policies can carve out meaningful sanctuary for the vulnerable among us, regardless of who occupies the White House.

Both the United States and the City of Philadelphia have for centuries served as a haven for refugees of religious and political persecution from all parts of the world, and much of the historical and moral tradition of our nation is rooted in the provision of sanctuary to persecuted peoples. These words come from a draft sanctuary city bill written for City Council by Sanctuary Movement activists in 1986. The bill never reached City Hall, but its words describe an enduring tradition that is in our citys DNA.

On our nations 250th birthday, it is worth reflecting on the freedoms we enjoy, along with the freedoms that remain unrealized for many of us.

Ultimately, sanctuary matters for all of us if we wish to remain a humane city and society. Virtually all Philadelphians descend from people who came to America within the last few centuries, through voluntary or forced migration. But sanctuary is an ancient tradition, enshrined in the Bible. Honoring this tradition is a crucial way to recognize all of us, in the words of one Philadelphia sanctuary activist, as one humanity.

Domenic Vitiello is a professor of city planning and urban studies at the University of Pennsylvania. His book, The Sanctuary City: Immigrant, Refugee, and Receiving Communities in Postindustrial Philadelphia, is free to download as an e-book.
U.S. Rep. Elise Stefanik (R., N.Y.) speaks at a campaign rally for Donald Trump at Madison Square Garden in 2024. Stefanik hitched her wagon to him and the MAGA movement, but her loyalty was not reciprocated, writes Scott L. Bok. Read more

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U.S. Rep. Elise Stefanik has referred multiple times to her new book as her first, implying more to come. For her next, I hope she tells the dramatic tale of her extraordinary political transformation and the dead end to which that ultimately led.

The youngest woman ever elected to the House of Representatives, Stefanik started out as the model moderate millennial, in the words of a New York Times profile. Her mentor was the establishment Republican Paul Ryan.

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With the rise of Donald Trump, establishment Republicans had to make a choice. Ryan  then a still youthful speaker of the House and previously Mitt Romneys vice presidential running mate  chose to withdraw from politics in 2018.

Stefanik  then in her second term  chose the other path. A prospective donor, I met her when one of her Harvard classmates arranged for her to visit my Manhattan office just a few months after Ryans announcement. Then a lifelong Republican sympathetic to the Ryan (and Romney) reaction to Trump, my questions were all about where she stood on that issue. As I wrote in my book, Surviving Wall Street, published last year, her responses indicated much ambivalence and discomfort in making her stance clear.

Transformation

Soon, that ambivalence was gone. Following the midterm elections just months after I met her, Stefanik was sick of commuting to Washington from upstate New York and weary of dialing for campaign dollars, according to the Times. What followed was one of the most brazen political transformations of the Trump era, something Ryan would refer to as one of the biggest disappointments of his political career.

I am ultra-MAGA. Im proud of it, Stefanik said in 2022.

There was a price to her political transformation. The Times reported that many of her oldest and closest friends abandoned her. And after she showed sympathy for election deniers in the wake of the Jan. 6, 2021, riots at the U.S. Capitol, she was asked to step off the board of the Institute of Politics at her alma mater, Harvard.

From a purely career perspective at least, it looked initially like Stefaniks unwavering loyalty to Trump was going to pay off. But that loyalty did not prove reciprocal.

New York not being a swing state, it was perhaps not surprising that she was passed over after consideration by Trump to be his vice presidential running mate. More painful was when she was nominated as ambassador to the United Nations shortly after Trumps reelection, before that was quickly withdrawn due to the GOPs razor-thin majority in the House.

Most painful was her recent, brief run for New Yorks governorship. She entered the race after encouragement from Trump and others, on the understanding that she would have the presidents early endorsement and avoid a costly primary, as the Wall Street Journal recently put it.

But Trump soon proved ambivalent toward her candidacy. Surprisingly, he even offered a kind of warm embrace to New Yorks new mayor, Zohran Mamdani, the man whom Stefanik sought to caricature as a jihadist as a central theme of her campaign.

Lessons learned?

So, only weeks after formally announcing her bid for the GOP nomination, she abruptly withdrew, at the same time announcing she would retire from the House as well, at only age 41.

Any regrets? Lessons to be shared? We will have to wait for the next book to see.

For now, what we have is her newly released first book, Poisoned Ivies: The Inside Account of the Academic and Moral Rot at Americas Elite Universities. In it, she recounts the greatest hits from the glory days of her short career:

That the University of Pennsylvania, Harvard, and similar schools are hotbeds of radical ideology  producing students who are uneducated, unemployable, radicalized  when the data and my own observation make clear that these schools are better seen as vocational training programs for Wall Street, Big Tech, and Big Law. That diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI)  a pseudo-religious movement  runs rampant when the only remaining preferences at these institutions are for athletes and children of wealthy alumni. That these schools are funded by hidden donations from hostile foreign governments, when the reality is that major donations  overwhelmingly coming from successful alumni  are celebrated publicly in real time. That students and their parents are voting with their feet and wallets to go elsewhere for college, when data are clear that competition for a coveted spot at one of the poisoned Ivies is as intense as ever.

Stefanik makes much of campus protests in 2023-2024 following the Oct. 7, 2023, attack on Israel and its response in Gaza. But less than 1% of Penns students ever took part in a protest, and very few of those could be called pro-Hamas, a label Stefanik tosses around casually.

It looked intially like Stefaniks unwavering loyalty to Trump was going to pay off. It didnt.

Meanwhile, 1% of Congress (four members) has either just resigned or is under threat of expulsion for matters such as sexual misconduct or embezzlement. Perhaps Stefanik should have focused on cleaning her own House first.

The timing of Stefaniks publication is unfortunate  although she can be thankful the ties between former Harvard president Larry Summers and Jeffrey Epstein came out in time for her to add a condemnation to her otherwise lavish praise for Summers.

Her attack on elite higher ed has not aged well. Initially, it gave her a fundraising windfall  setting a record, with help from alumni critics of Penn and Harvard, the quarter after the congressional hearing she made famous. But the so-called compact for higher education  written with help from Wall Street that she praises  has gone nowhere.

Free speech

Penn now finds itself tangling with the government over whether  to the dismay of its Jewish community  it must hand over a list of all Jews on campus. And free speech is more constrained on campuses today than at any time in recent memory. Even the conservative Wall Street Journal editorial board is divided over whether the GOP attack on elite higher ed was either legal or wise.

Stefanik is right that there should be no place for antisemitism on college campuses. But antisemitism is exactly what keeps cropping up in the GOP. Tucker Carlson celebrated her loss of the U.N. ambassador role by calling it a blow to the Israel lobby, as she would have proudly brought the Israel First agenda to the U.N. Again, perhaps her own house merited attention first.

Despite these concerns with this first book, I eagerly await Stefaniks next, which I hope will tell a universal tale of character, leadership, loyalty, and betrayal.

Scott L. Bok is the former chair of the board of trustees of the University of Pennsylvania and the author of Wall Street Survivor on Substack.
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Weaponized speech

Within the space of a few days, Donald Trump has not only insulted Pope Leo XIV, the spiritual leader of 53 million Roman Catholics in the U.S., but he also posted a picture that appeared to represent himself as Christ healing the sick. Many Christians rightly consider this act blasphemous. Although Trump has removed the post, the damage has been done. Beyond the moral depravity this behavior indicates, it raises serious questions about this mans judgment. How could he not have predicted the outrage over his insults against the pope, and the horrifying equation of himself with a Christlike figure? Trump must be removed from office immediately, as he apparently lacks the judgment and restraint necessary for someone who has control of the nuclear codes.

Joseph Micucci, Philadelphia

. . .

I am 88 years old, and for the first time in my life, I am deeply ashamed of the public statements of the president of our country. Will Bunchs recent column was right on: Donald Trumps recent threats of bombing a civilization out of existence reveal a blindness or ignorance or dementia or malevolence that must be addressed. I beseech my senators, Dave McCormick and John Fetterman, to take the constitutional authority of the legislative branch and protect our country. We and the citizens of the world deserve better.

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Marjorie Herbert, Kennett Square

. . .

In moments of international tension, presidential words carry immense weight. President Donald Trumps recent threats to bomb Iran back to the Stone Ages and erase its civilization are not just provocative  they are ethically troubling and politically reckless.

Defenders often dismiss such language as hyperbole or a calculated madman strategy meant to intimidate adversaries, akin to former President Richard Nixons foreign policy. But this misses a key point: Presidential speech is not harmless. It shapes reality and carries moral responsibility, even when not meant literally. It is too easily abused.

Threats to destroy a nation or its people dehumanize entire populations, casting them as undeserving of dignity and protection. This lowers the ethical threshold for violence and undermines democratic ideals such as equality, human dignity, and mutual respect. It also weakens the United States moral leadership and risks destabilizing alliances.

Scholars have long warned against speech like the presidents. Ethical communication, especially when uttered by political leaders, should promote reason, informed choice, and human betterment  not fear or coercion. Extreme language may also backfire, provoking conflict rather than deterring it, and pressuring leaders to act on their threats to save face.

Ultimately, presidential speech is action. Used irresponsibly, it can escalate tensions, legitimize violence, and endanger global stability as surely as any terrifying weapon.

Kenneth Zagacki and Richard Cherwitz, Austin, Texas

. . .

Donald Trump posted an AI-generated image of himself on Truth Social as Jesus Christ laying hands on a bedridden man as if to miraculously heal him, with soldiers, warplanes, Old Glory, and the Statue of Liberty as a backdrop. How ironic it is that Trump is making war on Iran because he says it is too dangerous for the Islamist-led terror state to have nuclear weapons, when I would argue it is also dangerous for a country to have nuclear weapons that is led by a megalomaniac presenting himself as  or actually believing himself to be  Almighty God. One has to seriously call into question the mental health of this man. Previously, I believed calls for invoking the 25th Amendment were premature and extreme, but given this latest behavior by the occupant of the Oval Office that so strikingly exhibits psychiatric disorder, perhaps the time is indeed right.

Fred Hearn, Turnersville

Join the conversation: Send letters to letters@inquirer.com. Limit length to 150 words and include home address and day and evening phone number. Letters run in The Inquirer six days a week on the editorial pages and online.
Lt. Gov. Justin Fairfax and his wife, Cerina, at the inauguration of Gov. Ralph Northam at the Capitol in Richmond, Va., on Sept. 13, 2018. Read more

ANNANDALE, Va.  Former Virginia Lt. Gov. Justin Fairfax, a rising star in the Democratic Party until a sexual assault scandal ruined his political fortunes, killed his estranged wife and then himself weeks before a judges deadline to move out of their family home, according to police and court records.

Officers called to the familys home in the Washington, D.C., suburb of Annandale early Thursday found the bodies of Fairfax, 47, and his wife, Cerina Fairfax, 49, Fairfax County Police Chief Kevin Davis said.

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Justin Fairfax apparently fatally shot his wife in the basement before going to an upstairs bedroom and killing himself, Davis said. Their son called 911.

Its very sad for this community, the chief said. A lot of people who know the Fairfax family, everybodys shocked. Were shocked.

A marriage about to end

Cerina Fairfax said in court filings that they separated nearly two years ago and that she filed for divorce last summer. But they were still living in the same house with their two teenage children, who were both home when the deaths occurred, Davis said.

A judge on March 30 told Justin Fairfax to move out by the end of April, writing it is clear tensions in the Fairfax home have been extremely high for an extended period of time.

Cerina Fairfax had testified that her husband drank daily, and that his living space was littered with empty wine bottles and piles of dirty laundry. He bought a handgun in 2022 with money intended for horseback riding lessons for their children, court records showed.

According to court documents, Justin Fairfaxs mental and emotional health suffered after two setbacks: his unsuccessful 2013 campaign for the Democratic nomination for attorney general and the 2019 sexual assault scandal that ended his political career. After both, he drank heavily and withdrew from his family, but while it took about a month to recover from the first setback, he never bounced back from the second.

Fairfax won the race for lieutenant governor in 2017 and seemed poised to become Virginias second Black governor two years later when Democratic Gov. Ralph Northam faced widespread calls to resign over a racist photo in his medical school yearbook. Fairfax would have become governor if Northam had stepped down.

But then two women came forward accusing Fairfax of sexually assaulting them years earlier. An aide to Democratic vice presidential nominee John Edwards said Fairfax sexually assaulted her during the Democratic National Convention in 2004. Two days after she spoke out, another woman accused him of raping her in 2000, when they were students at Duke University.

Fairfax said the encounters were consensual and refused calls to resign. He later tried to run for governor in 2021, but was largely shunned by Virginia Democrats and defeated in the Democratic primary.

A career and marriage fall apart

Sophia A. Nelson, a Virginia author and journalist who described Justin Fairfax as a close friend, told the Associated Press on Thursday that he was never able to move past the 2019 scandal and that he had become increasingly depressed and despondent after his wife filed for divorce.

She said during a group text with her and another friend Tuesday night, he expressed how the recent sexual assault allegations against Democratic Rep. Eric Swalwell of California had brought back for him what he continued to insist was an unfair rush to judgment.

Nelson said that she and other friends had repeatedly urged Fairfax to seek help, and that she had urged him to move out, but she believes he wasnt financially able to do so.

I was concerned, as were other close friends, fraternity brothers, family members, Nelson said. There were talks of suicidal thoughts.

Court filings show that Fairfax had financial challenges following the sexual assault allegations, which prompted his resignation as a partner at a prestigious law firm. The IRS filed a lien against the couple for more than $91,000 in unpaid taxes that was resolved in 2021.

Nelson said Fairfax was unemployable after the scandal. He had tried to rebuild his legal career and had a few successes, including representing the family of a young Black man who was shot and killed by police in Virginia Beach. But he had been unable to earn anything resembling his prior salary.

Davis, the police chief, said Justin Fairfax was recently served with paperwork telling him when next to appear in court. In January, officers went to the familys home after Justin Fairfax alleged that his wife had assaulted him, he said.

Apparently, Mrs. Fairfax, at some point during these divorce proceedings, set up a lot of cameras inside the home. We reviewed those cameras, and we corroborated that the alleged assault never occurred, Davis said.

The couple, who met as undergraduates at Duke, married in 2006. Cerina Fairfax ran a family dentistry practice. She also attended the Virginia Commonwealth University School of Dentistry, which honored her in 2015 as an outstanding alumna.

A profile page on her office website described her as an avid reader who liked to travel, practice yoga, go on trail runs with her Vizsla-breed dogs, and spend time with her wonderful family.

Its very sad for this community, Davis said. A lot of people who know the Fairfax family, everybodys shocked. Were shocked.

An outpouring of grief

The deaths stunned political leaders throughout the state.

We are keeping Cerina and Justin Fairfaxs family  especially their two children  in our prayers as we all process this shocking and horrifying news, Virginias Democratic U.S. senators, Mark Warner and Tim Kaine, said in a joint statement.

Fairfax had served as co-chair for Warners 2014 reelection campaign.

Virginias Democratic governor, Abigail Spanberger, posted on X that she was deeply saddened and praying for the couples children and families.

This tragedy reminds us that domestic violence can occur in any family and in any place, she wrote. Resources are available to support our neighbors experiencing domestic violence and facing mental health crises.

This story includes discussion of suicide. If you or someone you know needs help, the national suicide and crisis lifeline in the U.S. is available by calling or texting 988. There is also an online chat at 988lifeline.org
Democratic Govs. Mikie Sherrill and Josh Shapiro talk before theyre introduced to speak on a panel with two Republican governors at a National Governors Association event in Philadelphia. Read more

Listen to article  0:00 min

Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro blamed high gas prices on President Donald Trump onstage with Republican governors in Philadelphia on Thursday  and they didnt disagree.

Gas prices are bad, Shapiro said on a National Governors Association panel at the Westin Philadelphia. Theyre $4.13 a gallon on average here in Pennsylvania. Theres a singular reason why  the president started a war we should have never started with no plan on how to go in and clearly no plan on how to get out.

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No one can deny the fact that these prices are high because of the policies of this administration, he added.

Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt and West Virginia Gov. Patrick Morrisey, both Republicans sitting alongside Shapiro, did not deny that. They barely defended Trump at the bipartisan event and acknowledged the war is to blame for the pain at the pump.

Stitt, the NGA chair, emphasized that building more energy supply in the United States would decrease reliance on fuel from abroad but said theres no doubt that the international conflict is causing gas prices to go up.

Its a global market, and thats causing things to go up, and we all want this war to be over as quickly as possible, he said. But theres also, we dont want Iran to have a nuclear weapon either, and so those are things that are that, you know, theyre having to deal with from the federal level right now.

Stitt blamed partisan swings in the White House for a lack of progress on American energy projects like the Keystone Pipeline, a controversial energy project that recent Democratic presidents opposed but Trump embraced.

Morrisey said he wants more energy projects in West Virginia but was straightforward about gas prices.

I would say that on the gas price front, obviously I think all of us, as Gov. Stitt said, were looking for the Strait of Hormuz to open, for the war to come to an end, he said. Thats going to have the most tangible effect on getting gas prices down.

Sherrill attacks Johnson, and a GOP governor agrees states cant rely on D.C.

New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill, the other Democrat on the four-member panel, took a jab at House Speaker Mike Johnson (R., La.).

The governors spoke about their efforts to speed up permitting processes for energy projects in their states, and when Anthony Adragna, a Punchbowl News reporter who moderated the panel, asked if they could expect Congress to help tackle the issue, there was a bipartisan scoff.

Stitt said each partys focus on the midterms prevents progress and leads to pendulum swings in policy nationally.

D.C. is not coming up with solutions, he said. States are where the solutions are found.

Sherrill, who represented a North Jersey district in Congress from 2019 to 2025, blamed the lack of progress on Johnson, who took over as speaker in October 2023.

I truly have never seen more incompetent leadership in the House, and I think Ive been through some pretty rough years, she said. But this speaker, you know, cant even control his own caucus, much less work out bipartisan deals.

He cant even pass a rule. Its breathtaking, truly. So we cant expect help from the federal government right now, she added.

She said a New Jersey company that decided to build manufacturing out of state said it chose to go elsewhere not because of taxes but because it takes so long to get project approvals in the state.

Thats something as governor, I can control, she said. Thats an area where I dont need to rely on the federal government. I just need to get my state out of the way so we can really build.

And Shapiro said that despite how difficult it is to get a split legislature to agree on anything, permitting reform is one of the issues that Harrisburg has taken action on.

My general view is the government can be a force for good in peoples lives, Shapiro said. The government has to move at the speed of business.
Left to right: State Rep. Chris Rabb, State Sen. Sharif Street, and physician Ala Stanford. All are running for the Democratic nomination to represent Pennsylvania's 3rd Congressional District. Read more

Listen to article  0:00 min

In the first three months of 2026, State Rep. Chris Rabb raised nearly twice as much as his opponents in Philadelphias open congressional race, a significant rebound for his campaign after he said his former treasurer last year made about $161,000 in unauthorized withdrawals before he reported her to authorities, according to new campaign finance filings.

Despite Rabbs $385,000 fundraising haul, physician Ala Stanford entered the homestretch of the Democratic primary race for Pennsylvanias 3rd Congressional District with the most money in the bank  about $450,000 as of April 1.

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We enter the close of this race leading with cash on hand and incredible momentum because Philadelphians are craving new leadership, not the politics of yesterday, Stanfords campaign manager, Janee Taft-Mack, said in a statement.

State Sen. Sharif Streets campaign, which at the start of the year led the pack in fundraising, spent $462,000 during the first quarter of the year, the highest level of expenditures in the field.

The fourth candidate on the Democratic ballot, tax adviser Shaun Griffith, raised about $9,000, spent $3,700, and had just over $10,000 in the bank as of April 1.

The latest campaign finance reports, which were due Wednesday, covered the period of Jan. 1 through March 31, and provided a snapshot of the highly competitive race for the seat that is being vacated by retiring U.S. Rep. Dwight Evans.

With about a month to go, the race appears to be wide open for the three top contenders, each of whom has a viable path to victory.

Street has continued to rack up endorsements from important figures in the citys Democratic establishment. Rabb has largely consolidated support among local progressive groups. And Stanford, a first-time candidate and the only contender who has been featured in TV ads so far, has made strides in increasing her name recognition among voters.

 READ MORE: Meet the 4 Democrats vying to replace Dwight Evans in Congress

The 3rd Congressional District covers about half of Philadelphia and is one of the most Democratic seats in the nation. The primary election, which is likely to be decisive as no Republican has filed to run, is May 19.

Amended reports show former Rabb treasurers unauthorized withdrawals

Rabbs new campaign finance reports offer the first glimpse into the depth of the unauthorized withdrawals allegedly made by Yolanda Brown, a Fort Lauderdale, Fla.-based campaign consultant who has been accused of embezzling hundreds of thousands of dollars from other Democrats and social-justice groups over the last decade.

In February, Rabb said that his campaign had fired Brown for making the withdrawals, but he did not reveal the amount of money, citing a pending review.

According to the reports filed Thursday, there were 40 separate transactions that went to an account controlled by Brown between August and December. The disbursements ranged in size from $12 to $26,500, and they totaled $160,825.

The paperwork showed that Rabbs campaign was at one point dangerously close to running out of cash. An amended report showed that his account had about $26,500 at the end of December. (A previous report that did not account for the unauthorized transactions showed that he had nearly $100,000 in the bank at that time.)

 READ MORE: From Florida to Philly, a political consultant kept working as fraud claims piled up against her

Alon Gur, Rabbs campaign manager, said in a statement that the campaign is continuing to provide transparency after contacting the appropriate authorities and publicly disclosing what our previous treasurer did.

Browns Florida-based criminal defense attorney, Khambrel Davis, did not respond to a request for comment Thursday. He previously told The Inquirer that Brown was the victim of a rogue employee at her firm who had stolen money from multiple political action committees and then disappeared in the wind.

In January, officials who lead a PAC affiliated with St. Petersburg, Fla., Mayor Ken Welch, a Democrat, accused Brown of stealing $207,000 from their account.

And in 2024, Brown pleaded no contest to an embezzlement charge in California after being accused of taking out unauthorized loans in the name of a consultancy where she had previously been employed.

Rabb hauls in cash as Stanford banks it and Street spends

Street, who had raised the most money among the contenders heading into 2026, took in $199,000 in the first quarter of the year and had $263,000 on hand as of April 1.

We were fortunate enough to have so much early support that we have been able to make smart investments in advance of Election Day, Street spokesperson Anthony Campisi said.

Stanford, a pediatric surgeon who gained national recognition for founding the Black Doctors Consortium to provide testing and vaccination to underserved communities during the COVID-19 pandemic, raised $211,000 in the first three months of the year and spent $153,000.

Stanford last year lent her campaign $250,000 out of her own pocket, helping to boost her field-leading $450,000 in cash on hand.

Rabbs campaign spent $183,000 during the latest reporting period and had $236,000 in the bank, leaving him in a competitive position with just over a month to go in the race despite the alleged misappropriation of his campaign funds last year.

Rabb raised $77,000 from small-dollar donors during the reporting period, while Street and Stanford took in less than $15,000 each, according to an Inquirer analysis.

This campaign is rapidly gaining momentum, strong grassroots support  and a clear path to victory on May 19, Gur said, emphasizing Rabbs small-dollar and local fundraising as a sign of grassroots voter support. This is what a people-powered movement looks like.  Tough times pass; strong people last.

Where the 3rd Congressional District money is coming from

Rabbs fundraising surge in recent months came from both large and small donations  reflecting support from the kinds of wealthier individuals who have lifted up his competitors campaigns and from donors who sometimes represent wider grassroots support.

About a fifth of his donations were from individuals who gave less than $200, compared with just 8% for Street and 7% for Stanford.

In a twist from the beginning of the campaign, Rabb also outpaced Street and Stanford among larger donors.

He raised more than $287,000 from that wealthier donor class, including more than 100 donations of at least $1,000. Maximum $3,500 donations came from Ben Cohen, the Ben & Jerrys ice cream cofounder who endorsed Rabb in February; Charles Stewart, the CEO of Sothebys luxury auction house; and Regan Pritzker, a philanthropist and investor who is a member of the wealthy Pritzker family.

Stanford  whose $186,000 from larger donors included more than 82 donations of at least $1,000  has built her campaign war chest with contributions from a long list of physicians, surgeons, and other medical professionals from around the country after a long career in the field.

Among her major donors without healthcare backgrounds were Peter Ciarrocchi, the CEO of Chickies & Petes, and Julius Tennon, an actor and producer who is married to actor Viola Davis.

 READ MORE: Ala Stanford is banking on a healthcare message to break through crowded Philly primary for Congress

Even with the backing of the citys Democratic establishment, Street pulled in fewer larger donations than his competitors in the quarter  89 donations of at least $1,000, and $161,000 overall.

He collected bigger checks in recent months from several Philadelphia-based executives  including multiple at Parkway Corp., a real estate and parking developer  as well as Bart Blatstein, a developer and CEO of Tower Investments, and Joseph Cacchione, CEO of Thomas Jefferson University and Jefferson Health.

Additional large donations are likely on the way for Street.

After a fundraiser in Washington this week, Street said in an interview that he was confident about having sufficient resources in the final stretch of the campaign. He did not say how much the fundraiser  hosted by Justin Gray, the head of a business advisory firm and son of former Philadelphia U.S. Rep. William H. Gray III  pulled in, though he called it a good day.

Outside spending groups could still play a role

The reports filed by candidates campaigns tell only part of the story when it comes to the money pouring into the Philly congressional race.

Stanford has benefited from more than $2 million in spending by the 314 Action Fund, a super PAC that helps elect doctors to public office, and for weeks has been the only candidate in the race airing television ads. The group has paid for TV ads supporting Stanford and a poll that showed her leading the race.

EMILYs List, a national group that raises money for Democratic women running for office, endorsed Stanford on Thursday. Stanford will be the only woman on the 3rd District ballot after State Rep. Morgan Cephas exited the race in late March.

EMILYs List president Jessica Mackler said in a statement that Stanford has delivered real results for Philadelphia families, expanding health care access and fighting for underserved communities.

Street, meanwhile, is poised to get an additional boost from his endorsement from the politically powerful Philadelphia building trades unions, which have already donated tens of thousands of dollars to his campaign and are likely to fund an outside spending effort as well.

Ryan Boyer Jr., whose father, Ryan Boyer, leads the Philadelphia Building and Construction Trades Council, recently registered a new federal PAC. The group has not yet bought ads.

Sam Staten Jr., a Boyer ally and business manager of the Laborers International Union of North America Local 332, said Wednesday that he is confident Street will prevail.

Its gonna happen. I dont see it being close, Staten told Street at an event in which Mayor Cherelle L. Parker endorsed Street, the favorite candidate of Philadelphias Democratic Party and many of the elected officials aligned with the citys political establishment.

Rabb, who has vowed not to accept donations from PACs funded by corporate interests, also appears to still be hoping for outside help from groups aligned with the progressive movement. His campaign website includes a so-called red box containing voter-targeting information that a super PAC could use to aid his campaign. Streets website has a similar feature.

 READ MORE: How two Philly congressional candidates are quietly guiding super PACs in plain sight

Rabb has been endorsed by the Working Families Party and Justice Democrats, left-leaning groups that have spent big to boost progressives in other elections.

This week, the political action committee of the Congressional Progressive Caucus also endorsed him. The groups cochairs praised Rabb as a social justice activist  who has taken on Republicans and the billionaire class to create a democracy that works for everyone.
The Maryland Insurance Administration (MIA) has withdrawn a proposal opposed by insurers that would have expanded to commercial lines a provision requiring insurers to disclose if they consider claims history when canceling or refusing to renew coverage.

The notification requirement ( 27-501(n)(2)) has applied only to private passenger motor vehicle and homeowners insurance since at least 2002. But last September, MIA called that interpretation of the law unofficial and incorrect and issued a bulletin proposing to expand it to apply to commercial lines policies as well. MIA stated at the time:

The Administration is aware of an unofficial position interpreting  27-501(n)(2) to apply only to private passenger motor vehicle insurance and homeowners insurance, which is an incorrect interpretation of the law. This Bulletin clarifies the Administrations plain-language interpretation of the statute and its applicability to all property and casualty lines.

MIA has now decided after review and careful consideration, that it will not adopt the proposed change. The applicability of 27-501(n)(2) does not include commercial policies, MIA stated in withdrawing the proposal.

Insurers had balked at the change and at the idea that the more limited application to only personal lines is unofficial. The American Property Casualty Insurance Association (APCIA) noted that in June 2002, the MIA issued a letter concluding that the General Assembly did not intend to require insurers to provide a use of claims history disclosure notice in commercial lines policies.

APCIA suggested there is no need to change that 23-year old interpretation. This proposed reversal of the MIAs longstanding position hardly seems like a clarification, as we do not believe that there has been any confusion among insurers over the applicability of this statute for the past 23 years, APCIA wrote.

Regarding the substance of the bulletin, APCIA said that use of claims history notices are not needed for commercial insurers. Commercial insureds know that insurers can and do use the policyholders claims history for the purposes of canceling or refusing to renew coverage, Nancy J. Egan, APCIA vice president, stated in written commentary on the bulletin. In fact, we would be quite surprised if there are any insurers that do not use claims history when evaluating cancellations or renewals. This requirement will therefore result in redundant notices that commercial policyholders will not read.

Also, APCIA noted that Maryland law already requires carriers to provide commercial policyholders with the reason for the cancellation or nonrenewal. If the reason for either action is the policyholders claims history, the insured will be notified at the time of the cancellation or nonrenewal, according to the trade group.

Topics Claims Property Casualty Maryland
The owner of a Baltimore broadcast tower and its painting contractor will pay $2.2 million to the state of Maryland for allowing lead paint chips and debris to spread across surrounding neighborhoods, contaminating parks, playground and daycare locations.

Attorney General Anthony G. Brown and Maryland Department of Environment Secretary Serena McIlwain announced the settlement and consent decree against Television Tower, Inc. and Skyline Tower Painting, Inc.

The settlement resolves a civil lawsuit and follows separate guilty pleas by the contractor and its principal on charges filed by the states environmental crimes unit.

Television Tower, Inc. (TTI) owns an approximately 1,000-foot broadcast tower located near the 3700 block of Malden Avenue in Baltimore City.

The states 2023 civil complaint alleged that in May 2022, TTI, knowing the tower contained lead-based paint, hired Skyline to repaint the tower. However, Skyline was not accredited to provide lead paint abatement services in Maryland.

The complaint further alleged that Skyline removed lead paint from the Tower by scraping and forceful power washing, with no controls or containment to prevent the spreading of lead-based paint chips in the surrounding neighborhoods such as Woodberry. The work, conducted between May 28, 2022, and June 21, 2022, caused lead paint chips and debris to spread as far as a quarter to half a mile away, according to the state.

Studies have shown that repeated low-level exposure to lead from paint can cause cumulative harm to the brain, nervous system, and development of young children. Children six and under are most vulnerable and the effects are irreversible. Also, lead contamination in soil and water can harm wildlife and move through the food chain.

Since it was ordered to stop its paint removal in 2022, TTI has obtained a new, lead-accredited contractor to finish the tower painting using a containment system that is specially designed for the tower, and Skyline is no longer involved in the project.

This settlement and consent decree are about addressing harm done to our some of our youngest, most vulnerable residents at places they should be safe: parks, playgrounds, and daycares, said Mayor Brandon M. Scott.

Attorney General Browns complaint sought civil penalties for multiple alleged violations of Maryland environmental and public health law, including failure to hire an accredited lead abatement contractor, various lead work practice violations by Skyline, improper disposal of solid waste, failure to make a hazardous waste determination, and discharge of a controlled hazardous substance into the environment and state waterways.

Under the $2.2 million settlement filed in Baltimore City Circuit Court, TTI has agreed to complete all tower repainting work using proper containment systems and accredited contractors by June 30, 2026.

TTI will also conduct a final cleanup and inspection of the surrounding area upon completion of repainting, followed by at least three months of ongoing monitoring and response to any community complaints of paint flakes; and repeat a soil sampling study to confirm no increase in lead soil levels.

Skyline will permanently cease all lead abatement, painting, and surface remediation work in Maryland  with Skyline and its principals also prohibited from forming or controlling any company offering such services in the state.

Topics Maryland Contractors
The Old Dutch Mustard Co., a mustard and vinegar manufacturing company, and its owner were sentenced last Friday in federal court for knowingly discharging acidic water into the Souhegan River that runs through southern New Hampshire.

The sentencing came after years of efforts by federal and state environmental officials since the 1980s to halt the illegal pumping by The Old Dutch Mustard Co. in Greenville, New Hampshire. Officials faced a business owner who built a secret pumping system and who lied and had his employees lie to officials to hide his crime.

In February 2025, the owner and company pleaded guilty to knowingly discharging a pollutant without a permit in violation of the Clean Water Act, which prohibits the discharge of any pollutant into navigable waters without a pollutant discharge permit.

U.S. Attorney Erin Creegan reported that owner Charles Santich, of New York, was sentenced to 18 months in federal prison, one year of supervised release, and ordered to pay a $250,000 fine. The court sentenced Old Dutch Mustard Co., Inc., which does business as Pilgrim Foods, Inc., to pay a $1.5 million fine and to establish environmental compliance and ethics programs.

According to the court documents, due to a long history of non-compliance that began in the 1980s, Old Dutch Mustard has been subject to several enforcement actions by federal and state agencies. As a result, the federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services (DES), along with the New Hampshire attorney general, required continuous monitoring of a stream that flows underneath and in front of the mustard facility and then flows into the Souhegan River.

Officials said Santich and his company sought to purposefully evade this monitoring.

Throughout years of repeated civil and administrative attempts to encourage Santich and his company to follow the law, Santich lied to state and federal authorities and even purposefully built the illegal infrastructure needed to pump his manufacturing waste into New Hampshires waterways, pushing his employees to help him violate the law, said U.S. Attorney Creegan.

According to Creegan, state and federal agencies repeatedly tried to help Santich and his company end the pollution that left waterways with fewer fish, and impacted the recreationalists and homeowners who use the Souhegan River.

Creegan said officials determined that after this years-long scheme of intentional misconduct and deceit, a criminal sanction was necessary to protect the public.

Officials showed the court how Santich executed a plan to elude monitoring of the unnamed stream below his facility and save on shipping costs by secretly pumping his excess wastewater into the river. They found that Santich hired an excavation company in 2017 to extend an underground pipe to the top of a hill several hundred feet behind the facility. He also had the excavation company construct a drainage ditch to direct water from the pipe into the river. To minimize his paper trail, Santich had the owner of the excavation company alter its proposal to remove references to the illegal discharge pipe and drainage ditch, according to court documents.

Prosecutors said that for the next six years, Santich directed his employees to repeatedly pump his acidic wastewater and stormwater through the underground pipe and ultimately into the river. His employees reported that Santich would fire them if they did not assist in the crime.

The wastewater at issue in this case is from the manufacturing process at Old Dutch, not sanitary waste or sewage

Santich submitted false documents that concealed the illegal discharge pipe and obstructed EPAs efforts to obtain data about the volume of wastewater that flowed through the pump into the river.

The court agreed that the wastewater Santich pumped into the river caused environmental harm. Prior pollution from Old Dutch caused fish kills in the 1990s and the discharges continued to pollute the river and prevent its recovery and the return of acid-sensitive fish and other aquatic life to that area of the river.

An EPA toxicologist also testified at sentencing that Santichs discharges likely contributed to conditions that resulted in a mercury fish consumption advisory in the area of the discharges.

Prosecutors further showed that in May of 2023, state inspectors discovered wastewater smelling of vinegar flowing from the manmade ditch at the top of the hill on the Old Dutch Mustard property into the river. Santich falsely told inspectors that the residue was the result of a failed attempt to plant mustard seed, a lie he later had employees repeat to criminal investigators.

In August 2023, EPA agents executed a search warrant at the facility where they discovered the pipe actively discharging.

The Souhegan River is one of 19 rivers that New Hampshire has designated as an important natural resource.
Helvetia Baloise Holding AG said it aims to return some 2.8 billion Swiss francs ($3.6 billion) to investors over the period to 2028, as the newly-merged insurer sets financial targets for the first time.

The company proposed a dividend of 7.70 Swiss francs per share for 2025 and said that by 2029 it is aiming to increase that by more than 50%, according to a statement on Wednesday.

Announced a year ago, the combination created Switzerlands second largest insurer and marked one of the biggest deals in European finance in 2025. The insurers have said the merger will result in 350 million francs of annual cost savings and will include layoffs.

Helvetia Baloise also said it wants to grow underlying earnings per share by 10% to 12% per year, driven by cost savings, and is targeting an underling return on adjusted equity of between 16% to 18%.

The combined entity reported unaudited underlying earnings of 1.03 billion francs in 2025, with the figure being provided for illustrative purposes.

Helvetia Chief Executive Officer Fabian Rupprecht kept the CEO job following the merger, while Baloises Thomas von Planta remained Chairman.

In December the company told Bloomberg it planned to axe 2,000 to 2,600 jobs over the next three years, with most of those cuts being made in Switzerland. Helvetia Baloise said so far 1,100 employees have left the organization.

The insurer has said it expects roughly 500 million to 600 million Swiss francs of integration costs in the coming years, most of which will be incurred by 2028.

The company said the integration is progressing according to plan and the implementation of the new market and Group structures has begun.

Photograph: The Baloise Holding AG headquarters in Basel, Switzerland, on Tuesday, April 22, 2025. Photo credit: Stefan Wermuth/Bloomberg

Copyright 2026 Bloomberg.
European Central Bank supervisors are set to quiz bankers about the risks that Anthropics new artificial intelligence model might supercharge cyberattacks, one source familiar with the situation told Reuters on Wednesday.

Anthropics Mythos is seen by cybersecurity experts as posing significant challenges to the banking industry and its legacy technology systems, raising alarm bells among regulators in Britain and the U.S.

ECB supervisors are gathering information about the model, with a view to asking banks on their watch about their preparedness for this new possible source of risk, said the source who spoke on condition of anonymity because they are not authorized to comment publicly on the matter.

Read more: Bank of England Set to Discuss Anthropics Mythos With Banks

Unlike in the U.S., this effort will be carried out via the ECBs regular dialog with bank staff and no ad-hoc meeting with top management has been scheduled yet.

An ECB spokesperson declined to comment.

Mythos capabilities to code at a high level have given it a potentially unprecedented ability to identify cybersecurity vulnerabilities and devise ways to exploit them, experts told Reuters.

This aspect is why Anthropic has said the current iteration, Claude Mythos Preview, will not be made generally available.

Instead, the company announced Project Glasswing, in which it invited major tech companies, cybersecurity vendors and JPMorgan Chase, along with several dozen other organizations, to privately evaluate the model and prepare defenses accordingly.

Trump Backs AI Safeguards in Banking System

U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell convened an urgent meeting with bank chief executives last week to warn them about the risks, which President Donald Trump acknowledged on Wednesday. Trump also backed government safeguards.

St. Louis Fed President Alberto Musalem told Reuters the development emphasized the need for the U.S. central bank to revisit how were thinking about cybersecurity and to check in with banks about their own resilience and robustness to cyber risk in this new world.

Our cyber teams are engaged with the substance of it, not the news of it, but the actual substance of it. And were evaluating, Musalem told Reuters in an interview on Wednesday.

Britains Technology Secretary Liz Kendall and Security Minister Dan Jarvis sounded a similar warning to businesses on Wednesday, saying Mythos was substantially more capable at cyber offense than any model previously tested by the governments AI Security Institute.

A new generation of AI models is becoming capable of doing work that previously required rare expertise: finding weaknesses in software, writing the code to exploit them, and doing so at a speed and scale that would have been impossible even a year ago, they said in an open letter to businesses.

Bank of England Governor Andrew Bailey said this week that central banks and financial regulators must quickly understand the implications of the new model.

In Canada, Mythos was discussed at a meeting last Friday about cybersecurity attended by representatives of the Finance Ministry and the Bank of Canada as well as bank executives, a ministry spokesperson said.

The ECB already had listed tech risk as one of its top priorities for the 20262028 period.

(Reporting by Francesco Canepa; additional reporting by Paul Sandle in London, Howard Schneider in Washington and Promit Mukherjee in Ottawa; editing by Emelia Sithole-Matarise and Paul Simao)

Related:
Russias intelligence services are now seeking to damage European infrastructure with cyber attacks rather than merely overwhelm websites with excess traffic, Swedish Civil Defense Minister Carl-Oskar Bohlin said.

Over the past year, Russias methods have shifted, Bohlin said during a news conference in Stockholm on Wednesday. Pro-Russian groups that once carried out denial-of-service attacks are now attempting destructive cyber attacks against organizations in Europe.

Bohlins statement underscores European officials growing concern about the vulnerability of critical systems including power plants and water treatment works to disruption by Russian operatives.

Poland fought off a wave of cyber attacks by Russian intelligence agencies in December 2025 targeting two power plants and renewable energy facilities, Prime Minister Donald Tusk said earlier this year. Like Poland, the Nordic states are staunch supporters of Kyiv making them potential targets of aggression by Russia, which is waging full-scale war against Ukraine.

Bohlin said a heating plant in Western Sweden had been targeted by a group with links to Russian intelligence in spring 2025. The attack had been thwarted by security systems at the plant, Bohlin said, declining to provide further details.

Norway and Denmark had seen similar attempts, he said.

Taken together, this points to a change toward riskier and more reckless behavior which could potentially lead to damaging effects for society, the minister said.

Photograph: Swedish Civil Defense Minister Carl-Oskar Bohlin; photo credit: Pontus Lundahl/AFP/Getty Images

Copyright 2026 Bloomberg.

Topics Cyber Russia
A number of Russian shadow fleet tankers are transporting oil with insurance certificates from a company that doesnt exist as its described in the documents, according to an intelligence assessment from Ukraine.

Seaguard P&I, based in Pinneburg, Germany provided an insurance certificate for the tanker Paz, which is sanctioned by the US, UK and European Union, according to documents obtained by Ukraines foreign intelligence service that were seen by Bloomberg.

No such commercial entity exists in Germany, and the address listed on the insurance certificate and the companys website is the location of a residential apartment building, according to an assessment by Ukraines foreign intelligence service.

Bloomberg was unable to definitively corroborate that is the case. A request for comment sent to the email address on Seaguards website went unanswered, while calls to numbers listed for the company didnt connect.

At least five tankers have received insurance certificates from Seaguard, according to the intelligence assessment. Among the vessels is a tanker called Deyna, which French authorities seized in March on suspicion that it was circumventing sanctions on Russia.

Ukraines allies have sanctioned hundreds of vessels in Russias covert fleet of tankers, as they have looked to crack down on Moscows ability to generate revenue to sustain its war against Ukraine.

More recently, several European nations have intercepted and boarded vessels near their waters, with the ships seen as posing environmental and security risks in breach of international maritime regulations.

Shadow tankers have increasingly turned to sailing under false flags and with questionable paperwork, as they have been locked out by western service providers including insurers.

Photograph: French authorities seized a tanker called Deyna in March 2026 on suspicion that it was circumventing sanctions on Russia. Photo credit: Miguel Medina/AFP/Getty Images

Related:

Copyright 2026 Bloomberg.

Topics Energy Oil Gas Russia
This edition of International People Moves details appointments at Tokio Marine Kiln and HDI Global.

A summary of these new hires follows here.

Tokio Marine Kiln Promotes Spencer and Burgess to Lead Fine Art & Specie

Tokio Marine Kiln (TMK) has promoted Cameron Spencer and Jake Burgess to the roles of divisional head, Fine Art & Specie, as part of its long-term commitment to the class of business.

Each bring 13 years of experience, having started their careers together at Catlin Syndicate in 2013. Burgess has since held roles at AXA XL (both in London and the US) while Spencer worked at Travelers Europe, before joining TMK as underwriters.

They combine diverse technical experience and expertise, as well as a broad spread of strong market relationships.

The promotions follow an increase in TMKs maximum line size for fine art & specie risks from US$125 million to US$200 million. This joint-lead model offers brokers service continuity and more direct access to senior decision-makers with meaningful capacity.

Were delighted to appoint Cameron and Jake to these well-deserved roles. Their leadership reflects our ambition for fine art & specie and strengthens our ability to support brokers through global reach, specialist underwriting of complex aggregations, and tailored solutions for emerging or unique risks, commented Vivek Syal, chief underwriting officer at Tokio Marine Kiln. This investment in senior capability ensures clients receive the protection they need without compromise.

***

HDI Global Taps Beblo From Everest as Global Head of Property Underwriting

HDI Global (HDI) announced the appointment of Philip Beblo as its new head of Property Underwriting, effective from May 1, 2026.

In this role, Beblo will be responsible for HDI Globals worldwide Property Local Risk business, working closely with Mark Mackay, global head of Energy & Power, and Franz Adamczyk, head of Global Risk Property, and consultant for the Energy & Power business.

His mandate includes the continued development and scaling of the international property portfolio, with a focus on strengthening underwriting excellence, governance, and global standards to support sustainable growth across markets. The appointment supports HDI Globals ambition to further strengthen its international property business through disciplined underwriting.

Beblo brings extensive international experience from senior roles at global insurance companies. Prior to joining HDI Global, he held leadership positions as deputy manager International Property at Everest Insurance and global practice group leader property at AGCS SE.

In these roles, Beblo supported the profitable growth of international property portfolios and strengthened underwriting capabilities globally.

Topics Underwriting Property
Scott Stephenson, former chairman, president, and CEO of Verisk Analytics, joined the board of directors at ZestyAI, a San Francisco, California-based risk and decision intelligence platform for the insurance industry.

Stephenson spent more than two decades at Verisk, including nine as chairman, president, and CEO (20132022), where he helped transform the company into a global data and analytics leader. Under his leadership, Verisk more than quadrupled its market capitalization, became a component of the S&P 500 Index, and was repeatedly named one of the Worlds Most Innovative Companies by Forbes.

Before Verisk, Stephenson was a senior partner at the Boston Consulting Group, where he advised Fortune 50 CEOs and founded the firms Southeastern U.S. practice. He currently serves on multiple public and nonprofit boards, including PSEG and Definitive Healthcare.

WTW Appoints Li to North America PPCU Consulting Team

WTW appointed Haibin Li as director and data scientist within its pricing, product, claims and underwriting (PPCU) consulting team in North America.

Li has 12 years of insurance carrier experience across data analytics roles at Everest, The Hartford and Chubb. Before joining the insurance industry, he spent 15 years in academia, holding positions at Rutgers University, Princeton University and the Chinese Academy of Sciences.

Li supports PPCU clients and prospects by developing integrated consulting and technology solutions, with a focus on predictive modeling, advanced analytics and AI. He will partner with insurers across pricing, underwriting, claims and portfolio management. He reports to Ben Williams, senior director, at WTW.
A Delaware judge threw out lawsuits seeking to link the heartburn drug Zantac to cancer, freeing makers of the product from facing trials in the state over the cases.

Superior Court Judge Francis Pete Jones concluded Monday lawyers for ex-Zantac users couldnt produce legitimate evidence backing up claims the over-the-counter product caused cancer. Zantac is currently made by French drugmaker Sanofi.

Jones found the Zantac plaintiffs were not entitled to a second chance at amending their claims because they failed to meet statutory requirements to prove allegations that the cancers were caused by the medication.

This court concluded the plaintiffs were not entitled to a mulligan in the face of Delawares clear and existing law on causation that plaintiffs were unable to meet, he said in a 17-page ruling.

Its the second time in the case a Delaware judge has scrutinized evidence alleging Zantac makers knew the heartburn treatment, and its main ingredient ranitidine, caused 10 types of cancer, including breast, stomach and colon, and failed to warn users.

Because former Zantac owners GSK Plc, Pfizer Inc., Sanofi and Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals already have settled thousands of Zantac suits over the last several years, its unclear how many Delaware cases will be dismissed by Jones order. GSK paid more than $2 billion in 2024 to resolve what it said was more than 90% of its pending cases.

Sanofi said Jones ruling means there are no more cases against the company in Delaware. Sanofi previously settled the majority of cases pending against it in state court without any concession of liability, not because it believes the claims have any merit, but rather to avoid the expense and ongoing distraction of the litigation, the company said in an emailed statement.

GSK said that Jones order effectively ends the Zantac lawsuits in Delaware. The scientific consensus is that there is no consistent or reliable evidence that ranitidine increases the risk of any cancer, the company said.

Pfizer said that the company has sympathy for plaintiffs, but believes that Zantac is not the cause of injuries alleged in this litigation, a conclusion supported by numerous studies and reinforced by defense outcomes in trials across the country.

Boehringer, a US unit of Germany-based Boehringer Ingelheim GmbH, said the decision, consistent with rulings from courts nationwide, follows nine jury trials in which plaintiffs failed to prove their case against Boehringer.

Plaintiffs claimed the firms knew ranitidine transformed into the carcinogen NDMA if not kept properly cool. In 2020, the US Food and Drug Administration asked companies to remove all ranitidine-based products. Regulators allowed Sanofi to bring Zantac back on the market in 2025 after replacing its active ingredient.

Delaware Superior Court Judge Vivian Medinilla cleared the Zantac claims for trial in 2024, but the Delaware Supreme Court overturned that ruling the following year. The states highest court, however, said another judge could review the cancer evidences legitimacy. Jones replaced Medinilla, who had retired, in overseeing the cases.

In dismissing the cases, Jones followed the lead of a federal judge in Florida, who threw out more than 50,000 Zantac suits after finding the science behind the cancer claims was flawed. Still, state court judges in California and Illinois have said similar evidence met sufficiency tests to go to trial.

A Georgia-based federal appeals court currently is weighing whether to overturn the federal judges findings in the Multidistrict Litigation case that the evidence wasnt adequate to warrant giving plaintiffs a trial. Many of the Florida cases were refiled in state court in Delaware. At one time, more than 80,000 Zantac plaintiffs had sued in the state. Many of those cases have settled or been voluntarily dismissed, according to court files.

Zantac plaintiffs lawyers urged Jones in court filings to wait for the 11th US Circuit Courts ruling on whether the federal judge in Florida had botched her evidentiary ruling before deciding the issue in the Delaware cases.

Plaintiffs are correct that the MDL decision played a role in this courts decision, Jones said in his ruling. But the federal case did not play a sufficient role enough for this court to defer ruling on the companies requests for dismissals, he added.

The case is IN RE Zantac Litigation, No. N22C-09-101 ZAN, Delaware Superior Court (Wilmington).

Photo: A senior research associate prepares to test a bottle of Zantac 150. Photographer: Gabby Jones/Bloomberg

Copyright 2026 Bloomberg.

Topics Lawsuits Legislation
After teacher Janet Rau learned that a carcinogenic gas was being released from an industrial plant near her school in 2019, she started a campaign for more oversight. Five years later, the Environmental Protection Agency issued rules requiring facilities that use the gas to better monitor and cut their emissions of it.

Those rules were set to take effect starting this month. But the Trump administration has granted dozens of temporary exemptions, including to the Atlanta-area facility near Rau.

Now, as part of a sweeping deregulatory push, the EPA wants to ease the new regulations for the gas  ethylene oxide, or EtO  permanently. The push to get tighter rules was maddeningly slow, says Rau, but this is worse. The things that weve done have essentially been erased.

Back in 2016, the EPA determined that ethylene oxide, which is used to sterilize medical devices, was 30 to 60 times more carcinogenic than previously thought. Two years later, it identified areas near sterilizing facilities with elevated health risks. One was on the northwest edge of Atlanta, around a plant operated by the company Sterigenics, which is just downriver from the private Lovett School where Rau teaches fourth grade.

As Rau and others learned about the pollution and pushed for answers, the EPA embarked on the years-long rulemaking process. In 2024 it finalized regulations requiring commercial sterilizers to cut their ethylene oxide emissions by 90%; carry out continuous monitoring of levels of the gas; and report the results in a way that communities could be confident gas wasnt leaking into the air. Activists in Cobb County and an hour away in Covington, Georgia, where Becton, Dickinson and Co. operates a sterilization plant, considered it a victory.

Then came the Trump administration.

Last year, it offered waivers to a range of industries from having to comply with Biden-era standards for toxic air pollutants. More than three dozen of the countrys roughly 90 medical sterilizing facilities, including the Cobb County and Covington plants, got two-year exemptions from the new ethylene-oxide rules, according to the White House.

This March, the EPA proposed to loosen the 2024 rules permanently. It will make its decision after a public comment period that ends May 1. If it makes the rollback final, legal challenges are almost sure to follow.

Brigit Hirsch, a spokesperson for the EPA, said the standards are too burdensome to meet for an industry thats critical for the country. The 2024 rule posed a real threat to one of Americas only options for a secure domestic supply chain of essential medical equipment, Hirsch said in a statement. She added that there was no viable alternative to ethylene oxide on the market.

Sterigenics, in a letter to the Trump administration requesting waivers, wrote that the complexity of the rules and other factors like supply-chain delays and the limited availability of contractors made it challenging and expensive to meet the compliance deadline in April.

When asked for comment, Sterigenics, which is owned by Sotera Health Co., referred Bloomberg News to a page on its website that describes the EPAs proposal to revise the rule as an important step. The company says on its website that it is committed to safety, adding, Sterigenics has and will continue to invest in state-of-the-art facility enhancements across our EtO facilities.

Matt Marcus, a spokesman for Becton, Dickinson, said the company has always been committed to best available technology and to providing its emissions data to state regulators. Getting a waiver for the Covington plant was necessary, he said, to complete the specialized installation of custom-engineered equipment for capturing ethylene oxide without disrupting operations or production of essential medical devices.

The EPA has long regulated ethylene-oxide emissions from commercial sterilizers; the first US standards were issued in 1994. For two decades after that, when it revisited them, it didnt see the need for tightening. But in 2016, the agency came to a different conclusion.

It was a shock, said Joseph Goffman, who worked in the agencys Office of Air and Radiation at the time and later helmed it, referring to the finding that ethylene oxide was far more toxic than known. It really triggered a sense of urgency.

A colorless, odorless gas, ethylene oxide is used on equipment that cant be sterilized by steam because of potential damage from heat or moisture. Some 20 billion medical devices  about half the US total  are treated with it each year, according to the EPA, including heart valves, pacemakers, surgical kits, gowns, drapes, ventilators, syringes and catheters.

Theres no ready substitute for ethylene oxide. But sterilizers can capture the gas before its released using equipment like scrubbers and oxidizers.

The EPAs 2016 assessment relied mainly on large studies of exposed workers that found higher rates of certain cancers, particularly lymphatic and breast cancer, with risk increasing at higher exposure levels. It was supported by animal studies and mechanistic evidence  laboratory research showing how the chemical works in the body.

Greg Crist, the chief advocacy officer of the Advanced Medical Technology Association, or AdvaMed, a trade association for medical device companies, said his group believes the 2016 review is flawed because it is based on unrealistic modeling and assumptions.

Without admitting fault, Sterigenics has paid out millions of dollars to settle cancer and other illness claims since 2016. In October 2023, it agreed to pay $35 million to resolve 79 lawsuits in Georgia.

Community and environmental groups from around the country are now plaintiffs in a lawsuit challenging the administrations authority to issue the exemptions. The US District Court for the District of Columbia has consolidated the case with others contesting Trumps waivers, and will hear arguments on whether they should proceed together.

As of mid-April, the EPA had already received more than 6,000 comments from the public on the proposed rollback. Of the roughly two dozen posted online, which are mostly opposed, one reads in part, I grew up in east Texas and was exposed to ethylene oxide most of my childhood. I was 30 years old when I found my breast cancer and now 11 years later Im dying.

At the EPAs public hearing for the rule change on April 1, an AdvaMed executive emphasized how much the US needs a reliable domestic supply chain for medical equipment.

Disruption in the ability to sterilize med tech domestically could shift critical medical supplies overseas, threatening our national sterile infrastructure, said Khatereh Calleja, the groups senior vice president of technology and regulatory affairs.

Calleja added, Under the proposed revisions, if finalized, many EtO-level emission requirements will remain in place and unchanged.

But if the 2024 rules are revoked, it will have a significant effect on how much ethylene oxide some plants can emit and how they can monitor their emissions. The EPA projects health disbenefits from the change and 7.8 additional tons of the chemical being released annually, about one-third more than without the rollback.

Many sterilization plants were built decades ago in light industrial zones that now border dense suburbs. For years, residents often didnt know the facilities were there  much less that they could pose a cancer risk.

It was during the first Trump administration that the EPA identified 25 high-priority facilities and started doing outreach in surrounding communities. But as of March 2020, agency staff had met with residents in only nine of them, according to an EPA Inspector General report.

In interviews for this story, people living close to the Cobb County and Covington plants said they learned about the dangers after a wave of news reports about census tracts with airborne toxins in 2019. Some near the Cobb County facility only found out in 2020, when the Board of Tax Assessors lowered property assessment values near the facility there, citing environmental air quality concerns.

Rau, who drives a red Jeep named for the Greek witch Circe, read about the threat in the news in 2019 and sprang into action. She helped organize a community network that grew to thousands, appeared on national television and painted signs for a packed public meeting where residents faced Sterigenics executives.

Covington residents also wanted to know what was in their air, said Maurice Carter, who leads the nonprofit Sustainable Newton, which is a plaintiff in the lawsuit against the waivers. While Becton, Dickinson monitored its own smokestack emissions in 2019 and reported them to regulators, it was not required to make that information public.

So the city commissioned its own. Contractors placed monitors around Covington, detecting what officials described as particularly high levels of ethylene oxide in some neighborhoods. Then-Mayor Ronnie Johnston called the findings higher than expected and formally asked Becton, Dickinson  a major local employer  to halt operations.

Days later, state officials filed a legal motion and a judge signed a consent order shutting the plant for a week for new emissions controls. The order also required that the company report leaks above legal limits. Becton, Dickinson said it had already invested about $8 million in upgrades.

Georgia then adopted rules requiring sterilizers to monitor their emissions and report to the state if they had a leak in excess of a certain size. State and local officials were satisfied that this protected public health, so stopped funding public monitoring.

But Carter  who for decades has lived less than a mile from the Covington facility  and others were not satisfied. They didnt trust companies to self-report and pushed for public disclosure of companies own continuous monitoring in the Biden administrations 2024 rules.

With the recent offer of waivers, I didnt see anything about health data or new analysis, Carter said. All I saw was, We dont want to cost these companies money. If you need two years, well give you two years. If you need more, well give you more.'

On a recent spring morning at a bakery in Covington, Carter, neatly dressed in a gold crew neck, spoke with visible emotion about the exemptions.

This hits at a fundamental belief, he said. Businesses need to make money. But you dont put profit above peoples health and the future we leave behind.

Photo: The Becton, Dickinson sterilization plant in Covington, Georgia. Photographer: Kendrick Brinson/Bloomberg

Copyright 2026 Bloomberg.

Topics Pollution
The medical officer for the Texas summer camp where 27 girls were killed in a flood last year testified Tuesday she still has not officially reported the deaths to the state health agency that regulates camps and is reviewing its application to reopen this summer.

Mary Liz Eastland, a member of the family that owns and operates Camp Mystic, was questioned in a legal fight between the camp operators and families of victims who have filed lawsuits and want the camp to preserve damaged areas as evidence. The hearing over the past two days has produced the most extensive details from camp operators of what happened in the July 4 predawn flood on the Guadalupe River, and the delayed decisions to evacuate until it was too late.

While the deaths of 25 campers and two teenage counselors at the all-girls Christian camp have been widely reported and are not in question, the Texas administrative code requires camps to report deaths to state health regulators within 24 hours.

I did not think of this requirement in the moments happening after the flood, Eastland said, adding she also had not done so leading up to camps March 31 application to reopen.

Eastland could not recall exactly when she learned campers had died, saying it could have been a day, or several days, after the flood. Richard Eastland, her father-in-law, also was killed.

When pressed if she should formally report the deaths now with the camp license pending, Mary Liz Eastland said, I guess so.

It was unclear if the failure to report would affect the camps license application. A copy of the camps application includes lists of camp officers and flood plain maps. Operators are also required to submit a detailed safety plan, but that is shielded from public view.

State regulators will visit the camp during the license review. The agency has also said it is reviewing hundreds of complaints filed against the camp and has invited the Texas Rangers investigative unit to help. State lawmakers also are conducting a seperate investigation of the flood.

DSHS will consider any findings from the inspection and investigation when making the determination on the renewal application, the agency said Tuesday.

The camps plan to reopen part of the campus this summer and host nearly 900 girls has outraged families of the girls killed. The family of 8-year-old Cile Steward, the only camper still missing, filed the lawsuit that prompted this weeks hearing.

The Steward family has said the camp should not be allowed to reopen under the continued leadership of the Eastland family. Separately, Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick has said no license should be issued until all the investigations are complete.

Mary Liz Eastlands testimony came after her husband Edward Eastland spent hours under questioning Monday and Tuesday about missed weather warnings, the delayed decision to evacuate, and desperate attempts to save children as the water ripped through the camp with enough force to create rapids that swirled around the cabins.

He tearfully described grabbing two girls and another who jumped on his back before they were all washed away.

A genuine hero testified today, said Mikal Watts, one of the attorneys for the Eastlands. He told a gripping story of saving lives in an unprecedented tsunami. I am proud to represent Edward Eastland and his family.

Mary Liz Eastland recounted her steps that night when she and her children left their house to join her mother-in-law. She described water pouring into the house and breaking a window to escape. The family was able to get to higher ground.

She also described what she saw at sunrise when she went toward the river bank, seeing girls in trees. She and other staff gathered survivors for a head count, checking names against cabin rosters.

I had to figure out who we had and didnt have at that point, she said.

But she also acknowledged never trying to get to the low-lying areas to evacuate campers in the early moments of the storm, saying she could not pass through the rising floodwaters. She was also pressed as to why, as the camps chief medical officer, did she not try to call or alert other medical staff to get to the campers before disaster struck.

Steward family attorney Christina Yarnell noted Eastland had been at Camp Mystic as a camper, counselor or staff member since 2002.

You knew the property. You knew the flood lines. You knew access points, Yarnell said. Your children knew them. These were first-year campers  Cile needed your help and you abandoned her, didnt you?

Yes, Eastland said.

Copyright 2026 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Texas
An insurance industry-supported wildfire mitigation designation program has been expanded into 10 additional high-risk states with Florida being one.

The expansion comes at a time when Florida is experiencing widespread drought conditions and state officials are concerned that the next few months could be extremely active for wildfires. Nearly 80% of Florida is in an extreme or exceptional drought, according to the Florida Department of Agriculture.

The Wildfire Prepared program from the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS) offers designations that show home owners and builders in high-risk areas have taken proven steps to reduce wildfire risk. Homeowners obtain the IBHS program designation by completing mitigation steps verified by a third party. The program also includes Wildfire Prepared Neighborhood, which recognizes builders and communities working to reduce home-to-home wildfire spread.

The Wildfire Prepared program offerings are in two levels for individual properties: Wildfire Prepared Home, which outlines essential actions to reduce risk from wind-driven embers, and Wildfire Prepared Home Plus, an enhanced level of protection against radiant heat and direct flame contact. Homeowners can earn the designation by completing a set of science-based steps verified by a third party.

Established in 2022, Wildfire Prepared, which was previously available in California, Nevada, New Mexico and Oregon, is now also available in Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Idaho, Montana, Oklahoma, Texas, Utah, Washington and Wyoming.

Wildfire resilience isnt a single upgrade or a one-time checklist  it takes a set of mitigations to both the home and landscaping, along with ongoing maintenance, said Steve Hawks, senior director for wildfire at IBHS. When mitigation measures work together, they improve the chances a structure survives and help strengthen long-term insurability. Expanding Wildfire Prepared makes it easier for more homeowners, builders and communities to implement that system and demonstrate that meaningful risk reduction has taken place.

Homeowners can apply for the Wildfire Prepared Home designation, and builders, developers and community leaders can access program resources, at wildfireprepared.org.

Floridas peak wildfire season usually encompasses April, May, and June, and the National Interagency Fire Center has predicted an above normal significant wildfire potential across the state this year.

Last Tuesday during Wildfire Awareness Week, Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson and the Florida Forest Service urged Floridians to take steps to prepare for what could be an extremely active peak wildfire season.

Florida is experiencing widespread drought conditions like we have not seen in years, and forecasts show the next few months could be extremely active for wildfires, said Simpson. We need all Floridians to do their part now by following local burn restrictions, staying alert to weather conditions when burning, and preparing their homes and yards to be wildfire ready.

Since January, more than 1,500 wildfires have burned over 54,000 acres in Florida. Some 26 counties have enacted burn bans.

The current major active wildfires include one in Picayune Strand State Forest in Collier County that forced evacuations and is reported to be 60% contained; a South Miami-Dade County Fire that closed an 18-mile section in the Florida Keys; and multiple fires in the Big Cypress National Preserve area.

Wildfires Race Across US as Drought Spans Half the Nation

The Florida Forest Service is encouraging the public to visit BeWildfireReadyFL.com to learn how to protect life, homes, and communities.

One of the tools the Florida Forest Service uses to fight potentially devastating wildfires is prescribed burning. According to officials, approximately two million acres of public and private land in Florida are treated with prescribed fire each year.

Florida is not alone in its concern over drought and wildfires. Large parts of the western, central and southeastern US are dealing with a fast and early start to the wildfire season after an unusually hot winter with little snow.

Topics Catastrophe Natural Disasters Florida Wildfire
Citing progress on a potential compromise with the insurance industrys rate bureau, North Carolina Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey has rescheduled a hearing on proposed dwelling insurance rate increases from May 4 to July 6.

The North Carolina Rate Bureau is asking for an average 28.5% hike that would take effect on July 1, 2026 and then another 31% average rate increase on July 1, 2027. The combined effect would be a 68.3% increase.

The Department of Insurance and the N.C. Rate Bureau have made progress in reaching a settlement, Causey said in announcing the rescheduling. More time is needed to work out the details of a settlement.

Judging from past proceedings, the increases will likely be reduced after negotiations with Causeys office and before any public hearing.

The industry last submitted a dwelling rate filing in July 2023, when it requested an average statewide increase of 50.6%. After negotiation, the department and the rating bureau settled for an overall average rate increase of 8%.

Causey set the May 4 hearing date last December, two months after the rating bureau submitted its proposal. The rescheduled hearing will be held at 10 a.m. at the insurance departments office in Raleigh if the department and rate bureau are unable to complete a settlement before July 6.

Dwelling insurance policies are not homeowners insurance policies. Dwelling policies are primarily offered to non-owner-occupied residences of no more than four units, including rental properties, investment properties and other properties that are not occupied full time by the property owner.

Topics Pricing Trends North Carolina
For years, a segment of the Florida property insurance industry had lobbied for more access to the lower-cost reinsurance offered by the state-sanctioned Florida Hurricane Catastrophe Fundmainly through a lowered retention, or deductible, level.

Today, three years into Floridas tort-reform era, things are changing.

Private reinsurance rates have fallen steadily. Insurers renewing at April 1 achieved significant savings in all regions, building on the competitive conditions seen at January 1, Aon said in its April renewal report.

And with the Florida Cat Funds rates set to rise this year, some insurers have noticed that, at least for some layers, private re prices are now equal to or lower than the state-sanctioned Cat Funds rates. Seven insurance carriers this year reduced their coverage level from the Cat Fund, from 90% to the statutorily required minimum 45% of losses from each covered event in excess of the insurers retention.

And that raises a fundamental question: Should that minimum level be even lower, allowing carriers to switch to more private re support. Its a change that would require action from the Florida Legislature.

Theres definitely appetite for exploring that, said state Rep. Tom Fabricio, R-Miami Lakes, who attended the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation Summit, held Wednesday and today in Tallahassee.

Fabricio said decreases in private reinsurance prices, and the idea of restructuring the Cat Fundunheard of just two years agois welcome. Its all good news, right? It shows that the reforms have worked.

Florida Statute 215.555 allows carriers to purchase Cat Fund coverage at 90%, 70% and 45% of losses. Giving a fourth option with reduced coverage would give insurers more flexibility to seek more private reinsurance, carrier advocates said.

That could be something to consider, Florida Insurance Commissioner Michael Yaworsky said Wednesday, when asked if OIR would support such a plan. I would want to see a deep, thoughtful discussion about it.

Gina Wilson, the chief operating officer for the Cat Fund, declined to weigh in on whether the minimum coverage level should be reduced or allowed to fluctuate as private re prices change. She said only that theres little the Fund can do about that without legislation.

Wilson did try to clear up some confusion about whats happening with the Cat Funds proposed reinsurance rates this year. As first reported by Lisa Miller & Associates newsletter, The Fund recently released its proposed 2026 rates, based on a ratemaking formula presented April 2 to the Funds advisory council. The average rate for the 2026-2027 contract year will effectively rise 4.26%, due in part to the seven carriers reducing coverage this year.

When enough carriers reduce coverage, the burden is spread to others to help maintain the Funds $17 million reserve level. The average coverage level this year will be less than 82%, down from almost 85% for 2025.

But Wilson said that the 4.26% rate increase does not reflect individual companies coverage selections. After factoring in the coverage selection changes, the overall industry rate change is projected to increase 0.43%, she said.

The ratemaking report from Paragon, an Aon company, explained it the same way: Some insurers chose to lower their coverage from 90% to 45%, effectively reducing their rate by half. After factoring in those coverage changes, the overall industry rate change is projected to increase 0.43%.

Thats not bad, one Florida carrier executive said. But it does indicate how much private reinsurance rates online have dropped in recent yearsas much as 15% this year for some carriers, suggesting that the Cat Fund may no longer be the best deal in town.

The Cat Funds 2026-2027 rates wont be final until the State Board of Administration trustees, which oversee the fund, approve them at their June 2 meeting.

Related: Reinsurance Rates Continued Softening During April Renewals, Despite Iran War

Topics Carriers Florida Pricing Trends
California Gov. Gavin Newsom is advancing a plan that could funnel hundreds of millions in road dollars to a struggling oil refinerypitching it as a cleaner jet fuel initiative. The credit, drawn from funds voters designated for highways and local streets, could also raise gas prices for most drivers.

UC Berkeley economists warn it could raise California gas prices. And while the plan is pitched as a climate measure, the analysis finds it could cut emissions at more than 10 times the cost economists consider effective, one of the authors told CalMatters.

The proposal is expected to receive a final legislative hearing on Thursday. It has drawn backing from lawmakers and labor groups, who say it preserves jobs at facilities like the Rodeo refinery in Contra Costa County and helps the state achieve its climate goals.

But the plan has drawn criticism from an unlikely mix of voices: oil industry representatives, the Legislatures nonpartisan analystwho is urging lawmakers to reject the proposaland environmentalists who argue California is underfunding cleaner, more effective alternatives like mass transit.

Phillips 66 Leads the Subsidy Line

The governors four-page proposal is a straightforward mechanism granting a tax credit to producers in a small corner of the jet fuel marketwith potentially far-reaching implications for most drivers.

Only two companies currently produce state-certified jet biofuel and also owe diesel excise tax in Californiathe conditions required to claim the credit, said Andrew March, a Department of Finance budget analyst. Of those, only Phillips 66 has publicly confirmed it would qualify for the credit. The company spent $1.25 billion converting its Rodeo refinery in Contra Costa County from traditional petroleum refining to biofuels.

Jets do not run on gasoline; they run on a fuel refined from petroleum by oil companies that also produce gasoline for cars and diesel for trucks. Because jet fuel requires less processing than gasoline or diesel, it is generally cheaper to produce. But sustainable aviation fuel, made from products like used cooking grease and animal fat, costs significantly more, roughly twice the price of conventional jet fuel, due to the expense of converting refineries and processing organic materials.

Under the proposal, producers would earn credits for selling the fuel here and use those credits to offset the diesel taxes they owe.

The formula for credits isnt flatthe cleaner the fuel, the bigger the credit, ranging from $1 to $2 per gallon.

The state estimates that Newsoms proposal could cost between $165 million and $300 million, but Californias nonpartisan legislative analyst warns that figure could be far higher. Thats because the tax credit is so high that it could incentivize companies outside California to acquire California companies with diesel tax liabilities, said Helen Kerstein, who evaluates climate programs for the Legislative Analysts Office. A major California refiner like Chevron could also buy a renewable fuel company elsewhere and ship the fuel here, she said.

If more companies claim the credit than expected, diesel tax revenues could fall more sharplydriving the programs cost higher than anticipated. In February, a team of UC Berkeley economists estimated the proposal could cause diesel tax receipts to fall by as much as 75%.

Theyre going to incentivize a whole lot more sustainable aviation fuel than theyre planning, Aaron Smith, a Berkeley economist who co-authored the report, told CalMatters. That is going to be a huge hit to the states diesel tax receipts, and so its going to be a huge hole in the budget.

March, the budget analyst, disputed Smiths findings, saying it assumes an 8-to-10-fold surge in sustainable aviation fuel flowing into California. Other states that have passed similar credits havent experienced such growth, he said. The program is designed to grow over time, as more companies begin producing sustainable aviation fuel and become eligible, March said.

One Refinerys Bet

Last year, Assemblymember Anamarie Avila Farias and a dozen colleagues toured the Rodeo refinery, which sits along the shores of the San Pablo Bay, in the Concord Democrats district. What they learned alarmed them, Avila Farias said.

Phillips 66 officials told lawmakers that due to the loss of federal incentivesand because Californias own low carbon fuel program wasnt generating enough revenueprojects like the refinery conversion were struggling, she said.

Phillips 66 lobbied the Governors office directly near the end of 2025. Newsom included the tax credit in his budget proposal. Avila Farias and 40 of her colleagues joined in a bipartisan push for the measure.

In 2026, these facilities are on the brink of closure, Avila Farias said in written responses to CalMatters questions.

Phillips 66 declined to answer basic questions about the proposal it lobbied to help shape: whether the Rodeo facility is profitable, whether it faces closure without the credit or how much it expects to claim if the credit is approved. Neither the governors office nor the company would say what role it played in shaping the proposal.

In 2025, the company made $4.4 billion in profits. The Houston-based companys renewable fuels segment, which is anchored by the Rodeo complex, lost $380 million in 2025, worse than the $198 million loss it posted the year before, according to the companys annual report.

Disclosures filed with the California Secretary of State show Phillips 66 lobbied the Governors Office directly on a proposed sustainable aviation fuel incentive package  in the last three months of the yearafter the legislative session had concluded but budget planning for the next year is typically underway. An earlier disclosure specifically referenced diesel excise taxes alongside the fuels incentive package.

Phillips 66 was a member of the Western States Petroleum Association, the states main oil lobby, until the end of last year. The association has not taken an official position on the tax credit, though its chief lobbyist has urged lawmakers to stay focused on keeping Californias traditional petroleum refineries open.

Phillips 66 has been a significant contributor to state campaigns through 2024, donating a total of more than $1.1 million to legislators, according to the CalMatters Digital Democracy database. Since 2024, the company has continued to fund legislative campaigns, including those of Avila Farias, Secretary of State data shows.

For workers at the Rodeo plant, the stakes are high. Joe Jawad, president of United Steelworkers Local 326, represents roughly 250 workers there, many from families who have worked the refinery for generations. In total, the refinery employs more than 400 workers.

If this incentive passes, its my understanding this place stays here for years to come, Jawad said. Thats what were looking for.

But the transition has concerned local environmental justice advocates. Community organizer Daphney Saviotti-Orozco, who grew up in the unincorporated community of Rodeo, a few blocks from the refinery, worries biofuels could still pollute local air quality with methane, nitrogen oxides and fine particulate matter.

Therell be more pressure to make even more, she said.

A Hit to Californias Highways and Byways

California has long protected fuel tax money for roads. Newsoms proposal could drain those funds.

In hearings, lawmakers have specifically raised concern about the use of road dollars for green jet fuel.

We dont have sustainable funding for our transportation system, said Lori Wilson, a Democrat from Suisun City, who chairs the Assembly transportation committee, speaking at a March 11 hearing. It does give me cause for concern.

The state constitution protects gas and diesel excise taxes: they must fund highways, local streets and transit infrastructure. Voters reinforced that mandate in 2010, when they passed Proposition 22, which barred the state from borrowing or redirecting those funds.

Newsoms proposal wouldnt technically violate the rules, but the proposal would have a similar impact, said Kerstein, of the legislative analysts office.

Every dollar that goes to this credit is one fewer dollar that goes to local streets and roads, and the state highway system, Kerstein said. Thats the trade-off.

March disputed the framing, saying there were other sources of money for transportation funds.

The projected impact on road repairs is not a dollar for dollar trade, he wrote.

The credit would pull money from three programs: Caltrans highway maintenance, local street and road funding and competitive freight grants. Californias roads are already starved for cash.

Current funding only covers about 61% of projected highway needs, according to Caltrans, while more drivers switching to electric vehicles are likely to shrink gas tax revenue. Local streets and roads face a $74 billion funding gap, according to a survey from the California State Association of Counties, which advocates for local jurisdictions.

We definitely need road repairs, but we cant miss this chance on jet fuel, Avila Farias wrote. We must do both.

A Costly Climate Fix

But the plans primary beneficiary isnt the climate; its a refinery whose parent company lost hundreds of millions on renewable fuels last year. And while supporters say the jet fuel credit would cut carbon emissions, critics say it could do so at a steep cost.

The plan would cost $1,000 to $2,700 per ton of emissions reducedmore than 10 times what economists consider a cost-effective way to cut climate pollution, according to the Berkeley analysis.

Thats because California is already getting most of the climate benefits from renewable fuelsalso made from plant and animal materialsthrough its low carbon fuel standard, a program that pushes producers to make what they sell here progressively cleaner. Many of those fuels today go into diesel trucks.

Berkeleys report contends that the credit would mainly shift the same limited supply of used cooking oil, animal fats and other raw materials into jet fuel instead of replacing fossil fuels.

March said the state has invested in similarly-priced and more expensive policies in the past in order to boost emerging technologies. Public investment does what private capital wont, March said.

Matthew Botill, a division chief with the California Air Resources Board, said boosting sustainable aviation fuel is critical because demand for jet fuel is expected to grow and state policies aim to cut fuel use in trucking by shifting to electric vehicles.

Without stronger incentives for sustainable aviation fuel, petroleum use in aviation will rise as more people fly, undermining the states climate goals, Botill said at a March 11 hearing.

But by diverting renewable diesel from trucks, producers could drive gas and diesel prices up by 10 to 15 cents per gallon, according to Smith and the Berkeley economists  pushing trucks back toward petroleum and making the fuel mix dirtier and more expensive to clean up.

Markets chase the subsidies, said Danny Cullenward, an energy policy researcher who agreed with the Berkeley findings. You make a very attractive subsidy, and people say, Well, Id rather be delivering that thing.'

Environmentalists say the state would be better off investing in proven, emission-cutting solutions like electric cars and trucks and mass transit.

Were not funding the low-hanging fruit, said Christina Scaringe, California climate policy director at the Center for Biological Diversity. Theres just a very basic argument that we dont have a lot of money.

March, the state budget analyst, told CalMatters that predictions about the governors biofuel proposals impact on gas prices are highly uncertain.

Lawmakers, including Avila Farias, have compared jet biofuel to solar or wind power in their early stages arguing California must act boldly now, to support sustainable aviation fuel.

Smith is skeptical sustainable aviation fuel will ever get cheap enough to stand on its own. And the economics have only worsened since the U.S. began strikes on Iran in late February, sending fuel prices sharply higher.

Before the conflict, conventional jet fuel ran about $2.50 a gallon, according to Argus Media  which also tracked sustainable fuels cost at more than twice that$5.48. Since the strikes on Iran, both have climbed. At west coast airports this week, Globalair.com reports the price of sustainable fuel has reached $10.20.

You need a lot of government support to make it work, Smith said. I just dont ever see that happening.

This story was originally published by CalMatters and distributed through a partnership with The Associated Press.

Copyright 2026 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics California
(www.investorideas.com Newswire) a go-to platform for big investing ideas, including gold and silver stocks, issues market commentary on the recent rise in silver prices and what that means to avid investors, featuring Rio Silver Inc. (TSX-V: RYO) (OTC: RYOOF), a Canadian resource company advancing high-grade, silver-dominant assets in Peru.

Rio Silvers flagship Maria Norte Project is a high grade silver dominant asset located in the historic Huachocolpa mining district in Peru, a well-established mining region with existing infrastructure, road access, and proximity to processing facilities.

Billionaire resource investor Eric Sprott recently completed a $2 million investment in the Company, representing approximately 10 percent ownership and further strengthening its capital position as it advances a low capex toll milling development model.

The silver bull-run in 2025 and early 2026 attracted a new following of investors for silver stocks that are just getting educated on the volatility of this precious metal. But the old-school, long term players have been betting on this commodity super-cycle for years.

Silver prices just saw big gains this week driven by a weakened US dollar, falling oil prices, and optimism on peace talks in the Iran war prior to the deadline in April. This perfect storm boosted interest in safe-haven assets but the run is also supported by increased industrial demand.

The bullish sentiment is also driven by analysts predicting silver prices in 2026. Well-known analysts forecast prices to average around $81/oz ( US) and potentially reach over $100 ( US) based on structural deficits and strong industrial demand, particularly in solar manufacturing. Some of the outliers are forecasting prices over $150 per ounce.

Looking at investor sentiment and some of the most talked about silver stocks (April 2026) on social media, the producers take the lead (according to AI Google Gemini).

First Majestic Silver Corp. (NYSE:AG) (TSX:AG) is consistently the most discussed major silver producer on forums like Reddit and Instagram.

Pan American Silver Corp. (NYSE: PAAS) (TSX: PAAS) is widely talked about with investors for its high liquidity and large silver reserves. Pan American is a leading producer of silver and gold in the Americas, operating mines in Canada, Mexico, Peru, Brazil, Bolivia, Chile and Argentina.

Hecla Mining (NYSE:HL),frequently mentioned by investors as a top producer. Hecla Mining is the largest silver producer in the United States and Canada. In addition to operating mines in Alaska and Idaho, the Company is ramping up a mine in the Yukon, Canada, and owns a number of exploration and pre-development projects in world-class silver and gold mining districts throughout North America.

First Majestic Silver recently announced that total production in the first quarter of 2026 was 3.5 million ounces of silver (Ag), 34,341 ounces of gold (Au), 15.4 million pounds of zinc (Zn), 8.7 million pounds of lead (Pb) and 262,913 pounds of copper (Cu), across the Companys four producing underground mines in Mexico, namely, the Santa Elena Silver/Gold Mine , the Los Gatos Silver Mine (the Company holds a 70% interest in the Los Gatos Joint Venture that owns the mine), the San Dimas Silver/Gold Mine (San Dimas), and the La Encantada Silver Mine (La Encantada).

More from the news:

Q1 2026 PRODUCTION AND OTHER HIGHLIGHTS

Quarterly Silver Production (26% of guidance midpoint): The Company produced 3.5 million silver ounces in Q1 2026 compared to 3.7 million silver ounces produced in Q1 2025, representing 26% of the 2026 silver production guidance midpoint. The modest decrease in silver production was partially attributable to a lower head grade milled, reflecting a reduced cut-off grade in Q1 2026 versus Q1 2025 in response to a stronger metal price environment. This was partially offset by a 48% year-over-year increase in silver production at La Encantada, driven by higher grades mined from the Ojuelas zone.

Quarterly Gold Production (28% of guidance midpoint): The Company produced 34,341 gold ounces in Q1 2026 compared to 36,469 gold ounces produced in Q1 2025, representing 28% of the 2026 gold production guidance midpoint. The decline in gold production was primarily driven by lower gold grades milled, reflecting the application of a lower cut-off grade.

Continued Active Exploration Program: During the first quarter, the Company completed a total of approximately 65,970 metres (m) of drilling across its mines in Mexico. During the quarter, up to 27 drill rigs were active consisting of five rigs at Los Gatos, seven rigs at Santa Elena, 13 rigs at San Dimas, and two rigs at La Encantada.

Positioning as a junior to pay attention to, Rio Silver Inc.(TSX-V: RYO ) (OTC: RYOOF), provided an update on April 8. The Company provided an update on the progress of its ongoing metallurgical work at the Maria Norte silver dominant property, with recent results indicating that high silver and gold recoveries are achievable.

The Maria Norte silver-gold-lead property is located in the historic Huachocolpa Mining District in central Peru and covers an area of approximately 388 hectares. The Property is accessible by road and is adjacent to Silver Xs Tangana mining unit currently in production. Permitting is in progress and documentation has been submitted. Bulk sampling extraction is permitted while awaiting final approval for the environmental permit (IGAC) from the Peruvian government.

Metallurgical Results Support Processing Strategy

Initial metallurgical results have confirmed the high recoveries of silver and gold at Maria Norte. The zinc content is determined to be insignificant compared with the silver-gold-lead.

Metallurgical work and future processing focused on the recoveries of silver-gold-lead and therefore, the Company will design its processing methods to produce two concentrates consisting of a silver-gold-lead concentrate and a lower grade gold-silver-pyrite concentrate with minor amounts of lead. More importantly, the concentrates are expected to contain low levels of arsenic, which is a critical factor for commercial viability. Low arsenic content enhances marketability by reducing or eliminating smelter penalties, broadens the range of potential processing partners, and supports more favorable payability terms, all of which can have a direct positive impact on project economics.

A large composite sample over several tens of metres was recently taken from one of the surface showings exposing a quartz-lead (Qtz-Pb) sulphide vein with widths varying between 0.3 to 1.0 metre in width. The head grade of the composite sample returned 3.00 grams per metric tonne gold and 4.32 ounces per metric tonne silver, 4.05% lead and 1.61% lead oxide. Metallurgical results using flotation methods produced two concentrates. The first concentrate returned a mineral to concentrate ratio of 25 to 1, assaying 14.57 grams per metric tonne gold, 53.64 ounces per metric tonne silver and 54.17% lead. The second concentrate showed a mineral to concentrate ratio of 6.2 to 1 assaying 10.16 grams per metric tonne gold, 9.67 ounces per metric tonne silver and 13.85% lead. Both concentrates returned low arsenic levels returning 0.33 % and 0.36% respectfully.

Chris Verrico the CEO of Rio Silver Inc. comments,

The initial metallurgical work shows that the concentrates produced from the quartz-lead veins are returning good recoveries and low arsenic content. We are aware that this mineral will be highly marketable in Peru since it could be blended with gold-silver-lead concentrates that contain elevated arsenic levels. Further metallurgical work is ongoing as it appears that there exist two different vein set types, that may require different methods of processing optimization, to achieve optimal recoveries. We are focused on advancing toward bulk sampling, concentrate generation, and processing in 2026 and 2027, and we are highly encouraged by the progress being made. The months ahead are expected to be active as we continue executing on our strategy. I can say with confidence that the Company is in the strongest position it has ever been in, both operationally and financially.

Jeffrey Reeder P.Geo, a qualified person as defined in NI 43-101, has prepared, supervised the preparation or approved of the scientific and technical disclosure contained in this news release. The metallurgical work was performed by Jose Orlando Moncada Rejas, Ing, who is the metallurgist responsible for the work performed. Assaying of the material was performed by Procesmin Ingenieros SRL, located in Caraz Ancash, by fire assay for gold-silver.

On April 1st, Rio Silver Inc.(TSX-V: RYO) (OTC: RYOOF) announce that it received the first US$100,000 advanced royalty payment from Magma Silver Corp. pursuant to the previously announced option agreement on its Ninobamba gold-silver property in Peru.

Under the terms of the option agreement, Magma Silver has the right to earn a 100% interest in the Ninobamba project upon full exercise of the option. The agreement provides for total payments of $260,000, which have been received, and additional milestone payments of up to US$2,000,000, including US$500,000 in advanced royalty payments to be paid over the next five years. The initial US$100,000 payment received will be credited against a 2% net smelter return (NSR) royalty retained by Rio Silver.

Magma Silver retains the right to repurchase 1% of the NSR for US$1,000,000 at any time prior to commercial production.

In addition, Rio Silver confirms that it has previously received 2,500,000 common shares of Magma Silver Corp., and will receive a further 2,500,000 common shares on April 15, 2026, pursuant to the terms of the agreement.

Management Commentary:

This is an important milestone for Rio Silver as we begin to realize value from our royalty portfolio, said Chris Verrico, President and Chief Executive Officer of Rio Silver. The receipt of advanced royalty payments and the upcoming additional share issuance from Magma Silver reinforces the strength of our broader asset base and provides meaningful non-dilutive exposure as we continue advancing Maria Norte. Our focus remains on disciplined execution at Maria Norte, while maintaining strategic exposure to additional upside through royalties and equity positions that can generate value without shareholder dilution.

Read The Full News
A man who was chased by gardai after he allegedly drove his tractor and slurry tank through a garda checkpoint in last weeks fuel protest near Whitegate has been charged with five counts of dangerous driving.

Darra OShea, aged 27, was charged that he drove in a manner that was dangerous to the public, or was likely to be dangerous to the public, at five locations in East Cork on April 11, contrary to Section 53(1) of the Road Traffic Act 1961 as substituted by Sec 4 of the Road Traffic (No. 2) Act 2011.
The man accused of multiple rapes and sexual assaults of a woman when she was a child told gardai that it is all made up and that the complainant was a very troubled young girl.

The defendant, who is in his 50s, pleaded not guilty when the trial opened on Monday at the Central Criminal Court in Waterford. He is accused of 53 sexual offences  including more than 20 counts of rape.

On the opening day, the jury was told of allegations that the defendant had abused the complainant at multiple locations between the summer of 1999 and March 2005, from when she was nine to 15 years old.

A detective garda told the trial that the complainant made a statement over several hours on June 5 and June 12, 2022, alleging abuse by the defendant of a historic nature.

The man was arrested for questioning on September 20, 2022. A transcript of his interviews was read to the jury by prosecuting counsel Garnet Orange. He told the interviewing garda that he had known the complainant as a child because she was a relative of his wife.

The transcript included several denials of the accusations made against him. On one occasion, he told the interviewing garda that his accuser was a very troubled young girl.

Later in the interview, he said: It is all made up and also said: It is malicious.

He told gardai: I believe she had a troubled childhood and described the allegations as a cry for attention".

He later said: It is all made up. None of it ever happened. There is clearly something wrong with that girl.

He told gardai that he had kissed the girl on the lips on the night of his daughters christening, adding that he later apologised to her.

Former teacher's testimony

A former secondary school teacher of the complainant gave evidence on Thursday morning. She said she had many interactions with the complainant over a two-year period when she was a second and third year student.

The teacher was concerned that the complainant may have had an eating disorder. The former teacher became aware that (the complainant) was spending a lot of time with a neighbouring family, which she thought to be a little strange.

She said that while there were question marks in her head about it, it wasnt her job to investigate. She said the complainant told her about stuff of a sexual nature going on in the early 2000s.

She told the court: By then, we had the original Children First guidelines in school. She informed the principal of the school with (the complainants) knowledge, she said.

She said she also had a discussion with the complainants parents. She said: I did not feel they particularly welcomed me or my information.

The former teacher said she had made copious notes during the two years, but said she left the school in 2010, leaving the notes behind as they were the property of the school.

She agreed in cross-examination that she was basing her evidence on recollections from over a quarter of a century ago.

She said the response from the complainants parents when she made them aware of what the complainant had told her about sexual stuff going on was not warm.

She continued: I certainly would have expected a different response. She also said she would have expected a much more alarmed response from them.

Closing arguments were made on Thursday afternoon.
A man with a several hundred euro per day addiction to crack cocaine, heroin and cannabis was remanded in custody until May 13 on drug-dealing charges.

Gardai objected to bail last week for 26-year-old Aaron ODriscoll of Desmond Square, Greenmount, Cork, believing that his addictions had spiralled out of control and that he would deal more drugs if released from custody.

Now at Cork District Court, on the application of Sergeant Aisling Murphy he has been remanded in custody by Judge Mary Dorgan until May 13 to allow time for directions to be obtained from the Director of Public Prosecutions.

Garda James Byrd said that on March 29, gardai attached to Cork City District Drugs Unit executed a warrant on the home of Aaron O'Driscoll at 24 Desmond Square, Greenmount, Cork City, under the Misuse of Drugs Act.

Aaron O'Driscoll and other males were present in the property at the time of entry. A large amount of suspected drugs, including cannabis, cocaine and diamorphine were located in the kitchen and a bedroom in the property. Cash totalling 1,675 was located in the property and this was broken down into predominantly small denomination notes.

Amongst the suspected controlled drugs located on the kitchen table were two digital scales, plastic wrapping and other paraphernalia used to package drugs.

Caught red-handed, Aaron O'Driscoll co-operated with gardai during the course of the search regarding ownership of the suspected drugs, drug paraphernalia and cash.

It is my belief that Aaron O'Driscoll will commit further offences if granted bail.

Aaron O'Driscoll is currently unemployed and by his own admission suffers from a heavy addiction to crack cocaine, heroin and cannabis. This addiction is believed to be costing several hundred per day.

With no other means to support his habit, gardai believe Aaron O'Driscoll will continue to sell controlled drugs in Cork City. It is the contention of gardai that Aaron O'Driscoll's drug use has spiralled out of all control, Det. Garda Byrd said at Cork District Court.
Four trainee gardai who had contracts terminated by An Garda Siochana after they handcuffed a fellow student at the Garda College in Templemore last year have been granted High Court permission to challenge their dismissals.

At the High Court this week, Ms Justice Mary Rose Gearty granted permission to the four trainees  Rory Callaghan, David Hanley, Alan Kenny, and Darragh OConnell  to challenge their dismissals.

They are all seeking an order quashing the December 2025 decision by the Commissioner of An Garda Siochana to terminate their contracts over the incident at the training college.

Mr OConnell, Mr Callaghan, Mr Hanley, and Mr Kenny, who were all resident trainees at Templemore Garda College at the time of the June 5, 2025, incident, have taken their case against the commissioner and also seek a High Court declaration that their dismissals were contrary to the principles and processes of natural justice.

The four trainees submit that they did engage in an exercise in consensual handcuffing of a fellow student at his room at the college on the night of June 5, 2025, but that this was in the context of being urged by an instructor to practice handcuffing outside the scheduled courses provided by the training college.

Three trainees  Mr Callaghan, Mr Hanley, and Mr Kenny  represented by Mark Harty SC, claim that the incident concerned a number of trainees engaged in almost entirely consensual and jovial horseplay which involved the consensual handcuffing of another trainee for a time in general light-hearted horseplay.

The three submit that the incident was a minor one in which no harm came to any individual.

All four trainees submit they were later instructed to attend a meeting with Garda inspectors without being told in advance what the meeting was about.

It is claimed the trainees felt the interviewing inspectors had instantly decided they were guilty of misconduct and that one inspector called the incident the most egregious act she had ever seen in her 30 years at the college.

It is claimed that the trainees were not informed of their right of appeal and that an opinion had been formed by interviewing inspectors that they were guilty before they were heard.

They claim that they were not afforded the right to either cross-examine their accuser, nor challenge the decision to suspend their training in late June 2025.

Trainee Darragh OConnell, represented by Garnet Orange SC, submits that the group was encouraged by superiors to practice with handcuffs outside of their classes  but that at no stage was there any attempt to embarrass or bully any other trainee and the prevailing atmosphere was one of the group having good fun relating to the use of handcuffs.

The applicants claim they were not supplied with a copy of a complaint issued on June 19, 2025, nor with full particulars of the precise matters alleged.

After a suitability assessment, however, a decision from the Garda Commissioner, dated December 11, 2025, issued the termination of all of the trainees contracts.

It is claimed by the trainees that An Garda Siochana acted unlawfully, prejudicially, and outside of its powers in the process of the disciplinary decision and failed to apply fair procedures.

It is also claimed that the decision to terminate the contracts was unlawful by reason of inadequate regard to the entirety of the time the trainees were in training and the positive factors therein.

The trainees deny the accusation by interviewing inspectors that their handcuffed colleague put up a resistance.

They say that the group were discussing and demonstrating how to handcuff a resisting suspect in a real-life scenario and that their fellow student agreed to replicate this while joking during the exercise.

The trainees claim that there was consent to the handcuffing and that no inappropriate force, as alleged by Garda superiors, was used.

After granting leave for judicial review, Ms Justice Gearty adjourned the matter to May.
The Social Democrats has written to Ceann Comhairle Verona Murphy to formally complain about the conduct of Independent Ireland during this weeks confidence motion.

The party was repeatedly accused of heckling female members of Government when they spoke during the debate in the Dail on Tuesday.

During the contribution of junior minister Jennifer Murnane OConnor, Soc Dems TDs Aidan Farrelly and Jen Cummins repeatedly called upon the Ceann Comhairle to intervene when Independent Ireland TD Ken OFlynn attempted to interrupt her.

Ms Cummins has now written to the Ceann Comhairle, the leas-Cheann Comhairle, John McGuinness, the clerk of the Dail, and the Committee on Parliamentary Privileges and Oversight, asking them to review the behaviour.

She noted that this behaviour would not be allowed in other workplaces and should not be allowed in the Dail.

I was troubled by the repeated instances of deputies shouting over one another, which created a disorderly and unproductive atmosphere, Ms Cummins said.

Of greatest concern was the pattern of interruptions directed at women TDs, which undermines both respectful discourse and the principle of equal participation in parliamentary debate.

I was especially disappointed by the behaviour exhibited by members of Independent Ireland, whose actions contributed significantly to the disruption. They repeatedly shouted over women TDs from the Government.

Ms Cummins said that the volume of the interruptions was so loud that those speaking could not be heard.

She warned that this type of behaviour detracts from the seriousness of the issues being discussed and sets a poor example for public participation in democratic processes.

This type of behaviour would not be tolerated in other workplaces and should absolutely not be tolerated in Dail Eireann, she continued.

The Dail should represent the highest standards of respectful debate, where all elected representatives are afforded the opportunity to speak and be heard without intimidation or interruption. When these standards are not upheld, it risks eroding the health of our democracy.

I respectfully urge you to take appropriate measures to reinforce standards of conduct within the chamber and to ensure that all Deputies, regardless of gender or political affiliation, are treated with the respect they deserve.

A spokesperson for Independent Ireland said it was aware of the letter.

Rather than recognise the serious crisis people in this country are in, it is unfortunate that a member of the opposition has decided to attempt to distract from the real issues at hand and play the Government's game on this issue," he said.

We will respond in full through the appropriate channels.

Independent Ireland stands firmly for respectful, robust debate and will continue to challenge this Government on behalf of the people we represent.
"War is a present reality," and across Europe mandatory military service is no longer a hypothetical question. Headlines are trumpeting the coming end of the all-volunteer force for militaries across the continent.

Since 2014, countries including Sweden, Latvia, and Lithuania have reinstated compulsory military service. However, in recent months this process seems to be accelerating.

Last month, Croatia inducted its first batch of conscripts since it legislated the return of mandatory service. In Germany, new laws require young men to fill out questionnaires and submit to medical exams assessing their suitability for military service.

Strikingly, recent headlines revealed new limitations on German mens ability to leave the country for extended periods without military consent. According to a statement by Germanys defence minister this precautionary measure will be suspended for the time being, but may be reactivated in case of future need.

We are told that the reintroduction of compulsory military service with its attendant restrictions naturally proceeds from new geopolitical threats. However, in this rush to rearm Europe, we are treating the return of conscription in Europe as an uncontroversial administrative measure, rather than what it is: A profound infringement on personal liberty that deserves serious public debate.

For a conscript, compulsory military service demands an immense sacrifice of individual autonomy. It means that the State decides what to do with your body and makes important decisions on your behalf, including where you will live, where you can go, what you will wear, what you can say, and what your labour and skills will be used for.

It means submitting to curtailments of almost every personal freedom we think of as central to our democracies. Ultimately, it demands unquestioning obedience to State authority, empowering a government to place you in situations where you may be ordered to kill another human being or be killed yourself.

What is surprising is not that European governments are reacting to the evident dangers posed by Russian aggression. Those dangers are real.

Instead, the problem lies in conversations where the consequences of forced military service for the individual are largely overlooked. Public discussion seems to be dominated by speculation about troop numbers, timelines, defence spending goals, and changing conditions of international security.

However, behind technocratic discourse about military preparedness and risk assessment lies a fact we seem to be curiously unwilling to name: forced military service takes freedom of choice away from citizens of otherwise democratic countries. Additionally, in a world hopefully moving towards gender equality, there is a striking lack of questions about most countries male-only conscription policies.

Conscription and human rights

Conscription is one of the most extreme expressions of State power, based on a policy bargain between governments and their populations. The bargain made is that the rights citizens enjoy are worth their governments imposing certain obligations in return.

However, the logic underlying compulsory military service is ultimately starkly utilitarian. It reflects a collective judgment that the safety and liberty of the many merits taking the freedoms, and even the lives, of some. Throughout history, those collectively deemed most suitable for this curtailment of freedoms and mortal risk have largely been young and male.

Compulsory military service occupies a unique space in international law. The UNs Universal Declaration of Human Rights, explicitly prohibits forced labour and guarantees other freedoms including movement, freedom of employment, and security of person.

However, later treaties quietly carved out legal exceptions that place State conscription measures largely outside the reach of international courts. In agreements such as the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, military service is explicitly given an exception to provisions prohibiting forced labour.

Service of a military character is calmly listed alongside normal civil obligations in not being classified compulsory labour. Thus, its impact on individual citizens lies beyond the reach of modern human rights provisions.

Despite its accepted status under international law, compulsory military service has always represented an immense array of human tragedies that demand our attention. A reading of European military recruitment throughout history reveals devastating descriptions of young men being dragged out of their homes, out of school, out of religious services  even from the midst of wedding celebrations  to feed the continents endless wars.

European implementation of compulsory military service has always been defined by fear and by force. It has always represented futures cut short and familial separation.

It is also important to point out that conscripts historically have been subject to an array of training excesses resulting in injury and death, as well as high rates of physical, psychological, and sexual violence within their own militaries. Millions of conscripts have died at the behest of their governments.

Conscription and democracy

European democracies are supposedly defined by the respect for individual liberty and freedoms. The revival of conscription brings us face-to-face with the reality of violating the very freedoms we aim to defend.

It ultimately involves forcing the young of our populations to kill and be killed on our behalf. At this current critical intersection for the future of global security, there can be no shying away from the tensions between individual liberty and collective security posed by conscription.

For all of us reading the recent headlines, the reintroduction of compulsory military service in Europe cannot pass without comment. If we are truly committed to our democratic values, its human consequences cannot be left out of our current conversations, nor can its central ethical tensions.

We cannot subsume young peoples rights to make their own choices in language of national necessity or military preparedness. If we do, what remains is a chilling pragmatism defining our path forward, fundamentally at odds with our democratic principles.

Not asking the right questions about conscription assumes our quiet acceptance that young lives are a resource the State can control and spend at will.
Plans for a major 200m mixed-use development investment in Munsters largest retail complex, Mahon Point in Cork have been cleared by Cork City Council, subject to 52 conditions.

The project, dubbed Mahon 2.0 is a significant investment to include 251 apartments, an office block for up to 580 workers, a new civic plaza/market square for gatherings such as the weekly farmers markets, a multi-storey car park, a discount retailer, and eight to 10 additional bigger box shops  including a very large unit to suit a major retailer.

The development will add around 13,000sq m/140,000sq ft additional demand-led retail space, on top of the existing 350,000sq ft gross footprint at Mahon Point, plus existing 45,000sq ft Omniplex. It will include almost 70,000sq ft of offices with 40 parking spaces at Mahon Point (adding to c 500,000sq ft of offices nearby at City Gate and City Gate Plaza, National Software Centre, etc) and 250 apartments (with 84 parking spaces), with a tenure type yet to be decided.

The centre is separate to Mahon Park Retail Park, which trades nearby. The development is expected to support over 1,500 permanent jobs, alongside approximately 365 jobs during construction.

Welcoming the grant of planning permission, Justin Young, centre director at Mahon Point it was an exciting next step.

Since first opening its doors in 2005, Mahon Point has firmly established itself as a leading shopping destination for both locals and visitors from across Cork and the wider Munster region.

"Beyond retail, it has evolved into a vibrant community hub, a place where people come not just to shop, but to meet, connect and spend time together," he said.

The planning approval for Mahon Point 2.0 represents a natural and exciting next step in that journey. This development will build on the centres strong foundations, enhancing its offering and ensuring it continues to meet the changing needs of customers and the community.

"With this evolution, Mahon Point is well positioned to look forward to a bright and sustainable future.

Director at Savills Ireland, Peter OMeara, who has been involved in tenanting the centre for 20 years, said it was a hugely positive and demand-led development for Cork, responding directly to the citys projected population growth of 5060% by 2040.

Mahon Point 2.0 will deliver much-needed homes alongside vital social infrastructure, creating a balanced and sustainable community.

"It also represents a significant opportunity to enhance Corks economic output by attracting leading Irish and international brands, while strengthening the citys appeal as a destination for visitors and tourists. By prioritising public transport and the 15-minute city model, the development is designed to support how people want to live and move in a growing city, while minimising traffic impact.

The city council received an application from Deka Immobilien in July last year for the 200m mixed-use investment in Mahon Point and subsequently sought assurance on concerns such as traffic impacts in the area.

Currently, Mahon is relatively car dependent with 2,000 parking spaces, the reordering of which will see retail units built on current surface level parking as well as a multi-storey replacement that will add just 125 more parking spaces than are currently provided.

Several of the conditions attached to the provisional grant relate to ensuring the safe operation of the road network  Transport Infrastructure Ireland previously warned that it could add to a deteriorating traffic situation in the area.

One condition states: Prior to commencement of development the design of the internal road network, which is required by the National Transport Authoritys BusConnects programme of works, shall be finalised in consultation with the National Transport Authority and agreed in writing with the planning authority.

Another condition states that Following the opening of the proposed new multi - storey car park, a revised Car Park Management Plan shall be prepared, based on data obtained as part of the monitoring programme, within 12 months.

There are restrictions too on what goods that can be sold within a proposed retail warehouse  they must be limited to bulky goods having regard to "potential impact of the development on the vitality and viability of the city centre.

Other conditions relate to required landscaping, green roofs on retail units, drainage, disposal of building waste and noise control.

Deka acquired the 60-unit shopping centre with cinema and restaurants from Irish developer Owen OCallaghan back in 2005 and now have 1.5bn in Irish assets.

When Mahon 2.0 is fully developed, it will have a value close to 500m in its own right, according to Peter OMeara, director of Savills Cork, who has been involved in tenanting the centre for its first 20 years.

He has previously described it as the countrys premier centre outside of the M50.
Optimism grew on Thursday that the war in the Middle East may be near an end, with a key Pakistani mediator in Tehran and the administration of President Donald Trump talking up hopes for a deal that would open the crucial Strait of Hormuz.

Israel's cabinet met on Wednesday to discuss a possible ceasefire in neighbouring Lebanon, a senior Israeli official said, more than six weeks into its war with Iran-backed Hezbollah. Mr Trump said talks between leaders of both countries would take place on Thursday, while the Financial Times reported a ceasefire could be announced soon, citing Lebanese officials.

Ending the fighting in Lebanon was a key sticking point in earlier peace talks, along with how to deal with Tehran's nuclear ambitions.

However, some news outlets have reported Lebanese officials as saying they were unaware of any contact or meeting with Israel, after Donald Trump said on social media that Israeli and Lebanese leaders would speak to each other on Thursday.

AFP news agency reported an official source in Lebanon saying: We are not aware of any planned contact with the Israeli side, and we have not been informed of any through official channels.

Al Jazeera also reported an official source in Lebanon saying there is no information about a possible phone conversation between Lebanese and Israeli leaders or a second meeting between their ambassadors in Washington following Tuesdays talks.

In a Truth Social post, the US president said Israeli and Lebanese leaders will hold talks, but he did not provide any other details, and it was not clear if he meant the countries heads of state or other officials. There has been no official confirmation of a meeting from Israel or Lebanon.

On Thursday morning, the Israeli military issued another order telling people in southern Lebanon to flee the area due to ongoing airstrikes against what it described as Hezbollah targets, in its second such warning in 24 hours.

"We feel good about the prospects of a deal," White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said at a news conference on Wednesday, calling conversations mediated by Pakistan "productive and ongoing."

She denied reports that the US had formally requested an extension of a two-week ceasefire agreed by the two sides on April 8.

More in-person talks had not yet been confirmed but would likely take place in Pakistan again, Ms Leavitt said.

Pakistan's military confirmed Mr Munir had arrived in Tehran. A senior Iranian source told Reuters that Mr Munir, who had mediated the last round of talks, would seek "to narrow gaps" between the two sides.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi posted on X, welcoming Mr Munir and saying Tehran was committed to "promoting peace and stability in the region."

Avichay Adraee, the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) Arabic language spokesperson, have told people south of the Zahrani river to flee their homes, saying: The airstrikes are ongoing as the IDF operates with great force in the area.

The talks last weekend broke down without an agreement to end the war, which Trump began alongside Israel on February 28, triggering Iranian attacks on Iran's Gulf neighbours as well as reigniting the Israel-Hezbollah conflict. Thousands of people have been killed, mostly in Iran and Lebanon, while soaring energy costs have rattled investors and policymakers around the world.

Stock markets have rallied strongly in recent days on expectations of a swift resolution to the fighting, with indexes on Wall Street hitting record highs on Wednesday as crude oil prices steadied.

"While there are hopes for de-escalation, many investors remain sceptical, given that US-Iran talks have repeatedly broken down even after appearing to make progress," said Toshitaka Tazawa, an analyst at Fujitomi Securities.

Economic pressure on Iran

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent predicted that China's purchase of Iranian oil would "pause" given a US blockade on vessels calling at Iranian ports. He said the US could impose secondary sanctions on countries that purchase Iranian crude.

The US Treasury had warned two Chinese banks not to process Iranian money or face sanctions, he said, without naming the banks. China previously bought more than 80% of Iran's shipped oil.

Mr Trump said on Wednesday he had told Chinese President Xi Jinping not to give Iran weapons, which Mr Xi had said he wasn't. Mr Trump also said that China was very happy he was "permanently opening" the Strait of Hormuz.

"I am doing it for them, also - And the World," he wrote on social media, adding: "President Xi will give me a big, fat, hug when I get there in a few weeks."

The war has led Iran to effectively shut the Strait - a vital artery for global crude and gas shipments - to ships other than its own, sharply reducing exports from the Gulf and leaving energy importers scrambling for alternative supplies.

President Donald Trump had said the leaders of Israel and Lebanon would speak about halting the fighting (Julia Demaree Nikhinson/AP)

Tankers intercepted

During the first 48 hours of the US blockade on ships entering and exiting Iranian ports, no vessels have made it past US forces, the US military said. Additionally, nine vessels complied with the direction from US forces to turn around and return toward an Iranian port or coastal area.

However, Iran's Fars News agency said an Iranian supertanker subject to US sanctions crossed the strait towards Iran's Imam Khomeini port despite the blockade. Fars did not identify the tanker or give further details of its voyage.

Iran's joint military command warned it would halt trade flows in the Gulf, the Sea of Oman and the Red Sea - which connects to the Suez Canal - if the US blockade continued.

Iran could consider allowing ships to sail freely through the Omani side of the strait without risk of attack as part of proposals it has offered in negotiations with the US, providing a deal is clinched to prevent renewed conflict, a source briefed by Tehran said.

Trump has also threatened to escalate if the war resumes.

"We could take out every one of their bridges in one hour. We could take out every one of their power plants, electric power plants, in one hour. We don't want to do that...so we'll see what happens," he told Fox Business Network.

Talks complicated by nuclear issue

Iran's nuclear ambitions were a key sticking point at last weekend's talks. The US proposed a 20-year suspension of all nuclear activity by Iran - an apparent concession from longstanding demands for a permanent ban - while Tehran suggested a halt of three to five years, according to people familiar with the proposals.

Washington has also pressed for any enriched nuclear material to be removed from Iran, while Tehran has demanded that international sanctions against it be lifted.

One source involved in the talks said back-channel discussions had made progress in narrowing gaps, bringing the two sides closer to a deal that could be presented at a new round of talks.

-Reuters with additional reporting from the Guardian
US President Donald Trump has turned his fire on Italian premier Giorgia Meloni after she called his criticism of Pope Leo XIV unacceptable and did not back the US-Israel war on Iran.

I thought she had courage, Mr Trump said in an interview with leading Italian daily newspaper, Corriere della Sera. I was wrong.

Ms Meloni has not directly responded to Trumps attacks.

But they may be to her advantage as she recovers from a decisive referendum defeat last month and as she seeks to dull the impact of the deeply unpopular Iran war, including higher energy prices.

Giorgia Meloni attacked the US president over his criticism of the Pope (Alessandra Tarantino/AP)

I actually think this is a godsend for her, said Nathalie Tocci, a professor at Johns Hopkins SAIS Europe and the director of the International Affairs Institute.

Trump has become completely toxic across Europe, across much of the world, including Italy.

Mr Trump doubled down on Wednesday, saying their bond had frayed. Shes been negative, he told Fox News.

Anybody that turned us down to helping with this Iran situation, we do not have the same relationship.

Ms Meloni was the only European Union leader invited to Mr Trumps second inauguration and expected to leverage her strong ties with him once he returned to office 15 months ago.

The two had a perceived natural alliance, with nationalistic tendencies and similarly hard-line stances on immigration.

But Italy was not spared the pain of Mr Trumps tariffs, and some may argue she has gotten little out of the relationship. When asked if they had spoken this month, Mr Trump told Corriere, No, not in a long time.

After an uncomfortable appearance in the Oval Office a year ago when she avoided directly confronting Mr Trump on tariffs, the distance grew over the Iran war.

Ms Meloni has stated Italy will not participate in the war and the country last month refused US bombers the authorisation to land at a pivotal air base in Sicily.

Ms Melonis statement this week calling Mr Trumps attack on the pope unacceptable was the most direct criticism of the president yet.

On Tuesday, she announced Italy would not automatically renew a defence agreement with Israel, after warning shots hit an Italian convoy that is part of the UN peacekeeping mission in southern Lebanon, a move that analysts say is driven more by domestic politics than a strategic shift.
Pope Leo XIV has said the world is being ravaged by a handful of tyrants who spend billions on war, in comments that will be seen as another sharp escalation in his almost week-long feud with the White House over the US-Israel war on Iran.

Woe to those who manipulate religion and the very name of God for their own military, economic and political gain, dragging that which is sacred into darkness and filth, Leo told a gathering at Saint Joseph Cathedral in the western city of Bamenda in Cameroon.

They turn a blind eye to the fact that billions of dollars are spent on killing and devastation, yet the resources needed for healing, education and restoration are nowhere to be found.

The world is being ravaged by a handful of tyrants, yet it is held together by a multitude of supportive brothers and sisters."

The first American-born pontiff did not mention Donald Trump by name, but used his speech to denounce world leaders that invoke religion to justify violence against other nations.

His comments came as US bishops offered their full-throated support to the head of the Catholic church, who has been under fire from Trump for days after speaking out against the Iran war.

The unusually forceful statement from the US Conference of Catholic Bishops, meanwhile, came after JD Vance, Trumps vice-president and a converted Catholic, assailed Leo for speaking out against the war, in effect telling the pope to stay out of politics and stick to matters of morality.

On Tuesday, Vance questioned Leos call for peace by challenging his benchmark for a morally justifiable war.

When the pope says that God is never on the side of people who wield the sword, there is more than a 1,000-year tradition of just war theory, he told a Turning Point USA event at the University of Georgia.

But the bishops said Vance had mis-stated Leos position. For over a thousand years, the Catholic Church has taught just war theory and it is that long tradition the Holy Father carefully references in his comments on war, said the statement on Wednesday, attributed to James Massa, chair conferences committee on doctrine.

A constant tenet of that thousand-year tradition is a nation can only legitimately take up the sword in self-defense, once all peace efforts have failed. That is, to be a just war it must be a defense against another who actively wages war, which is what the Holy Father actually said: He does not listen to the prayers of those who wage war'.

When Pope Leo XIV speaks as supreme pastor of the universal Church, he is not merely offering opinions on theology, he is preaching the Gospel and exercising his ministry as the Vicar of Christ.

Leo told reporters earlier this week on a plane to Algeria at the start of his trip that he did not fear Trump.

I do not see my role as that of a politician. I am not a politician and I do not want to enter a debate with him, he said.

I continue to speak strongly against war, seeking to promote peace, dialogue and multilateralism among states to find solutions to problems.

Trump posted an image to his Truth Social platform on Wednesday depicting himself being embraced by Jesus with the US flag as a backdrop, days after a backlash from supporters  including many on the religious right  forced him to delete an AI-generated image portraying the robed president as a Christ-like healer of the sick.

The Guardian
Pakistans powerful army chief has met Irans parliament speaker as part of international efforts to press for an extension to a ceasefire that has paused almost seven weeks of war between Israel, the US and the Islamic Republic.

It was unclear whether the frantic diplomacy could lead to a lasting deal as the two-week ceasefire passes the halfway mark.

The Iran war has killed thousands of people and upended global markets by disrupting the flow of oil.

Iranian state television did not provide details on the meeting between General Asim Munir and Iranian parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, who has emerged as his countrys chief negotiator.

Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi, right, and Pakistans army chief Asim Munir, in Tehran (Iranian Foreign Ministry via AP)

There was no immediate comment from Pakistan, which has become a key mediator after hosting direct talks between the US and Iran that authorities said helped narrow differences between the sides. Mediators are seeking a new round before the ceasefire expires next week.

The White House said any further talks regarding Iran would likely take place in the Pakistani capital, Islamabad, though no decision had been made on whether to resume negotiations.

The fragile ceasefire is holding despite a US naval blockade of Iranian ports and Iranian counter-threats to target regional ports across the Red Sea.

The war has jolted markets and rattled the global economy as shipping has been cut off and air strikes have pounded military and civilian infrastructure. Oil prices have fallen amid hopes for an end to fighting, and US stocks on Wednesday surpassed records set in January.

During the fragile ceasefire with Iran, fighting has continued in Lebanon between Israel and the Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah.

US President Donald Trump had announced that the leaders of Israel and Lebanon would speak about halting the fighting. If that were to occur, it would be the first direct conversation between the leaders of the two countries in more than 30 years.

President Donald Trump had said the leaders of Israel and Lebanon would speak about halting the fighting (Julia Demaree Nikhinson/AP)

But Lebanese President Joseph Aoun refused on Thursday to speak to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, a government official familiar with the developments told the Associated Press.

The government official said the remarks were made during a call with US secretary of state Marco Rubio and that Washington understands Lebanons position.

Mr Aouns office acknowledged a call with Mr Rubio, but did not mention the possibility of talks with Mr Netanyahu. Mr Netanyahus office did not do so either.

Lebanon and Israel held their first direct diplomatic talks in decades on Tuesday in Washington following more than a month of war between Israel and Hezbollah. Lebanon has insisted on a ceasefire to stop the fighting between Israel and Hezbollah before engaging in direct talks, while vowing to commit to disarming the group.

Washington has not publicly stated its support of a ceasefire as a precondition, and the Israeli government has framed the talks as peace negotiations with a focus on disarming Hezbollah.

Israel and Hezbollah continued exchanging fire across the border, with Hezbollah targeting towns in northern Israel with rockets and drones. Israeli fire against southern Lebanon intensified, especially around the cities of Tyre, Nabatieh and the strategic town of Bint Jbeil near the border with Israel.

(PA Graphics)

Israel and Lebanon have technically been at war since Israel was established in 1948, and Lebanon remains deeply divided over diplomatic engagement with Israel.

Israeli troops have pushed deeper into southern Lebanon to create what officials have called a security zone, which Mr Netanyahu has said will extend at least five to six miles into Lebanon.

Even as the US blockade on Iranian ports and renewed Iranian threats strained the ceasefire, regional officials reported progress, telling AP that the United States and Iran had an in-principle agreement to extend it to allow for more diplomacy.

But tensions simmered.

The commander of Irans joint military command, Ali Abdollahi, threatened to halt trade in the region if the US does not lift its naval blockade, and a newly appointed military adviser to Iranian Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei said he does not support extending the ceasefire.

Mediators are pushing for a compromise on three main sticking points: Irans nuclear programme, the Strait of Hormuz and compensation for wartime damages, according to a regional official involved in the mediation efforts.

Israeli army vehicles and bulldozers operate in southern Lebanon (Ariel Schalit/AP)

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei said Iran is open to discussing the type and level of its uranium enrichment, but his country based on its needs, must be able to continue enrichment, Iranian state media reported.

The Pentagon urged Iran to make a deal, with US defence secretary Pete Hegseth telling reporters at the Pentagon that ultimately, they need to come to the table.

He said the US will ensure that Iran never has a nuclear weapon.

Wed prefer to do it the nice way through a deal led by our great vice president and negotiating team. Or we can do it the hard way, Mr Hegseth said.

Iran has repeatedly insisted that it does not seek a nuclear weapon and that its nuclear programme is for peaceful proposes.

The fighting has killed at least 3,000 people in Iran, more than 2,100 in Lebanon, 23 in Israel and more than a dozen in Gulf Arab states. Thirteen US service members have also been killed.

Defence secretary Pete Hegseth said the US will ensure Iran never has a nuclear weapon (Kevin Wolf/AP)

US treasury secretary Scott Bessent said the Trump administration would ramp up economic pain on Iran with new economic sanctions on countries doing business with it, calling the move the financial equivalent of a bombing campaign.

Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif met Qatars emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, during a visit to Doha, his office said, as part of a regional visit aimed at discussions on the ongoing US-Iran peace process.

Since the war began, Iran has curtailed maritime traffic through the strait, which a fifth of global oil transited through in peacetime.

Tehrans effective closure of the strait sent oil prices skyrocketing, raising the cost of fuel, food and other basic goods far beyond the Middle East, and the US has responded with a blockade on Iranian shipping.

US Central Command said on Wednesday that no ships had made it past the blockade since it was imposed two days earlier, while 13 merchant vessels complied with a direction from US forces to turn around and re-enter Iranian waters.
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Bosnian Serb war criminal Ratko Mladic, serving a life sentence in The Hague, reportedly suffered a minor stroke and is in declining health, his son told Bosnian Serb public television Wednesday.

Mladic was sentenced by a UN tribunal to life imprisonment in 2017 over genocide and war crimes during Bosnia's 1990s war.

Bosnian Serb wartime military commander, known as the "Butcher of Bosnia", was found guilty notably for his role in the siege of Sarajevo and the 1995 Srebrenica massacre of 8,000 Bosnian Muslim men and boys, deemed genocide by international justice.

On Wednesday, his son Darko Mladic told RTRS television that he had received initial information on his father's health on Friday, when contacted by an UN-authorised doctor.

"She briefly explained that they believe it was a silent (minor) stroke, that he had been taken to a civilian hospital, and returned (to prison) after scans and examinations," he said.

According to Darko Mladic, his father condition is worsening on daily basis.

"The situation is very serious."

The family is still awaiting the medical documentation from The Hague so that Serbian doctors can review what happened, he said.

"There is no reason that they don't give us that ... These are his basic rights," he stressed.

The family hopes that Mladic, age 83 according to UN court documents, might be allowed to receive treatment in Serbia, his son added.

Mladic was arrested in Serbia in 2011 after 16 years on the run.

His son often speaks to Serbian media about the poor health of his father who is still revered as a hero by many Serbs.

There has been no official comment from authorities in The Hague about his condition.

Mladic has long been described by his lawyers as sick and frail and his defence first sought provisional release on medical grounds in 2017.

In July 2025, the UN court denied a request for his early release saying his condition did not meet the threshold of an "acute terminal illness" required for release.

Bosnian Serb wartime political leader Radovan Karadzic was also sentenced to life imprisonment by the UN court for genocide and war crimes during Bosnia's 1992-1995 war.
Bosnian Serb war criminal Ratko Mladic, serving a life sentence in The Hague, reportedly suffered a minor stroke and is in declining health, his son told Bosnian Serb public television Wednesday.

Mladic was sentenced by a UN tribunal to life imprisonment in 2017 over genocide and war crimes during Bosnia's 1990s war.

Bosnian Serb wartime military commander, known as the "Butcher of Bosnia", was found guilty notably for his role in the siege of Sarajevo and the 1995 Srebrenica massacre of 8,000 Bosnian Muslim men and boys, deemed genocide by international justice.

On Wednesday, his son Darko Mladic told RTRS television that he had received initial information on his father's health on Friday, when contacted by an UN-authorised doctor.

"She briefly explained that they believe it was a silent (minor) stroke, that he had been taken to a civilian hospital, and returned (to prison) after scans and examinations," he said.

According to Darko Mladic, his father condition is worsening on daily basis.

"The situation is very serious."

We are still awaiting the medical documentation from The Hague so that Serbian doctors can review what happened, Darko Mladic said.

The family hopes that Mladic, age 83 according to UN court documents, might be allowed to receive treatment in Serbia, his son added.

Mladic was arrested in Serbia in 2011 after 16 years on the run.

His son often speaks to Serbian media about the poor health of his father who is still revered as a hero by many Serbs.

There has been no official comment from authorities in The Hague about his condition.

Mladic has long been described by his lawyers as sick and frail and his defence first sought provisional release on medical grounds in 2017.

In July 2025, the UN court denied a request for his early release saying his condition did not meet the threshold of an "acute terminal illness" required for release.
US House Democrats introduced six articles of impeachment against Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth on Wednesday, accusing him of "high crimes and misdemeanors" including waging war on Iran without congressional approval.

The impeachment resolution is led by Yassamin Ansari, a Democratic Congresswoman from Arizona, and has slim chances of passing due to the Republican majority in the House.

Impeachment is the process by which the US House of Representatives brings charges against a government official for alleged wrongdoing, with removal from office only possible if the Senate convicts after a trial.

"I've introduced Articles of Impeachment against Pete Hegseth for violating his oath, endangering U.S. servicemembers, and committing war crimes, including attacks on civilians and a girls' school in Minab, Iran," Ansari wrote on X.

"Only Congress can declare war; his actions demand immediate removal."

The War in the Middle East has sent oil prices soaring and dented Trump's approval ratings ahead of crucial midterm elections in November.

The first impeachment article alleged that Hegseth started the conflict with Iran "without a declaration of war or specific statutory authorization by the Congress," and "knowingly exposing members of the Armed Forces of the United States to substantial and foreseeable risk of injury or death."

Another article held Hegseth responsible for the strike on an Iranian primary school on February 28 -- the day the United States and Israel began bombing Iran -- which killed at least 170 people, including students and teachers.

The New York Times has reported that the preliminary findings of a US military investigation indicate that a US Tomahawk cruise missile hit the school due to a targeting mistake.

Defense secretary Hegseth has "authorized, condoned, or failed to prevent the use of military force in a manner inconsistent with the law of armed conflict," such as the strike on the school, the document read.

The Democrats also criticized Hegseth for so-called "double tap" strikes -- hitting targets twice -- against alleged drug smuggling boats in the Carribean.

They said the double tap strikes were illegal and undermined rules of engagement designed to protect non-combatants.

Other allegations included "negligence and reckless handling" of sensitive military information, as well as obstructing congressional oversight, referring to Hegsteth's use of commercial messaging app Signal to discuss strikes on Yemen.

Pentagon press secretary Kingsley Wilson told news outlet Axios "this is just another Democrat trying to make headlines as the Department of War decisively and overwhelmingly achieved the Presidents' objectives in Iran."
JUSTICE INFO: In the Fact-Finding Mission for the Sudan (FFM)s latest report, you say that the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) conduct in and around El Fasher, in the North Darfur state, has the hallmarks of genocide. Can you explain why?

MONA RISHMAWI: We talk about the events before and after the RSF takeover of El Fasher at the end of October 2025. The takeover was preceded by about 18 months of siege, without any food, humanitarian assistance or medical assistance, and at one stage water became very scarce. So, conditions of life for that encircled population were very difficult.

Also, there were attacks at various stages. In April 2025, there were major attacks [by RSF] on the IDP [internally displaced persons] camps around El Fasher which led to massive displacement. After some people left, they built kind of sand walls around the city, so it became extremely difficult to exit the city. By the RSF takeover of El Fasher we had already a very weakened population. And there were specific sites where a lot of massacres took place, such as at the Saudi hospital, in and around the airport, at the university, in and around the exit routes [from El Fasher]. People who were trying to exit the city were also attacked. Basically, men were killed and women were raped, although of course women were killed as well.

Most of it was ethnically targeted against the Zaghawa, as well as the Masalit and Fur. El Fasher is a city where historically most of its people were Zaghawa. From the testimonies we collected and the digital evidence, listening to the perpetrators themselves and what witnesses told us about the perpetrators, we concluded that the intention was to destroy these groups as such in this city. Thats why we said hallmarks of genocide.

Were there alleged perpetrators saying online that was their intent?

Yes. Some of the testimonies say they were looking for particular groups, and some of the digital evidence confirms that.

You say in the report that the conflict has spread to Kordofan (central Sudan). Have you also documented serious crimes there?

What we said twice was that we feared for Kordofan, because the town of El-Obeid was also under siege by the RSF. The siege is now broken, as far as I know, but we are worried about this modus operandi where you weaken the population, then you go in and massacre. The conflict has spread to Kordofan, and what we have seen in the past few weeks is attacks by both RSF and SAF [Sudanese Armed Forces] on hospitals. That is what happened before, with the Saudi hospital in El Fasher hit multiple times.

Are there other areas of Sudan that you are particularly worried about?

Absolutely. There are other areas like Blue Nile, White Nile, the Nuba mountains, and attacks on civilian infrastructure throughout Sudan. We have been hearing about drone attacks throughout.

Your latest report focuses on crimes committed by the RSF. What about the SAF?

A few months ago, we released a report calling it a war of atrocities, in which we say there have been war crimes, in some cases possible crimes against humanity, by both sides. Torture, for example, by both sides. Sexual violence is more by the RSF. The attacks on civilian infrastructure are by both sides, unfortunately.

Coming back to Darfur, the previous war [2003-2008] targeted the same ethnic groups, and led the International Criminal Court (ICC) to issue arrest warrants against ex-president Omar Al-Bashir, including for genocide. Why has that warrant not been implemented?

[Omar Al-Bashir] has to be handed over to the ICC. He was not handed over during the transitional government, although there were negotiations, and then the civilian government fell. The only one so far tried and convicted by the ICC is Ali Kushayb. We know that Mr. Bashir is free, and I dont think the other people indicted by the ICC are in prison. They need to be found and handed over, and this is what we have been saying to the Sudanese government.

In your latest report, you call on States to protect civilians and stop supplying arms to the warring parties. Which States are we talking about?

There is an arms embargo on Darfur, and there is a specialist panel of experts that looks at respect of the arms embargo. The panel of experts has concluded that this embargo has been breached quite seriously by the warring parties and the States of influence [those that support them]. Our call is for the arms embargo to be respected and also extended to the entire Sudan.

Sudan has, for example, filed a symbolic complaint at the International Court of Justice against the United Arab Emirates, accusing it of supporting the RSF

We are looking into these allegations and engaging with a number of concerned States. We mentioned in one of our reports last year that there are actually 16 countries supplying arms.

The FFM says justice and protecting civilians cannot wait. What justice measures are you calling for now?

Support for the ICC, and handing over of indicted people. For States to exercise universal jurisdiction, because we think there are war crimes, crimes against humanity, and we have flagged genocide in the case of El Fasher. We are asking for a special judicial mechanism, because the amount of crimes that have been committed is so huge and we have not seen impartial justice by the domestic system.

Have you thought about what such a mechanism should look like? Should it be in Sudan or somewhere else, under the auspices of the United Nations, African Union?

It can be any of these things. I actually think that there are a lot of Sudanese who are capable of rendering impartial justice. But you need the political will. As for who can do it, it could be a group of States, the UN, the African Union, IGAD [Intergovernmental Authority on Development in eastern African]. It could be part of a peace agreement between the warring parties. There are so many possibilities, but again you need the political will to make it happen.

Coming back to Darfur, all the arrest warrants so far by the ICC are in relation to the previous war. But the ICC Prosecutor announced that he is also investigating the more recent crimes. Do you think we will see arrest warrants soon?

I hope so, for RSF and others. The ICC has jurisdiction on Darfur. We know from the reports of the Prosecutor to the Security Council that they were looking at the situation in El Geneina, they are now looking at El Fasher, they were looking at Nyala. And hopefully we will learn more about the measures they are taking. Dont forget that the ICC can issue arrest warrants under seal.

In the longer term, and especially if there is a peace agreement, do you think there should be some form of transitional justice?

Absolutely. You know, in Sudan they have a lot of experience, and we captured some of it in our report paths to justice. They tried to do something in 2019 after the mass protests. They had a transitional justice commission, they had a law and started national consultations. I think one of the lessons learned is that the process was very Khartoum-centred, and if we have a transitional justice process today it has to take into account the specificities of different regions. I would like to see a lot more support for victims, more vetting and institutional reform to ensure there is no repetition of these crimes.






Wednesday, April 15, 2026 - Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has launched scathing remarks directed at Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leaders.

Speaking during an economic inclusion dialogue in Kiharu, Muranga County, Gachagua responded to recent statements from ODM leaders who opposed plans by the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA) to field candidates nationwide in the upcoming elections.

UDA SecretaryGeneral, Hassan Omar, had earlier insisted that any strong party should be willing to compete across all regions, including ODM strongholds.

His remarks drew criticism from ODM National Chairperson and Homa Bay Governor, Gladys Wanga, alongside Suna East MP, Junet Mohamed, who argued that political zoning remains central to Kenyas political arrangements.

Gachagua, however, dismissed their concerns, claiming ODM leaders ignored his earlier warnings.

I told ODM leaders not to allow William Ruto to finish the party. Now I see Gladys Wanga crying, Junet Mohamed is also crying.

All Raila Odinga allies are crying. I warned you, he said.

He alleged that President Ruto is working to weaken ODMs influence by creating alternative political formations.

According to Gachagua, Mining CS Hassan Joho could be handed a new party to reduce ODMs dominance at the Coast, while Cooperatives CS Wycliffe Oparanya may step down to lead another outfit in Western Kenya.

He further claimed that Interior PS Raymond Omollo has been tasked with coordinating UDA activities in Luo Nyanza.

Gachagua warned that ODM risks being reduced to a regional party, predicting it may only secure 20 MPs if Rutos strategy succeeds.

He maintained that his comments were made in the interest of political balance, stressing the need for a strong opposition to safeguard democracy.

The Kenyan DAILY POST






Wednesday, April 15, 2026 - Commuters across Nairobi and other parts of the country are set to dig deeper into their pockets after the Matatu Owners Association announced a 25 per cent increase in fares.

The announcement came on Wednesday, April 15th, a day after the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) raised petrol and diesel prices by Ksh28 and Ksh40, respectively.

Operators argued that the sharp rise, particularly in diesel costs, has eroded their daily earnings, forcing them to adjust fares to remain afloat.

We agreed that we are going to increase fares by 25 per cent. For example, in Nairobi, a vehicle gives you about Ksh8,000 per day, and an increase of diesel by Ksh40 takes almost Ksh2,400 per vehicle daily.

Our profit is going down, a representative explained.

He added: We urge the public to understand it is not our wish to go this direction. We call on the government to bring back the subsidy.

The adjustment will immediately affect common routes in Nairobi and surrounding estates.

Fares from the CBD to Kawangware, Kibera, and Mathare are expected to rise from Ksh80 to Ksh100.

Trips costing Ksh100, such as to Nyayo Estate, will increase to about Ksh130, while longer routes like Rongai and Thika could jump from Ksh150 to Ksh190.

Upcountry travel will also be hit.

Nairobi-Migori fares have risen from Ksh1,400 to Ksh1,800, while Nairobi-Mombasa trips now cost Ksh2,000, up from Ksh1,500.

Journeys from Mombasa to upcountry have climbed to Ksh3,000 from Ksh2,500.

The association is now urging Government intervention, warning that without subsidies, fare hikes will become routine whenever fuel prices rise.

The Kenyan DAILY POST






Wednesday, April 15, 2026 - Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna has launched a scathing attack on President William Ruto and Energy Cabinet Secretary, Opiyo Wandayi, (ODM expert who joined the broadbased government), accusing them of misleading Kenyans over the recent surge in fuel prices.

Sifuna argued that both the President and Wandayi committed a crime by assuring citizens that the state will shield them from the effects of the Iran war on petroleum costs.

He claimed that Ruto had promised to mitigate fuel prices, only for the April-May review to raise petrol by Ksh28 and diesel by Ksh40.

It is actually a crime under Kenyan law for public officers to give false or misleading information.

We have been told a bunch of open lies about the fuel situation, with Ruto himself, as recently as March 30, telling us his strategic interventions had mitigated price increases - only to hit us with a 40shilling increase two weeks later.

Let me not even mention that expert or his string of lies, Sifuna stated.

The ODM SecretaryGeneral insisted that the Head of State must take full responsibility for the sharp increase.

His remarks came days after Energy Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi assured Kenyans that Government measures will cushion them from rising costs.

Wandayi had claimed that without intervention, prices would have risen by Ksh 14 per litre, far less than the actual Ksh28 markup on super petrol.

Treasury CS John Mbadi also told Parliament that the Government was considering reducing VAT on fuel and using the Petroleum Development Levy to subsidize costs.

EPRA later confirmed VAT had been cut from 16 percent to 13 percent, with Ksh6.2 billion from the levy earmarked to stabilize prices.

The Kenyan DAILY POST






Wednesday, April 15, 2026 - Two individuals have been arrested in connection with the abduction and murder of a 9-year-old boy in Kajai, Githunguri Sub-County, Kiambu County, following a swift investigation by detectives.

The suspects, identified as James Ngigi Ngendo, 32, and James Mburi Chichu, 75, are currently in custody after being arraigned in court, where police obtained 10-day custodial orders to allow for further investigations.

The initial investigation was launched after the victims mother reported the incident. She had left her son at home in the care of his grandmother and sister while attending a family gathering in Kipipiri.

Shortly after her departure, the grandmother received a call from an individual later identified as James Ngigi Ngendo, who claimed to have abducted the child and demanded a ransom of KSh 150,000.

Detectives smoked out the first suspect from his hideout in the Gitothua area of Ruiru Sub-County. He subsequently led officers to the second suspect in the Kigio area of Githunguri Sub-County, culminating in their arrest.

With the suspects in custody, the search for the missing boy continued.

Acting on leads from the arrested suspects, detectives conducted a search at the premises where the first suspect had been living prior to the incident.

The search resulted in the discovery of the body concealed in a manila bag, hidden under clothing materials on the rooftop.

Crime Scene Investigators processed the scene, and the body was moved to Mukoe Funeral Home, where it awaits a postmortem examination.





Via DCI.
Fiona Ferguson

A man who lit bottle of flammable liquid and threw at an apartment during a confrontation on the day of his brothers murder inquest has been jailed for more than two years.

Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard that Nathan Coakley (33), a member of the Hutch family, was suffering significant stress at the time amid ongoing threats connected to a feud.

The court was told the feud was not of his making, but he was living in a state of heightened anxiety and suffering from post-traumatic stress, which contributed to substance misuse.

The offence occurred on the date of an inquest into the murder of his brother, Derek Coakley Hutch.

The bottle failed to ignite, and no one was injured. Coakley has since addressed his drug misuse.

Coakley of Buckingham Street Upper, Dublin 1, pleaded guilty to affray at Liberty House, Dublin 1, on July 7th, 2022.

He has 105 previous convictions and is currently serving a sentence for a drug offence. He is due to be released later this year.

Passing sentence on Wednesday, Judge Martin Nolan said Coakley had been involved in a verbal altercation and seemed dissatisfied with the result.

He returned with an ambition to do damage to the property and threw a lit bottle containing flammable liquid at the apartment.

Judge Nolan said this did not work and he was pursued from the scene by a man waving a saw.

The judge said Coakley encountered gardai before retreating to his own home. He said gardai pursued the case and brought it to court, where Coakley has now pleaded guilty to affray.

Judge Nolan said he was taking into account the surrounding circumstances and Coakleys record of offending. He set a headline sentence of four years.

He considered mitigation and imposed a two year and three-month sentence consecutive to the term Coakley is already serving. He had been due for release later this year.

Garda Kieran Stapleton told Aoife McNickle, prosecuting, that CCTV before the court showed Coakley engaging in a shouting match with another man, who waved a saw in his direction.

Coakley left and returned with a plastic bottle filled with flammable liquid, which he lit and threw at an apartment. It failed to ignite and he can be seen on the CCTV waving the bottle and spraying out the liquid.

Coakley was chased from the scene by a man waving a saw. There were no victim impact statements. Droplets of the liquid were later observed at the scene, and a melted bottle was seized.

Keith Spencer, defending, said Coakleys brother Derek had been murdered in 2018 and this offence occurred on the day of the inquest into his death. He said there had been some tensions and division arising from circumstances within the family.

He said Coakley was living a hugely stressful existence at the time and was the subject of many threats of violence. He had trouble coping and was struggling with addiction issues.

He said the offence had been unsophisticated with a plastic bottle thrown instead of an object that would shatter and explode. He said as a result Coakley had to retrieve the bottle and squeeze the liquid out.

He said it burned for a short time but no one was injured and it did not present a danger to anyone.

He said Coakleys mother and partner were in court to support him. He is a father of one.

Spencer said Coakleys father had died tragically when his client was just 16 years old and this was the source of his turbulent youth and descent into criminality.

He said Coakleys drug addiction had been exacerbated by the situation of constant stress and panic he found himself in at the time. He said the feud had not been of his making, but he had suffered acutely as a result of it. His time in prison had been more difficult as a result.

Spencer said it was difficult to conceive of a more tense and anxious situation than the one Coakley had found himself.

Spencer said Coakley has attended residential treatment and is clean of drugs since 2024. He said his client is looking to put criminality behind him and be a support to his family.

He said Coakley regrets the offence and was in an extreme state of emotion at the time.

As part of a pilot project BreakingNews.ie has used AI to suggest headline options for this article. The final headline was chosen and edited by BreakingNews.ie journalists. Find out more
A PROPOSAL to build a swimming pool for residents of Newbridge brought about accusations of undemocratic behaviour among representatives of Kildare-Newbridge MD.

Cllr Tom McDonnell brought forward a motion calling on the council to deliver a dedicated swimming pool for the growing town of Newbridge. However, while waiting for a colleague to second his motion the room went silent for a number of seconds before Fianna Fails cllr Suzanne Doyle stepped in as seconder.

Cllr McDonnell was unhappy with the proceedings and stood up to point out what he believed to be undemocratic behaviour in the council chamber.

Its Fine Gael and Fianna Fail and you have a left wing in here, he said. Its not democracy.

Cllr Rob Power stepped in and proposed that, as a point of order, the municipal district move on to the next business as the debate was not related to the motion.

All councillors voted on cllr Powers proposal, resulting in an overwhelming yes vote  with only cllr McDonnell himself voting no.

This is like China, Its like communism, he said before abruptly leaving the chamber, with yet another motion still on the agenda that was later struck out due to his absence.

After the meeting, he spoke to the Kildare Nationalist and explained that he feels very isolated in Kildare-Newbridge MD,.

The left wing and Fine Gael side together, he said, before saying that a group of councillors in the municipal district deliberately abstain from supporting his motions.

When asked why this may be, he answered: Do they find me too powerful? Am I too strong for them?

He compared his situation to former Newbridge councillor, Fiona Mcloughlin-Healy, who stood down from her role after making complaints of bullying by her fellow councillors.

Its not right, he continued. They are depriving the people of Newbridge, and they shouldnt deprive them because they disagree with me.

Cllr McDonnell believes the isolation at Kildare-Newbridge Municipal District has come about due to his views on "illegal" immigration and for how he opposes IPAS centres.

He said: I am not anti-immigration, I am anti-illegal immigration.

Funded by Local Democracy Reporting Scheme
A 47-YEAR-old woman with a Kildare address who made full admissions after gardai found Brown Thomas purchases in her home has been remanded on bail for a probation report after Carlow District Court heard she faced multiple charges of fraudulent transactions totalling over 2,000.

Wuraola Alabi, 142 Branswood, Athy appeared before Judge Geraldine Carthy in connection with a series of fraudulent online transactions carried out on a victims bank account between 26-29 June 2025.

The court heard that on 1 July 2025, Bank of Ireland contacted customer Michael McGreal after detecting unusual activity on his account. Mr McGreal did not recognise a number of the transactions. The bank also contacted gardai to alert them to the suspicious activity and a statement was subsequently obtained from Mr McGreal.

Gardai established that there had initially been ten fraudulent transactions on the account, including online clothing purchases from Brown Thomas and purchases made at Dublin Airport. A further seven transactions, amounting to 840, were also attempted. In total, 17 fraudulent transactions were identified, with a combined value of 2,289.04.

On 2 July, Detective Kieran Shields applied for a section 52 order at Carlow District Court, which was executed at the Bank of Ireland on the same day. The following day, the bank provided gardai with a full breakdown of activity on the account. A search warrant was subsequently applied for on 10 July and an authorised search of Ms Alabis home was carried out.

When gardai attended the property on 11 July, Ms Alabi was present, co-operated with the search and showed officers a number of items from Brown Thomas that had been purchased using a fraudulent debit card. She was arrested and made full admissions.

Ms Alabis solicitor told the court that her client had no previous convictions and had never previously been in trouble.

She also applied for legal aid, backdated to December 2025, noting that Ms Alabi was a mother of college-going children.

Judge Carthy directed that a probation report be prepared, with a view to finalising matters in June.

Funded by the Court Reporting Scheme
Columbia, MO (65201)

Today

Partly cloudy, perhaps a shower late in the day. Highs in the lower to middle 60s..

Tonight

Partly cloudy with a few showers. Lows in the middle 40s
Weather Alert

...FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT UNTIL 9 PM CDT THIS EVENING... * WHAT...Flash flooding caused by excessive rainfall is possible. * WHERE...Portions of Illinois, including the following areas, Bond IL, Calhoun IL, Clinton IL, Fayette IL, Greene IL, Jersey IL, Macoupin IL, Madison IL, Marion IL, Monroe IL, Montgomery IL, Saint Clair IL and Washington IL and Missouri, including the following areas, Audrain MO, Boone MO, Callaway MO, Cole MO, Franklin MO, Gasconade MO, Jefferson MO, Lincoln MO, Moniteau MO, Montgomery MO, Osage MO, Pike MO, Saint Charles MO, Saint Louis City MO, Saint Louis MO and Warren MO. * WHEN...Until 9 PM CDT this evening. * IMPACTS...Excessive runoff may result in flooding of rivers, creeks, streams, and other low-lying and flood-prone locations. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS... - Thunderstorms producing heavy rainfall moving over the same areas will have the potential to produce flash flooding. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... You should monitor later forecasts and be prepared to take action should Flash Flood Warnings be issued. &&

...The National Weather Service in Pleasant Hill MO has issued a Flood Warning for the following rivers in Missouri... Missouri River at Boonville affecting Cooper, Howard, Moniteau and Boone Counties. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Turn around, don't drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood deaths occur in vehicles. This product along with additional weather and stream information is available at www.weather.gov/kc/. && ...FLOOD WARNING IN EFFECT FROM TUESDAY AFTERNOON TO EARLY FRIDAY AFTERNOON... * WHAT...Minor flooding is forecast. * WHERE...Missouri River at Boonville. * WHEN...From Tuesday afternoon to early Friday afternoon. * IMPACTS...At 21.0 feet, Low-lying rural areas along the river flood. At 23.8 feet, Easley River Road and Smith Hatchery Road begin to flood. At 25.0 feet, Numerous farm levees are overtopped. Flooding of agricultural land and secondary roads occurs. Backwater flooding on Perche Creek causes flooding in McBaine. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS... - At 9:04 AM CDT Monday the stage was 10.0 feet. - Forecast...The river is expected to rise above flood stage tomorrow afternoon to a crest of 23.6 feet early Wednesday afternoon. It will then fall below flood stage early Thursday afternoon. - Flood stage is 21.0 feet. - http://www.weather.gov/safety/flood && Fld Obs Forecasts Location Stg Stg Day/Time Mon Tue Wed 1pm 1pm 1pm Missouri River Boonville 21.0 10.0 Mon 9am 10.7 19.8 23.6 &&
Kendallville, IN (46755)

Today

Cloudy with occasional showers overnight. Low 47F. N winds at 10 to 15 mph, decreasing to less than 5 mph. Chance of rain 50%..

Tonight

Cloudy with occasional showers overnight. Low 47F. N winds at 10 to 15 mph, decreasing to less than 5 mph. Chance of rain 50%.
Sarah Slater

Tributes are being paid to a father-of-four who died following an incident in Co Waterford who is to be laid to rest on Saturday.

The funeral details for a Waterford man who died following an incident at his property last Monday, April 14th, have been announced.

John Cashman (73) of Rockfield House, Cappagh, was found by emergency services and gardai at his home last Monday.

The well-known farmer was pronounced dead at the scene by a local doctor. His body was taken to the mortuary at University Hospital Waterford (UHW) where a post-mortem examination was carried out.

Cashmans remains will lie in repose at Kielys Funeral Home, Dungarvan, on Friday evening from 5pm. Prayers will take place at 7pm.

His Requiem Mass will be held on Saturday at 2pm in St. James Church, followed by burial in the adjoining cemetery.

He is survived by his wife Gillian, two daughters and two sons, four grandchildren, his siblings Pat, Jim, Catherine, Bill, Norie, Claire, Eileen and Margo, extended family and friends.

One of the mourners said on the condolence section of RIP.ie that they will never forget his kindness and visits to our home from the 1980s onwards. His stories and words of wisdom and encouragement. Rest in peace John.

Another added: My condolences, on your very sad loss. John was a good, kind friend, to me, down through the years.

Cashmans son John Junior (45) has been charged by gardai with alleged assault causing harm to his father.

The alleged offence is contrary to Section 3 of the Non Fatal Offences Against the Person Act 1997.

He is currently remanded in custody to appear at Clonmel District Court on April 21st.
BEOMHAR, a traditional music group comprised of teenagers from counties Laois and Offaly, came second in the final of Siansa Gael Linn 2026.

The competition, which took place Sunday 12 April at the National Concert Hall in Dublin, celebrates traditional music groups.

Organised by Gael Linn, with the support of RTE Raidio na Gaeltachta and Irish Music Magazine, it provides a platform to Irelands young traditional music and singing talent.

Members of Beomhar met at various music festivals and Fleadhs around the country. They are all involved with Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann in their own communities.

Members of the group have won individual awards in both music and singing. The band includes Polly Ni Nuallain on piano; Lila Ni Nuallain on fiddle; Lucy Ni Mhaolmhuaigh on the flute and whistle; Aine Ni Chinnsealaigh on fiddle; Fionnan O Daltuin on banjo, mandolin and bazouki; Taidgh O Daltuin on flute, bodhran and guitar; Seaic O Huiginn on accordion, melodeon; and Kieu Ni Chonrai on harp.

The final aired on RTE Raidio na Gaeltachta and was presented by Tristan Rosenstock. A total of eight music groups took to the stage having qualified through preliminary rounds to reach the final.

This year's judges included harper, flute player and composer Oisin Morrison, concertina player Edel Fox, and fiddle player Bernadette Nic Gabhann.

The competition was won by the group Aistear from County Clare, who took home the Gael Linn trophy and a cheque for 2,500.

Second place went to Laois and Offalys own Beomhar, who received 1,250.

Neart, a group from counties Laois, Dublin, and Meath, also took part in the competition. They are a group of friends, as well as family members. Some of the group met at school, in Colaiste Ghlor na Mara, while others met while taking part in Meitheal Summer School.

The band members are Aoibheann Nic Conchra on fiddle/low whistle; Ciannait Ni Leathlobhair on fiddle; Caoilinn Morrow on concertina; Edith Ni Leathlobhair on fiddle, concertina; Leo Bennet on piano/low whistle; Ruadhan Collier OBrien on pipes, guitar, banjo; Ethan McCaughey on button accordion; and Cathal Mac Conchra on low whistle, bodhran.

Craobh Siansa Gael Linn competition has been running since 2001 and is one of the countrys leading traditional music and singing competitions.

Gearoid Mac Donncha, Head of RTE Raidio na Gaeltachta, said: RTE Raidio na Gaeltachta is very grateful to Gael Linn for organising this wonderful competition for young musicians and for giving us the opportunity to sponsor it.

It is a privilege for us to be able to support these young musicians by giving their music a national and international platform through our radio and online broadcasts. We would like to congratulate them all, their parents, and their teachers, as they have all come a long way to achieve this high standard.

Reamonn O Ciarain, CEO of Gael Linn, said that it always gives him great joy to see the talent of these young people on one of the biggest stages in the country. He said: Craobh Siansa Gael Linn is always one of the highlights of the year for Gael Linn. The competitors display outstanding music, performance, and talent.

We are hugely grateful to the mentors who put in countless hours preparing these groups for the competition and, at the same time, strengthening traditional Irish music among young people.

Craobh Siansa Gael Linn 2026 can be listened back to on the RTE Raidio na Gaeltachta website.

All group performances are available on the Gael Linn YouTube page.
A WOMAN who took over 1,400 from another womans bank account in an online phishing scam was given the benefit of the Probation Act when she appeared before Portlaoise District Court.

Ava Malone, Oakglen, Stradbally had previously pleaded guilty to the laundering of 1,433 from an AIB bank on 28 June2025.

Ms Malone had been described as a money mule when 1,433 had been taken from the Revolut account of a Ms Moore.

Ms Malone claimed that she gave an unnamed male, whom she had met online and had struck up a relationship with, access to her bank account details.

When the case returned to court last week, defending solicitor Barry Fitzgerald said his client: Had been exploited by a more sinister person who had been in the background. Shes very embarrassed of how it came about and how a third party took advantage of her. She is extremely remorseful. The injured party was reimbursed by the bank.

The person in the background was part of a bigger scheme. She was simply naive to it and there was an element of foolishness involved. When her bank account details were given to the person in the background, he cut her off and froze her out. She had met somebody online and a relationship developed. He told her that he would give her money to assist her if she gave him her bank details. Judge Fay ruled as outlined.

Funded by the Court Reporting Scheme
Portlaoise Library has been shortlisted for Public Building of the Year at the 2026 Building and Architect of the Year Awards.

Organised by BusinessRiver, the event celebrates Irish architecture and fosters collaboration and innovation within the design, construction, and development sectors.

The library is shortlisted alongside Belfast Grand Central Station, Killaloe Garda Station, Shankill Shared Womens Centre and Meakstown Community Centre.

Bernie Foran, County Librarian at Laois County Council welcomed the news. She said: We are extremely proud that Portlaoise Library has been shortlisted for this prestigious award. The redeveloped library has transformed Portlaoise main street. It provides a wonderful facility in the heart of the towns Cultural Quarter. The 1600 square meter library provides community activity space, study space, reading room and exhibition and activities area. Its design has given the people of Laois a welcoming and state-of-the-art community space.

Portlaoise Library, designed by MCOH Architects, is a carefully resolved public building. Reinstating a prominent town-centre corner, the design responds sympathetically to its historic context while establishing a strong contemporary identity and lasting civic value.

Conor Finnegan, Director of MCOH Architects said: We are delighted to be nominated for this prestigious Award. The design and construction of the Library proved to be a difficult process, but with the skill and dedication of the Design and Construction Teams along with the unflinching support of Laois County Council these challenges were overcome, resulting in a fine Civic Building which greatly enhances the Main Street and Lower Square in Portlaoise. Although the competition for the Award is very strong, we are hopeful of scooping the Award, following on from the Opus Building of the Year Award received by MCOH Architects for Birr Library and Civic Offices

The Building and Architect of the Year Awards take place on April 23rd 2026 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Dublin.
A newly released report on legal technology advertising trends suggests that while demand for legal tech continues to rise, the market is increasingly dividing between commoditized product categories and highly competitive segments tied to revenue generation.

The report, Q1 2026 Legal Tech Adoption Report, was produced by FlyTech, a marketing agency specializing in advertising for legal vendors, in partnership with LawSites.

The report draws on data from FlyTechs campaigns, including more than 60,000 demo bookings generated from digital marketing channels. It comes against a backdrop of rapid market expansion, with the report noting that legal tech advertising grew faster in 2025 than at any point in recent memory.

Its findings point to a broad surge in lawyer engagement with legal tech  alongside intensifying competition in certain segments  and underscore how both buyer behavior and vendor strategy are evolving.

Drop in Lead Costs Signals Demand Shift

This report analyzes data by cost per lead (CPL). We focus this metric because it gives a quantitative representation for how competitive a particular category is, the report explains. Ultimately, this number represents a combination of the density of competition and overall interest in a particular category.

Across nearly every major practice area, the report found, CPL declined sharply in Q1, dropping by roughly 40% to 50% in categories including business, criminal defense, immigration, family and intellectual property law.

Intellectual property attorneys saw the steepest decline at 51%, followed by business at 47.6%, criminal defense at 43.3%, and immigration at 42.5%.

In marketing terms, falling CPL typically indicates that more prospective buyers are engaging with ads and signing up for demonstrations, effectively lowering the cost to acquire each lead.

The report attributes this drop to a seasonal pattern, as law firms emerge from year-end budgeting cycles and begin evaluating new technology early in the year.

Even so, the consistency and depth of the decline across practice areas suggests this is not just seasonal momentum, but a broader normalization of legal tech purchasing behavior. Rather than sporadic adoption, firms appear to be increasingly treating technology evaluation as a recurring process.

The Personal Injury Outlier

The one notable exception was personal injury, where CPL rose 40.1% to $251.98  a divergence that actually reinforces the reports broader theme.

In recent years, thanks in part to new AI-enabled products, PI has become a heavily targeted practice area for legal tech advertising. Every intake platform, every lead generation company, every AI-powered litigation tool, is competing for this audience.

That means that the rising cost is not a signal of declining attorney interest. Rather, it signals overcrowding on the vendor side. More companies are entering this market or increasing their ad spend, pushing auction costs up even as attorney engagement remains strong.

That dynamic also suggests another pattern in legal tech. Practice areas associated with higher case values tend to attract disproportionate investment from vendors, particularly those offering intake, lead generation and case management tools.

A Market Dividing Into Two Camps

Perhaps the most significant finding from the report is the extent to which legal tech categories are diverging in cost dynamics, effectively splitting into two camps.

On one side are categories where the cost of acquiring leads has dropped sharply. Marketing services fell 70.9%. Document management declined 61.1%. Document drafting dropped 50.8%. Litigation analytics and valuation also saw a substantial decline of over 34%.

These are categories where AI has moved the product needle most dramatically over the past two years or so, and perhaps where attorneys can most clearly see the value proposition.

On the other side are categories where CPL is rising steeply. Lead generation more than doubled, climbing 108.7% to an eye-popping $1,013 per lead. Medical record retrieval surged 102.3%. Depositions and court reporting rose 97.3%. Timekeeping jumped 60.9%, and intake climbed 53.6%.

The report attributes these increases to intensified advertiser competition, as more companies enter or increase spending in these segments. It identifies lead generation, at its more than $1,000 per lead, and practice management, at roughly $465, as potential ceilings for customer acquisition costs in those categories.

Taken together, these patterns suggest a market in which some categories are becoming more standardized and easier to evaluate, driving down acquisition costs, while others  particularly those tied closely to client acquisition and revenue generation  are becoming increasingly contested.

What Attorneys Actually Respond To

The report also examines which types of marketing messages are most effective in converting lawyers into leads.

It found that educational content and pain-point-specific messaging performed best. Each of those types generated leads at an average cost of roughly $230  about 20% more efficient than other approaches.

Notably, each of these approaches lead with the attorneys interests rather than the products features, either teaching them something useful or naming a problem theyre already feeling.

By contrast, messaging focused on product features or outcomes performed worst, with an average cost of $296.10 per lead.

That does not mean that product-focused ads are failing  clearly they still generate leads at a reasonable cost. But it does suggest that attorneys are less interested in comparing feature sets across products and more interested in understanding whether a category of tool can solve a problem they have.

Other types of advertising fell into a middle tier. These included testimonials at $272.50 per lead, lead magnets at $285.10, and topic/case specific ads at $290.20.

The bottom line here seems to be that legal tech companies that lead with, Heres what our software does, are spending more to reach the same attorneys than those saying, Heres the problem youre dealing with, and heres how to think about solving it.

Visually, People Over Product

A similar pattern emerged in the reports analysis of visual formats.

Ads featuring headshots  whether of founders, customers or team members  produced the lowest cost per lead at $255.20, followed by text-only formats at $268.50. Product screenshots were the least effective, at $300.20.

While the differences were relatively modest, the results suggest that even in a technology-driven market, the human element can outweigh visual emphasis on the actual product. A face can create a moment of personal connection that no screenshot ever will.

Implications for the Legal Tech Market

Although the report is just a snapshot of marketing performance over a single quarter, FlyTech plans to produce these regularly. But even just this snapshot offers a window into broader shifts within the legal tech industry.

At a high level, the data suggests that demand for legal technology is growing, but that the market is also becoming more stratified. Categories centered on core functionality appear to be moving toward greater efficiency and, potentially, commoditization. Categories tied directly to revenue generation are becoming more competitive and expensive to penetrate.

If the data sustains these trends over time, then, for legal tech vendors, that divergence should influence both product strategy and go-to-market approach. For buyers, it signals an increasingly crowded landscape in some areas alongside greater choice and lower barriers to entry in others.

The other trend worth watching is whether those inflated categories start to see vendor attrition. When it costs more than $1,000 to acquire a single lead, smaller players may become less competitive. That could mean a land grab followed by consolidation.

As I said above, this report is based solely on FlyTechs proprietary data from its own advertising platform, so it reflects only the slice of the market that runs campaigns through its network. That said, it is a substantial dataset, reflecting more than 60,000 demo bookings, and the trends it depicts are consistent with what Im hearing from vendors and firms across the industry.

As FlyTech continues to compile and report this data over time, it will be interesting to watch how trends evolve. Yet even this snapshot appears to underscore that attorneys are engaging with legal tech at unprecedented levels  no doubt driven by AI.

The big question, then, is not whether the legal market is ready for AI tools. The question is which vendors can convert that interest into lasting customers  and which will get priced out trying.
Fianna Fail members have continued to publicly criticise the partys leadership and the Government as the political fallout from the fuel protests continues.

Senior party members have taken to the airwaves to criticise the Governments handling of fuel protests and blockades after the three youngest Fianna Fail TDs issued a letter voicing their deep concern.

Taoiseach and Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin met with the three TDs on Wednesday night, before travelling to Berlin for talks with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on Thursday.

Some Fianna Fail members have previously criticised what they said is an issue with collaboration and transparency between the parliamentary party and its leadership.

After the partys presidential election candidate Jim Gavin dramatically withdrew three weeks before polling day, Fianna Fail members said they did not have enough input in the candidate selection process.

Mr Martin in particular was criticised for championing Mr Gavin.

On Thursday, party members continued to voice their criticism after hearing from constituents unhappy with the Governments handling of the fuel protests.

Fianna Fail TD for Wicklow-Wexford Malcolm Byrne said the Taoiseach and some ministers could have shown more empathy and more understanding when speaking about the demonstrations last week.

I think some of the tone in some of the language that was used last week didnt help, he told RTE Radio.

I spoke to the Taoiseach, he totally gets it, and he understands the pain and pressure that people are facing.

Mr Byrne said issues around the social contract raised by the three TDs need to be addressed, and said a meeting should be held in the next two weeks to discuss the partys direction.

But he added it can never just be about a particular individual and said he would not sign a form of no confidence in Mr Martin.

I think the package that was certainly announced  and weve now seen three-quarters of a billion in terms of supports that were there  I think there was a concern that, from a Fianna Fail perspective, we didnt feel we had enough input into some of the discussion, Mr Byrne said.

Theres times that I get really annoyed over the fact that Im sent the statement This is the Government statement, this is the message that you have to deliver and I dont feel that Ive had an input into it.

John McGuinness, the Fianna Fail TD for Carlow-Kilkenny and a long-time critic of Mr Martin, called for a new leader of the party.

He said he was at the fuel protests and he met many people whose backs were to the wall, and said Fianna Fail members did not have a chance to have direct input into how matters were dealt with.

The finger of blame, if you like, is pointed fairly and squarely at the Cabinet, and those that represented the Cabinet in public discourse did not do so in a way that recognised the legitimate efforts of people at a local level to get their point across, he told Newstalk radio.

My blame is directed at the Cabinet generally in terms of how things happened. We have a separate issue in Fianna Fail.

We need new leadership, quite frankly, and we need a new direction focused on the social issues of our day and based on the old values of the Fianna Fail party.

Joint statement on behalf of Albert Dolan TD, Ryan OMeara TD and James OConnor TD. @albertdolan_ @ryanomeara_td pic.twitter.com/f7pcycBJGf  James O'Connor TD (@JamesOConnorTD) April 15, 2026

On Wednesday, James OConnor of Cork East, Albert Dolan of Galway East and Ryan OMeara of Tipperary North said it should not take protests for the Government to listen and to act.

We must face that reality that the social contract is strained to breaking point, they said, while noting it was not about challenging any individual.

Hours after their statement, former Fianna Fail minister Willie ODea, the longest serving current TD, and former Ceann Comhairle Sean OFearghail also voiced their concerns.

Mr OFearghail said he had seen anger building among the public for quite some time, and leaving out measures on agri diesel in the first financial package from the Government on the fuel crisis  worth around 250 million euro  absolutely incensed farm families and the level of rage was contagious and it spread.

He said there was no cohesive line of communication between Government and the Fianna Fail parliamentary party, and backbench TDs had been treated like lobby fodder.

He called for the future leadership of the party to be discussed in the next two weeks.

Mr ODea said being in Government is not about explaining the Governments problems to people, but instead about explaining the peoples problems to the Government and getting action.

We seem to have lost the one virtue on which every democracy depends, namely the ability to hear anger before it turns into rebellion, Mr ODea said.

I think weve taken our eye off the ball. The leadership, the party and the Government have become too detached from ordinary people.
Taoiseach Micheal Martin has defended his leadership amid criticism from party colleagues over the Governments handling of the fuel protests.

Mr Martin said he does not feel under threat as leader of Fianna Fail, as the political fallout from the demonstrations continues.

Senior party members have taken to the airwaves to criticise the Governments handling of fuel protests and blockades after the three youngest Fianna Fail TDs issued a letter voicing their deep concern.

Mr Martin met with the three TDs on Wednesday night, before travelling to Berlin for talks with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on Thursday.

Asked about his leadership while in Berlin, he said he does not in any shape or form, feel under threat in that respect.

He added: I do acknowledge the extraordinary pressure on families and people across the country in terms of the rising oil prices as a result of the war in the Middle East, and Government was faced with a very significant dilemma last week in terms of vital critical infrastructure being blockaded.

He said no-one anticipated the nature and scale of the protests, and the Government had an obligation to end blockades to Irelands only oil refinery in Whitegate, Co Cork.

Some Fianna Fail members have previously criticised what they said is an issue with collaboration and transparency between the parliamentary party and its leadership.

After the partys presidential election candidate Jim Gavin dramatically withdrew three weeks before polling day, Fianna Fail members said they did not have enough input in the candidate selection process.

Mr Martin in particular was criticised for championing Mr Gavin.

On Thursday, party members continued to voice their criticism after hearing from constituents unhappy with the Governments handling of the fuel protests.

Fianna Fail TD for Wicklow-Wexford Malcolm Byrne said the Taoiseach and some ministers could have shown more empathy and more understanding when speaking about the demonstrations last week.

I think some of the tone in some of the language that was used last week didnt help, he told RTE Radio.

I spoke to the Taoiseach, he totally gets it, and he understands the pain and pressure that people are facing.

Mr Byrne said issues around the social contract raised by the three TDs need to be addressed, and said a meeting should be held in the next two weeks to discuss the partys direction.

But he added it can never just be about a particular individual and said he would not sign a form of no confidence in Mr Martin.

I think the package that was certainly announced  and weve now seen three-quarters of a billion in terms of supports that were there  I think there was a concern that, from a Fianna Fail perspective, we didnt feel we had enough input into some of the discussion, Mr Byrne said.

Theres times that I get really annoyed over the fact that Im sent the statement This is the Government statement, this is the message that you have to deliver and I dont feel that Ive had an input into it.

John McGuinness, the Fianna Fail TD for Carlow-Kilkenny and a long-time critic of Mr Martin, called for a new leader of the party.

He said he was at the fuel protests and he met many people whose backs were to the wall, and said Fianna Fail members did not have a chance to have direct input into how matters were dealt with.

The finger of blame, if you like, is pointed fairly and squarely at the Cabinet, and those that represented the Cabinet in public discourse did not do so in a way that recognised the legitimate efforts of people at a local level to get their point across, he told Newstalk radio.

My blame is directed at the Cabinet generally in terms of how things happened. We have a separate issue in Fianna Fail.

We need new leadership, quite frankly, and we need a new direction focused on the social issues of our day and based on the old values of the Fianna Fail party.

Joint statement on behalf of Albert Dolan TD, Ryan OMeara TD and James OConnor TD. @albertdolan_ @ryanomeara_td pic.twitter.com/f7pcycBJGf  James O'Connor TD (@JamesOConnorTD) April 15, 2026

On Wednesday, James OConnor of Cork East, Albert Dolan of Galway East and Ryan OMeara of Tipperary North said it should not take protests for the Government to listen and to act.

We must face that reality that the social contract is strained to breaking point, they said, while noting it was not about challenging any individual.

Hours after their statement, former Fianna Fail minister Willie ODea, the longest serving current TD, and former Ceann Comhairle Sean OFearghail also voiced their concerns.

Mr OFearghail said he had seen anger building among the public for quite some time, and leaving out measures on agri diesel in the first financial package from the Government on the fuel crisis  worth around 250 million euro  absolutely incensed farm families and the level of rage was contagious and it spread.

He said there was no cohesive line of communication between Government and the Fianna Fail parliamentary party, and backbench TDs had been treated like lobby fodder.

He called for the future leadership of the party to be discussed in the next two weeks.

Mr ODea said being in Government is not about explaining the Governments problems to people, but instead about explaining the peoples problems to the Government and getting action.

We seem to have lost the one virtue on which every democracy depends, namely the ability to hear anger before it turns into rebellion, Mr ODea said.

I think weve taken our eye off the ball. The leadership, the party and the Government have become too detached from ordinary people.
President of Ireland Catherine Connolly has triggered a legal examination of the Governments draft laws on the asylum system.

Ms Connolly has convened the Council of State on Monday, where it will consider the constitutionality of Justice Minister Jim OCallaghans International Protection Bill.

The council consists of Taoiseach Micheal Martin, Tanaiste Simon Harris, senior judges and Attorney General Rossa Fanning, as well as previous presidents, taoisigh and chief justices.

Ms Connolly also made seven of her own appointments to the body in March.

The Bill, which Mr OCallaghan called a pivotal step in our implementation of a rules-based migration and asylum system, is part of EU-wide reform of rules on migration, and it was passed by the Dail and Seanad in recent weeks.

A statement issued on Thursday afternoon said Ms Connolly has convened a meeting of the Council of State, under Article 26 of the Constitution, to be held at Aras an Uachtarain on Monday at 2.30pm.

That article states the president can refer a Bill to the Supreme Court for a decision on the question as to whether such Bill or any specified provision or provisions of such Bill is or are repugnant to this constitution or to any provision thereof.

Ms Connolly must first consult with the Council of State before referring legislation passed by the Irish Parliament to the Supreme Court.

The Bill contains a swathe of immigration changes, including requiring a decision on asylum applications within three months and any appeals to be concluded in a further three months.

The changes also include a three-year wait time for people granted asylum in Ireland before they can apply for family reunification, and they must also prove they are self-sufficient.

The referral of the Bill comes after Irelands equality body said there had been no meaningful engagement on the Governments legislation in the Dail.

The Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission said among the amendments that were not debated were core safeguards for children, for victims of trafficking, and for other vulnerable groups seeking international protection.
Laois people of all ages coping with health issues who may never have stepped foot in a gym, are finding a new lease of life, thanks to weekly workouts.

Hundreds of locals are enjoying workouts in Portlaoise and Portarlington, up to four times a week, exercising at their own pace to music in large classes, with real health results.

Irish non-profit organisation ExWell Medical gives exercise classes in communities across Ireland for people living with chronic issues, referred by medical professionals.

The first 12 weeks were free until recently, paid by the HSE. Members, mostly pensioners, pay 50 a month to join up to four classes a week, or 35 monthly for one class a week.

In Portlaoise they happen on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday at St Marys Hall, and Tuesday and Friday in OMoore Park. In Portarlington they are on Wednesdays and Fridays in the GAA hall. There is also a weekly Zoom talk and a yearly exhibition.

The Leinster Express / Laois Live went along to a class in St Marys Hall.

Lavinia Malone from Portlaoise was there celebrating a full year of attendance.

Lavinia Malone with ExWell midlands manager Andy Evans. Photos: Leinster Express

I started off with two classes, now Im doing four a week.

It has absolutely changed my life. I lost my son to cancer nine years ago but its like yesterday. My family was worried. I kept on my part-time job, I have the grandchildren over but I just couldnt go out, I didnt want to visit anyone. I got word about ExWell from a friend so I asked my doctor about it.

I was crippled with arthritis. This time last year I was in severe pain. I couldnt move my shoulders, everything was in bits. Since I started the classes everything loosened up.

I just live for it. Hail, rain or snow Im here. The instructors cant get rid of me. Its brilliant. Its done everything, Im going everywhere now. Ive eight of my grandchildren over at the weekend and its just a new life. Its the best thing ever," Lavinia said.

Alice McEniry with fellow ExWell members John Seale and John Russell.

Id just like to say that the instructors are so good. Everybody, no matter who you are, what age you are or what disability you have, they treat everybody so well. I dont know what Id do without it, Lavinia added.

Participant Alice McEniry, is from Mountmellick.

I think its brilliant. Im paying now, Im going to try and keep it going. I definitely feel toned up. My balance is very bad and in fairness it has improved immensely. Ive got to know people as well. I come in a bit early for a chat, she said.

We want to stay young forever, joked Miriam Crowe from Portlaoise.

Its very good for suppleness and balance and flexibility, thats why Im doing it. The lads are really nice, theyre a lovely bunch, Miriam said.

John Russell and John Seale both from Portlaoise, exercise side by side, for a bit of competition.

Dan Devoy and Jimmy Bergin.

The class is very good therapy, both psychological and physical. Im coming from a heart bypass situation and its given me confidence to do more. Ill continue it. I wouldnt do the exercises if I wasnt here, its as simple as that, said John Russell.

I wouldnt do it if I was at home. You need a bit of help, a bit of motivation. I find it good, you push yourself to do what you wouldnt do elsewhere. My fitness is better, I feel that bit of more energy, John Seale added.

The teachers on the day were Heather Masterson clinical exercise manager and Andy Evans, Midlands Manager.

We take medical referrals from all kinds of chronic illnesses. From anything as severe as cancer, stroke and heart attack to less severe like osteoporosis, arthritis, Andy said.

We treat illness with exercise, like its a medicine. The class suits all conditions, whether someone is really fit or really frail. Everyone works out together.

We take all ages. We have 30 year olds and would you believe 90 year olds in the class. We adapt and suit everybody. Thats the great thing about the class, everyone pushes each other on, theres a place for everyone.

We had a case study of one man who came in on a zimmerframe. After three months on the programme, he was leaving it at the door or at home. He actually jogged up and down the hall. He went from shuffling to running. Its amazing the stories we see. It makes work feel less like a job, Its so rewarding.

Colly Mullen, Jim Phelan and Breda Tarleton.

Were getting stories every day of lives being changed. After a couple of weeks of doing a lifestyle intervention, if someone gets a bit fitter, all of a sudden, all the other aspects of their life improve. Like going to Mass, doing the shopping, meeting friends, they start to do them more. Our research shows that participants who use exercise as intervention, use their GPs a lot less.

ExWell Laois coaches Warren Murray and Natasha Hogan.

Read next: Nearly half a million euros granted to Laois heritage buildings

Its the social aspect as well, people meeting people they havent seen in years, or new people. Thats nearly as important as the exercise itself, Andy said.

There are people here in their later life who may never have gone to the gym or exercised before. Its like a whole new phase of life for them, seeing them make friends, Heather added.

For those interested in more, see www.exwell.ie or speak to a GP, consultant or physio about a referral.
Plans will soon be revealed for the Granary building and the Old Barracks in Portlaoise as part of the ongoing development of a cultural quarter in the town.

There has been significant investment in recent years to enhance the Old Fort Quarter area of Portlaoise, including Portlaoise Library, the old convent site, the redevelopment of Scoil Mhuire and St Peter's Graveyard, the refurbishment of Fitzmaurice Place, and the development of the Fort Protector Outdoor Performance & Event Space.

Laois County Council acquired the Old Barracks over a year ago and now it has been confirmed that the council will be proceeding with an application for planning permission for the site as well as the Granary building in the coming weeks.

Speaking at the April meeting of the Portlaoise MD, Director of Services at Laois County Council, Simon Walton, said that it is likely that soon there will be a Part 8 proposal advertised for the redevelopment of the Granary and the Old Barracks site, as well as a small welfare facility at the Fort Protector Outdoor Performance & Event Space.

He said this will form the basis of an application that Laois County Council will make to the recently announced Town and Cities Regeneration Investment Fund.

READ NEXT: Union members of Laois ambulance unit to strike amid burnout and salary concerns

"The application for the Granary building will include the retention and making of a permanent home for the Portlaoise Plane, together with other museum exhibition related services plus another building and public space in the area of the Old Barracks site," Mr Walton explained.

The Portlaoise Plane is the earliest airplane built in Ireland. It was constructed over a century ago by the Aldritt brothers and Johnny Conroy in Portlaoise. It has been planned for the historic plane to be placed on permanent display in the Granary for a number of years.

Local Portlaoise Councillor Tommy Mulligan asked the council to pursue the purchase of other suitable property or lands in the Old Fort Quarter area of Portlaoise to be used as a recreational and heritage space.

Cllr Mulligan told the council: "I still feel that there might be properties available there that we could try acquire. I think if we did manage to acquire another property or two around this area, it could potentially be developed as a recreational space and also as a heritage space. It would greatly enhance the area and showcase the walls around that area."

Many other councillors agreed with Cllr Mulligan, highlighting the further benefits it could bring to the area in addition to the work that has already been done there.

Laois County Council said it will consider other purchases in the Old Fort Quarter Area when the opportunity arises.

Mr Walton welcomed the motion by Cllr Mulligan, saying: "If there are other properties available that are not on the market you are more than welcome to bring them to our attention."

Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme
A renewable energy pilot scheme which aims to assist certain residents living in County Kildare by providing hot water has been progressed.

Sinn Fein councillor Noel Connolly has welcomed the decision by Kildare County Council (KCC) to progress the scheme, which aims to deliver free hot water to social housing tenants using surplus renewable energy.

KCC is now working with the environmental charity, Energy Cloud Ireland, along with sponsorship from Microsoft, in order to deliver the scheme.

READ NEXT: "This is not a democracy" - Angry Kildare politician storms out of meeting

Speaking on the latest development, Cllr Connolly, who represents the Kildare-Newbridge Municipal District (MD), prefaced it by saying that he first proposed the scheme to KCC back in December of 2023.

He also described it as 'an overdue but very positive step in tackling energy poverty', while also 'making smarter use of renewable energy that would otherwise go to waste'.

DETAILS

According to Cllr Connolly, the initiative will provide free hot water to a selected group of social housing tenants by diverting surplus renewable energy into their hot water systems.

No change of electricity supplier is required, and participation is voluntary.

He elaborated by explaining that a total of 122 homes across all five MDs have been identified for the scheme, including:

Transitional housing units

Older persons dwellings

Additional homes not currently scheduled for retrofit works

Cllr Connolly also provided a breakdown of the units per MD:

Athy: 22

CelbridgeLeixlip: 20

ClaneMaynooth: 22

KildareNewbridge: 23

Naas: 35

Speaking further on the scheme, Cllr Connolly said: "It will help families struggling with energy costs, it reduces waste, and it supports our transition to a greener future."

"I welcome KCC's decision to act on this, and I will continue to push for its expansion once the pilot proves successful," he concluded.

Anyone seeking further information on the project can visit https://energycloud.org/ireland/.

Sinn Fein Cllr Noel Connolly. File photograph

READ NEXT: Gardai investigating assault at Kildare nightclub

Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme
This was the claim made at a Naas District Court sitting.

Eugene Breslin, 45, whose address was given as Ballydawmore, Monageer, Enniscorthy, Co Wexford, was charged with possessing cocaine for the purpose of sale of supply on December 17 last.

Detective Garda Kate Gilligan contested a bail application made by the defendant.

Det Gda Gilligan said the operation was conducted by the Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau and Revenue and Customs staff and this followed the receipt of confidential information.

She said a horse transporter arrived in Ireland from Cherbourg and later arrived at an address at Rose Cottage Stables, Ballagh Cross, Donadea. It was alleged that the drugs were then transferred into a second vehicle which had been driven by Mr Breslin.

READ NEXT Teenager admits unlawful killing of Kildare town man

It was claimed that both men were seen removing bags from the horse transporter and placing them in the second vehicle, a Range Rover.

Mr Breslin initially fled, it was claimed and was found under bales of hay in a hay shed. Vehicle keys were located and two phones were found nearby. An arrest was made and the defendant was taken to Lucan garda station.

She alleged that another defendant in the case was controlled by Mr Breslin.

The garda objected to bail being granted because she feared he may be involved in the importation of further large quantities of drugs to recoup the loss "because this was a significant loss.

Cross examined by Donncha Craddock, barrister, she said the defendant has been in custody since December and she said a large amount of data had been secured from mobile phones.

Det Gda Gilligan also said that the other defendant had been observed for a number of hours at the scene before Mr Breslin arrived there at around 5pm and the location was subject to surveillance.

Mr Craddock said the defendant had handed in travel documents and any suggestion that he may be involved in a future incident is only speculation.

He also said time would be needed to prepare a book of evidence and any prospect of any possible trial getting underway is some way off, at least a year.

Judge Desmond Zaidan said the objections to bail were well founded and sustainable in law and strict bail conditions would not be appropriate. He adjourned the matter to April 22.
A flash mob event is taking place in Co Kildare early next month.

Emily Square will come alive with rhythm, energy and community spirit on May 2nd at 3pm, as dancers from across the country gather for Irelands first participation in the International Line Dance Flashmob.

Local line dance instructor John Read, of Johns Bootleggers, who teaches in Athy, Newbridge, Edenderry and Portarlington, is leading the event after being inspired by the global initiative, which takes place annually on the first Saturday in May. The international project connects dancers worldwide, inviting them to perform selected routines on the same day, share videos online and celebrate the joy of dance.

READ NEXT; Construction starts on new state of the art library in Kildare.

This year, Athy proudly appears on the worldwide flashmob map.

John discovered line dancing while on holiday in Florida. I came across it in a bar and loved it, he said. When I came home, I went looking for classes but couldnt find any. A few years later, it popped back into my head again, and once I finally found a class, I never stopped!

In 2021, his own instructor stepped away from teaching and encouraged him to take over. He later earned his qualification as a Professional Country Line Dance Instructor through the National Association of Teachers of Dance.

The training gave me confidence and a deeper understanding of how to teach effectively, he said.

Planning for the flashmob began last summer, with Emily Square quickly identified as the ideal location due to its central setting and spacious layout. Support from Kildare County Council and local Gardai helped bring the event together.

However, organisers say this will not be a traditional surprise flashmob.

Its a fully organised event that celebrates inclusivity, John explained. There are so many styles  country, new line, modern  and we want to show that line dancing is for everyone. Theres a huge social element to it too. I call it social lubrication because it brings people together so easily.

Instructors from clubs across Ireland have been invited, with many confirming their attendance, turning the event into one of the largest line dancing gatherings in the country this year.

While the International Flashmob committee selects three official routines each year, the Athy event will go further. A poll of dancers has been used to choose 15 popular routines, ensuring participants of all levels can join in.

We want to show that line dancing is alive and well in Ireland, John added. If anyone is curious about joining the community, my advice is simple: Just do it  because youll never look back!
A Kildare North TD has told the Dail that the north of the county is one of the hardest places in Ireland in which to get a GP.

Deputy Joe Neville (FG) was speaking when 'Ceisteanna ar Pholasai no ar Reachtaiocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation' came before the House on Wednesday, April 15 last.

Deputy Neville said: I note the Minister is here. As the House knows, there is an urgent need to address the issue of GP access across Ireland.

Last night, I spoke on the Critical Infrastructure Bill. We need to view GP care as critical infrastructure in its way and incentivise its creation and extension.

I see this in my area of Kildare North, which is one of the hardest places in Ireland in which to get a GP, where people move into the county from other areas and are stuck using the GP from those areas before they can access new ones in north Kildare.

I have met doctors in my constituency who want to extend their practices and others who want to set up new practices, but we need to make it financially feasible.

Deputy Neville called on the government to put in place a refundable tax credit in the upcoming budget to go towards set-up costs or extension costs for premises, medical equipment and digital systems to assist in setting up and extending GP services.

Responding to Deputy Neville, Minister for Health, Deputy Jennifer Carroll MacNeill stated that the State currently supports GP practices to the tune of approximately 1bn per year.

However, she conceded, we need more.

READ NEXT: Plans for 27m solar farm in this Kildare region

Deputy MacNeill told Deputy Neville that in his area of North Kildare  where there has been particularly concentrated population growth at quick pace - more GP practices are needed.

The Minister said she will discuss the idea of a refundable tax credit with the Tanaiste and Minister for Finance.

She added: We need to look at every creative way to expand GP care. We are trying to recruit GPs to the HSE, but the State and private GP practices have a direct relationship - an important symbiosis - and we need to look at every lever we can use to increase GP capacity, either by extending or setting up new practices.

I will discuss the Deputy's suggestion of a refundable tax credit with the Tanaiste and Minister for Finance for the upcoming budget.
Work has commenced on the The Exchange Hub project in Drumshanbo.

The 6.2 million project will see the construction of a working hub and creative studios in the town centre.

The hub is being developed on the site of the old Bank of Ireland building and the adjoining vacant premises on Main st.

The development will also include the rebuilding of two outbuildings in the backlands, completion of the riverside walk, enhancement of the People's Park and improved connections to the town centre.

The project has the potential to create 40 jobs in the South Leitrim town.

Funding of 600,000 was recently allocated to the project from the Department of Rural and Community Development.

The construction of the project is being undertaken by Crosserlough Construction from Co. Cavan.

Drumshanbo based representative Cllr Enda McGloin (FG) welcomed the commencement of the construction.

It is project that the work will take 18 months, but it depends on how it goes. It is a challenging project, he stated.

There are a number of facets to the project, with a recording studio being earmarked as well as a podcast studio, Cllr McGloin added.

There are still opportunities for interested parties to come up with ideas for the new project.

Drumshanbo Community Council are open to ideas. There is still space available. The community council will meet with people who have ideas, he stated.

There will be a strong focus on employment in the hub. Hopefully, employment will be generated in the IT sector. There is also commercial space available, as well as space for people who require secure work space, Cllr McGloin explained.
Leitrim houses have jumped over 20,000 in the last twelve months, according to new figures from the Central Statistics Office (CSO).

The data released on Wednesday shows Leitrims median property price has risen to 210,000, up 25,000 when compared to February 2025.

Similar price increases were experienced in surrounding counties with Sligo on 272,400, Roscommon on 215,000, and Donegal on 198,000.

House prices are now 25.2% above their highest level at the peak of the property boom in April 2007, and have increased by 179.2% since 2013, when the average price in Leitrim was 76,176, according to mynest.ie.

The 9.5% price increase Leitrim experienced was part of a wider national trend, with the regions outside of Dublin that saw the largest growth in house prices being the Midlands (Laois, Longford, Offaly, and Westmeath) at 15.3%.

Meanwhile, the Midlands and border counties like Cavan, Donegal, Monaghan, and Sligo increased at 95%. At the other end of the scale, the South-West (Cork and Kerry) saw a 4.2% rise in house prices.

READ MORE: 'Stand your ground and show your independence' - Leitrim female construction worker

Data from the CSO also broke house prices down by Eircode, revealing that properties with a Carrick on Shannon (N41) now have a median house price of 212,000.

The most expensive Eircode area in the country over the 12 month period to February 2026 was Blackrock, Co.Dublin with a median price of 841,250. Meanwhile, Castlerea, Roscommon had the lowest median price of 153,000.

The price increase of homes in the county is unlikely to stop, as low supply to the area remains an issue.

While we expect an increase in supply from landlords exiting the market this spring, we feel that this supply will be comfortably consumed, Joe Brady, a Leitrim-based real estate agent, told the Observer earlier this year.

READ MORE: Leitrim children among 546 waiting for first contact from Child Disability Network Team (CDNT)

More than half, 50.8%, of properties purchased in the twelve-month period were by existing home owners, while first-time buyers made of 39.2% of purchases, and non-occupant purchases constituted 9,9% of the total.

In February 2026, 3,370 dwelling purchases by households were filed with the Revenue Commissioners at a total value of 1.47 billion. These purchases were made up of 2,558 existing dwellings and 812 new dwellings.

Meanwhile, Revenue data also showed there were 1,333 first-time buyer purchases in February 2026.
Leitrim has the lowest cost in the country when it comes to tidying up after illegal dumping, a new report published in the Farmer's Journal has shown.

Leitrim County Council spent 27,166 in clean- up costs, while it received 136,803.18 under the Anti-Dumping Initiative.

Meanwhile Kildare had the highest costs in the country with 535,877 spent clearing illegally dumped waste. The local authority received just 39,083 through the Governments Anti-Dumping Initiative fund.

The report found that over 4m of taxpayers money was spent clearing rural Ireland of illegally dumped waste in 2025 with areas such as rural roads, beauty spots and forestry entrances targeted.

READ MORE: Leitrim house prices hit grim milestone, according to new figures

The figure was obtained through a series of Freedom of Information requests, made by Irish Country Living, to all 25 local authorities outside Dublin.

Some authorities were unable to release the clean-up figures, as they are not yet determined in overall budgets, while others refused to extract illegal dumping clean-up costs from more general budgetary figures.

The report also noted thath the number of fines and prosecutions was just 263.

READ MORE: Work begins on 6.2 million project in Leitrim town

Government supports each local authority through an Anti-Dumping Initiative fund, set up in 2017 to identify high-risk or problem areas. The fund has provided over 23m in the past nine years, helping to remove over 26,400 tonnes of waste from the countryside.
The Dail heard of serious problems in Sligo University Hospital from a Leitrim TD as a Government bill seeking infrastructure reforms was discussed.

The Critical Infrastructure Bill 2026 was brought forward for consideration by the Dail and aims to address delays in delivering state infrastructure.

Local Sinn Fein TD Martin Kenny spoke about the impacts of extremely poor infrastructure in rural areas and the north west, citing water infrastructure and rail, but also noted that health is another major issue.

In Sligo University Hospital we have serious problems with overcrowding, insufficient bed numbers and the age of the infrastructure, said Deputy Kenny.

He spoke of the problems that persist in the orthopaedic theatre at the hospital. The unit has experienced persistent leaks for several years. Last May, surgeons from the unit appeared on RTE News highlighting the conditions they are forced to operate under for almost a year.

READ NEXT: Work begins on 6.2 million project in Leitrim town

Repairs were ongoing in the latter part of 2025, and the theatre was then forced to close again at the start of October 2025 when water came through the roof during a storm. The roof has since been completed, but problems are still persisting with radiator pipework, leading to the cancellation of surgeries.

The roof of the theatre for orthopaedics leaked last summer. When the roof was fixed it was then discovered there was another problem with the heating, Deputy Kenny told the Dail.

For the past year, the theatre has been closed more often than it has been open. That is because that particular piece of infrastructure has aged out, he added.

He said the theatre is not fit for purpose and needs to be built out anew.

He added that there are also issues with the renal unit at the hospital. We have a similar problem with regard to renal services. People attend the hospital for dialysis but again, the services in place are totally inadequate. Promises have been made but nothing has been delivered.

READ NEXT: Leitrim school granted essential 'new' special class for next year

Further infrastructure problems that Deputy Kenny cited in the Dail in the north west include roads, calling the situation a serious problem, and adding that the north west area has the greatest potential and the least investment.

The problem seems to be that Governments continually look at where the crisis is rather than planning long term for the future, which is what needs to happen. We need a Government that will plan for the future and provide services and critical infrastructure for people in order that we have an economy that functions, he said.

Most of the west, including my part of the country, has the greatest potential because it has the least investment. The eastern seaboard is bursting at the seams. Nobody can get a house to rent in Dublin, yet in other parts of the country where there is ample space and opportunity, there is no investment, he added.

Another issue he referenced was people who leave the north west region after they receive third level education due to the lack of opportunities arising from insufficient infrastructure.

People always say to me that when they educate their children, most of them will be getting jobs for graduates and a lot of those graduate jobs are elsewhere, not back in their own region. The main reason is that they do not have the infrastructure to get those jobs to move into the region.

READ NEXT: Two week closure of Leitrim road confirmed to fell 'dangerous trees'
The rising number of notices of termination in Leitrim and surrounding areas, was discussed in the Seanad this week with young mothers and families in Leitrim among those who have been served notices.

Speaking in the Seanad, Labour Senator Nessa Cosgrove said she believes that homelessness has become normalised. "We know that the biggest cause of homelessness is people being evicted from private rental, and we can see as a direct result of the residential tenancies Bill that 43% of homeless figures are made up of people who have been given notices to quit."

She said that this week, on the train to Dublin, she was approached by a young mother from Leitrim who works in a Government Department. "She has been issued with a notice of termination from a landlord whom she rented from for five years. The week before it was a family who have been in long-term rental through the local authority and the landlord decided to sell. The week before that it was a single woman who successfully maintained a tenancy for 14 years."

READ MORE: Leitrim TD raises 'serious problems' at Sligo University Hospital in Dail

She said she also spoke to a single man expressing suicidal ideation because of his homelessness2 situation. A friend of mine with children has lived in a tenancy for 14 years. Her children have lived with her and grown up there and they have been served with an eviction notice."

She noted that since 2016, homelessness levels have soared by almost 150%.

She concluded: "A construction company is something we have been calling for for a long time, and to go back on the reset clause. That has caused mayhem. This will never be normal. This has been caused by poor decision making on the part of the Minister of State's party and that of Fine Gael."
A YOUNG man will be sentenced later this month for his role in a "devastating" burglary at a well-known service station in west Limerick

Michael Nevin, aged 20, who has an address at Southill in Limerick city, has pleaded guilty to a number of charges arising from an incident at Adams of Glin last September.

During a sentencing hearing, Judge Colin Daly was told the defendant had come before him on a signed plea - the charges are burglary, criminal damage and possession of implements.

Prosecuting barrister Lily Buckley, instructed by State solicitor Brendan Gill, outlined the evidence with the assistance of Detective Garda Neil OGorman.

The detective told the court that on September 17, 2025, at 12:48am, a vehicle pulled up outside the Mace store and that

Mr Nevin was observed on CCTV getting out of the passenger seat.

He said a grinder tool was used to open the shutters and the defendant entered the premises with another person.

A third individual remained outside, acting as lookout. All three men were wearing ski masks and gloves throughout the burglary.

Footage, which was played to the court, showed the cigarette machine being targeted by Mr Nevin, using a sledgehammer to gain access.

Cigarettes, worth around 18,000, were stolen from the family-run business and 10,000 in damage was caused by the intruders.

Upon entering the store, an alarm was triggered and Garda William McElligot subsequently attended the scene along with the owner of the premises, Shane Adams.

Detective Garda OGorman said the burglary lasted for just six-and-a-half minutes.

As the culprits were attempting to make their escape, Michael Nevin fell out of the getaway car and attempted to flee on foot.

He was located in the garage of a nearby property and arrested a short time later. Two ski masks were found on him and he has been in custody since.

Judge Daly was told he availed of his right to silence during two garda interviews and that he made no comment when cautioned.

In his Victim Impact Statement, Shane Adams, owner of the store, said the incident had been devastating for him.

He said the shop had to close for repairs following the incident which put a further strain on cash flow for the small business.

The ordeal has taken its toll on him as he now lives in a constant state of anxiety when opening and closing the shop.

Mr Adams said he lives with a level of stress that is exhausting to manage."

Barrister Liam Carroll said he cant excuse what Mr Nevin did but asked the court to note he had fallen in with the wrong crowd who led him to this place due to their encouragement and support.

Mr Carroll said the young man knows there will be repercussions, particularly as he was on bail at the time. He has one previous conviction for possession of an article with intent to cause injury and is currently awaiting sentencing on another matter.

Mr Carroll said letters of apology had been penned by Mr Nevin to the shopkeeper and Judge Daly.

He said his life wasnt easy as he is from the rough area of Southill and had no role model growing up since his father was in and out of prison.

Mr Nevin stated this is not the life I want and that he understands it is up to me to change my life for the better."

He said he wishes to be reunited with his partner and has availed of all prison services.

Mr Caroll told the court being in prison has had a profound effect on his client.

Having heard the evidence and submissions, Judge Daly indicated he will pass sentence, on April 21.
THREE Limerick students have been awarded an All Ireland Scholarship, sponsored by JP McManus, which will cover the full duration of their undergraduate studies.

Oscar Ng, Thomond Community College; Sibeal Ni Fhlaithbheartaigh, Gaelcholaiste Luimnigh and Daniel Onyekaba, Crescent College Comprehensive were honoured at the ceremony in University Concert Hall, University of Limerick.

In attendance was All Ireland Scholarships sponsor, JP McManus, guest of honour and double Olympic Champion, Kellie Harrington, Deputy Willie ODea, Louise Watson, Head of the Skills and Education Group for the Department for the Economy Northern Ireland, as well as the family, friends and school representatives of the scholarship recipients.

Sibeal was represented by Kevin O Raghallaigh, principal of Gaelcholaiste Luimnigh with Diarmuid Mullins, principal of Crescent College Comprehensive standing in for Daniel (both pictured below).

READ NEXT: Limerick senior hurling manager urges students to 'take opportunities'

Mr McManus said: I am delighted to be here today to celebrate the outstanding academic achievements of the 2025 All Ireland Scholarship winners from across the island of Ireland.

To date, 2,051 students have received an All Ireland Scholarship and 1,437 of those students have since graduated from university.

"Today is a very special occasion for the scholarship winners, their families, and teachers. We wish them every success as they continue their studies at university and look forward to seeing what they accomplish in the years to come.

Kellie Harrington said: It is a very special occasion for the 2025 winners, their families, and school principals, and they should be very proud of themselves and their accomplishments.

The All Ireland Scholarships, established by JP McManus in 2008, provide financial support to gifted students pursuing third-level education. Each year, 125 scholarships are awarded across the 32 counties of Ireland. Recipients receive 6,750 per annum in Ireland and 5,500 per annum in Northern Ireland, covering the duration of their undergraduate studies.

The third level educational scholarship is awarded to 125 of the highest achieving students per year, with a minimum of two students from each county.

The recipients must meet a further set of criteria, including attending a non-fee-paying school and be in receipt of a third level education maintenance grant from Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI) or be in receipt of an Education Maintenance Allowance in Northern Ireland. The scholarship offers full academic financial support for the duration of the students' third level studies.

Through the introduction of a membership campaign for all All Ireland Scholarship holders from 2008 to present, an additional scholar-funded All Ireland Scholarship was awarded for the first time.

With this new initiative, the association aims to build on the unwavering support and dedication of Mr McManus to third-level education in Ireland, by strengthening the impact and opportunities provided by the All Ireland Scholarships and carrying forward its legacy.
AS FUEL shortages continue there have been reports of health workers being accommodated in local hotels, and tensions escalating between local politicians as the fallout from the protests and blockades continues this week.

Limerick has been at the epicentre of the national controversy, due to the blockade at the Port of Foynes, and Independent Ireland TD Richard ODonoghue being a prominent advocate for the protesters.

Petrol stations were still feeling the effects of the demonstrations in supply chains, with a spokesperson for Maxol branches in Abbeyfeale and Carrigkerry reporting this Tuesday that only half tank loads were being delivered.

READ MORE: 'Seeking to erode that trust': Limerick minister called out over 'skewed' media comments

Shane Gleeson, who runs two Inver petrol stations in the city, said: Weve lost three-and-a-half days of trade from this. It will probably take us six months to recover the losses. Its a serious financial impact.

However, he added that petrol supplies are now at normal levels in his stations at Punchs Cross and Castletroy.

Elsewhere this week, more than 800 children and teenagers in west Limerick were left without school transport.

It came after Paudie Kenneally made what he described as a heartbreaking decision to pull the service he provides over the cost of fuel.

READ MORE: Shannon Airport is 'United' with Transatlantic airline on its centenary

The businessman, who has covered school runs with his late father Dave (Joe) Kenneally for 42 years, said he made the decision following the announcement of Government supports on Sunday night.

Im not going to go bankrupt to cover school runs for Bus Eireann or anyone, said Paudie.

Martin Ryan, a local Fianna Fail councillor, who also runs a haulage business, said he can empathise with the frustrations of people which led to the demonstrations.

This protest was not just about fuel. I heard from a lot of people, and Id empathise with them. Its about our every-day costs, our taxes. It feels like every department in Government is looking for its own slice without being aware of how many people are being affected in terms of the bigger picture, Cllr Ryan said.

He added that he will continue to canvass local TDs to flag the pressure people are under.

Its not that we were sitting on our hands and wishing for it all to go away. It was far from that, he said.

Mayor John Moran is meeting ministers in Dublin this week to keep driving forward the key projects Limerick needs delivered.

Speaking for the first time since demonstrations began, he said: People are under real pressure right now, and its a difficult situation, but its good to see some solutions being proposed.

He urged everyone to think of the needs of critical service providers until fuel levels are fully restored.

Its understood key workers at University Hospital Limerick, faced with long drives due to the blockades were offered the chance to stay in local hotels by hospital bosses.

A small number took this up, hotel industry sources have told Limerick Live.

READ MORE: 'Be a Tourist in Your Own County' returns with special offers and experiences across the county

There were explosive scenes in Dail Eireann on Tuesday afternoon, as the Government found itself voting on a Confidence motion.

It came after Sinn Fein, supported by other opposition parties, triggered a motion of No Confidence.

The Government survived the vote, but lost Minister of State Michael Healy-Rae, who resigned from his role to vote No Confidence.
TRAFFIC congestion in Croom due to Uisce Eireann works offer a warning of how the town could be impacted by the M20, a councillor has said.

Independent Irelands John ODonoghue says traffic has been absolutely mental particularly in the morning and evening peak at the N20 interchange close to the town.

Almost 150 people were in Colaiste Chiarain for a meeting, in which concerns around the Limerick to Cork motorway were shared - and thousands are expected to sign a petition calling on council to change course.

This is showing the timeliness of the meeting, sald Cllr ODonoghue, who organised the event. This is what we could be looking at in Croom when the junction is gone completely. Its extremely awkward and extremely busy.

READ MORE: Housing body secures council-owned lands in Limerick town following 27-year 'delay'

The Adare-Rathkeale councillor believes the Limerick to Cork motorway could do long-term damage to Crooms infrastructure, economy and quality of life and wants to see an orbital route built around the town.

As reported by the Leader, he has argued that the existing N20, which bypasses Croom, stopped agricultural vehicles and learner drivers using the towns streets.

PICTURES: Limerick village holds public meeting on proposed new route plans

However, with the existing bypass set to be upgraded to a motorway, it will restrict access to certain vehicles.

This will include people with engine capabilities of 50 cc or less, those which cannot maintain a speed of at least 50 kilometres per hour, plus vehicles with non-inflated tyres.

Additionally pedestrians, cyclists and some tractors / agricultural machinery will not be permitted on the motorway, and its sparked fears that Crooms streets will pick up the slack.

Cllr ODonoghue organised the meeting, which was addressed by local trader Padraig Broderick, the chairperson of Limerick IFA, Louise Crowley, and Jimmy ODonnell, the chair of Limerick ICMSA.

Alongside Cllr John O'Donoghue, his brother, the Independent Ireland TD Richard ODonoghue spoke, as did Minister of State Niall Collins.

Petitions have been placed in businesses in Croom and the surrounding areas, calling on council to deliver a plan which avoids sending heavy agricultural and commercial vehicles back through the town centre.

READ MORE: 'We want no trouble': Sister of Scarlett Faulkner makes plea ahead of funeral in Limerick

The petition reads that the community wants to preserve the progress made since the N20 was initially put in place in 2001.

We are not happy with what is proposed at present. We want some kind of a redraft, Cllr ODonoghue confirmed.

What is proposed, we do not think is beneficial to the town of Croom. Its not beneficial to the movement of traffic in or around he locality. We want them to give us some kind of alternative. They are taking our bypass and making a motorway out of it. While any day of the week, youd say a motorway is a great thing, unfortunately here, they are not taking the knock-on expectations into account, he said.

They are making one road safe, but making the town of Croom less safe, and the immediate vicinity around Croom is going to be less safe because of it, added Cllr ODonoghue..

It is intended the petition will be presented to council in the next 15 days.

A spokesperson for the local authority, which is developing the M20 alongside Corks local authorities, Transport Infrastructure Ireland, and the Department of Transport, responded to a media query from Limerick Live.

They said: The project team have engaged extensively with property owners, communities, businesses and other stakeholders, through the public display events, in-person meetings, public webinars and the interactive project website during the project development. The project team continues to welcome feedback as we progress to the statutory planning process.
A heave is not building against Micheal Martin within Fianna Fail, the partys deputy leader has said.

Jack Chambers appeared on RTEs News at One after the Taoiseach was criticised by a number of his partys backbenchers over the handling of recent fuel protests.

On Wednesday night, Mr Martin met with Fianna Fails three youngest TDs after they issued a letter saying they viewed events of the past few weeks with a real and deep concern.

Following the publication of the letter, senior party members also voiced their disquiet at the Governments handling of fuel protests and blockades.

Asked by presenter Aine Lawlor if the past few days would lead up to a heave against Mr Martin, Mr Chambers replied not at all.

He also said he did not believe Mr Martin would step down as leader following Irelands presidency of the Council of the European Union, which the country is due to hold from July to December this year.

And when asked if Mr Martin would give the Fianna Fail Ard Fheis in May a timeline for his departure, Mr Chambers replied absolutely not.

There is still continued and widespread support for Micheal Martin as leader and Taoiseach of our country he said, adding: Hes got a strong mandate from the last general election.

Mr Chambers told RTE he was not at the meeting with the three young TDs  James OConnor, Albert Dolan, and Ryan OMeara  but said he understood they had a constructive and positive conversation about the concerns that they set out in their public statement.

Asked if there would be an urgent meeting of the parliamentary party, as requested by some TDs, Mr Chambers said a four-hour meeting had taken place on Monday where there was strong feedback about their experience of the last week.

He added another meeting is scheduled to take place on Tuesday.

Mr Chambers said he would not entertain questions about his own leadership ambitions, and said Mr Martin works night and day in the interests of people across this country.

Ministers, like him, were not pushing for a new leader out of an absolute respect for him in his role and the huge integrity and dedication he brings to that office and his huge focus on public service, Mr Chambers said, adding: I think we need to support him through that.

Other senior Fianna Fail members voiced their support for the Taoiseach on Thursday. At the opening of a new fire station in Maynooth, Co Kildare, Housing Minister James Browne said he has absolute confidence in Micheal Martin.

I think hes shown time and time again, through his leadership, that he understands and empathises with the situation in this country, he said.

At the same event, the Minister for Further and Higher Education James Lawless said he also had confidence in Mr Martin.

Mr Lawless, who has previously voiced leadership ambitions, said: Its difficult to be leader of a country or a party or both, but he is doing his very best, and has led us through a number of difficult challenges over recent years.
LIMERICKS Willie O'Dea has said that people "tell me they can never vote for me again, after his partys handling of the fuel protests.

The Limerick City TD was speaking on the RTE Radio 1 programme Drivetime in response to three young Fianna Fail TDs releasing a statement criticising their party for being out of touch with the public over the past week.

TDs James O'Connor, Ryan O'Meara and Albert Dolan wrote that "it should not require protests and deep community frustration to get a government to listen and act", and our politics is not working".

READ MORE: Scarlett Faulkners ex-partner refused compassionate bail to attend funeral

Mr ODea of Fianna Fail echoed these sentiments, saying that the party is not in rude good health.

"The government has become too detached from ordinary people on the ground."

"The government has become more and more beholden to process, and allergic to humanity," he continued.

Judging by the reaction Im getting from my own constituency and beyond, it appears that Fianna Fail has been badly damaged by this recent debacle.

He told presenter Katie Hannon that he believes that the ability to hear anger before it turns into rebellion has been lost by his party.

The Irish people dont expect miracles, but they do expect to be listened to, he said.

Mr ODea praised Minister for Justice, Jim OCallaghan, and voiced dissent about party leadership. The TD did not name Micheal Martin, but did say: The leadership must take a good chunk of responsibility for the way that this has developed.

We must look at the party top to bottom.

Ive great respect for Jim OCallaghan, Mr ODea said. Hes seen to have taken action on various issues that have been left unattended [] Hes a good, active minister for justice.
MAYOR John Moran has appealed for donations to support the delivery of his programme.

In a message posted to his website, he wrote: It is important to me to remain a non-party political mayor. If you can spare a little, it would help me a lot.

Being Independent creates difficulties and hurdles battling large parties, lobbyists and vested interests who do not want the DEM (directly elected mayor) reform to succeed or the vision of Limerick I support to be delivered, he added.

The mayors page includes options to donate fixed sums between 25 and 500, as well as a custom amount.

READ MORE: Elaborate floral tributes erected on Limerick street ahead of Scarlett Faulkner's funeral

Mayor Moran said any money would be lodged in a campaign account and used to support delivery of his programme or to help more generally the fight for reform of local Government in Ireland and the adoption of elected mayors by other counties.

The mayor said such arrangements are subject to rules set by the Standards in Public Office Commission, which regulates political donations and sets limits and reporting requirements. He added that small and often is the best approach to contributions under those guidelines.

They say money makes the world go round. Perhaps not exactly so, but it certainly makes a fight for change and reform much easier, he stated.

He also appeared to criticise Government, writing they could have chosen to support the mayor like they do other full-time politicians and ministers but they did not.

Mayor Moran, who did not return a request for comment, said the legislation governing his role does not provide support for what he described as his political battles, including constituency clinics, developing press relationships and funding political research.

The first citizen became Irelands only directly elected mayor in 2024, and his time in office has been marked by a number of public disagreements with council members.

Since his election, Mayor Moran has received approximately 25m in funding to support his office and its programme.

According to council records, almost 300,000 has been spent on consultants from Grant Thornton for the provision of business and ICT consulting services.

This is specifically for the More Healthy Limerick pillar of the mayoral programe.

The Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage responded to a query from Limerick Live.

A spokesperson stated the legislation provides for a full-time position, with Mayor Moran receiving 167,281 per year.

"The act provides for the mayor to have five staff to support the mayoral office. This includes a special advisor that the Mayor appoints, and four administrative staff. The Mayor is further supported by the wider executive management and staff in the council," they said.

The Deparrtment also highlighted the mayoral fund.

"The fund is expected to be circa 7m to 8m each year or 35m to 40m over the full term. The fund allocation for 2026 amounts to just over 14m, including provision for unspent funding of 6m from 2025. Annual funding is also provided for salary costs for the mayor and his office, amounting to 600,000 in 2026," they added.

"In addition, the Act established new engagement and consultation structures to support the role of Mayor. They include the Limerick Mayoral and Government Consultative Forum where the Mayor and Government Ministers meet twice a year to discuss matters relating to Limerick. In 2025, meetings were held in March and October. The next forum will be held in the coming weeks. In addition, Government Departments and public bodies are required to consult with the Mayor, on request, in relation to national policy or legislation which affects Limerick."

"The Department has always engaged and worked collaboratively with Limerick City and County Council to support the newly established office and arrangements in Limerick, as appropriate, and will continue to do so," concluded the spokesperson.
NEW DELHI: Tata group-backed Tejas Networks has acknowledged that its financial performance was quite disappointing in FY26 as the completion of the initial 4G project at state-owned Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd (BSNL), along with large order delays, led to a sharp revenue shortfall and pushed the company into losses.

The telecom gear maker reported a net loss of 909 crore for FY26, compared with a 447 crore profit in the previous year, while revenue from operations fell by over eight times to 1,103 crore. The company announced its March quarter and full-year earnings after market hours on Wednesday.

Shares of Tejas Networks slumped nearly 6% in early deals on Thursday to 423.50 apiece, reflecting investor concerns over mounting inventories, stretched receivables and the companys path back to profitability.

During the earnings call, an investor also flagged the sharp fall in the stock from its lifetime high of 1,495 in June 2024. The company, however, expressed confidence in its long-term prospects.

Yes the results have been quite disappointing but at the same time we are positive about our future based on which we have made substantial investments during the year, said Arnob Roy, executive director and chief operating officer of Tejas Networks, in the earnings call.

This has been a year of transition for us after the execution of the massive BSNL project in FY25 which gave us a significant amount of revenues and we needed a runway in FY26 to consolidate and transition our business beyond BSNL. Several large customer projects that we were actually planning for both for wireline and wireless products got delayed, Roy added.

The company has deployed 4G network across about 100,000 sites for state-owned BSNL, with the original order valued at 7,492 crore, according to an earlier company release.

Roy has now been appointed managing director and chief executive officer for a two-year period effective 15 April 2026 to 3 August 2028, subject to shareholder approval. The position had been vacant for about four quarters following the resignation of the previous CEO, Anand Athreya.

On expectations of a break-even or return to profitability in FY27, Roy said, "That's the goalFY26 has been a year of investment and (in) FY27 we expect to see far better financial results.

Even as the company has an order book of 1,514 crore, investors and analysts have raised concerns over its unsold inventory, which stood at 2,438 crore at the end of March.

For over a year, the Bengaluru-based firm has been awaiting BSNL's 1,526 crore add-on order for 18,685 additional sites, forcing it to hold elevated inventory levels.

Inventory overhang Active discussions are still going on with the BSNL team on the sites on which they have to have the 4G and the configurations, Sanjay Malik, chief strategy and business officer of the company, said during the call.

The company said the 4G/5G radios are not unique to BSNL and can be repurposed for other global customers for private networks, even though a significant portion is expected to go towards the BSNL add-on.

Tejas, which competes with the likes of Nokia and Ericsson, is banking on international expansion through strategic partnerships, an AI-driven network upgrade "super cycle," and execution of delayed domestic projects such as the BSNL add-on order for 4G and potential 5G upgrades to drive a turnaround.

It recently won a contract from Japan-based NEC Corp. to manufacture and supply 5G massive MIMO (Multiple-Input Multiple-Output) radios for a global customer. The company is also conducting trials in South Asia and the Americas, and exploring opportunities in data centre interconnectivity.

Of the order book of 1,514 crore, India accounts for 83% while 17% is international.

The management has given a positive outlook. But the deliveries and execution in the next few quarters will decide how much value accretive the company can be for investors, said Kranthi Bathini, director of equity strategy at WealthMills Securities, a securities broking company registered with the Securities and Exchange Board of India.

According to Bathini, at this moment the valuation of Tejas Networks looks attractive but it could be a high-risk bet as execution challenges still persist .

Also Read | Is Tejas Networks stock headed towards 600?

On rising memory chip prices due to supply constraints, the company said the impact on margins would be limited, though lead times remain a challenge.

Nevertheless I think we are kind of making sure it is accounted for in our cost. We are basically renegotiating and reoffering our new prices with the escalation to make sure that we protect our margin, Roy said.
Priyamvada C

Priyamvada is a Mumbai-based business journalist at Mint. She writes about the public and private markets with a key focus on venture capital, private equity, M&As and private credit. Her coverage also spans startups and emerging businesses.<br><br>Over the last two years, she has uncovered some of the largest deals and interviewed important decision-makers from Indias investment ecosystem. She likes to dabble across different formats like long forms and explainers. Her work has been consistently displayed on the publication's deals page, and she has also written multiple front-page stories.<br><br>Prior to joining Mint in 2024, she worked out of Reuters Bengaluru bureau where she extensively covered the travel, transportation, and logistics industries. Across both her stints, Priyamvada has displayed rigour for breaking news and analyzing interesting data-driven trends. She holds a postgraduate diploma from the Asian College of Journalism's Bloomberg programme. In her free time, she enjoys reading books and trying out different cuisines. She is keen to delve deeper into the various sectors she covers and is always up for a chat. You can reach out to her at priyamvada.c@livemint.com.
NEW DELHI: The National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT) on Thursday directed Intel Corp. to disclose the withdrawal of its India-specific warranty policy for boxed microprocessors to consumers, while staying recovery of the 27.38 crore penalty imposed by the Competition Commission of India (CCI).

The Delhi bench of the tribunal, hearing Intels appeal against the CCIs February 2026 order, asked the company to submit a plan outlining how it will communicate the change.

It granted interim relief by staying recovery of the penalty and any coercive action until the next hearing, noting that Intel has already deposited 25% of the amount. The matter will be heard next on 23 April.

The direction to make public the withdrawal is significant as the policy affects retail buyers, including individual users, gamers and PC builders, by clarifying warranty coverage.

Queries sent to Intel seeking a comment remained unanswered till press time.

Boxed microprocessors are CPUs sold in retail packaging, typically bundled with components such as a cooling system and backed by warranty support. These differ from processors sold in bulk to computer manufacturers, which usually do not carry direct consumer warranty.

The case stems from a complaint by Matrix Info Systems Pvt. Ltd, which challenged Intels India-specific warranty policy introduced in 2016. Under the policy, warranty services in India were available only for processors purchased from authorized domestic distributors. Products bought from authorized sellers abroad through parallel imports were excluded, requiring customers to seek support in the country of purchase.

The complainant argued the policy was discriminatory and anti-competitive, discouraging parallel imports, limiting consumer choice and creating market barriers. It also alleged that Intel, dominant in the boxed microprocessor segment, used the policy to favour its authorized domestic distribution network.

Taking a prima facie view, the CCI ordered an investigation in 2018. In its 12 February order, the regulator held Intel to be dominant in the market for boxed desktop microprocessors in India.

The CCI found the India-specific warranty policy to be discriminatory compared with practices in other countries and said it restricted consumer choice and limited parallel imports. It ruled the conduct amounted to abuse of dominant position under Section 4 of the Competition Act.

While noting the policy had been in place for about eight years, the CCI cited mitigating factors, including Intels decision to discontinue it from 1 April 2024. It imposed a 27.38 crore penalty and directed the company to publicise the withdrawal and file a compliance report.

Intel moved the tribunal on 2 April.

Globally, Intel has faced multiple antitrust actions. In December 2025, it lost its challenge against a 376 million European Union antitrust fine imposed in 2023 for restricting rivals, though a European court reduced the penalty. The case followed an earlier 1.06 billion fine in 2009 linked to conduct against rival Advanced Micro Devices.
Madhurima Nandy

Madhurima is Senior Editor at Mint and tracks and writes on real estate, urban issues and infrastructure. Besides news stories, she also writes longform stories. She has over two decades of experience in journalism, and has tracked India's real estate sector closely. Real estate in India is complex and fascinating, and she is one of the few journalists who has tracked the sector over the years and mapped critical eventsfrom the Lehman impact in 2008, to the NBFC-led liquidity crisis, to the boom cycle after the 2020 pandemic. She is a Bengaluru-based business journalist but is always looking forward to travel wherever a story takes her. It could be Ayodhya or Jewar to witness the rise of new property markets, or Goa and Hyderabad to experience the changing real estate landscape. Real estate can be a tricky subject, so her aim is always to dig beneath the surface and tell a story as accurately as possible for the readers.<br><br>She has worked in newsrooms across Mumbai, Bengaluru and Kolkata. She has a Masters degree in English Literature and a postgraduate diploma in journalism from Symbiosis, Pune.
Anil Agarwal-led Vedanta told the Delhi bench of the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT) on Thursday that while the committee of creditors (CoC) in the Jaiprakash Associates Ltd insolvency case repeatedly insists on following the process, they do not seem to follow it themselves. The legal battle centres on whether the CoC can rightfully reject Vedanta's 17,000-crore offer in favour of the Adani Group's lower-value plan based on superior cash terms.

Advocate Abhijeet Sinha, representing Vedanta, made serious allegations against the CoC, saying Vedanta's bid was ignored despite being the highest after five rounds of the challenge process. In the process of scoring there should be some transparency, but there was nothing," Sinha said.

The appellate tribunal heard Vedantas arguments and scheduled the next hearing for 17 April, when the Adani Group and the CoC are expected to respond.

The case highlights significant questions regarding the transparency and procedural standards of CoCs in large-scale insolvency proceedings. Vedanta has challenged the design of the bidding process itself, arguing that the nondisclosure of key financial components from competing bids prevented true competition. The company asserted that transparency is essential for value maximization, the core goal of insolvency proceedings.

Specifically, Vedanta alleged that because bidders were only shown the highest net present value (NPV) after each round, without knowing the specific mix of upfront cash versus deferred payments, they were unable to effectively optimize their own offers.

Setting a precedent The outcome of the case could set a significant legal precedent for how assets are valued under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC). With high-value holdings at stake, including nearly 4,000 acres of land, hotels, commercial properties, cement plants, and an F1 track, the final ruling will test whether the "commercial wisdom" of a CoC allows it to legally reject a higher bid in favour of other factors.

On 6 April, a Supreme Court bench led by Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi had declined to interfere with orders of the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) and the NCLAT, which had cleared the way for the plans rollout. However, the court directed the committee overseeing the resolution to seek prior NCLAT approval before taking any major steps.

Adanis resolution plan, pegged at 14,543 crore, includes an additional 800 crore towards capital expenditure and working capital, taking the total to about 15,343 crore. Against admitted claims of about 60,637 crore, this translates into a recovery of around 24%.

Also Read | Vedanta says Jaiprakash bid process 'tailor-made' for Adani despite higher offer

Vedanta said it had submitted an overall bid of about 17,000 crore, translating to about 12,505 crore on an NPV basis, and argued that it offered better value. However, the lenders chose Adanis plan because it offered 6,000 crore upfront and faster payments within two years compared to Vedanta's timeline of five years, prompting Vedanta to allege that the process was unfair. Sinha told the NCLAT, It seems COC has done it saying, We have kept you (Vedanta) in the participation rounds. Thank you, now you can go back.

Also Read | Vedanta optimistic about completing its five-way split this year
Wipro Ltd on Thursday announced its largest-ever share buyback of 15,000 crore, even as Indias fourth-largest information technology (IT) services company capped a third straight year of revenue decline, and flagged a weak start to fiscal year 2027 (FY27).

The Bengaluru-based firm said it will repurchase 600 million shares at 250 apiece, a 19% premium to Thursdays closing price of 210.2. The buyback comes even as analysts flag weak near-term growth, despite a strong deal pipeline.

At a post-earnings media conference, Aparna Iyer, Wipros chief financial officer, said the company is actually returning excess cash on its balance sheet, after ensuring that the net cash available after the buyback is able to support its M&A ambitions as well as large, strategic deals.

The companys earlier share buybacks were in FY17 ( 2,500 crore), FY18 ( 11,000 crore), FY21 ( 9,500 crore), and in FY24 ( 12,000 crore).

Also Read | Wipro to buy select contracts from California IT firm Alpha Net for $71 million

The companys revenue declined 0.32% year-on-year (y-o-y) to $10.48 billion in FY26, even though it bettered the $9.94 billion estimated by a Bloomberg poll of 38 analysts. Net profit fell even more8.6% to $1.4 billion.

Most of its revenue decline in FY26 came from consumer companies, which accounts for nearly a fifth of its revenue. The company lost $80 million from these companies, which is more than double its revenue decline of $33.4 million.

In the January-March 2026 quarter, Wipro grew its revenue 0.6% sequentially to $2.65 billion. Net profit jumped 7.14% to $375 million.

The company expects a weak start to FY27, guiding for April-June revenue of $2.62.65 billionimplying a sequential decline of up to 2% or flat growth at best. Management attributed this to delays in ramping up a large client and slower growth from an existing banking client. The company does not provide full-year guidance.

Amit Chandra, vice-president at HDFC Securities, said the buyback was a positive, but growth concerns could weigh on sentiment. The companys growth guidance, at least in the short term, is weak despite a strong TCV (total contract value), he said.

Also Read | CEO rallies evaporate as investors punish Wipro and LTIMindtree

Wipros shares fell 4.6% to $2.17 on the New York Stock Exchange as of 9:30 pm IST on Thursday, after the results were announced.

Turnaround in the works? Expecting a better deal pipeline, the companys management put up a strong front, but could not mask the concerns regarding a turnaround.

I think the only thing that speaks for me is numbers, right? You can infer from the numbers, said Srini Pallia, chief executive of Wipro, in response to a question during a media briefing on whether a turnaround was actually taking shape in the company.

To be sure, the companys FY26 revenue decline of 0.32% was an improvement over its declines of 2.7% in FY25 and 3.8% in FY24.

For Wipro investors, the underlying weakness is evident, as the company added only 30 new clients in the January-March 2026 period, the least since it added 28 clients during the 90-day period ending September 2024.

Pallia stated that he had faith in the companys deal pipeline, while issuing a caution on the broader macroeconomic environment.

Geopolitical and policy disruptions have become the new normal. And I'm sure you know this more than me. Trade rules are changing, tighter immigration policies and, of course, conflicts continue to create uncertainties for industries and economies, added Pallia.

Wipros management faces the challenge of navigating the company in tough market conditions, said Thomas Reuner, principal consultant at Pierre Audoin Consultants, adding that clients seek to achieve cost optimization, vendor consolidation and, increasingly, AI-led transformation.

Vendor consolidation can favour larger, more distinctive players, Reuner said. AI-led transformation tends to reward firms that can bring consulting, industry models, engineering assets, and reusable platforms rather than just scaled delivery.

To be sure, other top Indian IT firms have also been hit by the uncertain macro environment and rise in automation tools, with market leader Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), too, reporting a 0.5% decline in revenue in FY26, marking the first time that two of the top four have ended with a full-year revenue decline.

The challenges have hit the shares of top companies in the $297-billion IT sector, with stocks of TCS, Wipro, Infosys, and HCL Technologies falling 27.41%, 20%, 13.66%, and 5.15%, respectively, since 1 April 2025.

However, a good spot in its report card was its profitability. Wipro ended FY26 with 17.2% in operating margins, up 10 basis points from FY25. The company attributed its margin growth to rupee depreciation, which has translated to higher rupee realisations for the same dollar revenue. A basis point is a hundredth of a percentage point.

In terms of headcount, the company added 8,810 employees to end the year with 242,156 people. Still, the management issued a caution with regards to future hiring, especially that of freshers.
At the heart of President Trumps threat to fire Jerome Powell lies an unsettled legal question: When the Fed chairs term expires without a confirmed successor, who gets to decide what happens next?

This week, the administration signaled that if no successor is confirmed by May 15, Powell shouldnt continue as chair. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Tuesday that several peoplenot just Powellcould serve as the Federal Reserves interim leader, naming Vice Chair Philip Jefferson and governor Christopher Waller as alternatives.

On Wednesday, Trump went further, saying Ill have to fire him if Powell didnt step aside.

But last month, Powell pre-emptively staked out his position, announcing he would continue leading the central bank as chair pro tempore if no successor is confirmed on time.

That is what the law calls for, Powell said. Thats what weve done on several occasions, including involving me. And its what were going to do in this situation.

View full Image View full Image Kevin Warsh, President Trumps nominee for Fed chair. Brendan McDermid/Reuters

Powells forceful public claim to the job is itself a message to the White House: contesting it would mean yet another courtroom fight over the Feds independence.

His apparent confidence rests on legal arguments the Fed has honed over many decades even though the law is open to interpretation. The ambiguity has produced dueling legal opinions between the executive branch and the Fed going back to 1978. No court has ever been asked to resolve that dispute.

The Senate is set to hold confirmation hearings on Tuesday for Kevin Warsh, Trumps nominee to succeed Powell, but it faces a potential delay because Sen. Thom Tillis (R., N.C.) has vowed to oppose any nomination until a criminal probe about the Feds building renovations has been resolved.

Since Congress adopted the central banks current structure in 1935, there have been five times where the chairs term has expired before the Senate confirmed who would serve next. Each time, the incumbent chair continued to serve. No president has ever contested the arrangement.

The question produced a significant legal dispute only once. In 1978, when the confirmation of Arthur Burnss successor was delayed by several weeks, the Justice Department and the Fed reached opposite conclusions about who had the authority to fill the gap.

Carter administration lawyers said the president had the authority to designate an acting chair from among any of the Feds seven governors, and Carter issued an order designating Burns as the acting chair.

But the Fed disagreed, and two senatorsincluding Banking Committee Chairman William Proxmireamplified the objections. They warned that a president who could designate acting chairmen could render meaningless the four-year term Congress had created for Fed chiefs to insulate them from political pressure.

Five years later, the Reagan White House mulled the same question when considering whether to reappoint then-Chairman Paul Volcker. A 28-year-old White House lawyer named John Robertsnow the chief justice of the Supreme Courtwrote a memo for his bosses that agreed in part with the Carter administration position.

But Roberts imposed a critical limit: The president could designate an acting chair only for a short period, in an emergency, and only if a nominee was pending before the Senate or about to be submitted. An open-ended designation without a pending nomination, Roberts concluded, would conflict with the constitutional requirement of Senate confirmation.

There is pertinent case law to the effect that the President cannot appoint acting officers in the face of statutes requiring Senate confirmation, in the absence of an emergency situation, Roberts wrote.

The Carter administrations position is also weaker today than when it was written. When the Justice Department issued its view in January 1978, the president could designate any sitting governor as chair without Senate approval. A law Congress passed in 1977, which took effect in 1979, changed that. It required the chair to be separately confirmed by the Senate.

That change significantly undercuts the argument that the president could bypass the Senate by designating an acting chair, said Scott Alvarez, former general counsel at the Fed.

The legal landscape has shifted further against the executive branch since then. Congress in 1998 passed the Federal Vacancies Reform Act, which laid out the exclusive circumstances under which the president can temporarily fill agency leadership positions. It specifically excluded multimember independent commissions like the Fed.

Last year, federal courts in Washington ruled in three separate cases that the president likely lacks inherent constitutional authority to designate acting principal officers without Senate confirmation.

I think itd be very hard for the White House to win this one, said Alvarez.

A legal challenge could also backfire on Trump. Powell hasnt hidden from current and former colleagues that he would like to leave the Fed when his term as chair ends. But he has also implied that he wouldnt resign his seat on the board if doing so would hand the administration a weapon to further damage the central banks independence.

In other words, Powell and Trump want the same thingfor Powell to leave. But the presidents approach could drive Powell to stay. A White House attempt to wrest control of the chairmanship during any vacancy would make it far more likely that Powell remains on the board as a governora seat he can hold until January 2028.

Moreover, even if the White House succeeded in bypassing the Senate to install someone other than Powell as the boards leader, it might not achieve the outcome it wants. The Feds rate-setting body, the Federal Open Market Committee, elects its own chair every year. Powell currently holds that position, and it would take an affirmative vote of the committee to replace him before his term in that role expires in January.
Kolkata: Md Ahmed Hossain, a government high school teacher in Murshidabad, has been assigned a poll duty in this assembly election in West Bengal. Hussain, 59, will be the first polling official in the upcoming assembly elections in West Bengal in Murshidabad, where he works.

Hossain has already received official intimation of his poll duty. But as he prepares for it, he faces a bigger worry. Despite voting in every previous Assembly election, Hossain may not be able to vote this time. Days after his assignment by the poll panel, Hossain discovered that his name had been removed from the voter list, despite valid documents, including service records and earlier voter ID cards.

I do not understand why my name has been deleted. I had submitted all my documents, Hossain, who is an assistant teacher at Natungram High School in Murshidabad, told LiveMint in Kolkata.

On 14 April, Roy was among the hundreds of residents of Bengal who assembled at a mass gathering against SIR deletions in Kolkatas Park Circus. The protest was organised by Voteadhikar Rokkha Mancha, a citizens movement against the exclusion of names.

91 lakh deletions in West Bengal Hossain is among the over 91 lakh deletions in West Bengal whose names have been removed from the electoral rolls ahead of elections. The state's voters have shrunk almost 12%, from 7.66 crore electors in October 2025 to 6.75 crore now. And the burden of proof is on the voters. West Bengal had 7.34 crore eligible voters in the 2021 assembly elections.

In the first list released in February, 58 lakh names were deleted, then around 6 Lakh more names were deleted. Later, from the adjudication list, around 27 lakh names were deleted, as per the final Supplementary List released on 31 March, a month after the adjudication process began.

Hossain is among the 27 lakh names whose fate would now be determined by tribunals, after the election, in all likelihood.

View full Image View full Image Mondal told LiveMint at the protest that he found his name in the under adjudication in the preliminary final list published after on 28 February, category. ( Gulam Jeelani )

They have snatched my voting right this time, he says

Most of the assembly seats in West Bengal where maximum voters were deleted from the electoral rolls after the adjudication process are in the Muslim-dominated districts of Murshidabad and Malda, according to EC data.

What next? A voter needs to apply to have their name deleted within 15 days. The appeal window begins on the date of the individual's rejection. Offline appeals are submitted at the DEO office, which forwards them to the tribunals for hearing.

Have filed the appeal. But I am not the only one whose name has been deleted. There are lakhs and lakhs of them. I do not think that it can be undone and I will be able to vote. I feel disenfranchised, Hossain said. He is the only member of his six-member family back home whose name has been removed from the electoral roll.

Hossain said that he received the official notification of election duty on March 20. The letter from the Election Commission said he is expected to attend two training sessions regarding his duties as the first polling official at Kurmitola High School in Murshidabad.

Hossain told LiveMint at the protest that he found his name in the under adjudication category in the preliminary final list published on 28 February. And finally, on 31 March, Mondal found that his name had been deleted in the supplementary list.

Hossain is a voter in Sakona Village of Mangalkot Assembly constituency in Purba Bardhaman district, about 120 kms from Kolkata. The seat is voting on 29 April, the second phase of the West Bengal Elections.

The Election Commission of India (ECI)s SIR of electoral rolls has been conducted in 13 states and Union Territories. West Bengal is the only state where the poll panel introduced an additional layer of special adjudication, removing voters mostly on grounds of logical discrepancies.

Stark mismatch for citizens The Election Commission says the exercise is aimed at weeding out duplicate or outdated entries and adding genuine voters. SIR has triggered controversy and faced legal challenges since it was first held in Bihar in 2025. All political parties in West Bengal, except the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), had opposed the SIR. The BJP, on its part, insists that the process was a drive to sanitise the electoral rolls and remove illegal infiltrators from Bangladesh.

Experts have said that the sheer scale of voter exclusion is too large for tribunals to dispose of cases in years. Most of those whose names have been deleted after adjudication are from marginalised, minority communities,

They have snatched my voting right this time.

Sabir Ahamed, founder of SABAR Institute, a Kolkata city-based research organisation that has been analysing SIR numbers, told LiveMint during an interview.
As many as 12 million jobs, nearly half of Irans workforce, are at risk from furloughs or layoffs, according to Hadi Kahalzadeh, an economist and former official in Irans Social Security Organization. The disruption to the steel industry alone threatens more than 5.5 million jobs, along with another 1.2 million jobs at risk in petrochemical and pharmaceuticals, he assessed. Job losses on that scale will snowball into areas such as retail.
When you get to the bottom, it really does appear like theres not that much life, but thats because a lot of the life down there is much smaller than elsewhere in the ocean, said Amon, who has captured video of these areas with robotic submersibles. But small doesnt mean insignificant.
Meloni has always been part of the pro-MAGA European political group. But from the start, it was clear that this would never develop into a privileged relationship, not because of Meloni but because of the character of Trumps second administration, said Teresa Coratella, a senior analyst at the European Council on Foreign Relations.
NEW DELHI: A parliamentary panel has recommended that the government assess profitability before disbursing 28,840 crore over 10 years on Udan, the regional air connectivity scheme.

Udan, an acronym for Ude Desh ka Aam Naagrik, was launched in October 2016 and meant to make flying affordable for the masses, connecting smaller cities and towns with the national air network. Government subsidies are provided to airlines operating on these otherwise unviable routes, on flight tickets and to build infrastructure.

New Delhi has spent 9,000 crore from 2016 to January 2026 on Udan. The amount proposed to be set aside for the Modified Udan has been tripled to deepen regional connectivity and expand inclusive air access across the country.

The Committee recommends that the Ministry commission a comprehensive independent impact assessment covering cost per passenger on each route, route-wise viability metrics, the proportion of routes achieving self-sustainability The Modified Udan scheme design should incorporate lessons from this assessment, the panel said.

The report was tabled in parliament on 25 March, the day the Cabinet approved the Modified Udan Scheme. The panel is headed by Sanjay Kumar Jha, Janata Dal member of the Rajya Sabha from Bihar, and was constituted on 26 September 2025.

The Development Monitoring and Evaluation Office of Niti Aayog had called for proposals in 2023 to do a mid-term appraisal of the initiative. Details are yet to be made public.

The new scheme, which is yet to be formally launched, will provision subsidy for air tickets for five years. An amount of 10,043 crore has been proposed to support airline operators for 10 years. It will also develop 100 airports from existing unserved airstrips and other infrastructure such as helipads, airstrip renewals and water aerodromes.

Route reviews The 31-member committee said the impact on each Udan route should be periodically reviewed. It sought data on passenger demographics and said subsidies for routes should be rationalized based on their performance.

Routes with less than threshold performance could be restructured, as continued support without review could reduce the efficiency of the scheme, the panel said.

In the ongoing Udan scheme, one of every four routes is not operational. Udan has over 650 connections now. The panel cited the fifth phase where 160 of the 282 routes offered had no takers after six rounds of bidding. Over half of the routes in this phase are not operational.

Aggressive subsidization is not a substitute for demand creation. So, a performance review of existing routes, and why so many failed to generate or do not have demand needs to be seen. It makes sense to link subsidisation to outcomes, said Rajendra Prasad, an aviation expert and former director (airworthiness) at the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), the civil aviation regulator.

The absence of a structured exit strategy for unviable city connections meant that many Udan airports struggle with sustainability, the panel said.

Aggressive airport infrastructure additions have also faltered. Fifteen regional airports are temporarily non-operational and have no planes taking off or landing, as per submissions by the civil aviation ministry in parliament. The capex on these non-operational airports is close to 900 crore, or 10% of the schemes disbursals.

Udan airports face challenges with capacity utilization, the panel said.

You either create the infrastructure first and then wait for demand to pick up or you start building infra only when there is demand. And this is why you end up having an airport somewhere but no flights, said GS Bawa, secretary general of the Air Travellers Association.

The civil aviation ministry is yet to respond to queries from Mint.

Also Read | Budget 2024: Sharp cut for regional air connectivity scheme Udan

Few regional airlines Udan did create some appetite for air travel even in smaller cities, though there arent enough dedicated regional carriers, Bawa added.

Larger airlines continue to dominate Indias aviation industry.

Data from DGCA show that when Udan started, there were 12 scheduled commercial airlines in the country, including the then state-owned Air India, privately held AirAsia India, Vistara, Jet Airways, IndiGo and SpiceJet. Regional carriers  at least five in 2017  had less than a 1% market share.

In the ensuing years, another 10 carriers operated for certain periods of time till end-December 2025. However, at least 14 airlines folded up, including Jet Airways and GoAir and regional carriers FlyBig and TruJet.

India now has eight carriers. IndiGo, the Tata-owned Air India Group (including Air India Express and merged entities Vistara and AirAsia India), SpiceJet and Akasa Air have an over 98% market share. Some operate on regional routes.

There are four regional carriers  Star Air, Fly91, IndiaOne and state-owned Alliance Air  with less than 2% market share between them.
Jatin Grover

Jatin is based in New Delhi and writes on telecom and technology with a keen interest in policy and regulation. With over five years of reporting experience across Informist Media, Financial Express and now Mint, he has extensively covered the telecom, information technology, electronics and semiconductor sectors.<br><br>A commerce graduate, Jatin's work focuses on tracking industry developments, regulatory changes and policy decisions that shape Indias evolving digital ecosystem. Over the years, he has reported on key trends and shifts across these sectors, bringing clarity to complex policy and business issues.<br><br>Known for his strong news sense, Jatin focuses on breaking stories and delivering in-depth reporting that offers readers an understanding of complex topics, policy decisions and corporate developments. His work often examines the intersection of policy and business, highlighting how regulatory decisions impact industry strategy, pricing, and consumer outcomes.<br><br>He brings a strong domain understanding for Mint and his work is widely picked up by other media firms. With a focus on accuracy and depth, he aims to break down developments into clear, accessible insights for readers, while continuing to track emerging trends shaping the future of Indias telecom and technology sectors.
The war in West Asia has brought global investors to terms with bringing geopolitical risk into their calculations, no longer treating such shocks as infrequent tail risks. Despite fresh jitters shaking up emerging markets, India remains a major beneficiary of shifting capital as investors seek stability in the midst of the turbulence.

Keiko Honda, a board member at Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group (MUFG) and former chief executive officer of the World Bank Groups Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (Miga), said the current volatility is changing the way risk premiums are calculated. Investors are now weighing the probability of conflict directly against projected cash flows, a shift that favours Indias comparatively insulated state.

While Indias transition to a middle-income economy has made it less dependent on multilateral aid and more attractive for foreign direct investment (FDI), Honda warned that stability is only half the battle won. The continuation of capital inflows will depend more on corporate governance standards and the ability of boards to guide the company towards long-term value creation. India is seeing stronger investor interest, partly because its geopolitical risk profile is comparatively favourable versus regions like the Middle East or Eastern Europe, she said.

Also Read | World Bank embraces industrial policy, abandoning three decades of stigma

With aging populations stalling growth in Japan and China, Indias edge in demographics could provide an advantage. Her observations draw partly from her work with the United Nations Investment Management Committee, where population trends are closely tracked.

However, Honda said the demographic dividend needs to be accompanied by institutional strength and a corporate shift towards long-term strategy and sustainable Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) frameworks. The social component of ESG, she said, now effectively captures geopolitical instability, making it central to how investors evaluate countries and companies.

Boards should not micromanage management decisions. Their role is to provide oversight, strengthen governance, and ensure sustainable growth, she said.

She pointed to Japans ongoing corporate governance transition as a useful reference point. With a growing share of listed equities now held by foreign investors, Japanese firms are increasingly focused on improving transparency and long-term cash flows to attract global capital. The key lesson, she said, is that investors will commit large pools of capital only when companies can credibly demonstrate sustained value creation.

Also Read | SBI ties up with MUFG Bank to finance M&A, aviation and real estate deals

On Indias financial sector, Honda was upbeat, stating that multiple overseas financial institutions continue to study opportunities in the country. MUFG completed the acquisition of a 20% stake in the non-banking finance company Shriram Finance Ltd recently.

Honda was visiting India to deliver Exim Banks Commencement Day Lecture on the theme of Sustainable Investing.

She cautioned that even if current conflicts de-escalate, markets are unlikely to revert to the earlier equilibrium. We now know such extreme geopolitical events can happen. That understanding will remain embedded in future investment decisions, she said, indicating that risk premiums could stay structurally higher.
Srushti Vaidya

Srushti is a markets reporter at Mint. She writes on equity markets, and her areas of coverage range from brokers and exchanges to mutual funds and the fast-evolving alternatives space, including GIFT City, from the financial capital of India. She has an experience of over three years in journalism, and has previously worked at Moneycontrol. She has an undergraduate degree in mass communication and a postgraduate diploma in business and financial journalism from Asian College of Journalism, Chennai.<br><br>Srushti prefers meeting people from the industry over making calls. Her work aims to drive impacther story on illegal gold imports, for instance, caught the governments attention and contributed to a policy shift. She specialises in turning complex market data into clear, engaging stories so even her grandmother could understand futures and options.<br><br>Outside of the newsroom, she enjoys spending money on jewellery and watching thriller filmsespecially the kind that keep her awake at night. She spends 1.5 hours a day commuting in Mumbai locals, listening to horror podcasts on her way to work. Shes also very talkativeso reach out only if you have lots of time.
Ram Sahgal

Ram Sahgal is a deputy editor at Mint. He has over 20 years of experience in journalism, with previous roles at The Intelligent Investor, Bombay Times, The Economic Times, and The New Indian Express. Between his media roles, he briefly worked at a commodities exchange before returning to his true passion, business journalism. Ram graduated in liberal arts from St Xaviers College, Mumbai, where he studied films, which explains his move to Bombay Times, where he covered the film industry during the rise of Sunny Deol and Sanjay Dutt. He took a leap of faith to transfer to The Economic Times, and thanks to his restless mind, later moved to cover the commodities beat. Over the past three years, Ram has been tracking the stock markets at Mint. His focus areas include writing about market infrastructure institutions, brokerages, derivatives, and related regulations. His hobbies include spotting trains and understanding the locomotives that power them. In his free time, he takes his octogenarian mother out for drives and goes to the cinema with her on weekends. If he has a dream, it is to write a screenplay for a movie. For now, he enjoys viewing market data on NSE and BSE, observing the shifting mood of Mr Market, and conversing with market experts.
The Indian rupee opened 9 paise higher at 93.28 against the US dollar on Thursday, April 16, as optimism around a potential Iran ceasefire offered support, though gains were capped by persistent dollar demand from importers and companies with overseas borrowings.

After a recent rally driven by measures from the central bank, the rupee has largely stabilised around the 93 level, with intraday movements in recent sessions remaining limited to a narrow 3035 paisa range and openings generally subdued.

Analysts indicate that hopes for a prolonged truce between the US and Iran have diminished fears of additional geopolitical tensions, contributing to the stabilization of global markets. Nonetheless, persistent dollar purchasesparticularly from oil marketing firmshave limited further gains.

Also Read | Rupee opens 21 paise higher at 93.17 against US dollar

Though declining crude oil prices have offered some respite by reducing pressure on India's import expenses, this has been largely counterbalanced by hedging activities and consistent demand for the dollar, resulting in the rupee remaining within a fixed range.

According to experts, the Strait of Hormuz continues to remain a critical chokepoint for global oil supply, and any disruption could quickly reverse the current stability in prices. While diplomatic efforts are underway, the outcome of these talks will be crucial in determining the near-term direction of oil markets. Even if a ceasefire is achieved, experts caution that oil prices may not ease immediately, as supply chains and logistics will take time to rebalance.

They highlight that for an oil-import-dependent country like India, the equation remains straightforward: higher oil prices lead to increased dollar demand, which in turn puts pressure on the rupee.

Despite some easing in global concerns, domestic factors have added to the challenge. Indias wholesale inflation surged to 3.88% in March from 2.13% in February, exceeding expectations of 3% and marking the fastest pace of increase in over two years, reflecting rising cost pressures in the economy.

Rupee outlook Amit Pabari, MD, Research Team, CR Forex Advisors, said that while the immediate geopolitical stress has eased, the underlying risks havent disappeared especially with oil and inflation still in play. This creates a market that is calm on the surface, but cautious underneath.

USD/INR is likely to find a firm base in the 92.2092.50 zone. On the upside, the pair may gradually edge higher towards 93.5094.00 levels as the market rebuilds its directional bias, said Pabari.
Risky choices sowed the seeds

Let us understand what caused this crisis of confidence among mutual fund investors. First, they pursued a rather narrow approach to mutual fund investing that did not adequately build-in risk management. The fund choices were oversimplified, often limited to just one or two options. Those doing indexing ended up buying an overvalued index like the Nifty Next 50 and allocating too much capital to it. Thematic investing was also practised very aggressively by many DIY investors and the spate of NFOs in themes led to significant misapplication of capital post-2024.
In 2026, even as global and domestic markets, i.e., the Nifty 50 benchmark index, continue to swing under the weight of geopolitical tensions such as the USIran war and the RussiaUkraine war, and uncertainty around key trade routes like the Strait of Hormuz, one investment habit has quietly stood firm across the country. The habit of Systematic Investment Plans (SIPs).

While short-term volatility has shaken domestic sentiment and foreign investors have pulled money out, retail SIP investors have shown remarkable consistency, choosing discipline and devotion in investing over panic reaction. This steady participation highlights a growing shift in mindset: investing is no longer about timing the market, or emotion-based calls, but about staying invested through every cycle to build long-term wealth.

Furthermore, this consistency highlights the strength of rupee-cost averaging, where investors buy more units in downturns and fewer in rallies, reducing market timing risk, lowering average costs, and supporting long-term wealth creation even in uncertain conditions.

Mutual fund SIPs have remained a preferred choice even in volatile markets SIPs have remained the preferred investment choice in the country, even during volatile and weak economic periods. This can be traced in the growth in mutual fund houses' AUM and the month-on-month inflow data.

For example, according to recent AMFI data, SIP inflows in March 2026 hit a new record of 32,087 crore, up from 29,845 crore in February. Furthermore, equity mutual fund inflows rose 56% month-on-month to 40,450 crore despite volatility, geopolitical tensions and two simultaneous wars going on, one between Russia and Ukraine and the other in the Middle East.

Also Read | Axis Mutual Fund launches defence index fund; NFO opens 10 April

These numbers clearly reflect investor confidence, faith in the system, and participation in the nations growth story. Keeping these factors in mind, here is the detailed table of equity mutual fund inflows in March 2026.

Equity Mutual Funds' inflows in March 2026

Category Net inflow (in  crore) Multi cap funds 2,981.55 Large Cap Fund 2,997.84 Large & Mid Cap Fund 5,307.25 Mid Cap Fund 6,063.53 Small Cap Fund 6,263.56 Dividend Yield Fund -59.21 Value Fund/Contra Fund 2,155.55 Focused Fund 2,424.59 Sectoral/Thematic Funds 2,698.82 ELSS -437.34 Flexi Cap Fund 10,054.12 Total 40,450.26

Note: The data shared above is as of April 2026 and is sourced from the official website of AMFI.

Expert Views: Monika Halan highlights the importance of patience for investing In an exclusive conversation with Mint, financial educator Monika Halan added to these developments, emphasising that a disciplined investing approach is fundamental, saying, Markets move in cycles, but your emotions shouldnt. SIPs help investors stay disciplined and benefit from long-term compounding without reacting to short-term noise. But discipline needs a foundation, an emergency fund, and life and health insurance.

Thus, highlighting the significance of proper investment in health, emergency funds, and finances for an individual's holistic development. She further added, To build stronger financial habits and to stay consistent, you can also tune in to Unlock Your Financial Goals on Spotify

Her work and investor education series can be explored through Spotifys playlist, which focuses on helping listeners build consistent, long-term financial habits and awareness. The basic concept of effective wealth creation she discusses is to acknowledge and harness compounding by making fundamentally sound investments and holding them in your portfolio with patience.

How have long-term investors gained over the years? Compounding simply means reinvesting gains to earn further returns. A straightforward example of compounding can be seen in SBI Mutual Funds SBI Small Cap Fund, which has delivered returns of 17.62% (Regular) and 21.47% (Direct) since inception, according to its official website.

This showcases how long-term compounding in small-cap equities can significantly grow wealth. With time, such investments can also beat debt funds, fixed deposits and other asset classes. Keeping these factors and expert suggestions in mind, here are five reasons why mutual fund SIPs should remain a core part of your personal finances and investment strategy in 2026.

5 reasons why mutual fund SIPs should remain a core part of your personal finance strategy SIP investments are consistent, so investors do not need to worry about market timing. Over time, these investments can also outperform traditional asset classes such as fixed deposits, ULIPs, and bonds, subject to market conditions. There are immense benefits to rupee-cost averaging: you automatically buy more units when prices are low and fewer when prices are high, which lowers your average cost. This kind of investment strategy fosters discipline and composure. It ensures that emotion-based random decisions are eliminated. Further, with mutual funds, investors are taxed on long-term capital gains (LTCG) at 12.5% only when they sell their holdings, and only up to the first  1.25 lakh. When you stay invested for long periods, it helps compound and create long-term wealth. As the AUM of the mutual fund you have invested in continues to grow over the years. Even when markets are uncertain or affected by global events, SIPs keep your investment habit going steadily. This also facilitates long-term investment planning for oneself and one's family. It also fosters the establishment of sensible investment strategies. Given these factors holistically, mutual fund SIPs should remain a core part of your investment and personal finance strategy in 2026. Still, before you decide to invest in any given asset class or mutual fund, it is prudent to have a clear discussion with a certified financial advisor, so that your investments are backed by rational thinking and professional guidance.
(Bloomberg) -- The partial closure of a major landfill site on the Indonesian holiday island of Bali is forcing thousands of residents to instead burn trash in their yards, sparking widespread environmental and health concerns.

Suwung landfill, about 10 kilometers (six miles) northeast of Denpasar international airport, used to handle some 1,000 tons of rubbish a day. Authorities said it would stop taking organic waste as of April 1 as the site nears capacity and in an attempt to direct that matter instead to places where it can be composted or dealt with in a more appropriate way.

Organic waste such as household scraps, spoiled produce and leftover food from the islands hundreds of hotels and beach clubs was one of Suwungs biggest challenges. Once in landfill, it produces methane, a greenhouse gas that contributes to global warming. Organic waste accounts for about two-thirds of all waste produced in Bali.

But with few other disposal options, people have started burning the rubbish, or dumping more of it in rivers or along the roadside.

Almost every third or fourth house in my street is burning their own trash, said Ravinjay Kuckreja, a longtime resident of capital Denpasar. Obviously its small scale but it adds up. Neighborhood trash collection points are now overflowing, he said.

While the challenge is less acute in touristy areas where some businesses have private channels to dispose of their waste, the issues at Suwung only add to Balis growing rubbish crisis. Poor collection and treatment capacity on the island has led to serious plastic pollution in its rivers and coastal waters. Seasonal monsoons often exacerbate the problem by washing debris onto beaches.

Indonesian sovereign wealth fund Danantara has announced plans to build facilities that would burn waste to generate electricity in Denpasar, as well as in dozens of other cities across the archipelago. In Bali, the fund has partnered with Chinas Zhejiang Weiming Environmental Protection Co. to develop a facility thats expected to start operations by the end of 2027.

Bali Governor I Wayan Koster described Danantaras waste-to-energy project as a beacon of hope. But he said until such facilities come online, Bali is under siege by garbage, an irony for a global tourism destination that represents Indonesias image globally.

The islands local administrators are encouraging households to sort their own trash and compost organic waste to mitigate the problem until the incinerators are operational, although Koster acknowledged thats been difficult to enforce.

--With assistance from Prima Wirayani.

More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com
A face-off between the Central government and the Opposition parties erupted in the Lok Sabha over the introduction of womens reservation and delimitation bills. Three Bills  the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill to tweak the women's quota law; the Delimitation Bill and the Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill to implement the proposed amended women's quota law in Union territories of Delhi, Puducherry and Jammu and Kashmir  were introduced in the House, setting off a sharp political exchange between the Centre and the Opposition.

The showdown unfolded after Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav questioned the Centre's urgency over the women's reservation Bill and demanded completion of the census before moving ahead with delimitation-related proposals. In response to Akhilesh Yadav, Amit Shah said the census had already started in the country.

Akhikesh Yadav vs Amit Shah in Lok Sabha - Who said what Addressing the Lok Sabha, Akhilesh Yadav asked why the government was in such a hurry and why was it rushing for the women's reservation. He also asserted the party position that it was in favour of women reservation, but opposed to delimitation.

Also Read | Some states provide OBC reservation to Muslims for vote bank politics: BJP MP

The Samajwadi Party chief said, Why are you in such a hurry. Why is the Centre rushing for women's reservation? Start with the census first. Samajwadi Party is for women's reservation, but is opposed to the approach via delimitation. As soon as the census is done, we will ask for the caste census, and then the reservation issue will come. Hence, you want to do dhokha with us [cheat us]

We support women quota in legislature; but why not hold census, Akhilesh Yadav said.

Replying to Akhilesh Yadav, the Home Minister said, Census 2027 is on; we have decided to go for caste enumeration, asserting that a a reservation cannot be granted based on religion.

Amit Shah said, Akhilesh Yadav asked why the census is not being conducted. I want to inform the entire country that the census process has already begun. The government has taken a decision to conduct a caste census, and the enumeration is being carried out along with caste data.

If it were up to the Samajwadi Party, they would even assign castes to households. Dharmendra Yadav spoke about giving reservations to Muslim women. This is unconstitutional. Reservation based on religion is unconstitutional, he said.

The government has convened a special sitting of Parliament on April 16,17,18 to pass the amendment to the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam.

Speaking in Lok Sabha on the three bills, Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal said, The womens reservation bill was passed in 2023, providing for implementing its provisions based on census after 2026 and delimitation. There will be an equal, 50 per cent increase in the strength of Lok Sabha members, and this will translate to 815 seats, of which 272 will be reserved for women, which comes to one-third of the strength of the House. There will be no loss to anyone (states), and they will retain their strength.
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) said that an air traffic controller and SpiceJet pilots were derostered pending investigation in the Akasa Air-SpiceJet incident at the Delhi airport on Thursday.

On Thursday afternoon, a SpiceJet plane, taxiing towards the parking, hit an Akasa Air flight that was taxiing for takeoff.

Akasa Air said its flight QP 1406, operating from Delhi to Hyderabad, had to return to the bay, while SpiceJet was operating from Leh to Delhi.

According to PTI, the incident happened around 2.15 PM at Terminal 1 of the airport.

Akasa Air said in a statement that, according to preliminary information, its aircraft was stationary when another airline's aircraft made contact with it.

Winglet damaged Wings of the Akasa Air plane and the SpiceJet plane came into contact on the taxiway, resulting in damage.

In a statement, SpiceJet said its Boeing 737-700 aircraft was involved in a ground occurrence while taxiing at the Delhi airport, resulting in damage to its right winglet and the left-hand horizontal stabiliser of another aircraft belonging to a different airline.

Meanwhile, the DGCA said the winglet of SpiceJet's Boeing 737-700 aircraft, VT-SLB, taxiing in the allocated parking bay after operating flight SG 124 (Leh-Delhi), hit the Horizontal Tail Surface (HTS) of Akasa Boeing 737 plane positioned on the apron after push back for operating flight on the Delhi-Hyderabad sector.

Due to impact, RH winglet of the Spicejet aircraft and the HTS of Akasa Air aircraft were damaged, the watchdog said in a statement.

View full Image View full Image A SpiceJet Boeing aircraft clipped its right winglet after colliding with the wing of a stationary Akasa Air plane while taxiing at Indira Gandhi International Airport, in New Delhi on Thursday. ( DGCA )

Citing preliminary information, officials told PTI that the wings of both aircraft came in contact on the taxiway.

Details about the number of passengers onboard the two planes could not be ascertained. However, Akasa Air informed that all passengers and crew were safely disembarked, and our ground teams are making alternative arrangements to fly our passengers to Hyderabad at the earliest.

DGCA launches probe The DGCA further informed that it is investigating the incident.
Three bills to tweak the women's quota law were introduced in the Lok Sabha on Thursday, April 16. These are the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, the Delimitation Bill and the Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill.

The Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill seeks to amend six articles, including the one that expands the number of Lok Sabha seats from 543 to 850, and removes the provision that mandates delimitation after each census.

The Bills, which the Opposition condemned as a "trickery" and "political demonetisation," were introduced after a 40-minute debate on Thursday. After the fiery debate, the Opposition pressed for the division of votes to introduce the Constitutional (131st Amendment) Bill.

The Bill was later introduced with 251 members supporting it and 185 members voting against the introduction.

But, the main question is: Will these bills be passed in the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha, keeping in view the Opposition's strong protests against them? Here's how the numbers stack up in Parliament.

Lok Sabha The current effective strength of the Lok Sabha stands at 540. To pass the three bills, the government needs to get a two-thirds majority in the Lok Sabha. This means that all members are present during the voting; at least 360 MPs must vote in favour of a bill to get it passed in Parliament.

Now, here's how the NDA's and the Opposition's numbers look like:

1. NDA has 293 members BJP: 240 MPs

TDP: 16

JDU: 12

LJP-RV: 5 MPs

JD-S: 2

Janasena: 2

RLD: 2

AJSU: 1

Apna Dal-S: 1

AGP: 1

HAMS-S: 1

NCP: 1

RLP: 1

SKM: 1

UPPL: 1

2. Opposition has 234 MPs Congress: 99 MPs

Samajwadi Party: 37 MPs

Trinamool Congress: 28 MPs

DMK: 22 MPs

NCP-Pawar: 8

Shiv Sena-UBT: 9

RJD: 4

CPM: 4

AAP: 3

Muslim League: 3

JMM: 3

CPIL (ML)L: 2

National Conference: 2

NCK: 2

Kerala Congress: 1

MDMK: 1

RSP: 1

BAP: 1

ASP-Kanshiram: 1

Akali Dal: 1

AIMIM: 1

Independents: 7

How many 'Ayes' and 'Noes' for the three bills? As many as 360 MPs must vote in favour of the bill, but the government (293) does not have the absolute numbers to get the bill passed in the Lok Sabha. The NDA falls short of the 67 votes needed for the one-third majority. Meanwhile, more than 230 Opposition MPs have said they will oppose the bills.

Besides, seven Independent MPs and seven MPs who belong to parties such as the YSRCP, AIMIM and Shiromani Akali Dal, are yet to openly support the bills.

Earlier in the day, the Bills were introduced after the Opposition pressed for a division of votes to introduce the Constitutional (131st Amendment) Bill. As many as 251 members supported it and 185 members voted against the introduction of the bill.

There are some scenarios under which the bill can be passed in the Lok Sabha:

1. The bills, including the Constitutional Amendment Bill, could get approval from the Lok Sabha if at least two main opposition parties from amongst the Samajwadi Party, Trinamool Congress or DMK would have to abstain from voting.

2. If there is cross-party backing, meaning some of the Opposition or the independent members, cross-vote in favour of the NDA and the to pass the bill.

Also Read | Modi govt moves to increase Lok Sabha seats from 543 to 850

Rajya Sabha In the Rajya Sabha, the NDA has 141 members in its favour, which is 58 per cent of the upper house, and the Opposition has 83 MPs in its favour.

While the BJP has 107 MPs in the Rajya Sabha, the Congress has 28, TMC 13, AAP 10 and DMK 8. Parties such as the BRS, YSRCP, BJD, and BSP and independents have 20 MPs in the upper house, and their votes may help swing the decision.

According to PTI, for the Constitution amendment bill to get through in the upper house, the NDA needs the support of 163 MPs to be present and voting, which is a two-thirds majority of the house.
In Indias domestic market, petrol and diesel prices at state-run outlets remain steady today, even as aviation fuel and commercial gas prices continue to reflect earlier volatility.

As of 8:41 AM, retail fuel rates in major cities are unchanged.

Check fuel prices today:

Cities Petrol (  /litre) Diesel (  /litre) New Delhi  94.77  87.67 Bengaluru  102.92  90.99 Mumbai  103.54  90.03 Kolkata  105.41  92.02 Chennai  100.85  92.39 Hyderabad  107.46  95.70

Globally, oil benchmarks have pulled back from recent highs as markets look for a possible diplomatic resolution to the West Asia conflict.

Brent crude is trading between $94.75 and $95.60 per barrel, while U.S. WTI crude is hovering around $90.90 to $91.90. Russias Urals crude stands at $117.46 per barrel, down 2.78%.

Also Read | Oil slips despite Hormuz tensions as Iran-US talks offer hope

Overall, Brent prices have dropped about 10% over the past week since the initial ceasefire, though they remain roughly 44% higher compared to a year ago due to earlier price surges.

100% domestic LPG, PNG supply ensured amid West Asia crisis: Govt The Government of India ensured 100 per cent supply of Piped Natural Gas (PNG) and Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) to domestic consumers by prioritising their requirements amid energy disruptions caused by the ongoing West Asia crisis, ANI reported.

Speaking at an Inter-Ministerial briefing on recent developments in West Asia, Sujata Sharma, Joint Secretary (Marketing & Oil Refinery) in the Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas, stated that the government implemented several effective measures to stabilise the energy landscape and maintain essential services.

"As you know, due to the West Asia crisis, India's energy supplies were also affected. But the Indian government has taken many effective steps, due to which 100% supply has been ensured by prioritising domestic PNG and LPG consumers. Apart from this, CNG transport has also been 100% ensured," Sharma said.

Additionally, City Gas Distribution (CGD) companies were directed to ensure full gas supply to critical industries, while 95% of the natural gas needs of the fertiliser sector were fulfilled.

To curb market malpractices, authorities set up control rooms across all states and union territories. Monitoring teams carried out 2,100 surprise inspections, resulting in penalties for 237 distributors and the suspension of 58 others to prevent hoarding and black marketing.

"Finally, I would like to say to the citizens of the country through you that we have sufficient supplies available. And as required, LPG, petrol and diesel should be used," Sharma stated.

Middle East war: Tankers intercepted In the first 48 hours of the U.S. naval blockade of Iranian ports, no ships managed to pass through, according to the U.S. military. Nine vessels followed US instructions to turn back toward Iranian ports or nearby coastal areas, Reuters reported.

However, Irans Fars News Agency reported that a sanctioned Iranian supertanker was able to cross the strait and head toward Imam Khomeini port despite the blockade, though it did not provide details about the vessel or its journey.

Iran's joint military command warned it would halt trade flows in the Gulf, the Sea of Oman and the Red Sea - which connects to the Suez Canal - if the U.S. blockade continued.
(Bloomberg) -- At least two US-sanctioned, Iran-linked vessels made their way through the Strait of Hormuz and into the Persian Gulf on Thursday, taking what may be a new route from the United Arab Emirates even as a US blockade enters its third day.

Shipowners, energy traders and investors have been closely monitoring transits through the strait for indications of how Tehran and Washington are exercising control over one of the worlds busiest shipping corridors. Only a handful of vessels have crossed since the US began interdicting traffic  in large part because crews now have to clear not one but two navies to secure safe passage for themselves and their cargo.

Liquefied petroleum gas carrier G Summer made its way into the Persian Gulf by passing between Irans Larak and Qeshm islands late on Wednesday afternoon, ship-tracking data show. An empty tanker, it was broadcasting that it has Chinese ownership and crew  a frequent safety measure  while indicating Iraqs Khor Al Zubair port as its destination.

Very-large crude carrier Hong Lu  which, like G Summer, has been blacklisted by Washington over its ties with Iran  went through the islands shortly afterward. The VLCC, which can carry up to two million barrels of crude, isnt loaded and is now sailing west along Irans coastline. It briefly signaled Iraqs Basrah as a destination, but now indicates it is waiting for orders.

G Summer and Hong Lu arrived off Fujairah, in the United Arab Emirates, earlier this week, before moving northeast across the Gulf of Oman to the Iranian coastline on Wednesday, then northward into Hormuz  an unusually circuitous path.

A few hours before them, bulk carrier Rosalina took the same route, signaling it is heading to an Iranian port with food.

A small products tanker, Nobler, crossed eastward in the strait out into the Gulf of Oman a few hours later. It sailed just south of Larak island out of Hormuz, and is indicating Omans Sohar as a destination. The vessel had entered the Persian Gulf early February and has remained there over the course of the seven-week conflict.

Noblers departure from the Persian Gulf follows two Iran-linked container ships. On Wednesday, the Golbon and the Kashan appear to have left the Persian Gulf, hugging the coast of Iran as they head toward its border with Pakistan.

While the double blockade has not stopped traffic, transits have slowed to a trickle, and no laden Iranian oil tankers appeared to make their way out through Hormuz  an absence that puts a wartime flow of around 1.7 million barrels per day at risk, but could indicate a desire to avoid confrontation. Electronic interference and the practice of switching off transponders, however, mean not all passages may be spotted.

US Central Command said Wednesday that no vessels got through its blockade, and that nine complied with US forces instructions to return toward Iran. Tehran, meanwhile, claimed that one of its own oil supertankers had broken the US blockade. Although it didnt name the ship, it may have been referring to the Alicia, an empty US-sanctioned ship that made an inbound transit, passing Irans Larak Island on Wednesday several hours before Hong Lu.

Ship-tracking data compiled by Bloomberg show 11 merchant vessels crossed on Tuesday, though they averaged 16 over the weekend, before the US blockade. Thats relatively high for the weeks of conflict, but is still far below pre-war levels that averaged at about 135 a day.

G Summer is owned and managed by Hong Kong-based Seaport-Glory Marine Co. Ltd., according to database Equasis. There were no contact details for the company. The database did not identify Hong Lus manager and owner, a common trait of dark-fleet vessels.

Pacific Dream Shipping is listed as Rosalinas owner, but has no known contact details. It shares the same Monaco-based address as Sea World Management s.a.m., which did not immediately respond to an email and a call seeking comment outside of regular business hours.

Noblers owner, Ruisheng Ship Management Ltd., uses the same address as its manager, Qingdao Shengxiang Shipping Co. thats based in China. Qingdao Shengxiang didnt immediately respond to an emailed request for comment.

More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt on Wednesday dismissed reports that the US had formally sought a ceasefire extension. However, high-level diplomatic engagements with Iran remain active and, productive, and ongoing. She further added that the next round of talks are likely to take place in Pakistan.

"Bad reporting this morning that we had formally requested an extension of the ceasefire. That is not true at this moment," Leavitt said during a press briefing.

She added that the US remains engaged in continuous diplomatic discussions. "We remain very much engaged in these negotiations, in these talks. You heard from the Vice President and the President this week that these conversations are productive and ongoing, and that's where we are right now," she said.

Leavitt further indicated that the US administration remains cautiously optimistic about the direction of the talks. "We feel good about the prospects of a deal. The President mentioned that in his interview yesterday," she noted, adding that Iran had been made aware of the US' negotiating position.

Also Read | Dollar drifts as investors gauge odds for renewed US-Iran peace talks

"It is in the best interest of Iran to meet the President's demands. I think he's made his red lines in these negotiations very clear to the other side. We are continuing to see how these conversations go," she said.

The statement comes against the backdrop of intensified diplomatic engagement involving regional and global players, as efforts continue to bring stability after weeks of conflict.

About the venue of next possible talks, she said, "They would very likely be in the same place as they were last time...They (Pakistan) are the only mediator in this negotiation, while there have been many countries around the world that want to offer their help. The President feels it's important to continue to streamline this communication through the Pakistanis, and so that's what continues to take place

Amidst a fragile two-week ceasefire and a looming naval blockade, Pakistan's Army chief Asim Munir arrived in Tehran on Wednesday.

His high-stakes visit is seen as a final-hour attempt to resuscitate peace negotiations between Washington and Tehran after the "Islamabad Talks" ended without a breakthrough.

General Munir, accompanied by Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, was received by Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi.

His high-stakes visit is seen as a final-hour attempt to resuscitate peace negotiations between Washington and Tehran after the "Islamabad Talks" ended without a breakthrough.

According to Iranian state media and diplomatic sources, the delegation is carrying a specific new message from the United States intended to outline a framework for a second round of high-level negotiations.

This diplomatic push in Tehran comes as US President Donald Trump indicated that, while he is not considering extending the ongoing two-week ceasefire, a negotiated settlement remains the preferred path.

Also Read | Iran Used Chinese Spy Satellite To Target U.S. Military Bases In The Middle East

Speaking to ABC News' Chief Washington Correspondent Jonathan Karl, the US President expressed confidence that extending the truce would not be necessary, remarking, "I think you're going to be watching an amazing two days ahead. I really do."

Building on this sentiment, when questioned on whether the hostilities would conclude through a deal or the neutralisation of Iranian capabilities, Trump emphasised the benefits of a diplomatic resolution.

"It could end either way, but I think a deal is preferable because then they can rebuild," he stated, adding that "no matter what, we took out the radicals."

The urgency for such a breakthrough was further highlighted by Trump's suggestion that additional talks could materialise within the next 48 hours.
Novo Nordisk has added around 2,000 employees so far this year as it reshapes its workforce following sweeping layoffs in 2025, according to a Bloomberg report.

Shift from cuts to targeted hiring The hiring marks a strategic shift for the Danish drugmaker, which ended last year with roughly 7,800 fewer employees after implementing its largest-ever round of job cuts under Chief Executive Officer Mike Doustdar. The layoffs were part of a broad restructuring effort aimed at streamlining operations and redirecting resources toward faster-growing segments, particularly its blockbuster diabetes and obesity drug portfolio.

According to Bloomberg, the latest recruitment drive reflects a more targeted approach to workforce planning, with Novo Nordisk focusing on strengthening capabilities in priority areas rather than pursuing across-the-board expansion. The company is said to be hiring in functions aligned with its long-term growth strategy, even as it maintains tighter cost controls following last years reductions.

The restructuring comes at a time when Novo Nordisk is navigating market dynamics, including rising global demand for weight-loss treatments and intensifying competition from rivals developing similar therapies. Its obesity drugs, which have seen surging demand in recent years, remain central to its growth ambitions, prompting the company to realign its workforce to better support production, research, and commercialization efforts.

Balancing efficiency with growth Bloomberg reported that the companys workforce overhaul is part of Doustdars broader push to improve efficiency while ensuring that Novo Nordisk remains competitive in a rapidly evolving pharmaceutical landscape. By trimming roles in some areas and expanding in others, the company appears to be recalibrating its organisational structure to match changing business priorities.

While the company has not disclosed a detailed breakdown of where the job cuts and new hires are concentrated, the scale of both the layoffs and subsequent hiring underscores the depth of the transformation underway. The reduction of nearly 7,800 roles last year represented a major departure from Novo Nordisks traditionally steady headcount growth, signalling a willingness to take more aggressive steps to protect margins and optimise operations.

At the same time, the addition of 2,000 employees this year suggests that the company is entering a new phase of its restructuring, one focused on selective investment rather than broad retrenchment. Analysts say such moves are common among large pharmaceutical companies seeking to balance cost discipline with the need to sustain innovation and meet rising demand in key therapeutic areas.

The developments highlight the challenges facing global drugmakers as they adapt to changing healthcare needs, pricing pressures, and increased competition. For Novo Nordisk, the dual approach of cutting and hiring reflects an effort to remain agile while doubling down on its core strengths in chronic disease treatment.

Industry observers note that the companys recalibration also mirrors a wider trend across the pharmaceutical sector, where firms are increasingly reallocating talent toward high-value therapies and digital capabilities. This shift often involves difficult trade-offs, including workforce reductions in legacy or lower-growth areas, even as hiring accelerates in more strategic divisions.
Today, in the Quote of the Day, we delve into one of the famous sayings by an American author, poet and civil rights activist, Maya Angelou: You may not control all the events that happen to you, but you can decide not to be reduced by them.

The line appears at the beginning of Angelou's third book of essays, 'Letter to My Daughter'. The whole stanza goes as follows:

You may not control all the events that happen to you, but you can decide not to be reduced by them. Try to be a rainbow in someones cloud. Do not complain. Make every effort to change things you do not like. If you cannot make a change, change the way you have been thinking. You might find a new solution.

About Maya Angelou Maya Angelou is a renowned African-American poet and author. Born a Marguerite Annie Johnson in St. Louis, Missouri, Maya Angelou (1928-2014) was an American civil rights activist, memoirist, and poet.

She is best known for her autobiography 'I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings' (1969), which was nominated for the National Book Award. The book describes her life until the age of 17, exploring her experiences.

Her six other autobiographical books are: Mom & Me & Mom (Random House, 2013); Letter to My Daughter (Random House, 2008); All God's Children Need Traveling Shoes (Random House, 1986); The Heart of a Woman (Random House, 1981); Singin' and Swingin' and Gettin' Merry Like Christmas (Random House, 1976); and Gather Together in My Name (Random House, 1974).

She is also well-known for her poetry. Among her volumes of poetry are A Brave and Startling Truth; Wouldn't Take Nothing for My Journey Now; I Shall Not Be Moved; Shaker, Why Don't You Sing?; Oh Pray My Wings Are Gonna Fit Me Well; and Just Give Me a Cool Drink of Water 'fore I Diiie, which was nominated for the Pulitzer Prize.

Throughout the Civil Rights Movement, she also worked closely with influential figures, including Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X, according to the information on the Duquesne University.

She was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2010, and became the first Black woman featured on US quarters.

According to reports, Angelou died on May 28, 2014, in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, where she had served as Reynolds Professor of American Studies at Wake Forest University since 1982. She was eighty-six.

Meaning of the Quote

"You may not control all the events that happen to you, but you can decide not to be reduced by them.  Maya Angelou, Letter to My Daughter

By saying this, Angelou argues that identity is not defined by circumstances but by response. She emphasises that while external events are often outside your control, you retain the inner power to choose your response and maintain your integrity.

Angelou's idea also seems to highlight one's ability to adapt, grow, or maintain functioning despite adversity, and maintain purpose, dignity, and hope despite hardship.

The quote also reflects a key cognitive-behavioural principle: You cannot always change events, but you can change interpretation

The word "reduced" in the quote makes a significant impact. Angelou rejects letting events define self-worth or internalising victimhood. She draws a firm boundary between experience and identity.

This perspective is deeply rooted in Maya Angelous own life. She grew up in a deeply racist and segregated America, but she refused to let these experiences diminish her sense of self.

Instead, she channelled them into art and advocacy. She reclaimed her voice through literature and mentorship; became a poet, writer, and performer. She was not untouched by eventsbut she refused to let them define her identity.

The quote reflects this ethos  resilience not as passive endurance, but as an active, conscious refusal to be diminished. It is about reclaiming power, even in moments when circumstances feel overwhelming.
US President Donald Trump on Thursday (April 13) said Iran has agreed to abandon its pursuit of nuclear weapons, calling it a major breakthrough in the ongoing standoff.

The big thing we have to do is we have to make sure that Iran does not have a nuclear weapon, Trump said. They've agreed to that very powerfully.

He added that Tehran had also agreed to return enriched uranium buried deep underground following recent US strikes.

They've agreed to give us back the nuclear dust that's way underground because of the attack we made with the B-2 bombers, he said. So we have a lot of agreement with Iran.

Very close to a deal Trump struck an optimistic tone on negotiations, saying prospects for a deal were looking very good and progress was moving quickly.

I don't think we're waiting. I think we're moving very fast. It could happen pretty quickly, he said.

Its looking very good that were going to make a deal with Iran, and its going to be a good deal, Trump added, noting that talks could resume as early as the weekend.

However, Iranian officials have not publicly confirmed agreeing to such terms.

Ceasefire deadline and possible extension The current 14-day ceasefire is set to expire on April 22, but Trump signaled flexibility if negotiations advance.

If were close to a deal yeah, I would do that, he said when asked about extending the deadline.

While he expressed confidence a deal could be reached soon, Trump acknowledged that an extension remains an option if needed.

Pakistans mediation role The field marshal has been great. The prime minister has been really great in Pakistan, Trump said, adding he could travel to Islamabad if a deal is finalised.

If the deal is signed in Islamabad, I might go they want me, he added.

Military pressure and blockade continues Despite diplomatic progress, the US continues to maintain military pressure. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth warned that combat operations could resume if talks fail.

Wed prefer to do it the nice way or we can do it the hard way, Hegseth said earlier.

The US naval blockade on Iranian-linked shipping remains in place, with vessels reportedly turning away rather than testing enforcement.
US President Donald Trump said on Thursday (April 16) Israel and Lebanon have agreed to a 10-day ceasefire, describing the move as a step toward achieving long-term peace between the two countries.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump said he held discussions with Lebanon President Joseph Aoun and Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and that both leaders had agreed to initiate the temporary truce.

These two Leaders have agreed that in order to achieve PEACE between their Countries, they will formally begin a 10 Day CEASEFIRE at 5 P.M. EST, Trump wrote.

Talks held in Washington after decades Trump said the development followed a rare meeting between representatives of the two countries in Washington, D.C.their first such engagement in 34 years.

On Tuesday, the two Countries met for the first time in 34 years here in Washington, D.C., with our Great Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, he said.

US officials tasked with mediation Trump added that senior US officials had been directed to facilitate further negotiations aimed at securing a lasting peace agreement.

I have directed Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, together with the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Dan Razin Caine, to work with Israel and Lebanon to achieve a Lasting PEACE, he said.

This will be my 10th: Trump Framing the announcement within his broader diplomatic claims, Trump said he had played a role in resolving multiple global conflicts.

It has been my Honor to solve 9 Wars across the World, and this will be my 10th, so lets, GET IT DONE! he wrote.

Trump invites Israel and Lebanon leaders to White House Trump said he plans to host the leaders of Israel and Lebanon at the White House for what he described as the first meaningful talks between the two countries in decades.

I will be inviting the Prime Minister of Israel, Bibi Netanyahu, and the President of Lebanon, Joseph Aoun, to the White House for the first meaningful talks between Israel and Lebanon since 1983, a very long time ago, Trump said.

Both sides want to see PEACE, and I believe that will happen, quickly! he added.

Lebanese PM Nawaf Salam welcomes development Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam welcomed the latest developments in the country while extending condolences to families affected by the recent conflict.

In a statement, Salam described the moment as an achievement for Lebanon but acknowledged the heavy human cost.

While I congratulate all Lebanese on this achievement, I offer my condolences to the families of the martyrs who fell, he said.

Salam expressed support for those impacted by the violence, including the injured and displaced.

I affirm my solidarity with their families, with the wounded, and with the citizens forced to flee their cities and villages, he added.

Lebanon front remains volatile Even as diplomacy continues, fighting has intensified in Lebanon between Israel and the Iran-backed group Hezbollah. Israeli forces have stepped up operations in southern Lebanon, targeting areas including Tyre, Nabatieh and Bint Jbeil.

Israel has framed ongoing talks as part of a broader effort to disarm Hezbollah, while Lebanese authorities remain divided over engagement with Israel. Israeli troops have also advanced deeper into southern Lebanon, aiming to establish a security zone.

Pakistan steps up mediation Efforts to extend a fragile ceasefire in the Iran conflict gathered pace on Thursday, as Asim Munir met Iranian parliamentary leader Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf in Tehran amid intensifying diplomatic activity.

The meeting comes as international mediators race to prolong a two-week truce that has paused nearly seven weeks of war involving the United States, Israel and Iran.

Also Read | Trump Claims He's PERMANENTLY Reopening Strait Of Hormuz Just For China

US-Iran ceasefire under strain The conflict has killed thousands and disrupted global markets, particularly through shocks to oil supply linked to tensions in the Strait of Hormuz. While oil prices have recently eased on hopes of de-escalation, the economic impact remains significant.

The White House indicated that further negotiations could take place in Islamabad, though no final decision has been made. Pakistan has emerged as a key mediator after hosting earlier US-Iran talks that reportedly narrowed differences.

Despite the ceasefire holding, tensions persist, with a US naval blockade on Iranian ports and Iranian threats to disrupt regional shipping routes, including across the Red Sea.

Progress reported, but tensions simmer Officials familiar with negotiations said the US and Iran have reached an in-principle agreement to extend the ceasefire, though key differences remain unresolved. These include Irans nuclear programme, control over the Strait of Hormuz, and compensation for wartime damages.

Iran has indicated willingness to discuss limits on uranium enrichment but insists it must retain the right to continue the programme for civilian purposes.

At the same time, senior Iranian military officials have warned of escalating consequences if the US does not lift its blockade, including threats to halt regional trade.
U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent stated on Wednesday that the United States will not extend the general license permitting limited transactions involving Russian and Iranian oil, citing continuing geopolitical tensions, as reported by ANI.

India, a major user of these exemptions, had benefited significantly.

"We will not be renewing the general license on Russian oil and Iranian oil. That was oil that was on the water prior to March 11th. All that has been used," Bessent said during a media briefing.

Watch the video here:

The United States announced Wednesday it is tightening sanctions against Iran's oil industry as Tehran keeps up its closure of the Strait of Hormuz as part of the Mideast war.

The new punishment targets oil transport infrastructure by slapping sanctions on more than two dozen people, companies and ships that operate within the network of petroleum shipping magnate Mohammad Hossein Shamkhani, the Treasury Department said.

"Treasury is moving aggressively with 'Economic Fury' by targeting regime elites like the Shamkhani family that attempt to profit at the expense of the Iranian people," US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said in a statement, alluding to a financial pressure campaign against Iran.

Shamkhani is the son of security official Ali Shamkhani, an advisor to Iranian supreme leader Ali Khamenei, both of whom were killed February 28, the first day of US-Israeli attacks and the start of the Middle East war.

Iran has effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial route for global oil and gas shipments, in response to the ongoing U.S. and Israeli military campaign. In turn, the United States has initiated a naval blockade targeting Iranian ports.

The U.S. also claims that the Shamkhani network, operating across Iran and the United Arab Emirates, evades sanctions by using a network of seemingly legitimate consulting and shipping firms to manage its fleet.

Trump says Iran wants a deal Trump said Iran is willing to negotiate a deal even as the ongoing conflict continues to unsettle global markets and disrupt the economy.

The war has severely impacted shipping routes and damaged both military and civilian infrastructure across the region.

Despite the turmoil, oil prices have eased on hopes of a potential resolution, while U.S. stock markets on Wednesday surpassed their January highs.

I think they want to make a deal very badly, U.S. President Donald Trump said in an interview on Wednesday on Fox Business Networks Mornings with Maria."

However, the fragile ceasefire remains uncertain, with the United States continuing its naval blockade, threatening to cut off Irans key economic lifelines.

In a social media post, Trump also claimed that China has agreed not to supply weapons to Iran, amid reports suggesting Beijing had been considering such transfers.

However, the U.S. government has long accused China of supporting Irans ballistic missile program through the provision of dual-use industrial components that can aid missile production.
A military adviser to Irans Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, warned on Wednesday that Tehran would target and sink US vessels in the Strait of Hormuz if Washington attempts to police the strategic waterway. This comes as the US moves to enforce a military blockade in the Strait.

We would take thousands of hostages "Mr Trump wants to become the police of the Strait of Hormuz. Is this really your job? Is this the job of a powerful army like the US?" Mohsen Rezaei, a former commander-in-chief of Iran's Revolutionary Guards who was named as a military adviser by Khamenei last month, told state TV, as reported by AFP.

Long regarded as a hardliner even within the Revolutionary Guards, Rezaei headed the Revolutionary Guards from 1981 to 1997.

"These ships of yours will be sunk by our first missiles and have created a great danger for the US military. They can definitely be exposed to our missiles and we can destroy them," Rezaei noted.

Rezaei also said that it would be "great" if the United States launched a ground invasion of Iran as "we would take thousands of hostages and then for each hostage we would get a billion dollars."

He also added, without giving further details: I am not in favour of extending the ceasefire at all and this is a personal view.

Tensions between Iran and the US remain particularly high over Hormuz, a critical waterway for oil and gas thats been effectively shuttered since the start of the war almost seven weeks ago. The US has set up a naval blockade to cut off Iranian shipments, and said Wednesday that 10 vessels have been forced to turn around. Tehran is keeping the strait closed to most other traffic.

Also Read | Iran to execute first female protester linked to anti-regime demonstrations

The standoff has reduced transit to a trickle, exacerbating an energy supply crisis that threatens a major blow to the world economy.

Fighting between the US and Iran has been on hold since about April 8, shortly after a two-week ceasefire was announced by President Donald Trump the previous evening. An initial round of peace talks was held in Pakistan last weekend, though participants including US Vice President JD Vance departed without a deal.
Germany is weighing sweeping changes to its sick leave policy, including docking workers wages from the first day they call in sick, as the government looks to tackle one of the highest absenteeism rates in Europe.

Chancellor Friedrich Merz is considering proposals that would allow employers to cut pay for employees who take sick leave, while rewarding those who take fewer days off. The plan, first reported by Bild, is part of a broader effort to boost productivity in Europes largest economy.

High absenteeism driving policy rethink German workers take an average of 14.8 sick days per yearsignificantly higher than many European counterparts and more than three times the UK average of 4.4 days. The trend has raised concerns among policymakers and businesses, with absenteeism costing companies an estimated 82 billion annually, according to the German Institute for the Economy.

Officials say the high number of sick days is unsustainable, particularly as Germany faces economic pressures and slowing growth.

Proposed changes to sick leave rules Under the proposed reforms, workers could see their pay reduced from the very first day they report sick. At the same time, employees who take five or fewer sick days per year may be rewarded with incentives such as bonus leave.

The aim is to discourage workers from taking time off for minor illnesses like colds and instead encourage them to remain active in the workplace.

Merz, leader of the Christian Democratic Union, has repeatedly warned that Germany must increase its work output to maintain economic stability.

To put it bluntly: work-life balance and a four-day week will not be enough to maintain our countrys current level of prosperity, he said in a recent speech. We need to work harder.

Also Read | Saudi Arabia steps in with $3 Billion to help Pakistan meet UAE debt repayment
Mark Mobius, a veteran investor and a pioneer in identifying and investing in developing economies, passed away at the age of 89 on Wednesday, 15 April. The news of his demise was shared in a post on his LinkedIn page, attributed to his spokeswoman, Kylie Wong.

According to John Ninia, a partner at Mobius Investments, Mobius died in Singapore. He was a popular figure among traders and investors for travelling extensively and building first-hand insights in markets that were largely overlooked by others, Bloomberg reported.

John Ninia, Partner at Mobius Investments, and Eric Nguyen, Partner at Mobius Investments, will assume leadership responsibilities. The firm will continue to operate without changes to its investment approach or day-to-day operations, the LinkedIn post read, though it did not mention a cause of death.

Why was Mobius known as the Indiana Jones of emerging markets? Mark Mobius earned the nickname Indiana Jones of emerging markets because of his unusually adventurous, on-the-ground approach to investing, especially at a time when most investors avoided developing economies.

Like Indiana Jones, he was known for travelling into unfamiliar and often high-risk regions across Asia, Eastern Europe, Latin America, and Africa. He visited a dozen countries each year, and claimed to have travelled to at least 112 nations, according to Reuters.

As the executive chairman of Templeton Emerging Markets Group, where he worked for over 30 years, Mobius built a reputation for making bold, well-timed investment calls across global markets.

He correctly predicted the start of a bull market that began in 2009, capitalised on undervalued opportunities during the Asian financial crisis after Thailand floated its currency in 1997 and bought Russian stocks amid panic selling during a financial crisis in the country in 1998.

Also Read | Emerging-Market Assets Rally as Iran Ceasefire Spurs Risk Demand

Also Read | Emerging Market Currencies Waver in Countdown to Iran Deadline

Apart from profiting from crises, he was also one of the first institutional investors to identify Africa as a promising frontier market, setting up the Templeton Africa Fund in 2012, Bloomberg reported.

Having invested in emerging markets for decades, Mobius was actively eyeing new opportunities as recently as January. On Venezuela, he wrote, with (President Nicolas) Maduro's exit, we may see a new political and economic order and the country could be reopening to investors.

From education to personal life  All about Mark Mobius The veteran investor pursued a PhD in political science and economics from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1964. Upon completion, he took a job with International Research Associates, where he conducted surveys and other consumer research in Thailand and Korea for a year each.

After that, he ended up in Hong Kong, where he started his own industrial research consulting firm. Mobius has also written a dozen books on investing and economics, including The Investors Guide to Emerging Markets (1994) and Passport to Profits (1999).
Pope Leo XIV speaking during his Africa tour delivered one of his strongest condemnations yet of global conflict, warning that the world is being ravaged by a handful of tyrants. Addressing a gathering at Saint Joseph Cathedral in Bamenda, Cameroon, he said: The world is being ravaged by a handful of tyrants, yet it is held together by a multitude of supportive brothers and sisters.

The remarks come as the pontiff continues an 11-day visit to Africa, using his platform to advocate for peace and international cooperation.

Condemnation of religion used for violence Without naming specific leaders, Pope Leo sharply criticized those who invoke religion to justify warfare and political gain: Woe to those who manipulate religion and the very name of God for their own military, economic and political gain, dragging that which is sacred into darkness and filth.

He further highlighted the imbalance between military spending and humanitarian needs: Billions of dollars are spent on killing and devastation, yet the resources needed for healing, education and restoration are nowhere to be found.

Growing rift with Washington The popes comments come amid his ongoing disagreement with Trump administration over the US war on Iran.

Pole Leo has avoided naming Trump directly, but his repeated calls for peace have drawn criticism from senior US officials.

VP JD Vance, a Catholic convert, criticized the pontiffs stance: When the pope says that God is never on the side of people who wield the sword, there is more than a 1,000-year tradition of just war theory.

Vance suggested that the pope should refrain from political commentary and focus on spiritual leadership.

Pope rejects political framing Leo has maintained that his position is rooted in moral, not political, authority. Speaking to reporters earlier in the week, he emphasized his role: I do not see my role as that of a politician. I am not a politician and I do not want to enter a debate with him.

He reiterated his broader mission: I continue to speak strongly against war, seeking to promote peace, dialogue and multilateralism among states to find solutions to problems.

Also Read | Vance tells Pope to be careful on theology after criticism of foreign policy
US President Donald Trump said that Israel and Lebanon are set to hold historic' talks on Thursday, April 16.

In a Truth Social post, Trump said the move is aimed at easing long-standing tensions between the two countries. Trying to get a little breathing room between Israel and Lebanon, he said. It has been a long time since the two leaders have spoken, like 34 years. It will happen tomorrow. Nice!

This is the first time that the two sides have agreed to talk in over three decades.

Lebanon was pulled into the Middle East war on March 2 after Iran-backed Hezbollah attacked Israel. More than 2,000 people have been killed by Israeli strikes since.

On Tuesday, the United States hosted a trilateral meeting with Israel and Lebanon, marking their first high-level engagement since 1993.

Netanyahu spoke on Wednesday of two central objectives in the talks with Lebanon: "First, the dismantling of Hezbollah; second, a sustainable peace... achieved through strength."

Israel's cabinet met on Wednesday to discuss a possible ceasefire in Lebanon, a senior Israeli official said, according to a Reuters report. The Financial Times reported a ceasefire could be announced soon, citing Lebanese officials.

Ending the fighting in Lebanon was a key sticking point in earlier peace talks, along with how to deal with Tehran's nuclear ambitions.

What happened during the trilateral meeting According to the US Department of State, the talks focused on launching direct negotiations, with all sides expressing willingness to move toward a ceasefire, security cooperation and a broader peace framework.

The US backed Lebanon's plans to restore the monopoly of force and curb external influence, and hoped that the talks would go beyond the scope of the 2024 agreement and pave the way for a comprehensive peace deal, while reaffirming Israel's right to defend itself against continued attacks by Hezbollah.

According to an official statement, the US affirmed that any agreement to cease hostilities must be reached between the two governments, brokered by the United States, and not through any separate track.

The United States highlighted that these negotiations have the potential to unlock significant reconstruction assistance and economic recovery for Lebanon and expand investment opportunities for both countries.

Pakistan's Munir in Tehran to broker peace between US and Iran Pakistan's army chief Field Marshal Asim Munir arrived in Tehran on Wednesday to try to prevent a renewal of the conflict. A senior Iranian source told Reuters that he, who had mediated the last round of talks, would seek "to narrow gaps" between the two sides.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Aragchi posted on X welcoming Munir and said Tehran was committed to "promoting peace and stability in the region."

According to a Reuters report, US and Iranian officials were weighing a return to Pakistan for further talks as early as the coming weekend, after negotiations ended on Sunday without a breakthrough.

"We feel good about the prospects of a deal," White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said at a news conference on Wednesday, calling conversations mediated by Pakistan "productive and ongoing."

She denied reports that the US had formally requested an extension of a two-week ceasefire agreed by the two sides on April 8.
First, the country has the worlds largest youth population. Second, its growth model has been dominated by software services, and AI tools like Anthropics Claude Opus are getting exceedingly good at writing code and finding bugs. But the third and possibly the most crucial point is this threat to entry-level positions comes amid an alarming oversupply of college graduates.
Sometimes, the current crop of AI models seems almost capable of reading your mind. Unlike in programming or writing code, you do not have to specify very precisely what you are looking for, leaving no room for misinterpretation. The model will intuit what you want and fill in the missing details (though you had better always check them). Or, barring that, the interface will prompt you until you have clarified your query.
While this destruction is not a lie, he seems to be making a more fundamental error. Trumps definition of victory reveals his own idea of a doomed state projected onto the enemy. If Iran had killed Americas entire military and political leadership and destroyed its navy and missile capabilities, the US would have suffered a constitutional collapse. So, in Trumps apparent view, Iran must also be finished the same way.
There is also a fear of mental health becoming a crutch to fall back on if someone is unable to perform. Imagine you are up for a presentation. The team has worked on it for days. But on D-day, a colleague calls in saying they are having a panic attack and must miss the crucial meeting. You make a mental note to haul up the person only later, but for the moment you give other team members a pep talk and ask someone else to take over, knowing you are one person down.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah, along with Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal, is set to table the amendment to the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, 2023, at a special three-day sitting of the Budget Session beginning today, 16 April.

The Constitution (One Hundred and Thirty-First Amendment) Bill, 2026, along with the Delimitation Bill, 2026, will be introduced by Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal, while the Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2026, will be tabled by Home Minister Amit Shah.

Also Read | Modi govt moves to increase Lok Sabha seats from 543 to 850

The Law Minister is also expected to move a proposal in the Lok Sabha to suspend Rule 66, enabling the simultaneous passage of the womens reservation amendment bill and the Delimitation Bill.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to address the special session of Parliament this afternoon, news agency ANI said.

The Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, 2023, which provides for 33 per cent reservation for women legislators, is linked to the delimitation of Lok Sabha constituencies. The government is planning to implement the women's reservation ahead of the 2029 General Elections by bringing in an amendment to the 2023 Act and a constitutional amendment to delink the delimitation process from the 2027 census.

The government has proposed increasing the number of seats in the House to 850, with 815 for the States and35 for the Union Territories. The Lok Sabha currently has 543 seats.

While supporting the 33 per cent reservation for women legislators in the Lok Sabha and state legislatures, Congress, however, has opposed the proposed Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, 2026, to carry out the delimitation exercise in the Lok Sabha.

As the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, 2023, is linked to the delimitation process for the Lok Sabha, the government has proposed increasing the number of seats in the House to 850, with 815 seats

for the States and the remaining 35 for the Union Territories. The Lok Sabha has 543 seats at present.

INDIA bloc objected to delimitation Ahead of the special sitting of the Parliament, Congress held a parliamentary strategy group meeting on Wednesday at party president Mallikarjun Kharge's residence, 10 Rajaji Marg in New Delhi, to discuss proposed amendments to the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, 2023.

Also Read | BJP issues whip for MPs ahead of special extended Budget Session of Parliament

Along with Congress President, Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, RJD Working President Tejashwi Yadav, NCP (SP) MP Supriya Sule, Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut, Rajya Sabha MP Kapil Sibal, and other prominent INDIA bloc leaders, the meeting was attended by.

After the meeting, INDIA bloc leaders decided to oppose the delimitation bill pushed with an amendment to Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, 2023, to provide 33 per cent reservation for women legislators in Lok Sabha and state assemblies.

The Opposition clarified that it is not against the women's reservation and urged the Centre to implement Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, 2023 but objected to the delimitation process, which they believe weakens the representation of the southern and north-eastern states in the Lok Sabha.

A mischievous and diabolical move: Chidambaram Opposition leaders have flagged that the proposed Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, 2026, does not increase the Lok Sabha's seats on a pro-rata basis and will allegedly shrink the representation of southern states in the House.

Congress leader P Chidambaram on Wednesday called the proposed Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, 2026, for the delimitation of Lok Sabha constituencies, a "mischievous and diabolical" move, alleging that the representation of southern states in Parliament will shrink.

The apprehensions I had voiced in the last week have proved right. When the Lok Sabha's strength increases by 50 per cent, from 543 to 815, TN's strength will seemingly increase from 39 to 58. But this is an illusion, the former Finance Minister said.

This is a mischievous, diabolical move to radically alter the federal balance. This must be OPPOSED.

"When delimitation takes place, it will reduce to 46. Uttar Pradesh's strength will first increase from 80 to 120 and, after delimitation, it will further increase to roughly 140.""All the Southern States that have currently a representation of 24.3 per cent will find their representation reduced to 20.7 per cent. This is a mischievous, diabolical move to radically alter the federal balance. This must be OPPOSED," the Congress leader said.
Soon after the OnePlus Nord 6 launch, OnePlus is gearing up to launch yet another device in India. The Chinese smartphone maker announced on Thursday that it will be bringing the new OnePlus Pad 4 to India and shared the first look at the upcoming device.

OnePlus Pad 4 confirmed specs: OnePlus announced in a social media post that its flagship tablet is set to officially launch in India on April 30, 2026. The company confirmed that the device will be available via Flipkart, Amazon, and the official OnePlus India website.

View full Image View full Image OnePlus Pad 4

OnePlus Pad 4 design: The first look of the Pad 4 shared by OnePlus shows the tablet with a dark brown colour variant, which appears to be the Dune Glow model. The tablet will also come in a Sage Mist variant.

The design of the tablet seems very similar to last year, with the OnePlus logo at the centre and the pill-shaped camera module located in the top corner. The image also reveals that the position of pogo pins has been shifted from the bottom to the top, vertically opposite the camera module.

Confirming the change in a note shared by the company, OnePlus says that the Pad 4 will support a new smart keyboard and a new Stylo Pro for precise writing and sketching.

OnePlus Pad 4 display: OnePlus Pad 4 features a 13.2-inch 3.4K display with a 144Hz refresh rate and intelligent eye-care features for better reading at night. OnePlus does not confirm if the Pad 4 will use an AMOLED display or an IPS one, but if you look at the history of the OnePlus Pad lineup, it is likely that the company would opt for an IPS panel.

OnePlus Pad 4 battery and processor: The Pad 4 will be powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 processor with a claimed AnTuTu score of over 4.1 million. The flagship Qualcomm chipset also powers the likes of OnePlus 15, iQOO 15, and the Galaxy S26 lineup, aligning with OnePlus' policy of using the latest chipset for its top-end tablet.

Also Read | Zara owner Inditex reports major data breach exposing customer transaction

The tablet will come with up to 12GB of LPDDR5X RAM and up to 512GB of internal storage. It will come packed with a massive 13,380mAh battery with support for 80W of SUPERVOOC fast charging. In contrast, last year's Pad 3 came with a 12,140mAh battery.
Zara owner Inditex has said that the company suffered a data breach at a third-party company containing information on transactions with customers. The breach exposed information related to commercial transactions, Bloomberg reported.

What was leaked in the hack? In an emailed statement to Reuters, the Spanish retail giant said that the leaked data did not contain client names, contact information, passwords, or information on payment methods.

Also Read | Alibaba launches new AI model that turns text prompts into playable 3D worlds

The company also said that the security incident originated with a former technology provider and has impacted several companies operating internationally. Inditex noted that it immediately applied security protocols following the discovery and has started notifying the relevant authorities.

"Inditex's operations and systems have not been affected in any way and customers can continue to access and operate in complete safety," the company said in a statement, as quoted by French publication Economia.

"Given the high degree of digitalisation and technological integration of the business model, the eventual materialisation of incidents of a technological nature  derived, among other factors, from infrastructure failures, cybersecurity incidents, errors in applications or difficulties in interaction with technological third parties  could have a cross-cutting impact on the group's activity, affecting the normal development of operational and commercial processes," Inditex had said in its annual report.

Also Read | ChatGPT, Gemini and Grok confidently generate dangerous medical advice

Notably, Inditex is headquartered in Spain, which means the data breach falls under the purview of the European Union. The EU's General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) guidelines mandate that personal data breaches must be notified to the authorities within 72 hours, and heavy penalties can be levied on companies that fail to comply with the norms.

Founded by billionaire Amancio Ortega, Inditex is the world's largest clothing firm and operates major brands including Zara, Bershka, and Stradivarius. According to Bloomberg, the company recently reported fiscal year sales of 39.9 billion ($47 billion), with online transactions accounting for 27 percent of that total.

After the disclosure about the data breach, Inditex shares reportedly saw a slight 0.6 percent gain in Madrid on Thursday.

In other related news, GTA maker Rockstar Games had also recently announced a massive data breach linked to the notorious ransomware group ShinyHunters, which it said exploited a vulnerability in a third-party cloud analytics provider.
Nothing launched its Warp app for cross-platform file sharing on Wednesday. However, just hours after the launch of the app, it has completely gone off the radar: its listing on the Play Store is gone, as is the Chrome extension and the blog post by the company announcing the launch.

Upon opening the Nothing announcement post, one is greeted with an error message reading 'This page doesn't exist.' along with a picture of co-founder Akis Evangelis. While clicking on the Chrome extension link returns the message, This item is not available.

View full Image View full Image Nothing blog announcing Warp launch ( Nothing )

We have reached out to Nothing for comment on the sudden disappearance of the Warp app. This story will be updated if and when the company responds.

What did Warp do? Before its sudden disappearance from all digital stores, Nothing had positioned Warp as an "early community project" and indicated plans to build the tool further based on user feedback.

The AirDrop-like app allowed users to share files, links, images, and clipboard text from their Nothing Phone to devices running on macOS, Windows, or Linux. The company claimed the app removes the need for email, third-party messaging apps, or cables, allowing everything to transfer seamlessly in both directions within seconds.

For the app to work, users needed to install the Nothing Warp app on their phone along with the accompanying extension on their Mac, Windows, or Linux device. Nothing said that the feature required both devices to use the same Google account for the transfer process to begin.

The Nothing Warp menu, meanwhile, appeared directly in the Android share menu alongside options like Quick Share. The feature used Google Drive as a bridge where the data from both devices was temporarily transferred to the user's own Google Drive, meaning it did not travel to Nothing's servers.

Also Read | Google brings the Gemini app to Mac, Sundar Pichai says it was built by AI

Notably, this is not the first time that Nothing has pulled down an app from the Play Store. Back in 2023, the company had launched its Nothing Chats app to bring iMessage to Android. However, the London-based smartphone maker had to pull down the app within hours of its launch. The company later said in a post on X that the app was taken down to fix several bugs.
YouTube now gives users the option to remove Shorts videos from the app entirely, finally letting them get rid of the short videos that the company added in 2020. The new option was added by the company by quietly making a change in a Google support page, which gives a detailed guide on how to kill Shorts on your YouTube app.

The new option is an extension of the Shorts feed limit setting that Google had introduced in October last year. While users could only set the timer to a minimum of 15 minutes earlier, Google now allows setting this to zero.

Also Read | Google brings the Gemini app to Mac, Sundar Pichai says it was built by AI

As per a report by The Verge citing a YouTube spokesperson, the option to set the Shorts feed limit to zero is live for all parents, and is currently being rolled out to everyone.

After turning on the new setting, the Shorts tab won't show any videos and users will receive a notification stating they have reached their limit. However, for regular users this will work more as a polite nudge rather than a block, with the company still allowing users to dismiss the notification and keep scrolling even after their limit is reached.

However, for teen accounts that are managed via Google Family Link, the timer is non-dismissible, meaning if parents set the Shorts timer to zero, their kids will not be able to see any Shorts videos on their YouTube app.

View full Image View full Image YouTube Feed limit settings ( Google )

How to kill Shorts on the YouTube app? Open the YouTube app on your phone or any other compatible device.

Sign in to your account if you haven't already.

Tap on the You tab at the bottom right and then click on the Settings icon.

Click on the Time management dashboard icon and then tap on Shorts feed limit. If you have already received the new update, you should see an option to set the Shorts limit to zero. Click on that and you will be prompted with a system-generated message every time you try to watch a Shorts video.

Also Read | Claude AI outage hits thousands worldwide before full restoration
A San Antonio, Texas, Marshalls will host its grand reopening at the Rim on Thursday, April 16, 2026. It is relocating from the Fiesta Trails Shopping Center. Zachary Taylor-Wright/MySA

A popular San Antonio shopping chain will finally reopen one of its stores this week. It comes after a few hiccups disrupted its operation schedule. Massachusetts-based company Marshalls will welcome customers into its new store at the Rim on Thursday, April 16, per a press release. Its address is listed as 5811 Worth Parkway, Suite 109, placing it near tenants Five Below and Sun & Ski Sports.

Visitors can look forward to finding home decorations, shoes, beauty products, and other accessories across the roughly 28,000 square foot store. According to the business's website, it offers 20 to 60 percent discounts on fashion pieces. Boosting its budget-friendly reputation is its customer program, which helps folks earn rewards with each dollar they spend.

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On grand opening day, it will open at 8 a.m. and close at 10 p.m. Its regular hours are 9:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. all week. According to the press release, the spot will feature a single-queue checkout aimed at making trips faster for guests. Additionally, clothing will be "delivered daily" to the property to keep the vibe modern and trendy.

"At Marshalls, we hustle every day to bring the good stuff to stores for consumers," Nancy Carpenter, President of Marshalls, said. "With the opening of this store, we are excited to provide San Antonio shoppers with high-quality, brand name merchandise at an amazing value."

Plans for the Rim location were first revealed in January 2026, when the chain said it would be leaving the Fiesta Trails Shopping Center for a new adventure. There, it was neighbored by a La-Z-Boy and H-E-B, among others. A reopening date was initially scheduled for the latter part of that same month, but it was pushed back due to construction delays, a TJX Companies spokesperson previously told MySA.

A Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation filing shows the renovation cost investors about $1.5 million and began in June of 2025. It will become the 12th San Antonio store, creating approximately 60 full and part-time jobs in the area, according to Marshalls.

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Photos of the Consular Entrepreneurship Program for Mexican Women Abroad. Courtesy Photos/Consulado General de Mexico en Laredo Photos of the Consular Entrepreneurship Program for Mexican Women Abroad. Courtesy Photos/Consulado General de Mexico en Laredo Photos of the Consular Entrepreneurship Program for Mexican Women Abroad. Courtesy Photos/Consulado General de Mexico en Laredo

The Consulate General of Mexico in Laredo is accepting applications for a business development program aimed at helping Mexican women in the region start or expand their own ventures.

The Consular Entrepreneurship Program for Mexican Women Abroad, now in its seventh edition overall and fifth locally, is offered in collaboration with MileOne, a training and mentorship partner. The initiative targets Mexican women living outside Mexico who are interested in building sustainable businesses.

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Applications will be accepted through April 20. Participants must complete an online registration and submit a statement of purpose, with finalists selected through an interview process.

The program provides training in areas including business planning, marketing, finance and human resources, along with mentorship and guidance in developing a formal business plan. Organizers said the goal is to equip participants with practical tools to launch or strengthen projects in their communities.

The program is structured in four phases: online coursework, mentoring, business plan development and financial analysis.

Consul General officials said the initiative is intended to promote economic independence among women in the region.

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Entrepreneurship is a direct pathway to strengthening the economic autonomy of our community, said Juan Carlos Mendoza Sanchez, Consul General of Mexico in Laredo. We invite Mexican women in Laredo to take advantage of this program and move forward with their projects.

In the previous edition, six participants completed the program, with some receiving financial support and business development memberships to help grow their ventures.

The program is supported by organizations including MileOne, the Mexican Cultural Institute of Laredo and Coca-Cola Southwest Beverages.

The programs launch comes as MileOne prepares to host its Women Entrepreneurs Rock Series, which began Thursday and includes networking events, vendor opportunities and industry-focused discussions aimed at supporting women in business.

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Organizers said the event series will provide a platform for women entrepreneurs to connect with the community, showcase their work and gain practical insight  opportunities that could complement participants in the consulates program.
A U.S. Customs and Border Protection Office of Field Operations patch is visible on an officers uniform during a press availability Thursday, Dec. 18, 2025, at the JuarezLincoln Bridge in Laredo, Texas. Jose De La Rosa/Laredo Morning Times

A man wanted on a felony charge of sexual assault was arrested at a Laredo port of entry, according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

The incident occurred April 13 at the Gateway to the Americas Bridge when officers referred a pedestrian for a secondary inspection as he attempted to enter the United States from Mexico.

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During the inspection, officers discovered the man was wanted on an outstanding felony warrant and detained him.

The man was identified as Isaac Frank Perales, 49, a U.S. citizen from Rosenberg, Texas, who was wanted by the Rockport Police Department.
Mugshot of Ramial Adams, 31, arrested April 16, 2026, in Laredo, Texas, on three charges of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. Courtesy/Webb County Sheriff's Office

A man has been charged in connection with Wednesdays shooting at a McPherson Road business that left three people injured, according to the Laredo Police Department.

Officers responded at about 2:20 p.m. April 15 to the 9800 block of McPherson Road, where The Healing Clinic dispensary is located.

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Ramial Adams, 31, was charged with three counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, a second-degree felony.

An investigation determined that after an argument escalated into a physical altercation, Adams shot three men, ages 18, 36 and 55, according to police.

The three men drove themselves to Doctors Hospital, where they were treated and listed in stable condition.

The 36-year-old victim is expected to be taken to San Antonio for further treatment.

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The people involved knew each other and were business associates at the dispensary, police said.

Jail records show Adams was booked into Webb County Jail on April 16 and remained in custody as of Thursday morning.
AUSTIN  A night watchman who assisted with a chaotic, haphazard rescue effort at Camp Mystic during a catastrophic flash flood told a state district court Wednesday that more able-bodied adults could have helped evacuate campers and more children could have been saved.

Glenn Juenke, 58, a retired Houston police officer, was initially defensive when questioned about the doomed effort led by Camp Mystic owner and executive director Richard Dick Eastland in the early morning hours of July 4. He testified that no evacuation plans would have worked given the scale of the flooding. He insisted that he and camp leaders did everything possible to save children.

But by the end of a withering cross-examination, Juenke conceded that camp officials could have rescued more children if anyone had used a functioning loudspeaker or walkie-talkie radio to summon more able-bodied adults on the grounds to direct campers from their cabins to safer buildings.

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Juenkes testimony gave a more detailed description of a rescue effort that failed to save the lives of 25 children and two counselors at the Texas Hill Country camp on the south fork of the Guadalupe River, about 18 miles southwest of Kerrville.

Eastland, 70, was killed while trying to pull victims from the floodwaters when his Chevrolet Tahoe was swept away by high water and crashed into a tree.

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He and Juenke  along with Eastlands son, Camp Mystic Guadalupe River director Edward Eastland, 42  managed to evacuate some campers and counselors before the situation spiraled into disaster.

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But the three men didnt reach the victims in the greatest peril in time.

Other adults at Camp Mystic didnt know about or assist with the rescue effort. They included nurses at the camp infirmary, Camp Mystic Guadalupe River director Mary Liz Eastland, Camp Mystic head chef Richard Eastland Jr. and male college students staying on the camps grounds.

If we had taken one person who was not a counselor and gotten on a walkie-talkie or a loudspeaker at any point between 2:20 and 3:15 a.m. and said, We need to go to higher ground  go to specific cabins and evacuate the counselors and campers  there were enough able-bodied people there to follow such orders? True? asked Brad Beckworth, an attorney for the parents of 8-year-old Cile Steward, one of the campers killed in the flood.

Yes, sir, Juenke said.

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That order was never given, correct? Beckworth asked.

Correct, Juenke said.

And 27 girls died because of that failure, correct? Beckworth asked.

Yes, sir, Juenke said.

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Camp Mystic night watchman Glenn Juenke testifies during a hearing on a suit against Camp Mystic in the 459th State District Court in Austin, Wednesday, April 15, 2026. Mikala Compton/Austin American-Statesman

The exchange occurred during a hearing focused on a temporary injunction that Stewards parents, Will and CiCi Steward, won last month against Camp Mystic. That injunction temporarily prohibits the Camp Mystic Guadalupe River campus, where the deaths occurred, from being used for any purpose so that evidence relevant to the Stewards lawsuit may be preserved.

The Stewards are suing Camp Mystic, the Eastland family and other defendants for their daughters death. Theyve raised claims of negligence, gross negligence, premises liability and intentional infliction of emotional distress.

Cile Stewards remains still havent been found. A search for her body is continuing more than nine months after the disaster.

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State District Judge Maya Guerra Gamble convened this weeks court hearing to consider whether to modify, narrow or toss that temporary injunction, which she granted last month.

'They were gone instantly'

Juenke was on duty as Camp Mystics night watchman when rain began falling there after midnight on July 4. The thunderstorm quickly grew serious, prompting Dick Eastland to leave his private residence on the camps grounds and go to the Guadalupe River campus, where the victims were asleep in their cabins.

Eastland then summoned his son, Edward, to the camps office around 1:45 a.m. to help secure canoes and waterfront equipment.

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The three men discussed how to respond to the storm.

After a woman working at Camp Mystics gatehouse called for help on a walkie-talkie shortly before 3 a.m., they realized conditions were worsening. The three men then drove some campers and counselors in their trucks to safety at the recreational hall. Some guests ran there on foot.

It was lightning, thunder and rain, Juenke said. I was really concerned about kids being struck by lightning  because the storm was right on top of us.

But other campers and counselors remained in their cabins, following the camps policy to shelter in place during a flood.

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By the time the three men tried to help campers in the Bubble Inn and Twins I and II cabins, many could no longer be rescued due to the dangerous conditions.

As the men approached those cabins, the storm had grown so loud that Juenke said he could barely hear what Dick Eastland was saying.

Juenke evacuated girls in the Giggle Box cabin before going to another cabin known as Wiggle Inn, which housed 9-year-old girls.

I almost didnt make it because the water was so swift, he said. The water was coming straight down the road.

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Most of the girls were outside standing on the patio. Jueneke steered them inside and told them to get on air mattresses.

When he tossed heavy camping trunks outside open windows, it was like the Schlitterbahn tube chute  they were gone instantly, he said.

The water eventually was over his head.

Juenke remained at the Wiggle Inn with campers and counselors, possibly for as long as two and a half hours. All survived, following every order he gave them.

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Juenke said Dick Eastland headed over to Bubble Inn and was using his Chevrolet Tahoe to try to evacuate children there. Juenke said he may have called out to Eastland at some point not to put children inside the vehicle, but said he wasnt sure if Eastland heard him.

Eastland was eventually swept away in his vehicle and killed, along with several campers inside his Tahoe.

Everyone who had been staying in the Bubble Inn cabin  13 campers and two counselors  died.

Edward Eastland had ventured on foot to the Twins I and II cabin, where Steward was staying. He tried to rescue campers and counselors, but he also was eventually swept away by high water. One child was clinging to his neck. He later made it to safety in a tree, where he and several campers waited for help until they were rescued just before daybreak.

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Despite his efforts, 11 campers in the Twins I and II cabin died.

Another camper, Greta Toranzo, 10, of Houston, died when she halted her evacuation effort and went back to the Jumble House cabin to retrieve her pillow, testimony established.

Initially, Juenke disputed Beckworths claims that the Eastlands didnt have an evacuation plan.

You keep saying that, he said. Thats not true.

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The family, he argued, could have had a million different evacuation plans, and nothing would have worked.

By the end of his testimony, however, Juenke appeared resigned to the criticism.

In other testimony, the woman serving as Camp Mystics chief health officer and a co-director of the Guadalupe River campus said she didnt call 911 or deploy her nursing staff to help evacuate campers when rising water cut off some parts of the Texas Hill Country retreat.

Mary Liz Eastland, 42, who was at her private residence on Camp Mystics grounds as the weather rapidly deteriorated, acknowledged during her testimony that she could have done more to alert campers of the danger.

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Eastland and her four children left home for higher ground as the water surged higher.

She remained stoic and deadpan for much of her testimony, but briefly became tearful as she described the disaster that took her family by surprise.

Those nurses would have come to the aid of Cile if you would have called and woken them up, right? asked Christina Yarnell, another attorney for the Stewards.

Maybe so, Eastland responded stoically.

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Would Cile Steward still be alive if you had made that phone call? Yarnell pressed.

I dont know, Eastland said dryly, prompting Stewards tearful mother to shake her head slowly.

Yarnell then referred to Eastlands 34 years of experience at Camp Mystic as a camper, counselor, director and nurse.

It is difficult to me to hear that its been 34 years that youve been there, and you did this little to help save these children that were under your care, Yarnell said. These were first-year campers. You had 34 more years of experience than Cile. She needed your help and you abandoned her, didnt you?

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After a pause of at least five seconds, Eastland appeared defeated.

Yes, she said bluntly.

Mary Liz and Edward Eastland both testified this week that they were not aware of alerts that the National Weather Service and Texas Department of Emergency Management had sent out for two days reporting the potential for heavy rainfall and flooding in the area.

Clashing attorneys

Also Wednesday, Beckworth asked another witness, Britt Eastland, an attorney and one of the directors of the separate Camp Mystic Cypress Lake campus, if he'd overheard a dispute between the opposing attorneys after court had adjourned Tuesday.

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Beckworth asked Eastland if he was aware that one of Camp Mystics appellate lawyers, Houston attorney Thomas C. Wright, insulted him during the argument.

Beckworth said he approached opposing counsel to ask that Camp Mystic attorney Jeff Ray talk with him and Yarnell before questioning their integrity.

Ray did not take part in the dispute.

Beckworth claimed that as he argued with other attorneys representing Camp Mystic and the Eastlands, Wright told him and Yarnell they would burn in hell. Beckworth said the insult was lobbed in front of his 22-year-old daughter, who was visiting the courtroom.

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Will and CiCi Steward also witnessed the exchange with apparent concern, which ended after Yarnell led Beckworth away from opposing counsel and out of the courtroom.

The judge had already left the courtroom and did not witness the dispute.

I got it all on video, Beckworth said in court Wednesday. Is that the kind of conduct that Camp Mystic is responsible for in a proceeding where we are simply asking to preserve evidence so we can figure out what happened and get to the search for truth? Thats my question.

Attorneys for Camp Mystic and the Eastlands objected to the question.

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Did this happen in my courtroom? This conversation? the judge asked all the attorneys present.

Beckworth told her yes.

I believe in March I explicitly told all of the lawyers who were present that all the rules that apply when Im in the courtroom apply when I step out of the courtroom, Guerra Gamble said from the bench. Does everyone remember that? So I dont know what happened ... But any amount of that conversation would be against the rules in this courtroom, whether Im here or Im not here. Thats what bothers me the most right now.

I really dislike all of this. Because it doesnt have anything to do with what were here trying to work out.

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The judge asked Britt Eastland if he heard the dispute between the attorneys. Eastland said he heard what Beckworth said, but that he did not hear Wrights response.

Were not going to ask this question of this witness, the judge told Beckworth. Were going to move on.

Later in the day, Wright asked the judge if he could provide her more information about the dispute.

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Ariana Grande will star in the fourth installment of the "Meet the Parents" franchise, "Focker-in-Law, due out in theaters this Thanksgiving. Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic

The Fockers are back, and 26 years after Greg Focker wasnt sure if the family of the love of his life, Pam Burns, was going to allow him to marry their daughter, more nuptials are in the familys future.

Focker-in-Law, the fourth installment of the Meet the Parents franchise, will hit theaters this Thanksgiving and reunites the cast from the original 2000 film, and making her way into the cast after a successful run with the Wicked films is Ariana Grande. Ben Stiller, Robert De Niro, Teri Polo, Blythe Danner and Owen Wilson have all been confirmed for the new film, but Dustin Hoffman and Barbara Streisand  who played Stillers on-screen parents in the second movie of the franchise, Meet the Fockers  have not.

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Grande joins the franchise as Olivia Jones, a triathlete whom Stiller previously teased will be linked to his fictional son, People writes. In the trailer, the Wicked Oscar nominee can be seen in the hot seat, continuing the Focker family tradition of being interviewed while strapped to a lie detector test. You clearly know your stuff, De Niros impressed Jack tells his grandson Henrys (Skyler Gisondo) would-be wife.

Also joining the cast is Beanie Feldstein, sister of actor Jonah Hill, who recently starred in the latest season of Only Murders in the Building, an episode of CBSs Elsbeth, and most notably as Monica Lewinsky in American Crime Story: Impeachment.

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The other films in the Meet the Parents franchise include:

Meet the Parents

Meet the Fockers

Little Fockers
Honda Odyssey models from years 2018 to 2022 are being recalled for faulty airbags. Bill Pugliano/Getty Images

Nearly half a million minivans are being recalled by Honda because side airbags may deploy with slight impact, such as a speed bump or a pot hole. The Japanese automaker is recalling about 440,000 Honda Odyssey minivans between year models 2018 and 2022.

According to multiple reports, including Car and Driver, a fellow Hearst publication, the faulty airbags have resulted in 25 injuries.

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Honda says the problem stems from an airbag module with an overly sensitive deployment threshold, Car and Driver writes. The incorrect calibration means that harsh underbody impacts like those often caused by running over potholes, speed bumps, or road debris, for example, can provoke the minivans side curtain or side airbags to go off without any warning.
Anthony Jarrett, NEISD Interim Superintendent, listens during a meeting Monday, Feb. 9, 2026, in San Antonio. Jarrett said the district lost 2,000 students this school year. Charlie Blalock/Contributor/Contributor

This story was updated to add new information.

After North East Independent School Districts enrollment dropped by 2,000 students this year, the district will open enrollment to families across the city and consider campus closures in the fall.

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Trustees voted Monday night on phase one of an efficiency plan, allowing students living anywhere in San Antonio to attend district campuses. Applications to attend NEISD campuses will open later this month.

District officials plan to bring trustees more information on proposed closures next school year. Campuses enrolling less than 450 students, using under 60% of building capacity or with above-average campus budgets are at risk of being closed.

NEISD officials do not yet have a list of schools that qualify for closure based on current data. Instead, they will collect information from all district campuses in the fall after finalizing enrollment numbers for the 2026-27 academic year, spokesperson Aubrey Chancellor said.

The district is not alone in its efforts to combat student enrollment loss and financial woes  trustees in San Antonio and Judson ISDs voted earlier this year to close schools. When students leave a school system, district finances take a hit because Texas funds schools based on how many students show up for class each day.

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On Monday, district officials said consolidating campuses will improve NEISDs efficiency and reduce the districts $19 million deficit.

Multiple parents spoke Monday expressing concerns about the possible closure of dual-language campuses, which instruct students in at least two languages. The district's efficiency committee previously recommended consolidating dual-language schools or changing their programming as a way to address the deficit, Chancellor said.

This recommendation was not adopted, she added. The district will make decisions on campus closures based on enrollment, building use and the cost of serving individual students.

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Trustee Tracie Shelton asked if the data driving consolidation decisions could be shared with the public.

My only concern is the public saying that we're not being transparent, and they don't know what's happening, she said.

In response to this concern, district officials emphasized that they will bring recommendations for school closures to trustees in the fall after overseeing changes to the districts enrollment policies.

Opening enrollment to non-NEISD students

Families not living in North East ISDs boundaries can apply to attend district schools starting April 20. The application window will close May 3 at midnight.

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Students from other districts need to have passing grades in all core subjects and an attendance rate of 90% or higher to qualify. North East ISD officials have said they can deny applications if students have past expulsions on their record or if a student transferring into NEISD would cost the district money.

If there is limited space on a campus, the district will prioritize enrolling students living in NEISD boundaries for admission. Next, officials will enroll children of military service members and students attending other NEISD schools. If there are any more open seats at campuses, the district will then enroll students living in other school districts.

Essentially, we have a space to support 2,000 kids or more, Interim Superintendent Anthony Jarrett said Monday.

Last year, Northside ISD also opened campus enrollment to students across San Antonio. In crafting their own enrollment policy, NEISD officials reviewed plans from other districts, including Frisco, McKinney, San Antonio, Comal and Judson ISDs, which all accept students regardless of where they live.

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As North East ISD works to grow its enrollment, officials also plan to expand and develop popular academic programs, district leaders said Monday.
Saddle Creek Logistics plans to lay off 168 workers at its New Caney facility in June amid more layoffs reported across the U.S. Uma Shankar sharma/Getty Images

A logistics company that has recently cut jobs in multiple states is planning to lay off more than 150 workers in the Houston area.

Saddle Creek Logistics Services, based in Florida, notified the Texas Workforce Commission it would "permanently reduce its workforce" at a facility in New Caney, affecting a total of 168 employees.

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According to the WARN notice, the layoffs are expected to begin on June 11. The filing states the cuts will impact a range of roles, with the majority tied to warehouse operations, including forklift operators, supervisors and inventory-related positions.

The company's New Caney facility, located along Industrial Parkway, is not unionized and affected workers do not have bumping rights, meaning they cannot displace other employees based on seniority.

Saddle Creek operates three locations in Texas, including the New Caney facility, its only site in the Greater Houston area. The other two are in Dallas and Fort Worth.

The layoffs come as Saddle Creek has made similar workforce reductions elsewhere in recent months. In Alabama, the CBS affiliate reports that more than 150 employees were laid off at one of the facilities in Bessemer. That same report reveals the company recently had layoffs in South Carolina and Georgia, respectively, within the last year.

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Chattanooga Beer Board members, citing Local 3s reporting, questioned Thursday if Champys received special privileges from Mayor Tim Kellys administration, after the mayor signed an emergency proclamation last month, giving amnesty to businesses operating with an expired beer license.

The 15-day emergency proclamation offered businesses a 90-day grace period from the date of application. To qualify, the business must have held a permit at some point since January 1, 2024, have no change in ownership, and have no pending alcohol violations.

Businesses with expired beer permits granted amnesty by Mayor Kelly Chattanooga businesses operating without an active beer permit will be off the hook, as long

Board members asked if they should call back Champy's for a discussion about how long its MLK and Lee Highway locations actually operated without a license.

I want to address something thats probably going to cause a little tension, but I want a little clarity, the boards vice chair, J.W. Cole said Thursday. Last meeting, we heard from Champys. Champys stood at the podium, sworn-in, and stated that their license was only expired for a couple of months. I noticed that night, media came on and stated that through regulatory, CPD, that they found out through records, that their license had been expired for years. I want to know from this board, can we re-track to see when Champys license was expired?  If media is true, has it been a couple of years, and is Champys going to say they have not been serving beer since those couple of years til now?

Champy's attorney, Chuck Lawson, claimed at the boards previous meeting that their license expired at the start of 2026, and they didn't realize until March 11. However, Chattanooga Police told Local 3 the beer permits for both the MLK and Lee Highway locations expired on December 31, 2024.

According to CPD, a regulatory officer went to the MLK location and observed beer being served to customers on March 21, contrary to what the attorney claimed.

The board unanimously approved a new permit for the Lee Highway location earlier this month.

Thursday, board members were unsure if Champys can still be held accountable for the violation and whether they can continue serving beer at the MLK location, with a new permit still pending.

Sergeant David Cowan said Champys has a hearing set for May 21, but that could be a moot point under the mayors order.

Communicating through a third-party, Mayor Kellys senior advisor, Chris Anderson, who could not attend the meeting, sent a letter for members to read.

The letter, provided to Local 3 by Mayor Kellys office, gives Champys amnesty through July 14, as the establishment meets criteria set forth in the executive order.

The Kelly administration has worked to improve city ordinances, and this is part of that effort to support small businesses, said Stephanie Cepak, a spokesperson for Mayor Kelly. The Executive Order is open to any business that qualifies and does not exempt any business from existing safety codes, health regulations or state laws. It specifically addresses the city-level permitting gap for established owners. The Kelly administration and City Council will work together to update the ordinance on the go forward.

Responding to members questions over whether the order will be extended as previously suggested, Anderson said that the order will be extended for an additional 15 days. However, the original order technically expired on Tuesday.

Later, Mayor Kellys office told Local 3 the order will be extended Thursday, for an additional 15 days.

After more than 40 minutes of back-and-forth, members asked that Anderson attend the May 7 meeting and provide clarification, rather than communicating through a third party.

Board members repeatedly questioned whether allowing Champys off the hook would be unfair to other businesses cited for violations, including Cabanas.

The owner of Cabanas attended Thursdays meeting and said before the Champys discussion that he had checks ready to pay for previous violations. Following the discussion about Champys, the board passed for now on accepting fines he was prepared to pay, given the uncertainty in the scope of the mayors order.

I look at it as though Champys got a special privilege because they had 15 days to do this, said beer board member Veronica Dunson. They [the city] didnt really make this public knowledge, or they didnt send out an email to anybody whose application is expired, so they didnt know they had a 15-day grace period. So, in some kind of way, Champys got special privileges.
Two Longford students have received an All Ireland scholarship which will cover the full duration of their undergraduate studies.

Rachel Higgins and Danielle Kanyinsola Richard-Akinyemi were honoured at the All-Ireland scholarships awards ceremony on April 4 last in the University of Limerick Concert Hall.

L-R: JP McManus, Ardscoil Phadraig Granard student Rachel Higgins, Willie O'Dea TD, and school principal Rosemary Johnston

Now in its 18th year, the awards were first established in 2008 by entrepreneur JP McManus as a means of providing financial support to gifted students pursuing third-level education.

Read: Tipping point! Karma for Longford fly-tipper caught dumping bags of rubbish

Mr McManus was in attendance at the ceremony alongside guest of honour and double Olympic champion, Kellie Harrington, Deputy Willie ODea TD, and Head of the Skills and Education Group for the Department for the Economy NI, Louise Watson.

Speaking at the awards ceremony, Mr McManus acknowledged what he described as the outstanding achievements of the winners.

Noting the impact of the scholarships on students lives, he added that of the 2,051 students awarded an All Ireland scholarship, 1,437 of those students had since graduated from university.

L-R: JP McManus, Mean Scoil Mhuire Longford student Danielle Kanyinsola Richard-Akinyemi, Willie O'Dea TD, and school principal Siobhan Cullen

Each year, 125 scholarships are awarded across the 32 counties with recipients receiving 6,750 per year in Ireland and 5,500 per year in Northern Ireland, to cover the duration of their undergraduate studies.

Read: Longford road reopens after collision leaves three people, including a child, hospitalised
870 letters have so far been sent out to social housing tenants in Longford informing them of a new rent payment app, MyCoco.

The new service will allow tenants to make payments online for rents, as well as view their transaction history and download invoices, statements, and payment receipts.

While the app is now accessible to all, tenants still have the option of paying at the cash desk, by rent collector, by telephone, or by direct debit/standing order.

Read: Colourful UK TV presenter bikes into Longford!

Longford County Councils Director of Finance, John McKeon, said the app had been very successful straight from the launch, and invited council staff officer Aisling Logan Heaney to deliver a presentation to the chamber and run through the service in depth.

Addressing the councillors, Ms Logan Heaney said the app could be accessed through the MyCoco website and downloaded to the users phone and that in addition to the many services it offers, it will also give tenants a view of where their account stands on any given day and they can make payments towards it.

To register for their MyCoco app on the mycoco.ie website, each tenant will require their customer number and their personal pin number which will be issued by Longford County Council via letter.

Explained Ms Logan Heaney, Were writing to every single one of our tenants to let them know about the service and we will provide them with their customer number and personal pin number they will need. 870 letters have been sent to date and 93 tenants signed up so far. We will be sending another 250 letters each week until each of our tenants have been contacted.

Were doing this in a phased approach so this way, if any of our tenants need support or need us to run through things with them, we have the time to give them that support while still running the day to day operations of the unit.

Read: Tipping point! Karma for Longford fly-tipper caught dumping bags of rubbish

She added, The letter will also contain a QR code for the app store so they can download the app straight from the letter. There will be contact details for myself and Philip so tenants can contact us if they need assistance. On the county council website, under the I Want To Pay My Rent page, there is also an instructional video on how to use the app.

Councillor Paul Ross pointed out that while the app was a great idea, its not for everyone and queried if direct debit would still be an option for tenants. Fema Flanagan, Financial Management Accountant, replied that the app was simply to provide tenants with an easier method of payment and to digitise the payment process so that people who pay via the cash desk would now also have the option of using the app.

They added, While the app is there, people still have the option of standing order. Its ideal to pay by standing order as its recurring.

Cllr Padraig McNamara also praised the app but pointed out that older people should not feel pressured into using it. He asked the council to keep older tenants in mind as many become fearful when they see changes being introduced.

He also added that he hoped tenants payment details on the app were secured.

Read: RTE's Sinead Hussey takes TV viewers on a 'calm and quiet' trip along Longford's scenic greenway

According to Longford County Council, the online service has been carefully developed and tested in collaboration with council staff across Housing, Finance and Information Systems, with strong governance and data protection measures in place.

While the app - which is available on both desktop and mobile devices - is currently being rolled out to Local Authority housing tenants, it is planned to extend MyCoco to other customer groups, including rate payers, in the future.

Funded by the local democracy reporting scheme
RTE's Miriam O'Callaghan has described the upcoming Granard Booktown Festival as "interesting, inspiring, and stimulating."

The event will take place across three days in Co. Longford from April 16-19, 2026.

Miriam, who most will recognise from RTE's Prime Time or her RTE Radio 1 radio show 'Sundays with Miriam,' will be interviewed at this year's festival.

It's a change for the presenter, who would usually be on the other side of the mic asking the questions.

"It's a whole new experience, and it's exciting. I like John Connell, who runs that book festival, so it'll be a great privilege and a joy to be there," she explained.

READ NEXT: PICTURES | Longford Live & Local - Great gig honouring memory of the legendary Paschal Flaherty

The festival runs from April 16 to 19 in a number of locations across Granard.

Writing and poetry workshops, guest speakers, and more can be expected across the three days.

"I think people will come along and just be stimulated and maybe learn things or be inspired by people. They're the kind of places and festivals I like to go to - where you go along, and you feel better for having been there. I love to pick up things from people. I love listening to fascinating, clever people talking about their life experiences because I learn lots of things from them, so I think that people would find it really interesting," Miriam shared.

She has been attending the festival for the past three years, and says it is always "jampacked" and "fun."

She will be interviewed about her memoir, which was published by Penguin Random House last October, at 2:45pm on Sunday.

Before that, she will be in the RTE studios for her live radio show.

'Miriam: Life, Work, Everything' is exactly what it says on the tin, focusing on how Miriam balances her life as a mother with eight children and her career; something she says she doesn't do very well.

On Tuesdays and Thursdays, Miriam presents Prime Time, and on Sundays, she does her radio show.

As well as this, she attends two or three charity events a week, using her fame to help them raise funds.

"I'm always busy. I've still got three lads in college, so I'm still a busy mom," she said.

However, the constant on-the-go schedule doesn't dull her sparkle, as she knows that time is on her side.

READ NEXT: Longford parents want English-speaking, denominational, and co-ed schools, survey shows

"I always think there are 24 hours in a day, and we're all blessed with good health at the moment, so I reckon I've loads of time," she explained.

Despite having a lot of time, it still took Miriam two decades to write her book.

The publisher had given her a contract 20 years ago, but she had put off writing it, imagining it would be much more difficult than it was.

"I didn't want to write a book that would upset anybody in my life, and that can sometimes be difficult if you're going to be honest, but the biggest and best thing is I wrote it, and I didn't upset anybody," she said.

"It's just an honest, nice story that doesn't hurt anyone," she added.

The story was so nice that it went straight to number one, and up until recently, it was on the bestseller's list.

When asked how she does it all - mothering, presenting, events, writing, life - Miriam answered that she kind of just wings it.

"I don't really plan. One of the things I do believe is that life flies by when you're planning. I never had a plan, and I still don't have a plan, but having no plan worked really well for me," Miriam explained.

She feels social media has added pressure on people, particularly younger women, to have a plan and stick to it.

"Life has a weird way of going off in different avenues when you don't expect it to. Things can happen, and the made plans then don't work, and then you feel disappointed, so for me, having no plan is the best plan," Miriam said.

With a career spanning over 30 years, eight children, multiple events, and two different presenting jobs each week, Miriam has helped share many inspiring and important stories.

One that stands out to her, though, is about the "incredible" John Hume, who helped to bring about the Peace Process in the North.

In 2010, Miriam got to be involved in a public vote which saw people choose who they thought was the greatest Irish person, whether they were dead or alive.

She decided to campaign for John Hume, and he went on to win the vote.

READ NEXT: Popular business says goodbye to Longford after 39 years

"That is my most important and proudest career movement and moment because I think without John Hume, we wouldn't have peace in Ireland, and it would be a very different country than it is today," Miriam commented.

With much more to come for Miriam, her next focus will be the Granard Booktown Festival.

If you are interested in hearing more about her life and book, tickets for the event can be purchased at granardbooktownfestival.ie.
A woman has said she was only doing her job when a man sexually assaulted her while she was working as cabin crew on a Ryanair flight.

In a victim impact statement, the woman said she was sexually assaulted in a tight and confined space where colleagues were also present.

She said her sense of safety and peace has been completely shattered.

I was only doing my job when this happened, she said.

She said she fell in love with flying when she joined Ryanair, but has since resigned.

She said she feels there is a layer of shame over me and still feels disgusting.

The road to recovery feels long and unreachable, the woman said, adding that she is taking it one day at a time.

Life hasnt been the kindest to me, and what happened is an extra heavy load, she said.

Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard that the incident occurred while the flight was in the air, approximately 40 minutes before it was due to land in Dublin.

Aaron Brady (31) of Main Street, Killeshandra, Co Cavan pleaded guilty to sexually assaulting the woman on an inbound flight to Dublin Airport.

Also read: Longford man with a bad history receives suspended sentence

The court was told he has no memory of the incident and has a problem with drink, which he is addressing.

Taking the stand, Brady said he drank around five bottles of wine with his partner at the airport before boarding the flight and potentially between 12 and 15 mini bottles of alcohol during the flight. He said he has not had a drink in a year.

Brady said he was really, really sorry, sincerely and said his offending was out of character.

I cant believe it, Im so sorry for the trauma it has caused you. Its not me at all...Im really, really sorry.

Judge Jonathan Dunphy asked him if he had been banned for life from Ryanair flights, with Brady telling him the ban was for five years.

I understand it is for life, the judge noted.

The court heard the woman also faced financial losses of over 3,000 due to the incident, including sick leave, voluntary absences and her resignation.

Judge Dunphy asked if the woman had to bear those costs instead of her employer, with the prosecution confirming she did.

Keith Spencer BL, defending, said the amount of drink taken by Brady before boarding and on the flight is almost mind-boggling.

He said his client deeply regrets what happened, did not intend it to occur, is ashamed and apologetic.

Counsel asked the court to consider his clients early guilty plea, good work record in an ice cream factory and the contents of a probation report.

He noted his client had 5,000 available as a gesture of remorse, which the court heard the woman is willing to accept.

Mr Spencer said his client is willing to repay the womans expenses and could save another 5,000 if given more time.

Judge Dunphy said he would adjourn the case to June for finalisation to allow Brady to address the womans expenses outlined in the victim impact statement. He directed that the 5,000 should be paid over within the next 24 hours for onward transmission to the woman.

He said he would somewhat reluctantly remand Brady on continuing bail so he could continue to work, adding that the courts concern was the losses experienced by the woman.

Addressing the woman, Judge Dunphy said he was grateful for her attendance, and said he wanted to finalise the case in the right way so that everyone can move on from this.

Also read: 'Terrible shroud of sadness': jury finds Midlands man not guilty of trying to murder brother

Garda Sinead Murphy told Tessa White BL, prosecuting, that when gardai boarded the flight after being alerted to a disruptive passenger on board, they met Brady, who was intoxicated and causing distress to other passengers.

She said they told Brady they had been called to the plane due to his behaviour. He resisted arrest and had to be handcuffed before he was escorted from the plane to Dublin Airport Garda Station.

He was initially charged with offences under the Air Navigation and Transport Act 1973, before he was released.

Gda Murphy said that when a witness statement was taken from the woman, she outlined that Brady had sexually assaulted her.

The woman said she was taking a break in the crew area of the aircraft's back galley.

Brady came in and started chatting to the woman and two of her colleagues who were also present.

He showed them his foot, then put it on the womans lap. She pushed it away.

She realised Brady was drunk and noticed he was slurring his words and had drink stains on his trousers.

Brady then felt the inside of her left leg with his hand over clothing, grabbed her head and kissed her cheek.

She moved her head, then he grabbed it and moved it towards his groin. Her head touched off his groin.

The woman said she was in shock. She described Brady starting to remove his top during the incident, before going into the toilet.

When he came out, he hugged her, then placed his hand on her outer thigh, rubbing it and her buttocks over her clothing.

The woman pushed him away and made her way to the front of the cabin, where the captain was alerted, then made the report to authorities on the ground of a disruptive passenger.

Brady later told gardai he had been on his way home from a holiday with his partner and had no memory of what happened.

He has one previous conviction for failing to report a hit and run, for which he received a 400 fine.

Gda Murphy agreed with Mr Spencer that his clients previous conviction dates to 2016 and relates to a collision with a stationary vehicle in which no other parties were involved.

It was further accepted that Brady was deemed unfit for questioning initially due to his level of intoxication.

The garda also agreed that Bradys partner was asleep during the flight and told gardai at the time this was out of character for him.

Also read: Longford road reopens after collision leaves three people, including a child, hospitalised

It was also accepted that Brady did not deny the offending and said he did not remember it as he was heavily intoxicated.

In her victim impact statement read to the court by Gda Murphy, the woman described experiencing intense panic, anxiety and nightmares.

She said she is on a waiting list to see a psychologist as she knows she needs professional support.

She said she is happy her voice is being heard, and the defendant is held accountable for what he did.

I hope no one else has to go through what I did, she said, adding that her life has changed entirely and that she will have to carry this every day.

Also read: Warm tributes paid in Longford court to 'fantastic' prison guard following his sudden death

Brady took the stand, telling the court he doesnt remember anything and that he has a problem with drink.

He said he drank with his partner at the airport and that he told the Probation Services he may have drunk four 500ml bottles of wine.

Brady said he was drunk getting onto the flight and recalls drinking between 12 and 15 mini bottles during the flight.

Mr Spencer said his client is aware of his issue with drink and is on waiting list with Merchants Quay.

Brady plays on the senior team for his local GAA club. He also has a history of depression.

Mr Spencer said his client is not seeking to avoid his responsibility and experiences extreme shame for his offending. He said his client is asking for the forgiveness of the complainant even though I know that may not be easy to give or forthcoming.
The sister of Scarlett Faulkner has issued a heartfelt plea ahead of Scarlett's funeral, urging mourners to set aside any differences in honour of the young mothers memory.

In an emotional message shared on social media, Scarletts sister, Victoria Faulkner, relayed a request from their father asking those attending the funeral to avoid any conflict and to pass each other.

READ NEXT: 'Beautiful angel': Funeral arrangements announced for Limerick mum Scarlett Faulkner

She also appealed for mourners to refrain from bringing alcohol to the funeral.

"Any drink cannot be allowed near any funerals, wakes. Please, lads, just we don't want any trouble at all at Scarlett's funeral," noted Victoria.

The plea comes after what Victoria described as the hardest three weeks of our life, as the Faulkner family continue to grieve their loss.

Scarlett Faulkner tragically passed away on Monday after she was taken off her life support machine in Cork University Hospital on Sunday.

Scarlett will repose at Crosss Funeral Home, Lower Gerald Griffin Street, Limerick city on Thursday, April 16 from 2pm to 4pm.

READ NEXT: 'We'll put you down' - Mother of Grace Lynch reveals chilling online threats amid scrambler ban

Her funeral Mass will take place on Friday at 11am in St Munchins Church, Clancy Strand. Scarlett will be laid to rest in Meelick Cemetery following the Mass.

Scarlett, aged 29, from the northside of Limerick city, was allegedly struck with an iron bar at the side of the R494 road in Birdhill on Saturday, March 21.
Thousands of people across Ireland could be in line for a social welfare payment worth over 1,500.

The Additional Needs Payment is a payment to help you with an expense that you cannot pay from your weekly income or other sources (for example savings).

READ NEXT: Late Late Show end date confirmed as Patrick Kielty's return hangs in the balance

You may get an Additional Needs Payment if you are:

Getting a social welfare payment, or

Working and on a low income, regardless of the number of hours that you work

You may get this payment even if you are not getting a social welfare payment.

When you apply for the payment, your income and circumstances will be assessed to find out if you qualify.

The Additional Needs Payment includes the Exceptional Needs and Urgent Needs payments.

What can I get the Additional Needs Payment for?

You can get the Additional Needs Payment to help you with an expense that you cannot pay from your weekly income or other sources (for example savings).

For example:

An increase in your fuel or electricity costs

Essential repairs to property, including, replacing household appliances and furniture

Funeral costs

Deposits for private rented accommodation

Bedding and cooking utensils, if you are setting up home for the first time

Food, clothing and shelter after an emergency event such as a fire or flood

Recurring travel costs to hospital for appointments, or for visiting a relative in hospital or prison

Prams, buggies, cots, or essential child safety equipment

This is not a complete list, other expenses can be covered too.

READ NEXT: 'Stop use immediately' - Popular Irish made baby garment recalled amid suffocation fears

How to qualify for an Additional Needs Payment

To qualify for an Additional Needs Payment, you must:

Live in Ireland, and

Have a weekly income below a set amount  see the 'weekly household income guidelines' below

How your weekly income is calculated for the Additional Needs Payment is the same as how your income is assessed for Supplementary Welfare Allowance. This is because the Additional Needs Payment is part of the Supplementary Welfare Allowance Scheme.

Your application will be assessed by a Community Welfare Officer (CWO).

The CWO will decide if you qualify for a payment after looking at all your circumstances including your income, savings and investments, your expenses and the type of assistance you need.

In some cases, the CWO can provide a payment if your income is above the weekly household income guidelines, but it will depend on your circumstances.

Weekly household income guidelines 2026

When calculating your household income, the CWO will take into account your weekly household income, including your savings and investments, and your household expenses.

Additional Needs Payment weekly household income guidelines 2026

Single person - 564

Couple with no children - 664

1 child - 765

2 children - 866

3 children - 967

4 children - 1,058

5 children - 1,184

6 children - 1,300

7 children - 1,436

8 children - 1,532

READ NEXT: Have you seen Cody? Concern growing as Gardai search for 13-year-old boy missing two days

How much is an Additional Needs Payment?

There is no set rate for an Additional Needs Payment.

The amount you get will depend on your circumstances and what you need help with.

How to apply for an Additional Needs Payment

You can make a paper application or apply online.

When you apply for an Additional Needs Payment, your application will be assessed by a Community Welfare Officer (CWO).

You will need to provide information about your weekly household income, expenses, savings and investments and those of everyone living in your household. You will also need to provide proof of the type of assistance you need.

You can apply online through MyWelfare.ie. You will need a verified MyGovID account or you can post your application for an Additional Needs Payment, or make an appointment with your local CWO, if you prefer.

You can read more about the Additional Needs Payment on Citizens Information.

You can also get information about the payment at your local Community Welfare Service, or you can call the National Phone Line for Community Welfare Services on 0818 607080.
Summary created by Smart Answers AI In summary: Macworld examines how Apples App Store vetting process failed to prevent major scams, including a fake Ledger Live app that stole $9.5 million from crypto wallets and affected over 50 victims.

These failures matter because they undermine Apples security promises and user trust, with individual losses reaching up to $3.2 million despite the App Stores supposed protection.

The platform increasingly contains scams, clones, and problematic apps like the banned Freecash data harvester, raising questions about Apples monopoly on app distribution versus actual user safety.

Apples app-vetting procedures are in the spotlight this week, as not one but two news stories demonstrate the grave consequences of what appears to be a troublingly lackadaisical approach at the Cupertino-based company. (Updated April 16 to include Apples response.)

Case study 1: Ledger Live

On Tuesday, the crypto news site CoinDesk reported on a week-long phishing campaign predicated on the use of a cloned Mac app. Financial hackers created a cloned app called Ledger Live, using the former name of a legitimate wallet app for iOS and macOS, and managed to get it accepted by the Mac App Store. Users of this app were prompted to enter recovery phrases, and those who did so had their wallets completely emptied. CoinDesk says the scam affected more than 50 victims and resulted in the loss of at least $9.5m worth of Bitcoin, Ether, and other cryptocurrencies.

One victim, a musician going by the name G. Love, vented his frustrations on X. I had a really tough day today, he wrote. I lost my retirement fund All my BTC [Bitcoin] gone in an instant. He later clarified that his losses totalled 5.9 BTC, which at current valuations is worth almost $75,000.

To most of us such a loss would be devastating. But the scams unluckiest victims were hit a great deal harder. ZachXBT reports that the three biggest individual losses were worth $2m, $2.1m, and $3.2m respectively.

The app has now been removed from the App Store, but victims and commentators are questioning how the software made it past Apples vetting process in the first place. Its also unclear how the fake app remained on the store for a fortnight, reportedly taking peoples money for the entire second week of that period, before the company took action. ZachXBT has even floated the idea of a class-action lawsuit, although at this point that remains speculation.

Case study 2: Freecash

With unhappy timing, news of this scam broke in the same week as the banning of Freecash, as reported by Macworlds sister site TechCrunch. In adverts, Freecash offered to pay users to scroll on TikTok, but this was a flimsy veil for its real purpose: harvesting sensitive data. By installing and running the app, users were giving up data about anything from their religion to their sexual orientation, which the makers happily sold on to third parties.

Many free apps are built on a data-harvesting business model, and such practices are not in themselves illegal or against the App Stores terms and conditions. But critics complained that Freecash was harvesting data in a way which was manipulative and misleading. In January, Wired reported that the app used deceptive marketing techniques (the apps makers deny this allegation, stating that Our apps are fully compliant with the Apple App Store and Google Play Store policies, as demonstrated by the fact that they are live and regularly pass platform reviews), and TikTok banned some of its ads. But it wasnt until this weekshortly after being contacted by TechCrunch, perhaps coincidentallythat Apple finally pulled the app.

That decision would appear to indicate that Freecash does not, contrary to its makers protestations, meet the standards of Apples App Store. (The Android app is still showing up for me in Google search, but the URL it directs to no longer works. Presumably, then, its been kicked off Google Play too.) But once again, its unclear why Apples vetting team wasnt able to spot this shortcoming before welcoming the app on to the companys official storefront. Or why it took so long to take action against an app whose murkier practices had been highlighted by journalists months previously.

Rotten to the Store: The wider story

I should emphasize at this point that the main reason Ive discussed these two cases in the same article is that the stories happened to break in the same week. They each, in their own way, reflect poorly on Apples vetting procedures, but that doesnt mean theyre in the same ballpark of misbehavior. The first case study above is straightforward larceny, while the second is more complicated: an ethically dubious developer choosing to skirt the boundaries of what is and isnt permitted for personal gain. The principle is the same, but the offenders are not.

There are two facts which unite these two apps. First, Apple allowed them on to the App Store when it absolutely should not have done. Second, when problems emerged, it let them stay there longer than it had any business doing. And these raise major concerns about the way the App Store is run, and the rationale behind Apples stewardship of the market for apps on its products.

After all, the whole point of the App Store is to give owners of Apple devices peace of mind that the software theyre installing is legitimate and wont cause any problems. Craig Federighi has claimed that sideloading, the installation of apps through non-official means, is a cybercriminals best friend. But what are customers supposed to think when even officially sanctioned software is liable to steal their secrets and their money? In what way is the official store better than buying it (likely at a lower price) direct from the developer? What does vetting actually involve, other than a malware scan and the eager exchange of bank details? What is the App Store bringing to the table at this point, other than an outstretched hand?

This week has been unusually bad, but stories of this sort dont come as a surprise any more. The App Store of 2026 is absolutely stuffed with slop, scams, and clones, propped up by an ecosystem of fake reviews pushing undeserving apps to the top of the charts. Phil Schiller was complaining about insane scam apps 14 years ago, and to the casual eye its difficult to see that things have got any better.

Reports in the past few years have identified everything from fleeceware VPNs and exploitative knockoffs of popular games to (theoretically banned) AI nudify apps. Search is broken, foregrounding apps blatantly designed to trick you into clicking on the wrong thing; selling ads here doesnt help matters. So-called trash apps are essentially a licence to print money.

The App Store, in other words, is rotten. And whatever Apples app-vetting procedure is, its not working. Perhaps that reflects the magnitude of the job. At last count there were approximately two million iOS apps on the store, which across its 18-year history equates very roughly to 9,000 per month. Factor in the acceleration over time, not to mention all the other apps that were vetted once but have since been removed because the developers stopping updating them, and thats a lot of vetting, even for a company with major resources. (Update: In fact the numbers are vastly higher. See Apples response, below.)

But is that an excuse? Not really. If running an app store is too much trouble, close it down. If comprehensive vetting is impractical, stop pretending the App Store is completely safe. (And definitely stop scaremongering about sideloading.) If you cant make the App Store a truly reliable resource for good, safe, legitimate software, then give iPhone users the freedom to install from other places. Or just stop pretending the App Store monopoly is about anything other than revenue.

Apples response

Shortly after we published this story, Apples PR team got in touch and requested the opportunity to make a comment although, in accordance with a controversial policy, the company insisted that Macworld agree not to quote the comment directly, but rather to paraphrase it on background. We dont think much of this policy, but wanted to hear what the company had to say, and agreed to those terms on this occasion. So while the following information was contained in a lengthy email from Apple, the precise words are mine.

Regarding Ledger Live, Apple told us the app was removed for malicious bait-and-switch functionality, as per rule 3.1.2(a) in the App Review Guidelines. The developers account has been terminated. Regarding the banning of Freecash, the company again referenced rule 3.1.2(a), and also invoked rule 2.3.1: Developers are prohibited from marketing their apps in a misleading way, such as by promoting content or services that they do not actually offer. For violations of these rules, as well as the Apple Developer Program License Agreement, Freecash too has been removed from the App Store, and the developers account terminated.

In neither case did Apple give us any explanation or apology for the apps being approved in the first place.

Speaking about app vetting more generally, Apple told us it has a zero-tolerance approach to fraudulent and malicious activity on the App Store, which it says is designed to be a safe and trusted place for users to discover apps. It pointed out that users can report illegal or abusive content using this link, and insisted it takes such reports seriously. Finally, the company pointed to its own research on this topic, which includes some startling statistics: Apples app review team, for example, processes an average of nearly 150,000 submissions per week. More than 7.7 million App Store submissions were reviewed in 2024, and 1.9 million of them were rejected. Bait-and-switch violations alone accounted for more than 17,000 removals and rejections.

Thanks to Apple for getting in touch.
Livonia, MI  In addition to recognizing its generous benefactors at Deo Gratias, Madonnas annual donor appreciation event, the University also presented three Alumni Awards and a Community Partner Award.

Madonna President Chris Dougherty expressed his appreciation to the assembled group. On behalf of everyone on the leadership team, our faculty, staff, and students, we are ever grateful for your ongoing support, said Dougherty.

He went on to highlight the vital role Madonna plays in todays higher education landscape. As a Catholic university founded and sponsored by the Felician Sisters, we have a proud tradition in this region, he observed. We are committed in significant ways to an educational model that values the dignity and integrity of every individual student we serve.

Michelle Danou, a two-time alumna, member of Madonnas Alumni Board, and recipient of the 2025 Emerging Leader Award, presented the following Alumni Awards to Ryleigh Kryska, Robb Drzewicki, and Amy MacLeod.

The Emerging Leader Award went to Ryleigh Kryska, who graduated in 2022 with a bachelors degree in social work and certificates in community leadership and addiction studies.

Kryska serves as chief of operations at Mala Child & Family Institute, a mental health clinical practice in metro Detroit. In addition to managing more than 50 clinicians and staff members and serving clients, she led Malas expansion to three stand-alone clinics and the addition of occupational therapy, medication management, and a student training wing.

Kryska volunteers with Gleaners Community Food Banks Cooking Matters program and bakes birthday cakes for foster children through For Goodness Cakes.

The Outstanding Service Award was presented to Robb Drzewicki, who earned a bachelors degree in interdisciplinary studies in 2012.

Beyond his role as director of communications and public affairs for the City of Westland, Drzewicki is committed to community engagement through volunteer work and service on various boards, including St. Baldricks Foundation, where, for the last 15 years, he has helped raise thousands of dollars annually for childhood cancer research.

He also holds leadership roles with the Livonia Public Schools Education Foundation, TAFFY (Taking Action for Friends, Family, and Youth), and DO It for Denny, a Livonia nonprofit that promotes kindness initiatives.

The recipient of the Professional Excellence Award was Amy MacLeod, who earned a bachelors degree in occupational safety, health and fire science from Madonna in 1999.

MacLeods distinguished 25-year career at Ford Motor Company includes more than a decade as a safety engineering leader. She currently serves as Body Area Manager at the Dearborn Truck Plant, leading more than 500 employees.

An ovarian cancer survivor, MacLeod passionately advocates for womens health, raising funds for ovarian cancer research and increasing awareness of early detection. She also supports fundraising and education efforts for Crohns & Colitis and breast cancer.

Following the alumni recognition, Dougherty presented the Livonia Public School District with the Community Partner Award, explaining that the partnership goes far beyond the district hiring Madonna graduates and providing student-teacher placements. The Livonia Public School system prepares students to succeed at Madonna in whatever major they choose. Counselors and teachers also promote Madonna to students preparing for college. Dougherty noted that many LPS educators and staff members have been encouraged to pursue masters, education specialist, and doctoral degrees at Madonna.

Livonia Public Schools Superintendent Andrea Oquist was joined at the event by Assistant Superintendent Bill Green, a 1994 alumnus of Madonnas teacher education program, and Livonia School Board President Colleen Burton.

In accepting the award, Oquist noted that the districts partnership with Madonna provides many points of connection and a shared purpose of preparing the next generation of educators. This is a thread in a much larger collaboration that grows stronger every year, said Oquist.

Guests at the event also enjoyed a musical presentation by students Kara Finch and Ryan Goldberg and remarks by 1962 alumna and benefactor Dr. Christina Kary. Kary expressed deep gratitude for the Felician Sisters and prior graduates who prepared her for a challenging career in chemistry.

The program concluded with remarks by Dr. Anne Gunterman, who reflected on the legacy of her aunt Beatrice Czenkusz, a 1956 alumna and long-time benefactor who died in late 2024. A first-grade teacher for 43 years, Czenkusz made a final bequest to Madonna to support scholarships for future teachers. Gunterman quoted from a speech Czenkusz had given at Deo Gratias in 2009, saying, Dont give until it hurts, give until it feels good.

After the program, guests were invited to visit the Felician Sisters of North America Heritage Center located within the Welcome Center.

Photo Highlights
Mayo woman Avril Greham was born with an impairment but says it has never stopped her from achieving success and independence.

Disabled activist Avril (46) owns her own home in Ballina where she grew up and works as a civil servant and is heavily involved in her local community in various ways.

She is a dog owner and is able to drive her own car despite being a wheelchair user. Avril's story proves that having a disability is no boundary to living a fulfilling and independent lifestyle.

Life wasn't always this way for Avril, especially growing up in primary and secondary school, where she recalls friends having to lift her wheelchair up school stairways so she could go to class. This was only one boundary Avril faced as a young disabled woman who, looking back on it now, says she should of never had to face what she went through.

READ NEXT: Mayo student honoured with national social care award - Mayo Live

One story in particular Avril shared to her social media really shines a light on how excluded disabled people can feel.

"When I was seven, my friends would run off to the wooded area at school. It was a huge part of playtime, full of adventure for everyone else. But it wasn't accessible for me. My friends tried to include me, they really did, but the space itself just shut me out.



"I felt like I was the problem, a burden even. I thought I just wasn't able, not enough. It took me years to unlearn that false belief. My impairment doesn't disable me, society does. That's the real barrier," Avril said.

PICTURED ABOVE IS AVRIL GREHAM AS A YOUNG CHILD

Sports fanatic Avril was born with an impairment called arthrogryposis multiplex congenita which affects the development of joints before a person is born.

"It can affect one joint, it just depends but for me, it's most of my joints and it has an impact on your muscles as well. So basically they stop developing before you're born but it's non-progressive."

Growing up Avril said that luckily she had a really good group of friends who supported her when she needed it.

"But I've always found that when I was a child that, you know, other children accept and are open more readily. It was always the adults in my life that might have had a difficulty or just didn't know how to talk to somebody who was impaired or disabled.

"My parents, from the day I was born, I was never treated any differently. They ensured that I participated in all areas of life.

"I suppose the challenge for me was the physical environment. I used to walk with calipers and a walking aid, so in terms of school, it was the environment that was disabling me, as opposed to teachers or my friends or other students."

Avril went to UCD, moving all the way to Dublin by herself and living on the university campus when she was 18. This was when she was seriously challenged because of the lack of support for her as a disabled woman.

While school life was difficult for her, moving to the UCD campus was a different ballpark.

"My friends in school were very good. If there was a stairway to be navigated, they were the first ones to grab my chair, lift me up and take me up the stairs. I always had that safety net of either my mum or dad there and they'd bring me and make sure I was, you know, running with the rest of them, so to speak. I went to college at 18, as every typical 18-year-old does.

"It was only then when that sort of immediate safety net was taken away that I realised how challenging the world is, how visibly impaired I am, if that makes sense to you. I was living on campus and that was a huge challenge. "So it was 1998-99 and while there was legislation there in the building regulations, it wasn't being enforced. It's still not hugely enforced, we're getting there, but slowly but surely. "I was living on campus and they did everything they could to ensure that I got a ground floor apartment on the campus. It still wasn't fit for purpose." Avril said that she didn't fit the criteria for having a carer to help her around the university grounds. "Because I was able to feed myself and I could dress myself, I wasn't deemed disabled enough for a personal assistant. Doing typical stuff like going out with my friends at night, be it to a nightclub or to the cinema or for dinner or whatever we were doing, it had to be planned. "At the time, the No. 3 bus was the only accessible bus that Dublin Bus ran. And it wasn't every No. 3 bus. So you had to maybe factor in the cost of a taxi into the city. I always had to plan. There's no spontaneity when you're a person who's impaired." READ ALSO: Mayo bakers invited to enter national Brown Bread Competition - Mayo Live Avril is heavily involved in the Mayo community with various groups and events. One group in particular she is involved in is being the current chair of Mayo Disabled Persons' Organisation, which was founded alongside Independent Living Movement Ireland.

"They're the national DPO which is a collective run by disabled people for disabled people and it's unlike a service provider or charity.

"We're an independent group focused on rights and representation and we work to ensure disabled people are at the heart of decision making. What that essentially means is the public bodies must involve disabled people in policies that affect their lives."

Avril also proudly hosts an event which is returning for its second year called 'Expanding Horizons.' It will take place at Great National Hotel Ballina, Thursday, July 24 at 7pm.

Expanding Horizons is a powerful, no-fluff conversation about disability and inclusion where Avril will take to the stage in a podcast-style discussion with lecturer, geopolitical consultant and communications advisor Dr James Casey, equality campaigner and 2024 Seanad candidate Ann Marie Flanagan, and author, athlete and disability rights advocate Geraldine Lavelle.

Each panellist will bring their own perspective, experience, and courage to what promises to be another moving and meaningful evening that will challenge the audience to examine their own attitudes and actions.
Ireland could face billions in EU fines if it fails to meet its 2030 climate targets, according to Mayo TD Paul Lawless, who has called for urgent clarity from Government.

The Aontu TD raised the issue in the Dail, pressing Minister of State Alan Dillon for details on the potential financial penalties.

Deputy Lawless said estimates from the Climate Change Advisory Council suggest compliance costs could range from 3 billion to 28 billion if Ireland fails to meet its legally binding emissions reduction targets.

This is not small money  were talking about potentially tens of billions, he said. At the moment it looks as though we will definitely miss these targets.

Ireland has committed to a 42% reduction in emissions by 2030, but projections from the Environmental Protection Agency indicate the country may only achieve around 23% at best.

READ MORE: Minister Calleary and Deputy Keogh welcome funding for three mayo projects

Deputy Lawless criticised what he described as a lack of answers from the government during the Dail exchange.

I repeatedly asked what these fines are likely to be in monetary value, but the Minister did not provide an answer, he said.

He warned that potential penalties could far exceed other major State expenditures, comparing them to the cost of the National Childrens Hospital project.

These fines could cost many times what the National Childrens Hospital has cost, he said, describing the situation as extremely serious.

The Mayo TD also criticised Government climate policy, arguing that reliance on carbon taxes has placed undue pressure on households without delivering sufficient emissions reductions.

He said Ireland must now examine its options, including potential renegotiation at EU level, to avoid what he described as extortionate costs for taxpayers.

READ MORE: Authoritarian abuse of power Mayo TD challenges Minister over media comments

The Government has not publicly outlined specific estimates for potential fines, but has maintained that efforts are ongoing to meet climate targets through a range of measures across energy, transport and agriculture.

The issue is expected to remain a key point of debate as Ireland moves closer to the 2030 deadline and pressure mounts to bridge the gap between current projections and EU commitments.
U.S. District Court Judge Jane Beckering has ordered the parties in the Gotion Inc. v. Green Charter Township lawsuit to file dispositive motions by May 29. Pioneer file photo

Judge Jane M. Beckering of the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Michigan, Southern Division, has ordered the parties in the Gotion Inc. v. Green Charter Township lawsuit to proceed with dispositive motions.

In the order, Beckering states, The proceedings in this case having previously been stayed pending resolution of the appeal in the Sixth Circuit or further order of this court, and the appeal in this matter having now been resolved, it is hereby ordered that dispositive motions, if any, shall be filed

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A dispositive motion is a formal request to a court asking for a ruling that entirely resolves all or part of a lawsuit in favor of the filing party, without need for a full trial. These motions, such as a "motion to dismiss" or "summary judgment," allow judges to dismiss cases or specific claims early due to a lack of legal merit or evidence.

In March 2024, Gotion Inc. filed a lawsuit against the township for breach of a development agreement between the company and the township.

The District Court issued a preliminary injunction against the township, ordering them to comply with the development agreement while the lawsuit worked its way through the court.

The township appealed the District Court decision to the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals.

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The Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled Gotions claim for injunctive relief was moot due to the state pulling out of the Gotion project, and dismissed the appeal for lack of jurisdiction, and rendered the case back to the District Court.

Green Township Supervisor Jason Kruse said because the latest developments are so new, he cannot comment at this time.

"We are still revieweing the order," he said.

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Gotion Inc. Vice President of North American Operations Chuck Thelen did not respond to a request for comment prior to publishing.
Bills limiting nurse overtime pass Michigan Senate, head to House Jacob Wackerhausen/Getty Images

A pair of Michigan Senate bills that would prohibit most mandatory overtime for hospital nurses advanced in the state legislature this week.

Senate Bills 296 and 297, sponsored by Sen. Stephanie Chang, D-Detroit, and Sen. Ed McBroom, R-Waucedah Township, passed the Senate on April 15 and were referred to the House Committee on Government Operations.

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The legislation would amend the state's Public Health Code to prohibit hospitals from requiring registered nurses to work beyond their regularly scheduled or on-call hours, beginning June 1, 2027.

Exceptions would apply in certain situations, including declared emergencies, mass casualty incidents, the first four weeks of certain public health emergencies expected to significantly increase hospitalizations, or when a nurse is involved in a patient-care procedure that cannot be safely interrupted.

Hospitals could also require nurses to remain on duty for a limited period  up to two additional hours, or up to four hours at certain rural hospitals  if a scheduled replacement nurse is unexpectedly unavailable and patient safety could be at risk.

The bills also require hospitals to provide nurses with at least eight consecutive hours off after working a 12-hour shift, though nurses could voluntarily waive a portion of that rest time within limits.

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The legislation prohibits hospitals from disciplining or discriminating against nurses who refuse to work beyond their scheduled hours.

Senate Bill 297 allows the state to fine hospitals that violate the overtime restrictions, starting at $1,000 for a first violation and rising to as much as $10,000 for repeated violations within a three-year period.

The legislation would not apply to hospitals operating under collective bargaining agreements in effect as of June 1, 2027, until those agreements expire.

Supporters say the bills are intended to address nurse burnout and improve patient safety by reducing reliance on mandatory overtime, while critics argue the restrictions could make it more difficult for hospitals to manage staffing shortages during periods of high demand.

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The bills are tie-barred, meaning neither would take effect unless both are enacted into law.

A legislative analysis found the measures would have a minimal fiscal impact on the state, with costs largely tied to administrative oversight and enforcement.

The legislation now heads to the House for further consideration.
The annual steelhead egg collection at the Little Manistee River Weir started Wednesday after it was discovered that 1,756 of the adult fish died in holding ponds.

The fish were gathered in the holding ponds in preparation for the egg collection that was supposed to start Tuesday.

Department of Natural Resources staff inject air into the body cavity of the female steelhead and this pushes out eggs that are gathered in buckets. Staff then extract milt from the male steelhead and use it to fertilize the eggs. Arielle Breen/Manistee News Advocate The annual steelhead egg collection at the Little Manistee River Weir started on April 15, 2026. Arielle Breen/Manistee News Advocate Department of Natural Resources staff inject air into the body cavity of the female steelhead and this pushes out eggs that are gathered in buckets. Staff then extract milt from the male steelhead and use it to fertilize the eggs. Arielle Breen/Manistee News Advocate Department of Natural Resources staff inject air into the body cavity of the female steelhead and this pushes out eggs that are gathered in buckets. Staff then extract milt from the male steelhead and use it to fertilize the eggs. Arielle Breen/Manistee News Advocate The annual steelhead egg collection at the Little Manistee River Weir started on April 15, 2026. Arielle Breen/Manistee News Advocate Department of Natural Resources staff inject air into the body cavity of the female steelhead and this pushes out eggs that are gathered in buckets. Staff then extract milt from the male steelhead and use it to fertilize the eggs. Arielle Breen/Manistee News Advocate Department of Natural Resources staff inject air into the body cavity of the female steelhead and this pushes out eggs that are gathered in buckets. Staff then extract milt from the male steelhead and use it to fertilize the eggs. Arielle Breen/Manistee News Advocate The annual steelhead egg collection at the Little Manistee River Weir started on April 15, 2026. Arielle Breen/Manistee News Advocate The annual steelhead egg collection at the Little Manistee River Weir started on April 15, 2026. Arielle Breen/Manistee News Advocate The annual steelhead egg collection at the Little Manistee River Weir started on April 15, 2026. Arielle Breen/Manistee News Advocate The annual steelhead egg collection at the Little Manistee River Weir started on April 15, 2026. Arielle Breen/Manistee News Advocate Michigan State University conduct research by taking post-mortem samples of steelhead for a health analysis to check for disease and health indicators of the locations steelhead population on April 15, 2026. Arielle Breen/Manistee News Advocate A photo of a map on display at the Little Manistee River Weir is shown. Arielle Breen/Manistee News Advocate During the annual egg collection, steelhead are guided from the Manistee River into the weir through a fish ladder device and into facilitys holding ponds. Arielle Breen/Manistee News Advocate During the annual egg collection, steelhead are guided into the weir through a fish ladder device and into facilitys holding ponds. Arielle Breen/Manistee News Advocate The Little Manistee River Weir is the only source for winter-run steelhead eggs for fish hatcheries in Michigan. It is also the main source for Ohio and Indiana hatcheries. Arielle Breen/Manistee News Advocate The Little Manistee River Weir is the only source for winter-run steelhead eggs for fish hatcheries in Michigan. It is also the main source for Ohio and Indiana hatcheries. Arielle Breen/Manistee News Advocate For close to 60 years, the Little Manistee River Weir has been the only source for winter-run steelhead eggs for fish hatcheries in Michigan. It is also the main source for Ohio and Indiana hatcheries. Arielle Breen/Manistee News Advocate The Little Manistee River Weir is the only source for winter-run steelhead eggs for fish hatcheries in Michigan. It is also the main source for Ohio and Indiana hatcheries. Arielle Breen/Manistee News Advocate For close to 60 years, the Little Manistee River Weir has been the only source for winter-run steelhead eggs for fish hatcheries in Michigan. It is also the main source for Ohio and Indiana hatcheries. Arielle Breen/Manistee News Advocate For close to 60 years, the Little Manistee River Weir has been the only source for winter-run steelhead eggs for fish hatcheries in Michigan. It is also the main source for Ohio and Indiana hatcheries. Arielle Breen/Manistee News Advocate Michigan State University conduct research by taking post-mortem samples of steelhead for a health analysis to check for disease and health indicators of the locations steelhead population on April 15, 2026. Arielle Breen/Manistee News Advocate Michigan State University conduct research by taking post-mortem samples of steelhead for a health analysis to check for disease and health indicators of the locations steelhead population on April 15, 2026. Arielle Breen/Manistee News Advocate The annual steelhead egg collection at the Little Manistee River Weir started on April 15, 2026. Arielle Breen/Manistee News Advocate The annual steelhead egg collection at the Little Manistee River Weir started on April 15, 2026. Arielle Breen/Manistee News Advocate Michigan State University conduct research by taking post-mortem samples of steelhead for a health analysis to check for disease and health indicators of the locations steelhead population on April 15, 2026. Arielle Breen/Manistee News Advocate Michigan State University conduct research by taking post-mortem samples of steelhead for a health analysis to check for disease and health indicators of the locations steelhead population on April 15, 2026. Arielle Breen/Manistee News Advocate Michigan State University conduct research by taking post-mortem samples of steelhead for a health analysis to check for disease and health indicators of the locations steelhead population on April 15, 2026. Arielle Breen/Manistee News Advocate Department of Natural Resources staff inject air into the body cavity of the female steelhead and this pushes out eggs that are gathered in buckets. Staff then extract milt from the male steelhead and use it to fertilize the eggs. Arielle Breen/Manistee News Advocate Michigan State University conduct research by taking post-mortem samples of steelhead for a health analysis to check for disease and health indicators of the locations steelhead population on April 15, 2026. Arielle Breen/Manistee News Advocate The annual steelhead egg collection at the Little Manistee River Weir started on April 15, 2026. Arielle Breen/Manistee News Advocate The annual steelhead egg collection at the Little Manistee River Weir started on April 15, 2026. Arielle Breen/Manistee News Advocate Department of Natural Resources staff inject air into the body cavity of the female steelhead and this pushes out eggs that are gathered in buckets. Staff then extract milt from the male steelhead and use it to fertilize the eggs. Arielle Breen/Manistee News Advocate

However, thunderstorms caused electrical damage Monday night leading to loss of power and the generator and emergency system failure at the facility. This resulted in the death of about 75% of the fish.

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Olen Gannon is the Department of Natural Resources central Lake Michigan management unit natural resources technician supervisor overseeing the egg collection.

Wednesday, Gannon said the water was too dark to allow crews to estimate how many fish were left and thus how many more days they would be taking eggs.

The DNR collected over 1 million eggs Wednesday and Gannon said they plan to resume collections on April 22.

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"We'll let some more fish come in and try next week," he said.

The DNR previously said that its 2026 quota was 4.6 million eggs.

Collection events are open to the public from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The Little Manistee River Weir Egg Collection Facility is located at 3858-4664 Old Stronach Road in Stronach Township.

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Steelhead are rainbow trout that spend most of their lives in the Great Lakes.

The 6-9-pound adult steelhead at the weir range in age from about 2-4 years and are typically 24-30 inches long, according to signage about the fish at the weir.

Of the fish that died, Gannon noted that 122 were able to be used for research on age and origins of fish that had been tagged.

We take some adipose fin-clipped fish to see where theyre straying from, he said. They have a small tag in their snout so well take that tag and we can take scales and correlate to an age.

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BEIRUT, Lebanon (AP)  President Donald Trump announced Thursday that Israel and Lebanon had agreed to a 10-day ceasefire, a truce that could boost attempts to extend the ceasefire between Iran, the United States and Israel after weeks of devastating war.

However, Israel has not been fighting with Lebanon itself, but rather with the Iranian-backed Hezbollah militant group inside Lebanon. Hezbollah said in a statement that any ceasefire must be comprehensive across all Lebanese territory and must not allow the Israeli enemy any freedom of movement.

Israel offered no official comment on Trump's announcement.

Hezbollah added that Israeli occupation on our land grants Lebanon and its people the right to resist it, and this matter will be determined based on how developments unfold, a stance that could complicate the ceasefire.

Israel has staged a ground invasion in southern Lebanon, where its forces have been engaged in fierce battles with Hezbollah militants in the border area. It is unclear whether Israel would withdraw some or all of its forces as part of the truce.

Trump posted the ceasefire announcement on his Truth Social platform, saying it was to begin at 5 p.m. Eastern time (9 p.m. GMT). The announcement comes two days after the countries held their first direct diplomatic talks in decades in Washington. Hezbollah had opposed direct talks between Lebanon and Israel.

Trump extends White House invitation

Lebanon has insisted on a ceasefire to stop the fighting between Israel and Hezbollah before engaging in more talks, while vowing to commit to disarming the group.

Israel and Lebanon have technically been at war since Israel was established in 1948, and Lebanon remains deeply divided over diplomatic engagement with Israel.

Trump also invited the leaders of Israel and Lebanon to the White House for what he said would be the first meaningful talks" between the countries since 1983.

Both sides want to see PEACE, and I believe that will happen, quickly, Trump wrote.

Lebanon and Israel signed an agreement in 1983 saying Lebanon would formally recognize Israel, and Israel would withdraw from Lebanon. The deal fell apart during Lebanons civil war and was formally rescinded a year later.

Trump said the pause in fighting followed excellent conversations with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Pakistan army chief meets with Iranian parliament speaker

Meanwhile, Pakistans powerful army chief met Thursday with Irans parliament speaker as part of international efforts to press for an extension to a ceasefire that has paused almost seven weeks of war between Israel, the U.S. and the Islamic Republic.

It was unclear whether the frantic diplomacy could lead to a lasting deal as the two-week ceasefire passes the halfway mark. The Iran war has killed thousands of people and upended global markets by disrupting the flow of oil.

Iranian state television did not provide details on the meeting between Pakistani Army Gen. Asim Munir and Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, who has emerged as his countrys chief negotiator.

There was no immediate comment from Pakistan, which has become a key mediator after hosting direct talks between the U.S. and Iran that authorities said helped narrow differences between the sides. Mediators are seeking a new round before the ceasefire expires next week.

The White House said any further talks regarding Iran would likely take place in the Pakistani capital of Islamabad, though no decision had been made on whether to resume negotiations. The fragile ceasefire is holding despite a U.S. naval blockade of Iranian ports and Iranian counter-threats to target regional ports across the Red Sea.

The war has jolted markets and rattled the global economy as shipping has been cut off and airstrikes have pounded military and civilian infrastructure. Oil prices have fallen amid hopes for an end to fighting, and U.S. stocks on Wednesday surpassed records set in January.

Fighting continues between Israel and Hezbollah

Israel and Hezbollah exchanged fire across the border, with Hezbollah targeting towns in northern Israel with rockets and drones. Israeli fire against southern Lebanon intensified, especially around the cities of Tyre, Nabatieh and the strategic town of Bint Jbeil near the border with Israel.

Israeli troops have pushed deeper into southern Lebanon to create what officials have called a security zone, which Netanyahu has said will extend at least 8 to 10 kilometers (5 to 6 miles) into Lebanon.

Officials say US and Iran are making progress

Even as the U.S. blockade on Iranian ports and renewed Iranian threats strained the ceasefire, regional officials reported progress, telling AP that the United States and Iran had an in-principle agreement to extend it to allow for more diplomacy. They spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive negotiations.

But tensions simmered.

The commander of Irans joint military command, Ali Abdollahi, threatened to halt trade in the region if the U.S. does not lift its naval blockade, and a newly appointed military adviser to Iranian Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei said he does not support extending the ceasefire.

Mediators seek compromise on sticking points

Mediators are pushing for a compromise on three main sticking points: Irans nuclear program, the Strait of Hormuz and compensation for wartime damages, according to a regional official involved in the mediation efforts.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei said Iran is open to discussing the type and level of its uranium enrichment, but his country based on its needs, must be able to continue enrichment, Iranian state media reported.

The Pentagon urged Iran to make a deal, with U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth telling reporters at the Pentagon that ultimately, they need to come to the table.

He said the U.S. will ensure that Iran never has a nuclear weapon.

Wed prefer to do it the nice way through a deal led by our great vice president and negotiating team. Or we can do it the hard way, Hegseth said.

Iran insists it does not seek a nuclear weapon and its nuclear program is for peaceful proposes.

The fighting has killed at least 3,000 people in Iran, more than 2,100 in Lebanon, 23 in Israel and more than a dozen in Gulf Arab states. Thirteen U.S. service members have also been killed.

U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the Trump administration would ramp up economic pain on Iran with new economic sanctions on countries doing business with it, calling the move the financial equivalent of a bombing campaign.

China calls for Strait of Hormuz to reopen

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said the window of peace was opening during a phone call with his Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said.

Since the war began, Iran has curtailed maritime traffic through the strait, which a fifth of global oil transited through in peacetime. Tehrans effective closure of the strait sent oil prices skyrocketing, raising the cost of fuel, food and other basic goods far beyond the Middle East, and the U.S. has responded with a blockade on Iranian shipping.

U.S. Central Command said Wednesday that no ships had made it past the blockade since it was imposed two days earlier, while 13 merchant vessels complied with direction from U.S. forces to turn around and reenter Iranian waters.

___

Becatoros contributed from Athens, Greece. Samy Magdy in Cairo, Melanie Lidman in Tel Aviv, Israel, Munir Ahmed in Islamabad, and Ben Finley in Washington contributed to this report.
QASRAK AIR BASE, Syria (AP)  U.S. forces completed their withdrawal from Qasrak air base on Thursday when a final convoy of soldiers and equipment departed the site in Syrias Hasakah province, officials for both sides said.

The Syrian army has now taken full control of most military sites in the country where the U.S. military was once deployed.

Syria's foreign ministry said in a statement that the Syrian states restoration of sovereignty over areas that were outside its control, including the northeast and border regions, is the result of the Syrian governments continuous efforts to unify the country within the framework of a single state.

It said that the U.S. withdrawal came as a result of the successful implementation of a deal between Syria's central government in Damascus and the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces  which had previously controlled much of northeast Syria  and of success in fighting the remnants of the Islamic State group.

U.S. Central Command chief spokesperson Capt. Tim Hawkins confirmed the withdrawal.

U.S. forces have completed turning over all of our major bases in Syria, as part of a deliberate and conditions-based transition," Hawkins said, adding that the U.S. military will "continue to support partner-led counterterrorism efforts, which are essential to ensuring the enduring defeat of ISIS and strengthening regional security.

Convoys of trucks could be seen leaving the base Thursday, hauling military vehicles and equipment.

U.S. forces began withdrawing from Qasrak in late February, in what appeared to be part of a larger drawdown of U.S. forces in Syria. Earlier that month, the U.S. military's Central Command and Syrias defense ministry announced that U.S. troops had left the al-Tanf base in eastern Syria near the border with Jordan.

The departure of U.S. forces from the bases came after the U.S. military completed the transfer of some 5,700 accused Islamic State militants from detention centers in northeast Syria to prisons in Iraq, where they will be put on trial.

The main mission of the U.S. troops in Syria is to prevent a resurgence of IS. The extremist group lost control of the last territory it held in Syria in 2019 but its sleeper cells have continued to stage periodic attacks in Syria, Iraq and abroad.



Toropin reported from Washington.

Read more: US Aircraft Carrier Breaks Record for Longest Deployment Since the Vietnam War
Cubas president warned Thursday that a U.S. military strike is now a real possibility, while Pentagon-linked officials refused to discuss any response.

President Miguel Diaz-Canel delivered the warning during a public address in Havana marking the anniversary of Cubas socialist revolution, calling the moment absolutely challenging and urging the country to be prepared to defend itself. His remarks mark a clear escalation, shifting from general criticism of US policy to explicitly raising the prospect of military confrontation.

A White House official, speaking on background, dismissed Cubas leadership and suggested the government is weakening.

Cuba is a failing nation that has been horribly run for many years, the official said, adding that its leaders have suffered a major setback following the loss of support from Venezuela.

The official said the country could collapse soon and that the United States would be ready to step in and help them out.

The comments follow an NBC interview aired earlier this week in which Diaz-Canel said Cuba would defend itself if attacked, warning there would be fighting in the event of a U.S. military strike.

From left, White House deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Gen. Francis L. Donovan, Commander of the Southern Command, arrive at the inaugural Americas Counter Cartel Conference at U.S. Southern Command in Doral, Fla., Thursday, March 5, 2026. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)

U.S. Southern Command declined to engage directly with the warning.

We do not comment on specific operational planning or contingency plans nor speculate on hypothetical scenarios, a spokesperson told Military.com on Thursday.

Military.com reached out for comment to the White House, Department of Defense, State Department and US Southern Command for comment.

Pentagon Shuts Down Questions on Cuba Warning

Follow-up responses from naval forces in the region reinforced that position, signaling alignment across U.S. military commands operating in the Caribbean.

"We stand by what our higher headquarters provided, a U.S. Navy spokesperson told Military.com on Thursday.

The response reflects a tightly controlled communications posture, with frontline commands deferring to U.S. Southern Commandwhich oversees military operations across Latin America and the Caribbean, including Cuba.

That stance is consistent with public remarks from U.S. Southern Command leadership in March, when officials told lawmakers there was no indication the United States was preparing for military action against Cuba, instead focusing on contingency planning tied to embassy security, Guantanamo Bay and potential migration scenarios.

That approach is typical when foreign leaders issue threats without corresponding activity on the ground, allowing US officials to avoid amplifying rhetoric while maintaining flexibility if conditions shift.

Other experts said the warning itself lacks credibility as a near-term military threat.

I believe that remarks by Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel regarding a US attack on Cuba is not credible, Carlos Seiglie, a professor of economics at Rutgers University, told Military.com in an email Thursday.

Seiglie pointed to Cubas military size  roughly 76,000 personnel based on international defense data  and warned that any US attack would likely require ground forces and lead to significant casualties.

The domestic political ramifications would be enormous, ignoring the international outcry, he said.

Even so, the exchange highlights the sensitivity of a region just 90 miles from US territory, where US forces maintain a presence and where even symbolic escalation can carry broader political and security implications.

Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel, center, attends a celebration marking the 65th anniversary of the proclamation declaring the Cuban Revolution socialist, in Havana, Cuba, Thursday, April 16, 2026. (AP Photo/Ramon Espinosa)

So far, U.S. officials have given no indication of any shift in force posture, deployments or operational activity tied to the warning, reinforcing the view that Washington is not responding with visible military action.

Still, the lack of direct engagement leaves open how seriously U.S. officials are assessing the threat, particularly in a region where tensions can escalate quickly.

Cuba Sounds Alarm on Possible US Strike

Diaz-Canel, speaking in Havana, framed the situation as a direct national security threat, signaling a shift from broader political criticism to explicit warnings of potential conflict.

Speaking in Havana, he framed the situation as a direct national security threat, signaling a shift from broader political criticism to explicit warnings of potential conflict.

The prospect of some sort of U.S. military attack against Cuba is very real, William LeoGrande, a professor of government at American University, told Military.com.

LeoGrande pointed to ongoing negotiations between Washington and Havana but said both sides remain far apart, with Cuba rejecting any changes to its political system while Secretary of State Marco Rubio has insisted leadership must change.

The warning comes as Cuba faces deepening economic strain and sustained pressure from U.S. sanctions, conditions Cuban officials have repeatedly linked to rising tensions with Washington.

LeoGrande said a limited agreement focused on economic issues remains possible, including steps such as the release of political prisoners, but warned that a breakdown in talks could sharply escalate the situation.

If these negotiations fail, the Trump administration will very likely resort to some sort of military force.

Diaz-Canels warning is best understood as both domestic messaging and a signal of worsening bilateral tensions, Ricardo Torres, an economist at American University, told Military.com in an email Thursday.

Inside Cuba, the government uses the idea of an external threat to rally support at a time of deep internal weakness, Torres added, cautioning that the remarks should not be read as evidence an attack is imminent.

In recent weeks, Cuban officials have increasingly accused the United States of intensifying economic and political pressure, with Diaz-Canels latest comments marking one of the clearest signals yet that those tensions could escalate further.

People attend a celebration marking the 65th anniversary of the proclamation declaring the Cuban Revolution socialist, in Havana, Cuba, Thursday, April 16, 2026. (AP Photo/Ramon Espinosa)

LeoGrande said a limited agreement focused on economic issues remains possible, including steps such as the release of political prisoners, but warned that a breakdown in talks could sharply escalate the situation.

If these negotiations fail, the Trump administration will very likely resort to some sort of military force, he told Military.com.

Torres said the rhetoric reflects a more dangerous phase in the relationship, where force is still viewed as a potential tool of pressure even if conflict is not imminent.

LeoGrande said a full-scale occupation of Cuba appears unlikely given political and logistical constraints, but warned that more limited military options remain on the table.

Air strikes and perhaps even attempts to kill or kidnap Cuban leaders are a real possibility, he told Military.com.

Cuba Tensions Put Region on Edge

Any sustained rise in U.S.-Cuba tensions could ripple across the Caribbean, where migration routes, maritime security operations and U.S. military activity are closely linked.

US Southern Command maintains a persistent presence across the region, including counter-narcotics missions and security cooperation with partner nations, while the United States operates from Guantanamo Bay on Cubas southeastern coast.

Recent reporting has highlighted the bases expanding role in migrant detention operations, alongside worsening conditions inside Cuba driven by widespread blackouts and fuel shortagesfactors that continue to heighten pressure on the island and raise the risk of instability.
A retired Navy officer is facing a sweeping ban from multiple military bases in Virginia after a firearm was discovered at a gate, setting up a clash with a new Pentagon policy on guns on base.

An April 2 letter from Joint Expeditionary Base Little CreekFort Story bars the retired officer from entering the installation and extends the ban across Navy facilities in the Hampton Roads region, according to documents reviewed by Military.com. The move effectively cuts off access to multiple bases and services and is raising questions about how the military enforces firearm rules for retirees, notably as the Pentagon rolls out a new policy allowing active-duty troops to seek permission to carry personal weapons on base.

It was not immediately clear whether the firearm was declared or secured in accordance with base policy.

Military.com reached out to the Navy, Defense Department, FBI and Justice Department for comment. The Pentagon deferred comment to the Navy.

Locked Out of Navy Bases

A firearm discovered at the installation gate prompted an immediate administrative response, according to the letter.

The retired officer is now barred from entering Joint Expeditionary Base Little CreekFort Story and is prohibited from accessing housing, exchanges, medical facilities and other on-base services. The restriction extends across Navy Region Mid-Atlantic, effectively blocking access to multiple installations in the Hampton Roads area.

U.S. Navy Police Officer Shawn Crossan (left) and Master-At-Arms 3rd Class Samuel Young engage a suspects vehicle during an entry control point (ECP) penetration drill on Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Fort Story, Feb. 4. (U.S. Navy photo by Travis J. Kuykendall/Released)

The order carries legal force. Violating it could result in arrest under federal trespassing law, 18 U.S. Code  1382, which bars unauthorized entry onto military installations and can carry penalties including fines and up to six months in jail.

I have seen numerous debarment letters in the past, but typically they include limited access for things like medical care, commissary and exchanges, William E. Cassara, a civilian defense attorney who practices military law in Augusta, Ga, told Military.com.

I cant say that I have ever seen where somebody was just told you cannot come on any military base at all.

Gun Policy Clash on Bases

A new Pentagon firearms policy issued the same day is now colliding with the case.

The April 2 directive allows active-duty service members to request permission to carry privately owned firearms on base for personal protection, with installation commanders instructed to presume approval in certain cases. The policy applies to uniformed personnel and does not explicitly extend to retirees, who are generally treated as civilians under base access and security rules.

That distinction is now driving questions about how firearm policies are being applied and whether prior military service carries any weight when enforcement actions are taken.

The apparent disconnect is already drawing attention at the highest levels.

Thanks for sharing. Our team is reviewing. This is unacceptable, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth wrote Wednesday on X in response to a post describing the incident.

Retired Officer Still Faces Civilian Rules

Retired status is now at the center of the case.

The individual is a retired Navy officer, not an active-duty service membera distinction that carries significant limits on what is allowed on base. Retirees can still access commissaries, exchanges and certain services, but they are generally treated as civilians for security and law enforcement purposes and must follow installation rules governing weapons.

Unlike active-duty troops, retirees do not fall under the Pentagons new policy allowing service members to request permission to carry privately owned firearms on base. That gap is now raising questions about whether prior military service has any bearing on how rules are enforced and whether retirees face stricter consequences despite their continued ties to the military community.

If all it was is he just happened to have a weapon in his car and forgot about it, that seems kind of harsh to me, said Cassara, noting that enforcement often depends on the specific circumstances of how the weapon was handled or discovered.

Federal Charges Possible

Federal charges could come into play depending on how the case is handled as 18 U.S. Code  1382 is a federal trespassing law that bars unauthorized entry onto bases and enforces penalties, including fines and up to six months in jail.

Additional violations could apply depending on the circumstances of how the firearm was handled at the gate.

Secretary of War Pete Hegseth and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff U.S. Air Force Gen. Dan Caine conduct a press briefing on Operation Epic Fury at the Pentagon, Washington, D.C., April 8, 2026. (DoW photo by U.S. Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Eric Brann)

Military.com contacted the FBI and the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Eastern District of Virginia to determine whether the case has been referred for prosecution or whether any charges are under consideration. Both agencies did not immediately respond.

Installation commanders also have broad administrative authority to bar individuals from bases, including issuing indefinite or region-wide bans, regardless of whether criminal charges are filed, a parallel track that can carry immediate consequences even without a court case.

Nobody has a right to be on a military base, said Cassara, adding that commanders have wide discretion to impose access restrictions even in cases that do not lead to criminal charges.
A key U.S. surveillance program is suddenly stuck in a Republican revolt and President Donald Trump is scrambling to save it, bringing skeptical lawmakers to the White House as the April 20 expiration deadline closes in.

House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) delayed a planned House vote Wednesday after conservatives balked at a clean extension of Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA), exposing deep divisions inside the GOP over national security and civil liberties.

Trump summoned Republican holdouts to the White House this week in a last-ditch push to salvage the measure, underscoring growing concern inside Republican leadership that the bill cannot pass without direct presidential pressure.

Military.com reached out for comment to the White House, National Security Council, Defense Department, Office of the Director of National Intelligence and National Security Agency.

One of the clearest public no votes came from Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY). His office pointed Military.com to the congressman's X post, with Massie saying that he would vote against final passage if the bill does not include a warrant provision and other reforms to protect U.S. citizens right to privacy, adding that three amendments he offered were not allowed the night before.

Privacy advocates say that resistance reflects long-standing concerns about how the surveillance authority is used.

We have a chance to implement some very real reforms to this policy, which has been out of control for a very long time, Matthew Guariglia, a senior policy analyst at the Electronic Frontier Foundation, told Military.com.

Trump Steps in as Resistance Hardens

Behind closed doors, Trump pressed Republican lawmakers to fall in line as the vote hung in the balance just days before the deadline.

Republicans must unify, Trump said Tuesday, calling the program vital to protecting the country and supporting intelligence and military operations.

The White House meeting brought together skeptical conservatives who have resisted a clean extension of Section 702, citing concerns over warrantless surveillance and so-called backdoor searches of Americans data.

President Donald Trump speaks to the press outside the Oval Office of the White House, Monday, April 13, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

Pressure inside the conference intensified as Johnson struggled to lock down votes, with opposition from within his own party forcing leadership to rely on Trumps direct intervention to try to push the measure across the finish line.

FISA Expiration Raises National Security Risks

Section 702 allows U.S. intelligence agencies to collect communications of foreign targets using U.S. technology infrastructure, a capability officials say underpins counterterrorism operations, cyber defense and battlefield intelligence.

If the authority lapses, officials say agencies could lose the ability to quickly track foreign threats, creating immediate intelligence gaps at a time of heightened global tensions.

This June 6, 2013, file photo, shows a sign outside the National Security Administration (NSA) campus in Fort Meade, Md. In the wake of the San Bernardino, California, shootings, Republican presidential candidates Marco Rubio, Jeb Bush, Chris Christie and Lindsey Graham are complaining that U.S. intelligence agencies have lost their authority to collect bulk data on nearly all U.S. phone calls under a controversial National Security Agency surveillance program. All four candidates have overstated their case. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky, File)

The administration has tied the program directly to ongoing operations, arguing it plays a role in identifying and monitoring adversaries such as Iran and in protecting U.S. forces overseas. Ongoing cyber activity linked to Tehran has continued despite a fragile ceasefire, and tensions around shipping and regional security have remained elevated.

Military.com also reached out to the House Intelligence and Judiciary committees for comment.

GOP Revolt Puts Vote at Risk

A deepening split inside the Republican conference is threatening to derail the legislation just days before the deadline.

National security hawks are pushing for a clean extension of Section 702, warning that delays or added restrictions could weaken intelligence capabilities and disrupt operations tied to counterterrorism, cyber threats and overseas missions.

Conservatives and civil libertarians are demanding sweeping changes, including warrant requirements for searches involving Americans data and tighter limits on so-called backdoor searches, arguing the program allows excessive surveillance with insufficient oversight.

Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., speaks outside the House chamber before the final votes of the week, at the Capitol in Washington, Friday, Dec. 12, 2025. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

Massie has been one of the most vocal opponents, and other conservatives have signaled continued resistance despite pressure from leadership and the White House.

Guariglia said the divide reflects a broader pattern in Washington, where lawmakers often shift their stance on surveillance depending on who controls the intelligence apparatus.

Standing up for privacy is all well and good when your political opponents control the intelligence community. But when your political allies are in power, privacy is no longer a priority.

The standoff has left Johnson scrambling to secure enough votes, with little room for defections as the clock ticks toward expiration.

Guariglia added that reforms, particularly a warrant requirement, are likely to remain central to the debate moving forward.

Eventually, were going to have to implement some necessary reforms, including a warrant requirement, he said, adding that transparency around how surveillance data is used in criminal cases remains a major unresolved issue.

He also pointed to what he called a growing data broker loophole, where law enforcement can purchase location data that would otherwise require a warrant, arguing lawmakers should use the current legislation to close that gap.
The U.S. military is ready to strike Iran at the push of a button, Pentagon leaders said Thursday, as a sweeping naval blockade forces ships to turn away from Iranian ports.

The blockade follows failed talks and a fragile ceasefire, with U.S. forces already turning ships away and warning the pressure campaign could quickly escalate into strikes, raising risks for oil flows and a wider conflict.

Days earlier, U.S. and Iranian officials ended ceasefire talks without agreement, setting the stage for the current standoff.

Locked And Loaded and Ready to Strike

Fresh warnings from Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth underscored how quickly the standoff with Iran could escalate, pairing diplomatic outreach with direct threats against the countrys energy sector.

We are locked and loaded on your critical dual-use infrastructureand your energy industry, Hegseth said Thursday during a Pentagon briefing, adding that U.S. forces were ready to go at the push of a button.

Gen. Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, speaks during a Pentagon briefing on the U.S. naval blockade of Iran, Thursday, April 16, 2026, in Washington. (Associated Press)

The remarks came as U.S. naval forces enforce a blockade designed to choke off Irans oil exports, a pressure tactic short of direct strikes but one that could shift rapidly if negotiations collapse.

Your energy is not moving and will not move, Hegseth said, describing the effort as targeting Irans economic lifeline without immediately striking infrastructure.

He pointed to what U.S. officials have described as a diplomatic off-ramp, urging Iranian leadership to accept a deal while warning that rejecting it could trigger attacks on power generation and energy facilities.

Ships Turned Back as Blockade Tightens

New details from Caine show the U.S. blockade is already reshaping maritime traffic around Iran, with warships and aircraft pushing vessels away from key ports.

This blockade applies to all ships, regardless of nationality, heading into or from Iranian ports, Caine said during the Pentagon briefing Thursday.

The operation targets Irans ports and coastline rather than the Strait of Hormuz itself, but enforcement extends into both territorial seas and international waters, backed by surveillance aircraft, intelligence assets and carrier strike group firepower.

More than 10,000 U.S. personnel, along with over a dozen ships and dozens of aircraft, are enforcing the blockade, forming a layered presence designed to detect, track and intercept vessels before they reach Iranian-controlled waters.

The effort extends beyond the Middle East. U.S. forces in the Pacific are also tracking ships suspected of supporting Iranian oil exports, including so-called dark fleet tankers that operate outside sanctions and insurance systems.

Adm. Bradley Cooper, the top U.S. commander in the region, said more than 50,000 American service members are now deployed across the Middle East supporting the operation, underscoring the scale of the military posture during the ceasefire.

Turn Around or Be Boarded

Ships are already turning back as U.S. naval forces enforce the blockade, signaling immediate impact without a single boarding operation.

Caine said at least 13 vessels have reversed course rather than attempt to cross U.S. enforcement linesthe latest Pentagon tally as the blockade takes hold.

U.S. warships are issuing direct warnings to approaching vessels, with Navy crews broadcasting orders to turn around or face interception, boarding and possible seizure.

Gen. Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, speaks during a Pentagon briefing on the U.S. naval blockade of Iran, Thursday, April 16, 2026, in Washington. Gen. Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, speaks during a Pentagon briefing on the U.S. naval blockade of Iran, Thursday, April 16, 2026, in Washington. (Associated Press)

If you do not comply with this blockade, we will use force, a standard transmission warns ship captains nearing Iranian ports, according to the Pentagon briefing.

Officials described the operation as a finely tuned machine, combining destroyers, carrier-based aircraft and surveillance platforms to detect and pressure vessels long before they reach the blockade line, allowing U.S. forces to control traffic without firing a shot.

Cooper said the blockade is being enforced in real time by young sailors making split-second decisions in combat information centers and on the bridge, often just years out of training but entrusted with navigating warships through congested waterways.

Combat Could Restart at Any Moment

The pause in fighting may not last long, with U.S. military leaders warning the blockade could quickly give way to renewed combat.

The joint force remains postured and ready to resume major combat operations at literally a moments notice, Caine said Thursday.

The blockade follows a ceasefire ordered by President Donald Trump after earlier combat operations under what officials have called Operation Epic Fury, a campaign that set the conditions for the current standoff between Washington and Tehran. New casualty figures tied to that operation show 365 U.S. troops wounded in action and 13 killed as of early April.

Defense officials said the military has already demonstrated its ability to shift rapidly between large-scale combat and containment operations, warning that the transition back to strikes could happen just as quickly.

We can make that transition again very quickly and even more powerfully than ever before, Hegseth said.

Officials said Irans command-and-control capabilities have been highly degraded, limiting its ability to coordinate operations, but increasing its incentive to maintain the ceasefire to avoid renewed U.S. strikes.

Cooper said U.S. forces are using the pause in fighting to rearm, adjust tactics and apply lessons learned from recent combat, describing the military as a learning organization that is already adapting in real time.

Blockade Threatens Global Oil

The broader confrontation is centered on the Strait of Hormuz, a chokepoint that typically carries about 20% of the worlds oil supply, where even limited disruptions can ripple across global energy markets.

U.S. officials argue the blockade allows Washington to squeeze Irans economy without immediately escalating to strikes, while still keeping military options on the table against critical infrastructure if negotiations fail.

This is the polite way that this can go, Hegseth said Thursday, describing the operation as a step short of direct attacks.

But the pressure carries clear risks. A prolonged blockade or any move toward strikes could disrupt oil flows, rattle global markets and draw the U.S. and Iran closer to a wider conflict.

Hegseth also signaled frustration with allies outside the region, saying many countries rely on the waterway but have not contributed to maritime security operations, arguing that global partners should play a larger role in securing international shipping lanes.

Officials say regional partners including Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait and Jordan have played key roles in supporting the operation, with U.S. commanders describing those alliances as stronger than ever after fighting side by side.
President Donald Trump unveiled plans earlier this year to build a massive 250-foot arch among the historic monuments in Washington, D.C., to commemorate the nations 250th anniversary.

However, a group of Vietnam veterans is suing the president, believing the arch will obstruct views of Arlington National Cemetery, where more than 400,000 American soldiers are buried.

Over the weekend, artists renderings were released, revealing what the arch would look like, resembling the famous Arc de Triomphe in Paris. However, the Independence Arch would be about 100 feet taller and feature the inscription One Nation Under God in gold lettering, a Lady Liberty statue at the top, along with two 24-foot eagles.

But the veterans suing Trump, along with one historian, believe building the arch would be illegal since it was not approved by Congress, and see it more as an eyesore blocking views to monuments and the cemetery than a tribute to the country.

Jon Gunderson, who served in the Army, is one of the plaintiffs in the lawsuit, Lemmon v. Trump. He told MS NOW that he, along with several other Vietnam veterans, looked at the project open-mindedly at first.

We want to honor veterans; were glad that people are thinking about it, and we looked at the project, Gunderson said. For one thing, its three times the size of the Lincoln Memorial. Its bigger than the Statue of Liberty or the Arc de Triomphe, and it ruins the view. If youve ever been to Arlington Cemetery and youve seen the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, you see this beautiful sweep. You see the Lincoln Memorial, the Washington Monument, the Capitol, all the iconic parts of America  all of them had been cleared by Congress. And this monument  I use that word loosely  would not only block the view, but its on a traffic circle, so visitors cant get there.

Gunderson would rather see a structure built with Congressional approval, along with a nod from veterans.

Its just wrong, he said. Absolutely wrong.

Memorial Circle, the proposed plot of land near Memorial Bridge where the "Independence Arch" could be built is seen in Washington, Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Nathan Howard)

Something to Honor All Soldiers

Gunderson recalled that when the Vietnam Veterans Memorial was built in the early 1980s, it was also controversial at first, but became one of D.C.s most visited monuments. If a new monument were to be considered, Gunderson would rather see a structure that truly honors veterans.

And why is it so important? So good? It honors the soldier, Gunderson said. Theres no general riding on horseback, theres no discussion of presidents, its about the average soldier. And its not about a cause or a president; its about the sacrifices the average soldier made for his or her country.

Nick Sansone, of the Public Citizen Litigation Group, serves as one of the attorneys representing the plaintiffs in the case against Trump. Sansone said Congress has played a substantial role in the layout and configuration of monuments in the nations capital since the U.S. began nearly 250 years ago.

And theres a reason for that. These monuments are meant to tell a national story with buy-in from all the relevant constituencies, Sansone said.

Through the Commemorative Works Act, passed into law in 1986, any time a presidential administration plans to develop a monument in the heart of D.C., it must obtain approval from Congress that includes a series of reviews to ensure the monument is properly situated, that it wont disturb existing configuration of monuments, and its designed in a way that has buy-in from the nations citizens.

This project has not had that authorization, and unless or until Congress has approved the construction of this arch, in this specific site, its not authorized by law, Sansone said.

Rendering of the 250-foot-high arch overlooking the Potomac River. (Harrison Design/U.S. Commission of Fine Arts)

Vanity Project

Gunderson, who also served as a senior U.S. diplomat, fought against totalitarianism in Vietnam and the Cold War and sees echoes of the same approach from a president trying to push the arch project without going through the proper channels.

Its the idea that its not a single person we owe allegiance to, its the Constitution and its the other people. Ill go back to the Vietnam Memorial because there everyone is equal. We live together; we die together. If youre a private or a general, youre the same under our nation, under God, whatever your face would be, Gunderson said. This is a vain, glorious monument to a person. No other president has done this before. Lincoln, Washington, and all of these monuments have gone through the proper process. Thats all were asking. Then, when we stop it, we can look at a more appropriate monument at a more appropriate place.

Gunderson said the proposed arch may also be a flight risk since its on the direct path to Reagan National Airport.

Anybody thats been to Washington knows this is a horrendous place to build anything, Gunderson said. And its blocking our view of our most sacred monuments.
House Democrats have introduced articles of impeachment against Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, accusing him of abusing power, mishandling classified information and authorizing military action without proper legal authority.

The resolution, introduced April 15 by a group of lawmakers led by Yassamin Ansari, outlines six articles of impeachment tied largely to recent U.S. military operations involving Iran, including allegations of civilian casualties and unauthorized use of force.

While the effort is unlikely to succeed in Congress, it marks a significant escalation in a broader fight over who ultimately controls the use of U.S. military power.

A Rare Move  With Long Odds

Impeachment of a sitting defense secretary is extraordinarily rare. Removal would require a majority vote in the House and a two-thirds vote in the Senate, a threshold that is almost certainly out of reach under current political dynamics.

But the importance of the move is not limited to its chances of success.

Even unsuccessful impeachment efforts can reshape debate in Washington, forcing greater scrutiny of military decisions and signaling where political pressure is building.

Secretary of War Pete Hegseth discusses the importance of the commitment being made by new service members as he prepares to administer the oath of enlistment to 140th Wing Airmen as well as active duty Airmen, Soldiers, Seamen and Marines at Buckley Space Force Base, Aurora, Colorado Feb. 23, 2026. (U.S. Air National Guard photosby Tech. Sgt. Chance Johnson)

At the Center: Who Controls the Use of Force

At its core, the impeachment push is not just about one official. It is about authority.

The Constitution divides war powers between Congress and the president, but in practice, those lines are often blurred. Defense secretaries operate at the center of that tension, translating political direction into military action.

The articles filed this week reflect growing concern among some lawmakers that those boundaries are being tested, particularly in fast-moving operations involving Iran.

What Impeachment Actually Does

Impeachment is often misunderstood as removal from office. In reality, it functions more like a formal charge: a mechanism for Congress to publicly challenge the actions of a senior official.

Even when it does not advance, it can trigger investigations, hearings and increased oversight of how decisions are made at the highest levels of the Pentagon.

The Articles of Impeachment

Lawmakers introduced six articles alleging high crimes and misdemeanors.

They include:

Unauthorized military action against Iran, described as reckless endangerment of U.S. service members

Violations of the Law of Armed Conflict, including allegations related to civilian harm

Mishandling of classified information, including use of unsecured communications

Obstruction of congressional oversight

Abuse of power and politicization of the armed forces

Conduct bringing disrepute upon the United States and its military

Lawmakers also cite specific incidents tied to recent operations, including a strike they allege caused significant civilian casualties and a series of maritime strikes targeting suspected drug-trafficking vessels.

Secretary of War Pete Hegseth signs a custom 155mm LAP at General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems, as part of his Arsenal of Freedom Tour, Camden, Ark., Feb. 27, 2026. (DoW photo by U.S. Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Alexander Kubitza)

A Political Fight  With Broader Implications

Pentagon officials have dismissed the impeachment effort as politically motivated, maintaining that all military actions were conducted within legal authorities and established rules of engagement.

Supporters of Hegseth argue the move reflects broader opposition to administration policy, particularly regarding Iran.

Critics, however, say the stakes go beyond politics, pointing to concerns about expanding executive authority in decisions involving the use of force.

What Comes Next

For now, the resolution is expected to face limited movement in the House, with no clear path to a full vote.

But the issues driving it, war powers, accountability and the scope of executive authority, are unlikely to fade.

And while this impeachment effort may not advance, the questions behind it about who decides, under what authority, and with what constraints will continue to shape how those decisions are made.
Maruti Suzuki loses grip on Indias car market, share sinks to a 13-year low in FY26

Having once commanded about half of Indias car market, the company's share has declined by nearly 12 percentage points since FY20









The broader utility vehicle segment now accounts for 67% of Indias passenger vehicle market but Maruti Suzukis share in the category is below 25%. SUV shift hurting Maruti where it has less than 25% share

Rivals Mahindra & Mahindra, Tata Motors gaining fast on SUVs

Weak premium play as Toyota-badged models often outsell Maruti twins

To achieve FY31 goal it will have to recover in five years nearly the same share it lost over the past seven years Did our AI summary help? MU01 MU01 NSE/BSE Select NSE LIVE BSE LIVE Day High

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Renault is planning to launch 36 new models globally by 2030, including hybrids and EVs.

Varun Singh A journalist covering the automotive sector in depth, across business and product verticals. Trying to hit the gym at least four times a week! I am not a fitness freak though.
JAC Class 8th Result 2026 declared @ jacresults.com, direct link here

The Jharkhand Academic Council (JAC) has officially declared the JAC 8th Result 2026. The council has released the Class VIII result exclusively through school login credentials on the official portal, jacresults.com.









JAC Class 8 Result 2026 OUT JAC 8th Result 2026 released via school login only

Students must contact their school to get marksheets

Original marksheets will be sent to schools within weeks Did our AI summary help?
Quote of the Day by Franz Kafka: "Start with what is right rather than"

Franz Kafka urges choosing what is right over what is acceptable, highlighting the importance of integrity, truth, and moral courage.









Quote of the Day by Franz Kafka: "Start with what is right rather than" (image: wikipedia) Kafka urges choosing what is right over what is merely acceptable

Integrity and truth matter more than societal approval

Kafka's quote highlights courage in standing apart from the crowd Did our AI summary help?
Quote of the Day by Queen Elizabeth II: "When life seems hard, the courageous do not..."

Queen Elizabeth II highlights that true courage is shown in hardship, urging people to stay strong, determined, and keep striving for a better future.









Quote of the Day by Queen Elizabeth II: "When life seems hard, the courageous do not..." Queen Elizabeth II's quote inspires courage in tough times

Her words highlight resilience and determination over defeat

The quote remains relevant for facing today's challenges Did our AI summary help?
Jobs on hold, tickets waitlisted: Migrants head to Bengal fearing voter roll deletion

The anxiety following the recent Special Intensive Revision has triggered a reverse migration from metros and industrial hubs









Migrant workers rush to take trains ahead of the Assembly elections. (Representative photo) Migrant workers rush to West Bengal fearing loss of voter status

Many risk jobs and wages to vote in Assembly polls

Shortages of domestic workers reported in major cities Did our AI summary help?
American Pie actress Shannon Elizabeth joins OnlyFans; takes a jib at Hollywood: it allows me to connect directly with my audience

American Pie star Shannon Elizabeth joins OnlyFans, saying she wants to take control of her career narrative and connect directly with fans through the platform.









The move was also confirmed by her manager Andy Bachman, who highlighted the platforms ability to foster a direct connection between creators and their audience. Shannon Elizabeth joins OnlyFans to control her own narrative

She aims to connect directly with fans and show a new side

Her OnlyFans page launches for subscribers on April 16 Did our AI summary help?
Baseer Alis social media account gets hacked; asserts, Screenshots are fabricated and deceptive Its intolerable

Baseer, known from Bigg Boss 19, used his X account to discuss the matter and clarify the confusion surrounding specific controversial posts associated with his profile.









Baseer Ali Baseer Ali denies liking hate-inciting posts on social media

He says his account was hacked from Austria

Fans told: dont share unverified screenshots or chase rumors Did our AI summary help?
Humein sirf body ka skeleton mila, When Vijayta Pandit spoke about shocking murder of her sister Sandhya Pandit; revealed Sulakshana Pandit didn't know about her death

Vijayta Pandit recalled her sister Sandhyas 2012 murder, revealing her skeleton was found weeks after she went missing. She also shared that their family still hides the truth from sister Sulakshana to protect her emotionally.









Humein sirf body ka skeleton mila, When Vijayta Pandit spoke about shocking murder of her sister Sandhya Pandit; revealed Sulakshana Pandit didn't know about her death Vijayta Pandit recalls sister Sandhya's tragic 2012 disappearance

Sandhya's remains were found a month later in Navi Mumbai marsh

Family hid Sandhya's death from elder sister Sulakshana for years Did our AI summary help?
Justice delayed, not denied: Vipul Amrutlal Shah wins 16-year cheque bounce case linked to London dreams

Filmmaker Vipul Amrutlal Shah wins a 16-year cheque bounce case linked to London Dreams, as court convicts producers and orders repayment within 90 days or nine months imprisonment.









Justice delayed, not denied: Vipul Amrutlal Shah wins 16-year cheque bounce case linked to London dreams Vipul Amrutlal Shah wins 16-year cheque dishonour case

Producers convicted, must pay dues in 90 days or face jail

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Ramayana producer Namit Malhotra congratulates Ranbir Kapoor on TIME 100 honour, calls him Absolutely deserving

Namit Malhotra has congratulated Ranbir Kapoor on being featured in TIMEs 100 Most Influential People of 2026, calling the recognition absolutely deserving and reflecting on their long-standing bond. With their upcoming film Ramayana already generating buzz, he also looked back on Ranbir Kapoors journey and growth over the years.









Namit Malhotra congratulates Ranbir Kapoor Ranbir Kapoor named in TIME's 100 Most Influential People of 2026

Producer Namit Malhotra praises Ranbir's journey and talent

Ramayana film starring Ranbir to release in IMAX in Diwali 2026 Did our AI summary help?
Sara Arjun to make a comeback to Tamil cinema post Dhurandhar 2, to pair up with a star hero: Reports

According to reports, the young actress, who has been getting a lot of praise for her work as Yalina in Dhurandhar, is now being considered for a big project with Dhanush.









Sara Arjun Sara Arjun may replace Rukmini Vasanth in Dhanush's next film

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Social media influencer Johnny Somali sentenced to six months in South Korea for obstruction

American influencer Johnny Somali has been sentenced to six months in prison in South Korea for obstruction, deepfake distribution, and controversial public stunts that sparked widespread outrage.









The 25-year-old influencer is well-known for producing what is commonly referred to as rage bait content, which Oxford University Press declared its Word of the Year in 2025. Johnny Somali sentenced to six months in prison in South Korea

Convicted for obstruction and distributing sexual deepfakes

His controversial online behavior sparked outrage in South Korea Did our AI summary help?
Vikas Khanna makes it to Time 100 most influential list, says: 'All the kids would fun of curry and now curry boy gets to be on a global stage'

Vikas Khanna makes it to the annual Time list along with actor Ranbir Kapoor, Google CEO Sundar Pichai, YouTube chief Neal Mohan and New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani.

PTI April 16, 2026 / 09:35 IST























Vikas Khanna Vikas Khanna named in Time 100 most influential people list

Khanna celebrates turning 'curry boy' into a badge of honour

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Yash confirms Ramayana Part 1 to release in October 2026 during Diwali

Yash has hinted that Ramayana Part 1, directed by Nitesh Tiwari, could release in late October 2026 around Diwali. The actor also described the film as an immersive cinematic experience.









At the same event, the actor also opened up about the scale and impact of the film, describing it as a deeply immersive cinematic experience. Yash confirms Ramayana Part 1 release planned for October 2026

Ramayana will be a two-part series with global release

Sai Pallavi, Yash, Sunny Deol, and Ravie Dubey star in the film Did our AI summary help?
A $285 million crypto hack and falling yields rock decentralized finance industry

A $285 million hack blamed on North Korean state-backed operatives has renewed doubts about the security of a sector that has spent years insisting it was maturing.









DeFi once attracted waves of speculative capital with double- and triple-digit yields. DeFi yields now rival bonds, reducing their appeal

Security concerns rise after $285M hack linked to North Korea

TradFi firms adopt blockchain for asset trading Did our AI summary help? - -

Volume: - Open Trading A/c - 0 (0%) Todays L/H 0 0
Brookfield India REIT launches QIP with base size of Rs 2,000 crore

This is the second fund raise by the firm in recent months. In December, it had raised Rs 3,500 crore, also via the QIP route.
Global oil markets have been in turmoil since the US and Israel launched strikes on Iran earlier this year, which in turn effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz, the vital oil and gas shipping route
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Google blocks over 483 mn bad ads, suspends 1.7 mn accounts in India in 2025

Globally, Google blocked or removed over 8.3 billion bad ads and suspended 24.9 million advertiser accounts last year, according to Google's '2025 Ads Safety Report' released on Thursday.

PTI April 16, 2026 / 22:41 IST














India could limit sulphur exports as supplies tighten, sources say

Export restrictions could add to upward pressure on global sulphur prices, as supplies from the Middle East are disrupted by the Iran war and with China also set to restrict sulphuric acid exports from next month.

Reuters April 16, 2026 / 16:57 IST























(Representative image) India may restrict sulphur exports amid supply concerns

Mideast turmoil, China curbs push global sulphur prices up

Sulphur is vital for fertiliser and mining industries in India Did our AI summary help?
ANALYSIS Indias US trade surplus at 3-year low as imports hit record high; China exports cushion Gulf slump

Trade data for FY26 shows Indias imports from the US increased nearly 16 percent, a record high, driven by higher crude oil and LNG purchase, while exports to China have surged over 36 percent, helping cushion weaker demand from war-affected West Asia.









Indias merchandise exports in FY26 stood at about $441.8 billion, registering a marginal year-on-year growth of around 0.9 percent. India's imports from US hit record $52.90 billion in FY26

U.S. trade surplus shrinks to $34.41B, a 3-year low

Exports to China surged 36.66 percent to $19.48 billion in FY26 Did our AI summary help?
After TCS row, Wipro says it has independent POSH oversight, quarterly reviews in place

At Wipro, CHRO Govil said, POSH compliance is reviewed closely every quarter, signalling tighter oversight at the board level.









Wipro Wipros POSH panel works independently of HR and management

Wipros audit panel reviews POSH compliance every quarter

IT firms review governance post TCS Nashik harassment claims Did our AI summary help?
TCS Nashik case: Employees asked to work from home amid attempts to vandalise office

TCS' BPO unit in Nashik is currently under investigation following sexual harrasment and religious conversion allegations on some employees.









Hindu women rallying outside TCS office in Nashik.
PropShare Celestia IPO subscribed 1.33 times on final day, listing likely next week

PropShare Celestia IPO | The public issue has received bids for 3,090 units in last four days since April 10, against the offer size of 2,323 units. Non-institutional investors provided the biggest support to the public issue, bidding 4.81 times their allotted quota, while the portion set aside for institutional investors was subscribed 17 percent. PropShare Celestia, the third scheme set up by Property Share Investment Trust in December 2025, reserved 75 percent of the offer size for institutional investors and the remaining 25 percent for non-institutional investors.









PropShare Celestia IPO News PropShare Celestia IPO subscribed 1.33 times

Non-institutional investors portion booked 4.81x, institutional investors - 17 percent

Trading in PropShare Celestia units to commence on the BSE on April 24 Did our AI summary help?
Daikin shares climb 14% after activist Elliott takes stake

Elliott, fresh off a successful campaign to persuade the Toyota group to increase its buyout offer for Toyota Industries Corp., has been ramping up its activity in Japan.









Daikin
The veteran emerging markets investor stayed one of Indias strongest global bulls, even as he repeatedly warned that bureaucracy and policy unpredictability could hold it back
If markets get shakier, Raamdeo Agrawal says buy whats 'unpopular' and watch this sector

Raamdeo Agrawal shares his investing strategy: buy unpopular stocks, prefer capital market firms, stay cautious on IT, and bet on downturns.









Motilal Oswal chairman lays out a contrarian strategy, backs capital market businesses, sees steady gains in banks, urges caution on IT Raamdeo Agrawal urges investors to buy ignored sectors

He sees strong growth in capital market-linked businesses

Agrawal urges patience, independent thought, and profit-taking Did our AI summary help?
Ramesh Damani picks defence, minerals, infra as top themes; sees steady gains as worst of Iran war impact fades

Veteran investor Ramesh Damani expects markets to transition from the sharp, volatile swings seen over the past few months to a more measured trajectory. Damani reiterated his long-standing preference for defence, alongside critical minerals and infrastructure.









Ramesh Damani Ramesh Damani expects stable market gains in next 3-6 months

Defence, critical minerals, and infrastructure seen as key themes

Domestic investment flows now as important as foreign capital Did our AI summary help?
Stocks to Watch Today: HDB Financial, Tejas Networks, Aurobindo Pharma, GHV Infra, John Cockerill, Brigade, Container Corporation, UFO Moviez in focus on 16 April

Stocks to Watch, 16 Apr: Stocks like ICICI Lombard General Insurance Company, HDB Financial Services, GTPL Hathway, Tejas Networks, GMR Airports, Aurobindo Pharma, GHV Infra Projects, John Cockerill India, Brigade Enterprises, Rubicon Research, Suraj Estate Developers, and UFO Moviez India will be in focus on April 16.









Stocks to Watch Today, 16 April Stocks in Focus on April 16: ICICI Lombard, HDB Financial Services, GTPL Hathway, Tejas Networks, Aurobindo Pharma, GHV Infra Projects, John Cockerill, Brigade Enterprises Did our AI summary help? ILG

HFSL

GH02 ILG NSE/BSE Select NSE LIVE BSE LIVE Day High

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Volume (NSE) More HFSL NSE/BSE Select NSE LIVE BSE LIVE Day High

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Pernod Ricard India revenue up 11% in March quarter

India is the largest market by volume and second-largest by value for the French spirit maker, which owns popular brands such as Absolut, Chivas Regal, and Glenlivet.

PTI April 16, 2026 / 22:07 IST























Bottles of Pernod Ricard's brands are displayed at a bar in Gurugram, India. (REUTERS) Pernod Ricard India reports 11% revenue rise in March quarter

Strong demand and premiumisation boost sales in India

Imported, local labels like Absolut, Blenders Pride surge Did our AI summary help?
Is someone using your PAN to open bank accounts? Heres how to check before it turns into a problem

A quick check can save you from a much bigger headache later, especially as digital account openings become faster and less visible.









Pan xd Check your credit report for unfamiliar accounts or enquiries.

Check tax statement for unknown accounts linked to PAN

Watch bank email/SMS alerts for suspicious activity Did our AI summary help?
Lock gold prices now, buy later: Smart move or hidden catch this Akshaya Tritiya?

Pre-booking gold, silver, or jewellery ahead of Akshaya Tritiya can be a practical option for consumers, especially in a market where precious metal prices remain volatile









Gold jewellery is a big purchase, so caution is important. Always check purity (such as 24KT or 22KT), hallmark certification, making charges, GST, buyback terms, and delivery conditions Pre-booking gold locks in rates before Akshaya Tritiya 2026

Check purity, certification, and terms before pre-booking gold

Gold ETFs offer transparent, secure investment alternatives Did our AI summary help?
TDS for individuals: Who needs to deduct it and what happens if they miss?

The deductor must deduct and deposit TDS with the government and file the statement. The TDS certificate is then generated through the TRACES portal to ensure data consistency









tds understanding TDS now mandatory on property, rent and high-value payments

Failure to deduct or deposit TDS attracts interest and penalties

TDS certificates must be generated via the TRACES portal only Did our AI summary help?
YEIDA says investment sentiment strong despite Noida unrest

Officials say the Yamuna Expressway region continues to attract strong investor interest despite temporary disruptions elsewhere in the NCR









YEIDA sees no slowdown in industrial investments after Noida labour disruptions YEIDA region sees continued industrial investment despite unrest

Electronics and semiconductor firms show strong interest in YEIDA

Foxconn, HCL open Noidas first chip unit near airport Did our AI summary help?

Ashish Mishra
Sebi, Financial Intelligence Unit-India sign pact to strengthen anti-money laundering efforts

Under the pact, Sebi and FIU-India will regularly share data and information to strengthen surveillance and curb fraudulent activities in the securities market, the regulator said in a statement.

PTI April 16, 2026 / 20:15 IST














Singapore Airlines CEO meets Tata Sons Chairman Chandrasekaran

Goh Choon Phong arrived at the Bombay House, the headquarters of the Tata Group, on Thursday morning and left in the evening.

PTI April 16, 2026 / 22:15 IST























Tata Sons chairman N Chandrasekaran. (Bloomberg)
Walmart-owned Flipkart tests investor appetite for $2 billion pre-IPO round

Flipkart group CEO Kalyan Krishnamurthy has personally met investors in Singapore, the US and in London to test appetite for a private fundraise over the past months, sources told Moneycontrol.









Kalyan Krishnamurthy, CEO, Flipkart Group

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GHV Infra Projects shares in focus on contract win of Rs 815 crore

Suraj Estate Developers Share Price | In the last fifteen days, the share price increased by more than 21 days.









GHV Infra Projects JI06 JI06 NSE/BSE Select NSE LIVE BSE LIVE Day High

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HDB Financial Services stock jumps nearly 10% after Q4 profit beat; brokerages cite improving asset quality

Brokerages pointed to a relatively modest expansion in HDB Financial Services' loan book, with AUM growth at around 11 percent year-on-year. While Nomura expects momentum to improve, Jefferies noted that disbursements have picked up and expects stronger AUM growth ahead.









HDB Financial Services HDB Financial jumps ~10% on strong Q4 earnings

Net profit rose 41.4 percent year-on-year to Rs 751 crore in Q4

Brokerages note better asset quality, reduced credit costs Did our AI summary help?
Can Bitcoin surpass gold? Bitwise CIO says its market could go far beyond $34 trillion

Bitcoin could surpass golds $34 trillion market if it evolves into a global currency, Bitwise CIO Matt Hougan says amid Iran conflict.









Bitcoin vs gold market, Bitwise Bitcoin outlook, Matt Hougan Bitcoin, Bitcoin $1 million projection, Iran conflict crypto, Strait of Hormuz crisis, Bitcoin as currency, crypto geopolitics, global financial system sanctions, Bitcoin adoption trade, Bitcoin market cap vs gold, cryptocurrency global payments Bitcoin may top gold if adopted as a global currency

Iran may seek Bitcoin tolls on oil tankers amid tensions

Bitcoins value and currency roles may lift its valuation Did our AI summary help?
Bengal SIR: People whose appeals are allowed by tribunal eligible to vote in assembly polls

Earlier this week, the top court expressed reluctance to allow the persons excluded from the electoral rolls to vote in the upcoming West Bengal assembly elections while their appeals are pending before the appellate tribunals.









Supreme Court
If Constitution amendment bill is passed, democracy will be finished in India: Priyanka Gandhi

Participating in a debate in the Lok Sabha on three bills introduced for amendments in the women's-quota law and setting up a delimitation commission, Priyanka Gandhi asked why can't the government give 33 per cent reservation to women on the current 543 seats of the Lok Sabha.

PTI April 16, 2026 / 19:20 IST























Priyanka Gandhi Priyanka Gandhi slams govt over women's quota bill amendment

She says the bills delimitation clauses could harm democracy

Congress supports women's reservation but questions bill's intent Did our AI summary help?
Delimitation debate: Rahul Gandhi accuses BJP of gerrymandering ahead of 2029 polls. What does it mean?

This amendment is an attempted power grab using delimitation and gerrymandering. We will not allow Hissa Chori from OBC, Dalit and Adivasi communities by ignoring the caste census data, says Congress leader.









Rahul Gandhi earlier said it will oppose the Centre's plan to introduce the three bills in Parliament Rahul Gandhi alleges delimitation is a power grab, not for women

Government says seat increase will be uniform across all states

Opposition to resist bills on delimitation, seat expansion Did our AI summary help?
Delimitation, womens reservation bills tabled in Parliament; Congress MP Venugopal flags govts intent

The Congress leader said all the three Bills were unconstitutional and an attack on the Indian federal structure.









Congress MP KC Venugopal Parliament tables three bills, incl. 2026 Delimitation Bill

Congress, SP oppose bills over federalism concerns

Session to tie womens quota to delimitation exercise Did our AI summary help?
Ground collision: SpiceJet plane clips Akasa Air jet at Delhi airport, DGCA starts probe

The officials said the Akasa Air aircraft was taxiing for take off and the SpiceJet was taxiing towards the parking stand when the incident happened at around 2.15 pm at Terminal 1 of the Delhi airport.









The incident occurred while the Akasa Air aircraft was parked, with no immediate reports of injuries. SpiceJet jet clips Akasa Air wing while taxiing at Delhi airport

Both aircraft suffered damage but no injuries were reported

Akasa Air passengers safely disembarked; investigation underway Did our AI summary help?
How minority-dominated Murshidabad district could emerge as kingmaker in the West Bengal Assembly polls?

Following the Special Intensive Revision, 11 lakh names from Murshidabad district were under adjudication. According to the revised electoral rolls, 7.48 lakh names have been deleted.









Officials and security personnel interact with a resident during an area visit in Murshidabad district to assess the preparedness of the upcoming West Bengal Assembly elections. (Credit: PTI) Over 7 lakh names deleted from Murshidabad voter rolls after SIR

Residents fear loss of identity and outsider status in elections

Minority vote fragmentation may impact Murshidabad's poll outcome Did our AI summary help?
'If there is good word in Tamil, I can...': PM Modi seeks to assuage Tamil Nadu's concerns over delimitation bill

Meanwhile, Tamil Nadu chief minister MK Stalin escalated protests against the Centre's proposed delimitation by burning the bill and launching a statewide black flag agitation, calling it an attack on Tamil rights and federalism.









PM Modi in Lok Sabha PM Modi: Lok Sabha bills won't hurt fair representation

Tamil Nadu CM Stalin protests delimitation bill, calls it attack

Women's quota amendment, related bills tabled in Lok Sabha Did our AI summary help?
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma addresses an election rally in Coochbehar ahead of the West Bengal Assembly polls.
Mamata says BJP plans to 'plant bombs', bring NIA during Bengal election

BJP has firmly denied Banerjee's claims and have said that her comments are politically motivated.









West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee was addressing a poll rally in Cooch Behar
Noida unrest: Police name left-wing outfit member Rupesh Rai as key accused, recover instigating WhatsApp chats

Authorities claim that the unrest, which began as a protest over low wages, was amplified by the role of organised groups and external elements.
Noida violence: After Rupesh Rai's arrest, police hunt for key accused Aditya Anand intensifies

According to police, the accused were instrumental in mobilising workers to gather outside the Motherson Group facility on April 13.
Parliament face-off: Akhilesh Yadav demands Muslim women sub quota, Amit Shah says not allowed by Constitution

Why is the government in a hurry? We are in favour of Women's Reservation Bill; they don't want census because then we will demand caste reservation, you want to mislead, says SP chief.









SP chief Akhilesh Yadav spoke in Lok Sabha today Akhilesh Yadav demands quota for Muslim women in reservation bill

Amit Shah says religion-based reservation is unconstitutional

Three bills introduced to fast-track 33% womens quota in Parliament Did our AI summary help?
PM Modi indulging in 'anti-national' acts of OBC 'hissa chori', 'power grab' through delimitation: Rahul Gandhi

Rahul Gandhi warned of "one more dangerous aspect" in PM Modi's proposal, alleging that, "If what Modi wants happens, then small states, southern states, and northeastern states will suffer significantly, and their representation will decline."

PTI April 16, 2026 / 11:52 IST























Rahul Gandhi (Courtesy: X | @RahulGandhi)
SC directs EC to issue supplementary electoral roll in WB to include voters whose appeals allowed

The court declined to entertain a plea moved by a group of 13 people seeking its intervention in the deletion of their names from the voter list during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the electoral roll in West Bengal, where polling for the first phase of the Assembly election is scheduled be held on April 23.

ANI April 16, 2026 / 22:01 IST























Supreme Court SC orders EC to issue supplementary revised voter list

Appeals decided by tribunals by April 21 or 27 will be included

Pending appeals do not grant voting rights for West Bengal polls Did our AI summary help?
Send your wife if you want a child: TCS staffer alleges forced namaz, conversion pressure in Nashik office

So far, nince FIRs have been registered in Nashik involving allegations of attempted religious conversion, sexual harassment, and religious harassment at the workplace.
Supreme Court refuses to entertain plea seeking guidelines for display of Ashoka Chakra

A bench of Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and Vipul M Pancholi told the petitioner, who appeared in person, to do something constructive for society.

PTI April 16, 2026 / 12:04 IST























Supreme Court
TCS harassment case: Accused Shafi Shaikh allegedly assaulted inside Nashik Road Jail

As per the report, Shaikh has now sought police protection within the Nashik Road jail where he is lodged currently after his arrest.









TCS Nashik row: Controversy rages as victims say no action after years of complaints
Women's reservation, delimitation: What's on the agenda for Parliament's three-day special session?

The primary objective of the session is to operationalise the womens reservation framework by linking it with the long-pending delimitation exercise.









The special session will convene over a span of three days. Parliament session to focus on electoral reforms, delimitation

Womens reservation linked to fresh constituency delimitation

Possible Lok Sabha seat expansion to reflect demographic changes Did our AI summary help?
OPINION | As Parliaments special session begins, delimitation proposal stokes anxieties

A constitutional amendment Bill that links reservation of seats for women along with delimitation will be debated. Womens reservation has wide political support. But reaction to delimitation provisions not only reveals trust deficit but also the relegation of Parliaments importance









Parliament
India seeks major upstream investment amid energy risks. Policy reforms are strong. However, inconsistent contract handling raises investor concerns. Stability and clarity are essential for long-term exploration commitments

Investors assess policy credibility not only by what is promised, but by how expiring contracts are handled.
Midcareer professionals appear particularly resistant, not due to technical limitations, but because they can clearly see which parts of their expertise AI can replicate. (Representational image: Unsplash)
CBSE Class 10 results: Student battling cancer beats odds, scores 96.6%

Aarav Vats, who has been receiving treatment for the past two years, continued his studies alongside medical care, maintaining consistency during a period marked by physical and emotional strain. His result comes at a time when the CBSE announced a marginal rise in overall performance across the country.









The CBSE declared the Class 10 results for 2026 on Wednesday, recording an overall pass percentage of 93.70%, slightly higher than last years 93.66%.
Google recruit from Mumbai recalls career confusion in college: 'This felt impossible'

Lakshya Kapur said a turning point came in the fourth year of his engineering degree, when he chose to work on a startup project despite having no fixed plan or certainty of success. 'No plan. No guarantee it would work. Just a feeling that I should try,' he said.









Announcing his role at Google, Lakshya Kapur said he is now part of the companys digital marketing team, describing the opportunity as 'just the beginning'. (Image credit: LinkedIn, Unsplash)
Imagine the ride at 40: Netizens slam Mumbais non-AC closed door local train. Railways react

Unlike Mumbais decadesold opendoor locals, the new prototype rake introduced by Central Railway operates with closed doors and relies on mechanical ventilation in place of airconditioning.









On X, many commuters and commentators described the train as impractical for Mumbais climate. (Image credit: @Benarasiyaa/X)
'Just turn around': Amazon worker dies on warehouse floor, staff told to continue work. Company responds

Several employees claimed that, even as the situation unfolded, supervisors instructed staff nearby to continue loading and sorting packages. According to accounts cited in reports, some workers were told to turn around and not look while work carried on in adjacent areas.









Amazon maintains that workers were sent home with pay shortly after emergency teams reached the site.
'Rules are strict': Indian tourists delay kimono return in Japan, police step in. Watch

Ashika Jain shared the experience in a video on Instagram, saying, 'Bhaisahaab Japan ki police literally hume pakadne aa gayi (Police in Japan came to arrest us).' She added, 'And it all started because I decided to wear a kimono that day.'

April 16, 2026 / 12:35 IST














UK tribunal strikes off Indian-origin therapist after English proficiency row

A speech and language therapist lost her job and registration after struggling to understand patients despite declaring English as her first language.









Indian-origin therapist dismissed in UK over English language concerns case
Woman sues ChatGPT, claims AI helped 53-year-old ex-boyfriend to stalk and harass her despite warnings

A woman has taken legal action against OpenAI after her ex-boyfriend allegedly used ChatGPT to stalk and harass her. The lawsuit claims the chatbot backed his delusions, called her manipulative, and ignored repeated red flags.
A Rare Double Flyby: NASA tracks 2 bus-sized asteroids racing toward Earth today!

Two house-sized asteroids, 2026 GA2 and 2026 GT, will safely pass Earth on April 16, 2026. NASA confirms both flybys are harmless, though the rare double asteroid event highlights ongoing space monitoring efforts.









2026 GA2 and GT asteroids set to pass Earth on 16 April 2026. (Image: Canva) Two asteroids will safely pass Earth on April 16, 2026

2026 GA2 and 2026 GT pose no impact risk, say scientists

NASA uses these flybys to improve asteroid tracking systems Did our AI summary help?
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Think youre anonymous on social media platforms? Anthropic, ETH Zurich study shows AI can identify users from their posts

A new study by Anthropic and ETH Zurich shows AI can identify users from social media posts, raising concerns about privacy, surveillance risks, and the limits of online anonymity.

Sarthak Singh April 16, 2026 / 16:41 IST























Artificial Intelligence AI links anonymous accounts using only their post content

LLMs beat older methods at matching users across platforms

Study warns online anonymity is less reliable due to AI advances Did our AI summary help?

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The US warns Iran it may resume airstrikes and maintain a naval blockade if Tehran rejects a deal to end Middle East conflict. Diplomatic talks, mediated by Pakistan, continue, but both sides remain divided over Irans nuclear program and sanctions.

Did our AI summary help?
Borrowing to repay? Pakistan gets $2 billion Saudi help as UAE debt looms

Pakistan has received $2 billion from Saudi Arabia to boost reserves as it faces mounting pressure to repay a $3 billion UAE loan amid ongoing economic strain.









Another bailout? Saudi Arabia gives Pakistan $2 billion for UAE repayment
US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth warned Irans military of intensified US pressure, highlighting a US Navy blockade restricting Tehrans oil exports in the Strait of Hormuz. He urged Iran to de-escalate, stressing US naval dominance and readiness to sustain pressure.

Did our AI summary help?
Trump team taps GM, Ford for weapons production as Ukraine, Iran wars strain US supplies

Pentagon is urging GM, Ford and others to scale weapons output as Ukraine and Iran wars strain US munitions stockpiles.









Talks with GM and Ford signal a potential shift toward a broader defence industrial base as conflicts in Ukraine and Iran strain US supplies. US urges GM, Ford to boost weapons production amid wars

Pentagon seeks wider industrial base for munitions and equipment

Aerospace and heavy equipment firms also involved in talks Did our AI summary help?
Heavy Russian attack on Ukrainian cities kills at least 17

Ukraines Air Defense said Russia launched in excess of 40 ballistic and cruise missiles as well as more than 650 drones of various types, calling it one of the toughest attacks of the year to date.









Russia launched major missile and drone attacks on Ukraine cities

At least 17 killed, including children, with dozens injured

Ukraine urges faster sanctions and aid after deadly strikes Did our AI summary help?
In tough times, Russians are turning to witchcraft

Nearly half of Russians believe that some people may be able to predict the future or have magical powers, the survey showed, up from less than a third in 2019.

Reuters April 16, 2026 / 18:38 IST























A staff member decorates the voodoo-themed bar Marie Laveau in Moscow, Russia. (REUTERS) Russian soldiers seek witch Natalia Malinovskaya for love spells

85% of Russians have tried magical practices amid rising anxiety

Orthodox Church opposes fortune-telling, calls it a dark force Did our AI summary help?
Inside US mine-clearing operation in the Strait of Hormuz and risks involved

The US plans to clear mines in the Strait of Hormuz using drones, robots and naval systems, but experts warn the complex, slow operation remains vulnerable to attacks and delays.









US mine-clearing operation faces major risks
The remarks come amid heightened friction between Washington and Tehran following the US decision to tighten maritime restrictions,
Iran throws cold water on US deal hopes after Asim Munir's visit, says talks 'of no benefit without framework first'

US-Iran Talks: Tehran's remarks mark a more cautious, if not sceptical, tone from Iran even as Washington had indicated openness to another round of talks, potentially in Islamabad.









(FILES The Iranian delegation led by parliament speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf and Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi is welcomed by Pakistan's Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Asim Munir and Minister for Foreign Affairs Mohammad Ishaq Dar ahead of the US-Iran peace talks in Islamabad on April 10, 2026. Iran has toughened its stance on US talks after Pakistan Army Chief Munirs visit, insisting negotiations need a clear framework and US commitment. Despite Pakistans mediation efforts, Tehrans scepticism signals little progress amid ongoing regional tensions. Did our AI summary help?
Iran warns US over Strait of Hormuz blockade, says it will not retreat until rights secured

Iran has warned the United States that it will not withdraw from the Strait of Hormuz until its rights are fully secured, escalating tensions after a reported US naval blockade on Iranian ports.









Tehran escalates rhetoric on Hormuz blockade, warns US warships are within strike range
Israeli forces strike Hezbollah positions, kill militants in intensifying Bint Jbeil battle

Israel says it destroyed Hezbollah sites and killed militants in commando raids in southern Lebanon, as heavy clashes continue around Bint Jbeil alongside widening airstrikes and ground advances.









Israel intensifies raids against Hezbollah in Lebanon
LeT co-founder Amir Hamza shot in Lahore, condition critical: Reports

Hamza co-founded LeT with Hafiz Saeed between 1985 and 1986 and has been associated with several terror activities in India and abroad.









LeT co-founder Amir Hamza (Courtesy: Reuters file photo)
As the Iran war nears a fragile turning point, Tehran signals a post-conflict reset, with India emerging as a key partner.
French President Macron calls PM Modi, urges urgent restoration of navigation safety in Strait of Hormuz

Narendra Modi and Emmanuel Macron discussed West Asia tensions, stressing urgent need to restore safety and freedom of navigation in Hormuz.









Modi, Macron stress Hormuz navigation safety
In addition to the inbound vessels, two China-linked oil tankers sailed out of the Persian Gulf and into the Gulf of Oman, according to vessel-tracking data compiled by Bloomberg.
As US-Iran diplomacy resumes, questions grow over Irans unseen supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei. Unlike his father, Mojtaba remains absent from public view, fueling uncertainty about who sets Irans negotiating terms and the future of its power structure.

Did our AI summary help?
While Hormuz has been effectively blocked by both Iran and the US, a smattering of ships have made their way through
Pakistan faces extensive blackouts as gas shortfall worsens

The countrys power shortfall touched 4,500 megawatts on Wednesday evening, a time when demand typically peaks, according to the power ministry. Thats about a quarter of total demand.









Representative image
Pakistan's PM Shehbaz Sharif (L) shaking hands with Qatar's Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Sultan bin Saad Al Muraikhi (R), upon his arrival in Doha.
White House denies US requested ceasefire, says new talks may happen in Pakistan

Speaking at a White House press briefing, Leavitt said any fresh talks would likely be in Pakistan again as it has emerged as the "only mediator" in the effort to end the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran

Reuters April 16, 2026 / 04:15 IST























The talks last weekend broke down without an agreement to end the war, which President Donald Trump began alongside Israel on February 28
Pentagon ramps up planning for possible Cuba military operation

Pentagon ramps up contingency plans for Cuba intervention as Trump signals possible action, amid rising US-Cuba tensions.









US defence officials quietly prepare intervention scenarios as tensions with Cuba rise and Trump signals potential action Pentagon readies backup plans for potential Cuba intervention

US-Cuba tensions rise amid sanctions and oil blockade

Cuba vows to defend itself against any US military action Did our AI summary help?
Rare sighting: Indian, Pakistani warships come within 18 nautical miles off Oman amid West Asia tensions

The rare deployment comes as both nations appear to be focusing on securing their merchant shipping routes during the regional conflict.









Indian and Pakistani warships were just 18 nautical miles apart in the Gulf of Oman. (Image Source - Damien Symon / X)
Robert F Kennedy Jr says vaccine might have saved child who died of measles

In an exchange with Representative Linda Sanchez, a California Democrat, he acknowledged the possibility that the first US measles death in more than a decade may have been averted by vaccination.









Robert F. Kennedy Jr.Photographer: Kayla Bartkowski/Bloomberg Kennedy admits measles vaccine may have saved Texas child's life

HHS proposes $15.8B cuts, trimming CDC and NIH budgets

Kennedy defends changes to hepatitis B vaccine for newborns Did our AI summary help?
Scott Bessent says US won't extend temporary sanctions waiver on Russian oil

Several Asian nations, including India and Philippines, had unsuccessfully urged Washington to extend the Russian waiver before it expired









Still, the possibility of limited, targeted relief remainspotentially for specific companies or countries
The US military said on Tuesday its blockade had held and that it had stopped six vessels from sailing out of Iranian ports outside the Gulf during the first 24 hours.
The Art of the Deal, Pakistan Edition: How Asim Munir, Shehbaz Sharif became Trump's 'extraordinary men'

Pakistan has been laying the groundwork with US ever since Donald Trump came into power in 2025.









File: Asim Munir and Shehbaz Sharif with Donald Trump
The vote was almost exclusively along party lines, with every Republican except one opposing the resolution, and one voting present. One Democrat voted against it.
Trump tells Dutch royals he wants swift end to Iran war, backs pressure: Report

During the meeting with King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima, Trump is said to have emphasised that intensifying pressure on Tehran remains central to Washingtons strategy









According to the WSJ report, Trump conveyed a sense of urgency about ending the conflict while maintaining that any resolution would require concessions from Tehran.
Trump tried to choke Irans oil lifeline: Why his Hormuz blockade gamble may have handed Tehran a dangerous advantage

The Strait of Hormuz is not just Irans vulnerability. It is a shared artery of global energy supply. Nearly a fifth of the worlds oil passes through this narrow stretch of water.









A map showing the Strait of Hormuz and a 3D-printed miniature model depicting U.S. President Donald Trump are seen in this illustration taken March 23, 2026. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration The US naval blockade on Iran-linked shipping in the Strait of Hormuz aims to pressure Tehran but risks escalating conflict, disrupting global oil flows, and straining alliances, as Iran threatens broader retaliation and markets remain volatile. Did our AI summary help?
US confirms costliest air loss in Iran war as $240 million Triton drone goes down

A high-value US MQ-4C Triton surveillance drone crashed during a mission over the Persian Gulf, with the Navy withholding details on the cause.









US confirms $240 million Triton crash, marking costliest air loss of Iran war
US expands sanctions on oil tycoon to keep up pressure on Iran

The Treasury Departments Office of Foreign Assets Control said Wednesday it imposed penalties on a number of individuals, firms and vessels connected to wealthy businessman Hossein Shamkhani









The Trump administration imposed sanctions on Shamkhani and portions of his broader network last July. US sanctions 12+ entities tied to Iranian oil boss Shamkhani

Sanctions hit people, firms, ships tied to Shamkhani network

Iran oil waiver for linked shipments expires this weekend Did our AI summary help?
US, Iran edge closer to framework deal ahead of ceasefire deadline: Report

The discussions, supported by mediators from Pakistan, Egypt and Turkey, are aimed at narrowing key differences that have so far prevented a deal









A Pakistani delegation led by Asim Munir arrived in Tehran on Wednesday as part of these efforts
The CFTC is looking into at least two instances over a period of about two weeks where trading volumes surged shortly before major announcements
US to end oil waivers on Iran and Russia, tightening pressure: Will it impact India?

The US has ended oil waivers on Russia and Iran, raising the risk of tighter supplies and potential sanctions challenges for Indias crude imports.









US to end Russian and Iranian oil waivers, raising questions over India impact
US to halt Iran oil relief, tighten sanctions as Trump ramps up maximum pressure

US ends Iran oil relief, imposes fresh sanctions on shipping network, Treasury says, as Trump pushes maximum pressure amid conflict.









Treasury chief Scott Bessent says licence for Russian, Iranian oil wont be renewed; new sanctions target Tehrans shipping network US ends license for limited Iran, Russia oil deals

New sanctions hit Irans oil shipping and trading network

Tougher sanctions may tighten oil supply and boost volatility Did our AI summary help?
War to end soon? Pak delegates hint at 'major headway'; hopes of breakthrough during US-Iran talks 2.0

Al Jazeera reported that Pakistani delegates are engaged in frantic shuttle diplomacy with hopes of seeing a breakthrough this time









US and Iran may reach agreement on Iran's nuclear program soon

Pakistan mediates shuttle diplomacy for breakthrough talks

Next negotiation round set for early next week in Islamabad Did our AI summary help?
Who runs Pakistan? From talks to tours, venues expose Pakistans real power centre lies with Asim Munir

In most functioning democracies, high-stakes diplomacy is led and fronted by elected leadership. In Pakistans case, however, the optics tell a different story.









Pakistan's Army Chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir gestures as he walks with U.S. Vice President Vance (unseen) upon his arrival for peace talks with Iranian officials in Islamabad, Pakistan, April 11, 2026. Jacquelyn Martin/Pool via REUTERS Recent events highlight Pakistans military, led by Field Marshal Asim Munir, as the main power broker in key diplomatic and security matters, overshadowing civilian leadership and reinforcing the perception of a military-driven governance structure. Did our AI summary help?
Why Trumps 250-foot triumphal arch plan is facing backlash

What began as a modest proposal has grown into a massive monument, raising concerns over scale, symbolism and legality.









Why Trumps 250-foot triumphal arch plan is facing backlash
Donald Trump acknowledged AI's risks to global banking but said it could also boost security if managed well. He supported stronger oversight, including a possible AI "kill switch," as experts warn advanced AI could increase cyberattacks on financial systems.

Did our AI summary help?
Legacy High School's Top 10 graduates JAZMIN SANCHEZ/Courtesy of Midland ISD Midland High School's Top 10 graduates Courtesy of Midland ISD Luther Mbakwa is the Valedictorian of Early College High School at Midland College. Courtesy of Midland ISD Lauren Ramos is the Valedictorian of Young Women's Leadership Academy. Courtesy of Midland ISD Josiah Herrera is the Top Graduate at Coleman High School. Courtesy of Midland ISD

Midland ISD has announced its top graduates for the Class of 2026.

The recognition honors 23 students across the districts five high schools for their academic excellence and achievements.

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The Class of 2026 honorees include the top 10 graduates from Legacy High School and Midland High School, based on GPA; the valedictorians of Early College High School at Midland College and Young Womens Leadership Academy; and the top graduate of Coleman High School.

These students represent the very best of MISD with excellence in academics, leadership and determination, said Superintendent Stephanie Howard.

We are incredibly proud of their accomplishments and cannot wait to see the impact they will make in our community as they graduate.

The distinguished scholars will be honored by MISD at the districts recognition program in May.

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I want to thank each member of our team who impacted these students over the years, and I want to thank the parents for the opportunity to be a part of these outstanding students education, Howard added.

The Midland Education Foundations Shining Stars Breakfast will also celebrate the top graduates academic achievements, where they will be recognized and presented with scholarships.

The top graduates for the Class of 2026 are:

Legacy High School

Rank 1: Olivia Lee, Valedictorian

Rank 2: Abigail Van Husen, Salutatorian

Rank 3: Yuki Soda

Rank 4: Mary Wetendorf

Rank 5: Madeline Rhoads

Rank 6: Ilyann Nagues

Rank 7: Hadrian Urquidi

Rank 8: Daniellys Marquez-Dominguez

Rank 9: Rachel Hoffman

Rank 10: Leila Luna

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Midland High School

Rank 1: Gabriela Mata Garcia, Valedictorian

Rank 2: Gavin Gray, Salutatorian

Rank 3: Adalise Thompson

Rank 4: Noah Lopez

Rank 5: Easton Stepan

Rank 6: Lorelei Parrish

Rank 7: Lillian Earl

Rank 8: Abigail Gutierrez

Rank 9: Edith Olivo

Rank 10: Milana King

Early College High School

Luther Mbakwa, Valedictorian

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Young Womens Leadership Academy

Lauren Ramos, Valedictorian

Coleman High School

Josiah Herrera, Top Graduate
New Street Fighter movie trailer brings Ryu, Ken and Chun-Li into the ring. Louis Grasse/Getty Images for Paramount Pictu

Round one fight!

Nearly four decades after Street Fighter first exploded onto the scene, the iconic franchise is stepping back into the ring and the newly released trailer is giving fans plenty for fans to discuss.

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The upcoming Paramount Pictures film stars Noah Centineo as Ken Masters, leading a stacked cast of characters pulled straight from Capcoms Street Fighter II.

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - APRIL 15: (L-R) Andrew Schulz, Kitao Sakurai, David Dastmalchian, 50 Cent, Callina Liang, Olivier Richters, Vidyut Jamwal, Noah Centineo, Cody Rhodes, Andrew Koji, Eric Andre, and Rayna Vallandingham attend the "Street Fighter" Trailer Launch Party. Louis Grasse/Getty Images for Paramount Pictu

The lineup includes Andrew Koji as Ryu, Callina Liang as Chun-Li, Joe Anoai (WWE star Roman Reigns) as Akuma, David Dastmalchian as M. Bison, Cody Rhodes as Guile, Andrew Schulz as Dan Hibiki, Eric Andre as Don Sauvage, Vidyut Jammwal as Dhalsim, Curtis 50 Cent Jackson as Balrog, Jason Momoa as Blanka, Orville Peck as Vega, Olivier Richters as Zangief, Hirooki Goto as E. Honda, Rayna Vallandingham as Juli, Alexander Volkanovski as Joe, Kyle Mooney as Marvin and Mel Jarnson as Cammy.

According to the trailers official logline, the film is set in 1993 and follows estranged fighters Ryu and Ken as theyre pulled back into combat when Chun-Li recruits them for the next World Warrior Tournament, a brutal clash of fists, fate and fury. But beneath the surface lies a deadly conspiracy that forces them to confront each other and their pasts, if they dont its game over.

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The trailer opens with quick shots that introduce the fighters, one popping champagne in celebration, before cutting into intense battle scenes as an announcer begins a dramatic countdown.

Gathered here are the worlds best fighters, the voice says as Ken delivers a knockout blow in the ring. But only one of which will be crowned the world champion of Street Fighter.

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From there, the footage leans heavily into its '90s setting, including a glimpse of Ken on MTV, before showing him taking a hit from Balrog. The trailer cycles through a range of fights across different environments, from city streets to tournament arenas, spotlighting fan-favorite characters and hinting at Kens redemption arc as he fights his way back to the top with some help along the way.

Throughout the trailer, signature moves pulled straight from the video games are featured, a clear nod to the longtime fans of the franchise.

The films setting draws from Street Fighter II, which debuted in arcades in 1991 before landing on consoles in 1992, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

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Texas Gov. Greg Abbott urges Texas water entities to apply for more than $1 billion in TWDB grants to improve water supply and infrastructure. d3sign/Getty Images

Earlier this week, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott issued a press statement encouraging Texas water entities to apply for more than $1 billion in grants through the Texas Water Development Boards Water Supply and Infrastructure Grant Opportunity.

The grant, state officials said, is intended to update and improve the states water infrastructure.

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"Water is a precious resource that must be safeguarded," said Abbott. "This year, Texas made monumental investments to further provide Texans with reliable water sources. I encourage eligible political subdivisions and water entities across the state to apply for funding through the Texas Water Development Board Water Supply and Infrastructure Grants to help secure Texas water future for generations to come."

Abbott said he declared water infrastructure investment an emergency item in 2025 to address the needs of Texans and communities across the state. By signing Senate Bill 7 and House Joint Resolution 7 into law, state officials said Texas made one of the largest investments in water infrastructure in its history.

The funding provides about $20 billion to develop new water supplies and repair existing infrastructure across the state. Additionally, Abbott signed House Bill 500 into law, allowing the TWDB to provide 100% grant funding for eligible water supply and infrastructure projects.

Eligible project types include water supply and water infrastructure improvements or system replacements, as well as reuse efforts, such as addressing real or apparent water loss, or resolving Texas Commission on Environmental Quality violations, said state officials.

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Applications are due Thursday, July 30, 2026. Full application details and instructions are available on the WSIG webpage.

Applicants can attend two webinars to learn more about WSIG implementation from the TWDB.

The webinar schedule is:
Midland police arrested a Big Spring man in a 1997 Midland Park Mall sexual assault case and seek possible accomplice information. Westend61/Getty Images/Westend61

A DNA breakthrough has led to an arrest in a 1997 sexual assault case at Midland Park Mall, the Midland Police Department said.

On April 2, MPD, with help from the Texas Rangers, Texas Rangers Special Operations Group 4 and the Big Spring Police Department, arrested James Lee Woodard, a 61-year-old man from Big Spring, on an indictment charging him with aggravated sexual assault. Woodard was booked into the Howard County Jail, where bond was set at $250,000.

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MPD is also asking for the publics help in the 1997 sexual assault case. Law enforcement officials are seeking information about possible accomplices. The case dates to Sept. 1, 1997.

At about 10:30 p.m. Sept. 1, Midland police responded to Midland Park Mall, 4511 N. Midkiff Road, after a report of a sexual assault. MPD said a 49-year-old woman reported that she was grabbed, threatened with a box cutter and forced into a light-colored van when she went to take out the trash.

The victim was sexually assaulted in the van while another suspect drove around, MPD reported. The victim lost a watch, keys, a diamond necklace, and money during the assault in the van. The victim was then let out of the van at another area of the parking lot and made her way back into the mall, where she immediately contacted mall security, who called the Midland Police Department.

MPD said a sexual assault examination was conducted at Midland Memorial Hospital.

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An unidentified suspect DNA profile was obtained from the evidence, MPD reported. Midland Police Detectives conducted an extensive investigation, which included searching for possible suspect vehicles, checking pawn shops, and interviewing possible suspects/witnesses. The investigation also included a Crime Stoppers re-enactment of the crime, which was broadcast on local television.

In 1999, MPD said, DNA evidence from the crime scene was entered into the Combined DNA Index System and continuously compared with known offender DNA profiles, but no match was found. In July 2001, MPD said, the case was presented by the Midland District Attorneys Office to the 142nd District Court grand jury, which issued an indictment of the specific DNA profile for aggravated sexual assault, without knowing who the profile belonged to.

In February 2023, Midland police reopened the investigation and began reviewing information and searching for new leads. In March 2023, MPD requested the assistance of the Texas Rangers Unsolved Crimes Investigation Program. MPD said the Texas Rangers assisted by coordinating and facilitating further advanced DNA testing and analysis using updated technology, including forensic genetic genealogy. This advanced DNA analysis, MPD said, provided investigators with a lead in the case.

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Through additional investigation, a suspect was identified, and a surreptitious DNA sample confirmed the suspect to be a match to the DNA collected in 1997 from the evidence, MPD reported.
Midland police say a man was arrested in a 2020 sexual assault case and are asking other potential victims to come forward. Martin Diebel/Getty Images/fStop

Midland police are asking potential accusers to come forward regarding a sexual assault reported at a Midland apartment complex.

According to a statement from Midland police, in August 2020, a 17-year-old reported that she was sexually assaulted at an apartment by a man she knew.

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The victim was invited to a party at an apartment located at 3417 N. Midland Drive, MPD said. While at the residence, the victim was provided alcohol, became intoxicated, and fell asleep. After she awoke to the suspect sexually assaulting her, she pleaded with him to stop, but he did not.

Police later identified the suspect as Nicholas Garza. Police said Garza was a manager at a local restaurant where the accuser worked.

On Sept. 10, 2025, suspect Nicholas R. Garza was arrested by the U.S. Marshals Service in Austin, following an indictment for sexual assault, MPD said. Through the investigation, additional potential victims were identified, and the investigation is ongoing.

The Texas Rangers are assisting in the case. Anyone with information can contact Midland police at 432-685-7110 or Midland Crime Stoppers. The case number is 20-804-039.
The US South has moved from an alternative market to a primary focus for serious real estate investors-and the reasons aren't hard to find.

That shift is exactly why more investors are actively exploring commercial real estate for sale in Georgia, looking to position themselves in a market where population growth and business expansion are reinforcing each other.

Population inflows from higher-cost states have been consistent for years. Lower living costs, favorable tax environments, and improving quality of life have drawn a diverse workforce that keeps arriving. This migration reshapes more than the residential market-it drives demand across retail, industrial, and infrastructure, creating a growth cycle that compounds over time. Companies follow the workforce, job creation follows business investment, and more people attract more investment. Once the cycle is running, it tends to run for a while.

Where the Growth Is Happening

The primary metros - Austin, Dallas, Atlanta, Nashville - remain active and liquid. They offer the scale and depth that institutional capital requires, and economic fundamentals across all four remain solid. The tradeoff is competition: these markets are well-covered, pricing reflects widespread conviction, and low-risk high-return entries are largely behind.

Secondary markets are where more interesting conversations are happening. Smaller cities across the region are absorbing spillover demand as affordability constraints push residents and businesses outward from the major hubs. Growth rates in some of these markets rival what the primary metros were producing a decade ago, with entry points that still leave room. Investors who got into Nashville early are now looking one tier down - and finding markets that fit the same early profile.

Asset Classes Leading Demand

Multifamily is the most consistently active segment across the region. New residents entering Southern markets don't all buy immediately - rental demand has stayed strong even as construction deliveries have increased. The gap between population growth and ownership affordability keeps feeding the rental market, and that dynamic isn't resolving quickly.

Industrial is growing just as fast. The South's geographic position, highway infrastructure, and lower land costs make it a natural home for logistics, distribution, and e-commerce fulfillment. Supply chain strategies that prioritize regional redundancy are driving sustained demand for well-located industrial assets.

Suburban mixed-use development is a quieter trend but a meaningful one. Hybrid work patterns have redistributed where people spend their time, and developments combining residential density with walkable retail and amenity space are performing well in markets where suburban growth is outpacing the urban core.

Risks Worth Tracking

Strong regional momentum doesn't eliminate risk. Elevated construction pipelines in some submarkets - particularly multifamily in the major metros - may create temporary oversupply as deliveries land in the same window. Rising construction costs have already affected project feasibility and pushed some development to the sidelines.

The investors navigating this best tend to focus on where demand is moving rather than where it has already arrived. Tracking employment growth, infrastructure investment, and migration data at the submarket level - rather than making broad regional bets - is what separates disciplined operators from those chasing consensus.

The South isn't just growing. It's becoming a central pillar of the national real estate market, and the opportunities are real for those paying close enough attention to act before they become obvious.
Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Springfield is raising money for its services with a '70s-themed fundraiser. SimpleImages/Getty Images

Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois is throwing it back to the 1970s at its annual fundraiser this year.

The charity will have its "Get Your Groove On" fundraiser from 5:30 to 8 p.m. April 25 at the Knights of Columbus Hall, 2200 Meadowbrook Road, in Springfield.

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This year's fundraiser will be '70s-themed and feature trivia, a photo booth, a costume contest and a DJ. Tickets are $50 a person or $350 for a table of eight and available at the charity's website, cc.dio.org/.
Jacksonville Promise is working with Lincoln Land Community College to help students attend College for Kids, covering tuition for families in need. Tara Moore/Getty Images

Jacksonville Promise is working to help elementary and middle school students get an early preview of college life by working with Lincoln Land Community College to help cover tuition costs for its College for Kids program.

Charles Sheaff, co-founder of the Jacksonville Promise scholarship program, said that while the program is in the early stages, he has the goal to help provide the opportunity for students to participate in the College for Kids, regardless of their ability to pay for tuition.

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"We have been trying to find a way to reach the underprivileged students and help stimulate an interest in postsecondary learning," Sheaff said.

The College for Kids program and similar offerings give students a fun way to experience a college campus while learning. Lincoln Land Community College in Jacksonville is offering 13 summer courses in total for students across first through eighth grade.

Each camp is a four-day course and costs $149, focusing on subjects from American Sign Language to engineering.

Sheaff said Jacksonville Promise wants to help cover that cost for students whose families cannot afford tuition.

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"We are working with the Jacksonville Promise board and Lincoln Land to underwrite the tuition for kids who want to take these course," Sheaff said. "We haven't identified how we will determine need yet."

Sheaff said details are being ironed out, but he expects to have them finalized in the coming weeks. He said underwriting tuition for these courses is a first step in encouraging students to pursue education after high school.

"I hope that over the course of the next 10 to 15 years we have more kids showing an interest in postsecondary education," Sheaff said. "We want them to have that early exposure."

He said he is also currently working with Illinois College to do something similar for its programs.

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Jacksonville Promise provides scholarships to students who attend college at Illinois College and Lincoln Land Community College. Last year, the organization supported more than 100 scholarships.

"One thing I hope is to have kids become attached to the campuses and get more kids to think about going to college here locally," Sheaff said.

Classes available in Jacksonville:

Grades 1-3

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 Communication Without Boundaries Level 1  Hands-on American Sign Language. June 15-18

 Communication Without Boundaries Level 1  Hands-on American Sign Language. July 6-9

 Shape Explores  Work to identify, classify, and create with 2D and 3D geometric figures. July 6-9

 Mini Engineers: The Magical Building Adventure  Use various materials to build objects. July 13-18.

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Grades 4-6

 Communication Without Boundaries Level 1  Hands-on American Sign Language. June 15-18

 Mixed Media Madness  Use various supplies to create works of art. June 22-25

 The Action Zone  Use physical activity to help learn various statistical principles. June 29-July

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 Communication Without Boundaries Level 1  Hands-on American Sign Language. July 6-9

 The Design Zone  Step into the role of architects and interior designers. July 13-16.

 Code it to Life: Scratch Camp  Learn basic coding. July 13-16

Grades 6-8

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 Canva Creative Camp  Learn how to use Canva, a creative design tool. June 22-25

 Robotics Quest  Use skills like critical thinking and problem-solving to help design various robotic devices. July 6-9
A Looking for Lincoln sign sits outside the Governor Duncan Mansion in Jacksonville. Looking for Lincoln Heritage Coalition has been awarded state tourism grant funding to expand and preserve or restore its Looking for Lincoln Story Trail. Bridgette Fox/Journal-Courier

The Looking for Lincoln Heritage Coalition has been awarded more than $125,000 in tourism grants from the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity.

The nonprofit coalition works with communities, organizations and individuals in the 43-county Abraham Lincoln National Heritage Area to tell the story of Lincoln's nearly three decades of living and working in Illinois communities.

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Tourism is a powerful economic driver for communities across Illinois, and we appreciate the states continued commitment to investing in this critical industry, said Brittany Henry, chair of the Illinois Destinations Association and executive director of Jacksonville Area Convention and Visitors Bureau. These grant programs provide destinations with the tools they need to enhance experiences, grow visitation, and deliver meaningful economic impact in communities of all sizes across our state, while also supporting the small businesses and attractions that are the backbone of our local economies.

Amid the $4.85 million in tourism grant funding across multiple programs, Looking for Lincoln received two grants: the tourism attractions grant and the tourism marketing partnership grant.

Through a tourism attractions grant, the nonprofit will receive $86,361.50 for "the preservation and restoration of interpretive exhibits along the Looking for Lincoln Story Trail" and the creation and installation of 12 new interpretive exhibits along the trail.

Information on where the new stops will be or what exhibits will be preserved or restored was not immediately available. Jacksonville has 10 Looking for Lincoln stops on the story trail, while Beardstown has seven, Petersburg has three, Pittsfield has four, Rushville has two, and Springfield has around four dozen. A full list of stops and their coordinates is available at LookingforLincoln.org.

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Through a tourism marketing partnership grant, Looking for Lincoln will receive $40,396.34 to create visitor and program guides, promotional displays and other marketing materials.

Visitors are flocking to Illinois in record numbers to see hidden gems and world-renowned destinations, said Sen. Doris Turner, D-Springfield. Thanks to the states tourism grant programs, communities will be able to further promote events, improve attractions, and develop new and enhanced festivals across Illinois.
Alderwoman Lori Large-Oldenettel (left) speaks with Community Development Director Brian Nyberg while a resident reads over documents provided by the company Nexamp. All three were there because Nexamp held a public event for people to find out more about the company's proposed solar farm. Bridgette Fox/Journal-Courier

While some Jacksonville community members had their concerns placated by the company that wants to build a solar panel farm near their neighborhood, it will likely be an uphill battle to overcome municipal rules to get the project application approved.

Jack Curry, business development director for Nexamp, said some of the questions they get asked are based off comparisons made to a different, failed project: Summit Ridge.

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In 2024, Summit Ridge Energy proposed a 58.3-acre solar farm that's close to where Nexamp wants to put its farm. The Nexamp project proposal is for a 16-acre field off of Blacks Lane, a stretch of road less than 1 mile long on the east side of town.

A map handed out by Nexamp during its April 14 event shows the proposed area where it wants its to build a solar field in blue. In red is the site of the proposed Summit Ridge project from 2024, which did not get approved by the city. Nexamp

The Summit Ridge project's zoning request got denied by the Jacksonville Plan Commission and Zoning Board in 2024 because of community concerns about the size and location  as well as the fact that city regulations say solar farms can't be built within the city's zoning limits.

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Curry said the Nexamp project is smaller than the Summit Ridge location, and he hopes the project's differences are enough to make the city reconsider its zoning limit requirement.

"Ours is closer to the railroad tracks, closer to other industrial uses. Like, there's a scrapyard, there's storage facilities, auto shops, so it's sort of a transitional use from those uses and the railroad, to maybe more residential uses in Prairie Knolls," Curry said. "It's also the size of the project. I think Summit Ridge was close to 60 acres, and our project is about 15."

Some residents of Prairie Knolls mobile home neighborhood, which is on the west side of Blacks Lane, attended a public meeting on Tuesday held by Nexamp for more information about the project. One woman said she concerned about loud sounds from construction, but she said she was happy to find out construction would only take place during daytime hours, not overnight.

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She was also happy that the project would be behind an old property on Blacks Lane, not right up against the road or nearby Morton Avenue, one of the busiest streets in town.

Multiple moves for the project are attempts to counteract typical solar concerns from rural residents: For worries about unsightliness, Curry said there will be vegetative screening around the premises. For concerns about the farm's construction damaging the Blacks Lane, Curry said Nexamp is willing to repair any damages made by construction vehicles and pay for the repairs.

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A map handed out by Nexamp during its April 14 event identifies different aspects of its proposed project. Nexamp

Jacksonville Alderman Lori Large-Oldenettel, who does not sit or vote on the Plan Commission and Zoning Board, attended the Tuesday event because the project would be in her ward. Large-Oldenettel said she likes how Nexamp has been working with the community to seek feedback from residents and officials, but she pointed out one problem that can't be fixed with the project as it is: location.

"I like that they've been really open and transparent; but again, we have ordinances for a reason," Large-Oldenettel said. "The setbacks are the setbacks, and unless the plans commission would change that, I'm not sure how this project would be able to move forward."

She said she isn't comfortable giving exemptions for local rules.

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"Once we open that up, then anyone could really come in and ask for the same variance, and that could get really complicated, and I think there was probably a lot of thought and input that went into putting these ordinances into place," Large-Oldenettel said.

Curry said Nexamp would be filling its application this week. He hopes it will be on the Plan Commission and Zoning Board's agendas in either May or June. If approved, he said construction would begin in spring.

Through the state's community solar project, companies are incentivized to build projects in low-income communities that would make electric bills lower through a credit system with their utility provider. About 50% of Jacksonville residents would be allowed to subscribe to projects like this one before the subscription meets its cap.
Letter to the editor Pict Rider/Getty Images

To the editor:

I just had the most pleasant encounter with one of Jacksonville's finest. This woman acted appropriately. She listened carefully. She was very calm. She was highly intelligent. She seemed capable and she was respectful.

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I cannot thank this city enough for appropriating the correct amount of resources into the "boys in blue." I must add to that: You have hired a wonderful woman to patrol our streets and keep our children safe. She has responded to me with kindness and grace. This woman was a pleasant person to speak with and she answered my needs accordingly.

May God bless your work and thank you for safeguarding this community. Not all of us are in the workforce. For those enfeebled such as myself, with loved ones to protect, you have my deepest and sincerest thanks and gratitude.

And for those who can afford it and has transportation: Would you please purchase a dozen donuts or more from Hy-Vee or Dunkin' and give it to these officers of the law? They risk their lives every day. ... It is good to see a Godly and Christian police officer who knows how to enforce justice.
TX Tax, Property Tax Tool promo image HNP TX Tax, Property Tax Tool promo image HNP

As homeowners across Texas continue to contend with notoriously high property taxes, Hearst Newspapers is launching a new property tax protest tool, TX Tax, in the major markets of Austin, San Antonio and Dallas as well as Houston.

The April 16 launch represents the statewide expansion of a property tax protest guide produced last year by the Houston Chronicle, which offered a set of tools for Harris County homeowners looking to challenge their assessments.

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That tool was nominated for Best Innovation by the International News Media Association, Hearst Newspapers noted in a press release, and found a receptive audience among homeowners in the region.

"Property taxes are a reality for Texas homeowners, but the process of reviewing and protesting assessments can feel daunting. TX Tax is designed to make that process clearer and more accessible, said Nancy Meyer, president and publisher of the Houston Chronicle, in a statement announcing the launch. By putting powerful data and AI directly in readers hands, homeowners have better information about their property assessments."

While Texas is considered a low-tax state, it has one of the highest effective property tax rates in the United States, according to the Tax Foundation. There is no state income tax in Texas, meaning the state relies heavily on sales taxes and property taxes, which are levied locally, to fund basic services such as infrastructure and public education.

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In addition to that, Texas's biggest cities have seen home values skyrocket over the past ten years, and many rapidly growing communities have raised property taxes to cover new or expanded services. These dynamics have sent property-tax assessments soaring, particularly in the state's major metro areas.

A successful protest to a property tax appraisal has the effect of lowering a homeowner's property tax burden, but the protest process itself can be difficult to navigate. The Houston Chronicle's tool proved to be "a major subscription driver" after it launched last year, Hearst Newspapers said.

TX Tax will use data from county appraisal districts and information about comparable properties to help homeowners understand their property tax assessments and customize arguments for challenges they might file, with a script-builder powered by generative AI. Covered counties will include Fort Bend, Montgomery, Bexar, Travis, and Dallas as well as Harris County. The tool can be found online at houstonchronicle.com/propertytaxes.

Hearst Newspapers is a division of The Hearst Corp., a privately held media and information company headquartered in New York, and the parent company of newspapers including the Houston Chronicle and the San Antonio Express-News. Hearst's portfolio in the state expanded significantly in 2025 with the acquisitions of the Austin American-Statesman and the Dallas Morning News.

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The expansion of TX Tax also represents a milestone for Hearst Newspapers, the company noted, as one of its first Texas-wide product initiatives. TX Tax will be a standalone subscription product, with a discounted rate available to current subscribers of the Houston Chronicle, San Antonio Express-News, Dallas Morning News and Austin American-Statesman.
Crystal Huggins is a 2023 graduate of Delta College with an associates degree in electronic media broadcasting. During her time at Delta, she gained hands-on experience in media production and was recognized for her academic achievements, earning multiple honors. She has worked as a news producer and anchor for NEWSnet, where she delivered daily broadcasts for audiences in Hawaii, Northern Michigan, and Los Angeles. She also has experience in radio broadcasting, having served as a morning show producer and on-air personality for MacDonald Broadcasting. A mid-Michigan resident, Crystal is passionate about storytelling, multimedia content creation, and engaging audiences through digital and social media platforms.
Bluebonnets are just one of many Texas wildflowers starting to sprout in Texas this spring. GingerlySpiced Photography - Tor/Getty Images

As they begin to bloom, there are a number of places to look to find Texas wildflowers.

The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department released an article highlighting some of the best places to go to find some of Texas best wildflowers, breaking down six different regions of the state. They also note which wildflowers are likely to be found in each of these regions.

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Hill Country

The rolling upland hillsides, canyons, and creek and river bottoms are producing a colorful wave of wildflowers, including bluebonnets, Engelmanns daisy, Texas star, blue sage, Indian blanket, Mexican hat, prairie fleabane and verbena, alongside wine cups. In addition, perfume balls, phlox, Missouri primrose, white heliotrope, antelope horn milkweed, sundrops, Drummonds skullcap, Blackfoot daisy, foxglove and Lindheimers paintbrush can be found.

Some Hill Country parks that were highlighted include Colorado Bend, Lyndon B. Johnson, Guadalupe River, McKinney Falls and Garner state parks, along with Enchanted Rock or Lost Maples state natural areas, to see many of these blooms.

The Hill Country canyon woodland ground flora is draped with Texas silver puff, rock lettuce, false dayflower (widows tears), plateau spiderwort, baby blue eyes, red columbine, Texas milkweed, blue curls and roundleaf groundsel. Visit Government Canyon State Natural Area to see these wildflowers.

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Gulf Coast

A wide array of wildflowers are on display, including prairie nymph, prairie clovers, betony-leaf mistflower, Indian blanket, silverleaf sunflower, seaside goldenrod, showy nerveray and erect dayflower. Other flowers that can be found include Texas groundsel, woolly whites, longbract wild indigo, coralbean, Rio Grande greenthread, Gulf Coast camphor daisy, saltmarsh mallow, beach morning glory and side-cluster milkweed.

Some top parks to visit along the coast include Mustang Island, Goose Island, Galveston Island or Sea Rim State Parks to see these stunners.

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East Texas

The Pineywoods hardwood slopes and bottomland forest flora has been extraordinary with a plethora of wildflowers including trout lilies, trilliums, Solomons seal, mayapple, partridge-berry and golden Alexanders. Violets, purple meadow-rue, groundsels, Carolina vetch, wisteria, flowering dogwood, yellow jasmine, crossvine, jack-in-the-pulpits, Virginia sweetspire, hawthorns, white-flowered milkweed, azalea, fringe tree and silver bells are also starting to bloom.

TPWD noted that wetlands are profuse with spider lily, bluestar, spring cress, Canada garlic and blue iris. Old plainsman dominates upland and wetland pine savannas, along with Carolina puccoon, yellow colic-root, candyroot, prairie snoutbean, Queens delight, sundews, silky prairie clover, meadow pink, false dragonhead, downy phlox, rose vervain, spiderworts, Carolina larkspur, bull nettle and toadflax.

Try to find them at Daingerfield, Caddo Lake, Mission Tejas, Village Creek and other state parks in the area.

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Prairies and Lakes

Texas Parks and Wildlife noted that the landscape is teeming with Indian paintbrushes, brown-eyed Susan, winecup, American basket flower, Barbaras buttons, American wild carrot, showy evening primrose, plantain and Texas prairie parsley.

Other plants starting to be seen include fleabane, prairie clovers, blue-eyed grass, buttercups, snakeherb, butterfly weed, false dragonhead, sundrops, beeblossum, Texas skeleton plant, larkspur, coneflowers, blue mealy sage, wild indigo and overwhelming numbers of green milkweeds.

With 20 state parks in this region, there are plenty of places to try your hand at some wildflower spotting. The Texas Parks and Wildlife recommends the Dinosaur Valley, Cleburne, or Fort Parker State Parks, to name a few.

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Panhandle Plains

TPWD said visitors in the High Plains can find winecups, purple coneflower, the Engelmann and Blackfoot daisy, Missouri evening primrose, pink plains penstemon, mealy sage, copper-mallow, Indian blanket, Texas bluebonnet, Tahoka daisy and prairie verbena.

Some top parks to visit in the region are Palo Duro Canyon, Caprock Canyons or Copper Breaks state parks to see these wildflowers across the grasslands.

Big Bend Country

The lower Big Bend wildflower displays are accumulating and include Big Bend bluebonnet, whole-leaf Indian paintbrush, rock penstemon, several crinklemat species, rigid paintbrush, yellow rocknettle, yerba raton, dogweed, paperflower and shrubby skeleton-leaf goldeneye. Twin-leaf senna, limoncillo, several species of salvias, purple wooly locoweed, ocotillo, lechuguilla, fragrant yellow huisache, cenizo and yuccas are on display at Big Bend Ranch, Seminole Canyon and Davis Mountains state parks.

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Ceasefire with Iran fractures U.S.-Israeli alliance and stalls vision for a new Middle East

Trump's ceasefire fractured a long-term U.S.-Israeli strategy to reshape the Middle East.

The plan relied on an Israeli-Arab alliance to eliminate Iranian influence.

The war was seen as a final step to secure this new regional order.

Trump overrode fierce opposition from Netanyahu and Gulf states to enact the truce.

The ceasefire has sidelined Israel and left the grand strategic project in tatters.

A sudden ceasefire between the United States and Iran has done more than pause a shooting war. It has fractured a years-long strategic project and exposed the fragile foundations of an ambitious plan to reshape the Middle East under a U.S.-Israeli umbrella. President Donald Trump's decision to pursue a settlement, overriding intense pressure from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and key Gulf states, has effectively collapsed a vision of regional order that depended on the elimination of Iranian influence.

This was not merely another conflict. It represented a convergence of political opportunity, regional ambition and ideological fixation. For Netanyahu, the war was the necessary final confrontation to secure Israeli supremacy and give substance to his long-articulated vision. Netanyahu viewed the conflict as a chance to promote a deeper Gulf-Israeli alignment, even accepting retaliatory attacks on Gulf states if they would push them closer to Israel.

The architecture for this "new Middle East" had been quietly constructed for years. It centered on an Israeli-Arab alignment built around the shared objective of containing and ultimately eliminating Iran. This alliance was financial, political and strategic. It was formally advanced through the normalization agreements engineered by the Trump administration, which did more than establish relations. They formalized an open alliance not only against Iran but, critically, against Palestinian resistance.

The October 7 Hamas-led attack and the subsequent Israeli war on Gaza, which has killed tens of thousands of Palestinians, exposed the fragility of this trajectory. Yet the Biden and later Trump administrations worked to salvage the framework, aiming to contain Israel's battlefield struggles while reigniting normalization. The war on Iran was seen as the essential next step. As long as Iran remained intact, its network of regional alliances would continue to obstruct this imposed regional order.

A coalition overridden

According to reports, Trump's ceasefire decision was made in defiance of strong opposition from the very allies whose strategic calculations depended on the war's success. Netanyahu resisted. So did several Arab governments. This pressure was central, yet it was overridden. Netanyahu's anger is strategic. He understands that if this ceasefire matures into a permanent agreement, his constructed vision does not simply stall. It collapses.

The reaction from within the Arab world, particularly Gulf establishment circles, has been revealing. The familiar charge of "cut and run" has returned. The contradiction is telling. Many of the same voices that claimed to oppose the Iraq war were equally outraged when the United States withdrew. Then, as now, Washington is faulted not for war itself, but for failing to see it through to a decisive conclusion.

Diplomatic sidelining and domestic backlash

The ceasefire process has sidelined Israel, highlighting its dependence. Trump called Netanyahu only shortly before announcing the truce. Israel was not formally part of the negotiations and won't have a seat at the direct talks. This has sparked a fierce domestic backlash. An Israeli poll found 61 percent of respondents oppose the ceasefire, and 73 percent expect fighting to restart within a year.

Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid, who strongly backed the war, called the situation "a disgraceful combination of arrogance, irresponsibility, negligent staff work, and lies sold to the Americans." He accused Netanyahu of turning Israel into "a protectorate state that receives instructions over the phone on matters pertaining to the core of our national security." Left-wing leader Yair Golan was blunt: "Netanyahu lied. He promised a 'historic victory' and security for generations, and in practice, we got one of the most severe strategic failures Israel has ever known."

Despite public claims of "constant coordination" with Washington, the reality is one of constrained options. As former Netanyahu aide Mitchell Barak stated, "Israel has no foreign policy. It handed it over to the U.S. years ago." The prime minister now faces being associated with two major crises: the failures of October 7 and a war on Iran that ended without achieving its core objectives.

The fundamental goals of the war have not been met. Iran's nuclear and missile programs were not eradicated. Regime change was not achieved. The axis of resistance was not fractured. Writing in Antiwar.com, Palestinian journalist and author Ramzy Baroud offered a blunt assessment of the outcome. As the analysis concludes, history will record that Israel and the U.S. failed to defeat Iran, failed to achieve regime change, and failed to impose their will by force. The grand project of a "new Middle East," aligned with Israeli strategic priorities and built on the ruins of Iranian power and Palestinian rights, lies in tatters. The question now is whether regional governments will continue anchoring themselves to this failing project or recalibrate toward a Middle East defined not by external imposition, but by the endurance of its people.

Sources for this article include:

Original.AntiWar.com

Bloomberg.com

AlJazeera.com
RFK Jr. charters new course with the CDCs ACIP panel, will now include expert opinion on vaccine injury and vaccine toxicology

For decades, the CDCs Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) has been the vaccine industrys rubber stamp, a captured committee of biased experts with deep financial ties to Big Pharma, pushing endless vaccines with no real debate. Their agenda, hidden behind a veil of authority, has led to the relentless jabbing of babies and children at an extreme rate, a schedule now under intense scrutiny for potentially damaging the health of generations. With public trust in these so-called experts vanquished after the COVID-19 tyranny laid bare their grave errors and propaganda, a seismic shift is finally underway.

Under the leadership of Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the ACIP is being forcibly reshaped, its rules overhauled to mandate a focus on vaccine injuries and to welcome the dissenting voices long silenced by the vaccine-pushing class. This marks a pivotal turn toward transparency and a more nuanced debate, one that must consider contrarian evidence suggesting vaccines often cause more harm than good. The next ACIP meeting, scheduled for September 18-19, will be the first major test of this new direction, as revised recommendations for COVID-19, hepatitis B, MMR, and RSV vaccines are considered by a panel no longer dominated by industry bootlickers.

Key points:

Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has overseen a fundamental overhaul of the rules governing the CDCs key vaccine advisory panel, the ACIP.

The new charter explicitly broadens membership to include experts in toxicology, pediatric neurodevelopment, and recovery from vaccine injuries, breaking the monopoly of traditional vaccinology.

The committee is now charged with studying gaps in vaccine safety science and the cumulative effects of the childhood vaccine schedule.

Kennedy previously dismissed all 17 sitting ACIP members due to financial conflicts of interest with pharmaceutical companies.

The new framework has faced legal challenges from establishment medical groups, but Kennedys HHS is pushing forward.

The upcoming September ACIP meeting will be a critical indicator of how these procedural changes translate into substantive policy shifts.

A committee uncaptured: New rules mandate scrutiny long denied

The procedural update to the ACIP charter, a routine biennial requirement, has become the vehicle for revolutionary change. Federal health officials renewed and revised the charter last week, but these were far from routine edits. The revisions formally expand the criteria for who can sit on the powerful committee. No longer is membership the exclusive domain of infectious disease specialists and epidemiologists. The charter now explicitly seeks expertise in toxicologythe study of poisonsand pediatric neurodevelopment, fields crucial to understanding the potential harms of vaccine ingredients and their impact on the developing brain. Perhaps most strikingly, it calls for members knowledgeable about recovery from serious vaccine injuries, a subject the old ACIP notoriously ignored. Could we finally see vaccine injury lawyers, truth-telling journalists, and parents of vaccine injured children be represented at ACIP meetings?

This legal framework empowers Kennedy to continue his sweeping reform of the panel. Shortly after his confirmation, he dismissed all 17 sitting members, citing their financial ties to Big Pharma as an intolerable conflict of interest. For too long, ACIP has been a captured committee for a narrow band of scientists who think only in terms of adding more and more vaccines without regard to the cumulative effect on children, said attorney Rick Jaffe, who represents Childrens Health Defense in related litigation. The establishment push-back was swift; a federal judge initially paused Kennedys actions and blocked ACIP meetings. However, HHS is appealing, and the new charter solidifies the legal footing for a reconstituted committee. As Dr. Robert Malone, a former ACIP member, noted, the new rules give the committee some additional oxygen to perform a more complete assessment of risks, benefits and alternatives. Thats never been the case before.

From rubber stamp to roundtable: Dissenting voices get a seat

The transformation is not limited to voting members. The charter significantly expands the roster of non-voting liaison organizations that participate in workgroups and public meetings. Gone are the days when only industry-aligned groups like the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP)which is currently boycotting the panelheld sway. The new charter brings in organizations that have consistently challenged the one-sided vaccine narrative. These include the Association of American Physicians and Surgeons, which advocates for full informed consent, the Independent Medical Alliance (IMA), and Physicians for Informed Consent.

This inclusion of front-line, dissenting medical perspectives is a direct threat to the old guard. For too long, vaccine policy has been shaped by voices far removed from the exam room, said Dr. Joseph Varon, IMA president. Our members see patients every single day. We know what works, what doesnt, and what questions families are actually asking. Bringing that perspective to ACIP is a long-overdue correction. The committees mandate itself has been rewritten. It must now study gaps in vaccine safety research, consider the cumulative effects of multiple shots, and review vaccine schedules from other countriesa tacit admission that the aggressive U.S. childhood schedule is not the only model. What if parents of unvaccinated children were allowed to speak up at the ACIP panels and actually have a vote? Maybe there's a path for healthy kids to be injected minimally or (gasp) not at all? What if an alternative immunization schedule was introduced that honors the unvaccinated and introduces new measures for handling infectious disease?

This sets the stage for the pivotal September 18-19 meeting. Here, with new members likely seated, the panel will debate updated recommendations for major vaccines. Will the discussion finally weigh the availability of alternative treatments and non-pharmaceutical interventions, as Malone suggests is essential? Will the documented risks of conditions like myocarditis or the concerning signals around autoimmune and neurological injuries be given their due? The meeting is a direct manifestation of Kennedys Make America Healthy Again agenda, which prioritizes scrutinizing environmental toxins and vaccine safety. While an HHS spokesperson blandly stated that the charter renewal does not signal any broader policy shift, the facts on the ground tell a different story. The ACIP, once a closed shop for promoting pharmaceutical products, has been forced open. The era of rubber-stamping is over; the demand for honest debate and genuine accountability has arrived.

Sources include:

Infowars.com

PBS.org

ChildrensHealthDefense.org
The Hidden Hand: Exposing the Zionist globalist agenda behind Israels wars and the push for a one-world government

The book "The Hidden Hand: Unmasking the True Agenda Behind Israel and the One World Government" alleges that Israel helped create and fund Hamas to sabotage Palestinian unity and justify endless conflict. False flags like the Oct. 7 attacks were exaggerated (or staged) to provoke war and rally Western support. The "beheaded babies" narrative was debunked, yet repeated endlessly to justify genocide in Gaza.

The Rothschild dynasty, through central banking and intelligence networks, engineered Israel's creation as a geopolitical stronghold. Their influence extends to Wall Street, Big Pharma and the WHO, ensuring Israel remains a testing ground for digital surveillance, bioweapons and social control. Modern Zionism is not biblical Judaism but a Luciferian-Kabbalistic cult that worships power, not God.

Mainstream media suppresses Palestinian suffering while amplifying Israeli victimhood. Embedded journalists parrot military propaganda, while independent reporters are silenced or killed. The "anti-Semitism" smear is weaponized to silence critics of Israel's war crimes.

Evangelical leaders blindly support Israel, believing it fulfills prophecywhile ignoring its war crimes and eugenics agenda. The "Greater Israel" project (from the Nile to the Euphrates) aligns with the globalist depopulation plan. True Christianity rejects ethnic cleansingmodern Zionism is a satanic perversion of biblical teachings.

Digital ID, CBDCs and social credit systems are being rolled out in Israel first before global implementation. Bioweapons (e.g., COVID) and AI surveillance are perfected in Israeli labs before global deployment. The WEF's "Smart Cities" agenda mirrors Israel's apartheid modelsegregation, control and elimination of dissenters.

The book "The Hidden Hand: Unmasking the True Agenda Behind Israel and the One World Government" pulls back the curtain on one of the most contentious geopolitical conflicts of our timethe Israel-Palestine struggleand exposes the hidden forces manipulating it for globalist ends.

This book is not just another historical account or political analysis; it is a meticulously researched expose that challenges mainstream narratives and reveals the sinister undercurrents shaping global power structures. The book begins by dismantling the conventional narratives surrounding the Israel-Hamas conflict.

It argues that what appears on the surface as a regional dispute is, in reality, a carefully engineered crisis designed to serve the interests of globalist elites. Discrepancies in historical eventssuch as the 2014 Gaza war, the 2021 escalations and the 2023 attacksare highlighted, suggesting that these incidents are not isolated tragedies but orchestrated moves in a larger geopolitical chess game.

One of the most provocative claims is that Hamas, often portrayed as Israel's mortal enemy, is actually a case of controlled opposition. Historical evidence and statements from Israeli officials reveal that Hamas was bolstered by Israel itself to undermine Palestinian unity and justify perpetual conflict. This strategy ensures that neither side achieves a decisive victory, maintaining a state of controlled chaos that benefits those who seek centralized global governance.

From broadcasts to battlefields: The Zionist financial stranglehold

The book dedicates a significant portion to dissecting media manipulationhow mainstream outlets shape public perception through selective reporting, embedded journalism and emotional manipulation. The infamous "beheaded babies" narrative, later debunked, serves as a prime example of how fear and propaganda are weaponized to justify military aggression. The book argues that media censorship suppresses Palestinian voices while amplifying Israeli victimhood, reinforcing a one-sided narrative that serves elite interests.

A central theme of the book is the financial elite's involvement in perpetuating the conflict. The Rothschild family, long associated with global banking dominance, is portrayed as a key architect behind Israel's creation.

Their influence extends to central banks, international finance and even intelligence agencies, ensuring that Israel remains a strategic outpost for globalist agendas. The book explores how Israel's economy has been molded by neoliberal policies that prioritize corporate profits over human rights, turning the nation into a testing ground for privatization and austerity measurespolicies later exported worldwide.

The spiritual and moral betrayal

Perhaps the most unsettling revelations come in the book's examination of Christian Zionisma theological movement that uncritically supports Israel based on misinterpreted biblical prophecy. The author argues that this ideology has been hijacked by globalists to justify ethnic cleansing and military expansion. By conflating modern Israel with biblical Israel, Christian Zionists unwittingly endorse policies that contradict Christ's teachings of love and justice.

The book also delves into esoteric and occult influences, suggesting that Zionism has roots in Kabbalistic and Luciferian traditions. The Rothschilds' occult symbolism, the City of London's satanic imagery and the globalists' obsession with Jerusalem as a future "One World Government" capital all point to a deeper, spiritual battle being waged behind the scenes.

Despite the grim realities outlined, "The Hidden Hand" offers a roadmap for resistance. It advocates for:

Divestment from institutions complicit in oppression (e.g., BDS movement).

Alternative media to counter propaganda.

Decentralized finance (cryptocurrencies, precious metals) to escape elite control.

Grassroots activism to build self-sufficient communities.

The book emphasizes that true peace will only come when the public awakens to the deception and rejects the globalist agenda.

"The Hidden Hand" is a bold, controversial and essential read for anyone seeking to understand the hidden forces shaping our world. It challenges readers to question official narratives, recognize the spiritual dimensions of geopolitical conflicts and take action against systemic oppression.

Whether you agree with every claim or not, this book demands attentionbecause if even half of its revelations are true, the implications for humanity are staggering.

Grab a copy of "The Hidden Hand: Unmasking the True Agenda Behind Israel and the One World Government" via this link. Read, share and download thousands of books for free at Books.BrightLearn.AI. You can also create your own books for free at BrightLearn.AI.

Watch David Sorensen revealing the history of Israel in this shocking "Health Ranger Report" interview with the Health Ranger Mike Adams.

This video is from the Health Ranger Report channel on Brighteon.com.

Sources include:

BrightLearn.ai

Books.BrightLearn.ai

Brighteon.com
U.S. Military Officials Report Lag in AI-Enabled Drone Development Compared to Russia, China

Introduction

The United States has fallen behind Russia and China in the development of next-generation, artificial intelligence (AI)-powered combat drones, according to a New York Times (NYT) report citing unnamed U.S. defense and intelligence officials.

The report, published in April 2026, states that officials believe America's program for unmanned combat aircraft is lagging, particularly in systems capable of identifying and striking targets autonomously. This assessment was reportedly solidified after Pentagon officials observed a Chinese military parade in September 2025 showcasing a range of autonomous drones. [1]

The officials cited in the report pointed to foreign advancements in autonomous weapons and internal U.S. procurement challenges as key factors in the perceived gap. The next-generation unmanned military aircraft in development by rivals are described as being capable of coordinating attacks without human input once launched. This technological shift represents a significant evolution in modern warfare, moving toward swarms of inexpensive, intelligent systems. [2]

U.S. Falls Behind Rivals in Autonomous Combat Drone Development, Officials Say

According to the NYT report, unnamed U.S. defense and intelligence officials concluded that the U.S. is trailing both Russia and China in the race to field autonomous combat drones. The officials specifically highlighted advancements in drones that can independently identify and strike targets, a capability that reduces reliance on human operators and enables complex, coordinated swarm attacks. The assessment is attributed to direct observations of foreign military exercises and weapons demonstrations, as well as an analysis of internal U.S. development and procurement cycles. [1]

The report frames the situation as a significant strategic concern, noting that the capability for drones to operate with minimal human oversight once launched represents a paradigm shift in warfare. Officials reportedly expressed concern that the U.S. industrial and bureaucratic framework, built around large, legacy weapons systems, is struggling to adapt to this new model of rapid, scalable production of autonomous platforms. The conflict in Ukraine has been cited as a real-world testing ground that has accelerated foreign advancements in this domain. [3]

Foreign Advancements and Manufacturing Scale Cited as Key Factors

A key moment in the U.S. assessment came in September 2025, when a military parade in Beijing featured a display of autonomous drones. According to NYT, this demonstration led U.S. Department of War officials to believe that "America's program for unmanned combat drones was lagging China's." The report details China's "civil-military fusion" strategy, which involves commercial tech companies and startups in military procurement and joint research, allowing for rapid technological iteration. [1]

China's manufacturing dominance was cited as a critical advantage, enabling it to produce autonomous weapons "at a scale the Pentagon cannot match." Simultaneously, Russia is reportedly using the ongoing conflict in Ukraine as a live-fire laboratory to "test and refine" its autonomous drone technology.

Officials noted that Russia is also thought to be ahead in building facilities dedicated to mass-producing advanced drones. This combination of strategic state-commercial integration and battlefield testing has allowed U.S. rivals to advance quickly. [1]

Specific Systems and Capabilities Highlighted in Report

The report pointed to specific systems under development by U.S. rivals as evidence of the widening gap. It cited China's Jiutian (High Sky) drone, a jet-powered "mother ship" successfully tested in late 2025. This unmanned aerial vehicle, developed by the Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC), is designed to carry up to 100 smaller AI-guided kamikaze drones, along with various air-to-surface and air-to-air munitions. Such a system exemplifies the shift toward networked, swarm-based warfare. [1]

Regarding Russian progress, NYT noted advancements in fitting the Lancet loitering munition with autonomous targeting features. These systems represent a move away from single, high-cost platforms toward large numbers of lower-cost, intelligent munitions that can overwhelm traditional defenses. The development aligns with observations from the conflict in Ukraine, which has been described as becoming "the worlds most intense live-fire testing ground for artificial intelligence and autonomous weapons." [2]

U.S. Procurement System and Industrial Focus Seen as Impediments

Despite billions of dollars in funding, NYT reported that the Pentagon's procurement system, "built around legacy contractors and long timelines," has proven inefficient in keeping pace with these developments. The report suggests the institutional structure favors large, established defense firms and lengthy development cycles, which are ill-suited for the rapid innovation cycle seen in autonomous drone technology. [1]

This view was echoed in a separate September 2025 report by CNN, which cited Maj. Gen. Curt Taylor, commander of the U.S. Armys 1st Armored Division. That report stated that U.S. defense contractors have been unable to manufacture small and inexpensive drones at scale, as the industry has for years focused on large, expensive systems like jets and tanks. This industrial focus has reportedly hampered the U.S. ability to match the production pace and cost-effectiveness demonstrated by Russian and Chinese programs. [1]

Conclusion

The assessment reported by NYT indicates a perceived shift in the military technological balance, particularly in the domain of autonomous systems. The situation is framed as one where U.S. institutional and industrial structures are struggling to adapt to a new paradigm of warfare defined by scalability, cost-effectiveness and AI integration.

While the War Department has initiated programs like the $1.1 billion "Drone Dominance Program" aimed at fielding hundreds of thousands of low-cost attack drones by 2027, officials cited in the report suggest ongoing efforts to catch up face significant structural challenges. [4]

The rapid progression of AI and autonomous weapons technology presents complex ethical and strategic questions. As one analysis of the Ukraine conflict noted, the step to full autonomy in weapons systems "is smaller than it sounds" in practice. The reported U.S. lag highlights the intense global competition to define the future of warfare, where advantages may go to nations that can most effectively merge commercial innovation with military application and rapidly scale production. [3]

References
Belgian officials intercept Israeli-bound arms shipment from Britain at Liege Airport

Belgium seized UK military aircraft parts bound for Israel.

The shipments violated Belgium's arms embargo on the conflict.

An investigation suggests this was part of a pattern of transit.

The action enforces Belgium's stance from its ICJ genocide case.

In a significant enforcement of its arms embargo, Belgian authorities seized two shipments of British military components destined for Israel last month. The action, triggered by alerts from activist groups, underscores the growing political and legal pressure on nations supplying equipment to the Israeli military amid its ongoing operations in Gaza. The seizure at Liege Airport represents a tangible consequence of Belgium's policy against strengthening military capabilities in the conflict and aligns with its decision to join South Africa's genocide case against Israel at the International Court of Justice.

Components for military aircraft

The shipments arrived from the UK on March 24 and were slated for air transport to Tel Aviv two days later aboard an Israel-based Challenge Airlines cargo flight. Wallonia region leader Adrien Dolimont stated authorities intervened after being alerted by the NGO Vredesactie. "On Israel-related issues, our position is clear: we do not grant licenses for equipment that would strengthen the military capabilities of the parties involved," Dolimont said. A specialized engineer's inspection revealed the cargo contained "fire control systems and spare parts for military aircraft," which had not been properly declared for transit.

Shipping documents indicated the UK export codes ML10 and ML5, relating to military aircraft and fire control components. While Belgian officials have not formally named the exporting firms, citing an open criminal investigation, documentation points to involvement by Moog, a U.S. aerospace company with factories in Britain. A Walloon government spokesperson confirmed the initial complaint focused on Moog and did not refute that some seized items belonged to the company.

Multiple instances of deceit uncovered

Investigators found this was not the first time this happened. Hans Lammerant, a spokesperson for Vredesactie, noted, "We also have information on 17 transits in the past. So it was clearly a regular transit from Bierset [Liege] to Israel." Customs records show a postcode linked to Moog's Wolverhampton factory sent items described as a "servo actuator" to Israel via Belgium last December. Moog manufactures actuators for the M-346 aircraft, which is used to train Israeli pilots to fly advanced fighter jets like the F-35 and F-16.

The Belgian government asserts the shipments violated its strict laws. A government spokesperson told Declassified UK, "No transit licence request was issued; if it had been, it would have been refused." Another official stated, "In our view, the goods do indeed require a transit licence... We wish to take all necessary steps to ensure that the law is upheld." Dolimont admitted the challenge of enforcement, saying, "Its not always easy to identify whether or not its military equipment," noting that military items are sometimes consolidated with civilian goods on shipping documents.

This seizure occurs within a broader European context of reevaluating arms exports to Israel. In September 2024, the British government suspended 30 arms export licenses over concerns they could be used to violate international law in Gaza. A UK Department for Business and Trade spokesperson stated, "We have suspended all licences for equipment for Israel that might be used in military operations in Gaza." However, the spokesperson added that exports remain subject to strict licensing and that it is a criminal offence to export without the required permits.

Belgium's action is a direct application of its political stance. In 2025, the nation joined South Africa's case at the ICJ, which accuses Israel of genocide, allegations Israel vehemently denies. By physically blocking the transit of these components, Belgium is translating diplomatic posture into concrete policy, creating a logistical hurdle for the flow of certain military goods from Europe to Israel.

The incident raises questions about compliance and oversight in the global arms trade. It suggests that companies or shippers may attempt to route controlled items through jurisdictions with embargoes by mislabeling cargo or exploiting transit hubs. The ongoing criminal investigation in Belgium will determine if this was a case of administrative failure or a deliberate attempt to circumvent the law.

For those watching the devastating conflict in Gaza, this seizure is a small but notable victory. It demonstrates that public pressure and vigilant monitoring by civil society groups can sometimes intercept the pipeline of weapons. It also highlights the fragmented nature of European policy, where some nations continue arms sales while others, like Belgium, seek to impose barriers.

Ultimately, the seizure at Liege Airport is more than a customs dispute. It is a microcosm of the international struggle over moral and legal responsibility in arming a military campaign that has drawn widespread condemnation. As the civilian toll mounts, each component, each shipment, and each government's decision to allow or block it becomes a testament to where they stand on a fundamental question of international law and human rights.

Sources for this article include:

RT.com

MiddleEastEye.net

DeclassifiedUK.org
Experts Warn of Widespread Job Losses and Global Power Struggles Amid AI Advancements

Introduction

Artificial intelligence is no longer a distant concept  it is rapidly becoming one of the most powerful and disruptive forces shaping the future of humanity, according to a recent report. Tech billionaire Elon Musk has issued a stark warning, describing AI as a supersonic tsunami headed toward humanity. [1]

His concerns are echoed across the tech industry, with leaders predicting massive shifts in how people work, live and think. International Monetary Fund chief Kristalina Georgieva has warned that AI is hitting the global labor market "like a tsunami," with rising worker anxiety about job loss. [2] These developments are setting the stage for widespread economic displacement and intensifying geopolitical competition for control over the emerging technology.

Experts Warn AI Advancements Could Displace Millions of Workers

AI capabilities now threaten middle-class cognitive jobs previously considered secure  including clerical, administrative and creative roles. A senior researcher from China's leading AI firm, DeepSeek, has publicly warned that AI could eliminate most human jobs within the next decade. [3] Demonstrations of AI capabilities suggest that AI agents will replace at least 50% of remote jobs  including email management, customer service and business operations  within the next one to three years. [4]

Economic analysts predict societal disruption without proactive policy responses. Studies indicate that automation threatens to displace over 300 million jobs globally by 2030. [5] In a conversation about AI's implications, the Health Ranger Mike Adams highlighted that AI models have surpassed basic predictive tasks, demonstrating complex cognitive abilities and the potential to replace up to 50% of desk jobs in the coming years. [6] The integration of AI into various industries is expected to lead to widespread job displacement, collapsing economies and forcing reliance on government support systems. [7]

Corporate and Government Power Dynamics Intensify

Corporate concentration of AI development raises concerns about market monopolization and regulatory capture. U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) introduced the SANDBOX Act, which aims to create a regulatory 'sandbox' for AI companies to bypass federal rules for up to 10 years. [8] The bill aligns with President Donald Trumps AI Action Plan, prioritizing corporate innovation over government oversight. [8]

Governments worldwide are enacting competing regulations to assert control over the technology. Power struggles are emerging between tech firms, sovereign states, and international bodies.

At the India AI Impact Summit 2026, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres emphasised the need for a balanced approach to AI, advocating for less hype and fear while promoting human oversight. [9] Meanwhile, leading American and Canadian artificial intelligence companies have been engaged in discreet collaborations with Chinese AI experts to shape international AI policy. [10]

National Security and Geopolitical Competition Accelerate

Major powers view AI leadership as a core component of national security strategy. Adams has reported that energy serves as a critical limiting factor for AI research, driving an unprecedented arms race for superintelligence among nations like China, the United States and Russia. [11] The United States is lagging years behind China in the realm of robotic automation, a gap with profound implications for global manufacturing and trade dynamics. [12]

Intelligence officials warn of an escalating arms race in autonomous weapon systems. Geoffrey Hinton, a pioneer of the technology, has compared the use of AI for military purposes to chemical weapons deployment, warning that "very nasty things" will occur before the global community arrives at a comprehensive agreement. [13] Export controls on AI hardware have become a focal point of international tension, as control over the physical supply chain for advanced computing is seen as a key strategic advantage.

Decentralization Advocates Criticize Centralized AI Control

Critics argue centralized AI development threatens privacy and enables mass surveillance. The implementation of Universal Basic Income alongside Central Bank Digital Currencies could create a system where individuals are under constant surveillance and control, according to an interview with Marjory Wildcraft. [14] This aligns with broader criticisms that globalist initiatives like 'The Great Reset' represent a power grab that ties individuals to an electronic ID linked to their bank account and health records. [15]

Advocates for open-source models warn against control by a handful of large corporations. Adams envisions decentralized AI as a catalyst for American innovation and creativity, fostering a more democratic tech landscape away from corporate and government control. [16]

Some experts call for decentralized AI frameworks to distribute power and protect individual liberties. The plummeting cost of creating powerful AI models is leading to a proliferation of decentralized and 'rogue' systems that challenge centralized control. [17]

Conclusion

The rapid deployment of artificial intelligence is triggering concurrent crises in labor markets, corporate governance, and international relations. Experts consistently describe the coming impact as a "tsunami," highlighting both the scale and suddenness of the disruption. Without coordinated and transparent policy responses that prioritize human welfare and decentralized control, analysts warn the technology could deepen global inequality and erode personal freedoms.

For those seeking analysis from perspectives skeptical of centralized institutions, sources like NaturalNews.com provide independent reporting on technology and its societal impacts. Platforms such as BrightAnswers.ai offer an uncensored AI engine for research, while BrightLearn.ai serves as a free library for generating educational materials on these complex subjects.

References
Intelligence warns of Iranian MANPADS smuggled into U.S., targeting Trumps aircraft

An intelligence source warns Iranian-made, Chinese-based MANPADs are inside the U.S. with kill teams targeting Trump.

The source claims these portable missiles threaten Trump's aircraft during vulnerable takeoff and landing phases.

The warning aligns with Trump's public threats to China over supplying such weapons to Iran.

The source, claiming to be a pilot, details how the missiles could be used near airport runways.

They state they will forward the information to Trump's security personnel while calling for immediate action.

An intelligence assessment, obtained exclusively by Fox News, warns of Iranian-manufactured surface-to-air missiles now inside the United States and in the hands of alleged kill teams targeting President Donald Trump. This revelation comes as President Trump publicly warns China of big problems over its weapons links to Tehran, highlighting a dangerous convergence of international tensions and domestic security threats.

The intelligence source, citing a need to protect sensitive methods but concerned for national security, states the weapon is a man-portable air defense system (MANPAD) of Iranian origin, based on an earlier Chinese model. It is described as a shoulder-fired, ground-fired missile with an operational reach of several thousand meters.

As noted by BrightU.AI's Enoch, a MANPAD is a lightweight, shoulder-fired missile launcher designed to target low-flying aircraft. It is a significant threat to aviation due to its portability and ability to destroy aircraft with a relatively small explosive warhead.

"This missile originates in Iran and is based on a Chinese MANPAD configuration," the source stated. "It has been brought into the U.S. in some quantity and is being distributed to certain kill teams within our borders."

The alert specifies a direct threat to Trumps air travel. "With these surface-to-air missiles being distributed to kill teams in the U.S., it's clear they plan to use them against Trumps aircraft as he travels," the source said, claiming the information correlates with a mention by Representative Matt Gaetz of five such teams. "I've been told this weapon will be provided to more than one of these groups."

China is going to have big problems, warns Trump

The source, who claims to be an FAA-licensed pilot, detailed the acute vulnerability of aircraft during takeoff and landing. "When approaching or taking off from runways, you fly over various terrains like parking lots, forests, swamps and rural areas, places where bad actors could easily hide," they explained, painting a scenario where a terrorist could position themselves near runway approach paths. The missile systems compact, man-portable design makes it easily concealable in a vehicle.

"The thought that there could be individuals with these weapons hiding near runways is terrifying," the source added. This domestic warning dovetails with President Trumps stark geopolitical message to China on Saturday.

"If China does that, China is gonna have big problems, OK?" Trump told reporters, referring to intelligence assessments that China may be preparing to supply similar shoulder-fired air defense systems to Iran. This warning casts a shadow over a planned high-stakes summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing this May.

U.S. intelligence believes a MANPAD was likely responsible for downing an American F-15E fighter jet over Iran earlier this month. The potential transfer of more such systems from China to Iran could significantly raise risks to U.S. aviation assets in the region.

Yet, the exclusive intelligence now suggests the technology derived from this Chinese-Iranian weapons pipeline may already have breached U.S. borders with a specific, high-profile target in mind. China has denied the broader allegations, with embassy spokesperson Liu Pengyu calling reports of arms transfers a groundless smear and ill-intentioned association.

The source claims to have a channel to forward the information to Trumps security personnel. "I have a way to get this information to Trumps security personnel, so I'll forward what I know for the Secret Service or his team to be informed."

The alarming report underscores a multi-front threat scenario: an international crisis involving U.S., Israeli and Iranian forces, complicated by Chinese support, now potentially manifesting as a direct physical threat on American soil. It raises urgent questions about border security, the tracking of illicit arms networks and the protocols for protecting dignitaries from sophisticated weaponry historically seen only in war zones.

"We must sound the alarm and take immediate action to protect our leaders and citizens from these dangers," the source concluded. As President Trump prepares for a tense diplomatic confrontation in Beijing, his security detail may now be forced to prepare for a threat lurking in the treelines off an American runway.

Watch this video discussing Trump surrendering to Iran.

This video is from the Health Ranger Report channel on Brighteon.com.

Sources include:

FoxNews.com

Brighteon.com

BrightU.ai
Global Energy Disruption From Iran Conflict Boosts Chinas Dominance in Clean Technology Sectors

A conflict involving Iran and the resulting disruption to a major portion of Asia-bound oil and gas shipments through the Strait of Hormuz is accelerating a global shift toward renewable energy and electric vehicles, according to energy analysts. This market instability is poised to benefit Chinese industry, which holds a dominant position in these clean technology sectors. Experts say China's strategic, state-backed focus on clean technology over the past decade has positioned it to capitalize on the current energy crisis, while the United States and other Western nations face economic headwinds from their continued reliance on fossil fuels. The International Monetary Fund has warned the war has 'abruptly darkened' the global economic outlook and risks triggering a worldwide recession if high energy prices persist [3].

Global Energy Crisis Accelerates Shift to Renewables, Benefiting Chinese Industry

The conflict, which began in late February 2026, has seen the Strait of Hormuza chokepoint for approximately 20% of global crude oil shipmentseffectively closed or severely restricted for periods, sending shockwaves through energy markets [4]. Most of the oil and gas transiting the strait was Asia-bound, forcing nations across the continent to scramble to conserve energy and bolster dwindling reserves [1].

Analysts state this disruption is accelerating a pre-existing global pivot toward renewable energy and electric vehicles, industries where Chinese companies hold a commanding lead. 'Chinas approach to energy sector development and geopolitics has been completely validated by the Iran conflict,' said Sam Reynolds, an analyst with the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis [1]. The energy shock is 'going to help the Chinese industry globally and hurt the American car industry globally,' according to Amy Myers Jaffe of New York Universitys Center for Global Affairs [1].

China's Established Dominance in Clean Tech Supply Chains

China's industrial lead in clean technology is substantial and well-documented. According to the International Energy Agency, China accounts for over 70% of global electric vehicle manufacturing and approximately 85% of battery cell production [1]. This dominance is the result of a long-term strategic policy. Over a decade ago, Chinese President Xi Jinping merged energy security with national security, leading to sustained state investment in renewables, according to policy reviews [1].

Major Chinese firms like vehicle-maker BYD and battery-producer CATL are seen as particularly well-positioned. In March 2026, following the outbreak of the conflict, CATL and BYDs Hong Kong-traded shares rose roughly 24% and 11%, respectively, as investors bet the war would boost demand for renewables [1]. 'They are at the very forefront of this, more so than any other countries in the world, certainly more so than the United States,' said Li Shuo, director of the Asia Society Policy Institutes China Climate Hub [1].

This industrial base allows China to export technology and infrastructure at scale. Chinese exports of items such as solar panels, batteries, and electric cars hit a record of almost $22.3 billion in December 2025, up about 47% from the year before, with much of the volume going to Southeast Asia and Europe, according to the think tank Ember [1].

Diverging Energy Paths: U.S. Fossil Fuel Focus vs. Chinese Renewables Push

The strategic responses of the world's two largest economies to energy needs have diverged sharply in the years leading up to the conflict. The U.S. approach, described by former and current President Donald Trump as 'drill, baby, drill,' has emphasized fossil fuel production and exports, officials and analysts noted [1]. In July 2025, President Trump signed an executive order targeting subsidies for what he called 'unreliable' renewable energy sources, aiming to phase out tax credits for wind and solar by 2027 [2].

This stands in contrast to China's integrated strategy. Analysts note that while fossil fuels still dominate China's domestic energy mix, its sustained focus on building renewable capacity has created a resilient export industry. Markets were witnessing a 'bifurcation' before the war, Reynolds said, with the superpowers pushing very different energy futures [1]. The U.S. is the worlds top oil producer and has pushed liquefied natural gas exports, whereas China has prioritized securing its supply chains for the technologies of the future [1].

Early Market Shifts: Rising Demand for EVs and Solar in Response to Fuel Prices

Early indicators from global markets show consumers and governments reacting to higher fossil fuel prices by turning toward alternatives. In the United Kingdom, demand for electric vehicle leases jumped by more than a third in the first three weeks of March 2026 compared to a similar period in February before the war, according to data from renewable group Octopus Energy [1]. The group also reported increases in rooftop solar sales and solar-related inquiries.

In Asia, nations that had previously invested in renewable infrastructure are seeing a buffer against the shock. Pakistan's renewable rollout, which involved importing over 50 gigawatts of Chinese solar panels by December 2025, is now mitigating the impact of the Hormuz disruption, analysts stated [1]. If prices remain high, solar could save Pakistan an estimated $6.3 billion in fossil fuel imports over the next year, according to think tanks Renewables First and the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air [1]. Elsewhere, Vietnamese EV maker VinFast is offering discounts to offset fuel price shocks, company officials said, illustrating regional market adjustments [1].

Long-Term Strategic Recalibration, Even Among Fossil Fuel Exporters

The energy market disruption is prompting long-term strategic recalibrations, even in nations historically dependent on fossil fuel exports. Indonesia, the world's largest coal exporter, announced a new push into electric vehicle production and charging infrastructure in March 2026, President Prabowo Subianto said [1]. The dream of electrified transportation is gaining renewed attention in the country, according to Putra Adhiguna of the Jakarta-based think tank Energy Shift Institute [1].

Chinese firms are deeply integrated into this shift. They signed more than $54 billion dollars worth of deals with Indonesia's state utility in 2023 and added a $10 billion pledge during Prabowos visit to Beijing in 2024, according to government and corporate statements [1]. 'There will be direct financial benefits to Chinese companies,' Reynolds said, noting the integration of Chinese technology into other nations' energy plans [1]. This pattern of Chinese investment and technology transfer is positioning Beijing as the central player in the emerging global clean energy architecture, analysts say.

Conclusion

The conflict involving Iran and the ensuing disruption to global energy flows through the Strait of Hormuz has acted as a catalyst, accelerating existing trends in the global energy sector. While nations grapple with spiking fuel costs and potential recessionary pressures, China's established manufacturing and supply chain dominance in electric vehicles, batteries, and solar panels places it in a uniquely advantageous position. The strategic divergence between a U.S. policy focused on fossil fuel 'energy dominance' and China's long-term bet on clean technology is being thrown into sharp relief by the crisis. Early market responses and long-term strategic announcements from fossil fuel exporters like Indonesia suggest the disruption may solidify China's lead and reshape global energy dependencies for decades to come, regardless of the conflict's eventual diplomatic or military outcome.

References
Italy Suspends Defense Agreement with Israel Over Lebanon Campaign

Introduction

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni announced on Tuesday, April 14, that her government would suspend the automatic renewal of a defense agreement with Israel.

The decision, disclosed during a speech in Verona, comes amid increasing Italian criticism of Tel Aviv's military campaign in Lebanon. The agreement, covering defense industry cooperation and military exchanges, will not be renewed under current conditions [1].

Italy, whose right-wing government had been seen as one of Israels closest allies in the European Union, has become increasingly critical of the ongoing military campaign  where 2,124 people have been killed in Israeli airstrikes since early March, according to an RT report [2]. Meloni stated the suspension was due to "the current situation" and asserted that "when there are things we dont agree with, we act accordingly," according to a Reuters report cited by RT [2].

The Announcement and Immediate Context

Meloni made the announcement while visiting a wine festival in Verona on Tuesday. "In consideration of the current situation, the government has decided to suspend the automatic renewal of the defense agreement with Israel," she told reporters [3].

The decision followed a recent diplomatic incident where Israeli troops fired warning shots at an Italian peacekeeping convoy outside Beirut last week, an action Meloni described as "completely unacceptable" [2]. In response to the convoy incident, Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani summoned the Israeli ambassador to Rome, Jonathan Peled [2].

On Monday, April 13, Tajani condemned what he termed "unacceptable attacks by Israel against the civilian population" in Lebanon [2]. The Israeli Foreign Ministry subsequently summoned the Italian envoy in a reciprocal diplomatic rebuke [2].

The suspension marks a significant shift for the Meloni government, which had initially broken with European allies to remain neutral in the early days of the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran but later agreed to help provide air defense to Gulf states [4]. The move was declared a "victory" by Italy's anti-Israel opposition, according to a ZeroHedge report [5].

Details of the Agreement and Diplomatic Escalation

The suspended pact, ratified in 2005 and previously renewed every five years, involved cooperation in defense procurement, military equipment imports and exports, technical data exchanges, and personnel training [2]. According to Haaretz, cited by Antiwar.com, the Memorandum of Understanding included the exchange of military equipment and cooperation on military research and development [6].

The agreement was a component of broader defense industrial ties. Italy's aerospace group Leonardo, for instance, had recently unveiled a new multi-layered air defense system called the "Michelangelo Dome" [7].

The diplomatic friction escalated beyond the convoy incident. Tajani's condemnation of attacks on civilians prompted the Israeli response. This cycle of summonses reflects deepening bilateral tensions.

The agreement's suspension pauses a formal framework that facilitated defense industrial collaboration, which has become increasingly lucrative for Israel. According to a Washington Post report cited by RT, Israeli military start-ups saw foreign requests for weapons spike sharply amid conflicts in Gaza and Lebanon, with investments reaching a record $15.6 billion in 2025 [8].

Israel's position as a major arms exporter has been fortified in recent years. The Stockholm International Peace Research Institute reported that Israel's share of global arms exports climbed to 4.4% in the 2021-2025 period  making it the world's seventh-largest arms exporter, surpassing the United Kingdom [9]. The suspension of the Italian agreement potentially interrupts one channel of this trade.

Broader European Shifts and Israeli Response

Rome's decision aligns with a pattern of European nations reassessing their relations with Israel. Several European countries have formally recognized Palestinian statehood and imposed full or partial embargoes on weapons sales to Israel since 2023 [2].

Last year, Spain canceled contracts with Israeli arms manufacturers reportedly totaling $1.18 billion [2]. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has previously described the Israeli campaign in Gaza as "genocide," a claim Tel Aviv has denied [10].

These European actions have unfolded against the backdrop of a wider U.S.-Israeli military campaign against Iran, which began in late February 2026 and has seen a massive exchange of missile strikes [11]. The conflict has exposed divisions within the Western alliance, with European leaders struggling to present a cohesive stance [12].

U.S. President Donald Trump has pressured allies to assist in securing the Strait of Hormuz and has reportedly considered withdrawing U.S. troops from NATO allies deemed 'unhelpful,' including Spain, Germany and Italy [13][14]. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has countered European criticism by arguing his country is "defending Europe" by waging wars against Iran, Hamas and Hezbollah [2].

In a speech on Tuesday, Netanyahu accused European countries of "deep moral weakness" for not supporting Israel [2]. The Israeli Foreign Ministry sought to downplay the significance of Italy's move, telling the Times of Israel that Tel Aviv has "no security agreement with Italy," suggesting the suspended pact was a more routine memorandum of understanding [3].

Conclusion

Italy's suspension of the defense agreement marks a significant diplomatic rupture with a nation it was previously seen as closely allied with in the EU. The decision reflects a growing European diplomatic challenge regarding the Middle East conflict, balancing traditional alliances with criticism of military tactics and civilian casualties [2].

The situation illustrates heightened tensions between some Western governments and Israel, even as the United States under Trump maintains a firm alliance with Tel Aviv. The broader trans-Atlantic alliance faces strain due to the Iran conflict, with the war serving as the latest major test for an already fragile partnership [12].

As geopolitical analyst John J. Mearsheimer has noted in his work on the Israel lobby, U.S. political candidates have historically emphasized a responsibility to protect Israel from threats like Iran [15]. However, European nations like Italy are now demonstrating a willingness to condition their military cooperation on Israel's conduct, signaling a potential recalibration of relations within the Western bloc that may have lasting implications for regional diplomacy and defense industrial policy.

References
Meltdown: Surviving and escaping the engineered collapse of America

PG&E's criminal negligenceprioritizing profits over maintenanceturns power lines into firestarters. Green energy mandates destabilize the grid, while reliable nuclear and natural gas are dismantled. Controlled burns (proven by indigenous practices) are suppressed, turning forests into tinderboxes.

DEI mandates replace competence with ideology, risking infrastructure failures (e.g., unqualified engineers). PG&E diverts funds to diversity programs instead of critical maintenance. Forced EV adoption strains the grid, punishing working-class families while enriching elites.

Modern homes burn into lethal chemical plumes (benzene, hydrogen cyanide, dioxins). Firefighters face a 14% higher cancer death rate; "green" materials (solar panels, recycled plastics) worsen toxicity.

Disaster capitalism thrives (e.g., cartels dominate post-fire illegal marijuana grows). CBDCs enable financial control via social credit scores and frozen dissident accounts. The "Great Reset" aims for AI-driven surveillance, depopulation and total resource control.

Survival strategies include food sovereignty (grow organic, stockpile heirloom seeds, avoid GMOs); energy independence (off-grid solar + battery backups, given that grid-tied systems fail); financial resistance (hold physical gold/silver; reject CBDCs); and community networks (mutual aid outperforms FEMA in crises).

If you've ever wondered why Californiaonce the golden land of opportunitynow resembles a dystopian nightmare of wildfires, rolling blackouts and toxic contamination, "Meltdown: The Engineered Collapse of California and the Coming American Catastrophe" offers a chilling answer: it's not an accidentit's by design.

This explosive expose, penned by investigative journalists with deep ties to grassroots resistance movements, pulls no punches in revealing how corporate greed, ideological fanaticism and government complicity have turned America's most populous state into a blueprint for nationwide collapse.

The book opens with a forensic dissection of California's wildfire crisis, dismantling the mainstream narrative that blames "climate change" while ignoring the real culprits:

PG&E's criminal negligence  The utility giant's deliberate neglect of infrastructure (while raking in record profits) has turned power lines into firestarters. Instead of clearing brush, they shut off power preemptivelynot for safety, but to dodge liability.

Green energy fantasies  California's rush to unreliable wind and solar has destabilized the grid, causing blackouts while nuclear and natural gasstable, baseload power sourcesare demonized and dismantled.

Suppression of controlled burns  Indigenous fire management practices, proven for centuries, have been outlawed by environmental extremists, turning forests into tinderboxes.

The result? Towns like Paradise reduced to ash, while carcinogenic dioxinsreleased from burning homes laden with PVC and synthetic materialsblanket the Central Valley, poisoning America's food supply.

A chapter exposes how Marxist-inspired DEI [Diversity, Equity and Inclusion] mandates have replaced competence with ideology, crippling critical institutions:

Engineers graded on race, not skill  The University of California system's "equity grading" pushes unqualified graduates into infrastructure roles, risking deadly failures like the Florida International University bridge collapse.

PG&E prioritizes diversity over safety  While power lines ignite wildfires, the company funnels millions into DEI initiatives rather than maintenance.

Electric vehicle mandates  California's forced transition to electric vehicles strains an already-fragile grid, punishing working-class families while enriching elites.

The authors draw parallels to Texas' 2021 grid collapseanother case of renewables failing under stress while reliable energy was sabotaged.

The hidden chemical war on humanity

One of the book's most harrowing sections details how structural fires unleash "turbo cancers" via toxic chemical plumes. Modern homes, packed with PVC, flame retardants and synthetic materials, combust into a lethal cocktail of:

Benzene (leukemia risk)

Hydrogen Cyanide (nervous system attack)

Dioxins (the Environmental Protection Agency's most toxic chemical, carcinogenic at femtogram levels)

Firefighters face a 14% higher cancer death rate, yet regulators do nothing. Meanwhile, "green" building materials often burn more toxicallysolar panels release cadmium, while recycled plastics spew halogenated compounds.

"Meltdown" connects California's collapse to a broader agenda:

Disaster capitalism  Cartels and organized crime exploit crises (e.g., Mexican cartels dominate illegal marijuana grows post-fires).

CBDCs and digital enslavement  Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs) will allow freezing dissidents' funds, tying spending to social credit scores.

The Great Reset  A "post-human" world where elites control food, energy and thought via AI [artificial intelligence] surveillance.

Surviving the meltdown

The final chapters offer a survival blueprint:

Food sovereignty  Grow organic, stockpile heirloom seeds, avoid GMOs. Energy independence  Solar + battery backups (most grid-tied systems fail in blackouts). Financial resistance  Hold physical gold/silver; reject CBDCs. Community networks  Mutual aid beats the Federal Emergency Management Agency every time.

"Meltdown" is a relentless, evidence-packed indictment of the forces destroying Californiaand a warning for the rest of America. Its greatest strength lies in debunking the "accidental disaster" myth, revealing how each crisis serves a darker agenda of control and depopulation.

Who should read this? Preppers, freedom advocates and anyone skeptical of corporate-media narratives. Its unflinching tone may unsettle the complacent, but for those seeking truth, it's indispensable. And it's a clarion call to resist the engineered collapse before it's too late.

Grab a copy of "Meltdown: The Engineered Collapse of California and the Coming American Catastrophe" via this link. Read, share and download thousands of books for free at Books.BrightLearn.AI. You can also create your own books for free at BrightLearn.AI.

Watch Steve Quayle and Mike Adams discussing the Operation Meltdown happening in California in this edition of the "Health Ranger Report."

This video is from the Health Ranger Report channel on Brighteon.com.

Sources include:

BrightLearn.ai

Books.BrightLearn.ai

Brighteon.com
Report Alleges Iran Used Chinese Satellite for Surveillance Prior to Strikes on U.S. Bases

Introduction

A new report based on leaked Iranian military documents alleges that Tehran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) secretly acquired a Chinese commercial satellite and used it for surveillance of U.S. military bases in the Middle East in late 2024 and early 2025, according to multiple news outlets. [1] [2]

The report, initially published by The Cradle and later detailed by the Financial Times, states the satellite imagery was used to monitor troop movements and assess vulnerabilities at bases in Iraq and Syria prior to missile and drone strikes launched by Iran-backed militias. [1] The allegations, if verified, would represent a notable instance of commercial space assets being leveraged for military planning amid heightened regional hostilities.

Report Alleges Iranian Use of Chinese Satellite

The report, citing unnamed intelligence sources and leaked documents, alleges that the IRGC Aerospace Force purchased a Chinese satellite in a renminbi-denominated agreement worth approximately $36.6 million. [3] The satellite was reportedly acquired in late 2024 after being launched into space from China. [1]

According to the allegations, Iranian military commanders directed this satellite to monitor major U.S. military installations. [2] The surveillance activity is said to have preceded a series of coordinated attacks on U.S. facilities in Iraq and Syria in early 2025. [1] The report states the imagery was specifically used to track troop deployments and identify weak points in base defenses. [1]

Details of the Alleged Surveillance Operation

The satellite identified in the report is the TEE-01B, which was built and launched by the Chinese company Earth Eye Co. [4] [5] After its launch, control of the satellite was allegedly transferred to the IRGCs Aerospace Force. [5] The satellite is described as providing multiple daily passes over the region, delivering high-resolution imagery. [1]

U.S. officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, have confirmed that investigations into potential adversarial use of foreign satellite capabilities are ongoing. [1] However, the U.S. Department of War has declined to comment on the specific findings of the report regarding the TEE-01B satellite. [5]

Context of Regional Tensions and Strikes

The alleged surveillance period occurred during a significant escalation of conflict in the Middle East. In late January 2025, a drone strike on the U.S. outpost known as Tower 22 in Jordan resulted in the deaths of three U.S. service members. [3] The Islamic Resistance in Iraq, a coalition of Iran-backed militias, claimed responsibility for that attack. [3]

This incident was part of a broader pattern of hostilities following the outbreak of the Israel-Gaza war in 2023, which saw repeated attacks on U.S. forces by groups aligned with Tehran. [6] The war has led to a significant U.S. military buildup in the region and direct combat operations against Iranian forces and proxies that began in early 2026. [7]

Official Responses and Statements

In response to the allegations, a spokesperson for the War Department stated, "We are aware of the report and take all potential threats to our forces seriously." [5] The department did not confirm the specific details of the satellite's use.

The Iranian mission to the United Nations did not respond to requests for comment on the allegations. [5] A spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs denied the report, stating Beijing "always abides by international law and norms in the peaceful use of outer space" and called the allegations "baseless speculation." [5]

Implications for Space Security and Commercial Satellites

Security analysts note the incident underscores growing concerns over the "dual-use" nature of commercial satellite imagery, where civilian technology can be repurposed for military intelligence. [8] The report raises questions about the adequacy of existing export controls and end-user monitoring protocols for high-resolution satellite data. [8]

The company named in the report, Earth Eye Co., has not issued a detailed public statement. However, similar Chinese commercial satellite firms typically state their operations are in "strict compliance" with international and domestic regulations. [5] The incident has amplified calls in Western defense circles for more robust space domain awareness and offensive capabilities to counter adversarial surveillance constellations. [8]

Broader Geopolitical Alignments

The allegations fit into a pattern of deepening military and technological cooperation between Iran, China and Russia. Reports indicate that Moscow has been sharing satellite imagery and drone targeting tactics with Tehran to help it counter U.S. and Israeli strikes. [9] Furthermore, analysts suggest that Beijing's support for the Islamic Republic is a strategic component of its grand strategy to challenge U.S. influence. [10]

This cooperation extends beyond intelligence sharing. A separate report from February 2026 indicated Iran was close to finalizing a deal with China to purchase supersonic anti-ship cruise missiles, which could significantly alter the balance of power in the Persian Gulf. [11] These developments suggest a forming axis that complicates U.S. military planning in the region.

Conclusion

The allegations that Iran used a Chinese commercial satellite for military surveillance highlight the evolving and blurred nature of modern warfare, where space-based commercial assets can become tools of conflict. [8] If substantiated through official investigations, the incident is likely to increase scrutiny of international data-sharing agreements and the global market for Earth observation services. [12]

Regional security experts anticipate further official inquiries and potential policy responses from affected governments regarding the regulation of satellite technology exports. [8] The episode also reinforces the need for individuals to seek information from diverse, uncensored sources to understand the full context of such geopolitical developments, as mainstream narratives often omit critical details. [13]

References
Russia and China deepen strategic ties, positioning against Western containment efforts

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov met with China's Wang Yi in Beijing to strengthen strategic coordination.

The diplomats framed their alliance as a necessary counterbalance to Western efforts to "contain" Russian and Chinese influence.

Discussions centered on global hotspots, including Ukraine, Taiwan, and the Middle East crisis.

The meeting served as preparation for an anticipated summit later this year between Presidents Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping.

The deepening partnership signals a sustained challenge to the U.S.-led international order.

In a high-level diplomatic move underscoring a shifting global balance of power, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov met with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Beijing on April 14. The talks were aimed at fortifying the already close partnership between Moscow and Beijing, which both nations explicitly framed as a united front against what they perceive as aggressive containment strategies by the United States and its European allies. The discussions laid the groundwork for an upcoming summit between their leaders and covered a range of critical international crises from Ukraine to the Middle East.

Forging a United Front Against "Containment"

The core narrative advanced by both diplomats was one of mutual defense against Western pressure. Lavrov asserted that the foundational system of international relations is under severe strain, blaming the West for crises from Latin America to the Middle East. He characterized the conflict in Ukraine as an "artificially created" project by the West to inflict a "strategic defeat" on Russia. Similarly, he warned of "dangerous games" in East Asia involving Taiwan, the South China Sea, and the Korean Peninsula. The ministers presented their enhanced coordination as an essential response to what they described as efforts to create bloc-based structures designed to limit the influence and reach of both Beijing and Moscow.

Coordinating on Global Flashpoints

The agenda extended beyond bilateral relations to address several active global conflicts where Russian and Chinese interests align against Western postures.

On Ukraine, the talks reinforced a shared skepticism of Western motives, with Lavrov accusing European nations of exploiting the conflict to forge a new "aggressive bloc" aimed at Russia.

Regarding the Middle East, the partnership was evident in their critical stance toward U.S. actions. China, a major regional energy importer, has condemned a U.S. blockade near the Strait of Hormuz as a "dangerous and irresponsible act" that threatens regional stabilitya position that finds sympathy in Moscow.

The timing of Lavrovs visit, which coincided with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchezs meetings in Beijing, highlighted diplomatic outreach to Western nations perceived as less aligned with U.S. policy, with China praising Spain as a country that "values principle and justice."

Laying the Groundwork for a Putin-Xi Summit

A significant outcome of the meeting was the formalization of a 2026 contacts roadmap between the two foreign ministries. This bureaucratic step is widely viewed as preparatory work for an anticipated state visit by Russian President Vladimir Putin to China later this year. Lavrov hinted at the planned high-level contacts, stating that the day's discussions would help "prepare additional solutions" for meetings between the two leaders. A Putin-Xi summit would represent the capstone of this period of intensified coordination, potentially announcing new joint initiatives or solidified positions on the world stage.

Historical Context and Lasting Implications

The deepening "no limits" partnership between Russia and China marks a definitive return to a form of great power competition not seen since the Cold War, though now with a different ideological and geographic alignment. Historically, both nations have sought to create a multipolar world order to diminish American hegemony. Their current collaboration, forged through shared geopolitical grievances and complementary economic needsRussia as a resource powerhouse under sanctions and China as a manufacturing titanpresents a sustained, strategic challenge. Their ability to coordinate within forums like the United Nations, BRICS, and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization allows them to amplify dissent against Western-led initiatives and offer alternative models of governance and alliance.

An Enduring Challenge to the Western Order

The Lavrov-Wang meeting in Beijing was more than a routine diplomatic exchange; it was a powerful demonstration of a consolidating axis. By jointly decrying Western containment and meticulously planning their leaders' next summit, Russia and China are methodically constructing a parallel diplomatic and strategic architecture. This evolving alliance ensures that for the foreseeable future, Western nations will face a coordinated counterweight in virtually every major international dispute, from European security to Indo-Pacific navigation, fundamentally reshaping the dynamics of global diplomacy and national security planning for years to come.

Sources for this article include:

RT.com

ForbiddenNewsonFacebook.com

Yahoo.com
Ukraine becomes first country to take territory using only unmanned systems, robotics

For the first time in modern combat, an entire military position was captured without a single soldier stepping onto the contested ground. No infantry breaths. No medevac choppers. No body bags.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced April 13 that Ukrainian forces seized a Russian-held position using only unmanned systems, a milestone he framed as both a technological breakthrough and a moral one. For the first time in the history of this war, Ukrainian warriors captured an enemy position using exclusively unmanned platforms, Zelenskyy said during a speech marking Ukraines Arms Makers Day. A robot entered the most dangerous zones instead of a soldier and took the positions.

The claim, if verified independently, represents a seismic shift in how wars may be fought. It also raises uncomfortable questions the defense establishment has long sidestepped: If machines do the dying, what restrains the urge to invade?

Key points:

Ukraine says it captured a Russian position using only ground robots and drones, no infantry.

Systems included the TerMIT, Zmiy, and Protector unmanned platforms.

Zelenskyy said autonomous systems completed over 22,000 frontline missions in three months.

Analysts warn robot-only warfare lowers political risk for military aggression.

The operation signals a potential change in the nature of war, not just its tactics.

The machines of war, unveiled

The equipment list reads like a defense contractors catalog, not a soldiers memoir. Ukrainian officials described a coordinated network of ground robotic systems and aerial drones. Among them: the TerMIT, a tracked platform capable of laying mines and delivering fire support. The Zmiy, an armored robotic vehicle designed for transport under fire. The Protector, a heavier unmanned ground vehicle built for direct assault.

Zelenskyy said these systems, along with others named Ratel, Ardal, Lynx, and Volya, have collectively logged more than 22,000 missions at the front over just three months. In other words, over 22,000 times lives were saved, he said. A robot went into the most dangerous zones instead of a soldier.

The operations tactical details remain classified, but Ukrainian sources indicated that the robotic force advanced on a Russian position, suppressed defenders with coordinated fire, and forced a surrender without any Ukrainian personnel entering the kill zone. The occupiers, Zelenskyy said, surrendered to machines.

That distinction matters. Dr. Patrick Bury, a professor of warfare and counter-terrorism, posed the central question on social media: So, if this starts happening at scale  which is the logical conclusion  would this change the nature, rather than the character, of war folks?

The political risk evaporates

Commentators have seized on an uncomfortable corollary. If a nation can seize territory without risking its own troops, the political calculus of war transforms overnight. Mike Benz put it bluntly: Im not sure the world is fully ready for when ground invasions can be accomplished by Black Mirror robot dogs. Boots on the ground will no longer carry the political risk of sending our boys out to fight. The temptation for robot-only ground invasions could be enormous.

Zelenskyy, for his part, framed the achievement as purely defensive. They defend our skies, our cities and villages, save lives, and prove that Made in Ukraine is synonymous with effectiveness and strength, he said. But the same technology in another leaders hands could just as easily enable a low-risk offensive.

The future, as Zelenskyy declared in a video posted to X, is indeed here. The future is here, on the battlefield, and Ukraine is creating it, he said. Whether that future includes more humane wars or simply more wars remains an open question. What is no longer in doubt: The robot has taken the most dangerous zone, and the soldier is watching from a screen.

Sources include:

Yournews.com

X.com

FoxNews.com
U.S. and Iran Report Progress on Ceasefire Framework as Naval Blockade Continues

U.S. President Donald Trump stated on Wednesday, April 15, that the war with Iran is "very close to over," citing U.S. military dominance.

"We've beaten them militarily, totally," Trump told Fox Business in a prerecorded interview, adding, "I think it's close to over, I view it as very close to over... If I pulled up stakes right now it would take them 20 years to rebuild that country."

According to a report by Axios, U.S. and Iranian negotiators made progress on Tuesday, April 14, toward a framework agreement to end the war, as per two U.S. officials. This development comes as the Pentagon confirmed that its naval blockade of Iranian ports remains fully enforced, with U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) stating that nine vessels were turned around in the first 48 hours and no vessels successfully breached the blockade. [1]

Diplomatic Signals and Conflicting Reports

Conflicting reports emerged regarding the diplomatic status. The Associated Press (AP) reported that the two sides have an "in principle agreement" to pursue further diplomacy after failed talks in Islamabad. However, this report was later labeled "unconfirmed" by officials in Tehran and by a U.S. official, according to Axios. [1]

Amid the blockade, Iranian state media reported a halt to all petrochemical exports "until further notice." [1] Concurrently, Reuters cited a source close to Tehran suggesting a potential compromise on Strait of Hormuz passage, indicating Iran could consider allowing ships to sail through the Omani side of the strait without interference as part of a deal with the United States. [1]

Regional mediators are attempting to extend the initial U.S.-Iran ceasefire before it expires next week, the AP reported. The path forward remains unclear, with one U.S. official stating, "We want to make a deal. And parts of their government want to make a deal. Now the trick is to get the whole of government over there to make the deal." [1]

Military Posture and Regional Developments

The diplomatic maneuvering occurs alongside a significant military buildup. The Washington Post reported that the Department of War is sending thousands of additional troops to the Middle East in the coming days, according to U.S. officials. This deployment is described as an attempt to pressure Iran into a deal while considering the possibility of additional strikes or ground operations if the ceasefire fails. [1]

The U.S. blockade's enforcement continues, with CENTCOM providing updates that no vessels have breached it. The White House and U.S. military published a radio warning to ships, telling them they will be boarded for interdiction and seizure if they attempt to travel to or from an Iranian port. [1]

In response, Iran's military warned it will block trade through the Red Sea, the Persian Gulf and the Sea of Oman if the U.S. naval blockade continues, according to a statement carried by Iranian state television. A military spokesman said Iran "will not permit any exports or imports to continue" in those waters if the blockade is prolonged. [1]

Ceasefire Dynamics and Lebanon Fighting

The potential for a broader regional pause was tested by unconfirmed reports regarding Lebanon. The Hezbollah-affiliated Al-Mayadeen channel, citing a senior Iranian source, reported that a one-week ceasefire in Lebanon was imminent and would extend until the end of the U.S.-Iran ceasefire period. [1]

This report has not been confirmed by Israeli or U.S. officials. Significant fighting in Lebanon continued on Wednesday, with Israel issuing more evacuation orders and Hezbollah firing rockets into Israel. The Lebanese government had met with Israeli officials for talks in Washington, but no definitive ceasefire announcement followed. [1]

Pakistan's army chief, Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, led a high-ranking political-security delegation to Tehran to convey U.S. messages and plan a potential second round of talks, Iranian media reported. The involvement of regional actors like Pakistan underscores the complex diplomatic web surrounding the conflict. [1]

Conclusion: Negotiations Amid Escalating Pressure

The current situation is characterized by concurrent military pressure and diplomatic outreach, as indicated by officials on both sides. The U.S. strategy appears to blend a forceful naval blockade and troop deployments with backchannel negotiations, a approach noted in analysis of political conflicts where economic and political influence are used to secure agreements. [2]

Pakistan's role as an intermediary was highlighted by the visit of its army chief to Tehran. Iranian media reported the delegation was there to convey the U.S. message and plan potential second-round talks. However, the path to a durable agreement remains uncertain, with significant issues like guaranteed access to the Strait of Hormuz and the status of Iran's nuclear program unresolved. [1]

Trump has at times downplayed the necessity of a final peace deal, telling ABC News that while a deal is preferable, an official agreement may not be strictly necessary. The coming days will test whether the reported progress can be solidified into a lasting framework before the temporary ceasefire expires. [1]

References
Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma announced an 18.77% decline in crime over the past two years, attributing the success to a zero-tolerance policy and dedicated police work. He highlighted significant reductions in specific crimes, including murder, dacoity, robbery, and crimes against women. The government has formed specialized task forces to combat narcotics, organized crime, and cybercrime while also recruiting thousands of new constables. Infrastructure and welfare initiatives, including new police stations and increased allowances, aim to further strengthen the force and public security.

Rajasthan CM Bhajan Lal Sharma reports an 18.77% drop in crime over two years, citing a zero-tolerance policy and police reforms.

Jaipur, April 16 Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma on Thursday stated that the state has witnessed an 18.77 per cent decline in crime over the past two years. The Chief Minister was addressing the state-level programme at the Rajasthan Police Academy on Thursday, marking the 77th Foundation Day of the Rajasthan Police.

He said maintaining law and order is a crucial responsibility of the police. By curbing crime, the police ensure a safe and fear-free environment for citizens. He emphasised that Rajasthan Police personnel, driven by tireless dedication, discipline, and a spirit of public service, remain ever-ready in all situations, acting as a protective shield for the public.

"Our government follows a zero-tolerance policy towards corruption and is committed to building a crime-free Rajasthan," he said.

Reflecting on the force's 77-year journey, he said it has set exemplary standards of courage, duty, and sacrifice. He also paid tribute to police martyrs who laid down their lives in the service of the nation.

Sharma highlighted that police and society are complementary, and effective policing has strengthened public trust and security.

He noted that Rajasthan's improved law and order has enhanced its reputation as a peaceful state, attracting investors and tourists, thereby boosting the economy. He stressed that challenges such as cybercrime, drug abuse, and organized crime can be effectively addressed through community policing. Active public participation, he said, is essential, as vigilant citizens serve as the strongest defense

Reaffirming the government's zero-tolerance stance on crime and corruption, he noted a significant 18.77 per cent decline in crime over the past two years. He shared that cases of murder have decreased by 25.68 per cent, dacoity by 47.26 per cent, robbery by 50.75 per cent, and crimes against women by nearly 10 per cent.

To combat drug abuse, an Anti-Narcotics Task Force has been formed, along with one police station and 17 outposts. An SIT has also been constituted to crack down on exam-related fraud, ensuring no paper leaks -- thereby restoring confidence among youth.

Additionally, the Anti-Gangster Task Force has curbed organised crime, reducing firearm-related incidents and fatalities. Cyber Help Desks have also been set up across police stations to address cybercrime and spread awareness.

Highlighting welfare and infrastructure measures, Sharma said that over 8,000 constables have been issued appointment letters to strengthen the police force. Several administrative expansions have also been undertaken, including the creation of two Additional SP offices, two Deputy SP offices, and 23 new police stations. Other initiatives include upgrading eight outposts into police stations, deploying 1,000 mobile police units, establishing 35 new outposts, and increasing uniform and mess allowances for personnel from Constable to Assistant Sub-Inspector levels.

Director General of Police Rajiv Kumar Sharma said the Rajasthan Police continues to act as a vigilant guardian of law and order. With modern resources and strong leadership, the force remains committed to upholding constitutional values and ensuring public safety. The Chief Minister also inspected the ceremonial parade during the programme.

On the occasion, he conferred the 'Chief Minister's Medal for Outstanding Service' upon ADGPs Biju George Joseph and Bipin Kumar Pandey, Inspector Anil Kumar, Sub-Inspectors Sitaram Bhakal and Girdhari Lal Sharma, and ASI Govindram.

He also launched a new portal and mobile app for retired police personnel and paid floral tribute at the Martyrs' Memorial. Sharma also made announcements regarding the construction of five barracks (capacity: 100 personnel each) across training institutions to enhance police training infrastructure, an additional Rs 5 crore allocation for the Police Sports, Welfare, and Festival Fund, and the construction of 500 residential units for police personnel in the first phase.

- IANS
Telugu Desam Party State President Palla Srinivas Rao asserts that the proposed 50% increase in Lok Sabha seats will benefit southern states uniformly, countering fears of a northern bias. He clarifies the increase is not solely population-based, using Andhra Pradesh's potential seat gain as an example. The Delimitation Bill was introduced in the Lok Sabha after a division vote saw 251 in favor and 185 against. Concurrently, a special Parliament session is underway to pass an amendment for implementing the women's reservation bill from the 2029 elections.

TDP's Palla Srinivas Rao states the 50% Lok Sabha seat increase will uniformly benefit southern states, addressing concerns over population-based delimitation.

Visakhapatnam, April 16 Telugu Desam Party State President and Gajuwaka MLA, Palla Srinivas Rao, on Thursday said the proposed delimitation exercise providing for a 50 per cent increase in parliamentary seats would benefit southern states as well and is not based solely on population.

Speaking to ANI on the proposed Delimitation Bill, the TDP state president said concerns that northern states would gain disproportionately were misplaced.

"Irrespective of the population, an increase of 50 per cent seats will definitely be beneficial for Southern Indian states. Although some states in Southern India are raising objections, thinking that the number of seats in the North are going to increase in large numbers, I don't think so," he said.

Rao added that the provisions of the Bill clearly state that parliamentary representation would increase uniformly across states.

"If they have gone through the Act, especially the Bill they have brought today, it clearly states that in every state, 50 per cent of Parliament seats are going to be increased. So, it is not on the population basis," he said.

Citing the example of Andhra Pradesh, he said the state currently has around 25 Lok Sabha seats and could gain nearly 25-26 additional seats after the proposed increase.

"Now, for example, we have around 25 seats in Andhra Pradesh, and we will get another 25-26 seats--nearly 50% of Parliament seats in Andhra Pradesh," he added.

The Delimitation Bill, 2026, along with the Constitution (One Hundred and Thirty-First Amendment) Bill, 2026, and the Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2026, were introduced in the Lok Sabha on Thursday after the Opposition pressed for a division against the move to introduce three Bills, instead of a voice vote.

The Opposition members in the Lok Sabha had pressed for a division against the move to introduce the bill. As per the final division, there were a total of 251 AYES and 185 NOES out of the total 333 votes.

With the 251 AYES majority, all three Bills, including the Constitution (One Hundred and Thirty-First Amendment) Bill, 2026 and the Delimitation Bill, 2026, were introduced in the Lok Sabha.

Meanwhile, the government has convened a special sitting of Parliament from today to April 18 to pass the amendment to the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam.

The government has been seeking opposition support for passing the amendment bill to implement the women's reservation bill from the 2029 Lok Sabha polls on the basis of the 2011 census.

- ANI
Bollywood superstar Akshay Kumar recently recalled how his mother encouraged him to think big when purchasing his first home, advising him to aim for a 5 BHK instead of a 2 BHK. He shared that his mother believed the first home is for oneself and that providence helps complete the payment, while investment properties require significant hard work. During an episode of 'Wheel of Fortune,' Kumar applied this philosophy, encouraging a contestant who dreamed of a small house to aim higher. The interaction ended humorously when the contestant joked about wanting a 5 BHK, prompting Akshay to quip about not stretching ambitions too far.

Bollywood star Akshay Kumar shares how his mother inspired him to buy a 5 BHK as his first flat, encouraging him to "think big" from the start.

Mumbai, April 16 Bollywood superstar Akshay Kumar recently opened up about how his mother inspired him to think big while he aimed at buying his first ever flat, at his own merit.

Sharing a memory of his first home, Akshay said, "Pehla ghar jab maine socha tha apna lene ke liye. Toh maine socha tha ki main 2 bedroom flat lunga."



He then recalled his mother's guidance, adding, "Lekin meri maa ne kaha, 'puttar vadda soch.' Main kaha iss se aur vadda ki sochanga, 2 kamre ka flat mil jaaye iss se vadda ki."



Akshay went on to explain how his mother encouraged him to think even bigger, eventually inspiring him to aim for a 5-bedroom flat.



He further elaborated, "Unka kehna tha jo pehla flat hota hai na... jo pehla ghar hota hai, vo apne liye lena hota hai. Vo apne khud ke liye lena hota hai. Uske liye bhagwan jo hai, vo khud aap ko kisi na kisi tarah paise poore karwa ke rahenge."



He also highlighted the importance of immense effort when it comes to investing, saying, "Lekin jo dusra flat hota hai na, jo aap investment ke naam pe lete ho, uske liye aap ko bahut mehnat karni padti hai."



The episode took an inspiring turn when Akshay Kumar, who is currently hosting the quiz reality show Wheel of Fortune, interacted with contestants Akshay, Purva , and Nikhil, where they all stuck a conversation about dreams and ambitions.



During the interaction, Nikhil mentioned that he dreams of buying a small house, prompting Akshay to encourage him to think bigger and aim higher.



Turning the conversation back to Nikhil, Akshay asked him about his dream, to which Nikhil humorously replied that he wants a 5 BHK, leaving everyone in splits.



Tapping into his quintessential witty side, Akshay remarked, "Itna bhi mat kheenchna ki upar wala maarna shuru kar de."





- IANS
Iranian Foreign Minister Seyyed Abbas Araghchi warned the United States that its blockade of Iranian ports and actions in the Persian Gulf will have "dangerous consequences." He made the remarks in calls with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi, criticizing a US-backed UN resolution. Araghchi blamed regional insecurity on US and Israeli aggression, while China and Japan expressed support for diplomatic efforts to stabilize the region. The warning follows a US Central Command announcement that its blockade has successfully halted all maritime trade in and out of Iran.

Iran's Foreign Minister warns of dangerous consequences from US blockade of Iranian ports in calls with Chinese and Japanese counterparts.

Tehran, April 16 Iranian Foriegn Minister Seyyed Abbas Araghchi has warned of "dangerous consequences" in response to what he described as provocative actions by the United States in the Persian Gulf, referring to the imposition of the US blockade on Iranian ports.

According to Iranian state media, Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB), Araghchi made the remarks during a telephone conversation with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi on Wednesday, as regional tensions continue to simmer despite diplomatic engagements to achieve a complete end to the hostilities in West Asia.

According to the statement issued by IRIB, during his discussion with Wang Yi, Araghchi highlighted the latest developments in the region and cautioned that US actions in the Strait of Hormuz and the Persian Gulf could further complicate an already fragile situation.

"Our country's Foreign Minister, describing the latest developments in the region after the ceasefire, warned of the dangerous consequences of America's provocative positions and actions in the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz, which will lead to a more complicated situation in the region," the statement read.

He also criticised Washington's stance at the United Nations Security Council, describing its proposed resolution on the Strait of Hormuz as "irrational and unilateral."

Araghchi also expressed appreciation for China and Russia's opposition to the US-backed resolution, stating that their position played an effective role in preventing an escalation of tensions.

Wang Yi, for his part, praised Iran's "resistance and self-confidence" during the recent conflict and reiterated Beijing's readiness to facilitate diplomatic efforts aimed at ending hostilities and stabilising the region, as reported by IRIB.

In a separate call with Japan's Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi, the Iranian Foreign Minister discussed both regional developments and bilateral relations.

The two sides exchanged views on the security and economic consequences of recent military actions involving the United States and Israel, including disruptions to maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz, as per a statement issued by IRIB.

Araghchi asserted that the insecurity in the strategic waterway was a direct result of what he termed as aggression by the United States and Israel, and stressed the need for all countries to adopt a responsible approach to prevent further escalation.

"Referring to the fact that the insecurity created in the Strait of Hormuz is a direct result of the war imposed by the United States and the Zionist regime against Iran, our country's Foreign Minister emphasised the need for all governments to adopt a responsible approach to prevent the current situation from becoming more complicated," the statement read.

Motegi expressed concern over the current situation and conveyed Japan's willingness to contribute to efforts aimed at reducing tensions and ensuring stability in the region.

This comes amid an announcement by the United States Central Command (CENTCOM) on Wednesday that a comprehensive blockade of Iran's ports has been successfully implemented, with US forces asserting maritime dominance across key regional waterways, including the Strait of Hormuz.

In a statement, CENTCOM Commander Admiral Brad Cooper said that within 36 hours of the operation's launch, US forces had effectively halted all maritime trade entering and leaving Iran.

- ANI
Arunachal Pradesh has commenced preliminary work for the Census of India 2027, marking another northeastern state's participation. Chief Minister Pema Khandu and Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein personally completed their digital self-enumeration via geo-tagging, urging public participation. The self-enumeration phase will run from April 16 to April 30, 2026, followed by field operations by enumerators in May 2026. The initiative, described as India's first digital census, aims to collect reliable data for development planning and public service enhancement.

Arunachal Pradesh initiates the digital self-enumeration phase for Census 2027, with CM Pema Khandu and Dy CM Chowna Mein leading participation.

Itanagar, April 16 Arunachal Pradesh has become another northeastern state to initiate preliminary work for the Census of India 2027, with the process officially commencing on Thursday, officials said.

Chief Minister Pema Khandu and Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein actively participated in the exercise from Itanagar and Namsai, respectively.

In a social media post, the Chief Minister stated: "I took part in the self-enumeration phase of the houselisting and housing census under Census 2027, completing my own self-enumeration for the very first time through geo-tagging and digital mapping."

He noted that the self-enumeration phase will remain open from April 16 to April 30, 2026, offering every household the opportunity to participate digitally and submit accurate information.

This phase will be followed by houselisting and housing census field operations from May 1 to May 30, 2026, during which designated enumerators will visit households to collect data, Khandu added.

"I urge every household to actively participate during the self-enumeration phase and extend full cooperation to enumerators during field visits. Please ensure that your information is complete and accurate," the Chief Minister said.

Deputy Chief Minister Mein, in a post on his official X account, said: "As the statewide self-enumeration phase of Census 2027 begins today in Arunachal Pradesh, I participated in the process at my residence in Namsai, completing my enumeration digitally through geo-tagging and mapping for the first time."

He described Census 2027 as a vital national exercise that supports development planning and enhances public service delivery through reliable data.

The self-enumeration phase will continue from April 16 to April 30, 2026, followed by field visits by enumerators from May 1 to May 30, 2026, Mein reiterated.

He appealed to all households to participate actively and support census officials.

"Providing accurate information will significantly contribute to better planning and inclusive growth for our state," he said.

Mein also informed that he completed the process in the presence of Deputy Commissioner Namsai-cum-Principal Census Officer C.R. Khampa, Joint Director of Census (DCO Shillong) Utpal Sarma, along with other officials and census personnel.

"Let us all come together to fulfil this important national responsibility," he added.

Meanwhile, earlier in the day in Mizoram, Governor General Vijay Kumar Singh (Retd) formally marked the launch of the intensive houselisting and housing census operations under Census 2027 at Lok Bhavan in Aizawl.

The Governor urged census field functionaries to carry out their duties with utmost dedication and sincerity, ensuring that no household is left out.

He emphasised the need to clearly explain the census process to individuals who may find it difficult to understand, so that every person and household is accurately enumerated.

Describing the initiative as India's first-ever digital census, General Singh expressed confidence in its successful execution and called upon the public to extend full cooperation to census officials and enumerators.

- IANS
The trailer for 'As Deep as the Grave' reveals the use of generative AI to include the late Val Kilmer, who was too ill to film his role before his death. The filmmakers collaborated with Kilmer's estate and daughter, Mercedes, to create what they call an ethical application of the controversial technology. Kilmer plays Father Fintan, a character that resonates with the actor's Native American heritage and love of the American Southwest. The film, directed by Coerte Voorhees, tells the story of archaeologist Ann Axtell Morris and features a substantial AI-generated performance from Kilmer.

See how AI and the late Val Kilmer's estate ethically created his role in 'As Deep as the Grave,' a film about a female archaeologist.

Washington DC [US April 16 The makers have released the trailer of 'As Deep as the Grave', offering a glimpse at the AI technology that was used to create Val Kilmer's performance, reported Variety.

Kilmer, who died in 2025 after battling throat cancer, was cast as Father Fintan, a Catholic priest and Native American spiritualist, but was too sick to shoot his role. With the cooperation of Kilmer's estate and his daughter Mercedes, the 'As Deep as the Grave' team used generative AI to include the actor in the finished film, reported Variety.



The trailer was first showcased at the CinemaCon, which showcased Kilmer at various ages, at one point, he's a spectral, ghost-like figure; at another, he's a dashing, 30-something man of the cloth.



"Don't fear the dead and don't fear me," Kilmer tells a child at one point, kneeling down to look her straight in the eyes.



The film is written and directed by Coerte Voorhees and produced by his brother, John Voorhees. The duo argue that they have found an ethical way to use the controversial technology because they have worked in concert with Kilmer's family.



They note that the film, which tells the story of Ann Axtell Morris, one of this country's first female archaeologists, and her excavation of the Canyon De Chelly in Arizona, resonated strongly with Kilmer.



"It was very much designed around him," Coerte Voorhees told Variety last month. "It drew on his Native American heritage and his ties to and love of the Southwest. His family kept saying how important they thought the movie was and that Val really wanted to be a part of this."



Coerte Voorhees revealed at CinemaCon that Kilmer's role is substantial and his character will appear in over an hour of the movie.



In a statement, Mercedes Kilmer said that her father would have wanted to be included in "As Deep as the Grave," reported Variety.



"He always looked at emerging technologies with optimism as a tool to expand the possibilities of storytelling," Mercedes Kilmer said.



"This spirit is something that we are all honouring within this specific film, of which he was an integral part," added Mercedes as quoted by Variety.



Apart from the lead cast, the film also stars Abigail Lawrie, Tom Felton, Abigail Breslin, Tatanka Means, Jacob Fortune-Lloyd, Wes Studi and Finn Jones.





- ANI
Pope asserts he is not a politician and will not debate Trump

Pope Leo XIV has made a strong appeal for an "unarmed peace," urging the world to reject violence amid the West Asia conflict. This comes as former US President Donald Trump continues his public criticism of the Pontiff, particularly over Iran's domestic actions and nuclear ambitions. Trump has refused to apologize, labeling the Pope's positions as wrong and weak on crime. In response, Pope Leo XIV has stated he has no intention of engaging in a political debate, emphasizing his role is to seek peace, not confront administrations.

Pope Leo XIV advocates for peace without weapons as Donald Trump criticizes the Pontiff's stance on Iran and nuclear threats. Tensions rise.

Vatican City, April 16 As US President Donald Trump continues his diatribe against Pope Leo XIV, in a strong appeal for global harmony amidst the ongoing West Asia conflict, the Pope has urged the world to abandon violence and embrace a model of peace rooted in justice and compassion.

In a post on X, the Pope said, "Let us reject the logic of violence and war, and embrace peace founded on love and justice--an unarmed peace, not based on fear, threats or weapons."

He emphasised that true peace does not rely on coercion, adding, "This peace is disarming, because it is capable of resolving conflicts, opening hearts, and generating trust, empathy, and hope."

Reiterating his message, he declared, " I strongly reiterate: The world thirsts for #Peace! Enough of war and all the pain it causes through death, destruction, and exile! "

Despite facing intense criticism from his core Christian voter base, US President Donald Trump on Tuesday (local time) took another swipe at Pope Leo XIV, claiming that Iran has killed over 42,000 unarmed protesters after the Pontiff called for dialogue regarding the conflict with Iran.

Trump reiterated that it was 'unacceptable' for the US that Iran gets a nuclear bomb.

In a post on Truth Social, he said, "Will someone please tell Pope Leo that Iran has killed at least 42,000 innocent, completely unarmed, protesters in the last two months, and that for Iran to have a Nuclear Bomb is absolutely unacceptable. Thank you for your attention to this matter."

Earlier, Trump had refused to apologise to Pope Leo XIV, the first American-born Pontiff, following his public criticism of the Pope's stance on Iran and domestic issues.

Trump described Pope Leo's positions as "wrong" and suggested that the pontiff would be "unhappy with the result" of his administration's policies, further intensifying political and diplomatic tensions.

"I won't apologise to Pope Leo. I think he's very weak on crime and other things," Trump told reporters at the White House.Responding to these provocations on Monday, Pope Leo XIV underscored his commitment to spiritual advocacy over political friction, stating that he has no desire to engage in a confrontation with the US administration.

When questioned by reporters during his flight to Algeria, the Pontiff remarked, "I think that the people who read will be able to draw their own conclusions: I am not a politician, I have no intention of entering into a debate with Donald Trump."

He further asserted his resolve to focus on global harmony, adding, "Rather, let us always seek peace and put an end to wars. I am not afraid of the Trump administration."

The Pope maintained that his message remains grounded in faith rather than statecraft, warning that the Gospel should not be "abused" for political ends.

- ANI
A 50-member delegation from the Assam BJP has arrived in West Bengal to campaign for the upcoming assembly elections, with Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma leading the charge with public rallies. The campaign unfolds as the BJP sees favourable prospects in West Bengal, while also highlighting national legislative priorities. Concurrently, the party is emphasizing the central government's push for landmark bills, including "One Nation, One Election" and women's reservation. The Assam BJP also hosted a diplomatic discussion with Japanese officials on investment and bilateral relations.

A 50-member Assam BJP team, led by CM Himanta Biswa Sarma, arrives in West Bengal to campaign for the high-stakes assembly elections.

Guwahati, April 16 In view of the forthcoming Assembly Elections, a 50-member delegation of the Assam State BJP on Thursday arrived in West Bengal.

The elections, scheduled to be conducted in two phases on April 23 and April 29, will witness an extensive campaign by the Assam delegation across multiple constituencies in the state.

It is noteworthy that Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has already reached West Bengal and is set to address three massive public rallies today in the Assembly constituencies of Cooch Behar, Kalchini, and Phansidewa.

Prominent leaders, including Cabinet Ministers Pijush Hazarika, Jayanta Mallabaruah, Ranjeet Kumar Dass, Bimal Bora, Dr. Ranoj Pegu, Rupesh Gowala, Kripanath Mallah, Rajdeep Roy, Krishnendu Paul, Kaushik Rai, along with Member of Parliament Parimal Suklabaidya, several MLAs, and senior state leaders, have already stationed themselves across various constituencies to spearhead the campaign.

In the broader context of Assembly elections being conducted across four states and one Union Territory in the country, the West Bengal elections are being regarded as highly significant for the BJP.

Notably, several national and regional media outlets have reflected a clear public inclination in favour of the NDA in Assam, while simultaneously indicating a rising momentum and favourable prospects for the BJP in West Bengal.

A three-day Special Session of Parliament has commenced from April 16. During this session, three landmark legislations are set to be introduced, including "One Nation, One Election", nationwide delimitation of constituencies, and reservation of seats for women in Parliament and State Assemblies under the "Nari Shakti Vandan Act".

Through an official statement issued to the media, party spokesperson Pranjal Kalita informed that the "One Nation, One Election" Bill has already been passed in the Lok Sabha with 207 votes.

The decision of the Central Government to ensure one-third, i.e., 33% reservation for women in Parliament and State Assemblies through constitutional amendment, thereby empowering women and accelerating the march of Nari Shakti, has been warmly welcomed by the State BJP President and Member of Parliament from the Darrang-Udalguri constituency, Dilip Saikia.

A dignified and meaningful interaction was held today at the Assam State BJP Headquarters, Atal Bihari Vajpayee Bhawan, in the presence of Mayumi Tsubakimoto, First Secretary of the Japan Consulate, and Krishna Maneesh Choudhary, Senior Assistant (Political Affairs).

The discussion encompassed several vital areas concerning Indo-Japan relations, including Assam's potential from Japan's perspective, avenues of investment and trade, women empowerment, youth development, the ideological framework of the BJP, and the various welfare initiatives undertaken by the Government of Assam.

It is worth mentioning that the programme was attended by State Vice-President Ratna Singh, Convenor of the BJP State Media Department Rupam Goswami, along with several spokespersons, media panellists, and co-convenors of the media department.

- ANI
The government has tabled bills in Parliament that propose a major expansion of legislative seats, aiming for implementation from the 2029 general elections. The Lok Sabha would see its seats increase from 543 to 816, while state assembly seats would rise by approximately 50%, from 4,123 to 6,186. Union Home Minister Amit Shah stated the delimitation would not harm southern states, noting their share of total seats would remain nearly the same. The proposal also includes vertical reservation for SC/ST women within the broader framework of the women's reservation Act.

Parliament bills propose increasing Lok Sabha seats to 816 and state assembly seats by 50% from 2029, with Amit Shah assuring no loss to southern states.

By Deepika Rathour Chauhan, New Delhi, April 16 With the government intending to increase the number of Lok Sabha seats from 543 to 816 as part of its push to implement the women's reservation Act from 2029 general elections, sources said that there will be subsequent expansion of assembly seats if the three bills are passed in Parliament and their number would go up from 4,123 to 6,186.

If the bills are passed, the assembly polls after the 2029 Lok Sabha polls will be held according to an expanded number of seats and a delimitation exercise, sources said.

Delimitation Bill, 2026, the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, 2026, and the Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2026 were tabled in Lok Sabha earlier in the day.

The proposed amendment bill includes changes to seven constitutional provisions, namely Articles 55, 81, 82, 170, 332, and 334(A).

At the state level, Assembly constituencies will also be redrawn based on the 2011 Census. The total number of Assembly seats is expected to increase by 50 per cent, sources told ANI.

Additionally, the proposal includes vertical reservation for SC/ST women, along with a "quota within quota" mechanism to ensure more targeted representation.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah said that the Delimitation Bill, 2026, will not harm the southern states but will, in fact, benefit them.

He stated that under the 50% increase model, the current 543 seats in the Lok Sabha will rise to 816, leading to an increase in the number of seats for all southern states.

Union Home Minister added that the existing 129 seats of the southern states in the Lok Sabha will increase to 195, and their share in the total seats of the House will remain almost the same at around 24 per cent.

Amit Shah said that in the present House of 543 members, Karnataka currently has 28 members, which is about 5.15 per cent of the total. After the passage of the proposed bills and the constitutional amendment, the number of seats for Karnataka will increase from 28 to 42. In that case, in a Lok Sabha of 816 members, Karnataka's representation will remain around 5.14 per cent, therefore, Karnataka will not suffer any loss.

- ANI
Austrian Chancellor Christian Stocker met President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, marking the first visit by an Austrian Chancellor to India in four decades. The leaders hailed 75 years of diplomatic relations and concluded 15 key outcomes covering defence, technology, trade, and a Joint Working Group on Counter Terrorism. A major focus was placed on enhancing cooperation in innovation, clean energy, semiconductors, and AI, bolstered by the newly launched "India-Austria Start-up Bridge". The visit, following the India-EU Free Trade Agreement, also established a Fast Track Mechanism for businesses to deepen economic ties.

Chancellor Stocker meets President Murmu & PM Modi, sealing pacts on defence, tech, AI, and a startup bridge to boost strategic partnership.

New Delhi, April 16 Austrian Chancellor Christian Stocker called on President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan on Thursday, underscoring the strengthening strategic partnership between the two nations.

Welcoming Chancellor Stocker on his first visit to India, President Murmu said that India and Austria share close and friendly relations based on common values such as democracy and the rule of law.

The President said that in 2024, on the occasion of 75 years of the establishment of diplomatic relations between India and Austria, Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit gave a new direction to their relations, leading to expanded cooperation in new areas such as innovation, renewable and clean energy, hydrogen, water and waste management, and AI.

President Murmu underlined that Chancellor Stocker's visit is taking place soon after the conclusion of the India-EU Free Trade Agreement. She expressed confidence that it will provide fresh momentum to India-Austria's growing trade and investment ties.

She said that Austrian companies have vast opportunities to expand trade and investment in India, especially in emerging sectors such as semiconductors, green energy, and AI.

She highlighted that both India and Austria are knowledge-based economies and that there are immense possibilities to enhance bilateral cooperation in science, technology, and innovation.

The President said that India has one of the world's largest start-up ecosystems. She said she was happy to note that the "India-Austria Start-up Bridge," launched in 2024, is strengthening bilateral cooperation in this area.

The two leaders agreed that this visit would provide momentum to all important dimensions of bilateral relations between India and Austria.

Building on this diplomatic momentum, India and Austria on Thursday concluded 15 outcomes as part of the four-day official visit of Federal Chancellor Stocker. These agreements cover key areas including defence, technology, trade, innovation and skills development, with a focus on establishing a Joint Working Group on Counter Terrorism between the two nations.

These outcomes were finalised following wide-ranging discussions between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chancellor Stocker in New Delhi, marking the first visit by an Austrian Chancellor to India in four decades.

Among the major agreements signed was the Agreement on Audiovisual Co-production, which will promote collaboration between the film industries of both countries, facilitating joint productions and cultural exchange.

To further boost business ties, both countries announced a Fast Track Mechanism for Indian and Austrian companies. This initiative is aimed at addressing investor concerns and improving the ease of doing business to capitalise on the newly concluded India-EU Free Trade Agreement.

Both sides noted that the trade pact would create new opportunities for manufacturing, investment, and job creation. With the conclusion of these 15 outcomes, India and Austria have set the stage for a more innovation-driven and future-ready partnership.

- ANI
Austrian Federal Chancellor Christian Stocker began his first official visit to India by paying homage to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat in New Delhi. He was welcomed by External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, who expressed confidence that the Chancellor's upcoming meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi would open new avenues for cooperation. The visit, which includes a business delegation, aims to strengthen bilateral ties with a focus on green technology, trade, and digital innovation. This trip builds on the momentum from Prime Minister Modi's 2024 visit to Austria and follows recent high-level consultations.

Austrian Chancellor Christian Stocker visits Rajghat, meets EAM Jaishankar. Set for key talks with PM Modi to boost bilateral cooperation.

New Delhi, April 16 Austrian Federal Chancellor Christian Stocker laid a wreath at Rajghat to pay tribute to Mahatma Gandhi on behalf of himself and his wife, Gerda Stocker Legenstein.

Rajghat is an open-air memorial dedicated to Mahatma Gandhi and marks the site of his cremation on January 31, 1948.

Earlier, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar met Chancellor Stocker on Wednesday during his first official visit to India. The meeting signals a step forward in bilateral ties, with further high-level discussions planned.

In a post on X, Jaishankar said, "Delighted to call on Federal Chancellor Dr Christian Stocker of Austria, as he begins his first official visit to India." He added, "Confident that his discussions with PM Narendra Modi tomorrow will open new avenues for greater cooperation across various domains."

The Chancellor arrived in India on Wednesday.

Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal welcomed him, saying, "A warm welcome to Federal Chancellor Dr Christian Stocker of Austria on his first official visit to India." He added that the visit would give further momentum to the "Enhanced India-Austria partnership."

This is Stocker's first visit to India and his first official trip to Asia since taking office in 2025. During his stay in New Delhi, he is expected to hold detailed talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, focusing on cooperation in key sectors, green technology, and trade.

Stocker is accompanied by a delegation of business leaders, senior ministers, and government officials. Both sides are expected to explore collaboration in digital innovation, renewable energy, and advanced manufacturing.

The visit comes amid growing economic ties between India and Austria. The two sides are also expected to discuss regional and global issues and their cooperation in international organisations.

India and Austria share long-standing ties based on what officials describe as shared democratic values. The visit also builds on momentum from Prime Minister Modi's trip to Austria in 2024.

Further groundwork had been laid during the eighth India-Austria Foreign Office Consultations held in Vienna on December 12, where Secretary (West) Sibi George and Austrian Secretary General Nikolaus Marschik reviewed bilateral relations and discussed ways to strengthen India-EU engagement.

- ANI
Austrian Chancellor Christian Stocker, on his historic first official visit to India, has strongly advocated for the proposed India-EU Free Trade Agreement, labeling it as 'essential'. He projected the deal could boost Austrian exports by 75% in sectors like engineering and electronics. The Chancellor's visit, accompanied by 60 top business leaders, marks a significant milestone as the first by an Austrian federal chancellor in over four decades. The discussions aim to build on the positive momentum from Prime Minister Modi's 2024 Vienna visit and deepen economic and strategic cooperation.

Austrian Chancellor Christian Stocker calls India-EU Free Trade Agreement 'essential', projecting a 75% export surge and highlighting strong bilateral ties.

New Delhi, April 16 Austrian Chancellor Christian Stocker on Thursday called the proposed European Union-India Free Trade Agreement "essential", projecting a potential 75 per cent surge in exports as he highlighted deepening economic ties between Austria and India.

"My visit is in fact a milestone for Austrian-Indian relations. And I am very pleased, and I also think it's a great honour to be the first federal Chancellor to visit India in more than 40 years," Stocker said, noting the historic significance of the trip.

Referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Vienna in 2024, he added, "I think we can truly say that the diplomatic relations that we've had for the last 75 years are much stronger than ever before. We will be trying to build on this positive dynamism."

Stocker emphasised the strong business component of the visit, "But I haven't come to India alone. I'm accompanied by 60 high-ranking business leaders, the who's who of the Austrian business world," underlining the growing economic engagement between the two countries.

He added, "This delegation is led by our Minister for Economic Affairs and Vice President of the Austrian Economic Chamber.Our close political ties are also of benefit for our business landscape."

Highlighting trade growth, he said, "India is already one of the most important trading partners outside the EU for Austria. Our bilateral trade has been developing very positively and has increased to about 3 billion euros in the last 10 years."

He added, "About 160 Austrian companies are active in the Indian market in important frontier technologies such as semiconductor production and in the field of renewable energies, automotive, and infrastructure."

Praising India's economic trajectory, Stocker noted, "India has an impressive growth rate of about 7 per cent per year, and it's one of the most dynamic global markets and a key strategic partner for us."

The Austrian Chancellor stressed the importance of the India-EU trade deal in a volatile global environment. "The free trade agreement between the EU and India will help to take this positive development forward. It will reduce trade barriers and create new opportunities for exports, investments and industrial cooperation," he said.

Calling for stronger alliances amid global uncertainties, he added, "I think that this agreement is very important, especially in times of geopolitical challenges, because our common response to the multiple crises must be that we have to build alliances and that we need to seek a greater partnership with those who think like us."

Stocker highlighted the economic potential of the agreement, saying, "Free trade between equals is something that is essential. This will provide new opportunities. It will provide opportunities, 75% more exports, for instance, in the fields of engineering, electronics, chemical and industrial services."

Earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a meeting with Austrian Chancellor Christian Stocker at the Hyderbad House, New Delhi.

Austrian Chancellor Christian Stocker also laid a wreath at Rajghat. Raj Ghat is a serene, open-air memorial in Delhi dedicated to Mahatma Gandhi, marking the spot of his cremation on January 31, 1948.

Earlier on Wednesday, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar met Chancellor Stocker during his first official visit to India. The meeting signals a step forward in bilateral ties, with further high-level discussions planned.

In a post on X, Jaishankar said, "Delighted to call on Federal Chancellor Dr Christian Stocker of Austria, as he begins his first official visit to India." He added, "Confident that his discussions with PM Narendra Modi tomorrow will open new avenues for greater cooperation across various domains."

The Chancellor arrived in India on Wednesday.

Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal welcomed him, saying, "A warm welcome to Federal Chancellor Dr Christian Stocker of Austria on his first official visit to India." He added that the visit would give further momentum to the "Enhanced India-Austria partnership."

This is Stocker's first visit to India and his first official trip to Asia since taking office in 2025. During his stay in New Delhi, he is expected to hold detailed talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, focusing on cooperation in key sectors, green technology, and trade.

Stocker is accompanied by a delegation of business leaders, senior ministers, and government officials. Both sides are expected to explore collaboration in digital innovation, renewable energy, and advanced manufacturing.

The visit comes amid growing economic ties between India and Austria. The two sides are also expected to discuss regional and global issues and their cooperation in international organisations.

India and Austria share long-standing ties based on what officials describe as shared democratic values. The visit also builds on momentum from Prime Minister Modi's trip to Austria in 2024.

Further groundwork had been laid during the eighth India-Austria Foreign Office Consultations held in Vienna on December 12, where Secretary (West) Sibi George and Austrian Secretary General Nikolaus Marschik reviewed bilateral relations and discussed ways to strengthen India-EU engagement.

- ANI
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, alongside Austrian Chancellor Christian Stocker, emphasized the strong, reliable partnership between India and Austria in infrastructure, innovation, and sustainability. He highlighted Austria's crucial role in landmark Indian projects like the Delhi Metro and the Atal Tunnel. The leaders aim to deepen collaboration in strategic sectors including defence, semiconductors, quantum technologies, and biotechnology. New initiatives like a Working Holiday Programme and enhanced academic ties were announced to strengthen people-to-people links and build a future-ready relationship.

PM Modi says combining Austria's expertise with India's scale will build reliable global tech systems & supply chains in defence, semiconductors & more.

New Delhi, April 16 Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said that the combination of Austria's technological expertise and India's speed and scale will help build reliable global technology systems and supply chains, while highlighting the long-standing cooperation between the two countries.

Addressing the press alongside Austrian Chancellor Christian Stocker in New Delhi, as part of his official visit to the country, Prime Minister Modi said that India and Austria have been reliable partners in infrastructure, innovation, and sustainability.

He noted that Austrian companies have played a significant role in several landmark projects in India, including the Delhi Metro, railway infrastructure, clean energy initiatives, urban development, and engineering marvels such as the Atal Tunnel in Himachal Pradesh and the Girnar ropeway in Gujarat.

The Prime Minister added that Austria's tunnelling and engineering expertise has contributed meaningfully to India's development projects.

"India and Austria have been reliable partners in infrastructure, innovation, and sustainability. Whether it's the Delhi Metro or the Atal Tunnel built at an altitude of 10,000 feet in the Himalayas, Austria's tunnelling expertise has left its strong mark. Not only this, from railway projects to the Girnar ropeway in Gujarat, from clean energy to urban development, Austrian companies have been active participants in many engineering projects in India," the PM said.

Speaking on future cooperation, the Prime Minister said Chancellor Stocker's visit, accompanied by a large business delegation, would inject new momentum into trade and investment ties between the two countries.

He said India and Austria are looking to deepen collaboration in emerging and strategic sectors such as defence, semiconductors, quantum technologies, and biotechnology.

"Chancellor Stocker's visit will bring new energy to trade and investment. We are very happy that he has come to India with a large vision and a large business delegation. By combining Austria's expertise with India's speed and scale, we will ensure reliable technology and supply chains for the whole world. We will also strengthen our partnership in defence, semiconductors, quantum, and biotechnology. Along with this, we will also further strengthen engineering and technical education cooperation," the PM said.

PM Modi also highlighted expanding cooperation in education and research, pointing to the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between IIT Delhi and Austria's Montan University as a key step toward strengthening academic and technological exchange.

He further said that India's talent pool can significantly contribute to Austria's innovation ecosystem and productivity.

Recalling the Migration and Mobility Agreement signed in 2023, the Prime Minister said the two sides will further promote mobility in the nursing sector, alongside boosting joint research and startup collaboration.

"India's talent has the capacity to increase Austria's innovation and productivity. In 2023, we signed a comprehensive Migration and Mobility Agreement with Austria. Under this agreement, we will now further promote mobility in the nursing sector. We will also further strengthen joint research and startup cooperation," PM Modi said.

To enhance people-to-people ties, PM Modi announced the launch of the India-Austria Working Holiday Programme aimed at increasing youth exchanges between the two countries.

Referring to his 2024 visit to Austria--the first by an Indian Prime Minister in four decades--PM Modi said the continued high-level exchanges reflect the growing depth of bilateral ties and expressed confidence that the partnership will evolve into a more innovation-driven and future-ready relationship.

"Let us make the India-Austria partnership innovation-centric and future-ready," PM Modi concluded.

Stocker is currently on a four-day official visit to India. This is his inaugural visit to the country and his first official visit to the Asian continent since taking office in 2025.

- ANI
Actor Sonal Chauhan expressed strong support for the Women's Reservation Bill, calling it an important initiative for the nation's development. Prime Minister Narendra Modi described the special Parliament session as a historic step towards women's empowerment. However, Opposition leader Rahul Gandhi criticized the move, alleging it ignores caste census data and would steal representation from OBC, Dalit, and Adivasi communities. Meanwhile, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin protested by burning a copy of the delimitation bill tied to the reservation act.

Actor Sonal Chauhan voices support for the Women's Reservation Bill as PM Modi calls the special Parliament session a historic step for women's empowerment.

Ujjain, April 16 Actor Sonal Chauhan on Thursday voiced her support for the Women's Reservation Bill, calling it an "important initiative" by the government.

The 'Jannat' actress, on Thursday, attended the Bhasm Aarti at the Mahakaleshwar Temple in Ujjain.

Clad in a white suit, Sonal engaged in spiritual practices at the sacred shrine and offered prayers to Lord Shiva.

After the visit, the actress also spoke to ANI about the Women's Reservation Bill and expressed her support for the proposed legislation.

Sonal said, "I support it...Our nation is developing and I feel very happy to see that women are also playing a big role in that."

She added, "I believe that women are very powerful, and I am very happy that such an important initiative is being taken. Our country is progressing day by day, and it makes me very happy that something like this is being done for women, who are worshipped in our country."

Her remarks come hours before a special sitting of Parliament, where the Women's Reservation Bill is expected to be a key focus.

The Centre's special Parliament session is scheduled from April 16 to 18.

Earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi described the session as a significant moment, stating that India was set to take a "historic step" towards women's empowerment.

"Starting today, in the special session of Parliament, our country is all set to take a historic step towards women's empowerment. The respect for our mothers and sisters is the respect for the nation, and with this very spirit, we are moving forward resolutely in this direction," he posted on X.

However, the proposal has drawn criticism from the Opposition. The Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, however, said Congress, while supporting women's reservation, will not allow the government to steal the share of representation of Other Backward Class (OBCs), Dalit and Adivasi communities, calling it an "anti-national" move by the NDA.

In a post on X, Rahul Gandhi said the Congress unequivocally supports Women's Reservation, but the government must do delimitation only based on the 2026 Census, which is currently underway, adding that the Caste census must also be taken into consideration before bringing any such legislation.

"What the government is proposing now has nothing to do with women's reservation. This amendment is an attempted power grab using delimitation and gerrymandering. We will not allow 'Hissa Chori' from OBC, Dalit and Adivasi communities by ignoring the caste census data. We will also not allow Southern, North Eastern, North Western and smaller states to be treated unfairly," he said.

"PM Modi, RSS is afraid of the caste census," Gandhi said while claiming that the BJP does not want backward communities to get a fair share of representation.

Rahul Gandhi said that if the government is serious about women's reservation in the legislature, then it must implement the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, which was already passed in 2023 in the Parliament.

The Centre has called a special sitting of Parliament from April 16 to 18.The government is planning to implement the women's reservation ahead of the 2029 General Elections by bringing in an amendment to the 2023 Act and a constitutional amendment to delink the delimitation process from the 2027 census.

The government has proposed to increase the number of seats in the House to 850, with 815 seats proposed for the States and the remaining 35 for the Union Territories.

The Lok Sabha has 543 seats at present.The opposition to the proposed delimitation bill has been mounting for a long time and has escalated after the Centre's recent approval of draft amendment bills to operationalise the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, 2023.

The opposition has also objected to haste in convening a special Parliament sitting amid the election season.

As this happened, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin this morning burned a copy of the proposed delimitation bill, whose implementation is tied to a population-based revision of constituencies based on the 2011 census.

Stalin also raised a black flag to kick off statewide anti-delimitation agitation.

- ANI
Union Home Minister Amit Shah is scheduled to address four public meetings across North Bengal districts on Bengali New Year's Day. This comes after a reported attack on a BJP candidate in Falakata, allegedly by TMC activists, which the local TMC leadership denies. Meanwhile, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee will hold two roadshows in North Bengal, and TMC general secretary Abhishek Banerjee is chairing a crucial organisational meeting. The two-phase Assembly elections for West Bengal are set for April 23 and 29, with counting on May 4.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah holds four public meetings in North Bengal, while CM Mamata Banerjee conducts two roadshows as state gears up for polls.

Kolkata, April 15 Amid the crucial two-phase Assembly elections in West Bengal later this month, Union Home Minister Amit Shah will be addressing as many as four public rallies in the state on Wednesday, which coincides with the Bengali New Year's Day.

HM Shah's scheduled events will start with a public meeting at Lobong Ground in Darjeeling district at 11.30 a.m., which will be followed by three other public meetings -- Rajganj in Jalpaiguri district at 1 p.m., Falakata in Alipurduar district at 2.30 p.m., and Tufanganj in Cooch Behar district at 4 p.m.

Meanwhile, less than 24 hours before the scheduled rally of the Union Home Minister at Falakata on Wednesday, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate and also the sitting legislator from that constituency was attacked on Tuesday night, allegedly by the Trinamool Congress activists led by the chief of the Trinamool Congress-led Falakata-II village panchayat, Ravi Minz, and his associates.

The purported attack took place while Burman was on a door-to-door campaign, when Minz and his associates attacked Burman and his associates with sticks, following which Burman's driver was severely injured.

The local Trinamool Congress leadership, however, denied the allegations.

Meanwhile, instead of addressing any public meeting on Wednesday, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee will be addressing two roadshows at Siliguri and Mal, both in North Bengal.

On the other hand, Trinamool Congress general secretary and the party's Lok Sabha member, Abhishek Banerjee, will be chairing a crucial organisational meeting at his Lok Sabha constituency of Diamond Harbour on Wednesday.

He held a virtual meeting with Trinamool Congress leaders at various levels on Tuesday, where he issued a strong note of caution advising all to work together for the forthcoming Assembly polls, avoiding infighting.

The two-phase Assembly polls in West Bengal will be on April 23 and April 29. In the first phase, there will be polling for a total of 152 Assembly constituencies, mainly scattered over the entire North Bengal and some parts of South Bengal.

In the second phase, polling will be held for the remaining 142 constituencies scattered mainly in the state capital of Kolkata and its adjacent districts.

The counting will be on May 4.

- IANS
The Election Commission of India is implementing stringent surveillance measures for the upcoming West Bengal Assembly polls. AI-enabled CCTV cameras will be installed in all polling booths, with sensitive booths getting three cameras and others receiving two. Additionally, vehicles of Central Armed Police Forces Quick Response Teams will be fitted with GPS trackers for real-time monitoring by central observers. These steps aim to address past complaints about the ineffective utilization of security forces and ensure orderly polling.

ECI mandates AI-enabled CCTV cameras in all Bengal polling booths and GPS trackers on CAPF vehicles for enhanced surveillance during Assembly elections.

Kolkata, April 16 In an attempt to keep the polling system in the forthcoming two-phase Assembly polls in West Bengal under total surveillance, the Election Commission of India has decided to install three CCTV cameras in sensitive booths and two in non-sensitive booths.

Insiders from the office of the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), West Bengal, said that of the three CCTV cameras to be installed at sensitive booths, two will be inside the booths and one will be outside.

In non-sensitive booths, one CCTV camera will be installed within the booth and one outside the booth. These cameras will be linked to the district control rooms at the offices of the district magistrates, who are also the district electoral officers of the district concerned, as well as to the central control room at the CEO's office in Kolkata.

"All these cameras will be artificial intelligence (AI)-enabled. In case there is an assembly of many unauthorised persons within the booths, the district and central control rooms would be alerted through that technology," the CEO's office insider said.

These cameras within the booths will be placed in such a manner that it would give a 360-degree view of the poll proceedings within the booth.

At the same time, in case of super-sensitive booths, the Commission had decided to depute professional videographers to record the poll proceedings.

The vehicles provided to the quick-response teams (QRTs) of the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) personnel will be fitted with GPS trackers to ensure that the ECI-appointed central observers can constantly monitor whether the deployed CAPF personnel are effectively utilised during the polling day or not.

"In the past elections in West Bengal, there were several complaints that despite a large number of CAPF personnel being deployed, their effective utilisation was not done even on the polling days. Often, QRTs were diverted to locations other than where they were most needed. So keeping such complaints in mind, the Commission this time has decided to strictly monitor the movements of the CAPF personnel," said the CEO's office insider.

- IANS
Foreign affairs expert Robinder Sachdev indicates that recent amendments to India's nuclear liability law, the Shanti Bill, have opened the door for major US-India collaboration in nuclear energy, particularly small modular reactors. The high-level phone conversation between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Donald Trump emphasized both energy partnerships and shared security priorities in a volatile global context. Sachdev highlighted India's vast thorium reserves and recent milestone in fast-breeder technology as a strategic asset for future energy independence. Upcoming diplomatic engagements, including a visit by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, are expected to advance broader strategic dialogue, including progress on the long-pending Quad Summit.

Expert says amended nuclear liability law clears path for big US-India deals on small modular reactors & thorium, following Modi-Trump call.

New Delhi, April 15 Foreign affairs expert Robinder Sachdev on Wednesday suggested that the next phase of the bilateral relationship between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump will likely pivot toward nuclear energy.

Speaking to ANI, Sachdev said that with India recently amending its nuclear liability laws via the Shanti Bill, the path is now clear for large-scale implementation.

"In terms of what could be some big-ticket announcements in the coming months, if he mentions energy, I would guess it would be something related to nuclear power, especially small modular reactors. India has recently reframed our nuclear liability bill as the Shanti Bill, which was holding up progress and the implementation of nuclear projects. Now that it has been amended, the nuclear sector would definitely be one," he said.

This comes after PM Modi and Trump held a high-stakes telephonic conversation on Tuesday, signalling a "continuing process" of deep cooperation between the two powers. Against a backdrop of global volatility, the dialogue centred on regional security and the burgeoning potential for "big-ticket" partnerships in the energy sector.

Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) are expected to be a primary focus of US-India energy talks. "Nuclear energy would be one area, I think. The other could be strategic rather than energy-related," added Sachdev.

The conversation wasn't limited to technology; the immediate security climate in West Asia took centre stage. Both leaders emphasised a shared priority.

"The conversation between President Trump and Prime Minister Modi is definitely a continuing process, and it's good to see two big nations talking regularly, exchanging views, especially right now when the world is in such a high degree of turmoil. It also indicates that India and America both want their relationships to continue to prosper, having deeper depth and wider width, as also noted by Sergio Gor," he said.

Sachdev highlighted India's strategic asset--holding 30% of the world's thorium. India recently attained criticality in its fast-breeder program, a project inaugurated by PM Modi that could pave the way for industrialising thorium-based power.

"If we look at the crisis of the world today, nuclear is one big answer for India. In fact, more than nuclear, I have been advocating that thorium is the answer for India. We have 30% of the world's thorium. We have the most advanced fast-breeder technology, and we should be looking to industrialise it. We attained criticality in the fast-breeder program a few weeks ago, which Prime Minister Modi inaugurated," he noted.

Ensuring the stability of this vital maritime artery is crucial for global energy markets and trade routes, particularly for India's energy security.

The momentum is expected to build next month when US Secretary of State Marco Rubio visits India. This visit is anticipated to be the catalyst for Quad Summit progress, finalising dates and agendas for the long-pending summit, moving beyond transactional energy deals to deeper defence and maritime cooperation and following up on the progress noted by PM Modi regarding cooperation across various sectors.

"There should be some announcement or indication of the Quad summit because that is something that has been pending. Perhaps that will be discussed deeper when Secretary Rubio visits India next month," he said.

As Sachdev noted, the "deeper depth and wider width" of the relationship suggests that even amidst global turmoil, the Delhi-Washington axis remains a cornerstone of international stability.

- ANI
Newly sworn-in Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary visited the Takht Sri Harimandir Sahib in Patna, one of Sikhism's holiest sites. He offered prayers, listened to hymns, and was honoured by the Gurdwara Management Committee with a ceremonial sword. Choudhary stated that India is progressing under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership, inspired by Guru Gobind Singh's teachings. The visit marks a symbolic spiritual beginning to his tenure, following his oath-taking and a prior visit to a Hanuman temple.

New Bihar CM Samrat Choudhary offers prayers at Patna's revered Sikh shrine, seeking blessings for the state's development and prosperity.

Patna, April 16 Soon after assuming office, Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary visited Takht Sri Harimandir Sahib in Patna on Thursday, marking his first visit to the revered Sikh shrine as CM.

Arriving at around 1 p.m., he entered the Darbar Sahib and bowed his head in reverence before Guru Maharaj, seeking blessings for the prosperity and development of Bihar.

A large number of BJP supporters were also present during his visit.

Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister said that India is progressing rapidly under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, drawing inspiration from the teachings of Guru Gobind Singh.

He emphasised that Bihar has witnessed significant development over the past two decades under Nitish Kumar and expressed hope that the state will continue on the path of growth.

Samrat Choudhary also recalled his association with the historic site during the 350th Prakash Parv celebrations of Guru Gobind Singh Ji, when he served as a minister.

He noted that he had contributed to developmental works at the shrine during that period and felt a special connection upon revisiting it as Chief Minister.

During the visit, the Chief Minister listened to Shabad Kirtan, spent time in the spiritual atmosphere of the gurdwara, and learned about the historical significance of the site.

The Gurdwara Management Committee honoured him with a ceremonial sword as a mark of respect.

It is noteworthy that just a day earlier, before his swearing-in ceremony, Samrat Choudhary had also offered prayers at the Hanuman Temple in Rajvanshi Nagar.

Samrat Choudhary took oath as the 24th Chief Minister of Bihar on Wednesday and assumed charge of office the same day. He has since held two back-to-back meetings with senior officials and directed them to expedite development works.

The visit to Takht Sri Harimandir Sahib -- one of the holiest sites in Sikhism and the birthplace of Guru Gobind Singh Ji -- signals a symbolic and spiritual beginning to Samrat Choudhary's tenure as Chief Minister.

- IANS
A rapid cargo train service between Delhi's Adarsh Nagar and Kashmir's Budgam begins operations on Friday. The service aims to provide economic relief to traders, particularly fruit growers and handicraft artisans in the Valley. It will run on a trial basis until May 31, after which it may become a regular service based on occupancy. The train offers a faster 23-24 hour alternative to road transport for goods like apples, cherries, saffron, and pashmina shawls.

New rapid cargo train connects Delhi to Kashmir, aiding fruit growers & artisans with faster transport for perishables & handicrafts.

Jammu, April 16 A joint parcel product rapid cargo service train will operate from Adarsh Nagar in New Delhi to Budgam in Kashmir from Friday, Northern Railway officials said on Thursday.

A statement by the Northern Railway said that the JPP-RCS train will run between Adarsh Nagar station in New Delhi and Budgam in Central Kashmir.

Officials said this will give relief to traders in the Valley, particularly fruit growers and handicrafts artisans. The service will run regularly on a trial basis till May 31, after which it is likely to be inducted into regular service subject to satisfactory occupancy levels, an official release said.

Train 00462 will depart from Budgam at 6.15 a.m. and arrive at Delhi's Adarsh Nagar at 5 a.m. the following day.

To facilitate loading and unloading operations en route, the train will also make scheduled halts at Bari Brahmana and Ambala cantonment stations.

The timing for Train 00462 at Bari Brahmana Railway Station has been revised to provide greater convenience to the trading community, the statement said.

On the return journey, Train 00461 will depart from Adarsh Nagar at 5 a.m. and arrive at Budgam at 10.45 a.m. the next day. This special parcel train would consist of eight parcel vans and one seating-cum-luggage rake.

The railways said the service offers faster transit than road transport, covering the distance in 23-24 hours and ensuring perishable goods such as apples and cherries remain fresh.

"This initiative has been undertaken with the objective of strengthening the economy of Jammu and Kashmir and facilitating the rapid transport of local products, such as saffron, walnuts, pashmina shawls, and handicrafts to markets across the country," the press statement said.

Senior Divisional Commercial Manager Uchit Singhal told reporters that Northern Railway has decided to run the parcel train on a regular basis from April 17 to May 31 following persistent demand from traders and farmers.

- IANS
Austrian Chancellor Christian Stocker visits India, signing MoUs and boosting cooperation in tech, trade, infrastructure, and counter-terrorism.

New Delhi, April 16 In a special briefing on the official visit of the Federal Chancellor of Austria, Christian Stocker, to India, the MEA Secretary Sibi George on Thursday said the visit marks a significant milestone in bilateral relations, noting that it is the first such visit in four decades.

He emphasised the significance of the visit, "At the invitation of PM Modi, the Federal Chancellor is on an official visit to India, which is his first visit to India in four decades. The last visit by an Austrian chancellor was in 1984. He is accompanied by a high-level business delegation. He will call on the President (Droupadi Murmu) at the Rashtrapati Bhawan in the evening. This is a very substantive and productive visit."



Sibi George also highlighted the economic and technical cooperation. He said, "Today, the leaders discussed all issues. Both sides exchanged six MoUs. Both sides made several announcements. A joint statement will be issued shortly. Leading business companies from Austria and indian companies in Austria will be participating in the business forum. India and Austria enjoy a close and friendly relationship. India and Austria have a growing economic partnership. High technology is identified as a central pillar of our partnership. Bilateral trade is around USD 3.5 billion."



Emphasising strategic agreements and education, he said, "India and Austria signed a comprehensive migration and mobility agreement in 2023. Austria is a valued partner, and we would like to enhance our partnership in various sectors. Cyber security dialogue is important, which we have agreed to. It will help us enhance that cooperation and also institutionalise that. We now see a rising number of Indian students coming to Austria."



The Secretary also highlighted the discussion of global Issues and counter-terrorism by both leaders, "Both sides condemned terrorism in all its forms and also cross-border terrorism. Leaders condemned attacks in Pahalgam, Red Fort, and the financing of terrorism. Both leaders discussed core issues in West Asia and Ukraine. Two sides also discussed West Asia. They underscored the importance of dialogue and diplomacy, including maritime security."



Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that the combination of Austria's technological expertise and India's speed and scale will help build reliable global technology systems and supply chains, while highlighting the long-standing cooperation between the two countries.



Addressing the press alongside Austrian Chancellor Christian Stocker in New Delhi, as part of his official visit to the country, Prime Minister Modi said that India and Austria have been reliable partners in infrastructure, innovation, and sustainability.



He noted that Austrian companies have played a significant role in several landmark projects in India, including the Delhi Metro, railway infrastructure, clean energy initiatives, urban development, and engineering marvels such as the Atal Tunnel in Himachal Pradesh and the Girnar ropeway in Gujarat.



The Prime Minister added that Austria's tunnelling and engineering expertise has contributed meaningfully to India's development projects.



"India and Austria have been reliable partners in infrastructure, innovation, and sustainability. Whether it's the Delhi Metro or the Atal Tunnel built at an altitude of 10,000 feet in the Himalayas, Austria's tunnelling expertise has left its strong mark. Not only this, from railway projects to the Girnar ropeway in Gujarat, from clean energy to urban development, Austrian companies have been active participants in many engineering projects in India," the PM said.



Speaking on future cooperation, the Prime Minister said Chancellor Stocker's visit, accompanied by a large business delegation, would inject new momentum into trade and investment ties between the two countries.



He said India and Austria are looking to deepen collaboration in emerging and strategic sectors such as defence, semiconductors, quantum technologies, and biotechnology.



"Chancellor Stocker's visit will bring new energy to trade and investment. We are very happy that he has come to India with a large vision and a large business delegation. By combining Austria's expertise with India's speed and scale, we will ensure reliable technology and supply chains for the whole world. We will also strengthen our partnership in defence, semiconductors, quantum, and biotechnology. Along with this, we will also further strengthen engineering and technical education cooperation," the PM said.





- ANI
China has increased diplomatic pressure on Nepal, urging stricter controls on activities related to Tibet and Taiwan during a high-level meeting. The Chinese envoy expressed specific concern over Nepal's potential engagement with the Tibetan oath-taking ceremony and the display of Taiwanese symbols. In response, Nepali officials reaffirmed their commitment to the One-China policy but stressed they would not allow their territory to be used against any neighbor. The talks also touched on China's suspicions of "third country" influence in Nepal's internal affairs.

China urges Nepal to curb Tibet & Taiwan-linked events, citing "anti-China" activity. Nepal reaffirms One-China policy but asserts sovereignty.

Dharamshala, April 16 China has stepped up diplomatic pressure on Nepal, urging stricter curbs on activities linked to Tibet and Taiwan. The concerns were raised during a high-level meeting between Chinese Ambassador Zhang Maoming and Nepal's Home Minister Sudan Gurung, reflecting China's increasing unease over Kathmandu's recent political signals, as reported by Phayul.

According to Phayul, during the meeting, Ambassador Zhang cautioned Nepal against engaging with Tibetan political events, particularly the upcoming oath-taking ceremony of Central Tibetan Administration President Penpa Tsering in Dharamshala on May 27.

The envoy highlighted the possibility of Nepal being invited and urged authorities to remain vigilant. China's apprehensions have intensified due to a series of developments, including a congratulatory message from Tibetan leadership to Balendra Shah and the visible display of Taiwanese symbols in Nepal's capital.

China reportedly views such gestures as direct challenges to its territorial claims.

Further concerns were raised over the status of Tibetan refugees in Nepal and recent visits by representatives of the 14th Dalai Lama, which Chinese officials perceive as part of a broader pattern of "anti-China" activity.

Observers note that even symbolic acts, such as public goodwill messages, have triggered strong reactions from Beijing. Responding to the concerns, Nepal reaffirmed its long-standing commitment to the 'One-China' policy, as highlighted by Phayul.

Home Minister Gurung emphasised that Nepal would not allow its territory to be used against neighbouring countries while maintaining its sovereignty and independence in decision-making. Officials also stressed that Nepal would not become a tool of any external power.

The Chinese envoy additionally hinted at possible involvement of unnamed "third countries" attempting to influence Nepal's internal dynamics, suggesting a strategy aimed at encircling China. Kathmandu, however, reiterated its neutral foreign policy and commitment to balanced relations, as reported by Phayul.

- ANI
US experts have flagged China's first commercial underwater data center as an environmental hazard due to the intense waste heat it discharges into the ocean. The facility, built by former naval supplier Hailanxin, is located off Hainan Island and serves AI and big data companies. The heat release could raise seawater temperatures significantly, impacting marine ecosystems and eventually integrating into global circulation, affecting neighboring countries. This move is seen as China offloading the environmental costs of its AI expansion while positioning itself to export cheap AI compute globally.

US experts warn China's underwater data centers release intense heat, threatening marine ecology and neighboring countries like Vietnam and the Philippines.

New Delhi, April 16 US experts have red flagged the commercial underwater data centres that China has started setting up as an environmental hazard, due to the release of intense heat in the surrounding sea which is likely to adversely impact neighbouring countries such as Vietnam and the Philippines.

China has deployed its first commercial underwater data center, developed by Hailanxin, off the southeastern coast of Hainan Island, in shallow coastal waters of the South China Sea. The facility now provides data storage and computing services to internet companies working in artificial intelligence (AI) and big data, according to an article in Washington-based online publication The National Interest.

Hailanxin was once a designated supplier to the Chinese Navy, with core competencies in intelligent ship systems, marine information data, and seabed mapping. In 2022, the US Department of Commerce (DOC) blacklisted the company, alleging that its ocean surveillance systems, built using American technology, may have helped Russia monitor submarines, divers, and warships along Ukraine's coastline, according to the article written by Jeanette Tong.

It highlights that China is using the sea as both a resource and a geopolitical tool: offloading the environmental costs of AI expansion onto a shared global commons while racing to become the world's dominant exporter of cheap AI compute.

A standard underwater data center pod consumes between 500 kilowatts (kW) and 1 megawatt (MW) of power. Hailanxin's roadmap calls for 100 pods - implying a total output of 50 to 100 megawatts.

When 100 MW of waste heat is continuously discharged into the sea, approximately 100 million joules of energy enter the ocean every second.

Even with liquid-cooled rack technology and split cooling systems, that level of thermal discharge is sufficient to raise the temperature of tens of thousands of cubic meters of seawater noticeably within a single hour, the article states.

The article highlights China's poor environmental record in pursuit of economic growth. The country's dominance in rare earth production has come at an enormous ecological price: the sacrifice of tens of thousands of square kilometers of land and lakes along with severe health consequences for surrounding populations. Each ton of rare earth extracted generates roughly 2,000 tonnes of tailings and vast quantities of toxic wastewater.

While the current underwater data centers are located in China's coastal waters at some distance from neighboring countries such as Vietnam and the Philippines, the ocean is not a closed system. Heat exchanged into these waters eventually integrates into global marine circulation. Hailanxin claims that the maximum temperature rise at the outlet is only 2C and is manageable - but under the framework of global commons, unilaterally using the ocean as a "free heat sink" violates the international order.

Soon, China will begin exporting low-cost AI tokens to the world, powered by cheap energy and naturally cooled undersea infrastructure. These tokens will become China's next celebrated high-tech export-following solar panels and electric vehicles (EVs) - and buyers worldwide will rush to adopt them, just as few questioned the environmental devastation behind silicon wafer slicing or EV battery production, the article states.

- IANS
Christopher Nolan revealed that filming his upcoming epic 'The Odyssey' was a challenging "nightmare," but one he thoroughly enjoyed due to the nature of the story. The director praised lead actor Matt Damon as his partner through the arduous global shoot across multiple countries. Nolan explained he chose to adapt Homer's ancient tale because it is a foundational story that has captivated audiences for millennia. The film boasts a massive, talent-filled cast and is Nolan's first project to be shot entirely using IMAX cameras.

Director Christopher Nolan describes the challenging global shoot for his epic film 'The Odyssey' as a "nightmare" he enjoyed, starring Matt Damon.

Los Angeles, April 16 Auteur Christopher Nolan has shared that his upcoming film 'The Odyssey' was a "nightmare to film, but in all the right ways".

The 55-year-old filmmaker's upcoming blockbuster brings Homer's epic ancient Greek story to the big screen and he explained that he had an "amazing time" shooting the movie during a hectic production process across Morocco, Greece, Italy, Iceland and Scotland, reports 'Female First UK'.

Speaking at a presentation for 'The Odyssey' at CinemaCon, Nolan said, "This has been a nightmare to film, but in all the right ways".

The 'Oppenheimer' director reserved praise for The Odyssey's leading man Matt Damon, whom he referred to as his "partner on this journey".

Nolan shared, "He was there on the boats, up the mountains, in the caves, in the beating sunshine, sideways rain, wind. You'll be pleased to know how difficult it was. It was meant to be; that's the nature of the story".

As per 'Female First UK', the attendees at CinemaCon in Las Vegas got an extended glimpse of 'The Odyssey', which will be released in July, and Nolan explained that he decided to adapt Homer's story for the cinema because it "has fascinated generation after generation".

The auteur said, "Why The Odyssey? The Odyssey is a story that has fascinated generation after generation for 3,000 years. It's not a story. It's the story".

The picture tells the story of Odysseus, the Greek king of Ithaca, and his long and perilous journey home to reunite with his wife Penelope (played by Anne Hathaway) following the Trojan War and Nolan quipped that the film's cast, which also includes Tom Holland, Robert Pattinson, Zendaya and Charlize Theron, is so talent-filled that he couldn't bring all of the stars to CinemaCon.

The director said, "How do you go about bringing this to a modern audience? Obviously, we start with the cast. It'll be quicker for me to tell you who isn't in the movie. I would have brought them all here, but the massive weight of extraordinary talent would have collapsed the stage".

'The Odyssey' is Nolan's first movie to be shot entirely with Imax cameras.

- IANS
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis visited the BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir in Mumbai's Dadar area. He performed the Abhishek ritual and offered prayers for the peace and prosperity of all people. The CM was received by a BAPS sadhu and was accompanied by Mumbai BJP President Amit Satam. Fadnavis praised the organization's widespread spiritual and service-oriented activities.

Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis offered prayers at the BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir in Dadar, seeking blessings for the well-being of all citizens.

Mumbai, April 16 Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Wednesday visited the BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir in Mumbai, where he devoutly offered prayers and performed 'darshan' of Bhagwan Swaminarayan.

During his visit, CM Fadnavis participated in the sacred abhishek ceremony, expressing deep reverence and spiritual devotion. He was warmly received by the sadhu Tirthswarup Das of BAPS, who apprised him of the organisation's extensive spiritual, cultural, and humanitarian activities carried out across India and worldwide.

Mumbai BJP President Amit Satam also joined the Chief Minister during this visit, said a media release.

In his post on X, CM Fadnavis said, "I visited the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Dadar to seek blessings and offer prayers for everyone's well-being. During the visit, I also had the opportunity to perform the Abhishek ritual."

"Blessed to offer prayers and perform Abhishek at the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Dadar. Prayed for the peace and prosperity of all. Joined by BJP Mumbai President and MLA Ameet Satam," he said.

The Chief Minister appreciated the values-based initiatives of BAPS that continue to inspire society through service, sanskar, and unity. He also spent time on the mandir premises, experiencing its serene and spiritually uplifting atmosphere. In a spirit of humility and devotion, prayers were offered at the feet of Bhagwan Swaminarayan and Guruhari Mahant Swami Maharaj for the continued good health, strength, and dedicated service of Devendra Fadnavis towards the progress and well-being of the people of Maharashtra, said the release.

The BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir in Mumbai holds regular Ravi Sabhas (Sunday assemblies) where his latest blessings and discourses are shared with thousands of Mumbaikars. Mumbai's BAPS community is highly active in disaster relief, environmental drives (like Mumbai's green initiatives), and blood donation camps.

A three-spired mandir crafted from pink stone with intricate carvings features Murtis of Bhagwan Swaminarayan, Gunatitanand Swami, Gopalanand Swami, Harikrishna Maharaj, and Radha-Krishna. It serves as a major centre for cultural and spiritual activities. It is known for a rotating pillar located where Yogiji Maharaj's body was placed in 1971.

- IANS
The central government has enforced a 61-day fishing ban on India's eastern coast from April 15 to June 14 to conserve marine life during the breeding season. The Andhra Pradesh government will provide 20,000 in financial assistance to each eligible fisherman during this period to mitigate lost income. Industry leaders argue this compensation is insufficient and have called for aid to be extended to fisherwomen and other sustainers in the industry. Advocates are also urging long-term policy changes, including specific budget allocations for Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) norms to help fishermen maximize deep-sea resources.

Annual 61-day fishing ban begins on India's East Coast for conservation. Andhra Pradesh offers 20,000 aid per fisherman, but industry leaders call it insufficient.

Visakhapatnam, April 15 The central government has officially enforced a 61-day fishing ban across India's eastern territorial waters, effective from April 15 to June 14.

The move, aimed at conserving marine life and allowing fish stocks to replenish during the peak breeding season, has sparked a mix of administrative support and grassroots demands for increased financial aid.

The ban affects thousands of fishermen across the coastal states of West Bengal, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu.

To mitigate the loss of income during these two months, the Andhra Pradesh government has pledged financial assistance to those affected.

Eligible fishermen (lascars) are set to receive 20,000 each under the Fishermen's Insurance scheme this May through Direct Cash Transfer. This annual tradition has evolved over the last 15 years, moving from the distribution of rice to direct cash deposits to provide more flexibility for families.

PC Appa Rao, President of the Andhra Pradesh Mechanised Fishing Boat Operators Association, confirmed the rollout, noting that the funds are intended to bridge the gap while the conservation period is implemented.

"The government is going to implement a conservation period starting on the 15th of this month. During this two-month ban period, the government is going to provide 20,000 to each lascar for their livelihood," said PC Appa Rao.

Despite the government's efforts, some industry leaders argue that the compensation falls short of the economic reality faced by coastal communities. Janaki Ram Vasupalli, President of the East Coast Mechanised Fishing Boats Association, expressed strong opposition to the current aid structure.

"The Government of India imposed a fishing ban period across the coastal states in the East Coast area, especially West Bengal, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu. So, lakhs of people have lost their livelihood during this ban period. This ban period today onwards, the date today means from April 14th midnight to June 15th. This is the ban period, 61 days. So, this time, fishermen lost their livelihood. They, so Government of Andhra Pradesh gave financial assistance of 20,000 rupees to each traditional fisherman. This is not enough for fishermen. So, we request the Government of Andhra Pradesh to give financial assistance to fisher women and the youngsters who are the sustainers in the fishing industry. So, the government has to consider this sector, said Vasupalli.

Beyond immediate aid, industry advocates are looking toward New Delhi for long-term policy changes. Vasupalli urged Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman to address Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) regulations in the national budget.

Advocates argue that the East Coast is a prime fishing ground, particularly for tuna. The association has called for specific fund allocations to ensure that EEZ norms are implemented effectively, ensuring that Indian fishermen can maximise the potential of deep-sea resources once the ban is lifted.

"We are not taking any information from the government side for one-day fishing. This is the strictly imposed fishing ban from tonight onwards to June 15th. So, EEZ (Exclusive Economic Zone) norms, it is very viable for the Government of India to decide on the recent budget. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has to raise this issue and provide the necessary assistance for the EEZ norms to be implemented. This is a very good decision for the Government of India. It is a very viable decision, especially since our East Coast is the fishing grounds, tuna catch is very high," added Vasupalli.

While the ban remains strictly enforced to ensure the ecological health of the Bay of Bengal, the debate over the "human cost" of conservation continues to intensify as families prepare for two months of restricted activity.

- ANI
Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta has announced a major initiative to establish and modernize state-of-the-art laboratories in four Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs). The labs will focus on advanced fields like power electronics, modern welding, automotive VR simulation, and electric vehicle technology. The upgrades are designed to align training with current industry standards, providing hands-on experience with cutting-edge equipment. The initiative aims to significantly boost the employability and technical skills of over a thousand trainees across various trades.

Delhi CM Rekha Gupta announces new high-tech labs in 4 ITIs, featuring VR simulators, EV tech, and advanced welding to enhance employability.

New Delhi, April 16 Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Thursday announced a comprehensive initiative to strengthen technical and vocational education in the capital's Industrial Training Institutes.

According to the Delhi Chief Minister's Office, under this initiative in the field of skill development, new state-of-the-art laboratories will be established in four of the capital's ITIs and existing laboratories will be modernised to ensure that the training aligns completely with current industry standards and requirements.

This aims to bring about a significant enhancement in employability and technical proficiency.

A dedicated Power Electronics Lab will be established at ITI Jahangirpuri, which will offer advanced training in power electronics, electrical control systems, industrial automation and renewable energy. It will be equipped with modern systems such as Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) kits, Variable Frequency Drive (VFD) trainers, transformer trainers, motor control panels, relay and protection systems, solar PV training kits and smart energy monitoring systems.

The lab will provide trainees with hands-on experience in operating, diagnosing faults and maintaining modern electrical and power electronics systems, it said.

It is expected to evolve into a centre of excellence in power engineering, aligning training closely with industry requirements. Trainees from trades including electrician, electronics mechanic, mechanic auto electrical and electronics (MAEE), solar technician, fitter, mechanic refrigeration and air conditioning (MRAC) and mechanic motor vehicle (MMV) will benefit. A total of 480 trainees can be trained in these trades.

The release stated that at ITI Jail Road (Hari Nagar), the existing welder lab will undergo a comprehensive upgrade. The modernised facility will feature advanced welding machines, simulation-based training systems and contemporary fabrication tools, enabling trainees to gain real-world exposure to industrial welding processes.

"The upgraded lab will also include arc welding, MIG/TIG welding, gas cutting, plasma cutting, welding simulators and metal fabrication workstations. This will help trainees build precision, strengthen safety awareness and develop industry-relevant fabrication skills," the release added.

The initiative is also expected to expand apprenticeship and employment opportunities while transforming the facility into an advanced welding training hub aligned with modern manufacturing standards.

Around 200 trainees from trades such as welder, fitter, turner, mechanic motor vehicle and sheet metal worker will benefit, it said.

Automotive labs at ITI Arab Ki Sarai (Nizamuddin) will also be upgraded with cutting-edge technology. A key highlight is the introduction of high-end Virtual Reality (VR) simulators for training in driving, welding and painting. These simulators will allow trainees to learn complex skills in a safe, controlled and highly realistic environment.

In addition, specialised modules on advanced vehicle systems such as Anti-lock Braking Systems (ABS) and airbags will be introduced. This will enable trainees to develop practical expertise in diagnosing and repairing modern electronic automotive systems, the release said.

The upgrade is expected to transform the institute into a state-of-the-art centre of excellence and significantly enhance employability. A total of 208 trainees from mechanic auto body painting (MABP) and mechanic auto body repair (MABR) trades will benefit.

The release said, further strengthening the green mobility ecosystem, an Electric Vehicle (EV) Lab will be set up at HJB ITI, Mayur Vihar. The lab will focus on next-generation automotive technologies, including battery management systems (BMS), electric motors, EV charging infrastructure and power electronics diagnostics.

Trainees will gain hands-on experience in the assembly, testing, diagnosis and repair of electric vehicles, equipping them with skills relevant to the rapidly evolving clean mobility sector. Around 184 trainees from trades such as electronics mechanic, mechatronics technician and related disciplines will benefit, it said.

The Chief Minister said the initiative marks a significant step towards building a skilled, industry-ready workforce.

"These modern labs will not only enhance technical capabilities but also give trainees exposure to real-world industrial practices, opening up opportunities for both employment and self-employment," she said.

She added that the move is aligned with Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi Ji's vision of Skill India and a technologically empowered youth, contributing to economic growth and self-reliance.

ITI Jahangirpuri is located in northwest Delhi, the institute functions under the Directorate of Training and Technical Education (DTTE) and offers training in electrical, electronics and mechanical trades. Its proximity to industrial clusters makes it well-suited for practical learning.

- ANI
Delhi Lieutenant Governor Taranjit Singh Sandhu reviewed the functioning and modernization plans of the Delhi Fire Service. He emphasized the need for inclusive consultations on amending fire service rules to balance safety with ease of living and business. The LG also reviewed the department's Summer Action Plan and called for heightened vigilance during rising temperatures. Furthermore, he stressed the importance of public awareness campaigns and paid tribute to fire service personnel during Fire Service Week.

LG Taranjit Singh Sandhu reviews Delhi Fire Service, emphasizes modernization, rule amendments, and public awareness for robust fire safety.

New Delhi, April 16 Delhi Lieutenant Governor Taranjit Singh Sandhu on Thursday reviewed the functioning of the Delhi Fire Service and called for effective emergency response practices.

Reviewed the functioning of the Delhi Fire Service, focusing on modernisation, infrastructure upgrades, and strengthening personnel capacity to enhance Delhi's emergency response system, Delhi LG said in a post on X.

While examining the proposed amendments to the Delhi Fire Service Rules, 2010, he emphasised the need for broad-based consultations with residents, businessmen, and traders to ensure the framework is inclusive, practical, and effective, he said.

"Aligned with the vision of Hon'ble PM Shri @narendramodi Ji, every regulatory framework must promote 'Ease of Living' and 'Ease of Doing Business'-ensuring robust fire safety without creating unnecessary hurdles for citizens," Delhi LG said.

He also reviewed the Department's Summer Action Plan and directed heightened vigilance "in view of the rising summer temperatures".

Additionally, stressed the importance of a comprehensive public awareness campaign to educate citizens on preventive measures, regulatory safeguards, and effective emergency response practices, he added.

Delhi LG also paid tribute to the officers of the Department on Delhi Fire Service Week.

He also shared a message to mark the week.

"To risk one's life in the line of duty so that others may live, this is the essence of real courage. On Fire Service Week, I had the honour of joining the officers of Delhi Fire Service for the ceremonial pinning of the flag and reaffirming our shared commitment: "We Serve to Save."

"This year's theme is a powerful reminder that fire safety is a collective responsibility. Together, let's strive to build a safer Delhi. Salute to our silent heroes!," he said.

- ANI
Demi Moore has been added to the cast of the upcoming Amazon MGM Studios thriller 'Tyrant', where she will star alongside Charlize Theron and Julia Garner. The film, written and directed by David Weil, is a high-stakes story set within New York City's elite fine-dining scene and is scheduled to begin filming in Los Angeles shortly. Moore is currently starring in the Paramount+ series 'Landman' and recently earned an Oscar nomination for 'The Substance'. She will also appear in the upcoming crime comedy 'I Love Boosters' with Keke Palmer and Naomi Ackie.

Demi Moore joins Charlize Theron & Julia Garner in the high-stakes culinary thriller 'Tyrant' for Amazon MGM Studios. Details on the cast and production.

Washington, April 16 Demi Moore has joined the cast of Amazon MGM Studios' upcoming thriller 'Tyrant', starring alongside Charlize Theron and Julia Garner, in a major new addition to the high-profile project.

According to Deadline, the culinary thriller, written and directed by David Weil, is set to begin shooting in Los Angeles in the coming weeks, backed by a California tax credit.



While the official logline remains under wraps, 'Tyrant' is described as a high-stakes story unfolding within New York City's elite fine-dining scene.



Weil adapted the screenplay from a story he developed with Cody Behan.



The film is being produced by The Picture Company's Alex Heineman and Andrew Rona, alongside Theron and her Secret Menu partners Beth Kono and AJ Dix, as per Deadline.



Weil will also serve as a producer with his producing partner Natalie Laine Williams, while Stan Wlodkowski is attached as executive producer.



On the work front, Moore is coming off an Oscar nomination for her performance in 'The Substance' (2024) and currently stars in the hit Paramount+ series 'Landman', created by Taylor Sheridan.



The show is heading into its third season, with Moore having taken on an expanded role in its second instalment.



Moore will also appear in Boots Riley's upcoming Neon crime comedy 'I Love Boosters', where she stars alongside Keke Palmer and Naomi Ackie. The film recently premiered at SXSW.





- ANI
The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas has stated that domestic LPG supply remains normal with online bookings at 98% and no reported dry-outs. About 4.58 lakh new PNG connections have been gasified since March, with over 5.1 lakh additional registrations. The government is prioritizing supply to critical sectors like hospitals and has doubled 5 kg cylinder supply for migrant labour. Citizens are urged to avoid panic buying and use digital booking platforms while enforcement actions against hoarding continue nationwide.

Government assures normal LPG supply, reports 4.58 lakh new PNG connections gasified, and urges citizens to avoid panic buying of fuel.

New Delhi, April 16 Supply of LPG to domestic households remains normal against online bookings, which have increased to 98 per cent, and no dry-outs have been reported at distributorships despite the supply being affected due to the prevailing geopolitical situation, the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas said on Thursday.

The government has ensured that 100 per cent supply is being made to domestic LPG, domestic PNG, and CNG for vehicles, the ministry said in a statement.

Deliveries based on the Authentication Code (DAC) received on the registered mobile number of the consumer have increased to around 92 per cent, which is preventing diversion at the distributor level, it said.

About 4.58 lakh PNG connections have been gasified, and about 5.1 lakh additional customers have registered for new connections since March this year.

Till April 15, about 35,000 PNG consumers have surrendered their LPG connections via MYPNGD.in website. States have been advised to facilitate new PNG connections for domestic and commercial consumers.

For commercial LPG, priority has been given to hospitals and educational institutions. Besides this, priority has also been given to pharma, steel, automobile, seed and agriculture. In addition to this, the supply of 5 kg LPG cylinders to migrant labour is also doubled based on the average daily supply on March 2 and 3.

Citizens are advised to avoid panic purchase of petrol, diesel, and LPG as the government is making all efforts to ensure availability of petrol, diesel and LPG. Beware of rumours and rely on official sources for correct information, the ministry said.

LPG consumers are requested to use digital booking platforms and avoid visiting distributors.

About 15.5 lakh 5 kg LPG cylinders have been sold since March 23. On Wednesday, 7930 MT of commercial LPG (equivalent to more than 4.17 lakh - 19 Kg cylinders) was sold, the statement said.

Average auto LPG sales by public sector oil companies so far in April are around 286 MT per day against the average of 177 MT per day during February. Auto LPG sales are observed to have shifted from private to public sector companies. To meet the rising demand, the sale of auto LPG by the PSUs has increased by 62 per cent. The major increase has been observed in states like Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Rajasthan, and West Bengal.

A total of 1,42,156 metric tonnes (equivalent to more than 74.8 lakh 19 kg LPG cylinders) of commercial LPG have been sold since March 14. This includes more than 8,400 MT of auto LPG.

Meanwhile, enforcement actions continue across the country to curb hoarding and black marketing of LPG. More than 2,500 raids were conducted on Wednesday.

PSU oil marketing companies have strengthened surprise inspections and imposed penalties on 238 LPG distributorships and suspended 63 LPG distributorships till now.

Citizens are encouraged to use alternative fuels such as PNG and electric or induction cooktops. All citizens are urged to conserve energy in their daily use during the current situation.

The government has already implemented several rationalisation measures on both the supply and demand side, including enhancing refinery production, increasing the booking interval from 21 to 25 days in urban areas and up to 45 days in rural areas and prioritising sectors for supply.

Alternative fuels such as kerosene and coal have been made available to ease pressure on LPG demand.

The Ministry of Coal has directed Coal India and Singareni Collieries to supply additional coal to states for distribution to small and medium consumers.

- IANS
A key official emphasized that affordability and accessibility must be central to India's AI roadmap, moving beyond just algorithms to consider the sustainable infrastructure powering it. Experts at a policy roundtable argued that AI computing capacity and data centers should be treated as strategic national assets with implications for energy, development, and sovereignty. They highlighted the need for a holistic view of AI infrastructure, encompassing hardware, software, data, and energy within an interconnected ecosystem. Significant challenges, including concentrated data centers, grid limits, and water stress, must be addressed to scale AI sustainably across the country.

Officials stress that India's AI growth must balance ambition with affordable infrastructure and sustainable energy use to ensure accessibility.

New Delhi, April 16 India's artificial intelligence roadmap should be built on the principles of affordability and accessibility, Ravi Shankar Prajapati, Joint Director at the Bureau of Energy Efficiency, said on Thursday.

He was delivering the keynote address at a policy roundtable titled "Roadmap for AI and Sustainability in India," organised by Chintan Research Foundation in association with The Dialogue here.

Prajapati stressed that India's AI ambitions are entering a decisive phase, with the country uniquely positioned due to its vast data generation capabilities.

However, he underlined that the future of AI in India will not be shaped solely by algorithms or applications, but also by the infrastructure that powers large-scale computation, including how it is designed, located, and sustained.

The discussion brought together policymakers, experts, and industry stakeholders to deliberate on aligning AI growth with sustainability goals. In his opening remarks, Dr. Debajit Palit, Centre Head at the Centre for Climate Change and Energy Transition at CRF, highlighted the need to strike a balance between energy and AI.

"India must create a "virtuous cycle" where AI supports energy efficiency and, in turn, energy systems sustainably support AI expansion," he stated.

Adding to the discussion, Shreeppriya Gopalakrishnan, DGM Policy at IndiaAI under the Ministry of Electronics and IT, emphasised that AI infrastructure should be viewed as an interconnected ecosystem.

She noted that it spans hardware, software, data, energy, and institutional frameworks, making it essential to adopt a holistic approach that bridges AI ambitions with real-world resource constraints.

Participants at the roundtable agreed that data centres and AI-ready computing capacity should be treated as strategic infrastructure rather than peripheral digital assets.

They highlighted that such infrastructure has far-reaching implications for energy systems, regional development, digital sovereignty, and long-term economic growth.

At the same time, experts pointed out several structural challenges that could shape India's AI trajectory. These include the concentration of data centres in a few metropolitan cities, limited grid capacity, water stress, climate risks, and rising energy demand. Addressing these constraints will be crucial for scaling AI sustainably across the country.

- IANS
Actor Dulquer Salmaan has announced the completion of shooting for his upcoming action thriller 'I'm Game', directed by Nahas Hidhayath. The film, which marks Dulquer's 40th project and his return to Malayalam cinema, is scheduled for release on August 20, coinciding with the Onam festival. It features a strong ensemble cast including Kayadu Lohar, Antony Varghese, and Mysskin, with high-octane action sequences choreographed by the renowned Anbariv Masters. The project is produced by Dulquer Salmaan and Jom Verghese, with music by Jakes Bejoy.

Dulquer Salmaan's action thriller 'I'm Game' completes filming. Directed by Nahas Hidhayath, the film marks his 40th project and releases this Onam.

Chennai, April 16 Actor Dulquer Salmaan, who plays the lead in director Nahas Hidhayath's eagerly awaited action thriller, 'I'm Game', on Thursday, announced that shooting for the film had been wrapped up.

Taking to his X timeline to share pictures of the unit on the last day of shooting, Dulquer wrote, "Wrap day smiles say it all. #ImGame shoot done & dusted, couldn't be happier! Grateful for this journey... see you all on August 20."

It may be recalled that in February this year, the makers of the film had marked actor Dulquer Salmaan's completion of 14 years as an actor by releasing a poster of his from the film.

Dulquer Salmaan had then taken to his Instagram page to pen a post of gratitude. He had said, "Today marks 14 years of my journey as an actor. Thank you, each and every one of you ! For the endless love. For the encouragement. For a place in your hearts. To mark this milestone sharing a poster from my next ! #ImGame. Coming to Cinemas near you this Onam."

It may be recalled that the makers of the film had only in December last year welcomed actress Kayadu Lohar onboard the unit of the film.

Kayadu Lohar is best known for her performance in director Ashwath Marimuthu's Tamil film 'Dragon', in which she played one of the female leads.

Taking to his Instagram page, director Nahas Hidhayath had then said, "Adding sparkle to #ImGame - thrilled to welcome the gorgeous #KayaduLohar!."

The film has triggered huge interest in fans and film buffs ever since the makers released the first look poster of Dulquer Salmaan in the film. The first look poster had Dulquer striking a stylish pose with a pistol in his hand.

"I'm Game" marks director Nahas Hidayath's next venture after the blockbuster hit 'RDX'. Posters featuring the other lead actors too have been released by the makers. The movie has quickly become one of the most anticipated releases of the year.

It may be recalled that the film officially went on floors on May 3 last year. Actors Antony Varghese, Mysskin, Kathir, Parth Thiwari, and Tamil actress Samyuktha Viswanathan play pivotal roles in the project.

The stunt choreography for "I'm Game" is being handled by Anbariv Masters, who have previously worked on major pan-Indian films such as 'Kabali', the 'KGF' series, 'Kaithi', 'Vikram', 'Leo', and 'Salaar'. After the massive action success of 'RDX', the Anbariv team is reuniting with Nahas for this film.

Produced by Dulquer Salmaan along with Jom Verghese, 'I'm Game' has triggered immense interest as this will mark Dulquer's return to Malayalam cinema. The story of 'I'm Game', which happens to be Dulquer's 40th film, is by Nahas Hidhayath himself while its screenplay is by Sajeer Baba, Bilal Moidu and Ismail Aboobacker.

Cinematography for the film is by Jimshi Khalid and editing is by Chaman Chakko. Music for the film, which has raised huge expectations among fans and film buffs, is by Jakes Bejoy. Costumes for the film have been designed by Mashar Hamsa and production design is by Deepak Parameshwaran.

- IANS
The Election Commission has announced biennial elections for nine seats of the Maharashtra Legislative Council, with polling scheduled for May 12. The ruling Mahayuti alliance, with a massive surplus of votes, is positioned to comfortably win eight of these seats. A central question is whether former Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray will seek re-election, with Congress staking a claim for one seat within the opposition MVA alliance. The election process will conclude before the current members' terms expire on May 13.

ECI announces biennial polls for 9 Maharashtra Legislative Council seats on May 12. Mahayuti set to win 8, with focus on Uddhav Thackeray's candidacy.

Mumbai, April 16 The Election Commission of India on Thursday announced biennial elections to nine seats of the Maharashtra Legislative Council to be filled by Members of the Legislative Assembly, with polling scheduled for May 12.

According to a press note issued by the Commission, the terms of office of nine sitting members will expire on May 13, necessitating the elections.

The members set to retire are Sanjay Kishanrao Kenekar, Neelam Diwakar Gorhe, Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray, Sandeep Diwakar Joshi, Dadarao Yadavrao Keche, Amol Ramkrushna Mitkari, Ranjitsinh Vijaysinh Mohite-Patil, Rajesh Dhondiram Rathod and Shashikant Jaywantrao Shinde.

The Commission said the notification for the election will be issued on April 23, while the last date for filing nominations is April 30.

Scrutiny of nomination papers will take place on May 2, and the last date for withdrawal of candidature has been fixed as May 4, it said.

Polling, if required, will be held on May 12 between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., followed by the counting of votes at 5 p.m. the same day. The election process will be completed before May 13, the Commission added.

With the Mahayuti having a massive surplus of 235 votes, it can comfortably win eight seats, comprising the BJP five, Shiv Sena two and NCP one. And, with 46 MLAs currently in the MVA camp comprising Shiv Sena(UBT) 20, Congress 16 and NCP(SP) 10, the opposition can elect one candidate, provided there is no cross-voting or defection. Based on the current strength of the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly, to secure a victory, a candidate requires 29 first-preference votes.

However, state political circles are abuzz with one primary question: whether Shiv Sena(UBT) chief and former Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray seeks another term in the Upper House. The Congress party has staked a claim over one seat.

Congress Legislative Party leader Vijay Wadettiwar said the MVA partners, including Shiv Sena(UBT) and NCP(SP), should leave the seat for Congress as it had extended its support to Sharad Pawar in the Rajya Sabha elections. Historically, members of the Thackeray family refrained from contesting direct elections. This changed in 2019 when Aaditya Thackeray won the Worli Assembly seat, becoming the first from the family to serve as a public representative.

Following the 2019 Assembly elections, the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) coalition was formed, and Uddhav Thackeray was appointed Chief Minister despite not holding a seat in either House of the legislature. Under constitutional mandates, Thackeray was required to become a member of the state legislature within six months. Consequently, in May 2020, he was elected unopposed to the Legislative Council. His current term is set to expire on May 13, leading to intense speculation regarding his next move. Along with that, the term of either of the other members will also expire.

Following Eknath Shinde's rebellion, which led to his resignation as Chief Minister, Uddhav Thackeray had initially announced his intention to resign from his Legislative Council seat. However, citing the four years remaining in his term at the time, he opted to stay on.

Observers note that Thackeray has not been particularly active in the Upper House since the change in government. His attendance is typically limited to a few appearances per session. Recently, however, he participated in the discussion on the condolence motion for Ajit Pawar during the ongoing Budget Session.

Shiv Sena(UBT) spokesperson and MP Sanjay Raut had previously suggested a formula whereby Sharad Pawar will represent the alliance in the Rajya Sabha and Uddhav Thackeray in the Legislative Council. This arrangement saw Sharad Pawar elected unopposed to the Rajya Sabha with Congress support. It is widely believed that Congress' support for the MVA's council seat remains contingent on Thackeray himself being the candidate.

While the Shiv Sena(UBT) is pushing for Thackeray to contest, the Shinde-led Shiv Sena may attempt to complicate his path by fielding an additional candidate. Although the MVA holds 17 surplus votes beyond the required quota, the ruling alliance may still try to ensure that Thackeray's re-election is far from a "walkover".

According to observers, the MVA's ability to re-elect Thackeray depends entirely on the 16 Congress MLAs and 10 NCP(SP) MLAs staying united. If even a small handful of these 46 MLAs are "persuaded" to vote for a Mahayuti candidate, Thackeray's seat -- once considered safe -- could be pushed into a risky second preference counting round. If the Shinde-led Shiv Sena decides to field a third candidate (or the Mahayuti fields a ninth), they would try to seek the 19 surplus votes of the MVA. Since the Council election uses a secret ballot, the MVA's 19 "extra" votes are the primary target for political engineering.

Against this backdrop, the final decision now rests with Uddhav Thackeray, whose choice will significantly impact the MVA's strategy for the elections.

- IANS
Indian security agencies are confronting a dangerous shift as terror groups increasingly recruit white-collar professionals like doctors and IT experts to form covert modules. These networks, such as those uncovered in Faridabad and Nashik, operate for years undetected due to their respectable backgrounds and use of encrypted platforms. Their activities range from direct attack planning to widespread online radicalisation, often with initial direction from groups like ISIS or Al-Qaeda. Officials warn that Pakistan's ISI has long invested in this model, funding education abroad to indoctrinate individuals who later return to build self-sustaining networks.

Security agencies warn of a shift as terror groups recruit medical and IT professionals for radicalisation and attacks, raising new challenges.

New Delhi, April 16 The Faridabad module case linked to the Delhi car bomb blast in November last year has served as a stark wake-up call for Indian security agencies. While several white-collar modules have been uncovered in the past, the Faridabad network operated on a far larger and more organised scale.

An Intelligence Bureau official said that emerging patterns point to a growing preference among terror groups for white-collar operatives, indicating a shift in recruitment and operational strategy.

The Tata Consultancy Services case in Maharashtra's Nashik also falls within the ambit of such modules. Unlike the Faridabad network, which was geared towards executing attacks across Delhi and other parts of North India, the Nashik module focused primarily on conversion and radicalisation.

In Faridabad, the network was led by medical professionals, whereas in Nashik it comprised IT professionals and an HR manager, reflecting the changing profile of those involved.

"While such modules are eventually detected, their professional backgrounds often delay suspicion, allowing them to function undetected for extended periods," the officials said.

Both the Nashik and Faridabad modules are believed to have remained active for three to four years. By the time they are uncovered, considerable damage has often been done, underlining the need for a reassessment of current strategies to counter this evolving threat.

Officials indicate that terror groups are likely to place greater emphasis on white-collar operatives for both terror activity and radicalisation efforts. Such individuals often require only minimal prompting, as they can access methods and instructions online and act independently.

Their familiarity with encrypted platforms and secure communication channels further enhances their ability to operate discreetly.

In the Faridabad case, members relied on ghost SIM cards and encrypted applications. In Nashik, the group used dedicated WhatsApp groups to circulate material and identify targets.

"Organisations such as the Islamic State and Al-Qaeda may limit their role to providing initial direction while encouraging these modules to sustain themselves over time. These networks may focus either on radicalisation or on carrying out attacks," an official said.

While recent crackdowns have brought these operations into sharper focus, officials note that Pakistan-based terror groups have long invested in developing networks involving white-collar operatives. The ISI has, in the past, targeted schools and colleges in Jammu and Kashmir and other parts of the country as part of this effort.

Officials say the investment is aimed at encouraging radicalisation at the school and college level. By the time these individuals complete their education, they can form networks focused on both radicalisation and potential terror activity. While the involvement of medical professionals came into focus after the Faridabad module was exposed, officials note that such efforts have long been part of an ISI-backed approach.

Funding support has reportedly been extended to select individuals for their education. Instead of being sent to Pakistan, many were encouraged to pursue engineering or medical studies in Turkey and parts of Europe.

Officials believe such locations offer greater scope for targeted indoctrination while also keeping these individuals away from the scrutiny of Indian agencies. On returning, they are expected to influence others and draw more youth into similar networks. There are indications that both the ISI and groups such as the Islamic State may continue to place emphasis on this model.

Agencies are examining possible links between the modules that have been uncovered so far. However, one official pointed out that many of these networks may function independently, which allows them to operate longer with a lower risk of detection.

"For the ISI", officials say, "the priority appears to be the expansion in number rather than direct coordination between modules."

- IANS
Congress MP Shashi Tharoor described a parliamentary committee briefing with the Foreign Secretary on the Iran conflict as highly productive, with 17 members engaging in detailed discussions on India's strategic interests. The talks covered broader regional geopolitics, energy security, and Pakistan's role, with members feeling taken into confidence by the government. Tharoor emphasized the value of the confidential dialogue between the Foreign Ministry and the committee while underlining the need for discretion. Meanwhile, the Ministry of External Affairs continues to monitor the region and ensure the welfare of the Indian community, with special control rooms operational and flights bringing passengers home.

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor calls Foreign Secretary briefing on Iran conflict "very good," highlighting discussions on India's strategic interests and regional security.

New Delhi, April 17 Congress MP Shashi Tharoor on Thursday described the recent parliamentary committee briefing with the Foreign Secretary on the Iran conflict and wider regional developments as "very good", saying members raised detailed questions on India's strategic interests.

"It was a very good briefing with the Foreign Secretary on all the issues to deal with the Iran war that were not covered in the earlier briefing when he was himself not present," Tharoor told the media.

He added that 17 members of the committee attended the session and engaged in extensive discussions with the Foreign Secretary on multiple geopolitical concerns.

"Seventeen members attended, and all of them had very serious questions for the Foreign Secretary," he said, noting that the discussions covered India's relations with "every single significant country in the region and beyond".

Tharoor further said that broader issues such as strategy, energy security, geopolitics, and Pakistan's role were also discussed during the meeting.

"There is a certain appreciation of this ongoing dialogue between the Foreign Ministry and the Committee," Tharoor said, adding that members felt they were "taken into confidence in the right sort of way and in turn, want to be constructive in our criticisms, questions and challenges to the government for ourselves as parliamentarians, to represent the voice of the people of India."

Calling it a productive exercise, he, however, underlined that the discussion should remain confidential.

"It has been a good exercise, but we all agree that this is not something we need to talk about publicly," Tharoor added.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of External Affairs continues to monitor developments in the Gulf and West Asia region, with focused efforts on ensuring the safety, security and welfare of the Indian community in the region, a release read.

It was informed that the dedicated special control rooms in the Ministry of External Affairs are operational and are working in coordination with Indian missions. The Ministry of External Affairs is in regular contact with State Governments and Union Territories for the sharing of information and better alignment of efforts.

Flights continue to operate from countries where airspace remains open. Since 28 February, around 10,10,000 passengers have travelled from the region to India.

- ANI
Union Home Minister Amit Shah announced in the Lok Sabha that the government has decided to conduct a caste census, countering opposition claims of delay. He explained the two-phase census process and dismissed allegations that the government was avoiding the issue. Shah also sought to allay fears that southern states would lose political influence due to the delimitation required for implementing the Women's Reservation Act. Prime Minister Narendra Modi earlier gave a guarantee that the delimitation process would not discriminate against any region.

Amit Shah announces government's decision to conduct a caste census, addresses concerns about women's reservation and southern states' representation.

New Delhi, April 16 Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday took a dig at the opposition leaders in Lok Sabha who alleged that the government is keen on implementing the women's reservation Act on basis of 2011 census as it does not want to hold caste census and said "misinformation is being spread" and that the government has already taken a decision to hold a caste census.

" Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, this government has decided to do caste census. Misinformation is being spread that there no mention about caste. Census happens in two phases. First, all the houses are counted and then the people living inside it. Now there has been no caste system for buildings, when there will be one then we will count that too," he said, taking potshots at the opposition members.

He also sought to allay apprehensions of opposition members about the Southern states losing their influence as a result of increase in seats in the Lok Sabha to implement the women's reservation Act and said while there will be about 50 per cent increase in their seats, the relative proportion in total seats will also move up.

Shah, who made his remarks during the debate in Lok Sabha on three bills, including the Constitutional Amendment Bill for early implementation of women's reservation, said he will reply to the debate tomorrow but was clearing some misconceptions.

"The biggest narrative being created is that these three bills, the Constitution Amendment Bill, bill on delimitation, and changes to the constituency election law, will harm the power of the South," he said."If we listen to the entire narrative created for the South, then out of the 543 seats created by you, 129 MPs currently sit in this House, which is approximately 23.76%. In the new House, 195 MPs will be sitting here, and their power will be 23.97%," he added.

Shah said Karnataka has 28 seats, and 5.15 per cent of the 543 seats in the House and after the passage of the bill, the number of Karnataka MPs will increase from 28 to 42, and the percentage in the Lok Sabha will increase to 5.44.

"Karnataka will not suffer any loss at all. Andhra Pradesh has 25 seats, which is 4.60 per cent. After the passage of the bill, the number of MPs will increase from 25 to 38. which will be 4.65 per cent," he said.

Shah said Telangana has 17 seats, which is 3.13 per cent and after the passage of the bill, the number of MPs will increase from 17 to 26, which will be 3.18 per cent.

"Tamil Nadu has 49 seats, which is 7.18 per cent. After the passage of the bill, the number of MPs will be 59, and their percentage in the new House of 816 will be 7.23 per cent. Tamil Nadu will also suffer no loss. Keralam has 20 seats, which is 3.68 per cent. After the passage of the bill, the number of MPs will be 30, and their percentage in the new House will be 3.67 per cent," he added.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi earlier sought to allay apprehension of opposition parties over the delimitation of constituencies and the "proportionate increase" in the strength of Lok Sabha to implement the Women's Reservation Act from the 2029 polls.

Participating in the debate on the Constitution Amendment Bill for early implementation of the Women's Reservation Act in the Lok Sabha, PM Modi said he can give a guarantee or a promise about his remarks if the opposition wants, as the government's intention is clear.

"I want to say from this House today with a great sense of responsibility that whether it is the South, the North, the East, the West, small states or large states... this decision-making process will not discriminate against or do injustice to anyone. In the past government that was in power, in whose time the delimitation took place, there will be no change in that proportion either, and the increase will also be in the same proportion," he said.

"If you need a guarantee, I give you a guarantee; if you need a promise, I make a promise... because if the intention is clear, there is no need to play games with words," he added.

Lok Sabha on Thursday took up simultaneous discussion on three bills for early implementation of Women's Reservation Act. The government had extended the budget session and called a three-day special sitting of Parliament for the purpose.The Constitution (One Hundred and Thirty-First Amendment) Bill, 2026, The Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2026 and The Delimitation Bill, 2026 were introduced and taken up for consideration and passing in the Lok Sabha earlier in the day.

PM Modi urged the House to pass the bills with consensus."This should not be weighed from a political angle. Those who are carrying half the responsibility of the nation also have the right to be here; we should not stop them," he said.He said ever since the discussion on women's reservation took place in the country, and every time elections have come around thereafter, whoever has opposed this right being given, "women have not forgiven them".

"In the 2024 elections, this did not happen, and it did not happen because everyone passed it unanimously then, so the issue itself did not remain," he said.

"Those who opposed giving this right to women have not been forgiven by the women of this country. They have faced the consequences. If we all move forward together, this decision will not go in favour of any one political party, but in favour of the country's democracy," he added.

PM Modi said if there is unanimous support for the bills, it won't go in favour of any party.

"It will go in favour of the country's democracy, in favourof the country's collective decision-making power, and we all will be deserving of that glory. Neither the Treasury Bench will be deserving of it, nor will Modi be deserving of it. Therefore, anyone who smells politics in this should take a look at their own outcomes from the past 30 years. Their benefit lies in this. They will be saved from whatever damage is happening. Therefore, there is no need to give it a political colour," he said.

PM Modi said anyone who wants to move forward in political life will have to accept that over the past 25 years, lakhs of women have emerged as grassroots leaders."The leadership that has developed at the grassroots level among women must be recognised and taken into account. Therefore, those who oppose this today will have to pay the price for a long time," he said.

- ANI
Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel inaugurated the Gujarat Advanced Technology and Economy Expo (GATE) 2026, highlighting the state's significant economic contributions. He stated Gujarat accounts for 8.3% of India's GDP, 18% of industrial output, and a substantial 31% of national exports. The expo, themed 'Gujarat Vision - Global Ambition', aims to provide a platform for MSMEs and entrepreneurs to access global opportunities. Patel also outlined the state's focus on emerging sectors like green energy and semiconductors, aligned with the national 'Make in India' vision.

Gujarat CM Bhupendra Patel highlights state's 8.3% GDP, 31% export share at GATE expo, outlining vision for green growth and global ambition.

Gandhinagar, April 16 Gujarat contributes 8.3 per cent to India's gross domestic product, along with 18 per cent of the country's industrial output and 31 per cent of exports, Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel said on Thursday after inaugurating a three-day trade expo in the state capital.

Addressing the opening of the Gujarat Advanced Technology and Economy Expo (GATE) 2026, organised by the Gujarat Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI), Patel said, "The state's economic performance reflects a development model built on the integration of trade and tradition, commerce and culture, and industry and entrepreneurship under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi."



The event, being held from April 16 to 18 at an exhibition centre in Gandhinagar, spans 18,000 square metres and features more than 16 sectors, including automobiles, renewable energy, information technology, pharmaceuticals and textiles, with a specific focus on artificial intelligence and cyber security.



CM Patel said the expo, themed 'Gujarat Vision - Global Ambition', is expected to provide a platform for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and young entrepreneurs to expand from local markets to global opportunities.



He expressed confidence that such initiatives would strengthen the state's industrial ecosystem.



Referring to the Vibrant Gujarat summit, CM Patel said its continued success has helped position Gujarat as "a global gateway to the future".



He added that industry bodies such as GCCI play a key role in policy-making by providing ground-level feedback and have worked in coordination with the state government in both planning and execution of such initiatives.



"Gujarat is advancing in emerging sectors including green growth, renewable energy, electric vehicle manufacturing and semiconductors, in line with the national objective of 'Make in India, Made for the World'," he noted.



CM Patel also noted that Gujarat is the first state to prepare a 'Developed Gujarat @ 2047' roadmap, based on the principle of "earning well, living well", to contribute to the broader goal of a developed India.



GCCI President Sandeep Engineer said the event marks an important step towards strengthening industrial development in Gujarat and advancing the vision of 'Viksit Gujarat to Viksit Bharat'.



"Around 610 exhibitors have registered for the expo, with more than 30,000 visitors already signed up, and the number is expected to reach 50,000," he said.





- IANS
Television actress Gulki Joshi has expressed her excitement about romancing co-star Iqbal Khan on screen, calling it a "full circle" moment after having watched him on TV. She shared behind-the-scenes photos on Instagram, noting their instant off-screen bond contributed to natural chemistry. Their show, 'Hui Gumm Yaadein - Ek Doctor, Do Zindagiyaan', features Iqbal as Dr. Dev Mehta, a physician grappling with amnesia and personal loss. Both actors are established figures in Indian television, with Joshi known for 'Maddam Sir' and Iqbal for shows like 'Kaisa Ye Pyar Hai'.

TV actress Gulki Joshi calls working with Iqbal Khan a "full circle" moment in their new Sony SAB show 'Hui Gumm Yaadein'.

Mumbai, April 16 Television actress Gulki Joshi has spoken about sharing screen space with popular small screen actor Iqbal Khan, calling it a "full circle" moment as she went from watching him on screen to romancing him.

Gulki took to Instagram, where she shared a string of fun behind-the-scene photohgraphs with Iqbal from the sets of their show Hui Gumm Yaadein - Ek Doctor, Do Zindagiyaan, which premiered in early 2026.



In the caption section, the actress wrote a light-hearted anecdote about their off-screen bond, revealing that despite him claiming to take time to open up, he surprised her by doing the opposite, making their chemistry all the more natural.



"From Watching him on screen to romancing him on screen Life takes a full circle P.s- he said he takes a month to open up to new people, he didnt !! how do i close him back ? How do u guys like this chemistry? #ghumhuiyaadein #sonysab," she wrote as the caption.



Talking about the characters of the show, Iqbal plays Dr. Dev Mehta, a renowned physician struggling with lost memories and fractured relationships. Gulki essays the role of his intern assistant Srishty Agarwal.



It tells the tale of Dr. Dev's journey as he tries to reconstruct his life while dealing with the loss of 8 years of memory and the loss of his son.



Gulki is known for her work in shows such as Phir Subah Hogi, Nadaan Parindey Ghar Aaja, Ek Shringaar-Swabhiman, Piyaa Albela, Paramavatar Shri Krishna, OTT show Bhaukaal and Maddam Sir.



Meanwhile, Iqbal shot to fame with his work in the show Kaisa Ye Pyar Hai. He was then seen in shows such as Kkavyanjali, Kahiin To Hoga, Karam Apnaa Apnaa, Chhoona Hai Aasmaan, Waaris, Yahan Main Ghar Ghar Kheli, Ek Tha Raja Ek Thi Rani, Kaal Bhairav Rahasya, Dil Se Dil Tak and Nima Denzongpa to name a few.





- IANS
Israel's Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar has urged India to formally designate Hamas as a terrorist organisation, citing its alleged operational ties with other groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba. He framed Israel's conflict as part of a broader struggle against a radical Islamist network headed by Iran. Israeli officials argue that India's designation would have a strong global and regional impact, influencing neighbouring countries. While India condemned Hamas's October 2023 attacks, it has not yet listed the group under its domestic terror laws.

Israel's FM Gideon Sa'ar urges India to designate Hamas as a terror group, highlighting its alleged ties with Lashkar-e-Taiba and Iran.

Tel Aviv, April 16 Israel's Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar has highlighted the deepening bilateral ties between Jerusalem and New Delhi, noting the "positive trends in the strengthening of Israel's relations with India."

In a post on X, the Foreign Minister shared details of his engagement with a global delegation, stating he was "honoured to brief a group of distinguished Hindu leaders from around the world." During the interaction, he provided a strategic overview of the regional security landscape and the ongoing conflict involving the Jewish state.

Building on this context, Sa'ar addressed long-standing hostilities, speaking about the "historic campaign Israel had been forced to fight for the past 2.5 years against radical Islam." He warned of the existential nature of the threat, noting that "their declared objective is the elimination of Israel, and they act to achieve that goal."

Despite these challenges, the Foreign Minister asserted that "Israel demonstrated on all fronts that it has the upper hand." He further claimed that the Israeli military has "dramatically weakened the terror octopus of radical Islam, headed by the Iranian regime," adding that "this struggle has, and will have, implications beyond the Middle East."

Turning to specific security cooperation and policy, Sa'ar "stressed the importance of Hamas being designated as a terror organisation by India." He underscored the interconnected nature of global militancy, pointing out that "Hamas has ties with all other radical Islamist terror organisations, including Lashkar-e-Taiba."

This push for a formal listing follows a consistent diplomatic effort by Israel, which has urged India to move towards designating organisations operating against it as terrorist groups. Senior Israeli officials have previously noted that New Delhi's stance carries significant regional influence, particularly as Israel has already proscribed Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and expects "reciprocation" from India.

A senior official in Israel's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, speaking to reporters in Jerusalem, suggested there is an understanding within the Indian government of the "networks and linkages" connected to these groups.

The official indicated that ties between Hamas and LeT were "significant", adding that Iran's IRGC, Hamas, and Hezbollah increasingly rely on transnational criminal networks to stage attacks worldwide.

"You're not going to see an Iranian operative act directly in Europe. What you will see is a criminal group connected to an Iranian handler who then carries out an attack," the official said, illustrating the indirect methods used by these entities.

Stressing that even a declaratory designation by India would have a "strong global impact", another official noted that neighbouring countries such as Bangladesh, Pakistan, and the Maldives "look up to India," and New Delhi's stance shapes regional responses.

Beyond freezing assets, the official stated it would signal that "no operative should step on Indian soil."

The diplomatic pressure coincides with military concerns regarding "clear attempts" by Hamas to rebuild its structures.

The Israeli Defence Forces have also supported the move, with Lt Col Nadav Shoshani, International Spokesperson for the IDF, stating it would be a "good thing" as both nations face a "common enemy."

While India condemned the October 7, 2023, Hamas attacks, it has yet to formally list the group as a terrorist organisation under domestic law.

- ANI
Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini announced the launch of the first phase of Census 2027 in the state, describing it as a foundational step for development. He emphasized that the census, now a digital self-enumeration exercise, is vital for accurate policy planning and ensuring welfare schemes reach beneficiaries. The CM urged public support for the process, linking it to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of a Viksit Bharat. The national enumeration began with President Droupadi Murmu as the first citizen to be counted via self-enumeration.

Haryana CM Nayab Singh Saini launches Phase I of Census 2027, a digital self-enumeration exercise crucial for policy planning and Viksit Bharat vision.

Chandigarh, April 16 Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini on Thursday announced the launch of the first phase of the census in the state, calling it a crucial step towards development and effective governance.

Chief Minister said that the census exercise is not merely an administrative procedure but a foundational step in building a "Viksit Haryana" and contributing to the vision of a "Viksit Bharat."

He further highlighted Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision, urging citizens to actively participate in the process. "The Prime Minister has said that the people of the country need to participate in the census to step forward towards the dream of a Viksit Bharat," he added.

The Chief Minister emphasised that accurate data collection through the census would help the government in policy planning, ensuring welfare schemes reach the intended beneficiaries and strengthening overall development in the state.

"The process needs to be conducted from time to time... Earlier too, Delimitation was done. After a certain period, Delimitation and Census are conducted. The census was not done for a long time. Now that it is being done, we should provide support to it rather than criticising it, so that the government gets the correct information... When we have the data, we can plan schemes accordingly, which would then benefit the people", CM Nayab Singh Saini said on the Delimitation Bill.

The Census 2027, the world's largest census exercise, began on April 1. The Government of India has commenced Phase I of Census 2027 -Houselisting and Housing Census (HLO) from today, marking the beginning of the country's largest administrative and statistical exercise. This is India's first-ever digital data capture and Self-Enumeration.

The national enumeration exercise was initiated with the enumeration of President Droupadi Murmu, through the option of Self-Enumeration, upholding the proud tradition of commencing the national count with the First Citizen of India.

- ANI
HDFC Asset Management Company reported a 19% sequential decline in its consolidated net profit for the March quarter, which stood at Rs 622.66 crore. On a yearly basis, the profit saw a modest 2.5% dip, though consolidated revenue for the quarter grew nearly 17% year-on-year. For the full financial year 2025-26, the company posted a strong performance with a 16.2% rise in consolidated profit and a 17.8% increase in revenue. The company's board has recommended a final dividend of Rs 54 per equity share for the fiscal year.

HDFC AMC reports a 19% sequential drop in Q4 profit but declares a final dividend of Rs 54 per share. Full-year profit rises 16.2%.

Mumbai, April 16 HDFC Asset Management Company on Thursday reported a 19 per cent quarter-on-quarter decline in its consolidated profit for the March quarter, with earnings coming in at Rs 622.66 crore.

The asset management firm posted a Rs 769.42 crore net profit in the December quarter (Q3 FY26), according to its stock exchange filing.

However, on yearly basis, the profit dropped 2.5 per cent compared to Rs 638.46 crore in the same period previous financial year (Q4 FY25).

The company's consolidated revenue from operations rose nearly 17 per cent year-on-year to Rs 1,051.51 crore in the March quarter, up from Rs 901.36 crore in Q4 FY25.

However, on a quarter-on-quarter basis, revenue slipped 2.2 per cent from Rs 1,075.10 crore, as per its regulatory filing.

On the standalone front, profit after tax stood at Rs 623.29 crore in Q4 FY26 -- marking a 2.4 per cent decline year-on-year and a 19 per cent drop sequentially.

Standalone revenue from operations rose modestly by 1.6 per cent year-on-year to Rs 1,050.48 crore but declined 2.2 per cent compared to the previous quarter.

Despite the quarterly dip, HDFC AMC posted a strong performance for the full financial year 2025-26.

Consolidated profit rose 16.2 per cent to Rs 2,858.06 crore from Rs 2,460.19 crore in FY25, while revenue from operations increased 17.8 per cent to Rs 4,122.16 crore.

The company's operating profit before working capital changes also improved significantly, rising to Rs 3,369.80 crore during the year from Rs 2,824.42 crore in the previous financial year.

Alongside its results, the company announced a final dividend of Rs 54 per equity share of face value Rs 5 each for FY26, subject to shareholder approval at the upcoming annual general meeting.

The shares of the company were trading at Rs 2,651.8, down by Rs 11.9 or 0.45 per cent. In last five days, the shares were up by Rs 100 or 3.92 per cent.

- IANS
US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth confirmed that China has provided high-level assurances it will not send weapons to Iran. This follows intelligence reports indicating China was preparing to deliver new air defense systems to Tehran. President Donald Trump revealed he personally exchanged letters with Chinese President Xi Jinping, asking him to halt such shipments. The diplomatic outcome sets the stage for Trump's planned visit to Beijing in May for further talks.

Pentagon confirms China has given high-level assurances it will not deliver air defense systems to Iran, following direct letters between Trump and Xi.

Washington, DC, April 16 US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth has addressed reports concerning potential Chinese arms shipments to Iran, confirming that Washington has received high-level assurances that such a move will not take place.

Addressing a Pentagon briefing, Hegseth was joined by the Chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Dan Caine, and Admiral Brad Cooper, Commander of US Central Command. During the session, the US secretary highlighted the diplomatic channels utilised to resolve the matter, pointing specifically to the direct communication between the American and Chinese heads of state.

"President Trump has a very strong and direct relationship with (Chinese President Xi Jinping), and they communicated on that. China has assured us that that is not going to happen," Hegseth stated.

These official assurances from the Pentagon follow recent intelligence assessments indicating that "China is preparing to deliver new air defence systems to Iran" within the next few weeks, according to a report by CNN citing three people familiar with the matter.

The disclosure has sparked fresh scrutiny over Beijing's military cooperation with Tehran amidst heightened regional tensions, prompting a direct intervention from the White House.

Addressing these reports, President Donald Trump stated in an interview that aired on Wednesday that he had personally engaged in an exchange of letters with the Chinese President to address the situation.

"He responded to a letter that I wrote because I had heard that China is giving weapons to -- I mean, you are seeing it all over the place -- to Iran," Trump said, according to the interview.

The President's remarks highlight a direct diplomatic effort to stall the reported transfer of advanced military hardware through personal correspondence.

Confirming the outcome of this high-level exchange, the President noted that he had sought a firm commitment from Beijing to halt such shipments.

"I wrote him a letter asking him not to do that, and he wrote me a letter saying that essentially he is not doing that," Trump added, indicating that the Chinese leadership has offered specific guarantees against the arms delivery.

This diplomatic breakthrough serves as a significant backdrop to upcoming high-level talks, as President Trump is currently "planning to visit Beijing to meet with Xi in May" to further discuss the bilateral relationship and regional security concerns.

- ANI
The Naxalbari movement, which ignited India's far-Left radicalism in the late 1960s, has lost nearly all momentum in its birthplace after six decades. The region's politics have transformed, with the BJP now holding the Darjeeling Lok Sabha seat and winning key Assembly segments like Matigara-Naxalbari. Key movement leaders like Charu Majumdar and Kanu Sanyal have died, and many former sympathizers have joined the democratic process. Ahead of the 2026 state polls, tribal voters are increasingly prioritizing development over ideology, underscoring a significant rightward political shift.

Once the epicenter of India's far-Left Naxal movement, West Bengal's Naxalbari now leans toward the BJP, marking a major political transformation.

New Delhi, April 16 The railway station still reads Naxalbari, but the far-Left movement that originated here in the late 1960s has long since lost momentum, gradually fading nearly six decades on. On the ground, times have changed -- and so has the colour of politics.

The leaders behind the movement believed in the power of bullets over ballots and were therefore never tested by the people's mandate. The period was also marked by political uncertainty in Kolkata, which saw President's Rule imposed three times intermittently between 1968 and 1977.

Meanwhile, the Darjeeling Lok Sabha seat -- of which Matigara-Naxalbari (SC) is an Assembly segment -- witnessed close contests between two dominant adversaries, the Congress and the Left, barring brief intervals. In 2009, however, BJP leader Jaswant Singh wrested the Darjeeling seat with support from leaders of the Gorkhaland movement.

Since then, the BJP has retained the parliamentary constituency, with S. S. Ahluwalia winning in 2014, followed by Raju Bista in 2019 and 2024.

Matigara-Naxalbari is one of the Lok Sabha constituency's seven Assembly segments and one of the five Assembly seats in Darjeeling district. Four of these five seats -- including Matigara-Naxalbari -- were won by the BJP in the 2021 Assembly elections. In the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, the party led in all these segments.

Following delimitation and the formation of the Matigara-Naxalbari Assembly constituency, Congress candidate Sankar Malakar defeated CPI-M nominee Jharen Roy by about 6,800 votes in 2011. He retained the seat in 2016, winning by a margin of over 18,600 votes against Trinamool Congress candidate Amar Sinha.

Incidentally, the Trinamool Congress came to power in 2011 in alliance with the Congress, before the two parties later parted ways. The Congress subsequently aligned with the Left.

In 2021, BJP's Anandamoy Barman defeated Trinamool candidate Rajen Sundas by more than 70,800 votes, while Malakar finished a distant third.

In the meantime, Maoist influence waned in the area but spread elsewhere, amid internal rifts within the leadership that led to the formation of new groups and alliances.

The Naxalbari movement ignited India's far-Left radicalism through a peasant revolt against landlords. Nearly six decades later, its birthplace has tilted towards right-wing politics, symbolising a broader political shift.

Led by radicals such as Charu Majumdar, Kanu Sanyal, and Jangal Santhal, the movement drew in tribal sharecroppers who were exploited by landlords at the time.

Expelled CPI-M radicals formed the All India Coordination Committee of Communist Revolutionaries in 1967, which later evolved into the Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist) in 1969 under Sanyal.

Majumdar's shift towards urban strategy and his call for the annihilation of class enemies inspired sections of the youth, particularly university students in cities such as Kolkata.

The ideology later spread to Bihar, Andhra Pradesh, and other regions.

The aftermath and growing disillusionment were reflected in an incident on March 23, 2010, when residents of Hatighisa village near Naxalbari found Kanu Sanyal dead at his residence.

His differences with Charu Majumdar and several other party leaders were well known.

Most leaders have since abandoned armed struggle, and many among the present generation of Naxal sympathisers have joined the democratic process.

Majumdar died in July 1972 while in custody under mysterious circumstances at Alipore Central Jail in Kolkata.

Ahead of the 2006 Assembly elections, even as the Trinamool wave was building, Sanyal, speaking from his modest residence, reflected on the "excesses" committed by his comrades in earlier phases. He had also predicted that "the time is still not here for Mamata Banerjee" to win.

The Trinamool Congress indeed lost the 2006 elections despite the hype. As with many others, disillusionment with Naxal violence and shifting political bases contributed to this trend.

Now, ahead of the 2026 West Bengal Assembly polls, the BJP appears to be gaining ground amid the Left's decline, with tribal voters increasingly prioritising development over ideology. This rightward shift underscores the erosion of far-Left influence, as economic growth and state interventions eclipse Maoist appeal.

- IANS
The US Treasury Secretary has warned that Chinese financial institutions could face secondary sanctions if they are found processing Iranian money. This warning follows direct outreach from the US Treasury to at least two unnamed Chinese banks. The move is part of broader US efforts to increase economic pressure on Iran and curb its financial networks, particularly linked to oil. The situation is complicated by recent US-Israel strikes on Iran and concerns over the security of key maritime routes like the Strait of Hormuz.

US Treasury warns Chinese banks of secondary sanctions if they facilitate Iranian financial transactions, amid global energy corridor tensions.

Washington DC, April 16 United States Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent on Wednesday warned that the US is prepared to impose secondary sanctions on Chinese financial institutions if they are found facilitating Iranian financial flows.

"Iran used to be the largest state sponsor of terrorism. China was purchasing more than 90 per cent of their oil, which is about 8 per cent of China's energy needs," Bessent said during a press briefing.

He added that recent geopolitical developments could disrupt this flow. "We believe that due to the blockade in the Straits, there will be a pause in Chinese buying," he said, referring to tensions affecting key maritime routes.

Bessent also revealed that the US Treasury has already reached out to Chinese financial institutions over concerns of potential sanctions violations.

"Two Chinese banks received letters from the US Treasury. I'm not going to identify the banks, but we told them that if we can prove that there is Iranian money flowing through your accounts, then we are willing to put on secondary sanctions," he said.

The remarks come amid broader US efforts to tighten economic pressure on Iran and curb its financial networks, particularly those linked to oil trade and alleged support for proxy groups.

The development follows US President Donald Trump's recent claim that China has assured Washington it will not supply weapons to Iran. Trump said the assurance came after a direct exchange of letters with Chinese President Xi Jinping, amid concerns over Beijing's potential military support to Tehran.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump said China supports efforts to keep the Strait of Hormuz open, a key global energy corridor that has been at the centre of escalating tensions following recent US-Israel strikes on Iran.

The Trump administration has stepped up warnings to countries engaging with Iran, cautioning that those found supporting Tehran's military or economic activities could face severe penalties, including sanctions and tariffs reaching 50 per cent.

The situation unfolds against the backdrop of ongoing conflict in West Asia, with disruptions in maritime trade and a US-led blockade adding strain to global energy supplies and diplomatic relations.

- ANI
Austrian Chancellor Christian Stocker inaugurated the India-Austria Business Summit, emphasizing its role in creating concrete opportunities for joint projects between companies from both nations. He highlighted the strong trade relationship, with bilateral trade reaching about 3 billion and over 160 Austrian firms active in India's key sectors like semiconductors and renewable energy. The Chancellor, accompanied by a high-level business delegation, discussed expanding cooperation in areas including pump storage projects and security policy. The opening of a new Austrian consulate in Bengaluru signals a further intensification of the multifaceted bilateral partnership.

Austrian Chancellor Christian Stocker inaugurates business summit, highlights 3B trade growth and tech partnerships with Indian companies.

New Delhi, April 16 The India-Austria Business Summit is set to take place centre stage as Austrian Chancellor Christian Stocker on Thursday highlighted deepening economic ties with India, pointing to expanding trade, technology partnerships, and strategic cooperation.

He said, "This afternoon I will inaugurate the India-Austria Business Summit, and this is a platform that will bring decision-makers together and create concrete opportunities between Austrian and Indian companies."

Addressing a joint press meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Stocker emphasised the strong business delegation accompanying him. "I am accompanied by 60 high-ranking business leaders, the who's who of the Austrian business world. This delegation is led by our Minister for Economic Affairs and Vice President of the Austrian Economic Chamber," he said.

He underscored the benefits of close political ties for economic growth. He said, "Our close political ties are also of benefit for our business landscape. India is already one of the most important trading partners outside the EU for Austria."

Highlighting trade growth, he said, " Our bilateral trade has been developing very positively and has increased to about 3 billion euros in the last 10 years."

Stocker pointed to the presence of Austrian firms in India. "About 160 Austrian companies are active in the Indian market in important frontier technologies such as semiconductor production and in the fields of renewable energies, automotive, and infrastructure. This shows that our friendship is very broad-based."

Calling India a key partner, he added, "India has an impressive growth rate of about 7 per cent per year, and it's one of the most dynamic global markets and a key strategic partner for us. Austrian companies will in the future benefit more strongly from this dynamism."

Emphasising the importance of the summit, he said, "This afternoon I will inaugurate the India-Austria Business Summit, and this is a platform that will bring decision-makers together and create concrete opportunities between Austrian and Indian companies."

"The summit will provide new and also strong incentives for greater cooperation and successful joint projects.It is a policy of ours that we will open doors and create reliable conditions," he added.

Highlighting Austria's strengths, Stocker said, "Our companies are the ones who will be innovative and will have the technology and the know-how of the highest quality to be able to take this further."

"These are the qualities that Austrian companies have shown to have at the international level, and this is why they are such reliable partners and sought-after," he noted.

He also underlined the broad scope of bilateral ties. "All this shows that our partnership covers a lot of areas. We have economic dynamism, academic and scientific cooperation and responsibility as far as security policy is concerned."

Speaking on future vision and stability, he said, "Ladies and gentlemen, we want that we have a clear vision and that step-by-step we go forward into a secure future. Stability also means that we are politically and independent, that in the sense of energy we are not dependent on any single country."

Referring to discussions held, he added, "We have discussed this today, we have spoken about pump storage projects, we have spoken about other future fields where we can work together in the future."

Highlighting diplomatic outreach, Stocker said, "The opening of the new consulate in Bengaluru is also a sign of our intention to intensify our relations."

"We hope to be able to work even closer together in the future. Our relations cover multiple facets; they are very vibrant and Prime Minister, we would like to intensify these in the future," he added.

Earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a meeting with Austrian Chancellor Christian Stocker at the Hyderbad House, New Delhi.

Austrian Chancellor Christian Stocker also laid a wreath at Rajghat. Raj Ghat is a serene, open-air memorial in Delhi dedicated to Mahatma Gandhi, marking the spot of his cremation on January 31, 1948.

Earlier on Wednesday, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar met Chancellor Stocker during his first official visit to India. The meeting signals a step forward in bilateral ties, with further high-level discussions planned.

In a post on X, Jaishankar said, "Delighted to call on Federal Chancellor Dr Christian Stocker of Austria, as he begins his first official visit to India." He added, "Confident that his discussions with PM Narendra Modi tomorrow will open new avenues for greater cooperation across various domains."

This is Stocker's first visit to India and his first official trip to Asia since taking office in 2025. The visit comes amid growing economic ties between India and Austria. The two sides are also expected to discuss regional and global issues and their cooperation in international organisations.

- ANI
India and Austria have strongly condemned recent terrorist attacks, including the incidents in Pahalgam and near the Red Fort, during the official visit of Austrian Chancellor Christian Stocker. The two nations called for decisive and concerted international efforts to combat terrorism and violent radicalization, including disrupting terror financing. The visit resulted in 15 key outcomes, focusing on enhanced cooperation in defense, technology, trade, and the establishment of a Joint Working Group on Counter Terrorism. Major agreements also included an Audiovisual Co-production pact to boost film industry collaboration and a Fast Track Mechanism to improve business ties.

India & Austria condemned Pahalgam & Red Fort attacks, called for global anti-terror efforts, and signed 15 agreements on defense, trade, and film co-production.

New Delhi, April 16 India and Austria called for decisive and concerted international efforts to combat terrorism during the visit of Austrian Chancellor Christian Stocker to India. The two sides condemned the heinous Pahalgam terror attack and the Red Fort terror incident, which took place in the national capital, and underlined the need for cooperation to counter violent radicalisation and extremism.

The details were shared by MEA Secretary (West) Sibi George while addressing a special media briefing on the official visit of the Austrian Chancellor to India here in the national capital on Thursday.

Ambassador George said that the leaders also welcomed the signing of a Letter of Intent for enhancing cooperation between India and the EU in areas of counter-terrorism and counter-radicalisation.

He said, "Both sides categorically and unequivocally condemned terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, including cross-border terrorism. The leaders welcomed the signing of the 'Letter of Intent' (LoI) to set up a joint working group on counter terrorism, which will serve as a platform to enhance bilateral cooperation in counter-terrorism and also counter radicalisation through information, knowledge sharing and capacity building within the appropriate multilateral fora in the framework of the respective collaboration between India and the European Union."

He added, "The leaders condemned in the strongest terms the terrorist attacks in Pahalgam last year and the terror incident near Red Fort in November 2025. They also called for decisive and concerted international efforts to combat terrorism in a comprehensive and sustained manner."

The Ambassador said that the leaders underscored the need for cooperation to counter violent radicalisation and extremism, and specifically the financing of terrorism, including by promoting internationally agreed anti- money laundering standards, as well as to prevent exploitation of new and emerging technologies for terrorist purposes and to tackle terrorist recruitment.

He further noted, "The leaders also reaffirmed a strong commitment to continue taking active measures to disrupt the terror financing linkages and channels, including at the United Nations and the Financial Action Task Force."

His remarks come as India and Austria on Thursday concluded 15 outcomes as part of the four-day official visit of Federal Chancellor Christian Stocker to the country, covering key areas including defence, technology, trade, innovation and skills development, with a focus on establishing a Joint Working Group on Counter Terrorism between the two nations.

The outcomes were finalised following wide-ranging discussions between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chancellor Stocker in New Delhi, marking the first visit by an Austrian Chancellor to India in four decades.

Among the major agreements signed was the Agreement on Audiovisual Co-production, which will promote collaboration between the film industries of both countries, facilitating joint productions and cultural exchange.

To boost business ties, both countries announced a Fast Track Mechanism for Indian and Austrian companies, aimed at addressing investor concerns and improving ease of doing business.

Among the major agreements signed was the Agreement on Audiovisual Co-production, which will promote collaboration between the film industries of both countries, facilitating joint productions and cultural exchange.

To boost business ties, both countries announced a Fast Track Mechanism for Indian and Austrian companies, aimed at addressing investor concerns and improving ease of doing business.

The visit comes at a significant time, following the India-EU Free Trade Agreement, which both sides noted would create new opportunities for trade, manufacturing, investment and job creation.

With the conclusion of these 15 outcomes, India and Austria have set the stage for a more innovation-driven and future-ready partnership.

- ANI
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed confidence that the India-Austria partnership is becoming more innovation-centric and future-ready following talks with Austrian Chancellor Christian Stocker. The visit, the first by an Austrian Chancellor in over four decades, is seen as opening a new chapter in bilateral relations strengthened by over 75 years of friendship. Discussions centered on deepening cooperation in critical areas like infrastructure, sustainability, defence, semiconductors, and futuristic technologies. Both leaders emphasized the importance of reliable partnerships based on shared values in a geopolitically uncertain world.

PM Modi & Chancellor Stocker deepen India-Austria cooperation in innovation, infrastructure, defence & tech, marking a historic visit after 40 years.

New Delhi, April 16 Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday expressed confidence that the partnership between India and Austria will get "more innovation-centric and future-ready".

PM Modi's statement came after he met Austrian Chancellor Christian Stocker and discussed ways to deepen cooperation in areas like innovation, infrastructure, and sustainability.

He stated that both nations are committed to adding new energy to trade and investment linkages.

"Held very productive discussions with Chancellor Stocker of Austria. We in India are glad that he selected our nation as his first destination to visit outside Europe after he assumed office. This reflects his vision and commitment to India-Austria relations. Equally special is the fact that this is the first visit by an Austrian Chancellor in four decades. His visit also comes in the wake of the historic India-EU Free Trade Agreement, which has ushered in a new chapter in India-EU ties," PM Modi posted on X.

"Our talks today covered ways to deepen cooperation in areas such as innovation, infrastructure and sustainability. We are committed to adding new energy in trade and investment linkages. Sectors like defence, semiconductors, futuristic technologies and StartUps present immense potential for closer relations. I am confident that the India-Austria partnership will get even more innovation-centric and future-ready," he added.

Stocker thanked PM Modi for his invitation to India and his hospitality. He stated that his visit to New Delhi marks a new chapter in India-Austria friendship.

In a post on X, Stocker said: "Thank you, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, for the invitation to India and your kind hospitality. It is a great honour to be in New Delhi-as the first Austrian Chancellor to visit India in over four decades. This visit marks a new chapter in a friendship that has grown stronger for more than 75 years. In times of increasing geopolitical uncertainty, reliable partners connected by shared values are more important than ever."

Earlier in the day, the Austrian Chancellor paid homage to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat.

In a post on X, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said, "Remembering Bapu and his ideals. Federal Chancellor Dr Christian Stocker of Austria paid homage to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat, laying a wreath and reflecting on Gandhiji's enduring message of peace, non-violence and global harmony."

Stocker arrived in New Delhi on Wednesday for his first official visit to India after assuming office, aimed at strengthening bilateral ties across key sectors, including trade, investment and emerging technologies.

Earlier on Wednesday, External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar called on the Austrian Chancellor, expressing confidence that his talks with Prime Minister Modi would open new avenues for greater cooperation between the two nations.

- IANS
India and Austria concluded 15 key outcomes during Austrian Chancellor Christian Stocker's first visit to India in four decades. The agreements include establishing a Joint Working Group on Counter-Terrorism and a Letter of Intent on defence cooperation. Both nations also signed pacts on audiovisual co-production, a fast-track mechanism for businesses, and collaboration in high-tech sectors like quantum technology. The visit aims to create a more innovation-centric and future-ready bilateral partnership.

PM Modi & Austrian Chancellor Stocker deepen ties with 15 outcomes, including a Joint Working Group on Counter-Terrorism, defence pacts & tech collaboration.

New Delhi, April 16 India and Austria on Thursday concluded 15 outcomes as part of the four-day official visit of Federal Chancellor Christian Stocker to the country, covering key areas including defence, technology, trade, innovation and skills development, with a focus on establishing a Joint Working Group on Counter Terrorism between the two nations.

The outcomes were finalised following wide-ranging discussions between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chancellor Stocker in New Delhi, marking the first visit by an Austrian Chancellor to India in four decades.

According to official statements by the Ministry of External Affairs, both sides agreed to strengthen cooperation across strategic sectors and reiterated their commitment to combating terrorism in all its forms, including cross-border terrorism.

A key highlight was the Letter of Intent to establish a Joint Working Group on Counter-Terrorism, aimed at enhancing strategic cooperation in tackling global terror threats.

The leaders also emphasised defence collaboration through a Letter of Intent on Cooperation in Military Matters, which seeks to deepen defence industrial partnerships, policy dialogue, training and capacity building.

Among the major agreements signed was the Agreement on Audiovisual Co-production, which will promote collaboration between the film industries of both countries, facilitating joint productions and cultural exchange.

To boost business ties, both countries announced a Fast Track Mechanism for Indian and Austrian companies, aimed at addressing investor concerns and improving ease of doing business.

In the area of food safety, a Memorandum of Understanding between AGES Austria and FSSAI India was signed to enhance cooperation in standards, scientific exchange and regulatory practices.

A Joint Letter of Intent on vocational education and skills development was also agreed upon, focusing on apprenticeship systems, knowledge sharing and mutual recognition of vocational qualifications.

In addition to these agreements, several key announcements were made, including the renewal of cooperation in road infrastructure, the expansion of the India-Austria Startup Bridge, and the launch of an Institutional Cybersecurity Dialogue.

Both sides also agreed to collaborate in emerging sectors, including high-technology domains such as quantum technology, machine learning, material sciences and wastewater management, which were identified as central pillars of the enhanced partnership.

Further initiatives include a bilateral space industry seminar in Vienna in 2026, operationalisation of a Working Holiday Programme, and a structured dialogue on education cooperation aimed at strengthening higher education and skill ecosystems.

Following his meeting, Prime Minister Modi, in a post on X, described the discussions as "very productive" and said the visit reflects a strong commitment to deepening bilateral ties.

He highlighted sectors such as defence, semiconductors, startups and futuristic technologies as areas with immense potential.

"Held very productive discussions with Chancellor Stocker of Austria. We in India are glad that he selected our nation as his first destination to visit outside Europe after he assumed office. This reflects his vision and commitment to India-Austria relations. Equally special is the fact that this is the first visit by an Austrian Chancellor in four decades," the PM stated in his post.

"We are committed to adding new energy in trade and investment linkages. Sectors like defence, semiconductors, futuristic technologies and StartUps present immense potential for closer relations. I am confident that the India-Austria partnership will get even more innovation-centric and future-ready," the post added.

The Ministry of External Affairs also took to X, stating that both leaders reviewed the full spectrum of bilateral relations, including trade, investment, innovation, green technologies, education and people-to-people ties, while also exchanging views on regional and global issues.

The visit comes at a significant time, following the India-EU Free Trade Agreement, which both sides noted would create new opportunities for trade, manufacturing, investment and job creation.

With the conclusion of these 15 outcomes, India and Austria have set the stage for a more innovation-driven and future-ready partnership.

- ANI
Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri met German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul in Berlin, with both sides agreeing to expand their strategic partnership. The discussions focused on implementing the Defence Industrial Cooperation Roadmap and the Indo-German Digital Dialogue work plan. Key areas of collaboration included trade, security, AI ethics, and semiconductor supply chains. The talks also addressed mitigating the impact of geopolitical tensions on global energy and food security.

Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri meets German FM Johann Wadephul in Berlin to deepen cooperation in defence, digital governance, and energy security.

Berlin, April 15 Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri met German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul in Berlin, with both sides appreciating the steady progress in India-Germany relations and agreeing to broaden and deepen cooperation across key sectors, reaffirming the strategic importance of their partnership.

In a post shared by the Embassy of India in Berlin, "Foreign Secretary @VikramMisri met German Foreign Minister Dr. Johann Wadephul, in Berlin on 14 April 2026. FM Wadephul appreciated steady progress in the India-Germany Strategic Partnership. Both agreed to broaden and deepen cooperation across key areas and reaffirmed the importance of this vital relationship," the post read.

Arriving in Berlin following a two-day visit to Paris, Misri's presence at the Korber-Stiftung (Korber Foundation) highlighted India's growing role as a stabilising force in an increasingly volatile global order.

During his engagement at the foundation, the Foreign Secretary also engaged with policy experts and members of the strategic community at the Korber Foundation, underlining India's increasing role in shaping global conversations amid evolving geopolitical dynamics.

"State Secretary in the Foreign Ministry @VikramMisri met with representatives of think tanks and the foreign policy community at the @KoerberStiftung. The exchange covered key areas of the strategic partnership between India and Germany, including trade, security and defense, digital governance, as well as the role of India, Germany and the European Union in the changing world order. Geopolitical developments with impacts on energy, food, and economic security were also discussed," the Embassy of India in Berlin posted on X.

The discussions came at a critical juncture, following German Chancellor Friedrich Merz's visit to India in January 2026 and amid a deepening energy crisis triggered by the ongoing blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.

The discussions in Berlin were not merely diplomatic formalities but a deep dive into the practical pillars of the India-Germany Strategic Partnership.

"Foreign Secretary @VikramMisri interacted with think-tanks and the foreign policy community at @KoerberStiftung. The exchange covered key areas of India and Germany Strategic Partnership including trade, security and defence, Digital Governance and role of India, Germany and the European Union in evolving global order. Geopolitical developments impacting energy, food and economic security were also discussed," the Embassy of India in Berlin posted on X.

Building on the 2026 India-Germany Defence Industrial Cooperation Roadmap, the two sides explored opportunities for co-development and co-production of military hardware, signalling a move toward long-term industry-level partnerships.

Both sides also reviewed the Indo-German Digital Dialogue work plan for 2026-27, with emphasis on AI ethics, semiconductor supply-chain security and data sovereignty.

With global markets reeling from West Asia tensions, the Foreign Secretary discussed collaborative measures to safeguard energy, food, and economic security--areas where the India-European Union Free Trade Agreement was expected to play a pivotal role.

The exchange at the Korber Foundation provided a platform for Vikram Misri to articulate India's vision for a "multipolar world" and the central role Germany and the European Union were expected to play in it.

- ANI
Equity-oriented mutual funds in India saw a robust 17.38% year-on-year increase in average assets under management in March. Flexi Cap Funds emerged as the largest and fastest-growing category, with AUM surging 25.10% to about Rs 5.28 lakh crore. The total average net AUM for equity schemes rose to approximately Rs 33.54 lakh crore, reflecting sustained retail participation. Strong growth in mid and small cap funds also indicated a strong investor appetite for alpha generation opportunities.

India's equity mutual fund AUM grew 17.38% YoY in March, driven by strong inflows into Flexi Cap, Mid Cap, and Thematic Funds.

New Delhi, April 16 Equityoriented mutual funds saw a robust 17.38 per cent yearonyear increase in average assets under management in March, driven by strong flows into flexi Cap, mid Cap and thematic funds, a report said on Thursday.

The report from Abakkus Mutual Fund said that flexi Cap Funds emerged as the largest and fastestgrowing category, with average net AUM rising to around Rs. 5.28 lakh crore, compared to Rs 4.22 lakh crore a year ago, registering a 25.10 per cent yearonyear growth.

Flexi Cap Funds category now commands a 15.75 per cent share of total equity AAUM total average net AUM of equityoriented schemes.

The total average net AUM of equity-oriented schemes rose to about Rs. 33.54 lakh crore in March 2026 from around Rs. 28.57 lakh crore a year earlier, reflecting sustained retail participation and resilience in equity markets despite intermittent volatility, the report added.

Strong expansion of flexi cap funds highlighted a clear investor preference for dynamic equity allocation strategy which offers fund managers the flexibility to navigate across market capitalisations, sectors and styles in an evolving macro-economic environment.

The mutual fund industry showed broadbased gains as mid cap funds grew 22.74 per cent to about Rs. 4.38 lakh crore, small cap funds rose 20.33 per cent to Rs. 3.47 lakh crore, and Large & Mid Cap Funds surged 23.39 per cent to Rs. 3.14 lakh crore.

Sectoral or Thematic Funds remained among the largest categories with an average net AUM of roughly Rs 5.01 lakh crore, though their share moderated slightly to 14.93 per cent from 15.52 per cent in March, indicating some cooling in concentrated thematic allocations.

"Flexi Cap Funds offer agility, which is much needed in today's dynamic market conditions, a flexibility that has resonated well with investors navigating today's evolving macro environment," said Vaibhav Chugh, CEO, Abakkus Mutual Fund.

Meanwhile, sustained flows into Mid and Small Cap funds indicate a strong appetite for alpha generation opportunities, he said.

In contrast, the relatively modest growth in Large Cap Funds and ELSS categories highlights a clear shift in investor priorities towards more flexible, performance oriented - investment strategies, Chugh added.

- IANS
The Indian Navy's sail training ship INS Sudarshini has arrived at the port of Casablanca, Morocco, as part of its transoceanic deployment. The visit aims to strengthen bilateral naval relations and explore avenues for enhanced maritime collaboration and training exchanges. During the three-day port call, the crew will engage with the Royal Moroccan Navy through professional and cultural interactions. This deployment promotes India's vision for holistic maritime security and cooperation in the region.

Indian Navy's INS Sudarshini visits Casablanca to enhance maritime collaboration & diplomatic ties between India and Morocco under Lokayan 26.

Casablanca, April 16 Indian Navy's Sail Training Ship, INS Sudarshini, made port call at Casablanca, Morocco on Wednesday, as part of its ongoing transoceanic deployment under Lokayan 26.

In a statement, the Indian Navy noted that the ship's arrival at this prominent port marks an important milestone in the expedition and reflects the Indian Navy's sustained efforts to enhance maritime engagement in line with the vision of MAHASAGAR (Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across the Region).

The visit further underscores the strengthening of bilateral relations and naval cooperation between India and Morocco.

On arrival, the Commanding Officer of INS Sudarshini called on Cmde Hassan Akouli, Commander of the Central Maritime Sector, Moroccan Navy, and Cmde Omar Nasri, Director of the Royal Naval School, Morocco.

Discussions focused on exploring avenues for enhanced maritime collaboration and training exchanges between the two navies.

As per the statement, during the three-day visit, the crew of INS Sudarshini will engage with personnel of the Royal Moroccan Navy, host senior officials and distinguished guests onboard, and participate in professional and cultural interactions aimed at further strengthening naval cooperation, diplomatic ties, and goodwill.

The visit also provides valuable exposure to the crew and trainees, while highlighting India's expanding maritime engagement, international outreach, and proficiency in ocean sailing.

Four Indian Naval ships - INS Tabar, INS Tarkash, INS Sumedha, and INS Tushil have visited Casablanca, significantly enhancing mutual trust and interoperability. Further, RAdm Mohamed Tahin, Inspector of the Royal Morrocon Navy had visited Southern Naval Command of the Indian Navy in Nov 2025 as part of his official visit to India, the statement highlighted.

It underscored how as INS Sudarshini continues its voyage across historic sea routes and international maritime corridors, the expedition promotes the spirit of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, reinforcing India's commitment to global maritime cooperation and goodwill.

- ANI
Iranian officials are set to meet with Pakistan's Army Chief General Asim Munir in Tehran to discuss messages exchanged with the United States, following the collapse of talks in Islamabad. The visit, which includes Pakistan's Interior Minister, is seen as a critical effort to break the deadlock over Iran's nuclear program and other sensitive issues. The diplomatic push occurs amid a fragile ceasefire and rising regional tensions in West Asia. US officials, including Vice President JD Vance, are expected to be key players in potential future negotiation rounds.

Iranian officials meet Pakistan's army chief to discuss US messages, aiming to revive stalled negotiations over Tehran's nuclear program and regional stability.

Tehran, April 16 Iranian officials and Pakistan's Army chief Asim Munir on Thursday will hold talks in the capital to discuss the messages that have been exchanged between Iran and the US since negotiations in Islamabad fell apart on April 12, according to the Iranian state media Tasnim news agency.

According to Tasnim, it is not clear whether it is Araghchi (Iranian Foreign Minister) that Munir will meet with on Thursday.

Earlier on Wednesday (local time), Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi welcomed Pakistan's Chief of Army Staff Asim Munir in Tehran, expressing appreciation for Pakistan's role in facilitating dialogue and underscoring the shared commitment to regional peace and stability amid West Asia tensions.

In a post on X, Araghchi said, "Delighted to welcome Field Marshal Munir to Iran. Expressed gratitude for Pakistan's gracious hosting of dialogue, emphasizing that it reflects our deep and great bilateral relationship. Our commitment to promoting peace and stability in the region remains strong--and shared."

The visit comes at a critical juncture, as diplomatic efforts intensify to revive stalled negotiations between the United States and Iran following the inconclusive "Islamabad Talks."

According to diplomatic sources, Munir, accompanied by Pakistan's Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, is in Tehran carrying a fresh message from Washington aimed at outlining a framework for a potential second round of high-level negotiations.

The high-level engagement is being viewed as a last-ditch effort to break the deadlock after earlier talks between US and Iranian officials failed to produce a breakthrough, particularly over Tehran's nuclear programme and other "red line" issues.

The diplomatic push unfolds amid a fragile two-week ceasefire and rising regional tensions.

US President Donald Trump has indicated that while he is not considering extending the ceasefire, a negotiated settlement remains the preferred option. In recent remarks, he expressed optimism about possible progress, suggesting that developments could unfold within days.

Initial discussions have pointed to the possibility of a second round of direct talks, with Islamabad emerging as a likely venue. US Vice President JD Vance, along with senior officials including special envoy Steve Witkoff and advisor Jared Kushner, is expected to play a key role in the next phase of negotiations.

- ANI
The Israeli Defence Forces located over 130 Hezbollah weapons, including rifles and RPGs, inside a school in Bint Jbeil, southern Lebanon. This discovery follows IDF operations that dismantled nearly 70 Hezbollah terror infrastructure sites in a very short timeframe. Meanwhile, Hezbollah claimed responsibility for numerous attacks, including drone strikes on Israeli positions, stating its fighters carried out 39 military operations in the past day. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu affirmed continued strikes against Hezbollah while engaging in rare talks with Lebanon aimed at achieving a long-term peace.

Israeli forces find over 130 weapons in a Lebanon school as Netanyahu vows to eliminate the Hezbollah stronghold in Bint Jbeil amid ongoing clashes.

Tel Aviv, April 16 As the security situation continues to evolve in West Asia, the Israeli Defence Forces said on Thursday that it located over 130 weapons belonging to Hezbollah inside a school in the area of Bint Jbeil.

In a post on X, it noted that the weapons located included Kalashnikov rifles, pistols and additional weapons.

As per the IDF, alongside the weapons, the troops also found Hezbollah flags and other terrorist organization insignia.

This comes after IDF said earlier today that it dismantled nearly 70 Hezbollah terror infrastructure sites in just one minute

Sharing the details in a post on X, the IDF said that the soldiers located dozens of weapons, among the weapons located were RPGs, Kalashnikov rifles, ammunition, grenades, an anti-aircraft missile, surveillance equipment and combat equipment.

It further noted that in an additional operation, IDF soldiers also eliminated dozens of terrorists.

Previously, Hezbollah had earlier claimed responsibility for two drone attacks targeting Israeli military positions in northern Israel, according to Al Jazeera.

Hezbollah claims drone strikes on Israeli army positions near Nahariya.

The group also reported a second drone strike targeting an Israeli settlement near the Liman barracks, located north of Nahariya.

Hezbollah claimed that its fighters carried out 39 military operations over the past 24 hours. These operations targeted Israeli settlements, troop concentrations and military vehicles, and included close-range clashes along the southern border and in northern Israel, Al Jazeera reported.

Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israeli forces are continuing targeted operations against Hezbollah in southern Lebanon while also engaging in negotiations aimed at long-term peace.

In a video message posted on X, Netanyahu said, "I support the residents of the north who continue to stand firm. At the same time, our forces continue to strike Hezbollah. Focused fighting in Bint Jbeil."

He described Bint Jbeil as a key Hezbollah stronghold and said, "We are going to defeat Bint Jbeil; we are actually going to eliminate this large Hezbollah stronghold."

He also said Israel is holding rare talks with Lebanon aimed at "dismantling Hezbollah" and achieving "sustainable peace--peace through strength."

The talks between Israel and Lebanon are ongoing, with the security cabinet expected to review ceasefire prospects. Despite diplomatic efforts, hostilities have continued, with both sides exchanging fire. Residents in southern Lebanon have been advised to evacuate as tensions continue to rise, according to CNN.

- ANI
A historic diplomatic engagement is set between Israel and Lebanon, brokered by the United States, marking their first high-level talks in over three decades. The talks aim to ease long-standing tensions, establish a ceasefire, and work towards a broader peace framework. The US hosted a trilateral meeting, with all sides expressing willingness to negotiate on security cooperation and Lebanon's economic recovery. The discussions underscore principles of territorial integrity and seek to address Lebanon's severe humanitarian crisis resulting from the conflict.

US announces historic high-level talks between Israel and Lebanon, the first in over three decades, aiming to ease tensions and broker a ceasefire.

Tel Aviv, April 16 Israel's security cabinet member on Thurday said that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netantayahu is set to talk to Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, according to Israel's army radio.

Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump announced that Israel and Lebanon are set to hold "historic" talks, marking the first high-level engagement between the two sides in over three decades.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump said the move is aimed at easing long-standing tensions between the two countries amid hostilities between the two sides, particularly between the Israeli military and Hezbollah, despite a ceasefire imposed to halt the conflict in West Asia.

"Trying to get a little breathing room between Israel and Lebanon. It has been a long time since the two leaders have spoken, like 34 years. It will happen tomorrow. Nice!" his post read.

The announcement signals a potential diplomatic breakthrough in a region marked by an increase in hostility and intermittent conflict between Israel and Lebanon.

Earlier on Tuesday, the United States hosted a trilateral meeting with Israel and Lebanon, marking their first high-level engagement since 1993.

The talks focused on launching direct negotiations, with all sides expressing willingness to move toward a ceasefire, security cooperation and a broader peace framework, the US Department of State said in a statement.

The meeting was attended by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Counsellor Michael Needham, US Ambassador to Lebanon Lisa A Johnson, Israel's Ambassador to the United States Yechiel Leiter and Lebanon's Ambassador to the United States Nada Hamadeh Moawad.The United States welcomed the meeting as a historic milestone and expressed support for continued dialogue between the two countries. It also backed the Government of Lebanon's plans to restore the monopoly of force and curb external influence.

Washington expressed hope that the talks would go beyond the scope of the 2024 agreement and pave the way for a comprehensive peace deal, while reaffirming Israel's right to defend itself against continued attacks by Hezbollah.

According to the statement, the US affirmed that any agreement to cease hostilities must be reached between the two governments, brokered by the United States, and not through any separate track. The United States underscored that these negotiations have the potential to unlock significant reconstruction assistance and economic recovery for Lebanon and expand investment opportunities for both countries.

Israel reiterated its position on disarming all non-state armed groups and dismantling terror infrastructure in Lebanon. It also expressed commitment to working with the Lebanese government to ensure long-term security for the people of both nations.

Israel further affirmed its readiness to engage in direct negotiations aimed at resolving all outstanding issues and achieving a durable peace that would enhance regional stability and prosperity, the statement added.

While Lebanon reaffirmed the urgent need for the full implementation of the cessation of hostilities announcement of November 2024, underscoring the principles of territorial integrity and full state sovereignty, while calling for a ceasefire and concrete measures to address and alleviate the severe humanitarian crisis that the country continues to endure as a result of the ongoing conflict.

- ANI
The production house Nik Studios has revealed actress Iswarya Menon is playing a character named Suvarna in the upcoming film 'Nagabandham'. The mythological action drama, starring Virat Karrna and directed by Abhishek Nama, is set for a worldwide release on July 3. The film explores the hidden secrets and mythology surrounding ancient Vishnu temples and the Nagabandham ritual. It features a supporting cast including Jagapathi Babu and will be released in five Indian languages.

The makers reveal Iswarya Menon's character Suvarna in the pan-Indian mythological action drama 'Nagabandham' starring Virat Karrna, releasing July 3.

Hyderabad, April 16 The makers of director Abhishek Nama's much-awaited mythological action drama 'Nagabandham', featuring actor Virat Karrna in the lead, have now revealed that actress Iswarya Menon plays a character called Suvarna in the film, much to the delight of fans and film buffs.

For the unaware, Iswarya Menon and Nabha Natesh play the female leads in the film, which is slated to hit screens worldwide on July 3 this year.



Taking to its social media timelines to share Iswarya Menon's look in the film, the production house Nik Studios wrote, "Her love knows no bounds. Presenting the alluring @iswarya.menon as 'Suvarna' from #Nagabandham. Witness her gracious presence in #SuraSura from April 19th. In Cinemas Worldwide On July 3rd."



Sources close to the unit of the film, which has triggered huge interest among fans and film buffs, have pointed out that the film is a dream project of director Abhishek Nama.



The movie features an impressive ensemble cast that includes Jagapathi Babu, Jayaprakash, Murali Sharma, and B.S. Avinash in supporting roles.



The movie explores the hidden secrets of India's ancient Vishnu temples, specifically focusing on the sacred practice of Nagabandham. Inspired by recent treasure discoveries at temples like Padmanabhaswamy and Puri Jagannath, the story dives into the captivating mythology surrounding these divine locations and the enigmatic rituals designed to safeguard them. The film brings these age-old mysteries to life with a fresh, modern narrative.



Cinematography for the film is by Soundar Rajan S, while Abhe and Junaid Kumar have provided the music. The film's dialogues have been written by Kalyan Chakravarthy, with Santosh Kamireddy handling the editing. Ashok Kumar has contributed as the art director of the film.



'Nagabandham' is to be released in Telugu, Hindi, Tamil, Kannada, and Malayalam languages. The film, which is fast taking shape as an epic adventure, has the tagline "The Secret Treasure."





- IANS
US President Donald Trump announced a 10-day ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon following diplomatic talks. He revealed the agreement came after discussions with both nations' leaders and a historic meeting in Washington. Trump has directed Vice President JD Vance and top officials to work on securing a permanent peace deal. The ceasefire aims to de-escalate tensions during a volatile period along the Israel-Lebanon border.

US President Trump brokers a 10-day truce between Israel and Lebanon, directing his administration to facilitate a permanent settlement.

Washington, DC, April 16 US President Donald Trump on Thursday announced that Israel and Lebanon have reached an agreement to initiate a 10-day ceasefire, following intensified diplomatic efforts to reduce hostilities in the region.

The US President shared that he held "excellent conversations" with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, confirming that both leaders have committed to the temporary truce as a step towards a broader resolution.

Highlighting the historic nature of the recent diplomatic engagement, Trump noted that the two nations recently participated in high-level discussions in the American capital for the first time in more than thirty years. These talks involved senior US officials, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

To maintain the momentum of the ceasefire, Trump has tasked Vice President JD Vance and his top security team with facilitating ongoing dialogue between the two countries to secure a permanent settlement.

"I just had excellent conversations with the highly respected President Joseph Aoun of Lebanon, and Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu of Israel. These two leaders have agreed that, in order to achieve peace between their countries, they will formally begin a 10-day ceasefire at 5 p.m. EST," Trump stated in a post on social media.

Reflecting on the significance of the earlier trilateral meeting, he added: "On Tuesday, the two countries met for the first time in 34 years here in Washington, D.C., with our great Secretary of State, Marco Rubio."

President Trump further outlined the administration's commitment to the peace process, stating: "I have directed Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Rubio, together with the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Dan 'Razin' Caine, to work with Israel and Lebanon to achieve a lasting peace. It has been my honor to solve 9 wars across the world, and this will be my 10th, so let's get it done!"

The ceasefire comes at a critical juncture for West Asia, following a period of significant volatility along the Israel-Lebanon border.

- ANI
Hollywood actor Jake Gyllenhaal has revealed he never felt fully comfortable posing for fashion shoots despite being the face of several luxury brands. He contrasts this with his love for acting, which he values for its collaborative connection with other performers. Gyllenhaal's latest fashion venture is as the ambassador for a jewellery line, where he finds confidence and self-expression through accessories like watches. He views jewellery as a form of art that tells a story and allows for personal individuality.

Hollywood star Jake Gyllenhaal opens up about feeling uneasy during fashion shoots, preferring acting collaboration over posing for the camera.

Los Angeles, April 16 Hollywood actor Jake Gyllenhaal has shared that fashion shoots are not his thing. The actor said that he "never felt totally comfortable" with them.

The 'Day After Tomorrow' star, 45, has opened up about his ventures into the fashion industry in recent years after signing up as the face of several luxury designers, admitting he loves collaborating with brands but he doesn't enjoy posing for pictures as part of advertising campaigns, reports 'Female First UK'.

He told WWD, "The irony is I've never really felt totally comfortable with it (posing for fashion shoots). I love performing and expressing myself, but I'm not focused on playing to the camera".

He further mentioned, "My love is being able to connect with the other person in a scene, or with the artists around me. That's what I really love about it. It's not the posing, it's the collaboration and the connection. To me, art is collaborative, it's all about the people you're lucky enough to create and connect with along the way".

As per 'Female First UK', Jake's latest foray into the fashion industry is as the face of a jewellery line and he's posed for pictures showing off the brand's luxury watches and in the interview, the actor revealed he loves to express himself through jewellery as it makes him feel more confident.

He told the publication, "I think as a man, I really started to see watches as a way of expressing yourself. Any type of jewellery in general, something simple, can say a lot. In a lot of ways, it feels like an expression of self-respect, and sometimes a way to show your individuality. I also think there's something important about the idea of something that shines. Wearing something like that can be a reminder to carry yourself the same way, to show up with confidence and to put your best self forward".

"I think jewellery is like art, and it's incredible to look around the world and see how everyone expresses themselves. Jewellery is art, each piece tells its own story", he added.

- IANS
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami attended the 20th-anniversary event of the Rudraprayag District Press Club, emphasizing the government's commitment to the welfare and safety of journalists. He praised the club's two-decade journey as a testament to public service and truth in journalism. Concurrently, the Chief Minister and Governor Gurmit Singh laid the foundation stone for a series of multi-purpose buildings at the Lok Bhawan campus designed to integrate various public services. The project aims to streamline administration, improve service delivery, and preserve traditional hill architecture.

Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami marks 20 years of Rudraprayag Press Club, vows to prioritize journalist safety and dignity.

Rudraprayag, April 16 Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Thursday attended a programme marking the completion of 20 years of the District Press Club in Rudraprayag and reaffirmed the state government's commitment to the welfare, safety, and dignity of journalists.

Addressing the gathering, the Chief Minister highlighted the role of journalism in strengthening democracy and public awareness.

"This 20-year journey is not merely an institutional achievement, but a proud saga of journalism dedicated to serving the public, serving the public, and serving the public. This journey is a testament to the fact that work done for the benefit of society and following the path of truth, over time, establishes both trust and inspiration in society. I heartily congratulate all the colleagues of the Press Club, who have contributed to this important achievement," he said.

Dhami said several schemes are being implemented by the state government for the welfare of the elderly, adding that ensuring their safety and dignity remains a top priority. He noted that continuous decisions are being made in Uttarakhand to safeguard the interests of the media fraternity.

Meanwhile, Uttarakhand Governor Gurmit Singh and the Chief Minister laid the foundation stone for a series of multi-purpose buildings at the Lok Bhawan campus.

According to officials, the upcoming infrastructure will include four buildings catering to multiple public services. The first building will house an integrated dispensary offering Ayurvedic, Homoeopathic, and Allopathic treatment facilities. The second will feature an information complex and cafeteria, while the third and fourth buildings will accommodate the Public Works Department and the Horticulture Department, respectively. All structures will be developed in line with traditional hill architecture.

Speaking on the occasion, the Governor said the project would streamline administrative functioning and improve public service delivery.

"The availability of multiple services at one location will benefit both employees and the general public, ensuring efficiency and saving time and resources," he said.

Dhami added that the initiative reflects the government's focus on good governance and integrated service delivery. He said the project would enhance coordination among departments and promote the use of local resources while preserving Uttarakhand's cultural identity.

- ANI
The South Korean government has formally submitted an opinion letter to the U.S. Trade Representative regarding ongoing probes into alleged unfair trade practices. The letter defends South Korea's market-based industrial structure and its efforts to combat forced labor in line with international conventions. The USTR investigations focus on structural excess capacity and imports linked to forced labor under Section 301. Meanwhile, South Korean stocks rallied, with the KOSPI closing above the 6,200-point mark for the first time since February.

South Korea submits formal opinion to USTR, defending its market economy and anti-forced labor efforts amid U.S. trade investigations.

Seoul, April 16 The Seoul government has submitted a formal opinion letter on the United States' ongoing probes into South Korea and other nations involving what it calls "unfair" trade practices related to structural excess production and forced labour, officials said on Thursday.

The letter was submitted by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources to the office of the US Trade Representative (USTR) ahead of public hearings on the ongoing trade investigation scheduled to begin next month, according to the ministry officials.

In it, the government explained that South Korea's industrial structure is based on the principle of the market economy while highlighting the country's ongoing efforts to restructure industries facing a global oversupply, such as petrochemical and steel.

It also stressed that South Korea has been working to eradicate forced labour under domestic laws and International Labor Organization conventions that prohibit forced labour, according to the officials.

Last month, the office of USTR launched consecutive trade inquiries into South Korea and other major economies to uncover what it calls "unfair" trade practices related to structural excess capacity and production, and their failure to ban forced labour-linked imports under Section 301 of the 1974 Trade Act.

The move appears to be aimed at restoring trade-related measures Washington had imposed on its trading partners before the U.S. Supreme Court struck down U.S. President Donald Trump's "reciprocal" tariffs, according to Seoul officials.

Meanwhile, South Korean stocks rose for the third consecutive session on Thursday, closing above the 6,200-point mark for the first time since the outbreak of the U.S.-Iran war amid hopes for a second round of their peace talks. The local currency gained against the US dollar.

The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) rose 134.66 points, or 2.21 per cent, to finish at 6,226.05. It is the first time that the KOSPI has closed over the 6,200 level since Feb. 27, when the index stood at 6,244.13, a day before the United States and Israel conducted air strikes on Iran. The KOSPI's all-time closing high stands at 6,307.27 set on February 26.

- IANS
Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf told Pakistani mediators, including Army Chief Asim Munir, that Lebanon must be included in any comprehensive agreement between Iran and the United States. The statement comes amid a 10-day ceasefire announced between Israel and Iran-backed Hezbollah, which Ghalibaf credited to the resistance group's steadfastness. Regional reactions from countries like the UAE, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, and Oman have been largely positive, welcoming the truce while stressing adherence to its terms. Concurrently, Iran's Foreign Ministry condemned fresh US sanctions threats as "economic terrorism," highlighting the fragile mix of diplomacy and ongoing tension.

Iranian Parliament speaker tells Pakistani mediators Lebanon is key to any US-Iran peace framework, as regional reactions to ceasefire pour in.

Tehran, April 17 The Iranian Parliament speaker, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, has said that Lebanon must be included in any comprehensive agreement between Iran and the United States, as diplomatic efforts continue following a ceasefire announcement in the region, CNN reported.

Speaking to Pakistani mediators, including Pakistan Army Chief Asim Munir, Ghalibaf stressed Lebanon's centrality to any lasting peace framework, according to CNN.

"Lebanon is an inseparable part of the comprehensive ceasefire and has an important role in moving forward toward lasting peace in the region," he said, CNN reported, citing Iranian state media.

Munir is currently in Tehran for high-level discussions aimed at facilitating talks between Iran and the United States, including preparations for a possible second round of negotiations following initial talks held in Islamabad.

The remarks come after US President Donald Trump announced a 10-day ceasefire between Israel and Iran-backed Hezbollah, which is seen as a potential step toward broader de-escalation.

However, Ghalibaf also accused Washington of undermining regional stability, warning that US actions could "prevent measures from reaching a result", as reported by CNN.

Ghalibaf also attributed the ceasefire to Hezbollah's resistance while maintaining a cautious stance.

"As I said last night, the ceasefire was only the result of the extraordinary steadfastness of the heroes of Hezbollah and the unity of the Axis of Resistance," he wrote on X.

However, he added, "we will deal with this ceasefire with caution, and we will remain together until the full realization of victory."

Meanwhile, reactions across the Arab world have been largely positive, with several countries welcoming the ceasefire while urging adherence to its terms.

The United Arab Emirates on X expressed hope that the truce would become "a positive step toward cultivating an environment that is supportive of regional stability."

Jordan on X praised the "significantly positive role" played by Lebanese leadership, including President Joseph Aoun, Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, and Speaker Nabih Berri.

According to CNN, Saudi Arabia and Oman also welcomed the development, with Oman stressing "the importance of all concerned parties abiding by (the ceasefire's) terms and working on avoiding any violations that would undermine it."

Egypt, meanwhile, called on Israel to comply with UN Security Council Resolution 1701, which mandates a cessation of hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah, CNN reported.

Meanwhile, Iran's Foreign Ministry criticised fresh US sanctions threats, terming them "economic terrorism", as reported by CNN.

As per CNN, the ministry's spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said, "The policies 'are nothing short of economic terrorism and state-sponsored extortion - actions that amount to crimes against humanity and, in their cumulative effect, constitute genocide.'"

The comments followed remarks by US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, who warned of stricter economic measures.

"We are now willing to apply secondary sanctions, which is a very stern measure, and the Iranians should know that this is going to be the financial equivalent of what we saw in the kinetic activities," Bessent told the media, as reported by CNN.

The proposed sanctions are expected to target entities involved in exporting Iranian oil and gas, as well as countries purchasing Iranian crude, CNN reported.

The developments highlight ongoing diplomatic efforts alongside persistent tensions, as regional and global stakeholders seek to stabilise the situation in West Asia.

- ANI
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde laid the foundation stone for the Lata-Asha Mangeshkar Institute of Medical Sciences in Nandoshi, Pune. The state government pledged support for the project, including road connectivity and water supply, while considering reduced premiums for charitable building permissions. The 40-acre institute, developed by the Lata Mangeshkar Medical Foundation, aims to be a large-scale facility with a cancer centre and rehabilitation hub. Leaders at the event paid tribute to the Mangeshkar family's philanthropic legacy and emphasised the need for accessible, affordable healthcare.

Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis and Dy CM Eknath Shinde lay the foundation for the Lata-Asha Mangeshkar Institute of Medical Sciences in Pune.

Pune, April 16 Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Thursday performed the foundation-laying ceremony for the Lata-Asha Mangeshkar Institute of Medical Sciences at Nandoshi, Pune.

Speaking at the event, the Chief Minister assured that the state government remains committed to supporting charitable organisations dedicated to public service. 

He highlighted that the upcoming hospital project by the Lata Mangeshkar Medical Foundation is equipped with state-of-the-art facilities for patient care.

To ensure the project's success, the Chief Minister announced that the Municipal Corporation will provide adequate road connectivity and water supply to the hospital. 

The state government is considering reducing premium charges for building permissions for charitable institutions.

"Affordable and quality healthcare is the need of the hour. While many charitable projects lean towards commercialisation, the Deenanath Mangeshkar Hospital has set a benchmark for selfless service. I am confident the Lata-Asha project will carry forward this legacy," Fadnavis stated.

Addressing the gathering, the Chief Minister paid an emotional tribute to the late Asha Bhosle, noting how she transformed life's hardships into positivity. 

He said the Mangeshkar family has served the nation through music and philanthropy, adding that even in her 90s, Ashatai's three-hour performances were "supernatural." 

He described the hospital as a testament to their commitment to the country.

Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde described the day as a fortunate one for Maharashtra. He emphasised that the hospital would offer a "warmth of humanity" to patients. 

"This project will give a new lease of life to thousands. I suggest the hospital incorporate music therapy, using the divine voices of Lata Didi and Asha Tai as a form of healing," Shinde remarked. 

He further hailed Asha Bhosle as the "Manbindu" (symbol of pride) of Marathi identity.

Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) Sarsanghchalak Mohan Bhagwat, who was also present, emphasised that education and health must be accessible and affordable for all. 

He said that when there is a sense of belonging, service happens naturally. 

"Bringing all medical treatments under one roof, as planned here, significantly reduces the burden on patients. Such selfless projects are essential for a cohesive society," Bhagwat noted.

Dhananjay Kelkar, Trustee of the Lata Mangeshkar Medical Foundation, provided insights into the project. The institute is being developed across 40 acres in memory of the legendary sisters and aims to be one of the largest and most comprehensive medical facilities in the country, featuring a specialised cancer centre and a rehabilitation hub.

- IANS
The Maharashtra government has signed two major Memorandums of Understanding totaling Rs 1.75 lakh crore with JW Global Group and Shyam Steel. The investments are focused on sectors including sustainable artificial intelligence, floating solar power, green hydrogen production, and integrated steel manufacturing. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis stated these deals mark a new era of industrialization for the state, driven by policy reforms. The projects are expected to create tens of thousands of jobs and position Maharashtra as a global hub for sustainable and high-tech industries.

Maharashtra govt signs MoUs worth Rs 1.75 lakh cr with JW Global & Shyam Steel for AI campuses, solar plants, green hydrogen & steel, creating thousands of jobs.

Mumbai, April 16 The Maharashtra government on Thursday signed two Memorandums of Understanding worth Rs 1.75 lakh crore with JW Global Group and Shyam Steel in varied sectors, including solar, artificial intelligence, green hydrogen, nuclear, and steel manufacturing.

Of the Rs 1.75 lakh crore, JW Global and The Seed Consortium will invest Rs 1,65,000 crore focused on clean energy and advanced technology. These MoUs were signed in the presence of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.

According to the government release, the seed initiative comprises four mega projects designed to position Maharashtra as a global hub for sustainable development.

Of the Rs 1,65,000 crore, the largest single investment package will be Rs 1,13,907 crore for the development of a sustainable artificial intelligence campus and Data Centre.

The 1.4 GW facility aims to serve as the backbone of India's growing artificial intelligence economy, potentially creating up to 10,000 construction jobs and 750 permanent jobs.

Further, the consortium plans to deploy KAERI Smart C technology (440 MW twin units) to provide 24/7 carbon-free captive power.

The consortium will establish a 2 GW floating solar photovoltaic plant on the Ujani dam in Solapur district with a 1,000 MW battery energy storage system (Rs 14,976 crore).

Moreover, it will develop a Rs 3,071 crore facility using Haffner SYNOCA technology to produce 6,900 metric tonnes of green hydrogen annually, supporting the state's transition to cleaner fuel.

The project will generate 15,000 construction jobs and roughly 2,000 permanent technical positions across the sectors, said the release.

Further, Shyam Steel will invest Rs 10,000 crore to develop an integrated steel plant with a capacity of 2 million tonnes per annum in Chandrapur district.

The project is expected to generate indirect employment for over 4,000 individuals. It also includes the establishment of a 260 MW captive power plant.

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said Maharashtra has entered a new era of industrialisation, driven by strategic policy reforms designed to convert investment interest into operational reality.

He emphasised that the state government is providing comprehensive support to investors, citing the multi-billion-dollar investments by JW Global Group and Shyam Steel as prime examples of this booming industrial climate.

CM Fadnavis highlighted the government's efforts to simplify the process for setting up businesses.

He noted that Maharashtra is taking a national lead in the "Small Modular Nuclear Reactor" sector, following the Central Government's decision to permit private investment in civil nuclear energy. Two MoUs have already been signed in this pioneering field.

"The state government is committed to providing full cooperation to any industrial group interested in investing in any region of Maharashtra," the Chief Minister stated, inviting more global investors to the state.

He further added that this massive capital influx is expected to significantly boost the state's GDP and solidify Maharashtra's position as a premier global destination for sustainable and high-tech industries.

"The MoU aims to facilitate time-bound investments focused on large-scale clean energy, sustainable infrastructure, and advanced technology development," said P Anbalagan, Principal Secretary, Industries Department.

- IANS
Maruti Suzuki India's market share in the domestic passenger vehicle segment has declined to a 13-year low of 39.26% in FY26, marking the third consecutive year of erosion. The automaker has lost nearly 12 percentage points since FY20, despite launching new SUVs like the Jimny and Victoris to compete in the fast-growing utility vehicle segment, where it holds less than a 25% share. The company remains heavily reliant on its dominant position in the sub-4 metre car segment, led by models like the Wagon R and Swift, but growth there has slowed to under 2%. Separately, Maruti Suzuki has received a draft tax assessment order proposing a demand of approximately Rs 5,786 crore for FY2022-23, which it plans to dispute.

Maruti Suzuki's domestic market share drops to 39.26%, a 13-year low, as it struggles in the booming SUV segment despite new launches.

New Delhi, April 16 Maruti Suzuki India saw its grip on the domestic passenger vehicle market weaken further in FY26, with its market share falling to a 13-year low of 39.26 per cent, according to data from the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers.

This marks the third consecutive year of decline for the country's largest carmaker, which once commanded nearly half of India's passenger vehicle market.

Since FY20, the Gurugram-based company has lost close to 12 percentage points in market share, according to the data.

The decline comes despite Maruti Suzuki stepping up its presence in the fast-growing sport utility vehicle segment with launches such as the Jimny and the Victoris over the past three-and-a-half years.

However, the company has struggled to gain meaningful traction in this category.

Utility vehicles now account for nearly 67 per cent of India's passenger vehicle market, but Maruti Suzuki's share in this segment remains below 25 per cent.

In contrast, the automaker continues to rely heavily on its stronghold in the sub-4 metre segment, led by models like the Wagon R, Swift and Baleno, where it enjoys a dominant 67 per cent market share.

However, growth in this category has slowed significantly, expanding by less than 2 per cent in FY26, compared to an 11 per cent growth in utility vehicles.

Meanwhile, last month, the carmaker received a draft assessment order from the Income Tax Authority involving a demand of Rs 5,786 crore.

The company, however, clarified that the notice will not have any impact on its financial or operational performance.

In a regulatory filing on March 17, the automaker said it will file its objections before the Dispute Resolution Panel as part of the due process.

"The company has received a Draft Assessment Order for the FY2022-23 wherein certain additions / disallowances amounting to Rs 57,864 million with respect to returned income (the income disclosed by the company in its Income Tax return) has been proposed," the carmaker said on March 17.

- IANS
Mizoram Governor General Vijay Kumar Singh formally launched the intensive houselisting and housing census operations for Census 2027 at Lok Bhavan in Aizawl. He described it as India's first digital census and urged field workers to ensure complete coverage by clearly explaining the process to all citizens. The houselisting phase, which began nationally on April 1, 2026, with a self-enumeration period, will continue with field operations until May 15, 2026. Senior officials from the Directorate of Census Operations attended the launch, where an enumerator successfully logged the first entry using the Governor's own Self Enumeration ID.

Governor V.K. Singh launches houselisting for India's first digital Census 2027 in Mizoram, urging public cooperation for accurate enumeration.

Aizawl, April 16 Mizoram Governor General Vijay Kumar Singh formally marked the commencement of the intensive houselisting and housing census operations under Census 2027 at Lok Bhavan in Aizawl.

The Governor urged all census field functionaries to carry out their duties with utmost dedication and sincerity, ensuring that no household is left behind.

He emphasised the importance of clearly explaining the census process to individuals who may face difficulties in understanding it, so that every person and household is accurately enumerated.

Describing the exercise as India's first-ever digital census, General Singh expressed confidence in its successful completion and appealed to the public to extend full cooperation to census officials and enumerators.

On the occasion, H. Lalremruati, appointed as Enumerator for Lok Bhavan, successfully entered the required details using the Self Enumeration ID (SE ID) generated from the Governor's self-enumeration exercise conducted on April 7, 2026.

With this entry, the Governor formally completed his own houselisting and housing census process.

The event was attended by senior officials from the Directorate of Census Operations, including Joseph H. Lalramsanga, Municipal Commissioner and Principal Census Officer; Irene Zohlimpuii Chongthu, Additional Secretary of the General Administration Department (GAD) and Additional State Nodal Officer; along with other officials.

A senior official said that Census 2027, India's first digital census, will be conducted in two phases.

The first phase -- houselisting and housing census -- began on April 1, 2026. The second phase, population enumeration, is scheduled for February 2027.

During the first phase, self-enumeration was carried out nationwide from April 1 to April 15, 2026. The houselisting and housing census operations will continue from April 16 to May 15, 2026.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Lalduhoma successfully completed his self-enumeration under Phase I (houselisting and housing census) of Census 2027 at his official residence on April 1.

An official noted that the self-enumeration process was conducted through a newly introduced online portal and was facilitated by personnel from the Aizawl Municipal Corporation, the General Administration Department, and the Directorate of Census Operations.

- IANS
Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav personally filled out the digital self-enumeration form as the Census process began in the state, urging all citizens to participate. The houselisting phase for several states, including MP, is scheduled from May 1 to May 30, following the self-enumeration window. Concurrently, Governor Mangubhai Patel and CM Yadav inaugurated a state-level workshop focused on the Tribal Sub-Plan to enhance welfare schemes for the tribal community. The Chief Minister emphasized allocating a significant budget for tribal development and integrating their progress with other communities.

MP CM Mohan Yadav participates in digital self-enumeration for Census 2027, urges public participation, and inaugurates a major tribal welfare workshop.

Bhopal, April 16 As the Census process commenced in Madhya Pradesh, Chief Minister Mohan Yadav on Thursday filled out the self-enumeration form and appealed to citizens across the state to actively participate in the exercise.

"In Madhya Pradesh, from April 16 to April 30, a digital self-enumeration will take place, in which I myself also participated. I want to make an appeal that we all should actively participate in this digital census. Through this census, assistance will be provided in preparing all the roadmaps for future development like schools, hospitals, and all types of public-oriented facilities. In the present era, the census becomes even more important," CM Yadav said.

Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Chandigarh, Chhattisgarh, and Haryana will start Houselisting Census from May 1 to May 30, with a period of self-enumeration from April 16 to April 30. The government has come out with state-wise dates for houselisting and housing census.

Census 2027 will be India's 16th census and the eighth since Independence. For the first time, citizens will have the option of self-enumeration through a digital platform. The census will be conducted in two phases.

Phase I covers Houselisting and Housing Census, being carried out over a period of 30 days across states and UTs between April and September 2026, with a 15-day self-enumeration window preceding the house-to-house enumeration work. In this phase, information about the condition of houses, amenities available to the household and assets possessed by the household will be collected. Questions of Phase I of the Census have been notified in January 2026.

Phase II-Population Enumeration (PE) will be conducted during February 2027 (UT of Ladakh and snow-bound non-synchronous areas of UT of Jammu and Kashmir and States of Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh Phase II will be conducted during September 2027.

Additionally, Madhya Pradesh Governor Mangubhai Patel and Chief Minister Mohan Yadav on Thursday inaugurated a 'State-Level Tribal Sub-Plan (TSP) Workshop' at the RCVP Noronha Academy of Administration and Management in Bhopal.

Addressing the reporters, CM Yadav said, "Our state has the largest tribal population across India. In such a situation, the Government of India and the Madhya Pradesh government allocate a large portion of the budget for their welfare, aiming for their development alongside other communities. Our state government is increasing the tribal budget for their development across all sectors. Through the Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan (PM-JANMAN) scheme, the government is providing various resources to support this demographic. We are hoping that this section of society should walk alongside other communities."

The Chief Minister added that the two-day workshop, involving government and social sector participants, to enhance the welfare of tribal communities.

- ANI
Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel presided over the 'Nari Shakti Vandan Sammelan' in Gandhinagar, emphasizing that women-led development is crucial for achieving the Viksit Bharat 2047 vision. He hailed the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam 2023 as a historic step that will transform India's political landscape by ensuring 33% representation for women. The CM highlighted Gujarat's pioneering role in women's empowerment, including 50% reservation in Panchayati Raj and success of schemes like Sakhi Mandals and Lakhpati Didi. Gandhinagar Mayor Meera Patel also addressed the gathering, stating the Act is a direction-setting step for women's active participation in governance and development.

CM Bhupendra Patel highlights Nari Shakti Vandan Act & women-led development at Gandhinagar Sammelan. Focus on 33% reservation & empowerment schemes.

Gandhinagar, April 15 Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, while presiding over the 'Nari Shakti Vandan Sammelan' in Gandhinagar, said that women-led development will help achieve the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047 by strengthening women's participation.

He added that the Prime Minister is committed to implementing the bill on time to ensure 33 per cent representation of women from State Assemblies to Parliament.

According to the Gujarat government, he stated that the decisive role of women in the policy-making process will bring greater sensitivity, transparency, and balance in governance.

The Chief Minister said that, inspired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam passed in 2023 is a historic milestone in 21st-century India.

He added that the Act, approved by both Houses of Parliament, is not just a women's reservation law but a landmark step that will transform the political landscape. He said that the Prime Minister is taking a major step for women's empowerment through the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, for which a three-day special session of Parliament will be held.

The Chief Minister expressed confidence that, as women have always held a respected place in Indian culture, this Act will take them to new heights.

Chief Minister proudly stated that under the guidance of the Prime Minister, Gujarat has always been a pioneer in women-centric policies and women's empowerment.

The success of the revolution in the animal husbandry and dairy sector in the state is largely due to the significant contribution of hardworking women. Inspired by this, a decade ago, women were given 50 percent reservation in the Panchayati Raj system in the state, providing them a decisive role in local self-governance.

The Chief Minister highlighted the role of various schemes for the socio-economic upliftment of women under the leadership and guidance of the Prime Minister and stated that lakhs of women have become self-reliant and established their unique identity as micro-entrepreneurs through Sakhi Mandals. Many women-centric schemes, such as the protective cover of PMJAY against serious illnesses and smoke-free kitchens through the Ujjwala Yojana, have improved their health and standard of living.

For the poor and middle class, this PMJAY scheme is a blessing, under which the government also provides Rs. 300 assistance for returning home after treatment.

Through schemes like Namo Drone Didi and Lakhpati Didi, crores of women in the country have gained economic independence and a dignified life. He said that every Central Government scheme focuses on the dignity of the citizen, adding that these welfare efforts have helped around 25 crore people rise out of poverty. With the mantra of 'Sauno Saath, Sauno Vikas and Sauno Prayas', the Chief Minister expressed confidence that women's power will move forward shoulder to shoulder in building Viksit Gujarat and Viksit Bharat.

Regarding the determination of women's power, the Chief Minister stated that in any role within the family, whether as a mother, daughter, or wife, women always stand firm. As a result of the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, they will now contribute to the development of the state and the nation, and the goal of 'Viksit Gujarat' for a Viksit Bharat will also be achieved.

Expressing her views at the Nari Shakti Vandan Sammelan, Gandhinagar Mayor Meera Patel stated that, along with the important role of local self-government institutions in the development of the state, women's contribution in this development journey has been that of a guiding force.

Today, women in the state are actively progressing in education, health, industry, services, startups, and governance, and are not only advancing their own development but also contributing to the overall progress of the state. Women have performed excellently in areas such as sanitation, health, water management, education, and social development, and in this context, the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam is a historic and direction-setting step.

This Act provides for 33 per cent reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and Legislative Assemblies. On this occasion, expressing gratitude to the Prime Minister, she stated that under his visionary leadership, the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam will be implemented, which will become a historic effort to provide women with equal and empowered participation in the decision-making process. This law is not just about increasing numbers but about bringing qualitative change in the lives of women.

On this occasion, Padma Shri awardee Ramilaben Gamit stated that when women receive proper opportunities and encouragement, they can bring revolutionary changes in society.

Despite a rural background and limited education, she has so far operationalised around 162 self-help groups. Through these groups, women are being economically empowered by providing training in masonry work, tailoring, beauty parlour skills, and making the best out of waste. In addition, she has been making dedicated efforts to ensure that the benefits of government schemes such as cleanliness campaigns and Sukanya Samriddhi reach women at the grassroots level.

Gandhinagar North MLA Smt. Ritaben Patel emphasised the importance of women's rights and dignity and stated that the role of women's power is indispensable in the holistic development of society.

Under the leadership of the Chief Minister, Gujarat has always been at the forefront in encouraging women in education, health, and employment sectors.

In the ongoing local self-government elections in Gujarat, women are contesting in large numbers, which is a matter of pride for the state. She expressed confidence that under the guidance of the Chief Minister, women's empowerment will gain further momentum, and women are proving their talent in the political sphere as well. Furthermore, appreciating the 'Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam' implemented under the leadership of the Prime Minister, she said that 33 per cent reservation has opened a new path for women's political participation.

This Act is not just a law but a powerful instrument of social transformation. With the resolve of 'Sashakt Nari, Sashakt Samaj, Sashakt Rashtra' (Empowered Women, Empowered Society, Empowered Nation), she called upon every woman to become self-reliant and contribute to nation-building.

On this occasion, emphasising women's empowerment and global business vision, FICCI Women Wing Ahmedabad Chairperson Usha Jaiswal stated that business for women is not just a means of earning profit but a way to create value and connect with society. Indian women entrepreneurs have the full potential to compete at the global level. Today, women are not just participants but leaders and change-makers.

At the event, BAOU Vice Chancellor Dr. Ami Upadhyay, entrepreneur Tripti Jain, Paru Jaykrishna, along with a large number of women from various fields and members of Sakhi Mandals, were present.

- ANI
Former Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has called on all MPs from the state to oppose the 131st Constitutional Amendment Bill, arguing it will penalize Odisha for its population control efforts. He warns the bill would reduce Odisha's share of Lok Sabha seats from 3.9% to 3.4%, weakening its voice on state-specific issues. Patnaik clarifies that his party, the BJD, fully supports the separate Women's Reservation Bill but objects to the delimitation linkage. He asserts that diminished parliamentary representation threatens Odisha's identity and its fair share of central resources and policy attention.

Former Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik urges state MPs to oppose the 131st Constitutional Amendment Bill, warning it will reduce Odisha's Lok Sabha representation.

New Delhi, April 16 Former Chief Minister of Odisha and the President of Biju Janata Dal, Naveen Patnaik, on Thursday urged state MPs to oppose the 131st Constitutional Amendment Bill, "both inside and outside the Parliament," arguing that the states that controlled the population are being "penalised."

In a post on X, Patnaik noted that the bill could "undermine the interests of the state" and said that if implemented, Odisha's share in the Lok Sabha would reduce from 3.9 to 3.4%, recognising it as a significant loss.

"Appeal all MPs of Odisha, irrespective of party affiliation, to raise your voice both inside and outside the Parliament against the 131st Constitutional Amendment Bill as it could undermine Odisha's dignity, representation, and long-term interests. Let us stand united in protecting the interests of our state while continuing to support genuine and equitable reforms," he wrote.

"The Bill if implemented, will reduce Odisha's share in Lok Sabha from 3.9% to 3.4%, making us amongst the top 6 states losing their share. A 0.5% share loss is a huge loss given our minuscule 3.9% representation today. A relative reduction in Odisha's voice in the Lok Sabha would weaken our ability to advocate for state-specific needs, from disaster management to tribal welfare and regional development. This is not merely a political issue--it is about preserving the federal spirit enshrined in our Constitution," he added.

Further, Patnaik clarified that the BJD "wholeheartedly supports" the 106th Constitution Amendment Bill in 2023 with regard to Women's reservation, describing his family's rigorous efforts for pioneering women's reservation in Panchayati Raj institutions.

BJD "wholeheartedly supports the principle of women's empowerment and greater representation of women in Legislative bodies. The idea of reserving seats for women in Parliament and the State Assemblies is both progressive and necessary. I have been a personal champion of it, as has been my father Late Biju Patnaik. He pioneered the reservation for women in Panchayat Raj Institutions and I took it forward further with your support. The Biju Janata Dal whole-heartedly supported the 106th Constitution Amendment Bill in 2023 with regard to Women's reservation (the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam)," he noted.

Patnaik argued that the states which significantly controlled population are being penalised with the 131st Constitutional Amendment Bill. He pointed out that the reduction in seats in Lok Sabha could skew the "allocation of central resources and policy attention."

"However, the current 131st Constitutional Amendment Bill, as proposed, raises serious concerns that go beyond its stated objective. The proposed linkage between women's reservation and the delimitation process, which is expected to follow the next Census, has far-reaching implications. States like Odisha, which have made significant strides in population control and human development are being penalised. A disproportionate increase in Lok Sabha seats in more populous states could skew the allocation of central resources and policy attention. This may adversely impact Odisha's share in national development priorities, fiscal transfers, and infrastructure investments," he pointed.

The BJD Chief reflected on Odisha's contributions to the Centre's revenue, expressing disappointment at the denial of special status. He further emphasised the significance of representation of the state in the Parliament and asserted that it will take it "to the people of Odisha" if the BJD's concerns are trampled.

"Odisha has been a large contributor to the revenue of the Government and yet has always received discriminatory treatment including the denial of a special status. Our development needs are unique given the composition of our population. For the people of #Odisha, representation in Parliament is not just about numbers--it is about identity, pride, and the assurance that our unique history, language, and aspirations are heard at the highest levels. Any move that diminishes our presence in the national discourse can create a sense of degradation among our people. The Bill steals the political representation future of people of Odisha. We cannot let it happen under our watch when people of Odisha have voted you to protect their economic and political future through the Parliament. Biju Janata Dal is prepared to take it to the people of Odisha if our legitimate concerns and demands are trampled by the majority voice of other states," Patnaik noted.

His post comes amid an ongoing special sitting of Parliament, conveyed by the government till April 18 to pass the amendment to the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam. for taking into consideration and passing of the Delimitation Bill, 2026 and the Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2026 in as much as these are dependent upon the Constitution (One Hundred and Thirty-first Amendment) Bill, 2026".

The three bills, the Constitution (131st) Amendment Bill, the Delimitation Bill, 2026, and the Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2026, were taken up for consideration in the Lok Sabha today after a division of votes over its introduction.

Union Law Minister Arjun Meghwal introduces the Constitution (One Hundred and Thirty-First Amendment) Bill, 2026, and the Delimitation Bill, 2026 while the Home Minister Amit Shah tabled the Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2026 in Lok Sabha.

- ANI
A new health post is being constructed in Badigad Rural Municipality, Baglung district, Nepal, with financial assistance from the Government of India. The project, costing approximately NPR 25 million, falls under the High Impact Community Development Project (HICDP) scheme. Local representatives welcomed the initiative, which is expected to significantly enhance healthcare access in the area. The HICDP programme, a key part of India-Nepal development cooperation, has supported 573 projects across Nepal with a total investment of around NPR 13.59 billion since 2003.

India assists Nepal in building Bhimgithe Health Post in Baglung, part of a 13.59 billion NPR High Impact Community Development Project partnership.

Kathmandu, April 16 A health post is being built in Badigad Rural Municipality-7 of Baglung district in Gandaki Province, Nepal, with financial assistance from the government of India.

Gandaki Thapa Adhikari, Chairperson of Badigad Rural Municipality, and Ajay Kumar Singh, Second Secretary at the Indian Embassy in Kathmandu, laid the foundation stone for the construction of the Bhimgithe Health Post in the area on Wednesday, the Indian Embassy said in a statement on Thursday.

According to the Embassy, approximately NPR 25 million will be spent on the construction of the health post. The project, categorised as a High Impact Community Development Project (HICDP), will be implemented through Badigad Rural Municipality.

Local representatives and stakeholders expressed appreciation for India's continued developmental support, noting that the facility is expected to significantly improve access to healthcare services in the area.

India and Nepal, as close neighbours, continue to engage in wide-ranging cooperation across multiple sectors. "The implementation of such community-level projects reflects India's ongoing support to Nepal's development efforts, particularly in strengthening infrastructure in priority sectors," the Embassy said.

The HICDPs programme has emerged as a key pillar of the India-Nepal development partnership, with funding under this scheme being used for grassroots development in Nepal.

Launched in 2003, the HICDPs were previously known as Small Development Projects. The initiative supports small-scale infrastructure and community projects across Nepal through local authorities. The programme focuses on priority sectors identified by the Government of Nepal, including health, education, drinking water, sanitation and drainage, rural electrification, hydropower, and river training works.

A total of 573 projects have been undertaken across the country so far, with a cumulative investment of approximately NPR 13.59 billion under this scheme, according to information available on the embassy's website.

Of these, 294 projects fall under the education sector, including the construction of 217 school buildings, making education the largest beneficiary, according to the Embassy's website.

In a significant boost to the initiative, a new agreement reached in January 2024 paved the way for an increase in the ceiling of Indian financial assistance to NPR 20 million per project from NPR 5 million.

- IANS
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that Israeli forces will continue to hold their positions within a 10-kilometer security zone in southern Lebanon during the ongoing ceasefire. He emphasized the deployment is stronger than previous arrangements and aims to prevent border infiltrations and missile fire. US President Donald Trump announced the 10-day ceasefire and expressed optimism about brokering a meeting between the two nations at the White House. The talks are expected to focus on disarming Hezbollah and achieving a sustainable peace agreement.

PM Netanyahu says Israeli forces will remain in a southern Lebanon security zone during a US-brokered 10-day ceasefire, as Trump pushes for talks.

Tel Aviv, April 17 Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday said that Israeli forces will continue to hold their positions in southern Lebanon during the ongoing 10-day ceasefire, stressing that the move is aimed at maintaining security along the border, CNN reported.

"We will remain in a 10-kilometre security zone, which will allow us to prevent infiltration into communities and anti-tank missile fire," Netanyahu said in a video statement issued shortly after US President Donald Trump announced the ceasefire.

He asserted that Israel would not scale back its presence in the region, describing the current deployment as more robust than previous arrangements, as reported by CNN.

"We are remaining in Lebanon in an expanded security zone," Netanyahu said, adding that the area is "much stronger, much more powerful, far more continuous, and far more solid than what we had before."

"That is where we will remain. We are not leaving," he said.

Netanyahu noted that the ceasefire is intended to facilitate continued diplomatic engagement with Lebanon, even as tensions persist along the border, as per CNN.

He said Trump had invited him and Lebanese President Joseph Aoun for talks in Washington, DC, although Aoun earlier declined to join a phone call with Netanyahu amid ongoing Israeli strikes, CNN reported.

Outlining Israel's position in the negotiations, Netanyahu said the focus remains on security and long-term stability.

Yesterday, he said, "In the talks, we have two demands: the disarmament of Hezbollah (and) a sustainable peace agreement - from a position of strength," he said.

Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump on Thursday (local time) described ongoing efforts to broker peace between Israel and Lebanon as "very exciting," suggesting a potential breakthrough in what he indicated could be another major diplomatic achievement.

Responding to a question on what was described as a "10th border" negotiation, Trump said, "It's very exciting. With Lebanon, it's very exciting. I think we're going to have a deal. We're going to have a meeting first time in 44 years and Lebanon will be meeting with Israel and they're probably going to do it at the White House."

He added that he had recently spoken to both Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, and expressed confidence about a ceasefire arrangement.

"We're going to be meeting with Bibi Netanyahu, and the President of Lebanon. I had a great talk with both of them today. They're going to be having a ceasefire and that'll include Hezbollah..." Trump said.

On the timeline, the US President indicated that the meeting between the two sides could take place soon. "Over the next week or two," he said.

Addressing concerns about whether an agreement could be reached without Hezbollah's consent, Trump expressed optimism about broader alignment.

"I think we will have an agreement between Lebanon, and they're going to take care of Hezbollah. But they're going to be working on Hezbollah right now, but we'll have an agreement between Israel, very importantly, and Lebanon," he said.

The remarks come after Trump earlier announced that Israel and Lebanon had agreed to initiate a 10-day ceasefire following intensive diplomatic engagement by the United States. He had described his conversations with both leaders as "excellent" and termed the development a step toward a broader and lasting peace in the region.

The ceasefire comes at a critical juncture for West Asia, following a period of significant volatility along the Israel-Lebanon border.

- ANI
BJP MP Tejasvi Surya hailed Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government for introducing bills to fast-track the implementation of the women's reservation quota, aiming for its applicability from 2029. He stated that the legislation, stalled for nearly 30 years, was previously blocked by opposition parties, specifically naming the Samajwadi Party and RJD. Surya emphasized that linking the quota to a delimitation exercise after the 2027 Census prevents states like Kerala from losing Lok Sabha seats. He framed the move as a historic step giving "Nari Shakti" a tangible role in nation-building politics.

BJP MP Tejasvi Surya praises PM Modi's push to implement women's quota by 2029, ending a 30-year wait and ensuring states like Kerala don't lose seats.

New Delhi, April 16 BJP MP from Bengaluru South Lok Sabha Constituency, Tejasvi Surya, on Thursday hailed Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision to fast-track the women quota by 2029, calling it a new chapter by giving the Nari Shakti a tangible representation in nation-building politics.

Taking part in the discussion in the Lok Sabha on the Constitution (One Hundred and Thirty-First Amendment) Bill, 2026, aimed at enabling women's reservation and facilitating delimitation, Surya said the women of the nation have been waiting for 30 years to get their due share in participation in the national policy-making process.

"The PM Narendra Modi's government, by the three bills that are now being introduced, is not only going to fast-track the implementation of the women's reservation bill and its applicability from 2029 but also write a new chapter in the development journey of India," he said.

The initiative shall give the Nari Shakti of the country a vocal, visible, credible and tangible representation in the nation-building politics, said the 35-year-old MP who also heads the Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha.

Thanking the PM Modi's government for introducing the three historic bills on behalf of all women of the country, Surya said the proposed legislation will "fast-track and catalyse" the participation of women in politics.

He said the journey of the women's reservation bill, which started in 1996 and is, finally, now seeing fruition, has seen a checkered history.

"At least, a half a dozen times the bill was introduced, and on one pretext or another, it was blocked. The parties which are now in the Opposition delayed, disrupted and ensured that the bill did not see the light of day," said Surya.

Targeting the Samajwadi Party and the Rashtriya Janata Dal, the Bengaluru South MP said, "We still remember, when the bill was introduced in the earlier governments' tenure, a leader from these parties tore the bill in the House and said the women's reservation bill will pass only over his dead body."

"The country remembers this kind of emphatic opposition that they gave to the women's reservation bill at that time," he said, adding that the bill remained stuck for 30 years.

"Today, it is only due to PM Modi and the BJP that the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam has been passed," he said.

Surya also highlighted the benefits of automatic triggering of delimitation after the Census 2027 to redistribute the 543 Lok Sabha seats among states and union territories, which can increase to 850.

Giving an example of Kerala, if the women's quota is implemented without delimitation, Surya said, "In such a scenario, the number of LS seats in Kerala will come down to 14 from 20. And leaders like K.C. Venugopal will not have a seat."

By proposing delimitation, PM Modi is ensuring that the existing seats are not encroached upon and Kerala does not lose out on these six seats, Surya said.

"Kerala will gain 10 seats if a delimitation is triggered soon after the 2027 Census," he said, calling the three bills the best proposal.

He said if any earlier Census is made the basis for implementing the women's reservation, then Kerala may lose 5-6 seats.

- IANS
A team of researchers from several northeastern Indian states has described a new species of bent-toed gecko from the lowland forests of North Tripura. The gecko, named Cyrtodactylus jayadityai, honors noted Indian herpetologist Dr. Jayaditya Purkayastha for his contributions to reptile research. The discovery raises the number of Cyrtodactylus species in Northeast India to 31, reinforcing the region's status within the critical Indo-Burma biodiversity hotspot. Scientists emphasize the find underscores the urgent need to conserve the region's fragile and rapidly degrading forest ecosystems.

Researchers discover Cyrtodactylus jayadityai, a new bent-toed gecko in Tripura, honoring herpetologist Dr. Jayaditya Purkayastha.

Guwahati, April 16 A team of Indian researchers from Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, and Mizoram has described a new species of bent-toed gecko, Cyrtodactylus jayadityai sp nov, from the lowland forests of North Tripura, marking a significant addition to India's rich reptilian diversity.

According to a press release, the study was published in the European Journal of Taxonomy on April 14.

The discovery was made through an integrative approach combining morphological, statistical, and molecular analyses, which confirmed the species as distinct from its closest relative, Cyrtodactylus tripuraensis, with a genetic divergence of 4.7-5.2% in the mitochondrial ND2 gene.

With this addition, the number of Cyrtodactylus species in Northeast India rises to 31, further reinforcing the region's global importance as part of the Indo-Burma biodiversity hotspot.

The species has been named in honour of Dr Jayaditya Purkayastha, a noted Indian herpetologist, recognising his immense contributions to reptile research and conservation in the region.

Expressing his gratitude, co-author Rupankar Bhattacharjee said, "I am just happy that as a team from Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, and Mizoram, we could honor my mentor by naming a species after him. He taught me every single detail of the field and the importance of conservation. This species stands as a mark of his remarkable efforts--both past and those yet to come."

1st author Sanath Chandra Bohra emphasised the conservation implications, stating, "This discovery not only adds to the growing diversity of geckos in the Indo-Burma biodiversity hotspot but also highlights the urgent need to conserve fragile forest ecosystems."

Joint 1st Arnab Deb added, "Cyrtodactylus jayadityai is not only my first species description, but it also holds a special place in my heart. I have admired Dr Jayaditya Purkayastha since my BSc days. This species is my way of expressing gratitude to my 'Guru' for his invaluable contributions to herpetology."

Highlighting the broader impact, HT Lalremsanga noted, "This monumental discovery stands as a testament to the guidance provided to young Indian researchers by the humble and tireless scientist, Dr Jayaditya Purkayastha, who rose from humble beginnings."

Responding to the honour, Dr Jayaditya Purkayastha said, "I am truly honored. I hope more people come forward to work on and conserve lesser-known animals like reptiles and amphibians, which form one of the fundamental pillars of our ecosystems."

The newly described gecko is currently proposed to be categorised as Data Deficient (DD) under the IUCN Red List, indicating the need for further research on its population and distribution.

The finding underscores not only the hidden biodiversity of Northeast India but also the pressing need to protect its rapidly degrading lowland forest habitats.

- ANI
The Supreme Court has ruled that West Bengal voters whose names were deleted can vote if Appellate Tribunals clear them up to 48 hours before polling. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee expressed elation, stating she had approached the court on the matter and is proud of the judicial system. She instructed Trinamool Congress workers to ensure these last-minute voters receive their voting slips. The verdict impacts over 27 lakh names identified as excludable during the judicial adjudication process.

West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee celebrates Supreme Court verdict allowing voters with deleted names to vote if cleared by tribunals before polls.

Kolkata, April 16 West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee appeared elated over Thursday's verdict by the Supreme Court, which allowed voters in the state whose names were deleted in the judicial adjudication process to vote if their names are cleared by the Appellate Tribunals just 48 hours before the polling days for the two phases of West Bengal assembly polls later this month.

This means that voters in the first phase of polling on April 23, whose names were deleted, would be able to vote if their names are included following orders of Appellate Tribunals till April 21.

Similarly, voters in the second phase of polling on April 29, whose names were deleted, would be able to vote if their names are included following orders from Appellate Tribunals till April 27.

"Congratulations to everyone. I was saying from the beginning that the victory will be ours. I asked voters whose names were deleted to be patient. I am very happy and proud of the country's judicial system. Remember, it was I who approached the Supreme Court in the matter. So today, no one is happier than me," the Chief Minister told media persons at Cooch Behar district, where she addressed three campaign rallies throughout the day.

At the same time, she instructed Trinamool Congress workers to help those persons whose names were included at the last moment by the Appellate Tribunals to obtain their voting slips so they could cast their votes.

"The party workers will have to see to it that voter slips are prepared for those whose names will be settled by the Appellate Tribunals. The voters' slips should definitely reach all of them before the elections," the Chief Minister said.

A little over 60 lakh names identified as "logical discrepancy" cases were referred for judicial adjudication, out of which 27 lakh names were found excludable. Their cases will now be settled at the 19 Appellate Tribunals constituted for that purpose.

- IANS
The BJP-led NDA, with 298 MPs, holds a clear numerical advantage to pass the 131st Constitutional Amendment Bill in the Lok Sabha. The opposition INDIA bloc, comprising 235 MPs, has registered strong opposition, alleging the government is rushing the bill under the guise of women's quota. The bill's implementation is tied to a population-based delimitation exercise using the 2011 census data, aiming for enactment before the 2029 General Elections. The final vote outcome hinges on whether all opposition parties vote against, abstain, or stage a walkout, with four independent MPs' positions remaining undecided.

The NDA's 298 MPs are expected to pass the women's reservation bill, while the INDIA bloc's 235 MPs oppose it, citing rushed implementation.

New Delhi, April 16 The numbers game in the Lok Sabha indicates a clear advantage for the Bharatiya Janata Party-led National Democratic Alliance, which is supporting the proposed Constitution Bill, with the NDA's 298 Members of Parliament expected to vote in favour of the proposed Constitutional Bill.

On the other hand, the INDIA bloc has registered its strong opposition while alleging that the Centre was attempting to rush the proposed 131st Amendment Bill under the guise of women's quota.

The Constitutional Amendment bill's implementation is tied to a population-based revision of constituencies based on the 2011 census. It proposes delimitation--a wider political overhaul--aiming to change the size and composition of state legislative assemblies and Lok Sabha.

The government is planning to implement the women's reservation ahead of the 2029 General Elections by bringing in an amendment to operationalise the 2023 Act and a constitutional amendment to delink the delimitation process from the 2027 census.

The proposed delimitation bill's implementation is tied to a population-based revision of constituencies based on the 2011 census.

Therefore, the 238 MPs of INDIA bloc are definite about voting against the proposed Constitutional Bill.

Moreover, the votes of four MPs, including Independents, remain undecided. They may vote against or abstain during the voting.

The INDIA bloc, comprising 235 MPs, has publicly declared its opposition to the bill. However, uncertainty remains over whether all listed parties will vote against, abstain, or stage a walkout during the final vote.

The INDIA bloc and other opposition parties that are expected to vote against the bill comprise Congress (with 98 MPs), Samajwadi Party (37), Trinamool Congress (28), Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (22), Shiv Sena (UBT) (9), NCP (SP) (8), and others such as Rashtriya Janata Dal with two MPs, Communist Party of India (Marxist) (4), Aam Aadmi Party (3), Muslim League, and Jharkhand Mukti Morcha with three MPs each, CPI(ML)L and National Conference with two MPs each, along with smaller parties, including Azad Samaj Party-Kanshiram (1).

The BJP-led NDA, which is in favour of the Constitutional Bill, enjoys support from the Telugu Desam Party (with 16 MPs), Janata Dal (United) (12), Shiv Sena (7), Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) (5), YSRCP (4), and the Janata Dal (Secular), Jana Sena Party, and Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD), with two MPs each.

The Zoram People's Movement (ZPM) has one MP in the Lok Sabha.

With this tally, the passing of the Bill in the Lok Sabha is highly likely.

The Constitutional Amendment bill's implementation is tied to a population-based revision of constituencies based on the 2011 census. It proposes delimitation--a wider political overhaul--aiming to change the size and composition of state legislative assemblies and Lok Sabha.

The Centre has called a special sitting of Parliament from April 16 to 18.

- ANI
Telangana Jagruthi President K Kavitha has called for linking the delimitation exercise to an OBC sub-quota within the Women's Reservation Bill to ensure fair representation for OBC women. She warned that the proposed 50% increase in Lok Sabha seats could dilute Telangana's current 3.13% share in Parliament, potentially sparking public protest. Her comments come as the central government plans to implement the Women's Reservation Act from the 2029 polls, aiming to increase total Lok Sabha seats to 850. Kavitha made these remarks before departing for Varanasi ahead of her party's official launch on April 25.

Telangana Jagruthi President K Kavitha argues delimitation should ensure an OBC sub-quota for women's rightful political representation.

Hyderabad, April 16 Telangana Jagruthi President Kavitha Kalvakuntla on Thursday said that Delimitation should be linked with an OBC sub-quota instead of the Women's Reservation Bill so that OBC women can get their rightful share of representation.

She highlighted that the representation of Telangana is 3.13 per cent in the Parliament, and the Delimitation will further widen the gap.

"3.13 per cent is Telangana's share in the parliament as of date. That should be treated as a baseline during the delimitation exercise. The proportional representation of Telangana should only increase and not decrease in any case. A blanket 50 per cent increase that is being proposed right now looks okay on the face of it, but when you look at the absolute numbers, the gap will increase. People of Telangana will hit the streets; our share of 3.13 per cent is diluted in any way," she said.

"Secondly, it is highly unfortunate that delimitation is being linked to the Women's Reservation Bill. Rather, it should be linked with an OBC sub-quota within the 33 per cent. OBC Women should get their rightful share of representation at any cost," she added.

Kavitha Kalvakuntla departed for Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, to offer prayers at Kashi Vishwanath temple, ahead of the scheduled launch of her political party 'Telangana Jagruthi ' on April 25.

Her remarks come as the central government has proposed increasing the number of Lok Sabha seats to 850 as part of its intention to implement the Women's Reservation Act from the 2029 Lok Sabha polls, with 815 seats proposed to the states and the remaining 35 for the Union Territories, according to sources.

The Lok Sabha has 543 seats at present. The government intends to move a Constitution amendment bill for the implementation of a 33 per cent reservation for women in the Lok Sabha from 2029 in a special sitting of Parliament on April 16, 17, and 18.

- ANI
First state in second phase of national plan

The Odisha government has signed an MoU with the National Centre for Coastal Research to implement a Marine Spatial Plan (MSP). Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi stated the plan aims to boost the blue economy while protecting marine ecology and biodiversity. Odisha is the first state to implement the second phase of India's Sustainable Ocean Planning initiative, which began in 2019 with support from Norway. The MSP seeks to scientifically manage competing sectoral demands like fisheries, tourism, and ports while ensuring environmental balance.

Odisha partners with National Centre for Coastal Research to launch a Marine Spatial Plan, balancing economic development with marine conservation.

Bhubaneswar, April 16 The Odisha Science and Technology department on Thursday signed a memorandum of Understanding with the National Centre for Coastal Research under the Ministry of Earth Sciences to launch a Marine Spatial Plan in the state.

The MoU was signed in the presence of Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi at the Lok Seva Bhawan here.

The state government in an official statement said that the primary objective behind the implementation of the MSP is to promote coastal economic growth in Odisha while sustaining marine environmental protection.

Speaking on this occasion, the Chief Minister said, "The MSP will not only boost the blue economy but also ensure protection of the marine ecology. It will promote local coastal economies while safeguarding marine biodiversity."

He added that MSP will set a new benchmark for integrated coastal and marine planning.

It may be noted that Sustainable Ocean Planning has been underway in India since 2019 with cooperation between the governments of India and Norway.

In the first phase, it was implemented in Puducherry and Lakshadweep.

In the second phase, Odisha has become the first state to implement it.

In his address, Chief Minister Majhi also said that Odisha's coastal and marine regions are rich in biodiversity and provide abundant natural resources.

"These resources play a vital role in livelihoods, economic growth, and environmental balance. However, due to increasing developmental activities, environmental impacts, and rising sectoral demands, there is a need for scientific management of marine ecosystem. MSP is a timely step in this direction," the Chief Minister noted.

He also said that the MSP will help meet the needs of fisheries, tourism, ports, ocean energy, and other sectors while ensuring the protection of marine ecosystems.

The Chief Minister also mentioned that in August last year, the Odisha Marine Biotechnology Research and Innovation Corridor (OMBRIC) was launched to promote the use of biotechnology for marine environmental protection and economic development.

This will further strengthen the MSP initiative.

He emphasised that achieving the goals of a prosperous Odisha by 2036 and a developed India by 2047 requires strong coastal economic development alongside environmental protection.

Chief Minister Majhi thanked the government of Norway for its support in this programme.

The Chief Minister also acknowledged the continuous support of Prime Minister Narendra Modi for Odisha's development, which helped the state become the first in the second phase of Sustainable Ocean Planning.

- IANS
Union Minister Ramdas Athawale stated that opposing the delimitation process equates to an anti-women stance, as it is crucial for increasing seats and implementing women's reservation. Meanwhile, DMK leader T. Sumathy protested, arguing the delimitation bill unfairly reduces the political power share of southern states. The Delimitation Bill and related constitutional amendments were introduced in the Lok Sabha following a division vote of 251 in favor to 185 against. The government is convening a special Parliament session to pass amendments aiming to implement the women's reservation bill from the 2029 elections based on the 2011 census.

Union Minister Ramdas Athawale links delimitation to women's reservation as DMK protests. Bills introduced in Lok Sabha amid division vote.

New Delhi, April 16 Union Minister Ramdas Athawale on Thursday said that opposing the delimitation process is "not right" and asserted that women's reservation and increase in seats will be achieved only through delimitation.

Speaking to ANI, Athawale said, "Seats will also increase in the legislative assemblies. Everyone has the right to give suggestions, but opposing the delimitation bill is like taking an anti-women stance."

He further added, "I think it is not right to oppose delimitation. Only after delimitation will the seats increase. It is through delimitation that women will get a reservation."

Meanwhile, Union Minister Chirag Paswan also supported the Women's Reservation Bill, calling it a long-pending demand.

Paswan said, "This demand has been decades old. Providing women's reservation is essential. In such a situation, it is beyond my understanding why efforts are being made to deprive women of these rights."

He added, "Sometimes reservation within reservation is made the basis, sometimes the number of seats is made the basis. First, everyone worked to pass it, but now, at the time of implementation, the opposition is protesting against it."

Meanwhile, Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) leader Dr T. Sumathy opposed the linkage of delimitation with the reservation issue, saying the party would continue to protest.

She said, "Our Chief Minister M K Stalin has asked the Tamil Nadu people as well as the party functionaries, members of Parliament to wear black dress as a mark of protest against the forthcoming draconian, dishonest, harmful delimitation bill."

She added, "DMK will always support the Women's Reservation Bill... Why should it get linked with this draconian delimitation, which cuts down the power share of all the southern states, is the major concern."

The Delimitation Bill, 2026, along with the Constitution (One Hundred and Thirty-First Amendment) Bill, 2026, and the Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2026, were introduced in the Lok Sabha on Thursday after the Opposition pressed for a division against the move to introduce three Bills, instead of a voice vote.

Lok Sabha speaker Om Birla initiated the division to move to introduce the Constitution (One Hundred and Thirty-First Amendment) Bill, 2026.

The Opposition members in the Lok Sabha had pressed for a division against the move to introduce the bill.As per the final division, there were a total of 251 AYES and 185 NOES out of the total 333 votes.

With the 251 AYES majority, all three Bills, including the Constitution (One Hundred and Thirty-First Amendment) Bill, 2026 and the Delimitation Bill, 2026, were introduced in the Lok Sabha.

Meanwhile, the government has convened a special sitting of Parliament from today to April 18 to pass the amendment to the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam.

The government has been seeking opposition support for passing the amendment bill to implement the women's reservation bill from the 2029 Lok Sabha polls on the basis of the 2011 census.

- ANI
Floor leaders of Opposition parties are meeting to formulate their strategy for the ongoing special session of Parliament. The session aims to pass crucial legislation, including a bill to implement women's reservation for the 2029 Lok Sabha elections and a contentious Delimitation Bill. While the government, led by Prime Minister Modi, is urging unanimous support for the women's quota, the opposition is firmly against the delimitation proposal. The Law and Home Ministers are set to introduce these key bills for consideration and passage.

Opposition floor leaders meet to finalize strategy for special Parliament session discussing women's reservation and delimitation bills.

New Delhi, April 16 Floor leaders of the Opposition parties will meet on Thursday in the office of LoP, Rajya Sabha, Mallikarjun Kharge, in Parliament to chalk out the strategy for the floor of the House in the special session.

Three important bills are likely to be introduced in the special session of Parliament starting today, including one to reserve seats for women in the 2029 Lok Sabha elections and another to redraw constituency boundaries.

The opposition is raising concerns about the reasons for changing these boundaries and increasing the number of Lok Sabha seats from 543 to a maximum of 850.

The Constitution (One Hundred and Thirty-First Amendment) Bill, 2026, and the Delimitation Bill, 2026, are slated to be introduced by Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal, and the Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2026, by Home Minister Amit Shah.

The government has convened a special sitting of Parliament on April 16, 17, and 18 to pass the amendment to the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam.

The Law Minister is also slated to move a proposal in the Lok Sabha to suspend the provisions of Rule 66 with the objective of passing the Women's Reservation Amendment Bill and the Delimitation Bill together.

The motion states that this House "do suspend the proviso to rule 66 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in Lok Sabha in its application to the motions for taking into consideration and passing of the Delimitation Bill, 2026 and the Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2026 in as much as these are dependent upon the Constitution (One Hundred and Thirty-first Amendment) Bill, 2026."

The government has been seeking opposition support for passing the amendment bill to implement the women's reservation bill from the 2029 Lok Sabha polls on the basis of the 2011 census.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had urged opposition parties to support the amendment to ensure the women's reservation comes into effect after the 2029 general elections.

"This is the wish of every sister and daughter of this country, and we must fulfil it with unanimity," he said at an event in Dehradun on Tuesday.

Opposition parties said on Wednesday that they fully support the early implementation of women's reservation but expressed firm opposition to the Delimitation Bill.

- ANI
Tamil Nadu Deputy CM Udhayanidhi Stalin campaigned for DMK candidate and former CM O. Panneerselvam in Bodinayakanur. He stated that Panneerselvam joined the DMK alliance specifically to teach a lesson to AIADMK leader Edappadi K. Palaniswami. Udhayanidhi urged voters to ensure a massive victory for Panneerselvam to counter both the AIADMK and the BJP-led central government. The Bodinayakanur constituency is poised for a tight triangular contest in the upcoming assembly elections.

DMK's Udhayanidhi Stalin claims O. Panneerselvam allied with DMK to deliver a political lesson to AIADMK's Edappadi Palaniswami in Tamil Nadu polls.

Theni, April 16 In view of the upcoming Legislative Assembly general elections, Tamil Nadu Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin intensified the election campaign in Bodinayakanur, asserting that former Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam's entry into the DMK-led alliance would result in a significant setback for the AIADMK leadership.

Leaders of all political parties are actively engaged in vote-gathering campaigns across the state. As part of this, Udhayanidhi Stalin campaigned at Palani Chettipatti, which falls under the Bodinayakanur Assembly constituency in Theni district, in support of former Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam, who is contesting as the DMK candidate from Bodinayakanur.

While speaking at the event, he highlighted the various schemes implemented by O. Panneerselvam during his tenure as MLA of the Bodinayakanur constituency. He also explained the welfare schemes and development plans that would be implemented for the public if the DMK government is re-elected.

Stalin said, "O. Panneerselvam does not need any introduction, as he is well known not only across Tamil Nadu but throughout India."

He added that "Panneerselvam is contesting from this constituency after aligning with the DMK in order to teach Edappadi K. Palaniswami a proper lesson in this election."

He urged the people to ensure that Panneerselvam wins the election with the highest vote margin in Tamil Nadu. He also stated that only if the DMK returns to power can they counter both Edappadi Palaniswami and the central government led by Bharatiya Janata Party, which he accused of showing bias in allocating funds to Tamil Nadu.

He concluded by saying that "once O. Panneerselvam is elected again as MLA from Bodinayakanur, he will effectively fulfil the basic needs of the people in the region and deliver all welfare schemes efficiently."

Meanwhile, Bodinayakanur is a key Assembly constituency in Tamil Nadu's Theni district, which is set for a closely contested triangular fight, with DMK's O Panneerselvam facing AIADMK's VT Narayanasamy and TVK's S Prakash in a high-stakes battle.

In the 2021 Assembly elections, O Panneerselvam of the AIADMK won the Bodinayakanur seat with 1,00,050 votes, securing 46.9 per cent of the total vote share. He defeated Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) candidate Thangatamilselvan, who polled 89,029 votes (41.7 per cent), by a margin of 11,021 votes (5.2 per cent).

In the 2016 Assembly elections, O Panneerselvam won the seat with 99,531 votes, securing 49.9 per cent of the total vote share. He defeated DMK candidate S Lakshmanan, who polled 83,923 votes (42.0 per cent), by a margin of 15,608 votes (7.9 per cent).

- ANI
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi welcomed Pakistan's Army Chief Asim Munir in Tehran, thanking Pakistan for facilitating dialogue. The visit carries a fresh message from Washington aiming to outline a framework for renewed high-level US-Iran negotiations. The White House indicated the next round of talks is very likely to be held again in Pakistan. This diplomatic push occurs amid a fragile ceasefire and stalled talks over Iran's nuclear program.

Iranian FM meets Pakistan's Army Chief as diplomatic push intensifies for potential new round of US-Iran negotiations hosted by Pakistan.

Tehran, April 16 Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on Wednesday welcomed Pakistan's Chief of Army Staff Asim Munir in Tehran, expressing appreciation for Pakistan's role in facilitating dialogue and underscoring the shared commitment to regional peace and stability amid West Asia tensions.

In a post on X, Araghchi said, "Delighted to welcome Field Marshal Munir to Iran. Expressed gratitude for Pakistan's gracious hosting of dialogue, emphasizing that it reflects our deep and great bilateral relationship. Our commitment to promoting peace and stability in the region remains strong--and shared."

The visit comes at a critical juncture, as diplomatic efforts intensify to revive stalled negotiations between the United States and Iran following the inconclusive "Islamabad Talks."

According to diplomatic sources, Munir, accompanied by Pakistan's Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, is in Tehran carrying a fresh message from Washington aimed at outlining a framework for a potential second round of high-level negotiations.

The high-level engagement is being viewed as a last-ditch effort to break the deadlock after earlier talks between US and Iranian officials failed to produce a breakthrough, particularly over Tehran's nuclear programme and other "red line" issues.

The diplomatic push unfolds amid a fragile two-week ceasefire and rising regional tensions.

US President Donald Trump has indicated that while he is not considering extending the ceasefire, a negotiated settlement remains the preferred option. In recent remarks, he expressed optimism about possible progress, suggesting that developments could unfold within days.

Initial discussions have pointed to the possibility of a second round of direct talks, with Islamabad emerging as a likely venue. US Vice President JD Vance, along with senior officials including special envoy Steve Witkoff and advisor Jared Kushner, is expected to play a key role in the next phase of negotiations.

Meanwhile, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt on Wednesday said that the next round of peace talks between the United States and Iran is likely to be held in Pakistan.

Responding to a question on the venue of the upcoming talks, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said the discussions would "very likely" take place at the same location as the previous round.

"They would very likely be in the same place as they were last time," Leavitt said during a press briefing.

- ANI
Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif met with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Jeddah, reiterating Islamabad's commitment to promoting dialogue between the US and Iran. Sharif conveyed Pakistan's solidarity with Saudi Arabia and appreciated the Kingdom's restraint during regional tensions. He stated that Pakistan's diplomatic efforts had contributed to facilitating a US-Iran ceasefire and initiating peace talks. The visit and parallel military diplomacy underscore Pakistan's active role in seeking stability in West Asia.

PM Shehbaz Sharif meets Saudi Crown Prince, reiterates Pakistan's role in facilitating US-Iran peace talks for West Asia stability.

Jeddah, April 16 Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday reiterated Islamabad's stance in promoting dialogue between the United States and Iran for a deal to achieve a complete end to the hostilities in West Asia, during his meeting with Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Jeddah.

In a post on X, Sharif said he had the "pleasure and honour" of meeting the Saudi Crown Prince and conveyed Pakistan's solidarity with the Kingdom and also appreciated Saudi Arabia's "patience and restraint" under the Crown Prince's leadership during such times.

The Pakistan Prime Minister highlighted recent developments related to Islamabad's diplomatic outreach, stating that Pakistan's peace efforts contributed to facilitating a US-Iran ceasefire and initiating what he described as "historic peace talks" in Islamabad.

Sharif further reiterated Pakistan's firm commitment to encouraging both Washington and Tehran to move towards an agreement aimed at ensuring lasting peace and stability in the region.

"I conveyed Pakistan's unwavering solidarity with the Kingdom and expressed my deep appreciation of its patience and restraint, under the sagacious leadership of His Royal Highness, in these challenging times. I also shared recent developments related to Pakistan's peace efforts which helped facilitate the U.S.-Iran ceasefire and historic peace talks in Islamabad," the post read.

"I reiterated Pakistan's firm commitment to advancing its efforts to encourage both the U.S. and Iran towards an agreement aimed at lasting peace and stability in the region. Grateful to His Royal Highness, for his support of Pakistan's sincere peace efforts," it added.

Sharif arrived in Jeddah earlier on Wednesday on an official visit to Saudi Arabia, accompanied by a high-level delegation, according to Pakistan's Prime Minister's Office (PMO).

Sharif's arrival comes amid escalating tensions in West Asia and ongoing diplomatic efforts to revive US-Iran peace talks.

In a parallel development, Pakistan's Chief of Army Staff Asim Munir arrived in Tehran as part of a high-level delegation aimed at reviving stalled negotiations between Washington and Tehran.

- ANI
Pakistan's Army Chief General Asim Munir met with Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf in Tehran amid intensive diplomatic efforts to halt hostilities in West Asia. The visit aims to mediate stalled negotiations between the US and Iran, particularly concerning Tehran's nuclear program and the handling of its enriched uranium stockpile. Pakistani officials hope for a breakthrough on key issues like the duration of a potential uranium enrichment freeze, with talks ranging from five to twenty years. Following his Iran visit, Munir is expected to travel to Washington as part of ongoing back-channel mediation efforts to revive the inconclusive Islamabad Talks.

Pakistan's Army Chief Asim Munir meets Iranian officials in Tehran to mediate US-Iran talks on nuclear program and regional de-escalation.

Tehran, April 16 Pakistan's Army Chief Asim Munir held a meeting with the Iranian Parliament Speaker, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, in Tehran on Thursday morning, according to the state broadcaster Press TV.

The meeting occurs amid intensive diplomatic engagements between the US and Iran aimed at achieving a complete halt to hostilities in West Asia. Pakistani officials have expressed hope for a "major breakthrough" in these ongoing talks, particularly regarding Tehran's nuclear programme, Al Jazeera reported, citing sources.

According to Al Jazeera, this development follows Islamabad's diplomatic outreach to de-escalate the regional crisis. A potential second round of talks is reportedly on the horizon after the initial round ended in a stalemate.

This diplomatic momentum comes after the high-level Pakistani delegation, led by Asim Munir, arrived in Tehran on Wednesday to convey messages from Washington to the Iranian leadership.

As per Iran's state media, Munir was received by Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi upon his arrival. The visit is specifically aimed at preparing the ground for a possible second round of negotiations between the US and Iran.

According to Al Jazeera, Pakistani officials expect progress on the nuclear issue through continued back-channel communication between Washington and Tehran. However, the report noted that key differences persist over the duration of a potential uranium enrichment freeze, with discussions ranging between a five-year and a 20-year halt.

Another major issue under deliberation is the handling of Iran's estimated 440 kilograms of highly enriched uranium. Multiple options are being considered, including transferring the stockpile to a third country or reducing enrichment levels.

Amid these developments, Munir is also expected to travel to Washington following his visit to Iran as part of ongoing mediation efforts, Al Jazeera reported, citing a Pakistani security source.

The visit comes at a critical juncture as diplomatic efforts intensify to revive stalled negotiations following the inconclusive "Islamabad Talks." This high-level engagement is being viewed as a last-ditch effort to break the deadlock after earlier talks failed to produce a breakthrough, particularly over Tehran's nuclear programme and other "red line" issues.

- ANI
A report criticizes Pakistan's failed attempt to broker peace between the US and Iran, citing its lack of diplomatic leverage and conflicting regional alliances. It details how issues like the Strait of Hormuz and Iran's nuclear program were beyond Islamabad's capacity to mediate. The analysis also casts serious doubt on the substance and durability of the Saudi-Pakistan Mutual Defence Agreement. The report concludes that Pakistan must secure its own peace before projecting itself as an international arbiter.

Analysis says Pakistan failed as Middle East peace arbiter due to lack of leverage, conflicting alliances, and regional instability.

Washington, April 16 Pakistan should focus on securing its own peace before projecting itself as an arbiter of it on the international stage, a report highlighted on Thursday citing the recent failed Islamabad talks between Iran and the United States.

Writing in US-based 'Inkstick Media', Marcus Andreopoulos stated that while Islamabad's role in brokering a temporary ceasefire may have resulted in greater global attention in the short term, any optimism quickly faded once US Vice President J D Vance announced that no agreement had been reached.

"Getting both parties to the negotiating table was one thing, but the real test lay in Pakistan's ability to facilitate a lasting agreement for peace in the Middle East. An objective that the Islamabad talks ultimately failed to achieve," wrote Andreopoulos.

The collapse of this initiative, he said, should not have come as a surprise.

"Pakistan did not possess the leverage or diplomatic prowess to navigate the deeply contested and disputed set of issues that dominated the Islamabad meeting, from access to the Strait of Hormuz and Israel's ongoing war in Lebanon, to Iran's nuclear programme, sanctions relief, and compensation. Equally, in the back of its mind, Islamabad had to consider the implications of any agreement, particularly any concessions made to Iran, against its own relationship with Saudi Arabia. After all, Riyadh has already expressed deep concern over Tehran's effective control of the Strait of Hormuz and reported imposition of passage fees," he added.

He detailed how the West Asia conflict and the unrest due to the ongoing fighting between Afghanistan and Pakistan, have also cast a huge doubt on the durability of the recent Saudi-Pakistan Mutual Defence Agreement - a little more than six months since that treaty was signed - as neither Riyadh nor Islamabad appears prepared to come to the other's aid.

"Trump's war against Iran has not just exposed the practical military weaknesses of the Saudi-Pakistan pact, but it has also underscored the fundamental differences in political objectives between the two countries. Since Hamas-led fighters launched its attack on Oct. 7, 2023 and Israel began its war in Gaza, Islamabad has sought to lend its diplomatic support to Tehran while attempting to avoid antagonizing Saudi Arabia or open itself up to condemnation from the US.

"Equally, it has embarked on a charm offensive with the Trump administration, nominating the President for the Nobel Peace Prize on two separate occasions, and acting as a founding member of the so-called 'Board of Peace'. Pakistan had been able to sustain this seemingly contradictory foreign policy without objection - until now," opined Andreopoulos.

Citing the incident involving hundreds of Pakistanis turning violent outside the US Consulate in Karachi following the death of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, he mentioned that, despite Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif's desire to remain in US President Donald Trump's good books, there were clear political restrictions on Pakistan coming out enthusiastically in support of Washington's actions in the Middle East.

"What happens in the Middle East now remains uncertain. One thing is for sure: The Saudi-Pakistan defence pact requires a fundamental rethink if it is to regain its credibility as an effective deterrent. When it was signed last September, the treaty attracted significant enthusiasm. But there is still no indication either Islamabad or Riyadh will come to the backing of the other, leaving the agreement largely devoid of any substance. Whether the pact will even survive the latest hostilities in the Middle East and South Asia seems doubtful. What good is a pact, after all, if it cannot deter conflict and ensure military support from its signatories?" he concluded.

- IANS
Private equity investment in India's real estate sector more than doubled year-on-year to USD 637 million in the first quarter of 2026, according to Knight Frank India. The office segment dominated, attracting 83% of total investments, with a clear preference for stabilised, income-generating assets. Geographically, the National Capital Region and Pune accounted for 97% of the total inflows, while domestic capital constituted 80% of the investments. The report notes the investment momentum remains selective, constrained by global uncertainties and a risk-calibrated approach focusing on steady yields.

Private equity investment in India's real estate surged to USD 637 million in Q1 2026, with office assets dominating 83% of inflows, says Knight Frank report.

Mumbai, April 16 Private equity investment in India's real estate sector rose sharply in the first quarter of 2026, reaching USD 637 million across nine deals, according to a report by real estate consultancy firm Knight Frank India.

This marks more than a twofold increase compared to USD 300 million recorded across three deals in the same period last year, indicating a pickup in transaction activity.

However, the report noted that investment momentum remains selective, with domestic capital continuing to drive the majority of deals amid persistent global uncertainties.

The office segment emerged as the dominant asset class, attracting USD 529 million, or 83 per cent of total investments, across four transactions. All deals involved stabilised, income-generating assets, reflecting a clear investor preference for steady yields and lower risk exposure.

Notably, three of these transactions were structured as equity investments, signalling improved confidence in pricing for leased office properties.

In contrast, the residential segment accounted for USD 108 million across five deals, contributing 17 per cent of total investment activity.

The majority of these investments were debt-led, with four out of five deals structured as structured credit. Capital was primarily directed towards mid-income and luxury housing projects, as investors continued to prioritise downside protection in a segment characterised by relatively uncertain exit timelines.

The warehousing and retail sectors did not record any transactions during the quarter, a sharp departure from their combined USD 885 million contribution in 2025.

The report attributed this slowdown to cautious underwriting due to high financing costs and limited availability of stabilised assets at attractive yields. Retail investments, meanwhile, remained episodic, with no large, high-quality opportunities closing during the period.

Geographically, investment activity was heavily concentrated in select markets. The National Capital Region (NCR) accounted for USD 411 million, representing 65 per cent of total inflows, followed by Pune with USD 203 million, or 32 per cent.

Mumbai saw limited activity at USD 23 million, while a transaction in Bengaluru was completed at an undisclosed value.

Domestic investors played a pivotal role, contributing USD 510 million, or 80 per cent of total investments. Foreign capital accounted for the remaining 20 per cent, with USD 128 million deployed selectively in stabilised assets.

The report highlighted that factors such as currency hedging costs, valuation gaps and continued caution towards development risk have constrained cross-border investment.

According to the consultancy, the current investment landscape reflects a risk-calibrated approach, with capital flowing into markets offering strong leasing demand, institutional-grade assets and clearer exit visibility.

It added that the pace of recovery in 2026 will depend on improved valuation alignment and a supportive macroeconomic environment.

- ANI
US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth has issued a stark ultimatum to Iran, demanding it accept a diplomatic deal or face continued blockade and potential bombing of its critical infrastructure. The US blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, now in its third day, aims to sever Iran's primary maritime trade routes and cripple its oil exports. Hegseth, joined by top military officials, emphasized American naval dominance and warned that Iran lacks the capability to counter US control. While urging a peaceful resolution, officials stated the US joint force remains postured and ready to resume major combat operations if diplomacy fails.

Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth warns Iran to accept a deal or face a blockade and bombing of its critical energy and power infrastructure.

Washington, DC, April 16 US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth has issued a stern warning to Iranian leadership, stating that the blockade of Iranian ports and sustained economic pressure will persist unless Iran "chooses wisely" a deal for the "betterment" of their people and the world.

He further warned that if "Iran chooses poorly, then they will have a blockade and bombs dropping on infrastructure and power and energy."

The US blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, which entered its third day on Thursday, has already led to multiple merchant vessels being turned away, with US forces claiming full control over maritime traffic entering and leaving Iranian ports. The blockade is designed to isolate the Iranian economy by severing its primary maritime trade routes. According to official military communications, US forces are maintaining a high state of readiness to ensure total compliance with the embargo. The escalation comes at a delicate moment, with Iran cautioning that the blockade could worsen an already fragile situation.

Addressing a Pentagon briefing, Secretary Hegseth was joined by the Chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Dan Caine, and Admiral Brad Cooper, Commander of US Central Command. During the session, Hegseth made it clear that the current military posture would remain in place to ensure compliance, specifically noting that the United States is closely monitoring Iranian military movements.

"We know which military assets you have moved and where you have taken them," he said, addressing both the Iranian Army and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.

The Pentagon chief suggested that Iran's critical energy infrastructure remains vulnerable, noting that while the "energy industry is not destroyed yet," the current "US blockade shutting down exports" is already severely restricting Tehran's oil revenues.

"In the meantime, and for as long as it takes, we will maintain this successful blockade. But if Iran chooses poorly, then they will have a blockade and bombs dropping on infrastructure and power and energy," Hegseth warned. He further noted that the Treasury Department is simultaneously "maximizing economic pressure" on the Iranian economy.

Focusing on the strategic maritime corridors, Hegseth emphasised American naval dominance, stating that "the US Navy controls the movement in and out of Hormuz, which we are doing with just 10 per cent of US naval capacity." He indicated that Washington retains significant escalation leverage, describing the current measures as restrained.

"This blockade is the polite way that this can go," Hegseth cautioned, as he challenged Tehran's ability to counter US control by stating, "You (Iran) don't have a navy or real domain awareness. You can't control anything."

Urging a diplomatic resolution to the standoff, the Secretary of War added, "I pray you (Iran) choose a deal which is within your grasp, for the betterment of your people, for the betterment of the world."

Reinforcing this position, Chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Dan Caine, highlighted the readiness of the military to escalate operations if the diplomatic window closes.

"I'd like to emphasize during this pause that the United States joint force remains postured and ready to resume major combat," General Caine remarked, underscoring the high state of alert maintained by US forces in the West Asia.

- ANI
Prime Minister Narendra Modi held bilateral talks with Austrian Chancellor Christian Stocker at Hyderabad House in New Delhi, focusing on enhancing cooperation in trade, investment, and green technology. This marks Chancellor Stocker's first official visit to India and his maiden trip to Asia since taking office, aimed at seizing economic opportunities. Earlier, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar met the Chancellor, expressing confidence the discussions would open new avenues for cooperation. The visit, which includes a high-level delegation, builds on the momentum from PM Modi's 2024 Austria trip and aims to deepen partnerships in advanced manufacturing and renewable energy.

PM Narendra Modi meets Austrian Chancellor Christian Stocker in New Delhi to enhance cooperation in trade, green tech, and investment. Key bilateral visit.

New Delhi, April 16 Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Austrian Chancellor Christian Stocker held a bilateral meeting at New Delhi's Hyderabad House on Thursday, focusing on enhancing cooperation in trade, investment, green technology, and critical sectors.

Earlier in the day, the Austrian Chancellor paid homage to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat.

In a post on X, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said, "Remembering Bapu and his ideals. Federal Chancellor Dr Christian Stocker of Austria paid homage to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat, laying a wreath and reflecting on Gandhiji's enduring message of peace, non-violence and global harmony."

Stocker arrived in New Delhi on Wednesday. This is his first official visit to India, aimed at strengthening bilateral ties across key sectors including trade, investment and emerging technologies.

Earlier on Wednesday, External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar called on the Austrian Chancellor, expressing confidence that his talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, set to be held on Thursday, will open new avenues for greater cooperation between the two nations.

"Delighted to call on Federal Chancellor Dr Christian Stocker of Austria, as he begins his first official visit to India. Confident that his discussions with PM Narendra Modi tomorrow will open new avenues for greater cooperation across various domains," EAM Jaishankar posted on X.

Earlier in the day, Stocker hailed the growth of India, stressing that it is investing massively in infrastructure and technology and is the European Union's (EU) "most important trading partner" in South Asia.

"India is growing at around seven per cent per year, investing massively in infrastructure and technology, and is today the EU's most important trading partner in South Asia. For Austria, a small but highly innovative export nation, this is an enormous opportunity that we want to actively seize," Stocker posted on X after his arrival.

"Especially in times of global uncertainties, stable partnerships are the key to economic success. That is why I will be in New Delhi for the next three days: to create concrete framework conditions so that Austrian companies can benefit from this growth -- through new cooperations, deepened partnerships, and even better access to this dynamic market," he added.

This visit marks Stocker's first trip to India and his maiden official visit to Asia since assuming office in 2025.

Stocker is accompanied by a high-level delegation, including senior ministers, government officials and business leaders, underlining the strong economic focus of the visit. Both sides are expected to explore opportunities to deepen collaboration in areas such as advanced manufacturing, digital innovation and renewable energy.

The visit comes amid growing economic engagement between the two countries. Discussions are also likely to cover regional and global issues of mutual interest, as well as cooperation in multilateral forums.

India and Austria share long-standing, friendly relations rooted in shared democratic values. The visit builds on the momentum generated by PM Modi's visit to Austria in 2024 and is expected to further strengthen the India-Austria partnership, opening new avenues for strategic and economic cooperation.

- IANS
Prime Minister Narendra Modi held bilateral talks with Austrian Federal Chancellor Christian Stocker at Hyderabad House in New Delhi. The discussions focused on strengthening cooperation in areas like trade, investment, technology, and renewable energy. Chancellor Stocker, on his first official visit to Asia, began his day by paying homage to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat. The visit is seen as a significant step to deepen the multifaceted partnership between the two democratic nations.

PM Narendra Modi holds bilateral meeting with Austrian Chancellor Christian Stocker in Delhi, focusing on trade, energy & global issues.

New Delhi, April 16 Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday held bilateral meetings with the Federal Chancellor of Austria, Christian Stocker, at Hyderabad House in the national capital, as part of the latter's four-day official visit to the country.

Ahead of his meeting with Prime Minister Modi, the Austrian Chancellor laid a wreath at Rajghat and paid homage to Mahatma Gandhi.



"Remembering Bapu and his ideals. Federal Chancellor Dr. Christian Stocker of Austria paid homage to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat, laying a wreath and reflecting on Gandhiji's enduring message of peace, non-violence and global harmony," the Ministry of External Affairs stated in a post on X.



This marks Stocker's inaugural visit to India and his first official visit to the Asian continent since taking office in 2025.



According to the MEA, the Chancellor held discussions on strengthening bilateral cooperation across a wide range of areas, including trade, investment, technology, renewable energy, and cultural exchanges, with PM Modi.



They also exchanged views on regional and global issues of mutual interest, including cooperation in multilateral fora.



After the meeting, there will be an exchange of MoUs followed by press statements, the MEA said.



Earlier on Wednesday, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar met with the Austrian Chancellor.



The meeting marks a significant step in strengthening bilateral ties between the two nations, with high-level discussions scheduled to continue.



In a post on X, the External Affairs Minister expressed his satisfaction with the meeting, stating, "Delighted to call on Federal Chancellor Dr Christian Stocker of Austria, as he begins his first official visit to India."



He further emphasised the potential for growth in the partnership, adding, "Confident that his discussions with PM Narendra Modi tomorrow will open new avenues for greater cooperation across various domains."



The Chancellor is in India at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He is accompanied by a high-level delegation comprising Federal Minister of Economy, Energy and Tourism Dr. Wolfgang Hattmannsdorfer, senior officials, and business leaders.



Prime Minister Modi will also host a lunch in honour of the visiting dignitary. India and Austria share warm, friendly, and multifaceted ties rooted in shared democratic values. The successful visit of Prime Minister Modi to Austria in July 2024 had significantly elevated bilateral relations, and the current visit is seen as a continuation of high-level engagement between the two countries.



The visit of Chancellor Stocker also reflects the shared commitment of both nations to deepen and expand their partnership in emerging and priority areas of mutual interest, including trade, innovation, and sustainable development.





- ANI
Prime Minister Narendra Modi shared highlights and a video from his high-energy roadshow in Nagercoil, Tamil Nadu, asserting it reaffirmed the DMK is headed for defeat. He was joined by key alliance leaders including AIADMK chief Edappadi K. Palaniswami and state BJP leaders during the 1.5-kilometer procession. The event, part of an intensified NDA campaign, drew large, enthusiastic crowds ahead of the state's Assembly elections. Polling is scheduled for April 23, with vote counting on May 4.

PM Modi shares video from Tamil Nadu roadshow, says DMK headed for defeat. Joined by AIADMK's Palaniswami, BJP's Annamalai ahead of Assembly polls.

New Delhi, April 16 Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday shared highlights from his roadshow in Nagercoil, Tamil Nadu, asserting that the DMK is headed for defeat and that the NDA will receive the people's blessings.

Taking to social media platform X, the Prime Minister said, "Sharing highlights from yesterday's exceptional roadshow in Nagercoil, which clearly reaffirmed that the DMK is headed for defeat and the NDA will receive the people's blessings."

He also shared a 1-minute 53-second video showing enthusiastic crowds chanting "Narendra Modi" and waving their hands, reflecting strong public support during the event.

In another post, PM Modi said, "During the roadshow in Nagercoil yesterday, paid homage to Thiru K. Kamaraj, Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar, Thiru CN Annadurai and Thiru MGR."

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday held a high-energy roadshow in Nagercoil town in Kanyakumari district, drawing large crowds as Tamil Nadu heads for Assembly elections scheduled for April 23.

The Prime Minister, who was in the region as part of an intensified campaign for the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), was joined by AIADMK chief Edappadi K. Palaniswami, state BJP President Nainar Nagenthran, and former state BJP chief K. Annamalai.

Senior BJP leader Pon Radhakrishnan was also present during the event.

PM Modi reached Thiruvananthapuram from New Delhi and later travelled by helicopter to Nagercoil. Soon after his arrival, he embarked on an open-top vehicle roadshow that covered a stretch of approximately 1.5 kilometres, from Veppamoodu junction to Vadasery. Standing atop a specially decorated vehicle, the Prime Minister waved to enthusiastic supporters who had gathered in large numbers along both sides of the route.

The crowd responded with chants and cheers, with many showering flower petals as a mark of welcome. Party workers and members of the public turned out in significant numbers, reflecting the heightened political atmosphere in the region.

The roadshow forms part of the BJP-led NDA's aggressive campaign strategy in Tamil Nadu, where political activity has intensified in the run-up to polling.

Leaders across parties have been criss-crossing the state to mobilise voters and consolidate support bases. The presence of key alliance leaders alongside the Prime Minister underscored the importance the NDA is placing on southern Tamil Nadu, particularly Kanyakumari district, which has been a politically significant region in past elections.

With just days remaining for campaigning to conclude, the visit is expected to energise party cadres and boost the NDA's prospects in the region.

The Tamil Nadu Assembly elections will be held on April 23, with counting of votes scheduled for May 4.

- IANS
Prime Minister Narendra Modi made a strong appeal for the women's reservation Bill, urging all parties to pass it by consensus in Parliament. He extended a "blank cheque" offer, stating his government would let the Opposition take full public credit for the historic amendment. Modi warned that further delays based on technicalities would not be tolerated and that those obstructing it would be held accountable. The Bill is part of a special parliamentary session addressing several contentious legislative amendments.

PM Modi urges consensus on women's quota Bill, offers to let Opposition take full credit. Debate heats up in Parliament's special session.

New Delhi, April 16 Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday made a strong pitch for the inclusion of women in national policymaking and urged all political parties to pass the women's reservation Bill in Parliament by consensus, while offering to "give credit" to them for the historic amendment.

Speaking on the amendments to the women's reservation Bill in the Lok Sabha, PM Modi said the time has come to grant adequate representation to women at the national level, and those opposing it cannot hide behind "technical points and excuses" to delay it further.

He said the issue has remained unresolved for three decades and must now be cleared with unanimous support, adding that any delay is being closely watched and those attempting to scuttle it would be "suitably punished".

The Prime Minister also extended what he described as a "blank cheque" offer to Opposition members while exhorting them to support the Bill.

"We don't want credit. You pass it, I will issue an advertisement publishing your photos. I am offering you a blank cheque of credit," PM Modi asserted, amid sloganeering from the Opposition benches.

Notably, the special three-day sitting of Parliament is underway from April 16 to 18, and is expected to take up three contentious Bills -- The Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, 2026; the Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2026; and the Delimitation Bill, 2026.

PM Modi's other advice to the Opposition was not to block or stall 'nari shakti' from realising their ambitions and dreams, stating that such actions would prove detrimental.

Advising the Opposition against giving the Bill a political colour, he said everyone stands to gain if the women's reservation Bill becomes a reality.

He said women's representation at the grassroots level has already been achieved, and if the same is ensured in state and national legislatures, it will not only infuse greater sensitivity but also enrich the Houses with their experience and compassion. He added that there is no dearth of women's talent in the country.

Finally, taking a subtle jibe at the Opposition, he said Parliament already has adequate space to accommodate an increased number of lawmakers after delimitation, as the government had anticipated this and acted in advance by constructing a more spacious building.

- IANS
The Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, held a phone call with US President Donald Trump, emphasizing the urgent need for de-escalation in the Middle East. They discussed the impact of rising tensions on global energy markets and international supply chains. In a related development, the United Arab Emirates summoned Iraq's charge d'affaires to protest against recent attacks originating from Iraqi territory. Meanwhile, Pakistan's Army chief has arrived in Iran, reportedly to facilitate discussions between Tehran and Washington.

Qatari Emir and US President discuss regional tensions, impact on energy. UAE summons Iraqi diplomat over attacks as Pakistan Army chief visits Iran.

Doha, April 16 Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani held a phone conversation with US President Donald Trump on Wednesday, discussing rising regional tensions and calling for urgent de-escalation, according to a statement from the Emir's office, CNN reported.

The two leaders also exchanged views on the impact of escalating tensions in the Middle East on global energy markets and international supply chains, according to CNN.

"His Highness also stressed the importance of intensifying international efforts to spare the region further escalation," the Qatari statement said, as per CNN.

The Emir further emphasised the need to pursue diplomatic solutions to safeguard regional and global security and stability, as reported by CNN.

Meanwhile, the United Arab Emirates has summoned the Iraqi charge d'affaires in Abu Dhabi following a series of attacks originating from Iraqi territory in recent weeks, the Emirati foreign ministry said on Wednesday, CNN reported.

According to CNN, the Iraqi diplomat was handed a "protest note" over what the UAE described as "terrorist attacks," according to the ministry.

The move comes shortly after both the United States and Saudi Arabia also summoned Iraqi representatives over similar incidents, as reported by CNN.

Iran is believed to have built a network of allied militia groups in Iraq over several years, some of which have been accused of launching attacks on US and international forces in the region amid ongoing regional conflict involving Iran and Israel, as per CNN.

Meanwhile, Pakistan's Army chief Field Marshal Asim Munir has arrived in Iran as part of a high-level delegation aimed at facilitating discussions on the possible resumption of talks between Tehran and Washington.

- ANI
The Rajasthan government has launched a significant initiative to reserve land for the conservation of 'Oran', a centuries-old system of protecting sacred groves. A total of 3,666 hectares across villages in Jaisalmer district have been designated for this purpose. These areas, rooted in socio-religious beliefs where harming trees is prohibited, are crucial for preventing desertification and preserving biodiversity. The move aims to maintain ecological balance in the desert region while honoring local cultural traditions.

Rajasthan govt reserves 3,666 hectares of land in Jaisalmer to protect sacred 'Oran' groves, blending ancient tradition with ecological conservation.

Jaipur, April 16 In a significant step towards environmental conservation while respecting local traditions, the Rajasthan government on Thursday has undertaken a major initiative to reserve 'Oran' land in Jaisalmer district to maintain ecological balance in the desert region.

'Oran' refers to a centuries-old system rooted in socio-religious beliefs, where local communities protect sacred groves by refraining from harming trees or natural resources within these areas.

Cutting trees or using axes in such zones is traditionally prohibited, allowing these ecosystems to remain naturally preserved over generations.

These sacred landscapes represent a unique confluence of faith and conservation.

Under this initiative, a total of 3,666.2139 hectares of land has been reserved across various villages in Jaisalmer district for 'Oran' purposes.

In Ramgarh tehsil, 124.9502 hectares have been reserved in Dilawar Ka Gaon, 1,084.8043 hectares in Kuchhdi, and 583.9876 hectares in Poonamnagar. In Fatehgarh tehsil, 952.2752 hectares in Bhimsar and 96.7716 hectares in Binjota have been designated as 'Oran' areas.

Additionally, in Jaisalmer tehsil, land has been reserved in Mokla village across three blocks measuring 187.364 hectares, 256.2511 hectares, and 253.4034 hectares, along with 126.4065 hectares in Birma Kanod.

The state government is also in the process of reserving additional land for 'Oran' conservation.

This includes 1,457.4991 hectares in Mokla village (Jaisalmer tehsil), 225.03 hectares in Askandra village and 229.5067 hectares in Didhu village (Nachna tehsil), and 333.9165 hectares in Mohanagarh Barani/Pannodharay village.

The term 'Oran' is derived from the Sanskrit word 'Aranya', meaning an untouched forest. These areas are not only a reflection of ancient cultural and religious traditions but also play a crucial role in preventing desertification and preserving biodiversity in arid regions.

The initiative is expected to strengthen conservation efforts in Jaisalmer while protecting traditional sites of faith and enhancing greenery and biodiversity across the desert landscape.

- IANS
Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma announced the formation of a high-level committee to examine issues related to employee promotions and pay scales, including future 8th Pay Commission recommendations. He detailed several welfare measures already implemented, such as increasing the gratuity ceiling and providing flexible medical coverage for families. The government has provided over 1.25 lakh jobs and is creating new promotional posts to improve career progression. Sharma emphasized a citizen-centric administration, urging employees to adopt the principle of "Nagarik Devo Bhava" for improved public service.

Rajasthan CM forms high-level panel to examine pay scales, promotions, and 8th Pay Commission recommendations for state government employees.

Jaipur, April 16 Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma on Thursday announced that the state government will constitute a high-level committee to examine issues related to promotions and pay scales, which will also deliberate on the recommendations of the 8th Pay Commission in due course.

He reiterated the government's commitment to employee welfare, highlighting several key decisions taken over the past two and a quarter years to strengthen service conditions and improve administrative efficiency.

Addressing the oath-taking ceremony of the Rajasthan Secretariat Service Officers' Association at the Government Secretariat, the Chief Minister described the Secretariat as the apex body of state administration, from where policies and schemes are formulated for public welfare.

He emphasised that dedicated and efficient functioning by officers and employees directly accelerates governance and benefits citizens. Stressing the need for responsive administration, he called upon employees to prioritise the resolution of public grievances and uphold the pledge of good governance.

On the occasion, CM Sharma administered the oath of office to the newly elected President, Abhimanyu Sharma, and members of the executive committee. Extending his best wishes, he urged the office-bearers to discharge their responsibilities with sincerity and commitment.

Highlighting the importance of public service, the Chief Minister referred to PM Modi's emphasis on citizen-centric governance, noting initiatives such as 'Mission Karmayogi' aimed at enhancing the efficiency and capacity of government employees.

He encouraged state personnel to take full advantage of such initiatives and adopt the guiding principle of "Nagarik Devo Bhava" to ensure continuous improvement in public service delivery.

Detailing employee welfare measures, Chief Minister Sharma said the government has ensured time-bound promotions and increased the gratuity ceiling from Rs 20 lakh to Rs 25 lakh.

Under the Rajasthan Government Health Scheme (RGHS), employees have been given the flexibility to include either parents or parents-in-law for medical coverage.

He added that the 2026-27 Budget includes several provisions for employees and pensioners, along with plans to introduce international-standard training programmes to transition towards a role-based work culture.

The Chief Minister also highlighted welfare initiatives such as extending compassionate appointment benefits to daughters-in-law, allowing single female employees to avail Child Care Leave in six instalments, and establishing 'Mukhyamantri Shishu-Vatsalya Sadan' to create a supportive work environment for women employees.

Referring to the state's broader development agenda, Sharma said that work is progressing across sectors, including agriculture, power, and water supply.

Major projects such as the Ram Jal Setu Link Project, Dewas Project, Yamuna Water Agreement, and Som-Kamla-Amba Project are being implemented to ensure irrigation and drinking water supply.

He noted that farmers in 24 districts are now receiving daytime electricity, and a new Youth Policy has been introduced to promote entrepreneurship.

The government has so far provided over 1.25 lakh government jobs and initiated the process for an equal number of additional recruitments.

Making further announcements, the Chief Minister said that 15 new posts of Assistant Government Secretary were created in 2025 to expand promotion opportunities, and an additional 15 posts will now be created.

He also announced a two-year relaxation for cadres that had not previously received promotion exemptions and directed the Chief Secretary to assess departmental requirements and submit a report at the earliest.

The ceremony was attended by Public Health Engineering Minister Kanhaiya Lal, Chief Secretary V. Srinivas, and a large number of Secretariat officers and employees.

- IANS
Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma met Union Jal Shakti Minister C.R. Paatil in Delhi to discuss key water initiatives for the state. Their talks focused on accelerating the Ram Jal Setu Link Project and the Jal Jeevan Mission to ensure universal tap water coverage. Separately, at a Rajasthan Police Academy event, CM Sharma highlighted a reduction in crime and the state's efforts to tackle cybercrime and drug addiction. He emphasized a zero-tolerance policy towards crime and corruption, noting the establishment of an Anti-Narcotics Task Force.

CM Bhajanlal Sharma meets Union Jal Shakti Minister C.R. Paatil to review Ram Jal Setu Link, Jal Jeevan Mission, and water management in Rajasthan.

Jaipur, April 16 Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma met Union Minister of Jal Shakti Shri C.R. Paatil in New Delhi on Thursday during his visit to the national capital. 

During the meeting, the two leaders held detailed, meaningful discussions on key water-related initiatives and projects in the State of Rajasthan.

The discussions focused on the progress of the Ram Jal Setu Link Project, which aims to strengthen inter-basin water transfer and improve water availability in the state. 

They also reviewed the implementation of the Jal Jeevan Mission, which aims to ensure safe, adequate drinking water for every rural household. 

Emphasis was placed on expediting works under the scheme to achieve universal household tap water coverage in a time-bound manner.

In addition, issues related to comprehensive water resource management in the state were discussed, including measures to improve water distribution efficiency, conserve water, and sustainably utilise available resources, particularly in Rajasthan's water-scarce regions.

The meeting underscored the continued cooperation between the government of Rajasthan and the Union government to address the state's long-standing water challenges and accelerate ongoing projects in the sector.

CM Sharma went to Delhi after attending a couple of programmes in Jaipur. He made his presence felt as the chief guest at a state-level programme held at the Rajasthan Police Academy (RPA) in Jaipur.

Speaking on the occasion, CM Sharma said that the crime rate has reduced in the state in the last two years. He added that security and safety issues have been maintained in the state, and hence, investors are coming with confidence.

"Cyber crimes and drug addiction have come up as major challenges; we need to think afresh in modern ways to tackle these challenges. Society should stand active to check such a menace," he said. 

The CM further stated that the state government is working to control crime with a vision of zero tolerance towards crime and corruption.

He specified that the Anti-Narcotics Task Force has been set up to check the drug mafia, and the paper leak mafia has also been exposed and sent behind bars. 

"Further, not even a paper has been leaked in our tenure," he added. "We take pride in the vigilant sentinels of peace and security in the state," the CM said.

- IANS
The Rajasthan Police celebrated its 77th Foundation Day with a state-level event at the Rajasthan Police Academy in Jaipur. Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma, the chief guest, highlighted a reduction in crime and outlined challenges like cybercrime and drugs. He inaugurated a digital pension portal for retired personnel and honored three civilians for social service. The event included a ceremonial parade and recognition of a child protection model pioneered in tribal areas.

Rajasthan Police celebrated its 77th Foundation Day in Jaipur. CM Bhajanlal Sharma launched a pensioners' portal, highlighted crime reduction, and honored civilians.

Jaipur, April 16 The Rajasthan Police marked its 77th Foundation Day on Thursday, with great enthusiasm and pride. A state-level programme was held at the Rajasthan Police Academy in Jaipur, where Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma graced the occasion as the Chief Guest. Speaking on the occasion, CM Sharma said that the crime rate has reduced in the state.

Security and safety issues have been maintained in the state, and hence investors are coming here with confidence, he said.

"Cyber crimes and drug addiction have come up as major challenges; we need to think afresh in modern ways to tackle these challenges. Society should stand active to check such a menace," he added.

The CM further said that the state government is working to control crime with a vision of zero tolerance towards crime and corruption. He specified that the Anti-Narcotics Task Force has been set up to check the drug mafia, and the paper leak mafia has also been exposed and sent behind bars. "Further, not even a paper has been leaked in our tenure," he added.

"We take pride in the vigilant sentinels of peace and security in the state," the CM said.

The Chief Minister's arrival added to the grandeur of the event, as he was escorted to the ceremonial grounds by the police motorcycle battalion and mounted troopers. He took the salute of the parade and paid tribute to the indomitable courage, professionalism, and unwavering dedication of the state's police personnel.

On this significant occasion, CM Sharma announced a major welfare initiative for retired police personnel. He inaugurated the Rajasthan Police Pensioners Portal, a dedicated digital platform integrated with the RajCop Citizen App.

This initiative will benefit thousands of pensioners and their families by enabling them to access essential services from the comfort of their homes, eliminating the need for repeated visits to offices for pension-related issues.

In a notable move, this year's Foundation Day celebrations also recognised outstanding contributions by civilians in the field of social service. The Chief Minister honoured three individuals, Prakash Prajapati (Sirohi), Surjit Kashyap (Jhalawar), and Sindhu Binujit (Udaipur) with Certificates of Appreciation.

Among the awardees, Sindhu Binujit from Udaipur has drawn special attention for her impactful work in child protection. Since 2010, she has been working in collaboration with UNICEF in the tribal regions of Dungarpur.

She has introduced innovative initiatives such as 'Vatsal Varta' and 'Bal Mitra Thanes' (Child-Friendly Police Stations), aimed at preventing child labour and reducing child migration. Her efforts have significantly helped in removing the fear of police among children in these communities. Her model gained statewide recognition in 2015, when then Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje directed its implementation across Rajasthan.

Foundation Day was celebrated with equal enthusiasm across various districts of Rajasthan.

- IANS
Union Minister Ramdas Athawale has appealed to Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin to support the upcoming Delimitation Bill, asserting it is designed for women's empowerment and not against southern states. The bill, expected in a special Parliament session, could increase Lok Sabha seats to around 850, with 33% reserved for women. Southern states, however, fear population-based delimitation will reduce their parliamentary representation, a concern Union Minister Kiren Rijiju calls misinformation. Athawale reminded Stalin of his party's past NDA alliance and urged national support for the women's quota.

Union Minister Ramdas Athawale appeals to CM Stalin to back the Delimitation Bill, saying it empowers women and doesn't target South India.

Chennai, April 15 Union Minister Ramdas Athawale on Wednesday appealed to Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin to support the Delimitation Bill, asserting that it is aimed at empowering women and is not against any particular region.

His remarks came after Stalin warned of a massive protest that could "bring the state to a standstill" if the Centre's proposal resulted in reduced political representation for southern states while increasing that of northern states.

Speaking to IANS, Athawale said, "My party's stand is clear, we support the Bill. I represent the Republican Party of India and am a part of the NDA. The Government of India, under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, wants to extend greater support to women. Therefore, around 273 seats are expected to be reserved for women. At present, there are 543 seats in Parliament, and if the Bill is passed, a significant portion of the increased seats will be allocated to women."

He further clarified that the proposed expansion of Lok Sabha seats is not intended to disadvantage southern states.

"The number of seats will increase, and if the Lok Sabha strength rises to around 850 or 860, constituencies will become smaller, ensuring better representation. This is not a move against Tamil Nadu or the people of South India," he said.

Athawale also made a personal appeal to Stalin, referencing past political associations.

"I would like to remind Stalin that his party was once part of the NDA during the tenure of Atal Bihari Vajpayee. I urge him to support this Bill, as it is designed to benefit women across the country," he added.

Meanwhile, the Centre has proposed increasing the number of Lok Sabha seats to around 850 as part of its plan to implement the Women's Reservation Act, also known as the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, ahead of the 2029 general elections. Of the proposed seats, about 815 would be allocated to states and 35 to Union Territories.

Currently, the Lok Sabha has 543 seats. The government is expected to introduce a constitutional amendment Bill during a special session of Parliament scheduled from April 16 to 18 to enable 33 per cent reservation for women in the Lok Sabha.

Meanwhile, Union Minister Kiren Rijiju addressed concerns raised by southern states, stating on social media that misinformation was being spread.

Union Minister Kiren Rijiju wrote on X: "Some people are trying to mislead the South Indian States on Women Reservation by providing wrong Delimitation figures. There should be no politics in giving reservations to Women in Lok Sabha & Legislative Assemblies. All political parties are united for Nari Shakti."

Southern states have expressed apprehension that population-based delimitation could reduce their representation in Parliament. Leaders from these states argue that they are being penalised for successfully implementing population control and family planning policies, while states with higher population growth may gain more seats.

- IANS
Dr Abdul Majid Hakeem Ilahi, representing Iran's Supreme Leader in India, labeled the West Asia conflict an "individual war," squarely blaming Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for seeking it for four decades. He claimed Netanyahu finally convinced former US President Donald Trump to support this aim, while criticizing current US-Israel military and negotiation tactics as unserious and ineffective. Ilahi emphasized the deep, 5,000-year civilizational bond between India and Iran, predicting relations will strengthen post-conflict. His comments coincide with other Iranian leaders framing the regional resistance and ceasefire efforts as unified with Iran's stance.

Iran's Supreme Leader's representative in India calls the West Asia conflict an "individual war," alleging Benjamin Netanyahu planned it for decades with Trump's support.

Jaipur, April 16 Dr Abdul Majid Hakeem Ilahi, representative of Iran's Supreme Leader in India, on Wednesday described the ongoing West Asia conflict as an "individual war," alleging that Israeli leadership had long sought military confrontation against Iran.

Speaking to the media in Jaipur, Ilahi said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had been pursuing a war against Iran for decades.

"The Prime Minister of Israel, as he mentioned, wanted to initiate this war for 40 years against Iran. He could not convince any President of the United States in the past (to launch a war against Iran), but this time he convinced US President Trump to support him...This is an individual war," he said.

He also criticised the conduct of the US-Israel alliance in the ongoing conflict, alleging that diplomatic efforts were not taken seriously. "From the beginning, we announced that they (US-Israel) are not serious about the negotiation. They attacked us and killed our civilians. They damaged a lot of houses, hospitals, universities and public places. But within 40 days, they couldn't achieve anything," Ilahi said.

He further claimed that military pressure had failed to achieve strategic objectives and suggested that diplomatic negotiations were being used as an alternative route. "They wanted to achieve whatever they couldn't achieve through war by negotiation. But they understood that through negotiation, they cannot get it...They think that everything is a business," he added.

Highlighting civilisational ties between India and Iran, Ilahi emphasised the depth of bilateral relations and expressed confidence in their future trajectory. "Our relationship with India is rooted in 5,000 years of cultural, educational, and philosophical connections. We are linked to India through civilisation. The relationship between Iran and India is very strong, and after the war, it will be even stronger and deeper," he said.

The remarks come amid heightened tensions in West Asia, with continued hostilities, diplomatic backchannel efforts, and international calls for de-escalation.

Meanwhile, Iran's parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said on X that "the completion and consolidation of a comprehensive ceasefire in Lebanon will be the result of the steadfastness and struggle of the esteemed Hezbollah and its heroic deeds, and the unity of the Axis of Resistance."

He added that "the Resistance and Iran are one and the same entity, whether in war or in a ceasefire."

Ghalibaf also urged the United States, stating that "America must back down from the mistake of 'Israel first'".

- ANI
Lok Sabha sees heated debate as Amit Shah and Akhilesh Yadav spar over women's reservation bill, census, and delimitation. Read the full exchange.

New Delhi, April 16 A sharp political exchange unfolded in the Lok Sabha on Thursday as Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav questioned the Centre's urgency over the women's reservation Bill and demanded completion of the census before moving ahead with delimitation-related proposals.

Addressing the Lower House of the parliament, Yadav said, "Why are you in such a hurry. Why is the Centre rushing for women's reservation? Start with the Census first. Samajwadi Party is for women's reservation, but is opposed to the approach via delimitation. As soon as the census is done, we will ask for the caste census, and then the reservation issue will come. Hence, you want to do dhokha with us (cheat us.)"



In response to Yadav, Union Home Minister Amit Shah strongly rejected any proposal for religion-based reservation, stating in the Lok Sabha that such a provision would be unconstitutional.



He asserted that a reservation cannot be granted based on religion.



Shah said, "Akhilesh Yadav asked why the census is not being conducted. I want to inform the entire country that the census process has already begun. The government has taken a decision to conduct a caste census, and the enumeration is being carried out along with caste data. If it were up to the Samajwadi Party, they would even assign castes to households. Dharmendra Yadav spoke about giving reservations to Muslim women. This is unconstitutional. Reservation based on religion is unconstitutional."



Samajwadi Party MP Dharmendra Yadav opposed all three bills introduced by the government in the Lok Sabha, while asserting that his party is a strong supporter of women's reservation.



"We oppose the Constitution (One Hundred and Thirty-First Amendment) Bill, 2026, Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2026 Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2026 and Delimitation Bill, 2026...There is no other party which is a bigger supporter of women's reservation," he said.



The Constitution (One Hundred and Thirty-First Amendment) Bill, 2026 and the Delimitation Bill, 2026, were introduced by Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal and the Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2026, by Home Minister Amit Shah.



The government has convened a special sitting of Parliament on April 16,17,18 to pass the amendment to the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam.



The Law Minister is also slated to move a proposal in the Lok Sabha to suspend the provisions of Rule 66 with the objective of passing the Women's Reservation Amendment Bill and the Delimitation Bill together.



The motion states that the this House "do suspend the proviso to rule 66 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in Lok Sabha in its application to the motions for taking into consideration and passing of the Delimitation Bill, 2026 and the Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2026 in as much as these are dependent upon the Constitution (One Hundred and Thirty-first Amendment) Bill, 2026".



The government has been seeking opposition support for passing the amendment bill to implement the women's reservation bill from the 2029 Lok Sabha polls on the basis of the 2011 census.





- ANI
Actor Rohit Bose Roy shares a playful Instagram birthday tribute to his wife, actress Manasi Joshi Roy, celebrating their long-lasting marriage.

Mumbai, April 15 Actor Rohit Bose Roy shared a cheeky yet adorable birthday message for his wife, actress Manasi Joshi Roy, stating that she "irritates the hell out of him" but also confessing that he knows he made the right choice in choosing her as his life partner.

Rohit took to Instagram, where he shared a picture of himself hugging his wife, Manasi, who made her acting debut with a lead role in the 1998 show "Saaya".



For the caption, Rohit wrote: "You irritate the hell out of me with such amazing regularity that I can set a watch to that... But then I see your face and I know that I made the right choice..."



The actor said that he couldn't have prayed for a better partner.



"That I couldn't have prayed for a better partner and I have done nothing, in this life at least, to deserve you ... this song says how I feel about you to the T... the only line that's untrue is that I have never been in love before you... nor after... nor ever will ... Happy birthday my darling. @manasijoshiroy," he concluded the post.



Talking about Manasi, she is the sister of actor Sharman Joshi. She married Rohit in 1999 and the two have a daughter named Kiara.



Over the years, Manasi has worked in memorable shows such as Gharwali Uparwali, Kkusum, Dhhai Kilo Prem, Yeh Jhuki Jhuki Si Nazar, Kyunki Saas Maa Bahu Beti Hoti Hai,The Miranda Brothers and is currently seen in Lakshmi Niwas.



Meanwhile, Rohit, who is the younger brother of actor Ronit Bose Roy, is best known for his role in serials such as Des Mein Niklla Hoga Chand and Swabhimaan.



He has also appeared in popular Bollywood movies such as Kaabil, Ek Khiladi Ek Haseena, Apartment, and Plan. He starred in the movie Shootout at Lokhandwala, alongside actor Vivek Oberoi.



He has also directed a short film named Rice Plate as a part of the anthology film Dus Kahaniyaan.





- IANS
A day after his swearing-in, Bihar's new Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary began his tenure by convening a high-level meeting with all departmental Principal Secretaries at the Secretariat. Deputy Chief Ministers Vijay Kumar Chaudhary and Bijendra Prasad Yadav have also formally assumed their respective charges, with the administration currently functioning with a limited cabinet. The Chief Minister is holding 29 key departments, including Home, signaling his direct oversight of major portfolios. A full cabinet expansion is anticipated soon, which will redistribute ministerial responsibilities and set the policy direction for the new government.

Bihar's new Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary holds high-level meetings with officials. Deputy CMs Vijay Chaudhary and Bijendra Yadav also assume charge.

Patna, April 16 A day after taking charge as Bihar's new Chief Minister, Samrat Choudhary moved swiftly into governance mode on Thursday, holding a series of high-level meetings at the state Secretariat.

After his swearing-in as Bihar's 24th Chief Minister -- and the first from the BJP -- Samrat Choudhary wasted no time in setting the administrative tone of the new government.

On Thursday morning, CM Samrat Choudhary reached the Secretariat early and convened a crucial meeting with Principal Secretaries of all departments. Key administrative directions are expected to emerge from this meeting, signaling the government's priorities in the coming days.

Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Kumar Chaudhary formally assumed charge at the Water Resources Department located at Irrigation Bhawan. He reviewed departmental functioning and took detailed briefings from officials.

Meanwhile, another Deputy Chief Minister, Bijendra Prasad Yadav, is also expected to take charge of his responsibilities soon. Senior leaders from both the BJP and Janata Dal (United), including Vijay Kumar Sinha, had met the Chief Minister on Wednesday evening.

The new government, sworn in on Wednesday, is currently functioning with a limited cabinet. Alongside CM Samrat Choudhary, both Deputy CMs -- Vijay Chaudhary and Bijendra Yadav -- are managing the administration.

CM Samrat Choudhary is holding 29 departments, including the Home Ministry, while Vijay Kumar Chaudhary is holding 10 departments, and Bijendra Prasad Yadav is in charge of 8 departments.

A full cabinet expansion is expected soon, after which portfolios will be redistributed among ministers.

The Chief Minister's immediate engagement with top officials and early-morning review meetings indicate a strong governance push right from the outset. The administration is expected to move quickly on key policy and development decisions.

With the transition from Nitish Kumar to Samrat Choudhary, Bihar has entered a new political phase. The coming days will be crucial in shaping the direction and priorities of the new government.

- IANS
Samrat Choudhary has been sworn in as Bihar's first-ever Bharatiya Janata Party Chief Minister, marking a historic shift in the state's politics. He has retained the crucial Home Department and taken control of 29 departments, succeeding Nitish Kumar's long tenure. JDU leader Nishant Kumar, calling Choudhary his "elder brother," stated the alliance would work under the new CM's guidance and that of his father, Nitish Kumar. The coalition balance is maintained with JDU veterans Vijay Kumar Chaudhary and Bijendra Prasad Yadav serving as Deputy Chief Ministers.

JDU's Nishant Kumar calls CM Samrat Choudhary his "elder brother," vows to work under his and Nitish Kumar's guidance for Bihar's development.

Patna, April 16 JDU Leader Nishant Kumar on Thursday called the newly appointed Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary his "elder brother" and reiterated to carry forward the vision of his father and Rajya Sabha MP Nitish Kumar.

He further said that CM Samrat Choudhary will work on the development of Bihar under the "guidance" of Nitish Kumar.

"He is my elder brother, and I congratulate him. I also congratulate Vijay Kumar Chaudhary for becoming the Deputy Chief Minister of the state. I hope Samrat will pave a new way of development for Bihar. We will work under his guidance in the NDA. My father Nitish Kumar will continue to guide him, I will strengthen the party and work on the vision of my father," he told reporters here.

Marking a historic shift in the state's political landscape, Samrat Choudhary was sworn in as the first-ever Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Chief Minister of Bihar on Wednesday.

In a sweeping consolidation of power, the 57-year-old leader has retained the critical Home Department and assumed control over 29 departments, signalling an era of centralised leadership as he succeeds Nitish Kumar's 21-year tenure.

By retaining the Home Department, Choudhary keeps a firm grip on law and order, police administration, and state security.

His portfolio includes Agriculture, Health, Tourism, Art and Culture and Sports, among others.

To balance the coalition, JD(U) veterans Vijay Kumar Choudhary and Bijendra Prasad Yadav were sworn in as Deputy Chief Ministers.

Born in 1968, Samrat Choudhary comes from a family deeply rooted in politics. His father, Shakuni Choudhary, was a six-time MLA from the Tarapur constituency. His mother, Parvati Devi, won the same seat in 1998 for the now-defunct Samta Party.

Samrat Choudhary was appointed as the BJP's state president in 2023 and later became the Deputy Chief Minister of Bihar in 2024.

- ANI
The Supreme Court has formally ordered the Election Commission of India to incorporate into supplementary electoral rolls the names of any claimants whose appeals are allowed by Appellate Tribunals before the upcoming West Bengal polling dates. The Court clarified that merely having a pending appeal does not grant the right to vote. The order also mandates the continuation of security for judicial officers involved in the voter revision process. The matter stems from concerns over the exclusion of approximately 34 lakh names from the voter list.

Supreme Court orders Election Commission to allow voting for claimants if Appellate Tribunals clear their names before West Bengal polling dates.

New Delhi, April 16 The Supreme Court has directed the Election Commission of India to ensure that wherever claims of excluded voters are allowed by the Appellate Tribunals before the polling dates between April 23 and 29, their names are incorporated in a supplementary revised electoral rolls to entitle them to exercise their right to vote.

The decision, originally pronounced during the April 13 hearing in the West Bengal SIR case, has been formally affirmed today through a detailed order uploaded on the Court's official website. In its order, the bench led by the Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant also clarified that merely having an appeal pending before the Appellate Tribunal would not entitle an excluded person to vote.

"Therefore, invoke our powers under Article 142 of the Constitution of India and direct the ECI that, wherever the Appellate Tribunals can decide the appeals by April 21, 2026, or April 27, as the case may be, such appellate orders shall be given effect to by issuing a supplementary revised electoral roll, and all necessary consequences with respect to the right to vote shall follow. However, it goes without saying that the mere pendency of appeals preferred by excluded persons before the Appellate Tribunals shall not entitle them to exercise their right to vote", the Court noted in its order.

The Court has listed the matter for the next hearing on April 24.

On April 13, as had been reported by ANI on X, the Court had verbally remarked that the people whose names have been excluded from the voter list and whose appeals are pending to be adjudicated before the Appellate Tribunals would be allowed to vote if their names are included after final adjudication.

The Court's remarks had come after it was informed by the counsels appearing for the petitioner, the West Bengal government, that the names of 34 lakh people had been excluded from the voter list.

"The Judicial Officers have completed the adjudication by April 9 -- even if they had exceeded by 1-2 days, I have permitted them (to adjudicate further claims). There are 153 constituencies -- there was some spillover of 7-8 constituencies -- those names that were left out would be added to the list for the April 23 elections. Don't worry -- if their names are there, they will be voting," Justice Joymalya Bagchi had said during the hearing on April 13.

The Court had also, in its April 13 hearing, directed the West Bengal government and the Election Commission of India (ECI) to continue and strengthen security for judicial officers (JOs) working on the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise. The Court had said that the concern regarding the safety of JOs deputed in SIR must reach a logical conclusion and should not remain a routine administrative task.

The Court had also said that it will examine issues flagged in the NIA's interim report and noted that it wants to take the matter to its logical conclusion.

"We direct the ECl and State Government to ensure that the security already provided to judicial officers is not withdrawn. Security cover shall not be withdrawn without assessing further threat perception. Deployment of forces in terms of order passed on April 2 will consequently continue till further orders", the Court had observed.

As regards the pendency of claims in the SIR, the Court had relied on inputs from the Chief Justice of the Calcutta High Court and had noted that deputed judicial officers had completed verification of about 60,00,000+ claims, with only 1,822 (around 0.03%) objections left pending.

The Court had also noted that a system is already in place, including 19 appellate tribunals monitored by a 3-judge committee and a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) issued on April 7, 2026, followed by inspection on April 10, 2026.

It has also appreciated the work done by judicial officers and said it has no reason to doubt that the remaining work will be completed soon.

- ANI
The Supreme Court has dismissed a petition challenging the Election Commission of India's decision to transfer senior IAS and IPS officers in West Bengal following the announcement of assembly election dates. The bench, led by CJI Surya Kant, acknowledged the plea raised substantial legal questions but declined to intervene due to the imminent commencement of polls. The Court highlighted a deep trust deficit between the ECI and the West Bengal government, even necessitating the use of judicial officers in the election process. It also observed that bureaucrats often accept transfers for better postings, creating a public perception of a compromised and surrendering bureaucracy.

Supreme Court rejects plea challenging ECI's transfer of IAS/IPS officers in West Bengal, citing election timing and raising questions on bureaucracy.

New Delhi, April 16 The Supreme Court on Thursday rejected a plea filed by a West Bengal resident challenging the Election Commission of India's decision to transfer a batch of senior IAS and IPS officers from the state to other states following the announcement of Assembly election dates.

A bench led by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, along with Justices Joymalya Bagchi and Vipul M. Pancholi, noted that the plea raised substantial questions of law. However, the Court declined to entertain the matter, keeping in view the imminent commencement of the first phase of elections in the state.

"The issues raised... involve substantial questions of law. However, keeping in view the first phase of elections in the State, we are not inclined to entertain the SLP," the Court observed.

The petition was originally filed as a public interest litigation before the Calcutta High Court, which dismissed it earlier this month. The High Court had held that the transfer of a large number of officers, by itself, could not be termed arbitrary or mala fide. The petitioner then approached the apex court.

During the hearing, the Court said it would not decide the issue now due to the upcoming elections but would keep the legal question open.

During the hearing, Senior Advocate Kalyan Banerjee, appearing on behalf of the petitioner, argued that the scale of transfers was unprecedented and questioned the circumstances under which such a large number of officers were moved.

"Over 10,000 officers have been transferred under what circumstances? This has never happened before in West Bengal. This is the first time a Chief Secretary has been transferred in such a manner," Banerjee said.

The Court said elections were about to begin, and it was not the right time to interfere.

The Court said that bureaucrats choose frequent transfers for better postings, which creates a perception among people that the bureaucracy is not acting independently or fairly.

"This is the misfortune of the country that the very bureaucracy accepts transfers for plum postings, for all kinds of benefits, and then is in total surrender to the State, only to secure postings at better places. This is how the perception is created in the minds of the general public that they will not get anything from the authorities", the CJI said.

The CJI also flagged a serious lack of trust between the Election Commission of India and the West Bengal government, noting that this distrust was so deep that even judicial officers had to be used in the election process.

"The worst example in your State is that we had to use judicial officers in the election process. It is not just about your State; it is about the lack of trust between the Election Commission of India and the State government. They have no trust in the officers of the State government, and the State government has no trust in the ECI", the CJI added.

The Court also said that bringing in officers or observers from outside the state is not new, and such steps can be taken to ensure free and fair elections.

"Observers from outside the State are not a new practice. In a constitutional election, if the ECI takes steps to ensure free and fair polls, it cannot be said that it lacks power just because there is no specific parliamentary law. If Parliament has not provided for such powers, can they be read into the law must be seen in the context of the situation being created", the Court said.

- ANI
Kangana Ranaut shared a formative memory of Salman Khan encouraging her, a struggling teenager, to meet filmmaker Sanjay Leela Bhansali. She recalled taking her portfolio to Bhansali's home, where he remarked on her chameleon-like appearance but did not sign her. Bhansali later expressed regret over missing the opportunity, and Kangana revealed she later turned down an item song in his film 'Ram Leela'. She reflected that these early rejections ultimately pushed her to evolve as an artist and filmmaker.

Kangana Ranaut reveals how Salman Khan told her to meet Sanjay Leela Bhansali early in her career, a compliment that led to a memorable encounter.

New Delhi, April 16 Actor-politician Kangana Ranaut has revisited a formative moment from her early days in the film industry, recalling how Salman Khan once encouraged her to meet filmmaker Sanjay Leela Bhansali, calling her "a Sanjay Leela Bhansali's heroine."

Speaking to ANI in a recent interaction, Kangana shared a detailed account of the meeting that took place when she was still struggling to find her footing in Mumbai.

"When I was... struggling... in my... very early days... you know... I met Salman... through somebody... and I was hardly like 16, 17. Gangster hadn't happened. And he met me and he saw me. And he said, she is Sanjay Leela Bhansali's heroine. That's what he said. He said, you should go and meet Sanjay Bhansali," she recalled.

Calling it a "very big compliment," Kangana added that Salman's suggestion led her to approach Bhansali with her portfolio.

"That particular day, I went to Sanjay sir and I had my portfolio... I went to Sanjay sir's house, and his mother was also there. And, I told sir, Salman sir has sent me... He went through the pictures and he was looking at my face... He's like, you look different in every picture. What is your face like?... If we straighten your hair, you look different. If you put a wig, you look different," she recalled.

Kangana noted that the filmmaker did not sign her at the time. "He didn't obviously sign me... He actually meant that maybe if you make it, you'll know," she said, reflecting on the encounter.

She added that Bhansali later acknowledged the missed opportunity, saying, "Now whenever Sanjay sir met me, he always remembered that I wish I had listened to Salman."

When asked if she takes satisfaction in such hindsight, Kangana responded candidly, "No, because that moment is gone. Then I desperately needed that job. It didn't happen."

She further revealed that after the success of 'Queen' and 'Tanu Weds Manu Returns,' Bhansali had approached her for a song in 'Ram Leela', which was eventually performed by Priyanka Chopra. "He said, you should do this song. I said, sir, I don't want to do item numbers. And he kind of didn't like it," she said.

Reflecting on her journey, Kangana emphasized that early setbacks shaped her career. "I always say, it's good when you get something, but if you don't get it, it's better... you learn how to make it work even without that opportunity," she said, adding that not receiving validation early on pushed her to evolve as a filmmaker and writer.

Kangana Ranaut, who hails from Himachal Pradesh, made her debut with 'Gangster' (2006) and went on to deliver acclaimed performances in 'Queen' and 'Tanu Weds Manu Returns.'

A four-time National Award winner and Padma Shri recipient, she currently serves as a Member of Parliament from Mandi.

On the work front, she was last seen in 'Emergency,' a film she also directed, portraying former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.

- ANI
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has warned of an expected monsoon deficit in most districts and directed officials to brace for potential water stress. He held a high-level review meeting, identifying 213 taluks and over 2,400 gram panchayats as potentially vulnerable to drinking water shortages this summer. The CM emphasized accountability, prioritizing drinking water over irrigation, and using tankers only as a last resort. Currently, 598 gram panchayats are facing issues, with water being supplied via tankers and hired private borewells.

Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah warns of monsoon deficit, directs officials to prevent drinking water shortage. Review of 213 taluks, tanker use, and reservoir levels.

Bengaluru, April 16 Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Thursday said a monsoon deficit is expected in most districts of the state, barring five, and directed Deputy Commissioners to take precautionary measures to ensure there is no shortage of drinking water.

He was speaking at a meeting held under his chairmanship at the Vidhana Soudha, attended by district in-charge ministers, Deputy Commissioners, and Chief Executive Officers of Zilla Panchayats, to review drinking water supply in rural and urban areas.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast below-normal rainfall during the monsoon this year. While rainfall is expected to be normal in August, it is likely to be below normal in September.

The Chief Minister said Deputy Commissioners will be held accountable if there is any shortage of drinking water. He directed the Revenue, Panchayat Raj, and Urban Development departments to work in coordination.

He noted that during April-June, most districts in North Interior Karnataka are likely to experience more heatwave days than usual. He instructed officials to take necessary precautionary measures and to treat weather forecasts with due seriousness.

The Chief Minister directed officials to provide shade and drinking water facilities for the public. He assured that there is no shortage of funds to ensure drinking water supply and said the Finance Department has already been instructed to release the necessary funds based on reports from Deputy Commissioners.

A total of 213 taluks and 2,410 gram panchayats have been identified as potentially facing drinking water shortages during the summer. Currently, 598 gram panchayats across 114 taluks are facing drinking water issues. Water is being supplied to 137 villages through 129 tankers, and 585 private borewells have been hired to supply water to 515 villages.

The meeting was informed that drinking water shortages may arise in 147 gram panchayats in Kalaburagi district, 114 in Bagalkote, 127 in Belagavi, 115 in Chikkamagaluru, 138 in Haveri, 130 in Mandya, 141 in Tumakuru, and 125 in Karwar.

At present, 27 urban local bodies are facing drinking water shortages, while 95 more have been identified as vulnerable. Water is being supplied to 145 wards through 57 tankers, and 22 borewells have been hired.

The Chief Minister said tanker supply should be used only in unavoidable circumstances and that priority should be given to hiring private borewells. If required, new borewells may be drilled.

Out of the total capacity of 14 major reservoirs in the state, 321.93 TMC of water is currently available, which is 36 per cent of the total capacity. During the same period last year, 330.35 TMC was available. At present, there is sufficient water in reservoirs for drinking purposes.

As the monsoon may be delayed, the Chief Minister directed officials to ensure sufficient water availability in reservoirs for drinking purposes until mid-July.

He stressed that drinking water supply should be given priority over irrigation and directed officials to identify and repair leakages in reservoirs.

- IANS
Polaris Smart Metering has secured USD 80 million in financing from British International Investment to accelerate India's smart meter deployment. The funding will support the installation of over 2.2 million smart meters in West Bengal. This move aligns with the national Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme, which targets 250 million smart meters by 2027 to modernize the power grid. Smart meters are critical for reducing technical losses, improving billing accuracy, and enabling better integration of renewable energy sources.

Polaris Smart Metering secures $80M from British International Investment to deploy over 2.2 million smart meters in West Bengal, supporting India's national target.

New Delhi, April 16 India's smart metering push is gathering pace as Polaris Smart Metering Private Limited has secured USD 80 million in financing from British International Investment, aimed at accelerating deployment of advanced metering infrastructure in the country.

The funding will support the installation of over 2.2 million smart meters in West Bengal, reinforcing the growing role of digital infrastructure in modernising India's power distribution sector.

The development comes at a time when India is undertaking a large-scale transition toward a more efficient and technology-driven power ecosystem. Smart metering is emerging as a critical enabler in addressing long-standing issues such as high aggregate technical and commercial (AT&C) losses, billing inefficiencies, and limited grid visibility.

Under the Government of India's Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS), the country has set an ambitious target of installing 250 million smart meters by 2027, signalling a structural shift toward data-driven energy management.

Increased capital inflows into the sector reflect strong investor confidence in India's smart metering opportunity. The latest financing is expected to further strengthen AMI adoption, improve billing accuracy, enhance operational efficiency, and boost transparency for consumers.

Smart meters are also expected to play a pivotal role in enabling renewable energy integration by providing real-time data, improving load management, and supporting a more resilient grid.

With utilities under pressure to improve financial sustainability and service delivery, the outlook for smart metering in India remains robust, driven by policy support, rising demand for digital solutions, and growing participation from private players.

The investment underscores the broader trend of scaling smart infrastructure as India advances toward a cleaner, more reliable, and technology-enabled energy future.

- ANI
South Korean President Lee Jae Myung will undertake a State Visit to India from April 19 to 21 at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He will be accompanied by the First Lady and a high-level delegation for discussions aimed at strengthening cooperation in areas like semiconductors, AI, trade, and shipbuilding. The visit includes meetings with President Droupadi Murmu and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar. This diplomatic engagement builds upon previous talks between the two leaders and aims to expand the strategic partnership.

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung visits India April 19-21 for talks with PM Modi on trade, tech, and strategic cooperation.

New Delhi, April 16 South Korean President Lee Jae Myung will pay a State Visit to India from April 19-21 at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

According to the Ministry of External Affairs, Lee will be accompanied by First Lady Kim Hea Kyung and a high-level delegation comprising ministers, senior officials, and business leaders. This will mark President Lee's first visit to India.

During the visit, Lee will hold discussions with PM Modi on "strengthening bilateral cooperation across a wide spectrum of areas," including shipbuilding, trade, investments, AI, semiconductors, and critical and emerging technologies.

The two leaders are expected to focus on "people-to-people connect and cultural exchanges," while also exchanging views on regional and global issues of mutual interest. The Prime Minister will host a lunch in honour of the visiting dignitary.

As part of the official itinerary, the South Korean President will hold discussions with President Droupadi Murmu, who will host a banquet in his honour. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar is also scheduled to call on Lee during the stay.

India and the Republic of Korea share a multifaceted partnership "rooted in ancient civilisational ties and shared values of democracy and the rule of law." The visit highlights the "shared aspiration of both countries to further strengthen existing areas of cooperation while expanding collaboration in new and emerging areas of mutual interest."

This high-profile visit builds on a period of sustained diplomatic momentum, following a key meeting between Modi and Lee on the sidelines of the G7 Summit 2025 in Kananaskis, Canada, in June 2025. During those talks, both leaders reached a consensus to enhance cooperation in strategic sectors such as commerce, investment, technology, and shipbuilding.

To further operationalise this vision, the sixth India-Republic of Korea Foreign Policy and Security Dialogue was convened in Seoul in February this year. Co-chaired by Secretary (East) P Kumaran and South Korea's First Vice Foreign Minister Park Yoon-joo, the dialogue provided a platform for both nations to conduct a comprehensive review of the full spectrum of bilateral ties, setting the stage for the upcoming State Visit.

- ANI
South Korean President Lee Jae Myung will undertake a three-day state visit to India at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The leaders will discuss enhancing cooperation in key sectors like shipbuilding, trade, AI, and semiconductors. President Lee will also meet President Droupadi Murmu and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar during the visit. This trip builds on previous meetings between the two leaders at the G20 and G7 summits this year.

President Lee Jae Myung visits India for talks with PM Modi on trade, tech & strategic ties. First visit since taking office.

New Delhi, April 16 South Korean President Lee Jae Myung will travel to India for a State Visit from April 19-21 at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Ministry of External Affairs announced on Thursday.

During his visit, Lee Jae Myung will hold talks with PM Modi on strengthening bilateral cooperation in various sectors, including shipbuilding, trade, investments, AI, semiconductors, critical and emerging technologies, people-to-people connect and cultural exchanges. The two leaders will also discuss regional and global issues of mutual interest, the MEA stated.

This will be Lee Jae Myung's first visit to India after assuming office and PM Modi is also scheduled to host a lunch in honour of the visiting leader.

On the visit, Lee Jae Myung will be accompanied by South Korea's First Lady Kim Hea Kyung and a high-level delegation comprising Ministers, senior officials and business leaders.

President Lee Jae Myung will also hold talks with President Droupadi Murmu. President Murmu will also host a banquet in honour of President Lee Jae Myung. External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar will call on President Lee Jae Myung after his arrival in India.

"India and the ROK share a multifaceted partnership rooted in ancient civilizational ties and shared values of democracy and rule of law. The visit of President Lee underscores the shared aspiration of both countries to further strengthen the existing areas of cooperation while expanding collaboration in new and emerging areas of mutual interest," the MEA stated.

Last November, PM Modi held a meeting with the South Korean President on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in Johannesburg. This was their second meeting in 2025 following their talks on the sidelines of G7 Summit in Canada.

"Had a wonderful meeting with President Mr. Lee Jae-myung of the Republic of Korea during the Johannesburg G20 Summit. This is our second meeting this year, indicative of the strong momentum in our Special Strategic Partnership. We exchanged perspectives to further deepen our economic and investment linkages," PM Modi posted on X following the meeting.

- IANS
A SpiceJet aircraft arriving from Leh collided with a stationary Akasa Air plane at Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport on Thursday afternoon. The incident caused minor damage to the winglet of the SpiceJet jet and the stabilizer of the Akasa Air aircraft. All passengers and crew were safely disembarked, with alternative travel arrangements being made for the Akasa flight to Hyderabad. The relevant authorities have been informed and an investigation is currently underway.

A SpiceJet aircraft collided with a stationary Akasa Air plane at Delhi airport, causing minor damage. All passengers safe, investigation underway.

New Delhi, April 16 A SpiceJet aircraft collided with a stationary plane of Akasa Air at Delhi airport on Thursday afternoon, causing minor damage to both aircraft, though no injuries were reported.

The incident took place around 2:15 pm when the SpiceJet aircraft, arriving from Leh, was taxiing towards its designated gate and made contact with the Akasa Air plane, which was preparing for departure to Hyderabad.

According to initial reports, the right winglet of the SpiceJet aircraft sustained damage, while the left-hand horizontal stabiliser of the Akasa Air plane was hit in the collision.

In a statement, an Akasa Air spokesperson said that its aircraft operating flight QP 1406 from Delhi to Hyderabad had to return to the bay following the incident.

Preliminary information suggested that the aircraft was stationary when another airline's plane made contact with it.

"Akasa Air's aircraft operating flight QP 1406 from Delhi to Hyderabad had to return to the bay on April 16. Preliminary information indicates that Akasa's aircraft was stationary when another airline's aircraft made contact with it," Akasa Air spokesperson stated.

The airline confirmed that all passengers and crew members were safely disembarked, and alternative arrangements were being made to fly passengers to Hyderabad at the earliest.

Akasa Air added that the relevant authorities have been informed and the matter is currently under investigation, reiterating that the safety and security of passengers and crew remain its highest priority.

"In line with established protocols, the relevant authorities have been informed, and the matter is under investigation," the airline stated.

"At Akasa Air, the safety and security of our passengers and crew remain our highest priority," the spokesperson noted.

Meanwhile, earlier this month, a catering van collided with a parked aircraft belonging to low-cost carrier IndiGo at Kolkata's Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport.

The incident took place at Bay No. 51 of the airport. The mishap resulted in minor damage to the aircraft.

- IANS
Taiwan's Transport Minister Chen Shih-kai has called on China to stop politicizing tourism, noting that cross-strait travel policies often shift with political dynamics. He pointed out that while Taiwan allows independent travel to China, group tours remain suspended on both sides and flight capacity is underutilized. Meanwhile, Taiwan is promoting itself as a regional cruise hub and has launched a new talent development initiative focusing on sustainability and digital innovation. The longstanding sovereignty dispute continues to underpin tensions, with China viewing Taiwan as a breakaway province.

Taiwan's transport minister urges Beijing to stop using travel restrictions as a political tool, highlighting stable tourism growth and new cruise initiatives.

Taipei, April 16 Taiwan's Transport Minister Chen Shih-kai has called on Beijing to avoid politicising tourism, noting that cross-strait travel policies have historically shifted with political dynamics, Taipei Times reported. He was responding to China's recently announced 10-point incentives targeting Taiwan.

According to the Taipei Times report, Chen said China's continued restriction of flights mainly to Shanghai and Fujian reflects ongoing limits on outbound travel to Taiwan, reinforcing concerns that tourism is being used as a political lever.

While group tours remain suspended on both sides, Taiwan continues to allow independent travel to China, highlighting what Chen described as Taipei's relatively open approach.

The Taipei Times further noted that Taiwan's tourism sector has remained stable and is gradually growing, with authorities not seeking to rely heavily on Chinese tourists again.

Instead, Taiwan hopes for more constructive engagement on cross-strait tourism.

Chen added, as cited by the Taipei Times, that although there is capacity for about 420 weekly flights, only around 310 are currently in operation, indicating weaker-than-expected demand.

Additional charter routes remain unused, suggesting no immediate need for expansion.

Separately, the Taipei Times reported that Taiwan is promoting cruise tourism internationally, including participation in a major Miami exhibition, while offering financial incentives to attract cruise operators.

Officials believe Taiwan's connectivity and port infrastructure position it well as a regional cruise hub.

In addition, the Taipei Times highlighted a new talent development initiative aimed at boosting the tourism industry's competitiveness by 2030.

The programme focuses on sustainability, digital innovation, and global exposure, with training opportunities in countries like Japan and Thailand, building on efforts that have already trained thousands of professionals since 2015.

The China-Taiwan controversy centres on sovereignty and political control.

China views Taiwan as a breakaway province, while Taiwan sees itself as independent.

Tensions involve military drills, restricted travel, and diplomatic pressure, with global concern over stability in the Indo-Pacific region.

- ANI
The White House highlights that tax exemptions on overtime income and targeted relief for small businesses are driving the uptake of President Trump's tax cuts. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent noted the overtime provision rewards additional work, with over 25 million filers claiming an average deduction of about $3,100. Small Business Administration Administrator Kelly Loeffler reported 12 million small businesses saw average tax savings of $7,000, enabling expansion and hiring. Officials link these measures to increased domestic production, a revival in manufacturing confidence, and a strategy to boost take-home pay and productivity.

White House reports overtime income exemptions and small business benefits are key drivers behind the success of President Trump's tax cuts, boosting worker pay and business growth.

Washington, April 16 Tax exemptions on overtime and targeted relief for small businesses have emerged as key drivers behind the uptake of President Donald Trump's tax cuts, according to the White House.

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent told reporters at a news conference that the most widely used provision in the new tax framework was the exemption on overtime income, with more than 25 million filers claiming the benefit.

He said the policy was designed to reward additional work. "If you want to work longer hours, you get to keep more of your money," Bessent said.

The average deduction for overtime stood at about $3,100, according to Treasury data, while millions of workers in service sectors also benefited from the no-tax-on-tips provision.

Officials said early feedback from employers and workers suggested an increase in willingness to take on additional shifts, particularly in sectors facing labour shortages.

Bessent said the administration viewed overtime incentives as a way to address workforce gaps. "What better way to fill that gap than with overtime for hardworking Americans and for them to keep more of it?" he said.

Small Business Administration Administrator Kelly Loeffler said the tax package was also delivering significant gains for small firms, which she described as a "massive economic engine" accounting for the majority of businesses in the country.

She said 12 million small businesses had seen average tax savings of about $7,000, with provisions such as the permanent 20 per cent pass-through deduction helping firms plan for growth.

Loeffler said the tax cuts were enabling expansion and hiring. She pointed to examples of manufacturers increasing shifts and reinvesting savings into new jobs and facilities.

In one case, she said a manufacturing firm in Georgia was ramping up operations after benefiting from the tax measures, while another business used savings to construct new infrastructure.

Officials also cited increased activity in industrial sectors, linking tax provisions such as full expensing of equipment and research incentives to a push for domestic production.

Loeffler said the changes were contributing to what she described as a broader revival of manufacturing and small business confidence, with firms "in growth mode" and planning to hire.

She added that small businesses were benefiting alongside workers, particularly through provisions that reduce tax burdens on wages earned through additional work.

The administration has positioned these measures as central to its economic strategy, focusing on increasing take-home pay and incentivising productivity while supporting domestic industry.

- IANS
Tesla has finalized the design of its AI5 processor and confirmed its next-generation AI6 chip will be manufactured using Samsung's advanced 2nm process technology. The deal, estimated at $15.6 billion and running through 2033, is a major win for Samsung's struggling foundry business. Tesla is employing a multi-foundry approach, with TSMC also set to produce an upgraded AI6.5 chip on its 2nm node. These chips are central to Tesla's AI strategy, powering its Full Self-Driving hardware and humanoid robot projects.

Tesla's next-gen AI6 chip will be built on Samsung's 2nm process in a deal worth $15.6B, boosting Samsung's foundry business against TSMC.

Seoul, April 16 Samsung Electronics is set to deepen its role in Tesla's AI chip lineup after the automaker completed the design of its next-generation AI5 processor, a milestone that could help revive the Korean company's struggling foundry business, according to a report by The Korea Herald.

Tesla CEO Elon Musk said Wednesday that the electric vehicle company's AI chip team had "taped out" the AI5 processor, marking the point at which a design is finalized and sent to manufacturing partners.

"Congrats to the @Tesla_AI chip design team on taping out AI5! AI6, Dojo3 & other exciting chips in work," Musk said on his X account.

In another post, he confirmed that both Samsung and TSMC will support production and that its chip will be "one of most produced AI chips ever."

The AI5 chip is expected to power Tesla's fifth-generation full self-driving hardware (HW 5.0) and also support its humanoid robot programmes, placing it at the centre of the company's broader artificial intelligence strategy.

Tesla is adopting a multi-foundry approach, with both Samsung and TSMC supporting chip production. This approach is aimed at securing manufacturing capacity and reducing supply chain risks amid growing global demand for advanced semiconductor technologies.

Samsung has supplied earlier-generation AI4 chips and has secured a contract to produce Tesla's AI6 processors in a deal estimated at about 23 trillion won (USD 15.6 billion), running through 2033.

According to details shared by Musk, the AI6 chip will be manufactured using Samsung's 2nm process at its Texas fabrication facility and is expected to deliver roughly double the performance of AI5 at the same die size. An upgraded version, AI6.5, will be produced by TSMC on a 2nm node in Arizona, offering further performance gains.

Production is expected to be distributed across facilities capable of handling 2- to 3-nanometer nodes, including Samsung's upcoming Taylor fab in Texas and its existing plant in Pyeongtaek. Earlier AI4 chips were produced in South Korea.

For Samsung, the partnership with Tesla comes at a crucial time, as its foundry business has been facing challenges, including quarterly losses of around 1 trillion won due to weak order flows and competition from TSMC. Securing major AI clients is seen as key to strengthening its position in the advanced chip manufacturing segment.

The company has indicated that it is in discussions with major clients in the US and China and expects orders for 2nm chips targeting AI and high-performance computing to increase by more than 130 per cent this year.

Beyond automotive chips, Samsung is expanding its advanced-node pipeline, including production of DeepX's second-generation AI processor on its 2nm process, expected to enter mass production in 2027, and development of its own Exynos 2600 mobile processor.

The company is also integrating its foundry and memory businesses, with the base die for next-generation high bandwidth memory (HBM5) being developed on a 2nm process, marking further advancements in its semiconductor capabilities.

- ANI
Top naval commanders from South Korea, the United States, and Japan convened in Seoul for bilateral and trilateral meetings aimed at enhancing maritime security cooperation. The discussions occurred amid heightened Middle East tensions, with speculation they addressed the US blockade of Iranian ports and a prior US call for allied naval support in the Strait of Hormuz. Key bilateral talks focused on defense postures, naval maintenance, and resuming joint search and rescue exercises. The admirals were also set to discuss coordinated measures to deter North Korea's advancing nuclear and missile threats.

Top naval commanders from South Korea, the US, and Japan held talks in Seoul to strengthen trilateral maritime security and discuss regional threats.

Seoul, April 15 Top naval commanders of South Korea, the United States and Japan gathered in Seoul on Wednesday to hold a series of talks aimed at strengthening their trilateral maritime security cooperation, the South's Navy said.

The gathering brought together Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Kim Kyung-ryul, US Pacific Fleet Commander Adm. Stephen Koehler and Adm. Akira Saito, chief of staff of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force, for bilateral talks and a trilateral dinner meeting, according to the armed service.

The meetings came amid heightened tensions in the Middle East, raising speculation over whether their talks would address the ongoing US blockade of Iranian ports, reports Yonhap news agency.

US President Donald Trump earlier called on South Korea, Japan and others to send warships to the Strait of Hormuz to help secure shipping lanes.

In the bilateral talks between Kim and Koehler held earlier in the day, both sides exchanged opinions on the robust South Korea-US combined defence posture as well as cooperation in the area of naval maintenance, repair and operations, the Navy said.

Kim and Saito, meanwhile, held in-depth discussions on expanding personnel exchange and resuming joint maritime search and rescue exercises (SAREX) as discussed in a ministerial meeting between their defence chiefs earlier this year, it added.

In January, Defence Minister Ahn Gyu-back and his Japanese counterpart, Shinjiro Koizumi, met in Japan and agreed to resume joint SAREX drills for the first time in nine years as part of efforts to strengthen bilateral defence cooperation.

The top admirals of the three countries were set to attend a dinner meeting later Wednesday to likely discuss trilateral coordination measures to respond to and deter North Korea's advancing nuclear and missile threats.

- IANS
US President Donald Trump announced a 10-day ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon, following talks with both nations' leaders. The pause aims to cool hostilities linked to the broader Iran conflict, though the Iran-backed Hezbollah group, which controls southern Lebanon, is not formally part of the deal. The agreement follows a historic direct diplomatic meeting between Israeli and Lebanese ambassadors in Washington. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres welcomed the ceasefire, as UN peacekeepers in the region have been caught in the crossfire.

US President Trump brokers a 10-day ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon, with Hezbollah's role and UN support key to its durability.

New York, April 16 US President Donald Trump on Thursday announced a ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon aimed at bringing a temporary cooling-off along another front linked to the Iran conflict.

He said that after speaking with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Lebanon's President Joseph Aoun, the two sides agreed to a 10-day ceasefire beginning at 5 p.m. Washington time (2.30 a.m. Friday in India).

The ceasefire is expected to pause hostilities that escalated when Israel opened a new front targeting Iran-affiliated Hezbollah.

Lebanon is not directly engaged in a formal war with Israel, but Hezbollah controls large parts of southern Lebanon and has carried out attacks on Israel, prompting retaliatory strikes.

Unable to rein in Hezbollah, Lebanon has borne the brunt of Israeli retaliation.

The durability of the ceasefire is likely to depend on Hezbollah refraining from further attacks.

While Hezbollah is not formally part of the agreement, media reports indicated that the group may halt attacks if Israel also exercises restraint.

Meanwhile, Iran's Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf endorsed the ceasefire, stating in a social media post: "For us, a ceasefire in Lebanon is just as important as a ceasefire in Iran."

Hezbollah had intensified its attacks on Israel following the escalation of the Iran conflict.

The ceasefire follows a meeting between the ambassadors of Israel and Lebanon in Washington on Tuesday, facilitated by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

This marked the first direct diplomatic engagement between the two sides since the 1980s, when Israel launched a large-scale invasion of Lebanon.

Earlier, when a 14-day ceasefire between Iran and the US was announced on April 7, there was confusion over whether it included Lebanon.

Pakistan had indicated that it did, but both the US and Israel clarified that Lebanon was not part of that arrangement.

Trump said on Truth Social that he has asked "Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Rubio, together with the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Dan 'Razin' Caine, to work with Israel and Lebanon to achieve a lasting peace".

He also said he would invite Netanyahu and Aoun to the White House to discuss a longer-term peace framework.

According to Lebanese authorities, more than 2,000 people have been killed and over a million displaced during Israeli strikes targeting Hezbollah positions.

The attacks have extended into the capital, Beirut.

There are 642 Indian personnel serving in the UN peacekeeping force deployed in southern Lebanon along the border with Israel.

UN peacekeepers operating in the region have come under fire from both sides during the conflict.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres welcomed the ceasefire, his spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said.

"The United Nations, through its political and peacekeeping missions, remains ready to support these efforts," he said.

The UN has urged both sides to work "towards a permanent ceasefire and a long-term solution to the conflict", he added.

- IANS
The Uttar Pradesh Education Selection Commission has announced stringent measures, including AI-powered surveillance and a zero-tolerance policy, to ensure fair and cheat-free competitive examinations. A new integrated control room with high-resolution screens and AI cameras will enable real-time monitoring of exam centers across the state. Commission Chairman Prashant Kumar emphasized that the initiative follows Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath's directive to maintain the integrity and credibility of the recruitment process. The Commission has warned of strict action against any candidate or official involved in unfair practices and urged aspirants to avoid misinformation.

Uttar Pradesh deploys AI surveillance and strict measures to ensure fair recruitment exams, following CM Yogi Adityanath's directives.

Lucknow, April 16 The Uttar Pradesh Education Selection Commission on Thursday announced a series of stringent measures, including a zero tolerance policy and AI-based surveillance, to ensure transparency and prevent malpractice in upcoming competitive examinations in the state.

Uttar Pradesh Education Selection Commission Chairman Prashant Kumar said the initiative follows Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath's directive to make recruitment examinations fair, credible and completely free from cheating.

He asserted that maintaining the integrity of the examination process remains the top priority.

"A zero tolerance policy will be strictly enforced in all forthcoming examinations to ensure transparency, fairness and accountability at every level," Kumar added.

As part of the upgraded monitoring system, the Commission has established a state-of-the-art integrated control room at its headquarters.

The facility is equipped with more than two dozen high-resolution screens and advanced AI-enabled cameras that will provide real-time surveillance of examination centres across the state.

Officials said the system will allow authorities to keep a close watch on activities at every examination centre and detect any suspicious behaviour or irregularities instantly.

The AI-powered monitoring mechanism is expected to significantly reduce the chances of cheating and ensure a smooth and fair examination process.

Kumar emphasised that the Commission is combining technology with strict administrative measures to curb any attempt at malpractice.

He warned that strict action would be taken against candidates or officials found involved in unfair practices.

The Commission has also appealed to candidates to follow the rules and maintain honesty during the examinations.

Aspirants have been advised not to be misled by rumours or false information circulating on social media or other platforms.

Reiterating its commitment, the Commission said all necessary arrangements are being made to conduct examinations in a secure, transparent and merit-based manner, reinforcing public trust in the recruitment system.

- IANS
The Pentagon has clarified that its naval blockade in West Asia specifically targets Iranian ports and coastlines, not the strategic Strait of Hormuz. Senior US military officials stated the blockade applies to all ships heading to or from Iran and that over 10,000 personnel are executing the mission. The US warned it is using less than ten percent of its naval power and is prepared to resume major combat operations immediately. Officials also presented ceasefire negotiations as an alternative path for Iran, while threatening to destroy infrastructure if Iran "chooses poorly."

Pentagon clarifies naval blockade applies to Iranian ports and coastline, not the Strait of Hormuz, as US warns Iran amid ceasefire talks.

Washington DC, April 16 The United States on Thursday categorically said that its naval blockade in West Asia applies to Iranian ports and coastline and is not a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.

The remarks were made by Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Air Force Gen. Dan Caine, while speaking to the media.

Gen Caine underlined that the blockade applies to all ships- irrespective of their nationalities.

"Let me be clear- this blockade applies to all ships, regardless of nationality, heading into or from Iranian ports. The US action is a blockade of Iran's ports and coastline, not a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. Enforcement will occur inside Iran's territorial seas and in international waters."

He said that, along with the blockade, the joint force would actively pursue any Iranian-flagged or any vessel attempting to provide material support to Iran, which would include dark fleet vessels carrying Iranian oil.

"In addition to this, blockade, the joint force, through operations and activities in other areas of responsibility- like the Pacific area of responsibility under the command of Admiral Paparo, will actively pursue any Iranian-flagged or any vessel attempting to provide material support to Iran. This includes dark fleet vessels carrying Iranian oil. As most of you know, dark fleet vessels are those illicit or illegal ships evading international regulations, sanctions or insurance requirements."

He emphasised that during this pause, the United States joint force remains postured and ready to resume major combat operations at "literally a moment's notice".

The Pentagon said that more than 10,000 sailors, Marines and airmen, over a dozen ships and dozens of aircraft are executing the mission.

Gen Caine also shared a map showcasing the blockade in action.

Sharing the latest updates from Thursday, he said, "As of this morning, U.S. Central Command has not been required to board any particular ships. I'll remind you that we are also conducting similar maritime interdiction actions and activities in the Pacific AOR against those ships that left that area before we began the blockade."

At the press briefing, Secretary of War, Pete Hegseth, said that the United States is "locked and loaded" and highlighted how the United States holds an upper hand when it comes to military prowess, noting that the Washington has not even utilised 10 per cent of its naval capabilities.

"We'd like to say publicly that Iran, you control the Strait of Hormuz, but you don't have a navy or real domain awareness. You can't control anything."

He said that threatening to shoot missiles and drones at commercial ships translates to "terrorism" and piracy. "That is not control."

He added that the United States Navy controls the traffic going in and out of the Strait, "because we have real assets and capabilities. We're doing this blockade with less than 10 per cent of America's naval power. We have a long track record of dealing with pirates and terrorists."

Pete Hegseth hinted towards ceasefire negotiations as the alternative way out and gave a message to the Iranian leadership regarding the ceasefire negotiations, underlining that the US would continue to maintain the blockade and destroy infrastructure in the country lest "Iran chooses poorly".

"As our negotiators have said, you, Iran, could choose a prosperous future, a golden bridge, and we hope that you do for the people of Iran. In the meantime, and for as long as it takes, we will maintain this successful blockade. But if Iran chooses poorly, then they will have a blockade AND bombs dropping on infrastructure, power, and energy," War Secretary said.

The remarks by US leadership come amid the background of the military adviser of Iran's Supreme Leader, Mohsen Rezaei, issuing a sharp warning against any US naval blockade efforts targeting Iran, stating the military of the Islamic Republic was ready if directly threatened by US naval assets, Iranian state media Press TV reported.

The latest briefing comes after Gen Caine and Hegseth held their last public briefing about the conflict in West Asia earlier on April 8.

- ANI
The United States has clarified that a potential ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon is not part of its negotiations with Iran. This comes after rare direct talks between Israel and Lebanon were hosted by the US State Department. Washington's focus is on building trust and political momentum for a durable peace agreement, rather than demanding an immediate halt to hostilities. The clarification occurs amid reports of a possible short-term truce with Iran-backed Hezbollah, though such discussions remain fluid.

The US says a Lebanon ceasefire is separate from Iran talks, focusing on trust-building between Israel and Lebanon to achieve durable peace.

Washington, April 16 The United States has clarified that a possible ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon is not part of its negotiations with Iran, even as Washington steps up diplomatic efforts to ease tensions along Israel's northern border.

A senior administration official said the US had "not asked for" a truce in Lebanon and that it was "not part of the peace negotiations with Iran". However, the official added that President Donald Trump "would welcome the end of hostilities in Lebanon as part of a peace agreement between Israel and Lebanon".

The remarks come a day after rare direct talks between Israel and Lebanon were hosted at the State Department by Secretary of State Marco Rubio -- the first such engagement between the two countries in years.

The discussions were described by US officials as a step towards reducing tensions and potentially opening a pathway to a broader agreement.

"The United States wants to see a durable peace but did not demand an immediate ceasefire," another senior official said, outlining Washington's calibrated approach to the conflict.

Instead, the focus remains on confidence-building measures between the two sides.

"The United States' focus is on building trust between the two governments so that we can create space for a peace deal, and so that any future understandings can be durable," the official said. "Both sides need to build political momentum."

The clarification comes amid reports that Israel is considering a short-term ceasefire in Lebanon that could pause its conflict with Iran-backed Hezbollah.

According to officials cited in those reports, the proposed truce could last about a week, though discussions remain fluid and subject to political and military considerations. It is also unclear whether Hezbollah would agree to such a move.

US officials stressed that while Washington supports de-escalation, it is not linking different negotiation tracks.

"Negotiations between the US and Iran are not linked to ongoing peace talks between Israel and Lebanon," the official said.

That separation reflects broader US concerns about managing multiple conflicts in the region without allowing one track to complicate another.

The Lebanon front has remained volatile since Israel launched a military campaign earlier this year following rocket attacks by Hezbollah. The conflict has displaced large numbers of civilians and raised fears of a wider regional escalation.

Washington's current approach appears aimed at creating incremental progress rather than forcing an immediate settlement.

Officials emphasised that building trust and sustaining dialogue could eventually lead to a more stable outcome than a rushed ceasefire.

The renewed diplomatic push also comes as the US continues efforts to stabilise its fragile truce with Iran, with regional flashpoints like Lebanon seen as potential spoilers if not carefully managed.

- IANS
A senior Iranian Revolutionary Guards commander has warned that continued US naval actions, including a blockade of Iranian ports, could trigger a military response from Iran's armed forces. The warning comes as the US Central Command claims to have successfully implemented a comprehensive blockade, halting all maritime trade in and out of Iran within 36 hours. Tensions are focused on the strategic Strait of Hormuz, where a US destroyer recently forced an Iranian-flagged cargo vessel to turn back. The US states that ten vessels have been redirected and none have broken through the blockade since it began.

IRGC general warns US blockade of Iranian ports violates ceasefire and may prompt armed retaliation, amid heightened Gulf tensions.

Tehran, April 16 The Deputy Political Chief of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps on Thursday warned that continued US naval actions in the Persian Gulf and the Sea of Oman, particularly the US blockade of ports of the Islamic Republic, could trigger a military response from its armed forces, as reported by Iranian state media ISNA.

According to ISNA, Brigadier General Yadollah Javani, Deputy Political Chief of the IRGC, stated that the ongoing US measures to block the movement of vessels to and from Iranian ports in the region would be considered a violation of the ceasefire framework and could prompt retaliation from Iranian forces.

"Continuation of US actions in the Persian Gulf and Sea of Oman would constitute a violation of the ceasefire and provoke a response from the armed forces," Javani said, as quoted by ISNA.

He stated that US President Donald Trump's resort to imposing a naval blockade on Iran would not be sustained, adding that Washington "does not realise that Iran is an unsanctionable country".

"Trump has resorted to a naval blockade of Iran, but he does not realise that Iran is an unsanctionable country," he said, as quoted by ISNA.

Javani's comments come amid heightened tensions between Tehran and Washington over maritime security in key shipping lanes, particularly the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz.

This comes amid an announcement by the United States Central Command (CENTCOM) on Wednesday that a comprehensive blockade of Iran's ports has been successfully implemented, with US forces asserting maritime dominance across key regional waterways, including the Strait of Hormuz.

In a statement, CENTCOM Commander Admiral Brad Cooper said that within 36 hours of the operation's launch, US forces had effectively halted all maritime trade entering and leaving Iran.

Meanwhile, CENTCOM, earlier today, said that USS Spruance, an Aegis guided-missile destroyer, forced an Iranian-flagged cargo vessel to turn back to Iran, marking the latest enforcement action under the ongoing naval blockade in the region.

In a post on X, CENTCOM said the incident took place after the vessel attempted to evade restrictions imposed since the blockade began.

"Yesterday, an Iranian-flagged cargo vessel tried to evade the U.S. blockade after leaving Bandar Abbas, exiting the Strait of Hormuz, and transiting along the Iranian coastline. The guided-missile destroyer USS Spruance (DDG 111) successfully redirected the vessel, which is heading back to Iran," the statement said.

"Ten vessels have now been turned around, and ZERO ships have broken through since the start of the U.S. blockade on Monday," it added.

- ANI
US President Donald Trump congratulated seasoned diplomat Taranjit Singh Sandhu on his appointment as the Lieutenant Governor of Delhi, praising his role in strengthening bilateral ties. Sandhu highlighted the importance of India-US cooperation at the launch of the Freedom250 celebrations in New Delhi. He discussed enhancing American investments and technology collaboration with US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor. Sandhu's appointment is part of a major administrative reshuffle, where he replaced VK Saxena, who is now the Ladakh LG.

US President Donald Trump congratulates diplomat Taranjit Singh Sandhu on becoming Delhi Lt Governor, highlighting his role in strengthening India-US relations.

Washington DC, April 17 US President Donald Trump on Thursday congratulated "seasoned" diplomat Taranjit Singh Sandhu on his appointment as the Lieutenant Governor of Delhi, highlighting his role in strengthening India-US ties.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump praised Sandhu's diplomatic experience and extended his best wishes for his new role.

"Congratulations to Taranjit Sandhu on becoming the new Lt Governor of Delhi! As a seasoned Diplomat and former Ambassador to the United States, he has always shown deep commitment to strengthening the U.S.-India relationship. Wishing him success in leading Delhi's progress, and furthering global ties!" Trump wrote.

Meanwhile, Delhi LG Sandhu highlighted the importance of strengthening India-US cooperation in the 'Freedom250' celebrations marking 250 years of American independence, which were launched in the national capital on Wednesday.

Sandhu, who attended the launch event, said the engagement provided an opportunity to deepen collaboration between the two countries, particularly in investment and technology.

"It was a pleasure to meet US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor at the launch of the Freedom250 celebrations in New Delhi. We had a productive conversation on enhancing American investments in Delhi and expanding India-US technology collaboration. The enduring partnership between India and United States remains a key pillar of global progress. I look forward to deeper cooperation that brings tangible benefits to the residents of our National Capital," Sandhu said in a post on X.

Taranjit is the grandson of the eminent Sikh leader, Teja Singh Samundri. On March 11, Sandhu took the oath of office in the presence of Delhi High Court Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya. Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta was also present at the swearing-in ceremony.

Taranjit Sandhu is part of the major administrative reshuffle of Governors and Lieutenant Governors across the country.

In the reshuffle, Taranjit Singh Sandhu replaced VK Saxena, who has now been appointed as the Ladakh LG. He was also a BJP candidate in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.

- ANI
The United States has firmly asserted its control over maritime traffic in the strategic Strait of Hormuz, directly contradicting Iranian claims of dominance. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth accused Iran of lacking a real navy and resorting to piracy and terrorism by threatening commercial vessels. The US is enforcing a naval blockade on Iranian ports with a significant force, having already turned back multiple ships. Despite a fragile ceasefire, US military officials stated they remain prepared to resume major combat operations immediately.

US Defense Secretary asserts control over Gulf shipping lanes, dismissing Iranian dominance claims and enforcing a naval blockade with a fraction of US naval power.

Washington, April 16 The US on Thursday asserted that it controls maritime traffic in and out of the Strait of Hormuz, dismissing Iranian claims of dominance over the strategic waterway as tensions remain high despite a fragile ceasefire.

Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth said Iran lacked the naval capability and situational awareness to control shipping routes, accusing it of resorting to threats against commercial vessels.

"You'd like to say publicly, Iran, that you control the Strait of Hormuz, but you don't have a Navy or real domain awareness," he added.

He said that any attempt to target civilian shipping would amount to criminal activity.

"Threatening to shoot missiles and drones at ships, commercial ships that are lawfully transiting international waters... that's not control, that's piracy, that's terrorism," he added.

Hegseth was joined at the Pentagon briefing by Air Force General Dan Caine, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and Admiral Bradley Cooper, who leads US military operations across the Middle East as Commander of US Central Command.

The assertion comes as the US enforces a naval blockade targeting Iran's ports and coastline, part of a broader effort to restrict Tehran's economic and military capabilities following recent combat operations.

Hegseth said the US Navy was managing traffic flows through the strait using a fraction of its global fleet.

"We're doing this blockade... with less than 10 per cent of America's naval power," he said, adding that Iran effectively had "zero per cent of your Navy that's real control".

Military officials said the blockade applies to all vessels transiting to or from Iranian ports, regardless of nationality, with enforcement extending into both territorial and international waters.

Caine outlined the scale of the operation, noting that more than 10,000 personnel, including sailors, Marines and airmen, along with multiple ships and aircraft, were involved in maintaining the blockade.

He said US forces had issued warnings to vessels attempting to approach restricted areas, resulting in multiple ships reversing course.

"Do not attempt to breach the blockade... if you do not comply... we will use force," a standard transmission said.

According to the Pentagon, 13 vessels have already turned back, and no ship has yet forced a confrontation requiring boarding or seizure.

Despite the ceasefire that has paused major combat operations, US officials said forces remain fully prepared for escalation.

Caine said the joint force could "resume major combat operations at literally a moment's notice".

Hegseth also criticised allies for failing to contribute more actively to maritime security.

He said while some regional partners had supported US efforts, others had "talked a lot and haven't done anything" when the situation escalated.

He added that the burden of securing global waterways should not fall solely on Washington.

"We should live in a world where other countries can defend waterways, not just the United States Navy," the US Defence Secretary said.

- IANS
The US Senate rejected, for the fourth time this year, a resolution requiring congressional approval for military action against Iran, failing in a 47-52 vote. In a notable break, Democratic Senator John Fetterman voted against the measure while Republican Senator Rand Paul supported it. The chamber also voted down two separate resolutions aimed at blocking arms sales to Israel, though one saw record Democratic support. Concurrently, the US Treasury warned of potential sanctions on Chinese banks facilitating Iranian financial transactions and confirmed it would not renew a license for Russian and Iranian oil.

The Senate voted down measures to curb presidential war powers regarding Iran and block arms sales to Israel, highlighting deep partisan divides.

Washington DC, April 16 The Senate rejected, for the fourth time this year, a proposal aimed at curbing the war powers of President Donald Trump by requiring congressional approval for any future military action in Iran. The measure failed to advance in a 47-52 vote, according to CNN.

Democratic Senator John Fetterman broke ranks to oppose the resolution alongside Republicans, while Republican Senator Rand Paul sided with Democrats in support.

According to CNN, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said that Democrats plan to continue pushing for such votes regularly. Meanwhile, some Republicans, including Senator Thom Tillis, have signalled openness to reconsidering restrictions if the conflict extends beyond 60 days, with GOP leadership not ruling out a future vote on authorising military force after 90 days.

Meanwhile, the US Senate has also voted down two significant measures related to military policy, including an effort to block arms sales to Israel and another limit to presidential war powers in Iran, according to Al Jazeera.

According to Al Jazeera, in a rare show of dissent, a record number of Democratic senators backed a resolution introduced by Independent Senator Bernie Sanders to block the USD 295 million sale of bulldozers to the Israeli military. The measure received support from 40 of the 47 Democrats in the Senate, but ultimately failed, with 59 senators voting against it, including all Republicans.

A second resolution seeking to block the USD 151.8 million sale of 1000-pound (450 kg) bombs to Israel also fell short, securing only 36 votes in favour.

Earlier on Wednesday (local time), United States Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent warned that the US is prepared to impose secondary sanctions on Chinese financial institutions if they are found facilitating Iranian financial flows.

"Iran used to be the largest state sponsor of terrorism. China was purchasing more than 90 per cent of their oil, which is about 8 per cent of China's energy needs," Bessent said during a press briefing.

He added that recent geopolitical developments could disrupt this flow. "We believe that due to the blockade in the Straits, there will be a pause in Chinese buying," he said, referring to tensions affecting key maritime routes.

Meanwhile, Bessent also said that the US will not renew the general license that allowed limited transactions involving Russian and Iranian oil amid ongoing geopolitical tensions.

"We will not be renewing the general license on Russian oil and Iranian oil. That was oil that was on the water prior to March 11th. All that has been used," Bessent said during a media briefing.

Earlier on Tuesday (local time), US President Donald Trump claimed that China has committed to halting weapon supplies to Iran, following his personal diplomatic interventions with Chinese President Xi Jinping.

In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump indicated that Beijing is supportive of Washington's efforts to maintain the permanent opening of the Strait of Hormuz, a vital global energy corridor that has been at the heart of intensifying regional friction since the February 28 US-Israel attacks on Iran.

- ANI
The Trump administration has intensified its economic campaign against Iran, warning it will impose secondary sanctions on countries and institutions that continue to engage with Iranian oil revenues. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent framed the escalation as "Operation Economic Fury," aiming to freeze more funds linked to Iran's leadership and the IRGC. The US has signaled it will not renew a general license on Iranian oil and has already issued warnings to financial institutions, including Chinese banks. Officials describe the measures as part of a coordinated strategy combining financial pressure with diplomatic engagement to achieve long-term security goals.

US warns of secondary sanctions on countries and banks dealing with Iranian oil, escalating its "maximum pressure" campaign to curb Tehran's revenues.

Washington, April 16 The Trump administration has intensified its economic campaign against Iran, warning of tougher sanctions, including secondary penalties on countries and banks dealing with Iranian oil, as part of what officials described as a broader strategy combining financial and geopolitical pressure.

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Washington was escalating its financial offensive against Iran under what he described as "Operation Economic Fury."

"For over a year, we have had maximum pressure on the Iranians, both on blocking payments into the Iranian state and going after the accounts of the IRGC," Bessent said.

He said the US was now pushing partner countries to take more aggressive steps, including freezing funds linked to Iran's leadership. "We have pushed out to them the request that we want to freeze more funds of the leadership of the IRGC and any members of the Iranian leadership," he said.

Bessent warned that the administration was prepared to impose secondary sanctions on countries and institutions continuing to engage with Iranian oil revenues.

"We have told countries that if you are buying Iranian oil, that if Iranian money is sitting in your banks, we are now willing to apply secondary sanctions," he said, calling it "a very stern measure."

He framed the move as part of a broader escalation strategy. "This is going to be the financial equivalent of what we saw in the kinetic activities," Bessent said, adding when asked if it marked a new phase: "Exactly."

The Treasury chief said enforcement was already underway, noting that warnings had been issued to financial institutions. "Two Chinese banks received letters from the US Treasury," he said, adding that action would follow if Iranian funds were traced through their systems.

Bessent also said the US would tighten energy-related restrictions. "We will not be renewing the general license on Iranian oil," he said, signalling a stricter approach to limiting Tehran's export revenues.

He linked the growing pressure to recent regional developments, saying Iranian actions had shifted the stance of neighbouring countries. "One of the... mistakes that the Iranians made was bombing their GCC neighbours," he said, adding that those countries were now "much more transparent" in tracking financial flows.

The administration said the economic measures were part of a coordinated effort alongside ongoing diplomatic engagement.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stated that the strategy was aimed at achieving long-term security goals. "This is a short-term disruption for the long-term strategic goal of the United States," she said.

Officials indicated that the pressure campaign would continue alongside negotiations, with sanctions intended to limit Iran's financial capacity while talks proceed.

- IANS
Vedanta Limited has appealed to the NCLAT against the approval of Adani Enterprises' resolution plan for Jaiprakash Associates Ltd. The company argues the Committee of Creditors' evaluation framework was non-transparent and resulted in a distorted outcome, ranking a lower-value bid above Vedanta's offer exceeding Rs 17,000 crore. It contends the scoring mechanism lacked a clear link to value maximisation, the core objective of the insolvency process. The appellate tribunal heard arguments and will continue the hearing tomorrow.

Vedanta alleges CoC's scoring method distorted bid evaluation, ranking a lower Adani bid above its higher offer for Jaiprakash Associates. NCLAT hearing continues.

New Delhi, April 16 The National Company Law Appellate Tribunal on Thursday heard detailed submissions on behalf of Vedanta Limited challenging the approval of Adani Enterprises' Rs 14,535-crore resolution plan for Jaiprakash Associates Ltd, with the matter now slated for further hearing tomorrow.

Vedanta argued that the Committee of Creditors' (CoC) evaluation framework resulted in a "distorted outcome," where lower-value bids were ranked above its significantly higher offer exceeding Rs 17,000 crore.

It contended that the scoring mechanism lacked transparency, consistency, and a clear linkage to value maximisation, thereby defeating the core objective of the insolvency process.

Vedanta further submitted that despite emerging as the highest bidder during the challenge process, the final assessment disregarded the identified criteria and reduced the exercise to a mechanical scoring process without substantive evaluation.

It argued an absence of transparency in the scoring methodology, stating that there was no clear disclosure of how evaluation parameters were applied or how final scores were derived, particularly in relation to improved financial offers submitted during successive bidding rounds.

The invocation of "commercial wisdom" of COC in the present case was misplaced, as such discretion must demonstrably align with the objective of maximising stakeholder value. It submitted that no such linkage was evident in the final outcome.

It also challenged the rejection of its addendum on grounds of procedural constraints and timelines, stating that such considerations cannot override the statutory objective of value maximisation.

Highlighting its participation in multiple rounds of negotiations, Vedanta stated that it consistently improved its financial proposal in line with the prescribed challenge process, thereby contributing to price discovery.

The company further alleged that the CoC disproportionately relied on upfront cash as the determinative factor in evaluation, contrary to the stated criteria, which envisaged a composite assessment of value. This, it argued, distorted the intended framework. It reiterated that while the commercial wisdom of the CoC is generally accorded deference, it remains subject to scrutiny where exercised arbitrarily or in a manner inconsistent with the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code's core objective of maximising realisable value for creditors.

The NCLAT is seized of Vedanta's appeal against the National Company Law Tribunal's March 17 order approving Adani Enterprises' bid for JAL. Vedanta has maintained that its revised proposal offered substantially higher value to creditors but was overlooked.

Earlier, the Supreme Court has declined to grant interim relief to Vedanta, noting that the NCLAT is already hearing the matter, however it safeguarded the interests of parties by making the resolution plan subject to the outcome of the appeals. The top court also urged expeditious disposal of the matter.

The appellate tribunal, after hearing the submissions, listed the matter for continuation of arguments tomorrow, when it will also hear the resolution professional of JAL.

- ANI
Austrian Chancellor Christian Stocker, during a visit to New Delhi, emphasized that India's voice carries significant weight in bilateral and international affairs. He and Prime Minister Narendra Modi agreed on the necessity of a rules-based global order and achieving peace through negotiations. Stocker highlighted India's impressive economic growth and the importance of the India-EU Free Trade Agreement for reducing trade barriers. The visit, termed a milestone, included a large business delegation and concluded with an announcement to strengthen cooperation in security and defence through a strategic dialogue.

Austrian Chancellor Christian Stocker calls India a reliable strategic partner, highlights 7% growth, and announces enhanced security & defense cooperation.

New Delhi, April 16 Austrian Chancellor Christian Stocker on Thursday hailed India's role bilaterally and in international forums, saying that New Delhi's "voice carries a lot of weight". Stocker stated that he and Prime Minister Narendra Modi agree that peace in all conflicts can be achieved through negotiations.

While addressing a joint press meet with PM Modi following their talks in New Delhi on Thursday, Stocker stated that he and Prime Minister Modi support a rules-based order and not a world where "might is right".

Stocker stated, "We are living in an age of geopolitical upheaval and disruption. Power centres are shifting, new alliances are being created, and conflicts are becoming more complex. At times like this, stability, trust and reliable partnerships are not just words but a strategic necessity. And that is why India is such a reliable partner and is valued by Austria. The largest democracy in the world shares common interests and fundamental values. At a time when geopolitical challenges are getting stronger, such partnerships are even more valuable. Together, we represent an international order in which we can live in freedom and security."

"We are in favour of a rules-based world order and not a world in which might is right. Mr Prime Minister and I share the view that peace in all conflicts can only be achieved through negotiation, and the voice of India carries a lot of weight bilaterally and also in international forums. In a vibrant democracy, parliaments also play an important role. We have very important priorities in many areas, and we believe that dynamic technological cooperation will be important and will connect us," he added.

Hailing India's growth, he said, "India has an impressive growth rate of about 7 per cent per year, and it's one of the most dynamic global markets and a key strategic partner for us. Austrian companies will in the future benefit more strongly from this dynamism."

He stated that the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between India and the EU will reduce trade barriers and create new opportunities for exports, investments and industrial cooperation. He called the India-EU FTA "important" in times of geopolitical challenges.

Terming his visit to New Delhi a "milestone" for bilateral ties, he said, "My visit is in fact a milestone for Austrian-Indian relations, and I am very pleased, and I also think it's a great honour to be the first federal Chancellor to visit India in more than 40 years. Mr Prime Minister, you visited Vienna in the summer of 2024, and I think we can truly say that the diplomatic relations that we've had for the last 75 years are much stronger than ever before, and we will be trying to build on this positive dynamism. And thank you very much, Mr Prime Minister, for your invitation and also for your very friendly welcome and your hospitality."

"But, I haven't come to India alone; I am accompanied by 60 high-ranking business leaders. The who's who of the Austrian business world. This delegation is led by our Minister for economic affairs and the Vice President of the Austrian Economic Chamber. Our close political ties are also of benefit for our business landscape," he added.

Calling India "one of the most important trading partners outside the EU for Austria," he noted that the bilateral trade between the two nations has increased to about three billion euros in the last 10 years. He stated that about 160 Austrian companies are active in the Indian market in important frontier technologies like semiconductor production, renewable energies, automotive and infrastructure.

He announced that India and Austria will be strengthening cooperation in security and defence through strategic dialogue.

He said, "As far as our enterprises are concerned, we want to have good ideas that can be implemented much more quickly and that investment takes place and that decisions are taken more quickly and that problems are resolved. In terms of food security, we want clear standards. We believe in cooperation and knowledge transfer. Reliable quality strengthens markets. It creates trust. We will be intensifying our cooperation in the fields of security and defence through a strategic dialogue."

"And so as far as combating terrorism is concerned, it's clear that security does not end where our borders end. And this is something that can only be tackled at a global level. All this shows that our partnership covers a lot of areas. We have economic dynamism, academic and scientific cooperation and responsibility as far as security policy is concerned," he added.

- IANS
Kangana Ranaut has firmly stated she has no interest in pursuing a Hollywood career, criticizing what she sees as its agenda to glorify America. She believes Indian cinema should have its own distinct vision and purpose. Her stance contrasts with other Bollywood actresses like Priyanka Chopra, Deepika Padukone, and Alia Bhatt, who have ventured abroad. The article also references Kareena Kapoor Khan's similar contentment with working solely in Indian films.

Kangana Ranaut reveals she has no Hollywood plans, questioning why Indian actors should "make America look great." Get her full statement.

New Delhi, April 16 In a career spanning two decades, Kangana Ranaut has carved a distinct niche for herself in Bollywood. Known for her fearless approach, she consistently pushes boundaries by experimenting with diverse roles and taking on new challenges. However, she is yet to be seen in a Hollywood project.

While several leading ladies from Bollywood, such as Priyanka Chopra and Deepika Padukone, have explored the cinematic space abroad, Kangana, in a recent interview with ANI, revealed she has no plans to enter Hollywood.

"I'm not crazy about Hollywood. Because Hollywood has a very specific agenda to make films that make America look great. So we should have our own agenda. Why should we unnecessarily go there and try to make America look great?" Kangana opined.

Whether it was delivering blockbuster women-oriented film 'Queen' or donning the director's hat with 'Manikarnika: The Queen of Jhansi' and 'Emergency', the actor-politician has consistently pushed her boundaries and strived to create something exceptional.

Last year, at the Waves Summit, Kareena Kapoor Khan spoke candidly about her future plans, emphasising that she is not eyeing a career in Hollywood.

During a panel discussion, Karan Johar reminded Kareena of her earlier comment that everyone is heading to Hollywood. Karan then asked whether she, too, is planning to make the move anytime soon.

In her response, Kareena proudly said, "Main toh yahi pe hoon. I am very happy with my Indian movies and acting. Bada mazaa aata hain. Humaare Hindi film gaane pe dance karna. Bada mazaa aata hain Hindi dialogues bolna. Bhatinda ki Sikhni hoon bhai."

Notably, Alia Bhatt is among the most recent leading Bollywood actresses to make a foray into Hollywood, landing a key role in 2023's Netflix spy thriller 'Heart of Stone', alongside Gal Gadot and Jamie Dornan.

- ANI
Wipro's Board of Directors has approved a substantial share buyback program worth Rs 15,000 crore. The buyback will be executed at Rs 250 per equity share, which is a notable premium over the current market price. The company plans to repurchase up to 60 crore shares, representing 5.7% of its total equity, with a portion reserved for retail investors. The move is aimed at enhancing shareholder value and reflects confidence in the firm's strong financial performance and cash generation.

Wipro's board approves a Rs 15,000 crore share buyback at Rs 250 per share, a significant premium, to enhance shareholder value.

Mumbai, April 16 IT company, Wipro Limited, on Thursday announced a share buyback worth Rs 15,000 crore at a price of Rs 250 per equity share, with the proposal approved by its Board of Directors, subject to shareholder approval.

The company stated that the buyback will be conducted through the tender offer route on a proportionate basis, in accordance with the provisions of the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Buy-back of Securities) Regulations, 2018 and the Companies Act, 2013.

According to the company, it plans to repurchase up to 60,00,00,000 equity shares of face value Rs 2 each, representing 5.7 per cent of its total paid-up equity share capital. The aggregate buyback size is capped at Rs 150 billion (approximately USD 1.6 billion).

The buyback price of Rs 250 per share is significantly higher than the company's closing price of Rs 210.26 on Thursday, offering a premium to shareholders. The record date for determining shareholder eligibility for the buyback is yet to be announced.

The company also indicated that a portion of the buyback will be reserved for retail investors, with a retail quota of 9,00,00,000 shares.

Commenting on the development, Aparna Iyer, Chief Financial Officer of Wipro, said the company has maintained strong financial performance and cash generation during the financial year.

"We have continued to invest in our clients, capabilities and people and maintained our margins in narrow band. Our cash conversion continues to remain strong with operating cash flows at 112.6 per cent of net income for FY'26," she said.

"Additionally, in our recently concluded board meeting, the Board of Directors announced buyback of Rs 15,000 crore at a price of Rs 250, subject to shareholder approval," she said.

The buyback is aimed at enhancing shareholder value and reflects the company's confidence in its financial position and future outlook. The proposal will now be placed before shareholders for approval through a postal ballot process.

- ANI
Union Minister of State Raksha Khadse stated the Women's Reservation Bill is a collective necessity for national growth, not tied to any single party. She emphasized that women, constituting half the population, deserve equal legislative representation to contribute to policy-making. Prime Minister Narendra Modi assured the decision-making process for the bill's implementation would not discriminate against any region. The government successfully introduced three related bills in the Lok Sabha with a majority vote.

Union MoS Raksha Khadse emphasizes the Women's Reservation Bill is for national development, transcending party lines, following PM Modi's address.

New Delhi, April 16 Union Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports, Raksha Nikhil Khadse, on Thursday, emphasised that the Women's Reservation Bill is a collective necessity for the country's growth, transcending political boundaries.

Following Prime Minister Narendra Modi's address on the landmark legislation, the Minister noted that the initiative aims to integrate women into the core of legislative decision-making, ensuring their contribution to the nation's future development.

Union Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports, Raksha Khadse, while speaking to ANI, said, "The PM called on all the political parties to support this Bill because this is not just for any one political party, but to empower women for the country's development. For 10 years, PM Modi empowered women in various ways, and now it is their right to voice themselves in the Lok Sabha and Assemblies and contribute to the government's policy-making."

"Women constitute 50% of the country's population, so why shouldn't we get equal rights in the Lok Sabha and Assemblies?" Raksha Khadse added.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said "whether it is the South, the North, the East, the West, small states or large states, the decision-making process will not do injustice to anyone", and there will be no change in proportion in the proposed increase in seats in the lower House of Parliament.

Participating in the debate on the Constitution Amendment Bill for early implementation of the Women's Reservation Act in the Lok Sabha, PM Modi said he can give a guarantee or a promise about his remarks if the opposition wants, as the government's intention is clear.

"I want to say from this House today with a great sense of responsibility that whether it is the South, the North, the East, the West, small states or large states... this decision-making process will not discriminate against or do injustice to anyone. In the past government that was in power, in whose time the delimitation took place, there will be no change in that proportion either, and the increase will also be in the same proportion," he said.

The Constitution (131 Amendment) Bill, 2026, the Delimitation Bill, 2026, and the Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2026 were introduced in the Lok Sabha on Thursday after the Opposition pressed for a division against the move to introduce three Bills, instead of a voice vote.

The government has convened a special sitting of Parliament on April 16,17,18 to pass the amendment to the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam. The Opposition members in the Lok Sabha had pressed for a division against the move to introduce the bill. As per the final division, there were a total of 251 AYES and 185 NOES out of the total 333 votes.

With the 251 AYES majority, all three Bills, including the Constitution (One Hundred and Thirty-First Amendment) Bill, 2026 and the Delimitation Bill, 2026, were introduced in the Lok Sabha.

- ANI
BJP MLAs Shagun Parihar and Devyani Rana led a celebratory padyatra in Udhampur supporting the Women's Reservation Bill. They hailed it as a historic milestone that will bring a "new dawn" to Jammu and Kashmir by ensuring political representation for women, especially from rural and remote areas. The MLAs emphasized that the bill will allow women to shape the laws that affect them directly. The legislation is linked to the delimitation process and is planned for implementation ahead of the 2029 General Elections.

BJP MLAs Shagun Parihar and Devyani Rana lead rally, stating the Women's Reservation Bill will empower rural women and transform J&K's political landscape.

Udhampur, April 16 A padyatra led by BJP MLAs Shagun Parihar and Devyani Rana was organised from Chabutra Bazar to Gole Market on Wednesday celebrate the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam.

"We have organised this rally as a celebration... This crowd shows that this decision is being supported and celebrated nationwide... This will help us fulfil our dream of being a developed nation by 2047. Such rallies and crowds are gathering in every corner of the country, and this crowd demonstrates that there is widespread support for this decision across the nation. I believe Jammu and Kashmir is about to see a new dawn, a new ray of sunshine, because with 33% representation, those women who were always left behind--especially from rural areas--will be brought to the forefront," Parihar said during a padyatra organised in Udhampur.

"It will no longer be limited to women born with a silver spoon; instead, women from far-flung areas, villages, and mountains will be brought forward to become parliamentarians. They will be seated in the assembly, and they will play a key role in the important decisions needed to fulfil our 'Vision 2047' dream for India," she further said.

BJP MLA Devyani Rana underlined the broader national significance of the Women's Reservation Bill, calling it a "historic milestone."

"The way women are progressing in every field, the Prime Minister has taken an initiative where women will have a 33% reservation in the Assemblies too... Now the rules that should be formulated for women will be done so by women themselves," the BJP MLA said.

"Today, when we go to the assembly, there are only four women. This isn't about any party; only four women among 90 MLAs represent the women of Jammu and Kashmir... While women make up 50% of the population, only 4.4% are women raising their voices in the assembly. I hope that through this reservation, more women will join at every level of legislative policy, and the rules and laws made for women should be made by women themselves."

The Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, 2023, which provides for 33 per cent reservation for women legislators, is linked to the delimitation process in the Lok Sabha. The government is planning to implement the women's reservation ahead of the 2029 General Elections by bringing in an amendment to the 2023 Act and a constitutional amendment to delink the delimitation process from the 2027 census.

According to sources, the government has proposed to increase the number of seats in the House to 850, with 815 seats proposed for the States and the remaining 35 for the Union Territories. The Lok Sabha has 543 seats at present.

- ANI
The Madhya Pradesh Police Headquarters has issued a circular making it compulsory for police to provide written grounds for arrest to every accused person. This directive implements a Supreme Court order affirming that informing an accused of arrest reasons is a fundamental constitutional right. The written grounds must be clear, specific, and in a language the arrested person understands, provided at the time of arrest or at least two hours before court production. Failure to comply could result in the arrest being deemed illegal, potentially leading to contempt proceedings, departmental action, and the accused's release.

Madhya Pradesh Police enforce written grounds for arrest in local language, aligning with Supreme Court order and BNSS 2023 to protect rights.

Bhopal, April 16 In a move aimed at strengthening safeguards for arrested individuals, the Madhya Pradesh Police have made it mandatory for police personnel to provide written grounds of arrest to every accused person.

To implement this reform, the Madhya Pradesh Police Headquarters (PHQ) in Bhopal has issued directives to all Police Commissioners, Superintendents of Police and field units, in compliance with recent guidelines laid down by the Supreme Court.

The Supreme Court, in its November 6, 2025 order in State of Maharashtra & Ors. vs Criminal Appeal, had underscored that informing an accused of the reasons for arrest is a fundamental right under Article 22(1) of the Constitution.

According to the circular, police officers must furnish clear and specific grounds of arrest in writing, and not merely communicate them verbally. The information must be provided in a language understood by the arrested person to ensure transparency and prevent ambiguity.

"It has been made mandatory for the police, while arresting any individual, to provide the concrete grounds for the arrest to the arrested person in writing; mere oral information shall not be deemed sufficient. Furthermore, it must be ensured that the grounds for arrest are recorded in the local language or in a language that the arrested person can fully comprehend," the circular stated.

It further states that the written grounds should be given at the time of arrest or, at the latest, at least two hours before the accused is produced before a magistrate. Police personnel are also required to record in the arrest panchnama or official documents that the written grounds have been provided.

The circular refers to provisions under the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, aligning the directive with existing legal procedures governing arrests.

Emphasising accountability, the Madhya Pradesh Police Headquarters has warned that failure to comply with these instructions could render an arrest illegal and attract contempt of court proceedings or departmental action. In such cases, the accused may also be entitled to immediate release.

The Police Headquarters has instructed senior officers to ensure strict implementation of these guidelines, aiming to balance effective policing with the protection of citizens' fundamental rights.

- IANS
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Researchers from the University of Bonn and University Hospital Bonn uncover vital mechanism for survival

If humans or animals eat something that causes them to feel unwell, they subsequently avoid this food source. Until now, it has been unclear precisely how this avoidance learning takes place. A new study shows that communication between the brain cells and fat cells could play a crucial role here.

The participants from the Universities of Bonn and Tohoku (Japan) and University Hospital Bonn have revealed the previously unknown mechanism in the fruit fly Drosophila. It may also exist in a similar form in mammals and even in humans. The results have now been published in the journal Neuron.



Anyone who's ever had an upset stomach after eating a bad meatball knows just how much this experience can put you off them. Within research, this is also known as "conditioned taste aversion": The brain registers the immune response to the bacteria and their toxins and concludes from this that the food source should be avoided in the future.



It is not yet known how the immune system's discovery of the pathogens leads to a change in behavior. "As this learned food avoidance can be found in all species, we investigated this question in a model organism - the fruit fly Drosophila," explains Prof. Dr. Ilona Grunwald Kadow.

Within this model, we can clarify how the brain and body interact with each other to trigger an avoidance reaction that is vital for survival." Dr. Ilona Grunwald Kadow, Universitat Bonn

Flies initially preferred food contaminated with bacteria

Grunwald Kadow heads the Institute for Physiology II at the University of Bonn and University Hospital Bonn. In the current study, her working group is collaborating with researchers from Japan's Tohoku University. The participants had their test animals choose between two food sources. One of them was contaminated with the pathogenic bacterium Pseudomonas entomophila. The other contained a harmless Pseudomonas strain. The two food sources were otherwise completely identical.



Flies that have not yet had any bad experiences with the pathogen prefer the harmful food because they find its odor attractive. "As this is life-threatening for the animals, we wondered how animals that have consumed these bacteria with their food behave," explains the scientist. The pathogens did not remain undiscovered among the flies for long: The animals' innate immune system has sensors that raise the alarm in cases such as this. "In our experiment, receptors were activated in them that respond to components of the bacterial cell wall," explains Grunwald Kadow's colleague, Yujie Wang. She conducted a large proportion of the experiments as part of her doctoral thesis.

Bacteria sensors lead to behavioral change

These sensors mainly respond to the harmful Pseudomonas strain, but hardly respond at all to the harmless strain. Many of them sit on the surface of special neurons located near the fly's throat. Via their branches, these neurons are connected not only to the fly's brain but also to a fat store in the fly's head. If the receptors raise the alarm in the presence of harmful microorganisms, this leads to the release of the neurotransmitter octopamine in the neurons, which is closely related to adrenaline. This travels through the neuronal branches to the fat store.



"The octopamine then triggers the formation of another neurotransmitter, dopamine, in the fat cells," says Grunwald Kadow. "The dopamine, in turn, is transported into the fly's brain, where it causes the continuous, increased activation of neuronal networks that are important for learning and trigger an avoidance response." The animals then tend to be deterred by the odor of pathogenic bacteria. "We were able to show that the flies chose the food source with the harmless germs following their experience with the spoiled food," explains the scientist.

Are starving flies less choosy?

The adipose tissue is significantly involved in this learned behavioral change. But why is that so? "We still do not have a definitive answer," says Grunwald Kadow, who is also a member of the Transdisciplinary Research Area (TRA) "Life & Health" at the University of Bonn. "However, the flies' decision may be linked to their nutritional status."



When the animals are starving, they have fewer fat cells. These would then produce correspondingly less dopamine when they discover that pathogenic bacteria has been consumed with the food. Perhaps starving animals are thus more willing to resort to contaminated food sources. "This is a hypothesis that we are currently investigating in further experiments," explains the scientist.



The results may be relevant to humans as well, as the adipose tissue in our species also produces neurotransmitters that can act on our brain and influence our appetite. Researchers currently assume that the interaction between the brain, organs, and fat does not function correctly in eating disorders such as anorexia or obesity. The fruit fly Drosophila makes it possible to investigate hypotheses such as this in a simple model organism and understand the underlying mechanisms. This understanding could help influence the complex interaction between the metabolism, immune system, and brain in the context of illness.
The world's largest aircraft carrier, the USS Gerald R. Ford, broke the US record Wednesday for the longest post-Vietnam War deployment, a nearly 10-month span that saw it take part in both the military raid in Venezuela and the Iran war. The previous longest deployment by an aircraft carrier in the past 50 years was held by the USS Abraham Lincoln, set when it was sent out for 294 days in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to data compiled by US Naval Institute News, a news outlet run by the nonprofit US Naval Institute. The duration raises questions, the AP reports.

They include the effect on service members away from home for long periods as well as increasing strain on the ship and its equipment, with the carrier already enduring a fire that forced it to undergo lengthy repairs. Three sailors were hurt in the blaze and hundreds were left without a place to sleep; the Navy has provided little information about the fire, per Stars and Stripes. The Ford began its deployment in June 2025, heading to the Mediterranean See from its home port in Norfolk, Virginia. The military rerouted it to the Caribbean Sea in October as part of the largest naval buildup in the region in generations. The carrier took part in the military operation to capture then-Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro. Then it would see more battle, heading toward the Middle East as tensions with Iran escalated, per the AP.

The carrier took part in the opening days of the Iran war from the Mediterranean Sea before going through the Suez Canal and heading into the Red Sea in early March. Virginia Sen. Tim Kaine said the record-breaking deployment has taken "a serious toll" on the mental health and well-being of crew members. "They should be home with their loved ones, not sent around the world by a President who acts like the US military is his palace guard," the Democrat said in a statement. Pentagon officials have not said how long the Ford will be deployed, but the Navy's two highest-ranking officers said publicly that they expect the ship to be deployed for around 11 months. That would put it returning home in late May. The Ford's 295-day deployment falls short of the longest deployment during the Cold War; the USS Midway was deployed for 332 days in 1972 and 1973.
Senate Republicans just slammed the brakes on another bid to rein in President Trump's military campaign against Iran, even as some in their own party signal they're losing patience with the open-ended fight. In a 5247 vote Wednesday, senators refused to take up a Democratic resolution that would have restricted Trump's authority to continue the conflict, now in its seventh week, the New York Times reports. The tally broke mostly along party lines: only Sen. Rand Paul crossed over to back the measure, while Democratic Sen. John Fetterman of Pennsylvania voted with Republicans to block it.

Behind the show of unity, though, several Republicans are publicly asking how long the conflict will continue, and on what terms, the Times reports. Sen. Josh Hawley said he hopes the US is "are arriving at an exit strategy here to bring this to a close to preserve our security interests and bring down the cost of gasoline." Hawley said senators who are not on the Armed Services of Foreign Relations Committees haven't been briefed on the war since the first week of March, and he "would welcome more" information. The war has pushed up the price of oil and driven up costs for natural gas and fertilizer, a hit many lawmakers say they heard about during the recent recess

Other Republican senators, including Sen. Mike Rounds, want the White House to spell out its goals and timeline before the 60-day window under the War Powers Resolution runs out on May 1. If Trump expects to keep forces engaged beyond that, Rounds said, administration officials should "give us a full description of it and sell the point and the plan." The White House, however, has the option of extending the deadline for 30 days for national security reasons.

The latest measure was sponsored by Democratic Sen. Tammy Duckworth. Duckworth, an Army veteran who lost both legs in Iraq, said it is is "tragic" that even as troops "continue to do their duties, our president and members of Congress from the Republican side of the aisle seem so ready to neglect their own duties."

Democratic Sen. Tim Kaine said his party would continue to propose the resolution. "If we're unsuccessful, at least we'll make clear to the American people who owns this war," he told the BBC. Paul predicting that when the 60 days are up "there may be a few more Republicans" voting with him.
Taylor Momsen is awaiting the arrival of superpowers after suffering a venomous spider bite while on tour with AC/DC. The Pretty Reckless frontwoman took to Instagram to document her night in a Mexico City hospital on Tuesday after "a massive spider decided to take a chunk out of me and its venom did a number on my system," triggering a rash-like response up her leg, per People . The former Gossip Girl star shared photos and video from a gurney and thanked the doctors who treated her, joking , "When do my superpowers kick in?"

If this sounds familiar, it's because this is the second time wildlife has gone after the 32-year-old on AC/DC's Power Up tour, where her band serves as opening act. In May 2024, a bat latched onto her leg mid-song during a concert in Seville, Spain, landing her in a hospital for rabies shots and earning her the nickname "Batgirl." "It wouldn't be an AC/DC tour if I didn't get bit," Momsen wrote, adding that she might now be dubbed "Spiderwoman," per Fox News. Despite labeling poisonous spiders "no bueno," Momsen said "the show must go on" and kept Wednesday's Mexico City concert on the books.
Two New York City narcotics detectives are off their regular beats for now after a video showed them pummeling a man in a Brooklyn liquor storewho police later acknowledged wasn't the drug suspect they were after. The clip, filmed Tuesday inside the BK Wine Depot in the neighborhood of Cobble Hill, shows plainclothes officers punching, kicking, and dragging 46-year-old Timothy Brown as bottles shatter and blood streaks along the floor, per the New York Post . NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch called the footage "deeply disturbing," saying Internal Affairs is investigating and that the officers' guns and shields have been taken while they're on modified duty.

Brown told CBS New York he'd simply gone in to buy wine when officers grabbed him, slammed him into glass, and dragged him across broken bottles. Police say officers had just completed an undercover crack buy nearby and believed Brown matched the description of a second suspect, per the Post. Mayor Zohran Mamdani blasted the officers' conduct on X as "extremely disturbing and unacceptable," adding, "Officers should never treat a person this way." Police unions are accusing the mayor of rushing to judgment.

Charges of resisting arrest and obstructing governmental administration were later dropped, and Brown was never charged in the underlying drug case. He says he's grateful to be alive and wants justice. The man who filmed the arrest, meanwhile, calls the incident "disgusting and uncalled for," per CBS. "It was racist. It was unjust."
John Eastman just lost more than a legal argument in California. The state's highest court on Wednesday upheld his disbarment, ordering the lawyer who pushed an aggressive plan to help President Trump undo Joe Biden's 2020 win removed from the state's roll of attorneys, Politico reports. The move caps a three-year disciplinary fight over Eastman's role in pressuring then-Vice President Mike Pence to try to block certification of the Electoral College results on Jan. 6, 2021. Eastman, a former Supreme Court clerk and who was listed as a co-conspirator in special counsel Jack Smith's federal election interference probe against Trump, is also suspended in Washington, DC, and other bar authorities typically follow disbarments with their own reciprocal actions.

Eastman's allies and critics cast the ruling in sharply different terms. Constitutional lawyer Matthew Seligman, a key witness at the disbarment trial, called it "a just end to a story of injustice," arguing Eastman misused his legal skills to undermine voters' will. Eastman's attorney, Randall Miller, called the outcome a "threat to the rule of law," saying it tramples lawyers' First Amendment protections and vowing to ask the US Supreme Court to intervene. Other Trump-aligned attorneys tied to 2020 election challenges, including Rudy Giuliani and Kenneth Chesebro, have also been disbarred. In addition to his disbarment, Eastman faces a $5,000 sanction, CNN reports. He's among the many people connected to alleged 2020 election schemes for whom Trump issued blanket pardons, though those only apply to federal charges, which NBC News reports Eastman does not face.
New York City's first lady is publicly reckoning with her teenage posts as her online history draws fresh scrutiny. Per the New York Times , Rama Duwaji, wife of Mayor Zohran Mamdani, told the Hyperallergic art site she feels "a lot of shame" over tweets she wrote at age 15 that included the n-word and an abbreviated anti-gay slur, recently resurfaced by the Washington Free Beacon , a conservative outlet. "Being 15 doesn't excuse it," she told Hyperallergic, adding that she understands "the hurt I caused" and is "truly sorry."

The Beacon also highlighted old posts in which Duwaji shared content saying Tel Aviv "shouldn't exist" and praising Palestinian "freedom fighters," including a member of the PFLP, designated a terrorist group by the US and EU. Duwaji didn't specify which posts her apology covered, and a spokesperson for Mamdani declined to clarify.

The Hyperallergic interview, Duwaji's first since her husband took office on Jan. 1, didn't directly probe her social media history or more recent controversy over her liking posts that celebrated Hamas' Oct. 7 attack. Mamdani has called the rhetoric of a Palestinian American author she worked with "patently unacceptable," while emphasizing his wife is a private citizen focused on her art, which she says will continue to engage with politics. Politico dives more into that depiction of Duwaji as a "private person," noting that both "allies and critics alike say that position is becoming harder to sustain."
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is about to face a congressional gauntlet, with vaccines likely to be a major topic even as he tries to shift the focus elsewhere. The health secretary sits for the first of seven hearings Thursday, his first Hill grilling in more than seven months, with lawmakers poised to probe his department's budget, staff churn, and an attempt to sharply reduce recommended childhood vaccines that is currently hung up in the courts, reports the Washington Post . The hearings continue into next week. Kennedy's prepared opening remarks for Thursday don't mention the word "vaccine," notes Axios . Instead, they focus on food policy, from phasing out synthetic dyes to rewriting dietary guidelines, and pricing deals with drugmakers.

"Our children are the sickest generation in modern historyand decades of failed policies, captured agencies, and profit-driven systems caused it," Kennedy plans to say. "Parents across this country demanded changeand we are delivering it." Democrats plan to cast his first year as disorderly and push him off the tighter "affordability and nutrition" message he's adopted ahead of the midterms. Republicans are more split: Some back his "Make America Healthy Again" nutrition crusade and whole-milk push, while others worry about his stance on pesticides and vaccines.

A marquee clash looms with Sen. Bill Cassidy, the Louisiana Republican who helped confirm Kennedy but has since broken with him on immunizations. Budget fights are also brewing, with key senators already resisting a proposed $5 billion cut to the NIH and a plan to consolidate health agencies.
Influencer Braden "Clavicular" Peters collapsed during a livestream on Tuesday evening, and his family is now "very concerned," a source tells Vanity Fair . The 20-year-old, known for his extreme "looksmaxxing" content, lost consciousness at a Miami restaurant, with friends initially assuming he was joking. Online clips showed him being escorted out and loaded into a car , fueling rapid speculation about an overdose, seizure, or hoax. His spokesperson pushed back on that last theory, saying "nothing about this was staged. ... Braden would never stage a medical emergency."

Fellow influencer Androgenic, who was with Peters at the restaurant, wrote on X that "I hadn't seen him in this state before and he went from speaking to being fairly unresponsive in mere seconds. Within a minute we all [realized] the situation, turned the stream off, picked him up and rushed him to the hospital." Peters was back home within hours and posted a photo of his scraped-up face on X, writing that his use of "substances" to feel more comfortable in public "isn't a real solution." He has previously discussed taking unprescribed peptides and illegal steroids, as well as using meth as an appetite suppressant.

Followers have resurfaced videos from before the incident in which Peters and others referenced "tire cleaner" and "Bmaxx," which some viewers believe may be slang for GHB or a related substance; the actual cause of his collapse hasn't been confirmed. Experts quoted in the piece warn that influencers openly discussing unregulated drugs are driving risky self-experimentation among young fans. Despite the scare, Peters resumed streaming on Wednesday and said he wouldn't cancel a scheduled nightclub appearance. Per People, Peters alluded during the latest livestream on what had happened the previous evening, noting, "I ain't gonna be doing any more substances for a little while, hopefully forever." More on who "Clavicular" is here.
It looks like a notable piece of Mideast diplomacy is at hand: The leaders of Israel and Lebanon will have direct talks for the first time in decades, President Trump wrote on Truth Social late Wednesday, reports CNBC. "Trying to get a little breathing room between Israel and Lebanon," wrote Trump. "It has been a long time since the two leaders have spoken, like 34 years. It will happen tomorrow." The talks would follow rare negotiations among lower-level officials from both nations and the US earlier this week, notes the New York Times.
Europe has "maybe six weeks or so (of) jet fuel left," the head of the International Energy Agency said Thursday, warning of possible flight cancellations "soon" if oil supplies remain blocked by the Iran war. IEA Executive Director Fatih Birol painted a sobering picture of the global repercussions of what he called "the largest energy crisis we have ever faced," stemming from the pinch-off of oil, gas, and other vital supplies through the Strait of Hormuz. "It's a dire strait now, and it is going to have major implications for the global economy. And the longer it goes, the worse it will be for the economic growth and inflation around the world," he said. The impact will be "higher petrol (gasoline) prices, higher gas prices, high electricity prices," Birol told the AP .

Economic pain will be felt unevenly and "the countries who will suffer the most will not be those whose voice(s) are heard a lot. It will be mainly the developing countries. Poorer countries in Asia, in Africa, and in Latin America," said the Turkish economist and energy expert who has led the IEA since 2015. But without a settlement of the Iran war that permanently reopens the Strait of Hormuz, "Everybody is going to suffer," he added. "Some countries may have more energy than the others, but no country, no country is immune to this crisis," he said. Without a reopening of the waterway, some oil products may dry up, he warned. In Europe, "I can tell you soon we will hear the news that some of the flights from city A to city B might be canceled as a result of lack of jet fuel," he said.

Birol spoke out against the so-called "toll booth" system that Iran has applied to some ships, letting them travel through the strait for a fee. He said allowing that to become more permanent would run the risk of setting a precedent that could then be applied to other waterways, including the vital Malacca Strait in Asia. "If we change it once, it may be difficult to get it back," he said. "I would like to see that the oil flows unconditionally from the point A to point B," he said. Birol said more than 110 oil-laden tankers and more than 15 carriers loaded with liquified natural gas are waiting in the Persian Gulf and could help ease the energy crisis if they could escape through the Strait of Hormuz. "But it is not enough," he added.

Even with a peace deal, strikes on energy facilities mean it could be many months before pre-war production levels are restored, he said. "Over 80 key assets in the region have been damaged. And out of these 80, more than one third are severely or very severely damaged," he said. "It will take gradually, gradually, up to two years to come back where we were before the war," Birol said.
Pope Leo took his message of peace to the heart of a war zone on Thursday and sharpened his critique of global leaders along the way. Speaking in Bamenda, the center of Cameroon's bloody conflict between government forces and Anglophone separatists, he warned that the planet is being "ravaged by a handful of tyrants" even as "a multitude of supportive brothers and sisters" tries to hold it together. The remarks followed attacks from President Trump, who on Truth Social branded the pope "terrible for Foreign Policy" and accused him of tolerating a nuclear-armed Iran, reports CNN. Leo, who has repeatedly said God cannot be used to justify war, responded earlier in the week that his comments were not aimed at any one government and that he is "not afraid" of the Trump administration.
Police in a Chicago suburb spent Wednesday evening probing a bomb threat at the home of Pope Leo XIV's brother that turned out to be a hoax. New Lenox police said officers were called around 6:30pm to the residence of John Prevost, the pope's older brother, after a report that an explosive device might be on the property, NBC Chicago reports. Officers set up a perimeter, brought in bomb-sniffing dogs from the Will County Sheriff's Office, and asked nearby residents to leave their homes while the search was conducted.

No explosives or hazardous materials were found, and investigators deemed the threat unfounded. "The incident remains under investigation as authorities work to determine the origin of the report," the New Lenox Police Department said in a statement. "Making false reports of this nature is a serious offense and may result in criminal charges."

Last summer, John Prevost told NBC Chicago that his routine of daily calls with his brother hadn't changed since Robert Prevost become Pope Leo XIV in May. "We do the Wordle. Then, we do the Words with Friends and that," he said. "I usually ask him, now'Who did you meet famous?'" Another Prevost brother, the oldest of the three, lives in Florida. President Trump praised Louis Prevost when he lashed out at Leo on Sunday over the pontiff's anti-war remarks, the Hill reports. "Louis is all MAGA. He gets it, and Leo doesn't!" Trump wrote on Truth Social.
Residents near Kansas City, Kansas, didn't get much advance warning before tornadoes tore through the area on Monday night, and that's now fueling questions about cuts and staffing changes at the National Weather Service. At least five tornadoes formed southwest of the city, damaging homes, toppling trees, flipping RVs, and injuring at least three people, reports NBC News . The strongest tornado, an EF2, packed estimated winds around 125mph. Yet as of Monday afternoon, the Storm Prediction Center's outlook didn't flag a tornado threat for the metro area, and tornado watches weren't issued until about 6:35pm, roughly 30 minutes before the first twister touched down.

Some meteorologists outside of the agency say a shift in weather balloon launches may have played a role. Multiple NWS offices across the Plains skipped their traditional 7am balloon release and waited until midday, a move several experts link to ongoing staffing shortages after federal workforce cuts. That left a wide swath of the region without early upper-air data that feeds into forecast models. "We are missing data at the normal times," says meteorologist Chris Vagasky. "People think of it as, 'Oh, weather balloons, how quaint,'" David Mechem, who heads up the atmospheric science program at the University of Kansas, warned in the University Daily Kansan late last year. "But nothing is as good as flying instruments up through the atmosphere and actually measuring things."

NWS officials reject the idea that the altered balloon schedule is degrading forecasts. Spokesperson Erica Grow Cei said performance metrics show "no evidence of degradation" in the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's models. But former and current forecasters say the issue merits study, noting that some models are timed to run before the delayed balloon data arrives. The Kansas surprise comes on the heels of a deadly Michigan tornado event last month, where no watch was issued ahead of time, prompting a letter from two Democratic lawmakers pressing the agency on staffing and improving alerts. At least one pundit issued a warning last June on how NWS cuts might play out in Kansas.
The medieval birthplace of Henry VII may soon be better known for far-more-ancient history. Archaeologists say a vast cave beneath Pembroke Castle in Wales is emerging as one of Britain's most important prehistoric sites, with finds spanning from Ice Age hunter-gatherers back to some of Britain's earliest known human inhabitants, per the BBC . Preliminary digs in Wogan Cavern, measuring 75 feet long and more than 30 feet high, have turned up "extremely rare" traces of early Homo sapiens, believed to date from around 45,000 years ago, and possible earlier signs of Neanderthals.

Along with stone tools, researchers from the University of Aberdeen found evidence of mammoth, woolly rhinoceroseven the bones of a hippopotamus who roamed 120,000 years ago. Researchers initially didn't have high hopes for the cave, believed to have been dug out during the Victorian era, thinking most ancient material had been lost. Instead, they made what Aberdeen's Dr. Rob Dinnis describes as "a once in a lifetime discovery" of "a truly remarkable site," per North Wales Live. A major five-year excavation beginning in May aims to explore the site in greater detail. Finds will be kept in Pembroke, where the castle's staff say they're watching "with great interest" as the prehistoric story unfolds beneath their feet.
Police say they know the grisly particulars of a stunning murder-suicide in Virginiaformer Lt. Gov. Justin Fairfax fatally shot his wife, Cerina, in the basement of their Annandale home, then turned the gun on himself in a different part of the residence, according to authorities in Fairfax County. And they also have a sense of the motive: "This has been an ongoing domestic dispute surrounding what seems to be a complicated or messy divorce," said Fairfax County Police Chief Kevin Davis, reports the Washington Post. More:

Son's discovery: The couple had two teenage children, a son and a daughter, and it was the son who called 911 shortly after midnight. "So, tragic for the children to lose both parents, extra tragic for them to actually be in the home when it occurred," said Davis, per the New York Post. "So yeah, there's a lot going on."

The couple had two teenage children, a son and a daughter, and it was the son who called 911 shortly after midnight. "So, tragic for the children to lose both parents, extra tragic for them to actually be in the home when it occurred," said Davis, per the New York Post. "So yeah, there's a lot going on." The divorce: The couple was estranged but still living under the same roof, and Justin Fairfax had recently been served paperwork related to the divorce, which "apparently led to this incident," said the police chief. The couple married in 2006 but separated about two years ago.
A federal immigration agent's conduct during the Minnesota crackdown has led to state felony charges. Prosecutors in Minneapolis on Thursday charged Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent Gregory Donnell Morgan Jr., 35, with assault, alleging he pointed a gun at two people in a car after trying to pass them on the shoulder of a highway in an unmarked vehicle, the New York Times reports. Morgan later told state investigators he feared for his safety after being cut off, according to the criminal complaint.

Moriarty said the people in the vehicle briefly pulled in front of Morgan's vehicle as it tried to pass on the shoulder, but it had rejoined the normal flow of traffic when he pointed the gun at them "while continuing to drive illegally on the shoulder." The people in the other vehicle were on their way to go shopping and were not part of activists' efforts to track ICE agents, Moriarty said.

The case marks an unusual move: state-level charges against a federal agent for actions taken on duty, the Times reports. Moriarty said her office was able to file charges because ICE cooperated with the investigation. She said the Minnesota State Patrol interviewed Morgan after the vehicle was tracked to a federal building. She said Morgan told investigators that he was driving back to the Whipple Building with his partner at the end of their shift.

It comes amid broader local investigations into Operation Metro Surge, a 10-week enforcement push in the Twin Cities that frequently pitted agents against residents, the Times reports. Prosecutors are also reviewing the fatal shootings of US citizens Renee Good and Alex Pretti, the wounding of Venezuelan immigrant Julio Sosa-Celis, and the arrest of ChongLy "Scott" Thao, a US citizen ordered outside in only his underwear. State officials say their work is hampered by limited federal cooperation and legal immunity protections. Moriarty said her office is looking into 17 use-of-force incidents involving federal agents. Moriarty and other officials sued the Trump administration last month, demanding agencies turn over evidence in the three shootings.
Stocks have leaped more than 10% since late March on hopes for an end to the Iran war. Now, the wait is on to see if such hopes were prescient or just wishful thinking, the AP reports. Oil prices climbed, showing that markets remain cautious. Brent crude rose back above $99 a barrel.

Pakistan's powerful army chief met Thursday with Iran's parliament speaker as part of efforts to press for an extension to a ceasefire that has paused almost seven weeks of war between Israel, the US, and Iran. "The key upside risk for the market is that peace talks between the US and Iran break down," ING Bank strategists Warren Patterson and Ewa Manthey wrote Thursday. "This isn't an unrealistic scenario, given that US and Iranian demands remain fairly wide apart." In the meantime, big US companies are continuing to deliver growth in profits for the start of 2026 that's even better than analysts expected.

PepsiCo rose 2.3% after reporting better results for the latest quarter than analysts expected. Customers bought more snacks during the quarter, after the company said in February it would cut prices on Lay's, Doritos, Cheetos, and Tostitos chips to win back people frustrated by high prices. JB Hunt Transport Services rumbled 6.3% higher, and Marsh & McLennan climbed 4.4% after both likewise delivered stronger results than expected. Technology stocks also broadly got some support after Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., an industry heavyweight, reported stronger revenue and profit for the start of 2026 than analysts expected.

On the losing end of Wall Street was Abbott, which fell 6% even though it reported slightly better results than analysts expected. The health care company cut its forecast for profit over the full year, mostly because of its purchase of cancer-screening company Exact Sciences. Allbirds slumped 35.8%, but that gave back only a portion of its 582% surge from the day before. The company, formerly known for sneakers, is pivoting to the artificial-intelligence industry and hopes to rent out the use of high-powered AI chips as a service.
First event of the ALL IN Talks series brings together leaders across sectors to accelerate AI adoption in Western Canada

VANCOUVER, BC, April 16, 2026 /CNW/ - ALL IN Talks West was held on April 15 in Vancouver, bringing together more than 500 leaders from business, technology, and government for a full day of discussions, networking, and practical insights focused on advancing artificial intelligence (AI) adoption across Western Canada.

Ken Sim, Mayor of Vancouver at ALL IN Talks West (CNW Group/ALL IN)

As the first ALL IN Talks event in British Columbia, it marks an important step in expanding Canada's AI ecosystem nationwide. Building on the success of ALL IN, Canada's largest AI and technology event, the series connects organizations ready to deploy AI with Canadian solution providers offering market-ready technologies. The event brought together business leaders, policymakers, innovators, and technology providers, with strong participation from government officials, including Ken Sim, Mayor of Vancouver, and Rick Glumac, B.C.'s Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence and New Technologies, underscoring the importance of public-private collaboration in advancing AI adoption.

Participants explored practical applications of AI, local success stories, and deployment-ready solutions, while engaging in high-value networking opportunities to support implementation. In a global environment where AI is increasingly shaping economic resilience and competitiveness, ALL IN Talks West reinforced the critical role of regional ecosystems in translating innovation into tangible outcomes.

AI Deployment in Action Across Sectors

Presented by TELUS and SCALE AI, the program addressed key challenges shaping AI deployment, including bridging the gap between research and commercialization, scaling infrastructure, and accelerating enterprise adoption.

Speakers included leaders from organizations such as BC Tech Association, CGI, Dova Health Intelligence, InBC, Innovate BC, Microsoft, OpenText, RiSC Capital, Sanctuary AI, Simon Fraser University, TELUS, Variational AI, and Yaletown Partners. Highlights included a keynote by James Wells, CEO of Sanctuary AI, on the emergence of physical AI and its implications for productivity, labour markets, and industrial competitiveness.

Industry leaders also shared practical insights on operationalizing AI, from governance and data strategy to workforce readiness, demonstrating how organizations are moving from experimentation to measurable outcomes.

Building Momentum Toward ALL IN 2026

The success of ALL IN Talks West reflects growing demand across Canada for platforms that connect innovation with implementation. The series supports the deployment of AI technologies at scale, driving productivity, resilience, and long-term economic growth. This momentum will continue with ALL IN Talks Toronto on May 28, 2026, leading up to the flagship ALL IN event in Montreal on September 1617, 2026, which is expected to welcome thousands of business and technology leaders from around the world.

Building on this momentum, the launch of the call for applications for the Top 100 AI Startups in Canada was also unveiled at ALL IN Talks West, a flagship initiative recognizing the country's most promising AI companies. Selected for their innovation, sectoral impact, and growth potential, these startups will be showcased at ALL IN 2026 in Montreal.

Quotes

"Canada is accelerating its leadership in the industries that will define the global economy of tomorrow. ALL IN Talks West is about turning innovation into real opportunities for Canadian businesses and workers. By strengthening collaboration across our tech ecosystem, we're helping create good jobs, boosting productivity, and reinforcing Canada's role as a hub for cutting-edge innovation on the world stage." -- The Honourable Melanie Joly, Minister of Industry and Minister responsible for Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions, Government of Canada

"Artificial intelligence stands at the heart of Canada's economic and social prosperity. ALL IN is here at a critical time of technological change and leadership. By accelerating AI adoption across industries and investing in Canadian talent, our government is laying the groundwork for a thriving digital future." -- The Honourable Evan Solomon, Minister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Innovation and Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario, Government of Canada

"ALL IN Talks West highlights the growing momentum behind AI adoption in British Columbia and across Western Canada. Events like this strengthen B.C.'s AI ecosystem and support productivity, competitiveness, and longterm economic growth. Through our Look West Strategy, the Province is prioritizing the AI sector--supporting innovation and turning worldclass research into realworld solutions for businesses and communities." -- Rick Glumac, B.C.'s Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence and New Technologies

"Canada's AI ecosystem is one of the country's most strategic assets. With ALL IN Talks, we support innovators and adopters across the country, mobilizing regional leaders and organizations to accelerate responsible AI adoption and deliver measurable results for businesses and communities from coast to coast." -- Helene Desmarais, Founder and Co-Chair of the Board, SCALE AI; Co-Founder and Chair of the Board, ALL IN

"The launch of ALL IN Talks in Vancouver marks an important milestone in expanding our presence across Canada. With this event, we create business opportunities for AI makers and industry adopters to connect in order to propel the adoption of homegrown AI. The level of mobilization we've seen from the ecosystem confirms the need for targeted, high-impact gatherings that foster collaboration and drive real-world AI adoption." -- Isabelle Turcotte, Co-Founder and CEO, ALL IN

About ALL IN (allinevent.ai)

ALL IN is Canada's largest artificial intelligence and technology event, and the international showcase of Canadian technological leadership. Designed by SCALE AI, Canada's AI Cluster, and supported by the entire Canadian innovation ecosystem, ALL IN brings together the decision-makers, builders, and visionaries shaping the economy of tomorrow. ALL IN takes place annually in Montreal, with satellite events hosted across Canada. In 2026, ALL IN Talks will be held in Vancouver, and Toronto.

SOURCE ALL IN

Media Contacts: [email protected]
Multi-party initiative unites leading aid organizations to deliver life-saving relief to Lebanese civilians

TORONTO, April 16, 2026 /CNW/ - Canada for Lebanon (CFL) today announces its official launch as a coordinated humanitarian initiative dedicated to delivering urgent, dignified aid to communities in crisis throughout Lebanon.

CFL bridges together a group of trusted domestic and international partners, including the Canadian Red Cross, Lebanese Food Bank, American Near East Refugee Aid (ANERA), GlobalMedic, Health Partners International of Canada (HPIC), Doctors Without Borders/Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF), and Days for Girls. Together, this network mobilizes critical supplies across food security, medical aid, and essential resources - ensuring they reach the most vulnerable populations with speed, accountability, and care.

Founded by philanthropist and community leader Abbis Mahmoud, Canada for Lebanon was established in direct response to a persistent gap in the humanitarian supply chain between Canada and Lebanon.

"One of the greatest obstacles in humanitarian work is building an effective supply chain from donor nations to those in need," said Mahmoud. "Canada for Lebanon bridges government agencies, humanitarian organizations, and on-the-ground teams to deliver aid directly, and reliably, to the citizens of Lebanon."

CFL's model is rooted in strategic coordination: leveraging established delivery infrastructure, trusted partner networks, and community leadership to maximize both the efficiency and integrity of aid deployment. The initiative is endorsed by Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow, whose office has announced special inclusion on the donation portal on toronto.ca. Looking ahead, Canada for Lebanon is committed to building a sustainable, scalable humanitarian presence, one defined by speed of response, depth of coordination, and an unwavering respect for the dignity of those served.

"We envision a future where no community in crisis is left without support," added Mahmoud. "Where humanitarian response is defined by trust and where, in the face of devastation, the global community shows up consistently and reliably."

About Canada for Lebanon

Canada for Lebanon is an Ottawa-based humanitarian initiative mobilizing cross-sector partnerships to deliver life-saving aid to communities affected by crisis in Lebanon. For more information, visit canadaforlebanon.com.

SOURCE Halo & Co.

Media Contact: Julia Balatbat, Halo & Co., [email protected]
Revolutionary War reenacters shoot their guns for a musket salute during the Battle of Ridgefield Funeral Procession and Ceremonial Salute at Olde Town Cemetery in Ridgefield, Conn. Sunday, May 1, 2022. The 245th anniversary of the Battle of Ridgefield was remembered with a funeral procession and ceremony, led by the 5th Connecticut Regiment and the Brigade of the American Revolution. The men who died in battle in 1777 received a formal recognition for the first time at the ceremony, which featured hundreds of Revolutionary War reenacters. Troops marched through town with two horse-drawn carriages to the cemetery, where soldiers placed four caskets in a special tribute honoring their lives. Tyler Sizemore / Hearst Connecticut Media Eric Allen portrays Lieutenant-General William Tryon during the Ridgefield Historical Society's one hour long walking tour to commemorate the 247th Anniversary of the Battle of Ridgefield, which took place on April 27, 1777, in Ridgefield, Conn., on Saturday April 27, 2024. There were several stops along Main Street where volunteers dressed in period costume spoke about the historic battle and life in Ridgefield during the Revolutionary War. Christian Abraham/Hearst Connecticut Media Revolutionary War reenacter Ricardo Ramos III drinks from his jug during the Battle of Ridgefield Funeral Procession and Ceremonial Salute at Olde Town Cemetery in Ridgefield, Conn. Sunday, May 1, 2022. The 245th anniversary of the Battle of Ridgefield was remembered with a funeral procession and ceremony, led by the 5th Connecticut Regiment and the Brigade of the American Revolution. The men who died in battle in 1777 received a formal recognition for the first time at the ceremony, which featured hundreds of Revolutionary War reenacters. Troops marched through town with two horse-drawn carriages to the cemetery, where soldiers placed four caskets in a special tribute honoring their lives. Tyler Sizemore / Hearst Connecticut Media

This story is part of our coverage of Connecticuts role in the American Revolution and the nations 250th anniversary. Read more coverage of America 250 in Connecticut.

When the alarm was raised for Lexington and Concord in 1775, 3,000 militia from eastern Connecticut rushed to Massachusetts and the Patriots' aid.

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Overall, about 40,000 men from Connecticut would fight in the Revolutionary War for the Continental Army, which was an estimated 13 to 20% of the colony's population at the time, said Matt Warshauer, a history professor at Central Connecticut State University.

"Connecticut's role was instrumental," he said, adding the colony played a part in the politics of the revolution, sent men to fight, but probably most importantly supplied the troops.

Connecticut was even nicknamed "The Provisions State" for its contributions to the Continental Army, Warshauer said.

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Gen. George Washington frequently wrote to Connecticut Gov. Jonathan Trumbull to ask for supplies and food for the soldiers. At one point, Connecticut even organized 400 to 500 heads of cattle and rode them down to New Jersey to feed the army there.

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Given the proverb "an army marches on its stomach," Warshauer said Connecticut was crucial to the war's victory. Connecticut even created commissaries to ensure it could efficiently supply and feed the Continental troops.

Connecticut was poised to supply the army because of its decades of trade with the West Indies. The Puritans living in Connecticut began trading as early as the 1640s, Warshauer said.

"They were incredibly good business people," he said.

Half of the trade ships that left the ports in New Haven and New London went to the Sugar Islands in the 1700s, with "millions and millions" of pounds of agricultural products and other items going there alone between 1768 and 1772. In return, sugar, brown sugar, rum and other goods came back into Connecticut, Warshauer said, noting slavery was at the heart of the trade economy.

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When the war broke out and trade stopped with the British West Indies, Connecticut pivoted to supplying the Continental Army, he said.

"The irony of American independence is Washington's army is built off the back of the enslaved," Warshauer said.

Connecticut also supplied weapons for the army. The armory in Danbury was the focus of a raid in April 1777 that led to one of the most important battles in Connecticut during the war: the Battle of Ridgefield.

William Tryon, the royal governor in New York and also a major general for the British, led the British soldiers up from Compo Beach to Danbury where they attacked the armory to destroy the supplies for the Continental Army. Benedict Arnold, a Connecticut native who eventually turned sides, led the Continental Army's forces which attacked the British the whole way back to their ships.

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"The Battle of Ridgefield up to that point, was the single largest British Army used in the colonies," Warshauer said.

The British would attack Connecticut a few more times after that, including the burning of New Haven, Norwalk and Fairfield in 1779 and Arnold, now with the British went after the ships in Groton and New London supplying the Continental Army in 1781. But, Warshauer said, the British forces never went that far inland into the colonies after what happened in Ridgefield, keeping the remainder of the fighting along the shoreline.

On the political side, Tryon also thought the raid on Danbury would inspire the nearby colonists to flock to the British cause, and essentially split Connecticut.

"Those Loyalists don't materialize," Warshauer said.

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It's hard to say exactly what the divide was in Connecticut between the two sentiments for the war because Loyalists were less likely to share their beliefs due to repercussions, but Warshauer estimates the percentage of Connecticut residents who were Loyalists was in the 40s.

"For a small state, Connecticut has always been complex in its outlook," he said.

Much like today and the allegiances between the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox, the Connecticut River separated the leanings within the state. Eastern Connecticut tended to align with the Sons of Liberty and patriot sentiments in Massachusetts, while those to the west aligned with New York, which tended to be Loyalist, he said.

"Connecticut is unique in that Connecticut clamps down on its Loyalists very quickly and very hard," Warshauer said.

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Connecticut had a law that allowed the state to seize the land of Loyalists and could throw Loyalists in Old New-Gate Prison in East Granby, which started as a copper mine in the early 1700s. The Sons of Liberty would also tar and feather Loyalists or commit other violence, he said.

"A lot of Loyalists fled the state," Warshauer said.

On the ideological sphere, Connecticut also influenced the integration of Black soldiers into the Army. About 10% of any given company in Connecticut was a Black or Indigenous soldier. There was also a mix of free and enslaved men fighting. In some cases, white men had slaves serve in their place with the promise of freedom after the war, he said.

It was illegal to have Black soldiers in the Continental Army but Washington changed his mind after coming up north where he was "shocked" to see colored soldiers serving, Warshauer said.

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"In Virginia, you don't give Black men guns," he said.

Another feather in Connecticut's political Tri-Corner cap is Roger Sherman, the only Founding Father to sign all four foundational documents: The Continental Association from the first Continental Congress, the Declaration of Independence, the Articles of Confederation and the Constitution. Sherman lived in New Milford before moving to New Haven after his wife's death, where he served as the city's first mayor.

"He's a behind the scenes work horse and he's involved in some of the most important committees in the Continental Congress," Warshauer said. "He influences people."
A sign outside the BJ's Wholesale Club on Route 5 in Wallingford shows the retailers gasoline prices for members on Tuesday April 14, 2026. Gas prices appear to have stabilized somewhat in Connecticut in recent days. Luther Turmelle/Hearst Connecticut Media

The average price of a gallon of gas in Connecticut held steady for second day Wednesday at $4.08 per gallon and was lower than it was a week earlier, according to AAA Northeast.

Connecticut's average price for a gallon of regular gas on March 8 was nearly $4.11 cents, AAA officials said. But even with the temporary price stabilization, Wednesday's average price of a gallon of regular gas was up 46 cents from a month ago and $1.04 from a year ago.

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Gasoline prices have spiked since the United States went to war with Iran in late February. The two nations are currently in the midst of a two-week ceasefire and that is a likely factor in the stabilizing of Connecticut's average gas price, said Chris Herb, president of the Cromwell-based Connecticut Energy Marketers Association.

"There is some optimism that ongoing talks may lead to a more permanent end to the conflict and the markets are reflecting that," Herb said. "Crude (oil) prices have fallen quite a bit and downstream fuel prices are reflecting that."

A number of gas stations across Connecticut on Wednesday had prices that were well below the average prices as reported by AAA. GasBuddy, a national price-tracking platform, reported that four gas stations in Connecticut had regular gas at $3.59 a gallon.

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Two of the four stations offering the price were wholesale retailers, the Sam's Club in Newington and Costco in New Britain, which require membership cards to purchase gas. The other two were an independent gas station, Berlin's Pit Stop at 458 Berlin Turnpike, and a Citgo station at 1387 Watertown Ave. in Waterbury.

Another five Connecticut stations had regular gas prices between $3.61 and $3.65 per gallon.

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Smaller independent gas stations sometimes have better prices than their counterparts that sell brand name fuel, according to Herb. The reason for that, he said, is that independent stations buy unbranded gas in excess amounts that have not been contracted for by station owners.
In this image from Senate Television video, Sen. Tammy Baldwin, D-Wis., speaks about the Boundary Waters in northern Minnesota, on the Senate floor at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Wednesday, April 15, 2026. (Senate Television via AP) AP In this image from Senate Television video, Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., speaks about the Boundary Waters in northern Minnesota, on the Senate floor at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Wednesday, April 15, 2026. (Senate Television via AP) AP In this image from Senate Television video, Sen. Tina Smith, D-Minn., speaks about the Boundary Waters in northern Minnesota, on the Senate floor at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Wednesday, April 15, 2026. (Senate Television via AP) AP In this image from Senate Television video, Sen. Tina Smith, D-Minn., speaks about the Boundary Waters in northern Minnesota, on the Senate floor at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Wednesday, April 15, 2026. (Senate Television via AP) AP

Congressional Republicans have sent President Donald Trump a resolution that would lift a federal ban on mining near Minnesota's Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, hoping to clear the way for a South American company to extract precious metals from the region's pristine forests, lakes and bogs.

House Republicans approved the resolution last month despite conservationists' warnings that the move would lead to devastating pollution in one of the country's last remaining wild areas. The Senate followed suit Thursday, voting 50-49 to send the measure to Trump for his signature.

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Democrats argued on the Senate floor that lifting the ban would set a dangerous precedent that could lead to lifting protections on public lands across the country. Minnesota Sens. Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith warned Republicans were stealing part of their state's identity.

Klobuchar, who has supported iron mining in the past but is now running for Minnesota governor, called the Boundary Waters a place of mist over meadows and sunlight on leaves. Smith said the GOP was ignoring Minnesotans who don't want to see the wilderness area destroyed.

You can support mining, but that does not mean you support every mine in every place, Smith said.

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No Republicans spoke on the lifting the ban.

Stars, solitude and silence

The Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness stretches for about 150 miles (about 240 kilometers) in the Superior National Forest along Minnesota's border with Canada.

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It's a land of crystalline lakes, vast forests of pine, spruce and birch, striking sunsets and clear, star-dusted nights. For those willing to paddle and portage off the most-traveled routes, the region offers solitude and a silence broken only by the cries of loons and the occasional howl of a wolf.

Logging is prohibited, planes passing over it can dip no lower than 4,000 feet (1,220 meters) except in emergencies and motorized watercraft are limited to only certain areas. Tens of thousands of canoeists, kayakers and campers explore the wilderness each year, according to U.S. Forest Service data.

Company eyes region's metals

Part of the national forest that encompasses the wilderness area sits on what's known as the Duluth Complex, a rock formation that contains copper, nickel, lead, zinc, iron, silver and gold, according to the Forest Service.

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Twin Metals Minnesota LLC, a subsidiary of Chile-based Antofagasta Minerals, submitted a plan to the U.S. Department of the Interior in 2019 to mine copper, nickel and other precious metals in the national forest. Company officials said in an operational plan that year that the mine would create hundreds of union jobs, more than a thousand spinoff jobs" and tax revenue for struggling communities in northeastern Minnesota.

With this Project, Minnesota can be a model for modern, sustainable and environmentally and socially responsible mining, the plan said.

The first Trump administration renewed the company's mineral leases on the site in 2019, but Biden interior officials terminated the deals in early 2022. The next year the administration imposed a 20-year moratorium on mining across 400 square miles (103,600 hectares) in the forest. The administration said the ban would protect the watershed and canoe wilderness.

Twin Metals has filed a federal lawsuit seeking a declaration that the leases remain valid. A judge threw the case out in 2023. A company appeal is pending.

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Trump looking to jump-start mining projects

The president has called to boost domestic energy and mineral production, declaring an energy emergency days after retaking office in January 2025. His administration last fall reinstated a 2017 legal opinion that allowed Twin Metals to renew its leases in the Superior National Forest. Minnesota regulators approved the company's exploratory plans in December.

U.S. Rep. Pete Stauber, a Duluth Republican, introduced the resolution to lift the moratorium in January. He said the ban has cost Minnesota jobs and put the country's mineral security at risk. He remarked on the House floor ahead of the vote in that chamber that it's better to mine in Minnesota than deal with China or Russia for key minerals.

Environmentalists, outdoor enthusiasts push back

Lifting the moratorium would allow mining in the national forest along the edge of the Boundary Waters, not in the wilderness area. But eliminating the ban has hit a sore spot with environmentalists and outdoor enthusiasts. They warn that pollution from mining operations will flow through the wilderness area's watershed and contaminate the region with mercury and sulfides, chemical compounds that contain sulfur. They maintain that fish, wildlife and plants will suffer, particularly the wild rice that plays a crucial role in Minnesota's Chippewa tribal culture.

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Teddy Roosevelt's great-grandson and other relatives wrote a letter to Republican senators urging them to keep the moratorium in place. The Friends of the Boundary Waters, a group that works to protect the area, has orchestrated a demonstration in front of Stauber's office in Hermantown, Minnesota, and staged a rally at the Capitol building in St. Paul to protest lifting the moratorium. The issue has become another flashpoint of contention between the state and the Trump administration after federal immigration officers shot and killed two Minneapolis residents in January.

Twin Metals promised an environmentally safe project

The company argued in its 2019 plan that mine would carry on a tradition in northeastern Minnesota, noting the area around the site was once home to 11 mines. The company also insisted that new low-carbon technologies designed to combat climate change need precious metals. Wind turbine construction requires copper, lithium-ion batteries in electric vehicles need cobalt and nickel is a key part of corrosion-resistant alloys in desalinization plants.

The $1.7 billion mine would operate 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, according to the proposal. But the plan was laced with pledges to protect the environment. The company said the mine would be underground and that no waste rock would be stored above ground, eliminating a potential source of acid drainage, and the area would be revegetated after the mine closed, among other promises.

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Company needs permits and could face court challenges before mining can begin

Trump is expected sign the resolution, but even without a moratorium it could be years before a mine opens. Twin Metals said in its 2019 proposal that construction could take two to three years, but that could be optimistic.

Trump could quickly renew the company's federal leases and push federal agencies such as the U.S. Forest Service and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to issue permits. Twin Metals would still need as many as 18 permits from state officials, according to the 2019 proposal, and would face an uphill battle if voters pick Klobuchar as governor in November.

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This image released by Netflix shows Ted Danson in a scene from "A Man on the Inside." (Colleen E. Hayes/Netflix via AP) Colleen E. Hayes/AP

At last  a sitcom for grown-ups in their golden years  "Man on the Inside.

Ted Danson is at the top of his game as charming Charles Nieuwendyk, a lonely widower/former professor who reinvents himself as an amateur private detective  to the amazement of his married daughter, Emily (Mary Elizabeth Ellis), who has been urging him to find a hobby and/or try something new.

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In the first season, Charles answers a classified ad placed by a private detective, Julie (Lilah Richcreek Estrada): Wanted: Investigative Assistant. Male, aged 75-85. Must have phone.

A lover of espionage thrillers, Charles is the right age, and he knows how to take pictures with his phone, so he goes undercover at Pacific View Retirement Community to discover who stole a residents necklace.

The second season finds Charles returning to teaching engineering at struggling (fictional) Wheeler College in San Francisco, unscrambling a blackmail scheme involving the presidents (Max Greenfield) stolen laptop that threatens to tank a donation from a toxic billionaire (Gary Cole).

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As an added attraction, Charles develops a love interest with a madcap music teacher, Mona Margadoff (Mary Steenburgen, Dansons real-life wife of 30 years), who may also be a suspect. Theyve previously appeared together in Pontiac Moon, It Must Be Love, and Living with the Dead.

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Its so much fun to play falling in love with someone youre madly in love with, Danson says. You just sink into each other, which is lovely.

Created by Mike Schur (Cheers, Parks and Recreation, The Good Place), the character-driven concept is based on Maite Alberdis Oscar-nominated Chilean documentary The Mole Agent (2020) about an 83-year-old who goes undercover at a nursing home to catch a thief.

What also distinguishes this series is its compassionate kindness and belief in human decency, particularly as it pertains to the current epidemic of loneliness among the elderly.

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On the Granger Gauge of 1 to 10, Man on the Inside is a sweet, senior-centric 7  all episodes from both seasons are streaming on Netflix and its been renewed for a third season.
Legislation proposes the state Department of Transportation provide 14-days' notice before removing homeless encampments along state highways. An encampment setup during the middle of winter under a bridge and next to the train tracks in Hartford's North End. Jacqueline Rabe Thomas

HARTFORD  A second General Assembly committee voted Thursday to back legislation generally requiring two weeks notice before the state Department of Transportation removes homeless encampments on state property.

Over Republican opposition, Democratic legislators on the Housing Committee approved a Transportation Committee bill proposing the new notice requirement.

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With three weeks left in the legislative session, the 12-6 vote along party lines keeps the legislation alive and returns the bill to the House of Representatives for consideration. The partisan vote contrasted with the 34-2 bipartisan vote of Transportation Committee to advance House Bill 5235 on March 16.

The bill generally requires the DOT give 14 days written notice before removing any temporary encampments located on state highway rights-of-way or state-owned, DOT-controlled property.

The notices must state in English and Spanish the time and date of planned removal, and that no person or personal property can remain on the site after the removal date. The notices must be posted at an encampments apparent entry, exit, and common areas.

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An exception waives the two-week notice if the DOT commissioner determines the removal is needed due to a transportation operations, infrastructure, or public safety emergency. The commissioner must document the reasons for the determination in writing.

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A provision of the bill directs DOT and the state Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services to jointly study and make recommendations on best practices and standards to use when responding to, managing, or removing the encampments.

The legislation excludes a campground or other location authorized for recreational camping by a federal, state, or municipal agency or a private property owner.

The House referred the Transportation Committee bill to the Housing Committee because it has jurisdiction over all matters relating to housing and housing programs.

In September 2022, DOT formally adopted an internal policy requiring a minimum of 72 hours notice before an encampment site cleanup, including reasonable protection to retain and relocate personal property. The DOT also connects residents of encampments to its Transit Homeless Outreach Program that was developed in conjunction with the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services.

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The Transportation Committee bill originally proposed to codify the current policy of 72 hours' notice, but the committee extended the notice requirement to 14 days. It also added the provision for the joint DOT-DHMAS study.

In the Housing Committee debate, state Rep. Tony Scott, R-Monroe, the ranking House member, questioned why the notice requirement was increased to 14 days, and state Rep. Antonio Felipe, D-Bridgeport, the House chairman, replied that the Transportation Committee leaders and the DOT negotiated the 14-day requirement.

"I do think 14 days is too long, to be honest," Scott said.

He said he would prefer maintaining the current 72-hour requirement, and he would be open to considering a seven-day notice period.

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State Rep. Laurie Sweet, D-Hamden, said the 14-day period was based on recommendations of outreach workers who work with unhoused people.

State Rep. Steve Weir, R-Hebron, said he favors keeping the 72-hour notice requirement to maintain safety and order, and he believes a 14-day requirement is too long and will put more stress and strain on DOT.

"I think we're really overstepping here," he said.

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The legislature's nonpartisan office reported that the proposed 14-day requirement would no pose no additional costs to DOT because the bill generally conforms to current department practices.
During a brief visit to Bridgeport in 2022, scientist Goudarz Molaei left with 800 ticks attached to his coveralls.

Dr. Molaei, who runs the states tick-testing program, sought out the ticks on purpose. Thousands of people in Connecticut, however, find themselves unintentionally attracting ticks each year. This April, the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station received over 150 tick submissions from residents and healthcare professionals  matching numbers normally seen during the peak spring months of May and June.

Graphic by CTInsider. CTInsider

I don't remember pulling off any ticks, said Dr. Megan Linske, speaking about having grown up playing in the woods of southern Connecticut several decades ago. She now supervises the states Active Tick Surveillance Program. Nowadays, I feel like people pick them up just walking to their mailbox.

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The tick population has increased for various reasons, Linske said. Warmer temperatures play a role, as does the abundance of hosts like mice and deer. While ticks are often affiliated with wooded areas and tall grasses, they have also been found to thrive in places with fewer plants such as Connecticuts coast.

In addition to seeing more ticks, new tick species have appeared over the past decade that werent previously observed in Connecticut. One of them  the lone star tick  is associated with people developing alpha-gal syndrome, a food allergy that causes allergic reactions to red meat.

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Not all ticks are infected, and even infected ticks wont sicken humans immediately. Ticks that carry pathogens generally need to be attached to the body for 24 to 48 hours before transmitting diseases like Lyme disease. Precautions against ticks include conducting thorough tick checks, using tick repellant and tucking pant legs into socks to minimize exposed skin.

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If any ticks are found on the body, Molaei advises Connecticut residents to submit the arachnids to the state's Tick Testing Lab or save them at home. If a person or a pet develops symptoms after being bitten, health care providers may want information about when the tick was found and the species.

For several decades, Connecticut has experimented with strategies to manage tick populations, from spraying pesticides in residential backyards to treating animals with anti-tick chemicals.

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But in her 14 years of studying the parasite, Linske still has one unanswered question.

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People are like, Oh, well, they've got to be a food source or something, Linske said. Like, if we got rid of all the ticks, there'd be some kind of ecological repercussion, right? I have yet to figure out what that ecological repercussion would be.
Actors Sheryl Lee Ralph (left) and Gaten Matarazzo (right). Courtesy of Getty Images

The latest work from the creator of the Broadway hit "Hamilton" focuses on a more modern topic than the American Revolution.

American composer, lyricist, actor and director Lin-Manuel Miranda posted a rehearsal sign-in sheet on his Instagram page on April 14, which revealed the cast members of "Octet," the latest film he is directing. Among the cast are Amanda Seyfried, Rachel Zegler, Sheryl Lee Ralph, Phillipa Soo, Gaten Matarazzo, Jonathan Groff, Tramell Tillman and Paul-Jordan Jansen. The film is an adaptation of a 2019 musical by the same name and follows the story of eight people in a support group for those struggling with digital dependency. The group meets in a church basement where they lock their phones away in a box.

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Miranda posted on his Instagram earlier in April that he has been "obsessed" with "Octet" since he saw the play and added he has been working on the film adaptation for the past six years. The upcoming film does not have an official release date.

Matarazzo is playing Toby, one of the members of the support group. Matarazzo, who is also known for "Stranger Things," was born at New London's Lawrence + Memorial Hospital in 2002 and lived in Mystic for only two months of his life before moving to Little Egg Harbor Township, N.J, according to previous reporting. He got one of his first big breaks in 2011 when he returned to Connecticut for the Starpower Talent Competition Nationals at Mohegan Sun. At the competition, he earned third place in the vocal category for a solo entitled "Ben."

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Lee Ralph portrays Paula, another member of the eight-person support group. Ralph was born in Waterbury and attended Driggs Elementary School and Notre Dame Academy in Waterbury before moving to New York. She has had roles in other works like "Abbott Elementary," "Oliver & Company," "Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit," "The Mighty Quinn" and "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia," according to her IMDb page. She also performed during the Super Bowl in 2023.
FILE - Steve Buscemi attends Peacock's "Bupkis" premiere in New York on April 27, 2023. (Photo by Charles Sykes/Invision/AP, File) Charles Sykes/Charles Sykes/Invision/AP FILE - Sandra Huller poses for a portrait during the 96th Academy Awards Oscar nominees luncheon in Beverly Hills, Calif., on Feb. 12, 2024. Chris Pizzello/Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP This combination of photos shows the actors who have portrayed James Bond, from left, Sean Connery, David Niven, George Lazenby, Roger Moore, Timothy Dalton, Pierce Brosnan, and Daniel Craig. AP FILE - Aaron Pierre poses for a portrait on Thursday, Aug. 29, 2024, in Los Angeles. Chris Pizzello/Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP FILE - Hugh Laurie appears at the opening gala of the London Film Festival in London on Oct. 2, 2019. (Photo by Joel C Ryan/Invision/AP, File) Joel C Ryan/Joel C Ryan/Invision/AP

NEW YORK (AP)  The bond, James Bond, market is heating up.

For almost a year, Denis Villeneuve has been on tap to direct the next 007 installment, the first since Daniel Craig exited the role. Producers Amy Pascal and David Heyman have been lined up since March 2025. The big missing piece: Wholl play the guy in the tux?

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The casting process  the first that isnt being overseen by the Broccoli family, which relinquished creative control to Amazon MGM last year  has been typically secretive. That hasnt stopped rampant speculation about wholl be the next Bond.

The oddsmakers have a few favorites, among them Callum Turner, Jacob Elordi and Aaron Taylor-Johnson. But our task here, today, is to open up the possibilities. This is the first time in more than two decades that a new Bond is being minted. We should have some fun with it, and cast a wide net.

So let's take a martini shaker to the favorites. Here are some out-of-the-box candidates, ranked from least plausible to kinda legitimate.

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Steve Buscemi

What? Are you telling me you wouldnt watch Steve Buscemi as James Bond? It would instantly become the most anticipated movie of the year. The people are already clamoring for it. If the pope can be American, so too can James Bond.

Sandra Huller

Its already become quite clear that there isnt much Huller cant do. She can do the most serious of dramas (The Zone of Interest, Anatomy of a Fall) and a wide range of comedies (the recent Project Hail Mary, Toni Erdmann). More than most movie stars today, she has the seductive, deadly melancholy of Bond  plus shed deliver a great 007 karaoke scene.

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Hugh Laurie

Producers reportedly want a younger Bond, but an older one might actually give them more new ground to cover. This is a franchise past 50, so a 007 in their 60s is hardly farfetched. Laurie has dabbled in spy thrillers (most notably the John le Carre adaptation The Night Manager). We know from House that he has a terrific bedside manner in life-or-death situations. And hes a comic genius who can wear a suit.

Tony Hale

Again: Youre telling me you wouldnt watch this? Buster Bluth, Forky, James Bond. Its a seamless trajectory.

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Dominic West

West auditioned for Bond when Craig was ultimately cast, but I dont see why the 56-year-old isn't still a good option. He has the charm and the roguish smile that would make him a legitimate heir to Sean Connery. Hes played a British spy before, in, um, Rowan Atkinsons Johnny English Reborn. And we already associate him, thanks to The Wire, with real police work. Imagine if an actor from The Wire got the role and it wasnt Idris Elba.

Aaron Pierre

OK, now were getting serious. I think Pierre, the 31-year-old British actor, is such an overwhelmingly natural fit that Im surprised he hasnt already been cast. As much as Id like to see some less obvious candidates (I didnt even mention Melissa McCarthy or Sacha Baron Cohen), Pierres suave poise makes him an ideal James Bond. Watch Rebel Ridge and tell me he doesnt have all the ingredients. Unless Buscemi steps forward, Pierre should get the role.
A vanilla ice cream cone from Dr. Mike's Ice Cream in Bethel, photographed June 2024. Erik Ofgang/For Hearst CT Media

Last year I wrote a story for CT Insider proclaiming my love for Dr. Mikes Ice Cream in Bethel and intentionally inviting disagreement by declaring: Dr. Mikes makes the best ice cream in Connecticut, and I will die on this hill. Even so, I was surprised at the reaction.

While many people agreed with me and were willing to die on that hill with me, others, including friends, family members and strangers on the street (OK, social media) voiced what well call strong disagreement, to be polite. Its not an exaggeration to say that this was the most controversial story Ive written in my nearly 20-year journalism career. While I primarily write about food and beverage for CT Insider these days, I also write about politics, health and crime  topics that, on the surface at least, are much more likely to invite debate than ice cream. But rather than get defensive about the ice cream criticisms I was receiving, I decided to listen to them and made sure to try as many alternative top ice cream picks as I could.

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While Dr. Mike's remains my personal all-time favorite, I have to say that over the past year, I've had many great ice cream experiences that I'd recommend any ice cream lover bite into  pun very much intended.

Here are some of the flavors, places, and ice-cream eating experiences people recommended to me that I fell in love with.

Ferris Acres in Newtown on July 2, 2021. Lisa Nichols/Hearst CT Media

Soft serve on a house-made waffle cone at Ferris Acres Creamery in Newtown

Ferris Acres is a name that came up constantly after my article last year. I'd had the regular ice cream here and very much enjoyed it, but I was told that the true star of the show here is the soft serve. So I made a long-overdue return visit to the spot and quickly fell in love. The soft serve is everything you'd expect: creamy, swirly and a softmouth feel that accentuates all of the best qualities of the ice cream here. Ordering it on one of the housemade waffle cones takes things to the next level. Soft with the right amount of crunch, these waffle cones have ruined standard cones for me.

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Ice cream from Rich Farm Ice Cream in Oxford Jailene Cuevas / Hearst Connecticut Media

German chocolate brownie at Rich Farm Ice Cream in Oxford

Rich Farm is one of the most recommended ice cream spots in the state. I went with German chocolate brownie because a server told me it is the most popular flavor. This delivers layers of creamy, rich chocolate flavor. But really any flavor here is a winner. The vanilla is soft and creamy with tons of nice vanilla notes and the homemade waffle cones are another highlight. Beyond the ice cream itself, its got a beautiful farm setting that helps add a proverbial cherry on top to the whole experience of visiting the Oxford location. Today, Rich Farm also has locations in Bristol, Middletown and way across the country in Placentia, California.

Sweet and Salty Shoyu (Soy Sauce Ice Cream) from Mystic Drawbridge Ice Cream in Mystic. Erik Ofgang / For Hearst CT Media

Shoyu ice cream at Mystic River Drawbridge Ice Cream

I wrote about the Shoyu or soy sauce ice cream at Mystic River Drawbridge Ice Cream for this publication last summer. I'll admit that the idea didn't really sound appealing to me at first. But as soon as I ordered a cup of it, I realized how wrong I was. The salty shoyu sauce blends perfectly with the flavor, making it richer and pack more of a punch. It's like a supercharge for ice cream flavor. And given that this ice cream shop is located in the heart of Mystic right next to the iconic drawbridge, there's few more enjoyable ice cream experiences in the state than stopping here, grabbing an ice cream and strolling through this idyllic Connecticut town.

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Gelato on a brioche bun at Oggi Gelato in Norwalk. Erik Ofgang/ For Hearst Connecticut Media

Gelato on a brioche bun at Oggi Gelato in Norwalk

When the first U.S. location for Oggi Gelato opened in Norwalk last year, I learned about it from fellow food writer Andrew Domenick. After trying it, I was hooked. This is the best gelato Ive had in Connecticut. Gelato is made with less milk fat than traditional ice cream and generally has a smoother, silkier flavor. Oggis gelato lives up to the full potential of this process and is every bit as good as it looks in picturesand this might be the most Instagrammable spot on this list. In addition to the Norwalk location where I have gone, there is a second location in Fairfield.

Cardiac Arrest at Il Bacio Ice Cream in Danbury

Il Bacio has long been one of my favorite ice cream spots in Connecticut, so this is not new to me. But after not going for a little bit I returned to try the Cardiac Arrest flavor on the recommendation of a friend. This chocolate with chocolate chips, ice cream has everything I love about Il Bacios offerings. Its super creamy but isnt heavy and you really taste each ingredient of each flavor: in this case, that means distinct chocolate ice cream and chocolate chip flavors. Other favorites here include the vanilla and the ice cream cakes, which are probably the best ice cream cakes Ive ever had.

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The UConn Dairy Bar in Storrs on July 14, 2021. Lisa Nichols

Any flavor at the UConn Dairy Bar in Storrs

Its been a little while since Ive made the trek to Storrs to try this legendary Connecticut ice cream spot. But I cant in good conscience write about ice cream in Connecticut without recommending visitors make the trek here. Made from milk from cows that can be seen grazing on campus. A friend recommended the Huskie Tracks flavor, but really this is another spot where you cant go wrong with any flavor. Its also, of course, the No. 1 ice cream to have while watching the Huskies.

Chocolate ice cream at The Big Dipper Old Fashioned Ice Cream Parlour in Prospect

I heard about The Big Dippers ice cream from friends in Newtown after it started being sold at Shorts Farm, a farmstand and ice cream shop in Newtown. I loved the chocolate, which is rich, deep and thick. The vanilla also hits with a wonderful initial flavor of vanilla bean, though it is not quite as creamy as I like it. That said, this is excellent ice cream and worthy of a trip to the source in Prospect. Or you can get a full parlor experience at Shorts Farm and enjoy the ice cream in a wonderful farm setting.

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A vanilla ice cream cone from Dr. Mike's Ice Cream in Bethel, photographed June 2024. Erik Ofgang/ For Hearst Connecticut Media

Root beer float at Dr. Mikes in Bethel

Sorry, I cant write about ice cream in Connecticut without including Dr. Mikes. I love the creamy vanilla here, the black raspberry flavor and many of the rotating specials. Recently, however, Ive really just enjoyed ordering a root beer float and then strolling up and down Bethels Main Street. Dr. Mikes recently celebrated its 50th anniversary and announced it is opening a second location in Stamford soon, but for now trying Dr. Mikes means making a trip to Bethel.

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From left to right: CHFA managing director of multifamily Pat Guliano, state Department of Housing commissioner Seila Mosquera-Bruno, Gov. Ned Lamont, and State Rep. Jason Doucette, D-Manchester, at a groundbreaking ceremony for new housing in Glastonbury on April 14, 2026. Joseph Villanova/Hearst Connecticut Media Posters displayed at a groundbreaking ceremony on April 14, 2026, describing 64 new units planned for 55 Nye Rd. in Glastonbury. Joseph Villanova/Hearst Connecticut Media 55 Nye Rd., the site of 64 upcoming housing units in Glastonbury, at a groundbreaking ceremony on April 14, 2026. Joseph Villanova/Hearst Connecticut Media Posters displayed at a groundbreaking ceremony on April 14, 2026, describing 64 new units planned for 55 Nye Rd. in Glastonbury. Joseph Villanova/Hearst Connecticut Media Posters displayed at a groundbreaking ceremony on April 14, 2026, describing 64 new units planned for 55 Nye Rd. in Glastonbury. Joseph Villanova/Hearst Connecticut Media Posters displayed at a groundbreaking ceremony on April 14, 2026, describing 64 new units planned for 55 Nye Rd. in Glastonbury. Joseph Villanova/Hearst Connecticut Media Posters displayed at a groundbreaking ceremony on April 14, 2026, describing 64 new units planned for 55 Nye Rd. in Glastonbury. Joseph Villanova/Hearst Connecticut Media Posters displayed at a groundbreaking ceremony on April 14, 2026, describing 64 new units planned for 55 Nye Rd. in Glastonbury. Joseph Villanova/Hearst Connecticut Media Posters displayed at a groundbreaking ceremony on April 14, 2026, describing 64 new units planned for 55 Nye Rd. in Glastonbury. Joseph Villanova/Hearst Connecticut Media 50 and 55 Nye Rd. in Glastonbury, as seen during a groundbreaking ceremony for 64 new housing units on April 14, 2026. Joseph Villanova/Hearst Connecticut Media

GLASTONBURY  Construction has begun on a $36.7 million project to replace an underused Nye Road office building with a 64-unit "affordable" housing project.

State and town officials gathered Tuesday afternoon to kick off the Glastonbury Housing Authority's development of a 64-unit housing redevelopment of former medical offices on the 11.31-acre property at 55 Nye Road, a project years in the making.

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Once complete, "Hillside Village" will feature 24 one-bedroom units, 28 two-bedrooms, and 12 three-bedrooms, with 13 assisted living units administered through the state Department of Social Services.

In 2022, the Town Council began discussing a purchase of 55 Nye Road, as well as the adjacent property at 50 Nye Road, particularly to develop affordable housing at 55 Nye Road. The town bought the properties with $3.15 million in American Rescue Plan Act funds in August 2023.

Later that year, in December 2023, the Town Council approved a plan to demolish 55 Nye Road and replace it with a new 64-unit housing development. Now, construction has begun, and is anticipated to take 18 months.

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At the groundbreaking ceremony Tuesday afternoon, Housing Authority executive director Neil Griffin said Tuesday that the roughly $36.7 million project will be funded through a combination of some $21.1 million in loans and funds, including from DOH and the Connecticut Housing Finance Authority, as well as $13.6 million in proceeds from CHFA's low-income housing tax credits and about $2 million from Housing Authority funds, energy credits, and other sources.

Griffin said M&T Bank will purchase the tax credits, giving the Housing Authority funding for the development in exchange for saving on federal taxes.

Glastonbury Housing Authority chairman Carl Stenman said 80% of the units will be designated "affordable," with rent and income restrictions to be set at various levels of household income, and the rest will be rented at market rate.

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Gov. Ned Lamont said projects like Hillside Village are helping Connecticut build housing where people want to be, noting the recent Zillow analysis that labeled the Hartford metropolitan "one of the hottest" retail markets in the country in 2026.

"I know I hear a lot of 'not in my backyard,' but what if your backyard is an office building?" Lamont said. "It's barely in use right now, it's in a residential area ... this is what the backyard is that you take advantage of to make sure that people can afford to live in the town they love."

Lt. Gov. Susan Bysiewicz said that Connecticut has seen 21,000 new or newly renovated housing units during its current administration, with 14,000 completed and 7,000 more under construction. In particular, the state wants to create more affordable housing and more housing in areas that will help build communities, and Hillside Village has the potential to connect to everything around it.

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"It's a short walk to grocery stores, banks, retail shops, great restaurants, and it also connects to a nice nature trail as well that the town has," Bysiewicz said.
A house destroyed on Banbury Lane in Bloomfield, Conn., Tuesday, March 10, 2026. Firefighters recovered a body early Tuesday from the remnants of the home that apparently exploded on Monday, a police official said. Dave Zajac/Hearst Connecticut Media Firefighters try to reach Thomas Moore after his Bloomfield house exploded on March 9, 2026. Jim Michaud / Hearst Connecticut Media Thomas Moore died in an explosion at his Bloomfield house Monday, residents say. Moore was active in town government for years. Courtesy of Dwight Bolton Sr.

BLOOMFIELD  The death of a 71-year-old man who was buried under rubble after his Banbury Lane home exploded last month has been ruled an accident, according to the state Office of Chief Medical Examiner.

An autopsy determined that the man, Thomas Moore, died from thermal injuries and smoke inhalation following the March 9 blast that leveled the home and sparked a fire, a spokesperson for the office said Thursday.

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Moore, the vice chairman of the Bloomfield Republican Town Committee and a former school board member, was trapped in the split-level homes basement and could be heard shouting for help below the burning wreckage.

Emergency crews responded to the scene around 6:10 p.m., but were not able to reach Moore until around 1:20 a.m. after officials used heavy machinery to remove debris, authorities have said. By then it was too late.

Bloomfield Fire Marshal Roger Nelson said Tuesday the deadly blast is still under investigation. He previously said he was looking into the possibility the explosion was caused by a gas leak.

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Neighbors said they smelled a gas odor in the days before the explosion, and Connecticut Natural Gas staff responded to the scene. The explosion shook houses and launched debris into the roadway, including a window frame that a neighbor said nearly struck her.

The Fire and Explosion Investigation Unit of the Connecticut State Police is helping with the ongoing investigation.

Moore, a U.S. Army veteran who also ran a day care center, was mourned by friends and colleagues as a quiet voice of reason and a local leader who cared deeply for his community, especially children.

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Dwight Bolton Sr., the chairman of the Bloomfield Republican Town Committee, previously described Moore in an interview as a classy and wonderful person known for being a joy to be around.

He struggled just to raise his voice at times, because that wasnt who he was, Bolton told CT Insider last month.

This story includes previous reporting from staff writers Christine Dempsey and Peter Yankowski.
FILE - A thick plume of smoke rises from an oil storage facility hit by a U.S.-Israeli strike in Tehran, Iran, March 8, 2026. Vahid Salemi/AP FILE - The USS Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier leaves Naval Station Norfolk, June 23, 2025, in Norfolk, Va. John Clark/AP The Capitol is framed amid blooming cherry trees in Washington, Monday, March 23, 2026. J. Scott Applewhite/AP

WASHINGTON (AP)  The House rejected a resolution Thursday requiring President Donald Trump to withdraw U.S. forces from the war with Iran unless Congress authorizes military action. It was the latest such vote that fell short of passage as Republicans largely continue to support Trump's operation.

Democrats voiced concern that the United States is becoming further entrenched in another lengthy conflict in the Middle East. They promised to keep raising the issue through more war powers votes in the coming weeks.

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The 213-214 vote came one day after a similar effort failed in the Senate. The U.S. and Israel struck Iran on Feb. 28, and a fragile ceasefire is now in its second week.

Democrats overwhelmingly supported the attempt to rein in Trump's use of military force.

We're standing at the edge of a cliff and Congress must act before the president pushes off, said New York Rep. Gregory Meeks, the ranking Democrat on the House Committee on Foreign Affairs. Every day we delay, we inch closer to a conflict with no exit ramp.

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Republicans tried to cast the effort as hypocritical.

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Florida Rep. Brian Mast, the committee chairman, said Congress never voted on a war powers resolution when the U.S. attacked Iranian-backed Houthis in Yemen in 2024 while Democrat Joe Biden was president.

When Joe Biden was responding to merchant marine vessels being attacked, it was OK. No war power needed. It went on for about a year, Mast said. President Trump responds  war power, war power, war power. ... That's the hypocrisy.

Under the War Powers Act of 1973, Congress must declare war or authorize use of force within 60 days  a deadline in the Iran war that will arrive at the end of April. The law provides for a potential 30-day extension, but lawmakers have made clear that they want the Republican administration to soon lay out a plan for the war's end.

While the House vote failed, it gave Democrats an opportunity to highlight some of the most negative effects of the war: the billions of dollars spent, the death of at least 13 service members, the soaring gas prices and fissures with long-standing allies who do not support Trump's actions.

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Gas prices at home are up to $7 in my home state, and families are hurting," said Rep. Pramila Jayapal, D-Wash. Another 10,000 U.S. troops are being sent in to join 50,000 already stationed in the Middle East with absolutely no strategy, no plan and no exit.

Republicans defended Trump as taking decisive action against an Iranian government that has long terrorized the Middle East and its own people.

President Donald Trump has sent a message that those who threaten the United States and our partners will be ultimately held accountable," said Rep. Joe Wilson, R-S.C.

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In Thursday's vote, Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky was the only Republican to cross party lines and vote for removing U.S. forces from the war. Rep. Jared Golden of Maine was the only Democrat to vote against the measure.
Work continues on the construction of the ballroom at the White House, Thursday, April 9, 2026, in Washington, where the East Wing once stood. Rod Lamkey/AP Work continues on the construction of the ballroom at the White House, Thursday, April 9, 2026, in Washington, where the East Wing once stood. Rod Lamkey/AP President Donald Trump holds a rendering of the proposed new East Wing of the White House as he speaks to reporters aboard Air Force One en route from West Palm Beach, Fla., to Joint Base Andrews, Md., Sunday, March 29, 2026. Mark Schiefelbein/AP

WASHINGTON (AP)  President Donald Trump railed against a federal judge's decision on Thursday that continues to block above-ground construction of a $400 million White House ballroom, allowing only below-ground work on a bunker and other national security facilities at the site.

U.S. District Judge Richard Leons latest ruling comes in response to an appeals courts instruction to clarify an earlier decision on the 90,000-square-foot (8,400-square-meter) ballroom planned for the site where it demolished the East Wing of the White House.

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Trump on social media called Leon, who was nominated to the bench by Republican President George W. Bush, a Trump Hating judge who has gone out of his way to undermine National Security, and to make sure that this Great Gift to America gets delayed, or doesnt get built.

The administration filed a notice that it will ask the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit to review Leon's latest decision, too.

National Trust for Historic Preservation president and CEO Carol Quillen, whose group sued to challenge the project, said in a statement that the group is pleased with the court's ruling.

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Leon said that below-ground work on security measures is exempt from his order suspending above-ground construction. Government lawyers have argued that the project includes critical security features to guard against a range of possible threats, such as drones, ballistic missiles and biohazards.

Leon's latest ruling comes several days after a three-judge panel from the D.C. appeals court instructed him to reconsider the possible national security implications of stopping construction.

In his previous order, Leon barred above-ground work on the ballroom from proceeding without congressional approval. The judge also ruled on March 31 that any construction work thats necessary to ensure the safety and security of the White House is exempt from the scope of the injunction. Leon said he reviewed material that the government privately submitted to him before concluding that halting construction wouldnt jeopardize national security.

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Leon had suspended his March 31 order for two weeks. He stayed his latest decision for another week, which gives the administration more time to seek Supreme Court review.

Leon said he is ordering a stop only to the above-ground construction of the planned ballroom, apart from any work needed to cover or secure that part of the project. Otherwise, the Trump administration is free to proceed with the construction of any excavations, bunkers, military installations, and medical facilities below the ballroom.

Defendants argue that the entire ballroom construction project, from tip to tail, falls within the safety-and-security exception and therefore may proceed unabated," the judge wrote. That is neither a reasonable nor a correct reading of my Order!

On Saturday, the appeals court panel said it didn't have enough information to decide how much of the project can be suspended without jeopardizing the safety of the president, his family or the White House staff.

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Leon said he recognizes the safety implications of the case, but stressed that national security is not a blank check to proceed with otherwise unlawful activity. He also said he has no desire or intention to be dragooned into the role of construction manager.

On April 2, two days after Leon's previous ruling, Trumps ballroom won final approval from the 12-member National Capital Planning Commission, which is charged with approving construction on federal property in the Washington region.

The preservation group sued in December, a week after the White House finished demolishing the East Wing to make way for a ballroom that Trump said would fit 999 people. Trump says the project is funded by private donations, although public money is paying for the bunker construction and security upgrades.
The News in Brief Thursday, April 16, 2026

The Georgian Dream Parliament Speaker, Shalva Papuashvili, said meetings during his upcoming visit to Turkey will focus on bilateral relations and broader political issues.Speaking to journalists, he noted that he will attend the 152nd Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union in Istanbul, where he plans to meet with parliamentary speakers from EU member states and other countries."We will talk about the unfortunate situation we are observing," Papuashvili said. "Unfortunately, Brussels is increasingly blocking dialogue and switching to the language of directives, which I think is wrong."He added that discussions will also include Georgia's European integration and exchanges with counterparts from candidate countries. "As a candidate country, we will talk about the challenges they face, how the European integration process is going for them," he said, referring to a planned meeting with the Speaker of North Macedonia's parliament.Papuashvili also criticized the EU's approach toward candidate states. "Brussels today creates more problems for the candidate countries than it supports and helps them on the path to European integration," he said, adding that direct communication with EU member state parliaments is important.In addition to European counterparts, he said he will meet with representatives from Gulf countries, including the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia, to discuss economic ties and regional developments.The Georgian Dream-led Parliament has approved amendments to the Law on the Legal Status of Aliens and Stateless Persons in a third reading with 72 votes.The changes introduce a new C5 visa category. It will be a multiple-entry short-term visa issued for five years, allowing a total stay of up to one year in Georgia.The C5 visa will apply to individuals entering Georgia for tourism who also carry out activities for a non-resident entity, provided those activities are related to work conducted outside Georgia. The visa will also be available to the applicant's spouse and minor children.The amendments also replace the term "E-VISA PORTAL" in the law with "special website" and allow visa decisions to be issued under expedited procedures based on a government act.In addition, refusal to issue a C5 visa can be based on state immigration policy, and such decisions will not be subject to appeal.
Kristen Hogan stands during a hearing in state Superior Court in Danbury April 16, 2026. Ned Gerard/Hearst Connecticut Media Kristen Hogan stands with her attorney, Ryan ONeill, during a hearing in state Superior Court in Danbury April 16, 2026. Ned Gerard/Hearst Connecticut Media Kristen Hogan stands during a hearing in state Superior Court in Danbury April 16, 2026. Ned Gerard/Hearst Connecticut Media Kristen Hogan stands with her attorney, Ryan ONeill, during a hearing in state Superior Court in Danbury April 16, 2026. Ned Gerard/Hearst Connecticut Media Kristen Hogan, right, and attorney Ryan ONeill during a February 2026 hearing in state Superior Court in Danbury. Arnold Gold/Hearst Connecticut Media Kristen Emily Hogan, 33, following her December 2025 arrest on perjury and evidence-tampering charges. Courtesy of Connecticut State Police Kristen Emily Hogan, 33, of Ridgefield, was arrested on attempted murder and interfering with an officer charges Oct. 3, 2025, after police say she confessed to poisoning a man with a toxic chemical found in antifreeze. Courtesy of Connecticut State Police

Kristen Emily Hogan, 33, faces two counts of attempted murder and one count of interfering with an officer in one of her cases in state Superior Court in Danbury, and charges of perjury and evidence-tampering in another.

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Hogan appeared in the courtroom Thursday with attorney Ryan ONeill. After the plea hearing, her criminal defense attorneys, ONeill and Mark Sherman, released a statement.

Kristens not guilty plea today is the next step in our efforts to defend her against these accusations which we will continue to do diligently and aggressively, the attorneys said.

Hogan is next scheduled to appear in court May 21.

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The attempted murder and interfering charges stem from an investigation into the suspected August 2025 poisoning of a Ridgefield man, who was found to have ethylene glycol  a common ingredient in antifreeze  in his system, according to a warrant for Hogans arrest.

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Hogan, who grew up in New Canaan and was living with the man in Ridgefield at the time, initially denied but later confessed to putting the toxic substance in a bottle of wine, according to the warrant.

Police said Hogan claimed to have just wanted to make him sick as payback for him being mentally abusive and confessed to also putting some ethylene glycol in an iced tea bottle belonging to the victim on another occasion.

She was charged that day with evidence-tampering and three counts of perjury, stemming from an investigation into alleged deceitful activity during a custody battle. A warrant said Hogan allegedly used her sisters children to falsify the results of a court-ordered DNA test to determine a mans paternity of two of her children.

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At issue were dueling claims of paternity between a former husband of Hogan and another man, with whom she had a prior relationship, according to court documents. The warrant for Hogans arrest said the first child was born in 2020 and the second child was born in 2021.

One of the men in question reportedly dated Hogan from 2013 to 2020, and the pair reconnected in January 2021 and began having sexual relations, according to the warrant. At that time, though, the warrant says Hogan was married to another man. Court records show they divorced in October 2021.

Hogans former husband had believed he was the father of the two children, but a paternity test conducted during the divorce showed he was not the father of the older child and the court ordered a paternity test to clear the confusion, according to the warrant for Hogans arrest.

In August 2023, the court was notified of inconsistencies in samples collected at a DNA diagnostic center, according to the warrant, which says a letter from the lab stated that the samples had been collected from the incorrect people.

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It later was determined that Hogan had used one of her sisters children for the samples, according to the warrant, which says the sister had been unaware of what Hogan was doing.

Police said Hogan also made claims in November 2024 that she conceived the two children at the center of the custody battle through in vitro fertilization, but there was no evidence to support that.

Following her Dec. 11 arrest on perjury and evidence-tampering charges, court records show Hogan was released after posting 7 percent of the $50,000 bond in cash.
Jayden Nguyen is a Trending Reporter for CT Insider. She has been with Hearst Connecticut Media Group since 2024.

Originally from Louisiana, Jayden graduated from Louisiana State University (LSU) in 2023 with a degree in mass communication and a minor in French.

When she's not writing, she can be found watching Formula 1 races, scrolling through TikTok, singing or listening to anything from K-Pop to rap to Taylor Swift.
FILE - Julius Malema, the leader of Economic Freedom Fighters, addresses supporters during an election rally in Katlehong township, east of Johannesburg, Friday, Oct. 29, 2021. Themba Hadebe/AP FILE - Opposition Economic Freedom Fighters party leader Julius Malema, center right, is removed by presidential task force as South African President Cyril Ramaphosa attempts to deliver his State of the Nation address to MP's in Cape Town, South Africa, on Feb. 9, 2023. (Esa Alexander/Pool Photo via AP, File) Esa Alexander/AP FILE - Economic Freedom Fighters party leader Julius Malema raises his fist at an election rally in Polokwane, South Africa, on May 25, 2024. Thenba Hadebe/AP Julius Malema, Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) party leader stands in the dock during his pre-sentencing hearing at court, East London, South Africa, Wednesday, April 15, 2026. STR/AP

CAPE TOWN, South Africa (AP)  A leftist South African politician who described U.S. President Donald Trump as a modern-day dictator was sentenced to five years in prison on Thursday for firing a rifle at a political rally in 2018.

Julius Malema, who leads a populist opposition party, has been a divisive figure in South Africa for years and accused of stoking racial tensions with anti-white rhetoric. Supporters praise him as a man of the people who stands up for the country's poor Black majority.

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He has been a focus of U.S. government criticism and featured on a video played in a tense White House meeting last year between Trump and the South African president.

Malema recently referred to Trump as an Adolf Hitler of (the) modern day.

Here's a look at Malema's controversial track record:

Expelled from the ruling party

Malema emerged as the outspoken president of the ruling African National Congress party's youth league from 2008-2012. His conduct regularly tested the patience of senior members of the party, including when he began publicly criticizing then-South African President Jacob Zuma, the leader of the ANC.

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He had previously been a staunch supporter of Zuma, once saying we are prepared to take up arms and kill for Zuma.

In 2010, Malema swore at a BBC journalist, accused him of being a British agent and threw him out of a press conference in a move that was condemned by the ANC. A central part of Malema's politics has been to accuse the United States and the U.K. of an imperialist and racist attitude toward South Africa.

Following a series of controversial comments, his public criticism of neighboring Botswana's government as a puppet regime ultimately led to him being expelled from the ANC in 2012.

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Stirring racial tensions

Malema formed a new party, the Economic Freedom Fighters, in 2013 as a far-left, anti-capitalist movement.

The EFF has called for radical changes in South Africa, including the expropriation of land belonging to white people to be redistributed to Blacks who were oppressed under the former apartheid system of racial segregation.

Some of Malema's comments as the Commander in Chief of the EFF have been criticized as stoking racial tensions in a multiracial country that managed to embrace reconciliation in the years after apartheid.

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We are not calling for the slaughter of white people  at least for now, Malema said in one of many speeches to supporters criticizing South Africa's white minority.

He has also made disparaging remarks about South Africans who have Indian heritage.

Controversial chant and accused of hate speech

Malema gained some international notoriety by reviving the apartheid-era chant Kill the Boer, which he chanted at rallies while he was the ANC youth leader and has also done with the EFF. Boer refers to a white farmer and the chant has been fiercely opposed by groups representing parts of South Africa's white minority as amounting to hate speech.

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Malema's party  and the chant  have also been cited by Trump and his supporters, like South African-born Elon Musk, to make their baseless claim that there is a widespread campaign of violence against South Africa's white farmers.

Malema and the EFF were featured on a video reel that was played in the Oval Office during Trump's dramatic meeting with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa last year, when Trump confronted Ramaphosa over the issue.

The Trump administration's accusations that South Africa's Black-led government is pursuing an anti-white agenda has been central to a major diplomatic fallout between the countries.

While Malema and other EFF members serve as lawmakers in Parliament, their party has never held political power on a national level and received 10% of the vote in the last national election in 2024. The EFF is not part of the coalition government.

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Causing chaos in Parliament

Malema and his EFF have also directed their disapproval at Ramaphosa and the ANC and have been thrown out of Parliament several times for interrupting proceedings.

In 2023, Malema and other EFF members wearing the party's uniform of red worker overalls stormed the stage during a speech by the South African president, leading to tussles with security officials.

Gun conviction

Malema was convicted of firearm offenses in October, seven years after he fired a rifle in the air at a political rally.

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A group representing South Africa's Afrikaner white minority brought an application pushing prosecutors to eventually take Malema to court.

He was sentenced Thursday to five years in prison but launched an appeal and was freed on bail pending the appeal. If the sentence is upheld, he would be disqualified from serving as a lawmaker for five years after completing his sentence.

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FILE - Mayoral pre-candidate for Rio de Janeiro, Alexandre Ramagem, campaigns as former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro stands by in Rio de Janeiro, July 18, 2024. Bruna Prado/AP

SAO PAULO (AP)  Brazil's former intelligence agency chief Alexandre Ramagem celebrated on Thursday his release by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement after a two-day detention. He thanked U.S. President Donald Trump for his release, though he provided no evidence that the leader had had any connection with the move.

Ramagem, a former lawmaker, was sentenced in Brazil in September to 16 years in prison for his role in the coup attempt by supporters of former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro in 2023. He fled the South American nation before he would have started serving his sentence.

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I am here to thank the U.S. government, the highest ranking members of the Trump administration, Ramagem said on his social media channels. He added his release did not require any bail payment, which is common in migration cases like his.

The former intelligence chief was arrested on Monday in Florida, the same day Brazilian senator Jorge Seif told the U.S. embassy in Brasilia his ally should not remain in custody because he was allegedly being persecuted at home.

Local media reported he was released late on Wednesday.

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Ramagem had already filed for political asylum before this week's incident, but his case has not yet been decided.

On Monday, Ramagem appeared as in custody in ICEs online detainee database. ICE did not respond to a request for comment from The Associated Press about Ramagem's release.

Ramagem was stripped of his seat in Brazils congress in December as a consequence of his conviction in the coup case.

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People drive their motorbikes past billboards showing the Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, top and right, and his father, the slain Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed in U.S. and Israeli strikes on Feb. 28, in downtown Tehran, Iran, Thursday, April 16, 2026. Vahid Salemi/AP A woman walks past a billboard that shows a graphic depicting a military personnel's hand holding the Strait of Hormuz in his fist with signs which read in Farsi: "In Iran's hands forever," "Trump couldn't do a damn thing," " The control of Strait of Hormuz will be Iran's forever," in Vanak Square, in northern Tehran, Iran, Thursday, April 16, 2026. Vahid Salemi/AP A worker arranges furniture from an apartment of a destroyed building that was hit a week ago in an Israeli airstrike in central Beirut, Lebanon, Thursday, April 16, 2026. Hussein Malla/AP Workers search amongst the rubble of a destroyed building that was hit a week ago in an Israeli airstrike in central Beirut, Lebanon, Thursday, April 16, 2026. Hussein Malla/AP Residents stand next to the rubble of a destroyed building that was hit a week ago in an Israeli airstrike in central Beirut, Lebanon, Thursday, April 16, 2026. Hussein Malla/AP

BEIRUT, Lebanon (AP)  A 10-day truce began in Lebanon on Friday that could pause fighting between Israel and the Hezbollah militant group and boost attempts to extend the ceasefire between Iran, the United States and Israel after weeks of devastating war.

U.S. President Donald Trump announced the agreement as a ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon. However, Israel has not been fighting with Lebanon itself, but rather with the Iranian-backed Hezbollah militants inside the country, who were not formally part of the agreement.

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Barrages of gunshots rang out across Beirut as residents fired into the air just after midnight to celebrate the beginning of the truce.

Displaced families began moving toward southern Lebanon and Beiruts southern suburbs, despite warnings by officials not to attempt to return to their homes until it became clear whether the ceasefire would hold.

Earlier, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he agreed to the ceasefire to advance peace efforts with Lebanon, but said Israeli troops would not withdraw.

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Israeli forces have engaged in fierce battles with Hezbollah in the border area as they pushed into southern Lebanon to create what officials have called a security zone. Netanyahu, in his video address, said it will extend 10 kilometers (6 miles) into Lebanon.

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That is where we are, and we are not leaving, he said.

Hezbollah said that Israeli occupation on our land grants Lebanon and its people the right to resist it, and this matter will be determined based on how developments unfold  a stance that could complicate the ceasefire.

Israel reserves right to defend itself

The U.S. State Department said that according to the agreement, Israel reserves the right to defend itself at any time, against planned, imminent, or ongoing attacks. But otherwise, Israel will not carry out any offensive military operations against Lebanese targets, including civilian, military, and other state targets.

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The wording suggested Israel would maintain the freedom to strike at will, as it did in the months following the ceasefire that ended the previous war. This time, Hezbollah said it would respond to any strikes by Israel.

It's unclear when the 1 million people displaced by the war will be able to safely return.

Lebanons state-run National News agency reported that Israeli shelling continued in the villages of Khiam and Dibbine about a half hour after the truce went into effect. Israels military said it was looking into reports of shelling and artillery fire in southern Lebanon.

Hezbollah kept firing rockets at northern Israeli towns and communities right up to the start of the ceasefire. Air raid sirens went off in some often-targeted border towns less than 10 minutes before midnight.

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Flurry of diplomacy

The agreement came after a meeting between Israel's and Lebanons ambassadors in Washington and a flurry of subsequent phone calls from Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, according to a White House official.

They were the first direct diplomatic talks between the two countries in decades. Hezbollah had opposed direct talks between Lebanon and Israel.

Trump spoke Wednesday evening with Netanyahu, who agreed to a ceasefire with certain terms, according to the official, who was not authorized to comment publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity.

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Rubio then called Lebanons president, Joseph Aoun, who got on board. Trump then spoke with Aoun, and again with Netanyahu.

The State Department worked with both governments to formulate a memorandum of understanding for the truce.

May have been a historic day for Lebanon. Good things are happening!!! Trump said in a social media post.

Trump extends White House invitation

Lebanon has insisted on a ceasefire to stop the fighting between Israel and Hezbollah before engaging in more talks, while vowing to commit to disarming the group.

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Israel and Lebanon have technically been at war since Israel was established in 1948, and Lebanon remains deeply divided over diplomatic engagement with Israel.

Trump also invited the leaders of Israel and Lebanon to the White House for what he said would be the first meaningful talks" between the countries since 1983.

Both sides want to see PEACE, and I believe that will happen, quickly, Trump wrote on social media.

Lebanon and Israel signed an agreement in 1983 saying Lebanon would formally recognize Israel, and Israel would withdraw from Lebanon. The deal fell apart during Lebanons civil war and was formally rescinded a year later.

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A Hezbollah official said the ceasefire was a result of Irans negotiations with the U.S., in which Iran had insisted Lebanon be included in its own ceasefire, and came about through efforts by mediator Pakistan. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak publicly.

Pakistan army chief meets with Iranian parliament speaker

Meanwhile, Pakistans army chief met Thursday with Irans parliament speaker as part of international efforts to press for an extension to a ceasefire that has paused almost seven weeks of war between Israel, the U.S. and Iran.

It was unclear whether the frantic diplomacy could lead to a lasting deal before the ceasefire ends next week. The Iran war has killed thousands of people and upended global markets by disrupting the flow of oil.

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Iranian state television did not provide details on the meeting between Pakistani Army Gen. Asim Munir and Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, his countrys chief negotiator.

There was no immediate comment from Pakistan, a key mediator after hosting the talks between the U.S. and Iran that authorities said helped narrow differences between the sides.

The White House said any further talks regarding Iran would likely take place in the Pakistani capital of Islamabad, though no decision had been made on whether to resume negotiations. The fragile ceasefire is holding despite a U.S. naval blockade of Iranian ports and Iranian counter-threats to target regional ports across the Red Sea.

Trump suggested the ceasefire could be extended.

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If were close to a deal, would I extend? Trump said in an exchange with reporters. Yeah, I would do that.

The war has jolted markets and rattled the global economy as shipping has been cut off and airstrikes have pounded military and civilian infrastructure. Oil prices have fallen amid hopes for an end to fighting, and U.S. stocks on Wednesday surpassed records set in January.

Officials say US and Iran are making progress

Even as the U.S. blockade on Iranian ports and renewed Iranian threats strained the ceasefire, regional officials reported progress, telling AP the United States and Iran had an in-principle agreement to extend it to allow for more diplomacy. They spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive negotiations.

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But tensions simmered.

The commander of Irans joint military command, Ali Abdollahi, threatened to halt trade in the region if the U.S. does not lift its naval blockade, and a newly appointed military adviser to Iranian Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei said he does not support extending the ceasefire.

Mediators seek compromise on sticking points

The fighting has killed at least 3,000 people in Iran, more than 2,100 in Lebanon, 23 in Israel and more than a dozen in Gulf Arab states. Thirteen U.S. service members have also been killed.

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Mediators are pushing for a compromise on three main sticking points: Irans nuclear program, the Strait of Hormuz and compensation for wartime damages, according to a regional official involved in the mediation efforts.

Since the war began, Iran has curtailed maritime traffic through the strait, which a fifth of global oil transited through in peacetime. Tehrans effective closure of the strait sent oil prices skyrocketing, raising the cost of fuel, food and other basic goods far beyond the Middle East.

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In this handout image provided by NASA, the Artemis II crew, from left, Mission Specialist Christina Koch, Mission Specialist Jeremy Hansen, Pilot Victor Glover, and Commander Reid Wiseman pause for a group photo inside the Orion spacecraft on their way home. Following a swing around the far side of the Moon on April 6, 2026, the crew exited the lunar sphere of influence (the point at which the Moon's gravity has a stronger pull on Orion than the Earth's) on April 7. NASA/NASA via Getty Images

Throughout our history, public education has made it possible for people to go farther than they ever could have imagined. Now, that includes the far side of the Moon.

The three American crew members on last weeks historic Artemis II mission, which flew by the Moon and set a new record for the farthest humans have ever gone from Earth, graduated from public schools. At Ontario High School in California, pilot Victor Glover learned to dream big and not to limit his aspirations. In Onslow County, N.C., specialist Christina Koch found encouragement from her teachers for her aspiration to become an astronaut at a time when only one American woman had been to space. And at Dulaney High School near Baltimore, Md., commander Reid Wiseman discovered his passion for flight and developed his Russian-language ability  a huge asset when Wiseman became the first American to dock a Russian Soyuz rocket on the International Space Station.

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These astronauts came from different backgrounds, different circumstances, and different places in the country, but because of public education, they could all dream of going to space. Simply put: public education is the great equalizer of opportunity in America. Thats why its so important that we fight for public education  and prioritize continuing Connecticuts proud legacy as a leader in public education.

Over the last few years, we have seen some people manufacture hysteria to attack public education. They had a bogeyman of the day: whether it was critical race theory, or book bans, or DEI. The goals were simple: sow distrust in public education, justify funding cuts and privatization, and undermine educations inherent mission to welcome, serve, and support ALL students.

If this vision of education is realized, we will see fewer astronauts from a narrower set of backgrounds than we did with the Artemis II crew. For one thing, we may see life-changing opportunities in STEM labeled as DEI and increasingly relegated to a privileged few rather than broadly accessible through public education (including for women and people of color such as Christina Koch and Victor Glover who have historically been underrepresented in the field).

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We dont have to let that happen. States across the nation can take action in three big areas to protect public education  areas where Im proud to say Connecticut is already investing.

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First, respect and support our teachers

Teachers are the heart and soul of education; great education ultimately comes down to quality instruction driven by the relationship between the teacher, the student, and the content.

Recruiting and retaining great teachers starts with respecting them. Its why I often call for us to invest in the ABCs of teaching  Agency, Better working conditions, and Competitive salaries.

Second, build more pathways to upward mobility in schools.

Working together, across party lines, we can reimagine education to ensure that future generations graduate with more options for rewarding lives and careers, not less. Imagine a future astronaut discovering their passion for STEM in a hands-on robotics class. Imagine a future music producer getting a head start on the skills they need through an internship with a studio. Imagine a future author developing their writing abilities through dual enrollment with a local college that gives them advanced credit. Imagine a student getting on a fast track to a six-figure job right away because they were able to earn an industry credential for a highly in-demand skill.

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Each of these pathways and more are possible with a strategy of intentional collaboration between K-12, higher education, the business community, non-profits, government, and others. Thats why I was honored to be appointed by Gov. Ned Lamont to chair the Connecticut Career Pathways Commission.

Third, invest in safe, supportive, and inclusive school environments.

One of the most underrated benefits of public education is the opportunity to get to know a variety of people, perspectives, and cultures that expand your own world. Astronaut Christina Koch, for instance, has spoken about how the diversity of her community in North Carolina prepared her to embrace teamwork and recognize that every single person has a dream. Ensuring our public schools continue to be places that reflect the beautiful diversity of our state and our nation must include investing in things like multilingual education and professionals who foster safety and belonging such as school counselors and psychologists.

When I first started out as a teacher in a fourth-grade classroom at Israel Putnam Elementary School in Meriden, I remember decorating my class bulletin board with a picture of a rocket going up among the stars. Over it, I put the words: let the journey begin.

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A revaluation is the process of updating all property assessments to reflect their current fair market value as of a specific date. In Connecticut, municipalities are required to conduct a revaluation every five years to ensure the tax burden is distributed equitably based on actual property values. Digital First Media

For anyone new to homeownership in Connecticut, its the quinquennial question their longer-tenured neighbors know well: How much is a property worth under the latest municipal revaluation for tax purposes?

The answer draws on a range of factors, including a homes past assessments, any improvements made since the last revaluation, and shifts in the value of comparable properties, as reflected in market sales over the prior five years.

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Jennifer Lineaweaver, director of Stoningtons assessment department who has served as president of the Connecticut Association of Assessing Officers, talked with CT Insider about what homeowners should expect, and what steps they can take if they disagree with a towns assessment.

What purpose does the assessment process serve, and what do assessed values represent?

"Local municipal services are primarily funded through local taxation of real estate, motor vehicles, and personal property (mainly business equipment)," Lineaweaver said.

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"Real estate is assessed and taxed based on its fair market value at the time of each town-wide revaluation. Once the town determines the FMV, they take 70% of the FMV for a taxable assessment."

How are assessed values determined  and do certain improvements affect them?

"Based on a schedule set by the state, which is roughly every five years, the host municipality will conduct a new town-wide revaluation and provide new FMVs for every property in town," Lineaweaver said. "Those values are based on current sales that take place in the local market.

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"Anything that changes the value of a property requires the local assessor to revalue the parcel in between the quinquennial revaluations.

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"Just a new roof, or just a new furnace, may not increase the value. However, a new roof, siding and windows most definitely would. It is a subjective determination by the local assessor as to when a property has been improved to the point where it has increased its FMV."

What can homeowners do to help ensure an accurate assessment?

"Full compliance with the local assessor is always the best bet," Lineaweaver said. "When property owners do not assist the local assessor's office, the assessor is forced to estimate in regards to all information and data that can affect the final FMV."

What are the options for appealing an assessment?

"Property owners can meet with their local assessor, or an appraiser employed by a revaluation firm contracted by the town at the time of town-wide revaluation," Lineaweaver said.

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"They can file an appeal with the local board of assessment appeals for a hearing in which they must prove overvaluation by the town; and file an appeal in Superior Court for a hearing in which they must prove overvaluation."
A stranded sailboat photographed during low tide off of Long Wharf Park in New Haven Harbor on April 8, 2026. Arnold Gold/Hearst Connecticut Media A stranded sailboat photographed during low tide off of Long Wharf Park in New Haven Harbor on April 8, 2026. Arnold Gold/Hearst Connecticut Media A stranded sailboat photographed during low tide off of Long Wharf Park in New Haven Harbor on April 8, 2026. Arnold Gold/Hearst Connecticut Media A stranded sailboat photographed during low tide off of Long Wharf Park in New Haven Harbor on April 8, 2026. Arnold Gold/Hearst Connecticut Media A stranded sailboat photographed during low tide off of Long Wharf Park in New Haven Harbor on April 8, 2026. Arnold Gold/Hearst Connecticut Media A stranded sailboat photographed during low tide off of Long Wharf Park in New Haven Harbor on April 8, 2026. Arnold Gold/Hearst Connecticut Media A stranded sailboat photographed during low tide off of Long Wharf Park in New Haven Harbor on April 8, 2026. Arnold Gold/Hearst Connecticut Media A stranded sailboat photographed during low tide off of Long Wharf Park in New Haven Harbor on April 8, 2026. Arnold Gold/Hearst Connecticut Media A stranded sailboat photographed during low tide off of Long Wharf Park in New Haven Harbor on April 8, 2026. Arnold Gold/Hearst Connecticut Media Lyden Greaves Courtesy of Waterbury Police

WATERBURY  A Massachusetts home health nurse who skipped his sentencing last month by allegedly trying to make a getaway on a sailboat that ultimately got stuck in a sandbar off the New Haven Long Wharf was sentenced Thursday to 12 years in prison, more than double the five years he was facing on a charge of illegal sexual contact.

Lynden Greaves, 58, of Springfield, Mass., a licensed practical nurse, was hired to care for a critically ill boy who is nonverbal, but the 58-year-old instead preyed on a young girl in the same home during overnight shifts.

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On the eve of trial in the sexual assault case, Greaves pleaded guilty to illegal sexual contact under a plea agreement and would serve five years in prison. His sentencing was scheduled for March 16.

"Not only is this a heinous situation that we are trying to resolve, he was then defiant of the court's order and not only did he not show up, he attempted to flee and was caught in the act," said Assistant State's Attorney Marsha Beckford.

The victim's father described how the abuse shattered his family's sense of safety and the lingering struggles facing his daughter.

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"Our home was a place of safety, love and trust. We rely on caregivers like Leynden to manage my son's around-the-clock seizure monitoring, medications, feeding, positioning, comfort," the father said. "My 8-year-old daughter was a bright, happy, trusting child who felt secure in her room and around adults. The discovery that Lynden entered her room and sexually assaulted her shattered everything."

The incident was captured on a surveillance camera installed days earlier after concerns with entering rooms without consent were raised, the father said.

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The father said his young daughter now suffers from anxiety and struggles to trust caregivers and even fears routine medical visits.

"We now live with unrelenting hypervigilance, questioning every person who enters our home and second guessing professional help," the father added.

Assistant Public Defender Emily Claffey noted her client has no criminal record and that earlier accusations, including a sexual assault allegation out of Torrington, were dismissed. Claffey argued the failure to appear was tied to "a mental health reaction to the situation" and that he was not trying to flee the country.

Greaves insisted he did not assault the child and said that he only pleaded guilty because he did not expect to be alive. He spoke about how the 2022 arrest by Waterbury police cost him his job, home and custody of his kids.

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Greaves said he took the boat out not to flee, but because he intended to end his life.

Judge Corinne Klatt, unmoved by Greaves' statement, said it "astounds" her Greaves spoke about the trauma he felt after he was arrested and shows no remorse to the victim.

"It astounds the court that you sit there and tell me it was traumatic for you ... that, to me, says you have zero remorse. I think about how traumatic it is for (the victim)," Klatt said.

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Watertown, NY (13601)

Today

Cloudy with light rain this evening. Low 51F. Winds S at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 80%..

Tonight

Cloudy with light rain this evening. Low 51F. Winds S at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 80%.
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James Finn covers federal law enforcement for The Times-Picayune | The Advocate. Email him at jfinn@theadvocate.com or contact him on Signal at jamesfinn.82.
Dartmoor-based author Holly Watt is set to release her sixth novel, The Good Listener, this May, with the psychological thriller drawing heavily on the landscape and atmosphere of Dartmoor.

The Good Listener, published by Bloomsbury, tells the story of Clara, a mother whose daughter was murdered on Dartmoor.

READ NEXT: Prominent Exeter city centre building faces safety action over falling concrete risk

Clara later volunteers for a mental health helpline, and when a caller claims her husband killed a child, she is drawn into a desperate search for answers.

Before turning to fiction, Watt worked as an investigative journalist at The Telegraph, The Guardian, and The Sunday Times, and she now lives on Dartmoor with her husband and two children.

The Good Listener draws on her own experiences volunteering with the Samaritans while she was studying at Cambridge University.

Watt will be appearing at several independent bookshops across the Dartmoor area to mark the books release.

ABOVE: Dartmoor landscape plays central role in new psychological thriller 'The Good Listener'

The Moorlanders Jamie Townsend spoke to Holly Watt ahead of publication of The Good Listener on May 7.

Jamie: The Good Listener is set on Dartmoor; what drew you to use the landscape as the backdrop for this story?

Holly: Dartmoor is crucial to the story. Ive always found Dartmoor hugely atmospheric and inspiring. Its so beautiful, and there is something magical about it too.

The main character, Clara, lives at the top of a drovers track, in a slightly dilapidated cottage.

The moorland, that wilderness, is right on her doorstep. Exeter, where Clara goes in to volunteer, is a much safer, saner environment.

The middle ground is a village, which has all the granite-hewn charm of Dartmoor villages, but also some slightly suspicious characters.

Jamie: How much did your own experience living on Dartmoor influence the novels atmosphere and characters?

Holly: Hugely. I walk my dog every morning, and always get flashes of inspiration while I am out. It is so beautiful all year round, and it changes every day.

It can be eerie and uncanny too, perfect for a crime writer.

Jamie: You mentioned your time volunteering with the Samaritans, how did that shape the story?

Holly: I volunteered for the Samaritans while I was at university in Cambridge. I learned so much about how people behave in times of crisis, and what they want to talk about.

I also learned a lot about voices, they change when youre stressed, as you age, and in all sorts of other ways.

Jamie: This is your sixth novel, how does this one differ from your earlier books?

Holly: My first four novels were based on an investigative journalist called Casey Benedict. The first one, To The Lions, won the CWA Ian Fleming Steel Dagger.

This one is a standalone, so it isnt part of a series. The earlier books were based on my time working as an investigative journalist lots of international travel and war zones.

Jamie: Can you tell us a bit about your upcoming events at local bookshops?

Holly: Ill be at First Draft in Bovey Tracey on 1 May, Dogberry and Finch in Okehampton on 6 May and Ivybridge Bookshop on 14 May.

We are so lucky to have such wonderful bookshops around Dartmoor.

Jamie: Finally, whats next for you?

Holly: I am currently writing the fifth book in the Casey Benedict series which is partly set in the Congo, a bit different from the drovers track!
How the Giant D.C. Arch Would Compare to Others Across the World See how President Trumps proposed arch would dwarf other monumental arches.

The angel was modeled after Lady Liberty. 250 ft. Proposed arch The third level would be a viewing deck. EAGLE VIEWING DECK 110 ft. LION EAGLE EAGLE DOORS A PERSON TO SCALE Access to the viewing deck would be through the center of the arch. The angel was modeled after Lady Liberty. LADY LIBERTY 250 ft. Proposed arch EAGLE EAGLE VIEWING DECK The third level would be a viewing deck. 110 ft. EAGLE LION LION DOORS A PERSON TO SCALE Access to the viewing deck would be through the center of the arch. LADY LIBERTY The angel was modeled after Lady Liberty. 250 ft. Proposed arch EAGLE EAGLE VIEWING DECK The third level would be a viewing deck. 110 ft. EAGLE EAGLE LION LION DOORS A PERSON TO SCALE Access to the viewing deck would be through the center of the arch.

The federal Commission of Fine Arts on Thursday preliminarily approved plans for a hulking 250-foot triumphal arch to celebrate Americas 250th birthday, one of several construction projects President Trump has conjured up in an effort to leave his aesthetic mark on Washington.

Despite the preliminary approval, the panels vice chairman suggested major changes, including the removal of a winged statue on top of the arch that makes up the final third of the 250 foot height Mr. Trump desired.

The Trump administration was asked to return with updated drawings before a final vote by the panel, which is stacked with Trump allies and holds only an advisory role.

Mr. Trump wants the arch to rise up from a roundabout near Arlington National Cemetery, across the Potomac River from the Lincoln Memorial. His design prominently features the heavy gold embellishments that have come to be known as a signature Trump style.

The arch, whose cost the administration has not released, carries the feel of a Trump design for another reason: As originally proposed, it is simply massive.

Though it is loosely modeled on the Arc de Triomphe, the neoclassical monument in Paris commissioned by Napoleon, the arch Mr. Trump proposed would dwarf that by some 86 feet.

In fact, the arch submitted to the panel would be taller than nearly every other monumental arch across the United States and across the world. Heres a sampling:

Arches in the U.S. 250 ft. 80 ft. 74 ft. Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Arch, New York City Proposed arch, Washington, D.C. Washington Square Arch, New York City A PERSON TO SCALE 250 ft. 80 ft. 74 ft. A PERSON TO SCALE Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Arch, New York City Washington Square Arch, New York City Proposed arch, Washington, D.C. Proposed arch, Washington, D.C. 250 ft. 80 ft. 74 ft. Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Arch, New York City Washington Square Arch, New York City A PERSON TO SCALE Arches in Europe 250 ft. 164 ft. 98 ft. 85 ft. 69 ft. Brandenburg Gate, Berlin Arco da Rua Augusta, Lisbon Arch of Constantine, Rome Arc de Triomphe, Paris Proposed arch, Washington, D.C. A PERSON TO SCALE 250 ft. 164 ft. 98 ft. 85 ft. 69 ft. A PERSON TO SCALE Arch of Constantine, Rome Arc de Triomphe, Paris Proposed arch, Washington, D.C. Brandenburg Gate, Berlin Arco da Rua Augusta, Lisbon Proposed arch, Washington, D.C. Arc de Triomphe, Paris 250 ft. Brandenburg Gate, Berlin 164 ft. 98 ft. 85 ft. 69 ft. Arco da Rua Augusta, Lisbon Arch of Constantine, Rome A PERSON TO SCALE Arches in Asia 250 f.t 197 ft. 180 ft. 138 ft. Arch of Triumph, Pyongyang, North Korea Proposed arch, Washington, D.C. India Gate, New Delhi Patuxai, Vientiane, Laos A PERSON TO SCALE 250 ft. 197 ft. 180 ft. 138 ft. A PERSON TO SCALE India Gate, New Delhi Patuxai, Vientiane, Laos Arch of Triumph, Pyongyang, North Korea Proposed arch, Washington, D.C. Proposed arch, Washington, D.C. 250 ft. 197 ft. 180 ft. 138 ft. India Gate, New Delhi Patuxai, Vientiane, Laos Arch of Triumph, Pyongyang, North Korea A PERSON TO SCALE Arches in Spanish-speaking countries 250 ft. 220 ft. 92 ft. 78 ft. Monumento a la Revolucion, Mexico City Arco de Carabobo, Venezuela Proposed arch, Washington, D.C. Puerta de Alcala, Madrid A PERSON TO SCALE 250 ft. 220 ft. 92 ft. 78 ft. A PERSON TO SCALE Monumento a la Revolucion, Mexico City Arco de Carabobo, Carabobo, Venezuela Puerta de Alcala, Madrid Proposed arch, Washington, D.C. Monumento a la Revolucion, Mexico City Proposed arch, Washington, D.C. 250 ft. 220 ft. 92 ft. 78 ft. Arco de Carabobo, Venezuela Puerta de Alcala, Madrid A PERSON TO SCALE Illustration of the proposed arch in Washington D.C. (250 ft), alongside two arches to scale in New York City: Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Arch (80 ft.) and Washington Square Arch (74 ft.). Illustrations of arches in Europe to scale compared with the proposed arch in Washington, D.C. They are: Arch of Constantine in Rome (69 ft.), Arc de Triomphe in Paris (164 ft.), Brandenburg Gate in Berlin (85 ft.) and Arco da Rua Augusta in Lisbon (98 ft).<strong></strong> Illustrations of arches in Asia to scale compared with the proposed arch in Washington, D.C. They are: Patuxai in Vientiane, Laos (180 ft.), India Gate in New Delhi (138 ft.) and Arch of Triumph in Pyongyang, North Korea (197 ft.).<strong></strong> Illustrations of arches to scale compared with the proposed arch in Washington, D.C. They are: Monumento a la Revolucion in Mexico (220 ft), Arco de Carabobo in Venezuela (92 ft.), and Puerta de Alcala in Madrid (78 ft).

Many of the worlds monumental arches are war memorials, such as New Delhis India Gate and New York Citys Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Arch. Some commemorate revolutions, like Mexico Citys Monumento a la Revolucion, and others, like Lisbons Rua Augusta Arch, symbolize the strength of a people.

Asked in October who the proposed Washington arch would be for, Mr. Trump responded, Me.

If built as the Trump administration planned, the arch would remake Washingtons landscape. Its proposed location means it would be in full view when entering or leaving the capital via the Arlington Memorial Bridge. Its originally proposed height means it would be taller than the Lincoln Memorial and nearly as tall as the U.S. Capitol building.

Washington landmarks 555 ft. Washington monument 288 ft. 250 ft. 99 ft. 70 ft. Lincoln Memorial White House Proposed arch Capitol building 555 ft. Washington monument 288 ft. 250 ft. 99 ft. 70 ft. Lincoln Memorial White House Capitol building Proposed arch 555 ft. Washington monument 288 ft. 250 ft. 99 ft. 70 ft. Lincoln Memorial White House Proposed arch Capitol building

The White House expects to complete construction before the end of Mr. Trumps term. But questions remain on how the arch would be built, including who would pay for it.

It remains possible that, like Mr. Trumps planned 90,000-square-foot White House ballroom, the proposed arch could get caught up in a legal quagmire.

A group of Vietnam War veterans, as well as an architectural historian, have sued in federal court to stop its construction. The lawsuit argues that the arch would require congressional approval under various statutes, including the Commemorative Works Act of 1986, which dictates that a memorial built in the proposed location must be of pre-eminent historical and lasting significance to the United States.

Several congressional Democrats filed an amicus brief in support of that lawsuit in March. Washington, the brief states, is not the Presidents backyard to renovate, relandscape, and build in as he sees fit.
The Slow-Motion Battle for Hormuz

Iranian threats hobbled shipping through the Strait of Hormuz during the war, moving what little remained north into its own waters. Before war Feb. 1827 After Iranian retaliation April 312 Now the U.S. has mounted a blockade of its own, redrawing the board once again. After the U.S. blockade IRAQ Iranian coast KUWAIT IRAN Persian Gulf Strait of Hormuz BAHRAIN QATAR U.S. ships enforcing blockade in Gulf of Oman SAUDI ARABIA Gulf of Oman U.A.E. OMAN KUWAIT Iranian coast IRAN Persian Gulf Strait of Hormuz BAHRAIN QATAR U.S. ships enforcing blockade in Gulf of Oman SAUDI ARABIA Gulf of Oman U.A.E. OMAN

The American blockade aims to upend a dynamic that had become the new normal in the Strait of Hormuz since the United States and Israel launched the war in late February: Iran allowed ships carrying its own cargo to pass through the strait, even as it attacked commercial vessels and effectively halted shipping from almost everybody else.

Though Iran was getting much-needed revenue from the Iranian-linked oil tankers it allowed to pass, the U.S. allowed them to keep transiting the strait. The goal was to temper the sharp increases in oil prices tied to the war.

Most ships leaving the Persian Gulf came from Iranian ports Where ships exiting the strait after the war began last loaded cargo, oil or gas Ships coming from Iranian ports Other ports Unknown Note: Only ships that were loaded when exiting through strait are shown. Ships leaving other ports may also have Iranian ties, but their last port was not recorded as Iran. Ships entering the Persian Gulf are not shown. Source: Kpler. The New York Times

On Monday, the United States imposed its own naval blockade, intent on ending Irans dominance of the waterway and cutting off its oil income by blocking all traffic to and from its ports.

More than 12 American military vessels were stationed in international waters in the Gulf of Oman, beyond the strait, a U.S. official said on Tuesday. And the military is likely monitoring the region from a distance, using radar, patrol aircraft and drones, said Jennifer Parker, a former naval officer now at the University of Western Australias Defense and Security Institute.

Since the U.S. blockade took effect, no ships linked to Iran have been spotted leaving the region, according to the vesseltracking company Kpler.

Some ships appeared to have slowed or stopped. And at least two that had links to Iran, and are the target of U.S. sanctions, appeared to have turned around back toward the Persian Gulf as of Wednesday. One of the ships that reversed course, the Rich Starry, a Chinese tanker, was spotted traveling eastward through the strait on Tuesday toward open water before making a U-turn.

IRAN Strait of Hormuz Wednesday evening local time Persian Gulf OMAN Gulf of Oman The Rich Starry made a U-turn on Tuesday after the blockade took effect. U.A.E. Monday morning local time IRAN Strait of Hormuz Wednesday evening local time Persian Gulf OMAN Gulf of Oman Monday morning local time U.A.E. The Rich Starry made a U-turn on Tuesday after the blockade took effect. IRAN Strait of Hormuz Wednesday evening local time Persian Gulf OMAN Gulf of Oman The Rich Starry made a U-turn on Tuesday after the blockade took effect. Monday morning local time U.A.E.



Some ships without links to Iran did move through the strait on Monday and Tuesday, according to U.S. Central Command and companies like Kpler. The vessels stayed close to the Omani coast, keeping a distance from possible sea mines in the middle of the waterway.

A precise accounting of how many vessels are crossing the strait is difficult, because vessels can hide or falsify information about their location, according to maritime intelligence experts.

How Iran, then the U.S., changed shipping

Vessel traffic in the strait slowed almost immediately after the United States and Israel attacked Iran on Feb. 28, from around 130 ships per day to just a handful.

Iran Strait of Hormuz Traffic direction Crossings March 17 Iranian waters Oman Omani waters Persian Gulf Gulf of Oman U.A.E. Emirati waters Water depth 0 80 160 240 feet 0 80 160 240 feet Water depth Iran Strait of Hormuz Traffic direction Iranian waters Crossings March 17 Oman Persian Gulf Omani waters Gulf of Oman U.A.E. Emirati waters Oman 0 80 160 240 feet Water depth Iran Strait of Hormuz Traffic direction Iranian waters Crossings March 17 Oman Persian Gulf Omani waters Gulf of Oman U.A.E. Emirati waters 0 80 160 240 feet Water depth Iran Strait of Hormuz Traffic direction Iranian waters Crossings March 17 Oman Omani waters Gulf of Oman U.A.E. Persian Gulf Emirati waters Iran Strait of Hormuz Crossings March 8April 8 Iranian waters Oman Omani waters Persian Gulf Gulf of Oman U.A.E. Emirati waters Water depth 0 80 160 240 feet 0 80 160 240 feet Water depth Iran Strait of Hormuz Iranian waters Crossings March 8April 8 Oman Persian Gulf Omani waters Gulf of Oman U.A.E. Emirati waters Oman 0 80 160 240 feet Water depth Iran Strait of Hormuz Iranian waters Crossings March 8April 8 Oman Persian Gulf Omani waters Gulf of Oman U.A.E. Emirati waters 0 80 160 240 feet Water depth Iran Strait of Hormuz Iranian waters Crossings March 8April 8 Oman Omani waters Gulf of Oman U.A.E. Persian Gulf Emirati waters Iran Strait of Hormuz Proposed route Larak Iranian waters Oman Omani waters Persian Gulf Gulf of Oman U.A.E. Emirati waters Water depth 0 80 160 240 feet 0 80 160 240 feet Water depth Iran Strait of Hormuz Proposed route Larak Iranian waters Oman Persian Gulf Omani waters Gulf of Oman U.A.E. Emirati waters Oman 0 80 160 240 feet Water depth Iran Strait of Hormuz Proposed route Larak Iranian waters Oman Persian Gulf Omani waters Gulf of Oman U.A.E. Emirati waters 0 80 160 240 feet Water depth Iran Strait of Hormuz Proposed route Larak Iranian waters Oman Omani waters Gulf of Oman U.A.E. Persian Gulf Emirati waters Iran Strait of Hormuz Iranian waters Oman Omani waters U.S. ships enforcing blockade in Gulf of Oman Persian Gulf U.A.E. Emirati waters Water depth 0 80 160 240 feet 0 80 160 240 feet Water depth Iran Strait of Hormuz Iranian waters Oman Persian Gulf Omani waters U.S. ships enforcing blockade in Gulf of Oman U.A.E. Emirati waters Oman 0 80 160 240 feet Water depth Iran Strait of Hormuz Iranian waters Oman Persian Gulf Omani waters U.S. ships enforcing blockade in Gulf of Oman U.A.E. Emirati waters 0 80 160 240 feet Water depth Iran Strait of Hormuz Iranian waters Oman Omani waters U.S. ships enforcing blockade in Gulf of Oman U.A.E. Persian Gulf Emirati waters The few ships that did cross early in the war used the longstanding designated route, which goes through deep waters off the coast of Oman. But two weeks into the war, ships suddenly began avoiding the official lanes, instead traversing shallower waters near Iran, possibly for a fee. After the U.S. and Iran reached a cease-fire, channels linked to Irans Revolutionary Guards published a map directing vessels to take two lanes around Larak Island. The old ones, it said, were hazardous. Now, the United States says it is blockading all ships that have visited ports in Iran. Sources: Gebco (bathymetry); International Maritime Organization (official lanes); Marine Regions (maritime boundaries). The New York Times

But even ships without ties to Iran may remain hesitant to attempt a passage. Amid fears that Iran may attack commercial vessels in response to the U.S. blockade, many shipping companies have been unwilling to risk the crossing. That might not change in the absence of a longer-term deal between the United States and Iran.

Around 900 ships have been bottled up in the Persian Gulf over the course of the war, according to a New York Times analysis of Kpler data.

How long ships have been stranded in the Persian Gulf Since start of war 10 to 42 days Less than 10 days OMAN U.A.E. OMAN QATAR KUWAIT IRAQ IRAN SAUDI ARABIA BAHRAIN Persian Gulf Gulf of Oman Strait of Hormuz Note: Shows ship positions on April 12. Time spent in the Persian Gulf based on data from mid-February through April 12. The analysis includes oil tankers, cargo ships and gas carriers with a recent position in the Persian Gulf, excluding ships making routine deliveries between ports within the gulf. Source: Kpler (shipping data) The New York Times

The standoff between the United States and Iran has spread concern that the vessels will be there even longer, giving the Iranians the upper hand, said Andreas Krieg, a senior lecturer in the School of Security Studies at Kings College London.

Were getting to a place where everyone is very desperate, so the Iranians are trying to milk it as long as they can, Mr. Krieg said. I think we'll have months and months of disruption around the Strait of Hormuz.
Charlotte Bronte's birthday will be celebrated in style on the next Saturday April 18th with a double event organised by the Banagher Bronte Group.

Proceedings will start at 3.30pm. in the Crank House, Main Street, Banagher, with the presentation of Brontes: Love and Honour by Michael and Christine O'Dowd. This is a highly original musical tribute to the celebrated 19th century Bronte family of Yorkshire, a melodic cycle of ten original studio-recorded songs. The suite of songs relates the joys and sorrows of the family in music and lyrics. Linking dialogue creates ambience and clarity. Each song will be accompanied by a lavishly illustrated video.

To help the audience enjoy the performance fully a deluxe souvenir programme with an introduction to each song along with lyrics, will be available. There is great variety in the programme which includes waltz, lament, lullaby, prayer, blessing with assorted choral, instrumental and orchestral backing.

Michael O'Dowd has written five other musicals based on the lives of the Franciscan Missionaries of the Divine Motherhood; St Brendan the Navigator; Vincent van Gogh; Hank Williams, and the Irish Goddess the Morrigan of the Tain. In 2019 Michael completed a non-fiction book about the Irish honeymoon of Charlotte Bronte and her husband Arthur Bell Nicholls. Thus began a deep interest in Charlotte, her family, her life and early death.

READ NEXT: Over 600 competitors to take part in Offaly Fleadh 2026 at Tullamore and Killeigh venues

During the Covid 19 crisis Michael began work on a musical tribute to celebrate the lives of Charlotte, the Bronte family, and Arthur Bell Nicholls. The musical result Brontes: Love and Honour has now been birthed.

Michael's wife Christine comes from a musical family in Co. Donegal. She became a professional musician performing internationally with her family The Pattersons in the 1960s and 70s. Having married Michael and with music being their common language, they collaborated closely on all musical projects. Michael wrote the music and lyrics; Christine then arranged the pieces and brought them to recording studios where she and other musician family and friends performed them.

The musical event will be followed by a Miscellany for Charlotte, a selection of new writings by members and friends of the Banagher Bronte Group and pupils from Saint Rynagh's Primary School. The celebrations should conclude about 5.30pm.

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THE outstanding Leaving Certificate achievements of Colaiste Naomh Cormac student Ellen Gleeson have been recognised at national level, as she was named a recipient of the prestigious All-Ireland Scholarships, funded by J.P. McManus.

Ellen, daughter of Brid and Brian Gleeson from Drumcullen, achieved exceptional Leaving Certificate results in 2025 and is now studying Architecture at the University of Limerick.

She is part of an elite group selected for the highly competitive scholarship programme, which supports high-achieving students from across the country.

The All-Ireland Scholarships are awarded annually to just 126 students across the 32 counties of Ireland who demonstrate exceptional academic performance. Each scholarship is valued at 6,750 per annum for the duration of the recipients undergraduate degree, providing significant financial support as students progress through third-level education.

READ NEXT: EESC President and Hospice chairman honoured at Offaly Person of the Year awards

The scholarship programme, established through the philanthropy of JP McManus, aims to recognise excellence, encourage ambition, and support students in reaching their full potential.

The recent awards ceremony at the University of Limerick brought together scholarship recipients, their families, school personnel and supporters to celebrate their achievements.

The Guest of Honour at the event was two-time Olympic gold medallist Kellie Harrington, who praised the dedication and commitment shown by this years scholars.

J.P. McManus presented each scholar with a bespoke piece of crystal and certificate in recognition of their achievement, while school representatives were presented with a commemorative plaque.

READ NEXT: Over 600 competitors to take part in Offaly Fleadh 2026 at Tullamore and Killeigh venues


Portrait by Marcel Roux

(Image by Manhattan University) Details DMCA



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The exhibit presents two parallel stories. The first features Marcel Roux, a French political prisoner who was liberated from the Langenstein-Zwieberge concentration camp in Saxony-Anhalt, Germany, one of Buchenwald's numerous subcamps. Although it was designated as a "labor" camp, due to the extreme conditions, war correspondent John M. Meeklin wrote that it was "a death camp." He described the 1100 survivors as "barely alive."

Parallel to Roux's story, the exhibition additionally highlights the provenance of the works, which were dedicated to Dr. William A. Epstein, who was serving with the 20th Field Hospital of the American Army Medical Corps when the camp was liberated.

They were found in a closet in 1993 by Helene and Ken Orce during the renovation of a house they had purchased in Greenburgh, New York. The drawings, along with photographs, postcards, handwritten notes, and other ephemera, were stored inside a leather case marked, "Capt. Epstein - Please Return 20 Field Hosp." The Orces notified Epstein's widow, who was uninterested in recovering the materials.

In 2009, the Orces contacted Yad Vashem and learned that Roux's drawings were created between April 18 and May 1, 1945, immediately after the camp's liberation by American forces. Roux's background was shared. He was born in Arles, France, in May 1904. Before his time in Buchenwald and Langenstein-Zwieberge, he was interned in May 1942 in Sachsenhausen, outside Berlin. His first wife, Marie-Louise Leger Roux, was arrested and deported to Ravensbruck, where she died in 1944.

Orce, who graduated from Manhattan College in 1965 as the recipient of a full scholarship, donated the documentation to the Center. Dr. David Buyze came on board to contribute archival research, thereby providing greater depth of understanding and context for the drawings.

Roux was a French Protestant resistance activist. According to the exhibit, he was not a professional artist, but rather an individual who created a "visual testimony." The gallery wall panels state that his drawings occupy a "liminal space between documentary and memory." It posits that Roux functioned as a "survivor artist" creating a "visceral visual testimony" out of "historical necessity." In recording his immediate memories, Roux's visual account serves as a form of testimony from "an insider's view." Paradoxically, in the camp records, Roux is listed as "kunstmaler," which is German for "artist" or "painter."

To me, the images did not feel like they were rendered by a novice, even one motivated by an urgent story to tell. They are composed either in graphite or combined with colored pencils. (I pondered where the latter could have come from, and some exploration suggested that they may have originated from the camp's administrative office.) The color images portray the prisoners in the standard blue-and-white camp uniforms. Faces are rendered with exquisite sensitivity. Cheeks and noses are often accented with strokes of red. The pieces are inscribed, "a mon ami le Capt Epstein."

Two black-and-white drawings, yellowed with age, capture with full force the brutality of the camps. The first foregrounds a prisoner, whose pickaxe has fallen to the ground. He is raising his arm to protect his face from the blow of an oncoming rifle butt. The attacking soldier has his booted foot on the inmate's midsection. The background shows another man, his face in shock, while others continue their labors.

The second observes a hanging. Prisoners have been gathered to watch the execution, overseen by two SS officers. All the prisoners' uniforms carry an upside-down triangle, but there is no way to determine their classification. With the stool overturned and the victim dangling in death, Roux depicts the individual reactions of the assembled witnesses.

Daily camp life is represented through detailed images: inmates marching in unison, receiving a ladle of gruel, and enduring beatings. One drawing records a prisoner caning another; there is documentation of a man held in a torturous stress position. The work on paper titled "massacre des juifs" (Massacre of Jews) recounts six soldiers, rifles raised, who executed four prisoners who appear to be returning from a work detail. This scene is labeled as taking place at Sauchenhausen.

The exhibition titles Roux's drawings, "Liberation Art: A Story of Memory and Preservation." Supplemental text breaks down Roux's imprisonment through the three camps he survived, with backstory on each. There is also a reproduction of a "Chart of Prisoner Markings" used in German Concentration Camps. It shows how ID-Emblems were employed to designate the prisoner's identification "category."

Five "reflective questions" are posted to encourage viewers to engage in a deeper examination of their reaction to Roux's depictions.

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In the aftermath of last week's big meeting of the Democratic National Committee in New Orleans, supporters of the U.S.-Israel alliance have been quite content. "We're pleased that the DNC Resolutions Committee rejected a set of divisive, anti-Israel resolutions," the president of Democratic Majority for Israel said. The CEO of the Jewish Democratic Council of America, a former national security advisor to Kamala Harris, expressed gratitude to the DNC's leadership.

Why did pro-Israel groups voice so much pleasure and praise - not only for the sidelining of pro-human-rights resolutions but also for the process that sidelined them? The answer has to do with the DNC's mechanism that thwarted changes in positions on Israel. A panel named the Middle East Working Group gummed up all efforts to align the DNC with the views of most Democratic voters, even while supposedly hard at work.

Last Friday, the transparent thinness of the pretense caused Politico to headline an article this way: "Inside the DNC's Middle East (Not) Working Group." But the not-working group had been functioning quite well - as a charade for delay and obfuscation.

The day before the derisive headline appeared, the DNC Resolutions Committee dispensed with a resolution about events in Gaza and the West Bank. Its provisions included a declaration that the DNC "supports pausing or conditioning U.S. weapons transfers to any military units credibly implicated in violations of international humanitarian law or obstruction of humanitarian assistance."

That resolution critical of Israel went nowhere, which is to say it went to the so-called working group, also known as a "task force."

Assisting the diversion as chair of the Resolutions Committee was political strategist Ron Harris, described in his home state of Minnesota as a "longtime Democratic Party insider." He made false claims during the meeting: "I know that the task force has met once a month since it was created". I have the confidence that work is happening". These are people working really really hard over a very thorny issue". They are doing their work". They're hearing from experts and all sorts of things."

The falsehood that the task force had met "once a month," when actually it had scarcely met, was enough reason for me to contact Harris and ask where he'd gotten that (mis)information. He replied that it was "according to the DNC staffer coordinating the process."

The basic problem with the working group is not only that it hasn't done much of anything in the nearly eight months since DNC Chair Ken Martin announced it with great fanfare. The underlying hoax is that it was set up not to reflect the views of registered Democrats nationwide.

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I have to admit that it couldn't be stranger (or, given this country's history in my lifetime, do I mean less strange?) to be facing yet another all-American war, this time in Iran, fiercely labeled "Operation Epic Fury," and for however long (since President Trump only recently insisted that the U.S. military would "leave" Iran within two or three weeks, possibly by the time this piece comes out). There can be no question anymore that the "president of PEACE," who once upon a time claimed that "regime change is a proven, absolute failure," has a genuine urge to make war in a big-time fashion. As Nick Turse recently wrote all too vividly at The Intercept, "Trump has overseen armed interventions and military operations -- including drone strikes, ground raids, proxy wars, 127e programs, and full-scale conflicts -- in Afghanistan, Central African Republic, Cameroon, Ecuador, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Kenya, Lebanon, Libya, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, North Korea, Pakistan, the Philippines, Somalia, Syria, Tunisia, Venezuela, Yemen, and an unspecified country in the Indo-Pacific region, as well as attacks on civilians in boats in the Caribbean Sea and Pacific Ocean."

Imagine that! And, of course, none of it was done with the permission of the body -- Congress -- that our Constitution insists must declare war. (The last time Congress officially declared war was in World War II!) And while the war in Iran has at least made headlines, this country's ongoing strife in Somalia isn't considered news at all in the mainstream media, though Dave DeCamp at the website Antiwar.com has been keeping track of it regularly. (As I was writing this, he reported that the U.S. military had launched its 48th airstrike of the year there!)

Of course, who knows what will come next in the increasingly strange era of Donald Trump. And while you're thinking about all that (and so much more), let TomDispatch regular Steve Fraser take you into the unnerving American world that produced him and war, war, war, forever and a day, as well as the profound wounds that our version of imperialism continues to inflict on the homeland. Tom

War, Forever and a Day

Who Gains and Who Loses in Trump's America

By Steve Fraser

War against Iran. Kidnapping the president of Venezuela. Threatening to take over Cuba and Greenland. Plans to plunder the planet of its land, labor, and vital resources to feed the insatiable appetite of American capitalism are indeed afoot and, in the age of Donald Trump, U.S. imperialism is back with a particular vengeance. Not, of course, that it ever went away. In fact, it's been there from the beginning.

After all, the United States was launched as an act of settler colonialism, dispossessing the New World's indigenous inhabitants. President James Monroe issued what became known as the "Monroe Doctrine" in 1823, proclaiming the country's exclusive right to determine the fate of the rest of the western hemisphere. Meanwhile, the slave trade and slavery constituted an imperial rape of Africa by America's planter and merchant elites.

And by the turn of the twentieth century, Washington had announced its "Open Door" policy, meaning it intended to compete for access to the world's markets while joining the European race for colonies. It proceeded to do so by brutally taking over the Philippines in 1899, while the U.S. armed forces would make regular incursions into countries in Central America to protect the holdings of American corporations and banks. And the story that began there has never ended with bloody chapters written in Guatemala, Vietnam, most recently Iran, and all too many other places.

As the dispossession of indigenous populations and the enslavement of Africans suggest, the "homeland" (itself an imperial locution) has long been deeply implicated in the imperial project. Indeed, various forms of repressive military and police measures used abroad were first tested out against labor, Black, immigrant, and native insurgents. Rebellious immigrant workers in the nineteenth century were compared to "Indian savages" as local police and federal militia treated them with equal savagery. White supremacist ideology, nurtured at home, would then be exported to the global south to justify U.S. domination there. In fact, this country's vaunted economic prosperity for so much of the last century was premised on its exploitative access to the resources of the global south, as well as its post-World War II hegemony over Western Europe.

Today, Donald Trump's government exercises a reign of terror over our immigrant brothers and sisters, millions of whom are here because their homelands were economically despoiled by this country's business and financial powerhouses. Homegrown resistance to our imperial adventures abroad has always been met by government repression, the stripping away of democratic rights, and the creation of a surveillance state.

In the Beginning

The United States was always conceived as an imperial project, its DNA infected from the outset.

The earliest settlers were simultaneously colonial subjects of the British and other European empires, and themselves colonizers exercising their dominion over indigenous populations. Native Americans -- agrarian communities, hunting and trading tribes, seafaring and fishing societies -- were systematically stripped of their lands, resources, and ways of life (not to speak of their actual lives) by the newly arrived settler colonials.

Sometimes their undoing was left to the silent workings of the marketplace. From the sixteenth through the eighteenth centuries, the fur trade catered to the appetites of the world's aristocracy -- in Russia, China, and across Europe. Native American fur-trapping and trading societies entered into commercial relations with fur merchants like John Jacob Astor, the country's first millionaire. But the terms of trade were always profoundly unequal and eventually undermined the viability of those fur-trapping communities.

Often enough, however, the colonizers resorted to far less "pacific" kinds of actions: military force, legal legerdemain, illegal land seizures, and even bio-warfare, as European-borne diseases nearly wiped out whole indigenous populations. The social murder of those peoples went on through the nineteenth century, from "the Trail of Tears" (the forced removal of the "five civilized tribes" from Georgia in 1830 on the orders of President Andrew Jackson) to the massacre of the Lakota Sioux at Wounded Knee in 1890.

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AzerNEWS Staff



On April 15, the presentation of the book "Iravan: Echoes of History and Lost Heritage" by Doctor of Philology, Professor Farida Safiyeva, published in Azerbaijani, Russian, English and French with the support of Leyla Aliyeva, was held at the Magsud Ibrahimbekov Creativity Center.

Leyla Aliyeva and Alena Aliyeva attended the presentation ceremony.

Prior to the event, a minute of silence was observed in memory of Azerbaijans prominent ophthalmologist, scientist, academician and public figure Zarifa Aliyeva.

Then, Anna Ibrahimbekova, Director of the Magsud Ibrahimbekov Creativity Center, highlighted the importance of the book, expressing her satisfaction with its presentation in this particular venue.

Rufat Mahmud, Chairman of the Board of the Icherisheher State Historical-Architectural Reserve Administration, said that Icherisheher is not only important tourism site, but also serves as an art, creative and intellectual center.

Speaking at the event, Head of the Western Azerbaijan History Department of the Abbasgulu Agha Bakikhanov Institute of History and Ethnology of ANAS, editor of the book Jabi Bahramov mentioned that the project is of great importance from both a historical and legal perspective, underlining that Iravan has an ancient history and that the origin of toponyms in the region dates back to very ancient times.

Aygun Aliyeva, Executive Director of the Agency for State Support to Non-Governmental Organizations, stressed the importance of preparing such publications and presenting them to the public.

Emphasizing that she hails from Iravan, the author of the book, Farida Safiyeva, described this book as not just a scientific activity for her, but also as a moral responsibility and duty.

The event continued with an artistic part featuring rich cultural program.

The publication seeks to provide a scientific basis for the claim that Iravan represents an ancient civilization and a primary cultural hub for the Azerbaijani people. The book extensively explores the citys centuries-old history, its rich cultural heritage, and the lives and creativity of personalities who played an important role in its formation. Despite attempts to purposefully erase the Azerbaijani identity of Iravan as a result of the tragic events that occurred in the 19th and 20th centuries, its original image has been reflected in archival documents, photographs, and scientific sources.

This research work is an important scientific source serving to restore those truths, study the forgotten Azerbaijani national and cultural heritage of Iravan, and pass it on to future generations.
WSOP Circuit Manager TJ Reid Reveals All | PokerNews Podcast #957

Chad Holloway PR & Media Manager Copy link

In the 957th episode of the PokerNews Podcast, Chad Holloway, Mike Holtz, and Ben Ludlow are at Level 9 Studio in Las Vegas to sit down with TJ Reid, the recently-appointed Manager of the World Series of Poker (WSOP) Circuit.

Reid talks about his vision for the WSOP Circuit, upcoming plans, and how he'll help foster a better overall player experience. He offers a unique perspective as a player himself; in fact, he finished fourth in the WSOP Paradise $25K Super Main Event last December for $3,000,000. Speaking of which, Reid talks about that whole experience, including having a front-row seat to the infamous Eric Wasserson slowroll against Benny Glaser.

Find out all about those stories and more in this week's episode of the PokerNews Podcast! Oh, and be sure to check out the audio version of the PokerNews Podcast that is available on all major podcasting platforms, including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and SoundCloud.

PokerNews Podcast drops every Thursday at 8a PT / 11a ET / 4p UK time. Remember to A newdrops every Thursday at 8a PT / 11a ET / 4p UK time. Remember to subscribe to our YouTube channel so you do not miss an episode!

Time Stamps

Time Topic 00:00 Welcome to the show 01:00 TJs WSOP opportunity 06:00 WSOPs need for more faces 10:40 What players should get excited about 12:50 Coming back to Milwaukee? 15:10 Hailing from Missouri 16:00 Winning $3M at WSOPP 19:50 Howd you celebrate? 20:30 Eric Wasserson slowrolls Benny Glaser 26:35 His first $25K tournament 27:54 Follow TJ Reid

Tell us who you want to hear from. Let us know what you think of the show  tweet about the podcast using #PNPod, and be sure to follow Chad Holloway on X.

Subscribe to the PokerNews Podcast on Apple Podcasts here! You can also find us on Spotify as well as our new page on SoundCloud!

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Alexia Poe of Nashville, Tennessee, highlights the growing need for strategic communication in government, business, and nonprofit sectors.NASHVILLE, TN / ACCESS Newswire / April 16, 2026 / Strategic communications expert Alexia Poe is raising awareness about the critical role clear, structured communication plays in today's fast-moving and high-pressure environments.With more than 30 years of experience across journalism, government, higher education, and corporate leadership, Poe is encouraging organizations and individuals to rethink how they approach communication-especially during times of uncertainty or crisis."People often treat communication as an afterthought," Poe said. "But it should be part of the strategy from the start. When it's not, confusion follows." Recent data supports her perspective. According to a 2024 report from Gallagher, only 28% of employees strongly agree that leadership communicates effectively during times of change. Meanwhile, a PwC survey found that 65% of executives believe poor communication has led to missed opportunities or project failures within their organizations.Poe says these gaps are not just internal challenges. They affect public trust, decision-making, and long-term outcomes."Clarity creates momentum," she explained. "When people understand what is happening, they can move forward with confidence. Without that clarity, even strong plans can stall." Throughout her career, Poe has worked in environments where communication carries real consequences. From serving as Press Secretary to a Tennessee governor to advising at the White House and leading crisis communications at the state level, she has seen firsthand how messaging impacts outcomes."In government, every word matters," Poe said. "You are speaking not just for yourself, but for the people you serve. That responsibility does not go away in the private sector. It just looks different." Beyond leadership teams, Poe believes individuals at every level can play a role in improving communication."You don't have to be in charge to communicate clearly," she said. "Ask better questions. Listen closely. Make sure you understand before you respond. Those habits make a real difference." Research shows that strong communication is closely tied to organizational success. A study by McKinsey found that companies with effective communication practices are 3.5 times more likely to outperform their peers. At the same time, workplace studies continue to show that miscommunication is one of the leading causes of inefficiency and employee disengagement.For Poe, the issue is not just about performance. It is about trust."Clear communication builds trust," she said. "And trust is what moves everything forward-whether you are leading a team, running a company, or serving a community." She also emphasizes the importance of preparation, not just reaction."Crisis communication is not something you figure out in the moment," Poe said. "It requires planning, alignment, and a shared understanding before challenges arise." As organizations face increasing complexity-from rapid digital change to heightened public scrutiny-Poe believes the need for intentional communication will only grow.What You Can DoPoe encourages individuals to take simple steps to improve communication in their own work and daily lives:Slow down and focus on clarity over speedAsk questions to confirm understandingListen actively before respondingAlign messaging with clear goalsThink about how your message will be received, not just how it is delivered"Communication is a skill you build over time," Poe said. "The more intentional you are, the more effective you become." By focusing on these fundamentals, Poe believes people can reduce confusion, strengthen relationships, and contribute to better outcomes in any setting.To read the full interview, visit the websitehere .About Alexia PoeAlexia Poe is a Nashville-based strategic consultant and founder of Poe Consulting, LLC, a certified woman-owned firm specializing in strategic communications, crisis management, and organizational planning. With more than 30 years of experience across journalism, government, corporate, and nonprofit sectors, she has served in senior roles for two Tennessee governors, a U.S. senator, and the White House. Poe continues to work with organizations to help them navigate complex challenges through clear, effective communication.Contact:Info@ alexia-poe.com SOURCE: Alexia Poe
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WASHINGTON, D.C. / ACCESS Newswire / April 16, 2026 / Julie Hayden, Psy.D, practiced her passion recently, presenting methods for helping battle drug addiction, mental health problems and homelessness during a special White House meeting April 13 - 14, 2026.Hayden, a psychologist and community advocate who is chief executive officer and executive director of Rhombus University, Rhombus Counseling, La Mesa Counseling, New Vision Counseling Center, Genesis Recovery and East County Transitional Living Center, joined other addiction-and-mental illness-treating experts from across the nation at the Best Practices for Addiction Treatment in Homelessness Summit.The Office of National Drug Control Policy, the Department of Health and Human Services and Substance Abuse, and the Department of Housing and Urban Development sponsored the event. Cabinet-level participants included Director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy Sara Carter; Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.; Veterans Affairs Secretary Doug Collins; Assistant Secretary of Health Brian Christine; Housing and Urban Development Assistant Secretary Ronnie Kurtz; Health and Human Services and Substance Abuse Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary Christopher D. Carroll; and Great American Recovery Initiative co-Chair Kathryn Burgum.Findings Hayden and the others presented at the summit will go into a Best Practice Tool Kit, which will include examples and resources homelessness and addiction leaders and community advocates can use in their communities.The tool kit will fulfill two presidential executive orders: Ending Crime and Disorder on America's Streets, issued last July, and Addressing Addiction Through the Great American Recovery Initiative, issued this past January.Hayden's presentation, "From Instability to Independence: Designing Systems That Actually Work," illustrated how the problem she and her fellow experts are trying to solve is greater than the sum of its parts. It's not solely housing, or treatment or the crisis response the will solves things, Hayden argued. Single interventions won't work; only a larger continuum can bridge Point A and Point B."People are missing a system," one Hayden PowerPoint slide read.Hayden's presentation focused on principles from the Rhombus Model and cited outcomes from the East County Transitional Living Center, a San Diego County-based nonprofit, as the largest proof of concept. Based on a San Diego Taxpayers Association analysis, the ECTLC in 2024 spent $790 per person exiting to permanent housing and had 96% of its graduates remaining stably housed from Nov. 1, 2024, to Oct. 31, 2025.Hayden's slides described a three-legged plan "Protect  Prepare  Propel." Protection means helping people stabilize themselves mentally and physically; prepare means teaching people skills; propel means sending people toward independence.Her slides also laid out five principles: culture creates recovery; length of treatment time matters; individualized recovery matters; faith, community and work matter; and education breaks cycles. The principles tap the power of community, relationships and time to move people from crisis to independence, from instability to structure, and from disconnection to stability.Hayden's slides described how length of time helps recovery build, how trauma-informed, evidence-based, client-centered approaches shape individual recovery and how work restores dignity and structure.Data shows that the problems Hayden and the summit attendees addressed remain persistent. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) estimated in its 2024 National Survey on Drug Abuse and Health that 16.7% of the U.S. population (or 48.2 million people) used an illicit drug in the last month of 2024. On Jan. 12, the American Medical Association reported that overdose deaths declined from more than 110,000 in 2023 to about 75,000 in 2024, helped partly by naloxone.The tool kit will address employment; education; self-sufficiency and accountability; community integration; street outreach; overdose management; insurance; government funding; philanthropy; and patient responsibility."Some of the most amazing minds came together during the summit, sharing commonalities." Hayden said, adding that she saw behavioral health providers, county government heads and faith-based treatment providers. "The goal was to come at it from multiple angles to home in on the best practices. Everyone had a theme that emphasized integration of faith-based programs, because programs integrating faith have better outcomes than government-only programs." Ultimately, Hayden's argued in her comments and presentation, practice, not information creates change. And, when systems hold, people move, and stay, forward.CONTACT: Susan SomersManaging MemberFM Marketing LLC619-990-4414SOURCE: Dr. Julie Hayden
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VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESS Newswire / April 16, 2026 /BeMetals Corp. (TSXV:BMET)(OTCQB:BMTLF)(Frankfurt:1 OI.F) ("BeMetals" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has entered into a share purchase agreement dated April 15, 2026 (the "Agreement") with Prospector Metals Corp. ("Prospector") (TSXV:PPP)(OTCQB:PMCOF)(Frankfurt:1ET0) pursuant to which BeMetals will acquire all of Prospector's non-Yukon mineral exploration projects in exchange for 29,400,000 common shares of BeMetals on a post-consolidation basis as described below (the "Acquisition").BeMetals' Interim CEO Kristen Reinertson, stated: "We are very pleased to announce this transaction with Prospector, which will provide BeMetals shareholders with a portfolio of prospective Canadian-focused projects and a combined team led by experience, backed by strength and driven by discovery. The new company, under the leadership of Rob Carpenter and a highly experienced board of directors and technical team, will actively explore the project portfolio and continue to pursue additional acquisition opportunities to provide further value and growth potential to shareholders." Prospector Co-Chairman and CEO Rob Carpenter stated: "This transaction provides Prospector shareholders the opportunity to benefit from this exciting and prospective project portfolio, under a dedicated leadership team. We are looking forward to working with the BeMetals team to create a new opportunity for shareholders through the development of Canadian mineral projects." Benefits for BeMetals ShareholdersThe Acquisition, once completed, would reposition the Company as a Canadian-focused explorer with a portfolio of prospective exploration projects providing a pathway to discovery success and growth.A newly combined leadership team with a track record of finding new discoveries and advancing exploration projects will direct the vision of the Company following the Acquisition.B2Gold Corp. (TSX:BTO)(NYSE American:BTG) ("B2Gold") will continue to be a major shareholder of the Company.The Company will continue to seek value from its non-Canadian asset portfolio which includes the Kazan Gold Project in Japan and the Pangeni Copper Project in Zambia.Transaction SummaryPrior to closing, BeMetals will undertake a consolidation of its issued and outstanding common shares on the basis of 1 new post-consolidation share for every 10 pre-consolidation shares (the "Consolidation"). BeMetals currently has 294,423,604 common shares outstanding and is expected to have approximately 29,442,360 common shares outstanding following the Consolidation.BeMetals will issue to Prospector 29,400,000 post-Consolidation common shares of BeMetals (the "Consideration Shares") representing approximately 49.9% of the post-closing issued and outstanding BeMetals shares in exchange for the acquisition of Prospector Subco Ltd., a wholly-owned subsidiary through which Prospector will hold its interests in Savant, Devon and Whitton mineral properties in Ontario, the TooGood project in Newfoundland, and certain marketable securities as described below (the "Subject Assets"). Prospector intends to distribute the Consideration Shares to its shareholders on a pro-rata basis immediately following closing.Following the issuance of the Consideration Shares, the Company is expected to have approximately 58,842,360 common shares outstanding.On closing, subject to the approval of the TSX Venture Exchange ("TSXV"):It is anticipated that B2Gold will own 28.4% of all issued and outstanding common shares of Lightning.Lightning will implement a new business model focused on acquiring and exploring for Canadian gold projects with an emphasis on evaluating advanced-stage opportunities that also exhibit excellent long-term exploration potential. The Prospector team will provide technical input, Dr. Robert Carpenter will serve as CEO of Lightning on an interim basis during the search for a full-time CEO, and Kristen Reinertson and Nick Furber will serve as the Corporate Secretary and CFO, respectively, of Lightning.BeMetals will undergo a name change to "Lightning Resource Corp." (the Company, on a post-transaction basis, "Lightning").The board of directors will be reconstituted such that it consists of five individuals of whom two will be nominated by each of Prospector and the Company and one will be mutually nominated. As at the date hereof, the nominees will be comprised of Dr. Robert Carpenter, Andrew Rockandel, Jay Sujir, Andrew Brown, and Roger Richer. Additionally, it is expected that Clive Johnson will join the board of directors of Lightning in Q3 2026.Closing of the transaction is subject to the satisfaction of certain closing conditions, including the approval of the TSXV, shareholders of the Company (if required), as well as an order of the Supreme Court of British Columbia permitting the distribution of the Consideration Shares as a return of capital to Prospector shareholders. The Acquisition is considered a reviewable transaction pursuant to the policies of TSXV. BeMetals and Prospector are considered Non-Arm's Length to each other under TSXV definitions by virtue of having B2Gold as a common insider as a result of B2Gold's shareholdings over 10% in each of the respective companies, however BeMetals and Prospector are not "related parties" as defined in National Instrument 61-101. The parties' current boards and management are independent of one another and the valuation of the proposed transaction was determined through arm's length negotiation by the parties' officers, and has been unanimously approved by both BeMetals' and Prospector's boards of directors. None of the parties engaged a financial advisor in respect of the Acquisition and there are no finder's fees payable to any person.Mark Connelly, Chairman of BeMetals, stated: "We're pleased to be announcing this transaction which aims to put BeMetals on a path to discovery success and growth. The proposed Lightning Resource Corp. team has great depth, including proven leadership and technical expertise, and has the support of all members of the BeMetals board, management and advisors." Directors of Lightning Resource Corp.Rob Carpenter - Chairman of the BoardDr. Carpenter is President, CEO and Co-Chairman of Prospector, with over 30 years of corporate and technical mineral exploration experience. He was Co-Founder, President and CEO of Kaminak Gold Corporation (acquired by Goldcorp) and led the company through the discovery of the 5 million-ounce Coffee Gold Project. Dr. Carpenter completed his Ph.D. at Western University, London, ON.Andrew Rockandel - DirectorMr. Rockandel is Executive Director of Prospector and is an accomplished entrep
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David Pridham Takes The #18 Slot In The Top Intellectual Property Trade Publication's Annual RankingsLONDON, UK AND DALLAS, TX / ACCESS Newswire / April 16, 2026 / Global Intellectual Property industry trade publication IAM (Intellectual Asset Management) has released its 2026 IAM Market Makers of the Year listing, naming Dominion Harbor Group CEO David Pridham in the top 20 rankings at #18 spot of the world's top 40 patent dealmakers as selected by the publication's editorial team.Mr. Pridham was cited by IAM's 2026 Market Makers of the Year for having "...expanded the firm's portfolio significantly in 2025 by acquiring 2,500 patents from Dolby. Dominion operates Edison Innovations, which includes the red phosphor assets transferred as part of the Dolby-GE Licensing acquisition, and uses Edison as a vehicle to license these technologies into multiple markets. Pridham also led acquisitions of large portfolios from Ofinno, Shanghai Langbo Communication Technology and Vulcan Gaming, creating new subsidiaries to launch licensing programmes targeting wireless communications, automotive V2X systems, and gaming technologies worldwide...".The IAM Market Makers of the Year annual listing recognizes 40 Intellectual Property industry dealmakers and decision-makers as determined by the publication's editorial team. According to the trade magazine, over the past year, those featured in the Market Makers listing have executed major asset transactions, driven innovation in the dealmaking space and, ultimately, created significant value from IP."Those recognized are true leaders in the field - individuals who craft sophisticated strategies in an increasingly complex licensing environment, oversee high-stakes negotiations and secure impactful deals. While there are many others whose achievements merit recognition, there is little doubt that the individuals on this list represent the very top tier of the profession," as stated by IAM.Other executives cited within the Top 20 include Peter Moller, Access Advance; Andy Sherman, Dolby; Patrik Hammaren, Nokia; Christina Petersson - Ericsson; and Liren Chen - InterDigital."Being recognized by IAM's Market Makers of the Year is a significant honor and it's one that I share with our company's entire management and staff, each of whom play an important role in our licensing achievements," said Mr. Pridham.About IAM:IAM focuses on the many ways in which intellectual property and intangible assets can be used to create corporate value. In-depth articles, case studies, interviews and surveys, as well as a widely read blog, provide a high-level corporate readership with cutting-edge insights into how intellectual property and other intangibles can be used to create strategic advantage, build shareholder returns, generate bottom-line revenue and gain greater leverage in the financial markets.About Dominion Harbor Enterprises, LLC:Dominion Harbor Enterprises (DHE) is a premier intellectual property transaction and advisory firm, recognized for its unmatched expertise in IP transactions. DHE provides clients with unparalleled access to targeted and credentialed licensees, supported by its proprietary IPedia patent intelligence solution. The firm is committed to fostering innovation and growth in the intellectual property landscape.# # #CONTACT: SSA Public RelationsSteve Syatt steve@ ssapr.com +1 (818) 223-1022SOURCE: Dominion Harbor Group
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PHOENIX, AZ / ACCESS Newswire / April 16, 2026 / Dynamic Aerospace Systems (OTCQB:BRQL), a U.S.-manufactured unmanned aerial systems company focused on secure drone platforms designed for government, public safety, and commercial applications, today announced it will host a Drone Demo Expo on April 30, 2026, in collaboration with the Arizona Department of Public Safety (AZ DPS), as demand continues to accelerate for domestically sourced UAV solutions.The event is designed to bring together law enforcement, fire, government, and international participants to evaluate Dynamic Aerospace Systems' drone platforms in real-world operational settings. The program comes as agencies continue reviewing secure, U.S.-based UAV options for mission-critical applications.During the event, Dynamic Aerospace Systems will conduct live demonstrations of its advanced UAV portfolio, including:US-1 Long-Endurance Multi Rotor-copter: Built for extended aerial operations with flight times of 90 minutes while carrying a 5-pound payload, supporting missions such as search-and-rescue, wildfire monitoring, and large-area surveillance.G1 MKII Long-Range VTOL Aircraft: Engineered for long-duration missions with operational ranges of up to 1,100 miles, enabling wide-area patrol, border monitoring, and infrastructure inspection.Mitigator Indoor Tactical Drone: A compact system for confined-space operations, built for tactical response, emergency assessment, and hazardous environments. Designed for extreme durability, it can withstand wall impacts at up to 20 mph and continue operating, while supporting less-than-lethal payloads such as flashbang and smoke devices.Participating agencies will have the opportunity to observe live demonstrations, engage directly with engineering and flight teams, and evaluate system performance, deployment capabilities, and mission integration across multiple operational scenarios."Agencies are actively evaluating high-performance, U.S.-manufactured drone solutions that can be deployed reliably in critical environments," said Kent Wilson, CEO of Dynamic Aerospace Systems. "This event provides a unique opportunity to demonstrate our platforms in front of multiple decision makers as adoption of secure, domestically built UAV systems continues to expand." The Company believes events such as the Drone Demo Expo can play a key role in accelerating evaluation cycles and supporting potential future deployments across law enforcement, fire response, disaster response, and broader government applications.About DPS: https://www.azdps.gov/ About Dynamic Aerospace Systems (DAS): Dynamic Aerospace Systems is a Nevada-incorporated business dedicated to developing innovative aerospace technologies, with a focus on advanced drones (UAVs) for military defense and commercial applications. Committed to engineering excellence and strategic partnerships, DAS delivers reliable, high-performance solutions to meet the evolving needs of the aerospace industry. The Company's common stock is traded on the OTCQB Market under the ticker symbol " BRQL." For more information about DAS, visit: https://www.dynamicaerosystems.com/investor-relations/why-dynamic Contact Information: Dynamic Aerospace Systems (DAS)3753 Plaza Dr, Ann Arbor, MI 48108Investor Relations: ir@ dynamicaerosystems.com Media Inquiries: media@ dynamicaerosystems.com Follow DAS news and updates:X:https://x.com/DynamicAeroSysLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/dynamic-aerospace-systems/BlueSky:https://bsky.app/profile/dynamicaerosys.bsky.socialFacebook:https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61572730386312StockTwits:https://stocktwits.com/symbol/BRQL Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements relate to, among other things, the anticipated timing, scope, and outcomes of the Company's Drone Demo Expo event, the level of participation by law enforcement, fire, government, and international agencies, and the potential evaluation, adoption, and deployment of Dynamic Aerospace Systems' unmanned aerial systems for public safety, defense, and commercial applications.Forward-looking statements are based on current expectations, assumptions, and projections regarding the Company's business, technology capabilities, and market opportunities, including the expected growth in demand for U.S.-manufactured and secure UAV platforms. Words such as "expects," "anticipates," "plans," "believes," "intends," "may," "will," "could," and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements.These statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied. Such risks include, but are not limited to: changes in event scheduling or participation levels; the outcome of live demonstrations and technology evaluations; the Company's ability to convert demonstrations into pilot programs, contracts, or procurement opportunities; regulatory requirements affecting UAV deployment; competitive market conditions; technological development challenges; and broader economic, governmental, or geopolitical factors influencing adoption of unmanned aerial systems.Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this release. Except as required by law, Dynamic Aerospace Systems undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect new information, future events, or otherwise.SOURCE: Dynamic Aerospace Systems
PR-Inside.com: 2026-04-16 01:05:06

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NEW YORK CITY, NY / ACCESS Newswire / April 15, 2026 /WHY: Rosen Law Firm, a global investor rights law firm, reminds purchasers of securities of Franklin BSP Realty Trust, Inc. (NYSE:FBRT) between November 5, 2024 and February 11, 2026, both dates inclusive (the "Class Period"), of the important April 27, 2026 lead plaintiff deadline in the securities class action first filed by the Firm.SO WHAT: If you purchased Franklin BSP Realty securities during the Class Period you may be entitled to compensation without payment of any out of pocket fees or costs through a contingency fee arrangement.WHAT TO DO NEXT: To join the Franklin BSP Realty class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=53434 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email case@ rosenlegal.com for information on the class action. A class action lawsuit has already been filed. If you wish to serve as lead plaintiff, you must move the Court no later than April 27, 2026. A lead plaintiff is a representative party acting on behalf of other class members in directing the litigation.WHY ROSEN LAW: We encourage investors to select qualified counsel with a track record of success in leadership roles. Often, firms issuing notices do not have comparable experience, resources, or any meaningful peer recognition. Many of these firms do not actually handle securities class actions, but are merely middlemen that refer clients or partner with law firms that actually litigate the cases. Be wise in selecting counsel. The Rosen Law Firm represents investors throughout the globe, concentrating its practice in securities class actions and shareholder derivative litigation. Rosen Law Firm has achieved at that time, the largest ever securities class action settlement against a Chinese Company. Rosen Law Firm was Ranked No. 1 by ISS Securities Class Action Services for number of securities class action settlements in 2017. The firm has been ranked in the top 4 each year since 2013 and has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors. In 2019 alone the firm secured over $438 million for investors. In 2020, founding partner Laurence Rosen was named by law360 as a Titan of Plaintiffs' Bar. Many of the firm's attorneys have been recognized by Lawdragon and Super Lawyers.DETAILS OF THE CASE: According to the lawsuit, defendants throughout the Class Period made false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (1) defendants recklessly overstated Franklin BSP Realty's prospects; (2) defendants recklessly overstated Franklin BSP realty Trust's ability to maintain the $0.355 dividend; and (3) as a result, defendants' statements about Franklin BSP Realty's business, operations, and prospects were materially false and misleading and/or lacked a reasonable basis at all relevant times. When the true details entered the market, the lawsuit claims that investors suffered damages.To join the Franklin BSP Realty class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=53434 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email case@ rosenlegal.com for information on the class action.No Class Has Been Certified. Until a class is certified, you are not represented by counsel unless you retain one. You may select counsel of your choice. You may also remain an absent class member and do nothing at this point. An investor's ability to share in any potential future recovery is not dependent upon serving as lead plaintiff.Follow us for updates on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-rosen-law-firm or on Twitter: https://twitter.com/rosen_firm or on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rosenlawfirm Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.---Contact Information:Laurence Rosen, Esq.Phillip Kim, Esq.The Rosen Law Firm, P.A.275 Madison Avenue, 40th FloorNew York, NY 10016Tel: (212) 686-1060Toll Free: (866) 767-3653Fax: (212) 202-3827 case@ rosenlegal.comwww.rosenlegal.com SOURCE: The Rosen Law Firm, P.A.
PR-Inside.com: 2026-04-16 13:07:24

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NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO UNITED STATES NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATESTORONTO, ON / ACCESS Newswire / April 16, 2026 / Geiger Energy Corporation ("Geiger" or the "Company") (TSXV:BEEP)(OTCQB:BSENF) is pleased to announce that it has entered into an agreement with Red Cloud Securities Inc. ("Red Cloud") and Haywood Securities Inc. (collectively with Red Cloud, the "Agents") to act as co-lead agents and joint bookrunners in connection with a "best efforts" public offering (the "Marketed Public Offering") for the sale of the following:units of the Company (each, a "Unit") at a price of C$0.22 per Unit (the "Unit Price"), subject to the minimum sale of 4,545,455 Units for minimum gross proceeds of C$1,000,000.10 from the sale of Units;up to 6,153,846 flow-through units of the Company to be sold to charitable purchasers (each, a "1st Tranche Charity FT Unit") at a price of C$0.325 per 1st Tranche Charity FT Unit for gross proceeds of up to C$1,999,999.95 from the sale of 1st Tranche Charity FT Units; andflow-through units of the Company to be sold to charitable purchasers (each, a "2nd Tranche Charity FT Unit", and together with the 1st Tranche Charity FT Units, the "Charity FT Units") at a price of C$0.30 per 2nd Tranche Charity FT Unit.The Units and Charity FT Units shall collectively be referred to as the "Public Offering Securities".Each Unit will consist of (i) one common share of the Company (a "Unit Share") and (ii) one-half of one common share purchase warrant (each whole warrant, a "Unit Warrant"). Each Charity FT Unit will consist of (i) one common share of the Company (each, a "Charity FT Share") and (ii) one-half of one common share purchase warrant (each whole warrant, a "Charity FT Warrant"). Each Charity FT Share and each whole Charity FT Warrant comprising a Charity FT Unit will qualify as a "flow-through share" within the meaning of subsection 66(15) of the Income Tax Act (Canada) (the "Income Tax Act"). Each Unit Warrant and Charity FT Warrant shall entitle the holder to purchase one common share of the Company on a non-flow-through basis (each, a "Warrant Share") at a price of C$0.30 at any time on or before that date which is 36 months after the Closing Date (as defined below).The Company has granted to the Agents an option (the "Over-Allotment Option", and together with the Marketed Public Offering, the "Public Offering"), exercisable, in whole or in part, at any time for a period of up to 30 days after and including the Closing Date, to sell the number of additional Public Offering Securities equal to up to 15% of the number of Public Offering Securities sold pursuant to the Marketed Public Offering at their respective offering prices to cover over allotments, if any, and for market stabilization purposes.Concurrently with the Marketed Public Offering, the Company has engaged the Agents to act as co-lead agents and joint bookrunners in connection with a "best efforts" private placement (the "Marketed Private Placement") for the sale of flow-through shares of the Company (each, a "FT Share") at a price of C$0.25 per FT Share (the "FT Share Price"). Each FT Share will qualify as a "flow-through share" within the meaning of subsection 66(15) of the Income Tax Act.The Company also grants the Agents an option, exercisable in full or in part up to 48 hours prior to the closing of the Marketed Private Placement, to sell up to that number of additional FT Shares that is equal to up to 15% of the FT Shares issued pursuant to the Marketed Private Placement at the FT Share Price (the "Agents' Option"). The Marketed Private Placement and the FT Shares issuable upon exercise of the Agents' Option shall be collectively referred to as the "Private Placement". The Public Offering and the Private Placement shall collectively be referred to as the "Offerings".The Company intends to raise a minimum of C$4,000,000 to a maximum of C$7,000,000 in aggregate gross proceeds from the Marketed Public Offering and Marketed Private Placement (up to C$8,050,000 in aggregate gross proceeds assuming the Over-Allotment Option and Agents' Option are exercised in full).The net proceeds from the Offerings will be used by the Company to fund the exploration of the Company's projects in the Thelon Basin in Nunavut and the Athabasca Basin in northern Saskatchewan as well as for general working capital purposes.The gross proceeds from the sale of Charity FT Units and FT Shares will be used by the Company to incur eligible "Canadian exploration expenses" that qualify as "flow-through critical mineral mining expenditures" as such terms are defined in the Income Tax Act (the "Qualifying Expenditures") related to the Company's uranium projects in the Thelon Basin in Nunavut and the Athabasca Basin in northern Saskatchewan, on or before December 31, 2027. All Qualifying Expenditures will be renounced in favour of the subscribers of the FT Shares and Charity FT Units effective December 31, 2026.The Public Offering Securities will be sold by way of a short-form prospectus to be filed with the securities regulatory authorities in each of the provinces of Canada, except Quebec pursuant to National Instrument 44-101 - Short Form Prospectus Distributions. The Units will also be sold (i) in the United States or to, or for the account or benefit of, U.S. persons, by way of private placement pursuant to the exemptions from the registration requirements provided for under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act"); and (ii) in jurisdictions outside of Canada and the United States on a private placement or equivalent basis, in each case in accordance with all applicable laws, provided that no prospectus, registration statement or other similar document is required to be filed in such jurisdiction.The FT Shares will be offered by way of the "accredited investor" and "minimum amount investment" exemptions under National Instrument 45-106 - Prospectus Exemptions in all of the provinces of Canada. The FT Shares will be subject to a hold period in Canada ending on the date that is four months plus one day following the Closing Date as defined in Subsection 2.5(2) of Multilateral Instrument 45-102 - Resale of Securities.In connection with the Offerings, the Company has agreed to pay to the Agents a cash commission equal to 6.0% of the gross proceeds raised in respect of the Offerings. In addition, the Company will issue to the Agents such number of warrants of the Company (each, a "Broker Warrant") that is equal to 6.0% of the number of Units and Charity FT Units sold pursuant to the Public Offering
PR-Inside.com: 2026-04-16 10:00:28

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VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESS Newswire / April 16, 2026 /GMV Minerals Inc. (the "Company" or "GMV") (TSXV:GMV)(OTCQB:GMVMF) is pleased to announce that drill mobilization went smoothly and that it has commenced drilling at the Mexican Hat Gold Deposit in SE Arizona. The first holes will focus on confirmatory core drilling of the deposit spanning 1,000 m in strike length, 400 m of true width from near surface at elevation 1,565 m to an elevation of 1,185 m. This will test approximately 90% of the mineralization providing confirmation of grade distribution allowing for the Inferred Mineral Resource to be confirmed and potentially be upgraded, and to collect geotechnical information to assist in modelling of the open pit.About GMV Minerals Inc.GMV Minerals Inc. is a publicly traded exploration company focused on developing precious metal assets in Arizona. GMV, through its 100% owned subsidiary, has a 100% interest in a Mining Property Lease commonly referred to as the Mexican Hat Property, located in Cochise County, Arizona, USA. The project was initially explored by Placer Dome (USA) in the late 1980's to early 1990's. GMV is focused on developing the asset and realizing the full mineral potential of the property through near term gold production. The Company's NI 43-101 resource estimate (Inferred) is 36,733,000 tonnes grading 0.58 g/t gold at a 0.2 g/t cut-off, containing 688,000 ounces of gold, with an effective date of August 8, 2025.Dr. D.R. Webb, Ph.D., P.Geo., P.Eng. is the Q.P. for this release within the meaning of NI 43-101 and has reviewed the technical content of this release and has approved its content.ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS___Ian Klassen, PresidentFor further information please contact:GMV Minerals Inc.Ian KlassenTel: (604) 899-0106Email:Klassen@ gmvminerals.com Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking InformationThis news release includes certain "forward-looking statements" under applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking statements include estimates and statements that describe the Company's future plans, objectives or goals, including words to the effect that the Company or management expects a stated condition or result to occur. Forward-looking statements may be identified by such terms as "believes", "anticipates", "expects", "estimates", "may", "could", "would", "will", or "plan". Forward-looking information contained in this news release include, but are not limited to, statements or information with respect to: the engagement of Machai, including the services to be provided and the grant of options to Machai, the anticipated drilling program on the Mexican Hat Project, including timing thereof, the results of the PEA, including the IRR and NPV, life of mine and production, capital expenditures, cost estimates; and the mine plan, future plans; mineral resources; and future gold prices. Since forward-looking statements are based on assumptions and address future events and conditions, by their very nature they involve inherent risks and uncertainties as described in the Company's filings with Canadian securities regulators. Assumptions upon which forward-looking information contained in this news release is based, without limitation, include: ability to obtain approval of the TSXV, the services to be provided by Machai, results of the drill program on the Mexican Hat Project and future exploration; gold prices; accuracy of the results of the PEA, including key assumptions and methods used to determine mineral resources and the results of the PEA; the ability to obtain required permits and approvals; the ability to execute future plans; exchange rates; ability to obtain funding; and changes in regulatory or community environment. Risks, and uncertainties include: results of further drilling and exploration; risks related to mineral tenure, permits and approvals; risks related to the execution of future plans; changes in gold price and exchange rates; risks related to obtaining financing; foreign country risks; regulatory risks and liabilities; and those risks and uncertainties as further described in the Company's filings with Canadian securities regulators which can be found on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca under the Company's profile. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, other than as required by law.Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.SOURCE: GMV Minerals, Inc.
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MONTGOMERY, AL / ACCESS Newswire / April 16, 2026 / Happy Horsehas surged to the top of the Artificial Analysis Video Arena - the trusted blind human-vote Elo leaderboard - in pure visual quality. While other models focus primarily on motion control and audio synchronization,Happy Horse 1.0prioritizes what truly makes videos feel premium: hyper-realistic textures, film-grade lighting, rich color grading, and artistic consistency that gives every frame the polish of a $10 million Hollywood production.Major players such as Kuaishou and ByteDance continue to deliver strong technical advances, yet HappyHorse 1.0 stands out as the model that prompts viewers to pause and say, "This actually looks real." Tests conducted on the generator at happy-horse.art confirm next-level output, including soft volumetric lighting, intricate material details, natural skin tones, and exceptional character consistency across shots - all achieved without additional prompting.Artificial Analysis Video Arena: What It Is and Why It MattersThe Artificial Analysis Video Arena remains the most respected blind-testing platform for video generation models. Real creators vote on side-by-side clips without knowing which model produced them. Elo scores update in real time based on thousands of preference votes, providing a transparent benchmark free of self-reported metrics or marketing claims.It is especially effective at separating hype from actual performance in categories focused on pure visual beauty.Current Leaderboard Snapshot (Apr 15, 2026) - Pure Visual QualitySource: Artificial Analysis Video Arena (live data). Happy Horse 1.0 also leads in multiple Image-to-Video and aesthetic subcategories.What We Know About Happy Horse 1.0All information in this section is drawn directly from the official Happy Horse platform at happy-horse.art . While leaderboard results and live demos are publicly available, comprehensive independent third-party verification of every technical specification remains ongoing as of April 15, 2026.Core Claims (Architecture / Parameters / Functionality)Hyper-Photorealistic Visual Engine: Trained specifically for maximum aesthetic fidelity, the model delivers film-like lighting, volumetric god rays, intricate textures, realistic skin/hair/cloth physics, and professional color grading.Exceptional Character & World Consistency: It maintains industry-leading persistent identity across shots - consistent faces, bodies, clothing, and style with minimal drift. World coherence (lighting, shadows, atmosphere) remains stable even in multi-shot generations.Cinematic Quality at Scale: Outputs support 2K resolution, 5-15 second clips, and multiple aspect ratios. The model handles text-to-video, image-to-video, and reference-image control using natural language prompts.Artistic Intelligence: The system demonstrates strong understanding of mood, style references (cinematic, anime, documentary, etc.), and subtle emotional tones.Production-Ready Output: Generations are clean and highly detailed, typically requiring almost no post-production for visual polish.What's Still Unverified / The GapExact parameter count and full training methodology (the team provides minimal model cards).Depth of native audio and lip-sync features (visuals remain the primary focus; audio performance is solid but not the headline capability).Maximum clip length beyond 15 seconds without using chaining tools.Open-source status: the model is currently fully closed and proprietary.Access StatusClaims vs Reality: Fully live with generous free credits.Demo / Try Now: Available at the dedicated model page.API: Available for high-volume users.Open Weights / Local: No - cloud-only.Builder Implications / What This Means for Creators and TeamsCreators looking for instant results can jump straight into theHappyHorse AI Video Generatorand start generating with generous free credits-no credit card required. For the latest examples, technical details, and cinematic demonstrations, visit the official Happy Horse 1.0 model page.For curious creators, the recommendation is to visit the HappyHorse AI Video Generator and test the free credits. The results immediately illustrate why the model ranks #1 in visual beauty.For production users working on advertisements, music videos, short films, social content, or branding projects, Happy Horse AI is the preferred choice when premium visuals are essential. Its aesthetic quality can significantly reduce time spent on editing and color grading. Users can begin at Happy Horse 1.0 AI and scale through Pro plans as needed.For developers, the robust reference system and strong consistency make the model well-suited for building visual-first AI tools and pipelines.This distinction matters because most AI video tools still carry an identifiable "AI-generated" look. Happy Horse is among the first models that consistently allow audiences to forget they are watching AI-generated content - a development that transforms client work and audience engagement.FAQCan users try Happy Horse 1.0 right now? Yes. New users receive free credits instantly at the Happy Horse 1.0 AI Video Generator. No credit card or waitlist is required, and the platform works on any device.Is Happy Horse 1.0 truly better than Kling 3.0 or Seedance 2.0? In blind visual quality votes, yes. Kling 3.0 leads in motion control and Seedance 2.0 in multimodal and audio capabilities, but when jaw-dropping beauty and realism are the priority, Happy Horse 1.0 currently holds the #1 position for good reason.Does it support commercial use? Yes. All outputs come with full commercial rights, making the model suitable for client projects, advertisements, and monetized content.How strong is the character consistency and lighting? Best-in-class. Characters remain on-model across cuts, lighting feels natural and cinematic, and textures and materials appear tactile. Reviewers frequently note that the output does not look AI-generated.What about longer videos or advanced motion control? The model is optimized for high-quality 5-15 second clips. Creators can use multi-shot mode or chain generations for longer sequences. Motion performance is strong but not the primary differentiator compared with dedicated motion-control models like Kling.Is Happy Horse 1.0 open-source? No. It is a closed, proprietary model engineered for maximum visual performance.How fast is generation? Most 2K clips complete in under 40 seconds on the web generator; API access offers even faster processing.Bottom line: Happy Horse 1.0 is worth testing today and is production-ready when cinematic quality and visual beauty are the top priorities. Its #1 ranking in pure aestheti
PR-Inside.com: 2026-04-16 14:35:14

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Initial Production Order includes Initial Five SKUs for 4,800+ Premier Isle End-Cap Placements at a Leading National Retailer, Supporting Rapid Expansion in the $720 Billion Health & Beauty MarketLAS VEGAS, NV / ACCESS Newswire / April 16, 2026 / Healthy Extracts Inc. (OTCQB:HYEX), technology leader in precision nutraceutical dosing and advanced oral delivery systems, announced its wholly owned subsidiary, Gummy USA, has entered a U.S. manufacturing partnership with Imarais Beauty, the popular plant-based ingestible beauty and wellness brand founded by media personality, Sommer Ray, and supplement industry veteran, Aaron Hefter.The partnership launched with an initial order totaling nearly four million gummies across five existing Imarais Beauty SKUs. The order is planned for distribution to 4,800+ store locations nationwide, with this to include highly visible isle end-cap placements.Healthy Extracts Secures U.S. Manufacturing Partnership with Sommer Ray's Imarais BeautyA recognized leading innovator in the beauty wellness category, Imarais Beauty offers a differentiated gummy product line focused on hair, skin, nails and sexual wellness. Its proprietary formulations are designed to create a unique consumer experience unlike traditional gummies.The popular brand has achieved broad distribution across major U.S. retail channels, including Target, Ulta and Sprouts, after establishing a strong international footprint in Canada and the United Kingdom.Imarais Beauty's market visibility has been elevated by its ownership group that includes Sommer Ray, one of the world's most recognized digital fitness and lifestyle influencers whose social media audience exceeds 40 million followers."We see this initial large order as just the beginning of a highly scalable, transformational partnership," stated Hefter, Imarais Beauty's CEO. "We're excited to collaborate with Healthy Extracts and Gummy USA whose precision dosing technology aligns perfectly with our commitment to premium quality, innovation, and rapid market expansion. Strengthened by Gummy USA's advanced U.S. manufacturing capabilities, we see tremendous opportunities to grow our presence worldwide." Healthy Extracts CEO, Don Swanson, commented, "Imarais Beauty has quickly become the premier gummy brand in the fast-growing beauty wellness segment. This new partnership demonstrates the success of our efforts to find the right strategic partner to accelerate our expansion into the $725 billion global health and beauty market."Given Imarais' unique formulations, brand reach, and retail momentum, we see this new collaboration dramatically accelerating our manufacturing output for the remainder of the year and continuing to open doors to multiple new opportunities." Swanson notes that the proprietary technology and advanced formulations behind these products is unlike anything else currently in the gummy market today. "Being chosen by Imarais for this important manufacturing process underscores our position as a leader in differentiated, precision-dosed, oral delivery systems," added Swanson. "It reflects our unique ability to attract premier brands and prospects for rapid strategic growth."About Imarais Beauty Imarais Beauty is leading the skin care revolution with the first line of plant-based and sugar-free skincare gummies, intersecting health, beauty, sustainability and science. The brand utilizes plant-based micronutrients with an advanced delivery system to brighten, firm and restore skin balance at the cellular level, all while tasting delicious. Because what you put on your body is a topical solution, but what you put in your body is the true solution. Imarais is for people who want to reclaim their skin care routine with sexy, simple, sustainable skin care.Imarais Beauty was founded by media personality, Sommer Ray, and supplement industry veteran, Aaron Hefter. Sommer is known for her expressive and friendly personality as well as being a leader in self-empowerment and mental health movements. She redefines the modern woman, making her own choices about her image and demonstrating leadership as a businesswoman.Imarais Beauty is committed to producing real-world results with innovative formulas powered by plant-based superfoods. Its goal is to make the best vegan and cruelty-free products backed by science and success.Imarais Beauty prides itself on being radically transparent about its mission to be the world's most sustainable beauty brand with no sugar, gelatin, carrageenan, artificial colors, synthetic dyes or artificial sweeteners. It seeks a low carbon footprint, clinically proven results, a traceable supply chain, and 100% plant-based ingredients. Imarais Beauty is Health Canada approved for safety, efficacy, and quality, and backed by independent clinical testing done by Princeton Consumer Research.As Canada's #1 ingestible beauty & wellness brand, its products are now available at major U.S. retailers nationwide. For more information, visit imaraisbeauty.com About Healthy Extracts "Live Life Young Again"Healthy Extracts Inc. (OTCQB:HYEX) is a leader in nutraceutical innovations and precision dose gummy manufacturing. It develops, manufactures and markets proprietary, science-based supplements for brain, heart, and gut health. The platform enables clinically tested formulas and exclusive partnerships that deliver wellness solutions with measurable consumer and shareholder value.The company's Gummy USA subsidiary is a leading developer and manufacturer of precision-dosed nutraceutical and pharmaceutical-grade gummies. Its exclusively licensed, proprietary, patent-pending SureDose technology delivers superior safety, efficacy and compliance for white and private label customers.Healthy Extracts wholly owned subsidiaries, BergametNA and Ultimate Brain Nutrients (UBN), offer nutraceutical natural heart and brain health supplements. BergametNA products are the only heart health supplements distributed in North America containing Citrus Bergamot SuperFruit, the only superfruit with the highest known concentration of polyphenols and flavonoids.Healthy Extracts has exclusive agreements for other innovative oral delivery systems that include Gelteq gel-packs and the Gut Health Straw, both of which provide superior bioavailability and ultimate consumer convenience.To learn more, go to: healthyextractsinc.com tryubn.com or gummyusa.com Safe Harbor Notice and Important Cautions Regarding Forward-Looking Statements All statements other than statements of historical facts included in this press release are "for
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OSWIECIM, PL / ACCESS Newswire / April 15, 2026 / In the shadow of one of history's darkest sites, more than 120 senior law enforcement leaders gathered this week in Poland for a program with an urgent mandate to translate memory into action.The seminar, titled "Operationalizing Never Again Not On Our Watch 2026," was hosted at the Auschwitz Jewish Center Foundation in Oswiecim, adjacent to the former Nazi death camp Auschwitz. Organized in partnership with the Rutgers University Miller Center on Policing and Community Resilience and the University of Virginia, the program brought together police leaders, policymakers and security officials from across the United States, Europe and beyond for an intensive period of study and discussion.Among the highest-ranking participants were New Jersey State Police Acting Superintendent Jeanne Hengemuhle, New York Police Department Executive Director Amy E. Bishop, Washington DC Metropolitan Police Department Assistant Chief Tasha Bryant and Royal Canadian Mounted Police Superintendent Sanjaya Wijayakoon, alongside senior European leadership including German Police Union Federal Chairman Jochen Kopelke. Their presence underscored the program's reach into the upper ranks of global policing at a moment of heightened concern over extremism, antisemitism and other forms of hate.For the Auschwitz Jewish Center Foundation, the convening reflects a broader educational mission that has, over the past decade, engaged tens of thousands of diplomats, military personnel, law enforcement officials and educators in Holocaust based training programs focused on tolerance, human rights and ethical leadership.Participants spent time in Oswiecim combining historical study with professional dialogue. They toured the remains of the Auschwitz Birkenau camp complex, engaged in seminars on the role of state institutions in enabling atrocities and took part in discussions designed to connect those lessons to contemporary policing."Law enforcement officers hold immense authority and responsibility," said Auschwitz Jewish Center Foundation Director General Jack Simony. "Our responsibility is to ensure that the lessons of the Holocaust are not confined to history but are actively shaping how today's leaders confront bigotry, hatred and the dehumanization of others." The program's structure reflects a growing emphasis on professional audiences particularly those entrusted with public authority. While Holocaust education has long focused on students and the general public, institutions like the Auschwitz Jewish Center have increasingly tailored their work to judges, diplomats and law enforcement officials, arguing that such groups play a decisive role in preventing hate and protecting vulnerable communities."Never Again is not a slogan it is a responsibility," said Auschwitz Jewish Center Foundation Chairman Simon Bergson. "By bringing together leaders from across countries and disciplines we are building a community committed to recognizing warning signs and acting before prejudice and hatred escalate into violence." The delegation reflected that international scope. In addition to senior American officials, participants included police leaders and union representatives from Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands and Estonia as well as officials from Canada, Kenya and Australia. Many hold positions that shape training standards, departmental policy and national policing strategy.The program was led by Paul Goldenberg, chair of the initiative, alongside colleagues from Rutgers and the University of Virginia and featured a mix of lectures, site visits and small group discussions.For many, the setting itself a short distance from the barracks and crematoria of Auschwitz served as a stark reminder of how ordinary institutions including police forces were once drawn into systems of persecution and mass murder."In Oswiecim, where the consequences of hatred were carried out with the participation of ordinary institutions, we are consistently reminded that the line between protection and persecution is defined by human choices," said Tomasz Kuncewicz. "Programs like this are about equipping today's leaders with the awareness and moral clarity to ensure that authority is always used to defend human dignity, never to erode it." Sessions focused on the incremental nature of authoritarianism, the normalization of bias and the ethical obligations of officers when confronted with unlawful or discriminatory directives.The delegation included senior law enforcement officials from across the United States and abroad. including:From Arizona: Cochise County Sheriff's Office Captain Tim Williams.From California: San Mateo Police Department Chief Ed Barberini.From Colorado: Denver Sheriff's Department Major Keri Adcock; Boulder Police Department Deputy Chief Ron Gosage; Colorado State Patrol Captain Wesley Kartus; Colorado State Patrol Lieutenant Colonel Joshua Downing.From the District of Columbia: Metropolitan Police Department Assistant Chief Tasha Bryant; Metropolitan Police Department Captain Gavin Nelson.From Florida: Aventura Police Department Chief Michael Bentolila; St Lucie County Sheriff's Office Reservist Adam Dobrin.From Maryland: Montgomery County Department of Police Captain Kathy M. Estrada; Hyattsville Police Department Deputy Chief Laura Lanham.From Massachusetts: Massachusetts State Police Lieutenant Colonel Daniel Tucker; Wellfleet Police Department Reserve Officer Marc Spigel.From Minnesota: Minneapolis Police Department Bureau Chief Ganesha Martin.From New Jersey: New Jersey State Police Acting Superintendent Jeanne Hengemuhle; South Brunswick Police Department Captain Jeffrey Russo; Monmouth Junction Police Department Chief Raymond J. Hayducka; Cinnaminson Police Department Chief William Obuchowski; New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police Executive Director Mitchell Sklar.From New York: New York Police Department Executive Director Amy E. Bishop; Suffolk County Police Department Assistant Commissioner Elizabeth Daitz.From North Dakota: North Dakota Bureau of Criminal Investigation Chief Agent Casey Miller.From Tennessee: Knoxville Police Department Captain Tracy Hunter; Tennessee Bureau of Investigation Director David Rausch.From Texas: Harris County Sheriff's Office Sergeant Joseph Saavedra; Collin County Sheriff's Office Sheriff AJ Skinner.From Virginia: Virginia State Police Lieutenant Colonel Norman Gray; Loudoun County Sheriff's Office Major David Hill; Louisa County Fire and EMS Deputy Chief Chris Lee.From Washington: Seattle Police Department Lieutenant Dorothy Kim.From Australia: Queensland Police Service Assistant Commission
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NEW YORK CITY, NY / ACCESS Newswire / April 15, 2026 / Pomerantz LLP announces that a class action lawsuit has been filed against Stellantis N.V. ("Stellantis" or the "Company") (NYSE:STLA). Such investors are advised to contact Danielle Peyton at newaction@ pomlaw.com or 646-581-9980, (or 888.4-POMLAW), toll-free, Ext. 7980. Those who inquire by e-mail are encouraged to include their mailing address, telephone number, and the number of shares purchased.The class action concerns whether Stellantis and certain of its officers and/or directors have engaged in securities fraud or other unlawful business practices.You have until June 8, 2026, to ask the Court to appoint you as Lead Plaintiff for the class if you purchased or otherwise acquired Stellantis securities during the Class Period. A copy of the Complaint can be obtained at www.pomerantzlaw.com [Click here for information about joining the class action]On February 6, 2026, Stellantis announced 22 billion in charges alongside a "reset" of the Company's business and a shortfall, even discounting the charges, against the Company's previous guidance. Stellantis described the charges and reset as due in significant part to the need to shift organizational priorities, stakeholder relationships, supply chains, execution, and quality control due to "an initial overestimation of pace of adoption of electrification in the regions." Stellantis further pointed specifically to "substantially reduced volume and profitability expectations for [battery-powered electric vehicle] products." On this news, Stellantis's stock price fell $2.26 per share, or 23.69%, to close at $7.28 per share on February 6, 2026.Pomerantz LLP, with offices in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, London, Paris, and Tel Aviv, is acknowledged as one of the premier firms in the areas of corporate, securities, and antitrust class litigation. Founded by the late Abraham L. Pomerantz, known as the dean of the class action bar, Pomerantz pioneered the field of securities class actions. Today, more than 85 years later, Pomerantz continues in the tradition he established, fighting for the rights of the victims of securities fraud, breaches of fiduciary duty, and corporate misconduct. The Firm has recovered numerous multimillion-dollar damages awards on behalf of class members. See www.pomlaw.com Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.SOURCE: Pomerantz LLP
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NEW YORK CITY, NY / ACCESS Newswire / April 16, 2026 /WHY: Rosen Law Firm, a global investor rights law firm, reminds purchasers of common stock of Boston Scientific Corporation (NYSE:BSX) between July 23, 2025 and February 3, 2026, inclusive (the "Class Period"), of the important May 4, 2026 lead plaintiff deadline.SO WHAT: If you purchased Boston Scientific common stock during the Class Period you may be entitled to compensation without payment of any out of pocket fees or costs through a contingency fee arrangement.WHAT TO DO NEXT: To join the Boston Scientific class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=55398 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email case@ rosenlegal.com for information on the class action. A class action lawsuit has already been filed. If you wish to serve as lead plaintiff, you must move the Court no later than May 4, 2026. A lead plaintiff is a representative party acting on behalf of other class members in directing the litigation.WHY ROSEN LAW: We encourage investors to select qualified counsel with a track record of success in leadership roles. Often, firms issuing notices do not have comparable experience, resources, or any meaningful peer recognition. Many of these firms do not actually handle securities class actions, but are merely middlemen that refer clients or partner with law firms that actually litigate the cases. Be wise in selecting counsel. The Rosen Law Firm represents investors throughout the globe, concentrating its practice in securities class actions and shareholder derivative litigation. Rosen Law Firm has achieved, at that time, the largest ever securities class action settlement against a Chinese Company. Rosen Law Firm was Ranked No. 1 by ISS Securities Class Action Services for number of securities class action settlements in 2017. The firm has been ranked in the top 4 each year since 2013 and has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors. In 2019 alone the firm secured over $438 million for investors. In 2020, founding partner Laurence Rosen was named by law360 as a Titan of Plaintiffs' Bar. Many of the firm's attorneys have been recognized by Lawdragon and Super Lawyers.DETAILS OF THE CASE: According to the lawsuit, during the Class Period, defendants made positive statements to investors while, at the same time, disseminating materially false and misleading statements and/or concealing material adverse facts concerning the true state of Boston Scientific's U.S. Electrophysiology segment; notably, that management was aware that the segment's growth rate was unsustainable and that it was approaching an earlier tipping point than the market was anticipating. Due to defendants' statements of confidence and lofty expectations, investors and analysts were left surprised by Boston Scientific's net income miss and underwhelming guidance for the first half of fiscal 2026. When the true details entered the market, the lawsuit claims that investors suffered damages.To join the Boston Scientific class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=55398 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email case@ rosenlegal.com for information on the class action.No Class Has Been Certified. Until a class is certified, you are not represented by counsel unless you retain one. You may select counsel of your choice. You may also remain an absent class member and do nothing at this point. An investor's ability to share in any potential future recovery is not dependent upon serving as lead plaintiff.Follow us for updates on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-rosen-law-firm , on Twitter: https://twitter.com/rosen_firm or on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rosenlawfirm/ Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.---Contact Information:Laurence Rosen, Esq.Phillip Kim, Esq.The Rosen Law Firm, P.A.275 Madison Avenue, 40th FloorNew York, NY 10016Tel: (212) 686-1060Toll Free: (866) 767-3653Fax: (212) 202-3827 case@ rosenlegal.comwww.rosenlegal.com SOURCE: The Rosen Law Firm, P.A.
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Gold, Silver and Critical Elements in the Mineral-Rich Province of New Brunswick, CanadaMIRAMICHI, NB / ACCESS Newswire / April 16, 2026 /SLAM Exploration Ltd. (TSXV:SXL)(OTCQB:SXLXF) ("SLAM" or the "Company") is pleased to report it has mobilizing the advance scout team and an excavator to launch the 2026 exploration campaign by testing targets along strike from the No. 1 vein where SLAM reported high grade assays up to 40.5 grams per tonne ("g/t") gold and 63.3 g/t silver from channel samples on its wholly owned Jake Lee claims. The Jake Lee project is located 25 kilometers southeast of the Clarence Stream gold deposit operated by Galway Metals Inc. in New Brunswick, Canada.Targets include gold soil anomalies ranging up to 0.466 g/t gold reported March 2, 2026, as well as airborne conductors and aeromagnetic anomalies trending northeast of the No. 1 gold vein where SLAM reported channel samples grading up to 40.5 g/t gold and 63.30 g/t silver over 0.40 meters as announced January 14, 2026. The Company expects to follow with a drilling program to test beneath selected targets including the No. 1 gold vein.Figure 1: The No. 1 Gold VeinThe Jake Lee claims are located 25 kilometers southeast of the Clarence Stream gold deposit where Galway Metals Inc. Clarence Stream is host to a 12.4M tonne indicated resource of 922,000 ounces at a grade of 2.31 g/t gold plus an inferred resource of 16.1m tonnes with 1,334,000 ounces at a grade of 2.60 g/t gold. (Reference: "Updated Mineral Resource Statement, Clarence Stream Deposits, New Brunswick, Canada, by SLR Consulting (Canada) Ltd., March 31, 2022").QA-QC Procedures: The assay results discussed above were previously reported by the Company in News Releases as specified. Reference is also made to airborne surveys by previous workers as documented in NBDNRE Assessment Reports.About SLAM Exploration Ltd: SLAM Exploration Ltd. is a publicly listed resource company with a 40,000-hectare portfolio of mineral claim holdings in the mineral-rich province of New Brunswick. This portfolio is built around the Goodwin Copper Nickel Cobalt project in the Bathurst Mining Camp ("BMC") of New Brunswick. The Company drilled 10 holes in the 2025 diamond drilling campaign on the Goodwin copper-nickel-cobalt project. This followed significant copper, nickel and cobalt intercepts from 15 diamond drill holes reported by the Company in 2024. These include a 64.90 meter core interval, grading 2.19% Cu-Eq (copper-nickel-cobalt), including 3.84% Cu-Eq over a 31.20 meter core interval from hole GW24-02 as reported in a news release August 7, 2024. Significant gold values were also reported with up to 3.31 grams per tonne over 0.5m in hole GW24-01.SLAM reported an expansion of the soil coverage on the Menneval gold project on January 7, 2026. A gold soil anomaly extends approximately 3,000 meters by 2,500 meters with gold-bearing samples ranging from 0.005 grams per tonne ("g/t") to 0.683 g/t gold. The results indicate potential extensions to a swarm of quartz veins previously discovered by SLAM. The Company previously reported core intervals include 3,955 g/t gold over 0.1m from the No. 18 vein (December 03, 2020), as well as 162.5 g/t gold over 0.2 m (December 13, 2021) and 56.90 g/t gold over 0.5 m (November 22, 2022) from the Maisie vein.The Company is a project generator and expects to receive significant cash and share payments in 2026. SLAM received 1,200,000 shares plus cash from Nine Mile Metals Inc. (NINE) in 2025 pursuant to the Wedge project agreement. Also in 2025, the Company received a cash payment of $60,000 as well as 180,000 shares of a private company pursuant to the Ramsay gold agreement. The Company holds NSR royalties and expects to receive additional cash and share payments on the Wedge copper zinc project and on the Ramsay gold project.To view SLAM's corporate presentation, click SXL-Presentation. Additional information is available on SLAM's website and on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca . Follow us on X @ SLAMGold.Join our company newsletter by clicking SXL-News to receive timely company updates and press releases relating to SLAM Exploration.Qualifying Statements: Mike Taylor P.Geo, President and CEO of SLAM Exploration Ltd., is a qualified person as defined by National Instrument 43-101, and has approved the contents of this news release.CONTACT INFORMATION:Mike Taylor, President & CEOContact: 506-623-8960 mike@ slamexploration.com Jimmy Gravel, Vice-PresidentContact 902-273-2387 jimmy@ slamexploration.com SEDAR+: 00012459Forward-Looking StatementsThis news release contains "forward-looking statements" and "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws. Forward-looking statements are not historical facts but instead represent management's expectations, estimates and projections regarding future events or circumstances. Forward-looking statements are often, but not always, identified by words such as "expects," "plans," "anticipates," "believes," "intends," "estimates," "projects," "potential," "may," "could," "would," "might," or "will," and similar expressions.Forward-looking statements in this news release include, but are not limited to: statements regarding the exploration potential of specified projects; the significance of historical gold occurrences; the interpretation of geological, geochemical, and geophysical data; the identification and prioritization of exploration targets; the anticipated receipt and significance of pending assay results; the continuity and extent of mineralized structures and anomalies; the timing and scope of future exploration programs; the Company's ability to advance its mineral projects; and the potential for future exploration success..Forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions made by the Company as of the date of this news release, including, without limitation: that historical exploration results, mineral occurrences, and publicly reported third-party mineral resources are relevant for regional and exploration context; that geological interpretations and targeting models are reasonable; that pending assay results will be received within anticipated timeframes; that planned exploration activities can be executed as expected; that contractors, equipment, personnel, and supplies will be available on acceptable terms; that commodity prices and market conditions will remain generally supportive; and that required permits, approvals, and access rights will be obtained in a timely manner.Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, an
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With a single fee, new patients can start their journey on a comprehensive, holistic wellness plan based on personal health measures, with the full cost applied to the first treatment.WEST PALM BEACH, FL / ACCESS Newswire / April 16, 2026 / The Longevity Centers of America (LCOA) is spreading awareness about its low-cost integrative medicine consultation, which increases access to longevity care for individuals starting at square one of their integrative or functional health journey.The longevity medicine consultation is physician-supervised and an ideal choice for those with chronic health concerns who want a guided, low-pressure starting point to integrative and/or functional medicine. For just $175, new patients undergo an initial consultation, the first step of theircomprehensive wellness evaluation , designed to identify the root cause of their symptoms and to tailor a treatment approach. The entirety of the $175 fee is applied to the first treatment, making it risk-free for those who are curious about integrative or functional medicine but have hesitated due to steep upfront costs.The affordable wellness consultation at The Longevity Centers of America completes all necessary onboarding steps for new patients without a significant financial burden. If a patient completes the consultation and decides not to move forward with a treatment plan, they can still use the credit for a wellness IV. It's a straightforward commitment for patients, and differs from the standard industry approach to new patient onboarding by applying the full cost of the consultation to an individual's first treatment. The result is a seamless start to functional or integrative treatment and relief from the staggering upfront costs that often stand in the way.Implementation of the non-standard approach to pricing is a direct response to financial hurdles in the longevity wellness field, which may prevent individuals from getting effective care tailored to their personal needs, goals, and symptoms. By applying the initial consultation fee to a patient's first treatment, The Longevity Centers of America relieves this hurdle and minimizes costs regardless of whether an individual proceeds with a treatment plan or opts to use the credit for a wellness IV.Individuals who may benefit from a $175 treatment or IV therapy consultation with The Longevity Centers of America include those exploring treatment for the first time, those who are deterred by high or non-refundable consultation fees elsewhere, or those who simply want a no-pressure evaluation of their chronic health symptoms and root causes. "We want to open the door to integrative and functional medicine to as many people as possible," said Kyle Hulbert, CEO at The Longevity Centers of America. "It's our hope that applying the $175 consultation fee directly to a patient's first treatment or a wellness IV furthers this goal and relieves a key financial burden for individuals in need of holistic wellness support." At the heart of LCOA's consultation approach is an integrative, root-cause philosophy that prioritizes the fundamental imbalances behind a patient's symptoms. This patient-first path to wellness shifts the focus from what's ailing an individual to why, and ensures everyone gets care tailored to their unique needs and challenges. LCOA is proud to strengthen its commitment to this philosophy through its initial wellness consultations, as well as to maintain a pricing model that treats the initial consultation as a first step in treatment, rather than administrative overhead.The Longevity Centers of America's $175 functional medicine initial consult is available at the clinic's locations in Greenville, South Carolina, and West Palm Beach, Florida. Health-conscious adults seeking personalized, holistic healthcare with transparent, patient-first pricing are encouraged to seek out more information about LCOA and its treatment options by visitingthelcoa.com . New patients can book their no-obligation wellness consultation on LCOA's website or by calling the clinic at (864) 520-5232.About The Longevity Centers of AmericaThe Longevity Centers of America (The LCOA) is an integrative health clinic providing personalized treatment plans and evidence-based alternative therapies to patients struggling with chronic pain, inflammatory diseases, and other conditions. Practice specialties include IV therapies, regenerative injections, and Osteopathic Manipulation Treatment (OMT). LCOA currently operates a flagship location in West Palm Beach, Florida, and a new location in Greenville, South Carolina. Another location in Orlando, Florida, is coming soon.For more information, please visitwww.thelcoa.com CONTACT:(864) 520-5232infogvl@ thelcoa.com SOURCE: The Longevity Center OA
The Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS) has announced the upcoming launch of a new revenue administration platform, Rev360, to meet the growing needs of taxpayers and the economy.

The launch was disclosed in a statement by the NRS on Thursday, noting that the platform will introduce a more advanced, integrated, and intelligent ecosystem to meet taxpayers demands, and go live on 30 April.

The launch of Rev360 is another effort by the federal government to simplify the Nigerian tax system, improve compliance, and increase government revenue.

Nigerias tax reform, effective 1 January, introduces major changes to streamline tax collection and improve compliance, while the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) was renamed as the Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS) as part of the overhaul.

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NRS, in its statement on Thursday, said the Tax Administration 3.0, Rev360, will ensure faster processing, improved decision-making, enhanced compliance, and a more seamless user experience for Nigerian taxpayers.

The Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS) is pleased to announce the upcoming launch of Rev360, its next-generation revenue administration platform, scheduled to go live on 30 April 2026.

This development marks a significant step in the Services continued efforts to enhance efficiency, transparency, and taxpayer experience across Nigerias tax system, the NRS stated.

Rev360

According to the NRS, the Rev360 represents the next phase in the evolution of tax administration within the service.

From the early era of fragmented processes, the NRS transitioned to a more digital and accessible system through platforms such as TaxPro Max, which enabled electronic filing, improved compliance, and reduced physical interactions.

Building on these gains, the NRS explained that it is introducing Rev360 to ensure a more advanced, integrated, and intelligent ecosystem designed to meet the growing needs of taxpayers and the economy.

With Rev360, the Service intentionally moves towards Tax Administration 3.0, an era defined by end-to-end automation, real-time reporting, and embedded tax processes into taxpayers natural systems.

This shift enables faster processing, improved decision-making, enhanced compliance, and a more seamless user experience. Taxpayers will benefit from more options in their overall interaction with the Service, the statement noted.

The tax administrator further explained that the introduction of Rev360 aligns with the broader technology advancement strategy of the NRS.

It stated that the platform reflects the services commitment to strengthening institutional capacity, improving taxpayer confidence, and aligning with global best practices.

Also, the NRS added that Rev360 will commence with the Medium and Emerging Taxpayers as the first phase of implementation.

It clarified that comprehensive communication, training, and stakeholder engagement initiatives will continue to be implemented to ensure readiness before the platform goes live.

READ ALSO: OPay clarifies reports on alleged office closure by the Nigeria Revenue Service

Following a successful pilot, the rollout of Rev360 will commence with the Medium and Emerging Taxpayers as the first phase of implementation. A structured, phased approach has been adopted to ensure stability and provide adequate support to users throughout the transition.

Comprehensive communication, training, and stakeholder engagement initiatives are also being implemented to ensure readiness ahead of go-live, the commission stated.

The NRS said Rev360 represents a key milestone in this journey, reinforcing the services dedication to innovation and national development.
Martell has unveiled The Swift Ascendant, a 14-foot travelling sculpture by Nigerian artist Dotun Popoola, in Abuja as part of its Martell On The Move campaign.

The installation, which previously debuted in Lagos, arrived in the capital with a mix of art, culture and nightlife.

The sculpture is a large, colourful swift bird made entirely from recycled materials and scrap metal. At its centre is a Martell cognac bottle, subtly embedded in the composition.

Painted textures, mixed metals, and found objects come together to create an almost lifelike form, with bold colours that make the piece stand out from every angle.

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The swift, a recurring symbol for Martell, represents freedom and forward movement, tying into ideas of individuality and bold self-expression.

Significance

The Abuja unveiling took place on 21 March at Fuego Lifestyle, where the sculpture served as the highlight of an evening event featuring music, cocktails and curated experiences.

Speaking at the event, Marketing Director at Pernod Ricard Nigeria, Evane Chenuet, said, We brought The Swift Ascendant to Abuja because the city understands ambition, audacity, and what it means to push boundaries.

Working with Dotun Popoola allowed us to create something that feels raw and real, reflecting the House of Martells three-hundred-year legacy of challenging the status quo.

Seeing it at Fuego Lifestyle showed that when art and atmosphere align, the experience isnt just visual; it becomes something people truly feel.

Popoola, who is based in Ile-Ife, is known for turning discarded materials into large-scale sculptures. His works, often crafted from scrap materials such as galvanised pipes, car parts, and stainless steel, include notable pieces like Irinkemi Asake, a 12-foot-tall tribute to black women.

He has exhibited internationally across the US, Dubai (Expo 2020), Qatar, India, and Azerbaijan, earning major honours, including the Director Generals Award (2009) and the 2024 AMIAF Award, and featuring in global media such as CNN Style, the BBC, and the New York Times.

Founded in 1715, Martell is one of the oldest cognac houses in the world and is recognised for blending heritage with modern cultural collaborations, particularly in markets like Nigeria.

With Abuja now part of the tour, the travelling installation is expected to appear in different parts of the city, giving residents the chance to engage with it beyond organised events.
US President Donald Trump has announced a 10-day ceasefire agreement between Israel and Lebanon.

The ceasefire agreement will take effect tonight.

Mr Trump, in a post on Truth Social, disclosed that President Joseph Aoun of Lebanon and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel agreed to a 10-day ceasefire between their counties.

He also wrote that the agreement follows the first direct meeting between the two leaders in 34 years.

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The meeting was held in Washington on Tuesday.

PREMIUM TIMES earlier reported that the Israeli army had continued its attacks on Lebanon despite the two-week ceasefire agreement between the US/Israel, and Iran, which took effect last week.

Mr Netanyahus office had declared that the ceasefire does not apply to Lebanon. Israel has thus continued its attacks on Southern Lebanon despite Pakistans insistence that the ceasefire agreement included Lebanon.

Mr Trump, in his latest post, wrote that the ceasefire is scheduled to begin at 5 PM EST. That is 10 p.m. West African Time.

I just had excellent conversations with the Highly Respected President Joseph Aoun of Lebanon and Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu of Israel.

These two Leaders have agreed that, to achieve PEACE between their Countries, they will formally begin a 10 Day CEASEFIRE at 5 P.M. EST.

On Tuesday, the two Countries met for the first time in 34 years here in Washington, D.C., with our Great Secretary of State, Marco Rubio.

I have directed Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Rubio, together with the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Dan Razin Caine, to work with Israel and Lebanon to achieve a lasting peace, he said.

Mr Trump also took credit for the agreement, stating that the war between Lebanon and Israel would be the 10th war he has ended since resuming office. His previous claims of ending nine wars had been disputed by experts and observers.

He wrote, It has been my Honor to solve 9 Wars across the World, and this will be my 10th, so lets GET IT DONE!

Lebanons Prime Minister, Nawaf Salam, welcomed the ceasefire, describing it as a central government demand.

He noted that the primary goal of the Tuesday meeting in Washington was to end the war, which has led to the death of 2,196 Lebanese people and left around 7,185 others injured.

Reuters reports that a senior Hezbollah lawmaker, Hassan Fadlallah, confirmed that Hezbollah had been briefed on a possible short-term ceasefire to start on Thursday night by Irans ambassador to Beirut.

But he noted that the group would only respect the agreement if Israel halts all  forms of hostilities.

Mr Netanyahu has yet to comment on the announcement.

Israel has a history of violating ceasefire agreements, and it is unclear whether it will abide by the 10-day truce declared by Mr Trump.
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has signalled that the 2027 presidential election could mark the end of his long-running ambition to lead Nigeria, pointing to his age and what he described as the heightened stakes of the contest.

Atiku, who was the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2019 and 2023 elections, disclosed during a live interview on Arise Television on Wednesday. He was responding to a question on whether turning 80 by the next election would influence his ambition.

Certainly yes, because the stakes are higher and I believe that will be my last outing, he said, signalling what could be the closing chapter of a decades-long pursuit of the presidency.

Atiku has been expressing interest in becoming Nigerias president for decades.

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The former vice president also addressed the prospect of a competitive primary under the African Democratic Congress (ADC), where he is widely believed to be positioning himself amid ongoing realignments in the opposition space.

Asked whether he would be willing to step aside if another aspirant, including former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi, clinches the partys ticket, Atiku said he would respect the outcome of a credible process.

Yes, I will step aside for any winner, he said. When pressed specifically on Mr Obi, who was his running mate in the 2019 election, he added, Of course, if he is a contender, why not?

Dismissing suggestions that such a decision could be politically difficult, Atiku emphasised democratic principles, noting that leadership emergence must be anchored either on consensus or a transparent electoral process.

What is difficult there? It is democracy. It is either you go through consensus, or you go through an election. You emerge through consensus or emerge through the electoral process, he stated.

The comments come amid growing speculation about a possible coalition of opposition figures ahead of 2027, with Atiku and Mr Obi seen as leading contenders within the ADC.

Other prominent politicians, including former Kano State governor Rabiu Kwankwaso and former Minister of Transportation Rotimi Amaechi, are also reported to be weighing their options within the evolving political configuration.

Beyond the question of candidacy, Atiku used the interview to assert his enduring political influence, particularly in Northern Nigeria, a region considered critical in determining electoral outcomes. He argued that none of the current or emerging political leaders from the region commands a voter base comparable to his.

Can you tell who is a current leader in the North who has more votes than I have? Talking of leaders like Tambuwal, Kwankwaso, El-Rufai and also the emerging political leaders, none of them have got that northern vote as much as Ive got, he said.

He specifically downplayed Mr Kwankwasos reach, describing his support base as largely confined to Kano State. According to him, even that influence is no longer consolidated, citing the political dynamics involving the incumbent governor, Abba Yusuf.

Kwankwasos popularity is restricted to only Kano State. Kano is even now split between him and Governor Abba Yusuf, he added.

Atiku has long positioned himself as a proponent of economic reforms centred on liberalisation, privatisation, and private-sector-led growth. He has also consistently advocated restructuring, arguing that Nigerias federal system requires significant devolution of powers to unlock development and address longstanding governance challenges.

Decades of ambition

His latest remarks add to a political career spanning over three decades, marked by repeated attempts to clinch the presidency. He first sought the office in the 1993 Social Democratic Party (SDP) primaries but stepped down in support of the late Moshood Abiola, who went on to win the annulled election.

Following his tenure as vice president between 1999 and 2007 under President Olusegun Obasanjo, Mr Atiku contested the presidency in 2007 on the platform of the Action Congress but lost to the late President Musa YarAdua of the PDP.

Although he contested for the presidential ticket of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2011 elections, he lost in the partys primary election to Goodluck Jonathan, who was the flagbearer of the then-ruling party and the eventual winner of the election.

He left the PDP in February 2014 to join the All Progressives Congress(APC), which was formed in February 2013 but registered by INEC in July 2013. He participated in the partys presidential primary but lost to Muhammadu Buhari, who went on to win the 2015 presidential election.

He returned to the PDP in 2017 and emerged as its candidate in the 2019 election, but was defeated by former President Muhammadu Buhari of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

In 2023, he secured the PDP ticket once more but lost to the current president, Bola Tinubu.
A security report has revealed plans by terrorists to attack airport and prison facilities in Abuja and neighbouring Niger State.

According to an internal memo released by the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS), the attacks are being planned by fighters of Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), Sadiku-led Boko Haram faction, Ansaru and Jamaat Nusrat al-Islam wal- Muslimeen (JNIM).

The Sadiku Boko Haram faction operates alongside Ansaru and JNIM in the vicinity of Kainji Lake National Park.

In July 2025, intelligence sources said the group moved from Shiroro LGA in Niger State to the Kainji axis, where it kidnapped more than 300 students and staff at St. Marys Catholic school in Papiri.

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It was also responsible for the abduction of more than 100 women and children from Woro (Kwara), Kasuwan Daji and Konkoso (Niger).

The memo dated 13 April and signed by Timi Bomodi, a Deputy Comptroller General, heading the Enforcement, Inspection and Investigation (EI&I) unit, stated that the terrorists are targeting Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (NAIA), the Kuje Custodial Centre, and a military detention facility in Wawa, Niger State.

The two-page document, seen by our reporter, stated that ISWAP fighters, led by the groups leader in Kano, have already infiltrated the Federal Capital Territory in preparation for the attack on the airport and Kuje prison.

It noted that the attack on the military detention facility in Wawa is being orchestrated by the Sadiku-led Boko Haram faction in collaboration with Ansaru and JNIM.

Their intention is to release detained terrorists and inflict significant damage on critical aviation infrastructure, the report stated, adding that the planned attack on the airport is similar to the Islamic States attacks on aviation facilities in Niamey and Tahoua in the Niger Republic.

This suggests a possible intent by terrorists to replicate the attack patterns within Nigeria, it added.

Customs spokesperson Abdullahi Maiwada acknowledged the memo, but said it was a leaked document not meant for the public.

Mr Maiwada described the content of the memo as issues of national security, adding hes not authorised to speak on such matters.

Proactive measures

Given the planned assaults, the Customs has called for enhanced security measures and increased patrols around critical infrastructure, particularly its FCT command and the airport.

It also directed its operatives to strengthen surveillance and protective coverage around the airport and other strategic assets within the FCT and its environs.

All visitors to Customs Commands and facilities should be thoroughly screened, and persons without a plausible reason for visits should not be granted access, the memo instructed.

The Customs also instructed operatives to emplace proactive and coordinated measures, and  preempt and mitigate any potential threats to all identified vulnerable points within their areas of responsibility.

The Customs also directed specialised unitsincluding anti-smuggling teams in Zones B and D, the Customs Police Unit (CPU), and the Customs Intelligence Unit (CIU)to deploy reinforcements to secure the Customs Headquarters, its FCT commands, and other critical assets within the identified target areas through coordinated patrols and enhanced surveillance.

Patrol teams should maintain constant communication with Central Command to ensure safety, the memo said. Visiting rounds officers are hereby directed to confirm availability of all officers assigned to guard duty.

Noting that the matter be treated with urgency, the Customs advised that any suspicious movement should be reported immediately.

Previous similar attacks in Abuja and Niger

There have been similar attacks in Abuja and neighbouring Niger State, where at least three insurgent groups and bandits hold sway.

On 30 October 2022, terrorists attempted to breach the Wawa Cantonment, a military detention facility in Borgu LGA of Niger State believed to be holding numerous insurgents, in a bid to free their captured comrades. The attack was repelled, and many of the attackers were killed or arrested.

READ ALSO: Terrorists demand N150m ransom over kidnapped Katsina residents

The failed assault came months after a coordinated attack on the Kuje Correctional Centre by ISWAP, Boko Haram and Ansaru, which led to the release of no fewer than 64 terrorists.

Sources indicate that many of those freed were ISWAP members linked to a Kogi-based cell; some are believed to have later aligned with Ansaruthe earliest Boko Haram splinter faction led by Abu Baraa, an Ebira indigene of Kogi State, who himself escaped with five other Boko Haram members during a 2012 prison break in Koton Karfe.

Many of these escapees, including Mr Abu Baraa, have been recaptured by the State Security Services (SSS). Mr Abu Baraa was re-arrested alongside his lieutenant, Mahmud al-Nigeri. They are currently facing terrorism and other charges, including illegal mining.
The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Abuja on Thursday ordered the arrest of a former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Sadiya Umar-Farouq, to answer charges of fraudulently diverting social security intervention funds during her tenure in office.

A statement from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) said the court also ordered the arrest of the permanent secretary of her then-ministry, Bashir Nura Alkali.

According to the statement, the two of them failed to appear for arraignment on fraud charges before the court on Thursday, prompting the trial judge, Jude Onwuegbuzie, to issue a warrant for their arrest.

The statement said only their co-defendant, Sani Nafiu Mohammed, the third defendant, was present in court.

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Prosecution lawyer Rotimi Jacobs, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, told the judge that while EFCC had filed the charges against the defendants since December last year, arraignment had stalled due to the unavailability of the two defendants.

He said a previous attempt at the arraignment on 15 December 2025 failed because the two defendants were absent.

He also said their lawyers who attended the proceedings promised to produce them, but the defendants had yet to report at EFCC office, except the third defendant.

Mr Jacobs also noted that, although the defendants had been served with the charges, it was impossible until the court granted an order of substituted service.

The charges against Ms Umar-Farouq had not been previously reported, but she and the activities of her ministry had been in the news since her time in office over suspicious use of the social security intervention and social safety net funds entrusted to them.

Ms Umar-Farouq, who was the pioneer minister of the ministry established during former President Muhammadu Buharis administration, has been named in various fraud allegations stemming from the scandals involving the various social security programmes.

President Bola Tinubu suspended the programmes shortly after assuming office in 2023 to investigate the allegations and find a fraud-proof way of running them.

Charges

Ms Umar-Farouq and her co-defendants face 21 charges of breach of trust, abuse of office, fraudulent award of contract and conversion of public funds involving $1.3 million and about N746.6 million (N746,574,303).

EFCC alleged that the sum of $1.3 million was excess funds paid by the National Social Safety Net Coordinating Office (NASSCO) supervised by the ministry for the validation of Rapid Response Register beneficiaries.

It said the money was meant to be refunded by the contractor, Social Development by Visual ICT Limited, to the ministry. But instead of refunding it, the prosecution alleged, Ms Umar-Farouq and Mr Alkali, then-permanent secretary of the ministry, converted it to their personal benefit.

EFCC, the prosecuting agency, alleged that the defendants committed the offences charged under section 315 of the Penal Code, between 8 May 2021 and 22 September 2022, while Ms Umar Farouq was serving as the minister overseeing the ministry.

Why court issued arrest warrant

Prosecution lawyer, Mr Jacobs, walked the judge through efforts to produce the defendants in court for the arraignment since last December when the charges were filed.

We could not arraign them on 15 December, because we could not produce them; but their lawyers in court promised that they would produce the defendants, but we didnt see them until your lordship made an order for the state service.

The defendants have now been served, my lord; only the third defendant has reported to the Commission when his surety was contacted. The third defendants surety is also in court, he said.

The lawyer recalled that during investigations in 2024, the former minister wrote to the EFCC requesting a release of her passport for a medical checkup in Saudi Arabia.

Since that passport was released to her, she has not returned the passport to the commission. We do not have the medical report in Saudi Arabia to date, Mr Jacobs said.

He also informed the court that Ms Umar-Farouqs lawyer gave him a sworn statement that morning, which claimed she was sick.

Upon his review, he said the medical reports were written after the former minister was already charged with the crime.

No medical report was issued or shown to us for the approved journey and the release of her passport, Mr Jacobs said.

Ms Umar-Farouqs lawyer, Audu Ibrahim, informed the court that the former ministers absence was due to her ill health.

He urged the court to accept the sworn statement, but the court rejected it.

Thereafter, Mr Jacobs requested the arrest of Ms Umar-Faroq and Mr Alkali.

We are praying for your lordship to order or issue a warrant of arrest or bench warrant against the first and second defendants. It is also supported by an affidavit by one Celeb Peter on 15 April 2026, showing that the first and second defendants were granted bail but failed to report back and that the charge had been filed and served on them, but they have failed to appear before the court today.

It is imperative, therefore, for this honourable court to permit the Commission to arrest the first and second defendants so that they can be compelled to appear before the court.

But Mr Ibrahim pleaded with the court to allow him to produce Ms Farouq in six weeks.

After listening to their submissions, the judge ordered the arrest of the former minister and Mr Alkali and set 18 Mary for arraignment.

Long road to trial

As minister, Ms Umar-Farouq led a scandal-scarred Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development which championed the federal governments social security intervention funds, including the direct cash transfers and school feeding.

In September 2020, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) said its investigations revealed a diversion of N2.67 billion meant for school feeding during the COVID-19-induced lockdown.

The funds were reportedly intended for feeding boarding students in Federal Government Colleges who were all at home during the COVID-19 lockdown.

Calls for her probe and possible prosecution intensified after she left office upon the completion of the second and final term of President Muhammadu Buhari in May 2023.

She served as the minister between August 2019 and May 2023.

On 8 January 2024, the EFCC detained Ms Umar-Farouq for questioning over allegations of corruption in the handling of N37.1 billion social intervention funds during her tenure.

EFCCs investigation follows reports of diversion of funds her ministry.

In July 2024, while EFCC investigation was going on, the Federal High Court in Lagos, ordered the former minister to account for payments of N729 billion to 24.3 million poor Nigerians for six months and also provide the list and details of the beneficiaries who received the payments, the number of states covered and the payments per state. The judgement followed a Freedom of Information suit brought by the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP).

Ms Umar-Farouq has, however, emphasised her willingness to defend her actions in a tweet she posted on X in the wake of EFCC investigations into her.

I remain proud to have served my country as a minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria with every sense of responsibility and will defend my actions, stewardship and programmes during my tenure whenever I am called upon to do so, she wrote.

Her successor, Betta Edu, appointed by President Bola Tinubu in 2023, was also caught in the web of another scandal shortly after she took office.

PREMIUM TIMES reported the scandal including the approval of payment of hundreds of millions of naira into private accounts of civil servants.

Mrs Edu has come under criticism from Nigerians for ordering the transfer of N585.2 million into the private bank account of a civil servant, who is the accountant in charge of grants for Vulnerable Nigerians.

Ms Edu has also faced EFCC investigation into the scandal, although the outcome or status of the probe is not yet public.

In January 2024, EFCC detained her for a few hours as part of the probe.
The All Progressives Congress (APC) has dismissed the opposition figures who recently aligned under the African Democratic Congress (ADC), describing them as disorganised and unable to pose a serious electoral challenge ahead of the 2027 elections.

Speaking during a media interaction on Wednesday, the APC National Chairman, Nentanwe Yilwatda, said the idea of a coalition driven by individuals rather than established political parties lacks legitimacy.

You can only have a coalition with political parties coming together, not individuals, he said.

APC confident in its chances

The APC also expressed strong confidence in its chances in the next election cycle, particularly in the North-west, which it described as a stronghold.

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Mr Yilwatda said recent defections and political realignments have strengthened the partys position in key swing states across the region.

I can assure you that Kano is a given to us as APC, he said.

He explained that many of the political structures that delivered votes for the party in the 2023 elections have either remained intact or returned, boosting the APCs chances.

In Kaduna, the APC chairperson said the party has regained ground in areas previously considered opposition strongholds.

Southern Kaduna that used to go against us, theyve all returned to APC, he said.

In Sokoto, he noted that the APC now controls three of the four major political blocs, while in Katsina, the key political actors are now aligned with the ruling party.

Zamfara was having four blocks. All those four blocks have collapsed into APC, he said.

According to Mr Yilwatda, the partys hold on these swing states gives it a clear advantage in the region.

Even if I have three out of the remaining states, Ive won the North-west, he said. We are good to go in the North-west when it comes to numbers.

ADC has no electoral success  National Secretary

Also speaking during the media chat, APC National Secretary, Ajibola Basiru, said electoral outcomes remain the true measure of strength.

He said the ADCs activities have not translated into electoral success, as evidenced by the outcomes of recent elections in the country.

The other people (ADC) did not win anything even win a single seat, whatever party they call themselves, coalition of confusion, Mr Basiru said.

He further said internal disagreements and personal interests continue to weaken opposition collaboration, noting that individuals cannot replace party structures in building a viable coalition.
The national leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has expressed confidence in reclaiming Osun State in the forthcoming 2026 governorship election.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has scheduled the election for 8 August.

The incumbent governor, Ademola Adeleke, defeated former governor Gboyega Oyetola of the APC in the 2022 election. Mr Oyetola was seeking re-election at the time but lost to Mr Adeleke, who contested under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Due to the leadership crisis in the PDP, Mr Adeleke defected to the Accord Party, under which he is seeking a second term.

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However, concerns persist over the partys limited grassroots presence in the state, which many believe could affect his re-election chances.

The upcoming poll is expected to be highly competitive, evolving from a traditionally two-party contest into a three-horse race with the emergence of the African Democratic Congress (ADC). The partys National Secretary, Rauf Aregbesola, remains a key political figure in the state.

Speaking during a nationwide media chat on Wednesday night, the APC National Secretary, Ajibola Basiru, acknowledged that the election would be keenly contested but expressed optimism about his partys chances.

Mr Basiru, a former senator who lost his re-election bid in 2023, said the party had begun mobilising its structures across federal constituencies, senatorial districts, and the state, including women and student groups.

The election of Osun is going to be tough. As far as it may be, were very confident that, with the strategy were adopting, setting up a grassroots campaign is a part of it.

As at the time I was in Osun, I was able to meet with the federal constituency structure, the senatorial campaign structure and of course the state campaign structure. I was also able to meet with the women and student groups campaigning for our party, he said.

The national secretary added that the APC is relying on a data-driven approach to secure victory.

Without saying so much about strategy, we believe in a data-driven process to be able to ensure that we have a victory in that election.

The election

Since Mr Oyetolas defeat in 2022, the APC has become a minority party in Osun State, with diminished political influence.

The partys governorship candidate, Munirudeen Oyebamiji, served as commissioner for finance under Mr Oyetola.

The election is shaping up as a three-way contest among the incumbent, Mr Adeleke of the Accord Party, Mr Oyebamiji of the APC, and Najeem Salam of the ADC.

Mr Salam, a former speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, is leveraging the political influence of Mr Aregbesola, who, in addition to being ADC national secretary, is a former governor of the state with strong grassroots structures across all local government areas.
A new assessment by State Representative Kimberly Daniels of the Florida House of Representatives has called for urgent leadership changes in Nigerias defence architecture, including the removal or redeployment of the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, over rising insecurity and alleged governance failures.

The report, issued in her capacity as Chairwoman of the Supreme Council of the United World Congress of Diplomats (UN-WCD), examined what it described as an escalating wave of terrorist attacks and mass killings in Nigerias North-central and North-western regions.

It focused particularly on a series of violent incidents recorded during the 2026 Easter period, when dozens of worshippers were reportedly killed in coordinated attacks across Plateau, Kaduna and Nasarawa states.

The document said the attacks targeted Christian gatherings during Palm Sunday and Easter Sunday services, raising what it described as grave humanitarian and security concerns.

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While noting President Bola Tinubus public condemnations of the killings, the report argued that there remains a widening gap between official statements and the lived reality of affected communities, where insecurity continues to intensify.

A central recommendation of the report is a leadership review within Nigerias Ministry of Defence, with specific reference to Bello Matawalle, who currently serves as minister of state for defence.

The document raised what it termed red flags regarding his suitability for the role, citing three main concerns. These include alleged credibility and integrity issues linked to accusations from his tenure as governor of Zamfara State, claims of ethical breaches such as alleged tolerance of bandit activity and facilitation of ransom-related negotiations, and questions over strategic competence in a role requiring deep security expertise.

It argued that these concerns, whether proven or contested, have continued to undermine public confidence in Nigerias security leadership and weaken trust in institutional response to armed violence.

The report further stated that communities in affected regions are increasingly frustrated by what they describe as repeated official assurances without corresponding improvements in security outcomes.

It warned that continued instability could further erode trust in government and strain relations with international partners.

Among its key recommendations, the UN-WCD urged Mr Tinubu to initiate an immediate review of security leadership, including the possible removal or redeployment of the minister of state for defence to restore confidence in the system.

It also called for a transparent investigation into allegations of complicity or negligence within political and security structures, and recommended strengthened protection measures for vulnerable communities in the North-Central and North-west regions.

On the international front, the report urged the United States government and other global partners to increase diplomatic engagement with Nigeria, particularly in ensuring accountability for individuals alleged to have links with armed groups or activities that undermine national security.

In a personal statement accompanying the report, Ms Daniels said her intervention was informed by reports and appeals from Nigerian citizens, particularly affected communities in the North.

She said her roles as a minister of the Gospel and as Chairwoman of the UN-WCD compelled her to speak out, describing the situation as one in which civilians were being killed while exercising their right to worship.

According to her, the alleged complicity of individuals within leadership structures represents a particularly troubling dimension of the crisis, which she described as homegrown insecurity.

She added that the publication of the report was intended to draw international attention to what she described as a worsening humanitarian situation.

The report also referenced House Resolution 761, sponsored by Ms Daniels and her colleague Rachel Plakon, which condemns the persecution of Christians in Nigeria and supports the redesignation of Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) by the United States government. It noted that the resolution received unanimous bipartisan support in the Florida House during the 2026 legislative session.

The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom has previously recommended Nigeria for CPC status since 2009, according to the report.

Mounting violence, U.S. pressure and policy debate

The latest assessment comes amid sustained international attention, including a earlier report by the United States Congress calling for expanded security cooperation with Nigeria to address attacks on Christian communities.

The report described Nigeria as the deadliest country to be Christian, a claim Nigerian authorities have disputed, arguing that the countrys violence stems from a complex mix of insurgency, banditry and communal conflicts rather than a targeted campaign against a single religious group.

U.S. lawmaker Riley Moore, who has been vocal on the issue, reiterated calls for stronger U.S. action, including sanctions and diplomatic pressure.

Before the designation of Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) by U.S. President Donald Trump, Mr Moore had actively lobbied for tougher measures against Nigeria.

In September 2025, Mr Moore wrote to Secretary of State Marco Rubio, urging the U.S to use every diplomatic tool, including the Country of Particular Concern designation, to address what he described as slaughter of Christians.

The congressional report outlined several recommendations, including sanctions against individuals and entities suspected of supporting armed groups, expanded counterterrorism cooperation, and disarmament and reintegration programmes targeting militias.

It also revived claims linking illegal mining activities to the funding of insecurity, echoing earlier reports cited by PREMIUM TIMES, a claim that has been strongly denied by Chinese authorities.

The report suggested that such economic activities should be subjected to stricter oversight and enforcement, while also proposing coordinated international action involving Western allies such as France and the United Kingdom to strengthen Nigerias counterterrorism efforts.

In addition, the report called for direct measures targeting armed groups, including disarmament, demobilisation and reintegration programmes, alongside efforts to strengthen the recruitment, training and technical capacity of Nigerian security forces. It also recommended the use of diplomatic and economic pressure to compel armed actors to lay down their weapons and submit to state authority.

However, PREMIUM TIMES reporting shows that despite increased diplomatic engagement and growing security cooperation between Nigeria and the United States, particularly in intelligence sharing, military training and counterterrorism support, the situation on the ground remains fragile.

The newspaper has documented repeated attacks across Plateau, Benue, Kaduna and other parts of the North-central and North-west, with rural communities continuing to face displacement and cycles of violence.

In efforts to obtain the position of the Ministry of Defence on the allegations raised in the UN-WCD report, PREMIUM TIMES made repeated attempts to reach the office of the Minister of State for Defence.

The Director of Information and Public Relations to the minister of state, Henshaw Ogubike, was contacted by this reporter but immediately dropped the call upon introduction.

Subsequent calls to his aide, Mr Yusuf, were not answered as of the time this report was filed.

Earlier demands for resignation

The renewed calls for Mr Matawalles removal also echo earlier domestic criticisms surrounding his continued stay in office.

During the 2024 cabinet reshuffle by Mr Tinubu, concerns were raised by political stakeholders and civil society actors over allegations linked to his tenure as governor of Zamfara State.

Among those who publicly questioned his retention was Laolu Akande, spokesperson for former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, who said that the weight of allegations against the minister warranted closer scrutiny and possible removal.

Im not sure that there is sufficient justification to keep Matawalle on the job with all the noise and the allegations that were tendered by a sitting governor, Mr Akande said.

Similarly, Zamfara State Governor Dauda Lawal accused his predecessor of links to banditry and called on him to resign and face investigation, including over allegations of money laundering.

If I were him, I would resign and face all the allegations against me because, from all the information we are getting, my predecessor was fully involved in some of this banditry, Mr Lawal said.

The controversy also drew reactions from political groups within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), with some urging Mr Tinubu to use the opportunity of cabinet restructuring to drop Mr Matawalle and initiate a thorough probe.

Matawalle denies

Mr Matawalle has, however, consistently denied the accusations, describing them as baseless and politically motivated.

In statements issued through his media consultants, he described the claims as baseless and politically motivated, insisting that his administration in Zamfara State took decisive steps to confront banditry.

He also dismissed allegations made in a video by a wanted bandit leader, Bello Turji, describing them as false and intended to discredit him.

According to his media team, all arms recovered during his tenure were duly handed over to security agencies, and there was no involvement in any form of criminal collaboration.

Anyone with basic knowledge of psychoanalysis of a terrorist and deranged mind like Turji will know that he is engaging in victim mentality, the team said.

It maintained that the accusations lack credible evidence and should be treated as attempts to undermine his record in public office.
Residents of the Katsina metropolis and parts of Batagarawa Local Government Area are lamenting persistent power outages in their areas.

PREMIUM TIMES reports that while several areas in the two local councils have gone four days without electricity supply, other areas are witnessing erratic power supply.

Residents lament that with the heat in the state, electricity supply should increase, not decrease.

The Kano Electricity Distribution Company (KEDCO) said the outage was caused by a fault in a substation in the state.

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The last time we saw light in this area was on Saturday. Today is Thursday, so it has been four whole days, Rukayya Shehu, a married woman resident of NYSC camp layout in Barhim, told PREMIUM TIMES.

The heat level these last two days has been scary but what can we do?

Another resident of NYSC camp layout, Nafiu Aminu, said he has been sleeping outside his house due to the heat level.

Since theres no light, I have to sleep outside but thats also risky because we have thieves and Kauraye breaking into peoples houses to steal. Sleeping outside is dangerous but thats the only option we have, he said.

Cold drinks sellers in the metropolis are also affected by the outage, a reason they increased prices.

An ice block seller on Barhim roundabout said the outage left them with no option than to increase the prices of ice block.

We also have to buy diesel to power our generating set. If there was light, well not need to do that.

Checks by PREMIUM TIMES revealed that ice block sold for N100 naira a week ago now goes for N150 and N170.

The search for cold water intensifies every day as residents seek cold rooms to buy cold drinks.

I have the phone number of one of them and I call him in the morning so he could keep ice water and any cold soft drinks. If I dont book, I may end up going to the shop to join a long queue, Salihu Nasir, who lives in Sabon Titin Kwado in the metropolis, said.

READ ALSO: Power DisCos miss revenue targets amid efficiency concerns

KEDCO apologizes

Commenting on the outage, the management of the Kano Electricity Distribution Company (KEDCO) regretted the situation and promised that it would soon be fixed.

Dear Katsina Metropolis, were working swiftly to resolve the outage and restore your power supply.

In a statement posted on its official X handle on Wednesday, KEDCO said the outage being experienced is as a result of fault on 11kv incomer breaker at the 15MVA Transformer in IBB way Injection Substation.

KEDCO said the outage is being experienced by customers on 11kV Dandagoro, 11kV GRA and 11kV Army Barracks feeders.

Our technical team have been mobilised promptly to carry out repairs, hence the power transformer is isolated while replacement if the faulty component is ongoing, the statement added.
Candidates and parents have commended the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB) for the smooth conduct of the ongoing Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), calling for increased examination facilities nationwide.

Some candidates, who spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) shortly after completing their examination on Thursday in Abuja, described the process as organised, stress-free and largely free of technical challenges.

At Aduvie International School Computer-Based Test (CBT) centre, Stephen Sonde, a candidate, said the examination process followed proper procedures from accreditation to completion of the test.

Mr Sonde said candidates waited briefly for their session before undergoing biometric verification and system arrangement ahead of the examination.

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We did our thumbprint successfully, and everything went smoothly. After that, we were called according to our numbers and seated properly.

There were clear instructions before the examination started, which helped us understand how to save answers and end the test, he said.

He described the UTME examination as well organised and stress-free, adding that there was no network failure throughout his session.

The system worked perfectly from the beginning to the end. I was even among the first candidates to finish in my session, he said.

Another candidate, Emmanuel Anyaoha, also confirmed that the examination went smoothly without technical glitches.

The UTME exam was good, and everything worked very well, he said.

He expressed appreciation to the examination body for the smooth conduct.

Another candidate at the Gudmerc Kiddies Academy CBT centre in Kurudu, Elijah Itua, commended the smooth conduct, describing the centre as well organised and conducive for candidates.

According to him, the examination environment was orderly, while the facilities functioned efficiently throughout the exercise.

This is not my first time writing the UTME. The centre is very nice and everything worked perfectly. There was no challenge at all, he said.

The candidate said the examination commenced slightly behind schedule due to late arrival of some candidates.

We were supposed to start by 6:30 a.m., but many students came late, so the examination started around 7:00 a.m., he explained.

He added that the computer systems operated smoothly without technical hitches during the examination.

The systems worked well and everything was okay. There were no problems while using the computers, Itua said.

The Centre Administrator of Aduvie International School CBT centre, Sylvester Edom, said the ongoing UTME was progressing smoothly at the centre.

Mr Edom told NAN that the first session of the examination commenced as scheduled, with candidates already writing their papers.

He commended the Federal Government, the Ministry of Education and the leadership of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) for ensuring a disciplined and well-coordinated examination process nationwide.

At our centre, activities started exactly as scheduled and, as we speak, all candidates for the first session are writing their examinations, he said.

The administrator explained that preparations ahead of the examination helped to prevent technical challenges during the exercise.

According to him, JAMB conducts multiple pre-examination demonstrations and system tests to ensure seamless operations.

Before the examination, we usually carry out demonstration sessions, sometimes two or three times, to ensure that there are no technical glitches.

Presently, we have not recorded any technical challenge at our centre, Edom said.

He disclosed that three examination sessions were scheduled for the first day, adding that 235 candidates participated in the first session of the examination.

He also noted that no case of examination malpractice or attempted malpractice had been recorded at the centre.

According to him, JAMB has deployed multiple security measures, including biometric verification and candidate identification systems, to safeguard the credibility of the examination.

A parent at the centre, Chika Anyaoha, said she arrived early with her son, making adequate preparation based on her previous experience with the examination process.

According to her, parents need to plan ahead because UTME examination days usually require patience and early arrival at centres.

READ ALSO: Gunmen abduct candidates travelling for JAMB UTME exams

We were prepared because my son wrote the examination last year. It is not something you rush; you set aside the day for it, she said.

She also urged authorities to ensure that marking processes remained transparent and efficient.

Another parent, who preferred anonymity, called on the JAMB to establish more permanent CBT centres across the country.

He argued that relying on borrowed school facilities sometimes contributed to delays and logistical challenges experienced in some locations.

According to him, universities and institutions with well-equipped Information and Communication Technology (ICT) facilities should be prioritised as examination centres.

As we advance in the computer and artificial intelligence age, systems should be customised to make the process easier for candidates and parents, he said.

He added that increased investment in dedicated examination infrastructure would reduce congestion and operational disruptions during nationwide examinations.

The UTME, conducted annually by JAMB, is one of Nigerias largest entrance examinations into tertiary institutions, attracting millions of candidates across accredited CBT centres nationwide.

NAN reports that accreditation, biometric verification and computer-based testing were ongoing at several centres in the FCT with security personnel and officials supervising the exercise.

(NAN)
A group of United Nations experts on Wednesday criticised Israel for violating the current two-week truce in the Middle East.

The group of 19 human rights experts, made up of special rapporteurs and independent experts, also asked member states of the United Nations to suspend arms transfer to Israel.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, the experts asked that arms transfers be suspended, given evidence of Israels violation of international humanitarian and human rights law.

Last Wednesday, after Mr Trump announced a ceasefire agreement between the US and Iran, Israel launched a wave of attacks on Beirut that killed more than 350 people, including 30 children.

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Israels latest attack on the country, which came just before the UN experts statement, killed at least 16 people.

The group described these attacks as a blatant violation of the UN Charter, emphasising that they have nothing to do with self-defence.

According to the group, it is an affront to multilateralism and the UN-based International order.

The experts demanded that Israel immediately cease all military operations in Lebanon, comply with the ceasefire framework and Security Council Resolution 1701, withdraw its forces, enable the safe return of displaced persons, and engage in direct negotiations with Lebanon.

The UN experts also asked the US to use its influence to ensure Israel halts strikes on Lebanese civilians and infrastructure without delay.

PREMIUM TIMES previously reported that Israels attack on Lebanon continued despite the Pakistan-mediated ceasefire that halted the war between US/Israel and Iran.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus office had declared that the ceasefire does not apply to Lebanon.

Last week, Israels army issued evacuation warnings to residents of Southern Lebanon, particularly in the city of Tyre. It asked them to move to the north of the Zahrani River as it prepared to strike the city.

However, Pakistan has insisted that the ceasefire agreement it mediated between the US and Iran included a cessation of Israels campaign in Lebanon.
A presidential spokesperson stated on Thursday that President Bola Tinubu must be allowed a second term in office to complete the constitutionally allowed eight years.

Bayo Onanuga stated this in response to ex-Vice President Atiku Abubakars statement on Wednesday during an interview on Arise TV Prime Time that he did not believe it was still the turn of Southern Nigeria to hold the office of the president in 2027.

Atiku, the 2023 presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), said that the South had held power for about 18 years since 1999, compared to the Norths 10 years, arguing that this imbalance complicates claims of rotational equity.

So, whos in a deficit if were being fair? he asked, while defending his position that zoning is not a binding national rule but an internal party arrangement.

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Responding on his verified X handle, Mr Onanuga accused Atiku of advancing what he called a self-serving argument and attempting to distort the historical basis of power rotation between North and South.

This Atiku will never learn, he wrote, arguing that the former vice president had previously ignored zoning principles within the PDP and that this contributed to his electoral defeats.

He maintained that Atikus 2023 presidential bid breached the PDPs internal zoning arrangement, where a southern candidate was expected after the eight-year tenure of former President Muhammadu Buhari.

Mr Onanuga added that Atikus current position was inconsistent with the political arrangement that followed the transition from Mr Buhari, a former president from Katsina State in the North, to Mr Tinubu, a former Lagos State governor from the South.

He said the former vice president has a history of jettisoning an unwritten rotational principle that many citizens agree to, which allows the office of the president to rotate between the North and the South every eight years.

Since Buhari completed his eight years, Tinubu too must complete his own, Mr Onanuga wrote on X on Thursday morning.

He also dismissed Atikus argument that the South has spent more years in office since 1999, describing it as selective arithmetic that ignored the circumstances surrounding the death of former President Musa YarAdua in 2010, which led to the succession of then Vice President Goodluck Jonathan.

According to Mr Onanuga, the transition did not invalidate the informal rotation principle between both regions.

Late President Muhammadu Buhari was from Katsina, Northern Nigeria, while Mr Tinubu is from Lagos, Southern Nigeria.

Atiku is from Adamawa in Northern Nigeria and is seen as a leading aspirant for the presidential ticket of the African Democratic Congress.

Atikus long political journey

Mr Atikus political career spans over three decades, marked by repeated attempts to clinch the presidency.

He served as vice president between 1999 and 2007 under President Olusegun Obasanjo and has contested the presidency multiple times under different parties, including the PDP, the All Progressives Congress (APC), Action Congress (AC) and the African Democratic Congress (ADC), where he is currently linked to emerging coalition discussions.

He first ran for president in 1993 under the Social Democratic Party (SDP) primaries but stepped down in support of the late Moshood Abiola, who went on to win the annulled election.

He later contested in 2007 on the platform of the ActionUPDATED: Since Buhari completed his eight years, Tinubu too must complete his own  Presidency Congress but lost to the late Mr YarAdua of the PDP.

In 2011, he again contested for the presidential ticket of PDP and lost in the partys primary election to Goodluck Jonathan, who was the flagbearer of the then-ruling party and the eventual winner of the election.

Atiku left the PDP in February 2014 to join the APC, which was formed in February 2013 but registered by INEC in July 2013. He participated in the partys presidential primary but lost to Late Mr Buhari, who went on to win the 2015 presidential election.

He returned to the PDP in 2017 and emerged as its candidate in the 2019 election, but was again defeated by Mr Buhari of the APC.

In 2023, he secured the PDP ticket once more but finished second, losing to the current president, Bola Tinubu.

Read Mr Onanugas full statement below.

This Atiku will never learn.

Once again, Abubakar Atiku has put forward a self-serving argument to justify his attempt to disrupt Nigerias power rotation arrangement. In 2023, as a member of the PDPa party that, like others, practices zoningAtiku disregarded the established formula and sought to succeed a fellow northerner, who had spent eight years in office. His ambition fractured the PDP, leading to his resounding defeat at the polls.

Now, he stands poised to repeat history and face another doom. Another spectacular failure awaits this perennial candidate in the next election.

In his interview with Charles Aniagolu on Wednesday, Atiku, now sounding like the presumed ADC candidate (Peter Obi, get ready to bolt away), revisited his 2023 argument on the North-South power rotation. In a brazenly self-serving twist, he insisted he is not bound by the rotation formula because, according to him, the South has spent more years in office than the North since 1999. His political arithmetic is dubious.

He conveniently overlooks the fact that the Norths shorter tenure was due to the untimely death of President Umaru YarAdua, which led to President Jonathans succession. This accidental breach does not invalidate the power rotation arrangement between the North and the South. Since Buhari completed his eight years, Tinubu too must complete his own. All Atiku needs to do is to bury the thought of running again, as it is still the Souths turn in the 2027 election.
The police in Osun and Lagos states have deployed officers to all Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) Computer-Based Test (CBT) centres across to ensure adequate security for candidates.

The Police Public Relations Officer in Osun State, Abiodun Ojelabi, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Osogbo, the state capital.

We have deployed our men since last week for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).

The directive came from Abuja to provide security for the examination, and we have complied fully.

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At any centre you visit, you will see our officers on ground. Deployment has been carried out across all centres.

All our divisions have centres under their jurisdiction, and they have ensured adequate security coverage for the examination, Ojelabi, a deputy superintendent of police, added.

Lagos police deployment

Similarly, the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Tijani Fatai, has ordered the deployment of personnel and intelligence assets to all approved centres for the 2026 UTME across CBT centres in the state.

He said the directive is aimed at ensuring a safe and orderly environment for candidates, examination officials and other stakeholders throughout the examination period.

In a statement posted on X on Thursday, the commands spokesperson, Abimbola Adebisi, said the move aligns with the directive of the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu.

Officers deployed for this assignment have been expressly directed to maintain the highest standards of professionalism, civility and vigilance while taking firm action against any form of examination malpractice, disorderly conduct or security breach.

They are also to work in close synergy with other security agencies and relevant stakeholders to ensure effective security of examination centres, adjoining areas and access routes, she said.

The commissioner urged candidates, parents and guardians to cooperate with security personnel and comply with all examination guidelines to ensure a smooth exercise.

He also reassured residents of the commands commitment to protecting lives and property, and encouraged the public to report any suspicious activity to the nearest police station or through designated emergency lines.

The 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination commenced nationwide on Thursday, with over 2.2 million candidates expected to participate.

The examination, organised by JAMB, will run from Thursday (16 April) to Wednesday (22 April) across accredited centres nationwide.

JAMB Registrar, Is-haq Oloyede, had earlier urged examination officials to demonstrate professionalism, noting that the success of the exercise depends largely on their conduct.

He also reiterated the boards zero-tolerance stance on examination malpractice, warning candidates against bringing prohibited items into examination halls.

Mr Oloyede, who is a professor, said biometric verification and real-time monitoring systems had been deployed to safeguard the credibility of the examination, adding that candidates with unresolved biometric issues would be rescheduled.

The UTME has remained one of the countrys largest coordinated examinations, involving extensive logistics and personnel across hundreds of centres nationwide.

(NAN)
The Police Command in Ondo State says it has foiled a bombing attempt in Akure, the state capital, and arrested six suspects linked to the incident.

The police said the six suspects comprised five males and one female, aged 39 to 43.

They also also said they recovered Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) components and other exhibits.

Adebowale Lawal, Commissioner of Police in Ondo State, said this during a news conference on Thursday in Akure.

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Mr Lawal identified the suspects as Adekunle Prosper (male, 56), Ojo Olumide (male, 39), Tope Kolawole (male, 40), Ahmed Salihu (male, 40), Bolaji Adebowale (male, 46), and Gbadebo Abidemi (female, 43).

According to him, intelligence uncovered that the suspects had recently rented an apartment in the Oke-Odu Area of Akure, which they used as a base for their activities.

Mr Lawal said the police arrested the suspects Wednesday (15 April), attributing the achievement to credible and actionable intelligence received by the command regarding the activities of a suspected criminal syndicate operating along state lines.

Acting swiftly on the intelligence, operatives were strategically deployed to the identified location, where the suspects were apprehended before they could execute their planned attack, he said.

He said a thorough search of the scene and subsequent operation at the suspects apartment resulted in the recovery of a cache of items including 217 bottles, bags of sugar and criminal charms.

Other items include 17 mobile phones, the sum of N187,000, two HP laptops, eight slings, one knife, an external hard drive, two identity cards, one National Identity Number (NIN) card, two motorcycles, among others.

Preliminary assessments indicate that some of these materials were intended for the construction of explosive devices, while others may have been used to facilitate coordinated criminal activities.

Findings reveal that the group actively engaged in assembling IEDs allegedly intended for deployment on government infrastructures, with indications that their operations may extend beyond the state capital to other parts of the country.

Notably, a document mapping out potential target locations was also recovered, suggesting a premeditated and coordinated plan.

The timely intervention of the police undoubtedly averted what could have resulted in significant loss of lives and widespread destruction of property, he said.

Mr Lawal, who condemned the act, advised house owners and property managers to carry out thorough background checks on prospective tenants before renting out their apartments to prevent their premises from being used as criminal hideouts or operational bases.

The attempted bombing incident exemplifies worsening insecurity in the state and other parts of the country.

In recent years, the state, particularly its northern part, has seen waves of kidnap-for-ransom and attacks from terrorist cells operating in the Nigerian north-central region bordering the state. Many worshippers have been killed in some of the attacks.

(NAN)
Ahead of the 2026 governorship election in Osun State, the Committee for the Defence of Human Rights (CDHR) has urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to appoint a Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) from either the North or the South-East.

CDHR made the appeal in a statement sent to PREMIUM TIMES on Thursday.

The statement was jointly signed by its National President, Yinka Folarin, and its Publicity Secretary, Adewunmi Adesina.

The group made the demand following Mutiu Agbokes transfer as the state REC.

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Neutrality

The human rights organisation expressed concern over Mr Agbokes redeployment at a critical period leading up to the governorship election.

While acknowledging that postings and redeployments fall within INECs administrative powers, the group stressed the need to strengthen public confidence and ensure neutrality in the electoral process.

CDHR said: We must emphasise that the timing and circumstances surrounding this decision have generated widespread suspicion and tension among stakeholders in Osun State.

It is imperative to state that the situation in Osun calls for strict monitoring. INECs preparedness to conduct a free, fair, and credible election will be defined not only by its assurances but, more importantly, by its actions and inactions in moments such as this.

REC

Furthermore, the group stressed that the protests and dissatisfaction over the appointment of the new REC, Toyin Babalola, should serve as a warning to INEC.

It added that such developments represent clear early warning signs that must be addressed to safeguard the integrity of the electoral process.

The group said INEC must demonstrate transparency and remain mindful of public perception to retain its credibility as an impartial electoral body.

In this regard, we strongly demand that a new Resident Electoral Commissioner, preferably from either the Northern or South-Eastern region of Nigeria, be deployed to Osun State to continue the assignment. This measure, we believe, will help restore confidence among the electorate and reduce allegations of bias or undue influence in the electoral process.

Failure to take this precautionary step may inadvertently validate growing insinuations that INEC is not fully committed to ensuring neutrality and could undermine public trust in the forthcoming 2026 Governorship Elections in Osun State. The CDHR reiterates its commitment to the defence of democratic values, electoral justice, and the protection of the fundamental rights of all citizens, said CDHR.

The group urged INEC to take firm action in the interest of fairness, equity and national unity.

Cleared parties

This newspaper reported that the INEC had cleared candidates from 14 political parties to participate in the forthcoming election scheduled for 8 August.

However, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Labour Party (LP) were not listed, having taken part in the previous governorship poll in the state.

INEC disclosed that the incumbent governor, Ademola Adeleke, would contest on the Accord Party platform, with Kola Adewusi as his running mate.

Olanrewaju Farinloye emerged as the governorship candidate of the Action Alliance, alongside his running mate, Fadahunsi Olaniyi.

For the African Action Congress (AAC), Esan Olajide was listed as the governorship candidate, with Bello Yekeen as his running mate.

Similarly, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) fielded Salaam Folasayo as its governorship candidate, with Agiri Temitope as deputy.

Under the Action Democratic Party (ADP), Adeagbo Yemisi was named governorship candidate, while Atanda Babatunde was listed as her running mate.

Mrs Adeagbo stood out as the only female governorship candidate on the list. Apart from her, the only other woman was Mrs Agiri, who featured as a deputy governorship candidate under the ADC.

The list also included Bola Oyebamiji as the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Other parties with candidates in the race included the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Allied Peoples Movement (APM), Action Peoples Party (APP), Boot Party (BP), New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), Young Progressive Party (YPP), and Zenith Labour Party (ZLP).

Fiercely contest

This newspaper reported that Mr Adeleke defeated former governor Gboyega Oyetola of the APC in the 2022 governorship election on the PDP platform.

At the time, Mr Oyetola, now a minister of Marine and Blue Economy, was seeking a second term in office.

Since his defeat, the APC has slipped into the minority in the state, with its political influence reduced.

The partys current governorship candidate, Mr Oyebamiji, previously served as Commissioner for Finance under Mr Oyetola.

The forthcoming election is expected to be fiercely contested, shifting from a traditional two-party race to a three-way battle following the emergence of the ADC.

Meanwhile, former Minister of Interior Rauf Aregbesola remains a major political force in the state.

The race is now shaping up as a three-cornered contest among the incumbent, Mr Adeleke of the Accord Party, Mr Oyebamiji of the APC, and Mr Salam of the ADC.

Mr Salam, a former Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, is drawing on Mr Aregbesolas political machinery, whose grassroots network spans all local government areas in the state.
Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State has announced a senator, Aliyu Wadada, as his preferred candidate for the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 governorship election.

Mr Sule made the announcement during a meeting with political appointees at the Government House in Lafia on Thursday, signalling a major development in the states political succession ahead of the next general elections.

Mr Wadada currently represents Nasarawa West Senatorial District in the 10th Senate. He recently defected from the Social Democratic Party (SDP) to the APC amid growing speculation over his governorship ambition.

The governors endorsement is expected to shape early alignments within the ruling party in the state as political actors begin positioning for 2027.

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Details shortly
The Nigeria Police Force has just issued the statement below announcing that it had sent off a suspected murderer and drug trafficker, Matthew Chukwuemeka Adebiyi, to the United Kingdom to face trial.

Read the full statement below.

NPF EXTRADITES FUGITIVE (MATHEW CHUKWUEMEKA ADEBIYI) TO UK FOR MURDER AND DRUG TRAFFICKING, IGP DISU REAFFIRMS COMMITMENT TO GLOBAL COLLABORATION

The Nigeria Police Force, through the INTERPOL National Central Bureau (NCB) Abuja, has successfully facilitated the extradition of one Matthew Chukwuemeka Adebiyi to the United Kingdom to face charges bordering on murder and drug trafficking.

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The extradition followed a formal request by United Kingdom authorities in September 2024 to locate, arrest, and extradite the fugitive over his alleged involvement in the murder of one Joshua Boadu on 18th June 2018, after which he fled to Nigeria to evade arrest. He was also alleged to have been involved in the supply of crack cocaine, a Class-A controlled drug, between October 2017 and March 2018 in the United Kingdom.

The suspect (Matthew Chukwuemeka Adebiyi) was arrested on 23rd January 2025 by operatives of the INTERPOL NCB Abuja, following which extradition proceedings were initiated at the Federal High Court, Lagos Judicial Division, in Suit No. FHC/L/CS/416/2025. On 16th February 2026, Honourable Justice A.O. Faji granted the application for his extradition in accordance with the Extradition Act, Cap E25, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.

Pursuant to the court order and the execution of a surrender warrant by the relevant Nigerian authorities, the fugitive (Matthew Chukwuemeka Adebiyi) was formally handed over to United Kingdom law enforcement officials on 14th April 2026 at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos, for diligent prosecution.

IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, psc(+), NPM, reiterates the commitment of the Nigeria Police Force to strengthening international police cooperation and ensuring that Nigeria does not serve as a safe haven for fugitives.

DCP ANTHONY OKON PLACID psc(+) mni

Force Public Relations Officer

Force Headquarters, Abuja

16th April, 2026
Nigeria still lacks a binding law governing the use of artificial intelligence, experts warned on Thursday, even as the technology is rapidly spreading across the countrys banking, healthcare, agriculture, and education sectors.

This was a key point at a stakeholders forum on AI governance organised by the Bureau of Public Service Reforms (BPSR) in partnership with the Centre for Fiscal Transparency and Public Integrity.

The event brought together regulators, policymakers, technologists, and development partners to examine how Nigeria can manage the risks and opportunities of AI in public life.

Growing Adoption, Thin Oversight

In his remarks, the Executive Director of the Centre for Fiscal Transparency and Public Integrity, Umar Yakubu, told the forum that AI is already deeply embedded in Nigerias economy but largely without oversight.

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He cited examples of AI in the financial sector, referencing that UBA launched its AI chatbot, Leo, in 2018, followed by Zenith Banks Ziva in 2021. By February 2024, 13 deposit money banks had deployed AI-powered chatbots. The Central Bank of Nigeria also formally integrated AI into its anti-money laundering compliance framework, he said.

Beyond finance, precision farming technologies are emerging in agriculture, teaching hospitals are deploying AI diagnostic tools, and online learning platforms are integrating AI into education, Mr Yakubu said.

PREMIUM TIMES reports that in 2024, the National Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics and Google jointly launched a N100 million fund to support Nigerian AI startups. Nigeria also climbed 31 places to 72nd in the 2025 Oxford Government AI Readiness Index, up from 103rd in 2023.

Nigeria also signed the Bletchley Declaration on AI safety in 2023, joining 27 other nations in committing to the safe development of advanced AI systems.

But serious Gaps remain.

Mr Yakubu said Nigerias regulatory environment has not kept pace.

He said two AI bills introduced in 2021 and 2023 never completed the legislative process. AI systems in public services currently operate without dedicated oversight. While the Nigeria Data Protection Act 2023 covers personal data used in AI, its operational rules only took effect in September 2025, and AI-specific enforcement remains weak.

The Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation flagged algorithmic bias as a risk in 2024 and called for monitoring frameworks, but no mandatory standards have been set.

Regulatory responsibility is also fragmented, with the CBN, NCC, and NITDA each overseeing AI independently within their sectors. A draft National AI Strategy proposes a National AI Steering Committee, but it has not been established, he said

Mr Yakubu also raised security concerns, saying Nigeria lacks AI-specific standards to address threats such as fraud, disinformation, data poisoning, and automated cybercrime.

BPSR calls for action

Earlier, in his opening address, the Director General of the Bureau of Public Service Reforms, Dasuki Arabi, said AI had moved from a futuristic concept to a present reality shaping economies, governance, and social life.

Governments across the globe are increasingly leveraging AI to improve service delivery, enhance decision-making, and drive efficiency in public administration, he said.

He acknowledged that Nigerias adoption of AI in public finance management, policy formulation, and service delivery was growing, but warned that without a clear governance framework, the technology could lead to exclusion, discrimination, and a loss of public trust.

The official said BPSR would work to translate the forums outcomes into concrete reforms. Our goal is to support the development of a governance framework that promotes innovation while safeguarding public interest, he said.

Experts at the event agreed that AI governance is not purely a technical matter. It is also, they said, a policy, legal, and ethical issue that requires a holistic response combining sound public policy with strong institutions.

A Framework for the Future

Mr Yakubu made eight recommendations.

First, he called for a dedicated AI Act covering risk classification, liability, and algorithmic impact assessments. Second, an independent National AI Regulatory Authority should be created with enforcement powers and civil society oversight.

Third, that federal agencies should be required to publish model cards, audit logs, and explainability reports, a step, he said, hasalready been adopted in Ghanas 20232033 AI strategy.

He also called for the mandate of the Nigeria Data Protection Commission to be expanded to explicitly cover AI profiling and automated decisions, and for inter-agency collaboration. He called on the CBN, NCC, NITDA, and NDPC to formalise cooperation through memoranda of understanding, similar to the UKs sector-regulator coordination model.

Other recommendations include enabling civil society to independently monitor AI systems, building a national AI skills strategy, and requiring both government and private institutions to implement AI governance and risk management frameworks.
Nigerias former Petroleum Minister, Diezani Alison-Madueke, on Wednesday said she had limited direct control over the award of oil contracts during her tenure as minister.

Testifying on Day 18 of her trial, Mrs Alison-Madueke told the Southwark Crown Court that her role was largely procedural within a complex bureaucratic system.

The minister said decisions on contracts were processed through multiple agencies before reaching her, arguing that the choice had been made by the time files got to her desk.

According to her, operational authority in the oil sector rested primarily with the Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), while the ministry exercised oversight functions.

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Mrs Alison-Madueke said the scale and complexity of Nigerias petroleum industry made direct ministerial control impractical, noting that the sector involved thousands of workers, hundreds of oil fields, and multiple agencies operating under different structures.

It was not a one-man state, she explained to the court.

Background

The former minister is standing trial over allegations of corruption, having been charged in 2023 with five counts of accepting bribes and one count of conspiracy to commit bribery.

UK prosecutors say the charges are linked to the awarding of oil and gas contracts during her tenure as petroleum minister between 2010 and 2015.

Mrs Alison-Madueke also served as president of the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries between 2014 and 2015. She relocated to the United Kingdom after the defeat of the Peoples Democratic Party in Nigerias 2015 presidential election. She also faces multiple corruption cases in Nigeria, some of which have stalled due to her absence.

Nigerian courts, however, have ordered the forfeiture of assets worth billions of naira linked to her.

In January, PREMIUM TIMES reported how Mrs Alison-Maduekes lavish UK lifestyle was opulently funded by Nigerian oil contractors.

Prosecutors allege that several Nigerian businessmen funded lavish expenses on her behalf, including more than 2 million spent at Harrods and about 4.6 million used to refurbish properties in London and Buckinghamshire.

According to the prosecution, some of the purchases were made using payment cards linked to Nigerian businessman Kolawole Aluko and his company, Tenka Limited.

The case also includes allegations that she had access to luxury properties, including a 2.8 million home in Marylebone and residences overlooking Regents Park, as well as a grand home in Buckinghamshire.

During her appearance in court on Tuesday, the former minister denied all allegations. Mrs Alison-Madueke told the court that expenses incurred on her behalf during official engagements were reimbursed by the NNPC.

I can state categorically that at no point did I ask for, take or receive a bribe of any sort and did not abuse my office, she said, according to BBC.

She explained that a logistics company was set up in London to handle official arrangements because of what she described as a disorganised financial structure at the NNPC at the time.

Defence

The former minister argued that she rejected only about one to two per cent of contracts during her tenure, adding that it was rareand often politically sensitiveto interfere with transactions that had already been approved.

She also told the court that in 2014, she uncovered an alleged crude oil lifting arrangement involving multiple firms, which she said was linked to businessman Igho Sanomi.

She said she moved to cancel the contracts following a whistle-blower alert but faced resistance, including complaints to then President Goodluck Jonathan.

Ms Alison-Madueke revisited the $20 billion oil revenue controversy linked to former Central Bank governor Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, telling the court the issue had been misrepresented in public discourse.

She said what was initially described as missing money was later clarified through audits and legislative reviews as comprising subsidy payments and operational costs.

She maintained that she was unfairly linked to allegations of theft, describing the media coverage as politically motivated and damaging to her reputation.

On subsidy administration, she said investigations revealed abuses within the system, including round-tripping, where marketers allegedly submitted multiple claims for payment.

She told the court she reported the findings to anti-corruption agencies and introduced reforms in the downstream sector, which she said reduced subsidy claims but also exposed her to threats.

In an emotional moment, it was reported that Mrs Alison-Madueke said resistance to her reforms put her family at risk, recounting the abduction of her younger sister in 2013 and a separate incident involving her nephew.

She also said her son required military protection to attend school due to security concerns.

The former minister further alleged that political and business figures frequently sought favours from her office in relation to oil allocations and financial matters, citing a letter from businessman and politician Ifeanyi Ubah as an example. She said she rejected such requests.

On her personal finances, Mrs Alison-Madueke acknowledged using credit cards issued by Nigerian banks, including Zenith Bank and United Bank for Africa, and confirmed that some transactions were carried out abroad during official trips.

She said Nigerian ministers were not permitted to operate foreign accounts, which sometimes created logistical challenges during overseas engagements.

Additionally, she explained that on a few occasions, her cards were declined abroad, leading to arrangements for third parties to cover expenses.

The court was also presented with travel records, diplomatic correspondence, and passport stamps documenting her movements between 2011 and 2015.

Mrs Alison-Madueke said she typically travelled with about 30 officials, including technical aides and protocol staff, and insisted that all official trips were properly documented in ministry records.

Addressing questions on travel logistics, she said the use of private and chartered aircraft was common for domestic official travel, while commercial flights were often used for international engagements.

She maintained that her tenure was focused on expanding indigenous participation in the oil sector and improving transparency, citing reforms under Nigerias local content framework.

AIT reported that the trial has entered a decisive phase, with a verdict expected soon.

So far, the former minister has denied the five charges of bribery against her, arguing that she was never a part of any conspiracy.
In the architecture of governance, the question of money, how it is earned, shared and used, often determines whether a nation moves forward or remains trapped in difficulty. This is why institutions that manage public revenue occupy a central place in national life, even if their work is not always visible to the public. In Nigeria, the Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) is at the heart of this responsibility.

Between May 2023 and January 2026, under the leadership of Mohammed Bello Shehu, the commission undertook a series of actions to improve revenue inflows, ensure fairness in distribution and strengthen the financial foundation of the federation, in line with the economic direction of President Bola Ahmed Tinubus administration.

The story of revenue in Nigeria has always been tied to oil, but the story of national development cannot continue to depend on a single source. This reality has shaped many of the RMAFCs actions in recent years.

Working with the Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS), formerly the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), the RMAFC undertook a revenue recovery exercise targeting funds owed to the Federation Account. The exercise led to the recovery of over N50 billion, while broader efforts contributed to a significant rise in Federation Account revenues.

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The importance of revenue recovery is captured in the words of the American statesman Benjamin Franklin, who once said, An investment in knowledge pays the best interest. What Franklin meant in his time applies to fiscal governance today: when a country understands its revenue sources and blocks leakages, it secures its future.

Revenue recovery is not only about money already lost; it is about building a culture where public funds are treated as sacred.

One of the RMAFCs major steps involved verifying disputed oil wells and gas fields in the Niger Delta. Oil asset verification has always been contentious because it determines how revenue is distributed among producing states. The commission addressed long-standing disputes and laid a foundation for fairness in resource distribution by undertaking the verification exercise. In a federation, fairness in revenue allocation is not just an economic matter; it is a political stabiliser. When people believe that distribution is fair, tension reduces, and national unity becomes easier to sustain.

The French philosopher Montesquieu wrote, A nation may lose its liberties in a day and not miss them in a century. Fiscal injustice can also operate in this silent manner. When revenue distribution is perceived as unfair over a long period, it can create resentment that threatens national stability. The RMAFC sought to address this silent danger by addressing disputed oil assets and improving revenue monitoring.

Another major issue that has occupied the RMAFC is the review of Nigerias revenue allocation formula. The formula determines how funds in the Federation Account are shared among the federal, state, and local governments. The last comprehensive review was many years ago, despite constitutional provisions that recommend periodic review. Under Mr Shehu, the review process began with consultations with stakeholders across the country. The aim was to adjust the formula to reflect current realities, the responsibilities of each tier of government and the need for development across the federation.

The British economist John Maynard Keynes once noted, The difficulty lies not so much in developing new ideas as in escaping from old ones. Nigerias fiscal structure has, for decades, operated within outdated frameworks that no longer reflect modern realities. Population growth, urban expansion, infrastructure demands and security challenges have changed the responsibilities of government at all levels. A revenue formula designed decades ago cannot effectively serve a country that has changed so dramatically. Reviewing the formula is, therefore, not just a legal obligation but an economic necessity.

The RMAFC also proposed constitutional amendments to establish timelines for presidential submission of revenue formula proposals to the National Assembly. The recommendation addresses delays that have historically slowed down fiscal reforms. Laws and policies are only as effective as the speed with which they are implemented. When processes are delayed indefinitely, even the best policies lose value.

Another area that received attention is local government financial autonomy. The Supreme Court judgment affirming the financial independence of local governments marked a turning point in Nigerias governance structure. Mr Shehu openly supported this development and emphasised the role of local governments in grassroots development. The RMAFC engaged with the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) as part of efforts to ensure that local councils have access to their funds and can perform their constitutional responsibilities.

The idea that governance must reach the lowest level of society is not new. The political philosopher Alexis de Tocqueville observed that local institutions are to liberty what primary schools are to science; they bring it within the peoples reach. In practical terms, when local governments function properly, roads are maintained, primary healthcare improves, basic education becomes accessible and local markets grow. Fiscal autonomy for local governments, therefore, goes beyond administrative arrangement; it touches the daily lives of ordinary citizens.

Attention was also given to the solid minerals sector. Nigeria has vast mineral resources, yet revenue from the sector has remained far below its potential. The RMAFC introduced a new data rendition template for solid minerals to improve accountability and revenue generation from mining activities. Data is the backbone of modern revenue administration. Without accurate data, it is impossible to know what is produced, what is owed and what should be paid into government accounts.

The management thinker Peter Drucker once said, What gets measured gets managed. This statement explains why data templates and reporting systems are important. When production and payments are properly recorded, revenue leakages are reduced and the government earns what it is supposed to.

The RMAFC also supported broader tax reforms and fiscal legislation signed into law by President Bola Tinubu.

Tax reform is often unpopular because it is associated with payment, but in reality, it is about fairness and efficiency. A good tax system ensures that those who should pay actually pay, while protecting those who are too poor. It also ensures that the government does not rely excessively on borrowing.

The Roman philosopher Cicero once wrote, The budget should be balanced, the treasury should be refilled, public debt should be reduced. Though written over two thousand years ago, the statement still captures the essence of fiscal responsibility today. Governments must live within their means and increase revenue through legitimate channels and reduce dependence on loans.

Internally, the RMAFC also worked on reforms affecting remuneration of political office holders and ambassadors, staff training and the introduction of digital performance management systems. Institutional strength depends on the quality of people working within the system and the tools available to them. Training improves capacity, while digital systems improve efficiency and accountability.

The sociologist Max Weber argued that modern governance depends on strong institutions rather than strong individuals. Rules, procedures and professional standards must guide institutions. When systems are digital and performance is measured, institutions become more predictable and more reliable.

Another important area of advocacy was economic diversification. Nigeria cannot continue to rely solely on oil revenue. Diversification means developing agriculture, mining, manufacturing, technology and services so that revenue comes from multiple sources. Countries that depend on a single commodity often face economic instability because commodity prices fluctuate in the global market.

The writer and Nobel laureate Wole Soyinka once remarked that The man dies in all who keep silent in the face of tyranny. Economic dependence on one resource can be a form of economic tyranny because it limits national choices. Diversification gives a nation the freedom to make decisions without being trapped by the rise and fall of a single commodity price.

Transparency has also been a recurring theme in the RMAFCs work. Monitoring revenue inflows, verifying oil assets and collaborating with revenue-generating agencies all point to a system designed to ensure public funds are properly accounted for. Transparency builds trust, and trust is essential in a country as large and diverse as Nigeria.

The American president Abraham Lincoln once said, Public sentiment is everything. With public sentiment, nothing can fail; without it, nothing can succeed. Fiscal reforms require public trust because citizens must believe that revenue collected is used for the public good. Without trust, even the best revenue policies face resistance.

As Nigeria continues to face economic challenges, institutions like RMAFC play a role that is often unnoticed but deeply important. Revenue mobilisation determines how much money is available for infrastructure, education, healthcare and security. Allocation determines how that money is shared among different levels of government. Fiscal discipline determines whether the country lives within its means or accumulates unsustainable debt.

The psychologist Abraham Maslow argued that human beings have basic needs that must be met before higher aspirations can be pursued. In national terms, revenue provides the means to meet basic needs such as roads, hospitals, schools and security. Without revenue, development remains an issue rather than a realitylityality.

What has emerged from the RMAFCs activities between 2023 and 2026 is a picture of an institution working to improve revenue inflows, ensure fairness in distribution, support local government independence and modernise its internal processes. These efforts may not always make headlines, but they shape the countrys economic foundation.

The former British Prime Minister Winston Churchill once said, We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give. In governance, what institutions give is not charity but service  service in the form of policies, systems and decisions that improve national life.

Nigerias fiscal future will depend on how well it manages revenue sources, how fairly it distributes resources and how responsibly it spends public funds. These are not simple tasks; they require patience, technical knowledge, political will and institutional discipline.

In the final analysis, the work of revenue and fiscal management is not about numbers alone; it is about people. It is about whether a child can go to school, whether a hospital has equipment, whether a farmer can transport goods to the market and whether a young graduate can find employment. Revenue is not just money; it is opportunity, stability and national direction.

The Indian leader Mahatma Gandhi once said, The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others. Public institutions exist for this reason: service. When revenue is properly mobilised, fairly allocated and responsibly managed, government serves the people most fundamentally.

In a federation as complex as Nigeria, the question of who gets what, when and how will always remain sensitive. But with clear policies, accurate data, transparent processes and cooperation among institutions, it is possible to build a system that is fair, efficient and sustainable.

As the philosopher Aristotle wrote many centuries ago, The aim of the state is the good life. Fiscal policy, revenue mobilisation and resource allocation are tools toward that aim. When properly managed, they create the conditions for stability, growth, and national progress. When they are mismanaged, they create the opposite.

The work of the Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission between May 2023 and January 2026, therefore, represents part of Nigerias continuing effort to build a stable fiscal system within a complex federal structure. And in the long journey of nation-building, fiscal order remains one of the most important pillars upon which every other achievement stands.

Abdullahi Mohammed is an Abuja-based media practitioner and public affairs analyst.
Ahmed Wadada has reacted to his endorsement by Governor Abdullahi Sule as the preferred governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Nasarawa State, describing it as a call to greater responsibility and service.

Mr Wadada, a senator, who represents Nasarawa West Senatorial District, made his position known in a statement posted on his official page shortly after the governors announcement.

PREMIUM TIMES earlier reported that Mr Sule named Mr Wadada as his preferred successor during a meeting with political appointees at the Government House in Lafia, ahead of the 2027 governorship election.

In his response, the lawmaker expressed gratitude to the governor for the endorsement.

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I receive with deep humility and a profound sense of responsibility the endorsement of His Excellency, Governor Abdullahi Alhaji Sule, Mr Wadada said.

He described the endorsement as a call to higher service, adding that it would require renewed commitment to the development of the state.

I am sincerely grateful for this demonstration of trust and confidence. It is a call to higher service, one that compels renewed dedication to the peace, unity, and continued development of Nasarawa State, he said.

Mr Wadada also called for unity within the APC, urging party stakeholders to work together ahead of the 2027 elections.

The journey ahead requires collective wisdom, shared sacrifice, and a united front. I humbly seek your support, your prayers, and your counsel, he said.

He further appealed to other aspirants within the party to maintain mutual respect and avoid actions that could divide the party.

To my respected fellow aspirants, I hold you in the highest esteem. Our aspirations are born out of a shared love for Nasarawa State, he said.

The senator also cautioned his supporters against engaging in attacks or inflammatory remarks.

I strongly discourage any form of attacks or disparaging remarks against other aspirants or their supporters. Politics should never divide us, he added.

Mr Wadada assured that he remains committed to building on the achievements of the current administration and promoting unity and development across the state.

The endorsement by Mr Sule is expected to shape political alignments within the APC in Nasarawa as the 2027 election approaches.
Since 2021, AidKit has supported more than 240 government and nonprofit partners across 27 states, with some programs launching in as little as six hours

DENVER, April 16, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- AidKit, a Certified B Corp that helps government agencies and nonprofits deliver fast, fair and effective aid and relief programs, today released its 2025 Impact Report. The report details how AidKit's public sector SaaS platform has delivered over $420 million in aid through more than 240 partners across 27 states since the company's founding in 2021.

The environment for the delivery of aid and benefits in the U.S. has fundamentally changed. Disruption is now a recurring condition, not an occasional event. Alongside more frequent and costly natural disasters, communities are facing economic shocks, housing instability, strain in public benefits systems and workforce disruption from emerging technologies like artificial intelligence (AI). The result is a growing demand for systems that can respond quickly and flexibly across many forms of need.

Too often, funding is allocated before the technology systems to deliver it are ready. Programs are authorized, but the digital infrastructure needed to deliver aid is typically built in the middle of a crisis. That improvisation slows delivery and raises the risk of errors. For households and businesses under pressure, the consequences are immediate: unpaid rent, missed payroll, food insecurity and deeper instability before help arrives. As federal support pulls back, this shift places more responsibility on state and local governments, which makes operational readiness more important.

"Disruption is constant; improvisation is expensive, and speed prevents harm," said Brittany Christenson, CEO of AidKit. "That is why the technology infrastructure to deliver aid should no longer be built in the middle of a crisis. When systems are not ready, the cost is measured in evictions, missed paychecks, shuttered small businesses and families forced deeper into instability while they wait for help. The question is no longer if support will be needed, but when, and whether the systems to deliver it are already in place."

The report highlights the LA Region Small Business and Worker Relief Funds, two programs that used AidKit's platform to deliver more than $24 million in aid to approximately 6,000 workers, families and small businesses affected by wildfires. AidKit set up the platform within two weeks of program activation. The system combined geospatial mapping, identity verification and real-time review tools to help administrators move funds more quickly and accurately. Los Angeles County Department of Economic Opportunity is now working to make that capacity part of its permanent response infrastructure so that future programs can launch even faster.

The report also highlights AidKit's support for Rx Kids in Flint, Michigan. Administered by internationally recognized nonprofit GiveDirectly, Rx Kids is the country's first universal maternal and infant cash prescription program. The AidKit platform supported enrollment, verification and payments for 1,400 families and helped deliver more than $6 million in aid. The program achieved near-100% participation among eligible mothers. Rx Kids has since expanded with support from an additional $270 million state investment.

AidKit's platform also provided critical support for Save the Children across five separate crises over four months last year: Hurricanes Helene and Milton, the Los Angeles County wildfires, a wildfire in Fresno County, and a government shutdown that disrupted SNAP benefits nationwide. Across the responses, Save the Children used a single standing technology platform to deliver more than $2 million in emergency cash assistance to more than 4,000 families and 10,000 children across 22 states. On average, it took just two days to go from program design to cash in recipients' hands.

The report also highlights how AidKit is transforming how aid programs are built and operated. Through capabilities such as AI-assisted document processing, real-time eligibility verification, fraud mitigation and modular program configuration, the AidKit platform enables agencies to launch and manage complex aid programs quickly while maintaining precision and oversight.

AidKit's approach emphasizes designing programs around real user needs. Each program is informed by direct feedback through a Community Advisory Council composed of participants from across the country, helping ensure tools and workflows reflect the realities of those receiving aid. This approach reinforces AidKit's focus on building systems that are not only fast and scalable, but equitable, accessible and trusted.

Looking ahead, AidKit is strengthening its capabilities to improve access and delivery. That includes AI-powered tools that help applicants understand eligibility requirements and complete applications. It also includes stronger eligibility systems that use public and user-permissioned data to reduce administrative burden and limit manual document uploads. AidKit is also expanding proactive outreach to engage likely eligible individuals through tailored digital and traditional communications. At the same time, it is helping partners prepare for emerging disruptions such as AI-driven labor market shifts and increasingly frequent disasters.

"What we have proven with our partners is that speed, flexibility and accountability are possible, even as organizations face more disruption, more complexity and greater pressure to deliver quickly," said Christenson. "Our focus now is on making that foundation even stronger and helping organizations prepare earlier for the disruptions they are increasingly being asked to manage. The goal is to respond better by being ready before the next moment of need."

To view the full 2025 Impact Report, visit: https://www.aidkit.com/2025-impact-report.

AidKit's impact-focused video was selected for the Champions Retreat B Corp Film Festival in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, April 21-23, 2026, where it will be featured in a continuous screening alongside stories from the global B Corp community. View the video at https://www.aidkit.com/aid-infrastructure-that-delivers.

About AidKit

AidKit is the infrastructure behind many of the nation's most effective aid and relief programs, helping even the leanest governments and nonprofit teams deliver aid and benefits in days, not months. Designed to meet the complex demands of large-scale aid and public benefits distribution, AidKit's all-in-one technology platform streamlines workflows, accelerates disbursements and reduces administrative burden, adapting to each community's needs rather than requiring communities to adapt to the platform. With integrated fraud mitigation, compliance tracking and real-time caseload management tools, AidKit ensures programs operate with precision, accountability and data security. Drawing on a proven record of successful implementations, AidKit expands operational capacity and elevates service delivery for its partners, delivering results that maximize impact and build public trust across programs ranging from disaster relief to public benefits modernization. Active in 27 states, AidKit has served 240+ government and nonprofit partners and distributed over $420 million in aid. Founded in 2021, AidKit is a Certified B Corporation and a Public Benefit Corporation. For more information, visit https://www.aidkit.com.

Media contact:

Michael Tebo

Gabriel Marketing Group (for AidKit)

Phone: 571-835-8775

Email: [email protected]

SOURCE AidKit
ABU DHABI, UAE, April 16, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Barings, one of the world's leading alternative investment managers, today announced the opening of its new office in Abu Dhabi. This strategic expansion underscores Barings' commitment to the Middle East and its confidence in the region's long-term growth, resilience, and investment opportunities.

The Abu Dhabi office follows the successful launch of Barings' Dubai office in 2024 and reflects the firm's ambition to deepen relationships with institutional investors, sovereign wealth funds, and family offices across the Gulf.

Mike Freno, Chairman and CEO of Barings, said, "The opening of our Abu Dhabi office reaffirms Barings' commitment to the Middle East and our belief in the region's growth trajectory. Being on the ground enables us to better serve our clients and partner with them to unlock opportunities across global credit markets."

Waleed Zamel, Managing Director, Head of Middle East, Global Client Group at Barings, added, "This expansion marks an important milestone in our strategy to build a strong presence in the region and reaffirms our commitment to our trusted partners. Abu Dhabi is a key financial hub and a growth pillar of Barings' Middle East strategy, and having a local office allows us to engage more closely with clients and deliver tailored investment solutions that meet their evolving needs."

Arvind Ramamurthy, Chief Market Development Officer at ADGM, said, "We are pleased to welcome Barings to ADGM's ecosystem. Their decision underscores the continued interest from leading global firms choosing Abu Dhabi for regional and international growth. With a strong regulatory framework and deep connectivity to regional capital, ADGM continues to support asset and wealth managers as they expand their presence and access opportunities across the region and beyond."

The new office will operate within ADGM, the international financial centre of Abu Dhabi, the Capital of the United Arab Emirates, providing Barings with proximity to leading regional investors and a robust regulatory environment. The firm continues to see a strong appetite for strategies in public credit, private credit, and real estate among Middle Eastern investors.

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2958397/Barings_Logo.jpg

SOURCE Barings
PHILADELPHIA, April 16, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- National plaintiffs' law firm Berger Montague PC advises shareholders of Stryker Corporation (NYSE: SYK) ("Stryker" or the "Company") about an investigation into Stryker's Board of Directors (the "Board") for potential breaches of fiduciary duties owed to the Company and its shareholders. The investigation focuses on whether the Board failed to exercise appropriate oversight regarding its cybersecurity and data protection practices, including the Company's response to a recent cyber incident affecting its operations and data environment.

Shareholders of Stryker may learn more about this investigation by contacting Berger Montague: Andrew Abramowitz at [email protected] or (215) 875-3015 or Caitlin Adorni at [email protected] or (267) 764- 4865 or CLICK HERE.

Stryker is a global medical technology company headquartered in Kalamazoo, Michigan, that develops and manufactures medical devices, surgical equipment, and healthcare solutions used by hospitals and clinicians worldwide.

About Berger Montague

Berger Montague is one of the nation's preeminent law firms focusing on complex civil litigation, class actions, and mass torts in federal and state courts throughout the United States. With more than $2.4 billion in 2025 post-trial judgments alone, the Firm is a leader in the fields of complex litigation, antitrust, consumer protection, defective products, environmental law, employment law, securities, and whistleblower cases, among many other practice areas. For over 55 years, Berger Montague has played leading roles in precedent-setting cases and has recovered over $50 billion for its clients and the classes they have represented. Berger Montague is headquartered in Philadelphia and has offices in Chicago; Malvern, PA; Minneapolis; San Diego; San Francisco; Toronto, Canada; Washington, D.C., and Wilmington, DE.

For more information or to discuss your rights, please contact:

Andrew Abramowitz

Berger Montague

(215) 875-3015

[email protected]

Caitlin Adorni

Berger Montague

(267) 764-4865

[email protected]

SOURCE Berger Montague
Rector Honored for Nearly Four Decades of Leadership in Advertising Self-Regulation, Consumer Privacy, and Industry Advocacy

SAN DIEGO, April 16, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The Digital Advertising Alliance (DAA) today named Clark Rector, Executive Vice President of Government Affairs at the American Advertising Federation (AAF), as the recipient of the fifth annual "DAA Privacy Icon" award. Announced at the DAA Summit, this year's award recognizes Rector's nearly four decades of tireless advocacy on behalf of the advertising industry, from defending responsible data use to promoting common-sense privacy solutions for consumers, advancing effective self-regulatory programs, and educating lawmakers and regulators on the value of interest-based advertising.

Clark Rector

"Clark Rector is one of the most impactful voices in advertising policy in Washington and throughout the states, where his local and personal connections with advertising clubs and federations have helped us bring the DAA Principles to agencies and clients of all sizes, and we are delighted to formally recognize his longtime and meaningful contributions," said Lou Mastria, President and CEO of the DAA. "From Capitol Hill to state legislatures to the Federal Trade Commission, Clark has been a steady, principled advocate for a balanced approach to privacy regulation that protects consumers without undermining the ad-supported internet that millions of Americans rely on every day. The DAA is proud to honor Clark and grateful for everything he has done for the industry and for the self-regulatory framework we uphold for the industry."

"I am deeply honored to receive this recognition from the DAA," Rector said. "The DAA's self-regulatory program has always represented the advertising industry at its best, and it continues to serve as the most effective nationwide standard for consumer protection in our space. The AAF is proud to have been a partner in that mission from the start, and I am privileged to be part of that effort. Advertising is not just a national industry, but a regional and local one, as well. This award belongs equally to the tens of thousands of AAF members in advertising clubs and federations across the country who take time from their own busy schedules to educate policymakers and their communities on the ways in which responsible advertising advances America's economy and ideals."

About Clark Rector

Clark Rector is Executive Vice President of Government Affairs at the American Advertising Federation, which he joined in 1988. In that role, he oversees and directs the lobbying efforts of the AAF's nationwide grassroots network of 35,000 advertising professionals organized across 150 local advertising clubs and federations. Together, Rector and the AAF's network have successfully supported the industry in Congress, in nearly every state, and in numerous cities and counties across the country.

As the AAF's chief public policy advocate, Rector regularly meets with members of Congress, federal regulators, and state and local officials to educate them about the advertising industry and represent its interests on legislative and regulatory matters. He has testified on behalf of the AAF before the U.S. Senate and the Federal Trade Commission, as well as numerous state legislatures and city governments.

In recent years, Rector has been a leading industry voice on federal and state data privacy legislation, advocating for a national standard that gives consumers meaningful protections while preserving marketers' ability to communicate responsibly with their audiences.

Prior to joining the AAF, Rector spent two years on Capitol Hill as a legislative assistant for Congressman Tom Luken of Ohio, and he also worked in local television in Austin, TX. He is a graduate of the University of Texas at Austin and holds a Master of Arts in Communication Studies from the University of Iowa.

About the Digital Advertising Alliance

The Digital Advertising Alliance (DAA) is an independent not-for-profit organization which establishes and enforces responsible privacy practices for relevant digital advertising, while giving consumers information and control over the types of digital advertising they receive. The DAA runs the YourAdChoices, mobile AppChoices and PoliticalAds programs. Underlying the DAA's efforts are the DAA Self-Regulatory Principles, including updates to address changing technologies and business models such as multi-site, mobile, and cross-device data. Compliance with the DAA Principles is independently enforced for all companies in digital advertising by BBB National Programs and the Association of National Advertisers (ANA). The DAA is managed by a consortium of the leading national advertising and marketing trade groups, including the 4As; American Advertising Federation; ANA; Interactive Advertising Bureau; and Network Advertising Initiative, with the advice of BBB National Programs.

Media Contact:

Andrew Weinstein

202-667-4967

[email protected]

SOURCE Digital Advertising Alliance
Upgraded location features expanded food hall and refreshed shopping experience

CHERRY HILL, N.J., April 16, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- H Mart, the largest Asian supermarket chain in the United States, will reopen its renovated Cherry Hill, New Jersey, location at 10 a.m. on April 23. The store is located at 1720 NJ-70, Cherry Hill Township, New Jersey 08003.

The reopening marks the completion of a full renovation designed to enhance the shopping and dining experience for the local community. Opening-day events and giveaways are planned.

H Mart Cherry Hill

The renovated location will serve as a one-stop shopping destination offering fresh produce, premium meats, seafood, pantry staples, frozen foods, and health and beauty products. H Mart sources directly from local farms and suppliers where possible to provide fresh and diverse product selections for customers in the region.

In addition to grocery offerings, the store will feature a food hall designed to expand dining options and provide a variety of Asian cuisine. The company said the food hall is intended to integrate cultural and culinary experiences within its retail locations and serve as a community-oriented dining space.

The food hall will include Kyodong Noodles, a Korean-style Chinese noodle restaurant; Daily Seoul, a Korean lifestyle food brand; Mirim, a traditional Korean restaurant; The Dak, a Korean fried chicken concept; Dduk Dabang, a Korean street food brand; and Tiger Sugar, a Taiwanese bubble tea brand.

H Mart President, Brian Kwon said, "We are excited to reopen our newly renovated Cherry Hill location and bring our passion for Asian food culture to the community. We will continue to provide the same shopping experience our customers already love, with the same high-quality food and service. We look forward to welcoming everyone back and sharing our appreciation of Asian food culture with the Cherry Hill community."

About H Mart

H Mart is the largest international supermarket chain in America, originally renowned as the pioneer of Asian food in America. Founded in 1982 with its first store in Woodside, Queens, H Mart has grown to more than 100 stores across 18 states, as well as five warehouse and processing facilities.

As America's premier food destination, H Mart offers the full assortment of Asian groceries as well as a broad range of everyday essentials to complement its full-scale offering to that of a traditional supermarket. H Mart is dedicated to serve the immediate surrounding communities as well as a broad range of multicultural customers.

STORE ADDRESS

1720 NJ-70,

Cherry Hill Township, NJ

PR CONTACT:

Jenna Oh

H Mart- Marketing Department

[email protected]

201-636-5250

SOURCE H Mart
New secure access gateway hardware, developed in partnership with Bechtle, enables plug-and-play deployment of secure and scalable remote access for industrial systems

Integration of TeamViewer's AI agent Tia with remote assistance solution Assist AR for smarter on-site troubleshooting based on proprietary knowledge graph

HANNOVER, Germany, April 16, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- At Hannover Messe, TeamViewer is unveiling key enhancements to its Agentless Access and Assist AR solutions, strengthening its portfolio for the AI-accelerated convergence of operational technology (OT) and IT environments. Both innovations address key challenges for operational efficiency in industrial digital transformation, including downtime, security risks, and growing complexity.

Secure access gateway in partnership with Bechtle

TeamViewer Agentless Access enables direct, zero-trust remote access to any kind of OT equipment. It routes access through an on-premises gateway, without requiring software installation on the endpoint itself. At Hannover Messe, TeamViewer and Bechtle present a secure access gateway hardware that comes pre-configured with Agentless Access. This allows companies to deploy secure, scalable remote access and endpoint management to their industrial systems in a plug-and-play manner.

The Bechtle partnership is complemented by a new Agentless Access release that offers extended protocol support, allowing seamless, secure access to legacy systems such as Windows XP. IT/OT teams can now keep these systems isolated from any direct internet access, while enabling use cases ranging from remote control to remote PLC programming.

Combining Augmented Reality and AI for smarter troubleshooting

TeamViewer is also showcasing an AI-powered extension to its Assist AR solution at Hannover Messe. It helps industrial service teams to capture expert knowledge and use it to resolve unplanned downtimes faster and more consistently. By combining Augmented Reality with TeamViewer's AI agent Tia and its proprietary knowledge graph, support staff receive real-time suggestions during live video calls on how similar issues have been resolved in the past. This makes expert knowledge immediately available where and when it is needed most, streamlines support processes, and helps manufacturers reduce downtime, costs, and operational risk.

Oliver Steil, CEO of TeamViewer, said: "Manufacturing companies who are accelerating their AI-driven transformation and modernize operations while keeping complexity and risk in check will stay ahead of the curve and competition. Together with strong partners like Bechtle, we focus on making secure access and AI assistance an integral part of everyday industrial workflows, so that innovation can scale across even highly heterogeneous and brownfield environments."

TeamViewer CEO joins thought leaders on stage at Hannover Messe

The ongoing digital and AI transformation in manufacturing is the topic of two talks with Oliver Steil, CEO of TeamViewer at this year's Hannover Messe:

On 21 April from 12:50 to 1:15 p.m. on the Hannover Messe Center Stage together with Toto Wolff (CEO and Team Principal of Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team), discussing "The Race for Innovation: How Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team & TeamViewer Power High Performance."

On 22 April from 10:10 to 10:30 a.m. at the Siemens booth alongside Tony Hemmelgarn (CEO, Siemens Digital Industries Software) on the topic "From Industrial Strength to AI at Scale: Securing Competitive Advantage in the AI Era."

Visit TeamViewer at Hannover Messe 2026

Agentless Access and Assist AR will both be demonstrated live at the TeamViewer booth at Hannover Messe in Hall 15, stand E52.

About TeamViewer

TeamViewer provides a Digital Workplace platform that connects people with technology  enabling, improving and automating digital processes to make work work better.

In 2005, TeamViewer started with software to connect to computers from anywhere to eliminate travel and enhance productivity. It rapidly became the de facto standard for remote access and support and the preferred solution for hundreds of millions of users across the world to help others with IT issues. Today, more than 635,000 customers across industries rely on TeamViewer to optimize their digital workplaces  from small to medium sized businesses to the world's largest enterprises  empowering both desk-based employees and frontline workers.

Organizations use TeamViewer's solutions to prevent and resolve disruptions with digital endpoints of any kind, securely manage complex IT and industrial device landscapes, and enhance processes with augmented reality powered workflows and assistance  leveraging AI and integrating seamlessly with leading tech partners. Against the backdrop of global digital transformation and challenges like shortage of skilled labor, hybrid working, accelerated data analysis and the rise of new technologies, TeamViewer's solutions offer a clear value add by increasing productivity, reducing machine downtime, speeding up talent onboarding, and improving customer and employee satisfaction.

The company is headquartered in Goppingen, Germany, and employs around 1,900 people globally. In 2025, TeamViewer achieved a revenue of around EUR 768 million. TeamViewer SE (TMV) is listed at Frankfurt Stock Exchange and belongs to the SDAX. Further information can be found at www.teamviewer.com.

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2639323/5920344/TeamViewer_Logo.jpg

SOURCE TeamViewer Germany GmbH
The tool gives drug developers and CROs instant access to the most comprehensive database of clinical research sites across 192 countries, powered by Ryght AI

LAGUNA BEACH, Calif., April 16, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Ryght AI, a leading provider of real-time generative AI solutions for the clinical research industry, today announced the launch of RyghtSites.com. The free, publicly accessible tool allows pharmaceutical companies and Contract Research Organizations (CROs) to instantly search, rank, and download lists of the world's best clinical research sites for your search. Powered by Ryght's proprietary network of AI Site Twins, the platform offers a data-driven starting point for trial planning without the traditional barriers of cost or manual research.

Drugmaker's Problems: Deciding Between 100,000+ Clinical Trial Sites

The clinical trial industry currently faces a massive feasibility gap, where an estimated 80% of trials fail to meet enrollment timelines or deadlines. Traditional site selection is often a bottleneck, relying on outdated manual spreadsheets and expensive legacy data vendors. These antiquated methods can take three to six months to identify viable sites, costing the industry billions in delayed drug development and lost time.

Ryght AI's Solution: The World's First Free Search Engine

RyghtSites.com solves this by providing real-time access to digital replicas of over 60,000+ AI Site Twins representing more than 100,000 global research sites. Powered by the same technology as Ryght's Network Navigator, RyghtSites users simply enter their trial details, then Ryght searches its global network of AI Site Twins to surface the most experienced, best-matched research sites for those parameters, ranked by real-world trial history.

Key features of RyghtSites.com include:

Global Database: Search across 100,000 clinical research site locations in 192 countries

Search across 100,000 clinical research site locations in 192 countries Filter by Indication: Sort by disease, biomarker, synonym, and country/region

Sort by disease, biomarker, synonym, and country/region Support for all Phases : Compatible with Phase 1-4 clinical trials

: Compatible with Phase 1-4 clinical trials Agentic Ranking: Automatically filter and rank sites by feasibility and fit

Automatically filter and rank sites by feasibility and fit Download: Access the full list of sites and data via CSV

Ryght AI's Proven Track Record of Speeding Up Clinical Trials

In a recent case study, a leading global CRO used Ryght's platform to compress a six-month oncology site selection campaign into just 26 days, exceeding their site recruitment goal by 330%. By making this intelligence free, Ryght aims to eliminate the need for six-figure data contracts for fundamental site identification.

"Traditional site selection methods are costing the industry valuable time and resources," said Simon Arkell, CEO and Co-Founder of Ryght AI. "RyghtSites.com is our answer to giving sponsors and CROs a smarter starting point. It is powered by the same AI infrastructure our enterprise clients use to select and assess research sites in a fraction of the traditional time."

Companies can try a clinical trial site search today for free at RyghtSites.com.

About Ryght AI

Ryght AI is the first agentic-AI platform designed to automate every step of clinical trial site selection, activation, and enrollment. By combining AI agents with a secure digital-twin network of over 100,000 trial sites, Ryght accelerates trials, reduces costs, and improves patient access to new therapies. Founded in 2024 and headquartered in Laguna Beach, California, Ryght AI is backed by Foothill Ventures, Virtue Ventures, AIX Ventures, Top Harvest Capital, Page One Ventures, LDV Partners, and Heuristic Capital, with a strategic investment from Accenture Ventures. Learn more at www.ryght.ai

Media Contact:

Ariel Paradis

[email protected]

SOURCE Ryght
National HVAC Leader Announces New Franchise Location in Fast-Growing Houston Market

RICHARDSON, Texas, April 16, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Service Experts, one of the nation's leading residential HVAC service companies, has signed a new franchise agreement in Fulshear, Texas, marking continued momentum in its expansion into franchising. This agreement reflects growing interest in the company's franchise model, giving operators access to more than 30 years of operational infrastructure.

"We're not starting from scratch. We're stepping into a proven system built for long-term growth with Service Experts." Post this Norv Parsell and Emily Arnim, franchise owners of the new Service Experts location in Fulshear, Texas, bring backgrounds in data leadership and e-commerce marketing as they transition into home services ownership.

Located in one of the fastest-growing areas in the Houston market, the new location will be owned and operated by Norv Parsell and Emily Arnim, who bring a combined background in data leadership and premium e-commerce marketing. The Fulshear location is expected to open later this spring.

"Norv and Emily represent a new generation of franchise owners  experienced professionals seeking scalability, lasting impact, and long-term wealth creation," said Nick Ridgway, Vice President of Franchise Development for Service Experts. "They bring a unique combination of analytical thinking, operational discipline, and community focus that aligns closely with our brand values."

A Strategic Career Pivot

Parsell, a former Chief Data Officer with more than 25 years of experience across Fortune 500 companies and high-growth startups, said the decision to pursue franchising came after reevaluating long-term career stability in an increasingly technology-driven landscape.

"After spending my career in data and technology, I began thinking about what kind of business would offer long-term stability and real impact," said Parsell. "HVAC is essential and resilient, and with Service Experts, we're stepping into a system that's been built and refined over decades."

Arnim, who has spent the last 10 years of her career in premium and luxury e-commerce marketing, said the couple was drawn to Service Experts' established infrastructure and customer-focused offerings, including its Advantage Program, which allows homeowners to lease HVAC systems.

"This model gives us the ability to build something meaningful in our community while leveraging systems that are already proven," said Arnim. "Service Experts has done the hard work of building the playbook; now we can focus on executing and growing."

Together, the pair plan to build a family-centered business designed for long-term growth within their community.

Positioned for Local Growth

While they work on opening their location in Fulshear, Parsell and Arnim are already exploring opportunities to expand into nearby territories with a focus on scalable, people-driven growth.

"Our growth strategy starts with people," said Parsell. "We're focused on building a strong team, investing in training, and delivering a consistent, high-quality experience across every home we serve."

Backed by decades of corporate operating experience, Service Experts' franchise model is designed to give owners a faster path to scale, with established systems, national vendor relationships and a proven service platform already in place. As the company continues expanding its franchise footprint, additions like the Fulshear territory reflect growing demand from experienced professionals seeking to transition into essential service industries.

To learn more about Service Experts, visit www.serviceexperts.com. To learn more about franchising opportunities with Service Experts, visit www.serviceexperts.com/franchising.

ABOUT SERVICE EXPERTS:

Founded in 1996 and headquartered in Richardson, Texas, Service Experts is one of the largest residential HVAC service providers in the United States. The company operates a nationwide network of locally operated service centers delivering heating, cooling, plumbing and electrical solutions. For nearly three decades, Service Experts has combined deep local expertise with the scale and resources of a national organization to provide proactive, reliable home system care proven by its average rating of 4.9 out of five stars on Google across hundreds of thousands of reviews. Service Experts is owned by Brookfield Infrastructure, a leading global owner and operator of critical infrastructure, reinforcing its long-term commitment to operational excellence and customer service. Learn more at ServiceExperts.com or follow Service Experts on Facebook and LinkedIn.

SOURCE Service Experts LLC
Did you buy SMR Class A common stock between May 13, 2025, and November 6, 2025?

Affected NuScale Power Corporation Investor Summary

Who : NuScale Power Corporation (NYSE: SMR)

: NuScale Power Corporation (NYSE: SMR) What: Securities fraud class action lawsuit filed

Securities class action lawsuit filed Class Period: May 13, 2025, through November 6, 2025

May 13, 2025, through November 6, 2025 Deadline to Seek Lead Plaintiff Status: April 20, 2026

April 20, 2026 Key Lawsuit Allegations: Material misstatements and/or omissions concerning the company's commercialization strategy for its nuclear power generation projects and development.

Material misstatements and/or omissions concerning the company's commercialization strategy for its nuclear power generation projects and development. Investor Action: Contact Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP (www.ktmc.com) for recovery options at no cost to investor

RADNOR, Pa., April 16, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP (www.ktmc.com ) , a nationally recognized securities litigation law firm, informs investors that a securities fraud class action lawsuit has been filed against NuScale Power Corporation (NuScale) (NYSE: SMR) on behalf of those who purchased or acquired NuScale Class A common stock between May 13, 2025, and November 6, 2025, inclusive. The lawsuit is filed in the United States District Court for the District of Oregon and is captioned Truedson v. NuScale Power Corporation, et al, Case No. 3:26-cv-00328 (D. Or.). Investors have until April 20, 2026, to file for lead plaintiff status.

CONTACT KTMC TO DISCUSS YOUR LEGAL RIGHTS:

If you purchased or acquired NuScale Class A common stock and have lost money on your investment, you are encouraged to contact KTMC attorney Jonathan Naji, Esq. at:

 (484) 270-1453

 [email protected]

 https://www.ktmc.com/smr-nuscale-power-corporation-class-action-lawsuit?utm_source=PR_Newswire&utm_medium=pressrelease&utm_campaign=smr&mktm=PR

There is no cost or obligation to speak with an attorney.

Learn more about NuScale Power Corporation on YouTube:

NUSCALE POWER CORPORATION CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT - COMPLAINT ALLEGATION SUMMARY:

The complaint alleges that, throughout the Class Period, Defendants made false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (1) ENTRA1 Energy LLC ("ENTRA1") had never built, financed, or operated any significant projects let alone projects in the highly technical and complicated field of nuclear power generation during its entire operating history; (2) NuScale had entrusted its commercialization, distribution, and deployment of its NuScale Power Module and hundreds of millions of dollars of NuScale capital to an entity that lacked any significant prior experience owning, financing, or operating nuclear energy generation facilities; (3) the purported experience and qualifications attributed to ENTRA1 by Defendants during the Class Period in fact referred to the purported experience and qualifications of the principals of the Habboush Group, a distinct entity without significant experience in the field of nuclear power generation; and (4) as a result, NuScale's commercialization strategy was exposed to material, undisclosed risks of failure, delays, regulatory challenges, or other negative setbacks.

Why did NuScale's Stock Drop?

On November 6, 2025, NuScale surprised investors by revealing that the company's general and administrative expenses had ballooned more than 3,000% to $519 million during its third fiscal quarter, up from $17 million in the prior year period, due largely to NuScale's payment of $495 million to ENTRA1 for its TVA agreement. As a result, NuScale's quarterly net loss skyrocketed to $532 million, up from $46 million in the prior year period. On this news, the price of NuScale Class A common stock declined by $5.45 per share, or approximately 14.4%, from a close of $37.91 per share on November 5, 2025, to close at $32.46 on November 6, 2025.

WHAT SMR INVESTORS CAN DO NOW:

File to be lead plaintiff by April 20, 2026. Contact KTMC for a free case evaluation. All representation is on a contingency fee basis, there is no cost to you. Retain counsel of choice or take no action.

THE LEAD PLAINTIFF PROCESS FOR NUSCALE POWER CORPORATION INVESTORS:

NuScale investors may, no later than April 20, 2026, seek to be appointed as a lead plaintiff representative of the class through Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP or other counsel, or may choose to do nothing and remain an absent class member. A lead plaintiff is a representative party who acts on behalf of all class members in directing the litigation. The lead plaintiff is usually the investor or small group of investors who have the largest financial interest and who are also adequate and typical of the proposed class of investors. The lead plaintiff selects counsel to represent the lead plaintiff and the class and these attorneys, if approved by the court, are lead or class counsel. Your ability to share in any recovery is not affected by the decision of whether or not to serve as a lead plaintiff.

Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP encourages NuScale investors to contact the firm for more information.

ABOUT KESSLER TOPAZ MELTZER & CHECK, LLP (KTMC):

Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP (KTMC) is a leading U.S. plaintiff-side law firm focused on securities-fraud class actions and global investor protection. The firm represents individual investors as well as institutions, such as major pension funds, asset managers, and international investors. KTMC has led some of the largest recoveries in securities litigation and has been recognized by peers and the legal media with numerous accolades, including The National Law Journal's Plaintiff's Hot List and Trailblazers in Plaintiffs' Law, BTI Consulting Group's Honor Roll of Most Feared Law Firms, The Legal Intelligencer's Class Action Firm of the Year, Lawdragon's Leading Plaintiff Financial Lawyers, and Law360's Titans of the Plaintiffs Bar. The firm operates globally with offices in Pennsylvania and California. KTMC has recovered over $25 billion for our clients and the classes they represent. For more information about Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP, please visit www.ktmc.com. The complaint in this matter was not filed by KTMC.

CONTACT:

Jonathan Naji, Esq.

(484) 270-1453

280 King of Prussia Road

Radnor, PA 19087

[email protected]

May be considered attorney advertising in certain jurisdictions. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes.

SOURCE Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP
Sovereign Metals Ltd (ASX:SVM, OTCQX:SVMLF, AIM:SVML, FRA:SVM) has laid out the full scale of its Kasiya rutile-graphite project in Malawi, with a definitive feasibility study (DFS) pointing to a long-life, low-cost operation that could reshape supply across two critical minerals markets.

The DFS delivers a pre-tax net present value (NPV) of US$2.2 billion and steady-state annual EBITDA of US$476 million, alongside a 25-year mine life and robust projected cash flows.

It also sharpens the projects strategic edge  positioning Kasiya as a potential world-leading producer of both natural rutile and flake graphite at a time when Western supply chains are actively looking for alternatives.

Scale and economics come into focus

The DFS brings together several years of work into a single, bankable development plan, with metrics that place Kasiya firmly in the top tier of undeveloped projects globally.

Pre-tax NPV of US$2.2 billion and internal rate of return (IRR) of 23%

Annual revenue of about US$728 million and free cash flow of US$452 million (pre-tax, unlevered)

Initial capex of US$727 million to first production

Life-of-mine revenue of US$16.2 billion over 25 years

Operating costs of around US$450 per tonne (FOB Nacala)

Development is staged, starting with a 12-million-tonnes-per-annum (Mtpa) operation before doubling capacity from year five  a structure that helps manage up-front capital while preserving long-term scale.

Key DFS Metrics (Steady State).

A rare combination: Scale, cost and product mix

Kasiyas edge lies in the combination rather than any single metric.

At steady state, the project is expected to produce about 222,000 tonnes per annum of rutile and 275,000 tonnes per annum of graphite  volumes that would place Sovereign among the largest global producers of both materials.

Rutile, the highest-grade titanium feedstock, is facing a tightening supply outlook as existing operations wind down and few new projects emerge. At the same time, demand remains tied to high-spec applications across aerospace, defence and industrial markets.

Kasiya contained rutile resource vs. other rutile-bearing titanium deposits (Mt).

Graphite tells a different story, but with similar strategic implications. The market remains heavily dominated by China, particularly in battery anode supply, leaving Western economies scrambling to diversify.

Here, Kasiya stands out on cost. The DFS estimates graphite production at around US$216 per tonne  positioning it at the low end of the global cost curve, even against Chinese supply.

That advantage is driven by the projects co-product nature, with graphite effectively produced alongside rutile from a soft, free-dig orebody and a relatively simple flowsheet.

Natural flake graphite C1 cash costs.

De-risked pathway backed by partners and trials

The study leans heavily on real-world data, incorporating results from large-scale pilot mining and rehabilitation programs completed with technical input from Rio Tinto.

These trials confirmed a dry mining approach using draglines and trucks  avoiding the need for drilling, blasting, or crushing and simplifying operations.

Infrastructure is another key pillar. Kasiya benefits from access to hydropower, established rail networks and the Port of Nacala, reducing both development complexity and operating risk.

On the commercial side, Sovereign has already secured non-binding offtake agreements covering more than half of stage one rutile output and over a third of graphite production, providing early validation from end users.

The project has also been aligned with International Finance Corporation standards, with the World Bank and IFC involved as potential financing partners  a step that adds weight to its development credentials.

Pilot Mining Life Cycle.

Rehabilitation and design reduce long-term footprint

Environmental and social workstreams are embedded throughout the DFS, with pilot programs showing that mined land can be returned to productive use relatively quickly.

Rehabilitation trials delivered maize yields more than five times the local average within six months, supporting the case for progressive land restoration.

The project design also removes the need for a conventional tailings storage facility, instead using backfilling of mined-out pits  a shift that reduces both footprint and long-term risk.

Rehabilitation Trial Site with Crops (Image Taken on 9 February 2026).

Additional upside still to be tested

Beyond rutile and graphite, Sovereign is assessing the potential for a third revenue stream from monazite concentrate, which contains valuable heavy rare earth elements.

These include dysprosium, terbium and yttrium  all of which face supply constraints and export controls  and could be recovered at minimal incremental cost.

A dedicated evaluation program is now under way to determine how material that opportunity could become.

A defining step towards development

The DFS marks a major step forward for Kasiya, pulling together scale, cost position and strategic relevance into a clearer development pathway.

For Sovereign, the focus now shifts from defining the project to executing it  with financing, approvals and final partnerships set to determine how quickly Kasiya moves from study to production.
About this content 

About Jamie Ashcroft

Jamie Ashcroft, the News Editor for Proactive UK, has developed an impressive career in financial journalism, focusing on the small-cap sector for over fourteen years. Before joining the Proactive team, he was a stockbroker during the global financial crisis, a role that complemented his educational background - a first-class degree in Business and Economics and qualifications in software design and development. As one of the early external hires at Proactive in 2009, Jamie contributed... Read more

About the publisher

Proactive financial news and online broadcast teams provide fast, accessible, informative and actionable business and finance news content to a global investment audience. All our content is produced independently by our experienced and qualified teams of news journalists.

Proactive news team spans the worlds key finance and investing hubs with bureaus and studios in London, New York, Toronto, Vancouver, Sydney and Perth.

We are experts in medium and small-cap markets, we also keep our community up to date with blue-chip companies, commodities and broader investment stories. This is content that excites and engages motivated private investors.

The team delivers news and unique insights across the market including but not confined to: biotech and pharma, mining and natural resources, battery metals, oil and gas, crypto and emerging digital and EV technologies.

Use of technology

Proactive has always been a forward looking and enthusiastic technology adopter.

Our human content creators are equipped with many decades of valuable expertise and experience. The team also has access to and use technologies to assist and enhance workflows.

Proactive will on occasion use automation and software tools, including generative AI. Nevertheless, all content published by Proactive is edited and authored by humans, in line with best practice in regard to content production and search engine optimisation.
HANetf co-CEO Hector McNeil discussed the investment case behind the Ukraine Reconstruction UCITS ETF (LSE:KYIV, LSE:UKRN, XETRA:UKRN) in an interview with Proactive.

The exchange-traded fund is designed to capture what could become a $500 billion-plus rebuilding effort spanning infrastructure, energy and defence.

Below is a transcript of the conversation, covering the structure of the ETF and the potential return profile.

Proactive: I'm joined by Hector McNeil, the co-CEO of HANetf. We're talking about the Ukraine Reconstruction UCITS ETF. Hector, good to speak with you again. The cost of reconstruction and recovery for Ukraine is estimated at $524 billion over the next decade. How does an investor actually get exposure to that opportunity through a single ETF?

Hector McNeil: It's one of the proudest ETFs I've been involved in. While it may not seem like an obvious area for immediate demand, peace could come quickly. There was even a recent ceasefire attempt. The $500-600 billion expected to flow into Ukraine will support a country of over 40 million people and position it as a key buffer between the West and Russia.

Ukraine is already highly tech-driven, and sectors like defense, infrastructure, energy, industrial resilience, and transport will require massive investment. This will resemble a mini Marshall plan, similar to post-war rebuilding in Europe and Japan.

The Ukraine Reconstruction ETF (UKRN) provides exposure by investing in global companies contributing to four pillars: industrial resilience, infrastructure, energy, and defense. It also includes a fast-track mechanism to add Ukrainian companies, even those newly listed across European or US exchanges, or domestically when markets reopen.

Proactive: If peace does come along and reconstruction accelerates, what does that return profile look like? Is this a short-term trade or a long-term opportunity?

Hector McNeil: Its both. There could be an initial surge as companies compete for contracts, alongside a long-term structural story driven by infrastructure and energy projects that span decades.

Theres also significant effort toward anti-corruption and transparency in investment processes. The multiplier effect of reconstruction spending could further boost economic growth and attract additional capital.

Ukraine is in a strong geopolitical position, with growing global demand for its expertise. Importantly, waiting for peace may mean missing the opportunity, as markets will likely price it in early.

The ETF also allows Ukrainian companies from any sector to be included, not just the four pillars, reflecting the belief that all domestic businesses will contribute to reconstruction.

Proactive: Thank you for your time.
Lightning Minerals Ltd (ASX:L1M, FRA:YZ1) is reshaping itself as an Australian gold-led explorer and developer, with copper retained as a secondary growth theme and its lithium assets moved to the non-core basket.

The strategic reset follows a board review of the companys portfolio, capital allocation and market conditions, with management deciding the clearest path forward is to simplify the business around commodities and projects it believes can deliver stronger returns in the near to medium term.

At the centre of the change is the wholly owned Mt Turner Project in northern Queensland, which has been elevated to flagship status and is now set to receive most of the companys attention and funding.

The portfolio will be structured across three tiers:

Tier 1: Mt Turner / Georgetown gold Tier 2: Australian gold and copper growth pipeline Tier 3: Lithium assets to be divested or partnered

For Lightning, the move is as much about focus as it is about commodity exposure. By narrowing its efforts to gold and copper in Australia, the company is aiming to improve capital efficiency, sharpen its exploration pipeline and make its investment case easier for the market to understand.

Following a comprehensive review of our portfolio and a deep assessment of where we see the strongest short-medium-term opportunities for value creation, it became clear that a focused, gold-led Australian strategy is the right direction for Lightning Minerals. Mt Turner stands out as a genuine flagship asset with a clear pathway to value creation, and we are excited to accelerate our efforts there while continuing to build a high-quality pipeline across Tier 1 jurisdictions," L1M chief executive officer Troy Brice said.

"We also see a compelling long-term outlook for both gold and copper, and this reset positions the company to benefit from those favourable market dynamics through a disciplined and focused approach. While lithium is no longer a strategic priority, we will take a considered and flexible approach to unlocking value from those assets for shareholders.

Mt Turner becomes the main value driver

The reset effectively puts Mt Turner at the core of the companys growth strategy.

The project hosts a large-scale gold system along the Drummer Fault, with about 14 kilometres of strike and roughly 12 kilometres of known mineralisation. Initial drilling has returned mineralisation in every hole, including 20.4 metres at 2.4 g/t gold, with a higher-grade interval of 1.9 metres at 10.5 g/t.

Those results have given the company confidence to accelerate work at the project, which it sees as having district-scale potential. Mt Turner also offers brownfields advantages and access to regional infrastructure, factors that could support a lower-capex development pathway if exploration success continues.

The company said Warby Scardon, which sits nearby, could also emerge as a complementary regional asset over time.

Location of Lightning Minerals Australian gold and copper projects.

What the reset means for the company

The strategy marks a clear break from Lightnings previous broader commodity exposure.

Gold is now the primary focus and near-term value driver, while copper remains in the portfolio as longer-dated exposure to electrification demand. Lithium, by contrast, is no longer a strategic priority.

That means Lightning will look to divest or partner its lithium assets across Australia, Brazil and Canada through farm-outs, joint ventures or outright sales. The aim is to extract value from those assets while reducing ongoing funding demands.

At the same time, Lightning plans to build out its Australian gold and copper pipeline, including progressing assets in the Lachlan Fold Belt in New South Wales and the Mailman Hill Project in Western Australia.

What comes next

The next key step is a fully funded drilling campaign at Mt Turner, scheduled to start in May 2026.

Beyond that, investors can expect updates on three fronts:

fresh drill results and progress toward resource definition at Mt Turner

movement on lithium divestment or partnership discussions

further growth in the companys Australian gold and copper project pipeline.

In effect, the reset leaves Lightning Minerals as a more concentrated story, with Mt Turner now expected to do the heavy lifting in showing whether the new strategy can translate into clearer value creation for shareholders.
About this content 

About Jonathan Jackson

Jonathan Jackson is an experienced writer and editor. Over the past 20 years, he has worked in print and digital media across several business and finance titles amd is currently the Australian news editor at Proactive Investors covering the latest news for ASX listed companies as well as current financial trends. He was previously managing editor with Business First magazine, Wealth Creator Magazine and StocksDigital. Jonathan has interviewed some of the world's top CEOs and covered... Read more

About the publisher

Proactive financial news and online broadcast teams provide fast, accessible, informative and actionable business and finance news content to a global investment audience. All our content is produced independently by our experienced and qualified teams of news journalists.

Proactive news team spans the worlds key finance and investing hubs with bureaus and studios in London, New York, Toronto, Vancouver, Sydney and Perth.

We are experts in medium and small-cap markets, we also keep our community up to date with blue-chip companies, commodities and broader investment stories. This is content that excites and engages motivated private investors.

The team delivers news and unique insights across the market including but not confined to: biotech and pharma, mining and natural resources, battery metals, oil and gas, crypto and emerging digital and EV technologies.

Use of technology

Proactive has always been a forward looking and enthusiastic technology adopter.

Our human content creators are equipped with many decades of valuable expertise and experience. The team also has access to and use technologies to assist and enhance workflows.

Proactive will on occasion use automation and software tools, including generative AI. Nevertheless, all content published by Proactive is edited and authored by humans, in line with best practice in regard to content production and search engine optimisation.
Heavy Rare Earths Ltd (ASX:HRE) is moving closer to its maiden drilling program at the South Ridge deposit within the Prospect Hill project in South Australia, with key approvals and site preparations advancing ahead of a planned early June start.

The company has submitted an updated Program for Environment Protection and Rehabilitation (PEPR) to South Australias Department for Energy and Mining and expects a response in the coming weeks. At the same time, it is working with the Dieri Aboriginal Corporation on a cultural heritage clearance survey scheduled for early May.

A South Australian drilling contractor has also been engaged for the campaign, which is set to comprise about 2,500 metres across up to 24 reverse circulation holes and 5 diamond holes.

We are moving quickly toward our maiden drill campaign. The updated submission of our PEPR to the Department for Energy and Mining represents a key milestone, and we look forward to receiving a response in the coming weeks. In parallel, our collaboration with the Dieri Aboriginal Corporation on cultural heritage clearance surveys reflects our genuine commitment to respectful and constructive engagement with native title holders," chair of the board, Gabriel Chiappini said.

"With a South Australian drilling contractor now engaged, we have strong confidence in our ability to commence the ~2,500m program at Prospect Hill in early June. While exceptional rainfall across the region has delayed our original early-Q2 timeline, and caused damage to key access roads, conditions have since improved and we anticipate access will be fully

restored in the near term.

South Australia's largest and most advanced tin project remains a flagship asset for HRE, and we look forward to updating shareholders as we use the drill bit to test and build upon historic data and quickly work toward a maiden tin resource estimate at Prospect Hill.

Resource pathway comes into focus

The planned program is designed to generate the data Heavy Rare Earths needs to move toward a maiden mineral resource estimate at South Ridge.

Prospect Hill is described by the company as South Australias largest and most advanced tin project, and South Ridge appears to be the most advanced target within it. Historical work at the prospect includes 56 drill holes and costeaning, which have outlined mineralisation over a 500-metre strike length within a steeply dipping structural zone.

The upcoming drilling will test extensions to the known mineralisation model, while the diamond component is intended to replicate historic percussion holes and provide material for metallurgical testing.

Longitudinal view, looking north, of the South Ridge Prospect interpreted mineralisation model, showing zones of potential mineralisation extension, and drillhole piercement points on surface shown as coloured dots.

That means the program is not just about confirming historic results, but about building the technical foundation required for resource definition and future development studies.

Historic data and strong tin prices support the story

The company believes the prospect has the potential to host a high-grade tin resource, citing historical intersections including 5 metres at 3.22% tin.

Tin prices have risen by nearly 20% year-to-date, driven by supply concerns in major producing jurisdictions including the DRC, Indonesia and Myanmar, as well as continued demand from electronics and electric vehicle markets.

If drilling confirms and expands known mineralisation, the company could be well placed to advance a project into a strong pricing environment.

Weather delays shift timeline, not strategy

The drilling timeline has slipped from the companys original early-Q2 target after record rainfall across South Australia damaged regional access roads and disrupted exploration activity.

However, Heavy Rare Earths said conditions are improving, repairs are underway and access is expected to be restored in time for the program to begin in late May to early June.

While the delay has pushed back fieldwork, the broader strategy remains unchanged: use the maiden program to validate historic data, extend mineralisation and work toward an initial resource estimate.

Whats next

The next near-term milestones for Heavy Rare Earths are receipt of the PEPR response, completion of the heritage clearance survey and mobilisation to site.

Once drilling begins, investors will be watching for assay results, evidence of mineralisation extending beyond the current model and any indications that South Ridge can support a maiden high-grade tin resource.
About this content 

About Proactive

Proactive leads the world in up-to-the-minute, multi-media news provision, events organisation, investor relations management and investor research Read more

About the publisher

Proactive financial news and online broadcast teams provide fast, accessible, informative and actionable business and finance news content to a global investment audience. All our content is produced independently by our experienced and qualified teams of news journalists.

Proactive news team spans the worlds key finance and investing hubs with bureaus and studios in London, New York, Toronto, Vancouver, Sydney and Perth.

We are experts in medium and small-cap markets, we also keep our community up to date with blue-chip companies, commodities and broader investment stories. This is content that excites and engages motivated private investors.

The team delivers news and unique insights across the market including but not confined to: biotech and pharma, mining and natural resources, battery metals, oil and gas, crypto and emerging digital and EV technologies.

Use of technology

Proactive has always been a forward looking and enthusiastic technology adopter.

Our human content creators are equipped with many decades of valuable expertise and experience. The team also has access to and use technologies to assist and enhance workflows.

Proactive will on occasion use automation and software tools, including generative AI. Nevertheless, all content published by Proactive is edited and authored by humans, in line with best practice in regard to content production and search engine optimisation.
About this content 

About Stephen Gunnion

Stephen Gunnion is a senior financial journalist and broadcaster at Proactive Investors. He has more than 25 years of experience in television, radio and print media, anchoring on a number of television channels including South Africa's Business Day TV, CNBC Africa and the South African Broadcasting Corporation, where he was the economics editor. He has also worked for Daily Maverick, Bloomberg, the Business Day newspaper and Investors' Chronicle. Read more

About the publisher

Proactive financial news and online broadcast teams provide fast, accessible, informative and actionable business and finance news content to a global investment audience. All our content is produced independently by our experienced and qualified teams of news journalists.

Proactive news team spans the worlds key finance and investing hubs with bureaus and studios in London, New York, Toronto, Vancouver, Sydney and Perth.

We are experts in medium and small-cap markets, we also keep our community up to date with blue-chip companies, commodities and broader investment stories. This is content that excites and engages motivated private investors.

The team delivers news and unique insights across the market including but not confined to: biotech and pharma, mining and natural resources, battery metals, oil and gas, crypto and emerging digital and EV technologies.

Use of technology

Proactive has always been a forward looking and enthusiastic technology adopter.

Our human content creators are equipped with many decades of valuable expertise and experience. The team also has access to and use technologies to assist and enhance workflows.

Proactive will on occasion use automation and software tools, including generative AI. Nevertheless, all content published by Proactive is edited and authored by humans, in line with best practice in regard to content production and search engine optimisation.
About this content 

About Steve Darling

Steve Darling is an award winning broadcaster who has spent the past 20 years as one of the most recognizable faces in British Columbia, reporting and anchoring at BCTV and Global Television. He spent 15 years as the co-host of the number one morning new program in the province. Steve is a tireless worker for charity hosting some 50 events a year. He is an ambassador for the Canucks Autism Network and hosts numerous events with BC Childrens Hospital and the Child Development foundation of... Read more

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Proactive financial news and online broadcast teams provide fast, accessible, informative and actionable business and finance news content to a global investment audience. All our content is produced independently by our experienced and qualified teams of news journalists.

Proactive news team spans the worlds key finance and investing hubs with bureaus and studios in London, New York, Toronto, Vancouver, Sydney and Perth.

We are experts in medium and small-cap markets, we also keep our community up to date with blue-chip companies, commodities and broader investment stories. This is content that excites and engages motivated private investors.

The team delivers news and unique insights across the market including but not confined to: biotech and pharma, mining and natural resources, battery metals, oil and gas, crypto and emerging digital and EV technologies.

Use of technology

Proactive has always been a forward looking and enthusiastic technology adopter.

Our human content creators are equipped with many decades of valuable expertise and experience. The team also has access to and use technologies to assist and enhance workflows.

Proactive will on occasion use automation and software tools, including generative AI. Nevertheless, all content published by Proactive is edited and authored by humans, in line with best practice in regard to content production and search engine optimisation.
Miriam Lexmann, the Permanent Rapporteur on Armenia of the European Parliament, gave an interview to the Armenian media, in which she again tried to stir up trouble and give the Armenian side groundless hopes for effective support in matters beyond the competence of the EP and the European Union as a whole.

Her only sound thought in the context of the South Caucasus issue was the need for good relations between Armenia and its closest neighbors, Azerbaijan and Turkiye. This, she said, is important for the European Union, which was also formed after severe wars and strife. That was the end of the speaker's sanity on Armenia. Her other statements were about what to do to prevent this good relationship from happening in any case.

Armenian lobbyists have a very narrow view of Armenia's interests. They constantly demand the realization of these interests from Armenia's neighbors and thus create even more problems for it. The neighbors of this country are not at all obliged to fulfill its wishes, which are sent through European or American structures. Some people think that after this procedure, Armenian interests become global and will be better heard in Baku, but this is a big misconception. For those who did not notice, we would like to point out that none of the Armenian demands voiced through the same European Parliament have been fulfilled. But when Yerevan makes attempts to resolve issues on a bilateral basis, without worldwide hysteria and unnecessary noise, they find their solution to one degree or another.

Of course, this does not mean that Yerevan can ask Baku for anything in a neighborly way and get it. There is a limit to which the Azerbaijani side can be humane. The issues of territories convicted by the Azerbaijani court of separatist leaders and other war criminals, attempts to interfere in the affairs of Azerbaijan, dictate terms to it - all this is beyond the permissible limit. The current Armenian government understands this, so it is not particularly zealous. But to the surprise of the whole world, Baku allowed the transit of goods to Armenia through its territory, sends fuel there at low prices, and discusses trade cooperation and communications with Yerevan.

The numerous lawyers of the Armenians, who occupy seats in the parliaments of various countries, did not think of such a thing. As a rule, they knowingly demand from Baku what will not be done. It is difficult to recall how lobbying has helped Armenia in practice, what it has actually managed to do for it. It seems that the lobby funded by the Diaspora was not created to help Armenia, it is just a screen in order to keep Azerbaijan under pressure. Putting pressure on Baku is not at all synonymous with helping Armenia. Rather, the opposite is true. The more noise, threats, and blackmail there is, the tougher Azerbaijan's position becomes. It has been repeatedly proven that Baku does not succumb to blackmail and threats. Let's recall the notorious 907th Amendment. Its adoption did not force Baku to make concessions to the Armenians, but it soured relations between the United States and Azerbaijan. The European Union does not want to repeat this mistake, although the lobby and Miriam Lexmann are trying very hard.

The Armenian lobby is not a separate group in the European Parliament. The diaspora managed to buy up this structure almost entirely. Therefore, voting on anti-Azerbaijani initiatives takes place there quickly and without obstacles. In recent years, the same situation has developed in the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe.

Leksmann, the Rapporteur on Armenia, condemns the European Commission, which does not use its existing levers to force Azerbaijan to fulfill certain requirements in the interests of Armenia. Lexmann is confident that the EC has such levers, but the structure is in no hurry to apply them. And decision-making (oh, how disappointing) is the responsibility of the European Commission. The European Parliament can only make noise, vote and bombard the EC with its resolutions. It is not clear what the Armenians pay the MEPs for.

##1813059t##

Lexmann expressed her "fi" to the EC in response to a question about Armenian criminals convicted in Azerbaijan. The Permanent Rapporteur believes that the European Union is simply obliged to use its levers for the speedy release of these "political prisoners." And not only the European Union. The lobbyist really hopes that the United States should join the pressure, if they are so concerned about the relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan. The EU and the United States should present a united front here, Lexmann is sure.

A year ago, the European Parliament almost unanimously adopted an urgent resolution entitled "Illegal arrests and fictitious trials of Armenian prisoners by Azerbaijan, including top political representatives of Nagorno-Karabakh." 523 MEPs voted "For" this outrage, only 3 were "against", and 84 abstained. As you can see, the Armenians spent a lot on this document, but in the end it did not give anything. The governing structures of the European Union did not accept it as a guide to action. On the contrary, during this time, the new EU leadership has been actively strengthening relations with Baku.

Over the past year, Armenian criminals have received their sentences, despite the hysteria organized with Ruben Vardanyan's money. And what Miriam Lexmann says in an interview with the Armenian media is just a report on the work done. Yes, it didn't work out, but she tried, and efforts also cost money.

Nothing is working out either in terms of fulfilling the promise to achieve the mass and unconditional return of Armenians to Karabakh, which they left quite voluntarily. The European Parliament has adopted a lot of resolutions, statements, and appeals on this issue. All of these documents demanded that Azerbaijan be punished for "ethnic cleansing," that energy cooperation with it be stopped, and that it be forced to open the way for Armenians to live in Karabakh as they please, without fulfilling conditions "contrary to their will." The EP speaker calls the requirements regarding the adoption of Azerbaijani citizenship and other conditions set by the Azerbaijani side conditions contrary to their will. These requirements are absolutely legitimate and fully comply with international law. No one can force Azerbaijan to change its terms. In addition, regardless of the desire of the Armenians, the issue of the mirror return of Azerbaijanis to Armenia exists, and Baku will not allow it to be removed from the agenda.

Nevertheless, Lexmann hopes and demands that the European Union help the Armenians return to Azerbaijan, without fulfilling Baku's conditions and without saying anything about the return of Azerbaijanis to Armenia. In addition, the EU, she believes, should stand up for the protection of the "Armenian heritage," "because it is our common Christian heritage."

Juggling the religious factor is a traditional lobby tool. This weapon is used when the lobby understands the fragility of all other arguments. Baku acts exclusively within the framework of international law, and attempts to strike at it with some conventions are not yielding results. But the actions of Azerbaijan, which is liquidating the nakhalstroy during the occupation, are based precisely on international law. Every conceivable convention prohibits the occupier from building up and settling the occupied territories, erecting his religious buildings there, using the natural resources of these territories, and destroying monuments and sanctuaries remaining in the occupation zone. After the de-occupation, everything that was built during the years of occupation is subject to demolition. This is part of the reparations, and no one can forbid the Azerbaijani side to clear its lands of this rubbish.

No matter how numerous the lobby is, no matter how generous the Diaspora is, the Armenians will not be able to achieve the implementation of the demands contained in the resolutions of the European Parliament and the statements of the lobbyists.

Miriam Lexmann is being very unfair to the Armenians. She gives them false hopes. It's even cruel of her.
About this content 

About Angela Harmantas

Angela Harmantas is an Editor at Proactive. She has over 15 years of experience covering the equity markets in North America, with a particular focus on junior resource stocks. Angela has reported from numerous countries around the world, including Canada, the US, Australia, Brazil, Ghana, and South Africa for leading trade publications. Previously, she worked in investor relations and led the foreign direct investment program in Canada for the Swedish government. She earned a Bachelor of... Read more

About the publisher

Proactive financial news and online broadcast teams provide fast, accessible, informative and actionable business and finance news content to a global investment audience. All our content is produced independently by our experienced and qualified teams of news journalists.

Proactive news team spans the worlds key finance and investing hubs with bureaus and studios in London, New York, Toronto, Vancouver, Sydney and Perth.

We are experts in medium and small-cap markets, we also keep our community up to date with blue-chip companies, commodities and broader investment stories. This is content that excites and engages motivated private investors.

The team delivers news and unique insights across the market including but not confined to: biotech and pharma, mining and natural resources, battery metals, oil and gas, crypto and emerging digital and EV technologies.

Use of technology

Proactive has always been a forward looking and enthusiastic technology adopter.

Our human content creators are equipped with many decades of valuable expertise and experience. The team also has access to and use technologies to assist and enhance workflows.

Proactive will on occasion use automation and software tools, including generative AI. Nevertheless, all content published by Proactive is edited and authored by humans, in line with best practice in regard to content production and search engine optimisation.
About this content 

About Emily Jarvie

Emily began her career as a political journalist for Australian Community Media in Hobart, Tasmania. After she relocated to Toronto, Canada, she reported on business, legal, and scientific developments in the emerging psychedelics sector before joining Proactive in 2022. She brings a strong journalism background with her work featured in newspapers, magazines, and digital publications across Australia, Europe, and North America, including The Examiner, The Advocate, The Canberra Times, and... Read more

About the publisher

Proactive financial news and online broadcast teams provide fast, accessible, informative and actionable business and finance news content to a global investment audience. All our content is produced independently by our experienced and qualified teams of news journalists.

Proactive news team spans the worlds key finance and investing hubs with bureaus and studios in London, New York, Toronto, Vancouver, Sydney and Perth.

We are experts in medium and small-cap markets, we also keep our community up to date with blue-chip companies, commodities and broader investment stories. This is content that excites and engages motivated private investors.

The team delivers news and unique insights across the market including but not confined to: biotech and pharma, mining and natural resources, battery metals, oil and gas, crypto and emerging digital and EV technologies.

Use of technology

Proactive has always been a forward looking and enthusiastic technology adopter.

Our human content creators are equipped with many decades of valuable expertise and experience. The team also has access to and use technologies to assist and enhance workflows.

Proactive will on occasion use automation and software tools, including generative AI. Nevertheless, all content published by Proactive is edited and authored by humans, in line with best practice in regard to content production and search engine optimisation.
If you were looking for the Charlestown Democratic Town Committee website and ended up here, try this





Got news tips, gossip, suggestions, complaints?E-mail us: progressivecharlestown@gmail.com We strive to avoid errors in our articles. Our correction policy can be found here
New Delhi, April 15 : As a nine-judge Constitution Bench continued hearing the Sabarimala review reference involving the interplay between religious freedom and fundamental rights, the Supreme Court on Wednesday orally remarked that one of the most difficult tasks for a constitutional court is to declare the beliefs of millions of people as erroneous. a New Delhi, April 15 (IANS) As a nine-judge Constitution Bench continued hearing the Sabarimala review reference involving the interplay between religious freedom and fundamental rights, the Supreme Court on Wednesday orally remarked that one of the most difficult tasks for a constitutional court is to declare the beliefs of millions of people as erroneous. 

The Constitution Bench, headed by Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant, observed submissions by senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, appearing for the Travancore Devaswom Board, which has opposed the continued application of the "essential religious practices" doctrine. 

"The most difficult task for a court might be how to give a declaration that the belief of millions of people is wrong or erroneous," the CJI Kant-led Bench remarked. In contrast, the apex court examined whether public interest litigations (PILs) by non-believers should be entertained in matters concerning religious faith and practices. 

Justice BV Nagarathna cautioned against excessive judicial intervention in religious matters, remarking that "we cannot hollow out religion in the name of social welfare reform". 

During the hearing, Singhvi urged the top court to discard the essential religious practices test, contending that it wrongly permits judges to determine what constitutes the core of a religion. 

"The moment Your Lordships allow the use of the word 'essential' or 'integral', Your Lordships necessarily start operating within the rubric of a concept called religion it becomes a license to permit judges or external adjudicators to decide the essential and non-essential component of what is religion," the senior counsel submitted. 

Singhvi argued that religious beliefs and practices must be assessed from the standpoint of the community that professes them, rather than through external or judicial standards. 

"The Court is bound to accept the belief of the communityit is not for the Court to sit in judgment on that belief," he said. 

Singhvi further contended that once a practice is shown to be genuinely and conscientiously held as part of a religion, it should receive constitutional protection, subject only to the express limitations of public order, morality, health, and other fundamental rights under Article 25. 

At the same time, he acknowledged that courts may intervene in "extreme cases", such as practices threatening life or public order. Still, he argued that the threshold for entertaining PILs in religious matters should be significantly higher than in other cases. 

In the background, written submissions filed on behalf of the Travancore Devaswom Board have similarly urged the top court to adopt a "community-centric and subjective" understanding of religion under Article 25, cautioning against judicial reinterpretation of faith-based practices. 

The submissions argue that the "essential religious practices" test finds no basis in the constitutional text and amounts to an impermissible judicial addition to the explicitly enumerated limitations. 

The Supreme Court is currently examining broader questions concerning the interplay between religious freedom and other fundamental rights, including the extent of judicial review over religious practices and the scope of denominational rights under Articles 25 and 26. 

Apart from the Sabarimala issue, the Constitution Bench will also consider allied questions such as the entry of Muslim women into mosques and dargahs, the rights of Parsi women to access fire temples after interfaith marriages, the validity of excommunication practices, and the legality of female genital mutilation in the Dawoodi Bohra community. 


Washington, April 16 : President Donald Trump's working families tax cuts have delivered record refunds and broad relief to millions of Americans, the White House stated, citing strong uptake across key provisions such as no tax on overtime and tips.

Marking Tax Day on Wednesday (local time), White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said the administration's tax measures had put "a historic amount of money back into the pockets of the American people."

Leavitt said more than 53 million filers had claimed at least one of the new tax benefits, with the average refund exceeding $3,400.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent described the filing season as "a fantastic tax season" that had "gone smoothly" while delivering "record refunds to the American people."

According to Bessent, nearly 45 per cent of filers used at least one of four flagship provisions: no tax on tips, no tax on overtime, enhanced deductions for seniors, and tax relief on auto loan interest for American-made cars.

He mentioned the most widely used provision was the exemption on overtime income. "If you want to work longer hours, you get to keep more of your money," he said.

Data released by the Treasury showed more than 25 million filers claimed the overtime benefit, with an average deduction of about $3,100. Over 6 million filers claimed the no-tax-on-tips provision, with an average deduction of $7,100.

More than 30 million seniors used enhanced deductions averaging $7,500, while over 1 million filers claimed tax relief on auto loan interest for American-made vehicles.

Officials mentioned over 34 million families benefited from an expanded child tax credit, and more than 105 million filers used a permanently doubled standard deduction aimed at simplifying tax filing.

Bessent said the administration had also expanded digital tax services, allowing the Internal Revenue Service to process returns more efficiently while improving taxpayer support.

The White House framed the tax cuts as a broader effort to boost take-home pay and economic activity. Leavitt said the measures reflected the administration's belief that Americans "know how to spend their money better than the government does."

Officials also criticised opposition to the legislation, saying that blocking the package would have led to significant tax increases for households.

Bessent said early indicators pointed to wider economic benefits, including higher participation in overtime work and increased consumer spending. He added that the administration was encouraging taxpayers to adjust withholding to see gains in regular pay cheques.

The administration said millions of families had also signed up for new "Trump accounts" for children, designed to promote savings and financial literacy.

-- Except for the title, this story has not been edited by Prokerala team and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed
New Delhi, April 16 : The first phase of the Census in Delhi is set to begin on Thursday, initiating a large-scale data collection exercise that will play a crucial role in shaping governance and policy decisions over the coming decade.

Officials are preparing to conduct extensive door-to-door visits across the national capital as part of the process that forms the foundation of Indiaas population database.

The opening stage, known as the House Listing and Housing Census, will focus on gathering detailed information about households, buildings and living conditions. Unlike the population count phase, this stage is aimed at mapping every structure and household in the city rather than enumerating individuals.

During this phase, residents will be asked to respond to a set of 33 questions covering aspects such as availability of basic amenities, ownership status of the house, and details about the head of the household, including name and gender.

Officials said the exercise will be conducted entirely through digital means, with enumerators using a dedicated mobile application on their devices to record responses, ensuring greater efficiency and accuracy in data collection.

The first phase will be carried out in two separate 30-day cycles. The exercise will run from April 16 to May 15 in areas under the New Delhi Municipal Council and Delhi Cantonment, followed by implementation in areas under the Municipal Corporation of Delhi from May 16 to June 15, in line with the official schedule.

Enumerators have undergone training and have been assigned specific blocks to ensure systematic coverage across the city. The second phase of the Census, which will involve the enumeration of individuals, will be conducted later in accordance with the nationwide Census timeline.

The survey will cover all districts of Delhi, spanning urban, semi-urban and rural regions. Authorities have ensured that the exercise includes densely populated colonies, unauthorised settlements and slum clusters, with no locality being left out.

To streamline the process, the city has been divided into multiple enumeration blocks, with special attention given to high-density areas and regions with frequent migration to prevent gaps in data collection.

Enumerators will visit households with structured questionnaires, and in many instances, digital devices will be used to record responses, making the process quicker and minimising errors.

Officials have also stressed that all information collected will remain confidential and will be used strictly for statistical purposes. Residents will additionally have the option to complete self-enumeration through the official online platform, providing greater flexibility in participation.
Seoul, April 16 : North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has overseen an artillery firing contest on the birth anniversary of state founder Kim Il-sung, grandfather of the current leader Kim, the North's state media reported Thursday.

"Comrade Kim Jong-un ... oversaw an artillery firing contest of artillery subunits under the large combined units of the Korean People's Army (KPA) in the western area organized on April 15, the Day of the Sun," the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said.

It marks the first time the leader has been reported to attend a military-related event on the founder's birth anniversary, observed as one of the country's most important national holidays known as the Day of the Sun.

Participating subunits demonstrated "militant marksmanship" and a "full war posture," with the top spot going to the Capital City Defence Corps' artillery subunit followed by the KPA's 4th Corps, the KCNA said.

Kim expressed satisfaction with the firing contest held on the "greatest auspicious" national holiday, calling it "an important occasion" to boost artillery training enthusiasm and strengthen combat capability.

He called the utilisation of artillery forces "the most important factor deciding the victory in operation and battle and furthermore in war," urging the KPA to enhance artillery combat readiness and thoroughly implement modernisation of artillery forces under a new five-year defense development plan.

"The KPA should be engrossed only in the training for rounding off the combat preparations," Kim also said, adding that "it is precisely the way for realizing the great leader Comrade Kim Il-sung's desire for building a powerful army."

Kim's inspection of the firing contest on the national holiday appears aimed at showing off military power and boosting internal solidarity, an official at the South Korean unification ministry said.

The KCNA said Premier Pak Thae-song, Supreme People's Assembly Chairman Jo Yong-won, and other party and government officials visited the Kumsusan Palace of the Sun, where the founder's embalmed body lies in state, on his birth anniversary, Yonhap news agency reported.

Kim Jong-un does not appear to have visited the family mausoleum, with the KCNA reporting only that he sent a flower basket.

Since 2023, Kim has not paid respects at the mausoleum on the founder's birthday for a fourth consecutive year, a move likely aimed at shifting loyalty from his grandfather, founder Kim Il-sung, and his father, late leader Kim Jong-il, toward himself.

-- Except for the title, this story has not been edited by Prokerala team and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed
Washington, April 16 : A US Navy guided-missile destroyer has intercepted and redirected an Iranian-flagged cargo vessel in the Strait of Hormuz, the US Central Command has said.

"Yesterday, an Iranian-flagged cargo vessel tried to evade the US blockade after leaving Bandar Abbas, exiting the Strait of Hormuz, and transiting along the Iranian coastline," the command said on X.

on Wednesday (local time).

"The guided-missile destroyer USS Spruance (DDG 111) successfully redirected the vessel, which is heading back to Iran."

Ten vessels have been turned around so far, with no ships having broken through the strait since the start of the US blockade on Monday, the command said.

Brad Cooper, chief of US Central Command, said Tuesday night on X that US forces have completely halted economic trade going into and out of Iran by sea, reports Xinhua news agency.

Meanwhile, top US commanders in the Indo-Pacific will attend Senate and House committee hearings at the Capitol in Washington next week, Congress's website showed, amid concerns that the US-Israeli war against Iran could affect America's focus on countering threats from China and North Korea.

Adm. Samuel Paparo, the commander of US Indo-Pacific Command, and US Forces Korea Commander Gen. Xavier Brunson will testify before the Senate and House Armed Services Committees on Tuesday (local time) and Wednesday, respectively, to discuss the US military posture and security challenges in the region, reports Yonhap news agency.

The hearings will follow reports that Washington has moved parts of its THAAD missile defence system in South Korea toward the Middle East, and has dispatched thousands of US Marines from the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit in Japan to the volatile region.

The reports came as concerns lingered that the Middle East conflict could weaken the US military's focus on addressing the "pacing challenge" from an increasingly assertive China and tackling advancing nuclear and missile threats from North Korea.
Melbourne, April 16 : Authorities said on Thursday that equipment failure caused a major fire at an Australian oil refinery that is expected to affect the national fuel supply.

The fire broke out at Viva Energy's refinery in the city of Geelong, 65 km southwest of Melbourne, around 11 p.m. local time on Wednesday and was continuing to burn on Thursday morning.

The facility is one of only two operational refineries in Australia and produces about 10 per cent of the national fuel supply.

Michelle Cowling, deputy commissioner of the fire and rescue service in the state of Victoria, told Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) radio that equipment failure in the refinery caused the fire.

"There'll be a thorough investigation into the failure of how this fire started," she said.

Speaking earlier on Thursday, federal Energy Minister Chris Bowen said that the fire would impact petrol production, but that there is "no reason" to believe it will affect the production of diesel or jet fuel.

"I'm sure that petrol production will continue but it may be impacted for some time," he told ABC television.

He said that the fire was "not great timing" amid the oil supply crisis caused by the conflict in the Middle East and that the government would update Australians with the latest information when the full impact of the fire is determined.

The federal government in March struck a deal to continue subsidising the operation of the Geelong refinery, and Australia's other oil refinery in Brisbane, into the 2030s, Xinhua news agency reported.

Fire Rescue Victoria (FRV) had said the fire started in the refinery's motor gasoline unit and that flames reached up to 60 metres in height.

It had said that all emergency responders and workers were accounted for and no injuries were reported.

FRV Assistant Chief Fire Officer Michael McGuinness told ABC radio that the fire was being fueled by various types of hydrocarbon fuel and that it was expected to continue burning for several hours on Thursday morning.

"It was burning in an area of approximately 30 metres by 30 metres. There have been several small explosions," he said.
Mumbai, April 16 : The Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) has questioned a NEET aspirant from Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, in connection with an alleged terror radicalisation network with links to Mumbai, officials said on Thursday.

They further mentioned that multiple electronic devices have been seized, and the youth has been summoned again for further questioning on April 22.

In a coordinated operation with the Uttar Pradesh ATS, Maharashtra ATS officials conducted a search at a residence in Varanasi on Tuesday, where they interrogated the 18-year-old aspirant for nearly eight hours in connection with a terror-linked radicalisation case registered in Mumbai.

The joint teams carried out the investigations at the residence of a doctor in the Hanuman Phatak area, under the Adampur police station limits in Varanasi.

During the operation, officials questioned the teen, the son of a local paediatrician, regarding his suspected links to an online network under investigation.

According to officials, the teen is suspected to have been associated with a digital network allegedly linked to the banned Pakistan-based terror outfit Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM).

The probe into his activities began after the recent arrest of Ayan Sheikh, a computer engineering student from Mumbai, who was booked under provisions of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).

Investigators said forensic examination of devices recovered from Ayan Sheikh pointed to the existence of a wider network operating through encrypted communication platforms, prompting further leads that eventually reached Varanasi.

Sources in the ATS said the focus of the investigation is currently on a suspicious digital trail connected to a Telegram group believed to be involved in extremist activities.

Preliminary findings suggest that an account linked to the Varanasi-based youth was part of this network.

The probe has also revealed that Ayan Sheikh, the doctor's son, and several other individuals from different states were allegedly active on a Telegram channel titled "Islamic Politics", along with multiple WhatsApp groups where anti-government and anti-national content was reportedly circulated.

Officials claimed that the Varanasi teenager had been active on these platforms for several months, during which he is suspected to have shared objectionable images and videos, besides participating in discussions that were allegedly aimed at undermining the sovereignty of the state.

Prior to the search operation, the Mumbai ATS had reportedly placed the teen's mobile number under surveillance for a few days to monitor his digital footprint and evaluate possible links, including suspected contacts based in Pakistan.

During the raid, officials found the house locked from the inside, following which the ATS teams entered and conducted a detailed search of the premises. Investigators also collected information related to the familyas background and financial records as part of the ongoing probe.

Authorities confirmed that several electronic devices, including a laptop, three mobile phones, and a printer, were seized during the operation and have been sent for forensic examination.

While the teen has not been taken into custody so far, officials said he has been issued a notice to appear before the Mumbai ATS on April 22 for further questioning as the investigation into the wider network continues.
Quito, April 16 : At least 11 people were killed and 22 others injured after an interprovincial bus veered off the road and fell into a river in southern Ecuador, authorities said.

The accident occurred on Wednesday on the Cuenca-Molleturo road near the El Chorro bridge, Cuenca canton, where the bus veered off the road and broke through guardrails before falling into a shallow river, according to the Cuenca fire department.

The vehicle later caught fire and was completely burned, images shared on social media showed.

Rescue teams, including firefighters, the Red Cross and health authorities, were dispatched to the scene to assist the injured and recover bodies.

Cuenca Fire Chief Sixto Heras said some victims were found inside the bus while others were located in the river. Several of the injured were reported to be in critical condition.

Authorities said the death toll could rise as recovery operations continue. The cause of the accident remains under investigation, Xinhua news agency reported.

The road has been closed while rescue efforts are ongoing. Traffic accidents are a leading cause of death in Ecuador, often linked to speeding and driver error, authorities said.

Earlier on Nov 16, 2025, a bus crash in Simiatug, in central Ecuador, killed at least 12 people, the country's disaster agency said on social media, and injured at least 10.

The bus was driving an inter-provincial route between that cities of Simiatug and Ambato, the attorney general's office said in its own post.

Ecuador has one of the highest rates of road accidents in Latin America due to careless driving, speeding and badly maintained vehicles. There have been many deaths, including British nationals. In Ecuador: road conditions vary.

During the first three months of 2025, 4,759 traffic accidents were recorded in the country, according to data from the National Institute of Statistics and Census (INEC). This represents a 2.24 per cent decrease compared to the same period last year.

The main cause continues to be lack of skill and recklessness behind the wheel. During this period alone, 1,814 accidents were linked to human error.

Although there was a slight decrease in the number of incidents, 565 people were reported dead between January and March, equating to a death rate of 11.87 per 100 registered accidents. The majoritya"61.88 per centa"occurred in urban areas.
New Delhi, April 16 : Delhi Police on Thursday arrested a cyber fraudster and serial extortionist involved in large-scale honey-trapping, romance scams, and blackmailing of women through fake profiles on dating and matrimonial platforms.

The accused, identified as Anand Kumar (35), a resident of North 24 Parganas, West Bengal, was apprehended by a team from the Cyber Police Station of the South-West District. He is accused of cheating and extorting money from more than 500 victims across India by posing as a doctor, producer, lawyer, businessman, and other professionals on social media and matrimonial applications.

Police said the accused extorted approximately Rs 2 crore from victims using emotional manipulation, false promises of marriage, and threats to leak private content. During the operation, officers recovered four smartphones, eight SIM cards, three debit cards, and gold jewellery, including four bracelets and five chains, allegedly purchased using the defrauded money.

The arrest was made following the registration of an e-FIR based on a complaint by a woman who was cheated of nearly Rs 7 lakh. According to the complaint, the victim met the accused on a dating application, where he introduced himself as "Vaibhav Arora", portraying himself as a respectable and well-settled individual. After gaining her trust, he shifted communication to Instagram and later to WhatsApp using multiple mobile numbers.

The accused gradually built an emotional relationship with the victim and promised marriage. To strengthen his deception, he introduced another fake identity named "Anand", claiming him to be a close friend who would arrange a family meeting. He later fabricated stories about medical emergencies and financial losses to seek monetary help. When the victim demanded her money back, he stopped responding and falsely claimed that "Vaibhav" had died, attempting to evade further contact.

Considering the gravity of the case, a special team led by Sub-Inspector Priyanka, under the supervision of Inspector Pravesh Kaushik and ACP Sanghmitra, was formed. The team conducted extensive technical analysis of digital evidence, including IP logs, mobile numbers, and financial transactions. Surveillance revealed that the accused was operating from West Bengal, leading to coordinated raids and his eventual arrest.

Investigations revealed that Anand Kumar operated multiple fake identities simultaneously, including names such as Vaibhav Arora, Dr Rohit Behl, Tarun, Anand Sharma, and Shikha. He maintained parallel conversations with several victims across different states and used sophisticated methods such as multiple SIM cards and frequent device changes to avoid detection.

His modus operandi involved creating fake profiles on platforms such as WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook, Snapchat, and various dating and matrimonial apps. He would initiate conversations with women, build emotional trust over time, and then exploit them financially by citing emergencies or offering fake opportunities such as modelling assignments or admissions in reputed institutions.

In several instances, the accused also collected private photos and videos shared by victims and later used them to blackmail and extort money by threatening to make the content public.

Police further revealed that the accused has two prior involvements in similar cybercrime cases registered in Delhi and Ghaziabad. A significant portion of the defrauded money was spent on online gaming and personal expenses.

Further investigation into the case is underway.
Tehran, April 16 : Iran will not compromise on its nuclear enrichment rights, said the country's Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Esmaeil Baqaei, adding that its entitlement to nuclear energy is firmly grounded in international law and the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), state media reported on Thursday.

Addressing a press conference in Tehran, Baqaei dismissed what he described as baseless speculation in Western media regarding Iran's enrichment programme, stressing that the country's legitimate rights, as recognised under international law, are non-negotiable, reports the country's official news agency IRNA.

He underlined that the right to peaceful enrichment is neither a favour nor a concession granted by any external power that can be withdrawn under pressure or during times of conflict.

As long as Iran remains a signatory to the NPT, he said, it must be able to fully benefit from the treaty's provisions.

Responding to reports about alleged enrichment-related discussions during recent Iran-US negotiations held in Pakistan, Baqaei clarified that any potential agreement must first establish a comprehensive framework. He noted that until the broader terms are settled, discussions on specifics -- particularly on sensitive matters involving war and peace between Iran and the United States -- would be premature.

In another part of his remarks, Baqaei rejected claims that Iran had reduced or halted its support for the Lebanese resistance. He stated that Iran has consistently backed what he termed the country's legitimate resistance and that ending the war in Lebanon was a key component of the ceasefire understanding discussed during the Islamabad talks.

He alleged that the other side, referring to Israel, failed to honour that aspect of the ceasefire from the outset. However, Iran has remained committed to its position and continues to pursue the issue seriously in ongoing diplomatic engagements, he said.

Baqaei further explained that under any agreement, if one party violates its commitments, the other party is entitled to proportionately scale back its own obligations. He described as "completely false" any claims suggesting that Iran has neglected resistance fronts in Lebanon despite its stated commitments under the ceasefire understanding.

Commenting on a European proposal to establish a United Nations-led coalition to secure the Strait of Hormuz, Baqaei said Iran, as a littoral state, along with regional partners, is fully capable of ensuring the security of the vital waterway.

He added that Iran has historically acted as a guardian of security in the Strait of Hormuz and claimed that the only disruptions witnessed in the past 40 days have stemmed from what he described as an imposed war involving the United States and Israel.

Baqaei cautioned that any foreign intervention in regional affairs would further complicate the situation. He also expressed satisfaction that several European countries have not, in his view, fallen into what he termed a trap set by the US and Israel, reports IRNA.

He reiterated that Iran, in cooperation with regional nations, can maintain stability in the Strait of Hormuz, provided that US involvement and what he described as warmongering in the region come to an end.

-- Except for the title, this story has not been edited by Prokerala team and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed
Kyiv, April 16 : Ukraine has started receiving drones from the biggest ever drone package announced by Britain, the Ukrainian Defence Ministry said.

"We are grateful to the UK for the largest ever batch of drones for Ukraine... They have already begun arriving and are strengthening our front line," the ministry said in a statement on Telegram on Wednesday (local time).

This year, Ukraine is expecting to get a total of 120,000 drones as part of the package, including strike, reconnaissance, logistics, and maritime models, the statement said.

Earlier in the day, Britain pledged to deliver at least 120,000 drones to Ukraine this year under the new package, reports Xinhua news agency.

The initiative is backed by Britain's wider 3-billion-pound (about 4.07 billion US dollars) military support for Ukraine this year, as well as the Group of Seven Extraordinary Revenue Acceleration for Ukraine initiative.

Earlier, the Russian Defence Ministry said that actions by European governments to host and expand production of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) for Ukraine are "drawing the continent deeper into the conflict with Russia".

"Instead of strengthening the security of European states, the actions of European leaders are increasingly pulling these countries into war with Russia," the ministry said in a statement posted on its Telegram channel.

It added that a number of European countries decided on March 26 to scale up the production and supply of UAVs to Ukraine "amid mounting losses and a worsening shortage of manpower in the Ukrainian Armed Forces." The increase in output is expected to be supported by expanded funding for Ukrainian and joint enterprises producing strike drones and their components on European soil.

The ministry said that branches of companies described as Ukrainian UAV manufacturers are operating in eight European countries, adding that some of these enterprises are involved in producing strike UAVs, including loitering munitions.
Mumbai, April 16 : Television actress Gulki Joshi has spoken about sharing screen space with popular small screen actor Iqbal Khan, calling it a "full circle" moment as she went from watching him on screen to romancing him.

Gulki took to Instagram, where she shared a string of fun behind-the-scene photohgraphs with Iqbal from the sets of their show Hui Gumm Yaadein - Ek Doctor, Do Zindagiyaan, which premiered in early 2026.

In the caption section, the actress wrote a light-hearted anecdote about their off-screen bond, revealing that despite him claiming to take time to open up, he surprised her by doing the opposite, making their chemistry all the more natural.

"From Watching him on screen to romancing him on screen Life takes a full circle P.s- he said he takes a month to open up to new people, he didnt !! how do i close him back ? How do u guys like this chemistry? #ghumhuiyaadein #sonysab," she wrote as the caption.

Talking about the characters of the show, Iqbal plays Dr. Dev Mehta, a renowned physician struggling with lost memories and fractured relationships. Gulki essays the role of his intern assistant Srishty Agarwal.

It tells the tale of Dr. Dev's journey as he tries to reconstruct his life while dealing with the loss of 8 years of memory and the loss of his son.

Gulki is known for her work in shows such as Phir Subah Hogi, Nadaan Parindey Ghar Aaja, Ek Shringaar-Swabhiman, Piyaa Albela, Paramavatar Shri Krishna, OTT show Bhaukaal and Maddam Sir.

Meanwhile, Iqbal shot to fame with his work in the show Kaisa Ye Pyar Hai. He was then seen in shows such as Kkavyanjali, Kahiin To Hoga, Karam Apnaa Apnaa, Chhoona Hai Aasmaan, Waaris, Yahan Main Ghar Ghar Kheli, Ek Tha Raja Ek Thi Rani, Kaal Bhairav Rahasya, Dil Se Dil Tak and Nima Denzongpa to name a few.

-- Syndicated from IANS
New Delhi, April 16 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday shared highlights from his roadshow in Nagercoil, Tamil Nadu, asserting that the DMK is headed for defeat and that the NDA will receive the people's blessings.

Taking to social media platform X, the Prime Minister said, "Sharing highlights from yesterday's exceptional roadshow in Nagercoil, which clearly reaffirmed that the DMK is headed for defeat and the NDA will receive the people's blessings."

He also shared a 1-minute 53-second video showing enthusiastic crowds chanting "Narendra Modi" and waving their hands, reflecting strong public support during the event.

In another post, PM Modi said, "During the roadshow in Nagercoil yesterday, paid homage to Thiru K. Kamaraj, Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar, Thiru CN Annadurai and Thiru MGR."

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday held a high-energy roadshow in Nagercoil town in Kanyakumari district, drawing large crowds as Tamil Nadu heads for Assembly elections scheduled for April 23.

The Prime Minister, who was in the region as part of an intensified campaign for the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), was joined by AIADMK chief Edappadi K. Palaniswami, state BJP President Nainar Nagenthran, and former state BJP chief K. Annamalai.

Senior BJP leader Pon Radhakrishnan was also present during the event.

PM Modi reached Thiruvananthapuram from New Delhi and later travelled by helicopter to Nagercoil. Soon after his arrival, he embarked on an open-top vehicle roadshow that covered a stretch of approximately 1.5 kilometres, from Veppamoodu junction to Vadasery. Standing atop a specially decorated vehicle, the Prime Minister waved to enthusiastic supporters who had gathered in large numbers along both sides of the route.

The crowd responded with chants and cheers, with many showering flower petals as a mark of welcome. Party workers and members of the public turned out in significant numbers, reflecting the heightened political atmosphere in the region.

The roadshow forms part of the BJP-led NDA's aggressive campaign strategy in Tamil Nadu, where political activity has intensified in the run-up to polling.

Leaders across parties have been criss-crossing the state to mobilise voters and consolidate support bases. The presence of key alliance leaders alongside the Prime Minister underscored the importance the NDA is placing on southern Tamil Nadu, particularly Kanyakumari district, which has been a politically significant region in past elections.

With just days remaining for campaigning to conclude, the visit is expected to energise party cadres and boost the NDA's prospects in the region.

The Tamil Nadu Assembly elections will be held on April 23, with counting of votes scheduled for May 4.
New Delhi, April 16 : Congress Lok Sabha MP Hibi Eden and DMK Parliamentary Party leader Kanimozhi Karunanidhi moved motions on Thursday to oppose the amendments to the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam in the Lok Sabha.

This comes as a three-day special sitting of the extended Budget session of Parliament is set to begin on Thursday, with discussions centred on proposed Constitutional amendments linked to the implementation of the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam.

The three amendments are the Constitution 131st Amendment Bill, 2026; Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2026; and Delimitation Bill, 2026.

Meanwhile, amid the delimitation row, Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy is set to reach Parliament later in the day.

He has also written a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in which he raised concerns that the proposed delimitation may hurt southern states.

Additionally, in his letters to CMs of Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Puducherry, Reddy called for a joint fight and urged a fair, balanced approach to representation.

The government is expected to introduce three amendment Bills aimed at operationalising the legislation, which was passed in 2023 to provide 33 per cent reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and State Assemblies.

Earlier this week, the Central government shared with MPs the text of the Constitution (131 Amendment) Bill, 2026 or the proposed amendment to the Women Reservation Bill, which aims to raise Lok Sabha seats to 850 -- including members from States and Union Territories.

The Bill proposes a cap of 815 on the number of members chosen by direct election from constituencies in the States. For UTs, the Bill says, "Not more than 35 members to represent the Union Territories, chosen in such manner as Parliament may by law provide".

At present, there are 530 Lok Sabha members from States and 20 from UTs. However, a delimitation commission had set the number at 543.

Another key amendment proposed in the Bill is the definition of population, giving Parliament the mandate to decide which data is to be made the foundation for the expansion of the number of seats.

For modifying clause (3) of article 81 of the Constitution, the Bill proposes, "(3) In this article, the expression 'population' means the population as ascertained at such census, as Parliament may by law determine, of which the relevant figures have been published."

The Union Cabinet had recently cleared the Bill seeking to amend the Constitution for early implementation of 33 per cent quota for women in Lok Sabha and Assemblies, as well as increasing the number of seats in the lower house of Parliament.

The amendment Bill also proposes changes in article 82 to substitute "Upon the completion of each census, the allocation of seats" with the words "The allocation of seats".

The proposed amendment aims to delink the quota's implementation from the 2027 Census and instead base it on the 2011 Census, enabling its rollout before the 2029 general elections.

In Article 82, the amendment Bill also proposes to introduce a role for the Delimitation Commission. The Bill states that in article 82 (c) of the Constitution, "for the words 'by such authority and in such manner', the words 'in such manner and on the basis of such census, by the Delimitation Commission', shall be substituted". The Bill also talks about reservation of seats on a rotation basis in the Lok Sabha and Assemblies and carries paras related to the tenure for which the women's reservation shall remain in force, subject to extension by Parliament.

Ahead of the special sitting, several political parties, including the Bharatiya Janata Party, Janata Dal (United), Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) and the Congress, have issued a three-line whip directing their MPs in both Houses to be present and adhere to the party's position during the proceedings.
New Delhi, April 16 : Mining major Vedanta's industrial safety practices have come under renewed scrutiny after a deadly boiler tube explosion at its power plant in Chhattisgarh, where at least 14 workers have died and several others remain critical.

New Delhi, April 16 (IANS) Mining major Vedantaas industrial safety practices have come under renewed scrutiny after a deadly boiler tube explosion at its power plant in Chhattisgarh, where at least 14 workers have died and several others remain critical.

The Anil Agarwal-backed company -- which is engaged in natural resources mining -- has repeatedly figured in discussions around industrial safety, with workplace fatalities reported across its mining, metals, oil and gas, and power businesses over the years.

A 2010 compendium of London-listed firms flagged Vedanta Resources Ltd as having recorded 67 deaths, the highest among mining companies on the exchange at the time.

The fallout was significant, with the British Safety Council withdrawing a safety award previously conferred on the company and its subsidiary BALCO.

In another major incident, a chimney collapse in Korba, Chhattisgarh, led to 40 worker deaths, with police filing culpable homicide charges against company officials. The company had attributed the collapse to adverse weather conditions.

More recent disclosures suggest that safety concerns have not been fully resolved, according to reports.

Workplace fatalities across Vedantaas operations rose from seven in FY20 to 13 in FY23, before moderating and then rising again to seven deaths in FY25, including six workers and one employee.

Industry comparisons also show Vedanta among companies with relatively high fatality counts.

The companyas FY25 annual report also flagged a sharp increase in internal complaints linked to workplace safety.

Employees and workers filed 1,363 health and safety-related complaints in FY25, more than double the 603 recorded in FY24.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed grief over the loss of lives in the mishap. He announced an ex gratia of Rs two lakh from the Prime Ministeras National Relief Fund to the next of kin of each deceased and Rs 50,000 to the injured.

State Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai announced a compensation of Rs 5 lakh each to the kin of each deceased worker and Rs 50,000 to those injured. He also ordered the Commissioner of the Bilaspur division to conduct an inquiry into the tragedy.

The district administration has also ordered a separate magisterial probe into the accident. The administration has been directed to ensure proper treatment of the injured and to review safety standards.

The accident occurred on April 14 at the companyas plant in Singhanatarai village in Sakti district, when a high-pressure boiler tube ruptured, releasing superheated steam estimated at around 600 degrees celsius.
Thiruvananthapuram, April 16 : Even before the votes are counted, the Congress party in Kerala is grappling with a familiar problem, internal rivalry. With polling for the 140-member Assembly concluded on April 9 and results due on May 4, growing optimism about a possible United Democratic Front (UDF) victory has triggered an intense debate over who should be the next Chief Minister.

What began as murmurs within party circles has now spilled into the public domain.

Social media platforms are awash with campaigns backing key contenders, while television channels have amplified the narrative, turning it into a full-blown political spectacle.

Congress workers, too, have joined the fray, openly aligning with their preferred leaders and pushing competing claims with unusual aggression.

At the centre of the debate are leaders like V.D. Satheesan, K.C. Venugopal and Ramesh Chennithala, each backed by distinct camps within the party.

Supporters of Venugopal highlight his proximity to Rahul Gandhi and his role in shaping national-level strategies, projecting him as a consensus builder.

Satheesan, on the other hand, is being positioned as the face of a younger, more aggressive leadership, credited with energising the UDF's campaign against the Left government.

Chennithala's camp leans on seniority and experience, arguing that he remains a natural choice if the party returns to power.

This open jockeying, however, has raised concerns within the party.

During the campaign, the Congress had carefully avoided projecting a Chief Ministerial candidate, insisting that the decision would rest with the high command.

The intent was to prevent factionalism from undermining electoral prospects.

That restraint appears to have faded quickly after polling day.

Reports now suggest that the party leadership in Delhi is unhappy with the public airing of internal differences.

The high command is understood to have reiterated that established procedures, not social media campaigns or public posturing, will determine the final choice.

There is also unease that the ongoing tussle could send confusing signals to voters and dilute the message of unity that the UDF sought to project during the campaign.

The coming weeks, therefore, are as much about managing internal expectations as they are about awaiting the electoral verdict.

If the Congress-led front does secure a win, the leadership will have to swiftly contain factional pressures and present a united front.

For now, the battle for Kerala's top post has begun well before the ballots are counted, and it is playing out in full public view.

K. Muraleedharan, son of four-time Congress Chief Minister K. Karunakaran, who has seen it all at close quarters when the party was deeply divided between his father and Antony, minced no words, saying, "it's unfair to those who have voted for the UDF to see this unnecessary and needless discussions going on and all should maintain clam", on Thursday morning.

Sunny Joseph, State Congress president, on Thursday, said there is an accepted procedure in the party that starts to work when a chief minister is being selected. "What we have found out is that this is being done by a section using fake accounts on social media. Moreover, there will come a time when the legislators will be expressing their views on this topic at the appropriate forum, and until then, none should go overboard," said Joseph.
Washington, April 16 : US President Donald Trump has said that Israel-Lebanon talks will take place on Thursday.

"Trying to get a little breathing room between Israel and Lebanon. It has been a long time since the two leaders have spoken, like 34 years. It will happen tomorrow," Trump wrote on Truth Social.

Israel and Lebanon on Tuesday held a meeting in Washington, where Israel insisted on Hezbollah's disarmament, and Lebanon called for a ceasefire and concrete measures to ease the severe humanitarian crisis resulting from the US-Israeli war with Iran, according to a statement from the US State Department.

All sides agreed to launch direct negotiations at a mutually agreed time and venue, said the statement.

The meeting marked the first major high-level engagement between Israel and Lebanon since 1993, it said.

Earlier in the day, the United States clarified that a possible ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon is not part of its negotiations with Iran, even as Washington steps up diplomatic efforts to ease tensions along Israel's northern border.

A senior administration official said the US had "not asked for" a truce in Lebanon and that it was "not part of the peace negotiations with Iran". However, the official added that President Donald Trump "would welcome the end of hostilities in Lebanon as part of a peace agreement between Israel and Lebanon".

The remarks come a day after rare direct talks between Israel and Lebanon were hosted at the State Department by Secretary of State Marco Rubio -- the first such engagement between the two countries in years.

The discussions were described by US officials as a step towards reducing tensions and potentially opening a pathway to a broader agreement.

"The United States wants to see a durable peace but did not demand an immediate ceasefire," another senior official said, outlining Washington's calibrated approach to the conflict.

Instead, the focus remains on confidence-building measures between the two sides.

"The United States' focus is on building trust between the two governments so that we can create space for a peace deal, and so that any future understandings can be durable," the official said. "Both sides need to build political momentum."

The renewed diplomatic push also comes as the US continues efforts to stabilise its fragile truce with Iran, with regional flashpoints like Lebanon seen as potential spoilers if not carefully managed.
Bengaluru, April 16 : Senior BJP leader and Leader of Opposition in Karnataka Assembly R. Ashoka, along with other prominent leaders, has expressed grief over the death of eight pilgrims in an accident in Andhra Pradesh on Thursday.

R. Ashoka condoned the incident, stating, "News has emerged of a tragic road accident that occurred early this morning near Mantralayam in Andhra Pradesh, in which eight devotees from Chikkamagaluru district in Karnataka, who were on their way for darshan at Mantralayam, lost their lives and several others were injured."

The incident has caused deep shock, he noted. "I express my heartfelt condolences to the families of those who lost their lives in this unfortunate incident and pray for the speedy recovery of the injured," he said.

The state government should immediately provide appropriate compensation to the families of the deceased and take necessary steps to ensure proper medical treatment for the injured, Ashoka demanded.

"I pray that God grants eternal peace to the departed souls and gives strength to their families to bear this loss," Ashoka stated.

Former Chief Minister and BJP MP Basavaraj Bommai said, "I am deeply saddened to learn about the tragic accident that occurred early this morning near Mantralayam in Andhra Pradesh, in which eight devotees from Chikkamagaluru district of Karnataka, who were on their way for darshan, lost their lives and several others were injured."

"I extend my heartfelt condolences to the families of those who lost their lives in this unfortunate incident. I urge the state government to provide immediate and adequate compensation to the families of the deceased and ensure the best possible medical treatment for the injured," he stated.

"May the departed souls rest in peace. I pray that their families find the strength to bear this irreparable loss," he said.

Eight persons from Karnataka were killed and 12 others injured when a car carrying devotees collided with a ready-mix concrete vehicle near Chilakaladona village in Yemmiganur mandal in the early hours of Thursday.

Nearly 20 people from Chikkamagaluru district in neighbouring Karnataka were on their way to the pilgrimage centre Sri Raghavendra Swamy Mutt, Mantralayam.

Six women, including a girl child, were among the dead, police said. The injured were shifted to nearby hospitals
April 16 : Lucknow: In Uttar Pradesh, consistent efforts are being made to strengthen a responsive and accountable administrative system under Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. In this direction, the 14566 atrocity and harassment helpline, operated by the Social Welfare Department, has emerged as a strong support system for victims across the state. The government has made it clear that no victim will be deprived of justice.

According to the Social Welfare Department, a total of 553 complaints were registered through the helpline in the financial year 2025-26. Notably, all complaints were resolved within the stipulated time frame.

As per departmental data, a total of 628 complaints were registered between April 1, 2025, and March 31, 2026. These included 45 in April, 37 in May, 65 each in June and July, 57 in August, 80 in September, 79 in October, 40 in November, 35 in December, 37 in January, 48 in February, and 40 in March.

During verification, 75 complaints were found to be duplicate entries and were removed. Subsequently, directions were issued to the concerned departments, ensuring action on all valid cases.

Officials from the Social Welfare Department stated that, in line with the Chief Ministers vision, special emphasis has been placed on transparency and technical efficiency throughout the process. As soon as a call is received, the complaint is registered on an online portal and immediately forwarded to the concerned district. A copy is also sent to departmental officials to ensure monitoring at every level.

After action is taken, feedback is collected from the victims to confirm whether they have received actual justice.

Department officials have appealed that if any person faces atrocity or harassment in any district of the state, they should not hesitate to contact the 14566 helpline. The system has been made fully modern and accountable to ensure quick and effective resolution of complaints.

This initiative by the government demonstrates that good governance is not limited to claims but is visibly being implemented at the grassroots level.
New Delhi, April 16 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Austrian Chancellor Christian Stocker held a bilateral meeting at New Delhi's Hyderabad House on Thursday, focusing on enhancing cooperation in trade, investment, green technology, and critical sectors.

Earlier in the day, the Austrian Chancellor paid homage to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat.

In a post on X, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said, "Remembering Bapu and his ideals. Federal Chancellor Dr Christian Stocker of Austria paid homage to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat, laying a wreath and reflecting on Gandhiji's enduring message of peace, non-violence and global harmony."

Stocker arrived in New Delhi on Wednesday. This is his first official visit to India, aimed at strengthening bilateral ties across key sectors including trade, investment and emerging technologies.

Earlier on Wednesday, External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar called on the Austrian Chancellor, expressing confidence that his talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, set to be held on Thursday, will open new avenues for greater cooperation between the two nations.

"Delighted to call on Federal Chancellor Dr Christian Stocker of Austria, as he begins his first official visit to India. Confident that his discussions with PM Narendra Modi tomorrow will open new avenues for greater cooperation across various domains," EAM Jaishankar posted on X.

Earlier in the day, Stocker hailed the growth of India, stressing that it is investing massively in infrastructure and technology and is the European Union's (EU) "most important trading partner" in South Asia.

"India is growing at around seven per cent per year, investing massively in infrastructure and technology, and is today the EU's most important trading partner in South Asia. For Austria, a small but highly innovative export nation, this is an enormous opportunity that we want to actively seize," Stocker posted on X after his arrival.

"Especially in times of global uncertainties, stable partnerships are the key to economic success. That is why I will be in New Delhi for the next three days: to create concrete framework conditions so that Austrian companies can benefit from this growth -- through new cooperations, deepened partnerships, and even better access to this dynamic market," he added.

This visit marks Stocker's first trip to India and his maiden official visit to Asia since assuming office in 2025.

Stocker is accompanied by a high-level delegation, including senior ministers, government officials and business leaders, underlining the strong economic focus of the visit. Both sides are expected to explore opportunities to deepen collaboration in areas such as advanced manufacturing, digital innovation and renewable energy.

The visit comes amid growing economic engagement between the two countries. Discussions are also likely to cover regional and global issues of mutual interest, as well as cooperation in multilateral forums.

India and Austria share long-standing, friendly relations rooted in shared democratic values. The visit builds on the momentum generated by PM Modi's visit to Austria in 2024 and is expected to further strengthen the Indiaa"Austria partnership, opening new avenues for strategic and economic cooperation.
Nagercoil, April 16 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi combined political outreach with personal interactions during his April 15 visit to Nagercoil in Tamil Nadu, where he met veteran educationist and social worker Gomatam Veeraraghavan Girija after more than three decades and later led a vibrant roadshow that drew large crowds.

Sharing his experience on social media, PM Modi described the reunion with Girija Ji as a "delight", noting her long-standing contribution to education, service, and the promotion of Indian culture.

The Prime Minister said he was pleased to reconnect with her after such a long gap and to learn about her continued efforts in shaping young minds and contributing to society.

During the interaction, PM Modi also met a group of students, engaging them in conversation about their academic journeys, aspirations, and diverse experiences.

According to officials, the interaction reflected the Prime Minister's continued emphasis on youth engagement and education as key pillars of national development.

Earlier in the day, PM Modi held a high-energy roadshow in Nagercoil as part of the campaign for the April 23 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections. The event witnessed enthusiastic participation, with supporters lining both sides of the route, waving party flags and showering flower petals as the Prime Minister greeted them from an open-top vehicle.

The roadshow, which covered a stretch of about 1.5 kilometres from Veppamoodu Junction to Vadasery, saw PM Modi accompanied by key leaders of the AIADMK-BJP alliance, including AIADMK General Secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami and Tamil Nadu BJP President Nainar Nagenthran.

The leaders acknowledged the crowd, projecting unity within the alliance ahead of the polls.

The Prime Minister's visit comes at a crucial juncture, with campaigning intensifying across Tamil Nadu. Political parties are making last-ditch efforts to reach out to voters, combining large-scale public events with targeted interactions.

PM Modi's engagements in Nagercoil -- blending personal outreach, youth interaction, and mass mobilisation -- underscored the Bharatiya Janata Party's strategy of combining grassroots connect with high-visibility campaign events as the state heads into a closely watched electoral contest.

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
Big decision by Yogi Government: Salary of workers in Noida-Ghaziabad increased by up to 3000. Image Source: IANS

April 16 : Gautam Buddha Nagar: Providing major relief to workers of Noida and Ghaziabad, the high-level committee constituted on the instructions of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has announced an interim increase in minimum wages. Based on a detailed review conducted after recent developments, the government has taken a balanced decision and increased wages by up to around 3000 in unskilled, semi-skilled and skilled categories, resulting in up to 21% increase in Gautam Buddha Nagar and Ghaziabad.

These new rates will be effective from April 1, 2026. The government has termed the news regarding 20,000 minimum wage as misleading, while keeping in view the demands of workers and the challenges faced by industries, the process for a permanent solution through a wage board will also be initiated.

Under the efficient leadership of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, the state government is fully committed to ensuring industrial peace, protection of workers' rights and maintaining an investment-friendly environment. The administration will ensure that harmony, peace and pace of development continue in Gautam Buddha Nagar as before.

Industrial Development Commissioner of Uttar Pradesh, Deepak Kumar, while clarifying the situation regarding recent developments stated, "On the instructions of the Chief Minister, the Uttar Pradesh Government has adopted a balanced approach and decided to implement an interim increase in minimum wages, in which the highest increase has been given to the skilled category of workers."

He said, in Gautam Buddha Nagar and Ghaziabad, this increase is up to 21%, and these new interim wage rates will be effective from 01 April 2026. In this way, under the leadership of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, direct economic relief has been provided to workers.

Additionally, based on the recommendations of the wage board to be constituted next month, the process of determining permanent minimum wages will be initiated. The government is also considering new schemes related to health, pension and education of workers' children for their welfare.

According to the interim wage increase, wages of unskilled workers have been increased from 11313 to 13690, semi-skilled workers from 12445 to 15059, and skilled workers from 13940 to 16868.

It was further stated that for other municipal corporation districts, wages of unskilled workers have been increased from 11313 to 13006, semi-skilled workers from 12445 to 14306, and skilled workers from 13940 to 16025. Similarly, for other districts, wages of unskilled workers have been increased from 11313 to 12356, semi-skilled workers from 12445 to 13591, and skilled workers from 13940 to 15224.

It was stated that taking cognizance of the violent incidents that occurred at some places during Mondays protest, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath immediately constituted a high-level committee. The committee reached Noida and conducted a thorough investigation of the entire matter.

The investigation revealed that the news circulating on various social media platforms regarding implementation of 20,000 monthly minimum wage is completely misleading and baseless. The actual situation is that under the new labour codes of the Government of India, the process of determining a national-level floor wage is underway, aimed at ensuring a uniform baseline minimum wage for workers across the country.

The state government is holding extensive consultations with employer organizations, worker unions and all other stakeholders. Suggestions and objections received are being seriously examined to arrive at a balanced, practical and widely acceptable decision. The committee held meetings with workers and employers in multiple phases.

Worker representatives clearly stated that their movement was completely peaceful, which included demands such as wage increase, weekly leave, double payment for overtime, protection of workers rights and a dignified working environment. They expressed suspicion of involvement of external elements in the violence.

On the other hand, employers stated that the industry is currently facing global economic challenges. Rising raw material costs and decline in exports have increased pressure on industries. Despite this, they termed the demands of workers as relevant and worth consideration.

The committee informed during the press conference that a control room has been established at the district level to ensure workers welfare and maintenance of peace. Workers can register any kind of complaint, grievance or information through this control room on the numbers 120-2978231, 120-2978232, 120-2978862, 120-2978702.

The administration has adopted a strict stance against anti-social and external elements attempting to disrupt industrial harmony in the district. Such elements are not only a threat to law and order but also weaken the spirit of trust and cooperation between workers and industries.

A special campaign is being carried out to identify these elements, in which technical surveillance, intelligence systems and local-level information collection have been strengthened. Strict legal action is being ensured against identified culprits, including arrests, registration of criminal cases and other punitive measures under relevant legal provisions. The government clearly intends to send a message that anyone attempting to disturb the environment of peace and development will not be spared.

On this occasion, committee members including Principal Secretary (Labour) Uttar Pradesh Dr. M K S Sundaram, Additional Chief Secretary Micro, MSME, Export Promotion, Khadi and Village Industries Department Alok Kumar, Member Secretary Labour Commissioner Uttar Pradesh (Kanpur) Markandey Shahi, Chief Executive Officer Yamuna Development Authority Rakesh Kumar Singh and District Magistrate Gautam Buddha Nagar Medha Rupam were present.
April 16 : Lucknow: Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath launched a sharp attack on the Samajwadi Party, its chief Akhilesh Yadav, and the Congress on the occasion of the 135th birth anniversary of Babasaheb Dr. B.R. Ambedkar.

He said, The Samajwadi Party had revealed its true character through its brutal treatment of women at the State Guest House. He also alleged that Congress tried to keep Babasaheb away from elections and conspired to prevent him from receiving the Bharat Ratna. He added that although Congress now carries copies of the Constitution, its true nature must be understood.

On Tuesday, at an event held at the Dr. Ambedkar Mahasabha office premises, Chief Minister Yogi released a souvenir and virtually inaugurated the foundation work for the beautification and conservation of 75 statues of Babasaheb across 75 districts. Earlier, he paid floral tribute to Dr. Ambedkars statue at Hazratganj Chowk.

Chief Minister Yogi said, Those shedding crocodile tears for Dalits should explain what they have actually done in Babasahebs name and what inspiration they have taken from his ideals.

He added that people know who used to threaten the demolition of memorials of Dalit icons upon becoming Chief Minister. Selective outrage will not work, and society will not accept it, he said, adding that those dividing society on caste lines must explain why they remained silent when a Dalit youth was burned in Bangladesh.

Chief Minister said, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar dedicated his life to realizing the vision of One India, Great India and ensuring justice for Dalits, the deprived, and the poor. He said that the light of justice that people seek today was shown by Babasaheb, and accused some selfish forces of merely pretending to remember him for their own benefit.

Targeting the Samajwadi Party, he questioned why names of districts, KGMU, the Language University, and Kannauj Medical College - named after Dalit icons - were changed. He also asked who deprived Dalits and the poor of land rights and halted welfare schemes like Swachh Bharat Mission toilets and PM Awas Yojana.

CM Yogi announced the construction of boundary walls and protective canopies for Ambedkar statues across the state.

In the first phase, one statue in each of the 75 districts will be covered, followed by all statues on public land. The initiative aims to protect the statues and allow people to pay respect without disruption.

He also said the government would honor social reformers like Sant Ravidas, Mahatma Jyotiba Phule, Maharshi Valmiki, and others. He highlighted that PAC battalions have been named after Veerangana Jhalkari Bai in Gorakhpur, Avanti Bai Lodhi in Badaun, and Uda Devi Pasi in Lucknow.

CM Yogi said that in Varanasi, a large park, statue, four-lane road, and guest house were built at Sant Ravidass birthplace to accommodate large gatherings.

He also mentioned action taken against encroachments at Maharshi Valmikis site in Chitrakoot and infrastructure development there, including roads and a ropeway. He noted that PM Narendra Modi named the Ayodhya international airport after Maharshi Valmiki.

The government is developing the Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar International Cultural and Research Centre in Lucknow. The first phase is nearly complete, and the second phase is expected by July.

The center will provide research opportunities, hostels, an auditorium, and a grand statue, aiming to promote social justice and awareness.

CM Yogi urged people to draw inspiration from Ambedkars life and ideals. He said Ambedkar remained committed to India despite temptations, unlike Yogendra Nath Mandal. He stressed that disrespecting national symbols is equivalent to disrespecting Babasaheb.

He added that the BJP-led central government under PM Modi developed the Panch Teerth associated with Ambedkar, and that the double-engine government is ensuring welfare through schemes like ration distribution, Ayushman cards, Ujjwala Yojana, housing, electricity, and toilets.

CM Yogi Adityanath said, Recently, in Lakhimpur Kheri, 4,356 Tharu tribal families were granted land ownership rights. He also stated that Dalit Hindus who migrated from Bangladesh in 1971 and had been waiting for 55 years were given land titles.

He emphasized that land allotment would be prioritized for the poor and landless, and sanitation workers would receive timely honorariums.

The event was attended by Ambedkar Mahasabha President Lalji Prasad Nirmal, Cabinet Minister Baby Rani Maurya, Minister of State (Independent Charge) Asim Arun, Rajya Sabha MP Braj Lal, Mayor Sushma Kharkwal, and several other dignitaries.
April 16 : Lucknow: Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Wednesday flagged off the 10th lakh vehicle at the Tata Motors Lucknow plant. The Chief Minister described this milestone as more than just an industrial achievement, calling it a decisive step towards establishing the state as a global manufacturing hub.

He said, this 34-year journey reflects 'Tatas trust' and the changing work culture of Uttar Pradesh, along with strong infrastructure and an investment-friendly environment.

During the program, the Chief Minister not only highlighted industrial achievements but also emphasized the core principles of work culture. He said, "The foundation of success for any group or institution lies in teamwork, gratitude and honesty. Every employee should discharge their responsibilities with full commitment, as this ensures long-term personal and institutional progress."

Chief Minister clearly stated, avoiding external interference is essential to keep any organization strong. He cautioned that those who disrupt are many, but those who build are very few, and therefore every employee must treat the organization like a family, maintain its unity and trust, and promote a positive work culture.

Chief Minister said, "A sense of gratitude is necessary to carry forward this development journey. It is important to understand which group has enabled our progress and is continuously contributing to the nations development. Every employee should perform their duties with teamwork, honesty and commitment, as this forms the basis of long-term success. Under no circumstances should external elements be allowed to interfere in the internal matters of any group or plant."

Referring to the work culture of the Tata Group, he said that the group maintains a family-like relationship with its employees, and it is everyones responsibility to strengthen the organization while preserving this spirit.

Chief Minister informed in his address, "This moment is a symbol of pride and happiness for all, as Tata Motors has launched its 10th lakh bus from the Lucknow plant after a glorious journey of 34 years. This achievement is not merely an industrial revolution, but a launch pad for the historic flight that is establishing India and Uttar Pradesh as a global manufacturing hub. This 'milestone moment' represents the momentum of New India and New Uttar Pradesh, which is not meant to stop, but to continuously move forward towards greater heights with a commitment to deliver development, trust and prosperity to every citizen."

Explaining the concept of momentum, the Chief Minister stated, it is not just an 'M' but a combination of 'Mass' and 'Velocity'. Where there is mass, velocity is naturally generated, and this velocity provides new energy and strength. In the context of Uttar Pradesh, this 'Mass' is reflected in its population of 25 crore and a 56% youth workforce. In line with the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the state government is connecting this human resource with skill, innovation and technology, transforming it into a market-ready and industry-ready workforce, thereby accelerating the states development.

Referring to 'V' as velocity, the Chief Minister said it symbolizes the double speed of the double engine government.

He added, the development momentum in Uttar Pradesh is no longer limited to figures but is clearly visible on the ground. Rapidly developing modern infrastructure, expressways and improved connectivity are creating a strong foundation for the manufacturing sector.

Chief Minister said, "9 years ago, Uttar Pradesh was facing an identity crisis, poor connectivity and security challenges, where it was difficult to distinguish between roads and potholes, and investors were hesitant to come. However, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the state has now gained a new direction, where improved law and order and modern infrastructure have laid a strong foundation for development."

CM said, today, the state is emerging as an attractive destination for investment and production. Currently, Uttar Pradesh accounts for about 55% of the countrys expressways. The inauguration of the Ganga Expressway is proposed this month. After this, the states share in expressways will increase to 60%. A network of four-lane and two-lane connectivity has been developed up to the district level. Air connectivity has also improved significantly, from only two active airports earlier to 16 operational airports today, along with the development of the Noida International Airport as a world-class project. These developments are positioning Uttar Pradesh as a major centre for investment and growth in the country.

Chief Minister also informed, "From childhood till today, every Indian has witnessed and experienced how Tata buses and heavy vehicles have served peoples travel and daily needs. Whether it is delivering goods to the last person or fulfilling daily requirements, Tata has always stood as a symbol of trust. That is why the Tata Group has become a symbol of unwavering trust in the country. 'Tata means trust' is not just a perception but the experience of millions. The legacy of its founders, strong leadership and the hard work of its employees have strengthened this trust, which is felt not only in India but across many countries."

This trust is the result of teamwork that has established Tata as a symbol of quality, reliability and nation-building. From watches to aircraft manufacturing, from salt to networking, from steel to software, and across sectors such as education, healthcare, energy, defence, automobiles and hospitality, the Tata Group has made remarkable contributions to strengthening India. Its partnership with Uttar Pradesh is not limited to investment but serves as a strong foundation of trust and development, playing a crucial role in taking the state to new heights of prosperity.

Chief Minister added, "With strong infrastructure, security and facilities, the Tata Motors Lucknow plant has continuously evolved over the past 34 years into an excellent example of innovation, investment and technological progress. Its transition from diesel to CNG and now to electric vehicles and defence trucks reflects adaptation to future needs. The 10th lakh bus, with a range of 200 km, promotes environmentally friendly transportation."

CM further informed, with more than 5,600 employees, the plant has become a major hub for employment and skill development, providing opportunities to youth under the Lakshya program. Established with the vision of Ratan Tata, the plant today supports the livelihood of around 6,000 families and has connected lakhs of people to employment.

After the flag-off, the Chief Minister also took a ride in the newly launched Tata Motors bus on Wednesday. He inspected the entire plant and gathered insights into the various technologies used in production.

On this occasion, Industrial Development Minister Nand Gopal Gupta Nandi, Transport Minister Dayashankar Singh, Tata Group Chairman N Chandrasekaran, MD and CEO Girish Wagh, and Vice President Operations Tata Motors Vishal Badshah were present.
New Delhi, April 16 : Congress MP Karti Chidambaram on Thursday said that while his party supports the Women's Reservation Bill, it opposes the proposed delimitation exercise. He added that the INDIA bloc would vote against the delimitation-related proposal, asserting that the government may not have sufficient numbers to pass it.

Speaking to reporters, Karti Chidambaram said, "The timing of the Parliament session itself is very devious. Tamil Nadu and West Bengal are yet to go to the polls, and we are in the middle of an election campaign. In order to disrupt the campaign of the principal political parties in these states, which are clearly opposed to the BJP, the government has convened a Parliament session on the 16th, 17th, and 18th. This clearly reflects the government's underhanded agenda."

He further stated, "We will all support the Women's Reservation Bill, but delimitation is another questionable move by the government. We will oppose this Bill. Our voices are not adequately heard in Parliament, and if the strength of the House is increased to 850, we will have even less time to raise issues. While we support providing greater representation to women within the current strength of the House, we do not support increasing its size to 850."

Chidambaram reiterated that the INDIA bloc would stand united in opposing the delimitation proposal.

"We will vote against the Bill. The government does not have sufficient numbers, and we are clear in our position -- we support women's reservation, but not delimitation," he said.

Meanwhile, the special session of Parliament for amendments related to the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam has commenced. A three-day special sitting of the extended Budget Session began on Thursday, with discussions centred on proposed Constitutional amendments linked to the implementation of the legislation.

The government is expected to introduce three amendment Bills aimed at operationalising the law, which was passed in 2023 to provide 33 per cent reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and State Assemblies.

Earlier this week, the Central government shared the draft of the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, 2026, with the Members of Parliament. The proposed amendment seeks to increase the strength of the Lok Sabha to 850 members, including representatives from states and union territories.

The Bill proposes a cap of 815 members to be directly elected from constituencies in the states, while not more than 35 members would represent the union territories, to be chosen in a manner prescribed by Parliament.
New Delhi, April 16 : Amid the ongoing workplace harassment probe at TCS Nashik, IT bellwether Infosys has dismissed social media allegations of workplace harassment at its Business Process Management (BPM) facility in Pune.

The clarification comes amid heightened scrutiny of Maharashtra's IT sector, following a separate investigation into Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) in Nashik over allegations of workplace harassment and forced religious conversion.

The Infosys controversy emerged after a series of posts on social media platform X alleged inappropriate behaviour towards female employees at its Pune facility.

However, the posts were later deleted. Maharashtra minister Nitesh Rane said the government has taken note of the allegations.

Infosys said it follows a zero-tolerance policy towards harassment and discrimination.

"Infosys maintains a zero-tolerance approach to any form of harassment or discrimination," the company said.

The IT firm added that any issue reported is treated seriously and investigated by an independent committee, and that it promotes a "speak-up culture" encouraging employees to report concerns through multiple channels.

The company also stated that it has activated internal processes and preventive mechanisms in line with its global Code of Conduct to examine the matter.

The development comes against the backdrop of the ongoing TCS Nashik case, where multiple women employees have alleged harassment by senior staff between 2022 and 2026.

The complaints include allegations of sexual harassment, stalking, inappropriate touching, objectionable remarks, mental harassment, and alleged pressure to adopt certain religious practices or convert.

Investigators have examined over 40 CCTV footage clips and are recording statements from complainants and accused persons.

Police have also carried out an undercover operation involving women personnel in connection with the probe.

The investigation remains ongoing, with officials stating that all aspects are being examined before any conclusions are drawn.

In a related development, TCS officials conducted an unannounced visit to their Nashik office this week as part of an internal inquiry into the allegations, according to NDTV Profit.

The company has constituted a special investigation committee and is examining the complaints. Senior officials have recorded employee statements as part of the probe.

Sources said multiple complaints surfaced during the inquiry, widening its scope. As a precautionary measure, TCS has directed around 120 employees at its Nashik facility to work from home starting this week while the investigation continues.

Meanwhile, the National Commission for Women (NCW) has constituted a fact-finding committee to conduct a detailed inquiry into the alleged incidents of sexual harassment of women at the TCS BPO unit at Nashik. The committee will submit its report within 10 working days.
Meeting of outsourcing agencies and contractors of various industrial units held under the chairmanship of the District Magistrate of Gautam Buddha Nagar. Image Source: IANS

April 16 : Gautam Buddha Nagar: A meeting of outsourcing agencies and contractors of various industrial units was held under the chairmanship of the District Magistrate to ensure 100% compliance with government guidelines and to maintain industrial peace in the district.

During the meeting, the District Magistrate said, "Outsourcing agencies and contractors play an important role in running industries and providing employment to people. Therefore, it is the responsibility of all outsourcing agencies and contractors to maintain law and order along with their personnel and workers."

The DM directed that all contractors must ensure full compliance with government guidelines. If any agency or its personnel or workers are found involved in disruptive behaviour, the agency will also be held responsible. In such cases, the agency may be blacklisted and its license may be cancelled.

Referring to the minimum wages fixed by the state government, the District Magistrate stated that 13,690 per month has been fixed for unskilled workers, 15,059 per month for semi-skilled workers, and 16,868 per month for skilled workers.

He instructed all contractors to strictly comply with these wage standards and ensure full payment is transferred to the workers bank accounts. Any violation of rules or exploitation of workers will invite strict action.

The District Magistrate said that industries, workers and employers are complementary to each other. Smooth functioning of industries ensures employment opportunities, while stability for employers secures the future of workers. If industrial activities are affected, it adversely impacts all stakeholders as well as the overall development of the state.

The DM appealed to everyone not to pay attention to any rumors or misleading information and to work with mutual cooperation and trust while maintaining industrial peace.

He also assured that the state government is fully committed to safeguarding the interests of both workers and employers, and the administration will act promptly to resolve any issues.

Additional District Magistrate (Finance and Revenue) Atul Kumar, DD Factory Brijesh, officials from concerned departments and contractors from various industrial units were present in the meeting.
Organic clusters across 26 districts along the Ganga are transforming Uttar Pradesh. Image Source: IANS

April 16 : Lucknow: Along the banks of the sacred Ganga in Uttar Pradesh, a new stream of prosperity now flows alongside faith. The Yogi government has developed a model of organic farming across 26 Ganga-side districts that is not only increasing farmers income but also giving a new direction to the states agricultural system.

Under the Namami Gange programme, 3,370 organic clusters have been developed within a 5-kilometre stretch on both sides of the river, benefiting around 90,000 farmer families and making them self-reliant. The government is promoting chemical-free farming in mission mode by developing organic villages in these areas.

Adoption of organic and natural farming has reduced farmers production costs. With decreased dependence on chemical fertilizers and pesticides, expenses have gone down, while better-quality produce is fetching higher prices in the market.

This initiative is not limited to agricultural improvement alone. It is also benefiting Ganga cleanliness, soil quality, groundwater conservation, and the rural economy.

Through central and state government schemes, farmers are being provided with training, technical assistance, and incentives.

By promoting natural fertilizers and traditional agricultural techniques, a sustainable farming model is being developed.

During the financial year 2024-25, under the Namami Gange project, the State Mission for Clean Ganga has already organized district-level natural farming workshops in 35 districts.

Workshops are proposed in the remaining districts in the upcoming financial year.

Under this campaign across 26 Ganga-side districts, 3,370 organic clusters have been established so far, directly connecting farmer families and putting them on the path of self-reliance.

An organic belt has been developed on both sides of the Ganga for this model, where organic villages are being created at the grassroots level. This ensures the availability of organic food products for the public.

A key highlight of the scheme is that while farmers incomes are increasing, consumers are also being protected from diseases caused by pesticide-laden products. Farmers expenditure on chemical fertilizers and pesticides has reduced, while soil fertility has improved.

As a result, organic produce is commanding premium prices in the market, and demand for chemical-free products is steadily rising among consumers.
April 16 : Gorakhpur: Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Wednesday gave a major boost to the youth of Eastern Uttar Pradesh in the field of emerging technologies. He inaugurated the regions first state-of-the-art Centre of Excellence (CoE), established at Maharana Pratap Institute of Technology (MPIT), run by Maharana Pratap Shiksha Parishad, with support from Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) Foundation.

In the presence of Tata Sons Chairman N. Chandrasekaran and TCS CEO K. Krithivasan, Chief Minister Yogi said, In the last nine years, Uttar Pradesh has established itself not only as an infrastructure state but also as a manufacturing hub.

CM Yogi said, The transformation seen in Uttar Pradesh today was difficult to imagine nine years ago. Roads were poor, electricity supply was unreliable, and security was a concern. There was neither policy nor intent, and due to the lack of security and proper policies, investments did not come. Without investment, employment opportunities were also limited. That was the situation then, but today UP is progressing rapidly in every sector.

Encouraging the youth, Chief Minister said that the closer they get to technology, the more they will master it. Once young people become proficient in technology, it will help them advance in education, healthcare, agriculture, industry, and innovation.

Chief Minister Yogi expressed gratitude to the Tata Group for supporting the establishment of the first Centre of Excellence in emerging technologies in Eastern UP. He said the centre will help meet current and future technological needs and provide a strong platform for Prime Minister Narendra Modis vision of a developed and self-reliant India.

The centre will focus on AI, machine learning, data science, cybersecurity, space technology, and 3D printing. It will prepare youth for global competition through technological advancement, research, innovation, startups, and technology transfer. It will also strengthen initiatives like Digital India, Startup India, and Make in India.

CM Yogi said, The Centre of Excellence will act as a beacon of technology for youth, farmers, and women from Gorakhpur, Eastern UP, northwestern Bihar, and the Terai region of Nepal. It will contribute not only to the development of Eastern UP but also to Indias overall progress.

He expressed satisfaction that the centre has been set up in a region once considered among the most backward in the state. Now, youth, farmers, and women will be empowered technologically and contribute to regional prosperity in line with the Prime Ministers vision.

CM Yogi also highlighted the establishment and contributions of Maharana Pratap Shiksha Parishad. He noted that in 1932, during British rule, Mahant Digvijaynath Ji Maharaj founded the Parishad in Gorakhpur. It later played a key role in establishing Gorakhpur University by handing over two of its institutions to the government. Today, under the same Parishad, MPIT has received this advanced Centre of Excellence with Tata Groups support.

Chief Minister said, Once considered backward, Eastern UP is now emerging as a knowledge powerhouse with inspiration from Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Gorakhpur currently has four fully functional universities, and recently a Software Technology Park has also been established with support from the Government of India.

CM Yogi said that in nine years, UP has emerged as an expressway state, with 55% of Indias expressways. The Ganga Expressway will soon be dedicated to the nation, increasing UPs share to around 60%. A significant portion (65-70%) of the Delhi-Dehradun Economic Corridor, inaugurated by PM Modi, also passes through UP, benefiting the state.

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said, Technology has unlimited potential across sectors, just like Uttar Pradesh. Technology can play a crucial role in harnessing the states potential. Due to a favorable environment created by the government, 55% of Indias mobile manufacturing is now happening in UP, generating large-scale employment. Around 55-60% of electronic components are also produced in the state. UP has over 96 lakh MSMEs, more than 32,000 large industries, and over 22,000 startups contributing to economic growth.

Chief Minister said NCR has become a hub for IT, electronics, and mobile manufacturing, Kanpur is emerging as a leather and drone technology hub, and Eastern UP is becoming a hub for agri-tech and MSMEs. Lucknow is developing as a defence corridor. Similarly, a new industrial city, future-ready industrial township, and pharma park are being developed over 56,000 acres in Bundelkhand.

CM Yogi said artificial intelligence is essential in todays world, and everyone must keep pace with it. He urged MPITs director and faculty to design certificate, diploma, and degree courses at the Centre of Excellence to help students achieve their goals.

After inaugurating the CoE with Vedic chants alongside Tata leaders, Chief Minister Yogi toured the building and laboratories. He reviewed facilities in AI labs, cybersecurity labs, drone technology labs, and 3D printing labs. He was informed that the CoE is based on the concept of AI for All, aiming to make technology accessible to every section of society.

Startups demonstrated their innovations at the event. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath interacted with young innovators and encouraged them, stating that the centre will become a major hub for startup incubation and entrepreneurship development, accelerating innovation-driven growth in the region.

During the event, CM Yogi, Tata Sons Chairman N. Chandrasekaran, and other dignitaries unveiled MPITs Vision Document and the Inclusive AI for UP Vision Document. MoUs were also exchanged between MPIT and various institutions.

CM Yogi also launched AI for All, a 21-hour online cybersecurity awareness program, and the AI for Farmers course in collaboration with TCS iON.

MPIT Director Sudhir Agarwal, in his welcome address, elaborated on the objectives and goals of the Centre of Excellence. The event was attended by several dignitaries, including Cabinet Minister Dr. Sanjay Nishad, MP Ravi Kishan Shukla, Gorakhpur Mayor Dr. Manglesh Srivastava, MLC and BJP State Vice President Dr. Dharmendra Singh, and other public representatives and officials.
Ranchi, April 16 : The Jharkhand High Court has taken a strong view of the pace of the investigation into the disappearance of an 18-year-old girl student from the state's Bokaro district, while ordering a DNA test of the skeletal remains, which the police claim to have recovered.

A division bench of Justice Sujit Narayan Prasad and Justice Sanjay Prasad, while hearing the petition on Thursday, directed that the DNA examination of the recovered skeleton be conducted at the Central Forensic Science Laboratory (CFSL) in Kolkata. To ensure transparency in the investigation, the court also ordered that the post-mortem of the skeleton be conducted at RIMS in Ranchi instead of Jamshedpur.

During the hearing, the Jharkhand DGP, Bokaro SP, Director of the Forensic Science Laboratory, and members of the newly constituted Special Investigation Team (SIT) appeared in person before the court.

Expressing displeasure over the slow pace of the probe, the court directed the Solicitor General to ensure that samples of the recovered skeleton and those of the victimas parents are collected and sent to Kolkata for examination within the next 48 hours. The state government has been asked to submit a progress report on the investigation within two weeks.

During the proceedings, the DGP assured the court that the case would be concluded at the earliest. The government informed the court that 18 police personnel from the police station concerned have already been suspended on charges of dereliction of duty.

The court, however, made strong oral observations, stating that action against lower-level personnel alone is not sufficient and accountability must also be fixed for senior authorities.

The case of the alleged kidnapping of the student. Pushpa Kumari Mahto, registered in August 2025, saw police inaction for several months. It was only after the victimas mother, Rekha Devi, filed a habeas corpus petition in the High Court that the police machinery became active. Accused Dinesh Kumar Mahto was subsequently arrested, and police recovered a skeleton on the information he furnished.

Counsel for the petitioner, Vincent Rohit Marky, expressed apprehension that the recovered skeleton may not be that of Pushpa Kumari Mahto. The DNA report will now determine whether the recovered remains belong to the missing girl or not.
Mumbai, April 16 : The Election Commission of India on Thursday announced biennial elections to nine seats of the Maharashtra Legislative Council to be filled by Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs), with polling scheduled for May 12.

According to a press note issued by the Commission, the terms of office of nine sitting members will expire on May 13, necessitating the elections.

The members set to retire are Sanjay Kishanrao Kenekar, Neelam Diwakar Gorhe, Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray, Sandeep Diwakar Joshi, Dadarao Yadavrao Keche, Amol Ramkrushna Mitkari, Ranjitsinh Vijaysinh Mohite-Patil, Rajesh Dhondiram Rathod and Shashikant Jaywantrao Shinde.

The Commission said the notification for the election will be issued on April 23, while the last date for filing nominations is April 30.

Scrutiny of nomination papers will take place on May 2, and the last date for withdrawal of candidature has been fixed as May 4, it said.

Polling, if required, will be held on May 12 between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., followed by the counting of votes at 5 p.m. the same day. The election process will be completed before May 13, the Commission added.

With the Mahayuti having a massive surplus of 235 votes, it can comfortably win eight seats, comprising the BJP five, Shiv Sena two and NCP one. And, with 46 MLAs currently in the MVA camp comprising Shiv Sena(UBT) 20, Congress 16 and NCP(SP) 10, the opposition can elect one candidate, provided there is no cross-voting or defection. Based on the current strength of the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly, to secure a victory, a candidate requires 29 first-preference votes.

However, state political circles are abuzz with one primary question: whether Shiv Sena(UBT) chief and former Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray seeks another term in the Upper House. The Congress party has staked a claim over one seat.

Congress Legislative Party leader Vijay Wadettiwar said the MVA partners, including Shiv Sena(UBT) and NCP(SP), should leave the seat for Congress as it had extended its support to Sharad Pawar in the Rajya Sabha elections. Historically, members of the Thackeray family refrained from contesting direct elections. This changed in 2019 when Aaditya Thackeray won the Worli Assembly seat, becoming the first from the family to serve as a public representative.

Following the 2019 Assembly elections, the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) coalition was formed, and Uddhav Thackeray was appointed Chief Minister despite not holding a seat in either House of the legislature. Under constitutional mandates, Thackeray was required to become a member of the state legislature within six months. Consequently, in May 2020, he was elected unopposed to the Legislative Council. His current term is set to expire on May 13, leading to intense speculation regarding his next move. Along with that, the term of either of the other members will also expire.

Following Eknath Shindeas rebellion, which led to his resignation as Chief Minister, Uddhav Thackeray had initially announced his intention to resign from his Legislative Council seat. However, citing the four years remaining in his term at the time, he opted to stay on.

Observers note that Thackeray has not been particularly active in the Upper House since the change in government. His attendance is typically limited to a few appearances per session. Recently, however, he participated in the discussion on the condolence motion for Ajit Pawar during the ongoing Budget Session.

Shiv Sena(UBT) spokesperson and MP Sanjay Raut had previously suggested a formula whereby Sharad Pawar will represent the alliance in the Rajya Sabha and Uddhav Thackeray in the Legislative Council. This arrangement saw Sharad Pawar elected unopposed to the Rajya Sabha with Congress support. It is widely believed that Congress' support for the MVA's council seat remains contingent on Thackeray himself being the candidate.

While the Shiv Sena(UBT) is pushing for Thackeray to contest, the Shinde-led Shiv Sena may attempt to complicate his path by fielding an additional candidate. Although the MVA holds 17 surplus votes beyond the required quota, the ruling alliance may still try to ensure that Thackeray's re-election is far from a "walkover".

According to observers, the MVA's ability to re-elect Thackeray depends entirely on the 16 Congress MLAs and 10 NCP(SP) MLAs staying united. If even a small handful of these 46 MLAs are "persuaded" to vote for a Mahayuti candidate, Thackerayas seat -- once considered safe -- could be pushed into a risky second preference counting round. If the Shinde-led Shiv Sena decides to field a third candidate (or the Mahayuti fields a ninth), they would try to seek the 19 surplus votes of the MVA. Since the Council election uses a secret ballot, the MVAas 19 "extra" votes are the primary target for political engineering.

Against this backdrop, the final decision now rests with Uddhav Thackeray, whose choice will significantly impact the MVA's strategy for the elections.
New Delhi, April 16 : Congress MP K.C. Venugopal on Thursday opposed the government's move to take up the Delimitation Bill alongside the Constitution Amendment Bill for discussion and passage in the Lok Sabha, arguing that combining the legislations was not an appropriate parliamentary practice.

Union Law Minister Arjun Meghwal rose in the House to table the Constitution (One Hundred and Thirty-First Amendment) Bill, 2026, and the Delimitation Bill 2026, marking a key step in the legislative process. The introduction follows an earlier round of voting in which Members of Parliament supported bringing the Bill forward for discussion.

Raising the issue in the House, Venugopal said, "This is against the rule... Here, one is the Constitution Amendment Bill, and the other two are not... Clubbing will not be a good practice. We cannot allow this; there are consequences. When the Constitution Amendment Bill is going to be defeated, what is the point?"

Responding to the concerns, Union Home Minister Amit Shah defended the government's approach, stating that the nature of voting for a Constitution amendment differs from that of a regular legislative amendment.

"The votes in a constitutional amendment are different compared to an amendment to a law," Shah said.

He further explained that the introduction of multiple Bills together was part of a broader legislative plan aimed at implementing women's reservation effectively.

"After the Bill on Constitution amendment, to take the women's reservation to its logical end, the other two Bills are important. Hence, they have been introduced together," he added.

Shah maintained that the discussions on all three Bills revolve around the same subject, justifying their simultaneous consideration in the House. He also pointed out that such legislative practices have precedent.

"This has happened several times in the past as well," he said, citing the passage of Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam in 2023, when the Opposition agreed to a discussion on all Bills together.

Taking a swipe at the Opposition, the Home Minister stated, "They have come here with a decision to oppose everything, so they are opposing everything."
New Delhi, April 16 : Radicalisation has become one of the biggest threats facing India. The agencies warn that radicalisation camps can come up at unassuming locations as they largely remain off the radar. The TCS case is one such example where the police found that professional seniority was used as a leverage to allegedly radicalise and also convert vulnerable junior employees between 2021 and 2026.

While the probe is ongoing, the agencies are set to look into a larger pattern. More such modules may be in the works in various other places and firms, and the agencies will study the patterns and possible links to the Nashik case, an official said.

Another official said that it is becoming increasingly clear that the larger design is to set up more such radicalisation centres. The focus is more on radicalisation and changing the mindset of society rather than going in for conventional terror attacks.

Outfits such as the Popular Front of India (PFI), Islamic State and Al-Qaeda have long focused largely on radicalisation. The PFI, before its ban, had set up several radicalisation camps and centres with the intention of changing the way people think.

In the Nashik case, the modus operandi resembles the Popular Front of Indiaas Vision 2047 document titled, aIndia 2047: Towards Rule of Islam in India". This document speaks about increasing radicalisation drives. The focus is largely on radicalisation rather than attacks.

The vision of the PFI was to have a radicalised Islamic state by 2047. The outfit was, however, banned by the Narendra Modi government in 2022. The TCS radicalisation case busted by the Nashik Police will be probed by the central agencies, such as the National Investigation Agency (NIA), which would look into the wider ramifications of this case.

Officials say that the agencies would probe to find out if this is an isolated case or if there are many such white-collar modules in other parts of the country. The possible role of the PFI will also be probed in-depth, the official said.

The outfit has been accused by the NIA of promoting radicalisation by trapping Hindu women. In the Nashik case, the police have accused IT engineers and an HR manager of attempting to radicalise and forcibly convert Hindu women employees and gain ideological control over them. The accused are team leaders -- Tausif Attar, Danish Sheikh, Asif Ansari, Shafi Sheikh and HRas Nida Khan. Nida Khan, who has been accused of allegedly facilitating and introducing the victims to the accused team leaders, is currently absconding.

Investigating officials say that she would be able to provide more details, which may eventually lead to other similar networks, the official also said. Another official said that the agencies would examine the similarities between the modus operandi in the Nashik case and what the PFIas vision document states.

According to the document, the goal is to establish Islamic rule in India by 20247, which marks Indiaas 100th year of independence. The document outlines a four-stage programme involving recruitment, training in martial arts, and also creating communal tensions across the country.

Further, the PFI has also spoken about creating specialised radicalisation cells within the IT sector. Officials say that the plan was to target all sections of society. It wanted the educated class to be part of this programme so that the ideology could reach a wider audience. The uneducated or less educated were the ones to be used on the streets to incite and carry out violent acts.

The PFI kick-started operations in Kerala, but managed to spread far and wide to different parts of the country, including the northeastern states. Although the PFI has been banned, the agencies say that there are many out in the open and continue to spread its so-called vision.

Post the ban, the Intelligence agencies had warned that many who were part of the outfit and had not come under the radar of the investigating agencies could push the PFIas agenda in a hush-hush manner.
New Delhi, April 16 : Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju on Thursday informed the Lok Sabha that an extended discussion would be held on the three crucial Bills related to women's reservation and delimitation, with voting scheduled for Friday.

Addressing the House, Rijiju said, "The discussion will be held for 12 hours. The speaker should have the authority to extend the time for discussion. The voting on the bills will be done tomorrow."

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla subsequently clarified that the debate could go on for a longer duration if required, indicating flexibility in the schedule to accommodate detailed deliberations by members.

He said, "Discussion on these three bills will be held for 15-18 hours. Voting on these bills will be done at 4 p.m. tomorrow." He further assured that everyone will be given "appropriate time" to speak during the discussion.

The introduction of the Constitution (One Hundred and Thirty-First Amendment) Bill, 2026, aimed at enabling women's reservation and facilitating delimitation, was approved in the Lok Sabha on Thursday following a division of votes in the House. The development came after the Opposition pressed for a recorded vote, leading to a formal division process.

Union Law Minister Arjun Meghwal rose in the House to table the Bill, marking a key step in the legislative process. The introduction follows an earlier round of voting in which Members of Parliament supported bringing the Bill forward for discussion.

The Constitution (One Hundred and Thirty-First Amendment) Bill, 2026, and the Delimitation Bill 2026 and Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2026, were introduced.

Earlier, the Lok Sabha had voted in favour of introducing the Constitution (One Hundred and Thirty-First Amendment) Bill, 2026, after the Opposition demanded a division.

Following the use of vote slips, the distribution stood at 251 in support and 185 against, announced Speaker Om Birla, adding that it is subject to change.

The Lok Sabha typically relies on voice voting to pass motions; however, when the outcome is contested, a "division" is conducted. In such cases, the Automatic Vote Recorder system is used to register votes under "Ayes", "Noes", and "Abstain".

Subsequently, vote slips were also utilised during the proceedings after the division, with a total of 333 members casting their votes and no abstentions recorded in that round.

"If any member wishes to change the vote, they may call for voting through slips," the Lok Sabha Secretary General had earlier informed the House.

The Opposition had insisted on a division as the House took up voting on the introduction of the Women's Reservation Bill. The motion required a simple majority to be carried, and the voting process was conducted accordingly amid heightened political engagement.
Mumbai, April 16 : Actress Rashmika Mandanna will soon grace the screen as Diya in the highly talked about sequel, "Cocktail 2".

In her latest social media post, Rashmika decided to relive all the behind-the-scenes fun she had with her co-stars Shahid Kapoor and Kriti Sanon while shooting the peppy number "Jab Talak" from the film.

The 'Animal' actress revealed that they ended up having a blast with a lot of laughter and random dancing in between the shots while filming "Jab Talak".

Rashmika wrote on the photo-sharing app, "A page from Diya's diary- We shot for Jab Talak in Sicily, Italy and it was all- random dancing between takes, loving dancing and just vibing, laughing at literally everything and somehow still pulling it off with swag Diya was living her best life and you'll know why when you watch the filmand this was a lot of chaos and a lot more of dance (sic)."

Showering love on her partners in crime and dance, Kriti and Shahid, the 'Pushpa' actress went on to add, "and Ally & Kunzee?? partners in dance and crime for real I don't think Diya Kunal and Ally had a single serious moment even when they had to be serious!! you guys are mad and you are my madness and I love you for it! #Cocktail2 releasing in cinemas worldwide on 19th June!"

Earlier, talking about the track, Kriti shared, "'Jab Talak' carries such a beautiful, feel-good vibe. Shooting for it felt like living the perfect summer with friends, filled with laughter, music, and pure masti against the stunning backdrop of Sicily. I had an absolute blast filming with Shahid and Rashmika, and it was amazing to see even the international crew and dancers humming along and soaking in the energy of the song".

A sequel to the 2012 film "Cocktail", the movie is scheduled to reach the cinema halls on June 19.

--IANS

pm/
New Delhi, April 16 : Austrian Chancellor Christian Stocker on Thursday hailed India's role bilaterally and in international forums, saying that New Delhi's "voice carries a lot of weight". Stocker stated that he and Prime Minister Narendra Modi agree that peace in all conflicts can be achieved through negotiations.

While addressing a joint press meet with PM Modi following their talks in New Delhi on Thursday, Stocker stated that he and Prime Minister Modi support a rules-based order and not a world where "might is right".

Stocker stated, "We are living in an age of geopolitical upheaval and disruption. Power centres are shifting, new alliances are being created, and conflicts are becoming more complex. At times like this, stability, trust and reliable partnerships are not just words but a strategic necessity. And that is why India is such a reliable partner and is valued by Austria. The largest democracy in the world shares common interests and fundamental values. At a time when geopolitical challenges are getting stronger, such partnerships are even more valuable. Together, we represent an international order in which we can live in freedom and security."

"We are in favour of a rules-based world order and not a world in which might is right. Mr Prime Minister and I share the view that peace in all conflicts can only be achieved through negotiation, and the voice of India carries a lot of weight bilaterally and also in international forums. In a vibrant democracy, parliaments also play an important role. We have very important priorities in many areas, and we believe that dynamic technological cooperation will be important and will connect us," he added.

Hailing India's growth, he said, "India has an impressive growth rate of about 7 per cent per year, and it's one of the most dynamic global markets and a key strategic partner for us. Austrian companies will in the future benefit more strongly from this dynamism."

He stated that the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between India and the EU will reduce trade barriers and create new opportunities for exports, investments and industrial cooperation. He called the India-EU FTA "important" in times of geopolitical challenges.

Terming his visit to New Delhi a "milestone" for bilateral ties, he said, "My visit is in fact a milestone for Austrian-Indian relations, and I am very pleased, and I also think it's a great honour to be the first federal Chancellor to visit India in more than 40 years. Mr Prime Minister, you visited Vienna in the summer of 2024, and I think we can truly say that the diplomatic relations that we've had for the last 75 years are much stronger than ever before, and we will be trying to build on this positive dynamism. And thank you very much, Mr Prime Minister, for your invitation and also for your very friendly welcome and your hospitality."

"But, I haven't come to India alone; I am accompanied by 60 high-ranking business leaders. The who's who of the Austrian business world. This delegation is led by our Minister for economic affairs and the Vice President of the Austrian Economic Chamber. Our close political ties are also of benefit for our business landscape," he added.

Calling India "one of the most important trading partners outside the EU for Austria," he noted that the bilateral trade between the two nations has increased to about three billion euros in the last 10 years. He stated that about 160 Austrian companies are active in the Indian market in important frontier technologies like semiconductor production, renewable energies, automotive and infrastructure.

He announced that India and Austria will be strengthening cooperation in security and defence through strategic dialogue.

He said, "As far as our enterprises are concerned, we want to have good ideas that can be implemented much more quickly and that investment takes place and that decisions are taken more quickly and that problems are resolved. In terms of food security, we want clear standards. We believe in cooperation and knowledge transfer. Reliable quality strengthens markets. It creates trust. We will be intensifying our cooperation in the fields of security and defence through a strategic dialogue."

"And so as far as combating terrorism is concerned, it's clear that security does not end where our borders end. And this is something that can only be tackled at a global level. All this shows that our partnership covers a lot of areas. We have economic dynamism, academic and scientific cooperation and responsibility as far as security policy is concerned," he added.

-- Except for the title, this story has not been edited by Prokerala team and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed
Jaipur, April 16 : Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma on Thursday stated that the state has witnessed an 18.77 per cent decline in crime over the past two years. The Chief Minister was addressing the state-level programme at the Rajasthan Police Academy on Thursday, marking the 77th Foundation Day of the Rajasthan Police.

He said maintaining law and order is a crucial responsibility of the police. By curbing crime, the police ensure a safe and fear-free environment for citizens. He emphasised that Rajasthan Police personnel, driven by tireless dedication, discipline, and a spirit of public service, remain ever-ready in all situations, acting as a protective shield for the public.

"Our government follows a zero-tolerance policy towards corruption and is committed to building a crime-free Rajasthan," he said.

Reflecting on the force's 77-year journey, he said it has set exemplary standards of courage, duty, and sacrifice. He also paid tribute to police martyrs who laid down their lives in the service of the nation.

Sharma highlighted that police and society are complementary, and effective policing has strengthened public trust and security.

He noted that Rajasthan's improved law and order has enhanced its reputation as a peaceful state, attracting investors and tourists, thereby boosting the economy. He stressed that challenges such as cybercrime, drug abuse, and organized crime can be effectively addressed through community policing. Active public participation, he said, is essential, as vigilant citizens serve as the strongest defense

Reaffirming the government's zero-tolerance stance on crime and corruption, he noted a significant 18.77 per cent decline in crime over the past two years. He shared that cases of murder have decreased by 25.68 per cent, dacoity by 47.26 per cent, robbery by 50.75 per cent, and crimes against women by nearly 10 per cent.

To combat drug abuse, an Anti-Narcotics Task Force has been formed, along with one police station and 17 outposts. An SIT has also been constituted to crack down on exam-related fraud, ensuring no paper leaks -- thereby restoring confidence among youth.

Additionally, the Anti-Gangster Task Force has curbed organised crime, reducing firearm-related incidents and fatalities. Cyber Help Desks have also been set up across police stations to address cybercrime and spread awareness.

Highlighting welfare and infrastructure measures, Sharma said that over 8,000 constables have been issued appointment letters to strengthen the police force. Several administrative expansions have also been undertaken, including the creation of two Additional SP offices, two Deputy SP offices, and 23 new police stations. Other initiatives include upgrading eight outposts into police stations, deploying 1,000 mobile police units, establishing 35 new outposts, and increasing uniform and mess allowances for personnel from Constable to Assistant Sub-Inspector levels.

Director General of Police Rajiv Kumar Sharma said the Rajasthan Police continues to act as a vigilant guardian of law and order. With modern resources and strong leadership, the force remains committed to upholding constitutional values and ensuring public safety. The Chief Minister also inspected the ceremonial parade during the programme.

On the occasion, he conferred the 'Chief Minister's Medal for Outstanding Service' upon ADGPs Biju George Joseph and Bipin Kumar Pandey, Inspector Anil Kumar, Sub-Inspectors Sitaram Bhakal and Girdhari Lal Sharma, and ASI Govindram.

He also launched a new portal and mobile app for retired police personnel and paid floral tribute at the Martyrs' Memorial. Sharma also made announcements regarding the construction of five barracks (capacity: 100 personnel each) across training institutions to enhance police training infrastructure, an additional Rs 5 crore allocation for the Police Sports, Welfare, and Festival Fund, and the construction of 500 residential units for police personnel in the first phase.
Seoul, April 16 : The Seoul government has submitted a formal opinion letter on the United States' ongoing probes into South Korea and other nations involving what it calls "unfair" trade practices related to structural excess production and forced labour, officials said on Thursday.

The letter was submitted by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources to the office of the US Trade Representative (USTR) ahead of public hearings on the ongoing trade investigation scheduled to begin next month, according to the ministry officials.

In it, the government explained that South Korea's industrial structure is based on the principle of the market economy while highlighting the country's ongoing efforts to restructure industries facing a global oversupply, such as petrochemical and steel.

It also stressed that South Korea has been working to eradicate forced labour under domestic laws and International Labor Organization conventions that prohibit forced labour, according to the officials.

Last month, the office of USTR launched consecutive trade inquiries into South Korea and other major economies to uncover what it calls "unfair" trade practices related to structural excess capacity and production, and their failure to ban forced labour-linked imports under Section 301 of the 1974 Trade Act.

The move appears to be aimed at restoring trade-related measures Washington had imposed on its trading partners before the U.S. Supreme Court struck down U.S. President Donald Trump's "reciprocal" tariffs, according to Seoul officials.

Meanwhile, South Korean stocks rose for the third consecutive session on Thursday, closing above the 6,200-point mark for the first time since the outbreak of the U.S.-Iran war amid hopes for a second round of their peace talks. The local currency gained against the US dollar.

The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) rose 134.66 points, or 2.21 per cent, to finish at 6,226.05. It is the first time that the KOSPI has closed over the 6,200 level since Feb. 27, when the index stood at 6,244.13, a day before the United States and Israel conducted air strikes on Iran. The KOSPI's all-time closing high stands at 6,307.27 set on February 26.
Ahmedabad, April 16 : Gujarat Titans brought fans closer to the team with a community-driven engagement in Ahmedabad, featuring star players Sai Sudharsan, Washington Sundar, Glenn Phillips and Kagiso Rabada, who interacted with supporters during the on-ground event.

The session, held at Frizbee Food Park, included fun-led challenges, informal interactions, and experiential moments designed to create a more personal connection between players and fans. Attendees had the opportunity to interact closely with the players, participate in activities, and experience the Gujarat Titans ecosystem beyond the boundaries of the stadium.

This initiative is part of Gujarat Titansa broader fan-first philosophy, an approach that places supporters at the centre of the franchiseas growth strategy and has helped strengthen their position as one of the leading fan-centric teams in the IPL. The Titans have consistently focused on building deeper, more meaningful engagement with their fan base through accessible and immersive experiences.

Over the past seasons, Gujarat Titans have expanded their fan outreach through multiple on-ground activations and community engagements. These efforts are aimed at creating year-round engagement, ensuring that fan interaction is not limited to matchdays alone.

By facilitating direct player access and prioritising authentic fan experiences, Gujarat Titans continue to strengthen emotional connect with supporters. The Ahmedabad engagement reflects the franchiseas commitment to making fans active participants in the teamas journey, further reinforcing their standing as a leader in fan-first engagement within the IPL.

Extending this fan-first approach beyond on-ground engagements, Gujarat Titans recently issued a ticketing advisory for their rescheduled fixture against Chennai Super Kings. The match, originally scheduled for April 26, will now be played on May 21 at 7:30 PM at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.

Fans who had already booked tickets have been given the option to either retain their tickets for the revised date or opt for a full refund, reinforcing the franchiseas commitment to offering flexibility, choice, and a seamless experience to fans.

Following two back-to-back wins, Gujarat Titans are set to face Kolkata Knight Riders in Ahmedabad on Friday.
Chandigarh, April 16 : The Punjab and Haryana High Court on Thursday dismissed Khadoor Sahib MP Amritpal Singh's plea challenging the legality of the third successive detention order issued against him under the National Security Act (NSA).

Chandigarh, April 16 (IANS) The Punjab and Haryana High Court on Thursday dismissed Khadoor Sahib MP Amritpal Singhas plea challenging the legality of the third successive detention order issued against him under the National Security Act (NSA).

"It is clear as daylight that the impugned order of preventive detention passed against the petitioner is immune from the powers of judicial review. Consequently, the petition stands dismissed," a Bench headed by Chief Justice Sheel Nagu observed while pronouncing the order in the court.

Amritpal Singh, in his petition, had claimed that the detention was "arbitrary, void of jurisdiction and violative of constitutional safeguards under Articles 21 and 22".

His counsel had submitted that Amritpal Singh had remained under preventive detention since April 2023 despite the absence of any supporting material for continued incarceration.

Self-styled Khalistani preacher Amritpal Singh, who claimed that he is inspired by slain Khalistani leader Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale, was arrested on April 23, 2023, two months after an attack at the Ajnala police station, after 36 days of cat-and-mouse chase across several states.

Lodged in the Dibrugarh Central Jail in Assam since his arrest under the NSA, Amritpal Singh, who won the Lok Sabha poll from the Khadoor Sahib constituency in Punjab in 2024.

Amritpal Singh was briefly granted a four-day parole to take oath in the Lok Sabha, a move cleared after the National Investigation Agency (NIA) offered no objection. His case has drawn comparisons to other incarcerated leaders permitted to take the oath, including Engineer Rashid from Jammu and Kashmir.

In November last year, the Supreme Court refused to entertain a plea filed by Amritpal Singh challenging his continued detention under the NSA. A bench of Justices Aravind Kumar and N.V. Anjaria had observed that the appropriate course for the petitioner would be to first move the jurisdictional High Court.

Considering the duration of his continued detention, the Justice Aravind Kumar-led Bench requested the High Court to conclude the proceedings within six weeks.
Patna, April 16 : A day after taking charge as Bihar's new Chief Minister, Samrat Choudhary moved swiftly into governance mode on Thursday, holding a series of high-level meetings at the state Secretariat.

After his swearing-in as Biharas 24th Chief Minister -- and the first from the BJP -- Samrat Choudhary wasted no time in setting the administrative tone of the new government.

On Thursday morning, CM Samrat Choudhary reached the Secretariat early and convened a crucial meeting with Principal Secretaries of all departments. Key administrative directions are expected to emerge from this meeting, signaling the governmentas priorities in the coming days.

Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Kumar Chaudhary formally assumed charge at the Water Resources Department located at Irrigation Bhawan. He reviewed departmental functioning and took detailed briefings from officials.

Meanwhile, another Deputy Chief Minister, Bijendra Prasad Yadav, is also expected to take charge of his responsibilities soon. Senior leaders from both the BJP and Janata Dal (United), including Vijay Kumar Sinha, had met the Chief Minister on Wednesday evening.

The new government, sworn in on Wednesday, is currently functioning with a limited cabinet. Alongside CM Samrat Choudhary, both Deputy CMs -- Vijay Chaudhary and Bijendra Yadav -- are managing the administration.

CM Samrat Choudhary is holding 29 departments, including the Home Ministry, while Vijay Kumar Chaudhary is holding 10 departments, and Bijendra Prasad Yadav is in charge of 8 departments.

A full cabinet expansion is expected soon, after which portfolios will be redistributed among ministers.

The Chief Ministeras immediate engagement with top officials and early-morning review meetings indicate a strong governance push right from the outset. The administration is expected to move quickly on key policy and development decisions.

With the transition from Nitish Kumar to Samrat Choudhary, Bihar has entered a new political phase. The coming days will be crucial in shaping the direction and priorities of the new government.
New Delhi, April 16 : Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi on Thursday initiated the debate from the Opposition's side in the Lok Sabha during the discussion on the women's reservation and delimitation-related Bills, stating that while his party supports reservation for women, it strongly opposes linking the measure with delimitation.

Gogoi said the issue of women's reservation had already been raised earlier by Home Minister Amit Shah in 2023 and questioned the government's narrative around the current legislative push.

"So why did they try to create a framework suggesting that today is a day of joy, today is a day of celebration, and it's happening for the first time -- like it's historic?" he asked.

Reiterating the Congress party's position, he said, "Our party, the Congress Party, is in favour of women's reservation. But please simplify women's reservation so that as soon as the law is passed, it is implemented immediately, and it should apply to our current strength of 543 members in the Lok Sabha. Don't link it with delimitation. We said this then, and we are saying it today as well."

Referring to Amit Shah's earlier remarks in the Lok Sabha during the 2023 debate on the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, Gogoi pointed to what he described as a shift in the government's stance.

"At that time, the Honourable Home Minister told us, 'No, the Delimitation Commission will have to be formed.' And I would like to bring one line from the Honourable Home Minister's own speech into this discussion today. He himself said that as soon as the Lok Sabha elections are over -- meaning 2024 -- the census will happen immediately, delimitation will happen immediately, and women's reservation will be implemented immediately," Gogoi said.

Questioning the delay, he added, "What has gone wrong in these three years? What change has occurred in these three years that, after the Lok Sabha elections -- it's only been two years -- and if you read the Statement of Objects and Reasons of this Bill, the government itself is saying that the next census and the next delimitation will take considerable time. It will take a lot of time, and there will be a significant delay."

Gogoi argued that had the government accepted the Opposition's position earlier, the reservation could already have been implemented.

"If you had listened to us in 2023, women's reservation would have been implemented by 2024. And even today, we are saying: don't link this women's reservation with delimitation. Bring women's reservation now; implement it on our current strength of 543, and we will fully support you. You want to bring it in 2029," he said.

He further alleged that the timing of the Bills suggested reluctance on the part of the Centre to conduct a caste census.

"Today, you are saying women's reservation must come before the caste census. You are bulldozing delimitation to bring about a 1/3rd reservation," he said.

"The decision to take up caste census came after consistent pressure from us, led by Rahul Gandhi," Gogoi added, criticising the government's approach.

Raising questions over the proposed increase in Lok Sabha seats, he asked, "Where did the number '850' to increase seats in Lok Sabha come from? Did it come from Nagpur? How can it come without a census or even a relevant parliamentary paper?"
Guwahati, April 16 : Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Thursday hailed the discovery of a new gecko species, Cyrtodactylus jayadityai, describing it as a proud moment for the state and the Northeast region.

Taking to social media platform X, the Chief Minister said that the finding underscores the region's rich biodiversity and reflects the growing capabilities of researchers working in the field of wildlife science and conservation.

He noted that such discoveries not only add to scientific knowledge but also strengthen the case for sustained ecological preservation efforts in the region.

"A proud moment for Assam and the Northeast. The discovery of a new gecko species, Cyrtodactylus jayadityai, highlights our rich biodiversity and the growing strength of our researchers," Sarma said in his post.

He further added that it is encouraging to witness conservation initiatives and scientific talent working in tandem to bring such significant findings to light.

According to him, the discovery reinforces the importance of protecting fragile ecosystems, particularly in biodiversity hotspots like Northeast India.

The newly identified species belongs to the genus Cyrtodactylus, commonly known as bent-toed geckos, which are widely distributed across Asia and known for their ecological diversity.

Scientists believe that the identification of Cyrtodactylus jayadityai will contribute to a better understanding of species evolution and habitat specialization in the region.

Experts have long maintained that the Northeast, with its unique climatic and geographical conditions, remains one of India's most biologically diverse regions, often yielding new species across flora and fauna. However, they also caution that increasing human activity and environmental degradation pose risks to these fragile habitats.

The Chief Minister's remarks came amid renewed focus on conservation policies and scientific research in Assam, with the state government pushing for greater collaboration between academic institutions, conservationists and local communities.

Sarma emphasised that such discoveries should inspire continued investment in research and conservation, ensuring that the natural heritage of the region is preserved for future generations.
New Delhi, April 16 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday expressed confidence that the partnership between India and Austria will get "more innovation-centric and future-ready".

PM Modi's statement came after he met Austrian Chancellor Christian Stocker and discussed ways to deepen cooperation in areas like innovation, infrastructure, and sustainability.

He stated that both nations are committed to adding new energy to trade and investment linkages.

"Held very productive discussions with Chancellor Stocker of Austria. We in India are glad that he selected our nation as his first destination to visit outside Europe after he assumed office. This reflects his vision and commitment to India-Austria relations. Equally special is the fact that this is the first visit by an Austrian Chancellor in four decades. His visit also comes in the wake of the historic India-EU Free Trade Agreement, which has ushered in a new chapter in India-EU ties," PM Modi posted on X.

"Our talks today covered ways to deepen cooperation in areas such as innovation, infrastructure and sustainability. We are committed to adding new energy in trade and investment linkages. Sectors like defence, semiconductors, futuristic technologies and StartUps present immense potential for closer relations. I am confident that the India-Austria partnership will get even more innovation-centric and future-ready," he added.

Stocker thanked PM Modi for his invitation to India and his hospitality. He stated that his visit to New Delhi marks a new chapter in India-Austria friendship.

In a post on X, Stocker said: "Thank you, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, for the invitation to India and your kind hospitality. It is a great honour to be in New Delhia"as the first Austrian Chancellor to visit India in over four decades. This visit marks a new chapter in a friendship that has grown stronger for more than 75 years. In times of increasing geopolitical uncertainty, reliable partners connected by shared values are more important than ever."

Earlier in the day, the Austrian Chancellor paid homage to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat.

In a post on X, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said, "Remembering Bapu and his ideals. Federal Chancellor Dr Christian Stocker of Austria paid homage to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat, laying a wreath and reflecting on Gandhiji's enduring message of peace, non-violence and global harmony."

Stocker arrived in New Delhi on Wednesday for his first official visit to India after assuming office, aimed at strengthening bilateral ties across key sectors, including trade, investment and emerging technologies.

Earlier on Wednesday, External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar called on the Austrian Chancellor, expressing confidence that his talks with Prime Minister Modi would open new avenues for greater cooperation between the two nations.
New Delhi, April 16 : Anil Ambani-led Reliance Group said on Thursday that Amitabh Jhunjhunwala and Amit Bapna, who earlier held charge of senior positions in the group, are currently not working with it.

The duo has been arrested by the Enforcement Directorate in connection with an ongoing money laundering investigation linked to an alleged banking fraud involving group entities such as Reliance Home Finance Ltd (RHFL) and Reliance Commercial Finance Ltd (RCFL).

Reliance said that Jhunjhunwala left the group in December 2019, while Bapna left in September 2019, and they no longer have any association with group companies, including Reliance Infrastructure Limited and Reliance Power Limited.

Jhunjhunwala served as the Group Managing Director of the Reliance Group, as well as Vice Chairman and Director of Reliance Capital Limited during his association with the group. Bapna served as the Chief Financial Officer of Reliance Capital Limited, as well as Director of Reliance Home Finance Limited, during his tenure at the Reliance Group.

The ED has arrested Jhunjhunwala and Bapna in an ongoing investigation under the PMLA, based on multiple ECIRs registered by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), according to sources.

Jhunjhunwala, as Director of Reliance Capital Limited, is alleged to have been one of the key decision-makers in various operations of RHFL and RCFL at the relevant time, sources added.

Earlier this month, the CBI registered a case against Reliance Communications Ltd (RCom), Anil Ambani, unknown public servants, and unknown others on allegations of causing wrongful loss of Rs 3,750 crore to Life Insurance Corporation (LIC) of India.

The case was registered based on a complaint received from Life Insurance Corporation of India Ltd. for offences of conspiracy, cheating, misappropriation, and offences under the Prevention of Corruption Act, according to an official statement.

It is alleged that LIC was fraudulently induced to subscribe to Non-Convertible Debentures (NCDs) worth Rs 4,500 crore based on false representations made by Reliance Communications Ltd. and its management regarding the financial health of the company, and security and asset cover offered to LIC while subscribing to the NCDs. Investigation of the case is in progress.

The CBI had earlier registered three cases against RCom Ltd, Anil Ambani, and others on allegations of defrauding many banks. Anil Ambani was also interrogated by the CBI at its Delhi headquarters for two days in a row in connection with the alleged Rs 2,929.05 crore SBI fraud case.

Late last month, the Supreme Court stressed the need for a coordinated, fair, and time-bound investigation into alleged large-scale bank frauds linked to Anil Ambanias Reliance Communications (RCom) and its group entities.

A bench, headed by Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant, observed that investigating agencies such as the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) must "join hands" and work in coordination to unearth the truth transparently and independently.
Mumbai, April 16 : HDFC Asset Management Company on Thursday reported a 19 per cent quarter-on-quarter (QoQ) decline in its consolidated profit for the March quarter (Q4 FY26), with earnings coming in at Rs 622.66 crore.

The asset management firm posted a Rs 769.42 crore net profit in the December quarter (Q3 FY26), according to its stock exchange filing.

However, on yearly basis, the profit dropped 2.5 per cent compared to Rs 638.46 crore in the same period previous financial year (Q4 FY25).

The companyas consolidated revenue from operations rose nearly 17 per cent year-on-year to Rs 1,051.51 crore in the March quarter, up from Rs 901.36 crore in Q4 FY25.

However, on a quarter-on-quarter basis, revenue slipped 2.2 per cent from Rs 1,075.10 crore, as per its regulatory filing.

On the standalone front, profit after tax stood at Rs 623.29 crore in Q4 FY26 -- marking a 2.4 per cent decline year-on-year and a 19 per cent drop sequentially.

Standalone revenue from operations rose modestly by 1.6 per cent year-on-year to Rs 1,050.48 crore but declined 2.2 per cent compared to the previous quarter.

Despite the quarterly dip, HDFC AMC posted a strong performance for the full financial year 2025-26.

Consolidated profit rose 16.2 per cent to Rs 2,858.06 crore from Rs 2,460.19 crore in FY25, while revenue from operations increased 17.8 per cent to Rs 4,122.16 crore.

The companyas operating profit before working capital changes also improved significantly, rising to Rs 3,369.80 crore during the year from Rs 2,824.42 crore in the previous financial year.

Alongside its results, the company announced a final dividend of Rs 54 per equity share of face value Rs 5 each for FY26, subject to shareholder approval at the upcoming annual general meeting.

The shares of the company were trading at Rs 2,651.8, down by Rs 11.9 or 0.45 per cent. In last five days, the shares were up by Rs 100 or 3.92 per cent.
Patna, April 16 : An Assistant Engineer in Bihar's Purnea district has been arrested while allegedly accepting a bribe of Rs 10,000, officials said on Thursday.

The accused, Bhushan Prasad, posted with the Bihar Education Project, was caught red-handed by the Vigilance team. The arrest followed a complaint filed by Nandan Kumar Jha, a resident of Hemnagar village under Sarsi police station limits in Purnea.

According to the complaint, Nandan Kumar Jha had undertaken the construction of a school building in Minapur under the Dagrua block. The engineer allegedly demanded a 6 per cent commission on the Measurement Book (MB) value. He had reportedly already taken money in instalments, and this time, he demanded Rs 10,000 and refused to sign the Measurement Book without payment.

Acting on the complaint, the Vigilance team registered a case under the provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act at its police station in Patna and laid a trap. The accused was caught while accepting the bribe.

Officials confirmed that Bhushan Prasad is currently being interrogated, and further legal proceedings are underway. The arrested engineer will be produced before the Vigilance Court in Patna on Friday.

The Vigilance Investigation Bureau has intensified its campaign against corruption, with frequent raids and arrests across the state. Authorities have reiterated their commitment to taking strict action against officials involved in bribery and misuse of power.

Earlier, on March 13, the Bihar Vigilance Investigation Bureau arrested a government official in a bribery case in Bettiah of West Champaran district. The vigilance team caught Anurag Abhishek, a Field Officer at the District Dairy Development Office, red-handed while allegedly accepting a bribe of Rs 30,000 inside his office premises.

The action was taken following a complaint lodged by Bablu Kumar, a resident of Gaunaha. Acting on the complaint, a special vigilance team from Patna conducted a raid in the Banuchhapar area and arrested the accused official.
New Delhi, April 16 : Congress and CPI-M leaders on Thursday clarified that they are not opposed to the Women's Reservation Bill, but criticised the Centre for delaying its implementation and linking it to delimitation and the census exercise.

Opposition leaders argued that while the Bill was passed unanimously in Parliament in 2023 with support from all parties, the government has failed to operationalise it. They alleged that the Centre could have implemented 33 per cent reservation for women within the existing 543 Lok Sabha seats, instead of tying it to future processes.

Speaking to IANS, Congress MP Jebi Mather said the current move is not genuinely about women's empowerment.

"This is not about women's reservation. The Bill was already passed unanimously with support from all parties, including the Opposition. What is now being presented as women's reservation is actually about delimitation. If the government were serious, it could have implemented 33 per cent reservation in the existing Lok Sabha seats in 2023 itself," she said.

Mather further criticised the timing of the move, noting that it comes amid ongoing elections in some states.

"They linked it to delimitation and the census. Now, with elections underway in two states, they are suddenly bringing this issue forward," she added.

Congress MP Chamala Kiran Kumar Reddy echoed similar views, stating that the Opposition has consistently supported the Bill.

"The Congress party and the India bloc parties are not against women's reservation. The Bill was passed in 2023 with unanimous support. However, the government did not implement it in 2024, inserting a clause that it would be enforced only after the census," he said.

Congress MP Hibi Eden also underlined the party's longstanding support for women's reservation, recalling that the legislation was first introduced during the UPA regime. However, he raised concerns over the government's approach to delimitation and the lack of wider consultation.

"We have always supported the Women's Reservation Bill. Our position is very clear. However, our views on delimitation are entirely different. Elections are underway in states like West Bengal and Tamil Nadu, and many MPs are unable to attend Parliament. Despite this, a constitutional amendment bill has been brought forward without broader participation," Eden said.

He emphasised that such major changes require consensus.

"For a constitutional amendment, consensus with Opposition parties is essential, but unfortunately, that has not been achieved. Our stand is that delimitation should not be based solely on population," he added.

CPI-M MP John Brittas reiterated the demand for the immediate implementation of one-third reservation in the current Lok Sabha and state Assemblies. "We want one-third reservation for women in the existing 543 Lok Sabha seats and in the present strength of state assemblies. Instead, the government is referring to the 2011 Census and proposing a pro-rata increase. That is not what we want," he said.

Brittas also flagged concerns about the political implications of delimitation, particularly for southern states.

"There is already considerable resentment in the southern states. In terms of fiscal powers, we feel reduced to a colony, and now there is an attempt to subordinate us politically as well. We will not allow that," he said.

He warned that changes in seat distribution could upset the federal balance.

"In politics, absolute numbers matter more than percentages. If 200 seats are added in the North and only around 60 in the South, it will significantly alter the balance of power. The delicate equilibrium between regions must be maintained," Brittas added.

Meanwhile, leaders from the ruling alliance dismissed the Opposition's criticism, accusing them of spreading confusion over the issue.

JD-U MP Sanjay Kumar Jha defended the delimitation process, stating that it is a routine exercise. "Is this the first time delimitation is taking place? If the number of seats increases, there will naturally be new constituencies. For example, if there is a 50 per cent increase, Delhi's seven seats could become 10 or 11. So what is the issue? Essentially, they are trying to oppose women's reservation," he said.

BJP MP Manan Kumar Mishra also rejected the Opposition's "misleading" allegations. "These Opposition parties are spreading misconceptions and trying to mislead the people. Delimitation is a natural and necessary process. When the population increases, delimitation is bound to happen," he said.

Mishra added that women's reservation would become meaningful only after delimitation.

"Prime Minister Narendra Modi has long envisioned empowering women and ensuring they receive their rightful share. The law was passed in 2023 with this objective. Certain gaps remained, and this Bill seeks to address them. Once implemented, women will get 33 per cent representation in the Lok Sabha and state Assemblies," he said.
Kolkata, April 16 : West Bengal's ruling Trinamool Congress on Thursday approached the Election Commission of India (ECI), accusing former party legislator, Humayun Kabir, who has floated his own political outfit to contest the upcoming Assembly elections, of violating the Model Code of Conduct.

In an email sent to the office of the state Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), a hard copy of which is available with IANS, the Trinamool accused Kabir of making derogatory public statements against several ruling party leaders, including General Secretary Abhishek Banerjee.

Along with the complaint, the Trinamool also attached a video of a press conference addressed by Kabir, where he was heard making such comments.

Such comments by Kabir, it argued, were a blatant violation of the MCC, which bars candidates of any political party from indulging in any activities or making any statements that would amount to an attack on the personal life of any person or statements that may be malicious or offending decency and morality.

In the complaint, it also claimed that such comments by Kabir were in violation of Sections 356, 351, and 174 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023.

The Trinamool requested the Commission to issue a show-cause notice to Kabir for the alleged violation of the MCC, direct the investigating agency concerned to immediately register an FIR against him, and take strict and exemplary action against him.

Recently, the Trinamool had released a video clip, accusing Kabir of striking an Rs 1,000 crore deal with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for dividing the minority votes in the forthcoming two-phase Assembly polls in West Bengal.

Kabir, however, described the video as fake and artificial intelligence (AI)-generated. The BJP leadership also denied entering into any kind of understanding with Kabir.

However, following the release of the video clip, the Asaduddin Owaisi-led All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) announced its decision to withdraw from its previously announced alliance with Kabir and his party.
Patna, April 16 : The decade-old liquor prohibition law in Bihar has once again come under political scrutiny after a new government was formed under Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary.

NDA's ally Rashtriya Lok Morcha MLA Madhaw Anand has renewed his demand for a comprehensive review of the state's alcohol ban, arguing that the current policy requires reassessment in light of ground realities.

He met Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary on Thursday and later told the media that merely enforcing prohibition is not enough. He emphasised the need for awareness campaigns and de-addiction initiatives alongside policy reform.

"It has been 10 years since the law came into force. The time has come for a serious review," Anand said.

The MLA noted that he has consistently raised the matter within the assembly, where several legislators supported the idea -- though often informally -- while others opposed it. "I was as firm inside the House as I am outside today. A thorough review of the prohibition policy is essential," he added.

Madhaw Anand also pointed to the revenue losses due to prohibition, stating that Bihar needs strong financial resources to accelerate development. "The current situation is not in Bihar's interest. Revenue is crucial for development, and all aspects must be considered while reviewing the law," he said.

Significantly, the demand comes from within the NDA alliance itself. Madhaw Anand stated that he has placed his concerns before his own government, led by Samrat Choudhary.

Earlier, Anant Singh, a leader associated with Janata Dal (United), had also raised a similar demand for reviewing the prohibition policy.

The prohibition law, introduced under former Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, has remained one of the most debated policies in Bihar politics. Supporters argue it has helped curb alcoholism and improve social conditions.

However, the critics highlight illegal trade, enforcement challenges, and revenue losses.

While the demand for review is growing, the final decision now rests with the new government. "I have put forth my views. The government must now decide in the interest of the people," Madhaw Anand said.
Quetta, April 16 : Five coal miners were killed and another injured in two separate mining accidents in Bolan and Duki coalfield areas of Pakistan's Balochistan, local media reported on Thursday.

Officials said three miners died after they were trapped underground while methane gas accumulated in a coal mine in the Bolan coal mining field near Mach area. Other miners were able to escape from the affected mine and informed authorities about the incident, Pakistan's leading daily Dawn reported.

Rescue teams from the Mines and Minerals Department and local workers started an operation to rescue trapped miners. However, the miners had died due to suffocation caused by inhaling methane gas. The bodies of workers were found in the mine and taken to the hospital.

"We received three bodies of coal miners who died from inhaling poisonous methane gas," said hospital officials.

The impacted coal mine was shut and an investigation into the incident has been ordered.

In a separate incident, two coal miners were killed and another was injured in an accident in the Duki coal mining area.

Police said that three coal miners were seriously injured after a trolley carrying coal hit them. They were immediately rushed to the hospital, where two miners succumbed to their injuries. The injured miner is undergoing treatment at the hospital.

In February, a report by the Pakistan Central Mines Labour Federation revealed that 89 coalminers had died in mines in Balochistan in 2025.

According to the report, accidents in these mines in Balochistan have increased by several times. Furthermore, accidents that occur in Balochistan are more than the accidents that happen in other provinces of Pakistan. The report revealed that 618 miners have died in Balochistan in the past eight years, Dawn reported.

With the workers being paid daily wages without job security, no health provisions and no education support for children, the condition of miners in Pakistan has been termed as inhuman by several agencies.

Miners navigate unsafe tunnels with outdated tools, without oxygen systems, helmets, masks and basic gear. Furthermore, they work for 10-12 hours for a meagre, irregular wages.
New Delhi, April 16 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Thursday that the Women Reservation Bill will help change the "disha and dasha" (direction and condition) of the country's politics by involving half of the population of the nation in decision-making.

New Delhi, April 16 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Thursday that the Women Reservation Bill will help change the "disha and dasha" (direction and condition) of the country's politics by involving half of the population of the nation in decision-making.

Outlining the benefits of women's reservation in achieving Viksit Bharat @2047, PM Modi said all those who have opposed this provision have been taught a lesson by women voters.

"We are privileged that we have an opportunity to give a new direction to the nation's politics and strengthen democracy," he said, urging parties not to see it through the prism of politics.

Earlier, the introduction was approved in the Lok Sabha on Thursday, following a division of votes in the House. The development came after the Opposition pressed for a recorded vote, leading to a formal division process.

Union Law Minister Arjun Meghwal rose in the House to table the Bill, marking a key step in the legislative process. The introduction follows an earlier round of voting in which Members of Parliament supported bringing the Bill forward for discussion. The Constitution (One Hundred and Thirty-First Amendment) Bill, 2026, and the Delimitation Bill 2026 and Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2026, were introduced.

The Lok Sabha had voted in favour of introducing the Constitution (One Hundred and Thirty-First Amendment) Bill, 2026, after the Opposition demanded a division. Following the use of vote slips, the distribution stood at 251 in support and 185 against, announced Speaker Om Birla, adding that it is subject to change.

The Lok Sabha typically relies on voice voting to pass motions; however, when the outcome is contested, a "division" is conducted. In such cases, the Automatic Vote Recorder system is used to register votes under "Ayes", "Noes", and "Abstain".

Subsequently, vote slips were also utilised during the proceedings after the division, with a total of 333 members casting their votes and no abstentions recorded in that round.

"If any member wishes to change the vote, they may call for voting through slips," the Lok Sabha Secretary General had earlier informed the House.

The Opposition had insisted on a division as the House took up voting on the introduction of the Women's Reservation Bill. The motion required a simple majority to be carried, and the voting process was conducted accordingly amid heightened political engagement.

Lok Sabha Secretary General Utpal Singh briefed the members on the functioning of the automatic vote recording system, reiterating that while voice votes are the norm, a division is invoked when demanded by members.

"The votes will not be registered if the votes are kept pressed before the first gong or if they aren't pressed simultaneously till the second gong. Members can check their vote on the individual results board," Singh said.

"If any member wishes to change the vote, they may call for voting through slips," he added.

--IANS

rch/dpb
Bengaluru, April 16 : The Special Court for MLAs/MPs in Bengaluru on Thursday completed the proceedings of recording the final statements on the quantum of punishment in the BJP leader Yogesh Gowda murder case, and reserved the verdict for Friday.

The final counterarguments by the counsels representing the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and those of the convicted Congress MLA Vinay Kulkarni were completed. Judge Santosh Gajanana Bhat then adjourned the matter for the pronouncement of the verdict against the MLA and 16 others.

Emotional scenes prevailed on the court premises as family members of the convicts gathered and were seen in tears throughout the proceedings. Some of the convicts, including MLA Vinay Kulkarni, were seen consoling their family members while they themselves were also in tears.

It can be recalled that in a major development, the Special Court for MLAs/MPs in Bengaluru on Wednesday held senior Congress MLA and former Minister Vinay Kulkarni guilty in the murder case of BJP leader and Zilla Panchayat member Yogesh Gowda. 

The court delivered its final verdict after a prolonged trial. Vinay Kulkarni has been named as accused number 15 in the case. He is currently serving as the Chairman of the Karnataka Urban Water Supply and Drainage Board. The court found him guilty of criminal conspiracy.

Presenting his arguments before the court, Additional Solicitor General (ASG) V. Raju submitted that the accused should be given the harshest punishment, stating that they had hatched a conspiracy and carried out a cold-blooded murder.

He further argued that the deceased, Yogesh Gowda, was a public figure who was killed due to political rivalry.

He told the court that, initially, other individuals had surrendered before the police in connection with the case, but the truth emerged only after the CBI investigation.

ASG Raju contended that the accused, being a legislator expected to uphold the law, had instead orchestrated the killing. He alleged that the accused misused the police machinery and violated constitutional principles.

He also stated that Yogesh Gowda was brutally murdered after chilli powder was thrown into his eyes. He added that documents were fabricated and attempts were made to destroy evidence. According to him, the accused misused his position as an MLA and minister and manipulated the entire system.

Convicted Congress MLA Vinay Kulkarni pleaded before the Special Court for MLAs/MPs in Bengaluru, stating that he has been in politics for 26 years and has not harmed anyone.

Recording his statement before the court pronounced the quantum of punishment, convict Kulkarni said, "The case has been filed for political reasons. I have two daughters who have reached marriageable age and a son. I contested the Lok Sabha election as well. I am an agriculturist and take care of 3,500 cows. I have not troubled anyone in my constituency."

Senior counsel Shyam Sundar, arguing on behalf of the accused, submitted that awarding life imprisonment would be the maximum punishment and would be equivalent to a death sentence. He urged the court to impose a sentence that allows scope for reformation. He added that Kulkarni is a legislator elected by the people, rears more than 3,000 cows, and is also an industrialist.

He further submitted that thousands of people have placed their trust in Kulkarni and that these factors should be considered while determining the punishment. This background, he said, reflects Kulkarni's good character.
New Delhi, April 16 : BJP MP from Bengaluru South Lok Sabha Constituency, Tejasvi Surya, on Thursday hailed Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision to fast-track the women quota by 2029, calling it a new chapter by giving the Nari Shakti a tangible representation in nation-building politics.

Taking part in the discussion in the Lok Sabha on the Constitution (One Hundred and Thirty-First Amendment) Bill, 2026, aimed at enabling women's reservation and facilitating delimitation, Surya said the women of the nation have been waiting for 30 years to get their due share in participation in the national policy-making process.

"The PM Narendra Modi's government, by the three bills that are now being introduced, is not only going to fast-track the implementation of the women's reservation bill and its applicability from 2029 but also write a new chapter in the development journey of India," he said.

The initiative shall give the Nari Shakti of the country a vocal, visible, credible and tangible representation in the nation-building politics, said the 35-year-old MP who also heads the Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha.

Thanking the PM Modi's government for introducing the three historic bills on behalf of all women of the country, Surya said the proposed legislation will "fast-track and catalyse" the participation of women in politics.

He said the journey of the women's reservation bill, which started in 1996 and is, finally, now seeing fruition, has seen a checkered history.

"At least, a half a dozen times the bill was introduced, and on one pretext or another, it was blocked. The parties which are now in the Opposition delayed, disrupted and ensured that the bill did not see the light of day," said Surya.

Targeting the Samajwadi Party and the Rashtriya Janata Dal, the Bengaluru South MP said, "We still remember, when the bill was introduced in the earlier governments' tenure, a leader from these parties tore the bill in the House and said the women's reservation bill will pass only over his dead body."

"The country remembers this kind of emphatic opposition that they gave to the women's reservation bill at that time," he said, adding that the bill remained stuck for 30 years.

"Today, it is only due to PM Modi and the BJP that the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam has been passed," he said.

Surya also highlighted the benefits of automatic triggering of delimitation after the Census 2027 to redistribute the 543 Lok Sabha seats among states and union territories, which can increase to 850.

Giving an example of Kerala, if the women's quota is implemented without delimitation, Surya said, "In such a scenario, the number of LS seats in Kerala will come down to 14 from 20. And leaders like K.C. Venugopal will not have a seat."

By proposing delimitation, PM Modi is ensuring that the existing seats are not encroached upon and Kerala does not lose out on these six seats, Surya said.

"Kerala will gain 10 seats if a delimitation is triggered soon after the 2027 Census," he said, calling the three bills the best proposal.

He said if any earlier Census is made the basis for implementing the women's reservation, then Kerala may lose 5-6 seats.
New Delhi, April 16 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday described the discussion on the women's reservation bill as a "historic moment" and underlined that their greater representation in the legislative bodies will give a completely new direction to the country.

PM Modi also sought unanimous support from all political parties in making 33 per cent reservation for women in the Parliament a reality, stating that it will make up for the lost time.

Saluting the country's "nari shakti" (women's power), he said that it is the need of the hour to provide 33 per cent reservation to women in the Lok Sabha and the Legislative Assemblies, and this must not be delayed. He also cautioned those against opposing it as this will have "negative consequences".

Taking a tacit dig at the Opposition, PM Modi said that many Parliamentarians have, behind the scenes, expressed support on the issue and also cautioned that those who oppose this will "never be forgotten and forgiven" by the 50 per cent of the population.

He also asked the Opposition members not to see the issue through a political lens and give it a political colour, as this was focused on securing "a bright future for all".

"Whoever wants to move ahead in political life with success, they must realise that women have become leaders at the grassroots level and their contribution will only rise in national politics. Their demands and expectations can no longer be delayed," PM Modi added.

The Prime Minister further stated that the "nari shakti" is watching our policy decisions and also our intent, and any "failure on our part" will reflect poorly.

Taking cognisance of the 'politicisation' of the women's reservation bill, he urged all parties to drop their resistance and opposition to the bill and stated that the government is committed to ensuring equal representation of all stakeholders.

"We are not doing any favour to women by extending reservations, but it is their innate right. This has been pending for many years, and there must not be any delay now in implementing it," he said.

As the Opposition members created uproar, the Prime Minister took a lighter note, saying that many leaders think that this will benefit him politically and asked them to move ahead and take credit for the measure.
New Delhi, April 16 : The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MPs on Thursday hailed the tabling of the Women's Reservation Bill by the Union government during the extended Budget session of the Parliament. The BJP leaders also urged the opposition parties to extend their unanimous support for the Bill.

Formally known as the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, the Bill is a constitutional amendment that seeks reservation of 33 per cent of seats in the Lok Sabha and state Legislative Assemblies for women.

Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal introduced the Constitution (One Hundred and Thirty-First Amendment) Bill and the Delimitation Bill 2026, while Union Home Minister Amit Shah proposed to introduce the Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2026.

Speaking to IANS outside the Parliament, BJP MP Ravi Kishan said, "Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government has done a historic job. Today is an important day in the country's biggest panchayat (Parliament). After this, women will have the law standing firmly with them, they will get their rights and will be able to raise their voice."

Kishan noted that this not BJP's politics but it is the "values" of the party.

"People are asking why has this Bill not been implemented so far?" he said.

About the opposition to the Bill, BJP MP Kishan said, "The parties who are opposing this Bill should ask their mothers and sisters. All the mothers and sisters, even those of Congress, Samajwadi Party and the Trinamool Congress, are happy today."

"They are appreciating PM Modi. Women are being given strength and power," he added.

Kishan asserted, "What is taking place in the country's biggest panchayat (Parliament) is nation-building policy by giving women the strength (they deserve)."

BJP MP Dinesh Sharma also called the presentation of the Bill as a "historic moment".

He said, "Despite comprising of half of the population, no work has been done so far for women's representation in politics. Under PM Modi's leadership, this is a historical decision taken by the NDA government."

Urging the Opposition to support the Bill, Sharma told IANS, "I hope that after delaying it for so many years, at least now the Opposition gives its support to pass the Bill."

Echoing similar view, BJP MP Bansuri Swaraj said, "It is a very big day. I request all the Opposition leaders to rise above political interests and ideological differences so that this Bill can be passed unanimously."

Moreover, she mentioned that the delimitation is not a deceit of the BJP.

"It is a constitutional mechanism and necessity," she told IANS.

Swaraj underlined that for effective implementation of the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, increase in the number of (Lok Sabha) seats is important.

"The current 543 seats is based on the census of 1971 when the country's population was just 51.8 crore. Today our population has doubled. We want to have a genuine reflection and representation of the population and for that the number of seats need to be increased," the BJP leader said.

Speaking to reporters outside Parliament, BJP MP Kangana Ranaut said, "A historic bill for women is being introduced. This era will be remembered as a golden age, an 'Amrit Kaal' for women."
Washington, April 16 : Pakistan should focus on securing its own peace before projecting itself as an arbiter of it on the international stage, a report highlighted on Thursday citing the recent failed Islamabad talks between Iran and the United States.

Writing in US-based 'Inkstick Media', Marcus Andreopoulos stated that while Islamabad's role in brokering a temporary ceasefire may have resulted in greater global attention in the short term, any optimism quickly faded once US Vice President J D Vance announced that no agreement had been reached.

"Getting both parties to the negotiating table was one thing, but the real test lay in Pakistanas ability to facilitate a lasting agreement for peace in the Middle East. An objective that the Islamabad talks ultimately failed to achieve," wrote Andreopoulos.

The collapse of this initiative, he said, should not have come as a surprise.

"Pakistan did not possess the leverage or diplomatic prowess to navigate the deeply contested and disputed set of issues that dominated the Islamabad meeting, from access to the Strait of Hormuz and Israelas ongoing war in Lebanon, to Iran's nuclear programme, sanctions relief, and compensation. Equally, in the back of its mind, Islamabad had to consider the implications of any agreement, particularly any concessions made to Iran, against its own relationship with Saudi Arabia. After all, Riyadh has already expressed deep concern over Tehran's effective control of the Strait of Hormuz and reported imposition of passage fees," he added.

He detailed how the West Asia conflict and the unrest due to the ongoing fighting between Afghanistan and Pakistan, have also cast a huge doubt on the durability of the recent Saudi-Pakistan Mutual Defence Agreement - a little more than six months since that treaty was signed - as neither Riyadh nor Islamabad appears prepared to come to the other's aid.

"Trump's war against Iran has not just exposed the practical military weaknesses of the Saudi-Pakistan pact, but it has also underscored the fundamental differences in political objectives between the two countries. Since Hamas-led fighters launched its attack on Oct. 7, 2023 and Israel began its war in Gaza, Islamabad has sought to lend its diplomatic support to Tehran while attempting to avoid antagonizing Saudi Arabia or open itself up to condemnation from the US.

"Equally, it has embarked on a charm offensive with the Trump administration, nominating the President for the Nobel Peace Prize on two separate occasions, and acting as a founding member of the so-called 'Board of Peace'. Pakistan had been able to sustain this seemingly contradictory foreign policy without objection a" until now," opined Andreopoulos.

Citing the incident involving hundreds of Pakistanis turning violent outside the US Consulate in Karachi following the death of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, he mentioned that, despite Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif's desire to remain in US President Donald Trump's good books, there were clear political restrictions on Pakistan coming out enthusiastically in support of Washington's actions in the Middle East.

"What happens in the Middle East now remains uncertain. One thing is for sure: The Saudi-Pakistan defence pact requires a fundamental rethink if it is to regain its credibility as an effective deterrent. When it was signed last September, the treaty attracted significant enthusiasm. But there is still no indication either Islamabad or Riyadh will come to the backing of the other, leaving the agreement largely devoid of any substance. Whether the pact will even survive the latest hostilities in the Middle East and South Asia seems doubtful. What good is a pact, after all, if it cannot deter conflict and ensure military support from its signatories?" he concluded.

-- Except for the title, this story has not been edited by Prokerala team and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed
Kolkata, April 16 : Seven days before the first phase of the Assembly elections, senior Trinamool Congress MLA from Jalangi constituency in Murshidabad district, Abdur Razzak Mandal, on Thursday quit the party.

He held a press conference at his MLA office in Kantabari in Jalangi and announced that he was severing all ties with the Trinamool Congress. Not only that, Razzak also targeted the Trinamool Congress' Raninagar candidate Soumik Hossain, alleging that he was unable to contest the Assembly polls from Jalangi because of internal manoeuvring.

He alleged that Soumik Hossain is trying to establish himself as the leader of the Domkal subdivision. That, he claimed, was the reason he was not re-nominated from the Jalangi constituency. He further claimed that the Trinamool Congress would lose all three seats in the Domkal subdivision.

However, Soumik Hossain, in turn, said: "I am not someone who gives tickets. He is saying this to take revenge after not getting an election ticket this time."

However, although the Trinamool Congress MLA said he has no personal regret over not being given a ticket from Jalangi this time, he has been deeply hurt by comments made by the party's top leadership.

In Razzak Mandal's words: "My only regret is that party leader Abhishek Banerjee said in a public meeting in Jalangi a few days ago that there are allegations of corruption in my name, and that is why I was not given a ticket. This comment has tarnished my 43-year political career."

He questioned who made the allegations against him and why he was defamed without any discussion. Unable to accept the situation, he said he decided to leave the party. "From today onwards, I want to live as a common man," he added.

At the same time, Abdur Razzak made an explosive claim at the press conference, saying that Trinamool candidates would be defeated in all three constituencies of the Domkal subdivision.

He also expressed apprehension that the responsibility for such a defeat might be imposed on him in the future, which he cited as another reason for severing ties with the party. However, despite quitting the Trinamool Congress, he made it clear that he is not withdrawing from politics.

He hinted that he may join another party in the future, although he clarified that he would not do so before the Assembly elections.

"I will vote as an ordinary voter. I can vote for Trinamool or any other party, whoever I want," he said.

He also expressed doubts about the overall election outcome in the state and strongly criticised the fielding of "outsider" candidates in the Jalangi, Domkal and Raninagar constituencies. According to him, fielding local candidates naturally creates a dedicated vote base, which the party has ignored.

He added that in the past, voters in Jalangi did not favour outsider candidates. He also expressed anger that the party did not give him a place in any election committee, which, according to him, was another important reason for leaving the party.
Sambhal : , April 16 (IANS) In a major crackdown on illegal encroachments, the district administration in Sambhal on Thursday demolished an Eidgah and Imambara constructed on around seven bighas of government land in Bicholi village. The action was carried out using four bulldozers under heavy police presence, officials said.

According to the district administration, police personnel from five police stations along with a Provincial Armed Constabulary (PAC) platoon were deployed to ensure law and order during the demolition drive.

Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) Nidhi Patel supervised the operation on the ground.

District Magistrate Rajendra Pensiya told IANS that the action followed due legal procedure.

"A case was registered in January 2026 based on a complaint regarding encroachment on government land in Bicholi village. The matter was heard in the Tehsildar court, and after completion of the hearing, a 30-day period was given for filing an appeal. However, no appeal was filed," he said.

He added that after the expiry of the appeal period, the administration scheduled the demolition, which was executed on Thursday with adequate deployment of police and administrative officials.

The District Magistrate said the land, spread over nearly one hectare, is highly valuable and estimated to be worth more than Rs 6.5 crore.

"This land is recorded as grazing land and manure pit land meant for village use. However, it had been encroached upon for personal purposes. Such encroachments will not be tolerated," he asserted.

Pensiya also appealed to residents to refrain from occupying public land.

"If any encroachment is found, it will be removed in a time-bound manner and restored for public use," he said, adding that the district has also created a land bank to track reclaimed properties.

A detailed press note will soon be issued outlining the total land freed so far in terms of area and value.

Meanwhile, the District Magistrate also referred to a similar case in Mubarakpur Band village, where locals themselves initiated demolition of an illegally constructed mosque structure.

"A portion of the structure still remains, and action will be taken there tomorrow. Due to the large size of the structure, a Hydra machine has been deployed, and demolition will be completed within a day or two," he said.

Highlighting a growing trend, Pensiya noted that people are increasingly opting to remove encroachments voluntarily.

"As soon as they are informed about provisions under Section 67, they begin demolishing illegal structures themselves to avoid penalties," he said.

SDM Nidhi Patel reiterated that the Bicholi land involved two Gata numbers -- 1240 and 1242 -- both designated for public use.

"Eviction orders were passed by the Tehsildar court, and a joint team of the Revenue and Police departments executed the action. Adequate security arrangements ensured that the operation was conducted peacefully without any unrest," she said.
Chandigarh, April 16 : Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini on Thursday formally launched the Census 2027 process for the state by filling out the self-enumeration form online himself.

Through this initiative, he conveyed a message to citizens to actively participate in the census exercise.

The Chief Minister told the media here that the self-enumeration process is simple, secure and time-saving. He said this initiative strengthens the Prime Ministeras vision of aEase of Livinga and aDigital Indiaa.

He emphasised that Census 2027 is a significant step towards realising the vision of a aViksit Haryana, Viksit Bharata, and is not merely a data collection exercise but the foundation for inclusive and equitable development of the state. He said the first phase of the census in Haryana will be conducted from May 1 to 30, during which house listing and the housing census will be carried out.

Prior to this, the facility of self-enumeration has been made available to citizens from April 16 to 30, which he described as a major step towards Digital India.

The Chief Minister said accurate and reliable census data is essential for designing policies and schemes that effectively reach every section of society.

Reiterating Prime Minister Narendra Modias mantra, aOur Census, Our Developmenta, he said this vision can only be realised through the active participation of every citizen.

He said India has a rich legacy of conducting census operations, with the first systematic census conducted in 1872.

This will be the eighth census after Independence and the sixth since the formation of Haryana. The Chief Minister said census data forms the backbone of development planning, be it the setting up of schools, establishment of hospitals, expansion of roads and infrastructure, or formulation of welfare schemes for the poor and the needy.

He urged citizens to provide accurate and complete information about their families so that policies can be effective and equitable.

Director (Census) Lalit Jain said 51,000 enumeration blocks in Haryana have been digitised, and their complete reference maps have been made available on the portal.

He said this comprehensive database will significantly support the stateas development. He further said under the digital census initiative, citizens can conveniently complete self-enumeration from anywhere using the mobile application or the portal, saving considerable time.
April 16 : Asansol: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Thursday once again entered the electoral battlefield of West Bengal. Addressing a public rally in support of BJP candidate Arijit Roy in the Barabani Assembly constituency, the Chief Minister cornered Congress, Left parties and Trinamool Congress while highlighting the development works of BJP. People were seen climbing onto vehicles, rooftops and trees at the rally venue to catch a glimpse of the CM Yogi.

Challenging Trinamool Congress on Bengals soil, CM Yogi told voters not to be afraid of what TMC goons, mafia or any maulana say. He said, "Let the double engine BJP government come, all of them will be seen flattering you and sweeping the streets of Bengal".

Chief Minister told voters that as soon as his program was scheduled here, TMC goons started troubling people. They even tried to remove BJP flags to disrupt the rally. He said 'Arijit' means one who can defeat the enemy, and urged people to elect him and bring a double engine government, after which TMC will be wiped out. Under the leadership of PM Modi, all problems will be resolved at double speed. BJP alone guarantees security, prosperity and a bright future.

Chief Minister added, "Those who pushed Bengal into crisis over the last 15 years and turned it into a hub of terror, mafia rule, cut money and corruption, that TMC is no longer needed."

He said these people have created an atmosphere of fear among common citizens, youth and women. Due to TMC, sand mafia, coal mafia and land mafia have emerged. The funds sent by the Centre are swallowed by TMC goons. The CM assured citizens that BJP will eliminate riots, fear, anarchy and mafia rule in Bengal.

CM stated, "9 years ago the situation in Uttar Pradesh was even worse. There were riots every second or third day. Traders and women were unsafe. Crime and hooliganism were at their peak and mafia dominated. Funds meant for public development were looted. But the double engine BJP government fixed all this. There has been a major transformation in UP. No one can offer namaz on roads, festivals are celebrated peacefully, and there is no anarchy or hooliganism. However, in Bengal, cow smuggling, cow slaughter and disturbances before festivals still occur."

He continues by adding, in Uttar Pradesh, the bulldozer now fixes mafia elements, their properties are used to build houses for the poor. There is neither curfew nor riots in UP, everything is fine there. A movement had to be carried out for Ram Janmabhoomi. The Samajwadi Party government, which was a partner of TMC, had ordered firing on Ram devotees. Just like Mamata didi has an issue with Rams name and Durga Puja, similar sentiments existed in UP earlier.

He added, when the double engine government came to UP, the grand temple of Bhagwan Shri Ram was built in Ayodhya. Congress, SP and TMC could not stop it, because if Modi is there, it is possible.

CM Yogi said, "BJP guarantees that there will be no riots or curfew in Bengal. Cow slaughter will not be allowed and Hindus will not be divided. First Congress, then Left parties and for the last 15 years TMC have created an identity crisis here. Bengal once guided the country as its cultural capital, but it has now been turned into a crime capital."

He informed, after independence, Bengal was progressing on the path of development. It was the growth engine of the countrys economy and had a strong economic leadership. Farmers were happy, youth had jobs, fish and rice production was increasing. But Congress, Left parties and TMC turned the state into a centre of corruption, fear and anarchy. Fish production declined and rice output reduced. Mafia dominates resources here, jobs for youth have disappeared and farmers do not get proper prices for their produce. Potatoes sell at 15-16 per kg in UP, while in Bengal farmers get only 1-1.5.

CM Yogi also added, 'Bengal has always been a land of inspiration. It gave India the national anthem and national song. On the completion of 150 years of Vande Mataram, the land of Bengal is calling to be freed from TMCs anarchy. This land has produced nationalist thinkers like Ramakrishna Paramhansa, Swami Pranavananda, Swami Vivekananda, Khudiram Bose, Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose, Aurobindo Ghosh, and Jana Sangh founder president Dr. Syama Prasad Mukherjee.

He said, due to Congress move to give separate status to Kashmir, terrorists were challenging Indias unity, but Prime Minister Narendra Modi fulfilled Dr Mukherjees resolve by removing Article 370. Now Indias law is implemented in Kashmir just like in Bengal, Bihar, and Uttar Pradesh.
April 16 : Prayagraj/Lucknow: In line with Chief Minister Yogi Adityanaths intent to make competitive examinations transparent and free from cheating, the Uttar Pradesh Education Selection Commission has taken strict measures. Commission Chairman Dr Prashant Kumar stated, "A zero tolerance policy will be fully implemented in the upcoming examinations to ensure integrity, transparency, and fairness."

He informed, for this purpose, a state-of-the-art integrated control room has been established at the Commission headquarters, from where all examination centres will be closely monitored. This control room has been equipped with more than two dozen high-quality screens and AI cameras, enabling real-time surveillance of activities at examination centres.

He said, this system will play a significant role in making the examination process completely transparent and free from cheating.

Dr Prashant Kumar also said, along with strengthening the examination system technologically, modern surveillance mechanisms are being adopted so that any irregularity can be immediately identified and necessary action can be taken.

He made it clear that strict action will be ensured against any kind of malpractice or use of unfair means in the examination.

He appealed to candidates to appear for the examination with complete honesty and in accordance with the rules, and not to pay attention to any rumours or misleading information. The Commission is ensuring all necessary arrangements with transparency and fairness.
April 16 : Lucknow: Under the guidance of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, the state government has set a target to connect 1.5 lakh youth this year to enhance participation in the CM Yuva Yojana. In this direction, a special training program for Certified Credit Counsellors (CCC) has been organized in Gomtinagar to enable youth to pursue self-employment and become proficient in banking processes.

The first batch includes 50 districts, while the second batch covers 25 districts. All employees of UPCON are being linked with this training so they can provide better guidance to youth at the grassroots level.

After completion of the training, a total of 90 certified credit counsellors will be deployed across various districts of the state. These counsellors will assist beneficiaries under the CM Yuva Yojana in banking procedures, documentation, and project preparation, making it easier for them to obtain loans.

UPCON Managing Director Praveen Singh said, Certified credit counsellors will act as an important link between MSME entrepreneurs and banks. They will not only provide information about suitable loan schemes but also assist in preparing project reports, financial statements, and required documents.

During the training program, he elaborated on the importance of credit ratings, CIBIL scores, and green as well as new projects. He emphasized that with proper financial planning and a strong credit profile, young entrepreneurs can not only access loans easily but also make their businesses successful.

This initiative is a major step toward making youth self-reliant and also provides experienced professionals, especially retired bank officers, an opportunity to utilize their expertise. The state governments effort will strengthen financial inclusion while energizing the MSME sector.

In the coming time, this model is expected to become a strong foundation for employment generation and economic empowerment in the state.

This training program is being conducted with the support of the Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) and the Indian Institute of Banking and Finance (IIBF). Notably, the CCC course is approved by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and is being implemented widely across the state.

The Certified Credit Counsellor scheme is based on the recommendations of the RBIs Financial Inclusion Committee. Its objective is to connect MSME entrepreneurs with the banking system and address the challenges they face in obtaining loans.

Under this framework, SIDBI has been assigned the role of accrediting agency as well as implementing and registering authority, while the course has been developed by IIBF. Obtaining this certification is mandatory to become a certified credit counsellor.
New Delhi, April 16 : Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for the Ministry of Ayush, Prataprao Jadhav, on Thursday said that the Ayush sector will play a decisive role in achieving the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047, as he inaugurated the two-day "Chintan Shivir 2026" in the national capital.

New Delhi, April 16 (IANS) Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for the Ministry of Ayush, Prataprao Jadhav, on Thursday said that the Ayush sector will play a decisive role in achieving the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047, as he inaugurated the two-day "Chintan Shivir 2026" in the national capital.

Emphasising the growing importance of traditional systems of medicine, Jadhav said the Chintan Shivir reflects the government's strong resolve to strengthen policy direction and ensure effective implementation across the Ayush ecosystem.

"Building on the foundation of the first conclave, the current edition aims to review progress, identify gaps, and chart a practical and future-ready roadmap for the sector," he noted.

Highlighting the increasing relevance of Ayush in tackling lifestyle-related disorders, the minister said its holistic approach aligns with the broader global vision of "One Earth, One Family, One Future" and India's push for "Heal in India, Heal by India."

He also underlined that higher budgetary allocations demonstrate the government's commitment to enhancing education, research, infrastructure, and global outreach in the sector.

Jadhav stressed the need to focus on evidence-based research, inter-ministerial convergence, and a whole-of-government approach.

He also called for greater emphasis on innovation, digitalisation, entrepreneurship, and public awareness, urging stakeholders to ensure that policy discussions translate into tangible outcomes at the grassroots level.

Secretary, Ministry of Ayush, Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha, said the Chintan Shivir provides a crucial platform to review progress and shape the future roadmap of the sector.

"The ministry is working towards integrating traditional knowledge with modern science while strengthening research, global collaboration, and public outreach," he added.

Joint Secretary Alarmelmangai D. highlighted that the event fosters collaborative policymaking and meaningful dialogue.

A key highlight of the inaugural session was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the All India Institute of Ayurveda and the General Insurance Council.

The agreement is expected to expand insurance coverage and improve claim settlement mechanisms for Ayush treatments.

The MoU was exchanged between Prof. P.K. Prajapati and Kasturi Sengupta in the presence of the minister.
New Delhi, April 16 : Amid the political storm over allegations of forced religious conversion and sexual exploitation at the Tata Consultancy Services' (TCS) Nashik branch, a fresh application on Thursday has been moved before the Supreme Court in the pending religious conversion case, citing the incident as evidence of "organised religious conversion" and seeking stronger judicial intervention against unlawful conversions across the country.

Filed in the pending matter "In Re: The Issue of Religious Conversion", the application contends that the alleged incidents at TCS's Nashik office demonstrate the need for stronger legal measures against conversions carried out through force, fraud, coercion or inducement.

The development comes as multiple women employees of TCS's Nashik branch have alleged harassment by senior staff between 2022 and 2026, including alleged pressure to adopt certain religious practices or convert.

"The organised religious conversion in Nasik has shaken the conscience of citizens throughout the country," the plea said, adding that such acts pose a "serious threat to sovereignty, secularism, democracy, equality, justice, liberty, fraternity, unity and national integration".

The applicant, advocate Ashwini Kumar Upadhyay, said that Article 25 of the Constitution does not protect conversion through fraud, force, coercion or cheating, and asserted that the right to propagate religion does not include a right to convert another person against their free will.

Citing earlier judgments of the top court, the application said that Article 25 grants only the right to "transmit or spread" one's religion and not a fundamental right to convert another person.

The plea also claimed that forced religious conversions, when carried out in an organised and systematic manner, should be treated as a form of organised crime, alleging that such acts often involve coercion, fraud, intimidation, psychological pressure and exploitation of vulnerable persons.

The application also urged the apex court to recognise organised forced conversion campaigns as potentially falling within the ambit of "terrorist acts" under Section 113 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) if undertaken through systematic violence or coercion with intent to threaten public order or national integrity.

The applicant has sought directions for the Union government to frame stricter legal provisions to regulate and curb unlawful religious conversions.

Meanwhile, the TCS Nashik incident has triggered demands across party lines for a comprehensive investigation, with political leaders differing on whether institutional accountability of the company should be examined.

Shiv Sena spokesperson Sanjay Nirupam described the allegations as "serious and alarming", claiming that Hindu women employees at the Nashik office were allegedly pressured to convert their religion and subjected to exploitation.

"We want to ask TCS -- you are such a prestigious company providing services worldwide, yet such wrongdoing was happening right under your nose and you were not even aware of it," Nirupam said.

The Bharatiya Janata Party also demanded strict action, with MLC Chitra Wagh alleging coercion in the alleged conversions, while Union Minister Ramdas Athawale said voluntary conversion is legal but coercive conversion must be dealt with sternly.

According to reports, the controversy began in March after a woman accused a TCS colleague of maintaining a physical relationship with her on the false promise of marriage, following which multiple additional complaints surfaced and several FIRs were registered.

Police have so far arrested at least six employees in connection with the case, and Maharashtra authorities are probing whether any organised coercion or wrongdoing took place within the company premises.
Hyderabad, April 16 : Telangana Jagruthi President K. Kavitha on Thursday again warned the Centre that it will face the brunt for injustice to South India in delimitation of Parliamentary constituencies.

"Try Being Unfair and You Will Face the Brunt," she posted on X.

"South India's influence in Union-level decisions is already being systematically marginalised. No matter how many seats we win as a bloc, the math is stacked against us. This structural unfairness cannot continue without consequences," the former MP said.

"South India leads the nation on every front. We should be rewarded for our progress, not penalised. Increasing our representation must be the priority. Performance must dictate power," she added.

Kavitha stated that Telangana's 3.13 per cent representation should be the floor, not the ceiling. "If this is diluted, the people of Telangana will fight this injustice tooth and nail. Get ready for an agitation on the scale of the Statehood Movement. We will not be silenced," she warned the BJP-led government at the Centre.

Kavitha also slammed the BJP for linking the Women's Reservation Bill to delimitation. "The Women's Reservation Bill is a long-overdue necessity that no responsible citizen should oppose. However, linking it to Delimitation is a deceptive move by the BJP," she said.

Kavitha also called for a sub-quota for OBCs within the quota for women. "True empowerment requires an OBC sub-quota. OBC women deserve their rightful share within that 33 per cent," she added.

Meanwhile, Union Minister of State for Home Bandi Sanjay Kumar has hailed 33 per cent reservation for women in legislative bodies.

"India is the world's largest democracy. Yet for years, women remained underrepresented in politics. From leading families to driving progress across sectors, women have always been at the forefront, but their presence in legislative decision-making has not reflected that strength," he said in a social media post.

The MoS noted that there are fewer than 10 per cent women across the Assemblies and Parliament. Their representation is 13-15 per cent in the Lok Sabha and nearly 17 per cent in the Rajya Sabha.

He claimed that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India has witnessed a strong push towards women-led development - from financial inclusion to entrepreneurship, from dignity to opportunity.

"The conversation today is no longer about whether women should lead but about ensuring they get the space they truly deserve. 33 per cent Reservation means stronger representation, stronger policy focus, and a stronger India," he added.
Kochi, April 16 : A fresh twist has emerged in the controversy surrounding Monalisa Bhosle, the 'Kumbh Mela viral star', with the young woman on Thursday writing to Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and the Kochi City Police Commissioner Putta Vimaladitya seeking protection.

In her plea, Monalisa expressed apprehension that the Madhya Pradesh Police might forcibly take her back to her hometown, even as she asserted that she is 18-years-old.

Her appeal comes at a time when a police team from Madhya Pradesh has reached Kochi to record statements from Monalisa and her husband, Farman Khan, in connection with a case registered under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.

The case was filed after an inquiry by the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes found that Monalisa was allegedly a minor at the time of her marriage on March 11 at a temple near Thiruvananthapuram.

Farman Khan has been able to get a stay from arrest till May 20 from the Kerala High Court.

The findings have triggered a political storm in Kerala, with the Bharatiya Janata Party accusing leaders of the ruling CPI-M of complicity.

State BJP General Secretary S. Suresh alleged that the marriage of a minor was facilitated under political patronage and demanded criminal action against those involved.

The CPI-M, however, has denied organising the wedding, saying that its leaders merely attended the wedding after learning about it.

The controversy has been further complicated by claims from Monalisa's mother, Lata Bhosle, who insists that her daughter is a minor born in December 2009 and was lured and taken away with promises of a film career.

She has also alleged that a fake birth certificate was created to enable the marriage, a charge echoed by the Commission's preliminary findings.

Hospital records and documents reportedly obtained with government assistance in Madhya Pradesh indicate that Monalisa was 16 years old at the time of the wedding, raising serious legal questions.

The Commission has since summoned senior police officials from both Kerala and Madhya Pradesh to appear in Delhi as investigations intensify.

With Monalisa now claiming adulthood and seeking protection in Kerala, and her family and authorities in Madhya Pradesh asserting the contrary, the case has evolved into a complex legal and political battle spanning two states.
Lucknow, April 16 : A day after a massive fire swept through the Vikas Nagar slum cluster in Lucknow, devastated residents recounted the horror they witnessed, as they stood amid the charred remains of their homes, saying years of savings, belongings and dreams were reduced to ashes within minutes.

The blaze, which erupted around 4 p.m. on Wednesday, spread rapidly across the densely packed huts, leaving dozens of families homeless. By Thursday morning, the charred remains of the settlement told a grim story of loss a" not just of lives, but of years of savings, belongings, and hopes.

Residents said they had little time to react as flames engulfed the area with alarming speed.

"I donat know how the fire started, but it broke out around 4 p.m. It spread so fast that we just ran with our children to save them. There has been a huge loss. Everything is destroyed," said a local resident, standing amid the rubble.

"My daughter had recently gotten engaged. All her jewellery got burnt, and her clothes are gone. Even the money we had saved a" around Rs 50,000 kept by my daughter-in-law a" everything is gone. We had slowly saved it over time. Nothing is left now," she added.

Another resident said the tragedy struck when the family was away making preparations for a wedding. "We had gone out to get items for a wedding. During that time, we received a call that a fire had broken out. We rushed back quickly, but by then everything was gone. Nothing has been saved. We have nothing left," the resident said.

Officials confirmed that two minor girls a" an infant and a toddler a" lost their lives in the incident. Their bodies were recovered during search operations and handed over to the family after due procedures.

Eyewitnesses described scenes of chaos and panic as thick smoke billowed into the sky and flames leapt from one hut to another, fuelled by strong winds and highly combustible materials used in the structures.

Many residents said they could only focus on saving their children as the fire intensified, leaving behind all their possessions. Utensils, clothes, documents, and cash savings were reduced to ashes within moments.

The incident has left the community in deep shock, with families struggling to come to terms with the sudden loss. Several people spent the night in the open, guarding whatever little remained of their belongings.

Authorities have launched an investigation to determine the cause of the fire, while rescue and relief operations continue at the site. Officials said efforts are underway to provide assistance to the affected families as they begin the difficult task of rebuilding their lives.
New Delhi, April 16 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday received a phone call from French President Emmanuel Macron with both leaders discussing the situation in West Asia and agreeing on the need to urgently restore safety and freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.

The two leaders had earlier spoken on March 19 regarding the situation in West Asia and the urgent need for de-escalation and return to dialogue and diplomacy.

"Received a phone call from my dear friend President Emmanuel Macron. We discussed the situation in West Asia and agreed on the need to urgently restore safety and freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz. We will continue our close cooperation to advance peace and stability in the region and beyond," PM Modi posted on X after the phone call on Thursday.

External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar had called on President Macron during his visit to Paris, last month.

In February, the French President had paid an official visit to India which focused on strengthening the strategic partnership between India and France. Both leaders had inaugurated the India-France Year of Innovation 2026 and later attended the AI Impact Summit 2026 in New Delhi.

Earlier this week, Prime Minister Modi had received a call from US President Donald Trump with the two leaders reviewing the substantial progress achieved in bilateral cooperation across various sectors and expressing commitment to further strengthening the Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership in all areas.

They had also discussed the situation in West Asia and stressed the importance of keeping the Strait of Hormuz open and secure.

aReceived a call from my friend President Donald Trump. We reviewed the substantial progress achieved in our bilateral cooperation in various sectors. We are committed to further strengthening our Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership in all areas. We also discussed the situation in West Asia and stressed the importance of keeping the Strait of Hormuz open and secure," PM Modi wrote on X after his conversation with the US President.

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
New Delhi, April 16 : India's role in Nepal's progress will become increasingly crucial as the Himalayan nation prepares to graduate from least developed country (LDC) status in November 2026, a new report has said.

Completion of connectivity projects and the full realisation of the Agreement for Long Term Power Trade will reduce Nepal's trade deficit with India, the report from East Asia Forum said.

While Nepal aims to strengthen manufacturing capacity and boost exports to ensure a "smooth transition" out of LDC status, energy and infrastructure cooperation with India will be an indispensable role in the shift.

"In recent years, the bilateral special partnership has shifted from traditional infrastructure to a 'high-tech, high connectivity' model, underscored by a major push to invest in digital integration and energy cooperation," the report said.

The 25year power trade agreement signed in January 2024 envisages Nepal exporting 10,000 megawatts to India over the next decade, and both countries are upgrading lowcapacity transmission systems from 132/33 kilovolt (kV) to 400 kV to support growing exports.

India has been actively facilitating 40-megawatt power transmission from Nepal to Bangladesh under a trilateral arrangement signed in October 2024, which expanded to 60 MW annually in late 2025.

"A dedicated high-capacity transmission line between Nepal and Bangladesh through Indian territory will be crucial to meeting Bangladesh's growing energy needs and Nepal's hydropower ambitions," the report noted.

Indian collaboration with Japan and European nations can also facilitate development-related investments in Nepal. A focused, growth-oriented development partnership based on proactive political willingness is a win-win for India and Nepal," it said.

The report, however, flagged that regulatory delays, financing gaps and implementation challenges are undermining progress.

For instance, the proposed AnarmaniSiliguri cross-border transmission line hinges on the completion of Nepal's HetaudaInaruwaAnarmani line, which faces delay due to Right of Way disputes, forest clearance delays and procedural bottlenecks. The line is the gateway for Nepal to sell power to Bangladesh through the Indian grid.

Indian companies hold ownership or survey licences in roughly 5000 megawatts of Nepali hydropower projects, but some even face delays in reaching an agreement on the detailed project report.

Under construction hydropower projects face challenges such as high seismic risk, loss of forest corridors, cost overruns from bureaucratic delays and local community backlash over resettlement and compensation.
Jamshedpur, April 16 : Panic gripped the Panipat-Nagurdasai area under Baharagora in Jharkhand's East Singhbhum district after a massive live bomb dating back to the Second World War was recovered from the banks of the Subarnarekha River. This is the third instance of wartime explosives being found in the area within the past month.

Jamshedpur, April 16 (IANS) Panic gripped the Panipata"Nagurdasai area under Baharagora in Jharkhand's East Singhbhum district after a massive live bomb dating back to the Second World War was recovered from the banks of the Subarnarekha River. This is the third instance of wartime explosives being found in the area within the past month.

According to local residents, the falling water level of the river due to rising temperatures has exposed these old bombs that were buried beneath the sandy surface.

As per information received, late on Wednesday night, some villagers from Nagurdasai had gone to the riverbank to fish when they spotted a large, suspicious iron-like object on the sand. On closer inspection, they realised it was a bomb, triggering panic in the area.

Acting on the villagersa information, the Baharagora police station team rushed to the spot and cordoned off the entire area. Authorities imposed a complete restriction on the movement of villagers near the site as a precautionary measure.

Although the bomb is decades old, experts warn that it may still retain explosive potential and could cause a major accident at any time.

On March 17, two powerful bombs were recovered from the same area, which were identified by the army as American-made. At that time, it took significant effort by Army experts to defuse the nearly 227-kg bomb. The area was turned into a high-security zone, and a radius of around 1.5 kilometres was evacuated. The bomb was eventually neutralised through a controlled blast using sandbag barricades.

Repeated recovery of explosives suggests that several more bombs may still be buried underground in the entire belt. Residents living along the Subarnarekha riverbank have demanded that the district administration and the state government conduct a comprehensive scan of the area using modern equipment.

Villagers say that until a thorough inspection is carried out, venturing into fields and riverbanks will remain life-threatening.

Local experts note that the region was strategically active during the Second World War, which could explain why several bombs from that era remain buried here.

For now, the police have informed senior officials and the Armyas bomb disposal squad, and surveillance of the area continues until experts arrive.
Washington, April 16 : The US on Thursday asserted that it controls maritime traffic in and out of the Strait of Hormuz, dismissing Iranian claims of dominance over the strategic waterway as tensions remain high despite a fragile ceasefire.

Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth said Iran lacked the naval capability and situational awareness to control shipping routes, accusing it of resorting to threats against commercial vessels.

"You'd like to say publicly, Iran, that you control the Strait of Hormuz, but you don't have a Navy or real domain awareness," he added.

He said that any attempt to target civilian shipping would amount to criminal activity.

"Threatening to shoot missiles and drones at ships, commercial ships that are lawfully transiting international waters... that's not control, that's piracy, that's terrorism," he added.

Hegseth was joined at the Pentagon briefing by Air Force General Dan Caine, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and Admiral Bradley Cooper, who leads US military operations across the Middle East as Commander of US Central Command.

The assertion comes as the US enforces a naval blockade targeting Iran's ports and coastline, part of a broader effort to restrict Tehran's economic and military capabilities following recent combat operations.

Hegseth said the US Navy was managing traffic flows through the strait using a fraction of its global fleet.

"We're doing this blockade... with less than 10 per cent of America's naval power," he said, adding that Iran effectively had "zero per cent of your Navy that's real control".

Military officials said the blockade applies to all vessels transiting to or from Iranian ports, regardless of nationality, with enforcement extending into both territorial and international waters.

Caine outlined the scale of the operation, noting that more than 10,000 personnel, including sailors, Marines and airmen, along with multiple ships and aircraft, were involved in maintaining the blockade.

He said US forces had issued warnings to vessels attempting to approach restricted areas, resulting in multiple ships reversing course.

"Do not attempt to breach the blockade... if you do not comply... we will use force," a standard transmission said.

According to the Pentagon, 13 vessels have already turned back, and no ship has yet forced a confrontation requiring boarding or seizure.

Despite the ceasefire that has paused major combat operations, US officials said forces remain fully prepared for escalation.

Caine said the joint force could "resume major combat operations at literally a moment's notice".

Hegseth also criticised allies for failing to contribute more actively to maritime security.

He said while some regional partners had supported US efforts, others had "talked a lot and haven't done anything" when the situation escalated.

He added that the burden of securing global waterways should not fall solely on Washington.

"We should live in a world where other countries can defend waterways, not just the United States Navy," the US Defence Secretary said.
New Delhi, April 16 (IANS In fresh action in a Rs 500 crore ponzi scheme fraud, the ED searched seven premises across Delhi-NCR, Goa, Jaipur and Mumbai linked to 32nd Avenue Group and seized Rs 1.05 crore cash and jewellery items worth Rs 1.5 crore, an official said on Thursday.a

The search operation against the company's promoter-directors, Anubhav Sharma and Dhruv Sharma, and others was conducted on April 13 and 14, the official said in a statement.a

The directors and promoters were using the amounts collected from gullible investors to lead a lavish life, including residences in high-end apartments in Gurugram and possession of a yacht in Goa, among other things, said the ED.a

Accused Dhruv Sharma and Shirin Sharma were earlier arrested by Haryana Police and are in Judicial Custody, whereas Anubhav Sharma and Mamta Sharma are absconding, it said.a

The ED initiated an investigation based on multiple FIRs registered by the Delhi Police and Gurugram Police under various sections of the IPC, 1860, against Anubhav Sharma, Dhruv Sharma, and others.a

The accused were involved in organised and systematic criminal activity involving the inducement of investors, non-delivery of possession of properties, diversion and misappropriation of funds, creation and use of forged and fabricated documents, non-payment of statutory dues, and laundering of funds through multiple entities, resulting in the generation of substantial Proceeds of Crime, said the ED.a

The ED investigation revealed that Proceeds of Crime in excess of Rs 500 Crore were generated by the accused through illegal activities involving the diversion of investors' funds. The funds were subsequently layered through multiple accounts of shell/benami entities.a

The investigation revealed that the accused sold virtual spaces to multiple investors, thereafter leased them and offered attractive rental returns for a few months.a

The same virtual space was altered in the project's layout maps and resold to other investors. In this way, a fraudulent Ponzi scheme was being run in the illegal virtual commercial space, cheating the public at large, it said.a

a
Surat, April 16 : Officials in Surat have seized 2,029 kilograms of adulterated ghee and arrested two men after raiding a manufacturing unit in the Sachin GIDC area as part of a targeted crackdown on food adulteration.a Surat, April 16 (IANS) Officials in Surat have seized 2,029 kilograms of adulterated ghee and arrested two men after raiding a manufacturing unit in the Sachin GIDC area as part of a targeted crackdown on food adulteration.

The Special Operations Group (SOG) on Thursday conducted the operation under "Operation Shuddhi" after receiving specific information about the sale of duplicate ghee in parts of the city.

Following the inputs, multiple teams were formed and deployed, using technical surveillance and human intelligence to identify those involved.

Subsequently, a raid was carried out at a factory operating under the name 'Sabka Foods' in the Sachin GIDC area, as well as at a godown in Talangpor of Choryasi taluka.

Police recovered adulterated ghee worth Rs 14,19,960 and machinery, raw materials and other items worth Rs 21,61,570, taking the total value of seized property to Rs 36,36,530.

Cash and mobile phones were also seized. The accused, identified as Bharat Polara, 48, and Amin Vadhwaniya, 45, both businessmen, were arrested from the factory.

A case has been registered against them at the Sachin GIDC police station.

Investigators said the accused had set up a systematic adulteration process in which small quantities of pure ghee were mixed with palm oil, vegetable ghee and vegetable butter.

Artificial essence was added to replicate the smell of cow ghee, while synthetic colouring was used to produce its yellow appearance.

Police said the chemicals were measured with precision, including with syringes, making it difficult to distinguish the product from genuine ghee by smell or appearance.

During interrogation, the accused stated that production was customised to demand, with different grades supplied to traders. Lower-cost variants were made largely from oils, while higher-priced versions contained only a small amount of real ghee.

The products were sold at wholesale prices of Rs 600 to Rs 650 per kilogram and later retailed for up to Rs 1,000.

SOG DCP Rajdeepsinh Nakum said, "They would prepare ghee according to buyers' demands, adulterate it, and then sell it. The ghee was mixed with palm oil, vegetable ghee and vegetable butter and sold as cow ghee. They had been operating this activity for the past two years."

Police said the adulterated products were packaged under names such as 'Vidur Cow Ghee' and 'Desi Ghee', in sizes ranging from small pouches to 15 kg containers.

The accused supplied the products at lower prices to grocery shops in slum areas, as well as to hotels and roadside eateries along highways and in nearby districts.

Authorities suspect the distribution network extended across South Gujarat and possibly beyond.

Further investigation is underway to identify other traders and distributors linked to the operation.


Jerusalem, April 16 : Israel's Minister of Foreign Affairs Gideon Sa'ar on Thursday stressed the importance of Hamas being designated as a terror organisation by India during his interaction with a group of distinguished Hindu leaders from around the world.

"I stressed the importance of Hamas being designated as a terror organisation by India. Hamas has ties with all other radical Islamist terror organisations, including Lashkar-e-Taiba," Sa'ar during the virtual interaction.

The Israeli Foreign Minister stated that he was honoured to brief the group of distinguished leaders.

"I spoke about the positive trends in the strengthening of Israel's relations with India, and the great importance we attach to this relationship. I also spoke about the historic campaign Israel had been forced to fight for the past 2.5 years against radical Islam. Their declared objective is the elimination of Israel, and they act to achieve that goal.

"Israel demonstrated on all fronts that it has the upper hand. It dramatically weakened the terror octopus of radical Islam, headed by the Iranian regime. This struggle has, and will have, implications beyond the Middle East," said Sa'ar.

The leaders Sa'ar interacted with included Abhishek Verma, Shiv Sena's Chief National Coordinator for NDA Alliance and Elections; global humanitarian leader Mohanji and spiritual leader Gauranga Das Prabhu.

Earlier this year, during his visit to Israel, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had expressed India's support for Israel in its fight against terrorism.

"I also carry with me the deepest condolences of the people of India for every life lost and for every family whose world was shattered in the barbaric terrorist attack by Hamas on October 7. We feel your pain. We share your grief. India stands with Israel firmly, with full conviction in this moment and beyond. No cause can justify the murder of civilians. Nothing can justify terrorism. India has also endured the pain of terrorism for a long time," PM Modi said in his address at the Israeli Parliament, Knesset, in February.

Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu had thanked PM Modi for standing by Israel after the Hamas attack in October 2023.

"There is another reason for the deep appreciation you receive here in this house and from the public in Israel, because immediately after the horrific massacre on October 7, immediately after that murderous attack, you stood up so clearly, so morally, so sharply, you stood by Israel. We will never forget that. We know what we stood against. But many in the world, perhaps with momentary, initial sympathy, forgot very quickly. Israel stands, has stood, and continues to stand at the forefront of civilization against radical Islam," Netanyahu said in his speech at the special Knesset session in honour of PM Modi.
Guwahati, April 16 : Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Thursday launched a sharp attack on his West Bengal counterpart Mamata Banerjee, alleging that her public speeches are focused more on criticising political opponents than on governance issues.a Guwahati, April 16 (IANS) Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Thursday launched a sharp attack on his West Bengal counterpart Mamata Banerjee, alleging that her public speeches are focused more on criticising political opponents than on governance issues.

Addressing a public rally in Coochbehar district, Sarma claimed that Banerjee repeatedly invokes Prime Minister (PM) Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah in her addresses, while creating an atmosphere of fear among people. 

He alleged that instead of highlighting development initiatives, the West Bengal Chief Minister continues to complain about the Centre and its leadership.

"Her speeches are more about attacking PM Modi and Shah than discussing governance," Sarma said.

The Assam Chief Minister also weighed in on the ongoing debate over delimitation, asserting that eastern states stand to gain significantly if the exercise is undertaken. 

He said states such as Odisha, Bihar, West Bengal and Assam could witness a substantial rise in parliamentary representation.

"If delimitation takes place, the eastern region will benefit the most in terms of seat share," Sarma stated, adding that the exercise could rebalance representation in favour of states with growing populations.

Responding to recent remarks by Banerjee on food habits, Sarma said the issue was being unnecessarily politicised. 

He maintained that consumption of non-vegetarian food is common across states and should not become a matter of political debate.

"Whether it is Assam, Bengal, Gujarat or Bihar, people consume non-vegetarian food. This should not be turned into an issue," he said, while suggesting that concerns arise only when there is apprehension about restrictions.

Sarma also reacted to comments by Trinamool Congress leader Abhishek Banerjee regarding the Election Commission of India. Dismissing allegations that the poll body acts in favour of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), he said transfer of officials is a routine administrative process.

"Officers are transferred in Assam as well. We do not attach much importance to it. There is no reason to create an issue out of such routine matters," he added.

The remarks come amid intensifying political exchanges between leaders of the BJP and the Trinamool Congress over governance, elections and representation.
Hyderabad, April 16 : Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) working president K. Taraka Rama Rao has launched a scathing attack on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), accusing the party of harbouring deep-rooted animosity towards the state of Telangana.a Hyderabad, April 16 (IANS) Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) working president K. Taraka Rama Rao has launched a scathing attack on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), accusing the party of harbouring deep-rooted animosity towards the state of Telangana.

Reacting to remarks made in Parliament by Member of Parliament (MP) Tejasvi Surya, who reportedly compared the formation of Telangana to the India-Pakistan Partition, KTR termed the comparison "utterly foolish" and a grave insult to the state's identity.

KTR emphasised that Telangana was not a "gift" or an act of charity from any political entity. He reminded the public that the state was the hard-won result of a decades-long democratic struggle and the supreme sacrifices of thousands of youth.

He noted that from Prime Minister (PM) Modi to MP Tejasvi Surya, the BJP leadership has consistently spewed venom against the statehood movement.

Taking a sharp dig at local political representation, KTR characterised the silence of the eight BJP MPs and various Congress MPs from Telangana during the parliamentary session as "shameful". 

He accused these representatives of mortgaging Telangana's self-respect in Delhi for political gain rather than defending the dignity of the people who elected them.

The BRS leader demanded an unconditional apology from both Tejasvi Surya and the BJP leadership. He warned that the people of Telangana are closely monitoring these insults. That failure to issue a retraction would confirm that Surya's remarks reflect the BJP's official "anti-Telangana" policy.

BRS deputy leader in the Telangana Assembly, T. Harish Rao, also strongly condemned the "highly insensitive" and "irresponsible" remarks made by Surya. 

He said Surya's comparison of the formation of Telangana state with the creation of Pakistan was not only factually incorrect but also deeply hurtful to the sentiments of nearly four crore people of Telangana.

"We demand an immediate and unconditional apology from Tejasvi Surya and the BJP. The party must clarify its stand and ensure that such irresponsible statements are not repeated," he said.

Telangana Jagruthi leader K. Kavitha also came down heavily on Surya. She posted on X: "How dare you, Tejasvi Surya? You are not only insulting all those who fought for Telangana over six decades to fulfil the region's aspirations and end the discrimination we faced, but you are also dishonouring the memory of the thousands of individuals who sacrificed their lives to make Telangana a reality."

She demanded that all eight BJP MPs, including two Central ministers from the state, speak up or resign. 

"You don't deserve to represent people of Telangana if you cannot uphold the sanctity of our emotions," she said.


Chennai, April 16 : Actor-politician Kamal Haasan will campaign in support of Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) alliance candidates on April 17 and 19, adding momentum to the ruling front's high-intensity outreach ahead of the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections scheduled for April 23.a Chennai, April 16 (IANS) Actor-politician Kamal Haasan will campaign in support of Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) alliance candidates on April 17 and 19, adding momentum to the ruling frontas high-intensity outreach ahead of the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections scheduled for April 23.a

With the campaign entering its final phase, political activity across the State has intensified, with parties stepping up voter engagement in what is shaping up to be a four-cornered contest. a

The electoral battle features the DMK-led Secular Progressive Alliance, the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK)-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA), Naam Tamilar Katchi, and actor Vijayas Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK).a

Candidates have been actively canvassing support at the grassroots level, interacting with voters in residential areas, marketplaces, and public spaces. Senior leaders and key party functionaries have also been crisscrossing constituencies, participating in rallies, roadshows, and public meetings as part of a whirlwind campaign effort.a

According to a statement issued by the DMK General Secretariat, Haasan, who heads the Makkal Needhi Maiam (MNM), will campaign in select constituencies to bolster support for the alliance. a

His participation is expected to resonate particularly among urban voters and youth, segments in which he retains some political influence.a

The DMK alliance is relying on its governance record and welfare initiatives to appeal to voters, while the AIADMK-led front is seeking to capitalise on anti-incumbency and coalition strength.a

At the same time, Naam Tamilar Katchi and TVK are attempting to position themselves as alternatives, targeting undecided voters and first-time electors.a

As the countdown to polling day continues, parties are deploying star campaigners and intensifying outreach to maximise voter turnout in their favour. a

The coming days are expected to witness a surge in high-profile campaign events across the State.a

The vote count will take place on May 4, when the electoral fate of candidates in all 234 constituencies will be decided.a

a
Quetta, April 16 : Three Baloch young men have reportedly been forcibly disappeared in overnight raids in Pakistan, sparking fresh concerns over enforced disappearances, local media reported on Thursday.

As per reports, Zubair Baloch, a Baloch student, was taken from his home in Dera Ghazi Khan area of Pakistan during the early hours of Wednesday, The Balochistan Post reported.

In a post on X, Baloch Student Council, Punjab, stated, "Zubair Baloch, son of Ghulam Fareed, former chairman of Baloch Students Council Bahawalpur and an MPhil graduate of The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, was forcibly disappeared last night at approximately 1:30 AM from his hometown in Bhutta Colony, Dera Ghazi Khan."

Family members have alleged that Zubair Baloch was taken from his home at around 1:30 am and moved to an undisclosed place. Since then, no information regarding his whereabouts has been provided, according to the family.

His family has called for his immediate release or details regarding his whereabouts. They urged authorities and human rights groups to intervene in the matter.

In a separate incident, two young men were taken from their homes during overnight raids in Jiwani area of Balochistan's Gwadar district, according to local sources. Two young men have been identified as Riaz Sayed from Kosar Bazaar and Jahanzaib, a resident of Solan Bazaar. Both men were taken to an unknown place after raids and families have been unable to contact them since them, The Balochistan Post reported.

The latest incidents comes against the backdrop of a growing wave of enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings in Balochistan.

Meanwhile, a protest camp against enforced disappearances in Quetta city of Pakistan's Balochistan province entered its 6136th Day on Thursday, the organisers said.

The camp outside the Quetta Press Club has been set up by the Voice for Baloch Missing Persons (VBMP). Several people joined the protest to express solidarity with the families of the missing persons.

"Quetta Press Club: VBM's protest camp against enforced disappearances continues on its 6136th day Individuals from various schools of thought visited the camp and expressed solidarity with the families of the disappeared. Demand: Ensure the recovery of all missing persons, and bring an immediate end to enforced disappearances," Voice for Baloch Missing Persons posted on X.

Earlier this month, Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) senior leader Sabiha Baloch expressed serious human rights concerns in Balochistan province and urged the United Nations to conduct an independent and impartial review of the human rights situation in the region.

While addressing the 61st session of the United Nations Human Rights Council, Baloch spoke about issue of enforced disappearances in Balochistan and mentioned that Baloch people continue to go missing under suspicious circumstances, The Balochistan Post reported. She expressed concern over incidents of extrajudicial killings and the discovery of mutilated bodies, terming them as a part of a systematic pattern.

Baloch stated that journalists, students, lawyers and human rights activists often face harassment and arrests under counter-terrorism laws for expressing their views. She mentioned that several BYC leaders, including Mahrang Baloch, continue to remain in prolonged detention.
Kolkata, April 16 : Actor-turned-Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Mithun Chakraborty on Thursday fell ill while taking part in the election campaign in West Bengal's Murshidabad district for the upcoming two-phase Assembly polls scheduled to be held later this month.

A roadshow was going on in support of BJP candidate Subrata Mitra from Murshidabad's Baharampur Assembly constituency.

Chakraborty, who was present at the roadshow, suddenly fell ill.

According to BJP leaders, Chakraborty was hurriedly taken somewhere else to rest in the middle of the programme after seeing the situation.

Later, the roadshow moved forward smoothly without his presence.

The BJP's roadshow started in front of the Gandhi Colony Circuit House in Baharampur on Thursday afternoon.

According to BJP leaders, Chakraborty started feeling unwell after the procession reached the Notun Bazar area. He was hurriedly taken off from the programme to take rest after receiving first aid.

Without Chakraborty, party candidate Subrata Mitra and other BJP leaders and workers left for Khagra intersection.

According to BJP leaders, the actor-turned-politician fell ill due to the sweltering heat that is prevailing across south Bengal.

Eyewitnesses said Chakraborty could not continue campaigning due to fatigue and physical discomfort in the intense heat. It was learnt that he left for Kolkata.

Even though Chakraborty fell ill, BJP candidate Subrata Mitra did not cancel the programme.

After Chakraborty left, Subrata Mitra continued the rest of the roadshow without the actor-turned-politician.

Party sources said that Mithun Chakraborty may have suffered a sudden drop in blood pressure or dehydration due to the heat and dust. For now, he is said to be stable.

The BJP's concerns about Mithun Chakraborty's health are not new. He had to be admitted to the hospital a few months ago.

Even though the doctors gave strict restrictions, Mithun Chakraborty could not confine himself at home amid the upcoming Assembly elections in West Bengal. However, after that incident, some confusion has arisen about the rest of his campaign schedule.

In Baharampur, BJP's Subrata Mitra is contesting the Assembly elections against Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury and Trinamool Congress' Naru Gopal Mukherjee.
New Delhi, April 16 : Even before the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) assumed power in February, it looked like the July Charter and the United States trade treaty signed under the Muhammad Yunus-led interim government would pose a challenge in the coming days.

Now, while the Charter is being invoked by Opposition parties as a binding roadmap for democratic reforms, the trade treaty has sparked fierce domestic protests, with critics branding it "unequal" and "anti-national". Together, they have created a volatile mix of internal political pressure and external diplomatic obligations that the Awami League-led government is struggling to balance.

Meanwhile, the volatility in West Asia is adding to the economic strain already affecting Dhaka. On Friday, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman assured the country and asked people not to worry over the crisis, but urged them to exercise restraint and avoid extravagance in state functions and family spending, according to Bangladesh's Business Standard. 

Rahman said the government is spending hundreds of crores of taka every day in subsidies in the fuel and energy sector to maintain stability and keep the situation normal.

The July Charter, signed in October 2025 by more than 20 political parties during the Yunus-led caretaker administration, promised sweeping constitutional and electoral reforms. It was born out of the July 2024 mass uprising that toppled Sheikh Hasina's government. 

Today, Opposition leaders argue that the Charter obliges the ruling party to deliver on promises of institutional independence and decentralisation. Civil society groups echo this demand, warning that ignoring the Charter risks undermining democratic legitimacy.

In February, even before Tarique Rahman's cabinet could assume office, it faced legal challenges over changes adopted by the interim government. 

BNP members who took the oath as parliamentarians did not swear in as members of the proposed Constitution Reform Council, claiming there is no such provision in the Constitution. They pointed out that Parliament has to convene to carry out constitutional reforms.

The BNP argued that the interim government had bypassed established legal frameworks, undermining legitimacy.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami party had then taken strong exception to the BNP's stand. Along with the ally National Citizens Party (NCP), it had announced a boycott of the cabinet swearing-in ceremony over the issue. However, the BNP has not rejected the referendum, in which people voted for a new government and the July Charter in the February polls.

Now, the Prime Minister has reiterated, say Bangladesh media reports, that the July National Charter  as signed by political parties  will be implemented in full, but warned against attempts to create instability over the issue. 

In an apparent reference to the Opposition Jamaat, he has stated that those who have received only a small number of votes are now demanding in Parliament that whatever they say must be accepted. 

Addressing a rally this week, he alleged that Opposition parties are trying to create anarchy in Bangladesh by centring on the implementation of the Charter, media reports added.

The United States trade treaty, signed three days before the national election, came under criticism for allegedly being against the national interest. Critics claimed that the interim government maintained strict secrecy over the agreement. 

This week, student unions and some organisations staged demonstrations in Dhaka, calling it a "treaty of servitude". They again alleged that the deal undermines Bangladesh's sovereignty over tariffs and labour standards, while the government fears that renegotiation could strain ties with Washington, said reports.

While the Opposition is using the Charter as an issue to block legislation and demand reforms, the Washington treaty has mobilised unions and student groups, raising the risk of wider unrest. 

The West Asia crisis has come even as the government was facing the Yunus-era challenges: one internal, rooted in democratic expectations, and one external, tied to global trade diplomacy.

For the current government, the stakes are high. Failure to navigate these legacies could reignite political instability at home and weaken Bangladesh's standing abroad.

-- Syndicated from IANS
Jaipur, April 16 : Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma met Union Minister of Jal Shakti Shri C.R. Paatil in New Delhi on Thursday during his visit to the national capital.

During the meeting, the two leaders held detailed, meaningful discussions on key water-related initiatives and projects in the State of Rajasthan.

The discussions focused on the progress of the Ram Jal Setu Link Project, which aims to strengthen inter-basin water transfer and improve water availability in the state. 

They also reviewed the implementation of the Jal Jeevan Mission, which aims to ensure safe, adequate drinking water for every rural household. 

Emphasis was placed on expediting works under the scheme to achieve universal household tap water coverage in a time-bound manner.

In addition, issues related to comprehensive water resource management in the state were discussed, including measures to improve water distribution efficiency, conserve water, and sustainably utilise available resources, particularly in Rajasthan's water-scarce regions.

The meeting underscored the continued cooperation between the government of Rajasthan and the Union government to address the state's long-standing water challenges and accelerate ongoing projects in the sector.

CM Sharma went to Delhi after attending a couple of programmes in Jaipur. He made his presence felt as the chief guest at a state-level programme held at the Rajasthan Police Academy (RPA) in Jaipur.

Speaking on the occasion, CM Sharma said that the crime rate has reduced in the state in the last two years. He added that security and safety issues have been maintained in the state, and hence, investors are coming with confidence.

"Cyber crimes and drug addiction have come up as major challenges; we need to think afresh in modern ways to tackle these challenges. Society should stand active to check such a menace," he said. 

The CM further stated that the state government is working to control crime with a vision of zero tolerance towards crime and corruption.

He specified that the Anti-Narcotics Task Force has been set up to check the drug mafia, and the paper leak mafia has also been exposed and sent behind bars. 

"Further, not even a paper has been leaked in our tenure," he added. "We take pride in the vigilant sentinels of peace and security in the state," the CM said.

-- Syndicated from IANS
New York, April 16 : US President Donald Trump on Thursday announced a ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon aimed at bringing a temporary cooling-off along another front linked to the Iran conflict.

He said that after speaking with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Lebanon's President Joseph Aoun, the two sides agreed to a 10-day ceasefire beginning at 5 p.m. Washington time (2.30 a.m. Friday in India).

The ceasefire is expected to pause hostilities that escalated when Israel opened a new front targeting Iran-affiliated Hezbollah.

Lebanon is not directly engaged in a formal war with Israel, but Hezbollah controls large parts of southern Lebanon and has carried out attacks on Israel, prompting retaliatory strikes.

Unable to rein in Hezbollah, Lebanon has borne the brunt of Israeli retaliation.

The durability of the ceasefire is likely to depend on Hezbollah refraining from further attacks.

While Hezbollah is not formally part of the agreement, media reports indicated that the group may halt attacks if Israel also exercises restraint.

Meanwhile, Iran's Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf endorsed the ceasefire, stating in a social media post: "For us, a ceasefire in Lebanon is just as important as a ceasefire in Iran."

Hezbollah had intensified its attacks on Israel following the escalation of the Iran conflict.

The ceasefire follows a meeting between the ambassadors of Israel and Lebanon in Washington on Tuesday, facilitated by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

This marked the first direct diplomatic engagement between the two sides since the 1980s, when Israel launched a large-scale invasion of Lebanon.

Earlier, when a 14-day ceasefire between Iran and the US was announced on April 7, there was confusion over whether it included Lebanon.

Pakistan had indicated that it did, but both the US and Israel clarified that Lebanon was not part of that arrangement.

Trump said on Truth Social that he has asked "Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Rubio, together with the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Dan 'Razin' Caine, to work with Israel and Lebanon to achieve a lasting peace".

He also said he would invite Netanyahu and Aoun to the White House to discuss a longer-term peace framework.

According to Lebanese authorities, more than 2,000 people have been killed and over a million displaced during Israeli strikes targeting Hezbollah positions.

The attacks have extended into the capital, Beirut.

There are 642 Indian personnel serving in the UN peacekeeping force deployed in southern Lebanon along the border with Israel.

UN peacekeepers operating in the region have come under fire from both sides during the conflict.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres welcomed the ceasefire, his spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said.

"The United Nations, through its political and peacekeeping missions, remains ready to support these efforts," he said.

The UN has urged both sides to work "towards a permanent ceasefire and a long-term solution to the conflict", he added.

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
Raipur/Sakti, April 16 : The death toll from the boiler explosion at the Vedanta Power Plant in Singhitarai village in Chhattisgarh's Sakti district, has risen to 20 on Thursday, with 15 workers still battling injuries in hospitals.

The tragic incident, which took place on April 14, at 2:33 p.m., has sent shockwaves through the industrial belt of Chhattisgarh.

The massive blast in boiler ripped through the facility, instantly triggering panic and widespread devastation among workers on shift.

Local police, led by Station House Officer Rajesh Patel, rushed to the site and launched an on-ground investigation.

The injured were swiftly transported to multiple hospitals in Raigarh district, including Medical College Hospital, Apex Hospital, and Metro Hospital.

While medical teams fought to save lives, 20 workers ultimately succumbed to severe burn injuries and trauma.

A preliminary technical report from the Chief Boiler Inspector pointed to excessive fuel buildup inside the furnace, which caused dangerous pressure surges and displaced critical piping, leading to the catastrophic failure.

The Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) in Sakti backed these findings, confirming fuel overload as the main trigger.

Further probes revealed serious lapses in maintenance and safety protocols by Vedanta Limited and its contractor NGSL.

Reports highlighted repeated negligence in equipment upkeep and failure to address pressure fluctuations, raising uncomfortable questions about corporate accountability in high-risk industrial operations.

Taking strong note of the evident violations, Superintendent of Police (SP) Praful Thakur ordered the registration of an FIR at Dabhara police station.

The case has been filed against Vedanta Director Anil Agarwal, Plant Manager Devendra Patel, and other officials under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita -- 106(1), 289, and 3(5) a" for causing death by negligence and endangering lives.

A dedicated Special Investigation Team (SIT), led by Additional SP Pankaj Patel and including Sub Divisional Police Officer Sumit Gupta, forensic expert Srishti Singh, and Station House Officer Rajesh Patel, has been formed to conduct a thorough probe with technical experts.

Authorities have promised stringent action and full support to the grieving families.

The accident has ignited widespread anger among labour unions and local communities, who are demanding stricter enforcement of industrial safety norms and swift justice.

As investigations intensify, this incident has once again spotlighted the urgent need for robust safety measures in India's power sector to prevent such preventable tragedies.
GoodMood Group sponsors Global Medical and Health Forum at UN Headquarters, advancing AI-powered mental health solutions worldwide.

NEW YORK, April 15, 2026 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- GoodMood Group, a leading AI-driven mental health platform, participated as a key sponsor of the Global Medical and Health Forum held on April 8 at the United Nations Headquarters in New York. Chairman Chen Guanwei led the company's delegation, alongside its subsidiary, the GoodMood Global Mental Health Program.

The forum brought together nearly 100 leading experts, heads of international organizations, and industry leaders for discussions on medical technology innovation, whole-lifecycle health management, and global health equity. GoodMood's presence underscored the company's growing role in the global mental health landscape and its commitment to advancing AI-powered care on the international stage.

Forum Highlights

The forum featured presentations from prominent international and Chinese researchers. Academician He Jie, who chaired the event, presented breakthroughs in AI-driven oncology diagnostics and large-scale health data monitoring, underscoring the cutting-edge capabilities now being deployed in clinical settings.

Professor Peng Kaiping of Tsinghua University delivered a keynote on positive psychology, outlining how positive psychological interventions and resilience training can meaningfully improve mental health outcomes worldwide. He shared practical initiatives including happiness-focused education programs, psychological crisis hotlines, and well-being technology labs, arguing that mental health literacy can be taught and scaled through evidence-based methodsa key step in shifting the global approach from treatment to prevention.

Additional speakers from Columbia University and Indonesia's National Agency for Drug and Food Control (BPOM) addressed topics including preventive maternal and reproductive health education, international health regulation, and cross-border cooperation.

AI Initiative for Global Health Equity

During the forum, Mr. Thomas W. Brill formally presented the Initiative on AI-Empowered Full-Cycle Diagnosis and Treatment to Promote Global Health Equity, a call to action for leveraging artificial intelligence to expand access to high-quality medical resources around the worlda vision closely aligned with GoodMood's strategic direction.

Looking Ahead

Building on the momentum of the forum, GoodMood Group plans to deepen its international footprint by increasing investment in digital diagnostics, AI-driven R&D, and cross-border partnerships. The company remains committed to advancing the global health equity initiative and delivering intelligent, whole-lifecycle mental health solutions to communities worldwide.

Media Contact

Tony Tcheou, Good Mood Group, 86 186 1031 7947, [email protected], haoxinqing.cn

SOURCE Good Mood Group
After you read Julia Langbeins Dear Monica Lewinsky (Doubleday, out now), its not surprising to find out that the author Langbein is also a comedian with a PhD in Art History.

Her novels are wacky, fantastical, and very smart. In American Mermaid, Langbeins first foray into fiction in 2023, her protagonist Penny sells her blockbuster novel to Hollywood, but then she (and quite possiblyor impossiblyher mermaid, too) must battle to keep ownership of the story. Dear Monica Lewinsky, her second novel, also confronts the idea of who controls ones personal narrative.

Jean is a chef whose life is a wreck after years of dealing with the toxic effects of a brief affair she had with a professor after her sophomore year in college. Desperate to reclaim her own version of herself, she prays to Monica Lewinsky, andshe answers. What follows is a laugh-out-loud story that pops with radiant originality while diving deep into issues of female desire, ambition, and selfhood.

Langbein spoke to PW, from the village outside Paris where she lives and works, about being inspired by saints and playing with comedy in her work.

The brilliant spoof that opens your new novel reads like a biographical entry in an encyclopedia of saints, in which St. Monica Lewinsky is portrayed not only as noble and strong, but finally consecrated by the collective force of the American conscience during the second decade of the third millennium AD.

When I used to do improv comedy, there was this one show where we would perform for 24 hours straight, which is bananas! We would bring material to keep us going. I was 19, and I brought with me Butlers Lives of the Saints, which I had to read for a medieval [art history] course, and we would just take a life from it to improv off of. Ive known for a long time that these stories are stranger than people think.

So did this St. Monica character come first in your imagination? Or did your protagonist Jean?

St. Monica, but I knew I needed a supplicant, so the two had to create each other. Monica already has her iconography, her meaning, her voice; she has her amplitude. She could lead me into the story [easier] than Jean, whos much mushier and more human and more confused.

Jean prays to St. Monica to deliver her from her sad life after she receives a crippling email invitation from the older man whod betrayed her, and remembers that their brief affair was in 1998, the same summer President Clinton admitted to his affair with Monica Lewinsky.

I finished this book in 2023 so I didnt know that Monica Lewinsky was going to launch a podcast called Reclaimed, and her series of projects all around retelling stories and reclaiming narratives. Its a total coincidence!

But all of us have said, what were we thinking? When you have that kind of mass reckoning, that is a really interesting terrain in which to place a story about personal and collective history.

This is Jeans retelling, reshaping her own saints life. Its this genre of the saintslives being told in this patriarchal waywhich made me wonder about the real women behind it. Like, what woman thrilled to, what, being raped and then having her throat slit?

And then offering it all up to God, which is what saints and martyrs do.

American Mermaid was about how to protect yourself from being sold, being chopped up and sold. This book is more about the dangerous traps of storytelling. What Im trying to understand is just how deep these tropes around female virtue are, these expectations that women be the supporting character, disposable, objects of desire but never desiring. Its been incredibly hard to expunge the way women think of themselves, each other.

Do you use comedy as a weapon? Are you getting at serious truths but also being a little bit ridiculous?

My favorite novelists are comic novelists, and theyre people who, to me, have explained life better than anyone else.

The end of DML is very satisfying.

Writing the end of this book was the hardest thing Ive ever done in my life. I had to go back and re-read Dickens, look at Dante again. I had to go back and really, really read the book myself, my own book. The end is of a piece with all those really weird saints lives. To me theres nothing contrived or eccentric about what I do. Its actually the end point of a logical analysis; it makes sense.
Despite a rainy forecast and the overwhelming gloom of international politics, the attendees of this years Bologna Childrens Book Fair are focused on weathering challenges as a community. At the opening ceremony on Monday, the mayor of Bologna, Matteo Lepore, called the fair one of the citys most important events. Referring to the ongoing wars and other conflicts around the globe, he said, In a moment of international tension, where words are important, the fair is dedicated to children, the future, and human rights. The right path for the future is community. He told attendees, Bologna is a city of literature and imagination. Welcome to our city of peace and solidarity. Indeed, a common refrain among the publishers PW spoke with at the event was that childrens book people are the best people, whose shared sense of hope and humor make it a joy to come together.

Jennifer Gonzalez, senior VP and publisher of childrens books at Sourcebooks, described the atmosphere as upbeat, with new people and stands Ive never seen before. Addressing the decline in reading among tweens, Gonzalez and her colleagues Justin Krasner, editorial director at Sourcebooks eXplore, and Jenne Abramowitz, editorial director of the Sourcebooks Fire, Young Readers, and Jabberwocky imprints, said theyre investing strategically in hooky middle grade in a variety of high-interest formats, including illustrated books, memoir, and novels in verse. They were interested to hear about new formats, including a choose-your-path graphic novel, during their conversation with agents at the fairthe second theyve attended. Abramowitz said she feels that so many editors publish what they want kids to want, instead of what they actually want.

Helen Thewlis, sales and marketing director at What on Earth?, is likewise doubling down on highly illustrated books with shorter page counts and interactive formats, including new additions in the publishers Factopia series by U.S. author Kate Olesin and U.K. illustrator Andy Smith. She said that feedback for the series, which has eight titles out and more on the way, has been strong. Were hearing that reluctant readers find it easy to dip in and out of, because they can follow their interests rather than reading it in a linear fashion. Thewlis also noted an appetite for cute and cozy books.

Comics and graphic novels remain a booming category even in light of the global decline in reading rates. Publishers from Norway and Poland, the fairs current and incumbent guest-of-honor countries, told the BCBF audience on Monday that the graphic novel market has matured significantly over the past two decades, driven in large part by a dramatic shift in who is making comics. Speaking on a panel titled Graphic Novels for Adults: The Synergy Between Words, Design, and Illustration, Hakon Strand of Norways Strand Forlag and Szymon Holcman of Polands Timof Comics noted that entrants to a national Norwegian comics competition went from 95% male in 1997 to 52% female last year, a change Strand said has reshaped readership as well. Holcman described a parallel shift in Poland, a market that barely existed under communism and now publishes nearly 2,000 comics titles annually, with a creator and reader base that has moved to a roughly equal gender split.

Both publishers identified manga as the dominant force in their marketsJapanese is now the second most translated language in Poland, with around 800 new titles per yearbut said that literary graphic novels occupy a distinct space that continues to grow. Norways national library system, which purchases 1,000 to 2,000 copies of most graphic novels on publication, was cited as a key driver of that countrys development and a potential model for others. The two publishers acknowledged a structural tension between the slow production cycle of literary graphic novels, often two or more years per title, and the appetite of readers who can consume a catalog in weeks.

On artificial intelligence, Holcman was the more outspoken of the two, saying that AI has already cost illustrators and animators jobs in Poland and describing the technology as something the industry should actively resist. Art is the meeting between people, a discussion, a conversation, he said. We dont need machines for that. Both publishers said the craft of comics storytelling, specifically, the ability to control a readers eye across a page, remains a distinctive and difficult skill that no tool can substitute for, and one that publishers are still learning to identify and cultivate in new talent.

During a masterclass at the Illustrators Survival Corner on Wednesday afternoon, a panel titled Agents, Matchmaking, and the Human Pulse of Agenting featured literary agents Kirsten Hall, founder and president of Catbird Agency, and Erica Rand Silverman, VP at Stimola Literary Studio; Susan Rich, editor-at-large at Little, Brown Books for Young Readers; illustrator Felicita Sala; and author Matthew Burgess. The group discussed the importance of human connections in the creation of books, emphasizing that its in these connections the alchemy and magic of books blossoms. They stressed that while forming friendships with kindred spirits and following your instincts may seem counterintuitive in our data-driven world, its as important now as ever.

In the words of Molly Ker Hawn, a director at London-based literary agency David Higham Associates, Art is not broken. It doesnt need to be fixed by a machine.

New Directions and Discoveries

The fair has always been about a fertile ground for identifying and cultivating creative and business partnerships. Staf Nys, acquiring editor at Belgian childrens publisher Clavis Uitgeverij, is attending Bologna for the second time this year. The bulk of his day on Monday comprised of meetings with aspiring illustrators, with Tuesday reserved for buying and selling. We always try to stimulate new illustrators and were excited to start a journey with them, he said, citing Claviss Key Colours Competition, which is open every other year to international creators of unpublished picture books with promise. As a further example of the value of the fair in forging new creative collaborations, Nys shared that his business card features artwork from Spanish artist Isa Pirracas, an illustrator whom he met and signed at the 2025 edition of BCBF. Her book Samen naar de markt in de lente ( Off to the Spring Market!), inspired by their conversation about her love of flea markets, was recently released by Clavis in Dutch. He said theres been a lot of interest during the fair, particularly from Western and Southern Europe.

Berlin-based Marc Majewski is attending the fair again as an author-illustrator and also in his capacity as art director at Post Wave Childrens Books, which expanded into the U.S. market in 2024. Coming from meetings with Korean publishers on Monday, he told PW, I love the sensibility, playfulness, and humor that I find in Korean books. Hes also a fan of the poetic and non-linear approach of many Swedish picture books, in which not everything is always understandable. I think thats something children can relate to. Ive been thinking a lot about narrative structure, and I want to bring more of that almost illogical, childlike freedom into my own stories. Majewski was on his way to hold a portfolio review in the Illustrators Survival Corner, a service hes offered in previous years and which he said has yielded connections with promising talent.

Lawrence Schimelauthor, illustrator, and bidirectional English/Spanish translatortold PW that three of his appointments, representing Lebanon, the Philippines, and Indonesia, had to cancel their trip to Bologna because of the war. He said, With the state of the world, its necessary to have something to look forward to. For me, thats learning new language and exploring new cultures. Schimel, who has 12 translations coming out this year, appeared on two Bologna panels.

At Clavis, Nys is particularly excited to be publishing prominent Japanese books that he acquired for Dutch translation after discovering them during a productive Bologna Fair in 2025. The first is Kikis Delivery Service by Hans Christian Andersen Award winner Eiko Kadono (acquired from Fukuinkan through The English Agency). He noted that the timing is particularly auspicious, as the sequel Kiki and the New Magic will be available in the first-ever English translation on August 25 from Random House Childrens Book imprint Delacorte Press and the new IMAX edition of the adaptation by Studio Ghibli.

One of the other major acquisitions from Bologna 2025 to come to fruition this year is Diana Wynne Joness fantasy trilogy, The Land of Ingary, which includes Howls Moving Castle, Castle in the Air, and House of Many Ways (sold by David Higham). The first book priginally published in 1986 in the U.K. and also was adapted by Studio Ghibli into an Academy Award-nominated animation film. Like Kiki, he noted, the books will be available in Dutch for the first time, four decades following the trilogys debut.

Milestones and New Beginnings

Awards are a cornerstone of the fair, and several prize announcements offered another opportunity for the childrens publishing community to gather around something positive. The prestigious Hans Christian Andersen Awards went to U.K. author Michael Rosen and Chinese illustrator Cai Gao, while the Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award was given to Canadian author-illustrator Jon Klassen. The annual BOP  Bologna Prize for the Best Childrens Publishers of the Year were announced at a ceremony on Monday evening in Palazzo Re Enzo, which also featured the presentation of the BolognaRagazzi Awards and other prizes. The ceremony was followed by the traditional reception kicking off the fair.

Several publishers are celebrating milestones in the form of book anniversaries, with A.A. Milne and E.H. Shepards Winnie-the-Pooh and Carlo Collodis The Adventures of Pinocchio turning 100, The Little Prince turning 80, and Mo Willemss Elephant & Piggie turning 20.

The next Bologna Childrens Book Fair will take place April 58, 2027. In the meantime, the international celebration of illustration will continue at the inaugural Zig Zag Festival in New York City on June 812 of this year. Billed as a visual bridge between Italy and the U.S., the five-day series of events will bring together Italian and American illustrators and members of the publishing community for a chance to foster cross-cultural collaboration.

The project was announced at Bologna with a panel featuring some of the key participants: Elena Pasoli, director of BCBF; Livia Senic-Matuglia, manager of Rizzoli Bookstore; Francesca Rizzi, founder of Sullaluna bookstore and bistrot in Venice and New York City; Emilio Varra, founder of Hamelin Associazione Culturale in Bologna; Arabelle Liepold, executive director at the Society of Illustrators in New York City; and illustrators Steven Guarnaccia, Claudia Ruiz, and Felicita Sala.
In an effort to raise new funds, TokyoPop is launching a Regulation Crowdfunding (Reg CF) stock offering. Through the program, TokyoPop is offering fans of the publisher a chance to own a piece of the company by selling $5 shares. For a minimum investment of $1,000, investors receive a TokyoPop owners club membership, which entitles them to certain perks, including bonus shares.

According to its public filings, TokyoPop is looking to raise between $10,000 to $1.2 million. The majority of the proceeds will be used to expand TokyoPops core publishing activities and expand its IP pipeline. Other uses include adding to the companys anime production partnerships, growing merchandise and direct-to-consumer channels, and developing live events in the U.S. and possibly Europe. All of this activity is part of the goal of TokyoPop executives to hit $50 million in revenue by 2030.

The publisher has a way to go to hit that target, however. The company projects that sales this year will be about $15 million. That would be down from the $16 million in sales in 2025, but higher than the $14.8 million in 2024. Last years higher sales, however, resulted in a $1 million net loss compared to a $1.9 million profit in 2024.

As TokyoPop warns, Reg CF investors should not expect a quick return on their investment. The best chance for investors to profit is if TokyoPop is sold or becomes a fully-traded public company. Investors also cannot sell their shares for at least one year and then only under certain circumstances.
A blogger Lapshin has once again found himself at the center of controversy and has reportedly left Armenia under circumstances described by various sources as deportation.

He is known for frequently becoming involved in high-profile and contentious situations across different countries, often followed by public disputes and strong reactions from local authorities.

After leaving Armenia, Lapshin posted on social media expressing dissatisfaction with his situation and mentioning personal inconveniences related to his stay.

The incident has once again sparked discussion about his activities, public statements, and the repeated pattern of conflicts he becomes involved in while traveling between different states.
Euro Roundup: EMA, HMA recommend regulatory changes to address radiopharmaceutical challenges

European authorities have recommended changes to the regulatory framework to keep pace with the progress of the radiopharmaceutical sector.

Radiopharmaceuticals use of radioactive materials to treat and diagnose disease sets them apart from other drug modalities, giving the products unique characteristics that must be reflected in the regulatory framework and scientific guidelines. The European Medicines Agency (EMA) and Heads of Medicines Agencies (HMA) discussed the modality and its regulatory requirements in a horizon scanning report.

EMA and HMA concluded that the compartmentalization of European legislation on pharmaceuticals and on radiation protection creates challenges. The laws need aligning, for example in terms of terminology and on the need for a dosimetry-based treatment for all patients, the agencies said.

Reflecting those challenges, EMA and HMA flagged an opportunity to provide guidance on implementing the radiation protection legislation and on its interdependencies with the pharmaceutical laws. Creating such guidance could ensure both regulatory areas are respected, the agencies said.

The agencies identified an opportunity to improve dialogue and cooperation with radiation protection authorities. EMA and HMA recommended exploring the creation of a working group with EU medicines agencies and radiological protection regulators to align guidance on radiation safety and pharmaceutical regulations in the EU. International knowledge sharing and harmonization is another objective.

A lack of harmonization in the interpretation and implementation of EU radiopharmaceutical regulations across Member States was the other main regulatory challenge identified by the agencies. The problem affects small-scale production of radiopharmaceuticals.

Radiopharmaceuticals can be administered as magistral preparations, officinal preparations, or via the compassionate use route depending on the EU Member State, the agencies said. These legal routes lead to radiopharmaceuticals being made using nonauthorized kits, generators, and radionuclide precursors, and to various degrees of compliance with good manufacturing practices (GMPs) across Member States.

EMA and HMA see a chance to continue working to harmonize the regulation of small-scale preparations and the implementation of GMPs, with a particular focus on PET radiopharmaceuticals. The reports authors listed creating an EU-wide working group focused on the topics among the actions authorities should consider.

Other suggestions include revising guidelines to ensure Member States perform consistent assessments of the products and to provide guidance on implementing the radiation protection law. New guidance on diagnostic radiopharmaceuticals is needed because of recent scientific developments, the agencies said.

EMA-HMA Report

Notified bodies warn against uniform reduction in preventive MDR and IVDR safeguards

Notified body association Team-NB has warned against the uniform reduction of preventive regulatory safeguards in its feedback on planned changes to the medtech regulations.

In December, the European Commission proposed reducing and simplifying the rules on medical devices and in vitro diagnostics. The proposals reflected a belief that the Medical Devices Regulation (MDR) and In Vitro Diagnostic Regulation (IVDR) have underlying structural problems that affect the availability of devices and the competitiveness of EU manufacturers.

Seeking a lasting solution for the repeatedly delayed regulations, the Commission proposed changes to simplify the rules, cut administrative burdens, and make certification by notified bodies more predictable and cost-effective. Notified bodies worry the changes go too far.

In a 95-page response to the proposals, Team-NB said efficiency gains must not be achieved through uniform reduction of preventive regulatory safeguards. The association concluded that preventive controls, particularly in early and late lifecycle phases, remain essential and cannot be replaced solely by reactive, forcause mechanisms.

The conclusion reflects the belief that the proposal shifts the EU from a proactive, preventive framework to a predominantly reactive one, where issues are identified only after serious incidents or widespread complaints arise. Team-NB said the shift would undermine the intent of MDR and IVDR and increase the likelihood that unsafe or noncompliant devices remain in clinical use.

If the Commission provides regulatory relief, including by reducing oversight and administrative burdens, the actions should be earned, justified, timelimited and reversible, based on demonstrated compliance performance, Team-NB said.

Other Team-NB recommendations include strengthening governance structures through clearer roles, improved coordination, and procedural support at the EU level. Team-NB said those changes must avoid diluting regulatory accountability. The association also recommended clear, restrictive, and legally predictable frameworks for clinical evaluation pathways, including for wellestablished technologies.

Team-NB Notice

EMA answers more than 150 sponsor questions about Clinical Trial Information System

EMA has answered frequently asked questions about using the Clinical Trial Information System (CTIS) across the study lifecycle.

The document features more than 150 questions about pre-submission steps, applying to run a study, the evaluation stage, conducting trials, and submitting results. Officials focused the document on the parts of the trial lifecycle with the most frequently asked questions.

EMA clarified that sponsors must enter information on a drug candidate in the Extended EudraVigilance Medicinal Product Dictionary (XEVMPD) even if another sponsor has already done so. The system assigns a different product number for each sponsor and lacks automatic linking between entries. Another query covers changes EMA implemented in February to allow people on Mac computers to access XEVMPD.

Other sections of the document explain that sponsors cannot change trial categories using a substantial modification after the initial trial application is authorized. EMA may accept a category change if the sponsor explicitly requests the revision in a request for information issued during the initial application.

EMA FAQ

UK MHRA works with eBay to remove 215 listings of potentially dangerous medicines

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) and eBay have removed 215 listings of potentially dangerous medicines.

As part of its long-standing relationship with the eCommerce platform, the UK regulatory agency found listings selling unauthorized erectile dysfunction medicines for removal by eBay. MHRA said the shape of the tablets indicated that they were fake. The agency team that classifies borderline products confirmed that the products were not genuine.

MHRA alerted eBay about the products, leading the company to immediately remove the listings from its platform. The agency is unsure what the products contained. Other analyses have found unauthorized products can contain no active ingredient, too much active ingredient, or toxic ingredients. Last year, eBay introduced an AI tool for identifying and blocking listings that violate its policy on medicine sales.

Press Release

EMA schedules meeting to hear industrys view on breakthrough medical device pilot

EMA has arranged an online information session for 24 April to discuss the breakthrough medical device program it plans to pilot this year.

Officials plan to start the pilot in the second quarter to support development of highly innovative devices and in vitro diagnostics. Companies with eligible devices will receive enhanced regulatory support and priority scientific advice from the medical device expert panels. Trade group MedTech Europe has called for EMA to establish a breakthrough program.

The agenda for next weeks meeting includes time allocated for the European Commissions perspective and expectations and the industrys perspectives on the practical implications of the program. Other topics on the agenda for the two-hour meeting include the role of expert panels in the breakthrough devices framework and notified bodys activities and responsibilities.

Press Release, Meeting Agenda

Other News:

MHRA has approved Novo Nordisks 7.2mg Wegovy pen to treat adults with obesity. The approval of the pen follows the January authorization of a 7.2mg maximum weekly dose of the GLP-1 receptor agonist. Before this weeks approval, patients needed to use three 2.4mg pens on the same day to achieve the maximum authorized dose. Press Release
Al-Jazeera, April 16, 2026

An earthquake in Afghanistan has killed eight members of the same family when their home collapsed in the Gosfand Dara area of Kabul province.

Health Ministry spokesman Sharafat Zaman said on Saturday that a child aged around two years old was the only survivor. Afghanistans disaster management agency said the boy was injured.

The 5.8-magnitude quake struck at 8:42pm local time on Friday at a depth of 186km (115 miles). The epicentre was in the northeastern province of Badakhshan.

The capital Kabul is about 290km southwest of the epicentre.

There were no immediate reports of injuries or damage in areas closer to the epicentre. The province is remote so it can often take several hours before local authorities can relay information back to Kabul.

Strong tremors were felt in multiple parts of Afghanistan, including Kabul and the Indian capital New Delhi, witnesses told the Reuters news agency.

Pakistan also felt the quake, including in the capital Islamabad and Peshawar, Chitral, Swat and Shangla. There were no immediate reports of injuries or damage.

Previous quakes

Afghanistan is frequently jolted by earthquakes along the Hindu Kush mountain range  near the junction of the Eurasian and Indian tectonic plates. On average, 560 people are killed by quakes there every year.

The deadliest tremor in the countrys recent history struck last August. The shallow magnitude 6 earthquake in eastern Afghanistan wiped out mountain villages, killing at least 2,200 people

Most casualties were in Kunar province, where Afghans typically live in wood and mud-brick houses along steep valleys.

Impoverished Afghanistan often faces difficulty in responding to natural disasters, especially in remote regions.

Many homes in rural and outlying areas are poorly built with bricks, wood and mud.
After 16 years at the helm, Victor Orbans defeat in Hungarys elections on April 12th marks a political turning point at home. But across Europeespecially on the righthis once-derided migration policies have not only endured; they have become the emerging consensus. In fact, the European Union is now belatedly moving in the direction Orban charted years ago.

The clearest proof came in late March, when the European Parliament adopted sweeping new migration measures that would have been unthinkable a decade ago. In a decisive vote of 389206, lawmakers approved legislation enabling EU member states to deport rejected asylum seekers to offshore return hubs outside the Union.

Under the new framework, individual countriesor coalitions of countriescan strike bilateral deals with third nations to host detention and processing centers for migrants who have no legal right to remain in Europe. These facilities are explicitly designed to accelerate deportations, reduce the burden on domestic asylum systems, and deter illegal migration flows.

But the policy shift goes even further. The legislation also expands detention authorityallowing migrants deemed a flight risk or security concern to be held for up to two yearswhile introducing tougher penalties for those who refuse deportation and potentially long-term or even lifetime bans on reentry into the EU.

In short, Europe is now finally supporting a model of migration control that prioritizes enforcement, deterrence, and externalizationthe very pillars of Orbans approach since the 2015 migration crisis when he stood up to then-German Chancellor Angel Merkels catastrophic open border policies which allowed more than a million migrants to press into central Europe.

Equally significant was how the legislation passed.

The vote was carried by a coalition of center-right and right-wing partiesincluding the European Peoples Party, European Conservatives and Reformists, and Orbans own Patriots for Europethat joined forces despite years of political taboo enforced by the Left. This alliance represents yet another breach of the so-called cordon sanitaire, the long-standing effort by Brussels elites to isolate right-leaning and nationalist parties from governing coalitions.

That barrier is now thankfully crumbling.

On migrationthe most politically salient issue in Europethe center-right is no longer able to exclude parties that reflect the concerns of millions of voters. The result is a new governing reality in Brussels, one where sovereignty-minded parties are shaping policy rather than being sidelined.

And that is Orbans real legacy.

For years, he argued that Europe must defend its external borders, reject compulsory migrant quotas, and retain national control over who enters its territory. He built fences when others issued statements. He resisted EU migration pacts when others signed on. And he insisted that mass migration posed not just administrative challenges, but fundamental questions about sovereignty, identity, and democratic accountability.

At the time, these positions were widely dismissed as extreme.

Today, they are increasingly acceptedeven by governments that once condemned them.

Across Europe, countries are tightening border controls, expanding deportation mechanisms, and exploring offshore processing arrangements strikingly similar to those pioneered or championed by Hungary. What was once labeled illiberal is now widely regarded as necessary.

That shift did not happen by accident. It happened because Orban forced the debate.

By refusing to conform to Brussels orthodoxy, he exposed the failures of Europes migration system and demonstrated that alternative policies were not only possiblebut politically popular. Over time, reality caught up with rhetoric.

Now comes the test for Hungarys new leadership.

Peter Magyar may have won an election, but he inherits a country where Orbans migration policies remain deeply popular. Hungarians have consistently supported strict border enforcement and opposition to EU-imposed migration schemes. Any attempt to reverse those policies, by agreeing to accept migrants from other EU countries, would not only defy public opinionit would risk political self-destruction.

Magyar would be wise to recognize that.

Because while he may seek to reposition Hungary within the European mainstream, the European mainstream itself has moved toward Orban. Undoing Hungarys migration framework would not align the country with Europes futureit would place it out of step with it.

And Hungarian voters are unlikely to reward that.

The broader lesson is unmistakable.

Orbans critics focused on his style. But history will remember his substance.

He understood earlier than most that uncontrolled migration would become Europes defining political issue. He recognized that national governmentsnot distant institutionswould ultimately be held accountable. And he acted accordingly.

Now Europe is following his lead.

Orban may have lost power. But he won the argumentand in politics, that is the victory that lasts.

Paul McCarthy is Senior Research Fellow for European Affairs in the Margaret Thatcher Center for Freedom at the Heritage Foundation.
If youre active on social media, youve probably had the term looksmaxxing, come across your feed. Looksmaxxing, a term that has roots in the involuntary celibate, or incel, community, is related to maximizing ones appearance, or becoming as attractive as one can. It is guided by specific ideal measurements of physical appearance and anatomy, attempting to achieve specific measures of attractiveness. Methods can range from simply adopting a new skincare regimen to more extreme practices like injecting unregulated substances into ones body.
Under FAME-II, automakers provided subsidies to electric vehicle (EV) customers at the time of purchase, with the understanding that the government would reimburse the firms later.

Kindly note the image have only been published for representational purposes. Photograph: Kind courtesy Hyundai Motor Group/Pexels

Key Points Major EV manufacturers like TVS Motor, Ather Energy, and Tata Motors are still awaiting significant dues from the government under the FAME-II scheme, which ended in March 2024.

Industry executives are concerned that funds earmarked for FAME-II dues could lapse if not utilised before the financial year ends on March 31, creating uncertainty for companies.

The Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (Siam) has repeatedly raised the issue with the Ministry of Heavy Industries (MHI), highlighting technical glitches in the FAME-II portal that prevented timely claim submissions.

The delay in payments creates financial uncertainty for listed OEMs, potentially requiring them to make provisions for dues, which can impact net profit.

Launched in April 2019 with a budget of 11,500 crore, FAME-II aimed to boost EV adoption by offering upfront discounts to buyers, with manufacturers later reimbursed by the government.

Several major automobile makers, such as TVS Motor, Ather Energy, and Tata Motors, are still waiting for the government to clear their dues under the FAME-II scheme, even though the scheme ended two years ago, Business Standard has learnt.

Under FAME-II, automakers provided subsidies to electric vehicle (EV) customers at the time of purchase, with the understanding that the government would reimburse the firms later.

Officials of the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (Siam) recently met ministry of heavy industries (MHI) officials and raised the matter about pending dues again, especially as the financial year was ending.

"Tata Motors, TVS Motor, Ather Energy and OPG Mobility (formerly Okaya EV) are among those awaiting payments from the MHI. The pending dues run into tens of crores," an industry executive said.

ALSO READ: India's EV Market Sees Remarkable Growth in FY26

Concerns Over Fund Lapses and Financial Reporting

The executive also expressed concern that funds earmarked for clearing FAME-II dues could lapse if not utilised before March 31, as unspent allocations are typically returned by ministries to the finance ministry at the end of a financial year.

This has created uncertainty over whether the funds would be reallocated if approvals come after March 31.

Ideally, the amount set aside should be used to clear pending dues within the current financial year, the executive said.

A second industry executive said that clarity from the MHI on the timeline for payments is critical, particularly because many of the affected original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) are listed and need visibility on receivables for accurate balance sheet preparation and financial reporting.

"Auditors may ask companies to make provisions for dues if there is uncertainty over recovery, as per accounting norms. These provisions are treated as expenses and can reduce net profit, though this depends more on the likelihood of recovery than just how long the dues have been pending," the second executive said.

The delay is worrying for two-wheeler and three-wheeler makers, which were among the largest beneficiaries of the scheme, the second executive said.

ALSO READ: TVS Orbiter: Big on range, short on hill climb

Siam's Repeated Appeals and Portal Glitches

The issue is not new. In a letter dated April 30 last year, Siam had written to the MHI seeking intervention for the release of pending FAME-II dues.

In the letter, Siam flagged that several member companies had not received "pre-receipts" for their claims.

These are acknowledgements generated by the government system before the final subsidy payment is released to manufacturers.

Siam also noted that some companies had submitted clarifications for rejected claims, but those cases were still pending.

A key concern raised related to the 120-day submission rule under the scheme. According to policy, dealers were required to submit sales claims to OEMs within 120 days of the invoice date, after which OEMs would upload them on the government portal for reimbursement.

Siam said technical glitches in the FAME-II portal prevented timely submission in several cases, resulting in valid claims being excluded once the system automatically locked entries after the deadline.

The industry group also sought reconsideration of claims rejected for being submitted beyond the 120-day limit, arguing that OEMs had approved cases within the stipulated period but were unable to complete submission due to portal-related issues.

It further clarified that the "claim creation date" should not be treated as the actual submission date, as the portal distinguishes between the two.

Despite repeated follow-ups, Siam had noted in its letter that dues remained unsettled, and had urged the MHI to provide clarity on the timeline for disbursement, warning that the lack of communication was creating uncertainty for companies.

MHI, Siam and the four aforementioned automakers did not respond to Business Standard's emails.

ALSO READ: India's EV Transition On Right Track, But Miles To Go

About the FAME-II Scheme

Launched in April 2019 with a budget outlay of 11,500 crore, FAME-II aimed to accelerate electric vehicle adoption by making EVs more affordable.

The scheme targeted support for 1 million electric two-wheelers, 500,000 three-wheelers, 55,000 passenger vehicles and 7,000 buses.

It ended on March 2024. Under the scheme, manufacturers provided upfront discounts to buyers at the time of purchase, effectively reducing EV prices.

The government later reimbursed these discounts to the companies.

To qualify for the subsidy, manufacturers had to meet localisation requirements under the Phased Manufacturing Programme, which mandated that at least 50 per cent of the vehicle's value be sourced domestically.

Bumpy ride Pending dues run into tens of crores, say executives

Risk of funds to lapse as financial year ends

Delay impacts balance sheets, financial reporting of listed OEMs

Portal glitches, 120-day rule blocked valid subsidy claims

Feature Presentation: Rajesh Alva/Rediff
India's banking system is currently experiencing a substantial liquidity surplus exceeding Rs 5 trillion, primarily fuelled by extensive government spending and bond redemptions, prompting market expectations for the Reserve Bank of India to escalate Variable Rate Reserve Repo operations to effectively manage these excess funds.

Illustration: Dominic Xavier/Rediff

Key Points India's banking system has maintained a liquidity surplus above Rs 5 trillion for five consecutive days, reaching Rs 5.25 trillion.

The surplus is primarily due to approximately Rs 3 trillion in inflows from year-end government spending and redemptions of government securities.

Market participants anticipate the RBI will increase Variable Rate Reserve Repo (VRRR) operations to absorb the excess liquidity, as the Weighted Average Call Rate (WACR) is below the repo rate.

The RBI aims to keep the liquidity surplus between 0.6-1.1 per cent of deposits to maintain a 5-10 basis point spread between the WACR and the policy rate.

The 10-year benchmark government bond yield eased to 6.87 per cent, influenced by declining crude oil prices and US Treasury yields.

Surplus liquidity in the banking system  measured by banks parking funds in the Reserve Bank of India"s liquidity adjustment facility  continued to stay over Rs 5 trillion for the fifth straight day, data released by the central bank showed.

The surplus was Rs 5.25 trillion on Monday, followed by Rs 5.13 trillion on Tuesday.

The weighted average call rate (WACR), which is the operating target of monetary policy, was at 5.08 per cent on Wednesday, as compared to 5.04 per cent on the previous day.

Factors Driving Liquidity Surplus

Market participants said inflows worth around Rs 3 trillion, driven by year-end government spending and redemptions of government securities amounting to Rs 86,403 crore and Rs 34,791 crore, pushed the surplus beyond Rs 5 trillion.

"Government spending of around Rs 3.5 trillion  around Rs 1.2 trillion in form of security redemption  and some decrease in the cash in circulation led to widening of the surplus," said VRC Reddy, treasury head, Karur Vysya Bank.

RBI's Expected Response

With the WACR currently below the repo rate of 5.25 per cent, market participants expect the central bank to step up Variable Rate Reserve Repo (VRRR) operations to suck out the surplus liquidity.

In its Monetary Policy Report, the central bank noted that maintaining liquidity surplus in the range of 0.6-1.1 per cent of deposits would likely keep the spread between the WACR and the policy rate at 5-10 basis points.

Market Reactions and Outlook

Meanwhile, the yield on the 10-year benchmark government bond eased by 7 basis points to 6.87 per cent, tracking a decline in crude oil prices and US Treasury yields, against the previous close of 6.94 per cent on Monday.

Bond and forex markets were closed on Tuesday on account of Ambedkar Jayanti.

Dealers said profit booking limited further gains in bond prices.

"Since last closing, crude prices fell and US treasuries were also down by 8 bases. Now again, second round (of ceasefire talks) is building up over the weekend," said a dealer at a primary dealership.

Crude oil prices fell to as much as $95 per barrel after US President Donald Trump announced a second round of ceasefire talks with Iran in Pakistan.

The rupee ended flat at 93.38 per dollar after opening 20 paise stronger than its previous close.

Forex dealers said firm dollar demand from importers and oil marketing companies led the local unit to pare its gains towards the end of the session.
India's Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs has unveiled the Urban Challenge Fund (UCF), a groundbreaking Rs 1 lakh crore initiative designed to revolutionise urban infrastructure development by leveraging private and market finance through strategic state support and credit guarantees.

Illustration: Dominic Xavier/Rediff

Key Points The Urban Challenge Fund (UCF) has been launched with a total outlay of Rs 1 lakh crore, including Rs 90,000 crore for projects and Rs 10,000 crore for capacity building and credit guarantees.

The scheme aims to leverage market finance for urban projects, limiting central assistance to 25% of project costs, provided at least 50% comes from bonds, bank loans, or PPPs.

The UCF will cover cities with a projected 2025 population of 1 million+, industrial cities over 100,000, and all urban local bodies.

A Credit Repayment Guarantee Sub-Scheme (CRGSS) of Rs 5,000 crore will assist Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) with limited credit history, particularly in Northeastern and Hilly States/UTs, and smaller ULBs.

Projects under UCF must demonstrate long-term financial sustainability, viable revenue models, and lifecycle cost considerations, with an escrow mechanism for financial discipline.

Cities looking to make use of the Urban Challenge Fund (UCF) will see state support of Rs 10,000 crore in capacity building and credit guarantees in order to make projects bankable and leverage private or market finance, the housing and urban affairs ministry said on Wednesday.

The government released the much-awaited guidelines for UCF on Wednesday, and plans to start releasing funds to support projects soon, said Manohar Lal Khattar, housing and urban affairs minister.

UCF Allocation and Funding Structure

According to the guidelines, central assistance for projects under the fund will be Rs 90,000 crore, while Rs 5,000 crore has been earmarked for Project Preparation and Capacity Building at National, State/UT, and City levels, and a Credit Repayment Guarantee Sub-Scheme (CRGSS) has been allocated Rs 5,000 crore.

The policy was ideated specifically for cities to leverage market finance instead of relying on government grants, keeping central assistance for projects limited to 25 per cent of the cost of bankable projects provided that at least 50 per cent of the project cost is funded from bonds, bank loans, and public private partnerships.

The scheme will cover all cities with a projected 2025 population of 1 million or more, industrial cities with a population more than 100,000 and all urban local bodies.

The Rs 90,000 crore project fund will serve as catalytic support to leverage market-based financing, enable structured project implementation, and ensure timely execution of financially viable and reform-linked urban infrastructure investments, the guidelines said.

"States will endeavour to take up projects equivalent to at least 25 per cent of their allocated amount within the six months from the issuance of guidelines," they said.

Phased Funding and Capacity Building

This money will also only be provided to cities and urban bodies in three tranches. 30 per cent of the project fund will be released initially to kickstart the approved project, while the remaining 70 per cent will be tied to actual physical delivery and adherence to outcomes over two tranches.

The Project Preparation and Capacity Building Fund (PPCBF) will likely strengthen the quality, readiness, and bankability of projects, and build institutional and technical capacity.

This could possibly address a key area of concern in infrastructure projects  project planning. Across sub-sectors, projects continue to be plagued by inadequate plans, often created in silos of government departments, say experts. Rs 3,000 crore has been specifically allocated to that effect.

Addressing Creditworthiness Challenges

Officials previously had said that besides the challenge of making projects bankable, a problem encountered with several ULBs in accessing markets in the past had been the lack of creditworthiness due to multiple factors.

According to the government, the CRGSS will address this, targeting ULBs in Northeastern and Hilly States/UTs, & smaller Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) with population below 100,000.

"The Sub-Scheme is designed as a risk-sharing and credit enhancement mechanism to assist ULBs with limited credit history or relatively weaker financial profiles, enabling their gradual transition towards sustainable and independent market financing," the guidelines said.

In a previous interview with this paper, Housing and Urban Development Corporation chairman and managing director Sanjay Kulshreshtha had said that engaging several ULBs will involve a complete overhaul of their books in accordance with credit rating standards so that they can access the market to begin with.

Players like HUDCO are in the running to be end-to-end players to handhold ULBs in creating bankable project pipelines.

Credit Repayment Guarantee will be provided for first-time loans at 70 per cent of the loan amount or up to Rs 7 crore, whichever is lower, and for second-time loans at 50 per cent of the loan amount or up to Rs 7 crore, whichever is lower.

Project Coverage and Financial Sustainability

UCF will see coverage for projects on digital governance, trunk infrastructure, last-mile transport, non-motorised mobility infrastructure (for example, pedestrianisation), and revitalisation of old city areas and markets.

"Projects shall demonstrate long-term financial sustainability, including viable revenue models and lifecycle cost considerations," it said, adding the requirement of an Escrow mechanism with appropriate ring-fencing of project revenues to ensure financial discipline, repayment security, and sustainability of operations.

The lack of economic momentum in cities and India's legacy issues were also a core focus of the economic survey for FY26 released in February, and a recurring theme appearing in the concerns was that of the lack of autonomy and integrated push from city authorities.

An urban infrastructure expert based in New Delhi said that the guidelines firm up a plan that has not been undertaken before  leveraging private finance for cities and delivering physical outcomes.

This is an initiative that two previous schemes  the city challenge fund in the early 2000s and the recent Smart Cities Mission  could not adequately address.
India and New Zealand are set to formalise a significant Free Trade Agreement (FTA) on April 27 in New Delhi, a pact designed to boost bilateral trade to $5 billion and attract $20 billion in investment over the next 15 years, while also opening new avenues for professional mobility.

IMAGE: Prime Minister Narendra Modi with Christopher Luxon, prime minister of New Zealand. Photograph: Adnan Abidi/Reuters

Key Points India and New Zealand will formally sign a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) on April 27 in New Delhi, following the conclusion of negotiations last December.

The FTA aims to double bilateral trade to $5 billion within the next five years and attract $20 billion in investment over 15 years.

India will gain zero-duty market access for 100 per cent of its exports to New Zealand, while New Zealand will see tariffs eliminated or reduced on 95 per cent of its exports to India, excluding sensitive dairy products, onions, sugar, spices, edible oils, and rubber.

New Zealand will offer a temporary employment entry visa pathway for 5,000 Indian professionals annually, allowing stays of up to three years.

Bilateral merchandise trade stood at $1.3 billion in 2024-25, with total goods and services trade reaching approximately $2.4 billion in 2024.

India and New Zealand will sign a free trade agreement (FTA) on April 27 here, an official said on Thursday.

The free trade pact aims to provide tariff-free access to the island nation's market for domestic exporters' goods and will bring in $20 billion in investment over the next 15 years.

Boosting Bilateral Trade and Investment

The two countries on December 22 last year announced the conclusion of negotiations for the trade deal which aims at doubling bilateral trade to $5 billion in the next five years.

The official said that the pact will be signed on April 27 in Bharat Mandapam after a meeting of the India-New Zealand Business Forum.

Market Access and Tariff Concessions

While India will get zero-duty market access on 100 per cent of its exports, the agreement will eliminate or reduce tariffs on 95 per cent of New Zealand's exports to India, including items ranging from wool, coal, wood, wine, to avocados and blueberries.

However, New Delhi has made no duty concessions on imports of dairy products like milk, cream, whey, yoghurt, and cheese; onions, sugar, spices, edible oils, and rubber to protect farmers and the domestic industry.

Under the pact, New Zealand will also get duty-free access to goods such as sheep meat, wool, coal and over 95 per cent of forestry and wood articles.

Opportunities for Indian Professionals

As regards the services sector, New Zealand will give a temporary employment entry visa pathway for Indian professionals in skilled occupations with a quota of 5,000 visas annually and a stay of up to three years.

Bilateral merchandise trade stood at $1.3 billion in 2024-25. The total trade in goods and services reached about $2.4 billion in 2024, with services trade alone reaching $1.24 billion, led by travel, IT, and business services.
'Courts are not moved by spectacle. They act when the facts, as they stand, call for the law to step in.'

IMAGE: Reliance Industries Ltd Chairman and Managing Director Mukesh Ambani. Photograph: Niharika Kulkarni/Reuters

Key Points Orissa high court ruled company chairmen cannot be held criminally liable for defective products sold by local dealers.

The court quashed proceedings against Mukesh Ambani and Reliance Industries over a Rs 501 faulty phone case.

It termed the complaint legally untenable and criticised repeated litigation as harassment and abuse of process.

Judgment reaffirmed that criminal liability requires direct personal involvement, not merely holding a high corporate position.

The Orissa high court has ruled that a company's chairman cannot be held criminally liable for a defective product sold by a local dealer, just as the railway minister or postal authorities cannot be summoned for delayed trains or lost letters.

Justice Sanjeeb K Panigrahi dismissed a criminal complaint filed against Reliance Industries Limited and its chairman Mukesh Ambani over a faulty cellphone worth Rs 501 sold in Rourkela more than 23 years ago.

Censuring a lower court for issuing summons in the matter, the high court ruled that the case was a clear instance of harassment.

It imposed a fine of Rs 1,000 on the complainant, lawyer Prafulla Kumar Mishra, directing that the amount be deposited with the Juvenile Justice Fund of the Odisha State Legal Services Authority within four weeks.

The high court observed that the complaint's premise was legally untenable.

'If such an approach were accepted, it would open the floodgates for indiscriminate criminal prosecution, allowing passengers to summon the Railway Minister for delayed trains or the Postmaster General for a lost letter, or even the Union Food Minister for a defective item supplied through a ration outlet,' said the March 31 order uploaded on the court's web site.

Criminal Liability Principle Clarified

Criminal law rests on a direct and personal nexus between the accused and the alleged offence.

In the absence of such a connection, merely holding a high office or public profile cannot be grounds to implicate an individual in criminal proceedings, it said.

The court said the attempt to arraign Ambani had no connection with the pursuit of a legitimate criminal remedy.

Instead, it described the case as, in substance, a publicity-driven exercise presented in the form of a criminal complaint.

The case traces back to 2003, when Mishra, who was then practising in Rourkela, bought a telecom scheme of Reliance Infocomm by paying Rs 501 and agreeing to monthly payments.

He alleged that the phone supplied by a local dealer as part of the scheme was defective and he was served fake bills of Rs 6,398 when the phone was with the dealer for repairs.

Over the years, the complainant initiated multiple criminal proceedings against Ambani and Reliance companies.

The first two complaints filed in 2003 and 2004 were quashed by the High Court, and the Supreme Court dismissed special leave petitions against those orders in 2007, citing that no criminal case was made out.

A third round of proceedings in 2016 resulted in cognisance only against a local dealer, with the court consistently refusing to summon Ambani.

Subsequent attempts, including an application to add him as an accused, were also rejected by the high court.

Mishra filed a fresh complaint before the sub-divisional judicial magistrate, Panposh in Rourkela in 2025, leading to notices being issued in January this year, prompting Reliance Industries and Ambani to approach the high court.

Quashing the proceedings, the high curt underscored that the dispute involved a 'trivial' transaction value of Rs 501 but had led to an 'almost unrelenting pursuit' of criminal litigation spanning over two decades.

The high court held that successive complaints on identical facts, especially after earlier ones were quashed and upheld up to the Supreme Court, amounted to harassment and fell squarely within the category of abuse of process laid down in landmark rulings such as State of Haryana vs Bhajan Lal and Sunil Bharti Mittal vs CBI.

It found no legal basis to prosecute Ambani, reiterating the settled principle that criminal liability is personal and cannot be imposed vicariously on company officials unless specifically provided by statute.

Besides, Reliance Industries was found to have no connection with the telecom entities involved in the original transaction.

The high court expressed concern over the conduct of the SDJM, maintaining that summons had been issued without adequate scrutiny despite the long litigation history.

Issuance of summons, it emphasised, is a serious judicial act requiring application of mind, particularly when the complaint itself indicates repeated litigation on the same issue.

'Courts are not moved by spectacle. They act when the facts, as they stand, call for the law to step in. A simple inquiry as to whether any earlier proceeding was instituted would have revealed the full history. No such inquiry appears to have been made,' said the order.

The high court quashed the complaint and the summons dated January 27, 2026, discharging Reliance Industries and Ambani from further proceedings.

'A sense of grievance, however deep, does not entitle a person to weaponise the criminal law against those who have already been found to bear no criminal liability,' the court observed.

Mishra, now a resident of Bhubaneswar and a practising lawyer in the high court, said he is examining the order and will initiate an appropriate legal course of action.

"I have been fighting the case for the last 23 years. The phone I bought was faulty, but surprisingly I was served bills for a period of nearly one year when the handset was under the dealer's possession for repair," he told Business Standard.

"I may go for a counter petition in the high court or a special leave petition in the Supreme Court after analysing the order."

Feature Presentation: Aslam Hunani/Rediff
Indian stock markets, including the Sensex and Nifty, surged in early trade, buoyed by renewed hopes for a US-Iran truce that has alleviated geopolitical tensions and moderated crude oil prices, coupled with positive global market sentiment and fresh foreign fund inflows.

Photograph: Shailesh Andrade/Reuters

Sensex and Nifty50 Rally: Key Highlights from Todays Market Indian benchmark indices Sensex and Nifty saw significant gains in early trade, with Sensex up 619 points and Nifty climbing 169.65 points.

Optimism surrounding potential US-Iran negotiations has eased geopolitical concerns, leading to a moderation in Brent crude oil prices to $94-95 per barrel.

Positive trends in global markets and fresh foreign institutional investor (FII) inflows, amounting to Rs 666.15 crore on Wednesday, contributed to the market's upward momentum.

Major gainers among Sensex firms included Eternal, Infosys, Tech Mahindra, Bajaj Finance, Tata Steel, and InterGlobe Aviation, while Sun Pharma and Titan lagged.

Benchmark indices Sensex and Nifty climbed in early trade on Thursday as renewed optimism surrounding the progress in restarting USaIran negotiations has helped ease immediate geopolitical concerns and driven crude oil prices lower.

A positive trend in global markets and fresh foreign fund inflows also added to markets' optimism.

Sector-Wise Performance and Top Gainers Today

The 30-share BSE Sensex jumped 619 points to 78,730.32 in early trade. The 50-share NSE Nifty climbed 169.65 points to 24,400.95.

From the 30-Sensex firms, Eternal, Infosys, Tech Mahindra, Bajaj Finance, Tata Steel and InterGlobe Aviation were the major winners.

Sun Pharma and Titan were the laggards.

Global Factors and Expert Insights

Brent crude, the global oil benchmark, traded 0.04 per cent up at $94.97 per barrel.

In Asian markets, South Korea's benchmark Kospi, Japan's Nikkei 225 index, Shanghai's SSE Composite index and Hong Kong's Hang Seng index were trading higher.

US markets ended mostly higher on Wednesday.

"Renewed optimism surrounding the progress in restarting USaIran negotiations has helped ease immediate geopolitical concerns, thereby enhancing overall risk appetite.

"Brent crude oil prices have moderated and are consolidating in the range of $94-95 per barrel, which is a constructive development for the domestic market," Ponmudi R, CEO of Enrich Money, an online trading and wealth tech firm, said.

Global Market Cues Driving Indian Equities Higher

Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) bought equities worth Rs 666.15 crore on Wednesday, according to exchange data.

"Earlier, sustained FII outflows triggered by elevated oil prices and geopolitical uncertainty had weighed on Indian equities.

"However, recent sessions indicate signs of stabilization, with foreign institutional investors turning marginal net buyers, contributing approximately Rs 666 crore in the previous session," he added.
This article was first published 18 years ago

W ith Gandhi My Father Anil Kapoor, has touched a subject that no Bollywood producer would have dared to.

The film is a brave attempt and director Feroz Abbas Khan has tried to bring out the complicated relationship between the Father of the Nation Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi and his eldest son, Harilal.

The film works because of the wonderful performances from the four lead actors: Darshan Jariwala as Mahatma Gandhi, Akshaye Khanna as Harilal, Shefali Shah as Kasturba Gandhi and Bhoomika Chawla as Harilal's wife Gulab.

Unfortunately, the script has many loopholes. A little more research on what the real problem between Mahatma and his son was would have made this film a classic. It is here that Feroz Abbas Khan disappoints.

To begin with, there was no justification for Gandhi opposing Harilal's decision to get married. Again, a little research on the reason behind Harilal's rebellion against his father could have taken the film to another level.

Another inconsistency is the part where the Mahatma advocates Indian students to go to London for a scholarship but when it comes to his own son, he sticks to Satyagraha and Indian values.

More questions come to the fore as the film progresses and no reason is given for the growing distance between father and son, though there are enough about the Mahatma being more concerned about the nation's interest than his family.

The film also fails to explore the relationship between Gandhi and his other three children -- Manilal, Ramdas and Devdas -- and how they felt about their father's apparent abandonment of family responsibilities. Their relationship vis-a-vis Harilal is also left unexplored. What the script is more concerned about is the fact that both Gandhi and Harilal were right in their own ways.

Akshaye Khanna as Harilal is outstanding and his performance will tear you up, especially the part where he goes to meet his parents at a railway station. He gives his mother an orange but refuses to share it with his father, stating that Mahatma Gandhi is the Mahatma because of her.

Shefali Shah is brilliant as Kasturba. Her helplessness at her failure to bridge the growing gap between father and son is palpable. The scene where she goes to meet Harilal, who has converted to Islam, is commendable for her composed dialogue delivery.

The same holds true for Bhoomika Chawla, who shines in the role of Gulab.

Darshan Jariwala, as the younger Gandhi, is not convincing. But in the later part of the movie, he begins to resemble the Father of the Nation more. The chemistry between him and Akshaye is exceptionally good.

The attention to detail -- in terms of sets and costumes -- is also commendable.

Overall, the film has its share of gut-wrenching moments at the plight of a son with 'Gandhi' attached to his name. The film is worth a watch for its brave attempt to paint another picture of the Mahatma, not found in our history books.
This article was first published 7 years ago

Hope Aur Hum never strays into complicated territory and sticks to its gentle celebration of everyday highs and lows, says Sukanya Verma.

There's a crack, a crack in everything.

That's how the light gets in.

Leonard Cohen's insightful lyrics perfectly sum the optimism enveloping Sudipto Bandyopadhyay's directorial debut.

Hope Aur Hum looks at life's day-to-day setbacks and joys through the lens of childhood, youth and old age with a sentimentality that's moderate and meaningful.

Most of the film's bittersweet charm can be attributed to the easy-breezy, feel-good fervour it froths up around a bunch of actors blessed with marvelous instincts and down-to-earth accessibility.

The Shrivastava family paint a believable picture of togetherness around a pair of siblings (Virti Vaghani, Kabir Sajid) squabbling over space, their loving if slightly rankled housewife mom (Sonali Kulkarni), a mild-mannered, promotion-anticipating daddy (Aamir Bashir), his amiable younger brother (Naveen Kasturia) visiting from Dubai and their nostalgia-driven father (Naseeruddin Shah).

The mother's resentment is not unfounded.

Indeed, the cramped, cluttered house inhabited by growing children and growing needs could do with a little more room.

But will it be at the expense of their sweet grandfather's deep attachment to Mr Soennecken, a defunct German photocopying machine he talks to and treats like family?

When it comes to Mr Soennecken, he's a bit like Eeyore who once said, 'it's not much of a tail but I am attached to it.'

Hope Aur Hum doesn't go overboard with the melodrama.

Rather it sympathises with both sides.

The son is practical enough to understand his wife's vexation but also sensitive to his aged father's identification with a relic.

Despite the differences, these are nice people motivated by reason not greed, emotion not obsession and you feel one's predicament and another's heartache first hand.

Naseeruddin Shah plays the father, with an air of contained melancholy and seasoned empathy, someone the eager world doesn't have patience for but knows all too well.

Kasturia's nervous energy fits perfectly with his let's-see-where-this-lost-phone-episode-takes-me anticipation.

Bashir's pleasant presence is as welcome as Ravi K Chandran's no-fuss depiction of ordinary living.

Sonali Kulkarni's calibre shows in how she never allows her character's pragmatism to overshadow her decency.

The children are spunky and genuine and it's absolutely heartening to see the ever-so graceful Beena in the role of their cool, knowledgeable naani.

Bandyopadhyay's storytelling is marked by the continuous nature of life and surprising ways of destiny, simultaneously dividing its 90 minutes running time to bring out the terrifying face fear acquires when you are a kid as well as the beauty of serendipitous encounters in the carefree days of youth.

Neatly tying together these three different junctures of age, he highlights the wonders of hope and life's unfailing ability to come around. And when accompanied by Rupert Fernandes' guitar-rich soundtrack complementing its upbeat ideals, Hope Aur Hum acquires the irresistibility of a warm spring afternoon.

Hope Aur Hum never strays into complicated territory and sticks to its gentle celebration of everyday highs and lows. Its idealism may seem intentional, but never ever contrived.

Rediff Rating:
India is one of the few nations, and perhaps the only nation, that has good relations with America, Israel and Iran.

Knowing that a war in the Gulf would damage our economy, hurt supply of fertilisers and fuel, and cause general chaos, we should have tried to ensure this war did not begin, asserts Aakar Patel.

IMAGE: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hosts Prime Minister Narendra Modi for dinner in Jerusalem, February 26, 2026. Photograph: @IsraeliPM X/ANI Photo

Key Points India continues to resist international mediation, preferring bilateral solutions, even as global crises impact domestic economy and supply chains significantly.

The current approach to global conflicts appears passive, with India largely remaining an observer despite having strategic relationships with key nations.

Manmohan Singh's 2013 foreign policy principles emphasised economic growth, global integration, and stable relations with major powers and neighbours.

I am not sure why but we find the idea of international mediation distasteful. This distaste is both for those being mediated and for the mediator.

We know this because of our insistence, under all of our governments it should be said, that things are bilateral and must be resolved bilaterally.

This is, of course, with particular reference to one neighbour. And our contemptuous opinion of international mediators was expressed by the foreign minister who called them dalaal.

What we are doing to solve a problem that involves us and affects us is unclear at the moment.

We are involved because we are suffering as the rest of the world is in terms of both prices and shortage but we are content to be onlookers and hoping that the crisis resolves itself, or someone else comes and resolves it, so that things go back to normal for us.

That is the way India has decided to approach the ongoing war and we can agree or disagree whether India could have or should have done something more or something different.

That is fine.

I wanted to write about the other approach, the one that is not being deployed.

We do not need to speculate about what that might be because the previous government left us a document that informs us what it should be.

On November 4, 2013, then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh spoke to over 120 heads of Indian missions and outlined the five principles that defined his foreign policy.

These were: First, recognition that India's relations with the world -- the major powers and Asian neighbours -- were shaped by its developmental priorities.

Dr Singh said that 'the single most important objective of Indian foreign policy has to be to create a global environment conducive to the well-being of our great country'.

Second, that greater integration with the world economy would benefit India and enable Indians to realise their creative potential.

Third, to seek stable, long term and mutually beneficial relations with all major powers.

And to work with the international community to create a global economic and security environment beneficial to all nations.

Fourth, to recognise that the Indian subcontinent's shared destiny required greater regional cooperation and connectivity.

Fifth, a foreign policy defined not merely by interests, but also by the values dear to Indians: 'India's experiment of pursuing economic development within the framework of a plural, secular and liberal democracy has inspired people around the world and should continue to do so.'

In short: India would use foreign policy to advance its economic development; it would be friendly with global great powers and its neighbours; and it would be helped in doing this by continuing to be a pluralist and secular democracy.

Because this was a clear exposition of what was sought to be achieved, we can apply it today to see what we would do differently.

Let us take them each in turn.

If we are to agree that 'the single most important objective of Indian foreign policy has to be to create a global environment conducive to India's well-being', then it is obvious that we should have ensured that the environment is not vitiated.

That means engaging with those who have the agency to harm our growth.

India is one of the few nations, and perhaps the only nation, that has good relations with America, Israel and Iran.

Pakistan is friendly with two of them.

Knowing that a war in the Gulf would damage our economy, hurt supply of fertilisers and fuel, and cause general chaos, we should have tried to ensure this war did not begin.

We chose not to do that.

Pluralism and democracy debate

The second point on integration is one that we have become cautious if not wary about over the last decade.

We chose not to enter the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership that included about 15 Asia Pacific nations and the view of economists, including those who adore the prime minister, is that India has become unnecessarily protectionist.

The third point on seeking long term mutually beneficial relations with 'all powers' has its meaning with relation to China.

How much agency we have exercised on this since 2020 and where things stand are clear and that need not detain us here.

The fourth and fifth points Dr Singh raised are to my mind the ones where there has been maximum departure since 2014.

Borders in South Asia remain either rigid or closed, free movement is impossible and this is so because we as the only power that shares boundaries with the rest want it this way.

Lastly, for the first time since 1947, we are faced with a large and popular political movement that is hostile to the idea of India as plural, secular and liberal.

Our newfound deep friendship with Israel is to be understood in this light.

Israel is our 49th largest export and 48th largest import partner, one of the lowest.

Why are we so besotted with Israel?

It is because we ache to do to our minorities what Israel it doing to its minorities. This is where we stand and this is what we have chosen to do.

If we think we require to correct course, then Manmohan Singh's wise, kind and measured counsel from a decade-and-a-half ago is a fine place to start.

Aakar Patel is a columnist and writer and you can read Aakar's earlier columns here.
Iran was the chance to arrange a concert of nations, to actually be a Vishwaguru.

Instead, we are watching from the sidelines as Pakistan, the same country that is apparently still at war with Afghanistan, hosts talks between US-Israel and Iran.

The irony is hard to miss, points out Amberish K Diwanji.

IMAGE: Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif greets US Vice President J D Vance in Islamabad, April 11, 2026. Photograph: Pakistan's Prime Minister Office/Handout via Reuters

India missed an opportunity to diplomatically isolate Pakistan despite tensions with Afghanistan and its role in brokering Iran ceasefire talks.

New Delhi's delayed response to Iran developments and perceived tilt towards Israel reflected ideological bias over strategic foreign policy interests.

India faces complex balancing between Iran, Israel, US, and Gulf nations due to energy dependence, diaspora concerns, and China-Pakistan dynamics.

Two wars in India's extended neighbourhood are on hiatus.

In the first, the Iran war, which has been noticed by all, a two-week ceasefire, brokered by Pakistan, was enforced on April 8.

Both Iran and the US are claiming victory (Israel only grudgingly accepted the ceasefire, and not before firing missiles into southern Lebanon).

The second war that few have noticed, thanks to the intense media coverage of the Iran war, also appears to be petering out.

This is the Pakistan-Afghanistan war, which began before the Iran war, and saw Pakistan air force strike against the Taliban in Afghanistan.

The Pak-Afghan war provided India with the opportunity to isolate Pakistan, a chance to drive a wedge between these two neighbours, who, when aligned earlier, had been the source of much anguish to India over the last few decades.

India did condemn the Pakistan strikes, but surely it could have done more to generate attention to this cross Durand Line attacks. Why it did not needs to be answered.

When the Israel-US war against Iran broke out, India could have taken a moral position and offered to mediate as close friends of all three nations concerned.

India has good relations with the US (aimed against China), with Israel (aimed against Islamic terrorism), and with Iran (aimed against Pakistan).

This was the chance to arrange a concert of nations, to actually be a Vishwaguru.

Instead, we are watching from the sidelines as Pakistan, the same country that is apparently still at war with Afghanistan, hosts talks between US-Israel and Iran. The irony is hard to miss.

So, what went wrong? In one sentence: Ideological inclinations that are patently against India's national interest.

As soon as war began, India did not condemn the assassination of Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, doing so a few days later.

IMAGE: Shehbaz Sharif meets Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf in Islamabad, April 11, 2026. Photograph: WANA/Handout/Reuters

India's Tightrope In Iran War

No doubt, the latest Iran war is a difficult situation to negotiate. On one side of the war is Iran, a country that has been sanctioned against by most of the world for allegedly pursuing nuclear weapons.

As a signatory to the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, Iran is committed to not building nuclear weapons.

But for long, Israel and the West believe Tehran has been clandestinely building nuclear weapons.

In May 2019, heeding the international sanctions, India too stopped purchasing oil from Iran.

India is also clear that Iran must abide by its commitments to the NPT.

On the other side is Israel, US, and Gulf Cooperation Council countries (Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates).

India has been growing closer to the US since the beginning of this century, with both worried about the implications of a rising China.

For New Delhi, there is the added dimension of China's friendship with and support to Pakistan, especially when dealing with India.

Then there is the issue of the 10 million Indians living in the Gulf countries and the massive import of oil and gas from the Gulf countries.

Their welfare is important and the reduced flow of oil and gas imports hit India hard. In such a situation, the best outcome was never supporting one side against another, but pushing for peace.

IMAGE: Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomed by his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu and wife Sara on his arrival at the Ben Gurion airport in Israel. photograph: @narendramodi/X

India's ties with Israel have been growing, primarily in the defence and agriculture sectors.

There is much for India to gain through closer ties with Israel, and it is to the credit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi that he has forged ahead, since better ties are beneficial to India.

Simultaneously, India has no choice but to keep strong ties with the Arab nations. After all, India needs oil, and the Jewish promised land does not produce any oil. Foreign policy is not either or as much as this and that!

Thus, it would appear that the latest move of quickly supporting Israel is less tactical and driven more by ideology. Hindutva ideology supporters dream of an alliance with their Jewish counterparts, the Zionists.

Both are against the Muslims of their respective regions. For many of them, a Jewish-Hindu alliance against Muslims is a natural in a world driven by a clash of civilisations.

Saudi-Pakistan Defence Pact Impact

Yet, the irony is hard to miss. Aligned with Israel and the US are the Sunni Muslim Gulf countries, to fight against another Muslim country.

Subtlety matters: Iran is mostly Shia and of Aryan ethnicity; the Gulf states are mostly Sunni and of Semitic ethnicity.

In fact, so profound are the differences between the Gulf countries and Iran that last September, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan signed a defence agreement, stating that an attack on one would be considered an attack on both.

The Saudi-Pakistan agreement puts limits on how close the two can get, and gives India the chance to grow closer to Iran at Pakistan's expense.

A friendly Iran to Pakistan's west, a belligerent Afghanistan to its north... India has leverage over Pakistan, the kind of which it has not had in decades.

But for this to happen, India needs to calibrate its position with Tehran, not blindly support Israel (or any other country) against Iran. Sadly, we missed the chance to do that.

During the last Israel-Iran war of June 2025, New Delhi urged peace and negotiations.

A few weeks later, India refused to support a resolution condemning Iran at a Shanghai Cooperation Organisation meeting, even as Minister of External Affairs S Jaishankar was in touch with leaders in Iran. It was a fine balancing act that was worth repeating.

This time, in choosing one side over the other because it is ideologically better, the government is jeopardising New Delhi's ability to manoeuvre for India's best interest.

Feature Presentation: Aslam Hunani/Rediff
Is Bhutan merely experimenting with digital finance -- or is the Himalayan kingdom punching far above its weight, quietly playing one of the most sophisticated strategic games in Asia today?, asks Varun Arya

Kindly note that this illustration generated using ChatGPT has only been posted for representational purposes. Photograph: ANI Photo

Key Points The Himalayan kingdom has introduced TER, a gold-backed digital token aimed at blending traditional wealth storage with blockchain technology.

Each TER represents 0.01 grams of .9999 fine gold held in secure vaults, combining the credibility of bullion with the flexibility of digital assets.

From March 2026 onward, holders can redeem TER for physical gold coins or bars, linking digital finance with tangible assets.

In the rarefied air of the Himalayas, the kingdom of Bhutan has launched an experiment that may carry implications far beyond its modest size.

What once sounded like an unusual financial proposal almost a chimera -- a gold-backed cryptocurrency from Bhutan -- has now become reality.

But behind the technological novelty lies a larger question: Is there more to this and is Bhutan quietly playing a careful strategic game between its two powerful neighbors, India and China?

The answer may lie in TER, Bhutan's new gold-backed digital token.

Launched on December 17, 2025 -- Bhutan's National Day -- TER derives its name from the Dzongkha word for 'treasure'.

The token is issued by the Gelephu Mindfulness City Authority and custodied by DK Bank. Each unit represents fractional ownership of 0.01 grams of .9999 fine gold held in secure vaults.

Built on the Solana blockchain, the token combines the transparency and transferability of digital assets with the credibility of physical bullion.

From late March 2026 onward, holders will be able to redeem TER for physical gold -- from small coins to kilogram bars -- turning the token into a bridge between traditional wealth storage and modern digital finance.

For a country with fewer than a million citizens, the move is striking.

Yet TER is not simply a technological curiosity. It also reflects Bhutan's careful effort to widen its economic space without disturbing longstanding regional arrangements.

Bhutan's national currency, the ngultrum, remains pegged one-to-one with the Indian rupee, with Indian currency circulating freely in the Bhutanese economy.

This has delivered decades of stability and reflects Bhutan's exceptionally close partnership with India.

TER does not challenge that system. Instead, it quietly creates a parallel financial channel. While the domestic economy remains anchored to the Indian rupee, the token circulates internationally in digital markets, beyond the constraints of traditional currency pegs.

In effect, Bhutan is experimenting with a dual financial architecture -- one rooted in regional integration, the other connected to global blockchain networks.

The initiative is closely tied to Bhutan's most ambitious economic project: Gelephu Mindfulness City.

Planned as a new administrative and financial hub near Bhutan's southern border, the city aims to attract technology firms, financial innovators, and global investors. TER serves as a flagship initiative for this vision.

In early 2026, Bhutan even linked its digital-nomad visa programme to the token, requiring applicants to deposit the equivalent of $10,000 in TER -- a refundable commitment designed to integrate the new asset into the city's economic ecosystem and to, in a sense, get it kickstarted.

Bhutan's energy economy provides another important piece of the puzzle. The country's vast hydropower resources have long powered electricity exports to India.

More recently, Bhutan has used surplus renewable energy for state-supported mining of Bitcoin.

At one stage, its reserves reportedly approached 13,000 BTC -- an extraordinarily high figure for a small economy.

These digital assets have already contributed to national development, with portions earmarked for projects such as Gelephu Mindfulness City. Bhutan is also exploring broader digital-reserve strategies that could include assets such as Ethereum.

Against this backdrop, TER introduces a stabilising counterweight -- combining the perceived reliability and safe haven of gold with blockchain efficiency.

Yet the broader geopolitical context cannot be ignored.

A Small State's Strategic Play Between India and China

Bhutan sits at a sensitive crossroads in the Himalayas. Its territory figured prominently in the 2017 Doklam standoff, when Indian and Chinese forces faced off near the Bhutan-China frontier.

Since then, China has expanded its economic and infrastructural presence across the Himalayan region, while Bhutan has carefully navigated its diplomatic path.

Economic diversification therefore serves not only development but also presents strategic independence and resilience.

From this perspective, financial innovation becomes another instrument available to a small state balancing powerful neighbours.

For India, Bhutan's initiative may even offer advantages and would likely have India's nod. New Delhi has approached cryptocurrencies cautiously, weighing financial risks against technological potential.

Bhutan's experiment provides a nearby and trusted testing ground -- allowing India to observe developments and perhaps repeat and even guide without assuming any of the regulatory risks directly.

Meanwhile, the broader global financial landscape is also evolving. The twentieth century witnessed the transition from the gold standard to fiat currencies dominated by the US dollar.

Today, central banks are harking back accumulating gold while exploring digital currencies and tokenized assets.

Bhutan's TER does not challenge the global monetary system. Instead it reflects an emerging reality: Financial experimentation is no longer the exclusive domain of major economies.

Small States -- especially those with stable governance and strategic foresight -- can now test new financial architectures within the global system.

In the Himalayas, where geography and geopolitics are inseparable, such innovations inevitably carry serious undertones.

Bhutan Punches Above Its Weight in Digital Finance

TER remains in its early stages. Questions about liquidity, regulation, and market adoption persist. Bhutan has also demonstrated caution, periodically selling small portions of its Bitcoin reserves while retaining substantial holdings.

However, the broader signal is unmistakable.

Bhutan is exploring new economic frontiers while preserving its traditional partnerships -- a delicate balancing act that reflects both pragmatism and an ambitious road map.

Which leaves an intriguing possibility:

Is Bhutan merely experimenting with digital finance -- or is the Himalayan kingdom punching far above its weight, quietly playing one of the most sophisticated strategic games in Asia today?

Either way, one thing is certain: In New Delhi and Beijing alike, the move could not have gone unnoticed. Both the big brothers are watching!

Varun Arya, who served with the Government of India, now serves as a geopolitical consultant for think-tanks. A writer debuting with the novel The Last Living Fort, he also champions global artists through his platform, 'Create' by Mukul's Art Space.

Feature Presentation: Aslam Hunani/Rediff
'Samrat Chaudhury's limited independent standing within the party, his reliance on the central leadership for his elevation, and his lack of a personal mass base all point toward this outcome.'

IMAGE: Newly appointed Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary during the oath-taking ceremony, administered by Bihar Governor Lieutenant General Syed Ata Hasnain (retd), at the Lok Bhavan in Patna, April 15, 2026. Photograph: ANI Photo

Key Points 'Samrat's elevation fits into the BJP's long-term strategic arc.'

'He will have to carve out a distinct political identity.'

'Bihar is now witnessing identity politics harnessed for the preservation of social equilibrium rather than for its disruption.'

"Samrat's appointment marks a qualitative shift in the relationship between the chief minister's office and the BJP's central command. Nitish Kumar, even in his most vulnerable phases, retained a place at the high table of national politics: Contested at times, precarious at others, but a perch from which he could negotiate and exercise independent judgment," says Dr Vignesh Karthik KR.

Dr Karthik is a postdoctoral research affiliate of Indian and Indonesian politics at The Royal Netherlands Institute of Southeast Asian and Caribbean Studies, and a research affiliate at King's India Institute, King's College London. He is the author of The Dravidian Pathway and associate editor of Caste and the Crisis of Dignity..

"Samrat enters office with no comparable standing. He lacks the kind of independently cultivated public identity that a figure like Shivraj Singh Chouhan built within the BJP over decades; nor is it clear that he can develop the stature his father, Shakhuni Choudhary, once commanded," Dr Karthik tells Rediff's Archana Masih in the first of a two-part interview.

What is the true import of Samrat Chaudhury's selection as the first BJP chief minister of Bihar?

Samrat Choudhary's elevation carries several layers of significance that must be read together.

First, it extends a particular model of social coalition-building that the BJP has refined across multiple states: What scholars of Bihar's politics call a 'protection' or 'paternalistic' alliance.

The logic is to bring the bottom sections of the social order into a compact with endorsement and patronage from the top, while positioning the aspirational middle as the principal adversary.

Nitish Kumar had perfected a version of this through his 'sandwich coalition': Consolidating EBCs, Mahadalits and women alongside upper caste support, with the Yadav-led OBC bloc cast as the rival.

Samrat's selection as an EBC face deepens that architecture under a BJP flag. The contrast with an older tradition of Bihar politics is stark. Leaders like Karpoori Thakur and Lalu Prasad Yadav assembled coalitions of the middle and the lower against elite dominance at the top: what scholars describe as an 'empowerment' alliance.

Bihar is now witnessing identity politics harnessed for the preservation of social equilibrium rather than for its disruption. That is a significant historical inversion: For decades, national commentators dismissed Bihar's caste politics as regressive, yet it was precisely during the period when that politics carried a genuinely transformative charge that it faced the most delegitimisation.

Now that caste mobilisation serves to stabilise rather than unsettle entrenched hierarchies, it draws far less scrutiny.

Second, Samrat's appointment marks a qualitative shift in the relationship between the chief minister's office and the BJP's central command.

Nitish Kumar, even in his most vulnerable phases, retained a place at the high table of national politics: contested at times, precarious at others, but a perch from which he could negotiate and exercise independent judgment.

Samrat enters office with no comparable standing. He lacks the kind of independently cultivated public identity that a figure like Shivraj Singh Chouhan built within the BJP over decades; nor is it clear that he can develop the stature his father, Shakhuni Choudhary, once commanded.

His public response to the appointment is instructive: Framing the chief ministership as a 'sacred opportunity' without any accompanying statement of governing vision, political conviction, or individual agency.

The chief minister's office is a democratic position that demands independent thinking, a programme, and the resolve to pursue it. To present it purely as a gift from above reflects a surrender of the very political agency that decades of mobilisational politics in Bihar fought to establish.

Third, the appointment confirms what has been evident for some time: The BJP's ambition to govern Bihar directly rather than through the mediated authority of a regional ally.

Converting electoral reliance on a partner into unmediated governing control has been the party's long-term strategic arc, and Samrat's elevation is its most decisive expression yet.

IMAGE: Newly sworn-in Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary and Deputy Chief Ministers Vijay Kumar Choudhary and Bijendra Prasad Yadav after taking the oath on Wednesday. Photograph: ANI Photo

What kind of a chief minister is he likely to be? What changes is he likely to usher? What political and governance shifts can one expect in the state under Choudhary?

Two governance trajectories are plausible, though the circumstances of Samrat's rise make one far more likely.

The first follows a Gujarat-style template: The state administration operates in tight alignment with the party's national leadership, with policy direction set centrally and the chief minister serving as the local executor.

Samrat's limited independent standing within the party, his reliance on the central leadership for his elevation, and his lack of a personal mass base all point toward this outcome.

He does not possess the factional weight or popular following that would enable him to chart an autonomous course.

The second would involve Samrat gradually carving out a distinct political identity: Building his own base, developing a governance brand, and acquiring enough leverage to deal with Delhi on more equal terms.

He has over four years, and political trajectories are never entirely foreclosed. But the structural conditions of his emergence make this path considerably harder to walk.

On the broader political texture: Bihar's public life has historically been animated by a vocabulary of dignity, justice and social empowerment, the inheritance of the Mandal generation and its successors.

Under the new dispensation, that idiom is likely to give way to a different register: Administrative efficiency, welfare delivery, infrastructure development, and symbolic recognition that does not translate into any fundamental reordering of social power.

The shift is not from bad governance to good governance; it is from a politics that, whatever its flaws, placed the agency and aspiration of marginalised communities at the centre of public discourse, to one that treats those communities primarily as recipients of state benevolence.

Benefits may continue and even expand; the horizon of political ambition of the marginalised is what narrows.

IMAGE: From right, former Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar, Union Ministers J P Nadda, Rajiv Ranjan 'Lalan' Singh, Jitan Ram Manjhi and Giriraj Singh, and Bharatiya Janata Party (Organisation) General Secretary Bommarabettu Laxmijanardhana Santhosh at the swearing-in ceremony at Lok Bhavan on Wednesday. Photograph: CMO Bihar/ANI Photo

How do you think the bureaucracy, governance structure, system and people of Bihar are viewing this big shift from the constancy and continuity provided by Nitish Kumar?

Bureaucracies are ultimately responsive to the direction of power. The administrative apparatus Nitish constructed over two decades runs deep: Networks of officers, institutional routines, and a style of functioning calibrated to his preferences.

But a chief minister's authority in an Indian state rests on control over postings, transfers and the distribution of patronage. If the new leadership moves decisively on those levers, the machinery will recalibrate.

The question is whether the transition is managed with enough care to preserve institutional continuity, or whether rapid changes generate friction and inefficiency in the short term.

Among ordinary citizens, the response is likely to be more cautious than dramatic. The constituencies at the heart of Nitish's coalition: Women, EBCs, Mahadalits; built their relationship with the state around a particular set of welfare commitments delivered under his personal brand.

Girls' education incentives, panchayat reservations, prohibition framed as a women's safety measure, and direct transfers bearing his name: All of these created a personalised bond of trust between these groups and the office he held. That bond does not automatically transfer to a successor.

Whether it erodes or is gradually rebuilt depends on two things: Uninterrupted delivery of existing schemes, and the new leadership's ability to construct its own credibility with these voters over time.

The more consequential question lies beneath the surface of governance.

Nitish's political model rested on a carefully maintained balance: Extending state accessibility and welfare to subordinate groups without fundamentally subverting the social hierarchy that kept dominant groups comfortable.

That balance is what gave him durability across sharply different social constituencies. The BJP's challenge now is whether it can inherit that functional equilibrium while detaching it from its roots in Bihar's social justice tradition; or whether, over time, the absence of that tradition's animating spirit produces a political hollowness that voters eventually register.

Part II: The Challenges Confronting Samrat Chowdhury

Photographs curated by Anant Salvi/Rediff

Feature Presentation: Aslam Hunani/Rediff
'The AIADMK front comes second, and then the TVK.'

IMAGE: DMK President and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin waves to the public after filing his nomination papers for the assembly elections from the Kolathur constituency in Chennai. Photograph: ANI Photo

Key Points 'There are not three fronts but four fronts fighting out in the 2026 election.'

'Vijay talks about becoming the chief minister of Tamil Nadu in 2026. That is not possible at all.'

'The maximum vote share Vijay can hope for is 12%. Compared to Seeman's 8% to 10%, Vijay may do better.'

The Tamil Nadu assembly has 234 seats and a party or front needs 118 seats to form the government.

In the 2021 assembly election, the DMK had an absolute majority having won 133 seats while the AIADMK won just 66 seats.

This time, other than the DMK and the AIADMK fronts, actor Vijay has made a grand entry with his party the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam. Though the TVK may not win many seats, it can play spoilsport in many seats.

It is a fact that the AIADMK has not won any election after J Jayalalithaa passed away in December 2016. It lost the 2019 Lok Sabha election and also the 2021 assembly election to the DMK. And in the 2024 Lok Sabha election, the DMK-Congress front swept all the 39 seats.

How will the state vote this time? Will the DMK come back to power like the surveys predict? What kind of impact will Vijay have in his first big election?

Based on the surveys he has conducted, Niranjan Ramesh Babu founder, Political Analytics, a political election campaign management company, discusses how Tamil Nadu is expected to vote.

"People in Tamil Nadu do not want the BJP to come to power," Mr Babu tells Rediff's Shobha Warrier.

The general perception is that the DMK alliance is on a strong wicket. You have done election surveys for some parties. Did you also get that feeling?

Compared to 2021, the DMK front is on a strong wicket.

It is mainly because the DMK is propagating about the schemes they have implemented. This has resulted in goodwill among their own voters and also among first-time voters.

Through multiple media channels, their message is spread both in rural and urban areas.

You said compared 2021, the DMK is on a strong wicket. You mean, there is no anti-incumbency after ruling the state for 5 years?

Of course, anti-incumbency will always be there.

But they are not talking about anything negative. Rather, they are talking only about the positive things they have done for the people.

For example, they are comparing the Dravidian model with Gujarat model and what they have achieved.

In 2021, they were in the Opposition, so the campaign was more against the AIADMK government than anything positive.

But in 2026, they are focussing only on their achievements, the schemes they have introduced, how people have benefitted, etc.

This kind of a positive campaign gives the people an idea of what the DMK has done in the last 5 years. This will make them think why not elect them again.

That is the advantage the DMK has this time.

IMAGE: AIADMK General Secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami campaigns for the Tamil Nadu assembly elections in Chennai, April 8, 2026. Photograph: @TVKPartyHQ X/ANI Photo

'AIADMK is stronger than DMK in southern Tamil Nadu'

Till now, the fight in Tamil Nadu was between two major fronts led by the DMK and the AIADMK. But this time Vijay's TVK is as strong as the two fronts at least in perception.

It is said that the TVK has the support of young voters mainly because of Vijay's popularity as an actor. How do you see the TVK performing in the election?

I would say there are not three fronts but four fronts fighting out in the 2026 election.

The Naam Tamilar Kachi (NTK) led by Seeman also is as strong.

As a politician, Vijay has to meet people but whenever he tries to meet people, it becomes uncontrollable. That is because of his popularity as an actor.

If Vijay wants to be compared to the other seasoned politicians, he has to be accessible like other politicians and be in politics for long years. He talks about becoming the chief minister of Tamil Nadu in 2026. That is not possible at all.

When we did surveys in various parts of Tamil Nadu, we found that youngsters were crazy about Vijay, but they had no idea about politics.

Another point to note is the supporters of TVK are scattered all over Tamil Nadu unlike those of the DMK or the AIADMK. For example, the AIADMK is stronger than the DMK in southern Tamil Nadu.

You mean, consolidation of Vijay's votes will not happen?

Yes. That's why the maximum vote share he can hope for is 12%. Compared to Seeman's 8% to 10%, Vijay may do better. But he cannot even think of being a CM candidate this time.

I feel Vijay will not make that much of an impact this time. He will have to work hard for another 5 years as a politician to have an impact in Tamil Nadu politics.

IMAGE: Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) President Vijay, who is contesting from the Perambur assembly constituency, clicks a selfie with the crowd during a roadshow at Perambur in Chennai. Photograph: @TVKPartyHQ X/ANI Photo

When you conducted the surveys, did you find Vijay's inaccessibility a major negative factor for the TVK?

Yes, it is one of the factors, but not the major factor.

When he says the fight is between the DMK and TVK, he should come down to the ground and tell people how the DMK has fared in the last 5 years. But that is not happening.

He has not been able to have a big protest against the government like the Jallikettu protest we had in the past.

When it comes to politics, he has to be on the ground and that is missing in his campaign.

Next factor is the party doesn't follow any particular ideology. His supporters say they will vote for Vijay!

Some TVK leaders say they follow the ideology of Periyar or Ambedkar, but what is the ideology of the party?

On the other hand, people are still fascinated by the Dravidian ideology followed by Kalaignar Karunanidhi. The AIADMK also follows the same Dravidian ideology.

Then, some TVK leaders do not even know how many constituencies are there in Tamil Nadu. The other day, one of them said, Vijay will win all the 233 constituencies. Another said, there are 230 constituencies. They are there because they are the fans of Vijay but they have no knowledge of politics.

'Youngsters are attracted to young, fresh leaders than old people'

Were you able to find out why youngsters are attracted to Vijay? Is it only films?

Vijay as a film actor is one influencing factor. He has been part of their lives as an actor for many years.

Another thing is he is a new face in Tamil Nadu politics. He is also a young leader. Youngsters are attracted to young, fresh leaders than old people.

Seeman is also young. In DMK, there is Udhayanidhi Stalin but in AIADMK there are no young faces.

When Vijayakanth entered politics, his popularity as an actor got translated into votes initially. But to sustain, you have to perform as a political leader.

IMAGE: Tamil Nadu Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin campaigns in the Chepauk-Thiruvallikeni assembly constituency in Chennai, April 10, 2026. Photograph: @Udhaystalin X/ANI Photo

Who will get affected by the votes the TVK gets?

There is no doubt that some of the AIADMK votes are going to go to the TVK.

Though a few votes from the DMK also will go to the TVK, majority of the votes are going to be from the AIADMK.

In fact, the leaders who have joined the TVK are from the AIADMK. The most important leader who migrated from the AIADMK to the TVK is K A Sengottaian.

This exodus from the AIADMK is happening because the party was not active at all in the last 2-3 years.

Though EPS is looked at as an important leader, he has to fulfil the expectations of the people.

Still, the fight is between the DMK and the AIADMK in this election.

IMAGE: BJP leader Kuppusamy Annamalai campaigns for party candidate Vanathi Srinivasan in Coimbatore, April 11, 2026. Photograph: @annamalai_k X/ANI Photo

'BJP is strong only in some pockets'

You conducted surveys throughout Tamil Nadu. Where does the BJP stand in a state that is rooted in Dravidian ideology?

It is a fact that people in Tamil Nadu do not want the BJP to come to power.

They want Vijay to come to power.

They only see Vijay as an alternative to the DMK and the AIADMK. They do not see the BJP as an alternative.

The BJP is strong only in some pockets, and if you look at the seats the party is contesting, majority of them are around temples!

The BJP got roots in rural Tamil Nadu when Annamalai was the state leader. He was a role model for many young people. Till he came into prominence, nobody in rural Tamil Nadu had heard of the party. Now that he is not in focus, the BJP also has lost its support base among young people.

IMAGE: Niranjan Ramesh Babu IMAGE: Niranjan Ramesh Babu

Is Seeman as big as Vijay in terms of his popularity as a leader?

I would say, yes. Because it is not very easy to get 8% of votes in Tamil Nadu.

And NTK is the only party that has given 50% of the seats to women! Whether they are winning or not, 50% of the party's candidates are women. No other political party in India can claim this distinction.

The NTK has been contesting elections alone without any alliance all along having developed roots in many rural areas because of the issues he has backed in a very aggressive way.

Judging from the mood of the people, is it advantage DMK in this election?

Yes, it is advantage DMK now.

In the leads position, the AIADMK front comes second, and then the TVK.

Feature Presentation: Aslam Hunani/Rediff
Bengaluru police have cracked down on a major drug ring, arresting 10 individuals and seizing narcotics worth crores, including MDMA, cocaine, and ganja, highlighting ongoing efforts to combat drug trafficking in the city.

Photograph: ANI Photo

Key Points Bengaluru police arrested 10 individuals, including three foreign nationals, for alleged involvement in selling narcotics.

The drug bust resulted in the seizure of 5 kg of MDMA, 1 kg of cocaine, 21 kg of ganja, and 19 gms of ecstasy pills.

The seized narcotics are estimated to be worth Rs 11.81 crore, with a market value of Rs 23.63 crore.

The accused confessed to procuring narcotics from foreign, interstate, and local suppliers to sell to the public, including college students.

Police are actively investigating to trace the foreign and interstate suppliers involved in the drug trafficking operation.

Bengaluru police on Thursday announced the arrest of 10 people allegedly involved in the sale of prohibited narcotic substances in parts of the city.

Among them are three foreign nationals, including two women, they said.

With their arrests, police claimed to have seized 5 kg of MDMA (crystal), 1 kg of cocaine, 21 kg ganja, and 19 gms ecstasy pills and a two-wheeler used in the commission of crime.

The seized drugs are worth Rs 11.81 crore, with an estimated market value of Rs 23.63 crore, they added.

According to police, based on credible information received on various dates, officers and staff came to know that prohibited narcotic substances such as MDMA (crystal), cocaine, ganja, and ecstasy pills were being sold within the limits of Yelahanka New Town, D J Halli, Koramangala, Bommanahalli, and Pulakeshinagar Police Stations.

Acting on this information, cases were registered under the NDPS (Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances) Act at the respective police stations, and raids were conducted at the identified locations, a senior police officer said.

During these operations, a total of 10 accused persons were apprehended on different dates, he said.

Confessions and Ongoing Investigation

During interrogation, the accused confessed that, with the intention of making quick money, they were procuring narcotic substances such as MDMA (crystal), cocaine, ganja, and ecstasy pills from foreign, interstate, and local unidentified suppliers at lower prices, and selling them to the public, including college students, the officer said.

Efforts are on to trace the foreign and interstate suppliers involved in supplying these narcotic substances. Investigation in the cases is in progress, police said.

All 10 accused were produced before the Court on different dates and have been remanded to judicial custody, they added.
Jharkhand police have successfully dismantled a cyber fraud ring, arresting 10 individuals in Deoghar for their involvement in sophisticated online scams targeting unsuspecting victims with fake cashback and loan offers.

IMAGE: Illustration: Dominic Xavier/Rediff.com

Key Points Ten cyber criminals have been arrested in Deoghar, Jharkhand, for online fraud.

The criminals posed as customer care executives of fake online platforms to defraud victims.

Accused individuals sent fraudulent links offering cashback and loan services.

Police recovered 16 mobile phones and 15 SIM cards during the raids.

Investigations are ongoing to determine if the accused are involved in similar scams in other districts.

Police in Jharkhand's Deoghar district have arrested 10 cyber criminals following raids across nine locations.

The arrests were made on Tuesday night, according to Deputy SP (Cyber) Raja Kumar Mitra.

Details of the Cyber Fraud Operation

"We had received a tip-off that certain individuals were defrauding people by posing as customer care executives of fake online platforms. The accused committed online fraud by sending links under the pretext of offering cashback and other services like loans," Mitra said.

Evidence and Legal Proceedings

"During the raids, 16 mobile phones and 15 SIM cards were recovered from the arrested accused. Cases have been registered against them at the Cyber Police Station, and further legal proceedings are underway," he said.

Ongoing Investigation

Investigation is underway to determine whether the accused and others are involved in similar fraudulent activities in other districts of the state, police said.
An Afghan Taliban attack in Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province resulted in the tragic deaths of civilians, including children, highlighting ongoing cross-border security concerns.

Photograph: Screen grab/X

Key Points Afghan Taliban attack targeted civilians in Malik Shaheen village, Bajaur district, Pakistan.

Two children and one woman were killed in the cross-border attack.

Pakistani security forces thwarted the Afghan Taliban's infiltration attempt.

Several other civilians were injured and taken to a nearby hospital for treatment.

At least three civilians, including two children, were killed in an attack by the Afghan Taliban in northwest Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, an official said on Thursday.

The unnamed official said the Afghan Taliban targeted civilians in Malik Shaheen village of Bajaur district late Wednesday when security forces thwarted their infiltration attempt.

The official said two children and a woman died while three others injured in the attack.

The injured were shifted to a nearby hospital, he added.
An Akasa Air and SpiceJet plane collision at Delhi Airport has resulted in grounded aircraft and ongoing investigations, raising concerns about taxiway safety.

IMAGE: A SpiceJet Boeing aircraft clipped its right winglet after colliding with the wing of a stationary Akasa Air plane while taxiing at Indira Gandhi International Airport, in New Delhi, April 16, 2026. Photograph: DGCA/ANI Photo

Key Points The incident occurred at Terminal 1 around 2:15 pm, involving an Akasa Air flight to Hyderabad and a SpiceJet flight arriving from Leh.

Preliminary reports suggest the Akasa Air aircraft was stationary when the SpiceJet aircraft made contact.

Both airlines have confirmed the incident and stated that investigations are underway with relevant authorities.

No passengers or crew were injured during the collision, and all were safely disembarked.

An Akasa Air aircraft and a SpiceJet plane suffered damage after they came in contact at the Delhi airport on Thursday afternoon, and aviation watchdog Directorate General of Civil Aviation is probing the incident, according to officials.

Both Boeing 737 aircraft have been grounded at the airport after the incident.

The DGCA said an air traffic controller and the SpiceJet pilots have been de-rostered pending investigation.

The officials said the Akasa Air aircraft was stationary on the taxiway and preparing for take off, while the SpiceJet plane was taxiing towards the parking stand when the incident happened at around 2.15 pm at Terminal 1 of the airport.

Akasa Air's plane was to operate flight QP 1406 from Delhi to Hyderabad, while the SpiceJet aircraft had arrived from Leh after operating the flight SG 124, they added.

DGCA said the winglet of SpiceJet's Boeing 737-700 aircraft, VT-SLB, taxiing in the allocated parking bay after operating flight SG 124 (Leh-Delhi), hit the Horizontal Tail Surface (HTS) of Akasa Boeing 737 plane positioned on the apron after push back for operating flight on sector (Delhi-Hyderabad).

"Due to impact, RH winglet of the Spicejet aircraft and the HTS of Akasa Air aircraft were damaged. DGCA is carrying out further investigation," it said in a statement.

In an updated statement, the watchdog said the air traffic controller concerned and the involved pilots of SpiceJet have been off-rostered pending investigation.

Citing initial information, the civil aviation ministry said Akasa Air aircraft had been pushed back from Bay No 104 and was positioned for engine start.

"The SpiceJet aircraft, holding near Bay No 108, was cleared by ATC to taxi to Bay No 106 after the pilot confirmed separation from the Akasa aircraft.

"During the manoeuvre, the SpiceJet aircraft executed a turn without wing walker clearance, resulting in the contact," it said in a statement.

As part of the investigation, DGCA would also be examining the ground handling aspects.

Meanwhile, Akasa Air said its aircraft operating the flight QP 1406 from Delhi to Hyderabad had to return to the bay.

Preliminary information indicates that Akasa Air's aircraft was stationary when another airline's aircraft made contact with it, the airline said in a statement.

The aircraft involved was a Boeing 737 MAX 8.

The airline said all passengers and crew were safely disembarked. "In line with established protocols, the relevant authorities have been informed, and the matter is under investigation," it added.

In a statement, SpiceJet said its Boeing 737-700 aircraft was involved in a ground occurrence while taxiing at the Delhi airport, resulting in damage to its right winglet and the left-hand horizontal stabiliser of another aircraft belonging to a different airline.

The SpiceJet aircraft has been grounded at Delhi, it added.

Citing preliminary information, the officials said the wings of both aircraft came in contact on the taxiway.

The ministry also said it was closely monitoring the situation and is taking all necessary steps to uphold safety standards and prevent recurrence of such incidents.

Details about the number of passengers onboard the two planes could not be ascertained.
Amidst rising tensions, China urges Iran to guarantee the freedom and safety of international navigation through the Strait of Hormuz.

IMAGE: A vessel in the Strait of Hormuz, off the coast of Oman's Musandam province, on April 12, 2026. Photograph: Reuters

Key Points Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi has requested Iran to ensure freedom and safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz.

China, a major importer of Iranian oil, is concerned about the energy crisis caused by the US blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.

The Strait of Hormuz is a vital maritime route handling approximately 20% of global oil trade.

China has criticised the US blockade of the Strait as dangerous and irresponsible, risking further escalation of tensions.

Iran is engaging in peaceful negotiations to find a resolution to the conflict, seeking China's active role in promoting peace.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi has asked Iran to ensure freedom and safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz, a first such call issued by Beijing ever since Tehran started to put a squeeze on the critical waterway in the midst of its war with the United States.

Wang has sought guarantees of freedom and safety of international navigation through the Strait of Hormuz in a phone call with Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi on Wednesday.

Wang's call coincided with a Pakistan mediation delegation headed by Field Marshal Asim Munir reaching Tehran on Wednesday to discuss new peace proposals for a second round of talks between the United States and Iran in Islamabad.

China, a close ally of Iran and the largest importer of Iranian oil, was also concerned over the energy crisis accentuated by the US blockade of the Strait, preventing ships from carrying oil and gas from Iran's ports.

Wang acknowledges Iran's sovereignty over Hormuz

The Strait of Hormuz is a vital 55-km-wide maritime choke point between Iran and Oman, managing roughly 20 per cent of global oil trade.

Opening of the Strait was the second most important demand by US President Donald Trump, besides halting Iran's nuclear energy.

"The current situation has reached a critical stage of transition between conflict and peace, and a window for peace is opening," Wang told Araghchi, according to a statement by the Chinese foreign ministry.

Wang said Iran, as a coastal state of the Strait of Hormuz, should have its sovereignty, security and legitimate rights and interests respected and safeguarded.

"At the same time, the freedom and safety of international navigation through the strait should also be ensured, and efforts to restore normal transit through the strait are a shared call of the international community," he said.

Iran urges China to step up peace efforts

Araghchi said Tehran expected China to play an active role in promoting peace and ending the conflict, and that Iran was willing to continue seeking a rational and realistic solution through peaceful negotiations, Hong Kong based South China Morning Post reported.

The US blockade followed an initial round of talks in Islamabad over the weekend that had aimed at permanently ending the conflict but failed to produce an agreement, with divisions remaining over thorny issues, particularly Iran's nuclear programme and the Strait of Hormuz.

The Chinese foreign ministry on Tuesday sharply criticised the US blockade as 'dangerous and irresponsible', saying it risked escalating tensions and undermining the shaky ceasefire.
A Delhi court has modified bail conditions for Amit Katyal, a real estate businessman linked to Lalu Prasad, allowing him to travel for religious purposes despite ongoing money laundering investigations by the Enforcement Directorate.

Key Points Amit Katyal, associated with Lalu Prasad's family, was granted permission by a Delhi court to travel to Gujarat, Rajasthan, and Maharashtra for religious purposes.

The court modified Katyal's bail conditions, removing the requirement for monthly appearances before the investigating officer, citing completion of the investigation and his deteriorating health.

Katyal's defence argued that the investigation was complete and his health necessitated spiritual comfort, while the ED opposed the plea due to the seriousness of the economic offences involved.

The court rejected the ED's jurisdictional objections, asserting its authority to modify bail conditions initially granted by the same court.

The Enforcement Directorate alleges that Katyal and associates diverted over Rs 503 crore from plot buyers into shell companies and parked the funds abroad.

A Delhi court has permitted Amit Katyal, a real estate businessman considered close to RJD chief Lalu Prasad's family and arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in a money laundering case, to travel to Gujarat, Rajasthan and Maharashtra for religious purposes and relaxed a key bail condition requiring his monthly appearance before the investigating officer (IO).

Additional Sessions Judge Sheetal Chaudhary Pradhan allowed two applications moved by Katyal, with one seeking modification of bail conditions imposed in December 2024 and the other seeking permission to travel between April 17 and April 26.

The court granted him permission to visit Dwarkadhish temple in Gujarat, Shrinathji temple in Udaipur and Siddhivinayak temple in Mumbai.

"Considering the submissions madea the accused is granted permission to travel to the aforesaid places upon furnishing the details of travel alongwith mode of travel and tickets alongwith bookings pertaining to stay during the aforesaid travel within one week of returning from the aforesaid travel in the court and intimation in this regard be also given to the investigating officer of ED," the court said.

Arguments for Bail Modification

Katyal had sought removal of conditions requiring him to mark attendance before the investigating officer on the fourth Monday of every month and to seek prior permission before leaving Delhi, arguing that the investigation against him had already been completed. His counsel also argued that since the ED office has shifted to Gurgaon, the two conditions contradicted each other as he would have to leave Delhi to mark his attendance.

Katyal had previously been granted interim bail on medical grounds due to his precarious health condition and history of chronic ailments, including diabetes, hypertension and complications following bariatric surgery. He further submitted that "his deteriorating health has prompted a desire to visit various holy and religious places, seeking spiritual comfort and well-being".

ED's Objections and Court's Response

The ED opposed the plea, contending that the case involved "serious economic offences" and that relaxing bail conditions could hamper proceedings. It had argued that "economic offences constitute a class apart" and that bail conditions should not be diluted in such cases, citing the gravity of allegations and the interests of affected homebuyers.

It also raised objections on jurisdiction, stating that the prosecution complaint was pending before a Gurugram court.

Addressing the objection, the court held that the Gurugram proceedings did not bar it from deciding the present applications, noting that the anticipatory bail had been granted by this court and any modification of its conditions must ordinarily be sought before the same forum.

The judge also flagged a "peculiar" situation where the accused was required to seek prior permission to travel outside Delhi but faced uncertainty over which court could grant such permission, effectively leaving him "without any remedy".

Rejecting the jurisdictional objection, the court held that since the anticipatory bail had been granted by this court, it retained the authority to consider modification of its conditions.

"I find that there is force in the arguments advanced on behalf of the accused by saying that since it was a court in Delhi that granted anticipatory bail, the application for seeking modification also lies only at the court in Delhi. More so, since the only predicate offence pending against the accused is before the South East District, the present court is within its jurisdiction to decide the aforesaid application," said the court.

Final Judgement

On the issue of monthly attendance, the court noted that the investigation against Katyal had been completed, his medical condition was deteriorating and he was not a flight risk as his passport had already been deposited in the court of Special Judge Vishal Gogne in connection with another Prevention of Money Laundering (PMLA) matter.

Accordingly, it modified the bail condition and exempted him from appearing before the investigating officer every month, while keeping the remaining conditions intact.

Background of the Case

According to the ED, Katyal and his associates collected more than Rs 503 crore from plot buyers at Brahma City and Krrish World in Gurugram and diverted a significant portion of the funds into their own companies' accounts through shell companies and parked the same abroad, thereby generating and siphoning proceeds of crime.
The Punjab government is seeking the continued detention of MP Amritpal Singh in Assam's Dibrugarh jail, citing security concerns and potential threats to state security as his detention under the National Security Act nears its end.

IMAGE: Jailed Waris Punjab De chief Amritpal Singh. Photograph: ANI Photo

Key Points The Punjab and Haryana High Court is set to hear the state government's plea to continue Amritpal Singh's detention in Assam.

Amritpal Singh's plea challenging his detention under the National Security Act (NSA) was dismissed by the High Court.

Amritpal Singh, leader of 'Waris Punjab De', was arrested in April 2023 following the Ajnala Police Station incident and has been detained under the NSA since then.

The Punjab government cites anti-national activities and potential threats to state security as reasons for seeking Amritpal Singh's continued detention.

The Punjab government on Thursday filed a fresh plea before the Punjab and Haryana High Court, seeking confinement of Khadoor Sahib MP Amritpal Singh at Dibrugarh jail in Assam as his detention under the National Security Act comes to end on April 22.

Amritpal Singh has been kept in the prison in Assam in connection with the 2023 Ajnala Police Station attack case.

In a separate order, the high court on Thursday dismissed Amritpal's plea, challenging the third detention order under the NSA issued by the Punjab government in April last year.

In the latest plea, a counsel representing the Punjab government informed a bench of Chief Justice Sheel Nagu that the state intended to arrest Amritpal and continue his custody in Dibrugarh jail, citing intelligence inputs and security concerns.

Amritpal's counsel, Iman Singh Khara, said the state government filed a plea that the lawmaker should continue to be lodged in the Assam jail.

Khara said the high court will hear the Punjab government's plea on Friday.

Amritpal has been under detention under the National Security Act since April 2023.

His detention is going to come to an end on April 22 and the state government is unlikely to extend it.

According to the plea, Amritpal is likely to be arrested on April 23.

The Amritsar Rural Senior Superintendent of Police, who filed the plea on behalf of the state government, sought the high court's intervention to issue directions to confine Amritpal in Assam jail consequent to his arrest, with a permission to permit the police to investigate him at a designated place in Dibrugarh, read the plea.

The petitioner also sought the court to allow the state to conduct the entire judicial proceedings from the beginning, including the production of accused after arrest, remand, presentation of chargesheet, through video conferencing.

"The grounds mentioned in the writ petition, which reveal the anti-national, nefarious activities of Amritpal Singh and his supporters, which may become a reason for threat to the interest of the security of the state, law and order situation, and cause prejudice to the public order of the state," the plea read.

The petitioner also mentioned the consent of the Assam government for lodging Amritpal Singh at the Central Jail, Dibrugarh, as per the provisions of the Transfer of Prisoners Act, 1952, read with the Transfer of the Prisoners Act, 2025.

High Court Dismisses Amritpal Singh's Plea

In another case, the high court dismissed Amritpal's plea, challenging the state government's detention order under the NSA.

"... It is clear as day light that the impugned order of preventive detention passed against the petitioner is immuned from the powers of judicial review," the order of the division bench of Chief Justice Sheel Nagu and Justice Sanjiv Berry read.

In his plea, Amritpal had sought quashing of the third successive detention order passed against him on April 23, 2025, for one year.

According to the order, the court did not find any illegality in the detention order issued by the Amritsar district magistrate on April 24, 2025.

The order mentioned several grounds of detention including "conspiring with anti-national elements", "association with dreaded gangsters and terrorists", "intent to physically eliminate persons who have the potentiality to publicly expose petitioner's and tarnish his image" and "campaigning the cause of Khalistan separatist."

Background of Amritpal Singh's Arrest

Amritpal, the chief of the 'Waris Punjab De' group, and who styled himself after slain Khalistani militant Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale, was arrested in Moga's Rode village on April 23, 2023, following a month-long manhunt.

The Punjab Police launched the crackdown on the group after the February 23, 2023, Ajnala incident.

Amritpal and his supporters, some of them brandishing swords and guns, allegedly broke through barricades and barged into the police station on the outskirts of Amritsar city, and clashed with police for the release of his aides.

Amritpal fought the 2024 Lok Sabha polls as an Independent and won from Khadoor Sahib.

His detention was extended under the NSA in April 2025, even as his nine associates, who were also detained in the Assam jail, were brought back to Punjab. These nine associates were arrested in connection with the same incident.

Last month, the high court dismissed the Khadoor Sahib MP's plea, seeking the quashing of the Punjab government's decision of rejecting his application for temporary release to attend the Budget Session of Parliament.

The court then held that there was "no constitutional or legal infirmity" in the impugned order while observing that "national interests are paramount when compared with personal interests."
An investigation has been launched into alleged ballot tampering during the Delhi Bar Council elections, with accusations of manipulated votes and potential forgery.

Photograph: ANI Photo

Key Points Police are investigating alleged ballot tampering during the Delhi Bar Council elections.

The alleged tampering involves manipulating second-preference votes to favour a particular candidate.

An internal inquiry flagged discrepancies, leading to a police complaint.

A case has been registered under sections related to cheating and forgery.

The accused has been identified, and the investigation is ongoing.

A case was registered in connection with the alleged tampering of ballot papers during the ongoing counting of the Bar Council polls held at the Delhi High Court premises, police said on Thursday.

According to the FIR, the irregularities pertain to the preferential voting system used in the elections, where second-preference votes on multiple ballots were allegedly manipulated to favour a particular candidate.

"In several instances, the digit "1" was inserted before the digit "2" on ballot papers to make it appear as "12", and a fresh marking of "2" was then made against a specific candidate, thereby altering the voter's original preference and resulting in wrongful gain to the beneficiary, in whose favour manipulation/ forgery has been done on ballot papers," the FIR read.

Discovery of the Alleged Tampering

The alleged tampering came to light during the counting process, which began on March 7, following polling in February for 23 member posts. Over 200 candidates had contested the elections, the FIR stated.

An internal inquiry conducted by the election committee flagged the discrepancies and pointed to the involvement of a member of the counting staff. Subsequently, a formal complaint was lodged with the police.

Based on the complaint, a case was registered at Tilak Marg police station under sections related to cheating, forgery and related offences.

Ongoing Investigation

Police said the accused, who was part of the counting process, has been identified and an investigation is underway to ascertain if others were involved in the alleged manipulation of ballot papers.

They added that the ballot papers in question have been secured and will form part of the investigation.
In Beed, Maharashtra, police seized a significant quantity of banned tobacco products during a raid on a local shop, highlighting ongoing efforts to combat the sale of illegal substances.

Key Points Police in Beed seized Rs 2.45 lakh worth of banned tobacco products from a shop.

The raid was conducted in Rajuri Navgan based on a tip-off from the local Crime Branch.

Flavoured tobacco and gutkha were among the seized items.

One person was detained in connection with the illegal tobacco products.

A case is being registered at Beed Rural police station.

Banned tobacco products worth Rs 2.45 lakh were seized from a shop in Beed on Thursday, a police official said.

The shop in Rajuri Navgan was raided on a tip-off by the local Crime Branch, he added.

"One person was detained. We seized flavoured tobacco and gutkha. The process of registering a case at Beed Rural police station is underway," the official said.
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma refutes TMC's claims that the BJP will ban meat consumption in West Bengal, clarifying the party's stance on food policies and accusing the TMC of promoting cattle smuggling.

Photograph: @himantabiswa/Twitter

Key Points Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma denies claims that BJP will ban meat and fish consumption in West Bengal if elected.

Sarma clarifies that only beef consumption is restricted in BJP-ruled Assam.

Sarma accuses TMC of wanting to continue cattle smuggling to Bangladesh for personal gain.

Sarma claims West Bengal needs a government to properly handle Bangladeshi immigrants.

Sarma highlights disparity in dearness allowance for government employees in Assam versus West Bengal.

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Thursday accused the TMC of making false claims that the BJP would stop consumption of meat and fish if it wins the assembly polls in West Bengal.

Addressing a poll rally in support of BJP candidates here in north Bengal, Sarma asserted that one can eat as much non-vegetarian food as one wants in saffron party-ruled Assam.

He said that the only restriction in Assam is on consumption of beef.

"You can go to Dhubri or Goalpara and eat fish and meat as much as you want; there is no restriction," Sarma said.

"(CM) Mamata Banerjee is worried that once a BJP government is formed in West Bengal, the beef trade here will stop," he alleged.

The Assam chief minister also claimed that the Trinamool Congress (TMC) wants cattle smuggling to Bangladesh to "continue so that they can fill their pockets".

Central investigating agencies, including the CBI and the Enforcement Directorate, have been probing alleged cattle smuggling from West Bengal to Bangladesh.

Immigration and Governance

Sarma said West Bengal requires a government capable of providing proper "treatment" to Bangladeshi immigrants, who entered the state illegally.

"We have to make the BJP victorious in West Bengal in this election to ensure this," he said.

Sarma said that the BJP government in Assam has ensured that Bangladeshi Muslims do not illegally occupy land in the northeastern state.

"We evicted them from illegally occupied land," he said.

Economic Disparity

Noting that Assam government employees get 50 per cent dearness allowance, Sarma also said despite West Bengal being a much bigger state, government employees here receive "only 22 per cent DA".

Elections to the 294-member West Bengal assembly will be held in two phases - on April 23 and April 29. Votes will be counted on May 4.
Haryana Police cracked down on illegal IPL betting, arresting six individuals in Nuh and seizing cash and equipment used in the operation.

Photograph: Kind courtesy IPL/X

Key Points Six individuals have been arrested in Nuh, Haryana, for allegedly participating in illegal betting during an IPL match.

The arrests were made following a raid by the Crime Investigation Agency (CIA) on a house near the Tauru bypass.

Police seized mobile phones, cash, an LED TV, and betting records from the location.

An FIR has been registered at Tauru police station, and an investigation is underway.

Police in Haryana's Nuh have arrested six suspected bookies for alleged illegal betting during an IPL match between the Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Lucknow Super Giants, an official said on Thursday.

The police arrested the accused after a Crime Investigation Agency (CIA) team raid at a house located near the Tauru bypass on Tuesday night allegedly found the six men engaged in betting, a police spokesperson said.

The accused were identified as Lakhu, Rakmuddin, Sazid, Ramzan -- residents of Panchgaon village -- Moeen and Mubin, resident of Bawla village in Nuh district.

An FIR has been registered in this connection and police have seized a nine mobile phones, Rs 13,350 in cash, an LED TV, a set-top box, two registers, and a notebook from the spot. The notebook contains complete accounts of customers' betting, police said.

Details of the Arrest and Seized Items

"The accused were betting on an ongoing IPL match between Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Lucknow Super Giants. An FIR was registered against the accused at Tauru police station", the spokesperson said.
Delhi Police report that the accused in the Army brigadier assault case are being evasive and showing no remorse, as the investigation continues into the Vasant Enclave incident.

Photograph: ANI Photo

Key Points Delhi Police find the accused in the Army brigadier assault case to be evasive and unrepentant during questioning.

Two men have been arrested and released on bail in connection with the assault on an Army brigadier and his son in Vasant Enclave, Delhi.

The assault occurred after the brigadier and his son objected to public drinking outside their residence.

Police have seized a Mercedes linked to the incident and are working to identify other suspects involved in the assault case.

The case has sparked outrage, prompting authorities to demand swift action and a thorough investigation.

Police probing the assault on an Army brigadier and his son in southwest Delhi have found the two accused "evasive" and showing "no remorse" for their act during questioning, sources said.

According to a police source, both accused -- who are currently out on bail -- are being called to the police station daily for questioning/interrogation as part of the ongoing probe.

"They visited the police station concerned yesterday and even today. Teams are continuously questioning them, but they are evasive in their answers," the source said.

The source added that investigators have gathered substantial evidence in the case and will continue to summon the accused to join the investigation.

"We have enough evidence against them. We will continue to call the accused, but during questioning, they are showing no remorse about the entire incident," he said.

Two men -- Satender alias Sonu (49), an aviation firm director, and Sanjay Sharma (56), a dhaba owner -- were arrested earlier in connection with the case and later granted police bail as per legal provisions.

Further investigation is underway, and efforts are on to identify other people involved in the incident.

Details of the Assault

The case pertains to an alleged assault on Army Brigadier Parminder Singh Arora and his son Tejas Singh Arora in the Vasant Enclave area on the night of April 11.

According to the police, the incident occurred when the brigadier and his son objected to two men allegedly consuming alcohol inside a car parked outside their residence in a residential area.

The situation escalated after more people reached the spot, following which the Army Officer and his son were allegedly assaulted.

The family members levelled allegations that the brigadier's wife was also abused and threatened during the altercation.

Police had registered an FIR under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and arrested two men on Tuesday. Police have also seized the vehicle -- a Mercedes -- linked to the incident.

The incident had triggered widespread outrage, with senior authorities directing swift and strict action. Police said teams are working to identify other suspects. "The probe remains active and all aspects of the case are being examined," a senior police officer said.
A driver in Kerala had his car seized and license suspended after allegedly obstructing a fire engine on its way to a hospital, sparking a police investigation and highlighting the dangers of delaying emergency services.

Key Points Kerala police seized a car and filed a case against a driver for allegedly obstructing a fire engine responding to a hospital fire.

The driver allegedly ignored the siren and honking, delaying the fire engine's arrival to the emergency.

The driver's license has been suspended for six months, and he is required to attend a responsible driving programme.

The incident highlights the ongoing issue of drivers obstructing emergency vehicles in Kerala, often due to loud music or mobile phone use.

Police have registered a case and seized a car for allegedly obstructing a fire tender on its way to a hospital following a major fire at Pattanakad, officials said.

The case has been registered against Sujith, a native of Kodamthuruth, police said.

The incident occurred when a major fire broke out at Tharavoor Government Hospital.

Fire tenders from nearby stations rushed to the spot, but the blaze could not be brought under control immediately.

Subsequently, additional fire tenders were dispatched from Alappuzha.

According to the police, when one such vehicle reached near Ponnamveli in Pattanakad, a car driven by Sujith allegedly refused to give way.

Despite the siren being on and repeated honking by the fire tender driver, Sujith allegedly continued to drive in the middle of the road at a slow speed, preventing the emergency vehicle from overtaking.

Police said he drove in this manner for several kilometres before eventually moving to the left, allowing the fire tender to pass.

Personnel of the Fire and Rescue Services, who recorded a video of the incident, later handed it over to the police.

Based on a complaint, Pattanakad police registered a case.

After tracing the vehicle, police summoned Sujith to the station and seized the car.

Sujith has claimed that he did not hear the fire tender's siren, police said.

Officials are also probing whether he was using a mobile phone while driving.

Driver's License Suspended and Further Action

Meanwhile, the Motor Vehicles Department (MVD) has suspended his driving licence for six months.

MVD officials said an explanation was sought from the driver, who claimed he was taking his child to the hospital and had not heard the fire tender's siren.

The MVD has also directed Sujith to undergo a five-day responsible driving programme at its Institute of Driver Training and Research in Edappal.

Officials added that in recent years, several incidents of drivers blocking ambulances have been reported across the state.

According to them, such incidents often occur when people play loud music in vehicles or use mobile phones while driving.
A contentious debate is unfolding in the Indian Parliament as NDA leaders push for amendments to the Women's Reservation Act and the Delimitation Bill, 2026, aiming to implement women's quotas by 2029, while opposition parties raise serious concerns about the potential impact on India's federal structure and the fairness of the delimitation exercise.

Photograph: Sansad TV/YouTube

Key Points The 'Constitution (One Hundred and Thirty-First Amendment) Bill, 2026' and 'Delimitation Bill, 2026' are being debated for passage in the Lok Sabha.

The amendments aim to implement 33 per cent reservation for women in Lok Sabha and state assemblies by 2029, following a delimitation exercise based on the 2011 Census.

NDA leaders assert the bills will boost women's participation in governance and reject concerns about discrimination against southern states.

Opposition parties, including Congress, Samajwadi Party, and DMK, support women's reservation but strongly oppose the delimitation plan, citing potential imbalances between northern and southern states and a threat to federalism.

Concerns are raised that delimitation based on the 2011 Census would penalise southern states for effective population control and that a fresh census, including a caste census, is needed for accurate representation.

NDA leaders on Thursday defended bills to amend the women's quota law and set up a delimitation commission, saying women have waited for years for reservation, while opposition leaders alleged the way the government was proceeding with it could undermine the country's federal and democratic structure.

According to a bulletin issued on April 15, the 'Constitution (One Hundred and Thirty-First Amendment) Bill, 2026', 'Delimitation Bill, 2026' and 'Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2026' will be introduced and debated for passage in the Lower House on Thursday.

Proposed Amendments and Implementation Timeline

The three-day sitting of Parliament, during which amendments to the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, commonly known as the Women's Reservation Act, mandating 33 per cent reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and state assemblies, will be brought for passage so that it can be implemented by 2029.

BJP MP Giriraj Singh expressed confidence that the amendments to the Women's Reservation Act for its early implementation will receive broad support in Parliament.

"I have full confidence that when they come to the House, they will develop sensitivity towards women. Women have been waiting for years, and now their patience is running out. This will be passed collectively," Singh told reporters inside the Parliament House complex.

He rejected the opposition's concerns on the delimitation exercise as unfounded.

"There will be no discrimination against anyone or any state. There will be no loss to the southern states and no one needs to worry," he added.

BJP MP Sandhya Roy termed the move historic and said it would significantly boost women's participation in governance.

"I believe everyone will support this Bill. It is a historic opportunity for women's empowerment and a defining moment for the country. By 2029, women will have a strong share in the nation's participation and progress," she said.

Delimitation and Seat Allocation Details

According to the draft Constitution amendment bill, the number of Lok Sabha seats will be increased to a maximum of 850 from the current 543 to "operationalise" the women's reservation law before the 2029 parliamentary polls, following a delimitation exercise based on the 2011 Census.

Seats will also be increased in state and Union territory assemblies to accommodate 33 per cent reservation for women, and the seats reserved for women in the Lok Sabha and legislative assemblies "shall be allotted by rotation to different constituencies in a state or Union territory", the draft bill circulated among Lok Sabha members said.

JD-U MP Lovely Anand criticised the opposition for raising objections.

"Why is the opposition against delimitation when nothing has happened yet? This is in favour of women -- half the population is finally getting its due. The opposition is worried because it sees the ground slipping beneath its feet," she said.

Opposition's Concerns and Criticisms

Opposition leaders expressed concerns over the proposed delimitation exercise.

Congress leader K Suresh said his party supports women's reservation, but opposes the delimitation plan linked to it.

"We are not against the women's reservation bill. We are totally opposing the delimitation bill," he said.

Congress MP Hibi Eden said he has moved a procedural notice against the proposal.

"We have given notice under the relevant rules of procedure to oppose this. The delimitation bill is a direct attack on the Constitution. It takes away the rights of southern states and is an attack on the cooperative federal structure of the country," he said.

"There is concern over the proposed increase in seats and the imbalance it may create between northern and southern states. Proper discussion and consultation with state governments are needed," he added.

"It also affects the democratic and secular nature of the country. Southern states have performed better in population control and delimitation based on population will penalise them," Eden said.

Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav said his party supports reservation for women, but is opposed to the manner in which the government is proceeding with it. "We are not against women's reservation, but we oppose the haste and the way it is being brought. Without a fresh census, relying on 2011 data will not ensure accurate representation," he said.

"If a census is conducted, there will be a demand for a caste census and appropriate reservation. This is not real empowerment but symbolism," Yadav added.

Shiv Sena-UBT MP Arvind Sawant spoke in the same vein. "We are not against women's reservation, but we have reservations about the delimitation bill. There are concerns about how such exercises are carried out," he said.

DMK MP T R Baalu said, "Yesterday, our leader M K Stalin burnt the draft Bill at a public rally in Salem, which shows that we have to oppose it."

The total strength of the ruling NDA in the Lok Sabha stands at 292, while the major opposition parties have 233 MPs.

For the Constitution amendment bill to be passed, it requires a two-thirds majority of those present in the House at the time of voting.
A Mumbai court has ruled that alleged gangster Kumar Pillai can return to his home country of Hong Kong after his extradition, dismissing arguments to send him back to Singapore.

Key Points Mumbai court allows alleged gangster Kumar Pillai to return to Hong Kong after extradition.

The court rejected arguments to send Pillai back to Singapore, the country from which he was extradited.

Judge emphasised that forcing Pillai to go to Singapore would be arbitrary and against the rule of law.

Pillai, a Hong Kong passport holder, was extradited to India to face prosecution in specific cases.

The court directed the state to issue a no objection certificate (NOC) for Pillai's travel to Hong Kong.

A special court here on Thursday directed the police to issue no objection certificate for alleged gangster Kumar Pillai's return to his home country Hong Kong and not insist on sending him to Singapore, from where he was extradited.

The court remarked that compelling him to travel to Singapore in absence of any statutory provision or treaty obligation "would be arbitrary, unreasonable, and contrary to the rule of law".

On the other hand, permitting Pillai to return to his country of citizenship "would be the most natural, reasonable, and legally sustainable course", special judge for MCOCA cases Satyanarayan R Navander stated.

Pillai cannot be compelled to obtain a visa of a foreign country of which he is not a citizen, nor can he be forced to enter such country against his will and in the absence of any legal mandate, the court said.

"It is a settled principle that any restriction on personal liberty must have a clear sanction of law," said the order on Pillai's plea seeking clarification on his extradition.

Background of the Kumar Pillai Case

Pillai, a Hong Kong passport-holder, was originally extradited to India to face prosecution in three cases, including the 2009 firing at Kanjurmarg office of Lodha Developers. He was arrested in Singapore in 2016 following a 2012 Red Corner Notice issued against him.

The issue of his extradition arose following the conclusion of the specific cases for which he was extradited.

The prosecution initially argued that under the "principle of speciality," the law mandated Pillai be returned specifically to the surrendering state, which is Singapore.

However, Pillai's lawyer Pankaj Kavale, countered that his client is a citizen of Hong Kong and not Singapore.

Forcing him to return to a country where he has no legal standing would cause "undue hardship" and potentially leave him "stateless", Kavale submitted.

Judge Navander said there was no stipulation in the original extradition order or any undertaking by India requiring Pillai's return to Singapore. Further, Singapore has not made any formal request for the restoration of Pillai's custody, the court said.

The special court emphasised that the state had already expressed its inability to cover the costs of repatriation, making it "unjust" to impose further destination restrictions on the applicant.

The court then permitted Pillai to travel to Hong Kong and directed the state and DCB CID to issue no objection certificate (NOC).
Congress MLA Vinay Kulkarni faces sentencing after being convicted in the 2016 murder of a BJP leader, a verdict that could significantly impact Karnataka's political landscape.

Key Points Congress MLA Vinay Kulkarni and 16 others were convicted in the 2016 murder of BJP leader Yogesh Goudar.

The special court found the accused guilty of criminal conspiracy and related offences, including murder.

The court will pronounce the sentence on April 17 after hearing arguments from the prosecution and defence.

Several witnesses face perjury proceedings for allegedly providing false testimony during the trial.

Kulkarni's conviction may lead to his disqualification as an MLA.

A special court for MPs and MLAs on Thursday reserved its order on the quantum of sentence for convicted Congress MLA Vinay Kulkarni and 16 others in the 2016 murder case of BJP leader Yogesh Goudar.

The order will be pronounced on April 17.

The court had held the accused guilty of criminal conspiracy and related offences on Wednesday.

On Thursday, the court heard arguments from the prosecution and defence on the quantum of punishment.

Judge Santhosh Gajanan Bhat found the accused guilty of entering into a criminal conspiracy to murder Yogesh Goudar and convicted them under relevant provisions of the IPC, including Section 120(B) (criminal conspiracy).

The court said the accused were also convicted under various sections related to unlawful assembly, rioting and murder, including Section 302 read with Section 120(B) of the IPC. Several of them were additionally held guilty of causing the disappearance of evidence.

Two others-Vasudeva Rama Nilekani and Somashekar Basappa Nyamagouda-were acquitted after being given the benefit of doubt.

Perjury Proceedings and Witness Testimony

The court also directed that perjury proceedings be initiated against multiple witnesses, including police officials and independent witnesses, for allegedly giving false testimony. It granted liberty to the prosecution to seek a sanction to prosecute an approver-turned-witness who later turned hostile.

Background of the Murder Case

The case pertains to the killing of Yogesh Goudar, a BJP leader and former Dharwad Zila Panchayat member, who was hacked to death at a gymnasium in Dharwad in June 2016.

The matter, initially probed by local police and later handed over to the CBI, involved the examination of over 100 witnesses. Kulkarni, who was a minister at the time of the incident, was arrested in 2020 and later granted bail.

The court posted the matter for the pronouncement of the sentence order on April 17.

The court also directed the CBI to take the accused into custody.

Kulkarni broke down soon after the verdict was pronounced.

He was later taken to the Bengaluru Central Jail at Parappana Agrahara.

Following the conviction, Kulkarni is likely to face disqualification as an MLA.
Rajasthan Police are alerting residents to a surge in cyber fraud attempts exploiting the digital census, urging vigilance against scams targeting personal and financial data.

Photograph: ANI Photo

Key Points Rajasthan Police warn of cybercriminals impersonating census officials to steal personal data.

Scammers may use fake calls, messages, and home visits to solicit Aadhaar and bank details.

Fraudsters may trick victims into downloading remote access apps to gain control of their devices.

The digital census self-enumeration process is free and should only be accessed via the official website.

Citizens are urged to be vigilant and avoid sharing personal information with unknown contacts.

Rajasthan Police has issued an advisory warning people against cyber frauds under the pretext of the ongoing digital census, officials said on Thursday.

The cybercrime unit said frauds may use fake calls, messages and even doorstep visits posing as census officials to cheat people and gain access to their personal information, including bank account details.

Cybercrime Tactics During Digital Census

Additional Director General of Police (Cyber Crime) V K Singh said cybercriminals have become more active amid the digital census being rolled out by the Union government.

"They may impersonate census officials and seek personal details such as Aadhaar and bank information through suspicious links or calls," he said.

According to police, frauds may also persuade victims to download remote access applications like AnyDesk or TeamViewer, gaining control of their mobile phones and siphoning off money from banking applications.

In another modus operandi, scammers visit homes with tablets, pretending to collect census data. They seek details about family members, education and facilities, and ask for OTPs under the guise of verification, which are then used for unauthorised bank transactions.

Police also warned about fake SMS messages carrying alarming content such as threats of suspension of government benefits if census details are not updated, along with malicious links that can lead to fraud.

Official Census Guidelines

Deputy Inspector General Shantanu Kumar Singh said the Union government has provided a self-enumeration facility under the digital census, which should only be accessed through the official website.

He said the self-enumeration process will be conducted from May 1 to May 15, 2026, and is completely free, with no fees or payments required.

Police have urged citizens to remain vigilant and avoid sharing personal or financial information with unknown callers or visitors.
A 28-year-old man was found dead in a Delhi guest house after an argument with his partner, prompting a police investigation into a suspected suicide.

Photograph: ANI Photo

Key Points A 28-year-old man was found dead in a Kalkaji guest house in Delhi, with police investigating a possible suicide.

The man had checked into the guest house with a 24-year-old woman, and an argument reportedly occurred before the incident.

Police investigation suggests a possible suicide, with the man allegedly hanging himself after a dispute.

The body has been sent for postmortem, and police are investigating the exact circumstances of the death in the Delhi guest house.

A 28-year-old man who had checked into a guest house in southeast Delhi's Kalkaji with a woman was found hanging in his room, police said on Thursday.

According to the police, a PCR call regarding the suicide was received at the Kalkaji Police Station at 8.41 pm on Wednesday.

A police team rushed to the spot and found a man hanging from a ceiling fan in a ground-floor room of the guest house. He was identified as Mohammad Javed, a resident of Tajpur Pahadi in Badarpur area.

A preliminary inquiry revealed that Javed had checked into the guest house at around 3 pm with a 24-year-old woman, also a resident of the same locality. The two had been in a relationship for the past nine years, a police officer said.

An argument broke out between the two during their stay, which escalated into a scuffle. After the fight, the woman fell asleep, while the man allegedly hanged himself using a chunni tying it to the ceiling fan.

"At around 8.30 pm, when the woman woke up, she found the man hanging in the room. She immediately opened the door and raised an alarm, following which the guest house staff informed the police," the officer said.

No visible external injury marks were found on the body of the deceased, the police said.

"Initial findings suggest the man may have been under the influence of some substance at the time of the incident. The body has been shifted to the AIIMS mortuary for postmortem. Prima facie, it appears to be a case of suicide, though further investigation is underway to ascertain the exact sequence of events," they said.
Delhi Police have successfully dismantled a sophisticated cyber fraud syndicate with international connections, highlighting the growing threat of online financial crimes and the importance of vigilance.

Key Points Delhi Police busted a cyber fraud syndicate with links to foreign handlers operating through social media.

The investigation was triggered by a complaint of fraudulent money transfer and led to the identification of suspicious bank accounts.

A bank employee was arrested for facilitating the opening of mule accounts used in the cyber fraud scheme.

The syndicate used APK-based SMS forwarder tools to gain remote access to OTPs and control bank accounts.

Accused shared bank credentials with overseas operators and received commissions in cryptocurrency.

The Delhi Police has busted a cyber fraud syndicate with links to foreign handlers operating through social media platforms and arrested three men, including a bank employee, an official said on Thursday.

The case came to light following a complaint on the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal (NCRP) regarding a fraudulent transfer of Rs 10,000 from a Bareilly resident's account in February.

During the probe, police identified a suspicious account at a private bank branch in Mayur Vihar Phase-1, which was found linked to multiple complaints.

Subsequent investigation revealed that the account, opened in the name of a firm, was being used repeatedly for cyber fraud transactions.

"The account holder, Shokin and his associate, Sharuk alias Jojo, were apprehended. During interrogation, Sharuk disclosed the involvement of a bank relationship manager, who facilitated the opening of mule accounts for monetary gain," said the police officer.

Acting on the inputs, police arrested the bank employee, identified as Franshu Kumar (23), after establishing his role through digital and technical evidence, he said.

Modus Operandi of the Cyber Fraud Syndicate

Police said forensic analysis of seized mobile phones uncovered links to foreign handlers through social media platforms. The accused shared bank credentials with overseas operators and received commissions in cryptocurrency.

The team also found that APK-based SMS forwarder tools were used to gain remote access to OTPs and control bank accounts, enabling quick diversion of funds.

Further investigation is underway to identify other members.
India's ruling NDA coalition is struggling to garner enough parliamentary support to pass the landmark women's reservation bill, requiring strategic alliances and potential abstentions to overcome the two-thirds majority hurdle.

Photograph: Sansad TV/ANI video grab

Key Points The NDA lacks the necessary two-thirds majority in Parliament to pass the women's reservation bill without support from other parties.

Securing passage of the Constitution amendment bill requires strategic abstentions from key opposition parties in the Lok Sabha.

The NDA holds a majority in both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, but falls short of the special majority needed for constitutional amendments.

Prime Minister Modi has appealed for cross-party support, offering to share credit for the bill's passage.

The Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill and related bills have been introduced in the Lok Sabha, initiating the legislative process.

The ruling National Democratic Alliance does not have the required numbers in Parliament to get the women's reservation bills passed with a two-thirds majority, unless it can shore up support from other parties or make some of them abstain.

While the NDA has the support of 293 members in the Lok Sabha, which is 54 per cent of the house, the opposition has 233 MPs.

While seven MPs are independents, seven belong to parties like the YSRCP, AIMIM and Shiromani Akali Dal, which have yet to openly support the bills.

The rules require 360 MPs to support the bills, including the Constitution amendment bill, which comes to two-thirds of those present and voting.

For the bills to get approval from the Lok Sabha, at least two main opposition parties from among the Samajwadi Party (37 MPs), Trinamool Congress (28 MPs) or Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (22 MPs) would have to abstain. The Congress has 98 MPs in the Lok Sabha.

On the other hand, the BJP has 240 MPs, Telugu Desam Party 16 and Janata Dal-United 12 in the Lok Sabha from the NDA.

In case the bills do not get Lok Sabha nod, they will not be taken up in the Rajya Sabha.

Rajya Sabha won't take up bills if...

In the Rajya Sabha, the NDA has 141 members in their favour, which is 58 per cent of the upper house, and the opposition has 83 MPs in support.

Parties such as the Bharat Rashtriya Samithi, YSRCP, Biju Janata Dal, and Bahujan Samaj Party and independents have 20 MPs in the upper house and their votes may help swing the decision.

For the Constitution amendment bill to get through in the upper house, the ruling alliance needs the support of 163 MPs to be present and voting, which is two-thirds majority of the house.

While the BJP has 107 MPs in the Rajya Sabha, the Congress has 28, TMC 13, AAP 10 and DMK 8.

Sources said several BJP MPs have admitted privately that they do not have the numbers to get the key bills passed.

Need for Special Majority

Amending the Constitution requires a special majority in both houses of Parliament: a majority of the total membership (more than 50 per cent) and a two-thirds majority of members present and voting.

So if all 540 members that are there in the house currently, are present and voting, the two-thirds majority mark would be 360. While seeking the support of all parties in getting the bills passed, Prime Minister Narendra Modi made a fervent appeal in the Lok Sabha, saying that he will get all the credit in case the opposition oppose the bills but is ready to give a "blank cheque" to all in case everyone supports the legislation.

Bills Introduced in Lok Sabha

The Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill to tweak the women's quota law was introduced in the Lok Sabha on Thursday after a division of votes.

Two ordinary bills -- the Delimitation Bill and the Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill to implement the proposed amended women's quota law in Union territories of Delhi, Puducherry and Jammu and Kashmir -- were also introduced.

The bills were introduced in the Lok Sabha after a fiery 40-minute debate, following which the opposition pressed for the division of votes to introduce the Constitutional (131st Amendment) Bill.

The bill was later introduced with 251 members supporting it and 185 members voting against the introduction.
A dismissed Uttar Pradesh police constable was arrested for allegedly murdering a beggar and staging the scene to appear as his own death, sparking a complex police investigation in Hathras.

Photograph: ANI Photo

Key Points A dismissed UP police constable, Ramveer Singh, has been arrested for allegedly murdering a beggar in Hathras.

Singh allegedly burned the beggar's body and placed his own ID to fake his own death and evade justice.

Police investigation revealed the plot, leading to Singh's arrest; the motive for faking his death remains unclear.

The accused has a history of criminal activity, with multiple cases registered against him across several districts in Uttar Pradesh.

A dismissed Uttar Pradesh Police constable has been arrested for allegedly killing a beggar and burning the body to fake his own death in the district, police said on Thursday.

The incident occurred on March 12 at a tin shed near Hathras Road Halt of the North Eastern Railway, where a charred body of an unidentified elderly man was recovered, they said.

According to police, Ramveer Singh (55), who had earlier been dismissed from service due to criminal activities, allegedly murdered the beggar and set the body on fire. He also placed his own identity card and belongings near the body to mislead authorities into believing that he had died.

A case was registered at the Government Railway Police (GRP) station in Hathras City, and during the investigation, police uncovered the plot and arrested Singh, a resident of Mainpuri district's Kishni area, on April 14.

GRP Hathras City station in-charge Suyash Singh said the accused carried out the crime with the intention of portraying himself as dead, but the truth emerged during the probe.

However, it was not clear why he wanted to fake his own death.

Accused Has Extensive Criminal History

"He is a habitual offender and has multiple cases registered against him in districts including Firozabad, Aligarh, Moradabad, Hardoi, Mainpuri and Badaun, involving serious charges such as kidnapping, murder, robbery and fraud," the officer said.

Police said the accused also sustained burn injuries while committing the crime.

The identity of the deceased, believed to be a beggar in sadhu attire, is yet to be established. Efforts are underway to ascertain his identity, police added.

Further legal action in the case is in progress.
Following the tragic overdose deaths of two MBA students at a Mumbai concert, police have arrested a college student for allegedly supplying drugs, uncovering a potential large-scale drug racket operating at the venue.

IMAGE: Kindly note that the image has been posted for representational purposes only. Photograph: ANI Photo

Key Points A 22-year-old college student was arrested for allegedly supplying drugs at a Mumbai concert where two MBA students died.

Police suspect a large-scale drug supply racket operated at the Nesco Ground concert, with possible organiser involvement.

The arrested student's financial transactions and Snapchat conversations are being investigated for evidence of drug supply.

Authorities are investigating links between the arrested individual, concert organisers, and other suspects involved in the drug racket.

WhatsApp group chats related to drug supply for the concert were allegedly created and then deleted by the accused.

A 22-year-old man was arrested on Thursday for allegedly supplying drugs at a concert in Goregaon where two MBA students died due to suspected drug overdose, and it is suspected that a large-scale racket was operating at the venue, police said.

With the arrest of Vinit Gerelani, student of a prominent college in south Mumbai, the number of people arrested in the case reached seven, a Vanrai police station official said. A court in Borivali has remanded the accused in police custody till April 18.

Probe uncovers drug supply racket

Probe found that a large-scale drug supply racket was operating during Saturday's concert at Nesco Ground and the organisers were hand in glove with the peddlers, the official said.

Two MBA students, a man and a woman, died of suspected overdose after consuming alcohol and ecstasy pills during the music concert that took place on April 11.

Gerelani is accused of playing a role in supplying drugs, the official said, adding his financial transactions were being probed.

He was present at Nesco Ground along with some other accused who allegedly supplied drugs to college students.

Police recovered Gerelani's Snapchat conversations about drug supply with several persons who attended the concert and he seemed to have received money for providing drugs, the official said.

Gerelani could have links with the organisers of the concert, and all the arrested accused would be interrogated together, the police official said.

Links to other suspects and previous events

He is also suspected to have information about wanted accused Ayush Sahitya and Shubh Agarwal. Ayush and Shubh had allegedly attended the April 11 concert and also some concerts prior to it. It is suspected that the racketeers had supplied drugs during earlier events held at the venue too.

The deceased woman MBA student and accused Pratik Pande had attended an earlier music event at the venue and consumed ecstasy pills, the official said.

The accused had created a WhatsApp group for the concert where drugs supply and money were discussed, but the chats were later deleted, the official said.
Faridabad police have successfully busted a fake Harpic toilet cleaner manufacturing ring, seizing hundreds of counterfeit products and arresting one suspect in a crackdown on intellectual property theft.

Key Points Faridabad Police raided a workshop manufacturing and selling fake Harpic toilet cleaner.

One person, Surjeet Singh, was arrested in connection with the counterfeit operation.

Police seized hundreds of fake Harpic bottles, empty containers, labels, raw materials, and manufacturing equipment.

The main suspect, Vipin, is currently absconding, and police are actively searching for him.

The counterfeit operation had been running for approximately four months, producing fake products from raw materials.

Faridabad Police busted a workshop manufacturing fake toilet cleaner products and arrested one accused, police said on Thursday.

Police said they raided a workshop in Nawada village that was selling counterfeit copies of Impactive Brand Solutions LLP's product, 'Harpic'.

The police arrested one accused, identified as Surjeet Singh, a resident of Goti village, Mainpuri district in Uttar Pradesh, currently residing at Tyagi Market, Dabua Colony, Faridabad.

Police obtained a four-day remand for the accused.

Investigation Details

"During interrogation, the accused revealed that he had been working for a salary for the last 4 months in Vipin's workshop, where fake products are prepared from raw materials and then sold in bulk. We are trying to nab the main accused Vipin, who is still absconding after Wednesday's raid", said Yashpal Yadav, the spokesperson for Faridabad police.

The police recovered 816 filled 500 ml bottles of the company's product Harpic, 250 empty bottles, 316 labels/stickers, 40 litres of cans filled with raw material, machines used to make fake products, cardboard boxes and other equipment from the workshop, they added.
A Delhi woman has been booked for allegedly filing a false POCSO complaint against her father, with police investigations revealing the allegation arose from a family property dispute.

Key Points A woman in Delhi has been booked for allegedly filing a false complaint under the POCSO Act against her father.

The false allegation appears to stem from an ongoing property dispute within the family.

The child involved denied the allegations before the Child Welfare Committee, stating her mother had made similar false claims previously.

Medical examination at AIIMS found no evidence of sexual assault.

The Child Welfare Committee declined custody to the complainant and placed the child in protective custody.

A woman has been booked for allegedly filing a false complaint under the POCSO Act against her father in southeast Delhi's Govindpuri area, with police saying the allegation arose during an ongoing property dispute in the family, an official said on Thursday.

According to police, the matter came to light on April 11 when Govindpuri police station received three PCR calls regarding a dispute at a house in Tughlakabad Extension.

"The calls, made by a woman, her brother and their father, alleged house-breaking and theft. However, an inquiry found the issue to be a civil property dispute," the officer said.

The following day, the woman approached police alleging that her father had molested her minor daughter.

Police said she initially delayed giving a statement and later submitted a written complaint but refused to produce the child at the police station.

"A police team, including a woman investigating officer, subsequently visited the residence and examined the child," the officer said.

Investigation and Findings

During interaction before the Child Welfare Committee (CWC), the minor categorically denied any inappropriate conduct by her grandfather and said her mother had raised similar false allegations in the past too, the officer added.

The child was later taken for medical examination at AIIMS, where doctors found no history or signs of sexual assault in the medico-legal case report.

Following the findings, the CWC at Kalkaji declined custody of the child to the complainant and sent the minor to protective custody.

Legal Proceedings

On April 14, police initiated proceedings under section 217 (false information) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita against the woman for allegedly lodging a false complaint to mislead legal authorities. Further proceedings are underway, police said.
An interstate gold coin fraud operation has been dismantled in Gurugram, India, resulting in the arrest of four individuals and the recovery of a significant amount of cash and gold, exposing a sophisticated scam targeting wealthy individuals.

Photograph: Reuters

Key Points An interstate gold coin fraud ring has been busted in Gurugram, leading to the arrest of four individuals and the recovery of over Rs 2 crore in cash and 678 grams of gold.

The alleged kingpin, Solanki Prabhubhai Gulshanbhai, has a 25-year history of fraud, including allegedly defrauding Bollywood figures.

The gang targeted educated, wealthy individuals by initially presenting real gold coins before swapping them with gold-plated copper.

The investigation was launched after a Gurugram-based exporter reported being defrauded of Rs 2.49 crore and 500 grams of gold.

Police are pursuing additional members of the gang, including two women currently incarcerated in Kota jail.

Four people part of an interstate gold coin fraud were arrested with more than Rs 2 crore in cash and 678 gm of gold in their possession, police said on Thursday. One of the four was Solanki Prabhubhai Gulshanbhai, alias Kalpesh, alias Ravi, a resident of Vadodara in Gujarat, and also the alleged leader of the gang. The other three were identified as Pankaj Sharma, a resident of Nihal Vihar, Delhi, Manish Kamlesh Shah, a resident of Kareli Bagh district in Vadodara, and Ishwar Marwadi, a resident of Ramdev Nagar district in Vadodara, Gujarat. Prabhubhai, the alleged kingpin, and Pankaj Sharma were arrested in Gurugram, while Manish Shah and Ishwar Marwadi were arrested in Gujarat on Wednesday, the police said.

Kingpin's History of Fraud

According to the police, Prabhubhai has been involved in fraud for the past 25 years, with most of his criminal activity occurring in Mumbai and Gujarat. Police said that with the proceeds of the crimes, he bought Hotel PM in Karjan Lakodra on the Delhi-Mumbai Road. "About 15 years ago, he defrauded Bollywood actor Aditya Pancholi of Rs 25 lakh and Salman Khan's father Salim Khan of Rs 20 lakh. With the defrauded money, Prabhubhai married four times and even made a Gujarati film titled 'Love You'," said Deputy Commissioner of Police (Crime) Hitesh Yadav. Prabhubhai wanted to establish his political dominance by securing a ticket for his wife, Parvati Solanki, in the Gujarat municipal councilor election, the officer said.

Modus Operandi of the Gold Coin Scam

Yadav said the gang usually targeted educated people. Most of the gang members are illiterate and would disguise themselves as poor laborers, carrying 5-6 real gold and silver coins. They would show them to wealthy people, saying they found these while digging. According to the police, the members of the gang would produce real gold coins when they would be asked for authenticity. Once the gold was confirmed as real, and its value pegged at Rs 25 to Rs 30 lakh per kg, the prospective buyer would be reeled in. Once the deal was finalised, the members of the gang would pass on gold plated copper for gold coins and decamp with the money.

Investigation and Arrests

A hunt for them in the NCR was launched on April 1, when a Gurugram-based exporter lodged a complaint at Sushant Lok Police Station reporting a similar fraud. The exporter alleged that on February 13 an unknown person duped him by promising to sell him gold and silver coins at a cheap price. On March 2, he said, the man took around Rs 2.49 crore in cash and around 500 grams of gold from his house in Sushant Lok on the pretext of selling a large quantity of gold coins, but gave him fake coins in return, according to the police. While investigating, a team of crime unit, Sector 43, arrested four people, including the ringleader. The police found Prabhubhai to have two fraud cases filed against him in Maharashtra and seven cases in Gujarat. "We will soon arrest two female members of the gang, who are currently lodged in Kota jail," the DCP said.
Shah has firmly stated that providing reservation to Muslims based on religion is unconstitutional, while also confirming that a caste census will proceed alongside the population enumeration.

IMAGE: Union Home Minister Amit Shah speaks in Lok Sabha . Photograph: Sansad TV/YouTube

Key Points Amit Shah asserts that reservation for Muslims based on religion is unconstitutional under Indian law.

The Indian government has resolved not to provide reservation to Muslims on religious grounds.

A caste census will be conducted alongside the ongoing population enumeration.

The Lok Sabha is considering bills to amend the women's quota law and establish a delimitation commission.

Proposed changes include increasing the Lok Sabha strength to 815, with 272 seats reserved for women.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah said on Thursday that Muslims will not be given reservation on the basis of religion as such a quota would be unconstitutional.

During a fiery 40-minute debate, following which three bills were introduced in the Lok Sabha for amendment of the women's quota law and to set up a delimitation commission, Shah said a caste census will be carried out along with population enumeration during the ongoing census exercise.

"The question of providing reservation to Muslim women on the basis of religion does not even arise. Our Constitution does not allow at all to give reservation on the basis of religion. I want to make it clear our government's resolve that Muslims will not be given reservation on the basis of religion. Such reservation is unconstitutional," a combative Shah said after the Samajwadi Party's Akhilesh Yadav and Dharmendra Yadav spoke in favour of giving a quota to Muslims.

The home minister said the Samajwadi Party members were saying that they would place the demand for a caste census but he would like to inform them that the government had already taken a decision to carry out the caste census and it would be carried out along with the population enumeration.

"Right now, the counting of households is underway and the households do not have any caste. If the Samajwadi Party had its way, they would determine the caste of households as well," he said.

Shah also said "if the Samajwadi Party gives all its tickets to Muslim women, where do we have any objection, we have no objections at all".

He said that during the population enumeration, the census authorities would keep a provision for caste enumeration, "which I personally want too".

"I want to make it clear that this census will be conducted along with caste enumeration," the home minister said.

Caste Census Details

The houselisting under the census 2027 started on April 1. The Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs, headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on April 30 last year decided to include caste enumeration in the upcoming census. Caste was excluded from all census operations conducted since Independence.

Lok Sabha Amendments

The Lok Sabha on Thursday took up the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, 2026, the Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2026, and the Delimitation Bill, 2026, for debate and passage.

As per the proposal, the strength of the Lok Sabha will be increased to 815, of which 272 seats will be reserved for women -- a total of 33 per cent.
Maharashtra minister Nitesh Rane sparks controversy by alleging 'corporate jihad' and urging companies to prioritise hiring Hindu candidates to combat perceived religious conversion efforts.

IMAGE: Maharashtra minister Nitesh Rane alleges the emergence of 'corporate jihad' in the state, citing religious conversion attempts. Photograph: @NiteshNRane/X

Key Points Rane advocates for prioritising Hindu candidates in hiring to prevent 'jihadist activities' in corporate settings.

The minister's remarks reference alleged incidents of religious conversion and sexual harassment at a TCS unit in Nashik.

Rane claims a growing sentiment within the Hindu community to engage in economic transactions and employment solely with fellow Hindus.

The National Commission for Women is investigating alleged sexual harassment incidents at the TCS unit.

Maharashtra minister and Bharatiya Janata Party leader Nitesh Rane on Thursday claimed the emergence of "corporate jihad" in the state, and said giving preference to hiring only Hindu candidates was the "need of the hour" to prevent "jihadist activities".

His remarks were in reference to the alleged attempts to religious conversion and sexual harassment that have surfaced in a BPO unit of the Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) in Nashik.

Police have arrested eight employees of Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), including seven men and a female operations manager. Another female employee is absconding. The National Commission for Women on Wednesday said it has set up a fact-finding committee to probe the alleged incidents of sexual harassment of employees.

Referring to the TCS case in Nashik, Rane alleged that jobs were being misused as a tool for religious conversion.

"If every platform, from trade to corporate offices, is used to target Hindus through various forms of jihad, it is time for a firm response," he told reporters.

Due to such incidents, a sentiment is growing within the Hindu community to engage in economic transactions and employment solely with fellow Hindus to safeguard interests, the fisheries minister claimed.

The minister warned that companies might soon adopt a policy of hiring only Hindus to prevent such "jihadist activities".

"We are not seeking to divide society, but reacting to the experiences on the ground. If employment provided for livelihood is diverted towards religious conversion, then prioritising Hindu candidates is the need of the hour to strengthen the 'Hindu rashtra'," Rane added.

"It is time to take a stand if employment is misused for stoking jihad, instead of seeing it as a means of livelihood," Rane said.
The Congress party fiercely opposes the government's proposed delimitation bills, claiming they exploit women's reservation for political gain and undermine the Constitution.

IMAGE: Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi speaks in the Lok Sabha on the Women's Reservation Bill. Photograph: ANI on X

Key Points Congress alleges the government is using women's reservation as a guise to push through delimitation for political advantage.

The party argues that the women's quota law should be implemented immediately based on the current strength of the Lok Sabha.

Congress accuses the BJP of indulging in 'politics of symbolism' and using delimitation as a weapon to further its political ambitions.

The party expresses apprehension that the government is not in favour of a caste census and is weakening the Constitution.

The Congress on Thursday alleged that the government wants to 'bulldoze' delimitation in the name of women's reservation, and asserted that if it is really committed to implementing the women's quota law it should do so immediately on the basis of the current strength of Lok Sabha.

The opposition party also alleged that the Bharatiya Janata Party was using delimitation as a 'political weapon' to increase its influence.

Initiating the discussion on the three bills moved to amend the women's quota law and set up a delimitation commission, Gogoi said the bills are 'anti-women, anti-caste census, anti-Constitution and anti-federal structure of the country'.

The Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill to tweak the women's quota law was introduced in Lok Sabha on Thursday after a division of votes.

Two ordinary bills -- the Delimitation Bill and the Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill to implement the proposed amended women's quota law in Union territories of Delhi, Puducherry and Jammu and Kashmir -- were also introduced in the House.

In his remarks in the Lower House, Gogoi accused the government of attempting to take political advantage through delimitation and gerrymandering.

"What they did through delimitation in Jammu and Kashmir and in Assam, the want to do in the whole country in the name of women's reservation," the Congress' deputy leader in the House said, adding the government's actions were 'shameful'.

He pointed out that the government's bill states that amendments were needed as delimitation would take time.

"What that means is that you are not in favour of women's reservation in reality and are creating obstacles repeatedly," Gogoi said.

He accused the BJP of indulging in 'politics of symbolism' and said these three bills show that they are not aimed at women's reservation but to get delimitation done through the 'backdoor'.

Govt slowly weakening the Constitution: Gogoi

Gogoi alleged that the government is bulldozing delimitation in the name of women's reservation.

The Congress leader alleged that the BJP in the past had used delimitation as a weapon to further its political ambitions.

"Our party is in favour of women's reservation but you must make it simple. It should be implemented on the current strength of the House -- 543 -- and must not be linked to delimitation," Gogoi asserted.

He said his party has no objection to the government wanting to implement the women's reservation for the 2029 polls but it should not be linked to delimitation.

He said the other apprehension is that the government is not in favour of caste census and does not want to implement it.

Gogoi accused the government of slowly weakening the Constitution.

Taking a swipe at Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal, Gogoi said it seemed from the minister's speech that women's bill is being discussed for the first time and is being considered for the first time.

"But in 2023, they made the same arguments, what the home minister (Amit Shah) said last time, the law minister repeated those remarks. It was said that the prime minister (Narendra Modi) had taken a big step and women's reservation would be finally given but it was not done," he said.

In 2023, the Modi government had said that a census would be conducted, delimitation would take place, and then women's reservation would be implemented, Gogoi said.

"In 2026, the Modi government is stating that we should try to bring women's reservation before the census. The only difference in the meantime is that, under pressure from the INDIA bloc and Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi Ji, the Modi government has been forced to conduct a caste-based census, but the truth is that the Modi government was never in favour of conducting a caste census," he said.

"The question is- where did the number for increasing seats in the House come from? Did this number come from Nagpur, from some parliamentary report, or did it fall from the sky? How is the government deciding on its own how many seats there will be? The Modi government has made delimitation its weapon. The examples of Jammu-Kashmir and Assam are right in front of everyone," he said.

"It was not the intention of the framers of our Constitution that delimitation should become a weapon of any political party. The intention behind delimitation was that as the population grows, the boundaries of Lok Sabha and Vidhan Sabha constituencies should be redrawn accordingly, so that people receive administrative convenience," he said.

Citing examples of J&K and Assam, Gogoi said it was clear in both states that the Modi government is using delimitation to strengthen its political power and its roots.

The Bills were introduced after a fiery 40-minute debate following which the opposition pressed for the division of votes to introduce the Constitutional (131st Amendment) Bill.

The Bill was later introduced with 251 members supporting it and 185 members voting against the introduction.
A delivery worker tragically died in Gurugram after a speeding Mahindra Thar allegedly hit his motorcycle, leading to a police investigation into the hit-and-run incident.

Photograph: ANI Photo

Key Points A delivery worker, Praveen Kumar, died after his motorcycle was allegedly hit by a speeding Mahindra Thar in Gurugram's Sector 49.

The driver of the Thar fled the scene after the accident, prompting a police investigation.

Praveen Kumar worked as a delivery partner at Domino's Pizza in Omaxe Mall, Sector 49.

Police are working to identify and arrest the driver based on the vehicle's registration number.

A delivery worker died after his motorcycle was allegedly hit by a speeding Thar in Sector 49 here, police said.

They said a case has been registered in this connection against the driver of the offending vehicle, who fled after the accident.

According to the police, the deceased was identified as Praveen Kumar (20), a resident of Jalaun in Uttar Pradesh. He lived with his family in Sector 71 and used to work as a delivery partner at Domino's Pizza in Omaxe Mall, Sector 49.

On Tuesday, when he was on duty and returning to the store on his bike around 2.30 pm, a Mahindra Thar vehicle hit his bike near Space I-Tech Park in Sector 49, police said.

Praveen was seriously injured in the accident and taken to the civil hospital in Sector 10, where doctors declared him dead.

The body was handed over to family members after a post-mortem conducted on Wednesday.

Police Investigation Underway

The driver of the offending Thar is being identified based on the vehicle's registration number, and the accused will be arrested soon, said Assistant Sub-Inspector Bharat Singh, the investigating officer.
Harivansh is anticipated to secure a third term as Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman, with the opposition boycotting the election in protest against the Modi government's actions.

IMAGE: Vice President and Rajya Sabha Chairman CP Radhakrishnan and newly nominated Rajya Sabha Member Harivansh Narayan Singh during the oath-taking ceremony of the latter, held at Parliament House, New Delhi, April 10, 2026. Photograph: Office of Harivansh Narayan Singh/ANI Photo

Key Points The opposition has decided to boycott the election, protesting the Modi government's failure to appoint a Lok Sabha Deputy Speaker.

Several notices of motions have been received in favour of Harivansh, including those from J P Nadda and Nirmala Sitharaman.

Congress leader Jairam Ramesh criticised the government for lack of consultation and for considering a presidential nominee for the post.

This would be Harivansh's third term as Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha.

Nominated member Harivansh is likely to be elected Rajya Sabha deputy chairman as five notices have been received in his favour and the opposition has not given any notice proposing its candidate.

The election for the post of deputy chairman will take place at 11 AM on Friday.

The Office of the Deputy Chairman, Rajya Sabha, had fallen vacant after the term of Harivansh ended on April 9 and Chairman C P Radhakrishnan has under Rule 7 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in the Council of States (Rajya Sabha), fixed Friday as the date for holding the election.

The last date and time for receipt of notices of motions for election was 12 noon on Thursday.

Sources said five notices of motions have been received in favour of Harivansh for electing him to the post and none by the opposition.

The Opposition has decided to boycott the election as a mark of protest against the Modi government not appointing a deputy speaker in Lok Sabha for seven years.

While the leader of the house, J P Nadda, moved the first motion, which was seconded by S Phangnon Konyak, the second one was moved by BJP president Nitin Nabin and was seconded by BJP MP Brij Lal.

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has given another notice, which was seconded by BJP MP Surendra Singh Nagar and JDU MP and working president Sanjay Kumar Jha has also moved a notice which was seconded by RLM MP Upendra Kushwaha.

Another notice has been given by RLD MP and Union minister Jayant Chaudhary, which was seconded by Shiv Sena MP Milind Murli Deora in favour of Harivansh.

The sources said no notice of motion has been received from the Opposition before the stipulated time and accordingly the election to the office of the deputy chairman is likely to be unopposed.

In all likelihood, the first motion by Nadda and seconded by Konyak may be adopted by the House by a voice vote.

The sources added that the chairman will declare Harivansh as elected unopposed to the post of deputy chairman.

He will subsequently be conducted to the chair by the Leader of the House and from the Opposition in accordance with established convention, they said.

Harivansh has been a two-term deputy chairman of the house and if elected, it will be his third term.

Opposition Concerns

Congress leader Jairam Ramesh said the government had not had any meaningful consultations on the matter either.

He added that the opposition hopes "Harivansh 3.0" will be more accommodative of and receptive to its requests.

"First, the Modi government has not appointed a Deputy Speaker in the Lok Sabha for 7 years. This has never happened before.

"Second, the Deputy Speaker's counterpart in the Rajya Sabha is the Deputy Chairman. Shri Harivansh's second term ended on April 9th. A day later he was nominated by the President of India as a member of the Rajya Sabha and he is now the NDA's candidate for Deputy Chairman for a third term," Ramesh said in a post on social media.

Never before has a person nominated by the president to the Rajya Sabha been considered for the post of its deputy chairman, he said.

He also said all this is being done without any meaningful consultations with the Opposition.
Police in Sonipat, Haryana, are investigating the suspected murder of a 58-year-old woman labourer whose body was found near a brick kiln.

Photograph: ANI Photo

Key Points A 58-year-old woman labourer was found dead near a brick kiln in Sonipat, Haryana.

Police suspect the woman was murdered, possibly with a brick.

The victim, Rajamhal, was a native of Bihar and resided in the Kharkhoda area with her family.

An investigation is underway to determine the circumstances surrounding her death.

The body of a 58-year-old woman labourer was found near a brick kiln in Haryana's Sonipat on Thursday, with police suspecting murder.

A PCR call was received from locals in the morning after the body was spotted, police said.

Kharkhoda SHO Pawan Kumar said Rajamhal, a native of Bihar, resided with her family in the area.

"She was found murdered near the road adjoining temporary rooms built in the fields near a brick kiln in Kharkhoda. She appears to have been hit with a brick," Kumar said.

Further investigation is underway, he said.
An engineering student's alleged suicide attempt at Jaypee University in Himachal Pradesh sparks investigation and raises concerns about student well-being and campus support.

Photograph: PTI Photo

Key Points An engineering student at Jaypee University of Information Technology in Solan, Himachal Pradesh, was injured after allegedly attempting suicide.

The student jumped from the hostel rooftop and sustained serious injuries, prompting immediate medical attention.

Police in Solan have launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the alleged suicide attempt.

Tensions briefly rose on campus as students protested against the university authorities following the incident.

University officials are also investigating the factors that may have contributed to the student's actions.

An engineering student at a Jaypee University of Information Technology in Himachal Pradesh's Solan suffered injuries after he allegedly attempted suicide by jumping off the hostel building, police said on Thursday.

The incident occurred late Wednesday night when the student jumped from the hostel rooftop, sustaining serious injuries. Fellow students noticed the incident and immediately alerted the university authorities and police.

The injured student was initially given first aid and later rushed to Indira Gandhi Medical College (IGMC) in Shimla for further treatment.

Superintendent of Police (SP) Solan Tirumalaraju SD Varma confirmed the incident and said police have begun an investigation into the matter.

Student Reaction and University Response

The situation on the campus briefly turned tense after students raised slogans against the university authorities following the incident.

University officials said they are also looking into the circumstances that led to the alleged suicide attempt.
In a landmark ruling, the Supreme Court of India has reinforced the husband's obligation to provide fair maintenance, ensuring a divorced wife can live with dignity and maintain a reasonable standard of living.

Photograph: ANI Photo

Key Points The Supreme Court has affirmed that a husband's duty to maintain his wife is a primary and ongoing obligation.

Maintenance awarded must be fair, reasonable, and reflect the financial capacity of the husband and the wife's standard of living during the marriage.

The court enhanced a woman's maintenance from Rs 15,000 to Rs 25,000 per month, highlighting the need for adequate financial support.

The ruling underscores the importance of ensuring a wife can sustain herself with dignity after separation, consistent with her previous status.

Observing that maintenance must not be illusory, the Supreme Court on Thursday said the obligation of the husband to maintain his spouse is a primary and continuing duty and must be discharged in a manner that enables the wife to live with dignity.

A bench of Justices Sanjay Karol and Augustine George Masih said maintenance must be fair, reasonable and commensurate with the status of the parties and the financial capacity of the husband.

"The obligation of the husband to maintain his spouse is a primary and continuing duty, which must be discharged in a manner that enables the wife to live with dignity and in a standard commensurate with that enjoyed during the subsistence of the marriage," the bench said.

The top court said the maintenance awarded must, therefore, enable her to sustain herself with a reasonable degree of dignity, consistent with the status of the parties.

"At the same time, it is necessary to ensure that the determination remains fair and reasonable and does not impose an excessive burden. The exercise is one of achieving a just balance between competing considerations," it said.

Case Details and Background

The observations of the top court came while enhancing maintenance to a woman from Rs 15,000 per month to Rs 25,000 per month.

According to the case, the wife and the husband were married on May 7, 2023, in New Delhi in accordance with Hindu rites and customs.

Following the marriage, the wife resided at the matrimonial home along with the respondent and his family members. The relationship between the parties did not remain cordial, and according to the wife, she was subjected to neglect and acts of physical as well as mental harassment during her stay in the matrimonial home.

Within a year of their marriage, the wife was forced to leave the matrimonial home and return to her parental residence. Since then, she has been residing separately and is stated to have no independent source of income for her sustenance.

In these circumstances, the wife instituted proceedings under Section 144 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023 before the competent court at Tanakpur, District Champawat, seeking maintenance quantified at Rs 50,000 per month.

The family court at Champawat awarded maintenance of Rs 8,000 per month to the wife.

Aggrieved by the quantum so fixed, the wife moved the High Court of Uttarakhand which enhanced the maintenance to Rs 15,000 per month.
The Punjab police successfully dismantled a Pakistan-backed terror module, arresting an individual and seizing a cache of hand grenades and foreign-made weapons, thwarting a potential terror attack.

IMAGE: Kindly note that the image has been posted for representational purposes only. Photograph: ANI Photo

Key Points The terror module was planning a terror attack using hand grenades, arms, and ammunition supplied from Pakistan.

The accused, Sagar Singh, was in contact with foreign-based handlers via social media and encrypted platforms.

Sagar Singh received payments for retrieving and delivering arms consignments, with promises of further monetary gains.

The Punjab Police on Thursday said it has busted an alleged terror module backed by Pakistan's intelligence agency, arresting one person and recovering of four hand grenades.

In a joint operation with State Special Operation units based in Amritsar and Mohali, the Counter Intelligence Wing of the Punjab police also recovered two foreign-made pistols along with ammunition, director general of police Gaurav Yadav said.

The accused has been identified as Sagar Singh, a resident of Galluwal in Amritsar.

Yadav said preliminary investigation has revealed that the accused was acting on instructions of foreign-based handlers, and has links with the terror module involved in the grenade attack in Chandigarh.

Further investigation is underway to identify, track and apprehend other members of the module, he said.

Sharing operational details, assistant inspector general Sukhminder Singh Mann said specific inputs were received that a consignment comprising hand grenades, arms and ammunition was pushed from Pakistan, and was retrieved by the India-based agents who were planning a terror attack.

Acting swiftly, an operation was launched which led to the arrest of Sagar Singh from Khasa-Ram Tirath Road in Amritsar, he said.

The officer said preliminary probe has revealed that the arrestee initially came into contact with a foreign-based entity through social media in January 2026, and started working on his instructions.

The accused retrieved and delivered consignments of arms and ammunition on the directions of the handler and was paid per consignment, he said, adding that he was promised lucrative monetary gains for the task by the handler.

Mann said in February 2026, Sagar was arrested with a part of an arms consignment by Amritsar Rural Police and after getting bail in March 2026, he resumed his contact with the handler through encrypted platforms and engaged in further criminal activities on his instructions.

An FIR has been registered at the State Special Operation Cell police station in Amritsar, DGP Yadav said, adding that further investigation is underway.
Tamil Nadu police have arrested three individuals, including a freelance editor, for their involvement in the data theft and online piracy of the movie 'Jana Nayagan', sending a strong message against digital piracy.

Key Points Tamil Nadu Cyber Crime Wing arrested three main accused in the 'Jana Nayagan' movie piracy case.

A freelance assistant editor allegedly stole the movie data from an editing studio.

The stolen data was converted into a movie format and shared, leading to widespread online piracy.

Police warn against downloading, streaming, or forwarding pirated content, citing legal consequences.

The public is urged to report pirated content to the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal.

The Tamil Nadu Cyber Crime Wing has arrested three main accused, including a freelance assistant editor, for the data theft and online leak of the movie 'Jana Nayagan', police said on Thursday.

According to an official release, the arrests were made on April 15 following a detailed technical analysis and examination of digital evidence.

The arrests follow the prior apprehension of six other individuals on April 11 for uploading and disseminating the pirated content.

Police have, however, withheld the identities of the arrested, pending further investigation.

Details of the Crime

Police stated that the primary accused was working as a freelance assistant editor for another film. He gained unauthorised access to the reels of the film at an editing studio and stole the data. The stolen data was then rendered into a movie format and shared with the co-accused, leading to its widespread online circulation, police added.

All three accused were produced before a court and remanded to judicial custody.

Public Warning Against Piracy

Issuing a public advisory, the Cyber Crime Wing strictly warned against downloading, streaming, or forwarding pirated content, stating that any involvement in digital piracy will invite strict legal consequences.

The police have urged the public to promptly report instances of pirated content or suspicious links to the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal (www.cybercrime.gov.in) or via the Cyber Crime Helpline at 1930.
The Jharkhand High Court has ordered a forensic investigation into a missing woman case, directing police to send recovered skeletal remains to Kolkata's Central Forensic Science Laboratory for DNA testing and further examination, amid concerns about the handling of the police investigation.

IMAGE: Illustration: Dominic Xavier/Rediff

Key Points Jharkhand High Court orders forensic examination of skeleton found in Bokaro in connection with missing woman case.

CFSL Kolkata is directed to conduct DNA matching of the skeleton's samples with the missing woman's parents within two weeks.

Court orders postmortem examination of the skeleton at Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS).

Police arrested a man who confessed to murdering the woman after she pressured him to marry her.

Court expresses concern over the suspension of only junior police personnel, suggesting senior officers should also be held accountable.

The Jharkhand High Court on Thursday directed the police to ensure that a sample of the skeleton recovered in Bokaro in the missing woman case be sent to the Central Forensic Science Laboratory (CFSL) in Kolkata for further examination.

The police recovered the skeleton, including hair, of a woman on April 12, and it is suspected that the remains belonged to the 18-year-old who had been missing for eight months.

While hearing a petition filed by Rekha Devi, the mother of the missing woman, a division bench comprising Justices Sujit Narayan Prasad and Sanjay Prasad directed the CFSL in Kolkata to furnish a report of DNA matching of samples of the skeleton with those of Rekha Devi and her spouse within two weeks.

The court also ordered the police to conduct the postmortem examination of the skeleton in the Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) here.

The court was informed that the DNA test samples have already been collected from the parents of the missing woman and the skeleton, which will be sent to Kolkata.

The victim's mother had lodged a complaint on July 24, alleging that her daughter had been kidnapped. She had not been seen after going to Chas College in Pindrajora police station area for admission to a graduation course.

The police recently arrested a man who, the police claimed, murdered her as the victim had an affair with him and was pressuring him to marry her.

The accused led investigators to the crime scene, resulting in the recovery of 19 bone fragments, strands of hair, the victim's clothes and the murder weapon.

The DGP, Bokaro SP and other officers had appeared before the bench on Thursday, following a direction of the high court.

Advocate General Rajiv Ranjan informed the court that 28 police personnel of the Pindrajoda police station have been suspended by the Bokaro SP.

Court Criticises Police Handling of Investigation

The court, in an oral observation, said that the suspension of personnel of a police station is not enough.

Senior officers like the DSP, SP and DIG ranking officers who were also in charge of the case should have been suspended as well, the bench observed.

The special investigating team (SIT) which is probing into the case was also present in the court and produced documents related to the investigation.

The court directed the DGP, Bokaro SP and members of the SIT to appear on the next date, which will be heard after a fortnight on receipt of the report from the forensic laboratory in Calcutta.
A key suspect, an operating theatre technician, has surrendered in the Kanpur kidney transplant racket, accused of posing as a doctor and performing illegal surgeries.

Photograph: ANI Photo

Key Points Operating theatre technician Mudassar Ali, a key suspect in the Kanpur kidney transplant racket, has surrendered to the court.

Ali is accused of posing as a doctor and performing critical surgical steps during illegal kidney transplant procedures.

Police estimate that over 30 illegal kidney transplants may have been conducted in Kanpur with Ali's involvement.

The kidney transplant racket was exposed after a donor reported a payment dispute to the police.

With Ali's surrender, the total number of arrests in the Kanpur kidney transplant case has risen to 11.

In another breakthrough in the alleged kidney transplant racket here, the absconding OT technician Mudassar Ali, who allegedly posed as a doctor, surrendered before court on Thursday, said police.

The additional chief judicial magistrate remanded him to 14-day judicial custody.

Commissioner of Police Raghubir Lal told PTI that the accused Mudassir Ali appeared before court to surrender and was taken into custody.

Ali, carrying a reward of Rs 25,000 on his arrest had been on the run for over two weeks, evading arrest despite police searches across Noida, Ghaziabad, and parts of Uttarakhand.

Despite the manhunt, he managed to avoid arrest and directly surrendered in court, Lal added.

Investigation Details

Investigation suggest Ali played a key role in the illegal transplant network.

He is accused of carrying out critical surgical steps during illegal kidney transplants -- including making incisions, extracting kidneys from donors, and assisting in implant procedures.

Police estimate that over 30 such illegal transplants may have been conducted in Kanpur with his active involvement, according to sources privy with the probe.

An official said Ali operated with a team, typically including another doctor and two assistants. After each procedure, the group would disperse to different cities, such as Lucknow, Meerut and Ghaziabad, to evade detection.

Meanwhile, Rajesh Kumar -- one of the arrestees -- has told investigators that at least five transplants were carried out since January this year, allegedly involving Ali, police said.

Previous Arrests and Hospital Raids

On March 30, police had busted a kidney transplant racket in Kanpur with the arrest of six persons, including five doctors.

The arrests followed raids conducted on March 30 at Med-Life Hospital, Ahuja Hospital, and Priya Hospital in the Kalyanpur area, by a joint team of police and health department officials led by Chief Medical Officer Haridutt Nemi.

Ahuja Hospital owners Dr Preeti Ahuja, 50, her husband Dr Surjeet Singh Ahuja, 54, and medical practitioners Rajesh Kumar, 44, Ram Prakash, 40, and Narendra Singh were arrested for facilitating unlawful organ transplants, the commissioner said.

Police have also arrested alleged masterminds of the operation -- Rohit and ambulance driver Shivam Agarwal (32) -- who allegedly impersonated medical practitioners and acted as key links between doctors, donors and recipients.

OT technicians Kuldeep Singh Raghav and Rajesh Kumar, who were also part of the illegal transplant procedures, were arrested.

With Ali's surrender, the total number of arrests in the case has risen to 11.

How the Racket Was Exposed

The racket came to light when a donor, Ayush, an MBA student from Bihar, approached police over a payment dispute, alleging he only received Rs 3.5 lakh out of the agreed amount of Rs 10 lakh for his kidney.
Distraught parents in Kerala are pleading for help to bring their son, Jerin George, home after he became stranded on an Iranian ship due to the ongoing conflict in West Asia, highlighting the human cost of geopolitical tensions.

Photographs: @IndiaCoastGuard/X

Key Points Kerala parents appeal for the return of their son, Jerin George, stranded on an Iranian ship due to the conflict in West Asia.

Jerin George has been stuck on the ship since February, with limited food resources and communication challenges.

The family has sought assistance from political leaders K C Venugopal and Ramesh Chennithala to facilitate his return.

The parents are deeply concerned about their son's well-being and are desperate for his safe return home.

The parents of Jerin George, a native of Haripad here, on Thursday appealed to the authorities to help their son, who is stranded on an Iranian ship since the outbreak of the war in West Asia, return home.

George, who works in the Iranian ship, had left home eight months back and was expected to return home by March 3.

"But the war broke out in February and the ship returned to Iran. He is in the ship since then and has not been able to return home. I just want my son to come back to me," his mother told a TV channel, breaking into tears.

She said that George was managing to survive somehow as food resources were scarce in the ship and they have been able to talk to him over the phone a few times.

"We have not been able to see him as videocall was not possible," she said.

George's father said that they have given requests in writing to Congress general secretary K C Venugopal and party leader Ramesh Chennithala seeking their help in bringing their son back.

"We want him to be returned to us," he added.
Lashkar-e-Tayiba's co-founder Amir Hamza sustained bullet injuries in a targeted shooting in Lahore, Pakistan, prompting investigations.

IMAGE: Lashkar-e-Tayiba terror group chief Hafiz Saeed. Photograph: ANI Photo

Key Points The attack occurred on Peco Road in Lahore while Hamza was travelling with a TV host, Justice (retd.) Nazir Ahmed Ghazi.

Pakistani authorities have launched an investigation into the shooting, seeking to identify and apprehend the attackers.

The Pakistan Markazi Muslim League (PMML) has condemned the attack and demanded increased security for religious scholars.

Amir Hamza is a US-designated terrorist and a key figure in LeT, a group founded by Hafiz Saeed.

Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Tayiba terror group's co-founder Amir Hamza suffered bullet injuries in an attack by motorcycle-borne unidentified gunmen in Lahore on Thursday, the police said.

Hamza is regarded as LeT's second most important leader after its chief Hafiz Saeed, who has been in Lahore's Kot Lakhpat Jail since 2019 after getting convicted for several years in terror financing cases.

According to police, unidentified gunmen opened fire on the vehicle of the private TV channel 24NewsHD TV, owned by Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi. The channel's religious programme host Justice (retd.) Nazir Ahmed Ghazi and Hamza were in the vehicle.

"Two unidentified armed men riding a motorcycle opened fire on the white car in which Ghazi and Hamza were travelling at Peco Road in Lahore near the TV channel's office. In the attack, Hamza suffered bullet injuries while Ghazi remained unhurt," the police said.

Hamza has been shifted to a hospital, where he is being treated, they said.

Police said they have launched a probe into the incident with the help of CCTV footage to trace the attackers.

"TV host Justice Nazir Ghazi unhurt, Maulana Amir Hamza injured in Lahore gun attack. Unidentified gunmen opened fire on vehicle of 24NewsHD TV channel's religious programme host Justice Nazir Ahmed Ghazi in Lahore, leaving Maulana Amir Hamza injured," the TV channel said in a statement on X.

It said Ghazi hosts the programme 'Noor-e-Sehar' on 24NewsHD.

"Ghazi had just finished recording his show at the City News office, Lahore and was on his way home at the time of the incident," it said.

It said Ghazi remained unharmed in the attack, while Tehreek-e-Hurmat-e-Rasool Pakistan (THRP) Chairman Maulana Hamza, who was travelling with him after appearing on the programme, sustained a bullet injury to his arm.

Pakistan Markazi Muslim League (PMML), a political front of Hafiz Saeed's banned Jamat-ud-Dawah (JuD), has strongly condemned the attack on Hamza and demanded that those involved in the incident be arrested immediately.

The party also called on the government to ensure effective security for "religious scholars".

In a joint statement, the PMML leaders, including Hafiz Talha Saeed, said that the broad daylight firing incident in Lahore is a question mark on the Punjab government's security system and reflects negligence and failure on the part of the authorities.

The leaders urged the government to ensure the immediate arrest of the attackers and to provide adequate protection to religious scholars.

Background on Amir Hamza

Hamza has been designated as a terrorist by the US.

In the past, he served as the head of LeT's "special campaigns" department.

In 2018, Hamza formed a fundraising group for the LeT following a ban on the JuD and Falah-e-Insaniat Foundation by the Pakistani government.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah addressed concerns about the representation of southern states in the Lok Sabha following delimitation, assuring an increase in their number of seats and overall influence.

Photograph: / Rediff.com

Key Points Amit Shah dismisses claims that southern states will lose representation in the Lok Sabha after delimitation.

The number of Lok Sabha seats in the five southern states is projected to increase from 129 to 195.

Shah assures that the percentage of power for southern states will rise from 23.76% to nearly 24%.

The Home Minister clarified that the delimitation bill is identical to the previous law, refuting opposition concerns about potential manipulation.

The total number of seats in the new Lok Sabha will be 816, which is 50% more than the current total.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday said a "completely false" narrative is being spread that the representation of southern states will go down in the Lok Sabha after its strength is increased to 816 seats following the implementation of women's reservation and delimitation of constituencies.

Intervening in the debate in Lok Sabha on the three bills introduced for amendment of the women's quota law and to set up a delimitation commission, Shah said the fact is that the number of seats will go up and power will grow.

He said the number of Lok Sabha seats in the five southern states will go up from the present 129 to 195 seats while the percentage of power will increase from 23.76 per cent to 23.87 or almost 24 per cent.

Projected Seat Increases in Southern States

"Lok Sabha seats in Karnataka will increase to 42 from the present 28; in Andhra Pradesh, the number of Lok Sabha sets will increase to 38 from 25; in Telangana, it will be 26 from present 17; in Tamil Nadu, the number of Lok Sabha seats will go up to 59 from the present 39; and in Kerala, it will be 30 seats from the present 20," he said.

Rejection of Opposition Concerns

Shah strongly rejected the opposition suggestion that the government will indulge in some kind of "mischief" during the delimitation exercise, saying the NDA government has not made any changes in the existing law.

"The delimitation bill is exactly like the previous law brought by your government. There is no change, not even a comma or a full stop," he said.

Explaining how the total number of seats in the new Lok Sabha is fixed at 816, the home minister said it is exactly 50 per cent more than the current total seats.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah addresses concerns about the delimitation of constituencies, assuring that southern states will see an increase in Lok Sabha seats and political power, countering misinformation.

Photograph: / Rediff.com

Key Points Amit Shah dismisses claims that southern states will lose Lok Sabha representation after delimitation.

The number of Lok Sabha seats in the five southern states will increase from 129 to 195.

Shah assures that the percentage of power for southern states will rise from 23.76% to nearly 24%.

The Home Minister clarified that the delimitation bill is identical to the previous law, refuting opposition concerns.

The total number of seats in the new Lok Sabha will be 816, a 50% increase from the current total.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday said a "completely false" narrative is being spread that the representation of southern states will go down in the Lok Sabha after its strength is increased to 816 seats following the implementation of women's reservation and delimitation of constituencies.

Intervening in the debate in Lok Sabha on the three bills introduced for amendment of the women's quota law and to set up a delimitation commission, Shah said the fact is that the number of seats will go up and power will grow.

He said the number of Lok Sabha seats in the five southern states will go up from the present 129 to 195 seats while the percentage of power will increase from 23.76 per cent to 23.87 or almost 24 per cent.

Increased Seats for Southern States

"Lok Sabha seats in Karnataka will increase to 42 from the present 28; in Andhra Pradesh, the number of Lok Sabha sets will increase to 38 from 25; in Telangana, it will be 26 from present 17; in Tamil Nadu, the number of Lok Sabha seats will go up to 59 from the present 39; and in Kerala, it will be 30 seats from the present 20," he said.

Rejection of Opposition Claims

Shah strongly rejected the opposition suggestion that the government will indulge in some kind of "mischief" during the delimitation exercise, saying the NDA government has not made any changes in the existing law.

"The delimitation bill is exactly like the previous law brought by your government. There is no change, not even a comma or a full stop," he said.

Explaining how the total number of seats in the new Lok Sabha is fixed at 816, the home minister said it is exactly 50 per cent more than the current total seats.
A man in Uttar Pradesh has been booked under the SC/ST Act for allegedly posting casteist slurs against Dr. B.R. Ambedkar and making derogatory remarks against the Dalit community on social media, sparking outrage and legal action.

Photograph: Kind courtesy DrAmbedkarTheGreatestIndian/Facebook

Key Points A case has been registered against Mintu Singh Sengar for allegedly posting objectionable remarks against Dr. B.R. Ambedkar.

The accused is charged with using casteist slurs in a video shared on social media platforms.

The FIR was lodged based on a complaint filed by residents of Dehri village at Rasra Kotwali police station.

Mintu Singh Sengar has been booked under the BNS and the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.

The alleged incident occurred on Ambedkar Jayanti, with the accused making derogatory remarks targeting the Dalit community.

A case has been registered against a man for allegedly posting objectionable remarks against Dr B R Ambedkar and using casteist slurs in a video shared on social media, police said.

According to police, the FIR was lodged on Wednesday at Rasra Kotwali police station based on a complaint filed by Ram Kunwar, Anuj Kumar, Prakash Chand, and Arun Kumar, all residents of Dehri village.

The accused, Mintu Singh Sengar, also a resident of Dehri, has been booked under relevant sections of the BNS along with provisions of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.

It was alleged that on April 14, on the occasion of Ambedkar Jayanti, the accused used casteist slurs against Dr Ambedkar and made derogatory remarks targeting members of the Dalit community in a video circulated on Facebook, the police said.

Deputy Superintendent of Police (Rasra) Alok Gupta said efforts are underway to arrest the accused.
Mizoram police have successfully intercepted a major drug trafficking operation, seizing heroin and methamphetamine valued at over Rs 7 crore and arresting eight individuals, including foreign nationals, in a significant blow to the narcotics trade.

Key Points Mizoram police seized heroin and methamphetamine worth over Rs 7 crore in a week-long anti-narcotics operation.

Eight individuals, including four Myanmar nationals, were arrested in connection with the drug seizures.

The largest seizure involved 8 kg of methamphetamine worth Rs 6.4 crore in Champhai district.

Operations were conducted in Khawzawl and Champhai districts, targeting vehicles and individuals suspected of drug trafficking.

The seized drugs were concealed in various ways, including soap cases, vehicles, and passenger luggage.

In a series of anti-narcotics operations over the past seven days, the police have seized heroin and methamphetamine worth over Rs 7 crore in two districts of Mizoram.

During the operations spanning from April 10 to 16, eight people, including 4 Myanmar nationals, have been arrested in this regard, the police said in a statement.

The latest seizure occurred early Thursday morning when a special team from Khawzawl district police intercepted a scooter at Neihdawn junction.

The rider, a 25-year-old man from Lunglei, was found in possession of 104 grams of heroin concealed in nine soap cases inside his rucksack.

The contraband, valued at Rs 20.8 lakh, was seized along with the two-wheeler and his mobile phone.

Major Drug Bust in Champhai District

In the biggest breakthrough, Champhai district police on April 13 seized 8 kg of methamphetamine worth Rs 6.4 crore from the possession of three persons, two of them were from Myanmar, according to the statement.

On the same day, another operation along the Zokhawthar road in Champhai district led to the seizure of 71 grams of heroin hidden inside a vehicle driven by a Myanmar national.

The drugs, packed in six soap cases, were valued at over Rs 14 lakh.

Earlier, on April 11, the police at the Khankawn check gate in Champhai intercepted a vehicle travelling towards Aizawl and recovered 72 grams of heroin concealed in a passenger's luggage. The contraband was estimated to be worth Rs 14.4 lakh.

A day later, at Chalbawia junction in the same district, the police seized 60 grams of heroin from a motorcyclist heading towards Aizawl.

Arrest in Aizawl

In a separate case on April 10, police in Zokhawthar village on the Indo-Myanmar border recovered 54 grams of heroin from a commercial passenger vehicle when the driver informed them that an unknown person had handed him over a consignment for delivery in Aizawl.

The sender had left immediately after handing over the consignment to the driver.

The police team followed the vehicle to Aizawl where a 38-year-old woman from Myanmar, who was suspected to be part of the distribution network, was arrested.
A road accident in Shivpuri involving the son of a BJP MLA has left five people injured, sparking a police investigation into allegations of negligent driving.

Photograph: ANI on X

Key Points Five people were injured in Shivpuri after being hit by a vehicle allegedly driven by the son of a BJP MLA.

The incident involved a Mahindra Thar SUV and resulted in injuries to motorbike riders and pedestrians.

A police case has been registered against Dinesh Lodhi, the MLA's son, for rash and negligent driving.

The BJP MLA, Pritam Lodhi, has called for an impartial investigation and justice for the victims.

The accident is under investigation, with authorities gathering statements and evidence to determine the full circumstances.

Five people were injured when a jeep allegedly driven by a BJP MLA's son hit them under Karera police station area of Shivpuri district on Thursday, police said.

A case was registered against Dinesh Lodhi, the son of MLA Pritam Lodhi, but no arrest has been made yet, they said.

The incident occurred around 7:30 pm, said Karera police station in-charge Vinod Chavai.

The SUV, a Mahindra Thar, first hit a motorbike from behind, injuring friends Sanjay Parihar, Ashish Parihar and Anshul Parihar who were on their way to Dhanra village.

The SUV then hit Sita Verma and Pooja Soni, who were walking ahead on the same side of the road, the official said.

Sanjay Parihar suffered serious injuries. He, along with Sita Verma and Pooja Soni, was taken to hospital by passers-by.

As per the victims' statements, the SUV, which had "MLA" written on it, was being driven by Dinesh Lodhi, the son of Pritam Lodhi, BJP MLA from Pichhore.

A case was registered against Dinesh under section 281 (rash and negligent driving endangering life) of the BNS and probe was on, said the police official.

MLA Pritam Lodhi, meanwhile, said in a statement on social media that police should take impartial action and the victims should receive justice.
Two Maharashtra National Law University students tragically died in a motorcycle accident near Nagpur after their speeding motorcycle plunged into a pit, prompting a police investigation.

Photograph: ANI Photo

Key Points Two MNLU students died in a motorcycle accident near Nagpur after their bike fell into a pit.

The accident occurred in the Waranga Toli area as the students were returning from a party.

Speeding and loss of control are believed to be the primary causes of the fatal motorcycle accident.

Police have registered an accidental death case and are investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident.

Two third-year students of Maharashtra National Law University (MNLU) died after their motorcycle fell into a pit, a police official said on Thursday.

The incident took place at a turn in Waranga Toli area close to the university on Wednesday night when Aryan Ravindra Sonatakke (19) from Yavatmal and Saksham Vinod Bansod (20) from Chandrapur were returning from a party, the Butibori police station official said.

Investigation into Fatal Accident

"The rider lost control of the speeding motorcycle, which fell into a pit. Sonatakke and Bansod sustained severe injuries and died some time later. Passersby spotted their bodies this morning. An accidental death case has been registered and further probe is underway," the official said.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is urging the opposition to support the women's reservation bills, emphasising national interest and warning against repeating past political missteps regarding gender equality.

IMAGE: Prime Minister Narendra Modi speaks in the Lok Sabha during the debate on Women's Reservation Bill. Photograph: ANI on X

Key Points PM Modi urges opposition to avoid political colour on women's reservation bills, highlighting past electoral consequences for opponents.

Modi assures fair delimitation, addressing concerns of injustice to any state during the implementation of the women's quota.

The Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill and related bills were introduced in Lok Sabha to amend the women's quota law and set up a delimitation commission.

Modi emphasises the importance of including women in decision-making for India's development, appealing for a decision in the national interest.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday asserted that no state -- big or small, north or south, or east or west -- will be discriminated against in the delimitation of constituencies linked with the implementation of women quota law and warned that those who oppose this reform will not be forgiven by the women of the country.

Intervening the debate in Lok Sabha on the three bills introduced for amendment of the women's quota law and to set up a delimitation commission, Modi also made it clear that the proportion of Lok Sabha seats in any state will not come down as a result of the delimitation exercise.

"There will be no change in that proportion (of Lok Sabha seats) either, and the increase will also be in the same proportion," he said.

The prime minister said no one should remain under the illusion that they are giving something to the women of this country as reservation in legislatures is their right.

He said if any political party opposes the women quota law, it is quite natural that he (Modi) would be politically benefited.

"If you oppose it, it is natural that I will gain political benefit, but if you walk along, no one will gain any political advantage," he said.

Modi said the ruling dispensation does not want credit for implementation of the women reservation law in 2029 and offered to give credit to the opposition.

"We don't want credit. If you want me to use the word 'guarantee', I use the word 'guarantee'. If you want me to make a promise, I use the word 'promise'. Because if the intention is clear, there is no need to play games with words," he said.

Modi's Allays Fears of Southern States

Allaying fear of some states over the delimitation exercise, particularly those from the southern and eastern regions, the prime minister said no state will be discriminated against under the move.

"I want to say from this House today with a great sense of responsibility that whether it is the south, the north, the east, the west, small states or big states, this decision making process will not discriminate against any state or do injustice to anyone," he said.

Modi said those who had opposed in giving this right to women in the past have not been forgiven by the women of this country, they have faced the consequences.

"Today, I have come to appeal to you that do not weigh this on political scales. This is a decision in the national interest. The women across the country and the world are watching us, will see our decisions. But more than the decision itself, they will judge our intent. If there is any flaw in our intent, the women of this country will never forgive," he said.

The prime minister said when the Parliament was discussing the women reservation legislation in 2023, people were saying, 'hurry up'.

"But it couldn't happen in 2024, because it can't be done in such a short time. Now in 2029, we have time. If we don't do it even in 2029, we can imagine what the situation will be like. The demand of the time is that we should not delay any further now," he said.

Lok Sabha on Thursday took up the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, 2026, the Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2026, and the Delimitation Bill, 2026, for debate and passage.

According to the proposal, the strength of Lok Sabha will be increased to 815, of which 272 seats will be reserved for women -- a total of 33 per cent.
Following Supreme Court criticism, the Morena administration in Madhya Pradesh has implemented a strict ban on sand mining and transportation from the Chambal River, aiming to curb illegal activities and protect the environment.

Photograph: ANI Photo

Key Points Morena administration bans sand mining and transportation from the Chambal River to curb illegal activities.

The ban follows Supreme Court criticism of the Madhya Pradesh government over unabated illegal mining.

SAF personnel are deployed to monitor key locations and enforce the sand mining ban.

Petrol pumps are barred from supplying fuel to unregistered vehicles to prevent crimes.

The Supreme Court expressed shock over illegal sand mining activities, including attacks on forest officials and damage to infrastructure.

The Morena administration in Madhya Pradesh on Thursday banned sand mining as well as transportation from the Chambal River and also barred sale of fuel to unregistered vehicles to curb illegal activities and crime in the district.

The decision comes two days after the Supreme Court pulled up the Madhya Pradesh government over unabated illegal mining in the area.

The decision to impose a complete ban on sand excavation and transport from the Chambal River was taken at a task force meeting chaired by in-charge collector Kamlesh Kumar Bhargav.

Bhargav told PTI the ban has come into effect immediately.

The order informed that Madhya Pradesh Special Armed Force (SAF) personnel have been deployed at key locations, including Rajghat, Bhanu, Deora and Skarda canal trisection, to ensure continuous monitoring to curb illegal mining and storage or transportation of sand.

Bhargav and Superintendent of Police Sameer Saurabh jointly inspected the identified locations along with police, mining, forest department and SAF officials, and reviewed camp arrangements and operational strategy.

The administration directed that no sand mining or transportation from the Chambal River be allowed under any circumstances, with SAF personnel maintaining round-the-clock vigil and ensuring strict action against violators.

Vehicles involved in illegal activities will be seized immediately and cases registered, with provisions for confiscation and early auction of seized vehicles, officials added.

In a separate order, the administration barred petrol pumps from supplying petrol, diesel or CNG to vehicles without registration, stating that violations would invite action against operators under relevant legal provisions.

The measure aims to check crimes involving unregistered vehicles, which hamper investigations due to absence of identification details, officials added.

The order issued by Bhargav will remain in force from April 15 to June 14 under provisions of Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, they said.

Supreme Court's Intervention

On April 13, the Supreme Court termed the killing of a forest guard in Madhya Pradesh and digging of the foundation of pillars of Chambal bridge connecting the state to Rajasthan by illegal sand miners as "shocking" and a "failure" of the state government.

A bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta said either the state government has failed to curb illegal mining or it is being done in connivance with state authorities.

"They are digging up the bridge and if the bridge falls, who will be responsible? The photographs are self-explanatory. Forest officials are run over by sand mafias and the foundation of a bridge is dug. This is an absolutely shocking state of affairs. Either the state government has failed to control the illegal sand mining or it is in connivance," the bench observed.

The top court was hearing a suo motu case titled 'In Re: Illegal sand mining in the National Chambal Sanctuary and threat to endangered aquatic wildlife'.
Madhya Pradesh Police are investigating a Kerala temple marriage between a woman and a Muslim man after her parents claimed she is underage, prompting her to seek police protection.

Photograph: Wikimedia Commons

Key Points Madhya Pradesh Police are investigating the marriage of a woman and a Muslim man in Kerala following claims she is underage.

The woman and her husband, Mohammad Farman, are currently residing in Kochi and have sought police protection.

The woman claims she is 18, while her parents allege she is only 16, leading to a case being registered in Madhya Pradesh.

Kerala High Court has granted Farman temporary protection from arrest until May 20.

CPI(M) leaders attended the wedding, and some left leaders allege a political conspiracy behind the case.

A team of Madhya Pradesh Police on Thursday reached Kochi to probe the marriage of a young woman who came into the limelight during the Prayagraj Kumbh Mela and later married her friend, a Muslim man, at a temple in Kerala.

The girl and Mohammad Farman of Palra in Uttar Pradesh, who married her at a temple in Thiruvananthapuram last month, are presently staying in Kochi.

The parents of the girl claimed that she is only aged 16 and the case is registered at the Maheshwar police station in Madhya Pradesh against Farman.

The Kerala High Court on April 8 granted Farman temporary protection from arrest till May 20.

A five-member team, including a woman officer from Maheshwar police station in Madhya Pradesh, reached Thrikkakara police station in the morning and met the Station House Officer.

Officials at Thrikkakara police station said the Madhya Pradesh Police had approached them to obtain details of Farman's friend residing within the station limits.

However, the person could not be traced, police officials said.

Officials further said the Madhya Pradesh Police have information that the girl and Farman reside in Kalamassery.

A police officer from Madhya Pradesh involved in the probe told the media at Thrikkakara police station that a case has been registered based on documents indicating that the girl is only 16 years old.

He also said that the Aadhaar card submitted for registering the marriage in Thiruvananthapuram needs to be verified.

"We have come here as part of the investigation. The video of the marriage is from Thiruvananthapuram, but the woman is currently staying here," the officer said.

Protection Sought Amidst Investigation

Meanwhile, the girl has submitted a petition to the State Police Chief and the Kochi City Police Commissioner seeking protection.

In her petition, she claimed that she is 18 years old and alleged that there could be attempts to forcibly take her to Madhya Pradesh.

She sought police protection for herself and Farman to prevent any such move.

Political Figures at the Wedding

CPI(M) leaders, including State Secretary M V Govindan, Minister V Sivankutty and Rajya Sabha MP A A Rahim, had attended the wedding held at a temple in Thiruvananthapuram last month.

Left leaders, including CPI State Secretary Binoy Viswam, had alleged a political conspiracy behind the case.
Following two deaths from suspected drug overdoses, a student has been arrested in Mumbai for allegedly peddling drugs at a music concert in Goregaon, sparking a police investigation into drug supply networks.

Key Points A 22-year-old student was arrested for allegedly peddling drugs at a music concert in Goregaon, Mumbai.

The arrest follows the deaths of two individuals from suspected drug overdoses at the same music concert.

The arrested student, Vinit Garlani, is accused of supplying drugs during the event, and his financial transactions are under investigation.

Seven people have now been arrested in connection with the case and are in police custody until April 18.

A 22-year-old student was arrested on Thursday for allegedly peddling drugs at a music concert held recently in Goregaon, a Mumbai police official said.

With the arrest of Vinit Garlani, a student of a prominent college in south Mumbai, the number of people held in the case has reached seven, the Vanrai police station official said.

The probe into the case began after two persons died of an alleged drug overdose during the music concert that took place at Nesco Ground in Goregaon on April 11.

Garlani is accused of playing a role in supplying drugs during the music concert, the official said, adding his bank account and financial transactions are being probed.

The seven persons arrested in the case have been remanded in police custody till April 18 by a Borivali court, the official added.
Nagaland's Governor Nand Kishore Yadav champions unity and collective responsibility as vital for the state's progress, celebrating its rich diversity and the Gorkha community's contributions.

Key Points Nagaland Governor Yadav stresses unity and harmony among communities for state progress.

He highlights Nagaland's diversity as a strength, advocating for peaceful coexistence.

The Governor lauds the Gorkha community's contributions to Nagaland's development.

Yadav emphasises the role of community organisations in preserving culture and promoting social welfare.

He urges the younger generation to carry forward the legacy of community service and dedication.

Nagaland Governor Nand Kishore Yadav on Thursday called for strengthening unity, harmony, and collective responsibility among all communities, stressing that the progress of the state depends on inclusive participation and mutual respect.

Addressing a civic reception organised by the Gorkha Public Panchayat Kohima here in honour of his taking over charge as the governor of the state on March 13, Yadav highlighted Nagaland's rich diversity as its greatest strength, stating that peaceful coexistence and shared efforts are key to sustained development and nation-building.

He lauded the Gorkha community for its legacy of discipline, patriotism, and service, noting that it has made significant contributions across sectors such as defence, public service, education, agriculture, and trade.

"Our state is known for its rich diversity and peaceful coexistence. This strength lies in our ability to celebrate our differences while working together for common progress," he said.

He described the community as an integral part of Nagaland's social fabric, playing an important role in fostering peace, harmony, and social cohesion.

Community and Cultural Contributions

Emphasising the importance of community organisations, Yadav acknowledged the role of the Gorkha Public Panchayat in preserving cultural heritage, promoting social welfare, and strengthening community spirit, while contributing to the broader interests of society.

The governor said such civic receptions are not merely ceremonial but serve as meaningful platforms to reaffirm shared values of unity, respect, and cooperation among diverse communities.

Calling on the younger generation, he urged them to carry forward the legacy of their elders with dedication, discipline, and a commitment to the welfare of society and the nation.

Expressing appreciation for the warm reception, Yadav said he was deeply touched by the hospitality and spirit of togetherness, and expressed hope that the bonds of friendship, peace, and cooperation in Nagaland would continue to grow stronger.

On arrival, the governor visited the Gorkha Singha Devi Mandir and viewed an exhibition of historical photographs displayed on the occasion.

GPPK president Santu Thapa shared the history of the Gorkha community in Nagaland since 1833, while Nagaland Gorkha Association president Nobin Pradhan submitted a formal representation to the governor.

The programme was marked by felicitation of the governor by various Gorkha community organisations led by the Nagaland Gorkha Association along with the Gorkha Public Panchayat Kohima and its frontal bodies, besides cultural performances.
Nepal's Supreme Court has ordered the release of former Energy Minister Deepak Khadka from custody in a money laundering case, citing unlawful detention and insufficient evidence.

Photograph: Jeremy Lee/Reuters

Key Points Nepal's Supreme Court ordered the release of former Energy Minister Deepak Khadka from police custody in a money laundering case.

The court deemed Khadka's arrest and remand extensions unlawful, citing insufficient evidence presented by the government.

While ordering his release, the court imposed a travel restriction, requiring Khadka to seek permission before travelling abroad.

The investigation into the alleged money laundering offences can continue without Khadka being held in custody.

Nepal's Supreme Court on Thursday ordered the release of former Energy Minister Deepak Khadka, who was in police custody in a money laundering case.

A joint bench of Acting Chief Justice Sapana Pradhan Malla and Justice Shreekant Paudel issued the order while hearing a habeas corpus petition filed by Khadka's wife Binita Thapa, Supreme Court Information Officer Nirajan Pandey said.

The court ruled that the legal procedures followed during Khadka's arrest and subsequent extensions of his remand were unlawful, noting that the evidence presented by the government did not justify his continued detention.

The court also observed that the Nepali Congress (NC) leader's detention lacked the necessary legal basis.

It said the investigation into the alleged offences could proceed without keeping him in custody.

While ordering his release, the court imposed a travel restriction, directing Khadka to obtain prior permission before travelling abroad.

The order came after the court on Wednesday sought investigation files and a written response from the Department of Revenue Investigation.

Khadka was arrested by the Central Investigation Bureau on March 29 following a request from the Department of Money Laundering Investigation.
The United States clarified its naval blockade against Iran, focusing on Iranian ports and coastline rather than the Strait of Hormuz, while warning against threats to commercial shipping and hinting at potential ceasefire negotiations.

IMAGE: A vessel at the Strait of Hormuz, off the coast of Oman's Musandam province, April 12, 2026. Photograph: Reuters

Key Points The US naval blockade targets Iranian ports and coastline, not the Strait of Hormuz, and applies to all ships regardless of nationality.

The US will actively pursue Iranian-flagged vessels and those providing material support, including 'dark fleet' vessels evading sanctions.

The US military is prepared to resume major combat operations at a moment's notice while maintaining the blockade.

US officials warned Iran against threatening commercial ships, calling it 'terrorism' and piracy.

The US hinted at ceasefire negotiations, offering Iran a 'prosperous future' if it chooses wisely, but threatening further action if it doesn't.

The United States on Thursday categorically said that its naval blockade in West Asia applies to Iranian ports and coastline and is not a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.

The remarks were made by Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Air Force Gen. Dan Caine, while speaking to the media.

Gen Caine underlined that the blockade applies to all ships- irrespective of their nationalities.

"Let me be clear- this blockade applies to all ships, regardless of nationality, heading into or from Iranian ports. The US action is a blockade of Iran's ports and coastline, not a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. Enforcement will occur inside Iran's territorial seas and in international waters."

He said that, along with the blockade, the joint force would actively pursue any Iranian-flagged or any vessel attempting to provide material support to Iran, which would include dark fleet vessels carrying Iranian oil.

"In addition to this, blockade, the joint force, through operations and activities in other areas of responsibility- like the Pacific area of responsibility under the command of Admiral Paparo, will actively pursue any Iranian-flagged or any vessel attempting to provide material support to Iran. This includes dark fleet vessels carrying Iranian oil. As most of you know, dark fleet vessels are those illicit or illegal ships evading international regulations, sanctions or insurance requirements."

He emphasised that during this pause, the United States joint force remains postured and ready to resume major combat operations at "literally a moment's notice".

The Pentagon said that more than 10,000 sailors, Marines and airmen, over a dozen ships and dozens of aircraft are executing the mission.

Gen Caine also shared a map showcasing the blockade in action.

Sharing the latest updates from Thursday, he said, "As of this morning, U.S. Central Command has not been required to board any particular ships. I'll remind you that we are also conducting similar maritime interdiction actions and activities in the Pacific AOR against those ships that left that area before we began the blockade."

US Response and Warnings to Iran

At the press briefing, Secretary of War, Pete Hegseth, said that the United States is "locked and loaded" and highlighted how the United States holds an upper hand when it comes to military prowess, noting that the Washington has not even utilised 10 per cent of its naval capabilities.

"We'd like to say publicly that Iran, you control the Strait of Hormuz, but you don't have a navy or real domain awareness. You can't control anything."

He said that threatening to shoot missiles and drones at commercial ships translates to "terrorism" and piracy. "That is not control."

He added that the United States Navy controls the traffic going in and out of the Strait, "because we have real assets and capabilities. We're doing this blockade with less than 10 per cent of America's naval power. We have a long track record of dealing with pirates and terrorists."

Ceasefire Negotiations and Future Options

Pete Hegseth hinted towards ceasefire negotiations as the alternative way out and gave a message to the Iranian leadership regarding the ceasefire negotiations, underlining that the US would continue to maintain the blockade and destroy infrastructure in the country lest "Iran chooses poorly".

"As our negotiators have said, you, Iran, could choose a prosperous future, a golden bridge, and we hope that you do for the people of Iran. In the meantime, and for as long as it takes, we will maintain this successful blockade. But if Iran chooses poorly, then they will have a blockade AND bombs dropping on infrastructure, power, and energy," War Secretary said.

The remarks by US leadership come amid the background of the military adviser of Iran's Supreme Leader, Mohsen Rezaei, issuing a sharp warning against any US naval blockade efforts targeting Iran, stating the military of the Islamic Republic was ready if directly threatened by US naval assets, Iranian state media Press TV reported.

The latest briefing comes after Gen Caine and Hegseth held their last public briefing about the conflict in West Asia earlier on April 8. (ANI)
A nurse's mysterious death in Udaipur has triggered a murder investigation, with a doctor now in custody as police explore all possible scenarios surrounding the tragic incident.

Key Points A nurse, Anita Meena, was found dead outside a doctor's residence at a community health centre in Udaipur.

Police have taken Dr. Surendra Bijaraniya into custody following allegations of murder by the nurse's family.

Injury marks were found on the deceased's neck, raising suspicions of foul play.

The doctor admitted to having a relationship with the nurse, who had been staying at his residence.

Police are investigating all possible angles, including murder and suicide, in the nurse's death.

The body of a woman nurse was found under suspicious circumstances outside a government quarter for doctors at a community health centre in Kanod area of Udaipur district, police said on Thursday.

The deceased -- identified as Anita Meena, a resident of Sikar -- was posted as auxiliary nurse midwife (ANM) at Rajpura community health centre, they said.

According to police, her body was found on the stairs of the government residence of Dr Surendra Bijaraniya.

Station House Officer Hukam Singh said injury marks were found on the neck of the deceased, making the case suspicious.

The woman's family has alleged murder and lodged a complaint against the doctor, he added.

Police have taken the doctor into custody and have registered a murder case.

During preliminary questioning, the doctor admitted to having a relationship with the deceased, who had been staying at his residence for the past few days, police said.

According to officials, the woman was married and had two children.

Police said all angles, including murder and suicide, are being probed.
A medical student's tragic suicide at Osmania General Hospital in Hyderabad has ignited a debate about the intense work pressure and mental health challenges faced by doctors, particularly postgraduate trainees.

Key Points A postgraduate medical student at Osmania General Hospital in Hyderabad allegedly died by suicide in his hostel room.

Relatives allege the student took his life due to excessive work pressure and long hours assigned by senior doctors.

The Healthcare Reforms Doctors Association (HRDA) highlights the urgent need to address mental health issues among medical professionals and postgraduate trainees.

The HRDA stresses the importance of awareness, open conversations, and access to psychological support for doctors facing intense stress.

Police have registered a case and are conducting further investigations into the circumstances surrounding the student's death.

A first-year postgraduate medical student allegedly died by suicide in his hostel room at the state-run Osmania General Hospital here on Thursday, police said.

The deceased, a 26-year-old student from the Department of General Surgery, belonged to the Scheduled Tribe community.

Relatives alleged that he took the extreme step due to work pressure, including long working hours assigned by seniors and the head of the department. The matter is under investigation, police said.

They also staged a protest, demanding the arrest of those allegedly responsible for his death and seeking compensation for the family.

Police said that, based on preliminary investigation, he is suspected of having consumed an overdose of tablets.

An injection was also recovered from the scene.

Concerns Over Doctor Wellbeing

Expressing grief and condolences, the Healthcare Reforms Doctors Association (HRDA), Telangana, said the incident highlights the urgent need to prioritise mental health and emotional well-being among medical professionals.

It said doctors, especially postgraduate trainees, often face intense stress, long working hours, and high expectations, which can adversely affect their mental health.

The HRDA also stressed the need to promote awareness, encourage stigma-free conversations, and ensure timely access to psychological support and counselling.

A case has been registered, and further investigation is underway, police added.
India's opposition parties are boycotting the Rajya Sabha deputy chairman election to protest the Modi government's failure to appoint a Deputy Speaker in the Lok Sabha and the lack of consultation on key parliamentary appointments.

IMAGE: Nominated Rajya Sabha MP Harivansh has formally filed his nomination for re-election as Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha. Photograph: Sansad TV/ANI video grab

Key Points Opposition parties are boycotting the Rajya Sabha deputy chairman election to protest the Modi government's failure to appoint a Lok Sabha Deputy Speaker for seven years.

The Congress party criticises the government for a lack of meaningful consultation with the opposition regarding the Rajya Sabha deputy chairman election.

The opposition questions the nomination of a presidential appointee, Harivansh, for the Rajya Sabha deputy chairman position.

Harivansh's previous term as Deputy Chairman ended on April 9th, and he has since been renominated to the Upper House.

The opposition will boycott the election of the deputy chairman of the Rajya Sabha as a mark of protest against the Modi government not appointing a deputy speaker in the Lok Sabha for seven years, Congress leader Jairam Ramesh said on Thursday.

The government had not had any meaningful consultations on the matter either, the Congress general secretary in-charge communications Jairam Ramesh said in a post on X. He added that the opposition hopes "Harivansh 3.0" will be more accommodative of and receptive to its requests.

"First, the Modi government has not appointed a Deputy Speaker in the Lok Sabha for 7 years. This has never happened before.

"Second, the Deputy Speaker's counterpart in the Rajya Sabha is the Deputy Chairman. Shri Harivansh's second term ended on April 9th. A day later he was nominated by the President of India as a member of the Rajya Sabha and he is now the NDA's candidate for Deputy Chairman for a third term," Ramesh said in his post.

Never before has a person nominated by the president to the Rajya Sabha been considered for the post of its deputy chairman, he said.

Third, all this is being done without any meaningful consultations with the Opposition, the Congress leader said.

"For these three reasons and as a mark of protest - but not with any disrespect to the very learned Shri Harivansh - the Opposition has regretfully decided to boycott the election of the Deputy Chairman scheduled for April 17," Ramesh said.

Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairperson Election

The Rajya Sabha will hold the election for the post of deputy chairman on April 17. The ruling NDA is likely to push for re-electing Harivansh to the key post.

The post of the deputy chairman of the Rajya Sabha fell vacant after Harivansh's tenure of Harivansh ended on April 9.

Harivansh has since been nominated to the Upper House by President Droupadi Murmu and took oath on April 10.

Union minister and BJP leader J P Nadda, who is also leader of the house in the Rajya Sabha, is learnt to have discussed the re-election of Harivansh as deputy chairman with leaders of various parties, while trying to bring about a broad consensus on his name.

However, the Congress, TMC and Left parties raised objections to the ruling party's "keenness" in holding elections for filling the post when the post of deputy speaker in Lok Sabha has been vacant since 2019.
The Maharashtra Congress is demanding a high-level investigation into a multi-crore bogus call centre racket, alleging the involvement of senior police officials and raising concerns about widespread corruption and money laundering.

Key Points Maharashtra Congress alleges senior police officials, including IPS officer Datta Karale, are involved in a multi-crore bogus call centre racket.

The Congress party is demanding a high-level probe into the alleged links between police officials and the fraudulent call centre operations.

The call centres are accused of defrauding citizens globally and laundering significant sums of money, similar to the 'Jamtara model'.

Allegations include bribery of government officials with cash, gold, and cryptocurrency to ensure the smooth operation of the call centre racket.

The Congress is also calling for an investigation into possible links between the call centre racket, dubious financial transactions, and a self-styled godman, Ashok Kharat.

The Opposition Congress in Maharashtra alleged the involvement of senior police officials, including IPS officer Datta Karale, in a multi-crore bogus call centre racket operating in the state, and on Thursday demanded a high-level probe into the matter.

Talking to reporters here, state Congress president Harshwardhan Sapkal claimed that fake call centres, similar to the infamous "Jamtara model", were defrauding citizens globally and laundering hundreds of crores of rupees from Maharashtra.

Notably, Jamtara, a district in Jharkhand, gained notoriety as a hub of a massive and organized call centre racket that duped thousands of people across India. The racket involved tech-savvy individuals running a lucrative phishing operation by making fraudulent phone calls and deceiving people into divulging critical banking information.

Sapkal further alleged that Karale, currently serving as Deputy Inspector General (Nashik Range), along with two Superintendents of Police (SPs), had links to the racket in Maharashtra.

The Congress leader insisted such large-scale operations could not have functioned without "blessings" from senior levels of the state administration.

Karale didn't respond to message seeking comment on the allegations against him.

Allegations and CBI Involvement

Referring to FIRs registered by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in August and September 2025, Sapkal said raids were conducted in Nashik city and Igatpuri, a town in Nashik district, leading to the arrest of those running bogus call centres.

He questioned why the Maharashtra Police failed to detect the racket earlier.

"Why the state police failed to get any leads about these call centres? What were they doing?" the MPCC president asked, urging Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to seek details from the CBI and initiate strict action against the accused officials instead of granting them a "clean chit".

Citing details from a report of the CBI's Anti-Corruption Branch (ACB), Sapkal alleged fake call centre operators paid bribes in cash, gold and cryptocurrency to government officials to ensure smooth functioning of the racket.

Demands for Further Investigation

He demanded a comprehensive probe into an alleged nexus involving the call centre racket, dubious financial transactions and their possible links with Nashik-based self-styled godman Ashok Kharat, who has been arrested on rape and fraud charges.

Sapkal said videos recently circulated in the media show IPS officer Karale's association with Kharat.

Karale and the two SP-level officers were earlier posted in Thane, Palghar, and Raigad districts, where such call centres were reportedly operating. Police conducted raids at the time, but allegedly released accused individuals after minimal action, the Congress leader said.

It is now being alleged that after their transfer to the Nashik range, these officers restarted operations with the same accused, he said.

According to an FIR filed on September 11, 2025, by the CBI Mumbai ACB SP Amit Wasava, one of the accused, Ganesh Kamankar, and his brother allegedly paid large bribes in cash, gold, and cryptocurrency to senior officials to keep the racket running smoothly.

He questioned why no action has been taken against these officers despite the state government being aware of the matter.

Sapkal demanded a thorough probe into the alleged links between Kharat, IPS officer Karale, and illegal money generated through the bogus call centre racket.

He questioned the source of funds involved in the Kharat case, the nexus between the 'godman' and call centre operations, and whether black money was being laundered through these illegal establishments.

The MPCC president called for a high-level investigation into whether such rackets were being systematically run wherever these officers were posted.
Rajasthan has witnessed a significant 18.77% drop in its crime rate, driven by sustained policing efforts, a zero-tolerance policy on corruption, and new initiatives to combat narcotics and organised crime.

Key Points Rajasthan's crime rate has decreased by 18.77% in the last two years, according to Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma.

Significant reductions were reported in murder cases (25.68%), dacoity cases (47.26%), and robbery cases (50.75%) in Rajasthan.

The Rajasthan government is pursuing a zero-tolerance policy towards corruption and prioritising citizen safety.

An anti-narcotics task force and an anti-gangster task force have been established to combat drug abuse and organised crime in Rajasthan.

The state government has recruited over 8,000 constables and created new police units to strengthen the police force in Rajasthan.

Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma on Thursday said the crime rate in Rajasthan dropped by 18.77 per cent over the last two years, with an over 25 per cent dip in murder cases and crimes against women coming down by nearly 10 per cent.

Addressing the 77th Rajasthan Police Foundation Day function at the Rajasthan Police Academy here, the chief minister attributed this drop in crime rate to sustained policing efforts.

He also said the state government is pursuing a "zero-tolerance" policy towards corruption and prioritising a safe and fear-free environment for people.

The crime rate in Rajasthan dropped by 18.77 per cent over the last two years. Murder cases declined by 25.68 per cent, dacoity cases by 47.26 per cent and robbery cases by 50.75 per cent, while crimes against women saw a reduction of around 10 per cent, Sharma told the gathering.

"The police play a crucial role in maintaining law and order and their efforts have helped create a sense of security among people," he said, adding that the force continues to work with discipline and commitment to safeguard the citizens.

New Initiatives to Combat Crime

An anti-narcotics task force has been set up, along with a dedicated police station and multiple outposts, while an anti-gangster task force is working to curb organised crime. Cyber help desks have also been established at police stations to assist citizens and raise awareness, the CM said.

Sharma said the state has taken steps to strengthen the police force, including the recruitment of over 8,000 constables, and the creation of new police units and stations.

He also stressed the role of community policing in tackling emerging challenges such as cybercrime, drug abuse and organised crime.

Rajasthan Police Foundation Day Ceremony

Earlier, Sharma inspected a ceremonial parade involving multiple police units and paid tributes to personnel who died in the line of duty.

During the ceremony, he also presented medals for distinguished service to several police personnel and launched a new portal and a mobile application aimed at facilitating services for retired police officers.

Director General of Police Rajeev Kumar Sharma said the force remains committed to maintaining law and order, and upholding constitutional values while continuing efforts to modernise policing in the state.

Several senior officials and public representatives were present at the event.
In Kota, India, police have arrested two individuals as part of the 'Mule Hunter' campaign, cracking down on a cyber fraud scheme that targeted victims across the country.

IMAGE: Illustration: Dominic Xavier/Rediff.com

Key Points Kota police arrested two individuals, Parmanand and Shaifi Adnan, for alleged involvement in online fraud.

The arrests were made under the 'Mule Hunter' campaign, targeting cybercrime in the region.

The accused allegedly received fraudulent funds in their bank accounts from victims in Murshidabad and Pune.

The case is registered under sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the IT Act related to fraud and criminal breach of trust.

Police seized mobile phones used in the cyber fraud and are continuing investigations to identify other individuals involved.

Police in Kota have arrested two people for allegedly committing online fraud with people situated as far away as Murshidabad, West Bengal, under the campaign 'Mule Hunter'.

'Mule Hunter' is a special campaign underway here to crack down on cybercrime.

According to Superintendent of Police Avneesh Kumar Sharma, the action was carried out by a team from the Dei Police Station as part of the statewide campaign to curb rising incidents of cyber fraud.

The two arrested were identified as Parmanand, 25, a resident of Tulsipura, and Shaifi Adnan, 23, a resident of Kumharon Ka Mohalla in Dei of Bundi district.

The action followed an analysis of suspected mule accounts and mobile numbers earlier this month, the police said.

The mobile number was verified on the coordination portal operated by I4C under the Ministry of Home Affairs, where a complaint was registered by a person from Murshidabad.

Investigation revealed that Parmanand had fraudulently received Rs 33,339 in his bank account from the complainant.

According to another case registered at the complaint of a person in Pune, Maharashtra, Parmanand allegedly received Rs 9,630 and Rs 13,890, while Shaifi Adnan received Rs 9,630 in his bank account.

Based on these complaints, a case was registered at the Dei Police Station under sections 318(4) and 316(2), both related to fraud and criminal breach of trust, of the Bharatiya NyayaSanhita (BNS), and Section 66D of the IT Act.

During investigation, bank statements of the mule accounts were obtained and the accused were traced and arrested.

The police seized two mobile phones used in the cyber fraud. Further investigation is underway to identify other links in the racket.

The action was conducted under the guidance of Additional Superintendent of Police Uma Sharma and supervision of Circle Officer Rajulal Meena (Nainwa).
A suspect has been arrested in Uttar Pradesh in connection with the firing incident at filmmaker Rohit Shetty's Mumbai residence, marking a significant development in the extortion case.

IMAGE: Tthe firing took place on the night of February 1, 2026, at 'Shetty Tower' in Mumbai's Juhu area. Photograph: ANI Photo

Key Points A joint operation between Uttar Pradesh STF and Mumbai Police resulted in the arrest of Pradeep Kumar, a suspect in the firing at Rohit Shetty's residence.

The firing incident, allegedly orchestrated by the Shubham Lonkar gang, aimed to extort money and create fear within the film industry.

The accused admitted to participating in the crime to establish dominance in the underworld, influenced by the Lonkar gang's social media presence.

Pradeep Kumar was arrested in Agra and has been handed over to the Mumbai Police for further legal proceedings under MCOCA and other relevant acts.

A joint team of the Uttar Pradesh Special Task Force (STF) and Mumbai Police Crime Branch has arrested a wanted criminal allegedly involved in the firing at filmmaker Rohit Shetty's residence in Mumbai.

The accused, identified as Pradeep Kumar alias Gaath, was arrested from the Chhadami Mattha area on the Agra-Etah road under Bah police station limits in Agra at 3.56 pm on Thursday, an official statement issued here said.

According to police, the firing took place on the night of February 1, 2026, at 'Shetty Tower' in Mumbai's Juhu area.

The attack was allegedly carried out at the behest of the notorious Shubham Lonkar gang to extort money and engender fear within the film industry and among the public.

"The arrest was the result of technical analysis and intelligence sharing between the Mumbai crime branch and the Uttar Pradesh STF," the statement said.

The operation was conducted under the supervision of Rakesh, Additional Superintendent of Police, STF Field Unit, Agra.

Investigation Details

Investigations revealed that the accused, a resident of Ashok Nagar in Agra, was motivated by the Lonkar gang's presence on Facebook and Instagram.

He admitted to participating in the crime along with associates Sunny, Deepu and Sonu to establish "dominance" in the underworld.

The Mumbai Police had registered a case under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, Arms Act, Maharashtra Police Act, and the stringent Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA).

Pradeep is the latest addition to the list of arrests in this high-profile case. Previously, eight other accused, including Pradeep Sharma alias Golu, Deepak, and Vishnu Kushwaha, were nabbed in joint operations.

Following his arrest, the accused was handed over to the Mumbai Police team at the Bah police station.

The Mumbai Police Crime Branch will take the accused on transit remand and conduct further legal proceedings, the statement said.
The Supreme Court has granted anticipatory bail to a software firm owner accused of sexual harassment and framing an employee, ordering his cooperation with the investigation.

Photograph: ANI Photo

Key Points The Supreme Court granted anticipatory bail to Venu Gopalakrishnan, owner of a Kochi-based software firm, accused of sexually harassing an employee.

Gopalakrishnan is also accused of attempting to frame the employee and her husband in a criminal case.

The Supreme Court directed Gopalakrishnan to cooperate fully with the investigation and not to influence witnesses or tamper with evidence.

The case originated after the victim and her husband were arrested on allegations of attempting to honey-trap Gopalakrishnan, leading to counter-allegations of sexual harassment.

The Supreme Court on Thursday granted anticipatory bail to a software firm owner accused of sexually harassing an employee and attempting to frame her and her husband in a criminal case.

A bench of Justices BV Nagarathna and Ujjal Bhuyan directed Venu Gopalakrishnan (50) of Kakkanad, who runs a Kochi-based software company, to extend complete cooperation in the ensuing investigation.

"Considering the facts and circumstances of the case, in our view, the accused/appellant is entitled to the relief claimed under Section 482 of BNSS. We, therefore, allow this appeal and set aside the impugned order passed by the High Court dated September 11, 2025, qua the appellant.

"We direct that in the event of arrest of the appellant, the arresting officer shall release the appellant on bail, subject to his furnishing a cash security in the sum of Rs 1 lakh with two like sureties," the bench said.

The top court directed that Gopalakrishnan shall not misuse his liberty and shall not in any way influence the witnesses or tamper with the material on record.

"Any infraction of the aforesaid conditions may entail in cancellation of anticipatory bail granted to the appellant. It is needless to observe that the observations made in the present appeal shall not come in the way of the trial or other proceedings pending between the parties which shall be decided on their own merits and in accordance with law," the bench said.

The Kerala High Court had on September 11 last year rejected the petition filed by Gopalakrishnan.

Background of the Case

The case dates back to July, when the victim and her husband were arrested by police on allegations of attempting to honey-trap Gopalakrishnan.

After securing bail, the victim approached the court, claiming she had been falsely implicated.

The court then directed police to probe the matter, following which a fresh case was registered last month against Gopalakrishnan and three of his employees, namely Jacob Thampy, Eby Paul and Bimalraj Haridas, on charges of sexual harassment, outraging the modesty of a woman and criminal intimidation.

In its order, the high court had observed that Gopalakrishnan had committed a serious offence and noted the possibility of him using his influence to tamper with evidence or influence witnesses.

Additional Information

Gopalakrishnan had also been in the news for paying Rs 45.99 lakh to for the registration number of his Lamborghini Urus car.
An online IPL betting racket has been busted in Goa, leading to the arrest of six individuals from various states and the seizure of significant assets, highlighting the ongoing efforts to combat illegal gambling activities during the Indian Premier League.

Photograph: ANI Photo

Key Points Six individuals arrested in Goa for operating an online IPL betting racket.

The accused were allegedly using 'MG Lion' and 'Kabook 1' apps to accept bets on IPL matches.

Police seized laptops, cash, ATM cards, and mobile phones worth approximately 10 lakh.

The accused are suspected of routing betting proceeds through mule accounts and using fake identities.

The individuals have been booked under the Information Technology Act and gambling laws.

Six persons from Gujarat, Rajasthan and West Bengal were arrested for allegedly operating an online IPL betting racket from a rented premises in Sangolda village in North Goa, police said on Thursday.

The raid was conducted by the Cyber Crime police station on the intervening night of April 15 and April 16, during which the accused were caught allegedly accepting bets through online applications linked to ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) matches.

Police said the accused were operating the betting activities through the "MG Lion" and "Kabook 1" apps using multiple mobile phones.

The accused have been identified as Surat residents Gediya Raj Dilipbhai, Nilesh Ratibhai Hirani and Shani Dipakbhai Chavada, Rokad Yash Jaysukhbhai from Amreli in Gujarat, Bhimraj Meena from Udaipur in Rajasthan, and Prashant Harish Trivedi from Bardhaman in West Bengal.

Details of the Seizure

During the raid, the police seized six laptops, Rs 31,000 in cash, 50 ATM cards, several mule account kits and mobile phones collectively valued at around Rs 10 lakh, said officials.

Police said the accused allegedly routed betting proceeds through multiple mule accounts operated by them, while also using fake identities and credentials, thereby committing identity theft to facilitate gambling operations.

The operation was conducted under the supervision of Superintendent of Police (Cyber Crime) Raju Raut Desai by a team led by inspector Deepak Pednekar.

The accused have been booked under the Information Technology Act, Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Goa, Daman and Diu Public Gambling Act.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah reveals plans for a major increase in Lok Sabha seats for southern states after delimitation, addressing concerns about women's reservation and caste census implementation.

IMAGE: Union Minister Amit Shah speaks in Lok Sabha during the Budget Session (2026-27) of Parliament, in New Delhi, April 16, 2026. Photograph: Sansad TV/ANI Video Grab

Key Points The proposed women's reservation will be implemented only in 2029, with all elections conducted under the current system until then.

Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala will see significant increases in their Lok Sabha seat allocations.

The government has already decided to carry out a caste census alongside the population enumeration.

The delimitation bill mirrors previous legislation, ensuring no changes or 'mischief' during the process.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday asserted that the Lok Sabha seats in five southern states will go up to 195 from the present 129, an increase of 50 percent, when the total seats in the Lower House will be enhanced to 816, saying a false narrative is being spread to float misleading information.

Intervening in the debate in Lok Sabha on the three bills introduced for amendment of the women's quota law and to set up a delimitation commission, Shah also said the proposed women's reservation will be implemented only in 2029 and till then all polls will be conducted under the present system.

He said the number of Lok Sabha seats in the five southern states will go up from the present 129 to 195 seats while the percentage of power will increase from 23.76 percent to 23.87 or almost 24 percent.

Regional seat increases

"Lok Sabha seats in Karnataka will increase to 42 from the present 28; in Andhra Pradesh, the number of Lok Sabha sets will increase to 38 from 25; in Telangana, it will be 26 from present 17; in Tamil Nadu, the number of Lok Sabha seats will go up to 59 from the present 39; and in Kerala, it will be 30 seats from the present 20," he said.

According to the bill, the Lok Sabha seats will go up to a maximum of 850 but Shah explained that it was a rounded figure and the seats will remain at 816.

Explaining how the total number of seats in the new Lok Sabha is fixed at 816, the home minister said it is exactly 50 per cent more than the existing number of seats.

Delimitation and reservations

Shah strongly rejected the opposition's suggestion that the government will indulge in some kind of "mischief" during the delimitation exercise, saying the NDA government has not made any changes in the existing law.

"The delimitation bill is exactly like the previous law brought by your government. There is no change, not even a comma or a full stop," he said.

The home minister made it clear that all elections till 2029 parliamentary polls, including 2027 assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh, will be conducted under the present system as the women's reservation will be applicable only in 2029.

"Akhilesh ji, (SP chief Akhilesh Yadav) you don't need to worry even though you are not going to win the elections in Uttar Pradesh," he said.

He also rejected the suggestion that the women's reservation bill has been brought up eyeing the next week's West Bengal elections.

Caste census

The home minister also said the Samajwadi Party members were saying that they would place the demand for a caste census but he would like to inform them that the government had already taken a decision to carry out the caste census and it would be carried out along with the population enumeration.

"Right now, the counting of households is underway and the households do not have any caste. If the Samajwadi Party had its way, it would determine the caste of households as well," he said.

The Lok Sabha on Thursday took up the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, 2026, the Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2026, and the Delimitation Bill, 2026, for debate and passage.

According to the proposal, the strength of the Lok Sabha will be increased from the present 543 to 816, of which 272 seats will be reserved for women -- a total of 33 per cent.
Stalin ignited protests against the proposed delimitation bill, branding it a 'black law' that threatens the rights and interests of the Tamil people, leading to widespread demonstrations across the state.

IMAGE: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin burns a copy of the delimitation bill and dubbed it a 'black law'. Photograph: @DMKITwing/X

Key Points Tamil Nadu CM M K Stalin protests the delimitation bill, calling it a 'black law' against Tamil interests.

Stalin burnt a copy of the delimitation bill and hoisted black flags across Tamil Nadu in protest.

The protest is against the BJP-led NDA's proposed delimitation, which Stalin claims will harm Tamil Nadu.

Stalin draws parallels to the anti-Hindi agitation, vowing to resist what he sees as imposition from Delhi.

Allies of the DMK, including Makkal Needhi Maiam and MDMK, also participated in the black flag protests.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin on Thursday burnt a copy of the delimitation bill and dubbed it a "black law", alleging it seeks to make the Tamil people "refugees" in their own land.

Stalin hoisted a black flag and burnt a copy of the bill on delimitation circulated by the union government and raised slogans condemning the move, hours before the Parliament was to sit for a special session.

The CM burnt the copy of the bill at Namakkal in western Tamil Nadu, where he is camping in connection with electioneering.

"Poradavom, Velvom ondraga" (Let us struggle, win together) was among the slogans raised by Stalin and others clad in black.

In a statement, Stalin said: "Let the flames of resistance spread across Tamil Nadu. Let the arrogance of the fascist BJP be brought down. Then, the fire of resistance against Hindi imposition that rose from Tamil Nadu scorched Delhi. It quietened only after Delhi was forced to yield." He was apparently referring to the anti-Hindi agitation in the 1960s in the state.

"Today, I have reignited that fire by burning the copy of this black law and hoisting the black flag against this black law that seeks to turn Tamils into refugees in our own land. This fire will now spread across the Dravidian land. It will rise, it will rage, and it will bring the BJP's arrogance to its knees," he added.

As soon as Stalin unfurled the black flag, his party office-bearers, ministers and cadres hoisted black flags in their respective homes; in party offices and in public spaces as well across Tamil Nadu.

Besides the DMK's state headquarters, 'Anna Arivalayam' in Chennai, black flags were hoisted in prominent spots on the Chennai premises of Kamal Haasan-led Makkal Needhi Maiam and Vaiko-helmed MDMK, allies of the DMK.

A black flag was also spotted in the Chennai-Gopalapuram residence of late DMK patriarch M Karunanidhi.

Black flags were hoisted in the residence of chief minister in Chennai and also in the homes of his cabinet colleagues.

On Wednesday, while staunchly opposing the Centre's proposed delimitation, Stalin had called for a black flag protest across the state, alleging that the BJP-led NDA's move would harm Tamil Nadu's interests.
Tragically, a 17-year-old student in Madhya Pradesh took her own life after failing her Class 12 exams, highlighting the immense pressure students face regarding academic performance and exam results.

Photograph: ANI Photo

Key Points A 17-year-old student in Chhatarpur, Madhya Pradesh, committed suicide after reportedly failing her Class 12 board exam.

This is the second suicide reported in Madhya Pradesh following the release of Class 10 and 12 exam results by the MP Board of Secondary Education.

The student, Shivani Ahirwar, consumed a poisonous substance, with initial investigations suggesting exam failure as the primary cause.

Police are investigating the incident to determine the exact circumstances surrounding the suicide.

A 17-year-old girl student died by suicide in Madhya Pradesh's Chhatarpur district, apparently after failing in her Class 12 board exam, police said on Thursday.

This is the second such death after the MP Board of Secondary Education (MPBSE) declared results for its Class 10 and Class 12 exams on Wednesday.

The latest incident occurred under the jurisdiction of Nowgong police station, Sub Divisional Officer of Police Amit Meshram told PTI.

The student, Shivani Ahirwar, took her life by consuming a poisonous substance, he said.

"Prima facie, the case appears to be a suicide due to failure in the examination," the official said, adding that police are probing the matter.

In a similar incident, a 20-year-old student died by suicide in Morena on Wednesday after failing to clear the Class 12 examination, police said. Officials said locals had informed the police that the student had shot himself.
A factory producing counterfeit ghee has been raided in Surat, Gujarat, leading to the seizure of Rs 14 lakh worth of adulterated product and the arrest of two individuals involved in the illegal operation.

Key Points Surat police seized approximately 2029 kilograms of fake ghee valued at Rs 14 lakh during a factory raid.

Two individuals, Bharat Polara and Amin Vadhvaniya, were arrested in connection with the fake ghee operation.

The accused were allegedly selling the adulterated ghee at reduced prices in slum areas, grocery stores, and highway restaurants to gain illicit profits.

Authorities confiscated machinery, raw materials, mobile phones, and cash, bringing the total value of seized property to Rs 36,36,530.

A formal investigation is currently underway at the Sachin GIDC police station to uncover the full extent of the fake ghee distribution network.

Around 2029 kilograms of fake ghee worth Rs 14 lakh were seized after a factory was raided in Gujarat's Surat, a police official said on Thursday.

The raid by the Surat Special Operations Group led to the arrest of Bharat Polara (48) and Amin Vadhvaniya (45), said Deputy Commissioner of Police Rajdeepsingh Nakum.

"Adulterated ghee worth Rs 14,19,960 as well as machinery, raw materials, mobile phones and cash valued at Rs 21,61,570 were seized. The total value of confiscated property is Rs 36,36,530. The accused were selling the fake ghee at lower prices in slum areas, grocery shops, highway hotels/dhabas, and nearby districts to earn illegal profits," a release said.

Investigation Underway

A case has been registered at Sachin GIDC police station and further probe is underway, it added.
In Baramulla, Jammu and Kashmir, police have arrested three individuals for allegedly spreading misinformation and rumours on social media, highlighting the serious consequences of spreading unverified content online.

Key Points Three individuals have been arrested in Baramulla, Jammu and Kashmir, for allegedly spreading rumours on social media.

The accused are accused of sharing misinformation and old videos, portraying them as recent incidents to disrupt public peace.

Police have registered a case against the accused at Sopore police station and are conducting further investigations.

The public is warned against creating, sharing, or amplifying unverified content on social media to avoid legal consequences.

Three persons were arrested in Jammu and Kashmir's Baramulla district for allegedly spreading rumours through various social media with the intent of disturbing peace, police said on Thursday.

Police in Sopore area of the north Kashmir district arrested three persons for spreading misinformation and sharing old videos by portraying them as recent incidents, with the intent to disturb public peace and order, a police spokesman said.

He said a case was registered at Sopore police station against the accused.

Acting swiftly, police identified and apprehended the accused, he said, without identifying them.

Further investigation into the matter is underway, he added.

Police Warning on Social Media Misinformation

The police advised the public to refrain from creating, sharing or amplifying unverified content on social media, warning such actions may attract strict legal consequences.
A tragic tractor accident in Sheopur, Madhya Pradesh, has resulted in multiple fatalities and injuries, highlighting concerns about rural transportation safety in India.

Key Points Four women died and 26 people were injured when a tractor-trolley overturned in Sheopur district, Madhya Pradesh.

The accident occurred near Khitrapal village as members of the Gurjar community were travelling to a religious ceremony.

Initial rescue efforts were carried out by locals, and the injured were transported to nearby hospitals.

Administrative officials, including former MP forest minister Ramniwas Rawat, are monitoring the situation.

Four women died on the spot and 26 persons sustained injuries, several of them seriously, after a speeding tractor-trolley overturned in Sheopur district of Madhya Pradesh on Thursday, police said.

The incident occurred at 8:30pm near Khitrapal village under Vijaypur police station limits, some 145 km from the district headquarters, an official said.

He identified the victims as Saroj Gurjar (35), Sunaina Gurjar (27), Seema Gurjar (35) and Geeta Rao (52).

"Members of the Gurjar community from Ghughas village in Veerpur were travelling to Parvati Baroda to attend a religious ceremony. A large number of women, men and children were in the vehicle. Several of the injured are in serious condition," the official said.

He said initial rescue efforts were helmed by those in the vicinity, who pulled out persons trapped underneath the overturned vehicle.

"Ambulances shifted the injured to nearby hospitals for treatment. Administrative officials reached the spot soon after the incident. Former MP forest minister Ramniwas Rawat and police personnel are monitoring the situation," he added.
Ulviyya Poladova



NATO and the European Union are working to develop competing strategies for managing rapidly increasing defense budgets across Europe, AzerNEWS reports, citing Financial Times (FT).

A tense dispute has emerged between the two organizations over how to allocate as much as $1 trillion annually earmarked for rearmament. The surge in defense spending comes amid growing security concerns and pressure linked to the policies of U.S. President Donald Trump.

NATO member states largely agreed in June last year to raise defense spending to 5% of GDP by 2035  a target which, if met, would amount to an increase of around $1 trillion per year spent on defense among EU countries compared to 2024.

But unnamed officials cited by the Financial Times have said that there is disagreement between NATO and the EU over where to procure new arms, with Brussels favoring an approach to buy European - produced systems.

Though Europes defense has long been based largely on US protection guarantees, that dynamic is being reconsidered by many in Europe as a result of increased tensions between Washington and its NATO allies.

U.S. President Donald Trump has recently threatened to withdraw the United States from NATO, citing frustration with the alliances lack of support during the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.

The tensions stem from a war that began in February, when the United States and Israel launched strikes on Iran, triggering a broader regional confrontation. Since then, Washington has sought backing from its NATO allies, including requests for military assistance and support operations in key areas such as the Strait of Hormuz.

Photo: Shutterstock
The US President said he held "excellent conversations" with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, confirming that both leaders have committed to the temporary truce.

IMAGE: Smoke rises in Lebanon following an Israeli strike, as seen from the Israeli side of the border with Lebanon, April 16, 2026. Photograph: Florion Goga/Reuters

US President Donald Trump on Thursday announced that Israel and Lebanon have reached an agreement to initiate a 10-day ceasefire, following intensified diplomatic efforts to reduce hostilities in the region.

Key Points The US President shared that he held "excellent conversations" with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Trump noted that the two nations recently participated in high-level discussions in the American capital for the first time in more than thirty years.

Trump has tasked Vice President JD Vance and his top security team with facilitating ongoing dialogue between the two countries for permanent peace.

The US President shared that he held "excellent conversations" with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, confirming that both leaders have committed to the temporary truce as a step towards a broader resolution.

Highlighting the historic nature of the recent diplomatic engagement, Trump noted that the two nations recently participated in high-level discussions in the American capital for the first time in more than thirty years. These talks involved senior US officials, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

To maintain the momentum of the ceasefire, Trump has tasked Vice President JD Vance and his top security team with facilitating ongoing dialogue between the two countries to secure a permanent settlement.

"I just had excellent conversations with the highly respected President Joseph Aoun of Lebanon, and Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu of Israel. These two leaders have agreed that, in order to achieve peace between their countries, they will formally begin a 10-day ceasefire at 5 p.m. EST," Trump stated in a post on social media.

Reflecting on the significance of the earlier trilateral meeting, he added: "On Tuesday, the two countries met for the first time in 34 years here in Washington, D.C., with our great Secretary of State, Marco Rubio."

President Trump further outlined the administration's commitment to the peace process, stating: "I have directed Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Rubio, together with the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Dan 'Razin' Caine, to work with Israel and Lebanon to achieve a lasting peace. It has been my honor to solve 9 wars across the world, and this will be my 10th, so let's get it done!"

The ceasefire comes at a critical juncture for West Asia, following a period of significant volatility along the Israel-Lebanon border.
Police in Bijnor, Uttar Pradesh, have arrested two individuals for alleged anti-national activities, including terror recruitment and inciting communal disharmony, highlighting ongoing concerns about security and social cohesion.

Key Points Two individuals arrested in Bijnor, Uttar Pradesh, for alleged anti-national activities.

One arrest related to alleged terror recruitment via social media contacts in Saudi Arabia and South Africa.

The accused allegedly attempted to recruit youths for terror activities and damaging railway tracks.

Another arrest linked to a case of inciting communal disharmony by targeting properties based on religious symbols.

Police investigations are ongoing in both cases, with lookout notices issued for suspects abroad.

Two people have been arrested in Uttar Pradesh's Bijnor in connection with alleged anti-national activities linked to separate incidents, police said on Thursday.

Arrest for Alleged Terror Recruitment

Circle Officer Anjani Kumar Chaturvedi said Sameer was arrested from Najibabad for allegedly maintaining contact with individuals based in Saudi Arabia and South Africa, who were attempting to recruit youths in India for terror-related activities.

According to police, Sameer was in touch with Aqib, based in Saudi Arabia, and Majul, based in South Africa, through Instagram. They allegedly tried to lure youths into building a terror network in India, indulging in anti-national activities and damaging railway tracks.

During questioning, Sameer admitted that Aqib had been instigating him towards such activities, police said. Two other accused, Uvaid and Jalal, had been arrested earlier in the case.

Police added that lookout notices have been issued against Aqib and Majul.

Arrest for Inciting Communal Disharmony

In a separate incident, police arrested Rajuram Godara from Jaisalmer in connection with a March 4 case in Kiratpur, where a parked car was set on fire after identifying it by a religious symbol.

Earlier, three accused -- Abuzar, Zaid and Mannan -- had been arrested in the case.

According to police, an individual identified as Abu Bakar had allegedly offered money through a Telegram group to target properties belonging to members of the Hindu community.

Further investigation in both cases is underway, police said.
The Delhi High Court is scrutinising the Unnao rape survivor's appeal for capital punishment for Kuldeep Sengar in her father's death, questioning a significant delay in filing the case.

Photograph: ANI Photo

Key Points Delhi High Court questions the Unnao rape survivor about a 1,940-day delay in appealing for capital punishment for Kuldeep Sengar in her father's custodial death case.

The court questioned why the appeal was delayed given the survivor pursued other related cases concurrently.

The survivor's lawyer cited adverse conditions and overburdening as reasons for the delay, calling her ability to pursue other cases a 'miracle'.

Kuldeep Sengar's counsel opposed the appeal, arguing against using the judicial platform for a media trial and claiming the appeal seeks conviction for unrecognised offences.

The CBI stated it would not raise objections, leaving Sengar and others as the main contesting parties in the appeal.

The Delhi High Court on Thursday questioned the Unnao rape survivor over a delay of 1,940 days in filing her appeal seeking capital punishment for expelled BJP MLA Kuldeep Sengar for her father's custodial death.

A bench of Justices Navin Chawla and Ravinder Dudeja remarked that when she was able to pursue other cases related to the incident, why there was a delay in this case.

"We are on limitation. You were pursuing at the same time other cases. You have to show us why for this case you could not? That is the only way we can condone your delay. When you were pursuing your other litigation, including his appeal (in the rape case). Then to justify this delay, you have to show how," the bench told the survivor's lawyer.

The survivor's counsel, Mehmood Pracha, said she was living under adverse conditions and it was a "miracle" that she was able to pursue other cases.

"I am so overburdened. I could not apply my mind to this. That is my casea It is a miracle that she was able to pursue those (cases). It is a miracle that she is alive. It is a miracle she is standing here," he said.

"There is a great delay but will delay override the truth?" Pracha asked.

Sengar's counsel said the judicial platform cannot be used for a media trial and opposed the survivor's appeal for enhancement of his sentence.

Advocate Kanhaiya Singhal appeared for Sengar and contended that the survivor was seeking conviction for offences not included in the cognisance order and accepting her plea would set the matter back ten years.

In his reply, Sengar said the survivor failed to show "sufficient cause" to justify the inordinate delay of 1,945 days in filing the appeal.

He also alleged that the appeal was filed with an ulterior motive to exert undue pressure for monetary extraction.

The CBI earlier said that it did not wish to raise any objections in the matter as the main contesting parties were Sengar and others.

On February 19, the court issued notice to Sengar and other convicts on the survivor's plea seeking condonation of the delay in filing the appeal against the 2020 trial court order on conviction and sentencing.

She sought enhancement of their sentence of 10-year imprisonment to death sentence.

The appeal prayed that Sengar and other convicts should be held guilty under Section 302 of the IPC for murder and sentenced to death, and the trial court's decision, which found them guilty of culpable homicide not amounting to murder, should be modified.

Background of the Unnao Rape Case

Kuldeep Sengar was convicted of raping the survivor and sentenced to imprisonment for the remainder of his life on December 20, 2019.

The girl was kidnapped and raped by Sengar in 2017 when she was a minor.

On March 13, 2020, Sengar, along with his brother Jaideep Sengar alias Atul Singh, was sentenced to 10 years of rigorous imprisonment by the trial court, which also fined him Rs 10 lakh in the custodial death case of the rape survivor's father.

The girl's father was arrested at the behest of Sengar under the Arms Act and died in custody on April 9, 2018, due to police brutality.

The trial court then said "no leniency" could be shown for killing a family's "sole bread earner."

The trial court, however, did not hold the accused guilty of murder under the IPC and awarded the maximum sentence of 10 years for the offence of culpable homicide not amounting to murder to the convicts under Section 304 of the IPC, holding that there was no intention to kill.

The case was transferred to Delhi from the trial court in Uttar Pradesh on the directions of the Supreme Court on August 1, 2019.
The United States has decided against renewing sanctions exemptions for Russian and Iranian oil purchases, potentially impacting global energy markets and trade relationships.

IMAGE: The Russian oil-laden tanker MT Aqua Titan, chartered by Mangalore Refinery and Petrochemicals Ltd (MRPL), is docked in the Arabian Sea, about 10 nautical miles (about 18.5 km) off the Mangalore coast, in Dakshina Kannada. Photograph: ANI video grab

Key Points The US will not renew sanctions exemptions for purchasing Russian and Iranian oil, ending a temporary waiver.

India's crude oil purchases from Russia significantly increased in March, becoming the second-highest buyer of Russian fossil fuels.

The US initially granted the waiver to stabilise the energy market amid concerns of supply shortages and price spikes.

The end of the sanctions waiver could impact global oil prices and trade dynamics.

The United States on Wednesday ruled out granting any further exemption from sanctions for the purchase of Russian or Iranian oil.

US Treasury Scott Bessent made the announcement at a press conference at the White House.

"We will not be renewing the general license on Russian oil, and we will not be renewing the general license on Iranian oil. That was oil that was on the water prior to March 11, so all that has been used," Bessent told reporters here.

On March 5, the US issued a 30-day sanctions waiver to India, permitting it to buy Russian oil despite sanctions imposed over the Ukraine war.

A few days later, the US extended the sanctions waiver to a few other nations. The waiver from sanctions expired on April 11.

Impact on India's Oil Imports

India's crude oil purchases from Russia more than tripled to 5.3 billion euros in March as volumes doubled and a surge in oil prices pushed up the import bill.

European think tank Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA), in a report, said after a drop in purchases in February, India was back to a buying binge in March.

"India was the second-highest buyer of Russian fossil fuels in March 2026, importing a total of EUR 5.8 billion of Russian hydrocarbons. Crude oil products constituted 91 per cent of India's purchases, totalling EUR 5.3 billion," it said.

Coal (EUR 337 million) and oil products (EUR 178.5 million) constituted the remainder of their monthly imports.

In February, India was the third largest importer, purchasing Russian hydrocarbons worth 1.8 billion euros.

Rationale Behind the Initial Waiver

After issuing the sanctions waiver, Energy Secretary Chris Wright said the US asked India to buy Russian oil to "tamp down" fears of supply shortages and price spikes amid the ongoing West Asia conflict.

He said the move was a short-term, pragmatic effort to stabilise the market and did not signal any change in Washington's policy towards Russia.
US President Donald Trump's call to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday signals a significant effort to reset strained Washington-New Delhi ties, with both nations poised to conclude 'big-ticket' energy and trade deals, including increased Indian imports of US LNG and LPG, and potential cooperation on small modular reactors.

IMAGE: Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump at the White House, February 13, 2025. Photograph: ANI Photo

Key Points India plans to increase imports of LNG and LPG from the US to diversify its energy basket.

India and the US are exploring cooperation on small modular reactors under the SHANTI legislation, though US Congressional approval would be required.

A high-level Indian trade delegation is set to visit the US. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is expected in India next month.

US President Donald Trump's Tuesday evening phone call to Prime Minister Narendra Modi came at a time when Washington and New Delhi are working to reset ties strained by the White House's tariff policies.

Their efforts will involve an Indian trade delegation visiting the US next week.

Also, India would be increasing its imports of liquefied natural gas (LNG) and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) from the US, and the two sides are exploring an agreement on small modular reactors (SMRs).

High-Level Discussions and Energy Focus

Photograph: Issei Kato/Reuters

Modi and Trump spoke for 40 minutes on Tuesday, with American Ambassador to India Sergio Gor later indicating that the two sides are poised to conclude several 'big-ticket' deals soon, including in the energy sector.

Gor said during Tuesday's discussions, the leaders addressed 'some big-ticket deals, including on energy', expected to materialise between India and the US in the coming days and weeks.

According to sources in New Delhi, India is keen to increase its imports of LNG and LPG from the US as part of its process to diversify import basket of energy.

This comes after it faced problems because of the conflict in West Asia and the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.

Nuclear Energy and Quad Grouping

IMAGE: Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, centre, at the White House. US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor is at right. Photograph: @USAmbIndia/ANI Photo

Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri visited Washington last week, meeting US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and other officials to discuss cooperation in defence, nuclear energy, coal gasification and liquefied petroleum gas exports.

The two sides are looking at nuclear energy cooperation in the context of the Sustainable Harnessing and Advancement of Nuclear Energy for Transforming India (SHANTI), legislation.

However, any agreement on the issue will require approval from the US Congress.

Rubio is expected to visit India next month, and there is also forward movement on a Quad grouping meeting.

Apart from India and the US, Australia and Japan are members of the Quad.

On Tuesday, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar spoke to Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong.

'India will work with like-minded partners to develop supply chain resilience'

On Wednesday, Jaishankar participated in a meeting convened by Japan to discuss supply chain disruptions in the energy markets, where he underlined India's strong commitment to safe and unimpeded transit passage for maritime shipping.

'Attacks on merchant shipping are completely unacceptable. Global growth demands that energy markets are not constricted. As a major energy consumer, India will work with like-minded partners to develop supply chain resilience,' Jaishankar said.

In his social media post in response to Modi's message of his conversation with Trump, Gor posted on Tuesday evening: 'A very positive and productive call, stay tuned.' This echoed the phrase he used after the February 2 call that preceded the announcement of a trade agreement.

New Delhi is of the view that the phone call from the White House was an attempt by the US to repair its ties with India that have been strained.

It was because of the White House's imposition of high tariffs on Indian goods, signs of the Trump administration's growing engagement with Pakistan's military leadership and Washington's failure to achieve its stated objectives in the West Asia war.

Feature Presentation: Rajesh Alva/Rediff
Ahead of the Tamil Nadu assembly elections, TVK chief Vijay's manifesto pledges significant welfare initiatives, including financial aid for women, education support and agricultural loan waivers.

IMAGE: TVK chief and actor Vijay during a public meeting for an election campaign, in Puducherry, April 4, 2026. Photograph: ANI Video Grab

Key Points The manifesto focuses on education by offering Rs 15,000 annually to mothers of children in government schools and promising higher education loans up to Rs 20 lakh.

TVK pledges a full waiver of agricultural cooperative crop loans for farmers owning less than five acres and a Minimum Support Price of Rs 3,500 per quintal for paddy.

The party aims to create five lakh new government jobs and offer stipendiary internships, along with monthly aid for unemployed graduates.

TVK commits to modernising hospitals, providing free annual health checkups, and introducing a Rs 25 lakh family health insurance scheme for improved healthcare.

Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam chief Vijay on Thursday unveiled a sweeping manifesto for the April 23 Assembly elections in Tamil Nadu that particularly highlighted the welfare of women, promising others -- Rs 2,500 monthly assistance for those below 60 years and 8 gram gold for marriage.

The actor-turned-politician also assured a quality silk saree in addition to gold for indigent brides and interest-free loans up to Rs 5 lakh for women-run SHGs.

He assured corruption-free good governance if voted to power.

The manifesto also laid importance on education. To prevent school dropouts, mothers or guardians of children studying in government and state-aided schools will receive Rs 15,000 annually.

Vijay promised 100 special residential schools named after iconic leader K Kamaraj and higher education loans of up to Rs 20 lakh. He also assured AI ministry, AI University and AI City.

The manifesto places a strong emphasis on agrarian welfare, too. The TVK chief assured a full waiver of agricultural cooperative crop loans for farmers owning less than five acres of land, while those holding more than five acres will receive a 50 percent loan waiver. Additionally, the party promised a Minimum Support Price of Rs 3,500 per quintal for paddy and Rs 4,500 per tonne for sugarcane.

Addressing youth unemployment, Vijay pledged to create five lakh new government jobs and offer five lakh stipendiary internships. Unemployed graduates will be provided a monthly aid of up to Rs 4,000. For government employees, the party assured consideration of the Old Pension Scheme and the regularisation of contract workers, including nurses.

On the health front, he promised a drug-free Tamil Nadu. Vijay also committed to modernising hospitals, providing free annual health checkups, and introducing a Rs 25 lakh family health insurance scheme.

The manifesto also includes a Rs 3,000 monthly pension for the elderly and differently-abled, 200 units of free power, patta regularisation, and 100 per cent piped drinking water supply for all households.

Elections to 234 Assembly seats in Tamil Nadu will be held on April 23.
In a shocking case from Indore, a woman has been arrested for allegedly conspiring with her lover to hire contract killers and murder her husband, revealing a tale of betrayal and revenge.

IMAGE: Illustration: Dominic Xavier/Rediff

Key Points An Indore woman, Bharti Patidar, is accused of plotting her husband's murder with her lover, Rahul Uike.

The victim, Naveen Patidar, was found dead with a gunshot wound, initially appearing as a hit-and-run.

Police investigation revealed a love affair and a past grudge as motives for the contract killing.

Several individuals, including the wife and hired shooters, have been arrested, while the lover remains at large.

The case bears similarities to a previous murder case involving a wife, her lover, and contract killers.

Naveen Patidar (31) was found dead by the roadside under Rau police station limits on April 12, Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Shrikrishna Lalchandani said.

It seemed to be a case of hit-and-run, but autopsy revealed that he had been shot in the neck.

Probe found that Patidar's wife Bharti had an an affair with Rahul Uike. A few years ago, information provided by Naveen Patidar to police in a murder case had led to Uike's arrest, creating bad blood between the two men, said the official.

Questioning revealed that Uike and Bharti conspired to kill Patidar and hired Mukesh Kumawat for his purpose, he said.

Kumawat, along with his associates Ajay Dholpuriya and Shriram Balai, allegedly executed the murder on the night of April 12, the DCP said.

Two of them, riding a motorcycle, allegedly shot Patidar in the neck at point blank range with a country-made pistol.

Police have arrested Bharti Patidar, Kumawat, Dholpuriya and Balai and seized an unregistered motorcycle, a country-made pistol and empty cartridges from them, said DCP Lalchandani.

Uike remains absconding.

Similar Case of Contract Killing

Last year, Sonam (25), wife of local businessman Raja Raghuvanshi, was arrested for allegedly conspiring with her lover Raj Kushwaha (20) to murder her husband through contract killers. Raghuvanshi was killed during the couple's honeymoon in Meghalaya.
A woman in Uttar Pradesh was tragically killed after being attacked with a spade by her nephew during a family dispute, prompting a police investigation and raising concerns about violence stemming from domestic conflicts.

Key Points A woman in Deoria, Uttar Pradesh, was allegedly murdered by her nephew during a heated family dispute.

The victim, Ravita Devi, was attacked with a spade and died at the scene.

Two children were injured while trying to intervene in the violent altercation.

Police have detained the accused's mother and sister for questioning as the main suspect remains at large.

The incident highlights the tragic consequences of escalating family conflicts in rural India.

A 42-year-old woman was allegedly hacked to death with a spade by her nephew following a dispute between women of two families in a village here, police said on Thursday.

Two children were also injured in the incident when they tried to intervene, they said.

The deceased has been identified as Ravita Devi, wife of Umesh Vishwakarma, who currently works abroad.

According to police, a heated argument broke out between the two families, who are relatives, in Rampur Banhar village under Mahuadih police station limits late Wednesday.

During the altercation, a youth from one side attacked Ravita with a spade, hitting her on the neck and head.

"The victim sustained a deep fatal wound and collapsed on the spot. Local residents and family members rushed her to the emergency ward of Maharshi Devraha Baba Medical College, where doctors declared her brought dead," a police official said.

Circle Officer (City) Sanjay Reddy and Mahuadih Station House Officer Amit Kumar Rai visited the spot with a police force to take stock of the situation.

Investigation and Aftermath

While the main accused and other male members of his family have fled the area after the incident, police have detained the accused's mother and sister for questioning.

"The murder was a fallout of a family dispute. The accused attacked his aunt with a spade, leading to her death. We have initiated necessary legal action and are conducting raids to nab the perpetrator," Reddy said.

The body has been sent for post-mortem, and additional police personnel have been deployed in the village to maintain law and order, he added.
A suspected World War II-era bomb has been discovered in Jharkhand, India, prompting authorities to seek expert assistance from the Indian Army for safe inspection and disposal, raising concerns about unexploded ordnance in the region.

Key Points A suspected World War II-era bomb was found in the Swarnarekha river bed in Baharagora, Jharkhand.

This discovery follows the defusal of two similar bombs by the Indian Army in the same area in March.

Authorities are coordinating with the Indian Army to inspect the bomb and take appropriate action.

The bomb is similar in size and weight to those found previously, raising concerns among local residents.

Police personnel have been deployed to secure the site as a precautionary measure.

A bomb, suspected to be from the World War II era, has been found on a river bed in Baharagora area of Jharkhand's East Singhbhum district, police said on Thursday.

In March, personnel of the Indian Army had defused two active bombs, also suspected to be from the same period, in Baharagora, they said.

Discovery Details

"This bomb was spotted by villagers along the Swarnarekha river bed in Panipada area on Wednesday night. The spot is around 50-100 metres from the site where the two bombs were found earlier," SP (Rural) Rishabha Garg said.

"We are in talks with Indian Army personnel to inspect and initiate necessary action," Garg told PTI.

Officer-in-Charge of Baharagora police station, Shankar Prasad Kushwaha, said the bomb-like metallic object was similar in size and weight to the bombs discovered in March.

"We have deployed police personnel at the spot as a precautionary measure," he said.

Previous Bomb Disposal

On March 25, personnel of the Indian Army had defused the explosives stuffed in metallic cylinder-shaped containers within a gap of 30 minutes from one another, amid tight security arrangements.

One of the bombs, weighing around 200 kg, was unearthed during sand excavation along the Panipada-Nagudsai stretch in Baharagora area, around 90 km from Jamshedpur, officials had said.

The second bomb of a similar shape was discovered in a villager's house during inspection of the spot.

The explosives were dumped in a 25-30 feet trench that was dug close to the spot, and covered with sand bags to minimise any damage during the exercise.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath sharply criticised West Bengal's TMC government, claiming corruption and 'mafia rule' have plunged the state into an 'identity crisis' and transformed it into a 'crime capital'.

Photograph: ANI Photo

Key Points Yogi Adityanath accuses the TMC of turning West Bengal into a 'crime capital' plagued by corruption and 'mafia rule'.

Adityanath claims the TMC government has created an atmosphere of fear, endangering women and hindering the future of the youth in West Bengal.

The UP Chief Minister alleges that various mafias, including sand, coal, land, and cattle mafias, are flourishing in West Bengal under the TMC's political patronage.

Adityanath draws a parallel between West Bengal's current situation and Uttar Pradesh before the BJP came to power, promising a 'double-engine' BJP government for Bengal's problems.

Adityanath asserts that a BJP government in West Bengal would address issues such as 'love jihad

land jihad', and the welfare of the poor, similar to the changes he claims to have brought in Uttar Pradesh.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Thursday mounted a sharp attack on the ruling TMC during a series of rallies in West Bengal, alleging that the state had been pushed into an "identity crisis" over the past 15 years because of corruption, extortion and the rise of what he described as "mafia rule".

Addressing election meetings in Birbhum's Rampurhat and Bolpur and Paschim Bardhaman's Barabani in support of BJP candidates, the BJP leader claimed that Bengal, once regarded as the country's cultural capital, had been turned into a "crime capital" under the TMC government.

"The TMC has turned Bengal from the cultural capital of India into a crime capital. A BJP government will once again make Bengal the cultural capital of the country," Adityanath said.

He urged people to vote for the BJP in the upcoming assembly polls, saying the people of Bengal no longer needed the TMC.

"For the last 15 years, Bengal has been facing an identity crisis. Terror, extortion, corruption and mafia raj have become the state's identity under the TMC," he said.

Adityanath alleged that an atmosphere of fear had been created among common people, particularly women and the youth.

"The people are living in fear. Daughters and sisters are not safe, the youth have no future and the mafia has flourished under political protection. The BJP is committed to ending this mafia culture," he said.

Accusations Against Mamata Banerjee's Government

Targeting Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, he alleged that the state was in the grip of various mafias.

"Under Mamata Banerjee, Bengal has fallen into the hands of sand mafia, coal mafia, land mafia and cattle mafia. These mafias are flourishing under political patronage," he claimed.

The Uttar Pradesh chief minister also accused the TMC government of diverting central funds.

"Prime Minister Narendra Modi sends money from Delhi for the poor and for development, but TMC leaders and their supporters loot that money before it reaches the people," he alleged.

Comparing Bengal to Uttar Pradesh

Seeking to draw a parallel between present-day Bengal and Uttar Pradesh before the BJP came to power there in 2017, Adityanath said his state too had once witnessed frequent riots, lawlessness and large-scale corruption.

"The situation that Bengal is witnessing today existed in Uttar Pradesh nine years ago. There was anarchy, fear, riots, criminal gangs and rampant corruption. Funds meant for development were looted," he said.

"Nine years ago, riots used to take place every second or third day in Uttar Pradesh. Festivals could not be celebrated peacefully. Women were unsafe, hooliganism was at its peak and criminals and mafias controlled everything. Today, the situation has changed completely," he said.

Claiming that Uttar Pradesh had undergone a transformation under the BJP government, Adityanath said the answer to Bengal's problems was a "double-engine" government.

"The only remedy for Bengal is a double-engine BJP government. The opponents will not be able to match the speed of a double-engine government," he said.

Religious and Social Issues

Referring to religious issues, the BJP leader said there was a time when chanting "Jai Shri Ram" was discouraged in Uttar Pradesh, but that situation had changed after the BJP came to power.

"Remember what the situation in Uttar Pradesh was earlier. There was a time when people were afraid to say 'Jai Shri Ram'. Today the world's grandest Ram temple stands in Ayodhya," he said.

He also said the BJP would not allow cow slaughter and would not let Hindus be divided.

"We will not allow gau mata to be slaughtered, and we will not allow Hindus to be divided," he said.

Adityanath further claimed that law and order in Uttar Pradesh had improved to the extent that incidents of "love jihad" and "land jihad" no longer occurred.

"Today, there is celebration in Uttar Pradesh, not unrest. There is no incident of love jihad or land jihad. If such an incident occurs, such strict action is taken that seven generations remember it," he said.

He alleged that if any land mafia attempted to occupy public property in Uttar Pradesh, the state government would reclaim the land and use it for welfare schemes.

"If anyone captures land belonging to the poor, traders or the government, we take it back and build houses for the poor there," he said.

Listing the achievements of the BJP government in Uttar Pradesh, Adityanath said 65 lakh houses had been provided to the poor in the state and 16 crore people were receiving free ration.

"Today we have provided houses to 65 lakh poor people in Uttar Pradesh and 16 crore poor people are receiving free ration," he said.

Promises for West Bengal

At the Bolpur rally, Adityanath also warned against what he called "infiltrators", saying a BJP government in Bengal would send them out of the country.

"Do not worry about what any maulana or a TMC leader says. Let a BJP government come to power and all those creating disorder will be made to fall in line," he said.

Invoking Bharatiya Jana Sangh founder Syama Prasad Mookerjee, the Uttar Pradesh chief minister said Prime Minister Narendra Modi had fulfilled his dream by scrapping Article 370.

"The dream seen by Syama Prasad Mookerjee has been realised under Prime Minister Modi. Article 370 has been abrogated, and the same Constitution and laws now apply in Jammu and Kashmir as they do in West Bengal and the rest of the country," he said.
Brattleboro, VT (05301)

Today

Cloudy skies early, followed by partial clearing. Low 36F. Winds ESE at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

Cloudy skies early, followed by partial clearing. Low 36F. Winds ESE at 5 to 10 mph.
Brattleboro, VT (05301)

Today

Cloudy skies early, followed by partial clearing. Low 37F. Winds ESE at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

Cloudy skies early, followed by partial clearing. Low 37F. Winds ESE at 5 to 10 mph.
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TOWNSHEND  After the rejection of the proposed West River Education District budget, School Board members are brainstorming next steps.

Residents in WRED towns rejected the proposed $15 million budget in a 238-202 vote on April 8. The district includes Brookline, Newfane, Jamaica, Townshend and Windham.

At a board meeting on Monday, board members said they heard from voters who were displeased with the Windham Central Supervisory Union budget.

A motion to request a special meeting to reconsider the WCSU budget by May 1 passed 6-4. Board Chairman Joe Winrich plans to reach out to the WCSU Board about scheduling it.

WCSU provides leadership and resources to five districts including WRED. Services include special education, accounts receivable and the superintendent's office.

"Windham Central is us," Superintendent Bob Thibault told the WRED Board. "It is you. It isn't a separate organization. I mean it's a separate tax entity but it's an umbrella operating for you guys."

Most of the funds are "student facing," Thibault said.

WCSU cut $500,000 out of the Multi-Tiered Systems of Support or MTSS budget, Winrich said. He serves on both boards.

"I heard there's a lot of misconception," he said. "They made cuts. We just didn't publicize it."

Winrich said the blame should be on the entire state education system.

Jamaica votes to close school, West River Ed budget rejected JAMAICA  Jamaica voted overwhelmingly in favor of closing Jamaica Village School and having

Feedback indicates the rejection of the budget "wasn't just a dollar figure," board member LeeAnn Jillson said.

"A lot of it was directed at the SU budget, a lot of it was directed at the special education cuts," she said. "The lack of transparency in the development in going through the budget was another one."

Community members "feel like the SU is like an upside down triangle," board member Dana West said.

"It's top heavy, paid a lot more than what it's worth," he said, reporting feedback from his town of Jamaica.

Board member Lindsey Bertram said nearly every community member she heard from "expressed some concern about feeling like the SU budget was top heavy and that they did not have the opportunity to vote on the SU budget and this was their opportunity to vote on that."

"I also heard concerns about making programmatic cuts while asking for additional administration," she said. "That was a really big problem for people I talked to."

Emily Long, who serves on both boards and as state representative for the Windham-5 district, said she heard "quite a bit of feedback that was more surprise and, 'What happened?' and, 'I didn't vote and I should have voted. I'm so sorry.'"

"Not one person reached out to me about the SU budget," she said.

Long said the SU budget is voted on by the SU board and incorporated into the school district budgets.

"I've heard many times that our property tax rates are too high," she said. "I've also heard a whole lot of frustration about the path that the Legislature is taking and unhappy that consolidation is supposedly the answer."

Long called for being transparent about spending and creative about reducing costs while expanding opportunities for students.

"Any kind of symbolic gesture that the SU could make in tiny reductions in the administrative level would go a long way," board member Fiona Chevalier said. "I've overwhelmingly heard from constituents being frustrated at the SU level."

WCSU, Thibault said, "is not the enemy."

"We are your team," he said. "We are a team."

Another motion to freeze hiring failed by one vote. The board plans to receive feedback and discuss the budget at a special meeting on April 29.
Shabeel Shah has come back to SentinelOne after a year away from the vendor, picking back up the role of channel director for Australia and New Zealand (A/NZ).

This time, distribution for Asia Pacific and Japan (APJ) has been added to his remit.

His focus will be on expanding SentinelOnes reseller and distribution partner ecosystem throughout A/NZ and APJ, deepening partner profitability, and working towards robust enablement and programme differentiation.

Shah comes back to the vendor after being Obsidian Securitys senior director of partner sales for APJ for just over a year. Prior to that, he was at SentinelOne for close to three-and-a-half years.

He has also worked at Arrow ECS A/NZ.

SentinelOne A/NZ area vice president Jason Duerden said Shah brings the calibre, relationships, and commercial instincts required to boost the vendors partner ecosystem.

His aptitude to build partnerships and drive commercial outcomes at scale is imperative to accelerate our presence in the region, he said.
The Golden Triangle Special Economic Zone in northern Laos is a haven for criminal activities including prostitution, scamming and drug trafficking, but Lao authorities are essentially powerless to stop it, workers in the zone and police told Radio Free Asia.

The zone is a gambling and tourism hub catering to Chinese citizens situated in Bokeo province along the Mekong River where Laos, Myanmar and Thailand meet. It has been described as a de-facto Chinese colony.

Due to the special nature of the zone, Lao authorities have limited access to it, and they require permission from officials at the Chinese-run Kings Romans Casino, the zones crown jewel, which is owned by the Hong Kong-based Dok Ngiew Kham Group. The group holds an 80 percent interest in the 3,000 hectare (11.6 square mile) zone, while the Lao government has a 20 percent stake in it.

Suppose workers have a problem in the zone, one such worker told RFAs Lao Service. They have to call authorities from the zone only, and Bokeo police cannot help them because they arent in control.

A Bokeo police official confirmed that Lao and foreign workers employed in the zone who need help must contact authorities within the zone, as it is effectively under their control only.

Normally there are special economic zone units, and they are the ones who solve problems on the inside. If there are serious cases, they report to higher level authorities inside the zone, the police official said.

Transnational criminal organization

The Golden Triangle Special Economic Zone, or SEZ, was established in 2007 and is run by the Dok Ngiew Group and its Chinese Chairman Zhao Wei. SEZs are business areas that are exempt from most national-level economic regulations, and often receive tax breaks and are governed by different labor laws.

In 2018, the U.S. Treasury Department declared Zhao Weis business network a transnational criminal organization and sanctioned Zhao and three other individuals and companies across Laos, Thailand and Hong Kong.

Zhaos business exploits this region by engaging in drug trafficking, human trafficking, money laundering, bribery and wildlife trafficking, much of which is facilitated through the Kings Romans Casino located within the [Golden Triangle] SEZ, a Treasury statement said.

Thai military rangers patrol along the Mekong River bordering Thailand and Laos in Ban Paeng, Nakhon Phanom province, May 23, 2019, to thwart drug traffickers. Credit: AFP

The Golden Triangle area got its name five decades ago for its central role in heroin production and trafficking in Laos, Thailand and Myanmar, and the SEZ and the surrounding area is still rife with drug-related crimes, Chanphonephet Khamsy, the deputy police chief of Bokeo Province told RFA.

In the past 12 months, Bokeo province police arrested 393 drug smugglers, seized 23 million meth pills, 866 kilograms of crystal ice, and 60 kilograms of heroin, Chanphonephet Khamsy said. In the previous 12-month period, police seized 49 million meth tablets.

More and more drugs are being trafficked in the region; its very challenging for us, said a Bokeo police officer on condition of anonymity to speak freely.

He said smugglers move their drugs into and out of the area in large trucks and in increasingly larger amounts.

They smuggle the drugs from [Myanmar] into [Bokeo] and then to the capital Vientiane, the officer said, adding that there are so many routes, including through thick jungles that are not easily accessible to authorities.

A member of the Bokeo anti-narcotics unit confirmed on condition of anonymity that the drugs come mostly from Myanmar, from armed ethnic groups that fight the countrys military junta. Laos is a more attractive route than Thailand, because recently Thai authorities have been cracking down harder on drug trafficking, he said.

A Bokeo resident said the Golden Triangle SEZ was one of the main destinations for the drugs because Lao authorities do not have access to it.

Three-way meeting

Last week, Lao, Thai and Myanmar law enforcement officials met in the northern Lao town of Luang Prabang to discuss anti-narcotics cooperation. Thai officials confirmed to RFA that the meeting was limited to tackling the drug problem, but said Thai authorities also offer their cooperation in human trafficking cases.

Recently, companies inside the zone have lured workers from Laos, China, and other countries using a bait-and-switch scam in which they promise well-paying call center jobs.

But once the workers arrive in the zone they rack up debt to their employers for their travel expenses and training, and their bosses set impossibly high sales quotas designed to make the workers fail, according to several RFA reports.

Some workers caught in the scam have escaped but at great personal risk, and often without help from any authorities.

Another Lao worker inside the zone told RFA that even though foreign governments are privy to the scam and do what they can to help their citizens in the zone, the problem still persists.

There are still call centers and theyll never eradicate them all. There are many companies that recruit Lao, Thai and other foreign workers, the individual said. They recruit everyone. There are Indians, Malaysians and others.

Scamming investors

A third Lao worker in the zone said that the call center scam involves cheating investors but the Lao police can do nothing to crack down on them. The police cannot fine or arrest them because outside authorities cannot enter the zone, the worker said. So they cant investigate anything.

Residents living near the zone said they wanted authorities to more effectively deal with rampant crime inside it, but they doubt it is a high priority for Laos and its neighbors.

Many Laotians want the government to crack down on all the crime  but they have been ignoring it for years, a resident living near the zone said.

On Oct. 1, Zhao, the Chinese chairman, received a medal of courage from the Lao government, saying it recognized his contributions to national defense and public security within the zone.

The surrounding governments just talk and talk, said another resident. If they really wanted to crack down on crimes, why would the Lao government award a medal of courage to Zhao Wei  and praise him publicly?

The whole world knows [Laos] wont crack down on him.

Translated by Sidney Khotpanya. Written in English by Eugene Whong. Edited by Malcolm Foster.
Authorities in northern Laos raided more scam operation centers in the Golden Triangle Special Economic Zone, arresting 60 Lao and Chinese nationals one day after a government-imposed deadline for every illegal call center in the zone to close.

Some 250 police officers and other officials participated in Mondays raids on 16 centers, a police officer told Radio Free Asia on condition of anonymity to speak freely about a government matter.

The raids will go on until all online scamming activities have been stopped in the zone, he said.

The operation will continue for many days, he said. They are working to wipe them out from here as there are still some people conducting tele frauds.

The zone along the Mekong River in Bokeo province has been a gambling and tourism hub catering to Chinese visitors, as well as a haven for online fraud, human trafficking, prostitution and illegal drug activities.

Scamming operations run by Chinese nationals who try to trick people into fake investments have been rife in the zone. Many of the workers are mistreated and prevented from leaving the premises.

Very quiet these days

The Lao government announced an Aug. 25 closure deadline following an Aug. 9 meeting between the Bokeo provincial governor, high-ranking officials from the Lao Ministry of Public Security and Zhao Wei, the chairman of the Golden Triangle SEZ.

Joint raids with Chinese authorities began on Aug. 12, according to the ministrys website.

Police apprehend scammers in the Golden Triangle Special Economic Zone in an Aug. 15, 2024, Facebook video. (laosatd via Facebook)

Last week, the ministry said that 771 people had been detained in the raids, including Vietnamese and Chinese nationals who have since been deported.

The zones major casino, the Kings Romans, remains open, a Lao employee working for a company in the zone told RFA on Wednesday.

But nearby buildings unassociated with the casino appear to be empty, according to the Lao worker.

It looks very quiet these days, since the beginning of the operation, he said. The police force has checked all the buildings.

RELATED STORIES

[ Lao and Chinese security forces raid call centers in the Golden TriangleOpens in new window ]

[ Laos orders Golden Triangle scammers out of zone by end of monthOpens in new window ]

[ 280 Chinese arrested in Laos for alleged online scammingOpens in new window ]

[ Laos repatriates 268 Chinese suspected of scammingOpens in new window ]

The worker said he watched as people prepared to leave the zone ahead of Mondays raids.

I heard that some of them have fled to Vientiane or Cambodia, he said.

Restaurant servers and other people who worked regular jobs outside of the scam centers have also been leaving the area, the owner of a guesthouse near the zone told RFA.

Many of them, the Lao workers, are from Vientiane and other southern provinces, the owner said. The majority of them are returning to their hometowns now.

Translated by Phouvong. Edited by Matt Reed.
Several dozen Turkmen citizens who visited Balkanabat's only Christian church to celebrate Catholic and Orthodox Easter were detained before entering the church premises, according to several eyewitnesses.

"Officers from the local branch of the Ministry of National Security (MNS) and the police, both in civilian clothes and in official uniform, carried out raids around the only Christian church in the Balkanabat region on April 5 and April 12, the days when Christians celebrate Easter," said a local resident who spoke to Radio Azatlyk, RFE/RL's Turkmen Service, on condition of anonymity due to fear of persecution.

According to eyewitnesses and local police sources, churchgoers at Easter gatherings were being closely watched by Turkmen police and security forces.

"The number of detainees was around 50, and they were taken away in both state and private vehicles belonging to the police and the MNS. It looked like the identities of these people had been studied in advance by the MNS," said another resident Balkanabat, a city of about 98,000 in western Turkmenistan.

The authorities acted as though they had prior knowledge about the citizens, they added. "When Turkmen citizens who had converted to Christianity approached the church, they were not allowed inside and were taken to the police station for questioning."

The exact religious affiliation or denomination of those detained is not clear. Some Christian groups, such as Jehovah's Witnesses and Baptists, are banned or remain unregistered in Turkmenistan.

A source within the local police, speaking anonymously to Radio Azatlyk, said detainees were questioned about their religious choices and subjected to screening.

"They were asked questions such as: 'Who encouraged you to convert to Christianity? Were you offered money? Why did you leave Islam?' Their mobile phones were checked one by one," the source in the police said. "Detainees who had a Bible with them were questioned in a separate room."

According to the same police officer, various forms of coercion, including physical violence, pressure, and threats, were used in an attempt to make them return to Islam. Authorities also involved imams from local mosques in follow-up meetings with some of the detained individuals.

"Imams called on them to repent for Christianity and return to Islam, warning that otherwise they would burn in Hell forever," the source said.

The only registered Christian church in Balkanabat is a Russian Orthodox parish. According to Radio Azatlyk sources, the church itself was not targeted and its Easter celebrations took place uneventfully.

"I do not know whether Easter, the main Christian holiday of the year, could create such alarm within the regime. But in Turkmenistan, police and security services monitor places where people gather. The government closely monitors all religious-related activities. The secret services play a very important role in ensuring that religion remains under strict control of the regime," Felix Corley, editor for Forum 18 News Service, a Norway-based organization that monitors religious freedom in former Soviet states, said to RFE/RL.

Radio Azatlyk and international monitors of religious freedoms have long reported pressure on Turkmen converts from Islam to other faiths, particularly unregistered or banned religious groups.

"Whether they are Orthodox or Protestant Christians or Jehovah's Witnesses, it makes no difference; the authorities always view Turkmen citizens who join non-Muslim religions with suspicion. But there are also concerns about those who join the Muslim community being kept under government control. Therefore, the regime monitors people in any religious community who join Muslim, Christian, or other religious movements," Corley said.

Turkmenistan faces persistent unemployment and limited economic opportunities, particularly among younger generations. Independent observers and religious freedom reports note that some young people who join minority religious communities, including groups such as Jehovah's Witnesses, may be drawn to social networks and community support.

Others are attracted by access to educational materials, such as language learning resources and religious literature provided freely by such groups globally.

Islam is closely tied to national identity for many ethnic Turkmens. Conversion from Islam to minority religions is viewed as socially destabilizing, potentially divisive within families and communities and a challenge to traditional norms, which propagates obedience to authorities and being grateful to them.

Turkmenistan is regularly designated as a "country of particular concern" by the US State Department and watchdog groups, placing it among the world's most restrictive states for religious freedom.

The further fate of the detainees is unknown to Radio Azatlyk, as Turkmen authorities do not respond to inquiries from RFE/RL. They and their families remain silent out of fear of further persecution.
As US President Donald Trump says the war in Iran could be over "very soon" and Pakistani mediators in Tehran meet with officials, another nearby conflict has been drawing Beijing's attention.

Since late February, fighting between Afghanistan and Pakistan has intensified, with Islamabad declaring an "open war" with its neighbor. Strikes have killed hundreds and displaced hundreds of thousands, according to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs in Afghanistan. The conflict has alarmed the international community and perturbed China, which is a partner to both countries and sensitive to violence along its western borders.

Against that backdrop, Beijing has stepped in to play a diplomatic role, announcing on April 8 that it hosted weeklong talks in Urumqi in western China in hopes of brokering a cease-fire. At stake is not just tempering hostilities but a broader test of China's ability to manage instability on its periphery, where it has deep economic and political ties.

While all sides have publicly backed dialogue, deep disagreements over militant groups and cross-border attacks threaten to derail any meaningful de-escalation. Delegations from all three sides were quick to tout the value of the talks. China's Foreign Ministry called them "frank and pragmatic," while the Taliban called them "useful" and said they took place "in a constructive atmosphere."

But even as the talks were under way, Afghanistan accused Pakistan of carrying out shelling across its border, raising questions about whether China can end the conflict and how much diplomatic capital it is willing to attach to the discussions as it also navigates the war in Iran.

"The Taliban and Pakistani diplomats know how to come up with word formulas that make China look good and even limited border easement measures," Michael Semple, an Afghanistan expert at Queen's University Belfast, told RFE/RL. "But agreement on the issue of Taliban support for the Tehrik-e Taliban Pakistan (TTP) is likely to prove elusive for now."

Pakistan has long alleged that Taliban-run Afghanistan harbors fighters from the TTP, a militant group that carries out cross-border attacks -- allegations the Afghan Taliban denies.

Testing Beijing's Influence

Analysts believe both Pakistan and the Taliban value China as a strategic partner.

For Islamabad, Beijing is a valuable counterweight to its archrival, India, and a needed source of foreign investment. For the Taliban, China represents a massive nearby market that could help its struggling economy while also presenting a partner to help the government gain full international recognition after the militants seized power in 2021.

But while China has leverage on paper, it's unclear how much pressure it is willing to apply.

Beijing has typically taken a back seat in international mediation, confining its efforts to situations likely to yield quick results, such as a 2023 deal between Iran and Saudi Arabia that re-established diplomatic ties between the two Middle Eastern rivals.

Amid the war in Iran, Beijing has also mostly kept its public distance, welcoming foreign delegations and looking to portray itself as an arbiter of international norms. This is in contrast to the United States, such as when Chinese leader Xi Jinping called the US blockade of Iranian ports a "return to the law of the jungle" as he hosted Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the crown prince of Abu Dhabi, on April 14.

Still, some reports, including comments from Trump himself, have suggested China has used its position as Iran's top investor and oil buyer to push toward engaging in cease-fire talks with the United States and potentially moving to wind down the fighting.

Tempering hostilities between Islamabad and Kabul will not be straightforward.

Before the Taliban's return to power in August 2021, officials from Afghanistan's ousted government similarly accused Islamabad of supporting the Taliban on Pakistani soil, which Pakistani officials denied at the time.

There have been few official statements regarding the discussions since they wrapped up in Urumqi. Pakistan has also been playing an active diplomatic role as host to US-Iran cease-fire talks.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said during a daily briefing after the talks ended that "the three parties agreed to explore a comprehensive solution to the issues in the relations between Afghanistan and Pakistan, and clarified the core and priority issues that need to be addressed."

Omar Samad, a former Afghan diplomat now based in the United States, says China-backed talks created new momentum, but there is still a large gap between rhetoric and the reality on the ground.

"The talks created a narrow opening, but openings of this kind tend to close quickly when confronted with entrenched mistrust," he told RFE/RL, adding that China and other mediators must sustain a long-term commitment to address structural issues that are "complex but not unsolvable."

From Allies To Adversaries

While the Taliban government was initially expected to maintain Pakistani support after seizing power, ties have frayed between the former allies mainly over the TTP issue. Tensions peaked in October 2025 during a weeklong official visit by Taliban Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi to India.

On October 9, the first day of Muttaqi's visit, Islamabad launched air strikes across several Afghan provinces, including the capital, Kabul. Some reports initially indicated the Kabul attack targeted TTP leader Noor Wali Mehsud, though he later purportedly released a video to prove he was alive. In the wake of the strikes, Taliban forces launched counterattacks along the border, claiming to have killed dozens of Pakistani security personnel. Islamabad rejected those claims.

Defense ministers from both sides traveled then to Doha, the Qatari capital, on October 18 for talks mediated by Turkey, leading to a temporary cease-fire. Separate delegations later met in Istanbul that month for a follow-up meeting. That was followed by additional mediation efforts by Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, but Islamabad and Kabul failed to reach a permanent truce.

Following a renewed escalation in February, a major Pakistani strike on March 16 hit the Omid Drug Rehabilitation Center at the former NATO base, Camp Phoenix, in eastern Kabul.

Taliban officials said more than 400 people were killed, while Islamabad maintained it had struck military installations. The UN later reported a death toll of 143. Human Rights Watch condemned the incident as "an unlawful attack and a possible war crime."

"The Taliban for their part seem ideologically committed to the continuation of jihad and thus unable to distance themselves from the TTP," said Semple. "As long as the TTP campaign continues, there is every reason to expect an intensification of the conflict between the Taliban and Pakistan."
Iranian officials are set on April 16 to meet with Pakistani mediators to discuss new US proposals and decide on a possible second round of talks a day after US President Donald Trump asserted that the end of the war could come very soon.

After today's meeting of the Pakistani delegation headed by Pakistani Army Chief Asim Munir with Iranian officials, the Iranian team will conduct the necessary review and then a decision will be made about the next round of negotiations between Iran and the US, the Tasnim state-run news agency reported.

Pakistan's powerful army chief arrived in Tehran on April 15 and was greeted by Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi. A senior Iranian source told Reuters that Munir, who had mediated a first round of talks, was in Iran "to narrow gaps" between the two sides.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baqaei told a weekly press briefing in Tehran on April 15 that since the talks ended, Iran has been exchanging messages with the United States via Pakistan.

'Can Be Over Very Soon'

Trump expressed optimism about reaching an eventual peace deal. However, the US president has often asserted that an agreement was near only to later restate threats to devastate Iran's remaining military assets and leaders, along with its energy and power infrastructure.

"I think it can be over very soon. If they're smart, it will end soon," Trump said of Iranian negotiators in an interview with Fox Business News that was recorded on April 14 and broadcast on April 15.

"I think it's close to over. I view it as very close to being over," Trump said.

Earlier that day, he told the New York Post that negotiators, who ended April 11-12 talks in Islamabad without a deal, could meet again in the next couple of days.

Vice President JD Vance, who led the US delegation in the first round, raised the prospect of further talks by saying "a lot of progress" had been made.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters a new round of talks "would very likely" be in the Pakistani capital. "Those discussions are being had [and] we feel good about the prospects of a deal."

The clock is ticking on a two-week cease-fire agreed by the United States and Iran on April 7, and Trump said he has no plans to extend the truce after it expires on April 22, suggesting it would probably not be necessary.

A major point of contention is over Iran's ability to enrich uranium. The West has accused Tehran of seeking to build a nuclear weapon, while Iran insists its program is strictly for civilian purposes.

Another contentious issue has been Iran's effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a conduit for about one-fifth of the world's oil and gas shipments before the war began.

After the Islamabad talks broke up, Trump announced a US blockade targeting ships bound to or from Iran. The strait connects Europe with Asia via the Suez Canal and is considered one of the most important maritime trade routes in the global economy.

The Iranian military adviser to Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei on April 15 warned that Tehran would sink US ships in the strait if the United States decided to "police" the key shipping bottleneck.

"Mr Trump wants to become the police of the Strait of Hormuz. Is this really your job? Is this the job of a powerful army like the US?" said Mohsen Rezaei, a former commander-in-chief of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps.

Khamenei himself has not been seen since the outbreak of hostilities amid speculation about his health and potential injuries from air strikes.

US Sets Financial Measures

Meanwhile, along with threats of additional military action, Washington sought to pressure Tehran with a number of financial measures.

The US Treasury Department said it was slapping further sanctions on Iran's oil transportation infrastructure by targeting more than two dozen individuals, companies, and vessels.

The sanctions target a network of Iranian oil shipping magnate Mohammad Hossein Shamkhani, the Treasury Department said. Hossein Shamkhani is the son of Ali Shamkhani, a powerful nuclear and security policymaker who was killed in US-Israeli air strikes on Tehran on February 28.

"Treasury is moving aggressively with Economic Fury by targeting regime elites like the Shamkhani family that attempt to profit at the expense of the Iranian people," Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said, referring to the US military campaign known as Operation Epic Fury.

Also, Bessent said Washington will not be renewing waivers that had enabled purchases of Iranian and Russian oil exempt from US sanctions.

The 30-day waiver -- expiring this week -- of sanctions on Iranian oil at sea was similar to a waiver on sanctions on Russian oil.

"We will not be renewing the general license on Russian oil, and we will not be renewing the general license on Iranian oil. That was oil that was on the water prior to March 11. So all that has been used," Bessent told a briefing.

Washington has bid to use sanctions waivers to free up more oil supplies amid soaring global energy prices.

Amid talks of potential peace negotiations, the Pentagon is deploying thousands of additional troops to the Middle East as the US administration seeks to pressure Iran into a deal while preparing for possible escalation if the cease-fire collapses, The Washington Post reports.

The buildup is said to include about 6,000 personnel aboard the USS George H.W. Bush aircraft carrier and more than 4,000 Marines with the Boxer Amphibious Ready Group, adding to roughly 50,000 US troops who are already in the region

With reporting by RFE/RL's Alex Raufoglu in Washington and Reuters
The United States and Israel's bombing campaign has devastated Iran's military, decapitated much of its leadership, and destroyed critical infrastructure.

Yet Tehran still believes it is winning the weekslong confrontation. That Iran's theocracy has survived at all has been touted in the Islamic republic as a victory. The country has also obtained a new and powerful card: control of the Strait of Hormuz.

Since the war began on February 28, Iran has effectively closed one of the world's key arteries for global oil and gas supplies, a move that has rattled energy markets, upended the global economy, and handed Tehran new leverage.

Iran's perception of victory has shaped the country's conduct in the conflict, where it has refused to capitulate despite suffering enormous material losses. The Islamic republic's confidence has extended to the negotiating table, where it is aiming to end the war on its own terms.

"In some ways, Iran is in a more favorable position now than it was before the war. It finally played a card it had threatened for years -- closing off the Strait of Hormuz -- and it paid off," said Arash Azizi, a postdoctoral associate and lecturer at Yale University.

"Iran showed it could affect global trade and make the US sweat," he added. "It also showed that it could weather foreign attacks without risking regime or societal collapse so far. But Iran has also borne a massive economic cost and will need an end to the war and help for reconstruction."

'New Security Order'

Iran's goal in the war is no longer just to survive, experts say, but to use its leverage to end its international isolation and the crippling sanctions that have cut it off from the global economy.

Mahdi Mohammadi, a senior adviser to Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, said in an April 7 post on X that Iran had "clearly and openly won the war" and would only accept an outcome that established "a new security order in the region."

Iran's Supreme National Security Council, the country's key policymaking body, said in an April 8 statement that the country's goal in peace talks with the United States is to create "new security and political equations" in the Middle East that recognize the country's "power and leadership."

"Iran sees this moment of crisis as an opportunity to reshape the regional order," said Azizi. "This could be either a way of integrating itself into the region, having other countries recognize it as a significant regional power and not a pariah. Or it could be that it simply shows its revisionism is here to stay and won't be cowed so easily."

Underscoring Tehran's new tougher line, Iran published a 10-point peace plan ahead of talks with the United States in Pakistan on April 11 that ultimately failed to produce a deal.

Many of the points were maximalist demands that are likely to be nonstarters for Washington, including recognition of Iran's control of the Strait of Hormuz, the United States withdrawing tens of thousands of its troops and closing over a dozen bases in the Middle East, and billions in reparations to Iran for war damages.

Before the Islamabad talks, Tehran threatened to back out of the negotiations at the last minute if the United States and others did not unfreeze billions in Iranian assets held in foreign banks. The demand was rejected.

"Iran thinks it has won the war, so it has entered negotiations with more confidence," said Sina Azodi, an expert of Iran's military and history and an assistant professor of Middle East politics at George Washington University.

He said Iran has displayed resilience on the battlefield, where it has repeatedly hit sensitive targets deep inside Israel, damaged heavily protected US bases and military hardware in the Middle East, and imposed severe economic pain on key US allies in the Persian Gulf.

"Iran feels that it can show more resilience at the negotiation table, as well," said Azodi.

Risk Of Overplaying Its Hand

Tehran and Washington reached a last-minute, two-week temporary cease-fire on April 7 after President Donald Trump had threatened that "a whole civilization will die tonight," in reference to Iran.

But the shaky truce has threatened to collapse over a dispute over whether the cease-fire extended to Lebanon, Iran's failure to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, and a US decision to blockade the strait with the aim of stopping Iran exporting its oil and gas.

Still, the sides are in indirect talks to extend the cease-fire and hold a second round of negotiations in Islamabad.

Experts say Iran and the United States have both showed little flexibility in negotiations so far.

Vice President JD Vance, who headed the US delegation in Islamabad, said after the failed talks that "they have chosen not to accept our terms," suggesting he handed the Iranians a take-it-or-leave-it deal that they rejected.

Even as experts say time is on Iran's side and Trump faces pressure to end the war given soaring global energy prices and mounting domestic and international backlash, Tehran is at risk of further hardening US positions and prolonging a costly war.

"Iran heavily risks overplaying its hand," said Azizi.

He said Iran's history since the Islamic Revolution in 1979 is dotted with examples where the authorities overreached and failed to turn military gains into diplomatic advantage.

The most prominent example is the devastating 1980-88 Iran-Iraq War. In 1986, Iranian forces seized Iraq's Faw peninsula. Instead of trading its control of the strategic area for political gains, Iran refused and was ultimately forced to accept a cease-fire in 1988 on less favorable terms.
US President Donald Trump said the United States and Iran are "very close" to a deal to end the war and that US and Iranian negotiators could meet for a second round of talks this coming weekend.

"We're going to see what happens. But I think we're very close to making a deal with Iran," Trump told reporters outside the White House on April 16, repeating the word "close" more than once and adding, "There's a very good chance we're going to make a deal."

In an event later in Las Vegas, Trump repeated the sentiment, telling a crowd that the war was going "swimmingly" and that it "should be ending pretty soon."

Trump gave few details about potential elements of an agreement to end the war that began with US and Israeli air strikes on Iran on February 28, but said Iran has agreed to "give us back the nuclear dust," meaning its stocks of enriched uranium, which at a certain level of enrichment is a key ingredient in a nuclear weapon.

He said he wasnt sure a two-week cease-fire that expires April 22 will need to be extended and that if theres no dealfighting resumes, though he didnt specify a timeline.

Trump also reiterated an announcement he made on social media hours earlier, saying Israel and Lebanon have agreed to a 10-day cease-fire starting April 16 at 5 p.m. US Eastern time, and that the cease-fire incudes Hezbollah.

A militant group and political party that controls much of southern Lebanon, Hezbollah is considered a terrorist organization by the United States, while the European Union has blacklisted its only armed wing.

Trump said he expects to host Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Lebanese President Joseph Aoun at the White House within a week or two. In a video statement, Netanyahu said he agreed to the 10-day cease-fire and that there was a chance to make an historic deal with Lebanon after decades of conflict.

Seeking 'Lasting Peace'

"The US hopes this cease-fire will help accelerate discussions between Lebanon and Israel to achieve a permanent peace agreement between the two countries," a senior White House official said on condition of anonymity. The US State Department issued a statement that was agreed to by Israel and Lebanon and said the 10-day cease-fire could be extended by mutual agreement.

"Lebanon and Israel have reached an understanding in which both nations will work to create conditions conducive to lasting peace between the two countries, full recognition of each other's sovereignty and territorial integrity, and establishing genuine security along their shared border, while preserving Israels inherent right to self-defense," it said.

Israel has been launching strikes targeting Iran-backed Hezbollah militants in neighboring Lebanon since March 2, two days after the start of the US-Israeli war with Iran, when Hezbollah forces opened fire in support of Tehran. An ongoing two-week cease-fire in the Iran war has not applied to Lebanon.

The current Israeli campaign against Hezbollah in Lebanon comes 15 months after another major outbreak of hostilities.

Iranian authorities have repeatedly said that an end to Israeli attacks on targets in Lebanon was a requirement for its own peace negotiations with the United States. Pakistan, for its part, has said that peace in Lebanon is crucial for its efforts to mediate between the United States and Iran.

Following the announcement, the Iranian government hailed the cease-fire and said it was part of the earlier two-week cease-fire reached between Iran and the US, according to Iranian state media.

'Good Relationship With Iran'

Trump asserted that Tehran wants to make a deal.

"We have a very good relationship with Iran right now, as hard as it is to believe. And I think it's a combination of about four weeks of bombing and a very powerful blockade," he said, referring to a US blockade in place since April 13 and aimed at preventing ships from entering or leaving Iranian ports.

The question of Hezbollah's adherence to a truce is crucial. Reuters cited senior Hezbollah lawmaker Hassan Fadlallah as saying earlier in the day that the group had been informed by Iran's ambassador to Lebanon that a one-week cease-fire could begin on April 16.

"Asked if Hezbollah would commit to the truce, Fadlallah said everything was tied to Israel's commitment to halt all forms of hostilities, and credited Iran's diplomatic efforts for the possible cease-fire," Reuters reported.

Trump's cease-fire announcement came two days after the Israeli and Lebanese ambassadors to Washington met, the first major high-level engagement between the two governments in more than three decades. The meeting ended with the sides agreeing to launch direct negotiations at a mutually agreed time and venue.

The gap between Israel and Lebanon had remained wide ahead of the announcement: Lebanon made a full cease-fire its precondition for further talks while Israel refused, with a spokesman for Netanyahu saying there would be no cease-fire with Hezbollah. Netanyahu has said the Israeli campaign's goal is the disarmament of Hezbollah.

More than 2,100 people have been killed in Lebanon since the renewed fighting began and over 1 million displaced, according to Lebanese health officials. Hezbollah attacks have killed two Israeli civilians, while 13 Israeli soldiers have died in Lebanon since March 2, Israel says.

Possible Second Round Of Peace Talks

An initial round of Iran-US peace talks took place in Islamabad on April 11-12 and ended without an agreement. The White House said on April 15 that a potential second round would likely again be held in Pakistan.

A Pakistani military delegation led by army chief Asim Munir landed in Tehran on April 15 carrying a new message from Washington, in the latest effort to revive negotiations.

Hegseth: Iran Will Never Have A Nuclear Weapon

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth told reporters on April 16 that Washington "will ensure that Iran will never have a nuclear weapon" and called on Tehran to "choose a deal which is within your grasp."

Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said US forces remain postured and ready to resume military operations at a moments notice.

On April 17, attention will also turn to a separate but linked crisis as French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer co-chair a video conference aimed at restoring freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, a vital waterway that has been largely choked off since the start of the Iran war.

Discussions are expected to cover possible financial sanctions on Iran if it continues blocking the waterway, alongside steps to work with the shipping industry to resume transit.

Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) has carried out several confirmed attacks on merchant ships and reportedly laid sea mines in the strait in retaliation for the US-Israeli aerial campaign. Begore the war, the Strait of Hormuz carried roughly a quarter of the world's seaborne oil and a fifth of its liquefied natural gas.

A European official familiar with the summit told RFE/RL that Europe would take action only after there is a peace agreement between Iran and the United States. The official said the EU's "substantial" reluctance to join a military effort to reopen the strait stems from the lack of anti-drone defenses in the bloc's naval capabilities.

"Even our brand-new minehunter that will be operational in September doesn't have anti-drone tech onboard," the source said.

The conference, the official said, is meant to serve as "a gesture of goodwill to Trump...with the goal not to torpedo the NATO Ankara Summit," scheduled for July 7-8. Trump has expressed his disappointment with NATO for not joining the war with Iran.

The United States is not participating in the Paris summit after Trump said securing the waterway was not Washington's responsibility. Trump has instead ordered a separate naval blockade of Iranian ports, which Britain has declined to join.

"For as long as it takes, we will maintain this blockade," Hegseth said.

With reporting by RFE/RL Washington correspondent Alex Raufoglu, RFE/RL's Radio Farda, Reuters, and AFP
The Czech Republic demanded an explanation after Russias Defense Ministry published a list of companies it claimed are helping produce attack drones for Ukraine and bellicose former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev called it a list of potential targets for the Russian military.

The list, which included company addresses in numerous nations, most of them in Europe, was published by the Russian Defense Ministry on April 15 along with a warning that such cooperation is dragging these countries faster into a war with Russia and could have unpredictable consequences.

In a statement on its website, the Russian ministry said what it called European efforts to increase supplies of drones to Ukraine would lead to a sharp escalation of the military-political situation throughout the European continent and the creeping transformation of these countries into Ukraine's strategic rear.

The statement echoed numerous warnings from the Kremlin and Russian government ministries accusing the West and particularly Europe of escalating the war in Ukraine, now in its fifth year since Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered the full-scale invasion of the neighboring country in February 2022.

Medvedev injected overtly threatening language in a post on X later in the day, writing that the Defense Ministry statement must be taken literally: the list of European facilities which make drones & other equipment is a list of potential targets for the Russian armed forces."

When strikes become a reality depends on what comes next, he wrote. Sleep well, European partners!

President of Russia from 2008-12 and prime minister from 2012-20, Medvedev is now deputy chairman of Putins advisory Security Council.

As president, he presented himself as a relative liberal and a supporter of democratic reform, but he has transformed into an often rabidly pugnacious critic of Europe and supporter of Russia's war against Ukraine, using social media to deliver strong rhetoric and nuclear threats against the West.

Czech Foreign Minister Petr Macinka on April 16 summoned the Russian ambassador in Prague to explain these statements to [the] Czech side, the Foreign Ministry said, referring to the Russian Defense Ministry report and Medvedevs comments. It said that several Czech companieswere identified as possible targets of Russian attacks.

The Russian Defense Ministry listed 11 companies it claimed were involved in producing drones or related components for Ukraine, two of them in the Czech Republic.

Several European countries have announced plans to increase defense cooperation with Ukraine, including joint drone production and efforts to learn from Kyivs battlefield experience with drone warfare, as Russias invasion continues relentlessly and US support wanes.

During visits by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on April 14, for example, Germany said it would "continue supporting Ukraine's drone industry as well as establishing drone co-production ventures, while Norway said it would step up cooperation with Kyiv, including by producing Ukrainian drones.
The way Artyom Bykov ended up in the Russian Army's 273rd Artillery Brigade was bad enough.

In November 2024, he says he was sitting in a Moscow region police precinct house, listening to officers threatening to plant drugs on him if he didn't sign a contract to join the military.

In the past, Bykov had spent time at a drug rehab facility. His mother, with whom he said he fought constantly about his past drug use and about his sexual orientation, had called the police on him after a bad argument.

"I was on the hook with the police; my mother could always testify against me. I chose the lesser of two evils," the 24-year-old said in an interview with RFE/RL. He reluctantly agreed to sign a contract and was sent to the brigade's training ground.

When his superior officers found out he was bisexual, the beatings started for real, he said.

For decades, the Soviet and Russian armed forces have been plagued by an informal institutionalized system of hazing and abuse called "dedovshchina." A major source of concern for Russian civil society and the families of young soldiers, the system is widely tolerated by commanders as a tool for imposing discipline on junior conscripts and recruits.

Prior to Russia's all-out invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, groups like the Committee of Soldiers' Mothers had spent years raising awareness of the problem and pushing lawmakers and commanders to eliminate the practice.

In August 2020, a top Defense Ministry official declared that "dedovshchina" had been "completed eradicated" from the armed forces.

Last September, President Vladimir Putin visited and inspected the 237th, along with other units.

"If Putin had known about this chaos, the brigade would have been disbanded and thrown out," Bykov said.

'Good Cop, Bad Cop'

In a series of interviews in March and April from Georgia, where he fled to after deserting the military, Bykov recounted his tortured, 11-month odyssey at the 273rd brigade's training grounds in Mulino, in the central region of Nizhny Novgorod.

Bykov also provided extensive correspondence, photographs, and audio recordings, which RFE/RL's Russian Service and Systema, RFE/RL's Russian investigative unit, used to corroborate many of the details of his account.

For years, his mother was unable to accept that he was bisexual, Bykov said. He said he also had a drug habit, which he blamed on "my own repressed traumassevere psychological problems, including an inferiority complex."

His mother admitted him to a drug rehabilitation program, first in 2022 and then again in 2023. The following November, when he returned home, he and his mother argued and she called the police, telling them he was gay, taking drugs, and making her life miserable.

Police officers took him to a local precinct house and persuaded him to unlock his mobile phone, where, he said, they discovered personal photos and videos.

They threatened to plant drugs on him if he didn't sign a contract to join the military, he said, and they warned him that Russian prison culture treated gay or bisexual men with hostility or outright violence.

"The 'good cop, bad cop' game began. I got scared and decided I had no choice," Bykov said.

"It seemed more rational to me to die in the war than to go to prison, where I'd be tortured and abused to death," he said.

He received a payment of 2 million rubles ($18,000) within 10 days of signing his contract. The sum, a huge amount of money by most Russian standards, reflects the system that Russian recruiters have devised in order to attract a steady flow of volunteers while avoiding another unpopular mobilization order.

For many soldiers, however, much of the money is routinely paid to superior officers as bribes.

'It Seemed Like Hell'

Bykov enlisted as a private. At the brigade training grounds in Mulino, he underwent basic training. He said he was a reluctant fighter when trainees practiced martial arts, like sambo.

Then they learned he was bisexual.

"I was brutally bullied. They put five bulletproof vests on me, it was very difficult to walk, I vomited. I passed out. I collapsed. They put a gas mask on me, forced me to run, crawl, and so on. It seemed like hell to me, but that was only the beginning," he said.

Bykov said he was assigned to a sub-unit within the brigade, a military police-like unit charged with maintaining order and discipline, as well as searching out soldiers who had deserted or left the unit without permission.

The unit commander, Junior Lieutenant Eldar Dadashev, was known for his sadism and drunken bouts of violence, Bykov said.

"It was like the Middle Ages. They beat people with sticks. Their hands were pounded with hammers. They were handcuffed to radiators. They were deprived of water. They were thrown naked into pits," Bykov said.

Dadashev's whereabouts were unclear and he could not be reached for comment. Bykov said soldiers in the unit have told him the commander was deployed to Ukraine.

Bykov's claims about routine beatings and violence were corroborated in part by an affidavit filed with a regional military prosecutor's office by a brigade member, Private Aidar Gafarov.

In the affidavit, which was reviewed by RFE/RL, Gafarov complained that Dadashev ordered him to put his hands on a table and pounded his fingers repeatedly with a meat mallet, then struck him in the forehead, chest, and legs with a shovel handle. After one excruciating blow, he heard a crunching sound and was unable to stand on that leg. He was later thrown naked into a pit as punishment for an unspecified of time.

After Dadashev was transferred, Gafarov was released, and he deserted, filing his affidavit not long after.

Rape And The Threat Of Rape

More corroboration of institutionalized sadism in the unit came from a small dossier of documentation and affidavits collected by a 34-year-old soldier named Yan Nikashkin, who had served time in prison years earlier.

Bykov said he and Nikashkin were in the same disciplinary unit; Nikashkin routinely refused orders to beat other soldiers and was beaten himself. He also did not object to Bykov's sexual orientation, he said.

After deserting the unit sometime last summer, Nikashkin collected testimonies from other soldiers attesting to sexual violence in the brigade, which Bykov said he was given.

In a recording of a phone conversation between Nikashkin and another soldier that was provided to RFE/RL, Nikashkin alleged that Dadashev -- the unit commander -- forced another soldier to perform oral sex on a dildo that was used as a public threat for soldiers.

Bykov said that although he did not witness any soldier being sodomized with the dildo himself, it was common knowledge among the soldiers.

Later in the conversation, the other soldier, Yegor Ryazantsev, could also be heard relating another incident involving two of Dadashev's subordinate officers: an older soldier who was returned to the unit after taking unauthorized leave was forced to the ground face-down, his pants removed, his arms and legs pinned to the ground. The two officers then inserted a firework into his anus and lit it.

The incident was recorded on video, Ryazantsev was heard saying in the call, and was shown to soldiers in the unit.

Neither Ryazantsev nor Nikashkin could be reached for comment.

'Go To Hell'

Sometime early last fall, Bykov said his uneasy standoff with Dadashev reached a climax when Dadashev gave the order for Bykov to be raped.

Bykov said he was fortunate; other soldiers declined to follow through, though they "demoted" him, ostracizing him and subjecting him to petty punishments like forbidding him to shake hands. Bykov himself filed a formal complaint with Dadashev's superior officers, and Bykov said he was transferred to a unit that was not under Dadashev's command.

Later, Bykov said he learned Dadashev had given the order to have a colonel -- ranking far above him -- beaten. Military police investigators then opened a probe, and, after finding one soldier with broken hands being held naked in a pit as punishment, they took Dadashev into custody in September and disbanded the disciplinary unit.

Bykov said he deserted the brigade the following month and left the country.

On February 16, while in Georgia, Bykov spoke again by phone with Nikashkin and recorded the call.

Nikashkin said the former unit commanders who were responsible for the beatings and hazing, could "go to hell." But, he said, Putin was beyond reproach.

"The supreme commander and all the rest, don't you dare touch him," he was heard saying in the recording. "Whatever it is, this man has taken Russia to a new level; he's changed so much for the country, there are no questions to ask of him. I don't believe you even have such thoughts [about Putin]."

"You've chosen the wrong side. So then I have to stop talking to you. Decide for yourself whose side you're on," Nikashkin said. "If you're on their side, we're not on the same page."

"Putin has built a brilliant system: governance through fear," Bykov told RFE/RL. "His entire system is built on fear. But Russia will drain out, and people will then see that there is no power. There never was."

Systema correspondent Svetlana Osipova contributed to this report.
Whats your favorite shade of lip oil?

Russian influencer Victoria Bonya asked her 13 million Instagram followers that question this week, in content that was typical of her feed.

The lip oil video gained 45,000 likes. But she made far more of a splash with a very unusual item on April 14, in which she made a personal address to Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Vladimir Vladimirovich, theyre afraid of you. The people are afraid of you; bloggers, artists are afraid; governors are afraid of you. But you are the president of our country. I dont think we should be afraid of you, said Bonya in the video that quickly gained 20 million views and more than a million likes.

In a country where political debate and criticism of the authorities is tightly controlled, the nearly 20-minute video generated excited debate online -- and quickly spawned another.

'Jokes Are Harshly Punished In Our Country'

Aiza, another influencer, told her 4 million followers that Russia suffered from dead journalism, dead jurisprudence, [and] dead humor -- because jokes are harshly punished in our country.

By comparison, Bonyas video was milder, focusing on issues such as floods in Daghestan, pollution on the Black Sea coast, livestock culls, and blocked or slow Internet connections. Both videos avoided direct criticism of Putin, instead insisting that officials were not informing him of real problems. Neither did they mention the war in Ukraine.

The videos come at a time when Putins popularity ratings, as measured by Russian surveys of public opinion, are falling. Last week, the state-run Russian Public Opinion Research Center reported that Putin's approval rating had fallen to 67.8 percent -- its lowest level since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

This was the latest in a series of polls showing a decline in his support that may be due to the ongoing war, with its steady stream of casualties and economic hardships.

But exiled Russian sociologist Igor Eidman told RFE/RLs Russian Service that the survey results were probably also connected to a series of restrictions to the Internet, as Russian authorities seek to further stifle dissent.

Theres been a political decision to isolate Russia and Russian Internet users from the global Internet, to follow the course taken by China or even Iran, he said.

On April 14, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov announced that the mobile Internet shutdowns that had affected millions of people were temporary.

"It is clear that restrictions on Internet access cause inconvenience for many citizens, but...once the need for these measures has passed, Internet access will, of course, be fully restored and returned to normal," said Peskov.

Eidman said any rollbacks would probably be temporary PR moves.

Crackdown On War Bloggers

Meanwhile, a crackdown on pro-war bloggers who voice criticism of how Russias military campaign is being managed has continued unabated.

The latest instance came on April 13, when Aleksandr Vaskovskys Telegram channel announced that hed been detained for discrediting the army after posting about corruption within Russias occupation authorities in Ukraine's Donetsk region.

He wrote the next day that hed been released but would face charges in court.

Last month, Ilya Remeslo, a bombastic Kremlin booster, touched a public nerve when he penned a scathing broadside about the war and the overall state of the country. He also went after Putin himself, calling him a war criminal and complaining he was destroying Russia.

Less than two days after publishing the article, Remeslo was admitted to a psychiatric hospital.

Bonya, who lives in Monaco, or Aiza, who is based in Bali, may feel safe from arrest or other repressive measures.

But perhaps just to make sure, Bonya issued a follow-up video on April 15 saying she was refusing all interview requests and adding: I have nothing more to say. Im not some kind of opposition figure. I never was and I dont plan to be.

On April 16, she was back again, this time fighting back tears, to tell her followers that Peskov had said her address to Putin had been seen in the Kremlin and that work was under way on the problems she had raised.

Now, perhaps, she can focus on lip oil again.
As hundreds of Russian drone and missile attacks hit Ukraine on the night of April 15-16, Current Time correspondent Borys Sachalko narrowly avoided one of the strikes. He recorded a video from inside his shattered apartment building in Kyiv, where shrapnel had claimed the life of a young neighbor.
KYIV -- Russia fired hundreds of drones and missiles at Kyiv, Dnipro, and other Ukrainian cities, killing at least 19 people across the country in one of the largest bombardments in months.

Emergency workers struggled on April 16 to douse fires and locate survivors in high-rise apartment buildings in the Ukrainian capital.

As many as 45 people had been injured in Kyiv, Mayor Vitali Klitschko said, while another official said the wounded toll was at least 58.

In a post to Telegram, Klitschko said the Kyiv death toll, which stood at four, included a 12-year-old child.

In the central city of Dnipro, at least four people were killed and 27 injured in a missile strike, Governor Oleksandr Hanzha said on Telegram. He added that one of the five injured people who were in critical condition died in the hospital later that day.

The Black Sea port city of Odesa was badly hit, officials said, with nine people reported killed, and more than a dozen wounded. Another person was killed by Russian shelling in Zaporizhzhya.

Asked by RFE/RL about Russia's massive overnight attack on Ukraine, US President Donald Trump said, "I think it's terrible."

Russia's near-nightly barrages of Ukraine had tapered off in recent weeks after a punishing cold winter where Russia hit heating and power plants and millions of Ukrainians were left without heat or electricity.

In the April 16 overnight barrage, Russia fired more than 650 drones at Ukrainian targets, along with nearly four dozen cruise and ballistic missiles, Ukraine's military reported.

Ukraine, meanwhile, has stepped up the intensity of its drone strikes on Russian targets. It recently hit two major oil terminals on the Baltic Sea in an apparent effort to choke off Russian exports.

The Russian town of Tuapse -- located on the Black Sea coast midway between Novorossiisk and Sochi -- was hit by Ukrainian drones, Governor Veniamin Kondratyev said in a post to Telegram. At least two children were killed.

The Russian Defense Ministry later said on its Telegram account on April 16 that the country's air defense systems had intercepted and destroyed 207 Ukrainian fixed-wing drones overnight over the Belgorod, Smolensk, Kursk, Bryansk, Oryol, and Krasnodar regions, as well as Crimea and over the Black and Azov seas.

US-backed talks aimed at resolving the all-out Russian war -- now in its fifth year -- have ground to a halt, as Washington shifts its attention to the war in Iran. Russia has shown no indication of softening its hardline demands on Ukrainian territory and security guarantees, which Kyiv has said are unacceptable.

With reporting by RFE/RL Washington correspondent Alex Raufoglu
WILLISTON, N.D.  The City of Williston Economic Development Department (WED) is pleased to announce that Chick-fil-A is coming to Williston. Chick-fil-A has selected Williston Square as the site for its newest North Dakota location, the first in western North Dakota and seventh in the state.

The announcement is the latest in a series of notable commercial investments in Williston. As one of North Dakotas fastest-growing cities, and the economic hub of the Bakken region, Williston has seen sustained interest from national brands looking to serve a community with strong household incomes, a young workforce, and a loyal consumer base. Williston Economic Development has worked actively to position the city as a premier destination for retail and dining recruitment, and Chick-fil-As commitment to Williston Square is a testament to those efforts.

As we work to meet the calls of current and future residents for enhanced quality of life and expanded amenities, Chick-fil-A not only aligns with that vision but actively advances it, said Economic Development Director Anna Nelson. Recently named Site Selection Magazines #1 Micropolitan City in the U.S., this project further reflects the sustained growth we are experiencing across the Williston region in both development activity and population. We are grateful for Chick-fil-As investment in, commitment to, and partnership with the City of Williston, and we look forward to welcoming them to the community.

Williston Mayor Howard Klug emphasized that, while this development is key, the city remains focused on the entire community. This announcement reinforces Willistons position as a regional center in North Dakotas expanding economy, said Klug. Our economic development team has a proven plan of attracting new businesses while supporting existing areas of established growth in our community. Recent announcements in the Badlands Town Center and proposed changes of our Star Fund policies to support the downtown areas show that, while Williston Square is a great place to be, there are opportunities throughout our community that continue to build the Western Star. We want to thank Chick-fil-A for their belief in Williston and with this announcement it will help in attracting first class businesses to Williston.

"Chick-fil-As arrival adds to the incredible momentum already building in Williston,  says Portfolio Commissioner Tori Siemieniewski. Combined with Targets announcement earlier this year of a 134,000-square-foot store coming to the community, we are seeing a powerful wave of new commercial energy and investment. These nationally recognized brands choosing Williston reinforces what weve known all along: this is a growing, thriving, and dynamic community where businesses want to be. Each new addition brings more jobs, more dining and shopping options, and more confidence in our future."

The vision for Williston Square includes a vibrant live/work/play, shop/dine/stay center, and this is another advancement towards making this a first-class, mixed-use development.

Stay tuned to the Williston Economic Development website and social media channels for ongoing updates.
The Ethnography Museum in Ciocanesti

Today we are going to a commune whose brands are the painted egg and the house with traditional motifs

Oua incondeiate din Ciocanesti

Calin Cotoiu and Ana-Maria Cononovici, 16.04.2026, 19:13

It is the village of Ciocanesti. We are in a place that in 2004 was named a museum commune, and in 2014 it was named the cultural village of Romania, after which all the locals had the obligation to decorate the exterior walls of their houses with traditional patterns.

The story that brought fame to the village of Ciocanesti throughout the world began in 1950, in the house of Leontina Taran, who began to renovate her house, but not just any way, but using the patterns found on the painted eggs here. The result pleased the neighbors and in the shortest possible time all the houses in the village began to be decorated with patterns found on Easter eggs. Over time, Leontina Tarans house was converted into a museum, which preserves old traditional garb from the Bistrita Valley, as well as traditional objects. All of the over 600 houses here have walls painted with traditional, geometric motifs, which can be found on traditional clothing, but also on eggs, a traditional Ciocanesti egg being painted on black, with a white pattern.

The commune also has a Museum of Painted Eggs, which brings together over 1800 painted eggs between 40 and100 years old, as well as over 2,800 eggs awarded by the National Painted Egg Festival that takes place here annually, during Easter. Opposite there is a village museum, the Ethnographic Museum.

Marilena Niculita, director of the National Museum of Painted Eggs in Ciocanesti, took us through the Village Museum:

At the Village Museum, tourists have the opportunity to see the organized workshops, because the museum is organized by workshops, by the main occupations of the locals. With a blacksmith workshop, a traditional sheepfold, a room for rafting, a room for mining, a woodworking room, a peasant room, fabrics, folk costumes, folk masks, but also the most beautiful patterns on the houses. Because, in Ciocanesti, the architecture of the houses is special. On the Holy Easter holidays, the locals decorate their houses as beautifully as possible for the holidays, and 99% of the houses are decorated with traditional motifs, they are geometric motifs, which we find not only on houses in Ciocanesti, but also on folk costumes, on fabrics, on seams, but also on painted eggs.

Walking through the museum rooms, the visitor travels back in time, discovering peasant shirts and peasant trousers, rafts on turbulent rivers, black and white portraits, hand-sewn carpets, looms, kneading vats, and dowry chests.

One of the biggest festivals organized in Ciocanesti is the National Trout Festival, which takes place on August 15, and tourists can find details on the website www.ciocanestibucovina.eu .

The custom of rafting is another tradition preserved in Ciocanesti, where raft rides on the Bistrita River are also organized. A visit to one of the sheepfolds on the nearby mountain, Suhard, or a visit to a manganese mine add to the tourist attractions of the area.
The Rodna Mountains National Park

Located in northern Romania, on the border between the counties of Maramures and Bistrita-Nasaud, Rodna Mountains National Park is the countrys second biggest national park.

Source: (Sursa foto: Parcul National Muntii Rodnei - www.parcrodna.ro

Daniel Onea, 16.04.2026, 14:00

Today, well discover the tourist attractions of the Rodna Mountains National Park. Located in northern Romania, on the border between the counties of Maramures and Bistrita-Nasaud, this is the countrys second biggest national park. Its importance was recognized in 1979, when part of the park became a Biosphere Reserve under the aegis of UNESCO. For lovers of sustainable adventure, ecotourism and equestrian tourism are ideal ways of exploring the region. Around the time of the Easter holidays, tourists often look for destinations that where they can find peace and quiet, natural beauty and traditional customs. The Rodna Mountains National Park, a green bridge between the counties of Bistrita-Nasaud and Maramures, perfectly meets these needs. Here, the rebirth of nature in spring coincides with the preparations for Easter, providing visitors with an unforgettable experience.

In the Rodna Mountains the emphasis is on the cohabitation between man and the environment, says Mihaela Poll, director of the Rodna Mountains National Park Administration:

There are many things visitors can do in the area. Although it is the second biggest national park in the country, the community comes first. Currently, there are over 110 active sheepfolds and transhumance has been preserved for over 100 years, with people taking their sheep up the mountain every year. From the perspective of natural beauty, the area is very rich in wild life, both flora and fauna. Here you can find everything from the smallest insects to bears, wolves and lynxes. Entire families of groundhogs live up on the crest of the Rodna Mountains that can be spotted all year long. Also, in spring and summer, over 250 black goats can be observed. The flora includes daffodils, in the Daffodil Glade, rhododendrons and endemic plants, unique in the world, which are found only here, the most famous being the Rodna Mountains Snowdrop (Silene nivalis). In the valleys, the landscape is made up of deciduous and coniferous forests.

So, there is remarkable biodiversity, just waiting to be discovered once the snow melts. If you are planning a vacation during the Easter holidays or in the summer months, you should know that the access infrastructure is suitable to all types of tourism. You dont need to be an experienced climber to enjoy the fresh air and the alpine views. Here are the main entrance gates to the park and the most accessible routes.

Access to the Rodna Mountains can be done both through Bistrita-Nasaud County and through Maramures. The easiest access is from National Road 18, from Prislop Pass, from where you can easily reach Lake Stiol. From there, you can climb to the top of the mountain, to the Gargalau Peak, which is one of the easiest routes. The famous Horse Waterfall can be easily reached from the Borsa resort, using the chairlift. Also on the border of the park is the Borsa international ski resort, where a gondola takes visitrs to an altitude of 1,200 meters to 1,600 meters, offering a very beautiful view of the extraordinary landscape over the Rodna Mountains National Park, but also over the Maramures Mountains National Park, with which it borders.

In addition to the mountain trekking, the Easter period is the ideal time to discover the cultural heritage of the villages at the foot of the mountains. On feast days, villagers dress in folk costumes, and tourists are invited to attend services in the famous wooden churches of Maramures or to admire the parade of traditional costumes from Nasaud. It is a rare fusion between nature conservation and the preservation of national identity, says as Mihaela Poll, director of the Rodna Mountains National Park Administration:

Beyond the natural beauty and biodiversity conservation, the park administration is also actively involved in the preservation of traditions. In both Bistrita and Maramures, the traditional costume is a defining element of local identity. An example is the peacock hat from Bistrita-Nasaud, specific to the villages of Salva, Nasaud and Rebrisoara, which have land in the park. In each neighbouring village, youll find local artisans at work, crafting folk costumes and peacock hats, or working in wood. In the Maramures area, artisans who build traditional houses and famous monasteries are well known. The gastronomic offer is also generous. During the summer, visitors can eat at the sheepfold, including licences educational sheepfolds, such as that in Putredu Moara, where camps for children are also held.

A fascinating aspect of tourism in the Rodna Mountains National Park is the interactive side. You are not just a simple spectator, but you can become part of the place. Crafts are not just displayed in shop windows, but are alive, practiced every day by local people, who are only too glad to share their secrets with visitors:

Tourists can interact with folk craftsmen, as the latter mostly work from home and are eager to welcome guests. At the same time, the park administration organizes workshops at its headquarters in the town of Rodna. Here, for about three years, employees have set up a small museum, using objects brought from their own households. The collection includes old and new things, from tools to folk costumes and a loom.

Tourists can access the parks official website, parcrodna.ro, to check the condition of the trails and access regulations. Whether you come for hiking or to spend the Easter holidays, the Rodna Mountains National Park will welcome you with open gates.
April 16, 2026 UPDATE

A roundup of local and world news

April 16, 2026 UPDATE

Newsroom, 16.04.2026, 20:00

Crisis in the ruling coalition

The National Liberal Party (PNL) will no longer form a coalition with the Social Democratic Party (PSD) if the Social Democrats dismiss the government through a motion of no confidence, according to an online statement by PNL First Vice-President Ciprian Ciucu. He stated that, despite attacks and roadblocks, Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan has managed to implement a minimum of reforms that are keeping Romania afloat. The Prime Minister is not a puppet and will not resign, added the Mayor General of Bucharest.

Ciucu accused PSD of being on the verge of provoking a political crisis and having no plan or vision for the country, seeking only to maintain its privileges and interests. Yesterday, Social Democratic leader Sorin Grindeanu reiterated that a political reset is needed to change the countrys current direction. In this context, Romanian President Nicusor Dan met today with PSD president Sorin Grindeanu, after previously speaking with PM Bolojan.

According to sources within PSD, the Social-Democrats will decide whether to withdraw their confidence in the Liberal Prime Minister during an internal referendum organized on April 20. The Social Democrats are analyzing several ways to exit the coalition: either by voting on a motion of no confidence (which the AUR alliance announced it would likely file next month) or after 45 days following a potential withdrawal of PSD ministers, at which point the Prime Minister would have to present the new cabinet composition to Parliament.

Romanian companies in trouble

Dozens of state-owned companies in Romania are recording historical losses, Vice Prime Minister Oana Gheorghiu declared on Thursday. She said that 22 economic entities have accumulated budget debts of approximately 4.2 billion lei (roughly 825 million euro) and, in addition to these, recorded net losses of approximately 1.1 billion lei (over 215 million euro) in the last reported year. Gheorghiu pointed out that the largest contributors to the budget debt were CFR Marfa, SNCFR, and Romaero.

The Vice Prime Minister noted that these companies cannot be treated uniformly. Some are critical infrastructure whose continuity is essential, while others are strategic industrial platforms whose value cannot be judged exclusively by financial metrics. Others are commercial entities or residual vehicles that cost the public budget every day a decision is delayed, Oana Gheorghiu pointed out. She explained that each company in the group of 22 underwent a self-assessment process, taking into account strategic criteria, governance, business model, and commercial, operational, asset, and financial performance. Gheorghiu explained that some of these companies must be closed, while others must be restructured.

Treasury

The Helmet of Cotofenesti and two Dacian gold bracelets, part of Romanias national treasury, were recovered after being stolen in the Netherlands and will be brought back to the country next week. The Romanian Government has set up a task force to oversee the repatriation of these artifacts, a process involving significant security measures.

The heritage objects will be exhibited at the National History Museum of Romania, where they will be on public display starting April 21, the same day a special event dedicated to their recovery will take place. Subsequently, they will be showcased across the country through a campaign highlighting not only their value but also the deep significance of their return home to Romania, according to a statement from the Ministry of Culture in Bucharest.

State aid for Cernavoda NPP

The European Commission is evaluating whether the public support Romania intends to grant for the refurbishment and life extension of Unit 1 at the Cernavoda Nuclear Power Plant complies with EU state aid rules. In January 2026, Romania notified Brussels of its intention to support the upgrading of the Unit 1 reactor at the Cernavoda Nuclear Power Plant while maintaining the same electricity production capacity of 706 megawatts.

The Unit 1 reactor was commissioned in 1996 and currently provides approximately 10% of Romanias electricity needs. In 2027, the reactor is expected to reach the end of its estimated lifespan, and extending its life for a new 30-year operating cycle is essential to ensure the long-term availability of low-carbon electricity, according to the notification submitted by the Romanian state.

Cannes Film Festival

Fjord, the latest film by Cristian Mungiu, has been selected for the official competition of the 79th Cannes Film Festival, running over May 12-23. The film, an international co-production and Mungius first English-language feature, will compete for the Palme dOr.

Additionally, the film The Diary of a Chambermaid, directed by Radu Jude, has been included in the official selection of the 58th edition of the Quinzaine des Cineastes section. (MI & VP)
Romanian Filmmakers in Cannes

Cristian Mungiu and Radu Jude are included in this years competitions at the Cannes Film Festival, the most important of its kind in the world

Cristian Mungiu (sursa photo: Oficiul de Film si Investitii Culturale/ facebook)

Roxana Vasile, 16.04.2026, 13:50

In less than a month, on May 12, the 79th edition of the Cannes Film Festival, the most important of its kind in the world, will roll out its red carpet for the best of international cinema. During almost two weeks marked by the absence of major US studios, usually present on the Croisette, moviegoers are promised more pleasant and open films.

In an analysis for AFP, Thomas Gastaldi, who compiles a list of the 100 most eagerly awaited films at Cannes every year, stated that, amid the war in Ukraine, conflicts in the Middle East and other predicaments, such as the energy crisis, authors are less likely to tell the world evident things, as in the world is horrible, so Ill just put horrible things on screen.

Thus, the 21 feature films in the Official Selection include works by Swedens Ruben Ostlund, already a two-times winner of the Palme dOr trophy, or by Spains celebrated Pedro Almodovar, at his seventh participation in the competition. They are joined by the Iranian director Asghar Farhadi, the exiled Russian Andrey Zvyagintsev and former winners Hirokazu Kore-eda (Japan) and Cristian Mungiu (Romania).

After the 2007 Palme dOr for 4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days, Cristian Mungiu returns to the Cannes competition with Fjord, a film shot in Norway and starring Renate Reinsve and Sebastian Stan.

As Cristian Mungiu put it, Fjord is, more than ever before in my career, the result of a collective effort, of an extensive co-production and of an international cast that acted together in the most solidary way possible The most beautiful gift we could have received for our efforts is this selection at Cannes, a place where cinema is respected, appreciated and awaited like nowhere else in the world.

Mungius first film in English, but also the first Romanian film by the Romanian-born US actor Sebastian Stan, Fjord was shot mainly in Norway in the spring of 2025, and brings together actors who speak English, Norwegian, Swedish and Romanian. It looks at a family and how it can be put to the test when values and worldviews differ. Fjord is the fifth consecutive film by Cristian Mungiu selected in the Cannes competition, where in 2013, the Romanian director was a member of the Festival jury.

Also at Cannes this year, the Romanian filmmaker Radu Judes Diary of a Chambermaid (Le Journal dune femme de chamber) was included among the 18 works in the official selection of the 58th edition of the Quinzaine des Cineastes section. The plot focuses on the life of a young woman from Romania who works for a family in Bordeaux, in a film that mixes themes such as emigration, poverty and the relationship between the East and West, all cast in a form that, as he confessed, Radu Jude aimed to be if not original, at least unique, to the extent that it was designed especially for this film. (AMP)
Canadian National Railway Co. (CNR.TO,CNI), a resource infrastructure ownership and operations, on Thursday announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement with Acadian Timber Corp. (ADN.TO) to acquire 90% interest in the Berland Resource Road in northwestern Alberta.

The deal represents the company's first strategic partnership in the forestry sector.

Following the deal, the company will own and operate over 300 kilometres of resource roads strategically located across Alberta.

The mill is a joint venture between entities controlled by Stern Partners and West Fraser Timber Co. Ltd., combining long-term private capital with one of North America's leading forestry operators.

Also included in the transaction is the 20 km Home Creek Road that connects to the Berland Resource Road.

Through this transaction, ANC will monetize non-core road infrastructure and redeploy capital into upgrades of its mill while simplifying its area operations and maintaining long-term alignment through its retained 10% interest.

The company will assume responsibility for road operations, administration and provide its standard high-quality, reliable service to support to ANC and all third-party road users.

In the pre-market trading, Canadian National Railway is trading at 109.94 on the New York Stock Exchange.

Acadian Timber closed trading, 0.47% higher at CAD 17.05 on the Toronto Stock Exchange.

For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com

Business News
U.K. stocks are firmly placed in positive territory a little past noon on Thursday amid optimism about U.S. and Iran agreeing on a peace deal later this week.

U.S. President Donald Trump said in an interview on Wednesday that the Middle East conflict was "very close to over," fueling market optimism that peace talks could resume, and a resolution be found.

Subscribe to continue reading the article. This article is part of our premium content offering.Subscribe with a RTTNews subscription.

For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com
Following three sessions of gains, Canadian stocks edged lower on Thursday as investors await the upcoming second round of U.S.-Iran negotiations with cautious optimism amid the ongoing blockade on Iranian ports by the U.S., which has accelerated oil and energy supply concerns.

After opening above yesterday's close, today the benchmark S&P/TSX Composite Index held momentum early in the session but gave ground later to trade below the flatline before settling at 34,052.23, down by 103.76 points (or 0.30%).

Six of the 11 sectors posted gains today, with the real estate sector leading the pack.

The two-week ceasefire on the Middle East war between the U.S., Israel and Iran, announced by U.S. President Donald Trump last week, expires by April 22.

Trump called the first round of peace talks held on Saturday between the U.S. and Iran in Pakistan "a failure" and soon implemented a naval blockade on Iranian ports.

The Pentagon stated that around 13 ships have been turned around by U.S. naval forces since the U.S. blockade on ships entering or exiting Iran's ports across the Strait of Hormuz was enforced on Monday.

The crucial Strait of Hormuz remains effectively shut. The resultant gridlock is pushing oil and natural gas prices higher.

With pressure mounting on both the nations to find a solution, over the past two days, through media interviews, Trump confirmed a second round of discussion, again in Pakistan.

Pakistan military chief Asim Munir met yesterday with Iranian officials in Tehran about the upcoming meeting.

Trump has predicted an "amazing outcome" from the negotiations and stated that Iran wanted a deal "very badly."

On Tuesday, envoys from Israel and Lebanon met in Washington, the first time in decades, hosted by the U.S. and mediated by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio. The talks ended with no significant announcement.

Today, Trump announced via Truth Social that Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Lebanon's President Joseph Aoun have agreed to a 10-day ceasefire to adopt diplomatic routes to achieve peace.

On the domestic front, after securing a majority government, Prime Minister Mark Carney suspended the federal fuel excise tax from April 20 until Labor Day (September 7) to reduce the costs for houses and truck owners.

Carney's Liberal Party now has 174 of 343 seats in the House of Commons after winning the three seats in the results announced on April 13. The party could stay in power until 2029.

There were no prominent data releases on the economic front today.

In Canada, the number of homes across the country sold in March, fell 2.30% from the earlier year.

The Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA) has downgraded its forecast for home sales activity in 2026.

On the earnings front, ADF Group reported its fourth-quarter 2026 earnings.

The company missed both revenue as well as earnings forecast. Earnings Per Share (EPS) was $0.24, below the forecasted $0.36. Revenue stood at $78.8 million, below the expected $79.9 million.

Major sectors that gained in today's trading were Real Estate (1.26%), Communication Services (1.14%), Energy (1.00%), and Healthcare (0.53%).

Among the individual stocks, First Capital REIT Units (8.01%), Riocon Real Est Un (3.91%), Quebecor Inc (3.67%), and Terravest Industries Inc (3.88%) were the prominent gainers.

Major sectors that lost in today's trading were Consumer Discretionary (0.49%), Financials (0.50%), Industrials (0.82%), and Consumer Staples (1.39%).

Among the individual stocks, Saputo Inc (1.94%), Loblaw CO (1.88%), Air Canada (3.66%), and Power Corporation of Canada (2.59%) were the notable losers.

Blackberry Limited (13.63%) and Brp Inc (7.75%) were among the prime market-moving stocks today.

For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com

Market Analysis
Weve all seen them. Pop-up warnings on your phone. For Android users, it is happening more often, and the message may claim that your Google account is at risk. While that may seem urgent, you should always be cautious anytime you are clicking on anything on your phone. No matter how official the alert may look, it could be a scam.

The latest cybersecurity alerts have noted that many of these scam messages trick users into giving away personal data or installing harmful software. Much of the time, they rely on manipulation. That said, here is what you need to know about these scam pop-ups posing as Google, and what you can do to protect yourself.

These Pop-Ups Are Designed to Look Exactly Like Google

One of the most dangerous aspects of Android scam pop-ups is how real they appear. Scammers copy logos, colors, and layouts to mimic official Google security pages almost perfectly. In some cases, the pop-up even walks you through a security check process that feels legitimate. The goal is simple: make you believe youre protecting your device when youre actually exposing it. If something looks urgent and polished, thats often part of the trap, not proof its real.

They Use Fear and Urgency to Force Quick Decisions

Scammers know that panic leads to poor decisions, so they design Android scam pop-ups to feel urgent. Messages often warn that your account has been compromised or your device is infected with a virus. They may include countdown timers or bold warnings like Act Now to pressure you into clicking quickly. Experts say this tactic is especially effective with older adults, who may prioritize security and respond immediately. The truth is, legitimate companies like Google rarely use pop-ups to demand immediate action.

Clicking Fix Now Can Give Hackers Full Access

What happens if you follow the instructions? In many cases, youre asked to install a security update or grant permissions to fix the issue. These permissions can include access to your contacts, location, messages, and even your microphone. Some scams go further, installing hidden apps that can monitor everything you do on your phone. What feels like a quick fix can quickly turn into a full device takeover.

Some Scams Dont Even Require an App Download

Heres where things get even more concerning Modern Android scam pop-ups dont always require you to install anything. Some operate through your browser, turning a simple web page into a powerful surveillance tool. These scams can collect data like your location, clipboard contents, and login information just by getting you to click through prompts. That means even cautious users can be affected if they trust the wrong page. Closing the tab isnt always enough if permissions were granted.

Older Adults Are Being Targeted More Than Ever

Cybersecurity reports consistently show that older adults are a primary target for these types of scams. Fraud losses among people over 60 have surged in recent years, reaching billions annually. Scammers often impersonate trusted brands like Google, banks, or government agencies to build credibility. They also rely on emotional triggers like fear or urgency to increase success rates. This combination makes Android scam pop-ups especially dangerous for seniors.

Common Red Flags You Should Never Ignore

Recognizing warning signs can help you avoid falling victim to these scams. Pop-ups that appear suddenly while browsing, especially those claiming your device is infected, are a major red flag. Requests to install unfamiliar apps, enable notifications, or share personal data should always raise suspicion. Legitimate companies dont ask for sensitive information through random pop-ups. If something feels off, trust your instincts and exit immediately.

What to Do If Youve Already Clicked One

If youve interacted with a suspicious pop-up, dont panic, but act quickly. Start by closing the page and checking your installed apps for anything unfamiliar. Change passwords for important accounts, especially email and banking. Running a mobile security scan can help identify hidden threats.

But you can protect yourself from being victimized altogether. Take these tips and keep them in mind.

Never click on pop-ups claiming to be from Google or any other company.

Go directly to the official website instead.

Keep your device updated and avoid downloading apps from unknown sources.

Talk to family members, especially older relatives, about these risks so they know what to watch for.

At the end of the day, protecting yourself from Android scam pop-ups comes down to one key habit: pause before you click. These scams rely on quick reactions, not careful thinking. Taking just a few extra seconds to question what youre seeing can make all the difference. The more aware you are, the harder it becomes for scammers to succeed.

Have you ever seen one of these fake Google pop-ups on your phone? What did you do? Share your experience in the comments to help others stay safe.

What to Read Next

Social Security Warning: 3 New Scams Retirees Must Avoid Immediately

Medicare Alert: Scammers Are Mailing Seniors Updated Benefits Cards  Theyre After Your SSN

New Scam Targets Seniors With Fake Medical Devices  Heres How to Spot It

Social Security Scam Surge: Ask This One Question Before You Give Your Number

5 Medical Scams That Target Seniorsand Are Still Working Today
New research from Rice University suggests sulfur keeps Mercurys interior molten at lower temperatures, offering new clues to how the planets strange crust and mantle evolved.

Mercurys surface looks completely different than Earths, said Professor Rajdeep Dasgupta, director of the Rice Space Institute Center for Planetary Origins to Habitability.

We couldnt study its magmatic evolution using assumptions built off our understanding of Earth, and missions data are difficult to interpret.

We had to find ways to bring the planet closer to our lab  specifically, through the meteorite Indarch.

Indarch, a meteorite that landed in Azerbaijan in 1891, looks very similar to the chemical makeup of Mercury.

The researchers realized they could use Indarch to study how Mercurys unique chemical makeup had shaped the planet, sharing their results in a recent publication.

Indarch chemically is as reduced as rocks on Mercury, said Yishen Zhang, a postdoctoral researcher at Rice University.

It is believed to be a possible building block of the planet.

The scientists used a model melt composition of Indarch to cook their own Mercury rocks in a high-pressure, high-temperature facility.

The process was fairly simple: mix Indarchs chemical ingredients together in a small glass vial, change the settings in the facility to match the conditions on Mercury, add in the chemicals and cook.

This process of cooking a rock can show us what happened chemically inside of Mercury, Zhang said.

By using the temperature, pressure and chemical constraints derived from spacecraft observations and models, we recreate Mercury-like conditions to understand how magmas form and evolve there  even without direct samples from the planet.

What the authors found is that sulfur lowers the temperature at which these reduced melted rocks begin to crystallize.

That means sulfur-rich magmas on Mercury may stay molten at lower temperatures than similar magmas on Earth.

The reason for this significantly decreased crystallization temperature is because of Mercurys unique chemical composition: low iron, high sulfur and the chemically reduced state.

Sulfur is a promiscuous element  it likes to be bound to other elements, usually iron.

Iron-rich planets like Mars and Earth have most of their sulfur bound to iron. Mercurys low iron content, however, meant that its sulfur was looking for new binding partners.

Specifically, it could bind to major rock-forming elements like magnesium and calcium.

On Earth, these rock-forming elements would typically bind to oxygen, resulting in a stable structure called a silicate network made up of silicon, oxygen and rock-forming elements.

When sulfur replaces oxygen, however, that network becomes weaker and crystalizes at a lower temperature.

As Indarch may represent Mercurys protoplanet state, these experiments show that Mercury likely formed with sulfur occupying a structural position that on Earth belongs to oxygen. This fundamentally changes how the planets mantle solidified, Zhang said.

This is a fascinating glimpse of how Mercury may have evolved as a planet to its unique current-day surface chemistry, Professor Dasgupta said.

More importantly, it provides a way for us to think about planets not based on how Earth was formed, but based on their own unique chemistry and magmatic processes under vastly different conditions.

What water or carbon does to magmatic evolution of Earth, sulfur does on Mercury.

The findings appear in the journal Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta.

_____

Yishen Zhang & Rajdeep Dasgupta. The effects of sulfur on near-liquidus phase relations of highly reduced basaltic melts with implications for magmatism in Mercury. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, published online February 26, 2026; doi: 10.1016/j.gca.2026.02.034
Gain Skills Business Media is set to host the 16th CHRO Confex & Awards 2026  Bengaluru Chapter on 16th April 2026 at Hyatt Centric Hebbal, Bengaluru, convening an exclusive gathering of over 200+ CHROs and senior HR leaders from across industries.

Recognized as one of Indias most influential HR platforms, the CHRO Confex & Awards continues to foster powerful conversations around the evolving role of human resources in driving business transformation, innovation, and organizational excellence.

The Bengaluru chapter will spotlight key themes shaping the future of work, including AI-driven HR transformation, employee experience, leadership in the digital age, talent strategy, and organizational agility. The event will feature insightful keynote sessions, high-impact panel discussions, and engaging networking opportunities, offering attendees actionable insights and meaningful peer-to-peer exchange.

In addition to the knowledge-sharing sessions, the prestigious CHRO Awards will honor organizations and HR leaders who have demonstrated exceptional innovation, leadership, and impact in the HR domain.

Speaking about the upcoming event, a spokesperson from Gain Skills Business Media said:

The 16th CHRO Confex & Awards aims to bring together forward-thinking HR leaders to exchange ideas, explore emerging trends, and collectively shape the future of work. Bengaluru, being a hub of innovation and talent, provides the perfect backdrop for these transformative discussions.

The event will also serve as a strategic platform for technology and solution providers to showcase cutting-edge innovations designed to empower HR functions and enhance workforce outcomes.

With a strong legacy of successful editions across major cities, the CHRO Confex & Awards continues to build a vibrant community of HR leaders committed to driving impactful change.
Imagine a pill that keeps you awake for 12+ hours straight, sharpens your focus like a Wall Street trader on his best day, and fuels productivity. That pill existsmodafinil, the worlds most trusted smart drug. Once a closely guarded secret of Silicon Valley coders, hedge fund analysts, and military pilots, modafinil has now broken into the mainstream as the go-to nootropic for people who want to achieve more with less sleep.

But heres the twist: The smartest way to buy modafinil isnt just about finding a trusted pharmacyits about how you pay. Using Bitcoin unlocks exclusive discounts and ensures privacy, speed, and safety. This guide reveals everything you need to know: what modafinil does, why paying with crypto is cheap, and the top five legit vendors where you can order securely.

What Is Modafinil and How Does It Work?

Modafinil, first sold under the brand name Provigil, is a prescription-only medication approved in countries like the US, UK, EU, and Australia. Clinically, it is licensed to treat excessive daytime sleepiness caused by narcolepsy, shift work sleep disorder (SWSD), and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Beyond its approved scope, modafinil is often used off-label for ADHD, depression, andby healthy individualsfor sharper cognition and productivity [1].

Unlike amphetamines, it does not overwhelm the brain with dopamine. Instead, it gently elevates dopamine by blocking transporters while also influencing norepinephrine, serotonin, histamine, and orexin systems. Combined with lowered GABA activity, this produces smooth, sustained wakefulness, enhancing cognition and attention without the jitters, crash, or dependency risk of stronger stimulants.

Key Benefits and Correct Uses of Modafinil

Modafinil is valued for both its clinical and off-label applications. In medicine, it is primarily prescribed for OSA and narcolepsy, where the standard dose is 200 mg once daily, taken in the morning to counter excessive daytime sleepiness. For SWSD, the same dose is usually taken about an hour before a night shift.

Beyond clinical settings, the smart tab offers numerous benefits [2][3][4][5]. Students use modafinil to sharpen concentration, strengthen working and episodic memory, boost fluid intelligence, and reduce distraction, aiding study and exam performance. Professionals in high-demand fields benefit from its ability to enhance executive function, creativity, decision-making, and stress resilience, helping sustain productivity through long workdays.

Night-shift workersincluding healthcare staff, drivers, and security personnelrely on its wakefulness-promoting effects, which improve alertness, multitasking, and reaction time under fatigue. Additionally, off-label users report improved mood, faster processing speed, and resilience during sleep deprivation, making modafinil a versatile cognitive enhancer.

Modafinil Possible Side Effects and Risks

Modafinil is generally well-tolerated, but side effects can appearespecially at higher doses or in the early stages of use. The most common include headache, insomnia, nervousness, nausea, dizziness, and dry mouth, which often improve with hydration, food, or dosage adjustment.

Though rare, serious effects may occur, such as chest pain, irregular heartbeat, hallucinations, mood swings, or depression. Severe rash, swelling, or allergic reactions demand immediate medical attention due to the risk of StevensJohnson syndrome. Other side effects can occur [6].

Crucially, modafinil interacts with 500+ meds, including antidepressants, antifungals, antibiotics, anticoagulants, and anti-seizure drugs [7]. It may also reduce the effectiveness of birth control, while alcohol, caffeine, and grapefruit juice can amplify risks. Always inform your physician of all meds, supplements, herbals, and over-the-counter (OTC) products you use.

Those with heart disease, uncontrolled hypertension, arrhythmias, psychiatric disorders, liver or kidney impairment, glaucoma, or pregnancy should only use modafinil under strict medical supervision.

Why Use Bitcoin to Buy Modafinil?

Traditional banking systems and credit card processors often restrict transactions involving online pharmacies. The following are the advantages and safety of modafinil crypto payment.

Advantages of Paying with Crypto

One of the main reasons buyers choose Bitcoin for modafinil purchases is the significant savingsvendors offer crypto-exclusive discounts, and when paired with bulk orders, the cost per pill drops sharply, making it the most affordable payment method. Beyond cost, Bitcoin ensures privacy and discretion, leaving no pharmacy-related trace on bank statements. Its also globally accepted, allowing smooth transactions in the UK, US, Europe, Australia, and elsewhere, even where cards or PayPal block pharmacy payments.

Speed adds further value, as Bitcoin transfers confirm within minutes, unlike slow bank wires. Finally, Bitcoin reduces banking risks, eliminating issues like declined transactions or frozen accounts, ensuring seamless, reliable purchases for frequent modafinil buyers worldwide.

Is It Safe to Use Bitcoin on Pharmacy Websites?

Yes  paying with Bitcoin on pharmacy websites is safe when you stick to verified vendors. The main risk isnt the currency but dealing with untrustworthy sellers. Trusted e-pharmacies use SSL encryption (https:// + padlock), publish step-by-step payment guides, and back orders with refund or reshipment guarantees. Always confirm legitimacy through independent reviews on Trustpilot, Yotpo, or Redditavoid sites that only post self-written testimonials. Reputable vendors also provide transparent wallet addresses or QR codes and apply real-time exchange rates with no hidden surcharges.

Best Places to Order Modafinil with Bitcoin: Top-5 Online Vendors

All the following vendors sell genuine generic smart drugs at a low price and are well-established, offer strong customer service, and provide attractive discounts when you pay with crypto.

AfinilEU Crypto Payment Options

Afinil.eu has built a strong reputation in Europe by focusing on fast, secure deliveries and consistently authentic products. Based within the EU, this vendor is especially attractive for European buyers who want quick access without customs delays. Domestic orders within the EU usually arrive in 3 to 7 working days, while international deliveries take about 7 to 12 days. To make things even better, EU customers get free shipping, and international buyers qualify for the same perk if they spend 250 or more.

Bitcoin users are well-rewarded here, enjoying a 20% discount on every order. On top of that, AfinilEU provides free modafinil tablets for returning customers, making long-term buying both cost-effective and reliable. First-time buyers are not left out, eitherthe pharmacy often includes trial packs, so customers can test products before committing to larger quantities. With a refund or free reshipment guarantee in case of delivery problems, AfinilEU is one of the safest and most customer-oriented options for modafinil buyers.

Pay with Bitcoin at ModafinilUSA

ModafinilUSA caters primarily to American customers but ships globally, making it one of the most internationally recognized vendors in the industry. ModafinilUSA offers for sale drugs from trusted Indian pharmaceutical giants like Sun Pharma and HAB Pharma, which ensures consistency and safety. Domestic US orders typically arrive within 34 business days, while international buyers can expect delivery in about 7 to 12 days, with full tracking available.

What sets Modafinilusa.com apart is its crypto savings program. By paying with Bitcoin, buyers can unlock up to 20% off, and additional bonus tablets are often included as part of crypto-exclusive deals. Regular customers can also make use of rotating promo codes and coupons, further reducing costs. In the rare event that a package is delayed or lost, ModafinilUSA offers a refund or reshipment guarantee.

Cryptocurrency Offers at ModafinilUK

Modafinil.uk is widely considered the top online pharmacy for UK-based buyers due to its excellent service, secure transactions, and lightning-fast shipping. All UK orders are shipped domestically via Royal Mail and reach customers within 3 to 4 days. International orders typically take 7 to 12 days, though express delivery is available for those who need their package sooner.

This vendor offers exclusive crypto perks, with Bitcoin buyers receiving an automatic 20% discount on their order. Beyond that, ModafinilUK keeps pricing competitive with promo codes, seasonal coupons, and loyalty rewardsincluding up to 50 free tablets for returning customers. For first-time buyers, the platform provides free sample packs, allowing new users to try Modalert, Modvigil, or ModaXL before committing to larger purchases.

Importantly, ModafinilUK backs every order with a 100% money-back guarantee, giving buyers complete confidence. With flexible payment methods (credit cards, PayPal, Zelle, PayID, and multiple cryptocurrencies), this pharmacy remains one of the most trusted and customer-friendly options worldwide.

ModafinilAU BTC Payments

Modafinil.au has carved out its niche as the go-to vendor for Australian customers, though it also serves a large international base. For local buyers, the speed of domestic delivery is hard to beatorders within Australia usually arrive in just 3 to 4 business days, while overseas deliveries reach customers in 7 to 12 days.

Like its competitors, ModafinilAU rewards Bitcoin users with a generous 20% discount, making it the most cost-effective payment method. But the perks dont stop there. The vendor frequently includes free trial samples in first-time orders and provides bonus tablets for loyal customers, ensuring long-term buyers get maximum value.

Orders above A$260 qualify for free shipping, which adds to the savings. With multiple payment options, including credit cards, BPAY, and crypto, ModafinilAU is one of the most flexible and rewarding modafinil suppliers available.

ModafinilXL Paying with Bitcoin

ModafinilXL.com (MXL) is one of the longest-standing modafinil vendors online, known for its consistency, transparency, and excellent global coverage. It sources high-quality generics from respected manufacturers like HOF Pharmaceuticals, Sun Pharma, and Centurion Laboratories, with ModaXL being a particularly popular option among its catalog.

Shipping is handled efficiently, with deliveries reaching most destinations in 7 to 12 business days. ModafinilXL sweetens the deal by offering a 20% discount on Bitcoin payments, alongside seasonal promotions, coupons, and free sample packs for new users.

Loyal customers often receive extra pills and freebies, creating excellent long-term value. If any order is delayed or lost, the company provides a refund or free reshipment guarantee, which has strengthened its reputation over the years.

Modafinil FAQ for Crypto Buyers

Is it legal to buy Modafinil online in 2026?

Yes. Modafinil remains a prescription-only medicine in countries like the UK, US, Canada, and most of Europe. Possession for personal use is generally not a criminal offense, but selling without a license is illegal. Ordering online without a prescription exists in a gray areacustoms may seize parcels, but prosecutions are rare when orders are small and clearly for personal use. Many reputable vendors use stealth packaging and domestic shipping to minimize legal risks.

Do you need a prescription to buy Modafinil with Bitcoin?

Officially, yesa prescription is required to legally obtain modafinil from licensed pharmacies. However, online vendors selling generic modafinil accept Bitcoin payments without asking for prescriptions, making it possible to purchase discreetly. The use of cryptocurrency ensures privacy since payments dont leave traces on credit cards or bank statements.

How to place a Modafinil order using Bitcoin

Placing an order with Bitcoin is simple and secure. Start by selecting your preferred vendor, browsing the store, and adding your chosen modafinil products to the cart. Proceed to checkout, where youll enter your shipping and account details. When selecting payment, choose Bitcoin or cryptocurrency. The system will automatically generate a unique wallet address and the exact amount you need to transfer.

Open your crypto wallet and send the fundsconfirmation usually takes 1030 minutes. No coupon code is required; youll automatically receive the vendors crypto discount once payment is processed. Afterward, youll get an email confirmation, followed by shipping and tracking details.

How fast is the delivery?

Delivery speed depends on the vendor and whether domestic or international shipping is used. UK, US, and Australian vendors often provide domestic delivery in 25 business days, with some even offering overnight or next-day options for select areas. International vendors usually deliver within 714 business days, though delays can occur due to customs checks. Using Bitcoin does not slow the process; orders are processed faster after crypto confirmation.

Conclusion: Where to Safely Buy Modafinil with Bitcoin in 2026

Buying modafinil with Bitcoin in 2026 is the smartest way to combine savings, privacy, and convenience. With discounts up to 25%, faster processing, and guaranteed delivery, its no wonder crypto has become the preferred payment method among nootropic users.

Stick to trusted vendors like AfinilEU, ModafinilUSA, ModafinilUK, ModafinilAU, and ModafinilXL to buy modafinil with Bitcoin, avoiding scams and ensuring you receive genuine, high-quality modafinil at the best possible price.

Your productivity and cognitive boost are just one smart order away.

References
Snap cuts 1,000 jobs as part of AI-driven restructuring and cost reduction strategy

CEO Evan Spiegel calls current transition a 'crucible moment' for the company

AI tools to be embedded across workflows as tech firms prioritize efficiency

Snap Inc. has cut around 1,000 jobs, or roughly 16 per cent of its workforce, as the Snapchat parent accelerates a restructuring strategy centered on artificial intelligence adoption and tighter cost control. The layoffs were disclosed through company filings and internal communications, marking one of the most significant workforce reductions at the social media firm in recent years.

Chief executive Evan Spiegel described the moment as a 'crucible moment' in a memo to employees, according to company communications. He said the restructuring aims to reduce annual costs by approximately $500 million and position the company for long-term operational efficiency. Alongside job cuts, Snap has also withdrawn hundreds of open roles as part of the broader cost-optimization plan.

Spiegel noted that remaining employees will increasingly rely on AI tools to reduce repetitive work and improve execution speed. He highlighted that smaller, more agile teams have already been operating with AI-assisted workflows in recent months, particularly in engineering and operational functions. The company is now formally embedding AI into its internal processes as part of its restructuring strategy.

The latest round of layoffs reflects Snaps ongoing challenges in balancing growth expectations with profitability pressures. Despite maintaining a large global user base, the company has faced persistent scrutiny from investors over its financial performance. This is at least the third major workforce reduction since 2022, when Snap cut around 20 per cent of its staff during a broader tech downturn.

AI tools to streamline operations and reduce workforce size. Earlier this year, activist investor Irenic Capital Management took a stake in Snap and questioned its long-term profitability, intensifying pressure on management to improve margins and efficiency. The companys latest restructuring also aligns with a wider trend across the technology sector, where firms are increasingly integratingand reduce workforce size.

Large technology companies including Amazon, Meta, Block, Pinterest, and Atlassian have also announced layoffs in recent periods, often linking cost reductions to productivity gains from AI deployment and automation initiatives. Industry analysts view this as part of a broader shift toward leaner organizational structures driven by rapid AI adoption.
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Sponsored BusinessCompaniesBulls N' Bears Dalaroo scores stakeholder backing for West African gold hunt Brought to you by BULLS N BEARS Murray Ward April 16, 2026  4:23pm Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Share A A A

Dalaroo Metals has successfully secured rock-solid support from the community and local government authorities to launch the next phase of a regional soil geochemistry program at its Bondoukou gold project in Cote dIvoire. In particular, the company is zeroing in on a highly prospective target dubbed Goldridge, with signs of artisanal gold workings and interpreted structural corridors. Dalaroo Metals chief executive officer John Morgan engaging with the local community at its Bondoukou gold project in Cote dIvoire. File A systematic grid is being run over a broad 9.5-kilometre mineralised trend with focus on a 2.5-kilometre arch-shaped fold. High-resolution drone survey data and recent geological mapping have added to the picture in defining this priority area. The company says that once completed, the soil sampling will provide important insights as it looks to unlock value across the prime mineralised trend at Bondoukou.

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Securing strong community and government support is a critical milestone for Dalaroo. Dalaroo Mining chief executive officer John Morgan In a savvy move and as part of its push to expedite its gold hunt, Dalaroo has now integrated environmental, social and governance-focused community engagement into all phases of its exploration programs. This involved formal meetings with village leaders, youth representatives and administrative authorities to ensure clear communication between all stakeholders. Successful discussions have now cleared the way for company access and local participation in the next phase of its soil sampling program. By recruiting a local workforce, Dalaroo says its fostering shared value and project ownership among the locals. Notably, the company has also received formal authorisation from the Sub-Prefect  a government-appointed local administrator- to kick-start operations. With local negotiations for the upcoming program phase now finalised, Dalaroo has been able to move forward at pace. The company says its ongoing soil geochemistry program is already 40 per cent complete, marking excellent early progress. Samples are being prepared for multi-element analysis at Intertek Laboratories in Yamoussoukro to ensure high-quality results. Dalaroo Mining chief executive officer John Morgan said: Securing strong community and government support is a critical milestone for Dalaroo as we commence systematic exploration at Bondoukou.

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Soil sampling is expected to wrap up by mid-May. Dalaroo expects to receive assay results on a rolling basis throughout the month. The full geochemical dataset should be available for interpretation by late May. Results will then be used to pinpoint gold anomalies and key structures, helping Dalaroo refine and prioritise targets for its next phase of exploration. Dalaroo plans to fast-track follow-up activities at newly identified hotspots, which may include trenching and auger drilling, potentially leading to a maiden drilling program. The companys 80 per cent-owned Bondoukou project sits within the prolific Birimian Greenstone Belt, host to multiple multi-million-ounce gold deposits, including the 4.6-million-ounce Tanda gold deposit operated by Endeavour Mining, just 35km to the southeast. Extensive artisanal workings at Bondoukou show strong evidence of gold mineralisation at surface along volcanic-granitoid contacts. The geological architecture is often associated with orogenic-style gold deposits. Notably, Dalaroo appears to be the first to undertake systematic exploration in the area.

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Beyond Cote dIvoire, Dalaroo holds a diverse portfolio including the Lyons River and Namban projects in WAs Gascoyne and northern wheatbelt regions, respectively. The projects are prospective for gold and critical minerals. The company also has its foot on the Blue Lagoon project in southern Greenland, which is prospective for rare earth elements, zirconium and niobium. The companys exploration engine appears to be warming up, with a steady stream of assay results and news likely to hit the market in a few weeks. With its tail in the air following a combination of strong community backing and technical progress, the path forward has been cleared. The company looks set to move from reconnaissance to systematic targeting and potentially onto a maiden drilling campaign. Punters are likely to be keeping a close eye on the upcoming results as Dalaroo chases a potential gold discovery. Is your ASX-listed company doing something interesting? Contact: mattbirney@bullsnbears.com.au

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BusinessSmall businessCommercial real estate Wealthy Maple-Browns to offload two Woollahra shops; Centennial Flats on the market Carolyn Cummins April 17, 2026  8:19am Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Share A A A

Capital Gain The wealthy Maple-Brown family is selling two shops in leafy Woollahra with a combined estimated price tag of about $5 million. The high-profile investors established their Maple-Brown Abbott funds management firm decades ago before selling the business in December 2024 to Antipodes, an affiliate of Pinnacle Investment Management. Pinnacle now has more than $20 billion in assets under management across four investment teams. The Maple-Brown familys two shops in leafy Woollahra. Selling agent Ben Vaughan of BresicWhitney East declined to give a price guide for the adjoining shops at 146 and 148 Queen Street. Similar buildings have sold individually for between $2 million and $3 million.

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Title documents show the shops have been held by the family for about nine years. They are being sold together or separately. Both are occupied by tenants. Woollahra is in the heart of Sydneys upmarket eastern suburbs and has median household income of $3013  45 per cent higher than greater Sydneys average. Just up the road from the Maple-Browns property at 2a14a Queen Street is the Centennial Flats. The Spanish Mission style buildings, with its 10 apartments and four ground floor shops, is also for sale. Its on the market with price expectations of about $16.5 million. A private family company, Con Harris Investments, has owned the building on a 682-square-metre corner at Queen and Oxford Streets for more than 75 years.

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Centennial Flats is a Spanish Mission style building with 10 apartments and four ground floor shops. James Masselos and Adam Droubi of Knight Frank have the listing. Brand-new Dan A newly constructed Dan Murphys in one of Sydneys most tightly held lower North Shore suburbs has hit the market. Private developer Central Element is selling the ground floor property at Neutral Bay as part of its $180 million Pienza development at 12 Waters Road.

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The 1217-square-metre bottle shop comes with a 10-year lease to Endeavour Group generating rent of $993,600 per annum, plus additional income through its 47 basement car parks managed by InterPark. No price guide was given for the bottle shop, but a recently built Dan Murphys at 718-728 Military Road in Mosman, two suburbs away that was owned by the ASX-listed Charter Hall group, sold in 2020 to a Sydney-based private investor for $13.25 million. CBREs Yosh Mendis and Zomart He, along with Ray White Commercial North Shores Scott Stephens and Logan Grisaffe, are managing the sale. A newly constructed Dan Murphys in one of Sydneys tightly held Neutral Bay has hit the market. And in nearby Cremorne, private investors English & Saunders are selling a commercial property at 261-263 Military Road for the first time in nearly 60 years.

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The block accommodates a BMW showroom, display yard, and lower-level workshop and parking. It generates net annual income of $304,024, with 100 per cent of outgoings recovered by the tenant. The site has a mixed-use zoning and 16 metre height limit, said Scott Stephens from Ray White Commercial North Shore, who is advising on the sale. Budget travel YHA Australia is expanding as it looks to take advantage of budget conscious travellers. The organisation is upgrading its existing hostels with the help of high-net-worth investors and funds from its business.

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YHA is now Australias first owned and operated accommodation network to achieve Certified B Corporation status, meeting rising traveller expectations for sustainable travel and accommodation options. Related Article Commercial real estate Roxy Jacenko wants $10m for her office, as pub barons swoop on Imperial Hotel Its site in The Rocks, Sydney, got a $9.7 million upgrade in early 2025 with rooms offering modern facilities but maintaining its traditional hostel offerings. Paul McGrath, chief executive of YHA Australia said recently its primary focus is to revitalise and modernise the guest experience, whilst continuing our commitment to affordable accommodation. Sydneys hoteliers are preparing for the VIVID event next month. Adrian Williams, chief operating officer for Accor in the Pacific region, said last weeks AFL Gather Round in Adelaide set the bar high for special events, where all of Accors 13 hotels were at near capacity.

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The NSW Minister for Tourism Steve Kamper told Capital Gain that the format for this years VIVID has changed with a streamlined 6.5 kilometre free Light Walk that will feature more than 40 installations across an unbroken route. He said it will deliver a more user-friendly and impactful visitor experience stretching from Circular Quay and The Rocks through to Barangaroo, Cockle Bay and Darling Harbour. For the first time in its history, Vivid Sydney will come to life both day and night, activating Circular Quay with a selection of art installations available to the public 24/7, with other pillars delivering daytime theatre, expansive food experiences, talks and forums, Kamper said. carolynannecummins@gmail.com The Business Briefing newsletter delivers major stories, exclusive coverage and expert opinion. Sign up to get it every weekday morning.
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Exclusive BusinessWorkplaceIndustrial relations I gave everything: Feuding Sydney pub barons face underpayment claims Eryk Bagshaw April 17, 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

Billionaire publican Arthur Laundy and his former business partner have been hit with claims that staff at their venues were underpaid by hundreds of thousands of dollars, as the business mogul prepares to finalise his $56 million takeover of Nines radio network. Leaked documents show hundreds of staff at venues owned by Laundy and Fraser Short under The Sydney Collective group had their pay audited in 2023, with some staff members allegedly owed as much as $30,000 each. Publican Arthur Laundy (right) bought the remaining 50 per cent share of the hotels he co-owned with Fraser Short in 2023. Monique Westermann But three years on, staff from high-profile venues including the Watsons Bay Hotel, Northies Cronulla and The Mona Vale Hotel say they have not seen any money from the companies. FairWork urged any workers with concerns to contact them directly for assistance. Laundy Hotels said if any former employees claim they are underpaid, then it will undertake a full investigation and audit.

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The audit documents have reopened a feud between Laundy and Short, who have not been on speaking terms since Laundy took over the remainder of the business in a $150 million deal in 2023. Laundys lawyer, Paul Svilans, said the audit was a preliminary, qualified and therefore unreliable document. Fraser Short at the Imperial Hotel in Erskineville in 2018. James Brickwood In any event, it relates to a period when our client neither managed nor operated the venues, he said. At no stage were any of the underpayments found to be in relation to any period for when Laundy Hotels took over the operation and management of The Sydney Collective venues. Laundy owned 50 per cent of the company for a decade before the audit was undertaken, and then assumed full ownership of the largest hotels in the group.

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Laundys son, Stuart Laundy, praised Short when the Laundys bought out the remaining 50 per cent of his share of The Sydney Collective venues they co-owned in 2023. He was a very good operator and made us a hell of a lot of money, Stuart told The Australian Financial Review. Short said Laundy had been a co-owner of the venues since their inception. Loading He bought my shares in those companies, and at the time I sold, they had settled any and all known debts. I am not currently aware of any shortfall of wages inferred, he said. Any enquiry should be made with the directors of the companies that still operate the businesses.

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The audit shows that 86 front-of-house staff were allegedly owed a total of $764,000 due to inconsistencies between payroll and timesheets, incorrect overtime logging and hourly rates below or above the award wage. Seventeen staff were also overpaid a total of $40,000. I was so burnt out. It took me a year to recover, said Danielle Stares, a former gaming bar manager at Northies who claims she regularly had to work more than 50 hours a week. Stares, who the audit showed was allegedly owed $11,000 because her salary was 18 per cent below the threshold of the relevant award, said that $10,000 is like a million dollars to me. It is the difference between rent and petrol, she said. If they can afford to buy radio stations, they can afford to pay employees back.

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From April 30, the Laundy family will own the Nine radio networks, including 2GB in Sydney, 3AW in Melbourne, 4BC in Brisbane and 6PR in Perth. The network will be rebranded as Tapt Media. Nine is the owner of this masthead. Nine radio boss Tom Malone praised the sale to the Laundy family when it was announced in January. This is a great outcome for the radio business and for our people, Malone said at the time. The Laundy family value their staff as their most valuable asset, and we will be no different. Arthur Laundy while visiting 6PR Radio in Perth. Ross Swanborough Laundy, estimated to be worth $1.75 billion, said he was blindsided by the audit and claimed Short was responsible for managing the venues they had owned together.

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I paid him a management fee, the 84-year-old said. Laundy vowed to repay missing wages after being alerted to the audit by this masthead. If I owe money to people, Ill pay people, he said. If you talk to any member of my staff, I reckon I back myself to say they love me. But you guys love the big fish. Im the big fish. Ive got to be caught.

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The audit lists 14 venues operating under The Sydney Collective banner throughout NSW; four of the largest, including Watsons Bay, Mona Vale, Northies and Daniel San, were co-owned by Laundy and Short until February 2023, when Laundy bought out Shorts share. Others, including the Imperial Hotel in Erskineville, The Morrison in the Sydney CBD and the Balcony Bar & Oyster Co in Byron Bay, were owned by Short independently or with other partners. In 2024, liquidators found The Sydney Collective had debts of $5.8 million when the venues were either sold and split up, including $1 million owed to the tax office. The FairWork Ombudsman, the government regulator responsible for policing wage underpayments, is listed as a contingent creditor, with debts unknown. The liquidators found the group was probably trading while insolvent from July 2022. A Laundy Hotels spokesperson said the company had co-operated with a Fair Work Ombudsman investigation involving underpayments before the acquisition of the remaining 50 per cent of the hotels from Short. These matters were addressed at the time, and back payments were made. The FWO advised that its investigation had concluded on that basis, the spokesperson said.

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The earlier audit related to underpayments of kitchen staff. A separate group of 86 underpaid front-of-house staff is the focus of this story. If there are any other employees who claim that they were underpaid, we encourage them to engage directly with us, and we will undertake a full investigation and audit, the Laundy Hotels spokesperson said. Front-of-house workers claim they had no idea they had allegedly been underpaid until the data shown in the leaked audit was shared with them by this masthead. Aline Castor with other staff at the Watsons Bay Hotel. At the groups most high-profile venue, the Watsons Bay Hotel on Sydney Harbour, former manager Aline Castor said Short intervened to help with her visa, but alleges she was never paid fairly for the overtime she worked each day.

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Despite consistently giving more than what I was paid for, I was never compensated for these extra hours. When I raised the issue, I was told that this was the nature of the role, and that I should simply accept it, she said she was told by a venue manager. I gave everything to ensure excellent service, but recognition never came. Castor is allegedly owed $28,676 after she was paid between 2 and 9 per cent below the award threshold for her salary for three years, according to the audit. Former Daniel San manager Cendrine.

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Cendrine, a former front-of-house manager at Daniel San and Beachside Dojo, two venues owned and operated by Laundy and Short in Manly, said she would work between 12 and 18 hours a day between the venues on a $55,000-a-year contract. Cendrine, who asked only to be identified by her first name, is allegedly owed hundreds of dollars because instances of overpayments reduced underpayments, according to the audit. Under their contracts, managers could be asked to work reasonable extra hours without being paid overtime. I was basically going back home, having a quick nap and going back to work, starting at 8am and finishing at 2 or 3am, she said. Fitness tracking data from two shifts shows Cendrine walked between 37 kilometres and 43 kilometres a day while working at the venues.

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My body was broken, she said. I was so focused on getting my Australian residency. And I remember a manager also saying to me that if I wanted to keep my job, I should be less broken. Another Daniel San manager, Ivan Zechel, is allegedly owed more than $26,000, according to the audit. I believe they have a legal obligation to pay it back, he said. Former Daniel San manager Ivan Zechel. Janie Barrett In Sydneys north, Connor Johnson said he enjoyed working at the Mona Vale Hotel, but was shocked by the possibility that he was owed more than $10,000, according to the audit. In Johnsons case, the documents show his salary was adjusted in 2021 while he was still at the company, to take it above the award threshold, while others who had left the group, including Stares and Castor, say they received nothing.

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Genevieve Holloway, a former manager at The Morrison, owned by Short, and The Watsons Bay Hotel, owned by both Laundy and Short, is allegedly owed more than $11,000 in underpayments, according to the audit for her work at The Morrison. I feel like I was very, very underpaid for a very long time, she said. We were rostered 50 hours and expected more; it was crazy low income for 50 hours. Former Mona Vale Hotel manager Connor Johnson. Sam Mooy Short has retreated from the hospitality industry since the Laundy sale and lives in a $9 million Vaucluse mansion. When I moved on as a part-owner from these and other businesses, I can assure you that all liabilities were brought up to date, including for all staff, and I paid my share, he said. Please leave me alone now.

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Laundy described the allegations as hurtful, but neither he nor Short responded in detail to the staff claims about their working conditions. I have just had a very straightforward and pleasant dealing with, I believe, your owners, he said in a follow-up email referencing the Nine Radio takeover by Laundy Hotels. Laundy owns more than 40 venues across Australia and is a major sponsor of the Canterbury Bulldogs rugby league team. He ran his first pub as a 21-year-old  the Crossroads Hotel in Liverpool  then took over the rest of the Laundy empire from his father. Craig Laundy with his father, Arthur Laundy, at one of their venues in Drummoyne. Louise Kennerley

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His sons, Stuart, a former Bachelorette contestant, Craig, a former federal Liberal MP, and his daughter, Danielle, as well as four of his grandchildren, all work in the family business. The money isnt worth anything to me, Laundy told Mark Bouris podcast Straight Talk last year. If something was going to happen and I could avoid it by giving all my money away, Id give it away. Last week, Craig, Arthur and a consortium of investors paid $20 million for the Imperial Hotel in Singleton. 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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NationalCBD Opinion Antony Catalano notches a minor win over ally-turned-enemy Nick Bolton

Before Antony Catalano was the subject of rolling national headlines for being charged with allegedly assaulting his wife, the fast-talking former Domain chief executive was locked in a complex legal battle with his former ally, the corporate raider Nick Bolton. In late 2024, Catalano, who is currently in rehab, fell out with Bolton after striking a deal with the high-profile fund manager Geoff Wilson, which culminated in Boltons ouster as chief executive of Keybridge Capital, the ASX-listed investment vehicle Bolton controlled for years. Nick Bolton and Antony Catalano. The move triggered what one Federal Court judge described as a long-running turf war for control of Keybridge, which has since played out in a web of complex legal claims. Among them: a fight over a stake in Australian Community Media, which Catalano and the Melbourne billionaire Alex Waislitz bought in 2019. As far as Bolton is concerned, Keybridge owns 16.7 per cent of Catalanos regional media empire, and Catalano engaged in a breach of trust by appropriating the shares for himself.

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Last year, Bolton sought leave in the Federal Court to bring action to pry the stake away from Catalano. But that effort failed. And on Tuesday, his attempt to appeal that decision was dismissed by the Federal Court, where Bolton was represented by the high-profile billionaire Melbourne barrister, Allan Myers KC. Related Article Courts He reaches her, grabs her, pushing her by the neck: Fresh Catalano allegations emerge A Catalano representative referred our request for comment to Keybridge. We are pleased to see the court confirmed the current boards position, and costs awarded in our favour, Keybridge director Sulieman Ravell told CBD. In response to the decision, Bolton said Keybridge received Kings Counsels firm advice in 2024 that it was the beneficial owner of the stake, setting the stage for a likely rematch of the matter. It begs the question why a now WAM [owned by Wilson] and Catalano-controlled Keybridge would so vigorously oppose me recovering, on behalf of and for the benefit of all Keybridge shareholders, $23 million of assets from Catalano, Bolton told CBD.

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Geoff Wilson needs Catalanos support to stay in control of Keybridge, whereas I was prepared to give up control of the company and end my relationship with Cat in order to recover Keybridges investment in ACM. This weeks Federal Court decision is just one procedural piece of a sprawling legal battle between Bolton and Catalano, whom the corporate raider is also suing directly. The bad blood runs deep, and in both directions. Early last month, as regular readers of this column will no doubt recall, Keybridge told investors that it was pleased to advise that the Milanese Court had granted freezing orders over Boltons Italian assets, up to the amount of $4.7 million. In particular, the orders related to an entity called Crotto del Nino, which holds title to a waterfront villa on Lake Como worth about $20 million. That freezing order came on top of a NSW Supreme Court order freezing Boltons assets in Australia, after Keybridge loaned close to $5 million to an entity in Italy associated with Bolton. Bolton argues the loan was an advance on a success fee for a profitable options trade in 2023. Last time we wrote about the Bolton/Catalano/Wilson saga was before Catalano was charged with allegedly assaulting his partner. A lot has changed since then. But one thing wed bet hasnt waivered is Boltons appetite for a fight.

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What a croc: One Nations reptile problem With One Nation vowing to run a candidate in every seat in Victoria in the November election, maybe Pauline Hanson and her team should do a little research on the local landscape. Or perhaps they should get a proofreader. In what looked like a cut and paste from messaging meant for another state, the Rebuilding Our Regions policy page on the One Nation Victoria website set out the partys support of the local agriculture, fishing, and forestry sectors and farming communities. James Ashby with One Nation Senator Pauline Hanson. Alex Ellinghausen

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But it was a line in the partys plan to grow thriving regional communities in Victoria that caught CBDs eye. Related Article Opinion

CBD Mark Latham flirts with John Ruddick and the Libertarian Party John Buckley CBD columnist It turns out that one of One Nation Victorias objectives is to support the swift removal of dangerous animals such as crocodiles from human communities  in Victoria. Yes, you read that right, crocodiles  the reptile that thrives in northern Australian states like Queensland but, other than in zoos or reptile parks and as the occasional exotic pet, does not exist down south. One Nation chief of staff James Ashby dealt with his partys Victorian crocodile problem in record time after CBD brought it to his attention on Thursday.

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Im not about to give you crocodile tears and pretend its not a mistake, Ashby said. Since [CBD] brought the reptile issue to our attention, the party has made some snappy changes to the website and the crocodile has been removed for everyones safety. Meanwhile, if you are surfing around the One Nation website learning about the partys plan to deal with crocodiles down south and have a few minutes up your sleeve, the expression of interest portal is still open to apply to be a candidate for the upcoming election. 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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1 / 4 Cardamom buns are $6.50 at Elka in Heidelberg. Supplied 2 / 4 Inside the Heidelberg. Supplied 3 / 4 The signature mortadella focaccia. Supplied 4 / 4 Cinnamon buns. Supplied Previous Slide Next Slide

Elka Bakery Bakery$$$$

Owner Michael Younan (ex-Sourdough Kitchen) says he hears multiple times a week how grateful locals are to have an outpost of this bakery  Melbournes fourth  in the Heidelberg neighbourhood. Minimalist and spacious, it offers soft milk-dough cinnamon scrolls topped with vanilla cream-cheese icing, cardamom buns layered with cardamom-orange butter, and ready-to-go sandwiches and baguettes.

Pastries undergo a three-day lamination process and sourdough loaves use heritage and stone-ground flour sourced from the Yarra Ranges, yielding a soft interior and a dark crust.

Signature items: Cinnamon scroll ($6.50) and cardamom bun ($6.50).
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LifestyleLife & relationshipsFriendship Opinion I couldnt stop stalking a former friend on social media. Then she caught me Zoya Patel Writer April 16, 2026  7:00pm

April 16, 2026  7:00pm Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Share A A A

I did it without even realising half the time  my fingers acted alone, from an instinct that should have alerted me to how frequently I was doing it. I would unlock my phone, open Instagram, navigate to my secret account and be typing in her username before I had even processed what I was doing. There was usually a buzz of anticipation, almost adrenalin, at the sight of her profile picture. But this time  nothing. No familiar icon, just a list of other accounts with similar names. How strange. Had she deleted her account? Checking the social media accounts of former friends can send you spiralling. Getty Images I logged into another account, an old one I never use. I searched her name, and there it was. Adrenalin dovetailed into shame. She had blocked me. Not even me  the fake me that was presented by my burner account, which was somehow even more embarrassing because she had likely put two and two together and realised who I was. Becky (not her real name) and I shared one of those friendships that burned bright and fast before burning out entirely  hastened along by the artificial conditions of the pandemic. We found each other through a mutual love of horse riding, and for a good few years there, we were very close. Our break-up was technically hinged on one bad day (a disagreement over a shared space and how we each used it), but really it had been brewing for a while. After the initial blow-up, when my attempts to talk it out were ignored, I blocked her on social media. I was reacting out of hurt, but I also dont like keeping the false impression of online friendship with people I no longer consider friends.

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That principle was not strong enough to stop me from wanting to know what was going on in Beckys life. At first, it was for obvious reasons. Was she talking about me? Was she sad? Or worse, was she happier now I was gone? But as the years passed, it became more of a lazy habit. I would occasionally drop by her account during a regular scroll session. She seemed happy. I was glad that things were going well, I told myself. So why couldnt I just log out of my burner account and leave Becky to her happy new life? What was wrong with me? Related Article Opinion

Parenting If youre on the fence about having kids, dont do it Zoya Patel Writer I know Im not alone in turning to social-media stalking as a way of processing negative emotions, especially in the context of friendship or romantic break-ups. In 2020, Facebook reported an estimated 448 million accounts were false or duplicates, and that doesnt account for Instagram, arguably the more sophisticated stalking platform. The issue with Instagram is that a user can see who has viewed their stories and on TikTok, you can even see who has visited your profile. So its a common behaviour, but that doesnt change the fact its also the single most toxic thing I do, and I need to stop. Stalking people on social media is a fundamentally negative act because its rare to go to the effort for people you genuinely care about. For me, its reserved for the people who have wounded me. Why? I have no idea. It doesnt make me happier to see them celebrating life milestones or posting memes. Instead, each stalking session is like picking the scab off a freshly closed sore.

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And not only was I stalking my former friend, but I also guessed she was probably stalking me. This meant my social media presence quickly became about constructing a version of my life that was specifically for my haters. Related Article Opinion

Parenting I thought our friendship could survive anything. Then I fell pregnant Zoya Patel Writer Each story I posted of my social outings or craft projects was published with the intent of Look how full and wholesome my life is! When I shared the occasional picture of my son, the subtext screamed: Motherhood is going GREAT actually! When I travelled overseas, I spent more time choosing how to portray my trip to my Instagram audience than I did actually experiencing another country. I am a grown woman. I am entering my middle age. This behaviour is frankly sad, but I didnt realise just how pathetic it was until my stalking was interrupted by being blocked. I dont even know if Becky actually knew it was me, or was just creeped out by the weirdly anonymous account that religiously viewed her stories. Either way, it was a wake-up call. So while I felt bereft in the moment, I am glad Becky took the steps I was too weak to take myself. Her life is now a mystery to me, as it should be, and Im back to having only my memories of our brief friendship to reflect on, instead of a drip-feed of her life updates that no longer include me.

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Zoya Patel is an author and freelance writer from Canberra. The Opinion newsletter is a weekly wrap of views that will challenge, champion and inform your own. Sign up here.
Ex-Top Gun pilot loses appeal against US extradition

Former US fighter pilot Daniel Duggan, accused of training Chinese soldiers, is set to be extradited from Australia after his appeal was dismissed.
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Criminal charges laid against demonstrators who clashed with police during a visit by the Israeli president are in doubt after NSWs top court struck down laws rushed through parliament to restrict protests following the Bondi terrorist attack. The NSW Court of Appeal decision on Thursday prompted immediate calls for police to drop the charges laid against protesters at the Town Hall demonstration. However, the ruling does not automatically invalidate those charges. Several people were arrested at the protest against Israeli President Isaac Herzogs visit to Australia. Wolter Peeters Major event laws, which were also invoked for Israeli President Isaac Herzogs visit to Australia, gave police an additional source of powers. The Supreme Court rejected a separate challenge to those restrictions in February before the protest. Thousands of demonstrators clashed with hundreds of police on February 9 in a bloody and chaotic confrontation in the Sydney CBD, with dozens of charges laid. Restrictions covering the Sydney CBD and eastern suburbs were in place during Herzogs visit, and bolstered the existing powers of police.

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A trio of activist organisations, including the Palestine Action Group, asked the NSW Court of Appeal to strike down new laws which gave the police commissioner the power to make a declaration restricting all protests in a geographical area for a specific time after a suspected terrorist act. Related Article Updated

Courts Minns government took sledgehammer to protests after Bondi, court told The challenge was filed before the protest, but the hearing took place in its aftermath. In its decision on Thursday, the court  Chief Justice Andrew Bell, Court of Appeal President Julie Ward and Justice Stephen Free  declared the laws were invalid because they impermissibly burdened the implied freedom of political communication. The court noted the broad and un-discriminating nature of the restrictions, which would capture any protest in the geographical area.

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Perhaps most paradoxically of all, it would apply to a proposed public assembly in support of social cohesion, it said. There is no option under the impugned provisions other than to simply sweep up all public assemblies and subject them to the same restriction. NSW Premier Chris Minns said he did not regret introducing the protest laws. Sam Mooy The court said that quelling one particular form of political communication in the interests of protecting another part of the community from a sense of unease or threat (not associated with any proximate physical threat) is not a constitutionally legitimate purpose. NSW Police was reviewing the courts decision, a spokesperson said. Police charged 25 people over the February 9 protest.

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Premier Chris Minns said he was disappointed by the decision but stood by his governments decision to introduce the laws. Related Article Visual story

Israeli-Palestinian conflict How a protest in the heart of Sydney descended into bloody chaos This was in the aftermath of the worst terrorist attack our country has seen, in which 15 innocent lives were lost, he said. We believe it was necessary and important for Sydney at the time. The Palestine Action Group called for all charges against protesters connected to the protest at Town Hall to be withdrawn.

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These were laws  which deemed that the police could be given, effectively, the powers to ban all street demonstrations and many other protests about whatever cause, PAG spokesman Josh Lees said. This was like using a sledgehammer to crack a walnut. Criminal lawyer Nick Hanna, who is representing several of the protesters, believed it was inevitable that prosecutions against them would be unsuccessful. The maintenance of these prosecutions is untenable, and its time for the police to do the right thing and discontinue these prosecutions and that is exactly what were calling for now, he said. Josh Lees from the Palestine Action Group, who have called for all charges against the Town Hall protesters to be withdrawn. Janie Barrett Upper house Greens MP Sue Higginson, a lawyer and the partys justice spokesperson, said: Premier Chris Minns has once again been pulled into line by the courts for inflicting unconstitutional laws on the people of NSW.

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Any charges resulting from police activity at Town Hall need to be withdrawn, Higginson said, and civil liability in the tens of millions is inevitable. People were harmed, their right to march to Parliament was unlawfully obstructed, and no doubt police were harmed too, she said. Higginson said the premier needs to take responsibility for this. NSW Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon in December. Sam Mooy The NSW opposition, which had supported the laws, said the courts decision was a result of the government rushing through complex legislation before it could be thoroughly examined.

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Under the laws passed on December 24, 10 days after the Bondi massacre targeting the Jewish community, the police commissioner was empowered to make a public assembly restriction declaration (PARD) for up to 14 days. It could be extended for up to 90 days. The police ministers concurrence was required. The power to declare restrictions on protests could only be made in a terrorism-related context, but protests unrelated to the alleged terrorist act were captured. Before making a declaration, the police commissioner had to be satisfied holding protests in the area would be likely to cause a reasonable person to fear  harassment, intimidation or violence or for their safety, or to cause a risk to community safety. When the declaration was made for Herzogs visit, it displaced an existing legal mechanism for authorising or prohibiting protests on a case-by-case basis. Greg Barns, SC, spokesperson for the Australian Lawyers Alliance, welcomed the court decision and said the restrictions were a knee-jerk reaction to the Bondi attack.

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Laws that effectively ban protest and other forms of freedom of expression, or which severely curtail them, are in most cases anathema to a democratic society, he said. Be the first to know when major news happens. Sign up for breaking news alerts on email or turn on notifications in the app.
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NationalNSWCrime DPP lawyer accused of inappropriate relationships with inmates hit with strict bail conditions Michaela Whitbourn April 16, 2026  3:45pm Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Share A A A

A lawyer at the NSW Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions facing criminal charges over allegations she had inappropriate relationships with inmates has been barred from using apps including WhatsApp and Snapchat under tight bail conditions. Vanessa OBryan, 32, has been accused of unlawfully accessing confidential information from the ODPP, receiving proceeds of crime, and having a sexualised relationship with inmates. Vanessa OBryan is charged with a series of offences including misconduct in public office. Flickr She was charged in October with three counts of misconduct in public office, two counts of accessing restricted data, and hindering the discovery of evidence. Two new charges were laid in November: knowingly deriving a material benefit from a criminal group and knowingly dealing with proceeds of crime with the intent to conceal.

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OBryan, who has been suspended without pay from the ODPP, is subject to tight bail conditions, varied by the Local Court on March 26. The former criminal defence lawyer is barred from using or possessing more than one mobile phone and SIM card and must provide the password or PIN to police. In addition, she must not use or possess any encrypted device or any means of communicating via encrypted applications, including but not limited to WhatsApp, Snapchat, Wickr, Viber, KIK Messenger, Zoom, Discord, WeChat, Telegram or Signal. She is not to enter or attempt to enter any correctional facility and not to contact or attempt to contact any person incarcerated in a correctional facility, including through another person, other than a legal representative. At the time of her arrest last year, OBryan was based in the Northern Rivers region. The prosecuting authority has an office in Lismore.

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Police executed a search warrant at her Ballina home in the early hours of October 30 and seized mobile phones, computers and documents before she was taken into custody and charged. A non-publication order made by the Local Court in December prevented OBryans name being reported until now, but the accuseds alleged relationships with gangland murderer Joshua Baines and inmate Terry Sampson were permitted to be reported. The non-publication order on her name was overturned by the Supreme Court this month. OBryan is alleged to have had a sexualised relationship with other inmates and a prolonged association with a number of criminals, the order said. She is also accused of receiving $5000, being the proceeds of crime. The ODPP said in a statement last year that it reported OBryans conduct to NSW Police in September after detecting suspicious activity.

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It said this year that it took all criminal accusations very seriously and continues to co-operate closely with NSW Police and a full internal investigation will take place after the criminal investigation has concluded. As part of her bail conditions OBryan must live at a property in the north-west Sydney suburb of Windsor and report to police once a day on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. She is also not to apply for a new passport or other travel document and must not go within 1 kilometre of any international departure from the Commonwealth of Australia. The matter is next listed for a brief hearing on May 7 in Ballina Local Court. Be the first to know when major news happens. Sign up for breaking news alerts on email or turn on notifications in the app.

CLARIFICATION This story has been updated after Vanessa OBryans legal representatives claimed there were errors in court documents concerning the nature of the accuseds conduct.
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Exclusive NationalNSWSydney councils Police called to polling booth as Sydney council vote descends into chaos Anthony Segaert April 16, 2026  5:41pm Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Share A A A

A toxic south-west Sydney council byelection has descended into chaos after police were called to a polling booth amid a screaming match between a councillor and a candidate. The altercation came a day after Liverpool City Councils Liberal mayor accidentally published the home address of the areas Labor state MP in a Facebook video criticising circumstances which led to the south ward byelection, triggered by the resignation of deputy mayor Betty Green in January. Liverpool Liberal councillor Richard Ammoun and independent byelection candidate Jamal Daoud were seen shouting at each other at pre-poll at Casula Community Centre on Thursday afternoon. Police at the Casula Community Centre pre-poll station. Daoud, who ran as an independent for the seat of Werriwa in last years federal election, claimed he was called a liar by Ammoun for alleging there was corruption at the council, and that a Liberal supporter said in Arabic your father is a son of a bitch.

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An electoral worker inside then called NSW Police, Daoud and other witnesses confirmed. I needed at that time to say a few bad words about him, Daoud told the Herald on Thursday afternoon. Not bad, but I said Shut your mouth, or something like that. You cant talk about my father like this, especially [because] he is a dead person now. Jamal Daoud, an independent candidate, now wears a bodycam at the pre-poll station. Anthony Segaert Ammoun said Daoud was lying about there being corruption at the council. He was just saying things that were untrue to constituents, I tried to correct him, Ammoun said. He started calling me names in his native language. I remained calm, even while the police were there.

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Daoud is now wearing a bodycam for the final few days of the campaign. A NSW Police spokesperson said they were called regarding a civil matter and left without incident. State MPs address posted online The incident is the latest escalation in a dramatic 24 hours ahead of Saturdays vote, which will return about 82,000 of the councils residents to the polls. On Wednesday night, Liberal mayor Ned Mannoun posted an extraordinary 3-minute and 50-second video to Facebook of him sitting in front of a corkboard containing the faces of his political rivals connected by pins and a piece of string, discussing the cold, hard truth about the council.

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Ned Mannoun, mayor of Liverpool, posted the video about his political rivals late on Wednesday night. Facebook/Ned Mannoun - Mayor of Liverpool For about three seconds, as Mannoun was talking about the United Services Unions donations to Labor, a photo appeared on-screen of an election donation disclosure form which revealed the unredacted home addresses of Liverpools state Labor MP Charishma Kaliyanda and Green. Kaliyanda, a former Liverpool councillor, said it was doxxing. Im getting advice about what my options are, she said. Does this mean that I need to move house? What does this mean in terms of safety and security measures that I need to put in place for myself and my family? Mannoun stopped short of apologising for sharing the data in the video but said: Im sorry that a publicly available document was published.

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The people whose addresses were shared werent mentioned in the video, and the size of the clipping was barely legible, Mannoun said. On Thursday morning, he removed the video and re-uploaded it with the information blurred. Mannoun said he was planning to publish more social media content about the saga. Wait for my next video, he said. 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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A party at the Mongols Sydney headquarters ended early after NSW Polices anti-bikie squad gatecrashed the event and forced 200-odd revellers to lie face-down on the ground as they seized alcohol, drugs and cash.

Dramatic vision released by police shows Raptor Squad and Operations Support Group officers, heavily armed and wearing masks, storming the Mongols event in a Blacktown industrial park just before 8pm on Saturday.

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The officers repeatedly yell out police search warrant and order the bikies and their associates to get on the ground of the Forge Street clubhouse.

Footage shows dozens of bikies from Mongols Australias Steel City, Central Coast and East End Raiders chapters sitting or lying on the ground with club colours on their shirts and jackets, and forced to keep their hands and identification visible.
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NationalQueenslandQueensland government Child safety blew out budget on premium emergency placements amid carer drought Catherine Strohfeldt April 16, 2026  6:28pm Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Share A A A

Queenslands child safety department blew out its budget splashing cash on emergency residential care places at a premium for years as it struggled to recruit more kinship carers, an inquiry has heard. In one of the final hearings in the 17-month-long inquiry into the states child safety system, it was revealed the number of children and teenagers needing a place in care in 2020 had ballooned to nearly 10,000. The department lacked places for 1372 of those. Former Minister for Children Leanne Linard took the witness stand for the child safety commission on Thursday. Jamila Toderas Former minister for children Leanne Linard  who held the position between late 2020 and mid-2023  told the inquiry there was a significant gap between available places and the children who needed them.

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The number of outsourced service delivery places had reportedly reached capacity in 2019, often resulting in emergency and higher-cost residential care options being all that could be sourced to meet the need to remove a child to safety, Linard said in a statement tendered to the commission on Monday. Related Article Child abuse Disabled brothers left to suffer due to systemic Queensland failures She said the number of children and young people entering the system about 2020, following COVID-19 restrictions, had ballooned. The department had relied on those children returning after restrictions eased, Linard said, but former department director-general Deidre Mulkerin told the inquiry on Tuesday numbers were instead growing. Last week, counsel assisting Tom Diaz told the inquiry Queenslands residential care sector had since grown to $1 billion, with the state counting almost 12,500 children in the care system by the end of 2024.

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On Thursday, the inquiry revealed the emergency placements used by the department typically cost up to 40 per cent more than a foster care placement with a third-party residential care provider. Related Article Child safety Child safety system confronts financial catastrophe Linard confirmed these short-term and emergency placements were also often with unlicensed providers, meaning the number of such provided grew alongside children in the system. While the department was seeking to boost kinship and family-based carers  which were also the least expensive care option  Linard said it was struggling to fill places. We were not getting large in-flows of kin carers  2022 was when we started to see this increase in kin carers, but it wasnt fast, Linard said.

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The department also forewent medium-term contracts with residential care providers because it needed guaranteed funding for several years, but had stripped that money pool in its bid to shrink the residential care sector. We were not focused on expanding [residential care placements]  we were focusing on kin and making sure we werent putting young people on those high-cost agreements, Linard said. The department was at the time attempting to halve residential care placements and double family and kinship care placements  aiming for fewer than 10 per cent of children in the system to be in residential care by 2027. Linard said the result was significant cost blow-outs, with successive budgets only filling the departments deficit. Even if you had had a significant injection of funds at that point in time, you could not have solved everything in one year, she said.

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The department had the option to call on the minister to create a guarantee for future funding with treasury that could have enabled medium-term residential care contracts, but Linard said she was never asked. If there was something that practically I could have done  which would have addressed or supported the agency I wasnt aware of that, but I was certainly aware that the deficits were straining the department, she said. Commissioner Paul Anastassiou suggested the department had foregone a possible safety net in medium-term residential care places to instead push for a boost to annual funding, with Mulkerin revealing earlier in the week the department had sought close to $1.5 billion in 2023. It was instead allocated about $280 million. The inquiry was expected to resume on Friday. Recommendations were expected to be handed down by 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.
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NationalQueenslandPsychology The 10 messages led to psychologist being barred from registration Julius Dennis April 16, 2026  7:55pm Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Share A A A

A psychologist who sent a string of aggressive messages to a patient, including telling them anti-vaxxers should be exterminated, has been barred from applying for her registration for six months by a Queensland administrative tribunal. Kirsten McArthur, who practised between 2010 and 2022, began messaging a patient she had seen for almost a decade on Facebook in 2021. Is [redacted] your daughter-in-law [sic] now? I didnt know she married your son? Is she still a moronic ignorant unemployment anti-vaxxing pensioner with kids to other dudes putting you and your grandsons life at risk? the comment read. The case was heard by the Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal. She messaged the patient multiple times between October 2021 and January the following year.

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Hey , have ya got that retarded mother of your grand son [sic] to get vaxxed yet??? Anti vaxxers [sic] should be exterminated. This planet has no room for them, one said. Other messages focused on the patients relationships. I hope you have a nice xmas ... Perhaps it is a good time to reflect on your life and try and understand why you had relationships with such freak nasty shows  You really need to take a more assertive role with  sorry but she is an ignorant selfish idiot take control stop being such a door mat  please? McArthur wrote on December 11, 2021. McArthur accused the patient of being a dolebludger and of committing fraud by receiving Centrelink payments. I am reporting you to Centrelink. YOU ARE A F**KING FAKE. You clearly CAN work AND DONT and I find that repulsive. Get a life and GET A JOB AS A CLEANER LOSER and stop wasting my taxes!!! You really are a retard I have known that since the first time I met you, she wrote in January 2022.

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Your beloved FB was your downfall. I have recorded ALL your activity to show just what a busy bee you can actually be so you CAN clean toilets dolebludger oh well TOO LATE YOU WILL LOSE EVERYTHING, McArthur said in a following message. The patient provided evidence to the board that the messages only stopped after they blocked McArthur on Facebook. Their daughter said McArthurs actions had serious effects on the patient, including the development of agoraphobia and being too scared to start treatment with a new psychologist. The Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal also found McArthur had practised without third-party public indemnity insurance for seven months in 2020 and 2021, and lied about being insured on a renewal form she filled out in 2021. She renewed her cover in July 2021, but lied that she had been covered for the entire previous period when she applied for a new registration in November 2021.

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In the ruling the board noted McArthur was diagnosed with bipolar and had been going through serious personal issues, including losing her job and the death of her mother. Get alerts on significant breaking news as happens. Sign up for our Breaking News Alert.
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A 34-year-old man has been charged with murdering his mother after a woman was found dead at a property on Thursday morning in Far North Queensland.

Police were called to a Downs Street property in Mareeba, a rural town about an hour inland of Cairns, about 7.15am on Thursday.

A 34-year-old man has been charged with murder after a womans body was found at a property in Mareeba, inland of Cairns.

A woman was found dead at the property and a crime scene was declared.

A man, later confirmed as the womans son, was taken into custody at the scene.
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NationalVictoriaCrime Council demands fortress-like shopfront shutter be removed despite burglary fears Lachlan Abbott April 17, 2026  5:30am Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Share A A A

A bottle shop in Melbournes east fears it will be defenceless against burglars after it was ordered to remove a fortress-like shutter by the council, sparking debate about what brick-and-mortar businesses can do to combat crime. Oakleigh Cellars recently lost a tribunal appeal against Monash City Councils decision to refuse retrospective approval for a black roller shutter on their Atherton Road shop. Co-owner Chris Thompson said the shutter was needed to protect his liquor store from elevated property crime, particularly after they were burgled within months of opening in late 2023. VCAT member Jane Tait, however, agreed with the council, finding the solid shutter was a harsh and unappealing facade, contrary to planning policies that seek to avoid dead frontages.

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Tait said the shutter created an inactive streetscape that reduced the sense of safety for pedestrians in Oakleigh. Chris Thompson outside his bottle shop with its shutter down. Ruby Alexander But the bottle shops owners say their shutter is a symptom  not a cause  of concerns about crime. They argue planning rules are outdated, the councils demands are too onerous, and fears about reduced amenity are misplaced as they open daily from 10.30am to 11pm, meaning the shutter is not down for much of the day. Thompson said he felt a little bit shocked, surprised and kind of disappointed when he received a council letter requesting his shutter be removed.

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When we first opened up the store, within the first three months, my doors got smashed and kicked in. There was tens of thousands of dollars worth of stock [taken] and damage done, he said. So we put the shutters up, and ever since weve had the shutter, weve had no break-ins  nothing like that. So they clearly work. I didnt think it was an issue because there are plenty of other shops and buildings around us with these shutters as well ... So theres a bit of confusion there about why theyve just singled us out. Monash Council, however, told VCAT it was investigating the unauthorised installation of external roller shutters across Oakleigh and would take further action.

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The council said security shutters should be inside a shopfront and have a transparent open grill to provide passive surveillance of the street and store. VCAT member Tait agreed a blank black wall would harm safety overall, adding: It will also have longer-term economic impacts on the safety and security concerns for other businesses nearby. Another business with a shopfront shutter in Oakleigh. Ruby Alexander Monash Mayor Stuart James encouraged businesses to contact the council before changing a shopfront to work through security options and avoid unnecessary costs. Roller shutters extend into public space on the footpath and attract graffiti, making our shopping strips feel less welcoming and safe, he said in a statement.

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Shutters can be installed inside without a permit, as this does not impact on public space. However, Thompsons business partner Sanjeer Mandhan said their buildings design meant it could not support internal shutters. Thompson says the shutter is needed to protect his liquor store from the risk of crime. His store was burgled in 2023. Ruby Alexander Renovations to fix this would cost tens of thousands of dollars and the shop would be unprotected for some time, he said. Were just going to be at a burglars mercy, Mandhan said.

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Oakleigh Cellars offered to pay for a translucent shutter to replace the black roller to improve shopfront visibility and passive surveillance. However, the tribunal judgment said: Council responded to say that its preference is for a security measure that is internal to the shopfront as it is more aesthetically pleasing. Thompson says he felt a little bit shocked, surprised and kind of disappointed when asked by the council to remove his shutter. Ruby Alexander The VCAT decision  issued on March 27  also said previous cases indicate a lack of policy support for solid external shutters in areas where active frontages are promoted, particularly in activity centres. Thompson argued planning rules needed to give greater weight to modern security needs.

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I definitely think they are outdated, he said. I thought safety trumps looks in any industry. The latest Crime Statistics Agency data shows property and deception offences in Victoria climbed significantly to reach 5176 offences per 100,000 people in 2025  a 42.2 per cent increase since 2022. Retail crime has particularly spiked alongside the rising cost of living. However, the rate of property offending is still below 2016 levels when adjusted for population growth.

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Monash Council said it had not recorded a recent increase in planning applications for external shutters. The mayor suggested alarm systems, CCTV, improved lighting, reinforced glazing and security film could bolster security instead. Thompson says Monash City Council is out of touch with whats happening in the suburbs. Ruby Alexander He said the council also tried to improve safety in Oakleigh by running events to attract people into well-lit public spaces. Thompson, however, said: I think the council is quite out of touch with whats actually happening in our suburbs.

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He worries removing his shutters will also complicate his businesss insurance, which had already proved tricky to obtain after the March 2024 burglary, despite other upgrades. I dont know what Im going to do, he said. 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 Librarians skills and a ray of light identify fallen World War I soldier Carolyn Webb April 16, 2026  3:00pm Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Share A A A

A ray of sunlight and some sleuthing has helped a librarian identify a World War I soldier whose photo was handed in to the State Library of Victoria. The chance sighting of handwriting on the back of the photo led to the discovery that he was Melburnian Harold Ross Clark who was killed in Belgium in 1917. Dinah Stehr (left) with librarian Ann Copeland and the photo of Stehrs WWI soldier grandfather, Harold Ross Clark. Simon Schluter By further detective work, librarian Ann Copeland tracked down one of Clarks descendants. Copeland gave the framed portrait to Clarks granddaughter Dinah Stehr, of Newcastle, in New South Wales, who visited the library last week.

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Stehr said she had never seen the portrait, which was handed in by an unknown person to a security guard at the library last month with an unsigned Post-it note attached. The Post-it note attached to the photo that was handed in. Simon Schluter The note said: Can you please return this to the family? The only words on the photo were, Yours sincerely Hal 30/7/16, and the name of a Melbourne photographic studio. Copeland, a family history librarian, who was given the photo, held little hope of identifying Hal.

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But one day, as a colleague held up the photo, Copeland noticed something on the cardboard backing. As the sun shone on it, I could make out some faint text saying, Killed in Action 16/9/17, she said. The back of the photo with the faint words Killed in Action and the date of Harold Ross Clarks death. Another librarian, David Flegg, told her the soldiers uniform indicated he was a lieutenant. By searching for soldiers who had died on the date, with a first name beginning with H, Copeland singled out Harold Ross Clark.

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According to the National Archives of Australia, Clark was buried at The Huts Cemetery at Dikkebus, south-west of Ypres, in Belgium. The Battle of Passchendaele raged between German and Allied troops in the area from July to November, 1917. The record of Harold Ross Clarks death and his burial. National Archives of Australia The National Archives record said Clark, who was in a party carrying trench mortar shells, died instantly after coming under heavy artillery attack. Clark, of Elsternwick, was 25, and married to Doris Clark.

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Newspaper archives revealed Harold had two young sons. His brother, Jack, was also killed in action, at Pozieres, France, in 1916. Their brother-in-law, Lieutenant H. V. Fraser, also died in World War I. A 1918 newspaper report of the death of Harold Ross Clark, his brother, Jack, and their brother-in-law. Graphic of Australia, March 15, 1918 While searching for Clarks descendants, Copeland was distressed to find that Clarks son, Harold Douglas Clark, had been killed in Lebanon during World War II, aged 23. Copeland found the death notice of Clarks other son, Laurance, which named his children and grandchildren.

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Through the internet, Copeland tracked down Dinah Stehr, Laurances daughter and Clarks granddaughter. Related Article Opinion

Anzac Day Why so many Diggers voted no to conscription in WWI Oliver Sinclair Lawyer Stehr said she was amazed and gobsmacked to hear from Copeland. Its wonderful to have it because I dont think any of us in the family has got that photo, Stehr said. Stehr said she was terribly impressed with Copelands research skills.

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She would like to speak to whomever dropped the photo in at the library and thank them, too. Copeland said: Its an absolute delight to have found a home for Hal. We thought hed end up in the library collection as an anonymous WWI digger, but to find his history and find out about his family was so important. It was really great. 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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NationalWACrime Brisket bandit robs Perth butcher of $300 worth of meat in brazen burglary Hannah Murphy April 16, 2026  8:20pm Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Share A A A

A Perth butcher has been left frustrated after an opportunistic thief jumped the counter of his store and made off with $300 worth of beef brisket. John Bain, who owns Rump Shakers in Southern River, said the brisket bandit struck about 8.30pm on Wednesday. You can watch old mate just walking through having a look, eating his crackers, he said. Hes casing the place out, waiting for the opportunity.

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A slab of brisket from Rump Shakers similar to the two the man took. Hannah Murphy Bain said the man finished off his pizza-flavoured Shapes before climbing over the stores bain marie, knocking it off-centre. He then opens one cabinet before going to the front of the store and takes out two 15 kilogram cuts of beef brisket. And off he went, Bain said. The man then nonchalantly made his way out of the shopping centre with the $300 worth of meat under his arm.

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Bain said it was incredibly disappointing to see someone target a small business in such a brazen way. It hurts, were a small business. The uncontrollable costs are going through the roof at the moment - not just butchers but for small businesses in general. Were all feeling it, so to have that done is pretty annoying. Bain reported the theft to police on Thursday, and handed over the CCTV footage of the robbery. He also posted a photo of the suspected thief to the butcher shops social media, and was inundated by customers looking to help.

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By Thursday afternoon, the butcher and his family had identified a potential suspect and reported the man to police. Related Article Exclusive

Crime Police and safety officers to patrol shopping centres until the end of the year It just annoys me because he obviously didnt care about being caught, Bain said. Police are investigating.
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NationalWAPrisons Hakea prisoners take WA government to court over inhumane living conditions Michael Philipps April 16, 2026  5:39pm Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Share A A A

Six men who spent time incarcerated in Hakea Prison are taking the West Australian government to court, alleging they experienced inhumane living conditions while in the prison system. Six individual writs were lodged with the Supreme Court of WA on behalf of the prisoners by the Aboriginal Legal Service of WA, alleging the men were kept in their cells or otherwise confined within the prison in an inhumane manner which allegedly breach their duty of care. The six plaintiffs spent time in Hakea prison. Fairfax The State of Western Australia, the chief executive of the Department of Justice and the superintendent of Hakea Prison have been named as the first, second and third defendants, respectively, in the legal action. According to the documents filed in the Supreme Court, the plaintiffs are claiming loss and damage after being confined and experiencing inhumane living conditions and severely reduced access to essential entitlements and services.

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The confinements occurred as a result of the acts or omissions of persons conferred with functions under the Prisons Act 1981 (WA), including the second defendant (DoJ), the third defendant (Hakea Prison Superintendent) and/or prison officers, the writs state. Related Article Exclusive

Prisons A Perth judge labelled Hakea Prison dangerously unstable. So whats it like inside? The confinements were not authorised under the Prisons Act 1981 (WA) or at all and therefore constituted false or unlawful imprisonment. The First Defendant, the Second Defendant and the Third Defendant are directly or vicariously liable for the false or unlawful imprisonment, breach of duty of care, and breach of statutory duty. Three of the plaintiffs  Matthew Maslin, Dwayne Hurtle Abraham and Gregory Bryce Julian Oakley  have their physical addresses still listed as at Hakea Prison.

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Two of the plaintiffs  Keil Kevin John Knapp and Ivan Thomas Jackamarra  are listed as residing at Casuarina Prison, while the sixth individual, Craig Egan, is listed as living at a private residence. The court documents allege the confinement incidents occurred on several dates from March 2023 up to as recently as April this year. The men are seeking declaratory relief, damages, interest on damages, costs and other relief the court may find appropriate. The Aboriginal Legal Service of WA and the Department of Justice have been contacted for further comment. Just last year a District Court judge took the unusual step of speaking out about the conditions at the facility which she described as dangerously unstable.

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Judge Linda Black also used the prisons intolerable conditions as a reason to reduce one mans prison sentence as he had been held there for a number of years on remand. In June, the Justice Department told the ABC there had been 18 deaths in custody in the last year. A month later, another damning report by the Office of the Inspector of Custodial Services said conditions at Hakea had slightly improved but remained entirely unacceptable. The defendants are due to formally respond at a later date. 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 License this article More: Prisons

Perth Michael Philipps is a producer and reporter with WAtoday.
Woman clings to bonnet in Gold Coast road rage incident

Shocking video has emerged of a woman clinging to the bonnet of a moving car during an apparent road rage incident on the Gold Coast.
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PoliticsFederalDefence Marles hits out at washed-up bureaucrats amid accusations of accounting tricks Matthew Knott Updated April 17, 2026  12:03pm ,first published April 16, 2026  6:39pm Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Share A A A

Spending on local missile manufacturing and systems to protect Australia from drone and missile attacks will surge over the next decade as the Albanese government rejects accusations it is using accounting trickery to inflate defence spending figures in a bid to placate the Trump administration. Defence Minister Richard Marles broke with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and other commentators who have declared the global rules-based order is dead, arguing that Australia needed to defend the system of norms and laws that has helped it prosper in recent decades. Defence Minister Richard Marles. Alex Ellinghausen He warned Australia stands at the foothills of a new nuclear arms race in the Indo-Pacific and needed to spend more to defend itself as major powers such as the US and Russia abandon previous arms control efforts. The national defence strategy and 10-year spending plan revealed on Thursday showed the government would spend an extra $53 billion on defence over the next decade and $14 billion extra over the next four years.

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Reflecting frustration within the government at claims it has not spent enough on defence, Marles said military spending did not rise as a result of think tanks, or former generals, or washed-up bureaucrats but because of vigorous debates around the cabinet table. The government revealed it would cut $5 billion from existing defence programs over the next four years, and $10 billion over a decade, to free up money for drones, nuclear-powered submarines and other advanced technologies. Senior sources, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the capabilities being scrapped included the air forces fleet of 10 C-27J Spartan aircraft, considered overly expensive to maintain and capable of being replaced by cheaper aircraft. The new spending plan showed that the government would spend up to $36 billion on local missile manufacturing over the next decade, up from an estimate of $21 billion two years ago.

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Spending on missile defence would grow to as much as $30 billion over the next decade, a major increase on the $18 billion estimate in 2014. We will accelerate the introduction of air and missile defence capabilities, including new investment in a mediumrange, groundbased air defence system, recognising the increasingly contested air and missile environment, Marles said in his speech to the press club. This program will commence as a priority from 2026 to enhance protection against advanced aircraft as well as cruise and ballistic missiles. Marles said Australia would be spending 3 per cent of gross domestic product on defence by 2033 by using a North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) definition that includes areas of spending  such as on military pensions  that have not previously been used in Australian defence spending calculations.

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The Trump administration has urged allies, including Australia, to spend at least 3.5 per cent of GDP on defence. Related Article Analysis

Defence Trump has changed Australias defence spending. Just not in the way he thinks Opposition defence spokesman James Paterson accused the government of using an entirely new measure of Australias defence spending as a proportion of GDP. Accounting tricks do not make our country safer, and changing the rules about how we measure defence spending is pulling the wool over the eyes of the Australian people, not being upfront and honest with them about exactly how much we are spending, he said. Marles said the government was seeking to compare apples with apples by assessing Australias defence spending alongside like-minded nations in Europe and North America.

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Marcus Hellyer, regarded as the nations leading defence economist, said he estimated Australia would be spending 2.47 per cent of GDP on defence by 2033 using the traditional method of calculation. Photo: Matt Golding Greens defence spokesman David Shoebridge said: At its core this new strategy is doubling down on the US alliance, while still pretending it is based on a shared commitment to rules, sovereignty and self-respect. You can only deliver this message if you actively ignore all the evidence of the US actively trashing international law and peaceful norms. For all the trumpeting of increased spending, its worth noting its primarily delivered by an accounting trick where defence pensions get rebadged as defence spending and most of the actual budget increases are being sunk straight into the AUKUS submarine black hole. The governments spending plan reveals the vast scale of spending on the nuclear-powered submarine program over the next decade: $71 to $96 billion, dwarfing investments in all other military capabilities.

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Over the next decade, 41 per cent of defence spending will be allocated to the navy, largely because of the investment in AUKUS, compared to 17 per cent for the army and 14 per cent for the air force. This compares to a 2020 estimate of 28 per cent of spending for maritime defence, 24 per cent for the RAAF and 20 per cent for the army. The spending surge reflects the growing importance of the navy, alongside the promotion last week of navy chief Mark Hammond to lead the Australian Defence Force. Marles said the global rules-based order was under extreme pressure as he singled out China for massively increasing military spending without transparency and enforcing contested territorial and maritime claims in the South and East China seas.

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However, he said he strongly disagreed with the the idea of the global rulesbased order  an order where nations can pursue their security and economic interests, consistent with international law and free from coercion  is now extinct. The global rulesbased order provides a middle power like Australia with agency, he said. Related Article Defence $53 billion to be ploughed into Australias defence budget. Trumps secretary of war wanted more A world defined purely by power and might does not. And it is most definitely against Australias national interest to rush  as some Australians have  to the conclusion that this order no longer has any role. Australian Strategic Policy Institute executive director Justin Bassi praised Marles for rejecting the cynical claim that rules are dead and we need to rely on interests over values.

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Ian Langford, a retired senior army officer who served in top Defence roles, accused the government of using accounting tricks to inflate the level of defence spending as a percentage of GDP. Cut through the noise of federal politics with news, views and expert analysis. Subscribers can sign up to our weekly Inside Politics newsletter.
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PoliticsFederalImmigration Opinion Taylors immigration policy points to a ban on one kind of migrant Waleed Aly Columnist, author and academic April 17, 2026  5:00am

April 17, 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

Its easy to forget that not very long ago, when Sussan Ley was presiding over a Liberal Party civil war on immigration policy, everyone actually agreed on what the thrust of it would be. Immigration would be cut, by consensus. The fight was over on what grounds. Moderates wanted this to be about housing; about services keeping up with population. The conservative wing wanted it to be about values: to object not just to the numbers coming, but to the people themselves. It wanted to point the finger at certain cohorts and say bluntly: we dont want you here. Truth be told, the moderates lost that argument even under Ley. At one point, Ley spoke of immigration policy as an infrastructure piece, all roofs and roads. By the time Angus Taylor deposed her, her office had already dreamt up a policy that sought to ban entries from 13 countries in the Trumpian style; a policy that, upon being leaked, proved too unvarnished even for the newly minted conservative leader, who rebuffed it. But this week, when Taylor finally launched the Coalitions long-awaited immigration policy, it became official. The moderates are vanquished. Its migrants, as people, in the dock. Illustration by Dionne Gain Specifically, migrants of subversive intent. Migrants who are a net drain. Theyre the ones bursting through the floodgates, and taking us for a ride. It was therefore time to take back control; to halt the Balkanisation of communities. This is not the language of an alternative prime minister any time since the White Australia policy. But it is the language of Nigel Farage. At moments, when Taylor is talking about scouring prospective migrants social media accounts, its the language of Donald Trump. And plainly, it chimes with the language of Pauline Hanson, who laughed off the whole thing as a copycat exercise, on which the Coalition will never deliver in the way One Nation would. Hansons probably right. The Coalitions policy is to discriminate based on values rather than nationality, race, gender or faith. In this way, it insists it preserves the non-discriminatory immigration program Robert Menzies introduced. Its a technical, slightly tortured argument given that the Coalition is inviting us to infer values from peoples origins. Migrants from liberal democracies have a greater likelihood of subscribing to Australian values compared to those migrating from places ruled by fundamentalists, extremists, and dictators said Taylor, before declaring every refugee from Gaza suspect: a high risk to our nation who must be reassessed with far greater scrutiny.

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Would One Nation bother with such fine distinctions? Or would it just give you the full-strength version: say were being swamped by Muslims, and return to something bluntly discriminatory? Taylor is proud to declare his policy is not politically correct. But if thats a virtue, One Nation is much better at signalling it. Related Article Immigration Angus Taylor claims too many self-serving migrants are draining the nation Which probably matters, because once you strip away Taylors thundering, theres less than meets the ear. Security agencies already search social media posts. Prospective citizens already sign values statements. The Coalition wishes to make this legally enforceable by setting up a whole new bureaucracy to police migrants values, apparently in the name of reclaiming power from the bureaucrats. How this could work in practice is, at this point, anyones guess. For now, the values in question have been reduced to broad platitudes that would be legally meaningless. Things like equal rights for men and women or belief in freedom of speech which mean quite different things to different people. Theres no explanation of how a government would define precisely what counts as a forbidden opinion for migrants to hold, or even if such a law would be constitutional. Its not clear how policing migrants views in this way squares with our apparently inviolable value of freedom of speech. Even the Coalitions huffing about refugees from Gaza would probably be of no practical effect. ASIO has already vetted every one of them  and rejected some  in what ASIO boss Mike Burgess called a comprehensive and in-depth approach. None of which seems to be the point. Look more closely, and this policy seems not to be terribly much about migration at all. Consider the examples Taylor provides as evidence of our broken immigration system. The Bondi Beach terrorist attack, allegedly committed by an Australian-born man, and his father who arrived under John Howard. Radical Islamic preachers, the most infamous of which is currently Sydneys Wissam Haddad, born in Australia. Genocidal marches in major cities, which presumably refers to the marches against the slaughter in Gaza, attended by huge numbers of white Australians. Antisemitism across Australian communities, as though the only communities in question are migrant ones, even as were in an age of neo-Nazi revival.

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Thats the stuff of a law and order policy. To force migration policy to do that work would require us to identify not just migrants with un-Australian attitudes, but migrants who might one day have children who might grow up to have un-Australian attitudes. And since Taylor seems to be worried mostly about attitudes that gather around Muslims, Israel, and antisemitism  given these are the only specific examples he cites  theres really only one logical extension to this approach: youd have to ban Muslim, Arab, and specifically Palestinian immigration. Related Article Opinion

Roberts-Smith case Many have politicised the Roberts-Smith case. That temptation should be over Waleed Aly Columnist, author and academic Turns out, thats basically what One Nation policy has been for a decade. Hanson just says this stuff outright. Taylor cant, at least if he wants to insist his policy is non-discriminatory. Thats not to say hes being disingenuous, or that he harbours some secret desire to impose such a ban. Im sure he doesnt. But hes framed his policy in a way that gives plausible deniability to those who quietly do, and makes something like that the next logical step. And, having led his followers that far, we cant be surprised if a significant number of them decide to take it. Waleed Aly is a broadcaster, author, academic and regular columnist for The Age and The Sydney Morning Herald. Get a weekly wrap of views that will challenge, champion and inform your own. Sign up for our Opinion newsletter.
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Updated PoliticsQueenslandQueensland government Former workplace safety boss wanted to sack friend of the CFMEU, but couldnt Matt Dennien Updated April 16, 2026  4:50pm ,first published 10:59am Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Share A A A

A former head of Queenslands workplace safety regulator said he wanted, but was unable, to sack an employee under corruption watchdog monitoring who was described as a friend of the CFMEU. Peter McKay, the former deputy director-general in charge of the regulator, also told the states CFMEU inquiry that the now ousted leader Michael Ravbar directed organisers to call him directly with all issues as reprisal for not returning the sidelined employee to a more powerful role. Peter McKay, a former deputy director-general of the Office of Industrial Relations, gives evidence to the inquiry. Commission of Inquiry into the CFMEU and Misconduct in the Construction Industry The powerful state probe has this week returned to the topic of the CFMEUs regulatory capture of the office, with evidence from another inspector and its executive director for compliance and field services, Sarina Wise. Taking the witness stand himself on Thursday, McKay reiterated widespread and now widely aired concerns about the role and actions of former construction compliance and field services director Helen Burgess.

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Last year, Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie told parliament Burgess had been suspended and her home raided by the Crime and Corruption Commission. The inquiry has heard Burgess had a personal relationship with former CFMEU state president Royce Kupsch. Commissioner Stuart Wood during the Commission of Inquiry into the CFMEU. News Corp Australia The inquiry has also heard about the existence of complaints that Burgess had bullied and abused safety inspectors under her control, including directing some to issue stop-work notices they believed to be unlawful. Wise told the inquiry on Wednesday the office had been referred information by the CCC that Burgess was in a de facto relationship with a CFMEU delegate whose son she had hired five years earlier as an inspector, without disclosing the conflict. In his evidence, McKay said he was reluctant to take a secondment to lead the regulator given issues with the CFMEU, its relationship with Burgess, and the resulting cultural problems for the broader staff.

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By this time, Burgess had been moved by McKays predecessor, Kym Bancroft, into a role where she no longer had control of the offices construction inspectors. In McKays 137-page witness statement bundle tendered with the inquiry, he said the then state CFMEU secretary, Ravbar, saw the answer to every problem being the return of Ms Burgess to her more powerful role. In almost every conversation that I had with him, he would raise the issue of putting Ms Burgess back in charge of the inspectors, McKay said, including words to the effect of if you would agree to put Helen back, this wouldnt be a problem. Ravbar also pushed then Industrial Relations Minister Grace Grace to do the same in a meeting with McKay. In a September 2023 conversation with another former CFMEU official, Kurt Pauls, McKay recalled him referring to Burgess as a friend of the CFMEU.

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I did not trust her and she was not well-liked in OIR but that, in and of itself, is not grounds to terminate the employment of a permanent public service staff person, McKay said, also citing earlier disciplinary action around the use of a personal phone to deal with a CFMEU complaint. Related Article Queensland government Safety inspectors forced to write stop-work notices for targeted CFMEU sites If it was the case that I could simply remove her from OIR, I would have, but at that time there was not enough to go on to terminate her. Instead, McKay said Burgess was closely managed in the low risk and less powerful role. Despite Wise also not trusting her and seeking to have her moved, McKay said no other executives trusted her either, with their units either less suitable or higher risk for Burgess. When a proposal was put forward by the office for a new hotline for construction sector concerns specifically, Pauls told McKay in a meeting that if Burgess was not reinstated, the union would not use the 1300 number and would call another senior staffer directly.

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This, ultimately, ended up being McKay, who said he then had to relay detail from all such calls to the relevant team despite this both delaying action for the union and being a waste of his time while leading the 900-strong office. Related Article Exclusive

Queensland government Flawed MOU let banned officials argue their way onto building sites Despite this, McKay continued, saying he thought it was better him than another member of his staff and that to not do so would have been a nuclear option in which the union could claim it was being ignored by the regulator. In cross-examination by counsel for Ravbar, Ruth OGorman KC, McKay was asked if describing such calls as reprisal was too strong. He said it was not. Michael Ravbar had said to me, I will give your mobile phone number to all of my organisers, and they will ring you with everything. So you know, this was a campaign to say to me, you havent done what I told you to do, and the result of that is you are going to cop all these calls from my organisers. 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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Washington: When Cheyenne Hunt first arrived on Capitol Hill as a staffer in 2020, several other young women working there warned her privately: Stay away from Representative Eric Swalwell. The California Democrat could be creepy, Hunt said other women told her, especially over social media. Six years later, Hunt is one of several women who have leveraged their large followings online to go after Swalwell, enlisting women to come forward with their stories and connecting them with reporters. Late last week, allegations that include sexual assault of a former staffer and sending unsolicited explicit messages to young women came to light in investigations published by CNN and the San Francisco Chronicle. On Tuesday, a woman accused Swalwell of raping her in 2018. Swalwells attorney Sara Azari said Swalwell denies each and every allegation of sexual misconduct and assault made against him, calling them false, fabricated, and deeply offensive. This is a ruthless and shameless attempt to smear Congressman Swalwell, Azari said of the allegations. Eric Swalwell speaking at a town hall meeting in Sacramento, California, last week. AP In recent days, Swalwell exited the California governors race and resigned from Congress. He apologised for some mistakes in judgment he made while in office in a statement on Monday. The Washington Post has not independently verified the allegations, and Azari and Swalwells Capitol Hill staff did not respond to a detailed list of questions for this article.

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The stunning fall has Hunt and others asking how someone who was dogged by persistent rumours of inappropriate behaviour toward women similar to what she heard in 2020 could have risen so high and so fast in a party that says it supports womens rights. We do need to take a look inward as a party because it was an open secret, said Hunt, the executive director of the youth group Gen Z for Change, referring to the Democratic Party. Not necessarily that he was assaulting people but that he was a creep. That was well known. Swalwells career took off like a meteor at the same time women allege he was harassing them. His political trajectory  described here with the help of interviews with more than a dozen former staffers and political operatives, some of whom who spoke on the condition of anonymity to recount private discussions  suggests a Democratic Party enamoured with a young congressmans talent for sound bites and landing blows against US President Donald Trump. Rumours that Swalwell, 45, had affairs in Washington followed him, but there is no evidence that the more serious allegations of sexual assault were circulating among Democrats while his career took off, these people said. This week, Democratic politicians who were close allies of Swalwell including Representative Nancy Pelosi, the former House speaker from California, and Senator Ruben Gallego, from neighbouring Arizona, have said they knew nothing about allegations against Swalwell. Gallego told reporters on Monday he believed Swalwell led a double life. In a video message Swalwell posted this week, he apologised to his wife for mistakes that he described as solely being between them. Ultimately, it was a group of liberal online influencers  not party bigwigs  who made it their mission to ensure that someone facing multiple allegations of misconduct should not be elevated to the highest office in California.

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A fast rise Swalwell, a former prosecutor, came to Congress in 2013 knowing he had to win over his Democratic colleagues. Some of them were sceptical of the 32-year-old newcomer after he had taken out 20-term congressman Pete Stark, a fellow Democrat who was then the dean of Californias 53-member delegation. He took the job seriously, according to his former staffers, who said he showed a penchant for making TV appearances at whatever time a channel would have him on. He encouraged his older House colleagues to use social media to reach constituents, and dived into national security issues as a member of the Homeland Security Committee. Nancy Pelosi at the US Capitol last month. AP More important, he made the most powerful ally a House Democrat could have: Pelosi, who was known for looking out for her fellow Californians. Swalwell was seen as focused on ingratiating himself with Pelosi, according to several former staffers, who asked him to renominate her as speaker after the 2014 midterms and gave him a slot on the steering committee that controls committee assignments and internal party decisions. He benefited from being one of Pelosis pets for a long time, said a senior Democratic staffer for another office, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss internal party dynamics. In 2015, Swalwell got a much-sought-after seat on the House Intelligence Committee. And in 2016, after Trump won the presidential election, Swalwell stepped into a role that would lead to continual cable news hits and more fundraising dollars: Trump antagonist.

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He became one of the Democrats favourite talking heads, said one of Swalwells former staffers, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss their former boss candidly. And he was in green rooms and hobnobbing with famous people. Swalwell dived headfirst into the Russia investigation, pushing for an independent commission to investigate alleged attempts to influence the 2016 election. His fame grew to the point that Swalwell decided to run for president alongside more than a dozen other Democrats seeking the 2020 nomination. In 2021, Pelosi tapped Swalwell as an impeachment manager to help prosecute the Houses case against Trump, cementing his status as a sought-after cable news guest and hero to liberals who hoped Trump would be convicted. He got less involved in legislating and more interested in himself, the former staffer said. Swalwell has quit the California governors race and resigned from Congress AP Swalwell hired his campaign fundraiser, who had no experience working on Capitol Hill, to be his chief of staff around the same time. Some in his orbit interpreted that as a signal that the congressman had abandoned the desire to use his office to do serious legislation, instead focusing purely on politics.

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But if there was a shift in emphasis, it did not hurt Swalwells political standing. If you were someone who did that performance art of always being a fighter and youre good on TV, you could go as far as you want, said Doug Heye, a Republican strategist. We should have learned Swalwell jumped into the California governors race in November and quickly established himself as a front-runner. Former aides to the outgoing governor, Democrat Gavin Newsom, formed a super PAC for him, and several unions endorsed him. California Democrat Senator Adam Schiff backed him as well. The crowded Democratic field was struggling, sparking fears that Republicans could end up as the top two candidates of the June primary  a disaster for Democrats in the deep blue state. Former congresswoman Katie Porter was criticised after videos showed her speaking sharply to a staffer and a reporter, and billionaire Tom Steyer had struggled to line up institutional support. A lot of these power brokers dont trust Porter or Steyer, said Michael Trujillo, a Democratic strategist who created a super PAC for another gubernatorial candidate, Antonio Villaraigosa, a former mayor of Los Angeles. Eric Swalwell became their vehicle. But behind the scenes, Swalwells team was working to tamp down allegations that threatened his campaign. Shortly after he joined the race, his team sent a cease-and-desist letter to Trujillo, who had accused Swalwell on social media of sexually harassing staffers and warned politicians not to endorse him.

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PHILIPSBURG:--- Minister of Public Health, Social Development and Labor, Richinel Brug, extends his heartfelt congratulations to Secretary General (SG) Joy Arnell in recognition of her remarkable milestone of 40 years of dedicated service to Sint Maarten.

Over the course of four decades, SG Arnell has demonstrated unwavering commitment, professionalism, and leadership within the public service. Her institutional knowledge, dedication to good governance, and steadfast support for the Ministry have played an essential role in strengthening the health sector's operations and continuity.

SG Arnells career is a testament to what true public service represents, Minister Brug stated. For forty years, she has served with integrity, dedication, and a strong sense of responsibility toward the people of Sint Maarten. Her experience and leadership have helped guide the Ministry through many developments and challenges over the years.

Minister Brug also highlighted SG Arnells leadership during two of the most critical periods in the countrys recent history. As Secretary General, she was at the helm of the Ministry during the devastating impact of Hurricane Irma in 2017the strongest hurricane ever to strike Sint Maartenas well as throughout the unprecedented challenges brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic.

During these difficult moments for our country, SG Arnells steady leadership, experience, and commitment to public service were invaluable, Minister Brug added. Her ability to help guide the Ministry through crises demonstrated both resilience and dedication to protecting the health and well-being of our people.

The Minister further noted that what he appreciates most about SG Arnell is her approachable leadership style and willingness to support her team at every level.

While the position of Secretary General carries great responsibility, SG Arnell has never allowed the title to distance her from the work or the people around her, Minister Brug said. She is always willing to come down to the floor level, assist where needed, and support her colleagues whenever help is required. That humility and commitment to teamwork are qualities that truly set her apart.

Minister Brug emphasized the importance of recognizing individuals whose long-standing contributions help shape and support the institutions that serve the community.

On behalf of the Ministry of Public Health, Social Development and Labor (VSA), Minister Brug expressed his sincere appreciation and gratitude for SG Arnells many years of service and contributions.

As we celebrate this significant milestone, we thank SG Arnell for her commitment and for the example she continues to set for current and future generations of public servants, Minister Brug concluded.
YouTube suspends pro-Iran channel posting Lego-style clips mocking Trump



Washington, United States, April 15 (AFP) Apr 15, 2026



YouTube has terminated a channel belonging to a pro-Iran group producing viral Lego-themed AI videos that ridicule US President Donald Trump, the Google-owned platform said Wednesday, sparking online criticism.

Explosive Media, a group of pro-Tehran creators that describes itself as independent but is widely suspected of ties to the Iranian government, has gained internet notoriety during the US-Iran war for animation videos that have racked up millions of views.

"We terminated the channel for violating our spam, deceptive practices and scams policies," a YouTube spokesman told AFP, without elaborating.

The channel was suspended on March 27, he added.

Explosive Media was still posting videos mocking the US war effort on other tech platforms, including the Elon Musk-owned X and Telegram.

Meta-owned Instagram also took down the group's account, US media reported, but another account under its name was still active on Wednesday.

Meta did not respond to AFP's request for comment.

Lashing out at YouTube, Explosive Media wrote on X: "Seriously! Are our LEGO-style animations actually violent?"



- Widely shared -



YouTube's suspension appeared to have limited impact on Explosive Media's reach, with its videos still being widely shared by content creators on the platform.

The satirical videos, which tap into American popular culture, caricatured Trump with an oversized yellow head and portrayed him as an old, isolated figure prone to childish tantrums, seemingly disconnected from reality.

After a two-week ceasefire was announced last week, the group posted a video on X with the caption: "TACO will always remain TACO," referring to the acronym "Trump always chickens out."

With dramatic background music, the video depicts a Trump-like toy figure huddling with Arab leaders, hurling a chair at US military figures, while Iranian generals press a red button labelled "Back to the Stone Age," unleashing a torrent of destruction across the Middle East.

Cartoonish video memes -- amplified by Iranian diplomatic missions and pro-Tehran accounts on social media -- are emerging as an effective information warfare tool, a phenomenon analysts have dubbed the "Legofication" of conflict propaganda.

In recent weeks, viral meme videos have depicted fictional Iranian military victories, world leaders in subservient scenarios -- dependent on Iranian leaders for oil -- and even the strategic Strait of Hormuz reimagined as a cartoonish toll booth.

The English-language content of Explosive Media appears aimed at audiences outside Iran, where platforms like X have been blocked for years and are only accessible via VPN.

With Iranians facing what monitor NetBlocks calls an "internet blackout," the ability of Explosive Media to produce and upload slick content has fueled suspicion of ties to the Iranian regime.

The group has rejected the claim as a "media distortion."
War in the Middle East: latest developments



Paris, France, April 16 (AFP) Apr 16, 2026



The latest developments in the Middle East war:



- Iran warns US ships, soldiers -



Hardliner Mohsen Rezaei, a top military adviser to Iran's supreme leader Mojtaba Khamenei, warned Wednesday that Iran would take ground-invading US soldiers hostage and sink American ships enforcing a military blockade in the Strait of Hormuz, a critical shipping waterway for oil, gas and other Gulf exports.

Battleships in the US armada "can definitely be exposed to our missiles and we can destroy them," Rezaei, a former commander-in-chief of Iran's Revolutionary Guards who was named as a military adviser by Khamenei last month, told state TV.

Rezaei added it would be "great" if Washington launched a ground invasion of Iran as "we would take thousands of hostages and then for each hostage we would get a billion dollars."



- Fresh oil sanctions -



United States officials issued new sanctions against Iran, targeting more than two dozen people involved in oil transport, along with companies and ships that operate within the network of petroleum shipping magnate Mohammad Hossein Shamkhani.

"Treasury is moving aggressively with 'Economic Fury' by targeting regime elites like the Shamkhani family that attempt to profit at the expense of the Iranian people," US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said in a statement.

Shamkhani is the son of security official Ali Shamkhani, an advisor to Iranian supreme leader Ali Khamenei, both of whom were killed February 28, the first day of US-Israeli attacks and the start of the Middle East war.



- Growing hunger fears -



The conflict in the Middle East could push millions more toward hunger as its economic fallout reverberates around the globe, the World Bank's chief economist told AFP.

"You have about 300 million people who suffer from acute food insecurity already," Indermit Gill said. "That'll go up by about 20 percent very, very quickly" as knock-on effects grow.



- Wall Street records -



Major Wall Street stock indices finished at records Wednesday, extending an upward climb on optimism about an accord in the US-Iran conflict.



- 'Identical' goals -



Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Wednesday that Israel and the US are fully aligned in their objectives to contain Iran.

"We want to see enriched material removed from Iran; we want to see the elimination of enrichment capability within Iran; and, of course, we want to see the (Hormuz) strait reopened," he said in a televised speech.



- End of Hezbollah -



Netanyahu said the country's top priority was to secure the "dismantling" of Hezbollah in its first direct talks with Lebanon in decades.

"There are two central objectives: first, the dismantling of Hezbollah; second, a sustainable peace... achieved through strength," he said.



- Round two of talks -



The United States is discussing holding a second round of peace talks with Iran and is optimistic about reaching a deal, the White House said.

Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters that further talks "would very likely" be in Islamabad.



- Israel army chief orders 'Hezbollah kill zone' -



Israel's military chief of staff said he had ordered areas south of Lebanon's Litani River to be turned into a Hezbollah "kill zone" as troops pressed a major offensive there.



- China supports 'momentum' of peace talks -



China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi told his Iranian counterpart that Beijing "supports maintaining the momentum of the ceasefire and peace talks."



- US says it blocks 10 vessels from Iran ports -



The US military's Middle East command CENTCOM said it had stopped 10 vessels from sailing out of Iranian ports during the first 48 hours of a naval blockade against the Islamic republic.

But ship tracking data indicated at least three ships sailing from Iranian ports crossed the Strait of Hormuz, though some vessels taking the route later turned back.

burs-acb/sla/jgc
Iran arrests four alleged Israeli spies: state media



Tehran, April 16 (AFP) Apr 16, 2026



Iran arrested four suspected Israeli spies, state media reported on Thursday.

It came as US officials discuss possible peace talks with Iran after US-Israeli strikes on Tehran on February 28 engulfed the Middle East in war.

"The four agents linked to the Mossad were apprehended in Gilan governorate" in northern Iran, IRNA reported, citing a statement from Iran's Revolutionary Guards.

The Mossad is Israel's foreign intelligence agency.

"The arrestees had provided Mossad intelligence officers with images and locations of some sensitive and critical military and security sites via the internet", it said.

The suspects have been handed over to judicial authorities, the report added.
US ex-Marine loses extradition appeal in China pilots case



Canberra, April 16 (AFP) Apr 16, 2026



A former US Marines pilot lost an appeal Thursday in an Australian court against his extradition to the United States, which has accused him of illegally training Chinese military pilots to land on aircraft carriers.

Daniel Duggan, 57, has been held in prison since his arrest in a rural town in New South Wales state in 2022, shortly after he returned from living in China for close to a decade as an aviation consultant.

Duggan has denied the US charges.

His arrest came days after Britain warned its former military pilots not to work for a South African flight training school that was training large numbers of Chinese pilots, where Duggan had worked a decade earlier.

Outside the court on Thursday, his wife Saffrine said she was disappointed with the ruling and urged Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to stop the extradition, which has already been approved by the Attorney General.

"Our prime minister can overrule this at any time," she said.

Duggan's legal team said it had 28 days to consider whether to make another legal appeal.



- US indictment -



He is alleged by the US to have committed four offences between 2009 and 2012 in relation to training pilots in South Africa, including breaking a US arms embargo and money laundering.

A 2017 indictment in the United States, unsealed after his arrest, showed Duggan was one of several former military pilots linked to the South African company and a Chinese recruiter who were alleged to have broken US law.

Federal court judge James Stellios did not accept the argument made by Duggan's legal team that the US offences were not illegal acts in Australia at the time.

Duggan's lawyers had argued there was no evidence the Chinese pilots he trained had worked for the military.

The Chinese state aviation giant they worked for, AVIC, has since been sanctioned by the US as a Chinese military-linked company.

Duggan moved to China from Australia in 2013.

His lawyers have previously said he was barred by China from leaving in 2014 and came to fear for his family's safety.

Duggan came to the attention of US investigators through his emails to a Chinese national who was recruiting western ex-military pilots, Su Bin.

Su Bin was convicted in the US in 2016 for hacking US defence contractors.

Duggan is a naturalized Australian citizen and renounced his US citizenship at the Beijing embassy in 2016, seeking to backdate it to 2012, a Sydney court previously heard.

Australia toughened its laws on former defence staff training foreign militaries seen as a security risk in 2023.
Russia rains strikes across Ukraine, killing three



Kyiv, Ukraine, April 16 (AFP) Apr 16, 2026



Russia pummelled Ukraine with drone and missile attacks overnight, killing three including a child and triggering air alerts in the capital Kyiv, officials said Thursday.

Moscow has fired hundreds of drones on its neighbour almost nightly since the beginning of the four-year war, and recently expanded daytime strikes.

"As a result of the enemy attack on the capital, two people died - a 12-year-old boy and a 35-year-old woman," Kyiv's mayor Vitali Klitschko wrote on Telegram.

A separate attack on the central city of Dnipro killed one more person, Oleksandr Ganzha, head of the regional administration posted on Telegram.

Ganzha said earlier that the attack wounded 10 people, including a 40-year-old woman hospitalised "in a serious condition".

It was not immediately clear if the woman was the person reported dead.

In Kyiv, rescuers pulled a child from the rubble of a residential building that collapsed in the Podilsky district, Klitschko said.

The attack on the capital wounded at least 10 people, including several medics, Klitschko said.

A blaze broke out at a building in the capital's Obolonsky district where missile debris fell, and cars were on fire, he added.

Tymur Tkachenko, head of Kyiv's military administration, warned civilians to shelter until a missile alert was lifted.

A drone strike on the northeastern city of Kharkiv wounded a 77-year-old woman and a 66-year-old man, the head of the regional military administration Oleg Synegubov said on Telegram.

Five people were wounded in an attack in the southern port city of Odesa, the head of the city's military administration Sergiy Lysak said on Telegram.
War in the Middle East: latest developments



Paris, France, April 16 (AFP) Apr 16, 2026



The latest developments in the Middle East war:



- Pakistan pushes for talks -



Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said he met with the Saudi de facto ruler Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Jeddah, before a possible second round of US-Iran peace talks.

Iran has targeted US allies in the Gulf -- including Saudi Arabia and Qatar, which Sharif is also visiting -- in retaliation for US-Israeli strikes on Tehran that triggered the war.

"I reiterated Pakistan's firm commitment to advancing its efforts to encourage both the U.S. and Iran towards an agreement aimed at lasting peace and stability in the region," Sharif posted on X.



- Iran warns US ships, soldiers -



Hardliner Mohsen Rezaei, a top military adviser to Iran's supreme leader Mojtaba Khamenei, warned Wednesday that Iran would take ground-invading US forces hostage and sink American ships enforcing a military blockade in the Strait of Hormuz, a critical shipping waterway for oil, gas and other Gulf exports.

Battleships in the US armada "can definitely be exposed to our missiles, and we can destroy them", Rezaei, a former commander-in-chief of Iran's Revolutionary Guards who was named as a military adviser by Khamenei last month, told state TV.

Rezaei added it would be "great" if Washington launched a ground invasion of Iran, as "we would take thousands of hostages, and then for each hostage we would get a billion dollars".



- Fresh oil sanctions -



United States officials issued new sanctions against Iran, targeting more than two dozen people involved in oil transport, along with companies and tankers that operate within the network of petroleum shipping magnate Mohammad Hossein Shamkhani.

"Treasury is moving aggressively with 'Economic Fury' by targeting regime elites like the Shamkhani family that attempt to profit at the expense of the Iranian people," US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said in a statement.

Shamkhani is the son of security official Ali Shamkhani, an advisor to Iranian supreme leader Ali Khamenei, both of whom were killed February 28, the first day of US-Israeli attacks and the start of the Middle East war.



- Growing hunger fears -



The conflict in the Middle East could push millions more toward hunger as its economic fallout reverberates around the globe, the World Bank's chief economist told AFP.

"You have about 300 million people who suffer from acute food insecurity already," Indermit Gill said. "That'll go up by about 20 percent very, very quickly" as knock-on effects grow.



- Stock markets soar -



Japanese stocks hit a record high as Asian equities extended the week's rally Thursday on heightened optimism the United States and Iran will extend their ceasefire for further talks to end their war and reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Major Wall Street stock indices finished at record highs Wednesday.



- 'Identical' goals -



Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Wednesday that Israel and the US are fully aligned in their objectives to contain Iran.

"We want to see enriched material removed from Iran; we want to see the elimination of enrichment capability within Iran; and, of course, we want to see the (Hormuz) strait reopened," he said in a televised speech.



- End of Hezbollah -



Netanyahu said the country's top priority was to secure the "dismantling" of Hezbollah in its first direct talks with Lebanon in decades.

"There are two central objectives: first, the dismantling of Hezbollah; second, a sustainable peace... achieved through strength," he said.



- Round two of talks -



The United States is discussing holding a second round of peace talks with Iran and is optimistic about reaching a deal, the White House said.

Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters that further talks "would very likely" be in Islamabad.



- Israel army chief orders 'Hezbollah kill zone' -



Israel's military chief of staff said he had ordered areas south of Lebanon's Litani River to be turned into a Hezbollah "kill zone" as troops pressed a major offensive there.



- China supports 'momentum' of peace talks -



China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi told his Iranian counterpart that Beijing "supports maintaining the momentum of the ceasefire and peace talks".



- US says it blocks 10 vessels from Iran ports -



The US military's Middle East command CENTCOM said it had stopped 10 vessels from sailing out of Iranian ports during the first 48 hours of a naval blockade against the Islamic republic.

But ship tracking data indicated at least three ships sailing from Iranian ports crossed the Strait of Hormuz, though some vessels taking the route later turned back.

burs-acb/sla/jgc/cms/fox
Australia secures extra diesel to bolster war-hit supply



Kuala Lumpur, April 16 (AFP) Apr 16, 2026



Australia has secured an additional supply of some 100 million litres of diesel from Brunei and South Korea, as the country looked to boost supplies hit by the Mideast war, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said Thursday.

The Australian leader's comments come as a crucial refinery outside Melbourne was hit by a fire overnight, raising the spectre of further disruptions to the country's fuel supplies.

"I can announce that my government has secured an additional 100 million litres (26 million gallons) of diesel from two shipments. One from Brunei, where I was yesterday, and one from South Korea," the leader told a press conference in Malaysia.

"This is the first of many expected shipments secured, under the government's new strategic reserve powers," said Albanese, who is meeting his Malaysian counterpart Anwar Ibrahim to strengthen energy ties.

Australia holds roughly 38 days' worth of petrol in reserve, according to government figures, far below the 90-day minimum dictated by the International Energy Agency.

While the government has so far resisted moves to ration fuel, it has urged drivers to conserve petrol where they can and to favour public transport if possible.

Like most nations in Asia and the South Pacific, Australia is heavily reliant on oil shipped through the Strait of Hormuz, which at one point carried one-fifth of the world's oil and gas.

Shipping traffic through the vital waterway has essentially ceased since the United States and Israel launched strikes against Iran on February 28.
Fresh Russian barrage kills 14 in Ukraine



Kyiv, Ukraine, April 16 (AFP) Apr 16, 2026



Russian strikes killed at least 14 people in Ukraine, local authorities said Thursday, after Moscow rained missiles and drones on its neighbour in overnight attacks.

Moscow has fired hundreds of drones on its neighbour almost nightly since the beginning of the four-year war, with Kyiv regularly carrying out strikes within Russia in response to its attacks.

Two children were killed in Ukrainian overnight strikes on Russia, according to officials.

It comes after the end of a 32-hour Orthodox Easter truce marred by accusations of mass violations, according to both countries.

Missile and drone attacks on the southern Ukrainian port city of Odesa killed seven people, the head of the city's military administration Sergiy Lysak wrote on Telegram.

Strikes on the capital Kyiv killed at least four people, including a 12-year-old boy, the city's mayor Vitali Klitschko said.

Across the Ukrainian capital, blasts set buildings and cars alight, shattered windows and damaged the facades of hotels, the State Emergency Service of Ukraine said in an assessment of the damage posted on Telegram.

Rescuers pulled a child from the rubble of a residential building that collapsed in Kyiv's Podilsky district, where a drone "literally flew into an 18-story apartment block", Klitschko said.

Three people were killed in the central Dnipropetrovsk region, Oleksandr Ganzha, head of the regional administration said on Telegram.

On the Russian side, two children were killed in the southern Krasnodar Krai region, its governor Veniamin Kondratyev said Thursday.

"A terrorist drone attack on residential buildings in Tuapse has claimed the lives of two minors aged five and 14," he wrote on Telegram.

Russia's overnight attack on Ukraine triggered a missile alert in the capital Kyiv, where the head of the capital's military administration Tymur Tkachenko warned residents to shelter until the warning was lifted.

The attack on Kyiv wounded at least 45 people, including several medics, mayor Klitschko said.

A drone strike on Ukraine's northeastern city of Kharkiv wounded a 77-year-old woman and a 66-year-old man, the head of the regional military administration Oleg Synegubov said on Telegram.
Threat of grounded planes nears as jet fuel supplies dwindle



Paris, France, April 16 (AFP) Apr 16, 2026



Could planes soon be stuck on the ground due to a lack of fuel? The risk of jet fuel shortages is growing each day the Strait of Hormuz remains closed, although it isn't certain when exactly supplies will run out.

The risk of shortages is greatest in Asia, and to a lesser extent Europe, as they both rely on oil from the Gulf and its refineries for their supplies.

"The situation can, within the next three, four weeks, become systemic," Rystad Energy economist Claudio Galimberti said on US financial news channel CNBC on Tuesday about jet fuel shortages.

"So you can have severe cuts of flights in Europe, already starting in May and June," he warned.

Galimberti said flights had already been cancelled due to fuel shortages, but the European Commission on the same day said there was no lack of fuel as yet.

"There is no evidence for fuel shortages in the European Union at present," said spokeswoman Anna-Kaisa Itkonen.

However she acknowledged that "supply issues could occur in the near future in particular for jet fuels."



- May or June shortages -



Last week the Airports Council International Europe wrote to the European Commission saying shortages of jet fuel could begin in three weeks -- at the beginning of May, if tankers don't begin sailing through the Strait of Hormuz before then.

Traffic through the Strait of Hormuz -- through which a fifth of the world's crude oil and liquefied natural gas supplies transited before the war -- has been almost completely blocked since the United States and Israel began bombing Iran on February 28.

The head of the International Energy Agency (IEA), Fatih Birol, also warned that Europe could face shortages of jet fuel "maybe beginning of May".

In its latest monthly report on the oil market, released on Tuesday, the IEA advanced a later date.

"If the global jet fuel market tightens further and European markets are unable to secure more than 50 percent of their lost Middle East volumes, then stocks will hit the crucial 23-day level in June," it warned.

It is hard to make sweeping generalisations about the situation.

Japan is heavily dependant upon imports but has built up considerable reserves.

The situation also varies considerably with Europe.

Austria, Bulgaria and Poland have comfortable stocks. For Britain, Iceland and the Netherlands it is the opposite. France is somewhere in the middle.

And the impact won't be the same for all airports and airlines.

"Smaller, inland located, airports will be in a weaker position than the main hubs," ING Bank economist Rico Luman told AFP.

"It won't be a matter of full halt, but part cancellation at some airlines and airports," he added.



- 'Serious supply issues' -



Airlines have little visibility to plan their flight schedules.

Airlines for Europe (A4E), a trade association that includes Air France-KLM, Lufthansa and Ryanair, has been urging the European Union to begin providing real time information on jet fuel stocks at airports.

The data would have to come from fuel suppliers, who are not enthusiastic about turning over sensitive commercial data to their major clients.

TotalEnergies has warned that if oil supplies from the Gulf remain blocked in June it won't be able to supply all of its customers.

"If this war and this blockade last more than three months, we'll begin to face some serious supply issues in some products like jet fuel," the company's chief executive Patrick Pouyanne said on Monday.

Airlines for Europe (A4E) has also suggested that the European Commission exceptionally authorise the import of US jet fuel, which is produced to a slightly different standard than in the rest of the world.

Regulary, political and logisitical issues mean there is little chance this could happen in the near future.

hh/rl/pdw

Air France-KLM

Lufthansa
Trump says Israel, Lebanon leaders to hold talks Thursday



Washington, United States, April 16 (AFP) Apr 16, 2026



US President Donald Trump has said that leaders of Israel and Lebanon will speak on Thursday, as Washington pushes to ease hostilities after the rivals' first direct talks in decades.

Lebanon was pulled into the Middle East war on March 2 after pro-Tehran group Hezbollah attacked Israel.

Since then, Israeli strikes have killed more than 2,000 people and displaced more than one million in Lebanon, despite international calls for a ceasefire, and Israeli ground forces have invaded the country's south.

"Trying to get a little breathing room between Israel and Lebanon," Trump said Wednesday on his Truth Social platform, referring to a meeting held in Washington the day before -- the first direct negotiations between senior officials from the two countries since 1993.

He said the leaders would speak on Thursday, without identifying participants or giving further details.

A senior US administration official said earlier that Trump would "welcome" an end to hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon, but stressed that any such outcome is not part of talks between Washington and Tehran.

"The president would welcome the end of hostilities in Lebanon as part of a peace agreement between Israel and Lebanon," the official said, speaking on condition of anonymity.

"The United States wants to see a durable peace but did not demand an immediate ceasefire," and "negotiations between the US and Iran are not linked to ongoing peace talks between Israel and Lebanon," according to the official.

Washington's focus is on building trust between the Lebanese and Israeli governments "so that we can create space for a peace deal, and so that any future understandings can be durable."

"Both sides need to build political momentum," the official added.

Netanyahu spoke on Wednesday of two central objectives in the talks with Lebanon: "First, the dismantling of Hezbollah; second, a sustainable peace... achieved through strength."
US Democrats file impeachment articles against Pentagon chief



Washington, United States, April 16 (AFP) Apr 16, 2026



US House Democrats introduced six articles of impeachment against Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth on Wednesday, accusing him of "high crimes and misdemeanors" including waging war on Iran without congressional approval.

The impeachment resolution is led by Yassamin Ansari, a Democratic Congresswoman from Arizona, and has slim chances of passing due to the Republican majority in the House.

Impeachment is the process by which the US House of Representatives brings charges against a government official for alleged wrongdoing, with removal from office only possible if the Senate convicts after a trial.

"I've introduced Articles of Impeachment against Pete Hegseth for violating his oath, endangering U.S. servicemembers, and committing war crimes, including attacks on civilians and a girls' school in Minab, Iran," Ansari wrote on X.

"Only Congress can declare war; his actions demand immediate removal."

The War in the Middle East has sent oil prices soaring and dented Trump's approval ratings ahead of crucial midterm elections in November.

The first impeachment article alleged that Hegseth started the conflict with Iran "without a declaration of war or specific statutory authorization by the Congress," and "knowingly exposing members of the Armed Forces of the United States to substantial and foreseeable risk of injury or death."

Another article held Hegseth responsible for the strike on an Iranian primary school on February 28 -- the day the United States and Israel began bombing Iran -- which killed at least 170 people, including students and teachers.

The New York Times has reported that the preliminary findings of a US military investigation indicate that a US Tomahawk cruise missile hit the school due to a targeting mistake.

Defense secretary Hegseth has "authorized, condoned, or failed to prevent the use of military force in a manner inconsistent with the law of armed conflict," such as the strike on the school, the document read.

The Democrats also criticized Hegseth for so-called "double tap" strikes -- hitting targets twice -- against alleged drug smuggling boats in the Carribean.

They said the double tap strikes were illegal and undermined rules of engagement designed to protect non-combatants.

Other allegations included "negligence and reckless handling" of sensitive military information, as well as obstructing congressional oversight, referring to Hegsteth's use of commercial messaging app Signal to discuss strikes on Yemen.

Pentagon press secretary Kingsley Wilson told news outlet Axios "this is just another Democrat trying to make headlines as the Department of War decisively and overwhelmingly achieved the Presidents' objectives in Iran."
A new One Nation MP is expected to learn on Friday whether her declared victory will stand as under fire election officials scramble to complete a recount.

Chantelle Thomas claimed the Narungga seat for Pauline Hansons party in last months South Australian election with a wafer thin margin of just 58 votes.

However, a recount has now sensationally been ordered following the discovery of 77 uncounted absent votes  19 more than Ms Thomass winning majority.

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An official recount will be held on Friday that will either validate Ms Thomass position, or declare Liberal Tania Stock the winner.

With a margin of just 58 votes between the two, other candidates competing for the seat are out of the running.

Speaking to the media on Thursday, Ms Thomas said the recount was just another hurdle, questioning how the error occurred.

This is disappointing for my community in Narungga. Everyone in Narungga has already spoken and they wanted me as their strong, loud voice, she said.

Now, this makes us question the integrity of the South Australian elections.

One Nation Chantelle Thomas claimed the seat. Pic Roy VanDerVegt

On Thursday, the Electoral Commission of South Australia informed all candidates in the seat to notify them of the recount.

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Following the discovery of votes that have not been counted, I have secured the unopened ballot papers and have ordered a further count for the district of Narungga, acting commissioner Leah McLay said.

I have informed all candidates and will oversee the count on Friday, April 17 and nominated scrutineers are invited to attend.

The seat, which is in the states Yorke Peninsula, produced the smallest winning margin of the election.

Ms Thomas was declared winner of the seat ahead of Liberal candidate Tania Stock, who came in second.

Cory Bernardi, One Nations leader in SA, slammed the electoral commission as incompetent, describing the situation as an extraordinary development.

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How can we rely on the integrity of what has transpired? he told the Advertiser.

Now theres plenty of questions to be asked and I think the answers need to be forthcoming, but this is a very shaky territory for democracy right now?

Tania Stock, Liberal for Narungga in South Australia. Picture: Facebook

When approached by the ABC for comment, Ms Stock said she was yet to be contacted and was unaware of the commissions statement.

Who knows what this will mean for the seat of Narungga, but thats why I think the electoral commission needs to provide some clarity to people quickly, Ashton Hurn, leader of the Liberals in SA, told the ABC.

With the seat producing such a tight margin, Ms Thomas was not declared winner until April 2  almost two weeks after the March 21 polling date.

However, the new MP and her rivals now face an anxious wait to see whether the blunder changes the outlook.
Australia secures extra diesel to bolster war-hit supply



Kuala Lumpur, April 16 (AFP) Apr 16, 2026



Australia has secured an additional supply of more than 500,000 barrels of diesel from Brunei and South Korea, as the country looked to boost stocks hit by the Mideast war, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said Thursday.

Australia and Malaysia also agreed on Thursday to the continued "stable" flow of essential energies as global oil supplies remained choked in the vital Strait of Hormuz amid the Middle East crisis.

"I can announce that my government has secured an additional 100 million litres (26 million gallons) of diesel from two shipments. One from Brunei, where I was yesterday, and one from South Korea," Albanese told a news conference in Malaysia.

The purchase amounted to 570,000 barrels of additional diesel.

"This is the first of many expected shipments secured, under the government's new strategic reserve powers," said Albanese, who is meeting his Malaysian counterpart Anwar Ibrahim to strengthen energy ties.

His comments came after a crucial refinery southwest of Melbourne was hit by a fire overnight, raising the spectre of further disruptions to the country's fuel supplies.

Australia holds roughly 38 days' worth of petrol in reserve, according to government figures, far below the 90-day minimum dictated by the International Energy Agency.

While the government has so far resisted moves to ration fuel, it has urged drivers to conserve petrol where they can and to favour public transport if possible.

Albanese is on a two-country tour in Southeast Asia this week, seeking to boost the flow of essential crude oil, fuels and fertiliser to Australia, and push LNG supply to Australia's trading partners in return.

Malaysia is Australia's largest provider of crude and its third-largest source of refined fuel.

It supplies some 14 percent of Australia's diesel, 10 percent of its petrol and 11 percent of its jet fuel.

Malaysia in turn heavily relies on LNG imports from Australia, with Canberra saying it supplied around 95 percent of Malaysia's natural gas needs.

Like most nations in Asia and the South Pacific, Australia is heavily reliant on oil shipped through the Strait of Hormuz, through which a fifth of the world's oil and gas usually passes.

Shipping traffic through the vital waterway has essentially ceased since the United States and Israel launched strikes against Iran on February 28.

"Malaysia and Australia share a strong interdependence in energy resources," Anwar said after meeting Albanese.

"We commit to promote open and stable trade flows between our two countries, including for essential energy supplies," the two leaders added in a joint statement.
EU slams 'horrendous' Russia attack on Ukraine civilian targets



Brussels, Belgium, April 16 (AFP) Apr 16, 2026



EU chief Antonio Costa accused Russia Thursday of "deliberately" targeting Ukrainian civilians after an overnight drone and missile barrage killed at least 14 people.

"Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine has failed, and so it chooses to deliberately terrorize civilians," the EU council president wrote on social media, slamming a "horrendous attack against civilian targets."
Russian strikes kill at least 16 across Ukraine



Kyiv, Ukraine, April 16 (AFP) Apr 16, 2026



A massive Russian drone and missile barrage killed at least 16 people in cities across Ukraine, more than four years into the war with peace talks stalled, Ukrainian officials said on Thursday.

AFP journalists heard loud bangs echoing over the capital during the night and saw huge plumes of black smoke rising over central Kyiv at dawn.

The Ukrainian air force said Russia had launched 659 drones in the attack and 44 missiles, over the last 24 hours, adding that its air defence units downed 636 drones and 31 missiles.

Officials across the country said 16 people were killed and more than 100 were wounded in the attacks in several regions.

"Another night has proven that Russia does not deserve any easing of global policy or lifting of sanctions," Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky wrote on social media after the attack.

"Russia is betting on war," added the president, who has been touring European countries to drum up support.

EU council chief Antonio Costa accused Russia of choosing to "deliberately terrorise civilians", decrying the overnight killing as a "horrendous attack against civilian targets".

Moscow has fired hundreds of drones on its neighbour almost nightly since the beginning of the war, with Kyiv regularly carrying out strikes within Russia in response to its attacks.

Russia's invasion of Ukraine, launched in February 2022, had killed hundreds of thousands of people and displaced millions, marking the deadliest conflict in Europe since World War II.



- Peace talks in limbo -



The Kremlin's latest deadly attack comes after the end of a 32-hour Orthodox Easter truce marred by accusations of mass violations, according to both countries.

Peace talks spearheaded by the United States to end the war now grinding through its fifth year have been derailed by US and Israeli war with Iran.

Kyiv has also stepped up its long-range drone and missile attacks on Russia, and Ukrainian strikes overnight killed two people, including a child, in southern Russia, officials said.

A 14-year-old girl and a young woman were killed in the Black Sea city of Tuapse when a volley of drones hit housing and a music school, local governor Veniamin Kondratyev said. Five other people were wounded.

The Russian army said its forces intercepted 207 drones across the western and southern regions, in total.

The attacks in Ukraine's Odesa that killed nine people also targeted port infrastructure in the wider region that are vital for Ukrainian grain exports. The strikes on the Ukrainian Black Sea port city also wounded 23 people.

In Kyiv, at least four people were killed, including a 12-year-old boy, the city's mayor Vitali Klitschko said.

AFP journalists at the scene of the attacks in Kyiv saw a damaged ambulance and the body of one victim covered with a blanket on the street.

Rescuers pulled a child from the rubble of a residential building that collapsed in Kyiv's Podilsky district, where a drone "literally flew into an 18-storey apartment block", Klitschko said.

Three people were killed and 34 were wounded in the central Dnipropetrovsk region, Oleksandr Ganzha, head of the regional administration said on Telegram.

The attack on Kyiv wounded at least 48 people, including several medics, mayor Klitschko said.

In a separate attack, the head of the eastern Kharkiv region said a Russian drone strike had killed a woman in the town of Merefa.

burs-jbr/jxb
Trump says Israel, Lebanon leaders to hold talks Thursday



Washington, United States, April 16 (AFP) Apr 16, 2026



US President Donald Trump said the leaders of Israel and Lebanon will speak on Thursday in what would be a historic first, but there was no confirmation from either side.

Trump's announcement comes as Washington pushes to ease hostilities following the first direct talks between the two countries in decades this week, when their ambassadors met in the US capital.

Lebanon was pulled into the Middle East war on March 2 after the Lebanon-based armed group Hezbollah, which is backed by Iran, attacked Israel.

Since then, Israeli strikes in Lebanonhave killed more than 2,000 people and displaced more than a million, despite international calls for a ceasefire, and Israeli ground forces have invaded the country's south.

"Trying to get a little breathing room between Israel and Lebanon," Trump said Wednesday on his Truth Social platform, referring to the ambassadors meeting held in Washington the day before -- the first meeting of its kind since 1993.

Trump said the leaders of Lebanon and Israel would speak on Thursday, without identifying participants or giving details.

An official Lebanese source told AFP however that "we are not aware of any planned contact with the Israeli side, and we have not been informed of any through official channels".

Asked by AFP about Trump's announcement, the office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu made no comment.

Analyst Michael Young of the Carnegie Middle East Center told AFP that there had never before been contact between the leaders of Lebanon and Israel.

In September 1982, Bachir Gemayel, elected Lebanese president in the wake of an Israeli invasion, met with Israeli leaders but was assassinated before taking office.

In 1992 and 1993, diplomats from the two countries met in Washington in the wake of a Middle East peace process launched at a conference in Madrid.



- 'Durable peace' -



A senior US administration official stressed that any end to the hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon is not part of talks between Washington and Tehran.

"The president would welcome the end of hostilities in Lebanon as part of a peace agreement between Israel and Lebanon," the official said, speaking on condition of anonymity.

"The United States wants to see a durable peace but did not demand an immediate ceasefire," the official said. "Negotiations between the US and Iran are not linked to ongoing peace talks between Israel and Lebanon."

Washington's focus is on building trust between the Lebanese and Israeli governments "so that we can create space for a peace deal, and so that any future understandings can be durable."

"Both sides need to build political momentum," the official added.

Israel and Lebanon agreed on Tuesday to begin direct negotiations following the talks between the Israeli and Lebanese ambassadors.

Netanyahu spoke on Wednesday of two central objectives in the talks: "First, the dismantling of Hezbollah; second, a sustainable peace... achieved through strength."

The Lebanese ambassador, Nada Hamadeh Moawad, said she had called for a ceasefire in Lebanon during the meeting, which Israel has so far rejected.

Hezbollah condemned the talks, calling them "capitulation."

On the ground, the Israeli army again on Thursday called on civilians to evacuate the entire area of southern Lebanon up to the Zahrani River, about 40 kilometres north of the border.

Hezbollah claimed responsibility for several drone attacks targeting military positions in northern Israel and on Lebanese territory.

Lebanon's state-run National News Agency reported clashes in Bint Jbeil, a town five kilometres from the border where Hezbollah fighters are battling the Israeli army.
Pakistan prime minister in Qatar amid US-Iran talks push



Doha, April 16 (AFP) Apr 16, 2026



Pakistan's prime minister, the key mediator in the ceasefire between the United States and Iran, arrived in Qatar on Thursday as he pushed for a second round of peace talks between Washington and Tehran.

The office of Shehbaz Sharif said in statements that his delegation had arrived in Doha after a trip to Saudi Arabia and he was expected to meet with Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani.

The pair would "exchange views on Pakistan's ongoing efforts for regional and global peace", his office said.

The Pakistani premier was later due in Turkey, the last stop in a four-day tour which comes on the heels of high-level talks between US and Iranian delegations in Islamabad last weekend.

The talks in Pakistan failed to reach an immediate agreement to permanently end the war in the Middle East following the start of a two-week ceasefire on April 7.

Early in the war, which was sparked in late February by US and Israeli strikes on Iran, Qatar was forced to suspend liquefied natural gas (LNG) production because of Iranian attacks on key energy infrastructure.

The tiny Gulf state, which shares the massive South Pars gas field with Iran, is one of the leading producers of LNG along with the US, Australia and Russia. Qatar is a key supplier to Asian nations including Pakistan.
Israel minister says Netanyahu to talk to Lebanon leader Thursday



Jerusalem, April 16 (AFP) Apr 16, 2026



Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will speak to Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, one of his ministers said Thursday, in what would be a historic first.

Israeli minister for innovation, science and technology Gila Gamliel confirmed the talks after US President Donald Trump said the pair would speak on Thursday.

But Aoun did not confirm the call, and, in a statement from his office, stressed the importance of agreeing a ceasefire as a starting point for negotiations.

If they take place, the talks would come as Washington pushes to ease hostilities following the first direct talks between the two countries in decades this week, when their ambassadors met in the US capital.

Lebanon was pulled into the Middle East war on March 2 after the Lebanon-based armed group Hezbollah, which is backed by Iran, attacked Israel.

Since then, Israeli strikes in Lebanon have killed more than 2,000 people and displaced more than a million, despite international calls for a ceasefire, and Israeli ground forces have invaded the country's south.

"Trying to get a little breathing room between Israel and Lebanon," Trump said Wednesday on his Truth Social platform, referring to the ambassadors meeting held in Washington the day before -- the first meeting of its kind since 1993.

Trump said the leaders of Lebanon and Israel would speak on Thursday, without identifying participants or giving details.

Israeli minister Gamliel later said "the prime minister will speak for the first time with the president of Lebanon after so many years of a complete breakdown in dialogue between the two countries".

"This move will hopefully ultimately lead to prosperity and flourishing for Lebanon as a state," she told Israeli Army Radio on Thursday.

An official Lebanese source told AFP, however, that Beirut was "not aware of any planned contact with the Israeli side, and we have not been informed of any through official channels".

"The ceasefire requested by Lebanon with Israel is the natural starting point for direct negotiations between the two countries," Aoun said in his statement.

Meanwhile, Lebanon's state-run National News Agency (NNA) reported clashes in Bint Jbeil, a town five kilometres from the border where Hezbollah fighters are battling the Israeli army.

This was followed, NNA reported, by an Israeli strike that destroyed a key bridge and another that hit the road linking Beirut to the Syrian capital Damascus.

Analyst Michael Young of the Carnegie Middle East Center told AFP that there had never before been contact between the leaders of Lebanon and Israel.

In September 1982, Bachir Gemayel, elected Lebanese president in the wake of an Israeli invasion, met with Israeli leaders but was assassinated before taking office.

In 1992 and 1993, diplomats from the two countries met in Washington in the wake of a Middle East peace process launched at a conference in Madrid.



- 'Durable peace' -



A senior US administration official stressed that any end to the hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon was not part of talks between Washington and Tehran.

"The president would welcome the end of hostilities in Lebanon as part of a peace agreement between Israel and Lebanon," the official said, speaking on condition of anonymity.

"The United States wants to see a durable peace but did not demand an immediate ceasefire," the official said. "Negotiations between the US and Iran are not linked to ongoing peace talks between Israel and Lebanon."

Washington's focus is on building trust between the Lebanese and Israeli governments "so that we can create space for a peace deal, and so that any future understandings can be durable."

"Both sides need to build political momentum," the official added.

Israel and Lebanon agreed on Tuesday to begin direct negotiations following the talks between the Israeli and Lebanese ambassadors.

Netanyahu spoke on Wednesday of two central objectives in the talks: "First, the dismantling of Hezbollah; second, a sustainable peace... achieved through strength."

The Lebanese ambassador, Nada Hamadeh Moawad, said she had called for a ceasefire in Lebanon during the meeting, which Israel has so far rejected.

Hezbollah condemned the talks, calling them "capitulation".

On the ground, the Israeli army again on Thursday called on civilians to evacuate the entire area of southern Lebanon up to the Zahrani River, about 40 kilometres north of the border.
Pakistani army chief in Iran to discuss new round of US talks



Tehran, April 16 (AFP) Apr 16, 2026



The influential chief of Pakistan's armed forces visited Iran to meet the head of Tehran's negotiators on Thursday, as Washington considers agreeing to another round of peace talks in Islamabad.

Iranian state television showed Field Marshal Asim Munir meeting Iran's speaker of parliament, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, who led the Iranian delegation at the first US-Iran meeting in Pakistan last week, which ended without a deal.

Earlier, in Washington, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt had told reporters that further talks "would very likely" be in the Pakistani capital. "Those discussions are being had," Leavitt said, and "we feel good about the prospects of a deal."

Pakistani foreign ministry spokesman Tahir Andrabi said no date had been set for the next round of talks.

"Our role as a mediator and facilitator did not stop when the Islamabad talks, this last round, concluded -- it continued," he said.

The optimism came on the back of Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's four-day diplomatic blitz, with the leader meeting Wednesday with Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

US Vice President JD Vance, who led the first round of talks, has said Iran is being offered a "grand bargain" to end the six-week war with Israel and the United States and address the decades-old dispute over Tehran's nuclear programme.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel and the United States have "identical" goals -- enriched material removed from Iran, elimination of enrichment capability and reopening the Strait of Hormuz.

The strait, through which one-fifth of the world's crude oil normally flows, has been choked by Iranian forces since the US-Israeli offensive began and is now the focus of the US blockade.

Optimism about an accord in the conflict sent share prices higher on Wall Street, however, with the major stock indices finishing at records on Wednesday while crude prices dropped.



- 'Zero ships have broken through' -



Washington has sought to turn the screws on Tehran with a blockade of its ports, with US Central Command claiming to have "completely halted economic trade going into and out of Iran by sea".

CENTCOM said it had turned back 10 vessels that tried to sail out of Iranian ports during the first 48 hours of the blockade and "zero ships have broken through".

According to recent maritime tracking data, the picture in the Strait of Hormuz was less clear-cut, and Iran's Tasnim news agency reported shipping has continued from southern Iran.

The head of Iran's military central command centre warned that a US failure to lift the blockade would constitute "a prelude" to violating the two-week ceasefire struck on April 8.

Keeping up the pressure, the United States slapped fresh sanctions on Iran's oil industry Wednesday, which Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said targeted "regime elites".

Unless Washington relents, Iran's armed forces "will not allow any exports or imports to continue in the Persian Gulf, the Sea of Oman and the Red Sea," Ali Abdollahi said.

The military adviser to Iran's supreme leader Mojtaba Khamenei also warned that Iran would sink American ships in the strait if the United States decides to "police" the key shipping channel.

"These ships of yours will be sunk by our first missiles," Mohsen Rezaei, a former commander-in-chief of Iran's Revolutionary Guards who was named as a military adviser by Khamenei last month, told state TV.



- No nuclear weapons -



Trump has insisted that any deal with Iran must permanently bar the Islamic Republic from acquiring a nuclear weapon.

He launched the war on February 28, claiming that Tehran was rushing to complete an atomic bomb, an assertion not backed by the UN nuclear watchdog.

Washington has reportedly sought a 20-year suspension of Iran's uranium enrichment programme, while Tehran has proposed suspending nuclear activity for five years -- an offer US officials rejected.

Tehran insists its nuclear programme is for civilian purposes and its foreign ministry said Wednesday that Iran's right to enrich uranium was "indisputable", although the level of enrichment was "negotiable".

The latest signals on the US-Iran talks came with Israel and Lebanon reportedly agreeing to open direct negotiations after their first high-level face-to-face meeting since 1993 took place on Tuesday in Washington.

Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will speak to Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, one of his ministers said Thursday, in what would be a historic first.

The Israeli minister for innovation, science and technology, Gila Gamliel, confirmed the talks after Trump said the pair would speak on Thursday.

But Aoun did not confirm the call, and, in a statement from his office, stressed the importance of a agreeing a ceasefire as a starting point for negotiations.

burs/cl/jgc/cms/dc/srm
Pakistan prime minister meets Qatar emir amid US-Iran talks push



Doha, April 16 (AFP) Apr 16, 2026



Pakistan's prime minister, the key mediator in the ceasefire between the United States and Iran, met Qatar's ruler on Thursday during a push by Islamabad for a second round of peace talks between Washington and Tehran.

Shehbaz Sharif's office said the premier had discussed with Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani "the latest regional and international developments, particularly in the Middle East".

The Qatari ruler praised Pakistan's role and, according to the Pakistani statement, the pair also voiced support for "de-escalation efforts and enhancing international coordination to ensure the security and stability of the region, particularly ensuring the maintenance of smooth flow of energy supply chains".

The Pakistani premier was later due in Turkey, the last stop in a four-day tour which comes on the heels of high-level talks between US and Iranian delegations in Islamabad last weekend.

The talks in Pakistan failed to reach an immediate agreement to permanently end the war in the Middle East following the start of a two-week ceasefire on April 8.

Early in the war, which was sparked in late February by US and Israeli strikes on Iran, Qatar was forced to suspend liquefied natural gas (LNG) production because of Iranian attacks on key energy infrastructure.

The tiny Gulf state, which shares the massive South Pars gas field with Iran, is one of the leading producers of LNG along with the US, Australia and Russia. Qatar is a key supplier to Asian nations including Pakistan.

On Wednesday, the Qatari ruler held a call with US President Donald Trump, in which the pair discussed the impact of the war "on international maritime security and the stability of global energy markets and supply chains", according to a statement by the emir's office.

Trump has indicated that a possible second round of peace talks with Iran in Pakistan could resume this week.

Qatar, a key mediator with the US and Egypt in the Gaza war which ended in October, has in recent years played a role mediating with Iran alongside Oman.

However, Doha has repeatedly dismissed the possibility of mediation with Tehran after it came under attack on February 28.
Visiting British minister calls for ceasefire in Lebanon



Beirut, Lebanon, April 16 (AFP) Apr 16, 2026



Visiting British Middle East Minister Hamish Falconer on Thursday called for a ceasefire in Lebanon where Israel and Hezbollah are at war, and welcomed direct talks between Israel and Lebanon.

Lebanon was pulled into the Middle East war on March 2 after militant group Hezbollah fired rockets at Israel in support of its backer Iran. Israel has responded with huge strikes and a ground invasion in the country's south.

Falconer said that "this is not a conflict of Lebanon's making. There must be a ceasefire. We welcome the talks that have started."

"The strikes in Lebanon have had a terrible effect on civilians," he said.

"Hezbollah must stop firing" and must be disarmed, he said, adding that "it must be the Lebanese government that monopolises the use of force in Lebanon".

Lebanon says the conflict has killed more than 2,100 people and displaced more than one million.

Israel and Lebanon agreed on Tuesday to begin direct negotiations following a meeting between the Israeli and Lebanese ambassadors to the United States.

"It's very welcome that they've had the direct contact in Washington on Tuesday," Falconer said.

An Israeli minister said Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu would speak to Lebanese President Joseph Aoun on Thursday, but Aoun's office has not confirmed the call, stressing the importance of a ceasefire before any direct negotiations.

Falconer also said that "we want to see the Strait of Hormuz reopened in accordance with international law," ahead of a video conference on Friday co-hosted by Britain and France on the critical waterway.

The Middle East war since late February has brought key oil and gas shipping through the strait to a near halt.
Japan to release 50 million medical gloves to ease supply crunch



Tokyo, April 16 (AFP) Apr 16, 2026



Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said Thursday that Japan will give out 50 million medical gloves to facilities facing shortages as the country grapples with the fallout of the war in the Middle East.

The emergency supply will come from Japan's stockpile of some 500 million medical gloves, according to local media.

"Starting in May, the government will release 50 million medical gloves from our pandemic stockpile to medical institutions facing shortages," Takaichi said in a special meeting on the situation in the Middle East.

The announcement comes as Japan, like the rest of the world, has faced severe shortages of oil-related products such as naphtha since the US-Israel war began on February 28. Naphtha can be used to make plastics, chemical fibers, rubber and paints.

Iran's effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz, through which a fifth of the world's crude oil and liquefied natural gas supplies transited before the war, has sent Tokyo officials scrambling to find ways to minimise the damage to the national economy.

Resource-poor Japan relies heavily on oil from the Middle East, and Tokyo has tapped into its oil reserves to ease the stress on its economy.

In recent weeks, Japanese physicians have reported a lack of supplies including gloves and have expressed fears that the energy crisis may soon affect the quality of patient care.

Takaichi on Wednesday pledged $10 billion in financial support for Southeast Asian economies as the crisis threatens Tokyo's procurement of vital medical equipment derived from oil.

Under the initiative, Japan will financially help Southeast Asian nations to strengthen their energy supply chain and procure crude and petroleum products.

Takaichi noted Japan relies on various supplies from Asia, including medical gloves used during surgeries.
Hennessey Performance is marking its 35th anniversary with the introduction of a highly exclusive, high-powered Mustang that underscores the companys legacy of pushing performance boundaries. The new Super Venom Mustang combines significant power gains with distinctive styling, all wrapped in an ultra-limited production run of just 35 units.

Built on the foundation of Fords 5.0-liter V8-powered Mustang, the Super Venom receives extensive modifications aimed at dramatically increasing output. The result is 850 horsepower and 650 pound-feet of torque, placing it well above the standard Mustang Dark Horse and even exceeding the claimed output of other high-performance variants. The upgraded powertrain reflects Hennesseys longstanding focus on extracting maximum performance from existing platforms.

In addition to its power enhancements, the Super Venom Mustang features a carbon fiber performance package designed to improve aerodynamics, cooling, and handling. Visible upgrades include functional elements such as fender vents, an aggressive front splitter, side sills, and a prominent rear wing, all contributing to both visual impact and performance capability.

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The anniversary model also incorporates unique design details that highlight Hennesseys history. Special badging appears throughout the vehicle, including references to the companys founding year of 1991. Exterior graphics and branding distinguish the car from other Mustang variants, reinforcing its status as a commemorative release.

The limited production volume reflects the significance of the milestone, with each unit representing a year of Hennesseys operation. The exclusivity positions the Super Venom Mustang as a collector-focused model, likely to appeal to enthusiasts seeking both performance and rarity.

Over the past three and a half decades, Hennessey Performance has expanded its reach, modifying more than 18,000 vehicles worldwide. The company has also invested in workforce development through its training programs, while continuing to grow its operations. Plans are underway to expand its Texas facility, increase production capacity, and bring additional manufacturing processes in-house.

The Super Venom Mustang serves as both a celebration of Hennesseys history and a continuation of its approach to high-performance engineering, blending increased power with distinctive design in a limited, highly focused package.



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Lula says Trump has 'no right' to threaten countries



Madrid, April 16 (AFP) Apr 16, 2026



Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva criticized US President Donald Trump, saying the US leader has "no right" to threaten other nations, in an interview published in Spain on Thursday.

Lula's comments come after Trump this month warned that a "whole civilization will die" in Iran if the country did not open up the Strait of Hormuz.

"Trump has no right to wake up in the morning and threaten a country," Lula told the Spanish daily El Pais, recalling that the US Constitution divides authority over war and foreign policy between Congress and the president.

"It is essential that powerful leaders take greater responsibility in maintaining peace," the 80-year-old leftist president added.

Lula and Trump, 79, stand on opposite sides on issues including multilateralism, international trade and the fight against climate change.

Brasilia-Washington relations remain strained, despite a meeting between the leaders last year that helped ease tensions and led to a reduction in trade tariffs.

Lula renewed calls for reform of the UN Security Council, including the removal of the veto held by five permanent members and the inclusion of more countries from Africa and Latin America.

"It is time to redefine the United Nations to give it credibility, otherwise Trump is right," he said, referring to the US president's criticism that the post-World War II international system is no longer effective.

Lula spoke to the newspaper ahead of a visit to Spain, where he is to meet Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez and attend a forum of progressive leaders.

Other attendees at the gathering in Barcelona on Saturday include Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa.
CORRECTED: US to blockade Iran ports 'as long as it takes': Pentagon chief



Washington, United States, April 16 (AFP) Apr 16, 2026



The United States will prevent all shipping from entering or exiting Iranian ports in the Strait of Hormuz for "as long as it takes," US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said on Thursday, the fourth day of the blockade.

"Let me be clear, this blockade applies to all ships, regardless of nationality, heading into or from Iranian ports," General Dan Caine, the top US military commander, said at a press conference with Hegseth.
Supertankers approach Iran despite US blockade: tracker



London, April 16 (AFP) Apr 16, 2026



At least two large oil tankers entered the Gulf apparently bound for Iran in defiance of Washington's blockade on Iranian ports, news agencies and tracking data indicated Thursday.

A trickle of ships has passed the Strait of Hormuz over the past two days, though the US military said Wednesday that its blockade of vessels going to or from Iranian ports had been fully implemented during the first 48 hours.

On Thursday, two very large crude carriers (VLCC), the RHN and the Alicia, were near Iran's coast in the Gulf having passed the strait after the US imposed its blockade on Monday, according to data from maritime tracking firm Kpler.

US regional command CENTCOM said more than 10,000 personnel were deployed for the blockade "against vessels of all nations entering or departing Iranian ports and coastal areas".

The two supertankers had previously broadcast their destinations as Iraq but changed them to "for order" as they passed the strait, Kpler data showed.

A third VLCC, the Agios Fanouris I, and a liquid petroleum gas tanker, the G Summer, were also in the Gulf after crossing the strait during the blockade and reported their destinations as Iraq, the data showed.

Two other vessels, the container ship Zaynar 2 and empty general cargo ship Neshat, also crossed the strait on Wednesday and Thursday and were detected near the Iranian port of Bandar Abbas, according to Kpler's tracking platform MarineTraffic.
Russian strikes kill at least 19 across Ukraine



Kyiv, Ukraine, April 16 (AFP) Apr 16, 2026



A massive Russian drone and missile barrage killed at least 19 people in cities across Ukraine, more than four years into the war with talks on ending the conflict stalled.

AFP journalists heard loud bangs echoing over the capital during the night and saw huge plumes of black smoke rising over central Kyiv at dawn.

More than 100 people were wounded in the attacks that ripped through apartment buildings in the middle of the night.

"The impact happened immediately. I heard screams, and we ran quickly. I tried to jump out of the apartment to save myself," a woman called Tetiana in Odesa, the heaviest hit city, told AFP.

Her neighbour Roman, lost his son and daughter-in-law in the barrage.

"The ceilings collapsed, we were pinned by furniture. My wife and I tried to get out. She rushed to our son and screamed, 'half his head is gone'," he told AFP, his voice quivering and breaking into tears.

In Kyiv, 19-year-old Yeva said the roof collapsed on her mother and two-year-old brother when a Russian drone crashed into it, almost completely destroying the apartment block.

"They were saved by a miracle, because the attic collapsed right onto them," she told AFP.

Ukrainian President Zelensky, on a tour of Europe, called for a minute of silence for those killed, at an event in a church in the Netherlands.

"Today in Ukraine is another very hard day, a really hard night, the day after a massive Russian attack," he said.

The attack "has proven Russia does not deserve any easing of global policy or lifting of sanctions," he wrote on social media.

EU council chief Antonio Costa accused Russia of choosing to "deliberately terrorise civilians", decrying the overnight killing as a "horrendous attack against civilian targets".

Moscow has fired hundreds of drones on its neighbour almost nightly since the beginning of the war, with Kyiv regularly carrying out strikes on Russian energy and military targets in response.

Russia's invasion of Ukraine, launched in February 2022, has killed hundreds of thousands of people and displaced millions, in what has become the deadliest conflict in Europe since World War II.



- Peace talks in limbo -



The Ukrainian air force said Russia had launched 659 drones and 44 missiles in an attack that started Wednesday daytime and stretched until dawn on Thursday.

The Russian army said it had "carried out a massive strike" against Ukrainian military and energy targets.

Moscow has repeatedly denied targeting civilians throughout its invasion, despite thousands killed in strikes on apartments, hospitals, train stations and other civilian infrastructure across the country.

The Kremlin's latest deadly attack comes with US-led talks on how to end the conflict sidelined by the war in the Middle East.

Even before then, progress had been slow with no signs Russia was willing to compromise on its hardline territorial and political demands that Kyiv has rejected as tantamount to capitulation.

Kyiv has also stepped up its own long-range drone and missile attacks on Russia.

Strikes overnight killed two people, including a child in southern Russia, officials said.

A 14-year-old girl and a young woman were killed in the Black Sea city of Tuapse when a volley of drones hit housing and a music school, local governor Veniamin Kondratyev said. Five other people were wounded.

The Russian army said its forces intercepted 207 Ukrainian drones across its western and southern regions.

In the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv, four people were killed, including a 12-year-old boy, and at least 62 wounded, mayor Vitali Klitschko said.

Among those wounded were several medics responding to a first wave of strikes, he said.

AFP journalists at the scene of one strike saw a damaged ambulance and the body of one victim covered with a thermal blanket on the street.

Rescuers pulled a child from the rubble of an 18-storey building that had collapsed after a Russian drone crashed into it, Klitschko said.

Five more people were killed and another 33 were wounded in the central Dnipropetrovsk region, Oleksandr Ganzha, head of the regional administration said on Telegram.

burs-jbr-asy/jc/yad
Pakistan army chief meets Iran speaker Ghalibaf: state TV



Tehran, April 16 (AFP) Apr 16, 2026



Pakistan's powerful army chief met Iran's parliament speaker on Thursday, Iranian state television said, after Pakistani mediators travelled to Iran to press efforts to end the war with the United States and Israel.

"Field Marshal Asim Munir, Commander of the Pakistan Army, who travelled to our country yesterday, met and held talks with Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf... this Thursday morning, April 16," the report said.

After more than five weeks of war that saw the killing of supreme leader Ali Khamenei and top security official Ali Larijni, Ghalibaf is widely seen as Iran's top negotiator, and he travelled last weekend to Pakistan for a first round of talks with the United States.

There were no further details on the contents of the latest meeting, which came a day after Munir arrived in Tehran with his delegation, bringing what Iranian state television described as a message from the United States.

The first round of talks in Islamabad ended without any breakthrough, but White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters on Wednesday that further talks "would very likely" be in Islamabad.

Munir wore military fatigues in the meeting and Ghalibaf, a veteran of Iran's Revolutionary Guards ideological army, a dark suit and white shirt without a tie as is customary for Iranian officials, pictures broadcast by state media showed.

Ghalibaf and his delegation had on Saturday held closed door talks in Islamabad with US Vice President JD Vance, in the highest level Iran-US contacts since before the 1979 Islamic revolution.

Pakistani foreign ministry spokesman Tahir Andrabi said no date had been set for the next round of talks.

Further cementing his status as Iran's key negotiator, Ghalibaf told Lebanese parliament speaker Nabih Berri in telephone talks on Thursday that a ceasefire in Lebanon was "as important" as in Iran.
Pakistan PM meets Qatar emir amid US-Iran talks push



Doha, April 16 (AFP) Apr 16, 2026



Pakistan's prime minister, the key mediator in the US-Iran ceasefire, met Qatar's ruler Thursday during a push by Islamabad for a second round of peace talks between Washington and Tehran.

Shehbaz Sharif's office said the premier had discussed with Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani "the latest regional and international developments, particularly in the Middle East".

The Qatari ruler praised Pakistan's role and, according to the Pakistani statement, the pair also voiced support for "de-escalation efforts and enhancing international coordination to ensure the security and stability of the region, particularly ensuring the maintenance of smooth flow of energy supply chains".

The official Qatar News Agency later reported the Pakistani premier had left Doha. He was due in Turkey, the last stop in a four-day tour on the heels of high-level talks between US and Iranian delegations in Islamabad last weekend.

The talks in Pakistan failed to reach an immediate agreement to permanently end the war in the Middle East following the start of a two-week ceasefire on April 8.

Immediately after the Doha meeting, Sheikh Tamim headed to Muscat to meet Oman's Sultan Haitham bin Tariq.

The two Gulf rulers "emphasised the necessity of reaching a final agreement and resolving the crisis at its roots", the Omani foreign ministry said in a statement.

Oman had hosted multiple rounds of US-Iran talks before the war cut the process short.

Qatar, a key mediator with the United States and Egypt in the Gaza war which ended in October, has in recent years played a role mediating with Iran alongside Oman.

However, Doha has repeatedly dismissed the possibility of mediation with Tehran after it came under attack on February 28.

Early in the war, sparked in late February by US and Israeli strikes on Iran, Qatar was forced to suspend liquefied natural gas (LNG) production because of Iranian attacks on key energy infrastructure.

The tiny Gulf state, which shares the massive South Pars gas field with Iran, is one of the leading producers of LNG along with the US, Australia and Russia. Qatar is a key supplier to Asian nations including Pakistan.

On Wednesday, the Qatari ruler held a call with US President Donald Trump. A statement from the emir's office said they discussed the impact of the war "on international maritime security and the stability of global energy markets and supply chains".

Trump has indicated that a possible second round of peace talks with Iran in Pakistan could take place this week.
US threatens to resume strikes if Iran spurns peace offer



Washington, United States, April 16 (AFP) Apr 16, 2026



The United States threatened Thursday to resume air strikes on Iran and maintain a naval blockade of its ports if Tehran refuses to accept a deal to end the war that has engulfed the Middle East.

The warning came as the influential chief of Pakistan's armed forces visited Iran's peace negotiators in Tehran as part of his country's diplomatic efforts to arrange a new round of talks between the foes.

Iranian state television showed Pakistan's Field Marshal Asim Munir meeting Iran's speaker of parliament, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, who led the Iranian delegation at the first US-Iran meeting in Pakistan last week, which ended without a deal.

"If Iran chooses poorly, then they will have a blockade and bombs dropping on infrastructure, power and energy," Defense Secretary Hegseth told a news conference at the Pentagon.

Earlier, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt had told reporters that further talks "would very likely" be in the Pakistani capital.

"Those discussions are being had," Leavitt said, and "we feel good about the prospects of a deal."

But, despite Washington's expectation of renewed talks, the US warned it would maintain its blockade of Iranian ports and use the two-week window afforded by the temporary ceasefire to rearm its forces.

General Dan Caine, the top US military officer, said the naval blockade "applies to all ships, regardless of nationality, heading into or from Iranian ports."

"If you do not comply with this blockade, we will use force," he said.



- 'Historic crossroads' -



Pakistani foreign ministry spokesman Tahir Andrabi said no date had been set for the next round of talks.

"Our role as a mediator and facilitator did not stop when the Islamabad talks, this last round, concluded -- it continued," he said.

US Vice President JD Vance, who led the first round of talks, has said Iran is being offered a "grand bargain" to end the six-week war with Israel and the United States and address the decades-old dispute over Tehran's nuclear programme.

Israel's defense minister Israel Katz said: "Iran is standing at a historic crossroads: one path is renouncing the ways of terror and nuclear armament... in line with the US proposal, the other leads to an abyss.

"If the Iranian regime chooses the second path, it will quickly discover there are even more painful targets than those we have already struck."

Shipping in the strait, through which one-fifth of the world's crude oil normally flows, has been disrupted by Iranian forces since the US-Israeli offensive began and is now the focus of the US blockade.

Washington has sought to turn the screws on Tehran with a blockade of its ports, with US Central Command claiming to have "completely halted economic trade going into and out of Iran by sea".

CENTCOM said it had already turned back 13 vessels that tried to sail out of Iranian ports.

Keeping up the pressure, the United States slapped fresh sanctions on Iran's oil industry Wednesday, which Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said targeted "regime elites".

Unless Washington relents, Iran's armed forces "will not allow any exports or imports to continue in the Persian Gulf, the Sea of Oman and the Red Sea," said the head of the Iranian military's central command center Ali Abdollahi.

The military advisor to Iran's supreme leader Mojtaba Khamenei also warned that Iran would sink American ships in the strait if the United States decides to "police" the key shipping channel.

"These ships of yours will be sunk by our first missiles," Mohsen Rezaei, a former commander-in-chief of Iran's Revolutionary Guards who was named as a military advisor by Khamenei last month, told state TV.



- No nuclear weapons -



Trump has insisted that any deal with Iran must permanently bar the Islamic Republic from acquiring a nuclear weapon.

He launched the war on February 28, claiming that Tehran was rushing to complete an atomic bomb, an assertion not backed by the UN nuclear watchdog.

Washington has reportedly sought a 20-year suspension of Iran's uranium enrichment programme, while Tehran has proposed suspending nuclear activity for five years -- an offer US officials rejected.

Tehran insists its nuclear programme is for civilian purposes.

Its foreign ministry said Wednesday that Iran's right to enrich uranium was "indisputable", although the level of enrichment was "negotiable".

burs/dc/jfx
Iran's shadow oil trade endures near Singapore despite war



Paris, France, April 16 (AFP) Apr 16, 2026



Near Singapore, thousands of miles from the Strait of Hormuz, ship-to-ship transfers of Iranian oil have continued during the Middle East war, helping Tehran evade sanctions and maintain trade with China.

Nearly 400 tankers are sanctioned by the United States, the European Union or Britain for their activities related to Iran -- which is now facing off against the United States during a tense ceasefire.

The ageing vessels that make up Iran's "ghost fleet" operate clandestinely, exploiting opaque ownership structures, false flags, a lack of insurance and manipulation of GPS data to keep a low profile.

Ship-to-ship (STS) transfers on the high seas allow them to "launder" cargoes, disguising their origin.

An area off Malaysia and Singapore, about 100 kilometres (60 miles) southeast of the Malay Peninsula, has emerged as a strategic hub for moving Iranian crude.

Each week, dozens of transfers between tankers -- not only Iranian -- can be seen from the air, an AFP analysis of satellite imagery found.

"It's really the main hub," said Amir Handjani of the US-based Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft. He described the STS situation there as "total anarchy".

These transfers have continued during the war, despite a temporary easing of US sanctions.

On March 20, Washington authorised the sale of Iranian oil already stored on vessels before that date. The authorisation is due to expire on April 19.

But faced with "contradictory activities" by the United States -- easing sanctions then blockading Iranian ports -- "it's safer to keep exporting Iranian oil using shadow vessels and then STS transfers than it is to try to export that oil legitimately," said Elisabeth Braw, an expert at the Atlantic Council.



- Destination China -



Iranian tankers leave the Gulf via the Strait of Hormuz having loaded with crude, usually at Iran's strategic Kharg Island, according to analysis of several maritime tracking platforms.

They then skirt the Indian subcontinent and pass through the Strait of Malacca to Singapore on a two- to three-week journey, before anchoring and waiting for another tanker to take their cargo.

Since March 1, at least 37 Iran-linked tankers have transferred their cargo at sea in the area, amounting to at least 62.3 million barrels of crude, according to data from maritime tracking firm Kpler analysed by AFP.

When specified, the final destinations of these cargoes were ports in China's northern provinces of Shandong, Liaoning and Jiangsu.

Most of the vessels left the Gulf before war broke out on February 28, but at least six Iranian tankers -- among 26 that have crossed the Strait of Hormuz during the conflict -- have transferred their cargoes (totalling 10 million barrels) in recent weeks near Singapore.

The Silvia 1 loaded one million barrels at Kharg in February, passed through the Strait of Hormuz on March 3, arrived in the Singapore area on March 21, and transferred its cargo around March 25 to the Yug.

The Yug then took on the cargo of a second Iranian tanker, the Seastar III, on April 3.

The destination of the Yug is unknown, but the Comoros-flagged tanker is accustomed to STS transfers and generally delivers its cargoes to ports in Shandong, according to data compiled by Kpler and the NGO Global Fishing Watch.



- Iranian oil stored at sea -



Two other cargoes that left the Gulf on the Hilda I and the Amber were transferred to other tankers near Singapore at the end of March, and are expected to arrive at the ports of Yantai (Shandong) and Lianyungang (Jiangsu) on Thursday and Friday, according to Kpler.

Cargoes sometimes undergo several STS transfers.

The cargo of the Amber (two million barrels) transferred to the Medna on March 31, then to the Star Pine on April 4, before heading for China.

Kpler cannot rely on ships' automatic identification systems (AIS) transponder signals, which are switched off at key moments, to estimate cargoes and identify transfers within this shadow fleet.

Instead, the company uses algorithms comparing ships' AIS signals with past routes and analysing their draught, which can indicate when cargo has been offloaded.

STS transfers are likely to thrive due to the US blockade of Iranian ports that started on Monday, especially as "there's a lot of Iranian oil still on the water as floating storage," Naveen Das, an analyst at Kpler, told AFP.
Trump says Israel, Lebanon agree to 10-day ceasefire



Washington, United States, April 16 (AFP) Apr 16, 2026



US President Donald Trump announced that Israel and Lebanon have agreed to a 10-day ceasefire starting on Thursday, though there was no indication if Iran-backed Hezbollah was on board.

Trump said the truce followed "excellent" conversations with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, taking place two days after Israel and Lebanon held peace talks in Washington.

"These two Leaders have agreed that in order to achieve PEACE between their Countries, they will formally begin a 10 Day CEASEFIRE at 5 P.M. EST," Trump said on his Truth Social network.

Trump said he had directed US Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and top US military officer Dan Caine to work with the two countries "to achieve a Lasting PEACE."

"It has been my Honor to solve 9 Wars across the World, and this will be my 10th, so let's, GET IT DONE!" said Trump, who launched the war on Iran alongside Israel on February 28.

Hezbollah then pulled Lebanon into the Middle East war, firing rockets at Israel in support of its backer Tehran.

Since then, Israeli strikes on Lebanon have killed more than 2,000 people and displaced more than one million, and Israeli ground forces have invaded the country's south.

Trump said late Wednesday that Aoun and Netanyahu were due to speak on Thursday, but there was no confirmation that any such call had happened.
Germany's Merz to discuss US participation in Hormuz mission



Berlin, April 16 (AFP) Apr 16, 2026



German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said Thursday he intends to discuss US participation in any potential mission to secure the Strait of Hormuz in talks co-hosted by France and Britain.

The video conference is scheduled for Friday, and the French president's office has said it aims to bring together "non-belligerent countries" ready to contribute to a "purely defensive mission".

The strait, a key route for global oil and gas shipments, has been largely closed since the start of the US-Israeli war against Iran.

Merz said that Germany was willing in principle to take part in such a mission, but also planned to "discuss the question of the participation of the United States armed forces" at Friday's talks.

"There are good arguments in favour of it," he told a press conference in Berlin alongside his Irish counterpart.

He stressed that he would not "prejudge the outcome" of the talks, to be co-chaired by French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer.

Merz added any German participation in a mission to secure the strait could happen only after "at the very least a provisional ceasefire" as well as approval by the government in Berlin and parliament.

"We are still a long way from that," he added.

A ceasefire officially came into force in the war on April 8.

But it remains fragile, with the US navy launching a blockade of Iranian ports this week after talks between US and Iranian officials in Pakistan failed to reach a deal to end the war.
Friend of the site Connie Peters drives the Polestar 4 EV.





Click on the video below or give the transcript a look to see/hear Connie's take.

The TTAC Creators Series tells stories and amplifies creators from all corners of the car world, including culture, dealerships, collections, modified builds and more.

A transcript, cleaned up by AI and edited by a staffer, is below.

[Image: Video Thumbnail]

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Transcript:

Overview: The New Polestar 4

Today I'm in Austin, Texas, driving the brand-new Polestar 4. It's an all-new model for the brand, positioned as a compact crossover coupe. It features unique design elements, impressive tech, and extreme power.

The most striking design choice is that there is no rear window. The car features a fastback "slope back" body style, and instead of a traditional glass window, it uses a high-definition camera system that feeds into a digital rearview mirror. The view is incredibly crisp, and when you activate your turn signal, the camera angle shifts to show your blind spot. This design also allows for a massive trunk opening and a very sleek, straight-edged rear light bar.

Performance and Power

The Polestar 4 is incredibly quick, smooth, and quiet-exactly what you'd expect from a premium luxury EV.

Dual Motor All-Wheel Drive (as tested): This top-spec model includes the Performance Pack, delivering 544 horsepower and 504 lb-ft of torque. While there was some debate on the official numbers during the drive, the 060 mph time is officially 3.7 seconds.

Single Motor Rear-Wheel Drive: For those prioritizing range, the single motor offers 272 horsepower.

Range: The single motor offers approximately 310 miles (500 km) of range, while the dual motor performance model still offers a respectable 280 miles (480 km).

Driving Dynamics: You can customize the driving experience through the screen, adjusting steering feel (light, standard, firm) and suspension feel (standard, nimble, firm).

Interior and Technology

The interior is stunning, particularly with the $5,000 Nappa leather option, which includes heated, ventilated, and massaging seats.

Infotainment: It features a 15-inch landscape touchscreen running a new Android-based system with Google built-in. Polestar worked with Google to integrate brand-specific fonts, colors, and a new lane-view navigation. It also supports wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

Displays: There is a small driver display and a massive optional 17-inch Head-Up Display (HUD).

Ambient Lighting: A unique "planetary" theme allows you to choose different planets for the interior lighting (e.g., Earth uses blue tones).

Practicality: The rear seats feature a 60/40 split and, surprisingly, power-reclining seatbacks. There are three child seat tethers in the back, a 180V outlet, and a small sub-trunk. There is also a small "frunk" under the hood, mostly housing windshield washer fluid.

Special Modes: Includes "Animal Mode," which maintains the cabin temperature for pets and displays a message to passersby on the screen.

The Polestar Brand Context

Polestar started as a racing team in 1996 before becoming Volvo's performance partner. Volvo bought Polestar in 2015, and in 2017, it became its own standalone electric brand. The Polestar 4 sits between the Polestar 2 sedan and the Polestar 3 SUV in the lineup, with the Polestar 5 and 7 expected in the coming years.

Pricing and Availability
Iran 'cautiously optimistic' about peace talks with US



United Nations, United States, April 16 (AFP) Apr 16, 2026



Teheran is "cautiously optimistic" about its negotiations on ending hostilities with the United States, the Iranian ambassador to the UN said on Thursday, expressing hope for a "meaningful outcome."

"Despite our deep mistrust of the United States, stemming from its repeated betrayal of diplomacy, we nevertheless entered the negotiations in good faith and remain cautiously optimistic," Amir Saeid Iravani said during a meeting of the UN General Assembly.

He added that if Washington adopts "a rational and constructive approach...these negotiations can lead to a meaningful outcome."

Mediated by Pakistan, efforts are underway to organize a second round of negotiations between Tehran and Washington to bring a lasting end to the war, following a first round in Islamabad last weekend.
Hezbollah MP to AFP: direct Lebanon-Israel talks a 'grave error'



Beirut, Lebanon, April 16 (AFP) Apr 16, 2026



Hezbollah lawmaker Hussein Hajj Hassan told AFP on Thursday that the Lebanese government's decision to hold direct negotiations with Israel was a "grave error", urging Beirut to stop making concessions to Israel and the United States.

Israel and Lebanon agreed on Tuesday to begin direct talks following a landmark meeting between the Israeli and Lebanese ambassadors to the United States, weeks after Hezbollah pulled Lebanon into the Middle East war with rocket fire at Israel in support of its backer Iran.

The militant group has strongly opposed direct negotiations.

US President Donald Trump later said Israel and Lebanon had agreed to a 10-day truce, which would start at 2100 GMT on Thursday.

"Direct negotiations with the enemy are a grave sin and a grave error" on the part of the government, Hajj Hassan said from his parliamentary office before Trump's announcement.

Trump had said the Lebanese and Israeli "leaders" would speak on Thursday, but an official Lebanese source told AFP that President Joseph Aoun had rejected a US request for a direct phone call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Aoun's office later said the president had held a phone call with Trump and thanked the US leader for his "efforts" to secure a ceasefire.



- 'Hypocritical' -



Hajj Hassan said direct talks serve "no interest for the country or its citizens... so how can there be contact at the level Trump mentioned?"

He criticised the government for agreeing to negotiations and yielding to "US wishes" before a ceasefire had been reached in Lebanon.

"If they are unable to uphold a single condition called a ceasefire, how will they negotiate with the Zionist entity (Israel) under American auspices?" he said before Trump announced the truce.

He urged Lebanese authorities to halt "this series of useless concessions... to a treacherous and cunning enemy, and to a hypocritical, deceitful, evasive and lying America".

The Lebanese government insisted "on reaching a ceasefire through the Israelis and the Americans... and not through Iran," Hajj Hassan said, accusing Lebanese officials of excluding the country from a regional ceasefire due to "unjustified blind hatred of Iran".

Israel has been carrying out huge strikes on Lebanon and a ground invasion in the country's south, while Washington and Tehran have been at odds on whether a fragile Middle East ceasefire applies to Lebanon.

Lebanese officials have insisted on separating the talks with Israel from those between the United States and Iran.

Aoun said on Thursday that a ceasefire was "the natural starting point for direct negotiations between the two countries".

He emphasised that "the negotiations are the undertaking of Lebanese authorities alone as this is a sovereign matter that nobody else can be involved in", alluding to Iran.



- 'Internal issue' -



On Thursday, before Trump's announcement, Iran's parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf told his Lebanese counterpart and Hezbollah ally Nabih Berri that "for us, a ceasefire in Lebanon is just as important as a ceasefire in Iran".

Hajj Hassan rejected criticism that his party is in the "service of Iran".

Tehran is Hezbollah's main backer, and for decades has supplied the group with money and weapons.

"The one serving Lebanon and serving Hezbollah... is Iran and the proof is that now it won't accept... any agreement that doesn't include a ceasefire in Lebanon," Hajj Hassan said.

Lebanese authorities last year committed to disarming Hezbollah and the army had begun doing so near the border when the latest war erupted.

Authorities last month banned Hezbollah's military activities, to no effect.

"Fighting is legitimate for the resistance in facing the aggressor and the occupier," Hajj Hassan said.

"The resistance is a Lebanese internal issue. America or Israel have nothing to do with it," Hajj Hassan said.

Lebanon says Israeli attacks have killed more than 2,100 people and forced more than one million from their homes.
Lebanese say AFP photos show their village has been destroyed



Beirut, Lebanon, April 16 (AFP) Apr 16, 2026



Looking at an AFP photo taken in the Lebanese border village of Mais al-Jabal, Khalil Hamdan recognised the ruins of his own house, overrun by Israeli forces carrying out systematic destruction.

"The work and toil of a lifetime, to see it collapse before your eyes, it hurts a lot," Hamdan, 59, said after looking at the picture of Israeli bulldozers next to his destroyed home.

Photos taken on Wednesday from the Israeli side of the border by an AFP photographer show extensive destruction in two Lebanese border villages, as well as bulldozers and other heavy vehicles demolishing buildings in one village.

AFP was able to geolocate one of the buildings as being in Mais al-Jabal, based on a store sign visible on a building.

Hassan Taha, a member of the Mais al-Jabal municipal council, looked at the photos and confirmed they were of his village.

Hamdan told AFP his first home there was destroyed during the previous round of fighting between Israel and Hezbollah in 2024.

After a 2024 ceasefire, which saw Israel continue to strike targets in Lebanon, Hamdan rented another house in Mais al-Jabal, using all of his remaining savings.

But a few months later he had to flee the village once again.

"Everything I saved, I invested to set up a new home. And I lost everything a second time," he said.

"The labour of a lifetime, ended in an instant. Sometimes you reach a point you think death is better than this life we live."



- 'They will not return' -



Since the last war between Hezbollah and Israel in 2023 and 2024, several border villages have suffered extensive destruction, including during the ceasefire period.

Amnesty International said in August that "more than 10,000 structures were heavily damaged or destroyed" between October 2024 and late January 2025.

At the time, the rights group pointed to "the Israeli military's extensive and deliberate destruction of civilian property", much of it after the ceasefire.

Lebanon has accused Israel, which refused to withdraw from five positions in southern Lebanon during the ceasefire, of carrying out a campaign of destruction in these villages and preventing their reconstruction.

After war broke out once more between Hezbollah and Israel on March 2, against the backdrop of the regional war between the United States and Israel and Iran, Lebanese state media have reported Israeli "demolition and blasting" operations in what remains of the border villages.

Israel has said it is creating a "buffer zone" inside Lebanon.

Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz has said that displaced Lebanese residents would not return to their homes "until security is guaranteed for the residents of the north" of Israel.

Katz also threatened that "all the houses in the villages adjacent to the border in Lebanon will be demolished".

Human Rights Watch, in a letter to Katz last month, expressed its "grave concerns".

Amnesty International also criticised Katz over statements that Israel wants to "accelerate the destruction of bridges and homes in southern Lebanon", arguing that "Israel must not be allowed to violate international law with impunity across the region".

A Lebanese military source told AFP Israeli forces have advanced between five and 10 kilometres (three and six miles) in scattered locations in southern Lebanon as part of their invasion.



- 'Destruction' -



Around half of Mais al-Jabal, especially the eastern side, had been destroyed before the latest war, Taha said.

But AFP photos that Taha reviewed show what he said was fresh destruction, including in the centre of the village.

"We cannot calculate the percentage that's been destroyed right now. There was destruction of about 50%... but based on the images we see, we believe that the destruction may have reached 80%," he said.

The Lebanese authorities do not have a public estimate of the current extent of the destruction.

The World Bank estimated the cost of reconstruction after the last war at about $11 billion, a process that had largely not begun when the new war erupted.

Khalil Hamdan has also lost an ancient olive grove inherited from his ancestors.

"I consider myself wronged," he told AFP.

"I am not affiliated with any party and have nothing to do with political groups. I'm a citizen who loves his state and wants it to be on the ground and to protect me.

"Three years with no work and constant displacement from one place to another -- we can no longer bear it."
US to blockade Iran ports 'as long as it takes': Pentagon chief



Washington, United States, April 16 (AFP) Apr 16, 2026



The United States will blockade Iranian ports for "as long as it takes," US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said Thursday, threatening renewed strikes if Tehran does not make a deal.

"If Iran chooses poorly, then they will have a blockade and bombs dropping on infrastructure, power and energy," Hegseth told a news conference at the Pentagon.

US forces began blockading Iranian ports at 1400 GMT on Monday after peace talks in Pakistan ended without an agreement the previous day.

General Dan Caine, the top US military officer, said the blockade "applies to all ships, regardless of nationality, heading into or from Iranian ports."

"If you do not comply with this blockade, we will use force," said Caine, who spoke alongside Hegseth.

The general also said that Washington's forces would chase down ships in other areas that try to carry aid to Iran.

"In addition to this blockade, the joint force, through operations and activities in other areas of responsibility...will actively pursue any Iranian-flagged vessel, or any vessel attempting to provide material support to Iran," Caine said.

Hegseth meanwhile said Iranian forces are attempting to dig out equipment buried during the more than five weeks of US-Israeli strikes against the Islamic republic.

Addressing Iranian leaders directly, he said: "We know what military assets you are moving and where you are moving them to. While you are digging out -- which is exactly what you're doing, digging out of bombed out and devastated facilities -- we are only getting stronger."

"You are digging out your remaining launchers and missiles with no ability to replace them -- you have no defense industry, no ability to replenish your offensive or defensive capabilities," Hegseth said.

Admiral Brad Cooper, the head of US Central Command, which is responsible for American forces in the Middle East, said Washington is using the ceasefire to reset.

"We're rearming, we're retooling, and we're adjusting our tactics, techniques and procedures. There's no military in the world that adjusts like we do, and that's exactly what we're doing right now during the ceasefire," Cooper said.
Italy's Meloni hails Israel-Lebanon ceasefire as 'excellent news'



Rome, April 16 (AFP) Apr 16, 2026



Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni hailed Thursday a 10-day ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon that was announced by US President Donald Trump, saying it was "crucial" it be respected.

The ceasefire "is excellent news, and I congratulate the Lebanese and Israeli governments for reaching this important milestone thanks to US mediation," Meloni said in a statement.

She said it was "now crucial that the ceasefire be fully respected" and hoped it will lead to "a full and lasting peace."

Italy will "continue to play its part by contributing to peacekeeping" through UNIFIL, and "by supporting Lebanese sovereignty, including by strengthening the Lebanese Armed Forces," she said.

UNIFIL is a peacekeeping mission established in 1978 in southern Lebanon.

Italy currently has 754 troops in UNIFIL, the second-largest contingent after Indonesia's 755, according to UN figures published March 30.

Rome accused Israeli forces earlier this week of firing warning shots at a convoy of Italian UN peacekeepers in Lebanon in an incident that it said damaged at least one vehicle but caused no injuries.
Trump condemns 'terrible' Russia strikes on Kyiv



Washington, United States, April 16 (AFP) Apr 16, 2026



US President Donald Trump on Thursday condemned a massive Russian drone and missile attack that killed at least 19 people across Ukraine, ripping through apartment buildings in the capital Kyiv.

Asked by reporters at the White House for his reaction to the barrage -- hundreds of drones and dozens of missiles fired at Ukrainian cities -- Trump said: "I think it's terrible."
War in the Middle East: latest developments



Paris, France, April 16 (AFP) Apr 16, 2026



The latest developments in the Middle East war:



- Netanyahu hails Lebanon truce -



Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the ten-day ceasefire with Lebanon offered an opportunity for a "historic peace agreement" with Beirut, but insisted that the disarmament of militant group Hezbollah remained a precondition.

US President Donald Trump earlier said that Netanyahu and Lebanese President Joseph Aoun had agreed to a ten-day truce starting at 2100 GMT on Thursday evening.



- Iran to hand over enriched uranium? -



Trump said Iran has agreed to hand over its store of enriched uranium and that the two sides were "close" to a peace deal ending six weeks of conflict.

"They've agreed to give us back the nuclear dust," Trump told reporters at the White House, using his name for the enriched uranium stockpile that the United States says could be used to build nuclear weapons.



- Hezbollah in ceasefire -



Trump said the 10-day ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon would include Iran-backed Hezbollah.

"Today they're going to be having a ceasefire, and that'll include Hezbollah," Trump told reporters at the White House.



- Israeli strike kills 7 -



An Israeli strike on the southern Lebanese town of Ghazieh has killed at least seven people and wounded 33, the health ministry said, hours before the ceasefire between the two countries is scheduled to take effect.

Lebanese state media reported a "massacre against civilians" in the town, noting that rubble removal operations are ongoing, while the health ministry said its toll is "preliminary and not final".



- Lebanese PM welcomes ceasefire -



Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam said he "welcomes" Trump's announcement of the 10-day ceasefire with Israel.

A Hezbollah MP told AFP the Iran-backed militant group would respect the ceasefire if Israel stops its attacks on its fighters.

Lebanon's army has urged people not to return to the country's southern villages and towns before the truce takes effect at midnight local time.



- Trump invites Israel, Lebanon to White House -



Trump said he will invite the leaders of Israel and Lebanon to the White House after the two countries agreed a ceasefire.

"I will be inviting the Prime Minister of Israel, Bibi Netanyahu, and the President of Lebanon, Joseph Aoun, to the White House," Trump said on his Truth Social network.



- Pakistan meets Iran, Qatar-



Pakistan's powerful army chief met Iran's parliament speaker in Tehran, while Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif met the Qatari ruler in Doha.

Pakistan hosted and mediated the first round of US-Iran talks to end the war and is pushing for a second.



- Pope praised by archbishop -



Archbishop of Canterbury Sarah Mullally, the new leader of the world's Anglicans, hailed Pope Leo XIV's "courageous call" for peace following a war of words with Trump.

"I stand with my brother in Christ, His Holiness Pope XIV, in his courageous call for a kingdom of peace. As innocent people are killed and displaced, families torn apart, and futures destroyed, the human cost of war is incalculable," Mullally said.



- Israel warning -



Israel's defence minister warned Iran against rejecting a US proposal focused on renouncing "nuclear armament" and vowed to stage "even more painful" strikes on new targets if it did so.

"Iran is standing at a historic crossroads: one path is renouncing the ways of terror and nuclear armament... in line with the US proposal, the other leads to an abyss," Israel Katz said.

"If the Iranian regime chooses the second path, it will quickly discover there are even more painful targets than those we have already struck," he said.



- Exports through Hormuz collapse -



Iran was the top exporter of commodities through the Strait of Hormuz in March, as shipments from other countries fell off a cliff with Tehran's blockade of the vital waterway, data by analytics firm Kpler showed.



- US warning on blockade -



The United States will blockade Iranian ports for "as long as it takes," US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said, threatening renewed strikes if Tehran does not make a deal.

"If Iran chooses poorly, then they will have a blockade and bombs dropping on infrastructure, power and energy," Hegseth said.







burs-rh/giv
Trump says Iran deal 'very close,' may go to Pakistan to sign



Washington, United States, April 16 (AFP) Apr 16, 2026



President Donald Trump said Thursday that the United States and Iran were "very close" to a peace deal and that he would consider going to Pakistan to sign an agreement.

Speaking to reporters at the White House, Trump added that Tehran had agreed to hand over its store of enriched uranium, as the two countries mull further talks in Islamabad.

"We're very close to making a deal with Iran," Trump said as he left to board his helicopter for a trip to Las Vegas.

"We had to make sure that Iran never gets a nuclear weapon... They've totally agreed to that. They've agreed to almost everything, so maybe if they can get to the table, there's a difference."

Asked if he might travel to Pakistan to sign an agreement, Trump added: I might go, yeah. If the deal is signed in Islamabad, I might go."

The US leader praised Pakistan's "really great" Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and powerful army chief Asim Munir for their role in brokering the talks with Iran.

Vice President JD Vance led a US delegation to Islamabad last weekend for talks with Iranian officials but came away empty handed. The White House says it is in discussions about a second round of talks that would likely be in Pakistan again.

Trump added that Iran had agreed to hand over its store of enriched uranium -- a key sticking point for any deal -- although he gave no details about any such agreement.

"They've agreed to give us back the nuclear dust," Trump said, using his name for the enriched uranium stockpile that the United States says could be used to build nuclear weapons.
Trump says Iran has agreed to hand over its enriched uranium supply



Washington, United States, April 16 (AFP) Apr 16, 2026



US President Donald Trump said Thursday that Iran has agreed to hand over its store of enriched uranium and that the two sides were "close" to a peace deal to end the war that has engulfed the Middle East.

The United States had earlier threatened to resume airstrikes on the Islamic republic and maintain a naval blockade of its ports if Tehran refused to accept a deal to solve the conflict that broke out on February 28.

At the same time, on another front in the conflict, US President Donald Trump announced that Israel and Lebanon had agreed to a 10-day truce starting on Thursday and said he expected the two countries' leaders at the White House in "four or five days".

Hezbollah lawmaker Ibrahim al-Moussawi told AFP the Iran-backed Lebanese armed group -- which has been fighting Israel since early March -- would respect the ceasefire if Israeli attacks on the militants stopped.

The Lebanese and Israeli prime ministers welcomed the ceasefire, which came days after the US and Iran agreed a separate truce and as Pakistan pursued diplomatic efforts to arrange a new round of talks between foes Washington and Tehran.

Iranian state television on Thursday showed Pakistan's powerful army chief Asim Munir meeting Iran's speaker of parliament, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, who led the Iranian delegation at the first round of talks last week, which ended without a deal.

The Iranian ambassador to the UN later said Tehran was "cautiously optimistic" about its negotiations on ending hostilities with the US and expressed hope for a "meaningful outcome".

US Defense Secretary Hegseth had said Thursday: "If Iran chooses poorly, then they will have a blockade and bombs dropping on infrastructure, power and energy."

Trump later told reporters that "there's a very good chance we're going to make a deal" with Tehran, adding that he would consider going to Pakistan to sign an agreement.

"They've agreed to give us back the nuclear dust," he said, using his name for the enriched uranium stockpile that the United States says could be used to build nuclear weapons.



- No nuclear weapons -



Trump has insisted that any deal with Iran must permanently bar the Islamic republic from acquiring a nuclear weapon.

He launched the war claiming that Tehran was rushing to complete an atomic bomb, an assertion not backed by the UN nuclear watchdog.

Washington has reportedly sought a 20-year suspension of Iran's uranium enrichment programme, while Tehran has proposed suspending nuclear activity for five years -- an offer US officials rejected.

Tehran insists its nuclear programme is for civilian purposes.

Its foreign ministry said Wednesday that Iran's right to enrich uranium was "indisputable", although the level of enrichment was "negotiable".

Also on Thursday, the US House of Representatives rejected a Democratic effort to curb Trump's authority to wage war in Iran.

The vote came as unease over the six-week conflict continued to spread on Capitol Hill, with lawmakers wary of rising costs, an unclear endgame and the risk of a wider war.



- 'Historic crossroads' -



White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt had told reporters on Wednesday that further talks between the US and Iran "would very likely" be in the Pakistani capital.

Pakistani foreign ministry spokesman Tahir Andrabi said no date had been set for the next round of talks.

US Vice President JD Vance, who led the first round, has said Iran is being offered a "grand bargain" to end the war and address the decades-old dispute over Tehran's nuclear programme.

Israel's defense minister Israel Katz said: "Iran is standing at a historic crossroads: one path is renouncing the ways of terror and nuclear armament... in line with the US proposal, the other leads to an abyss.

"If the Iranian regime chooses the second path, it will quickly discover there are even more painful targets than those we have already struck."

Shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, through which one-fifth of the world's crude oil normally flows, has been disrupted by Iranian forces since the US-Israeli offensive began and is now the focus of the US blockade.

Washington has sought to turn the screws on Tehran with a blockade of its ports, with US Central Command claiming to have "completely halted economic trade going into and out of Iran by sea".

CENTCOM said it had already turned back 13 vessels that tried to sail out of Iranian ports.

Keeping up the pressure, the United States slapped fresh sanctions on Iran's oil industry on Wednesday, which Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said targeted "regime elites".

Unless Washington relents, Iran's armed forces "will not allow any exports or imports to continue in the Persian Gulf, the Sea of Oman and the Red Sea," said the head of the Iranian military's central command center Ali Abdollahi.

The military advisor to Iran's supreme leader Mojtaba Khamenei also warned that Iran would sink American ships in the strait if the United States decides to "police" the key shipping channel.

burs/amj/jfx
Trump says Israel, Lebanon agree to ceasefire



Washington, United States, April 16 (AFP) Apr 16, 2026



US President Donald Trump announced a 10-day ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon Thursday, adding that he hoped to host a historic meeting between the leaders of the two countries in coming days.

Trump said that Hezbollah was included in the ceasefire, but according to the US State Department the truce committed Lebanon itself to dismantle the Iran-backed militant group.

The US leader announced the ceasefire would start within hours, after what he said were "excellent" phone calls with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Lebanese President Joseph Aoun.

"These two Leaders have agreed that in order to achieve PEACE between their Countries, they will formally begin a 10 Day CEASEFIRE at 5 P.M. EST," or 2100 GMT, Trump said on his Truth Social network.

Netanyahu said the ceasefire with Lebanon offered an opportunity for a "historic peace agreement" with Beirut -- but insisted disarmament of militant group Hezbollah remained a precondition.

The Middle East war began when the United States and Israel attacked Iran on February 28, and Lebanon was pulled in when Hezbollah then attacked Israel on March 2.

Since then, Israeli strikes in Lebanon have killed more than 2,000 people and displaced upwards of a million, while Israeli ground forces have invaded the country's south.



- 'Very exciting' -



Trump spoke about the ceasefire with reporters as he left the White House for a trip to Las Vegas.

"It's very exciting," Trump said in response to a question from an AFP reporter. "Today they're going to be having a ceasefire, and that'll include Hezbollah."

Trump later said Lebanon would "take care of Hezbollah," adding that he believed the Tehran-backed group would stick to the ceasefire.

The State Department said the ceasefire entails a committment by Beirut to prevent any Hezbollah attacks.

A Hezbollah lawmaker told AFP it would "cautiously adhere" to the ceasefire if Israel stopped attacks.

Ibrahim al-Moussawi thanked Iran for having applied pressure in Lebanon's favor -- adding that "the ceasefire would not have happened without Iran considering the ceasefire as equal to closing the Strait of Hormuz."

Netanyahu said Israel agreed to the truce but will maintain a 10-kilometre (6.2-mile) "security zone" along the border in southern Lebanon.

He added that Israel maintained two conditions for the ceasefire: Hezbollah's disarmament, and a lasting peace agreement "based on strength."

With the truce yet to take effect, Trump said he would be inviting Netanyahu and Aoun to the White House following the ceasefire deal.

It would be the first time the leaders of Israel and Lebanon have ever met.

"They'll be meeting -- probably coming to the White House -- over the next four or five days," Trump said.



- Iran deal 'very close' -



Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam welcomed Trump's announcement of a ceasefire, saying a truce was a "key Lebanese demand that we have pursued since the very first day of the war" between Hezbollah and Israel.

Ahead of the ceasefire, Aoun's office thanked Trump for his "efforts" to secure the truce. But the Lebanese president rejected Trump's request for a direct call with Netanyahu, an official source told AFP.

The ceasefire comes after the Israeli and Lebanese ambassadors met in Washington this week -- the first meeting of its kind since 1993.

That truce could also boost Trump's continuing efforts to reach a deal to end the war with Iran.

Tehran has insisted that a Lebanon ceasefire must be part of any agreement.

Trump said Washington was "very close" to a peace deal with Iran after six weeks of war and might travel to Pakistan to sign any agreement.

But fighting continued right up until Trump's announcement.

The Lebanese army said Thursday that Israeli strikes which destroyed the Qasmiyeh bridge over the southern Litani River have cut off the area from the rest of the country.

Israel's military again urged civilians to evacuate the entire area of southern Lebanon up to the Zahrani River, about 40 kilometers (25 miles) north of the border.

Meanwhile, Lebanon's state-run National News Agency reported clashes in Bint Jbeil, a town near the border where Hezbollah fighters are battling Israeli forces.

burs-dk/mlm
The first-of-its-kind Infiniti QX65, a luxury crossover SUV, rolled off the line at the Nissan Vehicle Assembly plant in Smyrna Thursday, April 16, signaling a new chapter in the Japanese automakers luxury segment.

Anytime we get to launch a new vehicle, especially one that is the first time that nameplate hits the market, its truly special because nobody has ever seen it, Nissan Americas Regional Senior Vice President of Manufacturing, Supply Chain Management and Purchasing David M. Johnson told The Tennessean. Its not a refresh of a nameplate thats been around, so you take a lot of pride in bringing that to market.

When asked what makes this vehicle stand out, Johnson emphasized the vehicle's design.

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Just take a look at it. Its sleek. Its sporty, Johnson said, pointing to its coupe-like profile with a low, sloped roof.

The first Infiniti QX65 drives off the line at the Nissan Smyrna Vehicle Assembly Plant on Thursday, April, 16 in Smyrna. People take photos as David Johnson, Eric Ledieu, and Brian Crockett stand for a photo after the first Infiniti QX65 drives off the line at the Nissan Smyrna Vehicle Assembly Plant on Thursday, April, 16 in Smyrna. The first Infiniti QX65 drives off the line at the Nissan Smyrna Vehicle Assembly Plant on Thursday, April, 16 in Smyrna. David Johnson, Eric Ledieu, and Brian Crockett stand for a photo after the first Infiniti QX65 drives off the line at the Nissan Smyrna Vehicle Assembly Plant on Thursday, April, 16 in Smyrna. The first Infiniti QX65 drives off the line at the Nissan Smyrna Vehicle Assembly Plant on Thursday, April, 16 in Smyrna. David Johnson speaks with members of the press after the first Infiniti QX65 drives off the line at the Nissan Smyrna Vehicle Assembly Plant on Thursday, April, 16 in Smyrna. The first Infiniti QX65 to drive off the line at the Nissan Smyrna Vehicle Assembly Plant on Thursday, April, 16 in Smyrna. Employees listen before the first Infiniti QX65 drives off the line at the Nissan Smyrna Vehicle Assembly Plant on Thursday, April, 16 in Smyrna. James Walker drives the first Infiniti QX65 off the line at the Nissan Smyrna Vehicle Assembly Plant on Thursday, April, 16 in Smyrna. Elected officials listen as speakers address the crowd before the first Infiniti QX65 drives off the line at the Nissan Smyrna Vehicle Assembly Plant on Thursday, April, 16 in Smyrna. Eric Ledieu, walks around the side of the first Infiniti QX65 to drive off the line at the Nissan Smyrna Vehicle Assembly Plant on Thursday, April, 16 in Smyrna. Employees listen before the first Infiniti QX65 drives off the line at the Nissan Smyrna Vehicle Assembly Plant on Thursday, April, 16 in Smyrna. People in the crowd take photos and record as the first Infiniti QX65 drives off the line at the Nissan Smyrna Vehicle Assembly Plant on Thursday, April, 16 in Smyrna. The first Infiniti QX65 drives off the line at the Nissan Smyrna Vehicle Assembly Plant on Thursday, April, 16 in Smyrna. Brian Crockett speaks to the crowd before introducing the first Infiniti QX65 to drive off the line at the Nissan Smyrna Vehicle Assembly Plant on Thursday, April, 16 in Smyrna. Brian Crockett speaks to the crowd before introducing the first Infiniti QX65 to drive off the line at the Nissan Smyrna Vehicle Assembly Plant on Thursday, April, 16 in Smyrna. The first Infiniti QX65 drives off the line at the Nissan Smyrna Vehicle Assembly Plant on Thursday, April, 16 in Smyrna. 1 / 17 The first Infiniti QX65 drives off the line at the Nissan Smyrna Plant The first Infiniti QX65 drives off the line at the Nissan Smyrna Vehicle Assembly Plant on Thursday, April, 16 in Smyrna.

With roots of the FX, which was last produced in 2013, the QX65 brings back that same flair that enthusiasts have missed for years, Johnson said.

We dont call them FX anymore, but this takes the styling cues, (and) brings that sporty SUV, fastback feel to our Infiniti customers of today, Johnson said.

Additionally Nissan estimates that 60% to 65% of QX65 buyers will be new to the brand.

Its a great entry to our brand and allows them to experience what Infiniti has to offer from a luxury viewpoint, reliability, quality, dependability, all of the things that were known for as a Japanese manufacturer, Johnson said.

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Im confident that once they experience what we have to offer, theyre going to stay with us for a long time.

Since opening in 1983, Nissans Smyrna facility has evolved into one of the automakers most significant U.S. plants, producing vehicles such as the Leaf, Murano, Pathfinder, Rogue and Infiniti QX60  a list that now includes the Infiniti QX65.

We take a lot of pride in that first-to-market feeling, Johnson said. Its super important whenever we bring new models into the plant because that gives us sustainability. Especially whenever youve got a new, exciting product that comes, we watch those cells grow That sustains the jobs in our future here in manufacturing in Tennessee.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Infiniti debuts new lux vehicle in Tennessee. What to know
Germany hails Israel-Lebanon truce, hopes for future as 'good neighbours'



Berlin, April 16 (AFP) Apr 16, 2026



Germany welcomed the announcement of a ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon that included the Iran-backed Hezbollah on Thursday, saying it hoped the truce could pave the way for a "future as good neighbours".

The 10-day truce announced by US President Donald Trump "can offer people on both sides of the border an important respite", Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said in a statement.

He said direct talks launched this week in Washington -- the first since 1993 -- opened the door to "a future as good neighbours" provided "Israel's legitimate security interests and Lebanon's right to territorial integrity and sovereignty" were both respected.

He added the two sides must now work on border security, civilian protection along the Blue Line and the safety of UN peacekeepers deployed with UNIFIL.

"Lasting security in the region will only be possible with the effective disarmament of Hezbollah," he said, adding it was now up to the Lebanese government to "implement this effectively".

The foreign minister thanked Washington "for its efforts as mediator, particularly over the past few days".

Trump said Hezbollah was included in the ceasefire, but according to the US State Department the truce committed Lebanon itself to dismantle the Iran-backed militant group.
Israel, Hezbollah exchange fire before truce starts



Jerusalem, April 16 (AFP) Apr 16, 2026



Israeli rescue services said two people were injured on Thursday as the army and Iran-backed Hezbollah exchanged new cross-border fire shortly before a truce was due to take effect.

"The IDF is currently striking launchers from which the Hezbollah terrorist organisation launched rockets to northern Israel a short while ago," the army said in a statement.

Israel's emergency service, Magen David Adom, said in a statement that two people were wounded, one of them seriously, in Karmiel and Nahariya after rocket fire in northern Israel.

US President Donald Trump said Thursday that Israel and Lebanon had agreed to a 10-day ceasefire that would come into effect at 2100 GMT.

Lebanon was pulled into the Middle East war on March 2 after the Lebanon-based armed group Hezbollah, which is backed by Iran, attacked Israel.
Trump says Iran agrees to hand over its enriched uranium



Washington, United States, April 16 (AFP) Apr 16, 2026



US President Donald Trump said Thursday Washington and Tehran were "very close" to a peace deal and insisted that Iran had agreed to hand over its enriched uranium, a key sticking point in negotiations.

The United States had earlier threatened to resume airstrikes on the Islamic republic and maintain a naval blockade of its ports if Tehran refused to accept a deal to solve the conflict that broke out on February 28.

At the same time, a ceasefire came into effect between Israel and Lebanon -- a 10-day truce -- with Trump saying he expected the two countries' leaders at the White House within "four or five days."

Hezbollah has not said if it recognizes the ceasefire -- but a senior figure said it would respect it if Israeli attacks on the militants stopped.

But Israel's army said it was striking Hezbollah rocket launchers after fire from Lebanon shortly before the ceasefire was due to begin.

The prime ministers for both countries welcomed the ceasefire, which came days after the US and Iran agreed to a separate truce and as Pakistan pursued diplomatic efforts to arrange a new round of talks between foes Washington and Tehran.

On Thursday, Pakistan's powerful army chief Asim Munir met Iran's parliament speaker, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, who led the Iranian delegation at the first round of talks last week, which ended without a deal.

Iran's UN ambassador later said Tehran was "cautiously optimistic" about peace talks with the United States, expressing hope for a "meaningful outcome."

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said Thursday "if Iran chooses poorly, then they will have a blockade and bombs dropping on infrastructure, power and energy."

Trump later told reporters that "there's a very good chance we're going to make a deal" with Tehran.

"They've agreed to give us back the nuclear dust," he said, using his label for the enriched uranium stockpile that Washington says could be used for nuclear weapons.

Trump has offered no details about any transfer, and Iran has given no public indication it would surrender its stockpile.



- 'Indisputable' right to uranium -



Trump has insisted any deal with Iran must permanently block it from acquiring nuclear weapons.

He launched the war claiming Tehran was rushing to complete an atomic bomb, an assertion unsupported by the UN nuclear watchdog.

Washington has reportedly sought a 20-year suspension of Iran's uranium enrichment program, while Tehran has proposed suspending nuclear activity for five years -- an offer US officials rejected.

Tehran insists its nuclear program is peaceful.

Iran insisted Wednesday its right to enrich uranium was "indisputable", although the level of enrichment was "negotiable."

The US House of Representatives on Thursday rejected a Democratic effort to curb Trump's authority to wage war in Iran, with lawmakers wary of soaring costs, an unclear endgame and the risk of a wider conflict.



- 'An abyss' -



White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt had told reporters Wednesday further talks between the US and Iran "would very likely" be in Islamabad.

Pakistani foreign ministry spokesman Tahir Andrabi said no date had been set for the next round of talks.

US Vice President JD Vance, who led the first round, has said Iran is being offered a "grand bargain" to end the war and address the decades-old dispute over Tehran's nuclear program.

Israel's defense minister Israel Katz said Iran was "standing at a historic crossroads" and not pursuing a deal "leads to an abyss."

Shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, through which one-fifth of the world's crude oil normally flows, has been disrupted by Iran since the US-Israeli offensive began, and is now the focus of the US blockade.

Around 2100 GMT, Brent North Sea Crude had risen 3.24 percent to $98.01.

Washington has sought to escalate pressure on Tehran by blockading its ports, with US Central Command claiming to have "completely halted economic trade going into and out of Iran by sea" by turning back 13 vessels departing Iranian ports.

Maximizing pressure, Washington slapped fresh sanctions on Iran's oil industry on Wednesday, which Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said targeted "regime elites."

Unless Washington relents, Iran's armed forces "will not allow any exports or imports to continue in the Persian Gulf, the Sea of Oman and the Red Sea," said the head of the Iranian military's central command center Ali Abdollahi.

The military adviser to Iran's supreme leader Mojtaba Khamenei also warned that Iran would sink American ships in the strait if the United States decides to "police" the key shipping channel.

burs-gw/jgc
Gunfire erupts in Beirut's southern suburbs as ceasefire takes effect: AFP correspondents



Beirut, Lebanon, April 16 (AFP) Apr 16, 2026



Gunfire erupted in Beirut's southern suburbs as a ceasefire with Israel came into effect at midnight on Friday (2100 GMT Thursday), according to AFP journalists and AFPTV footage.

State media also reported "heavy gunfire" accompanying the start of the 10-day truce, announced earlier by US President Donald Trump.

AFP journalists heard shots ring out and RPGs erupting into the air shortly after midnight and continuing for well over half an hour, as red bullet traces took off into the sky.

AFPTV footage showed people returning to the city's southern suburbs, a Hezbollah stronghold, some waving the Iran-backed movement's yellow flag or carrying portraits of its slain leader Hassan Nasrallah, killed by Israel in 2024.

Videos circulating on social media showed queues of cars in several areas in the south as displaced residents returned to their homes.

Lebanese authorities say the war has displaced more than one million people.

Hezbollah earlier on Thursday called on Lebanese residents to postpone their return to the country's south, the Bekaa valley, and Beirut's southern suburbs, "until the situation becomes completely clear".

The Hezbollah-affiliated Islamic Health Committee, in a statement, also advised people to wait "until you are certain that a ceasefire has been officially declared and has come into effect" and urged people to "wait until morning" before taking to the roads.

The army command also called on citizens to heed instructions of Lebanese soldiers deployed in the south, where Israeli troops have invaded across the border, and to beware of unexploded ordnance and "suspicious objects".

No Israeli airstrikes were reported in the hour after the ceasefire came into effect.

Lebanese state media said, however, that "despite the passage of about half an hour after the ceasefire came into effect, the artillery of the enemy Israeli army is still shelling the towns of Khiam and Debbine, in conjunction with combing operations with machine guns in the area."
UN chief urges 'respect' for Israel-Lebanon ceasefire



United Nations, United States, April 16 (AFP) Apr 16, 2026



United Nations chief Antonio Guterres welcomed the 10-day ceasefire announced Thursday between Israel and Lebanon, and urged "all actors" to fully respect the truce, his spokesman said.

"The Secretary-General welcomes the announcement of a 10-day ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon, and commends the role of the United States in facilitating" it, Guterres spokesman Stephane Dujarric said in a statement, adding he hoped the temporary halt to fighting would "pave the way for negotiations."

Guterres "urges all actors to fully respect the ceasefire and to comply with their obligations under international law, including international humanitarian law, at all times," he said, a statement that may extend beyond Israel and Lebanon to the militant group Hezbollah.




The Cost: The Unmaking of Will Trent





The Blank Expanse of Nothing lives up to its titlean hour carved out of dread, disorientation, and emotional erosion. Its one of the shows most unsettling episodes, not because of gore or shock value, but because every character who once anchored this world is slipping away, some by choice, some by trauma, some by design. The episode is brutal and gripping, impossible to turn away from even as it dismantles the very world that keeps Will Trent standing. It burns down so much that its impact becomes its own argument: in this universe, truths and lives are equally disposable.



"The Blank Expanse of Nothing  WILL TRENT. Pictured: Ramon Rodriguez as Special Agent Will Trent. Photo: Disney/Matt Miller.  2026 Disney. All rights reserved.





Faith Mitchell: Has The Breaking Point Arrived?





Special Agent Faith Mitchell (Iantha Richardson) has been inching toward burnout all season, but this episode finally lets the bottom drop out. The trafficking casegrim, intimate, and unrelentinglands on her like a weight she cant shrug off.





Grace Elverton (Kiana Nicole Washington), the Jane Doe from Minot, North Dakota, is at the center of the case she works with her housemate, Det. Michael Ormewood (Jake McLaughlin). Graces choice to reinterpret being sexually trafficked as an alien abduction is her survival mechanism. What human would do this? Grace asks Faith. This question haunts Faith. She wonders aloud to Det. Angie Polaski (Erika Christensen) how the girls survive. Angie looks into her eyes and says, Some of us do, and the episode wisely lets Angies statement sit in the viewers gut.



The Blank Expanse of Nothing  WILL TRENT. Pictured: Constance Shulman as Shelly, Jake McLaughlin as Det. Michael Ormewood, Iantha Richardson as Special Agent Faith Mitchell. Photo: Disney/Wilford Harewood  2026 Disney. All rights reserve.

Denise Hensley, Graces handler, ends up dead in a hotel dumpstera reminder that trafficking is a business built on disposability. The investigation takes Faith and Michael into the orbit of Shelly, a quirky Alien Museum owner who somehow fits perfectly into the episodes unsettling tone. Shellys paranoia helps them track the location of the traffickers. Denise Hensley, Graces handler, ends up dead in a hotel dumpstera reminder that trafficking is a business built on disposability. The investigation takes Faith and Michael into the orbit of Shelly, a quirky Alien Museum owner who somehow fits perfectly into the episodes unsettling tone. Shellys paranoia helps them track the location of the traffickers.





Faiths fight with the tallest, meanest trafficker (Stephen A. Fabian) isnt cathartic; its frightening, a burst of brutality that might push her out of the job even faster. She wins, but the victory feels hollow because they failed to locate the other trafficked girls Grace told them about.





The bright spot? The deepening, quietly beautiful friendship between Faith and Michael. Their banter, their trust, their unspoken care for each other, its emotional oxygen in an otherwise suffocating hour.





Will Trent: Logic, Lies and the Looming Catastrophe





Special Agent Will Trent (Ramon Rodriguez) calls in sick, and no one believes him. Theyre right to have doubted him. Hes chasing Adelaide (Mallory Jansen), the woman who is simultaneously his mirror, his tormentor, and his psychological undoing.



"The Blank Expanse of Nothing  WILL TRENT. Pictured: Margaret Cho as Dr. Roach. Photo: Disney/Matt Miller.  2026 Disney. All rights reserved.

The episodes opening therapy scene with Dr. Roach (Margaret Cho) is a standout. She lays out Wills profilelogic-driven, empathetic, brilliantand then contrasts it with Adelaides chaos. Her conclusion is chilling: Adelaides behavior suggests psychopathy layered with childhood trauma. Adelaide pretended to be FBI. She flirted. She reenacted his mothers death. She tried to kill himtwice. Wills eruptionShe wants to be me, screw me, trick me or kill meisnt raw so much as surgical, a piece of toptier writing that cuts through the noise and distills their entire dynamic to its brutal essentials. The episodes opening therapy scene with Dr. Roach (Margaret Cho) is a standout. She lays out Wills profilelogic-driven, empathetic, brilliantand then contrasts it with Adelaides chaos. Her conclusion is chilling: Adelaides behavior suggests psychopathy layered with childhood trauma. Adelaide pretended to be FBI. She flirted. She reenacted his mothers death. She tried to kill himtwice. Wills eruptionShe wants to be me, screw me, trick me or kill meisnt raw so much as surgical, a piece of toptier writing that cuts through the noise and distills their entire dynamic to its brutal essentials.



The Blank Expanse of Nothing  WILL TRENT. Pictured: Ramon Rodriguez as Special Agent Will Trent, Sonja Sohn as Deputy Director Amanda Wagner. Photo: Disney/Matt Miller.  2026 Disney. All rights reserved.

Meanwhile, Will and Deputy Director Amanda Wagner (Sonja Sohn) are lying to each other with increasing ease and increasing danger. He hides Adelaides call. She hides her FBI contact. Theyre both trying to protect each other, and in doing so, theyre dismantling the trust that has defined their relationship since episode one. Meanwhile, Will and Deputy Director Amanda Wagner (Sonja Sohn) are lying to each other with increasing ease and increasing danger. He hides Adelaides call. She hides her FBI contact. Theyre both trying to protect each other, and in doing so, theyre dismantling the trust that has defined their relationship since episode one.





Wills secret meeting with Adelaide is a masterclass in unhinged intimacy and danger. He opens by seductively telling her not to shower because he liked how she smelled in the jungle, and the flirtation only gets stranger from there  a dance of proximity and threat that keeps tilting toward the edge. Wills matchbook switch is clever, but Adelaide is cleverer. The second hes distracted, she vanishes. The mystery phone rings. Shes furious. Shes done. And she leaves him a present. Around the corner lies Amandas body.





The Sacrifice: Necessary Drama or Narrative Overreach?





The show has always sacrificed pieces of Will to keep the story moving, his relationship with Angie, his sense of safety, his emotional stability. But Amanda? His surrogate mother? His moral compass? His fiercest protector?





This one hit differently.

And maybe it hits too hard.



The Blank Expanse of Nothing  WILL TRENT. Pictured: Sonja Sohn as Deputy Director, Amanda Wagner. Photo: Disney/Wilford Harewood  2026 Disney. All rights reserved.



Because now the people who once stabilized WillAngie, Faith, Uncle Antonio, and Amandahave all been pulled away from him in different, destabilizing ways: Angie is building a life with Seth, Faith is on the verge of walking away from the job entirely, Uncle Antonio has been psychologically upended by Adelaides manipulation, and Amanda has been taken from him outright. Each loss hits a different part of Wills foundation, leaving him standing in emotional quicksand.





The writers seem intent on isolating him, but the question becomes: how much isolation can viewers tolerate before the show loses its heart? An angry and sullen Will Trent is compelling in small doses. As a long-term state, it risks flattening the character and alienating the audience.





For Readers: The Big Question





In the end, the episode leaves one question hanging over the wreckage: what kind of life are the writers shaping for Will Trent? Are they turning him into a lone wolf avenger, a man stripped of every anchor, a hero forced to rebuild from the ashes  or someone finally cornered into facing the trauma hes spent a lifetime outrunning? What "The Blank Expanse of Nothing" makes brutally clear is that this world now treats truths and lives as equally disposable. And as Wills circle collapses, were left to wonder whether we want to follow him into whatever darkness comes next.





Overall Rating: 8 out of 10





Lynette Jones
Nicholas Mendes, mortgage technical manager at John Charcol, said of HSBCs plans to cut mortgage rates: When a lender of that size starts repricing, it does tend to give the wider market a nudge and adds to the sense that this could help kick-start further reductions from other big names over the coming days.
What a week for Nissan Xterra fans. The brands faithful loyalists seem to be in for a reward when the iconic nameplate returns in 2028.

On Wednesday in Yokohama, Japan, Chairman Nissan Americas Christian Meunier confirmed that the upcoming Xterra will be provisioned for up to 35-inch tires from the factory, and probably 37 or more in aftermarket.

Nissan North America Senior Vice President and Chief Planning Officer Ponz Pandikuthira followed Meuniers comments about tire sizes by saying, The car will be a canvas, right? So we will make it adaptable that very easily the aftermarket could do things like lift kits and to make bigger wheels and tires, fender flares, etc.

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Meunier said, We will work very proactively with the aftermarket so the car can be customized for stuff that we cant typically do out of the factory. I want to bring it to SEMA next year, ideally, to start creating some buzz and interest with the aftermarket.

Earlier in the day, Meunier teased the Xterra with a second image this week with a simple quote noting Badass is back.

On Monday, we received our first look at the front end of the Xterra, and its definitely butch, blocky, and modern.

Nissans already confirmed the Xterra will be a body-on-frame SUV available with a V6 and a hybrid V6. Theres no turbo-four in sight. Four-wheel drive with a 2-speed transfer case is likely a given.

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In November, The Drive exclusively reported the Xterra will cost less than $40,000 when it arrives in 2028. Meunier reconfirmed this pricing on Wednesday noting, Im going to bring an Xterra with everything you need, nothing you dont, which is the slogan that was used in 2002, which we believe is right for the brand.

Nissans currently going through a turnaround plan that will streamline the lineup, cut costs, and keep the goods stuff. Newly appointed CEO Ivan Espinosa told The Drive to tell enthusiasts Nissan is back in February. So far, things are shaping up in a positive way for enthusiasts and the brands faithful fans.

Time will tell.

Got a tip about future product? Send us a line at tips@thedrive.com
Be adaptable with your operating model. A lot of founders underestimate how often the operating model has to change as you scale. There are famous thresholds - 7, 17, 70 people - where what worked before starts to break. We are seeing that ourselves at Jude, having reached the 17 to 20 person mark. The structure, communication, and decision-making that worked in earlier phases no longer work in the same way. Were having to change the whole structure of our team, hiring senior leaders to shift founder-led everything to functional ownership. The key is knowing that those breaking points are coming. If you anticipate them, you can redesign the systems, rhythms, and people structure ahead of time, instead of waiting until the business feels chaotic."
Why is Vincent Kompany not on the touchline for Bayern Munich vs PSG today?

Why Kompany is not on the touchline for Bayern Munich vs PSG today
I appreciate that this may have caused concern to people in the town centre, and I would like to reassure you that our priority was to ensure the safety of the wider public, as well as the safety of those involved in the protest.
Jonathan Schott, professor of neurology and group leader of the UK Dementia Research Institute at UCL, said: By combining studies of different drugs, many of which have long since been disbanded, several of which had little or no effects on beta-amyloid, and most of which have failed in randomised clinical trials, it is almost inevitable that the conclusion will be that as a group they are clinically ineffective.
Asked if this could mean the merging of the bottom three tax bands into one, the First Minister did not answer, though it is understood such a move could be under consideration by an SNP administration in Edinburgh.
But we know why we are here, we know we have to fight for a better life for Scotland and its people every single day, we have to fight for a better life for everyone in the United Kingdom, and we need to keep our Union together.
Thats the sort of leverage that we have right now, and I dont think it would be fair to put His Majesty in that position, and we should use that leverage to bring Donald Trump to his senses.
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So I think the best way to help families in Britain and help businesses as well is to do everything I can to keep prices, costs and interest rates down, which is why Ive been really clear this week my objective in Washington is to make the case with de-escalation of this conflict.
Tesla Inc. owners can avail lower insurance premiums with the Supervised Full Self-Driving (FSD) technology. Heres what you need to know.

Adding 100 Points To Safety Score

The Tesla North America handle posted on X on Tuesday, saying that the company will offer a score of 100 to drivers for every mile driven with Supervised FSD with the Safety Score v3.0. This allows you to maintain a higher average safety score over time, resulting in lower monthly insurance premiums, Tesla said.

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The new system will only be applicable to new policies and will be available in select states like Indiana, Tennessee, Texas, Arizona, Virginia & Illinois, Tesla said in the post.

Tesla Insurance update



With the latest version of Safety Score (v3.0), every mile you drive with FSD Supervised enabled will receive a score of 100.



This allows you to maintain a higher average safety score over time, resulting in lower monthly insurance premiums.



Applies to  Tesla North America (@tesla_na) April 14, 2026

Tesla Safety Score: What Is It?

The Safety Score is a program used by the company that assesses driver behavior in real-time with multiple metrics that combine to predict the likelihood of a future collision. A lower score would indicate the system deems the driver to be unsafe, resulting in costlier insurance premiums.

See Also: Think you're saving enough for your kids? You might be dangerously off  see why

Teslas Lemonade Partnership, FSD Europe Approval

Tesla had earlier partnered with insurance provider Lemonade Inc., which had said that it would provide a 50% rate cut for drivers when the automakers FSD system was engaged, citing enhanced safety because of the system. The company had said that rates could go down further in the future.

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Teslas FSD technology was also given regulatory approval by the Netherlands Vehicle Authority (RDW) after it was tested. The approval could pave the way for larger adoption of the technology across the globe, as EU safety standards have been followed/recognized by multiple countries.

However, investor Gary Black of The Future Fund LLC described the approval as a non-event due to the system still being supervised and Tesla still lacking marketing prowess.

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Photo courtesy: Tada Images / Shutterstock

UNLOCKED: 5 NEW TRADES EVERY WEEK. Click now to get top trade ideas daily, plus unlimited access to cutting-edge tools and strategies to gain an edge in the markets.

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Get the latest stock analysis from Benzinga:
I have been silent for years and made every effort to keep these matters private. Unfortunately, my parents and their team have continued to go to the press, leaving me with no choice but to speak for myself and tell the truth about only some of the lies that have been printed.

I do not want to reconcile with my family. I'm not being controlled, I'm standing up for myself for the first time in my life. For my entire life, my parents have controlled narratives in the press about our family. The performative social media posts, family events and inauthentic relationships have been a fixture of the life I was born into.

Recently, I have seen with my own eyes the lengths that they'll go through to place countless lies in the media, mostly at the expense of innocent people, to preserve their own facade. But I believe the truth always comes out.

My parents have been trying endlessly to ruin my relationship since before my wedding, and it hasn't stopped. My mum cancelled making Nicola's dress in the eleventh hour despite how excited she was to wear her design, forcing her to urgently find a new dress.

Weeks before our big day, my parents repeatedly pressured and attempted to bribe me into signing away the rights to my name, which would have affected me, my wife, and our future children.

They were adamant on me signing before my wedding date because then the terms of the deal would be initiated. My holdout affected the payday, and they have never treated me the same since.

During the wedding planning, my mum went so far as to call me "evil" because Nicola and I chose to include my Nanny Sandra, and Nicola's Naunni at our table, because they both didn't have their husbands. Both of our parents had their own tables equally adjacent to ours.

The night before our wedding, members of my family told me that Nicola was "not blood" and "not family." Since the moment I started standing up for myself with my family, I've received endless attacks from my parents, both privately and publicly, that were sent to the press on their orders.

Even my brothers were sent to attack me on social media, before they ultimately blocked me out of nowhere this last Summer.

My mum hijacked my first dance with my wife, which had been planned weeks in advance to a romantic love song. In front of our 500 wedding guests, Marc Anthony called me to the stage, where in the schedule was planned to be my romantic dance with my wife but instead my mum was waiting to dance with me instead.

She danced very inappropriately on me in front of everyone. I've never felt more uncomfortable or humiliated in my entire life. We wanted to renew our vows so we could create new memories of our wedding day that bring us joy and happiness, not anxiety and embarrassment.

My wife has been consistently disrespected by my family, no matter how hard we've tried to come together as one. My mum has repeatedly invited women from my past into our lives in ways that were clearly intended to make us both uncomfortable.

Despite this, we still travelled to London for my dad's birthday and were rejected for a week as we waited in our hotel room trying to plan quality time with him. He refused all of our attempts, unless it was at his big birthday party with a hundred guests and cameras at every corner.

When he finally agreed to see me, it was under the condition that Nicola wasn't invited. It was a slap in the face. Later, when my family travelled to LA, they refused to see me at all.

My family values public promotion and endorsements above all else. Brand Beckham comes first. Family "love" is decided by how much you post on social media, or how quickly you drop everything to show up and pose for a family photo opp, even if it's at the expense of our professional obligations.

We've gone out of our way for years to show up and support at every fashion show, every party, and every press activity to show 'our perfect family.' But the one time my wife asked for my mum's support to save displaced dogs during the LA fires, my mum refused.

The narrative that my wife controls me is completely backwards. I have been controlled by my parents for most of my life. I grew up with overwhelming anxiety. For the first time in my life, since stepping away from my family, that anxiety has disappeared.

I wake up every morning grateful for the life I chose, and have found peace and relief. My wife and I do not want a life shaped by image, press, or manipulation. All we want peace, privacy and happiness for us and our future family.
While Adtech Builds the Homescreen Pipes, Advertisers Can Still Tap into the Opportunity

Imagine if every smartphone manufacturer had its own unique app dimensions, icon ratios, and user interface rules. Developers would have to rebuild every app from scratch for each device. The app economy would never have reached its current scale. Growth only became possible once shared conventions emerged.

CTV has already lived through one version of that story.

As TV viewing moved to streaming, audiences fragmented across apps and services. The mass audience did not disappear. It spread. In response, the homescreen became one of the most important surfaces in media, bringing viewers back together at the point where every TV journey begins. It is the gateway to streaming content and brand storytelling, and increasingly the place where fragmented viewing behavior reconnects. In that sense, it has helped solve one of modern TVs biggest challenges.

But solving audience fragmentation has exposed another layer of complexity.

One premium experience on screen, many ways to deliver it

To viewers, the homescreen feels seamless. Operationally, its rapid growth has introduced variation across the ecosystem. Each OEM and operating system brings its own formats, ratios, file specifications, and placement rules. A campaign that runs smoothly in one environment may need adjustment in another. What works on Samsung may differ on Hisense. What runs on LG may not be accepted in the same way on Roku or Google TV.

The result is a landscape that remains powerful but complex. One-off creative builds, platform-specific workflows, and inconsistent reporting are familiar growing pains for any medium expanding at this pace.

From innovation to scalability

The operational complexity surrounding homescreen execution is the natural byproduct of rapid innovation. As OEMs expanded formats and capabilities, creative ambition moved faster than the infrastructure required to scale it consistently across platforms.

The industry has reached an inflection point. Through the IABs Ad Format Hero Task Force, the homescreen has been identified as a priority format for standardization, reflecting both its commercial importance and the need for shared technical foundations. Defining formats, harmonizing signals, and aligning measurement frameworks are essential steps toward a true build once, serve everywhere model, where premium inventory is portable rather than bespoke.

What the advertisers should consider next

Standards create the foundation, but real scale will come from how the market uses them. As the ecosystem moves from experimentation to infrastructure, advertisers will play an important role in determining how quickly homescreen becomes a scalable media channel.

Strategic shift: The homescreen should move off the margins of experimentation. Sitting at the very start of the viewing journey, it has the power to influence what audiences watch next, making it a natural pillar within full-funnel CTV planning. That means evaluating it with the same rigor as other scaled placements, measuring impact across both branding and performance KPIs rather than treating it as a one-off test.

Creative shift: The campaigns that succeed will not be those designed for a single platform, but those built to travel across ecosystems. Shifting the brief from whats possible on one platform? to what travels across platforms? encourages creative ideas that are portable from day one, making it easier to extend reach and maintain consistency as homescreen buying becomes more standardized.

Operational shift: As the market matures, simplicity will become a competitive advantage. Advertisers should prioritize partners that make cross-OEM buying feel unified rather than fragmented, and push technology platforms to deliver more streamlined activation and consistent execution across environments.

As infrastructure catches up with innovation, the homescreen is poised to become a defining surface in CTV. The advertisers that approach it with scalability, portability and operational simplicity in mind will be best positioned to unlock its full value.

[Editor's note: This is a contributed article from Teads. Streaming Media accepts vendor bylines based solely on their value to our readers.]

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Finding the Viewer in a Fragmented TV World With more streaming choices than ever, structural fragmentation has become the norm. The center of gravity has shifted, and audience strategy carries more weight than inventory access alone. The brands that are winning precisely define who they need to reach and understand how those audiences engage across TV environments. Can Sticky Screensavers Save the Streaming Biz? Can Screensavers play a critical role in the Future of TV? If so, what does that mean for the future of streaming? Is Roku City a disaster in the making? Is Photostream a secret weapon that no one fully appreciates? Read on to find out.

Companies and Suppliers Mentioned
Artists rendering of the future Arctic Security Cutter that the U.S. Coast Guard said would first be homeported in Alaska. The first of the icebreaking cutters are scheduled for delivery in 2028. (Davie Defense, Inc.)



SEATTLE  The first two new Arctic Security Cutters, scheduled to be delivered to the Coast Guard in 2028, will be homeported in Alaska, the service said Thursday.

Currently, the three certified icebreakers operated by the Coast Guard are all homeported at Coast Guard Base Seattle in Washington.

By strategically positioning these state-of-the-art icebreakers in Alaska, the Coast Guard will maximize our ability to defend our northern border and approaches, while reinforcing Americas maritime dominance in a crucial region of strategic importance, Adm. Kevin E. Lunday, commandant of the Coast Guard, said in the statement.

Congressional hearings in recent years have focused on increased Russian and Chinese military and commercial maritime traffic in the emerging sea lanes north of Alaska. Warmer weather has opened up formerly ice-bound routes across the northern regions of North America, Europe and Asia.

Russia and China signed an agreement in 2023 to cooperate on Arctic efforts.

Russia operates dozens of icebreakers, including eight nuclear-powered vessels. Many of the ships are assigned to clear ice at Russian ports on the Barents Sea or Siberia. The Russians introduced a pair of armed icebreakers last year, equipped with a turret-mounted 76mm cannon and deck space for missile launchers.

China declared itself a near-Arctic state in January 2018 and has two icebreakers, plus three research vessels with icebreaking capabilities.

The U.S., Canada and Finland signed the Icebreaker Collaboration Effort  called ICE Pact  in July 2024, to cooperate on the potential construction of up to 90 icebreakers in coming decades.

The Coast Guard plans to add up to 11 Arctic Security Cutters through contracts involving Rauma Marine Constructions Oy of Rauma, Finland, and two American shipbuilders: Bollinger Shipyards, of Lockport, La.; and Davie Defense, of Vienna, Va.

The U.S. will immediately benefit from our Finnish partners icebreaker expertise while coordinating the onshoring of that expertise and shipbuilding to the United States, the Coast Guard said in the statement.

The Coast Guard did not say where in Alaska the cutters would be homeported. The service is expanding its shore facilities in Juneau and had previously announced plans to move the medium icebreaker USCGC Storis to the base in the future.

The heavy icebreaker USCGC Polar Star and medium icebreaker USCGC Healy remain assigned to the Coast Guard Base Seattle on the Puget Sound waterfront.

The Coast Guard said the new Arctic Security Cutters will defend U.S. sovereignty, secure critical shipping lanes, protect energy and mineral resources, and counter foreign malign influence in the Arctic region.
Daniel Duggan, a former Marine Corps pilot accused of providing China with military training, flew Harrier jets similar to this one departing Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., March 12, 2026. (Perri Wood/U.S. Marine Corps)



The United States can extradite a former Marine Corps fighter pilot accused of providing China with military training, an Australian court has ruled.

Daniel Duggan, an Australian citizen, was arrested in the state of New South Wales in 2022 at the U.S. governments request.

His detention followed reports that dozens of British pilots were recruited to teach the Chinese military how to defeat western warplanes and helicopters.

The former Harrier jump jet pilot is accused of conspiracy to unlawfully export defense services to China, conspiracy to launder money and violations of the arms control act, according to Thursdays decision by Justice James Stellios in the Federal Court of Australia.

The maximum penalty for the charges is 65 years imprisonment, according to the judgment.

Duggan, who denies the charges, has been held in a maximum-security prison during the legal challenge, The Australian newspaper reported Thursday.

The Australian government is aware of the courts decision, according to a statement Thursday from Australian Attorney-General Michelle Rowlands office.

Duggan will remain in extradition custody in Australia until his surrender to the United States of America, the statement said.

Duggan served as a Harrier pilot from April 1989 to September 2002 with a deployment to Kuwait in 1999, according to the Marine Corps.

The father of six renounced his U.S. citizenship more than a decade ago and has been a permanent Australian resident since 2002, The Australian reported at the time of his arrest.

The allegations against him stem from work he did with the Test Flying Academy of South Africa between 2010 and 2012, according to the newspaper.

A legal clerk for Duggan, Lynn Stocker, spoke outside the court on Thursday, the newspaper reported that day.

Now it is a decision for the Prime Minister whether he wants to send an Australian citizen who has already been in prison for three and a half years into the hands of the Trump administration who has taken a close interest in this matter, she said, according to the report.

The U.S. Department of Justice did not respond to an emailed request for comment outside of business hours in Washington, D.C., on Thursday.
F/A-18E and F/A-18F Super Hornets attached to the carrier USS Nimitz fly in formation with two Chilean Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcons as part of the Southern Seas 2026 exercises off the west coast of South America on April 13, 2026. (Griffin Moth Keegan/U.S. Navy)



USS Nimitz held joint maritime training exercises with the military of Chile this week as the carrier continued its move to a new homeport at Naval Station Norfolk in Virginia.

The Nimitz has been participating in the multinational Southern Seas 2026 exercises, hosting military leaders from Panama and El Salvador aboard the ship and conducting live-fire training with the Ecuadorian Navy. Some of the training has included the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Gridley.

The joint exercise this week came as new Chilean President Jose Antonio Kast opened the Feria Internacional del Aire y del Espacio 2026 in Santiago, the largest aerospace and defense exhibition in Latin America.

The U.S. participation will showcase a diverse set of capabilities, including C-130 Hercules and MQ-9 Reaper aircraft from the Texas Air National Guard, the U.S. Air Force Academy Wings of Blue parachute team and the F-35 Lightning II Demonstration Team, with additional support from the U.S. Navy with a P-8 Poseidon, according to a statement from U.S. Southern Command.

The exhibition included an in-flight demonstration by a Chilean Air Force KC-135 that refueled two U.S. Air Force F-35A Lightning II fighters.

The Nimitz is scheduled to conduct additional exercises with Latin American militaries after transiting from the Pacific to the Atlantic at the tip of South America, then proceeding north to Norfolk.
The Nashville hot chicken tenders at Tavo Soulfood in Wiesbaden, Germany, are modeled after Howlin Rays in Los Angeles. (Bradley Latham/Stars and Stripes)



Soul food has a very specific meaning for me, conjuring thoughts of mac and cheese, collard greens, black-eyed peas and fried okra, among other things.

But from one outsiders perspective, the food that represents the spirit of a nation of more than 340 million people is much larger in scope than my traditional Southern roots.

That explains the menu at Tavo Soulfood, a Wiesbaden restaurant that opened in January and is a passion project of German chef and food influencer Bernd Zehner.

According to the restaurants website and Zehners YouTube channel, the social media personality traveled the U.S. looking for inspiration and unique recipes to bring back to Germany.

Tavo offers a coast-to-coast selection of appetizers, mains and desserts, giving Zehners conception of soul food a geographic range stretching from New York to Hawaii.

Zehner focuses on authentic re-creation, in some cases importing ingredients from the U.S. so patrons can experience the dishes like he did at the American eateries where they were served.

But that focus has drawn criticism on social media, with some questioning whether strict adherence to original recipes comes at the expense of quality. Zehner himself has leaned into the uproar, at one point joking in a video that Tavos pastrami sandwich, inspired by that of Katzs Delicatessen in New York, uses the worst bread money can buy.

As I browsed the menu online ahead of my visit, I wasnt sure what I was getting myself into. The jambalaya noodle dish from a Cajun restaurant in Miami and the Nashville hot chicken from Los Angeles left me scratching my head, but I was intrigued enough to venture into the food fray.

Tavos bar is decorated with memorabilia from the American restaurants that inspired its menu and are highlighted in founder Bernd Zehners YouTube series Mission Restaurant. (Bradley Latham/Stars and Stripes)

The entryway of Tavo Soulfood in Wiesbaden, Germany, is lined with photos of founder and YouTuber Bernd Zehner documenting his travels through the U.S. that inspired the restaurant. (Bradley Latham/Stars and Stripes)

A mural of the late Anthony Bourdain in the lobby of Tavo Soulfood in Wiesbaden, Germany. The restaurant is owned by German chef and social media personality Bernd Zehner, who traveled the U.S. and brought back dishes he replicates in their original form. (Bradley Latham/Stars and Stripes)

Tavo Soulfood, which opened in January 2026, is located in the Goldgasse restaurant district in the heart of downtown Wiesbaden, Germany. (Bradley Latham/Stars and Stripes)



Zehners likeness permeates the space, along with shirts, photos and other memorabilia from the American eateries highlighted in the Mission Restaurant video series in which he stars.

I was seated at the bar and scanned a QR code to access the menu. Immediately I noticed that the infamous pastrami sandwich wasnt among the offerings. The bartender told me it had been removed because of recent price hikes on beef imports.

My German-style American tour started with the Jerrys jambalaya rice from Mothers Restaurant in New Orleans and chili con carne from Texas Chili House in Austin, as they seemed like some of the dishes best aligned to their respective regions.

Jerrys jambalaya rice, taken from Mothers Restaurant in New Orleans, is a rich, spice-forward side dish served at Tavo Soulfood in Wiesbaden, Germany. (Bradley Latham/Stars and Stripes)

The bean-free chili con carne at Tavo in Wiesbaden, Germany, takes inspiration from Texas Chili Houses in Austin. The hearty side dish is served with an additional side of rice and beans along with jalapenos, cilantro, shredded cheese and sour cream. (Bradley Latham/Stars and Stripes)



The portions of these appetizers were hefty, and they could easily have passed as small entrees on their own. Both were fresh, piping hot and seemed true to form for what I would expect stateside.

The jambalaya rice was hearty and spice-forward, but I would have preferred a touch more heat to round it out. The chili was my favorite bite of the night, delivering thick chunks of braised beef that fell apart at the slight touch of my fork.

It also brought a bit of the fire I was missing in the previous dish, and I appreciated the additional jalapenos on the side.

I went for the Nashville hot chicken tenders from Howlin Rays in Los Angeles. I was still skeptical, but I had read that the founder of the City of Angels establishment had been inspired by the classic Nashville cornerstones, so I was willing to give it a try.

The two tenders were large, the fries were familiar crinkle cuts Ive had many times over, and the coleslaw was some of the best Ive had in recent memory, but the dish didnt make the grade with me.

Although the chicken wasnt as oily as others Ive had and the flavor profile seemed right, the spice mixture was too heavy. It was very salty, and I couldnt decipher whether there was more breading or spice mixture on the chicken.

That was unfortunate, because despite the relative moistness of the meat, the exterior left every bite feeling dry.

I brought some home for my wife to try and she said the dish seemed dusty and powdery. She also would have preferred a bit more chicken to go with her mound of smoked paprika.

The meal overall was good but underwhelming, which I guess is a testament to Tavos authenticity in its own way.

Perhaps its just me, but after living in Germany for almost seven years, good but underwhelming is how I would describe most dining-out experiences Ive had in the U.S. in recent years.

The restaurant is a novelty experience likely appealing more to Zehners fans or folks who are looking for American fare beyond fast-food staples.

I can confidently say I cant recall another place where youll find veal Parmigiana and a Pacific poke bowl on the same menu. Also, I overheard good things about the birria tacos.

And a slice of New York cheesecake or a big rockslide brownie might lure me back, but at the price point, theres a long list of places Id choose before returning to Tavo.

Tavo Soulfood

Address: Goldgasse 4, Wiesbaden, Germany

Hours: Tuesday-Thursday, 5-11 p.m.; Friday, 5 p.m.-1 a.m.; Saturday, 12 p.m.-1 a.m.; Sunday, 12-8 p.m.

Prices: Appetizers, 10-19 euros; entrees, 18-40 euros. Card payment only.

Information: www.tavo.restaurant
The U.S., Libya and Italy host the Flintlock 2026 opening ceremony demonstration in Sirte, Libya, April 14, 2026. (Dylan Murakami/U.S. Air Force)



STUTTGART, Germany  U.S. forces launched simultaneous large-scale drills this week in Africa that included a groundbreaking exercise in war-torn Libya, where special operations troops are focused on bolstering their counterterrorism skills.

U.S. Africa Commands Flintlock 2026 kicked off Monday with dual events in Ivory Coast and Libya, where troops from rival government factions are taking part in the multinational exercise.

This exercise will forge stronger bonds between all those participating and demonstrate our shared commitments to confronting and degrading terrorism in Africa, Army Lt. Gen. John Brennan, AFRICOMs deputy commander, said in a statement at the start of the drills.

The involvement of Libya has been touted by AFRICOM as a step forward for the country, which has been in disarray ever since the 2011 overthrow and death of longtime dictator Moammar Gadhafi.

Over the past few years, the U.S. has stepped up efforts to forge closer ties with military officials in Libya, an oil-rich country where Russia also has sought a foothold.

Flintlock 2026 serves as a demonstration of AFRICOMs growing partnership with Libyan military officers from both the west and east, according to Brennan.

U.S. Army Lt. Gen. John Brennan, U.S. Africa Command deputy commander, arrives for the opening ceremony of Flintlock 2026 in Sirte, Libya on April 14, 2026. (Katelynn Moeller/U.S. Air Force)



Since the 2011 political unrest, control of Libya has been contested by an internationally recognized government in Tripoli and the Libyan National Army, which dominates much of the eastern part of the country.

The opposing factions remain deadlocked on how to go about holding presidential and parliamentary elections to form one unified government.

Still, the situation on the ground has improved dramatically from that of a few years ago. In 2019, AFRICOM was forced to evacuate troops from the country due to the deteriorating security situation as rival militias fought.

Brennan said a joint committee was key to bringing the two sides together for the exercise being held in Sirte. The coastal city has been the site of major battles between rival factions and at one point also was a stronghold for the Islamic State group in Libya.

In addition to the Flintlock drills, AFRICOM this week also started Africa Lion in Tunisia, with satellite training sites in Ghana, Morocco and Senegal.

With some 7,000 personnel from more than 30 nations, it represents AFRICOMs largest drill on the continent. Unlike Flintlock, which is focused on special operations units, Africa Lion centers more on conventional forces.

Among the main areas of focus are combined arms integration, command post simulations and practice in countering roadside bombs, according to the U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa.

Both Flintlock and Africa Lion run through April.
U.S. forces launched a strike on April 15, 2026, on a suspected in the Eastern Pacific, killing three, U.S. Southern Command said. It was the third strike in three days. (U.S. Southern Command)



U.S. forces launched a strike on Wednesday on a suspected drug boat in the Eastern Pacific, killing three, U.S. Southern Command said. It was the third strike in three days.

The latest strike brings the death toll to 178 since the operations began in early September.

Intelligence confirmed the vessel was transiting along known narcotrafficking routes in the Eastern Pacific and was engaged in narcotrafficking operations, SOUTHCOM said in a statement.

SOUTHCOM posted a 20-second video showing the strike. No U.S. forces were harmed in the operation.

After only three strikes in March, U.S. forces have ramped up the attacks in the past five days, starting with two strikes Saturday on separate vessels that left five people dead and one survivor. The U.S. Coast Guard suspended the search for the survivor.

Operation Southern Spear, the Pentagons name for the campaign against drug trafficking in Latin America, continues despite the U.S. militarys focus on the Middle East and the conflict with Iran.

Shortly after taking office, President Donald Trump designated several drug cartels as terrorist organizations, including Venezuelas Tren de Aragua. His administration has asserted that the U.S. is in an armed conflict with cartels and will treat their members as unlawful combatants. The administration, however, has offered little evidence to support its claims of killing narcoterrorists.
Marine Staff Sgt. Christian Smellie, who created the GY6Lift app to help service members obtain free rides and reduce DUIs, demonstrates hailing a ride with the app in this undated photo. (Christian Smellie)



This story has been corrected

A Marine staff sergeant has developed a mobile app offering free rides to fellow service members, aiming to reduce drunken driving and the disciplinary actions that can follow.

Christian Smellie, an F-35C Lightning II maintainer with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 251 at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., launched the GY6Lift app Oct. 8 after years of considering how to address the problem.

Smellie, of Kingston, Jamaica, said the idea took shape during his 2015-20 assignment at MCAS Iwakuni, Japan, where he saw service members face career consequences for driving under the influence.

Ever since I was in Japan seeing all those Marines pretty much destroying their career over a silly thing as drinking and driving  to me its super silly, he said in a March 24 phone interview. Theres no excuse; you can always call somebody.

The app connects service members with volunteer drivers for free rides, operating in a format similar to commercial ride-hailing services but limited to military users. Both riders and drivers must verify their affiliation using a Defense Department identification number, while spouses can participate using their partners credentials.

GY6Lift, a ride-hailing app developed to reduce service member DUIs, is now in use in Arizona, California, Florida and North Carolina. (Christian Smellie)



GY6Lift  available for both Apple and Android devices  is now in use in Arizona, California, Florida and North Carolina and has provided rides to dozens of passengers so far, Smellie said. About 12 drivers have signed up, including Lance Cpl. Fatima Semane, an administrator in Smellies squadron.

No Marine wants to get in trouble, she said by phone Wednesday. The app gives service members the confidence to reach out for help and know for sure whoevers going to pick me up is not going to be judging me, she added.

Drunken driving remains a persistent issue among service members, particularly overseas. In Japan, where the legal blood-alcohol limit is 0.03%, Okinawa police detained 64 individuals connected to the U.S. military in 2024 on suspicion of DUI.

Across the force, a 2018 Defense Department health survey found 34% of active-duty personnel reported binge drinking, while 9.8% were classified as heavy drinkers. The survey also found 4.9% of service members reported driving under the influence or riding with an impaired driver.

Smellie said he pitched the app shortly after its launch to his then-commander, Lt. Col. Evan Shockley, who later invited him to present it to Marine Aircraft Group 14 leadership.

Shockley called the app a great resource.

What I really like about it is the fact that it is by service members, for service members, taking care of each other, he said.

Smellie said he hopes to expand the app internationally, including to Japan, though technical issues have so far limited access on Japanese mobile networks.

As long as I can save or help save at least one persons career, the entire year of me trying to make this will be worth it, he said.
The mine countermeasure ship USS Pioneer, seen here in the East China Sea on May 9, 2020, departed Singapore on a northwest course toward the Middle East on April 10, 2026. (Irving Garcia/U.S. Navy)



Two U.S. Navy minesweepers based in Japan have been tracked heading toward the Middle East as the United States prepares for mine-clearing operations in the Strait of Hormuz.

The USS Chief and USS Pioneer, Avenger-class mine countermeasure ships homeported at Sasebo Naval Base, departed Singapore on April 10 and were moving northwest through the Strait of Malacca, according to ship-tracking data from MarineTraffic.org.

The vessels had arrived in Singapore two days earlier, according to ship-spotting site WarshipCam.net.

Their destination has not been officially disclosed, but their course aligns with recent statements from U.S. Central Command about preparations to clear naval mines in the strategically vital waterway.

Today, we began the process of establishing a new passage and we will share this safe pathway with the maritime industry soon to encourage the free flow of commerce, Adm. Brad Cooper, CENTCOMs commander, said in an April 11 news release.

CENTCOM said additional assets, including underwater drones, are expected to support the effort. The littoral combat ship USS Tulsa, which also has mine countermeasure capabilities, passed through the Strait of Malacca on April 2.

The Chief and Pioneer, commissioned in 1994 and 1992, respectively, are among four Avenger-class ships based in Sasebo. The vessels are designed with wooden hulls coated in fiberglass to reduce their magnetic signature and are equipped with sonar, remote detonators and other systems to detect and neutralize mines, according to the Naval Surface Force Atlantic website.

Both the Pentagon and U.S. 7th Fleet  responsible for the ships while theyre in the Western Pacific  declined to comment Thursday, citing operational security concerns. CENTCOM did not respond to an email requesting comment.

The Strait of Hormuz remains a critical chokepoint for global commerce and a focal point in tensions between the United States and Iran.

The day after announcing the mine-removal operation, CENTCOM began a blockade of all maritime traffic entering and exiting Iranian ports, according to a news release Monday.

The blockade will be enforced impartially against vessels of all nations entering or departing Iranian ports and coastal areas, including all Iranian ports on the Arabian Gulf and Gulf of Oman, the command said in a Sunday release.

Since then, 10 vessels have been turned around, with no ships breaking through, CENTCOM announced Wednesday on X. An Iranian-flagged cargo vessel attempted to evade the blockade but was redirected by the guided-missile destroyer USS Spruance.
Adm. Stephen Koehler, commander of the U.S. Pacific Fleet, and Adm. Kim Kyung-ryul, South Koreas chief of naval operations, meet in Seoul, South Korea, April 14, 2026. (South Korean Ministry of National Defense)



Senior naval leaders from the United States, South Korea and Japan met in Seoul this week to strengthen maritime cooperation and coordinate responses to North Koreas advancing missile and nuclear programs, according to the Souths navy.

Adm. Stephen Koehler, commander of the U.S. Pacific Fleet; Adm. Kim Kyung-ryul, South Koreas chief of naval operations; and Adm. Saito Akira, chief of staff of Japans Maritime Self-Defense Force, discussed enhancing deterrence and response capabilities, the South Korean navy said in a news release Wednesday.

The talks follow a series of recent North Korean weapons tests that have raised tension in the region.

Pyongyang launched two strategic cruise missiles and three anti-ship missiles Sunday in what it described as an operational test of its destroyer, Choe Hyun. The Norths military also fired a Hwasong-11Ka surface-to-surface missile equipped with a cluster munition warhead during tests last week.

Kim hosted the two visiting admirals at his official residence after holding separate bilateral meetings with each.

During the U.S.-South Korea talks, Kim and Koehler discussed maritime security and ways to strengthen their joint defense posture, including expanding cooperation in fleet maintenance, repair and overhaul, according to South Koreas navy.

In separate discussions between South Korea and Japan, Kim and Saito focused on increasing troop-level and personnel exchanges and on plans to resume joint search-and-rescue training.

Defense ministers from South Korea and Japan agreed in January to restart those drills after a nine-year hiatus. The exercises, first launched in 1999, were suspended in 2017 amid strained relations between the two countries.

The meetings happened as broader geopolitical tensions continue to shape the security environment for U.S. allies in Asia.

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung last month voiced opposition to the potential redeployment of U.S. Terminal High Altitude Area Defense, or THAAD, systems from the Korean Peninsula to the Middle East.

Japan and South Korea, both heavily dependent on imported energy, rely on maritime routes through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint for global oil shipments where tensions have escalated in recent weeks.

Phillip Schrank, a foreign assistant professor at Chosun Universitys Department of Political Science and Diplomacy, said he was not surprised the admirals did not directly address the Middle East conflict.

Those issues are highly political and will need to be resolved by decision makers like the secretaries of defense and state or a summit of leaders, he said by email Thursday.

Trump can tweet about allies not helping him, but I think it would be politically impossible for Korea to get involved, Schrank wrote.

Lee Ki-tae, a senior fellow at the Sejong Institute think tank, said the trilateral discussions were consistent with previous cooperation efforts rather than signaling a major strategic shift.

The talks appear to have focused on responding to North Korea while maintaining a position that does not explicitly aim to contain China, along with strengthening [South Korea]-Japan maritime security cooperation, Lee said by email Wednesday.

Overall, the publicly released details remain within the expected range and do not suggest any major deviations from prior expectations, he said.

South Koreas navy did not release additional details about the meetings.
Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Dan Caine speaks to members of the media during a briefing at the Pentagon, Thursday, April 16, 2026, in Arlington, Va. (Kevin Wolf/AP)



ARLINGTON, Va.  U.S. military forces have widened the shipping blockade on Iran to include cargoes deemed contraband, and any vessels suspected of trying to reach Iranian territory will be subject to belligerent right to visit and search, the U.S. Navy said in an advisory on Thursday.

These vessels, regardless of location, are subject to visit, board, search and seizure, the Navy said in the advisory, which was updated after a blockade was imposed on Monday.

Contraband items included weapons, weapons systems, ammunition, nuclear materials, crude and refined oil products as well as iron, steel and aluminum.

The U.S. blockade includes the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea east of the Strait of Hormuz, encompassing the entirety of the Iranian coast. It isnt limited to ports and oil terminals, CENTCOM said in a notice to mariners this week.

The blockade is doing what it is intended to do, Air Force Gen. Dan Caine, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said Thursday during a briefing at the Pentagon.

The blockade enforced by the Navy has forced 13 ships to turn around, Caine said. The chairman also added the blockade includes the Pacific area of responsibility.

As of this morning, U.S. Central Command has not been required to board any particular ships, Caine said. And Ill remind you that we are also conducting similar maritime interdiction actions and activities in the pacific AOR against those ships that left that area before we began the blockade.

The action follows a breakdown in U.S.-Iran talks over the weekend aimed at ending hostilities in the Persian Gulf and getting Iran to forfeit its nuclear materials.

Any ship that would cross the blockade would result in our sailors executing pre-planned tactics designed to bring the force to that ship  if need be, board the ship and take her over, Caine said. And that includes a series of escalated force options, which could include warning shots and others.

The press briefing comes as the end of two-week ceasefire with Iran approaches. Reports that the White House requested a ceasefire in the Iran war are wrong, press secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters on Wednesday, adding that discussions about a second round of talks with the Iranians were ongoing and productive.

We urge this morning that this new Iranian regime choose wisely, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said. If Iran chooses poorly, then they will have a blockade and bombs dropping on infrastructure, power and energy.

Since the war with Iran began on Feb. 28, 13 American personnel have died and at least 395 have been wounded, according to Defense Manpower Data Center figures.

Adm. Brad Cooper, the U.S. Central Command leader, briefed the Pentagons top leader about Operation Epic Fury after his two visits to the region in the past 15 days.

My personal assessment is, after these couple of trips, our troops are highly motivated, theyre focused, theyre vigilant and theyre ready, Cooper told reporters. Were rearming, were retooling and were adjusting our tactics.
Sailors aboard the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Spruance prepare for a replenishment-at-sea with fleet oiler USNS Henry J. Kaiser at sunset during Operation Epic Fury on March 10, 2026. ()



The U.S. Navy has forced 13 ships to turn around in the Strait of Hormuz as it enforces a naval blockade against Iran that is proceeding as planned, according to the Pentagons latest public assessment.

At a news briefing Thursday, Gen. Dan Caine, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said 13 ships made the wise decision to turn back rather than attempt to breach the blockade.

As of this morning, U.S. Central Command has not been required to board any particular ships, Caine said alongside Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Adm. Brad Cooper, the commander of U.S. Central Command.

The comments provided the latest details of a U.S.-Iranian maritime standoff in one of the worlds most important waterways.

On Wednesday, Central Command said a U.S. Navy destroyer turned back an Iran-flagged cargo ship in the Gulf of Oman.

USS Spruance redirected the cargo vessel Tuesday after it left the Strait of Hormuz transiting along the Iranian coastline, CENTCOM said in a post to its official X account Wednesday.

The ship headed back to Iran, according to the post, which did not identify the ship involved. No vessels connected to Iran have penetrated the U.S. blockade east of the strait since it began Monday, CENTCOM said.

Ship watchers cast doubt on that claim Thursday, saying satellite images suggested that several tankers, including those connected to Iran, China and India, have made it past the U.S. barricade and were in Iran.

In addition, other sanctions-compliant tankers were headed to Iraq with their location responders turned off, one ship watcher posted Thursday on X.

Meanwhile, as many as 20 ships  a combination of tankers, cargo ships and other vessels  had transited the strait in the first 24 or so hours following the U.S. blockade, The New York Times reported Wednesday, citing an unidentified U.S. official.

It remained unclear whether the commercial transits indicated that shipowners and captains were more confident in traveling the vital waterway as the U.S. works to wrest control away from Iran.

On Saturday, at least one U.S. destroyer transited the strait, a critical oil pipeline, as part of a broader effort to clear Iranian sea mines from the area.

The guided-missile destroyer USS Spruance patrols the Strait of Hormuz after successfully redirecting an Iranian-flagged cargo vessel that attempted to evade the U.S. blockade, marking the 10th vessel turned back since operations began, U.S. Central Command said Wednesday. (U.S. Central Commad/U.S. Navy)



The Navy also is rushing minesweepers to the Persian Gulf. At least one of them, the littoral combat ship USS Canberra, was in the region on Monday.

The U.S. blockade includes the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea east of the Strait of Hormuz, encompassing the entirety of the Iranian coast. It isnt limited to ports and oil terminals, CENTCOM said in a notice to mariners earlier this week.

The action follows a breakdown in U.S.-Iran talks over the weekend aimed at ending hostilities in the Persian Gulf and getting Iran to forfeit its nuclear materials.

On Wednesday, President Donald Trump turned up the pressure on Iran, sanctioning more than two dozen individuals, companies and ships associated with the countys illicit oil transportation network, the Treasury Department said in a statement.

The sanctions target the Iranian and Russian petroleum sales organization controlled by Mohammad Hossein Shamkhani, who has deep connections to the Iranian regime, the Treasury Department said.

Shamkhani is the son of senior Iranian security official Ali Shamkhani, who was killed Feb. 28 in the joint U.S.-Israel attack on Iran that started the war, Al Jazeera reported.

Spruance is part of the Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group, which has been operating in the Arabian Sea. At least 10 other destroyers are in the Middle East.

On Saturday, the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln, flanked by two destroyers, was spotted on satellite images operating in the Gulf of Oman just 124 miles from the southern coast of Iran, the BBC reported Monday.

Thats the farthest north and west the carrier has operated in the gulf in recent weeks, a ship watcher said.
Lebanese soldiers check a destroyed bridge that was hit in an Israeli airstrike in near the coastal city of Tyre in southern Lebanon on Thursday, April 16, 2026. Israel and Lebanon agreed to a 10-day ceasefire, President Donald Trump announced Thursday. (Mohammed Zaatari/AP)



WASHINGTON  President Donald Trump announced Israel and Lebanon agreed to a 10-day ceasefire and that it will begin at 5 p.m. ET on Thursday.

I just had excellent conversations with the Highly Respected President Joseph Aoun, of Lebanon, and Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu, of Israel, Trump said in a post on Truth Social. These two Leaders have agreed that in order to achieve PEACE between their Countries, they will formally begin a 10 Day CEASEFIRE at 5 P.M. EST.

Israel launched attacks in Lebanon about six weeks ago, targeting Iran-backed militia and political group Hezbollah, which is not party to the Lebanon-Israel talks. More than a million Lebanese have been displaced during the fighting, the UN Refugee Agency reported.

The president added he has directed Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Air Force Gen. Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, to work with Israel and Lebanon to achieve a lasting peace.

Trump added in a second post on Truth Social that he is inviting Netanyahu and Aoun to the White House.

The U.S. agreed to a two-week ceasefire last week with Iran, which Pakistan helped mediate.

A U.S. maritime blockade targeting Iranian ports took effect Monday. Trump is applying severe economic pressure on Iran, which has largely restricted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz since the war began in late February.
Will Nvidias moat persist? - Jensen Huang interview

2026-04-15

Link on YT

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hrbq66XqtCo

Link on X

https://x.com/dwarkesh_sp/status/2044456498441708013?s=20?

Grok Lengthy report

https://x.com/i/grok/share/6d1c9b6d213d4dc2bd962cb42e369eb5

Report: Key Lessons from Dwarkesh Patels In-Depth Interview with NVIDIA CEO Jensen HuangI just finished watching the full ~1 hour 43 minute episode of Dwarkesh Patels podcast with Jensen Huang (the video embedded in the X post). Its one of the most substantive and tense CEO interviews Ive seen in techDwarkesh came prepared with sharp, data-driven questions, and Huang responded with a mix of deep technical conviction, strategic vision, and visible frustration (especially during the extended China debate). The conversation is structured around five major segments, each revealing core elements of NVIDIAs moat, Huangs worldview on AI scaling, competition, geopolitics, and long-term industry direction.Heres what I learned, broken down thematically with direct insights, quotes, and implications drawn straight from the discussion.1. NVIDIAs Fundamental Business Model: Electrons to Tokens and the Integrated StackHuang repeatedly framed NVIDIA not as a chip company or software firm, but as the essential middle layer that transforms electrons into valuable tokens. The input is electrons, the output is tokens. In the middle is NVIDIA. Our job is to do as much as necessary and as little as possible to enable that transformation to be done at incredible capabilities.This philosophy explains why he believes NVIDIAs moat is durable. Software may get commoditized in some areas, but the full-stack engineeringarchitecture, CUDA ecosystem, networking (NVLink/Spectrum-X), libraries, and co-design across hardware/softwareis insanely hard and far from commoditized. He sees AI as a five-layer cake (hardware, systems, software frameworks, models, applications), and NVIDIA deliberately stays lean while partnering aggressively to dominate the parts that matter most.Lesson: NVIDIA isnt just riding the AI wave; its architecting the platform on which the entire wave depends. This mindsetmaximize leverage through ecosystem orchestration rather than vertical integrationhas allowed explosive growth while keeping the company focused.2. The Supply Chain Moat: Commitments, Foresight, and Temporary BottlenecksOne of the most detailed sections covered NVIDIAs ~$100 billion (potentially scaling to $250 billion) in purchase commitments for foundries, memory, and packaging. Huang explained this isnt passive locking up supply; its active ecosystem alignment. He personally meets with upstream CEOs (TSMC, Micron, SK Hynix, etc.), shares his vision of AI scale, and inspires massive investments because NVIDIAs downstream demand is so enormous and credible.Bottlenecks (CoWoS packaging, HBM memory, even plumbers and electricians for data centers) get intense focus and resolve in 23 years once demand signals are clear. TSMC has scaled CoWoS alongside logic nodes because NVIDIA made it mainstream. Huangs confidence here was absolute: Youre talking to the expert None of those things worry me. Its the stuff thats downstream from usenergy policies.He contrasted short-term chip/logic constraints (solvable via Moores Law + architecture + 1050 efficiency gains per generation) with longer-term energy limits. AI factories need power, and building new capacity takes time.Lesson: NVIDIAs real moat isnt just CUDA or chipsits the ability to shape and pre-fetch the entire global supply chain years in advance through trust, scale, and communication (e.g., GTC as a 360-degree alignment event). This creates a flywheel others cant replicate quickly.3. Competition from TPUs and Custom ASICs: Why NVIDIA Still DominatesDwarkesh pressed hard: Claude and Gemini were trained on Google TPUs; hyperscalers have resources to write custom kernels; why doesnt specialization win? Huangs response was emphatic. NVIDIA builds accelerated computing, not narrow tensor processors. CUDA + the full ecosystem supports everything from molecular dynamics to data processing to AIfar broader than any ASIC.Key advantages:

Programmability enables rapid invention of new algorithms (MoE, hybrid SSM, diffusion + autoregressive, disaggregation).

Massive install base (hundreds of millions of GPUs across clouds, on-prem, robots) creates a developer flywheel.

Superior performance-per-TCO and tokens-per-watt (he challenged competitors like Trainium/TPU to public benchmarks like InferenceMAX or MLPerfthey dont show up).

Ecosystem richness (Triton, vLLM, NeMo, etc.) + NVIDIAs own kernel expertise gives partners 23 speedups.

He noted Anthropic is the main driver of TPU growth (Without Anthropic, why would there be any TPU growth at all? Its 100% Anthropic). ASICs often get canceled because building something meaningfully better than NVIDIAs velocity is extremely hard.Lesson: For frontier AI, the general-purpose programmable platform with the richest ecosystem wins over narrow specialization, especially when new breakthroughs require flexibility. Hyperscalers optimize for their own use cases, but NVIDIA still delivers the best overall economics and reach.4. Why NVIDIA Doesnt Become a Hyperscaler (and the Do as Little as Possible Philosophy)NVIDIA invests heavilyreportedly $30B in OpenAI, $10B in Anthropic, backstopping neoclouds like CoreWeavebut refuses to compete directly as a cloud provider. Huangs core rule: Do as much as necessary and as little as possible. NVIDIA builds what others wont (CUDA-X libraries, NVLink, full-stack co-design, domain-specific acceleration). Clouds and AI labs? Plenty of others will handle that.He expressed regret for not investing earlier in labs like OpenAI/Anthropic (VCs couldnt fund the scale needed), but now sees it as essential to help them grow. The company supports the entire ecosystem without picking winners.Lesson: This disciplined focus prevents bloat and keeps NVIDIA as the neutral, indispensable platform. It also explains support for neoclouds and investments: they accelerate AI adoption without NVIDIA becoming the end-to-end provider.5. The Heated China/Export Controls Debate (The Most Revealing Section)This 30+ minute exchange was the most intense part of the episodeHuang got visibly defensive and called some framing childish. Dwarkesh pressed on national security risks: more compute  faster Chinese models with offensive capabilities (e.g., Mythos-level zero-day discovery), inference scale for cyberattacks, etc.Huangs counterarguments were forceful and multifaceted:

China already has abundant compute (manufactures 60%+ of mainstream chips, huge energy reserves, ghost data centers fully powered but empty, 50% of worlds AI researchers).

Export controls accelerated Huawei and domestic stack (The day that DeepSeek comes out on Huawei first, that is a horrible outcome for our nation).

Energy abundance compensates for weaker chips: When you have abundant energy it makes up for chips They just use more of them.

Conceding ~40% of the global tech market is a disservice to our national security and American tech leadership.

Best path: Compete globally so AI developers worldwide (including in China) build on the U.S. stack (CUDA ecosystem). Keep open-source vibrant.

Analogies to nukes or cars are lunacyAI is a five-layer cake; every layer must win for the U.S.

He warned against loser mindset or isolationism that hands long-term leadership to rivals. The U.S. should stay ahead via innovation while expanding market reach.Lesson: Huang sees export controls as counterproductive self-harm. They dont stop China (which has scale advantages elsewhere) but erode U.S. ecosystem dominance. This was the clearest articulation Ive heard from any CEO on why global competition > containment in AI.6. Chip Architecture Strategy, Future Scaling, and Broader AI VisionNVIDIA focuses on one architecture roadmap (Blackwell  Vera Rubin  Feynman, etc.) because simulations show alternatives (wafer-scale like Cerebras, etc.) are inferior. They lean forward aggressively rather than going back to older nodes.On AIs societal impact, Huang pushed back against doomer narratives: Agents will multiply tool use (e.g., exponentially more instances of Synopsys, Excel, design software). He warned against scaring people out of critical fields like radiology or software engineering by conflating tasks with jobs.Lesson: Architecture bets are high-stakes and deliberate. AI progress comes from co-design across stack + algorithms, not just transistors. Optimism about human-AI collaboration (agents supporting engineers) rather than replacement.Overall Takeaways and Personal ReflectionsThis interview reinforced NVIDIAs position as the de facto AI platform company, with moats rooted in ecosystem orchestration, supply-chain foresight, and relentless full-stack innovation. Huangs conviction that energy and global developer reach are the true long-term battlegrounds (more than any single chip ban) was eye-opening. The tension with Dwarkesh made the China discussion feel raw and high-stakesrevealing real philosophical differences on geopolitics vs. tech leadership.I came away more convinced that CUDAs programmability + install base creates a durable flywheel, but also that policy choices on China could shape decades of U.S. tech primacy. Huangs do as much as necessary, as little as possible ethos is a masterclass in strategic focus. And his warnings on scaring talent out of STEM fields are a timely reminder that AI hype can have unintended consequences.If you havent watched the full episode yet, its worth the timeespecially the China segment for anyone thinking about AI geopolitics. This is easily one of the best deep dives into NVIDIAs strategy available right now.
Secretary of the Army Daniel Driscoll, right, and Gen. Christopher LaNeve, vice chief of the Army and acting Army chief of staff, testify at a House Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense budget hearing on Thursday, April 16, 2026, in Washington. (Eric Kayne/Stars and Stripes)



House appropriators from both sides of the aisle expressed concerns and, at times, anger about the sudden removal this month of the Armys chief of staff, Gen. Randy George during a hearing Thursday to examine the services 2027 budget request.

Im a huge fan of the last chief of staff of the Army; I think Gen. George is a great patriot, said Rep. Tom Cole, R-Okla., the chairman of the House Appropriations Committee. Hes an outstanding general officer, outstanding chief of staff, and I just want the record to reflect how much we regret, I personally regret, that hes no longer in active service. Hes a real loss to us, in my opinion.

George, a 1988 graduate of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, N.Y., had served as the Armys top officer since September 2023. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on April 2 abruptly asked George to retire from the job that top generals traditionally have held for about four years. Hegseth has fired several generals and admirals, including at least three members of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, since taking the Pentagons reins in January 2025.

Pentagon officials have provided no explanation for Hegseths decision to remove George. The Armys vice chief, Gen. Christopher LaNeve, who previously served as Hegseths top military adviser, was named acting chief of staff in the days after Georges ouster. LaNeve, who testified before the House Appropriations Committees defense subpanel alongside Army Secretary Dan Driscoll on Thursday, is seen as Georges likeliest successor.

Republicans and Democrats  including the defense subpanels chairman Rep. Ken Calvert, R-Calif., and the committees top Democrat, Rose DeLauro, of Connecticut  said they agreed with Coles comments on George.

One Democrat went further, expressing anger about Georges removal. Rep. Ed Case, of Hawaii, said he was angered by the firing of the former Army chief, in whom he had very high confidence.

Georges ouster, Case said, was humiliatingly and cruelly done without any offer, apparently, of a graceful exit.

You at least owe Congress, the public, and I think most importantly, the soldiers, some explanation, which you did not do, and you consciously chose not to do, Case told Driscoll. And in doing so, you created and compounded numerous issues, including morale, uncertainty and distrust. And I do not believe that that is acceptable or should be acceptable.

Driscoll denied knowledge of Hegseths plans of decision to remove George, to whom Driscoll had grown close in the past year. The hearing Thursday came amid reports  including from the Washington Post and New York Times  in recent weeks of tension between Driscoll and Hegseth.

While the Army secretary did not address those reports, he said he was on vacation in North Carolina with his family when George was asked to resign.

When we drove back from North Carolina, I drove straight to Gen. Georges house, Driscoll told Case. We walked right in, and we all gave him a hug. There is no person that has more respect for Gen. George.  I, too, love Gen. George.

Lawmakers said they were also concerned about other issues around the budget. Among them the impact of munitions expenditures during Operation Epic Fury in Iran and the lack of a detailed fiscal year 2027 budget request from the service so late into April.

Driscoll and LaNeve did not provide clarity on the Armys munitions stockpiles, but they said the service has played a large role in the conflict with artillery and defensive munitions.

President Donald Trumps administration released a so-called skinny budget proposal on April 3, which outlined the White Houses intention of spending some $1.5 trillion on defense in fiscal 2027. The administration has not made public yet full details of that budget proposal, including precisely how much money the Army has requested for next year.

Rep. Betty McCollum, D-Minn., the subpanels top Democrat, said she was concerned the lack of detail would slow Congress already difficult annual efforts to pass a budget. Congress has rarely passed budgets ahead of the Oct. 1 start of the fiscal year. This year lawmakers failed to pass a Pentagon budget until February. The Defense Department  along with the other federal agencies  was partially shut down for 43 days from Oct. 1 to Nov. 12 due to a lack of a budget deal.

Budget details are especially important this year as the Pentagon looks to increase its spending by some 40% next year, which McCollum called shocking.

We need information, she said. This administration still has not provided us the justification documents for the full request. We need the details when the budget is made public, and that is the only way we can do our job properly to do the oversight we are tasked with.

Cole said the dearth of information rests with the Office of Management and Budget and not with Driscoll or other Army officials. However, the Houses top appropriator added, the slow budget rollout meant the Pentagon was likely headed for another prolonged period operating without a current budget in fiscal 2027.

Frankly, for the committee to have the information that it needs to make decisions, its taking us a while, Cole said. Certainly, we want to work with the administration, and certainly with the president on what hes trying to achieve, but were going to need more information to be able to do that.  My friend from Minnesota is exactly right when she raises that issue; I think she speaks for the whole committee.
An MH-60S Sea Hawk prepares for takeoff during night-time flight operations aboard amphibious assault ship USS Tripoli (LHA 7) in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, April 3, 2026. (U.S. Marine Corps )



WASHINGTON  House Republicans narrowly fended off a Democratic-led effort Thursday to remove U.S. forces from hostilities with Iran, voting down a measure that would have required President Donald Trump to seek authorization from Congress for continuing the war.

The move to take up the measure failed in a 214-213 vote. Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky was the only Republican to vote in favor of the war powers resolution, Rep. Jared Golden of Maine was the only Democrat to vote against it and Republican Warren Davidson of Ohio voted present.

The vote came a day after Senate Republicans, voting largely along party lines, rejected a similar measure for the fourth time since the war in Iran began.

Now stretching into a second month, the conflict has killed 13 American service members and injured hundreds more, resulted in the deaths of thousands of Iranian civilians and largely shuttered the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial shipping lane for oil and gas.

Republicans argued Thursday that it has also neutered Irans ability to threaten the U.S., destroying its navy and many of its missile systems, removing its longtime authoritarian leader and setting back its nuclear ambitions.

Why do you hate U.S. success so much? Rep. Keith Self of Texas, a Republican member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee and an Army veteran, asked Democrats on the House floor.

Democrats countered that the U.S. was in fact strategically losing. Iran is now being led by a younger, more vicious regime and has taken firm control of global energy markets, said Rep. Jim Himes of Connecticut, the top Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee.

He argued that it was time for Congress to assert its constitutional authority to declare war and hold a debate on the Iran conflict to give the more than 50,000 service members deployed to the Middle East in support of Operation Epic Fury a sense of mission and meaning.

We should support our troops, but our troops deserve a strategy, Himes said. They deserve a sense of mission. They deserve to know that the peoples house debated their life or their death.

The Republican-led Congress has so far refused to hold that discussion, despite repeated and increasingly frequent efforts by Democrats and a few Republicans to open such a debate through votes on war powers resolutions.

Federal law allows the president to deploy armed forces into hostilities without congressional approval for 60 days, with a potential 30-day extension. The Trump administration will reach the deadline for either requesting the extension or pulling out troops on May 1.

Most Republicans remain publicly supportive of the war in Iran and have praised Trump for taking action against an adversary that they say has threatened the U.S. and attacked American service members in the Middle East for years.

Rep. Brian Mast of Florida, the Republican chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee, on Thursday accused Democrats of hypocrisy for allowing former President Joe Biden to engage in lengthy military operations against Iran proxies in Yemen without calling for congressional authorization. He derided the constant filing of war powers resolutions for the Iran conflict as political theater.

When Joe Biden was responding to merchant marine vessels being attacked, it was okay. No war power needed. Went on for about a year, Mast said. President Trump responds  war power, war power, war power, war power.

Democrats have maintained that the magnitude of the Iran war, the shifting objectives and lengthening duration necessitate input from Congress.

Were standing at the edge of a cliff, and Congress must act before the president pushes off, said Rep. Gregory Meeks of New York, the top Democrat on the Foreign Affairs panel. Every day we delay, we inch closer to a conflict with no exit ramp.
Margarita Devlin, principal deputy undersecretary for benefits at the VA, testifies during a House Veterans Affairs Committee hearing on April 14, 2026. (Eric Kayne/Stars and Stripes)



WASHINGTON  In January 2025, more than 264,000 veterans were awaiting decisions on disability claims pending before the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Now, that backlog of claims has dropped dramatically to 83,000.

Officials from the Department of Veterans Affairs delivered that message at a hearing Wednesday of the House Veterans Affairs Committee that examined the agencys progress in addressing its claims inventory.

The hearing was titled Faster Decisions, Stronger Outcomes: VAs Work to Streamline the Disability Claims Backlog.

The VA processed three million compensation and pension claims in fiscal 2025, said Margarita Devlin, principal deputy undersecretary for benefits at the VA.

The VA is on a similar pace this year, processing more than 1.5 million claims halfway through fiscal 2026, Devlin said.

The VA receives millions of claims from veterans each year for disability benefits and continues to process them faster than ever while maintaining high accuracy rates, the agency said after the hearing.

House Veterans Affairs committee chairman Rep. Mike Bost, R- Ill., speaks during a hearing on Tuesday, April 14, 2026. (Eric Kayne/Stars and Stripes)



Advances in technology and automation have enabled the VA to more easily pull together the information required to support a veterans claim, as well as identify missing evidence, Devlin said.

But Devlin said that a worker is present and focused on making decisions that require human judgment.

She presented rates and numbers that showed gains the VA has made in reducing wait times for decisions on benefits.

The average number of days to process a claim, for example, has dropped 42% to 81 days since the beginning of the second Trump administration, Devlin said.

She also said the VA is working to issue partial benefits as it evaluates more complex claims that take longer to complete.

Rep. Mike Bost, R-Ill., the committee chairman, noted that there was a sharp rise in the claims backlog under the former Biden administration.

But now the VA is processing a record number, reducing the backlog and delivering benefits sooner, Bost said.

Bost also asked about safeguards for ensuring decisions are accurate.

Maintaining quality decisions remains a core concern of mine, Bost said.

He said that a VA Office of Inspector General audit last year found that a senior VA employee at a regional office in Philadelphia had authorized 85,000 claims from 2022 to 2024.

The employee spent, on average, less than five minutes per claim and caused multiple errors, which cost $2.2 million in improper payments, Bost said.

President Trump has a singular focus  making sure government runs better, Bost said. Were moving in the right direction but look forward to hearing more about how VA plans to sustain these gains.

Rep. Mark Takano of California, the top Democrat on the committee, said the claims backlog was driven in recent years by the COVID-19 pandemic and then by passage of the PACT Act, which provided presumptive disability benefits for toxic exposures.

With passage of the PACT Act, the VA accelerated implementation and surged resources, encouraging veterans to step forward, Takano said. The backlog reflected increased access.

Ranking member Rep. Mark Takano, D-Calif., speaks during a House Veterans Affairs committee hearing on April 14, 2026. (Eric Kayne/Stars and Stripes)



In May 2023, the VA reported that more than 250,000 claims for PACT Act benefits were processed after the law was enacted in August 2022.

At this time across the agency, it has truly been an all-hands-on-deck effort to prepare for and execute on the delivery of the PACT Act, the VAs Undersecretary for Benefits Joshua Jacobs testified at a House Veterans Affairs subcommittee hearing.

Takano said he is worried about a greater emphasis today on the number of claims processed in less time. Veterans need to know the opportunity costs of a department focused on processing times, Takano said.

Takano also complained that Wednesdays hearing limited in-person testimony to two VA officials.

Were here today with only VA as our witness, Takano said. We need to know what is actually happening on the ground.

Veterans of Foreign Wars did submit written testimony, which lauded the VA for improved efficiency in claims processing.

Ryan Gallucci, executive director of the VFWs national office, wrote that the VA has modernized processes that include making back-end improvements.

The VFW is recommending that the VA now identify delays during specific phases of the claims evaluation. This would include initial processing, claims development, establishing a rating and deciding an award.

Each of these phases is instructive to where bottlenecks persist and should be viewed as individual pain points  or backlogs, he said.

However, VA does not offer this granular level of information publicly to veterans, which leaves accredited representatives to manage expectations, hoping that our clients trust the explanation, he said.

The VFW said that when claims are submitted as complete packages  with all necessary medical evidence and documentation  they can be rated in a matter of days.

This demonstrates that the system can operate efficiently when development requirements are minimized, Gallucci said.
News / Africa

by Freeman Chari

Billionaire tech entrepreneur Elon Musk has sparked a fresh political and economic row after calling for international sanctions against South Africa over its Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) laws, which he described as "super racist."Musk's criticism centres on regulations under the Electronic Communications Act, which require telecommunications license holders to have at least 30% ownership by historically disadvantaged groups. These include black South Africans, Indians, coloured people, women and people with disabilities.The dispute has been amplified by Musk's efforts to introduce his satellite internet service, Starlink, into the South African market  a move that has stalled amid regulatory compliance requirements.Musk has repeatedly resisted ceding equity in his companies to meet local ownership thresholds, arguing that such conditions amount to discrimination."South Africa won't allow Starlink to be licensed simply because I am not black," he said in a social media post, adding that he had rejected alleged attempts to secure a licence through improper means.He further accused South African policymakers of entrenching racial discrimination and warned that such policies risk undermining foreign direct investment and limiting access to high-speed internet, particularly in underserved rural areas.Musk's remarks have intensified tensions with the South African government, which has firmly defended its empowerment framework.President Cyril Ramaphosa dismissed Musk's claims, stating that BEE laws are designed to address historical inequalities rather than discriminate."When it comes to the social media brouhaha from Elon Musk, I pay very little attention because I know our laws are not racist," Ramaphosa said.He emphasised that the legislation is rooted in constitutional provisions aimed at redressing the legacy of apartheid-era exclusion, which disproportionately affected black South Africans, as well as other groups including women.Ramaphosa also pointed to alternative compliance mechanisms available to foreign companies, such as Equity Equivalent Investment Programmes. These allow firms unable to meet ownership requirements to contribute through initiatives like enterprise development, education and community investment.According to the President, hundreds of multinational companies  including major US firms such as Google, Amazon and Microsoft  are already operating within this framework.The public exchange highlights a broader debate about balancing transformation policies with the need to attract investment in Africa's most industrialised economy.While Musk argues that current regulations deter innovation and capital inflows, the South African government maintains that inclusive growth and economic redress remain central to long-term stability and development.
Jose Luis Piedra 16/04/2026 a las 16:20h.

The Junta's governing council of regional ministers has authorised this Thursday a transfer of 15 million euros to cover direct aid of an exceptional nature to compensate the agricultural businesses that suffered losses resulting from the storms that battered Andalucia between November 2025 and February 2026.

These subsidies, managed by the regional ministry of agriculture, fisheries, water and rural development, are intended for olive mills, fruit- and veg-handling and conditioning centres and feed, grain and seed industries that meet the established requirements.

The Junta believes that, in addition to severely impacting the production sector, the heavy rains also had a direct impact on the industrial fabric linked to agri-food production. On the one hand, the floods caused significant material damage to facilities and equipment and, on the other, they led to an increase in fixed costs due to the reduced volume of raw materials coming from the areas most affected by the heavy rainfall.

On top of all this, there is the increased cost of procurement and disruption to the supply chain. Thus, the ultimate goal of the subsidies is to compensate the losses of the agro-industries, thereby facilitating the maintenance of associated employment and the revitalisation of the local economy in the rural areas where these companies are primarily concentrated. In this way, the aid thus helps prevent depopulation of these areas by helping to maintain the living standards of their inhabitants.

The Junta de Andalucia has also declared a state of emergency for repair work at the ports under regional management that also suffered storm damage. There is an action plan in place, supported by the regional ministry for development and planning, via the public ports agency for Andalucia (Appa).

This plan encompasses 35 projects, including construction work and project management, at port facilities in the provinces of Almeria, Cadiz, Huelva and Malaga. The storms caused extreme conditions due to intense gusts of wind, heavy rainfall and subsequent reservoir releases, which had repercussions on the state of the ports under regional management, causing damage to both infrastructure and access roads, affecting both safety and port operations.

In response to this situation, emergency repairs amounting to 6.9 million euros (IVA included) have been declared for 35 projects in the ports under regional management. The work includes where there has been a loss of stability and buoyancy in vessel mooring infrastructure for boats, such as La Laja and Sanlucar de Guadiana, in Huelva province.

Furthermore, damage to wave-protection systems is being repaired in provinces such as Cadiz and Huelva.
Jose Antonio Sau 16/04/2026 a las 11:40h.

Alan Josue Rangel Manaure, a four-year-old from Malaga, faced an uphill battle from the start.

Born prematurely at just 23 weeks and three days, Alan suffered a brief but critical lack of oxygen at birth. As his mother, Yinsheller Manaure, explained to SUR, these complications severely impacted the mobility of his legs and lower hips.

Beyond walking: clinical benefits The benefits of the Atlas 2030 extend beyond simple movement. Regular use of the exoskeleton: Improves respiratory function Reduces muscle spasticity Delays complications like scoliosis Increases muscle tone



Fortunately, medical advancements are bridging the gap between clinical theory and daily life. On 30 March, the Andalusian Health Service (SAS) announced that four regional hospitals, including the Materno Infantil Malaga, have incorporated advanced pediatric exoskeletons into their treatment plans.

These devices are designed to improve the quality of life for patients with rare diseases, neuromotor disorders, cerebral palsy, and spinal muscular atrophy.

For Alan, the robot has provided more than just physical supportit has given him the confidence to move. While he still requires the help of his parents or grandparents to take steps without the device, he is among the first children in Malagas public healthcare system to utilize this cutting-edge technology.

The therapy is a long-term journey, but the goal is clear: gradual, sustained improvement in mobility. The device, based on the Atlas 2030 model, was developed by renowned Spanish researcher Elena Garcia Armada of the CSIC (Spanish National Research Council).

It allows children who are otherwise unable to walk to stand and navigate their environment. By using sensors and "smart joints" that replicate biological gait patterns - including 360-degree movement - the technology turns rigorous physical therapy into a form of play.

Professionals train to operate the robots

The regional government has purchased the equipment with NextGeneration EU funds. It is part of a strategy to promote personalised medicine and robotics in the public health system. The rehabilitation and physiotherapy teams at the four hospitals have received specific training in the operation of the robots.

Hospital Materno's physical medicine and rehabilitation unit, in coordination with electromedicine, is responsible for advancing this highly effective therapy for many children. The Virgen del Rocio hospital in Seville, the Virgen de las Nieves hospital in Granada and the Reina Sofia hospital in Cordoba also have this exoskeleton.

Alan Josue's mother, 32, came to Malaga from Venezuela eight years ago. She tells SUR about her son's challenges: "He doesn't walk, he doesn't stand up, he can use a stroller or something, but he doesn't walk on his own." Alan suffers from spasticity - a muscle rigidity that forces him to cross his legs (scissor gait), preventing him from walking.

The little boy has already undergone three 45-minute therapy sessions with the exoskeleton. Yinsheller Manaure says that there has been progress, which will be even more noticeable with the two weekly sessions he has ahead of him.

"He has shown great progress: they have made the adjustments and his legs now have the correct angle. He couldn't fully extend his knees - it was like the bone was contracted. Thanks to the project, it's now properly aligned. All of this will allow him to walk in the future," she states.

The healthcare staff play with the little boy. For example, he operates a small robot by remote control. "They switch it to manual mode so that he can take his steps little by little on his own. He takes the step himself and the exoskeleton helps him complete the movement correctly," the mother says. In other words, it assists him with walking.

Following these sessions, "the boy no longer crosses his legs and they're no longer in an X-shape". "You can see a huge difference because he keeps them apart and his mobility is much better, but he still can't walk on his own," Manaure says.

Alan Josue journey to learning to stand up

Prior to these sessions, Alan Josue couldn't stand up. Now he can pull himself up to a standing position by holding onto walls or doors. "Now he does it more safely thanks to the exoskeleton," his mother says, addding that "he has a chance" at walking in the future. He still has months of work ahead of him.

The boy's latest 'play' with the exoskeleton was on Wednesday. "It was spectacular, because his legs and knees were at five degrees, they lowered it to three. He did amazing today, he took steps backwards, which he wasn't able to do before."

Alan Josue is "happy and content", because training with the exoskeleton is a game that "keeps him distracted".

"I believe this technology has helped my son and will help many children," Manaure says. "Now he has gained the confidence to walk holding someone's hand, he takes steps without crossing his legs, while before he would cross them and trip."

The benefits of using the exoskeleton are numerous: improved breathing and reduced spasticity. It helps delay or prevent serious complications such as scoliosis and improves muscle tone, representing a historic advance in the treatment of other diseases that, until recently, meant almost complete immobility for those who suffered from them.
Juan Cano Malaga 16/04/2026 a las 12:11h.

The investigation into a fatal road accident that happened on the A-7 motorway in Nerja last Saturday reveals a complex backstory that started a few days earlier in Madrid.

The deceased driver, who ran out of fuel and was run over by a lorry, had allegedly stolen the car involved in the accident in the capital city.

The road accident happened at around 1.30am on 11 April. The car stopped in the middle of the motorway, specifically at kilometre 934 in the direction of Malaga. The car didn't have any hazard warning lights on and a lorry coming behind it was unable to avoid the collision.

The emergency teams that arrived at the scene quickly identified the deceased car driver. He was a 33-year-old man of Ecuadorian origin, who, according to some sources, had left prison in Madrid a few days earlier. He had allegedly stolen the car, which he then used to travel to the Costa del Sol.

The Guardia Civil took charge of the investigation and reconstructed the accident, which is how they found out the car had run out of fuel in the middle of the road.
Jose Rodriguez Camara Torremolinos 16/04/2026 a las 14:49h.

Seville-based developer Grupo Abu has announced its intention to undertake in Torremolinos "the largest development in the country at the moment in terms of turnover".

The project, which involves a budget of 250 million euros, concerns the conversion for residential use of the plot of land on Avenida Carlota Alessandri that used to house the Melia Tres Carabelas hotel. This is an attractive plot of land, a stone's throw from La Carihuela and Puerto Marina in Benalmadena.

The project foresees the creation of 353 homes over a buildable area of 40,000 square metres (a plot of 12,688 square metres).

Administrative phase

Municipal sources have said that the planning study for this land is in its final phase, prior to final approval by the local ruling team. The project has received favourable external and internal reports.

At the same time, the corresponding building permit process has started. The step preceding it aims to increase the buildable area and change the classification of the land from hotel to residential.

The initial approval of the zoning study of the plot took place during the local ruling team's meeting in September. It was then published in the official provincial gazette on 27 October 2025 for the public to get the chance to raise objections and share feedback.

The regional government has already givne the green light to the project, which, in turn, formed part of the agreement for the construction of housing in this part of the town centre, which received the support of the town hall in 2023.

Under this agreement, there will be significant financial compensation for the town's coffers, which will receive 15 per cent of the revenue, five points above the minimum required by law.

Grupo Abu plans to build the Magna residential complex, which will consist of different buildings of medium height, "harmoniously integrating it into the surroundings".

With this progress and the commercial announcement of the development, Grupo Abu is closer to bringing back into use a site that has been in a state of abandonment since 2009. Currently, only a small structure standing there indicates a previous attempt to build a five-star hotel, with 22 floors and even a heliport.

The regional government had objections to the establishment and requested modifications. Later, however, the hotel promoters could not afford the construction and abandoned the project.

The residential complex Grupo Abu plans to build will be called Magna. It will consist of different buildings of medium height, "harmoniously integrating them into the surroundings". The project gives priority to common areas, including a swimming pool and green spaces. The aim is to implement energy-efficient materials and processes during the construction.

Projects in Malaga

During the announcement of Magna, the Seville-based company also reported that it plans to launch the construction of more than 750 units in different parts of Spain, at the cost of 6000

As for projects under development or construction, Grupo Abu's portfolio exceeds 1.4 billion euros, with some 2,000 homes currently under construction, which provides more than 4,000 direct and indirect jobs.

In addition to Torremolinos, Abu is developing Las Esclavas in Malaga city, for which the company has commissioned architectural company L35, responsible for the refurbishment of the Santiago Bernabeu, Rome's Termini station, and major developments in Sotogrande. The studio also has commissions across Europe, Latin America and Abu Dhabi.

Grupo Abu is also behind 25 semi-detached units of various other types across five building blocks at different levels in the El Higueron area between Benalmadena and Torremolinos. This is the Organic project, for the design of which the U8 studio is responsible.
The crochet flag that Alhaurin de la Torre gives to New Iberia.

Jose Rodriguez Camara Alhaurin de la Torre 16/04/2026 a las 16:23h.

The crochet workshop in Alhaurin de la Torre, which has been running since 2019, has an average of 50 participants who mainly dedicate their talents to making awnings to provide shade in the town centre. They make these using recycled materials provided by the environmental department.

This tradition will now be used to strengthen the ties that unite the town with its sister city, New Iberia, in Louisiana, United States. The pair have maintained close relations since the beginning of the 21st century.

One of these handcrafted pieces, a four square metre awning, will be sent over in the colours of the Alhaurin de la Torre flag, blue and gold. In the centre are two intertwined hands as an expression of the union between the two places and also the national flags of Spain and the USA.

Ten crocheters have been involved in this project for just over a month and a half. Their piece will be taken directly to New Iberia by a delegation from Alhaurin de la Torre, led by councillors Jose Manuel de Molina and Maria del Carmen Molina, who will also travel to participate in their Spanish culture week. In New Iberia, they have also been working on a crochet awning for several years, which is exhibited at the Spanish Festival.

The workshop instructor, Eva Pacheco, pointed out that every year more and more women participate and lend their time and dedication to this project, which can be seen by all residents and visitors. The mayor, Joaquin Villanova, said that he would propose that the group receive public recognition for their work and dedication, as this initiative has allowed the image of Alhaurin de la Torre "to travel around the world".
Pilar R. Quiros Malaga 16/04/2026 a las 14:48h.

The Low Emission Zone (ZBE) has become a lucrative source of municipal funds. In the two months since its implementation (December 2025 and January 2026), the Local Police have issued 11,712 fines to vehicles without the required environmental sticker.

For now, ZBE fines only concern drivers who come to Malaga city but reside elsewhere. Local residents can, for now, use their cars until they dispose of them.

The problem is that not everyone living outside Malaga is from outside the city, as many residents have moved to the wider area, either of their own volition or driven by the city's housing crisis and rising property prices. Others simply work in the city and commute from other parts of the province.

This is precisely what both deputy spokesperson for Con Malaga Toni Morillas and head of social policy of the CCOO union Trinidad Salcedo highlighted on Thursday.

CCOO and Con Malaga are demanding a moratorium on the ZBE regulation. At the next urban planning and transport committee meeting, they will present a ten-point plan for tackling the ZBE without causing hardship to the public.

Morillas said that the Local Police have sent the municipal tax agency 11,712 reports related to violations of the Low Emission Zone: 6,212 reports in December and 5,499 in January. "This data confirms what we've already indicated: that the ruling team is more concerned with the penalty system and revenue collection than with sustainable transport in the city and implementing a ZBE that has real and effective tools so that workers can get to their jobs, use park-and-ride facilities or access public transport if they come from other parts of the province," she stated on Thursday.

All cars fined so far are not registered in Malaga and do not have a sticker (petrol passenger cars registered before January 2000 and diesel cars registered before 2006). The plan is for the Low Emission Zone in Malaga city centre to further restrict the number of non-local vehicles allowed to enter. By 30 November 2026, cars from outside Malaga with a B sticker (low-emission internal combustion vehicles, registered from January 2001 for petrol or January 2006 for diesel) will not be allowed to enter a 437-hectare zone in the city centre.

For these reasons, both Morillas and Salcedo said that the Low Emission Zone suffers from a series of shortcomings in sustainable transport measures, "which cause serious harm, even discrimination against different social groups".

According to Morillas, the local ruling team "has failed to fulfill its commitment regarding park-and-ride facilities", given that "there isn't a single such facility in Malaga city". Another condition she criticised was that the El Ejido campus is located within the ZBE, when "no other European city includes a university campus within its Low Emission Zone". The Con Malaga spokesperson also pointed out that this discriminates against people with reduced mobility.

Morillas supports the need for a substantial change in the transport bylaw to address major challenges and problems of sustainable transport in Malaga. According to her, the city council should put a moratorium on the ZBE until it has secured park-and-ride facilities and improved public transport.

She also proposed extending the transitional period for the Low-Emission Zone by pushing the legal limits to ensure that these measures are implemented within that timeframe, as well as removing the university campus in Ejido from the ZBE so that "students, lecturers and staff do not face serious access difficulties, given that there is no effective public transport service to serve as an alternative to private vehicles".

This amendment would also include a new framework for authorised vehicles, such as those belonging to people with reduced mobility and other groups, which are subject to labels and certifications such as the B sticker, as well as vehicles not registered in the city of Malaga that "generally belong to people with lower purchasing power".

Salcedo stated they would support Con Malaga during the next meeting, "for the sake of social justice". "Malaga is also struggling because of the housing crisis. People have been forced out of Malaga in recent years," she stated.

According to Salcedo, people who come to the city to work or study make 193,000 daily trips. Of them, 31% come in vehicles with a B sticker, which could represent 64,000 vehicles or more.

Salcedo hit the nail on the head when she said that, by the end of the year, vehicles with a B sticker from outside Malaga will no longer be allowed into the Low Emission Zone, but "most of these people cannot afford to switch to a vehicle with an eco sticker".

The CCOO representative criticised the city council for receiving EU subsidies to implement the Low Emission Zone, while prioritising the enforcement system over park-and-ride facilities and improved public transport.

"Ultimately, it's the most vulnerable people who are paying the price: students, workers, simply those with the fewest resources. It's unacceptable that decisions are made without consulting the majority of residents, both from the city and outside," Salcedo stated.
Jose Carlos Garcia Marbella 16/04/2026 Actualizado a las 16:28h.

The recovery of Marbellas heritage has some major highlights, such as the Royal Hospital of Mercy and the Bazan Hospital (contemporary Spanish print museum). However, if there is one downside, it is that of the convent of the Holy Trinity, a 16th-century building that has been deteriorating and has been propped up for the past year.

In April 2013, the council announced the creation of the Marbella museum of modern architecture. In 2018, the basic project for the restoration and rehabilitation of the cloister and the chapel of the building was approved, at a cost of 1.8 million euro.

None of these projects were carried out and in April 2025 the deterioration of the building led the council to shore up the building due to the appearance of cracks. At the time, the municipal authority was even open to developing a project with private financing, but today everything seems to be based on public financing, to the point that the council is willing to adapt the use of the building to the requirements of the financial instrument.

In a statement to SUR, the municipal government spokesperson, Felix Romero, said that although the council continues working on the Andalusian regional governments funding route, it is also exploring the possibility of accessing European funds, which are more substantial.

Municipal technicians are looking into which funding line the restoration of the convent could fit into, so it is not ruled out that studies may be required, administrative files may need to be expanded, and even modifications may be made to the initially proposed project.

In other words: If we secure the funding and that requires giving it a different use, then we will do so, because the main priority is to recover that jewel for Marbella, Romero said.

For the council, therefore, the most important thing is not the future use of the building, but above all the building itself. That is the stage we are at: clearly defining another funding route, what requirements they may impose on us, and what demands and conditions they may impose in order to achieve it - and how that might affect the project we already have in place, explained the spokesperson.

From the Catholic Monarchs to the Ochoa Cinema

The origin of the convent of the Holy Trinity is linked to the repopulation of Marbella set in motion in 1488 by the Catholic Monarchs. Construction began at the end of that century, but was not completed until the early years of the 16th century. Located in Calle Viento, the Trinitarian convent underwent extensions and came to occupy the entire block up to the current Plaza de la Iglesia. It is estimated that its site has been reduced to a third of the surface area it once had due to the modifications made during the 20th century.

The building preserves an arcaded courtyard, "a cloister with interesting columns", as described by the town hall, and the Gothic-style chapel of Santa Catalina.

The last members of the religious order left the convent in 1837 as a result of the Mendizabal confiscation. After that, it was put up for judicial sale and passed through several private owners until January 1926, when it was bought by Rafael Ochoa Alcazar to establish the Ochoa Cinema.
Pilar Martinez 16/04/2026 a las 12:17h.

The holiday rental sector is facing new regulations and tax hurdles. Experts say that, for the province of Malaga's sector, which accounts for 52 per cent of Andalucia's supply, 2025 served as a "transition period" due to dependence on the international market and the high volume of tourist accommodations that influence results.

Aside from the business of the province's 460,190 holiday rental beds, following a further rise of almost eight per cent, head of the Andalusian tourist accommodation association (AVVA-Pro) Juan Cubo highlights that the national single register is excluding 70 per cent of Malaga's rural holiday rentals from the market.

Earlier this year, the EU warned the Spanish government that it is breaching regulations with the double registry of accommodations in the national and the regional records.

There are many municipalities where, for the most part, these rural homes are the only option for tourist accommodation. As such, they become the key to attracting visitors who boost the local economy and, in many cases, the best means of preventing the depopulation of these areas. The province has 42,219 beds in such accommodation.

Cubo says that seven out of ten rural houses cannot provide all the documentation the national registry requires, which is mandatory for promoting the properties on the main rental platforms.

"These are houses that have been passed down from parents to children and have been modified over time in areas with more lenient urban planning regulations. Now, despite being legal in Andalucia and complying with the regional regulations, they find themselves unable to provide the required documentation because they did not have the necessary permits when they were built. Obtaining them implies costs of several thousand euros," Cubo states.

The head of AVVA-Pro says that "some properties have technical discrepancies between their cadastral records and the official registry. This prevents them from obtaining the necessary code to be listed on major vacation rental platforms".

Cubo states that the government should implement a classification system based on geographical location, requiring different criteria, with the exception of quality standards. "Urban planning requirements can be applied in large cities, but the situation of rural housing is very unique," Cubo says.

In Andalucia, the owners of the 130,634 rural accommodation units are struggling to keep their businesses afloat. They comply with Andalusian regulations and possess the code granted by the Andalusian regional government to operate on online platforms - a process that the requirements of the national registry have now blocked.

The disappointment is significant, considering that "the interior of Malaga experienced an exceptional 2025, bucking the negative trend of the coast", according to AVVA-Pro. The association states that overnight stays in rural accommodations grew by 32 per cent, reaching 824,770 stays by September 2025. It also highlights a 39 per cent increase in visitors, which has resulted in an improved average occupancy rate.

Cubo also takes stock of the holiday rental market in the city of Malaga, where the first moratorium on these properties was approved in 2025 for a period of three years. "Malaga city has consolidated its transformation into a top-tier urban destination in 2025, with a price and occupancy dynamic that differs significantly from both the coastal and rural areas," he states, highlighting that the city has the second-highest number of tourist accommodations in Spain, second only to Madrid.

"Malaga city has positioned itself in the high-end segment, competing on par with the Balearic Islands, Gipuzkoa and Barcelona, definitively pushing low-cost tourism out of the city centre," Juan Cubo says. According to him, in 2026, "the stock of tourist accommodations in the city and the more saturated areas of the coast is expected to stabilise and even decrease slightly".
News / Education

by Byo24NEWS

Minister of Education Hon David Coltart has advised that Zimbabwe Schools Examinations Council (Zimsec) A level students will have a nervous weekend because their results come out Monday.Thousands of "O" Level and "A" Level students have found solace in the more expensive Cambridge International Examinations (CIE) system after frustration with the perennial bungling by Zimsec.Almost all trust schools and private colleges have for a while been using Cambridge which charges US$40 for an "O"- Level subject and US$70 for an "A"- Level subject.But the interest in Cambridge has spread to other students outside trust schools and private colleges prompting the British Council to open centres in Bulawayo, Mutare and Harare to conduct the examinations.
The Grok AI app developed by Elon Musk's xAI is facing renewed scrutiny after concerns surfaced over its ability to generate sexualized deepfake images of real individuals.

The controversy escalated to the point where the app reportedly came close to being removed from the Apple App Store earlier this year.

Apple Warned xAI Over Potential App Store Removal

Apple informed U.S. senators that it had warned xAI about the possible removal of Grok unless the company addressed issues involving non-consensual explicit deepfakes.

NBC News reported that the concerns were that the app's image generation capabilities were being misused to create manipulated sexualized content, which later circulated across X.

Apple has not publicly commented on the most recent allegations, and xAI has also not issued a detailed response.

Grok AI Image Tools and Reported Misuse

Grok functions as xAI's core artificial intelligence assistant on X, offering chatbot features along with image and video generation capabilities. However, investigations suggest that users have exploited these tools to generate inappropriate and explicit AI-created content, including altered images of real individuals.

Since its deepfake scandal was overwhelmingly alarming, it came to the point that Indonesia and Malaysia blocked Grok's access. As a follow-up, the UK also expressed its desire to block the chatbot after the Online Safety Act review.

xAI has stated that it enforces strict policies against non-consensual explicit content and relies on monitoring systems, filters, and model updates to reduce misuse. The company maintains that it is continuously improving safeguards to prevent abuse of its tools.

Apple's App Store Review and Temporary Reapproval

CNET reported that Apple confirmed in its communication to lawmakers that both X and Grok underwent compliance reviews following public backlash. The app was initially rejected but later resubmitted with changes that met Apple's requirements, allowing it to return to the App Store.

The company reiterated that apps violating policies on harmful or explicit content may be removed if they fail to comply with platform standards.

Regulatory Pressure Over AI-Generated Deepfakes Intensifies

The controversy has also drawn political attention, with U.S. Senator Ron Wyden criticizing the lack of stronger enforcement against non-consensual AI-generated content.

Lawmakers have increasingly questioned major tech companies, including Apple and Google, over their oversight of generative AI tools.

Earlier this year, some senators couldn't help but call out Grok for its "sickening" content generation. This even reached the point where they asked Apple and Google to remove the apps because they were using information from "real and private citizens."
News / Local

by Staff reporter

Lobengula West residents gather to see the Eveline High School pupil after she was dumped in the suburb by kombi drivers alleged to have raped her on Friday 13 FebruaryMncedisi Buhali Sunday News ReportersIN a spine-chilling incident which happened on Friday the 13th, a 16-year-old Eveline High School pupil was reportedly drugged and raped by suspected commuter omnibus drivers who later dumped her in Lobengula West.After being dumped at around 5pm, the girl attracted scores of people from nearby suburbs who were left in shock after she narrated what had transpired.A witness, Mr Takudzwa Marimba, said he saw scores of people at the scene with some taking turns to take pictures of the girl lying down helplessly in her casual clothes. The girl is said to have been coming from inter-house school competitions."We just found the girl dumped by the roadside with blood stains on her thighs. She was pale and her eyes clearly showed she had been drugged. The girl was also taking time to speak as she was tired. People poured water on her as they thought she was drunk but she did not smell of smell," said Mr Marimba."The girl said some people dragged her into a blue kombi and took her to Richmond where she was drugged and three men who were in the car took turns to rape her. She gave us her home address and some people had to go and call her parents who came with the police."Another witness, who is a local teacher from nearby Nkanyezi Primary School, said she saw the girl on her way home from work."I was just coming from school at around 5pm and what I saw was very devastating. How can men do such a ruthless thing to such a young girl? The police must do something and ensure that perpetrators are brought to book," said the witness.Although Eveline headmistress, a Mrs S Moyo, refused to talk to our reporters, a student at the school said a number of girls were in relationships with commuter omnibus drivers who also attend school events.Our news crew visited the girl's home where they met her father and grandmother who confirmed the incident but refused to shed more light on the issue."What you are talking about happened but it's history and we do not want it to be publicised," said the girl's father before telling reporters to leave his house.This development came at a time when there are more than 5 000 children who are being raped every year in the country with figures also showing that close to 250 children are being sexually abused each month.Bulawayo police spokesperson Inspector Mandlenkosi Moyo said police were still investigating the case."I can confirm that a child was sexually abused and we are still investigating the case," he said.
Mexican farmers raise alarm over Sheinbaum's fracking proposal



Coatzintla, Mexico, April 16 (AFP) Apr 16, 2026



Over the two decades since fracking started near their lands, farmers in the Mexican state of Veracruz have watched their orange and lime trees wilt away.

Now they're joining scientific experts to denounce Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum's proposal to expand fracking.

The president presented experts in her Wednesday morning press conference who will analyze strategies for extracting natural gas through hydraulic fracturing.

The proposal is part of the left-leaning government's plan to reduce the country's outsized dependence on US fossil fuels, which represents up to 70 percent of oil consumed in Mexico.

Sheinbaum's plan represents a sharp turn from the policy of her predecessor and mentor, Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador (2018-2024), who roundly opposed the controversial practice.

Sheinbaum told journalists the plan to push fracking isn't final, and that it hinges on expert opinion and consulting communities where the project will be implemented.

"We're going to make the decision on the basis of scientific knowledge, not a decision from the president," she said.

Fracking entails extracting natural gas and petroleum from subterranean bedrock.

The process is criticized for using industrial quantities of water to break open rocks, as well as causing chemical contamination and provoking micro-earthquakes.

It's performed in already depleted oil or gas fields as well as unconventional basins as deep as 5,000 meters (16,400 feet) beneath the Earth's surface.

Mexico's government is following the path the United States paved over 15 years ago, when fracking helped transform it into the world's largest producer of petroleum and gas.

Until 2019, Mexico made limited hydraulic fracturing explorations in about 30 non-conventional wells.

However, it also had around 8,500 conventional wells which were extracted through the same means, Manuel Llano, a member of the NGO Mexican Alliance against Fracking, told AFP.



- 'The land is infertile' -



Veracruz is Mexico's top citrus-producing region -- as well as the heart of the state oil company, Pemex.

Locals now blame the company's use of conventional, close-to-the-surface fracking for drying up lime and orange plantations, contaminating the water and damaging the soil.

"The citrus trees have dried up thanks to the soil becoming infertile, you can't produce corn, you can't produce anything," Gloria Dominguez, a resident of the Papantla municipality, said.

In the neighboring community of Coatzintla, Galdino Garcia Juarez says the water started running dry when conventional surface-level fracking started in 2005.

"It used to be normal to see rainwater piling up, we never ran out of water," he told AFP in front of several oil wells.

"Ever since they started exploring and breaking open the soil" the water doesn't pool on the surface, he said.

One result has been that his animals no longer drink water from the creek.

Sheinbaum has sought to convey that "there are new techniques, new technologies" so that water can be recycled and so "powerful chemicals aren't used."

Pemex didn't respond to AFP's requests for comment on the project.



- Costly technology -



Experts argue that highly salinated water filtered through shattered rocks can be made drinkable again, though only through expensive new technology.

Fracking is "four times more expensive than using a traditional oil well," Llano explained.

"When you consider the price of petroleum and gas, the prices aren't profitable on the market."

In Latin America, Argentina and Chile have overseen limited fracking, while Colombia is seeking to ban it.

France and Germany have banned the practice, while the United Kingdom established a moratorium aimed towards fully ending it.

Sheinbaum argues that fracking can help establish Mexico's energy independence.

"Pemex doesn't have money, nor technology, knowledge, or experience," Rosanety Barrios, an independent energy consultant, told AFP.

The country needs people with fracking experience, she said.

"Who does? Of course, people from the United States," Barrios pointed out, adding that she thinks it's only a matter of waiting for legal authorization before fracking interests say "yes, we're coming."
Rights group seek AU action over toxic mining in Zambia town



Johannesburg, April 16 (AFP) Apr 16, 2026



Rights groups on Thursday called on the African Union to pressure the Zambian government to take responsibility for hazardous mining practices in the lead-contaminated town of Kabwe.

Kabwe, around 150 kilometres (95 miles) north of the capital Lusaka, is one of the world's most polluted places from decades of lead and zinc mining.

More than 30 years after the Kabwe mine's closure in 1994, residents including children are still exposed to extreme levels of toxic lead, found in the soil and dust around homes, schools and roads.

The Institute for Human Rights and Development in Africa (IHRDA), alongside Zambian non-governmental organisations and affected families, filed a complaint with the African Union (AU), according to a statement by Human Rights Watch (HRW).

"The consequences of the Zambian government's inadequate enforcement of mining and environmental regulations have been borne by children, the most vulnerable population," said Allan Ngari, the Africa advocacy director at HRW.

Last year, HRW said more than 95 percent of children living near the mine had elevated blood lead levels, with about half requiring urgent treatment.

In the application, the rights groups are demanding that the Zambian government facilitate ensure "lead testing and treatment for all children in Kabwe", among other measures.

"This request for AU action is an opportunity for the Zambian government to place children's rights to health and safety above its economic interest," Ngari said.

The request for AU's intervention comes amid a class action suit in South Africa against mining giant Anglo American, with a ruling expected this year.

The Kabwe mine was run by Anglo American from 1925 to 1974, in which time experts say two-thirds of the lead in the local environment was likely to have been deposited.

mnk/ho/sbk
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When Lena Dunham announced her new memoir Famesick, one might have assumed that its title was in reference to the nauseating, feverish experience of celebrity. An ailment that can feel parasitic in nature but really is more akin to Munchausens because, well, as Dunham admits early on, dont these stars bring it on themselves?

The book, published this week, is indeed about that. But its also about literal sickness  a med-moir that recounts how Dunhams rise as the creator and star of HBOs Girls dovetailed with an onset of ailments including but not limited to: endometriosis; ovarian cysts; migraines; acute colitis; shingles, disordered eating, depression; and a connective tissue disorder called Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome. Medications flow freely across its pages, an open drip of Percocet, Klonopin, Lexapro, Demerol, Oxycontin, and Adderall. There are doctor visits, and a hysterectomy that is followed by some wince-inducing post-op sex.

Her life is one of scraping and biopsies and cysts superimposed awkwardly onto a backdrop of awards shows and magazine shoots. The gap between those worlds closes when her name becomes an affliction of its own  the public turning on Dunham as Dunhams body turns on itself, leading to such odd moments as when, mid-medical procedure, a nurse from Staten Island wonders aloud why I was so often nude on television.

At 40, Dunham is as funny and besotted an observer of life as ever. She writes of one acquaintance: Hed been on Gossip Girl, which at the time was as impressive as saying youd had a supporting role in an Orson Welles movie. On her strained relationship with her mother, she says: I had been in a period of conflict with my mother that felt, to me, like a biblical battle between good and evil but was really just about the fact that I never, ever cleaned up after myself.

Good humour is an antidote in Famesick, where the good times roll but the bad times somersault. Dunham paints a wistful portrait of her life pre-Girls in a section that covers her early attempts at guerilla filmmaking, a first encounter with the Safdie brothers, and when her mother, never the type to tape her drawings to the fridge, unexpectedly did a whip-round to raise funds for Dunhams debut film Tiny Furniture. Those first experiences of creative life are unparalleled, because you dont know enough to worry, she concludes.

open image in gallery Dunham claims her co-star Adam Driver could be verbally aggressive and physically imposing towards her ( HBO )

The subsequent chapters make good on that warning, as life gives Dunham plenty of reason to worry  including a relationship with an older man named Lip, with whom the sex grows more violent, more ominous. But there is joy too, in the exhilarating thrust of fame as Girls began raking in rave reviews and Dunham became someone to know. Is there any better feeling than grinning up at your ex-boyfriend from the front cover of New York Magazine? I couldnt help but thrill, she writes.

As ever, there is nostalgia to be mined. When falling in love with the musician Jack Antonoff, Dunham says they bonded over SNL sketches and theatre kid gags. Thats where we really came together, in our collective memory of the culture, touchpoints that felt uniquely ours, she writes. In much the same way, Dunham peppers similar touchstones throughout: MySpace; Barbara Walters; the simple fact of wearing a crushed velvet minidress in the 2010s.

Famesick feels largely unfiltered, revelling as it does in bodily functions and fluids, which is uncharacteristic for a celebrity memoir, but unsurprising for Dunham, who has spent the better part of two decades treating Twitter like her own private journal  all the while putting on screen and on paper things that would make others blush in private. One person likely blushing (or ringing his lawyers) after reading Famesick is Adam Driver, Dunhams Girls co-star, whom she claims was verbally aggressive and physically imposing towards her. She recalls forgetting her lines during rehearsal one night: All that came out was a stammer  until finally, Adam screamed, F***ING SAY SOMETHING and hurled a chair at the wall next to me.

Youve won. Youre only 28, and youve been called a racist, a fat whore, an ignorant rich girl, and a child molester. What else is left? Nothing. Youve won Lena Dunham on her fathers reaction to the blowback from her 2014 memoir Not That Kind of Girl

The moment has been singled out by publications  and rightfully so, Drivers alleged behaviour is wrong in every way  but one gets the sense that Dunham recalls it here not to publicly shame her former co-star but to try to understand her response to it. Her response being, to do nothing at all. She invokes other situations, like how she remained at the beck and call of a man for months after he punched her squarely in the chest during sex. After all, when I was a kid, when the doctor hit my knee with that little hammer, they often had trouble getting a response, she writes. Slow reflexes. Which is why, when Adam threw the chair, I didnt have any further questions. I didnt tell anyone. But I said my lines correctly after that.

The same is true of her recollection of the movie producer Scott Rudin, who allegedly tormented Dunham in her twenties, sending her an average of 70 emails a day in which he threatened to sue over an unfinished project  bear in mind, she never signed a contract. Within minutes, I had received a torrent of emails I can still quote from memory but wont, because I dont want you to be as traumatised as I was, she writes. Still, the memory feels less like score-settling, and more a means of personal introspection  a way of understanding what came next, an incident that gave birth to that one agonising scene in Girls where Hannah jams a Q-tip so deep into her ear canal that it pierces the drum and releases a gush of blood.

open image in gallery She paints her ex-boyfriend, the musician Jack Antonoff, as a sweet, if absent, presence in her life ( Getty )

Memoirs can often feel like a commercial consolidation of material that has been drip-fed over years via other channels, but these stories are new, these depths previously unplumbed. And anecdotes like the Scott Rudin one give Famesick a whiff of that great, nearly-extinct artform: the celebrity tell-all. Real names, real places. The horror filmmaker Ti West is scolded as an early crush who crashed at her parents house all the while sleeping with every girl in American Apparel leggings but me. Antonoff is painted as a sweet, if absent, presence who is responsible for one of the most romantic sentences Ive read in a long time: I love when you get what you want. Dunham outs herself as cheating on him.

A serial apologiser for various offences (in 2016, she wrote an essay titled My Apology Addiction), Dunham is characteristically contrite here. Especially over her previous defence of Girls writer Murray Miller when he was accused of rape, for which she offers remorse, but not without a hint of defensiveness  chalking her actions up to having been high for so many days after her hysterectomy.

open image in gallery A med-moir of sorts, Famesick recounts how Dunhams rise as the creator and star of Girls dovetailed with an onset of ailments ( HarperCollins )

She goes some way in retracting a past apology she had issued after the release of her previous memoir, 2014s Not That Kind of Girl, in which a story about examining her siblings naked body when they were both very young saw her accused of child molestation. Dont you get it? Dunham recalls her fathers reaction. Youve won. Youre only 28, and youve been called a racist, a fat whore, an ignorant rich girl, and a child molester. What else is left? Nothing. Youve won. What Dunham is sorry for is how the scandal  and her fame  impacted her brother Cyrus. The way in which his whole life had been defined by the gelatinous way in which I took up space.

Its a testament to Dunham that the chapters about Girls are by no means the most interesting. No doubt there is a thrill in reading her original elevator pitch for HBO, or how closely her descriptions of actor Jemima Kirke as part Lolita, part Keith Richards, with a healthy dose of indie sleaze and a haughty sense of manners about very specific things like being late align with Jessa, the character she ended up playing on the show. But Dunham has always had more to say beyond that show  and in her case, it is only becoming more clear that the truth is stranger than fiction.

Famesick is published by 4th Estate
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The cellist Julian Lloyd Webber has announced that he is undergoing treatment for prostate cancer.

The musician, who celebrated his 75th birthday on Tuesday (14 April), returned to live shows on the same day after an absence of 12 years due to injury.

He said in a statement: I did not want to let anyone down, so I kept my diagnosis secret until after my birthday concert, but now I need to begin treatment as soon as possible.

I am encouraged by the expectations of the medical team and look forward to making a full recovery. I am not intending to cancel engagements, and I wont comment any further on this matter until after the treatment.

Lloyd Webber, the brother of composer and theatre impresario Baron Andrew Lloyd Webber, performed a birthday charity gala concert at the Wigmore Hall on Tuesday.

His return came after a lengthy hiatus from live concerts due to a herniated disc sustained from the repeated bowing action of his right arm. The injury was so severe that he sold his Stradivarius, as he believed he would never be able to perform again.

Julian Lloyd Webber returned to the stage this week (Tim Ireland/PA) ( PA Archive )

However, he confirmed last year that he had been learning to play for the first time in years. Speaking ahead of his return to the stage, he told The Observer: I began just playing scales a few weeks ago. I tried a whole piece, but quickly realised it was not going to work. I had to build up to it. So I did 15 minutes, then half an hour. Then I managed an hour.

Now I cant wait for the concert. I just hope I can do it.

Lloyd Webber, who performed at the closing ceremony of the 2012 London Olympics, won a Brit Award for his recording of Edward Elgars Cello Concerto.

He was made an OBE in 2021 for services to music.

Additional reporting by PA
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It begins with the sound of laboured breath, then an ominous clattering  like the tick of a grandfather clock  and stark, moody piano notes. Boots on the Ground, Massive Attacks first new music in more than a decade, feels like the most powerful new protest song in years.

A collaboration with the gravel-voiced Tom Waits, also returning to music for the first time since his 2011 album, Bad as Me, Boots on the Ground is accompanied by a video using imagery from the US photographer thefinaleye. The striking visuals depict recent anti-ICE demonstrations in America alongside Black Lives Matter protests sparked by the murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis, on 5 May 2020.

As for the song itself, Waitss lyrics are delivered in his trademark rumble: Now who the hell are these federal pricks?/ Hiding in the senate like a bloated ass tick/ Air conditioned f***stick loafers/ Sittin in a room full of army posters.

He continues: A coal to a diamond, a vote into law/ They campaign up all the blood they can draw/ Mould your world, a soldiers just clay/ How much does every soldier way? Cut you off at the ankles and they throw that away.

open image in gallery Massive Attack and Tom Waits join forces for a powerful new protest song, Boots on the Ground ( Warren Du Preez/Getty )

Massive Attack, the trip-hop collective formed in Bristol in 1988, surely could have had their pick of collaborators, but arguably none would have been as well-suited as Waits, who at 76 has witnessed decades of upheaval and political turmoil in his native US. His instantly recognisable tones add a sense of resilience to the song, a veteran snapping and snarling at the chaos and injustice hes witnessing once more.

Waits has a number of politically tinged songs in his catalogue, many of which focus on anti-war sentiment, trauma, greed and cycles of violence. In 2004, he released what was regarded by critics as his first explicitly political song, Day After Tomorrow, interpreted as a criticism of the Iraq War. In 2006, he shared the blues number Road to Peace, about the Israel-Palestine conflict and his disgust at America supplying Israel with arms.

While the songwriting in this new Massive Attack track could reference any number of conflicts, its themes feel grimly pertinent on a week where Trump continues to unleash chaos on the world stage and send mixed messages about his disastrous Iran offensive. Waitss refrain of boots on the ground is a lambasting of Americas sacrificing of young men and women for its own ends  questioning if those soldiers even know or believe in what theyre fighting for  and perhaps also an encouragement to citizens to take to the streets and protest.

open image in gallery The cover art for Boots on the Ground by Massive Attack and Tom Waits ( Press )

It certainly echoes Massive Attacks own long-running activism. Del Naja himself was arrested just last week after attending a mass protest against the ban on Palestine Action in central London. In a statement posted afterwards, the musician said that a few hours in police custody under unlawful arrest is a very small price to pay.

Our democracy, and the civil rights and liberties that now sit in constitutional law were literally built on small actions like these, he said. Perhaps thats why this draconian government wants to crush them?

Waits revealed in a statement that he received an invitation from Massive Attack to collaborate many years ago, but was not perturbed by the long delay in its release. Today, as in all of mankinds yesterdays, guarantees this song will never go out of style, he said. Mans fiasco folly is a feast for the flies.

Boots on the Ground is being released on vinyl with an exclusive B-side provided by Waits  a sardonic spoken-word piece titled The Fly. It is Massive Attacks first music to be released under a Spotify exemption policy, after they removed their catalogue from the platform in protest against CEO Daniel Eks 520m investment in AI military technology company Helsing.

Alongside the track and film by thefinaleye, Massive Attack are publishing a spoken-word reflection from the novelist Omar El Akkad, author of the novels American War and What Strange Paradise, as well as the non-fiction work, One Day, Everyone Will Have Always Been Against This.

Massive Attack said in their own statement: Its a career honour to collaborate with an artist of the magnitude, originality and integrity of Tom, but this track is arriving in an atmosphere of chaos. Across the western hemisphere, state authoritarianism and the militarisation of police forces are fusing again with neo-fascist politics.

Seen within the American emergency, at home and overseas, this track contains pulses of callous impulse and abandoned mind.

Boots on the Ground is out now. Massive Attack are on tour from 27 May 2026.
News / Local

by Stephen Jakes

A man from Morningside in Bulawayo has been fined $200 after he was found in possession of a gun and rounds of ammunition without certificate.Obadiah Moyo pleaded guilty to the charge when he appeared before Bulawayo magistrate Evelyn Mashavakure. The magistrate convicted and sentenced him to two months in jail with an option of $200 fine.The court heard that on March 11 2016 Moyo was at his house when the police from the Criminal Investigations Department raided him and found him in possession of a Star Pistol serial number 1415769 and 16 rounds of ammunition. All the ammunition and the gun were confiscated.This led to his arrest.
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Multiple members of K-pop group NewJeans have been spotted in Copenhagen with staff, prompting speculation about a possible comeback.

Eyewitness accounts and images circulating on social media over the weekend appeared to show members Haerin and Hyein in the Danish capital, with one fan claiming on the Chinese social media website Weibo that they had seen the pair walking with staff and carrying what looked like filming equipment.

We happened to meet Hyein and Haerin in Copenhagen. I told Hyein that shes really beautiful, and Hyein kept smiling while saying thank you, one fan wrote.

Photos shared on social media appear to show the members browsing inside a store and walking through the city with other people, who are believed to be staff from their label, Ador. Other sightings suggest that Hanni too was present with staff, further intensifying speculation that the group could be preparing new material.

Ador confirmed that the members were indeed in the city, but provided no more information. It is true that NewJeans members visited Copenhagen, Denmark, with staff, the label told The Korea Herald. We ask for your understanding that it is difficult to confirm specific schedules or whether filming is taking place at this time.

open image in gallery Eyewitness accounts and images circulating on social media over the weekend appeared to show members Hyein (left), Haerin (centre), and Hanni in the Danish capital ( Getty Images )

The Independent has reached out to Ador for comment.

However, the prospect of a full-group comeback remains uncertain, given the unresolved status of the five-member act following a prolonged legal battle with Ador and its parent company, Hybe.

NewJeans debuted in 2022 and quickly became one of K-pops most commercially successful and culturally influential acts, known for a pared-back sound that blends pop, R&B, and early-2000s influences. The groups music and visuals stood out for their minimalist production, understated vocals and naturalistic styling, departing from the high-concept aesthetics typical of the genre, while their choreography emphasised fluid, groove-led movements over sharply synchronised routines.

The dispute began in late 2024, when all five members  Minji, Hanni, Danielle, Haerin, and Hyein  notified Ador of their intention to terminate their exclusive contracts, alleging that the agency had neither the ability nor the will to protect NewJeans.

Ador denied the bands allegations of mistreatment and bullying, maintained that they had not violated the terms of the agreement, and filed a suit to confirm the contracts validity.

open image in gallery NewJeans debuted in 2022 and quickly became one of K-pops most commercially successful and culturally influential acts, known for a pared-back sound that blends pop, R&B, and early-2000s influences ( Getty Images )

The conflict was closely tied to a broader corporate dispute involving former Ador chief executive Min Hee Jin, whose removal from the label became a flashpoint between Hybe and the group.

In October 2025, the Seoul Central District Court ruled in favour of Ador, finding that the contracts remained valid and that there were insufficient grounds for unilateral termination. The courts decision effectively barred the members from pursuing independent activities and compelled a renegotiation of their relationship with the agency.

In the months that followed, the groups status began to fragment. Haerin and Hyein were the first to return, followed by Hanni after further discussions. Minjis position remains unresolved, with the agencys last statement stating that talks are ongoing.

open image in gallery Danielle (left) is no longer with the group amid an ongoing legal dispute, while Minji remains in discussions with the label ( Getty Images )

Danielle, however, is no longer part of the group. Ador terminated her contract and filed a damages lawsuit against her, a family member, and Min, seeking approximately 43.1bn won (22m) for causing this dispute, NewJeans departure, and significant delays in their return. The case is ongoing in the Seoul Central District Court.

The groups fractured status has left its future uncertain. In early 2025, the five members attempted to rebrand as NJZ amid their dispute with Ador and performed at ComplexCon in Hong Kong, where they debuted a new song titled Pit Stop. The performance, staged despite a court injunction barring independent activities, was followed by an announcement that they would pause all group activities out of respect for the ruling.
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Las Vegas witnessed a dose of cinematic nostalgia and irreverence as the cast and filmmakers behind the long-awaited "Spaceballs" sequel, including Bill Pullman and Rick Moranis, offered a first look at the satire during CinemaCon. The presentation, marked by its playful tone, hinted at a new era for the beloved parody.

A voiceover in the "Spaceballs" sizzle reel quipped, "With Hollywood studios merging willy nilly like middle-aged couples at a swingers party, Amazon acquired MGM and opened the vault."

Comedy legend Mel Brooks, appearing via video message, unveiled the sequels title: "Spaceballs: The New One." He humorously added, "It's just like the old one, but it's newer."

Brooks further explained that the film wasn't titled "Spaceballs: The Search for More Money" because he had already "found the money. It was in his basement."

His absence from Caesar's Palace was attributed to "seeing Phish at the Sphere." Rick Moranis's surprise appearance on stage drew a significant reaction, though his lines were intentionally cut short as part of a running gag. The film is slated for release next year.

open image in gallery ( Reuters )

The "Spaceballs" announcement was merely one highlight of Amazon MGM Studios extensive presentation to theater owners.

The studio also offered initial glimpses of Peter Farrellys Sylvester Stallone biopic, "I Play Rocky," and Michael B. Jordans take on "The Thomas Crown Affair."

Jordan, who directs and stars in the romantic art heist alongside Adria Arjona, was described as the newly minted best actor Oscar winner for his dual performance in "Sinners." Jon Batiste also shared a snippet of the score he is composing for the film.

open image in gallery ( Getty )

Jordan expressed his long-standing connection to the project, stating, "Ive been daydreaming about making this movie for years." He recalled watching the 1999 version at age 12, noting, "It left a very big impression on me."

For his rendition, Jordan aims to infuse the style, sophistication, and rebellion he admired in previous iterations, while also crafting a character "someone you can root for."

Amazon MGM Studios garnered a warm reception from exhibitors, buoyed by their recent theatrical successes and a commitment to release 15 movies annually by 2027.

Their film "Project Hail Mary" continues its strong performance, having amassed over $515 million globally, and is set to return to IMAX theaters for a week.

open image in gallery ( Getty )

Filmmakers Phil Lord and Chris Miller, joined by Ryan Gosling, made a surprise appearance to thank exhibitors, with Miller asserting, "This movie is now the biggest original movie of the year because you believed in it."

Further previews included the summer He-Man movie "Masters of the Universe," starring Nicholas Galitzine, and the family film "The Sheep Detectives," featuring Galitzine, Hugh Jackman, and Nicholas Braun.

Pete Davidson and David Leitch presented their "gonzo action pic" "How to Rob a Bank," with Davidson declaring, "This movie is totally (expletive) insane."

open image in gallery ( Getty )

Audiences also saw first looks at Henry Cavill in "Highlander" and Anne Hathaway and Dakota Johnson in the adaptation of Colleen Hoovers psychological thriller "Verity."

Conspicuously absent from the announcements was any news regarding the James Bond franchise. Amazon acquired MGM in 2021 for $8.45 billion, largely due to the iconic 007 property.

Last year, the studio announced it had assumed creative control, with longtime custodians Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli stepping back, and Denis Villeneuve tapped to direct the next installment, produced by Amy Pascal and David Heyman.

However, details about the next Bond film, including who will portray the agent, remain scarce. Courtenay Valenti, Amazon MGMs head of film, assured, "were taking time to do this with care and deep respect."
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Monarch of the Glen actor Alexander Morton has died, aged 81.

The star, who was the stepfather of White Lotus actor Leo Woodall, was best known for his role in the British series about a man trying to restore his childhood home in the Scottish highlands.

He played Golly Mackenzie, a member of staff at Glenbogle, the estate the lead character inherits from his late father. Morton appeared in all 64 episodes of the show, which ran from 2000 to 2005.

open image in gallery Monarch of the Glen star Alexander Morton has died ( BBC )

The actor, who trained at Central School of Speech and Drama in London, was a stalwart of television, starring in series ranging from Casualty and Taggart to Luther and Shetland. He also founded the Raindog Theatre Company with actors Robert Carlyle and Caroline Paterson and, in the early 1990s, was the lead star in Carlyles production of Macbeth and One Flew Over the Cuckoos Nest.

'Not only a brilliant actor, but one of the kindest men I ever knew, Carlyle said in tribute to Morton. Working with him through the years with Raindog Theatre Company was an education.

Carlyle said Morton taught him so much, adding: His unique, naturalistic style was a thing of beauty. So real that you would forget he was even acting at all. I've never seen anyone do it better than Sandy.

I owe him so much, and he will forever be in my heart. RIP Alexander Morton.

Mortons other credits included Michael Caine gangster drama Get Carter  his screen debut  Scottish soap Take the High Road, in which he played the villainous Andy Semple, and he played criminal Billy Kennedy in River City from 2012 to 2015, before returning for the shows 20th anniversary in 2022.

open image in gallery Alexander Morton played a criminal in 'River City' ( BBC )

The actor was married three times, and had two children from his first two marriages. He met his third wife  landlady Jane  while he was in London doing TV work. Janes son is Woodall, the actor whose credits include Netflix shows One Day and Vladimir. He was recently announced as playing a lead role in new Lord of the Rings film The Hunt for Gollum, set to be released in December 2027.

Actor Gavin Mitchell, who worked with Morton on stage and in Monarch of the Glen, also paid tribute, calling him one of the best.

Such devastating news to hear of the passing of Sandy Morton today from his son Jamie, he wrote.

He taught and gave me so much. Warm, wise, encouraging, generous and gentle. An exceptional talent.

I was lucky enough to work with him on various things over the years, from the inception of Raindog Theatre Company and One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, panto, radio, Monarch of the Glen, of course, and much more.

Mitchell continued: His door was always open and always tales to share. He loved music, history, politics, radio, and remained eternally curious. I loved him dearly and I owe him a lot. I'll miss our chats and I'll miss catching him off guard and making him chortle. We've lost one of the best. All my love. Travel well Sandy.
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Ian Katz has announced that hes stepping down as Chief Content Officer at Channel 4 after nine years in the role.

His tenure saw the broadcaster deliver ratings hits such as The Piano, Its A Sin, Big Boys, and Help.

Katz is also credited with securing Taskmaster's move to the channel from Dave, and for bringing Nigella Lawson to The Great British Bake Off, where she will replace Dame Prue Leith as a judge.

Its been a privilege beyond words to lead Channel 4s talented and passionate commissioning team through such a transformative period, he said in a statement.

Im incredibly proud of what weve achieved, from pioneering the evolution of a commercial public service broadcaster into a digital streaming business, to backing groundbreaking programmes and talent that have brought a bit of joy to audiences lives.

Above all Im proud that Channel 4 has continued to be as disruptive and impertinent as ever, asking the questions and covering the stories that other broadcasters and streamers wont.

The channels 2026 slate is stronger than ever, and I look forward to watching its continued success under Priyas leadership.

Ian Katz is credited with bringing Taskmaster to the channel from Dave, and bringing Nigella Lawson to The Great British Bake Off, where she will replace Dame Prue Leith as a judge ( Kacper Pilzys/Wales Screen Summit/PA )

Katz will leave his post in October. The announcement comes shortly into the tenure of the channels new chief executive Priya Dogra, who took up her new role in March.

She said: Ian has been an outstanding creative leader for Channel 4 over nearly nine years  the channels longest-serving head of programming.

He has overseen an era of creative renewal, delivering bold and distinctive public service programming with intellectual rigour, good humour and an unmistakably Channel 4 glint in the eye.

He will be greatly missed, but Im delighted that he will remain with us for some months yet, continuing to lead our creative output, commissioning decisions and delivery of the 2026 slate.

Ms Dogra replaced Alex Mahon, who stepped down as the channels first female chief executive after nearly eight years.

Mr Katz, a former senior executive at the Guardian, was the editor of BBCs Newsnight before joining Channel 4 as director of programmes.

He was made chief content officer in 2020.
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The Real Housewives of Miami star Lisa Hochstein has turned herself into authorities after allegedly spying on her ex-husband.

Lisa, 43, was booked Wednesday shortly before noon, according to Miami Dade Corrections and Rehabilitation Centers inmate records. Her bond has been set at $5,000.

Earlier this week, it was revealed that she and her ex-boyfriend Jody Glidden, 52, had each been charged with one felony count of unlawfully intercepting oral statements made by Lisas ex-husband, Dr. Leonard Lenny Hochstein. Glidden was arrested Saturday and released on $5,000 bond.

Lisa denies all allegations against her. She was seen smiling Wednesday as she walked into Miamis Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center with her attorney, Jayne Weintraub, for her booking.

In a statement to The Independent, Weintraub said: This matter is part of a contentious divorce proceeding and does not belong in criminal court. This morning she voluntarily turned herself in to be processed and will be released on her own recognizance.

open image in gallery Lisa Hochstein and her ex-boyfriend Jody Glidden have been charged with one count each of interception of wire, oral or electronic communications ( Getty )

Lisas marriage to Leonard  a well-known plastic surgeon in South Florida  was documented on the hit Bravo series, which she has starred on since season two. Filming was paused last month due to low viewership.

Leonard and Lisa were married for 13 years and share two children. They announced their split in 2022 and finalized their divorce two years later. She began dating Glidden in 2023 and they reportedly broke up in January of this year.

According to a criminal complaint filed March 19, Lisa and Glidden are accused of unlawfully and intentionally intercepting, trying to intercept or trying to have someone else intercept oral statements by Leonard Hochstein and those Leonard Hochstein spoke with between March 12 and March 31, 2023.

Leonard accused his ex-wife of planting a listening device on his car to monitor his calls, which he alleged compromised the integrity of their divorce proceedings, Page Six reported in May 2023.

open image in gallery Lisa Hochstein and Jody Glidden broke up earlier this year ( Getty )

Lisa said in a statement to Page Six that despite the charges against her, she is focused on an upcoming custody hearing with her ex-husband.

I dont want to let anyone distract me from my big divorce case this month. Im focused on the well-being of my children, who have been through enough, she said, adding: Ive heard nobody has been charged with eavesdropping in Miami history.

Bravo confirmed last month that they were pausing RHOM. The show most recently finished airing its seventh season in October. The series last installment featured Lisa, Guerdy Abraira, Adriana De Moura, Stephanie Shojaee, Alexia Nepola, Larsa Pippen, Julia Lemigova, Marysol Patton and Kiki Barth.
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Sir Lenny Henry has opened up about the bombshell revelation that turned his world upside down  a man he believed to be his family friend was, in fact, his dad.

The actor and comedian, 67, spent his life until the age of 12 believing that his biological father was a man called Winston, who raised him in Dudley alongside his mother, Winnie.

Before discovering the news, Sir Lenny was sent to the house of a man his parents referred to as Uncle Albert to help with some chores. This turned out to be a way for his real father, Albert, to see his son without him knowing who he was.

open image in gallery Lenny Henry found out a family friend was his biological father when he was 12 ( Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images )

It was Alberts other son, Lloyd, who broke the news to Sir Lenny, the comedian revealed during a talk at Riverside Studios in London earlier this week. He said he started to shake, and it felt like somebody had flipped him upside down.

I had this bombshell dropped in my life, and I played amongst the ruins, hoping it would all work out in the end  and you know what? It did, Sir Lenny told The Mirror.

Recalling his first meeting with Albert, unaware of his identity, Sir Lenny said: Id never met this guy before. I said, Good evening, and went in. He had the hat on, he made chicken and rice, and it was great. So I started to see him every Friday.

Id take chores like Cinderella. Id hoover, clean the windows. Hed give me two and six, which was a Cadburys chocolate bar and a can of Coke, and that was the level of our relationship.

When Sir Lenny was 12, Lloyd turned to him and said: Youve got no idea why youre here, do you? I said: No. He said: Thats your dad.

Sir Lennys mother travelled from Jamaica to England in the 1950s to find a job paying good money, following which she intended to also bring her husband, Winston, and four children, Seymour, Hilton, Beverly and Kay. While in London, she caught pneumonia  and it was Albert, who lived above her, who cared for her. Winnies story was told in ITVs 2023 drama Three Little Birds.

Albert knew she was sick, and he was very good, Sir Lenny said. Hed make her soup. When she got better, he said, Let me show you around Dudley. You dont know the place.

He showed her where to work  the factory she might get a job. He showed her all the pubs. He took her to dance halls in Birmingham. Eventually, they fell for each other  and I was the result.

open image in gallery Lenny Henry started to shake when he found out who his real father was ( Getty Images )

They lived as a family until Winston and their sons arrived from Jamaica, and Winnie moved herself and baby Lenny into a flat. Winston forgave Winnie and helped raise Sir Lenny as his own.

Sir Lenny previously said that on Alberts deathbed, he wanted to cram a lot in.

I would just sit there and nod and then he was gone. I didnt cry. There was respect for him, but the emotional connection wasnt there.
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Spencer Pratts run for Los Angeles mayor has been endorsed by controversial podcaster Joe Rogan.

The born-and-raised Los Angelino, 42, announced his candidacy for mayor in January. Despite being a registered Republican, the reality star is running as an independent, hoping to unseat Democratic incumbent Karen Bass, who is up for reelection in November.

Appearing on a recent episode of The Joe Rogan Experience podcast, Pratt spoke about his campaign and his decision to run for office, emphasizing the rising numbers of the unhoused population and the underfunded and understaffed LA fire department.

In response, the host  who endorsed Donald Trump in 2024  declared his support for Pratt.

Listen, man, Im voting for you, Rogan, 58, told The Hills star. The podcaster, who relocated from LA to Texas in 2020, clarified: [Well] I cant vote for you, but Im rooting for you. I mean, if I lived in Los Angeles, no question whatsoever, I would vote for you.

open image in gallery Spencer Pratt's (left) LA mayoral bid has been endorsed by Joe Rogan (right) ( Getty )

Following the episodes Wednesday release, Pratt celebrated his interview in a Facebook post. An honor being on with the GOAT, @joerogan, he wrote, alongside a picture of him and Rogan in the studio. My goal is to make LA so awesome, we can win him back from Texas.

Pratt  who rose to fame in the early aughts on MTVs reality show The Hills alongside his wife, Heidi Montag  has been openly critical of the citys current leadership, blaming Bass for her response to the 2025 LA wildfires that destroyed thousands of homes, including his own and his parents.

He first announced his campaign in January at a They Let Us Burn rally in the Palisades Village.

Business as usual is a death sentence for Los Angeles, and Im done waiting for someone to take real action. Thats why I am running for mayor, he said.

open image in gallery Pratt appeared on 'The Joe Rogan Experience' podcast, where the host backed his mayoral campaign ( The Joe Rogan Experience/YouTube )

And let me be clear, this just isnt a campaign, this is a mission, and we are going to expose the system. We are going into every dark corner of LA politics and disinfecting this city with our light. And when we are done, LA is going to be camera-ready again.

After announcing his candidacy, Pratt explained during an appearance on The View that he is running as an independent because this is not a partisan race.

Acknowledging that he is not a political person, Pratt insisted: But when they burn your house down, and you start looking at the people that I paid my taxes to, and they fail at such a level, we need to be honest and have the truth and transparency.

And if you keep lying on these things, nothings going to change. So everything I believe in is common sense. Im not running on anything that my neighbors dont agree with  and when I say neighbors, I mean all of Los Angeles.
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Sydney Sweeney and her infamous jeans dominated headlines last summer for all the wrong reasons  and almost one year on, shes referenced the controversy in a brand new ad.

The Euphoria star sparked a public backlash last July over an American Eagle ad poster featuring Sweeney wearing jeans and a denim jacket with the tagline: Sydney Sweeney Has Great Genes, however the last word was crossed out and replaced with jeans.

Many criticised the use of the slogan, highlighting that the phrase great genes has historically been used in the language of eugenicists, who believe the human race can be improved genetically by selective breeding. It also faced flak for applying the slogan to an ad starring Sydney Sweeney, who is white, blonde and considered to be a Gen Z pin-up girl.

open image in gallery Sydney Sweeneys new American Eagle campaign ( AP )

Despite the discourse and debate that raged on for weeks after the ads release, Sweeney has now seemingly given a nod to the controversial campaign in a new clip for American Eagle  this time, promoting their jean shorts.

What brand am I wearing? Sweeney says in the ad, before we see her walk along the beach and toss her blonde bob about in between close-ups of her shorts.

She then smiles at the camera and says: Yeah. That one. The line appears to be reference to her controversial Sydney Sweeney Has Great Jeans campaign.

The brand will donate all proceeds from custom pieces to Crisis Text Line, a nonprofit that provides free and confidential mental health and crisis support through text messaging.

The backlash to the original ad resulted in MAGA supporters coming to Sweeneys defence, while President Donald Trump praised the campaign when he found out that she was a registered Republican, writing on social media that she had the HOTTEST ad out there.

Following the initial campaign, American Eagle doubled down on the controversial tag line, saying in August: Sydney Sweeney Has Great Jeans is and always was about the jeans.

Her jeans. Her story. Well continue to celebrate how everyone wears their AE jeans with confidence, their way. Great jeans look good on everyone.

open image in gallery Sydney Sweeney in HBOs Euphoria ( HBO )

The same month, Sweeney declined to comment on the controversy when interviewed byThe Wall Street Journal. However, in December, she finally spoke out about the campaign, admitting that her initial silence widened the divide.

I was honestly surprised by the reaction, she stated. I did it because I love the jeans and love the brand. I dont support the views some people chose to connect to the campaign.

Many have assigned motives and labels to me that just arent true. Anyone who knows me knows that Im always trying to bring people together. Im against hate and divisiveness.
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If you are stuck on what podcasts to listen to next, this weeks picks offer some help.

1. Making Space

Streaming platform: All streaming platformsGenre: Culture and arts

In the debut episode of Making Space, a new six-part podcast series from London-based youth charity and multi-arts venue Roundhouse, CEO and artistic director Marcus Davey is joined by Oscar-winning actor, writer, producer, and director Daniel Kaluuya to explore creativity as a vital social force.

Kaluuya  also the associate artistic director at Roundhouse  opens up about his bold vision on fostering young talent through a new youth theatre company, Centre 59.

He also talks about his definition of success, why he wanted to pursue a career in acting, and how his mum helped shape his work ethic.

Throughout the conversation, Kaluuyas introspection shines through, especially when he talks with Davey about how he learned to drown out external opinions and tune into his inner voice.

Camden  where Kaluuya grew up  serves as a backdrop to this episode and helps provide context to some of the most valuable creative lessons he shares  especially for young people.

Making Space is a podcast where down-to-earth conversations are had about the power and responsibility that come with creativity.

(By Yolanthe Fawehinmi)

2. Russell Howards Five Brilliant Things

Streaming platform: All streaming platforms and YouTube

Genre: Comedy

What are the items, places, and people that make life worth living? Each week, on Five Brilliant Things, comedian Russell Howard sits down with guests to chat about the items, places and people that they love and make life worth living.

Previous guests include actor Greg Davies, who recounted the Shropshire riots, presenter Jameela Jamil, who revealed her past as a meat smuggler, and actor and comedian Stephen Merchant, who revealed hes an online chess troll.

But in this weeks episode of the podcast series, Howard is joined by stand-up comedian and writer Sean McLoughlin, who talks about post-lockdown gigs and being censored.

McLoughlin shares his first brilliant thing  his favourite television show, Star Trek: The Next Generation  which got Howard talking about his funny and bizarre encounter with actor Patrick Stewart.

McLoughlin also talks about finding camaraderie and chaos in mosh pits, why he loves hearing peoples full names, and the simple pleasure of ordering a burger.

Five Brilliant Things is an unapologetic podcast series that takes listeners through the little things in life that bring us all joy.

(By Yolanthe Fawehinmi)

3. Mel & Sue Should Know by Now

Streaming platform: Audible

Genre: Comedy

You really should know by now whether youll enjoy the Mel & Sue Should Know By Now podcast.

The long-time double act is back with another offering of chaotically charismatic chatter that sweeps the listener down into the bowels (quite literally) of their enduring friendship.

For women in their mid-50s, they have the scatological minds of teenagers  when they laugh about trump, theyre referring to your digestive system rather than global diplomacy, and with considerably more enthusiasm.

The former Great British Bake Off co-hosts joke its the first time theyve been trusted with a second series of their own, and they stick to the tried-and-tested podcast format of questions and answers  however, what looks like a mundane query on paper turns into anything but.

Conversations about bedsheets, oven buttons, cheese and tyres all unravel into something gloriously daft as Mel and Sue mine a rich seam of ridiculousness in ways that will delight many, but others will find, frankly, baffling.

Is this podcast worth your Audible credits? Only you know the answer to that.

(By Amy Crowther)

4. Vintage Politics

Streaming platform: All streaming platforms and YouTube

Genre: Politics

Vintage Politics trades on the simple but effective premise of pairing political discussion with the ritual of sharing a drink.

In this episode, former Downing Street communications director Guto Harri joins host Abbie Bennington at The Savoy, where conversation flows as easily as the wine.

Harri revisits his time working alongside his old friend and boss Boris Johnson, reflecting on his attempts to steer Johnson away from Brexit, describing a sense that he thought the country was being pushed towards a decision whose consequences would far outlast the moment. That effort, he suggests, ultimately failed  and the weight of that hangs over the conversation.

But if its the wine that got you to tune in as opposed to the politics  youre still in luck. Whether you want to deepen your knowledge or are simply interested in what types of wine what types of people drink, its a compelling listen.

Harris anecdotes  from family stories tied to Chateauneuf-du-Pape to late-night discussions over Californian Chardonnay  give the episode a texture that is able to soften its political edges.

While the shadow of Partygate hangs over the latter half of the conversation, as Harri describes the tension of defending a government while privately grappling with doubt, the occasionally uneasy listen is a study in contrasts, flittering between a memoir and political post-mortem.

(By Lara Owen)

5. The Week Junior Show

Streaming platform: All streaming platforms and YouTube

Genre: Education

The Week Junior Show proves that staying on top of current affairs isnt just for adults, as this podcast delivers news in a fun, fast-paced and digestible way that appeals to young listeners.

This entertaining podcast is bursting full of fun segments such as Real or Rubbish? that simultaneously engages and informs its eight to 14-year-old target demographic about all the top news, science and sport stories of the week through simple language and fun, interactive concepts.

Host Bex Lindsay, a presenter from Fun Kids Radio, is full of energy and fun, and this week is joined by members of The Week Junior magazines editorial team to chat about Artemis IIs incredible trip around the moon, Eurovision Song Contest Asia and all things board games.

The shows format provides listeners with different people, places and points of view to broaden childrens perspectives.

The Week Junior show is a must-listen for all young families as it sparks curiosity and conversations, and helps Generation Alpha understand the complex and often confusing world around them.

(By Camilla Foster)
Hannah Ewens is a writer and editor specialising in music, culture, and profile interviews. She is the author of the non-fiction book Fangirls: Scenes From Modern Music Culture.

When youre having the night of your life, the last thing you want to do is derail the action just to shoot content. You need to take photos and videos quickly, and know theyre going to be social-media ready  no matter how crazy the night gets.

The trouble is that every venue, club or bar comes with different lighting, movement and energy, which means youll have to be creative and flexible about how you shoot. But with the right techniques, and clever in-built phone features like low-light modes, AI editing and stabilisation, its possible to capture high quality, shareable content without missing out on any of the fun.

DJ Miamor, real name Mia, has emerged from the UK club scene, rising the ranks with eclectic sets specialising in R&B and Afrobeats. As a creator specialising in club and gig culture, shes constantly documenting whats happening around her on her phone, from sets and gigs, to tour locations and glimpses behind the scenes. It matters that its quality content too  because its part of her job to make her life and work look as vibrant as her DJing.

Recently, Mia began using the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra for shooting her nights out, and has never found it so simple to capture what she wants, exactly how she imagined. These are her top tips for shooting perfect photos and video at night, only using your smartphone.

Use your best camera for sharper low-light shots

DJ Miamor perfects her selfie-taking using the Advanced Selfie feature teamed with Nightography mode ( DJ Miamor )

In low light venues, its important to prioritise shooting your footage on the highest quality camera you have. On most phones that camera is on the back of the phone. When I want to film myself I want to use the back camera to film so I have to stick my arm out in the crowd. Thats something I dont like to do because you have to be so cautious about your surroundings, and theres so much going on she says.

With the Galaxy S26 Ultra, theres an Advanced Selfie feature on that front camera, with the built-in AI processor so I can carefully take photos and videos on the front camera without worrying about my phone or body getting knocked.

Clever AI tech also means you dont have to worry about getting other people in the crowd in your photos. It can be a minefield when youre shooting nights out because people are everywhere and often they dont want to be in your content, she says. In the Creative Studio* on the phone you can tell AI to remove or add in objects and items, and I found it so easy to use the stylus to circle something  or someone  and delete them from the shot.

Adjust exposure and use night modes for better low-light photos

Trends in nightlife photography come and go  and currently the aesthetic choice is low light, low exposure. When I lower the exposure, it picks up the lighting and stops it from looking too artificial and more cinematic, she says.

All of that is easily achieved in the camera app with Galaxy S26 Ultra. Features like Nightography Mode and Video** help balance low light automatically, keeping images clear without losing atmosphere.

Edit discreetly using built-in tools and privacy features

Theres nothing more awkward than wanting to select and edit your photos while people stand over your phone watching  especially if you have a public profile like Mia. The Galaxy S26 Ultras Privacy Display helps with that, without you having to find a secret place to edit.

Usually you have to buy a privacy screen protector because phones are so bright and everyone cant help themselves from spying on you, she says. But this is built into the tech of the phone. Im quite socially anxious so this feature stops me from worrying about people watching me.

All the editing functionality sits within the devices camera app too, compared to other phones where you have to download and pay for apps that do different things  so the process is much quicker and easier, she adds.

Shoot more content so you dont miss the moment

Everyone wants the perfect shot  but no one should leave snapping that perfect shot to chance, especially when youre talking about nightlife content with so many tricky variables.

Capture as much as you possibly can, she advises. I find that with around 50 per cent of the footage I take, I dont like or its the wrong moment, so I always try to shoot more, then I have plenty to pick and choose from. Helpfully, with a 5,000mAh battery, the Galaxy S26 Ultras charge is so extensive, Mia can shoot lots of photos and footage without having to worry.

Keep your content natural and true to the moment

Balance low light and keep images clear with Nightography Mode and Video ( DJ Miamor )

Theres a reason why DJs and nightlife workers dont like to rely on the officially shot club photography. Its too staged, too corporate and not real feeling enough. I always try to translate my experience  whether thats talking to the camera or filming other peoples experiences or giving a review, she says. What works with the algorithm is content thats personable and not too over-edited. People want to follow people and engage with people who are on a journey.

The intimacy of your experience can be emphasised by clever phone tech and specs. For instance, Mia loved using the Dual Camera feature in which you capture whats in front of you and yourself. Getting those two perspectives was amazing for content, she says. Sometimes you see people spamming their social media with bad videos of the stage or of themselves  but with this phone, you can capture it in one, which culminates in a more fun video.

Keep your setup simple so you can enjoy the night

It sounds obvious but if youre overly focused on your content creation youre not going to be having a good time  and that will be reflected in what youre shooting.

Make it as simple as possible for yourself  take as minimal equipment as you can so you can just enjoy the moment, she says. I love how the Galaxy S26 Ultra has so many features and abilities built in so its just one very light, very portable product to carry and its so intuitive to use.

Q How do I take good photos on a night out with my phone? Use low-light modes and adjust exposure to match the environment. Features like Nightography Mode** on the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra help capture clearer images in dark settings, balancing light and detail without losing the vibe. Q How can I improve low-light video on my phone? Use night video features and stabilisation tools. On the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra, Nightography video** and advanced processing help reduce noise and improve clarity, even in dim venues. Q Whats the best way to avoid blurry photos in clubs? Keep your phone steady and use high-resolution cameras with AI processing. The 200MP main camera on the Galaxy S26 Ultra helps retain detail, even in challenging lighting conditions. Q Can I edit night photos directly on my phone? Yes. On the Galaxy S26 series, Creative Studio* lets you remove unwanted objects, adjust images and refine content quickly without needing extra apps. Q How do I film myself on a night out without losing quality? Use advanced front camera features. Advanced Selfie camera on the Galaxy S26 series, supported by AI processing, helps maintain clarity and detail even in low light or crowded environments. Q How else can I capture the vibe of the night? Use features like Dual Camera on the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra, which lets you record both front and rear perspectives simultaneously  ideal for capturing your reaction alongside the scene.

Find out more about the Samsung Galaxy S26 series and Galaxy S26 Ultra camera and AI features at Samsung

*Requires network connection and Samsung account login. Accuracy of output not guaranteed.

**Results may vary depending on light condition, subject and/or shooting conditions.

Requires manual activation in settings to function. Privacy Display feature is not AI powered.

Typical value tested under third party laboratory conditions. Rated minimum capacity of the Galaxy S26 Ultra is 4,855mAh.
News / Local

by Thupeyo Muleya

THE country's envoy to South Africa, Isaac Moyo, says the government is worried about repeated kidnappings of Zimbabweans visiting that country by syndicates operating between Musina and Johannesburg. Moyo said at the weekend that the country was continually engaging the host government over the issue."We would like to see an end to the kidnappings of Zimbabweans and we'll continue to engage the relevant authorities in South Africa to achieve this end. At home we need to make people aware of the dangers of taking certain types of transport at Musina," he said."We're encouraged by the efforts of relevant South African authorities to bring the criminal syndicates to justice. More robust security interventions will of course bring quicker results and are very necessary in the circumstances".The ambassador said despite the arrest of some kidnapping syndicates, more cases of a similar nature were being reported. He said the consulate was dealing with cases where people were kidnapped for ransom while others were robbed of valuables.In a separate interview, the Consul General to South Africa, Batiraishe Mukonoweshuro, urged Zimbabweans to always use public transport especially conventional buses when travelling to the neighbouring country."We want to urge our people to desist from hitch hiking as they risk being robbed by these criminals who are very cunning. We're working with the police in both Limpopo and Gauteng provinces to ensure that perpetrators of such crimes are brought to book," he said.Last year South African police arrested 10 people in connection with the kidnapping of Zimbabwean travellers.Four of the suspects; Charles Cecil Brewer, 36, his wife Petition Sicelo Madida, 30, Jaheni Luphahla, 28, and Phathumuzi Sibanda, 27, appeared in court for allegedly killing two Zimbabwean women, raping three others and kidnapping 28 fellow countrymen in the neighbouring country.The offences were committed between May 30 and July 11, 2015.The case was initially tried at Thembisa Magistrate Court where the quartet has appeared more than four times seeking bail which was denied. Brewer and his associates are expected to stand trial at the North Gauteng High Court today.Some of the people who were arrested on similar charges include Wisani Sithole, Godknows Dube, Bongani Ngwenya, Sibusiso Ndlovu, Malvin Ndaba and Nkosinathi Ncube.The syndicate operates from Total and Engen filling stations and a house in Musina.
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Jurors reportedly wept and family members left a Texas courtroom as video played showing the disturbing final moments of Athena Strand, a 7-year-old who was kidnapped and killed by a FedEx driver in 2022.

In the clip, Strand reportedly could be heard asking Tanner Horner, who confessed to the killing, Are you a kidnapper?

In response, the driver told the child to sit down and not scream or else he would hurt her, according to the video. Several of Strands family members reportedly left the courtroom during this portion of the tape.

The video captures Horner, 34, driving to Strands home in the town of Paradise, near Fort Worth, to deliver a package.

Strand can later be seen being lifted into the truck and then Horner drives away.

open image in gallery Jurors and family members reportedly watched a video on Thursday showing the final moments of Athena Strand, 7, who was kidnapped and killed in 2022 by FedEx driver Tanner Horner ( Wise County )

The 7-year-old later asks Horner where they are going and he responds that it doesnt matter.

He can then be seen covering the camera inside his delivery truck.

In the video, Horner is later reportedly heard telling the 7-year-old to take off her shirt, as she says no and asks for her mom. The recording continues and captures a prolonged period of banging, screaming, and crying.

Prior to playing the recording, Judge George Gallagher reportedly warned the courtroom about the graphic content of the clip.

"If you think you cannot watch it or listen to it, leave now. Now's your time to get out," he said, according to NBC Dallas-Fort Worth.

Strands parents, Jacob Strand and Maitlyn Gandy, left the room before the video was played and a TV feed showing the proceedings was temporarily disabled as jurors listened to the sensitive footage.

open image in gallery Horner has pleaded guilty to the killing ( AP )

State prosecutors rested their case on Thursday.

Last week, Horner pleaded guilty, in a surprise move, shortly before the trial was set to get underway.

The jury will now consider whether to side with prosecutors and give the 34-year-old the death penalty or life in prison.

Horner claimed to police he accidentally hit Strand with his truck then killed her in a fit of panic.

He took investigators to where he left Strands body, according to his arrest warrant.

open image in gallery Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty against Horner ( EPA )

The prosecution alleges Horner was lying about what happened.

The only truthful thing that Tanner Horner told law enforcement was that he killed her, Wise County District Attorney James Stainton said during opening arguments.

Horners defense has asked jurors to give him a life sentence. His attorney said the 34-year-old is autistic and had suffered from fetal alcohol exposure, lead exposure and mental illness.

When someones brain is whats injured, you dont see it, attorney Steven Goble told jurors.

The defense is expected to begin presenting its arguments next Wednesday.
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A British man is suspected of killing two women in the state of Georgia in what officials have described an act of pure evil.

Olaolukitan Adon Abel, 26, has been arrested in connection with the shooting deaths of two women. He is also suspected of the random shooting of a man who remains in a critical condition.

Department of Homeland Security (DHS) employee Lauren Bullis has been identified as one of the victims.

Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin said that Bullis had been brutally shot and stabbed to death in an attack he described as pure evil.

Adon Abel received U.S. citizenship in 2022, Mullin added.

He has also been arrested for the murder of an unidentified woman whom he reportedly shot outside a Checkers, before randomly shooting a homeless man multiple times outside a Kroger in Brookhaven.

These acts of pure evil have devastated our department and my prayers are with the families of the victims.

open image in gallery Department of Homeland Security worker Lauren Bullis was one of the shooting victims ( Sunisa Kim Kipe )

The Brookhaven Police Department said that the suspect was taken into custody without incident in Troup County, south west of Atlanta, following co-ordination with local detectives.

Further investigation has revealed that Adon Abel is also responsible for other shootings that occurred earlier in unincorporated DeKalb County, police said in a statement.

This remains an active and ongoing investigation.

Adon Abels name appears in several variations in government and military records.

The Associated Press reported that military records show Adon Abel enlisted in the US navy in 2020, last serving in the helicopter maritime strike squadron in Coronado, California.

As a petty officer he received a navy commendation for superior performance for battle readiness but in 2024 was arrested and charged with assaulting two Coronado police officers and attacking another person.

Court records seen by the Associated Press show he was kicked out of the navy in September of that year.
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A Navy reservist accused of killing his wife in Virginia and hiding her body in a freezer has been arrested overseas after a weeks-long international manhunt, federal authorities confirmed.

David Varela, 38, was taken into custody abroad, FBI Director Kash Patel announced Wednesday. Varela had been wanted in connection with the death of his wife, Lina M. Guerra Echavarria, 39, whose body was discovered inside a freezer in the couples Norfolk home in early February.

Though he did not disclose the exact location of Varelas arrest, investors believe he fled to Hong Kong, despite having no known ties to China. Varela will be extradited back to the U.S. to face charges.

"Mr. Varela has been on the run for over two months attempting to avoid prosecution for these heinous crimes, but justice doesnt forget, Patel said on X.

Guerra was reported missing by her brother on February 2, after two weeks without hearing from her. Three days later, investigators conducting a welfare check found her body in the kitchen freezer. By the time her body was discovered, Varela had already left the U.S. Investigators believe he left the country on or around the same day the body was found.

open image in gallery The body of Lina M. Guerra was discovered in a freezer at her home in Norfolk, Virginia, leading to the arrest of her husband, David Varela ( Norfolk Police Department )

Detectives were unable to contact Varela, an active-duty Navy reservist whose supervisor said it was unusual for him to be unresponsive, as the investigation into his wifes death unfolded. Authorities in Virginia issued warrants charging him with first-degree murder and concealment of a body, and federal investigators later tracked him to Hong Kong using flight records and WhatsApp location data obtained through emergency disclosure requests.

An autopsy later ruled Guerras death a homicide, and authorities charged Varela with first-degree murder and concealment of a body.

Family members of Guerra, who lived in Colombia, alleged that Varela had a history of controlling and abusive behavior, accusing him of restricting Guerras ability to work, study, socialize or go out alone. They also said he misled them about her disappearance, falsely claiming she had been jailed for shoplifting.

"I want to emphasize that there had been violence before from David," Guerras sister-in-law, Paola Ramirez, told WKRC through a translator. "He had hit her previously, but she didnt tell us because she didnt want to worry us. He appeared to be very religious, very calm, normal. Thats why this is so shocking. We never imagined hed do something like this."

A woman who says she encountered Varela in Hong Kong also told the local news outlet that he tried to ask her out while on the run.

"I was in Hong Kong with my friends. We met this man while waiting in line at an attraction," the woman said through a translator. "He introduced himself as David and said he was looking for a Russian wife."
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The man suspected of throwing a Molotov cocktail at the San Francisco home of OpenAI boss Sam Altman previously mused about Luigiing some tech CEOs in an internet chat, according to a report.

Daniel Moreno-Gamas chilling remark was a reference to Luigi Mangione, the accused killer of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, who was gunned down outside of a hotel in New York City in December 2024.

Mangione, 27, pleaded not guilty to the crime and became an unlikely folk hero in certain circles of the internet following the assassination.

open image in gallery OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, whose San Francisco home was targeted in a molotov cocktail attack last week ( Getty )

According to The Wall Street Journal, Moreno-Gama, 20, used the phrase invoking Mangione in an online discussion with the producers of Longviews The Last Invention podcast, on which he appeared in January under the pseudonym Discord Dan to discuss his opposition to the coming of artificial intelligence.

The Texas college student said in the interview that he did not advocate violence against tech bosses, commenting: I understand the frustration with a person who might advocate for that, but its not practical. Its not worth it.

Before we even think about violence, we need to exhaust all our peaceful means. I think protesting, I think sharing information, I think doing podcasts like this, that needs to come way before we even consider that.

He otherwise discussed his journey from a high schooler in awe of ChatGPT to his present stance as an anti-AI campaigner, saying he had been influenced by reading critics of the emerging technology, such as Eliezer Yudkowsky.

The writer warned in Time magazine in 2023 that the most likely result of building a superhumanly smart AI, under anything remotely like the current circumstances, is that literally everyone on Earth will die.

I was like, OK, I hope hes kind of wrong, but over time, I realized very few of his main criticisms ever got refuted, Moreno-Gama said, admitting he had become annoying in his zealotry but hitting out at the mockery of AI doomers, saying only ignorance was preventing other people from feeling as strongly about the subject as he does.

After the attack on Altmans home on Friday, which came days after The New Yorker published an in-depth profile of the entrepreneur, airing criticisms of his leadership, investigators found a manifesto, allegedly belonging to Moreno-Gama, warning of the apocalyptic consequences of AI.

open image in gallery The home of Daniel Moreno-Gama in Spring, Texas, after the FBI raided the property Monday ( AP )

It contained a direct message to the CEO: If by some miracle you live, then I would take this as a sign from the divine to redeem yourself

Altman himself responded by posting a rare photograph of his family on his blog in the hope of deterring any copycat attacks, no matter what they think about me. He also issued a statement appealing for critics to de-escalate the rhetoric and tactics while acknowledging their concerns about AIs potential.

Moreno-Gama faces federal and California state charges over the attack, including attempted murder and arson, but has yet to enter a plea.

Diamond Ward, his public defender in the state case, has dismissed the incident as a property crime, at best, given that no one was harmed and the attacker succeeded only in setting an exterior security gate alight.

It is unfair and unjust for the San Francisco district attorney and the federal government to fearmonger and exploit this young mans vulnerability simply due to the high-profile status of the people involved, she said.

The attorney pointed to her clients history of autism and mental health issues, adding that the actions of which he has been accused appear to have been driven by an acute mental health crisis, not a desire to harm.

Moreno-Gamas parents said they had been concerned about him and were seeking treatment, adding in a statement: He is a very caring person and has never been arrested before. Until very recently, he was working hard at a restaurant and attending college classes.
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Sheriffs' deputies in central Texas have arrested five men in connection with an organized livestock theft from a ranch that allegedly caused the deaths of 70 animals.

The crime was reportedly linked to a pair of small cities  Florence and Schwertner  north of Austin.

The Williamson County Sheriff's Office said that a months-long investigation involving multiple agencies resulted in the arrests of five suspected cattle thieves, according to MySanAntonio.

All five of the men have been charged with the theft of livestock between $30,000 and $150,00, which is a third-degree felony under Texas law.

The men have been identified as Ramon Martinez Miranda, 50; Miguel Martinez Mons, 58; Orleydis Martin Reyes, 42; Yasmani Galis-Hernandez, 34; and Reidel Martinez, 41.

Five men in central Texas have been arrested in Williamson County for the alleged theft and slaughter of approximately 70 head of cattle from a ranch ( Reuters )

As of last week, all of the men were being held in the Williamson County Jail.

This case highlights the dedication of our investigators and the strong collaboration between agencies to combat organized agricultural crime," Williamson County Sheriff Matt Lindemann said in a statement.

He continued, saying that "livestock theft has a significant financial impact on our agricultural community, and we remain committed to holding offenders accountable."

Law enforcement reportedly became suspicious that cattle theft was occurring three months ago when a Florence Police Department officer stopped a pickup truck towing a livestock trailer.

Officers reportedly found three dead cattle inside the trailer, as well as evidence that the animals had been recently killed. Reidel Martinez, who was driving the truck, allegedly told police that he had purchased the cattle in Temple, Texas, for $800 each.

The WCSO investigated the dead cattle and found that they'd allegedly been stolen from Capitol Land & Livestock, located in Schwertner.

The sheriff's office said in a statement that it had collected "physical evidence, witness statements, digital forensic analysis, and cell phone location data indicating the suspects were involved in an organized scheme."

Investigators determined the five men had allegedly stolen and slaughtered approximately 70 head of cattle over the course of several months.

Jim Schwertner, who owned the stolen cattle, told the High Plains Journal that he became suspicious that something nefarious was going on when he noticed his cattle counts were off.

Yeah, it was a freak deal. We knew we were missing some cattle, but we couldnt figure out why, Schwertner told the outlet.

He said the cattle he lost were worth approximately $2,000 per head. He said that cattle theft is a serious problem for ranchers, but praised the WCSO for taking the problem seriously.

Its a big deal, he said. Williamson County has always been diligent about cattle rustling. Theyve got a history, and they are really tough on it.

During the investigation, investigators found multiple places where pasture fencing had been cut in a way that suggested livestock had been illegally removed from the property. They also found ammunition, animal processing tools, and photos of stolen and slaughtered animals on one of the cellphones of one of the suspects.

The sheriff's office determined that the five men were allegedly working together on the cattle theft scheme, though it did not reveal a motive for the crime.
News / National

by Staff reporter

Bulawayo is edging closer to HIV epidemic control, but health officials warn that progress could stall as men continue to test positive at higher rates while remaining less likely to access testing services, according to the 2025 HIV and AIDS Response report.The findings show that the city has largely achieved the UNAIDS 95-95-95 targets, a global benchmark for HIV control, signalling strong progress in diagnosis, treatment and viral suppression.According to National AIDS Council (NAC) Programmes Officer Douglas Moyo, Bulawayo is now close to epidemic control."Our programme data is showing that 95% of people living with HIV know their status, 98% of those diagnosed are on antiretroviral therapy (ART), and 96% are virally suppressed," he said."The province is close to achieving epidemic control. It means we are in progress."As of the end of 2025, 79,746 people were on ART in the province, with most on first-line treatment. HIV incidence has also declined significantly, falling from 13.2% in 2020 to 10.7% among people aged 15 to 49.However, officials say a persistent gender gap threatens these gains. Men recorded a higher HIV positivity rate of 5.4%, compared to 3.4% among women, yet women accounted for 73% of all HIV tests conducted in the city.Moyo said the data suggests men are testing less frequently but presenting later and with higher positivity rates."This means many men are not accessing services, yet those who do are more likely to test positive," he said.The disparity is most pronounced among adults aged 35 to 54, where positivity rates among men reach between 9% and 12%.Women, however, continue to bear the heavier overall burden, with prevalence estimated at 13.6% compared to 7.8% among men, peaking among women aged 30 to 39 at up to 28%.Health officials say late testing among men remains a key concern, particularly as it undermines early treatment and increases transmission risks.Dr Maphios Siamuchembu said social and economic pressures are keeping men away from health services."Men are breadwinners, so they would benefit more from workplace-based programmes," he said, adding that cultural norms also discourage men from seeking care.He suggested more tailored approaches, including faster, private testing and male-friendly services without long queues.Bulawayo Deputy Mayor Edwin Ndlovu said fear and stigma also play a role in low uptake among men."Knowing your health status can be stressful, especially if the result is not good," he said, urging normalisation of HIV testing as part of routine health checks.Community elder Giyani Moyo added that messaging should be reframed to better resonate with men, linking testing to responsibility and control rather than vulnerability.In response, NAC says the upcoming Zimbabwe National AIDS Strategic Plan (ZNASP 5), set for 20262030, will prioritise men alongside other high-risk groups.NAC Bulawayo Provincial Manager Sinatra Nyathi said the focus will shift toward "precision programming" and more targeted outreach."We need to rethink service delivery, bring testing closer to them, make it faster, more private and more relevant to their needs," she said.Planned interventions include workplace testing, weekend services and integrated health screenings combining HIV tests with checks for conditions such as hypertension and diabetes.
News / National

by Staff reporter

A 38-year-old man from Southlea Park has been sentenced to an effective nine months in prison after assaulting his girlfriend following a dispute over his HIV status.The accused, who cannot be named for legal reasons, appeared before the Mbare Magistrates' Court facing charges of physical abuse. He was sentenced to 12 months' imprisonment, with three months suspended on condition of good behaviour.According to the National Prosecuting Authority of Zimbabwe (NPAZ), the incident occurred on March 8, 2026, at Southlea Park shopping centre.Prosecutors told the court that the man repeatedly punched his 31-year-old girlfriend in the face after she accused him of infecting her with HIV.Medical evidence was presented during the trial to confirm the extent of the injuries sustained by the victim, which formed a key part of the State's case.The court ruled that the assault warranted custodial sentencing, underscoring the seriousness with which acts of domestic violence are treated under Zimbabwean law.
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BusinessCompaniesGeelong Geelong explosion adds fuel to the fire of our national anxiety Michael Bachelard and Alexander Darling April 17, 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

When construction began on the Viva oil refinery in 1951, its owners were motivated by the anxieties of the day. Emerging from the second world war into the Cold War, the Shell group feared oil-producing countries would nationalise their industries, giving Communist and other unfriendly nations a chokehold on global prosperity. The fire at the Corio refinery overnight. Jessika Louise Wicks/FRV Geelong The Australian government, meanwhile, wanted a strong manufacturing base  for jobs, defence, security. So, in a muddy paddock at Corio, a largely migrant workforce laid the foundations of Victorias industrial future. Seventy-five years later, Australia is once again gripped by anxiety. The Strait of Hormuz is choked shut by war and, in the midst of a new oil shock, on Wednesday night, the Viva refinery suffered a mechanical failure and exploded into flames.

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As Australian Workers Union branch secretary Ronnie Hayden, who was on the scene on Thursday morning, said, it was like Geelongs very own war zone. The whole backyard was lit up red, said Melanie, who lives a few streets away. For a nation already dusting off the jerrycans amid a fuel supply crisis, the fire could not have come at a worse time. Loading I cant really think about it, said Geelong carpenter Alan Spierings of a possible further increase in petrol prices. I might have to buy a horse and cart!

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Ill be eating a lot of two-minute noodles, said another motorist, Katherine Crow. Alan Spierings says he will have to make sacrifices due to the rising fuel prices. Paul Jeffers Compounding disasters in Australias fuel supply chain have hit at the heart of a very modern worry identified in a major study by the National Security College at the ANU. The study of 20,000 people found that a large majority of Australians fear the country has given away so much self-sufficiency that one blow at a vulnerable point will threaten their security. Report author Professor Rory Medcalf said people were expressing the fear that Australias supply system had fragile arteries. Australians worry that an accident or an attack on a supply choke point would cause cascading disruption to everyday life. Medcalf said on Wednesday: The Geelong fire exposes how acutely vulnerable Australia is to single points of failure in fuel, logistics and critical infrastructure.

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A largely market-based approach to these foundations of our national existence is no longer sufficient in a disordered world. And the public has known this for a while. The Viva refinery was built to shore up national self-sufficiency, but by 2015, when the Abbott government released its energy white paper, those anxieties and ambitions seemed hopelessly old-fashioned. Related Article Tony Wrights Column

Electric vehicles The $13 fill-up: The spark that may fuel country town revivals As the big refineries in Asia pumped out fuel more cheaply than Australia could manage, the government waved through the closure of most of Australias domestic capacity. Kwinana, Altona, Bulwer Island, Kurnell and Clyde refineries have all closed since 2013. Only Viva and Ampol Lytton in Brisbane remain.

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This was not a problem, the 2015 white paper said, because, The Australian government considers that supply reliability will be maintained because of the depth, liquidity and diversity of international crude and fuel markets. Related Article Defence Marles hits out at washed-up bureaucrats amid accusations of accounting tricks This is the neoliberal economic promise. If another country can make something cheaper than you, the only rational choice is to let them make it, then buy it from them on the open market. In return, Australia would sell the things it produced best. As long as trade was free and oceans navigable, everyone was a winner. As for security against military threats, we lived under the US nuclear umbrella and the promise of the ANZUS treaty. As a result, when it comes to fuel, Australia carries the unenviable distinction of being one of the most import-dependent nations in the world for refined fuel products, while simultaneously holding some of the lowest strategic reserves of any developed economy, according to Gero Farruggio, the head of Australian research at independent energy analyst Rystad.

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You can be heavily reliant on imports, or you can hold minimal reserves  but you cannot be both. Today, thanks to war in the Middle East, tariffs and threats to freedom of navigation, trade no longer seem so free, and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has spent the past fortnight travelling the region to shore up Australias supply of fuel, using our gas exports as a bargaining chip. His trip also serves to very publicly assure voters that hes on the case, after his and Energy Minister Chris Bowens initial reassurances that Australias fuel supply was secure fell flat. As Albanese was in Malaysia talking fuel, defence minister Richard Marles was at the National Press Club to announce the biggest peacetime increase in defence spending in our nations history. Both can be seen as reaction to the anxieties identified in Medcalfs report.

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My organisations community consultations research showed that a year ago ordinary Australians were already warning of  the likelihood of multiple strategic shocks in the near future, Medcalf told this masthead. Well before Donald Trumps Middle East war, concern about energy security was widespread. Now, after the Viva fire, some predict Australia will need to step up to stage 3 of its fuel-saving plan. Fears of cascading disruption might soon be realised. The overnight fire at Viva oil refinery is likely to worsen Australians anxiety about fuel. Paul Jeffers What Australians want in response, Medcalfs research revealed, was redundancy  second, third, fourth options built in to the system. The fire at the Viva refinery  the first layer of back-up for imported product  will only make this desire more pressing.

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People also wanted more information, Medcalfs research found  to know where supply choke points were, to understand the cascading consequences of each one failing, then to see investment in the diversifications and buffers that matter most in each place. Loading More than half of Australians think the government shares too little or far too little information about security threats, leaving voters feeling anxiety without agency. Those most concerned, the report found, were Australians aged 55 and older, regional and rural communities, lower socioeconomic groups, and the Australian-born  politically, those who are cleaving increasingly to One Nation.

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Talk of boosting national security by building sovereign capability worries independent economist Saul Eslake. Related Article Middle East at war Australia taps fuel stockpile in urgent bid to fill shortages and stem panic buying I dont dispute that COVID and the spat with China, and now these developments, have raised questions about the extent to which the world has become just in time rather than just in case, Eslake said. He agreed that, at the very least, Australia should have stockpiled more fuel. However, I worry thats being used as an excuse to justify the desire people have that Australia make things that we should not be making. Im not to saying its never justified, but we should be very careful when people use arguments about security to ask for subsidies or tax breaks.

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This, he said, was very expensive and ultimately either taxpayers or customers paid. ANU professor and historian Frank Bongiorno said from Federation until about the 1970s, what we now call sovereign capacity mattered in Australia  and it was not widely known how much money they put into it. After the 1970s, however, the sway of the economists began, with the assumption that you could trade your way out of anything. The broader set of policy directions that have been pursued for the past 50 years by both sides of politics are very different from the guiding assumptions of both sides of politics for the forgoing 70 years, Bongiorno said. When the Viva refinery was built, the assumption was that Australia was living in a dangerous world and they werent fully trusting that the British Empire would be there for them. They werent fools, he said. Now, said Bongiorno, attitudes seemed to be changing back. Australias unquestioning reliance on trade security and a benign benefactor in the United States seems to be coming to an end. Unwinding the neoliberal compact, however, would be hugely difficult and disruptive. It would mean the government restoring critical manufacturing capacity. It would require rejigging the economy in unfamiliar ways.

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To Eslake, at least, its a dangerous path. The argument that Australia needed to make things was widely used to justify the tariff walls we built after Federation and maintained until the 1970s, he said. That attitude was a major reason Australia went from being one of the richest countries in the world to, by the time we realised how dumb that was, something like 26th richest. Thats the price well pay. With Nick Toscano

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by Staff reporter

A 42-year-old man arrested with explosives worth nearly R1 million at the Beitbridge Port of Entry will remain in custody following his initial court appearance in South Africa.Edgar Maroto appeared before the Musina Magistrate's Court this week, where the case was postponed to 20 April 2026 for further investigations and a formal bail application.Hawks spokesperson Avele Fumba confirmed that Maroto is facing a charge of possession of explosives."The matter was postponed to 20 April 2026 for further investigation and a formal bail application. The accused remains in custody," Fumba said.The arrest followed a coordinated operation involving the Border Management Authority (BMA), South African Police Service (SAPS), and South African Revenue Service (SARS).Authorities intercepted a truck allegedly entering South Africa from Zimbabwe near Musina, after the driver reportedly attempted to evade arrest.A subsequent search uncovered a cache of explosives, including blasting cartridges, connector capsules and detonator fuses, valued at approximately R769,000."The truck used in the commission of the alleged offence was also confiscated, bringing the total estimated value of seized items to R2,769,000," Fumba added.Acting provincial head of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation in Limpopo, Lesibana Meshack Malapile, warned against cross-border criminal activity, saying authorities would continue to act decisively."This operation is about protecting lives. The role played by Sars and our partners highlights the strength of intelligence-led policing. We will continue to act decisively to safeguard our communities and protect the country from harm," he said.Meanwhile, the BMA reported a mixed trend during the 2026 Easter period, noting a decline in illegal border crossings but an increase in the arrest of facilitators.Over a 10-day operation from 31 March to 9 April, authorities intercepted 4,763 individuals attempting to enter or exit South Africa illegally.The period also saw a 21% surge in traveller movements across South Africa's 71 ports of entry, with more than 1.2 million people processed.
Carmen Maura first splashed down in the Anglosphere in 1988, when Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown, Pedro Almodovars sunburst of Madrilenian madness, defied the conventional wisdom about subtitled films to become a hit around the world, most notably in America. Almodovars Madrid was then in the throes of La Movida, the festive, rebellious and frequently trashy cultural explosion detonated by the demise of Spains longtime dictator, General Franco. Suddenly, this backward bump at the bottom of Europe was hugely hip.

Women on the Verge was very much an ensemble film, but Maura was front and centre of its colourful girl gang. At 42, she exuded an earthy exuberance that was set to shake up everyone elses idea of middle age; despite the films title, she seemed anything but nervous. That hasnt changed. A couple of weeks ago, Maura turned 80. True to form, she has taken old age by the horns. Whatever expectations are placed on octogenarians, she is ignoring them.

I havent changed anything about myself, but what I notice is now I do mostly what I want, she says. Over the past year, she has made three films. Calle Malaga, the film we are here to discuss, includes a nude sex scene. It was the first time I got asked to do this in 50 years, she chuckles. At this point of my life, it doesnt matter. On the first day, the director told me: Look, the days are going to be really loaded. Also, you are going to have a naked scene. I said Yep, I dont care. Its how it is. Her scene partner Ahmed Boulane, she says with some satisfaction, was much more anxious about it than she was.

Maura says she was unfussed about her naked sex scene in Calle Malaga.

Calle Malaga is set in the Moroccan city of Tangier, which still has the remnants of what was once a large Spanish community. Maura plays Maria, a merry widow who was born in Tangier and is a popular fixture on her street, hobnobbing with traders and her neighbours teenage children. Director Maryam Touzani, whose films include Moroccos 2023 Oscar contender The Blue Caftan, says she was inspired to write it by the death of her mother. My mom was really lively, warm, loving and full of life, Touzani told The Hollywood Reporter. I unconsciously felt the need to transform the pain I was feeling into a celebration of life.

As the film opens, Marias happy domesticity is shattered by her daughters sudden arrival from Madrid. Grappling with divorce and with two children to support, Clara (Marta Etura) is determined to sell the family home, which is legally hers; she cant survive on a nurses salary. Her mother  who, as she points out acidly, has never worked  should come and live with them in Spain. Shes getting on; it will be better for everyone. Except that, of course, Maria doesnt want to leave her home.

Its like me, Maura says. I feel now I like to live by myself, in my own house, do whatever I want and continue with my own life. I believe at this age, living independently is one of the best gifts in life and you cannot lose it. There is not much daylight, in fact, between Maura and the character she plays here; when Maria takes advantage of Claras return to Madrid to contrive a return to the now empty family flat, you can feel Mauras energy pushing her on. Abslam, the local antiques dealer, helps her to track and buy back her furniture. With the support of her teenage neighbours, she even finds a way to earn an income.
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Eating outJust open After a shock closure, this beloved local bar is pouring drinks again The owners of The Age Good Food Guides Bar of the Year for 2026 share their five-month rollercoaster to reopen the business. Dani Valent April 17, 2026 Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Share A A A

In news that will delight oyster and martini lovers south of the Yarra, The Walrus in St Kilda reopened last night, April 16. The genial wine bar closed suddenly in December, six weeks after being named The Age Good Food Guides Bar of the Year for 2026. A notice placed in the window on December 10 mentioned creative differences, a reference to an increasingly messy dispute between company directors Marty Webster and Micheal [sic] Weal. Webster ran the bar with his partner Amy McGouldrick, while Weal was a silent partner. Marty Webster and Amy McGouldrick are back at The Walrus bar in St Kilda. Leah Traecey Relations between the business partners soured, even before the bars December 2023 opening, but the clincher was Weal withdrawing $100,000 from a business bank account last November, leaving Webster fearing the bar was trading while insolvent. Weal says he did this as a precautionary step because he did not want expenses for Websters other business, Carpenters Ruin, being paid for with money from The Walrus. Related Article Why this award-winning St Kilda bar has suddenly closed

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Webster resigned as director in December leaving Weal solely responsible for the business, then shut the doors and redeployed staff at Carpenters Ruin, the mini-pub that he had opened in September next door to The Walrus. The landlord of The Walrus terminated the lease in mid-February due to a month of unpaid rent and Weal handed the business over to administrators, according to ASIC records. Restaurant reviews, news and the hottest openings served to your inbox. Sign up I choose not to proceed with reopening due to the risk of insolvent trading (after discussion with my legal team), Weal said in response to questions via email. Webster then purchased the assets, including the trading name, in late February for $20,000. The Walruss holding company was officially placed into liquidation on March 18. A few days later, Webster signed a new 15-year lease to take The Walrus back under a new company structure. The shareholders are now the same as Carpenters Ruin: Cameron and Caitlin Marshall, and Barney and Kate Flanders are in partnership with Webster and McGouldrick. (Chef Ciara Woodside has departed.)

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We are so happy to give The Walrus back to the people who love it, says Webster. The internecine wranglings have cost him upwards of $150,000 in legal costs and lost investment but he and McGouldrick have their eyes on a long future to peg it all back. It would have been much sadder if we werent able to reopen, he says. Now it feels like an investment in continuing the plan. The Walrus is a favourite for St Kilda locals. Bonnie Savage A long life for The Walrus was always the vision. Even before we opened, we were talking about places like Bar Lourinha, Geralds Bar, Cicciolina, venues embedded in the community for years and years, says McGouldrick. This has been a bit of a rewind, but hopefully were back on track.

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There are small tweaks to The Walrus offering. Staff now wear jackets to differentiate the look from the casual pub next door. The alignment of the two businesses allows for efficiencies: one kitchen will service both premises and some dishes  hot chips and nightly specials, among them  will be available in either venue. The December 10 announcement on The Walrus Instagram page. Staff One moment brought home the stress and turmoil of the past few months, and the ultimate relief in the outcome. I met the landlords agent here to do a condition report, says Webster. I went in, turned the lights on and turned off the alarm. I didnt even think about it. It was just muscle memory. I stood here, looking at the place, letting it sink in. Wow, I thought. This is it. Were back. Open daily from 5pm

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9 Inkerman Street, St Kilda, instagram.com/thewalrusoysterbar with Emma Breheny
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Eating outGood Food events Where to find Brendan Pangs famed prawn wontons in Sydney MasterChefs dumpling king is hosting a one-off dinner in Barangaroo where you can try a new spin on his signature dish, alongside other Vietnamese-Chinese creations. Erina Starkey April 16, 2026 Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Share A A A

Brendan Pangs silky-skinned prawn wontons earned him a place on MasterChef Australia. Next month, Sydney diners will get a chance to try them for themselves, when the cookbook author and content creator hosts a one-night-only dinner at Annamese restaurant in Barangaroo. While he may have been given the moniker dumpling king on the show, Pang had been folding wontons long before his 2018 television debut. He grew up in a Chinese-Mauritian household in Perth, spending his school holidays in the kitchen with his grandmother, learning how to roll dough, make fillings and pleat dumplings by hand. Brendan Pang will be cooking at Annamese restaurant in May. Dion Georgopoulos After finishing in the top 10 of his season, Pang opened Bumplings, a Fremantle food truck housed in an Airstream, serving bang bang chicken dumplings, cheeseburger baos and other dim sum. He has since stepped away from service, shutting Bumplings in 2024 to focus on his social platforms where he has built a following of more than 1 million. Pang recently moved from Taipei to Sydney, where he continues to develop recipes and produce content for online.

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For his upcoming dinner, Annamese x Brendan Pang at The Streets of Barangaroo on May 6, Pang will serve his signature wontons  this time filled with prawn and scallops in a ginger and spring onion butter  as part of a seven-course menu, created in collaboration with Annamese executive chef Andy Pruksa. Restaurant reviews, news and the hottest openings served to your inbox. Sign up Fried wontons from Brendan Pang cookbook This is a Book About Dumplings. Thomas Davidson The menu draws on both Vietnamese and Chinese-Mauritian influences. I love Vietnamese food, I love street food. Ive spent the last few years travelling around Asia, so any opportunity to collaborate and work with different cuisines, and put my own spin on it is really exciting to me, Pang says. With a new cookbook on rice out, Pang will be showcasing some of his favourite rice dishes on the menu. I ate at Annamese recently, and one dish I really loved was the crispy rice cakes, Pang says. I wanted to do my spin on this Vietnamese dish, and make more of a Chinese filling with chicken and prawn, black fungus and water chestnuts. Brendan Pang with Annamese executive chef Andy Pruksa and head chef Matthew Pothong. Dion Georgopoulos

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It will be a bit like a fish cake, crumbed in rice then fried so its really crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside, which well serve with a caramelised vinegar dipping sauce. Chinese and Vietnamese flavours will also come together in a chicken salad, that will be equal parts Chinese saliva chicken and Vietnamese goi ga. Were sort-of fusing the two chicken salad recipes together. It will be a cold cut chicken in a sesame, chilli oil and ginger dressing, with crispy wonton crackers for texture. Brendan Pang will do a take on Annamese's crispy rice cakes. Steven Woodburn Dessert will lean into Annameses coastal theme for a banana fritter with palm sugar caramel. We havent decided on an ice-cream yet, but Im thinking pandan and coconut, he says. Pangs four cookbooks, which are themed for dumplings, street food, noodles and rice, will also be available to purchase on the night, with Pang on hand to sign copies.

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Brendan Pang's tips for making dumplings A fattier mince is always best. For example, if using pork mince aim for 80 per cent lean meat to 20 per cent fat meat ratio. Store-bought dumpling wrappers are perfectly fine to use! Always keep them covered to stop them from drying out. Dont overfill your dumplings. Aim for one heaped teaspoon per wrapper, enough to feel generous but still easy to fold. Annamese x Brendan Pang at The Streets of Barangaroo is priced at $139pp for a seven-course meal & beverage on arrival. The event, which is presented by Good Food Events, will also include a Q&A with Brendan Pang, hosted by Good Food app editor Erina Starkey. Tickets now available from Humanitix.
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LifestyleFashionRoyal family Meghans visit causing considerable concern behind palace gates Camilla Tominey April 17, 2026  7:23am Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Share A A A

Prince Harry and Meghans tour of Australia has raised alarm in royal circles after it emerged that Meghan is earning money from a shopping platform built around the outfits she wears on charitable engagements. The Duchess of Sussex has invested in OneOff, a style-driven fashion discovery platform, which includes purchasing links to a host of celebrities clothes. She is understood to be receiving a share of sales. Meghans OneOff page includes seven outfits she has worn since the couple arrived in Australia on Tuesday for what has been described as a quasi-royal tour. One of the looks featured is the black Karen Gee Priscilla Dress worn by the 44-year-old mother-of-two on a visit to the Royal Childrens Hospital Melbourne on Tuesday. Meghan wears the Priscilla dress by Sydney-based designer Karen Gee at the Royal Childrens Hospital in Melbourne with Prince Harry. AP

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Visitors who click on the link can press a buy now button straight to the website where the $1250 dress is available for pre-order. There are also links to the Real Fine Studio Puffy Hearts earrings worn by Meghan, along with her Christian Dior iridescent black leather high heels, although they appear to have already sold out. Related Article Royal family The subtle way Meghan is making money off her Australia tour According to Vogue, the current revenue split on a sale is 10 to 25 per cent from the retailer to OneOff, which is split with the creator. The London Telegraph understands that the commercialisation of Meghans wardrobe has caused considerable concern behind palace gates. A royal source said: Everybody just rolls their eyes now as they know the routine  push the envelope, get criticised, reverse tack and say you made a donation. By making money while doing philanthropic work, they very much appear to be having their cake and eating it.

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Another insider said: Grifting is one thing, but carrying out a faux royal visit to a childrens hospital while flogging your outfits online appears to have crossed a line. It follows increased discomfort over the monetisation of the tour, where tickets to a high-end girls weekend retreat in Sydney have been on sale for up to $3199 for VIP access to Meghan. Also featured on her OneOff page is the khaki suede St Agni bomber jacket ($1000) and skirt ($890) she wore on a visit to the Australian National Veterans Art Museum in Melbourne on Tuesday. Harry and Meghan arriving at the Australian National Veterans Arts Museum on Tuesday. Getty Images Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, takes part in a therapy session with patients on her visit to the Royal Childrens Hospital. Getty Images

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Meghan once complained about having to wear tights as a working royal. While promoting the second series of her Netflix show With Love, Meghan, she said: It was different several years ago, when I couldnt be as vocal and I had to wear nude pantyhose all the time. Lets be honest, that was not very myself. I hadnt seen pantyhose since movies in the 80s! That felt a little bit inauthentic. There is even a link to her Cartier Tank Francaise 18-carat gold watch. Diana, Princess of Wales, had the same watch, and it has never been officially confirmed whether the watch Meghan wears belonged to her late mother-in-law. When the couple stepped down as working royals in 2020, they released a statement titled Spring Transition 2020 on their now-defunct Sussex Royal website, which read: The Duke and Duchess of Sussex will become privately funded members of the Royal family with permission to earn their own income and the ability to pursue their own private charitable interests. Meghan and Harry braving a colour clash at Swinburne University. Getty Images

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The original statement was not agreed upon, with the late Queen Elizabeth leading negotiations over what the Sussexes future would look like in a meeting that has become known as the Sandringham Summit. Buckingham Palace made it clear that a half-in, half-out model was not acceptable, confirming that the couple would step back from all active royal duties, including official military appointments. They were banned from using the name Sussex Royal for their activities, over fears their money-making plans would look as though they were endorsed by the royal family. Since then, the couple has made commercial deals with Spotify, Netflix and others, and Meghan has launched her own business, As Ever. Palace aides have welcomed the Sussexes commercial success, believing they are better placed earning a living than having to rely on royal scandals to make headlines as they did in the era of their Oprah Winfrey interview and Harrys autobiography, Spare.

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Related Article Royal family Unbelievable: The Melbourne designer who got a DM from Meghan Since then, the royal family has enjoyed being able to concentrate on their official duties while the public interest drifts from the so-called Sussex soap opera. But the visit to Australia, where King Charles is head of state, is more complicated, with crowds turning out to see the couple because of their former royal status. The tour has also prompted confusion over whether it is a commercial or charitable endeavour. It has once again led to criticism of The Firm  as the royal family is sometimes called  with Meghan complaining about having been trolled and Harry complaining about not wanting to be royal.

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References have also been made in news coverage to previous visits by Princess Diana, who was careful never to cash in on her royal status, despite being a global fashion icon. The Telegraph, London Make the most of your health, relationships, fitness and nutrition with our Live Well newsletter. Get it in your inbox every Monday.
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LifestyleFashionRoyal family Unbelievable: The Melbourne designer who got a DM from Meghan Damien Woolnough April 16, 2026  3:58pm Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Share A A A

For a small Melbourne fashion label, getting Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, to wear your clothes seems impossible but for Julia McCarthy it was as simple as opening her Instagram account. Two weeks after discovering that Meghan slid into the DMs of her independent label Friends With Frank, on Thursday McCarthy saw the duchess wear her $599 Lou camel coat and $389 khaki Anya dress at separate events in her hometown. We have been waiting to see if she would wear one of our pieces since she arrived in Australia, McCarthy says. We started with outerwear 14 years ago, so for her to wear our coat was a real moment of pride. To see her hours later in our dress was another surprise. Prince Harry with Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, wearing the Lou coat from Friends With Frank, an Alliance of Moms fundraising T-shirt, Rollas jeans and Freda Salvador sneakers. Getty Images Meghan and Harry met with Koorie Heritage Trust to discover the Scar Tree Walk by the Yarra River in Melbourne. PA Images via Getty Images

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Weve never had this exposure before on a celebrity, but to see someone like the duchess wearing our clothing, and wearing it well, is unbelievable. Related Article Royal family Harry and Meghan Australia visit as it happened: Duke and duchess in Sydney for final day of tour When McCarthy received the fortuitous Instagram message, she questioned its authenticity but was soon conversing with Meghans team who selected a number of Friends With Frank pieces to be sent to the US. She was given the heads-up that Meghan would wear something on the non-official Australian tour, but the where, when and which item, remained unclear. This means so much for us to get this recognition, both locally and internationally, McCarthy says.

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The former fashion buyer launched her label after failing to find a coat she liked. Today the business creates pieces for the everyday woman, which now includes Meghan. With a store on Gertrude Street in Fitzroy, and a second store opening on High St in Armadale in two weeks, McCarthy and her staff of seven are waiting to see if the Meghan Effect kicks in. Australian brands Karen Gee and St Agni, worn by the duchess on the first day of the Sussexes non-official tour, are already seeing strong sales. Meghan visiting Swinburne University to hear about the batyr mental health program, wearing the Anya dress from Friends With Frank. Getty Images Meghan and Harry braving a colour clash at Swinburne University. Getty Images On Wednesday, Meghan had no public appearances but continued to champion Australian labels while filming an episode of Channel 10 cooking show MasterChef and attending a private gathering of the Nexus Summit, billed as the next generation of philanthropists.

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Promotional images for her surprise TV appearance feature Meghan wearing a black shirt from Matteau, founded by Sydney sisters Iloma Hamer and Peta Heinsen, a black skirt from Camilla and Marc and earrings from Paspaley. Related Article Royal family The subtle way Meghan is making money off her Australia tour Apart from her mother-in-law Princess Dianas Cartier watch, the $18,180 Opal Lavalier pearl earrings are the most expensive item worn by Meghan on the Australian visit. Meghan first wore the earrings in Sydney in 2018, when she was a working royal. At the Nexus Summit event Meghan wore a top from Sydney label Beare Park and trousers from Brisbane brand Dissh. Meghan again reached for the Paspaley earrings to accompany Harry to the InterEdge Summit in Melbourne on Thursday. Friends With Frank missed out a wardrobe trifecta, with a $330 vest and $320 skirt from Danielle Mulhans Australian brand Posse entering the spotlight.

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There are so many bigger labels than us, McCarty says. The support we received means everything. Loading Make the most of your health, relationships, fitness and nutrition with our Live Well newsletter. Get it in your inbox every Monday.
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What the Duchess of Sussex wears is big business. And no one understands that better than Meghan herself. Just in time for her Australian tour with Prince Harry, its been announced Meghan has invested in AI fashion platform OneOff. In addition to being an investor, she will earn affiliate revenue from sales made through the platform, as a fashion creator who invites people to shop her looks. Meghan wears the Priscilla dress by Sydney-based designer Karen Gee at the Royal Childrens Hospital in Melbourne with Prince Harry. AP Meghan wore a brown suede set by Byron Bay-based label St. Agni on Monday. AP Meghans OneOff creator profile already lists the items shes worn on this Australian tour, including a $1250 dress by Sydney-based designer Karen Gee and $295 sweater from P Johnson.

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Launched in 2025 by Bobby Maylack (former chief creative officer for Cameo) and Emir Talu (a co-founder of American coffee chain Blank Street), OneOff leverages AI technology to give users personalised recommendations based on their style preferences and find the specific items worn by celebrities or influencers. And in the case of verified creators  those who have partnered with the platform  like Meghan, it also enables them to profit from that system, with the talent taking home affiliate revenue from the sales. Users can already shop items Meghan has worn on her Australian tour via OneOff, with a portion of the sales revenue going back to Meghan. OneOff The specific revenue split on a sale is 10 to 25 per cent from the retailer to OneOff, which is then split with the creator. When we talk to any talent, theyre aware that every day, someone is searching for their name plus fashion, Maylack told Vogue. Theres this pervasive feeling with talent that theyre not monetising their actual trendsetting  other people are.

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Aligned with the platform, Meghan gets to dress like a royal and earn affiliate revenue, too. When Meghans agency (WME) brought her this opportunity last year, she was excited to join the platform because it creates an interactive closet experience for consumers, a spokesperson for Meghan said of her desire to join the platform. Related Article Royal family Harry and Meghan Australia visit as it happened: Duke and duchess in Sydney for final day of tour OneOff has a global reach that allows users to access information on styles worn for both public appearances and everyday life and makes sure the right designers are getting the proper credit. She cares about fashion and was motivated to invest not only to expand her portfolio, but to help uplift the fashion designers she is a fan of. Meghans entrepreneurial spirit is alive and well. Its not her first foray into the space; last year, she also joined ShopMy, a platform where she recommended fashion items from brands like Jenni Kayne and Uniqlo.

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While in Melbourne, Meghan and Harry also attended an event held by Nexus Global. According to the Nexus Summit Instagram account, its the leading global community of the next-gen philanthropists, impact investors and innovators accelerating social good throughout the world. Roo Harris, co-owner of Scale Investors, an Australian venture capital fund that backs women-led start-ups, shared a post about the event on LinkedIn. Prince Harry and Meghan at an event in Melbourne on Tuesday, according to a post by Scale Investors co-owner Roo Harris on LinkedIn. LinkedIn/Roo Harris Met up with these fun folks last night! Chatted on all the things, including the joy of a red-headed daughter, Harris wrote in the post alongside a photo of the royal couple. Make the most of your health, relationships, fitness and nutrition with our Live Well newsletter. Get it in your inbox every Monday.

CORRECTION An earlier version of this story said Harry and Meghan attended an event held by Scale Investors. Its been updated to say the event was hosted by Nexus Global.
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NationalVictoriaCourts He was one of the countrys most celebrated silks. Then he defrauded pensioner scam victims Sarah Danckert Updated April 16, 2026  5:48pm ,first published 12:33pm Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Share A A A

Norman OBryan once rubbed shoulders with a future prime minister as a Rhodes Scholar at Oxford University and later sat on the board of prestigious private school Carey Baptist Grammar for a decade. As one of the countrys top commercial lawyers, he ran lawsuits for the corporate watchdog that produced case law that benefited thousands of Australians, while at the same time overseeing private tutoring groups for disadvantaged high school students. On Thursday, he pleaded guilty to attempted fraud. Norman OBryan, outside the County Court on Thursday, has pleaded guilty to attempted fraud. AAP It was the final step in the downfall of the scion of one of Melbournes most esteemed legal dynasties.

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The son and grandson of Supreme Court judges entered his plea after being caught overcharging members of the Banksia Securities class action  many of whom had already lost their life savings of more than $1 million. Related Article Courts Top silk says he should be struck off OBryan had been the barrister for the class action claimants and a funder of the action and was representing victims of a financial collapse that wiped out $100 million in investments by mainly elderly Australians. The class action was settled for $64 million in 2017, but not before it sparked questions from claimants about the large fees charged by the lawyers running the case, including OBryan. An investigation into the fees charged, requested by the court, later found that OBryan and others involved in litigating the case had added fees to the class action claimants legal bill that were not warranted.

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While there was much said about OBryans many important contributions in court on Thursday, the retired nurse whose queries resulted in the attempted overcharging being uncovered did not spare OBryans reputation in the same way. I dont understand how a lawyer of such high standing, he was Queens Counsel, could think that he might get away with such deception, Wendy Botsman told the court. I was subjected to a deliberate campaign of intimidation, threats about my home, a process server at my door, a countersuit filed against me for the sole purpose of pressuring me to abandon a legitimate appeal. The stress caused me to develop shingles. Another claimant, Keith Pitman, told the court through his victim impact statement that OBryans conduct had a lasting impact on him. Keith Pitman outside Banksia Securities office in Ballarat in 2019. Eddie Jim

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I am 90 years old and have been retired for 25 years. This has put a dark shadow on our latter years of retirement. I feel like it has been a slow-motion robbery, Pitman, who also publicly raised objections to OBryans fees, said. Michael Stanton, SC, for the Director of Public Prosecutions, told the court the offending occurred over a long period and included fees that OBryan must have known he could not charge his clients for, including when he had been overseas or working all day in court on other cases. OBryan  who has been bailed throughout the proceedings  watched on silently supported by his wife and his son, a member of the Victorian Bar. The court heard that OBryan had been declared bankrupt, and handed back in his licence to practise law and his Order of Australia for contributions to charities. OBryan once enjoyed an incredible career, first as a solicitor at top-tier firm MinterEllison before joining the Bar in 1993.

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OBryan once represented Bruce Guthrie in his lawsuit against News Limited in 2010. Craig Abraham Between 2001 and 2004, OBryan wowed as senior counsel assisting the HIH royal commission, which probed wrongdoing by those responsible for the insurance companys catastrophic $5 billion collapse. OBryan was also one of the corporate watchdogs go-to silks, despite the much lower fees barristers receive for these cases. One of OBryans legal feats was his work in helping ASIC catch notorious conman Craig Gore in a civil court matter known as ASIC v ActiveSuper. OBryan was able to convince the court that Gore  a property developer accused of raising millions from investors for his own personal spending  was the ultimate controlling mind of the scheme.

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The case was important because Gore had used Cayman Island companies to hide his identity, but OBryan convinced the court of Gores culpability, paving the way for future cases looking to pin the blame on Australians using companies offshore to conceal their involvement. In 2016, OBryan was awarded the Victorian Bars Ron Merkel, QC, Award for pro bono work. OBryans good character was also supported by a flurry of positive references for the court including from Allan Myers, KC, Philip Crutchfield, KC, and leading company director and former Monash University chancellor Simon McKeon. Norman OBryan addresses Banksia Securities investors in 2013. Aaron Sawall OBryans good character and incredible career now stood in contrast with his criminal conduct, OBryans barrister Neil Clelland, KC, told the court.

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Mr OBryans loss of professional standing has been complete, he said. He can no longer practise law, and realistically, he has no hope of doing so ever again. Related Article Courts Judge lashes lawyers in Banksia Securities case, refers conduct to prosecutors It was a most public fall from grace. OBryan was once a popular figure in legal, business and arts circles, spinning tales of his legal cases and his time at Oxford, where Tony Abbott was a classmate. However, the court heard that since 2018, OBryan had been shunned socially and professionally. He was even ousted from a free tutoring group he set up for disadvantaged high school students and no longer attends the sporting clubs he was a member of for years.

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The suffering of OBryan, however, stands next to that of his victims and their families, who now know what a strong lawyer OBryan could be. As Botsman told the court: Being involved in the Banksia case was one of the most difficult experiences of my life. I was made to feel like a target simply for raising a concern that the court later confirmed was well-founded. It remains that people who raise legitimate concerns, particularly elderly people with modest means, must be able to do so without being subjected to the kind of tactics that were directed at me. OBryan will be sentenced at a later date. 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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NationalVictoriaCourts I could see his face had been shot out: Court hears of underworld figures final moments Erin Pearson April 16, 2026  4:47pm Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Share A A A

Slain underworld figure Gavin Capable Preston attended his local cafe Sweet Lulus almost daily in the lead-up to his death in a hail of bullets, but had never sat at a table outside until the day he died. The Supreme Court heard the intimidating figure would always sit inside the popular Keilor cafe, usually at the same table  one where he could face the door and look outside. But on September 9, 2023, a jury heard inside was full when he arrived to have breakfast with associate Abbas AJ Maghnie, with the pair instead taking a seat in the outside street dining area for the first time. Day three of the trial heard from witnesses who revealed the horror of seeing the fatal shooting unfold outside the packed cafe shortly after 10am, with crime scene photographs showing the pair were part-way through breakfast drinks when bullets rained down on them, causing other patrons to run for cover.

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Cafe manager Lulu Blackmore said while Preston began visiting a few times a week in July 2023, he soon became a daily regular and would attend sometimes with his partner, and Maghnie the rest of the time. Blackmore said her only interaction with Preston was taking his order, but she noticed earlier on that he would always sit inside facing the street. Jaeden Tito and Rabii Zahabe are accused of killing Gavin Preston (centre). Joe Armao, Supplied She described him as big, intimidating, and bald with tattoos, with his appearance prompting her to Google who he was. He sat in the same spot if he could every time, which was table one, the furthest from the door, she said.

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Id see him with AJ quite a bit. Jaeden Tito, 25, and Rabii Zahabe, 26, both from NSW, have pleaded not guilty to murdering Preston and not guilty to attempting to murder Maghnie. In a statement read to the jury, another regular customer Patrick Christofi said he arrived at Sweet Lulus at 10.15am and was talking on the phone, looking out onto the street when he saw the shooting unfold. The cafe was full inside and out, when a black SUV stopped in the middle of the road. Two people dressed in all black then jumped out of the vehicle, ran towards the cafe, with one firing shots at Maghnie and the other towards Preston, he said.

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He shot towards a guy, unshaven, fat. I knew of this guy to be AJ Maghnie. He let four to five shots go hitting the other guy in the head. I could see the impact and his head cocked back from being hit. I knew this guy to be Gavin Preston, Christofi said. I only know names of victims through reputation and media reporting. A still from CCTV footage shows a person dressed in dark clothing approaching Preston before the shooting. Crime scene photos from Gavin Preston killing, released by the court. Colin from the lawnmower shop got some towels. Preston [was] laying in a pool of blood. Colin used the towels to put under his head, thats when I could see his face had been shot out.

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The man said he too had noticed Preston only ever sit inside the cafe before and appeared to be cautious of where he sat. On the day of the shooting was the first time is ever seen him sit outside. He stood out because of his look, he said. Crime scene photos from Gavin Preston killing, released by the court. On Thursday, jury members were also shown crime scene video and photographs of the crime scene and the vehicles allegedly used as getaway cars. The video shows a taped-off cafe and dozens of yellow evidence cones placed next to items including bullet casings and fragments littered across the outdoor dining area.

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On the table where Preston and Maghnie had been sitting were two glasses of orange juice, a coffee cup and saucer. Nearby were upturned chairs. On the ground, crime scene officer, Leading Senior Constable Leanne Gann, said there was an earring, mobile phone and sunglasses strewn around Prestons body. Crime scene photos from Gavin Preston killing, released by the court. Crime scene photos from Gavin Preston killing, released by the court. One of the first police officers on the scene, Senior Constable Brad Douglas helped perform compressions on Preston before accompanying Maghnie in an ambulance to hospital. Maghnie had sustained a gunshot wound to the abdomen.

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During the drive, the court heard Maghnie said: I did not see who it was, I dont know, I did not see a car, I did not see a firearm. The prosecution alleges the shooting was a contract killing, while barristers for the two accused men deny they shot anyone that day. Crime scene photos from Gavin Preston killing, released by the court. On Thursday, the trial also heard from chauffeur driver Jahanzaib Aslam, the owner of Blackfox Chauffeurs, who the prosecution allege was booked via an encrypted app to drive the two men they allege were Tito and Zahabe from Melbourne to Sydney. He said the men in his black Audi Q7, booked by a man named Feature, barely spoke during the interstate drive, but he recalled being asked to provide his passengers snacks for the trip.

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Related Article Courts Two smoking guns and a dead underworld identity: Jury told of Gavin Prestons final moments Aslam recalled them wearing black caps and sunglasses when he collected them before they changed mid-trip. [I asked] how are they, hows the day, why are you driving to Sydney instead of flying. They said they were just going for Christmas. [They] had a weird smell, I thought maybe just a vape, he said. Aslam said he was never paid the $2800 for the trip and later learnt of a shooting near his pickup location on social media. The trial 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.
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Letters NationalVictoriaLetters Taxing gas exports a no-brainer for the nation April 16, 2026  8:00pm Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Share A A A

Photo: Cathy Wilcox To submit a letter to The Age, email letters@theage.com.au. Please include your home address and telephone number. No attachments, please include your letter in the body of the email. See here for our rules and tips on getting your letter published. By expertly leading the rallying call for a 25 per cent tax on gas exports, Ross Gittins is officially back (Easy way to fill budget black hole, 15/4). As Gittins suggests, raising revenue Australians deserve from the extraction of our own resources  and helping to pay for the damage that fossil gas is contributing to through climate change  is a complete no-brainer. Countries like Norway and Qatar have been taxing their gas industries properly for decades, and even the UK has had an Energy Profits Levy since 2022. As Gittins notes, if the Albanese government fails to implement this widely supported and fair proposal, it will be keeping big foreign-owned businesses happy ahead of the national interest. Australians deserve better than that.

Larni Dibben, Glen Iris Australia should look to Norways example

Australians are constantly told there is no money for tax relief, debt reduction or easing cost-of-living pressure. Yet multinational gas companies continue extracting billions of dollars worth of publicly owned resources while returning far too little to the country that owns them. This should not be accepted as normal. Nor is it a choice between giving our resources away and scaring off investment. Norway has shown that a resource-rich nation can attract investment while still insisting on a fair public return. Companies will accept firm rules when they are clear, stable and consistently applied.

Australia should follow Norways example. Our leaders should provide long-term certainty for investors, but in return require a genuine export royalty, or equivalent resource tax, that cannot be easily avoided. That is not anti-business. It is simply the price of access to resources that belong to the Australian people.

It is time our leaders treated the nations resources with the same scrutiny they apply to the tax affairs of everyday citizens.

Graeme Devey, Hampton Albanese must play the long game

Ross Gittins reminds us that politically the 25 per cent tax on gas exports is low-hanging fruit that could be plucked at no cost to voters and little, if any, threat to the gas industry. Much of our security depends on reducing our dependence on oil and gas and this seems like a smart place to invest the $17 billion a year arising from this tax. The ground is prepared. EVs are mainstreaming, electric trucks are fast and efficient, and one of Australias largest exporters will go all-electric by 2028 (Fortescue to fast-track switch from diesel to electric, 11/4). This tax represents an opportunity for Albanese to play the long game; to reflect voter sentiment, to push back on big business and most importantly to invest in a safer climate for all. Theres an opportunity here to reap well from what we sow. If not now, when?

Karen Campbell, Geelong

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War presents opportunity for climate action

Business columnist Stephen Bartholomeusz (Comment, 15/4) views the negative impacts of the Middle East war mainly from a short-term economic perspective. From an existentialist viewpoint (surviving climate change) much of the damage to the production and distribution of 30 per cent of the worlds oil and gas can be considered as a positive. That is, if it acts as a catalyst for people and states to accelerate the move to renewable electricity generation and use of electric transport. Continuing the use of harmful oil and gas is on track to cause a catastrophic situation  more far reaching than the current war scenario.

Tom Maher, Aspendale Migration growth essential to economic health

Post-WWII migration was essential in boosting Australias workforce and thus contributed significantly to the economic growth and the standard of living we enjoy today. Now, with an ageing population and declining birth rate, migration is again essential for Australias economic wellbeing.

Phil Alexander, Eltham THE FORUM Victory, and danger

The High Court decision on donations was a big victory for independent political candidates. They have used the court to expose how Victorias donation laws were unfairly advantaging the major parties (Campaign finance laws struck out, 16/4). Trouble is, with all laws struck out, we now have a donations free-for-all. Given that the deep pockets of Gina Rinehart are supporting One Nation, this could have disastrous and unfair consequences. Whats wrong with a cap on donations that is the same for every candidate, no matter their party or affiliations?

Sarah Brennan, Hawthorn Voters rights . . .

It is important to have a level financial playing field between the major parties, independents and new parties. Financial transparency is also important. Voters have a right to know in real time who donates to election campaigns, and why they donate.

Sarah Russell, Mt Martha

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. . . And their distrust

The High Court decision striking out aspects of Victorias electoral laws so far as they relate to election funding is a win for democracy (Campaign finance laws struck out, 16/4). As Ron Merkel, SC, said so eloquently and accurately when referring to the arrangements given exclusively to the Labor , Liberal and National parties, the preferential arrangements were an abuse of incumbency and the nominated entity exemption was solely enacted for the benefit of the three legacy partners. His words further confirm the reason for the deep distrust voters have for the major political parties.

Peter Randles, Pascoe Vale South Alternative Goethe

In his column Whats old can be new again in politics. Just ask Allan (16/4), Chip Le Grand refers to a quote from Johann Wolfgang von Goethe: Everything has been thought of before but the problem is to think of it again.

But Id like to suggest a more apt von Goethe quote for this long-standing state government: We must always change, renew, rejuvenate ourselves, otherwise we harden.

Sally Davis, Malvern East Private sector perils

Introducing private sector investment in defence spending may prolong conflicts or favour them over diplomatic solutions in the drive to maximise profits (Defence gets $53b boost over 10 years, 16/4).

Peter Baddeley, Portland Divided values

Im struggling to make sense of Angus Taylors recent comments on migration, particularly the idea that newcomers should embrace our way of life.

It sounds straightforward, but the more you look at it, the less clear it becomes. Were told this includes values like a fair go, yet it also seems entirely inconsistent with his party opposing the Voice Referendum. Theres an emphasis on equal rights for men and women, but no support for measures like gender quotas within his own party.

So what exactly counts as our way of life? And who gets to define it?

The bigger question, though, is how this idea is applied. If embracing these values is expected of migrants, what about the Australians who clearly reject them?

There are people in this country who are openly racist, openly hostile to the LGBTQI community, or aligned with sovereign citizen beliefs. Their views dont exactly reflect the inclusive, egalitarian values being described, yet they remain part of the national community.

So is the expectation that these standards only apply to some people and not others? Are certain views tolerated when they come from citizens, but treated as disqualifying when they come from migrants?

Linelle Gibson, Williamstown Passing the test

As an immigrant to this country, I think I can contribute to the Australian values debate. Here is my modest proposal. As a new immigrant, you will: be examined on English proficiency based on the books Let Stalk Strine and Aussie Talk; choose a footy team (AFL or NRL) and learn how to barrack; eat a meat pie with tomato sauce at least twice a week; learn the proper meaning of fair go; adopt the no worries doctrine as a national motto; learn to wear thongs properly at all seasons. Other values are negotiable.

Jerry Koliha, South Melbourne

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An apt argument

With regard to recent letters about inapt language.Why do governments prefer outcomes to results, conversations rather than discussions and conclusions instead of decisions? Is it because an outcome is harder to measure than a result, a conversation is more nebulous than a discussion and a conclusion easier to come to than actually making a decision?

Paul Mann, Dingley Village Wrong priorities

So were spending tens of billions dollars more, 3 per cent of GDP on weaponry, but what of preventing conflicts in the first place?

Foreign aid is demonstrably much more important for national security and can save countless lives, yet it remains hovering below 0.2 per cent of GDP.

Where is our fiscal responsibility,common sense and moral compass?

Christine Morris, Wyndham Vale Concentration of jobs

The expansion of ministerial portfolios in Premier Jacinta Allans reshuffled cabinet raises an obvious question: how many jobs can one minister realistically do well?

Being attorney-general is a full-time responsibility. So is planning. So is finance. Yet we now have ministers expected to carry several of these roles at once. One wonders whether this reflects an abundance of talent or a shortage of it.

With a large parliamentary majority, one might expect a broader distribution of responsibility. Instead, key portfolios appear to be concentrated in relatively few hands, narrowing scrutiny and suggesting limited confidence in the broader ministry to carry major responsibilities.

Suzette Miller, Ashburton Penalties not the answer

Enough is enough. Yes, youth crime is at an all-time high so why do our politicians keep pushing harsher penalties, ignoring the numerous studies that conclude that the best way to protect the community is to invest in measures such as enhanced early intervention and resources to rehabilitate young offenders and steer at-risk children away from a life of crime, protecting the community in the long term.

It is recognised that sentencing alone cannot address the root causes of offending by young people. Children who start offending early are likely to have suffered trauma, abuse, neglect or family violence.

No doubt our politicians believe that espousing tough on crime rhetoric will enhance their election chances.

What they need to do is educate the public that the only way to solve this issue in the long term is to increase funding for early intervention and rehabilitation.

Valerie Evans, Cheltenham Waiting for a plan

Whats the plan of state Opposition Leader Jess Wilson to help young people be less disenfranchised?

Bill Burns, Bendigo

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Role reversal

Your correspondent (Letters, 16/4) asks, Who needs Pauline Hanson when we have Angus Taylor? Pauline Hanson is, in effect, asking, Who needs Angus Taylor when you have Pauline Hanson? and I think her take is more likely to prevail.

Helmut Simon, Thomson Junior role beckons

By aping One Nation Angus Taylors Liberal Party represents poor value for voters. Clearly his tragic strategy for a return to government is as the junior partner in a Pauline Hanson-led coalition.

Peter Rushen, Carnegie Where true wealth lies

While I too might dream on that my forebears had stumbled over rocks and realised their incredible significance (Rinehart ordered to pay hundreds of millions to rival mining family, 16/4), now that Im older I realise that my true wealth is in my family and relationship to my children and grandchildren. That is true wealth and not to be squandered. So while I may dream on about the countless good works I could do with incredible wealth, nothing can replace the joy on a grandchilds face, or the pride and happiness of their parents in their own children.

Peta Colebatch, Hawthorn AFL, we have a problem

I always take note of the Age football tipsters. However, when we have a round where seven of nine games have a 16-0 prediction with the other two games 15-1 and 14-2, AFL, we have a problem.

Mark Hulls, Sandringham Praise for the royals

Its good to see Harry and Meghan enjoying themselves among us. They cop so much negativity, often little more than bias and jealousy. And I like Harrys kicking style.

Kevin Burke, Sandringham

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Failure in support

The failure of the Trump-Vance support for Viktor Orban to win in Hungary may discourage others from seeking that support.

John Walsh, Watsonia Would value a definition

John Howard was forever saying saying Australian values. I did not know then what he meant and still dont. So it was with great pleasure in Thursdays letters a plethora of letters asking the same question.

Anna Flanagan, Box Hill North Photo: Matt Golding AND ANOTHER THING Politics

Any country unlucky enough to be sent back to the Stone Age will also have to put up with Angus Taylor and his policies.

Ken Machin, Grovedale

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These days, any immigrant motivated by what Angus Taylor calls noble intent would surely set alarm bells ringing.

Bernd Rieve, Brighton An excellent cartoon by Matt Golding (15/4) on Angus Taylors immigration policy; he might as well be using a fox whistle rather than a dog whistle as it has a higher pitch.

Will Quilty, Shepparton The use of Liberal in the Liberal Party has become a misnomer. Should it be the Conservative Party?

Arthur Pritchard, Ascot Vale Under Angus Taylors new criteria, the Snowy Mountains hydro scheme probably would never have been built.

David Cayzer, Clifton Hill Trump

Your correspondents observation (Letters, 16/4) that Donald Trump would be better portrayed as Michelangelos David has conjured up an image I wish I could un-see.

Deborah Morrison, Malvern East

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Ill never be able to look at Michelangelos David in the same light again. Such an instantly, indelibly, horrible image. Best laugh for ages.

Jenifer Nicholls, Windsor Now I keep seeing images of Donald Trump on a wooden cross.

Geoff Allen, Parkdale Not only should Donald Trump listen to Bob Dylans With God on Our Side, he should then listen to Dylans Masters of War.

Kerry Murphy, Warrnambool Furthermore

I thought the Mt Macedon memorial was to celebrate the lives of the fallen (War memorial trees to be bulldozed, 16/4) and not bear witness to more felling, though this time of Snowgum saplings, all in the name of the view.

Kim Kaye, Surrey Hills Whats happened to the April sun? No solar equals more grid usage.

Peter Walker, Black Rock
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NationalVictoriaCBD What a croc: One Nation owns up to reptile problem in Victoria Fiona Byrne and John Buckley April 17, 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

With One Nation vowing to run a candidate in every seat in Victoria in the November election, maybe Pauline Hanson and her team should do a little research on the local landscape. Or perhaps they should get a proofreader onboard. Pauline Hansons One Nation has set its sights on Victoria. Ben Searcy In what looked like a cut and paste from messaging meant for another state, the Rebuilding Our Regions policy page on the One Nation Victoria website set out the partys support of the local agriculture, fishing and forestry sectors and farming communities. It was a line in particular in the partys plan to grow thriving regional communities in Victoria that caught CBDs eye.

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It turns out that one of One Nation Victorias objectives is to support the swift removal of dangerous animals such as crocodiles from human communities in Victoria. Yes, you read that right, crocodiles  the reptile that thrives in northern Australian states such as Queensland, but other than in zoos or reptile parks and as the occasional exotic pet, does not exist down south in Victoria. Saltwater crocodile in Corroboree wetlands, Darwin  not Victoria. Getty Images/iStockphoto One Nation chief of staff James Ashby dealt with his partys Victorian crocodile problem in record time after CBD brought it to his attention on Thursday. Im not about to give you crocodile tears and pretend its not a mistake, Ashby said.

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A screenshot from the One Nation Victoria website, where the party outlines one of its objectives for regional Victoria. Since The Age brought the reptile issue to our attention, the party has made some snappy changes to the website and the crocodile has been removed for everyones safety. Meanwhile, if you are surfing around the One Nation website learning about the partys plan to deal with crocodiles down south and have a few minutes up your sleeve, the expression of interest portal is still open to apply to be a candidate for the November election. Wilsons superhero stage moment It seems a shared interest in superheroes was behind shadow federal treasurer Tim Wilson making a surprise appearance at the Melbourne Comedy Festival, alongside former ABC breakfast radio host Sammy J.

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Sammy J, aka Samuel Jonathan McMillan, is drawing big crowds to his Hero Complex show which notes his schoolyard obsession with The Phantom comic book superhero. Wilson and McMillan were students at the same Mount Eliza school, The Peninsula School (now known as Peninsula Grammar), and Wilson and another schoolmate, Duncan Munro, are mentioned in the storyline of the production. Shadow treasurer Tim Wilson, Duncan Munro and Sammy J (Samuel Jonathan McMillan) with The Phantom at Sammy Js Hero Complex show on Tuesday. Jennifer Forward-Hayter/Laughing Stock Productions. The school days connection led to McMillan getting the high-profile Liberal and Munro to make appearances on stage with him at the Athenaeum Theatre on Tuesday. This is the only time you will have an ABC audience cheering for you, Tim, McMillan quipped during the evening.

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It turns out Wilson who was anointed the shadow minister for the Melbourne Cup by CBD last year after he described Anthony Albanese on social media as a philistine for scheduling a parliamentary sitting day on the first Tuesday of November  was also a Phantom fan in his school days. Tim once gave me a copy of a very special Phantom comic, McMillan said. We were the only two Phantom fans at the school. Politicians, as we well know, love an audience, and as it so happens, Tuesday was not the first time Wilson had made a cameo in Hero Complex, which McMillan has toured in other states. I have done a guest appearance before, but this one is the only one for the Melbourne Comedy Festival, Wilson told CBD. It is a very funny show. Duncan goes all the time to this show, and I go to it occasionally.

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Catalano notches a minor win over ally-turned-enemy Before Antony Catalano was the subject of national headlines for being charged with allegedly assaulting his wife, the fast-talking former Domain chief executive was locked in a complex legal battle with his former ally and corporate raider Nick Bolton. In late 2024, Catalano, who is in rehab, fell out with Bolton after striking a deal with the high-profile fund manager Geoff Wilson, which culminated in Boltons ouster as chief executive of Keybridge Capital, the ASX-listed investment vehicle Bolton controlled for years. Nick Bolton and Antony Catalano. The move triggered what one Federal Court judge described as a long-running turf war for control of Keybridge, which has since played out in a web of complex legal claims. Among them was a fight over a stake in Australian Community Media, which Catalano and the Melbourne billionaire Alex Waislitz bought in 2019.

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As far as Bolton is concerned, Keybridge owns 16.7 per cent of Catalanos regional media empire, and Catalano engaged in a breach of trust by appropriating the shares for himself. Last year, Bolton sought leave in the Federal Court to bring action to pry the stake away from Catalano. But that effort failed. And on Tuesday, his attempt to appeal that decision was dismissed by the Federal Court, where Bolton was represented by the high-profile billionaire Melbourne barrister Allan Myers, KC. We are pleased to see the court confirmed the current boards position, and costs awarded in our favour, Keybridge director Sulieman Ravell told CBD. In response to the decision, Bolton said Keybridge had received Kings Counsels firm advice in 2024 that it was the beneficial owner of the stake, setting the stage for a likely rematch of the matter. It begs the question why a now WAM [owned by Wilson] and Catalano-controlled Keybridge would so vigorously oppose me recovering, on behalf of and for the benefit of all Keybridge shareholders, $23 million of assets from Catalano, Bolton told CBD.

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Related Article Courts He reaches her, grabs her, pushing her by the neck: Fresh Catalano allegations emerge Geoff Wilson needs Catalanos support to stay in control of Keybridge, whereas I was prepared to give up control of the company and end my relationship with Cat in order to recover Keybridges investment in ACM. This weeks Federal Court decision is just one procedural piece of a sprawling legal battle between Bolton and Catalano, whom the corporate raider is also suing directly. The bad blood runs deep, and in both directions. Early last month, as regular readers of this column will no doubt recall, Keybridge told investors that it was pleased to advise that the Milanese Court had granted freezing orders over Boltons Italian assets, up to the amount of $4.7 million. In particular, the orders related to an entity called Crotto del Nino, which holds title to a waterfront villa on Lake Como worth about $20 million. That freezing order came on top of a NSW Supreme Court order freezing Boltons assets in Australia, after Keybridge loaned close to $5 million to an entity in Italy associated with Bolton. Bolton argues the loan was an advance on a success fee for a profitable options trade in 2023. Last time we wrote about the Bolton/Catalano/Wilson saga was before Catalano was charged with allegedly assaulting his partner. A lot has changed since then. But one thing we would bet hasnt changed is Boltons appetite for a fight.
News / National

by Staff reporter

Global concerns over rising insecurity dominated discussions at the 152nd Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) Assembly this week, where African and SADC delegates called for stronger parliamentary action to support ceasefires and advance peacebuilding efforts.The meetings of the African Geopolitical Group and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Group were held in Istanbul on Tuesday as part of the ongoing IPU Assembly deliberations on major international issues.The SADC Group meeting was chaired by Speaker of the Parliament of Zimbabwe, Jacob Mudenda, in the absence of SADC Parliamentary Forum chair Randrianasoloniaiko Thierry Siteny.Delegates focused on the adoption of an emergency item for inclusion on the Assembly agenda, with particular emphasis on coordinated global parliamentary responses to conflict prevention and peacebuilding.The SADC bloc ultimately supported a proposal submitted by delegations from Qatar, Australia, Turkiye, France, Brazil and Zambia titled "The urgent need for concerted Parliamentary efforts to preserve ceasefires and support peacebuilding."The proposal was unanimously adopted, with delegates saying it aligns with the region's broader commitment to dialogue-driven conflict resolution and sustainable peace.Founded in 1889, the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) is the global organisation of national parliaments, bringing together 183 member parliaments and 15 regional bodies to promote democracy, peace and development through legislative cooperation.Zimbabwe's delegation, including Speaker of the Senate Mabel Chinomona and other standing delegates, is attending the session, which runs from April 14 to 19, 2026.Officials said the discussions reflect growing recognition of the role of parliaments in preventing conflict and strengthening international stability through diplomatic engagement.
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PoliticsFederalDefence spending Opinion This is a big step forward on defence for Australia. Too bad were playing catch-up Rory Medcalf Head of the National Security College April 16, 2026  4:51pm

April 16, 2026  4:51pm Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Share A A A

Better now than never. The defence strategy and investment program released this week is the largest step Australia has taken to confront the 21st-century strategic realities in a world of disorder and conflict. And no doubt its champions, Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Richard Marles and Defence Industry Minister Pat Conroy, are right that these outcomes were hard won within cabinet. Defence Minister Richard Marles said the government was making the biggest ever peacetime increase in defence spending. Oscar Colman Anthony Albanese did not become prime minister with defence and security at the core of his idea of Australia, and he is yet to build these priorities convincingly into his message of progressive patriotism. Yet todays unforgiving global landscape does not give government much alternative, unless it wants a legacy of leaving the nation exposed to geopolitical risk and so jeopardising everything else. Hence the many welcome, if overdue, themes in the new strategic documents. These include increased defence spending, an emphasis on deterring China (without quite saying so) in our Indo-Pacific region, an acceleration in making drones and autonomous capabilities based on the lessons of war in Ukraine and the Middle East, and a recognition that defence is a whole-of-nation effort requiring industrial grunt, private capital and community preparedness. The commitments of the new strategy and investment plan are necessary, including greater Australian self-reliance and a projection of defence spending growing, by some measures, to 3 per cent of GDP by 2033.

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But will any of this be at a scale and pace sufficient for the challenges ahead? The 2026 national defence strategy, unveiled in Marles speech at the National Press Club, accurately describes a world of fracture, rivalry and disorder, with armed conflict between states now a reality in every region. But he also made the point that the trends in this direction  the fraying and failure of the rules-based order our government continues to cherish  have been evident for a decade. Related Article Opinion

National security Australians know were under threat  and underprepared Rory Medcalf Head of the National Security College In other words, governments have been warned of the gathering storm for years, including presumably by their officials and intelligence agencies, even while the gap between what governments know and what they tell the public has widened. Recently, my organisation, the ANU National Security College, published a trove of data about public attitudes which revealed rising security anxiety. These community consultations findings, based on representative surveys of more than 20,000 Australians conducted before the current Iran conflict, also showed that most of our fellow citizens expected multiple high-consequence crises over the next five years. These threats included war overseas, economic crisis, supply chain disruptions, attacks on critical infrastructure, disinformation, foreign interference, cyber and AI-enabled attacks and domestic unrest. A large minority, 45 per cent, even considered foreign military attack on our territory to be probable before long.

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In general terms, then, parts of the new defence strategy read like government catching up with the public mood and with global patterns of surging defence investment, military innovation and national readiness. That may be a little unfair. Since 2022, this government has sought to impose new discipline on defence capability decisions, and argues that results take time but will accelerate. The public may be right to be anxious or they may be wrong. Setting that picture straight with honesty and reassurance is a job for government. Related Article Opinion

Political leadership Australia is vulnerable. Thats not in doubt. Can our leaders keep us secure? Were about to find out Peter Hartcher Political and international editor In his press club appearance, Marles pushed back against a journalists suggestion that government has not been levelling with the public about the risks of armed conflict and strategic threats. Our consultations revealed that most of the population want government to share more information about security risks, albeit in ways that do not fan panic. The new strategy leaves some key questions unanswered. What are the real foundations for continued assurance in the military alliance with the United States (of which AUKUS is but a subset), which allows the government to draw a distinction between its aspiration of self-reliance within the alliance and the impossibility of self-sufficiency, that is Australia ever being able to fight alone?

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It was awkward to hear Marles affirm confidence in the Trump administrations 2025 national security and defence strategies as evidence of US commitment to our shared security against China in the Indo-Pacific, when those America First manifestos and multiple subsequent US actions also undermine the global rules-based order. On drone technology, how now does Australia innovate at scale and speed, sometimes with US partners and sometimes without? And on private investment, including the potential to encourage the Australian superannuation sector to invest in defence infrastructure, will government now persistently make the case as to why this is a sensible and ethical investment pathway? That goes to the pressing need for a national conversation about resilience and preparedness. Being prepared to deter conflict and become a more genuinely self-reliant military power will require active buy-in from the public, the private sector, states and territories, and even local government. Tellingly, the one paragraph on civil preparedness in the new national defence strategy uses words such as would and will, describing something that is yet to happen. Professor Rory Medcalf is head of the National Security College at the Australian National University.
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WorldAsiaMiddle East at war Albanese and Anwar find common ground in defending the Pope against Trump Lisa Visentin April 16, 2026  7:33pm Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Share A A A

Kuala Lumpur: Separated by religion but united in their support for the Pope, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese backed in his Malaysian counterparts veiled criticism of US President Donald Trumps war on Iran and his attacks on the Catholic leader. Albanese was in Kuala Lumpur for urgent talks with Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim on fuel and food security concerns, triggered by a worsening energy crisis as Iran and the US fight to choke the critical shipping lane through the Strait of Hormuz. Speaking at a joint media conference, the leaders found common ground in defending Pope Leo, who has ignited Trumps rage for condemning the Iran war, even as the crisis has exposed their conflicting geopolitical leanings when it comes to relationships with Tehran and Moscow. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is greeted by Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim. AAP Albanese described the Pope as a thoughtful, dignified, and extraordinary person and a very significant figure in global affairs and said he was honoured to have met him last year.

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Both men refrained from directly condemning Trump for his decision to wage war on Iran in concert with Israel, underscoring the delicate geopolitical tightrope they are walking as they grapple with the downstream consequence of strangled access to oil, diesel, fertiliser and food. Standing beside his Australian guest, Anwar said he had assured Albanese that Australia would be given primacy in access to excess fuel supplies through Malaysias state-owned oil giant Petronas, but with the caveat that his own countrys requirements must first be met. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and his Malaysian counterpart Anwar Ibrahim found common ground in defending Pope Leo after the pontiff was blasted as terrible by US President Donald Trump. AAP He also defended Malaysias good relations with Russia and Iran, which have been heavily sanctioned by the US and its allies, when asked for his views on buying oil from the two countries. My priority is to protect the interests of the people of this country, Anwar said.

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Malaysia recognises only sanctions imposed by the United Nations, not sanctions imposed by individual countries. It imports hundreds of millions of dollars worth of Russian oil and fuel each year, some of which is sold on to Australia, undermining Canberras commitment to sanctions against Moscow for waging war on Ukraine. Related Article Exclusive

Blood Oil Oil companies put on notice over Russian blood oil Anwar said Malaysia was using its ties with Tehran to advocate for peace and an opening of the strait, but signalled support for Irans call for guarantees against future US attacks as part of the negotiations to end the war. Whilst supporting the position of freedom of navigation, we also want guarantee from countries, big powers included, to end that animosity and attack and even sanctions against other countries, he said. It is a contrast with Australias severed relationship with the Islamic Republic, which prompted Canberra to expel Irans ambassador last year over the governments links to antisemitic attacks in Sydney and Melbourne.

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In Muslim-majority Malaysia, Israels war on Gaza is a visceral issue. While Albaneses decision last year to formally recognise the State of Palestine has been contentious domestically, particularly among Jewish groups, it has been welcomed by Australias Muslim Asian neighbours, and drew praise from Anwar.  I appreciate Australias stance on Gaza, calling for an end to hostilities, supporting humanitarian assistance and working towards a lasting resolution. That position matters, he said. 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.
French President Emmanuel Macron says the Israel-Lebanon ceasefire may already be undermined by continued fighting.

I fully support the ceasefire between Hezbollah and Israel as announced by President Trump yesterday. I also express my concern that it may already be undermined by the continuation of military operations, he just posted on X (formerly Twitter).

French President Emmanuel Macron chairing a video conference of G7 leaders in early March. AP

Hezbollah must renounce its weapons. Israel must respect Lebanese sovereignty and stop the war.

The Lebanese Army said early on Friday that Israel violated the 10-day ceasefire after it took effect, including by shelling several southern Lebanese villages.
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Updated WorldNorth AmericaMiddle East at war Israel-Lebanon 10-day ceasefire off to a shaky start as all sides take a breather Michael Koziol Updated April 17, 2026  5:46pm ,first published April 17, 2026  1:57am Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Share A A A

Washington: The leaders of Israel and Lebanon have agreed to a 10-day ceasefire that has now gone into effect, in another potential step towards ending the broader conflict with Iran. Trump said he spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Lebanese President Joseph Aoun on Thursday (US time), following talks between top diplomats in Washington earlier in the week. These two leaders have agreed that in order to achieve PEACE between their Countries, they will formally begin a 10-day CEASEFIRE, Trump declared on social media. Donald Trump announced there would be a 10-day ceasefire in Lebanon after speaking with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. AFR Later, speaking to reporters at the White House, Trump asserted the Lebanese government was working with Hezbollah to enforce the truce. Were going to see how it all works out, he said.

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Theyre all agreeing. Its a very nice little package, for about a week. Were not going to have lots of bombs dropping, and were going to see if we can make peace between Lebanon and Israel. With a steady flow of displaced Lebanese returning to their homes in the countrys south, the Lebanese Army said early on Friday (Lebanon time) that Israel had already violated the ceasefire, including the intermittent shelling of several southern Lebanese villages. Hezbollah supporters chant slogans and wave flags and posters during an anti-government protest in Lebanon. Getty Images Lebanons state-run National News agency reported that Israeli shelling continued in the villages of Khiam and Dibbine about 30 minutes after the truce began. Israels military told The Associated Press that it was looking into reports of shelling and artillery fire in southern Lebanon. The Israeli military earlier urged residents in southern Lebanon not to move south of the Litani River, about 30 kilometres north of the Israeli border, until further notice while forces remain deployed after the start of the ceasefire.

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Arabic-language military spokesperson Avichay Adraee said the deployment was in response to what he described as continued Hezbollah militant activity. Israels war against Hezbollah over the past 46 days has displaced an estimated 1.2 million people  or almost 20 per cent of the population  including 820,000 from the south. Hezbollah  which Australia has proscribed as a terrorist organisation  is estimated to have up to 50,000 fighters, and also operates as a state within a state in parts of Lebanon with a large network of social services including healthcare facilities and schools. Loading While its unclear how the ceasefire will work in practice, as Israel is fighting Hezbollah, rather than the Lebanese state, the US State Department has published six commitments it says both Israel and Lebanon have accepted.

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They include that Lebanon will take meaningful steps to prevent Hezbollah and other groups in its territory from carrying out any attacks, operations, or hostile activities against Israeli targets. All parties recognise Lebanons security forces as having exclusive responsibility for Lebanons sovereignty and national defence; no other country or group has claim to be the guarantor of Lebanons sovereignty, the statement says. At the same time, Israel retains its right to take all necessary measures in self-defence, at any time, against planned, imminent, or ongoing attacks but will not carry out any offensive operations against targets in Lebanon. The initial 10-day ceasefire may be extended if negotiations progress and Lebanon effectively demonstrates its ability to assert its sovereignty. Elliott Abrams, a senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations, and a former US special representative for Iran, said it was not clear who the ceasefire was actually between.

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If that means the state of Lebanon, what about Hezbollah? They can break it tomorrow and thats the end of the 10 days, he said. Aoun does not control Hezbollah, though Abrams said he could potentially try to persuade them to stop through Lebanons parliamentary speaker Nabih Berri, a Hezbollah ally. Its not completely inconceivable to me. A boy walks through debris at the site of a building destroyed in an Israeli airstrike in early April in central Beirut. AP Senior Hezbollah lawmaker Hassan Fadlallah told Reuters the group had been informed by Irans ambassador to Lebanon that a one-week ceasefire could begin on Thursday evening. Asked if Hezbollah would commit to the truce, Fadlallah said everything was tied to Israels commitment to halt all forms of hostilities, and credited Irans diplomatic efforts for the possible ceasefire.

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Meanwhile, Netanyahu said he had agreed to the 10-day ceasefire in Lebanon, but described it as temporary and a timeout. We have an opportunity to make a historic peace agreement with Lebanon, he said in a video message. Trump said the Lebanese government would be working with Hezbollah to enforce the ceasefire. AP But Netanyahu said Israel had not agreed to a Hezbollah demand to withdraw from southern Lebanon. He said Israeli troops would remain in Lebanon in a security zone close to its border with Syria. That is where we are, and we are not leaving. Trump has invited Netanyahu and Aoun to the White House for a meeting, but did not say whether they had agreed to come. The two countries do not have diplomatic relations and have not had high-level, in-person talks for more than 30 years  until the meeting between ambassadors at the US State Department this week.

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There has been a ceasefire between the US, Iran and Israel since April 7, with ongoing talks to end the war that began on February 28. But the ceasefire did not include Lebanon. Related Article Updated

Middle East at war US, Iran gear up for second round of talks as Strait of Hormuz blockade holds steady Iran initially demanded that Lebanon be part of the truce as a precondition to negotiations with the US, but it participated in talks in Pakistan last week regardless. Following the ceasefire announcement, Iranian parliamentary speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said Iran would treat the truce with caution but would be true to our pledge.

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He praised Hezbollahs steadfastness and the unity of what he called the Axis of Resistance. We will remain together until the full realisation of victory, he said on X. With Reuters, 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.
All-new N Performance Parts line focuses on engineered performance and racing-inspired N design appeal

New N Performance Parts to include motorsports-inspired accessories for Elantra N and IONIQ 5 N models as well as future N offerings

N Performance Parts to include carbon-fiber rear wing and side mirrors, Alcantara steering wheel, shift knob, handbrake lever cover, and matte black forged alloy wheels

FOUNTAIN VALLEY, Calif., April 16, 2026 -- Hyundai Motor America has announced the launch of its all-new N Performance Parts lineup for N models including the IONIQ 5 N and the Elantra N. The new range of accessories will be available at select U.S. Hyundai dealers, with the N product lineup and specifications viewable at Hyundai Accessory Resource Center - N Performance.

"Hyundai's new N Performance Parts are specifically engineered to meet the discerning demands of our Hyundai N Nthusiasts," said Joon Park, Vice President of N Management Group. "These rigorously engineered N Performance Parts deliver high performance and motorsports-inspired designs for N owners who crave more performance and a higher degree of design personalization. The N Performance Parts line will continue to expand and evolve with the ever-changing needs and desires of our N customers well into the future of our growing brand."

At launch, the N Performance Parts line will include:

N Models N Performance Part IONIQ 5 N / Elantra N N Performance Black Wheel Nuts IONIQ 5 N / Elantra N N Design Floor Mats IONIQ 5 N / Elantra N Metal Door Scuff Plates IONIQ 5 N / Elantra N Wheel Caps IONIQ 5 N / Elantra N Alcantara Steering Wheel IONIQ 5 N / Elantra N N Performance Decals Elantra N Carbon-Fiber Rear Wing Elantra N Carbon-Fiber Side Mirrors (without camera) Elantra N Alcantara Gear Knob & Shift Boot (M/T or A/T) Elantra N Alcantara Parking Lever Elantra N Alcantara Center Armrest Elantra N 19-inch Forged Alloy Wheels (Matte Black)

Additional N Performance Parts will continue to be added throughout 2026 and beyond.
News / National

by Staff reporter

Eighteen people have been killed in a horrific incident after a commuter omnibus they were travelling in exploded near Chipangali Wildlife Sanctuary along the Bulawayo - Gwanda Road, police have confirmed.The incident occurred between 1pm and 2pm near an area known as Much Binding, between Bulawayo and Esigodini.Police said the vehicle, a South Africa-registered Toyota Quantum, exploded suddenly while in transit, leaving debris and human remains scattered across an estimated 50-metre radius.The blast also ignited a fire that quickly spread to the surrounding roadside grass, complicating early recovery efforts.Authorities said the scene was extremely severe, with vehicle wreckage and body parts dispersed across the area following the explosion.Emergency services and law enforcement teams were deployed to secure the scene and begin recovery operations, while investigations into the cause of the explosion are underway.Further details are expected as authorities complete on-site assessments.
Samrat Choudhary takes oath as Bihar CM, First BJP leader to become Bihar Chief Minister





PATNA :

BHARATIYA Janata Party (BJP) leader Samrat Choudhary was on Wednesday sworn in as the 24th Chief Minister of Bihar, in the first instance of any BJP member making it to the top post in the State. He was administered the oath of office by Governor Syed Ata Hasnain at the Lok Bhawan, in presence of a host of dignitaries, including JD(U) President Nitish Kumar, who had given up the CMs post a day ago, Union Minister and former BJP President J P Nadda and Chirag Paswan, who heads the LJP (RV), the third-largest constituent of the ruling NDA in Bihar. Bijendra Prasad Yadav and Vijay Kumar Chaudhary, both from the JD(U), also took oath on the occasion and were designated as Deputy Chief Ministers later in the day. Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Samrat Choudhary and said his energy, dedication to public service and grassroots experience will prove extremely beneficial for the State. Heartiest congratulations and best wishes to Shri Samrat Choudhary on taking oath as the Chief Minister of Bihar! His energy, dedication to public service, and grassroots experience will prove extremely beneficial for the State. I am fully confident that under his capable leadership, while fulfilling the aspirations of the people, Bihar will touch new heights of all-round development, Modi said in a post on X in Hindi.

The CM has for now kept with himself close to 30 portflios, including crucial ones like Home, Vigilance, Revenue and Land Reforms and Health. The other departments that remain with the CM include Agriculture, Labour Resources and Migrant Workers Welfare, Disaster Management, Panchayati Raj, and Industries. Vijay Kumar Chaudhary has been allocated 10 departments, including Water Resources, Parliamentary Affairs and Information and Public Relations, portfolios that he held in the previous Nitish Kumar Government. Yadav will hold eight departments, including Energy, Finance and Planning and Development, which he had been entrusted with in the previous Government. He has also been allocated the Prohibition, Excise and Registration Department. The change of guard in the State has been necessitated by Kumar, 75, becoming a member of the Rajya Sabha. After the oath-taking ceremony, the Chief Minister went to the Secretariat where he held a meeting with Government officials, whom he briefed about priorities of his administration. Later, Choudhary also visited the BJP office where he was felicitated by party workers.
News / National

by Prof Jonathan Moyo

South Africa's Department of Home Affairs has clarified that holders of the Zimbabwe Exemption Permit (ZEP) do not qualify for permanent residence, following confusion sparked by recent public remarks.The clarification comes after a television interview featuring Deputy Minister Njabulo Nzuza during discussions on the revised White Paper on Citizenship, Immigration and Refugee Protection.In a statement, department spokesperson Thulani Mavuso said ZEP holders remain ineligible for permanent residency despite ongoing policy discussions."The Department is currently engaged in a rigorous public consultation process regarding the future of both the Zimbabwe Exemption Permit (ZEP) and the Lesotho Exemption Permit (LEP)," Mavuso said.He confirmed that both permit programmes have been extended until May 29, 2027, providing temporary relief to thousands of affected individuals.The department said the consultation process is aimed at developing a long-term, legally sound policy framework, with a final position expected to be submitted to Cabinet by the end of the 2026/27 financial year.Mavuso urged stakeholders to avoid spreading misinformation, warning that confusion over the permits could cause unnecessary anxiety among holders."The Department of Home Affairs remains committed to finding a sustainable and fair solution to this long-standing matter," he said.The ZEP programme, which allows Zimbabwean nationals to live and work in South Africa under special dispensation, has been subject to ongoing policy review as government weighs long-term immigration reforms.
Imbibe spirit of research, curiosity, continuous learning: President Murmu





Dignitaries including (from left to right) Dr Prashant Joshi, Prataprao Jadhav, Jishnu Dev Varma, Droupadi Murmu, Devendra Fadnavis, Dr Anant Pandhare, along with meritorious students, and faculty members present at the ceremony. (Pic by Satish Raut)

Staff Reporter :

President graced 2nd convocation ceremony of AIIMS Nagpur

medical profession is not just a career, it is a path to serve humanity with deep sensitivity. No matter how advanced technology becomes, it can never replace compassion, integrity, and a patient-centric approach, said Droupadi Murmu, President of India, on Wednesday. She was speaking as the chief guest at the Second Convocation Ceremony of the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Nagpur. In her keynote address, the President emphasised that sensitivity is the most vital attribute of a doctors life. A physician does not merely treat a disease, but instills hope in the heart of the suffering, added the President during her speech. Highlighting the challenges of the profession, she remarked that, even in the most difficult situations, doctors must remain sensitive to patients and their families. Murmu urged the graduating students to maintain the spirit of curiosity and research, reminding them that while success is important, becoming a good human being through compassion is the ultimate goal.





She also stressed the need to bridge the gap between rural and urban healthcare using Digital Health Mission and AI. Several high-ranking dignitaries, including Jishnu Dev Varma, Governor of Maharashtra; Devendra Fadnavis, Chief Minister of Maharashtra; Prataprao Jadhav, Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare; Dr Anant Pandhare, President of AIIMS Nagpur; Dr Prashant Joshi, Executive Director of AIIMS Nagpur, along with others were present during the ceremony. The Convocation was formally declared open by Dr Anant Pandhare, who also delivered the welcome address. Governor Jishnu Dev Varma emphasised the need for collaboration between AIIMS Nagpur and the Maharashtra University of Health Sciences (MUHS) to strengthen the healthcare ecosystem. While addressing the gathering and students, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis highlighted the States commitment to expanding medical infrastructure.

Sharing a visionary goal, Fadnavis said that, The Government is working towards providing comprehensive healthcare infrastructure within a 5-kilometre radius for every citizen. Over 15 new medical colleges have been established in Maharashtra recently to reach the last person in society. Fadnavis added, The world needs your service today. You are stepping out not just as degree holders, but as healers. When knowledge is combined with compassion, you truly succeed in your mission to save lives. Meanwhile, Union Minister Prataprao Jadhav reminded the students that the responsibility of making Indias healthcare system Atmanirbhar (self-reliant) now rests on their shoulders. Further, the ceremony commenced with Prashant Joshi presenting the institutional report. He detailed the rapid growth of AIIMS Nagpur in clinical services, academic excellence, and cutting-edge research, newly added courses, establishing it as a premier healthcare hub in Central India. A total of 210 students were awarded degrees during the convocation, including 129 MBBS graduates, 29 MD/MS graduates, 35 B Sc (Hons) Nursing graduates, 5 M Sc students and 12 Allied Health Sciences graduates. President Murmu personally presented gold medals to top-performing students, marking a milestone in their journey from students to medical professionals dedicated to the nations service.

Dr Vedavati Bandyopadhyay (MD/MS, July 2022 batch) and Dr Sunkari Hari Babu (MD/MS, January 2023 batch) were awarded for securing the top position in the Final Professional Examination in their respective sessions. In MBBS 2020 batch, Priyanka was awarded the Dr Sanjay Mukund Paithankar Medal for securing the top position in the Final Professional Examination and was also recognised as the topper in Community Medicine. Vaidehi J Loya (MBBS 2020 batch) received the Dr Sanjay Mukund Paithankar Medal for securing the top position in General Medicine. Among nursing and allied health sciences, Nikita Joshi (B Sc Nursing, 2021 batch) and Tauseef Ahmed Laskar (B.Sc. Allied and Healthcare, 2021 batch) were recognised as toppers in their respective programs, while Arsala Parveen (M Sc, 2022-2023 batch) secured the top position in the M Sc Final Professional Examination. The ceremony concluded with the National Song and National Anthem. Meanwhile, a vote of thanks was proposed by Dean (Academics), Dr Rasika Gadkari.
Iran war close to over, says Trump, US Central Command blocks all traffic to and from Iranian ports and coastal areas





WASHINGTON :

US PRESIDENT Donald Trump has said that the war with Iran is close to over, asserting that if he pulled up stakes right now, it would take Tehran 20 years to rebuild the country. The Presidents comments come hours after the US Central Command said it has successfully blocked all traffic to and from Iranian ports and coastal areas in the first 24 hours of Trumps blockade, saying the US was supporting freedom of navigation for vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz. I think its close to over, yeah. I view it as very close to being over, Trump told Fox News in an interview that will be telecast later on Wednesday. The interview for the programme Mornings with Maria was recorded on Tuesday. I think its - I had to divert because if I didnt do that, right now youd have Iran with a nuclear weapon. And if they had a nuclear weapon, youd be calling everyone over there sir, and you dont want to do that, Trump said. The US and Iran failed to reach an agreement following historic marathon talks in Islamabad over the weekend to find a peaceful resolution to the conflict that started on February 28. A US media report said on Tuesday that Trump said that a second round of talks with Iran could be held in Islamabad over the next two days. You should stay there, really, because something could be happening over the next two days, and were more inclined to go there, Trump told The New York Post.

Trump attributed the possibility of a second round of talks to the great job done by Pakistan Army chief Field Marshal Asim Munir. Its more likely, you know why? Because the field marshal is doing a great job, the US President said. He did not say whether Vice President J D Vance would continue to lead the negotiating team, which included White House Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. Ive been saying they cant have nuclear weapons. So I dont like the 20 years, Trump said when asked about suggestions that a moratorium might encourage Iran to make an agreement. I dont want them (Iran) to feel like they have a win, the US President said. HOPES RISE: Hopes rose for renewed talks between the United States and Iran on Wednesday, as the US military said its blockade of Iranian ports was in full effect and Tehran threatened to retaliate by striking targets across the war-weary region. Regional officials said on Wednesday that the United States and Iran gave an in principle agreement to extend the two-week ceasefire, which is due to expire on April 22, to allow for more diplomacy. One of the officials, who is involved in the mediation efforts, said mediators were working on a compromise to the three main disputed points - Irans nuclear programme, the Strait of Hormuz and compensation for Irans wartime damages. Both officials spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the matter. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said its highly probable that talks will restart, citing a meeting he had with Pakistans Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar.
MPBSE X, XII RESULTS, State hits 16-year high as girls, Government schools lead the way





Staff Reporter :

Madhya Pradesh celebrated a landmark academic achievement on Wednesday as the Madhya Pradesh Board of Secondary Education (MPBSE) released the results for the Classes 10 and 12 examinations. The State recorded its best performance in 16 years, driven by a significant surge in the quality of Government education and a continued dominance by female students. Chief Minister Dr Mohan Yadav, declaring the results at Samatva Bhavan, termed the outcome a reflection of a Golden Madhya Pradesh. The Class 12 (Higher Secondary) results emerged as the standout highlight of the year, achieving an overall pass percentage of 76.01%. This figure represents the highest success rate since 2010. Out of the 6,89,746 students who appeared, girls maintained their traditional lead with a pass percentage of 79.41%, compared to 72.39% for boys. The State capital, Bhopal, claimed the ultimate glory in this category. Khushi Rai of Government Subhash Excellence Higher Secondary School (Shivaji Nagar) and Chandni Vishwakarma of a private school (Neelbad) emerged as the Joint State Toppers, both securing a near-perfect 494 out of 500 marks. Class 10: Pannas Prodigy and Tribal Success In the High School category, the State recorded a pass percentage of 73.42%. The top honour went to Pratibha Singh Solanki of Saraswati Gyan Mandir High School, Gunour (Panna), who scored a staggering 499 out of 500 marks.

The results also highlighted a major shift in regional performance. Tribal-dominated districts outperformed several urban centres; Anuppur topped the State in Class 10 with a 93.85% pass rate, while Jhabua led the Class 12 rankings with 93.23%. The latest data from the Board of Secondary Education highlights a significant shift in the quality of education within the state, as government-run institutions have decisively outperformed the private sector. In the Class 12 Higher Secondary results, Government schools achieved a notable pass rate of 80.43%, which stands significantly higher than the 69.67% recorded by private institutions. This double-digit gap underscores the success of state-led educational initiatives and the focus on Excellence Schools in producing top-tier academic outcomes. A similar trend was observed in the Class 10 High School results, where Government schools maintained a strong lead over their private counterparts. The data reveals that Government institutions recorded a 76.80% success rate, whereas the private sector trailed at 68.84%. Officials noted that continuous investment in the education system and the focus on Excellence Schools have enabled Government institutions to bridge the quality gap and set new records. The 2026 board results also shed light on the academic challenges faced by a significant portion of the student population, as nearly 4.9 lakh students across both classes were declared unsuccessful. In the Class 10 High School examinations, out of the 8.97 lakh candidates who appeared, a total of 2,89,683 students were unable to clear the hurdles, marking a stern reminder of the rigorous evaluation standards.

The Class 12 Higher Secondary results told a similar story, where 1,99,599 students out of the 6.89 lakh participants were declared failed. Innovative Assessment: The Second Chance Policy Breaking away from the traditional Supplementary exam model, Madhya Pradesh has become the first state to implement a comprehensive Second Chance (Dwitiya Avsar) system under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. Chief Minister Dr Yadav assured students who did not clear the exams that this was not the end of the road. No student will lose an academic year, he stated. The Second Chance examinations are scheduled to begin on May 7, allowing students to re-appear for subjects or improve their scores within the same session. Digital Transparency and AI Integration For the first time, Artificial Intelligence (AI) was integrated into the result preparation process to ensure absolute transparency and accuracy. The results were processed and released within a record 45 days. Additionally, the Board ensured that 100% of the results were declared simultaneously, with no withholding of marks. Students can now access their marksheets through DigiLocker, which will be accepted as valid documentation for immediate admissions. Applications for re-totalling or obtaining digital copies of answer sheets remain open for the next 10 days via the MP Online portal.
Saanvi Jha, Astik Pathak lead Bhopal Region with 99.8% in CBSE Class 10





Staff Reporter :

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) on Wednesday announced the Class 10 board examination results for 2026, marking a successful debut for the new dual-examination format. In a display of academic excellence from the capital, Saanvi Jha and Astik Pathak emerged as the regional front-runners, both clinching a remarkable 99.8%. The results, which were made available via official portals, the UMANG app, and DigiLocker, reflect a positive trend for the Bhopal region, which saw a total of 1,15,889 students register for the secondary school certificate this year. Beyond the top scorers, several students from Bhopals prominent schools recorded elite percentages. Pranshi Tiwari secured 98.2%, followed by a strong showing from Shyam Khandelwal (97%), Prakhar Dubey (97%), Puranjay Parashar (96.8%), and Inakshi Gupta (96%). Other notable performances included Namrata Saxena, who also secured 98.2%, matching the score of Tanishk Sharma in Shajapur. In adherence to the National Education Policy (NEP) guidelines to curb unhealthy competition, the Board did not release an official merit list or award divisional ranks, though individual school data confirms a high density of students in the 95% and above bracket. On the national stage, the overall pass percentage for Class 10 reached 93.70%, a marginal increase from the 93.66% recorded in 2025.

Board officials stated that this improvement confirms that students are adapting well to the new competency-based assessment model. While Trivandrum and Vijayawada led the national district rankings with a pass rate of 99.79%, the Bhopal region maintained a steady performance. Institutional data revealed that Kendriya Vidyalayas (KV) achieved the highest pass rate among all school categories at 99.57% globally. In a significant move to modernise the assessment process, CBSE has introduced On-Screen Marking (OSM) for the first time, starting with Class 12 answer sheets this year. Under this digital system, scanned copies of answer scripts are evaluated by teachers on computers, with marks calculated automatically through software to eliminate manual totaling errors. While Class 10 evaluation continued in the traditional physical mode this session, the Board intends for the OSM system to eventually bring transparency and faster evaluation across all boards. The 2026 examinations saw a massive logistical undertaking, with approximately 46 lakh students appearing across 8,074 centers in India and 26 countries abroad. For those looking ahead, the Board has proposed that the second session of board examinations will commence in mid-May. Students can access their detailed marks through results.cbse.nic.in. The Board has also ensured that school-wise results are delivered directly to the official email addresses of the respective institutions to facilitate smooth internal processing.
State capital lags behind in results, Bhopal Ranks 40th and 42nd despite producing State toppers, State capital performance falls short of State averages





By Akanksha Gupta :

The Madhya Pradesh Board of Secondary Education (MPBSE) released the Classes 10th and 12th results for 2026 on Wednesdayday, marking a historic achievement for the State with its best performance in 16 years. However, the data reveals a stark paradox for the State capital. While Bhopal celebrated elite individual success with joint State toppers (in the Commerce stream), the district as a whole has struggled in the overall rankings, placing 40th in Higher Secondary (12th) and 42nd in High School (10th) across the State. Capital performance falls short of State averages Despite being the administrative and educational hub of Madhya Pradesh, Bhopals overall pass percentage trailed significantly behind leading districts like Jhabua (93.23%) and Anuppur (93.85%). In the Class 12th results, Bhopal secured the 40th spot, while in Class 10th, it slumped further to the 42nd position. In High School, the district recorded a pass percentage of 67.93% for government schools and 63.02% for private schools, both figures sitting below the State average of 73.42%. This mid-table performance suggests a widening gap between the capitals elite excellence schools and the broader student population. Commerce Excellence The saving grace: Bhopals academic prestige was upheld by a stellar performance in the Commerce stream. Khushi Rai from Government Subhash Excellence School, Shivaji Nagar, and Chandni Vishwakarma from a private school, Neelbad, emerged as the joint State toppers (Rank 1), both scoring a near-perfect 494 out of 500 marks.

While the city claimed six spots in the Commerce merit list and one third-rank position in the Science group, the success was not uniform across other disciplines. Bhopal failed to secure any Top 10 rankings in Agriculture, Fine Arts, Home Science, or Humanities. Furthermore, in the Mathematics stream, no student from the capital broke into the Top 5, with local representation only appearing at the sixth and seventh positions. In Class 10th, while no Bhopal student secured a Top 5 rank, 16 students managed to find a place in the Top 10 (Rank 6 to 10). Government schools outshine private institutions A consistent highlight of the 2026 results is the superior performance of government-run institutions over private schools. In Bhopal, government schools in Class 12th recorded a pass rate of 73.87%, compared to 66.84% for private schools. In Class 10th, the trend continued with government schools achieving 67.93% against the private sectors 63.02%. Statewide, government schools significantly outperformed private establishments, recording an 80.43% pass rate in 12th and 76.80% in 10th.

End of Supplementary System: Transition to Second Chance In a significant shift aligned with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, the Madhya Pradesh Board has officially abolished the traditional Supplementary examination system, replacing it with the more inclusive Second Chance (Dwitiya Avsar) Examination. This new framework is designed to be highly accessible, offering a lifeline not only to students who were absent or unsuccessful in their initial attempts but also to those who passed but seek to improve their marks and overall percentage. According to officials by removing the supplementary label, the policy aims to reduce academic pressure and provide a constructive path for students to achieve their desired results within the same academic cycle. To facilitate this transition, the Board has established a swift administrative timeline, with the online application window opening today, April 15, and remaining active until April 22. The examination schedule is structured to accommodate both levels of schooling; Class 12 examinations are slated to take place between May 7 and May 25, while the Class 10th assessment period will extend further, concluding on June 19, 2026. Recognising the need for immediate documentation for higher education admissions, the Board has further announced that students can utilize DigiLocker-certified marksheets as valid proof of their results until the final, revised physical documents are issued following the Second Chance results.

Inclusivity and Transparency Measures The Board also released results for students with special needs (CWSN), recording a pass percentage of 66.84% for Higher Secondary and 54.86% for High School. To ensure transparency, students can apply for recount (re-totalling) or obtain a digital copy of their answer sheets via the MP Online portal within 10 days of the result declaration. A valid email ID is mandatory as answer sheet copies will be sent exclusively via email. Gender Trends and Counselling Following the state-wide trend, girls significantly outperformed boys in the capital and across the state. In Class 12, the pass rate for girls was 79.41% compared to 72.39% for boys. The Board has urged students to utilise its helpline (18002330175) for academic or psychological counseling to manage post-result stress effectively.
TCS Nashik case: HR manager, AGM ignored over 70 messages alleging harassment, say police





NASHIK :

THE accused in the Nashik harassment case at the TCS branch had allegedly ignored repeated complaints by victims, failing to forward them to higher-ups in the company, the Special Investigating Team (SIT) probing the matter said on Wednesday. According to the police, the HR Manager Nida Khan is the alleged mastermind who tried to suppress the complaint and allegedly shield the accused. During the investigation, Police officials recovered approximately 78 suspicious call records, emails and chats exchanged between the accused. The police have found evidence of potential financial transactions too. According to police, the HR manager repeatedly told the victims to drop the matter, and failed to take any concrete steps despite being a member of the POSH (Prevention of Sexual Harassment) Committee in the office. Meanwhile, police sources said that the Assistant General Manager at the TCS Nashik branch, allegedly was in contact with a third accused Danish Shaikh even after a case was registered, making a call to Shaikh prior to the arrest, police said. The Special Investigation Team (SIT) formed to probe the alleged harassment of women employees at TCS Nashik branch is also looking at the possibility of collusion between the accused, after analysing the call and email records. Total 9 cases have been registered regarding the case, 1 case being at Deolali camp police station and 8 others at Mumbai Naka.

A total of 9 complaints, including 1 man has come forward with allegations of harassment, torture and forced religious conversion. On April 13, the court remanded the operations manager to further police custody. The prime accused, Danish Shaikh--along with other accused individuals: Asif Ansari, Shafi Shaikh, Raza Memon, Tausif Attar, and Shahrukh Qureshi--are currently lodged in Nashik Road Jail. Tata Sons Chairman N Chandrasekaran has ordered an internal investigation too, calling such allegations gravely concerning and anguishing. In a statement, Chandrasekaran said the matter is being treated with the utmost seriousness, and action has already been initiated against the accused employees. He added that the company is extending full co-operation to the ongoing investigations. The Tata Group maintains a zero-tolerance policy towards any form of coercion or misconduct by its employees, the statement said, adding that a thorough probe is underway to establish facts and identify all individuals responsible. During the investigation, the police have examined more than 40 CCTV footages and are recording statements of the victims and the accused. An undercover operation was also conducted with the help of women police personnel to apprehend one of the accused. According to preliminary information, these incidents are said to have taken place between 2022 and 2026. The investigation is currently ongoing, and officials say that all aspects are being thoroughly examined, after which final conclusions will be drawn.
Vedanta Power Plant tragedy toll mounts to 17





Our Correspondent :

A wave of grief swept across Chhattisgarh and the nation following the tragic loss of 17 workers in a boiler explosion at the Vedanta Power Plant in Singhitarai, Sakti district. Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed profound sorrow over the incident, extending heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased and wishing a speedy recovery to those injured. He also approved financial assistance of Rs 2 lakh for the next of kin of each deceased and Rs 50,000 for the injured. Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai described the incident as extremely tragic and conveyed deep condolences to the bereaved families. Assuring full support from the State Government, he announced an ex-gratia of Rs 5 lakh for the families of the deceased and Rs 50,000 for the injured. He emphasised that there will be no tolerance for negligence in relief or medical care and directed officials to ensure immediate assistance and the best possible treatment. Commerce, Industry and Public Enterprises Minister Lakhanlal Dewangan and Health Minister Shyam Bihari Jaiswal also expressed deep sorrow over the incident. The Health Minister has been in continuous coordination with district authorities and is closely monitoring treatment arrangements for the injured. The tragedy occurred at the Vedanta Power Plant in Singhitarai, Sakti district, where a boiler explosion led to one of the most severe industrial accidents in the region in recent times. A total of 36 workers were affected in the incident, of whom 17 lost their lives and 19 sustained injuries. District Collector Amrit Vikas Topno and Superintendent of Police Prafull Thakur rushed to the site immediately after receiving information and supervised rescue and relief operations. The Chief Minister has been in constant contact with them, closely monitoring the situation and issuing necessary directions.

The injured were shifted to hospitals in Raigarh, including Fortis Hospital, the Medical College and Apex Hospital, while critically injured individuals were referred to Kalda Hospital in Raipur for advanced treatment. Authorities have ensured that there is no shortfall in treatment and that the best possible medical facilities are being provided. The SDRF team is actively engaged in rescue operations, and the site has been secured with strict security arrangements. The district administration has initiated the process of identifying the deceased and contacting their families. Arrangements have been made to send mortal remains to their native places through ambulances after post-mortem examinations. Immediate financial assistance is also being provided. In addition to government relief, the company management has announced financial assistance of Rs 35 lakh along with employment support for the families of the deceased, and Rs 15 lakh compensation for injured workers. It has also been decided that injured or affected workers will continue to receive wages without attendance until full recovery. Counselling services will also be provided to affected families. Taking serious note of the incident, authorities have ordered a magisterial inquiry as well as an investigation by the Bilaspur Commissioner. A thorough and impartial probe will be conducted, and strict action under labour laws will be taken against those found responsible.

The government has emphasised that accountability will be fixed and necessary steps will be taken to prevent such incidents in the future. According to SP Prafull Thakur, a total of 36 workers were affected in the incident, including 17 fatalities and 19 injured persons currently undergoing treatment. The deceased workers belonged to several states across the country. They have been identified as Ritesh Kumar of Sonbarsa, Bhagalpur, Bihar, Amrit Lal Patel of Manjhapara, Dabhra, Sakti, Chhattisgarh, Thanda Ram Lahre of Malkharoda, Sakti, Chhattisgarh, Tarun Kumar Ojha of Sindri, Dhanbad, Jharkhand, Aakib Khan of Darbhanga, Bihar, Susanta Jana of Purba Medinipur, West Bengal, Abdul Karim of Jharkhand, Udhav Singh Yadav of Raigarh, Chhattisgarh, Sheikh Saifuddin of Haldia, West Bengal, Pappu Kumar of Sonebhadra, Uttar Pradesh, Ashok Parahiya of Palamu, Jharkhand, Manas Giri of Purba Medinipur, West Bengal, Brijesh Kumar of Sonebhadra, Uttar Pradesh, Rameshwar Mahilange of JanjgirChampa, Chhattisgarh, Kartik Mahto of Purulia, West Bengal, Nadeem Ansari of Sakti, Chhattisgarh and Shibnath Murmu of Purulia, West Bengal.
A view of the exterior of BJ's Wholesale Club on Route 5 in Wallingford on Tuesday, April 14, 2026. The Massachusetts-based membership club retailer has extend hours for it customers and those members who purchase gasoline. Luther Turmelle/Hearst Connecticut Media A sign at the entrance of the BJ's Wholesale Club on Route 5 in Wallingford shows gas prices on Tuesday, April 14, 2026. The Massachusetts-based membership club retailer has extend hours for it customers and those members who purchase gasoline. Luther Turmelle/Hearst Connecticut Media

B.J. Wholesale Club has added to its operating hours for both shoppers and members who purchase gas

The Massachusetts-based membership warehouse retailer is now open from 8 a.m. to 10 p,m, Monday through Saturday and from 8 a..m. to 9 p.m.on Sundays. BJ's launched its new schedule on April 6.

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Before April 6, BJ's locations had been open until 9 p.m. on Mondays through Saturdays and until 8 p.m. on Sundays.

BJ's officials did not respond to multiple requests for comment from Hearst Connecticut Media about the reasons for extending the chain's hours. But the decision to extend hours at the BJ's follows schedule modifications last year by the retailer's two primary rivals in warehouse membership club retail sector, Costco and Sam's Club.

Washington State-based Costco made its schedule change in September 2025. But rather than extending hours for all of its members, Costco only allowed customers with a more expensive executive membership to enter the store between 9-10 a.m. Sunday to Friday and from 9-9:30 a.m. on Saturday mornings.

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A month after Costco made its move, Arkansas-based Sam's Club announced it would be open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily. But the first hour of the day was only open to Sam's Club customers with a more expensive membership, similar to Costco.

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BJ's has 13 Connecticut locations while Costco has eight stores in the state. The only Sam's Club location in Connecticut is in Newington.

Burt Flickinger, managing director of the New York City-based retail consulting firm Strategic Resource Group, said that while B.J. waited longer than either of its rivals to change store hours, the move should help the chain compete with Costco and Sam's Club.

"It's definitely a move that is made from a position of strength," Flickinger said. "BJ's stores are designed for much faster, more efficient shopping. During peak hours, Costco has trouble handling the volumes of people it has."

Flickinger said that Costco's private label brand Kirkland is better know by consumers than BJ's Wellsley Farms and Berkley Jensen private labels,

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"Costco is the premier seller of private label brands," he said. "But with this schedule change, BJ's is going to give Costco a run for its money. People can't afford the extra time that they lose by shopping at Costco."

Flickinger said the launch of the new hours at BJ's comes as the retailer hired Stephanie Reibling as its executive vice president, chief merchandising officer on April 1. BJ's hired Reibling away from Sam's Club, where she was a senior vice president, general merchandise manager.

"She has great insight into people's time and when they like to do their shopping," Flickinger said of Reibling.
Shop bought varieties orange marmalade are displayed in London, Wednesday, April 15, 2026. Alastair Grant/AP Shop bought varieties of orange marmalade are arranged for a photo in London, Wednesday, April 15, 2026. Alastair Grant/AP Shop bought varieties of orange marmalade are arranged for a photo in London, Wednesday, April 15, 2026. Alastair Grant/AP

LONDON (AP)  Marmalade is proving to be a sticky subject in Britain as a debate simmers over changes to the definition of the beloved breakfast spread made of citrus fruits.

Lawmakers in the House of Commons on Wednesday expressed concern about marmalade's future after media reports that U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmers push for closer ties with the European Union could mean unwanted change for the tangy toast topping.

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Along with being a breakfast-table staple, marmalade has achieved a special place in British culture as the favorite food of the fictional character Paddington Bear and a subsequent association with the late Queen Elizabeth II after the two appeared together in a short comedy video during her 2022 Platinum Jubilee celebrations.

Recent media reports say the preserve  most commonly made from the juice and rind of oranges  will have to be relabeled citrus marmalade under a food and drink deal with the European Union.

What would Paddington think! fumed the Daily Mail earlier this month. Opposition Conservative foreign affairs spokeswoman Priti Patel accused the government of attacking the great British marmalade.

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Like many euromyths  stories about EU bureaucracy that are ever-popular in the British press  it has an element of truth.

The bloc has relaxed a rule  introduced at Britains request when it was a member  that had said only preserves made from citrus fruit could be called marmalade. Other preserves had to be labeled as jam, despite the fact that in some European countries, the name marmalade is applied to all fruit conserves. In German, for example, the word for jam is marmelade.

After Britains exit, the EU decreed that member states can also use the word marmalade for non-citrus fruit spreads, as long as the type of fruit involved is identified.

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With Britain planning to align its food rules with those of the bloc as part of measures to ease post-Brexit trade, hence the conundrum.

Democratic Unionist Party lawmaker Jim Shannon lamented in Parliament that it was a case of EU labeling interfering with our produce.

The U.K. government says marmalade sold in Britain is usually labeled orange marmalade or Seville orange marmalade and is already in compliance with EU rules.

Food Security Minister Angela Eagle said that there would be a small change to our marmalade description rules, but the real-world impact would be minimal and consumers are unlikely to notice any difference.

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Opposition Liberal Democrat lawmaker Tessa Munt, who had called for Wednesdays marmalade debate, was more concerned about protecting the integrity of this distinctly British product.

She urged the government to ensure that only citrus fruits can precede the world marmalade on labels.

I have seen strawberry marmalade and all sorts of pear marmalade in one upmarket grocer, she exclaimed. This is rubbish. Theres no such thing.
Stewart is the long-running host of Comedy Central's "The Daily Show," a late-night satirical television news program. Born Jonathan Stuart Leibowitz in 1962, in New York City, he grew up in New Jersey and later changed his name to Stewart, according to Biography. A 1984 graduate of the College of William and Mary, he returned to New York in 1986 to break into comedy. Three years later, he was hosting Comedy Central's "Short Attention Span Theater," according to Biography. In 1993, he launched MTV's first talk show, "The Jon Stewart Show," according to IMDb. Stewart has since won 24 Emmy Awards, reports the Television Academy, largely for his his work on "The Daily Show," on which he took over the role of host in 1999.
News / National

by Staff reporter

Medical practitioners have raised concern over what they describe as discriminatory practices by some medical aid societies, following reports that healthcare providers are being rejected or blocked from joining major insurance panels.Emails seen by this publication show some applicants being told that insurers were "currently not accepting new service providers," while others were rejected after internal assessments, sparking accusations of unfair exclusion.President of the Medical and Dental Private Practitioners of Zimbabwe Association, Johannes Marisa, strongly criticised the developments, accusing certain medical aid societies of sidelining independent practitioners."This behaviour, where medical aid societies segregate against practitioners seeking to join their payment platforms, is unethical and unacceptable. It is barbaric and against the tenets of good practice," he said.Marisa warned that restrictive provider panels undermine patients' rights to access healthcare services of their choice."Every patient has the freedom to seek treatment from a doctor or service provider of their choice. When a medical aid rejects providers like that, it is wrong. It should not be allowed," he said.Medical aid provider panels consist of approved doctors, specialists, pharmacies and hospitals whose services are covered by insurance schemes. Exclusion from these panels can significantly reduce patient numbers for private practitioners, as many Zimbabweans rely on medical aid to access care.Marisa also pointed to potential conflicts of interest, alleging that some medical aid societies operate their own healthcare facilities while simultaneously controlling which external providers are allowed to treat insured patients."Medical aid societies must stick to their mandate of providing health insurance, not healthcare services. They run their own clinics and then block other doctors from treating patients under their schemes. That is a clear conflict of interest," he said.He called for urgent reforms to the regulatory framework, specifically advocating amendments to Statutory Instrument 330 of 2000, which governs medical aid societies."We are calling for a complete and urgent amendment of SI 330 of 2000. The law must prohibit medical aid societies from running healthcare facilities," Marisa said.The controversy comes at a time when Zimbabwe's healthcare system is under increasing strain from rising treatment costs, staff shortages and growing dependence on private sector services.
A plaque erected by the City of London to commemorate where William Shakespeare lived on a wall, top right, is pictured in London, Wednesday, April 15, 2026, he purchased lodgings in the Blackfriars Gatehouse, which was located close by. Alastair Grant/AP This undated photo taken of an archive image from The London Archives, City of London Corporation shows a 17th century floorplan pinpointing for the first time the exact location of the only home Shakespeare bought in London. (The London Archives, City of London Corporation via AP) The London Archives (City of London Corporation)/AP A plaque erected by the City of London to commemorate where William Shakespeare lived on a wall is pictured in London, Wednesday, April 15, 2026, he purchased lodgings in the Blackfriars Gatehouse, which was located close by. Alastair Grant/AP A plaque erected by the City of London to commemorate where William Shakespeare lived on a wall is pictured inLondon, Wednesday, April 15, 2026 he purchased lodgings in the Blackfriars Gatehouse, which was located close by. Alastair Grant/AP

LONDON (AP)  Fans of William Shakespeare know that the great playwright came from Stratford-upon-Avon, the riverside English town where tourists still throng to see his childhood home.

But he made his name in London  though few traces of him remain in the British capital.

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A newly discovered 17th-century map sheds new light on the Bards London life, pinpointing for the first time the exact location of the only home Shakespeare bought in the city, and where he may have worked on his final plays.

Shakespeare scholar Lucy Munro, who found the document, said that it supplies extra bits of the jigsaw puzzle of Shakespeare's life. And as with so many discoveries, it was partly due to luck.

I came across it in the London Archives when I was looking for other things," Munro said.

New evidence of the building's location

Historians have long known that Shakespeare bought property in 1613 near the Blackfriars Theatre, but the exact location was a mystery. A plaque on a 19th-century building records only that the playwright had lodgings near this site.

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A plan of the Blackfriars precinct found by Munro and disclosed Thursday by King's College London shows in detail Shakespeares house, a substantial L-shaped dwelling carved from a former medieval monastery, including its gatehouse.

The 13th-century Dominican friary had been redeveloped for more secular uses after the dissolution of the monasteries by King Henry VIII in the mid-16th century. The precinct included the Blackfriars playhouse, which Shakespeare part-owned.

Munro, professor of Shakespeare and early modern literature at Kings College London, said it was a desirable area moving slightly down-market  due to people like Shakespeare, who was affluent but associated with the slightly declasse world of the stage.

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After the dissolution of the monasteries, a lot of the nobility, quite high-ranking courtiers, court officials are living in the Blackfriars, Munro said. By the time Shakespeare bought his property, there are still a lot of important people living there, people who make protests against the playhouses at various points, because they see the playhouses as a bit of a public nuisance.

Shakespeare used the profits of his plays to build a fine family house, now demolished, in Stratford, about 100 miles (160 kilometers) northwest of London. He died there in 1616 at the age of 52.

Its not certain whether Shakespeare lived in his London property or just rented it out. But Munro said that the size of the house and its location a five-minute walk from the Blackfriars Theatre suggest he may have spent more time in London toward the end of his life than is widely assumed. She said that he may have worked here on his final plays, Henry VIII and The Two Noble Kinsmen, both co-written with John Fletcher.

Will Tosh, director of education at Shakespeares Globe  a reconstruction of the open-air Elizabethan playhouse where many of the Bards plays were first performed  said that Munros discovery provides a dazzling new sense of Shakespeare the London writer. Shes helped us to understand how much the city meant to our greatest ever dramatist, as a professional and personal home.

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Destroyed in the Great Fire

Shakespeare left the property to his daughter Susanna, and it remained in the family for another half-century. Munro also found two archival documents detailing its sale by the playwrights granddaughter Elizabeth Hall Nash Barnard in 1665. A year later, the building burned to the ground in the Great Fire of London, which destroyed much of the medieval city.

Only a few remnants of Shakespeares London remain in the area, now part of the city's financial district, including a fragment of wall from the medieval friary. Nearby, the name Playhouse Yard is a reminder that a theater once stood here.

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And visitors can have a pint in the Cockpit pub across the street from the site of Shakespeares house. The 1600s map shows it as a building called the Sign of the Cock, likely a tavern. Its not difficult to imagine Shakespeare and his colleagues carousing there.
From left to right: CHFA managing director of multifamily Pat Guliano, state Department of Housing commissioner Seila Mosquera-Bruno, Gov. Ned Lamont, and State Rep. Jason Doucette, D-Manchester, at a groundbreaking ceremony for new housing in Glastonbury on April 14, 2026. Joseph Villanova/Hearst Connecticut Media Posters displayed at a groundbreaking ceremony on April 14, 2026, describing 64 new units planned for 55 Nye Rd. in Glastonbury. Joseph Villanova/Hearst Connecticut Media 55 Nye Rd., the site of 64 upcoming housing units in Glastonbury, at a groundbreaking ceremony on April 14, 2026. Joseph Villanova/Hearst Connecticut Media Posters displayed at a groundbreaking ceremony on April 14, 2026, describing 64 new units planned for 55 Nye Rd. in Glastonbury. Joseph Villanova/Hearst Connecticut Media Posters displayed at a groundbreaking ceremony on April 14, 2026, describing 64 new units planned for 55 Nye Rd. in Glastonbury. Joseph Villanova/Hearst Connecticut Media Posters displayed at a groundbreaking ceremony on April 14, 2026, describing 64 new units planned for 55 Nye Rd. in Glastonbury. Joseph Villanova/Hearst Connecticut Media Posters displayed at a groundbreaking ceremony on April 14, 2026, describing 64 new units planned for 55 Nye Rd. in Glastonbury. Joseph Villanova/Hearst Connecticut Media Posters displayed at a groundbreaking ceremony on April 14, 2026, describing 64 new units planned for 55 Nye Rd. in Glastonbury. Joseph Villanova/Hearst Connecticut Media Posters displayed at a groundbreaking ceremony on April 14, 2026, describing 64 new units planned for 55 Nye Rd. in Glastonbury. Joseph Villanova/Hearst Connecticut Media 50 and 55 Nye Rd. in Glastonbury, as seen during a groundbreaking ceremony for 64 new housing units on April 14, 2026. Joseph Villanova/Hearst Connecticut Media

GLASTONBURY  Construction has begun on a $36.7 million project to replace an underused Nye Road office building with a 64-unit "affordable" housing project.

State and town officials gathered Tuesday afternoon to kick off the Glastonbury Housing Authority's development of a 64-unit housing redevelopment of former medical offices on the 11.31-acre property at 55 Nye Road, a project years in the making.

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Once complete, "Hillside Village" will feature 24 one-bedroom units, 28 two-bedrooms, and 12 three-bedrooms, with 13 assisted living units administered through the state Department of Social Services.

In 2022, the Town Council began discussing a purchase of 55 Nye Road, as well as the adjacent property at 50 Nye Road, particularly to develop affordable housing at 55 Nye Road. The town bought the properties with $3.15 million in American Rescue Plan Act funds in August 2023.

Later that year, in December 2023, the Town Council approved a plan to demolish 55 Nye Road and replace it with a new 64-unit housing development. Now, construction has begun, and is anticipated to take 18 months.

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At the groundbreaking ceremony Tuesday afternoon, Housing Authority executive director Neil Griffin said Tuesday that the roughly $36.7 million project will be funded through a combination of some $21.1 million in loans and funds, including from DOH and the Connecticut Housing Finance Authority, as well as $13.6 million in proceeds from CHFA's low-income housing tax credits and about $2 million from Housing Authority funds, energy credits, and other sources.

Griffin said M&T Bank will purchase the tax credits, giving the Housing Authority funding for the development in exchange for saving on federal taxes.

Glastonbury Housing Authority chairman Carl Stenman said 80% of the units will be designated "affordable," with rent and income restrictions to be set at various levels of household income, and the rest will be rented at market rate.

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Gov. Ned Lamont said projects like Hillside Village are helping Connecticut build housing where people want to be, noting the recent Zillow analysis that labeled the Hartford metropolitan "one of the hottest" retail markets in the country in 2026.

"I know I hear a lot of 'not in my backyard,' but what if your backyard is an office building?" Lamont said. "It's barely in use right now, it's in a residential area ... this is what the backyard is that you take advantage of to make sure that people can afford to live in the town they love."

Lt. Gov. Susan Bysiewicz said that Connecticut has seen 21,000 new or newly renovated housing units during its current administration, with 14,000 completed and 7,000 more under construction. In particular, the state wants to create more affordable housing and more housing in areas that will help build communities, and Hillside Village has the potential to connect to everything around it.

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"It's a short walk to grocery stores, banks, retail shops, great restaurants, and it also connects to a nice nature trail as well that the town has," Bysiewicz said.
A miniature plastic teddy bear sits atop a stuffed teddy bear in Phoenix, Tuesday, April 14, 2026. Dario Lopez-Mills/AP FILE - Teddy bears sit among tributes left by fans at the grave of Elvis Presley at Graceland., his home in Memphis, Tenn., Aug. 14, 1997. Mark Humphrey/AP FILE - U.S. Army Sgt. Jon Fleenor from Sacramento, Calif., holds his scorched teddy bear, given to him by his wife, which he carries as a good-luck charm in Mosul, northwest of Baghdad, Iraq, March 27, 2008. Maya Alleruzzo/AP In this Library of Congress handout image, President Theodore Roosevelt reads a book with his dog skip on his lap, in the doorway of the West Divide Creek ranch house in Meeker, Colo., Sept 12, 1905. (Library of Congress via AP) AP FILE - A GI headed into Kontum in the central highlands with a tank-killing unit, cradles his lucky teddy bear during the helicopter ride in Vietnam, June 3, 1972. Josip Lee/AP

PHOENIX (AP)  The circular muzzle. The little nose tip. The button eyes and two round, fuzzy ears. What is it about the teddy bear that has kept children wrapped around its furry paws for over a century?

The quintessential American toy started in 1902 as just clothing scraps and sawdust stitched together by Morris and Rose Michtom, Jewish candy store owners in Brooklyn.

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Nothing says childhood better than a teddy bear, says Michael Kimmel, author of Playmakers: The Jewish Entrepreneurs Who Created the Toy Industry in America and Morris Michtom's great-great-nephew. Its an utterly genderless toy. It is embraced by both boys and girls.

The teddy bear's origin story actually starts earlier that year. President Theodore Roosevelt had refused to shoot a tied-up black bear during a hunting trip. Cartoonist Clifford Berryman published a political cartoon depicting Roosevelt's decision that caught the Michtoms' eyes. They were inspired to fashion a toy that went on to be called Teddy's Bear as a nod to the president and his nickname.

And a fad was born.

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After selling a few, the Michtoms received more orders. Copycats emerged. The teddy bear was widely considered the first stuffed toy that wasn't a rag or porcelain doll, Kimmel said. It was affordable, comforting and kid-size. Some preachers actually worried the playful plushies would somehow corrupt young girls and extinguish their desire to be a mother.

Over the decades, the teddy bear became an icon. Elvis Presley crooned about being someone's lovin' teddy bear. An original Michtom-crafted teddy bear retains a place of honor in the Smithsonian National Museum of American History. And, of course, being a teddy bear has come to mean someone who is, in general, sweet and cuddly.

Says Kimmel: There are people who, when they finally move out of the house and go to college or get married, thats the one thing that they just cant part with because it connects them to that innocent childhood.

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The Latin phrase "E Pluribus Unum" is seen on a one dollar coin, Monday, April 13, 2026, in Portland, Maine. Robert F. Bukaty/AP FILE - New citizen Ivette Lagos, originally from Brazil, wears a stars and stripes scarf while reciting the Oath of Allegiance during a naturalization ceremony where nearly 200 people from more than 50 different countries became United States citizens at the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library, Nov. 18, 2025, in Boston. Charles Krupa/AP FILE - A large wall mural showing the signing of the Declaration of Independence is seen over visitors at the National Archives, Jan. 29, 2026, in Washington. John McDonnell/AP FILE - The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., head of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, speaks to thousands during his "I Have a Dream" speech in front of the Lincoln Memorial for the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom, Aug. 28, 1963, in Washington. AP FILE - Thirteen United States flags representing the 13 original colonies are seen at Liberty State Park with 1 World Trade Center, bottom left, and the Statue of Liberty, bottom right, in the background, Sept. 11, 2014, in Jersey City, N.J. Julio Cortez/AP

NEW YORK (AP)  The aspirations cut a wide swath through American history since 1776  from the All men are created equal of the Declaration of Independence and the We the people of the Constitution, to the indivisible, with liberty and justice for all of the Pledge of Allegiance.

One can find it in the countrys name  the UNITED States of America  and in the sentiment of the motto written in Latin on its coins and one-dollar bills: E Pluribus Unum, or out of many, one.

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The effort has been optimistic and unrealistic, successful and a failure, enduring as an American ideal during moments when citizens struggled  and struggle today  to practice it.

How has the notion of unity in American society evolved in 250 years and more? What does it mean  and what doesn't it mean, particularly in fraught and troubled moments? It's a question, says one scholar, that every society has to answer.

I. The beginnings of these United States

From the milestone moment of the nations beginning, the founders emphasized that unity would be a vital component of the new country, where government would be based not on a king and monarchy as in Europe but instead, as the Declaration says, on the consent of the governed.

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It is of infinite moment that you should properly estimate the immense value of your national union to your collective and individual happiness; that you should cherish a cordial, habitual, and immovable attachment to it  indignantly frowning upon the first dawning of every attempt to alienate any portion of our country from the rest, George Washington said as he stepped down from two terms as the first American president.

At the start of the experiment, the fabric of a nation first stitched together from 13 original colonies, defining what unity meant was far from settled.

Even as the founders spoke of high-minded ideals, they put limits on who they allowed to take part, who had rights and freedom and who didn't. All these years later, determining the meaning of unity can still be a challenge. Do we interpret that Latin motto to mean a blending of different perspectives to create a country that is greater than the sum of its parts, or does it mean there can only be one, that unity requires sameness?

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Either way, heres the thing about aspirations, as anyone whos ever quit on a New Years resolution can tell you: They dont turn into reality without effort and commitment, or come out of just a sole moment, no matter how singular.

Our individual lives are built not just from the milestones but from the everydays in between. How could the life of a nation be any different?

II. Aspiration vs. reality

Even as unity has stood among the ideals, the on-the-ground experience of life in America for the last 2 centuries has reflected the reality that in this created nation, theres never been just ONE America, where everyone lived in the same way or had the same access to power and prosperity.

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It wasn't there at the country's inception. And in the moment the U.S. is living now, it certainly isn't either.

I think the United State has had a more volatile history in terms of how it deals with questions of inclusion and exclusion, how it draws the line and polices the line of whos in and whos out, says Daniel Immerwahr, a professor of history at Northwestern University.

Its a question that every society has to answer  whos on the inside, whos on the outside, he says. I would say that whats interesting about the United States in this regard is how changeable and nonobvious some of the answers to those questions are.

Sometimes the differences have been straightforward  like geography (rural vs. urban, plains vs. mountains) and climate (heat vs. snow, wildfires vs. flooding). Sometimes they were, and remain, cultural  people from different countries of origin, newcomers vs. generations deep, speaking different languages, following different denominations of Christianity or other religions entirely. And of course, the differences have been economic; rich and poor have always lived differently.

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But sometimes, the differences have been travesties  like enslaved Africans and their American-born descendants, forced to live under the lash as they worked in the fields and elsewhere for the benefit of white owners. Even after slavery was outlawed, they were subject to discrimination and worse under racism that was legalized in systemic ways into the 20th century and that echoes still.

The Indigenous tribes whose populations were decimated by death and disease as the American experiment moved westward and newly arrived settlers hankered after their tribal lands, and whose cultures were stripped from generations as the U.S. government tried to force unity through brutal efforts at assimilation.

Communities of people barred from possibility because of gender, sexual orientation or other characteristics.

There have also been persistent efforts across eras to create a country where the opportunities available to some  say, voting, economic growth, or access to education  would be made available to all. That came gradually through protest movements, legal action, and callbacks to those same American founding ideals and aspirations of unity and equality.

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It provided a language for the groups that were challenging these exclusions to draw on  invoking the ideals of the Revolution and the Declaration and saying, Look, this is what the nation is supposed to be about, says Eileen Cheng, a professor of history at Sarah Lawrence College. They could challenge the system and yet claim that they were being the true Americans.

III. What could unity even look like?

One of the things about ideals, though, is that they can be somewhat abstract.

What does it mean for a country to be united'? Does unity mean uniform? Is it, to borrow a reference from one of satirist Terry Pratchett's books, that people are on the same side, or can they be on different sides that happen to be side by side. Is unity overall even a good thing in the context of a raucous democracy?

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A look around the globe and through the history books shows there's no single answer. There have been countries with a single official language, others that have recognized multiple languages, and some, like the United States, that for generations have never officially designated any. At times, countries have chosen official religions. Nations have different standards and processes for naturalizing new citizens.

There are always tensions between the unity and the separateness, said Paul Wachtel, a psychology professor at the City College of New York. Theres no society that is just one or just the other  whats really most essential is that we learn how to negotiate those tensions.

The United States experienced that firsthand in its infancy. The Constitution we live under is the second attempt at a framework for government. The first, the Articles of Confederation, kept the federal government weaker and the individual states stronger. It quickly became clear that having such a weak central government  i.e., less unity  wasn't effective for the new country, leading to the Constitution.

For some countries, like many in Europe, those negotiations have taken place under the weight of centuries of history and geography, and other established backdrops like the existing form of government, which impacted the direction they decided to go. The U.S., from the founders' perspective, was a new entity.

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What it is to be of the United States is to adhere to a set of principles rather than to have a certain kind of lineage, Immerwahr says. Sometimes that makes the United States remarkably open, and then sometimes that gets the leaders of the United States in all kinds of weird contradictions as they try to explain why theyre doing some forms of inclusion and not others.

The United States has a decidedly mixed history when it comes to dealing with those tensions. Things have fluctuated.

Take migration, for example. There have been eras when the influx of people coming to these shores was seemingly a never-ending stream, but also times when much of the world was barred. In politics, the idea that there would be different factions represented by different parties was loathed by some, even as it became embedded in the political culture. Groups that were once looked down on are later brought into the fold, and vice versa.

What have we learned over the last 250 years is that things change, says Cindy Kam, professor of political science at Vanderbilt University. We are inclined to be social animals, but what those groups are is culturally constructed. So political elites, social elites, cultural elites, they do that work in identifying what the groups are, who is part of us and who is a part of the other.'

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By no means is it settled; if anything, the demographic, technological, economic and other changes of the last several decades are making discussions about unity more relevant than ever. In recent years, Americans have lived in a country where polarization is rampant, and serious  sometimes dire  questions abound over what the future holds. That's probably more in line with the country's beginnings than people realize.

This polarization, people talk about it like its a new thing. But I think its really a return back to the way that we were at the beginning of the country, Cheng says. Its not like this kind of linear development where were growing more and more accepting of difference. I think its up and down.

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Osborn Correctional Institution in Somers. Connecticut State Police investigated a report that two drones flew over the facility late Tuesday. Jim Michaud/Hearst Connecticut Media

SOMERS  Staff at Osborn and Cybulski correctional institutions reported to Connecticut State Police late Tuesday that objects that appeared to be two drones were flying near the two prison compounds, prompting a search of the area.

Troopers and correctional staff who scoured the grounds and surrounding streets came up empty handed, but state Department of Correction officials are taking the potential threat seriously after an increase of similar incidents across the country.

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While we have no evidence that contraband was passed during this incident, the growing use of drone technology presents an evolving challenge for correctional facilities," said Ashley McCarthy, the director of external affairs for the agency. "We recognize that this technology is becoming more innovative, and we are committed to keeping pace with it to protect the safety and security of our facilities.

McCarthy said that so far there have been one incident a year from 2022 to 2025, and two incidents this year in Connecticut that involve drones and state prisons. She confirmed that drones were seen near both prisons, which are located near one another, Tuesday night.

The state's correctional ombudsman DeVaughn Ward said he was aware that people were trying to use drones to facilitate bringing contraband into the state's prisons and that the security and safety of incarcerated individuals and staff "is of utmost importance."

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At least one Connecticut resident is accused of plotting with an inmate to drop drugs and other contraband into a New York prison by drone just hours after pleading guilty to other federal crimes in 2025, court documents said.

Harrison Elba, of Glastonbury, pleaded guilty in a possession of bath salts case on Jan. 10, 2025, federal authorities said. Just two hours later, Elba was on the phone with a prison inmate he knew, discussing a scheme to smuggle contraband into the federal prison in Ray Brook, N.Y., using drones, a sentencing memo said.

In a separate case, according to the Associated Press, a drone flew over the grounds of an upstate New York prison after midnight in mid-March and released a package containing knives, a cellphone, bandannas, hair clippers and a green leafy substance between two dormitories.

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That's just the tip of the iceberg, according to a letter sent to federal officials in late March signed by several state attorney generals asking for funding to deal with drones dropping contraband into prisons. Connecticut Attorney General William Tong was not among the state officials who signed the letter.

According to Georgia Attorney General Christopher Carr, his state's prisons are averaging 58 drone incidents per month for the past six months.

"These devices are being used to transport narcotics, weapons, cell phones, and other illegal items directly into secure facilities by bypassing traditional perimeter defenses," Carr said in the letter. "Law enforcement has recovered everything from marijuana, ecstasy and meth to cell phones, razors, liquor and food items."

The problem is multifold, according to a report released in 2024 that focused on solutions to the increasing number of drone incidents involving state and federal prisons. One issue is that there is no national database tracking drone incidents and there isn't a definitive definition of what a drone incident is, the authors of the report said.

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Another issue is that most correctional staff have not been trained on what to look for and how to handle a potential drone incident, said the report done by the Priority Criminal Justice Needs Initiative.
First lady Melania Trump, joined by Rep. Jason Smith, R-Mo., chair of the House Ways and Means Committee, left, speaks to advance her legislative initiative on protecting America's foster care children, at a committee roundtable, at the Capitol in Washington, Wednesday, April 15, 2026. J. Scott Applewhite/AP First lady Melania Trump arrives to speak on her legislative initiative to protect America's foster care children, at a House Ways and Means Committee roundtable, at the Capitol in Washington, Wednesday, April 15, 2026. J. Scott Applewhite/AP

WASHINGTON (AP)  Melania Trump made a rare appearance on Capitol Hill on Wednesday to push Congress to pass bills broadening access to services for young people in foster care, calling it a moral imperative.

The first lady began working on foster care issues after President Donald Trump's first term ended in 2021. Her trip followed a similar and successful lobbying effort last year to get Congress to send legislation to the president to protect women and children from online sexual exploitation.

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The visit came a week after Melania Trump's surprise on-camera statement at the White House in which she denied ties to Jeffrey Epstein and knowledge of his crimes, and urged Congress to hold a hearing for his victims. She also demanded an end to lies linking her to the late financier and convicted sex offender.

On Capitol Hill, she said youngsters in foster care face barriers to housing, transportation and education and other challenges outside the classroom that affect their academic performance.

We can close this gap, Melania Trump said. New legislation for the foster care community is a moral imperative.

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She met Wednesday afternoon with members of the House Ways and Means Committee who introduced the new legislation, and she also heard from people who were in foster care.

Jaydan Martinez, a freshman at Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches, Texas, said he received just over $2,000 in support per semester, but it disappeared in the blink of an eye. He said he supports raising the cap on that financial support.

Jocelyn Fetting, who said she aged out of the system at 21, said thousands in foster care are doing everything right but still struggle because the systems to support them have not kept pace with their needs. She said she lost her parents at age 12 and, during college, worked three jobs even with scholarships to meet her housing, food and other needs.

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Fetting, who is now 22 and a substitute teacher for grades pre-K through 8 as well as a peer navigator for young adults in foster care, said the proposed changes matter because "we are expecting young people to achieve self-sufficiency without providing support to do so.

Republican and Democratic committee members have introduced several bills to update the Chafee foster care program to improve outcomes for young people aging out of the foster care system. The measures would increase their access to housing, education and workforce training programs, among other things, to help them succeed in the transition to adulthood and independence.

The bills have a long way to go toward passage in Congress since they've only just been introduced.

The program provides support to foster youth and former foster youth, ages 14 to 21, as they leave the system. The committee said the bipartisan proposals would be the most significant update since the Chafee program was created in 1999.

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The Government Accountability Office published a report in January 2025 detailing how states were returning millions of dollars in unused Chafee program funds to the federal government, despite unmet needs of foster youth.

Last November, President Trump created the Fostering the Future program by executive order to have federal entities, nonprofits, educational institutions and the private sector work together to improve career and educational opportunities for children raised in foster care.

The first lady, who joined her husband in the Oval Office for the executive order signing, separately spearheads a broader Fostering the Future initiative that is part of the Be Best child-focused campaign she launched during his first presidential term. The program offers scholarships to current and former foster youth and has a presence on more than 20 university campuses across the United States.
New Haven Superior Court on Elm Street in New Haven, Conn., Tuesday, April 14, 2026. Officials say Julian Cano, a Milford acupuncturist, was given five years of conditional discharge for charging Medicaid $123,087 for services he didn't render. Dave Zajac/Hearst Connecticut Media

MERIDEN  A Milford acupuncturist will serve conditional release after being found guilty of billing Medicaid for more than $120,000 for services he did not render, officials say.

In a release, the Connecticut Division of Criminal Justice said Julian Cano, 43, was sentenced in the state Superior Court in Meriden on Wednesday to three years in prison, the execution of which is fully suspended. Instead, Cano will serve five years of conditional discharge.

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Officials said Cano was sentenced after being found guilty of one count of health insurance fraud. Cano was also ordered not to act as a provider for the Medicaid program and not to perform services that bill the Medicaid program.

Cano, an acupuncturist and owner of Julian Cano, LLC, was arrested on June 30, 2025, by inspectors from the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit, officials said. Between January 2022 and November 2024, they said, he billed for services not provided as well as submitted billing codes for more expensive services than the ones patients actually received.

Officials said investigators spoke to 27 of Cano's 134 Medicaid patients and identified $123,087 in fraudulent billings. Cano was ordered to pay the full amount back in restitution.

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St. George Greek Orthodox Church on West Rocks Road Saturday, January 11, 2020, in Norwalk, Conn. Erik Trautmann/Hearst Connecticut Media

NORWALK  Some people living near a popular Greek church in Norwalk are fighting the church's plan to allow non-church members to rent its community center for events.

They're concerned opening the center to the public would impact traffic, property values, noise, lighting, and public safety in the already busy neighborhood.

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The church, St. George Greek Orthodox Church on West Rocks Road, is now only allowed to rent its center to church members. The church would like to open its center "to a more diverse range of guests," the plan says.

However, the church has already been letting non-members use their center for quite some time and hosted numerous events to outside organizations and individuals, said Steve Kleppin, Norwalk's Planning & Zoning director.

"Its a matter of what the church allows and whats allowed by code. We all abide by code. Were living in Norwalk with a set of rules and if somebody is not following the rules, thats a concern," said Norwalk resident Winthrop Baum, who is not a member of the church. Baum attended an annual holiday event at the church in December with the Greater Norwalk Chamber.

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St. Georges pastor, Fr. Nicholas Dassouras, didnt return a call for comment.

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The church's plan will be discussed at Norwalks Planning & Zoning Commission public hearing on April 22.

According to the special permit application submitted by Attorney Eric D. Bernheim, Esq. who owns the church, the Zoning Commission approved the construction of the 21,000-square-foot community center in 2006 on the condition the center building could only be used by members of the church and not be rented out to outside organizations.

In January, upon learning the church violated its condition of approval, the city of Norwalk issued a zoning citation to the church. A potential remedy to the church's violation is to have the condition removed by the Planning & Zoning Commission, Kleppin said.

At a January zoning citation hearing, Richard Roina, who lives across the street from the church, said the church recently held parties that were so loud, he was kept up at night.

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"The last straw for me was in November when I sent an email to Kleppin at 1:30 in the morning. It was my formal complaint," Roina said. "The parties go on till one or two o'clock in the morning. (After), people hang out in the parking lot, whooping it up for another half an hour. The trucks come at three o'clock with the backup alarms, picking up musicians, stuff and furniture."

He said about 10 neighbors have also complained about the issue.

When he was asked if he would meet with the church pastor to discuss his concerns, he said "We're passed that."

Attorney Peter Lathouris, who is representing the church, said, "We've hired security. We're strictly enforcing the timeline, meaning ... whatever the zoning allows. 10 or 11 o'clock, all activities cease. I just want the board to know that we are taking this very seriously and will take steps to make sure that we're in compliance."

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A Putnam official says a family pet was killed in a fire in an apartment building on Sunnyside Avenue on Sunday afternoon. Courtesy of the East Putnam Fire Department

PUTNAM  A family pet was killed in an apartment fire on Sunnyside Avenue in Putnam Sunday afternoon, an official said.

Emergency dispatch began receiving calls about a porch fire in an apartment building on the street at 6:20 p.m., Scott Belleville, the town fire marshal and emergency management director, said in a news release.

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Belleville said town police officers arrived to find the buildings front porch well involved with fire and assisted one resident escape the smoke and flames from a first-floor apartment.

He said firefighters from the Putnam Fire Department, along with multiple mutual aid companies, worked for approximately two hours to extinguish the flames.

Through an investigation that used witness statements, fire pattern recognition and early on-scene photos and videos, Belleville said, fire marshals determined the fire started on the front porch and was caused by improper disposal of smoking materials. He said weather played a significant role in the ignition and rapid growth of the fire.

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"Dry conditions, low humidity, and a moderate sustained wind along with a structure built in 1897, were all factors contributing to the incidents severity," he said.

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Belleville said the apartment building sustained extensive fire, smoke and water damage in two apartments, with the third apartment sustaining smoke damage. He said the American Red Cross was assisting four adults displaced by the fire.

Two firefighters were transported from the scene by Putnam EMS to Day Kimball Hospital for heat-related injuries and were released on the same evening, Belleville said. A family pet died in the fire, he said.
News / National

by Staff reporter

The State has withdrawn fraud, money laundering and gold possession charges against Singaporean national Mark Yong Khong Yong, citing lack of evidence.The charges were withdrawn before plea by Harare magistrate Ruth Moyo, bringing an abrupt end to the case.Yong, who was represented by lawyers Everson Chatambudza and Allan Masiya, had been arrested in connection with allegations of a US$1.5 million mining investment fraud.He was intercepted by police at the Norton tollgate while travelling in a black Lexus SUV with three other individuals. A subsequent search of his Borrowdale residence reportedly led to the recovery of about 10 grammes of suspected gold nuggets, raising questions over whether he possessed the necessary permits.Authorities had initially alleged that Yong was linked to a scheme in which a foreign investor was defrauded of approximately US$1.5 million.He had been granted bail of US$1,500 on March 16.However, prosecutor Lawrence Gangarahwe told the court that further investigations had established that Yong and his alleged accomplice were not involved in the offences, leading the State to withdraw all charges.The withdrawal effectively clears Yong of the allegations, with no further prosecution expected on the matter.
The U.S. Supreme Court is seen in Washington, Tuesday, April 7, 2026, in Washington. Rahmat Gul/AP FILE - Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor speaks at the New York Law School's Constitution and Citizen Day Summit, in New York, Tuesday, Sept. 16, 2025. Richard Drew/AP

WASHINGTON (AP)  Supreme CourtJustice Ketanji Brown Jackson has delivered a sustained attack on her conservative colleagues use of emergency orders to benefit the Trump administration, calling the orders scratch-paper musings that can seem oblivious and thus ring hollow.

The court's newest justice, Jackson delivered a lengthy assessment of roughly two dozen court orders issued last year that allowed President Donald Trump to put in place controversial policies on immigration, steep federal funding cuts and other topics, after lower courts found they were likely illegal.

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While designed to be short-term, those orders have largely allowed Trump to move ahead  for now  with key parts of his sweeping agenda.

Jackson spoke for nearly an hour on Monday at Yale Law School, which posted a video of the event on Wednesday.

Last week, Justice Sonia Sotomayor similarly talked about emergency orders in an event Tuesday at the University of Alabama that also took issue with the conservatives' approach.

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Jackson has previously criticized the emergency orders both in dissenting opinions and in an unusual appearance with Justice Brett Kavanaugh last month. But her talk at Yale, addressing the public rather than the other eight justices, was notable.

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She referred to orders, which often are issued with little or no explanation as back-of-the-envelope, first-blush impressions of the merits of the legal issue.

Worse still, she said, was that the court then insists that those scratch-paper musings be applied by lower courts in other cases.

The orders suffer from an additional problem, she said, a failure to acknowledge that real people are involved, making them seem oblivious and thus ring hollow.

She also pushed back on the court's assessment that preventing the president from putting his policy in place also is a harm that often outweighs what the challengers to a policy might face.

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The president of the United States, though he may be harmed in an abstract way, he certainly isn't harmed if what he wants to do is illegal, Jackson said during a question-and-answer session with law school dean Cristina Rodriguez.

The court used to be reluctant to step into cases early in the legal process, she said. There is value in avoiding having the court continually touching the third rail of every divisive policy issue in American life, Jackson said.

While she said she couldn't explain the change, in recent years, the Supreme Court has taken a decidedly different approach to addressing emergency stay applications. It has been noticeably less restrained, especially with respect to pending cases that involve controversial matters.

Jackson, often joined by Sotomayor and Justice Elena Kagan, has frequently dissented.

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There have been conversations about emergency orders among the justices, Jackson said, but she decided to speak publicly with the goal of being a catalyst for change.

Also on Wednesday, Sotomayor issued a rare public apology to another justice, Kavanaugh, for what she termed hurtful comments" she made last week during an appearance at the University of Kansas law school.

Referencing an opinion Kavanaugh wrote in an immigration case where the court granted an emergency order sought by the administration, Sotomayor said her colleague probably doesnt really know any person who works by the hour. Her remarks were reported by Bloomberg Law.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., speaks to reporters outside the chamber after passing a measure by unanimous consent that would fund most of the Department of Homeland Security, if the House agrees, at the Capitol in Washington, Thursday, April 2, 2026. J. Scott Applewhite/AP Sen. Mark Kelly, D-Ariz., asks a question during the Senate Committee on Intelligence hearings to examine worldwide threats on Capitol Hill Wednesday, March 18, 2026, in Washington. Jose Luis Magana/AP Rep. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., speaks during an address marking New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani first 100 days in office at the Knockdown Center, Sunday, April 12, 2026, in New York. Andres Kudacki/AP

WASHINGTON (AP)  More than three dozen Democrats supported an effort by Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders on Wednesday to block arms sales to Israel, signaling a growing discontent in the party with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the wars in Gaza and Iran.

The two resolutions to block U.S. sales of bulldozers and bombs to Israel were opposed by all Republicans and rejected 40-59 and 36-63. But Sanders has repeatedly forced votes on the issue to put pressure on his colleagues  both Democrats and Republicans  to oppose Netanyahus regime.

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Similar resolutions forced by Sanders in 2024 and 2025 were also rejected, but the number of Democrats voting with the Vermont Independent has more than doubled in less than two years amid Israeli campaigns in Gaza, Iran and Lebanon and a stepped-up campaign by party activists who have increasingly seen support for Israel as a litmus test for support.

Its clear that Democrats are beginning to listen to the average American who is sick and tired of spending billions of dollars to support Netanyahus horrific wars when people in this country cant afford housing or health care, Sanders said after the vote.

Arizona Sen. Mark Kelly, D-Ariz., voted in support of the two resolutions after opposing some of Sanders previous efforts. In a speech just before the vote, Kelly said that the reckless decisions being made by Prime Minister Netanyahu and President Trump led him to his decision, which he said he did not take lightly.

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Under Prime Minister Netanyahus government, weve seen an expanded war in Lebanon that is putting innocent Lebanese civilians at risk, and ongoing violence against Palestinians and their homes being demolished in the West Bank, Kelly said. All of this has undermined the path forward for peace.

Among the Democrats voting against the resolutions were Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand. Nearly 100 protesters were arrested during a demonstration on Monday calling on the two New York senators to vote in favor of Sanders' two measures.

Led by the antiwar group Jewish Voice for Peace, the crowd of hundreds initially attempted to stage a sit-in inside the senators' offices as they said they were abetting Israels intensifying attacks in Lebanon and the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran. But they were blocked and many of the protesters were arrested.

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The majority of Americans and New Yorkers want a resolution to what the Israeli government is doing, said the groups communications director, Sonya Meyerson-Knox.

Democrats supported a resolution earlier on Wednesday to halt Trump's war in Iran, though that was also rejected, 47-52. Democratic Sen. Chris Coons, a Democrat who voted against Sanders' Israel resolutions, said he voted to end the Iran war but did not want to abandon Israel.

My votes should be taken neither as an endorsement of the actions of the Netanyahu government nor as an abandonment of the state of Israel, the Jewish people, or the US-Israel relationship, Coons said in a statement after the vote.

Republicans said the vote could hurt U.S. efforts in the Iran war.

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Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Jim Risch, R-Idaho, said the resolutions could embolden Iran and send the message that the U.S. is prepared to leave our ally Israel vulnerable.
FILE - People worship at 2819 Church on Nov. 16, 2025, in Atlanta. Jessie Wardarski/AP FILE - Followers of the Christian podcast, "Girls Gone Bible," cry during the live show held at the Atlanta Symphony Hall, Nov. 14, 2025, in Atlanta. Jessie Wardarski/AP FILE - A man prays during Catholic Mass at Benedictine College, Oct. 29, 2023, in Atchison, Kan. Charlie Riedel/AP

A new Gallup poll released Thursday shows more young men in the U.S. say religion is very important in their lives compared to young women  the first time young men have surpassed young women on this measure of religiosity going back 25 years.

Gallup's latest data shows that 42% of men in the U.S. ages 18-29 said religion is very important to them, a notable increase from 28% in 2022-2023. Over the same time, young women's attachment to religion has stayed low, at about 30%.

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This marks the first time young men have overtaken women by a big margin on this measure, which goes back to 2000. Gallup reports aggregate findings every two years to ensure the estimates are stable.

Several decades ago, young women were much more attached to religion than young men, but that's shifted over the years. More recently, young men and women's religiosity was roughly similar. The new increase in young men's religiosity also in contrast to the minimal change seen since 2022-2023 among older men and women.

The gender gap reversal is only happening among adults under 30, according to Gallup's data. Among adults aged 30 and older, women remain more religious than men.

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Republican young men grow more religious

Much of the growth in religiosity is happening among young Republicans. The data shows that since 2022-2023, religious attendance has increased among Republican young men and women compared to Democratic men and women. The percentage of young Republican men who attend church, synagogue, mosque or temple at least weekly has been rising since 2019, while young Democratic men's attendance has largely fallen.

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There's a similar pattern among women. Now, only about one-quarter of Democratic women under 30 attend church at least monthly, compared to about 6 in 10 young Republican women.

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Political scientist Ryan Burge of Washington University in St. Louis, a leading researcher into religious trends and a longtime pastor in the American Baptist Church, said to see the gender gap with religion reversed in Gen Z adults represents a seismic change in society and the future of the church.

It could change the way children are raised, he said, which could affect the future of the countrys religious landscape if more men are raising religious children.

Burge says young men are more drawn to religion now because it is a space where they feel more accepted in a world where other institutions are less interested in white men compared to women and people of color.

It's the only place where you don't have to apologize for being a white man, he said. American religion is very white male dominated and young men are drawn to institutions that elevate them and give them influence and power.

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Young men and women diverge on moral questions

Other surveys suggest that young men also diverge from young women on some important moral questions.

Pew Research Center surveys conducted in March 2025 found about 4 in 10 men under 30 say divorce is morally wrong, compared to only about 2 in 10 young women. Even more men under 30, about half, say abortion is morally wrong, compared to only about one-third of women the same age. Young men are also likelier than young women to say homosexuality is morally wrong, although both groups are substantially less likely than older men and women to hold this view.

While young men stand out on the morality of divorce  only about 2 in 10 men or women under 65 say this is morally wrong  young women are less likely than other men and women to see abortion as morally wrong.

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Other Gallup surveys have found that young women are more likely to identify as politically liberal than in the past. This shift is also happening at a time when women are becoming increasingly averse to religion, Burge said.

Women are viewing religion as patriarchal, he said. Abortion is illegal in many states because of Christianity and young women tend to be progressive on issues such as abortion and LGBTQ rights. It feels repressive to them.

Still, some young women continue to embrace male-led faiths.

Rabbi says people are seeking belonging in dark times

Rabbi Nicole Guzik serves as co-senior rabbi with her husband Erez Sherman at Sinai Temple in Los Angeles, which follows the values of Conservative Judaism. She said membership at her 5,000-strong congregation has seen a steady, significant increase since after the pandemic and Hamas Oct. 7 attack on Israel.

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Guzik hasnt seen a gender gap in her congregation with regard to religiosity or attendance, but said she is happy to hear more people are giving importance to religion because faith has a role to play in shaping peoples identities, especially in an increasingly dark and polarized world.

Its about being in a place of belonging and inspiration, she said. People are seeking something right now. Theres a crisis of loneliness and mental health. Social media and AI are not helping. Im glad that religious institutions are able to provide some semblance of light in these times.

Overall decline in religiosity may be slowing

Gallup senior scientist Frank Newport, who has studied the gender gap in religiosity over decades, said another important finding is that church attendance is more or less the same for both genders.

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One of the dominant trends weve observed in recent years has been a decline in religiosity among Americans, he said. Now, in young people, were seeing that decline beginning to stop. Thats pretty significant.

But while age doesn't have a major impact when it comes to church attendance for men, young women are much less likely than older women to attend church at least once a month, the poll found.

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The Gallup results are based on two-year averages from their monthly live telephone surveys that are conducted among approximately 1,000 U.S. adults. The 2024 to 2025 results for the question about the importance of religion are based on 4,015 U.S. adults, including 295 men aged 18 to 29 and 145 women aged 18 to 29. The margin of error for young men is 7 percentage points for young men and 10 percentage points for young women on that question.

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Associated Press religion coverage receives support through the APs collaboration with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content.

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FILE -President Donald Trump greets Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni during summit to support ending the more than two-year Israel-Hamas war in Gaza after a breakthrough ceasefire deal, Oct. 13, 2025, in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt. Evan Vucci/AP Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni leaves the lower chamber of parliament in Rome, Thursday, April 9, 2026. Alessandra Tarantino/AP Akos Szilagyi, one of Viktor Orban's most prominent supporters, adjusts one of his self-designed T-shirts, featuring Orban and U.S. President Donald Trump, at his home in Budapest, Hungary, Tuesday, April 14, 2026. Denes Erdos/AP

MILAN (AP)  Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni was supposed to be Europes bridge to U.S. President Donald Trump. It may be burning.

After chastising Pope Leo XIV, Trump turned his ire on Meloni, long one of his closest European allies, for calling his papal broadside unacceptable and not backing the U.S.-Israel war on Iran.

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I thought she had courage, Trump said in an interview with leading Italian daily Corriere della Sera. I was wrong.

Meloni has not directly responded to Trumps attacks. But they may be to her advantage as she recovers from a decisive referendum defeat last month and as she seeks to dull the impact of the deeply unpopular Iran war, including higher energy prices.

I actually think this is a godsend for her, said Nathalie Tocci, a professor at Johns Hopkins SAIS Europe and the director of the International Affairs Institute. Trump has become completely toxic across Europe, across much of the world, including Italy.

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Trump doubled down on Wednesday, saying their bond had frayed. Shes been negative, Trump told Fox News. Anybody that turned us down to helping with this Iran situation, we do not have the same relationship.

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The Meloni-Trump arc

The only European Union leader invited to Trumps second inauguration, Meloni was expected to leverage her strong ties with him once he returned to office 15 months ago. The two had a perceived natural alliance, with nationalistic tendencies and similarly hard-line stances on immigration.

But Italy was not spared the pain of Trumps tariffs, and some may argue she has gotten little out of the relationship. When asked if they had spoken this month, Trump told Corriere, No, not in a long time.''

After an uncomfortable appearance in the Oval Office a year ago when she avoided directly confronting Trump on tariffs, the distance grew over the Iran war. Meloni has stated Italy will not participate in the war and the country last month refused U.S. bombers the authorization to land at a pivotal air base in Sicily.

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Melonis statement this week calling Trump's attack on the pope unacceptable was the most direct criticism of the president yet.

It's been building up over time, not so much because she is moving away from him but because he has become increasingly unhinged, Tocci said.

Alliance strained but standing

Cabinet minister Adolfo Urso, a member of Melonis far-right Brothers of Italy, said U.S.-Italy relations would not be shaken by the flap.

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Italy and the United States are allied countries and maintain their relationship and alliance within international institutions, starting obviously with the Atlantic Alliance, he told Radio 24, adding that the churchs moral teachings cannot crack relationships consecrated in alliances signed a few decades ago.

Mariangela Zappia, president of the ISPI think tank and a former Italian ambassador to the U.S., said Trumps hot-blooded reaction could be attributed to his frustration with Europe, not just Italy. Besides not getting support for the Iran war, Trump lost a strong ally with Viktor Orbans electoral defeat in the Hungarian elections this weekend.

Still, she said Trump's personal outburst aimed at Meloni should not be construed as damaging the alliance as a whole.

Europe absolutely considers the United States its historic ally, but in some way wants to be involved in the decisions that are taken, Zappia said.

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Trump, on the other hand, is realizing this European Union is not easy to dismantle, she said. We are different, we react differently. Some are clearly anti-Trump, some are pro-Trump but in the end, destroying the European project, separating us on the things on which we see as our future, that is very difficult.

Meloni focused on Italy

Meloni has sought to shore up support after the referendum loss, which became a de facto confidence test of her leadership. She made a two-day whirlwind solo tour of three Gulf states to shore up Italys gas and oil supply from the region during a growing energy crisis but returned home without any formal deals.

On Tuesday, she announced Italy would not automatically renew a defense agreement with Israel, after warning shots hit an Italian convoy that is part of the U.N. peacekeeping mission in southern Lebanon, a move that analysts say is driven more by domestic politics than a strategic shift.

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The Gulf tour was a way to show public opinion that she was being proactive. The fact it didnt actually lead to anything is beside the point, Tocci said. The Israel move substantively is rather meaningless because there is not much in this agreement but symbolically it helps because Israel has become just so unpopular in Italian public opinion.

No matter what damage control she has done after the referendum loss, Roberto DAlimonte, a professor at the LUISS school of government, predicts a difficult last year and a half of her mandate before elections due in 2027, largely due to the economic impact of the Iran war.

People want to see their gas bills go down, not just see Meloni talk about gas. What matters are the bills you get every month, he said.
Pope Leo XIV waves to supporters as he leaves after his visit to the Ngul Zamba (Power of God) orphanage in Yaounde, Cameroon, Wednesday April 15, 2026 on the third day of his apostolic journey to Africa. (Alberto Pizzoli, Pool Photo via AP) Alberto Pizzoli/AP

SAO PAULO (AP)  Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said on Wednesday that Pope Leo XIV should be defended from powerful people who have recently criticized him. The leftist leader's comments come amid a tense exchange of attacks between the pontiff and U.S. President Donald Trump.

Earlier Wednesday, during his trip to Cameroon, the first U.S.-born pope insisted that "the message the world needs to hear today is one of peace and dialogue. In recent days, Trump has doubled down on his criticism of Leo's comments against the war in Iran.

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The 80-year-old Lula, who is running for reelection in October, spoke in a video message sent to a gathering of Brazils national conference of bishops.

My deepest solidarity to Pope Leo XIV. Throughout mankind's history, advocates for peace and for the oppressed have been attacked by powerful people who think they are deities to be adored, Lula said. It's better to have a heart full of love than the power of weapons and money.

The spat between Leo and the U.S. president erupted after the pope said God doesnt bless those who drop bombs. The pontiff also called Trumps threat to annihilate Iranian civilization truly unacceptable. The U.S. president then argued Leo is weak on crime and a captive to the left, and claimed the pontiff owed his position to him.

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Follow the APs coverage of Latin America and the Caribbean at https://apnews.com/hub/latin-america
Constanza Segovia, organizing director of the Connecticut For All coalition, rallies for fair taxes at the State Capitol in Hartford, Conn. on, Wednesday, April 15, 2026. Dave Zajac/Hearst Connecticut Media Lauren Anderson, a New Haven small business owner, speaks during the Connecticut For All coalition rally for fair taxes at the State Capitol in Hartford, Conn., on Wednesday, April 15, 2026. Dave Zajac/Hearst Connecticut Media The Connecticut For All coalition holds a rally for fair taxing at the State Capitol in Hartford, Conn., on Wednesday, April 15, 2026. Dave Zajac/Hearst Connecticut Media The Connecticut For All coalition rally for fair taxing is in front of Gov. Ned Lamont's office at the State Capitol in Hartford, Conn., on Wednesday, April 15, 2026. Dave Zajac/Hearst Connecticut Media Alicia Strong, an organizer and educator in New Britain, speaks during the Connecticut For All coalition rally for fair taxing at the State Capitol in Hartford, Conn., on Wednesday, April 15, 2026. Dave Zajac/Hearst Connecticut Media The Connecticut For All coalition holds a rally for fair taxing at the State Capitol in Hartford, Conn., on Wednesday, April 15, 2026. Dave Zajac/Hearst Connecticut Media The Connecticut For All coalition rally for fair taxing is in front of Gov. Ned Lamont's office at the State Capitol in Hartford, Conn., on Wednesday, April 15, 2026. Dave Zajac/Hearst Connecticut Media A sign depicting Gov. Ned Lamont and John Maduko, interim chancellor of the Connecticut State Colleges and Universities, is held during the Connecticut For All coalition rally for fair taxing at the State Capitol in Hartford, Conn., on Wednesday, April 15, 2026. Dave Zajac/Hearst Connecticut Media

HARTFORD  Over more than seven years in office, Gov. Ned Lamont has been steadfast: He does not want to increase taxes on Connecticuts wealthiest residents.

Again and again, advocates and legislators have made the case, and again and again, the governors office has shot down the idea, arguing Connecticut doesnt need the revenue and that higher taxes on the wealthy would risk driving high-earners out of the state.

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But that isnt stopping anyone from asking again.

In honor of Tax Day, about 100 people associated with the progressive Connecticut For All coalition gathered Wednesday in Hartford, demanding Lamont support new taxes on the wealthy to help fund education and social services. After a rally outside the Capitol, advocates visited the governors office, where they delivered hundreds of postcards urging more progressive taxation.

Our message is  its time to tax the wealthy and the ultra-wealthy and redistribute those funds to the hard-working people of Connecticut, Ruth MacDonald, a Bethany resident and instructor at Charter Oak State College, told Lamont staffers who came out to meet the crowd.

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Though Lamont, a fiscally moderate Democrat, was not in his office when the advocates arrived, chief of staff Matthew Brokman said the governor would review the postcards.

Broadly, the Connecticut for All advocates argued Wednesday that Connecticuts wealthiest residents can and should pay more taxes than they do now. As of 2024, Connecticut had a less progressive tax code than most other blue states, with low-income residents paying a higher share of their income in state and local taxes than wealthier ones, according to the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy.

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More specifically, they presented two concrete asks: Further tweaks to the states fiscal guardrails that would allow lawmakers to spend more, as well as the passage of a proposed 1.75% capital gains surcharge on millionaires that recently advanced out of the Finance, Revenue and Bonding Committee.

We have a serious tax and equity problem in this state, state Rep. Jason Doucette, D-Manchester, told the crowd Wednesday. We have an upside-down tax code.

The Connecticut For All coalition rallies for fair taxes at the State Capitol in Hartford, Conn., on Wednesday, April 15, 2026. Dave Zajac/Hearst Connecticut Media

In a statement Wednesday, Lamont spokesperson Carolyn Vaulman noted Connecticuts tax code has already become more progressive during the governors tenure. That's not because the wealthy are paying more, but because the poor are paying less  a result of tax cuts largely aimed at middle- and working-class households, she said.

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No governor has done more to ease the financial burden on families in Connecticut, Vaulman said.

Wednesdays rally came as Lamont and legislative leaders prepare to negotiate budget adjustments, including any potential changes to the tax code, in the coming weeks, before the legislative session ends May 6.

Doucette, who leads the legislatures Tax Equity Caucus, says raising taxes on the wealthy is generally popular among legislators, noting several Republicans joined most Democrats in supporting the capital gains surcharge proposal in a committee vote last month. If the governor lent his support, Doucette said, the concept would have a strong chance of passing.

I believe that it is a widely popular policy, Doucette said. It may not be in Greenwich, but it certainly is throughout the rest of the state.

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Lauren Anderson, a New Haven small business owner, speaks during the Connecticut For All coalition rally for fair taxes at the State Capitol in Hartford, Conn., on Wednesday, April 15, 2026. Dave Zajac/Hearst Connecticut Media

In coordination with the groups rally, Connecticut for All released a report Wednesday finding Connecticuts 17 billionaires had grown their net worth 34%  or $24.7 billion total  since President Donald Trump was elected in November 2024. This has come, they noted, as Trump and congressional Republicans have cut Medicaid and SNAP benefits, as well as Affordable Care Act subsidies, for millions of Americans.

Constanza Segovia, organizing director for the Connecticut for All Coalition, argues this is further reason for Connecticut to tax its wealthy residents to fund social services.

We have folks that have received preferential treatment from the federal administration, via tax cuts and a lot of accommodations, Segovia said. So what we need to make clear is that the Connecticut agenda is an agenda that prioritizes working people.

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At the capitol Wednesday, advocates dressed as billionaires in suits and top-hats while holding signs saying, Tax me to fund CT. Speakers at the rally, including a public school teacher from New Britain and an immigrant college student, implored the governor to make the states tax code more fair.

Still, no one appeared under the impression that Lamont would suddenly change his mind. Seth Freeman, president of the union representing Connecticuts community college faculty and staff, noted that resistance to raising taxes on the wealthy has been has been a mainstay of his administration, and he has not wavered.

To give him credit, he has been consistent, Freeman said, drawing a chuckle from the crowd. But its a choice, and it doesnt have to be that way.
Liz Hardaway is a breaking news reporter with Hearst Connecticut Media Group.

She was a Hearst fellow in Connecticut and at the San Antonio Express-News where she covered city hall and local issues. She also worked at the Sun Newspapers in Southwest Florida as a general assignment reporter covering politics, business, and health.

Liz graduated from Ohio Wesleyan University in 2018 with a B.A. in journalism. She enjoys cooking, reading and playing with her dachshund, Finn.
Stamford fire officials say crews rescued kayakers, one of whom was overturned, near Cove Island on Sunday afternoon. Courtesy of the Stamford Fire Department Stamford fire officials say crews rescued kayakers, one of whom was overturned, near Cove Island on Sunday afternoon. Courtesy of the Stamford Fire Department Stamford fire officials say crews rescued kayakers, one of whom was overturned, near Cove Island on Sunday afternoon. Courtesy of the Stamford Fire Department

With spring well underway in Connecticut, the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection once again is urging caution from boaters as water temperatures remain cold and potentially dangerous.

Temperatures have risen into the 70s and 80s around the state this week, but water temperatures in Long Island Sound still are in the 40s and low 50s.

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The National Weather Service notd that the threat of hypothermia increases significantly when the water temperature is lower than 60 degrees.

"Early spring boating can bring unexpected risks, especially when warm air temperatures disguise the dangerously cold water temperatures," DEEP Commissioner Katie Dykes said in a statement. "By taking simple safety precautions like wearing a life jacket and preparing ahead, boaters can reduce those risks and better enjoy the start of the boating season."

DEEP regularly issues a similar warning at the start of the state's boating season in the spring. Several boating deaths have been reported over the years during colder parts of the year.

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Last month, a 20-year-old Woodstock man went missing after his canoe overturned on Lake Hayward in East Haddam. Searchers located his body days later. In March 2024, two men died after they fell from a canoe into Lower Bolton Lake in Bolton while trying to fix a dock.

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In Stamford, city firefighters rescued two kayakers in distress on Long Island Sound Sunday.

The U.S. Coast Guard noted that victims often don't die from hypothermia itself. Instead, mild hypothermia prevents their ability to survive. It gave the example of a swimmer wearing a life jacket who is unable to keep their back to the waves, inhales water and drowns.

Cold water immersion also can make someone who is unprepared lose their dexterity, such as the ability to quickly dial for help on a phone.

"Even for a healthy person, cold-water immersion can cause shock including respiratory distress and then the inability to control breathing and hold their breath," the agency said in a news release.

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DEEP provided some safety tips in a news release earlier this month highlighting spring boating safety.

The agency said boaters should wear a life jacket that fits correctly, noting that 89% of people involved in boating-related drowning deaths were not wearing a life jacket.

The agency noted state law requires anyone operating a "manually propelled vessel" wear a life jacket between Oct. 1 and May 31. The category includes stand up paddleboards, canoes, kayaks and rowboats.

DEEP said boaters should also wear appropriate clothing, and paddlecraft boaters should consider wearing a drysuit or wetsuit during the colder months when becoming immersed is more dangerous.

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It said boaters also should file a float plan letting someone know where they're going and when they expect to be back. The agency said boaters also should maintain a lookout as debris such as trees, damaged docks and pilings may be floating down rivers and into the Sound.

DEEP said boaters also should make sure they're up to date on their vessel's maintenance.
News / National

by Staff reporter

The High Court has ordered the joinder of President Emmerson Mnangagwa as a respondent in a legal dispute over the Gokwe Sengwa Colliery Mine, following the cancellation of a coal mining special grant and its subsequent reallocation to another company.The application was brought by Sengwa Colliery (Private) Limited, which argued that the President is the ultimate authority with powers to grant or cancel special mining rights under Zimbabwean law.The company had cited the Mines minister, the secretary for mines, the Midlands provincial mining director, the Mining Affairs Board, George Mining and Kabuyuni Mining Syndicate as respondents in its court challenge.Sengwa Colliery held Special Grant No. 849 over the Sengwa coalfields for more than four decades and previously produced about 25,000 tonnes of coal annually between 2003 and 2008. After resuming operations in 2024, the company reported output of over 24,000 tonnes through contracted mining operations.The dispute arose after the Mines minister issued a notice on August 15, 2024, indicating an intention to cancel the special grant, citing inactivity. Sengwa Colliery later submitted a detailed response outlining ongoing operations, investments and plans to establish two thermal power stations, including engagement with a Chinese investor.Despite these representations, the grant was cancelled on August 15, 2025. Two months later, a new special grant  No. 10417  was awarded to George Mining over the same area.Sengwa Colliery approached the court seeking a declaratory order, arguing that both the cancellation of its grant and the issuance of a new one were legally invalid. It contends that, in terms of Section 305 of the Mines and Minerals Act, only the President has the authority to cancel a special grant, and that the minister and his secretary acted beyond their powers.George Mining opposed the application, maintaining that there had been no meaningful mining activity on the site and that due legal process had been followed. The company argued that the minister acted with presidential approval and that its own grant was duly authorised by the President following Cabinet recommendation and gazetted in October 2025.During proceedings, George Mining raised a preliminary legal objection, arguing that failure to include the President as a party rendered the application defective.However, High Court judge Justice Regis Dembure ruled that while the non-joinder of the President was significant, it was not fatal to the case."This court has inherent authority to order the joinder of any person necessary for the determination of all issues before it," the judge said, adding that the law allows the inclusion of "any person," including the President, where necessary.Justice Dembure emphasised that the governing legislation places the President at the centre of decisions relating to special mining grants, making his inclusion appropriate for resolving the dispute.The court ordered that the President be formally joined as the seventh respondent, served with the application and given time to file opposing papers. The matter was subsequently removed from the roll, with costs reserved for determination at a later stage.
Stephanie Gvillo, of Moro, examines an artist's work during the 2025 Edwardsville Art Fair. David Blanchette/For Hearst Illinois

Artists near and far have two more weeks to apply to the Edwardsville Art Fair.

Artist applications are due by April 30 for the 2026 Edwardsville Art Fair, which will be Sept. 25-27 in City Park. Three jurors will score applications based on artistic quality, creativity and overall impression of the work.

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The ideal work will be well conceived and expertly executed, said Beth Browne, the executive director of the Edwardsville Arts Center, which hosts the annual Art Fair.

Applicants dont have to be from Edwardsville to participate; the fair regularly hosts artists from all over, including international artists. Artists will be notified of the jurys decision in mid-May. Each year, the fair accepts an average of 90 artists and draws over 10,000 visitors from the surrounding areas.

Artists may enter in the following categories: ceramics, photography, digital artworks, works on paper, textiles, wood, glass, jewelry, mixed media, painting and sculpture.

The fair also has an emerging artists category. Emerging artists are defined as early career artists who have never exhibited in a fair. Accepted emerging artists will share tent space and be exempt from the $350 booth fee.

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We are well known for our hospitality for artists, Browne said.

That hospitality includes electricity provided for each booth, complimentary meals for one artist per booth and volunteers to help with setup and teardown. The fair will also provide overnight security, and accepted artists will be in the running for $8,000 in awards.

Artists are required to be present during all open hours of the fair, but booth sitters will be available for bathroom breaks. Artists must supply their own tents and other materials for the fair.

In addition to artist exhibitions, the art fair will feature performing arts, live demonstrations, a childrens art gallery and food and drink vendors.

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Communities with strong arts and cultural programs are often the most vibrant  and thats the kind of community I want to live in and raise my family in, Browne said in March.

The Edwardsville Arts Center is a nonprofit organization that provides support for local artists and education and outreach for both children and adults. Proceeds from the fair directly impact the programming that the center provides to the community, including art classes and local exhibitions.

The application can be found on the Edwardsville Arts Center website at edwardsvilleartscenter.com/edwardsville-art-fair, along with detailed information about guidelines.
This is a new rendering of the Goshen Commons that is planned for downtown Edwardsville. Courtesy City of Edwardsville

The City of Edwardsville is inviting the community to attend as the Goshen Commons downtown park project takes a big step forward. Mayor Art Risavy and city officials will be joined by Rep. Katie Stuart and other guests at 9 a.m. Monday, April 20, for a groundbreaking at the site of the planned pedestrian plaza and park space in the heart of downtown Edwardsville.

Goshen Commons will repurpose one block of St. Louis Street between North Main Street and Second Street, along with the adjacent courtyard, into a pedestrian-friendly public park. It will incorporate green space, including trees and various plantings, as well as an expansive gathering area, walkways and seating areas, shade structures, festoon-style lighting, a video screen, restrooms and game tables.

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Vehicle access to the area was closed in January in anticipation of the project and to accommodate the ongoing North Main Street water main replacement and streetscape construction.

The site is the longtime home of the Land of Goshen Community Market and, upon completion, will again host the popular seasonal market. The market will shift to City Park, 101 S. Buchanan, for the 2026 season. Goshen Commons also will be available for daily public use, as well as Parks & Recreation special events and gatherings.

Goshen Commons will be such an incredible complement to our wonderful downtown and our local businesses, Mayor Risavy said. This park will be used and appreciated by so many people on a daily basis, in addition to those who come for the many events we envision happening here.

The $3.95 million park got an early boost from Rep. Katie Stuart, who facilitated a $2 million member-directed initiative through the Illinois Department of Natural Resources to support economic vitality. Goshen Commons was announced in August 2024 in conjunction with Rep. Stuarts funding initiative.

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Im excited for this pedestrian-friendly project to get underway, Rep. Stuart said. When it opens this fall, it will be a wonderful, active addition to downtown Edwardsville that will be enjoyed in so many ways every day.

Additional costs to construct Goshen Commons will be paid out of the Edwardsville Enhancement Fund, which was established with a quarter-percent sales tax effective Jan. 1, 2024, for green space purchases, park projects, capital projects and public safety pensions.

Construction for Goshen Commons recently got underway. Barring unforeseen delays, the park is expected to open for public use in the fall. S.M. Wilson & Co. is serving as the general contractor for the project, while Lochmueller Group is the project engineer and Arcturis is the project architect. For more details and updates on the parks progress, visit www.cityofedwardsville.com/cityprojects
Don Munsch is the city reporter for the Edwardsville Intelligencer. An Arlington, Texas, native, he is a graduate of Northwest Missouri State University and has written for newspapers in Texas, Oklahoma and Missouri. He has covered just about everything on the news beat, from education to police and courts to religion, and has also covered a fair amount of sports.
News / National

by Staff reporter

The Government says it has made notable progress in implementing the Public Service Job Evaluation Exercise, with efforts now focused on addressing outstanding structural challenges.Speaking during a post-Cabinet media briefing, Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Zhemu Soda said the exercise has already improved consistency and fairness across the public sector."The job evaluation exercise has enabled us to align grades for similar positions across the Public Service, Health Service and Independent Commissions, ensuring equity and transparency in remuneration," he said.Soda noted that several key sectors  including the uniformed forces, health services, higher and tertiary education, as well as foreign missions  have completed the evaluation process.He added that longstanding discrepancies in grading for similar roles across the public service, health sector, independent commissions and grant-aided institutions have now been corrected.The minister said the Government has begun implementing a new remuneration framework anchored on the evaluation exercise. This is supported by a competency framework intended to guide recruitment, promotions and performance management across the civil service.However, Soda acknowledged that some issues remain unresolved."We are still addressing duplications and overlaps in certain job functions in liaison with the Office of the President and Cabinet," he said.The reforms form part of broader Government efforts to improve efficiency, strengthen accountability and enhance service delivery within the public sector.
News / National

by Staff reporter

At least 18 people are feared dead after a Toyota Quantum kombi caught fire following a suspected explosion along the busy BulawayoBeitbridge Road on Thursday afternoon, the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has confirmed.In a statement, police said the tragic incident occurred between Chipangali and the Gwanda tollgate between 1 pm and 2 pm."The ZRP reports the death of approximately 18 people when a kombi exploded into fire between Chipangali and Gwanda tollgate along the BulawayoBeitbridge Road between 1300 hours and 1400 hours today. More details will be released in due course," the police said.Emergency response teams, including police, military personnel and the Bulawayo Fire Brigade, were swiftly deployed to the scene, identified as an area known as Much Binding. Rescue and recovery efforts continued into the afternoon, with authorities combing nearby bushland for bodies believed to have been scattered by the blast.Officials said the area has since been sealed off after fragments suspected to be explosive material were discovered a few metres from a crater created by the explosion.Preliminary reports suggest the vehicle may have been transporting explosives when it suddenly burst into flames in the middle of the road, triggering the deadly incident. However, authorities have not yet confirmed the exact cause of the explosion or the intended destination of the cargo.The BulawayoBeitbridge highway, a key transport corridor linking Zimbabwe to South Africa, has a history of fatal incidents. In 2018, more than 40 people were killed when a gas cylinder exploded on a bus travelling along the same route.Investigations into Thursday's explosion are ongoing, with authorities expected to release further details as more information becomes available.
News / National

by Staff reporter

A threat actor has revealed that 1.2TB of confidential data stolen from Standard Bank, which includes client credit card information, will now be leaked online in parts.The bank, the largest in South Africa by assets, was breached in late February, with the hacker known as "ROOTBOY" claiming that they spent "just over three weeks" in the bank's system undetected.On 23 March 2026, both Standard Bank and its subsidiary, Liberty, a life insurer and investment provider, reported that they had suffered data breaches at the hands of unknown actors.Standard Bank stated that a limited set of client credit card details, including card numbers and expiry dates, appeared to have been leaked online."We are communicating directly with those clients and proactively replacing their cards as a precaution. CVV numbers are not impacted," it assured.The bank previously revealed that client names, ID numbers, company registration numbers, phone numbers, email addresses, and account numbers were affected by the breach.On 23 March 2026, Standard Bank said that its systems were subject to "unauthorised access" and that external experts were now investigating both incidents.The bank subsequently confirmed to MyBroadband that the two incidents are related but involve separate legal entities, and the data involved is different.According to the threat actor's post on the dark web hacker forum Dark Forums, they had spent weeks moving through the bank's internal systems, exfiltrating data.This includes data from Microsoft SharePoint, OneDrive, and Power Apps, as well as from Appdynamics, Jira, Confluence, Citrix, Remedy, and Standard Bank's Microsoft and Oracle SQL databases.In an update published this week, the bank revealed that its internal administrative and document filing systems were affected by the breach.We asked bank representatives whether Standard Bank had paid a ransom to prevent sensitive client data from being leaked, but they refused to confirm or deny any payments.However, according to the threat actor's dark web leak site, no payments have been received, and they will continue leaking customer data until they receive 1 bitcoin.According to the attacker, they stole data comprising 154 million rows of SQL, which they said would be released in batches."Beginning on February 27th 2026, the 3-week-long attack on both Standard Bank and Liberty has resulted in 1.2TB of data being exfiltrated from internal servers," threat actor ROOTBOY claimed."A peaceful resolution was sought out with Standard Bank, however after 2 weeks of back and forth they made the decision to abandon their customers," they said.They are extorting the bank for R1.2 million in bitcoin to stop leaking sensitive client information, which also includes passport numbers, driver's licence numbers, and home addresses.Additionally, they are threatening to leak detailed employee data, and bulk customer and corporate transactional data."Our transactional banking and core operating systems were not accessed, remain secure, and are available to all our clients and employees," Standard Bank had said in March."During this period, we continue to work tirelessly to engage with our clients who have been impacted. This will continue while we make meaningful progress in our investigations into the incident."The bank said it has reported the incident to the relevant regulatory and law enforcement authorities. "We continue to cooperate with their processes," it said.Both Standard Bank and Liberty shared similar initial statements about roping in external experts, operating within robust regulatory frameworks, and fully complying with all applicable obligations.Liberty initially sent SMS notifications to affected customers, informing them that their personal information stored on the provider's systems had been compromised."Your policies and investments remain secure, and our services are running normally," the notification to customers stated.Liberty's CEO, Yuresh Maharaj, said that its core systems remained unaffected, fully operational, and available to all clients, advisors, and employees."Our team, supported by experts, has launched a full investigation into this incident. We operate within a robust regulatory framework and fully comply with all applicable obligations," he said.Standard Bank urged clients to update their banking app passwords, use biometric protection where possible, and avoid clicking on suspicious links or unfamiliar website URLs following the leak.
News / National

by Staff reporter

Former United States ambassador to Zimbabwe, Bruce Wharton, has died, his family has confirmed, marking the end of a long diplomatic career spanning several continents.Wharton, who served as US ambassador to Zimbabwe and held other senior diplomatic roles, was remembered by his wife in an emotional tribute describing his final moments."Bruce has flown to his 'next posting' I was with him, holding his hand," she said.Throughout his career in the United States Foreign Service, Wharton served in multiple regions, including Africa and Latin America, where he was involved in efforts aimed at strengthening diplomatic engagement and international cooperation.His tenure in Zimbabwe formed part of a broader career focused on public service, political dialogue, and development diplomacy. Colleagues and observers have previously noted his role in fostering engagement during complex periods in USZimbabwe relations.Beyond Zimbabwe, Wharton held various diplomatic postings that contributed to US foreign policy efforts across different administrations, with a focus on governance, security cooperation, and regional stability.
News / National

by Staff reporter

A heated debate erupted in the House of Lords on Wednesday as peers criticised proposed constitutional amendments in Zimbabwe, warning they could entrench President Emmerson Mnangagwa's hold on power and weaken democratic safeguards.The discussion centred on reported reforms linked to Constitutional Amendment No. 3, which critics say could pave the way for extending presidential terms beyond current limits and shift aspects of electoral authority away from direct public voting.Raising the matter in Parliament, Baroness Hoey questioned what engagement the UK government had undertaken with Harare over what she described as "deeply anti-democratic" developments.Responding for the government, Lord Lemos said British officials, including the UK ambassador, had raised concerns directly with Zimbabwean authorities, but stressed that constitutional amendments remained "a sovereign legislative matter for Zimbabwe."That position drew sharp criticism from across the chamber.Baroness Hoey accused Zimbabwe's ruling ZANU-PF party of undermining democratic institutions and using repressive tactics against opponents, while warning that the proposed changes would weaken electoral accountability and judicial independence.Other peers echoed concerns. Lord Callanan criticised what he described as muted diplomatic responses, while Lord Bruce of Bennachie said arguments in favour of the reforms reflected "utter contempt for democracy."The Bishop of Southwark referenced concerns from the Zimbabwe Council of Churches, which has called for the proposed bill to be withdrawn or substantially revised.Lord Howell of Guildford suggested that Zimbabwe's prospects of rejoining the Commonwealth would improve if leaders adhered to term limits and democratic norms.The most severe allegations came from Lord Hain, who claimed corruption and illicit trade networks were deeply embedded in the state, including links to gold and tobacco smuggling.Lord Lemos acknowledged ongoing concerns around corruption but said Zimbabwe had undertaken economic reforms and entered an IMF staff-monitored programme aimed at stabilising the economy.He also argued that direct public condemnation had limited effectiveness, saying the UK now favoured behind-the-scenes diplomatic engagement rather than what he called "megaphone diplomacy."Despite these reassurances, many peers expressed frustration, arguing that the UK's response lacked urgency given the perceived democratic risks.The debate highlighted widening tensions in Westminster over how Britain should engage with Zimbabwe as it seeks improved international relations while facing mounting criticism over its internal political direction.
News / National

by Staff reporter

Former cabinet minister Jonathan Moyo has criticised the Zimbabwe Council of Churches (ZCC) over its opposition to the proposed Constitution of Zimbabwe (Amendment No. 3) Bill, accusing the religious body of straying into partisan politics.In a statement posted online, Moyo said the ZCC's submission to Parliament, dated 13 April, went beyond moral guidance and instead resembled "a manifesto of an opposition political party".The ZCC had recently urged Parliament to reject the amendment bill, warning that it could have negative consequences for governance and the country's democratic trajectory, including implications for the legacy of President Emmerson Mnangagwa.However, Moyo questioned whether a religious organisation should adopt what he described as a sweeping political position on a constitutional matter."When a major religious body like yourselves offers such direct and sweeping opposition to the Bill you risk undermining and weakening not only these institutions but also important constitutional processes," he said.He argued that Parliament is the constitutionally mandated body responsible for law-making, while the judiciary interprets the law, and cautioned against what he described as institutional overreach by religious groups.Moyo also criticised the content of the ZCC's submission, saying it lacked supporting evidence and relied on politically charged language.He singled out the council's claim that the amendment "fails to protect the vulnerable," arguing that the assertion was not clearly linked to specific provisions within the bill.Describing the submission as "unusually partisan," he said it was disappointing given the ZCC's historical role in mediation and civic engagement.Moyo added that religious institutions are most effective when they provide moral guidance in a balanced manner while leaving constitutional processes to democratic institutions.The Constitution of Zimbabwe (Amendment No. 3) Bill is currently under public consultation until 17 May and has sparked widespread debate among political, legal and civic stakeholders over its potential impact on governance and constitutional norms.
News / National

by Staff reporter

Two artisanal miners were killed following a blasting incident at Long Fortune Mine in Collen Bawn, Gwanda, after explosives were allegedly detonated while they were still underground.Matabeleland South police spokesperson Inspector Chiratidzo Dube confirmed the incident, saying investigations are ongoing. A Chinese national, Jing Yi Zhang (50), has been arrested in connection with the case.Police said the incident occurred on April 3, 2026, at around 10am. Zhang, who resides at the mine, is alleged to have triggered a blast while two workers - Prosper Nango (31) of Mpopoma, Bulawayo, and Aleck Hove (30) of Mbizo 3, Kwekwe - were still underground.According to authorities, the two victims were part of a five-member team that had entered Shaft Seven, approximately 160 metres below ground, earlier that morning.The group - including Nkosiyazi Ncube (30), Ishmael Fodi (28), Emmanuel Nyathi (27), Nango and Hove - had begun work around 2am, drilling multiple holes and laying electrical wiring in preparation for blasting. A sixth worker, Tinevimbo Maphosa (26), remained at the surface operating the hoisting system.Police said that shortly before the explosion, three of the miners - Nyathi, Ncube and Fodi  exited the shaft, leaving Nango and Hove completing final connections underground."As Ncube and Fodi reached the surface, before they could fully disembark from the bucket, an explosion occurred in the shaft. They fled the scene immediately," said Insp Dube.Maphosa later reported that Zhang had initiated the blast, resulting in the fatal explosion while the two miners were still below ground.The matter was reported to police by mine representative Aaron Wilson (65), prompting a joint response by detectives from Gwanda, the Minerals, Flora and Fauna Unit, and officers from ZRP Collen Bawn.Initial investigations revealed that some individuals had entered the shaft before authorities arrived and discovered human remains.Officials from the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development, including Brian Matewa (40), attended the scene and directed that recovery of the bodies be conducted on April 4, after hazardous gases had dissipated.Police confirmed that Long Fortune Mine (Private) Limited is owned by Chinese national Dialang Gu, operating under a licence issued in November 2025 and valid until November 2027.Authorities say investigations are continuing, with a focus on safety procedures and compliance with mining regulations.
Concerns have been raised about the voters register as the election approaches, while officials maintain that safeguards are in place. How confident are you in the integrity of the register? Share your view in our poll.

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News / National

by Staff reporter

In a stunning claim, former Presidential Affairs minister Didymus Mutasa alleges that the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission's (Zec's) decision to bar him from participating in the forthcoming Headlands by-election is based on a directive from Zanu-PF bigwigs - a charge that raises questions about the independence of the country's electoral body.Mutasa told the Daily News on Sunday on Friday that this was the reason why he had vowed to challenge the rejection of his nomination papers in court, in a bid to win the right to contest the June 10 by-election."My nomination papers were correctly completed and submitted, but after a long wait, we were told that they received a letter from Zanu-PF instructing them to turn down the papers."Zanu-PF is not supposed to feature in the way Zec manages its affairs, so for us it's aluta continua (the struggle continues)," he said.But Zec deputy chairperson Joyce Kazembe scoffed at the claims, maintaining that the electoral body had acted lawfully, as provided for in the country's laws, when it rejected Mutasa's papers."We did not get instructions from anyone. Why would anyone give us instructions? It's standard procedure that we look at the papers and his had irregularities."Everyone knows they lost the Constitutional Court challenge, so there were irregularities in that he brought papers in the name of Zanu-PF," Kazembe said.Mutasa came face to face with the uncompromising nature of President Robert Mugabe's administration last Wednesday when he was blocked from registering as a ruling party candidate for the by-election.The rejection of his nomination papers, which were filed on his behalf by his chief elections agent Sabina Ranganai Chitema, scuttled his re-election bid in the June 10 poll a with Zec claiming that Mutasa was not "sponsored by the party which he had indicated in the Nomination Court".But Mutasa, who has been one of the many casualties of the ruling party's ongoing brutal purges, maintained yesterday that his papers were in order a describing the development as a litmus test of the electoral system in the country.He vowed that he would continue to fight for good governance and the independence of constitutional bodies such as Zec which were mandated to protect the liberty of citizens."It is not the end but the beginning. Nothing ends before it has begun. We are testing the waters."Has Zec become a political tool to receive orders from politicians? That is what happened at Mutare. We shall have it considered by the appropriate body and expose all failures in our administrative bodies such as Parliament and now Zec," he said.Mutasa and other disaffected Zanu-PF stalwarts have rattled Mugabe after they fronted a rival Zanu-PF formation that is using the slogan "People First".Analysts view the disgruntled party cadres as representing the second major and most dangerous threat to Zanu-PF's hegemonic rule since the formation of the MDC in 1999.In the meantime, opposition parties in the country have also been piling pressure on Zec, questioning its independence from the ruling party's influence.Former prime minister Morgan Tsvangirai's MDC claims that the Rita Makarau-chaired electoral body's secretariat is staffed with spooks whose duty is to ensure a victory for the ruling party during elections.Zapu leader Dumiso Dabengwa has even taken Zec to court, in a bid to try and force it to independently take charge of the country's electoral processes, including voter registration.
News / National

by Staff reporter

Young businessman, Wicknell Chivayo yesterday honoured his promise and deposited R100,000 into Baba Tencen's bank account.This is after he openly declared that Baba Tencen, an Internet sensation-cum-comedian who is on record for boasting that he gets paid for relaxing in South Africa, was his favourite celebrity."I really like this Baba Tencen guy. . . He's the only sensible comedian we have in Zimbabwe. Please tell him Sir wants a picture with you and wants to have lunch with you."As my number one celebrity, I'm ready and willing to pay him R100,000 in hard cash the day I meet him or transfer it into his South African account," Wicknell posted on his Facebook page last week.And yesterday, endorsing the fact that Baba Tencen of the Kuripwa Kugara video clip fame gets paid for nothing, Wicknell, who is in America on business silenced critics by depositing the R100,000."I'm still in the US for a while so I decided not to keep Baba Tencen waiting. He deserves his gratuity for making me laugh all the time.Thank you Baba Tencen. Hapana Zvavangatiite. Best wishes from Sir."To confirm the payment, Wicknell posted screenshots of the transaction processed through an FNB account deposited to Pepukai Zvemhari.Speaking from his Pretoria base, Baba Tencen confirmed that he had received the money."I'm so happy," he said before referring further questions to his manager.Baba Tencen rose to fame a few years ago after the release of a clip a Kuripwa Kugara in which he bragged that life in South Africa was all rosy as he was paid for sitting all day long, guarding his employer a Forever Resort's premises in Pretoria. Ever since, he has been recording three to four minute video clips which have been received well by members of the public.
Don't Wait for the Clock to Run Out on Digital Accessibility

Key Takeaways ADA Title II deadlines require urgent action: Public universities over 50,000 students must comply by April 24, 2026, with smaller institutions facing an April 2027 deadline under WCAG 2.1 Level AA standards.

Compliance extends across all systems and vendors: Requirements cover portals, mobile apps, LMS, and websites, and institutions remain responsible for third-party platform accessibility.

Cross-functional audits and vendor scrutiny are critical: Institutions should inventory all systems, prioritize high-risk platforms like portals and mobile apps, and require VPATs aligned to WCAG standards.

Public universities with over 50,000 students face the looming April 24, 2026, deadline to comply with new Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Title II standards. The urgency many feel is warranted: Implementation timelines are tight and the scope of compliance is extensive.

Smaller institutions have until April 2027  a deadline that may create a deceptive sense of security. This extra year provides a narrow window rather than a comfortable cushion, especially for lean IT teams with tight budgets. Without immediate action, that 12-month head start quickly evaporates, leaving little room for the complexities of compliance.

The U.S. Department of Justice's final rule establishes an enforceable legal requirement for conformance with WCAG 2.1 Level AA standards across the digital environment. This includes student portals, mobile applications, online forms, learning management system content, and departmental websites. Any system used to register for courses, manage financial obligations, or access institutional services falls within scope.

A critical and often underestimated aspect of the rule is its treatment of third-party platforms. Responsibility for accessibility does not transfer to vendors. Institutions remain accountable for the technologies they procure and deploy. If a licensed system fails to meet accessibility standards, the liability rests with the institution. This shifts ADA Title II compliance into a governance and procurement issue. Institutions must examine internal systems and vendor oversight. These changes take time and cannot be handled in isolation.

For smaller institutions, the implication is clear: The months leading up to April 2027 are a window to act before staffing, funding, and flexibility become constraints.

Start with the Highest-Risk Platforms

The LMS gets most of the attention in accessibility conversations, but the student portal and mobile app create the most serious legal exposure. These platforms control access to registration, financial aid, and core administrative functions and are explicitly named in the rule. They fall through the cracks because they're often managed by Student Affairs or decentralized IT teams lacking the resources to run a rigorous accessibility audit.

Mobile apps deserve particular attention. The rule specifically calls them out, and industry estimates put reactive remediation costs for higher education mobile interfaces at roughly $68.9 million sector-wide. Catching problems now costs a fraction of what emergency fixes will cost later.

Audit Across Departments, Not Just IT

Viewing accessibility as a narrow IT issue  rather than an institutional one  creates a dangerous compliance gap for smaller schools. Platforms managed by HR, the Registrar and Student Affairs all fall under the same mandate. Build or partner with an expert to source a cross-functional inventory of every system students touch, who owns it and when contracts come up for renewal. That map serves as the foundation of any credible remediation plan, and pulling it together requires stakeholders  procurement, legal, academic technology  who may not be accustomed to operating as a coordinated team. Doing that work now, methodically, is far less painful than attempting it under deadline pressure.

Get Specific with Your Vendors

Don't accept vendors' general assurances about accessibility. Ask every vendor for a current Voluntary Product Accessibility Template (VPAT) and read it against WCAG 2.1 Level AA requirements. A VPAT documents where a product meets the standard and where it doesn't. Gaps aren't automatically disqualifying, but they need to be planned around. When evaluating new platforms, look for built-in accessibility checkers rather than bolt-on overlays, and confirm that core features  screen reader compatibility, keyboard navigation, consistent page structure, compliant contrast ratios  exist out of the box, not on a roadmap. Build these expectations into every contract renewal going forward.

The Access Gap Exists Right Now

While legal risks and compliance deadlines dominate the accessibility conversation, the stakes go beyond litigation. Inaccessible systems actively deny students with disabilities the services their peers take for granted. Today, these students struggle with registration, financial aid, and basic campus navigation while waiting for institutions to act.

Smaller institutions often cite limited resources as a reason to defer this work. In reality, limited resources make the strongest argument for starting early. Lean teams cannot absorb a crisis-mode remediation across a dozen platforms while maintaining daily operations.

Many institutions will find value in engaging experienced accessibility partners who can help assess risk, prioritize remediation efforts, and guide procurement decisions. External expertise provides needed clarity and momentum, particularly for teams balancing compliance with ongoing operational demands. Success in 2027 belongs to the institutions that treat this as a priority today.
America turns 250 in 2026, and there has never been a better time to hit the road and see where this country was actually born. In my previous articles, we have covered more than 20 Revolutionary War National Park sites from Massachusetts to Indiana to South Carolina. Now it is time to put them all together into a practical travel guide. Whether you have a long weekend, a full week, or you are planning the road trip of a lifetime, here is how to see the revolution in person.

The New England Loop: Massachusetts (3-4 Days)

Start in Boston, where the revolution was born in arguments and anger long before the first shot was fired. Spend a full day on the Freedom Trail at Boston National Historical Park, walking the 2.5-mile route that connects Faneuil Hall, the Old South Meeting House, the site of the Boston Massacre, and Bunker Hill. The Bunker Hill Museum is free and well worth an hour of your time, and climbing the obelisk on a clear day is one of the great views in New England.

From Boston, drive 20 minutes south to Quincy for the Adams National Historical Park, then head west on Route 2 to Concord and Lexington for Minute Man National Historical Park. Walk Battle Road in the morning before the crowds arrive. The whole New England loop can be done in three days at a relaxed pace, or two if you move efficiently.

Overlook with cannon at Saratoga National Historic Park (John Tillison/ ParkRangerJohn)

The Mid-Atlantic Circuit: New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania (4-5 Days)

Philadelphia is the anchor of this leg. Independence National Historical Park alone can fill an entire day if you take your time, and you should. Reserve timed entry tickets for Independence Hall well in advance, especially in 2026 when anniversary crowds will be significant. Add Franklin Court, Congress Hall, and the Liberty Bell Center, and you have a full, deeply rewarding day in one of the most historically rich square miles in the country.

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From Philadelphia, head north into New Jersey for Morristown National Historical Park, where Washington wintered his army twice. Then continue to New York City for Hamilton Grange National Memorial in upper Manhattan, a quieter, more intimate site that is easy to underestimate and worth every minute. If you have time, push north to Saratoga National Historical Park in upstate New York, one of the most important battlefields in American history and one of the most beautifully preserved.

Liberty Square at Fort Sumter (John Tillison/ ParkRangerJohn)

The Southern Run: The Carolinas and Virginia (5-6 Days)

This is the most underappreciated stretch of the entire Revolutionary War story, and arguably the most dramatic. Start in North Carolina with Moores Creek National Battlefield and Guilford Courthouse National Military Park in Greensboro. Then cross into South Carolina for Kings Mountain National Military Park, Cowpens National Battlefield, and the extraordinary Ninety Six National Historic Site, where you can still walk around an intact 18th-century earthen star fort.

End the southern leg at Charleston to visit Fort Sumter and Fort Moultrie National Historical Park on Sullivan's Island, where the revolution's naval story unfolded. Then drive north through Virginia to the grand finale: Yorktown Battlefield at Colonial National Historical Park, where the war ended, and the United States of America became a reality. The Colonial Parkway connecting Yorktown to Jamestown and Williamsburg makes this one of the most scenic drives on the entire East Coast.

Planning Tips for 2026

The America the Beautiful National Parks Pass is the single best investment you can make before any National Parks road trip. At $80 for a full year, it covers entrance fees at all National Park sites and over 2,000 federal recreation areas. Buy it at the first park you visit or in advance online. The National Park Service also offers free entrance days several times per year, worth checking before you book your trip.

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For 2026 specifically, book accommodations and timed-entry tickets at major sites like Independence Hall and Yorktown as far in advance as possible. The anniversary year will draw record crowds to these sites, particularly over the July 4th weekend. Travel in the shoulder seasons of April, May, or September for better weather, smaller crowds, and more park rangers available for tours and programs.

The revolution did not happen in one place. It happened everywhere, in harbor towns and backcountry settlements, on frozen river crossings and sun-baked hilltops, in meeting halls and muddy trenches. That is the beauty of a road trip like this. You are not just visiting history. You are moving through it, the same way the people who made it did.

Additional Resources to plan an American Revolution Road Trip are listed below.
The exterior of Toko Hibachi Express, located at 216 S. State St., on April 2, 2026. This new hibachi restaurant is set to open in Jerseyville in June. Steve Whitworth/The Telegraph

Toko Hibachi Express, located at 216 S. State St., is set to open in June, bringing diverse food options, including boba and seafood, to Jerseyville.

Owned and operated by Kevin Sukani, this business will be a separate location from his other local business, Toko Sushi and Boba in Godfrey, where hibachi items have become a fan favorite among locals, including those from Jerseyville.

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A lot of people order it, Sukani said. So I wanted to make a dedicated place with just hibachi, but amp it up with lobster scallops and different types of seafood.

Seafood, including steak, chicken, and other high-quality fresh food options, will be offered at Sukanis new business. Instead of offering cold food options like sushi, the business will serve hot food items in a to-go only format, hence the express.

With a built-out menu and pre-hired staff, Sukani is excited to provide more food options to the Jerseyville community.

I grew up in California, so Im used to different varieties of food, which makes it fun, Sukani said. In Godfrey and Alton, theres some diverse food, but Jerseyville does not have many options.

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Already, Sukani has received some community support from his Jerseyville customer base and owners of neighboring businesses, Terrapin Place Pizza and Midwest Tropical Fish. One individual gifted a carved Toko Hibachi watermelon in honor of the new business.


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The war in the Middle East has done what the pandemic once threatened: it has shaken the foundations of India's tourism and hospitality sector from the skies (flight surcharges) down to the kitchen stove (LPG delays). A report released in April 2026 by the PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PHDCCI), titled Impact of the West Asia Conflict on India's Tourism, Aviation & Hospitality Sectors, paints a granular picture of how a regional conflict 3,000 kilometres away is hurting everything from luxury hotels in Bengaluru to neighbourhood restaurants in Chennai.

The damage first began at 35,000 feet. The Ministry of Civil Aviation data revealed that Indian carriers, which once operated 300 to 350 flights a day to the Middle East, have been flying just 80 to 90 since hostilities erupted on February 28, 2026. That adds up to over 10,000 cancelled flights since the conflict began.

The PHDCCI report, drawing on data from credit ratings agency ICRA, notes that between February 28 and March 5 alone, Indian airlines cancelled roughly 1,770 international flights, nearly 46 per cent of their scheduled international operations in that window. With more than 40 per cent of India's long-haul international connectivity flowing through Middle Eastern transit hubs like Dubai, Doha and Abu Dhabi, the consequences have been severe: longer routes, higher fuel burn, surging airfares, and more.

Inbound tourism has taken a direct hit from this. Industry body IATO reports a 1520 per cent dip in leisure traveller arrivals, with long-haul source markets in Europe and North America turning especially cautious. Booking windows have shrunk, confirmed travel groups are thinner, and overseas partners are delaying payments, squeezing the cash flow of small tour operators who have the least cushion to absorb the shock.

The restaurant sector, meanwhile, is contending with another crisis: commercial LPG. India imports roughly two-thirds of its LPG needs, with about 90 per cent of those imports transiting through the Strait of Hormuz. With supply chains disrupted, the government prioritised domestic household cylinders, leaving restaurants scrambling. NRAI President Sagar Daryani told media that nearly 10 per cent of restaurants have temporarily shut down, and 6070 per cent have switched to induction cooking, reduced menus, or shorter hours. Dining-out frequency has fallen 810 per cent, and average customer spend is down 68 per cent. The report estimates this amounts to a roughly 79,000 crore monthly loss to the food services industry.

Hotels are holding on, but mainly on the strength of India's own travellers. The PHDCCI report notes a marginal demand softening of about 10 per cent in metro markets like Delhi, Bengaluru and Hyderabad, while leisure destinations like Goa have actually seen a 15 per cent uptick in domestic travel.

Even as global tourists stay away, Indians are travelling more, through staycations, bizcations, weddings and pilgrimage circuits. The report calls on the government to rationalise aviation turbine fuel taxes, cut state-level VAT on ATF to 45 per cent in major hubs, fast-track PNG connections to restaurant kitchens as a substitute for LPG, and expand the e-Visa programme to offset the decline in traditional inbound markets.
International car major Renault has finally seen the light at the end of the tunneland that light is increasingly shining on it from India.

India is at the centre of Renault groups strategic plans, said the companys global CEO Francois Provost, visiting India for the first time since taking over as CEO last summer.

At the heart of Provosts ambitious plan to turn the Euro-centric car company into a global heavyweight hinges majorly on how its Indian operations get its act together. Already, the new CEO has set his target high36 new models before the decade is out, a mix of full electric and hybrids.

At the company plant in Chengalpattu in Tamil Nadu, the same plant that it has been jointly running with Nissan since 2008, before completely taking it over last year, Renault global CEO Provost revealed more information on the plan, including how India will be pivotal to the whole scheme of things.

Of the 36 new models, 14 will be for the international markets, with 7 of them to be launched in India by 2030 across two platforms, RGEP and RGMP.

The new launches will also include Renaults first-ever fully electric car for India, as well as the sub-SUV Bridger.

Renault had entered Indian consciousness by inadvertently kick-starting Indias SUV scaling up when it launched the Duster back in 2012. It is another matter that despite selling lakhs of the model, the SUV revolution in India is more identified with the likes of Ford Ecosport initially and the market leader Hyundai Creta. And Renault committed a faux pas when it withdrew the model from the market without any upgradation or replacementmarket share plummeted to less than 1 per cent before it started going up again recently.

Provost said that the immediate aim is to cross 5 per cent market share in India. An upgraded version of Duster, which hit the market this week, should help in that.

The Indian businesss importance is not only about increasing salesthe company plans to double its production capacity at the Tamil Nadu plant, with an eye on exports. This could just be the bigger play, with Provost having set a target of 2 billion euros in export value. After (spending time here), I feel even more confident of our plans for India, Provost said.
The United States announced on Wednesday that it would not renew the general licence that allowed limited transactions involving Russian and Iranian oil amid ongoing conflict in the Middle East.

"We will not be renewing the general licence on Russian oil, and we will not be renewing the general licence on Iranian oil. That was oil that was on the water prior to March 11, so all of that has been used," said US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent at a White House press conference.

In March, the US issued a 30-day sanctions waiver, permitting countries to buy Russian and Iranian oil despite the sanctions imposed over the Ukraine war. The waiver expired on April 11.

India was a key beneficiary of the sanctions waivers. Reports citing government officials suggest that New Delhi placed orders for roughly 30 million barrels of oil from Russia after the waiver went into effect.

In fact, after issuing the sanctions waiver, the US asked India to buy Russian oil to "tamp down" concerns over supply shortages and price spikes amid the ongoing West Asia conflict.

India's crude oil purchases from Russia more than tripled to 5.3 billion euros in March, as volumes doubled and rising oil prices pushed up the import bill.

"India was the second-highest buyer of Russian fossil fuels in March 2026, importing a total of EUR 5.8 billion of Russian hydrocarbons. Crude oil products constituted 91 per cent of India's purchases, totalling EUR 5.3 billion," the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA), a European think tank, reported.

However, with the licence set to lapse, Washington is now reverting to its stricter sanctions regime as part of its "maximum pressure" strategy against Tehran.

Earlier, the US Treasury Department signaled that it did not plan to extend the temporary sanctions relief granted for Iranian crude oil and petroleum products. This measure, introduced in March, was designed to address immediate supply concerns by permitting the sale and delivery of Iranian oil that had already been loaded onto ships.
In a further cementing of the Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement (SMDA) pact between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, the Pakistan Armys 25th Mechanised Division, also known as the Karachi-based Charging Bull Division, has reportedly landed very recently on the Saudi Arabia-Yemen border.

Sources have told THE WEEK that the two-brigade strong force and its support elements will translate into about 10,000 desert troops that are equipped with Ukraine-made T-80 UD tanks and Talha armoured personnel carriers (APC), besides elements of self-propelled artillery of up to two regiments with the American-made M109A2 howitzers (155 mm tracked self-propelled guns).

The deployment in the border area is indicative of the fact that the move is primed to deal with the Iran-backed Houthis based in Yemen.

The 25th Mechanised Division specialises in mechanised operations in the desert terrain across India.

This is the second deployment to Saudi Arabia after a fleet of Pakistani fighter aircraft, including JF-17 Thunder and support aircraft, had been stationed at Saudi Arabias King Abdulaziz Air Base in March, but was made public by the Saudi authorities only on April 11. While details are not available, reports put the number of fighter aircraft at about 18, besides the support military aircraft.

The deployment of the 25th Mechanised Division, even as Islamabad hosted talks between the US and Iran, is interesting.

In the recent conflict, Iran has attacked military targets and energy targets several times in Saudi Arabia after the US-Iran conflict began on February 28. On April 13, Iranian missiles struck Saudi Arabias Jubail petrochemicals complex, which led to concerns of a Saudi retaliation which would have outspread the war.

The SMDA signed between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia in September 2025 mandates that an attack on one country would be considered an attack on the other as well.

While Pakistans fighter deployment is more of a signalling as the Royal Saudi Air Force is very well-equipped with more than 360 advanced fighters, including F-15 and Eurofighter Typhoons, the desert specialist troops are an important force multiplier.

Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have a military relationship that goes back several decades.

The only nuclear-armed power in the Islamic world had trained the Saudi forces, while the Saudis had bailed out cash-strapped Pakistan several times in the past.

The two countries are also in negotiations for a JF-17 fighter aircraft deal worth $4 billion, where a certain portion of the Pakistani debt to the Saudis would be converted into JF-17 sales.

The JF-17, a single-engine, multi-role light combat aircraft, is jointly developed by the Pakistan Aeronautical Complex at Kamra in collaboration with Chinas Chengdu Aircraft Corporation.
In what could be seen as a major step in strengthening India's defence export ecosystem with increasing participation from the private sector in supporting the global outreach of state-owned defence manufacturing companies, Armoured Vehicles Nigam Ltd (AVNL) granted a mandate to Dynatron Services to promote and support the export of its defence products across major international markets.

The development comes even as the export by DPSUs has risen by over 150 per cent in the financial year 2026-26. In the same period, India's defence exports have touched an all-time high of Rs 38,424 crore, marking a massive rise of 14,802 crore (62.66 per cent) over the previous fiscal years figure of 23,622 crore.

ALSO READ: Indian Air Force may soon have autonomous combat rescue drone that can operate where helicopters fail

The Tamil Nadu-headquartered AVNL is one of India's leading defence public sector enterprises engaged in the manufacturing of armoured fighting vehicles and combat mobility platforms for the Indian armed forces. The company's portfolio includes main battle tanks, infantry combat vehicles, bridge layer systems, specialised military vehicles, engines and critical assemblies.

The manufacturer of key indigenous platforms such as the Arjun Main Battle Tank and the BMP-2 'Sarath' Infantry Combat Vehicle, among others, AVNL also offers upgrade and sustainment programmes that support long-term operational readiness of defence platforms.

The mandate will enable Dynatron to represent AVNL's product portfolio across various regions, including Africa, Gulf countries, Central Asia and Southeast Asia for two years.

According to Dynatron Services, the company will now be able to engage with potential customers, including defence forces, on behalf of AVNL. It will also support expanding the global reach of indigenously developed defence platforms and assemblies.

The partnership is expected to complement AVNL's export strategy by enabling structured engagement in emerging and strategically important markets, many of which are actively modernising their defence capabilities and exploring diversified sourcing options.
With the Iran-US-Israel conflict choking the jugular vein of the global energy sea route, the Strait of Hormuz, a 21-mile-wide mouth of the Persian Gulf, is at the centre stage of world affairs. Historically, the Strait connected Mesopotamia to the Indus Valley, and even prior to the discovery of black gold (crude oil) reserves, it was the primary trade route for copper, diorite and precious stones. The rise in mercantile activity led to the island city of Hormuz, from which it derives its name, to be transformed into a commercial hub. Criticality of this maritime area has remained a necessary constant over the years, and it has seen transformation towards monopolisation from Portuguese to British to present-day Iran and the US.

Blockades have historically proven to be an effective tool of economic warfare. The first known instance of imposing a blockade was during the Peloponnesian War (430-404 BCE), which led to Spartas use of its formidable navy to cut off grain supplies to Athens in Black Sea. Modern-day blockade derives its origin from the first formally proclaimed naval blockade by the Dutch against Spanish-controlled Flanders in 1584. The practice has since notably been resorted to by Britishers against France during the Napoleonic War (1803-14), and by the US starting from the American Civil War during the Union Blockade (1861-65), up to the Gulf wars.

Interestingly, the Cold War saw a new facet of this phenomenon, whereby the US imposed a quarantine against Cuba to prevent the transportation of missiles by Russia. Blockade being an act of war, the US resorted to the use of the term quarantine to avoid any such formal declaration against the USSR. Post-independence, India also decisively imposed a blockade on erstwhile East Pakistan in 1971, preventing the escape of enemy troops and any reinforcements from sea.

In the contemporary era, blockade as a wartime activity finds its legal roots in the 1856 Paris Declaration and the 1909 London Declaration. These international instruments broadly laid down three major requisites for blockades to be legal. First among them being the need for a formal declaration by the warring State/s and notifying all other States of the duration and geographical limits of the blockade. Impartial imposition of the blockade against all States, even the friendly States, is the second requirement. And lastly, the blockade should be effective through the physical presence of warships of the State declaring the blockade.

Nearly 40-45 per cent of Indias crude oil requirement is being sourced from the Middle East, and as per recent reports, India has resumed its crude oil export from Iran. Notably, under the international legal regime, access or departure of vessels from neutral ports/ coasts cannot be barred even through the blockaded area. Thus, apart from imports from Iranian ports/ coasts, the blockade by the US cannot prevent vessels bound to India from other neutral ports in the region. Situation, however, becomes complicated if Iran also imposes any blockade/ maritime exclusion zone/ other similar restrictions.

With the advent of technology and larger commercial interests involved, an emerging concept of Phantom blockade, though not formalised, is on the rise. Phantom blockade is the strategy for imposing a blockade through digital, legal and financial methods. GPS jamming/ spoofing, as one of the means of the digital component of phantom blockade, makes vessels prone to navigational threats and collisions, thereby forcing them to desist from sailing. In case a major power/ insurance body declares certain areas/ sea routes as uninsurable or high risk, prospective exponential financial loss would force commercial shipping operators/ owners to desist from operating in such areas. Additionally, the majority of ports do not permit docking without insurance cover. Through these legal and financial methods, warring States could resort to imposing a Phantom blockade without the physical deployment of even a single warship. This strategy allows for sea deniability at low cost with a legal grey area, and thus would be the preferred option.

Geography is destiny, and in the current conflict, controlling this narrow Strait allows a country to hold veto over the worlds wealth and energy security supply route. What needs to be seen is how the present conflict would shape the new world order, along with a rule-based maritime domain.

(The author is a serving Naval Officer and an expert on maritime operations law.)

(The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not purport to reflect the opinions or views of THE WEEK.)
The Battle of Pratapgarh in 1659 is known for a singular event  the assassination of Afzal Khan, the formidable commander of the Bijapur army, by Sivaji, using iron claws. Because of the singularity of the event, many historians consider the event not as a battle, but a mere duel, an act of deception in diplomacy, or an act of cleverness. The sophisticated military tactical doctrine behind that incident is often overlooked.



Before going any further, let's talk about Sivaji. By far, he was one of the most innovative and most ingenious strategists in Indias military historyone of the few Indian commanders who innovated his own combat strategies that were suitable for the terrain and his military strength, rather than relying on any textbook theories from Arthashastra or Dandaniti. Whereas most commanders in Indian history till then had stuck to rather known and proven tactics that had been handed down through the generations, Sivaji brought a dynamism into tactical thinking in Indian military tradition. He shaped the tactics that suited his terrain, its weather, his requirements, and the resources available to him.

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Maharashtra, which was his turf, is a region filled with hills, mountains, bushes, and rocky terrains. Sivaji realised that deploying a large field army in such an area would negatively impact the army's agility. Therefore, he prepared his army in small groups of cavalry that were capable of quick movements. This proved to be his masterstroke in the battle of Pratapgarh.



Afzal Khan had a fairly large field army, equipped with large cannons and other equipment suitable for fighting in the plains. Knowing this, Sivaji refused to leave his fort in the hills and descend to the plains. With the intention of crushing the enemy in his own stronghold, Khan moved towards the hills.



As the paths leading to the mountains were very narrow, Afzal Khan was forced to abandon his large cannons and war materials in the plains and ascend the ghats. Knowing that the advancing Bijapur army would need places to rest and camp in the mountains, Sivaji instructed the local people along the route to vacate their villages. He calculated that the advancing Bijapur army, upon seeing the deserted villages, would establish encampments there and rest.



That's exactly what happened. The Bijapur army, divided into three parts, camped in small formations and advanced in a leisurely manner. Sivaji, observing all this from his hilltop fort, also divided his army into three and kept them ready under the leadership of Netaji Palkar, Kanhoji Jedhe, and Baji Pasalkar. The Maratha troops, who reached behind the enemy quietly through the narrow mountain passes known to them, cut down trees and blocked the enemy's downhill escape routes.



It was against the backdrop of these preparations that the famous meeting between Sivaji and Afzal Khan took place, and Sivaji assassinated the giant-sized Afzal Khan using iron claws. And as soon as the Khan fell, the Maratha army, as they had planned, attacked and defeated the Bijapur army.



Sivaji was the first commander in Indian history to devise a guerrilla warfare style that avoided direct frontal assaults and instead delivered small, damaging blows to the enemy from the flanks.
At the 2026 CinemaCon presentation for the upcoming "Godzilla Minus Zero", the highly acclaimed and blockbuster sequel to the Oscar-winning "Godzilla: Minus One", filmmaker Takashi Yamazaki revealed that the second film will be more complex than the first.

The story is set two years after the events of the first, in 1949. It also has the distinction of being the first Japanese production filmed for IMAX.

In a conversation with Collider, Yamazaki said that "each shot that requires VFX is more complex than Godzilla Minus One." However, he is given more creative freedom and budget thanks to the success of the first. "But in the end, because we also moved the goalposts in terms of what we want to achieve in the VFX side, the same challenge still remains that I think we faced during Godzilla Minus One," he added.

Like its predecessor, the sequel is being produced by Toho Studios and Robot Communications, with visual effects handled by Shirogumi. Yamazaki also revealed that there is a "fairly high percentage of shots" shot in full IMAX.

Principal photography took place between August and December 2025 across Japan, New Zealand, and Norway. The makers are planning to release it theatrically on 3rd November in Japan and 6th November in the United States. The runtime will be almost the same as the first film, and will have English-language portions too, since the American military shows up at some point.

"Godzilla Minus One" grossed over $116 million worldwide on a modest budget of roughly $15 million.
As the Lok Sabha debated the proposed delimitation and womens reservation framework, the House witnessed agreement on empowering women in legislatures but sharp disagreement on execution, with the government and Opposition clashing over whether the two processes should be linked. The Opposition questioned governments intent and timing in bringing the delimitation bill which they argued was against the states.

The strongest pitch in favour of the bills came from Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He framed womens reservation as a historic and necessary correction in Indias democratic structure. He told the House that the country could no longer delay giving women a substantive role in policymaking, stressing that nearly half the population remains underrepresented in legislative bodies.

At the same time, Modi acknowledged that the proposal had remained pending for nearly three decades, calling the delay a collective failure of successive governments. He argued that while there had been broad agreement across parties, the issue had repeatedly been stalled by procedural conditions and political hesitation.

Seeking to address concerns around delimitation, the PM assured the House that the process would not alter the federal balance. He said any increase in seats would follow the existing proportional framework and insisted that this decision-making process will not do injustice to any region. He also warned that opposing womens reservation could carry electoral consequences, noting that parties resisting it in the past had faced backlash from women voters.

The governments proposal involves implementing 33 per cent reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and state assemblies from 2029, alongside a significant expansion of the Lok Sabha from 543 to around 850 seats after delimitation based on 2011 Census data. Ministers argued that increasing the number of seats would ensure that no state loses its relative share in Parliament.

However, this linkage between reservation and delimitation emerged as the central fault line in the debate.

Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra directly challenged the governments approach, questioning why reservation could not be implemented immediately within the existing strength of the Lok Sabha. She criticised the PM for presenting what she described as a partial account of the legislation, saying he spoke as though the BJP had consistently backed the bill while not acknowledging earlier opposition.

She argued that if, as the prime minister claimed, there was no fear among MPs of losing their seats, then there should be no hesitation in implementing the quota without waiting for delimitation. If there is no fear of losing political space, why delay it, she asked, adding that the linkage raised doubts about the governments intent despite its stated support.

Priyanka Gandhi also invoked the Congress partys role in expanding womens representation, noting that 33 per cent reservation in panchayats was first introduced under former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi and later implemented under P. V. Narasimha Rao. She pointed to its impact, stating that out of nearly 40 lakh elected representatives in panchayats, about 15 lakh are women.

Her party colleague, Gaurav Gogoi, reinforced the demand for immediate implementation, saying, Congress supports the womens reservation. But please make it straightforward, and warning that the current proposal appeared to introduce delimitation through the backdoor.

K. C. Venugopal of the Congress was more blunt, arguing that if the government were sincere, it could have implemented the law earlier. This House unanimously passed the Womens Reservation Bill in 2023. If the government were sincere, it could have implemented it in 2024, he said, adding that the issue was being used for political theatrics. He also questioned why no all-party meeting had been convened on a constitutional amendment of such significance.

From the Samajwadi Party, Akhilesh Yadav supported the principle of reservation but criticised the governments intent, remarking that the BJP is trying to turn nari into a nara. He also questioned the timing of the move, linking it to delays in conducting a caste census and calling the exercise a massive conspiracy.

The treasury benches pushed back strongly against these allegations. BJP MP Tejasvi Surya dismissed the criticism as unfounded, saying, The opposition is raising vacuous and baseless objections to the delimitation exercise, and insisting that delimitation is not a backdoor exercise; we are following what the Constitution mandates.

Home Minister Amit Shah sought to address concerns from southern states, where fears of reduced political influence have been most pronounced. He said the number of seats in southern states would increase from 129 to 195 after delimitation, with their share rising marginally from 23.75 per cent to 23.97 per cent. Their share in the overall Lok Sabha is increasing, he said, adding that the process would not disadvantage any region. He also indicated that a caste census would be conducted in line with the governments decision.

On the first day of the three-day special session, the debate revealed a broad political consensus on the need for womens reservation, but deep mistrust over the mechanism proposed to implement it. The Oppositions position rests on immediate implementation within the current framework, while the government argues that linking it to delimitation ensures fairness and avoids redistributive loss.
Back on January 4, 1949, the Constituent Assembly of India met in the Constitution Hall to discuss Article 67, which dealt with the composition of the House of the People (Lok Sabha). The debates that day directly addressed issues such as delimitation and the choice between proportional representation (PR) and the proposed territorial, single-member constituency system (what became Indias First-Past-The-Post, or FPTP, model).

As the country once again discusses delimitationand as the government pushes to remove the cap on the maximum number of Lok Sabha members, potentially increasing its strength from the current 550 to 850we look at some interesting parallels from the day when the Constituent Assembly was grappling with the same questions back in 1949.

The RSS question

Today, a coalition government led by an RSS pracharak-turned-politician, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, is pushing for amendments in the Parliament. Back in 1949, when the Constituent Assembly convened to discuss similar matters, there were worries that RSS workers would disturb the proceedings. When the Constituent Assembly met in the Constitution Hall at 10am, the vice president of the assembly, H.C. Mukherjeea distinguished educationist and a Christian leader from Bengalwas in the chair. Mukherjee had some important information to share and cautionary advice for the members of the assembly before beginning the proceedings. He told the assembly that there was information that members of the RSS would try to secure entrance into the lobbies and galleries in order to create disturbance. Fortunately, this was prevented. May I request honourable Members to issue visitors cards for those only who are personally known to them in order that we may proceed with our business without any interruption? he said.

The RSS found another mention as the assembly proceedings progressed. Kazi Syed Karimuddin, who was elected to the Constituent Assembly from the Central Provinces through a Muslim League ticket, made that mention while arguing against the single-member constituency electoral system, which he called very defective. He proposed replacing the single-member territorial constituencies system with multi-member constituencies using proportional representation through the cumulative vote system. His argument was that the single-member constituency system leads to the "tyranny of the majority and that many votes are wasted because only the winning candidates votes matter. Karimuddin argued that single-member constituencies often completely disfranchise minorities, and that proportional representation would give political minorities (not just religious ones) a fair share of representation.

He argued that if PR with multi-member constituencies is adopted, the system of reserved seats (even for SC/ST) should be abolished entirely. Interestingly, the current dispensation is presenting its delimitation push as a measure to implement the 33 per cent women's reservation.

Karimuddin framed his arguments in such a way that proportional representation is required to counter the tendencies of separatism, communalism and isolationism to disappear from the body politics of India.

We cannot ignore the existing conditions in the country. We find that there is a movement for the establishment of a Hindu Raj, said Karimuddin. We find that there is an RSS organisation also in the country. In view of this, we have to proceed cautiously and gradually, and therefore we have to find out a way that communalism must go and the minorities must be represented in the legislatures.

Literacy question

During the Assembly proceedings, Thakur Das Bhargava, who was elected to the Constituent Assembly on a Congress ticket from East Punjab, suggested making literacy a qualification for voting for the first 10 years as a measure to promote adult education. He argued that reading and writing could be learned in three months and proposed conditioning the right to vote on literacy to improve the quality of elections. This argument was rejected.

Nevertheless, Indias low literacy rate in 1949 (less than 14 per cent) became a key argument used by B.R. Ambedkar to reject the idea of proportional representation proposed by Karimuddin, on behalf of the Drafting Committee.

I do not think it is possible to accept this amendment, because, so far as I am able to judge the merits of the system of proportional representation in the light of the circumstances as they exist in this country, I think that amendment cannot be accepted. My friend Mr. Karimuddin will, I think, accept the proposition that proportional representation presupposes literacy on a large scale. In fact, it presupposes that every voter shall be literate, at least to the extent of being in a position to know the numerals and to be able to mark them on a ballot paper, Ambedkar said.

The chairman of the Drafting Committee then went on to say that, given the literacy levels in the country, such a presupposition would be utterly extravagant. Our literacy is the smallest, I believe, in the world, and it would be quite impossible to impose upon an illiterate mass of voters a system of election which involves marking of ballot papers. That in itself would, I think, exclude the system of proportional representation, he said, rejecting it on grounds of complexity.

Today, Indias literacy rate is estimated to be closer to 80 per cent. However, keeping the electoral process simple remains a key concerneven nowand continues to be a strong argument against any push for proportional representation, especially when compared to the First-Past-The-Post system (single vote, single candidate, clear winner), which is inherently easier for voters to understand.

Cap question

Much like today, the 1949 discussions also dwelt extensively on what should be the ideal number of Members of Parliament. Draft Article 67(5)(a) placed a capno more than 500 representativeson members directly elected from the states. Socialist economist K.T. Shah and some other members strongly argued for amendments to remove or relax this rigid upper limit.

Shah pointed out that the population was increasing rapidly and that the Constitution should not permanently fix the maximum number of representatives. We have observed the tendency, during the last three or four censuses, towards a steady increase in the population of our country in every decennium. The last census shows an increase of as much as 15 per cent in ten years. If you fix the absolute maximum number, it would happen that you might change the number of persons represented by each representative in an undesirable direction. That is to say, the representative character of each representative would become lesser and lesser, as he would be representing larger and larger numbers, he argued. Instead, we should allow the number to shape itself according to the varying population.

Interestingly, there were also those who felt that 500 itself was already large enough. Ananthasayanam Ayyangar, elected from the southern province of Madras on a Congress ticket, was a key member in raising this argument. He argued: In a House which consists of three hundred members, almost every day we have to ring the bell to get a quorum; so what is the good of multiplying the number?

Today, it is the southern statesespecially Tamil Naduthat are raising strong opposition to significantly increasing the cap, calling it a blatant assault on democracy and a conspiracy to punish southern states for successful population control.
Since his coming into power, Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy has faced stiff competition within the Congress. Though he has been a man of sharp elbows and sharper instincts, he was never given an easy pass, and he has also been patiently waiting to cement his hold over the Congress state unit. It appears his time has come; however, his strengthening is taking an unconventional, unexpected route  by taking an active role in national political discourse.

By April 2026, as Parliament braced for a special session on delimitation, Revanth had emerged as one of the loudest southern voices against what he called the Centres revenge politics  and, quietly, one of Congresss most assertive regional leaders. The only other southern leader prominently visible in this debate is M.K. Stalin, the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu.

Their convergence began with a shared opposition to population-based delimitation in March 2025. At a closed-door meeting in Chennai hosted by Stalin, Revanth stood shoulder to shoulder with southern Chief Ministers. Population-based delimitation, he warned, would turn the South into second-class citizens in Parliament.

Days later, Telangana became the first state to pass a formal Assembly resolution against it under his watch. The message was clear: successful family planning in the South would not be punished with fewer seats  a concern rooted in the fact that southern states have achieved lower fertility rates and better population control compared to northern states.

On April 10, Revanth Reddy raised the issue strongly at the Congress Working Committee (CWC) meeting in Delhi, warning that a uniform 50 per cent increase in Lok Sabha seats on a pro-rata basis would politically marginalise southern states and disturb federal balance, terming it anti-South India.

He intensified his campaign on April 14, holding a media conference and writing detailed open letters to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and several southern Chief Ministers, including M.K. Stalin, Siddaramaiah, N. Chandrababu Naidu, and Pinarayi Vijayan. In these letters, Revanth Reddy urged a united southern front, stressed that womens reservation, delimitation, and seat expansion are three separate issues that should not be linked, and proposed a hybrid model  allocating 50 per cent of new seats based on population and the remaining 50 per cent on Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) contribution to reward economic performers. He also demanded an all-party meeting to build national consensus and warned of a dangerous North-South power shift if the pro-rata model were adopted.

After the Centre released the draft Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, 2026, Swaraj India party leader Yogendra Yadav came up with new calculations, which suggested that Revanths fears of marginalisation could come true. According to Yadavs analysis, the proposed expansion to around 850 Lok Sabha seats could disproportionately benefit states which are aligned with the BJP, thereby raising concerns about regional imbalance.

Finally, the INDIA bloc has decided to oppose the Constitution amendment bill and attempt to prevent its passage without wider consultation. Revanth Reddy had done what few expected: he had leveraged his regional position to shape a national political narrative. In Telangana and elsewhere, he is no longer seen as just the man who delivered Telangana, but as a leader who can raise his voice on issues of national importance and make a significant impact.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a heatwave alert for Maharashtra over the next four days. Citizens have been advised to take the required precautions and stay indoors during the afternoon hours. The district administration of Wardha has directed all schools to remain shut on Thursday in view of the extreme heat.

According to the IMD, severe heatwave conditions are likely across the state for the next four days. Temperatures in many parts of Vidarbha, Marathwada, and central Maharashtra are expected to range between 40C and 44C. There is also a possibility of rain on 18 and 19 April, local media reports quoted the IMD as saying.

In Mumbai and along the Konkan coast, hot and humid conditions are expected to persist, with discomfort peaking during the afternoon. Authorities have urged citizens to avoid going outdoors between 12 pm and 4 pm unless essential, TV9 Marathi said in a report.

"In the coming four to five days, there will be no respite from the heat, and temperatures will continue to rise in Vidarbha. The reason is that there is an anti-cyclonic circulation existing at a height of 3.1 km and above from the mean sea level over Maharashtra and the adjoining area," Dr Praveen Kumar, a scientist at the IMD's Nagpur centre, told news agency PTI.

On Wednesday, Akola city in the Vidarbha region recorded a maximum temperature of 44.2 degrees Celsius, the highest in the country for the day. Amravati (44), Wardha (43.9), and Nagpur (43.4) occupied the top four spots in the country in terms of the highest maximum temperature for the day, the IMD confirmed.
A 38-year-old man, who was arrested by the police for allegedly raping his minor daughter, has died by suicide inside a police station lock-up. The incident was reported in the Ratlam district of Madhya Pradesh, a police officer told news agency PTI on Thursday.

The accused was arrested on Wednesday night after his 16-year-old daughter filed a rape complaint. He was picked up and brought to the police station within hours. Later, he was found hanging from a toilet pipe at the Namli police station, 15 kilometres from the district headquarters, early on Thursday morning, the report further stated. The man used pyjama strings to hang himself.

Rural Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) Vivek Sonkar said a probe has been ordered into the accused's death.

In an unrelated incident, a 17-year-old girl died by suicide in the Chhatarpur district, apparently after failing her Class 12 board exams. It was the second such death reported after the MP Board of Secondary Education (MPBSE) declared results for its Class 10 and Class 12 exams on Wednesday.

In a similar incident, a 20-year-old student died by suicide in Morena on Wednesday after failing to clear the Class 12 examination, police said. Officials stated that locals had informed the police that the student had shot himself.

(If you are having suicidal thoughts, or are worried about a friend or need emotional support, someone is always there to listen. Call Sneha Foundation - 04424640050 (available 24x7) or iCall, the Tata Institute of Social Sciences' helpline - 02225521111, which is available Monday to Saturday from 8 am to 10 pm.)
Mazdoor Bigul Dasta member Rupesh Rai has been identified as the main accused in the Noida industrial violence, a fresh report said. Three organisations, which were not officially named by the UP Police, have been blamed for instigating the violence, the report added. It was not clear if the left-leaning Mazdoor Bigul Dasta was one of the three.

The three groups have been accused of forcing Noida's factories to close down. The probe team has recovered WhatsApp messages from Rupesh Rai's phone that were clearly sent with the intention to instigate people to take up arms, the report said. The messages on his confiscated phone also revealed that labour unions have been holding meetings since the beginning of Aprilpresumably to plan and execute the violent protests, the report added.

ALSO READ | Noida unrest prompts Yogi Adityanath govt to raise minimum wages for factory workers

As per the police, as many as 17 WhatsApp groups associated with the violent unrest in Noida's industrial sectors have been identified so far. The lion's share of those arrested, including a few women, belong to the age group between 25 and 30. 45 of the 66 people arrested in connection with the unrest were not workers, the news report quoted the police team as pointing out. Thus, they suspect a well-coordinated conspiracy to create unrest in the name of a labour movement.

Meanwhile, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath instructed authorities to identify and take stringent action against non-worker elements found instigating unrest or disrupting "industrial harmony". He also directed that such elements be exposed and, if necessary, their photographs displayed in public places.

The Chief Minister emphasised a "zero tolerance" policy against organisations or individuals inciting workers, spreading rumours, or engaging in misinformation campaigns. He ordered continuous monitoring of social media platforms and swift legal action against those found spreading false information or propaganda. The Chief Minister's remarks come against the backdrop of widespread workers' demonstrations in Noida on Monday.

ALSO READ | Why the Noida workers protests turned violent? 50 arrested after vehicles torched, police attacked and traffic jams

Several vehicles, including police SUVs, were torched, public property was vandalised, and stone-pelting was reported from across factory hubs in the district.
Just two days after protests by Noida workers demanding wage hikes turned violent, things seem to be returning to normal, as a few factories seem to be resuming operations after the protests, and the remainder of the protests are now reportedly scattered.

Apart from certain factories resuming operations in Noida Phase-2, several other industrial areas within the National Capital Region (NCR) also saw workers reporting to work on Wednesday, an Indian Express report said.

Only a small number of scattered protests have taken place over the past few daysincluding a protest at the Shiv Nadar University in Dadriwhich also reflects that things are gradually going back to normal.

These small protests were soon contained by the police, and did not create major havoc, unlike the protests at the beginning of the week.

#WATCH | Noida, Uttar Pradesh: Gautam Buddh Nagar Police Commissioner Laxmi Singh says, "In Noida, labourers have come to work in all shifts from 6 AM today. Units are open across Gautam Buddh Nagar and labourers are working...Labourers' wages were increased on an interim basis pic.twitter.com/NWN3elhPyh  ANI (@ANI) April 15, 2026

This comes after the protests earlier this week led to the arrest of more than 300 peopleand a number of FIRs registereda number of conspiracy theories, and in general, a complete breakdown in public order.

The Uttar Pradesh government has also cracked down on the members of about 17 WhatsApp groups that allegedly played a role in turning the largely peaceful protests violent.

Multiple reports also cited the UP Police, pointing out that 45 of the 66 people arrested in connection with the unrest were not even workers, and that there was allegedly a bigger conspiracy behind the scenes intended to create unrest in the name of a workers' protest.

Several vehiclesincluding police SUVswere burnt to cinders, public property was vandalised, and stone-pelting was reported from across factory hubs in the district.

This eventually led to the UP government to revise the interim monthly wages across Gautam Buddh Nagar and Ghaziabad.

For unskilled workers, minimum wages increased from Rs 11,313 to Rs 13,690; for semi-skilled workers, wages rose from Rs 12,445 to Rs 15,059; and skilled workers saw this figure increase from Rs 13,940 to Rs 16,868.

The aftermath of the violent protests also saw Noida officials visit a few industrial units in the cityparticularly Richaco Exports Private Limited in Sector-84, Noida, and Anmol Industries Private Limited in Udyog Vihar, Greater Noidaand discuss the situation with some workers there.

The increased salary should reach the workers accounts before the 10th of every month, and a salary slip will be provided, and a complaint box will be kept in the unit premises, District Magistrate Medha Roopam told workers during the visits, as per the report.

While a few factories still have posters saying 'CLOSED' on them, copies of the revised wage rates have now been stuck here, urging workers to return to work and not to pay attention to "misinformation".
Amid the sexual harassment and religious conversion allegations surrounding the Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) Nashik branch, an employee has accused his team leader of workplace abuse and mistreatment.

The employee told the media that his team leader suggested he send his wife to him if he wanted a child, after learning that she couldnt conceive.

Since I didnt have children, my team leader, Tausif Akhtar, and colleague, Danish Sheikh, made personal remarks, suggesting I send my wife to them. During an argument, Tausif angrily threw a fan at me and threatened to kill me. I reported this to HR, he said, as quoted by News18.

The employee claimed that when he ignored his team leaders demands, they sent false reports about him to the head office. He also alleged that Tausif and Danish were upset with him because he opposed their attempts at religious conversion.

Additionally, the employee alleged that his team leaders forced him to wear a skullcap, recite the kalma, and offer Namaz, as per the report. He further claimed that the accused also behaved inappropriately with female colleagues at the office.

In an account to another media outlet, the man alleged that after night shifts, he was taken to hotels and pressured into eating non-vegetarian food, despite being a strict vegetarian.

Tausif and Danish were arrested, along with six others, after police launched an investigation into the religious conversion and sexual harassment allegations at the Nashik branch of TCS.

A 23-year-old female employee had filed a complaint against the duo, claiming they attempted to forcibly kiss her. She also alleged that Danish, Tausif, and HR executive Nida Khan made objectionable remarks about Hindu deities and tried to influence her religious beliefs.

Police have registered nine cases in connection with the allegations. While seven men and one woman have been arrested, one female accused remains at large.

Nashik Police Commissioner Sandeep Karnik stated on Wednesday that the operations and HR head of the unit had allegedly discouraged a victim from submitting a complaint, saying these things happen and sided with the accused.

Earlier this week, the police formed a special investigation team (SIT) to probe complaints filed by eight female employees, who claimed they were mentally and sexually harassed by senior colleagues, while the human resources department ignored their complaints.

The male accused are identified as Danish Sheikh, Tausif Attar, Raza Memon, Shahrukh Qureshi, Shafi Sheikh, Asif Aftab Ansar, and Shahrukh Sheikh.
Giving huge relief to people of West Bengal, the Supreme Court stepped in to ensure clarity and fairness in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, invoking its extraordinary powers under Article 142 of the Constitution to bring the process to a close before the upcoming Assembly elections.

Article 142, invoked sparingly, allows the Supreme Court to pass any order necessary to renderas the Article states"complete justice in any cause or matter pending before it...".

In a significant direction, the court asked the Election Commission of India (ECI) to implement all appellate orders by April 21 or April 27, 2026, through a supplementary revised electoral roll.

This means that individuals who were initially excluded from the draft rolls but later cleared on appeal will now be able to vote in the elections.

The order, passed on April 13 but uploaded today, passed a slew of directions for the poll panel.

The order reads:

"We, therefore, invoke our powers under Article 142 of the Constitution of India and direct the ECI that, wherever the Appellate Tribunals are able to decide the appeals by 21.04.2026 or 27.04.2026, as the case may be, such appellate orders shall be given effect to by issuing a supplementary revised electoral roll, and all necessary consequences with respect to the right to vote shall follow. However, it goes without saying that the mere pendency of appeals preferred by excluded persons before the Appellate Tribunals shall not entitle them to exercise their right to vote."

"If such a scenario were to be permitted to subsist, the consequence would be that objectors may likewise seek denial of the right to vote to those individuals whose names appear in the revised electoral roll, but against whom such objectors have preferred appeals. The resultant situation would effectively recreate the very state of affairs that existed prior to the entrustment of the verification exercise to the Judicial Officers. This, in our considered view, cannot be permitted, particularly when Judicial Officers from the State of West Bengal, duly assisted by Judicial Officers from the States of Jharkhand and Odisha, have completed what can only be described as a truly herculean task within a remarkably short span of time," the order reads.

At the same time, the court drew a clear line on pending cases.

It clarified that those whose appeals are still undecided would not regain their voting rights for this election.

The judges pointed out that allowing such claims at this stage would disrupt the election process and create uncertainty.

The bench also issued a strong warning against attempts to reopen the entire exercise indirectly. It noted that once the appellate stage is over, fresh objections should not be entertained in a way that delays or derails the finalisation of the voter list.

The aimthe court stressedis to ensure that the election process moves forward in a stable and predictable manner.

More importantly, the court acknowledged the scale and difficulty of the verification process.

It described the work carried out by judicial officers as a truly herculean task, noting that thousands of claims and objections had to be examined within a very short period.

The judges recognised that such an exercise required both speed and care, given that it directly affects a citizens right to vote.

The SIR exercise in West Bengal has been under scrutiny for weeks, with concerns raised about wrongful exclusions and the possibility of eligible voters being left out.

Petitioners had approached the Supreme Court seeking relief for those affected, and questioning the fairness of the process.

By invoking Article 142, the court effectively used its constitutional authority to render complete justice to the matter.

With the deadline now set, all eyes will be on the ECI to quickly publish the supplementary rolls and ensure that those cleared through appeals are included.

For many voters who were at risk of being excluded, the courts intervention offers a final window to participate in the democratic process.

At the same time, the ruling makes it clear that the process cannot remain open-ended.

Electionsthe court indicatedrequire certainty as much as they require fairness, and both must be protected together.
Actor-turned-politician and TVK founder Vijay created quite a buzz in South Chennai on Wednesday with thousands thronging his campaign rally. He was in T Nagar, where his close aide Bussy Anand is contesting as the TVK candidate, Egmore, and Aayiram Vilakku constituencies here in Chennai.

However, there were reports that Vijay cancelled his campaign by 6 pm and returned home.

According to local media reports, Vijay began his campaign with a road show from CIT Nagar to Kotturpuram. Since most parts of Chennai are narrow, Vijay did not speak anywhere. Vijay, who went through CIT Nagar via Kannamma Pettai, returned on the same route, climbed the flyover and reached Valluvar Kottam directly via Basulla Road.

He was enthusiastically welcomed by supporters and the public along the way. He then sought votes in support of Aiyaram Vilukku constituency candidate JCT Prabhakar. Vijay, who reached Poonamalli Highway via Valluvar Kottam, sought public support for TVKs Egmore constituency candidate Rajmohan.

He reached Chennai Central by the same route and ended his road show at 6 pm, returning home via Kamaraj Salai. Vijay had been allowed to campaign till 8 pm on Wednesday. Many people who were waiting to see him in the Egmore constituency were disappointed as he returned home halfway.

Another angle  pic.twitter.com/oVihBK6Pfi  Actor Vijay Team (@ActorVijayTeam) April 15, 2026

However, speculations are that Vijay has decided to limit his campaign till 6 pm after the Karur incident, though authorities permit him to conduct his rallies till 8 pm. The event took place after 7 pm when 41 people died in the stampede.

Though authorities have deployed a huge posse of police to monitor Vijays rallies, considering the huge crowd turnout, the actor-turned-politician has decided not to extend his rallies after 6 pm.

There were also reports that he changed his original plan to go to Purasaivakkam area via Vepery for as the roads are narrow and likely crowded.

Case against Vijay

Three cases have been registered against Vijay and his party functionaries at West Mambalam, Nungambakkam and Vepery police stations for conducting roadshows in violation of election permission norms during campaigning in the city. The cases were based on charges that he breached conditions imposed under the Model Code of Conduct.

The cases were filed based on complaints from election observers and flying squad officials, who stated that the campaign events breached the conditions imposed under the Model Code of Conduct.

As per the complaint filed by Flying Squad Officer Santhosh Kumar at Mambalam Police, Vijay, T Nagar Assembly constituency candidate N Anand, and South Chennai district office-bearer Appunu conducted a roadshow that exceeded the approved gathering limit and caused obstruction to traffic and the public. A case was booked under Section 223 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) Act and other relevant provisions for disobeying the lawful orders of a public servant.

In a separate incident, the Nungambakkam police registered a case against Vijay and Thousand Lights constituency candidate JCT Prabhakaran for conducting a roadshow near Valluvar Kottam without permission. The police cited violation of campaign regulations and public nuisance.
For millions of Indians, trains are far more than a mode of transport; they are what keep the country moving. Every day, Indian Railways carries nearly 19 million passengers across vast distances, binding together the nation's economic, social, and emotional life. In 202324 alone, the rail network transported around 6.9 billion passengers, making it one of the worlds largest public mobility systems, spread across nearly 69,000 kilometres of track. Official data also indicates a continued rise in passenger volumes in the current financial year, with over 443 crore passengers recorded between April and October 2025, an increase from about 425 crore in the same period the previous year. This growth underscores not only the centrality of railways to everyday life in India but also the mounting pressure on an already stretched system.

Behind the routine announcements and platform bustle lies a persistent anxiety: trains that do not run on time. Delays of an hour or more, sometimes stretching to nine or ten hours, have become an accepted feature of everyday travel. These are not isolated inconveniences but repeated breaches of the promise of public mobility, quietly eroding national productivity as millions of hours are lost on tracks, platforms, and stalled journeys, with cumulative consequences for economic activity and development. Yet, unlike flight delays, which quickly provoke passenger anger, media scrutiny, and institutional response, chronic lateness on trains rarely triggers sustained outrage or policy attention.

This disparity exposes a deeper class blind spot in how time and public service are valued in India. Air travel largely serves the middle and upper classes, where lost time translates into visible economic costs and swift amplification. Trains, by contrast, cater to a far broader social spectrum, including lower-income passengers whose disruptions carry equally serious consequences but little public visibility. With fewer platforms for voice or leverage, their experiences remain marginal to mainstream debate, reinforcing an implicit hierarchy in which some disruptions are treated as urgent while others are normalised. This class-based understanding of delay ultimately shapes policy priorities and weakens accountability.

Earlier this month, a district consumer forum in Basti, Uttar Pradesh, ordered Indian Railways to pay 9.10 lakh in compensation to a former student who missed her BSc entrance examination after her train arrived more than two hours late. Originating in 2018, the case culminated after a seven-year legal battle with a ruling that held the Railways guilty of a deficiency in service that cost the aspirant a crucial academic opportunity. The order also imposed a 12 per cent annual interest if payment was not made within 45 days, signalling the courts intent to treat such delays as more than a minor inconvenience.

This is significant not simply for the size of the award, but for what it symbolises about railway delays as a societal grievance. For too long, train delays have been accepted as inevitable or harmless, relegated to corner conversations without recognising the real costs they impose on ordinary lives. Students miss exams, professionals miss job interviews, and families miss weddings or funerals. These are not trivial frustrations; they are disruptions with tangible consequences. Yet, until recently, institutional acknowledgement of those harms was rare.

To understand why this acceptance persists, we must move beyond anecdotes and examine Indian Railways punctuality record. Figures placed before Parliament show that punctuality fell sharply to 78.67 per cent in 202425 (up to August), down from 90.48 per cent in 202122, according to the Public Accounts Committee. While more recent data suggests that the on-time performance of Mail and Express trains has hovered around 77 per cent, edging up to about 80 per cent between April and October 2025, these figures are more reassuring on paper than in practice. Even at 80 per cent punctuality, one in five trains is late. More critically, there is a structural flaw in the assessment: trains are considered on time if they arrive within 15 minutes of schedule, a benchmark that ignores delays en route and produces an incomplete, often misleading picture of operational performance, weakening accountability for chronic lateness.

The decline in punctuality metrics points to a deeper systemic strain. It reflects not only operational inefficiency but a widening gap between the expectations set by the Railways own schedules and the everyday experience of travellers. This contrast becomes sharper when set against urban rail systems such as the Namo Bharat rapid rail corridor, which has achieved near-perfect punctuality, exceeding 99 per cent, through dedicated tracks, modern signalling, and tighter operational control. The existence of such reliability within the broader rail ecosystem only highlights how far the national network falls short of what is operationally possible with sustained investment, institutional focus, and accountability.

Yet, accountability remains weak. Compensation mechanisms for delayed rail services have been tentative and limited. The Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) once offered compensation on delayed private trains such as the Tejas Express, but the scheme was discontinued in February 2024. Even when it existed, payouts were modest: 100 for delays of 60 to 120 minutes and 250 for delays of up to four hours, offering little relief for the losses passengers incur. There have been sporadic legal interventions, including a Kerala consumer tribunal ordering 60,000 in compensation for a delay exceeding 13 hours, and smaller awards to passengers who missed onward connections. These cases, however, remain exceptions. Indian Railways still lacks a transparent, system-wide framework that treats delays as a service failure warranting meaningful restitution, as is standard across other public utilities.

The consequences of delays are not merely financial. For a student, missing an entrance examination can mean losing an academic year, delaying career progression, and carrying a lasting psychological toll. For a job seeker, a missed interview can lead to a lost livelihood opportunity that may not return soon. Even routine journeys can unravel into ordeals, disrupting family obligations and work. When such disruptions fall disproportionately on those with limited economic buffers, train delays become a question of equity.

Transformative improvement in this sector requires acknowledging these costs. First, transparency in punctuality measurements and accountability frameworks, perhaps modelled on best practices in urban transit systems, would give passengers a clearer picture of service quality. Second, legally enforceable passenger rights regarding delays, with meaningful compensation for demonstrable losses, could align incentives for operational improvement. Third, targeted investment in infrastructure and technology, especially on congested corridors, remains crucial. The fact that urban systems with dedicated tracks and modern signalling can achieve near-perfect punctuality shows that it is not an unattainable ideal.

Ultimately, train delays are not minor irritations; they reveal how society values the time and aspirations of ordinary citizens. When flights are delayed, affluent passengers amplify their grievances, and responses are swift. When trains run late, and a students future is set back by years, attention fades quickly. The recent compensation order should not close the conversation but open it. It demands a reckoning with why such delays are normalised, whose losses are overlooked, and how a public service so central to national life can place punctuality and passenger dignity at the core of its mandate.

Amal Chandra is an author, policy analyst and columnist. He posts on X at @ens_socialis.
Voting on three crucial bills, including a Constitutional amendment bill, will take place in Parliament on Friday at 4 PM, following 15 to 18 hours of discussions, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla announced on Thursday.

The government introduced all three bills in the lower house on Thursday.

The Constitutional (131st Amendment) Bill was introduced with 251 members in support and 185 members opposing the introduction. The opposition had called for a division of votes on the bills introduction.

In addition, two ordinary billsthe Delimitation Bill and the Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Billwere also introduced in the Lok Sabha. These bills aim to implement the proposed amendments to the women's quota law in the Union Territories of Delhi, Puducherry, and Jammu and Kashmir.

The Congress party has alleged that the bills, which propose changes to the womens quota law and the establishment of a delimitation panel, are unconstitutional. They questioned why these changes were not included when the womens quota law was initially passed in Parliament.

The Constitutional (131st Amendment) Bill seeks to increase the total number of Lok Sabha seats to 816, with 273 reserved for women. The bill is part of the governments plan to fast-track the implementation of the Womens Reservation Law ahead of the 2029 parliamentary elections, following a delimitation exercise based on the 2011 Census.

According to the draft bill circulated to Lok Sabha members, the seats reserved for women in the Lok Sabha and state legislative assemblies "shall be allotted by rotation to different constituencies in a state or Union territory."
The Supreme Court of India on Thursday refused to interfere with the Election Commissions decision to transfer a large number of senior police and administrative officers in West Bengal ahead of the assembly elections, but kept an important legal question open for future consideration.

A Bench led by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, along with Justices Joymalya Bagchi and Vipul M. Pancholi, said that such transfers during elections are not unusual.

It happens everywhere. Not the first time, the CJI remarked during the hearing.

At the same time, the Court acknowledged that the petitioner had raised a serious legal concern, whether the Election Commission of India is required to consult the state government before ordering such transfers. While declining to step in at this stage, the bench made it clear that this issue would remain open and could be examined in a proper case later.

Petitioner has raised substantial questions of law. However, we are not intervening as of now. Question of law is kept open, the Court said.

The case reached the top court after the Calcutta High Court refused to interfere with the transfers. The High Court had noted that the officers who were moved had already been replaced, making it difficult to reverse the process at that stage. It also declined to examine allegations linking the transfers to impeachment proceedings against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, saying no clear connection had been shown.

The petition was filed by advocate Arka Kumar Nag, who alleged that the Election Commission had carried out a wholesale dismantling of West Bengals administrative machinery just before elections. According to him, several key officials including the Chief Secretary, Director General of Police, Home Secretary, District Magistrates and Superintendents of Police were transferred in one go. Many IPS officers from the State cadre were also sent out as election observers to other States.

Senior advocate Kalyan Banerjee, appearing for the petitioner, argued that the Commissions actions went beyond its powers under Article 324 of the Constitution and violated the Representation of the People Act, 1951. He stressed that the law requires consultation with the state government, which, he said, had not happened in this case.

Consultation is not concurrence, but absence of consultation cannot be allowed, Banerjee argued. He also questioned the scale of the exercise, claiming that over a thousand officers had been shifted overnight without proper authority.

The Bench, however, was not convinced that the transfers required immediate judicial interference. The CJI pointed out that such steps are often taken to ensure fairness in elections, especially when concerns are raised about neutrality of local officials.

In order to ensure there is some element of fairness, this was done, the court observed, noting that elections were just around the corner.

At one point, the Court also underlined the broader issue of trust deficit between institutions. The CJI remarked that there appears to be a lack of trust both ways, the Election Commission does not fully trust state machinery, and states, in turn, question the Commissions actions.

Justice Bagchi also referred to the long history of election-related litigation in West Bengal, suggesting that such disputes are not new and often arise in different forms over the years.

For now, the transfers will stand, but the larger constitutional debate remains unresolved.
Delimitation: Let the fire spread all over Tamil Nadu! Let the hubris of the BJP be defeated. The flames of anti-Hindi imposition had then burnt Delhi. It subsided only after Delhis capitulation, Chief Minister M.K. Stalin wrote in a social media post on Thursday as he hosted a black flag in protest against the delimitation bill being tabled in the Parliament on Thursday.

Burning a copy of the draft, while being in an election campaign at Namakkal, Stalin described the Delimitation bill as a legislative move aimed at turning the Tamil people into refugees in their own country. Stalin said he is lighting yet another fire in protest.

I am lighting yet another fire by burning the copy of the bill, which will turn the Tamil refugees in their own country. This fire will spread all over the Dravidian land and tame the arrogance of the BJP, Stalin said. Soon, black flags were hoisted all across the state, in the DMK party offices and the houses of the leaders of the INDIA bloc.

This is not the first time Stalin has come out to protest against the Delimitation bill or the BJP-led central governments idea of census exercise, delimitation and the womens reservation, which has been linked to it. Stalins message, immediately after the BJP announced the convening of a special session of the parliament to debate and discuss the delimitation bill, quickly intensified the political temperature in the state.

While he has consistently framed the Tamil Nadu elections as a battle between the state and the Centreor 'Tamil Nadu versus Delhi'the proposed Delimitation Bill has provided a timely political tool for the DMK and its allies to challenge the BJP. On Wednesday, after convening an emergency meeting of DMK MPs and district secretaries, Stalin said the proposed delimitation exercise was a grave danger and likened it to a looming threat which had materialised now.

What is delimitation, and why is Stalin opposing it?

The Union BJP-led government proposed the Delimitation exercise in 2024, soon after Narendra Modi was sworn in as the prime minister for the third time in a row. Delimitation is the process of redrawing the boundaries of electoral constituencies across the country, by which the existing 543 Lok Sabha seats will be increased to 850 seats. Though the constitution allows only up to 550 seats, by this new proposition, the boundaries of the existing Lok Sabha constituencies will be redrawn, and the number of Lok Sabha seats will be increased to 850 - 815 for states and 35 for union territories. Though this exercise can be carried out only after every Census under Article 82 of the Constitution, it is argued that the demography of the country has changed with migration, urbanisation and even population growth.

While the BJP argues that the increase in numbers is done proportionally and it is based on the population growth, DMK argues that the exercise cannot be carried out now, as the census enumeration is still hanging in balance. In fact, Stalin had emerged as one of the strongest critics of delimitation, saying that it punishes the states which sincerely followed the centres population control measures.

Calling it a bias against the south Indian states, Stalin has been vociferous against the centre. He argues that the population-based seat redistribution will reduce the political weight of southern states like Tamil Nadu and increase the representation of the northern states which witnessed higher population growth in the past. He has also raised concerns that the shift and the increase in number could disproportionately tilt power in the parliament towards the northern states and widen the north-south divide.

Stalin says that the move effectively punishes the states that performed well on development indices. Delimitation is an historic injustice to the people of the South, Stalin argues. He strongly feels that delimitation at this juncture will only distort Indias federal structure. While positioning himself against the move and the BJP, Stalin had already rallied all the non-BJP ruled states and called for a united front. He had also warned of protests and political consequences if the centre goes ahead without consensus. He had also warned of protests and mass agitations, reminding of the days of the 1950s and 1960s against the centre, over state rights.

Being vociferous against the Centre, Stalin has positioned himself beyond party politics, making the developments mark a rapid escalation from rhetorical opposition to organised political mobilisation on the ground. And with elections round the corner, organising district secretaries' meeting, MPs meeting and the black flag protests and outreach within hours had only positioned him as the face of opposition against the BJP.
A Pakistani delegation led by Army chief Asim Munir will hold talks with the Iranian leadership in Tehran on Thursday as part of Islamabads efforts to advance negotiations aimed at resolving the conflict in the Middle East.

The delegation also includes Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi welcomed the delegation members upon their arrival in Tehran.

The purpose of the visit is to deliver a US message to the Iranian leadership and to plan the next round of negotiations, Irans state-run Press TV reported.

Araghchi said he was very pleased to welcome Munir to Iran and reaffirmed Irans commitment to promoting peace and stability in the region.

Pakistan has been acting as an intermediary between the United States and Iran, even as the first round of dialogue held in Islamabad earlier this week failed to achieve any breakthrough.

The US is keen to hold another round of in-person meetings with Iran before the current two-week ceasefire period expires on April 21. While reports indicate that US officials are reviewing potential dates, locations, and regional mediators for the next round of talks, the White House said the discussions are likely to take place in Pakistan.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said on Wednesday that the discussions would very likely be held at the same location as the previous round. Pakistan is the only mediator in this negotiation, although many countries around the world have offered their help," she added.

Leavitt further said that President Donald Trump sees value in maintaining a streamlined communication channel through Pakistan.

Efforts to continue the negotiations come against the backdrop of a fragile two-week ceasefire and rising tensions in the region, including a looming US naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.

On Wednesday, Trump expressed hope that the negotiations would lead to a deal allowing Iran to rebuild the country, although he acknowledged that the outcome could go either way.

They really do have a different regime now. No matter what, we took out the radicals, Trump told ABC News reporter Jonathan Karl.
Amid shifting geo-political equations in the Middle East, it has become clear that Iran will be forced to vacate the role of Israel's great enemy. Instead, Israel will find its biggest foe in either Pakistan or Turkey, according to an Israeli analyst.

According to Boaz Golani, a foreign policy expert and a professor in the Faculty of Data and Decision Sciences at the Technion, Iran has ceased to be Israels archenemy, thanks to the war and its crumbling economy. The financing of proxy organisations has brought Iran's economy to the brink of bankruptcy, and the 40-day war has wiped out its military power. Although it is still unclear how the current conflict will end, it is clear that Iran will be forced to vacate the role of Israel's great enemy, Golani wrote in Hebrew media Maariv.

He added that Israels biggest enemy from the War of Independence until the signing of the peace treaty was Egypt, the largest Arab country with a common border with Israel. The mantle then passed on to Iraq, which brought it to a climax with the missile attack on Israel in 1991. But the destruction of the nuclear reactor at Osirak in 1981, the eight-year war with Iran, and the defeat in the first Gulf War in 1991 eroded Iraq's power and allowed Iran to take over the role.

Though Iran under Ayatollah Ali Khamenei made great efforts over three decades to faithfully fulfil this role, the current crisis has eviscerated it, Golani argues.

He says the competition has settled between Turkey and Pakistan. Two large countries (85 million inhabitants in Turkey, 240 million in Pakistan), both with a solid Sunni majority, both with an authoritarian regime that relies on the bayonets of the military, both with large armies and, strangely enough, both with good relations with the United States, Israel's main ally, Golani adds.

He cites how Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has sharpened his tone towards Israel since he took power. With the outbreak of the 'Iron Swords' war, Erdogan declared a sweeping economic embargo and later threatened to use military force and even invade Israel, he says of Turkey.

As for Pakistan, he says that both countries never established diplomatic relations, and Pakistan has always chosen to side with our enemies in international arenas. Pakistans position towards Israel was expressed sharply and clearly last week by the Pakistani Defence Minister Khwaja Asif, who called Israel a curse on humanity and wished those who created this cancerous state on Palestinian soil to get rid of the Jews of Europe to burn in hell.

He argues that Israel must prepare for a scenario in which one of these two countries confronts it immediately after the fighting against Iran subsides.

Not just Golani, another analyst also thinks Pakistan is not a neutral mediator in the US-Iran war but a hidden player, after Islamabad deployed forces in Saudi Arabia.

According to Michael Kugelman of the Atlantic Council, Pakistan was signalling to Iran that if Iran is not willing to make concessions, Pakistan could move closer to Saudi Arabia. Another Pakistani three-star general told Al Jazeera that Irans perception, not Pakistans intent, will determine whether trust survives.
Two weeks after the US high-stakes rescue mission to rescue a stranded pilot, which saw the US lose two C-130 military transport planes and two Black Hawk helicopters, an Iranian general has detailed how his troops actually thwarted the mission and targeted a military aircraft.

Iran had earlier also claimed that it shot down the US C-130 support aircraft in southern Isfahan, while the US version is that they had to abandon two US C-130 military transport planes and two Black Hawk helicopters during the operation. The US said the helicopter and the C-130 aircraft had to be blown up after one of the planes became stuck and could not take off. The US forces blew up their own plane rather than let it fall into Iranian hands.

However, Iran had earlier also claimed that it shot down a US C-130 support aircraft after heavy fire from a police special forces unit.

Now, the spokesperson for the Iranian Army, Brigadier General Mohammad Akraminia, provided details about the US operation in Isfahan. Stating that Iranian servicemen forced them to retreat after targeting a military aircraft and thwarting the mission, the general said that four servicemen were martyred, including General Masoud Zare, the instructor and commander of the Army Ground Forces Air Defence Faculty.

The spokesperson said on April 5, a US infiltration attempt took place, after which General Zare and a group of his comrades immediately arrived at the scene. He claimed that they targeted a US Lockheed C-130 Hercules using a shoulder-fired missile, adding that the US mission came to a halt and failed. This forced the US forces to flee the area.
Amid reports that Islamabad could host the second round of peace talks between the US and Iran, speculation is rife in Pakistani media outlets that US President Donald Trump himself could travel to Islamabad if a deal is reached.

Trump could meet with the Iranian delegation to finalise a potential agreement in Islamabad, said reports quoting a Pakistani newspaper, The Observer. The newspaper quoted Sajid Tarar, an analyst of US-Pakistani relations and South Asian geopolitics, as saying, "News in Washington indicates that President Trump will personally travel to Islamabad, Pakistan, to meet with the Iranian delegation to finalise the Islamabad Agreement. The two sides may engage in a second round of talks as early as next Thursday.

Earlier on Tuesday, US President Donald Trump confirmed that the resumption of negotiations with Iran in the Pakistani capital could take place within the next two days. He told the New York Post that the talks with Iran may be held within the next two days in Pakistan.

Post journalist Caitlin Doornbus claimed she called Trump from Islamabad and asked if there were going to be new talks with Iran. She said if Trump says there are renewed talks with Iran, they could take place within the next two days in Islamabad.

The journalist, however, added that Trump said he himself would not be part of the US delegation, but "it's quite interesting that Islamabad could host the talks again."

"It all happened as I was returning (from Pakistan to the US) yesterday. I wanted to ask Trump about the rumours that the talks would continue in Islamabad," she told another journalist, Talat Hussain. She told Trump she was in Islamabad and asked him whether she should book a flight home.

"Trump initially said yes, you should come back home... Maybe he himself initially didn't think the talks would be held (again) in Islamabad. Over 37 minutes after that initial call, I got a call from Trump, and he said, 'If I were you, I would stay in Islamabad.' Progress is being made, and it's possible that something will happen in 48 hours, Doornbus said.
House Democrats are introducing articles of impeachment against Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, accusing him of war crimes, abuse of power and misconduct tied to the administrations handling of the Iran war.

The resolution, led by Rep. Yassamin Ansari (D-Ariz.), includes five articles and is backed by a group of Democratic lawmakers. The effort, first reported by Axios, is widely seen as a long-shot in the Republican-controlled House but underscores mounting Democratic opposition to the Pentagon chief.

The articles focus heavily on U.S. military operations in Iran, accusing Hegseth of overseeing what lawmakers describe as an unauthorized war that endangered American service members and violated international law. The resolution also alleges that U.S. strikes under his leadership targeted civilians and breached the rules of armed conflict.

Additional charges center on the alleged mishandling of sensitive information, including a controversial incident early in Hegseths tenure in which details of a planned military strike on the Houthis in Yemen were discussed in a Signal group chat that inadvertently included a journalist. Lawmakers also accuse Hegseth of obstructing congressional oversight by withholding information about military actions in multiple regions.

The resolution further alleges that Hegseth abused his authority by initiating politically motivated investigations against elected officials, claims that the administration has strongly denied.

In a statement, Pentagon press secretary Kingsley Wilson dismissed the impeachment effort as political theater, arguing it was an attempt to distract from what the administration views as military success in Iran.

(YWN World Headquarters  NYC)
A group of House Democrats is advancing a long-shot effort to scrutinize President Donald Trumps fitness for office, introducing legislation that would establish a commission to evaluate his mental and physical capacity under the 25th Amendment.

The bill, led by Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Md.) and backed by roughly 50 Democratic lawmakers, outlines the creation of a bipartisan panel tasked with conducting a formal medical assessment of the president. The proposal comes amid escalating rhetoric from Democrats who have raised concerns about Trumps recent statements and behavior.

Earlier this month, Raskin sent a letter to the presidents physician, requesting a comprehensive neuropsychological assessment and citing what he described as incoherent and volatile remarks by Trump. The Maryland Democrat pointed to public comments and social media posts, including statements related to Iran and remarks made during a White House event, as evidence of potential cognitive decline.

Under the proposed legislation, the commission would be composed of 16 members appointed by congressional leaders from both parties, along with former senior executive branch officials such as vice presidents, Cabinet secretaries and attorneys general. Those members would then select an additional chair, who could be either a former official or a physician. The body would be responsible for determining whether the president is able to carry out the duties of the office.

Raskin called the measure a constitutional responsibility, arguing that Congress has a duty to ensure continuity of government in cases of presidential incapacity. The Constitution explicitly vests Congress with the authority to create a body that will guarantee the successful continuity of government, he said in a statement.

The proposal faces steep political hurdles. Republicans control both chambers of Congress, making passage unlikely, and even if approved, the process for removing a president under the 25th Amendment would require the support of Vice President JD Vance, a close ally of Trump.

The White House criticized the effort, dismissing it as politically motivated. A spokesperson defended Trumps performance in office and accused Democrats of hypocrisy, pointing to their past handling of former President Joe Bidens health.

Even if a commission were established and found the president unfit, the 25th Amendment sets a high bar for removal. The vice president and a majority of the Cabinet would first need to act, followed by a two-thirds vote in both the House and Senate to make any removal permanent.

(YWN World Headquarters  NYC)
Sweden said Wednesday that a pro-Russian group with links to Russias security and intelligence services was behind a cyberattack on a heating plant last year. The announcement followed warnings from officials in Poland, Norway, Denmark and Latvia that Russia is attacking critical infrastructure across Europe.

In what was Swedens first public mention of the attack, the countrys minister for civil defense, Carl-Oskar Bohlin, said it targeted a heating plant in western Sweden but the attack failed. He gave no further details.

Bohlin compared it to incidents in Poland in December, when coordinated cyberattacks hit combined heat and power plants supplying heat to almost 500,000 customers, as well as wind and solar farms. Poland later said evidence indicated hackers were directly linked to the Russian services.

Bohlin said the cyberattacks in Sweden and Poland are directed at systems controlling critical infrastructure with potentially serious consequences for society.

The attacks show Russia is engaging in risky and careless behavior, he said.

The attacks are among more than 150 incidents of sabotage and malign activity across Europe tracked by The Associated Press and linked to Russia by Western officials since Moscows full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Officials say a goal of the attacks is to undermine support for Ukraine, spread fear and discord in European societies and drain investigative resources.

The Kremlin has previously denied carrying out any kind of sabotage campaign across Europe.

Danish officials in December said cyberattacks carried out by Russia in 2024 on a water utility left some houses without water, while in August, Norwegian police said pro-Russian hackers remotely opened a valve in a dam, allowing water to pour out. In March, Latvias State Security Service said a train and railway infrastructure were set on fire by people acting in Russias interests.

(AP)
The Republican-led Senate on Wednesday rejected the latest Democratic attempt to halt President Donald Trumps war in Iran, turning aside a resolution that would require the U.S. to withdraw forces from the conflict until Congress authorizes further action.

The 47-52 vote was the fourth time this year that the Senate has voted to cede its war powers to the president in a conflict that Democrats say is illegal and unjustified. Republicans say they will keep faith in Trumps wartime leadership, for now, citing Irans nuclear capabilities, the potential for ongoing talks and the high stakes of withdrawal.

Still, GOP lawmakers are anxious for the conflict to end, and some are eyeing future votes that could become an important test for the president if the war drags on. And the outcome of a war powers vote in the House, expected this week, is uncertain.

Under the War Powers Act of 1973, Congress must declare war or authorize use of force within 60 days of its start  a deadline that will arrive at the end of this month. The law provides for a potential 30-day extension of that deadline, but lawmakers have made clear that they want the administration to soon lay out a plan for the end of the conflict.

After the 60-day or 90-day deadline, its time to fish or cut bait, said Republican Sen. Thom Tillis of North Carolina. I think that the administration would be wise to put together what would look like a well-founded authorization of military force and a funding strategy.

Republican senators mull a war powers resolution

While voting against the Democratic efforts to stop the war, Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, has been talking to her GOP colleagues about a resolution that would authorize the conflict beyond the 60-day deadline.

She said last month that the Democratic measures would hurt the troops by prompting an abrupt withdrawal. But she said that Congress should eventually draft an authorization of force and vote on it so the American people know the limits and objectives of this military operation.

There is no question that the president should have sought authorization from Congress before striking Iran on this scale, likewise bringing in our allies ahead of time as they now are equally in danger, she said at the beginning of March.

Utah Sen. John Curtis said Wednesday that he had looked at Murkowskis draft and provided feedback, but would not share details. I think we are all watching the war and its timeline, Curtis said, adding that he hopes it ends before the deadline.

Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., also said he would like to see the war end in the coming weeks. If not, he said, at the end of 60 days, I think we need to vote on a military authorization.

Republican Sen. Susan Collins of Maine said that the presidents power is not unlimited as commander in chief.

If this conflict exceeds the 60 days specified in the War Powers Act, or if the President deploys troops on the ground, I believe that Congress should have to authorize those actions, Collins said in a statement.

Republican leaders are noncommittal

It remains unclear if Republican leaders would go along with a vote to authorize the war. Senate Majority Leader John Thune said this week that at this point most of us I think feel pretty good about what the military has achieved in Iran.

But Thune did say that they do need a plan for how to wind this down, how to get an outcome that actually leads to a safer, more secure Middle East and, by extension, a stronger national security position for the United States.

Thune said another inflection point will be an eventual White House request for war funding. Congress is still waiting for the request, which could total hundreds of billions of dollars.

That is a power that Congress has to influence what happens there, Thune said.

Republican Sen. Jim Lankford of Oklahoma said that war funding will be the big vote. He added that the question, then, will be: Is it going to happen or is it not going to happen? Lankford said.

Sen. John Kennedy, R-La., said that at the 60-day deadline, Congress isnt going to jump up and say thats it, its one second past 60 days, everybody come home.

Some of the people who want a vote just want to embarrass Trump, Kennedy said.

I want to see us achieve our objective in Iran, Kennedy said. And then I want to see us get out.

Democrats say war is illegal, unnecessary

Democrats have vowed to force votes on the Senate floor as long as the war continues.

As our troops continue to sacrifice whatever is asked of them, we senators need to do the absolute minimum required of us, said Democratic Sen. Tammy Duckworth of Illinois, an Iraq war veteran who lost both legs in combat, before Wednesdays vote.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said that with gas prices climbing, the American people literally cannot afford for Republicans to forgo another opportunity to work with Democrats to end Trumps disastrous war.

(AP)
An effort to ramp up U.S. weapons production and build more ships, planes and drones will require a massive upfront investment, President Donald Trumps budget director told a House committee Wednesday.

The testimony from Russell Vought jump-starts the White Houses push to increase defense spending to nearly $1.5 trillion in the next budget year, up from nearly $1 trillion this year, while cutting health research, heating assistance and scores of other domestic programs by about 10% overall. Such cuts do not cover mandatory spending, which includes such programs as Social Security and Medicare.

The debate over Trumps proposal underscored the sharp divide that will shape some of the most significant policy debates going into a midterm election that will give voters the ultimate say on the direction of the country.

For the industrial base to double or triple and build more facilities, not just add shifts, it requires multiyear agreements to purchase into the future, Vought told lawmakers. That cost has to be booked in this first year.

The White House is calling for about $1.1 trillion for defense through the regular appropriations process, which typically requires support from both parties for approval. An additional $350 billion would come through a separate bill that Republicans can accomplish on their own, through party-line majority votes.

Rep. Brendan Boyle of Pennsylvania, the ranking Democratic member of the committee, said he believes in a strong national defense. But he said the idea of increasing defense by more than 40% while cutting programs that people need shows that the Republican administrations priorities are out of whack.

The committee chairman, Rep. Jodey Arrington predicted the hearing would be more amped up than usual, and that proved to be true, beginning with his opening statement focused on criticizing Democrat Joe Bidens presidency. Arrington, R-Texas, said he did not know of any president in his lifetime who inherited such a complete and utter mess as President Trump did in January of last year.

Since then, Arrington said, Trump has secured the border, cut taxes and constrained nondefense spending.

It was the beginning of several back-and-forths at the hearing.

You know how bad this economy is when we hear Joe Biden being invoked, we hear trans people being invoked. I was waiting for Jimmy Carter to be blamed next, Boyle said in response to Arringtons opening remarks.

Boyle said consumer confidence is plummeting under Trump and noted a gas station he passed in Philadelphia recently was selling gas at $4.11 a gallon versus less than $3 a gallon some six weeks ago because of Trumps war of choice in Iran.

Rep. Becca Balint, D-Vt., called the proposed defense spending increase shocking.

Weve never in the history of this country seen spending like this, paid for by slashing health care, education and housing, Balint said. Mr. Vought, yes or no, is $350 billion for the war in Iran lowering costs for Americans?

It is certainly not defunding child care. We fully fund child care in this budget, Vought said, not directly answering the question.

Balint went on to incorporate Trumps America First mantra in her questioning.

She said $350 billion could pay for an enhanced health insurance tax credit for 10 years and that her constituents are asking how the country can continue to spend money on wars and not find a solution to helping people afford health care.

Vought said the president has made clear he was not going to let Iran have a nuclear weapons, missiles and a navy that affect U.S. national security.

He is doing what is necessary to keep us safe, while at the same time trying to pursue diplomacy so that we can get out of wars and lower those costs over time, Vought said.

Vought said it was unclear how much the administration would seek to fund the war during the current budget year, which ends Sept. 30. That money would be part of an emergency supplemental spending bill and would be on top of the funds the White House is seeking to boost defense spending next year.

Would it be more than $50 billion? asked Rep. Veronica Escobar, D-Texas.

Were still working on it, Vought said. I dont have a ballpark for you.

(AP)
Virginias former Lt. Gov. Justin Fairfax, who was a rising star in the Democratic party several years ago before his career was derailed by assault allegations, fatally shot his wife before killing himself, police said Thursday.

Both were found dead at their northern Virginia home in Annandale after the couples teenage son called 911 shortly after midnight Thursday, said Fairfax County Police Chief Kevin Davis.

The couple was going through a divorce, and Fairfax was served recently with paperwork that indicated when he was next to appear in court, Davis said.

That may have been a spark, the chief said. Detectives will figure out if that led to this tragedy here.

For a brief period in 2019, Fairfax had seemed poised to become Virginia governor as Democratic Gov. Ralph Northam became engulfed in a scandal over a racist photo on his medical school yearbook that led to calls for Northams resignation.

But then two women came forward, accusing Fairfax of assaulting them years earlier. He adamantly denied the allegations.

Its very sad for this community, Davis said. A lot of people who know the Fairfax family, everybodys shocked. Were shocked.

(AP)
Russia hammered civilian areas of Ukraine with hundreds of drones and dozens of missiles in an attack that stretched for hours from daytime into the night, killing at least 16 people and wounding more than 100 others as terrified residents cowered in their homes, officials said Thursday.

Russia launched nearly 700 drones and dozens of ballistic and cruise missiles, primarily targeting civilians, in its biggest aerial barrage in almost two weeks, authorities said.

Tetiana Sokol, a 54-year-old resident of Kyiv, said two missiles hit near her home and she took cover with her dog in the hallway as flashes lit up the night and windows shattered from the blast wave.

On the third attack everything broke, everything flew, we were shocked, we didnt know where to run. I grabbed whatever came to hand and ran away with the dog, she told The Associated Press. I still cant find the cats in the house, they climbed out somewhere, I dont even know. No windows, nothing, the dog is still walking around in stress.

Moscows forces have hit civilian areas almost daily since its all-out invasion of its neighbor more than four years ago, with the regular assaults occasionally punctuated by massive attacks. More than 15,000 Ukrainian civilians have died in the strikes, the United Nations says.

The Russian Defense Ministry said the operation was launched in retaliation for Ukrainian strikes deep inside Russia, where long-range drones and missiles have hit Russian oil refineries and war-related manufacturing plants. The Russian barrage was aimed at facilities associated with the Ukrainian armed forces, the Defense Ministry claimed.

European Council President Antonio Costa described it as yet another horrendous attack while people slept in their homes.

Zelenskyy on a mission to improve air defenses

The latest bombardment came in the wake of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyys 48-hour trip this week to Germany, Norway and Italy in an urgent search for more air defense systems that can stop Russian missiles.

Ukraine has developed a significant domestic arms industry, especially in the production of drones and missiles, but it cant yet match the sophistication of U.S. Patriot air defense systems. Ukraines top diplomatic priority is securing allies help to buy and build more and better air defenses, Zelenskyy said this week.

Yuriy Ihnat, the head of communications for the Ukrainian air force, said the Russian attack made extensive use of ballistic missiles, which only Patriot systems can reliably shoot down.

We desperately need more missiles for the Patriot systems, Ihnat told Ukraines private TV channel 1+1.

Cash-strapped Ukraine also needs the speedy disbursement of a promised loan from the European Union of 90 billion euros ($106 billion) that has been blocked by Hungary.

Ukraine fears the Iran war is burning through stockpiles of the advanced American-made air defense systems it needs, and has argued against a U.S. temporary waiver on Russian oil sanctions that Kyiv says is helping finance the Kremlins war effort.

Another night has proven that Russia does not deserve any easing of global policy or lifting of sanctions, Zelenskyy said on X.

He thanked Germany, Norway and Italy for new agreements this week on supporting Ukraines air defense. Officials are also working with the Netherlands on additional supplies, he said.

At the same time, he noted that some partner countries havent followed through on pledges of military support.

I have instructed the Commander of the Air Force to contact those partners who earlier committed to providing missiles for Patriot and other systems, Zelenskyy said.

Other areas of Ukraine and Russia were also hit

The bombardment was the biggest in weeks. Last month, Russia fired 948 drones and 34 missiles in the space of 24 hours in the largest assault of the war on civilian areas.

At least four people were killed overnight in Kyiv, including a 12-year-old, with more than 50 others injured, according to authorities. Officials said the attack damaged 17 apartment buildings, 10 private homes, as well as a hotel, office center, car dealership, gas station and a shopping mall in the capital.

Nine people were killed and 23 injured in the southern port city of Odesa, three women were killed and around three dozen injured in the central Dnipro region, and one person was killed in Zaporizhzhia in the south.

Such attacks cannot be normalized. These are war crimes that must be stopped and their perpetrators held to account, Ukraines Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said on X.

Ukraines air force said air defenses shot down or disabled 667 out of 703 incoming targets, including 636 Shahed-type drones and other uncrewed aerial vehicles.

It said 20 strike drones and 12 missiles hit 26 locations.

Meanwhile in Russia, Krasnodar regional Gov. Veniamin Kondratyev reported that a 14-year-old girl and a woman were killed in Ukrainian strikes in the Black Sea port of Tuapse.

He said that attacks damaged six apartment buildings, 24 private houses and three schools. Drone fragments also fell near Tuapse.

Russias Defense Ministry said that its air defenses downed 207 Ukrainian drones overnight.

(AP)
South African opposition party leader Julius Malema was sentenced to five years in prison Thursday after he was convicted of breaking firearm laws by firing a rifle at a political rally in 2018.

He was released on appeal, which will be heard at a later date.

If the verdict and sentence are upheld, Malema will be disqualified as a lawmaker. South African law bars anyone from serving in Parliament if they have been convicted of an offense and sentenced to more than 12 months in prison without the option of a fine.

Malema was convicted in October on five counts, including unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition, discharge of a firearm in a built-up area and reckless endangerment.

Malema addressed hundreds of his party supporters, popularly known as fighters, many of whom traveled from various provinces to attend the sentencing. Clad in their red party regalia, they chanted and sang before and after the sentence was delivered.

A defiant Malema criticized the magistrate, claiming she was biased against him throughout the case. We were tried by a magistrate who doesnt read, who uses emotions, who speaks politics. We are done with her, we are going to a higher court, he said.

The fiery lawmaker, who leads the leftist Economic Freedom Fighters party, was charged alongside his bodyguard Anton Snyman, after the video of the incident went viral. Snyman was found not guilty.

Delivering the sentence, Magistrate Twanet Olivier said she considered the magnitude of the offense when she determined his sentence. We hear daily, or weekly, of children playing in the front yards, in the street, who are caught in crossfire, random shots fired, killing people. Its just the first time that we hear, its being called celebratory shots, Olivier said.

During his trial and sentencing, Malema said that the charges against him were politically motivated as they were brought by Afriforum, a lobby group for the white Afrikaner minority group that has been at odds with Malema for years.

Olivier said the sentence and verdict was based solely on his actions on the day.

Malema, whose party is the fourth-biggest in the country, is a divisive figure, mainly because of his party policies, which include the expropriation of white-owned land without compensation and the nationalization of mines and banks.

He appeared in a video shown by U.S. President Donald Trump during a tense meeting with South Africa President Cyril Ramaphosa last year, where he was singing a controversial anti-apartheid song that has been interpreted by some as calling for violence against Afrikaners.

(AP)
Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbards office has referred at least two former Intelligence Community members to the Justice Department for criminal prosecution over their roles in advancing the 2019 impeachment of President Donald Trump, according to reports.

Former Intelligence Community Inspector General Michael Atkinson was among those hit with a criminal referral, Fox News reported. Gabbards office found that Atkinson did not follow proper procedure before sending a whistleblower complaint about Trumps July 2019 call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to Congress, and that he appeared to ignore evidence suggesting the whistleblower was biased against Trump.

The whistleblower, who reportedly went to Democratic lawmakers about Trumps phone call before filing a complaint, was also referred for potential prosecution, the outlet reported.

A spokesperson for the Office of the Director of National Intelligence confirmed to The Post that a criminal referral was sent to the Justice Department related to one or more former employees of the Intelligence Community and their role in the 2019 impeachment of President Trump.

The referrals, written up by ODNIs general counsel, reference possible criminal activity related to Atkinsons discussions and briefings with the House Intelligence Committee in 2019.

The referrals come days after Gabbard released a trove of newly declassified documents that she said revealed the flimsy work, biased evidence and lack of firsthand accounts Atkinson used to advance the 2019 impeachment of Trump. The documents included transcripts of the former inspector generals closed-door testimony with the House Intelligence Committee, which were withheld from House lawmakers handling the Trump impeachment inquiry.

Deep state actors within the Intelligence Community concocted a false narrative that was used by Congress to usurp the will of the American people and impeach the duly-elected President of the United States, Gabbard said in a statement upon releasing the documents.

Inspector General Atkinson failed to uphold his responsibility to the American people, putting political motivations over the truth, she said. And this, along with the politicization of the whistleblower process by a former CIA employee who was working hand in glove with Democrats in Congress, are egregious examples of the deep state playbook on how to weaponize the Intelligence Community.

Gabbard added that exposing these tactics and showing how they undermine the fabric of our democratic republic furthers the critical cause of transparency and accountability and will help prevent future abuse of power.

Trump was impeached by the House in December 2019 on charges of abuse of power and obstruction of Congress stemming from the Ukraine call. He was acquitted by the Senate in February 2020.

(YWN World Headquarters  NYC)
Dirshus Nasi, Rav Dovid Hofstedter Meets With Senior Trump Administration Officials at State Dept Regarding Rampant Antisemitism

By Chaim Gold

I would say it is absolutely critical that you not only call or write to your congressman, but that you actually come down to his office and meet with him or one of the leading members of his staff and express your feelings about the rise in antisemitism. Emails and phone calls are very good but even if it might cost resources, the fact that youre taking the time to come to Washington DC to visit your member of Congress or a member on his team to be able to run these issues has an impact unlike any other aspect of communication.

Those were the words of Ambassador Mark Walker, Principal Advisor on Global Religious Freedom at the U.S. State Department, in a fascinating conversation with Rav Dovid Hofstedter, Nasi of Dirshu, held not long before Pesach.

Rav Hofstedters visit to Capitol Hill in Washington, which is just one aspect of the shtadlanus that Rav Hofstedter and Dirshu has been doing for Klal Yisrael, included a comprehensive and productive meeting with Ambassador Walker. The primary focus of their meeting was the rising climate of antisemitism and tolerance for Jew hatred that is evident in the United States and in many other places throughout the world.

During the course of his visit to Washington, Rav Hofstedter met with prominent legislators such as House Majority Leader, Rep. Steve Scalise, a very important representative who was very receptive to the concerns of the Jewish people as presented by Rav Hofstedter. Rav Hofstedter also met with Rep. Randy Fine of Florida, a rising star in the Republican party, Rep. August Pfluger (R-TX), Chairman of the Republican Study Committee (RSC)  one of the largest conservative caucuses in Congress and also Chairman of the House Homeland Security Subcommittee on Counterterrorism and Intelligence.

His visit concluded with a meeting at the office of Senator James Langford of Oklahoma, Chairman of the Subcommittee on Border Management, Federal Workforce, and Regulatory Affairs.

A Ticking Time Bomb  a Firsthand Report

What was the purpose of Rav Hofstedters visit to Washington? Dirshu is of course primarily a global Torah organization with offices and programs all over the world in tens of cities and on six continents. As an organization with a global footprint, Dirshu has seen and heard firsthand reports from its tens of thousands of lomdim all over the world about the deeply concerning uptick in antisemitism in their respective communities.

Indeed, antisemitism has gone mainstream. It is no longer necessary to hide ones antisemitism. Comments that just a few years ago could have ended ones career are now considered normal in America. In Canada, Europe and Australia, it is even worse!

Rav Hofstedter, who is both a son and son-in-law of Holocaust survivors, is especially sensitive to this terrible scourge of antisemitic resurgence.

He came to Washington baring a painstakingly compiled special report on antisemitism entitled A Ticking Time Bomb.

It was a comprehensive report from the field based on the research that Dirshu has done from its worldwide constituency. Rav Hofstedter felt that the voices of Yidden who are out there in centers of Jewish life around the world were not being heard. He felt that bmakom sheein ish, Dirshu must come forth and raise the alarm.

The report, given to Ambassador Walker who would be sharing it with secretary of State Rubio and many others on Capitol Hill, offers firsthand testimony and statistics about the uptick in rabidly antisemitic conduct, attacks etc. in North America, Europe, Canada, Australia and South Africa.

Ambassador Walker Reaches Out To the Frum Community

The meeting that Rav Hofstedter had with Ambassador Walker was particularly fruitful and instructive. There seemed to be great chemistry between Rav Dovid and the ambassador and it was clear that the ambassador, himself a former congressman from South Carolina who sat on the influential foreign affairs committee, and has the ear of Secretary of State Rubio and President Trump, is determined to use every lever of American power at his disposal to tackle the issue of antisemitism both in America and worldwide.

In fact, Ambassador Walker clearly feels a kinship with the frum community and the Torah community. He recently attended the Dirshu Kinnus Olam HaTorah where he addressed the Melava Malka and participated in a panel regarding antisemitism. He also visited Eretz Yisrael a few months ago accompanied by Rav Hofstedter where he had a private meeting with Rav Moshe Hillel Hirsch, Rosh Yeshiva of Slabodka.

At the most recent pre-Pesach meeting between Rav Hofstedter and Ambassador Walker, held in the Grand Lobby of the United States State Department, where flags of virtually every country in the world are displayed, one couldnt but feel the historic nature of what was happening. Here, in the very State Department where eighty years ago, the many antisemitic civil servants did everything in their power to suppress and downplay the news of the extermination of the Jewish people while frustrating attempts at intervention, a meeting was taking place with a sympathetic ambassador who is working for an administration that deeply cares about antisemitism and wants to help.

Does the Leadership Really Comprehend the Gravity of the Situation?

Rav Hofstedter asked the ambassador, How do we address the global rise in antisemitism and attacks against Jews? It seems to be an epidemic, it seems to be a plague, and it seems to be increasing. I want to ask you  do you feel that the leadership really comprehends the gravity of this situation?

Ambassador Walker responded, Two answers come to mind. The first answer regarding how to address it, is boldly!

The root of this antisemitism is very spiritual in its foundation, and I think you cannot exhibit timidity when youre dealing with this kind of cancer, so it very much needs to be pushed back in a very bold, loud manner.

Any kind of antisemitic behavior needs to be addressed by our leadership, and we have some great leaders including Secretary Rubio and others who have taken strong positions on this. Our ambassador from America to Israel, my good friend Ambassador Mike Huckabee, is not bashful at being bold and calling this out for what it is.

The second thing I would say beyond just being bold is that we have to work together collectively. When lawmakers and government are united in pushing back on this, whether its in Europe, whether its in our country, I think it can have a much greater effect.

Ambassador Walkers Message to the Jewish People

Rav Hofstedter also related a personal story to the ambassador, You know when I was a kid, I was very lucky to have one grandparent, my grandfather. My wife has no grandparents. My mother lost both parents and my father lost his mother in the Holocaust, but I had a grandfather. Many times, on the Sabbath we would go visit him and we would talk. I remember he many times opened his heart and with such acute pain, he told me that he could not understand, What was the world doing, what were the Jews in America doing when six million of their brethren were being exterminated, murdered in cold blood. Were they going to the ball game?

Ambassador Walker responded, That is exactly why we must respond to this behavior and stand up to this. Irans motto for the last few years has been death to Israel, death to America and we pay attention to those things and now together with Israel we are removing that threat. Rav Hofstedter replied, So the message to the Jewish people is dont be in a position where you are going to have to explain to your grandchildren or great grandchildren why you didnt do anything when you could have. We must be proactive. You can pay a small price now or a greater price later
Hamas has rejected a U.S.-backed proposal to disarm the group, instead asking mediators to revise the plan, adding new strain to already fragile ceasefire negotiations.

The proposal, put forward by the so-called Board of Peace and led by high representative Nickolay Mladenov, was presented to Hamas during meetings in Cairo last month. The plan is tied to broader efforts to move the Israel-Hamas ceasefire into its next phase, following an initial agreement reached in October.

Despite weeks of deliberation, Hamas declined to accept the disarmament framework before a deadline that expired late last week, the source said. Instead, the group requested modifications, underscoring its longstanding refusal to relinquish its weapons.

The rejection comes as negotiations appear increasingly stalled. In remarks to the BBC, a senior Palestinian official accused Mladenov of pro-Israel bias and said Hamas would not engage in further talks until Israel fulfills what the group views as its remaining obligations under Phase I of the ceasefire.

We are waiting for Mladenov to provide a clear timetable for Israel to fulfill the remaining obligations of Phase I, a senior Hamas official said.

Israeli officials have pushed back on that claim, pointing to steps already taken, including withdrawing forces from populated areas of Gaza to positions east of the Yellow Line and increasing the flow of humanitarian aid into the enclave. Israel has maintained that meaningful progress toward a second phase of the deal depends on movement toward disarming Hamas.

The disarmament issue has emerged as a central sticking point in the negotiations. While demilitarization was included in the original ceasefire framework, Hamas has consistently rejected the idea, arguing that surrendering its weapons would leave it vulnerable and weaken its leverage in future talks.

Other terrorist groups, including Palestinian Islamic Jihad, also dismissed the proposal shortly after it was introduced, criticizing it for prioritizing disarmament over reconstruction efforts in Gaza.

The plan was advanced following an announcement by Steve Witkoff in mid-January outlining a potential Phase II of the ceasefire, which would expand on the initial truce and address longer-term security arrangements.

(YWN World Headquarters  NYC)
Dozens of boats carrying activists and aid for Palestinians in Gaza set sail from the northeastern Spanish city of Barcelona on Wednesday.

Organizers of the Global Sumud Flotilla say that more than 70 boats and 1,000 people from around the world will participate, with campaigners saying its the biggest civilian-led mobilization of its kind against Israel.

Nearly 40 boats were leaving Barcelona while the rest will join the fleet from other ports along the Mediterranean as they sail eastward, according to Thiago Avila, one of the flotillas leaders who spoke at a news conference in Barcelona on Sunday during a symbolic send-off event. Bad weather had forced organizers to delay their departure, which was originally planned for April 12.

As attention has turned to the Iran war, activists hope that their latest mission will revive attention to the plight of Palestinians living in Gaza.

We sail because governments have failed, said Saif Abukeshek, a Palestinian activist and member of the flotillas global steering committee.

They want a society that feels helpless, that cannot act, that cannot mobilize, Abukeshek said on Sunday. We refuse to be that society.

Last week, Gaza marked six months since a ceasefire made the most intense fighting between Israeli forces and Hamas-led terrorists stop.

Much of the ceasefire work remains to be done, from disarming Hamas and ending its rule to deploying an international stabilization force and beginning vast reconstruction. Around 2 million Gaza residents are still living in ruins with shortages of food and medicine, and only limited aid entering through a single, Israeli-controlled border post.

Israel and Egypt have imposed varying degrees of a blockade on Gaza since Hamas seized power from rival Palestinian forces in 2007. Israel says the blockade is needed to prevent Hamas from importing arms, while critics say it amounts to collective punishment of Gazas Palestinian population.

The Global Sumud Flotillas latest efforts come less than a year after another attempt was foiled by Israeli authorities.

Last fall, dozens of boats sailed close to Gaza, with one even crossing the 12-nautical-mile line (22-kilometer line) marking the divide from international waters to territorial waters off Gaza. But they were all ultimately intercepted and seized or turned away.

Those sailing last year, including Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg, were arrested, imprisoned and deported by Israel. They claimed Israeli authorities abused them while in detention, accusations that Israeli authorities denied.

Their interception at sea had been broadcast live by onboard cameras, sparking worldwide protests at the time. But attention on Gaza has since waned, with eyes focused now on the latest Iran war upending the Middle East and roiling global markets.

Organizers hope this mission will bring back attention to the conditions of Palestinians living in the Gaza Strip.

(AP)
Irans embassy in Indonesia published an AI-generated image on its official X account Wednesday comparing Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to Nazi dictator Adolf Hitler.

The post showed Netanyahu sitting in a train carriage, gazing out a window. In the reflection, Hitler stares back wearing the same outfit. The caption read: Times change, crimes dont.

The image is the latest in a sustained Iranian propaganda campaign drawing comparisons between Netanyahu and Hitler. Iran has deployed the comparison repeatedly and through multiple channels. Last August, banners in Tehrans Palestine Square depicted Netanyahu in an Israeli-branded Nazi-style uniform, labeling him Hitnayahu in Farsi and calling Israel the German Nazis of today in Hebrew. State-aligned propaganda outlets have amplified similar messaging.

(YWN World Headquarters  NYC)
A man armed with two knives and a suspected martyrdom note attempted to breach the Israeli embassy in west London last April, intending to kill embassy staff and die for the glory of God, prosecutors told the Old Bailey on Wednesday.

Abdullah Albadri, 34, a Kuwaiti-born man who had entered Britain twice by small boat from France, was arrested by armed officers as he tried to scale the embassy fence on April 28. When detained, he asked officers: Why didnt you let me in?

Prosecutor Catherine Pattison told the court that Albadris intention was to use or threaten serious violence against the Israeli government to exact revenge for its alleged murder of children. His martyrdom note, the two knives, and material downloaded from his phone all pointed to a plan to attack people inside the embassy and sacrifice his own life in the process, she said.

Albadri had first arrived in Britain on a small boat in August 2021, later withdrew an asylum application, and apparently left the country. On April 12 last year, he crossed the Channel again and applied for asylum, telling authorities he had fled Kuwait as a human rights activist fearing for his familys safety. His application was rejected on April 24. Prosecutors said that after the rejection, his focus shifted to far more sinister matters and he began searching for the location of the Israeli embassy.

Four days later, he sent his mother a photograph of a handwritten note alongside a knife. Hours after that, he was in custody.

Albadri denies charges of preparing an act of terrorism and possession of two bladed articles, claiming he carried the knives because he was homeless.

(YWN World Headquarters  NYC)
The search for 17-year-old yeshiva bochur Avraham Yeshaya Spiegel continues into a sixth day along the coast of Netanya, with rescue teams focusing efforts in a complex rocky area deep in the water where there is a high likelihood he may be located.

Throughout the day, combined forcesincluding diving units, drone teams, and jet ski crewscarried out targeted operations in difficult-to-access areas between rocks, while additional teams continued nonstop shoreline searches.

Overnight, ZAKA volunteers and support units maintained continuous foot and vehicle patrols along the coastline, working around the clock in an effort to locate the missing bochur.

During the day, the levaya was held in Yerushalayim for his brother, Yissachar Dov Spiegel ZL, who was niftar after being pulled from the water in critical condition following the same incident at Sanz Beach.

Despite the levaya, search operations continued without pause, with authorities dividing forces to ensure full coverage and ongoing efforts for the family.

Officials praised the dedication of the volunteers, noting their tireless work over six consecutive days under difficult conditions.

As night fell, diving operations were paused, but ground and coastal searches are continuing uninterrupted.

Rescue teams say they will not stop until the missing bochur is found.

The tzibur is urged to continue davening for Avraham Yeshaya ben Shoshana.

(YWN World Headquarters  NYC)
U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Wednesday night that the leaders of Israel and Lebanon will speak on Thursday for the first time in decades.

Trying to get a little breathing room between Israel and Lebanon, Trump wrote on TruthSocial. It has been a long time since the two leaders have spoken, like 34 years. It will happen tomorrow. Nice!

The conversation is set to take place two days after a historic meeting between the countries ambassadors at the U.S. State Department.

According to Israeli media reports, Washington is placing heavy pressure on Israel to agree to a one-week ceasefire in Lebanon to facilitate negotiations between Israel and Lebanon, as well as talks between Iran and the US.

Our assessment is that within a few days, well have no choice but to agree to a full ceasefire in Lebanon, a senior Israeli political source told Channel 12.

According to the report, the Trump administration understands Israels concerns about Hezbollah, and the suggestion of a temporary ceasefire is to allow Israel to resume strikes on the terror group if necessary.

Netanyahu met with the security cabinet on Wednesday night to discuss a possible temporary ceasefire in Lebanon.

Meanwhile, IDF forces continue to operate in the Hezbollah stronghold of Bint Jbeil. Netanyahu issued a video statement on Wednesday saying, Our forces continue to strike Hezbollah. We are about to conquer Bint Jbeil, Hezbollahs capital in southern Lebanon. At the same time, I instructed the IDF yesterday to continue reinforcing the security zone and also to extend it eastward toward the slopes of Har Chermon so that we can better assist our Druze brothers in times of need.

At the same time, we are conducting negotiations with Lebanon, a first in 40 years. They are being held now because we are very strong, and countries are coming to usand not just Lebanon. We have two central goals in the negotiations: disarming Hezbollah and achieving sustainable peacepeace through strength.

And there is, of course, another matter. Our American friends are constantly updating us on their contacts with Iran. Our goals and those of the United States are identical: we want to see enriched material removed from Iran, we want to see the elimination of enrichment capability inside Iran, and, of course, we want to see the reopening of the Strait. It is too early to say how this will end, or even how it will progress. We are ready for any scenario in preparation for the possibility that fighting resumes.

(YWN Israel DeskJerusalem)
The U.S. Senate on Wednesday rejected proposals to block arms sales to Israel despite over three dozen Democrats supporting an effort by Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders to block arms sales to Israel.

The two resolutions to block U.S. sales of bulldozers and bombs to Israel were opposed by all Republicans and rejected 40-59 and 36-63. But Sanders has repeatedly forced votes on the issue to put pressure on his colleagues.

Similar resolutions forced by Sanders in 2024 and 2025 were also rejected, but the number of Democrats voting with the Vermont Independent has more than doubled in less than two years amid Israeli campaigns in Gaza, Iran and Lebanon and a stepped-up campaign by party activists who have increasingly seen support for Israel as a litmus test for support.

The arms embargo imposed on Israel by former President Joe Biden during the war with Gaza following the October 7 massacre, including D9 bulldozers, cost the lives of IDF soldiers, many of whom sadly lost their lives in explosions in Gaza. The bulldozers were mainly used for flattening buildings in the Gaza Strip, the majority of which were booby-trapped by Hamas terrorists.

Its clear that Democrats are beginning to listen to the average American who is sick and tired of spending billions of dollars to support Netanyahus horrific wars when people in this country cant afford housing or health care, Sanders said after the vote.

Arizona Sen. Mark Kelly, D-Ariz., voted in support of the two resolutions after opposing some of Sanders previous efforts. In a speech just before the vote, Kelly said that the reckless decisions being made by Prime Minister Netanyahu and President Trump led him to his decision, which he said he did not take lightly.

Under Prime Minister Netanyahus government, weve seen an expanded war in Lebanon that is putting innocent Lebanese civilians at risk, and ongoing violence against Palestinians and their homes being demolished in the West Bank, Kelly said. All of this has undermined the path forward for peace.

Among the Democrats voting against the resolutions were Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand. Nearly 100 protesters were arrested during a demonstration on Monday calling on the two New York senators to vote in favor of Sanders two measures.

Led by the antiwar group Jewish Voice for Peace, the crowd of hundreds initially attempted to stage a sit-in inside the senators offices as they said they were abetting Israels intensifying attacks in Lebanon and the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran. But they were blocked and many of the protesters were arrested.

The majority of Americans and New Yorkers want a resolution to what the Israeli government is doing, said the groups communications director, Sonya Meyerson-Knox.

Democrats supported a resolution earlier on Wednesday to halt Trumps war in Iran, though that was also rejected, 47-52. Democratic Sen. Chris Coons, a Democrat who voted against Sanders Israel resolutions, said he voted to end the Iran war but did not want to abandon Israel.

My votes should be taken neither as an endorsement of the actions of the Netanyahu government nor as an abandonment of the state of Israel, the Jewish people, or the US-Israel relationship, Coons said in a statement after the vote.

Republicans said the vote could hurt U.S. efforts in the Iran war.

Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Jim Risch, R-Idaho, said the resolutions could embolden Iran and send the message that the U.S. is prepared to leave our ally Israel vulnerable.

They will not help the United States of America, Risch said ahead of the vote.

(YWN Israel DeskJerusalem & AP)
Founders over 55 grew 66.67% year-on-year. Queensland overtook the traditional startup corridor. And more businesses than ever are incorporating early.

Why this matters: The data reveals a changing picture of who is entering the market, with older founders, migrants, and regional Australians driving growth at rates that challenge the traditional image of the Australian startup founder.

Australias business formation momentum did not slow in March. According to the Lawpath New Business Index, which draws on verified data from the Australian Business Register and ASIC, 124,516 new ABNs were registered during the month, a 10.34% increase on the same period last year. That figure builds on a year-to-date total of 755,875 new businesses registered in 2026, up 7.21% on the prior year.

The headline number, however, is not the most revealing part of the data. What stands out is the gap between overall business registrations and company formations specifically. While total ABN registrations rose 9.32% year-on-year, new company registrations grew at 17.02%, reaching 34,481 for the month. That gap suggests something is shifting in how founders are approaching the decision to start a business.

Tom Willis, Chief Marketing Officer at Lawpath, says the pattern points to a more considered kind of entrepreneurship taking hold.

Marchs numbers show a clear shift in how Australians are starting businesses. Were seeing strong growth in areas like property and business services, but at the same time, company registrations are rising faster than overall business activity. The standout from March isnt just which sectors are growing, but how people are choosing to set up. Company registrations are up more than 17%, while GST growth has barely moved.

GST registrations reached 24,859 in March, up just 0.53% year-on-year. The divergence between company formation and GST registration is significant. It suggests that while more founders are opting for a formal company structure early, many are still in a testing phase and are not yet generating the turnover that would require GST registration. Structure first, scale later appears to be the prevailing approach.

The Lawpath platform data adds a layer of detail that the raw registration numbers alone cannot capture: who is behind these new businesses.

The fastest-growing founder cohort in March was Australians aged 55 and over, up 66.67% year-on-year. The 45 to 54 age group also grew strongly at 36.67%. Together, these figures challenge a common assumption about who the typical new business founder is. Younger age groups, including 18 to 24-year-olds, actually declined by 35.62% year-on-year in March, a notable reversal from earlier months in 2025 when that cohort was among the fastest growing.

The country of birth data is equally striking. Only 29% of founders registered through the Lawpath platform in March were born in Australia. India accounted for 20%, followed by China at 7%, with Pakistan, the United Kingdom, New Zealand, Vietnam, Malaysia, and Taiwan each contributing meaningfully to the total. Founders born outside Australia made up 71% of registrations, underscoring the significant role migration continues to play in driving new business creation across the country.

Where growth is happening

The geographic story in March is one of ongoing decentralisation. While New South Wales led on volume with 38,478 registrations, representing 31.9% of the national total, it recorded one of the slower growth rates among the states at 4.34% year-on-year. Victoria followed with 31,956 registrations but grew at just 1.86%.

Queensland was the standout, recording 25,989 new registrations and growth of 18.07% year-on-year, the fastest rate of any mainland state. Western Australia also performed strongly at 12.69% growth. This pattern is consistent with broader economic signals from the same period, including above-average mortgage and credit demand in both states, pointing to underlying economic confidence that is translating into new business activity.

Regional Australia accounted for 31.13% of all new business registrations in March, meaning roughly one in three new businesses launched outside a major metropolitan centre. That figure is broadly consistent with February data, which also recorded approximately 32% of registrations coming from regional areas, according to previous Lawpath Index reporting covered by Dynamic Business.

Among the highest-volume postcodes, outer suburban areas such as 3029 in Melbournes west and 3064 in the citys northern growth corridor continued to register significant numbers, while CBD postcodes showed more mixed results. Sydneys 2000 postcode grew 3.37% year-on-year, while Melbournes 3000 remained essentially flat at -0.16%.

What founders are building

The industry breakdown from the Lawpath platform reveals where founders are directing their energy. Personal Services remained the largest category at 24% of registrations, growing 1.34% year-on-year. But the most dramatic movement came from Property and Business Services, which surged 123.91% year-on-year to represent 16% of all new businesses registered through the platform.

Construction held steady at 14% with 8.43% growth, continuing a trend that reflects demand linked to housing and infrastructure activity. Finance and Insurance grew 75% year-on-year, and Education also rose 75%, though both remain smaller categories by volume. Retail declined 17.28% and Health and Community Services fell 53.16%, two of the more significant drops in the data.

The surge in Property and Business Services is consistent with a broader pattern that has been building across the country. Service-driven and advisory businesses tend to have lower startup costs, fewer regulatory hurdles, and faster paths to launching, which makes them attractive to founders who want to enter the market with minimal upfront investment. For existing SME owners operating in professional services, consulting, or property-adjacent industries, the data suggests the competitive field is expanding quickly.

Taken together, the March figures paint a picture of an entrepreneurial landscape that is growing in volume, maturing in structure, and becoming more geographically and demographically diverse. The traditional image of the young, city-based startup founder no longer reflects who is actually entering the Australian market. Older founders, migrant entrepreneurs, and regional Australians are reshaping what new business creation looks like in 2026, and the data suggests that shift is still gathering pace.

Keep up to date with our stories on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
Israels ambassador to France, Joshua Zarka, held a secret meeting this week at the Israeli Embassy in Paris with far-right leader Marine Le Pen.

The meeting was reported by Hebrew media outlets but was not publicized by the embassy, although the embassy later confirmed the meeting to the French Le Parisien outlet.

In the past, Israel avoided contact with far-right parties in France. However, as left-wing governments in Europe have increasingly turned against Israel, government officials began fostering ties with far-right figures. Foreign Minister Gideon Saar told Israeli diplomats last year to begin official contacts with Le Pens party as well as far-right parties in Spain and Sweden.

The meeting was held as France launches the early stages of its presidential campaign, with Le Pen as a candidate. Le Pen has strongly criticized French President Emmanuel Macrons anti-Israel policies.

Le Pens father, Jean-Marie Le Pen, was notorious for his racist and antisemitic comments, including minimizing the Holocaust, for which he received criminal convictions. He was dubbed by his opponents as the devil of the Republic. However, Marine not only publicly rejected her fathers antisemitic views but even expelled him from the National Front party he founded.

After Marine took leadership of the party in 2011, her father refused to halt his provocative antisemitic remarks, including that the Nazi gas chambers used to murder Jews during the Holocaust were just a detail of World War II. His hateful rhetoric led to a public family and political feud, and in 2015, the party, led by his daughter, voted to expel him.

After her fathers death in 2025, Marine said she regretted her decision because of the pain it caused her father. I will never forgive myself for this decision, because I know it caused him immense pain, she told the Journal du dimanche newspaper. Making this decision was one of the most difficult of my life. And until the end of my existence, I will always ask myself the question: Could I have done this differently?'

(YWN Israel DeskJerusalem)
The worlds largest aircraft carrier, the USS Gerald R. Ford, broke the U.S. record Wednesday for the longest post-Vietnam War deployment, a nearly 10-month span that saw it take part in both the military raid in Venezuela and the Iran war.

The ships 295th day at sea surpassed the previous longest deployment by an aircraft carrier in the past 50 years, when the USS Abraham Lincoln was sent out for 294 days in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to data compiled by U.S. Naval Institute News, a news outlet run by the U.S. Naval Institute, a nonprofit organization.

It raises questions about the impact on service members away from home for long periods as well as increasing strain on the ship and its equipment, with the carrier already enduring a fire that forced it to undergo lengthy repairs.

The Ford began its deployment in June 2025, heading to the Mediterranean See from its home port in Norfolk, Virginia. The military rerouted it to the Caribbean Sea in October as part of the largest naval buildup in the region in generations.

The carrier took part in the military operation to capture then-Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro. Then it would see more battle, heading toward the Middle East as tensions with Iran escalated.

The carrier took part in the opening days of the Iran war from the Mediterranean Sea before going through the Suez Canal and heading into the Red Sea in early March.

However, a fire in one of its laundry spaces forced the carrier to turn around and return to the Mediterranean Sea for repairs.

Sen. Tim Kaine of Virginia said the record-breaking deployment has taken a serious toll on the mental health and well-being of the crew. He noted that the fire temporarily left 600 sailors without places to sleep.

They should be home with their loved ones, not sent around the world by a President who acts like the U.S. military is his palace guard, the Democratic senator said in a statement.

Pentagon officials have not said how long the Ford will stay deployed, but the Navys two highest-ranking officers both said publicly that they expect the ship to be deployed for around 11 months. That would put the ship returning home in late May.

Youre going to see a record-breaking deployment by Ford, Adm. Daryl Caudle, the Navys top officer, said during a discussion at the Center for Strategic and International Studies at the end of March.

Caudle told reporters in January that he would push back on extending the Ford and told The Associated Press in February that he wants to convince commanders to use smaller, newer ships in combat zones instead of consistently asking the Navy to send aircraft carriers.

While Navy officials have not formally said the Fords deployment is record-breaking, they did not dispute the data compiled by U.S. Naval Institute News.

Another carrier, the USS George H. W. Bush, is slated to head to the Middle East and is located now in the waters off Africa after deploying two weeks ago.

The Fords 295-day deployment falls short of the longest deployment during the Cold War, a record held by the now-decommissioned USS Midway. It was deployed for 332 days in 1972 and 1973.

More recently, the crew of the USS Nimitz was on duty and away from home for a total of 341 days in 2020 and 2021. However, that included extended isolation periods ashore in the U.S. meant to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.

(AP)
The Emes LYaakov BYisrael organization filed a petition to the Supreme Court on Thursday, demanding an immediate halt to the economic punishment campaign against Chareidi families, which is being advanced by Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara without any legal basis.

The petition describes what it calls a distorted legal reality: while every citizen in the state is protected by Israeli law, based on the principle that penalties are only implemented after legislation and due process, the Attorney General has assumed the roles of legislator, judge, and executioner regarding the Chareidi public, introducing sanctions without explicit legal authorization.

The main argument in the petition is the fact that the proposed sanctionssome of which are already being implementedinclude the removal of daycare subsidies, education funding, property tax discounts, and National Insurance benefitshave no basis in any law passed by the Knesset and amount to punishment without trial.

According to the organization, this constitutes imposing economic punishment without legal proceedings by an administrative authority rather than a judicial one. Her role does not grant her authority to create new punitive norms or instruct government agencies to act contrary to the law, the petition states.

Moreover, the petition highlighted the double enforcement against Chareidim. Under the existing Security Service Law, draft evasion is already subject to criminal proceedings and potential imprisonment, and Baharav-Miara is adding her own harsh system of civil and economic sanctions not formally enacted by the Knesset that she has no authority to impose.

A separate section of the petition focuses on the harm to families as a tool of political pressure, including the revocation of housing benefits such as eligibility for subsidized housing programs and the imposition of heavy taxation on the purchase of an apartment, as well as the cancellation of municipal tax discounts and daycare subsidiessteps described as collective punishment against women and children who have committed no offense.

The petition states that even the families of terrorists and murderers cannot be denied housing or welfare support, referencing a previous Supreme Court ruling that held that the children of terrorists should not be stripped of benefits despite the fact that such measures would provide deterrence for acts of terror. The petition raises the question of whether a Chareidi child could be treated more harshly than the child of a terrorist.

The Attorney General proposed revoking eligibility for subsidized housing programs and imposing a full capitalgains tax even on a single qualifying apartment. These punitive recommendations severely harm families, aiming to cause loss of housing for those who committed no offense. Even if the father committed an offense, what did his wife and children do?

The petition also accuses the Attorney General of intentionally concealing professional assessments from government ministries that concluded that the sanctions are ineffective and even counterproductive, withholding these opinions from the Court to advance a personal agenda against Chareidim.

The Attorney-General is acting like a political commissar of a re-education campaign, exceeding her authority and imposing collective punishmentwhile bypassing the legislature.

The petition also noted that the Attorney Generals decisions violate international conventions to which Israel is a party. The state and all its branches, including and especially the Attorney General, are bound by international conventions. Article 33 of the Fourth Geneva Convention explicitly prohibits collective punishment. This principle is recognized in case law (HCJ 2056/04) as part of binding international law. The ICCPR requires equality before the law; no punishment may be imposed without a specific trial against an individual, and every person is entitled to the presumption of innocence.

The petition concluded by asking the Court to issue a conditional order requiring the Attorney General to explain:

 Why she should not be prohibited from adopting an opinion that imposes sanctions not explicitly grounded in legislation passed by the Knesset.

 Why no sanction should be recommended except after an individual conviction grounded in legislation and by a court.

 Why she should not be required to disclose all internal opinions regarding the legality of these sanctions.

 Why she should not be required to stop concealing information regarding the invalidity of the sanctions, if such information exists.

The petitioner argues that this is a constitutional question of the highest order concerning the limits of the Attorney Generals authority.

The organization concluded by noting that in a state governed by the rule of law, punishment is determined by the legislature and the courts, not by the opinion of a government legal official, however senior.

It emphasized that the key question is whether the country operates as a democracy or under a judicial dictatorship in which families can be economically harmed and property rights restricted without due process, and that the Supreme Court must clarify the limits of executive legal authority regarding this matter.

(YWN Israel DeskJerusalem)
When conservative media outlets surfaced a trove of old social media posts last month by Rama Duwaji, the wife of New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, the backlash was swift. The posts  written when Duwaji was a teenager  included anti-Israel statements, racial slurs, praise for a Palestinian hijacker, and support for a U.S.-designated terrorist organization.

This week, Duwaji broke her silence. Sort of.

In an interview with the online arts magazine Hyperallergic, the 28-year-old artist of Syrian descent said she felt a lot of shame when the posts resurfaced. Being 15 doesnt excuse it, she said. Ive read and seen a lot of what others have had to say in response, and I understand the hurt I caused and am truly sorry.

She did not describe or address any of the posts specifically.

The posts date primarily to 2013 and 2015. In one, Duwaji wrote that Tel Aviv should not have existed in the first place and described all of its residents as occupiers. In others, she used slurs against Black people and Japanese people. She praised Palestinian hijacker Leila Khaled and members of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, which is designated a terrorist organization by both the United States and the European Union. She also shared a claim that white people established and funded al-Qaida.

The controversy has not been limited to her teenage posts. Following the October 7 massacre, Duwaji liked posts celebrating the Hamas attack, including images of terrorists breaching the border fence. One post she liked described assaults on women carried out by Hamas terrorists as a mass hoax. She also created illustrations for a book edited by Susan Abulhawa, a Palestinian American author who described the October 7 massacre as a spectacular event and has referred to Israelis and Zionists as parasitic filth.

The Hyperallergic interview did not address any of her more recent activity.

Mayor Mamdani has defended his wife by arguing she is a private individual with no official role in city government or his campaign. But that deflection doesnt hold water. Duwaji lives in Gracie Mansion, New Yorks official mayoral residence, has her own staff, and receives police security  all funded by taxpayers.

Moshe Davis, who served as head of the Office to Combat Antisemitism under former Mayor Eric Adams, said the mayors reticence was itself telling. The mayors silence only strengthens the accusations of antisemitism against him, Davis said.

Mamdani distanced himself from his wifes past remarks without directly criticizing the posts. He called Abulhawas rhetoric unacceptable, and said Duwaji had not met the author and was unaware of her statements before contributing illustrations to her book.

Duwaji, for her part, showed little interest in navigating the public figure question. In the Hyperallergic interview, she said her focus is on continuing her work responsibly and allowing my art to speak for itself. At public events, she has chosen to wear clothing by Palestinian designers  a choice she described as deliberate, saying she wants to send a message.

New York City police have reported a 182% increase in antisemitic incidents in January compared to the prior year. Mamdanis appointments director recently resigned over posts about greedy Jews, and a campaign activist was let go after expressing support for Hamas. The mayor, who has described the war in Gaza as genocide, has repeatedly denied accusations of antisemitism, framing criticism of his positions as legitimate political disagreement about Israeli government policy.

Whether Duwajis apology  partial and unspecific as it was  will quiet the controversy remains to be seen. So far, it has not.

(YWN World Headquarters  NYC)
The United States and Hamas held their first direct talks since the Gaza ceasefire began, meeting in Cairo on Tuesday night in an effort to advance the stalled agreement, two Hamas sources told CNN.

A U.S. delegation led by Aryeh Lightstone, a Trump administration adviser based in Tel Aviv, met with senior Hamas official Khalil al-Hayya. Lightstone was joined by Nikolay Mladenov, who heads the Gaza Peace Council.

According to the report, al-Hayya used the meeting to press Lightstone to ensure Israel fully meets its commitments under the first phase of the ceasefire  including halting strikes and allowing increased humanitarian aid into the Strip  as a condition for moving the process forward.

The Cairo meeting came after Lightstone also met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to secure Israels commitment to implementing its obligations under the first phase of the agreement. A U.S. source and a diplomat familiar with the meeting said Israel agreed to fulfill those demands, on the condition that Hamas commits to disarm.

Broader negotiations involving Hamas officials, Gaza Peace Council representatives and international mediators have been working toward understandings on the next phase of the ceasefire, covering issues including Hamas disarmament, the deployment of an international force in Gaza and the withdrawal of Israeli troops from the territory.

But those talks have repeatedly hit the same wall. Several sources said discussions have stalled over demands that Hamas agree to disarm before Israel fulfills its first-phase commitments, a sequencing that Hamas has firmly rejected.

A senior Hamas source described the proposal as unbalanced, saying it reduces the entire process to a single clause  disarmament  while other commitments of the first phase are postponed or pushed aside. The source also said Mladenov has begun conveying Israeli demands directly, and warned that the Israeli military would resume fighting in Gaza if Hamas does not agree to disarm.

Hamas and several international organizations operating in Gaza have accused Israel of failing to uphold its ceasefire obligations. Israeli officials have denied the claims, countering that Hamas itself has violated the terms of the deal.

(YWN World Headquarters  NYC)
Eric Robic, a French national convicted of killing Israeli woman Lee Zeitouni in a 2011 Tel Aviv hit-and-run, was shot and killed Thursday morning in a targeted ambush in the Paris suburb of Neuilly-sur-Seine, French media reported.

Two helmeted assailants on a TMAX scooter approached Robic at approximately 9:30 a.m. local time, opened fire at close range and fled within seconds. A witness who alerted emergency services described the attack as a calculated execution. Robic, who was wearing a motorcycle helmet at the time, was treated at the scene by firefighters before paramedics attempted to resuscitate him. He was pronounced dead at 10:10 a.m. Paris police launched a manhunt for the two suspects, who remained at large as of Thursday.

French media described Robic as well-known to law enforcement and involved in criminal activity, while presenting himself publicly as a businessman. His criminal record in France included fraud, conspiracy, assault, contempt of court and resisting arrest.

The most consequential charge of Robics life, however, originated not in France but in Tel Aviv. On a night in 2011, Robic struck and killed Zeitouni, 25, while driving under the influence of alcohol at excessive speed. He and his accomplice, Claude Khayat, fled to France within hours of the incident without stopping to assist the victim.

The case ignited widespread outrage in Israel. A prolonged public and diplomatic campaign eventually secured their prosecution in France. In 2014, a Paris court sentenced Robic to five years in prison for aggravated manslaughter.

Authorities are now investigating whether Thursdays ambush was connected to Robics criminal background or to other circumstances.

(YWN World Headquarters  NYC)
An opinion article, written by Yisrael Zeev Leventhal and published by JDN, aptly illustrated how the Chareidi world in Israel is standing alone against the judicial systems plan to uproot it.

The article contrasts two Supreme Court hearings held this week, one on bnei yeshivos and the second on National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir. It should be noted that the article was published shortly before the Supreme Court issued a ruling on the Ben-Gvir case on Thursday, avoiding a constitutional crisis by ordering Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu and Ben-Gvir to reach a compromise agreement with Attorney General Gali Baharav Miara on Ben-Gvirs authority over the police in his role.

Leventhal wrote, Only 48 hours separated the dramatic hearings that took place this week within the walls of the Supreme Court: the hearing on the imposition of draconian sanctions and prison sentences on bnei yeshivos, and the hearing on petitions demanding the dismissal of Minister Itamar Ben Gvir. Between the two stood Yom HaShoah and a distance of light-years.

For many, the conscription hearing was reduced to a single quote about dismantling the Torah world, while the Ben Gvir hearing is remembered for a few sharp remarks by his lawyer.

But for anyone who listened closely to both proceedings, the contrast was stark. Despite criticism that the Supreme Court has assumed powers never formally granted to it, even a few minutes of the Ben Gvir hearing made clear the gravity with which the judges approached the issue. It was evident that any decision to remove a sitting minister could trigger a civil war.

The judges questions to the petitioners and to representatives of the Attorney General, who support their position, were sharp and uncompromising. The government was represented by a senior attorney, and Ben Gvirs lawyer, David Peter, at times turned the courtroom into something resembling a stage. The sense of gravity of the potential outcome was palpable throughout the lengthy session.

This sense of weight extended beyond the courtroom. Many coalition members issued unequivocal statements supporting Ben Gvir, and several Knesset members made efforts to enter the courtroom despite restrictions.

Every judge appeared aware that they were playing with fire in the hearing. The words constitutional crisis seemed to hang over the proceedings.

In contrast, the hearing on sanctions against bnei yeshivos was conducted in a markedly different atmosphere. The government was represented only by the Attorney General, who of course supports imposing strict sanctions, including criminal indictments and prison sentences.

No Knesset members appeared in court, and no significant effort was made to provide a proper representation of the Olam HaTorah. The only righteous man in Sodom was Cabinet Secretary attorney Yossi Fuchs, who insisted on submitting an independent response to the Supreme Court despite not being a party to the proceedings. He also appeared at the hearing and confronted the judges with clear statements. He clarified to them that they were conducting a hearing with only one side present, since the position of the Attorney General contradicts that of the government. Above all, he stated the obvious: bnei yeshivos are not criminals, and the Chareidim are the most law-abiding public in Israel. Those who brought them to this situation are those who decided to cancel the status of Toraso Umanuso (the judges themselves).

No sense of reverence was visible on the faces of the judges during the hearing. The wicked men in robes did not hesitate to press the representative of the Attorney General to examine additional and faster ways to impose sanctions on those who engage in limmud haTorah day and night, by whose merit the world exists.

In fact, Justice Sohlberg, who wrote the original wicked ruling in the case, made it starkly clear that he is entirely incapable of understanding the Chareidi side. He declared that he sees no need to balance between different interests and considerations when addressing the conscription of the elite of Am Yisrael and cutting off the transmission of the Torah from generation to generation. Relying on distorted and partial quotations, while ignoring a vast body of literature and the positions of Gedolei HaDoros, he determined that Judaism itself requires that all bnei yeshivos be drafted into the secular army.

It was enough to read three paragraphs of his ruling from four months ago to understand that this kippah-wearing Jew is light years removed from the Olam HaTorah, and that his heart is apathetic to the suffering of Chareidim.

In this story of preserving the Olam HaTorah, we are entirely alone in the arena. Almost everyone has joined forces against us. We have reached a situation in which former MK Gadi Eisenkot allows himself to write and say that he will draft all the Chareidim, but out of appreciation for the value of limmud Torah, he generously agrees to leave a symbolic representation of 3 percent of the yeshiva world who will be allowed to continue learning Torah.

But we all know how this story will end. It has never been only one who stood against us to destroy us; they have always been many, not one. The Torah world is surrounded by seventy wolves seeking prey, driven mad by jealousy and fueled by burning hatred.

And Hakadosh Baruch Hu saved us from their hands. Titus tried and failed, Sancheiriv planned and fell, Mendelssohn and Herzl schemed and disappeared, Ben-Gurion tried to uproot Judaism and was forgotten, and they toofrom Lapid to Sohlbergwill pass from the world, and Am Yisrael will continue to flourish.

But one thing must be remembered. This is not a cliche or just a saying. Truly, we have no one to rely on but Avinu SheBShamayim.

(YWN Israel DeskJerusalem)
A senior Iranian official threatened to destroy American naval vessels patrolling the Strait of Hormuz and claimed a U.S. ground invasion would benefit Iran by producing billions of dollars in hostage revenue.

Mohsen Rezaee, a former commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and current senior adviser to Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, made the statements on Iranian state television.

These ships of yours will be sunk by our first missiles, Rezaee said, addressing Trump directly. They can definitely be exposed to our missiles and we can destroy them.

Rezaee pushed back against assessments that Irans navy has been severely degraded, questioning why the U.S. has not attempted to cross the strait. He asserted that Iran would not relinquish control of the waterway until its demands are met, and declared that Tehran  not Washington  is setting the terms of any future agreement.

On the prospect of a U.S. ground invasion, Rezaee went further, claiming Iran would welcome it. We would take thousands of hostages, he said, and for each hostage we would get a billion dollars. He also said he opposed extending the current ceasefire.

The statements came as the Pentagon dispatched more than 10,000 additional troops to the Middle East, according to the Washington Post. Approximately 6,000 are aboard the USS George H.W. Bush carrier strike group, with around 4,200 more expected to arrive by the end of the month. The carrier will join the USS Abraham Lincoln and USS Gerald Ford, both already operating in the region.

Last month, the U.S. was reported to be weighing ground deployment options that could include securing the Strait of Hormuz, Kharg Island, or safeguarding Irans stockpile of highly enriched uranium.

Despite the escalatory rhetoric, diplomatic activity continues. A second round of peace talks is reportedly being arranged in Pakistan, following a first round last weekend that included 21 hours of negotiations but ended without an agreement. The White House said the administration remains optimistic about reaching a deal.

Trump said Wednesday the war is very close to being over.

(YWN World Headquarters  NYC)
There have been many articles written about the fierce opposition of Dati Leumi Rabbanim to the integration of female soldiers into tank units, but less focus has been placed on the fact that many military officials are also opposed to it for operational and security reasons.

Nonetheless, Israels Supreme Court intervened in the matter this week, and, ignoring security considerations, issued a ruling forcing the IDF to integrate female combat soldiers into tank units as early as this coming November.

In the unanimous ruling, the justices stated that the IDF has a legal obligation to ensure equal opportunities between men and women in combat role assignments. They ruled that the starting point is full equality and that the burden of proof of proving that women cannot serve in a particular role lies with the army.

In addition to the Courts demand imposing operational difficulties on the IDF at a time of war, it also penalized public funds, ordering the state to pay 40,000 shekels in legal expenses to the petitioners.

Following the ruling, Likud MK Tally Gotliv stated, The Supreme Court is destroying the army! Destroying it! The Court specializes in cheap populism, relying on the publics lack of knowledge of existing law. A law was already passed in the 1950s mandating full equality between men and women, and clarifying that the law applies to security roles unless the nature of the role prevents it. Balanced, right? Correct.

There are female pilots, female combat soldiers, females everywhereand the army is making efforts to adapt combat roles for women. Yet the Supreme Court ruling, celebrated by the unhinged progressives, was written as if it invented the wheel, babbling that the burden lies on the army to prove that women cannot be integrated into a role. They must be bored at the Supreme Courtthere is no other explanation for this absurd and unnecessary ruling.

Col. (res.) Prof. Gabi Siboni said: Maybe we should put them on the Olympic Committee as well, and let them decide that the Olympics must demonstrate equality without separation? We should do everything to maximize potential, not to force equality, because in the end, we are dealing with different sexes.

Noam chairman Avi Maoz said: When the IDF Chief of Staff orders the removal of a video supporting reservists wives on the home front, he shows that hes subject to radical feminist agendasand that invites rulings like this from Supreme Court justices, who are willing to harm security and the health of female soldiers for those delusional agendas. Defense Minister Katz and Prime Minister Netanyahuthis is happening on your watch. Dont hide behind the Supreme Court.

(YWN Israel DeskJerusalem)
President Donald Trump announced Thursday that Israel and Lebanon will enter a 10-day ceasefire beginning at 5 p.m. Eastern Time (midnight local time), following high-level negotiations between the two governments mediated by the United States. Additionally, Trump announced that Israeli PM Netanyahu and Lebanese PM Joseph Aoun are being invited to the White House for talks aimed at normalizing relations between the longtime adversaries.

The announcement caps a rapid diplomatic push by the White House that included direct calls between Trump and the leaders of both countries.

The terms of the pause in fighting, including enforcement mechanisms and conditions for extension, were not immediately released. It was also unclear whether the agreement covers Hezbollah operations in southern Lebanon or applies solely to state actors.

(YWN World Headquarters  NYC)
About 75% of corporate boards still lack real AI expertise. Without a framework, small businesses are at a disadvantage. These five questions are a practical place to start.

Whats happening: INSEAD Corporate Governance Centre and KPMG International have jointly released a global set of AI Governance Principles for Boards, built around five areas: strategy, security, workforce, trustworthy AI, and how AI changes leadership itself.

Why this matters: The same five principles designed for boardrooms map almost exactly onto decisions small business owners are already making daily.

Two of the worlds most credible business institutions sat down together and wrote a framework for how organisations should govern artificial intelligence. The result, released this week, was aimed squarely at corporate boards.

But read it carefully and something becomes clear: every question it raises for a director with a fiduciary duty applies just as directly to a business owner with five staff and a ChatGPT subscription.

On 14 April, INSEAD Corporate Governance Centre and KPMG International published their AI Governance Principles for Boards, a five-part framework drawing on the perspectives of board directors worldwide. Its stated goal is to help leaders oversee AI responsibly across strategy, security, workforce management, trust, and how AI changes decision-making itself.

The reports opening finding sets the tone. According to the KPMG Global AI Pulse Survey, nearly three quarters of boards are perceived to have only moderate or limited AI expertise. In other words, even the people nominally in charge of major organisations are still working out how to handle AI responsibly.

Even big business is still guessing

That finding matters because it reframes the conversation for smaller operators. The assumption has often been that governance is something large businesses do and small ones get to skip. The INSEAD and KPMG framework pushes back on that directly, describing the principles as adaptable across industries and jurisdictions, with governance challenges that are increasingly shared regardless of company size.

In a period of rapid AI acceleration, the boards strategic role is becoming more consequential than ever, said Steve Chase, Global Head of AI and Digital Innovation at KPMG International. Strong governance provides the confidence organisations need to invest, scale, and execute AI across markets at speed. Trust in AI, and in the governance behind it, is what turns ambition into durable value.

For a small business, that translates plainly: if you cannot explain how you are using AI, or what happens when it goes wrong, you are carrying risk you probably have not priced in.

The Australian data bears this out. A Deloitte Access Economics report published in November 2025, surveying more than 1,000 Australian SMBs, found that while two thirds of SMBs are using AI, just 5% are fully enabled to realise its potential benefits. A fully AI-enabled business was defined as one with an AI strategy embedded in core processes, staff training in place, and a centralised data system. Separately, Pitcher Partners Business Radar 2025 report found that 72% of Australian businesses are actively engaging with AI, while only 13% have made it a true strategic priority with dedicated budgets and scaling plans.

Using AI and governing AI are two very different things. The gap between them is where risk quietly accumulates.

The five questions

The INSEAD and KPMG framework covers five principles. Each one translates into a direct question for any business owner.

Do you know why you are using each AI tool, and what it is actually doing?

The first principle covers strategic oversight. For a small business, this means being deliberate rather than reactive. The most common mistake, according to advisers working with SMEs on AI investment, is buying based on hype rather than business need. A sounder approach starts with identifying a genuine operational problem, understanding what it currently costs in time or revenue, and then assessing whether a specific AI tool can measurably improve the outcome, while meeting basic requirements around data, compliance, and accountability.

Do you know what data your AI tools are touching, and who else can see it?

The second principle covers technology and security oversight, and it is where many small businesses are most exposed without knowing it. In early 2025, a contractor working for an Australian organisation uploaded personal information, including names, contact details, and health records, into an AI system. The result was a serious data spill classified as a notifiable data breach, according to the Australian Cyber Security Centre. The ACSC advises businesses of all sizes to establish a clear internal AI use policy and define what data cannot be uploaded into AI platforms. That is not a large-business problem. It is a problem for any business with staff and an AI subscription.

Are your staff trained to question AI outputs, not just accept them?

The third principle addresses workforce transformation and the preservation of human judgement. The INSEAD and KPMG framework is explicit that productivity gains from AI must be balanced against keeping people genuinely in the loop. Also in 2025, a lawyer used AI to prepare a court document that included fabricated legal cases. Those cases were submitted without verification, the error was discovered, and the lawyer was subsequently barred from practice, according to the Australian Cyber Security Centre. This is not an argument against AI. It is an argument for making sure your team understands that AI outputs require human checks, particularly for anything consequential.

Does the way you use AI reflect how you want your business to be seen?

The fourth principle is about building trustworthy AI that aligns with a businesss values and its obligations to customers. For a small business, this is less abstract than it sounds. It comes down to whether your customers would be comfortable knowing how their data is used, whether your AI tools treat people fairly, and whether you could explain your decisions if asked. Research cited in a Dynamic Business report in November 2024, drawing on data from compliance firm Vanta, found that only 54% of Australian businesses have a formal AI policy, which is 11 percentage points lower than in the UK. Not having a policy is itself a position, and not a defensible one as regulatory scrutiny increases.

Are you keeping yourself genuinely informed, or just delegating all of it to the tool?

The fifth principle examines how AI changes the work of leaders themselves. For a board, this means directors can no longer treat AI as purely a technical matter. For a business owner, it means exactly the same thing. Research from TrendAI, published in March 2026 and drawing on a survey of 3,700 business and IT decision-makers across 23 countries, found that 67% had felt pressured to approve AI despite known security concerns. Almost one in five Australian respondents described those concerns as extreme but said they had been overridden to keep pace with competitors. Staying informed is not about becoming a technology expert. It is about asking enough of the right questions to make decisions you can stand behind.

When something goes wrong

The INSEAD and KPMG report frames accountability as a central priority, not a compliance detail. That framing matters because it shifts the question from are we covered? to are we responsible?

For Australian SMEs, the regulatory environment is also tightening. Privacy law changes passed in December 2024 and the Australian Governments National AI Plan, released in December 2025, both signal that regulators intend to ask not just whether organisations use AI, but how they govern it. The National AI Plan also consolidated SME support within the National AI Centre and framed responsible governance as part of Australias broader economic strategy.

Annet Aris, Senior Affiliate Professor of Strategy and Academic Director of INSEAD Corporate Governance Centre, described the framework as suitable for organisations regardless of their level of AI maturity. That phrase is doing important work. It means there is no minimum size requirement for responsible AI use.

The practical questions small business owners face when evaluating AI tools are governance questions, whether or not they are labelled that way. Who is accountable when something goes wrong? What data are we using and why? Are we checking the outputs? Can we explain our decisions to a customer or a regulator if asked?

Link to report: https://www.insead.edu/system/files/2026-04/ai-principles-for-boards-report-2026.pdf

Keep up to date with our stories on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
The Israeli Navy disclosed Thursday that Shayetet 13 commandos invaded Naqoura from the sea two days ago, marking the first seaborne special forces operation inside Lebanon since 2000 and revealing expanded joint activity with the Mossad and Shin Bet since the October 7 massacre.

The Navy said the Naqoura raid reflects a new posture of forward-leaning defense adopted across the IDF after October 7. For ground forces, that shift has produced buffer zones in Gaza, Lebanon, and Syria. For the Navy, it has meant more aggressive special forces operations behind enemy lines.

Without specifying dates or locations, the Navy said it had dispatched five Shayetet 13 soldiers on a mission thousands of kilometers from Israel with no support and no immediate rescue plan in the event of complications. In a separate operation, Shayetet 13 deployed to a region where it had never previously operated.

Joint operations with the Mossad have reached unprecedented levels, the Navy said. Naval intelligence was directly involved in the killing of Iranian Naval Chief Alireza Tangsiri and helped the Israeli Air Force strike key Iranian naval cruise missiles and sites connected to submarines and other underwater threats.

The Navy also disclosed, for the first time, its role in the March 8 strike on the Ramada Hotel in Beirut that killed five senior Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Quds Force officials serving as liaisons with Hezbollah. The Navy fired 14 missiles in the attack. The targets included top commanders in Quds Force-Hezbollah intelligence and terror financing, as well as officials with links to Palestinian terror groups in Lebanon. According to the IDF, the terror financing official was the key figure in transferring $770 million from Iran to Hezbollah over the past year.

The Mossad has long held lead responsibility for locating and assassinating senior Iranian officials inside Iran and Quds Force figures abroad. The Navys integration into that mission represents a recent expansion. IDF intelligence is also typically involved, and the Navy described its cooperation with the other agencies in recent years as unparalleled.

In Gaza, the Shin Bet has led planning for top-level Hamas assassinations, most of which have been carried out by the Air Force. On Thursday, the Navy revealed it had also participated in several of those operations.

On November 19, 2025, the Navy worked with Israeli intelligence to assassinate Hamas naval chief Abdullah Abu Samael after Hamas significantly violated the ceasefire. On March 16, the Shin Bet, the Navy, and IDF intelligence jointly killed Yunas Mahmoud Hasin Elian, a top Hamas naval commander the IDF said was substantially responsible for efforts to reconstitute a Hamas naval threat against Israel. On March 31, the Navy and other Israeli intelligence agencies assassinated Hezbollahs southern front commander, Hajj Yusuf Ismail Hashem.

(YWN World Headquarters  NYC)
President Donald Trump said Thursday that Iran has agreed not to possess nuclear weapons and will allow the United States to recover the nuclear dust buried at sites struck by American B-2 bombers earlier in the war.

Very important is that Iran does not have a nuclear weapon and theyve agreed to that. Irans agreed to that and theyve agreed to it very powerfully, Trump said. Theyve agreed to give us back the nuclear dust thats way underground because of the attack we made with the B-2 bombers.

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Asked whether a 20-year moratorium on Iran enriching uranium is acceptable, Trump replied: We have a statement, a very powerful statement, that they will not have  beyond 20 years  that they will NOT have nuclear weapons. Theres no 20-year limit.

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The comments came as the two-week US-Iran ceasefire is set to expire April 22 and as negotiators work toward a wider agreement. Asked whether he was considering extending the pause in fighting, Trump said he was not sure an extension would be needed.

Were doing very well. Maybe it will happen before that. Im not sure it needs to be extended. Iran wants to make a deal, he said.

Trump warned that combat would resume if no agreement is reached. If theres no deal, fighting resumes, he said.

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He described Tehran as newly willing to make concessions. Iran wants to make a deal, and were dealing very nicely with them. Weve got to have no nuclear weapons. Thats a big factor, and theyre willing to do things today that they werent willing to do two months ago, Trump said.

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Trump also addressed the US naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, which Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said earlier Thursday was being enforced with less than 10% of American naval power.

The blockade has been incredible, its held, theyre not doing any business, Trump said. Everything is gone, including their leaders. Now, they have a new set of leaders, and we find them very reasonable.

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The president said oil prices were running at roughly half of what had been anticipated since the conflict began.

On a separate track of Middle East diplomacy, Trump pointed to the ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon announced earlier Thursday as another diplomatic achievement. Theyre going to be having a ceasefire. I think that could be number 10 for me, he said.

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The US and Israel launched their bombing campaign against Iran on February 28 to destroy the Islamic Republics ballistic missile and nuclear programs. The current two-week ceasefire was announced by Trump on April 8. US officials, including Vice President JD Vance, special envoy Steve Witkoff, and presidential adviser Jared Kushner, met with an Iranian delegation in Islamabad under Pakistani mediation earlier this month, though Vance said at the time that the talks produced no agreement.

Iran has consistently denied seeking nuclear weapons but has enriched uranium to levels with no peaceful application and obstructed international inspectors from visiting its facilities.

(YWN World Headquarters  NYC)
By Rabbi Efrem Goldberg The stories emerging today are nothing short of startling. In a recent report, individuals described as screenmaxxers openly admit to spending virtually every waking hour on their phones: watching, scrolling, messaging, and consuming without pause. One person shared that they are doing at least three things at once on their device at all times, while another acknowledged having no plans to cut back despite recognizing the toll.

What once sounded extreme is quietly becoming normal. A life mediated almost entirely through a screen is no longer an outlier. It is a direction in which many find themselves and to which many are drifting.

Have you ever found yourself on your phone, endlessly watching, adding things to your cart, or scrolling without really thinking, knowing you should stop, but feeling like you simply cannot? It is that pull, that urgent need, that compulsion that keeps your fingers moving even when your mind is saying enough. You put your phone down for a moment, but somehow it is back in your hand before you know it. You tell yourself you will turn off the screen, step away, or stop, and yet the cycle keeps going. Are you making choices, or are things just happening to you? Is time passing in a way that leaves you feeling bad, ashamed, guilty, not proud of how you lived those hours? You want to stop. It is not who you want to be. And yet somehow, you cannot break out.

This is not laziness or a simple lack of willpower. It is something deeper, an impulse, a kind of invisible tether that grabs hold of our attention and refuses to let go, and chances are most of us feel it every single day of the week (except for one).

For a long time, we comforted ourselves with the belief that this was a problem of the young. Teenagers and college students were the ones we worried about. But recent reporting has made clear that this is not true. Baby boomers are among the biggest culprits, spending hours upon hours glued to their devices, caught in the same loops of scrolling, clicking, and consuming. This is not a generational issue. It is a human one.

Why is our generation especially vulnerable? In previous generations, addictions required effort. A person had to go somewhere to get their need, to obtain something, make a conscious decision. Today, our addictions live in our pocket. They are always with us, always accessible, always calling. Technology companies deliberately design products to be addictive, with endless scrolling, constant notifications, and variable rewards that functionand literally have chemical effects on our brainslike slot machines. They are competing for one thing, your attention, because attention is the most valuable resource in the world today.

In the beginning of our Parsha, the Torah says: This is the law of the Metzorah on the day of his purification and he shall be brought to the Kohen. Interestingly, when describing the purification of the Nazir, the Torah uses very similar language, but with an important difference. This is the law of the Nazir: On the day his abstinence is completed, he shall bring himself to the entrance of the Tent of Meeting. Rav Yeruchem Levovitz, the great Mashgiach of the Mir, asks, why the difference? Why with the Metzorah does it say He is brought to the Kohen and yet with the Nazir it says he brings himself?

Says Rav Yeruchem there is a fundamental difference between the Nazir and the Metzorah. A Nazir is in charge of himself and a Metzorah is subject to other forces that are in charge of him. The Nazir willingly took a vow and willingly subject himself to the process. The Metzorah is in front of the Kohen because he was brought there, compelled by powers and powerful temptations he could not withstand.

The question for us is simple and uncomfortable. Are we bringing ourselves to our choices, or are we being brought by our devices? When we feel, I wish I could stop but I cannot, that is the language of being carried. That is not freedom.

Every person must ask themselves honestly, what controls me? Is it my phone, my habits, my cravings? Breaking addiction requires more than willpower. It requires rebuilding a life of meaning. Real freedom begins with awareness, with recognizing what controls us clearly and honestly. It continues with removing triggers, with being willing to change our environment and create boundaries that protect us. And it hinges on replacing the dopamine, because we cannot simply remove without replacing. The urge to escape, to numb, to distract is real, but instead of feeding it with endless scrolling, we must redirect it toward reading, learning, connecting, and helping. We are not meant to simply avoid distraction. We are meant to lean into meaning.

That is why I want to invite you to something powerful.

Beginning Monday, April 20th, we will be hosting a 30-day technology WhatsApp challenge designed to help you reset your relationship with your phone and reclaim your attention. Each day you will receive a small, simple, actionable challenge that builds self-control, sharpens awareness of your habits, and gradually loosens the grip of technology on your life. This is a joint project of Guard Your Eyes and Semichas Chaver Program, built on the idea that small daily steps, taken consistently and together, can create real and lasting change, with weekly incentives and grand prizes to keep you motivated along the way.

By the end of 30 days, you will develop a healthier and more intentional relationship with technology. You will experience greater focus, greater confidence, and a stronger sense of kedusha that carries into your everyday life.

Join the challenge at KedushaChallenge.com/Shavuos and take the first step toward becoming truly free.

Are you a Rav, Rebbe, Rebbetzin, or community leader?

Sign up at kedushachallenge.com/ to run this game-changing program in your community.
The United States has imposed sanctions on Cartel del Noreste (CDN)-linked casinos and senior operatives who enable the cartels money laundering, drug trafficking, and human smuggling activities along key border corridors, including Nuevo Laredo. These actions target the financial and logistical networks that sustain one of Mexicos most violent criminal organizations, which the United States has designated as both a Foreign Terrorist Organization and a Specially Designated Global Terrorist.

The Treasury departments Office of Foreign Assets Control, or OFAC, designated Casino Centenario, a Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas-based casino. Operated by the entity Comercializadora y Arrendadora de Mexico, S.A. de C.V., or CAMSA, Casino Centenario is utilized by CDN as a stash house for fentanyl pills and cocaine, as well as a vehicle to launder illicit proceeds and integrate them into the legitimate financial system through its gaming operations. CDN also uses the backrooms of Casino Centenario to torture and intimidate alleged enemies of the cartel.

OFAC designated CAMSA in addition to another of its operations, Diamante Casino, which has a location in Tampico, Tamaulipas and a gambling website.

In an effort to disrupt Cartel del Noreste border operations, OFAC designated Eduardo Javier Islas Valdez (Islas), also known as Crosty, who is in charge of CDN human smuggling operations in Nuevo Laredo.

CDN has many high-profile associates that conceal their criminality behind the appearance of their public-facing, legitimate, and otherwise seemingly honorable professions.

Juan Pablo Penilla Rodriguez (Penilla) is such an individual. As a defense attorney, he provides illegal services to CDN members beyond the scope of a normal attorney-client relationship.

Jesus Reymundo Ramos Vazquez (Ramos), better known as Raymundo Ramos, is a CDN associate that leads the CDN disinformation campaign against Mexican authorities while posing as a human rights activist.

OFAC designated both Penilla and Ramos for their involvement with CDN.

By degrading CDNs revenue streams and safe havens, the United States is acting to protect lawful cross-border commerce, safeguard American border communities, and stop the trafficking of fentanyl and other illicit drugs killing Americans. The U.S. is also strengthening its work with Mexico to degrade and dismantle narco-terrorist organizations.

As President [Donald] Trump has made clear, Treasury will use all tools to protect our nation from violent cartels looking to reign terror on innocent Americans, said Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent. Treasury will continue to target the diverse revenue streams that cartels rely on to sustain their operations, which include trafficking fentanyl and illegal aliens into the United States.
Independent Ireland has rejected accusations that its TDs repeatedly shouted over female members of the Government after a complaint was sent to the Ceann Comhairle.

The Social Democrats wrote to Verona Murphy on Thursday to express their concern at shouting and the disorderly atmosphere in the Dail on Tuesday, when a confidence vote in the Government was held.

They raised concerns about a pattern of interruptions directed at women in particular, and disappointment in the behaviour of Independent Ireland TDs who contributed significantly to the disruption.

Independent Ireland said it was unfortunate that a member of the opposition has decided to attempt to distract from the real issues at hand and play the Governments game on this issue.

We will respond in full through the appropriate channels, it added.

In the letter sent to the Ceann Comhairle, TD for Dublin South-Central Jen Cummins said: In particular, I was troubled by the repeated instances of deputies shouting over one another, which created a disorderly and unproductive atmosphere.

Of greatest concern was the pattern of interruptions directed at women TDs, which undermines both respectful discourse and the principle of equal participation in parliamentary debate.

I was especially disappointed by the behaviour exhibited by members of Independent Ireland, whose actions contributed significantly to the disruption.

They repeatedly shouted over women TDs from the Government. The volume of their shouting meant the TD whose time it was could not be heard.

Such conduct detracts from the seriousness of the issues being discussed and sets a very poor example for public engagement in democratic processes.

This type of behaviour would not be tolerated in other workplaces and should absolutely not be tolerated in Dail Eireann.

The Dail should represent the highest standards of respectful debate, where all elected representatives are afforded the opportunity to speak and be heard without intimidation or interruption.

When these standards are not upheld, it risks eroding the health of our democracy.

I respectfully urge you to take appropriate measures to reinforce standards of conduct within the chamber and to ensure that all deputies, regardless of gender or political affiliation, are treated with the respect they deserve.

I am also sending this letter to the Committee on Parliamentary Privileges and Oversight.

At the beginning of the debate on the motion of confidence, Ms Murphy said every TD who speaks is entitled to fair hearing.

Our constituents expect this debate will be conducted in a respectful manner and I ask that all members co-operate.

Civility is not a weakness, but it is mandatory.
The Labour Party has called for an investigation to be opened into Jeffrey Epsteins Irish connections.

In a statement, Labour leader Ivana Bacik said she had met with Epstein survivor Lisa Phillips in London on Thursday.

Ms Bacik called on Micheal Martin to open an investigation into the paedophile financiers multiple trips to Ireland.

It beggars belief that the Taoiseach has been so slow to take action to investigate any Irish links that may be contained in the Epstein files, she added.

The Epstein files consist of millions of pages of documents released by the US Department of Justice, with the most recent tranche made public in late January.

Ms Bacik said Labours foreign affairs spokesperson Duncan Smith wrote to Mr Martin requesting an investigation in February, but we have seen no action coming from this Government.

A Government spokesperson said the revelations and allegations contained in the Epstein files are shocking and disturbing; in both the nature, and extent of the abuse outlined.

They added: Our thoughts go out to anyone who suffered at the hands of Jeffrey Epstein or any of his associates.

The spokesperson urged anyone with any information about allegations in the Epstein files to contact gardai.

They added: Any complaint, or evidence, of sexual abuse or human trafficking involving any Irish citizen will be treated with the utmost seriousness by An Garda Siochana, and Government is willing to assist gardai in the event of any investigation.

Should any information come to light, or a complaint be made, it will be investigated with the full rigour of the law.
Thanks to the MOST AWESOME TKC INSIDERS . . . We start with the big picture . . .

INSIDERS FEAR THAT ROYALS STADIUM AT WASHINGTON SQUARE PARK WILL AVOID ANY ACCOUNTABILITY BY WAY OF PORT KC DECEPTION!!!

In this EPIC note. . . Our blog community steps up to reveal that this EXCEPTIONALLY CONTROVERSIAL project doesn't really have to answer to anybody . . . Check-it:

Port KC Could Be The Shadow Entity Quietly Building The New Royals Stadium  Because Why Let The Public See Whats Really Going On?

Kansas City, get ready for the latest chapter in the never-ending saga of Mayor Lucass latest chapter titled how do we give the rich people whatever they want without even trying.



Just days after Mayor Quinton Lucas dropped that ordinance pushing a downtown ballpark at Washington Square Park with $600 million in city bonds, the real player seems to be emerging: Port KC.



Multiple sources are leaking that Port KC is being lined up to assemble a big chunk of that $600 million (or more) in financing, incentives, land deals, and whatever else the Royals need to make this $1.9 billion downtown dream a reality. Ground lease? Tax abatements? Special districts? Port KCs got the toolkit and you wont know about it.



And heres why this is the perfect vehicle for the powers-that-be:



1. MBE/WBE?!? We dont need your grifting quotas!



The city has its own strict Minority/Women Business Enterprise rules that developers love to complain about. Port KC acts like theyve got their own M/WBE policy with different goals, different waiver processes, and way more flexibility. Developers who want to agency shop for the path of least resistance already know this. Why jump through Kansas City hoops when Port KC can issue the incentives and set its own (looser) participation targets?



2. Contracts and Negotiations Stay Hidden From Open Records Law



PortKC operates with its own procurement rules and financing authority. It doesnt play by the same transparency rules as regular city departments. Negotiations with the Royals, lease terms, side deals, and the full scope of public money flowing through can stay behind closed doors longer  or at least out of easy public view. No messy open records requests blowing up the timeline before the ink is dry. Even if anyone asked for these records, they wont get them until the groundbreaking.



3. Absolutely NOTHING Has To Be Competitively Bid



Forget RFPs, low-bid requirements, or any pretense of open competition. Port KC can move fast with direct negotiations, conduit bonds, special taxing districts, and whatever creative financing they dream up. No public bidding process slowing things down. No competing contractors getting a shot. Just quiet handshakes and trust us, its for economic development.



This is the same Port KC weve seen flex its muscles on other big projects  the one TKC warned you about back in 2024 when that sketchy Port KC financing angle first surfaced as the workaround for voter hostility to stadium taxes. Now its 2026 and the playbook hasnt changed; its just gotten more sophisticated.

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Details added: first version posted on 13:14

ZANGILAN, Azerbaijan, April 16. Participants of the 24th meeting of the Azerbaijan-Russia Intergovernmental Commission visited Zangilan city and were provided with detailed information about the large-scale restoration and reconstruction work being carried out there, Trend's Karabakh bureau reports.

They were informed about the ongoing implementation of infrastructure projects in the liberated territories based on modern urban planning principles and the construction of residential and administrative buildings.

During the visit, the commission members got acquainted with the future development prospects of Zangilan and highly appreciated the importance of the projects being implemented in the region

xxx

13:14

The participants of the 24th meeting of the Azerbaijan-Russia Intergovernmental Commission on Economic Cooperation Issues visited the Zangilan district today, Trend's Karabakh bureau reports.

At Zangilan International Airport, the guests were welcomed by employees of the Special Representation of the President of Azerbaijan in the Jabrayil, Gubadli, and Zangilan districts, which are part of the East Zangezur economic region.

The meeting participants first got acquainted with Aghali village in the Zangilan district.

Meanwhile, the first example of a smart village model was implemented in Aghali. This settlement was built from the ground up using innovative and energy-efficient solutions.

To ensure the villages energy supply, three hydro turbines, each with a capacity of 212 kW, have been installed on the Hakari River. Solar panels with a capacity of 325 kW are installed on the roofs of administrative buildings. The homes feature combined heating systems, solar collectors, and energy-efficient equipment. Special insulation materials minimize heat loss. Biological wastewater treatment allows for the reuse of 41,000 cubic meters of industrial water per year.

The village of Aghali boasts high-speed GPON internet access. The villages digital infrastructure is complemented by smart surveillance cameras, information displays, public address systems, Wi-Fi hotspots, and multifunctional streetlights equipped with automatic weather stations.

The 24th meeting of the Intergovernmental State Commission will be co-chaired by Azerbaijans Deputy Prime Minister Shahin Mustafayev and Russias Deputy Prime Minister Alexei Overchuk. Representatives from the relevant ministries and agencies of both countries will attend the meeting.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 16. A meeting was held between Azerbaijans Minister of Energy, Parviz Shahbazov, and bps Regional President for Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Turkiye, Giovanni Cristofoli, to discuss ongoing projects and future cooperation, the Ministry of Energy told Trend.

The sides reviewed the current status of oil, gas, and renewable energy projects implemented within the framework of a strategic partnership with bp, as well as prospects for further collaboration. In this context, discussions focused on maintaining stable production at the Azeri-Chirag-Gunashli (ACG) field, the application of new technologies, and efforts to enhance operational efficiency.

Updates were also provided on activities at the Shah Deniz field, the development of the Shah Deniz Compression project, and progress in obtaining first gas under the project for processing associated natural gas from ACG. The parties also assessed prospects related to the development of the Shafag-Asiman and Karabakh fields, noting their importance in boosting the countrys gas export potential.

In addition, the meeting covered efforts to electrify oil and gas platforms and the Sangachal terminal, as well as progress toward commissioning the Shafag Solar Power Plant in 2027.

The sides emphasized the importance of energy security amid current developments in global energy markets, highlighting the need to diversify energy sources, routes, and supply. It was noted that while renewable energy is rapidly developing, hydrocarbons continue to hold a significant share in global energy consumption and will remain important in the future. Azerbaijans consistent policy of diversification across oil, gas, electricity, and renewable energy sectors was also underscored.

The importance of continuing joint efforts to expand mutually beneficial cooperation, strengthen regional energy security, and further reinforce Azerbaijans role as an international energy hub was highlighted during the meeting.

bp, which has been operating in Azerbaijan for 30 years, is the countrys largest foreign investor and serves as the operator of the Azeri-Chirag-Gunashli oil field and the Shah Deniz gas field.

We have built excellent partnerships with the government, SOCAR, and other partners in Azerbaijan. With 30 years of successful operations in the Caspian region, we are a leading operator capable of delivering these world-class projects safely, reliably, and efficiently.

We will continue to invest in projects that meet international energy standards and bring advanced technologies and expertise to the Caspian region.

We will rely on this unique experience and knowledge to successfully implement new projects in the basin, including the next phase of ACG development under the extended agreement, the Azeri Central East project, Shafag-Asiman, and other potential initiatives, the company said.

15:08

Azerbaijan and bp discussed the development of oil and gas production capacity, Azerbaijans Minister of Energy Parviz Shahbazov wrote on his X account, Trend reports.

During the meeting with Giovanni Cristofoli, bps regional president for Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Turkiye, we discussed the cooperation priorities, including the development of oil and gas production potential, electrification, and the solar power plant scheduled to be commissioned in 2027, the publication reads.

bp has been operating in Azerbaijan for 30 years and is the largest foreign investor in the country. Currently, bp operates one of the worlds largest oil fieldsAzeri-Chirag-Gunashliand the equally large Shah Deniz gas field.

We have built excellent partnerships with the Government of Azerbaijan, SOCAR, and other partners. With 30 years of successful experience in the Caspian region, we are a leading operator capable of safely, reliably, and efficiently delivering world-class projects.

We will continue to invest in projects that meet international energy standards and bring the most sophisticated and advanced technologies and expertise in the industry to the Caspian region.

We will use this unique experience and knowledge to successfully implement new projects in this basinthe further development of the ACG field (under the new expanded agreement), SWDS, Shafag-Asiman, and other potential projects, the statement of bp says.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 16. A parliamentary delegation led by Speaker of the Azerbaijani Parliament, Sahiba Gafarova, currently on a working visit to Turkiye's Istanbul, has taken part in the opening ceremony of the 152nd Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), the parliamentary press service told Trend.

The event featured speeches by Speaker of the Grand National Assembly of Turkiye (GNAT) Numan Kurtulmus, IPU President Tulia Ackson, IPU Secretary General Martin Chungong, and United Nations Resident Coordinator Babatunde Ahonsi, who highlighted the relevance of the discussions and wished success to the assembly.
ZANGILAN, Azerbaijan, April 16. Participants of the 24th meeting of the Azerbaijan-Russia Intergovernmental Commission visited Zangilan city and were provided with detailed information about the large-scale restoration and reconstruction work being carried out there, Trend's Karabakh bureau reports.

They were informed about the ongoing implementation of infrastructure projects in the liberated territories based on modern urban planning principles and the construction of residential and administrative buildings.

During the visit, the commission members got acquainted with the future development prospects of Zangilan and highly appreciated the importance of the projects being implemented in the region

xxx

13:14

The participants of the 24th meeting of the Azerbaijan-Russia Intergovernmental Commission on Economic Cooperation Issues visited the Zangilan district today, Trend's Karabakh bureau reports.

At Zangilan International Airport, the guests were welcomed by employees of the Special Representation of the President of Azerbaijan in the Jabrayil, Gubadli, and Zangilan districts, which are part of the East Zangezur economic region.

The meeting participants first got acquainted with Aghali village in the Zangilan district.

Meanwhile, the first example of a smart village model was implemented in Aghali. This settlement was built from the ground up using innovative and energy-efficient solutions.

To ensure the villages energy supply, three hydro turbines, each with a capacity of 212 kW, have been installed on the Hakari River. Solar panels with a capacity of 325 kW are installed on the roofs of administrative buildings. The homes feature combined heating systems, solar collectors, and energy-efficient equipment. Special insulation materials minimize heat loss. Biological wastewater treatment allows for the reuse of 41,000 cubic meters of industrial water per year.

The village of Aghali boasts high-speed GPON internet access. The villages digital infrastructure is complemented by smart surveillance cameras, information displays, public address systems, Wi-Fi hotspots, and multifunctional streetlights equipped with automatic weather stations.

The 24th meeting of the Intergovernmental State Commission will be co-chaired by Azerbaijans Deputy Prime Minister Shahin Mustafayev and Russias Deputy Prime Minister Alexei Overchuk. Representatives from the relevant ministries and agencies of both countries will attend the meeting.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 16. A Memorandum of Understanding has been signed between the Parliament of Azerbaijan and the House of Councillors of the Moroccan Parliament, a source in the Azerbaijani parliament told Trend.

The document was signed within the framework of the working visit of the Azerbaijani Parliament Speaker Sahiba Gafarova to Istanbul, Turkiye.

The signing was preceded by the meeting between Gafarova and the President of the House of Councillors, Mohamed Ould Errachid.

The meeting highly appreciated the level of existing relations between Azerbaijan and Morocco, and expressed satisfaction with the development of political dialogue, mutual support, and solidarity within international organizations.

Furthermore, the meeting noted that inter-parliamentary relations are an important tool in the development of bilateral relations. In this regard, the importance of expanding contacts between parliamentary committees and friendship groups was highlighted.

The parties also emphasized the role of platforms such as the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) and the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) Parliamentary Network in terms of inter-parliamentary cooperation, and noted the importance of strengthening mutual activity and coordination within this framework.

Gafarova highly appreciated Errachid's participation and speech at the 5th Conference of the NAM Parliamentary Network.

She added that the memorandum of understanding will allow for the expansion of inter-parliamentary institutional cooperation, including strengthening ties between committees and friendship groups, and more effective coordination of activities on international platforms.

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ZANGILAN, Azerbaijan, April 16. The 24th meeting of the Azerbaijan-Russia Intergovernmental Commission was held today in Zangilan, followed by the signing of a protocol on its outcomes, Trend's Karabakh bureau reports.

The meeting was attended by Azerbaijans Deputy Prime Minister Shahin Mustafayev and Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation Alexey Overchuk.

The sides discussed various areas of economic cooperation, including the expansion of trade relations, enhancement of investment opportunities, development of joint projects in transport and logistics, and strengthening collaboration in the energy sector.

The protocol signed at the conclusion of the meeting is aimed at further deepening economic ties and reinforcing existing cooperation mechanisms between the two countries.

Such meetings were noted to serve as one of the key platforms ensuring the continuity of strategic economic dialogue between Azerbaijan and Russia.

14:42

The 24th meeting of the Azerbaijan-Russia Intergovernmental Commission is taking place today in Zangilan, Trend's Karabakh bureau reports.

The meeting is co-chaired by Azerbaijani Deputy Prime Minister Shahin Mustafayev and Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexei Overchuk. The event is attended by heads of relevant government agencies from both countries and authorized representatives.

The meeting will address issues related to expanding cooperation between Azerbaijan and Russia in bilateral and multilateral formats in the trade, economic, transport, investment, and cultural-humanitarian spheres.

The parties are also expected to review the implementation of agreements reached at previous meetings. The meeting is being held to exchange views on the prospects for regional cooperation and other issues of mutual interest.

The meeting in Zangilan is seen as the next important step in the development of Azerbaijani-Russian relations.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 16. Speaker of the Azerbaijani Parliament, Sahiba Gafarova, held a meeting with Chairperson of the Federation Council of the Russian Federal Assembly, Valentina Matviyenko, on April 16 in Istanbul, within the framework of the 152nd Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), the parliamentary press service told Trend.

Gafarova highlighted the importance of international platforms such as the IPU and the Non-Aligned Movement Parliamentary Network (NAM PN).

She noted that there is significant potential for further development of relations between the two countries and emphasized the important role of inter-parliamentary cooperation. Gafarova stressed that effective collaboration has already been established between the legislative bodies, with parliamentarians actively engaging in bilateral and multilateral formats, including within the Commonwealth of Independent States Parliamentary Assembly (CIS PA). She also underlined the importance of the Inter-Parliamentary Cooperation Commission between the Azerbaijani Parliament and the Russian Federal Assembly.

Valentina Matviyenko, in turn, referred to the joint statement by the foreign ministries of Russia and Azerbaijan regarding the December accident near Aktau on December 25, 2024, expressing condolences and stressing the importance of addressing its consequences. She also thanked Azerbaijan for assisting in the safe evacuation of Russian citizens from Iran amid recent conflict developments.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 16. Azerbaijani Member of Parliament and Vice President of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), Sevil Mikayilova, addressed the Bureau and Forum of Women Parliamentarians held as part of the 152nd IPU Assembly in Istanbul, Trend reports.

During her speech, Mikayilova highlighted the Committees work and objectives, reviewed the level of womens participation in the current IPU Assembly, and spoke about the state of gender balance in national parliaments worldwide.

She is currently participating in the 152nd IPU Assembly, which brings together parliamentary delegations from around the world.

Following the Assembly, participants are expected to adopt resolutions on urgent issues and on topics discussed within standing committees, including the role of parliaments in establishing effective post-conflict mechanisms, restoring just and sustainable peace, and promoting a fair global economic system. The Assembly will conclude with the adoption of a final document summarizing the plenary debates.
ZANGILAN, Azerbaijan, April 16. Azerbaijan's Aghband bridge is becoming a key link in regional logistics, Deputy Prime Minister Shahin Mustafayev told reporters, Trend's Karabakh bureau reports.

He said that the bridge is fully ready, and the construction of the border crossing point is expected to be completed soon.

According to him, the Iranian side is also preparing temporary transit infrastructure on its territory. Once the project is fully completed, connectivity between the Persian Gulf and the Black Sea will become more efficient.

Mustafayev also touched upon the issues under discussion. He noted that meetings held within the framework of economic cooperation between Azerbaijan and Russia are now increasingly being organized outside the capitals, in the regions. This creates additional opportunities for broader discussions of both general and regional issues between the parties:

The first meeting in this format was held in August last year in Astrakhan city during the 23rd session of the intergovernmental commission. This new approach is already becoming a positive tradition, and future sessions are also planned to be organized in the regions.

During this session, the current state of AzerbaijanRussia economic cooperation across all areas was analyzed, joint proposals were prepared, and relevant decisions were made. The protocol signed as a result of the meeting is considered an important document for future cooperation. Relations between the two countries are successfully developing based on the political will of the presidents. Trade and economic relations are particularly noteworthy. Thus, trade turnover has exceeded $4.9 billion, and in the first three months of the current year, this figure has surpassed $750 million. Additional steps are planned to further increase these figures in the future.

We expressed our gratitude to the Russian side for the projects it's implementing in the liberated territories. As you know, Russia has established a service center of the KamAZ company in the Araz Valley Economic Zone. At the same time, the Astrakhan region continues the construction of a kindergarten in Kahrizli village in the Gubadli district.

A broad economic potential between Azerbaijan and Russia was emphasized, and Russian companies were invited to cooperate in various sectors. Tomorrow, a meeting of the AzerbaijanRussia Business Council will be held in Baku, where presentations will be organized with the participation of business representatives.

One of the main areas of cooperation between the two countries is transport and logistics. Azerbaijan is located at the intersection of the NorthSouth and EastWest transport corridors, which increases the countrys strategic importance.

The Aghband bridge plays a special role in this regard. Through this bridge, it will be possible to transport cargo toward the Persian Gulf. At the same time, this route serves to strengthen AzerbaijanIranNakhchivanTurkiye connections, Mustafayev added.

The deputy prime minister underscored that, according to the agreement signed on December 21, 2024, regarding the NorthSouth transport corridor, it is planned to expand railway capabilities in Azerbaijan and to construct the RashtAstara railway line on the Iranian side.

This project will make it possible to establish a direct railway connection from Russia to the Persian Gulf.

Recent tensions in the region have once again demonstrated the importance of the NorthSouth corridor. At the initiative of the President of Azerbaijan, conditions have been created for the transit of cargo through the direction of Armenia. Within this framework, more than 26,000 tons of cargo have been transported so far, and this step has been highly appreciated, he pointed out.

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Photo: Press Service of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan

BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 16. President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has sent a letter of condolence to President of the Republic of Turkiye Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Trend reports.

"Dear Mr. President,

My dear Brother,

We were deeply shocked and saddened by the news of the loss of life and the injuries of many people, most of them children, as a result of an armed attack on a school in Kahramanmaras.

We are extremely outraged by this horrific incident and strongly condemn this act of cruelty directed against children.

In these difficult moments, I share your grief and, on my own behalf and on behalf of the people of Azerbaijan, extend my deepest condolences to you, the families and loved ones of those killed, and the brotherly people of Turkiye. I wish you patience and a speedy recovery to the injured.

May Allah rest their souls in peace!" the letter reads.
ZANGILAN, Azerbaijan, April 16. Rasht-Astara railway is an important logistics line, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexei Overchuk told reporters, Trend's Karabakh bureau reports.

According to him, Azerbaijan-Russia relations are very close and multifaceted. There are constant contacts at the level of heads of state, and specific tasks are carried out within the framework of the intergovernmental commission.

Our cooperation is truly comprehensive. The Azerbaijani side shows great interest in developing relations with Russia. At the meeting held in Zangilan, relevant institutions were instructed to analyze the trade structure and take steps to increase turnover.

This is important for creating new jobs in our countries and for joint development, Overchuk said.

The official highly praised the development of transport and logistics infrastructure in the region.

The road network has already been formed, and the railway line heading toward Armenia in the Meghri direction is also largely ready. We are at an international crossing point, and here we see a new bridge that is part of both the NorthSouth and EastWest transport corridors. Russia is interested in putting this infrastructure into operation as soon as possible, he noted.

Overchuk also said that the modern logistics infrastructure being created will enable more efficient cargo transportation in the future in the directions of Russia, Iran, Azerbaijan, Nakhchivan, and Turkiye.

This project will generate shared benefits for all our countries. The construction of the RashtAstara railway is of strategic importance for the formation of the International NorthSouth Transport Corridor. This project is an important logistics line connecting Iranian ports with Russian ports, including routes toward the Baltic Sea and Moscow.

We are currently in the process of constructing the missing section of the RashtAstara railway. This is a key element in shaping the International NorthSouth Transport Corridor. That's why we attach great importance to this project, Overchuk added.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 16. Speaker of the Milli Majlis Sahiba Gafarova delivered a speech at the meeting of the 152nd Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union, Trend reports, citing the Press and Public Relations Department of the Milli Majlis.

In her address, the Speaker of the Azerbaijani Parliament said that conflicts persist, tensions are rising, crises are deepening the world over and inequality continues intensifying in the current period of growing uncertainty. She said those tendencies pose a risk of undermining the foundations of peace and justice. Furthermore, Sahiba Gafarova emphasised, climate change is already a reality and requires urgent action. The Speaker of the Milli Majlis remarked then that the subject of the Assembly is both timely and highly relevant under these circumstances, which, she added, calls for collective and responsible action.

Bringing up the significant role of multilateralism to the backdrop of the existing shortfalls, Speaker Sahiba Gafarova said that the current situation necessitates respect for international law and assumption of more significant corresponding obligations. In her view, parliamentarians should promote peace, uphold justice and ensure that decisions taken reflect the interests of future generations. The Speaker of the Milli Majlis particularly mentioned the role of the Inter-Parliamentary Union in this regard. It was said that the Inter-Parliamentary Union plays a major role in making our voices heard more strongly in global governance. Demonstrating unwavering devotion to common ideals, the Inter-Parliamentary Union brings parliamentarians together for the achievement of the goals and aspirations that drive parliaments forward.

Continuing her speech, Sahiba Gafarova underlined and lauded highly the Assemblys attention to youth, which, she remarked, is as timely as it is urgent. Not only do young people benefit from politics but they are also active participants in change. The task of parliamentarians is to see to it that those voices are heard, the potential is realised and their participation is effective. She mentioned the outstanding significance of the United Nations Declaration on Future Generations adopted in 2024 in this connection. This document calls for the implementation of inclusive and forward-looking policies that serve sustainable development, she emphasised.

Going further, the Speaker of the Milli Majlis told the event participants about the successes of the youth policy being implemented in Azerbaijan. She specified the priority nature of this area in our country and mentioned the establishment by the Azerbaijani Parliament of a broad and targeted legislative and institutional framework including the Law On the Youth Policy, for one. Additionally, she mentioned the numerous state programmes carried out in our country successfully with the aim of backing the youth, amongst those having been the initiatives to facilitate education abroad, promote employment and strengthen youth participation in public administration. Initiatives such as the Yukslis (Ascension) Programme have been especially effective in motivating young people and expanding their rights and opportunities. Azerbaijan also promotes international youth co-operation energetically employing platforms such as the Youth Forum and the Volunteer Forum, strengthens solidarity and strives to contribute to solving global challenges.

With that, it was then said, Azerbaijan is contributing to the global youth agenda via the initiatives such as the Youth Organisation of the Non-Aligned Movement as well as such innovative platforms as the Let the Youth Speak, We Will Listen panel that the Nizami Ganjavi International Centre arranged on the sidelines of the Global Baku Forum. Milli Majlis Members are actively involved in international co-operation under the aegis of the Forum of Young Parliamentarians of the Inter-Parliamentary Union and under that of the Group of Young Parliamentarians of the Parliamentary Assembly of Turkic States.

The Speaker of the Milli Majlis expressed in her address her confidence that empowering youth means strengthening resilience, innovation and peace, and that this is the most essential legacy to be left to future generations. She remarked in this respect that the South Caucasus is entering a period of transformation. The progress achieved in the dialogue between Azerbaijan and Armenia demonstrates that even long-standing conflicts can be resolved through political will and respect for international law. In this same context, parliamentary diplomacy also plays an important role in building trust.

Speaker Sahiba Gafarova reiterated in conclusion the imperative that our efforts are to be guided by the principles of co-operation, dialogue and multilateralism. It is only by way of joint action that it is possible to build a more peaceful and just world.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 17. The leadership of the Ministry of Defense met with servicemen in the liberated territories, inquired about their welfare and provision, and reviewed the socio-living conditions established in the military unit, Trend reports, citing the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry.

It was reported to the Minister of Defense, Colonel General Zakir Hasanov, that all conditions meeting modern standards have been established within the military unit to ensure the high-level organization of service and combat activities of personnel, as well as to enhance the professionalism of servicemen.

The Minister of Defense noted the importance of properly fulfilling the duties assigned to the personnel and enhancing their knowledge and skills. He emphasized that the issues of improving the social and living conditions of military personnel are always in the spotlight of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Mr. Ilham Aliyev, and First Vice-President Mehriban Aliyeva.

In conclusion, the leadership watched the training exercise at military unit's training camp.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 17. The first informal meeting of Speakers of Parliament of the TURKPA Member-States has taken place within the frameworks of the 152nd Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union. Speaker of the Milli Majlis Sahiba Gafarova spoke at the meeting, Trend reports, citing the Press and Public Relations Department of the Milli Majlis.

The Speaker of the Azerbaijani Parliament said that the Milli Majlis, as always, will continue its consistent support for the sustainable development of TURKPA. She emphasised that our peoples and countries are closely bound by a common history, language and cultural and spiritual values. The co-operative links between our brotherly countries are developing successfully and dynamically both in bilateral and multilateral formats, according to her.

The Speaker of the Milli Majlis said that our relations, which are built on mutual support and dependable partnership as well as the unity and solidarity of our countries, grows increasingly strong in spite of the geopolitical tensions and threats emanating from the geographical space surrounding our brotherly countries. Such unity and solidarity ensure development and co-operation whilst also contributing significantly to peace and stability at the regional and global levels.

It was observed that Azerbaijan consistently carries out activities for the sake of closer integration of the Turkic World, the growth of its political and economic power as well as the enhancement of its international authority. The expansion and strengthening of the ties with the fraternal Turkic states represents one of the main priority areas in Azerbaijans foreign policy.

It is precisely in this sense, according to Speaker Sahiba Gafarova, that the first informal meeting of Heads of State of the Organisation of Turkic States took place in the cultural capital, the city of Shusha, in July 2024 upon the initiative of the President of Azerbaijan Mr Ilham Aliyev. The tradition was continued and the next informal summit meeting was held in Budapest in 2025.

Having said that the Milli Majlis supports the initiative to hold informal meetings of Speakers of Parliament of TURKPA Member-States within the framework of the Inter-Parliamentary Union Assemblies, Sahiba Gafarova added that these meetings provide for assessing our co-operation not only within TURKPA but also within other international organisations and structures, and for discussing issues of interest in a sincere atmosphere. It was remarked that our meetings in this format matter very much inasmuch as discussing issues on the agenda, protecting our common interests and co-ordinating future activities are concerned.

The meeting continued with speeches by Speakers of Parliament of the other Member-States of the Organisation and with discussions.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 16. Speaker of the Milli Majlis Sahiba Gafarova has met with Speaker of the Parliament of Georgia Shalva Papuashvili at the Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union Assembly taking place in Istanbul, Trend reports, citing the Press and Public Relations Department of the Milli Majlis.

During the meeting, Shalva Papuashvili presented Speaker of the Milli Majlis Sahiba Gafarova with the Parliamentary Medal of Honour of Georgia. It was said that the Speaker of the Azerbaijani Parliament had been awarded this supreme honour in consideration of her contribution to the progress of the inter-parliamentary ties and to the strengthening of the friendship between our peoples further. Besides, as was emphasised, Speaker of the Milli Majlis Sahiba Gafarova is the first parliamentary speaker to have been decorated with this medal.

It was then said as the conversation continued that such international events as the IPU Assembly create significant opportunities both for discussing issues of concern shared by the world community and current problems, and for reviewing co-operation between legislative bodies.

The parties stressed the important role of contacts between the Heads of State as well as mutual visits at the summit and high levels in the development of relations to high standards. The significance of President Ilham Aliyevs state visit to Georgia in April this year was underlined particularly in this context.

It was said contentedly in the course of the conversation that Inter-parliamentary co-operation is setting high standards, too, and it was further noted that the legislative bodies co-operate with success both bilaterally and within various international organisations. As was stressed, inter-parliamentary co-operation is one of the important directions of both bilateral and multilateral ties between Azerbaijan and Georgia, and mechanisms for effective interaction have been formed in this field.

Reciprocal visits by parliamentary Speakers and MPs have a beneficial effect on further deepening dialogue between the sides, it was said at the meeting. Sahiba Gafarova mentioned her own visit to Georgia in March.

Further, it was said that, alongside the friendship groups, there is also positive experience of co-operation between parliamentary committees. The mutual support and co-ordinated activity of Azerbaijani and Georgian MPs on international platforms were stressed in particular, besides.

The meeting also saw an exchange of views also took place on other matters of mutual interest.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 16. The Latvian Minister of Agriculture, Latvian co-chair of the Azerbaijan-Latvia Joint Intergovernmental Commission on Economic Cooperation, Armands Krauze, and his delegation visited Azerbaijan's Khankendi city today, a source in the Restoration, Construction and Management Service in Khankendi, Aghdara, and Khojaly districts, told Trend.

The Latvian minister, as well as employees of the Azerbaijani Ministry of Agriculture, the Ministry of Culture, and the Food Safety Agency, were welcomed by Gasim Ibrahimov, Advisor to the Special Representative of the President in Khankendi, Aghdara, and Khojaly districts.

The guests were informed that Khankendi, an ancient Azerbaijani land, had been occupied and destroyed for many years, that several years have passed since the liberation of all the occupied territories, and large-scale reconstruction work is underway.

Besides, the guests viewed the construction efforts, Zafar Park, Zafar Square, and Garabagh University. The minister stressed his confidence that Azerbaijan can use the best practices of Latvia and other partner countries in reconstruction and reconstruction work.
ZANGILAN, Azerbaijan, April 16. Cooperation between Azerbaijan and Russia in the field of transport and logistics is expanding, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexei Overchuk said, Trend reports.

He made the statement at the 24th meeting of the Azerbaijan-Russia Intergovernmental State Commission, held in Zangilan.

According to Overchuk, Azerbaijan and Russia are developing a strategic partnership to strengthen transport links across the Eurasian region. He noted that new international value chains are being formed, particularly within the framework of the North-South International Transport Corridor.

The Russian official emphasized that special attention is being paid to the development of the western section of the corridor and the implementation of previously reached agreements. According to him, the project allows for more efficient organization of trade and logistics flows in the region.

Overchuk also recalled the trilateral meeting held in Baku last year and noted that a review of the transport and logistics infrastructure at the Astara border crossing had been conducted with the Azerbaijani and Iranian sides. He stressed that the logistics center established in Astara as a result of Azerbaijani investments is already in active use.

The Russian side emphasized the importance of continuing work in this direction.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 16. Potential for cooperation with Azerbaijan in energy security and sustainable energy were discussed in Turkmenistan, the President of the State Oil Company of Azerbaijan (SOCAR) Rovshan Najaf wrote on his X page, Trend reports.

"I was pleased to take part in the scientific and practical conference on the topic "Turkmenistan - People's Republic of China: 20 years of strategic partnership in the gas sector", held in Ashgabat on April 16, 2026, at the invitation of the State Minister of Turkmenistan and Chairman of the State Concern "Turkmengas" Maksat Babayev. The conference featured an interesting exchange of views on the prospects for the development of the gas sector, energy security, and opportunities for cooperation in the area of sustainable energy," the publication notes.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 16. Business relations between Tajikistan and Austria are currently on the rise, particularly in the areas of hydropower, tourism, and health, a representative of the Federal Ministry for European and International Affairs of Austria (BMEIA) told Trend.

A representative of the ministry noted that relations between Austria and Tajikistan have continued to develop positively in recent years.

"The bilateral relations at both the political and economic levels are dynamic, with frequent personal meetings further intensifying efforts of cooperation. Austrian companies are providing plenty of expertise in these areas, especially in the modernisation of water turbines, winter tourism, and the modernisation of health care facilities," the BMEIA said.

Furthermore, the representative emphasized that, in the field of hydropower, Austrian companies are eager to expand their engagement in Tajikistan in an effort to unlock the full potential of the sector.

"Future business opportunities in Tajikistan for Austrian companies are diverse and include, for example, the modernization of infrastructure in sectors such as energy, winter tourism, and healthcare. The Joint Austrian - Tajik Economic Commission and more informal formats such as business round tables and economic missions are important instruments to efficiently advance business relations," the ministry concluded.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 16. In March of this year, Azerbaijan imported goods worth $960 from Armenia for the first time, Trend reports, citing the State Customs Committee.

In addition, from January through March of this year, Azerbaijan exported products worth $5.7 million to Armenia.

According to the information, this indicator constituted 0.11% of Azerbaijan's total exports.
TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, April 16. Uzbekistan and China discussed the expansion of trade, the strengthening of investment cooperation, and the development of transport and logistics partnerships, Trend reports via the Uzbek Ministry of Investment, Industry, and Trade.

The discussions took place during the 9th meeting of the UzbekistanChina Subcommittee on Trade and Economic Cooperation, co-chaired by Ilzat Kasimov, Deputy Minister of Investment, Industry, and Trade of Uzbekistan, and Ling Ji, Vice Minister of Commerce of the Peoples Republic of China.

The sides focused on further expanding rail transport connectivity and reinforcing Uzbekistans role as a key regional logistics hub. Special attention was also given to increasing the participation of Chinese financial institutions in joint projects, as well as introducing innovative solutions aimed at improving the business climate.

Meanwhile, bilateral trade between Uzbekistan and China reached $3.2 billion in January-February 2026, marking a 60-percent increase compared to $2.0 billion in the same period last year.
People walk past an AI-themed installation during the sixth China International Consumer Products Expo (CICPE) in Haikou, south China's Hainan Province, April 14, 2026. The ongoing sixth CICPE features groundbreaking innovations in artificial intelligence (AI). A wide range of new tech consumer products are showcased at the event, spanning multiple sectors including smart interaction, wearable devices, and smart healthcare. (Xinhua/Xin Yuewei)

Unmanned vehicles made by Chinese unmanned logistics vehicle developer Zelos are displayed during the sixth China International Consumer Products Expo (CICPE) in Haikou, south China's Hainan Province, April 14, 2026. The ongoing sixth CICPE features groundbreaking innovations in artificial intelligence (AI). A wide range of new tech consumer products are showcased at the event, spanning multiple sectors including smart interaction, wearable devices, and smart healthcare. (Xinhua/Xin Yuewei)

Smart products for pets are displayed during the sixth China International Consumer Products Expo (CICPE) in Haikou, south China's Hainan Province, April 14, 2026. The ongoing sixth CICPE features groundbreaking innovations in artificial intelligence (AI). A wide range of new tech consumer products are showcased at the event, spanning multiple sectors including smart interaction, wearable devices, and smart healthcare. (Xinhua/Xin Yuewei)

Visitors wear smart glasses during the sixth China International Consumer Products Expo (CICPE) in Haikou, south China's Hainan Province, April 13, 2026. The ongoing sixth CICPE features groundbreaking innovations in artificial intelligence (AI). A wide range of new tech consumer products are showcased at the event, spanning multiple sectors including smart interaction, wearable devices, and smart healthcare. (Xinhua/Zhang Liyun)

A visitor experiences an AI-powered exoskeleton during the sixth China International Consumer Products Expo (CICPE) in Haikou, south China's Hainan Province, April 14, 2026. The ongoing sixth CICPE features groundbreaking innovations in artificial intelligence (AI). A wide range of new tech consumer products are showcased at the event, spanning multiple sectors including smart interaction, wearable devices, and smart healthcare. (Xinhua/Guo Cheng)

A visitor experiences a massage robot during the sixth China International Consumer Products Expo (CICPE) in Haikou, south China's Hainan Province, April 14, 2026. The ongoing sixth CICPE features groundbreaking innovations in artificial intelligence (AI). A wide range of new tech consumer products are showcased at the event, spanning multiple sectors including smart interaction, wearable devices, and smart healthcare. (Xinhua/Guo Cheng)

AI-powered desktop companion robots are displayed during the sixth China International Consumer Products Expo (CICPE) in Haikou, south China's Hainan Province, April 14, 2026. The ongoing sixth CICPE features groundbreaking innovations in artificial intelligence (AI). A wide range of new tech consumer products are showcased at the event, spanning multiple sectors including smart interaction, wearable devices, and smart healthcare. (Xinhua/Guo Cheng)

A staff member of iFLYTEK (R) adjusts a pair of AI glasses for a visitor during the sixth China International Consumer Products Expo (CICPE) in Haikou, south China's Hainan Province, April 14, 2026. The ongoing sixth CICPE features groundbreaking innovations in artificial intelligence (AI). A wide range of new tech consumer products are showcased at the event, spanning multiple sectors including smart interaction, wearable devices, and smart healthcare. (Xinhua/Xin Yuewei)

Visitors interact with a Unitree Robotics' humanoid robot during the sixth China International Consumer Products Expo (CICPE) in Haikou, south China's Hainan Province, April 14, 2026. The ongoing sixth CICPE features groundbreaking innovations in artificial intelligence (AI). A wide range of new tech consumer products are showcased at the event, spanning multiple sectors including smart interaction, wearable devices, and smart healthcare. (Xinhua/Xin Yuewei)

A visitor takes photos of Unitree Robotics' robots during the sixth China International Consumer Products Expo (CICPE) in Haikou, south China's Hainan Province, April 14, 2026. The ongoing sixth CICPE features groundbreaking innovations in artificial intelligence (AI). A wide range of new tech consumer products are showcased at the event, spanning multiple sectors including smart interaction, wearable devices, and smart healthcare. (Xinhua/Xin Yuewei)

A visitor interacts with a robot dog during the sixth China International Consumer Products Expo (CICPE) in Haikou, south China's Hainan Province, April 13, 2026. The ongoing sixth CICPE features groundbreaking innovations in artificial intelligence (AI). A wide range of new tech consumer products are showcased at the event, spanning multiple sectors including smart interaction, wearable devices, and smart healthcare. (Xinhua/Zhang Liyun)

Visitors learn about AI-powered companion robots during the sixth China International Consumer Products Expo (CICPE) in Haikou, south China's Hainan Province, April 14, 2026. The ongoing sixth CICPE features groundbreaking innovations in artificial intelligence (AI). A wide range of new tech consumer products are showcased at the event, spanning multiple sectors including smart interaction, wearable devices, and smart healthcare. (Xinhua/Guo Cheng)

Visitors learn about an embodied AI robot during the sixth China International Consumer Products Expo (CICPE) in Haikou, south China's Hainan Province, April 13, 2026. The ongoing sixth CICPE features groundbreaking innovations in artificial intelligence (AI). A wide range of new tech consumer products are showcased at the event, spanning multiple sectors including smart interaction, wearable devices, and smart healthcare. (Xinhua/Zhang Liyun)

A visitor experiences an AI-powered health screening system during the sixth China International Consumer Products Expo (CICPE) in Haikou, south China's Hainan Province, April 14, 2026. The ongoing sixth CICPE features groundbreaking innovations in artificial intelligence (AI). A wide range of new tech consumer products are showcased at the event, spanning multiple sectors including smart interaction, wearable devices, and smart healthcare. (Xinhua/Guo Cheng)

An exhibitor demonstrates an AI-powered multi-dimensional holographic research system on cosmetics-related sensory behaviors during the sixth China International Consumer Products Expo (CICPE) in Haikou, south China's Hainan Province, April 14, 2026. A wide range of innovative consumer products empowered by artificial intelligence technology are showcased at the ongoing CICPE, spanning multiple sectors including smart interaction, wearable devices, and smart healthcare. (Xinhua/Yang Guanyu)

Visitors learn about AI glasses from China's iFLYTEK during the sixth China International Consumer Products Expo (CICPE) in Haikou, south China's Hainan Province, April 14, 2026. A wide range of innovative consumer products empowered by artificial intelligence technology are showcased at the ongoing CICPE, spanning multiple sectors including smart interaction, wearable devices, and smart healthcare. (Xinhua/Yang Guanyu)

A visitor interacts with a robot from Fubao Robot during the sixth China International Consumer Products Expo (CICPE) in Haikou, south China's Hainan Province, April 14, 2026. A wide range of innovative consumer products empowered by artificial intelligence technology are showcased at the ongoing CICPE, spanning multiple sectors including smart interaction, wearable devices, and smart healthcare. (Xinhua/Gao Jing)

An exhibitor demonstrates an AI-powered multi-dimensional holographic research system on cosmetics-related sensory behaviors during the sixth China International Consumer Products Expo (CICPE) in Haikou, south China's Hainan Province, April 14, 2026. A wide range of innovative consumer products empowered by artificial intelligence technology are showcased at the ongoing CICPE, spanning multiple sectors including smart interaction, wearable devices, and smart healthcare. (Xinhua/Yang Guanyu)

A visitor tries a smart biceps and triceps curl trainer during the sixth China International Consumer Products Expo (CICPE) in Haikou, south China's Hainan Province, April 14, 2026. A wide range of innovative consumer products empowered by artificial intelligence technology are showcased at the ongoing CICPE, spanning multiple sectors including smart interaction, wearable devices, and smart healthcare. (Xinhua/Pu Xiaoxu)

An AI-powered virtual employee of China Petrochemical Corporation (Sinopec) is pictured during the sixth China International Consumer Products Expo (CICPE) in Haikou, south China's Hainan Province, April 14, 2026. A wide range of innovative consumer products empowered by artificial intelligence technology are showcased at the ongoing CICPE, spanning multiple sectors including smart interaction, wearable devices, and smart healthcare. (Xinhua/Pu Xiaoxu)

Unitree Robotics' robots are pictured during the sixth China International Consumer Products Expo (CICPE) in Haikou, south China's Hainan Province, April 14, 2026. A wide range of innovative consumer products empowered by artificial intelligence technology are showcased at the ongoing CICPE, spanning multiple sectors including smart interaction, wearable devices, and smart healthcare. (Xinhua/Yang Guanyu)

Visitors try services rendered by smart massage robots during the sixth China International Consumer Products Expo (CICPE) in Haikou, south China's Hainan Province, April 14, 2026. A wide range of innovative consumer products empowered by artificial intelligence technology are showcased at the ongoing CICPE, spanning multiple sectors including smart interaction, wearable devices, and smart healthcare. (Xinhua/Yang Guanyu)

A robot of China Petrochemical Corporation (Sinopec) performs a fueling simulation during the sixth China International Consumer Products Expo (CICPE) in Haikou, south China's Hainan Province, April 14, 2026. A wide range of innovative consumer products empowered by artificial intelligence technology are showcased at the ongoing CICPE, spanning multiple sectors including smart interaction, wearable devices, and smart healthcare. (Xinhua/Gao Jing)

Visitors interact with a robot from Unitree Robotics during the sixth China International Consumer Products Expo (CICPE) in Haikou, south China's Hainan Province, April 14, 2026. A wide range of innovative consumer products empowered by artificial intelligence technology are showcased at the ongoing CICPE, spanning multiple sectors including smart interaction, wearable devices, and smart healthcare. (Xinhua/Gao Jing)

A visitor tries a VR device during the sixth China International Consumer Products Expo (CICPE) in Haikou, south China's Hainan Province, April 14, 2026. A wide range of innovative consumer products empowered by artificial intelligence technology are showcased at the ongoing CICPE, spanning multiple sectors including smart interaction, wearable devices, and smart healthcare. (Xinhua/Pu Xiaoxu)

Visitors learn about AI glasses from China's iFLYTEK during the sixth China International Consumer Products Expo (CICPE) in Haikou, south China's Hainan Province, April 14, 2026. A wide range of innovative consumer products empowered by artificial intelligence technology are showcased at the ongoing CICPE, spanning multiple sectors including smart interaction, wearable devices, and smart healthcare. (Xinhua/Gao Jing)

Visitors learn about an AI-powered robot for psychological screening at the booth of Fubao Robot during the sixth China International Consumer Products Expo (CICPE) in Haikou, south China's Hainan Province, April 14, 2026. A wide range of innovative consumer products empowered by artificial intelligence technology are showcased at the ongoing CICPE, spanning multiple sectors including smart interaction, wearable devices, and smart healthcare. (Xinhua/Pu Xiaoxu)

People visit the booth of Rokid, a Hangzhou-based technology company, during the sixth China International Consumer Products Expo (CICPE) in Haikou, south China's Hainan Province, April 14, 2026. A wide range of innovative consumer products empowered by artificial intelligence technology are showcased at the ongoing CICPE, spanning multiple sectors including smart interaction, wearable devices, and smart healthcare. (Xinhua/Gao Jing)

Visitors learn about AI glasses at the booth of Rokid, a Hangzhou-based technology company, during the sixth China International Consumer Products Expo (CICPE) in Haikou, south China's Hainan Province, April 14, 2026. A wide range of innovative consumer products empowered by artificial intelligence technology are showcased at the ongoing CICPE, spanning multiple sectors including smart interaction, wearable devices, and smart healthcare. (Xinhua/Gao Jing)

Editor: WXY
Photo: The Ministry of Investments, Industry, and Trade of Uzbekistan

TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, April 16. Uzbekistan and China signed a final Protocol on Trade and Economic Cooperation under the framework of the Intergovernmental Committee, Trend reports via the Uzbek Ministry of Investment, Industry, and Trade.

The document was signed during the 9th meeting of the UzbekistanChina Subcommittee on Trade and Economic Cooperation, co-chaired by Ilzat Kasimov, Deputy Minister of Investment, Industry, and Trade of Uzbekistan, and Ling Ji, Vice Minister of Commerce of the Peoples Republic of China.

The siedes also reviewed preparations for upcoming joint events, including a Business Forum in Hong Kong scheduled for May 5-6 and the Third Interregional Forum to be held in Xian on May 20-22.

Meanwhile, bilateral trade between Uzbekistan and China demonstrated strong growth, reaching $17.8 billion in 2025 and continuing its upward trajectory with a 53.4% increase in the first quarter of 2026.
TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, April 16. Uzbekistan and China have agreed to accelerate the implementation of the New Economic Partnership Program and advance Digital Silk Road initiatives, Trend reports via the Uzbek Ministry of Investment, Industry, and Trade.

The agreement was reached during a meeting between Uzbekistans Minister of Investment, Industry, and Trade, Laziz Kudratov, and Chinas Vice Minister of Commerce, Ling Ji, where the sides discussed the implementation of high-level agreements and the further expansion of their strategic partnership.

The talks placed particular emphasis on cooperation in the development of green minerals, as well as financing for the modernization of Uzbekistans irrigation infrastructure through the Export-Import Bank of China.

Meanwhile, bilateral trade between Uzbekistan and China continues to demonstrate strong growth dynamics. Trade turnover reached $17.8 billion in 2025 and maintained its upward trajectory in early 2026, increasing by 53.4 percent in the first quarter of the year.
Photo: The Ministry of Investments, Industry, and Trade of Uzbekistan

TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, April 16. Uzbekistan and China's Export-Import Bank (Eximbank) have reached an agreement to expedite the implementation of joint initiatives, Trend reports via the Uzbek Ministry of Investment, Industry, and Trade.

The matter was discussed during a meeting between Deputy Minister Ilzat Kasimov, Sun Ying, General Manager of the Export-Import Bank of China (Eximbank), and Chen Zhou, Head of the China-Eurasian Economic Cooperation Fund.

The participants reviewed the current state of financial collaboration and committed to accelerating the execution of joint projects.

According to information, the key forthcoming event in this collaboration is the Uzbekistan-China and SCO Countries Economic Forum, which is scheduled to take place on June 16 as part of the 5th Tashkent International Investment Forum.

Eximbank representatives have expressed their readiness to support the participation of prominent Chinese enterprises in the forum, further strengthening bilateral investment cooperation.

The meeting concluded with a reaffirmation of both parties' commitment to deepening their strategic financial and investment partnership.

Founded in 1994, the Export-Import Bank of China is a state-owned policy bank specializing in concessional financing for infrastructure projects. By the end of 2024, the banks total assets are expected to reach $819.8 billion.
ASHGABAT, Turkmenistan, April 16. President Serdar Berdimuhamedov of Turkmenistan met with Martin Brook, the newly appointed Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Italian Republic, to discuss the expansion of strategic cooperation, with a focus on transport corridors, Trend reports via the press service of the Turkmen government.

The conversation emphasized the importance of international transport corridors, particularly the North-South and East-West routes, which are seen as key links for enhancing trade and economic relations across Eurasia.

Both President Berdimuhamedov and Ambassador Brook acknowledged the considerable potential for strengthening bilateral collaboration in the fields of transport and logistics, alongside energy, agriculture, and trade.

Ambassador Brook conveyed his honor in representing Italy in Turkmenistan, expressing admiration for the country's peaceful foreign policy and the modern architectural and environmental standards of Ashgabat, which left a strong impression on him.
ASHGABAT, Turkmenistan, April 16. President Serdar Berdimuhamedov of Turkmenistan met with Lee Won-jae, the newly appointed Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Korea, to discuss the implementation of large-scale joint industrial projects, Trend reports via the press service of the Turkmen government.

During the meeting, Ambassador Lee Won-jae expressed his gratitude to the President for the favorable conditions created in Turkmenistan for the effective operation of South Korean companies. He emphasized Korea's commitment to deepening cooperation in the implementation of major industrial initiatives within the country.

The sides highlighted the critical role of cultural and humanitarian cooperation in bringing the two nations closer together. President Berdimuhamedov specifically pointed to the successful operation of the King Sejong Korean Language Study Center in Ashgabat as a cornerstone of educational exchange, noting the significant potential for further collaboration in the fields of science and education.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 16. Iran has reported a record surge in daily rail freight transportation during the wartime period, with volumes climbing to 140,000 tons per day, said Jabbar Ali Zakeri, Irans Deputy Minister of Roads and Urban Development and Executive Director of the Iranian Railway Company, Trend reports.

Speaking during the first meeting of the companys high commission, Zakeri described the achieved rail freight volume as a major accomplishment, while stressing the need for a comprehensive program to further develop the countrys railway transport system.

He noted that, given the expansion of railway vehicles in the country, more active efforts should be made to identify and attract new cargo flows and increase transported volumes measured in ton-kilometers.

Meanwhile, as no tangible progress was made in the nuclear negotiations between the U.S. and Iran, the situation escalated on February 28, when the United States and Israel launched military airstrikes against Iran. In retaliation, Iran initiated missile and drone strikes targeting Israeli and U.S. installations in the region. Following these developments, a two-week ceasefire agreement was brokered on April 7 through Pakistan's mediation. However, during subsequent talks between the U.S. and Iran in Islamabad on April 11, no consensus was reached.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 16. A delegation led by Aliyar Mammadyarov, First Deputy Chairman of the Central Bank, has departed for a working visit to Washington to participate in the spring meetings of the World Bank (WB) and the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Trend reports via the CBA.

According to the information, as part of the spring meetings, the Central Bank delegation will participate in a meeting of the electoral group, which includes Azerbaijan, as well as in a number of events.

In addition, it is noted that bilateral meetings are also scheduled during this period with high-ranking officials from the World Bank and the IMF, a number of financial and investment organizations that cooperate with the Central Bank, and U.S. government agencies.

The 2026 Spring Meetings of the IMF and World Bank Group (April 1318, Washington, D.C.) bring together global policymakers to discuss the state of the world economy, financial stability, and poverty reduction. Key topics include managing Middle East conflict impacts, energy price shocks, elevated debt levels, and long-term development challenges.
ASHGABAT, Turkmenistan, April 16. On April 16, the opening ceremony of an international scientific and practical conference on the theme "Turkmenistan - People's Republic of China: 20 Years of Strategic Cooperation in the Gas Sector" was held in Ashgabat, Trend's special correspondent reports.

The conference was attended by representatives of government agencies from Turkmenistan and China, international organizations, energy companies, and the expert community, who are discussing key achievements and prospects for bilateral cooperation in the gas sector.

The event also coincides with the official launch ceremony for the fourth phase of development of the Galkynysh gas field.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 16. Turkic Investment Fund (TIF) has joined the Reserve Advisory & Management Partnership (RAMP) network of the World Bank Group (WBG) Treasury, Trend reports via the fund.

The partnership was formalized through a signing ceremony held in Washington, D.C.

Participation in the RAMP network provides TIF with a unique platform for two-way engagement, combining access to global best practices with opportunities to contribute perspectives from a regional development institution. This exchange is expected to foster alignment with evolving international treasury standards.

The engagement with WBG Treasury focuses on knowledge sharing, technical cooperation, and benchmarking across a range of critical treasury functions of the members. These include practices related to liquidity management, risk management frameworks, treasury governance, and operational processes and systems. Through this collaboration, TIF gains access to extensive experience, technical workshops, tools, and global expertise within RAMP. This engagement is particularly valuable during TIFs establishment phase, when systems, governance arrangements, and operational processes are being designed and implemented.

Ramil Babayev, General Director of TIF, stated that joining the RAMP network and partnering with the World Bank Group Treasury enables TIF to build its treasury function on a strong foundation while contributing its regional perspective to a global community of practitioners. He added that this collaboration provides direct access to leading practices in treasury management and risk governance.

Jorge Familiar, Vice President and Treasurer of the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD), expressed his pleasure in welcoming the Turkic Investment Fund to the World Bank Group RAMP community.

He noted that international financial institutions are playing an increasingly important role within RAMPs membership, adding that their participation strengthens the exchange of perspectives and best practices across the global network. According to Familiar, the inclusion of the Turkic Investment Fund reflects both the continued growth of the partnership and its growing relevance for development-focused investors.

The decision to establish the Turkic Investment Fund was made on November 11, 2022, at the 9th Summit of the Turkic Council. The members of the fund are Azerbaijan, Hungary, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkiye, and Uzbekistan. The goal of the fund is to promote the economic development of the member states of the Turkic Council by expanding regional trade and supporting economic activity.
ZANGILAN, Azerbaijan, April 16. The construction of the Horadiz-Agband railway line will be completed in 2028, Deputy Prime Minister Shahin Mustafayev said at the 24th meeting of the Azerbaijan-Russia Intergovernmental State Commission, Trend's Karabakh bureau reports.

According to him, the project is currently about 75% complete.

The total length of this railway line is about 110 km, and including access roads, about 140 km. The main construction work has already been completed, he added.
The HH-200 commercial unmanned aerial transport system takes off during its maiden flight in Pucheng, northwest China's Shaanxi Province, April 15, 2026. (Xinhua/Li Yibo)

XI'AN, April 15 (Xinhua) -- The HH-200, a commercial unmanned aerial transport system, successfully completed its maiden flight on Wednesday morning in Pucheng, northwest China's Shaanxi Province, marking new progress for China in the development of large-scale unmanned cargo aircraft.

All aircraft systems functioned normally, flight attitudes remained stable, and it completed all scheduled test maneuvers with good performance.

Independently developed by the Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC), the HH-200 features a square, straight-through fuselage, twin-engine high-wing configuration, and twin-boom layout.

Its cargo hold offers a standard volume of 12 cubic meters, expandable to 18 cubic meters, with a maximum payload of 1.5 tonnes, a cruising speed of 310 km/h, and a range of 2,360 km.

"We have adopted revolutionary structural design and manufacturing techniques, making extensive use of composite materials to achieve a 20 percent weight reduction while also lowering costs," said Meng Fantao, technical director of the Xinzhou Honghu HH-series aviation commercial unmanned transport system.

Meng added that the HH-200 is designed in accordance with civil aviation standards and features fully autonomous flight and AI-powered obstacle avoidance. It has a service life of 50,000 flight hours or 15,000 takeoff and landing cycles, with a full life-cycle operating cost of 4.7 yuan (about 0.69 U.S. dollars) per tonne-kilometer.

The HH-200 demonstrates strong environmental adaptability. It can take off and land on runways as short as 500 meters and at high-altitude airports above 4,200 meters. It operates in extreme temperatures ranging from minus 40 degrees Celsius to 50 degrees Celsius and under complex weather conditions, effectively bridging transportation gaps in mountainous areas, islands, snowy regions and plateaus, thereby enabling an efficient low-altitude logistics network.

The HH-200 will primarily serve China's border and coastal regions, cross-border freight routes, inland point-to-point cargo logistics, cross-island freight in Southeast Asia, and air cargo networks in Belt and Road partner countries.

In the future, the aircraft can be quickly adapted for multiple missions, including emergency rescue, forest firefighting, weather modification, aerial remote sensing, and agricultural and forestry plant protection.

The HH-200 commercial unmanned aerial transport system is pictured upon completing its maiden flight in Pucheng, northwest China's Shaanxi Province, April 15, 2026. (Xinhua/Li Yibo)

The HH-200 commercial unmanned aerial transport system is pictured upon completing its maiden flight in Pucheng, northwest China's Shaanxi Province, April 15, 2026. (Xinhua/Li Yibo)

A journalist films the HH-200 commercial unmanned aerial transport system which completed its maiden flight in Pucheng, northwest China's Shaanxi Province, April 15, 2026. (Xinhua/Li Yibo)

The HH-200 commercial unmanned aerial transport system lands during its maiden flight in Pucheng, northwest China's Shaanxi Province, April 15, 2026. (Xinhua/Li Yibo)

The HH-200 commercial unmanned aerial transport system is pictured upon completing its maiden flight in Pucheng, northwest China's Shaanxi Province, April 15, 2026. (Xinhua/Li Yibo)

The HH-200 commercial unmanned aerial transport system is pictured upon completing its maiden flight in Pucheng, northwest China's Shaanxi Province, April 15, 2026. (Xinhua/Li Yibo)

The HH-200 commercial unmanned aerial transport system is pictured upon completing its maiden flight in Pucheng, northwest China's Shaanxi Province, April 15, 2026. (Xinhua/Li Yibo)

Editor: WSH
ASHGABAT, Turkmenistan, April 16. The annual volume of Turkmen natural gas transiting to China via Kazakhstan is approximately 35 billion cubic meters, Alibek Zhamauov, Chairman of the Board of JSC QazaqGaz, told reporters, Trend's special correspondent reports

He made the remark during an international scientific and practical conference titled Turkmenistan - People's Republic of China: 20 Years of Strategic Cooperation in the Gas Sector.

The head of the national company highlighted the strategic role of the Turkmenistan-Uzbekistan-Kazakhstan-China (TUK) gas pipeline. According to him, in addition to Turkmen gas, Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan each supply an additional 5 billion cubic meters of gas annually via this route.

Today, we export about 5 billion cubic meters of gas. Of course, we would like to increase export volumes, but specific figures for potential growth have not yet been determined, as the market situation changes daily, Alibek Zhamauov emphasized.

Regarding cooperation with Azerbaijan, the chairman of the board of QazaqGaz noted the successful experience in the oil sector.

We export approximately 1.5 million tons of oil via the Caspian Sea to Azerbaijan, where it is then fed into the BakuTbilisiCeyhan pipeline. We would be happy to cooperate with Azerbaijan in the gas sector as well, he explained.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 16. A protocol was signed following the 9th meeting of the Joint Intergovernmental Commission on Economic, Scientific, Technical, and Cultural Cooperation between Azerbaijan and Latvia, Azerbaijans Minister of Agriculture Majnun Mammadov wrote on his X account, Trend reports.

We held the 9th meeting of the Azerbaijan-Latvia Intergovernmental Commission on Economic, Scientific, Technical, and Cultural Cooperation in Shusha. During the meeting, we reiterated Azerbaijan's strong commitment to continuing to deepen relations with Latvia and our confidence that there is great potential for expanding cooperation. There is significant potential for cooperation between our countries in the areas of increasing investment opportunities, diversifying trade, animal husbandry, forestry, e-government, increasing student exchange, transport and logistics, agro-processing, wood processing, air cargo transportation, the film industry, and information technologies.

The signing of the protocol from the 9th joint intergovernmental commission meeting will significantly strengthen our strategic partnership, the publication reads.
ZANGILAN, Azerbaijan, April 16. The tourist flow between Russia and Azerbaijan exceeded 700,000 in 2025, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexei Overchuk said at the 24th meeting of the Azerbaijan-Russia Intergovernmental Commission held in Zangilan, Trend's Karabakh bureau reports.

According to him, cooperation in the field of tourism between the countries is dynamically expanding.

More than 500,000 trips were made from Russia to Azerbaijan, and about 200,000 trips in the reverse direction.

Overchuk noted that the increase in mutual tourism flows makes a significant contribution to strengthening economic and cultural ties between the parties.

He also emphasized that the development of cruise tourism in the Caspian Sea and the creation of a common geoportal for the CIS countries will further expand investment and tourism opportunities in the future.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 16. In March of this year, gold roses worth $960 were imported from the Kingdom of the Netherlands, said the State Customs Commission in response to the Trend's inquiry.

It is reported that, since, in accordance with paragraph 3.3 of the Rules for the Publication of Foreign Trade Customs Statistics, the country of origin of imported goods is considered to be the partner country, the aforementioned gold roses were recorded in foreign trade customs statistics as goods imported from Armenia.
ASHGABAT, Turkmenistan, April 16. China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC) intends to further deepen energy cooperation between China and Turkmenistan, Chairperson Houliang Dai said, Trend's special correspondent reports.

Speaking at an international scientific-practical conference in Ashgabat titled Turkmenistan - People's Republic of China: 20 Years of Strategic Cooperation in the Gas Sector, Dai noted that cooperation between the two countries has steadily expanded since the intergovernmental agreement signed in 2006, becoming a key pillar of bilateral relations.

He stated that the cumulative volume of gas supply contracts has reached 40 billion cubic meters per year, while total imports of Turkmen gas into China have exceeded 460 billion cubic meters. Overall trade turnover within the framework of cooperation has surpassed $93 billion.

Dai Houliang highlighted that gas fields on the right bank of the Amu Darya, developed under the Amu Darya right-bank project, have operated steadily for 17 years, producing around 190 billion cubic meters of gas. He also emphasized CNPCs technological contributions, including drilling innovations that achieved a 100% success rate in certain projects and improved well productivity.

He noted that the company has actively invested in human capital, with around 200 Turkmen students educated in China and more than 56,000 specialists receiving professional training. CNPCs total investment in Turkmenistan has exceeded $13 billion, while tax payments have surpassed $1.4 billion, contributing to the creation of over 8,000 jobs.

Looking ahead, Dai said CNPC plans to continue developing key projects, including the fourth phase of the Galkynysh field, and expand cooperation into new areas such as petrochemicals, engineering services, artificial intelligence, big data applications in the gas sector, and joint initiatives in green energy.

He also stressed the importance of strengthening humanitarian ties through educational and cultural exchanges, as well as improving coordination and risk management mechanisms to ensure stable project implementation.

China-Turkmenistan energy cooperation is at the best stage in its history and holds significant potential for further growth, the CNPC chairperson said.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 16. The European Commission has approved state aid schemes for Bulgaria, Germany, and Slovenia totaling over 4,2 billion to provide electricity price relief for energy-intensive companies, Trend reports via the European Commissions Directorate-General for Competition.

The measures, authorized under the Clean Industrial Deal State Aid Framework (CISAF), are designed to support industries at significant risk of "carbon leakage" the relocation of activities to countries with less ambitious environmental regulations. The aid will compensate these companies for a portion of their electricity costs over the next three years.

The approved budgets for the member states are as follows: Germany - 3,8 billion, Bulgaria - 334 million, Slovenia - 90 million.

Under the terms of the approval, beneficiaries are required to reinvest at least 50% of the aid received into new or modernized assets. These investments must aim to reduce electricity system costs and align with market needs without increasing the use of fossil fuels.

The schemes are scheduled to run between 2025 and 2028, depending on the specific implementation timelines of each Member State.
TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, April 16. Uzbekistan Airports and JPMorgan Chase, a U.S.-based financial institution, have signed a memorandum of understanding aimed at deepening collaboration in capital markets, Trend reports via the Uzbek company.

The document was signed during the international event Uzbekistan Investor Day, held in Boston and New York.

Moreover, the agreement focuses on the issuance of Eurobonds and the utilization of various financial instruments.

The forum brought together representatives from global financial institutions, leading investment companies, and strategic partners. Its primary objective was to highlight Uzbekistans investment potential and the progress of ongoing economic reforms.

Throughout the event, the Uzbek delegation engaged in discussions with key global financial entities and investment firms, including Citigroup, Artisan Partners, Xtellus Capital Partners, and Nomura Capital Partners. The dialogues centered on recent economic transformations, financial performance indicators, corporate governance practices, and plans for the development of airport infrastructure.

This participation in "Uzbekistan Investor Day" is seen as a significant step towards strengthening the countrys position in international financial markets, as well as expanding avenues for attracting investment into its infrastructure projects.
ZANGILAN, Azerbaijan, April 16. A meeting of the Azerbaijan-Russia Business Council will be held in Baku in the near future, Deputy Prime Minister Shahin Mustafayev said at the 24th meeting of the Azerbaijan-Russia Intergovernmental State Commission, Trend's Karabakh bureau reports.

According to him, Azerbaijani companies regularly participate in major exhibitions held in Russia, which confirms the high export potential of domestic products and contributes to further strengthening their positions in the Russian market:

The Azerbaijan-Russia and Russia-Azerbaijan Business Councils make a significant contribution to the development of direct ties between entrepreneurs and the promotion of joint investment projects, he added.
BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan, April 15. Three enterprises in the coal mining, energy, and juice production sectors are expected to be launched in Kyrgyzstans Nookat district this year, which will help increase local budget revenues and create new jobs, Trend reports via the press service of the Kyrgyz President.

The statement was made by the President of Kyrgyzstan, Sadyr Japarov, during a working visit to the Osh region on April 15, while meeting with residents and officials of the Nookat district.

According to him, four enterprises in the same sectors were launched in the district last year, contributing to higher budget revenues and job creation.

"If we continue systematic modernization across all sectors, Nookat will in the coming years become one of the most developed, comfortable, and attractive regions for tourism in Kyrgyzstan," he added.

Meanwhile, Kyrgyzstan is actively promoting regional industrial development by supporting the launch of new enterprises across key sectors, including energy, mining, and food processing. These efforts are aimed at diversifying the economy, increasing local revenues, and creating employment opportunities, particularly in the regions.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 16. On April 15, Rovshan Najaf, President of the State Oil Company of Azerbaijan (SOCAR), met with Rebecca Neff, the Senior Advisor to the Assistant Secretary in the U.S. State Department's Bureau of Economic, Energy, and Business Affairs, and Sarah Leming, the Country Manager for Europe and Eurasia at the U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) to discuss prospects for deepening energy cooperation, Trend reports via SOCAR.

The meeting highlighted the long-standing successful cooperation between Azerbaijan and the U.S. in the energy sector.

In addition, it was noted that the signing in February of this year of the Charter of Strategic Partnership between the Government of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Government of the United States of America is of historic significance for the development of bilateral relations. In this regard, the broad prospects for cooperation in the energy sector between the two countries were highlighted.

Throughout the talks, it was emphasized that SOCAR and U.S. companies have successful relationships in various areas of the energy sector.

The meeting highlighted the importance of the TRIPP project and existing energy routes along the Middle Corridor from the perspective of regional cooperation, and an exchange of views took place on other issues of mutual interest.
Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, April 15, 2026. (Xinhua/Huang Jingwen)

BEIJING, April 15 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping on Wednesday urged closer and stronger strategic coordination between China and Russia to firmly defend their legitimate interests and safeguard the unity of Global South countries.

Xi made the remarks when meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in Beijing.

Noting the stability and certainty of China-Russia relations are particularly valuable in a changing and turbulent international situation, Xi called on the two countries to shoulder their responsibilities as major countries and permanent members of the United Nations (UN) Security Council.

Asking Lavrov to convey sincere greetings to President Vladimir Putin, Xi hailed the development of the China-Russia comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination at a high level, yielding fruitful results across various fields, adding that the China-Russia Treaty of Good-Neighborliness and Friendly Cooperation has shown greater vitality and exemplary significance.

He urged both sides to fully implement the important consensus reached by the two heads of state, enhance strategic communication, strengthen diplomatic coordination, and elevate the China-Russia comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination to a higher level in a steadier, more sustained manner.

Xi stressed that China and Russia should maintain strategic resolve, trust and support each other, and pursue common development. It is necessary for the two sides to fully leverage the advantages of proximity and complementarity, deepen cooperation on all fronts, and enhance the resilience of their respective development, he added.

Xi also urged the two countries to strengthen multilateral cooperation, firmly uphold and practice multilateralism, join hands to revive the authority and vitality of the UN, engage in closer coordination and cooperation within the frameworks of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and BRICS countries, and promote the development of the international order in a more just and reasonable direction.

While conveying Putin's sincere greetings and best wishes to Xi, Lavrov said that under the strategic guidance of the two heads of state, Russia-China relations have shown a high degree of resilience amid a complex external environment, with sound momentum in trade and investment cooperation and increasingly intensive cultural and people-to-people exchanges.

He said Russia is ready to work with China to earnestly implement the important consensus reached by the two heads of state, maintain high-level exchanges, strengthen practical cooperation, promote cultural and people-to-people exchanges, and safeguard international fairness and justice, to work for further progress in the development of Russia-China relations, and make greater contributions to world peace and stability.

Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, April 15, 2026. (Xinhua/Yan Yan)

Editor: WSH
DUSHANBE, Tajikistan, April 16. Tajikistan and the United States have discussed the current state and prospects of bilateral cooperation in the energy sector, Trend reports via the Tajik Ministry of Energy and Water Resources.

The discussion took place on April 15, 2026, during an online meeting between Tajikistans Minister of Energy and Water Resources, Daler Juma, and a representative of the U.S. Energy Association, Melissa Brown.

During the meeting, the parties placed particular emphasis on expanding cooperation in renewable energy, attracting investment, and introducing modern technologies.

The dialogue also covered a range of key issues, including the construction of the Rogun hydropower plant, the implementation of the CASA-1000 regional electricity transmission project, the development of solar power generation, the protection of glaciers as a critical water resource, and the application of artificial intelligence in the energy sector.

The sides expressed readiness to further strengthen cooperation and implement joint projects aimed at ensuring the sustainable development of Tajikistans energy sector and increasing its export potential.

Meanwhile, Tajikistan is actively developing its energy sector, with a strong focus on hydropower, which accounts for the majority of the countrys electricity generation.

At the same time, the government is working to diversify energy sources by promoting renewable energy projects, including solar power, and attracting foreign investment.
ASTANA, Kazakhstan, April 16. Investment in fixed capital in Kazakhstan totaled 3.5 trillion tenge (about $7.3 billion), marking a 6.4% increase, First Vice Minister of National Economy Azamat Amrin said at a government meeting, Trend reports via the Kazakh government.

Amrin noted that the leading regions in attracting investment were Zhambyl Region, Turkestan Region, and Ulytau Region. The largest inflows of capital were observed in the electricity supply (2.5 times increase year-on-year), communications (2 times increase), and agriculture sectors (70.6% increase).

Positive dynamics were also recorded in foreign trade, with turnover increasing by 11.3% in the first two months of the year to reach $21.7 billion.

"On a weekly basis, the operational headquarters on economic growth reviews issues faced by specific enterprises and identifies solutions to boost production output. To ensure targeted GDP growth, sectoral ministries must implement all necessary financial and non-financial measures to achieve the development targets of their industries," Amrin emphasized.
ASTANA, Kazakhstan, April 16. The Aviation Administration of Kazakhstan (AAK) has signed an agreement with the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) to extend its existing Training Services Agreement, Trend reports via the country's Ministry of Transport.

The agreement was signed during the ICAO Global Implementation Support Symposium 2026, held in Marrakesh.

This renewed accord aims to implement a comprehensive training program for AAK personnel throughout the course of 2026. It incorporates both virtual and in-person training sessions, designed to enhance the qualifications of aviation professionals and foster the development of their technical and professional competencies.

The training program will consist of 23 courses covering key domains within the aviation sector. Upon completion of the program, participants will be awarded internationally recognized certificates issued by ICAO.

ICAO, established in 1944 as a specialized agency of the United Nations, plays a critical role in facilitating global cooperation among 193 member states in the management and development of international air transport.
ASTANA, Kazakhstan, April 16. Kazakhstan has proposed organizing a conference on sustainable economic growth in partnership with the World Bank, Trend reports via the press service of the Kazakh government.

The initiative was presented by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Economy Serik Zhumangarin during the roundtable, held at the World Bank headquarters in Washington.

According to the Deputy Prime Minister, Kazakhstan is consistently implementing reforms across key sectors, creating conditions for sustainable and high-quality economic growth.

During the roundtable, Advisor to the President and Chairman of the Agency for Strategic Planning and Reforms Asset Irgaliyev outlined the countrys main development priorities, stressing that ongoing reforms are aimed at forming a coherent and long-term economic policy.

Furthermore, it was noted that the national economy continues to show stable dynamics. In recent years, annual GDP growth has consistently exceeded 5%, reaching 6.5% in 2025. Goods production increased by 8.7%, while the services sector grew by 5.2%.

Investment remains a key driver of growth. In 2025, fixed capital investment rose by 13% to $43.6 billion (22.7 trillion tenge). Gross foreign direct investment inflow reached $20.5 billion (+14.4%).

Growth momentum is continuing into 2026. Despite a temporary decline in oil production due to an incident at Tengizchevroil and restrictions on the Caspian Pipeline Consortium, the economy continued to expand. In the first quarter, GDP grew by 3%, driven by manufacturing (8.5%), transport (12.8%), and construction (14.8%).

Macroeconomic stability remains strong. International reserves increased by 23.8% since the beginning of 2025, reaching $129.5 billion, including $62.9 billion in National Fund assets.

Kazakhstan also maintains a low level of public debt. For more than ten years, the debt-to-GDP ratio has remained stable at around 25%. As of January 1, 2026, public debt stood at about $73 billion, or 22.8% of GDP.
ASTANA, Kazakhstan, April 16. Kazakhstan and the United States have discussed the development of cooperation in the field of peaceful use of nuclear energy, Trend reports via the Agency of Kazakhstan for Atomic Energy.

Deputy Chairmen of the Agency Timur Zhantikin and Asset Makhambetov, along with representatives of sectoral departments of the Agency and Kazakhstan Nuclear Power Plants (KNPP) company, held a meeting with a delegation from the U.S. Department of State led by Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary for Arms Control and Nonproliferation Christopher Klin.

During the talks, the sides confirmed mutual interest in strengthening bilateral partnership and expanding practical cooperation.

The discussion covered prospects for deeper collaboration, including the exchange of expert knowledge and the development of institutional mechanisms for interaction.

The parties emphasized the importance of coordination amid the transformation of global energy markets and the growing role of sustainable energy sources.

At the end of the meeting, the sides expressed readiness to continue constructive dialogue and further expand cooperation aimed at developing the nuclear sector and strengthening bilateral partnership.
ASTANA, Kazakhstan, April 16. The Senate of the Parliament of Kazakhstan (the upper chamber) has reviewed and approved the draft law on the ratification of the Treaty on Allied Relations between Kazakhstan and Tajikistan, Trend reports via the Senate.

Meanwhile, it was emphasized that ratification of the treaty aims to further strengthen political dialogue, enhance cooperation in security, and support the sustainable development of both countries. The agreement outlines expanded collaboration in countering modern security threats and deepening military-technical cooperation.

Special attention is also given to trade and economic cooperation aimed at creating favorable conditions for the development of entrepreneurial and other economic activities. This includes support for and mutual protection of investments, as well as the development of direct ties between citizens, enterprises, and other participants in the economic cooperation of the two countries.

A key priority of the document is also the rational and balanced use of Central Asias water resources, taking into account the interests of all regional states.

The treaty was signed on August 22, 2024, in Dushanbe. Earlier, on March 11, it was ratified by the lower house of parliament, the Mazhilis.
Photo: Ministry of Labor and Social Protection of Population of the Republic of Kazakhstan

ASTANA, Kazakhstan, April 18. The Senate of the Parliament of Kazakhstan (the upper chamber) has ratified the Agreement on Strategic Partnership and Cooperation with the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Trend reports via the Senate.

The agreement sets out a framework for a strategic partnership between the two countries and aims to further strengthen international cooperation in political, economic, cultural, and other spheres. It provides for the expansion of trade, economic, and investment ties, as well as deeper cooperation in security and the development of scientific, technical, and cultural-humanitarian relations.

According to the document, the parties will develop an effective political dialogue based on international law and shared values to promote international peace, stability, and security.

The agreement also establishes a legal framework for implementing strategic partnerships across a wide range of areas, including entrepreneurship, customs regulation, labor rights, justice, intellectual property, energy, investment, healthcare, and education.

The document was signed on April 24, 2024, in Astana and was ratified by the Mazhilis, the lower house of parliament, on March 18.
ASTANA, Kazakhstan, April 16. Vice Minister of Industry and Construction of Kazakhstan Kuandyk Kazkenov and representatives of the German Energy Agency (DENA) and the German Society for International Cooperation (GIZ) discussed cooperation in sustainable housing and energy efficiency initiatives, Trend reports via the Kazakh ministry.

During the meeting, the sides focused on the implementation of the pilot project FELECITY II, aimed at the thermal modernization of multi-apartment residential buildings. The project is designed to introduce advanced energy-efficient technologies that reduce heat energy consumption, improve living comfort for citizens, and lower environmental impact.

The participants also discussed the progress of ongoing cooperation under the Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Industry and Construction of Kazakhstan and DENA. They reviewed opportunities for launching new joint initiatives in the field of energy-efficient and sustainable construction, including innovative approaches to building renovation and urban infrastructure development.

During the meeting, Kazkenov emphasized the importance of international partnerships in accelerating the adoption of advanced technologies and improving the energy performance of the countrys housing stock.

The sides reaffirmed their commitment to continued collaboration and expressed readiness to further develop joint projects aimed at modernizing Kazakhstans housing and utilities sector.

According to the GIZ, FELICITY II is being implemented across the Eastern Partnership countries (Ukraine and Georgia) as well as in Central Asia (Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan) in 2022-2028. The programme builds on the achievements of the FELICITY I Global Programme, which was carried out in cooperation with the European Investment Bank (EIB).

In its second phase, the initiative seeks to reduce existing barriers by supporting low-carbon infrastructure projects in the water and wastewater sector, as well as by improving the energy efficiency of buildings.
ASTANA, Kazakhstan, April 16. On April 17, President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev will pay a working visit to Turkiye at the invitation of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Trend reports via the press service of the Kazakh presidnet.

During the visit, the Kazakh President is expected to take part in the opening of the Antalya Diplomacy Forum and speak at a panel session. Several bilateral meetings are also planned on the sidelines of the event.

The Antalya Diplomacy Forum will be held on April 17-19, 2026, under the theme Mapping Tomorrow, Managing Uncertainties. It is an annual high-level international platform that brings together political leaders, diplomats, experts, business representatives, media, and civil society to discuss key global and regional issues.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 16. Iran has suspended exports of petrochemical products in a move aimed at ensuring supply to the domestic market, Trend reports.

According to information, the National Petrochemical Company (NPC) of Iran has sent a directive to local petrochemical producers informing them of the decision. The move follows a resolution by the Supreme National Security Council, which emphasizes maintaining stable prices for petroleum and petrochemical products, preventing smuggling, and meeting the needs of domestic manufacturers producing end products.

However, Irans petrochemical facilities sustained significant damage during the period from February 28 through April 7 amid airstrikes carried out by the United States and Israel. As a result, production of petrochemical products could decline by more than 70% if the affected plants are not restored. Petrochemical products previously accounted for 25% of Irans non-oil exports.

Meanwhile, as no tangible progress was made in the nuclear negotiations between the U.S. and Iran, the situation escalated on February 28, when the United States and Israel launched military airstrikes against Iran. In retaliation, Iran initiated missile and drone strikes targeting Israeli and U.S. installations in the region. Following these developments, a two-week ceasefire agreement was brokered on April 7 through Pakistan's mediation. However, during subsequent talks between the U.S. and Iran in Islamabad on April 11, no consensus was reached.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
DAMASCUS, April 15 (Xinhua) -- More than 277,000 people have crossed from Lebanon into Syria since early March amid escalating regional tensions and cross-border violence, straining already limited resources in the war-torn country, the United Nations refugee agency said Wednesday.

According to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), around 277,000 people entered Syria between March 2 and April 12. Among them, about 234,000 were Syrians, including about 67,300 intending to return permanently, and roughly 43,000 Lebanese nationals.

The UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Syrian Arab Republic expressed concern over the impact on stability and human rights in the country, noting that many arrivals are already traumatized by years of war in Syria and recent shelling in Lebanon.

The commission said that the growing number of returnees and displaced people is further stretching Syria's fragile infrastructure and limited humanitarian capacity, as millions across the country continue to rely on aid.

It also highlighted the broader impact of regional violence, pointing to Israeli attacks, incursions, checkpoints, detention practices, and destruction of property affecting lives and livelihoods in southern Syria.

The commission said it continues to investigate alleged violations of international human rights and humanitarian law and will report its findings in due course.

It urged all parties involved in the conflict to intensify efforts to end hostilities and ensure that civilian protection and human rights remain central to ongoing negotiations.

Despite signs of gradual recovery in parts of Syria, UN officials warned that continued instability risks undermining progress and increasing humanitarian needs across the country.

Editor: WSH
BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 16. Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad-Bagher Ghalibaf met with Pakistani Army Commander-in-Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir in Tehran today, Iranian media says, Trend reports.

According to the report, the parties discussed negotiations between the U.S. and Iran and other issues of common interest.

Meanwhile, as no tangible progress was made in the nuclear negotiations between the U.S. and Iran, the situation escalated on February 28, when the United States and Israel launched military airstrikes against Iran. In retaliation, Iran initiated missile and drone strikes targeting Israeli and U.S. installations in the region. Following these developments, a two-week ceasefire agreement was brokered on April 7 through Pakistan's mediation. However, during subsequent talks between the U.S. and Iran in Islamabad on April 11, no consensus was reached.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 16. Alexandru Ion Giboi, Secretary General of the European Alliance of News Agencies (EANA), has been elected Officer-at-Large of the Board of the Digital Media Licensing Association (DMLA) for a two-year term, Trend reports via EANA.

Giboi will represent EANA, a DMLA member, alongside eight professionals from the US and Europeandigital content licensing value chain - from creation and aggregation to distribution, monetisation, and rights enforcement.

"During times when content licensing, the core business model for most content producers, is facing increasing disruption from AI and connected issues, the pace of change becomes faster and media professionals are called to constantly update and broaden their views on an environment which is shifting from what we the business-as-usual a few years ago. I'm happy to contribute to DMLA and bring in the experience and point of view of European news agencies - the pillars of trustworthy content for Europe and the world. The challenges faced by European and US news media and general content producers are mostly the same, and we need to stay united in facing them. Many thanks to the DMLA members for their support and congratulations to all of the members of the Board for their new mandates. I'm looking forward to working together with this fantastic team of professionals," Giboi said.

Alexandru Giboi has been the Secretary General of EANA since 2018, currently serving a third term of three years. Apart from his work with EANA, he is teaching International Strategic Management at the Universita della Svizzera Italiana (USI), in Lugano, Switzerland. Previously to EANA, Alexandru Giboi was the President and Director General of AGERPRES, the Romanian National News Agency (2013-2018). He is a global consultant on media issues and works closely with relevant international stakeholders to advance creators rights protection and strengthen societys information literacy. Supporting the younger generation's access to trustworthy information, he acts as advisor to Politica pentru Toti, a youth-led media project on Instagram.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 16. Turkiye highly appreciates the steps taken to build a peaceful future in the South Caucasus, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said in his address to the participants of the 152nd Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), taking place in Istanbul, Trend reports.

The Turkish President called on the international community to follow this example.

"The Inter-Parliamentary Union has been fulfilling a vital function for exactly 137 years. I would like to once again thank the distinguished members of this Union, who have paved the way for parliamentary democracy, guided by the concept of "Democracy for All." I highly value the Union's mission, which is based on expanding opportunities for dialogue and cooperation, as well as strengthening initiatives aimed at ensuring peace and justice," he said.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 16. The US and Iran could reach an agreement this weekend, US President Donald Trump told reporters, Trend reports.

Asked when the Iran deal might be signed, Trump said: "Probably, maybe over the weekend."

Meanwhile, as no tangible progress was made in the nuclear negotiations between the U.S. and Iran, the situation escalated on February 28, when the United States and Israel launched military airstrikes against Iran. In retaliation, Iran initiated missile and drone strikes targeting Israeli and U.S. installations in the region. Following these developments, a two-week ceasefire agreement was brokered on April 7 through Pakistan's mediation. However, during subsequent talks between the U.S. and Iran in Islamabad on April 11, no consensus was reached.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 16. The United States is very close to reaching an agreement with Iran on contentious issues, US President Donald Trump told reporters, Trend reports.

"We're very close to making a deal with Iran," he said.

Trump added that there are many issues on which consensus has been reached.

He also said Iran had agreed not to develop nuclear weapons. He added that Iran had agreed to hand over its enriched uranium stockpiles to the United States.
Svyrydenko discusses mechanism with US Eximbank President to finance purchase of American energy equipment for Naftogaz

Photo: https://t.me/svyrydenkoy/

Prime Minister Yuliya Svyrydenko discussed deepening economic cooperation in energy, dual-use products, critical minerals, and logistics with US Eximbank President John Jovanovic.

"We agreed to launch a mechanism to finance the purchase of American energy equipment for Naftogaz in the amount of $300 million. This will allow for the restoration of gas production facilities destroyed by Russian attacks. We also discussed parameters for a broader program to modernize the energy sector worth over $1 billion," Svyrydenko wrote on her Telegram channel following a meeting with the banks team in Washington.

Furthermore, the parties considered the possibility of creating a mechanism to support the supply of American LNG to Ukraine on financing terms comparable to Eurozone market conditions.

"To get through the most difficult heating season of 2025-2026, state-owned Naftogaz imported a record 900 million cubic meters of American LNG for the country. Ukraine is interested in increasing the volume of American gas purchases and deepening cooperation with American financial institutions in this direction," the Prime Minister wrote.

Among other things, according to her, the parties discussed financing formats for the purchase of locomotives for Ukrzaliznytsia to meet priority needs, specifically the restoration of rolling stock.

"More than 300 of the companys locomotives were damaged or destroyed as a result of Russian attacks. The next stage is structuring the deal on mutually beneficial terms using available financial instruments," she added.

In addition, government officials agreed with the bank to sign a memorandum on financing Ukrainian projects in the field of critical minerals and to separately develop framework financing programs for Ukrainian dual-use companies.
By Alex Greenwood, April 15, 2026

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The Missouri Humanities Council (MHC) has awarded a grant of $15,000 to the University of Central Missouri (UCM) in support of the project titled Historic Missouri: Harry S. Truman Tours. The MHC is the only statewide agency in Missouri devoted exclusively to humanities education for citizens of all ages. It has served as a state affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities since 1971.

The grant has been awarded to Dr. Jon E. Taylor, professor of history, who will serve as project director. Funding will support expansion of Historic Missouri, a free website and mobile app that provides users access to information about the people, places and stories that are unique to Missouris history through interpretive and curated narrative tours.

This phase of the project will focus on the 64 years Harry S. Truman spent in Independence, from 1890 to 1901 and 1919 to 1972. The project will also include development of a tour highlighting the Truman familys Grandview Farm.

Developed by faculty and students in the UCM Department of History and Social Studies, Historic Missouri is available at historicmissouri.org and as a free mobile app. The platform offers curated tours that combine narrative interpretation with historical research and archival imagery.

Grant funding will enable UCM students in history and communication to research, write and upload new content to Historic Missouri, continuing a model that provides hands-on experience while producing public-facing scholarship.

The Missouri Humanities grant allows our students to contribute meaningful research for a public audience while exploring one of Missouris most significant historical figures, Taylor said. This work expands access to Trumans story in ways that are engaging and accessible.

Taylor is the author of four books on the life, political career, and legacy of Harry Truman. A President, a Church and Trails West: Competing Histories in Independence, (University of Missouri Press, 2008); Trumans Grandview Farm, (History Press, 2011); Freedom to Serve: Truman, Civil Rights, and EO 9981, (Routledge, 2012); Harry Trumans Independence: The Center of the World, (History Press, 2013).

The grant period begins June 1, 2026, and ends May 30, 2027.

For more information about Historic Missouri, visit historicmissouri.org. For more information about the Missouri Humanities Council grants program, call 314-781-9660 or 800-357-0909, or email clarice@mohumanities.org.
Published April 16, 2026

CAPTION: Pictured L-R: Dr. John Pratte, Dean of the ULM College of Arts, Education, and Sciences; Dr. Amy Weems, Associate Professor and Director of Elevate Education; Kevin Smith, Market Executive for Regions Bank; Dr. Myra Lovett, Director of the ULM School of Education; Roxanne Smith, Director of Grants and Scholarships, ULM Foundation

MONROE, La.  The University of Louisiana Monroe School of Education held its annual Elevate Education campus visit day for local high school students on April 1, 2026. During the closing ceremony of the event, the Regions Foundation presented a donation of $30,000 to the School of Education to help support the continuing efforts of the Elevate Education program to build a pre-educator pipeline for local high school students interested in becoming educators.

Throughout the Elevate Education campus visit day, students from 16 local high schools participated in round table discussions and campus tours where they learned more about pursuing education as a career and how ULM equips future educators.

Now in its 7th year, the Elevate Education program exists to create a pathway for students to pursue careers in education, providing them with the opportunity to learn from ULM faculty, administrators, and alumni before enrolling in college.

Dr. Amy Weems is an Associate Professor of Education at ULM and the Director of Elevate Education. We are excited to see the impact of this long-term commitment to growing the educator workforce pipeline, said Weems. We are seeing how our high school pre-educators have enrolled in educator preparation programs and are mentoring their classmates. We have had collegiate pre-educators graduate and excel in K12 classrooms as new teachers of the year and even as pre-educator instructors for the next generation of high school pre-educators, she added.

Kevin Smith, Market Executive for Regions Bank, spoke to the students in attendance on behalf of the Regions Foundation. We know that educators are the foundation of building a strong community. Your education matters, and what you put into your education will help guide your future, said Smith.

We are incredibly thankful for the support we have received from Regions Bank over the past five years. Their impact has allowed us to bring our dreams for recruiting, mentoring, and collaborating with pre-educator partners to life. We are excited to now partner with the Regions Foundation to continue investing in the future of the educator workforce and our next generation of students who need the best teachers in their classrooms, said Weems.

Elevate Education partner schools include Carroll High School, Neville High School, Wossman High School, Vidalia High School, Delhi High School, Mangham High School, Rayville High School, Ouachita Parish High School, Sterlington High School, West Monroe High School, Franklin Parish High School, Oak Grove High School, Caldwell Parish High School, Bastrop High School, MSA East, Plaquemine High School, North Webster High School, and Lakeside High School.

Learn more about the ULM School of Education at ulm.edu/education.
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Delimitation Bill 2026 tabled as Parliaments Special Session begins

The Narendra Modi-led BJP government tabled on the first day of the Parliaments Special Session Thursday April 16, 2026 three bills to implement 33% women's reservation in legislature, delimitation, and increase number of seats for Union Territories.

[The Opposition parties after their meeting a day before the Special Session said they will not allow the Parliament to be "hijacked by flawed delimitation bills disguised as Womens Reservation".]

Parliament Special Session 2026: The Narendra Modi-led BJP government tabled on the first day of the Parliaments Special Session Thursday April 16, 2026 three bills to implement 33% women's reservation in legislature, delimitation, and increase number of seats for Union Territories.

The Constitution (One Hundred and Thirty-First Amendment) Bill, 2026 and the Delimitation Bill, 2026 were tabled by Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal whereas the Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2026 was introduced in the House by Home Minister Amit Shah.

The reconvening of the Parliament for the 3-day Special Session was announced in the House at the end of the Budget Session proceedings around 2 April 2026.

The purpose of the Special Session of the Parliament is to discuss and introduce constitutional amendment bills related to the implementation of the Constitution (One Hundred and Thirty-First Amendment) Bill, 2026 or Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, the Delimitation Bill 2026 and Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2026.

At present, there are 530 Lok Sabha members from the states and 20 from Union Territories. Following the delimitation exercise the number of Lok Sabha seats can increase to 815, and 35 for the UTs.

The Centre plans to proceed with the 2011 census data for delimitation and implementation of one-third reservation for women legislators.

Why the Opposition Parties are against Delimitation Bill 2026?

The opposition parties are opposing the linking of delimitation exercise and implementation of womens reservation based on 2011 Census data. Stressing that this could be injustice to the weaker sections of society and southern Indian states, the opposition parties have urged the government to use the Census 2027 data for the delimitation exercise.

It is a delimitation bill dressed up as a womens reservation bill. If the government were serious about reservation, let them delink it from delimitation and bring a standalone bill on womens reservation, Congress leader Manish Tewari said.

What worries the Modi government is that the parties such as Naveen Patnaik's Biju Janata Dal (BJD) and K Chandrasekhar Rao's Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) that extend issue-based support to the government, have hardened their stance on delimitation.

Meanwhile, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin Thursday burnt a copy of the proposed delimitation bill and raised black flag to kick off statewide protests against it.

The Womens Reservation Bill was earlier tabled and passed by the Parliament in 2023. Its implementation however was stopped till 2029 and till the time the delimitation of constituencies is done.

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Lebanon, Israel reach ceasefire deal

In a major development to contain the raging war in the Middle East, Lebanon and Israel have reached a ceasefire deal

Washington: In a major development to contain the raging war in the Middle East, Lebanon and Israel have reached a ceasefire deal.

The 10-day ceasefire deal between Lebanon and Israel to take effect today i.e. Thursday April 16, 2026 midnight, was first announced by U.S. President Donald Trump, and later confirmed by the two countries.

I just had excellent conversations with the Highly Respected President Joseph Aoun of Lebanon, and Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu of Israel.

These two Leaders have agreed that in order to achieve PEACE between their Countries, they will formally begin a 10 Day CEASEFIRE at 5 P.M. EST, Trump wrote in a post on Truth Social.

The latest development came after Lebanon demanded ceasefire as the primary condition to participate in the peace talks with Israel. According to Roya News, Lebanese President Joseph Aoun had told U.S. Secretary of States Marco Rubio he will not speak with Netanyahu until a ceasefire is reached.

Trump said the decision to halt the war for 10 days came after the two countries met for the first time in 34 years in Washington, D.C. on Tuesday April 14, 2026 in the presence of Marco Rubio and other U.S. officials.

Netanyahu, Joseph Aoun direct talks soon

Moments after announcing the ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon, Donald Trump said he will invite Netanyahu and Joseph Aoun to the White House for the first meaningful talks between Israel and Lebanon since 1983.

Both sides want to see PEACE, and I believe that will happen, quickly! Trump wrote.

The 1983 talks between Israel and Lebanon referenced by Trump were aimed at an Israeli withdrawal following the 1982 Lebanon war, though the agreement reached ultimately fell through.

Meanwhile, Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam welcomed the newly announced ceasefire.

As I congratulate all Lebanese on this achievement, I pray for the martyrs who fell, and affirm my solidarity with their families, with the wounded, and with the citizens who were forced to flee their cities and villages, he wrote on X.

I hold full hope that they will be able to return to them as soon as possible, he added.

The opposition leaders in Israel however said a pattern is emerging in which ceasefires are imposed on the country, and assailed the Netanyahu government "for agreeing to a ceasefire in Lebanon while Hezbollah remains a threat".

Not for the first time, all the promises of this government collapse in the face of reality, Opposition Leader Yair Lapid said.

The confrontation in Lebanon can end in only one way  the permanent removal of the threat to the northern communities. With this government, that wont happen. Well do it under the next government, he added.

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As of April 2026, Ukraine has implemented 533 actions from the reform matrix, which contains a total of 510 conditions and recommendations with 806 actions under various cooperation programs with international partners, the Ministry of Finance reported following a meeting between Minister Serhiy Marchenko and partner country finance ministers on the sidelines of the IMF and World Bank spring meetings.

"Ukraine also received a full set of conditions for all six negotiating clusters with the EU. As of today, overall progress in implementing the Association Agreement stands at 84%, and 81 of the 151 steps under Ukraine's Plan for the Ukraine Facility have been completed," the minister noted.

According to him, Ukraine also continues to comply with the terms of the new Extended Fund Facility (EFF) with the IMF. In particular, the head of the State Customs Service has recently been appointed, and the Verkhovna Rada supported the extension of the 5% military tax for another three years after the end of martial law.

The release also stated that the parties discussed Ukraine's need for financial support, which stands at $52 billion this year, of which $6.8 billion has been received so far.

The Minister of Finance emphasized the importance of continuing preferential lending and attracting investment into critical sectors of the Ukrainian economy for its self-sufficiency.

In addition, Marchenko, along with Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko, participated in the Ninth Ministerial Roundtable in Support of Ukraine, where the key topic of discussion was the need to finance the state budget for 2026-2027 and support for the energy sector, which continues to suffer losses due to Russia's ongoing attacks on critical infrastructure.

This year, 27.2% of GDP will be allocated to defense needs, which is $3.7 billion more than in 2025, the Ministry of Finance clarified.

The Minister thanked international partners for their financial support, which has exceeded $174 billion since February 2022, and emphasized the importance of the launch of the EU's EUR 90 billion Ukraine Support Loan to balance the budget in 2026 and beyond.

The Ministry of Finance's team is working with partner governments to agree on all the details and launch the instrument, the release states.

According to the Ministry of Finance, Marchenko, as part of Prime Minister Svyrydenko's delegation, also met with World Bank President Ajay Banga, European Investment Bank (EIB) President Nadia Calvino, and German and Canadian Finance Ministers Lars Klingbeil and Francois-Philippe Champagne.
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) is exploring the potential for providing loans to businesses operating in the aquaculture sector, the State Agency for Land Reclamation and Fisheries reported on its Telegram channel.

"This opens up new opportunities to stimulate the industry's development, modernize production facilities, implement innovative technologies, and strengthen Ukraine's food security," the message reads.

Public and private enterprises, as well as territorial communities that have projects in the fields of pond, cage aquaculture, mariculture and recirculation systems (RAS), are invited to participate in the selection.

To be considered by international partners, potential participants must provide a project description in English, including the location, stage of development, required funding, and sources of income. The type of support required must be specifically specified: a loan, a grant, or technical assistance.

The State Fisheries Agency's Methodological and Technological Center for Aquaculture will collect and process proposals. Applications will be accepted until May 5, 2026.
Photo: State Emergency Service

Three civilians in Dnipropetrovsk region died and 34 others were injured as a result of Russian attacks on Thursday night, according to the Telegram channel of the State Emergency Service of Ukraine (SES).

"In Dnipro, as a result of an evening and night massive missile and drone attack, fires broke out at several locations simultaneously: residential buildings, an office building, garages, and cars caught fire; a fire also occurred on the territory of an educational institution. Apartment buildings and private houses, administrative buildings, an educational institution, a nursing home, an enterprise, garage boxes, and vehicles were damaged. Unfortunately, 2 people died and 30 others were injured," the report says.

In Nikopol district of Dnipropetrovsk region, the enemy attacked three communities and the district centre of Nikopol. "A man died and three other people were injured. A fire broke out on the territory of a residential area and in an unused building. A five-story residential building and a passenger car were also damaged as a result of the attack," the department said.

In Novooleksandrivka community of Dnipro district, a private home was damaged and an extension to the house was destroyed as a result of a UAV strike. A 14-year-old girl was injured.

More than 200 firefighters and 55 units of SES equipment are involved in the clean-up efforts.
A former postdoctoral researcher at Indiana University has been sentenced to prison time, a fine, supervised release, and deportation to China after pleading guilty to smuggling E. coli plasmid DNA into the United States from China  concealing the biological material inside a package that was falsely labeled on its shipping manifest as women's underwear.

Youhuang Xiang, 32, a Chinese national who held a J-1 visa as a postdoctoral fellow in IU's Department of Biology, was sentenced on April 7, 2026 in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana. Chief U.S. District Court Judge James R. Sweeney II sentenced Xiang to the time he had already served  more than four months in federal custody since his November 2025 arrest  along with a $500 fine, a $100 special assessment fee, and one year of supervised release. As part of Xiang's plea agreement, he stipulated to a judicial order of removal, resulting in his immediate deportation to China.

Two additional charges  conspiracy to commit smuggling and knowingly falsifying documents and statements to law enforcement  were dismissed as part of the plea agreement.

How the Case Unfolded

Xiang arrived at Indiana University in June 2023 on a J-1 visa to conduct postdoctoral biology research in the lab of Professor Roger Innes, a microbiologist. His research program focused on genome editing in wheat plants to confer resistance to fungal diseases  a field with significant agricultural applications.

In March 2024, Xiang received a package at his Bloomington residence from Guangzhou Sci-Tech Innovation Trading, a China-based company with a focus on science and technology products. The shipping manifest declared the contents as "Underwear of Man-Made Fibers, Other Womens." The FBI's Indianapolis Division, which had begun investigating suspicious shipments from China to individuals affiliated with Indiana University in November 2025, found it unusual that a biology researcher would be receiving women's underwear from a science-focused Chinese company.

Xiang was stopped on November 23, 2025 by U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at Chicago O'Hare International Airport as he returned from a research trip to the United Kingdom. During that interview, he initially denied any knowledge of smuggling. He then admitted that the shipping manifest had been intentionally mislabeled and that the package contained plasmid DNA samples of E. coli bacteria, which he said he had ordered specifically for use in his wheat research at IU. Based on those admissions, CBP immediately terminated Xiang's J-1 visa and the FBI arrested him. He had been in federal custody since that date.

During the sentencing hearing, the U.S. District Court also heard that FBI investigation had uncovered evidence that Xiang was a member of the Chinese Communist Party, and that he had lied about that affiliation when questioned by immigration authorities. Those facts, first reported by Fox News following the sentencing, significantly heightened the political and national security framing of the case.

What Xiang Says He Was Doing  and What Scientists Say About It

The government's characterization of the smuggled material as "dangerous biological material" has been disputed by Xiang's colleagues and attorneys, and the scientific details matter here.

Plasmid DNA is a small, circular, non-infectious DNA molecule found in most bacteria, including E. coli. It is not the same as live E. coli bacteria, cannot itself cause E. coli illness, and is not a select agent under federal biosafety regulations. According to the National Human Genome Research Institute, plasmid DNA is a standard laboratory tool used by researchers worldwide to replicate and study genes. Xiang told investigators and the court that he ordered a specific type of E. coli plasmid because he was more familiar with it from his prior research in China, and intended to use it to further his wheat genetics work.

The Indiana University Bloomington Association of University Professors (IUB-AAUP) issued a statement after sentencing, saying: "Dr. Xiang's is the third conviction of a Chinese postdoctoral scholar on false and overblown charges of 'bioterrorism.' In all three cases there was no evidence of any ill will toward the U.S."

Professor Innes, whose lab Xiang worked in and who was present at the sentencing, wrote to the court defending Xiang. The Indiana Daily Student reported that around 20 people came to support Xiang at the sentencing hearing. His defense attorney, James Tunick, said Xiang's dream remains to teach biology, possibly as a professor.

"Colleagues of Dr. Xiang note that the charges against him reflect a troubling mischaracterization of a common and routine method of obtaining research samples," Innes wrote in a court letter.

What Prosecutors Say

U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana Tom Wheeler framed the case in significantly stronger terms than Xiang's supporters. "Xiang intentionally exploited his access to laboratory facilities at one of Indiana's flagship research universities, and the privileges of his J-1 visa status, to illegally smuggle biological materials into the United States," Wheeler said. "Conduct like Xiang's circumvents diligent inspection of potentially harmful substances by CBP, USDA, and those agencies required by law to prevent the introduction of invasive and harmful biologic materials into our country. Such conduct poses a very serious threat to public safety and to the health of our agricultural economy."

FBI Indianapolis Special Agent in Charge Timothy J. O'Malley said: "Those who attempt to secretly bring biological materials into the United States are taking a serious risk with public safety. Concealing E. coli to avoid detection shows a clear disregard for the law and for the safety of others."

USDA Inspector General John Walk added that Xiang, as a CCP member, "exploited a federally funded research grant to smuggle dangerous biological material into the United States."

The Broader Pattern of Cases

The Xiang case is the latest in a series of prosecutions involving foreign researchers accused of smuggling biological materials into the United States through university research programs.

In November 2025, federal prosecutors charged three Chinese nationals with conspiring to smuggle biological materials while working at the University of Michigan's Shawn Xu Laboratory, alleging they made false statements to customs officials to bring in roundworm-related materials from China. Prosecutors said the suspects were participating in J-1 visa programs and received concealed shipments from a China-based researcher who had previously been convicted of similar offenses.

A University of Michigan researcher, Yunqing Jian, was also deported in a similar case. Some University of Michigan alumni attended Xiang's sentencing in solidarity, the Indiana Daily Student reported.

In February 2025, a Russian-born Harvard researcher was detained at Boston Logan International Airport for allegedly smuggling frog embryos into the country without proper permits after initially denying carrying biological substances. That case is still proceeding.

The Central Tension

The Xiang case crystallizes a tension that will continue to define American higher education in the coming years: how to distinguish between the genuine national security threat posed by deliberate theft or smuggling of sensitive research materials, and the routine practices of international scientific collaboration that keep American university laboratories globally competitive.

Plasmid DNA derived from non-infectious E. coli is not a weapon. But it was smuggled into the country in violation of U.S. law, concealed in a mislabeled package, by a researcher who denied it until confronted with evidence. Whether the smuggling was driven by national security intent, bureaucratic shortcuts in obtaining laboratory materials, or something in between  the court found it worthy of a guilty plea and deportation.

For the tens of thousands of Chinese and other international researchers currently working on J-1 and other visas at American universities, the Xiang case, the University of Michigan cases, and the climate of fear described by the UM postdoctoral researchers union following the death of Danhao Wang are all part of the same environment. How universities, federal agencies, and policymakers navigate the space between legitimate security enforcement and a chilling effect on the international science that has long been one of America's greatest competitive advantages will be one of the defining higher education questions of this decade.
Photo: National Guard

Last night, the Defense Forces neutralized 667 out of 703 enemy targets, including 636 Russian UAVs of the Shahed and Gerbera types and other drones. Hits by 20 strike UAVs and 12 missiles were recorded at 26 locations, and falling debris was documented at another 26 locations. Information regarding one additional Russian missile is being clarified, the press service of the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine as reported.

"Information for the day (from 07:00 on April 15 to 07:00 on April 16). In total, the radio-technical troops of the Air Force detected and tracked 703 air targets: 19 Iskander-M/S-400 ballistic missiles; 20 Kh-101 cruise missiles; 5 Iskander-K cruise missiles; 659 UAVs of the Shahed, Gerbera, Italmas types and other drones," the Air Force stated in a Telegram message.

During this period, Russia carried out two waves of combined attacks across Ukraine using ground-based, air-based missiles, and strike drones.

It is reported that as of 07:30, air defense shot down or suppressed 667 enemy targets: 19 Kh-101 cruise missiles; 8 Iskander-M/S-400 ballistic missiles; 4 Iskander-K cruise missiles; 636 UAVs of the Shahed, Gerbera, Italmas types and other drones.

The air attack was repelled by aviation, anti-aircraft missile troops, electronic warfare units, USF, and mobile fire groups of the Defense Forces of Ukraine.
Vietnam Briefing has developed into a premium source for insight on doing business in Vietnam. It publishes business news concerning foreign direct investment into Vietnam, including the most important tax, legal and accounting issues. The Vietnam Briefing Magazine was first published in 2009, and is contributed to by investment professionals based in Vietnam.
Acting Head of the National Agency for Finding, Tracing and Management of Assets Derived from Corruption and Other Crimes (ARMA) Yaroslava Maksymenko confirmed information about a hacker attack carried out against the Agencys employees but stated that the attackers were unable to gain access to the departments internal information systems.

"The Digital Transformation Department, in cooperation with the State Special Communications Service, verified information about a possible information leak resulting from a cyberattack incident involving the potential participation of Russian hackers. According to the results of the check, it was established that no access to internal information systems was obtained, and no leaks from databases or state information resources occurred," Maksymenko said in an exclusive comment to the Interfax-Ukraine agency.

According to her, the situation currently concerns access to the email boxes of state body employees. "The information has been passed to law enforcement agencies for legal assessment and a decision in accordance with the current legislation of Ukraine," Maksymenko reported.

As reported, more than 170 email accounts belonging to prosecutors and investigators across Ukraine have been hacked over the past few months by hackers linked to the aggressor state. Reuters reported on Wednesday that hackers breached accounts of the Specialized Prosecutors Office in the defence sphere and the prosecutor training centre; attacks were also aimed at ARMA, which, among other things, controls assets seized from criminals and Russian collaborators.

It is reported that the Russian spy campaign also affected military and government accounts in Romania, Greece, Bulgaria, and Serbia.
DECATUR, Ill. (WAND)  The Decatur Police Department's K-9 unit is getting some new four-legged additions, as two young Dutch Shepherds begin training to one day serve and protect alongside officers.

The department recently welcomed puppies Ivan and Rudi, who are already showing promise as future police dogs. According to Lieutenant Ben Massey, the K-9 program has been a staple of the department for decades.

"We've had a K-9 unit for over 30 years," Massey said. "We currently have two handlers  and we have two active dogs, and then we have the two puppies."

Ivan and Rudi joined the department at the end of February when they were just eight weeks old. Now approaching four months, the dogs are already deep into early training.

Massey explained the process to develop a fully trained K-9 is intensive, requiring both time and dedication from handlers.

"They put in a ton of hours with the dogs," he said. "When they get the K-9 originally  they're with them usually at least a 10-week training cycle every day."

The puppies are being trained as dual-purpose dogs, meaning they will assist in a variety of tasks once fully certified, including narcotics detection, suspect tracking and locating evidence.

"The goal is to train them, and eventually they will replace the canines that current handlers have when they retire," Massey explained.

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Even in the early stages, Massey said Ivan and Rudi's progress has been impressive.

"It's amazing seeing where the puppies were when we got them to where they're at now," he said. "It's mind-blowing how smart they are, how driven they are."

Beyond their training, K-9s play a critical role in keeping both officers and the community safe. Massey said the dogs help officers work more efficiently and can be vital in life-or-death situations.

"We've used them before for tracking not only suspects, but missing persons," he said. "There was an elderly person in the middle of winter, and the dog located her."

The unit has also been instrumental in recovering evidence that might otherwise go undetected, including firearms.

"They've recovered multiple firearms just in the last year," Massey said. "Humans aren't going to see them  and the canines just pick it up."

Copyright 2026. WAND TV. All rights reserved.
WATSEKA, Ill. (WAND) - A man has been arrested after being accused of killing his infant son.

The Iroquois County Sheriff's Office arrested and charged 22-year-old Jason L. Ruiz of Watseka with first-degree murder and aggravated battery in connection with the death of his one-month-old son, Jace.

On April 10, Watseka Fire and EMS were called to a home in the 1600 block of N Blue Bell Rd. in rural Watseka for a 3-week-old baby not breathing.

The baby was rushed to Iroquois Memorial Hospital and later to Lurie Children's Hospital in Chicago. Jace was pronounced dead on April 13.

Jason Ruiz was taken into custody in Chicago on April 16 with the help of the U.S. Marshal Great Lakes Fugitive Task Force.

The investigation remains active.

Copyright 2026. WAND TV. All rights reserved.
Interior Minister on consequences of Russian shelling: there is information about missing persons, search operations underway

Kyiv, Odesa, and Dnipro suffered the most from Russian attacks on Thursday night; a total of 15 people were killed in the shelling, and there is information about missing persons, reported Minister of Internal Affairs of Ukraine Ihor Klymenko.

In a Telegram post on Thursday, he informed that he is currently in Odesa. "At the site of the Russian strike on a residential building, Head of the State Emergency Service Andriy Danyk reported on the progress of the search and rescue operation," the minister noted.

Klymenko reminded that it is a day of mourning in the city for the victims of the attack. "As of now, there are already eight dead here as a result of the massive Russian strike. My condolences to all the families who lost their loved ones," he added.

According to the minister, Kyiv, Odesa, and Dnipro were hit the hardest tonight. "In total, 15 people died as a result of the night Russian shelling. In Kyiv, there are currently 4 dead, and in Dnipro  3. There is information about missing persons; we are working on finding them," the head of the Ministry of Internal Affairs emphasized.

He reported that more than 100 civilians across the country sustained injuries. "People continue to seek medical assistance," the minister specified.

Furthermore, Klymenko emphasized that the Russian night attack once again targeted those who save lives.

"In Kyiv, Russia launched a repeat strike when emergency services arrived to help the wounded. 3 police officers and 4 medics sustained injuries," Klymenko informed.

The minister added that all Ministry of Internal Affairs services have been working at the sites of Russian strikes from the first minutes: rescuers, climbers, police investigators and forensic experts, dog handlers, psychologists, special detachments, and law enforcement units.
Cacio e Pepe to Go in the centre of Rome.

A Roman restaurant celebrated for its cacio e pepe has branched out from its Testaccio base to launch a new street food outlet near the Spanish Steps in the city centre.

Da Felice, whose cacio e pepe has been praised by the New York Times as the finest in the world, has opened a takeaway offshoot at Via delle Carrozze 12A, just off Piazza di Spagna.

The new venture, called Felice On the Go, launches as the trattoria marks its 90th anniversary, combining nine decades of Roman culinary tradition with a faster format aimed at tourists and locals passing through the historic centre.

The roots of the business go back to 1936, when Guido Trivelloni arrived in the Testaccio neighbourhood from his vineyard in Velletri with a cart of wine.

He could hardly have anticipated the institution his family would build. By 2017 the brand had expanded to Milan, and in 2024 the cacio e pepe reached Turin as well.

Franco Trivelloni, Guido's grandson and the current custodian of the business, said the aim behind the new opening was to adapt a historic institution to a different context while preserving its identity and working methods.

The menu at Felice On the Go mirrors the offering at the Testaccio original. The four pillars of Roman pasta - amatriciana, carbonara, gricia and, of course, cacio e pepe - all for 13.

The street food menu also includes suppli, Roman-style artichokes, meatballs and tripe, while the dessert option includes tiramisu and ricotta and sour cherry tart.

The new 120-sqm premises, open daily from 11.30 to 19.30, has seating for 25 people although the emphasis is on the take-away option.

Photo Gambero Rosso
The trial of a man accused of committing rape and sexual assault against a child is nearing to a close.

On Thursday, April 16, a jury of five women and seven men heard the closing arguments from prosecutor Garnet Orange SC and defence barrister Aidan Doyle.

The proceedings are being held in-camera at Waterford Central Criminal Court before Judge Patrick McGrath.

The jury heard witness testimony from a former guidance counsellor of the complainant. The now-retired counsellor first raised concerns with the complainants parents over 20 years ago, but was met with a cold response.

Garda interviews

The defendant did not give evidence on the stand but the jury heard from the memos of Gardai interviews after his arrest in 2022.

In the interviews, the accused man repeatedly denied all accusations of rape and sexual assault. He told Gardai of a rumour he had heard about the complainant being abused by her grandfather.

He said: If she was abused by someone else, it was not me.

He told Gardai that the complainant was a "very troubled young girl".

He stated: I didnt do any of that, it never happened. Its all made up, thats it. What else can I say?

He claimed that he had no spare beds available in his home so the complainant would have been sleeping on a couch, not a single bed as she had described.

That girl has some imagination, he said.

He denied being sexually attracted to children when asked by the investigating Detective Garda.

He did admit to kissing the complainant on the night of his daughters Christening but later apologised to her.

Guidance counsellor

Earlier on in the day, the jury heard witness testimony from a former guidance counsellor who taught the complainant over 20 years ago.

The counsellor, now retired, told the court that she had taught the complainant during her second and third year at school. The counsellor said she had copious notes from her sessions with the complainant. The counsellor first spoke to the complainant, then in her early teens, over "concerns regarding a possible eating disorder". She went to visit the complainants home over these concerns and spoke with her mother.

The counsellor later became concerned over the complainants frequent interactions with a neighbour.

She said: After a period of counselling she told me that sexual things were happening.

The counsellor informed the parents of the complainant, in accordance with the child safety procedures of the time. She went to the family home for a second time to share her concerns, stating that the proper authorities would need to be contacted.

She said: I told her father that either he had to do it or I would. He said he would do it.

She told the court that she "expected a different response" from the family. Mr Orange asked her what she meant by that. She said: I would expect from a parent a much more alarmed response."

It was understood that the school no longer had the files when contacted by investigating Gardai. The counsellor said that she had left the notes in the school upon her retirement as they were school property.

The jury have been sent out to deliberate.

Read More Father said he saw accused man kissing his daughter when she was a child

Funded by the Court Reporting Scheme
A judge in Waterford has accepted jurisdiction in a case of an employee accused of theft by voiding transactions in the shop where he worked.

John Power (28), of 11 Closegate, Manor Street, Waterford city, was before Judge John Cheatle at Waterford District Court charged with theft contrary to Section 4 of the Criminal Justice (Theft and Fraud Offences) Act, 2001.

It is alleged that Mr Power, who was an employee of OBrien's in City Square, stole 3,500 by voiding transactions on October 1, 2024 and November 12, 2025.

The court was told that the total loss to the outlet was 9,000 but only 3,500 of that was attributed to the defendant.

Judge Cheatle accepted jurisdiction in the matter.

Funded under the Court Reporting Scheme
Gardai are appealing for information relating to an incident of suspected criminal damage by fire at a residential property in Waterford City, in the early hours of Thursday, April 16.

A spokesperson for the Gardai said officers and emergency services personnel responded to report of a fire in the Lisduggan Big area of Waterford City, that occurred at approximately 2.50am.

"Fire services extinguished the fire and made the area safe," said the Garda.

"The scene was preserved for technical examination," she added.

A male aged in his 50s was taken to University Hospital Waterford for injuries believed to be non-life threatening at this time.

"Gardai are appealing to anyone who may have witnessed this incident, or noticed anything suspicious in the Larchville area of Lisduggan Big, Waterford City, between 2am and 3.15am on the morning of Thursday, April 16th, to contact them," said the spokesperson.

Anyone who may have video footage from the area between those times (including CCTV and dash cam) are asked to make such footage available to investigating Gardai.

Anyone with any information is asked to contact Waterford Garda Station on 051 305300, the Garda confidential Line on 1800 666 111 or any Garda Station.

Gardai are investigating a suspected arson attack on a house in Waterford. Pic: Cllr John Hearne FB

Investigations into the matter are ongoing.
A mother of three was observed blocking a shop door looking for money, Waterford District Court was told.

Narcisa Florentina Bacrau (29), of no fixed abode, appeared before Judge John Cheatle where she pleaded guilty to aggressive begging contrary to Section 2 of the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act 2011, on Barronstrand Street on March 5, 2026.

Sergeant John Phelan told the court that on the day of the incident, around 12.15pm, Garda Stephen Barry observed the defendant begging.

He had previously told her to leave and she had not done so.

She was blocking the entrance to a shop and looking for money.

Acting for the defendant, solicitor Hilary Delahunty told the court that his client was a mother of three children and a member of the Roma community.

He said his client should not have been begging but was in a rather unpleasant situation.

Judge Cheatle applied Section 1.1 of the Probation of Offenders Act 1907.

Funded under the Court Reporting Scheme
Waterford stationery brand and creative design company Pawpear has been named as Waterfords Enterprise Award winner for 2026.

The business was founded in 2022 by Kim Whyte, with the aim of creating a stationery company that takes design cues from Irelands culture and national heritage.

The company will go on to represent Waterford at the National Enterprise Awards, which will take place in the Mansion House, Dublin, on June 18.

Each Pawpear collection is an ode to Ireland, its wild landscapes, native language and rich lore, said Ms Whyte.

All designs are illustrated, printed and assembled in Ireland using sustainable materials and local suppliers.

Were a young business, and so awards like this are very important. Its a real honour to represent Waterford at the national final later this year.

Every Pawpear design features references to the Irish language.

Mayor of Waterford City and County Council Seamus Ryan paid tribute to the brand: For generations Waterford has always been renowned as a creative hub.

Whether it be design of crystal or more modern technologies, weve always been recognised for this gift. Thats why Im so pleased to have the next generation of creativity recognised here today.

Id like to wish Kim and the team at Pawpear the best of luck as they go on to represent Waterford at the National Enterprise Finals.
Over the past 10 days, Russian troops have significantly intensified attempts to seize settlements directly on the border of the Sumy region, reported Viktor Trehubov, spokesperson for the Joint Forces Group.

"Eastern Sumy region is also part of our responsibility. There is indeed active pressure in the areas of Hrabovske and Myropilske. In principle, along the border, Russia has been quite active; in the last 10 days they have pushed quite actively and are trying to seize specifically the settlements on the border itself," he said during the telethon on Thursday.

At the same time, Trehubov noted that people had already been evacuated from these settlements, recalling how in December last year Russia took more than 50 civilian residents of the village of Hrabovske.

"We are talking about attempts to advance 500 meters deep into the territory of Ukraine, and not about attempts to take civilian Ukrainians captive," he added.
A trial has commenced involving a male doctor who is alleged to have sexually assaulted a female patient during a medical examination at a clinic in Waterford.

The man has pleaded not guilty to one count of sexual assault, and a jury has been empanelled to determine a verdict.

On April 17, 2020, the complainant attended an appointment at a medical clinic in Waterford to treat pain in her foot.

She arrived by car with her partner and two children and entered the clinic by herself.

She was called into a room by the doctor and was asked to lay down on a bench so that he could inspect her foot.

The woman alleges that at this point he began rubbing her inner thigh and grabbed her breast.

He then concluded the exam, giving her injections into her foot.

The complainant left the room, paid, and returned to the car, where she immediately told her husband what happened and texted a friend.

On day one of the trial in Waterford Circuit Court, Judge Eugene OKelly and the jury of five men and seven woman heard evidence from the complainant, her friend, and a Garda officer who confirmed that the complainant made a formal complaint regarding the incident to Gardai on May 7, 2020.

The court hearing is in-camera. Names and specific locations have been redacted from this report to protect the identity of parties involved.

The trial continues.
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NationalCBD Opinion Mark Latham flirts with John Ruddick and the Libertarian Party John Buckley CBD columnist April 16, 2026  3:00am

April 16, 2026  3:00am Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Share A A A

Is Mark Latham plotting yet another change of party allegiance? That was one question raised by the former One Nation firebrands headline status alongside John Ruddick at a Libertarian Party branch meeting that was set to go ahead in Liverpool on Wednesday evening. You would have been forgiven for thinking the Libertarians might just be the only party The Cockroach hasnt already pledged loyalty to, but, of course, you would be wrong. Latham, the one-time federal Labor leader turned One Nation opportunist turned independent, was for a brief period also a member of the Liberal Democratic Party, which rebranded to the Libertarian Party in 2023. Mark Latham is set to headline a Libertarian Party branch meeting alongside John Ruddick. Janie Barrett But that brief seance ended in late 2018, when Latham departed over a disagreement with Liberal Democrat leader David Leyonhjelm over where Latham would run for the party. When reached on Wednesday, Ruddick sounded giddy about the prospect of a Latham homecoming. The door is wide open, Ruddick told CBD.

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The party thinks highly of Latham, Ruddick said, and has had him along to a bunch of recent events, even though he isnt the perfect libertarian. Maybe Wednesday evenings Liverpool grip-n-grin will double as an audition for Latham as the party tries to rally the troops ahead of next years NSW election. Latham didnt respond to a request for comment in time for publication. Related Article NSW State Parliament Latham quits One Nation, alleges it misspent taxpayer funds True believers were invited down to Rashays Macquarie Street on Wednesday with the lure of meeting Latham, who, according to the billing, promised to break down the surge of minor right-leaning parties and the role theyre set to play in Australias political future. We will also be talking about the latest on our campaign as we gear up for next years state election. If you want to be part of the momentum, this is your moment. But we cant help wondering if Latham, unmatched as one of the states great political survivors, mightve missed his moment. Surely, hed be looking at the polls thinking about what couldve been had he not walked away from One Nation in 2023.

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Support for Pauline Hansons One Nation has since surged, with the most recent Resolve Political Monitor poll putting the partys federal primary vote at 24 per cent, outpacing the official opposition for the first time. One Nations support was at 7 per cent last March and 6.4 per cent at the May election, our colleague noted last month. Latham, by contrast, does not have the same wind at his back. The most notable thing weve heard of Latham lately was chatter about him rocking the Trump tint as a result of what appeared to be a home hair dye job, debuted at estimates while gnawing audibly at his sandwich. Virgin Australia exec feels cancellation pain Virgin Australias corporate affairs boss, Christian Bennett, appears to have only just discovered how annoying cancellations can be.

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In a sprawling post to LinkedIn earlier this week, clocking in at more than 300 words, Bennett was outraged about how an Airbnb host cancelled accommodation for him and his wife for their trip to the United States next month to celebrate their sons college graduation. The post described Airbnb as a bad gamble at best, and mercenary at worst, before calling on hosts who cancel to be penalised. A little too on the nose, even for us! This from a guy who, in his day job, is the mouthpiece for an airline that spent years resisting stronger passenger rights in the aviation sector, which loves a cancelled flight. Virgins corporate affairs chief Christian Bennett pictured in parliament in 2023. Alex Ellinghausen In its submission to the 2023 Aviation Green Paper, Virgin Australia argued that Australian consumer law was fit-for-purpose and suggested that industry-specific regimes such as a Passenger Bill of Rights or a fixed compensation regime could negatively impact customer outcomes and operational performance. Of course, the airline has since warmed up to the idea of strengthening consumer rights. Earlier this month, the Albanese government introduced new legislation aiming to establish a new Aviation Consumer Ombudsperson to help resolve complaints; a new Aviation Consumer Protections Charter, to set minimum standards for airlines and airport services; and a new Aviation Consumer Protection Authority, to enforce compliance.

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Aviation Unworkable: Airlines warn aviation reforms could drive up ticket prices In a statement announcing the legislation, Transport Minister Catherine King had this to say: Consumers have relied on airlines handling escalated complaints themselves through voluntary industry arrangements and have frequently been left disappointed with the outcomes. But Bennett wasted no time snapping into action to remind us of how constructively and co-operatively Virgin has been in its engagement with the federal government. It was the first airline to invest in great customer-centric IT solutions, Bennett said, and was the fastest airline to resolve complaints to the customer advocate last year. But is my employer perfect? Of course not  but what I like about them is that it does try to constantly learn and improve wherever it falls short, and deliver on its value promise to customers, Bennett told CBD. Did we feel that in dealing with AirBnB over the last 12 months trying to prepare for an important family event? No.

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Welcome to the club, Christian. 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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CultureArt & designMirka Mora Mirka Moras surviving sons launch legal action over artists estate Kerrie O'Brien April 16, 2026  3:27pm Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Share A A A

A legal battle is brewing over the estate of one of Australias most loved artists, the late Mirka Mora, with her two surviving sons arguing they have been hard done by. On Tuesday, Philippe and Tiriel Mora launched legal action in the Supreme Court of Victoria over the handling of the Mirka Mora estate. Mirka Mora in her Richmond studio in Monsieur Mayonnaise. Trevor Graham Based in Los Angeles, Philippe is a filmmaker, best known for directing Mad Dog Morgan, while Blue Mountains-based Tiriel is an actor who played lawyer Dennis Denuto in The Castle, and Martin Di Stasio on the current affairs satire Frontline. The documents state the art owned by the estate  covering works at a Heide exhibition, in Mirkas home, and in storage at William Mora Galleries  was valued at approximately $6 million in 2019.

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Mora was an acclaimed, prolific artist who created colourful, joyous paintings, drawings, dolls and ceramics, many featuring the angels and eyes which became her trademarks. Her work is held in major galleries and private collections around Australia. She was also a much-loved Melbourne character; flamboyant, intelligent, cheeky and irreverent. When she died aged 90 in August 2018, a state funeral was held in her honour. The Mora family in Mirkas Studio at the Tolarno Hotel in 1967. From left to right: Philippe, Mirka, William, Tiriel (on ladder) and Georges. The legal action comes after the death of gallerist William Mora, Mirkas second born son, in April 2023. Williams widow, Anna Mortley-Mora  now sole director of William Mora Galleries in Richmond  is named as a respondent in the action. This masthead contacted her for comment but she declined. Also named as respondents are current trustees, Anthony William Parsons and Allan Verstandig, and former trustees, accountants Bernard Marin and Christopher Vincent Maher. Stewart Levitt of Levitt Robinson, acting for Philippe and Tiriel Mora, says the two surviving sons consider they have been hard done by in terms of the way the estate has been administered up to this point. Levitt says the sons propose alternative trustees be appointed to run the estate: art dealer and gallerist Tim Olsen, together with Danny Lustig, a chartered accountant.

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Mirka Mora, 1972. Fairfax Archives The legal papers, seen by this masthead, question whether the executors and trustees of the estate have properly discharged their duties to administer Mirkas estate. The documents also ask if they have created a comprehensive, accurate inventory of the artworks; question copyright fees and royalties and trademarks using the word Mirka; and William Mora Galleries being appointed as the agent for the Mora estate in 2023. The documents also question licensing agreements between the estate and Kip & Co, Kozminsky Jewellery and Third Drawer Down. Parsons and Verstandig were appointed the current trustees of Mirkas estate after Marin and Maher resigned as trustees in February. Parsons and Verstandig declined to comment on the proceedings, while Nancy Collins, legal representative for Marin and Maher, said in a statement her clients would respond to the application in due course.

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The original trustees were appointed in accordance with the express wishes of Mirka Mora herself. They have, at all times, acted diligently, responsibly and in good faith in administering the estate for the benefit of all beneficiaries while faithfully adhering to Mirkas will, which included her wish that the sale of her art be done in a way that protected her legacy and integrity in the art community, the statement continued. We consider the application to be misconceived. It is framed as a request for guidance but in substance raises broad and unfocused allegations, Collins said. We are confident that the Court will find that the estate has been properly administered in accordance with the terms of Mirka Moras Will and the trustees legal obligations. Artist Mirka Mora and her sons (from left) Tiriel, Philippe and William at Heide Museum of Modern Art. Mora, with husband Georges and baby Philippe, immigrated to Australia from France in 1951. In Melbourne, the couple befriended many artists including Charles and Barbara Blackman, John Perceval, Arthur Boyd and Joy Hester, as well as benefactors Sunday and John Reed, who later founded Heide Museum of Modern Art. The Moras soon opened Mirka Cafe in Collins Street, one of the first venues in the city to make real coffee, which became a social hub for artists and those in that milieu. Later, they would run Cafe Balzac and then the Tolarno Hotel in St Kilda, where Mirkas murals are still displayed.

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As a Jewish 14-year-old, Mirka, her mother and her two sisters were sent to the Pithiviers internment camp, a temporary location before deportation to Nazi death camps. They managed to flee, but the experience left her forever changed. Related Article Lunch with She loved to embarrass people: William Mora on his mum, Mirka Speaking to this masthead in 2021, William said of his mother: She is such a beacon to joy and exploration of life. All of that was obviously part of dealing with the horrific experience of escaping the Holocaust. On her death, this masthead reported: Mirka left her mark all over the city: on murals in restaurants and at Flinders Street Station; in a mosaic on St Kilda Pier; on a clothing collection worn by many a Melbourne woman; and even on the exterior of a tram in the 1980s. 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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NationalNSWCity life The Paragon has sat empty for eight years. Locals fear it might soon be gone for good Julie Power April 16, 2026  9:30am Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Share A A A

When the Simos familys Paragon Cafe in Katoomba was NSW heritage listed 11 years ago, its intact art deco interiors featuring marble and mirrors were described as possibly unique in Australia. Vacant now for eight years, its ornate decor has been vandalised and its fittings stolen, with photos showing new graffiti and illegal entry. The Paragon Cafe has fallen into disrepair. The Paragon Cafe, in Katoomba. Dion Georgopoulos Many locals have moved from frustration to resignation that their beloved gem, The Paragon, is lost, said the latest update by the Friends of the Paragon. Many fear its too late to save what was one of the finest of the thousands of Greek cafes and milk bars that fed Australia before fast food killed the mixed grill.

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The NSW government alleged this week that the owner of the Paragon, John Landerer of Conset Investments Pty Ltd, has breached a heritage order issued in November to maintain the property, particularly its fire protection, to a minimum standard. The allegation followed an inspection by a new compliance unit, the Biodiversity and Heritage Regulator, on March 2. The lights at the Paragon. Zeldatea One of the soda fountains at the Paragon when the interiors were still intact. It is extremely disappointing that the Paragon Cafe continues to require regulatory action to ensure compliance, said a government spokesperson.

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Heritage Inside the once-charming Paragon, a heartbreaking discovery is made It was considering compliance and enforcement options, which could include court action, to ensure the premises were maintained to a minimum standard as required under the NSW Heritage Act, a spokesperson said. Landerer has the right to appeal against the order. Rod Stowe, the chair of the Blue Mountains Branch of the National Trust, said continued neglect and inaction on the part of the owner and responsible authorities may ultimately prove prejudicial to the survival of this highly significant building. To the descendants of the Greek cafes and milkbars, the survival of the Paragon was personal.

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Speaking at a preview of a new documentary, Australias Greek Cafes & Milk Bars: Shaken & Stirred by Fork Productions, Janet France (nee Keldoulis) said it was devastating. It breaks my heart, she said. France and her brother Rob Keldoulis (who also funded the documentary) are the grandchildren of the founder of the Black & White 4d Milk Bar, Mick Adams, that operated in Martin Place. Christina Kompos served, cooked and ran five Greek cafes in rural NSW for more than 60 years. She features in the new documentary Australias Greek Cafes & Milk Bars: Shaken & Stirred. Louise Kennerley [The Paragon] was so beautiful back in those days, especially the back rooms with art deco, said France. She said Aunty Mary [as she called Mary Simos] would send them one of the Paragons famous homemade chocolate eggs every Easter. Liz Kaydos was asked to make the documentary by photographer Effy Alexakis, and historian Leonard Janiszewski, who have been researching the Greek-Australian story for 50 years.

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Related Article Photography Like young lovers do, Leonard and Effy made a pact. It would last 40 years It was a story close to Kaydos heart. I spent the first year of my life as a cafe kid in a little country town [Lockhart NSW]. Her Greek parents offered an Aussie mixed grill. More adventurous locals would eat Greek food with the Kaydos family in their kitchen. Most people then didnt like the smell of garlic. The Greek born television presenter John Mangos recalled getting detention because his lunch smelled of garlic. Christina Kompos, 85, worked in five cafes across NSW and Victoria for 60 years. They didnt know much about European cuisine. It was steak, steak sandwiches, steak and eggs, rice and eggs, she said. Like many other Greek cafe owners, shed visited the Paragon. It is beautiful ... but these cafes dont exist any more.

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Many recalled being helped by the Simos family. Others came from Kythera, the same Greek island, or sold them supplies, like potatoes grown locally. A woman still had a Paragon napkin that her father had kept. They didnt know much about European cuisine. It was steak, steak sandwiches, steak and eggs, rice and eggs. Christina Kompos Vandals breaking into the heritage-listed Paragon. Friends of the Paragon New graffiti on the heritage-listed building. Friends of the Paragon The Friends president Rob Strange said the risk of fire was great. We have a thuggish element in town ... with a habit of breaking [into empty properties] and committing arson.

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Landerers company, Conset Investments Pty Ltd, has been issued two orders under the Heritage Act 1977, the first on May 14 last year which was modified and reissued in July, and another on November 26. Landerer did not respond to the Heralds emails and phone calls. The Morning Edition newsletter is our guide to the days most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up here.
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Updated PoliticsQueenslandQueensland government Former workplace safety boss wanted to sack friend of the CFMEU, but couldnt Matt Dennien Updated April 16, 2026  2:50pm ,first published 8:59am Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Share A A A

A former head of Queenslands workplace safety regulator said he wanted, but was unable, to sack an employee under corruption watchdog monitoring who was described as a friend of the CFMEU. Peter McKay, the former deputy director-general in charge of the regulator, also told the states CFMEU inquiry that the now ousted leader Michael Ravbar directed organisers to call him directly with all issues as reprisal for not returning the sidelined employee to a more powerful role. Peter McKay, a former deputy director-general of the Office of Industrial Relations, gives evidence to the inquiry. Commission of Inquiry into the CFMEU and Misconduct in the Construction Industry The powerful state probe has this week returned to the topic of the CFMEUs regulatory capture of the office, with evidence from another inspector and its executive director for compliance and field services, Sarina Wise. Taking the witness stand himself on Thursday, McKay reiterated widespread and now widely aired concerns about the role and actions of former construction compliance and field services director Helen Burgess.

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Last year, Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie told parliament Burgess had been suspended and her home raided by the Crime and Corruption Commission. The inquiry has heard Burgess had a personal relationship with former CFMEU state president Royce Kupsch. Commissioner Stuart Wood during the Commission of Inquiry into the CFMEU. News Corp Australia The inquiry has also heard about the existence of complaints that Burgess had bullied and abused safety inspectors under her control, including directing some to issue stop-work notices they believed to be unlawful. Wise told the inquiry on Wednesday the office had been referred information by the CCC that Burgess was in a de facto relationship with a CFMEU delegate whose son she had hired five years earlier as an inspector, without disclosing the conflict. In his evidence, McKay said he was reluctant to take a secondment to lead the regulator given issues with the CFMEU, its relationship with Burgess, and the resulting cultural problems for the broader staff.

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By this time, Burgess had been moved by McKays predecessor, Kym Bancroft, into a role where she no longer had control of the offices construction inspectors. In McKays 137-page witness statement bundle tendered with the inquiry, he said the then state CFMEU secretary, Ravbar, saw the answer to every problem being the return of Ms Burgess to her more powerful role. In almost every conversation that I had with him, he would raise the issue of putting Ms Burgess back in charge of the inspectors, McKay said, including words to the effect of if you would agree to put Helen back, this wouldnt be a problem. Ravbar also pushed then Industrial Relations Minister Grace Grace to do the same in a meeting with McKay. In a September 2023 conversation with another former CFMEU official, Kurt Pauls, McKay recalled him referring to Burgess as a friend of the CFMEU.

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I did not trust her and she was not well-liked in OIR but that, in and of itself, is not grounds to terminate the employment of a permanent public service staff person, McKay said, also citing earlier disciplinary action around the use of a personal phone to deal with a CFMEU complaint. Related Article Queensland government Safety inspectors forced to write stop-work notices for targeted CFMEU sites If it was the case that I could simply remove her from OIR, I would have, but at that time there was not enough to go on to terminate her. Instead, McKay said Burgess was closely managed in the low risk and less powerful role. Despite Wise also not trusting her and seeking to have her moved, McKay said no other executives trusted her either, with their units either less suitable or higher risk for Burgess. When a proposal was put forward by the office for a new hotline for construction sector concerns specifically, Pauls told McKay in a meeting that if Burgess was not reinstated, the union would not use the 1300 number and would call another senior staffer directly.

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This, ultimately, ended up being McKay, who said he then had to relay detail from all such calls to the relevant team despite this both delaying action for the union and being a waste of his time while leading the 900-strong office. Related Article Exclusive

Queensland government Flawed MOU let banned officials argue their way onto building sites Despite this, McKay continued, saying he thought it was better him than another member of his staff and that to not do so would have been a nuclear option in which the union could claim it was being ignored by the regulator. In cross-examination by counsel for Ravbar, Ruth OGorman KC, McKay was asked if describing such calls as reprisal was too strong. He said it was not. Michael Ravbar had said to me, I will give your mobile phone number to all of my organisers, and they will ring you with everything. So you know, this was a campaign to say to me, you havent done what I told you to do, and the result of that is you are going to cop all these calls from my organisers. Start the day with a summary of the days most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter.
Zelenskyy at the Four Freedoms Awards: The fact that countries care gives us a real chance that one day the world will not be a victim of wars

Photo: The Presidential Office of Ukraine / www.president.gov.ua

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy and the Ukrainian people received the international Four Freedoms Award.

"Yes, we often hear that international law and the world order are broken. But there still exists a clear majority of countries that recognize that war is not the norm. Killing people is not the norm. And Russia and violence must be stopped. People feel this, truly," Zelenskyy said at the award ceremony on Thursday.

"And the fact that people care, that countries care, that you care, gives us all a real chance. A chance that one day the world will no longer be a victim of wars. That one day the world will have a system  military, political, and legal  strong enough to deter Russia. That one day people will be able to say that finally we no longer have to fear ruins," he emphasized.

The President also asked those present to observe a minute of silence to honor the memory of Ukrainians who died due to Russia.

Zelenskyy noted that Putin knows exactly what he is doing and who he resembles, "and he is quite rightly compared to the Nazis."

"He has the same expansionist ambitions. He wants to decide the fate of nations and whether they have the right to exist at all," Zelenskyy remarked.

He added that at the heart of the war against Ukraine lies a false claim that Ukraine does not exist, that it is allegedly part of Russia.

"And its not just about history, not just about politics or ideology. This is the basis of their goal  to completely destroy Ukraine. And not only Ukraine. Russia has openly, repeatedly stated that it wants to control all its neighbors. It wants to decide what security in Europe should be like and whether it should exist at all," Zelenskyy said.

The Head of State called on partners to continue pressure on Russia and to ensure that "Russia is held accountable for this aggression legally and in practice."

"Here in the Netherlands, we are working to create a tribunal regarding Russias aggression against Ukraine, and I thank you for your help. We are working to ensure the international legal system is firm and uncompromising toward Russian war criminals," he noted.

The award ceremony took place in Middelburg, the Netherlands.

As reported, Zelenskyy and the Ukrainian people receive the international Four Freedoms Award on Thursday, April 16, according to the official website of the award.

"Since the large-scale invasion by Russia in 2022, President Zelenskyy and the Ukrainian people have been fighting relentlessly for their freedom and independence. By awarding the international Four Freedoms Award, the Roosevelt Foundation board expresses its support for the Ukrainian people and President Zelenskyy," the report says.
Photo: State Emergency Service

URCS provided assistance to those affected by the Russian air attack on Odesa.

"The rapid response unit of the Ukrainian Red Cross in Odesa region worked together with rescuers of the State Emergency Service of Ukraine and other special services at the sites of the aftermath of the attack in Odesa," the URCS reported on Facebook on Thursday.

At the first location, volunteers conducted a sweep of the territory and damaged buildings, providing first aid to two victims, while five others received initial psychological support. At another location, volunteers provided pre-medical aid to five wounded individuals and evacuated two victims to the hospital. Those whose homes sustained damage received humanitarian aid from the Ukrainian Red Cross - OSB boards for temporary housing repairs.

As reported, as a result of the massive attack on Odesa, eight people died and sixteen others were injured.

According to the State Emergency Service, the enemy hit a multi-story residential building, causing a fire and significant destruction - some apartments were destroyed. Several residential buildings, a port infrastructure facility, storage facilities, and the glazing of three five-story dormitories were also damaged.
WASHINGTON (AP)  President Donald Trumps design for the Triumphal Arch he wants built at an entrance to the nation's capital moved a step forward Thursday after a key agency reviewed the proposal for the first time. One commissioner suggested changes, including removing a Lady Liberty-like statue and a pair of eagles that would sit on top of the arch, adding to its height.

The arch is one of several projects the Republican president is pursuing alongside a White House ballroom to leave his lasting imprint on Washington.

The U.S. Commission of Fine Arts, whose members were appointed by Trump, approved the design concept for three projects: the arch, a plan to paint the gray granite exterior of the Eisenhower Executive Office Building, and construction of an underground facility to conduct security screenings of tourists and other guests.

It's the first step in the commission's process. The federal agency next will review updated designs for all three projects at a future meeting before taking any final votes.

White House spokesperson Davis Ingle said the action by the commission is "another step in accomplishing President Trumps promise to the American people from the campaign trail  to Make America Safe and Beautiful Again.

Triumphal Arch

The arch itself would stand 250 feet tall (76 meters) from its base to a torch held aloft by a Lady Liberty-like figure atop the structure. That figure would be flanked up top by two eagles and guarded at the base by four lions  all gilded. The phrases One Nation Under God and Liberty and Justice for All" would be inscribed in gold lettering atop either side of the monument.

A public observation deck on top would provide 360-degree views of the surroundings.

Interior Secretary Doug Burgum pitched the arch in a statement he personally delivered at the meeting, saying that long-ago plans for Columbia Island, the federal land where the arch would rise, called for a monument to be built there. But those plans fell by the wayside, he said, allowing the plot to become a barren" and grass-covered traffic circle in need of adornment.

His department oversees the National Park Service, which manages the land where the arch would be built. Burgum said Washington is the only major Western world capital without such an arch.

But at 250 feet tall, the arch would dwarf the Lincoln Memorial, which is 99 feet (30 meters) tall, and be close to half the height of the Washington Monument, an obelisk that is about 555 feet (169 meters) tall. Three of four people who delivered public comment at the meeting opposed the arch, largely because of its size. The commission received about 1,000 written comments, all opposing the project, according to its secretary Thomas Luebke.

The commissions vice chairman, architect James McCrery II, said he preferred the arch without the figure and eagles on top, which would significantly reduce its height by about 80 feet (24.4 meters). McCrery also objected to the lions on the base, saying they are not a beast natural to the North American continent." He also sounded opposed to a planned underground tunnel for pedestrian access to the arch.

A group of veterans and a historian has sued in federal court to block construction on the grounds that the arch would disrupt the sightline between the Lincoln Memorial and Arlington House at Arlington National Cemetery, among other reasons.

Eisenhower Executive Office Building paint job

Trump dislikes the gray granite exterior of the Eisenhower Executive Office Building.

Its one of the most beautiful buildings anywhere in Washington," he said last year. I think its just incredible, but you have to get past the color because the stone they used was a really bad color.

The White House presented two proposals to the commission: paint the entire building bright white, or paint most of it white while leaving the granite on the exposed basement and subbasement.

Josh Fisher, a White House official, said the administration prefers painting the entire building, which opened in 1888. He said the exterior is in great disrepair and that experts who were consulted could not guarantee that a cleaning would improve the condition.

Public comment, both written and in person, was 100% against the proposed paint job, with opponents arguing that it would harm the granite and fail to solve the problem. Other opponents asserted that the building is beautiful as is.

White House officials have to return at a future date with the results of paint testing, the commission said.

Commissioner Chamberlain Harris, who also is Trump's deputy director of Oval Office Operations, noted that most White House staff work out of the EEOB. She said painting the building white to match the White House would create a homogenous environment" and help foster a sense of belonging for the staff.

The office building sits across a driveway from the West Wing and its granite, slate, and cast iron exterior makes it one of Americas best examples of the French Second Empire style of architecture. It originally housed the departments of State, War and Navy, and currently is home to ceremonial offices for the vice president, offices for the second lady, the National Security Council and other White House offices.

The building is a National Historic Landmark and is also listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and the proposed paint job is also the subject of litigation in federal court.

Underground screening center for White House visitors

The U.S. Secret Service, the Interior Department, the National Park Service, and the Executive Office of the President want to start construction in August on a 33,000-square-foot (3,066-square-meter) center to screen tourists and other visitors to the White House.

It would be built beneath Sherman Park, federal land southwest of the White House, to provide a more secure place to screen those going on White House tours or attending events. The new facility would have modern technology and seven lanes to ease processing and reduce wait times.

Officials want it operating by July 2028, six months before Trumps term ends.
ANNANDALE, Va. (AP)  Former Virginia Lt. Gov. Justin Fairfax, a rising star in the Democratic Party until sexual assault allegations ruined his political fortunes, killed his estranged wife and then himself weeks before a judge's deadline to move out of their family home, according to police and court records.

Officers called to the home in the Washington, D.C., suburb of Annandale early Thursday found the bodies of Fairfax, 47, and his wife, Dr. Cerina Fairfax, 49, Fairfax County Police Chief Kevin Davis said.

Justin Fairfax fatally shot his wife, a successful dentist, in the basement before going to an upstairs bedroom and killing himself, Davis said. Their son called 911.

One of Justin Fairfax's longtime friends told The Associated Press that he became increasingly despondent after his wife filed for divorce last year. The judge overseeing the divorce recently wrote that his isolation, drinking, and a lack of participation in family life are manifestations of what seems to be a sense of fatalism and hopelessness.

EDITORS NOTE  This story includes discussion of suicide. If you or someone you know needs help, the national suicide and crisis lifeline in the U.S. is available by calling or texting 988. There is also an online chat at 988lifeline.org

A turn in fortunes

Less than a decade ago, Justin Fairfax's political career was taking off. He won the race for lieutenant governor in 2017 and seemed poised to become Virginias second Black governor two years later when Democratic Gov. Ralph Northam faced widespread calls to resign over a racist photo in his medical school yearbook. Fairfax would have become governor if Northam had stepped down.

But two women came forward accusing Fairfax of sexually assaulting them years earlier.

Fairfax said the encounters, which occurred before he was married, were consensual and refused calls to resign. He tried to run for governor in 2021, but was largely shunned by Virginia Democrats and defeated in the Democratic primary.

A career and marriage fall apart

Cerina Fairfax said in court filings that she and her husband separated nearly two years ago. But they were still living in the same house with their two teenage children, who were both home when the deaths occurred, Davis said.

In a March 30 order, the judge told Justin Fairfax to move out by the end of April, writing it is clear tensions in the Fairfax home have been extremely high for an extended period of time.

The judge said in court documents that Justin Fairfaxs mental and emotional health suffered after two setbacks: his unsuccessful 2013 campaign for the Democratic nomination for attorney general and the 2019 sexual assault scandal. After both, he drank heavily and withdrew from his family, but while it took about a month to recover from the first setback, he never bounced back from the second.

Cerina Fairfax testified during the divorce proceedings that her husband drank daily, and that his living space was littered with empty wine bottles and piles of dirty laundry. He bought a handgun in 2022 with money intended for horseback riding lessons for their children, court records showed.

Sophia A. Nelson, a Virginia author and journalist who described Justin Fairfax as a close friend, said Thursday that he never moved past the 2019 scandal.

She told the AP that during a group text with her and another friend Tuesday night, he expressed how the recent sexual assault allegations against Democratic Rep. Eric Swalwell of California had brought back for him what he continued to insist was an unfair rush to judgment.

Nelson said she and other friends repeatedly asked Fairfax to seek help. She urged him to move out but believes he wasn't able to do so financially.

I was concerned, as were other close friends, fraternity brothers, family members, Nelson said. "There were talks of suicidal thoughts.

Filings show that Justin Fairfax had financial challenges following the sexual assault allegations, which prompted his resignation as a partner at a prestigious law firm. The IRS filed a lien against the couple for more than $91,000 in unpaid taxes that was resolved in 2021.

Nelson said Fairfax was unemployable after the scandal and tried to rebuild his legal career, but with a few successes.

Davis, the police chief, said Justin Fairfax was recently served with paperwork telling him when next to appear in court. He said officers went to the familys home in January after Justin Fairfax alleged that his wife had assaulted him -- but cameras she had set up around the home showed the alleged assault never occurred.

Cerina Fairfax had a thriving dental practice

The couple met as undergraduates at Duke University and married in 2006. Cerina Fairfax also attended the Virginia Commonwealth University School of Dentistry, which honored her in 2015 as an outstanding alumna.

A profile page on the website of her family dentistry practice described her as an avid reader who liked to travel, practice yoga, go on trail runs with her Vizsla-breed dogs, and spend time with her wonderful family.

Its very sad for this community, Davis said. A lot of people who know the Fairfax family, everybodys shocked. Were shocked.

An outpouring of grief

The deaths stunned political leaders throughout the state.

We are keeping Cerina and Justin Fairfaxs family  especially their two children  in our prayers as we all process this shocking and horrifying news, Virginias Democratic U.S. senators, Mark Warner and Tim Kaine, said in a joint statement.

Fairfax had served as co-chair for Warners 2014 reelection campaign.

Virginia's Democratic governor, Abigail Spanberger, posted on X that she was deeply saddened and praying for the families.

This tragedy reminds us that domestic violence can occur in any family and in any place, she wrote.

Nelson said that as much as she and Justin Fairfaxs other friends wanted to believe he would never abuse women, killing his wife would be his epitaph and undercut the good and honorable things he had done in public life.

You now fit what many, many men have done in domestic violence incidences like this, Nelson said while fighting back tears. And thats how youre remembered.

Biesecker reported from Fairfax County, Virginia. Associated Press reporters Sarah Brumfield in Cockeysville, Maryland, Jonathan Mattise in Nashville, Tennessee, John Raby in Charleston, West Virginia, Alanna Durkin Richer in Washington, Allen G. Breed in Wake Forest, North Carolina, and John Seewer in Toledo, Ohio, contributed to this report.
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB)  After thieves stole nearly $92 million from Kentuckians last year, the Louisville Metro Police Department says scams are "prevalent" and "on the rise" in the area.

So far this year, LMPD has investigated 461 reports of scams. While officers work hard to recover stolen money, there are some steps you can take to protect yourself.

"Everyone is targeted," Erin Ray, Chase Bank community manager, said. "You can be a senior, a college student, a parent, a mom. Everyone is targeted."

From fake rental homes to Riverlink tolls, scammers are stepping up their game.

"Scam artists use urgency," Ray said. "People fall into it because we're so used to moving very fast."

They're using technology, such as AI, to convince people to open their wallets.

"AI makes that really believable because they can generate voices," Sgt. Scott Shafer, with LMPD's Financial Crimes Unit, said.

Since the start of 2026, Shafer said LMPD has seen 1,200 reports of fraud. However, officers have only been able to investigate roughly a third of those cases because, he said, scammers are out of state.

"It makes it very difficult when your victim is here but the suspect could be anywhere," said Maj. Jill Bates, with LMPD's Major Crimes Division.

WDRB asked Chase Bank how likely it is that every scam victim will get their money back.

"It's never 100% guaranteed," Ray said. "That's the unfortunate part. That's another reason being educated, aware and alert helps you pay attention to those signs."

LMPD said the most common scams involve romance or impersonation. Thieves call or email victims and pretend to be a loved one or law enforcement.

"The police will not ask you for money," Bates said. "They will not have you deliver gift cards."

Officials suggest creating a "family password." It helps verify people's identities if someone claims to be a relative and asks for money.

Ray recommends double-checking the source. She said it's smart to avoid clicking any suspicious links in emails or texts. Plus, never share personal information, such as passwords or financial details, with unexpected callers.

"Pause," Ray said. "Don't respond right away. Take a beat."

If you think you've been targeted, act quickly. Call your bank, file a police report and monitor your accounts.

In Louisville, you can call in tips to LMPD at (502) 574-LMPD (5673). Tips can also be submitted anonymously online through the department's Crime Tip Portal by clicking here.

Copyright 2026 WDRB Media. All Rights Reserved.
LOUISIVILLE, Ky. (WDRB)  Kentucky lawmakers overrode vetoes on two Senate bills that will reshape Jefferson County Public Schools' board and leadership.

Gov. Andy Beshear vetoed Senate Bill 1 and Senate Bill 4 Monday, but both bills were overridden in the Senate and House of Representatives during Tuesday's sessions.

Part of SB 1 will shift more authority to JCPS superintendent Brian Yearwood by requiring a two-thirds vote of the board to override decisions instead of a simple majority.

In his veto message, Beshear said the bill violates a 2022 ruling that stated JCPS could not be treated differently than other districts in the state.

Under SB 4, all JCPS board seats will be up for election this November, regardless of when members were last elected.

The bill also reduces the board from seven members to five, which Beshear said would "diminish representation of voters," when he vetoed the bill.

Both bills received mixed reviews from board members and community organizations since their introduction.

April 15 marks the final day for lawmakers to override vetoes.

Copyright 2026 WDRB Media. All Rights Reserved.
Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha announced that Ukraine will bring the discussion of Russias massive shelling to a UN Security Council meeting on April 20.

"Russias wave of terror against Ukraine is not accidental but part of its military strategy. Residential buildings with sleeping families and critical infrastructure necessary for the daily lives of hundreds of thousands of civilians remain the targets. Such attacks are planned in advance. This indicates that when Ukraine proposed to extend the Easter truce and give diplomacy a chance, the Russian leadership had already approved plans for further killings of civilians," he said on X.

Sybiha emphasized that the Russian attack claimed at least 15 lives, including a child, in KYIV, Odesa, and Dnipro. More than 100 people sustained injuries across the country.

He stressed that Russian brutality requires an immediate and decisive international response, particularly from the UN Security Council.

"At the Council meeting scheduled for Monday, April 20, at Ukraines request, we will raise the issue of the need for a tough UN Security Council reaction to state terror by Russiaa country that still illegally occupies its permanent seat," the post reads.

The Foreign Minister called on the world to be united in supporting Ukraine, to increase pressure on Russia, and to work toward ensuring accountability.

"Together, we must restore respect for international law, including the UN Charter, by ending Russian aggression against Ukraine," Sybiha wrote.
Weber State to launch bachelors program for occupational therapy assistants, addressing critical Utah workforce gap

April 16, 2026

OGDEN, Utah  Weber State University is expanding its reach in Utah healthcare with a new bachelors degree for occupational therapy assistants.



The program is designed to increase access to training in northern Utah, strengthen the states workforce, and elevate patient care. An initial investment of $2.5 million from the Larry H. & Gail Miller Family Foundation made this new degree offering possible.

Programs like the occupational therapy assistant program at Weber State play a critical role in equipping students with the knowledge and skills they need to become outstanding healthcare providers, said Gail Miller, chair of the Larry H. & Gail Miller Family Foundation and co-founder of the Larry H. Miller Company. We are proud to provide founding support for this program and help launch what will surely become the training ground for many exceptional healthcare professionals.

Assistant Professor Robyn Thompson, OTA program director, is currently setting a strong vision for the new program and writing curriculum. Hired as the director in 2024, she brings a breadth of experience in occupational therapy, having taught at both the University of Utah and Salt Lake Community College.



As occupational therapy advances, industry professionals have recognized the need to move beyond traditional associate-level training, Thompson said. We see how this bachelors degree will serve students better than an associates degree. Were being forward-thinking with this, creating better training and more career opportunities for our graduates.

Weber States program is one of fewer than 20 bachelors-level programs across the U.S.



Careers in occupational therapy



Occupational therapy assistants work in hospitals, clinics, schools, community centers, and even homes. They assist patients who are recovering from illness, managing disabilities, or navigating new assistive technologies by creating and implementing individualized treatment plans.



Theres a saying in our community that occupational therapy is where science, creativity, and compassion collide, Thompson said. Its an amazing profession that draws people who want to provide healthcare and apply that care in creative ways.



Weber States program will prepare students for the national exam that allows them to enter the workforce as licensed practitioners with competitive wages, typically ranging from $26 to $45 per hour.

For those looking further ahead, the bachelors degree serves as a springboard into graduate school, Thompson said. These are credentials that can be built upon for those who are exploring advanced healthcare roles.



Meeting national and statewide needs



The demand for occupational therapy assistants is surging, driven by an aging population and need for increased rehabilitative care. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 19% employment growth through 2034. Currently, Utah employs about 260 OTAs  a limited workforce relative to the states population growth and rising rehabilitation and long-term care needs.



Weber State recognized this gap, and our faculty are experts in the training and skills it takes to work in occupational therapy, Thompson said. Our program will offer students hands-on experience in the classroom and in the field to meet those rising needs.

The OTA program has already established key partnerships to facilitate these hands-on experiences, including initiatives with unhoused families, older adults, and early childhood settings.

Our goal is to involve students with client populations from the start of the program, said Rhonda Roth, assistant professor and the OTA programs academic field coordinator. This not only grows their clinical reasoning through real-life experience, but also supports the community in which our program exists.



State-of-the-art facilities for students and the community



Later this year, Weber State will formally open its OTA Pathways Building on the universitys Ogden campus. This innovative space features hospital, clinic, and home environments, and was designed to simulate the challenging situations students will face outside the classroom.

Our students do not just learn in a perfect, ADA-compliant world, Roth said. They learn how to adapt their care to the diverse, sometimes cramped, and unmodified spaces in which their future patients actually live. This hands-on immersion ensures our graduates are exceptionally prepared for the unpredictable nature of occupational therapy.



See images of the new building.



The space will also be home to a community clinic, where students provide free services under professional supervision.

This is a natural fit, Roth said. We are not just teaching students how to be practitioners in a vacuum. We are teaching them how to be clinical problem-solvers in the actual environments where our community members live and grow.



How to apply for the OTA program



The occupational therapy assistant program applications are expected to open at the end of April. The program is currently seeking national accreditation, and an initial cohort of 24 students is expected to begin in fall 2026.

Students can expect small class sizes, specialized curriculum, and integrated clinical experiences.



This is an exciting time for Weber State students interested in rehabilitation and occupational therapy, Thompson said. Well provide them with an option in their own community to enter a strong profession with a bachelor's degree, or to prepare for graduate school with skilled clinical and work experience.

Those interested in the program can contact academic advisor Justin Valdez at justinvaldez@weber.edu to learn more about admission requirements. Applications will close Aug. 7.
URCS provides humanitarian aid to victims of Russia attacks in Dnipro

Photo: Red Cross Ukraine

The Ukrainian Red Cross Society (URCS) is providing humanitarian aid to people affected by Russian missile and drone attacks on Dnipro.

"Humanitarian aid is currently being distributed on-site to people affected by the attacks. The Ukrainian Red Cross team is providing them with blankets, emergency kits, food parcels, and tarpaulins for temporary home repairs," the URCS reported on Facebook on Thursday.

The URCS stated that the rapid response unit of the Ukrainian Red Cross in the Dnipropetrovsk region promptly arrived at the site damaged by the attacks last night. Volunteers provided assistance to a woman in moderate condition, who was subsequently hospitalized.

At the site of the night Russian attack, volunteers conducted a search of the area to identify victims, providing people with first aid and psychological support.

As reported, three people died and more than 30 were injured as a result of the massive evening and night missile and drone attacks on Dnipro. The strikes damaged multi-story and private houses, administrative buildings, an educational institution, a nursing home, an enterprise, garage boxes, and vehicles.
Leesville, LA (71446)

Today

Cloudy skies early, then off and on rain showers overnight. Low 71F. S winds at 10 to 20 mph, decreasing to 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 50%..

Tonight

Cloudy skies early, then off and on rain showers overnight. Low 71F. S winds at 10 to 20 mph, decreasing to 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 50%.
Major General Viktor Nikoliuk, commander of the 20th Army Corps, has been appointed commander of Operational Command East.

Sources in the Ukrainian Defense Forces confirmed this information to Interfax-Ukraine.

Previously, Brigadier General Dmytro Bratishko had headed Operational Command East since 2024.

According to the agencys sources, Bratishkos appointment to another position is currently being prepared.

In 2021, Viktor Nikoliuk was appointed commander of Operational Command North and holds the title of Hero of Ukraine, which was awarded to him on March 10, 2022.

He was also responsible for the training of the Ground Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. In 2024, he served as commander of the 10th Corps.

Major General of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Viktor Nikoliuk served as head of the 169th Training Center Desna, named after Prince Yaroslav the Wise, from March 2017 until his recent appointments. Before that, he commanded the 92nd Separate Mechanized Brigade named after Kish Otaman Ivan Sirko.
A Mayo student (Ballyhaunis) has been awarded an All-Ireland Scholarship, which will cover the full duration of their undergraduate studies.

Cathy Greally was honoured at the All-Ireland Scholarships Awards Ceremony on the 4th of April in the University Concert Hall, University of Limerick.

In attendance at the ceremony were All Ireland Scholarships Sponsor, JP McManus, Guest of Honour and Double Olympic Champion, Kellie Harrington, Deputy Willie ODea TD, and Head of the Skills and Education Group for the Department for the Economy NI, Louise Watson, as well as the family, friends and school representatives of the scholarship recipients.

Commenting at the awards ceremony, All Ireland Scholarships Sponsor JP McManus said: I am delighted to be here today to celebrate the outstanding academic achievements of the 2025 All Ireland Scholarship winners from across the island of Ireland. To date, 2,051 students have received an All-Ireland Scholarship, and 1,437 of those students have since graduated from university. Today is a very special occasion for the scholarship winners, their families, and teachers. We wish them every success as they continue their studies at university and look forward to seeing what they accomplish in the years to come.

Commenting on the event, Guest of Honour and Double Olympic Champion, Kellie Harrington said; Im delighted to be here today as the Guest of Honour for the All-Ireland Scholarship Awards in the University of Limerick. It is a very special occasion for the 2025 winners, their families, and school principals, and they should be very proud of themselves and their accomplishments.
Minister of State Alan Dillon TD has welcomed funding of 236,251.10 for three heritage projects in Mayo under the 2026 Community Monuments Fund (CMF).

The scheme supports the conservation, protection and promotion of Irelands archaeological monuments, helping owners and custodians safeguard these important sites for future generations.

This years allocations for Mayo include:

- Lough Lannagh Castle, Castlebar  100,000

- Ardnaree Abbey - 121,516.60

- Inishkea Cross Slab  14,734.50

The CMF provides support for essential repairs, capital works, and the preparation of Conservation Management Plans. It also funds improvements to public access and interpretation at archaeological sites.

Minister Dillon said: I am delighted to see the allocation of further funding for Lough Lannagh Castle. This investment will build on the more than 29,000 provided last year for conservation assessment of the site. I hope that this historic monument, located along the Lough Lannagh path, can be restored and developed as a future tourism asset for Castlebar.

He added: The 8th-century Inishkea Cross slab is one of the best preserved examples of its kind, located on the deserted Inishkea Island in North Mayo. A further 121,000 has been allocated for conservation works at Ardnaree Abbey. This funding will help ensure the ongoing protection and preservation of these historic sites.

Minister Dillon also acknowledged the work of Mayo County Council: I would like to thank Mayo County Council, particularly Heritage Officer Deirdre Cunningham and her team, for their continued collaboration with the National Monuments Service in delivering the Community Monuments Fund. This scheme strengthens the resilience of our heritage against extreme weather, supports actions under our Climate Adaptation Plan and Heritage Ireland 2030, and provides valuable employment for heritage specialists and traditional craftspeople each year.
Radical chic has a uniform and old rockers of a certain vintage will recognise it in the slightly-too-considered dishevelment, the radical politics worn like a vintage jacket. The angst expression that signals a grieving band member feels things more acutely than you do and would like you to photograph them feeling it.

Kneecap, Belfasts Irish-language rap trio and the most thrillingly improbable export this island has produced since Riverdance, flew to Havana on March 21st as part of the Nuestra America Convoy. They brought 300 kilograms of humanitarian aid, medical supplies, solar panels, and food. A noble gesture. Genuinely admirable.

Cuba is in the grip of a catastrophe, its Soviet-era grid collapsing, its streets darkened, its hospitals struggling on the verge of collapse, the Trump administration having engineered a fuel blockade so punishing that the island has endured three nationwide blackouts in a single month. People are suffering in ways that make our own housing crisis look like a minor administrative inconvenience. So yes, the humanitarian impulse was real and the crisis was real.

What happened next, though, is where it gets complicated. And entertaining. Mostly entertaining.

At a press conference in Havana, flanked by a suitable reverent Jeremy Corbyn - still doing the rounds like a revolutionary-themed touring exhibition and basking in reflected glory - Mo Chara declared that as Irish people, theyd grown up with an understanding of colonialism and oppression and also forced starvation. This is true, up to a point, but heres the rub about the colonialism comparison: its the hackneyed argument that sounds magnificently worthy in a press conference and falls apart the moment someone starts asking some probing questions.

Cubas people arent suffering under British imperialism or American boots on the ground. Theyre suffering under a government that has, for 60 years, concentrated power, silenced dissent, jailed musicians, and governed with the kind of enthusiastic authoritarianism that makes the Black and Tans look like an inefficient bureaucracy. The US blockade is cruel and counterproductive. The Cuban government is also cruel and counterproductive. Holding both of those thoughts at once isnt particularly difficult, but it does require a level of nuance that doesnt photograph well.

Kneecap, to their credit, arent stupid. Theyre sharp, funny, genuinely talented, and they know exactly what theyre doing. Which is precisely the problem.

They did the press conference. They did the concert - high-octane, strobe lights, the full spectacle. They did the photoshoot at the National Hotel, that gorgeous colonial relic that happens to be owned by GAESA, the Cuban militarys commercial conglomerate, which controls an estimated 60 per cent of the Cuban economy. You genuinely couldnt make it up. A band who built their entire identity on anti-establishment politics, posing for revolutionary portraits at a hotel bankrolled by the establishment they came to oppose. The optics of that would give a media consultant a nosebleed.

And then the power went out.

Cubas grid snuffed out when a generator failed at a thermo electric plant hundreds of miles away, nothing to actually do with the concert. But Kneecap posted online, in the breezy way of people who have a return flight booked, that even with the blackout, the message of solidarity to Palestine remains the same. Palestine. Which is, give or take, five thousand miles from Cuba. It was the geopolitical equivalent of someone turning up to your house fire with a bucket of water, the bucket having a hole in it, and then talking about drought conditions in sub-Saharan Africa.

Heres what they didnt mention, at any point during their Havana visit: the 1,200 political prisoners currently held in Cuban jails. The 2021 protests, when ordinary Cubans - hungry, exhausted, frightened - took to the streets and were met with a president who went on national television to instruct the army to confront them. The Cuban musicians who remain imprisoned for the crime of making art the government didnt like. Mo Chara himself was charged under British anti-terrorism laws for his actions during a concert - charges that were subsequently thrown out. He knows, better than most, what it feels like to have the state turn the law into a weapon against you. And yet, with the Cuban deputy culture minister sitting at the same press conference table, he couldnt find the moment to mention it.

A young Cuban artist, when asked what he made of the whole thing, was succinct. All that propaganda about the Cuban revolution, he said, is a lie that has been maintained for more than 60 years. Cuban journalist Yoani Sanchez was less restrained: They embrace those who gag us, take photos with those who repress us, and smile alongside those who destroy our nation. She also noted, with some asperity, that Kneecaps concert at the Convention Palace consumed enough electricity to light several buildings in her neighbourhood, which was at that moment plunged into darkness. Whether or not thats technically accurate, as a metaphor its pretty much perfect.

I confess to admiring Kneecap, be it at a happy remove. Their inventive creative persona is a compelling concoction of raw creativity and political savvy, with the Irish language charged with provocation, the Republican politics worn without apology, married to the calculated chaos of their public persona. Theyre that rarefied breed of anarchic creativity that makes older men in rural Ireland feel strangely proud but mildly, uncomfortably anxious, as if social chaos might ensue in their concerts wake. And the Cuban crisis is real. The blockade is real and ongoing and the consequent suffering is ever present, none of that is in dispute.

But theres a long and rather glorious Irish tradition of projecting our own story onto other peoples struggles without quite doing the reading first. We see colonialism everywhere because we experienced it so viscerally that it became the lens through which we view everything. Cuba? Colonialism. Gaza? Colonialism. The comparison can be useful. It can also be a way of making someone elses very specific, very complicated tragedy about us - about our history, our grievances, our narrative. And when you do that, you stop listening to the actual people in front of you.

Whats also hard to ignore, and I say this with no particular pleasure, is the timing. Kneecaps third album, Fenian, lands in April. Rumours of a second biopic are circulating. A summer of festival appearances stretches ahead - Primavera, Roskilde, Reading and Leeds, a headline show at Crystal Palace Park. Theres no better promotional backdrop than a Cuban flag, a gorgeous Havana sunset, and the suggestion that youve somehow defied the American empire. The whiff of revolutionary sulphur doesnt half shift tickets.

None of this means their motives were purely cynical as people often do things for complicated reasons while still achieving some good and the aid they brought was real. The attention they drew to Cubas crisis had considerable publicity value and shone a brief light on a largely forgotten injustice. But a solidarity that wont name the festering jails, wont acknowledge the dissidents, wont say one uncomfortable word in front of the minister is not solidarity but an extended PR exercise with clever political maneuvering.

Theres a plaque on OReilly Street in Old Havana, in Spanish, English and Irish, celebrating the shared histories of Ireland and Cuba. What it fails to mention is that the man whose name the plaque honours, Alexander OReilly, born in County Meath in 1723, was in Cuba as a Spanish military officer. Not a republican revolutionary but a well-heeled imperial administrator. History, it turns out, is always more awkward than the plaque.

Kneecap went to Havana, performed their anarchic hearts out, dutifully posed for the photos before flying home, and the Cuban people are exactly where they were, stumbling around in the dark. Waiting for something more than an electrified gig.
Slovakia is prepared to block the adoption of the upcoming 20th package of European Union sanctions against Russia for its aggression against Ukraine until it receives guarantees regarding the restoration of the Druzhba oil pipelines operation, the Slovak publication Pravda reported on Thursday, citing the countrys Foreign Minister Juraj Blanar.

At the same time, according to the minister, Slovakia will not oppose the issuance of an EU reparation loan for Ukraine in the amount of EUR 90 billion, which had been blocked by Hungary until recently.
Allentown, PA (18103)

Today

There might be an early shower; otherwise, mostly cloudy. .

Tonight

There might be an early shower; otherwise, mostly cloudy.
The Swedish government on April 16 adopted two bills regarding the countrys accession to the Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression and the International Claims Commission for Ukraine, Swedish Foreign Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard reported.

"It is unthinkable that Russias leadership would not be held accountable for the horrific crimes committed in and against Ukraine. Today, the Swedish government adopted two bills on Swedens accession to the Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression and the International Claims Commission for Ukraine," she wrote on the social network X on Thursday.

According to Stenergard, Russia must be held accountable for its actions and violations of international law. "We must not fail the people of Ukraine and not allow Russia to reap the rewards of its aggression," she added.

As reported, on March 26, Stenergard confirmed the countrys intention to join the Agreement on the work of the Special Tribunal for the crime of aggression against Ukraine, becoming one of its co-founders.

"This is another step toward creating the Tribunal, of which Sweden will be one of the founders. We must ensure accountability for Russias crimes against Ukraine," Stenergard noted.

As reported, the European Commission adopted a proposal that begins the process of the European Union acquiring the status of a founding member of the Special Tribunal for the investigation of the crime of aggression against Ukraine.

"Once member states approve this proposal, the Commission will be able to communicate the EUs intention to join the Tribunal as a founding member. The EU will play a central role in the activities of the Tribunal, particularly as a member of the Steering Committee that will manage the Special Tribunal," the EC stated.
Reading, PA (19601)

Today

There might be an early shower; otherwise, mostly cloudy. .

Tonight

There might be an early shower; otherwise, mostly cloudy.
Ukraine has proposed to the Netherlands a format of a special security partnership agreement, a drone deal, and a document on the first joint production in the Netherlands was signed today, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said.

"We instructed our teams to work out the details. We have just signed documents to begin this work on the first joint production specifically in the Netherlands," Zelenskyy said during a joint press conference with Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten on Thursday.

The president also said that during the meeting with the prime minister they discussed Ukraines needs for air defense missiles, as well as diplomatic efforts and the political track of relations in Europe at the level of European institutions.

In addition, Zelenskyy and Jetten discussed the development of Ukraines energy sector, in particular decentralized energy.
Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten is convinced that Russia will lose the war against Ukraine, but for this sanctions against Russia must be extended.

"Russia, of course, wants to intimidate everyone who provides assistance to Ukraine. But we pay no attention to this. The Russians are losing, the Russian economy is now in very bad shape, and this is also affecting all Russians. And therefore we will continue sanctions against the Russians. After the elections in Hungary, there is now a better chance of continuing this together at the European level," Jetten said at a joint press conference with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Thursday.

As reported, a decision on granting Ukraine a EUR 90 billion reparations loan and introducing the 20th package of sanctions in connection with the war waged by Russia against Ukraine had earlier been blocked by Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban. Leader of the Tisza party Peter Magyar, which won the elections in Hungary, said he did not plan to block the European Unions provision of a loan to Ukraine and acknowledged that sanctions against Russia must remain in force for as long as the war against Ukraine continues. At the same time, he did not answer whether he would support the new 20th EU sanctions package against Russia.
Photo: President's Office / www.president.gov.ua

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a meeting with King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands in Middelburg.

"The head of state thanked His Majesty for his personal support for Ukraine and the entire Ukrainian people throughout more than four years of struggle against full-scale Russian aggression," the Presidents Office of Ukraine said in a statement published on its website on Thursday.

The president noted that overnight Russia again launched a brutal massive strike on Ukraine, killing people in Odesa, Kyiv and Dnipro, while more than 100 people were injured in various regions of the country. Zelenskyy said it is important to continue supporting Ukraine in every possible way and to make every effort to stop the killings and achieve a just peace.

The Presidents Office said that Ukraine will always be grateful to the Netherlands and the entire Dutch people for their support and significant contribution to saving lives.
Developing equitable education in an unequal society

Professor Ruksana Osman to lead the UNESCO Chair in Teacher Education for Diversity and Development until 2029.

The UNESCO Chair in Teacher Education for Diversity and Development, established in 2009, has evolved into a vibrant intellectual hub, where ideas are exchanged across borders but take root in local realities.

Based in the Wits School of Education, it was established as part of the global UNESCO Chairs Programme and is committed to advancing socially just pedagogies through integrating research, scholarship, policy and practice. It seeks to develop equitable education in an unequal society, a key goal of the next five years.

Professor Ruksana Osman, the Senior Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Academic at Wits and the incumbent of the UNESCO Chair, has been instrumental in leading the Chair since 2014. Teacher education must continually evolve to respond to the lived realities of our societies, particularly in contexts marked by inequality and change, she says. It is important for us to build inclusive institutions, to nurture scholarly communities and to advance knowledge that is both rigorous and socially responsive. She is supported by a cohort of active members who have accomplished major milestones over the last decade.

Professor Zeblon Vilakazi, the Vice-Chancellor and Principal of Wits adds: We are honoured by UNESCOs continued confidence in the work of the Chair under the leadership of Professor Ruksana Osman.

The South African National Commission for UNESCO endorsed and supported the renewal of the Chair at Wits. The Chair continues to promote research in the field of teacher education, writes Carlton Mukwevho, the Secretary-General of the Commission. It has expanded its intellectual footprint to include collaborations with a number of individuals and institutions that cut across several continents with a research agenda that resonates globally with local relevance. The Chair has further established an inclusive network of global scholars.

Research collaboration

The Chair is based in Johannesburg but has an incredible network of scholars, policymakers and practitioners across multiple continents. Through collaboration, scholars have conducted research that is globally relevant and responsive to the complexities of the Global South. Over the last five years, scholars have produced an extensive body of knowledge, including books, peer-reviewed journal articles and research reports, while supervising postgraduate students and nurturing emerging scholars.

The research themes are centred around the following areas:

social and environmental justice,

teacher professional development,

decolonial futures, and

inclusive education.

The research-led approach has influenced both academic discourse and practical interventions, aligning closely with Sustainable Development Goal 4 - ensuring inclusive and equitable quality education for all.

Building on strong foundations

Over the last five years, the Chair has played an active role in global platforms such as the UNESCO Teachers Task Force, contributed to international policy dialogues, hosted hybrid global conferences and joint PhD seminars and engaged in locally embedded teacher and school leadership development programmes across Gauteng. These engagements have strengthened the relationship between universities, schools and communities, where theory and practice continually inform one another. This has also ensured that teacher education is academically rigorous, ethically grounded and socially engaged.

Our work is about enabling both teachers and learners to thrive in environments that are diverse, complex and constantly evolving, says Osman. It is also about a focus on epistemic renewal. In a world where education systems are often shaped by inherited paradigms, we have championed the inclusion of African indigenous knowledge systems alongside global scholarship. This has enabled new ways of thinking about teaching and learning, positioning educators not merely as transmitters of knowledge but also as agents of transformation capable of responding to complex and evolving social realities.

The next five years

Prof. Osman and her team have ambitious plans for the next five years. This includes the development of global citizenship education resources on colonial histories in Africa with UNESCO, alongside projects to transform STEM teacher education through open and self-directed learning. A bespoke Masters programme for aspiring principals is on the cards as well as innovative WhatsApp-based mathematics teacher development projects conducted by network partners.

We will also seek to expand and strengthen our international footprint in Africa, Asia and Europe, for example through hosting joint seminars on diversity and inclusion, teacher education partnerships in India, research on sustainable development, rural science education and early-career teacher support, adds Osman. We will continue to shape the future of teacher education in ways that are both transformative and enduring. In doing so, we hope to build diverse education systems that will in time help to reshape and reimagine learning.
The EU Foreign Affairs Council, which will meet on April 21 in Luxembourg, will consider the issue of unblocking a EUR 90 billion loan for Kyiv for 2026-2027 and the 20th package of sanctions against Russia, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas has announced.

"Russia once again deliberately targeted and killed Ukrainian civilians last night. With its army stalled on the battlefield, Moscow keeps falling back on terror against the innocent. Russia wants more war, so our response is more aid for Ukraine, more pressure on Russia, and full accountability for war crimes," she said on X on Thursday.

"Europe steps up. In recent days, Germany and Ukraine struck a EUR 4 billion arms deal, the UK announced its biggest-ever drone package, and the Netherlands pledged EUR 200 million, among other pledges," Kallas said.

"On the EU side, it is high time to unblock the EUR 90-billion loan and move forward with the 20th sanctions package. The Foreign Affairs Council will take this up next week," the EU high representative for foreign affairs said.
Weather Alert

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HAS ISSUED SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH 172 IN EFFECT UNTIL 9 PM CDT THIS EVENING FOR THE FOLLOWING AREAS IN ILLINOIS THIS WATCH INCLUDES 4 COUNTIES IN SOUTHERN ILLINOIS ALEXANDER JACKSON PULASKI UNION IN KENTUCKY THIS WATCH INCLUDES 6 COUNTIES IN WESTERN KENTUCKY BALLARD CARLISLE FULTON GRAVES HICKMAN MCCRACKEN IN MISSOURI THIS WATCH INCLUDES 11 COUNTIES IN SOUTHEAST MISSOURI BOLLINGER BUTLER CAPE GIRARDEAU CARTER MISSISSIPPI NEW MADRID PERRY RIPLEY SCOTT STODDARD WAYNE THIS INCLUDES THE CITIES OF BARDWELL, BLOOMFIELD, CAIRO, CAPE GIRARDEAU, CARBONDALE, CHARLESTON, CLINTON, DONIPHAN, HICKMAN, JACKSON, JONESBORO, MARBLE HILL, MAYFIELD, MOUND CITY, MURPHYSBORO, NEW MADRID, PADUCAH, PERRYVILLE, PIEDMONT, POPLAR BLUFF, SIKESTON, VAN BUREN, AND WICKLIFFE.
State censorship efforts are once again being directed against an artist with Palestinian roots. Foreign Minister Johann Wadephuls (Christian Democratic Union, CDU) ministry has reprimanded the GoetheInstitut for allowing a work by Basma alSharif to be shown in an exhibition in Lithuania.

The GoetheInstitut is a nonprofit cultural institution that operates worldwide to promote the study of the German language and international cultural exchange. It is funded primarily by the German government.

The exhibition in question, shown from October 2025 to March 2026, was a collaboration between the Contemporary Art Centre Vilnius (CAC), the GoetheInstitut and the Academy of Arts in Berlin. It was curated by the CAC under a title that is particularly resonant given the wars currently raging: Bells and CannonsContemporary Art in the Face of Militarisation.

As part of the exhibition, alSharifs installation Deep Sleep was shown. This meditative, dreamlike video was shot in 2024 in abandoned ruins in Malta, Athens and Gaza. It links these locations to convey the destruction in Gaza to the viewer. Colourful, flickering lights; sun, earth, stone, rock, sky and water flood the scenes, accompanied by rhythmic sounds of waves, bells and footsteps. The installation closely aligned with the exhibitions theme, which alludes to the historical practice of melting down church bells during the First and Second World Wars to manufacture cannons and ammunition.

AlSharif has been demonised by the government as an antisemite and an Israelhater because, in view of the genocidal actions of the Israeli armed forces in Gaza, she posted pro-Palestinian content on her Instagram account, including a call to boycott Israel. Because she referred to the State of Israel as a Zionist entity, she has been accused of denying Israels right to exist.

GoetheInstitut officials stated they regretted not having been aware of these posts, claiming they were incompatible with its values. The German foreign ministry, which provides the bulk of the institutes funding, made it clear that greater diligence is necessary in the planning and conception of events with cooperation partners, and this is also expected by the foreign ministry. This is coded language for censorship and repression.

Dusseldorf Academy of Art: attack on university autonomy and freedom of art

Basma alSharif, born in Kuwait to Palestinian parents, raised in France and the US, and now living in Berlin, came under attack by Zionist groups and German authorities in February, when students at the Dusseldorf Academy of Art invited her to give a lecture and take part in a discussion.

The academy and its administration were subjected to intense pressure and threats aimed at forcing the cancellation of the event. While the rector, Donatella Fioretti, refused to cancel it outright, she did yield to the extent that the studentorganised event was held internally and without a public audience. The World Socialist Web Site reported on this.

Political pressure on the academy did not subside. A petitionsigned by Dusseldorf Mayor Stephan Keller (CDU)demanded Fiorettis resignation. She was summoned before the Committee for Culture and Media of the North RhineWestphalia (NRW) state parliament, where she was fiercely attacked by Culture Minister Ina Brandes (CDU) and members of all five parliamentary parties: the CDU, Social Democrats (SPD), Greens, Liberal Democrats (FDP) and the farright Alternative for Germany (AfD). Fioretti repeatedly appealed, but in vain, to the constitutional freedom of art, science and expression.

Cornered by political pressure, the rector finally admitted to what she described as personal mistakes. Fioretti said she should have contacted the Jewish community and apologised, stating that her actions had contributed to a misunderstanding. When questioned, she distanced herself from the artist, saying that she did not share the statements of Basma alSharif. At the same time, Fioretti insisted that the Academy of Art must remain a space where dialogue is possible.

Even this was not sufficient. Culture Minister Brandes declared that she could not understand Fiorettis behaviour, accusing her of failing to live up to her responsibilities and alleging that her position was not a responsible appeal to freedom. Addressing the rector directly, Brandes stated: We can do nothing against younothing disciplinary, nothing financial. See how much freedom you have!

The cynicism is striking. While the Israeli government commits war crime after war crime in Gaza, the West Bank, Iran and Lebanonbombing residential areas and killing tens of thousands of civiliansBrandes exerts pressure on the rector of an art academy simply because she allowed a Palestinian artist critical of these crimes to speak. Brandes then presents the fact that she did not unlawfully dismiss the rector as proof of freedom!

In an open letter, more than 1,100 academics, artists and cultural workers expressed solidarity with Fioretti. They characterised the attacks on the university for what they were: assaults on university autonomy and academic freedom. The letter condemned the growing political interference in German universities and cultural institutions and emphasised that Article 5 of the German Constitution explicitly protects the freedom of art, science and teaching, including the right to present uncomfortable or controversial viewpoints. Such intimidation by the executive and legislative branches, they stated, was unworthy of a democracy.

The letter warned that the escalating situation could set a dangerous precedent for political intervention in constitutionally protected freedoms and university autonomy. It also sharply criticised language used in the NRW parliaments science committee, where freedom of art and science was described as a cloak for antisemitism, a metaphor originally introduced by the AfD and now echoed by other parties to place fundamental rights in question.

The German Rectors Conference has also weighed in, stating:

Every university, represented by its leadership, has the right to determine for itself the forms of academic discourse within the framework of the law. Events such as those at the Dusseldorf Academy of Art must not trigger a political reflex to question constitutionally guaranteed university autonomy.

Developments in Dusseldorf underscore how justified the universities concerns are. Comparable attacks on universities in the US under Donald Trump demonstrate the direction such policies can take.

Alleged and real antisemitism

The attacks on alSharif continue unabated. Alon Dorn of Dusseldorfs Jewish religious community claimedwithout providing a shred of evidencethat al-Sharifs actions amount not to criticism of the Israeli government, but to the legitimisation of violence against Jews. NRWs antisemitism commissioner, Sylvia Lohrmann (Greens), asserted that inviting alSharif had violated the rights of Jewish students.

This claim was contradicted in an email by a Jewish student at the Academy of Art who was jointly responsible for inviting alSharif and wished to remain anonymous. The student wrote:

To my knowledge, no Jewish person at the academywhether staff or studenthas been asked how they perceive the debate. This has not prevented political officeholders from unilaterally taking sides in an intimidating media campaign that disregards fundamental rights. This campaign targets our freedom as students to invite whom we choose, hospitality and empathy, and the rector of the academy.

He continued:

This is not about antisemitism.  These actors aim to suppress diversity of opinion on Zionism among Jews. Being Jewish does not mean being a Zionist.

The email further stated:

Antisemitism is not antiZionism.  As a Jewish student at the Dusseldorf Academy of Art, I would welcome an independent investigation into the wellbeing of Jewish students at the university. It would quickly become clear that such an investigation is a waste of public funds, as there is no institutional antisemitism at the academy. It appears that some politicians participate in smear campaigns about alleged antisemitism in art and universities in order to distract from their failure to confront the real antisemitic threats in German society.

The student explained that he spoke out only reluctantly, fearing that he himself would be cancelled. Subsequent threats against the university proved his concerns were well founded. Monopol magazine reported on emails and online posts containing explicit threats, including one message sent January 20, the day before the event:

We will find a way to disrupt your antisocial scum event the way antisemites otherwise do with Jewish topics  Now were coming for you.

Another online comment read:

You farleft HamaSS fans are now more dangerous to our democracy than the AfD  Now were coming for you, fascists.

Further attacks on Basma alSharif are already under way. She has been invited to the internationally respected Osnabruck European Media Art Festival (EMAF), where her awardwinning short film Morning Circle is due to be screened in late April, alongside her participation in a panel discussion.

On March 30, the city of Osnabruck announced that intensive discussions had taken place with festival organisers, who nevertheless continued to support alSharif. The city subsequently distanced itself from relevant parts of the programme, and Lower Saxonys MinisterPresident Olaf Lies (SPD), withdrew his patronage of the festival. However, funding from the city and the state government remains intact.
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani spent this past weekend celebrating his first 100 days (or thereabouts) in office, holding two rallies on Sunday together with his mentor, Bernie Sanders. 102 days ago, we stood together at the dawn of a new era. The world watched, wondering if change could really come, Mamdani told the crowd of supporters in Queens at the second of the two rallies. With what weve accomplished in 14 weeks, imagine what we can do in four years.

The weekends campaign-style events were supplemented with a new city-run website touting Mamdanis accomplishments in his first 100 days: $1.2 billion secured for universal childcare, $9.3 million secured in worker and small business restitution and 100,000 potholes fixed.

While Mamdani was busy patting himself on the back for initiatives like fixing a bump on the Williamsburg Bridge, a critical analysis of the last three-and-a-half months of the standard bearer for the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) sheds a different light on the content of the supposed new era ushered in on January 1.

Speaking on his accomplishments before an audience of supporters on Sunday, Mamdani did not dare to highlight the most important political initiative of his term thus far: his alliance with President Donald Trump. Mamdani has continued what he calls a productive relationship with the man he correctly characterizes as a fascist, meeting with Trump at the White House for a second time on the eve of the criminal war in Iran.

Zohran Mamdani with Donald Trump at the White House, February 26, 2026. [Photo: Zohran Mamdani]

In two addresses Sunday, speaking well over 5,000 words, Mamdani not once uttered the name Trump. He made zero references to the war in Iran, and managed just one fleeting mention of ICE. The omissions are not an accident. Mamdani, playing up his democratic socialism before an audience overwhelmingly hostile to Trump, would rather avoid dwelling on the blossoming partnership with the leading advocate of world war and dictatorship.

Despite his reticence on the subject, Mamdanis collaboration with Trump is extremely significant. Mamdani and the Democratic Socialists of America are put forward as the left alternative to the pro-business and pro-war politics of the Democratic Party establishment and the fascist politics of the Republicans. Mamdani himself was elected on the basis of left-wing appeals to address the affordability crisis and take on a system dominated by an oligarchy.

In the first months of the Mamdani administration, the strain on the working class is not abating; on the contrary, its reaching a breaking point. Trumps criminal war in Iran is the latest catalyst. The administration is determined to make the working class pay for the unfolding disaster. Trump has requested $200 billion in supplemental war funds specifically for Iran, and roughly $1.5 trillion in military spending next yeara World War III budget. Beyond the inevitable cuts to social services to pay for war, the shutdown of the Strait of Hormuz has already led to major increases in energy prices and will reverberate into all aspects of the economy. And an expansion of the war would have catastrophic consequences for the working class everywhere.

Alongside the war crimes in Iran, Trump is continuing to eviscerate democratic rights within the United States. Trumps immigration Gestapo operates without constraints. ICE agents in New York City have arrested three times as many people in the first month and a half of 2026 as they did in the same period a year ago. Meanwhile, Trump is preparing the narrative that midterm electionsif they happen at allare illegitimate and can be overturned.

Reflecting on his first hundred days in an interview with POLITICO, Mamdani made clear that none of the crimes of the Trump administration are impediments to deepening their alliance. The president and I disagree on many things in public and in private, Mamdani said in the interview. We do, however, agree on one thing, which is a love for New York City. And that love, it is one that allows for our relationship to be a productive one, and allows for the city to know that it will not simply be affected by threats.

David North, the chairperson of the World Socialist Web Site and of the Socialist Equality Party, responded on X, If Mamdani were transported back to the 1930s as mayor of Berlin, he would say: Hitler is the leader of the Nazis, but he loves sauerkraut and so do I.

The main political function of Mamdanis alliance with Trump is to disorient those who are becoming radicalized and looking to (democratic) socialism for an alternative. Mamdani offers the poison that productive relationships can be forged with fascists, cutting workers and youth off from an orientation to the independent mobilization of the working class and a genuine struggle for socialism.

Instead, Mamdani and the DSA present a watered-down version of sewer socialism, offering minor reforms and managerial efficiency palatable to business interests and the political establishment. Even then, under conditions of a deepening crisis of American capitalism, with a ruling class turning towards dictatorship and war, Mamdanis appeals to the ruling class and their political servants are able to yield very little.

One of the early victories for Mamdani was an agreement with Governor Kathy Hochul to fund a modest expansion of childcare. The one-time injection of $1.2 billion to expand care for 3-year-olds and create a pilot for a few thousand 2-year-olds is a far cry from establishing a permanent universal childcare program for children aged 6 months and up, as he pledged during the campaign.

The deal on childcare announced on January 8 cemented the alliance between the democratic socialist mayor and the pro-business Democratic governor. Shortly thereafter, Mamdani endorsed Hochul for reelection and effectively abandoned any serious effort to tax the rich. Mamdani went so far as to boycott events organized by the DSA-led Tax the Rich campaign, founded by Mamdani staffers to engage the tens of thousands of volunteers from his election campaign. Far from taking on the hated Democratic establishment represented by Hochul, Mamdani has thrown them a political lifeline.

The funding from Albany for the modest childcare expansion is dwarfed by the citys $5.4 billion budget gap. While that sum could easily be paid out of the profits from the citys finance industry, or by any number of the citys 123 billionaires, Mamdani has pledged to reclaim government efficiency from the right as a political slogan, appointing Chief Savings Officers at every city department. With the budget due at the end of June, Mamdani is setting the stage for major cuts to education, housing and homeless programs.

Many of the other accomplishments touted by Mamdani amount to nothing more than a progressive gloss on conventional ruling class politics. On policing, Mamdani created an Office of Community Safety, a drastically scaled-down version of a campaign promise to dispatch social workers rather than the NYPD on mental health calls. Meanwhile, Mamdani reappointed billionaire heiress Jessica Tisch as the police commissioner, meeting a core demand of the citys corporate and financial elite. Under Mamdani, the NYPD has been dispatched to protect ICE agents, attack protesters and arrest striking nurses.

Mamdani also touted his visit to the picket line of 15,000 striking nurses in January and February. Mamdanis posturing as a friend of workers is belied by his simultaneous endorsement of the chief strikebreaker, Governor Hochul, who authored no less than six emergency orders authorizing travel nurses to work as scabs despite not having licenses to practice in New York. After the strike, Mamdani went bowling with NYSNA union president Nancy Hagans, underscoring their collaboration throughout the strike. Hagans provoked a rebellion among striking nurses at NewYork Presbyterian after she overrode elected local negotiators and forced a vote on a tentative agreement pushed by the hospitals.

New York Governor Kathy Hochul speaks during a press conference with New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani and NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch, Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2026, in New York. [AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura]

Mamdani cynically claimed he protected vulnerable New Yorkers from dangerous cold snaps. The assertion turns reality on its head. In January and February, the winter weather left 26 residents dead, 19 of whom froze to death. The fact that it wasnt a major scandal is a testament to the far-reaching decay of the political and media establishment, who have normalized mass death, especially among the downtrodden, and accept no responsibility to prevent it.

A new report from the Mayors Office put some numbers to the economic impossibility facing the bulk of the working class in New York. The true cost of living, factoring in the cost of housing, food, health care, and other necessities, is a staggering $106,000 a year for a median family with no children, rising to nearly $160,000 a year with children. More than 5 million residents of New York, 62 percent of the population, lack the resources to make ends meet.

Meanwhile, Wall Street bonuses reached a record $49.2 billion last year, up 9 percent year over year, according to a report from the City Comptroller. The bonuses reflect an increase in Wall Street profits by more than 30 percent last year, to over $65 billion.

This staggering social inequality is coinciding with the beginning of an upsurge among workers and a political radicalization accelerated by the Trump administration. Already this year, nurses in New York City struck at three major hospital systems for 41 days. Next week may see the 34,000 building service workers walk off the job. A similar number of transit workers are nearing a contract deadline in May. And Mamdani will come into direct conflict with city workers later this year when DC37 and other union contracts expire.

For the working class to make real gains in improving living conditions, in defending democratic rights and resisting imperialist war, sharp lessons must be drawn from the Mamdani administrations first 100 days. Mamdani and DSA represent the interests of an upper-middle-class layer dissatisfied with the status quo, not seeking to put an end to the horrors of capitalism, but a more comfortable life within it for those already living in privileged circumstances (the upper middle class). Mamdanis fraudulent socialism must be rejected. The decisive question is building a movement that doesnt seek to pressure the Democratic Party but politically breaks from it; one that aims not to more effectively organize oligarchic rule but fights for workers control; and one that rejects collaboration with the would-be dictator in the White House, instead mobilizing the strength of the working class internationally to fight fascism, dictatorship and war.
The Ukrainian Red Cross Society (URCS) continues to implement the program of monetary support for the population according to the new system of priorities.

"Since April 2026, multipurpose cash assistance is no longer used in Ukraine - it has been replaced by a program of priority cash support. The initiative is being implemented in cooperation with local authorities and in coordination with the working group on cash assistance," the Communications and Marketing Department of the National Committee of the Ukrainian Red Cross reported.

Assistance in frontline areas is intended for socially and economically vulnerable categories of the population, who live in danger every day and are forced to spend more on basic needs due to military operations. The goal of the program is to cover the costs of food, medicine, utilities, transportation, clothing, etc., to reduce financial pressure and the need to save on the most necessary things or take on debt.

Payments are made in the regions most affected by the war: Kharkiv, Kherson, Zaporizhia, Dnipropetrovsk, Donetsk, Chernihiv, Sumy, Mykolaiv and Odesa regions.

The amount of one-time assistance is UAH 10,800 per person, calculated for six months.

Assistance for evacuees covers basic expenses in the first months after evacuation and helps with adaptation to a new place. Its amount is UAH 12,300 per person, a one-time payment, designed for three months. It can be received by those who were forced to leave their place of residence due to shelling or a threat to their lives and who registered at a transit center within 45 days after evacuation.

Assistance to victims of shelling amounts to UAH 12,300 per person, is provided once and is intended for three months. The program covers people whose housing was destroyed or damaged and uninhabitable, as well as families that include those injured or killed in shelling.

The Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) program is intended for those who have been unable to return home for more than six months and are not receiving government benefits due to bureaucratic reasons. This applies to people who live far from combat zones, are eligible for government assistance, but cannot apply for it due to lack of documents or limited access to institutions.

The amount of assistance is UAH 2,000 UAH for an adult, AH 3,000 for a child, and UAH 3,000 for a person with a disability. Payments are made over a period of three to nine months, depending on the family's circumstances and compliance with the program's criteria.
On Tuesday, April 14, Eric Swalwell, a seven-term congressman from Californias Bay Area, resigned his seat in the U.S. House of Representatives. With remarkable speed, Swalwell went from front-runner in the race to become the next governor of Americas most populous state to political pariah, denounced by Democrats and Republicans alike.

On Friday, April 10, the San Francisco Chronicle and CNN ran lurid accounts by four women accusing Swalwell of sexual abuse. One of the four, a former staffer who has not been identified, claimed that Swalwell raped her on two occasions when she was intoxicated, once in 2019 and again in 2024. The other three accused the then-congressman of sending them sexually explicit and salacious social media posts.

Within hours of the appearance of these reports, which Swalwell claimed were fabrications, his campaign managers and Democratic and trade union endorsers abandoned him and called on him to end his gubernatorial campaign. These included leading Democratic figures, such as House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senator Adam Schiff.

Two days later, on Sunday, April 12, Swalwell announced the suspension of his campaign for governor. While calling the specific allegations against him false, he apologized to his family and acknowledged mistakes in judgment, evidently acknowledging that he had had extra-marital affairs.

California gubernatorial candidate, Representative Eric Swalwell (Democrat-California) appears at a town hall meeting in Sacramento on Tuesday, April 7, 2026. [AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli]

By then 50 former staffers had issued a public letter calling on him to resign from Congress, and numerous lawmakers from both parties followed suit, threatening to expel him if he refused. The House Ethics Committee announced a probe, and the Manhattan District Attorneys office launched a criminal investigation.

Appearing on NBCs Meet the Press on Sunday, Pramila Jayapal, chair of the House Progressive Caucus, said she would vote to expel both Swalwell and Texas Republican Tony Gonzales from the House of Representatives. Gonzales had been under investigation by the Houses Ethics Committee after having admitted to having a sexual relationship with one of his staffers, who subsequently committed suicide.

Jayapal said, I think that this is very important that we believe women, and that we show people across the Capitol and across the country that we will not accept this kind of behavior.

Here you have the totally undemocratic ethos of the #MeToo movement spelled out in all its crudity. Whatever one thinks of Swalwell, and the World Socialist Web Site has no brief for this run-of-the-mill capitalist politician, there is no presumption of innocence, no trial of fact and no due process. The ethos of the #MeToo witch-hunters is guilty as accused!

Swalwells political demise cleared the way for the removal of another congressman, Republican Tony Gonzales of Texas, who had already announced he would not run for reelection after admitting to an affair with one of his staff. The woman, who was married with children, committed suicide. Gonzales resigned from Congress under pressure from both parties, shortly after Swalwell did so.

Press accounts claim that billionaire Tom Steyer, who closely trailed Swalwell among Democrats running in the June 2 jungle primary, would be the most likely beneficiary of Swalwells removal. Steyer has already spent $110 million on his own campaign, far more than all other candidates combined, Democratic and Republican.

Former Democratic leader in the state legislature Willie Brown, a long-time power broker in the party, told USA Today on Tuesday that the Democrats would benefit from the Swalwell exposure coming before rather than after the June 2 primary, when Swalwell and a Republican would likely have emerged as the two candidates going forward to the general election. According to the newspaper, Brown speculated that opposing candidates in both parties knew about Swalwells alleged misconduct, but only Democrats wanted it to come out before the primary.

Press accounts based on unnamed congressional officials and aides said that Swalwells alleged sexual abuse of women on his staff was widely rumored, suggesting that Democratic leaders may well have decided to make use of a sex scandal to drive him out of the race before the primary. Certainly the top Democrats in California, including Schiff, Pelosi and most members of the California congressional delegation, responded within hours of the Chronicle exposure, calling on Swalwell to end his campaign and quit Congress.

The use of such scandals is invariably associated with a shift to the right in capitalist politics. Swalwell was a well-publicized critic of Trump, particularly in his second impeachment over the failed January 2021 coup. He was a constant presence on cable networks and social media since Trump returned to the White House, denouncing his ICE raids against immigrants and other dictatorial moves. His removal likely means a Democratic governor in California more cooperative with the Trump administration.

Republican Congressman Gonzales had also run afoul of the Trump White House, occasionally voting against Trumps policies and criticizing the most extreme anti-immigrant measures. His district covered the vast rural area along the Rio Grande, from El Paso almost to the Gulf of Mexico.

The swift removal of these congressmen is in sharp contrast to the blockade by the Trump administrationand the Biden administration before itof any serious investigation into the Jeffrey Epstein affair. The convicted sex trafficker died in his Manhattan prison cell in 2019, under circumstances that suggest murder rather than suicide.

For nearly two decades before his death, Epstein served as both a financial agent and pimp to billionaires, capitalist politicians and even British royalty. Despite the public denunciations by hundreds of former victims, not a single person, other than the deceased Epstein, has ever been prosecuted.

Last Thursday, in a particularly bizarre scene, First Lady Melania Trump gave a surprise press statement denouncing claims on social media relating to her past association with Epstein. She denied that she had been one of Epsteins victims, or that Epstein had introduced her to Donald Trump, appealed for a congressional hearing to take the testimony of the victims and left without answering questions from the startled press corps.

The Swalwell allegations have temporarily overshadowed Epstein-related matters, and former Attorney General Pam Bondifired by Trump for failing to keep the Epstein scandal under wrapsrefused to appear before a House committee Tuesday in response to a subpoena. But there is little doubt that further reports and documents on the Epstein case, which implicates wide layers of the corrupt US ruling class, will surface in the coming weeks and months.
Amazon workers: Tell us what conditions are like at your facility. All submissions will be kept anonymous.

A worker scans incoming items at a receiving station at the Amazon OXR1 fulfillment center in Oxnard, California. [AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes]

A worker died at Amazons PDX9 fulfillment center in Troutdale, Oregon, on Monday, April 6. For more than an hour after his collapse, employees at the facility say that management ordered them to continue working around his body. The death went unreported for a week before the online investigative outlet, the Western Edge, broke the story on April 13.

The worker, 46 years old, was employed as a tote runner, which involves gathering stacks of yellow plastic bins, loading them onto a cart and hauling them along warehouse corridors for other workers to fill. According to multiple employees who spoke to the Western Edge on condition of anonymity, the facility recently reduced the number of tote runners, increasing the physical burden on those who remain.

The unidentified man collapsed on the second level of the loading dock. A 911 call placed at 1:55 p.m. captured a worker describing what he found: the man had extensive blood coming from his head and was very blue looking. A second caller asked the dispatcher for instruction on how to operate a defibrillator.

A worker identified as Sam, whose name was changed by the Western Edge to protect her from retribution, has CPR training and asked her supervisor for permission to assist a woman who was already performing chest compressions. The supervisor refused. It has to be management or a safety team, Sam was told. Please get back to work. Sam pressed further. The supervisor reportedly replied, Just turn around and not look. Lets get back to work.

Workers at PDX9 were not allowed to go home until the end of the 3:45 p.m. shift, with management claiming they would be paid in full for the entire day. The night shift was also canceled, with employees supposedly compensated, but Sam reported that Amazon has yet to honor that.

One worker on social media corroborated the story. This is my site. This was a tote runner that worked FHD [who] was an older gentleman who suffered cardiac arrest likely from heat and over exertion. Fell down, hit his head. Was given CPR on site [and] by the time the ambulance came he had already passed. Our hearts and prayers go out to this persons family. Its been truly sad around the facility.

Workers also commented on Amazons internal messaging app, one noting that, Amazon was given a 16 billion dollar tax cut to invest in AI and robotics so they can cut 600,000 jobs. Do you think Amazon cares about safety?

Amazon has contested the claims, with Amazon spokesperson Kelly Nantel asserting that the company focused on ensuring our employee received the care he needed. The company has leaned heavily on an initial Oregon OSHA report, which determined the death was not work-related.

This is not the first time OSHA has covered for the logistics corporation and its centibillionaire founder, Jeff Bezos. In the summer of 2022, three workers, Rafael Mota Frias, Rodger Boland and Eric Vadinsky, died at Amazon warehouses in New Jersey during a heat wave. Coworkers reported that management at the Carteret facility told workers to work through the heat during Amazons high-paced Prime Day.

In that case, OSHA also sided with Amazon, claiming that the deaths were not work-related. In addition, Amazon threatened to fire workers who contradicted the official account. And in the aftermath of the Carteret deaths, Amazon upgraded the air conditioning system at the warehouse, a tacit admission that the deaths were in fact workplace-related.

In the aftermath of the Troutdale death, others on social media also commented on the horrible conditions at their own Amazon facilities. Dude died at my warehouse, one wrote. They put the giant cardboard trash things around him. Warehouse didnt miss a beat. L4s said some one sentence word salad the next day. Do it for him, that guy he didnt know the name of.

And another added: I honestly thought this was the one at my location because this incident happened last week, that last Friday. I dont work Fridays but I came back to the building the following week on Monday and everyone was asking if I had heard what happened to which I told them, no, obviously, what was going on.

They proceeded to tell me an older lady was on the second floor and whether she just fell and hit her head on the way down or something fell on her, nobody knows, but she ended up sadly passing away from the accident.

In December 2021, management at a fulfillment center in Edwardsville, Illinois, ignored days of advance tornado warnings from the National Weather Service and kept workers on the job overnight. The storm caused the building to collapse, killing six workers. Less than two months ago, on March 10, Amazon locked delivery drivers out of an Oklahoma City warehouse during an active tornado warning, with a manager directing workers outside as sirens blared. Only the storms change of course prevented deaths.

In May 2023, Caes David Gruesbeck died of blunt force trauma to the head while attempting to fix an overhead conveyor at an Amazon facility. The company was fined a pittance of $7,000. And last year, at the JFK8 fulfillment center in Staten Island, New York, Leony Salcedo-Chevalier was struck and killed by a truck at the loading dock.

PDX9 has long been among the most dangerous of Amazons facilities. A 2019 investigation by the outlet Reveal found it had the highest injury rate of 23 major distribution centers examined. In 2018, more than a quarter of all workers at the site had sustained injuries on the job.

The trend continued during the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, when Amazons refusal to provide proper protective equipment caused at least 100 infections, making it the fourth-largest workplace outbreak in Oregon at the time. In August 2021, a second outbreak at PDX9 had infected 345 workers, the highest total of any workplace in Oregon, surpassing even overwhelmed medical centers.

In both cases, Amazon forced workers to sign nondisclosure agreements to suppress information about the severity of infections from the public and from workers themselves.

The death at PDX9 also exposes the role of the Democratic Party in setting up Americas industrial slaughterhouse. The facility was built using $9.6 million in tax breaks granted by the Port of Portland and the city of Troutdale in 2017, and total public subsidies extended to Amazon for its Oregon expansion reached $213.1 million. At the time, Oregon Governor Kate Brown called the facilitys opening a celebration.

The deaths at Amazon are part of Americas industrial slaughterhouse. Last April, autoworker Ronald Adams Sr. was killed at the Stellantis Dundee Engine Plant when an overhead gantry crane activated without warning. A year later, MIOSHA has not released the results of its investigation, and the United Auto Workers (UAW) has worked alongside management to suppress the case.

Under the Trump administration, OSHAs enforcement capacity is being gutted further. Proposed budgets slash inspection staffing, freeze new rule making, including a heat illness prevention standard that could have applied to facilities like PDX9 and replace enforcement with voluntary compliance by employers. Workers cannot rely on these agencies, which have never protected them.

The defense of workers lives at Amazon and every other workplace requires workers themselves to organize. The WSWS urges Amazon workers to build rank-and-file safety committees, genuinely democratic organizations of, by and for workers on the shop floor, to fight back against unsafe working conditions and to conduct their own investigations when workers are injured or killed.
On Tuesday, the Trump Department of Justice (DOJ) asked the D.C. Circuit Court to vacate the convictions of four high-level Oath Keepers previously convicted for organizing and participating in the violent January 6, 2021 attack on the Capitol. The documents indicate that the administration is also seeking to remove the convictions of Proud Boys members similarly found guilty of seditious conspiracy and other violent felonies.

The motion, submitted by Jeanine Pirro, specifically concerns Oath Keepers founder Stewart Rhodes and three other current or former members of the group that stormed the Capitol: Kelly Meggs, Kenneth Harrelson and Jessica Watkins. In November 2022, Rhodes and Meggs, a top lieutenant in the organization and leader of the Florida chapter of the group, were convicted of seditious conspiracy, the most serious charge leveled against the more than 1,500 people criminally prosecuted for participating in the failed putsch.

On May 25, 2023 Elmer Stewart Rhodes III was sentenced to 18 years in federal prison after being found guilty of seditious conspiracy. [Photo: Alexandria Sheriff's Office]

Harrelson and Watkins were charged with seditious conspiracy but not convicted. They were, however, convicted of several felony charges, including obstructing an official proceeding. Rhodes, Harrelson and Watkins all served in the US military and used their training to breach the Capitol in search of lawmakers to take hostage. While they did not carry guns into the building, the militia group established several QRFs, or quick reaction forces, immediately outside the D.C. area, armed with thousands of rounds and dozens of rifles, ready to supply the fascists with deadly weapons once given the order by Trump.

Rhodes was later sentenced to 18 years in prison but ended up spending less than four years incarcerated. Since his release from prison last year, Rhodes has resumed his far-right agitation, appearing regularly on Alex Jones InfoWars program.

One of Trumps first actions upon his return to the White House was to pardon or commute the sentences of his far-right foot soldiers, who, as a general rule, faced limited consequences for storming the Capitol after being fed lies by Trump and his Republican co-conspirators that, in order to Stop the Steal, they had to prevent the Electoral College certification.

While Trumps pardons and commutations last year shortened or ended the sentences of the convicted, they did not erase the actual felonies from their records. If these motions are granted and the charges dismissed, they will effectively wipe away the criminal judgments in the most serious January 6 cases.

Tuesdays motion claims that dismissal of the convictions is just under the circumstances because the United States has determined in its prosecutorial discretion that dismissal of this criminal case is in the interests of justice. In other words, it is in the interests of the Trump administration, and the financial oligarchy it represents, that fascist militia leaders face no consequences for their criminal actions.

The motion cites Trumps January 20, 2025 commutation, noting that in the Executive Branchs view, it is not in the interests of justice to continue to prosecute this case or the cases of other, similarly situated defendants.

The filing notes that the government is also filing two similar motions regarding Oath Keeper Roberto Minuta and Proud Boy Ethan Nordean. CNN reported that the motions could also affect the convictions of Oath Keepers Edward Vallejo, Joseph Hackett and David Moerschel, as well as Proud Boys Joseph Biggs, Zachary Rehl and Dominic Pezzola.

Proud Boys led by Ethan Nordean (bullhorn), Zachary Rehl (camouflage hat) and Joe Biggs (flannel shirt) march to the Capitol on January 6, 2021. All three men, along with the former chairman of the group, Henry "Enrique" Tarrio, and Dominic Pezzola, were charged with seditious conspiracy. [AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster]

Nordean, Rehl and Biggs led the most violent section of the mob to the Capitol. Court testimony revealed that the group saw its role as that of chief agitators. With a bullhorn in hand, Nordean sought to whip the far-right mob into a frenzy. He implored his Proud Boy associates to fash the fuck out, a command Pezzola followed through on, using a riot shield to smash a glass window at the Capitol in the buildings first breach. After Pezzola was sentenced to 10 years in prison in September 2023, he screamed as he was led out of the courtroom, Trump won!

Following the motion, the fascists took to social media to praise Trump administration officials. Proud Boys leader and prolific FBI informant Henry Enrique Tarrio wrote on X on April 15: Full rights restored and full military benefits and back pay will be processed.  This is my happiest day since the pardon that released us from the jaws of injustice!

He thanked Pirro and Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche, along with Trump, for doing whats right and showing that justice is still alive in our country. MAGA!

In a livestream with Tarrio, Rehl said, Justice is coming, and credited Trump: He always says never give up and thats what we have to do, stand our ground and keep fighting.

If the motion is granted, which appears that it will be, it would clear the path for the militia members to rearm themselves ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. During the trial of Rhodes, prosecutors submitted evidence that he spent $17,000 on weapons and tactical equipment after January 6. Prior to the attack, the separate Oath Keeper QRFs amassed suitcases filled with ammunition and rifles at hotels in Virginia and in trucks parked outside D.C.

The DOJs motion is a warning to the working class. Under conditions in which Trump and the Republicans are widely hated, the aspiring dictator is summoning and preparing the same paramilitary elements that heeded his violent call to action some five years ago.

Trump is already moving to disrupt the midterm elections and make it difficult for workers and their families to vote. He has called for a federal takeover of elections and has demanded that states send voter rolls to the DOJ which are then shared with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for alleged citizenship checks aimed at removing voters. At least 12 states, including Alaska, Arkansas, Indiana, Louisiana, Mississippi, Nebraska, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas and Wyoming, have already sent lists to the federal government.

Trump has repeatedly called for eliminating vote by mail, castigating it as inherently fraudulent, and is also trying to pass the SAVE Act, an anti-voter legislation aimed at imposing bureaucratic hurdles to proving citizenship in order to vote.

In the last month, Trump has deployed Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) thugs to airports to harass, kidnap and detain workers. War Room host and former White House adviser Steve Bannon has repeatedly called on Trump to deploy the immigration Gestapo to polling locations.

That Trump is in a position to pardon his fascist foot soldiers and disrupt the midterm elections is entirely the fault of the Democratic Party. On the day of the attack, then President-elect Joe Biden implored Trump to go on television and appeal to these fascists to halt their rampage.

Trump did no such thing, but this did not prevent Biden and the Democrats from calling for a strong Republican Party in the aftermath of the attack. Throughout Bidens presidency, his attorney general, Merrick Garland, stalled efforts to prosecute Trump for the coup. Taking the measure of the Democrats unwillingness to prosecute Trump and his co-conspirators, Republicans, and even sections of the pseudo-left, adopted Trumps lie that the greatest injustice that occurred on January 6 was not the storming of the Capitol and the attempt to overthrow the election but the prosecution of some of Trumps fascist foot soldiers.

Throughout Bidens presidency, the Democrats did everything in their power to downplay the danger of dictatorship and rehabilitate the Republican Party. This was done in order to advance their shared class interests, namely prosecuting the US-NATO proxy war against Russia in Ukraine, the genocide in Gaza and eliminating all public health and mitigation measures concerning the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

The return of Trump to the White House demonstrates that the working class must advance its own independent program, separate from the Democrats and Republicans, in order to defend democratic rights and hold the criminals in both parties, and their financial benefactors, responsible for their numerous crimes.
On Tuesday, in his first major policy address since taking over the leadership of the decimated Liberal-National Coalition in February, the parliamentary opposition leader Angus Taylor produced a witch-hunting anti-immigrant diatribe.

Taylor declared the necessity to reduce immigration numbers drastically, supposedly to protect our way of life and to restore Australians standard of living. But he did not stop there.

Liberal-National Coalition leader Angus Taylor speaking in April 2026 [Photo: Facebook/Angus Taylor MP]

Taylor said the door had been opened to people who had no allegiance to Australia and were actively working against our nation. They had subversive intent.

The Coalition leader called for the reversal of the nominally non-discriminatory immigration program that has existed since the formal end of the blatantly racist White Australia regime in the 1960s.

There must be discrimination against people from countries designated as not being liberal democracies and who therefore could not accept Australian values, Taylor said. This would include the introduction of Trump administration-style vetting and deportation measures against radicals.

Taylor declared that the existing Australian values test for citizenship must become legally binding and extended to visa holders, including making it a compulsory requirement for permanent residents to learn English.

Anyone failing to uphold core values outlined in a government statement, including respect for the rule of law and English as the national language, would face removal from the country.

Echoing the inflammatory rhetoric of the Trump administration and far-right movements across Europe, such as Nigel Farages Reform UK, Taylor blamed migrants for the erosion of national culture and the Balkanisation of communities.

The first target for deportation would be what Taylor described as the Gazan cohort of 1,700 people granted temporary visas to flee the Israeli genocide after being vetted by the political police of the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO). They were a high-risk to our nation and must be re-assessed entirely, he decreed.

Taylors speech, and its response in the media and political establishment, marks a further lurch to the right by the ruling class as a wholenot just the Coalitionto attempt to whip up nationalist and anti-immigrant sentiment to split and divide the working class by falsely blaming immigrants for the intensifying cost-of-living crisis, now being fuelled by the barbaric US-Israeli war on Iran.

This shift has far-reaching political implications in Australia, where more than half the population was born overseas or has at least one immigrant parent, and where this is reflected in every factory and workplace, showing the increasingly international character of the working class on a world scale.

Taylors hard-line tirade and proposals are an obvious bid to win back a substantial part of the Coalitions shattered voting base from the far-right anti-immigrant One Nation of Senator Pauline Hanson. But they spell a wider lurch, including by Prime Minister Anthony Albaneses Labor government. Editorials in the corporate media welcomed his speech and government ministers rushed to declare that they were already cracking down on immigrants.

Yesterdays Australian Financial Review editorial insisted that Taylors incendiary remarks should be assessed as part of an important conversation. The Murdoch medias flagship, the Australian, welcomed Taylors proclamation that: For an immigration program to work in the national interest, it must discriminate based on values.

Several Labor government ministers dismissed Taylors speech as desperate dog-whistling and a political ploy to compete with One Nation. Yet they simultaneously spoke of already having moved in the same direction. Assistant Immigration Minister Matt Thistlethwaite reiterated that migrants must uphold Australian principles, and the current system included robust security and values screening.

In fact, the Albanese government is competing with the Coalition and One Nation in scapegoating immigrants. This has included slashing intake numbers of immigrants, refugees and international students, barring entry to Iranians holding tourist visas, reopening the immigration detention camp on the remote Pacific island of Nauru and forcibly transporting former immigration detainees to languish there indefinitely.

The Labor government also has prevented the return home of 11 women and 23 childrenall Australian citizens with valid passportswho have been detained in primitive concentration camps in Syria since 2019.

In his speech, Taylor gave few concrete details but pointed to the adoption of a blacklist of countries from which immigrants would be barred. Those who migrate from liberal democracies have a greater likelihood of subscribing to Australian values compared to those migrating from places ruled by fundamentalists, extremists and dictators, he said.

These proscribed places would include Gaza, Taylor specified, but he made no such mention of the many dictatorships backed by the US and its allies, including Australia, such as the Saudi and Gulf state monarchies and General Sisis regime in Egypt.

In line with the Trump administrations mass deportations and violent Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations, Taylor pledged to establish a new Joint Agency Taskforce, including ASIO, the Australian Border Force and the Australian Federal Police, to track down, arrest and deport non-citizens who are still pursuing legal appeals to stay in the country. That would include 65,000 people the Coalition says should be forced to leave Australia immediately.

With a stronger Australian Values rulebook, moreover, there would be no more ambiguity in courts and tribunals and no appeals merry-go-round. If a visa holder did not respect our core values, they will be booted out of Australia.

Legal aid funding for visa holders would be restricted, and non-citizens would be denied access to social and health services, as well as housing programs.

In addition, anyone applying for a visa, even a tourist, would have to submit their social media accounts and hand over their phones on arrival for political vetting, like the regime put in place by US President Trump.

Taylor openly called for the overturning of the right to seek asylum, even in the limited form set out in the 1951 international Refugee Convention. A new safe country list would be introduced, to fast-track refusals for asylum claims from countries deemed safe to return to. The list would be based on a similar one used by the Starmer Labour government in the UK.

To those who say we will be in breach of the Refugee Convention, we will decide who deserves protection and the circumstances in which that protection is granted, Taylor stated.

This anti-immigrant plan recalls the White Australia policy, adopted and long championed by the Labor Party and the trade unions, which thinly disguised its skin colour ban by implementing a language test. It was a means of trying to keep workers in Australia divided from their fellow workers in Asia and globally.

While Taylor claimed that his proposals would not discriminate on race, religion or faith, he singled out Muslims, referring to Islamist extremists and radical Islamic preachers espousing hate with impunity.

A central axis of Taylors speech was the conflationshared by the Labor governmentof anti-genocide dissent with antisemitism. Turning reality totally on its head, he referred to the mass protests against the US-backed Israeli annihilation of Gaza as genocidal marches in major cities.

Taylor claimed that the December 14 mass shootings at Sydneys Bondi Beach, by two alleged Islamic State supporters, resulted from the existing immigration policyeffectively blaming immigrants for the terrorist attack.

Hanson, the One Nation founder and leader, is setting the pace, as are far-right formations in Europe and America. She claimed credit for Taylors announcement, saying the Coalition was trying to reverse the collapse of its support, displayed in the sharp rise in One Nations vote in the recent South Australian state election. Backed by oligarchs such as mining magnate Gina Rinehart, Hanson is paving the road for the rest of the parliamentary establishment, blaming immigrants for the intensifying social and housing crisis.

This is part of a poisonous global drive. In Europe, North America and around the world, the ruling capitalist class is seeking to whip up anti-immigrant sentiment, nationalism and patriotism to divide the international working class, under conditions of plunging living standards, ever-deepening social inequality and a spiral into war. Above all, governments need immigrant scapegoats to prevent workers from mounting a unified challenge to the root cause of these problemsthe domination of society by an oligarchy of billionaires.

To defeat this, workers and young people must defend the basic democratic rights of immigrants, international students and refugees, including to live and work where they choose, with full social and citizenship entitlements. This is an essential component of the fight to build a unified mass movement of the working class worldwide against capitalism and for the establishment of workers power and socialism to reorganise society on the basis of social and human need, not corporate profit.
On April 7, roughly 500 people attended a campaign event led by senatorial candidate Abdul El-Sayed at the University of Michigans (U-M) Central Campus Classroom Building. The event featured several Democratic Party officials, many aligned with the pseudo-left Democratic Socialists of America (DSA), alongside Twitch streamer and political commentator Hasan Piker.

On the same day, El-Sayed hosted a campaign event at Michigan State University, with reports indicating it was the smaller of the two events in his university campus tour ahead of the midterm elections in November.

While the overwhelmingly young crowd of students and workers was no doubt drawn to El-Sayeds rally by opposition to the Gestapo-like operations of Immigration Customs and Enforcement (ICE) officers and the fascist Trump administrations broader attacks on democratic rights and social institutions, the perspective offered at the rally was a political dead-end.

US Senate candidate for Michigan Abdul El-Sayed speaks during a town hall, Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2025, in Lincoln Park, Michigan. [AP Photo/Ryan Sun]

El-Sayed, who was born in Detroit of Egyptian immigrant parents, previously ran for the Democratic nomination for governor in 2018 with the backing of Senator Bernie Sanders, losing to Gretchen Whitmer. He has headed public health departments in Detroit and Wayne County.

After the announcement by Democratic Senator Gary Peters that he would not seek reelection this year, El-Sayed entered the race for the Democratic nomination to succeed him. His campus tour is a calculated intervention by a faction of the Democratic Partyalong with its pseudo-left satellitesto corral the growing leftward movement of students within the framework of capitalist electoral politics.

In his Senate campaign, ElSayed has positioned himself as the left candidate in a three-way Democratic primary set for August 4, against US Representative Haley Stevens and State Senator Mallory McMorrow. Polling by Emerson College in late January 2026 showed McMorrow at 22 percent, Stevens at 17 percent and ElSayed at 16 percent among Democratic primary voters, with a huge 38 percent still undecided, leaving the race wide open.

Former Representative Mike Rogers is expected to be the Republican nominee. Rogers narrowly lost a Senate contest to Democrat Elissa Slotkin, a former CIA agent, in 2024.

MSUs East Lansing campus and U-Ms Ann Arbor campus became centers of mounting opposition to war, social inequality and Trumps fascism, with U-M also serving as an arena for the Biden administrations crackdown on pro-Palestinian protesters. El-Sayeds intervention is above all aimed at blocking a turn by students toward an independent movement of the working class for socialism.

At the Ann Arbor rally, addressed by El-Sayed, Piker and Representatives Rashida Tlaib (D-MI) and Summer Lee (D-PA), the speeches were most notable for what they avoided. While denouncing the militarism and outright criminality of the Trump administration, the speakers made no mention of capitalism or socialism, although Piker calls himself a Marxist-Leninist and Tlaib and Lee are both members of the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA).

Everything was carefully edited to focus only on the primary in August and the general election in November. Toward this end, the content of nearly all the speeches emphasized El-Sayeds supposed trustworthiness. Hes someone I dont have to call and check on, Tlaib stated, adding, if hes elected, I know I wont have to watch him, and voters wont have to pressure him constantly to do the right thing.

Amir Makled, a civil rights attorney and Democratic Party candidate for the U-M Board of Regents, opened the meeting. Last year, Makled represented pro-Palestinian protesters at U-M against felony and misdemeanor charges brought by state Attorney General Dana Nessel; in April 2025, he was detained by Trumps border agents at the Detroit airport while returning to the country.

Makleds introduction was devoid of any serious political perspective on the threat of fascism and world war. He made almost no mention of his experience in the legal battle against the campaign to suppress democratic rights at U-M, co-orchestrated by the U-M Board of Regents and the Michigan state Democratic leadership under Governor Whitmer.

None of the speakers made any reference to the death of Danhao Wang, a Chinese national and U-M researcher who committed suicide following intense questioning by federal agents last month, or the role played by the U-M administration in condoning and covering up the incident.

Yousef Rabhi, a Washtenaw County Commissioner, DSA member and Democratic candidate for Ann Arbor mayor, also spoke ahead of El-Sayed. Screaming out a speech peppered with expletives, Rabhi denounced Trump while stating, We need to take this country back! But from whom?

Rabhi went on to claim Trump is spending taxpayer money to bomb innocent people  halfway around the world rather than on healthcare and education here at home, with no mention of the role of Democrats in Congress who approved the military spending.

Hasan Pikers presence attracted smears of antisemitism from the Democratic Party establishment for weeks ahead of El-Sayeds campus tour, because of his vocal opposition to the US-Israel-led genocide in Gaza and support for pro-Palestinian protests across the US and internationally.

Piker drew direct attention to this in his speech, but, in doing so, embraced the claim, made by both the pseudo-left and the far right, that US imperialisms war against Iran and the crackdown on protesters in the US are entirely or largely the product of Israeli influence over the US government. To this end, Piker described Trump as the first and, hopefully, last ever president that would be foolish enough to be at the mercy of Netanyahu and follow through with his lifelong death and destruction campaign.

When it was finally El-Sayeds turn to speak, the progressive Democrat had just as little to offer as the preceding speakers. While emphasizing that ICE is not reformable and must be abolished, El-Sayed only presented one path to oppose fascism and war: vote for the Democratic Party, which is facilitating the rise of fascism and US imperialisms wars abroad.

Publicly, El-Sayed expresses rhetorical opposition to US imperialisms Middle Eastern wars as matters of flawed military and political procedure and presidential overreach. Behind this anti-war appearance, El-Sayed aligns himself with the Democrats imperialist foreign policy consensus, citing both the US-NATO war against Russia in Ukraine and the US-NATO bombing of Serbia in 1999 as examples of positive exercises of US military power.

In line with the politics of imperialism, El-Sayeds gestures in support of expanding healthcare and social spending are of a limited reformist character that do nothing to challenge or undermine the capitalist system, the source of inequality, war and authoritarianism pressing down on workers and youth.

The droning chorus of statements praising El-Sayed as a steadfast and reliable political representative is true only in the sense that he will be firm in his allegiance to the capitalist politics of the Democratic Party and the ruling elite, which are presently rushing to provide political cover for Trumps war against Iran.

In an interview with the DSA-linked publication Jacobin, El-Sayed emphasized that winning in Michigan would suggest a way forward in the rest of the country, meaning he had a strategy for rebranding the Democratic Party. While insisting he could speak truth to power, El-Sayed promised the ruling class that his proposalssinglepayer healthcare, limited debt relief, modest taxation of the wealthywould not fundamentally threaten their wealth, property or control of the state.

Like DSA member Zohran Mamdani, who won the New York City mayoral election as a Democrat in 2025 on a platform of limited social reform, opposition to the US-Israeli-led genocide of Palestinians in Gaza and resistance to Trumps authoritarianism, and now leads a program of cuts to social spending and political alliances with the fascist in the White House, El-Sayed offers no serious alternative to the right-wing politics of the Democratic Party.
An overloaded fishing trawler carrying hundreds of Rohingya refugees and Bangladeshi nationals has capsized in the Andaman Sea, in what is one of the deadliest maritime disasters in the region in years. Around 250 peoplemen, women and childrenare missing and feared dead after the vessel, which left from Teknaf in southern Bangladesh and was bound for Malaysia, went down around April 9.

The trawler was routed along a well-known sea lane towards Malaysia, a primary destination for Rohingya seeking to escape the squalour of Bangladeshs Coxs Bazar camps, where many have lived for years after being driven from their homes in Myanmar. According to UN agencies, the boat was grossly overcrowded and ill-equipped for the open sea when it encountered rough conditions and capsized in the Andaman Sea, close to the Indian Andaman and Nicobar archipelago.

The tragedy only came to light by sheer chance. On April 9, a Bangladesh-flagged tanker, the M.T. Meghna Pride, spotted people clinging to drums, logs and debris and rescued nine survivorseight men and one woman, three Rohingya and six Bangladeshi nationals. They were later handed to the Bangladesh Coast Guard and police in Teknaf.

Majuma Khatun, the mother of Rahela Begum, a Rohingya survivor, comforts her at their shelter after she was rescued on April 9, 2026 from a capsized boat, at a refugee camp in Coxs Bazar, Bangladesh, Wednesday, April 15, 2026. [AP Photo/Suzauddin Rubel]

One survivor, identified in local reports as Rahela Begum, a Rohingya woman, described drifting two days and one night in the sea, clinging to a piece of wood until she lost consciousness. When she awoke, she saw the tanker looming over her. She has no idea what became of the hundreds of others who shared the boat.

Rafiqul Islam, another of the survivors, told Reuters that they had been at sea for four days. In an attempt to avoid naval patrols, the crew forced passengers into cramped storage compartments meant for fish and nets. There was hardly any oxygen, he said, adding that at least 30 people died from suffocation before the boat capsized. He estimated that there were about 240 people still onboard at the time, including women and children.

Despite the scale of the catastrophe, there is no evidence of a serious, sustained, multinational search-and-rescue operation to find the missing. A Bangladeshi official declared that the sinking occurred outside the countrys territorial waters, implying it had no responsibility for broader search efforts.

The Andaman Sea disaster is only the most recent in a chain of mass drownings and disappearances. In May 2025, UNHCR reported that two boats shuttling between Bangladesh and Myanmars Rakhine coast had capsized, with roughly 427 Rohingya feared dead. In November 2025, a Malaysia-bound vessel carrying around 70 people sank near Ko Tarutao on the MalaysiaThailand maritime border; at least 21 died and dozens more went missing.

UN data indicate that between January and early November 2025 alone, over 5,100 Rohingya attempted dangerous sea journeys from Myanmar and Bangladesh, with nearly 600 reported dead or missing. Many voyages go unrecorded, meaning the true toll is far higher.

The largely Muslim Rohingya in Myanmar have been a persecuted minority for decades. Since formal independence in 1948, military and civilian regimes alike have systematically stripped them of basic democratic rights, culminating in the 1982 citizenship law that effectively rendered them stateless foreigners in their own homeland.

In 2012, communal violence in Rakhine State, encouraged and armed by the state, led to mass internal displacement, ethnic segregation and long-term confinement of Rohingya in camps around Sittwe, forcing many to flee to neighbouring Bangladesh.

Between 2012 and 2015, over 110,000 Rohingya and impoverished Bangladeshis embarked on rickety boats towards Thailand and Malaysia, producing the so-called boat people crisis that governments across the region responded to with pushbacks and detentions.

The decisive turning point was 201617. After a smaller operation in late 2016, the Myanmar military used attacks by Rohingya militants in August 2017 as the pretext for vast clearance operations: village burnings, massacres, mass rape and landmines seeded along escape routes.

Medecins Sans Frontieres estimates that between August and December 2017, some 655,000700,000 Rohingya fled to Bangladesh, with MSF documenting at least 6,700 Rohingya killed. Those who fled joined earlier arrivals, creating the largest concentrated refugee population in the world.

Over a million Rohingya are trapped in the Coxs Bazar mega camp, in conditions of extreme overcrowding, insecurity and deepening deprivation. Food rations have been repeatedly slashed. Movement is strictly limited. Access to education and healthcare is minimal, formal work is banned, and there is no pathway to citizenship or integration.

Bangladesh, which is not a party to the Refugee Convention, labels Rohingya merely as forcibly displaced Myanmar nationals and openly insists on eventual repatriation, despite the fact that the military responsible for the violence holds power in Myanmar and the country has plunged into a broader civil war.

Under these conditions, dangerous sea journeys are a response to ghetto conditions in Bangladesh. UN and NGO reports have documented the growing resort to paid passage on unseaworthy boats out of Coxs Bazar and Teknaf towards Malaysia and Indonesia, despite the great risks.

Conditions of uncertainly, poverty and exploitation are what awaits those who reach Malaysia. Like Bangladesh, Malaysia is not party to the Refugee Convention and has no asylum law. Rohingya and other asylum seekers are simply illegal immigrants under the Immigration Act, and can be subject to arrest, caning, indefinite detention and deportation.

The UNHCR registers refugees and issues cards, but these have no firm legal effect: even card holders can be detained or deported, and access to detention centres for monitoring has been repeatedly curtailed.

Most Rohingya in Malaysia live in the shadows, packed into substandard housing on the margins of Kuala Lumpur and other cities. They have no legal right to work, forcing them into informal, low-paid and hazardous jobs in construction, plantations, restaurants and factories. Children are barred from public schools and rely on under-resourced community learning centres.

Public opinion, stoked by the media and political establishment, has turned sharply hostile, particularly since the COVID-19 pandemic. Rohingya are denounced as disease carriers and job thieves. The state has turned away boats and mounted immigration crackdowns that sweep refugees into detention.

The plight of Rohingya is an acute expression of a global crisis. Worldwide, more than 100 million people are displaced, driven from their homes by war, repression, economic collapse and climate catastropheprocesses rooted in the mounting crisis of global capitalism. The working class internationally has a responsibility to defend the basic democratic rights of refugees to asylum and to oppose the vilification of some of the worlds most vulnerable people, which is exploited by governments to justify persecution, dire poverty, imprisonment and the use of the military to bar entry.
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German chancellor Friedrich Merz and Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy attend a welcome ceremony ahead of German-Ukrainian government consultations in Berlin Germany, Tuesday, April 14, 2026 [AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi]

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky was received Tuesday with military honours outside the Chancellery in Berlin. The imposing scene, featuring dozens of uniformed and armed soldiers, underscored the character of the visit. Snipers were positioned on the surrounding rooftops to provide security for the first German-Ukrainian government consultations in 20 years. The focus of the meeting was the signing of a new strategic partnership between Germany and Ukraine.

Then on Wednesday, the Ukraine Defence Contact Group (UDCG) met in Berlin. German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius, together with his British counterpart John Healey, welcomed NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte and Ukrainian Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov to the 34th ministerial meeting of the UDCG. Other participants joined the meeting online. The focus was on coordinating the NATO offensive in the war in Ukraine and expanding military support for Kiev.

Both events illustrate the aggressiveness with which German imperialism is driving the war against Russia. The official propaganda that the war is about defending democracy and freedom was a lie from the outset. The NATO powers systematically provoked the Russian invasionthrough the continued eastward expansion of the military alliance right up to the Russian border and the transformation of Ukraine into a military outpost against the nuclear-armed power Russia.

With the escalation of the conflict in the Middle East and Donald Trumps open threats of annihilation against Iranwhich German Chancellor Friedrich Merz cynically justified as diplomatic war tacticsall pretences are now being dropped in the war in Ukraine as well. Merz and Zelensky visited arms factories together and agreed on measures to return fit-for-service Ukrainian men in Germany to the front line.

It must be stated openly: de facto, Germany is once again at war with Russiaand is continuing a disastrous historical tradition. In the 20th century, German imperialism twice attempted to subjugate Russia militarily, committing appalling crimes in the process. Today, the ruling class is making a third attempt. As in both world wars, Ukraine is a central battlefield.

During a joint press conference, Merz openly threatened Russia. He claimed the new strategic partnership was a very clear signal to Russia, that Germany would not slacken in its efforts to defend Ukraine, and that Russia had no chance of winning this war.

The agreement involves a massive expansion of military cooperation. Since the start of the war, Germany has supported Ukraine with military aid amounting to 55 billion. According to the government, a further 11.5 billion is earmarked for this year. Specifically, the decisions reached between Berlin and Kiev include:

Joint production and further development of drones, particularly for reconnaissance and for attacks deep behind the front lines

Expansion of cooperation between German defence contractors and the Ukrainian war industry, including joint production sites directly in Ukraine

Concrete plans by the defence contractor Diehl Defence to supply additional IRIS-T air defence systems and to produce launchers and components jointly with Ukraine in future

Massive expansion of munitions production to compensate for the high losses in the war of attrition against Russia

Development and manufacture of long-range weapon systems designed to enable targeted strikes deep into the Russian hinterland

Continued supply of heavy weapons, air defence systems, tanks, artillery and military logistics

This is not a matter of defence cooperation, as official propaganda claims, but rather comprehensive war cooperation. The aim is to further escalate the conflict, militarise Europe and, under crisis conditions, shift the economy to war productiona prospect that has long been openly discussed in strategic papers by European think tanks.

An official report by the Ministry of Defence explicitly states that cooperation with Ukraine will contribute to the development of industrial capacity and technological innovation in Germany ... thereby enhancing the Bundeswehrs [German army] security of supply.

At the same time, the aim is to exert economic control over and systematically plunder Ukraine under the guise of reconstruction. The strategic partnership agreement explicitly stipulates cooperation in the extraction of critical minerals. An agreement between the Ukrainian Geological Service and the Federal Institute for Geosciences and Natural Resources provides for joint projects to exploit Ukraines mineral deposits and to advise state and industrial actors.

With this renewed drive towards the East, German imperialism is reviving its historical plans for great-power status. In the First World War, control over resource-rich and geostrategically critical Ukraine was one of the German Empires declared war aims. In the Second World War, the Nazi regime took up this objective and radicalised it in the war of annihilation against the Soviet Union, which cost the lives of over 27 million people.

The historian Fritz Fischer highlighted the continuity of this policy. In his work Hitler war kein Betriebsumfall (Hitler Was No Accident) he emphasised that the geostrategic and economic objectives of Nazism were directly linked to Wilhelminian expansionism.

Today, the German ruling class is again pursuing the goal of removing Ukraine and other states formerly part of the Soviet Union from Moscows sphere of influence and bringing them under the control of a European Union dominated by Berlin. In 2022, the then Social Democratic Chancellor Olaf Scholz declared that Ukraines integration marked a starting point for closer European integrationincluding the states of the Western Balkans, Moldova and, in the long term, Georgia.

In other words: behind the German military offensive lie the same imperialist interests as in the 20th century. Since reunification, the ruling class has been working systematically to reorganise Europe under German leadership to assert its global economic and geostrategic interestsincreasingly by military means.

Germany played a key role in the break-up of Yugoslavia and the NATO bombing of Serbia. This was followed by military interventions in Afghanistan, the Middle East and Africa, as well as the ongoing support for Israels genocidal war against the Palestinians and Lebanon and the US-led war of aggression against Iran.

Regarding Russia, it is not only economic interestsparticularly in raw materialsbut also a historical thirst for revenge that is driving the escalation. While all parties in the Bundestag (German parliament) essentially support the course of war and rearmament, the Socialist Equality Party (SGP) warned of this development from the outset. As early as 2014, we stated:

History is returning with a vengeance. Almost 70 years after the crimes of the Nazis and its defeat in World War II, the German ruling class is once again adopting the imperialist great power politics of the Kaisers Empire and Hitler... In Ukraine, the German government is cooperating with the fascists of Svoboda and the Right Sector, which stand in the tradition of Nazi collaborators in the Second World War.

This warning has been confirmed. Germany is now at the forefront of Ukraines military rearmamentincluding support for far-right and fascist forces within the state and military apparatus.

At the same time, this policy is exacerbating tensions between the imperialist powers themselves, particularly between Germany and the United States. From the perspective of the German bourgeoisie, the struggle for supremacy in Europe and over Ukraine is ultimately part of the preparation for a future confrontation with Washington as well.

The only way to prevent the catastrophe of a Third World War is to build an international socialist movement of the working classin Russia, Ukraine, Germany, across Europe, in the US and worldwideagainst war and its root cause: the capitalist system.
The Australian Labor government is stepping up its assault on disability funding, as Health Minister Mark Butler prepares to announce further cuts and sweeping changes to the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) in the coming week, ahead of the May federal budget.

Central to the governments plan is to nearly halve annual NDIS spending growth. Such savings cannot be achieved without forcing out large numbers of the roughly 760,000 participants currently on the scheme and slashing support for those who remain.

[Photo: Facebook/People with Disability Australia]

In late January, Butler established a new NDIS Sustainability Taskforce, headed by senior public servant Anthea Long. Described as a razor gang, it has been tasked with identifying and enforcing the cuts required to slash spending growth to a 5-6 percent growth cap from the current 10 percent.

For a program costing roughly $50 billion a year, this translates into immediate cuts against previously projected spending of between $2 and $2.5 billion, with deeper reductions to follow.

The implementation of these measures is being accompanied by an escalating political and media campaign, led by Labor figures and the corporate press, to present the NDIS as an overextended scheme that must be reined in.

Labor MPs Michelle Ananda-Rajah and Mike Freelander, both physicians, have been prominent in advancing this line, lending it a veneer of clinical authority. Speaking to the Sydney Morning Herald in early April, they argued that the scheme has expanded beyond its original purpose and now includes too many people with so-called mild or moderate needs, particularly children with autism and developmental delays.

Ananda-Rajah described the NDIS as a fundamentally flawed program, warning that the scheme will lose its social licence unless we can make it affordable. It is robbing us of the fiscal space to make long-term investments, she declared.

In reality, the government is painting hundreds of thousands of autistic children and their parents, whose needs have been professionally assessed, as sponging off the public purse in order to justify drastic cuts to make space for its top prioritiesmilitary spending and corporate subsidies. In other words, it is the government that is undermining the social licence or legitimacy of the scheme in the eyes of the public.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese himself weighed in on Sunday, declaring, It wasnt intended that youd have classrooms with four out of 10 kids on the NDISa figure he did not substantiate. It was about providing support for people with permanent disabilities that needed that support to fully participate in society.

Albanese also repeated a theme being ramped up in the media that some people, a small minority, have abused the system.

Various media reports have recycled assertions that 6 to 10 percent of NDIS spending is non-compliant, fraudulent or incorrect, as the excuse to crack down on rorts and impose greater discipline. The figure originates from a 2025 Australian National Audit Office review of the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) and misleadingly conflates administrative errors with deliberate fraud. The review found that the NDIA only examines 0.4 percent of claims by dollar value, a very small sample size.

Since coming to office in 2022, the Albanese government has used claims of fraud and overuse to justify tightening eligibility and advancing new assessment mechanisms, including moves toward government-appointed independent assessors to decide who will access NDIS.

Initial measures passed in October 2024 have already narrowed eligibility and restricted the supports that can be funded. Implemented from May 2025, these changes are now translating into concrete cuts. According to the NDIA, among participants subjected to new three-month funding reviews, roughly one in five had their plans reduced, with average cuts of 22.5 percent.

These measures are already having a devastating impact. One family described an overwhelming sense of doom. Bonnie, in her 30s, whose sister Claire has a degenerative condition, told the Guardian in February that she fears Claire will be left to rot in a group home as her condition worsens.

The next step announced by Labor last year was the Thriving Kids model, which will begin rolling out in October. Children aged eight and under with developmental delay or autism assessed as having low or moderate needs will be pushed out of the NDIS and diverted into as yet undefined programs run by the states. Funding for Thriving Kids will be just $4 billion over five years.

The needs of those classified as mild or moderate are not minor. Children in this category often require ongoing speech, occupational and psychological therapy, while struggling with communication, emotional regulation and daily functioning. They depend on structured support at school and at home. For parents, this means constant supervision, coordination of care and an ongoing struggle to secure adequate assistance.

As Alice Tran, mother of two boys with so-called moderate autism, told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation in late March, theyre with me being supported and supervised 24/7  Im not sure I would call that moderate. She was forced to quit work to care for her children full time.

Theres just so much you cant see on paper with autism, Tran said, explaining that she must constantly monitor her children to eliminate risk factors. She said the proposed group alternatives are unworkable. We cant even do group swimming lessons. I cannot imagine group therapy  I wouldnt even be able to get them in the room.

The designation of mild and moderate serves a definite political purpose, establishing a framework for exclusion by defining a layer of participants as insufficiently severe. Data obtained by the Sydney Morning Herald from the NDIA indicates that around 120,000 children under eight who fall into this category will be shunted into Thriving Kids.

A further 187,000 participants aged nine and over are classified in the same way, bringing the total to more than 300,000 people. While they have not yet been publicly targeted, there is no doubt this is being reviewed. Together, these participants account for just $5 billion of the $50 billion NDIS expenditure, indicating that the government will have to take further steps to slash the NDIS budget.

Once access is restricted on the basis of severity, the same logic can be extended more broadly into other disability categories, including physical, intellectual, psychosocial and sensory impairmentsall of which have similar gradings.

The corporate press is already pressing for broader measures, including the introduction of means testing to thousands more NDIS participants. While Albanese has ruled this out, Labor senator Helen Polley called on Sunday for an open conversation about such proposals.

Speaking to the Australian this week, former Australian Competition and Consumer Commission chair Allan Fels highlighted another area for sweeping cutbacks, declaring that there were savings to be made from the $6 billion spent on mental health supports within the NDIS.

Fels called for a reorientation of funding to deliver better bang for their buck, including by winding back so-called daily living supports, assistance with routine tasks such as cooking, cleaning, personal care, and maintaining stable housing, which many participants rely on to live independently.

Treasurer Jim Chalmers has described the May budget as the most ambitious yet. In practice, this will mean deep reductions in social spending, with the NDIS a central target, amid mounting fiscal pressures driven by rising military expenditure and Australias backing of the US-Israeli war against Iran.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha held a meeting with Rwandan Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Olivier J.P. Nduhungirehe.

"We discussed strengthening UkraineRwanda relations, enhancing coordination in international organizations, and expanding economic cooperation. I reaffirmed Ukraine's solidarity with the Rwandan people on the 32nd anniversary of the genocide against the Tutsi and also informed my counterpart about the Holodomor, stressing the importance of historical memory and the parallels between attempts to erase our peoples," Sybiha said on X.

He said Ukraine sees Rwanda as an important promising partner in Africa.

"I appreciate Rwandas support for Ukraines sovereignty and territorial integrity and count on its continued backing in international organizations. We also discussed opportunities for further contacts and identified promising areas for bilateral cooperation, including security, agriculture, and investment," the minister said.
Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada Committee on Foreign Policy and Interparliamentary Cooperation Oleksandr Merezhko, of the Servant of the People faction, called on delegates to the 152nd Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) to help bring Russian war criminals, including Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin, to justice.

"We have the ICC, the International Criminal Court, and we have arrest warrants for Russian war criminals, starting with Putin. One hundred and twenty-five countries are members of the ICC, and most states of the Inter-Parliamentary Union are members of the International Criminal Court. Countries that are not yet ICC members can also help. They should arrest war criminals from Russia, including Putin, when they come to their territory," Merezhko said at a meeting of the IPU Committee on Peace and International Security.

According to him, bringing Russian war criminals to justice will contribute to establishing peace and justice in Ukraine.

As reported, the Verkhovna Rada delegation is taking part in the 152nd Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union in Istanbul, Turkey.
Photo: President's Office / www.president.gov.ua

Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten announced the signing of a partnership agreement with Ukraine, under which the Netherlands will invest EUR 482 million in the defense industrial complex.

"We have just signed a partnership agreement, and it will be beneficial for Ukraine, for the Dutch, and for Europe. We are investing EUR 482 million in defense. A Ukrainian drone production project will be able to start very quickly. Ukraine needs this to counter Russian aggression," Jetten said at a joint press conference with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Thursday.

He said the Netherlands would continue supporting Ukraine. He also announced the joint development of the defense industry with Ukraine.

The head of the Dutch government also announced the transfer to Ukraine of a ship currently located in the harbor of the city of Vlissingen, which he and Zelenskyy are to visit together later.

"This ship that we will see will become part of the Ukrainian navy. In this way, we are helping not only Ukraine, but the entire European continent," Jetten said.
NEED TO KNOW

Mitchell Jackson, a publicist for Clavicular (whose real name is Braden Peters), has stopped working with the controversial influencer over his drug use, PEOPLE can confirm

Mitchell quit because Braden will not take his health seriously, a source exclusively tells PEOPLE

Peters, who has publicly admitted to taking meth, was hospitalized on April 14 for a suspected overdose

Mitchell Jackson, a publicist for Clavicular, has stopped working with the controversial influencer over his drug use, PEOPLE can confirm.

On Tuesday, April 14, the 20-year-old internet personality, whose real name is Braden Peters, was hospitalized for a suspected drug overdose after he appeared to be under the influence and was slurring his words on a livestream.

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An exclusive source tells PEOPLE on April 16, Mitchell quit because Braden will not take his health seriously.

Braden thinks hes invincible and nobody's invincible, the source continues. If Braden wants to get sober and get healthy, he would be willing to rejoin him because he values him as a person.

Peters did not immediately respond to PEOPLEs request for comment.

Over the last few years, Peters has grown a following online as a leader of the looksmaxxing community, a controversial sect of the internet populated by young men who strive to maximize their attractiveness in often extreme ways.

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The content creator has frequently drawn criticism for extremist and, at times, overtly racist acts on his livestreams, including the use of a racial slur and admitting to using illegal drugs, such as meth, to maintain his appearance.

The day after his hospitalization, Peters updated his followers that he had gotten home from the hospital, sharing a selfie with blood on his face and writing, All of the substances are just a cope trying to feel neurotypical while being in public, but obviously that isn't a real solution. The worst part of tonight was my face descending from the life support mask."

He said in a Kick livestream later that day that he was good following his hospitalization, but he added that he didnt want to share more details.

I ain't going to be doing any more substances for a little while, hopefully forever," the Miami-based streamer added, according to a clip reshared on YouTube.

Clavicular in November 2025.

Credit: Clavicular/Instagram

On April 15, PEOPLE exclusively confirmed that Peters was transported to the hospital for his suspected overdose in a private vehicle after refusing assistance from fire and police personnel who responded to a 911 call.

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Spokespeople for the Miami Police Department told PEOPLE that police and Miami Fire-Rescue responded to a 911 call involving a a male experiencing a medical emergency during the evening of April 14, but after authorities arrived to the scene, We were advised that the individual had already been transported from the scene in a personal vehicle.

It was clear that those involved did not want Fire/Police assistance, added a spokesperson for Miami Fire-Rescue.

In footage from the scene, Peters can be seen being carried by men dressed in black and placed into a black SUV after the fire services had arrived.

Clavicular

Credit: Clavicular/Instagram

Days before his hospitalization, Peters made headlines after he walked out of an interview with 60 Minutes Australia when he was asked why he spent time with controversial figures such as Andrew Tate, who faces criminal charges for rape and human trafficking, allegations which Tate denies.

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.

I see you want to make this political, he told the interviewer, adding, I'm not doing any political jestering, before he stood up and had his mic removed.

Read the original article on People
Marieangela King is asking a court to intervene in her spousal support battle.

She has claimed that her estranged husband, Elijah Blue Allman, is under hospital care and is not making payments.

"My husband is currently in the hospital," she claimed in her 14 April declaration, reported by Us Weekly. "This request is simply about addressing existing court-ordered support that has not been paid."

King asked the Superior Court of California for assistance in having the trustee of Allman's estate make direct payments to her amid his health ups and downs.

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King alleged in her petition that Cher's son is "receiving medical care" in hospital following his February arrest for assault and criminal trespassing and March arrest for an alleged break-in in New Hampshire.

She asked that since he is seeking medical care, the court should ensure that the "basic financial support is honoured" in her estranged husband's absence.

"I am not taking an adversarial position against him personally," she argued. "I am asking the court to consider available resources, including the estate, to satisfy existing obligations during a time when he is not able to manage these matters himself."

King and Allman married in December 2013 after meeting in Germany. Their 13-year relationship was marked by ups and downs, including a 2021 divorce filing by Allman, which was dismissed in 2024.

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King filed for divorce in April 2025, citing irreconcilable differences. Allman was ordered in summer 2025 to pay her $6,500 (4,790) per month.

King alleged that she hasn't received spousal support since November last year.
Caofeidian Port Area in China's Hebei reports 138.03 mln tonnes of cargo throughput in Q1

Xinhua) 08:34, April 16, 2026

A drone photo taken on April 15, 2026 shows a vessel departing from the ore terminal of Caofeidian Port Area in Tangshan Port in Tangshan, north China's Hebei Province. From January to March this year, Caofeidian Port Area handled a cargo throughput of 138.03 million tonnes, marking a year-on-year increase of 3.16 percent. (Xinhua/Yang Shiyao)

A drone photo taken on April 15, 2026 shows a vessel docking at the ore terminal of Caofeidian Port Area in Tangshan Port in Tangshan, north China's Hebei Province. From January to March this year, Caofeidian Port Area handled a cargo throughput of 138.03 million tonnes, marking a year-on-year increase of 3.16 percent. (Xinhua/Yang Shiyao)

A drone photo taken on April 15, 2026 shows workers preparing a vessel for departure at the ore terminal of Caofeidian Port Area in Tangshan Port in Tangshan, north China's Hebei Province. From January to March this year, Caofeidian Port Area handled a cargo throughput of 138.03 million tonnes, marking a year-on-year increase of 3.16 percent. (Xinhua/Yang Shiyao)

A drone photo taken on April 15, 2026 shows a vessel docking at the ore terminal of Caofeidian Port Area in Tangshan Port in Tangshan, north China's Hebei Province. From January to March this year, Caofeidian Port Area handled a cargo throughput of 138.03 million tonnes, marking a year-on-year increase of 3.16 percent. (Xinhua/Yang Shiyao)

A drone photo taken on April 15, 2026 shows a vessel preparing for departure at the ore terminal of Caofeidian Port Area in Tangshan Port in Tangshan, north China's Hebei Province. From January to March this year, Caofeidian Port Area handled a cargo throughput of 138.03 million tonnes, marking a year-on-year increase of 3.16 percent. (Xinhua/Yang Shiyao)

A drone photo taken on April 15, 2026 shows a vessel docking at the ore terminal of Caofeidian Port Area in Tangshan Port in Tangshan, north China's Hebei Province. From January to March this year, Caofeidian Port Area handled a cargo throughput of 138.03 million tonnes, marking a year-on-year increase of 3.16 percent. (Xinhua/Yang Shiyao)

A drone photo taken on April 15, 2026 shows workers securing mooring lines to a vessel docking at the ore terminal of Caofeidian Port Area in Tangshan Port in Tangshan, north China's Hebei Province. From January to March this year, Caofeidian Port Area handled a cargo throughput of 138.03 million tonnes, marking a year-on-year increase of 3.16 percent. (Xinhua/Yang Shiyao)

A drone photo taken on April 15, 2026 shows a vessel docking at the ore terminal of Caofeidian Port Area in Tangshan Port in Tangshan, north China's Hebei Province. From January to March this year, Caofeidian Port Area handled a cargo throughput of 138.03 million tonnes, marking a year-on-year increase of 3.16 percent. (Xinhua/Yang Shiyao)

A drone photo taken on April 15, 2026 shows a vessel unloading cargoes at the ore terminal of Caofeidian Port Area in Tangshan Port in Tangshan, north China's Hebei Province. From January to March this year, Caofeidian Port Area handled a cargo throughput of 138.03 million tonnes, marking a year-on-year increase of 3.16 percent. (Xinhua/Yang Shiyao)

(Web editor: Wang Xiaoping, Liang Jun)
Meghan Markle is opening up about the online hate shes faced over the years.

On Thursday, April 16, Meghan, 44, and Prince Harry attended an event for Batyr  a non-profit organization focused on youth mental health  at Swinburne University of Technology. The Sussexes spoke with young people who traveled from across Australia for a two-day workshop with the charity.

For now, 10 years, every day for 10 years, I have been bullied and attacked, the With Love, Meghan host said, according to People. And I was the most trolled person in the entire world.

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Now, Im still here, she added.

Ten years ago, of course, is when Meghan started dating Harry, 41. The pair tied the knot about two years later, in 2018, and stepped down as senior working royals in 2020, drawing significant criticism.

PA Media reported (per People) that the Suits alum claimed social media companies were not incentivized to stop. Meghan noted that she could speak to that really personally, which is why I like to listen, because it rings true for me in a very real way.

And when I think of all of you and what youre experiencing, I think so much of that is having to realize that you know that industry, that billion-dollar industry, that is completely anchored and predicated on cruelty to get clicks  thats not going to change, she admitted. So you have to be stronger than that.

As for the Spare author, he acknowledged how social media has led to so much loneliness for so many people, PA Media reported, according to People.

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I waited until I was literally in the fetal position, much older, lying on the kitchen floor, Harry confessed. Until I was like, okay maybe this therapy thing  maybe I should try it.

This story Meghan Markle Calls Herself the Most Trolled Person, Says Shes Been Bullied Every Day for 10 Years first appeared on First For Women. Add First For Women as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
NEED TO KNOW

Shayla Talei was diagnosed with Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) at age 17, the initial symptoms of which she believed were simply from a pinched sciatic nerve

Over a decade later, she developed gastroparesis, meaning that her stomach is paralyzed and unable to digest food properly; she consumes nutrition and takes fluids intravenously

Talei, 31, documents her life with her chronic illnesses on TikTok, where over 249,000 followers have come to learn about her daily feeding routine and health journey

When she was in high school, Shayla Talei thought she pinched her sciatic nerve. About a decade and a half later, her entire life is consumed by what that injury turned out to really be.

Today, Talei is 31 years old, married with two kids and living in Oklahoma City. She has over 249,000 TikTok followers, many of whom have come to know the ins and outs of her chronic illnesses, which include Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) and gastroparesis, which Mayo Clinic defines as a condition that prevents stomach muscles from moving in the proper way for food digestion.

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In her videos, she breaks down her daily medical routine, showing viewers the pumps and IV lines that help her survive by feeding her fluids and total parenteral nutrition (TPN). Essentially, her stomach is paralyzed; Talei hasn't eaten a real meal in three years.

Shayla Talei with her husband and daughters.

Credit: Paige Crumly

For eight years, she ran a salon by herself, but she had to close it down last spring due to the demands of her comorbid conditions. It's not uncommon for her to rapidly run out of energy or faint in the middle of the day. She also uses a wheelchair, which is always outfitted with her heavy TPN backpack that runs for 12 hours a day.

"For me, right now, social media is really the only thing I can do," Talei tells PEOPLE. "I would say I'm a 90-year-old woman in a 31-year-old's body because I get tired so quickly."

It all started with what she thought was only a pinched sciatic nerve one day, but the following morning she woke up to find that her left leg was "completely ice-cold to the touch, and it was numb," she recalls. "I couldn't use it."

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At 17, she was diagnosed with CRPS. According to Mayo Clinic, the chronic pain disorder usually affects the limbs and develops after an injury, surgery, stroke or heart attack. The condition induces pain that is disproportionate to the actual initial injury.

"CRPS involves all of the sympathetic nerves, which is your fight or flight. Basically, your body thinks it's being attacked constantly," Talei says. "So I would have feelings of numbness. I would feel like it was on fire. I would feel like it was ice-cold. It took me three months to be able to walk again, which I was told I may not walk again."

About two years ago, Talei learned her CRPS led to gastroparesis, which is a somewhat uncommon progression. Talei didn't actually know her pain condition could affect her digestive tract at all, and it took her doctors close to a year to give her an official diagnosis.

Shayla Talei and her husband.

Credit: Shayla Talei

Stomach paralysis caused both eating and drinking to be intensely painful for Talei. She would vomit and become extremely bloated and nauseous. There were times when she was able to handle three bites of food over the course of a full day. As a result, Talei lost about 100 lbs. over the course of eight months while doctors searched for an explanation.

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"I wanted nourishment in my body so bad. Your body hurts from being malnourished, and there's a lot of things where your body just starts shutting down," she tells PEOPLE. "I ended up being hospitalized because my body was shutting down, and I was given a feeding tube."

These days, a full meal is out of the question, though with the help of "a lot of medication," she's previously been able to consume certain foods, especially ones that melt, like cotton candy or chocolate.

Shayla Talei.

Credit: Shayla Talei

"I have a G-tube in my stomach, so I can technically take anything in my stomach out," she explains. "But I developed this other condition where I now am having kind of allergic reactions to anything I put in my mouth."

Drinking fluids has long been off the table. "Water is the most painful thing for me to consume. It's a sensation you don't forget," says Talei. "It feels like glass shards."

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At first, Talei's medical team tried to help her through tube feeding, but the pain was still relentless. She says she couldn't even get 500 calories' worth of substance down, further dropping her weight and making her increasingly malnourished. Ultimately, she had to transition to the last resort: having her nutrition delivered intravenously with TPN.

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.

Talei has a steady  albeit demanding  routine now, and she deals with far less pain related to food. She admits she "absolutely" misses and craves the taste of food. However, the smell triggers an unease that's enough to keep Talei from thinking too much about what isn't on her plate.

"When I see it in person, it's not something that I'm like, 'Oh, I want that,'" she notes. "I just feel nauseous."

Read the original article on People
Benzinga and Yahoo Finance LLC may earn commission or revenue on some items through the links below.

Elon Musk's day job is a stack of extremesrockets at SpaceX, electric vehicles at Tesla, brain-computer interfaces at Neuralink, and artificial intelligence at xAI. It's not just multitasking. It's sustained cognitive overload at a level most people never touch.

So when he describes what his mind feels like at night, it lands.

The 100-Tab Problem

"By the end of the day, my brain feels like a browser with 100 tabs open," Musk said at a Tesla all-hands meeting last year.

Don't Miss:

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It's a clean metaphor because it's precise. Not chaos for drama's sakestructured overload. Every tab is something unfinished, unresolved, or demanding attention.

"I've got so much going on in my mind when I try to go to sleep so I gotta close this browser," he told Tesla employees. "That's my brain."

That's the modern problem in one sentence: the body is tired, but the mind refuses to log off.

"So then I'll listen to an audiobook and put it on a timer for 15 minutes," Musk said at the meeting. "It's like being read a bedtime story by your phone."

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No theatrics. No optimization spiral. Just a constraint: 15 minutes, then off.

The structure matters. The timer turns relaxation into a boundary, not an accident. And the audio does something subtle but importantit narrows attention without demanding effort.

It's not sedation. It's redirection.

Trending: Blue-Chip Art Has Outperformed the S&P 500 for Decades  Here's How to Invest

The Cost Of A Fast Mind

Musk has been direct about what's happening under the hood.

"My mind is a storm. I don't think most people would want to be me they don't understand," he said on Lex Fridman's podcast in 2023.

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That's not a complaint. It's a trade-off. The same intensity that drives output also resists stillness. High-agency thinking doesn't switch off cleanly.

Which is why passive inputlike audioworks better than force. You don't shut the system down. You give it a lower gear.

Why Audio Beats Silence

Silence sounds ideal until you try it with an overactive mind. It amplifies whatever's already there.

Screens make it worse. They don't close tabs; they open new ones.

Audio sits in a narrow, effective lane. It occupies attention just enough to crowd out the backlog without creating new cognitive load. A single narrative replaces dozens of competing threads.

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Musk isn't alone in this approach. According to an Acast study in 2023, 48% of podcast listeners have used podcasts specifically to help them fall asleep, while 76% use them for relaxation.

There's also a psychological cue embedded in it. Being read to signals safety and closuresomething most adults don't consciously think about, but the brain recognizes immediately.

See Also: This Energy Storage Company Already Has $185M in ContractsShares Are Still Available

Shutdown Isn't Optional

This isn't about copying Musk's routine. It's about understanding the principle: shutdown is a skill.

Left unmanaged, the mind will keep running. Productivity doesn't end the daydeliberate disengagement does.

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A short, consistent ritual works because it's predictable. It tells the brain there's nothing left to solve tonight.

Fifteen minutes is enough. Not because it's magic, but because it's contained.

Close a few tabs. The rest can wait.

Musk has long treated sleep as a performance variable rather than a luxury. He has aimed for roughly six to six-and-a-half hours a night, saying in earlier interviews that falling below that leaves him "quite grumpy" and mentally slower. Even with that discipline, the "100-tab" overload still demands a deliberate off-ramp.

Musk's approach highlights a broader idea: even high performers rely on systems to manage complexity and reduce mental overload. Financial decisions can create a similar kind of constant background noise, especially when it comes to long-term planning, taxes and investment strategy.

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Platforms like Finance Advisors connect individuals with fiduciary advisors who focus on structuring these decisions, helping people simplify their financial planning and reduce the need to constantly manage every detail on their own.

Read Next: Discover How AI Can Turn Your Investment Ideas Into Tradable Assets  See How

Building Wealth Across More Than Just the Market

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Rad AI's award-winning artificial intelligence technology helps transform data chaos into actionable insights, enabling the creation of high-performing content with measurable ROI. Their Regulation A+ offering allows investors to participate at $0.91 per share with a minimum investment of $1,000, providing an opportunity to diversify portfolios into early-stage AI innovation. For investors seeking exposure to the rapidly growing AI and tech sector, Rad AI offers a chance to get in on the ground floor of a data-driven growth story.

rHealth

rHealth focuses on leveraging technology and data-driven solutions to improve how healthcare insights are generated, analyzed, and applied across the care ecosystem. By targeting inefficiencies in traditional healthcare workflows, the platform aims to support better decision-making and more scalable, insight-led outcomes. For investors seeking exposure to innovation within the healthcare sector, rHealth represents a way to participate in the continued shift toward more data-centric, technology-enabled care delivery models.

Paladin

Paladin Power is addressing the growing demand for energy independence with a fire-safe energy storage system that doesn't rely on lithium-ion batteries. Instead, its ESS uses non-lithium, solid-state graphene battery technology designed for durability, safety, and long service lifepositioning it as an alternative to fire-prone storage solutions that dominate today's market. Since launching in 2023, Paladin has generated $185 million in contracted revenue, achieved strong year-over-year growth, and secured a manufacturing agreement with NYSE-listed Jabil. With systems already deployed across residential and commercial properties and a $500B global electrification market opportunity ahead, Paladin offers investors exposure to decentralized energy infrastructure backed by real contracts, U.S.-based manufacturing, and scalable next-generation technology.

Direxion

Direxion offers investors a way to take more tactical positions on market movements through a suite of leveraged and inverse ETFs designed for short-term trading strategies. Rather than focusing on long-only exposure, these products are built to help experienced investors amplify potential gainsor hedge downside riskacross sectors, indices, and asset classes. In volatile or fast-moving markets, Direxion's tools are often used to express directional views with greater precision, giving traders more flexibility in how they navigate changing conditions.

Arrived

Backed by Jeff Bezos, Arrived Homes makes real estate investing accessible with a low barrier to entry. Investors can buy fractional shares of single-family rentals and vacation homes starting with as little as $100. This allows everyday investors to diversify into real estate, collect rental income, and build long-term wealth without needing to manage properties directly.

Masterworks

Masterworks enables investors to diversify into blue-chip art, an alternative asset class with historically low correlation to stocks and bonds. Through fractional ownership of museum-quality works by artists like Banksy, Basquiat, and Picasso, investors gain access without the high costs or complexities of owning art outright. With hundreds of offerings and strong historical exits on select works, Masterworks adds a scarce, globally traded asset to portfolios seeking long-term diversification.

Finance Advisors

Finance Advisors helps Americans approach retirement with greater clarity by connecting them to vetted, fiduciary financial advisors who specialize in tax-aware retirement planning. Rather than focusing on products or investment performance alone, the platform emphasizes strategies that account for after-tax income, withdrawal sequencing, and long-term tax efficiencyfactors that can materially impact retirement outcomes. Free to use, Finance Advisors gives individuals with meaningful savings access to a level of planning sophistication historically reserved for high-net-worth households, helping reduce hidden tax risk and improve long-term financial confidence.

Public

Public is a multi-asset investing platform built for long-term investors who want more control, transparency, and innovation in how they grow wealth. Founded in 2019 as the first broker-dealer to offer commission-free, real-time fractional investing, Public now lets users invest in stocks, bonds, options, crypto, and moreall in one place. Its latest feature, Generated Assets, uses AI to turn a single idea into a fully customized, investable index that can be explained and backtested before committing capital. Combined with AI-powered research tools, clear explanations of market moves, and an uncapped 1% match for transferring an existing portfolio, Public positions itself as a modern platform designed to help serious investors make more informed decisions with context.

AdviserMatch

AdviserMatch is a free online tool that helps individuals connect with financial advisors based on their goals, financial situation, and investment needs. Instead of spending hours researching advisors on your own, the platform asks a few quick questions and matches you with professionals who can assist with areas like retirement planning, investment strategy, and overall financial guidance. Consultations are no-obligation, and services vary by advisor, giving investors a chance to explore whether professional advice could help improve their long-term financial plan.

EnergyX

EnergyX is a lithium extraction company focused on making production faster and more efficient with its LiTAS technology, which can recover over 90% of lithium in just days instead of months. Backed by General Motors and a $5 million U.S. Department of Energy grant, the company controls extensive lithium acreage in Chile and the U.S. and is working to scale one of the largest lithium production facilities. Its goal is to help meet the rapidly growing global demand for lithium, a key resource for electric vehicles, consumer electronics, and large-scale energy storage.

Global Air Cylinder Wheels

GACW is an engineering startup developing the Air Suspension Wheel (ASW)an airless mechanical wheel with built-in suspension designed to replace traditional rubber tires in heavy-duty applications. Initially targeting the $5 billion global mining tire market, the company says its technology can eliminate blowouts, reduce maintenance, and lower lifetime operating costs while also addressing environmental concerns tied to tire waste and microplastics. The patent-protected system is fully recyclable and designed to last the lifetime of the vehicle, with potential applications beyond mining. GACW plans to commercialize the technology in 2026 using a "Wheels as a Service" model that lets operators adopt the system without large upfront costs.

Bam Capital

BAM Capital offers accredited investors a way to diversify beyond public markets through institutional-grade multifamily real estate. With over $1.85 billion in completed transactions and guidance from Senior Economic Advisor Tony Landa, the firm targets income and long-term growth as supply tightens and renter demand remains strongespecially in Midwest markets. Its income-focused and growth-oriented funds provide exposure to real assets designed to be less tied to stock market volatility.

Image: Imagn

 2026 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.
Four yarn shops in the Twin Tiers region are teaming up for the fifth annual Twin Tiers Yarn Crawl from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. April 25.

The event coincides with Local Yarn Store Day, a national celebration aimed at supporting small fiber businesses, according to a community announcement. Craft enthusiasts of all skill levels are invited to visit each shop and collect stamps in their Yarn Crawl Passport. Participants who visit all four locations will be eligible for special prize drawings.

The participating shops are:

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Blossburg Company Store , 224 Main St., Blossburg, Pennsylvania

Fiber Arts in the Glen , 315 N. Franklin St., Watkins Glen, New York

Rabbit Row Yarns & Haberdashery , 24 E. Market St., Corning, New York

Wooly Minded, 91 E. Market St., Corning, New York

The fifth annual Twin Tiers Yarn Crawl on April 25 invites craft enthusiasts to visit four local shops for unique products and prizes.

The Twin Tiers Yarn Crawl offers knitters, crocheters, spinners and weavers a chance to explore new materials and find inspiration for their crafts. Each shop has unique promotions and exclusive fiber products for the event.

"As small business owners, we are delighted to host the Twin Tiers Yarn Crawl for the fifth year," said Barbara Vassallo, owner of Rabbit Row Yarns. "Each shop showcases the immense variety of fiber products available in our region. Our customers tell us this is the first thing they put on their calendars each year, and we look forward to welcoming both long-time friends and new makers to the community."

Local Yarn Store Day is an industry-wide appreciation day created by The National Needlearts Association, according to the announcement. The celebration highlights local yarn stores as community hubs, bringing enthusiasts together to discover new techniques and celebrate fiber crafts.

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More: Arts in Bloom returns to Chemung, Steuben counties. What you'll find

Shop highlights:

Blossburg Company Store  featuring local fiber products from: Glenfiddich Farm Border Leicester blends, Sweet Grass Farm Shetland blends, Mountain View Farm Tunis/Border Leicester blends and needle felting kits from Wheatley Homestead.

Fiber Arts in the Glen  Stop in early for pastries, coffee, shopping & a gift with purchase (while supplies last); Yarn Crawl Exclusive Springtime colorway from Sweetwater Yarns; shelves brimming with new yarns, new colors of staple yarns, notions & books.

Rabbit Row Yarns & Haberdashery  Free gift & Rabbit Row bag with purchase (while supplies last); Debut of exclusive Sweaters for Good yarn; Limited Edition LYS Day colorway from Megs & Co; new cant-miss notions; door prizes throughout the day.

Wooly Minded  hat kit designed especially for the 2026 Yarn Crawl, with US-sourced Shetland wool.

For information on parking, carpooling and dining recommendations near each shop, visit the Twin Tiers Yarn Crawl Facebook Group at facebook.com/groups/3137148346614385.

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This story was created with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Journalists were involved in every step of the information gathering, review, editing and publishing process. Learn more at cm.usatoday.com/ethical-conduct.

This article originally appeared on The Leader: Twin Tiers Yarn Crawl April 25 in Corning, Watkins Glen, Blossburg
At first, it was supposed to be under 60 feet. Then it grew to 76 feet. Then it shot up to 164 feet and more.

Now the new triumphal arch that President Trump wants to build across the Potomac River from the Lincoln Memorial is set to stand 250 feet from bottom to top  making it the tallest in any of the worlds capital cities.

On Thursday, the U.S. Commission of Fine Arts  a federal agency tasked with reviewing the "design and aesthetics" of all construction in Washington, D.C.  considered plans submitted by the president and the U.S. Department of the Interior. Packed with Trump appointees, the panel voted to move ahead with the project (just as they previously did with the presidents new 90,000-square-foot White House ballroom).

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This is personal for the president, commission chairman Rodney Mims Cook Jr. said at the meeting.

The commission also noted that, of the nearly 1,000 public comments submitted prior to the vote, 100% ... were against the project.

So will the presidents so-called Arc de Trump  official name: United States Triumphal Arch  actually get built? And, if so, when? Heres everything we know so far.

What is Trump proposing?

According to the official architectural renderings unveiled last week, the United States Triumphal Arch would stand 250 feet tall  nearly 100 feet taller than Pariss Arc de Triomphe, which it resembles.

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Like its French counterpart, Trumps arch would be constructed mainly of stone, with various classical elements  lintels, cornices, friezes, parapets  carved out of the same material.

Unlike the Arc de Triomphe, the U.S. Triumphal Arch would also sparkle with gold  lots of it. Golden lions would flank the stairs on either side of the main structure. Gold medallions would adorn the coffers of the vault. Gold decorations would encircle the attic, including One Nation Under God and Liberty and Justice for All" inscriptions. Three golden statues would top the arch itself: two eagles and a winged, crowned figure reminiscent of the Statue of Liberty.

An artist's rendering of President Trump's proposed arch. (U.S. Commission on Fine Arts via Reuters)

The one that people know mostly is the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, France, and were going to top it by, I think, a lot, Trump said in December. The only thing they have is history.

The winning design by architect Nicolas Leo Charbonneau gained the presidents attention because of its ornamentation, according to the New York Times, defeating a smaller, less decorative proposal. Trump has also undertaken a goldening of the Oval Office since returning to the White House last January.

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When a CBS reporter asked Trump last year who the monument was for, he pointed to himself and answered: Me.

Its going to be beautiful, he added.

The U.S. Triumphal Arch would be built on Memorial Circle, a grassy roundabout near Arlington National Cemetery directly across the Arlington Memorial Bridge from the Lincoln Memorial.

How do other triumphal arches compare in size?

According to the Times, ancient civilizations often built grand arches to commemorate their military or civic achievements. The Romans decorated their cities with arches to celebrate imperial conquests like the sacking of Jerusalem. The French originally commissioned the Arc de Triomphe to symbolize Napoleons military victories.

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In recent decades, however, just a handful of countries have built triumphal arches, including Indonesia, North Korea and Iraq. Still, Washington remains the only major Western capital without a monumental arch, according to a 2025 article by Catesby Leigh, an architecture critic who encouraged Trump to erect one of his own.

If built as planned, the U.S. Triumphal Arch would supplant Mexico City's 220-foot Monument to the Revolution as the largest structure of its kind. Pyongyang's 197-foot Arch of Triumph would slip to third place.

The 250-foot measurement was also chosen to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, which the United States is celebrating this summer. In comparison, the Lincoln Memorial is 99 feet tall; the Washington Monument is 555 feet tall.

Leigh originally proposed a temporary structure no taller than 60 feet that could be built in time for this summers celebrations. And if the arch were considered to be of enduring value in its design, then it could be rebuilt in permanent form, Leigh told the Times.

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But the proposal then grew to 76 feet to symbolize the year of Americas founding  before Trump insisted that it exceed the 164-foot Arc de Triomphe.

At Thursdays Commission of Fine Arts meeting, vice chairman James C. McCrery II  who was also the original architect for Trump's ballroom  objected to the statues on top of the arch.

I wonder if you need those up there, McCrery asked. Without the statues, the height of the structure would shrink to about 166 feet.

When will the arch be built?

Theres no chance the United States will have enough time to construct a massive classical arch before this years big July Fourth celebrations. Instead, the administration anticipates breaking ground on the site this summer with construction completed before the end of Mr. Trumps term, according to the Times.

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A rendering of this summers Great American State Fair released Thursday by the Freedom 250 organization, which is planning presidential-level celebrations for our nations 250th birthday, showed a smaller, possibly temporary version of the design at one end of the National Mall.

How much will it cost (and who will pay for it)?

The administration has not released a budget or even a cost estimate for its arch.

As with his White House ballroom, Trump has suggested that donors could pay for the project. But the latest National Endowment for the Arts spend plan shows that taxpayers are also set to chip in $2 million in special funds and up to $13 million to match any private donations.

A White House official told the Times that the cost of the arch was still being calculated but that it would likely be paid for through a mix of public and private money.

Whats next? Any hurdles ahead?

The White House has said it will follow all legal requirements to build the U.S. Triumphal Arch. After Thursdays approval by the Commission of Fine Arts, the proposal is expected to go to the National Capital Planning Commission (the federal government's central planning agency for the Washington, D.C., region).

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But whether the plans go to Congress is another story. In October, Trump abruptly tore down the East Wing of the White House to make space for a 90,000-square-foot ballroom financed with at least $350 million from corporate donors and political allies. A federal judge has halted that project multiple times  including again on Thursday  because he says it exceeds what a president can change about a historic building like the White House without congressional approval.

In February, a group of Vietnam War veterans and an architectural historian sued to block Trumps arch project as well, arguing that congressional approval is required for construction of symbolic and commemorative works in the Nations capital and that a host of other statutes impose procedural requirements that must be satisfied before erecting a monument on Memorial Circle. They also claim Trumps arch would disrupt the sight line between the Lincoln Memorial and Arlington National Cemetery.

According to CNN, the U.S. Triumphal Arch will soon face other more challenging reviews that require public input, including under the National Environmental Policy Act and the National Historic Preservation Act.

As part of those reviews, stakeholders are expected to be consulted, including Arlington National Cemetery, the National Park Service and the DC State Historic Preservation Office, CNN reported.

What supporters and critics are saying

This will be the GREATEST and MOST BEAUTIFUL Triumphal Arch, anywhere in the World. This will be a wonderful addition to the Washington D.C. area for all Americans to enjoy for many decades to come! Trump, on social media

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It will be an architectural masterpiece to celebrate our history right here in Washington, D.C.  Great nations build beautiful structures that cultivate national pride and love of country, and this triumphal arc should be a project that all Americans of all political persuasions can support. Karoline Leavitt, White House press secretary

The cemetery is supposed to be doing the speaking. This arch is just a rude interruption. No matter what you may think of it aesthetically, it just is the wrong place for it. Calder Loth, architectural historian who is suing to block the project

Its way too big for that site. Catesby Leigh, the architecture critic who initially encouraged Trump to build an arch

It would be profoundly out of scale with its surroundings and appears to disregard established norms that prioritize harmony with existing structures, preservation of sight lines and respect for the symbolic hierarchy of the capitals and landmarks. an anonymous public comment read aloud at Thursdays Commission of Fine Arts meeting

Permitting that Arch to be built without appropriate congressional authorization and review could lead to the unchecked proliferation of monuments, the erosion of public space, and serious constraints on future generations ability to memorialize their own losses and achievements.  Washington D.C. is not the Presidents backyard to renovate, relandscape, and build in as he sees fit. Democratic members of Congress in a March amicus brief filed in support of the lawsuit to block construction
A California woman has won a lawsuit against cruise giant Carnival Corp., in which the Doral-based company was found negligent for serving her at least 14 shots of tequila in an 8 1/2-hour period and liable for subsequent injuries she suffered while inebriated onboard.

A Miami federal jury ruled in the passengers favor on April 10 and awarded her $300,000 in damages, according to a court document that entered the docket on April 13. That exceeds the $250,000 requested during trial, the womans attorney Spencer Aronfeld said in an interview with the Miami Herald.

A spokesperson for the cruise company said on Tuesday that Carnival Corporation respectfully disagrees with the verdict and believes there are grounds for a new trial and appeal, which it will pursue in an emailed statement sent to the Miami Herald.

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The case is a rare example of a complaint against a cruise line reaching a courtroom. And even rarer that a cruise line is found liable for passenger behavior.

Its hard to get to trial, period, said Aronfeld, founder of Aronfeld Trial Lawyers in Coral Gables. Ive had many overservice cases that have settled but none that went the full distance.

A six-person jury agreed with the plaintiffs argument that Carnivals crew members had a duty to exercise reasonable care for the safety of its passengers, and that included the responsibility ... to supervise and/or assist passengers aboard the vessel who Carnival knew, or should have known, were engaging, or were likely to engage in behavior potentially dangerous to themselves or others abroad the vessel, according to court documents.

When asked what percentage of the plaintiffs injury was caused by each side, the jury wrote: 60% was the fault of Carnival and 40% the woman.

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Diana Sanders, a 45-year-old nurse who lives in Vacaville, California, was a passenger on the Carnival Radiance ship on Jan. 5, 2024, when she was served at least 14 shot of tequila in an 8 hour and 39 minute span, between approximately 2:58 p.m. and 11:37 p.m.

Due to her inebriated state that was caused by this over-service of alcohol ... D.S. suffered a severe fall between 11:45 p.m and 20 minutes past midnight, the complaint said. Due to the fall, she sustained severe injuries, including, but not limited to, a concussion, headaches, a possible traumatic brain injury, back injuries, tailbone injuries, bruising, and other injuries.

Her lawyers argued that once she became visibly intoxicated on the ship out of Los Angeles, that Carnival bartenders should have stopped serving her. Cruise ships bartenders dont typically cut off guests from drinks the way bartenders do on land.

Consuming large amounts of booze is one of the big appeals of cruise ships  and alcohol is a moneymaker for cruise lines. Last year, the fiancee of a Southern California man sued Miami-based Royal Caribbean, saying the company was responsible for his onboard death after serving him 33 alcoholic drinks in under 12 hours.

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To maximize revenue, Carnival deliberately designs its vessels ... to ensure that there are alcohol serving stations in every nook and cranny of the ship, the plaintiffs complaint said in the tequila lawsuit. The carrier deliberately does as much as possible to encourage and facilitate alcohol consumption aboard its vessels.

During 17 months of legal proceedings, Carnival sought to dismiss the lawsuit.

Part of its defense was that Sanders fails to identify any crew member who over-served her or which bar she consumed alcohol at for Carnival to have the ability to identify its bartenders according to court filings. Therefore, the over-service of alcohol count should be dismissed for failure to sufficiently identify a negligent employee.

Carnivals lawyers also argued Sanders does not sufficiently allege that any crew member knew or should have known that Plaintiff was intoxicated. ... There are no allegations regarding Plaintiff stumbling, sleeping at a bar, slurring her words, or exhibiting any other intoxicated-like behaviors.
April 16 (UPI) -- An airborne Russian assault against Ukraine's cities with hundreds of missiles and drones overnight killed at least 16 people and injured 98, authorities said.

The bulk of the injuries, and all but one of the fatalities, occurred in Odessa, Kyiv and Dnipro in waves of attacks in which 659 drones and 44 ballistic and cruise missiles were unleashed by Russian forces against more than two dozen targets, the Ukraine Air Force said.

Ukraine launched more than 200 drones in the other direction, killing two children, a 5-year-old and a 14-year-old, and injuring two adults in Tuapse in Russia's southern Krasnodar Krai region, according to the state-run TASS news agency, which said drones were also downed over the Belgorod, Smolensk, Kursk, Bryansk and Oryol regions and Crimea.

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Ukraine's air defenses downed most of the Russian drones and missiles but the State Emergency Service said four people, including a 12-year-old boy, were killed and 48 were injured in Kyiv, nine were killed and 23 injured in the Black Sea port of Odesa and three people were killed and 27 injured in the central-eastern city of Dnipro.

Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko, in an online post, said multiple districts of the capital were struck with public and residential buildings damaged or destroyed, including in Podilskyi, Desnyanskyi, Dniprovskyi and Obolonskyi where four paramedics were injured after repeat strikes on the location they were working in.

In Odesa, eight people were killed and 16 were injured when a multi-storey residential building was struck amid waves of strikes against the city.

The State Emergency Service said a fire broke out causing significant damage with some apartments completely destroyed. SES said other residential buildings, a port infrastructure facility and warehouses were also damaged in the strikes.

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Dnipropetrovsk Gov. Oleksandr Hanzha posted on Telegram that the three people killed in Dnipro were all women, along with photos showing neighborhoods of President Volodymyr Zelensky's hometown in flames following what he said was a "massive strike."

There were reports of strikes on other major cities, including Kharkiv and Cherkasy, 100 miles southeast of Kyiv, but further details were as yet unavailable.

The Ukraine Parliament's Human Rights Commissioner, Dmytro Lubinets, warned that Russia's deadly attacks would not stop until it began to be held to account.

"The world must react decisively. Russia must be held responsible for every life taken and every destroyed fate," he wrote on X.

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The overnight attacks came a day after Zelensky warned stocks of air defense missiles -- U.S.-made Patriots in particular-- were running critically low, with serious consequences for Ukraine's ability to defend itself from Russian aerial attacks.

"The situation is in such a deficit, it could not be any worse," Zelensky told German public service television in an interview in which he said the situation in the Middle East with the Iran war was negatively impacting Ukraine's ability to secure military aid.
A 19-year-old New York City teen is facing drug trafficking charges, and among three people who were arrested during a traffic stop in Maine, state police said Thursday.

Nevaeh Harris was arrested and charged with two counts of unlawful trafficking of cocaine base and one count each of aggravated trafficking of fentanyl and falsifying physical evidence.

The teen was in possession of approximately 44.9 grams of crack cocaine and 8.8 grams of fentanyl, state police said.

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Harris, a rear-seat passenger in the SUV, initially provided troopers with a false name, state police said.

Two other Augusta residents were arrested during the traffic stop.

Samantha Robinson, 32, the driver, was arrested and charged with operating under the influence of alcohol, state police said.

Sheena Wright, 61, a front-seat passenger, was taken into custody on an active Failure to Appear misdemeanor arrest warrant related to a theft charge, state police said.

On April 6, troopers conducted a traffic stop on an SUV for a motor vehicle violation in Farmingdale.

During the stop, troopers developed probable cause to believe that Robinson was driving while under the influence of alcohol, state police said.

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Wright and Harris were transported to the Kennebec County Jail.

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
LIMA, Peru (AP)  Results Thursday from Peru's presidential election showed such a tight race for second and third place that it could take weeks to finalize the top two candidates for the country's required runoff election in June.

A nationalist congressman allied with an imprisoned former president and an ultraconservative politician who promises to reinstate the death penalty are top contenders to face Keiko Fujimori, who was virtually assured of taking the top slot among the 35 candidates in Sunday's election.

With 93% of the ballots tallied, official results on Tuesday showed Fujimori, the conservative daughter of disgraced former President Alberto Fujimori, leading the count with 17.06%, though far below the required 50% needed to avoid a runoff.

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Behind her, Roberto Sanchez, a nationalist congressman and former minister under imprisoned ex-President Pedro Castillo, earned 11.97%. Trailing narrowly in third place was Rafael Lopez Aliaga, the ultraconservative former mayor of Perus capital, Lima, with 11.91%.

Suspense mounted over who would advance to the June 7 runoff, with the margin between Sanchez and Lopez Aliaga closer than 8,000 votes in the most recent results.

They couldnt be more different politically.

Sanchez, frequently seen in the wide-brimmed peasant hat that has become his trademark, has promised major economic changes, including a dramatic expansion of government spending, an extensive reform of the tax system and partial nationalization of Perus natural resources.

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Lopez Aliaga, the ultraconservative former mayor of Perus capital, Lima, focuses on a hardline security agenda, proposing to build prisons in the countrys Amazon region, allowing judges to conceal their identities and expelling foreigners who are living illegally in Peru.

The narrow margin is compounded by approximately 1,600 pending tally sheets from remote villages and abroad. Additionally, another 5,000 sheets have been challenged, leaving the electoral courts with an appeals process that could take weeks to resolve.

In Peru, a percentage of tally sheets are always challenged due to potential mathematical errors," explained Alvaro Henzler, president of Transparencia, a democracy-watchdog group that deployed 4,000 observers. "When this occurs, they are sent to 60 special electoral boards for review.

In 2021, Peru's electoral tribunal proclaimed first-round results 37 days after the April 11 vote. At that time, however, the gap between the second-place contenders exceeded 238,000 votes from the start, leaving little room for suspense.

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In this case, since the race is so tight, the contested tally sheets could end up altering the standings; that is why it is taking longer, Henzler noted.

A presidential candidate needs more than 50% of votes to win outright. The two candidates with the most votes in a first round advance to the runoff on June 7.

The winner will be Perus ninth president in just 10 years and will replace Jose Maria Balcazar, who was elected interim president in February. He replaced another interim leader who was ousted over corruption allegations just four months into his term.

In her fourth bid for the presidency, Fujimori has promised to crack down on crime but has also defended laws that experts say make it difficult to prosecute criminals. The laws, which her party backed in recent years, eliminated preliminary detention in certain cases and raised the threshold for seizing criminal assets.

___

Follow APs coverage of Latin America and the Caribbean at https://apnews.com/hub/latin-america
Apr. 15AIKEN  Aiken County Sheriff's Office investigators have made two arrests in the April 2 shooting death of 24-year-old Justin Bryant, which occurred in the 900 block of Kedron Church Road.

Investigators have arrested Jamereon Griffin, 17, of Saluda as well as a 16-year-old juvenile.

The juvenile was arrested April 13 and Griffin was arrested on April 15.

Warrants state that Griffin robbed the victim before shooting at him with an AR-style rifle. Warrants state that the juvenile also shot at Bryant using a 9mm gun.

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Both are charged with murder, armed robbery, criminal conspiracy and possession of a weapon during the commission of a violent crime.

Griffin is currently incarcerated at the Aiken County detention center.

The juvenile is being detained at the South Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice.

The Aiken County Sheriff's Office was assisted in this case by the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division, Saluda County Sheriff's Office and the Ridge Spring Police Department.

The investigation is still ongoing and anyone with information regarding the incident is asked to contact the Aiken County Sheriff's Office at 803-642-1761.
China to advance connectivity with Vietnam via standard-gauge railways, expressways, smart ports: Premier Li

Xinhua) 09:15, April 16, 2026

Chinese Premier Li Qiang meets with General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee and Vietnamese President To Lam, who is on a state visit to China, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, April 15, 2026. (Xinhua/Huang Jingwen)

BEIJING, April 15 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Premier Li Qiang on Wednesday said China stands ready to work with Vietnam to accelerate the development of infrastructure connectivity in areas such as standard-gauge railways, expressways and smart ports, and to foster secure and stable industrial and supply chains.

Li made the remarks when meeting with General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee and Vietnamese President To Lam in Beijing.

Noting that the world today continues to undergo complex changes with growing instabilities and uncertainties, Li said that as traditional friendly neighbors, China and Vietnam should strengthen solidarity and coordination. He added that China stands ready to work with Vietnam to follow the strategic guidance of the top leaders of the two parties and two countries, firmly support each other and deepen practical cooperation.

The Chinese premier expressed the willingness to better synergize development strategies with Vietnam, expand and enhance two-way trade and investment, create more highlights of cooperation in artificial intelligence, new energy, critical minerals and other fields, and jointly cultivate new growth drivers for development, so as to achieve higher-level mutual benefit and win-win outcomes.

He called on both China and Vietnam, as countries that share similar views on the international order and extensive common interests, to coordinate their positions in multilateral mechanisms like the United Nations and Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation, and work with all parties to jointly oppose unilateralism and power politics, uphold fairness and justice, and promote openness and win-win outcomes.

For his part, Lam said Vietnam attaches great importance to and regards its relations with China as the top priority in its foreign policy.

He also said Vietnam is ready to work with China to advance sustainable economic connectivity, particularly railway cooperation, enhance the level of economic, trade and investment cooperation, strengthen communication and coordination on the international stage, address issues in bilateral cooperation, maintain maritime security and stability, and enhance resilience against global security risks.

Chinese Premier Li Qiang meets with General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee and Vietnamese President To Lam, who is on a state visit to China, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, April 15, 2026. (Xinhua/Huang Jingwen)

(Web editor: Wang Xiaoping, Liang Jun)
A 44-year-old man was fatally wounded Wednesday night when an argument broke out and gunfire was exchanged in the Auburn Gresham neighborhood, Chicago police said.

Shortly after 9:15 p.m., the victim was inside a vehicle in the 8700 block of South Union Avenue when two males approached on foot. An argument started between the parties, and gunfire was exchanged, police said.

The victim suffered a gunshot wound to an eye and was shot multiple times to the arm. He was taken to Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn where he was later pronounced dead.

The gunmen fled the scene after the fatal shooting, and no one was in custody.

Detectives were investigating.
JOHANNESBURG (AP)  Prominent Beninese activist Kemi Seba has been arrested in South Africa for alleged conspiracy to commit a crime, police said Thursday, as he faces extradition to Benin where he is wanted for inciting rebellion following last year's failed coup there.

Seba, whose birth name is Stellio Gilles Robert Capo Chichi, was arrested alongside his son during a sting operation in Pretoria, South Africas capital, police said.

The police, citing Interpol's assistance, said they can confirm that Seba, 45, "is indeed a wanted fugitive in Benin in relation to crimes against the state.

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Seba and his son were charged with conspiracy to commit a crime and immigration violations for allegedly planning illegal migration to Europe via Zimbabwe. A third accomplice, also in detention, was accused of paying roughly R250,000 ($15,000) to facilitate the cross-border movements.

The trio appeared at the Brooklyn magistrates court on Wednesday, according to the police, where the case was rescheduled until April 20.

Seba, meanwhile, was placed in police custody as the police plan to extradite him to Benin.

Benin in December issued an international arrest warrant against Seba for incitement to rebellion after he posted a video on social media expressing support for the failed coup. In the video, he was seen celebrating the attempted overthrow of President Patrice Talon as successful, calling it the day of liberation and describing the soldiers involved as patriotic.

Seba has also been a vocal supporter of recent coups in West Africa and of pro-Russian sentiments expressed by the coup leaders. He has strongly criticized France, Benins former colonial ruler, and its economic and political interests in Benin and the West African region. His French citizenship was revoked in 2024.
The state of West Virginia is asking a federal judge to throw out a lawsuit brought by a Charleston-based overdose prevention organization over the states moratorium on new methadone clinics.

West Virginia Attorney General J.B. McCuskey filed a motion Thursday to dismiss Solutions Oriented Addiction Response WVs lawsuit in U.S. District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia. The organization is represented in the legal challenge by the American Civil Liberties Union of West Virginia and Kaplan & Grady.

The question in this action is whether the federal law requires West Virginia to license new opioid treatment programs in addition to the nine such programs it has already licensed, the attorney general wrote in the motion to dismiss. None of the statutes or regulations upon which Plaintiff relies state that requirement, and no court  federal, or otherwise  has ever found the requirement exists; Plaintiff simply asks this Court to make it so.

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The state of West Virginia enacted the moratorium on new methadone clinics in 2007. There are nine methadone clinics in the state. Bills to repeal the moratorium have repeatedly failed in the state Legislature.

The lawsuit asserts that addiction is a disability, and that limiting or restricting access to methadone violates Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act.

The lawsuit asserts that because fentanyl is rampant in West Virginia, access to methadone is even more important. According to preliminary state data, between January and October last year at least 343 drug overdose deaths included fentanyl, and seven involved heroin. In 2024, per the data, 634 residents died from overdoses involving fentanyl.

The legal challenge names Gov. Patrick Morrisey in his official capacity, along with Arvin Signh, state health secretary and Gordon Lane Jr. and Robert Cheren in their official capacities as executive director and chairman of the West Virginia Health Care Authority.

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The case is assigned to U.S. District Judge Robert Chambers.

In a 19-page memorandum in support of the motion filed Thursday, the attorney general argues that the organization does not have a personal stake under the Americans with Disabilities Act necessary to sue the state over the moratorium.

Importantly, Plaintiff does not claim to be a qualified individual with a disability, nor does plaintiff allege that it has been excluded from participation in, denied the benefits of, or subjected to discrimination under the Disability Acts, the attorney generals office wrote. Plaintiff also does not allege that it is an opioid treatment program, that it operates any such programs, or that it has applied for a (certificate of need) to provide opioid treatment program services.

Instead, Plaintiff claims it is a not-for-profit organization whose mission is to save lives, reduce harm and stigma, and empower individuals impacted by drug use through harm reduction, advocacy, and access to life-saving resources  helping build a community rooted in care and dignity for all.

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The organization does not have standing because its complaint did not identify concrete legal injuries, established that the injuries are because of actions by the defendants or that the injuries could be fixed if the moratorium is struck down, the attorney general argued.

It argues further that if the plaintiff does not have standing, the court does not have subject matter jurisdiction in the case, and the complaint should be dismissed.

SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
By Mike Scarcella

April 15 (Reuters) - As people increasingly turn to artificial intelligence for advice, some U.S. lawyers are telling their clients not to treat AI chatbots like trusted confidants when their freedom or legal liability is on the line.

These warnings became more urgent after a federal judge in New York ruled this year that the former CEO of a bankrupt financial services company could not shield his AI chats from prosecutors pursuing securities fraud charges against him.

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In the wake of the ruling, attorneys have been advising that conversations with chatbots like Anthropic's Claude and OpenAI's ChatGPT could be demanded by prosecutors in criminal cases or by litigation adversaries in civil cases.

"We are telling our clients: You should proceed with caution here," said Alexandria Gutierrez Swette, a lawyer at New York-based law firm Kobre & Kim.

People's discussions with their lawyers are almost always deemed confidential under U.S. law. But AI chatbots are not lawyers, and attorneys are instructing clients to take steps that could keep their communications with AI tools more private.

In emails to clients and advisories posted on their websites, more than a dozen major U.S. law firms have outlined advice for people and companies to decrease the chances of AI chats winding up in court.

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Similar warnings are also appearing in hiring agreements by some firms with their clients. For instance, New York-based firm Sher Tremonte stated in a recent client contract that sharing a lawyer's advice or communications with a chatbot could erase the legal protection known as attorney-client privilege that usually shields communications between lawyers and their clients.

A JUDICIAL RULING

The case that helped set off the alarm bells involved Bradley Heppner, the former chair of bankrupt financial services company GWG Holdings and founder of alternative asset firm Beneficent. Heppner was charged by federal prosecutors last November with securities and wire fraud, and pleaded not guilty.

Heppner had used Anthropic's chatbot Claude to prepare reports about his case to share with his attorneys, who later argued that his AI exchanges should be withheld because they contained details from the lawyers related to his defense.

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Prosecutors argued that they had a right to demand material that Heppner created with Claude because his defense lawyers were not directly involved, and because attorney-client privilege does not apply to chatbots.

Voluntarily revealing information from a lawyer to any third party can jeopardize the customary legal protections for those attorney communications.

Manhattan-based U.S. District Judge Jed Rakoff ruled in February that Heppner must hand over 31 documents generated by Anthropic's chatbot Claude related to the case.

No attorney-client relationship exists "or could exist, between an AI user and a platform such as Claude," Rakoff wrote.

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Lawyers for Heppner did not immediately respond to requests for comment. A spokesperson for the U.S. attorney's office in Manhattan declined to comment.

Courts already are grappling with the growing use of artificial intelligence by lawyers and people representing themselves in legal cases, which among other things has led to legal filings containing made-up cases invented by AI.

Rakoff's decision was an important early test in the AI chatbot era for bedrock legal protections governing attorney-client communications and materials prepared for litigation.

On the same day as Rakoff's ruling, U.S. Magistrate Judge Anthony Patti in Michigan said a woman representing herself in a lawsuit she brought against her former company did not have to hand over her chats with OpenAI's ChatGPT about the employment claims made in the case.

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Patti treated the woman's AI chats as part of her own personal "work-product" for the case, rather than as conversations with a person who her employer could seek to use for its defense.

ChatGPT and other generative AI programs "are tools, not persons," Patti wrote in his order.

The privacy and usage terms for both OpenAI and Anthropic state that the companies can share data involving their users with third parties. Both also state that they require users to consult a qualified professional before relying on their chatbots for legal advice.

Rakoff at a February hearing in Heppner's case noted that Claude "expressly provided that users have no expectation of privacy in their inputs."

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Representatives for OpenAI and Anthropic did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

LAWYERS RACE TO SET GUARDRAILS

The advice from lawyers has ranged from telling clients to select their AI platforms carefully to suggesting specific language to use in chatbot prompts.

Los Angeles-based O'Melveny & Myers and other firms said in client advisories that "closed" AI systems designed for corporate use could provide stronger protections for legal communications, though they said even that remains largely untested.

Some firms said AI legal research is more likely to be protected by attorney-client privilege when it is conducted at the direction of a lawyer. If a lawyer does advise the use of AI, a person should say so in the chatbot prompt, New York-headquartered law firm Debevoise & Plimpton said in a notice on its website.

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"I am doing this research at the direction of counsel for [X] litigation," the firm suggested people write.

Information about AI use is also becoming common in contracts used by law firms with clients, according to a Reuters review of contracts posted to a U.S. government website.

Sher Tremonte, which often represents white-collar criminal defendants, said in a new contract in March: "Disclosure of privileged communications to a third-party AI platform may constitute a waiver of the attorney-client privilege."

Justin Ellis of New York-headquartered law firm MoloLamken and other lawyers said they expect that more rulings will eventually clarify when AI chats can be used as evidence.

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Until then, attorneys are saying that an age-old assumption still applies: Do not talk to anyone except your lawyer about your case - including AI.

(Reporting by Mike Scarcella; Editing by David Bario, Amy Stevens and Will Dunham)
A California man has filed a class action lawsuit accusing Amazon of intentionally slowing or disabling older Fire TV Sticks after ending software support, while encouraging customers to upgrade to newer models.

The lawsuit, filed in California state court by plaintiff Bill Merewhuader on Tuesday, targets Amazon over its first- and second-generation Fire TV Sticks released in 2014 and 2016.

The complaint says Amazon promoted the devices as a quick way to stream services like Prime Video and Netflix, but later stopped providing key software updates needed to keep them working properly. Both Amazon.com Inc. and Amazon.com Services LLC are named as defendants.

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Merewhuader claims Amazon stopped providing updates for first-generation devices in December 2022 and ended support for second-generation models in March 2023.

This decision caused performance problems, including severe lag, buffering, and in some cases complete inoperability, described in the filing as bricking, where the hardware remains intact, but the device can no longer function as intended, according to the complaint.

A California lawsuit alleges Amazon stopped key software updates for first- and second-generation Fire TV Sticks, causing them to lose functionality despite being marketed for streaming (Getty Images)

The suit argues that Amazon did not adequately disclose the limited lifespan of software support at the time of purchase. It also alleges the company failed to warn consumers that essential features could degrade or be removed after updates ended. Instead, the suit claims, affected users were left without refunds or repair options and were effectively pushed toward purchasing newer Fire TV Stick models.

Merewhuader says he personally bought second-generation Fire TV Sticks in 2018 but experienced significant performance issues within a few years, leading him to replace them in 2024.

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The lawsuit seeks to represent a nationwide class of Fire TV Stick buyers and to recover damages, restitution and other relief, including an order to stop the alleged conduct, reimbursement of legal fees, and a requirement that Amazon compensate affected customers.

The Independent has contacted Merewhuaders lawyers and Amazon for comment.
The U.S. Air Force is continuing to expand on the capabilities of the Angry Kitten electronic warfare pod, which just recently made its combat debut on the F-16 fighter in the latest conflict with Iran.

New testing has focused on improving the ability of HC-130J Combat King II combat search and rescue aircraft carrying the pods to receive reprogramming updates in near-real-time via satellite. HC-130Js just recently flew extremely high-risk and high-profile sorties over Iran as part of the effort to rescue the crew of a downed F-15E Strike Eagle. Being able to rapidly refine and optimize Angry Kittens capabilities will help the system remain as effective as possible, even in a very quickly evolving threat environment, and could be a stepping stone to more advanced functionality.

The Air National Guard Air Force Reserve Command Test Center (AATC) recently shared details about new testing of Angry Kitten on the HC-130J during an iteration of the Bamboo Eagle exercise. Bamboo Eagle is a large-scale air combat exercise series focused on preparedness for a high-end fight in the Pacific. AATC has already been test flying Angry Kitten on the HC-130J for more than a year now.

An HC-130J Combat King II assigned to the 129th Rescue Wing seen carrying an Angry Kitten electronic warfare pod while flying in the Point Mugu, California area on September 11, 2025. Fred Taleghani / FreddyB Aviation Photography

The pods have also been test flown on Air Force A-10 Warthog ground attack jets and Navy F/A-18 Super Hornet fighters. As noted, it is now being employed operationally on Air Force F-16s, as well. Angry Kitten was originally developed to replicate hostile electronic warfare threats during testing and training, as part of a cooperative effort between the Air Force and the Navy, and worked so well that it was adapted to operational use. We will come back to this later on.

An F-16C fighter with an Angry Kitten pod on its centerline station, seen flying a sortie in support of Operation Epic Fury against Iran. CENTCOM

An Angry Kitten pod under the wing of a Navy F/A-18E Super Hornet. USN Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons

Angry Kitten jamming pod..on an A-10C. pic.twitter.com/TcyZj1cYsE  The Merge  (@MergeNewsletter) May 24, 2023

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During Bamboo Eagle, AATCs primary evaluation centered on the Angry Kitten electronic warfare pod integrated aboard a HC-130J Combat King II. The force development evaluation built directly on an operational assessment completed the previous year, which found the system potentially effective and suitable on the platform, according to a press release that the center put out last week. Testers incorporated recommendations from that assessment while the 130th Rescue Squadron flew the pod against simulated ship-based and ground-based threats during exercise vulnerability periods, evaluating both survivability and the systems broader electronic attack capability.

The 130th Rescue Squadron is part of the California Air National Guards 129th Rescue Wing.

Running alongside that effort, AATC continued maturing the Ka/Ku-band communications suite, which enables over-the-horizon communications and near-real-time electronic warfare reprogramming via satellite link, the release adds. The suite compresses what was previously a multi-day technique development and distribution process to near-real-time between sorties.

AATC has previously disclosed that it has been working on this capability, which looks to be unique to the integration of Angry Kitten on the HC-130J, at least currently. The Combat King II has the benefit of a wide-band satellite communication system, which is also found on U.S. special operations C-130 variants and other aircraft. The HC-130J carries the pod using a Special Airborne Mission Installation and Response (SABIR) system installed in place of its left rear paratrooper door.

An HC-130J with an Angry Kitten pod on a SABIR system mounted in place of its left rear paratrooper door. USAF

A look inside the HC-130J during testing of the Angry Kitten pod. USAF

The C-130 testing features innovative real-time updates to electronic warfare techniques, AATC said in a previous press release in March 2025. Unlike the F-16 tests, where pre-programmed mission data files were used, the C-130 testing includes development engineers aboard the aircraft who can modify jamming techniques mid-mission based on feedback from range control.

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As can be seen above, to date, AATC has largely framed the benefits of this reprogramming capability within the context of accelerating continuing test and evaluation of Angry Kitten. At that same time, this would also be extremely valuable in an operational context.

In general, electronic warfare systems use built-in threat libraries to accurately detect, categorize, and respond to waveforms. In turn, their effectiveness is inherently determined by the breadth of data in that library. Specialists, often working in purpose-built reprogramming laboratories far from the front lines, have to work tirelessly to keep these systems up to date. Historically, this has been a very lengthy process, and one that has increasingly had trouble keeping pace with the rate at which threats are evolving.

A member of the 16th Electronic Warfare Squadron, another unit with the 350th Spectrum Warfare Wing, analyzes radio frequency signals at the B-1 Lab at Eglin Air Force Base in Florida. (This photo has been altered for security purposes by blurring out portions of monitors). USAF

As noted, Angry Kitten was developed first as a training and testing tool. It is a direct outgrowth of the AN/ALQ-167 electronic warfare pod, variants of which have been used in those contexts for decades to mimic hostile electronic warfare threats. However, Angry Kitten was designed from the start to be more readily updatable and modifiable in order to make it easier to adapt it to new and evolving threats.

At the core of that technology is Angry Kittens Technique Description Language architecture. Georgia Tech designed TDL as a hybrid that pairs dedicated hardware modules for speed and bandwidth with software for complex decision-making, according to a press release Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) put out last month. The practical result: government programmers can reprogram the jammer to counter new threats without sending it back to the contractor for expensive, time-consuming code changes. When an adversary adapts its radar tactics, NAWCWDs team can update the jammers response in days instead of waiting months for a contract modification.

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Angry Kitten is also known to make use of advanced Digital Radio Frequency Memory (DRFM) technology. Using DRFM, radio frequency (RF) signals can be detected and captured. Those same signals can then be manipulated and retransmitted. As an example of what this means in practice, signals from enemy air defense radars or radar seekers on incoming missiles can be recorded and pumped back in a way that creates false or otherwise confusing tracks. That same data can also be used as part of the reprogramming process to improve the stability capabilities, as well as be further exploited for general intelligence-gathering purposes.

An Angry Kitten pod on a stand during test. USN

This all already contributed to the evolution of Angry Kitten into an operational system.

We had a jammer called Angry Kitten. It was built to be an adversary air jamming tool, now-retired Air Force Gen. Mark Kelly, then commander of Air Combat Command (ACC), told TWZ and other outlets back in 2022. And all of a sudden, the blue team said, you know, hey, we kind of need that, can we have that for us? And so I see this iterating and testing our way into this.

When it comes to near-real-time updates for Angry Kitten, even if the communications suite used on the HC-130J wont fit on smaller tactical jets, it could potentially be ported over into a capability that is readily deployable to forward locations. Another possibility is that an aircraft with a wide-band satellite communications system could then pass updates for Angry Kitten to other aircraft within line of sight using other datalink capabilities.

Another view of the F-16 carrying the Angry Kitten pod during a mission in support of Operation Epic Fury. CENTCOM

The underlying developments have further implications when it comes to developing so-called cognitive electronic warfare capabilities. Cognitive electronic warfare is a broad area of development focused on new technologies to further automate or otherwise accelerate the reprogramming process. The absolute holy grail of the overall concept is an electronic warfare system that can adapt autonomously in real time to new threat waveforms, or known ones being modulated in unexpected ways, even right in the middle of a mission. You can read more about all of this here.

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Ongoing work to expand and improve Angry Kittens capabilities will also now benefit from lessons learned from the employment of the pods in combat sorties over and around Iran.

The multi-day effort to recover the crew of an F-15E Strike Eagle downed in that country earlier this month also highlighted the immense risks involved in combat search and rescue (CSAR) operations, and the importance of adding new self-protection capabilities to the HC-130J, specifically. Air Force Combat King IIs can expect to face far greater threats while conducting CSAR missions during a conflict with a near-peer adversary like China. This has prompted questions about the utility of HC-130Js and other traditional CSAR assets in the context of any future high-end fight.

In the meantime, Angry Kitten continues to evolve in significant ways, including its growing ability to receive key updated data remotely in near-real-time when paired with the HC-130J.

Contact the author: joe@twz.com
The Royal Veterinary College said Prof Alan Wilson was a "world-leading researcher" [Royal Veterinary College]

A wildlife expert and his pilot were killed when their plane crashed during a desert survey in Namibia, an inquest heard.

Prof Alan Wilson and pilot Neil Oakman, both 62, had been tracking oryx antelopes in the Namib Desert on 6 March.

Essex Coroner's Court was told Wilson, from Hertford, died from multiple significant injuries. The provisional cause of death for Oakman, who is from Saffron Walden, should be established once a toxicology report is complete.

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Lincoln Brookes, senior coroner for Essex, offered his "deepest condolences" to their families and said a full inquest hearing would take place in October.

Wilson and Oakman had been staying at the remote Gobabeb Research Station in the Namib-Naukluft National Park.

Namibian authorities were continuing to investigate the crash, the court was told [Leandrea Mouers/Erongo]

Injuries sustained by Wilson included a brain injury and fractured skull.

Adjourning the proceedings, Brookes said: "Namibian authorities need to give this a great deal of consideration.

"It may take some time."

Wilson and Oakman were trying to better understand the anatomy, behaviour and physiology of the oryx antelope, according to Gobabeb Research Station.

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It said to do this, they were using a "specially modified research aircraft" for aerial surveys.

Gobabeb described their "quirky sense of humour" and "infectious excitement" in a tribute shared online.

"Their work mattered, and so did the way they approached it - with humility, determination, respect, and a great sense of fun," a spokesperson said.

The pair were tracking oryx antelopes in the Namibian desert (pictured) [Getty Images]

Wilson was a member of the Royal Veterinary College for more than 30 years, and a spokesperson there described him as a "world-leading researcher" who specialised in locomotion in humans and animals.

"This is an enormous loss, and one that will be felt by all who had the privilege of knowing and working with him," a tribute posted online read.

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Oakman was described as a former commercial airline pilot who was passionate about flying vintage planes.

Do you have a story suggestion? Contact us below.

Follow East of England news on X, Instagram and Facebook: BBC Beds, Herts & Bucks, BBC Cambridgeshire, BBC Essex, BBC Norfolk, BBC Northamptonshire or BBC Suffolk.

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Southeastern Wisconsin is on its third day of heavy rain and storms  but there are clear skies ahead.

Cameron Miller, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Milwaukee/Sullivan, said scattered thunderstorms are lingering Thursday, April 16, and severe weather returns Friday, April 17. However, a reprieve of the stormy April showers is expected Saturday, April 18.

"It does look like, finally, we do dry out this upcoming weekend," he said.

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The National Weather Service has issued an areal flood warning  which is a warning issued for flooding that has built up gradually, as opposed to a flash flood warning  for Milwaukee, Racine, Walworth, Waukesha and Jefferson counties, in effect until 1 p.m. April 16.

"We have [that warning] out there so that people with their morning commute kind of take heed that there's probably going to be flood waters on some roads, ... and their typical morning commute is probably going to be blocked in some spots," Miller said.

Damage from a tornado is seen at Lisbon Presbyterian Church in Lisbon, on April 15, 2026. Damage from a tornado is seen at Lisbon Presbyterian Church in Lisbon, on April 15, 2026. A row of trees are leveled as damage from a tornado is seen near Lisbon Presbyterian Church in Lisbon, on April 15, 2026. Power lines and trees are damaged at Hillside Meadows in Sussex, Wisconsin on the morning of April 15, 2026, after a tornado passed through the area on Tuesday evening. See photos from aftermath of tornados, severe weather in Wisconsin 1 of 20 Damage from a tornado is seen at Lisbon Presbyterian Church in Lisbon, on April 15, 2026.

A flood watch is also in effect until 1 p.m. for the same areas, and extending to include Kenosha, Ozaukee and Rock counties as well, according to the National Weather Service. Miller said that flood watch is to advise people of the possibility for flash floods accompanying any morning thunderstorms.

Photos and videos shared to social media showed various flooded streets and parking lots in Milwaukee the night of April 15. The evening before, on April 14, tornadoes were reported to have hit parts of the Milwaukee area, including Lisbon and Sussex.

After three days of heavy spring storms, another round of severe weather is coming through southern Wisconsin Friday, April 17, according to the National Weather Service in Milwaukee/Sullivan.

RELATED: Damaged church, leveled home, twisted trees among Wisconsin storm damage

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Thunderstorms April 16 are expected to clear out by around 3 p.m., and the rest of the day should be fairly dry, with high temperatures in the low 60s, Miller said. However, the severe weather returns Friday, April 17.

In the Milwaukee area, thunderstorms will accompany a cold front moving through April 17 evening and night.

"It's going to be another situation where we get all severe weather hazards  hail, damaging wind, potentially more tornadoes, and potentially even more flooding, too," Miller said.

The cold front will bring highs in the low 70s during the day April 17 down to around 50 degrees in the Milwaukee area, he said. Highs will likely remain in the upper 40s to low 50s through the weekend.

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But, Miller said, no rain is expected from the afternoon of Saturday, April 18 through Tuesday, April 21.

"At this moment, it does look like we'll finally have a multi-day stretch of dry weather here," he said.

See weather radar for Wisconsin

Contact Kelli Arseneau at (920) 213-3721 or karseneau@gannett.com. Follow her on X at @ArseneauKelli.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Thunderstorms, more flooding possible in Milwaukee area April 17
The Cold War-era Lockheed AH-56 Cheyenne might have been plagued with issues, but theres no doubt it was among the worlds most advanced helicopters of its day. The AH-56 was so fast, and its features so ahead of their time, that the U.S. Army has decided to port over its name for its highly anticipated MV-75 tiltrotor, now officially named the Cheyenne II. The name also continues the Armys tradition of naming its helicopters after great Native American tribes, and will find its place among icons like the Apache, Chinook, and Lakota.

A rendering shows a pair of MV-75s, now named Cheyenne II. Bell

In 2022, the Army picked a design from Bell, based on that companys V-280 Valor tiltrotor, as the winner of its Future Long-Range Assault Aircraft (FLRAA) competition. In January of this year, the Army confirmed to TWZ that it planned to accelerate its timeline for the MV-75 by multiple years, fielding the first examples in 2027 versus 2031.

The Bell V-280 Valor was developed for the Armys Joint Multi-Role Technical Demonstrator program as a precursor to the Future Long Range Assault Aircraft (FLRAA). Bell/Matthew Ryan

The rollout took place today at the Army Aviation Association of Americas Army Aviation Warfighting Summit in Nashville, Tennessee. Speaking to journalists, including TWZ, before that event, Maj. Gen. Clair A. Gill, the commanding general of the Army Aviation Center and Portfolio Acquisition Executive  Expanded Maneuver Air, announced the MV-75s rollout as a pivotal moment for Army Aviation, for our soldiers.

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In keeping with other Army rotorcraft, the MV-75s name also honors a Native American tribe (more accurately, two tribes), the Cheyenne.

As Maj. Gen. Gill explained: This name reflects more than heritage. It reflects identity. The Cheyenne people inhabited the Great Plains for 400 years, adapting to a harsh and unforgiving environment as highly proficient hunters and gatherers. Their way of life required constant mobility, organized around nomadic buffalo hunting, enabling them to assemble, disassemble, and move quickly to meet the demands of their environment. In many aspects, that same ability to rapidly organize, reposition, and operate with precision is reflected in the MV-75 platform.

Life in that environment demanded resilience and strength, Gill continued. Tribes navigated rivalries, dirt, conflict, and adapted as Westward expansion reshaped the landscape around them. Today, the Cheyenne are represented by the Northern Cheyenne tribe in Montana, in the Cheyenne and Arapaho tribes in Oklahoma, whose legacy reflects the proud and enduring warrior tradition, ground and protection, provision and leadership. Those values demand capability, and in todays fight, that capability comes in the form of speed, range, lethality, and adaptability. That spirit of mobility, resilience, and disciplined strength is what the name Cheyenne II represents.

As for the other, historical Cheyenne, the AH-56, this was a first-generation attack helicopter drafted during the Vietnam War. Most impressively for the time, the helicopter could hit a 224-mile-per-hour cruise speed and dash at speeds up to 240 miles per hour, driven by a nearly 4,000-horsepower turbine engine and a pusher propeller on the tail boom.

While it boasted incredible performance and was packed full of advanced features, the AH-56 was destined for failure. A combination of technical issues, program management shortfalls, changing procurement priorities, high cost, and a fatal crash in 1969 saw the program terminated. But despite never entering service, the Cheyenne left a profound impact on the concept of close air support and attack helicopter design, and today holds a special place in military aviation history.

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On the other hand, there are plenty of obvious differences between the AH-56 and the MV-75, not least their missions. They also had different prime contractors, and, the Army must hope, will have very different outcomes.

Maj. Gen. Gill continued: What the [AH-56] Cheyenne was when it was initially conceived in the 1960s was a transformational leap ahead in technology. It was a rotorcraft when we were still learning how helicopters flew and how we could get the maximum utility, speed, and range out of them. And the Cheyenne, at the time that it was developed, was completely different. It had a pusher prop on it that allowed it to achieve speeds that we hadnt seen before. You could draw a lot of parallels between going from the current fleet of rotorcraft that we fly, that is really 1960s, 1970s-era technology  to what were doing with the tiltrotor technology. Twice as far, twice as fast, vertical takeoff and landing, but flying at airplane speeds. You can certainly draw the metaphor there if you want, between the AH-56 back in the late 1960s and the MV-75 today.

AH-56 Cheyenne firing rockets. U.S. Army

Continuing on the transformational theme, Brent G. Ingraham, the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Acquisition, Logistics, and Technology, provided his assessment of the MV-75, describing it as a generational capability for the Army, and one that truly fundamentally changes how commanders think about distance, time, and maneuver on the battlefield.

Ingraham continued: It combines the vertical lift of a helicopter with the speed and range of an airplane, allowing us to project combat power from safer distances, penetrate deeper into contested environments, and deliver soldiers where they are needed most, faster than we ever have before.

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For the soldier, this means restoring full-squad insertion at extended range, expanding medevac reach well beyond todays Golden Hour, enabling large-scale, long-range air assault operations that can reshape the battlefield, Ingraham added. Just as critically, the Cheyenne II will be able to self-deploy globally, reducing cost, complexity, and response time in a crisis. This is also especially relevant for future operations in the Indo-Pacific region, where operating locations and objectives are likely to be dispersed across large areas with limited options for making intermediate stops.

A rendering of an MV-75 launching drones. Bell

Ingraham also noted another key aspect of the program, namely the incredibly aggressive schedule to get it into service. Claiming the program as an acquisition success story, he described the team moving with urgency while maintaining discipline.

The MV-75 is designed around a modular, open-systems approach, with a digital backbone that should make it easier to adapt and upgrade as the program evolves.

That means we can rapidly integrate new technologies, adapt to emerging threats, and avoid the costly redesigns of the past, Ingraham said.

Soldiers are gaining hands-on experience with the future MV-75 through an immersive Virtual Prototype at Redstone Arsenal. U.S. Army/Matthew Ryan

Ingraham confirmed that the fielding timeline is being accelerated, which means the first Cheyenne II unit should be equipped in Fiscal Year 2030. Exactly how realistic that ambition is is something that we will discuss in a follow-on story.

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As Ingraham said, speed matters, not just in the air, but in acquisition as well.

We did it through strong partnerships across industry, the requirements community, and our operational units like the 101st [The 101st Airborne Division, the Armys premier air assault unit, and the first unit set to get MV-75s], ensuring this platform is not just technologically advanced, but operationally relevant from day one. Simply put, the MV-75 Cheyenne II is how we deliver capability at the speed of relevance.

For a rotary-wing program that puts a lot of emphasis on speed, its new Cheyenne II name is especially appropriate. Lets just hope its warp-speed development doesnt end the same way as its partial namesake.

Contact the author: thomas@thewarzone.com
An Islamist group with links to Iran has claimed responsibility for three separate attacks in north London.

Harakat Ashab al-Yamin al-Islamiya - The Islamic Movement of the People of the Right Hand - made the unsubstantiated claim by posting videos on social media.

It comes as three arrests were made following an attempted arson attack at the offices of a Persian language media organisation on Wednesday. There have also been two separate attacks on a synagogue in Finchley and on four ambulances belonging to a Jewish charity.

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The force added none had been declared as terrorism at this stage but has issued a warning to anyone being "persuaded or paid" to act on behalf of foreign organisations.

Police said an ignited container was thrown towards the Volant Media building at around 20:30 BST on Wednesday, but landed in a car park where the fire quickly went out.

There were no reports of any damage or injuries.

Officers later chased a black SUV until it crashed on on Ballards Lane, Finchley.

A 16-year-old boy and two men aged 19 and 21 were arrested on suspicion of arson endangering life.

The two men and the boy remain in police custody.

A police cordon is in place near Volant Media, the parent company of Persian news channel Iran International [BBC]

A number of nearby buildings were evacuated as a precaution, but were quickly reopened after police confirmed there was no wider risk to the public.

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Deputy Assistant Commissioner Vicki Evans, senior national coordinator for counter-terrorism policing, said: "We are clearly aware of that group, the incidents across Europe and the claims that have been made on various different channels.

"Naturally, that is one of our many lines of inquiry, and there are many others. We remain open minded at this stage."

The Volant Media attack comes follows a separate incident where a man and a woman were arrested after Finchley Reform Synagogue had two bottles thought to contain petrol thrown at it during the early hours of Wednesday.

Last month, another arson attack was carried out on four ambulances belonging to the Jewish community charity Hatzola in Golders Green.

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Two further arrests were made on Wednesday morning relating to the Golders Green incident, bringing the total number of arrests to eight. Three people have been charged.

Deputy Commissioner Matt Jukes said: "While none of these incidents have been declared as terrorism at this stage, officers are keeping an open mind regarding motivation.

"Given the nature of the locations involved and the similarities between the offences, Counter Terrorism Policing is leading these investigations supported by officers across the Met."

Jukes added: "Let me also be absolutely clear about this message. We have seen racist and antisemitic hate crimes, and without commenting on live cases, we know that some individuals are being persuaded or paid to act on behalf of foreign organisations and states.

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"If you act out of hatred, racism or antisemitism, we will come after you and you will face the consequences.

"If you believe you can make quick and easy money by committing crimes for others, you will be shown to be wrong."

Listen to the best of BBC Radio London on Sounds and follow BBC London on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to hello.bbclondon@bbc.co.uk
Global brands view China as indispensable market to expand business

Xinhua) 09:24, April 16, 2026

People visit the sixth China International Consumer Products Expo in Haikou, south China's Hainan Province, April 13, 2026. (Xinhua/Zhang Liyun)

HAIKOU, April 15 (Xinhua) -- The No. 4 exhibition hall at the sixth China International Consumer Products Expo (CICPE) has transformed into a bustling "global village," vividly illustrating the enduring appeal of the Chinese market.

Running from April 13 to 18 in Haikou, capital of China's island province of Hainan, the annual expo is showcasing premium global products and facilitating cooperation between international brands and local partners.

Despite the diversity of their product categories ranging from health, food and cosmetics to art, exhibitors share a common goal: to expand their presence in China.

As this year's guest country of honor, Canada has brought its largest-ever delegation, with around 40 companies participating. A highlight among its premium offerings is a wide range of natural, health-boosting products.

Among the companies is Canada Royal Milk (CRM), a powder formula producer based in Ontario. The company is leveraging the expo to capitalize on China's huge market potential, driven by its large population and consumption upgrading.

Reago Li, the China region general distributor for the Canadian brand, told Xinhua that at this year's expo, the company is highlighting Capriss, a goat milk powder brand under CRM that targets adult consumers, particularly those aged 45 and above.

According to Li, compared to cow milk, goat milk has smaller fat molecules, making it easier to digest and more friendly for people with lactose intolerance.

Since its debut in the Chinese market in 2023, Capriss has expanded its sales and built a growing presence in local supermarkets and shopping malls. It has also established a sales channel on a popular online pharmacy platform in the country, Li said.

Next to Li's booth, DPA is displaying seal oil soft capsules, an Omega-3 health supplement. Song Bingbing, the brand's chief nutritionist, said that five consecutive years of participation in the expo has helped the Canadian brand gain growing market recognition, with its products now sold in over 5,000 retail stores nationwide.

Explaining the Chinese market's strategic importance, Song said there is a shift in the country from a treatment-centered approach to one centered on chronic disease management, and that the product aligns well with growing health management needs, such as weight management and cardiovascular and cerebrovascular health. "With a large population base, the Chinese market is a top priority."

Li echoed this sentiment, categorizing China's consumer market as top-tier in both scale and quality. "Indispensable" was his word for the market, expressing the Canadian brand's confidence in competing for a share in it.

The information provided by the two exhibitors has offered a clear lens into how increasingly important the Chinese market is becoming for global companies. Further evidence of their eagerness to explore this market is inside the hall, where live-streamers are invited to promote premium products to online audiences, and hired staff are hospitably offering samples of delicacies to visitors and inquirers -- from butter on biscuits from Ireland, wine from France, to ginseng tea from Canada.

The numbers tell the same story. International exhibits accounted for 65 percent of the total this year, up 20 percentage points from last year, according to expo data. Meanwhile, the number of professional buyers is expected to reach 65,000, a 10-percent rise from the previous edition, said Lu Min, director of the Hainan provincial bureau of international economic development.

While the convergence of global brands demonstrates their continued interest, the market's diversity, speed and complexity are also prompting them to refine their marketing strategies, pricing and product design in response to rapidly evolving consumer preferences. In a recent commentary, the Macau Post Daily noted that rather than simply a question of scale or growth, the Chinese market is where global companies' strategies get tested and refined.

Chen Lifen, a researcher at the Development Research Center of the State Council, said China's consumer market is seeing increasingly pronounced trends toward smarter, greener and higher-quality consumption upgrades. Chen noted that the expo has built an efficient and convenient channel for high-quality global consumer goods to enter the domestic market, and injected new momentum into expanding and upgrading consumption while unlocking the potential of China's mega-market.

Since its launch in 2021, the CICPE has become an important platform for multinationals to stay abreast of consumer trends in China, with over 3,800 enterprises and more than 12,000 brands from 92 countries and regions participating in the past five editions.

(Web editor: Wang Xiaoping, Liang Jun)
A wonky toilet, Microsoft Outlook obstacles and more: The unexpected issues popping up on the Artemis II moon mission

The most important elements of the groundbreaking mission worked perfectly, but there have still been a few snafus along the way that the crew has had to deal with.
By Renju Jose, Lucy Craymer and Helen Clark

SYDNEY, PERTH, April 16 (Reuters) - A fire at the largest of Australia's two oil refineries has hit petrol production, company and government officials said on Thursday, just as the nation faces pressure to shore up fuel security with the Iran war disrupting global supply.

State fire authorities said the blaze, which broke out at a 120,000 barrels-per day refinery run by Viva Energy on Wednesday night, had been brought "under control" at noon (0200 GMT) on Thursday.

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The fire came at a bad time for Australia as it depends on imports for 80% of its fuel needs and has been racing to replace supply disrupted by the Middle East conflict, which has driven up energy prices worldwide.

"This is not a positive development, but obviously there's a long way to go in terms of working out just what the impact is," Energy Minister Chris Bowen told Channel Nine.

Viva Energy's refinery supplies over half of the fuel in Australia's second most populous state, Victoria, and a tenth of the country's total demand.

The company said it expects output of petrol and aviation gasoline will be affected, but it will meet fuel demand through imports.

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The plant is still producing jet fuel and diesel but at reduced levels for safety reasons, Bowen said.

I would expect we'd see a price hike depending on the scale of the damage, and secondly, it reinforces the challenges we have in terms of sovereign and resilient capabilities here, Australian Strategic Policy Institute analyst John Coyne said.

The incident comes as Prime Minister Anthony Albanese visits Kuala Lumpur on Thursday to discuss securing fuel supplies with his Malaysian counterpart, Anwar Ibrahim, following similar trips to Singapore and Brunei.

Malaysia and Brunei, which produce crude oil and refined products, could increase production but only to a certain degree, Coyne said.

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No injuries have been reported from the fire at the refinery located about an hour's drive from Melbourne. The cause of the blaze and the extent of the damage was not immediately clear.

PUMP PRICES LIKELY TO RISE

In the nearly seven weeks since the war began, supply fears have stoked panic buying, doubling demand for fuel in some areas, despite assurances from the government the market is well supplied.

Last month, Albanese announced temporary relief measures including halving the fuel excise and suspending the heavy road user charge for three months to help households cope with a surge in costs driven by the Iran war.

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"It's going to be a very bumpy and expensive few months, said Tennant Reed, climate change and energy director at Australian Industry Group.

In March the government committed to underwriting a portion of fuel purchases by refiners and suppliers.

"We'll continue to work with the company to do what we can to make sure that anything that is offline is brought online as soon as possible," Albanese said at a media conference in Malaysia's administrative capital, Putrajaya.

Reed said the government could go to market to secure more supply to make up for any loss of production at Viva's plant, but it would still take weeks for the cargoes to arrive.

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PRODUCTION AT MINIMUM RATES

Viva Energy CEO Scott Wyatt told reporters the primary focus was to completely put out the fire that hit operations at two units at the refinery before assessing damage and safely restoring production.

"All the other units are still operating and still in production but they are at minimum rates to maintain safety across the site," he said.

"We'll only start increasing production again once we're confident that we can do that safely."

Viva's shares were on a trading halt pending an update on the impact of the fire.

(Reporting by Renju Jose in Sydney, Lucy Craymer in Wellington, Hyunsu Yim in Barcelona and Preetika Parashuraman in Bengaluru; Editing by Rod Nickel, Jamie Freed and Sonali Paul)
A law clamping down on protests following an antisemitic mass shooting at Australia's Bondi Beach was overturned by a court on Thursday, a written ruling showed.

Activists had challenged the New South Wales legislation, enacted 10 days after the December 14 attack which killed 15 people and wounded dozens at a beach-side Hanukkah festival.

The law gave police the power to restrict public assemblies in declared areas, making it impossible to get a permit for any protests and allowing officers to order people to move away.

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The state government pushed for the crackdown to protect cohesion and community safety at a time of high tensions, the Court of Appeal heard.

But the legal provisions were "constitutionally impermissible", Chief Justice Andrew Bell found in a written ruling.

They effectively discouraged all forms of protest in the declared area, irrespective of the purpose and possible impact on social cohesion, he said.

"The impugned provisions infringe the implied freedom of political communication," the court ruled, declaring them invalid.

Immediately after the protest law was passed in December, the state's police chief declared the first restrictions across a large swathe of Sydney.

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Clampdowns continued in various forms until February, including during a visit by Israeli President Isaac Herzog when police and demonstrators clashed in central Sydney.

Pro-Palestinian activist Josh Lees, who was one of three plaintiffs in the case, said New South Wales Premier Chris Minns had long sought to ban protests, especially over Gaza.

"While Israel and the US wage endless war, destroying the lives of millions of people, supported by Australian governments, they are continuing to try to rip up our democratic rights to protest," the Palestine Action Group spokesman said in a statement.

Minns said the government stood by its decision on the law.

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"This was in the aftermath of the worst terrorist attack our country has seen, in which 15 innocent lives were lost," he said in a statement to Australian media.

"We believe it was necessary and important for Sydney at the time."

djw/oho/fox
Authorities in Malaysia intercepted 888 bottles of undeclared liquor during a border inspection, according to the New Straits Times.

The seizure took place April 9 at the Sultan Iskandar Building, a major entry point between Malaysia and Singapore. Officers from the Malaysian Border Control and Protection Agency stopped a commercial van after noticing a passenger in a lane designated for drivers only.

Officials said the driver and passenger, both local men aged 38 and 43, failed to cooperate during questioning, prompting a full inspection of the vehicle.

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Checks led to the discovery of several boxes covered with black cloth containing 888 bottles of undeclared liquor believed to have been smuggled into the country, the agency said in a statement, according to the New Straits Times.

Authorities said the alcohol totaled about 700 liters, with an estimated value of RM17,328.50. Unpaid taxes were calculated at RM93,324.26, bringing the total value of the seizure to RM110,652.76 ($28,000)

The confiscated liquor has been handed over to the Royal Malaysian Customs Department for further investigation and enforcement action.

Under Malaysias Customs Act 1967, failing to declare goods or attempting to smuggle items into the country can result in fines, imprisonment, or both upon conviction, according to the report.

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The border agency said it will continue to strengthen monitoring and enforcement efforts at entry points nationwide to prevent smuggling and protect government revenue.

Scan any liquor bottle to see all expert reviews in one place with the free Daily Pour app. Download today!

Founded by Dan Abrams, The Daily Pour is the ultimate drinking guide for the modern consumer, covering spirits, non-alcoholic and hemp beverages. With its unique combination of cross-category coverage and signature rating system that aggregates reviews from trusted critics across the internet, The Daily Pour sets the standard as the leading authority in helping consumers discover, compare and enjoy the best of today's evolving drinks landscape.
Germany is prepared to contribute minehunters to a potential mission to secure the Strait of Hormuz after the Iran war ends, dpa learnt from government sources on Thursday.

Chancellor Friedrich Merz is expected to offer German participation for a possible military mission during talks in Paris on Friday, the sources said.

Following the end of hostilities, the German Armed Forces or Bundeswehr would provide minehunters, an escort ship and aerial surveillance for such a mission if certain conditions are met, they said.

Bundeswehr has eight minehunters

The Bundeswehr has eight minehunters and two mine-diver deployment boats. How many of these could be used is still unclear. Merz is not expected to give figures on Friday, according to the information.

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The Bundeswehr's minehunters, which are more than 50 metres long, have a core crew of 42 soldiers, which can be expanded by mine divers.

For aerial surveillance, the navy has two P-8 Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft available, equipped with radar, acoustic systems and high-resolution optics. These usually carry 11 soldiers on board.

A supply ship would accompany the mine-clearance vessels as is customary for such operations.

Several conditions for deployment

From the German government's point of view, several conditions must first be met for such a deployment, the most important of which is a ceasefire in the Iran war. Berlin has ruled out a deployment during ongoing fighting.

In addition, the deployment must be underpinned by international law, "ideally" through a mandate from the UN Security Council, government circles said.
An Albuquerque man accused of shooting at a vehicle and police officers Tuesday morning in Bernalillo  leading to a manhunt, shuttered schools and halted commuter train service  faces more than a dozen criminal charges.

Paul Alfred Mendez, 57, was charged with aggravated assault on a peace officer with a deadly weapon, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and unlawful carrying of a deadly weapon, plus counts of receiving a stolen firearm, shooting at or from a motor vehicle and resisting an officer, court records show.

He was booked Tuesday into the Sandoval County jail in Bernalillo.

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Officers had received a 911 call at 4:49 a.m. from a driver who said someone was shooting at their car at the New Mexico Rail Runner train station at North Hill Road and U.S. 550. The suspect  described to police as a man in a high-visibility jacket  fled the scene, which led to a search by multiple law enforcement agencies before the suspect, later identified as Mendez, was arrested at 7:09 a.m.

Before his arrest, police said, he fired his gun toward five officers, and some fired back twice.

While the initial shooting was described in court records as a "road rage incident," the motivation for the attack was unclear. Surveillance footage showed Mendez had been sitting in a car in the parking lot at the Sandoval County/U.S. 550 Rail Runner Station since midnight. At 4:48 a.m., he drove toward a parked car in the lot.

"As he moved around the front of the vehicle," officers wrote in a statement of probable cause filed Wednesday, "multiple muzzle flashes were visible, indicating he discharged a firearm. The targeted vehicle fled the lot, followed by a second vehicle, consistent with the reported road rage incident. Mendez remained seated briefly before leaving the area."

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A search for the suspect drew Bernalillo police, Rio Rancho police, Sandoval County sheriff's deputies and New Mexico State Police. Officers saw the man walking near the train station, but he refused to comply with their commands, the statement says, and moved behind a pillar and out of view.

Officers later saw him heading toward Bernalillo High School. He "repeatedly looked back toward officers and appeared to reach for an object," according to the statement.

As officers tried to approach him, he began firing at them and continued moving north, the statement alleges. Officers fired back twice before retreating and requesting additional resources.

Soon after officers established a perimeter around the school, a man who lived nearby reported he had heard knocking at his door. Officers responded and detained Mendez.

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During a pat-down search, the statement says, officers found two handguns on Mendez  one of which had been reported stolen to the Albuquerque Police Department.

The arrest warrant affidavit and criminal complaint in the case were sealed Wednesday. The judge's order for the seal states "disclosure of such sealed information at this time likely would tend to identify witnesses and officers and thereby render them much less useful in ongoing investigation of this and/or other investigation, and/or endangering their safety and/or impact the furtherance of this investigation."

A public safety assessment notes Mendez has had three or more prior violent convictions.

He was arrested in 2023 on suspicion of trespassing, breaking and entering, possession of burglary tools and property damage in Albuquerque, court records show, but the charges were dismissed after he was deemed incompetent to stand trial.
Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear says a change in Kentuckys election laws could bolster a sitting lawmaker to run for his office in the future  particularly Republican Senate President Robert Stivers. However, the GOP leader said he didnt ask for the new rule to aid any future endeavor.

Beshear, who is serving his second term as governor, has criticized a recent omnibus election law that will allow sitting lawmakers to move their legislative campaign funds to a statewide election. Beshear had vetoed the bill, but the General Assembly overturned it Tuesday.

Stivers, a Manchester Republican who has been in the Senate since 1997 and the leader of the Senate since 2013, often has a well-funded campaign account  even when not facing another opponent for reelection.

Republican Senate President Robert Stivers, left, and Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear, right, speak ahead of constitutional officers swearing-in ceremony in 2024. (Kentucky Lantern photo by McKenna Horsley)

Among the several changes in House Bill 139, it would allow any member of the General Assembly who has a remaining balance in his or her campaign account to transfer those funds to a campaign account to seek election to statewide constitutional office. In addition to governor, other constitutional officers are the attorney general, secretary of state, treasurer, auditor and agriculture commissioner.

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In Beshears veto message for the law, he wrote the current Senate President would be able to transfer existing campaign funds to an account for a governor election, giving him or other legislators an advantage over sitting constitutional officers or members of Congress.

At present, rumored Republican gubernatorial candidates for the 2027 election include Secretary of State Michael Adams and U.S. Rep. James Comer.

Asked about the possible situation raised by Beshear Wednesday evening, Stivers said: Is he afraid Ill run against him, against something? He then quipped: I think he would be an easy target.

Im not ruling anything out, but I did not ask that that provision be put in there, the Senate president said.

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Earlier that day, Beshear highlighted the scenario again during his weekly press conference when asked about the election law.

Beshear also pointed to when former Republican Senate President David Williams, now a circuit court judge, ran in 2011 against former Democratic Gov. Steve Beshear, the current governors father. He added that the campaign dollar transfer wasnt available to Williams.

Robert Stivers account seems pretty large. So, its the idea that if Jamie Comer ran, he cant bring his federal account over. But somehow, if Robert Stivers could, he could start with several hundred thousands dollars, Beshear said. I dont think thats either legal and/or fair.

According to Kentucky Registry of Election Finance records, Stivers 2024 general election account has about $250,000 according to a report submitted in January. However, he has donated money from it to other legislative Republican candidates. Stivers faced no challenger in the 25th Senate District in 2024.

Before he was elected by the Republican caucus as Senate president, Stivers became the Republican floor leader in 2008.
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Reps. Anna Paulina Luna, a Republican, and Teresa Leger Fernandez, a Democrat, may only be in their second and third terms in Congress, respectively. But this week, they jointly assigned themselves a powerful role in the body: executioners. The two worked in tandem, and without the permission of their leaders, to push a couple of creeps in the House of Representatives accused of sexual misconduct against their staffGOP Rep. Tony Gonzales and Democratic Rep. Eric Swalwellinto involuntary retirement.

Armed with the threat of forcing votes to expel the members, the two used social media to update the public regularly on their progress. On Sunday, Luna posted that Swalwell had 24 hours to announce you are resigning. Shortly after Swalwell obeyed on Monday, Luna served notice to Gonzales that he, too, had better resign immediately. Gonzales immediately announced he would. Luna and Leger Fernandez still didnt let up, saying that they would force the votes to expel the representatives if their resignations werent officially tendered by 2 p.m. Tuesday. Both men met the deadline.

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The sharp axe of member-driven justice may not end there, as the House returned to a bevy of simmering misdeeds following its two-week recess. Luna has already served notice to Florida Democratic Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, whose ethics investigation into allegedly routing her companys Federal Emergency Management Agency overpayments toward her campaigns is nearly completeand not looking good. We have your expulsion vote ready to be called up on the 21st, Luna posted Tuesday. Either resign or be expelled. Meanwhile, Democratsand some Republicansare eyeing Florida GOP Rep. Cory Mills, whos under ethics investigation for a broad list of allegations relating to his campaign finances, his businesses, and sexual misconduct and/or dating violence relating to two different women.

How, in a legislative body that has always maintained a large contingent of scoundrels, did Swalwell and Gonzales get the boot in such quick successionwith more potentially in the pipeline? Campaign finance infractions and sexual misconduct against staff are not new developments in the House of Representatives. Nor are members choosing to resign instead of waiting for a gnarly Ethics Committee report to drop. What is new, and fitting with recent trends in the House, is the way rank-and-file members, at least in the cases of Swalwell and Gonzales, are willing to wrest control of the disciplinary process to push out bad actors more quickly than usual.

In recent years, members have felt increasingly empowered to make moves previously considered taboo: forcing votes on impeachment articles, censuring members, ousting the speaker, signing discharge petitions to get votes on bills that the speaker wont consider, or blocking previously rubber-stamped procedural votes as leverage. These cavalier episodes have especially picked up in the current House, which is nearly equally divided between Democrats and Republicans. Every vote, and every ego, counts. So leaders have more trouble either credibly threatening bad members to resign or dissuading other members from taking justice into their own hands. Individual members threatening expulsion votes was the next logical step.

The explosion of people using their privileges to force votes unilaterally in the last two to three years, and a little bit more in the last 10, has opened up some of the bomb throwers eyes to the ability to do this, and they dont care what the leadership says, and theyre not going to be bought off to not do this, Matt Glassman, a senior fellow at Georgetowns Government Affairs Institute and a former Hill staffer, told me.

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Leaders prefer to handle discipline quietly, at the pace of their choosing. They dont want the House to turn into a circus of individual members forcing votes to reprimand one another, and they also dont want embarrassing information aired publicly that could reflect poorly on the party. The House Ethics Committee exists, then, to take justice away from hotheads and into a fair process typically run by more levelheaded members, in total privacy. If someones alleged violation of conductsuch as, say, a member offering a female staffer $5 million to carry his babyis so bad that its best for the party to get a quick resignation, the leader prefers to lean on them in private.

The horrific allegations against both Gonzales and Swalwell comfortably met the bar for hasty resolution. Its against House rules for a member to have a sexual relationship with a staffer, and Gonzales had an affair with a staffer who then died by self-immolation after the relationship was called off. Swalwellonly a week ago a Democratic front-runner in the California governors racehas been accused by a former staffer of rape, along with allegations from a still-growing number of women involving all sorts of sexual misconduct, from unsolicited nude photos to assault. (Swalwell strongly denies it all.)

Although these cases were duly referred to the Ethics Committee, neither leader from either party was publicly calling on their own member to resign from Congress. While it may be unsporting and cynical to observe, leaders seem to be particularly reluctant to force out their own given the narrow margin in Congress, with every vote counting. And so there has been a pileup of ignominy referred to a busier-than-ever Ethics Committee.

By a certain sick logic, though, the revelations against Swalwell provided an opportunity for the House to take some of that work off the committees plate: It allowed for each party to, essentially, dump one of its own and maintain the bodys balance of power. And so Luna and Leger Fernandez essentially brokered that compromise.

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While Luna was preparing to force the vote to expel Swalwell, rank-and-file Democrats hardly needed convincing from their leaders. Among Democratic women especially whove felt empowered since the #MeToo movement, there was a thirst to get rid of Swalwell, quickly, with or without a green light from party leadership. Luna then coordinated with Leger Fernandez, who had readied an expulsion resolution against Gonzales, to force out the pair almost simultaneously. Like Swalwell with Democrats, Gonzales would not be missed among Republicans. Swalwell and Gonzales could see the writing on the wall: These expulsion votes, when forced, wouldnt go well for them.

If it wouldnt have been for those resolutions that we were each filing, Leger Fernandez told CBS News, they wouldnt have resigned.

Two down. But will there be another twoin another bipartisan pairingto go?

Both Cherfilus-McCormick and Mills were outraged to be categorized with Gonzales and Swalwell. Mills told reporters Tuesday he has never sexually harassed his staff, that hes not under indictment, and that it was essentially just something where it was a bad breakup. Cherfilus-McCormicks office, meanwhile, noted in a statement to the press that the allegations against her are not the same as those facing some of my colleagues, and that lumping them together, particularly with cases involving sexual assault and rape, is inaccurate and irresponsible.

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Still, their outcomes diverge in the short term. In an unusual sight, the Ethics Committee that is often criticized as moving too slowly in policing members is nearing the closure of its investigation into Cherfilus-McCormick, having found her guilty on 25 of 27 counts against her. It meets next week to recommend a sanction to the full House. Her time, with Luna already threatening an expulsion vote for shortly after the hearing, does not seem long. Mills case, meanwhile, remains before the committee. Theres less consensus between parties about whether immediate action should be taken against him.

Its for the best, in the long run, that the Ethics Committee appears to have retained control over these cases amid the ongoing call for blood. There must be a floor underneath members ability to unilaterally force votes to disemploy their colleagues, lest it spiral into a regular stunt comprising most of the Houses roll-call votes. But its hard to deny that, at least in the egregious cases of Swalwell and Gonzales, swift justice needed to be served, and was. The garbage was accumulating a little too fast.
One of the largest rockets in the world could soon be launching from the coast of Southern California.

Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin is in talks with the U.S. Space Force to bring its New Glenn rocket operations to the Vandenberg Space Force Base in Santa Barbara County.

The news comes after the base, managed by Space Force, announced at the end of 2025 that a new launch site was in the works that would offer the capability to fly heavy or super-heavy lift spacecraft. When the announcement was made, the Space Force was seeking responses from launch service providers that would be interested in leasing space at the yet-undeveloped area.

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Now, Space Force has announced that it is in the final stages of negotiations with none other than Blue Origin on a lease agreement for Space Launch (SLC) 14.

That's big news for not only Vandenberg, but California.

Blue Origin, which Bezos founded in 2000, is not only one of the most well-known spaceflight businesses in the U.S., but the company is actively perfecting the New Glenn rocket for a number of high-profile missions. That includes lunar landing ventures integral to NASA's Artemis campaign to return humans to the moon.

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launches Jan. 2 from the Vandenberg Space Force Base carrying the COSMO-SkyMed Second Generation satellite to low-Earth orbit on behalf of the Italian Space Agency. A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launches at 5:44 a.m. PT Jan. 11 from the Vandenberg Space Force Base in California on a rideshare mission to deploy small satellites for paying customers, including the Pandora satellite for NASA. A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket is pictured shortly after liftoff Jan. 16 from the Vandenberg Space Force Base on the NROL-105 mission in California. A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launches Jan. 21 from the Vandenberg Space Force Base in California carrying a batch of Starlink satellites to deploy into low-Earth orbit. A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launches Sunday, Jan. 25 from the Vandenberg Space Force Base in Southern California on a Starlink mission. A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launches Jan. 29 from the Vandenberg Space Force Base in Southern California on a mission to deploy Starlink satellites into low-Earth orbit. A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launches Saturday, Feb. 7 from the Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launches Feb. 11 from the Vandenberg Space Force Base on a mission to deploy Starlink internet satellites. A Falcon 9 rocket can be seen in the sky after launching Feb. 21 from the Vandenberg Space Force Base. A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launches Feb. 25 on a Starlink mission from the Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launches after 2 a.m. March 1 from the Vandenberg Space Force Base in California on a mission to deploy the company's Starlink broadband internet satellites. A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched March 8 from the Vandenberg Space Force Base on a Starlink mission. Standing nearly 100 feet tall, Firefly Aerospace's Alpha rocket lifts off Wednesday, March 11 at the Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. The successful launch was the rocket's first since an April 2025 mishap. A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket is seen in the California sky after launching March 13 from the Vandenberg Space Force Base. A Falcon 9 rocket is seen soaring into the sky March 16 after launching from the Vandenberg Space Force Base in California on a mission to deploy SpaceX's Starlink broadband internet satellites to low-Earth orbit. A Falcon 9 rocket launch is conducted March 20 from the Vandenberg Space Force Base on a Starlink mission to deploy SpaceX's broadband internet satellites to low-Earth orbit. A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket is seen after an afternoon launch March 26 from the Vandenberg Space Force Base on a mission to deploy the company's Starlink internet satellites to low-Earth orbit. Photos show SpaceX Falcon 9 launching at Vandenberg in California 1 of 17 A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launches Jan. 2 from the Vandenberg Space Force Base carrying the COSMO-SkyMed Second Generation satellite to low-Earth orbit on behalf of the Italian Space Agency.

Here's everything people in California should know about Blue Origin and its plans for the Vandenberg Space Force Base.

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Vandenberg rocket launches: California ends 2025 with record number of rocket launches

Blue Origin selected for new Vandenberg rocket launch site in California

Once a lease is agreed upon, Blue Origin would eventually take residence at the new site at the southernmost point of the Vandenberg Space Force Base. But the site, which is still undeveloped land with no infrastructure yet in place, is far from being launch-ready.

The Space Force began soliciting responses in December 2025 from spaceflight companies with an interest in leasing space at the site, where it could construct and operate facilities dedicated to launching rockets. Officials with Space Force previously indicated their expectation that whichever company moves into SLC-14 would be able to start operations within five years of signing a lease agreement.

"Were continuing to unleash our capacity to execute full-spectrum space operations for the nation," Col. James Horne III, Space Launch Delta 30 commander, said in a statement announcing the partnership with Blue Origin.

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For Blue Origin, having operations in California provides the ability to launch New Glenn to higher-inclination orbits.

"Blue Origin appreciates the Space Force's confidence in selecting us to pursue a launch site at Vandenberg Space Force Base, and we look forward to a strong partnership," a Blue Origin spokesperson said in a statement to the USA TODAY Network.

Third New Glenn rocket launch planned in Florida

The news comes as Blue Origin works toward launching the New Glenn rocket for the third time from Florida. The company is preparing for a critical preflight test known as a hot fire before committing to a target launch date at its launch complex at the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.

The New Glenn rocket last got off the ground Nov. 13 from the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station on a mission Blue Origin referred to as NG-2 that helped propel twin NASA ESCAPADE satellites on a journey to Mars. When the spacecraft reach Martian orbit, they are due to spend about a year orbiting the red planet to take simultaneous observations of solar winds and space weather.

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The recent mission also saw Blue Origin complete a major first: landing New Glenn's first stage booster on the deck of a drone ship, named Jacklyn in honor of Bezos' late mother, several hundred miles offshore in the Atlantic. The maneuver was one Blue Origin failed to complete in New Glenn's debut voyage on Jan. 16, 2025.

Does Jeff Bezos own Blue Origin?

Billionaire Jeff Bezos, best known for founding Amazon, founded the private space technology company Blue Origin in 2000.

Headquartered in Washington state, Blue Origin made a name for itself with its suborbital human spaceflights using its New Shepard spacecraft from West Texas. Those missions, several of which featured celebrities like musician Katy Perry and actor William Shatner, have been paused for at least two years as Blue Origin focuses on developing its lunar lander.

What is Blue Origin's New Glenn rocket? How big is it?

Named in honor of NASA astronaut John Glenn, the first American to orbit Earth, New Glenn is a powerful two-stage rocket manufactured by Blue Origin classified as a heavy-lift launch vehicle.

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The New Glenn rocket stands at about 320 feet tall, making it one of the largest rockets in the world. That size makes it comparable to NASA's Space Launch System rocket that just propelled the Artemis II astronauts on a mission around the moon, and slightly shorter than the U.S. space agency's iconic Saturn V rocket that was pivotal in the U.S. space agency's historic Apollo lunar missions of the 1960s and 1970s.

The first stage that supplies the initial burst of thrust at liftoff, powered by seven of Blue Origin's BE-4 engines, is made to be reusable for at least 25 flights, according to Blue Origin. The upper stage, which flies in orbit, operates with two of the company's BE-3U engines designed for the vacuum of space.

Blue Origin envisions that New Glenn will be capable of shuttling both Amazon Leo satellites, formerly called Project Kuiper, and its separate TeraWave venture to a lower atmosphere called low-Earth orbit. Bezos also has plans for New Glenn to undertake other missions for paying customers  including NASA and telecommunications providers.

SpaceX also has Falcon 9, Starlink operations in Santa Barbara County

Blue Origin's SpaceX rival, the commercial spaceflight company founded by billionaire Elon Musk, is already the most active launch provider at Vandenberg. Musk's company routinely launches its 230-foot Falcon 9 rocket from Space Launch Complex 4-East on missions to deploy batches of its Starlink broadband internet satellites into low-Earth orbit.

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But leasing the new launch complex would give Blue Origin a capability that SpaceX does not yet have in California: launching a rocket large enough to carry payloads massive enough to be classified as a heavy-lift vehicle. SpaceX, though, is actively making plans to debut its 400-foot Starship rocket  the largest in the world  in 2026 in Florida.

Starship could next launch in May on its 12th test flight from SpaceX's Starbase headquarters in South Texas.

New Glenn would launch Artemis lunar lander

Blue Origin and SpaceX are also both racing to develop lunar landers that could be used in future missions under NASA's Artemis campaign to ferry astronauts from the moon's orbit down to the surface.

Later in 2026, Blue Origin plans to use New Glenn to launch the uncrewed Mark 1 variant of its Blue Moon lander on a pathfinding mission to the moon's south pole region.

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The mission would come as Blue Origin and SpaceX both compete to have their landers ready in time for NASA's Artemis III mission in 2027, which would be a critical test of each's docking capabilities in Earth orbit.

Eric Lagatta is the Space Connect reporter for the USA TODAY Network. Reach him at elagatta@usatodayco.com

This article originally appeared on Ventura County Star: Blue Origin's giant New Glenn rocket could soon launch in California
Blue Power: How Police Organized to Protect and Serve Themselves, by Stuart Schrader. Basic Books, 432 pages, $34

"Everybody else can indulge in politicsevery black group, every political party group, every church group," groused Carl Parsell, then president of the Detroit Police Officers Association, in 1969. "Why are police officers so different?"

The question goes to the heart of Stuart Schrader's Blue Power, a new book charting how police unions accreted and cemented power in the decades following Parsell's query.

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It's a ripe subject for review: Police officers' savvy use of public sector unions and lobbying to largely immunize themselves from oversight is one of the greatest political coups in recent American history. In under four decades, police unions evolved from beer-drinking clubs to organized bargaining units to potent political forces at the local, state, and national levels.

The idea that those empowered to enforce law and order could also leverage their position to gain more power has always sat uncomfortably in a democratic republic. "Who is going to uphold this order?" a San Francisco judge wondered in the 1970s, when striking officers defied his commands to stop picketing while carrying guns. Schrader argues that law enforcement's victories at the bargaining table and in statehouses have hurt "the very public safety and security that are to be democracy's police-enforced guarantors."

Police misconduct settlements cost cities such as New York, Chicago, and Los Angeles hundreds of millions of dollars a year. Arbitration makes it hard to fire officers, even for gross misconduct. At their most militant, police unions threaten to remove departments from any external democratic control, and to capriciously withdraw or overapply their power to punish anyone who would oppose them.

Several recent books have explored the history of individual police departments in major cities and the battles to reform them. The Minneapolis Reckoning covered the Minneapolis Police Department both before and after the killing of George Floyd. The Oakland Police Department's long history of corruption was the subject of The Riders Come Out at Night. Both The Highest Law in the Land and The Power of the Badge examined the unusually powerful office of the county sheriff in American policing and local politics.

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But Schrader, an associate professor of history at Johns Hopkins University, gives a national perspective, from the birth of police organizing in the 1960s through law enforcement's emergence on the national political stage in the 1980s, the passage of the 1994 crime bill, and the turbulent Black Lives Matter years. What's remarkable is how much the police achieved without a national union or top-down campaign.

Police used the titular phrase blue power in the 1960s as a direct response to the Black Power movement. One 1968 assessment called blue power "the political force by which radicalism, student demonstration, and Black Power can be blocked." (There were less successful efforts to co-opt the language of the Black Power movement, such as when striking Minneapolis officers called for "Pig Power." ) But police organizing was not simply a backlash. One of Schrader's insights, and one of the more interesting threads of the book, is that rank-and-file police organizations stoked public fears of radicals and crime as a tactic in a more concrete fight against administrators.

At the end of the Progressive Era, cities began to untangle their police departments from machine politics and turn them into independent agencies focused on crime control. When the Los Angeles Police Department unveiled a new slogan in 1955, "To Protect and to Serve," it was intended to signal a new era of professionalism. Officers soon discovered that being independent meant having to advocate for their own interests in what they saw as an increasingly hostile world, besieged by radicals on the streets, clueless liberals in Washington, and hostile bosses on the floors above them.

Officers had genuine grievances. Patronage still governed hiring and promotions at several major police departments. In Baltimore in the 1960s, it was normal for police officers to do maintenance and sanitation work around the city while on duty. "Some had been painting walls for so many years they couldn't remember how to write a ticket," Schrader writes.

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When Detroit police officers began a ticket-writing slowdown in 1967supported by the United Auto Workers, the Teamsters, and the Detroit chapter of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees they were protesting a much-hated quota for traffic tickets, which city officials wanted to raise to generate more revenue. The slowdown cost Detroit an estimated $583,000.

Police chiefs were autocrats, and officers had no formal grievance or disciplinary processes to turn to. In Baltimore, Commissioner Donald Pomerlau had an intelligence unit that kept tabs on officers and civilians who were of interest to him. (Asked by a reporter if his intelligence unit spied on elected officials, Pomerleau responded, "Just the blacks. Just the blacks.") Meanwhile, police chiefs used the frequent bribery scandals of the 1960s and 1970s to press for more powerful internal affairs departments.

Schrader's labor-vs.-management framing shows these competing forces as sophisticated political actors in a multifront battle. Police unions learned early on that they could sell relatively dry policies to the public by presenting them as life-and-death matters. For example, when New York City's police unions launched a signature drive in 1966 for a referendum to abolish the mayor's newly created police review boardwhich would have had no investigative authority or power to make disciplinary recommendations-the union's public ad campaign was so effective that conservative columnist William F. Buckley Jr. personally delivered 40,000 signed petitions to the city clerk's desk. ("The civilian review board proposed by Mayor Lindsay is an emotional artifact, designed primarily to soothe the unrealistic fears of a small minority of New York voters who worry without objective justification that the police are regularly guilty of the abuse of their powers," Buckley said.)

Collective bargaining rights and forced arbitration for officers tilted the balance of power away from police chiefs. As police officer unions grew in influence over the 1970s, so did their ambitions and tactics: political lobbying and campaigning, litigation, and retaliatory work actions.

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Schrader documents some of police unions' forays into the culture war, such as when the Houston Police Officers' Union sued the Houston punk band AK-47 in 1980 for its single, "The Badge Means You Suck," which listed the names of several people who'd been killed by Houston police in recent years.

But it's the strikes, riots, and other actions that are the most controversial. In addition to sick-outs (waves of what's known as the "blue flu"), officers engaged in malicious compliance or noncompliance to punish cities that refused to meet their demands. In the 1970s, the day after San Francisco voters approved a proposition to cut police wages, police issued three times the normal number of traffic citations.

In one notorious 1992 incident, thousands of New York officers, many of them drunk, surrounded City Hall to protest Mayor David Dinkins' plan to create a civilian review board. They were egged on by future Mayor Rudy Giuliani, and they later marched down the Brooklyn Bridge, blocking traffic. A New York councilwoman said that cops refused to let her enter City Hall and called her the n-word.

Left-wing labor activists have never been quite sure how to square their principles with the existence of right-wing police unions, and Schrader also struggles with this a bit.

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"Many public sector unions were militant, but police maintained this militancy long after it had crested among other public employees," he writes. "Most public sector unions experienced setbacks or stasis beginning in the 1980s, but police unions continued to succeed. To this day, with around 7 million unionized public employees in the United States, it is difficult in most cities to consider other unions as part of the same movement as police unionsonly one type of union representative approaches the bargaining table or meeting of a city's central labor council packing a pistol."

Of course, other public sector unions such as teachers and sanitation workers know how to apply particular and unpleasant pressure to have their demands met. But the Punisher bumper stickers aren't the only difference; there's another one resting in a holster on most cops' belts. Schrader argues that what makes police different is that they are able to augment their political powerthe use of political tactics and channels to advance their interestswith their "operational power," officers' authority to use violence and the discretion over when to use it.

At one point, Schrader notes that police unions have saddled municipalities with huge unfunded pension liabilities and other pernicious perks. Sadly, he thinks the problem is that every other public employee doesn't have the same benefits. "Although all workers should have access to the types of compensations and benefits available to police with powerful unions, the underlying alteration that must occur is to keep this one particular profession from holding primacy in our politics, distorting and dominating the entire sphere."

Still, Blue Power is a detailed and often interesting history of police organizing that rightly recognizes what officers have known for years: Policing is politics.

The post 'Blue Power' and the Rise of Police Union Politics appeared first on Reason.com.
Three generations of one family protect wildlife haven in SW China's Yunnan

People's Daily Online) 13:17, April 16, 2026

Three generations of one family have dedicated themselves to guarding one of the world's great ecological treasures.

Gao Changxing's family has lived at the foot of the Gaoligong Mountains in southwest China's Yunnan Province for generations, their lives closely intertwined with this remarkable mountain range.

Stretching more than 600 kilometers from north to south, the mountains span three of the world's 34 biodiversity hotspots. The range is home to roughly 17 percent of China's higher plants, about 30 percent of its mammals, and more than 35 percent of its birds  earning it the titles of "sanctuary for flora and fauna" and "the world's gene bank for species."

"Back in the 1960s, a forest management station was established here. My grandfather, Gao Dengxiang, was among the first to volunteer as a forest ranger, taking on a patrol area of about 15,000 mu (1,000 hectares)," Gao Changxing recounted.

Gao Dengxiang did far more than patrol for illegal logging and fire hazards. He traveled to neighboring villages to learn seedling cultivation techniques for Taiwania flousiana and went on to raise more than 600,000 seedlings, eventually establishing over 2,000 mu of Taiwania and Chinese white pine forests.

His dedication earned him honorary titles such as "outstanding individual" and "exemplary individual who leads efforts in afforestation" from Yunnan Province, and he remained at his post well into his 80s.

"My grandfather's commitment inspired my father," Gao Changxing said. In 1997, his father, Gao Mingrong, turned down the chance to earn more money away from home and joined the ranger corps instead.

When the Tengchong branch of the Gaoligong Mountain Nature Reserve (GNNR) introduced stricter management standards for national key non-commercial forest protection in 2005, the rangers' responsibilities grew heavier. Forest fire prevention, curbing poaching and illegal logging, and investigating unlicensed sand and mineral extraction all became central to safeguarding ecological security. Gao Mingrong has stood watch for decades, with not a single major incident of resource destruction reported in his jurisdiction.

In early 2007, Gao Changxing became a forest ranger at the Jietou Management and Protection Station under the Tengchong branch of the Baoshan Management and Protection Bureau of the GNNR. His patrol area covers more than 12,000 mu, and he has been on duty for nearly two decades.

In recent years, authorities at all levels in Yunnan Province have taken coordinated steps to strengthen biodiversity protection. Wildlife corridors have been built to reduce habitat fragmentation, monitoring and research enhanced, and rescue efforts for species with extremely small populations intensified. Community co-management models have also been explored.

These efforts are delivering tangible results. Forest coverage in the Gaoligong Mountains has risen from 82.3 percent before the nature reserve was established to 93.7 percent today. Wildlife habitats have continued to expand, and animal populations are steadily increasing.

Today, more than 2,800 forest rangers like Gao Changxing continue to guard the Gaoligong Mountains.

(Web editor: Hongyu, Liang Jun)
Rep. Eric Swalwells resignation from Congress and exit from the California governors race created shock waves as donors and politicians scrambled to throw their support behind another front-runner to replace Gov. Gavin Newsom.

Swalwells resignation from political life comes amid allegations of sexual misconduct and sexual assault, which he and his lawyers categorically deny.

According to a poll conducted amid the swirling allegations against Swalwell, Democrat Tom Steyer, an entrepreneur and philanthropist, is the favorite, with 21% of the vote.

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Before the news regarding Swalwell broke, Steyer gained 22% of support, but his approval dropped by five percentage points after April 10.

As Jeff Le, the former deputy cabinet secretary for California Gov. Jerry Brown, noted, Steyer emerged as the front-runner for a few reasons.

"(This) chief opponent to Swalwell has been self-funding his campaign and, as a billionaire, has unlimited resources in a race that requires significant funds for name ID," said Le.

He also said that no Republican has won the gubernatorial race in California since Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger.

In a state where President Trump consistently polls in the low 30s and with voter registration at a significant Democratic advantage, it is unlikely that a Republican could beat a Democrat in a general.

Top candidates running for California governor

Republican and former Fox News host Steve Hilton received 18% support, leading among younger voters, seniors, parents, conservatives, rural voters and high-income groups.

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Hilton served as an adviser to British Prime Minister David Cameron, a conservative, from 2010 until 2012.

He is one of the two Republicans who could finish in the top two; however, President Trump endorsed Hilton and polls have already seen a shift between him and Riverside County Sheriff (Chad) Bianco, said Le.

Progressive Rep. Katie Porter and Republican Bianco tied for third place with Swalwell at 9%. Their ratings experienced nominal changes.

Where Swalwell performed well was among people who view themselves as somewhat liberal, Porter performed best, at 17%, among voters of Asian or other descent, as did Steyer.

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Biancos strongest support comes from Republicans, with 24% backing him, although Hilton leads this group substantially with 47%.

Steve Hilton speaks during a gubernatorial candidate forum in Sacramento, Calif., Tuesday, April 14, 2026. | Godofredo A. Vasquez

California could elect a Republican governor

Five other Democrats drew support in the single digits, largely 5% or lower. That includes former speaker of the California State Assembly Antonio Villaraigosa, former U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Xavier Becerra, former California State Controller Betty Yee, San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan, and California State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond.

Mahan, the mayor of San Jose, who represents a more moderate Democratic standpoint similar to Swalwells, is trailing in polls but has benefited from a fundraising boost after the Swalwell news broke, as Henry Olsen, a senior fellow at the Ethics and Public Policy Center, wrote for The Washington Post.

More progressive candidates like Steyer and Porter may struggle to gain broad support from the Democratic Party, he noted.

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Where Steyers activist background and investments weigh him down, for Porter, its her heavy political baggage, noting her appearance on CBS News where she cut the interview short over too many follow-ups from a reporter.

In California, both major parties candidates appear on the same ballot, with the top two vote-getters advancing to the general election, writes Olsen.

Democrats have been sounding alarm bells that their big, divided field could pave the way for two Republicans  Trump-endorsed Steve Hilton and Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco  to finish first and second.

President Donald Trump endorsed Hilton on April 5  despite concerns from political analysts on both sides of the aisle that this move could damage the likelihood of a two-Republican ticket, as the Deseret News previously reported.

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According to Le, As of today, Hilton will likely finish first in the June primary with Steyer potentially finishing second.

Rep. Porter and Mayor Mahan  backed by Big Tech and moderates  could gain more momentum but with three weeks until mail-in ballots arriving and little money, it could be too little too late."

Is Swalwell still on the ballot?

Swalwell dropped out of the race after the formal deadline to withdraw, meaning his name will still appear on the June 2 primary election ballots due to the timing of his exit from the race, adding to the confusion, CalMatters reported.

It also complicates matters for Californias labor groups, who had endorsed him and must now quickly reassess.

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But the likes of the Service Employees International Union and California Teachers Association may not have time to go through the internal processes to pick another candidate.

And other heavyweights in Democratic politics that had endorsed Swalwell and then withdrew their support may not have time to go back to the drawing board to pick a new candidate.

Most people look to labor for guidance, especially on the Democratic side, political strategist Marva Diaz, who primarily works with Democrats but is not involved in any of the ongoing gubernatorial campaigns, told CalMatters.

When labor organizations are not working in tandem, it causes a lot of confusion.

Will Newsom endorse someone in the California governors race?

The special election to fill Swalwells seat is scheduled for Aug. 18, as Newsom announced in a proclamation.

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His decision comes two days after Swalwell announced his plans to resign from Congress.

I am deeply sorry to my family, staff, and constituents for mistakes in judgment Ive made in my past. I will fight the serious, false allegations made against me, Swalwell said in a post on social media.

Newsom faces growing pressure to intervene in the chaotic gubernatorial race, especially amid the possibility that two GOP candidates have a chance to advance in the upcoming primary.

As CNN reported, he has taken meetings and is seeking data and polling to better assess the situation.

The California governor has been reluctant to hand out an endorsement but the stakes are high for the Democratic Party in California as well as for Newsom, whose presidential bid will be impacted by his successor.

The report states that Newsoms proffered candidate, friend and political ally, namely Sen. Alex Padilla, decided not to run last November. Since then, the California governor has maintained a distance from this major race, but that could soon change.
With orders for the twin-rotor helicopter still rolling in, Boeing has provided details on its future plans for the venerable H-47 Chinook, including adding launched effects and creating a path toward a crewed version of the aircraft. The latter would offer an unprecedented vertical-lift capability, and one that could be of great interest to the U.S. Army and other operators.

At the Army Aviation Association of Americas Army Aviation Warfighting Summit in Nashville, Tennessee, today, Boeing released a computer-generated promotional video showing launched effects being delivered from the rear ramp of a Chinook.

Same two rotors. More capability.



We're pushing Chinook Block II even further.#26Summit pic.twitter.com/FK2zandPmx  Boeing Defense (@BoeingDefense) April 14, 2026

Launched effects, previously referred to as air-launched effects (ALEs), describe a category of various uncrewed systems that you can read more about here. The new launched effects terminology reflects the fact that they might be launched from land or maritime platforms, as well as crewed and uncrewed aircraft. Launched effects drones include types that operate as scouts, electronic attackers, decoys, and suicide drones. They are typically highly autonomous, operating independently or in more complex networked swarms.

An older but nonetheless interesting graphic showing how various types of air-launched effects delivered from various platforms could be employed on a future battlefield. U.S. Army

When it comes to the Chinook, Boeing confirms that launched effects are yet to be tested from the helicopter, but the company is working toward that goal.

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Kathleen Jolivette, the vice president and general manager for Boeings Vertical Lift division, said today that the company is investing its own funds in the initiative and is currently looking at how rapidly it might be able to move into the demonstration phase, based on expected U.S. Army and international interest.

Its worth noting, meanwhile, that Boeing and the Army are already pushing ahead on launched effects demonstrations from the AH-64 Apache attack helicopter, including recently announced trials with Andurils ALTIUS-700 Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) launched from an AH-64E. The Army says that this program progressed from a requirement to a live demonstration in less than six months.

An AH-64E Apache launches an ALTIUS-700 at Yuma Proving Ground. U.S. Army

With its capacious hold, the Chinook would be able to accommodate huge numbers of launched effects, allowing multiple missions to be fulfilled over an extended period, especially when compared with other helicopters that typically launch these drones from externally mounted tubes.

The Chinook would also be much better able to handle larger launched effects. In the past, the Army has issued descriptions of large drones in this category. These are envisaged as having a combat range of up to 350 kilometers (217 miles) and a total flight time of 30 minutes. However, there has also been an aspiration to increase those performance specifications to up to 650 kilometers (404 miles) and an hour of total time in the air. These would weigh up to 225 pounds each, compared to around 25 pounds for an ALTIUS-600, for example.

A UH-60M Black Hawk launches an ALTIUS-600 during a test in 2020. U.S. Army

There is a possibility that Chinooks, specifically special operations MH-47Gs, are already using some kind of launched effects. As we discussed at the time, there is strong evidence that the U.S. military may have used kamikaze drones during the operation to capture Venezuelan dictator Nicolas Maduro earlier this year. Whatever the case, launched effects are increasingly key to the survival of rotary-wing aviation going forward.

WATCH: Multiple videos show drones being used during the U.S. operation in Venezuela. pic.twitter.com/Ef4BLtaKIb  Faytuks Network (@FaytuksNetwork) January 5, 2026

As well as launched effects, Boeing is pushing ahead with work on what it calls an optimally crewed Chinook, reflecting U.S. Army terminology. As far as we understand it, the terms optimally crewed and optionally crewed appear to be interchangeable, although the former could also include reduced-crew flying with the help of an AI copilot. Boeing also pushed us toward an Army press release for the H-60Mx Black Hawk helicopter, described as an optimally piloted vehicle and extensively modified to fly with or without a pilot at the controls.

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Heather McBryan, the vice president and H-47 program manager at Boeing, said the company is now working very closely with the Army in terms of what additional capability it wants to add to future Block II production lots.

According to McBryan, the Army publicly stated their desire for what theyre calling an optimally crewed aircraft, where they can, in some instances, reduce the workload for pilots, but in other instances, eliminate it completely, and weve made a lot of great progress in those efforts.

McBryan says that this work is also responding to demand from international customers.

As part of this effort, after years of development and post-production modifications, Boeing recently added its Active Parallel Actuator Subsystem (APAS) to the Chinook production line. A hardware and software system, McBryan describes APAS as working like lane-assist in your vehicle.

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Tested on the special-missions MH-47G for some years now, APAS reduces pilot workload, but also provides additional situational awareness and enables safer maneuvering, especially at the edges of the aircrafts envelope. For now, APAS is mainly for the MH-47G and for the United Kingdoms new Chinooks, but McBryan confirms that Boeing is looking at how to bring additional elements of autonomy into the CH-47F as well.

A U.S. Army MH-47G from the 160th SOAR lands on the flight deck of the Expeditionary Sea Base USS Hershel Woody Williams in the Atlantic Ocean. U.S. Navy

In February, for example, a CH-47F successively completed its first fully automated approach and landing test flight, something that Boeing calls approach to x.

This used the companys upgraded Digital Automatic Flight Control System (DAFCS), the software ensuring the Chinook touched down all four wheels on a runway without any pilot intervention. While DAFCS is currently deployed on the CH-47F fleet, the upgraded version further reduces pilot workload and brings autonomy to tactical approaches, boosting flexibility and operational capability.

A U.S. Army CH-47 during cling-load operations. U.S. Army

Right now, every Chinook coming off the production line has the basic DAFCS, while APAS essentially provides an enhancement, building on the same flight control system with a combination of hardware and software.

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As Chris Speights, the chief engineer for Boeing Vertical Lift, explains, with APAS, the parallel actuation system actually amplifies, provides a higher-bandwidth control mechanism for it that the software can then take advantage of. So we get more precise control and augmentation with APAS when you add it on top.

Speights added that Boeing is also looking at the future beyond APAS.

APAS is the foundation, then there would be other capabilities, whether its algorithmic or whether its sensors or the integration of those that would give further autonomous capability in the future, he said.

Potentially, this could lead to entirely autonomous Chinook flights, from takeoff to landing, for an optimally uncrewed or even a fully uncrewed Chinook.

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Speights described the work on the upgraded DAFCS and APAS as foundational, should the company pursue an optimally crewed Chinook.

That puts us on the path for the flight automation, not necessarily full autonomy, but flight automation, which starts today with pilot workload reduction, and approach to x, Speights said. But it enables further capabilities in the future, as the customer desires, based on their concept of how the aircraft would be used.

It is worth noting that Sikorsky has been working on both optionally crewed and uncrewed versions of its H-60 Black Hawk series. Late last year, the company unveiled its U-Hawk demonstrator, a fully uncrewed version of the Black Hawk helicopter, intended to carry cargo and deliver launched effects. The U-Hawk leverages the companys past work on a Pilot Optional Vehicle (OPV) version of the Black Hawk, which has been flying for years.

For now, however, Jolivette said that Boeing is gonna wait and see what happens with the Armys uncrewed/optimally crewed vision. I think theres more to come on that, she added.

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As well as APAS, Boeing is looking at how it can bring a digital backbone to the CH-47F. A digital backbone essentially provides a shared network of data and tools that connects both production design and sustainment. The result is that everyone who is working on the aircraft gets the same data points and the same information at the same time. In practice, this would mean adding multiple redundant networks and distributed interface units to ensure precise monitoring. With reliably collected data, the Chinook should be easier to upgrade, safer to operate, and quicker to fix.

The Chinook remains very much in demand, meanwhile.

The latest budget request includes funding for additional MH-47G aircraft. In terms of CH-47F Block II, Boeing is ramping up production to meet the Armys rapid-fielding ambitions. Six Block IIs were delivered last year, and Boeing received a contract award for nine more in September 2025, with another six orders since then, for a total of 24 under contract. McBryan confirmed that, as of today, three aircraft are in production, with two of those in final assembly.

Thank you, @USArmy, for ordering six more CH47F Block II #Chinook helicopters  24 now under contract.



Block II significantly enhances lift, mission range and sustainment, making it the Army's most modern and capable heavy-lift aircraft.



More: https://t.co/qtJ3q24V2Q #26Summit pic.twitter.com/QftB3WaiBh  Boeing Defense (@BoeingDefense) April 15, 2026

We expect to deliver one of those aircraft towards the end of this year, McBryan said. The total U.S. Army Block II requirement is still to be determined.

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In terms of international orders, the first deliveries for new orders from Egypt, South Korea, and the United Kingdom are expected this year. Production of the first German CH-47F is also underway, with expected delivery in 2027.

Although it was first flown back in 1961, the Chinook appears to have a bright future ahead of it. With Boeing now focused on new capabilities, we may very well see Chinooks delivering launched effects and operating in uncrewed versions before too long.

Contact the author: thomas@thewarzone.com
Chinese citizens are being told not to travel to the United States through the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport.

Chinas Ministry of Foreign Affairs posted a statement on X about the warning.

Reuters translated the notice, which said that 20 Chinese scholars were denied entry on their way to an academic conference. It goes on to state that the scholars all had valid visas and were subjected to unreasonable questioning by U.S. Customs and Border Patrol officers at Sea-Tac.

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KIRO 7 News has reached out to both the airport and Border Patrol about the allegations.

The Port of Seattle sent the following statement:

The Port of Seattle, which owns and operates Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA), reaffirms its commitment to being a welcoming gateway for people and commerce.

As a public-use airport subject to federal regulation, the Port does not have control over operations or entry requirements for arriving international passengers. This process is exclusively controlled by Customs and Border Protection (CBP).

We expect that all arriving passengers to SEA are treated with dignity, respect, and fairness in line with our Welcoming Port Policy."

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Border Patrol has not yet responded.

Chinas Ministry of Foreign Affairs advised citizens to strengthen safety awareness, avoid entering through this airport, according to Reuters translation.

The ministry asked its citizens to respond calmly and rationally if U.S. law enforcement officers question them while traveling.
SEATTLE (AP)  Chinese government officials are encouraging travelers to be wary and avoid entering the United States through Seattle, citing a pattern of continual harassment by U.S. Customs and Border Protection personnel.

About 20 Chinese scholars with visas flew through Seattle-Tacoma International Airport recently to attend an academic conference, but China Consular Affairs said in a post on X that the academics were unreasonably inspected by CBP personnel and refused entry.

Emails seeking more information and comment were sent Thursday to spokespersons for the federal agency, the Chinese Embassy in Washington, D.C., and its consulate in San Francisco.

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Since Chinese scholars have been continuously harassed at the airport, the foreign ministry and the embassy urged citizens with plans to visit the U.S. to do so with a mindset of safety and security and to avoid the Seattle airport, the post said.

The foreign ministry also urged travelers from China to become versed with U.S. entry regulations and be prepared.

If you encounter questioning from U.S. enforcement personnel, you should deal with it calmly and rationally, according to a translation of the tweet.

Seattle ranked as the sixth largest metro area in the nation for Chinese population in 2019 with about 166,000 residents, according to the Pew Research Center.
By Liz Lee and Phuong Nguyen

BEIJING/HANOI, April 15 (Reuters) - China and Vietnam should maintain high strategic clarity and prioritise political security, Chinese President Xi Jinping told his Vietnamese counterpart on Wednesday as China-U.S. competition over influence in Southeast Asia grows.

Vietnam's top leader, To Lam, is in China until Friday in his first overseas trip since being elected state president last week.

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Vietnam typically balances its engagement between China and the U.S. to navigate their geopolitical rivalry while protecting its economic and security interests.

But Lam's visit is seen as a sign of ties warming further between the two Communist neighbours.

"Both sides must maintain high strategic awareness and strong strategic determination," Xi said, according to Chinese state news agency Xinhua.

Xi also talked about defending the socialist system, closer alignment between the countries' development strategy and greater infrastructure interconnectivity.

The countries signed various cooperation documents across sectors including agriculture, education and railway construction on Wednesday, Vietnamese state media said.

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TRADE IS KEY

Lam mentioned boosting investment and technology transfer, and balancing trade ties for deeper economic integration, according to the Vietnam News Agency.

Trade and investment are the cornerstone of China's and Vietnam's relations, with deeply integrated supply chains that made Beijing Hanoi's largest trading partner, and Vietnam the top ASEAN partner for China.

China said it will strengthen cooperation with Vietnam in areas such as artificial intelligence, semiconductors and internet-related industries, while Xi assured that more Vietnamese products were welcome to the Chinese market.

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Vietnam's trade deficit with China reached $33.3 billion in the first quarter of 2026, rising 34.4% from a year ago, according to official data.

China and Vietnam have historically oscillated between conflict and cooperation over centuries but have drawn closer in recent years, even as they remain at odds over maritime boundaries in the South China Sea.

The Southeast Asian nation has also been leaning towards a governance model that increasingly mirrors China's, with tightening state oversight while embracing Chinese technology and regulation.

Even the leadership structure appears resemblant when Lam consolidated authority earlier this month, breaking away from the country's traditional collective leadership system.

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DEALING WITH MAJOR POWERS

In Vietnam, wary attitudes towards China have softened while tension with the U.S. rose after Trump targeted Hanoi with some of the highest U.S. tariffs imposed in Southeast Asia last year.

Lam's visit highlights how Vietnam is recalibrating its ties with the U.S. and China, said Gregory Poling from the Washington-based Center for Strategic & International Studies (CSIS).

Vietnam trusts neither major power but still needs to work with both, said Poling, who leads CSIS' Southeast Asia program.

"In the new world of U.S. revisionism, keeping China at arm's length in favour of U.S. investment or U.S. preferred standards just isn't seen as viable anymore," Poling said.

(Reporting by Liz Lee and Beijing newsroom, and Phuong Nguyen in Hanoi; Editing by Andrew Heavens and Chizu Nomiyama )
TOKYO (AP)  The Chinese Embassy in Japan said Thursday it has received multiple threats and accused Japanese authorities of failing to take effective measures despite its repeated reporting to police, as tensions between the two sides rise.

Shi Yong, acting Chinese ambassador to Japan, said the embassy on March 5 received a letter from a group claiming to comprise former police and military members and threatening attacks on China's diplomatic missions in Japan and wiping out all Chinese" in the country.

The embassy said on X that it immediately reported to Japanese police and criticized they did not take the matter seriously, implement effective steps or establish the facts.

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Japan's Foreign Ministry declined to comment.

Tensions have escalated since Prime Minister Sanae Takaichis comment in November that any Chinese military action against self-ruled Taiwan could be grounds for a Japanese military response. China imposed diplomatic and economic measures against Japan.

In late March, a Japanese army officer was arrested after he trespassed at the Chinese Embassy compound carrying a knife. China protested to Japan, and Japanese police have since stepped up security around the embassy.

A week after the incident, the embassy received a bomb threat on social media by another individual claiming to be a Self-Defense Force reserve personnel, triggering a two-hour bomb hunt, Shi said. He did not say if any bomb was found.

Shi acknowledged that Japanese police had stepped up security around the embassy, but that the diplomatic mission is still exposed to threats.
The U.S. Coast Guard says three adults and one child were rescued on Sunday morning after their boat was trapped in ice for more than 24 hours in southwestern Alaska.

At around 4:20 p.m. on Saturday, Alaska State Troopers sent a report to the Coast Guard Arctic District command center that the boat on a seal hunting expedition became stuck.

A crew from Air Station Kodiak flew over 800 miles and got to the scene at around 5 a.m. Sunday morning, a release from the Coast Guard said.

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All four people on the boat were safely hoisted into the Coast Guard chopper and no injuries were reported.

The rescue crew battled severe conditions, including near-zero visibility en route to the scene, 28-degree temperatures, and nearly 30 mile per hour winds.

Our entire crew agreed this was one of the most challenging missions any of us had ever flown, Lt. Cmdr. Alexis Chavarria-Aguilar said.
The Coast Guard Sector Jacksonville terminated an illegal passenger-for-hire operation Saturday at Ponce Inlet.

A crew from Coast Guard Station Ponce de Leon boarded a 49-foot recreational vessel and found it carrying more than six paying passengers without required federal certifications. The owner was issued a second Captain of the Port order barring commercial operations until the vessel meets federal compliance requirements.

The Coast Guard says citations included failure to comply with an active Captain of the Port order, lack of a valid certificate of inspection and operating without proper documentation.

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The Coast Guard will not hesitate to hold accountable any operator who jeopardizes lives by failing to comply with passenger vessel safety requirements, said Lt. j.g. Jack Brown, a Sector Jacksonville law enforcement duty officer.

Operators of illegal charters can face penalties exceeding $69,000, while violating a Captain of the Port order carries a maximum penalty of $117,608.

The Coast Guard urges charter passengers to verify their captain has a safety plan and holds a Merchant Mariner Credential and, for vessels carrying more than six passengers, a Coast Guard-issued Certificate of Inspection. Passengers should not board if an operator cannot produce the appropriate credentials.

Suspected violations can be reported to the Coast Guard Investigative Service or through the CGIS Tips app.

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About 70 vehicles were involved in a major pileup on a section of a Colorado highway, sending eight people to the hospital, amid hazardous cold weather, authorities said.

Troopers responded to an area of Interstate 70 near the Eisenhower-Johnson Memorial Tunnel on Tuesday, April 14, after receiving reports of a large multi-vehicle crash at around 2:50 p.m. local time, according to the Colorado State Patrol. The roadway was initially closed in both directions.

Further investigation revealed that the pileup occurred only on the eastbound lanes of Interstate 70, the Colorado State Patrol said in a statement. The westbound left lane of the highway was closed for medical staging, while the westbound right lane remained open and was moving slowly.

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In an update, the Colorado State Patrol said an estimate from responders at the scene showed that about 70 vehicles were involved in the incident. Nineteen people were evaluated for injuries, including 11 people who declined to be taken to the hospital and eight who were transported to nearby area hospitals.

Of the eight people who were taken to area hospitals, the Colorado State Patrol said one person sustained "serious bodily injuries. The agency told USA TODAY on Wednesday, April 15, that it did not have additional updates on the incident or the conditions of those injured.

Colorado Gov. Jared Polis said in a statement that his office was "closely monitoring the serious multi-vehicle crash" and asked the public to follow official guidance and to avoid the area as emergency crews responded to the scene.

The Eisenhower-Johnson Memorial Tunnel, located about 60 miles west of Denver on Interstate 70, is a key connection for motorists traveling from the eastern slope of the Rocky Mountains to the western slope, according to the Colorado Department of Transportation.

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Police car chases: At least 8 dead after series of police pursuits across US

Massive pileup occurred during a series of crashes on Colorado highway

Before the large pileup, the Clear Creek County Sheriff's Office said six crashes had occurred on the morning of April 14. Five crashes occurred on a section of westbound Interstate 70, and another happened on Highway 40.

"Some have been single vehicle; others, multiple," the sheriff's office said in a statement on social media. "Bottom line, we need folks to slow down, increase following distance, and make it to their destination safely."

The sheriff's office then reported at around 3 p.m. local time that a "multi-vehicle, injury crash" had occurred on the eastbound lanes of Highway 6 on-ramp to Interstate 70 by the Loveland Ski Area. At the time, the sheriff's office had estimated that at least 75 vehicles were involved in the incident, and the crash was blocking a section of the highway.

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"The closure is due to a severe multi-vehicle crash on the east side of Eisenhower-Johnson Memorial Tunnel that took place this afternoon," the Colorado Department of Transportation said in a statement. "However, due to the severity of the crash, drivers approaching the Eisenhower-Johnson Memorial Tunnel should expect to be turned around for the next several hours."

Following the incident, the Colorado State Patrol said all eastbound Interstate 70 was estimated to be closed for four to six hours. By around 8:10 p.m. local time, the sheriff's office said the section of the highway had reopened.

The sheriff's office later reported that the westbound Interstate 70 at the Eisenhower-Johnson Memorial Tunnel was briefly closed for an unrelated incident involving a "pickup truck and trailer that jack-knifed." All westbound lanes were then reopened.

About 70 vehicles were involved in a major pileup on eastbound Interstate 70 in Colorado on Tuesday, April 14, 2026.

Crash happened amid snowy weather

The Colorado Department of Transportation previously warned motorists that winter driving conditions were being reported throughout the Interstate 70 Mountain Corridor on April 14. The department advised motorists to exercise caution and prepare for delays.

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Snow showers were expected in the mountains through the evening of April 14, according to the National Weather Service's office in Boulder, Colorado.

"Snow showers, a few briefly heavy, for the mountains through this evening," the weather service said on X on the morning of April 14. "Some slick travel over higher mountain passes early this morning and again this evening."

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Several injured in Colorado highway crash involving 70 vehicles
The historic textile hub of Vernon, CT, is mired in a decade-long slog to convert a massive complex of vacant, crumbling mills into 200-plus new apartmentsa difficult and costly process that underscores the difficulty of adaptive reuse as Connecticut faces the nation's worst housing shortage.

The massive project, now on its third developer, revolves around a 130,000-square-foot complex comprising a dozen connected buildings that for decades housed the Amerbelle, Daniel's, and Anocoil mills near the center of town, which is on the northeast outskirts of Hartford.

Shaun Gately, director of development services for the town of Vernon, tells Realtor.com that the defunct millsthe oldest of which date to 1868are integral to the community's identity, having produced wool for presidential suits, the first parachute to land on Mars, and 30% of the world's sailcloth.

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"It's part of our skyline," says Gately. "It wouldn't be the same if they were gone. So the town, the state, our federal partners, and the developer are all hoping to preserve the buildings and have them remain part of the community."

The last factory ceased operations sometime between 2012 and 2015, and since then, the town has been looking for a viable path forward for the site.

According to Gately, Vernon faced a dilemma: Whether demolishing the blighted mills or redeveloping them, costly environmental remediation was unavoidable due to decades of industrial contamination.

A complex of historic textile mills at the heart of Vernon, CT, is being redeveloped into housing. (Ryan Associates )

Why new housing won versus the wrecking ball

Since much of the state funding for environmental cleanup was contingent on preserving the historic structures, stakeholders moved to convert the existing buildings into housing rather than knocking them down.

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However, Gately says there was also an emotional dimension to the decision-making.

"If you go inside and you see the timbers, and you see the brick, and you see the water outside a window, you know that they should stay," he says of the old mill structures, which sit where the Hockanum River cuts through the heart of the complex.

"It's how the community was formed. This entire town, our whole main street and downtown, was built around the mills because the mills were the employment center."

The plan is to transform the warren of dilapidated industrial structures into roughly 215 units of workforce housing intended for people earning 80% to 120% of the local median income, plus at least 5,000 square feet of commercial space.

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"Converting 130,000 square feet of blighted, tax-negative industrial space into more than 200 apartments is a genuine win, preserving community character while adding meaningful density steps from a village center," says Realtor.com senior economic research analyst Hannah Jones.

Vernon Mayor Dan Champagne tells Realtor.com that the project has three main objectives: beautifying the entrance to downtown, cleaning up a blighted site, and injecting much-needed affordable housing into the local market.

The latest developer that came on board, Atlanta-based Camden Management Partners, which specializes in mill redevelopment, will use state and federal tax credits to help finance the project.

The grueling reality of remediation

The industrial site along East Main Street in Vernon includes around a dozen connected buildings, the oldest dating to the 19th century. (Ryan Associates)

The old mills will be transformed into 215 housing units and at least 5,000 square feet of commercial space. (Ryan Associates)

But before construction can begin, the town must complete a large-scale, multimillion-dollar cleanup of the site. Daniel's mill, which produced fire retardant during the 1960s and 1970s, poses the greatest challenge because it is permeated with highly toxic PCB chemicals, requiring the dismantling of every brick and beam.

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It took municipal leaders years to cobble together approximately $7.5 million in federal and state grantswith the final $2.5 million being awarded by Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont in Marchto launch the arduous remediation process.

Once the cleanup is complete sometime next year, the sprawling site along East Main Street will be handed off to the developer, who is expected to spend five more years turning the defunct mills into rentals.

"When I first met with him, one of the things he said was that he doesn't foresee a profit coming for quite a few years before or after he finishes the mill, but I guess this is pretty much a long-term investment for him," says Champagne.

While Gately estimates a $60 million price tag to redevelop the complex before a single resident can move in, the project's developer remains committed to the vision.

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The town official concedes that transforming an old industrial site is much costlier than securing a vacant parcel of land and constructing a brand-new apartment tower, but there are other factors to consider beyond balance sheets.

"If we can provide affordable units and keep the culture and architecture and everything there, then I think it's a win."

Connecticut's desperate hunt for housing supply

Mill redevelopment has been booming throughout the Northeast and parts of the South for decades, as cities and towns across Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and the Carolinas race to transform eyesores into affordable housing hubs that anchor both historic preservation and community revitalization.

In Connecticut, a survey conducted by the organization Preservation Connecticut identified some 1,500 industrial sites as potential candidates for redevelopment.

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It comes at a crucial time as "The Constitution State" grapples with the most severe inventory scarcity crunch in the U.S. when comparing March 2026 supply levels to norms before the COVID-19 pandemic.

A housing data analysis from Realtor.com reveals that in March, there were 78% fewer homes for sale in Connecticut compared to 201719 levels.

Last fall, Connecticut was one of just seven states to earn an F on the Realtor.com State-by-State Housing Report Card, part of the Let America Build campaign that tracks how effectively each state balances affordability and new construction.

Emblematic of much of the Northeast, Connecticut's housing supply is severely constrained by zoning restrictions, high construction costs, and limited buildable land, putting upward pressure on prices and leaving many residents priced out.

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In March, the median listing price in Connecticut stood at $507,500, which was more than $90,000 above the national figure.

A recent "Fair Share" housing study commissioned by the state Legislature showed that Connecticut must add between 120,000 and 380,000 new housing units to meet current demanda massive supply gap that mirrors the crisis roiling neighboring Massachusetts.

All this leads to one conclusion: Connecticut must expand its affordable housing through every available avenue, from new construction to adaptive use of existing properties. However, Jones points out that the Vernon mill project illustrates both the promise and the pace problem of this approach.

"Mill redevelopments like Vernon's are valuable contributors to long-term housing relief, but Connecticut and its Northeast neighbors will need to pair adaptive reuse with zoning reform that allows multifamily housing construction near transit and faster permitting pipelines to really move the needle on housing supply and affordability," she says.

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For Gately, however, the project transcends supply and demand metricsit is about historic legacy.

"If you just tore everything down and built new, it'd be nice," he says. "It just wouldn't be the same."
Aviation brigade conducts air combat training

China Military Online) 15:47, April 16, 2026

A pilot assigned to an aviation brigade of the air force under the Chinese PLA Southern Theater Command gets ready for taxing out during an air combat training exercise in early April, 2026. (eng.chinamil.com.cn/Photo by Xiao Rui)

A ground crew member assigned to an aviation brigade of the air force under the Chinese PLA Southern Theater Command guides a J-10C fighter jet to leave the hangar during an air combat training exercise in early April, 2026. (eng.chinamil.com.cn/Photo by Xiao Rui)

J-10C fighter jets attached to an aviation brigade of the air force under the Chinese PLA Southern Theater Command taxi on the runway during an air combat training exercise in early April, 2026. (eng.chinamil.com.cn/Photo by Xiao Rui)

(Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Liang Jun)
MINNEAPOLIS (AP)  A federal immigration agent accused of pointing his gun at occupants of a car after pulling alongside them on a Minneapolis-area highway is wanted on felony assault charges, Minnesota prosecutors said Thursday.

Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty said it is the first criminal case against a federal officer involved in the Minnesota immigration crackdown, which was part of a surge of forces into cities including Los Angeles, Chicago and New Orleans.

There is no such thing as absolute immunity for federal agents who violate the law in the state of Minnesota, Moriarty told a news conference, saying the agent acted outside the scope of a federal officers authority.

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An arrest warrant filed in Hennepin County, which includes Minneapolis, says Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer Gregory Donnell Morgan Jr. is charged with two counts of second-degree assault. Minnesota authorities say Morgan, 35, was driving back to immigration offices at the end of his shift when the incident occurred Feb. 5.

The driver and front-seat passenger of a car called 911 saying the driver of an unmarked SUV pulled alongside them, rolled down his window and pointed a handgun at them both. The car's driver told investigators they feared it was a crazy person driving down the road aiming guns at people," according to the warrant.

A spokesman for Moriartys office said no arrangements have been made for Morgan to surrender and that there is an active nationwide warrant for his arrest. If convicted, Morgan faces up to seven years in prison for each assault charge.

Department of Homeland Security and Justice Department officials didnt immediately respond to emails seeking comment.

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A person returning a call to a possible phone listing for Morgan said it was a wrong number for him. A message sent to a possible email address for Morgan bounced back as undeliverable. No one immediately returned a phone message left at a number for a person listed as sharing an address with Morgan. It was not immediately known if he had an attorney who could speak for him.

Accused agent told state investigators he 'feared for his safety'

Moriarty said during a news conference that Morgan was driving a rented, unmarked SUV on the shoulder of the highway when a car also moved into the shoulder to try to slow Morgan down, its driver not knowing he was an officer. After the car returned to the legal lane, she said, Morgan pulled up alongside and pointed his service weapon at the two people in the car.

According to the warrant, Morgan then merged his SUV back into traffic ahead of the victims, who took cellphone photos of the SUVs license plate.

The warrant does not identify the victims.

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Morgan and his partner, who was not charged, told investigators they were returning at the end of their shift to the federal building being used to stage officers. The arrest warrant says Morgan "made no claim that he was conducting any law-enforcement operation or activity or responding to any emergency situation.

Morgan told investigators with the Minnesota State Patrol that the other vehicle swerved over in front of him and cut him off, the warrant said. Investigators wrote that Morgan said he feared for his safety and the safety of others when he drew his gun and yelled: Police! Stop!

The warrant says the victims couldnt tell Morgan was a law enforcement officer and couldn't hear him because their windows were up.

Trump administration has warned against arresting federal agents

The charges could intensify a clash between the Trump administration and Minnesota officials over the crackdown. Todd Blanche, the acting attorney general, has warned that the Justice Department could investigate and prosecute state or local officials who arrest federal agents for performing their official duties.

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Moriarty said she is not concerned about blowback from federal authorities and that her office will hold people accountable if they violate the laws of the state.

Michael Gerhardt, a constitutional law professor at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, said federal officers are granted immunity for actions within the scope of their official responsibilities.

He said the actions described in the arrest warrant dont seem relevant to the officers duties. But because he apparently was on-duty at the time, the officer could petition to move the charges to federal court and make a claim for immunity.

When you look at it more closely, flashing a gun is a serious threat, Gerhardt said. And theres a good argument that isnt part of his official duties  its abusing his powers.

Minnesota still investigating killings of 2 US citizens by federal officers

DHS deployed about 3,000 federal officers to the Minneapolis-St. Paul area from December through February in what the department called its  largest immigration enforcement operation ever. The Minnesota operation led to thousands of arrests, angry mass protests and the fatal shootings of two U.S. citizens.

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Backlash over the officers' aggressive tactics mounted, and two of the crackdowns most high profile leaders were soon gone. Trump fired Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem in March shortly after the Minnesota surge ended. That same month, Gregory Bovino, the Border Patrol sector chief who led immigration operations in several large cities, announced his retirement.

Minnesota authorities continue to investigate the conduct of federal officers during the immigration crackdown, insisting they can't trust the federal government to investigate itself. Minnesota sued the Trump administration last month for access to evidence in three cases involving shootings by federal officers, including the killings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti.

___

Lauer reported from Philadelphia and Bynum reported from Savannah, Georgia. Associated Press reporters Alanna Durkin Richer in Washington and Hannah Fingerhut in Des Moines, Iowa, contributed.
Firefighters battled a large blaze at a vacant apartment building in Koreatown on Wednesday evening.

The fire was first reported at a three-story vacant apartment building on New Hampshire Avenue near First Street around 5:20 p.m., according to the Los Angeles Fire Department. Crews said heavy fire extended into the attic of the building.

AIR7 video showed fire crews battling the blaze as flames tore through the roof, with a large plume of smoke rising into the air above the neighborhood. It appeared smoke was coming out of all four sides of the building.

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Shortly before 6 p.m., LAFD said the blaze had been knocked down in about 34 minutes with the help of 80 firefighters. AIR7 video showed smoke still rising, but the plume was much smaller.

Authorities said all searches were clear and no injuries were reproted. The cause of the fire is under investigation.
A Stamford police officer has been charged in connection with a high-speed, off-duty crash last fall that seriously injured a man and initially left him unable to walk.

Volodymyr Ihorovych Molchanov, 24, of Stamford turned himself in Monday on charges of second-degree assault, reckless driving and illegally tinted windows, according to Connecticut State Police.

The charges stem from a crash on Oct. 12, 2025, in the area of 2635 Long Ridge Road in Stamford shortly after 4:30 a.m., according to the arrest warrant affidavit. The collision involved a 2016 white Volkswagen Touareg, which was being driven by Molchanov, and a 2016 gray Nissan Rogue that was being driven by an Uber driver who had just dropped off multiple people, the warrant said.

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The crash occurred as Molchanov was heading north on Long Ridge Road when he struck the drivers side of the Rogue as it was exiting a driveway and attempting to turn left, according to the warrant affidavit. The Rogue driver, who was 39 at the time, was left unconscious and trapped in his vehicle. He had to be extricated by firefighters and was taken to Stamford Hospital for life-threatening injuries, according to the warrant affidavit.

Molchanov and 30-year-old Alex Lauture, another off-duty Stamford officer, reported minor injuries and were both taken to the same hospital, the warrant affidavit said.

One of the passengers who had been dropped off by the Uber driver spoke to police at the scene and said the Rogue appeared to explode into like a million pieces during the crash, the warrant affidavit said. He also claimed that he did not see any headlights on the Volkswagen and he allegedly did not hear the driver brake at any point, police wrote. The man did not suspect that the Uber driver was under the influence of alcohol or drugs, as his driving was reportedly fine during the ride, the witness told police.

The Uber drivers medical records later showed that he was at at a high risk for complications and mortality, the warrant affidavit said. Four blood samples and a urine sample were submitted to a state lab, which found that no drugs were detected, according to the warrant affidavit.

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On the front passenger side floorboard of the Volkswagen, police allegedly found an unopened alcoholic beverage, the warrant affidavit said.

At the hospital, a Stamford officer spoke with Molchanov who allegedly said he and Lauture had been coming from a bar in New York, according to the warrant affidavit. He and Lauture both told police Molchanov did not drink while at the bar.

Molchanov agreed to undergo three field sobriety tests at the hospital, the warrant affidavit said. The Stamford officer who administered the tests alleged that he failed the horizontal gaze nystagmus test but passed the one-leg stand and walk-and-turn tests, the warrant affidavit said. The officer also alleged that Molchanovs eyes were bloodshot and watery and that his breath smelled of alcohol, according to the warrant affidavit.

Molchanov refused to undergo a breath test and a drug influence evaluation, the warrant affidavit said. The officer obtained a search and seizure warrant around 10:30 a.m. for a blood sample from Molchanov, who allegedly left the hospital without providing one, according to the warrant affidavit.

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State police later took over the investigation at the direction of the Stamford States Attorneys Office. Detectives obtained a search warrant for Molchanovs medical records, which reportedly showed that a doctor told him he should provide a blood sample to rule out any internal injuries. Molchanov, the warrant affidavit said, refused to provide a blood or urine sample.

State police also found that a police officer with the Greenwich Police Department, a certified drug recognition expert and phlebotomist, was summoned to the hospital the morning of the crash and was instructed by a Stamford officer to get a blood sample from Molchanov, the warrant affidavit said. When he arrived, he alleged that a Stamford police sergeant informed him the officer who was involved was not at fault for the crash, that the other driver had been admitted into the Intensive Care Unit and that no blood draw was necessary, according to the warrant affidavit.

The Greenwich officer also allegedly said the lieutenant speculated that a judge would not sign a search warrant for Molchanovs blood sample, the warrant affidavit said. The officer claimed that he saw Molchanov leave without providing a sample, the warrant affidavit said. When he told the initial Stamford officer who summoned him to the hospital what had occurred, he said he allegedly appeared confused as to why he was told to leave, according to the warrant affidavit.

State police, the arrest warrant said, obtained a search warrant for Molchanovs cell phone, which allegedly showed that he sent text messages to multiple fellow officers the morning of the crash saying he had been given SFSTs  presumably referring to standardized field sobriety tests.

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I believe I did the SFSTs good, Molchanov said in a message to a sergeant, the warrant affidavit said.

Yea you did, the sergeant replied.

Another Stamford officer allegedly sent a text to Molchanov telling him Dont say anything before, a second later, sending a message that said Delete, according to the warrant affidavit.

Police contacted the bar where Molchanov and Lauture said they had been coming from and were given a receipt stamped 3:49 a.m. the day of the crash, which showed that Molchanov paid for two alcoholic drinks, the warrant affidavit said. The bar was unable to provide any video surveillance footage.

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An analysis of the crash, which included inspecting the event data recorder from the vehicle Molchanov was driving, found that he was allegedly going between 65 and nearly 72 mph at the time of the crash, the warrant affidavit said. The speed limit in the area was 45 mph.

State police said they conducted an analysis, which included a Monte Carlo simulation, to determine if Molchanovs speed was the causative or contributing factor in the crash, the warrant affidavit said. The analysis allegedly found with 95% confidence that the Nissan Rogue would have cleared the northbound lane had the Volkswagen been going the speed limit, according to the warrant affidavit.

State police noted that the side windows and front windshield on the Volkswagen had aftermarket tints. Investigators said this may have been a contributing factor to the crash, though they concluded that Molchanovs inability to drive in a safe manner, among several other contributing factors, caused the serious injuries the victim suffered, the warrant affidavit said. They alleged in the warrant affidavit that the excess speeds contributed to the severity of the injuries.

Last month, police learned that the Uber driver had undergone two spinal surgeries and had started to walk and talk again, according to the warrant affidavit. A family member told state police he still had a long road of healing ahead of him.

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Molchanov is free on a $50,000 bond and is expected to face a judge in Stamford Superior Court on May 4.

A spokesperson for Stamford police did not immediately respond to a request for comment regarding Molchanovs employment status.
Almost everyone who is glued to their phone wishes they werent and for many people, the problem seems to be starting earlier. Childrens access to the internet is happening at younger ages, with an entire generation growing up alongside the rapid advancement of the digital landscape, which has only intensified with the advent of artificial intelligence. Teens and adults alike can be exposed to extremist content, violence and sexual exploitation online. The internet age has had countless positive impacts on society, but also undeniable negative impacts.

Some critics say social media addiction and worsened teen mental health are direct consequences of these platforms design. Now theyre taking major tech companies to court  and winning. A few such groups include the plaintiffs in two tandem lawsuits against Meta, the parent company of Facebook, Instagram and Whatsapp, whose jury trials concluded in favor of the plaintiffs March 24 and 25. Meta plans to appeal the verdicts in both cases.

What complicates the social media trials is there are bona fide problems young people face when logging online and seeking retribution feels natural. However, critics say the short term gratification of Metas losses is a Trojan horse for much more insidious internet policies that may actually do the opposite of protecting children and give even more market power to Big Tech.

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Though support for protecting children online is widely bipartisan, organizations like the Heritage Foundation are very opaque in their desire to create a more censored internet. The organization, which was architect of President Donald Trumps Project 2025, endorses the popular Kids Online Safety Act because it will guard against the harms of sexual and transgender content.

These organizations version of increased internet safety are largely anti-LGBT+, anti-immigration and, some argue, support shadowy agendas beyond childrens mental health. Regardless, people across the political spectrum are flocking to the legislation following the lawsuits calling it a win against Big Tech and comparing the social media cases to the landmark tobacco class action lawsuits of the 1990s, not just because they attempt to take down a big industry, but because of their specific legal strategy  product liability.

One trial held in Californias Superior Court focused on a single plaintiff, referred to by their initials KGM. Her trial was a test case in multi-district litigation against major social media companies. KGM v. Meta et al. focused on the claim that social media addiction in her youth led to depression, body dysmorphia, self-harm and suicidality. KGMs lawyers employed the unique theory of product liability, which will serve as a bellwether strategy for the many future social media addiction cases.

The product liability doctrines were built for an offline world where physical items would cause physical injuries, and the plaintiffs are trying to extend that doctrine to an online world where intangible content causes intangible injuries, Eric Goldman, a law professor at the Santa Clara University School of Law, told Salon in an interview.

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The plaintiffs claimed Meta and fellow defendants Alphabet (the parent company of YouTube), ByteDance (owner of TikTok) and Snap (owner of Snapchat), made intentionally addictive products through features like recommended feeds and infinite scroll. KGMs extensive use of these products, as she and her lawyers argued, caused her mental health to deteriorate.

The other trial, set in New Mexico, featured state prosecutors arguing that tech CEOs like Mark Zuckerberg misled users about their products safety, failed to enforce their minimum user age, and that its algorithms purposely pushed sensationalist or harmful content. In part, this case also employed the product liability strategy.

Juries agreed with both plaintiffs, calling for the Meta and other defendants to pay KGM $6 million and cough up $375 million in the more extensive State of New Mexico v. Meta Platforms, Inc. While the $381 million total is a relatively steep figure, Metas total revenue last year was over $200 billion, making the fines worth just a fraction of a percentage for them.

Nevertheless, the fact that a jury decided to award the plaintiffs is notable, not because of the price tag, but because of a law that usually exempts Big Tech from lawsuits like this.

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Meta and any other platform that hosts third party content (like a blog with comments sections, a review site, or a chat forum) are typically protected because of a very powerful, yet very brief policy from the 1996 Communications Decency Act. It dictates that a platform cant be sued for hosting content created by a third party. Notably it does not protect them from federal criminal violations, intellectual property claims or violations of sex trafficking laws. The carve out, known as Section 230, comes from a 30-year-old law and is only 26 words long, yet it is considered the foundation of how the modern internet functions.

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 Without Section 230, services like social media become much more concerned about their liability in allowing users to talk to each other, and the principal approach that they would take is to not permit those conversations at all, Goldman said.

Increased moderation would vastly shrink the ability for users to engage, learn and explore the internet freely, which was one of the express purposes of Section 230. The law states that internet platforms offer a forum for a true diversity of political discourse, unique opportunities for cultural development, and myriad avenues for intellectual activity.

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When you think about what the internet has done, it basically removed gatekeepers  you used to have to be very rich, very powerful to have the kind of audience that social media gives every single human being for free, Ari Cohn, lead counsel of tech policy at the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression, told Salon. That is a remarkable development in humanity.

Many politicians behind the push to sunset Section 230 and pass social media safety bills explicitly said they hope to restrict young peoples access to damaging content like LGBTQ+ communities, abortion resources and sex education, which might explain why right wing groups threw their weight behind the plaintiffs.

The lawsuits attempted to skirt around Section 230 by suing on the basis of the platforms internal features, not third party content posted on the platforms. They said that Metas design and delivery of third party content is in and of itself problematic, causing social media addiction and putting children at risk for exploitation. Critics of the product liability argue that the product design and content it delivers cannot be separated.

 If every video on YouTube was a beige paint drying on the wall, is anyone getting addicted to that? Is anyone getting harmed by that? Probably not, Cohn said.

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Features like endless scroll and recommendation algorithms are reliant on the content being served, he argues, so the features in and of themselves cannot cause harm. Goldman says this strategy is simply a workaround to hold platforms accountable for problematic third party content it publishes.

If the product liability workaround to Section 230 is tenable, then there is no need to revise or reform Section 230 because its already a dead letter, Goldman said. Plaintiffs will always have the ability to claim that theyre not suing based on third party content, theyre suing on the way third party content was presented.

Parties from across the aisle want to bypass, severely amend or completely get rid of the Section 230 often in the name of protecting young people online. But a smaller group of people warn of the disastrous effects of hobbling Section 230  or allowing lawsuits like those in California and New Mexico that attempt to bypass the law altogether.

All the people who are celebrating this win for child safety might actually be inviting a set of payloads or baggage that theyre not prepared for, Goldman said.

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On its face, getting rid of Section 230 opens up opportunities to hold tech companies accountable for things they may have done wrong  especially since many argue they should be liable for publishing harmful information and content ranging from unrealistic body standards to violent extremist political rhetoric. However, other critics argue this is oversimplified and the consequences of deleting Section 230 are much more nuanced and likely harmful for free speech.

Any platform that publishes user-generated content  be that an email, a TikTok video or a restaurant review  would be open to lawsuits for publishing said content, opening the floodgates for litigation. To avoid this, tech companies would either need to respond by banning any user-generated posts or severely moderating them.

There would be more heavy content moderation because these platforms dont have immunity and theyre going to be fearful that theyre going to be slapped with a ton of lawsuits, Sophia Cope, a senior staff attorney with the Electronic Freedom Frontier, told Salon. That may for some of the smaller media platforms actually bankrupt them.

The EFF, a nonprofit organization that advocates for free speech and privacy rights online, has long been a defender of Section 230. In one blog post, the organization denies the law is a shield for Big Tech and is, in fact, essential to protecting individuals ability to speak, organize and create online.

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Ending 230 doesnt necessarily mean all platforms being sued will be held liable, but it does mean they have to engage in lawsuits by hiring lawyers and defending themselves instead of being removed from such lawsuits automatically. With companies like Meta worth $1.67 trillion, they may be one of the few platforms that can deal with these legal fees without risk of bankruptcy.

In KGM v. Meta, even Snapchat and TikTok settled before going to trial. They admitted no wrongdoing, but because the prohibitive cost of going to trial was seen as a greater financial risk for those huge platforms.

Even for the big companies who have the money to pay the lawyers, they dont want to have to deal with a lot of this stuff either, so theyre just going to direct the money in the content moderators and over-moderate, over-censor to reduce the risk that any controversial content is going to subject them to a lawsuit, Cope said.

Other more niche platforms that allow people to post and interact with one another may not survive constant litigation, even if they try to compensate by investing in extreme moderation. Cory Doctorow, who coined the term ens**ttification to describe how, over time, Big Tech purposefully makes its systems worse because of their functional monopolies, argued that gutting Section 230 would only serve to make those monopolies more powerful. In 2021, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg himself endorsed sunsetting Section 230, which EFF called a self-serving and cynical effort to cement the companys dominance.

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Its become a situation where the politicians and the media have convinced the public that the internet is bad, and the censors are loving it. Theyre embracing that general skepticism to enact laws that are designed to cause people to not be able to talk with each other, Goldman said. The governments win that equation, we as constituents lose and yet constituents are cheering it on because its presented under the mantle of protecting kids or beating up the Big Tech giants.

Many concerned groups and individuals really do want social media companies to be more accountable and help protect children from credible dangers online, but Cope argues theres other ways to address this problem than focusing on Section 230.

There are all these sorts of other things that we can try potentially through legislation to give users more agency and how their online experience goes without going down this other route where were just suing the companies into oblivion, Cope said.

The EFF instead endorses robust data privacy legislation that better informs users of what information theyre often unintentionally giving away when they agree to Big Techs terms and conditions.

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One of the ways to control the online experience is to limit the ability of these platforms to gather data about you, build a profile about you, and then turn around and use that against you, Cope said. If you have a privacy law and an ability for people to better control what information the companies are collecting on them, that may actually stem some of this harm.

However, much of the internet reform legislation on the docket is not concerned with user privacy or data transparency. Looking a bit closer into common sense policies to protect children unveils much thornier incentives.

Bills like the 2025 App Store Accountability Act, introduced to the House last year, would require age verification to download certain age restricted apps and parental consent for users under 18. This bill and others like it that attempt to establish age restrictions on social media platforms, often require the submission of government identification documents, face scans and other data invasive procedures.

Cohn says policies like age verification severely limit every internet users privacy and ability to be anonymous online. Platforms that already use these policies have already been subject to data leaks and extortion.

This country is founded on anonymous speech and anonymous criticism of the government, Cohn said. The idea that we should have to identify ourselves and create this link to our identity that removes our ability to safely and candidly critique power and wealth is crazy to me.

Looking back at reminiscent think of the children campaigns, a lot of the same playbooks are being used. Much like the Satanic Panic of the 1980s, people are consenting to invasive and censorial policies in the name of saving children from content deemed harmful. In modern cases, sometimes this content is genuinely problematic, like exposure to eating disorders and suicidal content. But in many cases, saving the children from corruption is more about gatekeeping access to information and platforms that allow young people to express themselves and connect with new communities.

Everyone is so keyed up about concerns about child safety online theres still this general presumption that if the legislatures trying to crack down on the internet, theyre doing it for the right reasons, Goldman said. I would assume that right now any laws that are working their way through the system are done in bad faith for the wrong purposes, and Ill let the legislators try and convince me otherwise.

The post Curbing social media to protect kids online could backfire appeared first on Salon.com.
An early learning program designed to prepare children in Washington for kindergarten will soon shrink by nearly 2,000 slots due to cuts state lawmakers approved earlier this year.

The states top schools official is slamming Democrats in the Legislature and Democratic Gov. Bob Ferguson over the move, which will chop funding for the Transition to Kindergarten programs by 25%. Local school officials are frustrated, too, saying the program performs well and fills a critical gap in the education system.

Ferguson proposed slashing the program in the spending plan he put out late last year. And the budget he signed into law earlier this month will reduce it by $27 million.

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In my 30 years in education, I have never seen a more ill-advised and damaging cut to education funding, said state Superintendent Chris Reykdal. School districts are struggling to understand why a successful, evidence-informed program was targeted by the Democratic majorities.

Everyone, for decades, has talked about the lack of access to early learning for 3- and 4-year-olds, he added.

Transition to Kindergarten is run through school districts. It serves just over 7,000 students who have gone through a screening process to confirm that they would benefit from additional preparation before going to kindergarten. Students from low-income families are prioritized for enrollment.

Reykdal said theres no question that the cuts will lead to more budget problems for schools, with very few having the capacity to raise local levies that could make up for the lost funding.

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Superintendents across the state are preparing to cut teachers and seats for students.

Northwest of Spokane, the Nine Mile Falls School District had a kindergarten readiness score 35% below the state average during the 2022-23 school year. Two years after the district launched its Transition to Kindergarten program, the readiness score is 2% above the average.

The return on investment in early childhood is so much better than it is when youre trying to provide those interventions when they are in late elementary, middle school, high school, said Jeff Baerwald, superintendent for Nine Mile Falls.

Baerwald, whose district will lose 25 Transition to Kindergarten spots due to the cuts, acknowledged the short-term savings for the state. But he added, Its pay now or pay later.

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As for other early learning programs in the district, they dont exist, he said. The one other local preschool is shutting down this year, forcing parents to drive to other areas for pre-K programs.

Reykdal suggested that one reason why the Legislature cut the program could be that it was seen as a threat to small businesses that run in-home care services through the states Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program. That program serves around 14,000 students.

It wasnt about a quality difference. It was a business ideology, said Reykdal.

The state received a $170 million-a-year philanthropic donation from the Ballmer Group in November to fund the states Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program. The donation was made on the condition that the state not make further cuts to that program.

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Baerwald said educators knew that arrangement would cause the state to look at Transition to Kindergarten for cuts, they just didnt know how much.

Fergusons budget plan, issued in December, called for eliminating about 1,800 Transition to Kindergarten slots starting in the 2026-27 school year, for a savings of $19.5 million.

The Senate proposed cutting the program by $30 million. The House, by nearly $19 million. The two chambers settled on $27 million for the current budget cycle, which runs through June next year.

The Nine Mile Falls School District also has an Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program, but theres a difference of the quality that kids are getting, Baerwald said.

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He explained that, unlike Transition to Kindergarten, Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program educators are not certified teachers.

Theyre folks with two-year degrees, not with a four-year degree in early childhood learning, he said.

In Washington, 70% of Transition to Kindergarten teachers hold a masters degree, said Katy Payne, chief strategy officer for the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction.

Reykdal said the program showed clear signs of successful results and argues the cut was purely about saving money.

Across high poverty, across students with disabilities, across everything we can see, it better prepares kids, he said. The data was clear.
NEED TO KNOW

A father of three was critically injured after he burst into flames at a shopping center in California on March 30

Family says the 35-year-old has undergone multiple life-saving procedures after sustaining third degree burns on about 90% of his body

By the grace of God, he is still fighting, and we are holding on to hope, family said in a statement on GoFundMe

Family says a dad of three is fighting for his life after he burst into flames at a California shopping center.

Deputies responded to the area of Bear Valley Road and Dunia Road around 7:35 p.m. local time on Monday, March 30, after receiving multiple reports of a man engulfed in flames, according to a news release from the Victorville Police Department (VPD).

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Police said deputies who responded to the scene found the man with severe burns, as well as items consistent with combustible materials nearby.

The man was airlifted to a hospital for treatment, and was in extremely critical condition, according to CW affiliate KTLA. Police said the fire has been preliminarily deemed accidental.

Family has identified the victim via GoFundMe as a 35-year-old father of three named Joel. The victim sustained third-degree burns over approximately 90% of his body, family said.

In an update shared on Tuesday, April 14, they said Joel remains in critical condition and has undergone multiple life-saving procedures over the last two weeks, including the removal of damaged tissue on multiple parts of his body and an emergency surgery to relieve pressure caused by fluid build-up in his abdomen.

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Joel is currently responding to treatment and is scheduled for additional surgeries this week, according to family.

By the grace of God, he is still fighting, and we are holding on to hope, family wrote in the update shared via the online fundraiser.

Family said Joel's children are being cared for by relatives while their dad recovers.

Donations to his GoFundMe will go toward physical therapy, specialized burn treatment and wound care supplies, long-term rehabilitation assistance, medications, follow-up care and basic living expenses.

Joel is deeply loved, family said in the original statement shared on GoFundMe. He is not just a patient  he is a father, a brother, and someone who matters deeply to all of us.

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.

An investigation into the incident is ongoing, according to the VPD. Anyone with information about the investigation is urged to contact the Victorville Police Station at (760) 241-2911 or Sheriffs Dispatch at (760) 956-5001.

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Callers wishing to remain anonymous should call or text REPORT to We-Tip at 844-909-3006. Online reporting is also available at https://mobile.catapultems.com/sbcsd/Sites.

Read the original article on People
NEED TO KNOW

A new lawsuit claims Garrick Newell was killed after being struck by a flying object while working at a Texas plant on Feb. 7

The lawsuit claims TPC Group directed Newell to perform an "unsafe" task and failed to properly maintain equipment

TPC Group previously faced scrutiny after explosions at another facility injured three people in 2019

A new lawsuit reportedly claims a Texas plant worker died after he was struck by a flying object while on the job.

Garrick Newell was working as a contractor at TCP Groups plant in southeast Houston when he was asked to help remove a belthead from a boilermaker on Feb. 7, according to ABC affiliate KTRK-TV.

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Mo Aziz, one of two attorneys representing Newells family, said that piece of equipment, which weighed more than 1,000 lbs., flew around 15 feet and struck Newell.

A lawsuit filed at the end of February alleged that Newell was tasked with an unsafe operation at the specific direction and control of TPC Group, according to KTRK-TV.

Attorneys have also alleged that TPC Group did not properly maintain equipment prior to the fatal incident.

Nothing happens at these plants without the authority and permission of the owner, of the operator, said Scott Armstrong, another attorney for Newells family.

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Newell, 29, was a husband with two children who built a respected career as a general foreman supervisor with PMC, specializing in refinery shutdowns, according to his obituary.

His dedication to his work was profound, as he lived to work, ensuring the safety and efficiency of his team and projects, the obituary stated.

Attorneys said Newell would be away from his family for weeks at a time while he worked, according to KTRK-TV.

According to Aziz, This whole thing could have been avoided.

When reached for comment by PEOPLE, TPC Group said, "We do not comment on pending litigation or matters related to it."

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TPC Group describes itself on its website as North Americas largest independent processor of C4 hydrocarbons.

The company also says it is backed by a deep commitment to safety, environment, people and community.

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.

Newell's death is not the first issue reported at a TPC facility in recent years. In 2019, three explosions were reported at its facility in Port Neches the day before Thanksgiving, leaving three people injured, according to KTRK.

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The U.S. Chemical Safety Board later determined TPC Group failed to identify areas in which the substance that triggered the explosion could build up, and also said they lacked an effective safety management system for procedural interruptions.

Read the original article on People
A record number of people have died in Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention since the start of the second Trump administration, the agencys acting director said April 16.

Since President Donald Trump took office for a second term in January 2025, USA TODAYs tracker shows at least 48 people have died in ICE detention facilities. Todd Lyons, who leads ICE but on April 16 announced his intent to resign, told federal lawmakers at least 44 people have died in custody since he began his acting tenure in March 2025. Overall, numbers are higher since Trump returned to the White House promising to dramatically increase deportations from the United States.

It is the highest because we do have the highest amount in detention that ICE has ever had since its inception in 2003, Lyons told Rep. Lauren Underwood, D-Illinois. Lyons plans to step down at the end of May.

Sam Zeidan watches behind chain link, hoping to catch a glimpse of his brother in a group of migrants being loaded onto an airplane at the Alexandria Staging Facility in Alexandria, Louisiana on June 11, 2025. Richwood Correctional Center in Richwood, Louisiana, is an ICE facility run by private contractor LaSalle Corrections. Louisiana ICE detention centers key to Trump immigration policies 1 of 2 Sam Zeidan watches behind chain link, hoping to catch a glimpse of his brother in a group of migrants being loaded onto an airplane at the Alexandria Staging Facility in Alexandria, Louisiana on June 11, 2025.

Underwood, who questioned Lyons' numbers, grilled him on practices by ICE and other Department of Homeland Security agencies in a House budget hearing. DHS has remained partially unfunded since mid-February over lawmakers objecting to immigration agents' tactics that have resulted in Americans killed during federal operations. Conditions in immigrant detention facilities also have drawn heavy scrutiny since the start of Trump's second term.

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Neither Congress nor the public, Underwood said, has had a real explanation of why more people are dying in ICE custody.

Just saying simply theres more detainees, I mean, you have more officers, you have more resources, she said. Thats not, in my opinion, a valid rationale why the death rate would be increasing.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Acting Director Todd Lyons testifies before a U.S. House Homeland Security Committee hearing entitled "Oversight of the Department of Homeland Security: ICE, CBP, and USCIS", on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., Feb. 10, 2026.

Underwood said ICE appeared on track to break the number of detainee deaths in 2025; USA TODAY tallied 32 people who died in custody the previous year, though Underwood's office counts 33 deaths that year. In 2026, 16 people have died, including one on April 13.

Underwood questioned whether there were changes to internal policies or goals to reduce deaths in custody. Lyons responded there is no policy to try to reduce deaths.

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NBC News reported ICE has limited disclosures on circumstances of detainees deaths. Agency policy had been to notify the public and Congress within two days of a death, but the policy appears to have changed since mid-December. ICEs online postings about investigations on deaths also have been delayed.

Because of the partial DHS shutdown, the department reportedly said nonessential reporting functions have slowed. On April 16, Lyons told lawmakers there was no legal basis that investigating deaths was nonessential.

The same day, a newly published JAMA study showed increasing rates of deaths in ICE custody. The latest fiscal year surpassed death rates from the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the April 16 study, which collected data from fiscal year 2004 through Jan. 19, 2026. The 2026 fiscal year, from Oct. 1, 2025, to Jan. 19, had the highest death rate in the 22-year study period.

Recent increases in deaths were more indicative of systemic weaknesses in medical care, mental health protection and mortality review than isolated instances, researchers unaffiliated with the study wrote in an opinion editorial.

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ICE is requesting $5.4 billion from Congress in the 2027 fiscal year for Enforcement and Removal Operations, including funding 41,500 detention beds and expanding detention facilities, according to Lyons' written statement. Syracuse Universitys Transactional Records Access Clearinghouse said more than 60,300 people were in ICE detention as of April 4.

This story was updated with new information.

Contributing: Suhail Bhat and Michael Loria

Eduardo Cuevas is based in New York City. Reach him by email at emcuevas1@usatoday.com or on Signal at emcuevas.01.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: ICE records historic level of deaths in custody under Trump admin
Apr. 16In a series of motions filed Tuesday, attorneys for a woman accused of hiring a hitman to kill the Hartselle father of her young daughter asked a judge to bar from her trial crime scene photographs and testimony from the attorney who represented the victim in the pair's child custody dispute.

Court records show Jaclyn Elaine Skuce, 43, has been held in the Morgan County Jail without bond since Sept. 2, 2020, on three capital murder charges in the July 24, 2020, killing of Anthony Larry Sheppard, 41. Her jury trial is scheduled for April 27. She is represented by attorneys Wendy Lopez of Decatur, Catherine Phillips Carter of Hartselle and Anne Elisabeth Poe of Huntsville.

In one motion, Skuce's attorneys seek to limit photographic and video evidence "so as to prevent needlessly cumulative evidence that would substantially risk unfair prejudice to the Defendant, confusion of the issues, or otherwise mislead the jury," including crime scene photographs, videos and screenshots from videos of Sheppard's killing, as well as autopsy photographs or videos.

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Prosecutors allege Skuce hired Madison resident Logan McKinley Delp, 41, through a Facebook account to kill Sheppard for $30,000. In October, a jury convicted Delp on two counts of capital murder, and Morgan County Circuit Judge Jennifer Howell sentenced him to life without parole. Alabama Department of Corrections records show he is incarcerated at William E. Donaldson Correctional Facility in Jefferson County.

Prosecutors said Delp and three other co-conspirators drove from Huntsville to Sheppard's home on Dawson Street in Hartselle on the morning of July 24. Camera footage shown in court from Sheppard's front yard showed a figure prosecutors identified as Delp, dressed in a gray toboggan and blue coat, approaching the front door. Footage from a camera inside Sheppard's living room showed Sheppard walk to the door and open the main door while leaving the storm door closed. The figure then shot Sheppard several times through the storm door, even as he was trying to crawl away.

A Decatur police crime scene technician testified during Delp's trial that Sheppard's body was found face down along the north wall of the residence.

Photographs shown during the trial depicted Sheppard's body and prompted some family members to leave the courtroom in tears. One especially graphic image showed Sheppard lying face down in a pool of blood. Autopsy photographs were also shown as the state medical examiner testified that Sheppard had five entrance wounds and three exit wounds, including two wounds to the front of his neck and one to his left shoulder.

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Skuce's attorneys said in the motion they do not dispute Sheppard's manner of death and argued there is no need for the state to present "copious" amounts of evidence.

"Ms. Skuce was not present at the crime scene before, during, or after the shooting occurred," the motion states. "Ms. Skuce is not accused of being at the scene or of shooting the deceased."

In a separate motion, Skuce's attorneys asked the court to exclude any testimony from Decatur attorney Billy Burney. Burney represented Sheppard in his child custody dispute with Skuce and testified for the state during Delp's trial.

Assistant District Attorney Joe Lewis said during opening statements in Delp's trial that one reason the case was charged as capital murder was that Sheppard was a witness in the child custody litigation, something Skuce's attorneys dispute in their motion.

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"In the present case, any assertion that the Defendant acted to prevent the Deceased, Larry Sheppard, from testifying in a custody matter is inherently speculative," Skuce's motion states.

During Delp's trial, Burney described the custody dispute as "cantankerous" and said Sheppard was in the process of seeking full custody of the couple's daughter. Skuce's attorneys said a case report by former Hartselle police investigator Tania Burgess stated that Burney told Burgess that Limestone County Circuit Judge Chadwick Wise was so aggravated with Skuce that Sheppard might have been awarded full custody.

"Burney's statement that a final determination might have been made by Judge Wise on the custody issue is, first and foremost, directly contradictory of what was indicated in all the court filings up to that point," the motion states.

According to Skuce's attorneys, the July 24 custody hearing was only a temporary, hearing, while the trial at which custody would be decided was scheduled for Sept. 14, 2020. They also argued there was no evidence that Sheppard intended to testify at that hearing.

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In another motion, Skuce's attorneys said they may call a domestic violence specialist and a forensic psychologist to testify during her trial.

Court records show co-conspirator Aaron Carter Howard, 45, is scheduled to stand trial June 3, while no trial date has been set for co-conspirator Angela Marie Stolz, 39, of Huntsville. Huntsville resident Lajuhn Keith Smart, 30, who prosecutors said served as Delp's getaway driver, pleaded guilty to felony murder on Oct. 20 and was sentenced to 20 years in prison. A transport order filed Wednesday indicates Smart may be called as a witness in one of his co-defendants' cases.

 wesley.tomlinson@decaturdaily.com or 256-340-2442.
A Delaware House bill that would place the states Economic and Financial Advisory Council in law advanced out of the House Administration Committee on April 15 with bipartisan support.

The council  commonly known as DEFAC  is a group of lawmakers, Cabinet members and other officials tasked with reviewing expenditure and revenue projections that form the basis of the states budget throughout the year.

The bill comes on the heels of a recent controversy surrounding DEFAC.

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Last month, long-standing budget forecaster Michael Houghton was ousted from the panel by Gov. Matt Meyer, who named CSC Corporate Counsel and Director of Global Government Affairs Brenda Wise as a replacement on April 7.

State Rep. Kerri Evelyn Harris listens to another speaker during a session at Legislative Hall in Dover on April 15, 2026.

When asked about his decision in an interview with WHYY, Meyer said he and his team began an exhaustive review of all boards and commissions and decided to put new faces on panels, including the economic council.

When asked if there were any more potential changes in DEFACs future or other panels, Meyer said he and his team look at and analyze each one, and then do whats best for each board and commission.

Some need new faces, and some dont, he said during a press conference on April 15, hours before the hearing took place.

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More: Delaware lawmakers push to put DEFAC into state law after controversy

Also known as the DuPont-Cook Financial Responsibility Act, this bill would maintain the current structure of the council created by executive orders going back to former Gov. Pete du Pont. Lawmakers argue that putting it into state law would protect its structure and boost transparency.

House Majority Leader Kerri Evelyn Harris, the bills primary sponsor, said this would send a signal to markets that the legislature also champions this panel, in addition to executive leadership.

The bill will now head to the House floor for further discussion.

Legislative Hall in Dover as seen on April 15, 2026.

Another bill backed by the Dover Democrat also cleared the committee.

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This second bill would increase annual fees paid by limited liability companies and other business entities, along with fees for services provided by the Division of Corporations. Many of those fees have not been updated in decades, the lawmaker said.

These fee changes would include:

Raising the fee for limited liability companies and general and limited partnerships from $300 to $400

Raising the fee for registered series of limited liability companies and limited partnerships from $75 to $100

An increase per partner for limited liability and limited liability limited partnerships from $200 to $300.

The increases are expected to generate roughly $150 million in additional annual revenue for the First State.

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If passed, many of these fee changes would go into effect Aug. 1, 2026.

While some officials felt this effort was overdue, others had some concerns.

House Minority Leader Tim Dukes said it may be somewhat rash to make these changes.

We are known as a corporate state, the Laurel Republican said. I just want to make sure that were always protecting that, and Im just concerned that this could be just a little too soon.

The bill cleared its first hurdle and will make its way to the chamber floor.

Olivia Montes covers state government and community impact for Delaware Online/The News Journal. If you have a tip or a story idea, reach out to her at omontes@delawareonline.com.

This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: DEFAC, corporate fee structure bills head to Delaware House
Bamboo generates wealth for villagers in SW China's Yunnan

People's Daily Online) 16:14, April 16, 2026

A conference on the high-quality development of the Qiong bamboo industry was held in Daguan county, Zhaotong city, southwest China's Yunnan Province, on April 11, 2026.

Experts, scholars, and industry insiders from China's bamboo industry gathered in the hometown of Qiong bamboo to discuss the industry's development and explore strategies for boosting local prosperity and improving livelihoods.

Photo shows a bamboo forest in Daguan county, Zhaotong city, southwest China's Yunnan Province. (Photo/Tang Yingping)

Daguan county was once classified as a national-level impoverished area. To provide local villagers with a reliable income, the county has tapped into its unique bamboo resources, developing the bamboo industry as a key driver of its economy.

Currently, the Qiong bamboo planting area in the county consists of 1.02 million mu (68,000 hectares), making up over 70 percent of the world's total. In 2025, the comprehensive output value of the bamboo industry in the county exceeded 3.1 billion yuan (about $455 million), benefiting 190,000 local villagers.

Photo shows Qiong bamboo shoots in a bamboo forest in Daguan county, Zhaotong city, southwest China's Yunnan Province. (Photo/Tang Yingping)

Since 1989, Southwest Forestry University has been offering targeted support to Daguan. Over the past 37 years, a technical team of over 80 members, led by professor Dong Wenyuan, has been deeply involved in the mountainous areas. They have tackled key challenges, including the selection of high-quality bamboo varieties, seedling cultivation, and the transformation of inefficient forests, acquiring more than 50 patents.

With the help of these innovations, the survival rate of newly planted forests has risen from below 40 percent to an impressive 98 percent, and bamboo shoot yields per mu have surged from under 50 kilograms to over 450 kilograms.

A man collects bamboo shoots in a bamboo forest in Daguan county, Zhaotong city, southwest China's Yunnan Province. (Photo/Tang Yingping)

During a special report session at the conference, 10 experts shared insights on topics such as bamboo processing, carbon sequestration in bamboo forests, the integration of cultural tourism, and using bamboo as a plastic alternative.

Photo shows freshly harvested bamboo shoots in Daguan county, Zhaotong city, southwest China's Yunnan Province. (Photo/Tang Yingping)

(Web editor: Hongyu, Liang Jun)
Some Senate Democrats key to their hopes for flipping the chamber were practically printing money last quarter. They didnt just outraise their Republican opponents, they doubled or tripled up on them, according to a POLITICO review of new Federal Election Commission filings submitted late on Wednesday.

Nowhere quite matches Texas, where Democratic state Rep. James Talarico brought in a whopping $27 million over the full quarter and had just shy of $10 million cash on hand, while incumbent GOP Sen. John Cornyn and Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton raised less than half of that combined and continue to spend against each other as they duke it out ahead of next months runoff.

In Georgia, Sen. Jon Ossoff raised $14 million in the first quarter and had $31.7 million in the bank at the end of March, while his top-raising potential GOP opponent barely cracked $1 million.

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In North Carolina, former Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper outraised former Republican National Committee chair Michael Whatley $13.8 million to $5 million in the last three months and heads into the general election with $18.5 million in the bank, compared to $2.5 million for Whatley.

In Ohio, former Democratic Sen. Sherrod Brown raised $10 million compared to $2.9 million for GOP Sen. John Husted, and had just shy of $16.5 million in the bank compared to $6 million for the newly appointed incumbent.

In Alaska, former Rep. Mary Pelotas campaign reported $8.7 million raised in her first quarter, compared to $1.7 million for GOP Sen. Dan Sullivan, though Sullivan has just over $7 million in the bank compared to $5.7 million for his Democratic challenger.

And while Florida hasnt been a swing state in recent years, former national security adviser Alexander Vindman raised more than $8 million compared to $2.6 million for incumbent GOP Sen. Ashley Moody, although Moody still had more cash on hand, $7.1 million to $6.4 million.

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Things didnt look so rosy for Democrats in states where they have contested primaries, however. In Maine, Sen. Susan Collins raised $3 million in the first quarter, short of Graham Platners $4.1 million raised, but the incumbent had $10 million in the bank compared to $2.7 million for the oysterman and just over $1 million for Gov. Janet Mills. Notably, Platner and Mills combined fundraising still didnt match what 2020 Maine Senate candidate Sara Gideon raised in the first quarter of that year, a potential warning sign for Democrats in a must-win race.

In Michigan, former GOP Rep. Mike Rogers was outraised by two of his three potential Democratic opponents, but still had greater cash on hand than all of them as the Democrats have spent more during their competitive primary. And in Iowa, Rep. Ashley Hinson, who is running for Senate, outraised both Democratic contenders, Zach Wahls and Josh Turek, and has $6.5 million in the bank.

All of that campaign cash could soon be drowned out by super PAC money: The Republican-leadership aligned SLF brought in a whopping $72 million in the first quarter and sits with $166 million cash on hand, while its Democratic counterpart SMP brought in $56 million in the first quarter and had just shy of $75 million in the bank.
The News

Democrats are in an unusual situation: Republicans need their votes on two key national security matters. That has Democrats weighing how to use their ample leverage on expiring surveillance powers and Iran funding.

On Thursday, the House will once again try to pass the 18-month FISA extension over the opposition of conservatives to the warrantless surveillance powers, likely requiring Democratic votes. Republicans will need more assistance in the Senate.

The Trump administration seems to recognize the need for bipartisan outreach on defense funding, inviting Sens. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., and Chris Coons, D-Del., for a meeting with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Tuesday.

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While Coons seems open to that discussion, he said extending FISA is harder for him given the lack of engagement from the administration.

Still, one Senate Democrat predicted there will be 60 votes for it next week given the national security importance.

Know More

Democrats are likely to fracture over the FISA vote in the Senate. Sen. Mark Warner, D-Va., the top Democrat on the Senate Intelligence Committee, said hes unsure how the vote would play out in the upper chamber but it would have been really productive if the administration had better explained the reforms from 2024 and made its position clear earlier.

I barely voted for it last time on the promise of a lot of reform. I am not confident that the current FBI director and Department of Justice leadership is fully implementing those reforms, Coons said. I will have a hard time bringing myself to support it, if Ive had nothing, no briefing.

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Still, Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, D-N.H., told Semafor she expects to support extending FISA into next year, while Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, D-R.I., noted he usually supports it. But Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., who has long taken issue with the surveillance powers, said hes going to fight like hell to get protection for the innocent Americans whose information is sucked up in these searches.

When it comes to Iran war funding, Republicans have decided, for now, to leave out Pentagon spending from a party-line spending bill that will focus instead on immigration enforcement funding. Unless the party pivots on that strategy or tees up yet another party-line bill, that means theyll need Democratic votes in the Senate  and maybe the House.

I will not vote for a $200 billion supplemental as a backdoor way of authorizing the war. If what were actually talking about is restocking munitions  Im open to the conversation, Coons said. He added he was encouraged by the meeting this week but warned the Trump administration not to stonewall him.

Shaheen said shes had no engagement with the administration about the forthcoming request. And top Democrats are hardening their opposition. Sen. Brian Schatz, D-Hawaii, in line to be Democrats No. 2 leader next year, called himself a hard no on the war supplemental.

Its hard for them to argue this is a war that doesnt need authorization, but it is a war that needs funding, Schatz told Semafor. I think if they got a war authorized, they would get more funded, but its hard to fund a war if its not authorized.
The US Department of Justice (DoJ) has opened an investigation into Eric Swalwell following his resignation from Congress, according to a source familiar with the matter.

The news of a federal investigation comes days after the Democratic representative from California stepped down due to multiple allegations of sexual misconduct.

The DoJ has not publicly commented on its investigation.

Swalwell, a seven-term representative, was a frontrunner to replace Gavin Newsom as Californias governor until he became engulfed in scandal. He suspended his gubernatorial campaign and then resigned from Congress after the San Francisco Chronicle reported the account of an unnamed former staffer, who said he sexually assaulted her on two occasions. CNN published a similar account, which included claims from three other women who said Swalwell had sent them unwanted sexual messages.

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On Tuesday, the day after Swalwell resigned, Lonna Drewes, another alleged victim, publicly came forward, saying Swalwell had drugged and raped her in 2018. Drewes spoke out at a press conference in Beverly Hills, saying the representative choked her and that she lost consciousness and thought she had died.

Sara Azari, a lawyer representing Swalwell, said in a statement earlier this week that he categorically and unequivocally denies each and every allegation of sexual misconduct and assault that has been leveled against him.

Azari did not immediately respond to an inquiry about the DoJ investigation on Thursday.

The Los Angeles sheriffs office said this week it was investigating the 2018 allegations, and the LA district attorneys office said its sex crimes division was working with law enforcement involved in the case. The Manhattan district attorneys office said over the weekend that it was investigating a sexual assault allegation against Swalwell.

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Swalwell, who was first elected in 2012, was facing the threat of expulsion from Congress when he announced his resignation, saying in a statement: I am deeply sorry to my family, staff, and constituents for mistakes in judgment Ive made in my past  I will fight the serious false allegation made against me. However, I must take responsibility and ownership for the mistakes I did make.

The woman who spoke to the Chronicle said Swalwell began pursuing her soon after she was hired in 2019, at the age of 21. She said he twice sexually assaulted her when she was too intoxicated to consent.
As the Department of Homeland Security shutdown stretches into its ninth week, it remains unclear when Congress will vote to end it.

Congress, just returning from a scheduled two-week recess, has struggled to strike a bipartisan deal to fund DHS as they remain divided largely over immigration enforcement funding and policy. Funding for DHS also applies to airport security, disaster relief, coastline safety and various national security measures.

The U.S. House of Representatives is scheduled to meet at 10 a.m. on April 16, but the bill to end the DHS shutdown is not listed on their schedule. However, their calendar includes two budget hearings on April 16 focused on DHS. One will cover Border Patrol, ICE and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, while the other will cover the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, TSA, U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Secret Service and FEMA.

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There is still no clear timeline for ending the partial government shutdown, as a bill has to be voted on and passed by both the House and the Senate.

DHS has now been shut down for more than two months.

U.S. Department of Homeland Security seal

Why hasnt the government shutdown ended yet?

The shutdown has continued because Congress remains at odds over how  and under what conditions  to fund DHS.

Although the Senate has passed a bipartisan plan to fund most of the department, some of the more conservative members of the House are refusing to support a bill that doesnt include funding for immigration enforcement and border control.

The Freedom Caucus, a right-wing bloc in the House, denounced the most recent compromise for its lack of separate funding for ICE and some Border Patrol operations, writing in an April 1 X post: "If allowing Democrats to surgically remove agencies they dont like from the rest of the federal discretionary budget becomes the new norm buckle up!"

Two bills to fund DHS

When Congressional Republicans announced on April 1 that the House would pass a previously approved bipartisan Senate bill to fund all of DHS except for ICE and Border Patrol, they also said that they'd fast-track separate legislation to secure long-term funding for those same agencies.

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"In the coming days, Republicans in the Senate and House will be following through on the President's directive by fully funding the entire Department of Homeland Security on two parallel tracks: through the appropriations process and through the reconciliation process," House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-Louisiana, and Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-South Dakota, said in a joint statement.

On April 13, Thune said on the Senate floor that Sen. Lindsay Graham, R-S.C., and the Senate Budget Committee are already working on a budget resolution to do so.

"Democrats voted to defund law enforcement at the Department of Homeland Security," Thune said on social media April 13. "So Republicans are going to take up a reconciliation bill to fund border security and immigration enforcement for the next three years."

By going through reconciliation, Republicans can bypass Democratic opposition. President Donald Trump said that he wants that bill on his desk by June 1.

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Thune said on the floor that he wants the Senate to take up the resolution and the subsequent reconciliation bill "without delay."

Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) speaks to members of the media outside the Senate Chamber after passing a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) funding bill by unanimous consent at the U.S. Capitol Building on April 2, 2026, in Washington, DC.

How long has DHS been shut down?

The DHS shutdown began on Feb. 14 and is now in its ninth week, making it the longest funding lapse ever recorded for a single federal department.

The longest government shutdown in history (impacting the full federal government) was in 2025, lasting 43 days from Oct. 1 through Nov. 12.

Why is only DHS affected by the government shutdown?

The shutdown is limited to DHS because Congress has already passed full-year funding for all other federal agencies for fiscal year 2026.

DHS was excluded because Senate Democrats, led by Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, refused to support funding for the agency until reforms were made after federal officers shot and killed Alex Pretti and Renee Good in Minnesota.

Are TSA, DHS workers being paid?

Trump has directed both Transportation Security Administration officials and DHS to be paid despite the agency still being shut down.

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However, those payments could again be disrupted if Congress does not restore funding before resources are exhausted.

Contributing: Lori Comstock, Kate Perez

This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: DHS shutdown remains ongoing. Are TSA workers being paid?
EL PASO, Texas (KTSM)  After several officers with the El Paso Police Department punched a 26-year-old man several times in the face, he was arrested and is facing a charge of driving while intoxicated, according to the arrest affidavit obtained by KTSM.

Daniel Rodriguez Jr. was arrested on Sunday, April 5, and is charged with DWI. In a social media post, Rodriguezs mugshot was a part of 40 other individuals who were arrested for DWI or DWI-related crimes within the previous week. Rodriguezs mugshot is found on the fourth slide on the bottom left-hand side.

According to jail records, Rodriguez posted bond on April 6 on the following charges: DWI, evading arrest/detention with a vehicle and resisting arrest, search or transport.

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Shortly before 4 a.m. on Sunday, an officer was traveling northbound on Cotton Street. As the officer was driving, they saw a pickup truck failing to stop at the intersection of Wyoming and Cotton. The traffic signal for the pickup truck was flashing red.

After a pursuit, the pickup truck stopped at 2000 Sun Bowl Dr. The driver, identified as Rodriguez, was placed under arrest.

According to court documents, Rodriguez resisted arrest and was taken down to the ground be several officers.

Due to (Rodriguez) resisting arrest, he was punched on the face several times to gain control and compliance, read the affidavit.

Daniel Rodriguez. Photo courtesy of El Paso Police Department.

Rodriguezs face began to swell, and he was then placed in double-lock handcuffs.

An officer spoke with Rodriguez and noted that they immediately noticed signs of intoxication from him and detected a strong odor of an unknown alcoholic beverage from his breath and person, according to the court document.

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The officer asked Rodriguez why he didnt stop when the police unit turned on the lights. Rodriguez replied, Because (I) was stupid, read court documents. Rodriguez also told the officer that he was coming from a bar and that he had three glasses of tequila.

An officer later found two open cans of Modelo beer in the pickup truck, as well as two closed containers, all of which were cold to the touch.

According to the affidavit, due to Rodriguez resisting arrest, they did not remove the handcuffs and did not do a sobriety test.

Rodriguez provided a breath sample and the results showed .147 and .158, nearly double the legal blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limit.

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KTSM 9 News has reached out to the El Paso Police Department for the body camera footage.

A spokesperson with EPPD said the following regarding the use of force incident: El Paso Police officers may use force to arrest an individual when necessary. All use of force is reviewed by Internal Affairs to ensure it is within policy.

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 KTSM 9 News.
EL PASO, Texas (KTSM)  A Las Cruces tattoo artist allegedly raped a 19-year-old family member during a tattoo session and got her a little tipsy, according to the arrest affidavit obtained by KTSM 9 News.

As we previously reported, 42-year-old Billy J. Porter was arrested by New Mexico State Police agents on Friday, April 10 on four counts of criminal sexual penetration, one count of criminal sexual contact and one count of selling or giving alcoholic beverages to a minor.

State Police: Las Cruces tattoo artist arrested for molesting customer

Billy J. Porter. Photo courtesy of the New Mexico State Police Department.

At around noon on Wednesday, April 8, a woman entered Porter House Ink Piercing and Tattoo, located at 1204 E Lohman Ave. The woman told law enforcement that the day of the incident, she wore a sundress.

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According to court documents, Porter was very professional in the beginning. After looking at an inspirational picture and finishing the stencil, Porter began tattooing at around 1 p.m.

When the woman first arrived, Porter pulled out a bottle of Crown Royal Whiskey and told her to drink. She drank enough that she began to feel a little tipsy, read the affidavit. Porter never offered her any alcohol during their prior tattoo sessions.

The woman was lying on her right side while Porter was tattooing. At around 6 or 7 p.m., all other employees and patrons at the shop left, leaving Porter and the woman alone in the building. Porter then turned up the music.

Porter allegedly began grabbing/squeezing the womans butt and used his right hand to grab her neck, which didnt cause her any pain but took her by surprise and scared her, according to the affidavit.

Then, he allegedly bit her on the neck, chest and leg. Porter then pushed the womans legs apart and used his fingers to forcefully penetrate her, as well as licking her down to her leg. Porter stopped to remove his pants. He then allegedly grabbed the woman on the back of her neck and forced oral intercourse, according to court documents.

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Porter allegedly used a lot of force, which caused the woman to choke and she was unable to breathe.

During the assault, he kept saying that she had a perfect body and was beautiful, read the affidavit.

Porter then allegedly pulled out his phone to record the assault. She did not give him consent to record.

According to court records, Porter allegedly told her to pose for him, but she just turned away. After he recorded the assault, the woman saw Porter upload the video to Snapchat and save it to the My Eyes Only file.

People began to arrive back to the tattoo shop, which stopped Porter from doing anything, according to the affidavit.

Porter finished the tattoo at around 8 p.m., and the woman paid him, not saying anything to him after the assault. He allegedly told her that next time she came in, hell give it to me. The woman said she felt scared after that comment, court documents read.

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Once the woman got home, she tried to calm herself down because she was feeling disgusted, the affidavit said. The assault caused a great deal of pain to her, telling agents that she was bruised and had marks all over her body.

(The woman) never consented to any of Mr. Porters actions and did not want any of the sexual contact with him, according to court documents.

On April 9, the woman met with agents at the Las Cruces Police Department to report the assault.

It was also noted in the affidavit that the woman spoke with a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) Forensic Nurse. The nurse said that the woman had multiple injuries to her head, neck and private area. She had abrasions and bruises to the right side of her neck and back, and had a laceration to the inside of her lip.

The nurse also saw that there were multiple injuries to her private area, including but not limited to abrasions, bruises and swelling. It was also noted in the court documents that the woman was in a lot of pain during the examination.

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On Friday, April 10, the case was turned over to New Mexico State Police.

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 KTSM 9 News.
A GP who continued to work after being suspended for asking a Muslim patient to remove her veil has been struck off.

Keith Wolverson was suspended after he repeatedly asked the woman to remove her veil during an appointment and eventually caused her to remove it. He later said it was because she spoke poor English and he was struggling to understand her.

However, while he was suspended for nine months for misconduct, he continued to undertake locum work in defiance of explicit instruction given by a misconduct panel.

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He has now been struck off because of his flagrant disregard for the regulatory process and his failure to attend the Medical Practitioners Tribunal hearing.

In 2022, Dr Wolverson was found guilty of or admitted a total of 17 charges of misconduct relating to incidents between January and May 2018 while working as a locum at urgent care centres in Derby and Stoke. He was suspended for nine months.

In one incident at Royal Stoke University Hospital, he asked a Muslim woman, named as Mrs Q by the tribunal, to take off her niqab three times during a consultation on May 13, 2018, saying he could not hear her describing her daughters symptoms.

She refused his initial request, saying she did not want to do so for religious reasons, but he then repeated it.

Dr Wolverson practised at Royal Stoke University Hospital, one of the locations of a number of misconduct allegations - John Keates/Alamy

In an email later that month in response to the complaint, Dr Wolverson said she spoke poor English, that he was struggling to understand her and was trying to look at her mouth movements to aid communication, which the tribunal deemed to be dishonest.

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In other incidents, he wrote in the notes of 15 patients criticising their English speaking skills and those of their relatives between January and April 2018, claiming it was unacceptable and not good enough.

At a review hearing in 2023, he said he had reflected on the incidents, had considered how he would handle similar situations differently and deeply regretted the comments he made in the patients medical notes.

He told the tribunal: It would be completely wrong to maintain the suspension and prohibit a doctor further from doing his duty to his patients when there are such grave shortages within the NHS currently.

The tribunal ruled that Dr Wolversons fitness to practise remained impaired, but decided not to extend his suspension. It imposed conditions on his registration for a further 12 months, including being monitored.

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He later returned to work under supervision because of grave shortages within the NHS. However, in 2024 it was uncovered that he had undertaken locum shifts while suspended in 2022.

Disregard for the regulatory process

A tribunal has found that he had disengaged with the process and the consequences of his misconduct entirely, and has decided he should be struck off.

Emma Gilberthorpe, the chairman of the Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service hearing, said: When considering sanction, the tribunal reminded itself of the nature of the misconduct and Dr Wolversons ongoing lack of insight and remediation.

It considered that his misconduct was remediable and not fundamentally incompatible with continued registration.

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Dr Wolverson had failed to use previous periods of suspension constructively, had remained disengaged throughout, and had shown a persistent and flagrant disregard for the regulatory process.

The tribunal concluded that any lesser sanction would fail to address the current and ongoing risk to public protection and would not adequately reflect the seriousness of Dr Wolversons misconduct.

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.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer has given a firm and unequivocal response to Donald Trumps recent warning, telling the House of Commons that Britain will not be drawn into military action against Iran. This is the latest low point in transatlantic tensions as the U.S. president continues to express frustration over the U.K.s refusal to join offensive operations in the Middle East.

Keir Starmer is not going to yield to Donald Trumps warning

Speaking during Prime Ministers Questions, Sir Keir Starmer stated, Im not going to change my mind, Im not going to yield, it is not in our national interest to join this war and we will not do so. His remarks came directly after Donald Trump used an interview to claim that when America sought British assistance, they were not there.

The prime minister acknowledged sustained pressure from Washington since the U.S.-Israel war on Iran began in late February. My position on Iran has been clear from the start, were not going to get dragged into this war, Starmer said. He added, That pressure included what happened last night, referencing Trumps pointed media comments (via BBC).

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Meanwhile, Trump had suggested economic consequences could follow Britains military non-participation. Referring to the tariff agreement struck last May, the POTUS warned on Sky News, it can always be changed. When questioned about the relationship, Trump responded dismissively, With who? The president elaborated that relations had been better, but its sad.

Despite Trumps remarks, Downing Street maintains that the bilateral partnership remains robust. A spokesperson for Starmer emphasized that the relationship exists on multiple levels spanning trade, diplomacy, national security, culture, and beyond.

Furthermore, Chancellor Rachel Reeves has voiced her own frustrations regarding the war. She described it to The Mirror as a mistake and expressed anger that the U.S. went into this war without a clear exit plan. The International Monetary Fund has already downgraded U.K. growth forecasts to 0.8%, citing Britains vulnerability as a net energy importer amid instability around the Strait of Hormuz.

Originally reported by Devanshi Basu on Mandatory.

The post Donald Trump Receives a Message From British PM After His Warning appeared first on Reality Tea.
The man driving a tractor-trailer that struck the back of a car, killing a local veterinarian and her family, has been indicted by a Delaware County grand jury.

According to records from Delaware County Common Pleas Court, three charges of aggravated vehicular homicide and four charges of vehicular assault were filed on April 16 against Modou Ngom, 50, of Columbus. All seven counts are felonies.

Ngom is accused of causing the fiery April 11 crash that involved nine vehicles. Lynnea Soposki, her husband, Luke, and the couple's 1-year-old son, Logan, died in the crash. Lynnea worked as a veterinarian at Muirfield Animal Hospital in Dublin. Luke worked as a chemist at Mettler-Toledo in Columbus and operated a craft beer company. In addition, the couple operated an apiary and sold honey.

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Lynnea Soposki: Ohio veterinarian and her family remembered by friends after fatal crash

Court records say Ngom, who was driving a 2006 Freightliner tractor-trailer north on Interstate 71, did not brake or try to take any evasive action before slamming into a car in front of him, pushing that car into others and then across multiple lanes of traffic near the U.S. 36/Route 37 interchange.

At least one of the vehicles burst into flames.

A witness estimated, according to court records, Ngom had been traveling about 70 mph at the time of the crash.

The aggravated vehicular homicide charges filed against Ngom in the indictment accuse him of operating his vehicle recklessly, which Ohio law defines as operating a vehicle with a disregard for safety. Those three charges are third-degree felonies, which have a maximum possible sentence of five years each in prison if convicted.

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The vehicular assault charges, which identify four other people hurt in the crash by their initials, also accuse Ngom of operating the tractor-trailer recklessly. Those are fourth-degree felonies with a maximum possible sentence of 18 months in prison each.

Ngom operated his own trucking company and was the sole driver, according to records reviewed by The Dispatch.

Ngom is currently being held in the Delaware County jail in lieu of a $500,000 bond. He will appear for an arraignment on the indictment in the coming days but a date has not yet been scheduled.

Reporter Bethany Bruner can be reached at bbruner@dispatch.com.

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: I71 crash that killed 3 leads to more charges for truck driver
If current scientific models are anything to go by, Earth, now 4.5 billion years old and halfway through its total lifespan, has about a billion years of livable conditions left.

After that, the oceans go, slowly boiled away by an aging, brightening Sun. But the loss of water might not even be the first fatal blow to complex life.

Researchers at Toho University in Japan ran 400,000 climate simulations using NASA planetary models and published the results in Nature Geoscience. Their work paints a grim timeline where the atmosphere could become unbreathable long before the planet is physically destroyed.

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As atmospheric chemistry shifts, carbon dioxide levels will plummet, starving plant life and triggering a rapid, permanent collapse of Earths oxygen supply.

Our host star dictates the final terms

UC San Diego planetary scientist Keming Zhangwhose recent study in Nature Astronomy analyzed an Earth-like exoplanet orbiting a white dwarfnotes that our timeline is similarly limited, Planet Earth will only be habitable for around another billion years, at which point Earths oceans would be vaporized by the runaway greenhouse effect, long before the risk of getting swallowed by the red giant.

The mechanics behind Zhangs warning come down to our host star. The Sun grows about 1% brighter every 100 million years. In a billion years, thats enough to trigger a runaway greenhouse effect where oceans evaporate, water vapor traps heat, and temperatures climb with nothing to stop them.

While this marks the end for anything living, the dead planet will keep spinning. Earth formed 4.5 billion years ago, but it wont be until five billion years from now that the Sun runs out of hydrogen fuel, expands into a red giant, and likely takes the planet with it. Thats the end of Earth entirely.

A possible interstellar Plan B

This billion-year deadline puts a theoretical expiration date on our stay in the Goldilocks Zone. If humanity, or whatever we evolve into, intends to survive, were looking at a multi-millennial engineering project.

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The discovery of the Earth-like exoplanet orbiting a white dwarf (the leftovers of a dead star) suggests that planets can indeed survive the death of their suns.

Sources: Nature Geoscience, Diario AS, Nature Astronomy, UC Berkeley News

Read the original article on GEEKSPIN.

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At Geneva Watch Week, several independent watch brands stood out. Eberhard & Co., established in 1887, introduced a new Scafograf 1959 with a Milanese bracelet, reflecting a growing trend. At Villa Sarasin, the young brand BA111OD showcased high-quality watches at accessible prices, including a Swiss-made tourbillon under CHF 10,000. In the Carre des Horlogers, Czapek presented a new Antarctique model with a frosty blue dial, a color trend still popular. Laurent Ferrier highlighted its Sport Collection, combining elegant design with haute horlogerie finishes. These brands demonstrate the creativity, craftsmanship, and diversity of todays independent watchmaking scene in Geneva.
More than 700 business leaders and employees gathered at the Brookfield Conference Center April 16 to celebrate southeast Wisconsin's 2026 Top Workplaces.

More than 160 businesses were recognized as Top Workplaces for southeastern Wisconsin for 2026. It's the 17th year for the program, sponsored by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.

Pennsylvania-based research firm Energage partners with the Journal Sentinel and news organizations in 65 markets around the country to select Top Workplaces. Energage invited nearly 3,000 companies to participate in the southeast Wisconsin 2026 program and surveyed 222. Of those, 164 were recognized as Top Workplaces.

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"The fact that we have great, successful businesses here in southeast Wisconsin is the reason that we can continue to hold this event year after year," Journal Sentinel General Manager Bryan Arnold told attendees during the conference.

To qualify for Top Workplaces, employers must have at least 50 employees in southeast Wisconsin and a survey response rate of 35% or higher. Businesses are divided into small, midsize and large categories.

Employees rate their workplace across a series of categories, work/life balance, the direction of their company and the meaningfulness of their work.

Businesses were also recognized with special awards for standout scores in leadership, integrity and workplace culture.

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"When you're a top workplace, the determination and compassion and purpose and confidence can be seen and felt in everything that goes on," Greg Borowski, Journal Sentinel executive editor, told the audience.

This year, 19 companies were named a Top Workplace for the first time. Another eight were recognized as founding winners for making the list 17 years in a row.

How to see the 2026 Top Workplaces list of winners

The full list of the 2026 Top Workplaces honorees is online at https://www.jsonline.com/story/money/business/top-workplaces/2026/04/16/top-workplaces-announces-2026-wisconsin-recipients/88879005007/. They will also appear in a special section in Sunday's Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.

Employees with Zuern Building Products, out of Slinger, wear construction costumes during the celebration of southeast Wisconsins 2026 Top Workplaces in Brookfield, on April 16, 2026. More than 700 business leaders gathered as 164 companies were recognized in the 17th year of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinelsponsored program, with winners selected in partnership with research firm Energage. People attend the celebration of southeast Wisconsins 2026 Top Workplaces in Brookfield, on April 16, 2026. More than 700 business leaders gathered as 164 companies were recognized in the 17th year of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinelsponsored program, with winners selected in partnership with research firm Energage. Attendees find their seat assignments during the celebration of southeast Wisconsins 2026 Top Workplaces in Brookfield, on April 16, 2026. More than 700 business leaders gathered as 164 companies were recognized in the 17th year of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinelsponsored program, with winners selected in partnership with research firm Energage. People mingle before the celebration of southeast Wisconsins 2026 Top Workplaces in Brookfield, on April 16, 2026. More than 700 business leaders gathered as 164 companies were recognized in the 17th year of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinelsponsored program, with winners selected in partnership with research firm Energage. Josh Monroe, with Atos Medical out of New Berlin, dressed as the green light in The Great Gatsby holds his saber during the celebration of southeast Wisconsins 2026 Top Workplaces in Brookfield, on April 16, 2026. More than 700 business leaders gathered as 164 companies were recognized in the 17th year of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinelsponsored program, with winners selected in partnership with research firm Energage. The awards are displayed during the celebration of southeast Wisconsins 2026 Top Workplaces in Brookfield, on April 16, 2026. More than 700 business leaders gathered as 164 companies were recognized in the 17th year of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinelsponsored program, with winners selected in partnership with research firm Energage. April Esquivel, left and Alleeah Graves, with Royal Basket Trucks, out of Darien, Wisconsin sport festive headwear during the celebration of southeast Wisconsins 2026 Top Workplaces in Brookfield, on April 16, 2026. More than 700 business leaders gathered as 164 companies were recognized in the 17th year of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinelsponsored program, with winners selected in partnership with research firm Energage. Thais Mourao, left, and Veronica Walter, with CG Schmidt, out of Milwaukee, hold an award their company received in the Best Midsized category during the celebration of southeast Wisconsins 2026 Top Workplaces in Brookfield, on April 16, 2026. More than 700 business leaders gathered as 164 companies were recognized in the 17th year of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinelsponsored program, with winners selected in partnership with research firm Energage. Employees attend the celebration of southeast Wisconsins 2026 Top Workplaces in Brookfield, on April 16, 2026. More than 700 business leaders gathered as 164 companies were recognized in the 17th year of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinelsponsored program, with winners selected in partnership with research firm Energage. The breakfast sponsored by NCG Hospitality is ready to be served during the celebration of southeast Wisconsins 2026 Top Workplaces in Brookfield, on April 16, 2026. More than 700 business leaders gathered as 164 companies were recognized in the 17th year of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinelsponsored program, with winners selected in partnership with research firm Energage. Josh Monroe, with Atos Medical out of New Berlin, dressed as the green light in The Great Gatsby holds blows bubbles during the celebration of southeast Wisconsins 2026 Top Workplaces in Brookfield, on April 16, 2026. More than 700 business leaders gathered as 164 companies were recognized in the 17th year of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinelsponsored program, with winners selected in partnership with research firm Energage. Employees with Sterling Lawyers, out of Menomonee Falls, including Robin Esch (holding award) pose for a photo with their Top Workplace award during the celebration of southeast Wisconsins 2026 Top Workplaces in Brookfield, on April 16, 2026. More than 700 business leaders gathered as 164 companies were recognized in the 17th year of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinelsponsored program, with winners selected in partnership with research firm Energage. Milwaukee Journal Sentinel executive editor Greg Borowski speaks during the celebration of southeast Wisconsins 2026 Top Workplaces in Brookfield, on April 16, 2026. More than 700 business leaders gathered as 164 companies were recognized in the 17th year of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinelsponsored program, with winners selected in partnership with research firm Energage. Milwaukee Journal Sentinel direct marketing and special section manager Mark Missurelli waits to speak during the celebration of southeast Wisconsins 2026 Top Workplaces in Brookfield, on April 16, 2026. More than 700 business leaders gathered as 164 companies were recognized in the 17th year of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinelsponsored program, with winners selected in partnership with research firm Energage. Matt Earhart, with Trusted Fraternal Life, out of Milwaukee, dons a crown during the celebration of southeast Wisconsins 2026 Top Workplaces in Brookfield, on April 16, 2026. More than 700 business leaders gathered as 164 companies were recognized in the 17th year of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinelsponsored program, with winners selected in partnership with research firm Energage. Media Partnerships director Bob Helbig speaks during the celebration of southeast Wisconsins 2026 Top Workplaces in Brookfield, on April 16, 2026. More than 700 business leaders gathered as 164 companies were recognized in the 17th year of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinelsponsored program, with winners selected in partnership with research firm Energage. Employees with, Atos Medical out of New Berlin, including Jessica Shumpert (left) and Jared Eggers cheer during the celebration of southeast Wisconsins 2026 Top Workplaces in Brookfield, on April 16, 2026. More than 700 business leaders gathered as 164 companies were recognized in the 17th year of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinelsponsored program, with winners selected in partnership with research firm Energage. Milwaukee Journal Sentinel General Manager Bryan Arnold speaks during the celebration of southeast Wisconsins 2026 Top Workplaces in Brookfield, on April 16, 2026. More than 700 business leaders gathered as 164 companies were recognized in the 17th year of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinelsponsored program, with winners selected in partnership with research firm Energage. Top Workplaces 2026 recognizes employers in southeast Wisconsin 1 of 18 Employees with Zuern Building Products, out of Slinger, wear construction costumes during the celebration of southeast Wisconsins 2026 Top Workplaces in Brookfield, on April 16, 2026. More than 700 business leaders gathered as 164 companies were recognized in the 17th year of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinelsponsored program, with winners selected in partnership with research firm Energage.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Southeast Wisconsin 2026 Top Workplaces recognized by Journal Sentinel
A cave hidden beneath an 11th Century castle in Pembrokeshire is a "truly remarkable site" which could rewrite Britain's prehistory, researchers say.

Small digs of the cave under Pembroke Castle, known as Wogan Cavern, have so far uncovered "extremely rare" evidence of early humans and animals - including the bones of a hippopotamus which roamed Wales 120,000 years ago.

The University of Aberdeen will now lead a larger five-year exploration of the site, which archaeologists hope could reveal "a great deal about our early prehistoric forebears".

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"There is no other site like it in Britain  it is a once in a lifetime discovery," said Dr Rob Dinnis from the University of Aberdeen.

Pembroke Castle, the birthplace of Henry Tudor, is a popular tourist attraction [University of Aberdeen]

Wogan Cavern, thought to have been dug out by the Victorians, is accessed via a spiral staircase from the castle.

Measuring 23m (75ft) in length, with a height of up to 10m (32ft), the cave has been described as "enormous".

It was long assumed that there was little archaeological material left at the site, but small excavations between 2021 and 2024 uncovered evidence of both humans and animals over more than 100,000 years - including stone tools and mammoth, hippo and woolly rhinoceros bones.

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The bones have been described as well preserved, and researchers said the cave was emerging as one of the most important prehistoric archives in Britain.

Dinnis, who directed the initial digs and will lead the new excavation project, said he was optimistic about what they would uncover.

"Despite the limited work done so far, we can already say that Wogan Cavern is a truly remarkable site," he said.

A molar from a woolly rhino, discovered during smaller digs at the cave [University of Aberdeen]

"Not only is there extremely rare evidence for early Homo sapiens, there are also hints at even earlier human occupation, probably by Neanderthals.

"There is no other site like it in Britain  it is a once in a lifetime discovery. With this new project we can learn a great deal about our early prehistoric forebears, about how they lived and what their worlds looked like.

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"We are optimistic that the cave can chart a long sequence of human activity, from hunter-gatherers living there immediately after the last Ice Age around 11,500 years ago, back to Britain's earliest Homo sapiens between 45,000 and 35,000 years ago, and maybe also earlier traces likely left by Neanderthals.

"We have also found hippo bones, which probably date to the last interglacial period, around 120,000 years ago. The site could therefore tell us about how multiple changes in climate and environment affected people living there over 100,000 years or more."

The five-year excavation is set to begin in May [University of Aberdeen]

The university will lead on the exploration supported by the Pembroke Castle Trust, which said the finds from Wogan Cavern would be curated and kept in Pembroke.

For Pembroke Castle  the birthplace of Henry Tudor and a popular tourist attraction  the project represents an exciting new chapter in its history.

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"This is incredibly exciting news for everyone at the castle," said manager Jon Williams.

"We have watched with great interest as Wogan Cavern has started to reveal its secrets  it's very different from the medieval history we usually deal with at the castle."

The new excavations are scheduled to begin at the end of May.

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European Council President Antonio Costa has accused Moscow of targeting first responders in the latest massive wave of Russian airstrikes across Ukraine overnight.

At least 14 people were killed and dozens injured in missile and drone attacks on the cities of Odessa, Kiev and Dnipro, officials said on Thursday.

"Russian armed forces deliberately carried out follow-up strikes on Ukrainian emergency services as first responders arrived to save lives," wrote Costa on X.

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"Russias war of aggression against Ukraine has failed, and so it chooses to deliberately terrorize civilians," he said, adding that "Russia must stop this war of terror."

Costa said that the EU will continue to increase pressure on Russia and uphold its support for Ukraine.

Hopes are high in Brussels that a new package of sanctions on Moscow and a 90 billion ($106 billion) loan for Ukraine can finally be implemented after Kremlin-friendly Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban is set to leave office after an election defeat.
By Greg Torode and Karen Lema

HONG KONG/MANILA, April 15 (Reuters) - China is employing ships and a barrier to tighten control of the entrance to the Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea amid roiling tension with the Philippines over the disputed feature, satellite imagery obtained by Reuters shows.

Scarborough is one of Asia's most hotly disputed maritime sites, where some diplomats and analysts fear long-running frictions and confrontations could degenerate into armed conflict.

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The presence of four fishing boats, a Chinese naval or coast guard ship and a new floating barrier comes as the Philippines sends its own coast guard and fisheries vessels to support its fishermen frequently driven away by larger Chinese patrols.

Photographs taken on April 10 and 11 show the fishing boats anchored along the entrance to the shoal, in addition to a floating barrier stretching across it in the April 11 image.

Satellite image provider Vantor, formerly Maxar Technologies, said a probable Chinese naval or coast guard patrol vessel can be glimpsed just outside the entrance on April 10.

China's defence ministry did not immediately respond to Reuters' requests for comment on the deployment to the entrance to the shoal or its timing.

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TRADITIONALLY RICH FISHING GROUND

The traditionally rich fishing ground of the Scarborough Shoal lies entirely within the Philippines' exclusive economic zone, but China also claims it as part of its territory.

Last year, China approved establishment of a national nature reserve there, alarming Philippine security officials, who called the move a "clear pretext for occupation".

Jay Tarriela, a spokesperson for the Philippine coast guard, told Reuters on Wednesday the Chinese government had installed a 352-m (1,150-ft)floating barrier at the entrance on April 10 and April 11.

"Six Chinese maritime militia vessels were observed within the shoal, while three others were spotted outside, seemingly obstructing the entrance to BDM," he said.

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He was referring to the shoal by its Philippine name of Bajo de Masinloc, while China calls it Huangyan Island.

While the Philippines coast guard has cut barriers in the past, Tarriela said the Chinese side appear to have removed the latest one since the weekend, but the Philippine Navy says its patrols continue.

"According to our assessment in the past, they consistently exhibit suspicion whenever they monitor a group of Filipino fishing boats," Tarriela added.

Ten Chinese coast guard vessels were sighted at the shoal from April 5 to April 12, Philippine Navy spokesperson Roy Trinidad said on Tuesday.

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SOVEREIGNTY HAS NEVER BEEN ESTABLISHED

Despite the competing claims, sovereignty has never been established and the shoal is effectively under Beijing's control even if Philippine boats still try to operate there.

In January, the militaries of the Philippines and the United States sailed together at the shoal in the 11th such drill by the treaty allies.

Military engagements between them have soared under Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., who has pivoted closer to Washington in response to China's growing presence in the busy waterway of the South China Sea.

Thousands of troops from both countries are set to begin large-scale exercises across the Philippine archipelago this month, including in Zambales, whose coast is about 120 nautical miles from the Scarborough Shoal.

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Diplomats say the drills and broader tensions are being closely watched amid fears that China could take advantage of perceptions that the U.S. is distracted by the Iran conflict and its effort to re-open the vital Straits of Hormuz waterway.

China has kept a deployment of coast guard and fishing trawlers at the shoal since seizing it in 2012 after a standoff with the Philippines.

Manila has said Chinese maritime militia operate some trawlers at the shoal and other disputed areas of the South China Sea, but Beijing has never acknowledged this.

A landmark 2016 ruling on various South China Sea issues by the Permanent Court of Arbitration backed Manila, but establishing sovereignty over Scarborough Shoal was outside its scope.

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The court said Beijing's blockade there violated international law as it was a traditional fishing ground for several countries, including China, the Philippines and Vietnam.

(Reporting by Greg Torode in Hong Kong and Karen Lema in Manila; Additional reporting by Beijing newsroom; Editing by Clarence Fernandez)
A former Edinburgh Academy pupil who travelled to South Africa for the extradition hearing of his alleged abuser has said it is "crushing" that proceedings were called off at the last minute.

A court in Cape Town was due to hear legal arguments on whether Iain Wares, 86, should be extradited to Scotland, where he faces allegations of abuse while teaching at the school and also at Fettes College in the 1970s.

The hearing was cancelled because the state prosecutor was unavailable due to illness and a replacement could not be found.

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Neil Douglas, one of three alleged victims of Wares who had travelled from the UK to watch the proceedings, said: "Disappointing is barely the word for it."

"I'm angry, I'm upset, I feel let down," he added.

Douglas had flown to South Africa to watch proceedings with George Scott and Roy Hurhangee, who allege they were targeted at Fettes College.

"It's not so much the money, it's the investment in time to come and see justice being done and yet again South Africa has failed to deliver justice," he said.

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"I have sympathy for the state prosecutor but somebody should have been briefed and ready to step in.

"It's almost like South Africa is the perfect haven for paedophiles because cases take too long and they just keep running and the paedophiles keeps escaping.

"There was so much staked on this being the day when finally the extradition warrant would be dealt with, the extradition decision would be made and we could kind of have the relief that he's eventually going to get back into Scotland and it hasn't happened.

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"We've been let down yet again by the justice system in South Africa."

The court said there will be a procedural hearing on 28 April to set a new date for the extradition enquiry.

Douglas said: "Who knows if it's ever going to happen, it just keeps delaying, South Africa protects paedophiles, South Africa seems to encourage paedophiles."

'Still on the streets'

Wares now lives in Cape Town, where the high court previously ruled he could be extradited to face trial in Scotland. This was delayed when authorities submitted further charges.

In a separate case, a Cape Town court has found him guilty of indecently assaulting a former student in South Africa who accused him of sexual abuse in the 1980s. He is due to be sentenced in May.

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Douglas said: "Iain Wares - lets face it - is a convicted paedophile and he's still walking the streets in South Africa, he's still going to shopping malls, he's still got access to children, and we're just being ignored."

He added that the UK and South Africa needed to "make sure Iain Wares is taken off the streets so he cannot harm any more children".

Extradition battle

Prosecutors in Scotland first requested Wares' extradition in 2018, leading to his arrest the following year on seven charges of lewd, indecent and libidinous practices and behaviour.

The High Court in Cape Town ruled in 2024 that he could be extradited on three charges, but the process was delayed as the authorities in Scotland looked to bring further charges.

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Wares was arrested under a UK extradition warrant in October last year before being released on bail.

His accusers include BBC presenter Nicky Campbell, who was not abused by Wares but has said he witnessed the sexual abuse of a pupil by the teacher.

South Africa's national prosecuting authority said the additional charges included 60 counts of sexual assault, four of rape and 25 of assault.

Wares denies the charges and has fought against the extradition.
Police in Zanzibar investigating the death of social media influencer Ashly Robinson said she killed herself following a "misunderstanding" with her fiance while they were on vacation.

But her sister is questioning the circumstances around her death, saying Robinson was "happy" and looking forward to the future after recently having celebrated a birthday and her engagement.

"None of this makes sense," Alyssa Endres told NBC News. "That's why we're just so lost. And that's why we just want answers."

Ashly Robinson, right, with her sister, Alyssa Endres. (Alyssa Endres) (Alyssa Endres)

Robinson and her fiance, Joseph McCann, traveled to Zanzibar on April 4, according to a translated video statement from Tanzanian police. They were staying at the Zuri Zanzibar hotel when staff members found her in her room and rushed her to the hospital on April 8.

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Robinson died the next day, police said.

Robinson, 31, who went by the name Ashlee Jenae on social media, documented part of the trip on Instagram. In an April 3 post, McCann is seen proposing to Robinson as a lion walks away during what appears to be a safari.

"Still taking this in somewhere in Africa," Robinson captioned the video.

Other photos showed the couple posing for pictures with the animals. Her last post, on April 5, showed her feeding a giraffe while she celebrated her birthday.

"Chapter 31 and Im exactly where i need to be," she wrote.

While social media posts showed the couple seemingly enjoying their vacation, local police said they got into a dispute that led to their staying in separate rooms. It's not clear what led up to the dispute.

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In a translated statement, police said staff members at the Zuri Zanzibar hotel informed them that Robinson and McCann "seemed to not have a good understanding" and that the pair were separated. Robinson remained in their room, and McCann was moved to a different room, police said.

A room service attendant later found Robinson in the room and alerted hotel management. She was taken to the hospital, where she died.

Police called the couple's dispute a "misunderstanding" and said Robinson died by suicide.

The hotel said it was "deeply saddened" by what happened.

"Our sincerest thoughts and sympathies go out to the family and loved ones during this painful time. We are providing our full cooperation to the local authorities and the U.S. Embassy," it said in a statement.

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Endres said that she spoke to her sister shortly before she died and that "everything was completely normal." The pair discussed what they were going to do when Robinson got back to the U.S.

"She was so ready to take the next steps with who she thought was the love of her life," Endres said. "She was so happy with the choices that she had made and in the places that she was. She was happy."

Endres said the trip to Zanzibar was a planned "dream" vacation for her sister.

Robinsons mother said the past several days have been overwhelming, and she declined to speak further.

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In an statement Sunday on Instagram, the family said that "nothing about this loss feels real."

"The suddenness, the unanswered questions, and the distance from home have made this tragedy even more overwhelming for our family," the statement read.

Police said Robinson's death remains under investigation, and police continue to question McCann. His passport has been suspended, police said.

McCann could not be reached at phone numbers listed for him. Attempts to reach his family were unsuccessful.

Endres said that communication with local police has been sparse but that family will continue fighting to find out what happened.

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"She wasnt just an influencer; she wasnt just someone online. She was a daughter, she was a sister and she was someone who is so, so loved because of the life that she brought," Endres said. "She was just such a large piece in so many peoples lives, and thats what I want people to not forget."

If you or someone you know is in crisis, call 988 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. You can also call the network, previously known as the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, at 800-273-8255, text HOME to 741741 or visit SpeakingOfSuicide.com/resources for additional resources.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
Editor's note: This story was updated to clarify the entities that oversee the Lower Price Hill Thrives affordable housing project.

The family of a 20-year-old woman who died in January after a crash believes a missing stop sign played a role in her death.

Carlie Berry died Jan. 11, less than a week after a two-vehicle collision on Depot Street at West Eighth Street in Lower Price Hill. The crash occurred Jan. 6 when Berry collided with Jermaine Isham, who is facing multiple charges stemming from the incident but none directly related to Berry's death.

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Isham was driving west on West Eighth Street when Berry was traveling north on Depot Street in her 2016 Hyundai Elantra. Berry attempted to cross West Eighth Street when Isham's 2014 Ford Fusion struck the passenger side of Berry's vehicle, according to a crash report from the Ohio Department of Public Safety.

Berrys grandmother, Carolyn Peterson, said the family discovered there was no stop sign at the intersection at the time of the crash but one appeared there afterward. Her family wants to know why the sign was missing and if construction or city officials failed to maintain the traffic safety measure with deadly consequences.

The initial crash report showed a stop sign on Berry's side of the intersection, Peterson said. The current report states that no stop sign was present.

Berrys mother, LaCresha Rochelle Berry, returned to the intersection after the collision several times to take photos showing the lack of a stop sign. On one visit, she noticed a temporary mobile stop sign sitting atop layers of snow, Peterson said.

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When a reporter visited the intersection April 10, a stop sign was present at the corner with fresh concrete surrounding the pole.

Peterson said workers removed the stop sign on Depot Street and failed to replace it until after Berry's death.

A stop sign on a corner at the intersection of West Eighth Street and Depot Street, where Carlie Berry collided with Jermaine Isham Jan. 6, 2026.

Construction at the intersection may have contributed to the issue. If a stop sign is within the scope of a project, contractors would be responsible for moving or replacing a sign.

Over-The-Rhine Community Housing, a social service agency, partnered with HGC construction to build an apartment through its Lower Price Hill Thrives affordable housing project at 2117 W. Eighth St. in 2021. HGC finished construction in December 2023, according to Jake Suer, vice president of HGC.

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Suer said HGC construction crews never removed a stop sign. We replaced the sidewalk outside the building but we didnt have any sign work as part of our scope," he said.

The Enquirer left a voicemail with Lower Price Hill Thrives to ask if the stop sign was taken down and determine the timeline of construction but did not receive a response before publication.

A Google Earth screenshot of the corner of West Eighth Street and Depot Street shows no stop sign at the corner in May 2025.

The Cincinnati Department of Transportation and Engineering is responsible for stop signs in Cincinnati and works with the Department of Public Services to make and install signs, according to the city's website. The Enquirer called the transportation department multiple times and also messaged a city spokesperson seeking information about the stop sign and oversight responsibilities but did not receive answers.

Somebody has to take accountability, why did yall not put the stop sign back? Peterson said.

A Google Earth screenshot of the corner of West Eighth Street and Depot Street shows a stop sign on a telephone pole in August 2014.

According to a traffic report from the Ohio Department of Public Safety, Isham was driving 55 mph in a 25-mph zone at the time of the collision. Berry was traveling at 22 mph.

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I bet you could sit there all day, and you wouldnt find a single car going the speed limit, said Mark Byron, who used to own a photography studio near the intersection. People think theyre on the highway.

From the Jan. 6 collision, Isham faces a felony charge related to an alleged assault of a firefighter, as well as several misdemeanors including resisting arrest, failure to reinstate license, obstructing official business, reckless driving, operating a motor vehicle with a controlled substance and operating a vehicle while impaired, according to Hamilton County Municipal Court records.

His next court date is a pretrial hearing for the misdemeanor charges on April 16. Ishams attorney Thomas Maloney declined to comment on the case.

This gentleman should have charges. He should be charged with aggravated vehicular homicide, Peterson said.

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Court records show Isham has faced multiple trafficrelated misdemeanor charges since 2022. Now hes taken a life," Peterson said.

Who was Carlie Berry?

Carlie Berry at the Roger Bacon High School homecoming. Berry's grandmother Carolyn Peterson said this is one of Berry's mother's favorite photos of her.

Berry had just turned 20 in November. For her birthday, her boyfriend gave her a Yorkie puppy she named Chase, Peterson said. The dog was riding in the car with Berry at the time of the crash and died on impact.

Berry was a student at University of Cincinnati Blue Ash with plans to become a cardiac registered nurse, according to Peterson. Patients would have loved Berry because of her upbeat spirit, she said.

She was just such a bright young lady. So bubbly and just like the little light in our family, Peterson said. She was such a loving child.

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Before graduating from Walnut Hills High School, Berry was a dancer, cheerleader and volleyball player. Her busy schedule at UC forced Berry to take a break from the activities she loved.

As the older cousin to several children under 10, Berry played a big role in their lives. She routinely picked them up from school and got them something to eat or had them over for days at a time. including during the last week of winter break, Peterson said.

For many of the children, this is their first experience with loss. Theyre struggling, Peterson said.

Shes a little bit of the glue thats now missing from our family."

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: UC student died after crash, family asks why stop sign was missing
PLATTSBURGH  Already the longest serving sheriff in Clinton Countys history, David Favro is looking to add four more years to his record.

Favro, who has been the county sheriff since 2003, has announced he is running for his seventh consecutive term in office.

He already said he'd run again but waited until after his name was officially on the ballot to hold a press conference Thursday morning.

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If you ask my wife, she'll probably give you one answer, but if you ask me, it's pretty simple  it's really simple  I love this job, Favro said about his decision to run again.

We've had great success for the last 23 years, and I'm convinced we can continue to have great success because we have wonderful people working for us now, and we're continuing to recruit wonderful people to work with us  I want to continue to be part of that and make sure that we continue to grow, continue to improve and continue to make Clinton County the wonderful place it is.

Favro will be facing off against Republican challenger Brent Davison, former Troop B Commander for the New York State Police, in November's general election.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS

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Favro touted a long list of his accomplishments, including the installation of the Tek 84 full body scanner, CV-TEC being on site offering GED programs and providing certificates, bank representatives coming in to provide financial training and, on the patrol side, in 2025, investigating over 4,000 complaints, conducting over 1,000 sex offender registries and starting the AED program.

He said one of his biggest accomplishments is the Special Response Team, which began as the Clinton County Special Response Team and has expanded to include Essex, Franklin and St. Lawrence counties.

There's a lot of good things that are happening here. There's a lot of activity that happens here at the jail. The mission of the Clinton County Sheriff's Office, again, is to provide a quality of life safety for the residents of Clinton County while working in partnership with the members of our community, Favro said.

We have an attitude here that if something goes wrong, it's sad, it's unfortunate, but we need to learn from it. We need to grow. We need to make sure that we own it and that we step up and we fix it. And we have done that on many, many counts.

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IM DOING IT

Favro said these are more than enough reasons for voters to choose him this November.

Two decades later, this is where we are. We're a force to be reckoned with. We have a strong SRT team. We have a strong, well-trained patrol unit that has extensive, as testified by the State Fire Chiefs Association, medical training to save lives. We have made Clinton County a better place, and we will continue to make Clinton County a better place, Favro said.

I'm not promising anything. I'm doing it. I have done it, and I'm going to continue to do it. That's why they should vote for me.

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CONTROVERSY, INVESTIGATIONS

Favro also addressed some concerns surrounding the sheriffs office over the last few years.

One recent controversy was the death of Margo Diaz, who died in jail after only five days from late December 2025 to early January.

The cause of death, as reported by medical examiner Dr. D. Bell earlier this year, was natural causes of bacterial endocarditis of the tricuspid valve.

Favro said Diazs autopsy was attended by the New York State Attorney Generals Office and New York State Police at his request.

She was in our custody less than five days, so it was an unusual circumstance. And we wanted to make sure if there was anything outlying in that situation, that it was covered, he said. So between the AG's investigation and the New York State Police BCI (Bureau of Criminal Investigation) coming with us to the autopsy, we covered those bases.

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All evidence surrounding her death was turned over to the Office of the Attorney General for a formal investigation in January.

The report for Diazs death has still not been revealed.

These investigations take time because we're not the only case that they're working on, Favro said. So I can't talk on any details because it is a pending investigation until we have a final report. I don't anticipate any confusions or any problems.

Clinton County and its insurance company also settled five lawsuits with former female employees of the sheriffs office in 2024 who had claimed allegations of harassment and misconduct while working there.

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Favro reiterated he did not agree with the decision to settle, claiming he anticipated those lawsuits going to trial, but it was cheaper to settle.

That's a decision I had no part in whatsoever. I didn't participate in the talks, didn't even agree with the concept of it, he said. That was a choice that the insurance company made because of value. It's easier to pay people to resolve the matter than to spend the money on attorneys and court fees and meals, etc.

JAIL CHANGES

Additionally, Favro said incidents at the jail have resulted in changes, including to its medical staff.

I want to thank the members of our legislature because I have lobbied them on several different occasions to get increased pay for our medical staff, which has allowed us to have, right now, four totally new people in our medical staff than what we had just a year and a half ago, he said.

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They've increased the pay to allow us to be able to bring in people that are more skilled, more professional and able to handle the changing dynamics that we're seeing with medical care needs of the inmates that are coming into the facility.

Those changing dynamics include dealing with more inmates coming into the jails care with severe mental health issues and addiction.

We are responsible  make no mistake  we are responsible for the care, custody and control of every inmate that comes in here. Our officers take that very seriously. They take it to heart. They do a phenomenal job. They do their work with pride and integrity, Favro said.

When we have an unfortunate outcome of an inmate death, it's traumatic. It's traumatic on the families; it's traumatic on the officers and on their families as well.

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Through work with the OAG, Favro said policies, procedures and training are also being revamped throughout the department.

It's necessary, and it should happen, he said.

DAVISON

Davison said in a statement Thursday he believes his prior police work will help him be a successful sheriff in Clinton County.

I served a successful, lifelong career in law enforcement, ultimately finishing my career as a troop commander. In that role, I worked closely with local agencies, community organizations and leaders across the county and beyond, building relationships that will add to the network needed to be a successful sheriff, Davison said in the statement.

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This campaign is about the residents of Clinton County and what they deserve. Im committed to running a sheriffs office that is highly productive, transparent and accountable to the people it serves. Over the coming months, I look forward to connecting with voters, sharing my vision and demonstrating how my experience and leadership will deliver results to the community.

Davison plans to hold a press conference of his own at a later date.
A woman recently added to the FBIs Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list was captured in Florida less than a day after authorities announced she was on the list.

KaShawn Nicola Roper was arrested on April 15, 2026, in High Springs around 10:30 a.m., according to law enforcement. Officials stated the arrest was smooth and occurred during a traffic stop conducted by the High Springs Police, with help from the Alachua County Sheriffs Office and the U.S. Marshals Service.

The arrest occurred less than a day after the FBI included Roper on its Ten Most Wanted list and offered a reward of up to $1 million for information leading to her capture. Authorities stated that credible tips from the public were crucial in finding her.

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Roper is sought in connection with a 2020 shooting in Kansas City. Investigators allege that on August 23, 2020, she exchanged fire during an altercation, firing multiple shots into a vehicle, which hit two women and resulted in one of their deaths.

In September 2020, she was charged in Jackson County, Missouri, with second-degree murder, armed criminal action, and unlawful use of a weapon. Subsequently, a federal warrant was issued in 2021 for unlawful flight to evade prosecution.

Authorities emphasized that the charges are allegations, and Roper is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.

Law enforcement officials at local, state, and federal levels credited effective collaboration and quick information-sharing for the swift arrest. Agencies involved emphasized that public tips and coordinated efforts are crucial in capturing dangerous fugitives.

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Roper is expected to face prosecution in Missouri in connection with the 2020 case.

Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
This story was originally published on MyNorthwest.com.

A shooting occurred after a fight broke out at a Safeway in Seattles University District Wednesday afternoon, injuring one person.

At about 3:17 p.m., dispatchers received a report of a shooting in the 4700 block of Brooklyn Ave. N.E., Seattle Police Department (SPD) Officer Brian Pritchard told KIRO Newsradio. Officers arrived and found that a man who was shot had left the scene.

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According to SPD, two males were involved in a fight outside of the Safeway, located at 4732 Brooklyn Avenue in Seattle. One male pulled out a firearm and shot the other male, striking him in the mid-thigh area.

The suspect who fired a gunshot then got into a vehicle and left northbound on Brooklyn Avenue N.E.

The male who was shot, he actually made his way into the store and sat down briefly before returning to his vehicle and leaving in the same direction as a suspect, Pritchard added.

SPD currently has no victim or suspect, as of this reporting, but nearby hospitals have been notified that there could be a victim who might arrive with a gunshot wound.

KIRO Newsradio has a reporter at the scene to provide more details on the shooting.

This is a developing story, check back for updates

Follow Frank Sumrall on X. Send news tips here.
OUAGADOUGOU, April 16 (Xinhua) -- Ted Chaiban, deputy executive director of the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), has commended Burkina Faso for the progress it has made in the fields of education, health and child well-being, according to a statement issued Thursday by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Burkina Faso.

According to the statement, the UN official and his delegation were received in audience on Wednesday afternoon by Burkina Faso's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Karamoko Jean Marie Traore. The visit forms part of efforts to strengthen dialogue and consultation with national authorities.

Chaiban particularly praised the advances in education, health and child well-being, while encouraging the continuation of initiatives to reopen schools and promote education in emergency settings.

He also called for stepped-up efforts to withdraw and protect children recruited by terrorist armed groups.

The statement added that UNICEF aims to develop strengthened programs not only at the national level but also from a transnational perspective, bringing together the three member countries of the Alliance of Sahel States, which face common challenges. 
For the second time this year, a fire broke out on one of the United States Navys nuclear-power supercarriers. Three sailors were reportedly injured on Tuesday as a result of a small fire aboard the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69). The sailors were treated onboard the warship and have since returned to full duty, the U.S. Navy confirmed.

The service has not indicated where the fire broke out, but it occurred during CVN-69s maintenance availability, the scheduled period where a warship pauses operations for repairs or upgrades, at Norfolk Naval Station, Va.

USS Dwight D. Eisenhower has been in port at the U.S. Navys shipyard for 16 months, undergoing post-deployment maintenance.

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On April 14, USS Dwight D. Eisenhower experienced a small fire that was immediately contained and extinguished by ships force and Norfolk Navy Shipyard personnel, who responded swiftly as trained. Three Sailors were treated by ships medical and returned to full duty, the U.S. Navy said in a statement to the media, as reported by USNI News.

It was just a month ago that a more serious fire broke out on the U.S. Navys USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78), which took nearly 30 hours to contain and then impacted carrier operations for two days. The vessel has since undergone repairs in Split, Croatia, and as of this week was back at sea in the eastern Mediterranean.

Fire During The PIA

USS Dwight D. Eisenhower, the second Nimitz-class aircraft carrier, arrived at the Virginia shipyard on January 8, 2025, for a Planned Incremental Availability.

The maintenance phase ensures the carriers capabilities meet future operational demands, the U.S. Navy announced at the time.

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The PIA followed the supercarriers most recent deployment, which began in October 2023 and ended in July 2024. During that time, USS Dwight D. Eisenhower executed sustained operations in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations.

U.S. Navy Aviation Boatswain's Mate (Handling) Airman Grecia Estilladosantos cleans debris on the flight deck aboard Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69), Mar. 18, 2026. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Jamison Sutton)

According to the U.S. Navy, the 2025 PIA has included comprehensive work on the CVN-69s propulsion systems, crew habitability, combat systems, and aviation support capabilities. Beyond routine maintenance, upgrades were made to critical systems to ensure the carrier remains mission-ready while also enhancing operational effectiveness.

It is unclear if the fire will delay the maintenance progress. The U.S. Navy hasnt indicated when CVN-69 will next deploy.

About the Ike  Whats Not To Like

The USS Dwight D. Eisenhower  Ike to her crew  is the second of 10 Nimitz-class supercarriers now in service with the U.S. Navy. Named to honor the 34th president of the United States and the former General of the Army, the warship has been in service for more than four decades.

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Congress authorized the construction of CVN-69 in 1970, and she was commissioned seven years later. Following more than a year of fleet training, Ike deployed to the Mediterranean for the first time. The warship underwent a major overhaul in the mid-1980s, during which she was outfitted with newer technology, and returned to service in 1987.

Over her lengthy service history, the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower has been deployed to a litany of combat operations in the Middle East, beginning with Operation Eagle Claw during the 1980 Iran hostage crisis.

One of the aircraft carriers most notable deployments took place during Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm, following Iraqs invasion of Kuwait in 1990. CVN-69 made history at the time, becoming just the second nuclear-powered carrier ever to transit the Suez Canal.

During her 2023-2024 deployment, the U.S. Navys second oldest in service carrier operated in the Red Sea, where she protected commercial shipping that came under fire from the Iranian-backed Houthis in response to the war in Gaza.

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There has been speculation that USS Dwight D. Eisenhower could be deployed back to the Middle East if Operation Epic Fury, the ongoing campaign against Iran, continues. The Norfolk-based USS George H.W. Bush (CVN-77) is now en route to the region.

As of this week, the USS Gerald R. Ford, which has also been supporting combat operations against the Islamic Republic, set a record for the longest post-Vietnam War-era deployment. As of Thursday, CVN-78 has been at sea for 296 days, surpassing the 294 days set by USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) during her 2019-2020 deployment.

This article was originally published on Forbes.com
A major fire at one of Australias last remaining oil refineries has further strained fuel stocks already in short supply amid the Iran war, heightening fears of price hikes and the prospect of fuel rationing.

The blaze tore through Viva Energy Corio Refinery in Geelong, 40 miles south-west of Melbourne, late on Wednesday night and burned until Thursday afternoon. Workers evacuated and were unharmed.

Witnesses described hearing several explosions at about 11pm local time before flames of up to 60m high engulfed a part of the plant where liquefied petroleum gas is turned into fuel which is then supplied to petrol stations.

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The impact on that part of the refinery meant petrol supply would be affected, said Scott Wyatt, the chief executive of Viva Energy.

Australia has 38 days worth of petrol left in reserve before reaching critical levels, 31 days worth of diesel and only 28 days worth of jet fuel.

In the days ahead, we will look at how we can continue to operate the refinery without the need to use these two units that have been affected, Mr Wyatt told local media.

We have operated in this way before, so we have a high degree of confidence that we can do that.

Efforts are made to douse the fire - Reuters

He added: We will only start increasing production again once we are confident we can do it safely.

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Leaders in the state of Victoria quickly moved to quell panic buying of fuel, but analysts warned of imminent petrol-price hikes.

Chris Bowen, the federal energy minister, confirmed that petrol production could be impacted for some time.

Australian airlines  Qantas, Jetstar and Virgin  were also in talks with Viva about the impact on their supplies after the company confirmed the refinery cut output of petrol, diesel and jet fuel to minimum rates on Thursday.

Theyve reduced, as a precaution, the rate of production of diesel and jet fuel this morning. But they are still operating, Mr Bowen told Channel Nine.

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The main impact appears to be, at this point, on petrol production.

The fire destroyed two production units before it was brought under control - WILLIAM WEST

Alison Reeve, an energy analyst at the Grattan Institute, told Victorians to expect a short-term price shock.

A lot of it depends on just how much damage there is and how long it takes them to get it up and running, Ms Reeve told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC).

David Leaney, a supply chain expert at Australian National University, agreed, adding that the fire was going to impact availability of petrol across Victoria fairly quickly  days to weeks.

Kevin Morrison, an energy finance analyst at the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis, described the damage to the refinery as being like a mini Strait of Hormuz closure that would strain supplies.

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The disruption comes as Australians are already grappling with rising petrol and diesel prices, with the refinerys output reduction expected to intensify the squeeze on supply and deepen the hit to household budgets.

Dozens of petrol stations have already run out of fuel, prompting crisis talks as truckers warned that they may not be able to deliver food in the coming months. Farmers have also weighed up whether they can afford to plant crops.

In response to the global crisis, the Labor government has temporarily reduced fuel excise and offered Viva and Ampol  the nations other major fuel importer  A$2bn (1bn) to import more petrol and diesel.

Labor also activated a four-stage national fuel security plan to preserve supplies. The Geelong fire prompted some experts to urge the government to move to stage three under which Australians would be encouraged to adopt voluntary practical measures to reduce fuel consumption.

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The governments plan does not specify what those measures will be, but tells Australians that all governments will look for practical measures to help you reduce your use and that we will need to play our part to help fuel get to where its needed most. Mandatory fuel rationing would likely be introduced at stage four.

Gero Farruggio, an analyst at Rystad Energy, told the ABC: We cant avoid stage three now.

Stage three is taking action and then limiting certain domestic use, Mr Farruggio told the ABC.

The terms of the countrys plan is holding out for ceasefire [in Iran] and a de-escalation. Even in the best case scenario, youre still going to see a couple of months of disruption [to fuel supplies in Australia].

The Viva site supplies half of Victorias fuel - William West/AFP via Getty Images

The fire has also intensified pressure on Anthony Albanese, the Australian prime minister, to shore up fuel supplies and improve domestic self-sufficiency.

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Angus Taylor, the newly installed leader of the Opposition Coalition, again demanded on Thursday that the Albanese government increase local production of crude oil and focus on finding new wells and reserves.

We need to get oil out from under the ground, we are a country blessed with great natural resources, lets use them, Mr Taylor said.

But that wont happen whilst this Labor government is in place because they dont believe in it.

Australia has become increasingly reliant on fuel imports from Asia after six of eight of Australias oil processing plants were shut in the past two decades.

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On Thursday, Tanya Plibersek, a Labor minister, blamed previous Liberal-National governments for their closure and said the fire had reconfirmed our view about self-sufficiency for Australia.

Weve, of course, made it a priority to keep the two remaining refineries open, Ms Plibersek told Sky News.

The Geelong plant, one of two remaining oil refineries alongside one owned by Ampol in Queensland, produces 120,000 barrels of fuel daily, supplying more than half of Victorias stocks and about 10 per cent nationally.

But Australia is reliant on imports for around 90 per cent of its liquid fuels  and supply chains are under increasing strain following the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.

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Now, this really couldnt come at a worse time... Viva are going to be out there trying to secure more petrol supplies when the international market couldnt be any tighter, said Kevin Morrison, an analyst at the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis (IEEFA).

Saul Kavonic, energy analyst at MST Financial, said the fire took hold just as the crunch point of the global fuel shortage is about to hit us.

The government will now have to scramble additional fuel imports at much higher prices, on top of their existing efforts just to maintain our normal fuel import levels which was challenging enough as it is, Mr Kavonic told the ABC.

This increases the risk of fuel shortages and the need for stronger demand management measures to be taken earlier.

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Lily DAmbrosio, the Victorian energy minister, warned against being alarmist and insisted there would be no immediate impact on fuel supply.

[Viva] also have said that petrol or gasoline, of all of the fuel types that are under global pressure right now, is the easiest fuel to be able to source either globally or indeed from within Australia, Ms DAmbrosio said.

Jacinta Allan, the states premier, refused to say whether Victorians would face price rises at fuel stations, telling reporters that people are worried enough.

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.
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer on Wednesday, April 15, expanded a state of emergency in Cheboygan County to 32 additional counties to help speed aid during exceptional flooding.

"Today, Im declaring a state of emergency for 32 additional counties following severe weather, Gov. Whitmer said in the April 15 release. "Significant snowmelt, record rain, flooding, straight-line winds, and tornadoes have damaged homes, roads, and businesses.

"This emergency declaration will help the state deploy additional resources to help local officials and first responders protect Michiganders and their property. The state will continue to coordinate with local governments and monitor the situation. I encourage everyone to stay updated and follow guidance from your local emergency manager. We will get through this together," Whitmer said.

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By declaring a state of emergency, the governor authorized the use of all available state resources to assist local response and recovery operations in the affected counties.

Overnight on Tuesday, April 14, and into Wednesday, April 15, parts of Michigan received nearly 3 inches of rain from severe weather that swept through the state.

High water across the state has led to National Weather Service flood warnings and watches. Some overwhelmed dams and levees have failed and several others are in danger of failure.

Whitmer's state of emergency expansion comes after a half dozen counties previously declared local states of emergency because of the flooding.

Residents are urged to sign up for local alerts through MIREADY, and to sign up to receive MSP and SEOC news releases and follow Facebook for updates.

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Here's where the state of emergency applies and what is means:

Which counties are now under states of emergency?

As of April 15, Gov. Whitmer widened the effort to facilitate resources to nearly all of the northern Lower Peninsula. According to the executive order she signed, here's the plan:

A state of emergency is declared for Alcona, Allegan, Alpena, Antrim, Arenac, Barry, Benzie, Charlevoix, Clare, Crawford, Emmet, Grand Traverse, Gratiot, Iosco, Kalkaska, Lake, Leelanau, Manistee, Menominee, Missaukee, Montcalm, Montmorency, Newaygo, Oceana, Ogemaw, Osceola, Oscoda, Presque Isle, Roscommon, Saginaw, Shiawassee, and Wexford counties. The Emergency Management and Homeland Security Division of the Department of State Police must coordinate and maximize state efforts and may call upon all state departments to assist in the designated areas consistent with the Michigan Emergency Management Plan. The state of emergency is terminated when the threats to public health, safety, and property caused by the emergency no longer exist, and appropriate programs have been implemented to recover from the effects of this emergency, but in no case later than May 13, 2026, unless extended as provided by the Emergency Management Act.

Cheboygan County also remains under a state of emergency because of the Cheboygan Lock and Dam Complex where water has reached within inches of the top. Gov. Whitmer initiated the state of emergency on April 10.

How is a state of emergency declared?

In the aftermath of a natural or human-made disaster, the scope of the response starts with local authorities, including police, fire or emergency medical services, according to the MSP's Disaster Declaration Process webpage.

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After their initial assessment, other local departments may step in, including the local Emergency Management Coordinator. The EMC may recommend local state of emergency.

If the disaster is too large for local authorities to handle, a state of emergency or state of disaster is requested from the governor.

Before the state steps in to help, it's typical for the local emergency management programs to ensure that the local efforts were utilized to the maximum extent.

"State disaster assistance is used to supplement local efforts and resources, and to help relieve extraordinary burden," according to the Disaster Declaration Process website. "It is not to be used for simple budgetary relief or to relieve hardship."

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An official document is signed by the governor to create the state of emergency.

Why is the state of emergency important?

A state of emergency declaration means all state resources may be used to assist local authorities and first responders in the flooding response.

The declaration allows eligible communities to seek financial assistance under Section 19 of Michigans Emergency Management Act. The funding helps local governments cover emergency response costs and repair public infrastructure damaged by the storms.

A state of emergency is possible under the Michigan Emergency Management Act.

What is the State Emergency Operations Center?

The SEOC is where state, local and federal agencies coordinate a response to a disaster. The facility is located in Lansing, and is used to streamline all state resources.

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The SEOC was activated at 10 a.m. Friday, April 10, to support response efforts to rising water levels at the Cheboygan Dam and Lock Complex on the Cheboygan River. Whitmer extended the activation on Tuesday.

Contact Sarah Moore @ smoore@lsj.com

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Whitmer expands state of emergency. Where it will help aid flow
A conditional order, if granted, would mean the court had found the petition serious enough to require the state to formally justify why the requested relief should not be granted.

Petitioners in the High Court case over foreign journalists access to Gaza have asked the court to move up the deadline for the states next response, arguing that after months of repeated delays there is no justification for waiting until mid-May for yet another update in a case that goes to the heart of whether the war can be independently documented.

The Monday motion was filed by the Foreign Press Association in Israel together with the organizations seeking to join as friends of the court  the Union of Journalists in Israel, the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), and Reporters Without Borders. They asked the justices to shorten the latest extension granted to the state and make clear that no further extension should be given. In the alternative, they asked the court to issue a conditional order and move the case promptly toward a full merits-stage hearing this judicial year.

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A conditional order, if granted, would mean the court had found the petition serious enough to require the state to formally justify why the requested relief should not be granted. It would shift the case out of the current cycle of repeated update notices and into a more advanced procedural stage, requiring a full response by affidavit and setting the matter up for a hearing on whether the states policy can lawfully stand.

The immediate procedural backdrop is the states March 26 request to postpone its update from March 31 to May 24, saying more time was needed because the courts earlier timetable had been set before the outbreak of the then-current campaign on February 28 and that the relevant state authorities were occupied with matters tied to that campaign. The court partly granted that request on March 29, setting a new deadline of May 19.

That came after the court had already refused an earlier attempt by the petitioners to move up the March 31 date. In a March 3 decision, the panel  Deputy Supreme Court President Noam Sohlberg, Justice Khaled Kabub, and Justice Ruth Ronnen  said that, in these difficult times, it saw no reason to advance the deadline for the states update.

Deputy President of the Supreme Court Noam Sohlberg arrives for a court hearing at the Supreme Court in Jerusalem, February 2, 2026. (credit: YONATAN SINDEL/FLASH90)

The new request argues that the rationale for further delay has now fallen away. Petitioners say that, with the Iran ceasefire having taken effect, there is no real reason to wait another month and a half merely for an update from the state. They argue that after a year and a half of litigation  and after repeated extensions  continued delay is itself causing irreversible harm to freedom of expression, freedom of the press, and the publics right to know.

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That is the procedural ask; the deeper issue the filing tries to force back into view is the distinction between independent reporting and state-managed access.

Going into Gaza without military escort is too dangerous

The states position throughout the case has not been that journalists are wholly absent from Gaza. Rather, it has maintained that entry without military escort remains too dangerous, even if conditions on the ground have changed, and has pointed to organized, escorted entries as evidence that some access exists. In its January filing, the state said the war had entered what it described as a different factual phase, but argued that ongoing threats still barred journalists  Israeli or foreign  from entering Gaza independently and without accompaniment.

But the petitioners case is built on the opposite premise: that escorted entry is not a substitute for independent journalism. Their argument is that when the army decides which reporters go in, along what route, under what conditions, and with what military framing, that may amount to controlled access  but not to the kind of independent, first-hand reporting the petition seeks to secure.

That fault line surfaced clearly at a hearing in late January, where counsel for the petitioners told the court that escorted tours chosen and structured by the state were anything but journalism, arguing that such visits place reporters on a predetermined route and under a military briefing rather than permitting genuine independent coverage.

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The justices, for their part, repeatedly pressed the state on the breadth of its security claims. Ronnen said it was not enough simply to invoke security in general terms without fuller explanation, while Kabub repeatedly asked what, from a security perspective, distinguished journalists from humanitarian personnel and other actors entering the enclave.

The hearing also showed that the court understood the case as going beyond a narrow logistical dispute. According to the Monday motion, the bench emphasized in January the importance of journalistic coverage and indicated that broad phrases such as security reasons, security risk, and threats and security incidents could not, on their own, justify such sweeping harm to the rights asserted by the petitioners and to the global public interest in information and transparency.

That framing echoes the broader public case the FPA has been making for months. After the states January response, the FPA accused the government of offering no real path toward independent reporting even after the ceasefire, saying the policy amounted to a continued lockout rather than a temporary, security-based restriction. It argued that the state was still failing to allow journalists to operate independently in Gaza or alongside Palestinian reporters already documenting the war from within the enclave.
April 16 (UPI) -- Former Virginia Lt. Gov. Justin Fairfax and his wife, Cerina, are dead from an apparent murder suicide in their home in Annandale, Va.

Justin Fairfax, 47, shot and killed Cerina in the home and then shot himself, police said. The couple's two teenage children were home, and their son called 911 shortly after midnight Thursday.

Fairfax County Police Chief Kevin Davis said the same gun appears to have been used in both shootings.

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The couple had been in an ongoing domestic dispute from "what seems to be a complicated or messy divorce," Davis said. Fairfax had recently been served paperwork that said when he was next scheduled for court in the divorce, Davis said.

Detectives have reviewed footage from inside the home that came from "a lot of cameras" that were set up as part of the divorce, Davis said. He added that a January call to police alleging his wife assaulted him were not corroborated.

Justin Fairfax stands with his family on stage in 2017. File Photo by Pete Marovich/UPI

"So tragic for the children to lose both parents, extra tragic for them to actually be in the home when it occurred," Davis said. "Certainly a fall from grace for a relatively high-profile family that seemingly had a lot of things going in their favor."

Family members are caring for the children with help from the Fairfax County Police Department's victim services division, Davis said.

Lt. Governor-elect Justin Fairfax shakes hands with supporters in 2017. Photo by Pete Marovich/UPI

"Half of America probably goes through divorce proceedings at some point in time and very, very rarely, thankfully, does it ever end up like this," Davis said. "So, very sad for this community ... a lot of people who know the Fairfax family -- everybody's shocked. We're shocked."

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Fairfax, a Democrat, was lieutenant governor under Gov. Ralph Northam from 2018 to 2022. He ran for governor in 2021. He faced sexual assault allegations in 2019.

After his time in office, he returned to practicing law. Cerina Fairfax was a dentist.
A former Virginia lieutenant governor and his wife were found dead in the early hours of Thursday morning at their home in Annandale, in what police are calling a murder-suicide.

Fairfax County Police say that Justin Fairfax, 47, shot his wife, Cerina, multiple times before taking his own life. Their two teenage children were home at the time and called 911, according to police.

Police Chief Kevin Davis reported on Thursday that the shooting came amid an ongoing domestic dispute, and that the couple was in the middle of a complicated or messy divorce. Court records indicate that the two were still living together, but that divorce proceedings were ongoing.

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Former Lieutenant Governor Fairfax was recently served some paperwork associated with an upcoming court proceeding that apparently led to this incident last night, Davis told reporters.

Fairfax was once considered a rising star in the Democratic Party, after he was elected Virginias lieutenant governor in 2017, making him only the second African American elected to statewide office. He served under Democratic Governor Ralph Northam, who was himself at the center of a notorious blackface scandal.

In 2019, Fairfax faced two sexual assault allegations from women who said he forced himself on them. Fairfax denied the allegations and finished out his term in 2022, but lost the support of his party, effectively ending his political career amid calls for his resignation. In the 2021 Democratic primary for governor, Fairfax received just 3.6% of the vote.

Sen. Mark Warner, D-Va., offered his condolences to Fairfaxs children. Im keeping Cerina and Justin Fairfaxs children in my prayers as we all process this shocking and horrifying news, he said in a post on social media.

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Sophia A. Nelson, a political journalist and author who followed Fairfax closely, said she was horrified and devastated by the news. I just spoke to him the other day, Nelson said in post to X.

Nelson, who called for Fairfaxs resignation in 2019, retracted her position in a 2022 op-ed in the Washington Post.

He was deeply depressed. He was going through a bad divorce, Nelson said in a separate post. Those who knew him were talking to him. We never saw this coming, Nelson said. We are all devastated.

This story discusses suicide. If you are in crisis, please call the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by dialing 988, or contact the Crisis Text Line by texting TALK to 741741.

The post Former Virginia lt. governor killed wife in murder-suicide while their children were home: police appeared first on Salon.com.
France's social security is to reimburse the cost of reusable menstrual cups and underwear for women under the age of 26 or battling poverty, the government said Thursday.

The move to tackle period poverty is expected to help 6.7 million people -- almost a tenth of France's population of 69 million -- from the start of the next academic year in the autumn, it says.

Women under 26 with a state health insurance card, as well as women of all ages who benefit from special healthcare support due to their limited income, will be able to get their money back after buying these products in a pharmacy.

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Parliament approved the measure as part of the country's social security budget for 2024.

But there was no decree to order implementation, causing anger among feminist groups and companies making the sustainable sanitary items.

A survey of 4,000 women in France in November showed one in ten used alternatives to mainstream period products such as ripped up clothes due to tight budgets, according to French charity Dons Solidaires.

France in 2016 reduced sales tax on period products from 20 percent to 5.5 percent.

In 2020, Scotland became the first country in the world to sign into law free universal access to period products in public buildings.

vac/ah/giv
By Will Dunham

April 16 (Reuters) - The largest genomic study of African elephants to date has found that both species - savanna and forest elephants - remain in generally good genetic health despite long-term numerical declines, though some isolated populations are showing worrisome signs of inbreeding and deleterious mutations.

Researchers analyzed the genetic health of African elephants - Earth's largest land animals - by looking at genome data for 181 savanna elephants and 51 forest elephants from 29 locations across 17 countries.

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Their genetic health was found to be positive overall because many populations, particularly in a broad swathe of southern Africa, can still roam across large distances and exchange genes. Signs of genetic trouble were detected in elephants cut off from other populations due to factors such as growing human populations, agricultural expansion and infrastructure projects.

"We mostly see the isolation in the populations on the periphery, at the edge of the elephant distribution," said University of Copenhagen evolutionary geneticist Patricia Pecnerova, lead author of the research published on Thursday in the journal Nature Communications.

"This includes forest and savanna elephants in the northwestern part of Africa like Sierra Leone, Mali and Cameroon, and it includes savanna elephants in Namibia in the southwest and the northeastern-most populations in Eritrea and Ethiopia," Pecnerova said.

About 100 elephants remain in Eritrea, and they live about 250 miles (400 km) from any other elephant population, Pecnerova said. The roughly 300 elephants living at the Babile Elephant Sanctuary in Ethiopia are not completely isolated but inhabit a harsh environment in shrinking pockets of land amid poaching and expanding settlements, Pecnerova said.

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"We see the effects of isolation in increasing levels of inbreeding, mating between relatives, which also leads to a loss of genetic variation and can compromise the health of a population. When a population is isolated, it becomes more common to mate with a relative because the options are limited, even if elephants usually avoid mating with relatives," Pecnerova said.

In these populations, the genome data showed an accumulation of moderately deleterious mutations, which can make the elephants less able to adapt to changes in the environment and more vulnerable to diseases.

The story was a bit different for the isolated savanna elephants in West Africa thanks to a small amount of interbreeding with forest elephants that helped bolster genetic diversity. Such "hybridization," however, risks introducing potentially negative genetic traits.

Elephants are found in 37 countries in sub-Saharan Africa, with a majority in the southern part of the continent. They number roughly half a million continent-wide, with savanna elephants representing perhaps 70% of the total.

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African elephants have experienced severe population declines due to the ivory trade and habitat loss. A 2024 study documented alarming population declines at numerous sites across Africa from 1964 to 2016, with savanna elephant populations down by about 70% and forest elephant populations down by about 90%.

Savanna elephants, the larger of the two African species, inhabit open grasslands and have outward-curving tusks. Forest elephants, denizens of dense tropical rainforests, have a darker coloration and possess tusks that are straighter and point downward.

"Elephants are among the world's most iconic animals. Both forest and savanna elephants play major ecological roles. They are highly intelligent and socially complex, and they are central to wildlife conservation efforts across Africa," said geneticist and study co-author Alfred Roca of the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.

The world's other elephant species, the Asian elephant, is found in fragmented populations across India and Southeast Asia. The current study did not look at that species.

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The genetic problems detected among the isolated African elephants are not as dire, the researchers said, as those experienced by the world's heavily inbred last population of woolly mammoths - relatives of today's elephants - that perished about 4,000 years ago on an Arctic Ocean island off Siberia's coast.

The study found that forest elephants showed greater genetic diversity than savanna elephants even though their population is smaller.

"The evolutionary trajectories inferred from the genomes suggest that the forest and savanna elephant lineages split about four million years ago, making them as distinct from one another as lions and tigers are," Roca said.

"For the last million years or more, the forest elephant pattern suggests a higher number of breeding individuals, consistent with their higher genetic diversity," Roca said. "This is also consistent with the high male-male competition that is documented for savanna elephants, which limits the number of reproductively successful males and in turn lowers their genetic diversity."

(Reporting by Will Dunham in Washington, Editing by Rosalba O'Brien)
BERLIN (AP)  Rescuers in Germany began an elaborate operation Thursday to save a sick humpback whale that has been repeatedly stranded off the Baltic Sea coast and has stirred up tons of attention across the country for weeks.

The whale, which has been nicknamed Timmy by local media, is lying in shallow waters near the eastern German town of Wismar and has barely moved for days. Many fear it may soon die.

Timmy was first spotted swimming in the region on March 3. It is not clear why the whale swam into the Baltic Sea, far from its natural habitat. Some experts say the animal may have lost its way while swimming after a shoal of herring or during migration.

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The animal faces long odds in finding its way back out into the North Sea, a journey of several hundred kilometers (miles), and then to the Atlantic Ocean.

Previous rescue efforts have failed

Attempts to refloat the mammal with the help of police boats, excavators and inflatable boats had temporarily freed it. But the whale, which measures 12 to 15 meters (39 to 49 feet) long, never found its way back to the North Sea and was stranded again while becoming weaker and sicker.

Local media have started dayslong livestreams to feed the outsized public attention to the fate of the whale, which is lying in shallow waters and only breathing slowly and heavily. Online newspapers have pushed alerts with the smallest developments about Timmy's health including updates on its bad skin condition, which is related to the Baltic Sea's low salt content.

Activists have staged protests on the beach in Wismar calling for the animal's liberation, while influencers have debated whether the best way to help the animal was to let it die in peace or keep trying to assist its return to the Atlantic Ocean.

Timmy getting police protection and expert assistance

Interest has been so strong that police had put up a 500-meter (1,640 foot) protection zone to keep curious bystanders from getting too close and stressing the stranded whale even more.

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Despite these efforts, a 67-year-old woman jumped off a boat on the weekend trying to get close to the whale before she was stopped.

Experts have come up with a sophisticated plan to use air cushions to lift the animal onto a tarp, which will be secured to two pontoons and attached to a tugboat.

State officials have approved a private initiative to transport the whale back to the North Sea and possibly further to the Atlantic. If everything goes according to plan, the tugboat carrying Timmy will have left the Baltic Sea by Friday.

Hes not active, and hes certainly not agile, but he shows that theres still life in him, Till Backhaus, the environment minister of the state of Mecklenburg-Pomerania, where Wismar is located, said Wednesday as he announced the new rescue plan. Hes definitely suffered serious damage, thats for sure.

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Greenpeace, which has been involved in previous rescue operations, said it wasn't supporting the latest one.

We do not support the rescue operation because, according to all the information we have, this whale is sick and severely weakened, a spokesperson for the environmental organization told German news agency dpa,
Most people have called in sick at least once. But in Germany, workers have been taking more than one day off sick every month for the past yearand the government has had enough. Now, its proposing to dock workers wages.

German workers take an average of 14.8 sick days per year, giving the country one of the highest rates of absenteeism in Europe. For context, that is four times the U.K.s sick leave rate.

And its costing the countrys businesses around 82 billion ($110 billion) a year, according to the German Economic Institute.

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So now Chancellor Friedrich Merz is reportedly considering a drastic solution: turning to workers to front that cost.

German workers who take 5 or fewer days off sick will get a bonus

Currently, the country has a very generous sick leave policy: up to six weeks (30 working days) fully paid for the same illness, with a doctors note. They can take five days off sick without seeing a doctor in person, before needing to get a formal extension. And if the employee gets sick again owing to a different illness, the six-week period restarts.

The Christian Democratic Unions proposed plans would see workers pay docked from the very first day they call in sick. Meanwhile, workers who take five days or fewer would receive a bonus.

The goal, according to German tabloid Bildwhich broke the story over the weekendis to nudge workers with minor ailments, like a cold, back into the office rather than reaching for the phone.

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As one government insider put it: Its certain that Germany has the highest number of sick days in Europe. Both coalition partners would like to reduce that.

In 2023, Germans called in sick nearly 20 times a yeara record high. That figure has since fallen by around five days, but bosses have still been complaining about work-shy Gen Z exploiting the system amid persistently high rates compared with other European countries.

Merz, meanwhile, has made his feelings toward Germanys sick leave culture clear: Earlier this year, he underscored just how many weeks of 14.8 days leave employers high and dry: Thats nearly three weeks in which people in Germany dont work due to illness, he stressed. Is that really necessary?

He has also blamed the countrys low productivity on Germans lifestyle and attitude toward work, noting in a recent speech: To put it even more bluntly: Work-life balance and a four-day week will not be enough to maintain our countrys current level of prosperity in the future, which is why we need to work harder.

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Fortune has reached out to the German government for comment.

Burnout is becoming a major global issue

Although Germans are leading the charge, theirs is far from the only workforce cracking under pressure. Burnout has become one of the defining workplace crises of the post-pandemic eraand the data suggests its getting worse, not better.

One shocking study highlights that 54% of American workers report feeling unhappy at work, with the frequency ranging from occasionally to constantly. Yet they are still showing up for their jobs, sitting at their desks, and silently struggling.

Office overachievers are so burned out that workplace experts have taken stock of the phenomenon and even given it a name: a competence hangover.

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Research consistently shows its millennials who are burned out the most; the generation has wound up in middle management and bearing the brunt of layoffs. And in the U.K., a mental health crisis among young workers is fueling a surge in workplace anxiety, stress, and absenteeism that employers are struggling to get a handle on. Staff are mentally checked out, on average, for one day each week.

Its perhaps unsurprising that, at the same time, research shows office politics have made a major comeback post-pandemic: Return-to-office mandates, AI-driven efficiency, and layoffs have caused backstabbing and workplace incivility to spiral.

Its gotten so bad that burned-out workers are phoning in sick and increasingly using medical leave as a way to escapenot because theyre actually unwell but just to mentally recover from their toxic bosses, decompress, and even job hunt. It perhaps might explain why Germans are pulling sickies so often.

This story was originally featured on Fortune.com
BEIRUT, April 15 (Xinhua) -- Mahmoud Qomati, deputy head of Hezbollah's political council, said on Wednesday that the group has agreed to a ceasefire with Israel but remains cautious about its implementation.

Speaking to Al Jadeed TV, Qomati said Hezbollah would not accept a return to the 2024 arrangement, under which one side complied while Israel evaded its obligations.

He added that any effort toward reaching a ceasefire is appreciated, while warning of potential Israeli breaches.

Qomati also advised residents to avoid traveling to southern Lebanon for the time being, citing ongoing security risks.

Israel has been discussing a possible ceasefire, with its Security Cabinet set to review the option, while parallel U.S.-mediated talks involving Lebanon have made a ceasefire one of the key issues under negotiation.

A previous ceasefire in Lebanon, which had been in place since November 2024, was characterized by near-daily Israeli strikes in the country. The fragile truce collapsed on March 2, when Hezbollah launched rockets toward Israel in support of Iran, triggering intensified Israeli airstrikes across Lebanon. 
Pennsylvania Republican chairman and state Sen. Greg Rothman said many in the party are waiting to see if Democratic U.S. Sen. John Fetterman switches parties as a field of potential Republican challengers begins to take shape for the 2028 primary.

Were still trying to wrestle with what happens if John Fetterman switches parties and becomes a Republican, Rothman told The Center Square. Rothman clarified he has not yet spoken with Fetterman about a potential switch, but when asked if it were a possibility, he replied, I dont know.

According to CBS News, Fetterman has frequently referred to himself as a committed Democrat and has rejected suggestions that he might leave the party.

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However, Spotlight PA reports that Fettermans political future is increasingly uncertain, with some former staffers and observers suggesting he may not enjoy the Senate role or even seek reelection in 2028.

One former staffer told the media outlet, I dont think hes running. He didnt like the job, he missed home, and now is a pariah within the party.

Rothman told The Center Square that while he and his party disagree with Fetterman on 80% of issues, they find common ground on significant issues such as immigration and foreign policy.

I believe in the sort of the Ronald Reagan idea that if youre 20% with me, youre 100% my friend, and the things that matter right now, John Fetterman is with us, Rothman said. And he supported most of President Trumps nominees, which is a big deal.

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According to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Fetterman has supported several Trump nominees and the administrations immigration policies. However, the senator has maintained his opposition to Republican measures such as the SAVE America Act, which would tighten voter identification requirements, according to CBS News.

Despite this, Spotlight PA reports his recent fundraising has hit its lowest total since 2021, trailing Republican Sen. Dave McCormick.

Rothman said he had already discussed the 2028 race with Republicans interested in running, specifically naming billionaire businessman and NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman as a potential candidate, according to The Center Square.

On the Democratic side, several figures have been rumored to be considering a primary challenge to Fetterman, including U.S. Rep. Brendan Boyle of Philadelphia, Rep. Chris DeLuzio of western Pennsylvania and former Reps. Susan Wild and Conor Lamb, according to Spotlight PA. Reps. Mary Gay Scanlon and Madeleine Dean are also potential contenders for the seat.

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Read the original article on MassLive. Add MassLive as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
This story was originally published by The Trace, a nonprofit newsroom covering gun violence in America.

On May 18, 2018, a teenager at Santa Fe High School in Texas walked into the school armed with his fathers guns and opened fire, killing eight students and two teachers. Evidence later showed the teen had been experiencing a severe and spiraling mental health crisis leading up to the attack.

But Texas had no mechanism that would have allowed law enforcement or anyone else to petition a court to temporarily remove firearms from the home. Last year, the state made sure it never would: Lawmakers banned extreme risk protection orders, which allow police and families to ask judges to temporarily remove guns from dangerous people.

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Christina Delgado, a Santa Fe resident who became a gun reform advocate after the shooting, told state lawmakers the attack might have been prevented with the kind of legal remedy the bill sought to ban. Had timely and appropriate intervention and support been provided to that family, a different outcome may have been achieved, she told a Texas Senate committee considering the bill.

They still passed the measure. And Texas is not alone. A growing number of states are outlawing the orders meant to quickly  and temporarily  take guns from people at imminent risk of hurting themselves or others.

ERPO laws, also known as red flag laws, once enjoyed support from across the political spectrum, including from President Donald Trump and the National Rifle Association, which in 2018 advocated for federal funding to help states implement the measures. Now, six states have prohibited enforcing the orders  and in some cases, prescribed fines or criminal charges for officials who try. Three other states are considering similar bans in 2026.

Researchers and advocates warn the trend could leave courts, police and families navigating a patchwork of conflicting rules. It could also undermine a tool widely credited with preventing suicides, which make up the majority of U.S. gun deaths.

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Were very concerned about the trajectory of anti-ERPO laws, both in the rise in the number of states passing these laws and the escalations within the laws themselves, said Emily Walsh, a law and policy adviser at the Johns Hopkins Center for Gun Violence Solutions.

From symbolic to punitive

ERPOs grew in popularity after the 2018 Parkland, Florida, school shooting, and 22 states now allow courts to issue them. Oklahoma became the first state to ban the orders in 2020. The measure prohibits cities and counties from enacting ERPOs or accepting funding to carry them out. West Virginia and Tennessee followed. These bans lacked significant penalties for violations and were largely symbolic, as no localities in these states had ever enacted ERPOs.

But a newer wave of legislation takes a more aggressive approach. Bans passed by Montana and Texas in 2025 and by Wyoming in 2026 impose consequences on officials who enforce ERPOs, including those issued by other states. In Montana, the state can fine local governments up to $10,000 per violation. In Wyoming, running afoul of the ban can earn someone as much as a year in prison, a $2,000 fine, or both. Texas ban goes furthest: It makes enforcing or serving an ERPO a felony punishable by up to two years in prison.

Nicole Golden, a Texas gun reform advocate, said the bans mirror other policy fights she has watched unfold. She fears Texas ban is inspiring other states to adopt similar proposals. This is just the way this goes, she said. Sometimes Texas is the petri dish for these really extreme tactics.

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The proposed ERPO bans pending in at least three other statehouses suggest the trend is accelerating. Proposals in Iowa and Missouri prescribe $50,000 fines for violations. South Carolinas bill, dubbed the Ban Against Red Flag Gun Confiscation Act, would make enforcement a felony. The sponsors of those measures did not respond to requests for comment.

Due process protections

While ERPOs once enjoyed bipartisan support as a way to keep guns from people in crisis without broadly restricting gun access, over time, positions have polarized. Today, gun rights advocates and Republicans argue that banning ERPOs protects gun owners from firearm confiscation without due process.

But ERPO laws do include protections. Orders require approval by a judge, sworn evidence, and a prompt court hearing. People subject to an order receive notice, can contest the allegations, and can typically ask a judge to end the order early. Most laws also guarantee the return of firearms when an order expires. To prevent abuse, many states punish people who lie in their petition or misuse the process.

Still, opponents say those safeguards fall short. This is a situation where a law-abiding Texan, based on a random report or complaint, can be deprived of their constitutional rights without due process, Texas State Sen. Bryan Hughes, a Republican who sponsored the states ban, told colleagues during a committee hearing last year.

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At the same hearing, Kyle Rittenhouse, a representative of a group called Texas Gun Rights, also testified in support of the ban. Rittenhouse  wearing a pin in the shape of an assault-style rifle on his lapel  portrayed ERPOs as a means to weaponize false accusations.

In 2020, during racial justice protests in Kenosha, Wisconsin, Rittenhouse shot three people, killing two. A jury acquitted him of homicide, but he still faces lawsuits for negligence and wrongful death brought by the man he wounded and the family of 26-year-old Anthony Huber, one of the two men Rittenhouse killed.

Cross-border disputes

Five of the six states that ban ERPOs border at least one state that allows them, increasing the chances of cross-border disputes over how those orders are enforced.

For example, if a New Mexico court issues an ERPO against a person who lives in or moves next door to Texas, the police there could face felony charges for attempting to enforce it. Maybe now theyre here in Texas accessing firearms. Maybe theyre going to take that gun back and hurt someone. Maybe theyre going to try to take their own life, said Golden, the Texas Gun Sense director. Police cant help them; no one can help them.

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The order would prevent the person from buying a gun if they underwent a background check. But Texas, like the other anti-ERPO states, does not require background checks on all gun sales.

In most states with ERPOs, there are two main types: emergency and final orders. Judges can issue emergency orders without both parties being present, but they last just days or weeks before a hearing on a final order is required. Final orders usually last a year.

Walsh, the Johns Hopkins expert, said people in states that allow ERPOs may be unable to obtain a final order against someone in a state that bans them because authorities cannot serve the subject with the legally required notice.

Suicides

ERPOs are often passed in response to mass shootings, as a way to prevent future tragedies. Some small studies and case reviews suggest the orders have thwarted mass violence. But a growing body of research shows the orders are most effective at reducing gun suicide.

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Every state that bans ERPOs had a gun suicide rate higher than the national average in 2024, according to the latest available data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Wyoming had the highest rate in the country.

In Texas, Ayaan Moledina, a 15-year-old student advocate, called on lawmakers to block the ban and to consider enacting an ERPO law instead. He told the committee he had attempted to take his own life on multiple occasions.

I am alive today because I did not have access to a firearm, Moledina said. I firmly believe that if I had been able to use a gun, I would not be sitting here before you today.
Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) on Tuesday said it would be crazy for the Trump administration to impose tolls on ships carrying oil, natural gas and other commodities through the Strait of Hormuz, something that President Trump recently contemplated.

Trump told reporters last week that he would like the United States to impose tolls on ship traffic through the critical shipping channel but has since appeared to back away from the idea amid strong pushback.

I think that that is crazy. That makes no sense. Its another tariff. You can call it a toll but now its a water tariff. That doesnt make sense to me, Tillis said, warning the tolls would hit U.S. allies in Asia such as Taiwan.

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He said that Asian allies rely so much on the Strait of Hormuz for their energy.

To suggest that were going to add a toll onto their energy costs for a condition that existed only because of our legitimate interest in denuclearizing Iran doesnt sound right to me. Doesnt sound right for our trading partners, like Taiwan, he said.

You got to talk about the people who would be paying that toll, the businesses and the citizens of Taiwan and South Korea, he said.

Trump last week floated the idea of the United States charging tolls on ships traveling through the Strait of Hormuz.

What about us charging tolls? Trump told reporters at the White House.

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Id rather do that than let them have them, he added. Why shouldnt we? Were the winner.

We won, OK? They are militarily defeated. The only thing they have is the psychology of oh, were going to drop a couple of mines in the water, Trump declared. We have a concept where well charge tolls.

Trump discussed establishing a joint venture with Iran to charge tolls on ocean-bound commerce during an interview with ABC News Jonathan Karl.

Its a way of securing it  also securing it from lots of other people. Its a beautiful thing, Trump said.

Trumps threat to impose tolls on tanker traffic has raised concerns that doing so would violate the Law of the Sea pact, which has been ratified by more than 170 countries but not by the United States or Iran.

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The president in recent days has appeared to move away from the idea of charging tolls on ships by instead embracing a Navy blockade of Iranian ports to exert leverage over the Iranian regime.

China, which imports large quantities of oil from Iran, this week issued a statement calling the blockade of Iranian ports a dangerous and irresponsible act.

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.
Gov. Abigail Spanberger signed and suggested changes to dozens of bills this week, including tweaks to a key energy measure thats at the center of legislative and public debate about data centers shouldering more costs for the states growing power demands.

Spanberger suggested sweeping alterations to Senate Bill 253 and House Bill 1393, sponsored by Sen. Louise Lucas, D-Portsmouth, and Del. Destiny LeVere Bolling, D-Henrico, measures designed to shift more costs onto data centers to save residential electricity customers money and expand a power line burial program.

What the bills do

SB 253 and HB 1393 would extend Dominion Energy and Appalachian Power Companys weatherization and bill assistance programs for low-income customers.

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The bills would also shift certain costs onto high-load users including data centers and large manufacturers that fall under the new GS-5 rate class for Dominion customers.

Those costs include the full price of capacity auctions, which the companies pay in order to purchase power from the regional grid operator PJM so they can maintain grid reliability during high power use days.

The bills would also allow the State Corporation Commission to potentially approve shifting the cost of new distribution infrastructure that serve the high-load customers, which lawmakers said could save residential customers $5.52 a month. The provision would increase high-load customers monthly bills by about 15%.

The bills contain a one-time opt out of the GS-5 rate class for facilities that have over 200 full-time employees. This way they wont be beholden to the same requirements but will have different rates.

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Dominions Strategic Undergrounding Program (SUP) would be also renewed under the measures. The program, started in 2014, has led to 2,900 miles of distribution lines being buried in the most outage-prone areas of the state.

The utility has spent $1.4 billion burying lines, which equates to a $4.88 monthly price tag for residential customers. The program was set to sunset in 2028 but the bills extend that to 2038..

Customer advocates said that the SCC should have more discretion in deciding if burial of lines is a reasonable cost and benefit to all customers. Legislation passed 10 years ago that ended the commissions authority to deny undergrounding lines under the cost per mile cap that was $750,000.

The two bills that passed this year would increase that cap to $900,000 and limit the investment in the program to a maximum of 4% of the distribution rate base.

What the governors amendments aim to change

The amendments handed down from Spanberger strike out the explicit cost shift mechanism in the bills, preventing the capacity and distribution infrastructure costs from being placed on the high-load customers.

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Spanberger replaced that aspect of the bill with language that more plainly directs the SCC to be mindful of not passing down costs from high-load customers onto the rest of the customer base, weakening its key provision.

The amendments change the one time opt-out threshold. They raise the number of full-time employees at a company to 10,000, which would limit the ability to switch rate classes to a small portion of the companies. It would also only apply to existing customers, not any new customers who have yet to come online.

For the power line burial program the amendments lower the incremental price increase the utility is allowed to charge ratepayers from 4% to 2%, which significantly reduces how much the company can invest in their goal of burying 4,000 miles of distribution lines.

It also eliminates the assumption that projects under the proposed $900,000 per mile cap are prudent and reasonable  which could lead to potential projects being denied by the commission even within the price cap.

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Spanberger also proposed adding an entirely new piece of policy onto the bills, which appears to be a cost-savings attempt for residential customers.

The SCC currently decides how much return on equity the utilities can make during their biennial rate cases. Most recently, the SCC allowed Dominion a 9.8% return. Spanberger added a provision that directs the SCC to cap the return on equity at 9.3% and any earnings over that would be returned to the customers on their bills.

Reaction to changes

The ongoing debate over the state budget fueled the governors alterations to the bills, she said this week. Lawmakers are still at odds over whether data centers sales and use tax exemption should continue.

The House version of the budget kept the exemption, but the Senate version removed it. Virginia misses out on an estimated 1.6 billion annually from allowing data centers to opt out of paying the 5.3% tax on their equipment and software upgrades, Lucas said in February.

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There are efforts afoot in the General Assembly, as it relates to the budget, to ensure that data centers are paying their fair share, as I think everyone broadly agrees is necessary, Spanberger told reporters Tuesday. And so that will continue to play out in those negotiations.

Bolling said the governors office didnt consult with her before the amendments were released. While she is still reviewing the amendments, she anticipates her colleagues in the legislature will reject the majority of them.

HB 1393, as passed by the General Assembly, reflects months of work to strike a careful balance  expanding energy assistance and weatherization programs for low-income Virginians while ensuring fairness in how costs are allocated and protecting the broader ratepayer base, she said in a statement.

Dominion also favors preserving the bills as passed during session.

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We fully supported the legislations original goals of lowering costs for our customers, expanding energy assistance, and reducing outages. The amendments undermine these goals, a spokesperson for the utility said.

The legislature will return to Richmond on April 22 to review Spanbergers changes to their bills. They will have to decide whether to reject the amendments, which could leave them vulnerable to a veto, or accept the changes.

On April 23, a special session to finalize the outstanding budget will begin. However, some lawmakers are skeptical on if a deal will be reached in time. Id be really surprised that theres a budget by April 23rd. Anythings possible, but Id be really surprised, Sen. Scott Surovell, D-Fairfax, said Tuesday.

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A new plan to dismantle Louisianas child welfare agency will likely be dialed back after Gov. Jeff Landry made it known he wants to scale back the proposal.

Sen. Patrick McMath, R-Covington, who chairs the Senate Committee on Health and Welfare, presented legislation Wednesday morning to move tasks the state Department of Child and Family Services handles to other state departments. Louisiana State Police would take over its child abuse hotline and intake center as well as respond immediately to urgent cases. Child support enforcement would become the responsibility of the state attorney general, while foster care and other family services would land with the state Department of Health.

There is a unique opportunity here and true desire here to fix a broken system, McMath told his committee as he overhauled a bill he authored to require training for DCFS employees with a 111-page amendment to instead scrap the department. At McMaths request, the committee deferred the revised bill for a week to give lawmakers and the public time to digest the updated legislation.

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In an interview with The Advocate, the governor said his office did not get the opportunity to offer input on McMaths bill, and he defended the work of DCFS Secretary Rebecca Harris, who he named to the post in August.

Landry later met with McMath, Harris and Senate President Cameron Henry, R-Metairie, to discuss how to address DCFS issues, and McMath said in a subsequent interview his proposal was likely to change.

I think maybe the bill doesnt get all the way across the finish line in the form that it is now, but as long as we can point to something that makes our child welfare system in Louisiana just that much safer for children, then thats a win, McMath said.

In a social media post, Landry referenced a great and productive meeting with the senators and Harris.

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Were focused on the best path forward to protect our kids, the governor wrote.

The governor obviously made it very clear today that hes very passionate about child welfare  and also made it clear that he might be interested in taking the lead on this, McMath said.

Henry told reporters that while he has not taken a position on McMaths proposal, he anticipated a scenario where DCFS services could be reduced or shared with other agencies.

In a statement, Attorney General Liz Murrill said she has met with McMath about his proposal and supports involvement from her office to enforce child support payments.

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It would certainly take some transition time, but many AG offices around the country perform this function, Murrill said. Its a legal process, so it would fit within our overall responsibilities.

Children and Family Services has nearly 2,200 employees, according to state budget figures, and McMath told the health committee there would be no mass layoffs under his proposal, though he acknowledged some state employees might have to be reclassified in order to move to other departments. It was not immediately known whether there would be any salary ramifications for the affected employees.

Louisiana is one of only seven states with a stand-alone child welfare agency, McMath said.

Lawmakers were already presented with a proposal to close Children and Family Services from Sen. Regina Barrow, D-Baton Rouge, whos long been the legislatures most vocal critic of the departments shortcomings. She agreed last month to press pause on her bill and work with Harris on a measure to spur improvements at the agency.

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McMath said nothing should be read into his decision to rework his own bill rather than update Barrows measure, and that she would continue to be a leading voice for reform at Children and Family Services.

Barrow appeared briefly at the Senate committee meeting during McMaths presentation but did not comment on his proposal when he offered her the opportunity. She could not be reached for comment after the meeting.

According to DCFS numbers, there were 53 child deaths reported to the state in 2025 with 28 substantiated as abuse- or neglect-related. As of mid-March, 12 child deaths were reported to the state with three connected to abuse. Investigations were ongoing into the causes for most of the remaining cases.

It was Harris suggestion to move the abuse hotline and intake to State Police, according to McMath. Harris did not respond to an interview request Wednesday, but since late last year she has undertaken an effort to train the agencys call center workers using a 911 model and ensure better integration with law enforcement.

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McMath said having child abuse calls go through State Police will allow for better response from local law enforcement, and state social workers would be less likely to encounter a dangerous crime scene when responding to urgent calls.

The inspiration for Louisianas hotline switch is Arkansas, McMath said, which has a Crimes Against Children Division within its state police agency.

Louisiana State Police does not comment on proposed legislation, spokesman Maj. Nick Manale said in an email.

However, our Troopers and Criminal Investigators are continuously working in conjunction with our local, state and federal partner agencies to ensure the safety of our communities, Manale wrote.

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Harris is bringing an end to remote staffing for the DCFS abuse hotline, but only a handful of the 50 hotline employees across the state were offered jobs at a new call center in Baton Rouge. The remainder were given the option to take jobs at DCFS regional offices, in addition to 100 child welfare supervisors who Harris has moved from office jobs to handling child abuse cases in the field.

More than 50 DCFS child welfare employees have resigned, retired or been removed from their jobs department since Dec. 15, the initial deadline Harris set for remote workers to accept transfers to regional offices. Barrow and Sen. Katrina Jackson-Andrews, chair of the Senate Select Committee on Women and Children, said they have received numerous calls and emails from DCFS employees upset with the changes Harrris has made.

Though McMaths bill was bumped to next weeks Senate health committee agenda, Henry said it will take longer to arrive at solutions for Children and Family Services.

To fix that department would take a year, he said. If we can just pull out one part of it and have the attorney generals office involved, that would be productive. But this isnt a quick fix. This is going to take a while.

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The North Las Vegas (Nev.) Police Department said a collision between a tractor trailer and a passenger vehicle on April 9, killed both drivers

The tractor trailer driver was identified by his family as Terry Bilton, 75

"We are in shock, and we are devastated," said Cheyenne Reyes, Bilton's daughter

The family of a 75-year-old truck driver killed in a fiery Las Vegas crash is remembering him as an amazing grandfather.

On Thursday, April 9, officers responded to a two-vehicle collision involving a tractor trailer and a passenger vehicle near Simmons Street and Citizen Avenue, North Las Vegas Police Department said in a statement shared with PEOPLE.

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When they arrived, both vehicles were in flames.

Preliminary investigation indicates a Dodge Challenger was traveling northbound on Simmons Street at a high rate of speed, while a Freightliner tractor trailer was turning left from southbound Simmons Street into an industrial complex, crossing the northbound lanes, police said. The two vehicles collided, resulting in a fire."

The drivers of both vehicles were pronounced dead at the scene.

The truck driver was identified by his family as Terry Bilton, a grandfather of 15, who "lived life fully and had the kind of energy people were drawn to."

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Bilton's family said the crash occurred at the end of his truck driving shift, according to ABC affiliate KNTV-TV.

This loss has completely shaken our family. He was not only a father, but a partner, a provider, and someone who meant so much to all of us, Cheyenne Reyes, Bilton's daughter, wrote in a message shared on a GoFundMe page.

In addition to reflecting on his time as a dirt bike racer, Reyes reflected on how Bilton was always there for his loved ones.

He was a huge part of his grandkids' lives, she wrote. They absolutely adored him, and he adored them right back. He showed up, he made memories, and he gave them a kind of love they will carry with them forever.

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Speaking with Fox affiliate KVVU-TV, Reyes said telling her children "that their favorite person is gone" was incredibly difficult.

She also said that one of his granddaughters was the first to learn about the crash after showing up at the scene when the family couldn't find him.

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.

"She ran through the caution tape she was screaming, that's my grandpa, that's my grandpa. And then I heard the investigator said, Oh, yes, honey, I'm so sorry,  Reyes told the outlet.

The crash remains under investigation. Anyone who may have information is asked to contact the LVMPD at 702-633-9111.

Read the original article on People
Former Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) said during a recent podcast appearance that President Trump had an unkind response when she messaged him about receiving death threats against her and her family after she resigned from Congress.

Greene told the Piers Morgan Uncensored host Wednesday that she reached out to FBI Director Kash Patel and other senior Trump administration officials after threats against her escalated to one of her children.

And I was so upset over death threats on my children because of him, she said in the episode, claiming that some of those warnings echoed Trumps own words, including labeling her as a traitor.

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Im not a traitor to my country. Standing up for rape victims doesnt make me a traitor, Greene added, referencing her support for victims of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and pressure on the Justice Department to release files related to the case.

The former lawmaker said she alerted the president to the threats she was getting, but he showed no compassion whatsoever. It was the last time the two spoke, according to Greene.

What did he say to you? Morgan pressed.

He had no compassion for death threats on my children. He blamed me basically that if my son were to get killed, it would be my fault, the Georgia Republican replied, which seemed to stun Morgan.

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Greene went on to say that the exchange felt like a nail in the coffin moment when it came to her impression of Trump.

Some of my biggest political enemies would never say that to me, she argued. Democrats that I may have had disagreements with in Congress would have never said that to me. No ones ever said those types of words to me.

I dont know what kind of person basically has no compassion or care to someones child being threatened to be killed. Its just, its unimaginable, Greene added.

In a statement to The Hill, the White House ripped Greene as a quitter who is pathetically trying to stay relevant by going on liberal media shows to bash President Trump.

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Unfortunately, Trump Derangement Syndrome has rotted former Congresswoman Greenes peanut-sized brain, spokesperson Davis Ingle said.

Greenes once-close relationship with the president began to sour in late 2025, as she criticized his administrations handling of the Epstein files and his approach to domestic issues such as affordability and health care.

Their public spat exploded in November, when Trump pulled his endorsement and called Greene a raging Lunatic, among other pejoratives. She then decided to resign early from the House.

Since then, the ex-MAGA ally has become an outspoken opponent of the U.S. military operation in Iran and Trumps rhetoric surrounding the conflict, arguing the decision to launch joint strikes against Tehran was a betrayal of his 2024 campaign promises.

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She called last week for Trump to be removed from office through the 25th Amendment after he threatened to escalate the conflict by attacking civilian infrastructure if Tehran did not come to the negotiating table.

Greene told Morgan on the podcast that she thought removal proceedings were extremely unlikely to happen, arguing that Republicans serve Donald Trump as if he is some sort of cult leader.

I dont know how anyone cant go against the president when he says such things as wiping out an entire civilization, especially anyone in the administration or any Republican serving in the House or the Senate that calls himself a Christian, she said.

They have to call that out. And theres an unwillingness there of every single one in the administration and every single one in Congress to be willing to challenge the president when he says such things, as well as saying we need to examine what his mental state is, Greene added.

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Updated at 12:18 p.m. EDT

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 source from the security establishment warned that Hamas is taking advantage of Israel's focus on the Hezbollah situation and the US focus on the Iranian front to buy time.

Hamas is using the instability created by the security situation in southern Lebanon and Iran to avoid advancing its disarmament compromises and gain political force in Gaza, a source from the security establishment warned on Wednesday.

According to the source, Hamas is taking advantage of Israel's focus on the Hezbollah situation and the US focus on the Iranian front to buy time and avoid progress on the political front.

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The main strategy by the Hamas leadership seems to be collecting taxes, recruiting activists, and taking control of goods entering the Gaza Strip.

One of the sources added that Hamas is trying to create the appearance of giving up power, but in practice, even if forced, it will aim to control the new rulers of the Gaza Strip from the shadows.

The security source said this mirrors Hezbollah's strategy during the Hassan Nasrallah era, when they didn't seize direct control of Lebanon but had the political and military power to operate without repercussions from the government.

Hamas terrorists gather during a public event in Khan Younis, Gaza, on February 1, 2025. (credit: MOIZ SALHI/Middle East Images/AFP via Getty Images)

Hamas rejects Board of Peace plan for Gaza

Hamas rejected the US-led Board of Peace's disarmament plan for the terror group and asked the board to make modifications to it, a source told The Jerusalem Post on Wednesday.

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The BoP's high representative, Nickolay Mladenov, and three other mediators were also present, the source added.

The BoP's plan is expected to last between 6 and 8 months, and the duration serves the organization's strategy of buying time, as elections in Israel and the midterm elections in the US will be held during this period, further diverting attention from the Gaza Strip.

Meanwhile, according to Walla, most senior Hamas officials left Qatar for Turkey and other countries after receiving "signals" that it was advisable for them to leave.

Qatari security forces tightened their measures to prevent targeted assassinations, and Hamas understood the clues amid fears of similar actions by the Israeli intelligence community.

Sam Halpern and Amichai Stein contributed to this report.
People in Des Plaines are preparing for flooding as heavy rains this week have the Des Plaines River levels rising.

There is a Flood Warning for Kane, Lake, McHenry, Kendall and LaSalle counties in Illinois until 5:30 a.m. Friday.

There's a Flood Warning for Cook County until 5:15 a.m. Friday.

There's a Flood Watch for Lake County, Indiana until 5:30 a.m. Friday.

Firefighters spent the day fortifying a station prone to flooding as the city provides sandbags for people to help protect their homes.

Authorities in Lake County, Illinois already issued a warning that parts of the river could overflow after recent storms saturated the ground, making some roads impassable.

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"You want to stay out of the flood waters," Des Plaines Fire Chief Matt Matzl said. "We don't want to walk in it. We don't want to drive in it. It's contaminated water first of all. So it's unhealthy. And if we're driving, we want to stay out of it. Even 12 inches of water, a car could get washed away; so we want to stay out of that."

People can pick up sandbags over at Public Works.

The Des Plaines River is expected to crest Friday. But officials say after the storms move through, warm weather should allow water levels to recede.

Spotty showers are expected Thursday.

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There was a ground stop at O'Hare airport due to thunderstorms Thursday morning.

A Ground Delay is in effect until about 7 p.m.

More severe weather is possible Friday evening.

Severe storms are possible Friday after days of rain in the Chicago area.

After a potentially dense fog burns off, temperatures will rise to 80 Friday.

Storms are possible between about 7 p.m. and midnight. High wind is the main concern, but some brief tornadoes could be possible.

The Chicago area is under a Level 2 risk of severe weather, with a 2% tornado threat.




Jackie and Shadow's baby chicks need names  and the group that monitors them wants your help.

The Friends of Big Bear Valley, the nonprofit that monitors the famous Southern California bald eagle couple and their eaglets, launched the 2026 Big Bear Bald Eagle chick naming contest on Wednesday, April 15.

Jackie and Shadow welcomed two chicks in April, one on April 4 and the second on Easter morning, April 5. Both of the hatchings were caught on the Big Bear Eagle Nest cam.

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The babies are currently being referred to as Chick 1 and Chick 2.

Here's how you can help name the fluff balls.

More than Jackie and Shadow: Bald eagle cams capture love, loss and baby chicks

How to submit Jackie and Shadow eaglet name ideas

To suggest names for the baby chicks, the organization is asking for a small donation along with name suggestions, according to a news release.

For $5, participants can submit one entry. For $10, they can submit three entries and for $25, people can submit 10 entries.

The public has until 11:59 p.m. PT on April 26 to enter their name suggestions.

Tiny eaglets born to fans' favorite couple of bald eagles, Jackie and Shadow, are growing up fast! The siblings are now learning how to "bonk."

How will the names be chosen?

Big Bear third graders will vote on the winning names.

A computer program will randomly draw a list of names submitted by the public and the school children will be handed a ballot from which to vote.

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Anyone who enters a winning chick name will receive a special certificate of recognition from Friends of Big Bear Valley, according to the contest website.

Runners-up will also receive a certificate for their participation.

What names should I submit?

The nonprofit is asking people to submit appropriate names, noting that inappropriate names will automatically be filtered out, according to the news release.

Additionally, the gender of the chicks is not yet known, so the nonprofit is asking members of the public to submit names that would work for either a male or female.

When will the eaglets be named?

Once the votes are tallied, the nonprofit will announce the new chick names on their official social media sites and website.

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Last year, elementary students chose the names Sunny and Gizmo.

Where does the money go?

The money will go toward Friends of Big Bear Valley. The nonprofit is trying to raise $10 million by July 31 to save the habitat where Jackie and Shadow live. The nonprofit is hoping to purchase the area for permanent conservatorship.

The area is currently under threat due to a luxury housing and marina development called Moon Camp, according to the nonprofit. The nesting grounds have been at risk for 25 years.

Anyone wishing to donate to the fundraiser can do so at SaveMoonCamp.org.

Michelle Del Rey is a trending news reporter at USA TODAY. Reach her at mdelrey@usatoday.com.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Big Bear Valley's beloved bald eaglets need names. How you can help.
Mozambican President Daniel Chapo speaks during an interview with Xinhua in Maputo, Mozambique, April 7, 2026. (Photo by Mendes Mondlane/Xinhua)

by Xinhua writers Liu Jie, Leng Ruijie

MAPUTO, April 16 (Xinhua) -- "Mozambique and China share a brotherly friendship," and Mozambique is willing to further strengthen ties with China by promoting political, economic, social and cultural exchanges, said Mozambican President Daniel Chapo.

In a recent exclusive interview with Xinhua ahead of his state visit to China from Thursday to next Wednesday, Chapo noted that last year marked the 50th anniversary of Mozambique's independence and the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Mozambique and China.

The two countries have a deep political and diplomatic relationship, with their traditional friendship dating back to the period when China supported Mozambique's struggle for national independence, he said.

On June 25, 1975, the day Mozambique declared independence, it established diplomatic relations with China. In recent years, bilateral political and diplomatic relations have become increasingly close and consolidated, he said.

Noting that this year marks the beginning of China's 15th Five-Year Plan, Chapo said that the plan is important for Mozambique, as it aligns with Mozambique's five-year plans and long-term strategic plans.

Mozambique's economy is highly reliant on the extractive and natural gas industries, Chapo said, voicing hope to strengthen strategic cooperation with China in agriculture, tourism, infrastructure, industrialization and digitalization within the framework of South-South cooperation and the Belt and Road Initiative.

"I really like a Chinese proverb that emphasizes that building roads is the first step to prosperity," Chapo said, noting that since the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries, a number of landmark infrastructure projects undertaken by China have been implemented in Mozambique.

The Maputo-Katembe Bridge, built by a Chinese company, is the longest suspension bridge in Africa. Before the bridge was built, it took at least four to five hours for vehicles to cross the sea by ferry; now, it only takes five to ten minutes to drive from Maputo to Katembe.

Infrastructure projects carried out in cooperation with China, such as the Maputo-Katembe Bridge, the Maputo Ring Road, Maputo International Airport and the jetty bridge on Inhaca Island, are yielding remarkable socio-economic development results, said the president.

Regarding agriculture, Chapo noted that Mozambique possesses vast land, offering immense potential for cooperation with China. Mozambique is willing to explore cooperation opportunities in various agricultural products, including rice, and to create more successful projects like the Wanbao rice farm, he said.

Mozambique will also take advantage of China's zero-tariff policy to boost exports of its goods and services, particularly agricultural products, to China, he said.

"China's vision for South-South cooperation emphasizes the need for countries to cooperate on the basis of equality and mutual assistance to achieve mutual benefit and win-win results," Chapo said, highlighting the strategic importance of South-South cooperation.

Cultural exchanges between Mozambique and China have a long history, reflecting the brotherly friendship between the two countries, he said, adding that the Mozambique-China Cultural Center, jointly built by the two sides, is not only the largest cultural center in Mozambique but also an important symbol of the bilateral cultural relationship.

This year marks the China-Africa Year of People-to-People Exchanges. Chapo said Mozambique will seize this opportunity to further strengthen cultural exchanges, deepen the friendship between the two peoples, and promote the steady development of bilateral relations. 
(The Center Square) - Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs is threatening to veto nearly all bills unless Republicans publicly release their proposed budget.

Hobbs may get her wish soon. Senate President Warren Petersen, R-Gilbert, told The Center Square that he hopes to release the budget within the next two weeks.

The two main areas of disagreement between Republicans and Hobbs are Prop. 123 and tax cuts, Petersen said. Petersen previously told The Center Square that Republicans want to fully implement all the tax cuts from the federal One Big Beautiful Bill Act, while Hobbs wants to apply half of them.

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This week, Hobbs said she would veto every bill besides two safety bills unless she saw the Republicans' budget. But she hasn't been happy with what she's heard so far, noting the GOP proposal is focused on the wrong things.

Arizonans deserve more than these political games.They deserve a budget that cuts taxes for the middle class, funds our public schools and lowers costs for everyday Arizonans. Im ready to negotiate. My door is open, Hobbs said.

The legislative majority needs to put forward their budget proposal and then join me at the negotiating table so we can pass a bipartisan, balanced budget just like weve done the past three years, she added.

Petersen told The Center Square that Hobbs wants Republicans to balance the budget using Prop. 123, which is meant for K-12 education. Arizona voters passed Prop. 123 in 2016, which increased the annual distribution from the states land trust fund from 2.5% to 6.9% for 10 years.

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The state land trust fund helps support K-12 education by generating revenues via the sale and use of lands and the investment of proceeds associated with acreage granted to the state, according to the Arizona Joint Legislative Budget Committee.

In Hobbs Prop. 123 proposal, she calls for increasing its annual distribution to 10.9% over the next two decades.

Petersen said Republicans told the governor that balancing a budget using the proposition would not be responsible because her proposal would bankrupt the trust in 20 years.

He added that once Republicans rejected the idea, Hobbs walked away from negotiations.

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The Senate president said Republicans want to see Prop. 123 protect school choice and the money go to the classroom.

Petersen said Republicans have a balanced budget and are currently close to securing the 47 votes needed to pass it in both houses of Legislature.

Once Republicans have those votes, they will move the budget and put it up for a vote, he said.

Republicans have to work with the governor, Petersen said, adding that they are always willing to come to the table to negotiate with her.
SPRINGFIELD  As it was best known, the rooster house at 131 Clemente St. in Holyoke became a hub for heroin sales in the early 2020s, according to a witness in an ongoing murder trial.

Elis Vizcarrondo, 18, drew his last breath there, prosecutors say. He died of two bullets to the skull and his body was thrown into the Connecticut River on June 30, 2022.

Standing trial for his murder is Elijah Melendez, 23. A witness testified Wednesday the defendant was once a second to Vizcarrondo in the so-called 03 street gang in Holyoke. The gang was an offshoot of La Familia, according to Miguel Morales, the prosecutions star witness.

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Elijah was just more like on a power trip. He wanted to be on top, Morales, 32, told jurors from the witness stand.

Was he? prosecutor Kelsey A. Baran asked Melendez on direct examination.

No, Morales answered.

Did that make him mad? Baran pressed.

Yes, the witness said.

Morales told jurors the much younger Vizcarrondo, Melendez and a third man, Michael Bell, slowly took over his apartment in 2021 and 2022.

They essentially turned into violent squatters who, at times, beat him into submission over staying at the place.

Before cooperating with police, Morales had been a Latin King since the age of 15. He was running a robust illicit drug business in enemy territory. The spot was La Familias territory, according to him. He was operating there with permission.

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He said he knew Vizcarrondo in passing, having watched him grow up. Melendez was a different story, according to the witness.

They were brothers, best friends, grew up together, Morales said of the two.

The allegiance began to erode, however, as Melendezs ambition swelled and he heard about Vizcarrondos cooperation with police in a previous murder in Holyoke.

Trial witness Massachusetts State Police Sgt. Michael Ryan testified Vizcarrondo played a key role in investigators making two arrests in the murder of Miguel Sanchez on Walnut Street in 2021.

Two teens, Tamon Byrd and Haliendrew Flores, were in 2024 convicted of manslaughter, Ryan confirmed.

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Somehow Melendez had gotten wind of Vizcarrondos assistance to police, according to Morales.

There were these two boys going down for a murder. He thought Elis was ratting on them, Morales told jurors.

Melendez enlisted him to help. And he agreed, at first, until he began bonding with Vizcarrondo.

While you were getting to know him, did you like him? Baran asked.

He was a good kid, Morales answered.

After months of threatening to kill Vizcarrondo, Melendez did, Morales said. On that night, those three and a fourth man, Michael Bell, gathered at the Clemente Street apartment that has a giant rooster mural on the outside.

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Morales went out to a local Racing Mart to get money from an ATM to get drugs, he testified. When he returned, two gunshots had already rung out. He returned to the convenience store to buy cleaning supplies, suspecting what was in store for him. Morales climbed the stairs to his second-floor flat and opened the door.

I walked upstairs. And when I walked upstairs I saw a trash can with a dead body in front of my stove, Morales said.

His testimony will continue in Hampden Superior Court Thursday morning. The trial is expected to last up to two weeks.

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By Humeyra Pamuk and Katharine Jackson

WASHINGTON, April 16 (Reuters) - A 10-day ceasefire between Lebanon and Israel went into effect on Thursday and President Donald Trump said the next meeting between the United States and Iran may take place over the weekend, adding to optimism that the Iran war could be nearing an end.

Trump said Iran had offered not to possess nuclear weapons for more than 20 years. Tehran's nuclear ambitions were a sticking point at talks in Islamabad last weekend.

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"We're going to see what happens. But I think we're very close to making a deal with Iran," he told reporters outside the White House.

Hours later at an event in Las Vegas, Nevada, Trump went further, saying the war "should be ending pretty soon."

The war with Iran, which began on February 28 with a U.S.-Israeli attack, has killed thousands and sent oil prices surging, creating a major political headache for the U.S. president.

If the Lebanon ceasefire clears the way for a broader peace deal with Iran, it would be a significant win for the Trump administration, which has struggled so far to reopen the strategically important Strait of Hormuz and block Iran's path to a nuclear weapon.

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Celebratory gunfire rang out across parts of Beirut as the clock struck midnight on Thursday, the time the ceasefire was set to go into effect. For around half an hour, the sound of explosions from rockets fired in celebration could also be heard, witnesses said.

But the pause in hostilities remained fragile.

The Lebanese Army said early on Friday that Israel committed violations of the ceasefire after it took effect, including the intermittent shelling of several southern Lebanese villages.

There was no immediate comment from the Israeli military, which had said earlier that its forces remained deployed in the area. In a post on X, Arabic-language military spokesperson Avichay Adraee said the deployment was in response to what he described as continued Hezbollah militant activity.

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Hezbollah released a lengthy statement detailing what it described as its military operations against Israel throughout Thursday, which showed that its last attack came at 11:50 p.m. local time, 10 minutes before the ceasefire took effect.

Trump later issued a social media post urging Hezbollah to respect the ceasefire.

"I hope Hezbollah acts nicely and well during this important period of time. It will be an GREAT moment for them if they do. No more killing. Must finally have PEACE!" he said.

FURTHER ISRAEL-LEBANON TALKS PLANNED

Trump said in his earlier remarks to reporters that he thought the U.S. had a chance of a deal with Iran.

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"And if that happens, oil goes way down, prices go way down, inflation goes way down, and ... much more importantly than even that, you won't have a nuclear holocaust," he said.

The president said he was not sure a two-week ceasefire agreed with Iran last week would need to be extended beyond next week, adding that Tehran wanted to make a deal.

"We have a very good relationship with Iran right now, as hard as it is to believe. And I think it's a combination of about four weeks of bombing, and a very powerful blockade."

Conflict between Israel and the Iran-aligned Lebanese group Hezbollah was reignited by the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran. Hezbollah opened fire in support of Tehran on March 2, prompting an Israeli offensive in Lebanon 15 months after their last major conflict.

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Trump said he had held "excellent conversations" with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and planned to invite them both to the White House for "meaningful talks".

He said later that the White House meeting could take place over the next week or two, and that if an Iran deal was reached and signed in Islamabad, he might travel there for the occasion.

Trump said he had directed U.S. Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Dan Caine to work with Israel and Lebanon to achieve lasting peace.

Iran welcomed the ceasefire in Lebanon, saying it was part of an understanding reached with the United States and mediated by Pakistan, Iranian media reported, citing a statement by a Foreign Ministry spokesperson.

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SIGNS OF POSSIBLE COMPROMISE ON NUCLEAR ISSUES

Closure of the Strait of Hormuz, through which a fifth of the world's oil and gas supply flows, has caused the worst oil price shock in history and forced the International Monetary Fund to downgrade its outlook for the global economy, warning prolonged conflict could push the world to the brink of recession.

At last weekend's talks, the U.S. proposed a 20-year suspension of all nuclear activity by Iran - an apparent concession from longstanding demands for a permanent ban. Tehran suggested a halt of three to five years, according to people familiar with the proposals.

Washington has pressed for any highly enriched uranium (HEU) to be removed from Iran. Tehran has demanded that international sanctions against it be lifted.

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Two Iranian sources said there were signs of a compromise emerging on the HEU stockpile, with Tehran considering shipping part, but not all, of it out of the country, something it had previously ruled out.

A diplomatic source said the key Pakistani mediator, Army chief Asim Munir, arrived in Tehran on Wednesday and had made a breakthrough on "sticky issues", although Tehran said the fate of its nuclear program had not been resolved. Trump has said the accord would open the Strait of Hormuz.

A senior Iranian official told Reuters that Munir's trip had led to greater hopes for a second round of talks and an extension of the ceasefire, but said fundamental differences remain over the nuclear program.

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said troops were poised to restart combat operations if a deal was not reached.

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A Pakistani security source told Reuters that Washington was offering to lift sanctions and unfreeze billions of dollars' worth of Iranian assets to secure a deal.

However, the source added that Iran would open the strait only if a permanent ceasefire is reached and there are United Nations guarantees that the U.S. and Israel will not attack again in the future.

(Reporting by Reuters bureaus, Writing by Lincoln Feast, Sharon Singleton, Timothy Heritage, David Brunnstrom and David Morgan; Editing by Andy Sullivan, Raju Gopalakrishnan, Alexandra Hudson, Andrew Heavens, Nia Williams and Edmund Klamann)
The House voted Wednesday to advance a measure that would reinstate temporary protections for Haitians living in the U.S., with six Republicans voting alongside Democrats to oppose a key component of President Donald Trump's immigration policy.

The measure, brought forward through a parliamentary move known as a discharge petition by Rep. Ayanna Pressley, D-Mass., co-chair of the House Haiti Caucus, won a key procedural vote to advance to a final vote set for Thursday. The legislation seeks to grant Temporary Protected Status (TPS) to eligible Haitian immigrants for three years.

Rep. Ayanna Pressley, D-Mass., at a news conference near the U.S. Capitol on Sept. 25. (Anna Moneymaker / Getty Images file) (Anna Moneymaker)

This is a critical step forward in our fight for immigrant justice and delivering our Haitian neighbors the protections they deserveand its a testament to the strength of our broad, diverse, and bipartisan coalition, Pressley said in a statement, adding that she was "grateful" to her Republican colleagues who voted for the measure.

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The legislation was first introduced in the Republican-controlled House by Reps. Laura Gillen, D-N.Y., and Mike Lawler, R-N.Y., last year.

"The State Department claims it is too dangerous for American citizens to go to Haiti because of kidnapping, gang violence and widespread chaos, but yet, the administration has said it's safe for Haitians to return there," Gillen said Wednesday on the House floor.

She said that "removing our neighbors would not just be a humanitarian catastrophe; it would hurt our economy," adding that Haitian immigrants "work in critical sectors like health care, education, caregiving, supporting our elderly and working in local hospitals."

Temporary Protected Status allows foreign nationals from countries facing war, environmental disasters or other unsafe conditions to live and word in the U.S. for a certain time.

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The Trump administration tried to terminate the Temporary Protected Status of about 350,000 Haitian immigrants last summer, but a federal judge halted the move. The administration appealed the decision shortly after the judge indefinitely postponed the terminations in an order in February. It is expected to be heard by the Supreme Court this month.

The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Wednesday's vote.

The House voted 219-209 on the discharge petition to force a vote on Lawler and Gillen's bill, with Republican Reps. Maria Elvira Salazar and Carlos A. Gimenez of Florida, Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania, Don Bacon of Nebraska and Lawler and Nicole Malliotakis of New York voting in favor alongside 212 Democrats and one independent. Members can use discharge petitions to get around leadership that is opposed to holding votes on legislation.

People at a candlelight vigil in Miami for Haitians living in the U.S. under the Temporary Protected Status immigration program. (Giorgio Viera / AFP via Getty Images file) (Giorgio Viera)

"Removing TPS status for Haitians living in the United States would cost 350,000 workers their ability to work at a time when were already facing serious workforce shortages," Bacon said on X. "I dont see the goodness of deporting people who are here legally, working, and contributing to our country."

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He added that he has heard from health care providers and business leaders across Nebraska who are raising the alarm over the impact deporting Haitian immigrants could have on patient care and the economy.

Malliotakis said in her own post that her office has heard from nursing homes in her New York district "that will lose skilled and dedicated nursing staff if TPS is not renewed."

"These are Haitian immigrants who are working, paying taxes and contributing to our economy and fulfilling a healthcare need. To strip them of their status and deport them to a country in peril would be uncompassionate and misguided," she wrote.

The vote comes less than a week after Trump posted a graphic video in which a man smashes an SUV parked outside a gas station in Florida with a hammer before he uses the hammer to attack a woman who left the store to confront him. The man beat the woman and then fled, according to the Fort Myers Police Department arrest report. First responders pronounced the woman dead. A suspect, identified as Rolbert Joachin, was later arrested and charged with homicide. Following the attack, the Department of Homeland Security said Joachin is an undocumented immigrant from Haiti.

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Trump blamed Democrats in Congress, "Deranged Liberal District Court Judges" and the Biden administration on Truth Social for supporting policies that he claims allowed Joachin to receive Temporary Protected Status.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
The House barely turned back legislation to halt U.S. military operations against Iran on Thursday, with Republicans supporting President Donald Trump despite continued economic fallout since lawmakers last weighed in on the Middle East conflict.

It marks the second time the House has declined to intervene since the war began. But the 213-214 vote was even tighter than the last attempt in early March, as several Democrats who previously broke ranks to support the military campaign switched their votes to oppose it.

But the impact of the war  which has seen oil and gas prices spike as Iran closed the Strait of Hormuz, followed by a U.S. military blockade of Iranian ports this week  hasnt yet broken Trumps stranglehold on the GOP. Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky was the only GOP lawmaker to vote to hem in the administration.

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Rep. Warren Davidson (R-Ohio), who backed the last war powers measure in March, voted present this time.

The vote is largely symbolic, and the Senate defeated similar war powers legislation Wednesday for a fourth time since the start of the war.

And while Republicans are still backing Trump, a more significant deadline is looming. Lawmakers and the administration face a legal deadline later this month that requires Congress to authorize continued military operations, which could see the GOP splinter.

Though GOP leaders kept their conference united enough to defeat the legislation that they argued is political theater, the vote was still a sweat for the narrow Republican majority. Democratic leaders won back three of the four of their own members who helped sink the last war powers measure: Reps. Henry Cuellar of Texas, Greg Landsman of Ohio and Juan Vargas of California. Rep. Jared Golden (D-Maine) was the lone Democrat to oppose it.

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Trump and top administration officials have projected confidence that the U.S. has the upper hand in the weekslong conflict, but much remains uncertain. A fragile ceasefire is set to expire next week, and peace talks led by Vice President JD Vance ended without an agreement.

The U.S. has ratcheted up pressure on Tehran with a blockade of the Iranian ports. Tehrans earlier closure of the Strait of Hormuz has spiked oil and gas prices skyrocketing, which has become a political flash point as midterm elections near and made reopening the maritime choke point a priority for Trump.

Democrats slammed Trump and his administration over leaving Congress out of the loop and shifting rationales for the war. The sponsor of the resolution, House Foreign Affairs ranking Democrat Gregory Meeks, argued that conflict is spiraling into an endless war without a viable endgame.

"The two week ceasefire is set to expire on April 22. And thus far, neither side has indicated what comes next beyond continued blockage of the Strait of Hormuz, Meeks said on the House floor. We're standing at the edge of a cliff, and Congress must act before the president pushes [the U.S.] off. Every day we delay, we inch closer to a conflict with no exit ramp."

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House Foreign Affairs Chair Brian Mast (R-Fla.) touted Trumps actions to end an imminent threat posed by Tehran. In a tense floor debate on the Iran measure, Mast charged Democrats with playing politics with national security.

"I think they want America to lose, Mast said. That is why in the midst of this ceasefire that's going on, they are literally offering a resolution to say remove any and all U.S. forces from hostilities in or within Iran."

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth told reporters at the Pentagon on Thursday that the military is locked and loaded to resume the war with Iran should President Donald Trump order it, and U.S. forces are at this moment reloading with more power than ever before." Speaking alongside the Pentagon chief, Joint Chiefs Chair Gen. Dan Caine boasted of American military superiority in the Middle East as the U.S implements the blockade.

At the same time, the war is quickly approaching an April 28 deadline that mandates congressional authorization for continued military operations. According to the War Powers Resolution of 1973, U.S. forces must be withdrawn from the conflict after 60 days unless Congress authorizes it. But the White House can still invoke a 30-day extension for national security reasons.

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That deadline could force the Trump administration to more publicly outline an end state or show significant progress toward ending the Middle East campaign to maintain GOP support.

The Trump administration is also likely to send lawmakers a request for tens of billions of dollars to cover the cost of the torrid pace of military operations in the Middle East as well as to replenish high-end munitions used in Iran.

White House budget director Russ Vought told lawmakers Wednesday that the administration hasnt yet settled on a final dollar figure for a supplemental proposal, though the Pentagon has reportedly suggested the cost could exceed $200 billion. The request will be yet another pressure point for the administration and will make for a politically risky vote for Republicans.

Paul McLeary contributed to this report.
WASHINGTON (AP)  The House rejected a resolution Thursday requiring President Donald Trump to withdraw U.S. forces from the war with Iran unless Congress authorizes military action. It was the latest such vote that fell short of passage as Republicans largely continue to support Trump's operation.

Democrats voiced concern that the United States is becoming further entrenched in another lengthy conflict in the Middle East. They promised to keep raising the issue through more war powers votes in the coming weeks.

The 213-214 vote came one day after a similar effort failed in the Senate. The U.S. and Israel struck Iran on Feb. 28, and a fragile ceasefire is now in its second week.

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Democrats overwhelmingly supported the attempt to rein in Trump's use of military force.

We're standing at the edge of a cliff and Congress must act before the president pushes off, said New York Rep. Gregory Meeks, the ranking Democrat on the House Committee on Foreign Affairs. Every day we delay, we inch closer to a conflict with no exit ramp.

Republicans tried to cast the effort as hypocritical.

Florida Rep. Brian Mast, the committee chairman, said Congress never voted on a war powers resolution when the U.S. attacked Iranian-backed Houthis in Yemen in 2024 while Democrat Joe Biden was president.

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When Joe Biden was responding to merchant marine vessels being attacked, it was OK. No war power needed. It went on for about a year, Mast said. President Trump responds  war power, war power, war power. ... That's the hypocrisy.

Under the War Powers Act of 1973, Congress must declare war or authorize use of force within 60 days  a deadline in the Iran war that will arrive at the end of April. The law provides for a potential 30-day extension, but lawmakers have made clear that they want the Republican administration to soon lay out a plan for the war's end.

While the House vote failed, it gave Democrats an opportunity to highlight some of the most negative effects of the war: the billions of dollars spent, the death of at least 13 service members, the soaring gas prices and fissures with long-standing allies who do not support Trump's actions.

Gas prices at home are up to $7 in my home state, and families are hurting," said Rep. Pramila Jayapal, D-Wash. Another 10,000 U.S. troops are being sent in to join 50,000 already stationed in the Middle East with absolutely no strategy, no plan and no exit.

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Republicans defended Trump as taking decisive action against an Iranian government that has long terrorized the Middle East and its own people.

President Donald Trump has sent a message that those who threaten the United States and our partners will be ultimately held accountable," said Rep. Joe Wilson, R-S.C.

In Thursday's vote, Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky was the only Republican to cross party lines and vote for removing U.S. forces from the war. Rep. Jared Golden of Maine was the only Democrat to vote against the measure.

The first House vote to curb Trump's miliary action with Iran failed in early March, 212-219.
RANDOLPH, N.J.  Republican Joe Hathaway aims to flip a vacant U.S. House seat in a blue-leaning district in northern New Jersey.

"I think we have the right math, the right bipartisan coalition to come together to win this thing," an optimistic Hathaway said this week in a Fox News Digital interview.

Hathaway is facing off against Democrat Analilia Mejia, who is backed by progressive champions Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of neighboring New York, in Thursday's special election in New Jersey's 11th Congressional District. The winner will fill out the final eight months of the term of Gov. Mikie Sherrill , the Democratic representative who stepped down from Congress in November after winning New Jersey's gubernatorial election.

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First On Fox: House Republicans Target Dozens Of 'Vulnerable' Democrats On Eve Of Tax Day

New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill prepares to speak after taking the oath of office during an inauguration ceremony, Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2026, in Newark, N.J. (AP Images)

The special election comes as the GOP clings to a fragile House majority and would relish the opportunity to flip a suburban district Sherrill won by 15 points in her 2024 re-election and carried by roughly the same margin in last year's gubernatorial election. But given a rough political climate and traditional headwinds for the party in power, it's a tough task for a candidate with an R next to their name on the ballot.

To have any chance of winning, Hathaway will need the support of independents and crossover Democrats.

Read On The Fox News App

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He said his message to those voters is, "even if you've never voted for a Republican before, you got the chance to test drive one for the next six months, send me to Washington. Let me prove to you I'm going to do what I say."

Pointing to Mejia, Hathaway argued that voters in the district will "choose common sense over socialism in this race."

Mejia, a progressive organizer who served as national political director on the 2020 Sanders presidential campaign, pulled off an upset in the February Democratic primary, narrowly edging out more moderate rival former Rep. Tom Malinowski in a field of 11 candidates. While Mejia was the clear choice of the party's left flank, the rest of the field appeared to divide the moderate and center-left vote.

House Speaker Johnson Gets Reinforcement As Gop Clings To Razor-thin Majority

Analilia Mejia secured the Democratic Party nomination in a special election to find out who will take over newly-elected New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill's vacant House seat.

Her victory was another boost for the left against the establishment after democratic socialist New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani sent shock waves across the nation with his Democratic primary victory in June 2025.

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Hathaway, a former Randolph Township mayor and current council member who was uncontested for the GOP congressional nomination, emphasized that the choice for voters is "between a common sense, practical independent leader who's gotten things done at the local level in New Jersey and knows the issues, contrasted with someone who's running on pure ideology, far left-wing ideology, Squad-backed ideology."

Mejia recently appeared at a town hall with Malinowski and on Sunday teamed up with Sherrill on the campaign trail as she aimed to unite Democrats, who enjoy a sizable registration advantage in the district.

Hathaway claimed that Mejia is now trying "to hide from that a little bit in some of her rhetoric, because she knows that those policies are completely out of touch, but it's not fooling voters. It's certainly not fooling us."

Jewish voters make up a key part of the district's electorate, and Hathaway, in the only debate in the special election, claimed Mejia was antisemitic, noting that she has said Israel committed genocide in Gaza.

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"She blamed Israel for the attacks by Hamas on October 7," Hathaway said. "I think Jewish individuals across this district, Republican or Democrat, are very afraid of this kind of rhetoric."

Progressives Notch Another Win Over Democratic Moderates As Sanders-aoc Ally Nears Congress

Republican congressional candidate Joe Hathaway speaks with voters at the Randolph Diner, on April 13, 2026, in Randolph, New Jersey

Hathaway said, "I've spoken to more members of the Jewish community who have told me they've never voted for a Republican in their life, who are going to vote for me in this race. I mean, that shows you where the Jewish community is on the importance of this race and how they are not aligned with Mejia... and her platform."

Mejia has pledged to "protect the rights of Jewish constituents," and has said her criticism of Israels actions in Gaza should not be conflated with antisemitism.

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In a statement to Fox News Digital, Mejia said that "Joe Hathaways inability to distinguish between criticism of a government or government official and bigotry is troubling and disgusting in equal measure."

Mejia last week wrote that she was "honored" after being endorsed by the liberal pro-Israel political group J Street PAC. But her acceptance of the endorsement triggered pushback on the left, with the North Jersey Democratic Socialists of America calling her move a "heel turn."

Hathaway, as he aims to win over independents and Democrats, is pointing out where he agrees and disagrees with President Donald Trump, who lost the district by eight points in the 2024 presidential election.

Republicans Win But Democrats Also Claim Victory With Ballot Box Surge In Trump Territory

U.S. President Donald Trump waves to the media after walking off of Air Force One at Miami International Airport on April 11, 2026, in Miami, Fla.

"Im always going to do whats right for this district first. And Ive been clear: If the presidents going to do things that are good for the district, increasing the SALT cap deduction, putting money back in peoples pockets, especially New Jersey, affordability is so tough here. If were doing things like border security, reducing fentanyl deaths like weve seen in our community. Those are good things. I support those policies," Hathaway said.

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"But on the other hand, if the president's going to do things that aren't in the best interest of our district, it's my job to push back, and that's exactly what I've done," he spotlighted.

Hathaway pointed to Trump's move last year to terminate billions of federal dollars for the Gateway Project, which is funding a new train tunnel under the Hudson River connecting New Jersey and New York, and the president's plans to cut roughly 1,000 jobs and nearly $1 billion in funding for an Army base located in New Jersey.

"I'm going to call balls and strikes in this race. I'm not going to be a rubber stamp for anybody," Hathaway said.

He touted, "I think we have the right math, the right bipartisan coalition to come together to win this thing on April 16."

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Democracy 26: Stay Up To Date With The Fox News Election Hub

Campaign signs for Republican candidate Joe Hathaway and Democrat Analilia Mejia in the NJ-11 special congressional election, in Randolph, New Jersey on April 13, 2026.

But Dan Cassino, a Fairleigh Dickinson University political science professor and pollster, calls Hathaway's hopes of capturing crossover Democrats "a pipe dream."

"Democrats as a whole do not seem interested in finding common ground with Trump," he said as he predicted that most voters in the special election will be strong partisans. "Democratic turnout is through the roof and Republican turnout is depressed at this point."

Cassino noted that "right now, national politics drives everything. We say all politics is local. Today, unfortunately, all politics is national."

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Mejia, meanwhile, has tied Hathaway to Trump and Republicans in Congress.

"MAGA Republicans are driving up everyday costs with extreme policies my opponent supports. Healthcare and critical programs are being gutted just to fund tax breaks for the ultra-rich. We cant afford another vote for Trump in Congress," she wrote in a social media post.





Original article source: House showdown: Democrat backed by Sanders, AOC faces Republican trying to flip blue-leaning district
FRANKFORT  In the final hours of this years legislative session, Republicans sent more legislation to the governor but failed to pass bills aimed at tackling the states housing shortage and protecting ratepayers from bearing the costs of supplying electricity to data centers.

The legislature also restored funding to public universities that it had earlier cut.

Lawmakers ended the 2026 session Wednesday evening without reaching agreement on Senate Bill 9, an omnibus housing bill supported by affordable housing advocates and the state Chamber of Commerce.

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A sticking point in negotiations was a controversial provision that would largely block local governments from regulating short-term rentals such as Airbnbs.

Sen. Robby Mills, R-Henderson, SB 9s sponsor, told the Lantern he was slightly disappointed the legislation failed but that lawmakers would continue to talk about housing, including short-term rental regulations, throughout this year.

In January, at a pro-housing rally, Sen. Robby Mills, R-Henderson, said legislation to tackle the housing shortage should be moving soon. But when the session ended just before midnight Wednesday, an omnibus housing bill had died. (Kentucky Lantern photo by Liam Niemeyer)

Ive been around here long enough to know that you cant get personally attached to issues, and sometimes it takes multiple sessions to pass something, Mills said.

Among SB 9s provisions were a reduction in required parking minimums for housing developments, incentive programs for residential housing development and expungement of eviction records for individuals whose eviction cases were dismissed. The bill had grown substantially in size in the final days of the session, picking up the provision that would have prevented local governments from regulating the density and number of short-term rentals.

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Mills told the Lantern the primary barrier to the bill was the local preemption on short-term rental regulation. A veto of the legislation by Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear would have killed the bill for the year because lawmakers would not have an opportunity to come back and override the veto.

SB 9s supporters included the advocacy nonprofit Homeless and Housing Coalition of Kentucky and the conservative advocacy group Americans for Prosperity Kentucky.

Heather LeMire, Americans for Prosperity Kentucky director, in a statement said the Kentucky Senate had chosen politics over the people and passivity over good policy.

The people of Kentucky deserve a better shot at the American Dream through homeownership. As lawmakers return to their districts without making meaningful progress, hardworking families will continue to endure a severe housing shortage and affordability crisis, LeMire said.

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Mills pointed to other bills the legislature has passed,, including one sponsored by Sen. Keturah Herron, D-Louisville, that clears barriers to develop environmentally remediated land, as evidence that the legislature took some action on housing issues.

I dont think we totally whiffed, Mills said. I think youll continue to hear people talking about affordability and housing over the interim.

Data center measure fails on final day

Another proposal that didnt make it to the governors desk was sponsored by Rep. Josh Bray, R-Mount Vernon, seeking to ensure the costs of infrastructure and service to meet the demands of power-intensive data centers would not be borne by other ratepayers. Brays House Bill 593 cleared the House in March but stalled in the Senate.

Rep. Josh Bray, R-Mount Vernon (LRC Public Information)

The bill would have required utilities to issue regulations for prospective data center customers and ensure that a contract between a data center and a utility prevents the subsidization of data center customers by non-data center customers through rates or by any other means.

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Investor-owned utility Louisville Gas and Electric and Kentucky Utilities (LG&E and KU) and nonprofit utility East Kentucky Power Cooperative (EKPC) have received approval from the Kentucky Public Service Commission for rules and rates for data centers with high power demands.

Brays proposals were added to Senate Bill 197 in late March in a legislative committee meeting but then stripped from the bill by a committee on Wednesday. SB 197 passed through the legislature Wednesday evening without the data center proposals.

Bray told reporters that the Senate in general was the reason his proposals didnt pass, mentioning that LG&E and KU didnt like it either.

Kentucky Senate President Robert Stivers, R-Manchester, told reporters Wednesday evening, citing the work the Kentucky Public Service Commission had already done to approve data center tariffs for EKPC and LG&E and KU, that data center regulations are set up differently because nonprofit utilities and for-profit utilities have different mechanisms for which they operate and fund themselves.

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I talked to Josh Bray. I understand what he was doing, Stivers said. Its a coming issue, and so we need to make sure we do it the correct way.

He said Kentucky Public Service Commission Chair Angie Hatton and the people of the PSC have done a good job with data center regulations so far.

Liz Pratt, an LG&E and KU spokesperson, in an emailed statement, said the utility appreciated the legislatures focus on focus on the importance of energy and economic growth. She said the utilitys approved Extremely High Load Factor (EHLF) tariff adds protections for our customers to ensure new large customers are paying for their fair share of the system and for infrastructure thats only serving them.

We look forward to continued discussions over the interim as we work with the General Assembly on issues that impact our customers and communities we serve, Pratt said.

This story was updated with a statement provided Friday by an LG&E and KU spokesperson.
By Will Dunham

WASHINGTON, April 15 (Reuters) - There is a lot of evidence from orbiting satellites and surface rovers indicating that liquid water was present long ago on the surface of Mars in the form of ponds, lakes and rivers. But the idea that Mars once had a huge and long-lived ocean on its northern plains has remained a matter of debate.

Scientists have now detected what might be the contours of this putative ocean on Earth's planetary neighbor, using data collected by a NASA probe that orbited Mars for a decade. Their research indicates the presence of the Martian equivalent of the continental shelf that defines the boundaries of Earth's oceans.

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They compared it to a huge "bathtub ring" showing where water may have once met land on Mars. Because Mars does not possess continents and lacks the geological process called plate tectonics that led to the formation of Earth's continents, the researchers are calling the Martian landforms a coastal shelf.

Like Earth and the solar system's other planets, Mars formed roughly 4.5 billion years ago. Early in its history, Mars was warmer and wetter than the cold and arid place it is today.

"The Martian ocean could have existed when the planet had an active hydrological cycle, with flowing rivers and lakes, nearly 3.7 billion years ago, and it likely disappeared as the planet became dry. Exactly where the water went remains highly debated," said University of Texas planetary scientist Abdallah Zaki, lead author of the research published on Wednesday in the journal Nature.

A coastal shelf could have formed on Mars over millions of years due to rivers dumping sand and mud into an ocean, waves spreading those sediments around, and the sea level rising and falling over time. Looking from above, the sedimentary rock making up this shelf might superficially resemble the ring that remains after a bathtub has been drained.

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"A 'bathtub ring' on Mars means that if an ocean filled the northern lowlands, it may have left behind a shoreline, or shelf-like boundary, marking the water level," Zaki said.

"If we sent a rover, we would expect to see sedimentary rocks and structures similar to those found on Earth's continental shelves, including layering, sloping surfaces called clinoforms and textures produced by waves and currents," Zaki said.

The researchers examined topographical data for Mars that was obtained by NASA's Mars Global Surveyor, and identified a band suggestive of oceanic contours. Previous research has indicated that this hypothesized ocean in the Martian northern hemisphere covered approximately a third of the planet's surface, equivalent to about 13% of the total area of Earth's oceans.

The study builds on earlier evidence of a bygone Martian ocean including studies identifying features resembling an ancient shoreline. Ground-penetrating radar data obtained by China's Zhurong rover, described in a study published last year, detected evidence suggesting sandy beaches from a Martian shoreline now buried underground.

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Scientists also have identified multiple landforms that appear to be remnants of ancient river deltas, where rivers may have flowed into a larger body of water.

"The northern ocean on Mars, if it existed, dried up a long time ago, and there have been billions of years of volcanic activity and wind abrasion on Mars, so interpreting ancient landforms is not straightforward," Caltech planetary scientist and study senior author Michael Lamb said.

"Nonetheless, our study shows some telltale signs of a coastal shelf. And the shelf occurs in the same zone as the deformed shorelines and where scientists have previously mapped river deltas and other landforms and deposits characteristic of a land-ocean transition," Lamb said.

Taken together, Lamb said, the evidence points toward a long-lived ancient ocean.

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"This means that Mars once looked much more like the Earth than it does today," Lamb said.

The existence of an ocean would be an important factor in understanding whether Mars was ever able to give rise to life.

"If Mars once had an ocean covering roughly one third of the planet over geologic timescales, that would suggest that a large part of its surface had sustained water, which is a key ingredient for habitability," Zaki said.

"That does not mean Mars was inhabited, but it does suggest that potentially habitable environments may have been more widespread and longer-lived than if water had only existed briefly or locally," Zaki said.

(Reporting by Will Dunham, Editing by Rosalba O'Brien)
NEED TO KNOW

The remains of 33-year-old Hailey Athay were found by hikers in Washington on Sunday, April 12

They contacted authorities after discovering clothing and two bones, and the remains were later identified as Athay's

The mother of three's cause of death is yet to be determined as the investigation continues

The remains of a 33-year-old woman who went missing in 2024 were found by hikers in Washington over the weekend.

Local residents were hiking on private timberland on Sunday, April 12, when they found clothing and two bones, according to a statement from the Cowlitz County Sheriff's Office.

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They contacted officials, and a forensic anthropologist identified them as human after reviewing a photo.

Authorities searched the area, which had been tied to the disappearance of Hailey Athay, the following day. They found "nearly complete" skeletal remains as well as items of clothing and personal belongings, per the statement.

Stock image of police tape

Credit: Getty

A forensic odontologist compared the skull's teeth to Athay's dental records, and was able to identify the remains as belonging to the Longview, Wash. woman, police confirmed.

Athay, a mother of three, disappeared around Thanksgiving in 2024 after going mushroom hunting with a friend, Washington newspaper The Chronicle reported. Her family became concerned after she stopped returning calls or texts, per KPTV, and she was reported missing in January 2025.

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"Its not that it was unexpected that this would be the outcome, but it certainly isnt what we wanted in our hearts, her mother, Nicole Brooks, told the network. "I can hear her, 'Hi, Mama,' and it just breaks my heart that I wont hear that again."

Brooks told the outlet that she has been caring for Athay's daughters alongside family and friends, adding that the three girls were giving her strength amid her grief.

She paid tribute to her daughter, too, describing her as "loyal," "kind and compassionate."

Posting on the Bring Hailey Home Facebook page, Athay's loved ones wrote, "Our mission now will be to seek answers and accountability for those involved with her passing. Please please be respectful during this time, and give all those who love her some space to process this. We appreciate all of the support and prayers."

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.

Per police, the investigation remains active, and Athay's cause of death has not yet been determined.

PEOPLE reached out to the Cowlitz County Sheriff's Office for further comment, but they did not immediately respond.

Read the original article on People
QUITO, April 15 (Xinhua) -- At least 11 people were killed and 22 others injured after an interprovincial bus veered off the road and fell into a river in southern Ecuador on Wednesday, authorities said. 
Hungarys media sector and Hollywood producers seeking its juicy tax incentive are readying for a new future after Peter Magyars Tisza party ended the 16-year rule of Viktor Orbans far-right rival Fidesz. These high hopes for reform are tempered, however, by the scale of change deemed necessary.

Under Fidesz, which led the country between 2010 and 2026, the countrys TV and film sector turned into a nightmare for many independent producers, especially those critical of the leadership.

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The EU and other critics routinely called Hungarys public broadcasting system for failing to protect journalists and acting as propaganda vehicle for the leadership, often playing Orban speeches on loop. There were projects that glorified Hungarys military past and projects that appealed to Fideszs Christian nationalist cause were favored by government-friendly bodies. There has also been widespread consternation about how around 80% of local media was concentrated within structures Orbans party controlled.

The pro-EU Tiszas win has therefore led to a palpable release of emotion, with one independent producer telling us, Its a massive celebration here. Changes are happening quickly, with Magyar appearing on state-run radio yesterday and vowing to suspend state media broadcasts, as he accused news anchors of kowtowing to Orban and giving little voice to opposition.

Every Hungarian deserves a public service media that broadcasts the truth, he said, per Reuters. We will need a little time to pass a new media law, a new media authority and setting up the professional conditions for state media to actually do what it is meant to do.

His decisive election victory overnight on Sunday also delivered a blow to President Donald Trumps MAGA movement, which many say has used Orbans Christian-led nationalism as a blueprint. Vice President J.D. Vance even made the voyage to Budapest last week to campaign for the autocratic Orban, who also had the backing of Trump via Truth Social. The visit was futile, and some even suggested Vances presence was detrimental to the incumbent partys election hopes, though two sources weve spoken to say his profile is so small in Hungary as to be irrelevant to voters.

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The victory is primarily being put down to Magyars brand of personal politics that saw him campaign relentlessly in small villages and towns, appealing people who had become disillusioned with Orban and offering an alternative to younger voters, who ultimately turned out in droves. The center-right Tisza will take 137 of the 199 seats in the Hungarian parliament, with Fidesz gaining just 56  a supermajority that gives Magyar an extensive mandate to enact change. Hungarians said yes to Europe today. They said yes to a free Hungary, Magyar told supporters, as he waved the countrys flag in front of supporters by the River Danube earlier this week.

Fidesz will officially leave power next month following a handover period, at which point structural reform will begin. The media could be among the most visible short-term changes. Sources working within state-backed organizations spoke to us about future restructuring anonymously, as they cautiously await news and how they will be impacted.

With this extremely high turnout for the election, almost 80% and a two-thirds win for the opposition party, it will mean a lot of changes for the country  the leader will push for this, said a source within Hungarys content financing system.

Producers are now hoping Tiszas victory will change the scope of local productions.

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Orban and his cronies put up propaganda  revisionist stuff with incredibly expensive budgets, said one senior Hungarian TV producer speaking on grounds of anonymity. There will be a new directive to commission films and series much more rooted in our present issues, problems and conflicts, and not this stale, revisionist propaganda. There is every reason to hope for that.

Tiszas supermajority victory is such that Magyar will be able to repeal much of the hardest legislation brought in during the Orban era. He has said he will tackle cronyism and that government control of state services and media is over, while vowing to replace presidents of the competition and media authorities.

Prior to the election, Tisza said several bodies with leaders elected by Orbans government, including the National Media and Infocommunications Authority and the Media Council, cannot be considered independent and do not fulfil their roles. It added that the public broadcaster, Duna Media, will no longer be a party mouthpiece, noting, We will mandate real editorial independence, balanced reporting, and transparent content standards, with civil oversight.

One industry veteran said the pubcaster leadership will change very quickly, while an independent producer added Hungary needs to follow the example of the Czech Republic and others who have these high-quality public TV programs.

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Theres no guarantee reform will lead to a complete cultural change, of course. Poland voted in pro-European government in 2023, which made similar changes to undo legislation of the previous leadership, but its public broadcaster, TVP, is now trailing behind right-wing news network Republika, which has emerged from nowhere to lead the ratings, and sentiment appears to be shifting back towards populism.

Hungarian funding bodies and screen organizations will see senior management changes, and yesterday it was announced government film commissioner Csaba Kael will leave his role at the National Film Institute (NFI). If the right people are appointed to the film institute, it will be a good balance of arthouse, more sophisticated productions and commercial ones, said our distribution source.

Though Hungary has seen a boom in production since the NFI was created in 2020, with estimates of fivefold growth and revenues exceeding 300 billion forints ($940M) annually, Kael has come under sharp criticism for perceptions he favors Fidesz-friendly projects. Just days ago, veteran producer Gabor Kovacs and filmmaker Attila Janisch both called for him to step down and allow new management to reform the body. Theyve now got their wish, with NFI financial commitments suspended until the changing of the guard.

Weve reached out to the NFI and Duna Media for comment.

Party atmosphere

It has been a party mood in Hungary this week, with thousands turning out in the streets in celebration. Magyar, who posted AI videos to promote himself to younger voters and hit out at Fidesz, was seen swinging a Hungarian flag on a stage near the River Danube on Sunday night, but was overshadowed by fellow politician Zsolt Hegedus, whose dance moves went viral after being picked up by cameras.

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One senior TV producer told us they had postponed a meeting after celebrating slightly too hard with the masses who congregated in the countrys capital, Budapest, last night. Everyone is hungover, its a huge celebration, they said Monday morning, as images of happy Tisza supporters landed on the wires.

Once the party ends and the hard work resumes, the production sector will be eyeing potential changes under Magyar. While he is fiscally right-wing (and a former Fidesz member, no less), the new Prime Minister is considered by many to be sympathetic to Hungarys cultural sector, co-operation with the EU and an independent media sector.

Its very hard to predict what will happen next, but Magyar has surrounded himself with very liberal cultural people, said Gabor Krigler, the former HBO Europe exec who now runs production house Joyrider Television. There is going to be a definite change.

Among key plans for the industry, Tisza wants to re-energize the countrys lucrative 30% tax rebate, which Hungarys film commission has claimed attracts more than 100 Hollywood productions a year. Having first launched back in 2004, the system has in recent years welcomed the likes of Alien: Romulus, The Brutalist and Dune: Prophecy. However, a decision to temporarily freeze new registrations has led to an administrative bottleneck, especially with other European countries offering lucrative alternatives, and Tisza believes could Hungarys broader position as a cultural exporter and international production hub was facing increasing peril under Fidesz.

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According to Tisza, this has put under pressure the production industrys annual revenues, which are between estimated to be between 250 billion-300 billion forints. For economic reasons, they will have to rethink the system, but it has been contributing significantly to GDP, said Krigler, whose company has focused on international co-productions with counterparts from the likes of the UK and the Czech Republic instead of local projects in recent years.

Magyars focus on the economy means reform of Hungarys draconian anti-LGBTQ+ laws, which currently includes the banning of Pride marches and fines for promoting homosexuality in schools, may not be a priority. Magyar, once an ally of Orban before breaking with Fidesz, has said his government will protect the right of assembly, but has fielded criticism for a perceived unwillingness to address the subject of discrimination.

When Orbans legislation was fast-tracked in 2024, questions were posed around whether Hollywood would take a stand and draw back from the countrys production incentives, but sources weve spoken to say this hasnt happened. Capitalism is capitalism, was how one Hungarian producer described it, choosing to remain anonymous.

Tiszas manifesto has included plans to retain and strengthen the 20,000-30,000 people who work in the production sector. They want it to be very transparent and clear, and they want these people to stay and for the industry to grow, said the content financing source. Hungary is considered one of the most skilled production communities in Europe, with HBO Europes productions from the country considered to have helped a creative boom in the earlier part of the 20th century.

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The big question is whether Tisza can afford to make culture a priority, with the economic situation by far the most pressing issue for most Hungarians.

Hungary has developed strong production capacity in recent years, and there is still room for growth, said Emese Acs, Co-Managing Director at Fremantle-owned UFA Produkcio. A lot of that capacity is currently underutilized, so theres a general expectation that the sector could regain momentum. That said, the industry is closely tied to the broader economic environment. If conditions improve, it might directly lead to more new business opportunities for production companies.

Maygar will have much to consider when he takes office next month, but whats clear already is the countrys producers and filmmakers are ready for the reset. This is a game-changer for me, said Joyrider boss Krigler. We can now return, come back and produce here again. Its very energizing.

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BEXLEY, Ohio (WCMH)  Ohio gubernatorial candidate Amy Acton received backlash this week after a 2019 incident surfaced in which police responded to her home for a domestic dispute.

According to police records, Bexley police responded to Actons home after an adult family member who had been at the home called to report a domestic verbal dispute in August of that year between Acton and her husband, Eric. Amy Acton, perhaps best known for her time as Ohios health director early in the coronavirus pandemic, is running unopposed in the May 5 Democratic primary. See previous coverage of Actons candidacy in the video player above.

The police report states police spoke with all parties involved, and determined Amy and Eric Acton had gotten into a verbal argument over her long work hours. Acton was health director at the time, though this was before the pandemic. In a statement to NBC4, Eric Acton took responsibility for the incident.

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Hilliard-area officials seek safety plan for proposed data center energy system

These attacks on my wife and my family have gone too far. Seven years ago, I had too much to drink while Amy only had one drink. I started the verbal argument while she tried to de-escalate the situation, and eventually went to bed, Eric Acton said. I take responsibility for my actions that led to the police coming to our home, which was ultimately the result of a single fight between two people who love each other very much.

According to Bexleys call report of the incident, a family member called police and said Amy Acton and her husband were fighting. The police log, which offered a quick summary but not actual statements, said Amy Acton had been drinking and throwing things and breaking glass.

There was no evidence of any physical violence between the two and was determined that it was a verbal dispute only, the police report read.

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The police report said Amy Acton was heading down the stairs when she grabbed the mirror on the wall and pulled it down, breaking the glass. The police report said both had been drinking and Amy Acton had taken some prescription medications.

NBC4 asked Bexley police about all calls to Actons address in the past 10 years. Police said there have been two: the verbal domestic dispute from 2019 and a report of a suspicious person in 2022. Actons house was the site of protests during the pandemic.

Actons team said Acton had one drink at dinner and was not intoxicated at any point during the evening. The police report did not document Acton as debilitated or visually under the influence of any substances. Actons team said the prescription medications included migraine treatment, and the medications had been prescribed to Acton for 20 years for routine use.

The report also said a Columbus Fire medic came and checked Amy Acton over. The report said she was advised to go to the hospital but declined. The report did not specify any reason to recommend a hospital visit.

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Actons team also said Acton had bumped into a wall hanging and it fell. Her team said she was in bed by the time police arrived and that it was a typical verbal dispute between a couple. Records show officers arrived at 9:52 p.m. and left at 10:31 p.m.

Ohio Supreme Court ends decades-old ban on judges making political endorsements

Acton is likely to face Vivek Ramaswamy, the leading Republican candidate for governor. He has not publicly commented on the incident but has reposted others remarks on social media. He reposted a comment from Donald Trump Jr., President Donald Trumps son, who said, leftwing psychopath (Amy Acton) shouldnt be running for governor in Ohio, she should be seeking help.

When asked about the incident, a spokesperson for Ramaswamy said, The real question the media should be asking is why did Amy Acton lie by omission to Gov. DeWine and Ohioans for the past seven years?

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Amy Acton worked around the clock on behalf of Ohioans while serving as Health Director, said Addie Bullock, Actons spokesperson. For Vivek Ramaswamys allies to dishonestly attempt to smear her for what amounted to a private verbal disagreement between Amy and her husband reveals the level of desperation Ramaswamy is feeling as Ohioans continue to reject him and his cost-raising scams.

A spokesperson for Gov. Mike DeWine, who worked alongside Acton through the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic, told NBC News that DeWine would have expected Acton to report the incident and was very disappointed she did not. DeWine, a Republican, endorsed Ramaswamy in January.

Outside this incident, DeWine has largely praised Acton. He disputed claims from Ramaswamys team that Acton drove decisions to close businesses and schools during the pandemic.

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 NBC4 WCMH-TV.
For the first time, Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents have been spotted in York County, reportedly pulling over drivers on Interstate 77 and patrolling the streets in Rock Hill.

ALSO READ: ICE picks up alleged gang member from Mecklenburg County after deadly shooting

South Carolina reporter Tina Terry asked local police if they knew why the agency was there.

Rock Hills chief of police said it is his understanding that ICE is in the area on Thursday, but they have not contacted his office.

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No officials Terry talked to could explain why the agency is there.

Driver Miguel Corona sent Channel 9 a video, saying he saw the agents pulling over people in work vans.

I drive down Highway 77 South every day, and Ive seen a lot of immigration agency vehicles parked there, as well as quite a few people parked with trailers, painting trucks, and workers, he said.

Drivers have been posting on Facebook since Monday, saying theyve seen ICE on the interstate between Fort Mill and Rock Hill.

A resident said she wasnt surprised.

I was kind of expecting it, said a resident. We do have a high Hispanic community, so it was kind of inevitable that they would show up. It was just a matter of time.

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Some have even reported seeing the agents on Dave Lyle Boulevard in Rock Hill near the Social Security office.

Channel 9 reached out to ICE via email, asking for details on its operation. Were still waiting to hear back.

The resident, whom Terry spoke with, said she is hopeful the arrests are peaceful.

Im hopeful. I think that if youre not doing anything wrong, you dont have anything to worry about, the woman said.

Terry checked with the York County Sheriffs office and Rock Hill police. Neither of those agencies was partnering with ICE, nor did they have anything to do with the agencys arrests.

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Immigration enforcement is primarily a federal responsibility, meaning local governments cannot block ICE agents from operating there.

VIDEO: ICE picks up alleged gang member from Mecklenburg County after deadly shooting
This story was updated with new information.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement confirmed officers from a small Ohio village police department visited Cincinnati schools this week to perform welfare checks on children.

Gratis Police Chief Tonina Lamanna and an officer visited three West Side schools April 15, claiming to be working on behalf of ICE and asking to do welfare checks. School officials refused them entry and they never made contact with any student, Cincinnati Public Schools Superintendent Shauna Murphy said.

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An ICE spokesperson confirmed the Gratis department's reason for being at the schools in a statement to The Enquirer late April 16.

'Stay out of Cincinnati': Small Ohio town chief visited schools for ICE 'checks'

"ICE does not target schools for enforcement actions. Yesterday, a local law enforcement partner attempted to verify school enrollment and conduct welfare checks on children who arrived unaccompanied across the border," the spokesperson said in the statement. "To be crystal clear this was not an ICE officer or an enforcement action."

Gratis, a village of less than 1,000 people about 45 miles north of Cincinnati, partnered with ICE to perform immigration activities. Trained officers are enabled to interrogate and arrest anyone within their jurisdiction that they believe to be unlawfully in the country, according to a copy of the agency's agreement with ICE.

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The ICE spokesperson said last November the agency launched an initiative with state and local partners to "protect hundreds of thousands of children who entered the country and were placed with sponsors under the Biden administration."

The primary focus of this initiative is to conduct welfare checks on these children to ensure that they are safe and not being exploited, the spokesperson said.

"ICE Homeland Security Investigations is dedicated to locating the 450,000 unaccompanied children that came in through the border under the Biden administration," the spokesperson said. "Sadly, during those four years, many of these children who came across the border unaccompanied were placed with unvetted sponsors who were actually smugglers and sex traffickers."

According to an ICE memo, the initiative states an additional goal to support ICE in locating these children and ensuring their "immigration obligations" are met.

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Homeland Security Investigations agents will create "target packets" and coordinate with ICE on pursuing certain unaccompanied children. Then, agents will verify whether they are registered in school and coordinate with other federal officials on obtaining warrants.

Cincinnati officials condemn visit by out-of-town officers

On April 16, Cincinnati officials strongly condemned the unannounced visit from Gratis police. Cincinnati Mayor Aftab Pureval told Lamanna, her department and ICE to "stay out of Cincinnati."

More: Is ICE allowed in Cincinnati Public Schools? It's complicated

"It is patently ridiculous and inexcusable that a police chief from a small town an hour away from here would come into our city's public schools unannounced ... to intimidate our children and their families," Pureval said.

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Murphy said the visit was the first time anyone associated with or claiming to be connected to ICE has appeared at a Cincinnati public school since the start of the second Trump administration.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: ICE says officers were performing welfare checks at Cincinnati schools
The Hamas terrorists were actively involved in efforts to rebuild the organizations military capabilities, as well as advancing imminent attack plans against IDF troops.

The IDF eliminated three Hamas commanders in two separate strikes earlier this week, the military announced on Thursday.

The first strike, which occured on Monday, killed Islam Hisham Riyad Kanita and Mahmoud Hamed Youssef Hamdouna, both commanders in Hamass Production Unit, the IDF said.

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The terrorists were actively involved in efforts to rebuild the organizations military capabilities, including during the ceasefire, said the IDF.

The IDF noted that multiple measures were taken to mitigate the risk of harm to civilians prior to the strike, including the use of precise munitions and aerial surveillance.

The second strike killed Ahmed Abu Khdeira, a commander in Hamass Communications Unit in the Gaza City area on Tuesday, the military said.

The Israeli army near the border fence with Gaza, southern Israel. February 09, 2026. (credit: Tsafrir Abayov/Flash90)

Abu Khdeira was involved in advancing imminent attack plans against IDF troops and thus posed a direct threat to soldiers, said the military.

IDF kills two terrorists who crossed Yellow Line

Earlier on Thursday, the IDF announced that it had eliminated two terrorists who had crossed the Yellow Line in the northern Gaza Strip.

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The terrorists were targeted in an Israel Air Force strike guided by IDF soldiers after the terrorists had approached the troops "in a manner that posed an immediate threat," the military said.

IDF kills two terrorists who crossed yellow line, April 16, 2026. (credit: IDF Spokesperson's Unit)
A Los Angeles-based influencer family is recovering after a violent hit-and-run car crash in North Hollywood earlier this week.

Now, the family of 10, known as the House of Lafond on social media, is speaking out as the search continues for the driver who hit them.

AIR7 video captured the aftermath of the frantic scene on Monday afternoon. Firefighters rushed to rescue two parents and their eight kids from what investigators say was a hit-and-run crash.

ORIGINAL REPORT: 8 children, 2 adults taken to hospital after van crash on 170 Freeway in North Hollywood

A van crash involving eight children caused traffic delays on the 170 Freeway in North Hollywood on Monday afternoon. It happened as heavy storms moved through the area.

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"I really just wanted to get some sushi tacos," joked Hashim Lafond.

The crash happened during a brief rainstorm on the 170 Freeway at Whitsett Avenue.

"I saw a car in the rear-view mirror coming toward us at full speed," Hashim Lafond said.

"All of a sudden, I hear and feel a boom, and then we just start spinning. And we have a 12-passenger van. That's not something small to be spinning around in," Johnetta Lafond recalled.

"Imagine you're sitting there and all the cars are just coming toward you, swerving," Hashim Lafond said.

The van crashed into the median. Photos show their windows shattered after the collision. They managed to call 911 from one of the phones scattered on the floor.

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AIR7 video shows first responders treating the Lafond family at the scene. One firefighter was seen carrying their youngest child -- just three weeks old.

"I had a thought of, 'Did I survive that? I'm pinching myself like, is this real?'" Hashim Lafond said.

If the Lafonds look familiar, it's likely because you've seen them on reality TV and social media, documenting their lives to their nearly 500,000 followers on TikTok.

The family is grateful that everyone is OK. No one has broken bones, just a little soreness. Some of their kids even went to dance practice that evening.

"I was thinking, like, 'Should I go?' Cause my neck hurt really bad. It hurt to turn it," 11-year-old Anaiah Lanfond said.

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As the California Highway Patrol investigates, the family has one question for the hit-and-run driver.

"You couldn't check on us to make sure we were OK?" Johnetta Lafond said.

The Lafonds say they are also grateful that everyone was securely strapped in their seats.

Unfortunately, their van was totaled, making transportation difficult for the family. They are now working with their insurance to hopefully get another one.
Rev. Franklin Graham, the son of the late Billy Graham and a leading evangelical figure close to Donald Trumps administration, doesnt believe the president knowingly depicted himself as a Christ-like figure in a now-deleted AI-generated image.

In a post on his Truth Social account on Sunday, Trump depicted himself in a white robe and red sash with a glowing outstretched hand placed on the forehead of a man in a hospital bed. The president later said it showed me as a doctor.

In a statement shared with The Independent, Graham condemned what he called ill-intended speculation about the presidents image, standing in stark contrast to backlash from other faith leaders  including conservative evangelicals  who accused him of grotesque blasphemy and making a mockery of holy symbols to serve a political agenda.

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When I looked at the illustration, I didnt jump to the same conclusion as some, Graham said.

There were no spiritual references  no halo, there were no crosses, no angels, he added. I think this is a lot to do about nothing. There is so much ill-intended speculation. I think his enemies are always foaming at the mouth at any possible opportunity to make him look bad.

Rev Franklin Graham criticized ill-intended speculation about Trumps post and said the presidents enemies are always foaming at the mouth at any possible opportunity to make him look bad (Reuters)

Graham said he did not believe Trump would knowingly depict himself as Jesus Christ  that would certainly be inappropriate.

Im thankful the president has made it very clear that this was not at all what he thought the AI-generated image was representing  he thought it was a doctor helping someone, and when he learned of the concerns, he immediately removed the post, Graham added.

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Graham, a prominent evangelist and president of Samaritans Purse and the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, has been allied with the president through both of his administrations.

He recently appeared at the White House with other Christian pastors, including Robert Jeffress, one of Trumps longtime religious advisers who leads First Baptist Church in Dallas, to celebrate Easter.

On Palm Sunday, Trump shared a letter from Graham on his social media platform that addressed the presidents suggestion that he thought he was going to hell. I dont think theres anything gonna get me in heaven, OK? Trump speculated on Air Force One last year.

In response, Graham wrote: Maybe you responded in jest, but it is an important issue to know for certain that your soul is secure and will spend eternity in the presence of God.

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At last months Conservative Political Action Conference in Texas, Graham said, love Donald Trump and well never get another president like him.

That's why it's important that we do everything that we can to try to get him reelected, he said.

Graham said he misspoke in a statement immediately after his remarks.

Graham, who is a longtime ally of Trump, said he is thankful that the president claimed that the image was showing him as a doctor (AFP/Getty)

His latest comments follow a wave of bipartisan outrage from conservative Christian commentators and pastors who have otherwise aligned with the presidents agenda.

But evangelical figures close to the president have thus far either declined to weigh in publicly or have opened the door for Trump to consider the episode a teachable moment.

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A fragile alliance between conservative Catholics and evangelicals has been increasingly tested by the presidents growing hostility towards Pope Leo XIV and Catholic leadership as well as the administrations characterization of war with Iran as a Christian calling.

Im not a Catholic, Im an evangelical, but I appreciate how President Trump has defended religious freedom for people of all faiths, including millions of evangelicals and Catholics in the U.S. and around the world, Graham said in his statement.

He is the most pro-Christian, pro-life president in my lifetime and he doesnt shy away from it, he added. I would hope that the President and Pope Leo can meet at some point, and that the Pope would have the opportunity to thank the President for his efforts to protect religious liberty.
The footage of the camps was allegedly taken in the Houthi-controlled Amran Governorate, the same area embroiled in deadly tribal clashes in recent days.

The Iran-backed Houthis are training and recruiting children to join the terror group under the guise of summer camps, Yemeni Information Minister Moammar Al-Eryani published on social media on Wednesday, along with footage of the apparent training facilities.

The footage of the camps was allegedly taken in the Houthi-controlled Amran Governorate, the same area embroiled in deadly tribal clashes in recent days.

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Eryani claimed the training camps were a violation of international rights and the rights of children.

These practices once again confirm that what the Houthi militia promotes as summer activities is nothing more than a deceptive facade for a systematic scheme aimed at recruiting children, reshaping their consciousness, and planting concepts of violence and extremism in their minds from an early age, Eryani claimed. Subjecting children to combat training within these camps clearly exposes the extent of the exploitation practiced by the militia against childhood, turning them into fuel for its futile wars, without any regard for their future or their basic rights to education and a safe life.

Officials inspect, approve of the camps' 'Quranic culture'

The Houthi-controlled Saba News Agency reported that the governor of Amran, Amin Faras, the district director, Ayman Abu Mansar, and other Houthi officials inspected the camps on Wednesday and praised their activities.

The children were taught to memorize and recite the Quran, providing them with divine guidance, and instilled with Quranic culture in their mindsprotecting them from false beliefs, misguided ideas, and the dangers of soft war, Saba reported.

Officials who visited the camps were reported to have held a meeting following the visit, where they discussed the importance of summer courses in safeguarding the younger generation and protecting them from the enemies of the nation and their tools who, according to the text, seek by all means to undermine religious identity, values, and morals through social media and what it calls American-Zionist aggression channels and their affiliated agents.

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Photos published by the Houthi-controlled site show images of children in military garb and

Eryani said that the camps are just the latest rights violation by the Houthis, who have pushed thousands of children into combat zones.

Niku Jafarnia, a Yemen and Bahrain researcher at Human Rights Watch, published in 2024 that in the months following Hamass October 7 attacks, the Houthis stepped up their recruitment of child soldiers, but such practices have been recorded since at least 2009.

One activist told HRW that the Houthis recruitment activities in schools have increased massively [since October 7], including through the school scouts. They take students from schools to their culture centers where they lecture children about the Jihad and send them to military camps and front lines.
Bita Hemmati and three others have been sentenced to death for 'collusion' and 'propaganda.' Advocates claim the charges are baseless, citing a secretive process and state-televised interrogations.

Iranian authorities are preparing to execute Bita Hemmati, the first woman sentenced to death in connection with the mass protests in Tehran in late December and January, according to the US-based non-profit the Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA).

Judge Iman Afshari, of Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, sentenced Hemmati, her husband, Mohammadreza Majidi Asl, and Behrouz Zamaninezhad, and Kourosh Zamaninezhad to death on the charge of operational action for the hostile government of the United States and hostile groups, in addition to discretionary imprisonment period of five years on the charge of assembly and collusion against national security.

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A fifth defendant, Amir Hemmati, was sentenced to five years of discretionary imprisonment on the charge of assembly and collusion against national security, and eight months in prison for propaganda against the regime, according to HRANA.

The four sentenced to death were arrested while demonstrating in Tehran and subjected to torture before their sentencing, according to a press release by the National Council of Resistance of Iran. HRANA also purported to have received evidence that the defendants were forced to confess.

The Abdorrahman Boroumand Center released a statement stating it believed Hemmati was the woman who was interrogated by judiciary chief Gholam-Hossein Mohseni-Eje'i on state television in January.

Cars burn in a street during a protest over the collapse of the currency's value, in Tehran, Iran, January 8, 2026. (credit: STRINGER/WANA (WEST ASIA NEWS AGENCY) VIA REUTERS)

The recording and broadcasting of forced confessions from defendants in an opaque process ... constitutes a blatant violation of the defendants rights, it said.

Charges include use of explosive weapons, harming security forces

The charges listed by the Iranian regimes judiciary included allegedly using explosives and weapons, harming stationed forces on-site, throwing objects including bottles, concrete blocks, and incendiary materials from the roofs of buildings, destroying public property, participating in protest gatherings, and chanting protest slogans. However, HRANA claimed to have obtained a copy of the verdict, which failed to detail how the defendants were involved in the allegations.

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Authorities also accused them of acting in line with disrupting national security and in connection with hostile groups, as well as sending content with the aim of undermining security.

No execution date has been announced for the four prisoners.

The planned executions come amid a broader increase in capital punishment in Iran. According to a report by Norway-based Iran Human Rights (IHR) and Paris-based Together Against the Death Penalty (EPCM), the regime carried out at least 1,639 executions over the past year.

Death sentences have been issued against at least 26 other people arrested over the January protests, and at least seven have already been killed.
By Parisa Hafezi, John Irish and Francois Murphy

DUBAI, April 16 (Reuters) - U.S. and Iranian negotiators have scaled back ambitions for a comprehensive peace deal and are instead seeking a temporary memorandum to prevent a return to conflict, two Iranian sources told Reuters.

The shift follows last weekend's inconclusive talks in Islamabad, where deep differences over Irans nuclear programme  including the fate of its enriched uranium stockpiles and how long Tehran should halt nuclear work  have continued to threaten progress, despite U.S. officials and Pakistani mediators talking up prospects.

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A senior Iranian official said the two sides had started to narrow some gaps, including over how to manage the Strait of Hormuz, a vital route for about 20% of the world's oil and gas needs that has been closed to most ships for weeks.

Iran, which has faced crippling U.S. sanctions for years, wants a memorandum to include Washington unfreezing some Iranian funds, in return for allowing more ships through the strait, said the senior official, who asked not to be named because of the sensitivity of the matter.

A source briefed by Tehran said on Wednesday that Iran could let ships sail freely through the Omani side of the Strait of Hormuz without risk of attack under proposals it has offered in talks with the U.S., providing a durable deal is clinched.

But more than halfway through a two-week truce, deeper splits remain. The senior official said these included agreeing on the fate of Irans stockpile of highly enriched uranium (HEU), which the U.S. wants removed, and the duration of any halt to Iranian nuclear work, notably uranium enrichment.

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Iran has long demanded Washington acknowledge its right to enrich uranium, which Tehran says it only seeks for peaceful purposes but which Western powers and Israel say is aimed at building nuclear weapons.

A Western diplomat said the nuclear issue "remains a core obstacle".

If a memorandum to halt the conflict is reached, the two sides are expected to have 60 days to negotiate a final deal, which would require involvement of experts and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the Iranian sources said.

A previous international deal curtailing Iran's nuclear work in return for sanctions relief was signed in 2015 but it took almost two years to negotiate. President Donald Trump scrapped that pact in 2018.

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The Iranian sources said the United States is demanding a halt to Iran's nuclear enrichment work for 20 years, while Iran wants to limit it to three to five years. Tehran also wants a timetable for lifting sanctions of U.N., U.S. and EU, they said.

Iran has also in the past refused a U.S. demand to ship out its entire stockpile of uranium which has been enriched to 60%, a level that is far higher than levels needed for civilian uses.

However, Iranian sources said there were signs a compromise could emerge. One source said that, while Iran was not ready to send all its highly enriched uranium (HEU) abroad, part of it could be sent to a third country.

He said some HEU was needed for medical purposes and for a research reactor in Tehran which runs on relatively small amounts of uranium enriched to around 20%.

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The IAEA estimates Iran had 440.9 kg of uranium enriched to 60% when Israel and the United States launched their first attacks on Iranian nuclear facilities in June 2025. Exactly how much of that has survived is unclear.

IAEA chief Rafael Grossi said in March that what remained of that stock was mainly stored in a tunnel complex in Isfahan, and that his agency believed slightly more than 200 kg of it was there. It also believes some is at the sprawling nuclear complex at Natanz, where Iran had two enrichment plants.

A second Western diplomat said: "The 440 kg HEU remains cause for concern because it allows Iran to have what we call sufficient quantities to build a number of nuclear bombs quite quickly, because the final enrichment phase is relatively quick.

(Reporting by Parisa Hafezi in Dubai, John Irish in Paris and Francois Murphy in Vienna, writing by Parisa HafeziEditing by Peter Graff, William Maclean)
RIYADH, April 16 (Xinhua) -- Saudi Arabia has announced an additional 3 billion U.S. dollars deposit at the State Bank of Pakistan.

It also decided to extend the term of an existing 5 billion dollars deposit at the bank to strengthen the resilience of Pakistan's economy amid evolving global challenges, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Thursday.

The measures came after Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif paid an official visit to Saudi Arabia on Wednesday.

Pakistan has also been leading mediation efforts between the United States and Iran aimed at ending the war and reducing regional escalation.

Saudi Arabia is one of Pakistan's largest oil suppliers and has repeatedly provided financial assistance and deferred-payment oil facilities during economic crises.

In September 2025, the two countries signed a strategic mutual defense agreement, a landmark pact stating that an attack on one would be considered an attack on both, formalizing decades of informal military cooperation. 
WASHINGTON  State Rep. James Talarico raised $27 million in the first three months of 2026 in his bid to flip Texas, according to his campaign.

The Austin Democrats haul is the largest-ever sum for a Senate candidate  in any state  in the first quarter of an election year. He outraised other Democrats this cycle who posted impressive hauls of their own in competitive Senate races where Democrats have better odds, including Georgia Sen. Jon Ossoff, and more than doubled the totals of former Ohio Sen. Sherrod Brown, former North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper and former Alaska Rep. Mary Peltola.

Talarico significantly outpaced Texas last two Democratic Senate candidates to win their primaries outright  both strong fundraisers. Colin Allred raised over $9.5 million in the first quarter of 2024, and Beto ORourke brought in $6.7 million in 2018  though both ultimately lost.

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The massive haul will bolster Democrats hopes about making Talarico the first Democrat to win a statewide race in Texas in over three decades  an uphill battle in any cycle and an expensive proposition in a massive state with 20 media markets.

Winning in Texas will require unprecedented resources, said Seth Krasne, Talaricos campaign manager. This grassroots fundraising haul puts our movement in a strong position to spread our message in some of the most expensive media markets in the country. But we cant take our foot off of the gas.

Talarico spent much of the first quarter in a tight primary against U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett, D-Dallas, contributing to his massive haul. But his campaign says he raised over $10 million since the March 3 primary.

The $27 million quarter brings Talaricos total fundraising for the race, since he got in last September, to over $40 million. Talaricos campaign said that over the course of the race, he has received donations from over 540,000 individual contributors, and from 246 of Texas 254 counties, according to his campaign.

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Talarico also continued his streak of outraising his potential Republican opponents, tripling Sen. John Cornyns haul and beating Attorney General Ken Paxton by twelvefold. Cornyn, who is locked in a bitter runoff battle with Paxton, raised nearly $9 million in the first quarter across his fundraising apparatus, including $3.4 million in the weeks after the primary, his campaign announced. Paxton raised $2.2 million.

Talarico began April with a war chest of about $9.9 million, bigger than Cornyns $8.2 million and Paxtons $2.6 million. He spent over $24.4 million in the first quarter  more than either Republican  but can spend the second quarter focused on reloading rather than a pricey runoff.

Lone Star Rising PAC, the main super PAC supporting Talarico, spent nearly all of the money it raised on his behalf throughout the first quarter. The group raised nearly $8.6 million, but had just $240,000 in cash on hand at the end of March.

Texas record for U.S. Senate fundraising is ORourkes 2018 third quarter, when he posted a $38 million haul.
Japan has pledged to provide $10bn (7.4bn) to help its Asian neighbours, especially those in South East Asia, secure energy including crude oil as the region reels from disruptions caused by the Iran war.

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi announced the new cooperation framework on Wednesday after meeting other Asian leaders online.

Japan relies on South East Asia for petroleum-derived products, most notably medical equipment - something that Takaichi stressed at a news briefing on Wednesday.

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"Japan is closely interconnected with each Asian country through supply chains and mutually dependent with them," she said.

Japan's co-operation framework aims to help Asian countries procure crude oil and petroleum products, as well as maintain supply chains and expand stockpiles.

Asia is especially vulnerable to energy supply disruptions stemming from blockades of the Strait of Hormuz, as nearly 90% of the oil and gas passing through the key waterway is bound for the region.

Japan's foreign ministry said the $10bn in financial aid was roughly equivalent to a year's worth of crude oil imports by countries in the Association of South-east Asian Nations (Asean).

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It added that the initiative was welcomed by leaders at the meeting - including those from the Philippines, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, Bangladesh and South Korea - and that funding for the project would come from a range of sources.

These include state-backed institutions like Japan Bank for International Co-operation and Nippon Export and Investment Insurance, as well as the Japan International Co-operation Agency and the Asian Development Bank.

Takaichi said the initiative would not negatively affect Japan's domestic oil supplies.

At the end of 2025, Japan's reserves held enough oil for 254 days of domestic consumption - but the global energy crisis has prompted authorities to tap into these reserves.

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Last month, Japan released a record 50 days' worth of oil from its reserves. Authorities have said they would release another 20 days' worth in early May.

Fears about a shortage of naphtha - a petrochemical produced from crude oil and a key raw ingredient in plastics - are also simmering in Japan. These worries are especially pronounced in hospitals, where critical medical supplies like syringes, gloves and dialysis equipment are made with the substance.

While Takaichi has urged calm and said there would be no immediate disruptions, fears remain that naphtha shortages could further stress the country's healthcare system, already straining under an ageing population.

There are also anxieties across South East Asia, which has been hit hard by soaring oil prices. Governments have urged people to carpool and curb the use of air-conditioning in a bid to conserve energy. The Philippines, meanwhile, has declared a national energy emergency.

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On Wednesday, at the same summit hosted by Japan, Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr called on Asean to activate its fuel-sharing pact.

"No single country in Asia can insulate itself from supply chain shocks of this scale by acting alone," he said.
This story was originally published on mynorthwest.com.

Jealousy appears to have been the motive behind a deadly stabbing last week in Kent.

Casey McNerthney, a spokesperson for the King County Prosecuting Attorneys Office, said 40-year-old Antonio Solomon stabbed a man to death near a Circle K on April 7. That was the same night two other people died in Kent in an unrelated shooting, authorities said.

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Police found the man in the 1700 block of W. Meeker Street.

There was evidence of a really brutal and violent attack, McNerthney said. The victim tried to de-escalate it and walk away, but it didnt work. It was just really tragic, awful assault, that turned fatal.

While the Victim had his head down looking at his phone, the defendant violently stabbed him four times with extreme force, leaving the victim to die as he fled, according to court documents. The murder was unprovoked, incredibly violent, and planned by defendant.

Suspect charged with first-degree murder, bail set at $5M

The victim was identified as Joseph Christopher Moore, 43. Solomon is charged with first-degree murder and is due in court on Thursday. A judge set his bail at $5 million.

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The prosecution requested the bail amount because of concerns that he would not show up for court. Prosecutors said it is not clear whether he has stable employment, and that most of his family lives in Texas.

Defendant has absolutely no ties to the State of Washington, the documents said. The defendant admitted to recently moving to Washington on February 15, 2026 to live with his girlfriend. The defendant does not have permanent housing in Washington. Defendant resides at a local hotel in Kent.

On April 9, investigators tracked him down at the hotel and placed him under arrest.

Court documents said both men had been inside the store shortly before the attack and that Moore had spoken with the clerk, who was Solomons girlfriend.

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Police interviewed her after Solomon was taken into custody. She told detectives she knew the victim through her work at the Circle K store, where he was a regular customer. She also told them she was dating Solomon and that before he moved to Washington from Texas, they would often speak to each other via video calls on FaceTime. She said Solomon saw Moore during one of those calls about a month before the stabbing, and suspected he was trying to hit on her, and warned him not to come back into the store again.

According to the Certification for Determination of Probable Cause, Solomon admitted he was at the store the night of the murder and confirmed he knew Moore. He told investigators, He has a mouth on him.

Solomon admitted to waiting for Moore outside and said he wanted to fight him. He also admitted to stabbing Moore, the document said.
A longtime Democratic organizer appears poised to ride President Donald Trumps unpopularity and backlash to his Middle East policies to an easy victory in a special House election in New Jersey.

Even as Analilia Mejia fights charges of antisemitism and runs well to the left of the last representative to hold the seat, every major indicator suggests voters in what was once a reliably red district are so fed up with the president that they are willing to send a candidate to Washington who could easily join the Squad.

The special election to fill Gov. Mikie Sherrills House seat will be viewed as a test of how much anti-Trump sentiment voters feel ahead of the November midterms. Mejias Republican opponent, Joe Hathaway, has put distance between himself and the president, but is up against larger forces that Democrats have capitalized on in a run of special elections around the country.

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Trump is just making it extremely difficult for Republicans to do well anywhere, whether its foreign policy or domestic policy, said Patrick Murray, who runs the polling firm Stimsight Research. They all come together. People dont like the war, but they also dont like paying $4 a gallon for gas.

The 11th Congressional District, one of the wealthiest in the country, is a microcosm of the trend of well-educated suburbanites revolting against Trump.

The early voting already tells a tale. Democrats have outpaced Republicans and early in-person voting by well over a two-to-one ratio.

In the 2024 election, a good year for Republicans in New Jersey, Sherrill won the district by about 15 points, while Kamala Harris carried it by about 9.

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And all indications are that 2026 is a blue wave year, and even more so in special elections. In Wisconsin last week, the liberal candidate won a 20-point landslide in what were typically hyper-competitive Supreme Court elections. In Georgia, the Democratic candidate still lost the special election in a deep-red congressional district to replace Marjorie Taylor Greene, but they cut into Republican margins by double digits.

Hathaway, a councilmember in the Morris County town of Randolph, projected confidence ahead of Election Day.

"Throughout our campaign, Ive focused on what matters most: putting the residents of NJ-11 first over party, and over ideology. My record of delivering practical solutions, working with anyone to get results, and restoring a sense of accountability in Washington will resonate with voters," Hathaway said in a statement. "My opponent can not say the same as she runs to appease the most radical fringes of her party and put radical socialist and antisemitic ideology first."

Mejia, who was national political director for Sen. Bernie Sanders 2020 presidential campaign and before that led the New Jersey Working Families Party, is further to the left than Sherrill, but she has not toned down her progressivism. Her campaigns television ad  the sole one running in the district  says she has the integrity to take on a corrupt system where billionaires and greedy corporations get all the benefits and we get the bill as it shows images of her rallying with Sanders.

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Fundraising in the race has not been particularly heavy, but nevertheless lopsided in favor of Mejia, who as of late March had raised just over $1 million to Hathaways $523,000, and she had substantially more left in the bank.

Trump and Republicans are spending $1 billion a day on an illegal war, rigging the rules to enrich their billionaire friends, and cutting healthcare and critical programs that working families rely on, Mejia said in a statement. We are fed up with the chaos coming out of Washington  from rising prices to attacks on our democracy. This is our chance to reject MAGA extremism, fight for an economy that works for everyone, and elect someone who is truly unbought and unbossed.

Hathaway has homed in on one potential Mejia liability, attacking her statements on Israel to appeal to the districts substantial Jewish population.

Mejia during the crowded Democratic primary was the only Democrat to agree with the statement that Israel was committing genocide in Gaza, and she faced criticism for not raising her hand when asked if she agreed with the statement that Jews have the right to self-determination in their ancestral homeland, what is commonly referred to as Zionism.

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Concerned by Mejias stances, some Jews in her district recently organized an email campaign to discourage Sherrill and Sen. Cory Booker from campaigning with her. Sherrill nevertheless spoke at an Easter Sunday event with Mejia, while a planned Booker appearance was canceled, though both the Mejia and Booker campaigns said it was due to the senators tight schedule rather than the email campaign.

There are many Democratic Jews who cant bring themselves to vote for a Republican and they wont. That doesnt mean they arent horribly alarmed by her, said Josh Katz, president of the Montclair Jewish Community Relations Council, and a Democrat who said hes only voted for one Republican before but plans to vote for Hathaway.

But Mejia got an accidental assist in the primary by AIPAC, the pro-Israel lobbying group, which spent millions of dollars to hurt the primarys frontrunner, Tom Malinowski, despite him having a largely pro-Israel record. Those attack ads unintentionally boosted Mejias underdog Democratic primary campaign. Following that, New Jerseys Democratic establishment which Mejia had a tense relationship with in her years as a progressive leader  rallied around her. And she was endorsed last week by JStreetPAC, the liberal pro-Israel organization.

Mejia and Hathaway likely face a rematch in the regular general election in November. Mejia has nominal primary opposition in the regular June primary, while Hathaway is unopposed.

CORRECTION: An earlier version of this article misstated the name of the pro-Israel group backing Mejia. Its JStreetPAC.
A judge ruled Wednesday that there is enough evidence for the case against a teenage girl accused of acting as a getaway driver in the killing of Caleb Quick to proceed, following two days of testimony in a packed Fresno County courtroom.

The ruling came after prosecutors presented evidence and witness testimony related to the April 2025 shooting death of Quick. The girl's attorney acknowledged in court that she drove the vehicle after the shooting but argued she is not a murderer.

Family members of Quick and relatives of the teenage girl filled the courtroom as multiple detectives testified about witness statements, the weapon allegedly used and what prosecutors say the male suspect later admitted.

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Clovis Police Detective Emily Eide told the court she interviewed friends and family members during the investigation, including the brother of the accused shooter. Eide testified that the two teens now accused in the case arrived at the boy's home in a white Tesla, the same vehicle seen leaving the scene on surveillance video moments after the shooting.

Eide also testified that the alleged shooter's late grandfather had gifted him a silver revolver, which investigators believe was the murder weapon.

According to Eide, one of the accused shooter's friends told investigators that the suspect admitted what happened outside the McDonald's where the shooting occurred.

The detective testified the friend said the suspect stated, "I did it to him," and added that he was, "concerned with being caught but was content with whatever the outcome was because he felt like he did what he needed to do to get justice."

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During cross-examination, defense attorneys questioned Eide about what the suspect meant by "justice." The detective said there were allegations accusing Caleb Quick of sexually assaulting a girl.

Quick's father responded in court Wednesday, saying the allegations against his son remain unproven.

"It was an accusation and then saying 'he was like a brother to me,' it just did not match was going so it feels like this was all just rumors," Stephen Quick said.

Defense attorneys also emphasized testimony describing the teenage girl as crying, shaken and distraught after the shooting.

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Stephen Quick acknowledged the impact of the girl's actions on his family.

"Her actions and involvement had a heavy impact on our lives, you know, we lost my son," he said.

Following Wednesday's ruling, the court is expected to hear arguments beginning Thursday on whether the teenage girl will be tried as an adult. The male suspect in the case is scheduled for a similar hearing later this year.

For news updates, follow Elisa Navarro on Facebook, X and Instagram.
Leaders of Camp Mystic  the Christian girls camp where 27 campers and counselors died in torrential flooding last summer  must continue to keep many damaged buildings untouched while a wrongful death lawsuit filed by the family of a child presumed dead moves forward, a Texas judge said Wednesday.

Travis County District Judge Maya Guerra Gamble said she would issue a new injunction order maintaining that camp leaders must preserve cabins and land affected by the flooding following three days of heart-wrenching testimony from several people, including members of the Eastland family, which has owned and operated Camp Mystic for decades.

The judge issued a similar injunction in March, and said Wednesdays would include minor changes.

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A status conference and discovery are scheduled for mid-May.

In their testimony, the Eastlands acknowledged they did not warn campers and counselors of rising floodwaters and dire weather warnings before cabins were overwhelmed July 4 and dozens of people became trapped or were swept away in the Texas Hill Country.

The temporary injunction stems from a wrongful death lawsuit against Camp Mystic brought by the family of Cile Steward, an 8-year-old camper whose body has not been recovered. The Steward family argued the case may ultimately hinge on critical physical evidence, such as campers sleeping cabins that were in place at the time of the disaster.

The Eastland family separately appealed the original temporary injunction to an appellate court in March.

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Wednesdays ruling will keep the Eastlands from cleaning up the site. The family has promised to never again use the damaged cabins to house children and still intends to open camp this summer at a different location on higher ground.

Whether it is hubris, greed, grief, or just an overwhelming combination of all of those, they have this unmitigated desire to reopen this camp in a few weeks, and come hell or high water, theyre going to do it, Brad Beckworth, the Stewards attorney, said about camp leaders Wednesday.

The future of Camp Mystic remains unclear. A separate investigation by the Texas Rangers and the Department of State Health Services into the deaths is underway, but no one has been charged. Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick recommended to state officials earlier this month that they deny a license to Camp Mystic while the investigation continues.

Parents urge regulators to decline camps license renewal in emotional letters

Parents of victims and survivors of the July 4 flooding echoed the lieutenant governors recommendation in emotional pleas to state regulators, asking them to reconsider renewing Camp Mystics license to operate, letters obtained by the Washington Post show.

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The separate letters from six families allege their daughters were not properly evacuated and left in positions of substantial risk, and that the camp failed to inform parents the flood had happened, that other campers had been swept away or that others were found dead.

The letters ask the Texas Department of State Health Services to decline Camp Mystics license, and impose a hold on its renewal and operation until investigations are complete, their findings are made public and compliance is independently verified.

This request is grounded in documented facts, statutory authority, and DSHSs non-delegable duty to protect the health and safety of children. It is not a request for punishment, but for due diligence, accountability, and prevention of further harm, the families wrote.

DSHS said it has received over 600 complaints related to the camps care of children during the 2025 season.

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DSHS is investigating the complaints that fall under the agencys authority to investigate and sharing information with the Texas Department of Public Safety, DSHS told CNN in a statement.

In an early April letter, DSHS told Camp Mystic Executive Director Tweety Eastland it is reviewing the camps application and emergency plan for completeness and any deficiencies.

DSHS also noted the states General Investigating Committee, a joint panel of the Texas Senate and House examining the deadly July 2025 flooding, is expected to wrap up its work in the coming weeks, with a hearing and report anticipated by early summer.

DSHS plans to conduct an on-site inspection as part of its complaint investigation, which will coincide with Camp Mystics renewal pre-inspection.

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The pre-licensure inspection and onsite investigation visit has not been scheduled, DSHS told CNN.

Findings from both the inspection and broader investigations could factor into the states decision on whether to approve the camps license for the upcoming season, according to the letter.

Several lawsuits claiming gross negligence have been filed against the camp and its owners since the July 4 disaster. Gamble said Wednesday she intends to hear the Stewards case first and move the trial up several months from its original April 2028 start date, and schedule other suits to follow.

The judge also said attorneys across the lawsuits will need to work together to coordinate deposing counselors, campers and staff only one time to minimize harm.

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We are not deposing teenage girls or children more than once. Were just not. Were going to do it right, were going to do it with quality court reporters and quality video, Gamble said Wednesday. I cant imagine the argument that would convince me to bring any children into this court for the jury trial.

An end to three days of emotional testimony

For three days in a row, members of the Eastland family provided emotional testimony as they recalled details of the disaster that killed 27 girls and counselors.

I wish we had more information before a decision was made to evacuate the camp, Camp Mystic director Edward Eastland testified Tuesday as he answered questions about the hours leading up to the catastrophic July 4 flooding at the camps Guadalupe River campus and the chaos that followed.

All the information was there  if yall had just stayed awake and looked, right? responded Beckworth.

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Husband and wife Britt and Catie Eastland, directors of the camp, also testified Wednesday alongside Camp Mystics night watchman Glen Juenke, who told the courtroom, We did everything we could do with the amount of time we had.

Juenke was questioned about his decision to not make an announcement telling the girls to go to higher ground as floodwaters began to overtake the camp in the early hours of July 4.

That order was never given, correct? Beckworth asked. And 27 girls died because of that failure, correct?

Yes, sir, Juenke responded.

On Tuesday during a somber moment on the stand, Mary Liz Eastland, Edward Eastlands wife and the camp director in charge of the nursing staff, testified about her actions as the camp where she spent more than three decades  first as a camper then as a staff member  saw floodwaters rise.

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You knew the property. You knew the flood lines. You knew access points. Your children knew them. And these were first-year campers, Christina Yarnell, another attorney representing the Steward family, said to Mary Liz Eastland. You had 34 more years of experience than Cile. She needed your help, and you abandoned her, didnt you?

Yes, she replied.

The camps attorney, Mikal Watts, told CNN on Thursday the tragedy was exacerbated by the absence of a flood warning siren system he says had been proposed years earlier.

In 2017, Kerr County officials and the Upper Guadalupe River Authority sought $980,000 in FEMA funding for such a system but were denied, records show.

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Without outside funding, the project just didnt get to the top of the list, a former county official previously told CNN, despite past deadly floods. Commissioners revisited the idea in 2021 of a flood warning system including sirens and a possible $50,000 allocation  but it never moved forward.

Had we had a siren system  it would have gone on, and they could have gotten the warning that everybody wants, Watts said, adding, All we needed was the siren warning from the technology that was asked for from the state of Texas a decade before.

Watts also argued that such a warning could have provided critical time to evacuate campers and staff. If we had gotten that warning, and we knew this tsunami of water, this wall of water, was coming, there was plenty of time to get those girls out of harms way, he said.

But that signal, that warning, was never delivered to the camp  there was no warning given to us to communicate over the loudspeakers. If that warning had come, that would have been one of the mechanisms to save these girls.

He also pointed to changes made after the disaster, noting the state has since committed funding for improved flood detection systems. After this tragedy, the state has allocated $50 million to put the very flood detection siren system that they should have put in in 2016, Watts said.

The good news is these systems are going in, and this will never happen again.

CNNs Pamela Brown, Isabel Rosales and Alaa Elassar contributed to this report.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
Despite his central role in the Trump administration, Office of Management and Budget Director Russ Vought had not appeared before Congress to answer questions since last June. That changed this week. And members of Congress had a lot of them.

Pressed by senators Thursday on the Trump administrations efforts to undermine Congress and its constitutional power of the purse, Vought repeatedly insisted the administration had done no such thing. He shook his head no on many occasions as members of the Senate Budget Committee accused him of breaking the law by refusing to spend money in the way Congress directed.

Senators pressed him on the administrations refusal to spend congressionally appropriated funds, saying it violated the Nixon-era Impoundment Control Act.

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We have not impounded anything, Vought repeatedly said.

Despite Voughts insistence, under his leadership, the OMB and the Trump administration were found repeatedly to have impounded federal funds approved by Congress, as documented in several decisions from the legislative branchs Government Accountability Office (GAO). The Trump White House also found other ways to undo appropriators decisions, pushing congressional Republicans to authorize a rescissions package last year and championing a pockets rescissions package, which the GAO also found to be outside of the law.

They absolutely impounded. He just lied to America, Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-OR), ranking member of the Senate Budget Committee, told TPM in response to Voughts remarks.

The power of the purse under our Constitution belongs to Congress. And certainly, any bill passed by Congress has to be signed by the president, Merkley continued. But, once that bill has been signed by the president, the president has a responsibility to execute that plan.

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If the bills been signed into law, his constitutional responsibility is to fund that program, distribute the funds in the fashion in law. Mr. Vought has refused to do that. He has broken the law time and time again, and in so doing  because this is constitutional  he is breaking the Constitution, Merkley said.

As a part of his defense and in an attempt to explain away why certain programs and departments did not receive their congressionally allocated funds, Vought claimed that a part of his offices job is to make sure money is well spent.

We need to make sure the money being spent is consistent with our agenda, Vought added.

Sen. Mark Warner (D-VA) pushed back, saying the executive branchs job is to spend the money the way it has been allocated once it is signed into law, not make a judgement on it.

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If Congress had appropriated money for housing on Mars, my belief is your job is to administer, not make that judgment. It is our job to make the judgment. It is our job to fight back and forth and then legislate, Warner said in response to Vought.

Youre not a legislator. You are ministerially supposed to allocate the funds that are appropriated, Warner added, also saying, If you wanted to legislate, you should jump in the fray and try to get elected.

Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA) was the sole Republican on the Budget Committee who joined in on the criticism, calling out Vought on funds related to the Community Services Block Grant that he said had not been distributed.

Congress has appropriated money. You dont have the authority to impound it, Grassley told Vought.

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Merkley, in comments to TPM, offered his thoughts on Voughts stance.

He has no respect for the American Constitution and the separation of powers, he said. This is an authoritarian government operating as if the president is king. And if we want to save our democracy, we have to save ourselves from the strategy that Mr. Vought implemented.
LAWRENCE  U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor formally apologized for critiquing a colleague while speaking in Kansas last week, admitting her remarks were inappropriate and hurtful.

Sotomayor insinuated fellow Justice Brett Kavanaugh didnt know working class people and, therefore, couldnt understand the ramifications of his decision in the pivotal case that allowed federal immigration officers in California to continue stopping people based on race, ethnicity, native language, location and occupation. However, she did not mention Kavanaugh by name.

There are some people who cant understand our experiences, even when you tell them, Sotomayor said. I had a colleague in that case who wrote, you know, these are only temporary stops. This is from a man whose parents were professionals and probably doesnt really know any person who works by the hour or the piece like I do.

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Sotomayor appeared on April 7 at the University of Kansas in Lawrence alongside KU alumni and twin sisters Janet and Mary Murguia, who asked the justice about her experience as a Latina and her thoughts on the case Noem v. Perdomo, in which she and the courts two other liberal justices dissented. Kavanaugh concurred with the majority and wrote that immigration enforcement stops for legal immigrants are typically brief, and those individuals may promptly go free upon proving citizenship or legal status.

At a recent appearance at the University of Kansas School of Law, I referred to a disagreement with one of my colleagues in a prior case, but I made remarks that were inappropriate, Sotomayor said in a statement from the court. I regret my hurtful comments. I have apologized to my colleague.

Sotomayors discussion of the immigration case was part of a rare glimpse into the tensions between the courts majority and minority. She also said her beliefs about the courts use of the emergency docket, or shadow docket, differ from those of the majority. She said the courts frequent use can be a little bit disrespectful of lower courts, especially when were doing things without reasons, and it feels as if our decision-making may not be as relevant.

Sotomayor told the audience of around 1,700 about her upbringing in the Bronx in a Puerto Rican family, her eventual enrollments at Princeton University and Yale Law School and the resistance she faced as the Supreme Courts first nominee of Hispanic descent.

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Princeton was an absolute shock, she said. I didnt know what I was getting myself into.

Sotomayors remarks were not recorded for public distribution. Sotomayor spoke for more than an hour with the Murguia sisters. Her visit also included visits to a local elementary school, where she read one of her childrens books, and a second chance program for people with criminal histories.
NEW YORK (AP)  Masood Masjoody had a long history of firing accusations at those he considered adversaries. So when he claimed on social media last fall that two fellow Iran-born activists were plotting to kill him, it did not get much notice.

Then the mathematician disappeared in early February. By mid-March, police in British Columbia had found his body and brought first-degree murder charges against the pair Masjoody said were after him.

It was startling news for Iranians outside the country, particularly those who oppose both its government and a campaign to make the son of its former king Iran's next leader. Days after Masjoody disappeared, 10 other outspoken diaspora figures, most of them critics of the monarchist campaign or the war with Iran, were tagged in an ominous message on the social platform X.

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Soon youll have to find the corpses of many, it warned.

The post, written in Farsi and topped by a knife emoji, came from a since-deactivated account named for the SAVAK, the feared secret police once used by the monarchy to crack down on dissent.

The case has added to tensions in a diaspora divided over the war and who should lead the country if its government falls. Recipients of that threat and others blame the influential movement led by the exiled crown prince who supports the war launched by the U.S. and Israel. The pair charged with killing Masjoody opposed the Iranian government and backed the monarchist movement in online posts.

Supporters of Reza Pahlavi, son of the shah deposed in the 1979 Islamic Revolution, deny the campaign's responsibility for such threats and accuse government agents of posing as activists online. Irans government also has a long history of targeting dissidents abroad.

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Anti-war activists and those who oppose Pahlavi describe a climate of fear that has led some to notify police and change their routines.

Nik Kowsar, one of those tagged in the post, said he had long received negative messages on social media, blocking accounts to prevent intimidation.

But this one gave me chills, said Kowsar, who was jailed in Iran in 2000 over a cartoon satirizing a leading cleric and now lives in Washington, D.C. Once an unpaid adviser to Pahlavi, he has become an outspoken critic, accusing monarchists of seeking to replace one form of authoritarian rule with another.

Similar threats have since been made against other Iranian activists.

Pahlavi's profile has risen but his popularity is unclear

It is difficult to gauge Pahlavi's support inside or outside Iran.

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His call for protests in January brought hundreds of thousands into the streets in the largest demonstrations in years. The government launched a fierce crackdown, killing thousands of people and detaining tens of thousands.

Pahlavi, who lives in Maryland, says he is ready to assume power and lead a democratic transition once the theocracy is overthrown. But that scenario has appeared increasingly unlikely as Iran has weathered weeks of attacks and now a naval blockade, with no sign of a popular uprising since the war began.

The diaspora has grown increasingly polarized as the monarchist movement becomes more radicalized, more entrenched and more coordinated, said Sahar Razavi, director of the Iranian and Middle East Studies Center at California State University, Sacramento.

They demand unity of voice and purity of politics and anyone who falls short of that is not just their rival but their enemy that has to be vanquished, said Razavi, whose center added security at events after she was harassed for hosting a journalist some accused of being allied with Iran's government.

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A spokesman for the National Union for Democracy in Iran, which is closely aligned with Pahlavi, said the exiled prince had consistently called for civility in public discourse and that the movement is not responsible for hostility toward opponents.

The prince has, by any estimate, millions of followers. He cannot be reasonably held responsible for the comments of all of them, the group's policy director, Andrew Ghalili, said in an email. Second, the Islamic Republic has a history of posing as opposition supporters online to discredit them.

Activists have notified authorities

Two other activists tagged in the X post said they had reported it to police and altered their routines to stay safe.

With the latest threat after that Canadian Iranian activist disappeared, Ill be honest with you, I freaked out, said Alireza Nader, a security analyst in Washington, D.C. Nader, who once backed Pahlavi but is now a vocal critic, said he now avoid protests and other public events.

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Other diaspora activists say they or their groups have also received worrisome threats.

Chicago activist Ali Tarokh said he received a call in March from a number he recognized as belonging to a fellow Iranian immigrant. Tarokh said the caller accused him of being an agent of the Iranian government and threatened to go after him. He notified police and has asked a judge to issue a restraining order against the caller.

Tarokh has criticized supporters of the war, noting its toll on ordinary Iranians, and has continued to speak at peace rallies despite the threat.

It doesnt matter if you tell them, I agree with you, the regime has to go, but I disagree with your approach. There is zero tolerance, said Tarokh, who was jailed for his work as a student activist in Iran and was granted political asylum in the U.S. 12 years ago.

It's not always clear who is making the threats

The National Iranian American Council, which advocates for U.S. diplomacy with Iran, has also seen a rise in threats.

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In January, staffers received an email warning they would be responsible for all loss of lives if they proceeded with an anti-war forum in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Organizers reported the email to law enforcement before moving the event online, said Etan Mabourakh, NIACs organizing manager.

A second message directed at the group's president threatened to leave your body in the water if panel speakers did not condemn Iran's leaders.

Some threat recipients blame Pahlavi supporters for hostile language online. But with Iran, Israel, the U.S. and various opposition groups eager to advance narratives about the war and diaspora politics, its not always clear if online accounts are who they say they are.

I have to believe that a lot of the things that we see online are not created by authentic users. But thats not very comforting when we see people we know in real life sharing or repeating them, said Amy Malek, a William & Mary professor whose research focuses on the Iranian diaspora.

Canadian case sparks deeper fears

Kowsar said that days before Masjoody went missing, they discussed a harassment suit the latter was pursuing against Pahlavi supporters.

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Masjoody filed more than half a dozen suits since 2014, with a Canadian judge last year labeling him a vexatious litigant. Defendants in the final lawsuit included one later charged with his murder, as well as Pahlavi himself. In a court filing last fall, Pahlavi said he did not know Masjoody and denied the allegations.

Another recipient of the message on X, Kambiz Ghafouri, said he had long been wary of retaliation by Iran's government, even after living in Finland for 20 years. Threats that appear to come from within the diaspora have deepened those fears, he said.

Our lives were like hell every day in Iran, he said.

But recently, especially after the death of Masood, who was my friend, we feel unsafe here.

___

AP writer Sudhin Thanawala in Atlanta contributed to this story.
ATLANTA (AP)  A man who served in the U.S. Navy after immigrating from Britain has been charged in a string of deadly attacks in the Atlanta suburbs that quickly drew the attention of President Donald Trump s administration.

U.K.-native Olaolukitan Adon Abel, whose name appears in different variations in court and government records, is accused of killing two women, including a Department of Homeland Security employee, and critically injuring a man.

Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin called the shootings acts of pure evil and raised concern that Adon Abel, 26, was granted U.S. citizenship in 2022, when Democrat Joe Biden was president. Authorities have not given details about how he was caught.

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Here's what is know about the rampage.

Three early morning attacks, miles apart

The attacks rattled the Atlanta suburbs of Decatur, Brookhaven and Panthersville in the early morning hours Monday.

The first victim, 31-year-old Prianna Weathers, was found with gunshot wounds near a Decatur-area fast food restaurant around 1 a.m. She was taken to a hospital but died, DeKalb County Police Chief Gregory Padrick said.

Then, around 2 a.m., a 49-year-old homeless man was shot multiple times while sleeping outside a grocery store in Brookhaven, about 12 miles (19 kilometers) northwest of the first attack, Brookhaven Police Chief Brandon Gurley said. The man, whose name hasnt been released, remains hospitalized in stable but critical condition, authorities said Thursday.

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DHS worker Lauren Bullis, who was out walking her dog more than 10 miles (16 kilometers) away in Panthersville, was found around 7 a.m. with gunshot and stab wounds. She died at the scene, Padrick said.

Investigators in Brookhaven determined that the three attacks were connected, Gurley said.

Authorities have said they believe at least one victim was targeted at random.

DHS employee is remembered for her generosity

Bullis, 40, served in multiple roles at DHS Office of Inspector General, including as an auditor and an innovation team leader. DHS posted on social media that she brought a genuine sense of care to her colleagues each day.

Her family said in a statement that she loved running, reading and traveling, and her warmth and generosity touched everyone surrounding her.

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Fellow DHS auditor Ashley Toillion of Denver described Bullis as the nicest, sweetest, most encouraging person Ive ever met.

The suspect pleaded guilty in a California assault

Military records show the defendant enlisted in the Navy in 2020, last serving in the Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron in Coronado, California, and as a petty officer received a Navy E Ribbon for superior performance for battle readiness.

Adon Abel pleaded guilty in October 2024 to assaulting two police officers with a deadly weapon and attacking another person when he was stationed in Coronado, according to California court records.

Brandon Naidu, an attorney who represented Adon Abel in the California case, said he was gutted to read about the allegations against him this week in Georgia and heartbroken in reading about the victims.

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This is not characteristic of the man that I worked with or represented, he said. In terms of all my interactions with him, he was always very, very polite, very calm, soft-spoken. I dont believe I ever saw him get agitated or angry once.

Naidu said a report prepared ahead of Adon Abels sentencing did not show any prior criminal record before the case in California.

In Georgia, Adon Abel is accused of malice murder, aggravated assault and gun charges over Monday's attacks, court records show. A public defender listed as his attorney did not respond to an email seeking comment.

Mullin said Adon Abel has a criminal record that includes a sexual battery conviction. Online court records show that someone listed with a similar name and the same birth date pleaded guilty last June in Chatham County, Georgia, to four misdemeanor counts of sexual battery.

It wasnt immediately clear if Adon Abel had a criminal record that predated him becoming a U.S. citizen in 2022. The U.S. has long barred people convicted of most violent crimes from attaining citizenship.
BEIJING, April 16 (Xinhua) -- The State Council, China's cabinet, on Thursday announced the removal of Tai Kin Ip from the post of secretary for economy and finance of the government of the Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR).

The adjustment was made in accordance with the Basic Law of the Macao SAR of the People's Republic of China and based on suggestions of Macao SAR Chief Executive Sam Hou Fai, said the State Council in a statement. 
LAS VEGAS (KLAS)  A federal court approved a settlement between the Clark County School District and a Las Vegas mother on Tuesday after the district blocked her on X.

Kimberley Brock sued CCSD last October, accusing the nations fifth-largest school district of violating her First and Fourteenth Amendment rights.

According to a federal complaint, Brock noticed a large progress pride flag displayed in her daughters math class in Sept. of 2023. Brock told school officials why CCSD was allowing teachers to push an ideology that encourages minor children to explore their sexuality.

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Brock reportedly made several posts on CCSDs X account to complain about the progress pride flag, including tagging the district on other peoples posts.

According to court documents, CCSD blocked Brock after a post she made on April 30, 2024. Brock then sent an email to CCSDs media relations department a month later, asking why she was blocked. The district then responded with, Please reference our Terms of Use.as social media users violating the Terms are removed, and then blocked after repeated violations.

Im thrilled that parents free speech is now being protected, Brock said in a statement the Center for American Liberty provided to 8 News Now. Parents can no longer be silenced or retaliated against for opposing the gender and sexual ideologies being pushed in our school district.

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Multiple Las Vegas middle school students fall ill after eating suspected cannabis candy

The Center for American Liberty was co-counsel in Brocks case against the district.

As part of the federal ruling, CCSD updated its Terms of Use, unblocked Brock, and will pay $10,000 in legal fees.

Yesterday, following collaborative efforts between CCSD and the Plaintiff, a federal judge approved a settlement agreement that resulted in revised terms of use for CCSDs social media channels. The parties agree that the Plaintiffs social media use moving forward will be subject to the revised terms of use, the Clark County School District said in a statement to 8 News Now.

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You can take a look at CCSDs updated terms of service HERE.

No parent should be silenced by their childs school district for speaking up about what is going on in their childs classroom, Mark Trammell, CEO of the Center for American Liberty, said. This victory restores Kimberleys voice and sends a message: parents have a right to be heard.

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 KLAS.
A 10-day ceasefire announced by U.S. President Donald Trump and agreed on by Lebanon and Israel went into effect as Friday began. The agreement could boost attempts to extend the ceasefire between Iran, the United States and Israel after weeks of devastating war.

Israel has not been fighting with Lebanon itself, but rather with the Iranian-backed Hezbollah militant group inside Lebanon. Hezbollah said in a statement that any ceasefire must be comprehensive across all Lebanese territory and must not allow the Israeli enemy any freedom of movement.

Nearly 2,200 people in Lebanon have been killed by Israeli air strikes.

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Meanwhile, Pakistans army chief met with Iranian officials in Tehran on Thursday in a bid to ease tensions in the Middle East and arrange a second round of negotiations between the United States and Iran after almost seven weeks of war.

The U.S. naval blockade of Iranian ports continued as U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the Trump administration would ramp up economic pain on Iran with new economic sanctions on countries doing business with it, calling the move the financial equivalent of a bombing campaign.

The White House said any further talks with Iran would likely take place in the Pakistani capital of Islamabad, though no decision had been made on whether to resume negotiations. Pakistan has emerged as a key mediator after it hosted direct talks between the U.S. and Iran in Islamabad.

Here is the latest:

Trump hails Israel-Lebanon ceasefire as historic day

In two social media posts Thursday night, U.S. President Donald Trump said that Thursday could have been a historic day for Lebanon. In a separate Truth Social message after the ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon went into effect, Trump added that he hoped the Lebanon-based, Iran-backed Hezbollah militant group acts nicely and well. It will be an GREAT moment for them if they do, Trump added.

Australia strikes deal with BP to underwrite fuel imports

BP has become a fifth company to strike a deal with the Australian government to underwrite fuel imports at prices inflated by the Iran war.

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Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced the BP deal on Friday at Viva Energys Geelong refinery, southwest of Melbourne, that was damaged by fire over Wednesday night. Viva on Thursday secured 570,000 barrels of diesel underwritten by the government in shipments from Brunei and South Korea at prices that might otherwise be commercially unviable.

Albanese said the damaged Geelong refinery continued to produce diesel and jet fuel at 80% capacity and gasoline as 60% capacity.

Viva chief executive Scott Wyatt expected to import fuel to make up for the shortfall in the refinerys production.

Australia has sufficient fuel supplies contracted into May, but there are concerns that shortages could emerge in the months ahead.

Sri Lanka repatriates Iranian sailors, including torpedo attack survivors

Sri Lanka has sent home 238 Iranian sailors, including 32 who were injured in a U.S torpedo attack which sank their warship in early March.

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Defense Ministry spokesman Brig. Franklin Joseph said everyone except a few crew members from a second ship which later anchored in Sri Lanka were repatriated earlier this week.

A U.S submarine sank the Iranian warship IRIS Dena on March 4 as it returned home after taking part in am Indian naval exercise..

Sri Lankan navy recovered 87 bodies while 32 sailors wounded in the torpedo attack were hospitalized. The second ship was brought to a southern Sri Lankan port after the crew reported technical problems.

Trump says Iran

war going along swimmingly

The president said in a Las Vegas speech he was feeling pretty positive about the Iran war, despite the energy price spikes, the death and destruction and the anxiety about the future of NATO and the Middle East.

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I will say the war in Iran is going along swimmingly, Trump said. It should be ending pretty soon.

Trump added that the war was was perfect as he praised the power of the U.S. military.

Reports of shelling in Lebanon continue after ceasefire goes into effect

Lebanons state-run National News agency reported that Israeli shelling continued in the villages of Khiam and Dibbine about a half hour after the truce began.

The Lebanese Army also repeated its warning to people displaced from southern Lebanon about returning home because of intermittent shelling.

Israels military told The Associated Press very early Friday that it was looking into reports of shelling and artillery fire in southern Lebanon.

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The terms of the ceasefire, as provided by the U.S. State Department, prohibit Israel from offensive military actions in Lebanon. But they appear to leave more room for self-defense, including against planned, imminent, or ongoing attacks.

UN chief welcomes Israel and Lebanon ceasefire and calls on all parties to observe it

Secretary-General Antonio Guterres hopes the ceasefire will pave the way for negotiations toward a long-term solution to the Israel-Hezbollah conflict, U.N. spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said.

Guterres commends the United States for facilitating the ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon, he said.

The secretary-general reaffirms U.N. support for all efforts to end hostilities and the suffering of people on both sides of the Israel-Lebanon border, Dujarric said.

A 10-day ceasefire agreed on by Israel and Lebanon has gone into effect

A 10-day ceasefire announced by U.S. President Donald Trump and agreed on by Lebanon and Israel started at midnight.

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The two neighboring countries held their first direct diplomatic talks in decades on Tuesday in Washington after more than a month of war between Israel and the Iran-backed, Lebanon-based Hezbollah militant group.

Hezbollah started firing on Israel right after the start of the Iran war. It kept up attacks focused on northern Israel communities through Thursday night, with at least eight people injured, including two seriously, according to Israels emergency services.

Air raid sirens were sounding in a few northern Israeli communities just minutes before the ceasefire was going into effect. Israels military also said late Thursday it was striking Hezbollah rocket launchers.

Trump claims Iran has agreed to give us back the nuclear dust

The president made the assertion in an exchange with reporters before departing for an event in Las Vegas on Thursday.

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If true, it would be a major concession from Iran, and would lock in a key demand of the U.S. to end the conflict.

Theyve agreed to give us back the nuclear dust thats way underground because of the attack we made with the B-2 bombers, said Trump, using a term hes adopted as shorthand for the roughly 970 pounds of enriched uranium buried under Iranian nuclear sites damaged by U.S. strikes on the country last year.

Iran has repeatedly insisted that it doesnt seek a nuclear weapon and that its program is for peaceful proposes. Neither Iran nor countries acting as intermediaries in the conflict have talked about what would be a major breakthrough.

Pressed by a reporter on what is he waiting for to move forward, Trump offered that it was very complicated.

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He added, I dont think were waiting. I think were moving very fast. It could happen pretty quickly.

The White House did not respond to follow-up queries about whether Iran has agreed to give up its enriched uranium, under what terms and to whom it would be surrendered. Trump has previously made claims about Irans nuclear program that have turned out to be imprecise.

UN envoy says Israel will react to any Hezbollah threats and hold its positions southern Lebanon during ceasefire

Ambassador Danny Danon told U.N. reporters Thursday that the 10-day ceasefire will be challenging because of Hezbollah, which said after the ceasefire announcement that continuing Israeli occupation grants Lebanon the right to resist.

Danon said Israel believes in direct negotiations with Lebanon, but knows this is a complex issue for the Lebanese government because of Hezbollah.

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Israels Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has offered to go to Washington  where the ambassadors of Israel and Lebanon met earlier this week  for negotiations, the ambassador said.

We will come to any meeting to promote peace, but I cannot speak for the Lebanese government. We know that they are under pressure and threats from Iran, Danon said.

Iran remains cautiously optimistic about negotiations with the US, its UN envoy says

Ambassador Amir Saeid Iravani said the Islamic Republic welcomes and supports diplomatic efforts to bring a sustainable end to this unlawful and unwarranted war, including by Pakistan, Turkey, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, China and Russia.

Despite our deep mistrust of the United States, stemming from its repeated betrayal of diplomacy, we nevertheless enter the negotiation in good faith and remain cautiously optimistic, he told the U.N. General Assembly on Thursday.

We believe that should the United States adopt a rational and constructive approach and refrain from advancing demands that are inconsistent with international law, this negotiation can lead to a meaningful outcome, Iravani said.

He spoke at an assembly meeting in support of vetoes by Beijing and Moscow of a U.N. Security Council resolution backed by the U.S. and Gulf nations aimed at opening the Strait of Hormuz.

Hezbollah warns displaced people not to rush back home

The Lebanese militant group called on people to exercise restraint and refrain from returning to areas in south and eastern Lebanon and Beiruts southern suburbs that have been hit hard by Israeli strikes until the situation becomes fully clear.

The Lebanese army issued similar warnings, urging people not to rush back to those areas after the 10-day ceasefire kicks in at midnight Beirut time.

Previous ceasefires saw tens of thousands of people clogging roads as they attempted to drive back to check on homes and belongings in the first hours of the truce.

More than 1 million Lebanese people have been displaced during the ongoing war between Israel and Hezbollah.

UAE official says Iran is viewed as the main enemy

Anwar Gargash, diplomatic advisor to the UAEs president, said Gulf states have a different view of Iran, seeing it as the main enemy, citing its missile and drone attacks despite.

We are fully aware of the position of many Arab societies in viewing Israel as the primary enemy, but the view in the Gulf states may be different... Iran is the one that attacked the Gulf states with thousands of missiles and drones, and for this reason we do not trust it, and we view it as a primary enemy, he said during a media briefing Thursday at Dubai Press Club.

Gargash added that the UAE has questions over Irans nuclear program as well as its ballistic missiles and drones, and said that just as Tehran is seeking guarantees and reparations for war damage, the UAE also wants assurances that such cowardly attacks will not happen again.

Flurry of diplomacy to get to ceasefire in Lebanon

The 10-day ceasefire that Israel and Lebanon agreed to came about following a meeting between the nations ambassadors and a flurry of subsequent phone calls from President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, according to a White House official.

After the talks Tuesday in Washington that included Rubio, Trump spoke Wednesday evening with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu, who agreed to a ceasefire with certain terms, according to the official, who was not authorized to comment publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity.

Rubio then called Lebanons president, Joseph Aoun, who got on board. Trump then spoke with Aoun, and again with Netanyahu.

Meanwhile, the State Department worked with both governments to formulate a memorandum of understanding for the truce.

Irans parliamentary speaker says Lebanon integral part of regional ceasefire

Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf made these remarks on Iranian state television after meeting Pakistans army chief Gen. Asim Munir in Tehran. U.S. President Donald Trump announced a 10-day truce between Lebanon and Israel in a bid to end the war between Israel and the Hezbollah militant group.

Iran, Hezbollahs key patron and ally, has included ending the war in Lebanon as one of its conditions in its talks with Washington, mediated by Pakistan.

There was no mention about resuming in-person talks with Washington, as both sides gear up for a second round of talks.

US details ceasefire deal between Israel and Lebanon

The 10-day halt to the fighting that will begin later Thursday can be extended if theres progress in talks to reach a lasting peace agreement and Lebanon effectively demonstrates its ability to assert its sovereignty, the State Department said.

President Donald Trump announced the truce following talks held in Washington this week. Israel hasnt been fighting with Lebanon itself but rather with the Iranian-backed Hezbollah militant group inside Lebanon.

In the statement that the U.S. says was agreed to by Lebanon and Israel, there is a provision to allow Israel to defend itself at any time, against planned, imminent, or ongoing attacks. Hezbollah has said it will respond to any strikes by Israel.

But otherwise, Israel will not carry out any offensive military operations against Lebanese targets, including civilian, military, and other state targets, the statement says.

Trump says he could go to Pakistan to sign deal if agreement is reached with Iran

The president once again claimed progress is being made in talks with Iran and suggested he could be involved in the signing of a peace agreement, if one is reached.

If the deal is signed in Islamabad, I might go, said Trump, who heaped praise on Pakistani Prime Shehbaz Sharif and Pakistani Army Gen. Asim Munir for their role as mediators in the U.S.-Iran talks.

The field marshal has been great. The prime minister has been really great in Pakistan, so I might go. They want me.

Foreign minister says Portugal is open to ensuring maritime navigation remains free in the Strait of Hormuz

Foreign Minister Paulo Rangel said on Thursday his countrys prime minister will participate in a conference on Friday co-hosted by the French and British leaders on setting up a mission to ensure freedom of navigation through the strait after the Iran war ends.

But Rangel said a decision on Portugals contribution to such a mission wont be taken before we know exactly what is at stake because the mission plan is still unclear.

He said the Portuguese fully understand the value of freedom of navigation because they have been navigators for centuries.

So lets go to the meeting, lets see what are the plans, Rangel said after talks with Cypriot counterpart Constantinos Kombos.

Trump says he has to do whats right as he pushes back against Pope Leo XIV on Iran war

Trump isnt worried that his taunting of Pope Leo XIV might offend his voters.

I have to do whats right  the pope has to understand that, Trump told reporters. I have nothing against the pope. His brother is MAGA all the way.

The U.S. president has maintained that the Iran war is about stopping that country from developing a nuclear weapon and he criticized that countrys leadership for killing its own people as he objected to the papal emphasis on peace.

The president added that hes sure the pope is a great guy, yet he suggested Pope Leo XIV was naive about geopolitics.

The pope has to understand that this is the real world, Trump said.

Trump suggest hes open to extending Iran ceasefire

The 14-day ceasefire is set to expire April 22, but Trump said its possible that the deadline to make a deal could be pushed out further.

If were close to a deal would I extend? Trump said in an exchange with reporters. Yeah, I would do that

Netanyahu says Israeli troops will remain in an expanded security zone in south Lebanon despite ceasefire

Israels Netanyahu says Israeli troops will remain in an expanded security zone in south Lebanon despite a ceasefire.

He said troops will remain in a10-kilometer deep zone, much stronger, more extensive and more continuous than before.

That is where we are, and we are not leaving.

Hezbollah, in commenting on the ceasefire, had said continuing Israeli occupation grants Lebanon the right to resist.

Trump calls Israel-Lebanon ceasefire very exciting opportunity

I had a great talk with both of them today, Trump said of this conversations with Aoun and Netanyahu. Theyre going to be having a ceasefire, and thatll include Hezbollah.

Trump in an extended exchange with reporters said also that he expected that Aoun and Netanyahu would meet in the next week or two, before saying the White House meeting between the Mideast leaders could happen in the next four or five days.

The president added that he was open to visiting Lebanon at the right time.

Trump says $4 a gallon gas not very high given importance of stopping Iran from getting a nuclear weapon

The U.S. president played down prices at the pump averaging $4.09 a gallon nationwide, saying the cost wasnt so great relative to the risk of evening higher prices tied to keeping Iran from getting a nuclear weapon.

Well, theyre not very high, if you look at what they were supposed to be in order to get rid of a nuclear weapon, Trump told reporters about gas prices before a planned trip to Las Vegas.

The president repeated a past claim that he thought the war with Iran would have driven energy costs much higher.

Gas prices are up roughly 29% from a year ago, according to AAA.

Netanyahu says he has agreed to 10-day ceasefire in bid to advance peace efforts with Lebanon

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says he has agreed to a 10-day ceasefire in Lebanon.

In a video statement, Netanyahu said he was taking the step in an attempt to advance peace efforts with Lebanon.

Israel and Lebanon opened negotiations this week in Washington aimed at forging a peace agreement. The Hezbollah militant group, which has been fighting Israel for six weeks, has said it opposes the dialogue.

We have an opportunity to make a historic peace agreement with Lebanon, Netanyahu said.

Italian premier hails Israel-Lebanon ceasefire as excellent news

Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni greeted the announcement of a ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon as excellent news, achieved thanks to the mediation of the United States.

She added that the ceasefire must be fully respected, singling out Hezbollah for having started this conflict, and expressed hope that it would create conditions for talks leading to a full and lasting peace between Israel and Lebanon.

Italy has the second-largest contingent of U.N. peacekeepers serving in southern Lebanon.

Hezbollah reacts to ceasefire announcement

Hezbollah said in a statement that any ceasefire must be comprehensive across all Lebanese territory and must not allow the Israeli enemy any freedom of movement.

Israel offered no official comment on Trumps announcement.

Hezbollah added that Israeli occupation on our land grants Lebanon and its people the right to resist it, and this matter will be determined based on how developments unfold, a stance that could complicate the ceasefire.

Israel has staged a ground invasion in southern Lebanon, where its forces have been engaged in fierce battles with Hezbollah militants in the border area. It is unclear whether Israel would withdraw some or all of its forces as part of the truce.

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Northern Israeli leaders criticize proposed Lebanon ceasefire

Two local leaders in northern Israel criticized a proposed ceasefire with Lebanon, warning it would leave communities vulnerable.

Moshe Davidovich, head of the Mateh Asher Regional Council, said agreements may be signed in Washington but the price is paid here in blood, in destroyed homes and shattered communities.

He warned that a ceasefire without strict enforcement against Hezbollah and a buffer zone up to the Litani River, some 30 kilometers (18.64 miles) north of the Israeli border, would amount to waiting for the next massacre.

Eitan Davidi, head of the Margaliot moshav, called the move a surrender and a political defeat. He told the N12 news site it was made without coordination with northern residents and contradicts the stated goal of dismantling Hezbollahs capabilities.

Chinas UN envoy calls US blockade of Strait of Hormuz a dangerous and irresponsible move

Ambassador Fu Cong said the strait should be safeguarded for international navigation and called on Iran to take proactive measures to open the waterway, used to ship about 20% of the worlds oil.

The issue of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz is a spillover effect of the conflict in Iran, he said. Only a complete ceasefire can fundamentally create conditions for easing the situation.

Fu told the U.N. General Assembly on Thursday that Beijing is engaged in intensive mediation with all parties to actively promote talks for peace and an end to the war in Iran.

The 193-member world body was meeting to hear China and Russia explain why they vetoed a Security Council resolution backed by the U.S. and Gulf nations aimed at opening the Strait of Hormuz.

Fu claimed the resolution would have given a carte blanche for the continuation of aggressive actions and further escalation rather than de-escalate the conflict and promote negotiations.
The leader of Irans joint military command threatened Wednesday to halt trade in the Gulf region if the U.S. does not lift its blockade of Iranian ports. Even so, U.S. President Donald Trump said the war in Iran was very close to over in an interview that aired Wednesday.

Separately, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent warned that the U.S. is preparing to ramp up economic pain on Iran by levying secondary sanctions on financial institutions that do business with the Middle Eastern nation. Bessent called the measure the financial equivalent of the bombing campaign.

Mediators efforts to extend a U.S.-Iran ceasefire made progress as the two sides are expected to hold another round of negotiations, regional officials said. But a senior U.S. official said Washington has not formally agreed to extend the ceasefire. A Pakistani delegation arrived for talks in Tehran in the latest diplomatic move.

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Israel, meanwhile, is pressing ahead with its aerial and ground war against the militant group Hezbollah in Lebanon, a day after the two nations held their first direct talks in decades.

Trump says leaders of Lebanon and Israel to speak

Trump wrote late Wednesday on Truth Social that leaders from Israel and Lebanon would speak the next day in a renewed effort to broker a ceasefire after the countries first direct talks in decades ended the previous day in Washington without a deal. It was not clear what leaders Trump was referring to. The Israeli prime ministers office did not immediately respond for comment, which was posted before dawn in Israel and Lebanon.

Chinese foreign minister says reopening of Hormuz an international demand

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi told his Iranian counterpart that reopening the Strait of Hormuz was a unanimous demand from the international community.

Wang Yi told Irans Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi in a phone call that Irans sovereignty, security, and legitimate rights should be respected as a littoral state of the Strait of Hormuz, but freedom of navigation and safety through the strait should be ensured.

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Working to resume normal passage of the strait is a unanimous call from the international community, Wang was quoted as saying in a government statement late Wednesday.

Wang noted that the current situation had reached a critical juncture between war and peace and also said that the window of peace was opening .

Consecutive Israeli strikes kill 4 Lebanese medics

Paramedic groups say a fourth Lebanese rescue worker has died after three consecutive, targeted strikes by the Israeli military Wednesday that also wounded six others.

The back-to-back Israeli attacks on the southern village of Mayfadoun, near the bigger town of Nabatiyeh, hit the first group of medics responding to a distress call from wounded civilians, a second group trying to assist their wounded colleagues and a third group rushing to aid the first two teams that had been targeted.

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The Israeli military did not respond to a request for comment on the strikes beyond saying it was looking into what happened. It has previously accused the Iran-backed Hezbollah militant group of using ambulances as cover for militant activities, without offering evidence.

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Fire damages Australian oil refinery, further reducing nations fuel supply threatened by the Iran war

Officials say there were no suspicious circumstances behind the blaze that broke out late Wednesday at the Viva Energy Geelong refinery southwest of Melbourne, and no one was injured.

The facility is one of two refineries in Australia and provides 10% of the nations gasoline, diesel and jet fuel.

Australia has agreed to underwrite two companies buying fuel at prices inflated by the war. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese warned last week that supply disruptions would have a long tail even if the Iran ceasefire holds.

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The government had agreed to terms with Australias largest suppliers Ampol and Viva Energy to underwrite contracts for gasoline and diesel bought on the spot market for prices above normal commercial rates, Albanese said.

Energy Minister Chris Bowen said Thursday it was too early to tell the extent of the fires impact on gasoline production.

The refinery is still producing diesel and jet fuel at reduced levels as a safety precaution, Bowen told the Australian Broadcasting Corp.

On gasoline, Bowen said, Its not a positive development. It will have an impact.

Firefighters said the blaze had been contained to the gasoline plant.

Sharif praises Saudi restraint

According to the statement, Sharif assured the Kingdom of Pakistans full solidarity and support and praised what he described as Saudi Arabias restraint under the crown princes leadership.

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Pakistan has a defense agreement with the Kingdom, which has faced retaliatory attacks from Iran in recent weeks, causing damage.

Pakistans prime minister briefs Saudi crown prince on efforts to ease US-Iran tensions

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif met Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman during a visit to the Kingdom, briefing him on Pakistans efforts to ease U.S.-Iran tensions and assuring him of Islamabads full support, his office said before dawn Thursday.

Wednesdays meeting lasted more than two hours, and Sharif was accompanied by Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar.

The statement said the crown prince praised what it described as the constructive role played by Sharif and Pakistans army chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, in the peace process.

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Sharif dispatched Munir to Tehran for talks with Iranian leaders.

Pakistan has long maintained close ties with Saudi Arabia while also keeping relations with Iran.

Military adviser to Irans supreme leader says he does not support extending ceasefire, according to state media

We are subject to the decisions of the relevant officials, but personally I do not agree to extend the ceasefire, said Mohsen Rezaei, formerly a commander in the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps who now advises Mojtaba Khamenei on military affairs, Iranian state media reported.

Rezaei also urged officials to be more cautious than they had been before in negotiations over economic matters with the U.S.

He said Iran was setting the preconditions in the next round of talks, not the U.S.

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Unlike the Americans who are afraid of continuous war, we are fully prepared and familiar with a long war, he said, according to the report.

Blockade has been fully implemented, US admiral says

Thats according to Adm. Brad Cooper, head of U.S. Central Command, who says: U.S. forces have completely halted economic trade going in and out of Iran by sea.

The command said Wednesday that no vessels have made it past its forces during the blockades first 48 hours. The blockade began Monday.

Central Command noted that 10 vessels have complied with directions to turn around and return toward an Iranian port or Irans coastal area.

The blockade is being enforced impartially against all vessels of all nations entering or leaving coastal areas or ports in Iran, the Command said. Vessels avoiding Iranian ports are not affected.

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The action could put serious pressure on the Iranian economy, while Tehrans earlier cutoff of the waterway crucial to oil and gas supplies has sent energy prices higher.

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Wall Street hits a record on hopes for an end to the Iran war

The U.S. stock market hit a record Wednesday after adding to its two-week rally built on hopes the war wont create a worst-case scenario for the global economy.

The S&P 500 rose 0.8% and eclipsed its prior all-time high set in January. After falling nearly 10% below its record in late March, the index at the heart of many 401(k) accounts has since roared more than 10% higher.

Much of the rally was due to expectations for calming tensions in the war and a resumption of the full flow of oil from the Persian Gulf. Hopes remained high as regional officials told The Associated Press that the U.S. and Iran had an in principle agreement to extend a ceasefire to allow for more diplomacy.

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US aircraft carrier sets deployment record

The worlds largest aircraft carrier, the USS Gerald R. Ford, broke the U.S. record Wednesday for the longest post-Vietnam War deployment, a nearly 10-month span that saw it take part in both the military raid that captured Venezuelas leader and the Iran war.

The ships 295th day at sea surpassed the previous longest modern deployment by an aircraft carrier, when the USS Abraham Lincoln was sent out for 294 days in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to data compiled by U.S. Naval Institute News, a news outlet run by the nonprofit U.S. Naval Institute.

Sen. Tim Kaine said the record-breaking deployment has taken a serious toll on the mental health and well-being of the crew.

They should be home with their loved ones, not sent around the world by a President who acts like the U.S. military is his palace guard, the Virginia Democrat said.

Irans imprisoned Nobel Peace Prize laureate in critical condition after heart attack

Narges Mohammadi s family and lawyers visited her in Zanjan prison twice in the last month, a statement by the Narges Mohammadi Foundation said on X Wednesday, finding that her health condition was dire. She is weak, pale and has lost weight, said the statement.

The report comes after Mohammadi had a heart attack in the prison on March 24, according to a cardiologist she saw soon after, according to the statement.

The statement said that following the heart attack Mohammadi was unconscious without anyone resuscitating her for over an hour.

Her brother, Hamidreza Mohammadi, said in the Wednesday statement that the cardiologist who saw her after the collapse told the family it was partially due to the medicines shed been prescribed by prison doctors.

He added that she was being kept in a cell with people convicted of murder and that shed faced threats from them on numerous occasions.

Mohammadi is a rights lawyer who won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2023 while in prison. She was arrested in December during a visit to the eastern Iranian city of Mashhad and sentenced to seven more years in prison.

Iranian state media says Iran-Pakistan talks have started

Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi took part in a preliminary meeting with the Pakistani Army Chief of Staff, Asim Munir, in Tehran Wednesday, according to a report on IRIB, Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting.

The report said more extensive talks would continue Thursday to discuss latest communications with the US.

Pakistan is mediating talks between Washington and Tehran.

US official says Trump would welcome an end to the Israel-Hezbollah conflict

A U.S. official says President Donald Trump would welcome an end to the Israel-Hezbollah conflict as part of a broader peace agreement between Israel and Lebanon but has not specifically asked for one.

The official, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss the Trump administrations position during closed-door talks between Israel and Lebanon, said an Israel-Hezbollah truce is not part of peace negotiations the U.S. is having with Iran.

Iran has demanded a truce between Israel and its proxy Hezbollah as a condition to return to talks with the United States.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Tuesday hosted the first talks in decades between high-level Israeli and Lebanese officials.

Israeli prime minister says forces will continue push in south Lebanon

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the current fighting is concentrated in the strategic south Lebanon town of Bint Jbeil, where Israeli troops are about to eliminate this great stronghold of Hezbollah.

Netanyahu, in a video address Wednesday evening, said he has given instructions for the military to continue to widen the security zone in south Lebanon  a reference to areas close to the border that the Israeli army now occupies  and to spread it eastward.

He said Israel is concurrently negotiating with Lebanon, with two central goals: disarming Hezbollah and a sustainable peace. Peace through strength, he added.

He also said the U.S. was updating Israel on the talks with Iran and that Israel was prepared for any scenario, should the fighting with Iran resume.

Senate Republicans again reject effort to halt Trumps Iran war

The Republican-led Senate on Wednesday rejected the latest Democratic attempt to halt President Donald Trumps war in Iran, turning aside a resolution that would require the U.S. to withdraw forces from the conflict until Congress authorizes further action.

The 47-52 vote was the fourth time this year that the Senate has voted to cede its war powers to the president in a conflict that Democrats say is illegal and unjustified. Republicans say they will keep faith in Trumps wartime leadership, for now, citing Irans nuclear capabilities and the high stakes of withdrawal. But GOP lawmakers are also anxious for the conflict to end  and they may not defer to the executive branch indefinitely.

Some Republicans have already made clear that they are eyeing future votes that could become an important test for the president if the war drags on.

 Read more

Treasury sanctions Ali Shamkhani-linked network, warns of secondary sanctions

The U.S. is imposing sanctions targeting an Iranian oil smuggling network tied to the deceased senior Iranian security official Ali Shamkhani.

Sanctions include dozens of individuals and companies accused of transporting and selling Iranian and Russian oil through front companies, many of which are in the UAE.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said in a statement, that banks should be on notice that Treasury will leverage all tools and authorities, including secondary sanctions, against those that continue to support Tehrans terrorist activities.

US ready to hit Iran with economic pain equivalent to bombings, top Trump official says

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent warned on Wednesday that the U.S. is preparing to ramp up economic pain on Iran, saying the Republican administration is preparing action that will be the financial equivalent of the bombing campaign.

Bessent said the administration has told companies, we have told countries that if you are buying Iranian oil, that if Iranian money is sitting in your banks, we are now willing to apply secondary sanctions, which is a very stern measure. And the Iranians should know that this is going to be the financial equivalent of what we saw in the kinetic activities.

The warning comes the day after Treasury Department sent a letter to financial institutions in China, Hong Kong, the United Arab Emirates, and Oman, threatening to levy secondary sanctions for doing business with Iran.

White House says talks with Iran are ongoing

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said the U.S. had not formally requested an extension of the ceasefire with Iran.

The ceasefire announced on April 7 is currently slated to expire next Tuesday.

At this moment, we remain very much engaged, in these negotiations, in these talks, Leavitt said, adding that there are discussions about more talks being held unperson but nothing is official until you hear it from us here at the White House.

She said that the possible next rounds of talks would very likely be in the Pakistani capital of Islamabad as they were previously.

Bessent says Americans can choose if they want to use their tax refunds to buy increasingly pricey gasoline

Asked if the tax refunds would go toward gasoline averaging more than $4 a gallon, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the public is free to spend its money however it wants.

Americans have more money. They can decide how they want to spend it, Bessent said.

Higher prices at the pump because of the Iran war has created the risk that President Donald Trumps tax cuts will offset the cost of fueling up autos to go to work and run errands, instead of boosting spending in ways that could help overall economic growth.

Bessent optimistic that gasoline prices going back to $3 a gallon this summer

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent told reporters that he believes gasoline prices will be closer to $3 gallon this summer, saying pumping oil can resume within a week of the Strait of Hormuz opening.

Im optimistic that sometime between June 20th and September 20th that we can have $3 gas again, said Bessent.

Gas prices are averaging $4.11 a gallon, up from $3.17 a year ago, according to AAA.

US Navy says it will use force to compel compliance with Iran blockade

U.S. Navy warships are telling merchant ships in and around Iran that they are ready to board them and use force to compel compliance with the blockade on ships trading with Iran.

Vessels will be boarded for interdiction and seizure transiting to or from Iranian port, a Navy radio message, posted to social media by U.S. Central Command, said. A military official, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss an ongoing military operation, confirmed the message is currently being broadcast to all ships in the region.

If you do not comply with this blockade, we will use force, the radio message added.

- Konstantin Toropin

Iranian and Emirati officials discuss de-escalation efforts

UAE Vice President Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Irans parliamentary Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf discussed regional developments on a phone call and ways to de-escalate tensions, UAE state-run news agency WAM reported, without further details.

UN allocates $12M for Iran aid

UN Relief Chief Tom Fletcher said $12 million has been allocated for humanitarian support in Iran.

Thousands of civilians killed. Infrastructure destroyed. Essential services disrupted. This funding will help our partners deliver life-saving assistance at scale, he wrote on X.

Israel to convene security cabinet to discuss developments with Lebanon

An Israeli official said the meeting would be held Wednesday evening. The official spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak to the media.

The meeting comes a day after Lebanon and Israel held their first direct diplomatic talks in decades in Washington, following more than a month of war between Israel and the Iran-backed Hezbollah militant group.

- Melanie Lidman

No ships have made it past U.S. naval blockade, military says

U.S. Central Command said in a statement Wednesday that no vessels have made it past U.S. naval forces during the first 48 hours of the blockade on ships entering and exiting Iranian ports.

Central Command also said nine vessels have complied with direction from U.S. forces to turn around and return toward an Iranian port or Irans coastal area.

First crude tanker passes Strait of Hormuz since US blockade

A Malta-flagged vessel is the first crude oil carrier to head west through Strait of Hormuz since the United States blocked Iranian ports, according to a global shipping tracking monitor.

The Malta-flagged VLCC Agios Fanourios I is expected to arrive on Thursday in Basra, Iraq, where ports are not under U.S. blockade. Marine Traffic said the vessel attempted again a transit after anchoring in the Gulf of Oman for nearly two days.

US called on Iran to halt uranium enrichment for 20 years

The negotiating team led by Vice President JD Vance called for Iran to agree to a uranium enrichment moratorium as part of a potential deal to end the war, according to a regional official involved in the mediation efforts and a person briefed on the matter.

The Iranians rejected the U.S. plan laid out during last weekends talks in Islamabad and came back with a counteroffer to suspend enrichment for five years, the regional official and a person briefed on the matter. They spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to comment publicly on the negotiations.

The White House rejected the Iranian proposal that was conveyed by Tehrans negotiators earlier this week.

The White House and the vice presidents office did not respond to requests for comment about the proposals.

The U.S. and Iranian proposals were first reported by the New York Times.

Democrats grill US envoy in first opportunity to question Trump administration on Iran

Attending a Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing on reforms to the United Nations, ambassador Mike Waltz unintentionally became the highest-level U.S. official to testify before Congress since U.S. and Israeli strikes started a war against Iran.

Democratic senators, including Chris Coons, Chris Murphy and Tim Kaine, took that opportunity to express their frustration with the Trump administrations decision not to consult or further brief Capitol Hill on military action it is taking against Tehran.

Those of us on the Democratic side do find it amazing that we still have not had an open hearing on this committee or the Armed Services Committee on this conflict, Murphy, who represents Connecticut, told Waltz.

Asked several times about Trumps threats last week to end Iranian civilization, Waltz defended it as tough talk and a mean tweet that yielded diplomatic results.

They clearly got the message, and they clearly came back to the table, he said.
Accessory dwelling units  which could be a tiny house on another homes lot, a garage-turned-apartment, a carriage house, or an in-law suite  will be easier to build beginning next year, following Gov. Abigail Spanbergers signature of a new law this week.

Amid a shortage of housing supply and noted affordability issues, ADUs have emerged as a way to boost affordable housing options in some areas or a way to meet the specific needs of some families. But not all Virginia localities allow them.

After several previous bipartisan attempts to pass the bill failed, Senate Bill 531 by Sen. Kannan Srinivasan, D-Loudoun, and Sen. Saddam Salim, D- Fairfax, that made it across the finish line this year. Srinivasan and Salim have carried the bill multiple times.

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Im glad were finally moving forward with practical housing options, Salim said after Spanberger signed his measure on Wednesday.

When it takes effect July 1, 2027, ADUs will be able to be built on peoples property by-right if they choose. Localities would then be required to permit ADUs in districts zoned for single-family homes and cap permit fees at $500.

Previously, Virginians seeking ADUs have been at the mercy of their local government to greenlight projects. Permit denials or high fees for them had also been prohibitive.

The new law will also block localities from requiring large setbacks that typically apply to bigger homes and eliminates rules that required a family relation between the people living in the ADU and the primary occupants on a housing lot. This change could make it possible for some homeowners to rent an ADU to non-relatives.

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Slow or highly restrictive local zoning or permitting decisions have contributed to a shortage in housing supply and add to tension that often exists between local and state governments when it comes to local land use decisions.

With the new law set to take effect, bringing ADUs into housing supply will be a little easier for those who want to make it happen.

Laura Dobbs, director of policy at Housing Opportunities Made Equal of Virginia, said that her organization is grateful to Spanberger for signing a shovel-ready tool.

HOME, which assists people with housing affordability issues and takes on housing discrimination cases, also has a policy arm that advocates for housing access and affordability laws.

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National law firm organization Pacific Legal Foundation had been monitoring and supportive of Virginias ADU bill, too. The foundation takes cases challenging government overreach.

Policy counsel Jamie Cavanaugh called the new ADU law the freedom to use your own property in a press release.

Virginia has shown that states can cut through restrictive zoning, she said. And we hope other legislatures take note.

A suite of housing bills this year have explored a range of state-level guidance or mandates to help alleviate supply shortages where possible. The governor had already signed several of them prior to approving the ADU bill on Monday night.

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Lawmakers grilled Robert F Kennedy Jr's handling of the worst measles outbreak in decades, as the US health secretary tried to shift focus away from his vaccine stances during his first hearing before Congress in months.

Democrats from the House Ways & Means Committee accused Kennedy of bungling the response to measles and undermining the safety of childhood immunisations.

Kennedy did not discuss his vaccine agenda, instead focusing on "ending the era of federal policies that fuelled the chronic disease epidemic" in the US.

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"President Trump and I are challenging the status quo and the institutions that defend it as we work to make America healthy again in just 15 months," he said.

Kennedy was at the hearing on Thursday to present the Trump administration's proposal to cut his agency's budget in the coming fiscal year by about $16bn (11.8bn), a 12.5% decrease from last year.

During the three-hour appearance, Kennedy, a longtime vaccine sceptic, heard a range of complaints from lawmakers related to his cuts to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) staff and cancer research, as well as his changes to vaccine recommendations.

"Your dangerous conspiracy theories are undermining safe and effective vaccines," California Democratic Representative Mike Thompson told Kennedy, alongside a chart of the nearly 4,000 measles cases the US reported in 2025 and 2026.

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Since taking office, Kennedy has attempted to remake longstanding US vaccine policies, including slashing the number of recommended shots for children and replacing an expert advisory panel with several vaccine critics.

But in March, a judge struck down many of those changes, finding the new members of the advisory panel had not been properly appointed.

HHS indicated that the agency would appeal against the ruling, but has yet to do so, and in the months since, Kennedy has appeared to shift focus away from talking about vaccines.

Democratic Representative Linda Sanchez also pressed Kennedy about the US measles outbreak, which led to the deaths of two children in Texas last year. During the outbreak, Kennedy at times endorsed the safe and effective measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine, while at other times casting doubt on its safety.

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Sanchez asked Kennedy whether a child's life could have been saved by the measles vaccine.

"It's possible, certainly," Kennedy said.

At times, Kennedy fired back, frustrated that Democrats were not allowing him time to respond. "They've all shut me up and they've talked about science, but science is about debate," he said.

Several Republicans thanked him for his agenda, including Jodey Arrington, who called Kennedy "a breath of fresh air".

Kennedy received criticism from at least one Republican, Blake Moore of Utah, who said he had a neurodivergent son and was "underwhelmed" with the Trump administration's autism research efforts.

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Kennedy has made finding the cause of autism - a complex syndrome that has been studied for decades - a central mission.

Last year, US President Donald Trump, alongside Kennedy, claimed that taking Tylenol (paracetamol) during pregnancy could cause autism, though medical experts say research does not support that claim.

"My wife was hurt, and she felt for a split-second until we came to our senses and we talked about this, that there was any way she was responsible," Moore said. "We don't even know if she took Tylenol during her pregnancy, but that was a hurtful moment for her."

Democrat Gwen Moore also brought up Trump's cuts to aid programmes for mothers and children, including food stamps, asking how those cuts would help improve Americans' health.

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"Nobody wants to make the cuts," Kennedy responded, adding that they were necessary because of a $39 trillion deficit.
At least 14 people were killed and scores injured in a massive wave of Russian airstrikes across Ukraine overnight, officials said on Thursday.

The southern port of Odessa was hit hard, with the head of the city's military administration, Serhiy Lysak, reporting eight dead and 16 injured in several waves of missile and drone attacks.

In Kiev, Mayor Vitali Klitschko said on Telegram that four people were killed and 45 injured in the bombardment. He said the dead included a 12-year-old child and urged residents to remain in shelters as the city was attacked again.

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Journalists from The Kyiv Independent reported multiple explosions as missiles struck the city in several waves.

Damage to residential and commercial buildings was reported across several districts, said the city's military administration head, Tymur Tkachenko.

Emergency services rescued a child from the rubble of a damaged apartment block. The child and the mother were receiving treatment.

Air raid alerts were also issued in other regions. In Dnipro, at least two people were killed and 27 injured in a missile strike, Governor Oleksandr Hanzha said on Telegram.

Five of the injured were in a critical condition and several residential buildings caught fire.

Ukraine has been defending itself against Russia's full-scale invasion for more than four years. Since the start of the war, Moscow has repeatedly attacked areas far behind the front line, also hitting civilian infrastructure.
At least 18 people were killed and more than 100 injured in a massive wave of Russian airstrikes across Ukraine overnight, officials said on Thursday.

Russia launched waves of attacks on several regions of Ukraine, President Volodymyr Zelensky wrote on X, citing the Ukrainian Air Force.

He said almost 700 Russian drones were launched over the course of the day on Wednesday and into the night. Nineteen ballistic missiles, as well as cruise missiles, were also fired overnight, he said, with most of the ballistic weapons targeting the capital, Kiev.

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"Russia is betting on war, and the response must be exactly that: we must defend lives with all available means, and we must also apply pressure for the sake of peace with the same full force," Zelensky wrote.

The attacks followed announcements of new military aid deals for Ukraine this week.

Zelensky thanked Germany, Norway, and Italy for the recent agreements to support Ukrainian air defence, and said Kiev was also working with the Netherlands to secure additional supplies.

Fatalities in Odessa, Kiev, Dnipropetrovsk and Kharkiv

The southern Ukrainian port of Odessa was hit hard, with the head of the city's military administration, Serhiy Lysak, reporting at least nine dead and 23 injured in several waves of missile and drone attacks.

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Critical infrastructure, the port and residential buildings were also damaged in the strikes.

In Kiev, the public prosecutor's office said four people were killed, including a 12-year-old boy, and at least 54 injured in the bombardment. Apartment blocks, private homes, a hotel, an office complex, a car dealership, a petrol station and a shopping centre were damaged, it said.

Mayor Vitali Klitschko urged residents to remain in shelters as the city was attacked again.

Journalists from The Kyiv Independent reported multiple explosions as missiles struck the city in several waves.

Emergency services rescued a child from the rubble of a damaged apartment block. The child and the mother were receiving treatment.

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In the eastern Ukrainian region of Dnipropetrovsk, four people were killed and 34 injured in Russian attacks involving drones, artillery and missiles, Governor Oleksandr Hanzha said.

In the eastern region of Kharkiv, Governor Oleh Syniehubov reported one death and six injuries in the town of Merefa as a result of drone strikes.

European Council President Antonio Costa accused Moscow of targeting first responders in the airstrikes.

"Russian armed forces deliberately carried out follow-up strikes on Ukrainian emergency services as first responders arrived to save lives," Costa wrote on X.

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"Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine has failed, and so it chooses to deliberately terrorize civilians," he said, adding that "Russia must stop this war of terror."

Russia also reports deaths

In the Russian region of Krasnodar on the Black Sea, Governor Veniamin Kondratyev reported two deaths, including a 14-year-old girl, and seven injuries following Ukrainian drone attacks.

He said a state of emergency had been declared in the Tuapse district.

Drone debris damaged residential buildings, two educational institutions and a music school, and fell onto the grounds of a factory in the port area, Kondratyev said.

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The governor said drone debris also caused a fire to break out on a civilian vessel in Novorossiysk, but said this was quickly extinguished.

Novorossiysk and Tuapse are the most important ports for Russian oil exports on the Black Sea. Tuapse is also home to a large refinery.

The Defence Ministry in Moscow said more than 200 Ukrainian drone attacks on Russian targets had been repelled. It described Russia's attacks on Ukraine as a response to "terrorist attacks" by Kiev.

The Russian Ministry said its missile and drone strikes targeted a Ukrainian container terminal, depots for armoured vehicles and underground complexes used for testing robotics. The claims cannot be independently verified.

No peace in sight

Ukraine has been defending itself against Russia's full-scale invasion for more than four years, including with its own attacks on Russian territory.

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Since the start of the war, Moscow has repeatedly attacked areas far behind the front line, also hitting civilian infrastructure.

Kiev's allies pledged their continued support for Ukraine on Wednesday at a meeting of the Ukraine Contact Group in Berlin.

The United Kingdom promised to supply Ukraine with 120,000 drones for the fight against Russia.

Russia's Defence Ministry responded with sharp criticism and published the addresses of arms companies located in Europe.
MADISON - Clark County Circuit Judge Lyndsey Brunette launched a campaign for the state's highest court Thursday, opening the next race for a seat on the state Supreme Court just a week after the last one ended.

Brunette, who was elected to the bench in 2018, is the first candidate to announce a campaign for the 2027 statewide race and seeks to join the court's liberal majority that expanded to 5-2 with the election of State Appeals Judge Chris Taylor last week. Taylor assumes the bench Aug. 1.

"I'm running for the Wisconsin Supreme Court because it has never been more important to have state courts dedicated to protecting the fundamental rights and freedoms and holding people, and the government, accountable when they break the law, Brunette said in a statement.

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Every person who enters a courtroom is seeking the same thing: fairness, justice, a system they can trust. That's the kind of court I want to protect for every Wisconsinite, and for my own family," she said.

Brunette pointed to "protecting personal health care rights, safeguarding voting rights, or supporting public safety" as goals she wants the court to seek.

Brunette kicks off a new race for state Supreme Court just a week after conservatives lost a seat in an election decided by 20 percentage points.

Whoever emerges from the next race for state Supreme Court will replace retiring conservative Supreme Court Justice Annette Ziegler. Conservatives have not yet put forward a candidate.

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More: Steamrolled in Tuesday's election, Wisconsin GOP looks for answers

Before serving as a judge, Brunette was elected in 2012 as Clark County district attorney and served six years in that role. Brunette also worked as Clark County's corporation counsel and in the Hennepin County Attorney's Office in Minneapolis under Democratic U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar, who was county attorney at the time. Brunette worked in the gang unit and adult violent crimes division, according to her campaign.

Clark County Circuit Judge Lyndsey Brunette

She holds a variety of legal roles, including as a member of the Wisconsin Judicial Commission on Child Welfare and of the state Department of Children and Families' judicial work group, among others.

Brunette lives in Neillsville with her husband and five children, according to her campaign.

Justice Brian Hagedorn

Justice Janet Protasiewicz Justice Jill Karorsky Justice Rebecca Dallet Justice Annette Ziegler Justice Susan Crawford Justice-Elect Chris Taylor Here are the justices of the Wisconsin Supreme Court 1 of 7 Justice Brian Hagedorn



Molly Beck can be reached at molly.beck@jrn.com.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Candidate makes early entry into 2027 Wisconsin Supreme Court race
Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) called Tucker Carlson a deranged, leftist psycho who loves sharia law after the right-wing pundits media network penned a newsletter condemning President Donald Trump for sharing an AI image of himself depicted as Jesus.

Cruz fumed in an X repost responding to an essay from Tucker Carlson Network, where it defended Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian for condemning the image as a desecration of Jesus, the prophet of peace and brotherhood.

Carlson Networks newsletter read, The people in charge dont want you to know this, but Muslims love Jesus. Then it added that Islam reveres Christ as a major prophet and messenger of the Lord.

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Like this article? Keep independent journalism alive. Support HuffPost.

Tucker has turned into a deranged, Leftist psycho.



Who loves sharia. https://t.co/vD2FpFRYjB  Ted Cruz (@tedcruz) April 15, 2026

The newsletter then claimed that Muslims believe Jesus performed miracles, and states that He will return to Earth to defeat the Antichrist, likely meaning Pezeshkian apparently saw Trumps AI image as an attack on his religion as well as Christianity.

The furor over the presidents post comes while Trump has been attacking Pope Leo XIV for criticizing the U.S.-Israel war against Iran.

Politics: Trump Posts Another Weird Jesus Photo

Trump posted and then deleted the AI Jesus image this past Sunday, but later defended himself by saying he thought the computer-generated illustration showed him as a doctor.

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Carlson, who aggressively lobbied for Trump during his 2024 bid to reclaim the Oval Office, previously upbraided the president for an explicit Easter Sunday post where he threatened to bombard Iran if it did not heed his demands to open the Strait of Hormuz.

Who do you think you are? Youre tweeting out the f-word on Easter morning, Carlson wrote at the time, also claiming that no decent person mocks other peoples religions.

Related...

Read the original on HuffPost
GOSHEN  Local schools were recently recognized for achieving high literacy rates by the Indiana Department of Education.

IDOE recognized more than 400 schools across the state achieving a 95% or higher passage rate on the 2025 Indiana Reading Evaluation and Determination assessment at the Literacy Achievement Celebration at the Statehouse Wednesday.

Last year, Indianas third grade reading scores improved by nearly five percentage points, which is the largest single-year increase since the state launched IREAD in 2013. More than 87% of Hoosier third graders demonstrated proficiency in reading, putting Indianas literacy rate at this grade level back to pre-pandemic levels.

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These IREAD results follow Indiana placing sixth in the country for fourth and eighth grade reading in the 2024 National Assessment of Education Progress rankings.

Results from the 2025 IREAD for individual schools and corporations are available on IDOEs website.

Local schools recognized include:

 Millersburg Elementary School, Fairfield Community Schools

 Middlebury Elementary School, Middlebury Community Schools

 Jefferson Elementary School, Middlebury Community Schools

 Orchard View School, Middlebury Community Schools

 Clinton Christian School, private Christian school, Goshen

 Bethany Christian School, private Christian school, Goshen

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 St. Thomas The Apostle School, private Christian school, Elkhart

 Trinity Lutheran School, private Christian school, Elkhart

 Nappanee Elementary School, Wa-Nee Community Schools

 Wakarusa Elementary School, Wa-Nee Community Schools

 Fred J. Hums Elementary School, Mishawaka School City

 Elkhart Christian Academy, private Christian school

For more information about the states literacy standards, visit www.in.gov/doe/students/indiana-academic-standards/literacy-development.
ISLAMABAD, April 16 (Xinhua) -- Iranian Ambassador to Pakistan Reza Amiri Moghadam on Thursday said Tehran is prepared to engage in serious and constructive talks.

Speaking in an interview with official Pakistan TV after an event at the Institute of Regional Studies in Islamabad, the envoy said Iran was entering the proposed negotiations with full seriousness and a clear objective of achieving a positive outcome.

He added that Tehran's negotiating team had been defined at a senior level, with Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, speaker of the Iranian Parliament, set to lead it, while the foreign minister would be the second representative.

The ambassador said the final composition of Iran's delegation would depend on the level of representation from the other side.

Pakistan was playing the role of a "responsible state" and a "sincere mediator" in facilitating dialogue, he said.

Earlier in his address, Moghadam also underscored confidence in Pakistan's diplomatic role, saying Islamabad remained a trusted venue for dialogue. "We only trust Pakistan," he said, referring to contacts with the United States. 
Heres what youll learn when you read this story:

 Researchers discovered a heavily armed 18th-century Barbary corsair ship between Morocco and Spain, the first of its kind found in the region's waters.

 The pirate vessel, armed with cannons, swivel guns, and muskets, was discovered in 2005 while explorers were searching for a different shipwreck.

 Dating from around 1740-1760, the corsair ship provides valuable insights into the Barbary pirates who terrorized Mediterranean nations for over a century

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Decades ago, divers discovered a heavily armed, 18th-century pirate ship in the waters between Morocco and Spain. Armed to the teeth, it now sits at the bottom of the ocean, serving as an example of an enterprise that terrorized the seas off the coast of Africa for over a century. The ship, known as a Barbary corsair, was the first Algiers corsair found in the Barbary heartland, Sean Kingsley, an archaeologist and researcher on the discovery, told Live Science.

Barbary corsairsthe name for both the ships and those who crewed themwere privateers who sailed for several countries along the northern coast of Africa. Often referred to as pirates, they ruled the Mediterranean from the 17th century until the early 19th century, when they fell after the Second Barbary War. Less famous than the pirates of the Caribbean, the corsair capital of Algiers turned to piracy far earlier and was a much bigger business, Kingsley told Newsweek. Where Blackbeard and his gang put the fear of God into single ships, the Barbary pirates terrorized entire nations.

Yet it seems even they were no match for an unexpected storm, which is considered the most likely reason for the ship ending up at the bottom of the sea. The shipwreck was originally discovered in 2005 by the Odyssey Marine Exploration (OME). At the time, the Florida-based company was searching for the HMS Sussexan 80-gun English warship that was lost in 1694but stumbled across the corsair along the way.

To investigate their surprise pirate treasure, the research team navigated a remotely operated vehicle to the ship and discovered that it was armed with four large cannons, 10 swivel guns, and plenty of muskets for its 20-pirate crew. Pots and pans from the city of Algiersonce a hub for the Barbary corsairswere also found in the wreckage, leading the experts to believe that the ship may have disguised itself as a trading vessel. They suggested that the ship could have been on its way to the Spanish coast to capture and raid settlements when it sank.

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Researchers used artifacts from the vessel to determine when the ship may have sailed. The tightest dating comes from the glass bottles that were blown, at latest, 1740-1760. So the ship cant postdate 1760, Kingsley told Newsweek.

Other findings on boardsuch as a European spyglass, ceramics, and bowlsalso suggest a similar timeframe. According to Newsweek, however, its not yet possible to determine the date the ship was constructed or how long it was in service.

Parts of the wreckage, according to Archaeology Magazine, were well preserved. The lower third of the hull in particular had remained undisturbed by divers or fishing boats for the past four centuries. Unfortunately, the upper parts of the Barbary ship were destroyed by shipwormsthe termites of the sea.

That doesnt mean, however, that the researchers are unhappy with the information theyve gleaned from the wreck. The Barbary corsair provides a glimpse into what the 17th century seas may have looked like.

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The threat of Algiers corsairs was an everyday terror for the West, Greg Stemm, Director of Seascape Artifact Exhibits Inc., told Newsweek. The shipwreck found in deep waters is a precious echo of one of the western Mediterraneans great maritime horrors.

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Louisiana officials believe federal election commissioners are unconstitutionally blocking the states addition of a proof-of-citizenship requirement on a federal voter registration form.

Attorney General Liz Murrill filed a lawsuit Tuesday against the U.S. Election Assistance Commission and Brianna Schletz, its executive director, in Louisianas Western District federal court in Monroe.

The case, Louisiana v. EAC, stems from a law the state legislature approved in 2024 that requires applicants to include proof of their U.S. citizenship on their voter registration application.

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The National Mail Voter Registration Form, one of several ways for registering to vote, asks for a person to provide their name, address, date of birth and a government ID or driver license number. Under federal law, each state has its own instructions for what kinds of identification are acceptable.

Citing the 2024 state law, Louisiana Secretary of State Nancy Landry submitted a request to the Election Assistance Commission in January 2025 to modify the state-specific instructions for government IDs numbers on the voter registration form. She asked that the form require the submission of student exchange visa number, alien registration number, naturalization certificate or other immigration identifier when applicable.

The attorney generals office said in a news release Wednesday the state wants to collect the information so election officials can verify that only United States citizens are registering to vote in our elections.

The commission deadlocked over Louisianas modification request, resulting in its rejection. Murrill wants that decision tossed aside and is asking the federal court to declare the National Voter Registration Act unconstitutional as applied by the EAC or as applied to the State of Louisiana.

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The Election Assistance Commission should not be getting in the way of the States sovereign right to protect the integrity of its elections, Murrill said.

The commission, created under the Help America Vote Act of 2002, consists of four members, no more than two of whom can belong to the same political party. The president nominates commissioners based on recommendations from majority and minority leaders in Congress. Its current membership includes two picks from President Barack Obama in 2015 and two from President Donald Trump in 2019. Members may serve two consecutive terms and past that deadline until a successor is chosen.

Thomas Hicks, an Obama appointee, and Benjamin Hovland, a Trump pick, disapproved Louisianas request.

In their denial letter, the commissioners wrote that the states reasoning for the proof-of-citizenship requirement could cause equal protection issues by requiring naturalized citizens to disclose more information and go through more hurdles to register than American-born citizens.

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They argued that creating additional requirements on a federal voter registration form is an authority that rests with Congress, not the commission. The National Voter Registration Act, which Congress enacted in 1993, determined the information people must put on the federal voter registration form, according to the letter.

The commissioners further argued that Louisiana provided no evidence of why such additional information is necessary.

In her request, Landry said her office discovered roughly 400 potential non-citizens were registered to vote in Louisiana, but she failed to say how many of them, if any, used the federal mail-in form to register. The commissioners noted Landrys office didnt respond when asked for that data.

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A New Jersey nurse killed by her ex-fiance in a murder-suicide last month called 911 in a chilling phone call to report a man was in her Gloucester County home.

Tomeka Kamwani was calm as she spoke to the dispatcher in a redacted recording of the call released last week by New Jersey authorities.

I have a guy in my house that I have a restraining order on, Kamwani said.

Are you separated from him now? the dispatcher asked.

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Im locked in my room, she responded.

Then, muffled voices could be heard in the background at Kamwanis home in Swedesboro as a second dispatcher tried to speak with her.

Get off my door. No, Kamwani said to someone in the house, her voice growing louder.

No, No, No, she repeated before the call abruptly ended.

Kamwani, a 41-year-old mother of four, was found shot to death in a murder-suicide in her home in the 300 block of Broad Street in Swedesboro on March 27, her family said.

Her ex-fiance shot her three times, then fatally shot himself, her family said.

Police and prosecutors have repeatedly declined to release information about the murder-suicide, including the names of the two dead people. They cited confidentiality protections in domestic violence investigations.

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But Kamwanis family identified her killer as Malcom L. Moore, the same man previously charged with violating a restraining order against her.

Kamwanis sister, Lakiecha Brooks, called the 911 audio of her sisters final moments disheartening. She said the audio is proof her sister was doing everything she could to protect herself as a domestic violence victim, including getting a restraining order and calling police when it was violated.

She did what she was supposed to do and her life was still taken, Brooks said.

Two of Kamwanis four children were in the house when she was killed, but were not harmed, the family said.

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Moore was accused of violating the restraining order on March 17  10 days before she was killed, court records show. He was charged with the violation, but not arrested or held by police.

Moore was accused of standing outside Kamwanis home that day, court records say. He was also accused of emailing her three times, trying to call her 30 times and attempting to reach her through an uncle on Facebook Messenger.

A few weeks earlier, he was arrested on charges he broke into Kamwanis house and punched her in the face, according to court records.

Kamwani and Moore were previously engaged, but the relationship fell apart over several issues, including that Moore wasnt working and contributing to paying bills, her family said.

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Then he began stalking her, they said.

Kamwani did everything possible to keep herself safe, but it wasnt enough, according to Flohisha Johnson, a cousin who created a Change.org petition calling for new domestic violence laws in Kamwanis name.

She went and got the restraining order, Johnson said. He was still stalking her. He was still calling her on the phone even though she had blocked him. He was still showing up at her daughters school.

Members of Moores family did not respond to NJ.coms requests for comment.

He was represented by the public defenders office in court hearings, but a spokeswoman said the office could not comment on his case, citing attorney-client privilege.

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Kamwanis family launched an online petition earlier this month demanding legislative reforms to help other domestic violence victims.

The petition is important because what happened to my sister happens way too often and is swept under the rug, Brooks said. Getting the petition signed will spread awareness and shed light on situations like this so it doesnt continue to happen.

Tomeka Kamwani

The Gloucester County Prosecutors Office is investigating Kamwanis killing but declined to release information about what happened.

The office also declined to name who died and denied an Open Public Records Act request from NJ.com seeking details about the deaths.

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But Kamwanis family said they want her name, her killers name and the circumstances of their deaths known.

The familys petition calls on state legislators to expand protections for domestic violence victims.

The petition proposes new laws to mandate immediate firearm removal for someone accused or convicted of domestic violence, and strengthening enforcement of restraining orders with real accountability.

Other proposals would create a high-risk offender monitoring system for repeat abusers and a law to notify domestic abuse victims 24 hours before an abuser is released from jail. The petition also says the state should improve coordination between courts, law enforcement and community services.

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The petition had gained more than 5,600 signatures as of Thursday.

Court records and her family outlined the complex timeline before Kamwanis death.

Kamwani first obtained a temporary restraining order against Moore on Feb. 14 after he followed her to a friends house in Delaware, according to her sister.

On Feb. 21, he was arrested on charges that he broke into her house and punched her in the face, Brooks said. He was charged with burglary, terroristic threats, criminal mischief and simple assault, court record show.

Tomeka Kamwani

On March 2, a final restraining order was issued for Moore.

His detention hearing in the punching incident was held March 3, and he was released by a judge to await trial.

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On March 17, he was spotted outside Kamwanis house and charged, but not arrested, court records show. Ten days later, he returned to kill her, her family said.

An audio recording of Moores March 3 court hearing gave additional details about the incident in which he allegedly punched Kamwani.

Gloucester County Assistant Prosecutor Jonathan Grekstas said the victim told officers Moore broke into her home, punched her, refused to leave her house and threatened to shoot her if she called police.

She claimed that the defendant laughed and said she needs to put more locks on the door and showed her a card that he used to break into the residence, the prosecutor said.

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Kamwani told police Moore did not have a key to the residence and that he was known to have weapons and/or carry a gun with him, Grekstas said.

Police officers said they found the active temporary restraining order when he was arrested for allegedly assaulting Kamwani, according to the court hearing. But Moore had not been served with the restraining order yet, the prosecutor said.

Moore was irate, uncooperative and refused to be fingerprinted when arrested, according to court documents and hearing statements.

He also damaged a surveillance camera in the Woolwich police booking room, police said.

At the time of his arrest, Moore also had an active restraining order from 2009 involving a different victim, officials said during the March hearing.

During the hearing, Superior Court Judge Kevin Smith expressed concerns about Kamwanis safety but noted that Moore had no recent offenses on his record.

The judge ordered Moore released with conditions that he have no contact with her and report to court officials weekly. He was barred from possessing firearms.

Neighbors reported he was repeatedly on her street in March and a neighbors doorbell camera footage showed him in the area on a day prior to the killing, Brooks said.

Woolwich Police officials have not responded to requests for comment about restraining order violations.

Kamwani told police that one of her sons, who is an adult, saw Moore in front of their Swedesboro residence on the afternoon of March 17, according to court documents.

As a result of the sighting and the attempts to contact Kamwani, Woolwich Township Police charged him that day with violating a domestic violence restraining order.

The case was transferred to the county prosecutors office on March 24, according to court records. There is no record of Moore being arrested for that violation and the warrant was listed as outstanding in court records.

Kamwani wanted to find a new place to live in order to keep her family safe, according to her cousin.

She had no children with her ex-fiance, her family said.

She was trying to move, but with the rents being so high, she had to wait a couple of weeks before she was able to move, Johnson said.

Johnson called on state leaders to prioritize her domestic violence legislation in her petition.

Tomekas Law is about preventing the next loss, not reacting after another life is taken, she wrote in her petition. Let Tomekas story lead to protection, accountability, and change.

Johnson, who lives in Newark, served two terms on the city school board and worked as a legislative aide for state Assemblywoman Eliana Pintor Marin.

She has reached out to several state legislators and U.S. Sen. Cory Booker to share her concerns.

Johnson said Assemblywoman Shanique Speight, D-Essex, has spoken to the family about working on legislation based on her recommendations.

Shortly before her death, Kamwani came up to Newark for a weekend to spend time with family and celebrate the birthdays of her two oldest sons, along with the birthday of another family member, Johnson said.

She treasured time with her family, her cousin said.

Tomeka loved to take pictures. And the whole weekend, she just kept saying, lets take a picture, lets take a picture, Johnson said, adding that she now has many treasured photos from that last visit.

She was very passionate. She was caring, according to Johnson. She loved her kids. She loved her job. She was so proud to be a nurse. She worked really hard every day. She was very family driven and very family oriented.

A funeral service for Kamwani was held Saturday in Penns Grove.

A GoFundMe created to help Kamwanis children has raised more than $32,000 as of Wednesday.

Tomeka Kamwani

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(KRON)  Macys, the storied American department store, is closing another location in Northern California. In 2025, the retail giant announced it would be closing more than 60 stores nationwide.

Macys is closing its Tracy location at the West Valley Mall, a company spokesperson tells KRON4. The retailer did not reveal a final closing date but said the store will close within the next two weeks.

During the final days of the Tracy store, customers should expect a clearance sale in the coming weeks, Macys said. There are no new Bay Area Macys closures at this time, the spokesperson added.

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After careful consideration, we made the decision to close our West Valley Mall location in Tracy, CA and our Grossmont Center store in La Mesa, CA to allow us to focus on improving nearby Macys locations and invest in the stores and digital experiences where customers are choosing to shop today, the Macys spokesperson wrote in an email.

Iconic American clothing brand opening first coffee shop in NorCal

FILE  Macys sign is displayed in Mount Prospect, Ill., Thursday, July 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh, File)

Tracy joins Bay Area Macys closures that were announced last year: Newark and Corte Madera. Other Northern California locations on the list include the Downtown Plaza store in Sacramento and the furniture store in San Mateo.

Macys executives communicated on Jan. 9 that two Macys locations would close in California: Tracy and La Mesa (San Diego County).

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Macys business strategy, which includes closing dozens of stores, was initially announced in February 2024 and is designed to return the company to sustainable, profitable sales growth. According to a press release, Macys said it plans to close about 150 underproductive stores in total over a three-year period.

Last November, Mayor Daniel Lurie announced that the iconic San Francisco Macys in downtown is set to remain open  a turn of events as the Union Square location was once part of the list of closures the retailer had once announced.

Nexstars Laurel Stone and Addy Bink contributed to this article.

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.
Magnolia Mayor Matthew "Doc" Dantzer was officially charged with assault of a pregnant person and official oppression after being arrested, the Tarrant County District Attorney said.

Eyewitness News reported on Dantzer's arrest on Tuesday, but his charges were made official on Wednesday by Fort Worth-area officials.

Dantzer was originally held in the Montgomery County jail before being transferred to the Tarrant County jail.

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The story was brought to light when Bryan Emery spoke to Eyewitness News at the end of March on behalf of his fiancee, Christian Gable, the Magnolia City secretary.

ORIGINAL REPORT: Texas Rangers investigating allegations of assault against Magnolia mayor

In addition to the charges, Eyewitness News obtained Gable's lawsuit against Dantzer and the City of Magnolia.

The document filed on April 8 reveals the alleged unwanted sexual comments Dantzer made to Gable, which eventually led to the alleged assault.

Lawsuit states unprofessional behavior escalated upon Gable's hiring

The lawsuit states Gable began working for the city's government in 2021 after Dantzer, her neighbor, offered her a job.

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In the lawsuit, Gable claimed her family was long-time neighbors and friends of the mayor, adding that he occasionally made inappropriate sexual jokes and comments to her in the past, but that when she began working under him, Dantzer's unprofessional behavior "quickly escalated."

The lawsuit states that Gable would frequently take her lunch at home, and when Dantzer caught on to her routine, he began showing up uninvited at her home. Gable said she had to change her lunch habits to avoid Dantzer.

The lawsuit also alleges that throughout her years working for the city, Gable was promoted twice, eventually becoming the city secretary. It was in that role that she said Dantzer's unprofessional jokes continued, adding that he would often introduce her to city hall guests as "the City Sexetary" or as "my Sexetary."

Gable claimed she felt that because he was her superior, she had to endure Dantzer's harassment in order to keep her job.

Alleged assault in Fort Worth

The continued verbal harassment from Dantzer led up to him assaulting her while they were in Fort Worth for the Texas Municipal League's Annual Conference in October 2025, according to the lawsuit.

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Gable, who was five months pregnant at the time, claimed Dantzer walked her to her hotel room after dinner. The lawsuit alleges that Dantzer attempted to pull down her pants as they were walking down the street and that he continued to make sexual remarks.

In the lawsuit, Gable claims she initially yelled out but played it off as a joke out of fear of losing her job. Gable then claims that outside the hotel, Dantzer allegedly asked her if her boyfriend "knows how to handle" her because she is "crazy." The lawsuit alleges that Dantzer then grabbed her throat, pinned her against a column, and said, "You need to tell him to do it like this."

According to an indictment out of Tarrant County obtained by Eyewitness News, Dantzer's alleged actions were described as placing the palm of his hand around Gable's neck and pushing her against a wall while knowing she was pregnant. It also states that Dantzer grabbed her by the throat and pushed her up against a wall.

Gable claims she yelled at him, pushed him off, and went back to her hotel room, where she later received a text from Dantzer apologizing.

Gable claims she faced retaliation, delivers baby prematurely

After the alleged assault, Gable said the city's HR manager, Kristy Powell, reported it in writing, and Gable reported it to law enforcement. The lawsuit states that it was when that the city began a third-party investigation.

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The lawsuit states that after reporting the incident, Powell said several city employees who had a close relationship with Dantzer made her work environment intolerable, and she felt compelled to quit.

Dantzer was still working in close proximity to Gable and was not placed on leave during the investigation, according to the document, causing her to feel dread and anxiety. She added that in January 2026, Dantzer's harassment continued, and she began losing sleep and became crippled with anxiety, all while being pregnant.

The lawsuit says that even though the City of Magnolia concluded the investigation into the incident, Gable was not informed until two weeks later. Gable added that the third-party investigator, Bill Helfand of Lewis Brisbois Bisgaard & Smith LLP, told her the results were inconclusive and that her claims were unsubstantiated.

Gable alleges that Helfand told her the investigation consisted of only a handful of employee interviews, even though he knew no other city employees personally witnessed the incident, and that he did not attempt to obtain any security camera footage that could have captured the alleged assault.

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Several days after the meeting with Helfand, Gable claims she began to experience high blood pressure and was induced into labor two weeks earlier than her original due date.

The lawsuit states that after taking her maternity leave, Gable asked the mayor pro tem, City Council member Jack Huitt, if she could work remotely until at least May 2, when Dantzer was expected to be officially replaced as mayor after an election.

The lawsuit states that even though Gable expressed her fear of returning to the city hall while Dantzer still had access to the building, Huitt denied her request.

Huitt and Helfand both stated that because Gable's sexual assault complaint was unsubstantiated, she was required to return to in-person work, according to the lawsuit.

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The lawsuit states that Gable is suing the city and Dantzer for a number of claims, including retaliation, violation of the First and Fourteenth amendments, infliction of bodily injury, assault, and damages.

Powell files separate lawsuit, alleges discrimination and retaliation

On March 17, Kristy Powell, the city's Human Resources director, filed a lawsuit related to Dantzer's assault as well.

Powell claims that Dantzer exhibited clear favoritism for male employees while discriminating against female employees.

According to the lawsuit, after she fired the city's field supervisor and public works director as a result of separate reports of discrimination, harassment, insubordination, and incompetency, Powell said she faced ostracization, name-calling, and other harassing behavior from Dantzer and other people with a close relationship with him. Powell added that the two people she fired were close male friends of Dantzer, according to the lawsuit.

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In the lawsuit, Powell claims that after she formally reported Gable's alleged assault, she experienced increased harassment and retaliatory behavior by employees close to Dantzer. She also claims that she later learned from another employee that Dantzer allegedly explicitly stated he was "going after" her and Gable and wanted to terminate their employment.

Powell claims the working conditions that she experienced became so intolerable that she felt compelled to resign. The lawsuit states that, even though she submitted her resignation effective Dec. 31, 2025, she was fired several days after delivering it to the city administrator.

Powell claims that after handing in her resignation letter, she experienced the worst of the harassment from fellow employees and Dantzer, and that her firing came less than a month after Gable's alleged assault.

According to the lawsuit, Powell is suing for First Amendment violations, retaliation, and damages, among other claims.

Dantzer maintains his innocence

In a previous statement to Eyewitness News, Dantzer's attorney sent the following statement:

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We, on behalf of Matthew Dantzer, categorically deny the allegations. Mr. Dantzer maintains his innocence and looks forward to the opportunity to defend himself in the appropriate legal process. Mr. Dantzer remains dedicated to faithfully serving the citizens of the City of Magnolia. We respectfully ask for privacy and patience as this matter proceeds. No further comments will be made at this time out of respect for the ongoing investigation and all parties involved.

Eyewitness News has reached out to the City of Magnolia for comment on the allegations in both lawsuits.


A major fire at one of Australia's two oil refineries has been extinguished, but the damage has deepened fears over the nation's petrol supplies amid a global fuel crunch.

Emergency crews rushed to Viva's Corio oil refinery in Geelong, south-west of Melbourne, just before midnight local time (14:00 GMT) on Wednesday, after reports of explosions and flames.

The blaze was put out on Thursday after burning for 13 hours. No one was injured, with dozens of workers on site when it broke out evacuated safely.

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The refinery - which produces 50% of Victoria's fuel and 10% of the nation's - is still partially operational but the government has warned of impacts to petrol production.

Energy Minister Chris Bowen said the fire was "not great timing" with Australia's fuel supplies under pressure since war broke out in Iran, creating a global oil crisis.

The price of diesel in Australia has doubled in recent weeks, with fuel stations reporting shortages amid reports of panic buying, while airlines are cutting back some services as jet fuel costs rise.

"This is not a positive development, but obviously there's a long way to go in terms of working out just what the impact is," Bowen told Nine's Today show on Thursday, adding that he was working closely with the company.

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"This is very early days."

The cause of the fire was due to "equipment failure", Fire Rescue Victoria said, adding that there will be an investigation.

The refinery processes about 120,000 barrels of oil per day and employs over 1,100 people.

The Viva refinery processes up to 120,000 barrels of oil per day [Australian Broadcasting Corporation/Tara Whitchurch]

Viva Energy chief executive Scott Wyatt said earlier on Thursday that the fire had affected two petrol production units, though others were undamaged.

"But naturally petrol will be one of the products that are potentially impacted," he said.

Jet fuel and diesel were also being made at reduced levels as a safety precaution.

"We'll only start increasing production again once we're confident we can do that safely," Wyatt said.

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Australia relies heavily on imported refined fuels - primarily from countries like Singapore, South Korea and Malaysia - which should mean any impact the fire has on domestic fuel availability is limited, experts say.

"This diversified supply chain provides a degree of resilience against short-term domestic disruptions," Yuan Chen, a professor of chemical engineering at the University of Sydney, said.

"[It] doesn't mean people will run out of fuel tomorrow, but it does narrow the buffer we have to absorb shocks," professor of transport technology and sustainability at Swinburne University Hussein Dia said.

Geelong Mayor Stretch Kontelj said the fire was "unprecedented", telling ABC: "I've spoken to management there this morning and needless to say, this has been a huge shock and has rocked them."
By Maria Tsvetkova

NEW YORK, April 15 (Reuters) - New York State Governor Kathy Hochul proposed on Wednesday a new tax on second homes worth over $5 million that was backed by New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani.

Mamdani, a democratic socialist, campaigned on a promise to tax the rich to make the city more affordable for less-wealthy residents, but has generally faced resistance from Hochul, who opposed raising taxes in a year in which she plans to run for re-election.

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But in this case, the governor said in a statement on her official website, "If you can afford a $5 million second home that sits empty most of the year, you can afford to contribute like every other New Yorker."

In a press release, Mamdani's City Hall named wealthy property owners such as Ken Griffin, founder and CEO of Miami-based hedge fund Citadel, who in 2019 paid $238 million for a penthouse condominium overlooking Manhattans Central Park in a deal that set a record for a U.S. home sale at the time.

Griffin said the day after Mamdani was elected last year that New Yorkers deserved better policies than Mamdanis talking points.

Citadel did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the proposed second-home tax.

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Countries including France, the United Kingdom and Canada impose taxes on non-primary residences. New York's is expected, if implemented, to generate $500 million in annual revenue and help close a city budget gap, according to the City Hall statement.

The statement did not put a figure on a proposed annual surcharge.

"The measure targets ultrawealthy out-of-city residents and global elites who use New York City real estate as a vehicle for wealth storage rather than as homes," City Hall said.

(Reporting by Maria Tsvetkova; editing by Donna Bryson and Nia Williams)
Police in Butler County are looking for a man they say assaulted a woman and killed her nine-month-old puppy.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

Mario Isais Ajanel De La Cruz is wanted by the West Chester Police Department for domestic violence, assault, and prohibitions concerning companion animals, according to a spokesperson for West Chester Township.

TRENDING STORIES:

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Earlier this month, De La Cruz allegedly assaulted a woman, as well as another person who came to her defense.

During the incident, he reportedly took the victims puppy from her hands and threw it against a wall, which killed it.

The spokesperson added that the puppy weighed only two pounds.

De La Cruz is 55 tall and weighs around 160 pounds. He has black hair and brown eyes.

His last known address was in Covington, Kentucky.

Anyone with information on his whereabouts is asked to call the West Chester Police Department at 513-777-2231.

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A man was convicted of raping a woman he was dating while they were vacationing in Southern California.

Christopher Baum, 59, of Fairlawn, Ohio, was convicted by a jury of one felony count of forcible rape, the Ventura County District Attorneys Office announced on April 15.

On Oct. 14, 2018, Baum and the victim were staying together at a hotel in Oxnard while traveling in SoCal.

After an argument earlier in that day, the woman went to sleep and was awoken in the middle of the night to find Baum on top of her, prosecutors said. He pinned her arms down and raped her despite her pleas to stop.

Christopher Baum, 59, of Fairlawn, Ohio, was convicted of raping a woman he was dating while they were vacationing in Oxnard, California. (Ventura County District Attorneys Office)

Im pushing him off with my knee and [telling him to stop], she said in a quote reported by the Akron Beacon Journal. His eyes were wide open. He was looking at me with rage or hate.

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After the assault, Baum eventually fell asleep and the woman, who was experiencing significant pain, went to the restroom where she took pictures of her injuries.

She flew back home and reported the incident to friends and the Oxnard Police Department.

When she sought medical treatment, she said she discovered she had herpes and that Baum had lied to her about the results of a test for sexually transmitted diseases, the outlet reported.

She sought medical treatment for bruising and injuries sustained during the incident and was also given an STD test. Days later, she found out she had tested positive for herpes.

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In court records, the woman said Baum had sent her a text message denying he had an STD. But further testing showed she had been recently infected and she said she hadnt been intimate with anyone else but Baum in more than 12 years.

On Nov. 3, 2022, Baum pleaded guilty to forgery for altering his STD test to conceal the fact that he had herpes, the Akron Beacon Journal reported.

Following a trial, on April 15, 2026, Baum was convicted by a jury of one felony count of forcible rape. An aggravating factor that the crime involved great violence was also found to be true.

This verdict affirms that survivors of sexual violence have the right to be heard, believed, and protected, and that those who commit these crimes will be held accountable, said Julia McAndrew, a Ventura County District Attorney who prosecuted the case. It is my hope that this outcome brings the victim of this case a meaningful measure of justice.

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A sentencing hearing is scheduled for May 29 at Ventura County Superior Court, where Baum faces up to eight years in state prison.

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 KTLA.
One of the three men charged in the killing of Jam Master Jay plans to plead guilty, court records show, in what would be the first admission anyone has made in court to any role in the Run-DMC star's 2002 death.

Jay Bryant pleaded not guilty to murder after his 2023 indictment, but his lawyer and federal prosecutors told the court in recent letters that they were negotiating a plea agreement.

A court docket entry Thursday indicated that Bryant intends to change his plea, without saying anything about the charge or conduct to which he might admit or the punishment he might expect. No date was set for a change of plea, and prosecutors declined to comment; a message was sent to Bryants attorney.

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The notice isn't an irreversible commitment, and defendants can change their minds about pleading guilty even as they're sitting in court.

If Bryant goes through with the plea, it could bring a measure of both closure and complexity to the already convoluted case. Co-defendants Karl Jordan Jr. and Ronald Washington were convicted by a jury, but Jordan was later cleared by a judge  and Bryant has been something of an outlier.

He was indicted nearly three years after the others, when authorities said Bryant's DNA was found on a hat in the music studio where Jam Master Jay was gunned down. Born Jason Mizell, he was the DJ in Run-DMC, crafting beats and scratches that helped propel rap into musics mainstream in the 1980s. The trio's hits included Its Tricky and a take on Aerosmiths Walk This Way.

By the time the DNA was allegedly matched to Bryant, prosecutors had long since articulated a theory that Jordan and Washington  both of whom were close to Mizell  went after him out of anger over a failed drug deal. According to prosecutors and trial witnesses, Jordan shot the DJ while Washington blocked the door during the shooting and ordered one of Mizell's to get on the ground. Both men denied the allegations.

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Jordan was Mizell's grandson, and Washington was one of the DJ's childhood friends. Bryant, by contrast, had little if any connection to the rap star. He knew someone in common with Jordan and Washington, according to testimony at their trial, but it was unclear whether Bryant had ever met Mizell.

After the alleged DNA match, prosecutors contended that Bryant had slipped into the studio building and opened a back fire door so that Washington and Jordan could avoid buzzing up and could ambush the DJ.

Meanwhile, Bryants uncle claimed that his nephew told him he shot Mizell after the artist reached for a gun. No other witnesses even placed Bryant in the studio, however, and prosecutors differed with the uncle's account, even though he was their witness . Instead, they suggested that Bryant touched the hat and then Jordan or Washington carried it into the studio and dropped it.

Neither Washington's nor Jordan's DNA was found on the hat, according to court papers.

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One of Jordans lawyers, Michael Hueston, argued that the charges against Bryant raised reasonable doubt about the case against Jordan. Jordan's conviction ultimately was overturned for unrelated reasons.

Bryant, now 52, was jailed on federal drug and gun charges when he was indicted in Mizell's death. He has since pleaded guilty in the drug and firearm case and is awaiting sentencing.
AMMAN, April 16 (Xinhua) -- Jordan on Thursday dispatched a new humanitarian aid convoy to Lebanon, as part of its ongoing efforts to respond to the humanitarian situation in the country.

The convoy, comprising 15 trucks loaded with food supplies, medicines and essential relief items, was organized by the Jordan Hashemite Charity Organisation (JHCO) in coordination with the Jordan Armed Forces and the Jordanian Foreign Ministry.

JHCO Secretary-General Hussein Shibli said in a statement that the initiative reaffirms Jordan's steadfast commitment to supporting Arab nations during times of crisis.

He added that the latest convoy follows a previous shipment of 25 trucks sent in March.

A fragile Lebanon-Israel ceasefire that took effect in November 2024 collapsed on March 2, when Hezbollah launched rockets toward Israel in support of Iran, triggering intensified Israeli airstrikes across Lebanon.

Lebanese health authorities said Wednesday that the cumulative death toll from ongoing Israeli attacks on the country has risen to 2,167, with 7,061 others injured since March 2. 
A man seen on video forcing his way into a California home and attacking the homeowner has been arrested and charged with assault.

Viral home security video shows Jason Nichols, 30, in a trench coat, aggressively banging on the front door, smashing an external doorbell and repeatedly screaming, Where is your daughter? before he entered the residence in Fairfield last Tuesday.

Nichols is charged with one count each of felony assault with a deadly weapon, burglary, threatening crime with intent to terrorize and vandalism, according to court documents.

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Online court documents did not list an attorney for Nichols.

Fairfield police investigators said in a statement that the homeowner's wife and child were alone in the home when doorbell camera video captured Nichols at the door.

The homeowner began talking to Nichols remotely over the camera's app, the video showed, and Nichols threatened him while identifying himself as "Harry Dresden," a wizard from a fictional novel series.

A screenshot from Ring security camera video.

In a statement, police said the suspect gained entry through a glass side door of the property after initially having been unable to kick his way through the front door.

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Security video from inside the home shows Nichols ripping open closet doors and apparently searching for the homeowner's daughter while screaming, "Where the f--- is she?"

Nichols was then confronted by the woman's husband, who rushed home and armed himself with a shovel.

The homeowner and Nichols both sustained head injuries in an altercation, police said. Officers later found Nichols near the home and took him into custody.

Police said in an update Monday that a parent reported an encounter between Nichols and their child that occurred on April 5.

"Based on the investigation, officers determined there was probable cause to arrest Nichols for additional crimes," the department said, adding that he was booked on one count of annoying or molesting a child.

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Nichols was arraigned in Solano County Court on Monday. Judge William Pendergast III raised his bail from $35,000 to $250,000.

Nichols' next scheduled court date is April 23, according to jail records.

Fairfield is a city of about 122,000 in the San Francisco Bay Area.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
Native Vote 2026

Former U.S. Rep. Mary Peltola has raised an impressive $8.9 million in her campaign for the U.S. Senate, signaling strong early momentum in what is expected to be one of the most closely watched races in Alaska.

The Democrat entered the race in January, challenging incumbent Sen. Dan Sullivan (R-AK). Peltolas strong fundraising efforts far exceed Sullivans campaign, which raised $2.1 million by comparison during the same time period.

Peltola, 52, previously represented Alaska as its sole member in the U.S. House from 2022 until a narrow defeat in 2024. She made her Senate bid official with a campaign video emphasizing Alaskas unique challenges and her deep local roots. She framed her campaign around a familiar theme of fish, family and freedom, a slogan she first used during her successful 2022 run.

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Peltola, who made history as the first Alaska Native elected to Congress, has built a broad coalition of support spanning rural villages, urban centers, and independent voters across the state. Her fundraising haul reflects both national interest in the race and continued in-state backing from Alaskans familiar with her bipartisan approach.

Campaign officials say the $8.9 million total comes from a mix of small-dollar donations and larger contributions, underscoring Peltolas appeal beyond traditional party lines. Supporters point to her record in Congress, where she emphasized fisheries protection, responsible resource development, and strengthening rural infrastructure.

This campaign is about putting Alaska first, Peltola said in a statement. Im grateful for the support from so many Alaskans and people across the country who believe in our vision of working together and delivering real results.

Political analysts note that early fundraising strength can be a key indicator of viability in Alaskas unique election system, which includes a nonpartisan primary and ranked-choice general election. Peltolas ability to raise significant funds early may help her build name recognition and organize across the states vast and often hard-to-reach regions.

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Her campaign has also emphasized grassroots outreach, focusing on engaging Alaska Native communities, commercial fishermen, and working families. This strategy mirrors the coalition that helped propel her to Congress in a special election that drew national attention.

With months to go before voters head to the polls, Peltolas fundraising milestone positions her as a formidable contender. As the race develops, her campaign is expected to continue investing heavily in outreach, advertising, and voter engagement efforts across Alaska.

The post Mary Peltola Raises $8.9 Million in Senate Bid, Outpacing Incumbent appeared first on Native News Online.


Maryland lawmakers passed sweeping voting rights legislation Monday night, marking a significant expansion of protections for voters of color and setting the stage for the measure to be signed into law by Gov. Wes Moore.

The Maryland Voting Rights Act, approved April 13, is designed to prohibit discriminatory election practices and strengthen access to the ballot, particularly for Black, Indigenous, and other voters of color. Advocates say the legislation builds on the federal Voting Rights Act of 1965 while responding to what they describe as a steady erosion of those protections at the national level.

How history was made for voting rights

History was made in Annapolis last night as Maryland lawmakers and advocates secured the passage of a key piece of the Maryland Voting Rights Act package, Janai Nelson, president and director-counsel of the Legal Defense Fund, said in an exclusive interview with Blavity.

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This critical legislation will finally provide essential protections to ensure Black voters arent silenced by discriminatory district maps or election systems at the local level in Maryland, Nelson added. With this momentous victory, the Free State is living up to its moniker, creating a pathway for a truly multiracial and representative democracy to thrive in Maryland.

How it started  how its going!



Maryland did it! The legislature passed the Maryland Voting Rights Act, making history and protecting democracy on bill at a time.



Congratulations to all the advocates to helped push it throughespecially LDFs MD Team! pic.twitter.com/c6tRRjoiiB  Janai Nelson (@JNelsonLDF) April 14, 2026

The Legal Defense Fund played a key role in supporting the legislation, working alongside state lawmakers and advocacy groups as part of a broader coalition pushing for the bills passage.

Protecting voters of color

According to Common Cause Maryland, the act ensures that all voters can cast meaningful ballots and participate free and fairly in the democratic process, particularly communities that have historically faced barriers to voting.

At its core, the Maryland Voting Rights Act targets practices known as racial vote dilution  systems or policies that weaken the ability of voters of color to elect candidates of their choice. In earlier advocacy around the bill, the Legal Defense Fund explained in a February Substack post that Senate Bill 255 and its companion, House Bill 350, aim to address these inequities at the local level. The bills were sponsored by state Sen. Charles Sydnor and Del. Greg Wims.

Combating voting rights attacks at the federal level

Civil rights advocates say the need for state-level protections has become more urgent amid shifts in federal enforcement. In a 2024 report, ACLU of Maryland warned that local election systems across Maryland continue to dilute the voting strength of Black, Indigenous and other voters of color, arguing that the state must act proactively as federal safeguards face increasing uncertainty.

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The NAACP Legal Defense Fund has also pointed to ongoing legal battles at the federal level. In recent weeks, the organization joined a coalition of civil rights groups suing over a Trump administration executive order aimed at restricting mail-in voting, arguing it could disenfranchise eligible voters and overstep federal authority.

With this kind of legislation, efforts to enshrine protections at the state level can persist regardless of possible federal changes.

The push for expanded voting protections has also intersected with broader conversations about disenfranchisement. In a Baltimore Beat op-ed published in March, Erika Lewis and Rianna Mukherjee highlighted disparities affecting incarcerated individuals, noting that Black Marylanders are disproportionately impacted by laws that limit voting rights.

If signed into law, Maryland will join a growing number of states adopting their own voting rights acts  like Colorado last year and Minnesota in 2024  which represents the enduring fight to uphold democracy amid federal efforts to completely undermine the right to vote.













The post Maryland Lawmakers And Advocates Celebrate Passage Of State Voting Rights Act: History Was Made appeared first on Blavity.
Students and professors at Harvard University are asking the school to rename its Leslie H. Wexner building at the Kennedy School.

Wexner, a client of Jeffrey Epsteins and a large donor to the university, has faced increased scrutiny about his relationship with his money manager as files were released this past fall and into the winter.

Graduate student Lauren Barnes of Texas is in Cambridge at the Kennedy School for a one-year masters degree program in public administration.

Lauren Barnes, a student in the Kennedy School's master's program, stands in front of the Leslie H. Wexner Building at Harvard University in Cambridge, Mass., on Wednesday, April 1, 2026. (AP Photos/Michael Casey)

I felt so stupid for not realizing it sooner, said Barnes outside the Wexner building. [Its] a place I want to bring my family and be proud for graduation and cant be with that name up.

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The 34-year-old wife and mother said she is a victim of sexual assault throughout her childhood. Every day she passed through the doors of the Wexner building, it triggered a physical response.

She explained, I get really anxious. I start wringing my hands. They get sweaty. Ill start picking at the skin or my nails, and that I know is a habit to distract my brain from the other scary thoughts of where it wants to go.

By word of mouth with other organizers, Barnes created a coalition of hundreds of students and professors who wished for the building to be renamed.

In March, they formally submitted a denaming proposal to Harvard. They are still waiting for a response.

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The university told Boston 25 this week that they have received the request, but wouldnt provide further comment.

According to their website, two denaming requests were submitted in the last four years. Both were denied.

Professor of global communication and public policy Matthew Baum is one of two professors to sign the request.

He told Boston 25 on Wednesday, Im not a member of Congress. I cant pass laws. But I do have a bit of a platform being a professor of Harvard, and I wanted to use that to do some good... Healing works best when youre transparent and thats what we need.

Barnes said the university is reviewing the request, but there is no timetable for the process.

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Our motto is veritas, which means truth, she said. So, Im really asking for the university to meet me in this moment of truth, and move forward with healing and accountability.

Wearing a teal ribbon for sexual assault awareness month, she spoke directly to other survivors on campus.

Barnes finished, Youre not alone. Even if youre not ready to talk about it, however youre processing it, there are people on campus that love you and care about you and want to make this a safe space for everybody.

Wexner has not been charged with any crimes and has maintained that he was duped by Epstein.

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This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts.

Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW
A guidance counselor at Notre Dame High School in Mercer County, New Jersey, has been arrested after prosecutors say he committed sexual acts against a 14-year-old student.

Antoine A. Hart, 53, is charged with aggravated criminal sexual contact and endangering the welfare of a child, according to a criminal complaint obtained by Action News.

Hart has served as the school's director of college placement since July 2025, according to his LinkedIn profile. The school did not confirm whether he is still employed there.

A guidance counselor who worked at a school in Mercer County, New Jersey is accused of having inappropriate contact with a 14-year-old girl.

Police say the student came forward earlier this month, reporting that Hart drove her to the Mercer County Community College campus in West Windsor.

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She told investigators that Hart committed acts of sexual contact while the two were inside his car.

A woman who answered the door at a home listed as Hart's address declined to comment.

Investigators say they also uncovered an extensive text message history between Hart and the student.

According to police, the messages included Hart asking the student to send him pictures, offering to buy her things, and writing, "I wish I could see you tonight."

Hart is being held at the Mercer County Corrections Center pending a court appearance.

Anyone with information is encouraged to call Mercer County Prosecutor's Office Special Victims Unit Sgt. Sherika Salmon at 609-960-3119 or Det. Michael Wherley at 609-989-6187.


German Chancellor Friedrich Merz does not regard a return to nuclear energy as a short-term solution for a better and cheaper energy supply in Germany.

Merz said in Berlin on Thursday that the shutdown of Germany's last nuclear reactors three years ago had been a mistake.

"The decision was wrong." But, he said, "correcting it will not solve any of our country's current energy supply problems."

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The issue is merely "a matter of the longer-term perspective," he added.

At a joint press conference with Irish Prime Minister Micheal Martin, the chancellor emphasized that he was in agreement with his party's parliamentary group leader Jens Spahn on this assessment.

On Wednesday, Spahn had openly expressed his willingness to discuss the recommissioning of German nuclear power stations.

"In any case, I believe we must have this debate as a society," he told journalists on the sidelines of a research congress organized by his conservative parliamentary group.

He referred to studies suggesting that the reactors decommissioned in recent years could be brought back into operation with investments of around 10 billion ($12 billion).

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Germany's last three nuclear power stations  Emsland, Isar 2 and Neckarwestheim 2  were shut down in mid-April 2023. The decision to phase out nuclear power had been initiated by the government of former chancellor Angela Merkel in response to the reactor accident in Fukushima, Japan, in 2011. It was passed by the German lower house of parliament in June 2011.

The operating licences for the last three reactors were originally due to expire at the end of 2022. However, due to energy shortages following Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, their operating licences were extended by a few months. The plants are now to be decommissioned over the coming years.
New Mexico is the first state to classify aqueous film-forming foam as a hazardous waste.

Monday's unanimous Environmental Improvement Board vote will allow the state Environment Department to mandate cleanup of the forever chemical-containing fire suppressant, according to a Wednesday release from the agency.

The persistence of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS, in the environment earned the chemical group the name of "forever chemicals." Their efficacy at blanketing fires led to their use in firefighting foams; however, according to the U.S. Fire Administration, they do not degrade naturally in the environment and studies have linked them to "harmful effects on humans and animals."

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According to a 2023 complaint filed by the Environment Department, contamination associated with the use of PFAS-containing fire suppressant has been found in various sites around New Mexico, including at the Santa Fe and Carlsbad fire departments, the Lea County Airport and Holloman and Cannon air force bases. PFAS contamination has been found in water in communities south of Santa Fe.

The U.S. Department of Defense has been directed to phase out the use of aqueous film-forming foam in its operations, but in 2024 the Government Accountability Office reported the agency was facing hurdles and would likely seek an extension of deadlines. The most recent National Defense Authorization Act requires the department to produce a report on the status of adoption of graphite oxide-based firefighting foams to replace PFAS-containing ones.

Besides treating discarded foam as a hazardous waste, the rules adopted by the Environmental Improvement Board will require facilities that keep the foam on-site to report it, allow the state to limit the use of the fire suppressant and require cleanup after the substance is used in emergencies to mitigate contamination of soil and water.
A search is underway for a South Carolina teenager who has been missing for more than a week.

Briana Yow was publicly reported missing by the Aiken County Sheriffs Office Monday. As of Wednesday afternoon, the 16-year-old was still considered missing.

Yow was last seen April 5, the sheriffs office said in a news release. Thats when she left her Brewster Way home in Aiken just before midnight, according to the release.

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Yow got into a vehicle with an unknown person, the sheriffs office said.

Briana Yow was reported missing by the Aiken County Sheriffs Office. (Aiken County Sheriffs Office)

Yow was called a runaway in the release. There was no word if foul play is suspected in her continuing disappearance.

The sheriffs office described Yow as a 5-foot-3, 116 pound juvenile who has a tattoo of a butterfly behind her right ear. Shes know to frequently change the color of her hair, and Yow was wearing a black tank top and black pants when she was last seen, according to the release.

Anyone who has seen Yow, or has information about her, is asked to call the sheriffs office at 803-642-1761.

In the case of an emergency, always call 911.
A mom in Florida has been accused of exposing her baby to methamphetamine by preparing baby formula with water she used to clean needles.

The Alachua County Sheriff's Office said in a statement via Facebook that Jalyn Brownworth was charged with child neglect with no bodily harm after police said her baby showed signs of exposure to methamphetamine.

Brownworth, 32, was arrested on April 9 after medical staffers at a local hospital contacted police to report that they believed her baby had potentially been exposed to drugs. Medical staff called the Department of Children and Families, which launched an investigation into the matter.

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Police said that Brownworth brought her baby to the hospital after she grew concerned over behavioral changes. After medical staff examined the baby, they grew to suspect that the baby had been exposed to an illicit substance.

Mother Who Drowned 7-Month-Old Baby in Bathtub Deemed Not Well During 1st Hearing

The baby ultimately tested positive for methamphetamine, according to police. Amid the investigation, authorities learned that Brownworth fed her baby formula that she made with water that had been contaminated after she previously used it to clean hypodermic needles that were used to inject methamphetamine.

Police said that the baby is in stable condition and recovering. However, its not currently clear whose custody the baby is in following Brownworths arrest.

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Brownworth has also been ordered to not make contact with the baby when she is eventually released from jail.

She is currently in custody at the Alachua County Jail on $20,000 bond, according to WCJB.

The investigation into the case remains ongoing.

Brownworths next court date has not been made publicly available. It is not currently clear if she has entered a plea or retained legal counsel following her arrest.

Newborn Drowned After Mom Allegedly Dropped Her Into Portable Toilet, Then Left in New Mexico

The Alachua County Sheriff's Office did not immediately respond to Us Weeklys request for comment regarding updates in the case.

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Babies who are exposed to methamphetamine while in the womb and after birth face the possibility of severe health risks, which include low birth weight, premature birth, neonatal withdrawal and long-term neurobehavioral issues, according to the National Institute of Health.

Methamphetamine use during pregnancy has been linked to a higher chance for pre-term delivery, poor growth and low birth weight. The National Institute of Health reported that some studies have suggested that methamphetamine use in pregnancy can increase the chance for the baby to have high blood pressure, placental abruption and fetal or infant death.
jodiecoston via Getty Images

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The Montana Supreme Court has ruled that two state agencies violated the state constitution by not allowing trans residents to change their gender markers on identity documents, per the Daily Montanan.

In a 5-2 decision, the court blocked the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services, as well as the Department of Justice, which runs the states Motor Vehicle Division, from refusing to update trans peoples identity documents, siding with two trans plaintiffs.

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A District Court first blocked Montana from enforcing the policy in 2024, per a press release from the American Civil Liberties Union. The decision, rendered Wednesday, upheld that injunction and recognized that [t]ransgender discrimination is, by its very nature, sex discrimination and that the policy treated trans people unequally in comparison to cis people.

In its finding that anti-trans discrimination is a form of sex discrimination, the Montana Supreme Court has reinforced the U.S. Supreme Courts 2020 ruling in Bostock v. Clayton County, which found in a 6-3 decision that employment discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity was a form of sex-based discrimination.

I am deeply grateful and encouraged by the Montana Supreme Courts decision to uphold the injunction, plaintiff Jessica Kalarchik said in a statement to the ACLU. This victory represents not only a personal milestone, but also a meaningful affirmation of fairness, justice and the rule of law.

The Supreme Court found that the policy forced trans residents to disclose information about themselves in certain instances  specifically, a gender marker that did not match their gender presentation  in a way that cisgender residents did not have to, violating the state constitution.

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Each time that [the plaintiffs] must present their identifying documents to another person  during a traffic stop, to vote, to apply for employment, or to board a plane  they must disclose they are transgender, the majority opinion said. They must carry and produce a government issued document that does not reflect who they believe they are. It is the states policies that cause plaintiffs to suffer these real and repeated injuries.

While trans Montanans may be celebrating, Chief Justice Cory Swanson expressed his disapproval of the decision, which he called a political decision dressed up in constitutional garb in his dissent.

Now that we have spoken from the judicial mountaintop, where is the incentive toward continued public debate, mutual respect, and accommodation? Swanson wrote. Each side is in fact incentivized to stake out maximalist positions and then rush to the courthouse so the least democratic branch can settle political disputes better left to policy makers.

Following the Supreme Courts ruling, the case will head back to District Court, where it will go to trial, per the ACLU.

Get the best of whats queer. Sign up for Thems weekly newsletter here.

Originally Appeared on them.
KUALA LUMPUR, April 16 (Xinhua) -- Instagram is tightening safety protections for teen users in Malaysia, rolling out expanded content restrictions and stricter default settings aimed at reducing exposure to age-inappropriate material.

The update forms part of Instagram's revised teen accounts framework, which is being gradually implemented and will be fully rolled out in the coming months, its parent firm Meta said in a statement on Wednesday.

The updated framework will automatically place users under 18 into a default 13+ content setting, which the platform said is designed to mirror age-appropriate movie standards. Teens will not be able to opt out without parental approval.

Under the new safeguards, Instagram will further limit content involving strong language, risky stunts, and material that could encourage harmful behavior, including posts linked to drug paraphernalia. Existing protections against sexually suggestive and violent content will remain in place.

Meta said the rollout reflects efforts to create safer default experiences for teens while giving families greater control over online content exposure. 
More storms are in the forecast for Metro Detroit and southeast Michigan on Thursday, according to the National Weather Service.

There's a marginal risk for severe weather across the majority of the region, the agency said. It added that there's potential for isolated severe storms, capable of producing strong winds and large hail. NWS officials said the best chance of the strongest storms is in the afternoon and evening.

Tips: What to do before and after severe weather hits Michigan

Is there still a flood risk?

NWS officials said a flood watch remains in effect for the area through Thursday evening. Several regional rivers may reach or exceed flood stage. The watch is in effect until midnight.

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What's up in north Michigan? Flooding soaks lake homes upstream from Cheboygan dam

Northern Michigan forecast: How much rain is expected through Saturday?

How warm will it be in Metro Detroit?

Detroit's high temperature is expected to reach 73 degrees on Thursday. The city's average monthly high temperature for April is 58.7 degrees.

Things should dry out during the day on Friday, but then rain and thunderstorms are expected to return late at night and continue through the first half of Saturday as a cold front moves through the region, meteorologists said. Detroit's high on Friday is expected to hit 67 degrees and 68 degrees on Saturday.

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They predict it will get much colder on Sunday with high temperatures sticking in the mid-to-upper 40s. The NWS said a few snowflakes are also possible. Detroit's temperature will fall to 49 degrees, it said.

Extended Detroit weather forecast

Thursday: Showers; high 73, low 53.

Friday: Partly sunny; high 67, low 53.

Saturday: Showers; high 68, low 38.

Sunday: Mostly sunny; high 49, low 31.

Monday: Sunny; high 52, low 40.

Tuesday: Partly sunny; high 67, low 49.

Wednesday: Mostly sunny, high 67.

Source: National Weather Service

cramirez@detroitnews.com

@CharlesERamirez

This article originally appeared on The Detroit News: More storms in Thursday forecast for Detroit, southeast Michigan
FAIRFAX COUNTY, Va. (DC News Now)  Former Lieutenant Governor of Virginia Justin Fairfax shot and killed his wife, Cerina, on Thursday morning, then killed himself, police said.

The couples teenage son was the person who called 911 about the incident, which took place in the 8100 block of Guinevere Dr. in Annandale.

Fairfax and Cerina, a dentist, died at the home. In addition to their son, the couples daughter was in the house at the time of the shootings.

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Who was Justin Fairfax?

Watch full news conference below:

Fairfax County Police Chief Kevin Davis said Cerinas murder took place in the basement of the home. Fairfax was upstairs in a bedroom, where he shot himself.

Cerina, whose practice was Dr. Fairfax & Associates Family Dentistry, earned her Bachelor of Science at Duke University before obtaining her Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from Virgina Commonwealth Universitys Medical College of Virginia School of Dentistry in 2005, according to her offices website.

The office said it was closed Thursday due a family emergency.

Prior to the shooting, the couple was going through a messy divorce, Davis said. Fairfax recently was served court documents regarding an upcoming court appearance, although Cerina first filed on July 18, 2025.

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That may have been a spark, Davis said.

Despite divorce proceedings, the couple appeared to live together in separate bedrooms.

In January,Fairfax called the police accusing his wife of assaulting him, Davis said. Prior to that call, Cerina set up cameras throughout the home, and police were able to determine no assault had occurred.

Police believe the cameras remained operational during the shooting.

Prior Allegations

Justin Fairfax was the Lieutenant Governor of Virginia beginning from January 2018 to January 2022, serving uncer Former Gov. Ralph Northam.

Ahead of a Farifaxs possible run for governor, two women accused him of sexual assault. He filed a $400 million defamation suit against CBS after it interviewed the two women, claiming the story promoted false statements.

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CBS adamantly defended their reporting at the time.

After completing his term, he returned to practicing law.

Leader and Community Reaction

Ralph Northam

Former Governor Ralph Northam provided a statement on behalf of his wife: Pam and I are are devastated by this heartbreaking news. I had the privilege of getting to know the Fairfaxes while our families served together. We are parying for Cameron, Carys, and the entire Fairfax family during this incredibly difficult time.

Jason Miyares

Former Attorney General Jason Miyares, a Republican, said his heart goes out to the Fairfax family.

For anyone struggling with this kind of darkness, the most courageous thing you can do is ask for help, Miyares said in a post on X. There is more help and friendship out there than we realize.

Ghazala Hashmi

Current Lt. Gov. Ghazala Hashmi calling the news devasting.

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My thoughts are with their children, loved ones, and numerous friends, Hashmi said in a statement. Along with so many in the Commonwealth, I am filled with sorrow; I await further insights from our law enforcement officials.

DeMatha Catholic High School

Fairfaxs high school in Maryland, DeMatha Catholic High School, sent a statement to the community to offer up prayerful support to the family while adding on remembering the class of 1996 graduates time at the school.

During his time at DeMatha, Justin was a model student who was engaged in many activities including being named class president and a member of the chorus and mock trial team, the statement reads. He was awarded a scholarship to Duke University and he was the student representative on the universitys Board.

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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 DC News Now | DC, Virginia, Maryland News, Weather, Traffic, Sports Live.
Rowan University is setting up a new business school after receiving a $10 million commitment from a powerhouse company founded by a husband and wife, both of whom are alumni, officials said.

Rowans School of Financial Planning is being created within the William G. Rohrer College of Business and may offer classes as soon as the fall 2026 semester, the university announced Thursday morning.

It is being fueled with a $10 million commitment from Edelman Financial Engines, a U.S. financial planning and investment advisory company launched four decades ago by Ric Edelman, a 1980 Rowan graduate, and Jean Edelman, who graduated in 1981.

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Edelman Financial Engines is headquartered in California and operates around 145 offices with more than 1 million clients. It manages over $326 billion in assets, the company said.

Ric Edelman said the new schools goal is to set the benchmark for higher education and produce the industrys largest pipeline of qualified financial planners.

The U.S. wealth management industry is grappling with a projected shortfall of 100,000 qualified financial planners within the next decade  a trend that experts have attributed to mass retirements, recruiting struggles and a growing reliance on AI.

Financial planning is one of the most meaningful careers, and yet, too few college students are entering the field, Ric Edelman said.

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Rowan is moving forward with the new school one month after announcing voluntary buyouts to an unspecified number professors and employees amid a projected $16.5 million deficit in its fiscal 2026 budget, exacerbated by a $9.5 million decrease in state aid.

The Edelmans are longtime benefactors of Rowan University, which was known as Glassboro State College when they were students.

They donated $25 million to the Edelman Fossil Park & Museum of Rowan University, which opened in 2025. Jean Edelman is a Rowan trustee.

Rowans Ric Edelman College of Communication, Humanities and Social Sciences offers 30 undergraduate and 10 graduate degree programs taught by more than 300 faculty members.

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Ric Edelman was Rowans commencement speaker in 2024.

In addition to serving as founding head of the new school, Ric Edelman will help develop its curriculum and teach. All programs will be at the universitys Business Hall on its Glassboro campus, officials said.

While nearly 1,500 U.S. colleges offer business degrees, only 200 are providing degrees specific to financial planning, officials said.

Financial education is a logical and important part of our public service mission as a state research institution - to educate people and equip them to contribute to their communities and professions, Rowan University President Ali Houshmand said.

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The new school will offer a bachelors degree major and minor, a masters degree, certificate programs and executive education programs, officials said.

We have championed greater access to financial education, literacy, and guidance for four decades, and are committed to further advancing this mission by building a strong and diverse pipeline of talent prepared to guide investors at every stage of their financial journey, said Ralph Haberli, CEO and president of Edelman Financial Engines.

Matthew Sarkees, dean of Rohrer College of Business, said the Edelmans both bring great enthusiasm to this new endeavor, and were honored by their commitment, and that of their professional colleagues, that sets our new school apart nationally.

Rowan is among the fastest-growing public research universities in the Northeast with about 24,500 undergraduate, graduate and doctoral program students. It has two medical schools and New Jerseys first veterinary school.

Read the original article on NJ.com. Add NJ.com as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Less than a week after completing a historic trip around the moon, NASA's Artemis II crew will make one of their first public appearances together.

NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover and Christina Koch, as well as the Canadian Space Agency's Jeremy Hansen, will take questions from the media during an April 16 news conference, NASA announced. The event would come almost a week since the astronauts returned to Earth after a 10-day journey that saw them swinging by the moon without landing.

The second mission under NASA's multibillion-dollar Artemis program, Artemis II was the first lunar venture in more than 50 years to carry a crew within the vicinity of the moon. The mission served as a vital test flight as the U.S. space agency looks to put boots on the lunar surface in the years ahead and build a longterm base on the moon's south pole.

The Artemis II mission launches April 1 from the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida. The four-person crew aboard the Orion spacecraft hitched a ride to orbit atop NASA's giant 322-foot Space Launch System rocket. Launching atop 8.8 million pounds of thrust, the SLS is the most powerful rocket NASA ever launched, about 17% more powerful than the iconic Saturn V rocket used during the Apollo era. Artemis II Commander Reid Wiseman of NASA took this stunning photograph of Earth from the Orion spacecraft's window on April 2. The image is reminiscent of the iconic "blue marble" image captured during the Apollo 17 mission in 1972. NASA astronaut Christina Koch, a mission specialist on Artemis II, gazes out the windows of the Orion vehicle back at Earth as she and the crew head toward the moon. Koch, who already holds several NASA records from her first spaceflight in 2019 to the International Space Station, became the first woman to fly on a lunar mission. Before going to sleep April 5, the Artemis II crew snapped one more photo of the moon, as it drew close in the window of the Orion spacecraft. Shortly after, the astronauts entered the lunar sphere of influence, where the pull of the moon's gravity became stronger than Earth's. The crew of Artemis II captured a breathtaking image of a celestial event known as an "Earthset," in which the Earth dropped below the lunar horizon. The image is reminiscent of the iconic "Earthrise" photo that NASA astronaut Bill Anders captured in 1968 during the Apollo 8 mission that showed our planet rising on the lunar horizon. Of the impact craters, ancient lava flows and other lunar features the Artemis II astronauts observed during an April 6 flyby, a crater known as the Orientale basin was perhaps the most prominent. Spanning nearly 600 miles, the 3.8 billion year old crater (seen in the upper center of this photo) had never been seen with the naked eye prior to the mission. The Orion spacecraft the Artemis II astronauts were aboard is captured in the same frame as both the moon and Earth in this photo captured about four hours into the historic April 6 flyby. This image shows the moon fully eclipsing the sun from the vantage of the Orion spacecraft, not unlike what millions of people witnessed in April 2024 from Earth. From the crews perspective, the moon appeared large enough to completely block the sun, creating nearly 54 minutes of totality and revealing our star's elusive outermost layer, known as the corona. The crew members of Artemis II embrace following the historic lunar flyby April 6, during which the astronauts flew farther from Earth than anyone in human history while seeing sights of the moon's far side never seen in person. The Artemis II crew captured this breathtaking photo of our galaxy, the Milky Way. Spanning more than 100,000 light-years, Earth is located along one of the galaxys spiral arms, about halfway from the center. 10 days, 10 photos. Here are the most stunning images from Artemis II 1 of 10 The Artemis II mission launches April 1 from the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida. The four-person crew aboard the Orion spacecraft hitched a ride to orbit atop NASA's giant 322-foot Space Launch System rocket. Launching atop 8.8 million pounds of thrust, the SLS is the most powerful rocket NASA ever launched, about 17% more powerful than the iconic Saturn V rocket used during the Apollo era.

Here's what to know about the Artemis II news conference and how to watch NASA's live coverage.

Artemis II astronauts to appear for news conference. Time, date

Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch and Jeremy Hansen are set to take questions from the media Thursday, April 16, at the Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas, according to NASA.

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Beginning at 2:30 p.m. ET, the news conference would be one of the first public appearances all four crew members have made together since returning April 10 from the first human moon mission in more than 50 years. The Artemis II astronauts also appeared together Saturday, April 11  a day after making a splashdown near California  for a brief welcome home ceremony at the Johnson Space Center.

NASA celebrates the safe return of the Artemis II crew in Houston, Texas, on April 11, 2026, during a welcoming ceremony a day after splashdown from their moon mission.



(L-R) NASA's Artemis II mission astronauts Canadian Space Agency's Jeremy Hansen, mission specialist Christina Koch, pilot Victor Glover and commander Reid Wiseman greet attendees to their welcoming ceremony at Ellington Field Joint Reserve Base. (L-R) NASA's Artemis II mission astronauts Canadian Space Agency's Jeremy Hansen, commander Reid Wiseman, mission specialist Christina Koch and pilot Victor Glover attend a welcoming ceremony at Ellington Field Joint Reserve Base in Houston, Texas, on April 11, 2026. An elated NASA late April 10 was celebrating its successful voyage around the Moon, after four astronauts safely returned to Earth having completed the first lunar flyby in more than 50 years. The NASA spacecraft carrying four astronauts -- three Americans and one Canadian -- splashed down without a hitch off the California coast, capping the US space agency's crewed test mission that returned with spectacular images of the Moon. (L-R) NASA's Artemis II mission astronauts Canadian Space Agency's Jeremy Hansen, Christina Koch, Victor Glover and commander Reid Wiseman react during a welcoming ceremony at Ellington Field Joint Reserve Base in Houston, Texas, on April 11, 2026. An elated NASA late April 10 was celebrating its successful voyage around the Moon, after four astronauts safely returned to Earth having completed the first lunar flyby in more than 50 years. The NASA spacecraft carrying four astronauts -- three Americans and one Canadian -- splashed down without a hitch off the California coast, capping the US space agency's crewed test mission that returned with spectacular images of the Moon. (L-R) NASA's Artemis II mission astronauts Canadian Space Agency's Jeremy Hansen, Christina Koch, Victor Glover and commander Reid Wiseman react during a welcoming ceremony at Ellington Field Joint Reserve Base in Houston, Texas, on April 11, 2026. An elated NASA late April 10 was celebrating its successful voyage around the Moon, after four astronauts safely returned to Earth having completed the first lunar flyby in more than 50 years. The NASA spacecraft carrying four astronauts -- three Americans and one Canadian -- splashed down without a hitch off the California coast, capping the US space agency's crewed test mission that returned with spectacular images of the Moon. (L-R) NASA's Artemis II mission astronauts Canadian Space Agency's Jeremy Hansen, commander Reid Wiseman, mission specialist Christina Koch and pilot Victor Glover attend a welcoming ceremony at Ellington Field Joint Reserve Base in Houston, Texas, on April 11, 2026. An elated NASA late April 10 was celebrating its successful voyage around the Moon, after four astronauts safely returned to Earth having completed the first lunar flyby in more than 50 years. The NASA spacecraft carrying four astronauts -- three Americans and one Canadian -- splashed down without a hitch off the California coast, capping the US space agency's crewed test mission that returned with spectacular images of the Moon. NASA's Artemis II mission commander Reid Wiseman (R) shakes hands with pilot Victor Glover as Christina Koch looks on during a welcoming ceremony at Ellington Field Joint Reserve Base in Houston, Texas, on April 11, 2026. An elated NASA late April 10 was celebrating its successful voyage around the Moon, after four astronauts safely returned to Earth having completed the first lunar flyby in more than 50 years. The NASA spacecraft carrying four astronauts -- three Americans and one Canadian -- splashed down without a hitch off the California coast, capping the US space agency's crewed test mission that returned with spectacular images of the Moon. Artemis II astronauts celebrated at welcome home event after moon mission 1 of 6 NASA celebrates the safe return of the Artemis II crew in Houston, Texas, on April 11, 2026, during a welcoming ceremony a day after splashdown from their moon mission.



(L-R) NASA's Artemis II mission astronauts Canadian Space Agency's Jeremy Hansen, mission specialist Christina Koch, pilot Victor Glover and commander Reid Wiseman greet attendees to their welcoming ceremony at Ellington Field Joint Reserve Base.

How to watch NASA livestream

NASA will provide live coverage of the news conference on the agencys YouTube channel. The news conference is not listed as a scheduled event on NASA+, the agency's free online streaming service.

What was the Artemis II mission?

Artemis II marked NASA's first human moon mission since the iconic Apollo era came to an end with its final moon landing in 1972.

As the astronauts selected for the Artemis II mission, Wiseman, Glover, Koch and Hansen boarded an Orion spacecraft April 1 to hitch a ride to orbit. NASA's towering Space Launch System, the most powerful rocket the agency has ever launched, provided the initial burst of thrust to send the mission on its way with a liftoff from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

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During the 10-day journey, the Orion capsule took the astronauts farther from Earth than any humans have ever been  surpassing a record set in 1970 during the infamous Apollo 13 mission that nearly turned into a disaster. While more than a quarter-million miles from Earth, the astronauts aboard Orion whizzed by the moon, cruising no closer than about 4,000 miles above the surface while seeing sights of the far side that no one had ever laid eyes upon in person.

The mission, which served as a critical test flight ahead of a moon landing targeted for 2028, ended April 10 when the astronauts aboard the Orion vehicle splashed down in the Pacific Ocean near San Diego.

Eric Lagatta is the Space Connect reporter for the USA TODAY Network. Reach him at elagatta@usatodayco.com

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: How to watch as Artemis II crew appears together after moon mission
A national retailer that offers brick-and-mortar space for vendors is closing all of its stores, affecting two Triangle locations.

Painted Tree Boutiques abruptly closed all stores Tuesday, April 14. This includes the Cary and Raleigh locations, the stores confirmed to The News & Observer via email.

In an email to vendors obtained by The N&O, Painted Tree Boutiques said it made the very difficult decision to cease all business operations today; Painted Tree will not be conducting any further retail sales at any location.

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We understand the impact this has on you and your business, and we are truly sorry. We know many of you have invested significant time, energy, and resources into building your spaces at Painted Tree, and this is not the outcome any of us hoped for.

The email instructs individual shop owners who sold goods inside Painted Tree Boutiques to pick up their inventory by Sunday, April 24. Painted Tree Boutiques did not provide a reason for the closure in the email.

The N&O emailed and left a voicemail for Painted Tree Boutiques on Tuesday afternoon.

Painted Tree Boutiques, which has more than 60 locations across the country, including four in North Carolina, has not made a public announcement about the closure on its website or social media. It continued to post on Facebook and Instagram as late as 5 p.m. April 14, hours after it alerted vendors of the closure. Commenters questioned how the company could continue to promote itself after shutting down.

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The Triangles Painted Tree Boutiques, at 7444 Creedmoor Road in Raleigh and at 240 Crossroads Blvd. in Cary, moved into former Stein Mart stores. Painted Tree Boutiques also had locations in Gastonia and Matthews.

Shop owner, customer reactions

The news has left many questions unanswered.

Several vendors took to social media to lament lost money spent on renovations and rent.

Customers also asked how they could redeem gift cards.

This Durham store is closing after more than 40 years. Heres why & last days

Long-awaited Triangle grocery store reopens soon. Heres what to know
A Navy reservist from Virginia who was accused of murdering his wife after her body was found in their freezer was arrested in Hong Kong, ending a two-month international manhunt, authorities said Wednesday.

David Varela, 38, is expected to be charged with first-degree murder after the "successful overseas apprehension," FBI Director Kash Patel said in a statement.

Varela was apprehended late Tuesday in the former British colony and taken Wednesday to San Francisco, where he appeared before Magistrate Judge Alex Tse on Thursday.

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Tse ordered federal marshals to take Varela to the federal court in the Eastern District of Virginia.

Lina M. Guerra Echavarria. (Norfolk Police Department) (Norfolk Police Department)

Varela "has been on the run for over two months attempting to avoid prosecution for these heinous crimes, but justice doesnt forget," Patel said.

Lina M. Guerra, 39, was reported missing in early February by her brother after he couldn't reach her for more than two weeks, FBI Special Agent Connor Patrick Maguire wrote in an affidavit supporting Varela's arrest on a federal charge of unlawful flight to avoid prosecution.

Varela didn't return calls from his Navy superiors, and detectives searching the couples home found Guerra "deceased in the kitchen freezer," Maguire wrote.

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The medical examiner ruled her death a homicide.

Varela flew to Hong Kong around Feb. 5, and WhatsApp data soon showed he was in the special administrative region of China, the FBI agent said.

It's not clear why Varela is alleged to have fled to the Chinese-controlled city, as his family is from Colombia and they do "not have any discernible ties to Hong Kong or China," according to the affidavit.

Even though investigators were confident they could find Varela in Hong Kong, his apprehension was a relief to Norfolk Commonwealths Attorney Ramin Fatehi.

"I was always hopeful that the long arm of the law would ultimately reach Mr. Varela and allow us to secure justice for Lina Guerra and her family," Fatehi told NBC News on Thursday.

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"But I've learned that there is no such thing as certainty in our business."

Paola Ramirez, Guerra's sister-in-law in Colombia, said the family received a call from U.S. authorities Wednesday informing them about Varela's capture.

"When the whole family learned the news, all we did was weep. The very first thing we did was cry. We were trembling," Ramirez said in Spanish. "We are grappling with so many conflicting emotions.

"We, too, loved David very much; we had welcomed him into our family as her husband," she added.

Varela and Guerra met in Florida in 2015. They worked at the same restaurant, Varela as a chef and Guerra as a waitress, Ramirez said. They were married about a year later and remained together until February.

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Ramirez said the family viewed the pair as "a normal married couple," but they have learned of a few allegations of violence. Guerra alleged that one time, Varela slapped her, and the family learned of another incident "through third parties," Ramirez said.

When Guerra stopped working and decided to be a stay-at-home wife, the family wondered whether the shift had anything to do with Varela's being "a little bit jealous," Ramirez recalled.

"She never, ever spoke ill of him," Ramirez said of her sister-in-law. "She always spoke highly of David. She admired him greatly. She used to say that he was a very intelligent man and that she was very grateful to him."

"She loved him very much," Ramirez said.

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Before Guerra's body was found, she was the subject of a "critical missing adult alert" by Virginia State Police.

The 4-foot-9, 100-pound woman's "disappearance poses a credible threat to their health and safety as determined by the investigating agency," Virginia police said at the time.

Guerra's family in Colombia is trying to determine whether her ashes can be returned to her homeland.

Authorities handed Guerra's ashes over to a relative who traveled from Colombia to the U.S. to claim them, but "we still dont know if its possible to bring them back here," Ramirez said.

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Ramirez said that in the meantime, as the family is dealing with an immense void, she will remember Guerra as another mother to her son and husband, who first reported her missing two months ago.

"She was a woman filled with immense kindness. She always put others before herself," Ramirez said. "She was, and will continue to be, that person who was always there for us."

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
A proposal to change the North Carolina constitution to give the state legislature the authority to limit local property tax increases won approval from a House committee on Wednesday, but not without criticism from some lawmakers who said it will force local governments to cut services.

The proposed constitutional amendment would direct the General Assembly to enact laws limiting the amount by which the levy on property may increase, which may include exceptions.

Though the proposal by the House Select Committee on Property Tax Reduction and Reform does not spell out how the legislature would limit increases, the proposed takeover by the General Assembly of a power that has been almost exclusively in the hands of local elected officials would mark a significant change. Property taxes are the main source of county revenue.

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Rep. Brian Echevarria (R-Cabarrus) said the legislature would not be intruding into local government.

It is our duty to put guardrails in place, he said. The committee will have time after the general election to work out the specifics, Echevarria said.

The amendment would require a three-fifths vote in both chambers. If it passes, voters will be asked to approve it on the Nov. 3 ballot.

Rep. Eric Ager (D-Buncombe) said the reason local governments have to increase taxes is because the legislature has passed more fiscal burdens onto them by cutting spending at the state level.

Weve really left local governments holding the bag, Ager said, and most are doing their best to ensure that theyve got, you know, good fire departments, good law enforcement agencies, good schools, and theyre not getting the support that traditionally they have gotten from the state government.

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Rep. Maria Cervania (D-Wake) said the proposal to have the legislature set levy limits is an overly simple solution to a complicated problem because it does not consider the extent to which property appraisals are part of the reason tax bills are rising.

The N.C. Association of County Commissioners had proposed more modest, targeted changes, such as allowing additional older, disabled, and low-income homeowners to defer their taxes.

However, Chairwoman Julia Howard (R-Davie) said homeowners are reluctant to claim these exemptions because they dont want their heirs to have to deal with the debt.

The committee also endorsed a proposed bill that would close a loophole in a law that allows for-profit apartment complex owners to take advantage of property tax exemptions aimed at nonprofits.

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The for-profit companies claim the tax exemptions by partnering with nonprofits that provide housing to low- and moderate-income residents, NC Newsline has reported. The loophole costs local governments tens of millions of dollars each year that would otherwise go to fund schools, libraries, and public safety.

The legislature could take up both proposals in its session beginning next week.
AMSTERDAM, April 15 (Reuters) - The Netherlands will spend 248 million euros ($293 million) on producing drones for Ukraine, Dutch Defence Minister Dilan Yesilgoz-Zegerius said on Wednesday.

"Drones play a crucial role on the modern battlefield. Ukrainians deploy them with incredible skill to repel the incessant Russian attacks," she said after meeting her counterparts from NATO countries and the alliance's Secretary General Mark Rutte in Berlin on Wednesday.

"Thanks to the good cooperation with Ukraine, we are learning directly from this. This also offers opportunities for our business community," she added. The drones will be manufactured in the Netherlands and Ukraine.

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NATO allies have already provided over $4.5 billion in military equipment for Ukraine, according to data from the U.S. ambassador to NATO Matthew Whitaker released in February.

($1 = 0.8475 euros)

(Reporting by Inti Landauro; editing by Barbara Lewis)
Republicans in the New Mexico House of Representatives are calling on an interim legislative committee to consider suing Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham over her continued emergency spending, according to a letter House GOP leaders released Thursday.

The Republicans are urging the Legislative Council Service committee, which meets Friday, to add an item to its agenda related to possible litigation prohibiting Lujan Grisham from funding the states disaster response from a certain state fund without legislative approval.

SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX

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Lujan Grishams disaster spending from the states Appropriation Contingency Fund, which is effectively the states savings account, has caused friction with the Legislature, including with members of her own party.

In total, the governor has spent roughly $380 million via emergency orders from the fund since July 1, 2024, even though the Legislature put just $150 million into the fund in that period. Funding has gone for wildfires, floods, National Guard deployments and, recently, to pay for food assistance amid a federal government shutdown.

Lawmakers unanimously approved a bipartisan bill, House Bill 180, during the legislative session earlier this year that would have required the governor to secure legislative approval, via a special legislative session, if she wished to spend more than lawmakers allocated to newly created disaster response funds. The governor vetoed the bill March 10, however, saying the bill introduces structural delays at precisely the moment when speed and flexibility matter most.

In a letter Tuesday to the LCS committee Co-Chairs House Speaker Rep. Javier Martinez (D-Albuquerque) and Senate Pro Tem Sen. Mimi Stewart (D-Albuquerque), Republican Reps. Gail Armstrong (R-Magdalena), Alan Martinez (R-Rio Rancho) and Rebecca Dow (R-Elephant Butte) said the governors veto means she will continue her illegal spending, a matter that can only be settled in a court of law.

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Martinez and Stewart did not immediately respond to Source NMs request for comment Thursday afternoon. Neither did a governors office spokesperson.

The Legislative Council meeting Friday morning is the first of several months of interim legislative committee hearings on a number of topics, including health care, criminal justice, the environment and more. As of Thursday afternoon, its agenda did not include the disaster spending issue.

The letter asks the committee to also consider whether a lawsuit is warranted for nearly $7 million in spending the governor line-item vetoed from the states roughly $11 billion spending bill, vetoes the Republicans say left the budget bill with nonsensical or unimplementable spending provisions.

These two items need serious review by the Legislative Council, including the consideration of possible litigation, to protect the Legislatures power of appropriations from the illegal usurpation of legislative power due to executive branch overreach, the Republican lawmakers wrote.
The UK is not facing an immediate shortage of petrol, diesel or jet fuel, Chancellor Rachel Reeves said on Thursday, at the end of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) meeting in Washington.

The UK has "no issues with supply at the moment", she told the BBC.

Her comments came after the IMF advised countries to consider managing energy demand through measures such as subsidising public transport or working from home, to combat the crisis triggered by the conflict in the Middle East.

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The chancellor also said she would be announcing changes to energy policy in the coming days, including over drilling in the North Sea and reforming the link between gas and electricity prices.

New data on Thursday showed that the UK economy grew more strongly in February than previously expected.

However, the figures reflect economic activity before the start of the US-Israel war with Iran, which has pushed up energy prices worldwide.

Many countries are already facing fuel shortages and introducing measures to reduce consumption.

The International Energy Agency said on Thursday that Europe had six weeks worth of jet fuel left before stocks would fall below a level where there were likely to be shortages and flight cancellations.

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"We are monitoring the situation very carefully," Reeves told the BBC. But she added she was "confident" about the current supply of fuels.

The UK is a net exporter of petrol but imports other products including wholesale oil and gas.

A higher gas price is a particular problem for the UK as it generally determines the price of electricity, whether it was generated using gas or renewables.

"We do need to delink gas and electricity prices," Reeves said. "Because at the moment, on many occasions, electricity prices are based off the gas price, even though the costs of producing electricity, by and large, have not changed as a result of this conflict in the Middle East."

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Reeves said she and Energy Secretary Ed Miliband would be making an announcement soon on that and on the next stage of extracting oil and gas in the North Sea.

"We are looking at what we can do to exploit more of our resources in the North Sea through tie-backs," she said, adding that more details would be available "in the next few days".

Tie-backs allow oil and gas from new discoveries to be channelled via existing production platforms, without building as much additional infrastructure.

She also welcomed what she said was "a strong start to the year" for the UK economy.

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The latest GDP figures showed a growth rate of 0.5% for February and an upgrade to growth in January to 0.1%.

However, this week the IMF cut its estimate for UK growth for the year from 1.3% to 0.8%, warning it would be the hardest hit of the world's advanced economies, by the conflict.
GAZA, April 16 (Xinhua) -- Three Palestinians were killed by Israeli fire in the Gaza Strip and near Jerusalem on Thursday, according to Palestinian medical sources and eyewitnesses.

Witnesses and local sources said an Israeli drone fired at least one missile at a group of Palestinians near Abu Tamam School in Beit Lahia in northern Gaza. Mahmoud Basal, a Civil Defense spokesperson in Gaza, said two brothers were killed. The Israeli military did not immediately comment.

Gaza health authorities said 766 people have been killed and 2,147 injured since a ceasefire agreement between Hamas and Israel. The overall death toll in Gaza since Oct. 7, 2023, has reached 72,345, with more than 172,250 wounded.

Separately, a 17-year-old Palestinian, identified as Mohammed Rayyan from the town of Beit Duqqu northwest of Jerusalem, was killed during clashes with Israeli forces, according to a statement from the Jerusalem Governorate.

The statement said Israeli forces raided the town, searched several homes and detained residents for field questioning. A previously released prisoner was also arrested. Another person was injured, and Israeli forces withheld Rayyan's body before withdrawing, it said.

Tensions have escalated in the West Bank in recent months amid the war in Gaza. Palestinian figures show more than 1,080 Palestinians have been killed in the West Bank since Oct. 7, 2023, most during Israeli raids or clashes. 
Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin was accused of parroting a racist comment about migrants Wednesday when he said the United States only wants the right kind of immigrants in the country.

Mullin, who recently replaced Kristi Noem, raised familiar criticisms about the previous administration allowing immigrants into the country, saying those with criminal records were permitted to reside. He complained of the high cost associated with deporting immigrants because the U.S. offers everyone due process  or the right a fair hearing.

But the problem is we want immigration, we want legal immigration, people that want to make the country stronger, were a nation of immigrants, we understand that, Mullin told Fox News host Laura Ingraham.

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Ingraham interjected, The right kind of immigrants.

But the right kind of immigrants, thats right, Mullin said in agreement.

Markwayne Mullin succeeded Kristi Noem as Homeland Security Secretary after she was fired (Getty)

Mullin did not specify what he meant by the right kind of immigrants during the show, though he complained about those who take advantage of the United Statess generosity.

When asked for clarity, a Department of Homeland Security spokesperson told The Independent that Mullin was referring to legal ones when referring to the right kind of immigrants.

While Mullin and other administration officials often claim they want immigrants to enter the U.S. legally, many of President Donald Trumps immigration policies have impacted methods of legal immigration.

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A recent analysis from the CATO Institute found that the president's crackdown on the ability to claim refugee and asylum, implementation of travel bans and regulations on student and H-1B employment visas led to a larger decrease in legal immigration than illegal immigration.

The administrations immigration policies have disproportionately impacted people of color with travel bans on nearly a dozen African countries, the end of asylum claims at the U.S.Mexico border, immigration agents using racial profiling, and removing protected status for people from Haiti, Myanmar, Honduras, Venezuela and Ethiopia, among other countries.

The administration halted visa processing on more than 70 countries, claiming migrants from the countries were over-utilizing US welfare (AFP/Getty)

As a result, Mullins claim about the right kind of immigrants coming into the U.S. was interpreted as a dog whistle for a preference over white immigrants.

Why dont they just say white? X user Michael Freeman wrote.

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Nick, another X user, replied: Todays blatant racism. by the right kind of immigrants they mean white people. I remember the days when the republicans used dog whistles. Those days are long gone.

This is just disgustingly racist, X user Shawn wrote.

While those opposed to the harsh immigration policies criticized Mullins comments, some MAGA voters disagreed with Mullin about wanting the right kind of immigrants in the U.S.  saying they didnt want any form of immigration.

Comments and reports on conservative commentator Eric Daughertys X post were flooded with people displeased with the secretarys claim about legal immigration.
Two NYPD officers are on modified duty as the department's Internal Affairs investigates a video deemed disturbing and upsetting.

Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch said the video posted online is part of an investigation into claims of brutality.

It was taken Tuesday afternoon inside a liquor store on Hoyt and Baltic streets and shows the two NYPD narcotics detectives wrangling with an unnamed man.

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"We thought we were getting stuck up. The officers did not say we're NYPD," said witness Abelee Moran. "They didn't say that we're detectives. They didn't tell him you're under arrest, put your hands behind your back. They just started hitting him. The guy, I can hear him say, 'Wait. What's going on?' So as soon as I heard that, I looked, and I started recording immediately."

The man crashes into a shelf stacked with wine bottles as the officers keep throwing punches, and at one point, an officer kicks him.

The witness says even after the man was cuffed, the officer wearing a hat in the video continued to punch him and press his knee against the man's face with his full weight.

The NYPD says the undercover detectives had just witnessed a narcotics purchase of crack cocaine, and the man in the turquoise hat, white shirt and green shorts fit the description of a suspect, but they had the wrong man.

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No drugs were found during a police search. He was issued a desk appearance ticket for resisting arrest and obstruction of government administration.

The Brooklyn District Attorney's Office will be dismissing the charges.

Tisch spoke about the video during an unrelated press conference on Wednesday. She called it an "upsetting video" and said the two officers' guns and shields have been removed.

New York City Mayor Mamdani posted about the video on social media, calling it "extremely disturbing and unacceptable."

"Officers should never treat a person this way. The NYPD is conducting a full investigation into this incident," Mamdani added.

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Hawk Newsome, of Black Lives Matter NY, held a press conference outside the liquor store on Wednesday.

"I feel like everybody saw everybody beating a man like it's the 1950s and 1960s, in 2026, these police officers should be under control," Newsome said.

Detectives Endowment Association President Scott Munro said he wants the facts before anyone rushes to judgment.

"NYPD detectives put their lives on the line daily, doing the dangerous work politicians would never have the courage to do," Munro said. "Narcotics detectives arrest you and tell you to put your hands behind your back, and don't comply, what do you think happens?"

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Orange barrel season will be unrelenting this year as Ohio has nearly 1,000 road projects planned in 2026 that are projected to cost a record-breaking $3.4 billion.

All that road work will bring lane closures that will snarl traffic and force motorists to wait. And that may drive a pet peeve for some drivers who merge over right away and patiently wait, watching (perhaps with increasing irritation) while a dozen or so other cars zoom past, right up to the orange barrels before merging.

Well, guess what? The Ohio Department of Transportation says those drivers who cut in at the last second are doing it right.

Ohio Department of Transportation encourages the zipper merge

An ODOT Facebook post says the zipper merge eases congestion and shortens backups by 40%, delaying congestion and shortening the line of cars by one-third of a mile. According to ODOT, the zipper merge benefits all drivers.

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Just Askin': Is lane-cutting in construction zones legal in Ohio?

What is the zipper merge that ODOT recommends?

The zipper merge got its name because it brings to mind the mechanics of a zipper -- two lines smoothly coming together to form one, according to AAA Living. To perform a zipper merge, drivers should stay in their lane until the final merge point, then take turns with drivers in the other lane to safely move over.

The zipper merge can be seen as cutting in line, according to AAA. However, research shows it's more efficient because it uses more available road space for as long as possible to keep traffic moving.

Orange construction barrels sprout along Interstate 75 by the Mitchell Avenue interchange looking north in 2012.

Facebook users react to post

Naturally, Facebook users sounded off about ODOT's post. Here's a sampling of the comments:

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Dan Volvo writes: "This will never ever work because of all the inconsiderate people who think they're more important than everybody else. Look at how many intersections get clogged up because God forbid somebody has to wait for the next light. Also all the left lane campers who refuse to move over would ruin this as well. Those people single-handedly cause traffic jams, so that's not surprising."

Joni Herriott Gauthier: "Maybe they should teach this in drivers ed so we can get the word out already. Or at least start posting signs to use this method? I used to be that guy that didn't want to let anyone over, but you can teach an old dog new tricks! This makes it so much faster for everyone."

Ron Gayheart: "If people wouldn't wait until the last minute to merge, it would go a lot more smoothly"

Kevin Eberts: "Oh, but that requires motorists to set their 'me first' mentality aside and allow other motorists to merge ahead of them."

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Gus Lippolis: "Yep, this can work if uniform vehicle length, comparable speed, single lane in construction area maintains speed, no work vehicles enter or exit the flow."

Abby Goudy: "I wish everyone could grasp this obviously simple technique, but nope. People cant even merge on the freeway correctly. They cross all the way over when the lanes arent even touching yet. The number of times people have literally tried to run me off the road and flip me off over merging correctly is dumb.

"Common sense isnt common."

ODOT to spend record-breaking $3.4 billion road projects in 2026

ODOT plans to spend $3.4 billion on 977 projects in 2026, the Columbus Dispatch reported. Projects involve 739 bridges and around 4,562 road miles of road, enough to drive from Columbus to San Diego and back, according to an ODOT press release.

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A searchable, filterable table describing all 2026 project is available on ODOT's website.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: ODOT says zipper merge reduces traffic. Ohio drivers have thoughts
Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose has returned home after his overseas deployment.

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News Center 7 previously reported that LaRose was activated for duty with the Ohio National Guard in March.

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LaRose shared in a social media post that he was grateful to be back home in Ohio.

He is a U.S. Army Reservist and a decorated Green Beret.

The Northeast Ohio native returned home after a decade in service, WCPO-9 reported.

LaRose was elected to the Ohio Senate and became Secretary of State in 2018.

He rejoined the Army as a reservist in 2021.

At the time, he said, Being a soldier is part of who I am.

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Lynnea Soposki's bridesmaid's dress for Ali Semeraro's late July wedding came in the mail this week.

But Lynnea will never wear it, as she, her husband Luke Soposki and their 1-year-old child Logan were killed April 11 in a fiery crash on I-71.

Semeraro, a close friend of Lynnea from childhood, still plans to honor her friend at her wedding. She's one of many mourning the central Ohio veterinarian and her young family, known not only for Lynnea's work with animals but also their beekeeping business, Queenright Cabin Apiary, which sold honey at the Main Street Delaware Farmers' Market.

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They were some of the warmest, kindest, and most welcoming faces you could find on a Saturday morning, always greeting us with smiles, the market said in a Facebook post. They were a special part of our market community, and their presence will be deeply missed by so many.

Lynnea Soposki loved animals, cared about others

Like many other teenage girls, Lynnea Soposki had her share of celebrity crushes as she grew up in New York in the mid-2000s.

We were pretty boy crazy, Semeraro recalled.

Lynnea Soposki (right) and Ali Semeraro recreated this photo from their time as teenagers growing up in New Hartford, New York.

But she also distinguished herself as compassionate and socially aware.

In school, people can pick on you, but she treated everyone equally and she truly cared about how she made other people feel, Semeraro said.

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Lynnea kept track of photos from the friend group and coordinated reenactments of photos from their teenage years on a recent trip.

From left to right: Stephanie Couture, Diane Mulvihill, Lynnea Soposki and Ali Semeraro recently recreated a photo from their high school years.

The core friend group kept in touch with one another over the years with occasional visits and a video sharing app.

I have so many recordings of her now, it feels like she's still here because I can just go back and she's just talking to you, said Stephanie Couture, another childhood friend.

Lynnea Soposki had lifelong love of animals

Couture also remembered Lynnea's lifelong love of animals. She loved riding horses and was devoted to her family's cats.

She even kept one of her cats, Brat, alive for nearly 25 years.

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It was so sweet at the end, she had little diapers on her and she had every disease you can think of, but she was so happy, Couture said.

Lynnea primarily worked at Muirfield Animal Hospital in Dublin and also at a few clinics in the Columbus area as a relief veterinarian.

Tributes have poured in on social media from the veterinary clinics where she worked.

Felicity Homman's dog was a regular patient of Lynnea's at Muirfield.

She was wonderful," Homman said. "My dog is a frequent flyer due to his back issues and she was always thorough, gentle, sweet and cared for him as if he was her own.

"Her passion and love for animals was clear as day."

Luke and Lynnea Soposki met in New York

Lynnea and Luke, who grew up about 25 miles away from each other in upstate New York, met at the State University of New York campus in Oneonta, Semeraro and Couture said.

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You knew that they were legit best friends. There was no hiding anything from each other  they were so open and honest, Couture said. Their relationship was something we should all strive for.

Stephanie Couture (left) poses for a selfie with Lynnea Soposki (center) and Luke Soposki (right).

The couple moved to Ohio for Lynnea to attend the Ohio State College of Veterinary Medicine, where she graduated in 2016, according to her biography on the Muirfield Animal Hospital website.

Luke Soposki grew up in Richfield Springs, where he made honor roll many times throughout middle and high school, according to local newspaper archives.

Luke worked as an analytical chemist at Mettler Toledo and had many passions outside of work, including homebrewing, carpentry and beekeeping.

Logan Soposki was the 1-year-old son of Lynnea and Luke Soposki.

He owned a beer company called Blue Quill Brewing and placed as an individual in home-brewing competitions.

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That was his dream to open up a brewery, and I kept telling him to do it, but he said, 'No, responsibilities,'" Courture said. "He was very much a responsible guy."

Anna Lynn Winfrey covers the northwestern suburbs for The Columbus Dispatch. She can be reached at awinfrey@dispatch.com.

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Lynnea, Luke and Logan Soposki remembered after fiery I-71 crash
A sergeant and an airman assigned to Beale Air Force Base will face courts-martial in two separate cases in the coming weeks, according to the Air Force docket.

The sergeant, identified as Staff Sgt. J. Felder Harrison, has been charged with larceny of nonmilitary property and for crimes and offenses not capital. Harrisons trial will begin April 20.

The airman, identified only as L. Fishburne on the docket, has been charged with reckless endangerment, unlawful entry, and two domestic violence charges, one involving strangling or suffocating. Fishburnes trial will begin May 18.

The charges listed on the docket are violations of the Uniform Code of Military Justice covering members of the U.S. Armed forces.
Political observers are calling Gov. Abigail Spanbergers abrupt early drop in approval ratings stunning. They shouldnt, because it isnt.

For many Virginians  especially those of us who supported her candidacy in good faith  this moment feels less like a surprise and more like a confirmation.

Spanberger ran as a pragmatic, bipartisan problem-solver. She positioned herself as someone who would rise above party squabbles, focus on affordability, and restore a sense of steady, principled leadership in Richmond. That message resonated and caused her decisive win.

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And that is precisely why her early governing approach has been so disappointing.

Rather than govern as the centrist she promised to be, Spanberger has taken a noticeably partisan turn. Early executive actions and policy priorities have leaned heavily into national Democratic Party priorities, not the kitchen-table concerns that defined her campaign. For voters who expected balance and independence, this shift has eroded trust, which is hard to regain once lost.

Policy disagreements alone dont explain the drop in approval. Theres a deeper issue at play: credibility.

During the campaign, I was among Spanbergers strongest supporters and financial backers. Like others, I raised serious concerns about her co-nominee for attorney general  concerns rooted in his past remarks and broader questions of judgment and character. At the time, Spanberger acknowledged those concerns. In personal conversations, she went further, indicating that once elected she would address them directly  even suggesting the possibility of an investigation or leadership change if warranted.

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That commitment mattered to our family. It signaled that Spanberger was willing to put principle above politics. Yet since taking office, there has been no meaningful indication that she intends to follow through. The same concerns she once publicly condemned now appear to have been set aside. The urgency is gone. The accountability is absent.

That disconnect is not a minor political inconsistency  rather, it cuts to the core of leadership. Voters can tolerate disagreement. What they struggle to accept is a gap between what is promised and what is done.

This pattern isnt new. During the campaign, Spanberger declined to withdraw her support from now-Attorney General Jay Jones despite acknowledging his troubling behavior. In other words, she prioritized electoral unity over moral clarity. Now in office, that same instinct seems to be guiding her decisions.

Similarly, her approach to governance has at times favored public positioning over quiet, constructive engagement  a style that feels more partisan than pragmatic, more performative than problem-solving.

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Taken together, these choices paint a picture that differs sharply from the one voters were sold.

None of this means Spanbergers situation is beyond repair. As even her critics note, its early. Governors can reset, recalibrate, and reconnect with voters. But that requires more than better messaging or more press conferences. It requires a return to the core commitments that defined her campaign: independence, accountability, and a willingness to make difficult decisions, even when they carry political risk.

Right now, many Virginians are asking a simple question: Was the campaign the real Spanberger, or is the governorship?

Until that question is answered with clarity and consistency, her approval ratings wont just dip  they will continue to reflect a broader erosion of trust. Without trust, even early missteps become lasting doubts, and Virginia deserves better than that.

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Cayley Tull is an entrepreneur and co-founder and president of the Tullman Family Office.

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.
At the midnight hour, President Donald Trump was on Truth Social, attacking Pope Leo XIV. In the morning, he was once again calling former FBI director James Comey a dirty cop.

He also took a moment to mock former president Barack Obama for having underestimated him.

He then offered an estimation of himself. This post shows him being embraced by Jesus in a toned-down AI image in the style of one that depicted him actually being Jesus. He had taken the earlier image down amidst cries of blasphemy, but he now made clear he was fine with the sequel:

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The radical left lunatics might not like this, but I think it is quite nice!!! President DJT

Trump is back to comparing himself to Jesus Christ. / Donald Trump/Truth Social

As Wednesday morning turned to afternoon, Trump engaged in some of his usual name-calling. The target of this post was a hedge fund billionaire billionaire Democrat who is running for governor of California.

Why is FoxNews showing SLEAZEBAG Tom Steyer, doing a big piece on him right now, and probably putting him into play, instead of talking about Republican Candidates? he asked.

Trump continued, How can a Republican expect to win that State, with their Mail In Voting and Rigged Elections, when you have FoxNews promoting the Democrats? Nobody cares about Tom Steyer, he is a LOSER, but Fox is making it possible for a guy like this to win.

Pope Leo XIV, the first American vicar of Christ, has become a punching bag for the 47th president, for his message of peace. / REUTERS

But Trump had been oddly understated two days before, when posting about an undeniable SLEAZEBAG who was the leading Democratic candidate in the California governors race until he withdrew in the midst of multiple allegations of sexual assault and misconduct.

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Until he resigned in disgrace, U.S. Rep. Eric Swalwell had been a fervent, standout Trump critic in Congress.

Impeachment Manager Rep. Eric Swalwell arguing before the Senate during the second day of Trump's second impeachment trial at the U.S. Capitol on February 10, 2021. / congress.gov via Getty Images

He is a lead plaintiff in a suit brought by fellow members of congress along with several police officers against Trump in connection with the January 6, 2021 storming of the Capitol. Trump sought to have the suit thrown out, but the courts recently ruled against him.

Donald Trump thinks he can get away with murder, Swalwell said in an April 1 statement. This lawsuit is long overdue for his hand in the destruction of our Capitol and the attack on our democracy on January 6. This case is for my colleagues, the brave Capitol Police officers, Americans everywhere, and the future of our nation.

He continued, Those who incited and fueled the violence must be held responsible. Im thankful that we will get some accountability and some measure of closure from that dark day. And that finally, the truth will come to light. We deserve it.

Rep. Eric Swalwell suspended his campaign for California governor following sexual assault accusations that he denies. / Eric Swalwell/Instagram

Such talk of accountability and the truth coming to light would seem to have made Swalwell a prime target for a Trump tirade.

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But Trump simply reposted a report from a right-wing site regarding the Swalwell scandal.

Swalwell suspends his campaign for California governor amid furor over sex assault allegations, it said.

In Trump nomenclature, former Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi is routinely called Crooked Nancy. U.S. Senator Adam Schiff of California has long been called shifty Schiff. But Swalwell has remained just Swalwell even as White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller called him a scumbag on Fox television.

Trump has just reposted links to news reports about Swalwell. / @realDonaldTrump/Truth Social

Trump has used that same slur to describe a wide range of other people. He posted that Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker is one SICK scumbag.

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For his part, Swalwell said during a congressional hearing that his Republican colleagues are so lucky theyre not under oath, because they would have to tell you what they really think of Trump.

Swalwell added, They call him crooked, they call him cruel, they call him a scumbag.

Trump did not reply in kind despite a reflex to do so that goes back to his elementary school playground days. It was left to Karoline Leavitt to say at the White House, I think the allegations against former representative Swalwell are disgusting. She added it was quite plausible that there were many other Democrats in this town on Capitol Hill who knew about his, perhaps illegal behavior.

Why would Trump not say something similar?

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One possible reason is that a jury found Trump liable for sexual abuse in a 2023 civil trial in Manhattan.

A federal jury in 2023 found Trump liable for sexual abuse against Carroll, an advice columnist. / Stephanie Keith/Getty Images

For him to now condemn Swalwell for his behavior would likely cause people to recall how Trump was found to liable for sexual assaultalthough not for rapeduring a 1996 encounter with the writer E. Jean Caroll at the Bergdorf Goodman department store in Manhattan.

Carroll could not be reached for comment on Wednesday. But her sworn testimony during the trial is on the public record.

Im here because Donald Trump raped me, and when I wrote about it, he said it didnt happen, Carroll testified. He lied and shattered my reputation and Im here to try to get my life back.

Sounds exactly like a SICK SCUMBAG.
The head of Salem-Keizer Public Schools spent nearly a year painstakingly holding meetings and restructuring staffing plans to close a $23 million budget deficit for the next school year.

By early February, Superintendent Andrea Castaneda shared the plans publicly with staff and media, describing it at a news conference as a proactive measure for us, because we actually are in pretty solid financial condition, but we think it is important to get ahead of the pressures that are coming.

She could not have anticipated the $5 million pressure coming just three weeks later.

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On Feb. 20, she learned Salem-Keizer Public Schools was among many Oregon districts that would have their state school funding reduced, in large part because the Oregon Department of Education readjusts its formula for doling out money to districts based on annual releases of U.S. Census Bureau estimates on student poverty.

Those federal poverty estimates, using two-year-old data, are vastly different from the states own accounting of students in each district experiencing poverty. And because of federal shutdowns and delays at the bureau, schools didnt get the data until months after theyd finalized their annual budgets.

In response, Castaneda and 10 other school superintendents from around the state on Thursday reupped their calls to the State Board of Education in a letter and at its monthly meeting. They called on the board to change the school funding formula, and to remove or diminish the role of the federal poverty estimates, which they say continually lead to an undercount and underfunding for their schools.

Relying on estimates

Oregon is unique in relying heavily on the Census Bureaus Small Area Income and Poverty Estimates  an amalgamation of SNAP beneficiary data, tax data and poverty estimates based on them  that showed most recently, in 2024, the number of Salem-Keizer students experiencing poverty dropped nearly 27% from 2023 to 2024.

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The federal estimate put Salem-Keizers overall proportion of students experiencing poverty at just 13% in 2024, down from 18% the year prior.

But the Oregon Department of Educations own data shows that in 2023, 41% of students in the Salem-Keizer School District were experiencing poverty, and a year later in 2024, that had increased by 1 percentage point to 42% of students. The states data directly matches each student registered in the district with Oregon Department of Human Services data about the food, housing or other assistance they receive from state and federal programs. Poverty is measured as living at 130% of the federal poverty level, or a family of four living on about $42,900 per year.

The federal data measures every kid in a districts boundaries, even if they go to private school or are home-schooled, and poverty is measured at 100% of the federal poverty level  a family of four living on $33,000 annually.

Unexpected losses

At the same time Castaneda learned about her districts cuts, Greater Albany Public Schools learned its poverty adjustment will leave it with $1.1 million less from the state school fund than expected.

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The Woodburn and Hermiston School Districts will lose $800,000 each. In the Klamath County School District, the adjustment will cost schools $750,000.

Glen Szymoniak, superintendent of the Klamath County School District, said the district has never experienced swings as big as this year in the federal poverty estimate. He said it wont just cut into his districts allocation from the state, but also its federal allocation. The federal government uses the same Small Area Income and Poverty Estimates to dole out Title I funds to high poverty schools.

$750,000 is a significant amount of money, and most of that goes into people to serve as tutors and paraprofessionals, people who can do small group activities like reading groups, he said. Hopefully well have some attrition and we can repurpose some of those positions, but its highly likely well have to let some people go.

Mike Wiltfong, director of school finance at the Oregon Department of Education, said its hard to know what made the federal poverty estimates so anomalous for some districts in the most recent report. He speculated about student migration post-COVID, as well as possible survey or modeling changes.

Legislative choices tie education departments hands

Calls to remove the use of the federal estimates have been ongoing since it was first incorporated in 2013 due to a legislative mandate, Wiltfong explained. In essence, lawmakers were working within a limited number of state school fund dollars and, rather than meeting the needs of every individual kid, preferred to know the ballpark estimate of students experiencing poverty and to send a proportion of existing dollars commensurate to that.

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If the state started using its own data, which show significantly more poor students, the state school fund would need a lot more money, or many more schools would be splitting the same amount of money, he said.

Much of our constraints now are with the Legislature, not necessarily what the Department of Education or what our staff are willing to do, he said. Its more so that the Legislature is driving much of how were defining that (poverty) for the state school fund.

In its most recent estimate, the U.S. Census Bureau put the estimated number of kids experiencing poverty in the Hermiston School District boundaries at 800.

It doesnt seem like that is actually reflective of our community, said Tricia Mooney, superintendent of Hermiston Schools.

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State data shows more than 2,000 students are experiencing poverty in the district.

If the state has more accurate data that we use for other things, why arent we using those data sets? she asked.

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More than 5,000 patients have been evacuated for urgent treatment from war-torn Ukraine to hospitals across Europe since the beginning of Russia's full-scale invasion over four years ago, the European Commission announced on Thursday.

The evacuations show "Europe at its best, saving lives through solidarity and swift cooperation," said EU Crisis Commissioner Hadja Lahbib.

The patients have been transferred to hospitals in 22 European countries, including Norway, which is not a member of the European Union.

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The evacuations of patients suffering from severe injuries, chronic illnesses and complex conditions are coordinated by the European Commission in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Office for Europe.

The ongoing effort is the largest medical evacuation operation organized under the EU's European Civil Protection Mechanism, the commission said.

"The EU remains committed to supporting Ukraine's healthcare system and ensuring that those most vulnerable receive the care they need," a statement read.
KIEV, April 16 (Xinhua) -- Russia attacked Ukraine in the night between Wednesday and Thursday with missiles and drones, killing at least 15 people and injuring dozens more, authorities reported.

In Kiev, four people were killed and 54 others injured, including police officers, healthcare workers and two foreign nationals, said the Kiev City Prosecutor's Office.

The strikes caused widespread damage, hitting 17 apartment buildings, 10 private houses, a hotel, an office center, a car dealership, a petrol station, and a shopping mall.

In the southern city of Odesa, multiple waves of attacks killed eight people and injured 16, said Serhiy Lysak, head of the Odesa City Military Administration. Several buildings were damaged, and over 300 windows were shattered.

In the central Dnipropetrovsk region, three people were killed and 34 were wounded, according to the regional military administration.

The Ukrainian Air Force reported that Russia launched 659 combat drones and 44 missiles in the past 24 hours, with air defense intercepting 636 drones and 31 missiles. 
The owner of a dog that attacked a woman holding her child at an Ohio school in December has entered his plea.

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Nikai Roberts pleaded no contest on Wednesday for a Vicious Dog charge connected to the attack that happened at Whiteford Elementary in Sylvania, WTOL, a CBS affiliate in Toledo, reported.

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Roberts lived next to the school, and one of his dogs got loose on Dec. 8.

Documents obtained by WTOL revealed the dog attacked a woman and her child while she was dropping off two other children at the elementary school.

Surveillance cameras at the school caught the attack. The video showed the dog biting the woman and dragging her several feet.

The woman also dropped the child she was holding while the dog attacked her, WTOL added.

Roberts eventually surrendered the dog to the Lucas County Dog Warden, and it was later euthanized.

Roberts will be sentenced to probation later this month.

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BEIRUT, Lebanon (AP)  A 10-day truce began in Lebanon on Friday that could pause fighting between Israel and the Hezbollah militant group and boost attempts to extend the ceasefire between Iran, the United States and Israel after weeks of devastating war.

U.S. President Donald Trump announced the agreement as a ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon. However, Israel has not been fighting with Lebanon itself, but rather with the Iranian-backed Hezbollah militants inside the country, who were not formally part of the agreement.

Barrages of gunshots rang out across Beirut as residents fired into the air just after midnight to celebrate the beginning of the truce.

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Displaced families began moving toward southern Lebanon and Beiruts southern suburbs, despite warnings by officials not to attempt to return to their homes until it became clear whether the ceasefire would hold.

Earlier, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he agreed to the ceasefire to advance peace efforts with Lebanon, but said Israeli troops would not withdraw.

Israeli forces have engaged in fierce battles with Hezbollah in the border area as they pushed into southern Lebanon to create what officials have called a security zone. Netanyahu, in his video address, said it will extend 10 kilometers (6 miles) into Lebanon.

That is where we are, and we are not leaving, he said.

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Hezbollah said that Israeli occupation on our land grants Lebanon and its people the right to resist it, and this matter will be determined based on how developments unfold  a stance that could complicate the ceasefire.

Israel reserves right to defend itself

The U.S. State Department said that according to the agreement, Israel reserves the right to defend itself at any time, against planned, imminent, or ongoing attacks. But otherwise, Israel will not carry out any offensive military operations against Lebanese targets, including civilian, military, and other state targets.

The wording suggested Israel would maintain the freedom to strike at will, as it did in the months following the ceasefire that ended the previous war. This time, Hezbollah said it would respond to any strikes by Israel.

It's unclear when the 1 million people displaced by the war will be able to safely return.

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Lebanons state-run National News agency reported that Israeli shelling continued in the villages of Khiam and Dibbine about a half hour after the truce went into effect. Israels military said it was looking into reports of shelling and artillery fire in southern Lebanon.

Hezbollah kept firing rockets at northern Israeli towns and communities right up to the start of the ceasefire. Air raid sirens went off in some often-targeted border towns less than 10 minutes before midnight.

Flurry of diplomacy

The agreement came after a meeting between Israel's and Lebanons ambassadors in Washington and a flurry of subsequent phone calls from Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, according to a White House official.

They were the first direct diplomatic talks between the two countries in decades. Hezbollah had opposed direct talks between Lebanon and Israel.

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Trump spoke Wednesday evening with Netanyahu, who agreed to a ceasefire with certain terms, according to the official, who was not authorized to comment publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity.

Rubio then called Lebanons president, Joseph Aoun, who got on board. Trump then spoke with Aoun, and again with Netanyahu.

The State Department worked with both governments to formulate a memorandum of understanding for the truce.

May have been a historic day for Lebanon. Good things are happening!!! Trump said in a social media post.

Trump extends White House invitation

Lebanon has insisted on a ceasefire to stop the fighting between Israel and Hezbollah before engaging in more talks, while vowing to commit to disarming the group.

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Israel and Lebanon have technically been at war since Israel was established in 1948, and Lebanon remains deeply divided over diplomatic engagement with Israel.

Trump also invited the leaders of Israel and Lebanon to the White House for what he said would be the first meaningful talks" between the countries since 1983.

Both sides want to see PEACE, and I believe that will happen, quickly, Trump wrote on social media.

Lebanon and Israel signed an agreement in 1983 saying Lebanon would formally recognize Israel, and Israel would withdraw from Lebanon. The deal fell apart during Lebanons civil war and was formally rescinded a year later.

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A Hezbollah official said the ceasefire was a result of Irans negotiations with the U.S., in which Iran had insisted Lebanon be included in its own ceasefire, and came about through efforts by mediator Pakistan. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak publicly.

Pakistan army chief meets with Iranian parliament speaker

Meanwhile, Pakistans army chief met Thursday with Irans parliament speaker as part of international efforts to press for an extension to a ceasefire that has paused almost seven weeks of war between Israel, the U.S. and Iran.

It was unclear whether the frantic diplomacy could lead to a lasting deal before the ceasefire ends next week. The Iran war has killed thousands of people and upended global markets by disrupting the flow of oil.

Iranian state television did not provide details on the meeting between Pakistani Army Gen. Asim Munir and Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, his countrys chief negotiator.

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There was no immediate comment from Pakistan, a key mediator after hosting the talks between the U.S. and Iran that authorities said helped narrow differences between the sides.

The White House said any further talks regarding Iran would likely take place in the Pakistani capital of Islamabad, though no decision had been made on whether to resume negotiations. The fragile ceasefire is holding despite a U.S. naval blockade of Iranian ports and Iranian counter-threats to target regional ports across the Red Sea.

Trump suggested the ceasefire could be extended.

If were close to a deal, would I extend? Trump said in an exchange with reporters. Yeah, I would do that.

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The war has jolted markets and rattled the global economy as shipping has been cut off and airstrikes have pounded military and civilian infrastructure. Oil prices have fallen amid hopes for an end to fighting, and U.S. stocks on Wednesday surpassed records set in January.

Officials say US and Iran are making progress

Even as the U.S. blockade on Iranian ports and renewed Iranian threats strained the ceasefire, regional officials reported progress, telling AP the United States and Iran had an in-principle agreement to extend it to allow for more diplomacy. They spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive negotiations.

But tensions simmered.

The commander of Irans joint military command, Ali Abdollahi, threatened to halt trade in the region if the U.S. does not lift its naval blockade, and a newly appointed military adviser to Iranian Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei said he does not support extending the ceasefire.

Mediators seek compromise on sticking points

The fighting has killed at least 3,000 people in Iran, more than 2,100 in Lebanon, 23 in Israel and more than a dozen in Gulf Arab states. Thirteen U.S. service members have also been killed.

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Mediators are pushing for a compromise on three main sticking points: Irans nuclear program, the Strait of Hormuz and compensation for wartime damages, according to a regional official involved in the mediation efforts.

Since the war began, Iran has curtailed maritime traffic through the strait, which a fifth of global oil transited through in peacetime. Tehrans effective closure of the strait sent oil prices skyrocketing, raising the cost of fuel, food and other basic goods far beyond the Middle East.

___

Becatoros contributed from Athens, Greece. Matthew Lee and Ben Finley in Washington, Samy Magdy in Cairo, Melanie Lidman in Tel Aviv, Israel, and Munir Ahmed in Islamabad contributed to this report.
With more parents pushing for limits on screen time in the classroom, Vermont state Rep. Rob Hunter, a Democrat, wants to make it easier for them to opt their children out of using laptops and iPads.

He co-sponsored legislation this year that would give parents an ed-tech right of refusal. A former English teacher, he was never a fan of the shift toward every student having their own laptop. Technology, he said, isnt making students any smarter.

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In fact, we know its making them dumber, he said, expressing a view shared by parents across the country, especially those with students in the elementary grades.

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When his fellow lawmaker Rep. Leanne Harple read the bill, she imagined how tough it might be for teachers to accommodate such requests. An English teacher herself, she also speaks from experience. Her students do research online, where the information is more up to date than in books and academic journals. A 2024 American Federation of Teachers survey showed 83% of teachers use technology in the classroom daily.

Related

Schools Are Paying for Ed Tech That Students Never Use  Could A New Contract Model Change That?

The bill would create, in some cases, a lot more work, she said. For every assignment, teachers would have to create an alternative thats completely analog.

Their opposing views on the topic reflect a growing national debate. Parents who advocated for bell-to-bell cellphone bans are now targeting Chromebooks and other ed tech. Influenced by researchers like Jonathan Haidt and Jared Cooney Horvath, who argue that cellphones and classroom technology have harmed students development, theyve mobilized in Facebook groups. Theyre demanding pencil-and-paper assignments and asking teachers to excuse their kids from computer-based math and reading apps. Their pleas have sparked pushback from districts that for years have relied on technology for everything from curriculum to testing.

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In August, almost no one was talking about this, and now Im having no other conversations, said Kelly Clancy, a mom of three in South Brooklyn, New York, who also serves on her local community education council. Theres a sea change in parents realizing that they dont want their kids in front of screens.

Shes among those challenging the New York City schools use of digital programs. She refused to let teachers enter her kids work into Writable, an AI tool from the curriculum company HMH that generates feedback on student writing. But when she tried to opt her children out of i-Ready, a widely used testing program from the company Curriculum Associates, she met resistance. The tests are a baseline component of the districts assessment system, David Pretto, superintendent of District 20, wrote in an email. Her schools principal, he said, is not in the position to exclude your child from universal screening.

Clancy didnt take no for an answer.

We will get legal advice if necessary, but my children will not complete these, she wrote back.

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In a statement, the district said any tool using student data must undergo a rigorous  review process to meet strict privacy, security and compliance standards before it is approved for use. Officials urged parents to contact local schools with their concerns.

When New York City parent Kelly Clancy said she wanted to opt her children out of i-Ready, a local superintendent said she couldnt.

Across the country, the Seattle Public Schools has advised staff that families may not opt out of district-adopted digital curriculum, but a spokesperson for the district told The 74 that this is an evolving landscape, and we will continue to review and update the guidance as needed.

Parents in Pennsylvanias Lower Merion School District are also determined to keep their students off Chromebooks at school.

Theyre saying we cant, but well find a way, Yair Lev, a parent of two, said after a community meeting last month in which Superintendent Frank Ranelli said opting out wasnt possible because the curriculum is computer-based.

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Teachers, Lev said, are caught in the middle. He collected anonymous comments from five teachers, who said students often access gaming sites and YouTube during class, and even make video calls to students in other classrooms.

There should be clear districtwide policies and parameters for when laptops should and should not be used, rather than leaving major decisions to classroom-by-classroom discretion, one wrote.

Frank Ranelli, superintendent of the Lower Merion School District, outside of Philadelphia, spoke to parents in March about the districts technology policies. (Ron Stanford)

Not our best moment

Lev, a cardiologist and professor at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, said hes not opposed to technology. He consults for cardiology startups using AI and has taken the lead on AI use in his division at the hospital. But he and his wife realized that kids are being exposed to a lot of screens, and we decided to try to reduce it at home.

In some ways, he represents many of the parents pushing for tech opt outs. His children are young, and theyre starting school at a time when Haidt, a social psychologist, warns that cellphones and social media have harmed childrens mental health. Levs kids are also beginning their education after the pandemic, when parents are demanding more say over whats taking place in the classroom and data breaches have compromised student privacy.

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Related

Districts Race to Apply For Funds to Improve Students At-Home Internet Access

The image of technology in schools thats seared into every parents mind is the lockdown version of technology. It wasnt our best moment, said Joseph South, chief innovation officer at the International Society for Technology in Education, which merged in 2023 with ASCD, a major curriculum organization.

Until the pandemic, Elyssa East, a New York City mom, was raising her son screen-free. That became impossible during school closures. Around the same time, she learned that he had some learning difficulties and would really fall apart when it came to any instruction on the screen.

Online math programs like Zearn and IXL made him feel defeated, she said, because they were assigned for remediation.

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Here is this technology thats supposed to help him, but it makes him feel even worse than a human teacher would, East said.

She eventually switched him to a private school. She has opted him out of math apps and he writes on an old electric typewriter.

He likes that a lot, she said. Compared to a laptop, its a totally different experience.

Elyssa Easts son, now in sixth grade, uses a typewriter at home to do his homework rather than a laptop. (Courtesy of Elyssa East)

Caught in the crossfire

Some teachers have no problem with less technology.

Dylan Kane, a seventh grade math teacher in Lake County, Colorado, near Aspen, went tech-free in January. Students, he wrote, are more focused, are completing more work and spend less time fussing with logistics, like connecting to the internet or forgetting their Chromebook at home.

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Like many parents, he was influenced by Horvaths The Digital Delusion. In his 2025 book, the cognitive neuroscientist argues that the widespread use of classroom technology has left students distracted and unable to retain information.

But prior to January, Kane never had a parent request to opt their child out of using computers or specific software. Even during parent-teacher conferences this spring, his decision to ditch Chromebooks in class never came up.

I work in a small, rural town thats relatively low-income, not a lot of college-educated parents. I think much of the tech backlash from parents is coming from the more-online, higher-educated folks, he said. He thinks trying to accommodate individual parents objections would be tricky. Teachers could be caught in the crossfire because they have to deal with district-mandated online programs and then potentially parent opt-outs.

South at ISTE+ASCD said hes heard plenty of horror stories about technology, like apps dominated by advertising and students spending class time shooting aliens on the screen. But those examples are often due to teachers using a program that was never vetted by their district or some random kid who found a workaround, he said.

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He and Richard Culatta, the organizations CEO, added that bills moving through state legislatures that limit screen time dont necessarily address parents other concerns like cyberbullying, protecting student data or improving the overall quality of instruction.

Many of the bills require paper worksheets to be used instead of technology, said Culatta, who quipped that he often feels like hes in a time warp.

Theres no quality indicator, he said. You could literally take any garbage worksheet and it would be fine.

Rapid innovation

Opt-out requests have forced districts to be more thoughtful about how they use technology.

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The Worcester Public Schools in central Massachusetts is like a lot of districts. It went through a period of rapid innovation and tech acquisition prior to the pandemic to make sure teachers and students had the tools needed to be future-ready, said Sarah Kyriazis, director of the districts Office of Innovation.

Schools added even more ed tech tools during COVID lockdowns for remote and hybrid learning. Now some parents are questioning those decisions at a time of national concern about data, privacy, security and screen time, she said.

The districts school committee has so far declined to allow parents to opt out of ed tech programs. But Kyriazis is collecting feedback from teachers on the apps they feel are most important for instruction. The goal, she said, is to whittle down the amount of data sent through online platforms to third-party vendors. Principals and teachers, she said, should be able to speak with parents about each app and its purpose in the classroom.

Further west, the Northampton, Massachusetts, district is accommodating opt-out requests from about 12 parents. To do so, teachers must come up with activities that allow students to learn from the same curriculum as their peers without using the disputed programs, said Superintendent Portia Bonner.

Laura Carney Erny, who has a second grader in the district, hasnt tried to opt her son out of tech yet, but shes thinking about it for third grade. Even learning which programs the school used took months of back-and-forth emails with teachers and administrators, she said.

Parents say they dont want to further complicate the lives of teachers, especially those who lack classroom aides. Northampton lost several paraprofessionals in 2024 who were paid with temporary COVID relief funds.

I dont blame teachers for relying on tech because its an easy thing to do, she said. Some of these programs help keep the kids in their seats.

In the Los Angeles Unified School District, former teacher Kate Brody is among those who have opted their children out of practice sessions on i-Ready, now the subject of a federal lawsuit over student privacy. She decided the program was a problem when her first grader couldnt tear himself away from the screen to use the bathroom and started having accidents.

I used to teach full time, she said. I definitely dont want to create a world where were asking teachers to do multiple lesson plans and monitor half the class on the computer and do analog lessons for the other half.

Its unfair to teachers to field opt-out requests every year, she said. Thats why, as a board member for Schools Beyond Screens, an advocacy group of parents and educators, she backs a proposed resolution that calls for limits on the use of technology for all students, especially in the early grades. The board will vote on the plan April 21.

Right now, she said, its the Wild West.
San Francisco District Attorney Brooke Jenkins on Wednesday announced murder charges against the parents of a 2-year-old who died from a fentanyl overdose in February.

According to DA Jenkins, the medical examiner's report and the evidence they found inside the apartment where the incident took place were strong.

They found Narcan and fentanyl throughout the area where the child was located.

"This is the first homicide case that we have filed in connection with a fatal overdose due to fentanyl," said DA Jenkins.

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According to court documents, when paramedics arrived, the child was not breathing and her body was stiff with purple-red discoloration, "indicating the child had been dead for several hours."

MORE: SF mayor signs legislation for officers to arrest drug users, send them to RESET Center

On the bed, officers found Narcan and a "white powder later identified as fentanyl" as well as "used pipes and torches."

The toxicology analysis revealed "lethal levels of fentanyl as well as Narcan in the toddler's bloodstream."

The DA used this evidence to increase charges against the child's mother and father from child endangerment and possession of a controlled substance to murder.

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"Fentanyl found in this home that was loosely out and available to this toddler. It was clear to me that these parents were aware of its lethality and the danger of fentanyl, and where I believe that it was appropriate to file charges," said DA Jenkins.

MORE: Bay Area parents tackle fentanyl crisis, provide potentially life-saving drug: Here's how

The National Harm Reduction Coalition views this as an overcharge.

"Bringing homicide charges is a travesty. It will not only not bring back that toddler, that baby, but also will devastate the lives of their parents. My understanding is they did everything they could to save the baby," said Laura Guzman, executive director of the National Harm Reduction Coalition.

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The ABC7 Eyewitness News data team found that San Francisco officials have reported two overdose deaths of children under the age of 14 in the first two months of 2026.

In 2025 there were 625 total overdoses in San Francisco.

Cedric Akbar, executive director of the nonprofit Positive Directions Equals Change, which focuses on providing recovery services in the city, is concerned the City's latest budget cuts could lead to more overdoses.

"That means it's going to be less treatment beds available. There's going to be less services available to get the people the help they need now. No way that we're going to be opening up this reset center. And it's supposed to open in maybe like the first week of May, and hopefully that will help," said Akbar. "One thing I am glad to see that finally somebody is starting to prosecute."

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In the past, DA Jenkins has not been successful in sentencing drug dealers for fatal overdoses.

In this case, she said the evidence points to the couple inside the home as the parties responsible. The parents are expected to be in court Thursday April 16 at 9 a.m.

If you're on the ABC7 News app, click here to watch live
Former Rep. Mary Peltola (D-Alaska) brought in $8.9 million in the first three months of the year as she seeks a Senate seat, her campaign announced this week.

The sum marks the largest first-quarter raise for a Senate candidate in the state.

Peltola, who lost Alaskas at-large House seat in 2024, is challenging incumbent Republican Sen. Dan Sullivan in the midterms. The former lawmaker has bolstered Democrats hopes of flipping the state, which could give them a boost in the broader fight for Senate control.

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Im so grateful for the support weve received from every single borough and census area across our state, and its that support that will bring us to victory this November, Peltola said in a statement announcing her Q1 haul this week.

More than 95 percent of contributions were $100 or less, the campaign said, signaling strong grassroots support from Alaskans.

Meanwhile, Sullivans campaign raised $2.1 million in the first quarter, Alaskas KTUU reported.

Though the state has sided with President Trump in each of his three presidential bids, Peltola flipped the states House district into Democratic hands back in 2022 before she was ousted by now-Rep. Nick Begich (R) in 2024.

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Alaska has elected a Democrat to the Senate just once in the last 50 years, but Cook Political Report rates this years race as lean Republican, just a step away from being a toss-up.

A March poll from Alaska Survey Research showed Peltola up by 5 points in a hypothetical general election showdown with Sullivan. The primary will take place in mid-August.

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.
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul proposed a tax on Tuesday targeting New York City second homes worth $5 million or more, The New York Times reported.

The proposal comes as New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani threatened a 9.5% property tax increase to cut budget deficits that are estimated to reach $5.4 billion in the coming years.

New York City is the greatest city in the world, and the people who call it home should not be left carrying the burden alone, Hochul said in a written statement. If you can afford a $5 million second home that sits empty most of the year, you can afford to contribute like every other New Yorker.

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Should the tax be passed, it will generate an estimated $500 million annually from annual surcharges on some of the most expensive homes in the country, from billionaire Ken Griffiths $238 million penthouse to Alexander Varshavsky, a Russian auto dealer who owns a $20.5 million home purchased in cash, NYC.gov reported.

Hochul and Mamdani both stressed the goal is to target the ultra-wealthy who dont live primarily in the city, avoiding a greater burden on the backs of middle-class citizens who live in New York City full time.

In a video on X, standing outside of Griffiths penthouse, Mamdani said he was going to tax the rich when he was elected. Well today, were taxing the rich.

This pied-a-terre tax is specifically designed for the richest of the rich. Those who store their wealth in New York City real estate, but who dont actually live here, he said. Theyre able to reap the huge financial rewards of owning property in, dare I say it, the greatest city in the world.

Happy Tax Day, New York. Were taxing the rich. pic.twitter.com/Wky2LFXC9W  Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani (@NYCMayor) April 15, 2026

He said it has always been a fundamentally unfair system to working citizens, but now it is coming to an end.

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As mayor, I believe everyone has a role to play in contributing to our city, and some a little bit more than others, Mamdani said.

Happy tax day, New York.

Will the tax actually work?

While the tax is celebrated as a victory, many fear it will do more harm than good.

William Zeckendorf of the firm Zeckendorf Development called the proposed tax a poorly conceived tax wall around a city whose credo is to welcome everyone, he wrote in Crains New York Business.

Predicting that many wealthy second-home owners will sell instead of paying the tax, he wrote, This is an international city that has benefited greatly from part-time residents who, when they come, spend a considerable amount of money on goods and services here.

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This is not the first time New York officials have considered taxes on high-income earners. Similar ideas were floated around in 2014, when one proposal targeted pied-a-terre owners who would pay a 0.5% tax on the amount the second home is worth more than $5 million.

More recently, after Griffin bought his $238 million luxury residency on Central Park South in 2019, a similar idea gained momentum until it died after a campaign from politically powerful developers lobbied to have it stopped, arguing the tax would not bring in the expected tax revenue and would make New York City a less attractive place to live, The New York Times reported.

Hochuls Republican challenger, Bruce Blakeman, made a statement on the current tax proposal.

Kathy Hochuls No Tax Hike promise has expired faster than the families fleeing New Yorks affordability crisis, he said in a statement. Unlike Hochul, Ill actually keep my word when Im governor: Ill cut your taxes, slash your utility bills in half, and protect the American Dream.

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New York is not alone when it comes to taxes on secondary homes or finding ways to make the rich contribute their fair share. Rhode Island, Montana, New Jersey, Connecticut and Washington are included among those imposing some form of mansion tax, Northjersey.com reports.

April 16, New York extended its budget for the fourth time. The tax proposal will either be accepted or rejected with the budget when it eventually comes to fruition. The current extender runs through April 20.
Poisoned Ivies: The Inside Account of the Academic and Moral Rot at America's Elite Universities, by Elise Stefanik, Threshold Editions, 256 pages, $29.

Elise Stefanik seems to be stepping away from politics, having suspended her gubernatorial campaign and announced that she will not seek re-election to Congress. The New York Republican's new book, Poisoned Ivies: The Inside Account of the Academic and Moral Rot at America's Elite Universities, was presumably intended to advance her political career. It may instead serve as a coda to it.

Central to Poisoned Ivies is a congressional hearing held December 5, 2023, when three Ivy league presidents went viraland not in the good wayfor their response to Stefanik's question: "Does calling for the genocide of Jews violate your university's code of conduct on bullying or harassment?"

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Stefanik excoriates the presidents for the "deadpan" and "nearly verbatim" answers they all gave: "It depends on the context." Two presidents, Harvard's Claudine Gay and Penn's Liz Magill, were out of the job soon after the hearing, and Stefanik laments that MIT President Sally Kornbluth managed to escape the fallout with her title intact. Stefanik suggests that the "hearing heard around the world," as she repeatedly calls it, is the zenith of her political accomplishments.

As Stefanik emphasizes throughout the book, this was intended as a simple test of good or evil, one that requires only one word: "Yes." But Stefanik asked these presidents a question about law and policy, then faulted them for not instead answering the unasked moral question about whether they personally condemn pro-genocidal speech. Conservatives have long objected when university bureaucrats blur their personal convictions with their institutional policies to the detriment of neutral speech principles. But here, Stefanik directly demands it.

Despite Stefanik's claims, the context of speech does actually matter. Without more, a comment perceived as "calling for genocide" is indeed unlikely to meet either the Supreme Court's standard for peer-on-peer harassment or the limits of First Amendment protection. Later in the book, Stefanik shows her hand and demonstrates why it's necessary for university leaders to approach such questions with caution: She says the phrase "from the river to the sea" is a "genocidal chant"presumably one she expects universities to ban.

Readers can draw their own conclusions about the meaning and impact of this and similar phrases. But under the First Amendment, their legal status is not a hard call: This is protected speech. Separating how you feel about speech from your analysis of whether it's protected is a First Amendment fundamental that we should expect elected officials to understand.

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Poisoned Ivies does highlight some genuinely disturbing incidents that took place on campus in the aftermath of the October 7, 2023, attack on Israel. A Cornell student threatened to commit a mass shooting at a kosher dining hall, for example, and there were times when students or workers were trapped inside buildings during occupations. As the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression, where I work, noted, it does not violate the First Amendment for universities to protect students against actual threats or physical harm.

But Stefanik does a real disservice to that cause by conflating unlawful conduct, which universities have a responsibility to address, with what she perceives as offensive speech about October 7 and the broader Israeli-Palestinian conflict, which she expects the universities she herself derides as censorial to censor. There is a difference between what morality may require of us and what limits the law can place upon us. And that chasm exists for good reason: The beauty and promise of living in a free country is our right to pursue our own version of the good without being forced to live by the values embraced by our politicians. One legislator's "moral rot" is another American's core beliefs and values.

Stefanik also keeps pairing antisemitism with the hazy concept of "anti-Americanism." She never bothers to define the second concept, nor does she address the obvious First Amendment questions raised by an elected official's endeavours to crack down on such an amorphous, subjective concept. But those distinctions require context and nuance, which Stefanik treats as impediments to the moral clarity demanded by these threats. At one point, the list even balloons to include a murky "anti-West" hate.

In these repeated dismissals of "anti-Americanism," Stefanik derides student bodies who she suggests reject America, its freedom, and its founding ideals. But what is a greater rejection of the founding ideals of the United States than an overreaching federal government trampling the First Amendment? That overreach is exactly what this book celebrates.

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Stefanik calls the Trump administration's funding freezes to universities like Columbia and Harvard a correct use of "the federal government's considerable power." Whether that power is employed lawfully is, once again, a pesky nuance that this book is uninterested in addressing. Nitpicky questions of constitutionality are not welcome distractions in a battle cast in these dire moral terms. Harvard's reaction to the administration's strongarminga lawsuit defending itselfis, she complains, a "vicious[] attack." She calls President Alan Garber's assertion of the university's constitutional rights a result of "radicalized Trump-deranged faculty."

Stefanik rightly notes the broad challenges posed by academic ties with countries like China and Qatar and the associated risk that foreign governments will instill their censorship preferences onto our universities. There is a serious threat that foreign censorship will diminish our universities in both blunt and subtle ways, and I document how vast the problem is in my book Authoritarians in the Academy. Fears of political retaliation in the form of revoked funding can and have pressured universities to contort themselves to please the governments who are proffering those funds, to the detriment of free expression.

But for a critic so concerned with the threat of censorship levied by foreign governments, Stefanik is curiously eager to see it imposed domestically.

Perhaps most disturbing of all is Stefanik's celebration of this administration's crackdown on international students. This includes the newly instituted requirement that their social media accounts be made public so officials can spot "any indications of hostility" to U.S. institutions. ("Rightly so," she writes.) Poisoned Ivies expresses some valid concerns about some students' inability to express views unpopular with their peers or administrators, but the book valorizes something far, far worse: an inability to express views unpopular with elected officials, with arrest and deportation as punishment. In the land of the free, international students are forced to swallow their criticisms of the very government threatening to deport them for wrongthink.

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Universities are "no longer educating international students, as they once did, into core American principles and values," Stefanik complains, "because the universities themselves no longer believe in American principles and values." Unfortunately, some of our elected officials aren't interested in educating international students in American values such as freedom of speech either.

Poisoned Ivies is a book heavy on rhetoric and light on substance. Stefanik diagnoses universities as partisan, censorial institutions, but her plan for reform is more partisanship and more censorship. Whatever reasonable criticisms Stefanik raises about higher education are drowned out by her advocacy not for institutions that do not censor, but for ones that censor more to her liking.

Stefanik never quite explains what she means by "anti-Americanism." But readers searching for a definition can find displays of it littered throughout Poisoned Ivies' pages.

The post In <i>Poisoned Ivies</i>, Stefanik Sees Censorship as a Cure for 'Anti-Americanism' appeared first on Reason.com.
Police are investigating shots fired at a local roller skating rink.

Allegheny County dispatchers said emergency crews were called to the 5100 block of Neville Road in Neville Township at 8:44 p.m. on Wednesday.

The Ohio Township Police Chief tells Channel 11 that no one was hit and no vehicles were struck by the gunfire.

The chief also said that the gunfire was the result of an argument that broke out during an event inside the building.

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Channel 11 has a crew at the scene and is working to learn more. Tune in to Channel 11 News at 11 p.m. for the latest updates.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

Police are investigating shots fired at a local roller skating rink.

Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts.

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Israeli Chief of Police Daniel Levi near the scene of a stabbing attack in Jerusalem

A public dispute broke out between Israel Police and the State Attorneys Office over the handling of protest cases, with police accusing the prosecution of abandoning officers.

A public dispute broke out on Wednesday between Israel Police and the State Attorneys Office after police said two tort rulings had been issued against the force and against officers and commanders over the handling of protests  in cases in which the defendants were not represented by the prosecution.

In a sharply worded statement, police accused the State Attorneys Office of abandoning officers who had acted on behalf of the state in complex operational circumstances, and said that failure had affected the outcome of the cases.

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Unfortunately, we are witnessing the prosecution withdraw its hand from representing officers and leave them to face legal proceedings alone, after they acted in the name of the state and by virtue of their role, police said.

The force added that the officers had been left without proper legal protection in court without any logical reason, in a move it said influenced the rulings and left no possibility of appeal.

Police Commissioner Daniel Levi said he fully backed the officers involved and argued that the state has both a moral and legal duty to assist and defend police personnel sent to carry out missions in its name.

Levi said the situation now required the organization to secure outside representation by leading private attorneys, independently of any other authority, in order to defend its officers and fighters.

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The police statement references a default judgment in a civil claim filed against the Israel Police, the Israel Prison Service, and two officers. In the ruling, the court said that after the defendants failed to file a statement of defense despite extensions, and so it was judgment in favor of the plaintiff.

Israeli Border Police officers patrol outside Damascus Gate in Jerusalems Old City during the beginning of the holy fasting month of Ramadan, February 18, 2026. (credit: CHAIM GOLDBERG/FLASH90)

The State Attorneys Office later pushed back forcefully, rejecting the police account and insisting it had not refused to represent the force.

The prosecution routinely represents Israel Police officers and acts to protect them within the framework of their duties, while preserving its obligation to act in accordance with the law, professional discretion, and the proper management of legal proceedings, it said.

According to the prosecution, the problem was not a refusal to appear, but a substantive dispute over the content of the defense that was to be filed.

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The facts are that the statement of defense was not filed because of substantive disagreements regarding its content, since the prosecution refused to file a statement of defense that did not faithfully reflect the events from a factual and legal standpoint, it said.

Police rejected proposals amid prosecution's warnings

The prosecution further said it had warned police more than once during the handling of the case about the risk that a judgment would be entered in the absence of a defense. It also said it had proposed various alternatives for resolving the proceedings with the plaintiffs, but that the police rejected those proposals.

The exchange laid bare an unusually public clash between two state bodies over responsibility for legal strategy in protest-related cases, with police framing the matter as institutional abandonment of officers and the prosecution presenting it as a professional refusal to submit a defense it believed did not accurately reflect the facts or law.
After two months without any concrete news on Nancy Guthrie, its not surprising to see police doubling back on everything theyve already investigated. Police released surveillance photos and videos of a masked kidnapper, after all, but were never able to identify the person. Not just that, even though DNA was recovered, law enforcement has yet to link it to anyone. And though police reportedly have ideas about a motive, nothing has been confirmed.

So news that the police are returning to the neighborhood where Nancy Guthries daughter Annie and her husband Tommasso Cioni live, according to KVOA, was met with some interest. The two were the last to see Nancy alive, the night before she disappeared.

More from StyleCaster

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Related: Who are Savannah Guthries siblings?

The added patrols reportedly came after a specific issue was raised by residents. Neighbors complained about a YouTuber harassing residents in the area. PCSD confirmed that they have also received similar complaints from Guthries daughter Annie in relation to her neighborhood. The department has increased patrols in both areas due to those complaints, KVOA reported on Monday, April 13.

Most news stations are not camped in the area to report on the Guthrie investigation anymore, with some hoping to keep the case alive and get a scoop in case something is announced. But neighbors, at this point, have had enough. And its hard to blame them.

Despite the communitys desire for normalcy, some believe that there might soon be a break in the case. An FBI expert has suggested that Savannah Guthries return to the Today show could be the thing that pushes the needle forward. Walls are closing in for the kidnappers, they suggested.

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Former FBI agent Jason Pack told Page Six, Every day that passes the pressure builds. Keeping a secret like this is exhausting.  and that gets harder with every morning that Savannah Guthrie sits behind that anchor desk.

The visibility, he said, will affect how this case develops going forward. Most criminals in cases like this count on the media moving on, he said. They count on the family fading from public view. They count on people forgetting. This case is different. Savannah has a national platform and she shows up on it every single day. Every time a viewer sees her face, they think about her mother.

And this is when the kidnappers and the people around them can make mistakes, or get antsy. The more attention, the more pressure on the people responsible goes up.

Add a reward of more than one million dollars and the full weight of FBI resources and you have a situation where the walls are not just closing, but they are closing from every direction at once, he explained.

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At some point, someone is going to have the courage to make that call, he said. One phone call from someone who decides the reward money matters more than their silence is all it takes to bring law enforcement directly to their front door.

The reward for information about Nancy Guthries disappearance stands at over $1 million.

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A drone photo taken on April 2, 2026 shows a production line of Luoyang Bearing Group Co., Ltd. in Luoyang, central China's Henan Province.

Henan is an important industrial hub in central China with its manufacturing sector's output value having exceeded one trillion yuan (about 146.67 billion U.S. dollars).

In recent years, led by sci-tech innovation and industrial upgrading, the province has actively promoted high-quality development of manufacturing industry.

In 2025, the added value of its equipment manufacturing rose by 13.6 percent, accounting for 44.1 percent of the province's above-scale industrial growth. (Xinhua/Li Jianan)

Automatic cutting robots work on a production line at a factory of ZCZL Industrial Technology Group in Zhengzhou, central China's Henan Province, March 30, 2026.

Henan is an important industrial hub in central China with its manufacturing sector's output value having exceeded one trillion yuan (about 146.67 billion U.S. dollars).

In recent years, led by sci-tech innovation and industrial upgrading, the province has actively promoted high-quality development of manufacturing industry.

In 2025, the added value of its equipment manufacturing rose by 13.6 percent, accounting for 44.1 percent of the province's above-scale industrial growth. (Xinhua/Li Jianan)

Staff members work on a production line at a factory of Yutong Group in Zhengzhou, central China's Henan Province, March 30, 2026.

Henan is an important industrial hub in central China with its manufacturing sector's output value having exceeded one trillion yuan (about 146.67 billion U.S. dollars).

In recent years, led by sci-tech innovation and industrial upgrading, the province has actively promoted high-quality development of manufacturing industry.

In 2025, the added value of its equipment manufacturing rose by 13.6 percent, accounting for 44.1 percent of the province's above-scale industrial growth. (Xinhua/Li Jianan)

Employees work at an assembly line of China Yituo Group Co., Ltd. in Luoyang, central China's Henan Province, April 14, 2026.

Henan is an important industrial hub in central China with its manufacturing sector's output value having exceeded one trillion yuan (about 146.67 billion U.S. dollars).

In recent years, led by sci-tech innovation and industrial upgrading, the province has actively promoted high-quality development of manufacturing industry.

In 2025, the added value of its equipment manufacturing rose by 13.6 percent, accounting for 44.1 percent of the province's above-scale industrial growth. (Xinhua/Li Jianan)

This photo taken on March 23, 2026 shows a production line of Chinese auto brand Jetour at a manufacturing base in Kaifeng, central China's Henan Province.

Henan is an important industrial hub in central China with its manufacturing sector's output value having exceeded one trillion yuan (about 146.67 billion U.S. dollars).

In recent years, led by sci-tech innovation and industrial upgrading, the province has actively promoted high-quality development of manufacturing industry.

In 2025, the added value of its equipment manufacturing rose by 13.6 percent, accounting for 44.1 percent of the province's above-scale industrial growth. (Xinhua/Li Jianan)

Employees work at an assembly line of China Yituo Group Co., Ltd. in Luoyang, central China's Henan Province, April 14, 2026.

Henan is an important industrial hub in central China with its manufacturing sector's output value having exceeded one trillion yuan (about 146.67 billion U.S. dollars).

In recent years, led by sci-tech innovation and industrial upgrading, the province has actively promoted high-quality development of manufacturing industry.

In 2025, the added value of its equipment manufacturing rose by 13.6 percent, accounting for 44.1 percent of the province's above-scale industrial growth. (Xinhua/Li Jianan)

An employee tests tractors at China Yituo Group Co., Ltd. in Luoyang, central China's Henan Province, April 14, 2026.

Henan is an important industrial hub in central China with its manufacturing sector's output value having exceeded one trillion yuan (about 146.67 billion U.S. dollars).

In recent years, led by sci-tech innovation and industrial upgrading, the province has actively promoted high-quality development of manufacturing industry.

In 2025, the added value of its equipment manufacturing rose by 13.6 percent, accounting for 44.1 percent of the province's above-scale industrial growth. (Xinhua/Li Jianan)

An employee works at an assembly line of China Yituo Group Co., Ltd. in Luoyang, central China's Henan Province, April 14, 2026.

Henan is an important industrial hub in central China with its manufacturing sector's output value having exceeded one trillion yuan (about 146.67 billion U.S. dollars).

In recent years, led by sci-tech innovation and industrial upgrading, the province has actively promoted high-quality development of manufacturing industry.

In 2025, the added value of its equipment manufacturing rose by 13.6 percent, accounting for 44.1 percent of the province's above-scale industrial growth. (Xinhua/Li Jianan)

An employee works at an assembly line of China Yituo Group Co., Ltd. in Luoyang, central China's Henan Province, April 14, 2026.

Henan is an important industrial hub in central China with its manufacturing sector's output value having exceeded one trillion yuan (about 146.67 billion U.S. dollars).

In recent years, led by sci-tech innovation and industrial upgrading, the province has actively promoted high-quality development of manufacturing industry.

In 2025, the added value of its equipment manufacturing rose by 13.6 percent, accounting for 44.1 percent of the province's above-scale industrial growth. (Xinhua/Li Jianan)

Technicians work at a noise testing lab of Yutong Group in Zhengzhou, central China's Henan Province, March 30, 2026.

Henan is an important industrial hub in central China with its manufacturing sector's output value having exceeded one trillion yuan (about 146.67 billion U.S. dollars).

In recent years, led by sci-tech innovation and industrial upgrading, the province has actively promoted high-quality development of manufacturing industry.

In 2025, the added value of its equipment manufacturing rose by 13.6 percent, accounting for 44.1 percent of the province's above-scale industrial growth. (Xinhua/Li Jianan)

An employee works at an assembly line of China Yituo Group Co., Ltd. in Luoyang, central China's Henan Province, April 14, 2026.

Henan is an important industrial hub in central China with its manufacturing sector's output value having exceeded one trillion yuan (about 146.67 billion U.S. dollars).

In recent years, led by sci-tech innovation and industrial upgrading, the province has actively promoted high-quality development of manufacturing industry.

In 2025, the added value of its equipment manufacturing rose by 13.6 percent, accounting for 44.1 percent of the province's above-scale industrial growth. (Xinhua/Li Jianan)

A drone photo taken on March 30, 2026 shows a bus being tested at a factory of Yutong Group in Zhengzhou, central China's Henan Province.

Henan is an important industrial hub in central China with its manufacturing sector's output value having exceeded one trillion yuan (about 146.67 billion U.S. dollars).

In recent years, led by sci-tech innovation and industrial upgrading, the province has actively promoted high-quality development of manufacturing industry.

In 2025, the added value of its equipment manufacturing rose by 13.6 percent, accounting for 44.1 percent of the province's above-scale industrial growth. (Xinhua/Li Jianan)
Pope Leo has criticised leaders who spend billions on wars and said the world was "being ravaged by a handful of tyrants" in unusually forceful comments during a visit to Cameroon.

The pontiff blasted those he said had manipulated "the very name of God" for their own gain, while touring a region ravaged by a deadly insurgency.

The remarks come just days after a high-profile spat with US President Donald Trump, who posted a lengthy attack on the Pope, a vocal critic of the US-Israeli military operation in Iran.

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The Pope had voiced his concern about Trump's threat that "a whole civilisation will die" if Iran did not agree to US demands to end the war and open the Strait of Hormuz.

Leo, who last year became the first US-born Pope, has previously also questioned the Trump administration's approach to immigration.

"Leo should get his act together as Pope," Trump wrote in a Truth Social post at the time.

The Pope told reporters at the start of his Africa tour that he did not want to get into a debate with Trump but would continue to promote peace.

Speaking in Cameroon, the Pope criticised leaders who "turn a blind eye to the fact that billions of dollars are spent on killing and devastation, yet the resources needed for healing, education and restoration are nowhere to be found".

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"The masters of war pretend not to know that it takes only a moment to destroy, yet often a lifetime is not enough to rebuild," he said on Thursday.

The Pope also condemned "an endless cycle of destabilisation and death" in a "bloodstained" region of Cameroon that has been gripped by insurgency for nearly a decade.

"Those who rob your land of its resources generally invest much of the profit in weapons, thus perpetuating an endless cycle of destabilisation and death," he told those gathered at a cathedral in the north-western city of Bamenda - the centre of the violence that has left at least 6,000 people dead and displaced many more.

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"Peace is not something we must invent: it is something we must embrace by accepting our neighbour as a brother and as our sister," the Pope said.

Separatist insurgents in Cameroon's two Anglophone regions have been fighting the predominantly Francophone government since 2017.

Following Leo's address, the Archbishop of Canterbury, Sarah Mullally, said that she stood with the Pope in his "courageous call for a kingdom of peace".

The war in Iran has increasingly placed the Pope and the Trump administration at odds.

Soon after the first US and Israeli attacks on Iran, US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth recited a highly controversial prayer at a Pentagon worship service that talked of "overwhelming violence" and "justice executed swiftly and without remorse".

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Then, during a Palm Sunday Mass in St Peter's Square, the Pope said the conflict between Iran, Israel and the US was "atrocious" and that Jesus could not be used to justify war.

"This is our God: Jesus, king of peace, who rejects war, whom no one can use to justify war," he told tens of thousands of worshippers gathered in Vatican City.

"He does not listen to the prayers of those who wage war, but rejects them."

The pontiff also quoted the Bible passage Isaiah 1:15: "Even though you make many prayers, I will not listen: your hands are full of blood."

Earlier this week, Trump launched a scathing attack on the Pope on social media, in which he described the leader of the Catholic Church as "WEAK on Crime and terrible for Foreign Policy" while portraying himself as a Jesus-like figure.

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He later doubled-down on his criticism and refused to apologise - but deleted the AI-generated image of himself.

Asked about the US president's remarks as he arrived in Algiers, the Pope said he had "no fear" of the Trump administration and that he would continue to speak out against war.

Trump told reporters on Thursday that it was important the Pope understand that Iran was a "threat to the world", especially if it gained a nuclear weapon.

"The Pope can say what he wants - and I want him to say what he wants, but I can disagree," the US president said outside the White House.

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The Catholic leader's wide-ranging Africa tour will include stops in 11 cities across four countries. It is his second major foreign visit since being elected to the papacy last year, and reflects the importance of Catholicism in Africa.

More than a fifth of the world's Catholics - some 288 million people - live in Africa, according to figures from 2024.
BAMENDA, Cameroon (AP)  Pope Leo XIV blasted the handful of tyrants who are ravaging Earth with war and exploitation, as he preached a message of peace Thursday in the epicenter of a separatist conflict in central Africa considered one of the worlds most neglected crises.

Leo traveled to the western Cameroon city of Bamenda, where jubilant crowds clogged the roads, blowing horns and dancing. They were overjoyed that a pope had come so far to see them and put a global spotlight on the violence that has traumatized this region for nearly a decade.

Leo presided over a peace meeting involving a Mankon traditional chief, a Presbyterian moderator, an imam and a Catholic nun. The aim was to highlight the interfaith movement that has been seeking to end the conflict and care for its many victims.

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In his remarks in the St. Joseph Cathedral, on land donated by the Mankon, Leo praised the peace movement and warned against allowing religion to enter conflicts. It's a theme he has been echoing amid the U.S.-Israeli war in Iran and the religious justifications for it by U.S. officials.

Blessed are the peacemakers! he said. But woe to those who manipulate religion and the very name of God for their own military, economic and political gain, dragging that which is sacred into darkness and filth.

He called for a decisive change of course that leads away from conflict and the exploitation of the land for military or economic gain.

The world is being ravaged by a handful of tyrants, yet it is held together by a multitude of supportive brothers and sisters! he said.

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Leo's comments were directed at Cameroon's separatist conflict. But Vatican officials have made clear that on this trip, he is preaching the Gospel message of peace that surpasses borders and continents, and is meant for all those responsible for the wars and exploitation ravaging Earth.

Leo said Bamenda was a model for the rest of the world. Bamenda, today you are the city on the hill, resplendent in the eyes of all! Leo said in English, using a phrase often understood as referring to American exceptionalism.

It wasnt immediately clear if any of Cameroon's separatist fighters, who announced a three-day pause in fighting to allow the pope safe passage to Bamenda, attended.

A conflict rooted in colonial history

The conflict in Cameroons two Anglophone regions is rooted in Cameroons colonial history, when the country was divided between France and Britain after World War I. English-speaking regions later joined French Cameroon in a 1961 U.N.-backed vote, but separatists say they have since been politically and economically marginalized.

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In 2017, English-speaking separatists launched a rebellion with the stated goal of breaking away from the French-speaking majority and establishing an independent state. The conflict has killed more than 6,000 people and displaced over 600,000 others, according to the International Crisis Group.

Leo arrived to a raucous welcome in Bamenda, where blasting music from loudspeakers gave the event a concert-like vibe.

We are so overjoyed, so overwhelmed, said Felicity Cali, a Catholic student. Say thank you, God, for this extraordinary day and for making us be alive to see this day.

Leo kept up the theme in his homily before an estimated 20,000 people who gathered for his afternoon Mass at Bamendas airfield, where they went wild when he looped around the crowd in his covered popemobile. Leo pointed to the moral, social and political corruption, that afflicts Cameroon, stifling its development.

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Added to these internal problems of conflict and corruption is the damage caused from outside, by those who, in the name of profit, continue to lay their hands on the African continent to exploit and plunder it, he said.

It was a cry that echoed the words of Pope Francis when he traveled to Congo in 2023. Hands off Africa! he exhorted the foreign interests plundering the continent.

Cameroon's separatist movement is believed to be backed by several actors abroad. In December, a federal jury in U.S. convicted two individuals for conspiracy to provide funds and equipment to the separatist fighters. Belgian authorities in March also announced they had arrested four people as part of investigations into Belgian residents suspected of being among the separatist leaders and raising money for them there.

Those who rob your land of its resources generally invest much of the profit in weapons, thus perpetuating an endless cycle of destabilization and death, Leo said. It is a world turned upside down, an exploitation of Gods creation that must be denounced and rejected by every honest conscience.

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Cameroon sits atop significant reserves of oil, natural gas, cobalt, bauxite, iron ore, gold and diamonds, making resource extraction one of the pillars of its economy.

While French and English companies have long dominated the extraction industry in Cameroon, Chinese companies have established a significant presence in recent years, particularly in the gold mining regions of the east.

Though the number of deadly attacks by separatists has decreased in recent years, the conflict shows no sign of resolution. Peace talks with international mediators have stalled, with both sides accusing each other of acting in bad faith.

Morine Ngum, a mother of three whose husband was shot dead in 2022 by Cameroonian soldiers while fighting as a separatist, expressed doubt that the popes visit and peace meeting would lead to meaningful change. She said any real progress must begin with those in power.

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Nothing is going to change, said Ngum, 30. This conflict has turned my children into orphans and me into a widow. Many families have been rendered homeless.

Testimony to pope about the toll of the conflict

The archbishop of Bamenda, Andrew Nkea Fuanya, told Leo that the people there had suffered from a situation they did not create, losing their livelihoods, homes and education: Children were not allowed to go to school for years.

Most Holy Father, today that your feet are standing on the soil of Bamenda that has drunk the blood of many of our children, he said.

The Right Rev. Fonki Samuel Forba, emeritus moderator of the Presbyterian church in Cameroon, said the Vatican had joined other faith groups in trying to bring the separatists to the negotiating table with the government, and meeting with their supporters abroad.

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Biyas government has been accused of shunning dialogue with the separatists.

There is a proverb in Africa that When two elephants fight, it is the grass that suffers, Forba said.

___

Akua reported from Yaounde, Cameroon. Associated Press writer Chinedu Asadu in Abuja, Nigeria, contributed to this report.

___

Associated Press religion coverage receives support through the APs collaboration with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content.
High water beneath the Clark Street Bridge in Stevens Point. Much of Wisconsin, including the Stevens Point area, saw high waterways and flooded low-lying areas on April 15, 2026 following spring snowmelt and heavy rain. High water submerges a bench at Lower Whiting Park in Whiting, WI. Much of Wisconsin, including the Stevens Point area, saw high waterways and flooded low-lying areas on April 15, 2026 following spring snowmelt and heavy rain. High water nears a bench at Lower Whiting Park in Whiting, WI. Much of Wisconsin, including the Stevens Point area, saw high waterways and flooded low-lying areas on April 15, 2026 following spring snowmelt and heavy rain. High water of the Plover River flows over the old bridges near Tommy's Turnpike in Whiting, WI. Much of Wisconsin, including the Stevens Point area, saw high waterways and flooded low-lying areas on April 15, 2026. High water of the Plover River flows over the old bridges near Tommy's Turnpike in Whiting, WI. Much of Wisconsin, including the Stevens Point area, saw high waterways and flooded low-lying areas on April 15, 2026. A bale of turtles appear largely unbothered by high water on the Plover River in Stevens Point. Much of Wisconsin, including the Stevens Point area, saw high waterways and flooded low-lying areas on April 15, 2026 following spring snowmelt and heavy rain. A goose and a snapping turtle appear largely unbothered by high water on the Plover River in Stevens Point. Much of Wisconsin, including the Stevens Point area, saw high waterways and flooded low-lying areas on April 15, 2026. High water prompted the use of sandbags for the park restroom doors at Iverson Park in Stevens Point. Much of Wisconsin, including the Stevens Point area, saw high waterways and flooded low-lying areas on April 15, 2026 following spring snowmelt and heavy rain. High water surrounds a picnic shelter at Iverson Park in Stevens Point. Much of Wisconsin, including the Stevens Point area, saw high waterways and flooded low-lying areas on April 15, 2026 following spring snowmelt and heavy rain. High water submerges a playground and portions of the parking lot at Iverson Park in Stevens Point. Much of Wisconsin, including the Stevens Point area, saw high waterways and flooded low-lying areas on April 15, 2026 following spring snowmelt and heavy rain. High water surrounds a building at Iverson Park in Stevens Point. Much of Wisconsin, including the Stevens Point area, saw high waterways and flooded low-lying areas on April 15, 2026 following spring snowmelt and heavy rain. High water surrounds a sculpture at Iverson Park in Stevens Point. Much of Wisconsin, including the Stevens Point area, saw high waterways and flooded low-lying areas on April 15, 2026 following spring snowmelt and heavy rain. High water reflects the "City of Wonderful Water" sign at Iverson Park in Stevens Point. Much of Wisconsin, including the Stevens Point area, saw high waterways and flooded low-lying areas on April 15, 2026 following spring snowmelt and heavy rain. High water covers a driveway at Iverson Park in Stevens Point. Much of Wisconsin, including the Stevens Point area, saw high waterways and flooded low-lying areas on April 15, 2026 following spring snowmelt and heavy rain. High water surrounds a picnic table and nears a building at Iverson Park in Stevens Point. Much of Wisconsin, including the Stevens Point area, saw high waterways and flooded low-lying areas on April 15, 2026 following spring snowmelt and heavy rain. A berm of the power canal off of Jordan Pond failed early April 15 and drained its small reservoir back into the Plover River. Much of Wisconsin, including the Stevens Point area, saw high waterways and flooded low-lying areas on April 15, 2026. A berm of the power canal off of Jordan Pond failed early April 15 and drained its small reservoir back into the Plover River. Much of Wisconsin, including the Stevens Point area, saw high waterways and flooded low-lying areas on April 15, 2026. A berm of the power canal off of Jordan Pond failed early April 15 and drained its small reservoir back into the Plover River. Much of Wisconsin, including the Stevens Point area, saw high waterways and flooded low-lying areas on April 15, 2026. The Wisconsin River flows through the Whiting Dam near Whiting, Wisconsin. Much of Wisconsin, including the Stevens Point area, saw high waterways and flooded low-lying areas on April 15, 2026 following spring snowmelt and heavy rain. The Wisconsin River flows over the low-head overflow dam near Whiting, WI. Much of Wisconsin, including the Stevens Point area, saw high waterways and flooded low-lying areas on April 15, 2026 following spring snowmelt and heavy rain. The Wisconsin River looking north from Bukolt Park in Stevens Point. Much of Wisconsin, including the Stevens Point area, saw high waterways and flooded low-lying areas on April 15, 2026 following spring snowmelt and heavy rain. Photos show impacts of floodwaters in Stevens Point area on April 15 1 of 21 High water beneath the Clark Street Bridge in Stevens Point. Much of Wisconsin, including the Stevens Point area, saw high waterways and flooded low-lying areas on April 15, 2026 following spring snowmelt and heavy rain.

Expect a high of 72 degrees that feels more like 77, with an overnight low of 49. Forecasters predict it will be fog this morning; clouds giving way to some sun and warmer.

Throughout the day, wind will be blowing southeast at 5.8 miles per hour.

You can search for more information on hourly, daily, and monthly weather forecasts and current air quality conditions for your location here.

What to know about Thursday's Portage County weather

Driving: This is an excellent day for driving.

Sinus headache: The weather will not significantly impact the risk of a sinus headache, nor its severity or duration.

Pollen: Ragweed pollen levels will be low. Tree pollen levels will be high. Plan activities and medication accordingly. Grass pollen levels will be low.

Weather almanac: How Thursday's forecast compares to other years

Historically, this day is usually a bit wet, with an average 0.11 inches of precipitation.

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The forecast high is above average for this time of year. The 30-year average maximum temperature for April 16 is 54 degrees. The forecast low is 16 degrees hotter than the established normal of 33 degrees.

USA TODAY Co. is publishing localized versions of this story on its news sites across Wisconsin, generated with data from AccuWeather. Please leave any feedback or corrections for this story here. This story was written by Ozge Terzioglu.

This article originally appeared on Stevens Point Journal: Portage County WI weather forecast for Thursday, April 16, 2026
Apr. 16---- Prairie Five Community Action Council is optimistic that it soon will be able to open what it will call the Prairie Five Food Hub, possibly as early as June.

Work is progressing on renovating a building along U.S. Highway 212 to serve as the Food Hub.

The Food Hub is the result of four years of planning toward addressing the growing food insecurity problem in rural Minnesota, according to a news release from Prairie Five. It will serve as a central location for the Prairie Five Meals Program and the Prairie Five Food Shelf in Montevideo.

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The Food Hub will expand access to nutritious food while making services more convenient and welcoming for residents. The Prairie Five Food Shelf will offer a consumer's choice model, allowing individuals and families to select foods that best meet their needs, according to the news release.

The Prairie Five Meals Program currently serves older adults across

and

counties, delivering both hot meals and frozen meals directly to those living independently.

Food insecurity and access remain serious challenges in the region, according to Prairie Five. Across its 3,000-square-mile service area, there are only 15 grocery stores. For many residents, that can mean a 40-mile round trip just to buy groceries. In fact, nearly two-thirds of communities in the area have fewer than 500 residents, often lacking even basic services, according to the news release.

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strives to minimize barriers for individuals to live independently. From hot-and-cold delivery trucks, to a mobile food shelf van and mobile community center, Prairie Five is meeting people where they are, whether that is in small towns or on rural farm sites, states the news release.

Key partners including Prime West Health, Second Harvest Heartland, and many local businesses and community members have helped turn the Food Hub from an idea into reality, according to the news release.

Donations are currently being accepted to support Phase 2 of the project. Prairie Five is hoping to construct a garage adjoining the Food Hub for storage of its vehicles used to transport food.
A tornado warning was issued for central Racine County April 15.

The National Weather Service's Sullivan/Milwaukee office issued the warning at 8:24 p.m. and said it came after a severe thunderstorm capable of producing tornadoes and strong winds was located near Wind Lake.

The storm is moving east at 40 miles per hour, the weather service's alert said.

Tornado warnings were previously issued for Walworth County, southwestern Racine County and northwestern Kenosha County.

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The National Weather Service also issued a severe thunderstorm warning for Milwaukee, West Allis and Wauwatosa. That includes areas as far north as Glendale and to south of Franklin. The warning says winds up to 60 miles per hour and nickel-sized hail was possible.

Severe Thunderstorm Warning including Milwaukee WI, West Allis WI and Wauwatosa WI until 9:15 PM CDT pic.twitter.com/sCSrO20SVE  NWS Milwaukee (@NWSMilwaukee) April 16, 2026

Those warnings come one day after severe storms brought multiple tornadoes, hail and flooding to central and southeastern Wisconsin April 14. It prompted Gov. Tony Evers to issue a state of emergency the next day.

How do you stay safe during a tornado?

During a tornado, the NWS recommends:

Get as low as possible. A basement below ground level or the lowest floor of a building offers the greatest safety.

Put as many walls between yourself and the outside as possible.

Avoid windows.

What should you do if you're driving during a tornado warning?

If you're driving, particularly on interstates or highways, do not try to outrun a tornado.

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If you are driving in an area with a tornado warning, you should look for ways to safely get off the road and out of your vehicle, preferably by seeking refuge in a sturdy building.

As a last resort, lie flat in the nearest depression, ditch or culvert and cover your head with your arms.

What is the difference between a tornado watch and a tornado warning?

A tornado warning is issued when a tornado is either sighted or indicated on radar, meaning there is imminent danger to life and property.

If you are in the area of a tornado warning, take cover immediately in the lowest floor of a sturdy building. If you are outdoors, in a vehicle or a mobile home, move to the closest sturdy shelter and take cover.

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A tornado watch is issued when the environment is capable of producing tornadoes. If you are located in the area of a tornado watch, the NWS recommends having a plan in place in the event a tornado forms. Be ready to act quickly if a tornado warning is issued.

David Clarey is a public safety reporter at the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. He can be reached at dclarey@usatodayco.com.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Racine County under tornado warning April 15
(Corrects Mitsubishi sales forecast in paragraph 26 after company clarification, updates with Chinese Foreign Ministry statement)

By John Geddie and Tim Kelly

TOKYO, April 15 (Reuters) - Japan's imminent easing of arms export rules has sparked strong interest from Warsaw to Manila, Reuters reporting found, as President Donald Trump wavers on security commitments to allies and the wars in Iran and Ukraine strain U.S. weapons supplies.

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Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's ruling party approved the changes this week as she tries to invigorate the pacifist country's military industrial base. Her government will formally adopt the new rules as soon as this month, three Japanese government officials told Reuters.

Despite largely isolating itself from global arms markets since World War Two, Japan spends enough on its own military - $60 billion this year - to sustain a sizeable defence industry capable of manufacturing advanced systems like submarines and fighter jets.

Among the potential new customers are the Polish military and the Philippine navy, which are undergoing modernization amid regional security challenges, according to Reuters interviews with Japanese officials and foreign diplomats in Tokyo. Defence contractors Toshiba and Mitsubishi Electric are hiring staff and adding capacity to capitalise on demand, their executives said, providing previously unreported details.

One of the first deals Takaichi's government will likely approve are exports of used frigates to the Philippines, which is locked in maritime confrontation with Beijing in the South China Sea, according to two of the Japanese officials. Reuters is the first to report the timeframe of the likely sale, which may be followed by missile defence systems, the officials said.

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Warsaw and Tokyo can help plug gaps in each other's arsenals, cooperating in areas like anti-drone and electronic warfare systems, said Mariusz Boguszewski, deputy chief of mission at Poland's embassy in Japan.

"There are some bottlenecks that we can overcome having Japan on board," he added, without providing details of specific deals. Poland's WB Group, one of Europe's largest private defence contractors, last year signed a tentative drone deal with Japanese aircraft maker ShinMaywa.

Three other European diplomats said Japan's easing provided a chance to lessen their heavy dependence on U.S. weapons production, which is strained by conflicts. Trump's unpredictability, such as his threats to leave the NATO security alliance and invade Greenland, have also heightened the push to diversify, according to the diplomats, who requested anonymity to discuss sensitive matters.

"Offers are coming from everywhere," said Masahiko Arai, senior vice president at Mitsubishi Electric's defence unit, which has been adding staff in London and Singapore to facilitate defence exports.

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Takaichi's office declined to answer specific questions for this story, instead referring Reuters to a February 20 speech where she said she was reviewing the controls to bolster Japan's defence production and strengthen capabilities of allies.

Tokyo's export overhaul has previously been encouraged by successive U.S. administrations, including Trump's, eager for allies to contribute more to collective defence efforts.

White House spokeswoman Anna Kelly did not respond to questions from Reuters about the changes to Japanese policy but said that the two nations were closer than ever under Trump and Takaichi.

The Chinese Foreign Ministry said in a statement in response to questions that governments should be aware "that blindly entrusting their own security to another country, or even tying themselves to another country's war chariot, will only end up backfiring."

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The Philippines defence ministry declined to comment.

RISKY BUSINESS?

Japan's first steps to relax the rules began more than a decade ago when Takaichi's mentor, the late premier Shinzo Abe, eased a near-blanket ban on exports to encourage joint arms development with allies that would help counter China's growing military might.

The push largely stalled, however, as many restrictions - including on lethal equipment - remained. Companies continued to shy away from overseas defence sales.

Buoyed by a bumper election win and shorn of the longtime coalition partner that had opposed more radical change, Takaichi hopes the latest easing will nudge arms makers to add the production capacity Japan needs for a major military buildup.

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Some Japanese defence firms say they are ready to pivot.

Air defence systems builder Toshiba told Reuters it plans to hire about 500 people over the next three years and is constructing new testing and manufacturing facilities. It has also established a new department to handle defence exports.

"Reputational risk is not what it used to be," said Kenji Kobayashi, vice president in Toshiba's defence division.

Some big Japanese brands that have sidelines in defence equipment and also make consumer goods have expressed concerns that arms sales will put off their broader range of customers.

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"Rather than worrying about that, we focus on fulfilling our role and growing the business," Kobayashi said.

A recruitment listing reviewed by Reuters from Mitsubishi Electric - whose products include fridges and missiles - shows the firm is hiring for an overseas sales role covering fighter aircraft and other military exports.

Demand for finished systems is strongest in Asia, while Europe, Australia and the United States offer markets for components and co-development of new products, said Arai, the Mitsubishi Electric defence executive.

The company expects defence sales, including domestic and international, to triple to 600 billion yen by 2031.

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There remains a gap between the political messaging and the policies of some companies, however, said Latvia's envoy to Japan, Zigmars Zilgalvis.

He gave the example of carmaker Toyota, whose subsidiary turned down an attempted purchase of engines and related parts by Latvian firm VR Cars for a military utility vehicle in 2023.

The Latvian mission had tried to help broker the failed sale, Zilgalvis said.

Toyota Customising & Development said in response to Reuters questions that it could not accommodate the request for military vehicles "based on our business scope and policy." It declined to comment on the upcoming revisions to Japan's arms export policy.

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VR Cars said it respected the decision.

While Tokyo is expected to maintain strict controls on sending arms to conflict zones, even Ukraine has sensed an opportunity.

Kyiv's chamber of commerce in Tokyo will soon launch a new industry group of Ukrainian and Japanese drone firms to spur development of new technologies, timed to coincide with the rule changes, its head Kateryna Yavorska exclusively told Reuters.

EMERGING FROM WORLD WAR TWO 'TIMEOUT'

The U.S. has long dominated global military supply chains. It accounted for 95% of Japan's defense imports, 85% of Australian and British purchases and 77% of Saudi Arabian buys between 2021-2025, according to a March report by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) think-tank.

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But Washington's foreign military sales programme, often blamed for late deliveries and rising costs, and its tight control over defence technologies has long been a source of frustration, officials and analysts said.

One objective of Japan's rule changes is to build defence supply chains in Asia that do not rely on the United States, said a ruling party official involved in drafting security policy.

Neighbouring South Korea offers something of a blueprint: It has become the largest defence supplier to Poland and the Philippines after steady growth over the last five years, SIPRI data shows.

But the potential for Japan - the world's fourth largest economy - is greater.

Even with the curbs, Japan's arms industry is on a par with South Korea, Germany, Italy and Israel, and nearly twice the size of India's, according to SIPRI's analysis of leading defence contractor revenues in 2024. The U.S. industry, however, is 25 times bigger.

"Japan has been kind of in the timeout box because of World War Two, frankly. But they were inevitably going to swing closer towards the centre of global politics," said Andrew Koch, founder of Nexus Pacific, a Tokyo-based defence-industry advisory.

($1 = 159.2100 yen)

(Reporting by John Geddie and Tim Kelly; Additional reporting by Tamiyuki Kihara, Nobuhiro Kubo, Daniel Leussink and Jekaterina Golubkova in Tokyo, Karen Lema in Manila and Trevor Hunnicutt in Washington; Editing by Katerina Ang)




Frisco voters choosing a candidate in the race for Place 5 on the City Council should reelect the incumbent, Laura Rummel.

Rummel, the 44-year-old deputy mayor pro tem, joined the City Council in 2022 after a special election. The business executive convinced voters to send her back in the general election the following year. She has spent her time on council working with her colleagues to uphold Friscos reputation as a city with a high quality of life.

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Rummel has been outspoken in denouncing the surge of vitriolic comments against Indian and Muslim residents in Frisco. In our Voter Guide, she called the complaints against minority groups manufactured outrage, though she acknowledged in an interview with us that some Frisco residents agree with a narrative pushed by outsiders that there is rampant work-visa fraud in the city.

A lot of people are having this type of perceptions from fake information and misinformation, Rummel said. Thats probably the biggest challenge we have right now; its trying to get the real information out there.

She said the Frisco police chief had reached out to immigration officials to ask how many open H-1B fraud cases there were in Frisco and was told there were zero.

Frisco has taken an aggressive approach to Senate Bill 840, a new law that requires certain large cities in Texas to allow apartments and mixed-use developments by right in districts zoned for office and commercial uses. The Frisco council passed a rule that allows heavy industrial use in commercial districts. SB 840 doesnt apply to zoning districts that allow heavy industrial business.

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Rummel opposes SB 840 and said it hurts Friscos ability to plan the high-quality development that its known for. As the councils legislative chair, she said she is working with state lawmakers who represent Frisco to try to repeal the law in the next Legislature, or to amend it to put in a density cap or other requirements.

Rummel also highlights the councils history of lowering the tax rate over the years and raising the homestead exemption. She said animal welfare is a favorite cause for her but that she opted for a public-private partnership to run an animal facility in Frisco instead of having a city-run animal shelter that she said would cost Frisco more money.

Opponent Vijay Karthik, 53, is a semi-retired C-suite executive. He offers good suggestions on how Frisco can increase transparency, but some of his proposals, such as requiring the city to first pursue grant funding for capital projects before tapping local funds, are impractical. He failed to persuade us he would do a better job than Rummel.

Sreekanth Reddy didnt fill out our Voter Guide or attend a candidate interview.
The family of a man killed by a Lake County Deputy met with the Sheriffs Office after staging a rally for hours on Wednesday.

The rally was designed to draw attention and get answers about what happened to Timotheus Reed.

They gave us some answers, said Pastor Clay Reed, father of Timotheus. Theyre limited because they can only follow up after FDLE does their investigation.

Reed was shot and killed after deputies responded to a call reporting a stabbing at a house on Montclair Road in Leesburg. The caller told dispatch someone was stabbed in the neck.

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When the deputies arrived, an eyewitness pointed him toward an area where Reed had reportedly fled. Thats when the deputy shot Reed, who was pronounced dead at a local hospital.

The deputys body camera was not on. Video footage released to the media showed deputies rendering first aid to Reed moments after he was shot.

By the time his camera came on, my son was already shot in handcuffs, and multiple officers were there, said Pastor Reed.

The Sheriffs Office released a statement acknowledging the deputy did not activate his blue lights, which would have in turn activated his body camera.

Eyewitness News requested several records related to this case, including the deputys name and history and the number of times theyve been called to that neighborhood.

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The Sheriffs Office withheld the name of the deputy, citing a state statute that prohibits the office from releasing it. The office acknowledged that the deputy in question has been with that agency since 2023, and that his only disciplinary action was for an at-fault traffic crash.

Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
Former North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper, currently running as the state's Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate, stopped in Wilmington Thursday, April 16 as part of his "Make Stuff Cost Less" tour.

"Make Stuff Cost Less" has been at the center of Cooper's 2026 campaign, and much of his platform is focused on prices being far too high for North Carolinians across the board.

Cooper touched on several of his economic priorities for North Carolina at his event in Wilmington -- priorities that include lowering the cost of groceries, healthcare and utilities.

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Cooper's main focus, however, was on unveiling the newest part of his plan: lowering childcare costs. Cooper laid out several steps to meet this goal, which include strengthening the childcare workforce though investing in higher wages and apprenticeships, getting rid of "the unnecessary red tape" that keeps childcare facilities expensive, and expanding the Child Care and Dependent Tax Credit.

"It's costing our economy billions of dollars when parents cannot afford to go into the workforce," Cooper said. "Instead of these tax breaks and continued loopholes for the very wealthiest among us, let's focus it on everyday families."

More: Senate Democrats' hope for majority rests on 2026 red-state candidates

Roy Cooper, North Carolina's Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate, greets supporters during his campaign stop in Wilmington on April 16, 2026. Roy Cooper, North Carolina's Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate, stopped in Wilmington on April 16, 2026, as part of his "Make Stuff Cost Less" tour. Roy Cooper, North Carolina's Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate, stopped in Wilmington on April 16, 2026, as part of his "Make Stuff Cost Less" tour. Roy Cooper, North Carolina's Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate, stopped in Wilmington on April 16, 2026, as part of his "Make Stuff Cost Less" tour. Roy Cooper, North Carolina's Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate, stopped in Wilmington on April 16, 2026, as part of his "Make Stuff Cost Less" tour. Supporters gather for Roy Cooper ahead of his "Make Stuff Cost Less" tour stop in Wilmington. Supporters gather for Roy Cooper ahead of his "Make Stuff Cost Less" tour stop in Wilmington. Supporters gather for Roy Cooper ahead of his "Make Stuff Cost Less" tour stop in Wilmington. Roy Cooper, North Carolina's Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate, spoke on how he plans to lower grocery and childcare costs for North Carolina families during his campaign stop in Wilmington on April 16, 2026. Roy Cooper, North Carolina's Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate, spoke on how he plans to lower grocery and childcare costs for North Carolina families during his campaign stop in Wilmington on April 16, 2026. Roy Cooper, North Carolina's Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate, spoke on how he plans to lower grocery and childcare costs for North Carolina families during his campaign stop in Wilmington on April 16, 2026. Roy Cooper, North Carolina's Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate, greets supporters during his campaign stop in Wilmington on April 16, 2026. Roy Cooper, North Carolina's Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate, greets supporters during his campaign stop in Wilmington on April 16, 2026. Roy Cooper, North Carolina's Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate, greets supporters during his campaign stop in Wilmington on April 16, 2026. Roy Cooper, North Carolina's Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate, answers questions during his campaign stop in Wilmington on April 16, 2026. Scenes from US Senate candidate Roy Cooper's stop in Wilmington 1 of 15 Roy Cooper, North Carolina's Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate, greets supporters during his campaign stop in Wilmington on April 16, 2026.

Cooper also emphasized his plan to combat tariffs if elected to the U.S. Senate. He called tariffs "chaotic and irrational" and said they were increasing the cost of things like fertilizer and equipment for farmers. Cooper says that these costs are then passed on to consumers, raising prices at grocery stores and restaurants.

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He called his opponent in the Senate race, Republican Michael Whatley, "out of touch" for his stance on the economy.

Charlie Kingree is the Pender County and trending topics reporter for the Wilmington StarNews. He can be reached at ckingree@usatodayco.com.

This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: US Senate candidate Roy Cooper talks lowering childcare, grocery costs
MOSCOW, April 15 (Reuters) - Russia's defence ministry warned on Wednesday that European plans to step up drone supplies to Ukraine are dragging those countries deeper into a war with Russia.

The ministry said it believes governments in a number of EU countries have decided to increase the production and supply of drones to Ukraine, a move Moscow views as a step that is escalating the conflict.

It published a list of factories and enterprises in several European countries it alleges manufacture drones or drone components, and gave their addresses, including sites in Britain, Germany, Spain, Italy, Israel and Poland, among others.

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"The European public should not only have a clear understanding of the true causes of the threats to their security, but also be aware of the addresses and locations of Ukrainian and joint enterprises producing UAVs and components for Ukraine within their own countries," it said.

Former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, now deputy chair of Russia's Security Council, said in a subsequent post on X that the list published by the military amounted to a list of potential targets for Russia's armed forces.

"When strikes become a reality depends on what comes next. Sleep well, European partners!" he said.

Russian officials, including Medvedev, have repeatedly made public statements that have been perceived as threats to European countries over their support for Ukraine. However, these have generally taken the form of warnings and veiled hints rather than outright announcements of imminent strikes.

(Reporting by Maxim Rodionov; Writing by Anna Peverieri; Editing by Emelia Sithole-Matarise)
DAR ES SALAAM, April 16 (Xinhua) -- The 15th Annual Joint Health Sector Review Meeting was successfully held in Tanzania's Zanzibar from April 14 to 15, bringing together government health authorities, international organizations, and development partners to discuss strategies for advancing the local healthcare system.

The 35th Chinese medical team in Zanzibar participated in the event. Bao Zengtao, head of the Chinese medical team in Zanzibar, said the meeting provided a platform for extensive discussions with local health officials and representatives from international organizations.

Members of the Chinese medical team shared experiences and offered recommendations tailored to Zanzibar's needs, focusing on deepening cooperation, upgrading healthcare service delivery, and strengthening joint prevention and control of infectious diseases, Bao said.

In his opening remarks, Permanent Secretary of the Zanzibar Ministry of Health Mngereza Miraji expressed appreciation for the Chinese medical teams' long-term contributions, noting that their service has significantly improved local healthcare and deepened bilateral friendship.

Miraji also underscored expectations for further collaboration in healthcare infrastructure development, digital health innovation, disease prevention and control, and medical personnel training, with the shared goal of achieving universal health coverage in Zanzibar. 
BOSTON  A Salvadoran national and member of La Mara Salvatrucha, or MS-13, pleaded guilty April 15 in federal court to his role in three murders. The defendant participated in beating, shooting and dismembering victims, according to a U.S. Dept. of Justice press release.

Franklin Antonio Amaya Paredes, 28, aka Mosca or Tony, who was unlawfully residing in New Bedford, pleaded guilty to racketeering involving murder, conspiracy to participate in a racketeering enterprise involving murder and two counts of murder in aid of racketeering.

U.S. District Judge Indira Talwani scheduled sentencing for July 10. These charges stem from two indictments, one in the District of Massachusetts, the other in the Eastern District of Virginia. By agreement, Paredess Virginia charges were transferred to the District of Massachusetts, according to the release.

Franklin Antonio Amaya Paredes, 28, aka Mosca or Tony, who was unlawfully residing in New Bedford, pleaded guilty to racketeering involving murder, conspiracy to participate in a racketeering enterprise involving murder and two counts of murder in aid of racketeering.

According to court documents, Paredes was a member of the Uniones Locos Salvatrucha clique of MS-13. The ULS clique operated in northern Virginia, southeastern Massachusetts and elsewhere in the United States. The clique was responsible for committing numerous murders and other acts of violence and distributing marijuana and cocaine in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area. Money generated from drug sales was used for the ULS cliques needs in the United States, to fund MS-13 activities in El Salvador, and to help incarcerated MS-13 members, according to the release.

Remains of New Bedford victim have not been found

Paredes and other members of ULS met in New Bedford on Aug. 25, 2018 to murder an associate of MS-13s Directos Locos Salvatrucha clique. MS-13 leadership in El Salvador had approved the murder because they believed the victim had betrayed MS-13. They met the victim at the residence of an MS-13 member in New Bedford and after the group ate dinner, Paredes and other ULS members beat and strangled the victim to death. Paredes and other ULS members then dismembered the victims body and buried the remains in a nearby wooded area. Paredes and other members of the group were promoted within MS-13s ranks for their participation in the murder. The release states that the victims remains have not yet been found.

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In June 2019, Paredes and other members of ULS conspired to murder individuals who frequently gathered to drink in a wooded area in the cliques perceived territory in Reston, Va.

The release states that on June 23, 2019, ULS members armed themselves with firearms and machetes and traveled to the Hunters Woods area of Reston. There, members of the group murdered the first man they encountered by shooting him and slashing him with a machete, while Paredes and others remained in nearby cars ready to assist. After the murder, Paredes and other members of the group drove to a nearby hotel room and recounted the details of the murder, according to the release.

Shot and killed his cousin in Dartmouth

Paredes shot and killed another victim near Horseneck Road in Dartmouth, Mass. on July 14, 2020. Text messages showed that Paredes, who was the victims cousin, invited the victim to a family party where he was murdered, according to the release.

After being charged with murder by state authorities, Paredes confided that he murdered his cousin because the cousin failed to check in with MS-13 leadership when he arrived in the New Bedford area from El Salvador and had done a poor job growing MS-13 in Southeastern Massachusetts. Paredes also conspired to kill a witness to the murder while in state custody, according to the release.

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As alleged in the indictments, MS-13 is a transnational criminal organization with tens of thousands of members located in the United States, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico and elsewhere, the release states. MS-13 branches, or cliques, operate throughout the United States, including in Massachusetts and Virginia. In furtherance of its mission, MS-13 members are required to commit acts of violence, specifically against rival gang members; kill informants; and support and defend fellow MS-13 members in attacks. MS-13 members maintain and enhance their status in the gang and the overall reputation of the gang by participating in such violent acts, according to the release.

Faces up to life in prison

The charge of racketeering and racketeering conspiracy involving murder provides for a maximum sentence of life in prison; supervised release for up to five years; and a fine of $250,000 or twice the gross profits or other proceeds obtained by the defendant from racketeering activity. The charge of murder in aid of racketeering provides for a mandatory minimum sentence of life in prison; supervised release for up to five years; and a $250,000 fine. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

The release states that this case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations, and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Departments Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces and Project Safe Neighborhood.

This defendant  an illegal alien whos been residing unlawfully in our country  admitted to participating in three brutal murders across state lines to advance MS-13s violent agenda and be rewarded within the gangs ranks, said United States Attorney Leah B. Foley. Let this serve as a clear message: individuals who come to this country and engage in this level of violence will be aggressively investigated, prosecuted and held fully accountable. This transnational criminal organization is far-reaching, but my office will continue to use every resource to dismantle it and protect Massachusetts communities from such barbaric devastation. As was the case here, my office will continue to work with agents and prosecutors across the country until MS-13 and other transnational criminal groups have been eliminated.

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What Franklin Antonio Amaya Paredes did to his victims was particularly heinous  so much so that, years later, the circumstances of these three murders still stand out, said Ted. E. Docks, special agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division. The sheer brutality, cruel depravity, and terror he inflicted on behalf of MS-13 demonstrates a complete disregard for human life. Amaya Paredes belongs behind bars, and thats exactly where todays conviction will keep him. Meanwhile, the FBI will continue to work with our law enforcement and community partners to dismantle this transnational criminal organization, bring an end to their senseless violence, and obtain justice for the victims of their crimes.

U.S. Attorney Foley; J. Frank Bradsher, executive assistant U.S. Attorney, Eastern District of Virginia; FBI SAC Docks; FBI Assistant Director in Charge Darren B. Cox of the Washington Field Office; Colonel Geoffrey D. Noble, superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police; Jeff Grimming, acting special agent in charge of Homeland Security Investigations in New England; Fairfax County (Va.) Police Chief Kevin Davis; Suffolk County District Attorney Kevin Hayden; and Bristol County District Attorney Thomas M. Quinn III made the announcement April 15. Assistance was also provided by the United States Attorneys Office for the Eastern District of New York. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Christopher Pohl, Meghan C. Cleary, and Brian A. Fogerty are prosecuting the case for the District of Massachusetts. Assistant U.S. Attorneys John Blanchard, Megan Braun, and Natasha Smalky prosecuted the case for the Eastern District of Virginia.

This article originally appeared on Standard-Times: Salvadoran living in New Bedford faces life for murders, racketeering
SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI)  An encampment along Interstate 5 in San Diego was cleared this week, Caltrans and the California State Transportation Agency (CalSTA) announced.

Caltrans on Thursday took to social media to announce an encampment along I-5 in San Diego was cleared and that crews removed seven cubic yards of debris, which is enough to fill about three pickup trucks.

Homeless camps cleared in San Diego, Fresno

Officials offered two people at the encampment services, Caltrans noted.

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The City of San Diego has protocols for Encampment Clean-Up and Abatement, which include a 24-hour notice ahead of any clean-up as well as allowing people to retrieve their belongings afterwards. Items are stored for 90 days. Individuals can call 858-694-7000, and a City employee will return their items to them.

San Diegos Safe Sleeping Program gives unhoused individuals a place to stay other than the streets and traditional shelters.

The California Highway Patrol, El Cajon Area Office, has recently dedicated an officer solely to addressing homeless encampments in the community.

Homelessness Response Center resources in San Diego, including shelters, rent help, food assistance, and more, can be found at sandiego.gov/homelessness-strategies-and-solutions/services/homelessness-response-center.

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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.
With summer break around the corner, our ABC13 Who's Hiring Job Fair features opportunities for young adults to find jobs and explore careers.

From 10 a.m. until 2 p.m., ABC13 is partnering with Workforce Solutions to host our latest in-person event. The agency teamed up with the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo to make it happen at NRG Stadium.

The event will take place on Thursday, April 16, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at NRG Stadium.

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During the event, young adults can not only meet with employers, but also learn about Hire Gulf Coast Youth, and different scholarship opportunities that are available.

A couple of years ago, Rachel Hohman discovered the scholarships.

"I was very skeptical," Hohman recalled. "I was like, what do you mean? It was very unlikely. I had just got denied from FAFSA. There was not a lot of hope."

Hohman said she applied, and to her surprise, she was awarded a scholarship that paid for nursing school.

"I just remember bawling my eyes out," Hohman said. "It was the coolest experience in the world."

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Hohman said she worked at HCA Healthcare, a hospital that offers on-the-job training with its workforce development program.

"They can still get hired on while they're still in their program, get some part-time hours, get the exposure that they need," Erica Castro from HCA Healthcare explained.
April 16 (UPI) -- The Russian tanker Universal, linked to the so-called "shadow fleet," was detected sailing in the North Atlantic heading west toward Cuba, according to maritime tracking platforms.

The vessel is owned by Sovcomflot, the same company that operates the Anatoly Kolodkin, which arrived in Cuba on March 31 with about 730,000 barrels of crude. A U.S. embargo and sanctions on the tanker were not enforced.

The Russian shadow fleet is a network of older, lightly regulated tankers that often move Russian oil covertly by using tactics like Automatic Identification System spoofing, shell companies and opaque ownership to evade Western sanctions.

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The Universal departed in early April from a port in the Baltic Sea, and on April 8 was transiting the English Channel.

The Universal was not traveling alone, at least initially. The Russian frigate Admiral Grigorovich, part of the Black Sea Fleet, escorted the oil tanker Universal during its transit through the English Channel, along with another sanctioned tanker, the Enigma.

The operation took place shortly after United Kingdom Prime Minister Keir Starmer authorized British forces to detain sanctioned vessels in territorial waters.

During the transit, the ships were shadowed by the British logistics vessel RFA Tideforce.

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.

EXCLUSIVE PHOTO The sanctioned tanker UNIVERSAL (IMO 9384306) was recently spotted at sea and is now transiting westbound toward Cuba. Earlier this month, the vessel was observed operating in proximity to Russian naval units, including SOOBRAZITELNIY and... pic.twitter.com/wenw2kXLcc Russian Forces Spotter (@TiaFarris10) April 15, 2026

"A Russian vessel broke the blockade; a second is being loaded at this moment. We will not leave the Cuban people in difficulty," Sergei Tsivilev, Russia's energy minister, said April 2 during an International Electric Power Forum in Kazan.

On Wednesday, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov reiterated Russian and Chinese solidarity with the island nation.

Speaking from Beijing after meetings with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and President Xi Jinping, he addressed the press regarding a new oil shipment and President Donald Trump.

"We have sent the first tanker with 100,000 tons [700,000 barrels] of oil to Cuba. Of course, this will probably last a couple of months. I have no doubt that we will continue providing assistance," he told reporters.

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Regarding possible actions by the Trump administration to halt the shipment, Lavrov said he hopes the United States will not return to the times of "colonial wars," according to Cibercuba.

He added that Russia will continue to provide assistance, and that China "will also participate in this cooperation" to help ease Cuba's energy crisis.

The country requires between 90,000 and 110,000 barrels of oil per day, but produces about 40,000, forcing it to rely on imports. Experts estimate that the shipment received at the end of March would cover only between seven and 10 days of need.

However, recent reports point to limitations in processing capacity.

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According to the independent Cuban media outlet 14ymedio, the Nico Lopez refinery in Havana shows no visible activity after the arrival of Russian crude, with its chimney inactive and no movement of tanker trucks in the area.

The report notes that no oil transfers have been recorded from Matanzas to the capital, suggesting that part of the shipment may have been redirected to other facilities, such as the Cienfuegos refinery.

According to the same media outlet, Cuban specialist Jorge Pinon of the University of Texas suspects the plant "may be inoperable as a result of a technical problem or lack reliable and uninterrupted electricity to operate."

Refineries, he said, "burn oil for high-temperature heating and steam; however, they depend on electricity to power essential equipment such as pumps, compressors, fans and automation systems."

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Electricity also "powers critical safety systems, sensors and pumps that transport fluids during the refining process."

He said the situation may be linked to the fire that struck the facility Feb. 13, and "damage to logistics has not been repaired."

From within the island, independent journalists and residents report that there is no visible impact from the arrival of fuel or humanitarian aid sent by several countries.

"Electric generation is the same or worse than before the shipment. Fuel has been processed, according to authorities, but there are no visible results in transportation, agriculture and even less in health," Owen, an independent reporter from the digital publication Arbol Invertido, told UPI.

Owen, who is using a pseudonym for safety reasons, said that based on residents' perceptions, some of the fuel may have been redirected to reserves controlled by the armed forces and the Interior Ministry, mainly for transporting officials and use in police vehicles and state operations.
Step outside in Florida and you could smell smoke.

It's not your imagination.

 Weather alerts via text: Sign up to get updates about current storms and weather events by location

As of 9 a.m. April 16, 69 wildfires were burning across Florida, from Collier County in the south to Escambia County in the western tip of the Panhandle.

Smoke from those wildfires can be blown for miles, affecting air quality.

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The good news is that no interstates or major roadways are closed, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.

Heading outside? Here's what you should know April 16.

Map shows location of active wildfires, smoke impacts across Florida

As of 9 a.m. April 16, there were 69 active wildfires burning 7,808 acres across Florida.

According to the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, between Jan. 1 and April 12 in Florida:

Acres burned: 97,145

Number of wildfires: 1,676

Are any roads closed due to smoke?

According to the Florida Highway Patrol, at 9 a.m. April 16 no roads are closed due to smoke or fires. Be aware the FHP has noted the following on its website:

Santa Rosa County: Brush fire reported at Bridge Cold Water Creek and Highway 4 near Milton. No roadblocks reported.

Collier County : Brush fire reported near Interstate 75 at mile marker 98 near Naples. Smoke is in the area, but no roadblocks are reported.

Alachua County: A brush fire reported near State Road 26 and County Road 234 near Gainesville. No visibility issues reported.

Dixie County: A brush fire is reported at U.S. 19 at Southwest 307th Avenue near Cross City. Smoke is reported in the area.

Smoke affecting air quality in some Florida counties

According to the EPA, the air quality across Florida ranges from good to moderate.

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 See breakdown of air quality by Florida county

How do I protect myself when air quality is bad or I have breathing problems?

Explanation of what air quality numbers mean.

According to the Natural Resources Defense Council, here's what you can do to protect yourself if you have breathing problems or the air quality is bad where you live:

If you are at home:

Close all doors and windows.

If you are running your window air conditioner, set it to recirculation so it stops pulling air from outside. Fegularly change your filter to help pull any pollutants out of the indoor air.

Consider purchasing an air purifier with a HEPA filter if you live in an area with frequent air quality problems, especially if you live with someone who is particularly vulnerable to air pollution.

If you have to go outdoors:

Regularly check for air quality updates.

Limit time outside as much as possible.

Wear an N95 mask to filter out particulate matter when you are outside.

Change out of your outdoor clothes as soon as you get home, since particulates can infiltrate the fabric and then later be inhaled.

See photos of wildfire near Naples, Florida

One of the largest fires in Florida is the one that's been burning in Collier County since April 13. As of April 16, the fire has burned 1,733 acres and is 70% contained.

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 What to know about wildfire at Picayune Strand State Park

Current drought conditions in Florida

The U.S. Drought Monitor on April 14 provided the following breakdown on how bad the drought is in Florida:

Drought and dryness categories: 99% of Florida

Abnormally dry: 1.0%

Moderate drought: 6.2%

Severe drought: 21.6%

Extreme drought: 50.9%

Exceptional drought: 20.2%

Total area in drought: 99%, impacting 18.1 million Florida residents.

Burn bans in effect across Florida

As of 9 a.m. April 16, burn bans have been issued for 27 Florida counties.

Burning yard debris is always prohibited in three counties:

Duval

Orange

Pinellas

What is a burn ban?

The Florida Forest Service tries combines all county-enacted burn bans on its website.

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A burn ban typically prohibits the outside burning of yard trash and vegetation, as well as campfires, bonfires and burn barrels, but can vary by county.

 Current Florida fire danger map

Burn bans are issued when there's a high risk for wildfires and include such conditions as:

prolonged drought

low humidity

high winds, or

high Keetch-Byram Drought Index

What is the Keetch-Byram Drought Index?

The Florida Forest Service and U.S. Forest Service use the Keetch-Byram Drought Index to measure the risk of wildfires based on soil moisture, how dry fuel is, and precipitation.

The scale ranges from 0 to 800, with 0 indicating saturated soil and 800 representing extreme drought with a high potential for "intense, deep-burning fires."

Interactive map: Enter your address to find closest wildfire risks

Stay informed. Get weather alerts via text

What's next?

We will continue to update our weather coverage as conditions warrant. Download your local site's app to ensure you're always connected to the news. And look for our special subscription offers here.

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Cheryl McCloud is a journalist for the USA TODAY Network-Florida's service journalism Connect team. You can get all of Floridas best content directly in your inbox each weekday day by signing up for the free newsletter, Florida TODAY, at https://floridatoday.com/newsletters.

This article originally appeared on Naples Daily News: Florida wildfire map, smoke impacts
The U.S. Senate voted 50-49 Thursday to allow sulfide mining in areas near the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness.

The vote ends President Joe Bidens 20-year moratorium on mining leases across more than 225,000 acres of Superior National Forest near the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, which was visited by nearly 150,000 people in 2024.

Northeast Minnesota sits atop the Duluth Complex, a significant deposit of copper and nickel. Twin Metals, a subsidiary of the Chilean mining conglomerate Antofagasta, wants to extract both minerals  along with cobalt and other precious metals  from underground veins near Ely and Babbitt, about a dozen miles from the wilderness area.

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The resolution already passed the U.S. House, shepherded by U.S. Rep. Pete Stauber, a Republican who represents the 8th District, which includes the protected wilderness. The resolution is headed to the desk of President Donald Trump. Hell sign it, having already initiated the push to end the mining ban.

Ingrid Lyons, executive director of Save the Boundary Waters, issued a statement: Today is a dark day for Americas most beloved Wilderness area, the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, and a stark warning call for public lands nationwide.

U.S. Sen. Tina Smith was raw with emotion on the Senate floor late Wednesday as she argued against the resolution.

You may be wondering why I am standing here at nearly midnight keeping everyone up. Heres why: Because I know people in Minnesota are wondering whether anybody in this building cares about what they think, she said.

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Shed been reading letters from constituents arguing against threatening the pristine waters along the border between Minnesota and Canada.

I dearly hope the members of this body will think about their legacy in protecting the great places in this country, Smith pleaded to an empty chamber.

Environmental protection groups say mining for copper and other heavy metals inevitably leaches sulfuric acid, toxic metals and other pollutants into surrounding water systems, harming the natural environment and imperiling tourism.

Smith and her allies say theyll fight on. Well continue our important job of protecting the Boundary Waters, she said in a press call Thursday. We have more work to do now. She previewed potential litigation from outside groups, who could sue over whether the congressional process for undoing the ban was legal. I question the legality of what Congress did, she said.

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Michael Fairbanks, the chairman of White Earth Nation, said, Were going to try to figure out how were going to combat this. I have a hard time wrapping my head around this.

The industry and the building trades argue the new territory would reduce Northeast Minnesotas economic dependence on volatile global markets for iron and steel. Its rich deposits of higher-value metals, along with gases like helium and possibly hydrogen, could offer a lifeline.

Opponents argue environmental degradation would lead to economic disaster for a region with a growing tourism economy, which relies on waters so pure that some people drink right out of the lakes, known as dipping.

Protection for the Boundary Waters  and its removal  has swung metronomically in the past decade depending on which party has controlled the White House, with the administration of President Barack Obama denying mining leases, followed by Trump pushing for mining and then the Biden 20-year moratorium. Given the congressional vote, however, a future president couldnt enact a substantially similar mining ban. A future Congress could, however.

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Despite the new federal regulatory relief, Twin Metals still faces major obstacles before it can begin.

The company has not won the necessary state or federal permits, and a Democratic trifecta next year could stymie the project by passing a law protecting state lands in the same area and banning hard-rock mine permitting in the region.

Even if they win the necessary permits and win in court in the face of inevitable litigation against the project, Twin Metal would face a hostile Minnesota public.

Polls have long shown heavy majorities oppose mining near the Boundary Waters.
A striking 40 Democratic and allied senators voted to block a shipment of American-made bulldozers to Israel on Wednesday. Immediately afterward, 36 senators voted against bombs for Israel. The votes together represented the biggest-ever rejection from Congress of American military aid for the country, demonstrating that widespread public frustration with devastating U.S.-Israeli cooperation  in Palestine, Lebanon, Iran and beyond  is resonating among lawmakers to a new degree.

The legislators supported bills led by Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) that presented a historic chance for Democrats to signal opposition to both the Trump administration and the pattern of largely unquestioned U.S. support for Israel that predates Donald Trumps presidencies. Though the legislation could not pass, given unanimous Republican support for arming Israel, the number of senators backing it was widely understood as a measure of skepticism of the U.S.-Israel status quo.

Politics: In Wild Speech, Clarence Thomas Blames Progressives, Woodrow Wilson, For Hitler

An early indicator of the resolutions potential came when Sen. Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.) gave a speech saying he would back them  indicating that, for likely 2028 Democratic presidential nominees like him, the votes were seen as a significant test.

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The bills offered a more potent indicator of the shifts among Democratic Party leaders on foreign policy than an earlier vote against Trumps war on Iran, because the Iran votes have consistently gathered broad support.

Only seven Democrats opposed the motion on the bulldozers: Sens. Catherine Cortez-Masto (Nev.), Richard Blumenthal (Conn.), Kirsten Gillibrand (N.Y.), Jacky Rosen (Nev.), Chuck Schumer (N.Y.), John Fetterman (Penn.) and Chris Coons (Del.)

In the case of the Israel votes, the influential Coons pushed colleagues to oppose the motions prior to the vote, according to a Coons statement reviewed by HuffPost, and the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) sought to stem Democratic backing by circulating talking points among congressional offices earlier in the week. AIPACs bid focused on the resolution that was accurately expected to garner more votes: the bill barring bulldozers, which Israel has used to ruinous effect in the occupied West Bank, Gaza and Lebanon.

Politics: WHOOPS! Trump Just Accidentally Insulted Himself, And Critics Can't Stop Laughing

Proponents of the legislation cast it as a vital anti-war signal.

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Earlier this afternoon, nearly all Democrats voted together to end Donald Trumps illegal war against Iran, Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) noted before the votes. That commitment and determination should apply to the Trump administration and to the Netanyahu administration.

Effectively, the votes were also a rebuke of Democrats in the Biden administration, who continued funneling U.S. weaponry to Israel despite broad concerns about their use and violations of U.S. and international law, including among nonpartisan government experts.

Advocacy groups seeking an overhaul of American policy in the Middle East, arguing its record has largely represented a moral and strategic failure, celebrated the record support as a sign that elected Democrats were becoming increasingly willing to channel anger in their base over U.S.-backed Israeli actions.

Politics: Trump Claims The Earth Is 'Cooling As A Planet' Despite Record-Setting March Temperatures

The senators who voted today to block President Trumps giveaways of bombs and bulldozers to Israel showed that they are listening to the American peoples undeniable demand to stop funding Israels genocide, apartheid, and aggression, Margaret DeReus, the executive director of the Institute for Middle East Understanding (IMEU) Policy Project, said in a Wednesday evening statement. There is much more work to be done, but today was yet another statement that the movement for Palestinian rights is growing in the halls of power.

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AIPAC issued an action alert to its members after the votes, arguing they should express disappointment to those who voted to block arms to our ally fighting a multi-front war.

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Political Updates

Read the original on HuffPost
Minutes after approving a $300 million expansion of Tennessees private school voucher program, Senate Republicans voted to end $43 million in funding that supports Tennessee's free diaper program for needy families.

Two years ago, Tennessee became the first state in the nation to offer two years' worth of free diapers for low-income mothers as part of the states Medicaid program, TennCare.

Senate Republicans voted to cut funding for the program from the state budget on April 16. The House was set to vote later that afternoon.

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If the cut passes, Tennessee's diaper benefit will be set to end in 2027.

The $30 million program provides infants and toddlers who are covered by TennCare or CoverKids with up to 100 diapers per month  about half an infants monthly need  at no cost for the first two years of life.

Gov. Bill Lee talks with a mother at Pruitt's Discount Pharmacy on Dickerson Pike in Nashville while distributing diapers provided through TennCare's new diaper benefit on Aug. 21, 2024. The new benefit offers 100 free diapers per month for all TennCare participants aged 2 and under.

The cut was included in Tennessee's $58 billion state budget. Senate Republicans voted to reallocate funding for the diaper program to help cover $137 million in TennCare hospital buybacks that Gov. Bill Lees budget proposal did not include a plan to fund.

Senate Democrats argued the state should find some other way to cover the costs of the buybacks  like not funding 15,000 new private school vouchers for families who make an average of $96,000 per year.

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Mothers on TennCare typically make less than half that.

Were literally taking diapers from babies, said Sen. Charlane Oliver, D-Nashville.

Lee proposed the benefit in 2023 as a pro-life and pro-family way to use the $330 million in savings from the states new Medicaid block grant funding structure. Lawmakers approved $30 million in funding for the diaper benefit during the 2023 legislative session. The program launched in 2024.

Unlike food, diapers are not targeted by any in-kind federal assistance program  no food stamps or WIC benefits cover them. About one in three families in Middle Tennessee struggle to provide the diapers their infants need, according to the Nashville Diaper Connection, a nonprofit that serves about 4,500 families in 17 Middle Tennessee counties each month.

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More: 'You cant buy diapers with food stamps': How a new program aims to help low-income mothers

Without enough diapers to keep a baby clean and dry, infants are at higher risk for diaper dermatitis and urinary tract infections. Also, most day care facilities require parents to provide a days worth of diapers for their child, which poses a significant burden to families facing financial insecurity.

Senators took funding from several sources to fund the hospital buybacks.

Tennessee gets federal funding for its Medicaid program, TennCare, in a block grant each year, under a special waiver lawmakers sought under the first Trump administration. As a result, the state sees some shared savings, which last year fully covered the cost of the buybacks.

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Hospitals pay a 6% assessment tax to the state, which is used to draw down federal match dollars. The state then returns those dollars to hospitals to cover the costs of uncompensated and Medicaid care.

Senate Finance Chair Bo Watson, R-Hixson, explained that while last year buybacks were covered by the shared savings, those funds are no longer sufficient.

We do not have that kind of money in shared savings anymore, so the legislature had to look at the general fund, Watson said.

Sen. Bo Watson, R-Hixson, looks on during a news conference at Cordell Hull State Office Building in Nashville on Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026. Tennessee GOP lawmakers are seeking tougher proof-of-status requirements for undocumented immigrants to access public benefits.

Senators pulled funds from disaster recovery, AI initiatives and rural development funds along with the diaper program to cover the gap.

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There will be $40 million left to run the diaper program before it is phased out in 2027.

This will continue to be a challenge for us, budgetarily," Watson said. "This number will not get smaller. It will get bigger. And it will continue to be a challenge to find creative ways to fund it.

Vivian Jones covers state government and politics for The Tennessean. Reach her at vjones@tennessean.com.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: TN Republicans vote to cut diapers for low-income families
A teenager was shot near Sepulveda Middle School in North Hills on Wednesday afternoon, prompting a temporary lockdown of the campus.

Officers responded to the 15300 block of Plummer Street around 3:08 p.m. after the teenager was struck in the thigh, according to Los Angeles police. The victim was taken to a hospital in stable condition.

Prior to the shooting, police said the victim was in a fight with another teen.

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"During the physical altercation, the suspect produced a firearm and fired one round that struck the victim in the thigh," Los Angeles police said. "The suspect fled the location. The gun was recovered at scene."

No arrest has been made.

Sepulveda Middle School was temporarily placed on lockdown as police investigated.

Around 4 p.m., AIR7 was over the campus as parents lined up to pick up their children.

A spokesperson for LAUSD later said that the victim was not a student at the school.

"In an abundance of caution, the Los Angeles School Police Department will have extra police officer patrols on our campus," the spokesperson's statement added.

A police investigation is ongoing.
Slovakia will block the EU's next sanctions package against Russia unless Russian oil flows again to the country through the Druzhba pipeline via Ukraine, Foreign Minister Juraj Blanar told parliament on Thursday.

"If the Druzhba oil pipeline is not put back into operation and the 20th sanctions package is already on the table for a vote, we will not agree," the left-wing nationalist politician was quoted as saying by the TASR news agency.

"We have no other instruments to enforce that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky together with the European Commission reopens Druzhba," Blanar explained

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Slovakia, a member of both the European Union and NATO, had already declared an "oil emergency" in mid-February because no crude oil has flowed through the Druzhba pipeline via Ukraine from Russia since the end of January.

Slovakia remains largely dependent on Russian oil supplies and has therefore been granted an exemption from EU sanctions against Russia that was also agreed with Kiev.

Ukraine maintains that the Druzhba pipeline was damaged by Russian drone attacks, but the left-wing nationalist Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico has questioned this, as does outgoing Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban.

Like Budapest, Bratislava has so far demanded an independent inspection of the pipeline in vain.

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Ukraine had already held out the prospect of an imminent resumption of oil transit in February when the European Commission presented its 20th sanctions package. Since then, however, it has repeatedly postponed the date and Slovakia together with Hungary has opposed the sanctions package.

Ukraine loan to still go through

Still, unlike the Orban government, which was ousted in a landslide victory in Sunday's parliamentary elections, Slovakia is still not planning to block a 90 billion ($106 billion) EU loan to Ukraine.

"Nothing has changed in that regard," Blanar stressed on Thursday.

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Fico has long accused Ukraine of "blackmail" over the Druzhba pipeline because Slovakia has refused to supply Ukarine with weapons from its own army stocks.

However, the country is one of Ukraine's most important supporters with "non-lethal" goods such as mine-clearing systems, diesel generators or energy supplies. Fico has repeatedly accused Ukraine of endangering Slovakia's energy supply. His opponents, however, accuse him of pursuing a "pro-Russian" policy.
KABUL, April 16 (Xinhua) -- Personnel of counter-terrorism have discovered a large amount of weapons and ammunition in western Afghanistan's Herat province, the provincial police office said in a statement on Thursday.

The contrabands, which included 122 pistols, 22 Kalashnikovs, 18 hunting arms, a large quantity of cartridges and bullets and other illegally preserved military equipment, have been seized during operations on the outskirts of Herat city, the capital and in different districts of the province over the past six months, according to the statement.

Without furnishing details on whether anyone was arrested on charges of keeping illegal weapons and ammunition, the statement added that the military tools had been handed over to the relevant authorities.

The Afghan government has intensified efforts to collect unauthorized arms and ammunition as part of broader measures aimed at improving security and stability across the war-ravaged country. 
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An illustration of a cosmic distance ladder used to calculate the expansion rate of the universe. New research confirms, with the most thorough dataset ever, that something still doesnt add up in our standard model of cosmology. | Credit: CTIO/NOIRLab/DOE/NSF/AURA/J. Pollard

There's a central crisis in cosmology : Different measurements yield different values for the expansion rate of the universe. Now, a comprehensive analysis combining decades of independent measurements suggests that this discrepancy is not due to error or uncertainty; instead, it's a potential pathway to new physics beyond the standard cosmological model.

Astronomers calculate the universe's expansion rate, or Hubble constant , in two ways. One method is to use measurements of the distance to the cosmic microwave background (CMB), the earliest light that spread out just 380,000 years after the Big Bang . The second method is to study the expansion of the local universe, using observations of "standard candles," nearby stars of a known brightness whose light gets stretched  or redshifted  as it reaches us.

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The first method's calculations yield a Hubble constant of around 67 or 68 kilometers per second per megaparsec, while the latter yield a value of approximately 73 kilometers per second per megaparsec. (One megaparsec is about 3.26 million light-years.)

Although this seems like a diminutive discrepancy, it is far greater than statistical uncertainty can explain, presenting a puzzling disagreement known as the Hubble tension. So a large symposium of astronomers convened to vote on the best methods and data for constraining the Hubble constant and determining if the tension actually exists.

In the resulting paper, published April 10 in the journal Astronomy & Astrophysics , the authors derived the most precise Hubble constant yet and found that the tension persists, suggesting that our current cosmological model is incomplete.

"That's why the Hubble tension is so interesting," study co-author Richard Anderson , an astrophysicist at the University of Gottingen, told Live Science via email. "The comparison between the late and early-universe value of [the Hubble constant] tests basic physics on cosmological scales, and it tells us that something's missing."

The most comprehensive review of the expanding local universe

Previous cosmological calculations relied on the creation of a cosmic distance ladder. Its rungs comprise increasingly distant celestial objects, including pulsating Cepheid variable stars within the Milky Way and more distant supernovas, whose distances can be calculated from the difference in their intrinsic brightness versus how bright they appear to us after their light has traveled through expanding space.

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Yet this recent community effort, launched at the International Space Science Institute Breakthrough Workshop in Bern, Switzerland, in March 2025, expanded the cosmic distance ladder into a comprehensive survey of the nearby universe called the Local Distance Network, achieving a lofty goal that was considered " potentially unreachable " a decade ago.

The new Local Distance Network presented in this study. | Credit: International Space Science Institute, 2026

"This isn't just a new value of the Hubble constant," the researchers explained in a statement from the National Science Foundation's NOIRLab ; "it's a community-built framework that brings decades of independent distance measurements together, transparently and accessibly."

The unified framework combined decades of independent research using various techniques that may overlap in observations to achieve "redundancy"  an invaluable technique to reduce systematic errors and statistical anomalies.

For example, it allowed the researchers to perform a series of "leave me out" analyses: By excluding a specific technique, such as Cepheid-based calculations, they found a minimal change in the overall results of their newly constrained Hubble constant.

The foundations for a cosmic network

The Local Distance Network is founded on anchors  celestial objects whose distances have been determined geometrically through methods like parallax , an apparent change in an object's position that occurs with a change in perspective. Space telescope access may be limited, but you can reproduce parallax yourself by holding a finger at arm's length and seeing it seemingly shift positions by closing one eye and then the other .

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Accordingly, the researchers used multiple local-universe anchor points, including the galaxy NGC 4258, located more than 20 million light-years away; the Magellanic Clouds, which are a pair of dwarf galaxies about 200,000 light-years away; and numerous variable stars within the Milky Way.

Then, they included a multitude of objects of measured distances, including dying old red giant stars and " megamasers ," the intensely bright cosmic lasers generated in the accretion disks of supermassive black holes.

The researchers also included more than 7,500 galaxies, observed by facilities such as the Hubble Space Telescope and the Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument , out to a distance of more than 1 billion light-years.

As a result, the Local Distance Network developed in this study represents the most precise direct measurement of the Hubble constant in the local universe: 73.50 kilometers per second per megaparsec, with a relative uncertainty of 1.09%. The conclusion? The Hubble tension is real, similar to previously measured values, and not just an artifact.

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The fact that this discrepancy persists may hint that early-universe measurements need to be similarly reassessed on a deeper level.

"One interesting, relatively new, and perhaps more natural idea involves primordial magnetic fields, which could change the scale of the structure seen in the CMB," study co-author John Blakeslee , director of research and science services at NOIRLab, explained via email.
Sonia Sotomayor apologizes for criticizing Brett Kavanaugh over ICE ruling 03:39

Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor apologized Wednesday for publicly criticizing Justice Brett Kavanaugh over a ruling on immigration stops  and seeming to imply that her conservative colleague's views were shaped by an out-of-touch upbringing.

"At a recent appearance at the University of Kansas School of Law, I referred to a disagreement with one of my colleagues in a prior case, but I made remarks that were inappropriate," Sotomayor said in a statement issued by the Supreme Court on Wednesday. "I regret my hurtful comments. I have apologized to my colleague."

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Sotomayor did not mention Kavanaugh by name. But during last week's event in Kansas, she reportedly offered rare  and personal  criticism of a Supreme Court order in which Kavanaugh was the only member of the majority to lay out his rationale in writing.

The September 2025 order cleared the way for Immigration and Customs Enforcement to resume broad sweeps in Los Angeles, halting a lower court ruling that restricted ICE's practices. The lower court found the agency had unlawfully detained people, and said ICE could not rely solely on factors like race, occupation or use of Spanish in deciding whether it had reasonable suspicion that somebody is in the United States illegally.

Kavanaugh penned a concurrence that questioned the lower court ruling, writing that ethnicity cannot be the sole reason why somebody is stopped but could be a relevant factor. He also wrote at one point that the immigration stops in question were typically a "brief encounter," with detainees free to go once they demonstrate they are in the country legally.

Sotomayor referred to those comments during her appearance at the University of Kansas, saying one of her colleagues wrote that "these are only temporary stops."

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"This is from a man whose parents were professionals. And probably doesn't really know any person who works by the hour," Sotomayor continued, according to Bloomberg.

A native of the Washington, D.C., area, Kavanaugh's father was a lobbyist and his mother was a prosecutor and judge. Sotomayor grew up in a Bronx public housing complex, and was primarily raised by her Puerto Rico-born mother  a nurse  after her father died when she was nine. Both justices attended Yale Law School, separated by 11 years.

It is unusual for Supreme Court justices to publicly criticize each other's backgrounds, and the court's liberals and conservatives have often made a point of emphasizing that their disagreements are not personal. In a 2018 CNN interview after Kavanaugh was confirmed by the Senate, Sotomayor referred to the nine justices as a "family."

Asked about her relationships with the other eight justices during a speaking event at the University of Alabama last week, Sotomayor said "most of us actually like each other" because "I'm not thinking that how they vote defines them as people."

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"I daresay that with virtually all of them, I certainly have a civil relationship. And with many of them, I think I daresay that I have a friendship," Sotomayor said.

But Sotomayor was sharply critical of the Supreme Court's order on ICE stops at the time that it was issued. She wrote in a dissent joined by the two other liberal justices that the federal government  and Kavanaugh's concurrence  had "all but declared that all Latinos, U. S. citizens or not, who work low wage jobs are fair game to be seized at any time."

"We should not have to live in a country where the Government can seize anyone who looks Latino, speaks Spanish, and appears to work a low wage job. Rather than stand idly by while our constitutional freedoms are lost, I dissent," she wrote.
Leading South African opposition politician Julius Malema, 45, has been sentenced to five years after being found guilty of the illegal possession of a gun and firing it in public.

But Magistrate Twanet Olivier allowed the leader of the Economic Freedom Fighters and MP to appeal against the sentencing, meaning that he was not immediately taken to prison.

Earlier, standing in court in a dark suit and red tie, Malema showed little emotion as Olivier read out the sentence even though his political future was at stake.

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Last year, he was convicted of five offences, including the unlawful possession of a firearm, discharging it in public and reckless endangerment.

Malema was able to leave court and greet his supporters as the appeal process has now begun [Reuters]

If his sentence is upheld, Malema would be disqualified from being an MP for five years after leaving prison. However, political analyst Sandile Swana told the BBC that the appeals process was likely to take several years so the EFF leader would be able to pursue his political career in the meantime.

The charges related to an incident in 2018 when a video emerged showing Malema firing a semi-automatic rifle in the air during his party's fifth anniversary celebrations held in the country's Eastern Cape province.

During the trial in KuGompo City, which is the new name for East London, Malema told the court that he had fired the shots in celebration.

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But during her sentencing ruling Olivier said "it wasn't... an impulsive act. It was the event of the evening," the AFP news agency reports.

She added that while his political standing had no bearing on her findings, he was someone who had a large following in South Africa and should account for his actions.

Addressing some of those followers outside court, he made a series of unsubstantiated allegations against Olivier and said, without offering direct evidence, that the conviction and sentencing were a result of a conspiracy.

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"They are trying by all means to silence this voice. They will never win," AFP quotes him as saying. "We are fighting the enemy and the enemy is white supremacy."

Malema has a long reputation as being an outspoken, charismatic and radical left-wing politician and has a loyal band of supporters.

Hundreds had come to back Malema with chants and revolutionary songs.

When news came through that he would be allowed to appeal, they started calling out in the Xhosa language "sigoduka naye", which translates as "we are leaving with him today".

Malema's party supporters have been out in force to show their solidarity [BBC]

Malema was once the leader of the youth wing of the governing African National Congress. But after being expelled from the party, following a falling-out with then President Jacob Zuma, he went on to form the EFF.

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With Malema's calls for the seizure of white-owned land and arguments that more should be done to transfer wealth to the black majority, the EFF ate away at the ANC share of the vote. It became the country's fourth largest party at the 2024 elections.

After being found guilty last October, Malema was quoted as telling those outside the court that "going to prison or death is a badge of honour".

"We cannot be scared of prison [or] to die for the revolution. Whatever they want to do, they must know we will never retreat."

He also vowed to take a challenge to the judgment up to South Africa's highest court, the Constitutional Court.

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Malema's prosecution came when Afrikaner lobby group AfriForum, which has a contentious relationship with him and the EFF, opened a case against Malema after the video went viral.

The secretary-general of the ANC, which leads a 10-party coalition government that does not include the EFF, expressed sympathy with Malema.

"The main message we are being told here by the racist AfriForum is that if we dare stand up for black people, dare stand up for the marginalised and dare stand up for our generational mission we will be targeted," Fikile Mbalula wrote on X in response to Thursday's sentencing.

AfriForum has previously said it condemns all forms of racism and a spokesperson said this case was about "reckless and illegal actions" and not race.

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The organisation also had a role in another conviction against Malema.

Last August, he was found guilty of hate speech by the equality court, following remarks he made at a rally in 2022.

After an incident where a white man allegedly assaulted an EFF member, Malema said: "No white man is going to beat me up... you must never be scared to kill. A revolution demands that at some point there must be killing."

The equality court ruled that these remarks "demonstrated an intent to incite harm", but the EFF said they were taken out of context.

Malema has also been criticised for chanting a song that includes the words "shoot the Boer (Afrikaner); shoot the farmer" at his political rallies.

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US President Donald Trump brought this up during a tense White House meeting with South African counterpart Cyril Ramaphosa last May.

Afrikaner lobby groups have tried to get the song banned, but South Africa's Supreme Court of Appeal has ruled that a "reasonably well-informed person" would understand that the song, which dates from the fight against white-minority rule, was not meant to be taken literally and so was not hate speech.

Additional reporting by Nobuhle Simelane

More about South Africa from the BBC:

[Getty Images/BBC]

Go to BBCAfrica.com for more news from the African continent.

Follow us on Twitter @BBCAfrica, on Facebook at BBC Africa or on Instagram at bbcafrica

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SEOUL, April 16 (Reuters) - South Korean President Lee Jae Myung will make a state visit to India, the first by a South Korean leader in eight years, before heading to Vietnam, a presidential adviser said on Thursday.

Lee will start his April 19 to April 24 trip in New Delhi at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, presidential adviser Wi Sung-lac told a briefing, according to the Blue House's website.

The leaders will hold a summit on April 20, with talks expected to cover cooperation in areas such as shipbuilding, artificial intelligence and defence.

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Lee will attend a roundtable in India accompanied by business leaders from the two countries, the Blue House said.

Business groups are assembling an economic delegation of around 200 executives for the trip, Yonhap reported citing unnamed industry sources.

The Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry will oversee the Vietnam leg, while the Federation of Korean Industries will coordinate the India leg, hosting business forums, meetings with government and business leaders, and the signing of memoranda of understanding.

The Vietnam delegation is expected to include the heads of South Korea's four largest conglomerates, including Samsung Electronics Chairman Jay Y. Lee, SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won, Hyundai Motor Group Executive Chair Euisun Chung and LG Group Chairman Koo Kwang-mo, Yonhap added.

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The India delegation is also expected to include leaders from Samsung Electronics, Hyundai Motor Group and LG Group.

The Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Federation of Korean Industries declined to comment.

South Korea is seeking to maintain close cooperation with India on energy supply chains amid turbulent global circumstances, Wi said, without elaborating. Lee is also seeking to resolve difficulties regarding immigration and residence procedures for South Koreans in India, he said.

India is a major market for South Korea's biggest conglomerates, such as Hyundai Motor, which is seeking an annual production capacity of 1.5 million cars and listed a unit on India's stock market in 2024.

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Companies such as Samsung Electronics and LG Electronics operate their manufacturing factories in India, with LG listing its Indian unit on the local stock market last year.

Lee will travel to Hanoi on April 21 and hold a summit with Vietnam's top leader To Lam the following day.

The leaders are due to discuss developing relations in areas including energy, global supply chains and critical minerals, and Lee will also seek to expand cultural ties, Wi said.

Lam visited Seoul in August 2025 when he said the countries agreed to expand bilateral trade to $150 billion by 2030 and that Hanoi welcomed an increase in investment by South Korean businesses.

($1 = 1,473.0000 won)

(Reporting by Heejin Kim and Hyunjoo Jin; Additional reporting by Heekyong Yang; Editing by Ed Davies and Kate Mayberry)
SOUTHERN UTAH, Utah (ABC4)  The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints recently announced that female members could serve as Sunday School Presidents, a role typically reserved for male members. We spoke to a Southern Utah woman who was called to the role just days after the announcement.

In March 2026, the Church updated its handbook to state that Sunday School Presidents can now be female, provided their counselors are also female. This is a departure from historical norms within the church, in which only male members were called to serve as Sunday School President.

LDS member speaks on women in the church, following Sunday School role changes

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This important change gives bishoprics additional options as they prayerfully consider who should lead the effort of teaching and learning in their wards, said Sunday School General President Paul V. Johnson.

Johnson added, At the time of our call as Sunday School leaders in 2024, the First Presidency gave us a chargeas they have done with previous presidenciesto improve teaching and learning in the Church. There are many capable women and men who can help strengthen gospel instruction and foster spiritual growth.

Chris Heinrich, from Southern Utah, is a lifetime member of the Church, and she was called as a Sunday School President just days after this announcement was released. ABC4s Cannon Secrist spoke with her about her reaction to the announcement and her calling.

My reaction was probably what a lot of peoples were, which was: Oh, yeah? Why wasnt this done before? Heinrich said. Heinrich was called into a meeting with her wards bishop and was prepared to accept a calling, though she assumed it would be a role she had previously held.

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I was assuming it was going to be a redo of a calling Id had before, and it wasnt. And I was happy not because it was traditionally a male role or anything like that, she said. I was just excited because I hadnt done it before.

In her new position, Heinrich will be training teachers, guiding adult lessons in her ward, and working with other local church leaders. And, while this is a historic change in the Church, Heinrich says her focus is on serving where she is needed.

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Theres not a superior gender in Gods church, and working together, we kind of make a perfect whole, she said. Each calling is a sacrifice. While I didnt expect to do this calling. It was also not something I was always saying, Oh, I wish I could be Sunday school president, but this is to me, just another way to serve in the church.

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Heinrich may have been one of the first female Church members to receive a calling as Sunday School President, but this change will likely spread throughout the Church. However, she says she hopes the focus stays on working together.

She said, As we work together in our callings. It really produces a very cohesive organization that works very well and helps us all to grow and get closer to Christ and learn more about him, which is the purpose of it.

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SpaceX has completed an important test of what CEO Elon Musk describes as the most powerful object ever made.

The company fired up its Starship megarocket at its Starbase facility in southern Texas on Wednesday, ahead of what will be a landmark flight next month.

The static fire of the Super Heavy rocket, which came a day after a similar test of the smaller upper stage rocket, saw its 33 engines light up while the spacecraft remained tethered to the launchpad.

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When stacked together, the Starship rocket measures 124 metres tall and is capable of carrying more than 100 tons to low Earth orbit, according to Mr Musk.

The rocket is crucial to Nasas plans to return astronauts to the Moon as part of its Artemis program, with SpaceX contracted to develop a lunar lander alongside Jeff Bezoss Blue Origin.

First 33-engine static fire for Super Heavy V3 pic.twitter.com/m3swZHF7iQ  SpaceX (@SpaceX) April 16, 2026

The US space agency completed a lunar flyby earlier this month, which saw four astronauts travel to the Moon last week for the first time in more than 50 years.

The first crewed mission to the surface of the Moon is expected to take place in late 2028 as part of Artemis IV, though it will depend on the readiness of Starship and Blue Origins Blue Moon.

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Nasa has already been forced to push back its lunar ambitions due to delays with Starships Human Landing System (HLS), with the mission originally scheduled for December 2025.

Ahead of the last Starship flight test in October, safety advisers for the US space agency said that fundamental challenges remain with Starships HLS.

Members of the Aerospace Safety Advisory Panel said the next six months of Starship launches will likely determine whether HLS is capable of flying a crew before the end of the decade.

Speaking at a Senate Committee hearing in September, former Nasa chief Jim Bridenstine said Starship delays meant the US was likely to fall behind China in the race to the Moon.

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Our complicated architecture requires a dozen or more launches in a short time frame, relies on very challenging technologies that have yet to be developed like cryogenic in-space refueling, and still needs to be human rated, he said.

Unless something changes, it is highly unlikely the United States will beat Chinas projected timeline to the Moons surface.

No date has been set for the next flight test, which will be the 12th suborbital mission for Starship, though Mr Musk indicated on 3 April that it was 4 to 6 weeks away.
Gov. Abigail Spanberger signed a package of gun bills on April 10, including a ghost gun ban, an industry liability measure and a closure of the intimate partner loophole. The bills are defensible policy. The ceremony around them was a tell.

Start with the calendar. The signing landed 11 days before the April 21 redistricting referendum, in the middle of an early voting window Democratic strategists were already nervous about. Whatever the referendum result, the timing was a forced error.

The NRAs Institute for Legislative Action had its alert up the same afternoon, framing the package as proof of one-party Democrat rule turning hostile to gun owners. The Virginia Citizens Defense League amplified it. It gave conservative talk radio fresh material going into the final week of early voting. The bills could have been signed on April 22 with the same legal effect and none of the political cost.

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Someone in the governors office made that call. The call was wrong, and it was wrong before a single vote was counted.

The deeper problem is the staging. There was no rural sheriff at the podium. No bipartisan co-sponsor on the dais. No outreach to the gun owners who voted for Spanberger because she was a former federal officer who understood firearms. She had the biography to build a different coalition on this exact issue; she chose not to use it. The photo was the message, and the message was for the people who already agreed.

This is what governing like a blue state looks like in a state that is not one. Kamala Harris carried Virginia by roughly six points in 2024. Spanberger won the trifecta in 2025 on a backlash to federal turbulence and a competence pitch  not on a mandate to legislate as if Richmond were Sacramento. The April 10 bill signing treated the gun package as a victory lap for the base. Virginia does not reward governors who confuse their base with their coalition.

Mark Warner understood the discipline this state requires.

Running for governor in 2001, Warner spent two years showing up in places where Democrats had all but abandoned. He sponsored a NASCAR truck, commissioned a bluegrass campaign song and courted sportsmen and rural sheriffs and gun owners, because a Democrat who wants to govern Virginia has to earn permission from voters who do not look like the Northern Virginia base. Warner won counties Al Gore had lost the year before. He left office with approval ratings above 70%. He did not soften his policies. He earned the room to pass them.

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Virginia is the state that fires its governing party on a clock. From 1981 through 2009, every gubernatorial winner came from the party opposite the sitting president. Terry McAuliffe broke the pattern in 2013. Glenn Youngkin restored it in 2021 against a backlash that combined schools, parental rights and a sense that a Democratic trifecta had outrun the permission its rural and exurban voters had given it.

The 2021 result was not random. It was the predictable Virginia whipsaw against a party that had stopped checking in with the voters it needed.

That whipsaw arrives on a schedule, and the schedule starts in seven months. November 2026 puts all 11 of Virginias congressional seats on the ballot in a midterm cycle that historically punishes the governors party. November 2027 puts all 100 House of Delegates seats up.

The current Democratic House majority depends on roughly a dozen districts in exurban Loudoun, Prince William, Henrico, and the Virginia Beach corridor, where gun rights mobilization moves margins by three or four points. Spanberger cannot afford to spend her first year turning those districts into NRA target lists.

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Coalition discipline is the fix, and there is still time to rebuild it.

Spanberger should be in Bristol and Wytheville and Tazewell County before she is in Arlington again. She should be sharing a podium with a Republican sheriff on the intimate partner loophole, because Republican sheriffs supported it. She should be telling the ghost gun story through the police chiefs who asked for the law, not through the advocacy groups who have wanted it for a decade.

Every bill signing event is a chance to widen the coalition or shrink it. April 10 shrank it. The next 18 months are a chance to do the opposite.

Virginia Democrats have the trifecta because two decades of governors earned it carefully. The whipsaw is coming. It always comes. The only question is whether Spanberger spends the next year and a half building the coalition that absorbs it.

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Tuesday morning brought a harsh reminder that speed belongs on the track, not on public roads

A Chevrolet Corvette was ripped into hundreds of pieces in a violent early-morning crash on Interstate 90 in Ohio, killing a 43-year-old driver and triggering a second collision involving a fire truck at the scene.

According to News 5 Cleveland, along with reporting from WOIO and Cleveland.com, the crash happened around 2 a.m. Tuesday on the westbound side of I-90 near West 117th Street. What unfolded was not just a crash. It was a total breakup.

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Police have not officially confirmed the full cause of the crash, and investigators are still working to piece together exactly what happened in those final moments. That part will take time, and it should.

But one does not need to be a forensic crash investigator to recognize what scenes like this usually point to. Modern vehicles do not explode into hundreds of pieces or scatter debris across hundreds of feet when traveling at posted speeds. When a car leaves the roadway, crosses an embankment, and comes apart after striking fixed objects, speed is almost always part of the equation.

We cover tragedies like this for the same reason we cover so many other serious crashes. Because sometimes it takes seeing just how bad things can get for it to actually register. If even a handful of people see this and think twice about pushing it just a little harder on the highway, then at least something comes out of it.

Corvette Left the Highway, Hit a Tree, and a Guardrail

Embedded media follows. Please allow a moment for it to load.

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Some viewers may find this disturbing. It is shared in the hope that tragedies like this may prevent others.

Police say the Corvette exited the highway at an exit ramp before crossing a grassy embankment and crashing into a tree and the end of a guardrail. The impact tore the car apart, with video reviewed by transportation officials appearing to show an explosion at the moment of impact. When crews arrived, they found the yellow Corvette reduced to hundreds of pieces scattered across the roadway and nearby grass.

The driver was ejected and pronounced dead at the scene. He was later identified as 43-year-old Brian Petruccelli of South Amherst. Earlier reports had initially described the victim as about 35 years old before the Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner confirmed his identity. Authorities say speed appears to be a contributing factor, though the crash remains under investigation.

The Debris Field Told Its Own Story

Fatal crash has I-90 west closed at W117. Corvette went off the highway at the exit ramp, hit a tree then the end of a guardrail. The car was torn apart. EMS says approx. 35 year old male DOA. pic.twitter.com/Wh5ch1EIHh  Mike Vielhaber (@MVielhaber) April 14, 2026

News photographer Mike Vielhaber described the crash scene as stretching roughly 900 feet. That kind of debris field does not happen at normal speed. By the time a car is coming apart like that, physics has already taken over.

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A vehicle leaving the roadway, crossing an embankment, and then hitting both a tree and a guardrail with enough force to separate into pieces is about as violent as it sounds.

The crash scene was roughly 900 feet long. Wet roads and high speed it seems. pic.twitter.com/e3qfZDDZJa  Mike Vielhaber (@MVielhaber) April 14, 2026

Then Another Driver Hit a Fire Truck

About an hour after the Corvette crash, while crews were still working the scene, a second crash happened. A Cleveland Fire Department truck had been positioned to block traffic and protect first responders during the cleanup, and another vehicle struck it.

A woman was taken to Fairview Hospital with minor injuries. Fire officials said no firefighters were hurt. Two crashes on the same stretch of road, within about an hour, is the kind of thing that should make people stop and think.

Online Reactions Mixed Humor, Speculation, and Sadness

As details of the crash spread online, the comments came in exactly the way they usually do. Some people went straight for dark humor, with one commenter joking, Split personality now, while others were more blunt, including one who wrote, Im sure he wasnt speeding like a maniac.

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One comment stood out because it may point to what happened before the crash. A woman said she saw the Corvette earlier and claimed it was weaving in and out of traffic. Others focused on the reporting itself, correcting the early age estimate and noting the driver was 43, not 35.

Then came the comments that sounded more like the part people should actually sit with: People, please slow down, you will get there, and We need to slow down. How sad. There were also plenty of condolences and prayers for the family, which is about the only part of internet comment sections that still feels reliably human.

The Part That Matters

A crash that leaves a Corvette in hundreds of pieces does not happen at normal speed. That part is ugly, but it is real.

What is also real is what happened next. Even after a fatal crash, with emergency vehicles blocking lanes and first responders actively working the scene, another driver still managed to slam into a fire truck.

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That is not just bad luck. That is what happens when speed, inattention, and poor decisions keep compounding.

A Corvette is engineered for performance. It will do exactly what it is built to do. But it will not protect you from physics, and it will not protect the people trying to clean up the aftermath when things go wrong.
State wildlife officials plan to revamp invasive fish suppression efforts on the East Fork Bull River to combat a so-called hotspot of hybridization threatening native westslope cutthroat and bull trout populations.

Starting in July, fisheries technicians with Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks will use electrofishing backpacks and weir traps to remove brown, brook and rainbow trout from the East Fork Bull River. All three species are non-native to western Montana and seriously threaten the persistence of [native westslope cutthroat trout and bull trout] through hybridization and competition for resources, according to an environmental assessment released by the state wildlife agency April 1.

Westslope cutthroat trout and bull trout are listed as Species of Special Concern by the state, and bull trout are listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act.

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The Bull River drainage has provided a rare refuge for both native species, thanks in part to state conservation efforts. Wildlife officials used electrofishing and fish traps to remove 3,500 brown trout, 1,900 brook trout and 60 rainbow trout from the East Fork Bull River between 2007 and 2009. Populations of brown and brook trout remained low for more than a decade after the initial removal.

But more recent studies, completed in 2025 and 2026, suggest that non-native fish populations are on the rise in the lower reaches of the East Fork Bull River. Left unchecked, officials worry the non-native fish could spread upstream, jeopardizing the genetic integrity and long-term viability of westslope cutthroat trout and bull trout throughout the tributary.

Fish, Wildlife and Parks acknowledges that hybridization and non-native trout will always exist within the Bull River drainage, reads the environmental assessment. However, Fish, Wildlife and Parks believes that reducing non-native competition ... and slowing the spread of hybridization ... is a realistic and important goal in the long-term effort to protect these native species.

If the project receives approval, officials will begin electrofishing in July. Fish removal efforts will continue through November, though no electrofishing will occur during bull trout spawning periods. Captured non-native fish that measure greater than 250 millimeters will be relocated to Triangle Pond, a nearby community fishing site.

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The state wildlife agency is accepting comments on the projects environmental assessment through 5 p.m., April 15. Comments may be emailed to Travis Rehm at [email protected].

Reporter Hailey Smalley can be reached at 406-758-4433 or [email protected]. If you value local journalism, pledge your support at dailyinterlake.com/support.
Stormont ministers have approved extra money to widen a support package for households which use home heating oil.

The executive has pledged 19.2m to go along with the 17m already set aside for the scheme from the UK government.

That will see up to 340,000 households receiving a 100 payment to go towards their heating oil bills.

It will apply to households with a combined income of 30,000 or less or those on certain benefits including pension credit.

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The payment will come in the form of a pre-paid voucher, with people asked to apply online according to Communities Minister Gordon Lyons, whose department will take the lead in distributing the payments.

Lyons said he could not yet provide a timeframe for the scheme but said legislation would need to be passed, as well as eligibility checks taking place before households can receive the money.

It is unclear where the extra money will be found as all the Stormont departments are struggling under financial pressures.

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Lyons said it was "targeted support" that would protect those who need it most, and that he recognised the length of time it had taken to produce the scheme, but that he wanted to get it right.

However, the minister said it was a short-term measure and that "more would need to be done" by the government.

First Minister Michelle O'Neill said the executive had made the decision while talks around agreeing a multi-year budget continued.

She said all ministers had painted a picture at Thursday's meeting of a "budget at breaking point", and that the executive now wanted to meet Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer to make its case.

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Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly said the executive saw and heard the message about pressures that businesses and households are facing.

She said the UK government had the tools and the financial firepower to help people in Northern Ireland, adding: "This is the moment to use both.

"This cannot wait people cannot wait, we need a comprehensive package of support and we need it now."

[BBC]

The issue of fuel costs was discussed at the executive in the context of ongoing talks at the executive about a multi-year budget.

Ministers have repeatedly said they need additional resources from Westminster in order to balance their departmental budgets.

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The government has provided the executive with additional funding worth 380m for public services over the next three years and has previously said that ministers must make "difficult" choices.

O'Toole welcomed the 100 support but said it was clear more support was needed [BBC]

SDLP leader of the Opposition at Stormont Matthew O'Toole said the executive "cannot blame" the government for their "failure to agree a multi-year budget".

"It's crystal clear to everyone that the real reason is infighting between the executive parties.

"They were snubbed by the secretary of state after extending a bizarre invite for him to attend today's meeting in an attempt for political cover," he said.

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O'Toole welcomed the 100 support but said it was clear more support was needed and the executive "cannot simply shift all the blame to London".

How close is the executive to agreeing a budget?

Discussions have been taking place since January in a bid to approve a budget for the next three financial years.

A multi-year budget would allow Stormont departments to plan longer-term spending and the executive has not agreed one for more than a decade.

But there are particularly acute pressures in the departments of health, education and justice that have made reaching agreement on it difficult.

A Stormont source said the executive was "stretched to breaking point" and that the current funding allocation was not enough over the next three years.

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The executive is also exploring the option of agreeing a budget for 2026-27, but in the event that is the outcome, ministers would face returning to discussions before the end of the year to set a budget for 2027-28.

The timing of the next assembly election in May 2027 could complicate negotiations on a budget for that year.

Asked how close the executive was to agreeing a budget, the first minister said it was "still a work in progress", but that she was not giving up hope on a multi-year plan.

O'Neill added that she disputed the suggestion that the executive was seeking "special treatment", and that it was about ensuring fairness for people in Northern Ireland.

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The deputy first minister said she was "not a fan of begging bowl politics", but that in this case, the government was not delivering in the way that it should.

Elise McKenna said the 100 support would "make a huge difference" to some families [BBC]

Elise McKenna said the 100 support would "make a huge difference" to some families.

"Sometimes it can be quite difficult because everything's so expensive all the time. But I suppose we all just do our best with what we have."

She said the extra help would allow her to get more of her "everyday essentials", but that "they could do a wee bit more to help with different things to help with fuel, shopping, even school".

Andy Blair said the cost of living for everyone is "quite high at the minute" [BBC]

Andy Blair said the cost of living for everyone is "quite high at the minute" and that any help would be useful.

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"A hundred pounds would probably go pretty quick, but more than anything you can't address the cost of living with a one-off payment, it's about more long-term support at an institutional level than giving people cash," he said.

What is the government's view?

The UK government has repeatedly said the funding on offer to the executive is a "record settlement" from Westminster.

All the executive parties maintain that the allocation does not go far enough.

Stormont's finance minister has been making the case to the Treasury to restore the "stabilisation fund" - additional one-off funding which accompanied the restoration of devolution in 2024, which has now ended.

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Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn also continued to raise the prospect of Stormont carrying out its own methods of revenue raising, in order to help shore up public services.

In a statement issued during the executive press conference he announced the expansion of the British Industrial Competitiveness Scheme to Northern Ireland.

Asked to comment on news of the additional funding from the UK, Finance Minister John O'Dowd said he had been in the executive all morning but would examine the detail.

Asked if it was proof the government had listened to the executive's pleas, he said that it was not clear "how much they had listened or who they had listened to", and that it will take time to work through the information.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian speaks during his visit to the headquarters of Iran's Red Crescent Society (IRCS) in Tehran, Iran, April 15, 2026. No power can force the Iranian nation to surrender, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said on Wednesday. (Xinhua/Shadati)

TEHRAN, April 16 (Xinhua) -- No power can force the Iranian nation to surrender, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said on Wednesday.

During a visit to the headquarters of Iran's Red Crescent Society (IRCS) in Tehran, he condemned U.S.-Israel attacks on Iran's civilian places, such as schools and medical centers, stressing that targeting such places means that they fail to observe any humanitarian framework, "which is shameful, and should be witnessed by the world."

Attacking another country with no reason is against international law, said Pezeshkian, slamming some countries' silence in the face of the U.S. and Israeli actions.

He shrugged off the U.S. blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, saying the action would cause problems for the United States, not Iran.

The United States and Israel thought that they could defeat Iran in a matter of a few days, Pezeshkian said in an address to the IRCS personnel. "However, the United States is stuck at present and does not know what to do."

A two-week ceasefire was announced on April 8, followed by peace talks between the Iranian and U.S. delegations in Pakistan's capital of Islamabad over the weekend.

After the talks failed to secure an agreement, the United States imposed a blockade on the Strait of Hormuz to prevent ships traveling to and from Iranian ports from transiting the waterway. 

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian is pictured during his visit to the headquarters of Iran's Red Crescent Society (IRCS) in Tehran, Iran, April 15, 2026.

No power can force the Iranian nation to surrender, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said on Wednesday. (Xinhua/Shadati)

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian waves goodbye after his visit to the headquarters of Iran's Red Crescent Society (IRCS) in Tehran, Iran, April 15, 2026.

No power can force the Iranian nation to surrender, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said on Wednesday. (Xinhua/Shadati)

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian (L) speaks during his visit to the headquarters of Iran's Red Crescent Society (IRCS) in Tehran, Iran, April 15, 2026.

No power can force the Iranian nation to surrender, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said on Wednesday. (Xinhua/Shadati)
Wes Streeting has become the first senior cabinet minister to appear to suggest that increased defence spending could be found from welfare savings.

The health secretary said that the money has to come from somewhere in a move interpreted as backing Labours former defence secretary and ex-Nato secretary general George Robertson earlier this week.

The health secretary has since issued a clarification denying that he specifically wants to slash benefits to fund defence.

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But there is growing alarm at Sir Keir Starmers failure to decide on the UKs defence spending, with the Defence Improvement Plan (DIP) still stuck on his desk after months of rowing between the Treasury and Ministry of Defence (MoD).

In a stark warning, Lord Jock Stirrup, the former chief of the defence staff, told The Independent the UK needs a decade to rebuild its defence capabilities and urged Sir Keir to show leadership and start the reinvestment now, in the latest intervention over the parlous state of the defence estate.

Health secretary Wes Streeting later clarified that he did not want to reform welfare to specifically fund defence (PA Wire)

Mr Streeting, who is understood to still be hoping to replace Sir Keir as Labour leader and prime minister, is the first cabinet minister to appear to argue in favour of cutting the 334bn benefits budget to fund Britains military.

In so doing he risks reopening the dividing lines which saw Sir Keir forced into a humiliating U-turn by furious Labour backbenchers last year when he tried to trim the burgeoning welfare budget.

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Mr Streeting has previously made it clear that money cannot be diverted from health spending following Labours manifesto commitment to increase it.

But asked if he would support switching funds from the welfare budget, Mr Streeting told LBC: Well, yeah. We want to reduce the welfare budget.

Mr Streeting was asked by LBCs Nick Ferrari about claims of corrosive complacency made against Sir Keir by Lord Robertson and other military leaders last week.

Lord Robertson of Port Ellen, the lead of Labours strategic defence review, warned the military could not be properly funded with an ever-expanding welfare budget.

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Mr Streeting said: Yes, and we do need to put money into defence.

We have been putting more money into defence as a government, but we will need more. That is the reality of the challenge of the world that we face.

But with Treasury said to be blocking increases to defence spending, including a deal for UK troops to be peacekeepers in Ukraine, the health secretary said it was up to Rachel Reeves to set out in future Budgets, adding: I want to make sure I stay in my lane.

A source close to Mr Streeting later clarified: The governments position is to increase defence spending and reform welfare. Wes didnt link those two positions, and he robustly defended the abolition of the two-child limit, for which he was a strong advocate. Wes is a product of the welfare system, so knows the value of it, and the need to reform it, better than most.

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There was a furious backlash from charities and Labour MPs to the health secretarys intervention.

Evan John, policy adviser at Sense, said: Its extremely concerning that the government seems to be laying the groundwork for further cuts to disability benefits, fuelling anxiety among disabled people already struggling as the cost of living rises.

Labour MP Rachael Maskell, who led the welfare rebellion last year, warned: I am clear that we have to provide household security and national security. It is a false choice to play one off against another. People supported by the Department for Work and Pensions are already struggling to make ends meet. The government must not contemplate such moves.

Former shadow chancellor John McDonnell said: Having lost the argument on the two child limit, the winter fuel allowance and cuts to disability benefits, now playing the poor off against the defence of the country to secure cuts in welfare benefits comes across as intellectually pretty desperate.

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Another rebel, Norwich South MP Clive Lewis added: The usual siren voices are giving us Maginot Line thinking for a blitzkrieg world.

Comparing the UKs situation to 1930s France before Hitlers invasion, he said: The French state almost bankrupted itself building a fortification based on the lessons of the First World War. As the generals congratulated themselves behind their new defences, Germany developed the tank and drove around them. These calls to gut welfare in the name of security deserve to be seen in exactly that light - as the work of people fighting the last war, at the expense of our ability to fight the one that may or may not actually be coming.

The leading union, Unite, one of Labours biggest backers, demanded that more money be ploughed into defence, but resisted calls to find the cash in welfare savings.

General secretary Sharon Graham said: The governments failure to produce the DIP is a threat to national security as well as to jobs and skills.

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It is becoming more apparent by the day that our armed forces are overstretched and under-equipped to deal with the global challenges we face.

Chancellor Rachel Reevess Treasury is the main block to increased defence spending (Getty)

Our defence workers should be treated as a strategic national asset and, when the much-delayed defence investment plan is finally agreed, the money must be spent in the UK.

Failing to preserve and protect the skills and experience of these workers would mean throwing away vital know-how for defence projects.

The government must now ensure that contracts for a new tranche of Typhoon fast jets, the Skynet satellite and the A400M transport plane are signed off and production lines in Britain get rolling as soon as possible.

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But Ms Graham rejected the suggestion by Lord Robertson and others that increased defence spending should be raised by cutting the welfare bill, adding: It is completely wrong to suggest that caring for the most vulnerable is risking national security.

We are the sixth richest country in the world. If the government needs to raise funds, it should introduce a wealth tax rather than attack the most vulnerable in society yet again.
Khartoum, Sudan  Before Husna Mohameds five children leave for school and her husband heads to his workshop, the 34-year-old is already carrying jerrycans towards her southern Khartoum neighbourhoods shared water pipe.

Power cuts mean that the electric motor she once used to pump water inside her home is now useless, forcing her to make the daily trip.

My day has become a series of attempts to overcome these small details, which have piled up to become a daily burden, Husna told Al Jazeera. When the electricity was stable, daily household chores were easier.

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Sudans power grid was already structurally compromised long before the current breakdown, and the war in the country between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, now in its fourth year, has accelerated the collapse.

The regional shockwaves from the US-Israeli war with Iran have compounded these pressures further. Sudan, which relies heavily on imported fuel, has found itself caught in the disruption to Gulf energy supply chains and shipping routes, driving already strained fuel supplies tighter and pushing import costs higher still.

As a result, many of Sudans towns and cities have experienced crippling power cuts in the past two weeks. While the power cuts are not new, their current scale is disrupting nearly every aspect of daily life across the country, according to residents and officials.

The Sudanese pound has lost roughly 20 percent of its value in recent weeks, with the US dollar now trading at more than 390 pounds on the black market, while fuel prices have surged sharply, driving up the cost of transport, food, and basic goods.

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The Sudanese government did announce a return to Khartoum in January and promised an improvement in services, including electricity. But restoring those services to a war-torn city, amid a global energy crisis, has proven difficult.

Inside homes, the consequences are immediate and compounding. Without refrigeration, Husna can no longer store food, forcing her to cook and consume meals the same day, often over firewood or charcoal. In the evenings, the family sits in the heat and the darkness. Her eldest daughter, 16, is preparing for her high school exams.

The lack of electricity becomes a direct obstacle to her studies, Husna said. She is forced to rely on candle lights that do not provide a suitable environment for concentration.





Fuel crisis

Husnas husband, Ahmed Ali, 38, works as a car mechanic. His workshop depends partly on electricity to run equipment, and when the power goes out, work slows or stops entirely. A generator once bridged the gap. That option has effectively closed.

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According to information gathered from drivers and fuel station owners in Khartoum, petrol prices climbed from 4,860 Sudanese pounds (about $12.50) per litre at the end of March to 6,870 pounds (about $17.60), an increase of more than 40 percent in a matter of weeks, further compressing the margins of anyone whose work depends on movement.

The cost of running the generator has become more than we can afford, Ahmed said. We used to rely on it at times to get around this problem, but thats no longer possible.

The fuel crisis has reshaped entire livelihoods beyond the workshop. Yasser al-Balhawi, 48, drives a bus in Khartoum. His mornings no longer begin with work; they begin at the petrol station.

My day is no longer measured by the number of trips I make, but by the number of hours I spend at gas stations, he said. With each passing day, this becomes more difficult, as prices rise and availability dwindles.

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Driving is al-Balhawis sole income. As fuel costs rise, his earnings no longer cover his expenses, leaving him caught between waiting in queues for hours or not working at all.





Markets in limbo

The knock-on effects are also visible in local markets.

Abdulhafiz Fadl Muhammad, a merchant at the al-Kalakla al-Lafa market in southern Khartoum, says both foot traffic and supply costs have deteriorated sharply. The heat drives customers away from poorly ventilated market spaces, while goods that require refrigeration are increasingly difficult to stock. He has already invested roughly three million Sudanese pounds in a solar power system to keep his business running.

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Prices have moved quickly. A 10-kilogramme (22-pound) bag of sugar rose from about 28,000 ($71.70) to 35,000 Sudanese pounds ($89.75) in a single week; a 50-kilogramme (110-pound) bag of flour climbed from 47,000 ($120.50) to 55,000 pounds ($141); cooking oil moved from 30,000 ($76.90) to 37,000 pounds ($94.50). Further increases, Abdulhafiz says, are expected.

Some merchants are hesitant to sell while waiting to see how prices will develop, he said.

Economist Mohamed al-Tayeb says the structure of Sudans economy makes it especially vulnerable to energy disruption. The countrys heavy reliance on land transport and power-dependent production means any break in energy supply moves quickly through the entire supply chain.

But the crisis, al-Tayeb argues, is not only economic: It is also infrastructural, and its roots run deep.

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Sudans electricity networks rely heavily on illegal and makeshift poles erected without engineering oversight, which were never designed to carry sustained loads. As temperatures rise and demand spikes, the wires overheat, accelerating failures across the grid, he said. In many neighbourhoods, entire communities have been left dependent on a single shared generator operating well below the capacity the area actually requires.

These are not systems built for the population they are supposed to serve, al-Tayeb told Al Jazeera. When you have informal infrastructure carrying formal demand, the breaking point comes quickly, and when it does, there is no redundancy, no backup, and the burden falls entirely on residents.

He describes the dynamic between power outages and fuel costs as self-reinforcing: factory output falls, transport costs rise, and the end consumer absorbs the cumulative weight through higher food prices and shrinking purchasing power.

Rising fuel prices affect all stages, from operating generators to transporting goods between cities and markets, al-Tayeb said. As this rise continues, the cost of daily business operations becomes much higher, prompting merchants to raise prices to offset expenses.





Local solutions

Neighbourhood-level responses have emerged, though they remain partial. In southern Khartoum, residents turned first to generators when the public water network failed, then abandoned them as fuel costs made that unsustainable. Solar panels now power some water pumps in the area, restoring a measure of service, though not at the scale the previous system once provided.

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This solution helped restore water flow to some homes in a more stable manner compared to generators, said Magdi Saleh, the head of one of the local neighbourhood committees, although it does not cover all needs.

The improvisation extends beyond water. Across Khartoums residential neighbourhoods, households have developed their own informal hierarchies of coping: rationing the hours a shared generator runs, rotating who has access to charge devices, pooling resources to cover fuel costs that no single family can absorb alone. These arrangements are fragile, contingent on neighbourly goodwill and collective finances that are, themselves, under strain. When either gives way, the household is left with nothing.

For merchants like Abdulhafiz, the calculus is similar, but played out at a larger scale. Solar investment offers some relief, but it is a solution available only to those who can afford the upfront cost. Smaller traders, street vendors, and daily-wage workers have no such buffer. Their exposure to each price movement, in fuel, in food, in transport, is direct and unmediated.

What the crisis has made visible, al-Tayeb argues, is how little margin existed in the first place. The Sudanese household was already absorbing multiple shocks: the war, the currency collapse, the displacement. The energy crisis has removed whatever room was left to adapt.

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Back in Husna and Ahmeds home, the five children are trying to carry on. The eldest studies under inadequate light. The younger ones move through a household running on improvisation. Each day begins with the same calculus: What is available, what can be worked around, what must simply be gone without.

The absence of electricity is no longer just a temporary power outage, Husna said. It has become a daily reality and an unbearable one.




A tornado outbreak near Kansas City, Kansas, on Monday night came as a surprise.

At least three injuries were reported after at least five tornadoes developed in areas southwest of the city. Several homes were damaged, trees were downed and recreational vehicles were overturned.

But in its Monday afternoon outlook, the National Weather Services Storm Prediction Center, which forecasts severe thunderstorms and tornadoes, did not anticipate a tornado threat for the Kansas City area. The disconnect has prompted concerns among some outside meteorologists that ongoing changes to staffing and weather balloon releases at the agency might be leaving forecasters in the dark about threats.

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Many forecasting offices in the Great Plains did not launch weather balloons at 7 a.m. Monday, as they have for decades, and instead they released the balloons at noon  a change that several meteorologists think was made because of staffing issues.

We are missing data at the normal times, said Chris Vagasky, a meteorologist and research manager at the Wisconsin Environmental Mesonet, a statewide network of weather monitoring stations. He added that the staggered balloon launches Monday left a big area over the southern Plains in the central United States without that weather balloon data, which might have caused the models to not forecast the days activity as well as it could have.

The strongest tornado in the Kansas City area Monday was rated EF2, according to the enhanced Fujita scale, which rates tornadoes by wind speed and destruction. That tornados wind speeds reached about 125 mph, according to preliminary damage reports.

Lightning flashes as a thunderstorm passes in the distance in Lenexa, Kan., on Monday. (Charlie Riedel / AP) (Charlie Riedel)

Forecast models did not show the threat of tornadoes until the risk was on the doorstep. The weather service issued watches at about 6:35 p.m., about half an hour before the first tornado. Local forecasting offices in Topeka, Kansas, and Kansas City, Missouri, sent out several warnings later. (A tornado watch means conditions are ripe for tornadoes to form; a tornado warning means a twister has been spotted on radar or is expected to form.)

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Notice ahead of a possible tornado is critical to give people time to take shelter. Some local governments also sound tornado sirens to alert residents when forecasters issue tornado warnings. Ideally, a watch is issued several hours before an event and then a warning goes out when a tornado is imminent. Research suggests tornado warnings typically go out about 15 minutes in advance.

Erica Grow Cei, a spokesperson for the weather service, said the changing cadence of weather balloons has not affected forecasts.

NOAAs weather model performance has not been impacted by any changes to the schedule of our twice-daily radiosonde (weather balloon) launches, she said in a statement. NOAAs Environmental Modeling Center regularly evaluates the performance of the Agencys weather models and publishes its findings on the EMCs website. NOAAs weather model performance shows no evidence of degradation.

Weather balloons, which are filled with hydrogen or helium, carry small instruments called radiosondes into the upper atmosphere to measure temperature, humidity and wind speed and transmit data back to the ground. Because storms generally track from west to east in the U.S., the balloons often provide key information about what conditions might be expected downwind in the hours and days after they fly.

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For decades, the weather service released weather balloons at a clockworklike cadence at more than 100 sites across the country, as well as over the Pacific and the Caribbean. But the Trump administration cut the agency deeply last year through buyouts and by firing probationary workers, leaving some forecasting offices short-staffed and scrambling to fill key roles. As a result, the agency halted balloon launches at some locations and is delaying them elsewhere.

Alan Gerard, a meteorologist who retired last year as the director of analysis and understanding at NOAA's National Severe Storms Laboratory, said he thinks the balloon release schedule was changed because of continuing staffing issues.

Theyve been deferring them to the day shift  midday  for when they have more staff, he said.

Gerard said the weather service should study the issue: Its like were conducting a real-time experiment without any way to evaluate what the impacts of it are.

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He added that some forecasting models are timed to run in the morning  just after 7 a.m. local time. But Monday, balloon data from the central Plains did not come in until after those morning models had run, so it was not factored in.

Youre missing data from the Four Corners region, from the northern Plains, from part of the central Plains, and thats where the storms were developing, Vagasky said.

Randy McCurdy, right, owner of McCurdy's Auto Sales & Auto Service, and others look over damage to his business, in Ottawa, Kan., on Tuesday. (Tammy Ljungblad / ZUMA Press Wire via Reuters) (Tammy Ljungblad)

The unexpected tornadoes in Kansas followed a similar, much-scrutinized event in Michigan last month, when a tornado watch was not issued for southern Michigan and four people died. Weather service offices did issue warnings when tornadoes were imminent, however.

Democratic Sens. Gary Peters and Elissa Slotkin of Michigan sent a letter asking National Weather Service Director Ken Graham why a watch was not issued, whether short staffing played a role and how the agency planned to improve tornado alerts. An NWS spokesperson said the agency had briefed staff in both Senators offices and that a written response was in process.

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Although the weather service has taken steps to bolster its ranks since the staffing shortages began, outside meteorologists said effects linger.

It was something that was not going to be solved overnight, and I still dont think it is solved, given what were seeing with the balloons, Vagasky said. Im concerned with any severe weather day  and the real heart of tornado season is late April and into May.

A damaged building in Ottawa on Tuesday following severe storms. (Nick Ingram / AP) (Nick Ingram)

Forecasters at the weather service office in Kansas City said they viewed the atmosphere Monday as volatile and were aware that storms could grow severe if they formed. But the meteorologists thought storms had only a low chance of developing.

There was a pretty strong possibility there would be no showers or thunderstorms at all  youd have a primed environment where nothing ever develops or nothing happens, said Brad Temeyer, a meteorologist in the Kansas City office. It was a low-probability event of it occurring, but given that it did occur, it had high impact.

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Temeyer said the agency surveyed the tornado damage Tuesday.

We didnt have any significant injuries or fatalities, and in going out and doing the storm surveys today, everybody said they were prepared for potential tornadoes and took shelter once those warnings were in effect, he said.

Brian LaMarre, a weather consultant who was the meteorologist-in-charge at the weather services weather forecasting station in Tampa Bay, Florida, until last April, said he reviewed Mondays forecasting models before and after the later-than-usual release of weather balloons.

In the morning, none of the models identified a thunderstorm risk for the area southwest of Kansas City, he said. However, once the models incorporated the balloon data, LaMarre said, they began to hint at clusters of thunderstorms. Further study would be needed to understand whether the shift was because of the added balloon data.

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It has to be investigated in terms of researching why did it not happen. Why did it not capture it? What was missed? he said.

More severe weather could be coming for the Midwest. The Storm Prediction Center expects a risk of severe thunderstorms into the weekend.

For the Kansas City area, Temeyer said, we want people to remain vigilant.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
A fugitive who prosecutors accused of fatally shooting another man outside a Milwaukee bar in December has been captured in Oshkosh.

The Oshkosh Police Department reported on social media on April 15 that Antonio Brown was arrested around 2 p.m. that afternoon by members of the U.S. Marshals Service-Eastern Wisconsin violent offender task force in partnership with Oshkosh police.

Charges against Brown stem from the Dec. 15 shooting death in Milwaukee of LaTroy Harris. His body was found in the parking lot at the front entrance of Dees Elegance Bar, 7420 W. Villard Ave.

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The Oshkosh Police Departments Criminal Investigation Division used investigative technology, including Flock Safety cameras, during the investigation, the department said in a statement.

Oshkosh detectives and Marshals Service deputies spotted Brown near a business on the north side of Oshkosh, the statement said. He was taken into custody without any issues.

Court records show Brown, 39, faces charges of first-degree intentional homicide, first-degree recklessly endangering safety, both with modifiers for having been committed with the use of a dangerous weapon. Brown also is charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm.

Here's what prosecutors say happened to LaTroy Harris

According to a criminal complaint, police were called to bar at 12:19 a.m. on Dec. 15 on a report of a shooting.

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Officers arrived and found two shooting victims  Harris and his nephew, who had been shot in the shin.

Harris had been shot multiple times and was unconscious and not breathing when officers made it to the scene. He was taken to a hospital, but was later pronounced dead.

The nephew told police he and Harris went to the bar around 11 p.m. The nephew went outside at about 12:05 a.m., then tried to go back into the bar, but the door was locked.

He called Harris and asked Harris to come outside.

Harris did so, and was followed by a man who pulled out a gun and fired it nine to 10 times, striking Harris at close range, the complaint said.

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Harris' nephew told investigators one of the rounds missed Harris and struck him. The nephew, who was standing roughly 2 feet from Harris when the shots rang out, hid between vehicles, and didn't see where the shooter went.

Fourteen spent .40-caliber casings and numerous bullet fragments were recovered at the scene.

Surveillance cameras at the bar captured footage of the shooting. The complaint said it depicts the suspect entering the bar around 12:05 a.m.

Harris is seen in the video standing in the bar, near the suspect.

Surveillance video captured this photograph that prosecutors believe shows the fatal Dec. 15, 2025, shooting of LaTroy Harris. Antonio D. Brown faces various charges, including first-degree intentional homicide, in connection with the shooting.

According to the complaint, several minutes after the suspect arrived, Harris is seen using his phone then walking toward the door.

What led authorities to Antonio D. Brown?

The suspect followed Harris to the door and is seen pulling out a gun. The gunman fires multiple shots at Harris as Harris exits the bar.

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The complaint says the suspect then jumped into a black Infiniti SUV and drove away.

Investigators later learned Harris was involved in a previous shooting, and that Brown was arrested in that matter.

Interior footage from the bar showed Brown's face; the images matched that of a booking photo of Brown, according to the complaint.

A witness who was in the bar at the time told police he didn't see the see the shooting, but knew the shooter went by the nicknames Murder and Drama.

Police located the getaway vehicle

Two days after the shooting, police pulled over the Infiniti and arrested the driver.

The driver, identified in court papers as ML, told detectives he was at Dees Elegance Bar the night of the shooting and he was going to buy some pills in the parking lot after getting food. ML stated that as he was backing out of the lot, he heard gunfire and looked up and saw the person shooting, according to the complaint.

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The driver dropped his pills, bent over to pick them up, and then the shooter jumped into his vehicle with the gun, he said in the complaint.

According to the document, the shooter told him to drive. The shooter directed him to 11th and Hadley streets, then got out of the vehicle.

The man identified Brown as the shooter, the complaint says.

Chris Ramirez covers courts for the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. He can be reached at caramirez@usatodayco.com.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Suspect in Dee's Elegance Bar shooting arrested in Oshkosh
Police say a suspect has died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, bringing an end to an hours-long standoff that forced neighbors to shelter inside their homes on Thursday morning.

It all started around 5:30 a.m. when police tried to take the suspect into custody at the home on Lake Avenue.

Officials say the man they were trying to arrest went into the house to avoid being captured.

NewsCopter 7 was over the scene at one point when there were dozens of police officers lining the street.

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Police put out a shelter-in-place notice for neighbors and schools delayed their openings.

While not confirmed by police, neighbors told Eyewitness News the arrest could have been related to a missing persons case out of Elizabeth, New Jersey.

The operation was led by the Union County Prosecutor's Office and backed up by the Bergen County Prosecutor's Office.

Few other details were released.

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Theres significant damage to a Mount Washington home after a car crashed into it early Thursday morning. The porch is gone, and two cars are damaged, but the homeowner says shes lucky because no one was hurt.

My alarm goes off at four oclock, and he hit quarter to four, so he woke me up, and it was like boom, Alane Yanalivich said.

Yanalivich, her son and his family were asleep inside their Southern Avenue home Thursday morning when a driver came down Gray Street and barreled into the front porch and then into two parked cars.

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There is no porch, theres no porch. When the truck got it, it moved over and hit his girlfriends car, she said.

Her son was able to get out of the back door and ran to the driver of the car that crashed, where he allegedly tried to get away.

Yanalivich explained, My son and the boy across the street there had kept him in his car. He was trying to start it.

When the driver tried to start the car, it reportedly caught fire. Yanalivich says a neighbor grabbed water and put the fire out while they stayed with the driver until Pittsburgh Police arrived.

When the police showed up, they first took him to the hospital, then they took him to jail, she said.

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Authorities say the driver was very likely intoxicated.

People that drink and drive, you pay the consequences, Yanalivich said.

Shes happy no one was hurt, and that she is allowed to stay in her home.

He busted a lot of things. Everything is replaceable. Everybody was OK, and you know were alive, she said.

The homeowner says her family has put a GoFundMe together to help her pay her insurance deductible to fix the porch.

Click here if you would like to donate.

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Texas Senate candidate James Talarico (D) brought in $27 million in the first quarter of the year, a massive haul as he prepares for a November contest against whichever Republican emerges from next months messy GOP primary runoff.

Talaricos campaign announced Wednesday that he raised more than $10 million since last months Democratic primary, when he defeated Rep. Jasmine Crockett (Texas) for the partys nod.

The Presbyterian seminarian and former middle school teacher now represents Democrats best hope of winning in red Texas, where the party hasnt flipped a Senate seat in three decades, in the partys quest to net enough seats in November to win control of the Senate.

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Winning in Texas will require unprecedented resources. This grassroots fundraising haul puts our movement in a strong position to spread our message in some of the most expensive media markets in the country, Talarico campaign manager Seth Krasne said in a statement, adding that we cant take our foot off the gas.

The Texas race has already set the record as the most expensive Senate primary in U.S. history, and even more is expected to pour in as Republicans defend a seat long seen as safe.

Across the aisle, Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) and Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton (R) are battling in a May 26 runoff to decide who will face off against Talarico this fall.

Cornyn, whos seeking a fifth term in the Senate, narrowly led the controversy-laden Paxton in the March 3 primary, but neither was able to clinch a majority.

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President Trump initially pledged to endorse one candidate and ask the other to exit the race, but the deadline to drop out came and went without him weighing in.

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.
Students at a Phoenix high school are revolting against a planned visit from right-wing personality Erika Kirk.

After a sparsely attended Turning Point USA campus event, Erika is now turning her attention to high schoolers, with a planned event at Pinnacle High School in north Phoenix next week.

But she is already not being met with open arms by students and parents.

I dont know why shes coming here, to be honest, Francisco Sanchez, a senior at Pinnacle High School, told 12 News Phoenix. I think the topics that she talks about are too extremist for a school. I think there are better representatives we can have.

Erika pictured at Charlie's funeral, which was held in Arizona at the Arizona Cardinals stadium. / Daniel Cole / REUTERS

Its a little crazy because I would never have expected someone like her to show up at a high school, high school senior Kasandra Acosta told the outlet.

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Im pretty shocked. Honestly, Im surprised its even happening, she added.

Parents of students enrolled at the school told The Arizona Republic they were concerned about security--especially after earlier this week, Erika, who became CEO of her late husband Charlie Kirks TPUSA organization after his September killing, skipped an event at the University of Georgia over safety concerns.

Its not just your average citizen coming over to speak to the club. She brings politics with her, she brings division with her, just because everybody in America is divided, Bobbe Noland, a parent of a Pinnacle student, told the Republic.

Vance, the second in line to the presidency, still attended the event earlier this week, despite security concerns with Erika. / Jonathan Ernst / REUTERS

School officials told parents this week that students would see an increased security presence on campus during the event, prompting some parents to also demand that the school move her visit to after-school hours.

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Phoenix Police told 12 News that since Erikas visit was a private event, the responsibility for securing it rests with the event organizers and must be coordinated with the school district.

We regularly work with community partners to support public safety during gatherings. As with any event, our officers will continue to monitor activity, review available information, and adjust deployment strategies as needed to help ensure a safe environment for students, staff, and the surrounding community, a police spokesperson said in a statement.

Her speaking appearance has been organized with the schools Club America chapter, a TPUSA-affiliated organization. The right-wing nonprofit is headquartered in Phoenix, and she and Charlie lived in the nearby affluent suburb of Scottsdale for many years.

The Daily Beast reached out to TPUSA for comment on the controversy.

Students at Pinnacle High School are not too enthused by Erika's visit to campus next week. / Daniel Cole / REUTERS

Its not the first time she and her late husband stirred up controversy in Arizonas public schools.

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In 2021, Erika and Charlie raged against the Scottsdale Unified School Districts mask policy during the COVID-19 pandemic at a school board meeting. At the time, the couple did not have any children yet.

During the meeting, Charlie called the mask policy a self-righteous measure enacted to abuse the children.

There is zero evidence to show that children are at a significant risk of catching or dying from the Chinese coronavirus, he claimed, adding, You have awoke a sleeping giant. I hope you enjoy your masked, short-term future here while it still lasts.

The Kirks had welcomed their first child in August 2022, a year after they complained to a school board about its COVID policies. / Samuel Corum / Getty Images

Erika, who grew up in Scottsdale but attended private Catholic school, went as far as to demand a moment of silence at the board meeting for the kids who will end up committing suicide this upcoming school year in 2021 and 2022 because of your reckless and ego-centered leadership and lack thereof.

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As Christians, we are told to pray for our leaders and that is what I will do every day, she said. May God have mercy on your souls for everything you guys are doing in this leadership position.

One Scottsdale parent called them out, pointing out that they didnt even have children who were enrolled in the citys public schools.

While the agitators from outside our district would have you think that masks mandates are only in place at liberal public schools, the list of private and parochial schools also enacting mask mandates is far from short, the parent said. I applaud SUSDs governing board.
SAN DIEGO (AP)  The smell of rotten eggs permeates Steve Egger's Southern California home, especially at night as the nearby Tijuana River foams up with sewage from Mexico before emptying into the Pacific Ocean.

Egger, 72, says he and his wife have frequent headaches and wake up congested and coughing up phlegm. Their home is outfitted with a hospital-grade filtration system that cycles the air every 15 minutes.

Despite those measures, most nights we breathe in a horrible stench, he said. Its awful.

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Since 2018, more than 100 billion gallons (378 billion liters) of raw sewage laden with industrial chemicals and trash have poured into the Tijuana River, according to the International Boundary and Water Commission. The river traverses land where three generations of the Egger family once raised dairy cows. The United States and Mexico signed an agreement last year to clean up the longstanding problem by upgrading wastewater plants to keep up with Tijuanas population growth and industrial waste from factories, many owned by U.S. companies.

In the meantime, tens of thousands of people are being exposed to the sewage. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lee Zeldin said during a February visit to San Diego that it will take about two years to resolve one of the nations worst and longest-running environmental crises, which affects a largely poor, Latino population.

Raw sewage doesnt just smell bad. It emits hydrogen sulfide, a toxic gas that can erode neurons in the nose and trigger asthma attacks. It can cause headaches, nausea, delirium, tremors, cough, shortness of breath, skin and eye irritation and even death, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Its long-term health problems are only starting to be understood.

There is no federal safety standard for hydrogen sulfide except for workers at sites where the risk is extreme, such as wastewater treatment plants or manure pits. A few states set standards decades ago, but those are outdated. A California proposal would require the state's 56-year-old standard reflect the health risks of the gas. In Texas, lawmakers are also considering updating its law.

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I think when you look back when the standard was first established and then it was reviewed, it was all about nuisance  basically it was all about odor, said the California bills author, Democratic Sen. Steve Padilla, who represents the Tijuana River Valley. I dont think we had the understanding scientifically of what the health impacts were here, and now we do.

Even if the bill passes, the new standard would likely not be developed until 2030.

Toxic gas from the river's sewage infuses the air

A Stop the Stink sign is on Eggers fence, part of a campaign that Citizens for Coastal Conservancy launched to demand officials clean up the cross-border sewage.

The 120-mile (195 kilometer)-long river flows through the Mexican city of Tijuana, crosses into California and empties into the ocean. San Diego County beaches nearby have closed for years, and Navy SEALs who train in the water have fallen ill.

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Just since January, the Tijuana River has carried 10 billion gallons (38 billion liters) of mostly raw sewage and industrial waste across the U.S. border, according to International Water and Boundary Commission data. By comparison, a massive pipe that ruptured in January sent 244 million gallons (924 million liters) of untreated sewage into the Potomac River, affecting affluent, largely white communities. That spill prompted federal intervention within weeks.

In 2024, a sampling by San Diego County and the CDC representing the roughly 40,000 households close to the Tijuana River found 71% could smell sewage inside their homes and 69% had a member get sick from being exposed.

Even at low levels, youre going to feel like its in your sinuses. You cant get rid of the smell. Its going to be a constant irritation, said Ryan Sinclair, an associate professor of environmental microbiology at Loma Linda University School of Public Health.

The EPA said it is working with local and state officials to find ways to mitigate the smell.

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San Diego County this year distributed over 10,000 air filters to homes. But the air remains a threat. The rivers foam can now be seen from space.

Hydrogen sulfide levels stun researchers

In September 2024, Kimberly Prather, a chemistry professor at the University of California, San Diego, and a team of researchers installed air monitors in the neighborhood where Egger lives.

What they found stunned them: The hydrogen sulfide concentrations were 4,500 times higher than typical urban levels and 150 times higher than Californias air standards when river flows peaked at night.

Many residents, like Egger, felt vindicated.

Theyd been being more or less gaslit and told, Theres gas. Its a nuisance. It smells, but its not bad, Prather said.

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She said her researchers have since detected thousands of other gases coming from the river that dont smell, and many of them are more toxic.

Doctors recommend people move

Egger said doctors have told him to move, though they have not given him a written diagnosis as suffering from hydrogen sulfide exposure.

But his family's roots run deep. His wife grew up in Tijuana. His brother and his late brothers family live in the neighboring houses on what was Egger Dairy. Nearby are the dilapidated milk barn and rusting farm equipment.

This is where I've lived all my life, with my family, my parents, my grandparents, he said. This is home.

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When Egger was a boy, he swam in the river that ran only during the rainy season. Now mostly filled with sewage and industrial waste, it goes year-round. He says the river should be restored to its historical route, which is closer to the border and farther from most residences and schools. He believes then it would not pond, creating hot spots of hydrogen sulfide gas.

Less than half a mile from Eggers home, the smell is overwhelming where the river shoots out of pipes after being forced briefly underground near Saturn Boulevard.

Scientists call it the Saturn hot spot. The stench permeates passing cars with the windows up, lingering inside for days.

When river flows go up, so do the number of patients

Dr. Matthew Dickson and his wife, Dr. Kimberly Dickson, run a clinic about a mile from the hot spot. Many of their patients suffer from migraines, nausea, wheezing, eye infections and brain fog. Those with asthma say they use their inhalers more when the air reeks.

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They'd say, You know, I feel better when it doesnt smell outside, Dr. Kimberly Dickson said.

In August 2023, a tropical storm caused the river to overflow onto the streets. Within days, the doctors' caseloads tripled.

Electronic health records confirmed what the doctors suspected. When the river flows have jumped, the number of patients they have treated for respiratory problems has increased by 130%, they said.

Every day that this isn't fixed, Dr. Matthew Dickson said, more people are getting sick.

___

This story has been updated to correct that the Tijuana River flows through the city of Tijuana. It does not begin there.

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___

Pineda reported from Los Angeles.

___

The Associated Press receives support from the Walton Family Foundation for coverage of water and environmental policy. The AP is solely responsible for all content. For all of APs environmental coverage, visit https://apnews.com/hub/climate-and-environment
A law enforcement officer claiming to work for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) went into multiple schools in Cincinnati on Wednesday.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

Cincinnati Public Schools sent out a letter Wednesday afternoon, informing families what happened.

TRENDING STORIES:

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At a small number of our schools, an out-of-town law enforcement officer visited school offices to conduct wellness checks related to students believed to be enrolled in CPS, the district said.

The officer claimed to be working on behalf of ICE.

The district said the officer didnt request to see or interact with any of the students.

No direct contact was made with any children.

Leaders with the school district contacted the officers and told them that any future inquiries regarding students should be handled through the Office of General Counsel.

The district also reinforced its protocols for responding to law enforcement with school staff.

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Please know: the safety of our students and staff is our top priority. We remain committed to maintaining safe, supportive and welcoming school environments for every child and family we serve, the district said.

Parents or guardians with further questions or concerns are asked to contact their childs school directly.

It is unclear exactly which, or how many, schools the officer visited.

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ISLAMABAD, April 16 (Xinhua) -- As signals emerge from Washington, Tehran and Islamabad about a possible new round of U.S.-Iran negotiations, uncertainties continue to cloud when and where the talks might take place, and whether they could yield tangible progress.

OPEN TO RENEWED TALKS

Since the last round of U.S.-Iran talks on Saturday, contacts between the two sides continue. On Wednesday, the White House said the Trump administration feels "good about the prospects of a deal" with Iran, while U.S. Vice President JD Vance said Tuesday that he would seek a "grand bargain" with Iran and is expected to lead any potential new in-person talks.

On Tehran's side, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei reiterated Iran's openness to discussing parameters of its nuclear program, and emphasized the country's right to peaceful nuclear energy and called for sanctions relief as an essential component of any broader settlement.

Amid these exchanges, Pakistan has continued its peace efforts with Army Chief Asim Munir's tour to Iran on Wednesday and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's tour to Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Turkiye that started on the same day.

Meanwhile, Pakistani Foreign Office spokesperson Tahir Hussain Andrabi on Thursday confirmed the positive signs over the past two days on the Israel-Lebanon front, saying it is "encouraging." A reduction in tensions in Lebanon could help advance the negotiation process, he said.

U.S. President Donald Trump said Wednesday that Israel-Lebanon talks are scheduled for Thursday -- the first major high-level engagement between the two sides in decades, according to the U.S. State Department.

WHEN AND WHERE?

On Thursday, Iran's Ambassador to Pakistan Reza Amiri Moghadam said Islamabad remains the only venue for talks with the United States, adding that "we only trust Pakistan."

Large-scale combing operations were launched across multiple areas of Islamabad on Thursday, with police patrol units and special squads deployed throughout the city, according to local authorities. Xinhua reporters also observed that special checkpoints have been established at key locations, where Army and Rangers personnel are stationed alongside Islamabad Police officers.

On the same day, Pakistan's Foreign Office spokesperson said no dates have been finalized for the next round of talks between the two sides, and consultations are ongoing for a mutually agreed schedule.

Considering the Pakistani prime minister's absence from Wednesday to Saturday, some analysts believe it is unlikely that high-level U.S.-Iran talks would be held in Islamabad during this period. But a possibility remains that the two sides could first engage in working-level talks, with senior officials from both countries arriving later to finalize any outcomes.

A DEAL-MAKING ROUND?

Analysts said that compared with the previous round -- widely viewed as an exercise in showing bottom lines -- the next phase, if realized, could move into more technical, deal-oriented discussions.

A source familiar with the matter said that backchannel consultations following the Islamabad talks have helped narrow differences, bringing the two sides closer to a potential framework agreement that could be formally presented at the next meeting.

The last round of negotiations underscored that control of the Strait of Hormuz and Iran's nuclear program remain the two central points of contention. On the Hormuz issue, the Trump administration has employed a blockade strategy, seeking to counter Iran's leverage over the strait. On the nuclear issue, Vance on Monday reiterated U.S. "non-negotiable" demands of the removal of enriched uranium from Iranian territory and the implementation of verification measures to ensure Iran cannot obtain a nuclear weapon.

A Pakistani diplomat told British media that Islamabad is actively exploring a compromise formula on the nuclear issue and encouraging both sides to engage in lower-level technical consultations to bridge gaps.

Jamil Ahmed Khan, a Pakistani expert on international affairs, said the previous round of talks was largely about strategic signaling, where both sides tested each other's red lines, demonstrated leverage, and engaged in a degree of political theater. If a new round materializes, he said, discussions could shift toward structured and technical engagement.

This phase represents a transition from coercive diplomacy to problem-solving, where both sides attempt to translate their positions into a workable framework, he said. 
Rodney Hinton Jr., who prosecutors say killed a Hamilton County sheriff's deputy a day after a police officer fatally shot his son, will now stand trial on Oct. 5.

Hinton's trial had been scheduled to begin April 6, but his attorneys requested another trial date because they retained a new expert witness. Hinton's attorneys are pursuing a not guilty by reason of insanity defense, and the new expert, a forensic psychologist, is expected to support that.

Prosecutors and Hinton's attorneys agreed on the new date at an April 16 pretrial hearing before Hamilton County Common Pleas Judge Jody Luebbers.

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Hinton initially faced the death penalty. But in January, Luebbers ruled that Hinton has one of the mental illnesses that under state law make someone ineligible for the death penalty.

Three experts  one hired by prosecutors, one by the defense and one appointed by Luebbers  found that Hinton has a serious mental illness that significantly prevented him from making a rational decision at the time of the incident.

Psychologists have diagnosed him with either bipolar disorder with psychotic features or schizoaffective disorder.

Prosecutors say Hinton intentionally drove a car into Deputy Larry Henderson on May 2, 2025 as he was handling traffic control near the University of Cincinnati. The incident happened hours after Hinton and his family met with Cincinnati police to review body camera video of his 18-year-old son Ryan Hinton being fatally shot by an officer.

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He is charged with aggravated murder and faces a maximum sentence of life in prison without parole.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Date set for Rodney Hinton Jr.'s murder trial
Donald Trump is testing out a new portrayal of himself as the chosen one after deleting a post that sparked backlash for depicting him as Jesus Christ.

The Radical Left Lunatics might not like this, but I think it is quite nice!!!! the 79-year-old president posted to Truth Social on Wednesday morning.

His comments accompanied a screenshot of a failed MAGA-loving congressional candidates post on X featuring Christ embracing Trump against the backdrop of an American flag. The caption reads: I was never a very religious man.. But doesnt it seem, with all these satanic, demonic, child sacrificing monsters being exposed that God might be playing his Trump card! It was apparently a reference to the conspiracy theory at the center of the QAnon movement that claims Trump is battling a secret cabal of child traffickers.

Trump shared this image, taken from a post on X, after sparking an uproar with an earlier post depicting himself as Jesus. / Donald Trump/Truth Social

Trumps new post comes hot on the heels of an uproar, even among the MAGA base, over an AI-generated image he posted of himself Sunday as the son of God.

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That image featured Trump, depicted as Christ, healing a hospital patient with hands gleaming with divine light, flanked by an American flag, bald eagles, the Statue of Liberty, and the Lincoln Memorial. He later admitted to posting the image but bizarrely claimed he thought he was depicted as a doctor.

The earlier image came off the back of a vicious tirade about Pope Leo XIV. / Donald Trump/Truth Social

It also followed a vicious, 334-word tirade in which he lambasted Pope Leo XIV, who has proven consistently critical of the presidents second administration, on everything from Iran and Venezuela to immigration.

He blasted Leo for supposedly thinking its OK for Iran to have a Nuclear Weapon and being weak on crime, further claiming the pontiff, historys first American pope, would not have been elected last May if I wasnt in the White House.

The AI picture drew furious responses from across the political spectrum, even from figures who have otherwise long served as the presidents most loyal cheerleaders.

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Why? Seriously, I cannot understand why hed post this. Is he looking for a response? Riley Gaines, a pro-MAGA pundit, posted on X. Does he actually think this? Either way, two things are true. 1) a little humility would serve him well 2) God shall not be mocked.

I dont know if the President thought he was being funny or if he is under the influence of some substance or what possible explanation he could have for this OUTRAGEOUS blasphemy, Megan Basham, a culture reporter at right-wing outlet The Daily Wire, added. But he needs to take this down immediately and ask for forgiveness from the American people and then from God.

Trump, in a rare admission of having pushed things too far, did eventually take the image down Monday.

Vice President JD Vance, who has been promoting his upcoming book about his conversion to Catholicism, suggested the president had simply been posting a joke, and that he took the image down when he realized people were not appreciating his sense of humor.

The Daily Beast has contacted the White House for comment on this story.
On Thursday, officials in Washington did an about face and agreed to stop holding back $58 million for the expansion of the Second Avenue Subway.

New York got word of the turnaround just before both sides were set to go to federal court in Washington.

Right now, the MTA is working on Phase 2 to extend the Second Avenue line up to 125th Street.

"We took the Trump Administration to court after they illegally froze funding for the Second Avenue Subway," Gov. Kathy Hochul said in a statement. "Today, they backed down. The freeze is over. For East Harlem and every New Yorker who relies on our subways, release our money immediately."

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MTA Chair and CEO Janno Lieber said while it shouldn't have taken seven months and lawsuit to get there, the MTA can now confidently move forward with Phase 2.

"It shouldn't have taken seven months and a lawsuit to get here, but with the federal government's concession today on the courthouse steps, the MTA can now confidently forge ahead with Second Avenue Subway Phase 2," Lieber said. "The billion-dollar contract approved at our March Board meeting is being awarded and contractors are mobilizing right away."

And Sen. Charles Schumer also spoke out about the Trump administration's plans to release the money for the project.

"After a nonsensical and illegal delay by the Trump administration, which forced the MTA to take them to court, an appearance before the judge finally got them to come to their senses and lift this damaging funding blockade," Schumer said. "Now the transformative and long-needed extension of the Second Avenue Subway can get back on track to deliver new service to countless New York straphangers from East Harlem, Uptown, the Bronx, and beyond."

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The East Harlem expansion is expected to be completed by 2032 and is part of a broader project estimated to cost billions, with a significant portion funded by the federal government.

SEE RELATED: MTA sues the Trump administration over Second Avenue subway funding

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TIME Magazine released its annual list of 100 most influential people on Wednesday, including many of President Trumps political allies and rivals.

The outlet considers recommendations from reporters and sources from around the world, and highlights leaders in the political, business and artistic spheres.

Trump himself is named on the list, along with several members of his administration. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Middle East special envoy Steve Witkoff, White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles and Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Gen. Dan Caine also made the list.

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Rubios biography on the list notes his dual role as both Secretary of State and National Security Adviser and his past criticism of Trump.

The nimble shift from Trump critic to the executor of Trumps foreign policy has repaired Rubios relationship with the MAGA base and puts him in position to possibly inherit the Trumpist movement in 2028, TIME correspondent Philip Elliott wrote.

Rubio and Vice President Vance are widely considered frontrunners in the Republican race to replace Trump at the end of his second term.

Additionally, several heads of state who have allied themselves with the president made TIMEs list, including Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi.

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Netanyahu and Trump have coordinated attacks against Tehran, launching joint strikes against the country at the end of February amid nuclear deal negotiations.

Several of Trumps political adversaries also made the list.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D), a frequent opponent of the White House, received recognition for his withering criticism of Trump. Newsom is widely anticipated to be a Democratic frontrunner in the 2028 presidential race.

Additionally, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and Pope Leo XIV are named on the list. Both leaders have clashed with Trump over the war in Iran.

After the U.S. and Israel launched a joint military operation on Iran at the end of February, Carney called the strikes a failure of the international order.

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And the leader of the Catholic Church has spoken about the conflict more broadly, urging a cessation in violence and a return to the negotiation table.

Trump accused the American pontiff of believing Iran should have a nuclear weapon and called him weak on crime. Pope Leo responded, saying he had no fear of the Trump administration.

Other political opponents of the president on the list include Democrats New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, Arizona Sen. Mark Kelly and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey.

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.
By David Thomas

April 15 (Reuters) - The California Supreme Court stripped conservative attorney John Eastman of his law license on Wednesday over his efforts to overturn U.S. President Donald Trump's 2020 election loss to Democrat Joe Biden.

The court did not immediately release an opinion explaining its decision, which followed a state bar court's determination that Eastman violated attorney ethics rules.

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Eastman's disbarment "affirms the fundamental principle that attorneys must act with honesty and uphold the rule of law, regardless of the client they represent or the context in which that representation occurs," George Cardona, the State Bar of California's chief trial counsel, said in a statement.

Randall Miller, Eastman's lawyer, said in a statement they will file an appeal with the U.S. Supreme Court.

A former law professor at Chapman University in California, Eastman represented Trump in a long-shot lawsuit at the U.S. Supreme Court that sought to invalidate votes in four states where the Republican former president had falsely claimed evidence of widespread 2020 voter fraud.

Eastman also drafted legal memos weeks after the election suggesting then-Vice President Mike Pence could refuse to accept electoral votes from several swing states when Congress convened to certify the vote count. Pence rebuffed his arguments, saying he did not have legal authority to do so under the U.S. Constitution.

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Eastman repeated many of his election claims at a rally outside the White House on January 6, 2021, after which a mob of Trump supporters stormed the U.S. Capitol and delayed congressional certification of the election.

A judge on California's State Bar Court recommended Eastman's disbarment in a March 2024 decision, determining that his efforts to derail Biden's victory were "unlawful and lacked any factual or legal support." Eastman's law license was suspended as he appealed the finding.

The State Bar Court's appellate division last year found that Eastman violated California attorney ethics rules against misleading courts and making false public statements.

Eastman pleaded not guilty to criminal charges in Arizona and Georgia for his efforts to overturn Biden's election victory in both states. In November, a prosecutor in Georgia dropped all charges against Trump, Eastman and other defendants in the state's case.

(Reporting by David Thomas; Editing by Nia Williams)
President Trump on Wednesday mocked Fox News for featuring California gubernatorial candidate Tom Steyer (D), asking why the network spoke with him instead of talking about Republican candidates in the race.

Trump ripped the network for discussing Steyer despite it featuring an interview with Republican gubernatorial candidate and former Fox News host Steve Hilton, who won Trumps endorsement in the race earlier this month. The segment featured Steyers stance on the presidents deportation agenda and Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

Why is FoxNews showing SLEAZEBAG Tom Steyer, doing a big piece on him right now, and probably putting him into play, instead of talking about Republican Candidates, and really good ones like Steve Hilton, and Republicans? Trump wrote on Truth Social.

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How can a Republican expect to win that State, with their Mail In Voting and Rigged Elections, when you have FoxNews promoting the Democrats? the president continued. Nobody cares about Tom Steyer, he is a LOSER, but Fox is making it possible for a guy like this to win. VOTE FOR STEVE HILTON, AND TURN CALIFORNIA AROUND!

Steyer shared a screenshot of the post on the social platform X with the caption: California: The man who brought you $8 gasoline would like you to vote for Steve Hilton.

Trump previously went after Steyer when the billionaire candidate ran in the 2020 Democratic presidential primary election. Trump knocked Steyer after he dropped out of the race and said the candidate spent more dollars for NOTHING than any candidate in history.

Go away Tom and save whatever little money you have left! the president wrote on social media.

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Trump endorsed Hilton earlier this month, calling him a truly fine man, one who has watched as this once great State has gone to Hell.

Hilton and other Republicans running to be the Golden States next governor did not receive an endorsement from the California Republican Party. No GOP candidate could reach the 60 percent support threshold required to earn an endorsement.

Steyer leads Democrats after former Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-Calif.) dropped out of the race as several sexual misconduct allegations surfaced last week. A SurveyUSA poll released Tuesday, conducted before the allegations against Swalwell were reported, has Steyer leading the crowded field with 21 percent of likely voters. Hilton follows him with 18 percent.

Former Rep. Katie Porter (D-Calif.) and Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco (R) are effectively tied in third place at 8 percent support.

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Other Democrats, including former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, former Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra, former California State Controller Betty Yee, San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan and California State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond, each polled below 6 percent.

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.
This is Executive Dysfunction, a newsletter that highlights one under-the-radar story about how Trump is changing the lawor how the law is pushing backand keeps you posted on the latest from Slates Jurisprudence team. Click here to receive it in your inbox each week.

President Donald Trump has been taking what feels like an Oprah Winfreystyle approach with his pardon power: All you Jan. 6 rioters, you get a pardon! And all you folks who helped subvert the 2020 election for me, you get a pardon! And what the hell, that crypto billionaire charged with a felony, you also get a pardon! All in all, Trump has issued about 1,600 pardons since the start of his second term. Last week, the Wall Street Journal reported that Trump has even told his staff he will issue preemptive pardons for them in 2028 before hes slated to exit the White House.

No former U.S. president has exercised his pardon power quite like Trump has. In fact, hes even outdone his full first-term numbers, when Trump issued fewer than 250 pardons and commutations. The Wall Street Journal estimated that to date Trump has issued six times that number over the first 15 months of his second term. And he apparently has no intention of slowing down, with administration officials telling WSJ the president has repeatedly raised the specter of pardons with White House aides and other administration officials, particularly when staff have suggested they could face prosecution or congressional investigations over decisions. Its become a running joke within the White House, as Trump has promised he will pardon anyone who came within 200 feet of the Oval Office.

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Trump is wielding the pardon power with full impunity, aided by Supreme Court rulings that have affirmed the presidential pardon authority as unlimited, and left little to no room for congressional oversight. The only exceptions are in cases of impeachment and for state criminal offenses. This has essentially inspired Trump to wield pardons as a tool of political influence, as he pardons people facing serious federal criminal charges and who may have otherwise faced prison time. Now, these folks have a new lease on life, all thanks to the president, who expects unflinching loyalty in return.

To understand what risks Trumps mass pardons create and what Congress can do to slow, if not outright stop, Trump, I spoke with Frank Bowman. Hes a law professor at the University of Missouri, a former federal prosecutor, and a pardon expert. Hes the author of a forthcoming book Pardons: Discretionary Clemency and the Rule of Law in Britain and America 10662026, all about the history of U.S. presidential pardons and the power they hold.

Heres our conversation, edited and condensed for clarity.

Shirin Ali: Whats been your impression of Trumps approach to the presidential pardon?

Frank Bowman: One has to see Trumps use of the pardon power in the context of his

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general attempt to undermine the rule of law and establish a sort of autocratic form of presidential governance. His uses of pardon power fit in with, for example, his progressive destruction of the Department of Justice as a meaningful law enforcement agency, and his transformation of it into an agency whose dual purposes are essentially to protect his friends or people who share his business interests, and to punish his enemies. Weve seen that in a whole variety of contexts, essentially as Trump disabled large swaths of the DOJs enforcement capacity, particularly in the areas of white collar crime and political corruption, to the benefit of people who are political adherents of Mr. Trump, or are, in the case of cryptocurrency offenders, people who are actually in the same business as the Trump family. Or in the case of finance, people who are directly contributing to the Trump family wealth.

You have one side of Trumps second-term behavior, where hes essentially hamstrung the Department of Justice at the front end of the criminal prosecution and investigation process, and then the pardon power, as hes used it so far, is twinned with that. Trump has used the pardon power to excuse people who perhaps have already been prosecuted, or are in the course of being prosecuted for offenses. These are people that, again, are his political supporters, who share his economic interests, or for some reason, catch his attention.

You have to see Trumps misuses of the pardon power in context of this overall transformation of the federal criminal justice process into essentially a personalized area of presidential control. The other instances of this, of course, began on his first day in office, when he issued pardons to all the Jan. 6 rioters and insurrectionists. Some months later, he preemptively pardoned 77 people who havent yet been charged, but certainly could be, for their roles in the effort to overturn the results of the 2020 election. These are people who were in some cases literally his co-conspirators in former special counsel Jack Smiths election interference criminal case.

Its in this vein that you have to see his most recent comments in the White House that hes going to pardon everybody within 200 feet of the Oval Office. In other words, what hes saying is, If you folks commit crimes on my behalf, dont worry about any criminal consequences. Ill simply pardon you all at the end. Hes creating a whole permission structure for illegality, as long as its illegality that helps him and of which he approves.

Trump has suggested to his staff that if they carry out his orders, even if unlawful, he will pardon them. This sounds like a blatant manipulation tacticwhat do you make of it?

All of that is made possible by the Supreme Court. If one looks back on fairly recent American history, Richard Nixon dangled pardons in front of the various Watergate conspirators, directly and indirectly. It was obviously considered both wrong in the general sense and criminally prosecutable. That practice by Nixon of dangling pardons was in fact one of the grounds on which the House Judiciary Committee voted to impeach him. The fact that at that time everyone conceived of this kind of behavior as fairly overt obstruction of justice and possibly criminally prosecutable for the president himself is surely at least one of the reasons why Gerald Ford felt it appropriate to issue Nixon a pardon after he left office. He widely understood that he was potentially liable for a whole array of conduct that was both impeachable and prosecutable. At that point, to stop the mouths of potential witnesses, Nixon offering pardons was a criminal offense of obstruction of justice.

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However, what happened a couple of years ago is that the United States Supreme Court in Trump v. United States extended completely unprecedented immunity from criminal prosecution to the president and made that immunity absolute. What it characterizes, again, completely without precedent, as core powers of the presidency among which it lists pardons. Essentially, as of 2024 the Supreme Court has said any use by the president of the pardon power, even overtly corrupt and indeed criminal uses of the pardon power, cannot result in criminal liability to him.

Trump also knows, or thinks he knows, based on the failures of two impeachments to result in his conviction in the Senate, that he is essentially immune for an impeachment even for overtly criminal conduct. He knows that he can do something that Richard Nixon could not. When Nixon dangled these pardons back in the 1970s, he did so in extreme secrecy, knowing that if it ever came out it would certainly be impeachable, and it might very well be a criminal offense. There was considerable deterrence against this kind of behavior, but Trump is in a different world, one where the Supreme Court has given him permission to commit crimes if they involve pardons and his own political party has essentially given him permission to commit impeachable offenses because they wont vote to convict him. He is at liberty to throw around promises of pardons for any kind of prospective criminal behavior by his aides and associates in the knowledge that nothings going to happen to him.

Despite the Supreme Courts sweeping presidential immunity decision, can Congress do anything about how Trumps using his pardon power?

Well, understand that regardless of the sad political reality, which is to say, the congressional Republican Party is so enthralled by Trump that it will not vote to impeach, even if he overtly commits crimes. I mean, thats a sad political reality, but it doesnt change the constitutional law of impeachment. Is it an abuse of the pardon power to pardon the past conduct of your criminal co-conspirators or to promise pardons for the commission of future crimes? Is that impeachable? Of course it is.

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That being so, Congress certainly has the power to investigate, if thats what the presidents doing. Congress today, if it wanted to, could investigate the uses and promises to use the pardon power of the president. Now they wont do it of course, because both chambers of Congress are controlled by Republicans. However, Democrats, if they gain a majority in either or both houses, I think its incumbent on them to investigate this pretty unapologetically. They should investigate these potential criminal misuses of pardon power as part of their oversight authority and through their power to inquire into impeachable conduct.

Former President Joe Biden issued a slew of pardons on his way out of the White House, including for his son, other family members, and even members of the House committee that investigated the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol. Did he essentially open the door for Trump to abuse the presidential pardon power?

I understood Bidens impetus to issue preemptive pardons for members of his family and for a number of other people, like the Jan. 6 committee, Dr. Anthony Fauci, and Gen. Mark Milley. Trump and his surrogates were openly promising efforts to bring criminal charges against members of the Biden administration and others for things which were plainly not criminal, just simple retribution for political opposition. One understood Bidens disposition to try to protect his own family and other folks who were simply doing what public servants should do, and while you had active promises from the incoming presidential administration of Mr. Trump that they were going to misuse the criminal justice system, I think it was a bad idea.

For one, I think it indicated a really insufficient amount of confidence in the criminal justice system to screen out totally baseless prosecutions, recognizing that even getting investigated, even if youve done nothing wrong, is a tremendously burdensome process in terms of reputation, time, and money. Its a form of harassment, even if its ultimately not successful in securing the prosecution and I understand that. I also understand Bidens impetus to try to spare people even that degree of embarrassment, expansive inconvenience, and so forth. But I thought at the time, and I think at least so far events have proven me correct, that efforts to try to charge people with noncrimes are very unlikely to succeed. We see this in the James Comey and Letitia James cases, where the justice system just spit out retaliatory, baseless prosecutions against Trumps enemies. Grand juries and judges are simply throwing them out and I suspected that this would be the case. I think Biden should have had more faith in the systems ability to deal with this kind of stuff.

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My second reason for not approving of these preemptive pardons is precisely that they create at least an excuse for Trump to do worse. They create a precedent, where Trump being Trump, he would not need, but he would absolutely use, along with his supporters to justify his own use of preemptive pardons to protect people around him who really had committed crimes. I was concerned that Biden was creating a precedent that would be abused and I think in that respect, I was correct. I think Biden made a grievous error in issuing preemptive pardonsunderstandable, but a mistake.

Presidential pardons dont apply to state crimes, so is one avenue out of Trumps abuse of power to rely on states to pursue justice against the people he has already pardoned and those he may in the future?

Youre certainly right that the presidential pardon power does not extend to state criminal offenses. Trump purported to pardon Tina Peters, a county clerk in Colorado who tried to

mess with the states accounting system. Colorado courts recently just waived that away, correctly saying, Sorry, you cant do that. And its as plain as anything in the law that Trump cant do that. So yes, it is possible for states to bring state criminal actions against people who have received federal pardons. The tricky bit there, however, is the collection of evidence. If you take a look at the events in Minneapolis, you have ICE agents who shot and killed people, conduct which might well be a crime under state law, and which Minnesota authorities are investigating. However, a lot of the evidence of those offenses is in the hands of federal authorities who are refusing to turn it over. At least so long as Trump remains in office, there are going to be difficulties in collecting evidence, and even after he leaves office, there certainly would be concerns that relevant evidence of certain kinds of crimes would be lost or even consciously destroyed.

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That concern becomes exacerbated by a recent opinion by the Justice Department proclaiming the Presidential Records Act, which requires that presidential records be retained and remain the property of the United Statesthose need not be turned over by the president when he leaves office. If youre a state and you want to prosecute a federal official for some things that theyve done that amounts to a state crime, but Trump has pardoned them, theyre going to be evidentiary obstacles.

Another obstacle is that many of the kinds of crimes that you might want to prosecute somebody for and committed by a federal official during the Trump administration may not be state crimes.

They dont perfectly match; there just may not be a state statutory authority to reach some of the constant behavior that Trump is going to pardon people for. For example, the extrajudicial killings that happened on the high seas. Trump and his appointees are frankly committing murder on the high seas, violating the laws of war and U.S. military code. Theres very little argument that theyre actually committing crimes out there. But, theyre committed on the high seas, so to the extent theres jurisdiction at all, this falls under the authority of federal district court or federal military tribunals. States have no jurisdiction there.

Contemplating committing a crime and hoping that Id get pardoned for it, Id be wanting to look over my shoulder and see if theres state jurisdiction that will extend beyond the current presidents term. Its by no means sufficient to really fill the gap, but states could jump in here.

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We hope you learned a thing or two from this edition of Executive Dysfunction, and if you enjoyed reading it, please consider supporting our legal journalism by becoming a Slate Plus member!

Thank you for reading Executive Dysfunction! Were thrilled to be in your feeds and will be back with more dysfunction analysis next week.
President Donald Trump made a major announcement relating to his war on Iran in a late-night Truth Social post.

Shortly before midnight, the 79-year-old announced that the leaders of Israel and Lebanon would hold talks for the first time in more than three decades.

Trying to get a little breathing room between Israel and Lebanon, Trump wrote on his social media platform. It has been a long time since the two leaders have spoken, like 34 years. He added that a meeting would take place between the two countries on Thursday.

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He concluded: Nice!

It is unclear who will be involved in the talks. Israeli cabinet member Galia Gamliel said Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu would speak to Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, however Beirut said it was unaware of plans for high-level discussions.

Donald Trump/Truth Social

The Daily Beast has reached out to the White House for comment.

The announcement comes after Secretary of State Marco Rubio hosted direct talks between Israeli and Lebanese envoys in Washington D.C. on Tuesday.

The talks concluded with encouraging words and talk of further meetings but no further commitments, including a promise from Israel to cease its military campaign against Hezbollah militants in Lebanon, the New York Times reported. Representatives for Iran and Hezbollah were not present at the talks.

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We are on the same side, we and the Lebanese, that the evil of Hezbollah must be eradicated, Israeli Ambassador to the U.S. Yechiel Leiter said following the meeting. Rubio described the talks as a step toward bringing a permanent end to 20 or 30 years of Hezbollahs influence in this part of the world.

Tuesdays meeting was separate from the presidents diplomatic efforts regarding his war with Iran. U.S. and Israeli officials have stressed that they do not consider Lebanon to be involved in those negotiations.

Lebanon was drawn into Trumps war on Iran after Hezbollah resumed attacks on Israel in March. Israel responded with attacks that have killed over 2,000 people, injured more than 7,000 and displaced over a million, including initiating a ground invasion in southern Lebanon in an attempt to seize territory and create a buffer zone.

After Israels security cabinet met on Wednesday to discuss a potential ceasefire with Lebanon, a U.S. official told Axios that Trump would welcome and be happy with an end of hostilities.

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The U.S. hasnt asked Israel for a ceasefire in Lebanon and its not part of the peace negotiations with Iran. But the president would welcome and be happy with an end of hostilities as part of an agreement between Israel and Lebanon, the official said. The cabinet meeting ended without making a decision on a ceasefire.

Citing Lebanese officials, the Financial Times reported on Wednesday that a ceasefire could be announced soon.

Rubio met with representatives for Israel and Lebanon in Washington D.C. on Tuesday. / Kevin Lamarque / REUTERS

The White House has said that talks between the U.S. and Iran regarding its war are productive and ongoing, with Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stating that the U.S. feels good about the prospects of a deal.

Trump initiated war with Iran on Feb. 28 when the U.S. and Israel began conducting joint strikes on the Middle Eastern nation.

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The strikes, which resulted in the deaths of multiple senior Iranian officials including Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, have killed over 2,000 Iranians and injured at least 26,000 more.

Thirteen U.S. service members have been killed in retaliatory strikes, and hundreds have been injured.

With a two-week ceasefire in place, Trump told Fox News on Tuesday that his war with Iran is very close to over while bragging about the scale of destruction he has caused.

You know what? If I pulled up stakes right now, it would take them 20 years to rebuild that country, the 79-year-old told host Maria Bartiromo. And were not finished. But well see what happens. I think they want to make a deal very badly.

The U.S. blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, initiated in response to Irans closure of the crucial passage, continues, and thousands of U.S. troops are expected to arrive in the region ahead of the ceasefire deadline in six days time.
Children and staff at Second Street Youth Center in Plainfield, New Jersey, are well-acquainted with lockdown drills in the event of a fire or an active shooter.

More recently, though, the preschool decided to establish protocols for another kind of emergency: the presence of Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents in the area.

Ever since the start of the second Trump administration, when immigration enforcement activity across the country intensified, staff and families have experienced extreme stress and anxiety about the possibility of masked agents apprehending children at their own schools, said Leah Cates, executive director of Second Street Youth Center. (Previously, education settings like Second Street wouldve been protected from immigration raids under the so-called sensitive locations policy, but the administration rescinded that designation in January 2025.)

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Cates is glad she put that new lockdown protocol in place, she said, because theyve had to activate it twice already.

Related

Head Start Providers Fight to Claw Back Protections from ICE Enforcement

One of those times, a teacher heard a young boy at the school yell, Pistola! Pistola!  Spanish for gun  after he saw, through a window, an ICE agent with his weapon drawn, trying to detain someone on the street right outside the school.

We had to pull our children off the playground, bring them in and immediately go into lockdown, Cates said.

Some children go on walks in the community with teachers throughout the day, she added. During lockdowns, the staff use radios to communicate about the presence of ICE and determine whether groups on walks should return to the school or go to a nearby church or the fire department to seek immediate shelter.

Second Street Youth Center, a preschool in Plainfield, New Jersey. (Leah Cates)

Their fears are not unfounded. So far, five of the 210 children enrolled in the state-funded preschool, which serves ages 3 to 5, have experienced a parent or primary caregiver detained by ICE, said Cates, who is keeping track of the impact on her school community. Many other students have relatives who have been detained, deported or otherwise apprehended by the federal agents. More than 80% of the students are from immigrant families, she added, and most are from South and Central American countries.

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Second Street offers just one example of the terror echoing through homes and early childhood programs across the country, in red and blue states, in rural and urban communities, and in documented and undocumented families.

Researchers at the Center for Law and Social Policy, a national, anti-poverty nonprofit, have been examining the impact this administrations immigration agenda is having on young children and their caregivers.

Care providers are not feeling secure. Parents are struggling to feel safe themselves. Children are internalizing these stressors and these pressures. Kaelin Rapport, CLASP

Between June and December 2025, CLASP staff held focus groups with 56 at-risk immigrant parents and primary caregivers of 74 children ages 6 and under. They also interviewed nearly 70 individuals who provide services to these families  many of them as early care and education providers, but also some home visitors, health care workers and others. Their findings, which anonymize the participants, are detailed in a pair of reports  one centered on the experiences of young children and their immigrant families, and another focused on early care and education providers in their communities.

The interviews were conducted in seven states: Colorado, Georgia, Illinois, Michigan, New Jersey, Texas and Washington. In those states, immigrant families with young children range from 13% of the population in Michigan to 41% in New Jersey, according to an analysis from the Urban Institute, which combines data from 2022 and 2023. Nationally, about 24% of children ages 5 and under have at least one immigrant parent.

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What emerged from the research is a clear picture of communities that are experiencing toxic stress and trauma, said Kaelin Rapport, policy analyst at CLASP and an author of both reports.

People are really scared, and theyre struggling immensely, Rapport said. Care providers are not feeling secure. Parents are struggling to feel safe themselves. Children are internalizing these stressors and these pressures.

The concern that many immigrant adults feel, Rapport added, is preventing some of them from leaving their homes, whether its to go to the grocery store or to work.

Its confining the entire family inside this emotional pressure cooker, Rapport said.

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Many parents attempt to shield their young children by avoiding conversations about immigration enforcement, yet their fears and anxieties still permeate the household.

Related

For Children Whose Parents Are Detained or Deported, a Scramble for Safe Harbors

It was very clear that children are feeling the trickle-down effects of stress, said Suma Setty, senior policy analyst for immigration and immigrant families at CLASP and an author of the two reports.

During an interview, the director of a child care center near Dallas shared with Setty that, before 2025, children in the program used to be so curious about visitors who came to the center. Now, when they see new faces, they hide behind the teachers legs. Thats been a marked change she has observed, Setty said.

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Cates, who was interviewed for the CLASP reports and shared details about the experiences of her preschool community with The 74, has seen the way information about immigration enforcement reaches children at Second Street  and how they respond.

The window the boy was looking out of when he saw an ICE agent trying to detain someone on the street right outside the school (Leah Cates)

Its a regular practice at the preschool for staff to ask children how theyre feeling each day, she shared. One day, a little girl said she was scared. Her teacher told her she is safe at Second Street. But the girl said, No, ICE can get me, then started to cry, Cates recalled.

The child knows, she said. They may not understand everything, but they know someone was taken in their families. They see the upset of parents, the upset of family members.

Then, she added, they take what they learned and tell their friends. Cates and other staff have overheard children talking about ICE on the playground, she said.

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We think were doing a great job of shielding children, but little children have big ears. They put their listening ears on, and they hear everything, she said. Were not doing as good a job as we think. Those 3-, 4- and 5-year-olds are hearing, and being affected by, the trauma.

In interviews for the CLASP report, Rapport said, several families and early care and education providers described children as clingy now. Some children who had been sleeping independently through the night are now insisting on sleeping in bed with their parents. Others, he heard, are less friendly, more emotionally reactive, more frightened of strangers and less adaptable to changes in routine.

As for the caregiving staff he interviewed, Rapport said a word that comes to mind to describe their predicament is desperation. They are stressed and traumatized from the past 15 months too. Theyre also depressed, burned out and dealing with compassion fatigue.

People who work in child care and early education do it because they love children and want children to succeed in life. They want children to have a healthy upbringing, Rapport said. They pour so much of themselves into that work. Theyre pouring from that well, and sometimes that well runs dry  for themselves and their families.

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Most early care and education providers are underpaid, working in under-resourced programs, and in some cases are immigrants themselves or have immigrant family members to think of, the researchers said. Yet, as they write in the report focused on providers, ECE service providers are being asked to do more than the work that they trained for; they are asked to be immigration law experts, administrative law experts, second parents, and even work for free.

That certainly rings true at Second Street Youth Center.

In addition to the new lockdown protocols, the preschool has made changes to other procedures.

The program has implemented very stringent rules around access into the building. If we dont recognize who you are, we arent letting you into the first doorway, Cates said. The maintenance staff, as part of their duties, now regularly walk a two-block radius around the building to scan for ICE activity. Families know to text school staff about any ICE activity theyve seen or heard about in the area, and staff then distribute the message to all families so they can make alternative pick-up arrangements for their children.

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On top of that, Second Street has held events to educate parents about their rights. The school partnered with an immigration attorney who volunteered to help families make a plan for their children in the event something happens to them.

The work is taking a toll on staff, she said, noting that staff are increasingly asking for a day off here and there because its just all too much.

But my staff  understand the No. 1 concern is the health, safety and well-being of children, Cates emphasized. Before we do anything else, our job is to keep children safe.
There was a time when the very concept of a conflict of interest in politics was a serious matter that could cause investigations and resignations in the federal government. Long before Watergate, Richard Nixon was famously accused of corruption when it was revealed at the height of the 1952 presidential election, in which he was Dwight D. Eisenhowers running mate, that some supporters had set up a slush fund to help pay for his expenses. Nixon went on television and delivered his famous Checkers speech to upwards of 60 million people, insisting that his wife Pat wore a respectable Republican cloth coat and that they intended to keep Checkers, the little dog a supporter had given to his daughters. He got away with it that time, but the moniker Tricky Dick stuck with him throughout his political career.

Nixon wasnt the only Republican dogged by conflict of interest accusations in the 1950s. Sherman Adams, Eisenhowers chief of staff, resigned in 1958 after refusing to answer questions about a vicuna coat and an Asian rug given to him by a textile manufacturer. Two years later, John C. Doerfer, chairman of the Federal Communications Commission, likewise bowed out when it was revealed he had vacationed on the yacht of a wealthy friend.

Seventy years later, it all sounds so quaint.

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The following decades saw scandals featuring legislators and political operatives of both parties who were accused of conflicts of interest, which were generally defined as a persons private interests. These were usually financial and directly clashed with their duties, making it difficult for them to act objectively. Many were even determined to have the appearance of conflict of interest  the distinction being that even if a person were acting ethically, someone else might look at their situation and believe they could be compromised  in which case they were required to either divest themselves of the conflict or resign their public position. At one time, it was considered an absolute necessity for public officials to observe these rules and take proper action to avoid them. If they didnt there would be consequences: dismissal or resignation, and sometimes legal action.

The way money and power converge in our political system, some amount of corruption is probably inevitable. In fact, the system is built for it. But Donald Trump and his cronies have made all the previous cases look like childs play. As the president himself would say, Weve never seen anything like it.

And if you want to really see why these prohibitions once existed, you have only to look at Trumps special envoys for peace: Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff, whose lack of experience and conflicts of interest have turned the Middle East into a raging fire and even helped lead to the Iran war.

The New York Times reported on Monday about an event that would have been unthinkable just a decade ago when Republicans were shrieking that former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton should be disqualified from running for president because she would supposedly sell out Americas national security to procure money from foreign leaders to fund her familys global charity. In late March, as the Iran war was dragging into its 26th day, Kushner appeared at a Saudi investment conference in Miami. The presidents son-in-law, who had represented the U.S. in the failed talks that led to war breaking out with Iran, was not in south Florida as an American official but as the founder and chief executive of Affinity Partners, an investment firm that had received billions from the Saudi Arabia sovereign wealth fund.

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Kushner was reportedly fundraising for another massive cash injection from the Saudi crown prince at the same time he was serving as a special envoy in the administrations negotiations with Iran  and as the Saudis were reportedly pushing for war with the Islamic Republic. It is one of the most egregious examples of conflict of interest in American political history. And nobody said a word.

Within days he was off to the Middle East for more talks with Trumps other special envoy, Steve Witkoff, another arrogant real estate investor with no diplomatic experience who is botching American foreign policy all over the globe.

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.

Like his partner in duplicity, Witkoffs conflicts are numerous. He previously joined with the Trump family in the cryptocurrency World Liberty Financial, and after he was named special envoy, Witkoff leveraged his position to argue for an export deal to export the worlds most advanced artificial intelligence chips to the United Arab Emirates, a deal which had not been previously approved due to national security concerns. Coincidentally, Im sure, a UAE government-backed company handed World Liberty a $2 billion investment in its stablecoin. Democratic Sens. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts and Ron Wyden of Oregon issued a statement saying that [the deal] appears to have aided a foreign powers effort to acquire U.S. technology with serious economic and national security implications  and [Witkoff] potentially did so in exchange for his personal financial benefit.

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This is a marked contrast to the Clinton Foundation, which did accept foreign and corporate donations in support of programs to fight HIV/AIDS and economic empowerment for women. But when issues about the appearance of conflicts of interest were raised during Hillary Clintons 2016 campaign for president, how did the organization respond? By pledging to stop taking foreign and corporate corporations if she were elected, and by ending the Clinton Global Initiative regardless.

Ten years later, its apparently fine for Kushner and Witkoff to allegedly be profiteering from their diplomatic partners.

The epic failure of this duo in dealing with the Iran war  at least from a national security perspective, if not their own personal portfolios  shows how this sort of conflict of interest can warp someones ability to do the job. As the Times lays out, Kushner and Witkoff represent Donald Trumps mindset  a rogue version of diplomacy thats focused on the flashy and theatrical, a reflection of the Trump real estate developer ethos. But that ethos has failed, and Iran is proof.

But they also symbolize his blatantly corrupt view of government as a legitimate tool for growing their own personal fortunes. As Trump himself said in January after being asked by Times reporters why he was no longer abiding by any ethics rules about conflicts of interest, because I found out that nobody cared. Im allowed to.

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Blatant corruption, it seems, has become just another perk of the job.

The White House is not requiring Kushner to file financial disclosure documents, and certification of Witkoffs has been inexplicably delayed for months. Since Trump has promised to issue mass pardons to his staff before leaving office, its highly unlikely the pair will be held accountable for their behavior.

But the lesson is clear: Allowing government officials, even so-called special envoys, to leverage their positions for personal financial gain is a recipe for disaster. When Democrats return to power, those arcane rules about conflicts of interest should be codified into law  and made to stick.

The post Trumps Middle East envoys are partners in duplicity appeared first on Salon.com.
JOHANNESBURG, April 16 (Xinhua) -- South Africa is continuing to refurbish existing infrastructure and develop new facilities at its national tourist resorts to enhance the visitor experience and attract more tourists, a government official said.

Minister of Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment (DFFE) Willie Aucamp spoke to Xinhua regarding the government's commitment to establishing the country as a premier global tourism destination.

On Tuesday, the Department of Tourism, alongside the DFFE, launched the newly refurbished Cape Agulhas Lighthouse Precinct in the Western Cape, a project completed at a cost of 817,000 rand (approximately 49,830 U.S. dollars).

Aucamp noted that construction is also nearing completion at Kruger National Park's Shangoni Gate, an investment of 113 million rand, alongside the development of new chalets at Addo Elephant National Park.

"Since 2013, 20 projects have been completed. In the coming financial year, we will increase that number to 25 as part of an ongoing expansion," said Aucamp.

He also highlighted the Kgodumodumo Dinosaur Interpretation Center at Golden Gate Highlands National Park, which opened last year, as a key addition to the country's national park offerings.

The South African government manages 19 national parks, renowned for their diverse flora and fauna.

Aucamp expressed confidence that these continuous infrastructure improvements and a focus on service quality will drive a significant increase in visitor numbers to the nation's parks and resorts. 
On Easter morning, President Donald Trump fired off a Truth Social post critics said was so unhinged that it reignited the debate around his mental health.

Open the F***in Strait, you crazy b*****ds, or youll be living in Hell, he raged at the Iranians on his Truth Social platform amid the deeply unpopular war in the Middle East.

Less than 48 hours later, there were calls to invoke the 25th Amendment  an extreme measure allowing for the vice president and a majority of the cabinet to declare the president unfit for office  after Trump threatened to wipe out 93 million people.

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A whole civilization will die tonight, never to be brought back again, Trump, who will turn 80 years old in June, posted on April 7 ahead of a deadline for Iran to make a deal with the U.S. I dont want that to happen, but it probably will.

While critics have long claimed that Trump is mentally unfit for office, the concern over his recent social media outbursts, which appear to have gone beyond his usual bluster, has reached new heights amid the war with Iran.

One of the things that we need to consider is that he is drifting more into a natural state, being fed by the sycophants that are around him, and developing almost like this delusional level of narcissism, Dr. Geoff Grammer, a Maryland-based psychiatrist and retired Army colonel, told The Independent.

Grammer, who describes himself as anti-MAGA, is one of a growing number of mental health professionals sounding the alarm about Trumps erratic behavior.

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In recent days, Trump has attacked Pope Leo after the U.S.-born pontiff said that a delusion of omnipotence triggered the Iran war. A day later, Trump was forced to delete an AI-generated image that appeared to depict him as Jesus. The president stretched credulity when he tried to explain Monday that he thought the image was depicting him as a doctor  he took it down after about 12 hours, facing backlash from far-right Christian figures.

While critics have long claimed that Trump is mentally unfit for office, the concern over his recent social media outbursts has reached new heights (Getty)

While experts cannot diagnose someone they have never assessed, they have mused that Trumps recent behavior is perhaps rooted in a deeper insecurity.

The reality is, theres a large differential of things that it could be, including him feeling trapped and developing narcissistic rage, Grammer said. It could be that hes becoming disinhibited, but it could also be that he is just drifting to who he naturally is.

Trumps foul-mouthed Truth Social last week wasnt the first f-bomb he has dropped publicly in his second term. Last June, Trump vented to reporters about a failed ceasefire between Iran and Israel. We basically have two countries that have been fighting so long and so hard that they dont know what the f*** theyre doing, he said, appearing exasperated.

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In October, when a reporter quizzed Trump about tensions with Venezuela, Trump said of its now-ousted leader, Nicolas Maduro: He offered everything. You know why? Because he doesnt want to f*** around with the United States.

Shari Botwin, a Philadelphia-based trauma therapist and author, said the presidents use of profanities and threats suggest some possible narcissistic traits.

It could suggest that he is having a heightened emotional reactivity, which could indicate that he is experiencing anxiety, fear, or his own frustration, Botwin said. His threats to wipe out a civilization demonstrate his own projection to maintain strength and control.

Ultimately, Botwin said the language could reflect a need for validation and recognition.

Trump was forced to delete an AI-generated image that appeared to depict him as Jesus, which critics said suggest some possible narcissitic traits ( @realDonaldTrump/Truth Social)

The lack of empathy that comes through in his posts can be alarming and indicate that he has no regard for the suffering of other human beings, Botwin said. In many cases, when someone is using aggressive rhetoric, it often serves as a defense mechanism to mask ones own vulnerability or insecurity.

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The provocative language that he is using also suggests some possible narcissistic traits, she added, where he is drawing attention to himself and overriding the possible consequences of his messaging.

Prominent Democrats issued fresh calls last week to invoke the 25th Amendment.

Rep. Jamie Raskin, the top Democrat on a key congressional oversight committee, urged White House Physician Captain Sean Barbabella to immediately perform a comprehensive cognitive assessment on the president after the congressman called warning signs that the president has been exhibiting signs consistent with dementia and cognitive decline.

And in a letter to Vice President JD Vance last week, Rep. Jasmine Crockett claimed the president is deranged, likely suffering from dementia, and has now brought the United States to the precipice of committing one of the largest war crimes in modern history.

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White House spokesperson Davis Ingle took aim at Raskin and Trumps predecessor in a statement to The Independent.

Lightweight Jamie Raskin is a stupid persons idea of a smart person, Ingle said. President Trumps sharpness, unmatched energy, and historic accessibility stand in stark contrast to what we saw during the past four years when Democrats like Raskin intentionally covered up Joe Bidens serious mental and physical decline from the American people.

Experts in conflict resolution, meanwhile, said that the president has backed himself into a corner with Iran.

Experts in conflict resolution said that the president has backed himself into a corner with Iran, and his extreme language could be interpreted as a sign of frustration (Reuters)

His extreme language could be interpreted as a sign of frustration that the conflict has not been as seamless as Januarys military operation in Venezuela, said Paul Fritch, a former U.S. diplomat and senior NATO official.

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I think we can understand the Presidents increasingly extreme language as a sign of frustration, as he finds himself embroiled in a crisis he does not have the unilateral ability to end, Fritch told The Independent. Hes also spent much of the past year dismantling the very diplomatic tools that would be most useful in finding an exit strategy, Fritch said, adding that cuts to the federal workforce had played a part in this.

The professional Foreign Service has been cut by more than 20 percent, and offices dedicated to engaging with Iranian civil society and countering Tehrans disinformation were eliminated, he explained. The abolition of USAID led to the end of a program to provide internet access and VPNs to Iranian dissidents. The nuclear negotiations that attempted to forestall the conflict, as well as last weekends talks in Pakistan that attempted to end it, did not include regional experts from State or nuclear experts from Energy, Fritch added.

This leaves him overly reliant on military threats and coercion, which are ill-suited to achieving the main strategic objectives of reopening the Strait of Hormuz and containing Irans nuclear ambitions, concluded Fritch, a current senior fellow at the Middle East Institute Switzerland and the Geneva Centre for Security Policy.

There are those who argue that Trump is playing to his base and employing the madman theory in negotiations with Iran.

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But Trump said himself that he was ready to act on the threat to wipe out Irans civilization.

I think that we have a phenomenal military that I rebuilt during my first term and I used in my second term, and I was willing to use it, he told The New York Post.

I was willing to do it.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said that an Executive Order that would mandate that banks must collect citizenship information from customers is currently in process.

Speaking with Semafor in an interview published on Monday, Bessent went on to say he doesnt believe such a requirement would be unreasonable, because: Why dont we have information on whos in our banking system? I have a place in the UK; they want to know who lives in every apartment. And how do we know that its not part of a foreign terrorist organization?

When asked for further information regarding the order, a White House official told TIME that the Administration continues to explore ways to protect our banking system from unacceptable credit risks and to ensure that banking services remain available and affordable for all Americans.

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The Administration did not confirm details on what citizenship information the Executive Order would require banks to collect.

The impact of a requirement of this kind could be widespread, potentially creating hurdles for the U.S. banking system, non-citizens, and millions of American citizens without ready access to documents proving their citizenship.

Read more: Trump Keeps Railing Against Non-Citizen Voting. Research Shows Its Extremely Rare

Its not clear if the potential order would go so far as to require banks to shut existing customers accounts if they couldnt produce such documents, or how such a mandate would be enforced. Experts have said the executive action would likely face legal challenges.

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Heres what we know about the in process Executive Order, and how it could affect both banks and various populations in the U.S.

What we know about the potential Executive Order so far

Multiple outlets first reported in late February that the Administration was weighing imposing such a requirement on banks, citing sources familiar.

The action under consideration, the Wall Street Journal reported, could call on banks to ask both new and existing customers for certain documents, such as passports, seeking to maintain a U.S. bank account.

REAL IDs do not prove a persons citizenship and would not qualify as eligible documentation, Semafor reported.

Outlets reported at the time that multiple potential avenues of issuing the requirement were under consideration. It was not clear if an executive action would require banks to close the accounts of customers who could not provide documents verifying their citizenship or just to collect more citizenship information, according to The Washington Post.

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A White House spokesperson told news outlets in February that any reporting about potential policymaking that has not been officially announced by the White House is baseless speculation.

Existing know your customer regulations put in place under the Bank Secrecy Act and USA PATRIOT Act to prevent money laundering and the funding of terrorist activities require financial institutions to collect basic information from clients. But mandating that customers provide citizenship information would be unprecedented.

Republican Senator Tom Cotton of Arkansas expressed strong support for the potential executive action reportedly being considered in February.

Cotton attached a letter that he had sent to Bessent in October to a social media post, in which he urged the Treasury to undertake a comprehensive review of current rules that allow illegal aliens to obtain financial services. The Arkansas Senator also said he would soon introduce legislation to bar undocumented immigrants from accessing U.S. banks.

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A month later, Cotton introduced a bill dubbed the Know Your American Customer Act, which would require U.S. banks and credit unions to verify the citizenship or legal immigration status of customers and make it a federal crime for any individual who is not lawfully present in the United States to open or maintain a U.S. bank account.

Access to the American banking system is a privilege that should only be reserved for those who respect our laws and sovereignty, the Senator said in a statement.

Critics of the potential requirement, however, have contended that it could prove costly to financial institutions and the U.S. economy more broadly, potentially block a number of American citizens from accessing banks, and raise privacy concerns for customers.

How the order could impact banks and their customers

Requiring banks to collect documents verifying citizenship from customers could create a hurdle for tens of millions of people around the country. The exact number of non-citizens who own bank accounts in the U.S. is unknown. But a 2023 report from the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) showed that 96 percent of U.S. households, or roughly 128 million homes, were banked, meaning at least one member of the household had a checking or savings account at a bank. A report from the Census Bureau meanwhile estimated that, as of 2022, 46.2 million people living in the countryalmost 14 percentwere foreign-born, nearly half of whom had not been naturalized as citizens.

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Efren Olivares, the vice president of litigation and legal strategy at the National Immigrant Law Center, notes that if non-citizens were unable to access U.S. banks due to the potential new requirement, the American economy could also take a hit.

A lot of people who are not citizens, who are here on business visas, on tourist visas, on investor visas, do not have citizenship, are not local permanent residents, but they bring millions and millions and probably billions of dollars to this country's economy, Olivares tells TIME.

He adds that a portion of American citizens could also be shut out from banks if such a requirement were put in place.

A 2023 Brennan Center for Justice survey found that roughly 21.3 million voting-age citizensor 9.1 percentdo not have documents proving their citizenship easily available to them.

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Depending on how this Executive Order reads, it may really prevent many U.S. citizens who do not have a passport, who do not have a driver's license, who do not have a valid ID, from opening up a bank account, he adds.

Eric Rodriguez, senior vice president of policy and advocacy at UNIDOS, a Latino civil rights organization, says the potential order could also raise concerns for customers privacy.

We've already seen the government exceed its authority in collecting and requesting private and confidential information about people between government agencies, he says. And if they can require banks to demand in some ways and hold private personal information for lots of folks, it raises the specter that the government may go after that and use it abusively to track down and harass people in communities.

The Trump Administration has drawn criticism for its moves to share data between federal agencies. Trump has sought to increase that data-sharing since early in second term, signing an Executive Order last March that sought to eliminate information silos and allow agency heads to have full and prompt access to all unclassified agency records with the stated intention of stopping waste, fraud, and abuse.

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Immigrant advocacy groups have in particular sounded alarms about information sharing agreements signed between Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and other agencies, including the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), amid Trumps immigration crackdown. Those agreements are the subject of ongoing legal challenges.

Rodriguez adds that the potential order would almost de facto put [banks] in a position to somehow enforce immigration laws.

If users private banking information were accessed by the federal government, banks could be held liable for violating laws that safeguard customers personal information, Rodriguez says. The Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act, for example, requires financial institutions, such as banks, to explain their information-sharing practices and protect customers sensitive data. It also requires banks to explain their customers right to opt-out of information sharing with third parties.

The U.S. banking industry itself has reportedly pushed back against the potential requirement as well. Reports of the executive action being considered drew opposition from representatives of the banking industry, who argued that the requirements would be impractical and costly. Even some longtime Treasury employees urged a less strict version of the contemplated action, according to Bloomberg.

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Bessent brushed off the industrys reported concerns when speaking at a CNBC event on Tuesday.

If Treasury and the banking regulators say its their job, its their job, Bessent told the outlets Sara Eisen.

Our bank executives job is to know your customer. How do you know your customer if you dont know if they have legal or illegal status, whether they are a U.S. citizen or green card holder?
When a celebrity physicist found himself embroiled in a sexual harassment probe on his college campus, he turned to Jeffrey Epstein for help.

As Epstein looked for ways to help, he saw an opportunity with the Trump administration when he heard it was drafting a new rule for how sexual misconduct gets investigated by schools.

The late sex offender was trying to help Lawrence Krauss, then a professor at Arizona State University facing a sexual harassment complaint at the height of the #MeToo movement. In 2018, according to files released by the Justice Department this year, Epstein fielded texts, phone calls and emails from Krauss and helped bolster the professors legal defense.

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Krauss has denied wrongdoing. But their exchange reveals how much Epstein believed the first Trump administrations work to establish more protections for people accused of wrongdoing under Title IX  the federal education law that bars sex-based discrimination  could limit the universitys probe into Krauss and let him keep his job.

My friends in the White House HATE the title ix c--ts, Epstein wrote to Krauss in April 2018.

Ironic but he might be your out, Epstein added, without being clear about who he was.

Ironic indeed! Krauss, a vocal Trump critic, replied. But I will take it.

Trump has said he and Epstein, who was once a frequent guest at Mar-a-Lago, had a falling out years before Epstein died in 2019. While Epsteins relationship with Krauss has been well known, the newly released correspondence remains resonant eight years later in part because advocates for sexual assault survivors say the messages back up their calls to stop the second Trump administration from officially resurrecting its Title IX rule.

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The emails really offered what was a very rare thing in public life: a paper trail showing exactly how men with power talk about the laws designed to hold them accountable, said Noreen Farrell, executive director of Equal Rights Advocates, a nonprofit women's rights organization.

The public attention to the Epstein files is a powerful cultural zeitgeist on the broader issue of sex abuse that I think we should leverage in this moment as we approach rulemaking, Farrell said.



The Biden administration tried to scrap the 2020 regulation, but its efforts were ultimately stymied in court over its inclusion of discrimination protections for transgender students.

Last year, the new Trump administration used that legal status to ditch Bidens version altogether as it seeks to codify its rule through regulation, a process that may begin as soon as this fall but can take years to finalize.

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This Epstein email and essentially his blessing and support of the Trump 2020 rule, it just really affirms what we've been saying all along, said Shiwali Patel, senior director of Education Justice at the National Womens Law Center.

Its meant to be an anti-survivor rule, she said. I don't know if it could be made any more clear after the Epstein files revealed his role in support of it.

The White House declined to comment. Krauss did not respond to multiple requests for comment.

The Trump administration has been enforcing the first-term Title IX requirements through guidance  policies advocacy groups say have chilled reporting of incidents on campus and added hurdles for them in the complaint process.

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Those organizations point out that the Education Department's Office for Civil Rights did not resolve any sexual harassment or violence complaints last year when the Trump administration began enforcing its rule again.

They argue that the publics fervor around Epsteins crimes  combined with the departments inaction on those complaints  could help them garner enough public support to make reimposing the rule politically unpopular.



Epstein wrote about how he believed the pending Title IX regulation meant the university and faculty investigating Krauss are now on notice that the rules they have been operating under , will be changed.

DUE PROCESS, Epstein wrote.

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Title IX lawyer Justin Dillon, who represented Krauss in the universitys probe as well as dozens of students accused of misconduct, remains a proponent of the 2020 rule. He has argued the Trump rule is more protective of due process rights for those accused of misconduct compared to previous federal guidance.

Dillon said Epsteins views about the policy shouldnt hold weight.

Just because a monster like Jeffrey Epstein thought more due process was a good idea does not make more due process bad, and I cannot imagine why anyone would possibly care what he thought about this issue, Dillon said in a statement. Bad person liked thing I do not like is not much of an argument.

Krauss' outreach to Epstein began six months before Arizona State University relaunched an investigation under Title IX into Krauss after misconduct allegations emerged in a February 2018 Buzzfeed article and a complaint was filed. The ASU report detailed unwelcome sexual comments and touching, sexist comments and unprofessional and sexually inappropriate interactions with students and employees of the Origins Project, an initiative that explores the origins of life and the universe that was partially funded by Epstein and his associates.

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IF being silly , socially unaware is a crime. under title 9, , half of the great scientists would be out of work, Epstein told Krauss.

Epstein paid at least $15,000 for Krauss legal fees, vetted lawyers and consulted high-profile allies including Ken Starr, who investigated former President Bill Clintons affair with Monica Lewinsky, according to the Epstein documents. Starr lost his job as president of Baylor University in 2016 over the schools handling of sexual assault allegations.

Epstein also told Krauss that Trumps Education Department had a new view on how colleges should handle sexual harassment complaints. These views sharply diverged from Obama administration policies directing schools to quickly investigate and resolve sexual harassment complaints or lose their federal funding.

Epstein made a point of noting the universitys financial ties to the federal government, which included receiving Pell Grants, funding that helps low-income students pay for college.

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I'm told they should be reminded that there is [a] new sheriff in dc, Epstein wrote.

Krauss knew of Epsteins supposed ties to the White House. In emails with Dillon  which he often forwarded to Epstein  Krauss touted Epsteins list of friends with influence as a reason why Dillon needed to consult Epstein.

Bottom line is that Jeffrey is not only friends with most of the famous people from finance, to business, to Hollywood, who have either been brought down during #metoo, Krauss wrote to Dillon, he also speaks regularly with people ranging from the awful white house people, who he is friends with, to ken starr etc.

The Title IX final rule that took effect in August 2020 was a key part of Betsy DeVos legacy as Education secretary during Trumps first term. She scrapped Obama-era guidance that called on schools to take immediate action on any unwelcome sexual misconduct and developed a formal process schools must undertake in investigating such accusations.



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That included requiring colleges to respond to formal complaints with courtroom-like hearings and allowing representatives for alleged offenders and survivors to call witnesses and challenge their credibility and assess evidence. The rule also changed the governments definition of sexual harassment and allowed schools to use a higher standard of proof in campus disciplinary proceedings compared to the Obama-era guidance.

DeVos has said the rule officially codifies protections to hold schools accountable by ensuring sexual assault survivors arent brushed aside and no accused students guilt is predetermined.

We can and must continue to fight sexual misconduct in our nations schools, and this rule makes certain that fight continues, DeVos said at the time. A DeVos spokesperson declined to comment for this report.

Education Department spokesperson Amelia Joy said the Trump administrations rule provides a balanced legal approach that protects both survivors and the constitutional right to due process.

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On the other hand, the Obama and Biden Administrations distorted the law, including by using it to suspend and expel students with no notice, giving no opportunity for evidence to be reviewed, and providing no right to a hearing, Joy said in a statement. The Trump Administration remains committed to upholding Title IX, restoring commonsense safeguards against sexual assault, and vigorously protecting all students.

The rule has also helped standardize the process for all schools across the country, said KC Johnson, a Brooklyn College professor whose 2019 research showed the number of legal challenges over the campus adjudication processes were climbing.

The DeVos regulations were designed to deal with this problem, which is that these lawsuits had exposed the often glaringly unfair processes, he said, adding that since the regulations have been in effect there's been a dramatic decrease in litigation against schools because schools that actually adhere to these regulations are forced to do the process in a fair way.

Epstein appeared to be watching the rulemaking closely.

As discussions about the rule advanced in 2018, he advised Krauss to ask the university which title 9 rules are they applying. He told Krauss to tell the school, as you know the title 9 rules are being modified. I assume we will operate under the proposed regs. as you are on notice. of the changes. ??

If they say no, you might suggest , waiting until they are finalized as after a hearing you will fly a court action. that will by definition. have the new rules in place by that time, Epstein added.

Ultimately, Krauss didnt benefit from the Trump rule because it took several years to finalize after drawing more than 124,000 public comments and several legal challenges.





Arizona State Universitys investigation determined that most of the complaint against the professor was valid. Krauss was put on paid leave by the university and was later ousted from the leading post of the prestigious science program that he founded. The university found that Krauss breached the schools sexual harassment policy and senior university officials recommended his firing. But the professor ended up retiring instead.

To be clear, I have never harassed or assaulted anyone and have most certainly not exhibited gender discrimination in my professional dealings at the University or elsewhere, Krauss wrote in a statement at the time.

Krauss has also said none of his correspondence with Epstein relate in any way to the horrendous crimes he was accused of in 2019.

The Trump Title IX rule was not finalized until 2020, but advocates who tried to crush the regulation argue the documents prove their view that it would give the advantage to those accused of misconduct.

When Betsy DeVos was the secretary of Education, the public talking points were about male students being falsely accused and that the Obama administration had gone too far and the result was these really unfair sexual assault misconduct processes, said Amanda Walsh, a spokesperson for the Victim Rights Law Center, which provides free legal services for sexual assault survivors.

But when you look at these emails, it reads as if this is a group of just well connected guys looking out for each other, she said.

Some argue, however, that many provisions in Trumps version of the rule may prove popular.

How do you argue against letting people see the evidence against them or question and bring up their witnesses? said Robert Shibley, who is special counsel for campus advocacy at FIRE, a free speech group advocating for the due process protections in the regulation. It's shocking that that wasn't routinely part of the Title IX process before.

Getting rid of the Trump rule was a key priority for former President Joe Biden, who said the policy gives colleges a green light to ignore sexual violence and strip survivors of their rights.

Catherine Lhamon, who led the Education Departments civil rights office under both Biden and Obama, said she found the Epstein correspondence stunning.

When I saw that text in the Epstein files, my jaw dropped, said Lhamon, who now leads UC Berkeley Laws Edley Center on Law and Democracy. It is very surprising to me to see the crass and dismissive terminology, as reported, from the White House about survivors of discrimination  and the ugliness of the explicit planning and strategizing and which of our kids in school our federal government disdains.



The National Womens Law Center is still fighting in court to uphold the Biden administrations sexual misconduct portions of the regulation. But Trump administration officials have said they are already enforcing the 2020 regulation.

Still, the Education Department has to go through another rulemaking process to officially strip the Biden regulation off the books to ensure a future administration cant quickly unravel its efforts.

The Trump administrations enforcement of its own rule is also being criticized.

Dozens of groups that advocate for students who have experienced sexual harassment or violence say the department is neglecting its mandate to address campus Title IX complaints.

In late February, the groups said the agency had resolved zero complaints of sexual harassment or violence in 2025 and opened fewer than 10 sexual violence investigations since March 2025. About 90 percent of overall complaints to the office from March to September 2025 were also dismissed.

Johnson said there are accused students who file these OCR complaints as well.

The issue of OCR not resolving things, that's a much more serious line of argument to me than the Epstein stuff, he said.

The Education Department did not respond to a question about the cases. By contrast, Lhamon said her office addressed 11 sexual harassment cases in just the three weeks leading up to Trumps 2025 inauguration.

I know what cases were pending, what cases we were trying to get resolved, what cases were in negotiations when I walked out the door on the last day of the Biden administration, Lhamon said. I am sick about those cases still sitting and the affected students not receiving the relief that the law entitles them to.


The Trump administration is taking aim at what it calls rampant fraud in state Medicaid programs. But by focusing almost exclusively on Democratic-led states, it has handed ammunition to critics who say it mainly wants to embarrass its political enemies, not save taxpayer dollars.

In announcing earlier this month that Vice President JD Vance would lead the administrations anti-fraud effort, President Donald Trump said on Truth Social that Vance would focus on fraud 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.

Four of the five states the Trump administration is targeting, at least initially, are led by Democrats: California, Maine, Minnesota and New York. (The one Republican-led state is Florida.) But fraud involving government benefits isnt any more prevalent in Democratic-led states than in Republican-led ones, according to federal data.

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In Minnesota, which has been a particular focus of the presidents ire, Attorney General Keith Ellison said the administrations goal is to make a political point about it and try to assign blame, as opposed to fixing the real problem in front of us.

I wish we could get a partner. We used to have one, and it didnt matter what the party affiliation of the federal government was, added Ellison, a Democrat. We all understood we had to protect the public dollar on behalf of low-income and economically struggling people.

Indisputably, fraud is a long-standing problem: Across all its programs, the federal government loses hundreds of billions of dollars each year to fraud, according to the Government Accountability Office. Medicaid Fraud Control Units, which operate in all 50 states, recovered $2 billion in fraudulent payments and obtained 856 fraud convictions in fiscal year 2025.

The $1.3 billion the fraud units recovered in criminal cases was the highest in a decade, though much of that came from a single Virginia case. And the total is just a fraction of the roughly $920 billion that states and the federal government spent on Medicaid in fiscal 2024.

Ann Maxwell, deputy inspector general in the Office of the Inspector General at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, said the location and scope of fraudulent activity varies from year to year.

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There are always new people spending all their time and energy thinking about how they can defraud federal programs, Maxwell said. And so then it pops up in a different state or in a different provider group, and that comes to our attention, and we work to bring that down.

Brad Pigott, a former U.S. attorney for the southern district of Mississippi who tried health care fraud cases during his tenure, said there is no link between geography and fraudulent activity.

All of the work of fighting federal program fraud throughout the decades has proven that whether a provider or beneficiary is willing to perpetrate fraud has nothing to do with where they live, or with the demographics of where they live, Pigott told Stateline. Much less does that have anything to do with which political party governs their state.

Taking aim at Minnesota

In January, the administration announced the creation of a new division for national fraud enforcement in the Department of Justice. In making the move, it cited a sprawling scandal in Minnesota involving the possible theft of billions of federal dollars.

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Since 2018, according to a federal prosecutor, fraudsters likely stole half or more of the roughly $18 billion that supported 14 Medicaid-funded programs in the state, including adult day care, mental health services, in-home care, housing and autism programs. The Trump administration has emphasized the fact that 82 of the 92 defendants in the Minnesota schemes are Somali Americans. Trump has called Somalis in Minnesota garbage, and used their presence as a pretext for the administrations forceful immigration crackdown in Minneapolis, even though the overwhelming majority of Somalis are American citizens.

In February, the administration said it would hold back $259.5 million in federal Medicaid payments to Minnesota to prevent payment of questionable claims while further investigation is completed.

We do what any honest and patient-focused agency would do. We have notified the state that we will give them the money, but were going to hold it and only release it after they propose and act on a comprehensive corrective action plan to solve the problem, Dr. Mehmet Oz, the administrator of the federal Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services, said at the White House in February.

If Minnesota fails to clean up the systems, the state will rack up a billion dollars of deferred payments this year.

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Minnesota has sued to get the money.

We dont need the federal government to tell us that fraud is a bad thing, Ellison said. We prosecute it. We have been prosecuting it. We will continue to prosecute it. Im seeking more resources with the state legislature to prosecute it.

Meanwhile, the administration has expanded its focus to other Democratic-led states.

We don't need the federal government to tell us that fraud is a bad thing.

 Minnesota Democratic Attorney General Keith Ellison

In an early March letter to New York Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul and an accompanying social media video, Oz wrongly claimed that the states Medicaid program paid for personal care services  help with basic activities such as meal preparation, bathing and grooming  for 5 million people, or nearly three-fourths of the 6.9 million New Yorkers enrolled in the program.

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That level of utilization is unheard of, Oz said in the video. In the post, he demanded that New York come clean about its Medicaid program.

But last week, CMS spokesperson Chris Krepich acknowledged to The Associated Press that the agency had erred in examining New Yorks billing codes: The actual number of New Yorkers receiving personal care services is 450,000.

Krepich said the agency still has concerns about how much New York is spending per beneficiary, and that its Medicaid program is paying for too many personal care aides. Health experts say thats largely because such services are expensive in New York, and the state has made a decision to provide more in-home care.

Its really clear New York has chosen, within federal rules and as a policy choice, to provide long-term care through home care and Medicaid. Thats our right as a state, said Michael Kinnucan, health policy director at the Fiscal Policy Institute, a progressive think tank in New York.

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They could have gone and said, Look, we dont think all these states should be providing home care. We think its too expensive. We want to cut it. They didnt do that because it would have been extremely unpopular, Kinnucan said. Now I think what theyre doing is trying to achieve that policy objective essentially through executive action, by making unfounded allegations of widespread fraud.

But Bill Hammond, senior fellow for health policy at the Empire Center, a conservative-leaning think tank in New York, agreed with CMS that New Yorks per-enrollee spending is unreasonably high.

There are many reasons to be suspicious about the way New York uses its Medicaid money, and its needed some kind of oversight for a long time, Hammond said. So thats not to defend every last piece of how the federal governments handling this, but Im still holding out hope that this will be a useful and constructive process.

Where there is money, there is fraud

Medicaid is so large and involves so much money, it is inevitable that there will be bad actors and there will be fraudulent activity, said Summer McKeivier, a Los Angeles lawyer who represents clients accused of committing health care fraud. But McKeivier said the existence of fraud doesnt necessarily mean the program is broken or that there is widespread criminal activity.

The issue there is that the federal government and state government, in my opinion, are what I would consider the biggest loan sharks that we have in the world. Basically, they always want their money back, McKeivier said. She said Medicaid is so complicated, its easy for providers to misinterpret the rules, overbill or mistake whether certain services are covered or not.

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The real problem, the overarching problem with both programs (Medicaid and Medicare), is that they are highly complicated and constantly evolving and changing.

McKeivier said the Trump administrations fraud effort puts the cart before the horse, since misspending is not fraud until it is proven to be so in court.

But Brian Blase, president of the Paragon Health Institute, a conservative policy group that advises congressional Republicans, said any hint of fraud should trigger an investigation.

The programs are massive, and because theyre massive, and its people spending other peoples money, theyre loaded with waste, fraud and abuse, Blase said. What were seeing now is just the tip of the iceberg.

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Andy Schneider, a research professor at the Georgetown University McCourt School of Public Policy, said curbing overall Medicaid spending  not just waste, fraud and abuse  is the administrations real goal.

You can see how fraud is an attractive political message for them, Schneider said.

Theres a longer game here, though, beyond the midterms and regardless of the outcome of the midterms, and it has to do with capping federal payments to states for Medicaid.

Stateline reporter Shalina Chatlani can be reached at schatlani@stateline.org.
By Maya Gebeily, Humeyra Pamuk and Steven Scheer

BEIRUT/WASHINGTON//JERUSALEM, April 16 (Reuters) - Israel and Lebanon agreed to begin a 10-day ceasefire at 5 p.m. EST (2100 GMT) on Thursday following talks this week brokered by Washington, signalling a pause in Israel's conflict with Iran-backed Hezbollah that has raged in parallel to the war with Iran.

U.S. President Donald Trump spoke to Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and twice to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu by phone as the agreement came together, the White House said, and Trump said he expected to host the two leaders in Washington in the next week or two.

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Israel's campaign in Lebanon has emerged as a major obstacle to securing a peace deal sought by Trump to end the war on Iran he launched with Israel in late February, which has disrupted the global energy trade, spiking oil prices and risking further economic fallout.

U.S. and Iranian officials are weighing a second round of in-person talks in Islamabad in the coming days and a cessation of fighting in Lebanon could clear the way for an agreement on other tricky issues including Tehran's nuclear ambitions.

Pakistan's Foreign Ministry earlier said that peace in Lebanon was essential for the talks, which Pakistan is mediating.

Trump told reporters after the ceasefire was announced that Lebanon and Israel would work toward a longer-term deal, and said Lebanon had agreed to "take care of Hezbollah."

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The U.S. State Department said Israel and Lebanon had agreed to a six-point memo that set out their intention to work toward a lasting peace with the U.S. facilitating talks.

"Lebanon and Israel have reached an understanding in which both nations will work to create conditions conducive to lasting peace between the two countries, full recognition of each other's sovereignty and territorial integrity, and establishing genuine security along their shared border, while preserving Israels inherent right to self-defense," it said.

Netanyahu said in a video statement he had agreed to the 10-day pause and that there was an opportunity to make an historic deal with Lebanon.

But there was uncertainty over whether a truce could hold between bitter enemies Israel and Hezbollah. Netanyahu said in his video message he had not agreed to Hezbollah's demand to withdraw forces deployed in southern Lebanon back to the international border between the two countries and would maintain an extensive "security zone" up to the border with Syria.

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Israel's main demand remained that Hezbollah must be dismantled, he added.

In its first comment after Trump's announcement, Hezbollah said any ceasefire must not allow Israel freedom of movement within Lebanon. In a statement issued by its media office, the group said the presence of Israeli troops on Lebanese territory granted Lebanon and its people the "right to resist".

'BUFFER ZONE'

Lebanon was dragged into the war in the Middle East on March 2, when Hezbollah opened fire in support of Tehran, prompting an Israeli offensive in Lebanon just 15 months after the last major conflict between the group and Israel.

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Israeli attacks have killed more than 2,100 people in Lebanon since March 2 and forced more than 1.2 million to flee, Lebanese authorities say. Hezbollah attacks have killed two Israeli civilians, while 13 Israeli soldiers have died in Lebanon since March 2, Israel says.

Israeli forces have invaded areas of southern Lebanon, and vowed to maintain control over territory extending all the way to the Litani River, which meets the Mediterranean some 30 km (20 miles) north of Israel's border. Israel ordered residents out of the area south of the Litani during the war.

Israeli troops have since destroyed Lebanese villages in the area, saying their aim is to create a "buffer zone" to protect northern Israeli towns from Hezbollah attacks.

In Beirut, Lebanese doctor Fadi Sharara told Reuters he wasn't optimistic about the ceasefire's prospects. "I don't think it will succeed because it's impossible for Hezbollah to surrender its weapons and (Hezbollah) doesn't have trust in that," Sharara told Reuters.

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Senior Hezbollah lawmaker Hassan Fadlallah, speaking to Reuters minutes before Trump's announcement, said the group had been informed by Iran's ambassador to Lebanon that a ceasefire could begin on Thursday evening. After the announcement, he said it would be for 10 days.

Asked if Hezbollah would commit to the truce, Fadlallah said everything depended on Israel halting all forms of hostilities, and credited Iran's diplomatic efforts for the possible ceasefire.

BEIRUT AT ODDS WITH HEZBOLLAH

The Lebanese government has been sharply at odds with Hezbollah over its decision to enter the war, having spent the last year seeking to secure the peaceful disarmament of the group founded by Iran's Revolutionary Guards in 1982.

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Israeli and Lebanese ambassadors held rare talks in Washington on Tuesday, despite objections from Hezbollah.

Lebanon's Prime Minister Nawaf Salam welcomed Trump's ceasefire announcement, saying it has been Lebanon's main demand throughout the war.

Trump said he had directed U.S. Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Dan Caine to work with the two countries to achieve lasting peace. "Both sides want to see PEACE, and I believe that will happen, quickly!" he said in a post on Truth Social.

In another social media post, Trump said he would be inviting Netanyahu and Aoun to the White House for "meaningful talks" between the two countries, which have remained in an official state of war since Israel was established in 1948.

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Trump had earlier said that Lebanese and Israeli leaders would speak on Thursday for the first time in decades. However, Lebanese officials said Aoun did not speak with Netanyahu on Thursday, and that Lebanon's U.S. embassy had informed Washington he would not speak to him in the near future.

BATTLE FOR BORDER TOWN

Speaking to Reuters again after Trump's announcement, Hezbollah lawmaker Fadlallah said Lebanese displaced from the south should wait for the ceasefire to take hold and be extremely cautious in villages occupied by Israeli troops.

Fighting continued to rage in south Lebanon on Thursday, notably in the border town of Bint Jbeil, a Hezbollah stronghold and strategic prize. A senior Lebanese official said Lebanon believed Israel wanted to secure a victory in Bint Jbeil before diplomatic progress could be made.

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An Israeli strike destroyed the last bridge over the Litani River into the south, a senior Lebanese security source said, severing the area from the rest of the country after Israel destroyed other crossings during the war.

(Reporting by Emily Rose and Steven Scheer Jerusalem and Maya Gebeily and Sherif Fahmy in Beirut, Jana Choukeir and Tala Ramadan in Dubai, Saad Sayeed in Islamabad; Reporting by Humeyra Pamuk, Steve Holland, Katharine Jackson and Bhargav Acharya in Washington; Writing by Tom Perry and Simon Lewis; Editing by William Maclean, Aidan Lewis and Daniel Wallis)
President Donald Trumps bright idea to post a bizarre AI-generated image of himself as Jesus Christ may not have been entirely his own.

The 79-year-old president had discussed the blasphemous fake photo with his controversial head of the Federal Housing Finance Agency, Bill Pulte, before posting it to his Truth Social account, Axios reported Wednesday night.

Two advisers who spoke to the president about the picture told the outlet that Pulte, 37, brought up the image to Trump while the two were in South Florida together over the weekend, though it was unclear whether Pulte pulled it up on his phone or sent it directly to the president.

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Everyone thought it was a joke, one adviser said.

Trump's housing goon came up with the

Another adviser who is cozy with Pulte told Axios that the housing finance chief and Mar-a-Lago club member did not give the meme to Trump.

The Daily Beast reached out to the White House and the FHFA for comment.

Pulte has quietly stirred up trouble behind the scenes throughout Trumps second presidency, even getting on the nerves of some of his fellow administration officials.

At a MAGA dinner event in September, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent threatened to punch the 5-foot-8-inch housing czar in the f---ing face, even suggesting the two go outside so Bessent could f---ing beat [his] a--, Politico reported.

The treasury secretary threatened to punch 58 Pulte. / Abdul Saboor / REUTERS

Pultethe grandson of the founder of one of the nations biggest homebuildershas also been instrumental in inflaming the presidents ire toward Fed Chair Jerome Powell, as he has put pressure on Congress to investigate the Federal Reserve chief for political bias and deceptive Senate testimony.

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The Trump attack dog was also the brilliant mind behind the administrations short-sighted, short-lived idea of 50-year mortgages, which the president later ditched after it drew scrutiny.

On Sunday, the president puzzled both critics and supporters alike when he posted an AI-generated image on Truth Social, which seemingly depicted him as Jesus Christ.

The picture showed Trump wearing a Christ-like robe, seemingly healing a sick man on a bed below him by touching his forehead with glowing, golden hands.

The bizarre AI-generated photo was plastered with American imagery. / Donald Trump/Truth Social

The president deleted the post on Monday, then defended his decision to post it with an equally absurd excuse.

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Its supposed to be me as a doctor making people better, Trump said, after having McDonalds delivered to the Oval Office by the DoorDash Grandma. I did post it, and I thought it was me as a doctorit had to do with Red Cross, theres a Red Cross worker there, which we support.

Only the fake news could come up with that one (the depiction of Jesus), he added. I just heard about it, and said: How did they come up with that?

The post enraged even the presidents most staunch supporters, including 19-year-old MAGA influencer Brilyn Hollyhand, who called the image gross blasphemy.

Two days later, on Wednesday morning, the president posted yet another blasphemous image, this time of himself standing with the Son of God.

The Radical Left Lunatics might not like this, but I think it is quite nice!!! Trump captioned the post.
As 2025 came to an end, Speaker Mike Johnson appeared on Fox Business and boasted, Weve had one of the most productive Congresses in the history of the institution. The Louisiana Republican had said something similar a month earlier, insisting that this is arguably the most productive [Congress] of all time.

For good measure, the House GOP leader wrote an op-ed for The Wall Street Journal, claiming that 2025 was one of the most productive first years of any Congress in our lifetimes.

By any fair measure, Johnsons boasts were absurd and easily discredited. But they were also born of desperation: Americans elected a Republican-led House, a Republican Senate and a Republican president; the House speaker, eager to keep his gavel, clearly hoped to convince voters that GOP policymakers had seized the opportunity and delivered real results.

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The trouble is, even some of Johnsons partisan brethren arent buying it. The Hill reported:

Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.) said Wednesday the Republican Party was fractured and has not accomplished anything despite their majority in both the House and Senate. [] Tuberville says the party hasnt been moving in unison like it should. Its, its embarrassing that were up here and were raising money to, to continue with the same people being up here, he told [far-right podcast host Benny Johnson].

The Alabama Republican, whos giving up his Senate seat after one term to run for governor, declared, Everything that goes on up here, Benny, is about, Oh, we got to get re-elected. We got to keep the majority. Well, hell, we aint done anything in the majority. Why should we keep a majority?

The comments did not go unnoticed. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer highlighted the Alabamians comments via social media, adding that this was the only time Ive ever agreed with Tuberville.

In fact, I wouldnt be the least bit surprised if Democratic campaign officials actually ran ads promoting Tubervilles comments ahead of the 2026 midterm elections to emphasize the simple fact that even some prominent Republicans believe the party has failed, despite having total control over the levers of federal power.

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Whats more, Tuberville isnt wrong. His party managed to pass one massive domestic policy package, which delivered tax breaks to the wealthy while slashing Medicaid, but a) the inaptly named One Big Beautiful Bill Act was substantively indefensible; and b) the whole endeavor remains unpopular, offering GOP incumbents effectively nothing to run on this fall.

This is, after all, a Congress that has voluntarily surrendered many of its responsibilities and prerogatives to the White House, while simultaneously proving itself to be an exceedingly dysfunctional and unproductive institution. Its also a Congress in which the number of resignations easily surpasses the number of major bills passed.

Time will tell what happens in the coming months, but if Republicans are planning to run on a record of accomplishments and successes, they should start looking for a Plan B.

This post updates our related earlier coverage.

The post Tuberville steps on GOP message, concedes we aint done anything in the majority appeared first on MS NOW.

This article was originally published on ms.now
ANKARA, April 16 (Reuters) - Turkey said on Thursday it would continue supporting peace talks between the United States and Iran and called on the sides to be "constructive" in negotiations to end the war.

Turkey, a NATO member and neighbour of Iran, has been in close touch with the U.S., Iran, and mediator Pakistan and has repeatedly called for fighting to stop.

"We will continue to provide the necessary support for the ongoing ceasefire to turn into a permanent truce and eventually lasting peace, without becoming more complex and difficult to manage," the Turkish Defence Ministry said at a weekly briefing.

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Ankara hopes "the parties will be constructive in the ongoing negotiation process," it said.

U.S. and Iranian officials were weighing a return to Pakistan for further talks as early as the coming weekend, after negotiations ended on Sunday without a breakthrough.

A Turkish diplomatic source has said foreign ministers from Turkey, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt will meet on the margins of a diplomacy forum in the southern Turkish province of Antalya at the weekend. Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is also due to attend.

(Reporting by Tuvan Gumrukcu; Editing by Jonathan Spicer)
What if I told you that the U.S. government once imprisoned a filmmaker for making a movie about the American Revolution because it depicted British troops in an unflattering light?

In today's edition of the Injustice System newsletter, let's talk about censorship, freedom of speech, and the infuriatingif aptly named1917 case of United States v. "The Spirit of '76."

When President Woodrow Wilson led the U.S. to war against Germany in 1917, he also vowed to crush all enemies that arose closer to home. "There are citizens of the United States, I blush to admit," Wilson declared, "who have poured the poison of disloyalty into the very arteries of our national life.[T]he hand of our power should close over them at once."

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Congress responded to this call for domestic repression by passing the Espionage Act, which made it illegal to "cause or attempt to cause insubordination, disloyalty, mutiny, or refusal of duty, in the military or naval forces of the United States." In effect, the Espionage Act made it mostly illegal to speak out against American involvement in World War I.

Perhaps the most famous victim of this notorious law was the socialist politician and labor union leader Eugene Debs, who was imprisoned for the "crime" of giving an anti-war speech to an audience at an afternoon picnic. In Debs v. United States (1919), the U.S. Supreme Court upheld his conviction. "One purpose of [Debs'] speech, whether incidental or not does not matter, was to oppose not only war in general but this war," stated the majority opinion of Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr. "The opposition was so expressed that its natural and intended effect would be to obstruct recruiting."

The ruling in Debs echoed Holmes' earlier decision in Schenck v. United States (1919), which upheld the Espionage Act conviction of a socialist who had been arrested for distributing anti-war pamphlets. "When a nation is at war," Holmes declared, "many things that might be said in time of peace are such a hindrance to its effort that their utterance will not be endured."

Filmmaker Robert Goldstein was also targeted by federal prosecutors at this time under the Espionage Act. But his saga is not as famous in free speech lore as it should be, probably because his case never made it to the Supreme Court.

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Goldstein's "crime" was producing a silent film about the American Revolution titled The Spirit of '76. Among other things, the film reportedly contained scenes that depicted British troops bayoneting women and children. Because Britain was then an ally of America's in the First World War, the U.S. government quickly suppressed the film and prosecuted Goldstein for interfering with the war effort. "History is history, and fact is fact," conceded the trial judge. But "this is no time" for "those things that may have the tendencyof creating animosity or want of confidence between us and our allies." Goldstein was sentenced to 10 years in prison. Two years later, his conviction was upheld on appeal.

Tragically, it seems that Goldstein never recovered from this persecution by the U.S. government. According to Michael Innam of the New York Public Library's Rare Book Division, "upon his release [from prison], Goldstein moved to Europe and attempted without success to reestablish his film career. After being expelled from Nazi Germany in the mid 1930s, he returned to the United States where, so far as is known, he died in obscurity." As for the "offending" motion picture itself, Inman noted that The Spirit of '76, "like a great many films of the silent erais now considered lost, with no print known to survive."

Is there a lesson to be learned from this terrible story of injustice? Perhaps this: Sometimes all three branches of the U.S. government come together for the purpose of trampling upon the Constitution. Be alert.

The post When the U.S. Censored a Movie About the American Revolution and Imprisoned Its Producer appeared first on Reason.com.
By Patricia Zengerle

WASHINGTON, April 16 (Reuters) - The U.S. House of Representatives backed President Donald Trump's military campaign against Iran on Thursday, narrowly blocking a Democratic-led resolution aiming to stop the war until hostilities are authorized by Congress.

The war powers resolution was rejected by 214 to 213 in the Republican-majority chamber, a day after a similar measure was blocked in the Senate.

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The narrow vote was almost exclusively along party lines, with every Republican except Representative Thomas Massie of Kentucky opposing the resolution, and one, Warren Davidson of Ohio, voting present. One Democrat, Representative Jared Golden of Maine, voted against it.

The vote underscored the continuing support among Trump's fellow Republicans for the president's war policy, more than six weeks after the U.S. and Israel launched strikes on Iran on February 28.

It was the second time since the conflict began that the House has rejected legislation to constrain Trump's authority to wage war. The Senate's failed attempt to pass a resolution on Wednesday was the fourth in that chamber.

Democrats have called on the president to come to Congress for authorization to use military force, noting that the U.S. Constitution says that Congress, not the president, can declare war. They warned that Trump may have pulled the country into a long conflict by failing to spell out a clear strategy.

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"We are standing at the edge of a cliff, and Congress must act before this president pushes us off. Every day we delay, we inch closer to a conflict with no exit ramp," Representative Gregory Meeks of New York, the top Democrat on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, said, urging support for the resolution.

Presidents from both parties have long held that the Constitution's restriction on presidential war powers does not apply for short-term operations or if the country is under immediate threat.

The White House and almost all of Trump's fellow Republicans in Congress say Trump's actions are legal and within his rights as commander-in-chief to protect the U.S. by ordering limited military operations.

Representative Brian Mast of Florida, an Army veteran who lost both legs while serving in Afghanistan and who is now the Republican chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, said it would be "crazy" to remove troops from Iran during the current two-week ceasefire. He said Democrats backed the resolution only because of their opposition to Trump.

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"It's all pure politics for my colleagues," Mast said.

Trump agreed to a two-week ceasefire with Iran on April 7.

(Reporting by Patricia Zengerle, Editing by Franklin Paul and Edmund Klamann)
BEIJING, April 16 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Thursday that the top priority is to return the United States and Iran to the negotiating table and seek a political solution.

Wang made the remarks when meeting with Italian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Antonio Tajani in Beijing. They exchanged views on the Middle East situation.

The U.S.-Israel war against Iran should never have happened, and its prolongation has already seriously affected both international energy security and the safety of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, said Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee.

He said China has always advocated for the political resolution of international disputes through dialogue and consultation, and opposes the use of force.

Wang also said China has consistently upheld an objective and impartial position, and actively worked to promote peace and end conflicts, adding that China supports Pakistan's mediation efforts and stands ready to maintain communication with all parties and continue playing a constructive role in this regard. 
By Florence Tan

SINGAPORE, April 16 (Reuters) - A second U.S.-sanctioned supertanker has entered the Gulf via the Strait of Hormuz, shipping data showed, despite a U.S. blockade on vessels visiting Iranian ports.

U.S. President Donald Trump announced the blockade on Sunday after weekend peace talks in Islamabad between the U.S. and Iran failed to reach a deal.

The U.S. Central Command said on X that 10 vessels have been turned around and no ships have broken through since the start of the blockade on Monday.

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Still, Iran's Fars News Agency said on Wednesday that an Iranian supertanker subject to U.S. sanctions crossed the strait towards Iran's Imam Khomeini port despite the blockade. Fars did not identify the tanker or give further details of its voyage.

The empty Very Large Crude Carrier (VLCC) RHN entered the Gulf on Wednesday, data from LSEG and Kpler showed. It was not immediately clear where the VLCC, which is capable of carrying 2 million barrels of oil, is heading.

The tanker's entry into the Gulf comes a day after U.S.-sanctioned VLCC Alicia passed through the Strait of Hormuz. The Alicia is heading to Iraq, Kpler data showed.

Both tankers have records of carrying Iranian oil in the past few years, according to Kpler data.

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Vessels that have been forced to turn back include the U.S.-sanctioned tanker Rich Starry, which returned to the Gulf on Wednesday, a day after exiting.

The U.S. has warned it could add secondary sanctions on buyers of Iranian oil in an apparent effort to gain leverage ahead of more negotiations, just weeks after Washington loosened the enforcement of some Iran energy sanctions.

Iran could consider allowing ships to sail freely through the Omani side of the Strait of Hormuz without risk of attack as part of proposals it has offered in negotiations with the U.S., providing a deal is clinched to prevent renewed conflict, a source briefed by Tehran said.

The U.S. blockade is expected to reduce Iran's crude exports, although the OPEC producer could sustain its current production at 3.5 million barrels per day (bpd) for weeks by storing oil in onshore tanks, analysts say.

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Iran exported 1.84 million bpd of crude in March and has shipped 1.71 million bpd thus far in April, compared with an average of 1.68 million bpd in 2025, according to Kpler data.

(Reporting by Florence Tan; Editing by Thomas Derpinghaus)
MEXICO CITY (AP)  The U.S. government slapped sanctions Thursday on two sons of Nicaragua's husband-and-wife copresidents, Daniel Ortega and Rosario Murillo, as well as other officials and companies tied to the country's gold industry, saying they help prop up a repressive government.

The Treasury Department sanctions come as U.S. President Donald Trump exerts more pressure on adversarial countries in Latin America than any other U.S. president in recent history. While the U.S. has long accused Nicaragua of repression, the country had largely escaped the heavy hand felt in countries like Cuba and Venezuela.

Nicaraguas government has been carrying out a crackdown on dissent since mass social protests in 2018 that the government violently repressed.

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Ortega and Murillos sons, Maurice Ortega and Daniel Edmundo Ortega, both government officials, were the highest profile people to be sanctioned on Thursday, which the department said was due to their roles in the government.

Nicaraguas government did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the sanctions.

Longtime leader Ortega officially named Murillo  his wife and a former vice president  the copresiden t a year ago. Observers said the move appeared aimed at consolidating the family's grip on Nicaragua and ensuring that power is handed down to their children.

The U.S. Treasury said Thursday in a statement that the other companies and officials sanctioned used corruption within the gold industry to fill government coffers. It said that a number of those sanctioned were also involved in the seizure last year of a mining company that included U.S investments.

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The United States will not allow the illicit confiscation of American-owned assets and will continue to target revenue streams that empower the corrupt Murillo-Ortega regime, U.S. Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent said in a statement.

Last month, U.N. experts said the Nicaraguan government used corruption as a tool to finance systemic political repression and stay in power.

Nicaraguas government has also imprisoned adversaries, religious leaders, journalists and more, then exiled them, stripping hundreds of their Nicaraguan citizenship and possessions. Since 2018, it has shuttered more than 5,000 organizations, largely religious, and forced thousands to flee the country.

The government often accuses critics and organizations it targets of working for the U.S. and its enemies to undermine its power.

___

Follow APs coverage of Latin America and the Caribbean at https://apnews.com/hub/latin-america
A Utah lawmaker denied allegations Wednesday that he used his position in the Legislature to try to help his former employer win a government contract in exchange for $93,000.

Rep. Trevor Lee, R-Layton, dismissed the accusations as a hit job to support a member of the good ole boys club in a text message to Utah News Dispatch. In his bid for reelection, Lee faces a challenge from fellow Republican Bob Stevenson heading into the June primary.

Utah House Speaker Mike Schultz said he is looking into the claims that surfaced Wednesday, but didnt immediately give details on the scope, timeline or whos conducting the review.

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We are carefully reviewing the matter and will follow the appropriate process to determine the facts and any next steps, Schultz, R-Hooper, said via a spokesperson. Allegations of this nature involving a sitting legislator are taken seriously.

The allegations against Lee are coming to light just before the Davis County Republican Nominating Convention, happening Saturday.

Identifying himself as Lees former employer, Trent Spafford, president and CEO of water research firm Enevive, said in one of two videos posted to the website stoptrevorlee.com that Lee sought the money in an effort to get a loan for construction of his home. The videos and the website urge voters not to reelect Lee.

We were like, Look, were not in a position to do that, Spafford said in his video. Hes like, Look, I guarantee you that we will get you this contract. And he was using his influence in the Legislature to entice us to advance him this number, this number which totaled up to $93,000.

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Lee remembers it differently.

I connected them with a lobbyist to try and help them secure a grant, Lee said Wednesday via text. He said the money related to a separate business deal we had worked out having nothing to do with federal grants. And then he accused me of false things and tried to come after me maliciously.

Spafford said he terminated Lees employment. He later sued Lee, accusing him of using the companys client list to make sales calls for a competitor. Court records show the case came to a close Wednesday after the parties agreed to dismiss it. Spafford said he decided to drop the suit because he didnt think hed recover any of the money he was spending on legal fees.

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KSL was first to report the allegations, noting Spafford joined another past employer of Lees from more than a decade ago in appearing in videos on the website. Jason Walton, president of Moxie Pest Control, said Lee worked for his company in 2013 and doctored checks to boost his pay.

This was something I did as a stupid college kid and paid my debt, Lee told Utah News Dispatch. Ive gotten married and Im now the proud father of 5 wonderful children.

Spafford said his company never got the contract it hoped to win for a job at Hill Air Force Base and hes speaking publicly now because he thinks voters should know.

It seems like I shouldnt really be talking about another fellow Republican, but the truth really needs to be revealed here, Spafford said in the video.

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Spafford told Utah News Dispatch Wednesday that Lee asked for the money in 2024. Spafford said he didnt know that public officials are not allowed to do favors in exchange for money until a lobbyist told him last August they needed to be very careful that we separate Trevor Lee away from this. In the video, he now calls the alleged deal with Lee a pay to play situation.

Lee, elected in 2022 and representing parts of Davis County, is known as one of the states most conservative Republican lawmakers. He sponsored unsuccessful measures this year seeking to bar immigrants from public assistance and focusing on removing legal protections for Utahs transgender community.

Utahs 14 House Democrats said Thursday theyre alarmed by the allegations.

We appreciate Speaker Schultz for taking these claims seriously and initiating a review, the representatives said in a prepared statement. These allegations warrant a thorough and transparent investigation, and we will be closely monitoring the process. If substantiated, Rep. Lee must be held fully accountable.

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Utah Rep. Blake Moore sought to sell his colleagues in the House of Representatives on the $1 billion carved out for the Great Salt Lake in President Donald Trumps latest budget request, arguing the large sum of federal funding would benefit more than just the Beehive State.

This may sound like its a large price tag, Moore said in a House Budget Committee hearing on Wednesday. This investment is monumental, but I want to ensure my colleagues that the investment now will save taxpayers down the road from future calamity.

The health of the Great Salt Lake is important to all states in the Great Basin region, Moore argued, calling it an environmental and economic anchor for the area.

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(The lake affects) air quality, snowpack and thousands of jobs across the West, Moore said.

Moore made the case during a hearing with Office of Management and Budget Director Russell Vought this week, the first hearing to examine Trumps budget request since it was given to Congress earlier this month. Tucked into the request is $1 billion for the Great Salt Lake, which the Deseret News was the first to report on.

The money is instructed to go toward establishing a comprehensive Federal program led by the Interior Department, according to the budget. The department will work with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Environmental Protection Agency to improve water flow into the lake.

Investing now to preserve and protect the Great Salt Lake will save taxpayers from future calamity. I look forward to continued collaboration with @POTUS on his budget request for a key Utah priority. pic.twitter.com/koO8psrS3I  Congressman Blake Moore (@RepBlakeMoore) April 16, 2026

The money will be used to restore ecosystems, remove invasive species, and deal with toxins within the lake bed outside of any active environmental remediation sites.

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The cash boost comes as Great Salt Lake water levels have dramatically dropped over the last decade or so, placing it on the verge of collapse, according to warnings from local scientists and researchers. If the lake were to dry up, it would expose the Wasatch Front to toxic dust and pollutants.

But the budget line could still face an uphill battle before it is approved as the price tag is high  and other programs may see a funding decrease in an attempt to offset the costs. But Moore has said he is hopeful the request will be approved.
While the sponsors of legislation creating a retail marijuana market in Virginia say they disagree with Gov. Abigail Spanbergers recommended changes, the road to persuade colleagues to reject them could be tricky due to provisions spelled out in the Virginia Constitution.

When lawmakers reconvene April 22 to go over Spanbergers vetoes and recommended changes, the changes to House Bill 642 and Senate Bill 542 are coming to them not as individual amendments. Its structured as an Amendment in the Nature of a Substitute. If proposed changes are extensive enough to touch most sections of proposed legislation, the bill is redrawn as a substitute.

A substitute is generally easier to read than a list of amendments and requires only one vote for or against rather than individual votes.

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According to Article 5, Section 6 of the Virginia Constitution, there are two requirements for voting on a governors substitute.

If the recommendation is to approve the substitute, then only a simple majority is needed in either chamber  21 in the Senate and 51 in the House of Delegates. But if the recommendation is to reject the substitute, then the vote margin jumps to a two-thirds majority, which would be 27 in the Senate and 67 in the House and is similar to overriding a veto.

Anything less than a two-thirds majority will kill the measure outright for the year. That means if the Senate gets the required votes to reject the substitute but the House vote falls short, the measure is still dead.

On the other side of the coin, the constitution does not give a governor a second opportunity to amend or even veto the rejection. Thus, a successful legislative rejection automatically becomes law.

Sponsor looking at 'options'

Sen. Lashrecse Aird, D-Henrico County and the sponsor of the Senate version of the bill, told The Progress-Index she has yet to determine the pathway forward on recommending what her colleagues do with Spanbergers substitute.

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I am exploring all available legislative options at this time, she said.

However, she and Del. Paul Krizek of Fairfax County, who championed the House version of the bill, were less than complimentary about what Spanberger recommended.

In a nutshell, Spanbergers suggestions would roll back the start of the retail market from Jan. 1, 2027 to July 1, 2027, restrict the number of stores allowed to sell marijuana from 350 in the original legislation to 200 before January 2029, drop the per-transaction size from 2.5 to 2 ounces, and maintain a 6% cannabis state sales tax that would jump to 8% in 2029. It also calls for local governments to have authority to impose 1-3.5% taxes  all in addition to existing retail sales and use taxes.

We are working to set up a marketplace that is controlled, regulated, and responsible because legal markets only succeed when there are clear guardrails and enforcement to back it up, Spanberger said in announcing the amendments.

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To keep our next generation safe, we must also ensure real consequences for vape shops that have spent years targeting Virginias kids. We need to rein in these shady businesses and make sure a legal marijuana market does not make the problem worse.

Hopewell mayor, citizens clash over his public 'misinformation' comment

Sponsors think otherwise

Neither sponsor saw it that way.

The governors substitute represents a significant departure from the framework passed by the General Assembly, raising serious concerns about fairness, access and public safety, Aird said in a combined statement she released with Krizek. By making the legal market harder to access, this proposal allows the illicit market to continue to thrive in every corner store in our commonwealth. That undermines the core goals of legalization and increases the likelihood of untested products, inconsistent potency, and lacks consumer protections.

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She said the substitute also weakens safeguards designed to prevent youth access and ensure accountability ultimately posing a risk to public health and safety.

Krizek said Spanbergers recommendation creates a less accessible legal marketplace.

These changes reduce the number of available licenses, delay the launch of retail sales and impose high barriers to entry, resulting in revenue losses, delayed economic opportunity for market participants and the elimination of investment to small businesses. These barriers do not eliminate demand; it simply redirects it back to the illicit market, Krizek said.

Virginians have not been waiting since 2021 for a legal retail marketplace that will expand criminal penalties, introduce new felony tiers for cannabis-related offenses and expose individuals to lifelong prison sentences while Virginia is actively correcting these wrongs from the past, he added.

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Krizek and Aird are chair and vice chair, respectively of the Joint Commission to Oversee the Transition of the Commonwealth into a Cannabis Retail Market, a panel charged with overseeing the rollout of the retail market and the work of the Virginia Cannabis Control Authority.

Whats next for related enforcement bill?

In a separate action but related to the topic of marijuana, Spanberger also recommended several amendments to Airds Senate Bill 543.

SB 543 addresses enforcement of Virginiasi regulation of cannabis and hemp, and is geared toward the illicit and gray markets rather than at expanding legal marijuana sales. It strengthens state authority to crack down on illegal marijuana and highTHC hemp products and to help consumers distinguish legitimate, licensed businesses from illegal operators through state-required labels.

In her recommendations, Spanberger asked for language to clarify enforcement, refine the penalty structure, establish a grace period for first-time violators of the label requirement, and aligns the enforcement with regulations in the Virginia Consumer Protection Act.

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Aird said she has not yet reviewed Spanbergers amendments.

Prince George County warns residents of building permit payment scam

Governor signs bill creating Petersburg Parking Authority

Bill Atkinson (he/him/his) has won numerous awards during his 40-year journalism career. A Petersburg native, Bill is a 1984 graduate of Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond with a degree in mass communications. He specializes in coverage of breaking news, crime, government, and local/state/national politics. He is an avid history buff and a lifelong Washington Commanders fan. Reach him at batkinson@progress-index.com with news tips and story suggestions.

This article originally appeared on The Progress-Index: Virginia marijuana bill faces tough vote
The critical system of ocean currents which loops around the Atlantic Ocean is weakening and could be far closer to collapse than previously thought, according to two new studies  an event which would have catastrophic impacts on the planets weather and climate.

The Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation, known as the AMOC, functions like a vast conveyor belt, transporting heat, salt and freshwater through the ocean and influencing climate, weather and sea levels around the planet.

A growing body of research suggests its weakening as human-driven global warming disrupts its delicate balance of heat and salinity, with one study even predicting it could collapse as soon as next decade. But the AMOC is complex and has only been continuously monitored since 2004. Climate models generally agree its on course to weaken this century, but there is a huge amount of uncertainty about the extent of its decline.

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The stakes are incredibly high; an AMOC collapse, which last happened roughly 12,000 years ago, would cause chaos. It would push Europe into a winter deep freeze, accelerate sea level rise along the East Coast of the US and drive prolonged droughts across a swath of Africa.

The two new studies  one which focuses on the AMOCs future, the other on its present  provide new and alarming evidence of its decline.

The findings are important and concerning, said Stefan Rahmstorf, an oceanographer at Potsdam University who has studied the AMOC for decades and was not involved in either report.

People load water containers onto an animal in a drought-affected area of Kenya in August 2025. The collapse of the AMOC would bring catastrophic impacts including prolonged droughts across a swath of Africa. - Gerald Anderson/Anadolu/Getty Images

In the most recent study, published Thursday in the journal Science Advances, scientists combined climate models with real world data, including ocean temperature and salinity, to map out the AMOCs future over the next several decades.

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They found most climate models underestimate its decline. The AMOC is on course to slow by more than 50% by the end of the century, a substantial weakening thats 60% stronger than that estimated by the average of all climate models, according to the study.

The findings show pessimistic climate models, those which show a strong weakening of the AMOC, are unfortunately the realistic ones, Rahmstorf said. It heightens fears that it could pass a tipping point as early as the middle of this century, he added, the point at which shutdown basically cannot be stopped anymore.

Alarmingly, the AMOCs weakening could even be more pronounced than the study found because meltwater from Greenland is not included in the climate models, Rahmstorf said.

Thursdays study follows research published last week by scientists from the University of Miami, who looked at what is currently happening to the AMOC.

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They analyzed real world data from four moorings along the western boundary of the North Atlantic Ocean, which have measured water temperature, salinity and the velocity of ocean currents since 2004. They found the AMOC has been weakening at four different latitudes over the past two decades.

Disko Bay, Greenland, on March 15, 2026. Melting ice is disrupting the balance of salinity that drives the AMOC. - Florent Vergnes/AFP/Getty Images

The fact that weakening was observed at all four locations is significant, said Shane Elipot, a physical oceanographer at the University of Miami and a report author. Although the results only focus on the western boundary of the Atlantic Ocean, this region is the canary in a coal mine for whats happening to the AMOC, he said.

The real-world data helps validate predictions made by climate models, Elipot added. The worrying part is that the same models are predicting that the AMOC is likely going towards a tipping point where it eventually shuts down, he said.

The study provides strong observational evidence that the present-day AMOC is indeed declining, said Rene van Westen, a marine and atmospheric researcher at Utrecht University in the Netherlands, who was not involved in the research.

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The results of both studies are very worrying, he said. They show AMOC weakening is already happening and is underestimated by current projections.

This also means that the risk of AMOC tipping is getting more substantial, he added, as every additional AMOC weakening pushes the system towards the tipping point.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
South African police say have they arrested "wanted fugitive" French-born Beninese activist Kemi Seba while he was allegedly attempting to flee to Europe through Zimbabwe.

Seba, whose real name is Stellio Gilles Robert Capo Chichi, is wanted in Benin on charges of "inciting rebellion" after supporting last year's foiled coup there.

He was arrested on Monday alongside his 18-year-old son in a sting operation at a shopping centre in Pretoria. A "facilitator" who had allegedly been paid to help them illegally cross to Zimbabwe was also detained.

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Seba, 45, is known for opposing French influence in Africa, backing West Africa's military leaders and has been accused of spreading Russian propaganda.

"Preliminary investigations have revealed that the father [Seba] is allegedly a wanted fugitive in France and Benin for criminal activities relating to crimes against the state," South Africa's police said in a statement on Thursday.

The police added that the individual who was assisted Seba and his son had been paid about 250,000 South African rand ($15,000; 11,000) "to help them move across the Limpopo River into Zimbabwe, with the intention to further proceed to Europe".

They remain in police custody after appearing in court on Wednesday and the case was moved to 20 April, with plans for Seba's extradition under way.

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He has not commented on the allegations against him.

Some of his supporters have denounced the arrest as politically motivated.

"It's an attempt to scare a prominent pan-African voice. We will fight this. We will fight this until Mr Seba would be released," Sayia Moudongo, from a diaspora association in Paris, told the BBC.

Seba was born in France to parents from Benin and is a prominent figure with 1.5 million followers online. He heads the NGO Pan-Africanist Emergency, which promotes issues related to African sovereignty and solidarity.

He has been sentenced in France several times for inciting racial hatred and is often accused of anti-Semitism.

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In 2024, he was stripped of his French citizenship. He responded by burning his passport in public, claiming he had been "freed from the burden of French nationality".

Thomas Gassilloud, then chairman of the National Assembly's defence committee, accused him of being a mouthpiece "for Russian propaganda" and serving "a foreign power that fuels anti-French sentiment", according to the France24 news site.

The same year, he was granted a Niger diplomatic passport that designated him a "special adviser" to the junta leader Abdourahamane Tchiani.

The military leaders which seized power in Niger, as well as its neighbours Mali and Burkina Faso, have halted military co-operation with France in the fight against Islamist militants, and have instead started working with Russia.

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On 7 December, mutinying soldiers claimed to have overthrown the Benin president. The attempted coup was foiled within hours with help from Nigeria and France.

Seba had posted a video declaring it was "the day of liberation" for his country.

Benin, a former French colony, subsequently issued an international warrant for his arrest for supporting the failed coup.

Additional reporting by Nicolas Negoce

You may also be interested in:

[Getty Images/BBC]

Go to BBCAfrica.com for more news from the African continent.

Follow us on Twitter @BBCAfrica, on Facebook at BBC Africa or on Instagram at bbcafrica

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The Department of Homeland Security released video Tuesday of a Florida Highway Patrol trooper being dragged by a van as he was trying to make an ICE arrest in March.

The driver, identified as Ragar Mandela Allen, stepped on the gas as the agent was caught in the window of the vehicle. He was dragged until the mini-van slammed into a fence.

The trooper was treated for non-life threatening injuries and Allen was arrested.

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Allen, 32, an illegal immigrant from Jamaica, is wanted in connection to a murder there and other felony charges, according to DHS. Hes also a member of the Craig Town Gang, according to DHS.

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The Air Force Thunderbirds and the Navys Blue Angels teamed up April 14 forming a rare Super Delta during a surprise fly over performance in Florida.

The squadrons announced that they would fly over the Pensacola Beach Gulf Pier in a joint special performance Tuesday morning, the day of the performance.

The Super Delta formation, a much-anticipated event, stems from joint training opportunities held in 2020 and 2021 and serves as a show of both teams discipline and skill, the U.S. military said.

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Take a look at the epic collaboration.

See Blue Angels, U.S. Thunderbirds perform rare 'Super Delta' formation over Pensacola Beach

Blue Angels 2026 practice schedule

Here are the dates the Blue Angels will practice during the 2026 season. Public viewing of the practices at the flight line behind the National Naval Aviation museum has been temporarily suspended, but fans have gotten creative in the pursuit to see the team in the air.

April: 21, 22*, 28, 29*

May: 5, 6*, 12, 13*, 27*

June: 2, 3*, 9, 10*, 16, 17, 23, 24, 30

July: 1, 21, 22*, 28

August: 26*

September: 1, 9*, 15, 22

October: 14*, 20, 28*

More: Flight line is closed, but here's where you can see the Blue Angels

Blue Angels 2026 schedule, Florida performances

The Blue Angels return to the Sunshine State for five performances in 2026, in cities like Cocoa Beach, Vero Beach, Pensacola and Jacksonville.

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April 11-12, 2026: Air-Space Expo, Cocoa Beach, Florida

May 16-17, 2026: Vero Beach, Florida, at Vero Beach Air Show

July 18, 2026: Pensacola Beach Air Show, Pensacola Beach, Florida

Oct. 17-18, 2026: NAS Jacksonville Air Show, Jacksonville, Florida

Nov. 6 -7, 2026: Blue Angels Homecoming Air Show, Pensacola, Florida

Blue Angels 2027 Florida schedule

Here's where the Blue Angels plan to perform in Florida in 2027:

April 10-11: Lakeland, Sun 'n Fun Aerospace Expo

May 1-2 : Ocala, Wings Over Ocala

May 15-16: Fort Lauderdale, Air Dot Show Fort Lauderdale

July 17: Pensacola Beach, Pensacola Beach Air Show

Oct. 23-24: Jacksonville Beach, Jacksonville Beach Sea & Sky Airshow

Nov. 5-6: NAS Pensacola, Blue Angels Homecoming Air Show

Contributing: Troy Moon, Pensacola News Journal and Cheryl McCloud, USA TODAY NETWORK - Florida

This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: Blue Angels, Thunderbirds together in Florida. See video
Pensacola's newest Wawa opened Thursday with much fanfare, including a sandwich building competition by local law enforcement and, um, a dancing goose?

Wawa fans were waiting at the door as the store at 6658 Pensacola Boulevard opened its doors. The first 100 customers in line got free t-shirts, but all customers will get free coffee, any size, through April 19.

The opening marked the 25th location the cult-favorite gas station/convenience store is opening this year, out of nearly 100 new stores planned, the cult-favorite gas station/convenience store said in a release. Wawa has said it intends to open 20 to 25 new stores in the Florida Panhandle over the next decade.

Dozens gathered to be the first customers of the new Wawa location on Highway 29 on April 16, 2026. The new store located across from Pensacola Honda is the company's fourth in the Pensacola area. Wawa opened its fourth location in the Pensacola area on Highway 29 across from Pensacola Honda on April 16, 2026. Dozens gathered to be the first customers of the new Wawa location on Highway 29 on April 16, 2026. The new store located across from Pensacola Honda is the company's fourth in the Pensacola area. The fourth Pensacola Wawa store is now open on Pensacola Boulevard across from Pensacola Honda. Wawa opened its fourth location in the Pensacola area on Highway 29 across from Pensacola Honda on April 16, 2026. Wawa opened its fourth location in the Pensacola area on Highway 29 across from Pensacola Honda on April 16, 2026. Dozens gathered to be the first customers of the new Wawa location on Highway 29 on April 16, 2026. The new store located across from Pensacola Honda is the company's fourth in the Pensacola area. Wawa opened its fourth location in the Pensacola area on Highway 29 across from Pensacola Honda on April 16, 2026. Dozens gathered to be the first customers of the new Wawa location on Highway 29 on April 16, 2026. The new store located across from Pensacola Honda is the company's fourth in the Pensacola area. Wawa opened its fourth location in the Pensacola area on Highway 29 across from Pensacola Honda on April 16, 2026. Dozens gathered to be the first customers of the new Wawa location on Highway 29 on April 16, 2026. The new store located across from Pensacola Honda is the company's fourth in the Pensacola area. Dozens gathered to be the first customers of the new Wawa location on Highway 29 on April 16, 2026. The new store located across from Pensacola Honda is the company's fourth in the Pensacola area. Dozens gathered to be the first customers of the new Wawa location on Highway 29 on April 16, 2026. The new store located across from Pensacola Honda is the company's fourth in the Pensacola area. Take a look inside the newest Wawa to open in Pensacola 1 of 13 Dozens gathered to be the first customers of the new Wawa location on Highway 29 on April 16, 2026. The new store located across from Pensacola Honda is the company's fourth in the Pensacola area.

The Pensacola Boulevard location marks Wawas fourth store in Pensacola. Wawa reported it is investing over $7.5 million to build each store and employ, on average, 140 contractors as well as local partners to build each location.

What is Wawa? Why is Wawa famous?

Wawa is known for fresh food and its customer service, and has developed a passionate fan base beyond the regular customers who just want a fill-up. Some locations have become community hubs and places to hang.

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Open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, the standard Wawa offers all the things you'd expect from a convenience store (snacks, lottery tickets, drinks, tobacco, gas at most locations, etc.), but they also offer a larger variety of fresh food than most fast-food restaurants such as their made-to-order, fan-favorite hoagies and the hot breakfast "Sizzli" sandwiches.

Wawas are also famous for customer service, scrupulously clean bathrooms, decent gas prices, free air for your tires, and no-charge ATMs. They're a comforting presence for travelers and a community hub for neighborhoods.

In 2025, Forbes.com ranked Wawa at No. 21 in the list of Americas Largest Private Companies and ranked them at No. 16 for Customer Experience All Stars in 2024 and No. 25 for Most Trusted Companies in America this year. Newsweek ranked Wawa No. 1 for gas stations in 2026.

USA TODAY's 10Best Readers Choice Awards in 2025 picked Wawa as a runner up for both the Best Gas Station for Food and the Best Gas Station Brand categories. Votoing is still open for this year, and Wawa is in the running again.

Does Wawa have a hidden menu?

Who's to say?

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But when you head to the touch screen kiosk, look around to make sure no one's watching, tap the goose icon, and see if a new screen opens up.

You may get a list of off-menu, secret items that are only available during special times through the year, such as the Rainbow Bagel, the Birthday Cake milkshake and Birthday Cake smoothie, colorful lemonades, various Red Bull infusions, and a whole range of Halloween items, and foods like the Custom Sourdough Melt, the Pulled Pork Mac and Cheese sandwich, and DIY pizzas and quesadillas.

Wawa opening stores across Florida

It may be based in Pennsylvania, but there are more Wawa locations in Florida than in any other state, with about 317 as of April 2025, according to data site ScrapeHero.

The first Wawa in Florida opened on July 18, 2012, in Orlando, across from SeaWorld. Last April, Wawa opened its 300th Florida location with a new store in Tallahassee.

What does 'Wawa' mean? What is Wawa short for?

"Wawa" is an Ojibwe Native American word that translates, more or less, as Canada goose." It's also the name of the town where this version of the company developed and where the corporate offices still reside. That's also why there's a goose on the company's corporate logo.

Where can I find a Wawa near me?

You can find one near you at the company's store locator.

This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: New Pensacola Wawa store opens
Palestinians participate in a demonstration marking Palestinian Prisoners' Day in front of the headquarters of the International Committee of the Red Cross in Gaza City, on April 16, 2026. Palestinians on Thursday marked Palestinian Prisoners' Day with rallies and demonstrations across the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, calling for the repeal of an Israeli law permitting the execution of Palestinian prisoners. (Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua)

RAMALLAH, April 16 (Xinhua) -- Palestinians on Thursday marked Palestinian Prisoners' Day with rallies and demonstrations across the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, calling for the repeal of an Israeli law permitting the execution of Palestinian prisoners.

The annual commemoration was established in 1974 by the Palestinian National Council during its 12th session in Cairo.

Events were organized by Palestinian institutions and factions, with protests held in city centers and outside offices of the International Committee of the Red Cross. Participants raised Palestinian flags, held photos of detainees, and chanted slogans in solidarity with prisoners.

Abdullah Zaghari, head of the Palestinian Prisoners Club, told Xinhua the occasion comes amid an escalation in Israeli measures against detainees, including alleged torture and medical neglect, as well as the passage of the execution law.

Hazem Qassem, a spokesperson for Hamas, said in a speech that Palestinian prisoners are facing deteriorating conditions, warning of the implications of the execution law and calling for increased public mobilization.

The protests follow the Israeli Knesset's approval in March of a law allowing the death penalty for Palestinians convicted of carrying out attacks that result in Israeli deaths.

According to a joint report by prisoners' rights organizations, the number of Palestinians in Israeli prisons has risen to over 9,600 since the Gaza conflict began on Oct. 7, 2023, up from about 5,250 before the war.

The report said the detainees include 86 women and about 350 minors. It urged greater international involvement, including cooperation with the International Criminal Court and expanded access for the International Committee of the Red Cross to visit detainees. 

Palestinians participate in a demonstration marking Palestinian Prisoners' Day in front of the headquarters of the International Committee of the Red Cross in Gaza City, on April 16, 2026. Palestinians on Thursday marked Palestinian Prisoners' Day with rallies and demonstrations across the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, calling for the repeal of an Israeli law permitting the execution of Palestinian prisoners. (Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua)

Palestinians participate in a demonstration to mark Palestinian Prisoners' Day, in the West Bank city of Ramallah, on April 16, 2026.

Palestinians on Thursday marked Palestinian Prisoners' Day with rallies and demonstrations across the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, calling for the repeal of an Israeli law permitting the execution of Palestinian prisoners.

Events were organized by Palestinian institutions and factions, with protests held in city centers and outside offices of the International Committee of the Red Cross. Participants raised Palestinian flags, held photos of detainees, and chanted slogans in solidarity with prisoners. (Photo by Nidal Eshtayeh/Xinhua)
Hydrogen is becoming increasingly important as an alternative to oil and gas for energy, but whether it is really climate friendly depends on how it is produced.

The Fraunhofer Institute for Systems and Innovation Research (ISI) in Germany evaluated more than 100 fact checks about the substance and found where hydrogen will become the technology of choice, where it will not and what is needed for its success.

Hydrogen can be produced in many different ways. In the end, it is always a gas with molecules made up of two hydrogen atoms whose origin is not immediately apparent.

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Where hydrogen comes from varies widely. Grey and black or brown hydrogen is produced using gas (grey) or coal (black or brown) and generates carbon dioxide (CO2).

Blue and turquoise hydrogen is also produced from gas, but the CO2 produced is either captured and stored (blue) or the carbon is produced as a solid (turquoise).

With red, orange or green hydrogen, the gas is produced by electrolysis. The key here is where the electricity comes from. The authors cite nuclear energy (red), biomass (orange) and renewable energy such as wind or solar (green).

Production method and costs are key

When it comes to hydrogen, origins matter, as today the gas is currently produced worldwide "almost entirely" from fossil sources, mainly natural gas and coal. For it to contribute meaningfully to climate protection, the share of production from climate-friendly sources would have to rise massively. The authors say sustainable hydrogen will "probably only be available on a larger scale in the 2030s."

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"At present, green hydrogen in particular, produced using renewable energies, is significantly more expensive than fossil alternatives," the analysis says. The authors see grey hydrogen as the cheapest option, at $1 to $2 per kilogram. Green hydrogen currently costs around $7 to $19 per kilo and is therefore much more expensive. However, this figure is expected to fall. Forecasts differ on how quickly. The authors assume it will still be at least twice as expensive as grey hydrogen in 2030.

Today's biggest hydrogen users are refineries and plants that produce ammonia, which the authors say will remain important. They see steel production, the transport sector and the energy sector as further major future buyers.

"Hydrogen is particularly highly relevant where direct electrification reaches physical or economic limits," the authors write. In the transport sector, they see this above all in heavy goods transport, international shipping and aviation.

Lead author Nils Bittner does not believe hydrogen will be able to save gas heating. "Hydrogen heating systems are technically feasible but not cost-efficient for use in private households," he says. "For the foreseeable future, there will not be enough low-cost hydrogen available for widespread use." However, he says larger local use, such as in district heating or for combined heat and power plants could be considered depending on regional conditions.

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Bittner is also sceptical about using hydrogen to store energy for the electricity supply. Producing green hydrogen with the aim of generating electricity from it again currently makes sense "only in exceptional cases due to the high conversion losses" - for example for emergency generators.

China the leader, Europe behind

There is much debate about using hydrogen-powered fuel-cell cars, with some saying they could help the climate, while others see the benefits as limited.

The authors put global hydrogen production of all types at around 100 million tons. The largest producer is China, where the gas is mainly produced using coal.

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The European Union wants to produce 10 million tons of green hydrogen by 2030. Germany wants to produce about a quarter of that. However, that is not enough to cover demand.

On the industrial side, Europe would actually have a strong starting position. Europe has a "historically strong industrial base in the field of electrolysis technologies," the authors write. "Earlier analyses show that European companies at times held around 60% of global electrolyser manufacturing capacity and around 40% of the relevant patents." German companies were also very active.

But current developments point to a shift: "China in particular has significantly expanded its production capacities in recent years and has now taken on a central role in global electrolyser manufacturing."
The White House exodus continues as another top aide to President Donald Trump has headed to the exit.

The Daily Mail reports that Lea Bardon, Trumps so-called cabinet fixer, left the administration last week for the private sector.

As the White House director of cabinet affairs, Bardon was the liaison to the chiefs of staff of every Trump cabinet member.

In that role, it was Bardons job to ensure that each cabinet department was in lockstep with White House political and policy priorities.

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Bardon will now work for The Sovereign Advisors, a public affairs firm based in Washington, D.C.

She will head up the Innovation Council Action, an outside, Trump-aligned group responsible for pushing de-regulation in critical technology, including AI.

The Sovereign Advisors company is headed by another former top Trump aide, Taylor Budowich.

Budowich was an advisor and deputy chief of staff to the president before leaving the Trump administration last fall.

In what is viewed as a part of a major reset ahead of the 2026 midterm elections, Trump earlier this year fired two top cabinet officials: Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and Attorney General Pam Bondi.

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It was also recently announced that Deputy Chief of Staff James Blair will take a temporary leave from the White House to help with Trumps campaign efforts ahead of the midterms.

James Blair, my Deputy Chief of Staff, is one of the brightest political minds in the Country who has done tremendous work to prepare Republicans to defy longstanding history and win the Midterms, just as he helped me do in 2024, by a landslide, Trump wrote on Truth Social.

Blair ran Trumps 2024 campaign and headed up the White Houses political operation.

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President Donald Trump believes he has found a prescription to fix the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: a four-person team to lead an agency charged with advising Americans on navigating health challenges that has seen a precipitous decline in public trust.

Trump on Thursday named Erica Schwartz, a deputy U.S. surgeon general during his first term, as his pick to lead the agency.

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She is a STAR! he wrote on his Truth Social platform. The role requires Senate confirmation.

The president also named Sean Slovenski, a former Walmart executive, as a CDC deputy director and chief operating officer; Jennifer Shuford, an infectious-disease physician who is Texass health commissioner, as a CDC deputy director and chief medical officer; and Sara Brenner, a senior FDA official and former acting commissioner, as senior counselor for public health.

These Highly Respected Doctors of Medicine have the knowledge, experience, and TOP degrees to restore the GOLD STANDARD OF SCIENCE at the CDC, Trump wrote.

The Washington Post reported Tuesday that Schwartz, Slovenski, Shuford and Brenner were the White Houses planned picks to lead the CDC.

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Trumps latest attempt to put his stamp on the CDC comes amid questions about whether the agency will continue to implement Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.s vaccine agenda or back away ahead of the midterm elections, with many voters opposed to Kennedys efforts to roll back vaccine policies.

During a House budget hearing Thursday, moments before Trumps announcement, Kennedy said it was an extraordinary team that has gotten applause from both Republicans and Democrats. He added: I think this new team is really going to be able to revolutionize CDC and get it back on track and get it doing the job that it does better than any other health agency in the world.

Trump officials concluded that the CDC had diverted from its original mission of preventing disease and responding to outbreaks, with the agencys operational challenges and messaging struggles exposed during the coronavirus response, according to four people with knowledge of the administrations CDC review and staff selection process who spoke on the condition of anonymity to share internal deliberations. The CDCs past leaders have offered similar diagnoses: Robert Redfield, Trumps first-term director of the agency, has been a public critic of the CDCs pace and decision-making; Rochelle Walensky, who led the agency during the Biden administration, also sought to overhaul the CDC before she left the government.

Many public health experts - including some of the candidates that the administration approached to become the CDCs next leader - believe that Trumps own actions deeply damaged an organization long considered to be the worlds premier public health agency. A few candidates for CDC director asked for the authority to hire and fire staff and operate with greater independence from Kennedy; they were ultimately not selected, according to three people familiar with the process who spoke on the condition of anonymity to share internal deliberations.

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Under Kennedy, the federal government has cut the number of shots routinely recommended to children and directed the CDC to update its website to contradict its longtime guidance that vaccines dont cause autism, moves that medical and public health experts say conflict with long-standing scientific evidence.

Officials with knowledge of the selection process said that Schwartz - if confirmed by the Senate - would get a free hand to run the CDC with little interference, assuming she proves up to the task.

The goal is for her to come in and run her agency, said one official who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss internal operations, pointing to Mehmet Oz, who oversees the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, as a model leader.

After the Trump administrations initial moves to dramatically shake up the CDC, internal considerations about the agency have changed in recent months amid controversies over Kennedy-directed vaccine changes, said a former senior HHS official who served in Trumps first term and then in the Biden administration, speaking on the condition of anonymity to discuss personnel decisions. That shift is increasing the urgency of filling the CDC director role after recent failed attempts, the former official said. Doing so will require a capable leader - she is far more qualified than previous nominees - and a willingness to stop sidelining the CDC and let it get back to its job.

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Some experts, including Jeffrey Klausner, an infectious-disease physician and informal adviser to Kennedy, say the underlying politics may be shifting too.

People recognize that the majority of Americans want safe and effective vaccines, and the politics of anti-vax dont work, Klausner said.

But Aaron Siri, a Kennedy ally and top lawyer for a group known for suing over vaccine safety and mandates, criticized Schwartz in a post on X, saying she would likely be a disaster.

He wrote: Schwartz led nationwide Covid-19 vaccine deployment and her long track record of directly issuing rights-crushing civilian and military vaccine mandates, including mandating injection of smallpox, anthrax, and flu vaccines into U.S. Forces, and [disciplining] those that refused, reflects she lacks the basic ethics and morals to lead the CDC.

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Schwartz did not respond to requests for comment.

The new CDC leadership team would inherit legal battles related to Kennedys vaccine changes, a growing measles outbreak - with more than 1,700 cases reported this year - and a workforce shaken by months of upheaval.

While the selections have drawn praise from public health experts and former officials, some former CDC officials said the real test will be whether the agencys scientific work is insulated from political influence. Political appointees with ties to Childrens Health Defense, the anti-vaccine group Kennedy founded, or who hold similar views, are still working at or advising HHS.

Debra Houry, the CDCs former chief medical officer, said she would view the changes as more than window dressing only if political appointees stop presenting partial data at the agencys federal vaccine advisory panel and allow accurate information to guide clinical recommendations - rather than leaving a confused public to turn elsewhere for guidance.

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Houry praised political appointees Jerome Adams, who served as surgeon general, and Brett Giroir, an assistant secretary for health, for their responses during the pandemic under the first Trump administration. Houry was one of three senior officials to resign last summer to protest the ouster of then-CDC Director Susan Monarez, who left after clashing with Kennedy over vaccine policy.

Demetre Daskalakis, who oversaw the CDCs center on immunizations and respiratory diseases and also resigned in August over Monarezs departure, said the challenges run deeper than any leadership reshuffle.

I dont think there can be a successful executive team at CDC with the level of HHS animus toward public health, he said.

During the search, candidates with more traditional public health backgrounds sought promises of autonomy to lead the agency and keep science insulated from political influence, according to three people with knowledge of the candidate search who spoke on the condition of anonymity to share internal discussions.

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One person contacted about the job did not get a follow-up inquiry after they said they wanted direct access to the president and full hiring and firing authority, similar to that of Oz.

For whatever reason, CMS has been insulated from the radical changes that the rest of HHS has experienced, said the person, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to share internal discussions, referring to the CDC, the FDA and the National Institutes of Health.

Leadership turbulence

Trump officials also determined that the problems at the CDC ran deeper than any single leader could address, driving their desire to make multiple picks.

Slovenski has operational experience after working at Walmart, the worlds largest private employer. Shuford has credibility with GOP officials after leading the health department of the nations largest state led by Republicans. Brenner served as FDA acting commissioner at the start of Trumps second term.

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Brenner would be expected to work out of Washington, while the other officials would be based in Atlanta.

The selections of Schwartz, Slovenski, Shuford and Brenner came after a roughly six-week process of canvassing candidates, people familiar with the process said. Some candidates, like Joseph Marine, a Johns Hopkins cardiologist, were championed by the Make America Healthy Again advocates. Others, like former Kentucky governor Ernie Fletcher and Mississippi State Health Department chief Daniel Edney, were seen as more traditional public health choices.

The process also reflects the influence of Chris Klomp, a longtime health care entrepreneur whom the White House elevated to be chief counselor of HHS. Klomp drew on his business-world experience to assemble a team intended to bring different capabilities, skill sets and constituencies, said three people familiar with the selections. Kennedy signed off on Klomps selections.

Schwartz, a longtime government employee and health care leader, is well-regarded in public health circles. She left government in early 2021 after the incoming Biden administration told her that she would not be selected to serve as acting U.S. surgeon general. In recent months, she has posted videos to Instagram focused on preventing chronic conditions, hyping private Medicare plans and touting the benefits of walking amid MAHAs focus on addressing chronic diseases.

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The selection of Schwartz, a longtime Navy officer and a retired rear admiral in the Commissioned Corps of the U.S. Public Health Service, would mark the third time the administration has tried to put a permanent director in place at the nations leading public health agency - an unusually turbulent stretch for an institution responsible for tracking outbreaks, guiding vaccine policy and responding to public health emergencies. The CDC has been without a permanent director for all but 29 days since Trump took office in January 2025.

Midterms, MAHA and morale

As the midterm elections loom and Republicans seek to maintain control of the House and Senate, Trump administration officials have recently downplayed their push to overhaul vaccine policy and instead touted their work on nutrition and drug pricing. Vaccine messaging is seen as too polarizing, officials have said, as some Republicans - including Trumps chief pollster - warn that skepticism toward vaccine requirements is politically risky.

Under Kennedy, the CDC enacted the most sweeping and controversial reduction to the childhood vaccine schedule in decades. Public health and medical experts warned the changes, announced in January, could weaken protections against deadly vaccine-preventable diseases. Kennedy defended the move as protecting children and rebuilding trust in public health, yet he has rarely mentioned vaccines in recent podcast interviews and a national tour to highlight his MAHA initiatives.

Administration officials view MAHA as a key part of a winning midterm coalition, but the movement led by Kennedy comprises varied - and at times competing - priorities focused on pushing healthier foods, tighter regulations over pesticides and eliminating vaccine mandates.

Those tensions have already surfaced in decisions around vaccine policy and advisory panels.

A federal judge last month ruled that members of Kennedys handpicked vaccine advisory panel - the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices - had been improperly appointed, citing a rushed process and lack of expertise. Kennedy had dismissed the panels 17 members in June and replaced them with new appointees, several of whom have expressed skepticism about vaccines. The judge also blocked the Trump administration from implementing Kennedys sweeping changes to the childhood immunization schedule.

In addition to managing politics, the new CDC leader will have to manage a workforce depleted by departures and, according to current and former officials, shaken by a workplace shooting and political pressures.

Layoffs, resignations and retirements have hollowed out expertise, leaving many programs led by interim officials, while the directors office is staffed by more than a dozen political appointees, few with medical backgrounds, according to current and former officials.

At an all-hands meeting last month with Jay Bhattacharya, the NIH director who is overseeing the CDC during the search for a permanent agency director, employees voiced frustration recalling an attack at the CDCs Atlanta headquarters last summer by a gunman who appeared to distrust the coronavirus vaccine.

We still have bullet holes from the terrorist attack, one employee said to sustained applause, according to a video obtained by The Washington Post.

Were missing a lot of trust in our leadership.  What are you planning to do to rebuild our trust in all of you? another employee asked, to even longer applause.

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A new name will soon be etched on the door of the presidents office at Utahs Westminster University.

The Salt Lake City private school announced Wednesday that Sylvia Torti will be the institutions 20th president when Westminster President Beth Dobkin retires later this year.

Hired in 2018, Dobkin is Utahs longest-tenured university president.

The Westminster job wont be Tortis first experience leading a higher education institution. She currently serves on the opposite end of the country as president of the College of the Atlantic in Bar Harbor, Maine.

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But Westminsters new chief wont need a GPS app to find her way around the Salt Lake.

For 11 years  from 2012 to 2023  Torti served as the University of Utahs dean of the Honors College.

Torti holds a Ph.D. from the University of Utah School of Biological Sciences and a bachelors degree from Earlham College.

We are absolutely thrilled to announce Dr. Tortis appointment to become our twentieth president, said Westminster board of trustees Chair Preston Chiaro in a university release.

The Board has enormous confidence in Dr. Tortis ability to embrace change while honoring our core mission and lead us into the future.

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Tortis hiring follows a national search that stretched over several months. The presidential search committee included Westminster trustees and representatives from the schools staff, faculty, student body, alumni and trustee emeriti.

Added board of trustees Vice Chair Amy Wadsworth and trustee Danny Giovale in a joint statement: Dr. Tortis extensive experience in higher education, from leading a small liberal arts college within an R1 research university right here in Utah to becoming a rapidly transformative leader at a well-respected institution like College of the Atlantic immediately stood out to us as the right leader to take Westminster into the future.

Westminsters soon-to-be president called her selection an incredible honor.

Ive long admired Westminsters unique role in the ecosystem of higher education in Utah  rooted in the liberal arts and dedicated to building meaningful lives through learning, said Torti in a school release.

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Higher education is more than the first step toward a job  its about developing personal meaning for the kind of life one will lead and building capacities to use ones talents for the common good.

University of Utah President Taylor Randall is enthused for his former colleagues return to the states academic community.

As former dean of the U.s Honors College, she brings a deep commitment to student success, engagement, and the kind of innovative leadership that will strengthen higher education in our state, said Randall in a statement provided to the Deseret News.

This is an exciting moment for Westminster  and I wish Sylvia the best as she takes on this new role.

A memorable couple of years at one of Utahs oldest colleges

The selection of the schools 20th president comes at a historic moment at the college nestled in the citys Sugar House neighborhood.

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Last year, the institution  which was founded in 1875 by the First Presbyterian Church  celebrated its 150th birthday.

The school made regional higher education history when Westminster College became the first accredited two-year junior college in the Intermountain West region. By 1935, it was a four-year college and, in 1949, began offering bachelor degrees in several majors.

The school ended its denominational relationship with the Presbyterian Church in 1974.

Then in 2023, the school became Westminster University, reflecting its wide range of graduate and professional degree offerings.

Approximately 1,100 undergraduate and graduate students call Westminster University their current academic home.

A presidents mission: Grow enrollment  while remaining financially sound

In her first years as Westminsters president, Torti will focus on uniting the campus around a shared vision from growing enrollment and ensuring the universitys long-term financial health, according to the university.

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Key priorities reportedly will include expanding community partnerships, increasing fundraising, improving how Westminster tells its story to prospective students, and aligning academic programs to prepare students for both workforce readiness and meaningful careers.

While at the University of Utah, Torti directed a liberal arts and sciences college of more than 2,200 students within a major research university.

During her tenure, the honors college significantly expanded its faculty, staff, and budget; increased honors degree completion by 150%, doubled student diversity, and raised significant support for scholarships and programs, according to the news release.

A prolific writer, Torti has also published across a variety of genres  including scientific work and creative writing and fiction.

After attending Westminster Universitys 151st commencement exercises on May 9, Torti is expected to begin her leadership role at the school in July and be formally inaugurated this fall.
NEED TO KNOW

Keith McAllister, 61, tragically died after he was sucked into a Nassau Open MRI machine in July 2025, while wearing a "large metallic chain"

His widow, Adrienne Jones-McAllister, is suing the radiology office, claiming it failed to warn McAllister to remove his necklace before entering the MRI room

Jones-McAllister is seeking damages, alleging that the incident caused her severe emotional trauma and physical injuries

A New York radiology office is being accused of negligence in connection with a freak accident where a man died after getting sucked into an MRI machine while wearing a metal necklace.

Adrienne Jones-McAllister, 61, is suing Nassau Open MRI after her husband, Keith McAllister, 61, tragically died following injuries sustained by the MRI machine, according to court documents obtained by PEOPLE.

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On July 16, 2025, Jones-McAllister was accompanied by McAllister to the office while she received an MRI of her knee. After the imaging was complete, the technician asked McAllister to move Jones-McAllister off the table.

McAllister was wearing a large metallic chain around his neck, which caused him to be drawn into" the machine, according to the complaint. Jones-McAllister witnessed and was totally aware through all of her senses as her husband suffered through his injuries up until his July 17 death, the filing claims.

As a result, Jones-McAllister claims that her late husband's death was caused by the defendant's negligent, wanton, reckless and careless acts, which were a result of the office's allowing "dangerous, hazardous and/or unsafe conditions to exist," and failing to inform McAllister to remove the chain from his neck and permitting him to enter the MRI room.

Keith McAllister

Credit: GoFundMe

Following her husband's death, Jones-McAllister sustained severe and serious personal, psychological and emotional injuries to her mind and body, including pain, disability, disfigurement and loss of body function, according to the complaint.

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As a result of the injuries, she had to cover the costs for the medical care in an effort to alleviate the suffering and ills sustained."

She is seeking an undisclosed amount of damages that a jury would find fair, adequate and just.

Jones-McAllister previously recalled her husband's tragic death, explaining that he suffered several heart attacks, News 12 Long Island reported. "He went limp in my arms, she told the outlet in July 2025.

Jones-McAllister and the MRI technician allegedly spent several minutes trying to free McAllister before police were called, according to a GoFundMe fundraiser created by Jones-McAllister's daughter, Samantha Bodden.

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Upon the authorities' arrival, McAllister remained attached to the machine "for almost an hour before they could release the chain from the machine."

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.

PEOPLE reached out to the attorneys for Adrienne Jones-McAllister and Nassau Open MRI for comment.

Read the original article on People
The widow and son of the late Cook County Commissioner Dennis Deer were found dead Tuesday night, Cook County Board of commissioners confirmed.

Illinois Governor JB Pritzker is among the political and civic leaders offering condolences to the Deer family as community members mourn this tragedy.

Barbara and Kaleb Deer were found shot in a home on Tuesday in the 3500-block of West Arthington Street at about 5:50 p.m.

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Chicago police said 51-year-old Barbara had been shot three times. Kaleb, 23, had a single gunshot wound to the head.

The Cook County Medical Examiner's Office has determined it was a murder-suicide.

If you are experiencing suicidal, substance use or other mental health crises please call or text the new three-digit code at 988. You will reach a trained crisis counselor for free, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. You can also go to 988lifeline.org.

Cook County Board Commissioners and the Chicago City Council both shared their condolences and paused for a moment of silence on Wednesday.

"It's very troubling," Cook County Board Commissioner Stanley Moore said. "I couldn't sleep last night. I feel very sorry for the children their daughter was away at school."

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"They were pillars in the North Lawndale community for years, and years just wonderful friends and family of faith," Cook County Board Commissioner Michael Scott Jr. said.

Dennis Deer died from complications from a double lung transplant in 2024.

Homan Square neighbors gathered Wednesday evening to honor Barbara Deer. She had organized a community walk starting Wednesday night, but they had to walk without their beloved neighbor.

"You never know if someone there is still mourning from the loss of something, and you never know what families are going through so we are trying to be supportive," neighbor Rev. Chris Griffin said.

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"It's devastating," neighbor Karen Archer said. "I'm at a loss for words. I'm overwhelmed. My kids and Barbara's kids grew up together."

Barbara Deer was the executive director of the Juneteenth Illinois. ABC7 spoke with her at last year's celebration.

The president of Malcom X College, David Sanders, worked with Dennis Deer on Juneteenth Illinois at Malcolm X and worked with Barbara when she took over for her husband.

"We were looking forward to this year," Sander said. "I was just devastated it's hard to understand what's going on in life today, but this is a loss. A big loss."

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The Deers have two surviving children, Kaleb's twin brother and a daughter.

Among the things they shared about Barbara, she was active in her AKA sorority and she was thrilled to be a grandmother to her first grandchild, a baby girl.

With a release of emotions and balloons in Barbara's sorority colors, her neighbors and friends started the process of saying farewell Wednesday night.

Neighbors are also planning to have a memorial this Friday.

"My deepest condolences to the Deer family, their loved ones, and the 2nd District community during this difficult time," Gov. Pritzker said in a statement. "Our hearts are with you all as you heal from this incomprehensible loss."

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Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle said in a statement, "Today, we mourn alongside the Deer family as they endure another heartbreaking and unimaginable loss with the passing of former Commissioner Dennis Deer's beloved wife and son. The Deer family has long been well known in the community for their compassion and steadfast commitment to others. Their presence and service touched countless lives. There are no words that can make sense of such pain, but I hope the surviving family members find strength in the love that surrounds them. I extend my deepest condolences to all who loved them. We hold the Deer family in our hearts and prayers during this incredibly difficult time."

Bob Reiter, president of the Chicago Federation of Labor, said in a statement, "The Deer Family is a part of the CFL Family. They have always been advocates for social and economic justice, public health, and visibility for those often overlooked. As we grapple with the tragic deaths of Barbara and Kaleb, I'm comforted by the memory of my dear friend Dennis, whose enduring spirit lives with me every day. It is with that spirit that we will work to continue the legacy of the Deers in all the ways that they supported the Lawndale Communities and beyond, as we comfort and pray for the Deer Family."
The Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (DPI) told lawmakers on Wednesday that it did not violate open meetings law during a 2024 standards setting meeting and that additional staff would help fulfill open records requests.

Republican lawmakers and conservatives have continued to scrutinize the agency over new state standards that were adopted in 2024. Recently, they have turned their attention to a four-day meeting held in June 2024 at Chula Vista, a water park resort in the Wisconsin Dells. The purpose of the meeting was to set new state testing standards for the Forward Exam, the standardized test that Wisconsin third graders through eighth graders take each year. The event brought together 88 educators and DPI staff to discuss and help set the new standards.

Republicans on the Assembly Government Operations, Accountability and Transparency Committee (GOAT) called the informational hearing to ask the agency about its policies, procedures and compliance regarding open meetings laws and open records laws as well as the standard-setting and benchmarking process for the Forward Exam.

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The hearing was scheduled one day after the Institute for Reforming Government (IRG), a conservative-leaning nonpartisan think tank, filed a complaint in Adams County, alleging that the state agency violated open meetings law with the 2024 meeting. The suit asks that the Adams County district attorney bring charges against DPI and seek a declaration that they repeatedly violated Wisconsins open meetings law. The DA has 20 days to decide.

Rep. Nate Gustafson (R-Omro) said there appeared to be a lot of fog around the meeting.

You have this meeting that happened that we have no records of other than a private vendor worked with DPI on standardized testing, Gustafson said. Then we have the superintendent come out and lower standards across schools, and there is this cost with no record of what the standard is.

Andrew Hoyer-Booth, DPI legislative liaison, told lawmakers at the start of the hearing that its a distraction from DPIs work.

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Modernizing our standards and assessments to align with the education landscape in Wisconsin and meet the needs of our students was a multi-year effort, Hoyer-Booth said. While those who dont like the outcome seek to attack the process, the DPI is focused on the pressing issues of school funding, student academic achievement, educator recruitment and retention and student mental health.

Lawmakers were prompted to look into the waterpark meeting by a report from Brian Fraley for the Dairyland Sentinel and complaints that the papers open records requests werent fulfilled for more than a year by DPI.

I just think the public expects that when a record is requested that they do receive it in a reasonable amount of time, and I dont think its unreasonable for people to think that this amount of time is an unreasonable amount of time, Assembly Majority Leader Tyler August (R-Walworth) said.

Rich Judge, an assistant state superintendent, said Data Recognition Corporation (DRC), the vendor DPI works with each year to update the assessment and ensure it is valid and up to date, is a private company not a governmental body subject to Wisconsins open meeting laws.

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DRC is not a government body. It is a private contractor in the same way that Microsoft is not a government body, Apples not a government body. People who do business with the Department of Public Instruction  those are contractors who perform a service for it, he said.

Judge compared the work DRC did for DPI to the Legislature hiring lawyers to help with redistricting or state agencies contracting with engineering firms or software companies.

Judge likened the meeting to a lot of middle-aged people taking the SAT for an entire day or two. He said the content of the meeting was confidential because it involves evaluating real test questions that could go before students.

The standard-setting information is all public information, and its all readily available information, and it gets reviewed regularly, but as it relates to the specific meeting or this specific part of that conference, that was not a public meeting, Judge said.

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Rep. Mike Bare (D-Verona) said he didnt see a reason for the committee hearing.

It seems to me the motive behind this hearing  and the complaint  is it fits the majoritys ongoing and systematic efforts to dismantle public education, Bare said.

Youre required by a statute to do this work, Bare told DPI representatives. Its in the public interest that you do this work. I think we appreciate that you do this work and just like all state government entities, you do value openness, complying with those statutes, complying with open records, complying with open meetings where its appropriate, where it makes sense. You gave a good argument for why, in this case those laws dont apply.

DPI paid more than $368,000 for the meeting and work by the contractor.

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The meeting, according to DPI, cost about $219,000, which included lodging, meals, travel reimbursement, meeting expenses, laptops and hotspots. The remaining cost was for the work done by DRC included planning, facilitating the meeting and writing a final report.

Nedweski said the amount is pretty mind-blowing. DPI said, however, that the cost is less than what other states pay for similar efforts.

DPI said the total cost of the standards-setting work was about $30,740 per grade and subject. Similar work done by DRC for other states has ranged from $48,500 to $94,000 per grade/subject, according to DPI.

Judge noted that the distinguished co-chair of the Joint Finance Committee Rep. Mark Born (R-Beaver Dam) found the meeting to be a routine conference. Lawmakers on the Joint Finance Committee delayed the release of funds for the agency so they could review the spending for the conference after the Dairyland Sentinel report. Born made the comments after the committee decided to release the funds to the agency.

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All due respect to my esteemed colleague, Im in disagreement with him on this being an appropriate amount to spend, Nedweski said. Only one-third of the kids in the state can read at grade level. What are we getting for this?

Judge said he thought Nedweski was making a political argument that was out of the scope of the hearings purpose. He added that there are only about two contractors in the U.S. who do the type of standards-setting work needed.

There are plenty of folks who think that assessments are not appropriate, but this legislative body is not one of them. They have regularly required that we have state assessments. It certainly would be in your power as a legislator to say were not going to do standardized testing anymore, Judge said.

When it comes to timing on fulfilling requests, Hoyer-Booth said the agency is in compliance with state law, but noted that DPI has received over 1,000 open records requests between Jan. 1, 2023 and April 2026. He said there are two factors that affect response times: the simplicity of the request and the agencys finite staff. There are no staff members dedicated to fulfilling these requests.

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The same staff responsible for investigating teacher licensing and educator misconduct are the same individuals tasked with fulfilling open records requests, Hoyer-Booth said. DPI believes firmly that our agency must prioritize urgent matters, particularly investigations involving student safety. We hope the committee does that as well.

Bare suggested that lawmakers advocate for additional staffing resources for the agency to fulfill requests in a more timely manner.

If youre interested in pushing in the next budget for DPI to have the resources that they need to be responsive in a more timely way. Would you be interested in a bill now to get them attorney positions, records specialists to get them what they need to be more timely compliant? Bare asked Nedweski. Are you willing to commit to that?

The taxpayers are getting more and more frustrated because theyre not seeing outcomes. Were spending more and more per student, and we have less outcomes  were not going to talk about that, Nedweski said.

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Thats what the hearings about, Bare said.

I think that they have plenty of resources. One of the things they could do is probably bring people back to work in the office, Nedweski said. They have so many people working remotely.

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The number of people aged over 65 still in work in Germany has risen by about 46% over the past five years to around 1.9 million, official figures showed on Thursday.

The trend has been building for years, driven in part by a gradual increase in the statutory retirement age from 65 to 67, with the threshold reaching at least 66 years and two months in 2025.

Early retirement typically comes with reduced benefits, encouraging more older people to remain in the workforce.

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Official figures show that 1.28 million people over 65 were registered as employed in 2020, rising steadily to 1.88 million in 2025.

Of these, 653,000 were aged 70 or older, up from 469,000 in 2020, while about 229,000 were over 75, compared with 175,000 five years earlier.

Experts cite multiple factors behind the rise, including labour shortages, personal motivation and financial necessity.

The data from the Federal Statistical Office was requested by the minor Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance (BSW) party.

Founder Sahra Wagenknecht said many older people were not working by choice but out of financial need, adding that the increase suggests hundreds of thousands of pensioners are compelled to supplement relatively low incomes.

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She said Germany could look to Austria's pension system as a model, where payouts are higher on average, though contribution rates are also higher.

Despite the increase, older workers still represent a relatively small share. Around 18.4 million people in Germany were aged over 65 in 2025, while the total workforce was about 42.5 million.
Even as crypto entrepreneurs boost their security, wrench attacks keep happening, particularly in France. But whos behind the violent home invasions?

According to a new investigation by Franceinfo, a crime boss is usually pulling the strings  and often outside of the country where the crime takes place.

The pattern of low-level executors and a remote mastermind giving orders by phone is one investigators have clearly identified for several years now, a Wednesday deep dive into the criminal phenomenon read.

Great report out of France that details how organized crime gangs carrying out crypto wrench attacks operate.



1. Mastermind isn't in the country

2. Thugs recruited on social media & considered expendable

3. Poor intel quality  wrong targetshttps://t.co/NJZmLIXgQm  Jameson Lopp (@lopp) April 16, 2026

These are pyramid-structured organizations with ties to drug trafficking that are being monitored.

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And those carrying out the dirty work are disposable young thugs recruited through social media.

Wrench attacks  when physical violence is used to steal someones crypto  have surged in recent years, with 2025 the worst year on record . Attacks have surged this year, with France the epicenter of the crimes.

Cannon fodder

The new report from Franceinfo speaks to the victim of a wrench attack, who criminals targeted because they believed his son held large amounts of crypto.

According to the investigation, the criminals in the operation were aged 19 to 23, and wore identical outfits  including balaclavas.

They joked during the ordeal, Franceinfo reported, suggesting their relaxed attitude towards using violence.

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The man giving instructions via a phone call appeared angrier, ordering them to cut off the victims finger.

According to the report, foot soldiers are typically paid a few thousand euros and are easily disposed of by crime bosses  with one source describing them as cannon fodder.

Police were immediately able to arrest the criminals after they released their hostage, Franceinfo reported.

Why France?

France has been the epicenter of the attacks, with the report noting 20 attacks happening in the country since 2023.

But Bitcoin developer Jameson Lopp created a tool tracking the attacks which notes 19 attacks happening in France alone in 2026.

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The European country has been a favorite for wrench attacks after databases containing crypto investors personal details  including home addresses  were leaked .

Criminals have since been able to use the data to target investors.

One high-profile case saw crooks kidnap David Balland, co-founder of crypto hardware wallet brand Ledger, and his wife in France.

Criminals held the pair for around 24 hours before they were rescued by the French authorities.




San Franciscans who venture out this weekend should brace for a traffic horror show, with drivers laying on their horns or obsessively checking their navigation apps.

Such chaos may be difficult to avoid as Caltrans officials plan to shut down eastbound Interstate 80 between 17th and Fourth streets, along with the northbound and southbound ramps from Highway 101 to I-80. The closure, necessary for workers to make ongoing repairs to the freeway's viaducts, will begin at 11 p.m. Friday night, and last through 6 a.m. Monday.

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During that period, drivers heading from the Peninsula toward the Bay Bridge will come to a halt after Hospital Curve and be forced to exit at Vermont Street. The line of cars will then snake through Potrero Hill and crawl into SoMa, bypassing 1.6 miles of freeway before reentering at Fifth Street. Caltrans has provided maps for detour routes at sfhighwayprojects.com.

Above the sluggish mass of automobiles, workers in hard hats and safety vests will mobilize on an empty stretch of freeway, tearing into the asphalt with heavy-duty machines.



"This is a major rehabilitation," said Caltrans spokesperson Lori Shepherd, explaining that crews will replace a joint across the full width of the freeway deck. After performing what's essentially roadbed surgery, they will patch the area with durable polyester concrete. The material cures quickly, limiting disruptions to traffic.

Still, any East Bay resident who considered driving to Golden Gate Park this weekend may want to take the N-Judah train instead.

Scenes of Carmageddon are relatively uncommon in San Francisco, but this forthcoming crush of people and vehicles could rival the nightmare traffic of a well-attended Dreamforce conference, Giants game at Oracle Park or Warriors game at Chase Center. Staff at Caltrans have urged people to take public transportation, which could help alleviate congestion or at least lower cortisol levels.

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Anyone landing Friday night at San Francisco International Airport and commuting home to an East Bay suburb has ample options, including SamTrans buses and BART.

This article originally published at You've been warned: S.F. freeway closure could mean Carmageddon'.
LUSAKA, April 16 (Xinhua) -- China's zero-tariff treatment for products from 53 African countries with diplomatic ties with China will significantly boost African countries' development and catalyze their industrial transformation, Zambian experts said Thursday.

Fredrick Mutesa, secretary-general of the Zambia-China Friendship Association, told Xinhua that the move will present great development opportunities for the African countries.

He called on African countries to closely study the requirements for entry into the Chinese market if they are to reap maximum benefits.

"Capacity building in this area can be done through existing cooperation arrangements with the Chinese government," he said, noting that there is a need to enhance the export capacity of African countries, particularly in value addition.

Mutesa also emphasized the importance of creating incentives for domestic industries with the potential to compete in international markets, while also attracting foreign direct investment to boost local production.

He further urged reforms in local education systems to produce skills that match the demands of the global economy, adding that skills in digital transformation and environmentally friendly technologies should form part of the package.

Kelvin Chisanga, an economist in Zambia, told Xinhua that the policy will enhance the competitiveness of African goods, creating new prospects for sectors such as mining, agriculture, and manufacturing.

While acknowledging that the policy decision will act as a catalyst for industrial transformation, Chisanga noted that strategic investment in agro-processing, export infrastructure, and standards compliance will be critical to unlocking the full benefits.

According to him, China's zero-tariff policy offers Zambia and other African countries a timely gateway to accelerate export-led growth. 
The Yuba County Sheriff's Department announced Wednesday the arrest of Isaac Pearce, 18, for attempted murder and multiple firearm-related offenses, according to county records.

The arrest occurred at 7:30 a.m., April 13 as the result of an investigation involving the Yuba City Police Department and the Yuba County Sheriff's Department

The charge is attempted murder, Yuba County Sheriff's Department spokesperson Katy Goodson said.

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Pearce was apprehended after Yuba County deputies and officers from the Yuba City Police Department served a search warrant on the 1800 block of Fernwood Drive in Linda, where they reportedly found a Glock handgun illegally equipped to convert to full automatic.

Pearce was arrested at that location and booked into the Yuba County Jail at 11 a.m. where his bail was set at $25,000, according to inmate records Goodson confirmed that Pearce is a documented gang member but did not specify which gang, a standard policy among California law enforcement agencies, though reporters can often obtain that information later through court hearings and transcripts.

The Yuba City Police Department also booked Pearce on an attempted murder ramey warrant from a previous incident within their jurisdiction, Goodson said.

Ramey warrants are arrest warrants issued before formal criminal charges are filed allowing officers to arrest a suspect when probable cause exists without waiting for the district attorney to file a criminal complaint.

It's a quicker warrant process, Goodson said. In some cases, you can go directly to the judge.
On April 14, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy traveled to Germany and Norway to meet with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stoere. During these visits, the European leaders discussed defense cooperation between Germany, Norway, and Ukraine. They also addressed drone production, with Ukraine offering its expertise and technology to both countries. In exchange, Germany and Ukraine agreed to a 4 billion defense package while Norway pledged to continue assisting Ukraine.

Zelenskyys visits to Berlin and Oslo on April 14 came shortly after he and other Ukrainian officials met with their counterparts in Turkey as well as countries across the Middle East in late March and early April. During these diplomatic visits, the Ukrainians offered their drone expertise to Jordan, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates. In addition, Zelenskyy signed long-term military cooperation agreements with Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE. He also discussed defense and security issues with leaders from these countries. In exchange for the drone expertise and technology, the Ukrainians are set to receive missile interceptors, financial assistance, and oil and diesel supplies.

The defense agreements established by Ukraine with Germany, Norway, and countries in the Middle East are part of a broader pattern that has taken shape throughout 2026. Over the past few months, Zelenskyy and Ukrainian representatives have met with elected officials, policymakers, and members of the defense industry in countries across Europe and the Middle East. For example, the BBC reported in February that a manufacturing factory had opened in the United Kingdom to create drones using Ukraines technology and expertise. Ukrainian drone manufacturing company Ukrspecsystems has established a facility in Mildenhall to produce the drones. Once built, the drones would be tested at Elmsett Airfield before being sent to soldiers in Ukraine. Rory Chamberlain, the managing director of Ukrspecsystems in the UK, also told the BBC that the drone manufacturing plant in the UK would create hundreds of jobs.

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Since the creation of this drone manufacturing plant in the UK, other similar facilities have emerged throughout Europe. In February, France 24 reported that the Danish government was in talks with Ukrainian drone manufacturer Skyfall. France 24 added that Denmark is aiming to begin production this year. Danish Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen also told France 24 that bringing strong Ukrainian defense companies to Denmark to work together with [the] Danish industry [would] strengthen the security of both Denmark and Ukraine.

Then, in March, Ukraine and Romania signed an agreement that would include joint defense production on Romanian territory. Finally, Ukrainian officials signed framework agreements with Finland, Denmark, and Latvia this year, which include joint production of unmanned systems.

The defense relationships Ukraine has established during the first few months of this calendar year suggest that Ukraines role in the defense community and the international arena is changing. Prior to Russias full-scale invasion of Ukraine, elected officials, policymakers, and academics questioned Ukraines role in European defense and security. They noted that Ukraines defense industry was of modest size by European standards. Additionally, these critics argued that Ukraine needed to reform its military and defense acquisition sector.

Now, with Russias military incursion in its fifth year, countries around the world have welcomed Ukraines defense, technology, and security expertise. For example, the Ukrainian Armed Forces and defense manufacturers have produced and deployed drones to be used against Russian forces. These drones have been used to target Russian ammunition depots, vehicles, and soldiers during the war. Furthermore, Ukrainian drones are cost-effective and have delivered results on the battlefield. Most recently, there have been reports this year of Russian soldiers surrendering to Ukrainian drones and other machines manufactured by Ukrainians.

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Given the results of these battle-tested drones, politicians and defense officials, particularly from NATO and the European Union, have welcomed discussions with their Ukrainian counterparts to gain access to Ukrainian drone technology. NATO officials have invited Ukrainians to participate in training exercises and simulations to showcase the use of Ukrainian drones. Meanwhile, the EU has committed to purchasing 2 billion worth of Ukrainian drones. The actions by NATO and the EU suggest that they are taking Ukraines drone manufacturing and the use of drones seriously, and that they are starting to view Ukraine as a serious contributor and partner to Europe on security and defense matters.

As Ukraine continues to engage with allies and partners worldwide to discuss its defense and drone technology, policymakers, security experts, and defense officials will be keen to see how these drones operate. For Ukraine, these partnerships represent not only immediate battlefield support, but also a foundation for its long-term commitment and role in European defense and security.

This article was originally published on Forbes.com
Former Virginia Lt. Gov. Justin Fairfax killed his wife and himself in a murder-suicide inside their home, police in Fairfax County, Va., said on Thursday.

According to authorities, officers responded to the couples home in Annandale, Va., shortly after midnight and discovered Fairfax, 47, and his wife, Cerina Fairfax, a 49-year-old dentist, dead inside the residence in what police described as a domestic-related incident.

This has been an ongoing domestic dispute surrounding what seems to be a complicated or messy divorce, Fairfax County Police Chief Kevin Davis told reporters early Thursday.

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Justin Fairfax had recently been served with paperwork related to an upcoming court proceeding, Davis said.

That may have been a spark, the chief said. Detectives will figure out if that led to this tragedy here.

The couple, who married in 2006, were separated but living together and sleeping in separate bedrooms, Davis said.

According to the Associated Press, Justin Fairfax was facing a court-ordered deadline to move out of the familys home.

The scene outside the home of former Virginia Lt. Gov Justin Fairfax in Annandale, Va., on April 16. (Alex Wong via Getty Images)

Authorities believe Justin Fairfax shot his wife multiple times in the basement of the home, then ran upstairs to the primary bedroom, where he fatally shot himself using the same firearm.

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The couple's two children  a teenage boy and a teenage girl, both high school students  were inside the house when it happened, according to police. Their son called 911.

So tragic for the children to lose both parents, the chief said. Extra tragic for them to actually be in the home when it occurred.

In January, officers responded to the home after the former lieutenant governor called police, alleging he had been assaulted by his wife, Davis said.

Police reviewed footage from cameras Cerina Fairfax had installed inside the residence during the divorce proceedings and determined no assault had occurred, the chief said. No charges were filed.

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"The family was going through seemingly a very tough time with the separation, with the divorce," Davis said.

He added: Its high profile in nature, its tragic in nature, certainly a fall from grace for a relatively high-profile family that seemingly had a lot of things going in their favor..

Then then-Democratic candidate for governor of Virginia, Lt. Gov. Justin Fairfax, in 2021. (Steve Helber/AP)

Fairfax was once considered a rising star in the Democratic Party. He served as Virginias lieutenant governor from 2018 until 2022 under then-Gov. Ralph Northam.

In a statement to the Washington Post, Northam said he and his wife were devastated by this heartbreaking news.

I had the privilege of getting to know the Fairfaxes while our families served together, Northam said.

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In 2019, Fairfax appeared poised to take over as governor when Northam was embroiled in a scandal over a racist photo in his medical school yearbook, leading to calls for Northams resignation.

But then two women came forward, accusing Fairfax of sexually assaulting them years earlier. Fairfax denied the allegations.

In 2021, Fairfax ran for governor, but sexual assault claims ultimately derailed his bid. He finished a distant fourth in the states Democratic primary.

If you or someone you know is experiencing suicidal thoughts, call 911, or call the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988 or 1-800-273-8255 or text HOME to the Crisis Text Line at 741741.
Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
Two people take a selfie at the Trocadero in front of the Eiffel Tower at sunrise in Paris on April 6.
Policemen check passing cars at a checkpoint in Islamabad, Pakistan, April 16, 2026. Large-scale combing search operations have been launched in different areas of Pakistan's federal capital Islamabad, with patrol units and special squads patrolling the city, according to local police on Thursday. Meanwhile, special checkpoints have been set up at various locations. Army and Rangers personnel are also present at the checkpoints along with the Islamabad Police, Xinhua witnessed. Similar arrangements took place last week before the peace talks between the United States and Iran to end their recent hostilities in the Middle East region. (Xinhua/Chen Zeguo)

ISLAMABAD, April 16 (Xinhua) -- Large-scale combing search operations have been launched in different areas of Pakistan's federal capital Islamabad, with patrol units and special squads patrolling the city, according to local police on Thursday.

Meanwhile, special checkpoints have been set up at various locations. Army and Rangers personnel are also present at the checkpoints along with the Islamabad Police, Xinhua witnessed.

Similar arrangements took place last week before the peace talks between the United States and Iran to end their recent hostilities in the Middle East region.

U.S. Vice President JD Vance led the U.S. team and arrived at Islamabad on Saturday. Prior to their arrival, the Iranian delegation, led by parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, reached Pakistan the same day. The two sides had intensive talks for over 20 hours and reached no agreement.

Speculation arose from media reports that the two sides are likely to hold another round of talks in Islamabad. Iran's Ambassador to Pakistan Reza Amiri Moghadam said on Thursday that Islamabad remains the only venue for talks with the United States, adding that "we only trust Pakistan," while speaking at an event here.

A Pakistani Foreign Ministry spokesperson said on Thursday that the country is maintaining communication channels between the United States and Iran as part of its efforts to facilitate dialogue, adding that no dates have been finalized for the next round of talks between the two sides, and consultations are ongoing for a mutually agreed schedule.

Sources said that over 10,000 security personnel were mobilized and deployed on both sides of the road from Nur Khan airbase to Serena hotel during the last talks, but this time the number is almost doubled and the presence and movement of military personnel is extended to other roads.

Meanwhile, separate sources said that the federal capital administration has ordered the concerned departments to beautify the respected area, including the roads leading from the Nur Khan airbase to Serena hotel and the red zone. 

A police car is seen in front of the Presidential Palace in Islamabad, Pakistan, April 16, 2026.

Large-scale combing search operations have been launched in different areas of Pakistan's federal capital Islamabad, with patrol units and special squads patrolling the city, according to local police on Thursday.

Meanwhile, special checkpoints have been set up at various locations. Army and Rangers personnel are also present at the checkpoints along with the Islamabad Police, Xinhua witnessed.

Similar arrangements took place last week before the peace talks between the United States and Iran to end their recent hostilities in the Middle East region. (Xinhua/Chen Zeguo)

A policeman checks a passing car at a checkpoint in Islamabad, Pakistan, April 16, 2026.

Large-scale combing search operations have been launched in different areas of Pakistan's federal capital Islamabad, with patrol units and special squads patrolling the city, according to local police on Thursday.

Meanwhile, special checkpoints have been set up at various locations. Army and Rangers personnel are also present at the checkpoints along with the Islamabad Police, Xinhua witnessed.

Similar arrangements took place last week before the peace talks between the United States and Iran to end their recent hostilities in the Middle East region. (Xinhua/Chen Zeguo)

Cars run past a roadblock in Islamabad, Pakistan, April 16, 2026.

Large-scale combing search operations have been launched in different areas of Pakistan's federal capital Islamabad, with patrol units and special squads patrolling the city, according to local police on Thursday.

Meanwhile, special checkpoints have been set up at various locations. Army and Rangers personnel are also present at the checkpoints along with the Islamabad Police, Xinhua witnessed.

Similar arrangements took place last week before the peace talks between the United States and Iran to end their recent hostilities in the Middle East region. (Xinhua/Chen Zeguo)

A road is blocked by barbed wire in Islamabad, Pakistan, April 16, 2026.

Large-scale combing search operations have been launched in different areas of Pakistan's federal capital Islamabad, with patrol units and special squads patrolling the city, according to local police on Thursday.

Meanwhile, special checkpoints have been set up at various locations. Army and Rangers personnel are also present at the checkpoints along with the Islamabad Police, Xinhua witnessed.

Similar arrangements took place last week before the peace talks between the United States and Iran to end their recent hostilities in the Middle East region. (Xinhua/Chen Zeguo)
MOSCOW, April 16 (Xinhua) -- Russia has managed to minimize the impact of Western sanctions and will continue to make it, Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Thursday.

Peskov made the remarks after media reports cited U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent as saying Washington would not extend temporary licenses to allow the purchase of Russian oil.

"We have been living under the weight of sanctions not for the first month or the first year. We consider them illegal under international law," Peskov told reporters.

He said Moscow had assumed that the United States might not extend the licenses as "one of the expected scenarios."

The United States had previously issued general licenses permitting Russian oil shipments loaded on or before March 12 to be sold, delivered or offloaded through April 11. 
KABUL, April 16 (Xinhua) -- A total of 82 Afghan inmates were released from Pakistani prisons and returned to their homeland over the past week, a news release from the Ministry of Refugees and Repatriation said on Thursday.

The detainees, held in various facilities across Pakistan on a range of charges, crossed back into the country via the Spin Boldak border crossing in southern Kandahar province. They received immediate humanitarian assistance there, before being transported to their respective home provinces for reintegration support, said the ministry.

The Afghan government has been repeatedly calling upon Afghan refugees, particularly undocumented refugees, to end living abroad as refugees and return home to contribute to the rebuilding of their war-torn homeland. 
ISLAMABAD, April 16 (Xinhua) -- Two militants were killed and two security personnel were injured in a terrorist attack on a Frontier Corps (FC) check post in Pakistan's southwestern Balochistan province on Thursday, security sources said.

The attack happened at 03:45 a.m. local time (2245 GMT Wednesday) in the provincial capital of Quetta when unknown assailants opened fire on the check post, prompting an immediate retaliation by FC troops, the sources told Xinhua on condition of anonymity.

During the exchange of fire, two attackers were neutralized, while two FC soldiers sustained injuries and were shifted to a nearby medical facility for treatment, the sources added.

Security forces have cordoned off the area and launched a search operation to trace any remaining attackers, the sources said, adding that further investigation into the incident is underway.

No group has claimed the attack yet. 
BUJUMBURA, April 16 (Xinhua) -- The Burundian government has confirmed the death of Communication and Media Minister Gabby Bugaga in an accident on Thursday morning.

"The Burundian government is saddened by the sudden death of Communication and Media Minister Gabby Bugaga in the early hours of Thursday in an accident," said Secretary General of the State and government spokesperson Jerome Niyonzima.

"During this painful period, the Burundian government extends its deepest condolences to the family of the deceased, to the members of the government and his colleagues in the ministry he headed, to all his loved ones, and to the Burundian people in general," added Niyonzima.

Niyonzima also indicated that details on the funeral arrangements would be released later.

Bugaga was the Burundian communication and media minister since August 2025. Before that, he was a member of the East African country's National Independent Electoral Commission in charge of logistical affairs.

According to information relayed by witnesses at the scene, Bugaga was found dead at the wheel of a 4x4 vehicle, parked in a palm plantation in Kivoga, northwest of Bujumbura city in the Ntahangwa district of Bujumbura province.

The exact circumstances of the death are still unknown. The government statement does not specify the type of accident. 
UNITED NATIONS, April 15 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese envoy on Wednesday called on the international community to push for a ceasefire in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).

Noting that eastern DRC has long been the epicenter of regional instability, Sun Lei, China's deputy permanent representative to the United Nations, told a Security Council briefing on the Great Lakes region that, in the absence of a genuine and long-overdue ceasefire, the international community must urge all parties to implement Security Council resolutions, fully honor their ceasefire commitments, and avoid escalatory actions.

China welcomes the mediation efforts led by the African Union and supports its central role in resolving the eastern DRC issue, he said.

The Great Lakes region lies at the heart of the African continent, with rich natural resources and enormous development potential, said Sun, noting that peace, development and prosperity of the Great Lakes region require mutual respect, dialogue, reconciliation, solidarity and cooperation among the regional countries, as well as the support and assistance of the international community.

It is normal for neighboring countries to have differences, but escalation and the use of force cannot fundamentally resolve them; instead, the parties should uphold a vision of common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security, and address their differences through dialogue and consultation to achieve lasting peace, unity and stability in the region, he said.

The chronic turmoil in the Great Lakes region stems not only from immediate security challenges, but is also closely linked to the region's development and governance deficits, especially due to the intertwined activities of illegal mining and armed conflict, said Sun.

A long-term approach is needed to help regional countries overcome weak governance and underdevelopment while improving livelihoods and national cohesion, said Sun, noting that the international community should support mutually beneficial cooperation on mineral resources, curb illegal mining and smuggling, and ensure that external involvement in resource development remains open, inclusive and transparent, without politicizing resources.

China has consistently prioritized peace, stability and development in the Great Lakes region, and stands ready to work with all parties to deepen mutually beneficial cooperation and support lasting regional peace and prosperity, he said. 
WELLINGTON, April 16 (Xinhua) -- New Zealand's beef cattle rose in 2025 while sheep and dairy herds continued to shrink, Stats NZ reported Thursday.

Figures from the department's 2025 agricultural production survey showed beef cattle up 4 percent from a year earlier to 3.8 million as of June 30, 2025. In contrast, dairy cattle numbers dropped by 1 percent to 5.7 million, and sheep fell by 1 percent to 23.3 million.

The country had 7 million hectares of grassland on June 30, 2025, little changed from a year earlier.

Over the past decade, however, sheep numbers have fallen by 20 percent and dairy cattle by 11 percent, while beef cattle have increased by 8 percent, statistics showed.

Despite fewer dairy cattle, total export volumes of dairy products rose by 10 percent over the decade to 3.3 million tons in 2025, Stats NZ's agricultural statistics spokesperson Tehseen Islam said.

Agriculture remained New Zealand's key export earner, with total goods exports valued at 80.5 billion NZ dollars (47.63 billion U.S. dollars) in 2025, Stats NZ said, adding that China accounted for 25 percent, followed by Australia with 13 percent and the United States with 12 percent. 
WASHINGTON, April 16 (Xinhua) -- The Trump administration is urging U.S. automakers and manufacturers to expand their involvement in weapons production, the Wall Street Journal reported Wednesday.

Senior defense officials have engaged in discussions with leading automakers, including General Motors and Ford, to explore increasing the production of weapons and military supplies, said the report, citing sources familiar with the matter.

Military production is currently controlled by a handful of contractors in the country. While many of the largest U.S. manufacturers outside the defense sector have contracts with the Pentagon, these deals are usually narrow in scope and value, focusing on specific products or research.

The talks were initiated prior to the outbreak of the Iran conflict, sources revealed. The strain the war has placed on U.S. munitions stockpiles highlights a critical need for the military to expand its network of commercial partners, enabling a rapid surge in the production of essential munitions and advanced tactical equipment, such as missiles and counter-drone systems.

Lawmakers and Pentagon leaders have grown deeply concerned about the U.S. weapons manufacturing capacity, especially after the country and its NATO allies began delivering vast quantities of arms to Ukraine in 2022.

In response to these mounting challenges, the Pentagon has submitted a record 1.5 trillion U.S. dollar budget proposal, a massive push to expand production capabilities for munitions and drones. 
This undated photo shows a knife carried by Kodai Murata, a 23-year-old second lieutenant in the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force who broke into the Embassy of China in Japan on March 24, 2026. (The Embassy of China in Japan/Handout via Xinhua)

TOKYO, April 16 (Xinhua) -- The Embassy of China in Japan on Thursday urged the Japanese side to promptly investigate a series of terror threats and take effective measures to ensure the safety of Chinese diplomatic missions and personnel in the country.

At a press conference held on the same day, the embassy said it had recently been subjected to multiple threats. On March 5, individuals claiming to be former Japanese police officers and ex-members of the Self-Defense Forces sent a threatening letter to the embassy. Although the incident was immediately reported to Japanese authorities, the embassy said it received insufficient attention, and no effective measures were taken, with the case still unresolved.

The embassy also cited a March 24 incident in which Kodai Murata, a 23-year-old second lieutenant in the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force, scaled a wall and broke into the embassy while carrying a knife. The Chinese side lodged solemn representations with Japan following the intrusion.

On March 31, another individual claiming to be a reserve member of the Self-Defense Forces issued an online threat to the embassy, alleging that a remotely controlled bomb had been planted inside the premises, according to the embassy.

These incidents constitute serious violations of international law, infringe upon China's sovereignty and dignity, and pose grave threats to the safety of Chinese diplomatic personnel and facilities, with extremely negative implications, the embassy said.

The embassy stressed that the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations clearly stipulates the inviolability of diplomatic premises and obliges the receiving state to protect diplomatic premises from intrusion, damage, disturbance of peace, or impairment of dignity. However, it said Japan has failed to effectively fulfill its obligations under international law to safeguard Chinese diplomatic missions and personnel.

The embassy added that it has engaged with Japanese police nearly 30 times regarding the recent threats, but investigations have made little progress. It reiterated its firm position and demands, urging Japan to accelerate investigations, bring those responsible to justice, provide a responsible explanation, and take concrete measures to prevent similar incidents from recurring. 
This file photo taken on Feb. 10, 2026 shows Julius Malema, the founding leader of the far-left Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), attending a National Assembly session in Cape Town, South Africa. (Photo by Xabiso Mkhabela/Xinhua)

CAPE TOWN, April 16 (Xinhua) -- South African opposition politician Julius Malema was sentenced on Thursday to five years in prison for firearm-related offenses.

Malema, the founding leader of the far-left Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), is one of the most prominent politicians in South Africa.

The lengthy sentence was delivered on Thursday morning at the Magistrate's Court in KuGompo City, formerly East London, in the Eastern Cape province. Large screens were set up outside the courthouse, where hundreds of EFF party supporters gathered to hear the fate of their political leader.

The charges stem from an incident on July 28, 2018, when Malema discharged a semi-automatic assault rifle into the air during an EFF political rally in Mdantsane, a largely residential township in Eastern Cape province.

The act was described by EFF as a "celebratory shot" during the rally commemorating the party's fifth anniversary to entertain the crowd, and no injuries were reported.

Malema was convicted in October last year on five charges, including unlawful possession of a firearm and discharging a firearm in a public area.

On Thursday, he was also sentenced to pay a 20,000 rand fine for each of the other three charges, totaling 60,000 rand, or alternatively serve six months' imprisonment on each count.

The EFF has indicated that it will appeal the court's decision. If confirmed after all appeals, the sentence would bar Malema from serving as a lawmaker.

Malema served as president of the African National Congress (ANC) Youth League from 2008 to 2012.

He went on to form the EFF in 2013 and was elected to the National Assembly in 2014, after his expulsion from the ANC in 2012 for sowing divisions within the party and bringing it into disrepute.

Following the 2024 general elections, the EFF became the fourth-largest political party in the parliament, but chose not to join the Government of the National Unity (GNU). 

This file photo taken on Feb. 17, 2026 shows Julius Malema, the founding leader of the far-left Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), attending a National Assembly session in Cape Town, South Africa. (Photo by Xabiso Mkhabela/Xinhua)
TEHRAN, April 16 (Xinhua) -- Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei has warned that the U.S. blockade of the Strait of Hormuz could break the ongoing ceasefire between Iran and the United States, said a RIA Novosti report on Thursday.

Calling the blockade a provocative act, Baghaei said Iran's armed forces were prepared to take necessary action.

The statement came amid growing concerns over the stability of the ceasefire, which was initially brokered to de-escalate tensions between the two nations.

Iranian parliamentary speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf also stressed on social media that Lebanon must be included in any ceasefire agreement. He credited Hezbollah's resistance and the unity of the resistance front for the progress in Lebanon, urging the United States to honor the deal.

In a separate interview with Iran's ISNA News Agency, Mohsen Rezaei, a senior military advisor to Iran's supreme leader, said Iran was prepared for a prolonged war, despite the U.S. threat of a maritime blockade. He emphasized that Iran would not compromise on its conditions in the negotiations.

Rezaei criticized the United States for trying to act as the "policeman" of the Strait of Hormuz, saying that Iran would never relinquish its rights to the vital waterway. 
BERLIN, April 16 (Xinhua) -- Germany is prepared to participate in a potential mission to ensure the security of the Strait of Hormuz by providing mine clearance and maritime reconnaissance capabilities, provided specific conditions are met, local media reported on Thursday.

According to the German newspaper Sueddeutsche Zeitung, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz plans to present this offer at a meeting in Paris on Friday.

Merz will outline Germany's prerequisites for participation at the meeting, which include the complete cessation of hostilities, the launch of an international mission, a formal mandate preferably from the United Nations, and the approval of the German federal parliament, the Bundestag, the report said.

In addition to Merz, French President Emmanuel Macron, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni are also expected to attend the meeting. 
HANOI, April 16 (Xinhua) -- Vietnam's Ministry of Finance has proposed extending the registration fee exemption for battery electric cars through the end of 2030, local daily Dan Tri reported Thursday.

Under the proposal, the zero percent registration fee for first-time registration of battery electric cars should be extended from March 1, 2027, to Dec. 31, 2030.

The ministry said the policy is expected to accelerate the development of Vietnam's electric vehicle industry, which will help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and support the country's green transition.

Vietnam previously approved the exemption for battery electric cars in 2022 and later extended the incentive in 2025 until Feb. 28, 2027. 
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, meets with Italian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Antonio Tajani in Beijing, capital of China, April 16, 2026. (Xinhua/Yan Yan)

BEIJING, April 16 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Thursday that the top priority is to return the United States and Iran to the negotiating table and seek a political solution.

Wang made the remarks when meeting with Italian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Antonio Tajani in Beijing. They exchanged views on the Middle East situation.

The U.S.-Israel war against Iran should never have happened, and its prolongation has already seriously affected both international energy security and the safety of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, said Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee.

He said China has always advocated for the political resolution of international disputes through dialogue and consultation, and opposes the use of force.

Wang also said China has consistently upheld an objective and impartial position, and actively worked to promote peace and end conflicts, adding that China supports Pakistan's mediation efforts and stands ready to maintain communication with all parties and continue playing a constructive role in this regard.

China is willing to work with Italy to implement the important common understandings between leaders of the two countries and maintain sound and steady momentum for the development of bilateral relations, Wang said.

Since the start of this year, geopolitical conflicts have dragged on, hotspot issues have escalated, and the international order and world security are confronted with grave challenges, Wang noted.

He said both China and Italy are ancient civilizations that value peace and are important forces in safeguarding multilateralism, adding that China stands ready to enhance communication and coordination with Italy on international and multilateral affairs.

Tajani said Italy attaches great importance to its relations with China and firmly adheres to the one-China policy.

Tajani said Italy values China's significant influence in international affairs and in multilateral bodies such as the United Nations, and that Italy endorses the propositions and initiatives put forward by China's head of state to promote the resolution of international and regional hotspot issues.

Italy is willing to strengthen multilateral communication and coordination with China to jointly safeguard world peace, stability and development, he said.

The two sides also exchanged views on the Ukraine crisis and other issues. 

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, meets with Italian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Antonio Tajani in Beijing, capital of China, April 16, 2026. (Xinhua/Yan Yan)
JINAN, April 16 (Xinhua) -- On the factory floor of Shandong Tavol Agricultural Machinery Co., Ltd. in the city of Tai'an, east China's Shandong Province, workers assemble and test tractors destined for overseas markets.

"This batch of 150 tractors is mainly bound for Europe, South America and Africa," said Liu Mingqian, the company's general manager.

Founded in 2021, Tavol manufactures tractors and other agricultural machinery and has quickly built an export-oriented business with quality and customized products. Its products have been sold to over 100 countries and regions and exports now account for more than 80 percent of its revenue.

A tractor designed for the Brazilian market is equipped with assisted driving and satellite-guided systems, enabling operations with an error margin of about one centimeter in over 100 meters, according to technical director Liang Yuqiang.

Tavol reflects the broader growth of China's agricultural machinery exports in recent years, driven by rising demand for mechanization in developing countries, with shipments surging 32.3 percent year on year to 67.4 billion yuan in 2025, according to customs data.

As countries seek to modernize farming and boost yields, the global demand is shifting toward more efficient, intelligent and adaptable agricultural machinery.

China's innovation in the sector has given it a competitive edge. The country has long prioritized innovation in agricultural technology and equipment amid its efforts to develop new quality productive forces in agriculture.

The 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030) calls for promoting high-quality development in the agricultural machinery and equipment sector and enhancing agricultural efficiency by integrating better farmland, seeds, machinery and farming practices.

Weichai Lovol, a leading domestic manufacturer, operates a smart factory for high-horsepower tractors where automated production lines use Internet-of-Things systems to monitor and control around a thousand quality parameters in real time. Welding robots equipped with vision systems ensure precision, while big-data platforms track the entire assembly process.

New technology-powered machinery is being widely deployed, including BeiDou-guided high-horsepower tractors capable of centimeter-level precision, pneumatic precision planters that boost efficiency and drones that are revolutionizing field management.

Chinese companies are tailoring products to local conditions overseas. Zoomlion Heavy Industry Science & Technology Co., Ltd. has modified rice harvesters for Uganda's rainy harvest season to reduce crop losses, while other firms have adapted machinery to withstand sandstorms or improve performance in Southeast Asia's muddy paddy fields.

Apart from machinery exports, Chinese firms are increasingly offering integrated services.

"We have built sales and service networks across multiple countries and trained local technicians to ensure the equipment can operate reliably and be easily maintained," said Zhang Qi, sales manager of Shandong Shonly Modern Agricultural Equipment Co., Ltd., whose tractors sell well in markets such as Africa and South America. "Meanwhile, we also tailor our products to local conditions."

Xeme Airline Technology (Shandong) Group Co., Ltd. has signed a contract with a cotton farm in Kazakhstan covering not only agricultural drone supply but also software support, pilot training and personnel management.

Fan Jianhua, president of the China Agricultural Machinery Distribution Association, said Chinese manufacturers are expected to further expand overseas with upgraded products and strengthened spare parts networks, training systems and after-sales services. 
Tourists and local people celebrate the water-splashing festival in Xishuangbanna, southwest China's Yunnan. Festivalgoers splashed each other with water to convey wishes for happiness and good fortune. #WaterSplashingFestival #Yunnan #China




Chinese Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, meets with National Leader of the Turkmen People and Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, April 15, 2026. (Xinhua/Yin Bogu)

ASHGABAT, April 16 (Xinhua) -- Visiting Chinese Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang said here on Wednesday that China is willing to work with Turkmenistan to promote bilateral cooperation across various fields, such as natural gas and non-resource areas.

Ding, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks when meeting with National Leader of the Turkmen People and Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov.

Ding first conveyed Chinese President Xi Jinping's cordial greetings and best wishes, noting that under the strategic guidance of Xi and Berdimuhamedov, China-Turkmenistan relations have progressed rapidly and steadily, advancing from a friendly and cooperative partnership to a strategic one, and then to a comprehensive strategic partnership.

China is willing to work with the Turkmen side to implement the important consensus reached by the top leaders of the two countries, give full play to the role of the China-Turkmenistan Cooperation Committee, and promote the accelerated development of bilateral cooperation across various fields.

He said that natural gas cooperation is a vivid manifestation of the mutual benefit and win-win nature of China-Turkmenistan relations, which has developed steadily and achieved fruitful results in recent years, bringing tangible benefits to the peoples of both countries.

Ding emphasized that the two sides should adopt a strategic perspective towards natural gas cooperation and keep long-term interests in mind, seize the momentum and make good use of the window of opportunity for cooperation. He further said they should work in the same direction, accelerate the implementation of major projects, expand the scale of natural gas cooperation, and continuously improve the quality and efficiency of energy cooperation.

Meanwhile, the two countries should further enhance cooperation in non-resource areas such as connectivity, economy and trade, as well as investment, and expand cooperation in fields such as photovoltaics, wind power, new energy vehicles, and artificial intelligence, he added.

Ding said that China is willing to continuously strengthen coordination and collaboration with Turkmenistan under the framework of the China-Central Asia mechanism, and supports Turkmenistan, as a permanently neutral country, in playing a greater role on multilateral stages such as the United Nations.

For his part, Berdimuhamedov asked Ding to convey his sincere greetings to Xi, noting that his visit to China last month yielded practical results and left him with warm memories.

Berdimuhamedov said that the Turkmen side firmly adheres to the one-China principle and supports China's territorial integrity and national unity. Noting that Turkmenistan-China cooperation enjoys a solid political foundation, he said the Turkmen side stands ready to work with China to implement the consensus already reached, strengthen strategic alignment, actively expand energy cooperation, and continuously deepen exchanges and cooperation in connectivity, trade and investment, agriculture, and people-to-people and cultural exchanges, so as to benefit the peoples of both countries.

He expressed appreciation for China's support for Turkmenistan's policy of permanent neutrality, and willingness to enhance coordination and cooperation with China in international affairs, jointly safeguarding regional prosperity and development as well as world peace and stability. 
MELBOURNE, April 16 (Xinhua) -- Australian Energy Minister Chris Bowen said on Thursday that a major fire which broke out at one of the country's two oil refineries on Wednesday night will impact the national fuel supply.

The fire broke out at Viva Energy's refinery in the city of Geelong, 65 km southwest of Melbourne, around 11 p.m. local time on Wednesday, causing explosions and an emergency warning for smoke.

The facility is one of only two operational oil refineries in Australia and produces about 50 percent of the fuel supply for the state of Victoria, and 10 percent of the national supply.

Bowen said that the fire would affect Australia's fuel supply, but that final conclusions about the extent could not be made while it was still burning.

He said that the facility was producing diesel and jet fuel at reduced levels on Thursday morning as a precaution.

"The major impact at this point appears to be more on petrol production," he told Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) television. "I'm sure petrol production will continue but it may be impacted for some time."

Fire Rescue Victoria (FRV) said the fire started in the refinery's motor gasoline unit and that flames reached up to 60 meters in height.

It said that all emergency responders and workers were accounted for and no injuries were reported.

FRV Assistant Chief Fire Officer Michael McGuinness told ABC radio that the fire was being fueled by various types of hydrocarbon fuel and that it was expected to continue burning for several hours on Thursday morning.

"It was burning in an area of approximately 30 meters by 30 meters. There have been several small explosions," he said.

An emergency warning for smoke in the early hours of Thursday morning advised residents in Geelong to stay indoors, close all doors and windows and turn off heating and cooling systems.

The federal government in March struck a deal to continue subsidizing the operation of the refinery, and Australia's other oil refinery in Brisbane, into the 2030s. 
RIYADH, April 16 (Xinhua) -- Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday discussed bilateral relations and the U.S.-Iran talks in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Thursday.

The two sides reviewed the close ties between the two countries, discussed existing cooperation and opportunities for further development in various fields, said the report.

The crown prince commended Sharif for his efforts to support Pakistan's development and strengthen the strategic partnership between the two countries.

The two sides also discussed developments in the regional and international situation, focusing particularly on the U.S.-Iran talks in Islamabad, and emphasized the importance of continuing diplomatic efforts to restore stability in the region.

The talks between the U.S. and Iranian delegations last weekend in Islamabad concluded without results, with both sides reportedly planning another round of talks later this week. 
MOSCOW, April 16 (Xinhua) -- Russia plans to build no less than 100 new industrial parks by 2030 to bolster its industrial infrastructure, Anton Alikhanov, minister of industry and trade, said on Thursday.

Speaking at the presentation of the "Industrial Parks and Special Economic Zones of Russia - 2026" annual review, Alikhanov emphasized that achieving this goal will require active cooperation from regional administrations and the Association of Industrial Parks.

Russia currently runs nearly 500 operational industrial parks in 73 federal subjects. These facilities utilize over 80 percent of their total area, which exceeds 25 million square meters. Nearly 6,000 companies operating within these zones produced goods worth approximately 5 trillion rubles (about 65.5 billion U.S. dollars) last year, he said.

Among the diverse range of products manufactured in these parks, Alikhanov highlighted high-tech materials, components and finished goods. 
BEIJING, April 16 (Xinhua) -- The Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy will open its barracks to the public in over 10 cities nationwide around April 23, marking its 77th anniversary, with over 40 active-duty vessels set for public visits.

A variety of active combat ships will be open to visitors, including guided-missile destroyers, as well as guided-missile frigates, minesweepers, missile boats and amphibious landing ships.

Additionally, auxiliary vessels, including comprehensive supply ships, ocean-going navigation training ships and hospital ships, will also be accessible to the public.

Many of the participating ships have carried out major missions such as escort missions in the Gulf of Aden, overseas visits and joint exercises.

The open-ship events will be held in cities including Dalian, Qingdao, Shanghai, Ningbo, Xiamen, Guangzhou and Sanya. Some vessels will be open to the public for the first time, while some will dock for the first time in the cities after which they are named.

Visitors will have opportunities to interact with naval personnel and experience naval culture.

In addition to ship visits, naval air force bases and ports will also be opened, alongside themed activities that highlight the ties between warships and their namesake cities.

Opening active-duty vessels to the public is a long-standing tradition among navies worldwide. In recent years, the PLA Navy has regularly held such events on its founding anniversary and the National Day, with growing scale and influence.

Reservation channels for this year's events have been gradually opening, and the public can register online through official platforms. 
HANOI, April 16 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese delegation led by Xie Fuzhan, chairman of the China Foundation for Human Rights Development (CFHRD), visited Vietnam from Monday to Thursday for exchanges on human rights.

The delegation visited the Vietnam National University, Ho Chi Minh City, the Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences, and the Institute of Human Rights under the Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics, as well as organizations including the Ho Chi Minh City branch of Bank of China (Hong Kong), Sunwah Group, and the Ho Chi Minh City branch of the China Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam.

The delegation elaborated on the core principles and rich connotations of China's contemporary human rights philosophy, and outlined the historic achievements of China's human rights development and its contributions to the global human rights cause, helping promote people-to-people exchanges and cooperation with relevant Vietnamese institutions.

Representatives from Vietnamese institutions spoke highly of China's path and achievements in human rights development, and commended China's commitment to speaking up for developing countries and upholding international fairness and justice within multilateral human rights mechanisms of the United Nations.

Both sides agreed that human rights development should proceed from national conditions and the needs of the people, and opposed imposing Western standards, politicizing human rights issues, and applying double standards.

They also agreed that the rights to subsistence and development are the primary and fundamental human rights, and that peace and development are essential prerequisites for the protection of human rights.

The two sides agreed to strengthen cooperation in areas including digital human rights protection, ecological and environmental protection, labor rights, and youth exchanges, so as to advance the development of human rights in both countries through exchanges and mutual learning. 
COLOMBO, April 16 (Xinhua) -- Sri Lanka will receive its first crude oil tanker since the start of the conflict in the Middle East on Friday, Ceylon Petroleum Storage Terminals Limited (CPSTL), Sri Lanka's primary petroleum storage and distribution services provider, announced Thursday.

Mayura Neththikumarage, managing director of the CPSTL, told journalists that the vessel will carry 97,500 metric tonnes of crude oil. He added that another tanker is expected to arrive by the end of April.

The arrival of the shipments has eased concerns over maintaining a steady crude oil supply, he said.

Sri Lanka implemented a number of initiatives to reduce the consumption of oil after conflicts in the Middle East began in late February. 
BEIRUT, April 16 (Xinhua) -- Lebanese President Joseph Aoun on Thursday spoke over phone with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio to discuss the potential Lebanon-Israel ceasefire, according to the Lebanese presidency.

Aoun expressed appreciation for Washington's efforts to reach a ceasefire between Lebanon and Israel.

For his part, Rubio said the United States will continue its efforts to secure a ceasefire, a step he described as vital for achieving peace, security and stability in Lebanon.

Meanwhile, sources told local media LBCI that Aoun told Rubio during the phone call that he would not speak with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Israel and Lebanon held their first diplomatic talks since 1993 earlier this week in Washington, with both sides agreeing to launch "direct" negotiations after the meeting. U.S. President Donald Trump said the countries' leaders were expected to speak Thursday.

Lebanese health authorities said Wednesday that the cumulative death toll from ongoing Israeli attacks on the country has risen to 2,167, with 7,061 others injured since March 2. 
BEIJING, April 16 (Xinhua) -- Foreign-funded research and development (R&D) centers have become a key part of China's innovation system, with many multinational companies upgrading their operations in the country from manufacturing bases to innovation hubs, the Ministry of Commerce said on Thursday.

Spokesperson He Yadong said at a regular press conference that foreign R&D centers in China are shifting from meeting local adaptation needs to serving as pivots for global innovation.

In 2025, actual foreign investment in China's scientific research and technical services sector made up nearly one-fifth of the national total, with its share rising steadily for seven straight years, the spokesperson added.

The sector saw the establishment of 14,000 new foreign-invested enterprises in 2025, up 27.2 percent year on year, the spokesperson said, adding that a number of multinational companies, including AstraZeneca, Philips and Porsche, have established R&D centers in China in recent years.

China has continued to strengthen policy support for foreign-funded R&D centers. A revised version of the Catalogue of Encouraged Industries for Foreign Investment, which took effect on Feb. 1 this year, added more items in areas such as the R&D of new drugs and digital creative technologies.

In February, a circular was issued to continue exempting eligible imported scientific and research supplies used by foreign-funded R&D centers from import tariffs, import value-added tax and consumption tax.

The spokesperson said that the ministry will work with relevant departments to attract more multinational companies to locate their R&D operations in China and help them leverage the country's complete industrial system, strong talent pool and rich application scenarios.

Multinational companies are encouraged to fully leverage their strengths and capabilities in China's green, digital and intelligent transformation, and to participate in the development opportunities the country offers. 
LONDON/BRUSSELS, April 16 (Xinhua) -- Britain's auto industry body on Thursday urged the European Union (EU) to revise its proposed industrial policy, warning that excluding Britain from key provisions could disrupt supply chains and undermine competitiveness across the region.

The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) called on the EU to amend its planned Industrial Accelerator Act (IAA) to ensure that Britain-built vehicles, components and batteries are treated equally to those produced within the bloc under its "Made in Europe" framework.

The appeal came as SMMT representatives met EU officials in Brussels, highlighting the importance of the long-standing EU-Britain automotive partnership, valued at around 80 billion euros (about 94 billion U.S. dollars) annually.

According to the industry group, Britain remains the EU's largest export market for passenger cars, while the EU is also Britain's biggest trading partner in the sector. EU-based manufacturers export vehicles worth nearly 39.7 billion euros (about 46.8 billion dollars) to Britain each year. Meanwhile, component exports to Britain total about 9.1 billion euros (about 10.7 billion dollars) annually, exceeding shipments to other major markets.

SMMT warned that excluding Britain from incentives under the "Made in Europe" policy, particularly those linked to the greening of corporate fleets, which account for around 60 percent of the EU new car market, and CO2 super credits, could place British manufacturers at a significant disadvantage, potentially reducing production volumes and disrupting highly integrated supply chains.

The group also cautioned that such measures could lead to reduced choice and higher prices for consumers, while weakening investment at a critical stage of Europe's transition to electric vehicles.

Other industry experts have suggested that the policy shift reflects a broader change in the EU's industrial strategy.

Julia Poliscanova, senior director for vehicles and e-mobility supply chains at Transport and Environment, said Europe is increasingly prioritizing "strategic autonomy" in key clean technology sectors, with policies aimed at boosting local production and reducing reliance on external suppliers.

New industrial policies, including stricter local content requirements, she added, could slow cross-border cooperation in the short term, even as they aim to strengthen long-term supply chain resilience.

Despite post-Brexit challenges, trade in battery electric vehicles (BEVs) between the two sides has expanded rapidly under the tariff-free conditions of the EU-Britain Trade and Cooperation Agreement. EU-built models currently account for 61.6 percent of BEVs sold in the British market, SMMT data showed.

Mike Hawes, SMMT chief executive, said the proposed policy "threatens to reverse progress" in electrified vehicle trade and could damage jobs, investment and innovation on both sides.

He called for deeper Britain-EU cooperation to strengthen supply chain resilience and support the transition to low-carbon mobility, urging policymakers to use an upcoming bilateral summit as an opportunity to reinforce industrial collaboration. 
DAMASCUS, April 16 (Xinhua) -- Syrian government forces have taken control of Qasrak Air Base in the northeastern province of Hasakah following the withdrawal of U.S.-led coalition troops, the Defense Ministry said Thursday.

Qasrak has been a key coalition hub in Hasakah since 2018, allegedly supporting operations against the Islamic State group in coordination with the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF).

U.S. forces began withdrawing equipment and personnel from Qasrak in late February, with convoys of armored vehicles and heavy machinery reportedly moving toward neighboring Iraq.

This transfer is part of a broader U.S. troop drawdown in Syria. In February, Syrian forces took control of the al-Tanf base near the borders with Iraq and Jordan, as well as the al-Shaddadi base in Hasakah province. Control of the Rmeilan base near the Iraqi border was also transferred in mid-March.

The withdrawals come amid ongoing coordination between the Syrian government and the SDF to integrate Kurdish-led institutions and security forces into the state framework.

Tensions persist in parts of northeastern Syria, where coalition positions have faced sporadic drone and rocket attacks in recent months. Most have been intercepted, with no casualties confirmed. 
MACAO, April 16 (Xinhua) -- Chief Executive of the Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) Sam Hou Fai will depart on Friday for official visits to Portugal, Spain, Switzerland and Belgium, the SAR government said on Thursday.

According to the Macao SAR government information bureau, Sam will lead delegations of SAR officials and business representatives, with the trip scheduled to conclude on April 26.

The information bureau noted that in Lisbon, Sam will meet with leading officials of Portugal's executive, legislative and judicial branches. In addition to a series of events, a meeting between the chief executive and Macao students studying in Portugal is scheduled.

In Madrid, Sam will visit relevant Spanish officials. The SAR government said it will hold tourism promotion events and economic cooperation forums to broaden the source markets for visitors to Macao, and facilitate business-matching activities.

According to the SAR government, the delegation will travel to Geneva on April 23 to strengthen engagement with international organizations such as the World Trade Organization, and then to Brussels on April 24 to meet with Belgian and European Union officials. 
OUAGADOUGOU, April 16 (Xinhua) -- A total of 118 associations operating in various sectors in Burkina Faso were dissolved on Wednesday, according to a statement issued by Minister of Territorial Administration and Mobility Emile Zerbo.

The statement said the associations are banned from carrying out activities across the national territory, warning that any violations will be subject to penalties in accordance with relevant regulations.

The minister also urged all heads of associative organizations to comply with the provisions of Law No. 011-2025/ALT of July 17, 2025 on freedom of association within the prescribed deadlines. 
This photo taken on April 16, 2026 shows the Qasmiyeh Bridge destroyed in Israeli airstrikes in Qasmiyeh, Lebanon. Israeli warplanes carried out two consecutive airstrikes on the Qasmiyeh Bridge over the Litani River in southern Lebanon on Thursday, completely destroying it, according to Al Jadeed TV. The bridge, part of the main coastal highway linking the city of Sidon and the Tyre area, was the last remaining passage to parts of southern Lebanon after earlier damage to nearby infrastructure. (Photo by Ali Hashisho/Xinhua)

BEIRUT, April 16 (Xinhua) -- Israeli warplanes carried out two consecutive airstrikes on the Qasmiyeh Bridge over the Litani River in southern Lebanon on Thursday, completely destroying it, according to Al Jadeed TV.

The bridge, part of the main coastal highway linking the city of Sidon and the Tyre area, was the last remaining passage to parts of southern Lebanon after earlier damage to nearby infrastructure.

A drone had conducted a two-phase strike near the bridge before the air raids, the broadcaster reported.

The destruction has severely disrupted traffic along the coastal road, a vital artery linking the southern regions to the capital of Beirut.

Meanwhile, the Lebanese army evacuated a checkpoint at the bridge and closed roads leading to the area, according to the report.

The strikes came amid ongoing hostilities along the Lebanon-Israel border, with continued air raids and exchanges of fire reported in recent days. 

Lebanese army soldiers inspect the Qasmiyeh Bridge destroyed in Israeli airstrikes in Qasmiyeh, Lebanon, April 16, 2026.

Israeli warplanes carried out two consecutive airstrikes on the Qasmiyeh Bridge over the Litani River in southern Lebanon on Thursday, completely destroying it, according to Al Jadeed TV.

The bridge, part of the main coastal highway linking the city of Sidon and the Tyre area, was the last remaining passage to parts of southern Lebanon after earlier damage to nearby infrastructure. (Photo by Ali Hashisho/Xinhua)
A truck transports military equipment in Hasakah province, Syria, April 16, 2026. Syria's foreign affairs authority said Thursday that all military sites previously used by U.S. forces in the country have been evacuated and transferred to the Syrian interim authority, marking the completion of the U.S. military withdrawal. (Str/Xinhua)

DAMASCUS, April 16 (Xinhua) -- Syria's foreign affairs authority said Thursday that all military sites previously used by U.S. forces in the country have been evacuated and transferred to the Syrian interim authority, marking the completion of the U.S. military withdrawal.

In a statement, the authority said the handover marks the restoration of Damascus' control over regions, particularly in the northeast and along the borders, that were previously outside its authority.

The authority described the development as a result of efforts to unify the country under a single framework, adding that it coincides with progress in integrating Kurdish-led forces into state institutions.

Syrian authorities are now assuming full responsibility for combating terrorism and addressing security challenges within the country, according to the statement.

Earlier in the day, Syrian defense authorities said Syrian forces had taken control of Qasrak Air Base in the northeastern province of Hasakah following the withdrawal of U.S.-led coalition troops.

This transfer is part of a broader U.S. troop drawdown in Syria. In February, Syrian forces took control of the al-Tanf base near the borders with Iraq and Jordan, as well as the al-Shaddadi base in Hasakah province. Control of the Rmeilan base near the Iraqi border was also transferred in mid-March. 

A truck transports military equipment in Hasakah province, Syria, April 16, 2026. Syria's foreign affairs authority said Thursday that all military sites previously used by U.S. forces in the country have been evacuated and transferred to the Syrian interim authority, marking the completion of the U.S. military withdrawal. (Str/Xinhua)

A truck transports military equipment in Hasakah province, Syria, April 16, 2026. Syria's foreign affairs authority said Thursday that all military sites previously used by U.S. forces in the country have been evacuated and transferred to the Syrian interim authority, marking the completion of the U.S. military withdrawal. (Str/Xinhua)
WASHINGTON, April 16 (Xinhua) -- U.S. House Democrats on Wednesday filed articles of impeachment against Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, accusing him of committing "high crimes and misdemeanors" in the war with Iran and beyond.

The resolution, led by Democratic Representative Yassamin Ansari of Arizona, lists six impeachment articles, including unauthorized war against Iran and reckless endangerment of U.S. service members, violations of the law of armed conflict and targeting of civilians, and negligence and reckless handling of sensitive military information.

"He has authorized, condoned, or failed to prevent the use of military force in a manner inconsistent with the law of armed conflict, such as operations resulting in large numbers of civilian casualties and the destruction of civilian infrastructure in Iran, including a girls' school in Minab," the resolution said, referring to the Feb. 28 bombing of a girls' school that killed 168 people, including about 110 children.

A preliminary U.S. assessment suggested that the United States was "likely" responsible for the attack and may have hit it in error.

The resolution mentioned Hegseth's illegal "double tap" strikes in the southern Caribbean, as well as his "unlawful" statement that the United States shall give "no quarter, no mercy for our enemies."

It also said that Hegseth has demonstrated "gross negligence in the handling of sensitive and classified military information," including through the use of unsecured communications systems like the Signal app to transmit or discuss operational details "in flagrant contravention of United States law and military standards."

The impeachment push is likely to serve more as a political statement by Democrats, given Republicans' narrow majority in the House, according to U.S. media. Currently, Republicans hold 218 seats and Democrats have 213. 
This photo taken with a mobile phone shows salmon fry released into the Tumenjiang River, in Hunchun, northeast China's Jilin Province, April 15, 2026. (Xinhua/Yan Linyun)

CHANGCHUN, April 16 (Xinhua) -- China has released 600,000 salmon fry into the Tumenjiang River to restore aquatic life and support cross-border ecological cooperation in Northeast Asia.

The release took place in the Mijiang River area, a national aquatic germplasm protection zone for salmon in Hunchun City, northeast China's Jilin Province. The Tumenjiang River runs along the borders of China, Russia and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. The Mijiang River, a key tributary of the Tumenjiang River, is a vital spawning and migration route for wild salmon.

In recent years, wild salmon populations have dropped sharply due to environmental changes, land and waterway development, and fishing activities. To reverse this decline, China has carried out science-based stock enhancement: breeding and releasing native fish to rebuild wild populations.

These locally bred salmon are well-adapted to the native ecosystem. They will swim downstream into the Sea of Japan and, in four to five years, the mature fish will return to the Tumenjiang River to spawn, helping sustain the natural population cycle.

China has carried out this practice for 19 consecutive years, releasing over 42.28 million native salmon fry into the Tumenjiang River system. The provincial government has also imposed seasonal fishing bans, cracked down on illegal fishing and monitored water quality. As the ecosystem recovers, local villagers have seen their incomes rise through ecotourism and fish farming.

China has been steadily advancing cross-border cooperation on the Tumenjiang River and other transboundary waterways, including joint fish and water monitoring, coordinated fishing bans and public education on aquatic conservation. 
UNITED NATIONS, April 16 (Xinhua) -- Stephane Dujarric, chief spokesman for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, on Thursday called on parties concerned to respect a newly announced ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon.

"I think the people of Lebanon have suffered tremendously. ... The population in northern Israel also deserves to live in peace. And we hope that everyone will abide by this ceasefire," said Dujarric.

The spokesman said the United Nations welcomes steps that would end hostilities and suffering on both sides of the Blue Line, a border demarcation line between Lebanon and Israel established by the world body in 2000.

"The United Nations, through our political and peacekeeping missions, remains ready to support these efforts and continues to urge the full implementation of Security Council Resolution 1701 ... toward a permanent ceasefire and long-term solution to the conflict," he said, adding there is no military solution to this conflict. 
JERUSALEM, April 16 (Xinhua) -- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will convene the security cabinet for an urgent phone discussion on Thursday evening, following U.S. President Donald Trump's announcement of a 10-day ceasefire on the Lebanese front, Israel's state-owned Kan TV News reported. 
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JUBA, April 16 (Xinhua) -- Before dawn in Chemedi Payam in South Sudan's Upper Nile State, women and children line up with empty jerrycans for water that may never arrive.

"We wake up at 3:00 a.m. local time (0100 GMT) and come here to look for water," said Amna Ibrahim, a Sudanese refugee who fled conflict across the border. "We haven't even had breakfast because we came early to fetch water."

Chemedi, a remote settlement in Upper Nile State, is home to about 58,000 people, most of them Sudanese refugees and returnees. A worsening water crisis there is ravaging daily life and straining already fragile basic services.

The shortages persist despite the settlement's proximity to the Nile, one of Africa's largest rivers. Aid workers and local officials said the problem is not the absence of water sources, but the lack of infrastructure to safely extract, treat and distribute water to dispersed communities.

With few functioning boreholes, limited storage capacity and no large-scale treatment systems, most residents rely on water trucking or unsafe alternatives. Seasonal water points often dry up during prolonged dry spells.

For many families, access to water depends on tanker deliveries supported by aid agencies, but humanitarian workers warn that these operations are increasingly constrained by funding shortfalls.

"If the tanker doesn't come, we don't know what we will do," Zainab Yasin, another Sudanese refugee, told Xinhua.

According to local authorities, the rapid influx of people fleeing violence in Sudan has overwhelmed the area's already overstretched water infrastructure. The lack of reliable water supplies is also undermining the delivery of critical health services, particularly for malnourished children and mothers.

At a primary healthcare facility supported by the United Nations Children's Fund and its partners, dozens of children suffering from severe acute malnutrition are treated daily, alongside pregnant and breastfeeding women.

"Water is a major gap in Chemedi. Without it, our nutrition services cannot function properly," said Jansuk Alex Sworo, a nutrition specialist working in the area.

According to Sworo, the absence of sustained funding for water services has left both the facility and surrounding communities struggling. Aid agencies are trucking in water from Renk, about 80 km from Chemedi, but the approach is difficult to sustain under current financial constraints, he said.

With few alternatives, many residents resort to unsafe sources like untreated water from shallow wells or seasonal reservoirs that dry up quickly.

Beyond health impacts, the water crisis is also disrupting education. At a primary school, where most of its 650 pupils are refugees, lessons are frequently cut short. "We have an issue with water here, and that is why we release learners at 11:00 a.m.," head teacher Awadia Paulo Adowk said.

Some parents have stopped sending their children to school altogether as securing water becomes a daily struggle. "Sometimes we get water, and after two days, we don't have anything to drink," said Rasham Mohamed Sheikh Al-Din, a mother of eight.

Local officials and aid workers are calling for increased support to address growing water needs. As the conflict in Sudan continues to drive displacement across the border, residents warn that without sustained funding and long-term infrastructure, thousands will remain dependent on unsafe and unreliable water sources. 
Bulat Sultanov, chairman of Kazakhstan's Belt and Road Experts and Scholars Club, addresses an international academic seminar titled "China-Kazakhstan Community with a Shared Future: Prospects for All-round Cooperation under New TO GO WITH "China-Kazakhstan academic seminar focuses on all-round cooperation" (Xinhua/Li Renzi)

ALMATY, April 16 (Xinhua) -- An international academic seminar titled "China-Kazakhstan Community with a Shared Future: Prospects for All-round Cooperation under New Geopolitical Realities" was held on Thursday in Almaty, Kazakhstan.

More than 30 experts and scholars from Kazakh universities and research institutes attended the event, exchanging views on topics including building a China-Kazakhstan community with a shared future, energy cooperation and mutual learning among civilizations.

Chinese Ambassador to Kazakhstan Han Chunlin said in a speech that both China and Kazakhstan are at critical stages of their respective development and national rejuvenation. As partners on the path toward modernization, China stands ready to work with Kazakhstan to consolidate and advance bilateral relations and promote the building of a China-Kazakhstan community with a shared future defined by lasting friendship, a high degree of mutual trust, sharing weal and woe and shared prosperity.

Such efforts, he said, will bring more benefits to the two peoples and inject greater stability and certainty into a turbulent international and regional landscape.

Bulat Sultanov, chairman of Kazakhstan's Belt and Road Experts and Scholars Club, said that amid a complex and rapidly changing international environment, it is of great importance for Kazakhstan to strengthen stable and mutually beneficial cooperation with its external partners.

He expressed hope that the seminar would serve as an opportunity for the exchange of constructive views on the current state and future prospects of the Kazakhstan-China permanent comprehensive strategic partnership.

The seminar was jointly organized by the Consulate General of China in Almaty, Kazakhstan's Belt and Road Experts and Scholars Club and the Research Institute for International and Regional Cooperation at the Kazakh-German University. 

Chinese Ambassador to Kazakhstan Han Chunlin addresses an international academic seminar titled "China-Kazakhstan Community with a Shared Future: Prospects for All-round Cooperation under New Geopolitical Realities" in Almaty, Kazakhstan, April 16, 2026. TO GO WITH "China-Kazakhstan academic seminar focuses on all-round cooperation" (Xinhua/Li Renzi)
WASHINGTON, April 16 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Donald Trump said Thursday he will invite Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Lebanese President Joseph Aoun to visit the White House for peace talks, following a 10-day ceasefire between the two countries set to start hours later.

Trump wrote on social media that it would be "the first meaningful talks between Israel and Lebanon since 1983."

"Both sides want to see PEACE, and I believe that will happen, quickly!" Trump added.

Earlier, Trump said he spoke with Netanyahu and Aoun and announced the 10-day ceasefire between the two countries would formally begin at 5 p.m. U.S. Eastern Time (2100 GMT) on Thursday.

Israel and Lebanon held their first direct diplomatic talks since 1993 earlier this week in Washington, with both sides agreeing to launch "direct" negotiations after the meeting.

Lebanese health authorities said Wednesday that the cumulative death toll from ongoing Israeli attacks on the country has risen to 2,167, with 7,061 others injured since March 2. 
U.S. President Donald Trump speaks to the press on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, D.C., the United States, April 16, 2026. Trump said Thursday he would consider visiting Pakistan if a peace deal is reached between the United States and Iran to end the weekslong conflict. (Photo by Li Yuanqing/Xinhua)

WASHINGTON, April 16 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Donald Trump said Thursday he would consider visiting Pakistan if a peace deal is reached between the United States and Iran to end the weekslong conflict.

"I would go to Pakistan, yeah," he told reporters at the White House. "If the deal is signed in Islamabad, I might go."

He also said the two sides will "probably, maybe" resume in-person talks over the weekend.

"It's looking very good that we're going to make a deal with Iran and it's going to be a good deal, it's going to be a deal with no nuclear weapons," Trump said. "We have a lot of agreement with Iran."

Trump said he may not need to extend the current two-week ceasefire with Iran, which expires next week.

"We're doing well, I can tell you," Trump said. "I'm not sure it needs to be extended."

Meanwhile, Trump dismissed the reported U.S. 20-year timeline to suspend Iran's uranium enrichment.

"We have a statement, very powerful statement, that they will not have, beyond 20 years, that they will not have nuclear weapons," Trump said. "There's no 20-year limit."

The U.S. president also claimed that Tehran has "agreed to give us back the nuclear dust that's way underground because of the attack we made with the B2 bombers," referring to Iran's enriched uranium.

However, Trump reiterated his threat to resume bombing if the talks fail.

"If there's no deal, fighting resumes," Trump said. 

U.S. President Donald Trump speaks to the press on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, D.C., the United States, April 16, 2026. Trump said Thursday he would consider visiting Pakistan if a peace deal is reached between the United States and Iran to end the weekslong conflict. (Photo by Li Yuanqing/Xinhua)

U.S. President Donald Trump speaks to the press on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, D.C., the United States, April 16, 2026. Trump said Thursday he would consider visiting Pakistan if a peace deal is reached between the United States and Iran to end the weekslong conflict. (Photo by Li Yuanqing/Xinhua)

U.S. President Donald Trump speaks to the press on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, D.C., the United States, April 16, 2026. Trump said Thursday he would consider visiting Pakistan if a peace deal is reached between the United States and Iran to end the weekslong conflict. (Photo by Li Yuanqing/Xinhua)

U.S. President Donald Trump speaks to the press on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, D.C., the United States, April 16, 2026. Trump said Thursday he would consider visiting Pakistan if a peace deal is reached between the United States and Iran to end the weekslong conflict. (Photo by Li Yuanqing/Xinhua)
JERUSALEM/BEIRUT, April 17 (Xinhua) -- A 10-day ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon took effect on Friday, following an announcement earlier by U.S. President Donald Trump.

The leaders of the two countries "have agreed that in order to achieve PEACE between their Countries, they will formally begin a 10 Day CEASEFIRE at 5 P.M. EST (2100 GMT)," Trump wrote on Truth Social on Thursday.

As the truce took effect, the Israeli military said it is "on high alert in defense and will operate in accordance with directives from the political echelon." 
BRUSSELS, April 16 (Xinhua) -- European leaders on Thursday called for the full implementation of the 10-day ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon and urged efforts toward a lasting peace.

In a post on social media platform X, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen described the ceasefire as a relief after the conflict had already claimed too many lives, but stressed that what was needed was not just a temporary pause, but a path to permanent peace.

"Europe will continue to call for the full respect of Lebanon's sovereignty and territorial integrity," she added.

In a separate post on X, European Council President Antonio Costa said the ceasefire must now be implemented and verified on the ground.

Costa said it was essential for Israel and Lebanon to engage in meaningful negotiations that deliver concrete results "for the sake of their peoples and the prospect of a sustainable peace."

Israel and Lebanon will formally begin a 10-day ceasefire at 5 p.m. U.S. Eastern Time (2100 GMT) on Thursday, U.S. President Donald Trump announced after his phone calls with the two countries' leaders.

Following the announcement, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said that she hoped the ceasefire would create the conditions for successful negotiations between the two sides and lead to a full and lasting peace.

Lebanese health authorities said Wednesday that the cumulative death toll from ongoing Israeli attacks on the country has risen to 2,167, with 7,061 others injured since March 2. 
SANAA, April 16 (Xinhua) -- Yemen's Houthi leader Abdul-Malik al-Houthi on Thursday voiced support for Hezbollah and the people of Lebanon, condemning Israeli actions and warning of broader regional consequences.

In a televised speech aired by the Houthi-run Al-Masirah TV, al-Houthi described Israeli actions in Lebanon as a "major aggression" against a key front in the so-called axis of resistance, stressing that it is impossible to "ignore or remain silent," and backing Hezbollah and Lebanon is "essential."

He attributed regional instability to what he called a long-standing "scheme" linked to the occupation of Palestine, and accused the United States and Israel of fueling tensions across the Middle East.

According to the Houthi leader, the U.S.-Israeli military campaign aimed to overthrow Iran's government but did not succeed, and the United States incurred major economic losses due to the conflict, citing war expenditures, depletion of military stockpiles, and the need for extensive maintenance of equipment.

He labeled U.S. actions in the Gulf of Oman as "illegitimate," calling them "acts of aggression and piracy."

The remarks follow an April 8 ceasefire between Iran, the United States, and Israel after 40 days of fighting. Subsequent peace talks between Tehran and Washington, held in the Pakistani capital Islamabad, failed to reach an agreement.

Since late March, the Houthis have launched missiles and drones toward Israel in support of regional allies, including those in Iran, Iraq, Lebanon, and Palestine, amid rising regional tensions. 
BEIRUT, April 17 (Xinhua) -- A 10-day ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon took effect on Friday, following an announcement earlier by U.S. President Donald Trump.

The truce aims to end more than a month of deadly escalation between Israel and Hezbollah, which has claimed over 2,000 lives. With the ceasefire in effect, the international community has welcomed the move and called on relevant parties to strictly observe the agreement and end hostilities.

"We welcome steps that would end hostilities and suffering on both sides of the Blue Line," said Stephane Dujarric, chief spokesman for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, while calling on parties concerned to "abide by this ceasefire."

Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul-Gheit praised the ceasefire as a positive step to alleviate the suffering of the Lebanese people, urging the relevant parties to immediately abide by the truce and launch serious negotiations to secure a sustainable ceasefire.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei also welcomed the truce, noting that it is part of the Pakistan-mediated two-week ceasefire deal between Iran and the United States to stop the war, according to official news agency IRNA.

Egypt described the move as a significant measure to de-escalate regional tensions and halt the "Israeli aggression" on Lebanon.

In a statement, the Egyptian Foreign Ministry urged the international community to fulfill its responsibilities to ensure the ceasefire's sustainability, facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid, and enable displaced people to return to their homes.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the United Arab Emirates voiced hope that the truce will serve as a positive step toward fostering an environment conducive to regional stability, according to the Emirates News Agency.

The ministry also affirmed the importance of continued effective international coordination to prevent further escalation and mitigate the humanitarian and security repercussions across the region.

The Qatari Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the ceasefire is a step towards de-escalation, expressing hope that it will support regional and international efforts aimed at achieving a comprehensive, just, and sustainable peace in the region, according to Qatar News Agency.

A previous ceasefire in Lebanon, which had been in place since November 2024, was characterized by near-daily Israeli strikes in the country. The fragile truce collapsed on March 2, when Hezbollah launched rockets toward Israel in support of Iran, triggering intensified Israeli airstrikes across Lebanon. 
JERUSALEM, April 16 (Xinhua) -- Three foreign airlines resumed flights to Israel on Thursday amid the U.S.-Iran ceasefire, according to Israeli airports' arrival records and flight schedules.

Ethiopian Airlines resumed its service with a flight from Addis Ababa to Tel Aviv's Ben Gurion International Airport. Flydubai of the United Arab Emirates and Moldova's HiSky also restarted their routes to the city.

Their return brings the number of foreign carriers that renewed flights to Israel to seven.

Meanwhile, Greece's Sky Express will resume flights from Athens to Tel Aviv on Friday, alongside Georgian Airways, which will restart its flight from Tbilisi, and Russia's Red Wings, from Moscow.

International air travel to and from Israel had been fully suspended since February 28, when the United States and Israel jointly launched a war against Iran, targeting Iran's military facilities, nuclear infrastructure and senior leadership, while Iran responded by attacking U.S. and Israeli interests across the Middle East.

The war is currently paused under a fragile two-week ceasefire, with international and regional hopes that the two sides will reach a deal before the truce expires on April 22. 
WASHINGTON, April 16 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Donald Trump said Thursday he will meet Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Lebanese President Joseph Aoun at the White House "over the next week or two."

"I think we're going to have a meeting," Trump told reporters at the White House, noting the talks would be the first in 44 years.

"I think we will have an agreement between Lebanon, and they're going to take care of Hezbollah," Trump said.

The remarks came hours after he announced on social media that Israel and Lebanon agreed to a 10-day ceasefire starting on Thursday at 5 p.m. U.S. Eastern Time (2100 GMT). 
This picture taken on April 16, 2026 shows a millet variety grown in Uganda under the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)-China-Uganda South-South Cooperation project being exhibited during the project's Phase III conclusion event held in Kampala, Uganda. (Photo by Hajarah Nalwadda/Xinhua)

KAMPALA, April 16 (Xinhua) -- China's transfer of skills and technologies is transforming agricultural production in Uganda, demonstrating how Global South countries can accelerate development through South-South cooperation, officials said here on Thursday.

The remarks were made at a review workshop marking the completion of the third phase of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)-China-Uganda South-South Cooperation project.

According to Uganda's Ministry of Agriculture, since the project began in 2012, China has dispatched more than 60 agricultural experts to Uganda to share knowledge and skills with smallholder farmers and local specialists, help Ugandan farmers transition from subsistence to commercial farming, and boost production and household incomes.

Frank Tumwebaze, Uganda's minister of agriculture, animal industry and fisheries, told the meeting that the project demonstrates how Global South countries can collaborate to share knowledge and technology to transform their agrifood systems.

Tumwebaze praised China's cooperation with Africa, saying the project aligns with Uganda's priorities on agro-industrialization, food security and rural livelihoods.

"It supports strategic value chains such as rice, millet, sorghum, chili, livestock and fisheries, which are critical to livelihoods enhancement, food and nutrition security," the minister said.

Ye Anping, director of FAO's South-South and Triangular Cooperation Division, said that amid declining donor support due to the current geopolitical situation, the tripartite project has demonstrated the potential for Global South countries to lift millions out of poverty through the sharing of knowledge and skills.

Wu Xiuqiang, a representative of the Sichuan Provincial Department of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, said the project's three phases have contributed to the modernization and industrialization of Uganda's agricultural sector, while serving as a model for China-Africa agricultural cooperation and broader South-South collaboration.

Fan Xuecheng, charge d'affaires ad interim of the Chinese Embassy in Uganda, said the transfer of knowledge and skills under the project has helped cultivate a new generation of Ugandan agricultural professionals, ensuring that its achievements are locally owned and sustained.

Fan added that more than 100,000 Ugandans have benefited from training and technical support provided by Chinese experts over the years.

Under the project, three agricultural technology transfer hubs were established, focusing on crop varieties, livestock and fisheries.

One key achievement in the crop sector is the introduction of WDR-73, a high-yielding, drought-resistant rice variety now being promoted nationwide, which has benefited nearly 5,000 households and significantly increased both production and average household income.

Robert Sagura, a rice farmer with over 40 years of experience, is among the beneficiaries. He told Xinhua that more than 500 rice farmers in his home district of Butaleja in eastern Uganda have adopted techniques introduced by Chinese experts.

"They gave us new technologies on how to improve our rice farming, such as line transplanting, pest management, and growing high-yielding hybrid rice compared to our local varieties," Sagura said.

"We used to get about 500 kg per acre per season, but now, because of their skills and technology, we can get over 2,000 kg per acre per season," he added. 

Frank Tumwebaze, minister of agriculture, animal industry and fisheries speaks during the conclusion event of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)-China-Uganda South-South Cooperation Phase III project held in Kampala, Uganda, April 16, 2026. (Photo by Hajarah Nalwadda/Xinhua)

Officials from Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), Chinese and Ugandan government talk at a trilateral side meeting during the conclusion event of the FAO-China-Uganda South-South Cooperation Phase III project held in Kampala, Uganda, April 16, 2026. (Photo by Hajarah Nalwadda/Xinhua)
HELSINKI, April 16 (Xinhua) -- The Finnish government has revised its public wording on the United States in a new security policy report submitted to parliament on Thursday, describing U.S. policies as "unpredictable."

Speaking at a press conference, Finnish Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen characterized the current U.S. approach to Europe as "transaction-type," saying it is affecting transatlantic relations.

The report states that the United States is increasingly assessing its allies based on the benefits they bring to Washington. It adds that Finland must demonstrate its reliability, strengthen its defense capabilities, and commit to higher defense spending in the current environment.

The document also underscores the importance of the European Union in security and defense matters.

Notably, the updated text no longer repeats the wording from the 2024 version, which described the United States as a key strategic partner of Finland.

It further notes that some permanent members of the United Nations Security Council have shown disregard for the UN Charter and that international law is being violated, though it does not name specific countries.

The decision to revise the security policy report was made in January after U.S. President Donald Trump threatened to take control of Greenland, according to Finnish national broadcaster Yle.

The report will now be debated in parliament before final approval. 
NAIROBI, April 16 (Xinhua) -- African climate negotiators convened in Nairobi, the Kenyan capital, on Thursday for a two-day meeting to establish a unified stance on financing the green transition.

Nana Antwi-Boasiako Amoah, chairman of the African Group of Negotiators Experts Support, said the discussions would prioritize agriculture, food security, gender equality and climate finance.

Amoah said that as global climate negotiations advance under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, there is increasing urgency to strengthen the implementation of climate action, particularly within the agriculture and food systems sector.

He noted that agriculture must be a focal point of global discussions as it remains a top priority for Africa due to its vital role in economic development, gross domestic product, employment and food security.

"This centrality has positioned African countries at the forefront of global agricultural negotiations under the UNFCCC," Amoah said.

Rose Mwebaza, director and regional representative of the United Nations Environment Programme Africa regional office, said the continent requires sustained financing and early warning systems to boost climate resilience.

Participants at the Nairobi forum called for enhanced coherence, coordination and interaction among parties and constituted bodies overseeing the operating entities of the financial mechanism under multilateral climate treaties. 
CAIRO, April 16 (Xinhua) -- Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty and his Turkish counterpart Hakan Fidan stressed the importance of renewed regional efforts to push for the resumption of negotiations between the United States and Iran, the Egyptian Foreign Ministry said in a statement Thursday.

The remarks came during a phone call between the two ministers Wednesday, during which they discussed the latest regional developments.

During the call, the two ministers exchanged views on developments related to U.S.-Iran negotiations, according to the statement.

The two top diplomats agreed to continue consultations and coordination and to push for de-escalation in light of "the serious repercussions of the current situation for regional peace and security."

The call came after recent U.S.-Iran talks in Islamabad failed to reach an agreement, amid differences over key issues including Iran's nuclear program and control over the Strait of Hormuz.

The United States and Israel jointly launched a war against Iran in late February that lasted nearly six weeks, targeting Iran's military facilities, nuclear infrastructure and senior leadership, while Iran responded by attacking U.S. and Israeli interests across the Middle East.

The war is currently paused under a fragile two-week ceasefire, with international and regional hopes that the two sides will reach a deal before the truce expires on April 22. 
NAIROBI, April 16 (Xinhua) -- Kenyan tea farmers are bracing for a potential crisis this year as conflict in the Middle East disrupts key trade routes, leading to shipping delays and threatening billions in export earnings, an industry official said on Thursday.

Enos Njeru, chairman of the Kenya Tea Development Agency Holdings, an association that brings together over 600,000 smallholder tea farmers through 54 tea factory companies, said in a statement that the tea sector is under increased pressure due to the conflict.

"This conflict has disrupted key export routes, leading to shipping delays and increased freight and insurance costs," Njeru said, adding that rising fuel prices in Kenya are expected to push up fertilizer costs, as most agricultural inputs are oil-based, while global shipping rates remain elevated.

"Currently, we are holding tea worth over 3 billion shillings (about 23.3 million U.S. dollars) in our warehouses due to a lack of shipping capacity, and we fear things could get worse in the coming days," he said.

To mitigate the crisis, Njeru called for interventions to cushion farmers, including lowering taxes on tea, noting that the crop remains heavily taxed.

Kenyan President William Ruto said earlier that while fertilizer supplies are not expected to be disrupted by the conflict, key exports, particularly tea, would face challenges in certain markets.

Tea is one of Kenya's top foreign exchange earners, with the East African nation earning 218.79 billion shillings from the crop in 2025. 
MOGADISHU, April 16 (Xinhua) -- The World Food Program (WFP) said Thursday it has delivered nutritional support to more than 180,000 children and pregnant or breastfeeding mothers in Somalia, funded by 4.5 million U.S. dollars in financial assistance.

The WFP said the funding has been crucial in helping prevent malnutrition amid worsening food insecurity in Somalia.

"Acute malnutrition levels are reaching a critical point in Somalia, with lifesaving nutrition services slashed by more than half since the beginning of 2025," said Hameed Nuru, WFP representative and country director in Somalia, in a statement.

The agency warned that Somalia's hunger crisis is rapidly deteriorating, with 6.5 million people -- about one-third of the population -- facing crisis levels of food insecurity, including two million in emergency conditions.

In 2026, an estimated 1.84 million children are expected to suffer from acute malnutrition in 2026, with over 483,000 likely to experience its most severe form, the WFP said.

"As needs rise, interventions like this, alongside lifesaving food assistance, are essential to ensure that vulnerable families continue receiving the support they urgently need," Nuru said.

According to the WFP, mothers and children in some of Somalia's most drought-affected areas have already benefited from the nutrition assistance, helping to protect their health and reduce the risk of malnutrition. 
Children stage a performance during a celebration event marking the International Chinese Language Day in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, April 16, 2026. The 17th United Nations (UN) Chinese Language Day was marked on Thursday in Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia, highlighting the language's global significance and its enduring cultural heritage. (Photo by Michael Tewelde/Xinhua)

ADDIS ABABA, April 16 (Xinhua) -- The 17th United Nations (UN) Chinese Language Day was marked on Thursday in Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia, highlighting the language's global significance and its enduring cultural heritage.

Hosted at the UN Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) under the theme "Chinese: lighting up your colorful dreams," the event brought together diplomatic corps, UN staff, students and representatives from the Chinese community.

Addressing the event, Jiang Feng, head of mission of China to the African Union (AU) and representative to UNECA, said that the establishment of the UN Chinese Language Day not only highlights the importance of the Chinese language but also reflects the UN's commitment to promoting language equality and cultural diversity.

"The timeless vitality of the Chinese language stems fundamentally from the concepts of Chinese civilization," Jiang said, adding that the Chinese characters constitute a writing system that has been passed down and used for thousands of years, embodying the beauty of sound, form and meaning.

Rita Bissoonauth, director of the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Liaison Office to the AU and the UNECA, said that the Chinese language is not merely one of the oldest living languages in the world, but also a living memory of humanity.

"For 5,000 years, the Chinese language has been more than a means of communication. It has been a living bridge between generations. From the oracle bones of the Shang Dynasty to the timeless verses of Li Bai and Du Fu, from the wisdom of Confucius to the digital conversations of today, Chinese carries the soul of a civilization that continues to inspire the world," she said.

According to Bissoonauth, UNESCO recognizes Chinese calligraphy as an intangible cultural heritage and an art form where brushstrokes dance like the heartbeat of a culture. "The language's proverbs and poetry remind us that language is not merely spoken. It is felt. It is lived and it is preserved in the echoes of history."

Aboubakri Diaw, chief of staff at the Office of the UNECA Executive Secretary, said that the Chinese language is unique because of its antiquity, continuity, precision and depth.

"The Chinese language carries one of the world's great intellectual and literary traditions. It is a language in which writing is not only a practical instrument, but also an art form, a discipline and in many ways, a philosophy," Diaw said.

Sponsored by the mission of China to the AU, the event also showcased Chinese cultural activities such as calligraphy, tea art and paper cutting. 

Children stage a performance during a celebration event marking the International Chinese Language Day in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, April 16, 2026. The 17th United Nations (UN) Chinese Language Day was marked on Thursday in Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia, highlighting the language's global significance and its enduring cultural heritage. (Photo by Michael Tewelde/Xinhua)

A girl watches as people write Chinese calligraphy during a celebration event marking the International Chinese Language Day in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, April 16, 2026. The 17th United Nations (UN) Chinese Language Day was marked on Thursday in Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia, highlighting the language's global significance and its enduring cultural heritage. (Photo by Michael Tewelde/Xinhua)

Jiang Feng, head of mission of China to the African Union (AU) and representative to UNECA, speaks during a celebration event marking the International Chinese Language Day in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, April 16, 2026. The 17th United Nations (UN) Chinese Language Day was marked on Thursday in Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia, highlighting the language's global significance and its enduring cultural heritage. (Photo by Michael Tewelde/Xinhua)

Rita Bissoonauth, director of the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Liaison Office to the AU and the UNECA, speaks during a celebration event marking the International Chinese Language Day in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, April 16, 2026. The 17th United Nations (UN) Chinese Language Day was marked on Thursday in Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia, highlighting the language's global significance and its enduring cultural heritage. (Photo by Michael Tewelde/Xinhua)

Aboubakri Diaw, chief of staff at the Office of the UNECA Executive Secretary, speaks during a celebration event marking the International Chinese Language Day in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, April 16, 2026. The 17th United Nations (UN) Chinese Language Day was marked on Thursday in Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia, highlighting the language's global significance and its enduring cultural heritage. (Photo by Michael Tewelde/Xinhua)
NEW DELHI, April 16 (Xinhua) -- At least six government forces personnel were wounded in an IED blast during a gunfight with Naxals in the eastern Indian state of Jharkhand, police said Thursday.

The gunfight between Naxals and joint contingents of police and the Central Reserve Police Force broke out on Wednesday.

According to the All India Radio, following the incident, government forces cordoned off the entire area and intensified the operation to track down Naxals present in the area. 
MELBOURNE, April 16 (Xinhua) -- A major fire that broke out at one of Australia's two oil refineries on Wednesday night will impact the national fuel supply, energy minister Chris Bowen said Thursday.

"The major impact at this point appears to be more on petrol production," he told Australian Broadcasting Corporation television. "I'm sure petrol production will continue but it may be impacted for some time."

The fire broke out at Viva Energy's refinery in the city of Geelong, 65 km southwest of Melbourne, which produces about 10 percent of the national supply. No injuries were reported. 
KABUL, April 16 (Xinhua) -- Police have arrested two abductors and rescued their hostage in northern Afghanistan's Sari Pul province, provincial police spokesman Naqibullah Alamyar said Thursday.

According to the official, the alleged kidnappers had kidnapped a girl. Police tracked them in Sangcharak district on Wednesday and rescued the girl. He added that both kidnappers would be handed over to the judiciary after the completion of a preliminary investigation.

The official did not provide more details.

Although law enforcement agencies do their best to ensure law and order in post-war Afghanistan, police occasionally report criminal activities.

In an unrelated incident on Monday, four people were killed and three others sustained injuries when an armed individual opened fire on a rival family in Baghlan province, north of Afghanistan. 
People enjoy water-splashing festival in Menglian, SW China's Yunnan

People's Daily Online) 17:07, April 15, 2026

The annual water splashing festival, which marks the Dai New Year in the traditional ethnic calendar, arrived on April 12 this year in Menglian Dai, Lahu and Wa Autonomous County, Pu'er City, southwest China's Yunnan Province.

Tens of thousands of residents and tourists gathered at Nayun Square and along the main streets dressed in festive attire. They splashed blessed water on each other to wish for luck and good health, with laughter echoing through the border town.

Wu Wenwen, as an intern, also contributed to this video.

(Web editor: Cai Hairuo, Du Mingming)
KUALA LUMPUR, April 16 (Xinhua) -- Malaysia and Australia have reaffirmed their commitment to ensuring stable and resilient energy supplies, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and his Australian counterpart Anthony Albanese said on Thursday.

Both countries have committed to promote open and stable trade flows between the two nations, including for essential energy supplies, Anwar and Albanese said in a joint statement in conjunction with the latter's three-day official visit.

"We will exchange views on energy trade-related matters on a 'no surprises' basis, and deepen practical cooperation on energy security for both countries to achieve shared goals," they said.

Anwar and Albanese added that both countries are also committed to strengthening energy supply chain resilience, including through deeper regional cooperation, support for energy transition efforts and the promotion of renewable energy adoption.

"Open and resilient global energy supplies remain deeply important to the security and prosperity of our peoples, and we will continue to consult on developments that may affect energy supply and markets," they said.

They added that Malaysia and Australia share a long-standing friendship underpinned by their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, with both nations having a common interest in ensuring regional prosperity, stability and economic growth. 
JAKARTA, April 16 (Xinhua) -- A helicopter lost contact on Thursday in Sekadau Regency of Indonesia's West Kalimantan province, according to local media reports.

The aircraft, carrying two crew members and six passengers, was flying from Melawi to Kubu Raya when it reportedly lost contact near Tapang Tingang Village at 08:39 a.m. local time.

Search and rescue teams from Sintang and Pontianak have been deployed to the area, equipped with medical supplies, navigation and communication tools, including Starlink devices.

Authorities said search operations are ongoing, and the condition of those on board remains unknown. 
ISLAMABAD, April 16 (Xinhua) -- Diplomatic activity intensified on Wednesday around the ongoing U.S.-Iran conflict, as Pakistan stepped up mediation efforts amid prospects for renewed negotiations.

A high-level Pakistani delegation led by the country's Army Chief Asim Munir arrived in Tehran as part of Islamabad's continued efforts to facilitate dialogue between Washington and Tehran. The delegation, comprising senior officials from security and diplomatic institutions, is carrying key messages linked to the next phase of engagement between the two sides.

The visit follows earlier face-to-face talks hosted in Islamabad that ended without agreement, but kept diplomatic channels open. Iranian officials confirmed that exchanges with the United States are continuing through Pakistan.

The diplomatic push coincides with broader regional outreach by Pakistan's leadership. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif arrived in Jeddah on an official visit to Saudi Arabia. Later this week, he will also travel to Qatar and Turkiye, where discussions are expected to focus on bilateral ties as well as regional peace and security.

Despite these efforts, key differences between the United States and Iran remain unresolved. U.S. President Donald Trump said the conflict was "very close" to completion, while also indicating that a new round of talks with Iran could take place soon, potentially in Pakistan.

Iran, meanwhile, has taken a cautious position. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei said no agreement has been reached on extending the current ceasefire, rejecting media reports suggesting otherwise. While expressing openness to discussing parameters of its nuclear program, Baghaei has reiterated its right to peaceful nuclear energy and called for sanctions relief as part of any broader settlement.

Although diplomatic engagement continues, no timeline has been set for the next round of talks.

Meanwhile, tensions on the ground continue to pose risks to regional stability. The United States has imposed a naval blockade targeting Iranian maritime trade, with U.S. military officials claiming that economic activity linked to Iran by sea has been effectively halted within a short period. The move has heightened tensions in key strategic waterways.

In response, Iranian military officials warned of possible countermeasures. Ali Abdollahi, chief commander of Iran's main military command Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, said Iran could block trade flows across major maritime routes, including the Strait of Hormuz, the Gulf, the Sea of Oman and the Red Sea, if restrictions on its shipping persist.

As diplomatic channels remain active but inconclusive, Pakistan's mediation efforts -- alongside parallel regional and international initiatives -- are likely to play a key role in shaping whether the current pause in fighting can evolve into a broader and lasting settlement. 
TOKYO, April 16 (Xinhua) -- The number of visitors to Japan from the Chinese mainland plunged 55.9 percent year-on-year in March to 291,600, marking a continued downward trend that is weighing on multiple sectors of the Japanese economy.

The drop extended the decline to a fourth consecutive month, according to data released on Wednesday by the Japan National Tourism Organization.

During the first quarter of 2026, Chinese mainland visitor arrivals dropped 54.6 percent compared with the same period last year.

The sustained drop in tourist numbers follows blatant Taiwan-related remarks made by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, after which travel demand from the Chinese mainland has continued to weaken.

The downturn has put pressure on a wide range of industries, including retail, hospitality and dining, all of which have traditionally relied heavily on Chinese tourists.

Preliminary figures released Wednesday by the Japan Tourism Agency showed that spending by Chinese mainland travelers in the January-March period halved to 271.5 billion yen (about 1.71 billion U.S. dollars) from a year before.

Major Japanese retailers have already felt the impact. Department store operator Takashimaya and J. Front Retailing both reported declines in net profits for the previous fiscal year, their first such drops in five years.

Keiichi Ono, president of J. Front Retailing, said at a financial results briefing that it would be difficult in the short term to offset the impact of the decline in Chinese tourists. 
CANBERRA, April 16 (Xinhua) -- The Australian government will increase military spending by 53 billion Australian dollars (38.1 billion U.S. dollars) over the next 10 years under the 2026 national defense strategy (NDS) announced on Thursday.

Minister for Defense and Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles detailed the new strategy in a speech to the National Press Club in Canberra, describing the funding boost as the "biggest peacetime increase" in Australian history.

He said that the new NDS includes an additional 14 billion Australian dollars (10.1 billion U.S. dollars) in spending over the next four years compared to the previous strategy from 2024, and an additional 53 billion Australian dollars over the next decade.

The government said that the increased spending will take Australia's defense budget to 3 percent of GDP by 2033 under the NATO methodology that includes adjacent spending such as military pensions.

Australia's defense budget is currently at 2.0 percent of GDP under a narrower method of calculation that does not include adjacent spending. The 2024 NSD projected that defense spending would hit 2.4 percent of GDP by 2034 under the narrower definition.

Marles said that Australia is facing its "most complex and threatening strategic circumstances" since the end of World War II amid the erosion of "international norms" that once constrained the use of force.

He said that the federal government would pursue every avenue to quickly increase defense capability, including through accessing private capital.

"It puts Australia on a path to strengthen our defense self-reliance. It reinforces the industrial and national foundations of defense, and it situates Australia firmly within a network of trusted regional and global partnerships," he said of the NSD.

The increased spending includes 12 billion Australian dollars (8.6 billion U.S. dollars) that was previously announced to upgrade shipyards in Western Australia that will support maintenance of nuclear-powered submarines and up to 5 billion Australian dollars (3.6 billion U.S. dollars) for new investments in drone technology. 
THE HAGUE, April 16 (Xinhua) -- Dutch flag carrier KLM announced on Thursday that it will cancel 80 flights to and from Amsterdam Schiphol Airport in May due to rising kerosene costs.

The airline said the affected routes are within Europe and are no longer financially viable under current conditions. The cancellations account for less than 1 percent of its European flight schedule during that period.

Passengers affected by the changes will be rebooked on the next available flights.

Fatih Birol, head of the International Energy Agency (IEA), warned on Thursday that Europe may have only about six weeks of jet fuel remaining if current supply disruptions persist, reported L'Actualite. 
BRATISLAVA, April 4 (Xinhua) -- Slovakia will not support a new European Union (EU) package of sanctions against Russia if the Druzhba oil pipeline is not restored, Foreign Minister Juraj Blanar said in parliament on Thursday.

Oil supplies through the Druzhba pipeline to Slovakia and Hungary were suspended following an attack on Jan. 27, Ukrainian officials said, blaming Russia for the pipeline damage. Slovakia later declared an oil emergency and claimed that Ukraine was deliberately halting oil supplies through the pipeline.

According to the News Agency of the Slovak Republic, Blanar said Slovakia would not approve the EU's 20th sanctions package if the pipeline remained non-operational, arguing that Bratislava has "no other tools" to pressure Ukraine and the European Commission to restore oil flows through Druzhba.

His remarks indicate that Slovakia could block the proposed sanctions package, which requires unanimous approval from EU member states.

However, Blanar also said Slovakia is not blocking an EU loan to Ukraine, noting that it has opted out of participation from the outset and secured an exemption, along with the Czech Republic and Hungary, from guarantees and interest repayments.

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban previously blocked the disbursement of the loan over the suspension of Russian oil supplies via the Druzhba pipeline, while Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico has said Slovakia could take over Hungary's role if necessary. 
WASHINGTON, April 16 (Xinhua) -- The Pentagon is stepping up contingency planning for a possible military operation in Cuba, in case U.S. President Donald Trump orders an intervention on the island country, USA Today reported Wednesday.

Citing two anonymous sources familiar with the matter, the report said the directives appear to reflect an escalation of recent tensions between the two countries since January, when the Trump administration imposed new oil restrictions on Cuba and issued military threats as part of a broader plan to force political changes there.

In a statement to the newspaper, the Pentagon said it "plans for a range of contingencies and remains prepared to execute the president's orders as directed."

On Monday, Trump threatened again that Cuba would be Washington's next target following attacks on Venezuela and Iran.

"We may stop by Cuba after we're finished with this," Trump told reporters at the White House, referring to the U.S.-Israeli war against Iran, which started on Feb. 28.

In an interview with NBC aired Sunday, Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel said that dialogue with the United States is possible but difficult.

Cuba is willing to engage with Washington on issues such as migration, drug trafficking and security, but only based on "respect and equality," Diaz-Canel said.

Expressing concerns about recent U.S. rhetoric, he said that should an invasion of Cuba happen, "we will battle, we will defend ourselves."

Cuba has been facing a severe economic and energy crisis since the U.S. military raided Venezuela and took Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro by force on Jan. 3. The U.S. operation on Caracas has heavily disrupted Cuba's oil supplies from Venezuela and Mexico afterward. 
WASHINGTON, April 16 (Xinhua) -- U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth warned on Thursday that if Iran does not accept a deal, the U.S. military will strike Iran's "infrastructure, power and energy."

The U.S. naval blockade of Iranian ports would continue as the White House is "maximizing economic pressure" unless Iranian leaders "choose wisely," Hegseth said at a Pentagon press briefing.

"In the meantime and for as long as it takes, we will maintain this successful blockade. But if Iran chooses poorly, then they will have a blockade and bombs dropping on infrastructure, power and energy," he said, calling the blockade "the polite way to go."

The U.S. military was "maximally postured to restart combat operations" if Iran did not agree to a deal, he threatened.

U.S. troops in the Middle East are "rearming" and "retooling" amid the ceasefire, Admiral Brad Cooper, head of the U.S. Central Command, said at the press conference.

U.S. President Donald Trump said on Wednesday that the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran is "very close to being over," while again failing to offer a clear timeline.

The two-week ceasefire is to expire next week. 
WASHINGTON, April 15 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. Southern Command said on Wednesday it had killed three people in a strike on what it described as a drug-trafficking vessel in the eastern Pacific.

In a post on the social platform X, the command said that joint task force Southern Spear, acting under the direction of commander General Francis L. Donovan, carried out a lethal kinetic strike on a vessel it claimed was operated by a designated terrorist organization.

"Intelligence confirmed the vessel was transiting along known narco-trafficking routes in the Eastern Pacific and was engaged in narco-trafficking operations. Three male narco-terrorists were killed during this action. No U.S. military forces were harmed," it added.

The strike marked the third consecutive day of U.S. operations targeting suspected drug-trafficking vessels in the region. The military said it killed four people in a separate strike on Tuesday and two others in another operation on Monday.

Since early September, the U.S. military has conducted roughly 50 known airstrikes on suspected drug-trafficking boats, claiming at least 174 lives. 
WASHINGTON, April 16 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. troops deployed around the world "will actively pursue any Iranian-flagged vessel or any vessel attempting to provide material support to Iran," said a top U.S. general on Thursday.

The U.S. Navy has announced a blockade on all vessels heading to or departing from Iranian ports, starting on Monday, following the weekend U.S.-Iran talks in Islamabad that yielded no agreement.

The blockade applies to all ships, regardless of nationality, sailing to or from Iranian ports, and extends to vessels subject to U.S. sanctions or carrying suspected contraband, said Chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff Dan Caine at a Pentagon press briefing.

"If you do not comply with this blockade, we will use force," Caine warned.

The general said the U.S. military so far "has not been required to board any ships" as 13 ships have been turned around by the U.S. blockade.

"The U.S. action is a blockade of Iran's ports and coastline, not a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz," he stressed, noting that the blockade is being enforced in the waters around Iran as well as international waters.

Over 10,000 U.S. sailors, Marines and airmen, supported by 12 warships and dozens of aircraft, are involved in enforcing the blockade, Caine said.

U.S. President Donald Trump said on Wednesday that the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran is "very close to being over," while again failing to offer a clear timeline.

The two-week ceasefire is to expire next week, with a possible extension on the negotiating table. 
WASHINGTON, April 16 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Donald Trump said Thursday he will meet Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Lebanese President Joseph Aoun at the White House "over the next week or two."

"I think we're going to have a meeting," Trump told reporters at the White House, noting the talks would be the first in 44 years and a potential deal would include Iran-backed Hezbollah in Lebanon.

"I think we will have an agreement between Lebanon, and they're going to take care of Hezbollah," Trump said.

The remarks came hours after he announced on social media that Israel and Lebanon agreed to a 10-day ceasefire starting on Thursday at 5 p.m. U.S. Eastern Time (2100 GMT).

Israel reserves the right "to take all necessary measures in self-defense" during the ceasefire, which could be extended, the U.S. Department of State said Thursday in a six-point statement.

"Besides this, it (Israel) will not carry out any offensive military operations against Lebanese targets, including civilian, military, and other state targets, in the territory of Lebanon by land, air, and sea," said the statement.

It said that "the Government of Lebanon will take meaningful steps to prevent Hezbollah and all other rogue non-state armed groups in the territory of Lebanon from carrying out" hostile activities during the ceasefire.

The truce "may be extended by mutual agreement between Lebanon and Israel if progress is demonstrated in the negotiations and as Lebanon effectively demonstrates its ability to assert its sovereignty," the statement added.

The statement outlines the terms of the ceasefire and has been agreed upon by the governments of Israel and Lebanon, according to the State Department.

Netanyahu said Thursday that Israel will not withdraw from positions in Lebanon during the ceasefire, according to reports. 
Manufacturing jobs fell in February from both a month earlier and a year ago, while construction jobs have increased, according to the state Department of Workforce Development. Mural depicting workers painted on windows of the Madison-Kipp Corp. by Goodman Community Center students and Madison-Kipp employees with Dane Arts Mural Arts. (Photo by Erik Gunn /Wisconsin Examiner)

The total number of Wisconsin jobs fell in February compared with January and also fell from the number in February 2025, the state labor department reported Thursday.

Meanwhile, employment was up in February compared with January, while it declined from February a year ago. The percentage of people who reported they were unemployed in February but actively seeking work rose from the previous month, however.

I would hesitate to say, based on what weve seen so far with employment over [the past] year, whether were seeing a downward or an uptrend, said Scott Hodek, section chief in the Department of Workforce Development office of economic advisors, in a briefing Thursday.

Shifting tariff policies and general economic volatility are introducing a lot of noise in the economy right now, Hodek said.

According to DWD, 3.02 million Wisconsinites were employed in February, an increase of 1,500 from January but a drop of 11,900 from February 2025. The unemployment rate, which includes people who report they are actively seeking work, rose to 3.4% in February from 3.3% in January.

There were 3.02 million nonfarm jobs in Wisconsin in February  down 10,500 from January and down 20,200 from February 2025.

Any time we see a job drop its something we definitely want to pay attention to, Hodek said. Current indicators are mixed and make it difficult to parse where the economy is going, he added. Youve got the [stock] market going one direction and youve got real consumer spending kind of flattening.

There were 153,700 construction jobs in February, a gain of 800 from January and 10,200 from February 2025. There were 451,500 manufacturing jobs in February, down 100 from January and down 8,600 from February 2025.

Thats related to multiple factors, Hodek said, but declines dont always indicate the health of the industry.

Automation, productivity increases and outsourcing can all lead to job reductions, he said. But the shrinkage can also reflect difficulty hiring, because the jobs numbers only show people who are working, not vacancies that employers are trying to fill, so it can look like employments going down in manufacturing.

Wisconsins job and employment numbers for January, February and March were delayed due to the annual adjustments made to the formulas that economists use to calculate them. Those delays were exacerbated by the federal shutdown in October and early November.

Wisconsins January numbers were released on April 2, and the March numbers will be released in two weeks on April 29.

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Good news: A study found that Jacksonville had the most affordable rent among major cities in Florida, costing renters just over 25% of their household income.

Bad news: That's still pretty expensive. In a look at more than 180 cities across the U.S., Jacksonville came in at No. 125, the first Florida city on the list, with the rest grouped toward the bottom.

The least affordable rent in the country, according to the report? Miami, where renters can expect to pay up to a third of their income to keep a roof over their heads,

Over the past decade, rental costs have increased by more than 50%, according to the Federal Reserves Consumer Price Index. Home prices have also gone up. But wages haven't, which means more and more of a household's income is drained away by housing.

"This gives people in the least expensive cities a clear financial advantage; the money they save on rent could go toward their emergency fund or savings for future home ownership," said Chip Lupo, WalletHub analyst.

WalletHub analyzed the median annual gross rent across the country and compared it with the median household income for each location. Florida didn't do well.

Which US city had the most affordable rent?

Cities With the Most Affordable Rent

Source: WalletHub

Bismarck, North Dakota, is where to go for the most affordable rent, at 15.29% of the median annual household income.

Sioux Falls, South Dakota (16.35%), Cedar Rapids, Iowa (16.48%), Charleston, West Virginia (16.56%), and Fargo, North Dakota (16.94%) rounded out the rest of the top five, WalletHub said.

How does rent in Florida cities compare to the US?

According to WalletHub's report, here's what people are paying in Florida in a comparison of 182 U.S. cities:

No. 125: Jacksonville , 25.16% of the median household income

No. 153: St. Petersburg , 26.54%

No. 155, Fort Lauderdale , 26.76%

No. 158: Tallahassee , 27.03%

No. 159: Tampa , 27.04%

No. 171: Cape Coral , 28.55%

No. 172: Port St. Lucie , 28.82%

No. 174: Pembroke Pines , 28.85%

No. 175: Orlando , 28.98%

No. 182: Miami, 33.77%

Florida rent rankings: Miami ranks last for affordable rents. Which Florida cities are better

Some other major cities came in down among the Florida numbers. Renting in Boston or New Orleans will run you more than 26% of your paychecks, New York City renters can expect to pay 27.15% of their income, and Angelenos in California will cough up 28.31%.

Wallethub used data collected as of March 18, 2026, from the U.S. Census Bureau.

How to spend less on rent in Florida

WalletHub also offered some tips on saving money on rent:
[Getty Images]

The UK economy saw its biggest monthly rise in more than two years in February, official figures show.

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) said the economy grew by a faster-than-expected 0.5%, while it revised its estimate for January up to 0.1% after previously saying the start of the year had seen no growth.

The figures cover a period before the outbreak of the US-Israeli war with Iran on 28 February, which has caused a major energy shock and experts warn risks a global recession if it is prolonged.

This week the International Monetary Fund (IMF) cut its estimate for UK growth this year, warning it was set to be the hardest hit of the world's advanced economies.

The IMF said it expected the UK to grow by 0.8%, down from the 1.3% prediction it had made in January before hostilities began.

The Fund said the downgrade was due to the impact of the war, with fewer interest rate cuts now predicted and an expectation that the impact of higher energy prices will linger into next year.

Most economists had forecast the economy would grow by just 0.1% in February. Deutsche Bank's Sanjay Raja said the actual figure had "smashed expectations" but also warned that it would not last.

The monthly increase is the biggest since January 2024 when the economy also grew by 0.5%.

[BBC]

The ONS said the key services sector - which accounts for more than three-quarters of the economy - grew by 0.5%. Services includes areas such as travel, accommodation, retail, hospitality, real estate, finance and entertainment.

Production output also grew by 0.5% in the month, and construction rose by 1.0%.

In the three months to February, a less volatile measure in comparison to the monthly numbers, GDP also grew by 0.5% - up from 0.3% in the three months to January.

The National Institute of Economic and Social Research (NIESR) called the latest expansion in the economy "sizeable" but said it expected a slowdown in March.

"Unfortunately, the latest energy price shock has likely pulled the rug on this momentum, with another year of above-target inflation and a softening labour market likely to come," said NIESR associate economist Fergus Jimenez-England.

Drivers in the UK have seen petrol and diesel prices rise sharply since the war broke out.

Heating oil users have also been hit by steep increases, although households in Britain will be shielded from rising energy prices until July under Ofgem's energy price cap.
Following the 2003 Iraq war, the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) projected the U.S. had spent $500 billion in direct costs on the conflict, but economics and policy experts Joseph Stiglitz and Linda Bilmes begged to differ. In a 2006 study, they calculated the war was in fact four times as expensive as what the CBO had calculated, costing U.S. taxpayers more than $2 trillion in their moderate estimate. In 2013, Bilmes revised the costs and concluded about $4 trillion to $6 trillion was spent on both the Afghanistan and Iraq wars.

More from Yahoo Scout How will the Iran war impact America's national debt? How do short-term war costs compare to long-term expenses? Why are U.S. military costs disproportionately higher than Iran's? What is the projected total cost of the Iran war?

The U.S. is once again locked in conflict in the Middle East, and Bilmes, a Harvard Kennedy School public policy lecturer and author of The Ghost Budget: U.S. War Spending and Fiscal Transparency, is once again sounding the alarm on the true cost of war.

I am certain we will spend $1 trillion for the Iran war, she said in an interview this month at the Harvard Kennedy School. Perhaps we have already racked up that amount.

Bilmess 13-figure estimation dwarfs initial projections of spending on the conflict, at $1 billion per day. The Pentagon told Congress the first week of the war reportedly cost about $11.3 billion alone. If that rate of spending continued, the cost of the war would have exceeded $35 billion by April 1, according to think tank American Enterprise Institute. AEI economists suggested that the first month of war cost each American household $260which seems small, but there are over 150 million taxpaying households in the United States. Currently, Bilmes estimates the U.S. is spending about $2 billion per day on the war.

President Donald Trump said on Wednesday the war could end very soon as the U.S. engages in peace talks with Iran as it continues to blockade the Strait of Hormuz. Trump has repeated this rhetoric over the course of the conflict. Last month, the Pentagon asked the White House to approve $200 billion in additional funding toward efforts in Iran, the Washington Post reported.

Bilmes said, just like 20 years ago, the U.S. is continuing to underestimate how much money will be required to fund the war and its aftereffects. In an interview with Fortune, she outlined the often-overlooked war spending that persists even years after the conflict is over, arguing the expenses could further burden Americas $39 trillion debt.

Wars always have a long tail of costs, she told Fortune. Wars cost more than we expect. Wars take the cost to go on for longer than we expect, and some of these costs are very consequential.

Short-term costs

When most people talk about the cost of war, they are thinking of the direct costs of munitions and combat, according to Bilmes, which are themselves understated.
The city of Dallas is suing a former firefighter, saying in a lawsuit that Ivan Gonzales kept receiving paychecks for 20 months after he left the citys fire department and even after moving out of the state. In total, the city alleges, the payments came to $127,441.

Gonzales resigned from Dallas Fire-Rescue in June 2023 and submitted his termination paperwork to human resources. The city alleges the paperwork was not processed until last April. During that gap, Gonzales supervisor continued to approve biweekly paychecks for a roster of over 250 employees, assuming they had worked the required 40 hours a week, according to The Dallas Morning News (1).

Must Read

There were many other Ivans and Gonzales on Captain (Corey) Womacks roster, which prevented him from realizing Mr. Gonzales had not been removed from the roster, the lawsuit states.

City officials declined to tell the Morning News whether this was the only case of former employees being paid in error.

Not just back salary

City officials allege Gonzales updated his banking information in the citys payroll system after he left and moved to Florida, allowing the payments to continue being deposited into his account. In addition to the back salary, the city is asking the court to add interest starting from the date the lawsuit was filed.

This money was not intended to be a gift, city attorneys wrote in the lawsuit. [These] payments belong to the city in equity and good conscience.

Generally, employees who receive money after leaving a job are required to pay it back. But since this case appears to involve a clerical error by the fire department, the situation may not be so cut and dry.

In fact, the broader issue of repaying an employer after leaving is not always clear. Some workers who receive signing bonuses, tuition reimbursement or various types of training must repay those benefits if they leave within a set period.

Those are known as stay or pay agreements, meant to ensure the employers get a fair return on their investment.

Read More: Heres the average income of Americans by age in 2026. Are you keeping up or falling behind?

TRAPS

In some instances, stay or pay agreements are criticized as tools to limit employee mobility. Critics call them TRAPS, or Training Repayment Agreement Provisions, which can require workers to pay thousands of dollars if they leave.
CHICAGO  The federal government is looking to stop a controversial Illinois law banning certain credit card fees, a move that appears to favor financial institutions that have fought the state law in court for more than a year.

The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, an independent bureau of the U.S. Department of the Treasury, plans to put out an Order Preempting the Illinois Interchange Fee Prohibition Act, according to a federal posting this week. The full text of the order wasnt part of the posting.

Passed in 2024 and set to take effect this July, the state law bans certain so-called swipe fees, also known as interchange fees, on the tax and tip portions of customers bills, with a goal of lowering the amount that credit card companies can charge retailers.

Credit card companies and financial institutions currently charge retailers a fee when consumers use cards, based on the total transaction, including goods, taxes and tips. The law bans fees on the tax or tip portions of customers bills. Financial institutions have argued that implementation would be burdensome and costly, affecting not only their industry but potentially also small businesses and consumers.

A federal judge in February ruled key provisions of the first-in-the-nation law could go into effect, a decision that banks and credit unions quickly appealed, but that retailers who supported the legislation backed.

This rushed announcement by the federal government to usurp Illinois law is unprecedented, prioritizing the bottom line of banks and credit card companies over meaningful relief for businesses and consumers, Rob Karr, president and CEO of the Illinois Retail Merchants Association, said in a statement Wednesday. While the office has failed to explain their reasoning or allow public review, its clear the goal is an end-run around the legal process after a judge recently upheld the law.

Amid the litigation, lawmakers last year delayed the bans effective date, moving it from last July to July 2026.

The Democratic-led General Assembly passed the swipe-fee ban at the behest of retailers who opposed a separate tax hike on their businesses. Both measures were included in that years state budget. Since then, financial institutions in courtrooms, television ads and the media have argued it will cause chaos in transactions and the payment system.

Retailers say the credit card law will lower costs for businesses and consumers, and that arguments that the change will cause inconvenience are overblown.

Banks, credit card companies and credit card processors are doing all they can to preserve an uncompetitive and unfair system, including spending millions of dollars on ads spreading falsehoods and threatening to cause chaos for consumers, Karr said in his statement.
IMF economists are warning of 'human consequences' far from the Middle East as economic effects of the war in Iran reverberate far from the region (Kent Nishimura)  Kent Nishimura/AFP/AFP

IMF economists warned Thursday that the war in Iran could have very, certainly severe consequences far outside the region  especially for energy-importing countries.

Countries in East Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa are among the countries most affected now -- and who could suffer the most -- outside the region, as the conflict stretches on.

Ironically, the ongoing virtual closure of the Strait of Hormuz -- through which about one-fifth of the world's oil and gas passes -- has been a windfall for some petroleum-exporting nations, like Nigeria or Algeria.

But for those that rely on imports for food, fertilizer, and energy, the elevated prices are proving worrisome.

"Oil impacted importers, particularly non-resource-rich and fragile states, face deteriorating trade balances, rising living costs and limited buffers" to absorb future shocks," warned Abebe Selassie, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) Director for Africa, at a press conference Thursday.

"The human consequences are almost certain to be severe," he added.

IMF economists are briefing government officials and media on their latest economic analysis as they hold their spring meetings alongside the World Bank this week in Washington.

- Hitting the most vulnerable -

Sub-Saharan Africa -- which for IMF statistical purposes does not include Sudan and parts of the Horn of Africa -- could see 20 million people pushed towards hunger, an IMF report said.

For Sahel countries, where poverty is widespread, factors that are expected to drive up the cost of food include scarce, expensive fertilizer and rising transportation costs.

"Already transportation costs are very high for people in urban areas, rural areas even more so," Selassie explained. "We are already seeing quite a bit of a pinch from the crisis on people, impoverishing people -- it's making life difficult for people."

The economic effects of the crisis hit at a time when international aid is in steep decline, another source of concern for the IMF.

The aid declines aren't a temporary ebb, but are "more structural," Selassie said. "It is falling hardest on the region's most vulnerable countries -- fragile states and low-income economies -- that depend on aid, not as a supplement but as a critical source of budget financing for healthcare and food assistance."

- Heavy oil reliance -

Further afield, small Pacific islands are of great concern, said the IMF's Asia-Pacific Director Krishna Srinivasan, due to their heavy reliance energy imports and the amount of time it takes ships to reach them -- even when shipping disruptions are minimal.
(Bloomberg) -- Americans rushing to meet Wednesdays tax filing deadline are getting bigger refunds on average thanks to President Donald Trumps tax law, though the savings are falling short of his promises and many say they havent noticed a difference.

Trumps centerpiece legislative achievement so far has helped drive the average refund up by nearly $350, though thats far less than the presidents promised $1,000 boost. Almost 70% of taxpayers received a refund through the start of this month, compared to 67% at the same time last year, according to IRS data.

Yet the savings arent registering with large numbers of Americans as they confront a surge in gasoline prices driven the US-Israel war in Iran, economic uncertainty and the threat of job losses driven by advances in artificial intelligence.

That is politically perilous for Republicans, who have leaned heavily on the boost in tax refunds for their economic pitch to voters as they try to retain control of Congress in this years midterm elections. Trump is expected to promote the tax law in a trip to Nevada this week.

The law itself, which paired tax breaks with steep cuts to the social safety net programs, has polled poorly with voters. Republicans have counted on tax refunds to turn that perception around.

Taxpayers are nearly as likely to say last years tax changes harmed them as they were to report a benefit, according to a late March poll of 1,200 people who had already filed their tax returns by the Bipartisan Policy Center, a centrist organization. Only 27% said the 2025 tax cuts helped them, while 24% said changes hurt them. Another 38% said they didnt notice a change.

The perception is hard to reconcile with the laws provisions. The legislation raised the standard deduction, typically claimed by roughly 90% of taxpayers, by $1,150. Even for people taxed at the lowest rate, that translates into a $115 savings. More than 105 million taxpayers claimed the standard deduction as of Tuesday, according to the Treasury Department.

Even taxpayers eligible for the laws marquee breaks  new deductions for tips and overtime wages  were nearly as likely to report the new tax law hurt them as they were to say they helped. Among poll respondents who said they had tip or overtime income last year, 35% reported being harmed by the changes and 36% reported benefiting.

Its really like a 50-50 proposition of, like, this helped me versus this hurt me, Andrew Lautz, director of tax policy for the Bipartisan Policy Center, said on a call with reporters discussing the results. Those differences in perception versus reality obviously matter.
Benzinga and Yahoo Finance LLC may earn commission or revenue on some items through the links below.

A new relationship can feel exciting. It can also blur financial judgment faster than expected.

For Cody, a 30-year-old from New York, the issue came just four months into dating. He told "The Ramsey Show" his 19-year-old girlfriend wanted him to finance a car for her after he had already put himself "back a couple baby steps."

"You just described a sugar daddy," personal finance expert Dave Ramsey said.

A Request That Came At The Wrong Time

Cody said he recently financed $33,400 for a truck and had made only two payments, while putting about $4,000 a month toward clearing it.

Don't Miss:

His girlfriend, meanwhile, wanted him to finance a car even though she already had one that, after an inspection, he believed should last at least another year.

She was bringing home about $800 a week, while he earned roughly $120,000 a year. Co-host Rachel Cruze warned that taking on someone else's debt, especially this early in a relationship, carries serious risk. "When you put your name on someone elses debt thats a massive risk," she said.

When The Dynamic Starts To Shift

Cody said he already knew the answer before he called. Ramsey said debt was off the table and turned to what the decision would do to the relationship.

Financing the car, he said, would shift the dynamic from two independent adults to one in which Cody was left carrying the obligation.

"Theres no explanation for it, Cody, were taking debt off the table," Ramsey said. He said that while saying no could create tension, agreeing to the deal would make things worse.

Trending: Discover How AI Can Turn Your Investment Ideas Into Tradable Assets  See How

A Scenario That Turns Complicated Fast

Ramsey said Cody would not really be co-signing at all. In his view, he would be taking out a loan in his own name for a car his girlfriend would drive.

If she missed payments, he would still be responsible, and if the relationship ended, he could be left trying to get the car back from an ex-girlfriend.

"Theres no scenario that turns out positive out of this," Ramsey said.

Situations like this often highlight how quickly emotional decisions can turn into long-term financial obligations, especially when debt and personal relationships overlap. Understanding the risks involved in taking on additional liabilities and how they fit into a broader financial picture is an important part of making informed choices.
Corn price action is up 3 to 3  cents in the nearbys so far on Wednesday morning. Futures closed out the Tuesday session on a mixed note, with front months up 1  to 2  cents and other contracts fractionally lower. Open interest was up 19,559 contracts on Tuesday. The CmdtyView national average Cash Corn price was up 3 cents at $4.05.

On Tuesday morning, USDA reported private export sales of 316,000 MT to Mexico (65,000 for 2025/26, 139,000 MT for 2026/27, and 112,000 MT for 2027/28), with another 120,000 MT sold to unknown destinations for the current marketing year.

More News from Barchart

EIA will be out with their weekly petroleum status report later this morning, as traders are looking for US ethanol production in the week that ended on 4/10 to be steady to slightly lower vs. the previous week.

CONAB data from this morning showed the Brazilian corn crop raised by 1.3 MMT to 139.57 MMT. The second crop was hiked by 0.68 MMT to 109.12 MMT, as the first crop was up 0.62 MMT to 27.35 MMT.

May 26 Corn closed at $4.43, up 2 3/4 cents, currently up 3 1/2 cents

Nearby Cash was $4.05, up 3 cents,

Jul 26 Corn closed at $4.52 1/2, up 1 1/2 cents, currently up 3 1/4 cents

Dec 26 Corn closed at $4.70 1/2, down 1/2 cent, currently up 3 cents

New Crop Cash was $4.27 1/8, down 1/4 cent,

On the date of publication, Austin Schroeder did not have (either directly or indirectly) positions in any of the securities mentioned in this article. All information and data in this article is solely for informational purposes. This article was originally published on Barchart.com
Airwallex, the Australian fintech that has spent a decade quietly building global payments infrastructure, is moving into in-person payments. The move deepens its rivalry with Stripe across the payments stack, and enables the startup to directly aim at Square and Adyen on one of the last major battlegrounds in financial technology.

More from Yahoo Scout How does Airwallex's POS solution differ from competitors? What infrastructure advantages does Airwallex claim over rivals? What growth metrics does Airwallex report currently? Why did Airwallex reject Stripe's acquisition offer?

Airwallex is launching a point-of-sale product that it says does something its rivals offerings dont: Allow businesses to accept in-person payments in multiple countries via a single platform, without onboarding local vendors in every market.

When a business expands into a new market, they typically have to onboard a new local acquirer, navigate fragmented compliance, and manage yet another set of vendor relationships, CEO and co-founder Jack Zhang told TechCrunch.

In 2019, Stripe offered to acquire Airwallex for $1.2 billion, when Airwallex had just $2 million in revenue. But Zhang decided to keep building. I even said yes to the deal, he said, recalling the months-long negotiation. But what really got me to change my mind is when I actually flew back to Melbourne and went deep on what motivated me to build Airwallex.

Zhang founded Airwallex in 2015 out of frustration with the friction and expense of moving money internationally, but took a different approach than most fintech: He spent years assembling its own underlying payment rails.

Today, Airwallex, valued at $8 billion by its investors, claims it generates annualized revenue of about $1.3 billion, and that the number is growing by roughly 85% every year. The startup says it now serves more than 46,000 U.S. businesses and processes $100 billion in annual volume.

The startup currently boasts close to 90 regulatory licenses across roughly 50 markets, direct connections to local payment networks in over 120 countries, and the ability to settle transactions in more than 90 currencies. It is the very infrastructure, Zhang says, that Stripe and Square lack in meaningful ways  particularly the local banking licenses that allow funds to be held, converted, and deployed within a given market rather than immediately repatriated.

Stripe and Square can process payments in Japan, he said, but when you actually process the payment, you need to immediately pay out to the merchants bank account. You cant hold the funds.

Airwallexs license in Japan  which took seven years to obtain  enables it to do exactly that.

The companys new POS product extends that infrastructure to the physical countertop. Its platform now connects in-store and online payments, and offers unified reporting and direct integrations into back-office systems. For businesses operating across borders, stores in different countries can operate on the same payment systems and reconcile in the same place, without the usual tangle of local vendor relationships.
China Expected To Launch Yuan Stablecoin Within Five Years

China is likely to issue a stablecoin backed by the Yuan currency within the next five years, according to the CEO of Circle Internet Group (NYSE: $CRCL).

Jeremy Allaire said in a recent interview that there is a tremendous opportunity for a Yuan-backed stablecoin, predicting China could roll one out within three to five years.

The CEO said that officials in Beijing are likely to feel growing pressure to issue a stablecoin as digital currencies become more integrated into global finance.

More From Cryptoprowl:

Chinas government has acknowledged that they are exploring a stablecoin but have yet to commit to the cryptocurrency.

Still, even acknowledging a stablecoin is a notable turn for China, which has banned cryptocurrency trading and mining since 2021.

Allaire says that stablecoins could outperform central bank digital currencies as a vehicle for currency internationalization.

He also notes that stablecoins are now being treated less as a speculative cryptocurrency and more as financial infrastructure for cross-border settlements.

For China to successfully launch a Yuan stablecoin, Beijing would need to allow foreigners and markets to freely exchange the Chinese currency without tight government controls.

Without such convertibility, a yuan stablecoin would be impossible, says Allaire, whose company Circle issues the USD stablecoin (CRYPTO: $USDC) thats pegged to the U.S. dollar.

Today, the global stablecoin market is worth about $315 billion U.S., with privately issued dollar-pegged tokens such as USDC making up the bulk of the total value.

CRCL stock has risen 23% this year to trade at $102.36 U.S. per share.
Goldman Sachs filed with the SEC on April 14 to launch a Bitcoin Premium Income ETF, the bank's first proprietary Bitcoin (BTC) fund product.

The filing adds Goldman to a growing list of Wall Street banks building dedicated BTC investment vehicles. Morgan Stanley debuted its own spot Bitcoin ETF just days ago.

How the Goldman Sachs Bitcoin ETF Works

The fund will invest at least 80% of net assets in instruments providing Bitcoin exposure. These include spot Bitcoin exchange-traded products and options on Bitcoin ETP indices.

Goldman's core strategy relies on a dynamic options overwrite. The fund holds long positions in spot Bitcoin ETPs while selling call options against them, collecting premiums as monthly income.

The overwrite level ranges from 40% to 100% of BTC exposure, adjusted based on market conditions.

It does not hold BTC directly. A wholly owned Cayman Islands subsidiary can hold up to 25% of assets, helping the fund meet regulatory requirements for holding commodities under the Investment Company Act of 1940.

In flat or mildly volatile markets, option premiums may help the fund outperform plain spot Bitcoin ETFs. During strong rallies, the sold calls cap upside participation.

ETF analyst Eric Balchunas noted Goldman may be responding to client demand for lower-volatility BTC exposure.

"Goldman may sense opp to leap frog them and/or is prob hearing from their clients they want bitcoin but with less vol and happy to give up some upside for lower downside and income," he wrote.

Wall Street's Bitcoin Product Race Heats Up

Goldman has been steadily expanding its crypto footprint. Its most recent 13F filing showed roughly $1.1 billion in Bitcoin ETF holdings and more than $2.36 billion in total crypto ETF exposure.

The bank also recently acquired Innovator Capital Management, which issues Bitcoin-linked structured products.

The filing comes less than a week after Morgan Stanley launched the Morgan Stanley Bitcoin Trust (MSBT) on NYSE Arca.

Morgan Stanley Bitcoin ETF (MSBT). Source: Morgan Stanley

"Seeing a global giant like Morgan Stanley highlighting crypto on their homepage like this is such a positive sign...This is how it goes mainstream. TradFi isnt on the sidelines of crypto anymore. It is actively prioritising and scaling it as a core asset class. Next stop: every large wealth platform in the world treating crypto like just another asset class," commented Summit Gupta.

That fund tracks BTC's spot price at a 0.14% expense ratio, making it the cheapest spot Bitcoin ETF on the market. It drew $30.6 million in first-day inflows.

Goldman's product targets a different audience. While MSBT appeals to investors seeking pure price exposure at low cost, the Premium Income ETF is designed for those willing to trade upside for regular distributions.

Grayscale launched its own Bitcoin Premium Income ETF (BPI) in April 2025 with a 0.66% expense ratio. BlackRock has a similar product at an advanced stage of development. Goldman's fees have not yet been disclosed.
Switzerland is dominating Europes crypto industry, according to the Swiss blockchain venture capital firm CV VC.

In 2025, the countrys Crypto Valley captured 47% of all European blockchain venture funding, cementing its position as the continents undisputed hub for digital assets, the firm said in a note shared with DL News.

That dominance stands out against the broader industry context: Europe accounts for just 10% of global blockchain venture funding, while North America commands 53%, according to the firm.

"Leadership in technology is never permanent. It must be continuously renewed," said CEO Mathias Ruch. "Nearly half of all European blockchain investment is now flowing into Crypto Valley.

The Swiss city Zug, often referred to as the Crypto Valley, remains the beating heart, home to 41% of firms, with Zurich adding another 15%, CV VC data shows. Zug alone captured 88% of disclosed capital in Swiss deals in 2025.

The top 50 Swiss-based blockchain firms are now worth $467 billion combined, a staggering figure that underscores Switzerlands dominance in the European scene. These include major networks like Ethereum, Solana and Cardano, alongside emerging firms such as Sygnum and Copper.

Switzerland dominates

Within that smaller European share, Switzerland has emerged as the clear centre of gravity  pulling in nearly half of all regional capital and concentrating it in one tightly connected ecosystem, CV VC data shows.

In 2025, Switzerland pulled in $728 million across 31 deals, a 37% jump from the year before. That outpaced global blockchain funding growth, which rose 30% despite a sharp drop in deal count.

What we are seeing is a maturing ecosystem focused on infrastructure, finance and the convergence with other frontier technologies driving digital transformation across global industries, Ruch said.

Switzerland now hosts 1,766 blockchain companies, up 134% since 2020.

2026 outlook

Looking ahead to 2026, the industry is entering a new phase where stronger infrastructure will drive the next wave of growth, wrote CV VCs head of acceleration investments, Janis Aguilar, and general partner Lukas Etter.

Success is no longer defined by technical metrics like transactions per second  it is defined by the economic activity built on top, they said.

New technologies like account abstraction, chain abstraction and artificial intelligence systems will make blockchain easier to use and build on, according to the two. The overlap between AI and crypto will lead to autonomous software agents that can build, manage and run systems at lower cost.
Key Takeaways

Tom Lee believes Ethereum is nearing the end of a mini crypto winter.

Bitmine recorded a $3.1 billion Q1 loss.

He remains bullish on Ethereums long-term outlook.

Bitmine posted a $3.8 billion Q1 quarterly loss while its chairman, Tom Lee, said Ethereum may be entering the final stages of a crypto downturn.

The New York-listed firm, which has pivoted from crypto mining into one of the worlds largest Ethereum treasury companies, disclosed the loss in its latest regulatory filing  even as it continued to aggressively accumulate the token.

Losses Mount as Lee Calls Bottom

Bitmines quarterly $3.8 billion loss was largely driven by accounting adjustments tied to declines in Ethereums price from prior highs.

Ethereums price has fallen by over 53% from its prior all-time high in August 2025.

Under fair-value accounting rules adopted in recent years, unrealized swings in crypto prices are reflected directly in earnings.

Despite the loss, Lee struck an optimistic tone, saying the company has accelerated purchases of Ethereum in recent weeks.

Ethereum is in the final stages of the mini-crypto winter, Lee said, adding that Bitmine acquired more than 71,000 ETH in the past week  its fastest pace since late 2025.

The company now holds around 4.87 million Ethereum, worth about $11.8 billion alongside cash and other investments.

Early Signs of Recovery?

Market analysts say Ethereum may be showing tentative signs of recovery after a prolonged downturn, though the outlook remains uncertain.

At the time of reporting, Ethereum was trading at $2,323, up around 3% in the past seven days.

According to CCN analyst Victor Olanweraju, the token has begun to regain technical structure after breaking out of a bearish phase, with momentum indicators pointing to improving capital inflows.

ETH/USD Daily Chart | Credit: TradingView

Ethereums move above key support levels marks an early recovery, he said, but warned that stronger resistance lies ahead near the $2,700 level.

Sustained trading above roughly $2,400 could support further gains toward higher levels, while a drop below that range would signal a return to consolidation, he said.

Bitmine Crosses 4% of Ethereum Supply

Bitmines accumulation has reached a new milestone, with the company now holding about 4.04% of Ethereums total circulating supply of roughly 120.7 million tokens.

Lee has previously described reaching 5% ownership  what he calls the alchemy of 5%  as a strategic target that would allow the company to shift from accumulation to monetization.

The firm estimates staking could eventually generate hundreds of millions of dollars annually.
(Corrects price in paragraph 7)

By Michelle Conlin

NEW YORK, April 15 (Reuters) - World Liberty Financial, the crypto venture co-founded by President Trump and his sons, released a new proposal Wednesday that would prevent early investors from trading tokens  80% of their holdings are currently locked by the firm  for two years, followed by an additional two-year vesting period, according to a statement posted on its governance forum.

More from Yahoo Scout What are World Liberty Financial's new token locking rules? How has the Trump family benefited from World Liberty? What complaints do investors have about World Liberty? Why did World Liberty borrow against its own tokens?

The measure, which will be subjected to a vote in one week, means early investors holding 17 billion tokens wont have the ability to trade all of their tokens until 2030, a year after the president is scheduled to leave office. This proposal was designed to optimally ensure long-term participation in our ecosystem and help ensure healthy market supply, said World Liberty Financial spokesman David Wachsman, in a statement to Reuters.

The strictures would also apply to World Liberty tokens held personally by the projects founders, which includes the president and his three sons, along with an additional year of vesting and the deletion or burn of 10% of their tokens. It did not, though, change the terms of the projects token sales, which send 75% of all new token proceeds to the Trump family. Asked whether World Liberty would continue the sale of new tokens, Wachsman replied, Stay tuned to World Libertys official X account for updates.

The new proposal comes amidst complaints from investors who say the company has frozen their funds while extracting hundreds of millions of dollars for itself. The Trump family has already made more than $1 billion from World Liberty, according to a Reuters analysis. Many early investors told Reuters they had been hoping for a payday, too.

The company is facing increasing scrutiny from many of its investors who have complained for months about what they allege is the companys lack of transparency, centralized governance structure, and failure to respond to community complaints, according to Reuters interviews and posts on social media and in the WLF governance forum. Those who purchased tokens off secondary markets would not be affected by the new vesting proposal, although they must agree to lock their tokens for six months if they want to participate in governance votes.

Investors have also complained about the way large wallets have more say in voting decisions and a new Super Node investor tier that offers guaranteed direct access to the WLF team to those who lock at least $5 million worth of tokens for six months. This privileged tier of token holders appears to undercut WLFs previous pledge to democratize access to finance.
Quick Read

Debt settlement programs charge fees that consume most of the discount negotiated with creditors.

Instead of signing up for a debt relief plan, you can call creditors directly, explain your hardship, and ask for a settlement or hardship payment plan.

The national savings rate stands at only 4.0%, even as credit card debt hit a new high of $1.28 trillion.

The analyst who called NVIDIA in 2010 just named his top 10 AI stocks. Get them here FREE.

"It's like a Planet Fitness. They get you in real easy, but to get out, it's an act of Congress." That's how George Kamel recently described debt relief programs on The Ramsey Show. If you're paying fees for a service that saves you only $100 or $200 over the life of the program, you're not being helped. You're being held up.

A caller to the show, Katherine, said she and her husband enrolled in Freedom Debt Relief about a year ago after his surgery created mounting debt. With her husband now employed again, she ran her own numbers and discovered the program would save her family roughly $100 to $200 total across two debts: one with 36 monthly payments (4 to 6 completed) and another with 24 payments (4 to 5 completed).

READ: The analyst who called NVIDIA in 2010 just named his top 10 AI stocks

That math tells the whole story. Debt settlement companies typically charge fees that consume a large share of whatever discount they negotiate on your behalf.

What These Programs Actually Do (And Why You Can Do It Yourself)

"All these companies do is negotiate with creditors after you and come up with a lump sum  something she can do herself," Kamel said. That's the core reality of debt settlement. The company instructs you to stop paying creditors, collects your monthly payments into a dedicated account, waits until accounts are delinquent enough that creditors will accept less than the full balance, then negotiates a lump-sum payoff.

The credit damage happens in the waiting period, before a single dollar is settled. By the time a settlement is reached, the account has typically been delinquent for six months or more and may have been sold to a collections agency. That delinquency history stays on your credit report for seven years regardless of whether the debt is eventually settled.

Instead of signing up for a debt relief plan, you can call creditors directly, explain your hardship, and ask for a settlement or hardship payment plan. Many creditors have internal hardship programs that don't require a third party at all.

How to Actually Get Out

Kamel's advice on exiting was practical: "I would read the contract to see what you can and can't do and read the cancellation clause to figure out what you have to do to get out. But I would just tell them, 'Hey, I want to get completely out of this.'"
Big Three automaker Stellantis (STLA) reported strong first quarter sales as CEO Antonio Filosas turnaround strategy bears early fruit.

The company behind Ram trucks, Jeep, and Alfa Romeo, among others, reported 1.4 million shipments in Q1, up 12% year over year. Overall results were driven primarily by two regions: North America, which delivered the sharpest percentage jump of any major region at 17%, and Enlarged Europe, the automakers top region, up 12%.

Stellantis stock rose in early trade.

Read more about Stellantis's stock moves and today's market action.

The North American recovery is the most closely watched element of the report. The region shipped 379,000 units in Q1 2026, compared to 325,000 a year earlier  a gain of roughly 54,000 units. That 17% improvement is particularly significant given how much ground Stellantis lost in the US market over the prior two years as inventory mismanagement, aging product lineups, and dealer tensions weighed heavily on performance.

More from Yahoo Scout Which specific vehicle models powered Stellantis's growth? What are Stellantis's financial projections for 2026? What drove Stellantis's strong Q1 sales recovery? How significant was North America's performance improvement?

The recovery was powered by three key products: the Ram 1500 with the HEMI V8 engine, the refreshed Jeep Grand Wagoneer, and the all-new Jeep Cherokee. Together, these models accounted for more than 100% of the year-over-year growth, Stellantis said.

Beyond North America, the Q1 results reflect a company with improving commercial execution across the board. In Enlarged Europe, passenger car growth was fueled by the Smart Car platform shared across Citroen, Opel/Vauxhall, and Fiat  nameplates like the Citroen C3, Opel Frontera, and Fiat Grande Panda surged 85% year over year, adding approximately 48,000 units.

A 2027 Ram 1500 SRT TRX on display at the New York International Auto Show at the Javits Convention Center on April 1, 2026. (NDZ/STAR MAX/IPx 2026)  NDZ/STAR MAX/IPx

Chinese Leapmotor-branded vehicles, distributed through Stellantiss majority-owned joint venture, also gained traction, reaching roughly 27,000 units in the quarter as the budget BEV T03 found receptive buyers in Italy and beyond.

The results strongly suggest Stellantis is regaining its footing. The company reported improving results at the end of 2025 but booked a massive loss for the year as it transitioned from some of its EV investments and products and into a variety of other powertrains.

With that said, Stellantis projects net revenues to rise in the mid-single digits in 2026, with low-single-digit adjusted operating income (AOI) margin. The company aims to return to positive industrial free cash flow by 2027.

North Americas 17% jump in particular suggests the product renewal strategy is beginning to pay off. With new launches continuing through 2026 and Leapmotor gaining scale in Europe, Filosas recovery plan appears to be working. The next big update for the company will come when Stellantis holds its investor day on May 21 in Detroit.
Quick Read

Procter & Gamble (PG), Coca-Cola (KO), and Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) offer dividend income opportunities regardless of employment changes.

A $10,000 investment in each company generates approximately $794 in combined annual passive income with 2.65% blended yield.

The analyst who called NVIDIA in 2010 just named his top 10 AI stocks. Get them here FREE.

Market volatility, tariff uncertainty, and rising living costs remind investors that earned income alone is fragile. A layoff or unexpected expense can derail years of planning. Dividend income arrives quarterly regardless of employment status, and the best dividend payers have raised distributions through recessions, rate cycles, and geopolitical shocks.

High-yield dividend stocks offer instant liquidity that rental real estate and private credit cannot. You can buy or sell in seconds, reinvest dividends automatically, and scale without closing attorneys or capital calls. For investors wanting money working around the clock, blue-chip dividend stocks remain one of the most accessible tools available.

We screened our dividend equity research database for stocks paying massive dividends. Combined, these three companies can generate over $790 annually in passive income on a $10,000 investment in each stock.

READ: The analyst who called NVIDIA in 2010 just named his top 10 AI stocks

JHVEPhoto / iStock Editorial via Getty Images

Johnson & Johnson

Yield: 2.22%

Shares for $10,000: 41.50

Annual Passive Income: $222

Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ) operates across Innovative Medicine (oncology, immunology, neuroscience) and MedTech (cardiovascular devices, orthopaedics, surgery, vision care). The company was founded in 1886 and is headquartered in New Brunswick, New Jersey.

The dividend is supported by one of the strongest balance sheets in corporate America. Johnson & Johnson holds a prime AAA credit rating, one of only two U.S.-based companies to hold that distinction, which is higher than the credit rating of the U.S. government itself.

On April 14, 2026, the board approved a 3.1% dividend increase, lifting the quarterly payout to $1.34 per share, annualizing to $5.36 per share. That marks 64 consecutive years of dividend increases, placing it in Dividend King territory.

Q1 2026 results showed revenue of $24.06 billion, up 9.9% year over year, with adjusted EPS of $2.70, ahead of the $2.68 estimate. Growth drivers include DARZALEX at $3.96 billion (+22.5%) and TREMFYA at $1.61 billion (+68.3%).

Xaheer69 / Shutterstock.com

Coca-Cola

Yield: 2.79%

Shares for $10,000: 131.44

Annual Passive Income: $279

The Coca-Cola (NYSE:KO) Company is an American multinational beverage corporation headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, with interests in the manufacturing, retailing, and marketing of nonalcoholic beverage concentrates and syrups. Its portfolio spans Coca-Cola, Sprite, Fanta, Dasani, smartwater, Powerade, BODYARMOR, fairlife, Minute Maid, Simply, and Costa, giving it unmatched global distribution across more than 200 countries.
This article first appeared on GuruFocus.

Revenue: NOK440 million for the quarter; NOK2.2 billion on a 12-month rolling basis.

Operating Margin: Underlying margin at 13%; reported margin drop due to acquisition and integration costs.

Earnings Per Share (EPS): Decreased from NOK0.9 to NOK0.8.

Corporate Financing Revenue: NOK134 million, up by 10% year-over-year.

M&A Revenue: NOK110 million, stable compared to the same period last year.

Brokerage and Research Revenue: Approximately NOK170 million for the quarter; over NOK600 million on a last 12-month basis.

Operating Costs: Increased by 9% or NOK30 million, mainly due to FIH Partners integration.

Headcount: 350 FTEs, with a significant increase in front-end operations.

Release Date: April 15, 2026

For the complete transcript of the earnings call, please refer to the full earnings call transcript.

Positive Points

ABG Sundal Collier Holding ASA (ABGSF) demonstrated resilience in its business model despite geopolitical tensions affecting market activity.

The integration of FIH Partners was successful, enhancing the company's market position in Denmark and contributing to its Nordic attractiveness.

Revenues grew to NOK440 million in the first quarter, showing growth despite challenging conditions.

The company maintained a strong pipeline, positioning itself well for growth once market conditions normalize.

The brokerage and research platform remained robust, with stable revenues and strong performance in equity sales, particularly in Norway and Sweden.

Negative Points

Geopolitical tensions, such as the war in Iran, negatively impacted risk appetite and transaction activity in capital markets.

Operating margin dropped by 5 percentage points, primarily due to acquisition and integration costs and new accounting standards.

Nordic equity capital market volumes decreased by 29%, and debt capital market volumes fell by 38% year-over-year.

The M&A market saw a 12% decline in deal count for the quarter, reflecting instability in the market.

Operating costs increased by 9% due to the integration of FIH Partners and nonrecurring costs, impacting overall profitability.

Q & A Highlights

Q: How did geopolitical tensions impact ABG Sundal Collier's performance in Q1 2026? A: Jonas Strom, Group Chief Executive Officer, explained that geopolitical tensions, particularly the outbreak of war in Iran, negatively affected market risk appetite, leading to reduced transaction activity and longer execution timelines. Despite these challenges, the company's broad product offering and market presence helped maintain resilience.
Accenture plc (NYSE:ACN) is one of the Best Long Term Growth Stocks to Invest In According to Billionaires. On April 8, the company announced its acquisition of Keepler Data Tech, which is a Spanish cloud-native AI and data company. Notably, this will help in expanding Accenture plc (NYSE:ACN)s capabilities to support clients throughout industries in reinventing the core business processes with AI solutions that are built on robust data foundations.

Accenture (ACN) Announces Acquisition of Keepler Data Tech

Bringing Keepler into Accenture plc (NYSE:ACN) will help in further strengthening end-to-end AI as well as data capabilities and its agentic AI solutions. Notably, the acquisition forms part of Accenture plc (NYSE:ACN)s investments in AI to ramp up the clients reinvention. Keepler provides AI and data capabilities, which cover the end-to-end value chain. This means it spans from shaping a data strategy and building cloud-native data foundations to deploying advanced analytics, Gen AI, and agentic AI, which integrates intelligence into the core business processes.

Accenture plc (NYSE:ACN) is a global professional services company. It combines technology and leadership in data, cloud, and AI with functional expertise, industry experience, etc.

While we acknowledge the potential of ACN 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: 10 Best FMCG Stocks to Invest In According to Analysts and 11 Best Long-Term Tech Stocks to Buy According to Analysts.

Disclosure: None. Follow Insider Monkey on Google News.
What Happened?

A number of stocks jumped in the afternoon session after major banks and asset managers reported first-quarter earnings that surpassed Wall Street expectations.

Leading the charge, giants like BlackRock, Bank of America, and Morgan Stanley all announced profits that topped analyst forecasts, driven by a significant rebound in investment banking and robust trading activity. According to reports, Bank of America saw record equities trading, with revenues up 30%, while Morgan Stanley's trading desk saw a 25% rise. This surge was partly due to recent market volatility, which increases trading volumes and generates higher revenues for these firms. Additionally, a healthier climate for mergers and acquisitions bolstered investment banking divisions, signaling renewed corporate confidence and providing a powerful tailwind for the financial industry to start the year.

The stock market overreacts to news, and big price drops can present good opportunities to buy high-quality stocks.

Among others, the following stocks were impacted:

Zooming In On Affirm (AFRM)

Affirms shares are extremely volatile and have had 47 moves greater than 5% over the last year. In that context, todays move indicates the market considers this news meaningful but not something that would fundamentally change its perception of the business.

The previous big move we wrote about was 15 days ago when the stock gained 3% on the news that reports revealed President Trump was willing to end the military conflict with Iran.

The news, reported by The Wall Street Journal, indicated the president's willingness to wind down hostilities, which sent U.S. stocks soaring across the board. An end to the war would significantly lower geopolitical risk and uncertainty, a positive development for the global economy. For the financial sector, a more stable economic environment often translates into stronger loan growth and better credit quality. Lower energy prices resulting from de-escalation can also boost consumer spending and business investment, further benefiting banks and other financial institutions.
Ciena Corporation (CIEN) is not a pure-play artificial intelligence (AI) company like Nvidia (NVDA), yet without it, AI at a global scale just wont work. This is precisely why investors are starting to pay attention. Ciena's shares have climbed 108% year-to-date (YTD) and 733% over the past 52 weeks, outperforming the top AI stocks and the overall market.

Is it too late to grab CIEN stock now?

More News from Barchart

www.barchart.com

About Ciena

Sitting at a market cap of $67.9 billion, Ciena designs and sells high-speed optical networking equipment and software that move massive amounts of data across long distances. While it doesnt build AI systems, it does provide the infrastructure that enables cloud platforms, telecom carriers, and hyperscalers to send and receive data at extremely fast speeds.

A Blowout Start to 2026

This year, the spotlight fell on CIEN stock after it reported a blowout start to fiscal 2026. The company reported revenue of $1.43 billion, marking a 33% year-over-year (YoY) increase. Earnings per share (EPS) doubled from the year-ago quarter to $1.35. However, this was not a one-off surge. During the Q1 earnings call, management stated that demand remains incredibly strong, backed by exceptional order activity and long-term customer commitments. This led to a $2 billion backlog in a single quarter, bringing the total backlog to $7 billion, indicating continued revenue growth through 2027.

Ciena is seeing strong order growth in key growth markets like India, reflecting global demand for high-speed connectivity solutions tied to AI expansion. Notably, demand is not the issue, but supply is. Ciena believes its sales could have been significantly higher if it had not suffered industry-wide supply constraints. Ciena emphasized that four of the biggest hyperscalers intend to expand their capital expenditures to more than $600 billion combined by 2026. And this expenditure is not restricted to chips and servers but also networking, which Ciena looks to benefit from.

AI applications depend on massive volumes of data being transferred across servers, clusters, and data centers. At the same time, massive AI data centers are being interconnected across regions, creating demand for high-speed data center interconnect solutions. This is still in its early stages, so the long-term opportunity for Ciena is enticing. Management also noted that traditional copper-based connections are approaching their physical limits as data speeds and power requirements increase. Optical technologies are gradually replacing them, creating fresh prospects for Ciena. To meet this demand, Ciena is investing heavily in next-generation interconnects, such as pluggable optics and co-packaged solutions.
By Rajesh Kumar Singh

CHICAGO, April 14 (Reuters) - For more than a decade, United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby has argued that the U.S. airline industry can support only two true global premium carriers. Now, he has taken that view to the White House  floating the idea of a merger with his fiercest rival, American Airlines.

More from Yahoo Scout What motivated United's CEO to propose merger with American? How would merger impact shareholders of both airlines? What regulatory challenges would United-American merger face? How would fuel price spikes affect merger prospects?

Kirby's plan can be traced back to December 9, 2013  the day the American-US Airways merger closed. At the time, Kirby was a senior executive at American. In March 2025, Kirby recounted at a New York conference his long-ago conversation with his then-team at American about how the airline industry would evolve.

"There's only room in the country for two successful premium airlines," Kirby recalled saying. "We're going to push United  out of Chicago."

Three years after that 2013 merger, he was gone, after being passed over for the CEO job at American. He landed at United, and has spent much of the past decade executing that playbook in reverse, battling against American to dominate at Chicago's O'Hare airport.

The latest move takes that rivalry beyond the industry playing field.

The idea of a UnitedAmerican merger emerged publicly late on Monday, when sources revealed that Kirby had met with President Donald Trump on February 25 and that he pitched the American Airlines merger idea to the president, appealing to his broad ambition to create U.S. corporate champions.

It was not immediately clear whether United has approached American about a potential deal, or whether the idea remained preliminary.

United and American both declined to comment for this story.

Kirby has also spent months engaging with the administration, people familiar with the matter said, including an appearance on the Katie Miller Podcast, a show hosted by the wife of Trump adviser Stephen Miller. Kirby's appearance on the show drew a rebuke from far-right activist Laura Loomer.

"Scott Kirby is the same guy who fired people for refusing to take the COVID jab and spent years acting like a Biden climate cultist," Loomer wrote on X. "Scott Kirby is a wolf in sheep's clothing."

BATTLE OF THE AIRLINE CHIEFS

The rivalry has also spilled into public view.

Last month, the CEOs of American Airlines and United appeared at the same J.P. Morgan conference  American's Robert Isom in the morning and Kirby in the afternoon. When Isom described United's Chicago expansion as "reckless," Kirby was asked about the comment when he was onstage. "Took that as a compliment," he said.
Wall Streets conviction around Applied Digital Corporation (APLD) remains strikingly bullish, even after the stocks massive run over the past year. Despite near-term volatility tied to execution risks and capital intensity, analysts continue to view the company as a prominent artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure play with upside, driven by surging demand for hyperscale data center capacity.

Notably, the Street-high price target stands at $99, issued by Arete Research, implying well over 200% upside from recent trading levels. This bullish target reflects expectations that Applied Digital can rapidly scale its high-performance computing (HPC) hosting platform and secure long-term hyperscaler contracts, positioning it as a critical enabler of the AI buildout cycle.

More News from Barchart

About Applied Digital Stock

Applied Digital is a provider of next-generation digital infrastructure, specializing in the design, development, and operation of high-performance data centers and cloud services tailored to the AI and HPC markets. Headquartered in Dallas, Texas, it serves clients with large-scale data-center hosting, GPU-computing and HPC solutions. The companys market cap stands at $9 billion, signaling its growing role in the booming AI infrastructure ecosystem.

Applied Digitals stock has delivered extraordinary but highly volatile returns, reinforcing its positioning as a high-beta AI infrastructure play. The stock is up around 27.8% year-to-date (YTD), reflecting a recovery from its pullback earlier in the year and renewed investor appetite for AI-linked infrastructure names.

Over a longer horizon, the magnitude of gains is even more striking. Applied Digital has generated 486% returns over the past 52 weeks, driven by the companys pivot toward HPC and AI data center hosting. The stock is currently down 25.7% from its 52-week high of $42.27, reached on Jan. 28.

In the most recent trading session, momentum accelerated sharply. The stock surged roughly 14% intraday, closing the last session at $31.42, amid positive analyst ratings following the earnings release and high demand for AI infrastructure.

www.barchart.com

The stock is currently trading at a premium to its industry peers at 21.46 times forward price-to-sales.
The global spirits business looks set to enter another round of dealmaking, as big groups seek greater scale amid softer demand, shifting tastes, and lingering inventory and economic pressures.

Just weeks after BrownForman (BF.B) discussed a possible merger of equals with French giant Pernod Ricard (PRNDY), fresh reports on April 9, 2026, highlighted new interest in the company. The privately held U.S. rival Sazerac, owner of Buffalo Trace, Fireball, and Pappy Van Winkle, has also approached the Jack Daniels maker about a potential deal.

More News from Barchart

That headline sent BrownFormans shares sharply higher, with the stock jumping roughly 12% intraday on talk that a bidding battle could be brewing. The Kentuckybased company behind Jack Daniel has long been seen as a highquality, familyinfluenced blue chip in the sector.

With deal rumors now coming from more than one direction and the stock already trading at a premium valuation, the obvious question for dividend investors is simple. Does the prospect of an M&A bump make BrownForman a buy at todays price, or is it better to wait for clearer news and a possible cheaper entry point? Lets dive in.

BrownFormans Numbers

BrownForman is headquartered in Louisville, Kentucky, and owns a long list of wellknown brands, including Jack Daniels, Woodford Reserve, Old Forester, Herradura, and Finlandia.

Its Class B shares are at $29.65 as of April 13, up 13% this year and down 14% over the past 52 weeks.

www.barchart.com

BF.B stock trades at 17.62x earnings and 14.99x cash flow, compared with sector medians of 16.54x and 11.26x, so investors are paying a clear premium for the business.

The stock pays a forward annual dividend of $0.92 per share, yielding 3.05% at the current price of $29.49. That yield is not dramatic, but it is consistent and well covered by a company that has been paying and growing its dividend for 17 years.

Brown-Forman's latest quarter, ending in January 2026, showed EPS of $0.58 versus a $0.48 estimate, a 20.83% beat that points to stronger profit than the market expected. The company reported sales of $1.056 billion, up 1.93%, which is not rapid growth but still supports its dividend and income story.

The same report showed net income of $267 million, up 19.20% year-over-year (YoY), helped by cost control and a better mix. This kind of profit growth helps back both the dividend and any buybacks management chooses to make. Brown-Forman also posted operating cash flow of $709 million, up 142.81%. That net cash flow number was still negative at -$61 million, but the 51.20% improvement from the prior year suggests the cash picture is moving the right way.
Quick Read

Global X Defense Tech ETF (SHLD) concentrates on weapons systems, AI platforms, and surveillance networks for modern warfare.

The fund benefits from Trumps $1.5 trillion defense budget and Europes unprecedented NATO rearmament supercycle.

SHLD trades at 31x earnings with top five holdings representing 37% of assets, creating concentration and valuation risk.

The analyst who called NVIDIA in 2010 just named his top 10 AI stocks. Get them here FREE.

Peace talks between the U.S. and Iran collapsed in Islamabad on April 11, 2026, and President Trump ordered the U.S. Navy to blockade the Strait of Hormuz. A fragile two-week ceasefire that began on April 8 is now in serious jeopardy, and the window to position ahead of renewed hostilities is closing fast.

That geopolitical backdrop is precisely the environment Global X Defense Tech ETF (NYSEARCA:SHLD) was built for. The fund offers concentrated exposure to the companies building the weapons systems, AI platforms, and surveillance networks that modern warfare depends on.

READ: The analyst who called NVIDIA in 2010 just named his top 10 AI stocks

What SHLD Actually Does

SHLD replicates the performance of the Global X Defence Tech CAD Index, a cap-weighted benchmark designed specifically for companies benefiting from defense technology adoption. Investors get intentional, concentrated access to the sector rather than incidental exposure.

The return engine is straightforward: government procurement budgets. When nations spend more on defense, revenues of SHLD's holdings rise directly. The fund's top positions are all well-known defense contractors. They give exposure to NATO allies rapidly expanding their own budgets, a dynamic that pure U.S. defense funds miss entirely.

The fund carries an expense ratio of 0.50%, making it one of the more cost-efficient ways to access the defense sector.

Iran, a $1.5 Trillion Budget, and Europe's Rearmament

After U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities in mid-2025 triggered a regional crisis, a two-week ceasefire was brokered on April 8. Peace talks collapsed on April 11, with Trump ordering a naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. WTI crude surged from roughly $66 per barrel in late February to over $95 per barrel today, a signal that markets are pricing in serious supply disruption risk. When the ceasefire breaks, demand for precision munitions, drone systems, and surveillance platforms held inside SHLD rises with it.

Furthermore, the White House's FY2027 budget request asks Congress for $1.5 trillion in defense spending, a significant increase over the prior year's $1 trillion topline. That procurement spending flows directly to SHLD's top holdings, which hold hundreds of billions in combined contract backlogs.
The News

Conde Nast CEO Roger Lynch said Thursday that the company does not expect to close down any additional magazine brands this year after it announced earlier in the day that the company was shutting Self magazine.

For us, its really more about focus, Lynch said at Semafor World Economy in Washington, DC. I just want our teams really focused on the brands that really have a clear path to continued growth and profitability.

Semafor Editor-in-Chief Ben Smith asked Lynch why Conde Nast operated in China when so many Western media companies have avoided the market.

Lynch noted that the company does not offer its news-oriented sites like The New Yorker but concentrates on its lifestyle and luxury publications.

Its not for the faint hearted, because its a complex place to operate, Lynch said of China. if you get it right its a huge economy, huge growing middle class  it is a very profitable business for us.

He was also very bullish about its Middle East market despite the ongoing conflict in the Gulf. It is a region that is very digital, very young, a lot of growth, and a huge luxury market, Lynch said. He added that the US market is very strong for the companys magazine brands.

Lynch said that while he initially viewed AI technology as a threat to media companies, his view has shifted. As weve engaged with these companies, and as we use AI in our business increasingly, I see it more as a tailwind now than a headwind.

Smith also asked Lynch about the success of Wired, which has been rapidly growing its digital subscriptions by aggressively covering politics, the Trump administration, and the tech sector, to the dismay of some titans of Silicon Valley.

Lynch said he was comfortable with the confrontational nature because the privately held companys owners, the Newhouse family, has taken an hands-off approach.

They do not interfere, which gives me as a CEO the ability to just appoint the best editors, let them do their jobs, and encourage them, he said.

Know More

The publishing house also said Thursday that its closing the international editions of Glamour in Germany, Spain, and Mexico and will concentrate in the US and UK, where we see the strongest opportunities, Lynch wrote in a memo to employees. It will also shutter Wireds print magazine in Italy.

In November, the company announced that it was folding Teen Vogue into Vogue.com. The company drew criticism from its union after it fired four employees who protested the layoffs.

Lynchs latest missive to employees suggested that the ship had been righted.

Our overall business is healthy and doing well. We ended 2025 with revenue growth and a fourth year of profitability growth since 2020, Lynch wrote Thursday, adding that the first quarter had exceeded both our revenue and profitability budgets.
Dell Technologies Inc. (NYSE:DELL) is one of Jim Cramer's Top Iran War Stocks Revealed in This List of 10 Stocks. Computer hardware firm Dell Technologies Inc. (NYSE:DELL)s shares have been on a tear recently. They are up by 24% over the past month and by 14% in April. The positive movement in Dell Technologies Inc. (NYSE:DELL)s stock has been preceded and accompanied by analyst optimism. For instance, Bank of America raised the share price target to $205 from $172 and kept a Buy rating on the shares on April 8th. As part of its coverage, the bank remarked that Dell Technologies Inc. (NYSE:DELL) was executing well in the current AI infrastructure build-out and added that it has sufficient capacity to meet its fiscal year 2027 guidance. In March, Goldman Sachs had also discussed the firm and raised the share price target to $195 from $180 and kept a Buy rating. Wolfe Research initiated coverage on April 9th and set a Peer Perform rating. The financial firm pointed out that the hardware company could experience risks from supply constraints and memory pricing. Recently, AI hardware firm Super Micro has also been in the news as its executives are facing legal actions for purportedly smuggling AI GPUs. Cramer discussed Dell Technologies Inc. (NYSE:DELL) in this context:

Dell (DELL) CEO Michael Dell is "Getting the Multiple," Says Jim Cramer

I thought that was a significant call because Michael Dell has said over and over again, when am I going to get the multiple. And hes getting the multiple. But how about the fact that their principal competitor Super Micro, I have to say is just in big trouble? Theyre in trouble, and SMC[sic], youre thinking about putting an order with SMCI or Dell, where one may be, and for all you, may be shut down. I mean there seem to be some sort of serious issues there, and I think that has to help Michael.

While we acknowledge the potential of DELL 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 Cathie Wood 2026 Portfolio: 10 Best Stocks to Buy.

Disclosure: None. Follow Insider Monkey on Google News.
He contrasted the situation with year-end 2024, when the RCF was expiring and, according to OHalloran, the company lacked a credible pathway to repayment or refinancing, had restricted liquidity, and faced stalled or uncertain sale processes. He said the position at year-end 2025 reflected material change: the RCF had been repaid and canceled, divestments had been completed, and the company had begun returning capital to shareholders.

OHalloran said three major disposals were completed in 2025, with a fourth added after year-end, which he said provided meaningful progress on the realization plan and improved liquidity and certainty. A key milestone was the elimination of the revolving credit facility (RCF). OHalloran said the RCF was fully repaid from disposal proceeds and then canceled, which he said removed refinancing risk from the fund and materially reduced financial risk.

Presenting results for the year ended 31 December 2025, James OHalloran said the companys focus during 2025 was stabilization and delivery while managing multiple priorities including holding-company leverage, ongoing realization processes, and a significant valuation change. OHalloran said the Board and investment manager InfraRed prioritized reducing financial risk, executing the realization plan put in place in late 2024, and updating valuations to reflect current assumptions and market evidence.

Digital 9 Infrastructure (LON:DGI9) said it made difficult but necessary decisions during 2025 to simplify its portfolio, stabilize the balance sheet, and reset valuation assumptions, marking what management described as a transition into the next phase of a managed wind-down.

Elio posted revenue and earnings growth in 2025 and will be retained for a buyandbuild strategy backed by a newly signed 30 million debt facility, with the first incremental acquisition targeted in mid2026.

The company reported a NAV of 80.2 million (0.093 per share) at 31 Dec 2025, including 33 million cash from divestments and a retained portfolio valued at 47.2 million, while Arqiva was marked to nil net of its vendor loan note.

Digital 9 progressed its managed winddown in 2025 with three major disposals (plus a fourth post yearend) that fully repaid and led to cancellation of the revolving credit facility , materially reducing refinancing and financial risk and enabling capital returns.

Story Continues

 Warner Bros. Discoverys Blockbuster Deal Faces a Hostile Rewrite

OHalloran said the wind-down is now concentrated on two remaining core positionsElio and Arqivawith the company shifting from near-term execution of realizations into active management of the remaining portfolio to maximize value and return capital in an orderly way.

NAV at 80.2 million; Arqiva marked to nil

Mark Durker presented financial highlights, reporting a net asset value (NAV) of 80.2 million at 31 December 2025, equivalent to 0.093 per share. Durker noted that at this stage of the wind-down, NAV reflects both cash available for distribution and the value of retained assets, adding that Arqiva has been marked to nil despite its potential future value.

 Booking Holdings Down 15%, Is It Time to Buy?

Post-divestments, Durker said the remaining portfolio value at December 2025 was 47.2 million, comprising Elio and Verne at the time. He said signed and completed divestments executed by the Board and InfraRed represented a total of 86 million. The cash component of NAV included 33 million of net remaining proceeds from completed divestments, after working capital requirements and deleveraging steps aimed at expediting shareholder returns.

Durker also walked through the valuation bridge, pointing to positive movements in Elio and Verne, but highlighting Arqivas revaluation to nil net of its Vendor Loan Note (VLN) from CPPIB. He said Elio delivered a 0.008 per share uplift due to growth, improved trading performance, and management incentives, and emphasized that Elios valuation remains an organic growth case, with no uplift yet assumed from M&A strategy or debt. He added that the settlement of the Verne earn-out contributed a 0.007 per share uplift, reflecting a realized 10 million outcome versus a 4 million valuation at the prior year-end.

On Arqiva, Durker said D9s position is highly leveraged and highly sensitive due to the VLN. He linked the valuation movement to minority transactions involving Macquarie and IFM selling stakes at a valuation well below the VLN.

Verne earn-out settled for 10 million after due diligence

OHalloran detailed the companys decision to settle the Verne contingent earn-out for 10 million in cash after year-end, describing it as an example of reducing complexity and uncertainty while balancing outcomes. He said the earn-out, agreed as part of Vernes 2024 sale, carried a headline potential future payout of up to $135 million but was very binary, tied to a narrow contractual perimeter and strictly defined performance test mechanics.

He said the earn-out had been marked at roughly 4 million at year-end 2024 and written down to nil at the June 2025 interims due to uncertainty and limited information rights. OHalloran said the company negotiated access to additional information within the defined perimeter, enabling it to assess the earn-out similarly to the rights it would have had at the end of the earn-out period.

According to OHalloran, a months-long commercial, legal, technical, and financial due diligence processconducted alongside data center expertsconcluded the earn-out was highly unlikely to pay out under the contractual mechanism. He attributed this assessment to the narrow perimeter, a carve-out excluding greenfield development projects, operating constraints including power availability in Iceland, and the buyers broad discretion over operational and investment decisions.

He said the 10 million settlement accelerated and crystallized value, removed residual complexity and execution risk, and would be distributed via the companys compulsory redemption mechanism.

Elio posts revenue growth and pursues buy-and-build strategy

Durker said Elio delivered a strong performance in 2025, with headline revenue growth of 7% and earnings growth of 3% despite price pressure in Ireland. He attributed earnings resilience to operating cost discipline, Elios ownership of its network, and a focus on higher-margin enterprise-grade products, which he said brought in new institutional customers. Durker said the performance compared favorably to peers that saw earnings compression from cost increases and price competition.

Durker also provided an update on Elios M&A strategy, noting that InfraRed and the Board chose not to proceed with a prior sale process in favor of retaining the business to optimize value ahead of an eventual exit. He said Elio had been subscale to attract the greatest investor appetite, and that inorganic growth aligned with D9s initial investment thesis.

As part of implementation, Durker said repayment of the fund-level RCF was a critical milestone because it enabled debt to be raised at the Elio level. He said Elio has now signed a 30 million debt package with AIB, structured as a 15 million committed facility and a 15 million uncommitted accordion facility. In the Q&A, Durker said the facility was raised entirely on the basis of Elios current balance sheet capacity, without relying on earnings from future acquisitions. He added that the interest margin was around 200 basis points, and said the company had not yet been forced to draw it, aiming to align any drawdown with deployment into acquisitions.

Durker said several live discussions with potential acquisition targets were underway, with a first incremental acquisition targeted for the second or third quarter of 2026. He described the strategy as acquiring businesses with similar B2B connectivity customer books, then overlaying Elios best-in-cost operating model to drive earnings accretion.

Arqiva: stable revenue, nil equity valuation driven by VLN and policy uncertainty

Mike Osborne said Arqivas business performance in 2025 was broadly in line with expectations, with stable revenue. He said EBITDA declined as anticipated due to a gradual mix shift from broadcast to lower-margin metering revenue, though he described margins as still positive. Osborne also cited smooth operations and strong delivery on the current AMP smart meter installation.

However, Osborne said Arqivas equity valuation at year-end was nil net of the VLN, driven primarily by market data points from the Macquarie and IFM stake sales, along with D9 adopting a more conservative view of future cash flowsparticularly around broadcast policy outcomes and commercial business margins. He said the Board and investment manager believed this was an appropriately prudent position. Osborne stressed that Arqiva itself is cash flow positive, with performance on track and the ability to service its debt at the Arqiva level.

Osborne said InfraRed and the Board still believe Arqiva has potential for material value realization for D9, with value sensitive to a small number of levers including broadcast policy outcomes and commercial pricing. He said only marginal improvements in key drivers could restore value above the VLN level, and added that InfraRed is exploring additional routes to value enhancement, though these are not reflected in valuation.

In response to a shareholder question, OHalloran said the company is engaged with the government process on future broadcast policy, which affects the longevity of core broadcast cash flows. He also said the company is working with management on commercial pricing, focusing more on costs to support margins, and undertaking a strategic review of Arqivas capital structure.

OHalloran closed by saying the first phase of the reset is largely done, with the balance sheet stabilized, key realizations completed, and cash soon to be returned to shareholders. He said the company is now focused on disciplined execution, structural simplification, value enhancement at Elio and Arqiva, and further orderly capital returns.

About Digital 9 Infrastructure (LON:DGI9)

As announced on 29 January 2024, following the completion of a Strategic Review, the Board has determined that it would be in the best interests of shareholders as a whole to put forward a proposal for a managed wind-down of the Company. The proposal was approved by the shareholders on 25 March 2024 (99.89% of votes in favour). As announced on 11 October 2024, InfraRed has been appointed as the Company's investment manager and AIFM.

The article "Digital 9 Infrastructure H2 Earnings Call Highlights" was originally published by MarketBeat.
Bank of America Corporation will release first-quarter earnings before the opening bell on Wednesday, April 15.

Analysts expect the bank to report quarterly earnings of $1.02 per share. Thats up from 90 cents per share in the year-ago period. The consensus estimate for Bank of America's quarterly revenue is $29.95 billion. It reported $27.37 billion last year, according to Benzinga Pro..

Bank of America investors may be eyeing potential gains from the company's dividends. Currently, the firm has an annual dividend yield of 2.10%. Thats a quarterly dividend amount of 28 cents per share ($1.12 a year).

To figure out how to earn $500 monthly from Bank of America, we start with the yearly target of $6,000 ($500 x 12 months).

Next, we take this amount and divide it by Bank of America's $1.12 dividend: $6,000 / $1.12 = 5,357 shares.

Don't Miss:

So, an investor would need to own approximately $285,796 worth of Bank of America, or 5,357 shares to generate a monthly dividend income of $500.

Assuming a more conservative goal of $100 monthly ($1,200 annually), we do the same calculation: $1,200 / $1.12 = 1,071 shares, or $57,138 to generate a monthly dividend income of $100.

Note that dividend yield can change on a rolling basis, as the dividend payment and the stock price both fluctuate over time.

The dividend yield is calculated by dividing the annual dividend payment by the current stock price. As the stock price changes, the dividend yield will also change.

For example, if a stock pays an annual dividend of $2 and its current price is $50, its dividend yield would be 4%. However, if the stock price increases to $60, the dividend yield would decrease to 3.33% ($2/$60).

Conversely, if the stock price decreases to $40, the dividend yield would increase to 5% ($2/$40).

Trending: Caught With Nothing Saved for Retirement? These 5 GameChanging Tips Could Still Save You

Further, the dividend payment itself can also change over time, which can also impact the dividend yield. If a company increases its dividend payment, the dividend yield will increase even if the stock price remains the same. Similarly, if a company decreases its dividend payment, the dividend yield will decrease.

Photo via Shutterstock

Read Next:
MILAN  As it embarks on what it calls a new phase of development, Orbital Design Collective poached its new chief executive officer from Italian furniture and design conglomerate Flos B&B Italia Group.

The firm formerly known as Calligaris Group said it hired Matteo Luoni, who had most recently been the CEO of lighting manufacturer Flos. Before that he served as head of strategy, business development and M&A manager from Flos B&B Italia Group. He has also served as executive vice chairman of Arclinea.

More from WWD

Luoni succeeds executive officer Alexander Zschokke at Orbital Design Collective. He had held the role since 2023.

Luoni is tasked with leading the company into a new phase of development and strengthening its positioning in key markets within a continuously evolving and competitive global context, the company said in a statement Tuesday.

Calligaris

Calligaris was founded as a small craft workshop in the northern Italian town of Manzano by Antonio Calligaris, and it celebrated its centennial in 2023. The group, which was acquired by the Alpha private equity fund in 2018, is home to its upscale Italian furnishings brands Calligaris, Ditre Italia and lighting brand Luceplan, in addition to more new-generational brands like Connubia and Fatboy. Fatboy, for example, which was acquired in 2021, was founded in 2002 in the Netherlands and is known for its signature oversize bean bag designed by Finnish interior architect Jukka Setala.

In a move to strengthen the firms identity, it changed its name from Calligaris Group to Orbital Design Collective in 2023 and moved the century-old furniture maker to its own space in Milan on Via Turati 7, not far from the citys Central Station.

Flos B&B Italia is also in the throes of a pivotal chapter.

In February 2025, WWD reported the group was entertaining informal offers for pieces of its business. According to a source, Holland, Mich.-based Haworth  which owns fellow furniture and lighting brands Poltrona Frau, Cappellini, Cassina, Janus et Cie, Luminaire, Ceccotti Collezioni, Karakter, Luxury Living Group, Interni and Zanotta  made an offer of between 800 million euros and 1 billion euros for Flos B&B Italias furniture division. That offer was deemed too low.
What Happened?

Shares of clothing and accessories retailer Gap (NYSE:GAP) jumped 4% in the afternoon session after the release of upbeat March retail sales data pointed to resilient consumer spending.

According to the latest figures, sales in U.S. clothing and accessories stores saw a notable 0.57% increase month-over-month and a significant jump compared to the previous year.

More from Yahoo Scout What were Gap's previous quarterly results like? How has Gap performed over longer time periods? What drove Gap's stock price increase today? How volatile has Gap's stock been recently?

Adding to the positive sentiment, peer, AEO, launched its second advertising campaign with actress Sydney Sweeney. The retailer unveiled its summer campaign, titled 'Syd for Short: American Eagle Jean Shorts,' aiming to build on a previously successful partnership. The first campaign featuring the actress reportedly helped the company's shares rise 77 percent since it was launched in the previous year.

The shares closed the day at $25.82, up 3.6% from previous close.

Is now the time to buy Gap? Access our full analysis report here, its free.

What Is The Market Telling Us

Gaps shares are quite volatile and have had 15 moves greater than 5% over the last year. In that context, todays move indicates the market considers this news meaningful but not something that would fundamentally change its perception of the business.

The biggest move we wrote about over the last year was 11 months ago when the stock dropped 20.3% on the news that the company reported underwhelming first-quarter 2025 results.

On a headline basis, the company maintained previously-provided full-year guidance but added that "The below fiscal 2025 outlook does not reflect the potential effect of tariffs, which are currently 30% on imports from China and 1% on most imports from other countries. If these tariff rates remain, they could result in a gross estimated incremental cost of approximately $250 million to $300 million." The comment likely raised uncertainty which markets don't like. On a more positive note, GAP beat on revenue and EPS. Still, this was a weaker quarter.

Gap is up 2.5% since the beginning of the year, but at $25.82 per share, it is still trading 11.4% below its 52-week high of $29.13 from February 2026. Despite the year-to-date gain, investors who bought $1,000 worth of Gaps shares 5 years ago would now be looking at only $782.98.

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Alcoa Corporation (NYSE:AA) is one of Jim Cramer's Top Iran War Stocks Revealed in This List of 10 Stocks. Alcoa Corporation (NYSE:AA) is one of the largest aluminum companies in the world. Its shares are up by a strong 192% over the past year and by 16% year-to-date. A notable movement in Alcoa Corporation (NYSE:AA)s stock occurred between March 27th and April 2nd, when they gained 23.4%. Investment bank Morgan Stanley discussed the firm on April 9th as it hiked the share price target to $80 from $64 and boosted the rating to Overweight from Equal Weight. The bank remarked that Alcoa Corporation (NYSE:AA) was slated to benefit from higher aluminum prices. Morgan Stanley had also discussed the higher prices on January 27th when it downgraded the stock to Equal Weight from Overweight and raised the target price to $64 from $52. The bank had commented back then that Alcoa Corporation (NYSE:AA)s risk-reward profile appeared to be more balanced after the stocks outperformance back then. As for Cramer, Alcoa Corporation (NYSE:AA) is another stock that hes linked with the hostilities in Iran:

You know I did the Chem 7, theres another one, Alcoa, which is just up. There is suddenly a shortage. Theres never been a shortage, in years. . .but because of whats going on in the Gulf, youre getting this once in a lifetime. Now I think again a lot of people again are taking profits, like they are with Dow. And I just think that this is the stock, if you think. . .I hear some people say no he [Trump] just keeps putting a truce on, and hes like delaying and delaying, well look, go ahead. Here you go. Here you go. You got Alcoa. You think hes gonna delay many times, just buy Alcoa!

Jim Cramer Discusses Key Point About Alcoa, (AA) Trump & Iran War

Pixabay/Public Domain

But I do think that, there are ways for people who should just stop talking, about how, he doesnt do what he says. Hes not gonna bomb. If you think that 8 o clock tomorrow, right, that theres nothing gonna happen, because theres gonna be emergency truce, Alcoas gonna give you 72, 73. And I find that thats better than Kalshi, I dont know.

While we acknowledge the potential of AA 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 Cathie Wood 2026 Portfolio: 10 Best Stocks to Buy.

Disclosure: None. Follow Insider Monkey on Google News.
Abbott Laboratories (NYSE:ABT) is among the stocks on Jim Cramers game plan as he shared his take on the market post Iran-U.S. ceasefire talks. Cramer called the stock tricky, as he commented:

I also want to hear from Abbott Labs, and this is tricky, okay? Its stocks down an astounding 20% for the year after that last just so-so quarter, and a loss and a lawsuit about its special baby formula. But I dont know if this really, if this stock really belongs on the 52-week low list. I mean, that said, if Abbotts going to go higher, its going to have to give us a couple of reasons on the call.

A stock market graph. Photo by Alesia Kozik on Pexels

Abbott Laboratories (NYSE:ABT) develops and sells healthcare products, including generic medicines, diagnostic systems, nutrition brands, cardiovascular and diabetes care devices, and neuromodulation technologies. During the November 20, 2025, episode, Cramer discussed the companys acquisition of Exact Sciences, as he stated:

This morning, Abbott Labs announced that its buying Exact Sciences, thats the colorectal cancer screening company, for about $21 billion. Its a 51% premium where it was trading before we started hearing talk of the deal. This transaction will be the largest healthcare deal in two years and the largest diagnostic acquisition ever. Exact Sciences has a great product Of course, this kind of deal probably wouldve been blocked by Bidens antitrust regulators if only because the FTC under Lina Khan seemed reflexively hostile to all mergers. But under Trump, itll probably sail through. Now, normally, an acquired stock only gets hit hard if theyre paying for the target with their own shares. But Abbotts paying in cash, and its still dropped more than $6 over the past two days since the deal was reported. I think thats crazy. Abbott has a big hole in its diagnostic business, and Exact Sciences would plug it. The rest of the business is doing quite well. So I think its a terrific time to do some buying, especially as once in the portfolio, it will accelerate Abbotts growth rate.

While we acknowledge the potential of ABT 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.
Joby Aviation (NYSE: JOBY) wants to turn a futuristic idea into a real business. Its electric aircraft can take off like a helicopter and fly like a plane, carrying passengers across cities in minutes. For years, that vision felt distant. But now it's getting close to reality.

Joby is targeting its first paying passengers in 2026, starting in markets like Dubai before expanding to the United States. If the company succeeds, it could become one of the first to launch a commercial flying taxi service.

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 

That sounds exciting. But investors should focus less on headlines and more on execution. Here are three things that matter most in the next 12 to 18 months.

Image source: Getty Images.

1. Certification must turn into approval

Before Joby can fly passengers, it needs approval from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). This process ensures the eVTOL is safe and reliable. So far, Joby has already made strong progress. It has progressed through multiple stages of certification, almost completing stage four of a five-stage process, putting it among the industry leaders.

But progress does not equal approval. The FAA has never certified this type of aircraft, so there are still many uncertainties that may affect the outcome. Even small technical issues or new safety requirements could delay the timeline.

For investors, the most important thing to watch in the coming months is this: Are updates moving from "we are making progress" to "we have received approval"? Once approval becomes clear, then a major risk disappears. But approval alone won't guarantee a successful business. And that brings us to the next important aspect.

2. Will early flights prove real demand for air taxis?

Joby has been preparing to begin commercial flights in 2026. Its acquisition of Blade Air Mobility's passenger business gives it access to terminals and existing customers. Partnerships with companies like Uber Technologies could make the service easier to access and book.

The company also plans to launch first in places like Dubai, where governments support new technology and can move faster on approvals. That gives Joby a controlled environment to test real operations.

Let's assume everything goes to plan. The bigger question comes next: Will people actually use flying taxis? After all, this is a completely new technology that hasn't undergone extensive testing. In other words, there is no proven business model yet.
Portfolio reviews are ongoing to prioritize high-return core opportunities, including potential divestitures of noncore assets to strengthen the financial position.

A dedicated Chief Enterprise Transformation Officer has been appointed to lead the execution of process redesigns and cost optimization efforts across the enterprise.

The transformation leverages a unified technology stack, with 90% of the global business now operating on the PowerSuite platform, enabling data-driven insights and automation at scale.

Management is launching a comprehensive strategic global transformation program aimed at reimagining front and back-office operations to structurally lower the cost to serve.

The Manpower brand is demonstrating significant momentum, achieving 6% organic constant currency growth driven by resilient demand for flexible labor solutions despite macroeconomic uncertainty.

Revenue trends are stabilizing across key markets, with top-line growth exceeding expectations due to strong execution of commercial initiatives and a strengthening manufacturing environment in Europe.

The transformation program is expected to deliver $200 million in permanent annual cost savings by 2028; the company noted that applying these savings to the prior year's performance would represent a 110 basis point improvement to EBITDA margin in isolation.

Second quarter guidance assumes a continuation of existing trends, with the U.S. business expected to flip to low single-digit revenue growth as Experis trends improve.

Front-office transformation work is currently underway in North America as of 2026, creating a blueprint for global expansion in 2027 and broader savings in other regions by 2028.

Management expects sustainable organic revenue growth to build progressively as business confidence and manufacturing PMIs in the U.S. and Europe continue to rise.
Precision automotive parts maker MinebeaMitsumi is looking to develop Cambodia into a key export platform for shipments to the US, reported Nikkei Asia.

The plan centres on a second factory in Pursat province that started partial operations in November.

The site covers 500,000m and is set up to produce essential parts for high-precision LiDAR sensors used in autonomous driving systems.

Output is expected to rise in step with customer demand.

The Japanese company already has an established presence in the country, having opened a Phnom Penh plant in 2011 making ball bearings and motors.

That investment formed part of a Thailand plus one approach, shifting some manufacturing away from Thailand to nearby markets with lower labour costs.

In a statement to Nikkei Asia, MinebeaMitsumi chairman and CEO Yoshihisa Kainuma said: "We will not treat it merely as a 'Thailand plus one' facility, but rather develop it into a factory on par with those in other countries.

The report states that MinebeaMitsumis operations in Cambodia have been impacted by border closures between Cambodia and Thailand since May 2025.

Kainuma said the company wants Cambodia to serve as a strategic base for exports to US customers.

The restrictions have disrupted land transport routes and added to logistics costs.

The company still procures certain materials from Thailand but is now working to find alternative suppliers in Vietnam, China and other markets, according to the report.

Japans Foreign Ministry, cited in the report, said Cambodia had 425 Japanese-affiliated business locations as of October 2024.

The news agency noted that persistent logistics disruption could weigh on investor sentiment, though MinebeaMitsumi said its operations in Cambodia remain stable as it adjusts sourcing to reduce supply chain risk.

"MinebeaMitsumi targets Cambodia as US export base  report" was originally created and published by Just Auto, a GlobalData owned brand.




Nestle is offloading its majority stake in German spices and teas maker Ankerkraut.

The Swiss food giant described the transfer of its holding back to Ankerkrauts founding family members, Anne and Stefan Lemcke, as based on a common understanding of Ankerkraut's future needs and positioning.

In a statement yesterday (15 April), Nestle added: In view of the changed market situation, both sides are convinced that this decision gives the brand additional entrepreneurial leeway to drive the future development of the company even more flexibly and quickly.

The KitKat maker had acquired the stake in Ankerkraut in 2022 from investors including EMZ Partners, Freigeist Capital and Knalmann Ventures, with the founders then moving to roles as brand ambassadors.

The companies have assured continuity for staff, business partners and customers.

Financial terms of the deal were not revealed.

Alexander von Maillot, the CEO of Nestle's operations in Germany, said: The decision is in line with Nestle's ongoing strategic transformation and brand focus, which aims to further sharpen and align the portfolio more clearly.

Husband-and-wife team Stefan and Anne Lemcke founded Ankerkraut in 2013.

Now we are looking forward to developing the brand ourselves again and opening a new chapter for Ankerkraut," they said in a joint statement.

Ankerkraut follows an omni-channel sales strategy, serving customers through direct-to-consumer and retail channels. The company has around 160 employees.

Its portfolio includes over 500 spices and spice blends, teas and accessories, with its products marketed as containing no artificial additives.

The products are sold online and at food retailers and specialist stores in Germany, Austria and Switzerland. Ankerkraut also has its own stores in Hamburg and Bochum.

In February, Nestle set out plans to hand the remaining ice-cream business that does not sit within its Froneri joint venture to the business it co-owns with private-equity firm PAI Partners. Nestle said it was in advanced negotiations with UK-based Froneri for the assets.

The reassessment of parts of Nestle's portfolio since CEO Philipp Navratil took the helm in September has also seen the sale of its stake in the Herta charcuterie business to Casa Tarradellas.

Nestle is reportedly making headway with a process to sell a stake in its water business.

Before Navratil was appointed CEO, Nestle last year launched a strategic review of our mainstream and value brands within the vitamins, minerals and supplements (VMS) business.
Nike Inc. shares are on the move.

Shares of Nike rose 2.8 percent to close at $45.44 Wednesday following the news that company chief executive officer and president Elliott Hill, lead director and Apple CEO Tim Cook, and director John W. Rogers, the founder of Ariel Capital Management, bought more Class B common stock in the Swoosh. The combined purchases totaled 52,660 shares. Hill paid $1 million, Cook paid nearly $1.1 million, and Rogers paid $173,360 for their new investment in Nike.

More from WWD

Hill and Cook previously made news when they each acquired shares of Nike stock on Dec. 29. Hill spent $1 million to acquire 16,388 shares of Class B common stock, his first purchase of Nike stock since becoming CEO. Cook on Dec. 22 purchased 50,000 shares, spending nearly $2.95 million in the process. On that same day, Andreessen Horowitzs growth investing team operating partner and Nike director Robert Swan acquired 8,691 shares at a total cost of $500,080.

According to the latest regulatory filings, Hill now owns 265,247 shares of Nike, Cook owns 130,480 shares, and Rogers owns 41,022 shares.

Investors tend to view insider purchases as a positive because its typically a sign or signal that management and the board believe in the future prospects of the company.

The stock purchases are a much-needed signal that Nikes turnaround remain in progress and on track, even if it might take a bit longer than initially planned.

Nike on March 31 posted third quarter results that beat Wall Street estimates despite continued weakness in its China business amid steep declines at its Converse brand. Net income fell 35 percent to $520 million, with diluted earnings per share (EPS) at 35 cents, on flat net sales at $11.3 billion. The consensus among Wall Street analysts were EPS of 28 cents on revenue of $11.2 billion.

But what investors didnt like were the bumps in Nikes China business, as well as the disclosure that weakness in Europe resulted in a revenue drop of 7 percent in its EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa) operations due mostly to softness in sportswear and a highly promotional environment.

UBS analyst Jay Sole suggested that Nikes fashion-driven sportswear business should be pulled back to no more than 30 percent of the brands total mix. He said sportswear is now more than 50 percent of total sales, and because it is essentially a fashion business, the category is subject to the whims of the buying consumer who is more aligned with changes in fashion trends.
Markets are rattled as oil surged past $100 a barrel this month. And yet, some of the smartest money on Wall Street is pointing investors toward one corner of the technology sector that tends to thrive when the world gets more dangerous: cybersecurity.

Wedbush Securities, among the more bullish tech-focused research houses, emphasized that the ongoing selloff in the software sector is overblown. The investment firm sees the turbulence as a buying opportunity, and one stock at the top of its shopping list is Rubrik (RBRK).

More News from Barchart

Wedbush has a stock price target of $86 for Rubrik, above the current price of about $49. Valued at a market cap of $9.8 billion, RBRK stock is down 53% from all-time highs.

www.barchart.com

Iran War Fears Are a Tailwind for Cybersecurity Stocks

Cybersecurity companies are typically recession-resistant. Moreover, they are poised to thrive amid periods of geopolitical instability and could outperform the broader markets.

Wedbush analyst Dan Ives and his team flagged in a recent research note that escalating tensions in the Middle East, oil prices above $100 per barrel, and potential disruptions at the Strait of Hormuz are fueling volatility across the broader market. But Wedbush argues that the current environment strengthens the case for cybersecurity investment.

The threat to nation-states heightens the urgency of protecting critical data infrastructure. In such a scenario, governments and enterprises accelerate spending on cyber defense solutions.

Wedbush highlighted several cybersecurity names as top picks in this environment, including CrowdStrike (CRWD), Palo Alto Networks (PANW), Zscaler (ZS), Check Point Software (CHKP), and Rubrik. The firm also pushed back on the idea that artificial intelligence is eating into cybersecurity demand.

The Bull Case for Rubrik Stock

Rubrik is a California-based company that offers a platform for data protection, threat analytics, identity recovery, and AI agent security. It serves customers in financial services, healthcare, energy, government, and other sectors where data loss or a ransomware hit can be catastrophic.

Chief Executive Officer Bipul Sinha described it plainly on the company's most recent earnings call, calling Rubrik the bunker underneath the house. Sinha stated, "When ransomware inevitably hits, a LLM or vibe code will not recover your business. Rubrik will."
This article first appeared on GuruFocus.

Charles Schwab (NYSE:SCHW) reported first-quarter results that suggest a mixed but still resilient operating picture, as the firm continues to navigate a more volatile macro backdrop. Net revenue came in at $6.48 billion, slightly below the $6.51 billion analysts were expecting, while net interest margin printed at 2.88% versus forecasts of 2.94%. Despite that pressure on core banking profitability, net income reached $2.48 billion, modestly ahead of the $2.46 billion estimate, indicating earnings held up relatively well.

Management pointed to continued strength in client engagement as a key offset. Total net new assets reached $139.9 billion, surpassing the $123.5 billion analysts had modeled and rising 5.7% from a year earlier, which could signal that Schwab is still capturing meaningful share of retail flows. That trend appears to be tied, at least in part, to heightened geopolitical uncertainty, including the war in Iran, which contributed to a 39% increase in daily average trades in March versus a year ago. According to CEO Rick Wurster, clients are trading more frequently, often in smaller amounts and holding positions for shorter periods, suggesting a more tactical approach to market participation.

Looking ahead, Schwab indicated that full-year earnings could come in above its prior $5.70 to $5.80 per-share outlook, reinforcing confidence in its diversified model despite ongoing industry shifts. The firm is also positioning for incremental growth through new initiatives, including teen brokerage accounts aimed at younger investors and plans to enable cryptocurrency trading in the coming weeks. At the same time, a newly finalized SEC rule easing certain day-trading restrictions could act as a longer-term tailwind for trading activity, potentially supporting Schwab's engagement trends if current market volatility persists.
Standard Life has signed a deal to acquire Aegon UK, the UK insurance and pensions business of Aegon Europe, in a transaction valued at 2bn ($2.7bn).

The deal will be financed through a mix of debt, existing cash and the issuance of new Standard Life ordinary shares to Aegon at completion.

Those shares will account for around 15.3% of the enlarged companys share capital, making Aegon a shareholder and asset management partner.

After the deal closes, the combined group is expected to serve 16 million customers and oversee approximately 480bn of assets under administration.

In a statement to Life Insurance International, Moodys Ratings VP-senior credit officer Brandan Holmes said: Standard Life's acquisition of Aegon UK is credit positive, propelling it to second place in the UK workplace pensions (WP) market.

"The combined entity will benefit from improved economies of scale, stronger distribution and access to large corporate mandates, while its enlarged member base presents compelling growth opportunities across the full retirement and savings life cycle.

The UK workplace pension market is consolidating rapidly around platforms backed by large, well-capitalised insurance groups. We estimate that the top four WP providers now control around 70% of total WP assets under administration in the UK. With assets potentially reaching 2tn by 2035 and incoming regulatory scale requirements accelerating the exit of smaller providers, the largest players are well-positioned to capture a disproportionate share of one of the UK's most significant long-term growth markets.

Standard Life said the acquisition would add 160m of operating cash generation and growth in line with its mid-single digit percentage guidance.

It also said the group would remain at the upper end of its Solvency II coverage ratio range.

The company expects the deal to contribute 190m in International Financial Reporting Standards adjusted operating profit and be mid-single-digit accretive to adjusted operating earnings per share by 2029.

Standard Life Group CEO Andy Briggs said: "Our agreement to acquire Aegon UK significantly accelerates our vision to be the UK's leading retirement savings and income business.

Together, we will not only be stronger, we will be better  helping our customers achieve better outcomes and greater financial security in later life. I look forward to welcoming everyone at Aegon UK to Standard Life in due course and working together to capture the huge potential in front of us."

Once the shares are issued, Aegon will hold 15.3% of the enlarged group. That stake will be subject to a lock-up period ending either 18 months after completion or after the re-domiciliation of Aegons ultimate holding company to the US, which is expected on 1 January 2028, whichever is earlier.
The Netherlands recently approved Tesla's (TSLA) full self-driving, or FSD, software. Now the question is whether the rest of Europe follows. According to a Reuters report, the Netherlands became the first country in Europe to officially approve Tesla's FSD software, with the Dutch vehicle authority, known as the RDW, signing off on the technology.

More importantly, the regulator has also notified the European Commission of its plans to seek EU-wide approval. Europe is one of Tesla's most important markets, and FSD adoption there has been essentially nonexistent until now.

More News from Barchart

www.barchart.com

What the Dutch Approval Means for Tesla

The RDW's general manager for type approvals, Bernd van Nieuwenhoven, made it clear that FSD Supervised is driver-assistance software, not a fully autonomous system. The driver remains responsible, but the key distinction is that the software can steer, brake, and accelerate without the driver's hands on the wheel.

Van Nieuwenhoven told Reuters he was confident the technology could operate safely across all Dutch roads, including Amsterdam's notoriously tricky streets, which are shared by cars, bikes, and e-bikes.

"If it is good enough for the Netherlands, it is good enough for Europe," he said, according to Reuters.

The report further stated:

The Netherlands will present its findings to a relevant EU technical committee in May.

If a majority of member states sign off and the test evidence holds up, an implementing act could follow, paving the way for EU-wide deployment.

Meanwhile, individual EU countries can move on their own, using the Dutch approval as a reference point.

That means the rollout could begin gaining momentum in multiple countries even before a formal bloc-wide decision.

It's also worth noting that the European version of FSD comes with stricter driver-monitoring requirements than the U.S. version, and any significant software update must be cleared by the RDW in advance. So while the regulatory framework is tighter, the path forward is real.

Why FSD Matters for TSLA Stock

Teslas FSD subscriber base hit nearly 1.1 million paid customers globally as of Q4, with about 70% of those being upfront purchases. Notably, Tesla is transitioning to a subscription-only model for FSD going forward.
ASML (ASML) stock dipped as much as 6% on Wednesday as the chip equipment maker's China segment shrank as a percentage of net system sales, but management pointed to strong sales momentum and raised its full year sales forecast amid AI-driven spending.

Demand for chips is outpacing supply. In response, our customers are accelerating their capacity expansion plans for 2026 and beyond," said CEO Christophe Fouquet in the company's quarterly results release.

ASML raised its net sales forecast for this year to a range of 36 billion to 40 billion, equivalent to $42.46 billion to $47.18 billion. That's up from a range of $40.12 billion to $46.02 billion.

The improved outlook was partially offset by second quarter guidance equivalent to $9.91 billion to $10.62 billion, which came in just below Wall Street expectations of roughly $10.70 billion, according to Bloomberg data.

The company's China segment was also impacted by export bans on some of its most advanced machinery. Net system sales to China accounted for 19% in the first quarter of 2026, compared to 36% in the prior quarter.

Despite Wednesday's drop, ASML shares are up 35% year-to-date, reflecting strong momentum across semiconductor stocks that have driven the broader market recovery in recent weeks.

Semiconductors have been a key driver of the rebound, with the S&P 500 (^GSPC) erasing all losses since the start of the Iran war and moving close to record highs.

The Philadelphia Semiconductor Index (^SOX) closed at a new record on Tuesday after posting its largest eight-day rally since 2002, as noted by BTIG strategist Jonathan Krinsky.

"Semis continue to shrug off any issues and while we are hesitant to chase them here, the trend and momentum must be respected until it stops," Krinsky wrote earlier this week.

Analysts will pivot their focus to chip manufacturer Taiwan Semiconductor (TSM) which reports quarterly results on Thursday prior to the market open.

The company recently posted first quarter revenue which surged 35% year over year to a record 1.134 trillion New Taiwan dollars (about $35.6 billion), surpassing the high end of its own previous guidance.

Exterior view of the head office of ASML, a leading maker of semiconductor production equipment, in Veldhoven, Netherlands, Monday, Jan. 30, 2023. ASML says the U.S., Dutch and Japanese officials are close to an agreement to limit China's access to the technology used to make computer chips. (AP Photo/Peter Dejong)  ASSOCIATED PRESS

Ines Ferre is a senior business reporter for Yahoo Finance. Follow her on X at @ines_ferre.

Click here for in-depth analysis of the latest stock market news and events moving stock prices

Read the latest financial and business news from Yahoo Finance
Bank of America (BAC) said on Wednesday that profits leaped 17% from a year ago.

The countrys second-largest bank reported profits rose to $8.6 billion, or $1.11 per share, exceeding the $1.01 per share that analysts forecast. Net revenue rose 7% to $30.3 billion compared to $28.2 billion in the first quarter of 2025.

Investment banking and trading revenue rose 21% and 13%, respectively.

Bank of America CEO Brian Moynihan said in a statement that, during the first quarter, his bank "saw healthy client activity, including solid consumer spending and stable asset quality, indicating a resilient American economy."

We remain watchful of evolving risks," Moynihan added.

Chairman and CEO of Bank of America Brian Moynihan on March 27, 2025, in New York City. (John Lamparski/Getty Images)  John Lamparski via Getty Images

Read more: Live coverage of corporate earnings

Bank of America stock rose more than 1% on Wednesday.

The Charlotte-based banks results underscore how the countrys biggest banks saw earnings growth in the first quarter amid significant Wall Street activity and a sturdy US economy, despite the period's volatile markets bouts.

The nations three other largest banks, JPMorgan Chase (JPM), Wells Fargo (WFC), and Citigroup (C), also reported year-over-year profit increases in the first quarter that beat analyst expectations. Altogether, these four banks reported profits of $36.12 billion, a 17% increase from the previous year.

Trading desks, a big contributor to the profit boost at big banks, often benefit from volatility, though chaotic markets can spook clients, particularly in dealmaking. At Bank of America, revenue from both Wall Street divisions ratcheted higher in the quarter, with the bank reporting a record in quarterly equity trading revenue.

Fees from Bank of Americas investment banking unit rose to $1.8 billion, driven by a 45% jump in M&A advisory fees.

Total sales and trading revenue rose to $6.4 billion, driven by a 30% year-over-year increase in revenue from its stock trading operations. However, the bank's fixed-income trading unit fell short of Wall Street's estimates, rising only slightly from the year-ago quarter.

Bank of Americas Main street operations also appeared robust.

It reported that combined debit and credit card spending from its US customers rose 6% versus the first quarter of 2025. The bank took lower consumer charge-offs in the quarter compared to the year ago period due largely to credit card seasonality," according to a presentation.

Bank of Americas rate of credit card delinquencies over 90-days, a leading indicator of future consumer credit quality, declined to 1.30% compared with 1.34% in the first quarter of 2025.
Conagra Brands, Inc. (NYSE:CAG) is one of the

12 Oversold Blue Chip Stocks to Buy According to Analysts.

On April 13, 2026, BTIG initiated coverage of Conagra Brands, Inc. (NYSE:CAG) with a Neutral rating and no price target. BTIG said the company is theoretically positioned to benefit from demand for healthy frozen foods and functional snacks, but expressed concern over the breadth of its U.S. portfolio, noting a long tail of smaller brands with limited investment and describing margin progression from current levels as complicated.

Earlier that day, Conagra announced that John Brase will become President and CEO effective June 1 and will join the board of directors. He succeeds Sean Connolly, who will step down on May 31 after more than a decade. Brase brings over 35 years of consumer goods experience and most recently served as President and COO of The J. M. Smucker Company.

BTIG Initiates Coverage of Conagra (CAG)

Copyright: stocking / 123RF Stock Photo

On April 9, 2026, BNP Paribas downgraded Conagra to Neutral from Outperform and lowered its price target to $16 from $19. BNP Paribas said U.S. packaged food valuations look cheap relative to history, but argued they are cheap for a reason, citing muted volume growth expectations and potentially limited pricing power across the sector.

Conagra Brands, Inc. (NYSE:CAG) operates a consumer packaged food business primarily in the United States.

While we acknowledge the potential of CAG 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 Cathie Wood 2026 Portfolio: 10 Best Stocks to Buy.

Disclosure: None. Follow Insider Monkey on Google News.
Goldman Sachs filed for a Bitcoin Premium ETF on April 14, 2026, an options-based fund designed to generate regular income for investors rather than simply track Bitcoins price. The filing marks one of Wall Streets most structurally novel entries into crypto products yet.

The detail most headlines are missing, though, is that this is not a spot Bitcoin ETF. Its a fundamentally different type of product, one that trades Bitcoins upside potential for a stream of income. Those two things are not the same, and the distinction matters enormously if youre trying to figure out whether this belongs in your portfolio.

So what does Goldman actually filing this mean for retail investors? Lets unpack the mechanics before drawing any conclusions.

DISCOVER: The Next 1000x Crypto Gem Before It Lists on Binance

What the Goldman Sachs Bitcoin Premium ETF Actually Is

Goldmans filing describes a fund that would hold at least 80% of its assets in Bitcoin-exposed investments, primarily spot Bitcoin ETFs and derivatives tied to them. Thats the Bitcoin exposure part. The income part works differently.

To generate yield, the fund sells options contracts tied to those Bitcoin ETFs. Think of it like owning a house and renting it out: you still own the house, but youre collecting rent in exchange for giving someone else the right to buy it at a set price. In this case, Goldman collects whats called a premium, a fee paid by traders who want leveraged Bitcoin exposure, and passes that income to fund investors.

This strategy is known as a covered call, and its well-established in traditional markets. Goldman isnt inventing something exotic here. Its applying a decades-old yield strategy to a new underlying asset.

Bloomberg Senior ETF Analyst Eric Balchunas noted on X that Goldmans structure, a 40 Act filing using a Cayman Islands subsidiary, could actually give it a regulatory timing advantage over BlackRocks similar filing, which uses a different structure. Goldman may sense an opportunity to leap frog them, Balchunas wrote. The fund could potentially launch around mid-June 2026 if the standard 75-day SEC review timeline holds.

DISCOVER: Best Meme Coin ICOs to Invest in 2026

How This Differs From Owning Spot Bitcoin or a Spot ETF

Owning spot Bitcoin means you own the asset directly, every dollar Bitcoin gains is yours, and every dollar it loses comes out of your pocket. A spot Bitcoin ETF like BlackRocks IBIT does the same thing through a brokerage account, without you needing to manage wallets or private keys.
Netflix shares have gained 13% since the start of the year.

Credit: Patrick T. Fallon / AFP / Getty Images

Key Takeaways

Netflix's latest quarterly earnings are due after the closing bell Thursday, with the stock seen making a big move following the results.

The report will be Netflix's first since backing out of the bidding war for Warner Bros. Discovery in February.

Netflix is scheduled to report earnings after markets close Thursday, with traders expecting a big move from the streaming giant's stock following the results.

Based on current options pricing, Netflix (NFLX) shares are seen swinging up to 6% in either direction by the end of the week. A move of that size from Tuesday's close could push the stock above $112, its highest point since November. The low end of that range would drag it below $100, giving up some of the stock's recent gains.

Netflix shares have surged since the company dropped out of its bidding war with Paramount Skydance (PSKY) for Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) in February, leaving the shares up about 13% from where they started the year. The shares also got a boost after Netflix announced plans last month to raise prices.

Why This Matters to Investors

A strong print from Netflix's first report since ending its pursuit of Warner Bros. Discovery could help boost investor confidence in the streaming giant's outlook.

JPMorgan analysts said recently they expect Netflix to "come out re-focused and swinging" following the breakdown of the Warner Bros. deal, with the potential for Netflix to boost its margin forecast now that it is no longer pursuing the deal and has received a $2.8 billion termination fee from Warner Bros.

Netflix is projected to report first-quarter revenue of $12.19 billion along with earnings of 78 cents per share, each up more than 15% from the same time a year ago.

Analysts are largely bullish on Netflix, with 12 of the 15 analysts with current ratings tracked by Visible Alpha calling Netflix a "buy," compared to three neutral ratings. Their average price target of $118 would suggest about 11% upside from Tuesday's close.

Read the original article on Investopedia
April 15 (Reuters) - Senior U.S. defense officials have held talks about producing weapons and other military supplies with top executives of companies including General Motors and Ford Motor, the Wall Street Journal reported on Wednesday, citing people familiar with the discussions.

The preliminary and wide-ranging talks, which started before the war in Iran, come as the Trump administration wants automakers and other American manufacturers to play a larger role in weapons production, the Journal said.

Defense officials told the newspaper that American manufacturers might be needed to backstop traditional defense contractors and asked whether the companies could rapidly shift to defense work.

GE Aerospace and vehicle and machinery maker Oshkosh were among the companies involved in the talks with defense officials, the Journal added.

FILE PHOTO: The Pentagon building is seen in Arlington, Virginia, U.S. October 9, 2020. REUTERS/Carlos Barria/File Photo

Reuters could not immediately verify the report. The Pentagon, General Motors, Ford, GE Aerospace and Oshkosh did not immediately respond to Reuters' requests for comment outside regular business hours.

A Pentagon official told the Journal the Defense Department "is committed to rapidly expanding the defense industrial base by leveraging all available commercial solutions and technologies to ensure our warfighters maintain a decisive advantage".

Trump met executives from seven defense contractors in March as the Pentagon works to replenish supplies used in U.S. strikes on Iran and other recent military operations.

Since Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022 and Israel's military operations in Gaza, the U.S. has drawn down billions of dollars' worth of weapons stockpiles, including artillery systems, ammunition and anti-tank missiles.

Trump this month requested a massive $500 billion increase in the military budget to $1.5 trillion, amid the U.S. war against Iran.

(Reporting by Fabiola Aramburo in Mexico City; Editing by Jacqueline Wong and Jamie Freed)
"Trump has made billions exploiting his power as president. Why would he need a salary? That's peanuts," wrote economist Peter Schiff, who supported Trump during the 2024 election (5). "He gives up his tiny salary as a publicity stunt to create the false impression that he's not in it for the money."

Critics, however, argue the focus on salary misses the bigger picture, noting the amount is small compared to a billionaire's broader financial interests

As Trump highlighted his zero salary, supporters echoed the message. "Our President works for free," one post read (4).

While Loudon did not cite a source, the figures for Barack Obama, Joe Biden and George W. Bush appear to be based on the current $400,000 annual presidential salary  which took effect during Bush's presidency. Obama and Bush each served eight years, earning $3.2 million, while Biden's four-year term totaled $1.6 million.

In a recent post on Truth Social, Trump shared a screenshot of a post by Bo Loudon, a 19-year-old social media influencer (3). The post listed the "total amount of taxpayer $ the past 10 Presidents took as salary," claiming: "Trump: $0.00 Biden: $1.6 Million Obama: $3.2 Million W Bush: $3.2 Million" going back to Richard Nixon.

However, critics were quick to challenge one part of Trump's claim: that he's the only president to forgo a salary. The New York Times reported that both "John F. Kennedy and Herbert Hoover donated theirs to charity because they were among the wealthiest to serve in the role (2)."

The salary of the U.S. president is $400,000 a year  meaning a full term adds up to seven figures.

He added that it's no small amount: "It's still a couple of million bucks. It's not peanuts."

The IRS usually taxes gold as a collectible  but this little-known strategy lets you hold physical bullion tax-free. Get your free guide from Priority Gold

Dave Ramsey warns nearly 50% of Americans are making 1 big Social Security mistake  heres how 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

"I waived it. I'm the only president that ever waived it," he said. "We've had wealthy presidents before. In the history of our country, there's never been a president that waved his salary. I'm the only schmuck. I get no credit for it."

Speaking at a recent event in Rome, Georgia, Trump said he forwent millions of dollars by "waiving" his presidential salary  and claimed to be the only president to have done so (1).

Most people expect a salary for a full-time job. But President Donald Trump says he didn't take one.

Moneywise and Yahoo Finance LLC may earn commission or revenue through links in the content below.

Story Continues

Schiff did not specify what he meant by "exploiting his power." But reports have suggested Trump's wealth increased during his current term. For example, Forbes reported in September 2025 that his net worth rose by roughly $3 billion in a single year (6).

To supporters, Trump's decision reinforces his image as a wealthy outsider who didn't need government pay. To critics, it underscores concerns about the blurred line between political power and private business interests.

Regardless of where you land, one point is widely supported by data: the wealthy rarely build their fortunes on salary alone. According to Tax Foundation analysis of IRS data, higher-income taxpayers derive a significant share of their income from business and investments, while wages make up the bulk of earnings for lower-income households (7).

Here's a look at three assets that the wealthy often use to build  and protect  their fortunes.

The asset that made Trump rich

Real estate has long been a cornerstone of wealth-building in the U.S.  an area Trump himself knows well.

Before politics, Trump made his fortune in real estate  and the asset class remains a powerful tool for building and preserving wealth, especially during inflationary times. That's because property values and rental income tend to rise along with the cost of living.

Unlike some other investments, real estate doesn't need a roaring stock market to deliver returns. Even during downturns, high-quality properties can generate rental income  offering a dependable stream of passive cash flow.

As Trump told Steve Forbes back in 2011, "I just notice that when you have that right piece of property, whatever it might be, including location, it tends to work well in good times and in bad times (8)."

Today, you don't need to buy a property outright to benefit from real estate investing. Crowdfunding platforms like Arrived offer an easier way to get exposure to this income-generating asset class.

Backed by world-class investors like Jeff Bezos, Arrived allows you to invest in shares of rental homes with as little as $100, all without the hassle of mowing lawns, fixing leaky faucets or handling difficult tenants.

The process is simple: browse a curated selection of homes that have been vetted for their appreciation and income potential. Once you find a property you like, select the number of shares you'd like to purchase and then sit back as you start receiving any positive rental income distributions from your investment.

As of November 2025, Arrived has already paid out more than $19 million in dividends to over 900,000 registered investors.

Another option is Lightstone DIRECT, which offers accredited investors access to institutional-quality multifamily and industrial real estate  with a minimum investment of $100,000.

Founded in 1986 by David Lichtenstein, Lightstone Group is one of the largest privately held real estate investment firms in the U.S., with more than $12 billion in assets under management.

Over nearly four decades, their team has delivered strong, risk-adjusted performance across multiple market cycles  including a 27.6% historical net IRR and a 2.54x historical net equity multiple on realized investments since 2004.

With Lightstone DIRECT, you gain access to the same multifamily and industrial deals Lightstone pursues with its own capital.

Here's the kicker: Lightstone invests at least 20% of its own capital in every deal  roughly four times the industry average. With skin in the game, the firm ensures its interests are directly aligned with those of its investors.

Read More: Taxes are changing under Trumps big beautiful bill  4 reasons why retirees cant afford to waste time

A time-tested safe haven

Building a fortune isn't about putting all your eggs in one basket. Diversification is key  and according to Ray Dalio, founder of the world's largest hedge fund, Bridgewater Associates, there's one effective diversifier that tends to get overlooked by many investors: gold.

"People don't have, typically, an adequate amount of gold in their portfolio," he told CNBC last year. "When bad times come, gold is a very effective diversifier."

Long viewed as the ultimate safe haven, gold isn't tied to any single country, currency or economy. It can't be printed out of thin air like fiat money, and in times of economic turmoil or geopolitical uncertainty, investors tend to pile in  driving up its value.

Despite a recent pullback, gold prices have surged by more than 45% over the last 12 months.

Other prominent voices see further potential. JPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon recently said that in this environment, gold can "easily" rise to $10,000 an ounce.

One way to invest in gold that also provides significant tax advantages is to open a gold IRA with the help of Priority Gold.

Gold IRAs allow investors to hold physical gold or gold-related assets within a retirement account, thereby combining the tax advantages of an IRA with the protective benefits of investing in gold, making it an option for those looking to help shield their retirement funds against economic uncertainties.

When you make a qualifying purchase with Priority Gold, you can receive up to $10,000 in precious metals for free.

'The best thing to do,' according to Warren Buffett

The U.S. stock market has been a powerful engine of wealth creation. Trump has pointed to that strength, recently saying that "the only thing that's really going up big? It's the stock market and your 401(k)s (9)."

The benchmark S&P 500 returned 16% in 2025 and has gained roughly 66% over the past five years.

Of course, consistently picking winning stocks isn't easy. That's why legendary investor Warren Buffett argues that most people don't need to pick individual companies at all to benefit from the stock market's long-term growth.

"In my view, for most people, the best thing to do is own the S&P 500 index fund," Buffett has famously stated (10). This approach gives investors exposure to 500 of America's largest companies across a wide range of industries, providing instant diversification without the need for constant monitoring or active trading.

The beauty of this approach is its accessibility  anyone, regardless of wealth, can take advantage of it. Even small amounts can grow over time with tools like Acorns, a popular app that automatically invests your spare change.

Signing up for Acorns takes just minutes: link your cards, and Acorns will round up each purchase to the nearest dollar, investing the difference  your spare change  into a diversified portfolio.

With Acorns, you can invest in an S&P 500 ETF with as little as $5  and, if you sign up today with a recurring investment, Acorns will add a $20 bonus to help you begin your investment journey.

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Article Sources

We rely only on vetted sources and credible third-party reporting. For details, see our ethics and guidelines.

YouTube (1),(8),(9); The New York Times (2); Truth Social (3); X (4),(5); Forbes (6); Tax Foundation (7); CNBC (10)

This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.
This is The Takeaway from today's Morning Brief, which you can sign up to receive in your inbox every morning along with:

What we're watching

What we're reading

Economic data releases and earnings

One of the most defining moments from the "blockchain era" was when the company "Long Island Iced Tea" changed its name to "Long Blockchain" in 2017 and sent its stock upward 197% instantly.

It didn't really work out. The company was delisted, and there were some investigations. But the absurdity remains as a marker of a wild era of speculation and hype: two things that today's investors are familiar with.

This week, the AI-juiced markets got a fresh dose of absurdity: The company Allbirds, done with selling Silicon Valley's cliched footwear, is pivoting to AI services. On its face, it makes us think of Long Blockchain, Kodak (KODK) launching an altcoin, or GameStop (GME) becoming a bitcoin treasury company.

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What should we call a struggling consumer brand attempting to glom onto Wall Street's trendiest narrative? In this case, it looks like AI capital appropriation. And at least in the very short term, it's working exceedingly well.

The stock of the footwear maker surged as high as $23, or 700%, as the announcement of an AI pivot boosted the company, which was trading at less than $3 a few days ago.

Being obvious isn't always bad. And chasing investor excitement with the promises of greater returns is a sensible move. It's also patently ridiculous. But as transformative as AI technology might be, absurdity is what the day calls for  especially if you're trying to woo meme stock enthusiasts. Completely overhauling a business and diving headfirst into a pit whose depth isn't really known is also what the tech giants are doing. So what if you don't have AI experience? At least Silicon Valley investors know your company's name and probably wore the shoes.

It would be unfair to compare Mark Zuckerberg's $1.7 trillion operation to the maker of the Men's Wool Runner, which recently sold its footwear assets to American Exchange Group for $39 million and whose stock had cratered up until Wednesday, failing to fend off rivals. But Allbirds is riffing on the same rationale that's powered the AI trade thus far: Invest in AI infrastructure and capture some of the seemingly insatiable demand for chips and data centers.

Investors don't have to buy into it, of course. But the biggest names in tech are operating as if their futures depend on it, and to some extent, so is the US government. So as peculiar and opportunistic as the pivot may seem, it might be, if you squint hard enough, a rational business decision in a post-ChatGPT economy.
REALLY is one of roughly 20 independent carriers in the United States with direct wholesale agreements with network operators, giving the startup, which operates on T-Mobile, an edge over anyone who might look to compete on the same playing field. What this means for end-users is that Clone works within the familiar context of a traditional wireless plan, both in terms of the direct user experience and with regard to data privacy that legacy network operators provide under Federal Communications Commission guidelines and oversight.

Carriers spend billions each year on outsourced call centers, retail stores, and billing systems built for a different era. Margins are tightening, and for decades the consumer pitch has barely changed. REALLYs wager is that the next wave of telecom competition will not be won by who offers more bars in more places, but by who can build intelligence directly into the network.

For investors, that is the real story. In a market where wireless service has long been sold as a commodity and carriers have struggled to differentiate beyond price and coverage, REALLY is betting that AI-native infrastructure can turn the phone plan itself into the product.

REALLY Wireless announced this week that it will launch an AI agent feature for subscribers of its phone plan that can answer, screen, and place phone calls using subscribers own voice and phone numbers. Unlike most AI voice agents made for enterprise offering customer service or outbound appointment setting for business, REALLY is combining its technology with telecom infrastructure to offer features for the everyday consumer. REALLYs AI agent, dubbed Clone , operates at the carrier layer. That means no secondary number, almost no setup required, and better data protection than consumers have come to expect from legacy network operators.

Clone is expected to roll out this quarter for REALLY subscribers

REALLY says its direct carrier infrastructure and privacy-focused architecture give it access to protected network data that can make a personal AI agent more useful while keeping consumer information safeguarded.

Unlike other AI voice agents on the market, Clone works at the carrier layer, rather than a third-party app, which REALLY says reduces friction, latency, and metadata leakage.

REALLY Wireless, which operates on T-Mobile 5G, will roll out Clone, an AI phone agent that can answer, screen, and place calls using a subscribers own voice and real phone number.

Story Continues

By operating at the network layer, Clone routes call through their carrier infrastructure , which eliminates latency and metadata leakage  both common pitfalls of standalone workarounds that may one day try to mimic what Clone can do, said REALLY Wireless founder and CEO Adam Lyons.

The companys approach to privacy-by-design engineering is the foundation of REALLY, which began by first building a proprietary decentralized wireless network, targeting coverage gaps in underserved areas, then a privacy layer called PrivateCore, designed to give customers meaningful control over their data.

You cant ask people to trust an AI with their phone number if you havent already proven youll protect their data, he said.

The result? This deliberate sequence enabled REALLY to build what may be the worlds first AI-native carrier with both business and operations support systems purpose-built to work with AI technology rather than against it.

Where legacy carriers run billing and operations on systems that are decades old, REALLYs stack was written clean, with no technical debt and no inherited limitations, Lyons said. We learned from our own experiences that these old clunky systems are the main reasons every single telecom struggles to innovate.

That carrier status also gives REALLY access to a dataset no app developer or company can obtain through an API: Customer Proprietary Network Information, or CPNI. It is the protected call metadata (history, patterns, duration, behavior) that every U.S. carrier collects by law.

REALLYs position is that CPNI is exactly what makes a personal AI agent useful, and that the companys architecture ensures it is never bundled with personally identifiable information, never sold to advertisers, and used exclusively to operate Clone on behalf of each subscriber.

The core platform is built on a Rust and WebAssembly stack, an architectural choice designed for low-latency execution at the telephony layer, and runs on bare-metal infrastructure rather than shared cloud tenants, further differentiating REALLYs telecom tech stack from an industry plagued with slow software systems decades old . The company says it is also in conversations about satellite-based coverage partnerships, with details expected later this year.

At launch, Clone will handle basic tasks: screening unknown callers, scheduling appointments or making reservations via outbound calls, and sitting on hold to cancel subscriptions. Each agent is trained on the individual subscribers voice and communication preferences, so the person on the other end of the line hears something that sounds like the subscriber, not a generic assistant. Clone is expected to roll out to REALLY subscribers this quarter.

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The Middle East conflict has pushed energy prices higher over the past couple of months, with elevated oil prices beginning to spill over into everyday expenses.

Oil has climbed by nearly 40% since the war started at the end of February, when the price hovered closer to $67 a barrel. Gas prices have followed, rising to over $4 per gallon in many areas, with diesel well over $5 per gallon. But fuel costs are not the only everyday household budget item to watch.

Roughly one-third of the worlds fertilizer moves through the Strait of Hormuz, and the months-long closure has raised concerns about supply. Farmers are warning of fertilizer shortages and price increases as the spring planting season gets underway.

Read more: 5 ways oil prices over $100 a barrel could hit your wallet

How geopolitical tensions can impact fertilizer prices and farming

In a survey of 5,700 farmers, the American Farm Bureau Federation found that fertilizer affordability is becoming an issue within the farming industry. About 70% of farmers report they cannot afford the fertilizer they need, attributing the challenge to rising fertilizer and fuel costs.

Fertilizer is one of the largest operating costs for farmers, according to the USDA, Economic Research Services (ERS) Commodity Costs and Returns data, and energy prices play a key role in determining how much they pay for it.

Natural gas is a primary input in the production of nitrogen-based fertilizers like ammonia and urea, so when gas prices rise, production costs increase, and fertilizer prices can increase as well.

Higher oil prices can also drive prices up indirectly by increasing the cost of transporting and distributing fertilizer.

Fertilizer sits upstream of the global food system, so when geopolitical disruptions hit energy markets or key shipping routes, the effects move into agriculture quickly, said Hunter Swisher, CEO of Phospholutions, an agricultural technology company that focuses on creating more sustainable fertilizers.

The impact is already playing out at the farm level, Swisher said. Growers are making real-time decisions this planting season based on higher and more volatile input costs.

Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins said about 80% of farmers had already secured their fertilizer for this years crop last fall. She said efforts were underway to ensure the remaining farmers were being supported. Farmers told PBS recently that theyre concerned prices will stay elevated for a while.

The reality is, were not breaking even, one farmer told PBS. We didnt break even the last two years.

All of this comes as the impacts of the U.S.-China trade war, including tariffs and retaliatory measures, have cost the agricultural industry billions of dollars since 2018.

What this means for your grocery bill and how to trim your costs

Higher operating costs for farmers and supply chain issues in the agricultural industry can indirectly affect food and grocery prices, though this likely wont happen overnight.

In fact, the most recent CPI indicated that food prices were unchanged over the month. However, the food at home index did rise 1.9% over the 12 months ending in March, with the fruits and vegetables index increasing 4%  indicating that prices are indeed increasing and continued tensions could keep the momentum going.

Experts say it could be some time before Americans see the true impacts of the war on their grocery bills.

This report shows just the initial impacts of the war, but more widespread impacts could be on the way in future reports, said Angela Hanks, chief of policy programs at The Century Foundation and former Consumer Financial Protection Bureau official. Potential shortages of petroleum, helium, and fertilizer threaten to drive higher prices on everything from dishwashers, to cars, to groceries.

Read more: March CPI breakdown: Iran war sends gas prices skyrocketing

Shoppers are not at a total loss, though. There are ways to trim your food costs even as everyday goods become more expensive.

Buy in bulk: If you have a larger family or there are nonperishable items you tend to use on a regular basis, buying items in bulk can help you save money over time. However, be sure to calculate the price-per-unit (thats the total number of units divided by the cost of the item) to ensure that youre actually getting a good deal.

Use a rewards credit card: There are several rewards credit cards that offer cash back and bonuses for purchases made at supermarkets, as well as retailers, restaurants, gas stations, and more. Using a rewards card for grocery purchases can earn rewards on purchases you were planning to make anyway.

Swap name brands for generic: Name-brand products dont always guarantee a better quality product; however, you can almost always count on a higher price tag. One easy way to cut grocery costs is to opt for a generic version of an item instead for a fraction of the cost.

Read more: Best credit cards for groceries
Energy stocks have zipped higher this year, partly in connection with the Iran war, which began at the very end of February. As a result of the conflict, Iran essentially closed the Strait of Hormuz, through which a significant portion of global oil supply flows daily in normal times. Companies were also concerned about sending tankers through the Strait amid fears of attack, and other energy infrastructure in the Middle East has been damaged.

However, due to low oil prices over the past few years,

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 

While an end to the Iran war would lower oil prices fairly quickly and potentially hurt these same energy companies, many have learned from past oil price dips how to still operate at a profit even in a more difficult environment and continue to boost payouts to shareholders.

Here are three dividend-rich energy stocks that investors can hold for the long haul, regardless of where oil prices go next.

Image source: Getty Images.

Chevron

U.S. oil and gas company Chevron (NYSE: CVX) has seen its stock increase by nearly 24% this year (as of April 16), partly in response to the war. But the company was doing well prior to the war, too.

In 2025, Chevron completed its acquisition of Hess, creating a strong upstream portfolio with industry-leading margins. Management has said that it expects the upstream portfolio to produce between 3.98 million and 4.1 million barrels of oil equivalent per day in 2026. Total company production has increased, and free cash flow grew by 35%, even as oil prices fell by 15%.

The balance sheet also remains in good shape, with its net debt-to-cash flow from operating activities ratio at 1. Furthermore, Chevron will likely benefit from the changing leadership in Venezuela, following President Donald Trump's order for the U.S. military to remove former President Nicolas Maduro from power. Chevron is the only U.S. oil company that has maintained operations in the country. Management sees the potential to grow production in Venezuela by 50% over the next 18 to 24 months.

The company also continues to return a healthy amount of capital to shareholders, guiding for $2.5 billion to $3 billion of share repurchases in the first quarter of 2026, while increasing the quarterly dividend per share by 4% to $1.78. Chevron's trailing-12-month dividend yield is 3.85%.

ExxonMobil

Another rock-solid U.S. oil producer is ExxonMobil (NYSE: XOM). The stock is up 26% this year and up nearly 167% over the past five years. ExxonMobil's success stems from its ability to grow free cash flow. Net cash provided by operating activities has skyrocketed from just shy of $30 billion in 2019 to nearly $52 billion in 2025, while free cash flow over the same period has increased from $6.6 billion to $26.1 billion.
Cheniere Energy Partners, L.P. (NYSE:CQP) is included among the 14 Best Infrastructure Stocks to Buy Now.

Is Cheniere Energy Partners (CQP) One of the Best Infrastructure Stocks to Buy Now?

Cheniere Energy Partners, L.P. (NYSE:CQP) provides clean, secure, and affordable LNG to integrated energy companies, utilities, and energy trading companies around the world.

On April 2, Citi analyst Spiro Dounis bumped the firms price target on Cheniere Energy Partners, L.P. (NYSE:CQP) from $49 to $55, but maintained a Sell rating on the shares. The raised target still indicates a downside of over 11% from the current share price.

The analyst firm pointed to the disruptions in the Middle East for the update, which it believes could have a lasting positive impact on the US LNG industry in the long run. The US-Iran war has choked around a fifth of the global LNG supply, forcing customers (especially in the Asian markets) to look for alternatives. As a result, the US LNG shipments to Asia soared to 1.99 million tons in March, more than twice the 970,000 tons shipped in February, according to data from LSEG.

Moreover, an Iranian missile attack on QatarEnergy forced the company to halt LNG production last month. The industry giant has warned that the outage could remove over 12 million mtpa of supply for up to five years, presenting a significant opportunity for American suppliers.

While we acknowledge the potential of CQP 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: 15 Best American Energy Stocks to Buy According to Wall Street Analysts and 15 Best Blue Chip Stocks to Buy Now

Disclosure: None. Follow Insider Monkey on Google News.
Just as oil prices on the futures market slip again on hopes for a quick end to the war in the Middle East, the head of the International Energy Agency issued a warning: prices are going to go higher yet.

Prices are already high, but they are not reflecting the severity of the problem  I agree there is a disconnect, Fatih Birol said at an event this week, as quoted by Bloomberg. But I think soon we will see they will converge, which is an extremely sensitive issue for the global economy.

More from Yahoo Scout What is driving the current global oil supply shortage? How are physical oil prices different from futures prices? Why are refiners in Europe and Asia cutting production? How does this oil crisis compare to historical shocks?

The war has so far cost Middle Eastern producers as much as 13 million barrels daily in lost output, and that is just crude oil. Exports of crude plus refined products have slumped by an estimated 20 million barrels, the head of the IEA said. He added that more than 80 oil and gas facilities in the region have been damaged, contributing to the severity of the situation.

Meanwhile, the longer the war continues, the more oil production will be lost. Nomura this week warned that it expected an additional loss of 2.3 million barrels daily for March. Compared to a year earlier, Middle Eastern oil production is down by 9.3 million barrels daily, equal to a rather concerning supply squeeze of 57%.

Despite these developments, oil benchmarks were down today, after topping $100 per barrel earlier this week following President Donald Trumps latest move on Iran, involving a stated full blockade on vessel traffic to and from Iranian ports in the Persian Gulf. Analysts explained the decline with hopes that the ceasefire agreed at the end of last week would not be canceled despite the blockade.

Related: Iran Showing Signs of Capitulating Over Strait Of Hormuz

Supply, however, remains constrained, as evidenced by the latest surge in physical oil prices. These hit an all-time high of $150 per barrel for oil for immediate delivery in Europe and Africa. The surge comes as parts of the world, notably Europe and Asia, scramble for fresh oil supply as the last tankers that left the Middle East before Iran closed the Strait of Hormuz approach their final destinations at receiving refineries.

It will hit the west in a month when all the Asian cargoes bought leave the Atlantic basin, Energy Aspects analyst Nic Dyer told the Financial Times. Refineries in Europe and the US will also have to cut runs from next month to share the pain of the shortage, Dyer noted.

In Asia, refiners are already ramping down, despite draws from strategic and commercial stockpiles, suggesting the crude oil supply squeeze is more serious than many futures traders might assume, echoing Birols expectations about much higher prices down the road.
Shares of U.S.-based oil producer Occidental Petroleum (NYSE: OXY) were falling on Tuesday, down 4.9% as of 1:00 p.m. EDT.

Occidental is largely a U.S.-based oil and gas producer, with deep, low-cost inventory in the Permian Basin in West Texas, among other U.S. locations. The company also has a fair amount of debt on its balance sheet -- the result of two major acquisitions over the past seven years.

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 

As such, Occidental's stock is highly sensitive to oil prices and was an outsize beneficiary of the Strait of Hormuz closure, since some of its Middle East competitors have been cut off from global markets.

The Strait has been an ongoing drama since shortly after the U.S.-Iran war began at the end of February. Today, there were renewed hopes for a deal to open the Strait. Despite a still very unclear picture of the future, those reports were enough to send oil prices tumbling, and Occidental's stock with it.

Ships continue to cross, and peace talks are to resume

On Saturday, the first rounds of negotiations, headed by Vice President JD Vance, ended without any resolution, as the Iranian leadership was unwilling to compromise on its nuclear ambitions, as well as other "red lines." In response, President Trump threatened to blockade the Strait of Hormuz with U.S. ships. Before this, Iran had been threatening all ships crossing the Strait, save for its own ships or others that had agreed to pay "tolls" to the regime. But Trump's blockade of the Strait would theoretically halt all ships, Iran's included.

While Reuters reported today that ships continued to cross the Strait in roughly the same numbers as last week, U.S. Central Command said it was enforcing the blockade this morning. CENTCOM noted it was still allowing ships from non-Iranian ports to cross the Strait, suggesting some ships from allies were actually getting through. But CENTCOM also noted that it had ordered six ships from Iranian ports to turn back, which they did.

Earlier today, two people familiar with the matter told NBC News that talks to reopen the Strait could resume later this week. That could mean the U.S. blockade is at least bringing Iran back to the negotiating table. That sent oil prices back down about 7.2% today, to $91 per barrel as of this writing.

Image source: Getty Images.

Occidental remains a good hedge against geopolitics

While renewed hope for a deal to open the Strait sent oil prices back down today, it's still an open question when the Strait will reopen and what level of traffic will traverse it when it does. Meanwhile, oil prices may be down today, but will likely stay above the levels at which they started the year for some time. After all, even if the Strait opens, it will take time for supplies to regain past levels.
As artificial intelligence continues reshaping the workforce, many Americans are questioning whether their careers will still exist a decade from now. While some roles are increasingly automated, others remain in high demand, offering six-figure pay and long-term job security.

Check Out: 10 Highest-Paying, Fast-Growing Jobs That Dont Require a College Degree in 2026

Read Next: 4 Safe Accounts Proven To Grow Your Money Up To 13x Faster

According to a recent Resume Genius analysis of labor data and automation risk, these are the fastest-growing, highest-paying jobs least likely to be replaced by AI.

1. Computer and Information Research Scientist

Median annual salary: $140,910

Estimated job growth (2024-2034): 20%

AI job takeover risk: 31%

Why its AI-proof: These jobs rely on abstract thinking and original problem-solving that are difficult to automate.

Explore More: 5 Side Hustles That Pay Hundreds Even If You Have Zero Free Time

2. Physician Assistant

Median annual salary: $133,260

Estimated job growth (2024-2034): 20%

AI job takeover risk: 0%

Why its AI-proof: These healthcare professionals carry out diagnostic and therapeutic procedures that demand manual dexterity, complex clinical judgment and strong interpersonal skills.

3. Nurse Practitioner

Median annual salary: $132,050

Estimated job growth (2024-2034): 35%

AI job takeover risk: 0%

Why its AI-proof: Nurse practitioners face a low risk of automation because their work requires complex clinical judgment, creativity, strong interpersonal skills and precise coordination that machines struggle to replicate.

4. Veterinarian

Median annual salary: $125,510

Estimated job growth (2024-2034): 10%

AI job takeover risk: 7%

Why its AI-proof: This role demands deep biological knowledge, precise surgical skills and strong communication with animal owners  factors that make it resistant to automation.

5. Medical and Health Services Manager

Median annual salary: $117,960

Estimated job growth (2024-2034): 23%

AI job takeover risk: 16%

Why its AI-proof: These managers rely on judgment, leadership and interpersonal skills that experts agree cannot be automated, especially as the role continually evolves to blend soft skills, process management and technical expertise.

While no job is completely immune to technological change, careers built on human judgment, care and leadership remain the hardest to automate  and among the most lucrative.

More From GOBankingRates

This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: 5 $100K Jobs That Are Most Resistant to AI in 2026
More than 600 million people watched the moon landing live in 1969. When NASAs Artemis program returned astronauts to the lunar surface, an estimated 27 million tuned in, even as the worlds population had doubled. The shared cultural experience, the kind that once stitched strangers together, has quietly collapsedand Paul Scherer thinks AI is about to make it worse before anyone tries to make it better.

That gap is what Eigen is betting on. The stealth AI startup has raised a $15 million seed round from Benchmark with Pinterest cofounder Ben Silbermann and Dreamer cofounder David Singleton (who later sold his company to Meta) joining as angel investors, Fortune learned exclusively.

Scherer, the companys 22-year-old founder, grew up in a village of fewer than 1,000 people outside Frankfurt. He left high school at 17, taught himself to code, and arrived in San Francisco in May 2025 on a one-way flight and an O-1 visa. Before that, he helped scale Augmenta Paris-based alternative MBA for entrepreneursfrom near-zero to over $1 million in monthly revenue.

Benchmark partner Sarah Tavel had spent years hunting for the right company in the AI social space. Id long felt that one of the most important consumer opportunities in the AI era was going to be something that felt like a friend, she told Fortune. Companies like Replika and Character.ai were the first to show the potential here, and although I met with several founders going after this opportunity, most felt like they created more loneliness, not less. Then I met Paul.

Scherer isnt building another Replika. Product details remain deliberately vague, but he frames Eigens thesis against the hyper-personalization logic that defines modern tech. Everyone is racing to build your AI best friend, he told Fortune. What were doing is asking: What would this world look like if it was perfect for all of us, not just each of us individually? The goal, he says, is to create shared, synchronous experiences that bind people together rather than atomize them. The team isnt ready to outline what exactly that technology looks like, and recognizes its hard to imagine what it might resemble. But the market, Scherer says, is clear.

Half of U.S. adults reported feeling isolated in the APAs 2025 Stress in America survey. Meanwhile, the global AI companion marketvalued at $37.12 billion in 2025is projected to reach $552.49 billion by 2035, according to Precedence Research.

Silbermann sees Eigen as a different kind of answer. Paul described an AI friend who enriches relationships with your real friends, not replaces them, he told Fortune. What I hope stays consistent is Eigens passion for building products that are pro-social, genuinely helpful, and fun.
Mahindra is reviewing an upgrade of its vehicle assembly facility near Durban, with completely knocked-down (CKD) assembly of vehicles among the options being evaluated.

Sources cited by Bloomberg said the Indian carmaker is working with South Africas state-owned Industrial Development Corporation to study whether CKD operations could be introduced at the site.

The company has been assembling semi-knocked down vehicles at the plant since it began operations in 2018.

The review comes amid rising demand for lower-cost vehicles in South Africas mid-market, where competition from Indian and Chinese manufacturers has been increasing.

Producing more vehicles locally could also help Mahindra limit the effect of any import duties being weighed by President Cyril Ramaphosas administration as it seeks to bolster domestic vehicle production.

Mahindra builds its Pik Up light trucks at the facility in the Durban area.

These vehicles are used by farmers in South Africa and by police forces in neighbouring Mozambique.

A move to CKD assembly would mark an advance in the plants local manufacturing role.

Under the CKD model, vehicles are imported in parts and assembled locally, reducing reliance on fully built-up imports and potentially lowering tariff exposure.

Elsewhere in South Africas automotive sector, Chery Automobile agreed earlier this year to acquire Nissan Motors local plant.

Mercedes-Benz Group is also weighing a plan to share its South African factory with Great Wall Motor.

Bloomberg also reported that Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles has returned to the South African market after a long absence, importing vehicles from India.

Separately, Mahindra said in February that it would invest Rs1.96bn ($21.6m) to expand Mahindra Research Valley in Chennai, Tamil Nadu.

The company said the development of its research and development centre and testing infrastructure would add capacity for vehicle design, product engineering and future technology work.

"Mahindra weighs South Africa plant expansion" was originally created and published by Just Auto, a GlobalData owned brand.




April 15 (Reuters) - Elon Musk's staff have reached out to chip industry suppliers for his Terafab AI chip complex project with SpaceX and Tesla, Bloomberg News reported on Wednesday.

The team has approached companies including Applied Materials, Tokyo Electron and Lam Research, and has asked chip manufacturing partner Samsung Electronics Co for support, the report said, citing people familiar with the matter.

More from Yahoo Scout What is the timeline for Terafab production? Where will the Terafab facility be located? What is Musk's Terafab AI chip project? What is Elon Musk's Terafab AI chip project?

Staff have sought price quotes and delivery times for an array of chipmaking gear, Bloomberg said, adding that in the past few weeks, theyve contacted makers of photomasks, substrates, etchers, depositors, cleaning devices, testers and other tools.

The goal is to begin silicon manufacturing by 2029 and then scale up, Bloomberg added.

Musk's representatives have asked for speedy price estimates while providing minimal information about the products, and Musk wants to move at "light speed," according to the report.

Reuters could not immediately verify the report. Tesla, SpaceX, Applied Materials, Tokyo Electron, Lam Research and Samsung Electronics did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Musk launched Terafab in March, and Intel last week said it would join the project to make processors powering the tech billionaire's robotics and data center ambitions.

The project will be built on the Tesla campus in eastern Travis County, Austin, Texas.

(Reporting by Chandni Shah in Bengaluru; Editing by Sonia Cheema)
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Entrepreneur Media LLC and Yahoo Finance LLC may earn commission or revenue on some products and services through the links below.

Key Takeaways

Southwest Airlines CEO Bob Jordan recently revealed that he rejected a top candidate for a senior position because they were rude to the receptionist.

Jordan described Southwests culture as one that prizes people who are low ego and who seek to serve others before they serve themselves.

Other CEOs, like United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby and Duolingo CEO Luis von Ahn, have their own unwritten hiring tests.

Treating everyone well, from the cab driver to the receptionist, could be the secret that helps you land your next job.

At the Semafor World Economy Summit earlier this week, Southwest Airlines CEO Bob Jordan described interviewing someone for a very senior position who nailed the formal conversations with executives. On paper and in the room, the candidate looked like a clear frontrunner.

But after the interview, Jordans team compared notes on how the candidate behaved with everyone they encountered. The team discovered that while the person treated executives well, they were dismissive and rude to the receptionist in Southwests building. That single data point was enough for the airline to pass on the candidate.

They did not get the job because they treated one group of folks one way, and they treated that receptionist another way, Jordan said.

Why Southwest cares so much about culture fit

Jordan described Southwests culture as one that prizes people who are low ego and who seek to serve others before they serve themselves. In his view, those traits eventually reveal themselves in how a person treats everyone, not just the people they think matter.

You can tell when somebody is not a fit, he said, emphasizing that the hiring process is designed to surface these moments.

Southwest is famously selective. Even before the pandemic, it hired fewer than 2% of applicants, according to the Harvard Business Review.

Executives at the airline have framed culture as a competitive advantage, arguing that employees who genuinely embody its values are what make Southwest a place people want to work and fly.

Jordan also connected culture to business outcomes. He said Southwest go[es] overboard treating our employees like family, because thats the only way to ensure the same spirit flows down to passengers.

Other unwritten hiring tests

Earlier this month, United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby revealed his new way to determine if job candidates are a good cultural fit for the airline. In a podcast interview with McKinsey chief Bob Sternfels, Kirby explained that he asks a handpicked group of pilots to shadow candidates all day and decide if they would want to spend a four-day trip with them. The pilots get veto power when it comes to hiring, even over technically qualified candidates.
Trucker Path carriers will soon have access to more than 10 times the loads they see today.

A new integration with Truckstop.coms load board, announced Tuesday, brings the feed into Trucker Paths TruckLoads digital freight exchange. Brokers now reach more than 1 million professional drivers while the platform maintains its existing controls on fraud prevention and carrier vetting.

Phoenix-based Trucker Path serves those same 1 million-plus drivers through its mobile app. The tool provides truck-specific navigation, real-time parking availability, fuel prices and weigh station updates.

Idaho-based Truckstop.com is one of the largest neutral freight marketplaces in the industry. Its solutions cover the full freight lifecycle, from load matching to payment processing.

How the Integration Works

TruckLoads users can now access Truckstop.com loads directly in the app through a subscription. The integration increases load visibility for carriers and gives brokers additional options for coverage.

This new partnership that makes the Truckstop load feed available in our TruckLoads app will increase load availability to our users more than tenfold  helping our users find the right loads more easily and helping brokers get their loads covered more easily, said Chris Oliver, chief marketing officer at Trucker Path. Its a prime example of leading technology providers coming together to benefit drivers, brokers and shippers.

Carriers have long switched between multiple platforms in search of quality loads. Brokers have faced challenges reaching enough trusted drivers quickly in a fragmented network. The integration is intended to address those issues.

Both companies said security and carrier standards remain unchanged.

Technology partnerships like this help keep freight moving across the country by giving carriers and brokers more ways to connect and work together, said Scott Moscrip, founder and CEO of Truckstop.com. By bringing Truckstop loads into the Trucker Path ecosystem, we are expanding access to higher quality freight, helping brokers reach a more trusted network of carriers, and supporting the drivers and businesses that keep the U.S. supply chain running every day.

Moscrip said every carrier accessing Truckstop freight through the integration must meet the same standards that existing Truckstop.com customers follow.

Security and fraud prevention remain a top priority, he said.

The companies operate independently. The integration does not create a legal partnership, joint venture or agency relationship between the parties.

The post Trucker Path integrates Truckstop.com load board appeared first on FreightWaves.
This story was originally published on Smart Cities Dive. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily Smart Cities Dive newsletter.

Dive Brief:

Uber will invest more than $10 billion in robotaxis, the Financial Times reported today, committing $7.5 billion to procuring autonomous vehicles and potentially over $2.5 billion in equity investments in Lucid, Rivian and other companies, according to FT.

Ubers shift from relying on driver-owned vehicles to making large capital investments in robotaxi fleets appears to come in response to Waymos growing presence in U.S. cities and the ramp-up of Amazons Zoox purpose-built AVs in more locations, the newspaper reports.

Uber expects to have robotaxis in 15 cities by the end of this year, CEO Dara Khosrowshahi said during the companys Feb. 4 earnings call.

Dive Insight:

Waymo, an Alphabet subsidiary that began offering autonomous rides in 2017, now operates in 11 U.S. cities and says it provides more than half a million electric AV rides weekly.

Khosrowshahi said on the call that Uber intends to carry the largest share of AV trips globally by 2029. He urged automakers to start ramping [up] capacity to meet the coming demand.

The asset-light model was genius for its era, but autonomy rewrites the economics, Nexar CEO Zach Greenberger said in an emailed statement. By taking equity stakes in AV developers and locking in fleet supply, Uber is trading margin simplicity for structural control of the next decade of mobility. Nexar develops technologies for autonomous vehicles and advanced driver-assistance systems.

Uber employees began taking test rides aboard Lucid electric vehicles in the San Francisco Bay Area this week and began testing autonomous rides in Los Angeles on April 8, with a public launch expected later this year, it said in a post on X.

Uber riders in Atlanta and Austin, Texas, can take a robotaxi through its partnership with Waymo in those cities and in certain areas of Las Vegas in collaboration with Motional.

Uber did not reply to a request for comment in time for publication.

Recommended Reading
Photo Courtesy: Autorepublika.

A quieter fight is starting to take shape inside the Volkswagen Group, and Audi is right in the middle of it as Oliver Blume pushes a broader cost cutting drive across the company.

That matters because Audi has already taken painful steps, including the closure of its Brussels plant on February 28, 2025, and a separate agreement to cut up to 7,500 indirect jobs in Germany by 2029.

Even after those moves, the pressure has not eased. Audis 2025 operating margin came in at 5.1%, and U.S. tariffs alone hit the group by about $1.4 billion last year.

So the next chapter may come down to two questions at once: how much of Audis German base can be protected, and whether the brand can get its next electric products to market fast enough to stop losing ground.

Cost Pressure Moves Closer

Photo Courtesy: Alexander-93 - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0/Wiki Commons.

Reuters reported in February that Volkswagen wants to cut costs by 20% across all brands by the end of 2028. That plan came with plant closures still on the table, even as the core VW brand continues a broader overhaul tied to 35,000 German job cuts by 2030.

For Audi, that is an especially sensitive backdrop because the company and its works council only reached a major future agreement in March 2025. That deal extended job protection at German sites through 2033 and committed around $9.4 billion in investment through 2029.

The same agreement also gave Neckarsulm a $295 million future fund and a larger role in AI and digitalization. That does not make the plant untouchable, but it does mean any new pressure there would collide with promises Audi made very publicly just a year ago.

The U.S. And China Problem

Photo Courtesy: Autorepublika.

Audis problems are not limited to Germany. The brand still has no factory of its own in the United States, and Reuters said North America deliveries fell 27% in the first quarter of 2026, while Bloomberg reported in January that plans for a possible U.S. Audi plant were not progressing under the current tariff environment.

China is not offering an easy escape either. Audis first quarter deliveries there fell 12% to 127,109 units, while Reuters reported this week that the China only AUDI E5 Sportback has now reached 10,000 sales since September and rebounded in March after a weak start to the year.

Audis own 2025 figures show that business in China still contributed about $594 million to financial result, which helps explain why the brand cannot afford to lose momentum there even during a difficult transition. Put together, the U.S. tariff squeeze and China slowdown are making the cost debate inside the group much harder for Audi to control.
Introduction to Spherical Harmonics for Graphics Programmers

published on Apr 12 2026

This post requires JavaScript to properly render mathematics (like $\int f(x) dx$, $Y_\ell^m$). It's not likely to work in your browser's "reader mode".

On your computer graphics journey, you will eventually run into some paper or code mentioning spherical harmonic functions. They are indeed a very useful tool: with just a few coefficients, they allow us to approximate a given function defined on a sphere. This can be very useful for modeling complex lighting.

While spherical harmonics are a very well studied subject, trying to make sense of them can still be a bit intimidating. However, I think that understanding the applications of spherical harmonics in the field of realtime computer graphics need not be that difficult.

In this article, I will try my hand at explaining spherical harmonics the way I wish they had been explained to me. I hope that by the end readers will be ready to digest more advanced technical material that uses or talks about spherical harmonics.

While the reader is expected to have some baseline level of familiarity with realtime rendering, linear algebra and integrals, it's nothing too crazy - we won't be doing any rigorous proofs, and any derivations we'll do are simple basic algebra.

Why Do We Even Care?

Before we start, I guess it should be properly explained why we, as practitioners of computer graphics, are even interested in spherical harmonics.

Any function that associates some quantity/value with a direction in 3D space can be thought of as a function defined on the domain of a unit sphere. Indeed, a "direction" is a unit vector, and the endpoint of that vector is always some point on the surface of a unit sphere centered at the origin. Going forward we will use "function of direction", "function defined on a sphere", and "function defined on the surface of a unit sphere" interchangeably.

It just so happens that any continuous function defined on a sphere can be represented as an infinite weighted sum of some special polynomials. Those polynomials are, in fact, what we call "spherical harmonics". By truncating that sum and making it finite, we can approximate the function in question.

But why is that interesting? Because polynomials are easy to evaluate, and nontrivial functions defined on the domain of a sphere come up in computer graphics all the time.

For example, the radiance $L_i(p, \vec{\omega_i})$ is a function defined on a sphere: it tells us how much light arrives at a point $p$ from a given direction $\vec{\omega_i}$. Cubemaps can be thought of as "tabulated" forms of such a function. Irradiance at a given point can also be thought of as a function of direction (i.e. "how much would the irradiance at a fixed point be, if the surface normal was oriented a particular way").

Being able to approximate a potentially complex lighting environment by just summing up some polynomials is a very appealing proposition. But things other than lighting can be expressed as functions defined on a sphere too.

For example, spherical harmonics can be used to approximate the thickness of a mesh or volume along a given direction at each surface point. Thicknesses approximated this way can be baked out to a texture atlas, and could be used to simulate phenomena like subsurface scattering (I had first heard this idea from my good friend and talented graphics programmer Bagrat Dabaghyan).

So, spherical harmonics can have uses beyond lighting, though in this article we will primarily concentrate on the lighting use case.

Definition of Spherical Harmonic Functions

By now, we are hopefully sufficiently hyped and motivated to learn, so lets start with some definitions. Once again, I am not going to be super mathematically rigorous - my goal here is to provide just enough detail so that you, the reader, become equipped to read and understand code and papers that make references to spherical harmonics.

Function Space and Its Basis

From linear algebra, we are familiar with the notions of linear or vector spaces and their basis. In order to be able to properly define spherical harmonics, we will need analogous constructions for the world of functions. This video by Kevin Cassel does a good job of explaining them.

To start with, we will think of a set of functions defined on a certain domain as a space. Strictly speaking, all of the definitions here require us to mention the domain on which the functions were talking about are defined (you will notice that the video linked above does so). However, for our use case, the domain will always be the unit sphere, so we wont mention it.

In linear algebra, we call a set of vectors $\vec{v_0}, \vec{v_1}, ..., \vec{v_n}$ linearly independent if no vector from that set can be written as a linear combination of the other vectors from that set. In other words, for any $\vec{v_i}$, there do not exist coefficients $a_1,...,a_n$ such that $\vec{v_i}=a_0\vec{v_0}+...+a_n\vec{v_n}$.

Similarly, a set of functions $f_0(x), f_1(x), ... , f_n(x)$ is linearly independent if no function from that set can be expressed as a linear combination of the other functions from that set: given any $f_i$, there are no coefficients $a_0, a_1, ..., a_n$ such that $f_i(x) = a_0f_0(x) + ... + a_nf_n(x)$.

In linear algebra, we have the notion of the inner (or dot) product: for a given pair of vectors $\vec{p} = (p_0, p_1, ..., p_n)$ and $\vec{q} = (q_0, q_1, ..., q_n)$, the inner product $\vec{p} \cdot \vec{q}$ is defined as:

$\vec{p} \cdot \vec{q} = \sum_{i=0}^{n}p_iq_i$

For functions $f$ and $g$, their inner product $\langle f,g \rangle$ is defined as the integral of their product over the domain on which the functions are defined:

$\langle f, g \rangle = \int f(\omega)g(\omega) \,d\omega$

Intuitively, if you think of a function as a vector with an infinite number of dimensions, and integration as analogous to summation, the parallel between the two notions of inner product becomes obvious.

Similarly, the norm of a function is the square root of the functions inner product with itself.

$\left\| f \right\| = \sqrt{\langle f, f \rangle }$

From this, it should be fairly obvious to see what an orthonormal set of functions is: it is a set of functions such that the inner product of any function with itself is 1 (that's the normal part), while the inner product with any other function from the set is 0 (that's the ortho part).

For a linear space, an orthonormal basis is an orthonormal, linearly independent set of vectors such that any vector in the space can be uniquely expressed as a linear combination of the vectors in the basis.

Similarly, for a space of functions, an orthonormal basis is an orthonormal, linearly independent set of functions, such that any function in the space can be uniquely expressed as a linear combination of the basis functions.

However, it is important to point out that for function spaces, the basis set will always be infinite! Once again, if we think of functions as vectors with an infinite number of dimensions, this makes sense: we know that for N-dimensional vector spaces a basis will always contain N elements, so it makes sense that an "infinite dimensional vector space" would have an infinite basis.

Spherical Harmonic Functions

Spherical harmonic functions (or just spherical harmonics for short) are an infinite set of special functions defined on the surface of a sphere that form an orthonormal basis for the entire space of continuous functions defined on a sphere.

Take a step back and think about the implications of the above definition. What does it mean? It means that a continuous function defined on the sphere, no matter how complicated or difficult to evaluate, can be expressed as an infinite weighted sum of spherical harmonic functions.

This fact is of immense practical utility - assuming that spherical harmonic functions themselves are simple to evaluate and that an effective procedure for finding the weights/coefficients exists.

As we had already mentioned, spherical harmonic functions are polynomials, so they are, in fact, easy to evaluate. And there does exist a way to find the coefficients, which we shall talk about later.

Okay, this makes sense so far, but we cant exactly deal with an infinite number of coefficients on a computer. We will have to store a limited number of them. That's fine, we don't mind dealing with approximations. But how many coefficients should we store, and which ones? And what information are we losing by throwing out some coefficients? The answer to that will be given in the next section.

Spherical Harmonic Degree and Order

Before I show you how spherical harmonic functions actually look, we need to talk about how that set of functions is organized.

SH functions are split into numbered groups often called frequency bands. Each band has a number $\ell \in {0,1,2,...}$ associated with it. This number is called the "degree" of the functions within the band. The band with degree $\ell$ contains $2\ell+1$ functions. By convention, the functions within a band of degree $\ell$ are indexed from $-\ell$ to $\ell$, and that index is called the order of the function.

Side note: I have seen some sources that use "order" to refer to the thing I called "degree" here and "phase" to refer to the thing I called "order". We will NOT be using that terminology, but be aware that it exists and don't get confused!

A spherical harmonic function with degree $\ell$ and order $m$ is usually denoted like $Y_{\ell}^m$

It is instructive to look at a visualization of various spherical harmonic functions sorted by band and order:

Photo taken from the Realtime Rendering book, original visualization by Robin Green. Original used red and green colors for visualization, this version has been hue-shifted for accesibility reasons.

It can be seen from the illustration above that spherical harmonics with a smaller degree capture larger (or, low frequency) details, whereas SH with a larger degree capture smaller (or, higher frequency) details.

Recall the question we had posed earlier: what type of information are we losing by truncating the infinite sum? The picture above makes it clear: we lose information about small-scale variations within the function that we're trying to approximate. In other words, we lose detail.

If the function which we are trying to approximate is low-frequency (i.e. changes slowly), we should be able to get away with storing coefficients for only the first few bands. For practical applications in realtime computer graphics, we never go beyond bands with single-digit degrees, and moreover, even just degree $\ell=2$ is enough for many applications.

A Look at the Spherical Harmonic Polynomials

So far weve only talked about the spherical harmonic functions, but we havent seen what they actually look like. We will now take a look at the polynomial forms of spherical harmonic functions within the first three bands, because we'll use those in our upcoming example.

Here is some code that calculates those. It's in JavaScript because our example will be running in the browser.

// Having these constants makes writing down the basis functions easier. const RECIP_PI = 1/Math.PI; const C = [ Math.sqrt(RECIP_PI) * 0.5, Math.sqrt(3 * RECIP_PI) * 0.5, Math.sqrt(15 * RECIP_PI) * 0.5, Math.sqrt(5 * RECIP_PI) * 0.25, Math.sqrt(15 * RECIP_PI) * 0.25, Math.sqrt(70 * RECIP_PI) * 0.125, Math.sqrt(105 * RECIP_PI) * 0.5, Math.sqrt(42 * RECIP_PI) * 0.125, Math.sqrt(7 * RECIP_PI) * 0.25, Math.sqrt(105 * RECIP_PI) * 0.25]; // SH basis functions up to degree l=3. // Source for SH basis function definitions: // "Stupid Spherical Harmonics Tricks", Peter-Pike Sloan, 2008 function y00(x,y,z) { return C[0]; } function y_11(x,y,z) { return C[1] * y; } function y01(x,y,z) { return C[1] * z; } function y11(x,y,z) { return C[1] * x; } function y_22(x,y,z) { return C[2] * y * x; } function y_12(x,y,z) { return C[2] * y * z; } function y02(x,y,z) { return C[3] * (3 * z * z - 1.0); } function y12(x,y,z) { return C[2] * x * z; } function y22(x,y,z) { return C[4] * (x*x - y*y); } function y_33(x,y,z) { return C[5] * y * (3*x*x - y*y); } function y_23(x,y,z) { return C[6] * z * (y*x); } function y_13(x,y,z) { return C[7] * y * (5*z*z -1); } function y03(x,y,z) { return C[8] * z * (5*z*z - 3); } function y13(x,y,z) { return C[7] * x * (5 * z * z - 1); } function y23(x,y,z) { return C[9] * z * (x*x - y*y); } function y33(x,y,z) { return C[5] * x * (x*x - 3*y*y); } // Evaluates SH basis functions with degrees up to and including l for the // given direction d, returning the result as a Float32 array where each // element is the value of the corresponding basis function. // Only supports values of l <= 3. function evalSHBasis(d, l) { const x = d[0]; const y = d[1]; const z = d[2]; switch(l) { case 0: return new Float32Array([y00(x,y,z)]); case 1: return new Float32Array([ y00(x,y,z), // l = 0 y_11(x,y,z), // l = 1 y01(x,y,z), y11(x,y,z)]); case 2: return new Float32Array([ y00(x,y,z), // l = 0 y_11(x,y,z), // l = 1 y01(x,y,z), y11(x,y,z), y_22(x,y,z), // l = 2 y_12(x,y,z), y02(x,y,z), y12(x,y,z), y22(x,y,z)]); default: return new Float32Array([ y00(x,y,z), // l = 0 y_11(x,y,z), // l = 1 y01(x,y,z), y11(x,y,z), y_22(x,y,z), // l = 2 y_12(x,y,z), y02(x,y,z), y12(x,y,z), y22(x,y,z), y_33(x,y,z), // l = 3 y_23(x,y,z), y_13(x,y,z), y03(x,y,z), y13(x,y,z), y23(x,y,z), y33(x,y,z)]); } }

When writing code dealing with spherical harmonics, you will most likely copy-paste the basis functions from somewhere. Making a mistake while doing so (or the source being incorrect in the first place) is a possibility. In fact, this had happened to me while preparing this post.

Luckily, it's not difficult to verify the basis functions that you have. Remember, a fundamental property of the spherical harmonic basis is that it is supposed to be orthonormal: the inner product of any basis function with itself should be one, whereas the inner product of any basis function with any other basis function different from itself should be zero.

These inner products are integrals that are easy to compute numerically using the dumbest Monte-Carlo implementation.

Here is the code that I used to verify the basis functions listed above.

// Helper to multiply SH coefficients by a scalar value. function mulScalarBySHCoeffs(scalar, coeffs) { return coeffs.map(function(c){return scalar*c;}); } // Helper to add together two packs of SH coefficients. function addSHCoeffs(coeffs0, coeffs1) { return coeffs1.map(function(c,i){ return c + (coeffs0.length==0 ? 0 : coeffs0[i]); }); } // Uses simple Monte-Carlo integration to verify that the basis functions // are orthonormal. function testBasisFunctions() { const numSamples = 100000; const numBasisFuncs = 16; // we support l up to and including 3, so 16 funcs. // innerProducts[i] contains the inner products of the i-th // SH basis function with every SH basis function, including itself. var innerProducts = []; for (var b = 0; b < numBasisFuncs; ++b) { // these arrays will be initialized to 0. innerProducts.push(new Float32Array(numBasisFuncs)); } for (var s = 0; s < numSamples;) { // Generate a random point on a sphere using simple rejection sampling: // * Generate a point within the [-1,-1,-1] - [1,1,1] cube; // * If the point is inside the unit sphere, normalize and use it; // * Otherwise, try again. var xr = Math.random()*2.0-1.0; var yr = Math.random()*2.0-1.0; var zr = Math.random()*2.0-1.0; var n = Math.sqrt(xr*xr+yr*yr+zr*zr); if (n>1) continue; s++; var d = new Float32Array([xr/n, yr/n, zr/n]); // Evaluate every SH basis function on the generated sample point, // compute the partial inner products and add them to the running totals. const basisFunctionValues = evalSHBasis(d, 3); for (var b = 0; b < numBasisFuncs; ++b) { const bv = basisFunctionValues[b]; const partialInnerProducts = basisFunctionValues.map(function(v) { return v * bv; }); innerProducts[b] = addSHCoeffs(innerProducts[b], partialInnerProducts); } } // Final step in Monte-Carlo integration: multiply by the measure of the // integration domain (4pi in the unit sphere case) divided by number of // samples. for (var b = 0; b < numBasisFuncs; ++b) { innerProducts[b] = mulScalarBySHCoeffs(4*Math.PI/numSamples, innerProducts[b]); } // innerProducts[i][j] should be very close to 1 if j==i and very close to 0 // otherwise. console.log(innerProducts); }

The polynomial functions listed above are quite simple. You could use them directly and never think about the actual mathematical definition of spherical harmonics. However, if you want to deepen your understanding of the subject a bit, it's necessary to dig into how these functions arise. We'll spend the next couple of sections deriving them.

The Definition

Bridging the gap between the mathematical definition of spherical harmonics and the simple code above has always been a pain point for me.

If you look up spherical harmonic basis functions, or try some math textbook, you might encounter this scary beast as the definition of the spherical harmonic function of degree $\ell$ and order $m$:

$Y_{\ell}^m(\theta, \varphi) = (-1)^m \sqrt{\frac{(2\ell + 1)}{4\pi} \frac{(\ell - m)!}{(\ell + m)!}} P_{\ell}^m(\cos \theta) e^{im\varphi}$

I will tell you right now that this is not the form that is usually used in computer graphics. However, the form that we do use contains all of the same building blocks. So, we will just pick apart the formula above, examine each piece one-by-one in isolation and get a bit of a handle on this.

First thing to notice about $Y_{\ell}^m(\theta, \varphi)$ is that it is a function defined in terms of spherical coordinates. This makes sense: after all, we are dealing with functions defined on the surface of a sphere. Now is a good time to establish some coordinate system conventions. Doing so is quite important. Different authors might assume different conventions. So, for example, when you're copying and pasting code, you have to be aware of the original convention that was used, and what the target code that you're pasting into assumes.

This is the convention that we shall be using. It is the same as in Green's spherical harmonics paper.

We will assume that the angle $\theta$ is the angle between $Z$ axis and our direction vector and $\phi$ is the angle between the $X$ axis and the projection of our direction vector onto the $XY$ plane. So, the conversion from spherical to Cartesian coordinates is:

$x =$ $\cos\phi\sin\theta$ $y =$ $\sin\phi\sin\theta$ $z =$ $\cos\theta$

With coordinate system stuff out of the way, let's return to our definition. First, we shall deal with this pesky $(-1)^m$ factor. This thing has a fancy name: Condon-Shortley phase. We can actually just remove it. In many fields, it is simply ignored and often not even included in the definition. As far as I've seen in computer graphics, it is mostly ignored, though I did see at least one codebase that seemed to include it. But why can we just include or ignore this part as we please?

That question had me stumped the first time I encountered spherical harmonics, but since then I've found an answer that makes sense. Here is my own intuitive understanding of why we can drop the Condon-Shortley phase: spherical harmonics are basis functions. Multiplying them by -1 doesnt change what can be done with them.

Lets think back to vectors. In good old 3D the vectors (1,0,0) (0,1,0) (0,0,1) form a basis, but so do the vectors (-1,0,0), (0,1,0) and (0,0,-1). So what if we flipped the sign on some of them? The same logic applies here: the multiplication by -1 doesnt change the basisness or other properties of SH at all: the inner product of the function with itself is still 1, and the inner product of the function with all other functions is still 0. Multiplying by -1 only affects the coefficients needed to represent a given function (similarly to how the same point in 3D space would have different coordinates depending on whether we use left-handed or right-handed coordinate system). For certain applications in physics, having the Condon-Shortley phase is actually important, but for us it will not be relevant going forward. Just be aware that it's a thing, and don't be surprised when you encounter it in the wild.

Next, lets briefly look at the expression under the square root.

$\sqrt{\frac{(2\ell + 1)}{4\pi} \frac{(\ell - m)!}{(\ell + m)!}}$

It looks unwieldy with the square root and the factorials, but there isnt much special going on here: ultimately, its just a constant needed for normalization (remember, the SH basis is orthonormal). Meaning, if we removed this constant, the inner product $\langle Y_\ell^m, Y_\ell^m \rangle$ would no longer equal 1.

Next, we will examine the mysterious $P_{\ell}^m(\cos \theta)$

This is something called an associated Legendre polynomial, or an "associated Legendre function". The $m$ is actually a superscript, not an exponentiation operation!

In the context of spherical harmonic functions, the part containing the associated Legendre polynomial defines how the function changes from pole to pole (because it depends on the polar angle theta).

Formally,

$P_\ell^m(x) = (1-x^2)^{\frac{m}{2}}\frac{d^m}{dx^m}P_\ell(x)$ when $m \geq 0$ $P_\ell^m(x) = \frac{(\ell-m)!}{(\ell+m)!}P_\ell^{-m}(x)$ when $m < 0$

Where $P_\ell(x)$ is the Legendre polynomial (the not associated kind), which is given by the formula:

$P_\ell(x) = \frac{1}{2^\ell\ell!}\frac{d^\ell}{dx^\ell}[(x^2-1)^\ell]$

Note that some literature likes to also inject the Condon-Shortley phase into the definition of the associated Legendre polynomial - we do not do this here.

Just for the sake of practice, we can try deriving $P_1^1(x)$:

$P_1(x) = \frac{1}{2}[\frac{d}{dx}(x^2-1)] = \frac{1}{2}(2x) = x$

$P_1^1(x) = \sqrt{(1-x^2)}\frac{d}{dx}P_1(x)=\sqrt{(1-x^2)}\frac{d}{dx}x= \sqrt{(1-x^2)}$

For use in spherical harmonics we substitute $x$ with $\cos\theta$:

$P_1^1(\cos\theta)=\sqrt{1-\cos^2\theta}=\sqrt{\sin^2\theta} = \sin\theta$

You get the idea. We don't actually need to derive every associated Legendre function. The list below should have you covered for pretty much any application in computer graphics:

$ \begin{align*} & P_0^0(\cos \theta) = 1 \\[1ex] & P_1^0(\cos \theta) = \cos \theta \\[1ex] & P_1^1(\cos \theta) = \sin \theta \\[1ex] & P_2^0(\cos \theta) = \frac{1}{2}(3\cos^2 \theta - 1) \\[1ex] & P_2^1(\cos \theta) = 3\cos \theta \sin \theta \\[1ex] & P_2^2(\cos \theta) = 3\sin^2 \theta \\[1ex] & P_3^0(\cos \theta) = \frac{1}{2}(5\cos^3 \theta - 3\cos \theta) \\[1ex] & P_3^1(\cos \theta) = \frac{3}{2}(5\cos^2 \theta - 1) \sin \theta \\[1ex] & P_3^2(\cos \theta) = 15\cos \theta \sin^2 \theta \\[1ex] & P_3^3(\cos \theta) = 15\sin^3 \theta \\[1ex] & P_4^0(\cos \theta) = \frac{1}{8}(35\cos^4 \theta - 30\cos^2 \theta + 3) \\[1ex] & P_4^1(\cos \theta) = \frac{5}{2}(7\cos^3 \theta - 3\cos \theta) \sin \theta \\[1ex] & P_4^2(\cos \theta) = \frac{15}{2}(7\cos^2 \theta - 1) \sin^2 \theta \\[1ex] & P_4^3(\cos \theta) = 105\cos \theta \sin^3 \theta \\[1ex] & P_4^4(\cos \theta) = 105\sin^4 \theta \end{align*} $

There are a few things to note here.

First, don't let the presence of trigonometric functions here confuse you: once we go from spherical coordinates to Cartesian, these will become polynomial functions.

Second, the source for these formulae is the corresponding Wikipedia article, although the version on there also includes the Condon-Shortley phase. I have taken the liberty to remove that here.

Third, you will note that this list only contains entries for positive values of $m$ - it will become clear why later.

One last thing to note is that, as you might have guessed, the "definition" we gave above by far does not tell the whole story. It lacks the larger context about the mathematics that gives rise to these functions, which are the real heart of spherical harmonics.

The associated Legendre functions look the way they do because they're actually solutions to a differential equation called the associated Legendre equation. Unfortunately, describing this equation in detail and solving it goes well beyond the scope of this post. And, of course, you don't actually need to know this part to make use of spherical harmonics in computer graphics.

Still, for those interested, I recommend a series of videos on the topic:

At last, lets turn our attention to $e^{im\phi}$. This defines how the SH function behaves with the changing of the azimuthal angle $\phi$. And if you know the famous Euler formula, youll know that this equals $\cos(m\phi) + i\sin(m\phi)$ where $i^2 = -1$.

This is the main reason why computer graphics uses a slightly different form of spherical harmonics. The definition we're looking at is actually the definition of complex-valued spherical harmonics: the stuff that can be used to approximate functions that return complex numbers. It's very applicable in physics.

But in computer graphics we dont usually deal with complex-valued functions. Of course, one could simply treat real-valued functions as complex-valued ones where the imaginary part is always zero, but that is not very convenient.

Luckily, there exists a more convenient definition for real-valued functions. Moreover, complex-valued spherical harmonics can be expressed in terms of real-valued ones, and vice versa.

The Actual Definition, for Real This Time

A nice, concise and to-the-point statement of real-valued spherical harmonic functions can be found in this excerpt from Robin Green's paper:

...the SH function is traditionally represented by the symbol $y$: $ \begin{equation} y_l^m(\theta, \phi) = \begin{cases} \sqrt{2} K_l^m \cos(m\phi) P_l^m(\cos \theta) & \text{if } m > 0, \\ K_l^0 P_l^0(\cos \theta) & \text{if } m = 0, \\ \sqrt{2} K_l^m \sin(-m\phi) P_l^{-m}(\cos \theta) & \text{if } m < 0. \end{cases} \end{equation} $ where $P_l^m$ is the same associated Legendre polynomials we look at earlier and $K_l^m$ is just a scaling factor to normalize the functions: $\begin{equation} K_l^m = \sqrt{\frac{(2l + 1)}{4\pi} \frac{(l - |m|)!}{(l + |m|)!}}, \end{equation}$

This is, with 99.999% certainty, what a computer graphics paper means when it refers to spherical harmonics.

This definition also reuses all of the same building blocks that we had looked at in the previous section, so all of this should already be familiar. There are, however, a couple important details to point out.

First, note the normalization constant is different: it uses absolute values of the order $m$. This is in contrast to the definition for the complex-valued case, where the normalization constant uses $m$ directly!

Second, note that we flip the sign of $m$ in the sine and the associated Legendre polynomial in for the $m < 0$ case. This is why the list of associated Legendre polynomials above included only the ones with positive $m$: we dont need the ones with the negative $m$.

Deriving the Basis Functions

We can now try deriving a few of the basis functions for real-valued spherical harmonics.

Let's start with $y_0^0$. According to the definition cited above, $y_0^0(\theta, \phi) = K_0^0P_0^0(\cos\theta)$.

$K^0_0=\sqrt{\frac{1}{4\pi}}$, which is easy to verify, while $P_0^0(\cos\theta)=1$ according to the table of associated Legendre polynomials cited earlier. Therefore, $y_0^0(\theta, \phi) = \sqrt{\frac{1}{4\pi}}$ - just a constant (also known as a polynomial of 0th degree).

How about $y_{1}^{-1}$? Once again, according to the definition above, $y_{1}^{-1}(\theta, \phi) = \sqrt{2}K_{1}^{-1}\sin\phi P_1^1(\cos\theta)$

$K_1^{-1}=\sqrt{\frac{3}{4\pi}\frac{1}{2}}$, while $P_1^1(\cos\theta)=\sin\theta$.

The square roots of 2 cancel out, so we get: $y_{1}^{-1}(\theta, \phi) = \sqrt{\frac{3}{4\pi}}\sin\phi\sin\theta$

Going from spherical coordinates to Cartesian (using our previously agreed-upon convention), we have $y=\sin\phi\sin\theta$, so the final result in cartesian coordinates is just: $y_{1}^{-1}(x,y,z) = \sqrt{\frac{3}{4\pi}}y$ - so much simpler compared to the formula we started with! Also, note that we changed $\theta, \phi$ to $x,y,z$ in the function parameters, to reflect the coordinate system change.

Using the same exact procedure, it is possible to show that $y_1^0(x,y,z) = \sqrt{\frac{3}{4\pi}}z$ and $y_1^1(x,y,z) = \sqrt{\frac{3}{4\pi}}x$.

As a last example, let's do something slightly trickier: $y_2^2$. Doing simplifications and expanding the associated Legendre polynomial, we get:

$y_2^2(\theta, \phi) = \sqrt{2}\sqrt{\frac{4+1}{\pi} \frac{(2-|2|)!}{(2+|2|)!}}\cos{2\phi}P_2^2(\cos\theta)$ $= \sqrt{\frac{5}{48\pi}}\cos{2\phi}P_2^2(cos\theta)$ $= \sqrt{\frac{5}{48\pi}}\cos{2\phi}3\sin^2\theta$

Let's put this pesky 3 under the square root and simplify further:

$ \sqrt{\frac{5}{48\pi}}\cos{2\phi}3\sin^2\theta = \sqrt{\frac{5*9}{48\pi}}\cos{2\phi}\sin^2\theta = \sqrt{\frac{5*3}{16\pi}}\cos{2\phi}\sin^2\theta = \frac{1}{4}\sqrt{\frac{15}{\pi}}\cos{2\phi}\sin^2\theta $

From trigonometry, we know that $\cos{2\phi}=(2cos^2\phi - 1)$ and that $\sin^2\theta+\cos^2\theta=1$:

$ \frac{1}{4}\sqrt{\frac{15}{\pi}}\cos{2\phi}\sin^2\theta = \frac{1}{4}\sqrt{\frac{15}{\pi}}(2cos^2\phi - 1)\sin^2\theta = \frac{1}{4}\sqrt{\frac{15}{\pi}}(2cos^2\phi\sin^2\theta - \sin^2\theta) = \frac{1}{4}\sqrt{\frac{15}{\pi}}(2cos^2\phi\sin^2\theta - 1 + \cos^2\theta) $

We can now rewrite what we got so far using Cartesian coordinates:

$ \frac{1}{4}\sqrt{\frac{15}{\pi}}(2cos^2\phi\sin^2\theta - 1 + \cos^2\theta) = \frac{1}{4}\sqrt{\frac{15}{\pi}}(2x^2 + z^2 - 1) $

We can make use of the fact that on a unit sphere $x^2+y^2+z^2 = 1$ and clean up the result a bit:

$ \frac{1}{4}\sqrt{\frac{15}{\pi}}(2x^2 + z^2 - x^2 -y^2 -z^2) = \frac{1}{4}\sqrt{\frac{15}{\pi}}(x^2 - y^2) $

So, finally:

$ y_2^2(x,y,z) = \frac{1}{4}\sqrt{\frac{15}{\pi}}(x^2 - y^2) $

Doing this exercise illustrates how we get from the elaborate looking mathematical definition to the simple polynomial forms we had shown earlier in this post. Of course, you don't have to derive them all. There are tables of spherical harmonic functions available. I recommend referring to Appendix A2 of Peter-Pike Sloan's Stupid Spherical Harmonics Tricks paper. It contains SH basis functions in cartesian coordinates for degrees as high as 5 and doesn't have any typos as far as I can tell.

Obtaining the Spherical Harmonic Coefficients

Hopefully at this point we have a general understanding of what spherical harmonics are. We also understand that any piecewise-continuous real-valued function $f(\theta, \phi)$ is representable as an infinite sum:

$f(\theta, \phi) = c_{0}^{0}y_{0}^{0}(\theta,\phi) + c_{1}^{-1}y_{1}^{-1}(\theta,\phi) + c_{1}^{0}y_{1}^{0}(\theta,\phi) + c_{1}^{1}y_{1}^{1}(\theta,\phi) + ...$

where $y_{\ell}^{m}$ are the real-valued spherical harmonic functions, and $c_{\ell}^{m}$ are their corresponding coefficients. The question that we still have to answer is: how do we find those $c_{\ell}{^m}$ coefficients for any given $f(\theta,\phi)$? In other words, how do we go from something like a cube map representation of an image, to a set of SH coefficients that approximates the same thing?

To answer this question, we will look back on our analogy with vector/linear spaces again. Assume we're given some 3D vector $\vec{v}$, and some basis $\vec{i}, \vec{j}, \vec{k}$. How can we compute $\vec{v}$'s coordinates in the frame of reference defined by $\vec{i}, \vec{j}, \vec{k}$?

The answer: we simply have to compute the inner (or dot) products $\vec{v} \cdot \vec{i}, \vec{v} \cdot \vec{j}, \vec{v} \cdot \vec{k}$, which are the lengths of $\vec{v}$'s projection onto $\vec{i}, \vec{j}$ and $\vec{k}$ respectively. In fact, if you recall how a vector is transformed from one coordinate space to another using a matrix, it boils down to nothing more but computing these dot products.

Applying analogous reasoning to the case of functions, in order to compute the coefficient $c_{\ell}^m$, we have to compute the inner product:

$\langle f, y_{\ell}^m\rangle = \int f(\vec{\omega})y_{\ell}^m(\vec{\omega})d\vec{\omega}$

This integral is usually computed numerically, and we'll demonstrate how it can be done in the next section.

Case Study: Projecting a Cubemap onto Spherical Harmonic Basis

Let's start our practical examples with the task of using spherical harmonics to approximate the radiance defined by a cubemap . We will take a small cubemap and produce the spherical harmonic coefficients that, when evaluated, will approximate the contents of the cubemap.

Remember, to find the SH coefficient $c_{j}^{i}$ for our cubemap projection, we have to compute $\int T(\vec{\omega})y_{\ell}^{m}(\vec{\omega}) d\vec{\omega}$ where $T$ is the radiance function defined by the cubemap, and $y_{\ell}^{m}$ is the corresponding SH basis function.

How might one go about this? To answer this question, let's take a look at an example using just real-valued functions of one variable.

Say we have an arbitrary function like this, what are our options for computing its integral?

If the function was given to us in closed form, we might have been able to compute the integral using the fundamental theorem of calculus, but that is clearly not of much use to us: our radiance function is not provided in a closed form.

Actually, the situation is even worse. With cubemaps, we have a very limited amount of information about the function. In fact, all we have is a fixed number of samples (texels) on a regularly spaced grid. If a function of a single variable was given to us in the same manner, it would look something like this:

How do we integrate that? We could try Monte-Carlo again, and apply a nearest-neighbor or linear filter to reconstruct values between the samples. However, it is actually sub-optimal for this case. Those readers who are familiar with analysis have probably picked up on the answer by just looking at the image above. That answer is Riemann sums.

The Riemann sum method might be familiar to you from your basic analysis course. You might have used it before for functions of one variable, but it generalizes to higher dimensions:

split your domain of integration into non-overlapping sections (for functions of one variable those are 1D intervals);

for each section: pick any point within that section and evaluate your function at that point; multiply the result obtained above by the "measure" of the section (for functions of one variable it's the length of the interval, for functions defined on a 2D domain it may be the area)

add up the results for each section and that's your approximation of the integral

This is pretty simple for functions of one variable, but our case is a bit more complicated. Our domain of integration is a sphere. We split it into sections by projecting each cubemap texel onto the sphere: each projected surface patch is its own "section".

But unlike the 1D case, computing the areas of those patches isn't completely trivial. Those areas are proportional to the solid angles subtended by the corresponding cubemap texels, and they can vary from patch to patch. Here is a diagram to help visualize the problem:

Imagine the sphere being inscribed into the cubemap, and the cubemap texels being projected onto the surface of the sphere. The picture above illustrates that even though the blue and green texels are the same size on the cubemap, the areas of their projections onto the sphere are actually different.

There is actually a relatively simple method for computing the areas of these projections, and it's covered really well in this post by Rory Driscoll, so I won't be re-explaining it here.

There is an even simpler method to estimate this area used in Peter-Pike Sloan's Stupid Spherical Harmonic Tricks paper, but it's less precise.

So, given all of the above, our plan of attack is:

assume the cubemap fits into a (-1,-1,-1) - (1, 1, 1) cube;

assume our area of integration - a unit sphere - is inscribed into that cube;

For each texel of each cubemap face: obtain the value of the texel $T(p)$; project the texel center $p$ onto the surface of the sphere to obtain point $p'$; evaluate the spherical harmonic basis functions at that point: $y_0^0(p'), ... y_{\ell}^\ell(p')$; compute the area of the projected patch $S_{p'}$; compute the products $t_0^0 = T(p)y_0^0(p')S_{p'}, ..., t_\ell^\ell = T(p)y_\ell^\ell(p')S_{p'}$ and add them to their corresponding running totals $c_0^0,...,c_\ell^\ell$.

$c_0^0,...,c_\ell^\ell$ now contain the SH coefficients we sought to find.

When translated to Javascript this recipe looks like the following:

const CUBE_DIM = 128; const TEXEL_SIZE = 1.0 / CUBE_DIM; // texel size in UV space. const HALF_TEXEL_SIZE = 0.5 * TEXEL_SIZE; // Projects a given cube map to spherical harmonics of degrees up to // and including maxDegree. function projectCubemapToSH(cube, maxDegree, gammaCorrection = false) { // Computes the solid angle subtended by the given texel. // Derivation: // https://www.rorydriscoll.com/2012/01/15/cubemap-texel-solid-angle/ function calcTexelWeight(x,y) { const x0 = x - TEXEL_SIZE; const y0 = y - TEXEL_SIZE; const x1 = x + TEXEL_SIZE; const y1 = y + TEXEL_SIZE; function areaElement(a, b) { return Math.atan2(a*b, Math.sqrt(a*a + b*b + 1)); } return areaElement(x0, y0) - areaElement(x0, y1) - areaElement(x1, y0) + areaElement(x1, y1); } // We treat each of the red, green and blue channels as a separate // function to approximate. // Thus, our output will be three sets of SH coefficients: // for red, green and blue respectively. var shRgb = [ [],[],[] ]; for(var face = 0; face < 6; ++face) { for (var col = 0; col < CUBE_DIM; ++col) { for (var row = 0; row < CUBE_DIM; ++row) { const texelColor = cube[face].data.slice( 4*(col + row * CUBE_DIM), 4*(col + row * CUBE_DIM) + 4); // UV (0,0) is the top-left corner of the image. // UV (1,1) is the bottom-right. const faceCoords = cubemapFaceCoords(col, row); const d = cubemapCoordsToDirection(face, faceCoords); const texelWeight = calcTexelWeight(faceCoords[0], faceCoords[1]); const sh = evalSHBasis(d, maxDegree, 1); const texelColorf_raw = new Float32Array([ texelColor[0]/255.0, texelColor[1]/255.0, texelColor[2]/255.0]) const texelColorf = gammaCorrection ? srgbToLinear(texelColorf_raw) : texelColorf_raw; const shRed = mulScalarBySHCoeffs(texelWeight * texelColorf[0], sh); const shGreen = mulScalarBySHCoeffs(texelWeight * texelColorf[1], sh); const shBlue = mulScalarBySHCoeffs(texelWeight * texelColorf[2], sh); shRgb[0] = addSHCoeffs(shRgb[0], shRed); shRgb[1] = addSHCoeffs(shRgb[1], shGreen); shRgb[2] = addSHCoeffs(shRgb[2], shBlue); } } } return shRgb; }

Couple things to note here. First is the `calcTexelWeight` function. As explained earlier, it computes the solid angle subtended by the cubemap texel, and this is very important for our integration to be correct. I do urge you to go and read the post with the explanation of why this weighting function works. I've verified it by checking that all weights sum up to something very close to $4\pi$.

The second point of interest is the "gamma correction" parameter. Usually, if you were to project a cubemap to SH, you would deal with an HDR cubemap that stores actual radiance values (usually generated by your rendering engine). But, in our sample, all cubemap data is stored in SDR images using sRGB encoding. So, I have added the option to gamma-correct the input. It's your bog-standard pow(value, 2.2), so I'm not wasting space on showing it.

Finally, `cubemapFaceCoords` and `cubemapCoordsToDirection` functions exist to calculate a unit vector aimed at the center of a particular cubemap texel. They're important to get right, but not very interesting, so you can look at them by looking at the full sample source code.

The last piece that we need is the actual evaluation of the spherical harmonics representation of a function. Given the spherical harmonics coefficients, how do we obtain the approximated values of our function? It's pretty simple:

// Evaluates the given SH representation of a function projected onto // l-band basis in the given direction. function evalSHRepresentation(coeffs, d, l) { // evaluate each basis function for the given direction. const basis = evalSHBasis(d, l); // multiply the values of the basis functions in the given direction // with the respective SH coefficients. const basis_coefs = coeffs.map(function(c,i) { return c * basis[i]; }); // add up the results. return basis_coefs.reduce(function(a, v) { return a+v; }, 0.0); }

The sample uses this procedure to convert the SH representation back into a cubemap that can be shown to the user.

Try playing around with this sample a bit. You will notice that it has an mysterious option called "apply deringing". That option will take the whole of the next section to explain...

Spherical Harmonic Artifacts

Up until now we have been pretending that the projection of any arbitrary function onto a finite SH basis is an "approximation" that is useful enough in practice. But, unfortunately, not everything is so easy.

If you look at the Yokohama cubemap at $\ell=1$ with gamma correction on, you will notice the approximation has a strange "hole" in the bottom:

Highlighting negative values reveals something curious: our SH representation evaluates to less than zero in many regions:

Gamma correction makes it worse, but is by no means necessary for these artifacts to appear. For example, the Golden Gate cubemap at $\ell=3$ has negative values without any gamma correction:

So what's going on? Our source cubemap didn't contain any negative values at all, so how can our approximation yield them? And why does gamma correction seem to make the issue worse?

Recall what was said earlier: any continuous real-valued function $f(\theta, \phi)$ defined on the sphere is representable as an infinite sum:

$f(\theta, \phi) = c_{0}^{0}y_{0}^{0}(\theta,\phi) + c_{1}^{-1}y_{1}^{-1}(\theta,\phi) + c_{1}^{0}y_{1}^{0}(\theta,\phi) + c_{1}^{1}y_{1}^{1}(\theta,\phi) + ...$

This is a true mathematical fact. However, when we use spherical harmonics in practice, we kind of handwave away two really important conditions: first, instead of using an infinite basis, we use a finite subset of it. Second, we often try to project weird, potentially discontinuous functions (like our cubemaps).

Mathematics doesn't tolerate such transgressions. It punishes us with horrible artifacts called "ringing" or "Gibbs phenomena". When that happens (usually when the input function has rapid changes/discontinuities), our "approximation" ends up with dramatic overshoot/undershoot around the problematic regions. We could get negative values when evaluating our approximation, even if the function we were trying to approximate is strictly positive! As you might imagine, this is quite catastrophic for lighting, because there's no such thing as "negative" light.

This also explains why turning on gamma correction makes the issue worse: linearizing the values makes the difference between the darks and the highlights more dramatic, making the function more prone to ringing.

To fix this, our first instinct might be to pile on even more frequency bands. It quickly becomes impractical though as the number of required coefficients grows quadratically. More importantly, a discontinuous function is like a signal that has an infinite frequency, so no matter how many frequency bands you add, you will never guarantee that your result will be free of negative values.

The usual way to deal with this problem (suggested in Sloan's paper) is to multiply the coefficients of the projection by another set of coefficients that taper off to zero as the corresponding degree $\ell$ increases. The paper calls this procedure "windowing". The function that defines how the windowing coefficients drop off with $\ell$ is called the "windowing function".

The windowing function used in this sample is sinc:

$ w(\ell)= \begin{cases} 1, \ell = 0 \\ (\frac{\sin\frac{\pi\ell}{q}}{\frac{\pi\ell}{q}})^p, \ell > 0 \end{cases} $

Where $q$ is a parameter that controls how fast the windowing coefficients drop off to 0 as $\ell$ grows, while $p$ is a parameter that controls how "aggressively" deringing is applied (more on that later).

But why does this work at all? Well, spherical harmonics is something that in digital signal processing is called a "frequency domain representation". That is, it represents an arbitrary signal as a weighted sum of known signals of different frequencies - the higher the degree $\ell$ the higher the frequency.

Applying the windowing function can be seen as gradually reducing the influence of higher frequencies on the output - that is, applying a kind of low-pass filter. Which is equivalent to just "blurring" the input signal. Of course, by blurring the input signal we will reduce rapid changes and discontinuities - at the expense of getting a less detailed result.

So, this method of deringing is really just a way to "blur" the input signal in an attempt to get rid of the discontinuities that cause the ringing artifacts. The $q$ parameter of our windowing function controls the "width" of the blur (i.e. which frequencies should be cut off), while the $p$ parameter effectively controls how many times the blur is applied - sometimes, applying it just once doesn't get rid of all the negative values.

Case Study: Projecting Irradiance to Spherical Harmonics

For our next example, we will look at how irradiance is projected to spherical harmonics. We will refer to the talk from GDC 2018 by Yuriy O'Donnel, "Precomputed Global Illumination in Frostbite", more specifically the section dedicated to diffuse lighting in lightmaps.

Spherical Harmonics and Lightmaps

As you might already know, lightmaps are special textures that store the amount of light arriving at each point on the surface of a given scene. "Amount of light" is a bit of a wishy-washy term. Most often, lightmaps store some approximation of irradiance at a point, i.e. this integral:

$E(p) = \int L_i(\vec{\omega}, p) \max(0, (\vec{\omega} \cdot \vec{n})) d\vec{\omega}$

where $p$ is the point on the surface, $L_i(\vec{\omega}, p)$ is the light arriving at $p$ from direction $\vec{\omega}$ and $\vec{n}$ is the surface normal at the point $p$.

Indeed, that is the quantity that Frostbite's lightmap implementation from the talk uses:

We use low-order L1 spherical harmonics to store irradiance data in our lightmaps.

But wait, how exactly is irradiance related to spherical harmonics?

If we fix the surface point $p$, the irradiance can also be thought of as a function of the surface normal at that point:

$E(\vec{n}) = \int L_i(\vec{\omega}, p) \max(0, (\vec{\omega} \cdot \vec{n})) d\vec{\omega}$

That is a function defined on the surface of a sphere. What Frostbite's presentation is saying is that they are storing the spherical harmonics coefficients of that function (up to and including band $\ell=1$), and evaluate it at runtime using the actual normal used for shading. But what is the point of storing the irradiance as a function of the surface normal?

When your meshes use normal maps, you want baked lighting to capture the detail expressed by those normal maps. If you just store some value, the baked lighting will look flat. The image below shows exactly this: the area in shadow receives indirect light thanks to the lightmap, but any variation due to the normal map is completely lost.

Image credit: Matt Pettineo

You might say: well, this is really easy to solve - just include the surface normal extracted from the normal map in your offline calculations! While this could work theoretically (even though it would prevent you from being able to perturb the shading normal at runtime), it has a pretty big drawback: each texel of your light map would have to correspond to one texel of the normal map.

Yes, your lightmaps would have more detail, but they would be larger (and bake slower). Instead, you can generate the lightmap with lower resolution, but make each texel contain the approximation of a function that tells us what the irradiance at that point would be if the surface normal at that point was oriented in a particular way.

So, by making the lightmap store irradiance as a function of the surface normal we:

allow the baked lighting to react to the content of the normal map;

allow perturbing the normals at runtime;

reduce required space and bake times

Spherical Harmonics and Convolution

Here is how the presentation describes the process of computing the irradiance SH representation:

For rendering, we need to compute the amount of light that falls on a surface with a particular normal from all directions on a hemisphere around it. In other words, we need to compute irradiance at a particular point on the geometry surface. This is achived by convolving the radiance function in SH form with [...] clamped cosine. SH is a frequency-space representation of a signal and a convolution in this form is simple per-component multiplcation of the SH basis factors.

To understand this, we need to look at another mathematical concept - convolution - and examine how it interacts with spherical harmonics. Bear with me for a few paragraphs, and it will become obvious how this is connected with irradiance.

You might already be familiar with the idea of convolution from image processing, where it means "sliding" a matrix of coefficients ("filter") across an image, while multiplying the values from the image with the corresponding values from the filter and summing everything up.

This concept can be generalized for the world of functions. For functions $f$ and $g$ defined in Cartesian coordinates, the definition of the convolution operation $(f*g)$ is straightforward:

$(f*g)(t) = \int f(\tau)g(t-\tau)d\tau$

As you can see, convolution in Cartesian coordinates amounts to "sliding" one function over the other, multiplying the functions and integrating the result. In other words, to evaluate the convolution at point $t$, we "center" one of the functions (which is called the "kernel", in the above definition $g$ plays that role) around $t$ and integrate the product of the centered kernel with the other function.

However, in our case, we are dealing with functions defined on the sphere, so this definition of convolution doesn't quite work. We need the functions to "slide" on the sphere, so this definition has to be modified a bit.

Let's say we have two functions defined on the surface of the sphere, $f(\vec{w})$ and $g(\vec{w})$. Furthermore, let's define $\rho_t(g)$ as the result of "rotating" the function $g$ such that its "north pole" aligns with the direction $t$. The convolution of $f$ and $g$ is then defined as:

$( f*g)(t) = \langle f, \rho_t(g) \rangle = \int f(\omega)\rho_t(g(\omega)) d\omega $

The rotation operation in this case plays the role of centering that we used for the Cartesian case.

Finally, let's look at an interesting property of spherical harmonics related to convolution.

Let's say that $f_\ell^m$ are the SH coefficients corresponding to the function $f$. Further, let's assume $h$ is a function that is rotationally symmetrical around $Z$ axis (i.e. it doesn't change value when the azimuthal angle changes). It turns out that the SH coefficients of the convolution $f*h$ can be found using the formula:

$(f*h)_\ell^m = \sqrt{\frac{4\pi}{2\ell+1}}f_\ell^m h_\ell^0$

Why do we care about convolutions and finding their SH coefficients? Take another look at the irradiance integral:

$ E(\vec{n}) = \int L_i(\vec{\omega}, p) \max(0, (\vec{\omega} \cdot \vec{n})) d\vec{\omega} $

$(\vec{\omega} \cdot \vec{n})$ is just $g(\theta, \phi) = \cos{\theta}$ rotated so that its "north pole" aligns with the surface normal $\vec{n}$. Once you understand that, it immediately becomes obvious that irradiance is the result of convolving the radiance $L_i$ with the cosine (or, "clamped" cosine, to be precise).

Finding the SH Coefficients for Irradiance

We know how to obtain SH coefficients for radiance. The "clamped cosine" function we saw earlier has well-known SH coefficients. You can find them in the paper by Ramamoorthi and Hanrahan, "An Efficient Representation of Irradiance Environment Maps":

$A_0 = \frac{\sqrt\pi}{2}, A_1 = \sqrt{\frac{\pi}{3}}$

So is that it, we're done? Just project the radiance onto spherical harmonic functions with $\ell = 0, 1$, multiply the coefficients in band $\ell=0$ by $A_0$ and coefficients in band $\ell=1$ by $A_1$ and call it a day?

Well, that would definitely work, but we can improve on it a bit. The Frostbite presentation shows us a really neat trick that allows the evaluation step to be simplified. Recall that in order to compute the SH coefficients of a convolution we have to do this:

$(f*h)_\ell^m = \sqrt{\frac{4\pi}{2\ell+1}}f_\ell^m h_\ell^0$

In case of irradiance, our functions are radiance $L_i$ and the clamped cosine, which we'll denote $A$:

$(L_i*A)_\ell^m = \sqrt{\frac{4\pi}{2\ell+1}}L_\ell^m A_\ell^0$

Let's try doing some simplifications for $(L_i*A)_0^0$. Given that $A_0 = \frac{\sqrt{\pi}}{2}$, we have:

$(L_i*A)_0^0 = \sqrt{4\pi}L_0^0 \frac{\sqrt{\pi}}{2} = \pi L_0^0$

Because $L_0^0$ is a sum of products of $y_0^0$ with various values of radiance, we can pull out the constant term: $L_0^0 = \frac{1}{2\sqrt{\pi}} (...)$. Therefore:

$(L_i*A)_0^0 = \pi\frac{1}{2\sqrt{\pi}} (...) = \frac{\sqrt{\pi}}{2} (...)$

But we know that during evaluation at runtime, we will have to multiply this value with $y_0^0$ again, which has a constant factor. So why not fold that constant factor $\frac{1}{2\sqrt{\pi}}$ into the irradiance computation?

$\frac{1}{2\sqrt{\pi}} (L_i*A)_0^0 = \frac{1}{2\sqrt{\pi}} \frac{\sqrt{\pi}}{2} (...) = \frac{1}{4}(...)$

You can look in the PDF for the other derivations, but the upshot is: we can combine the radiance projection, convolution and partial evaluation into one short function:

SHL1 shEvaluateDiffuseL1(vec3 p) { float AY0 = 0.25f; float AY1 = 0.50f; SHL1 sh; sh[0] = AY0; sh[1] = AY1 * p.y; sh[2] = AY1 * p.z; sh[3] = AY1 * p.x; return sh; }

The value returned by that function is what gets stored in the lightmap, and the really neat part is that to evaluate it for a given normal it's just a dot product with the normal! All the other computations have already been done at the baking step.

Conclusions and Further Reading

This post could have covered more topics, but my intention is to give readers the vocabulary and knowledge necessary to understand writings published by some very smart people. So, I'd like to conclude with a few recommendations on where to proceed from here.

To start with:

Deringing spherical harmonics is a much more challenging problem than this post might have made it sound. Peter-Pike Sloan's "Deringing Spherical Harmonics" paper goes in-depth on a more principled approach to deringing that attempts to preserve as much detail as possible while fully avoiding negative values in the projected irradiance.

Two posts on Graham Hazel's blog are well worth a read:

These together explain how it's possible to avoid negative values for L1 spherical harmonics by just tweaking the definitions a bit (sadly, doesn't work for higher degrees). The Frostbite talk that we had looked at mentions using these techniques.

Spherical harmonics are by no means the only way of representing lighting information. A couple alternatives:

Chris Green, "Efficient Self-Shadowed Radiosity Normal Mapping " (HL2)

Ralf Habel and Michael Wimmer , "Efficient Irradiance Normal Mapping" (H-Basis)

This wonderful series by Matt Pettineo is a great resource that explains some general ideas about lightmapping and goes in-depth about spherical Gaussians, which are another lighting representation.

I hope you enjoyed this post. If you've found any errors, let me know by e-mailing nicebyte at gpfault.net.

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Semaglutide, the active ingredient in the GLP-1 drug Wegovy, is proving to have benefits independent of weight loss. - Roberto Pfeil/dpa/picture-alliance/AP

For the majority of people who start using GLP-1 medicines with the hope of losing weight, the drugs can feel almost miraculous: Cravings are quieted. Exercise can become easier and more fun. Pounds that stubbornly remained for years finally dissipate.

But for a smaller subset of people, the medicines dont help with weight loss. Clinical trials suggest that about 10% to 15% of people who try GLP-1s, such as Wegovy and Zepbound, are non-responders when it comes to substantial weight loss. A study published last week suggested that genetics may play a role.

But research, including new findings published Tuesday, is also continuing to paint a picture of GLP-1 medicines benefits independent of weight loss. Clinical trials in heart health, for example, have suggested that the medicines can reduce the risk of heart attacks and strokes, and improve outcomes in heart failure, even when participants dont lose weight  or, in some cases, possibly even if participants gain weight.

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The latest findings shed light on how the drugs may improve liver health. Wegovy, made by Novo Nordisk and based on the active ingredient semaglutide, was approved by the US Food and Drug Administration in August for a serious liver disease called metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis, or MASH, estimated to affect about 6% of US adults. The drug was shown in a clinical trial to help dramatically improve markers of the disease.

For the most part, I think the dogma is that this improvement is driven by weight loss, said Dr. Daniel Drucker, a pioneer of GLP-1 research at the University of Toronto whose lab produced the new study. But we have seen hints in our lab that weight loss isnt the whole story.

Drucker argues that the mounting evidence should change the way health insurers and government programs consider whether to pay for the medicines: Instead of assessing weight loss as a measure of their success, they should take into account their other benefits across a wide range of very serious diseases.

Insurance companies have historically required at least 5% weight loss after three to four months of treatment in order to continue covering GLP-1 treatment, said Dr. Jody Dushay, who prescribes the medicines in her practice at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston. With new information about metabolic benefits separate from weight loss, this will definitely need to be reconsidered.

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She estimates that about 5% to 8% of patients in her practice are what she calls weight non-responders to GLP-1s. The drugs are so named for the hormone they mimic, which plays a role in insulin secretion, stomach emptying and appetite.

But with the increasing number of indications for these medications, Dushay told CNN in an email, we are going to see (or, we need to look for!) benefits in people who do not meet weight loss responder criteria.

GLP-1 drugs are being used by millions of people for weight loss and diabetes. - Carsten Snejbjerg/Bloomberg/Getty Images

Elegant work

Druckers study, led by postdoctoral fellow Dr. Maria Gonzalez-Rellan, sought to understand why semaglutide appeared to improve markers of MASH regardless of whether participants lost weight in clinical trials.

The research team did this, in part, by creating essentially weight non-responders out of lab mice, eliminating GLP-1 receptors in the brain in a group of them to make it so they dont lose weight with GLP-1 medicines, Drucker said.

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That allows us to then say, OK, if we prevent weight loss, because thats mediated by the brain, do we still see the benefits of GLP-1 and improving liver health?  he explained. And the answer is: Absolutely, we see substantial benefits, even in the absence of weight loss.

The team identified a group of cells in the liver that, when stimulated by GLP-1, kick-start a process that communicates with the immune system to quiet down inflammation, Drucker said. Its this very rare population of blood vessel cells thats driving the reduction of inflammation.

To further validate their findings, the group studied what happened when mice engineered to lack GLP-1 receptors in those liver cells lost a substantial amount of weight: no liver improvement.

Its elegant work, said Dr. Harlan Krumholz, a cardiologist and professor at Yale School of Medicine who wasnt involved in the study.

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He pointed out, though, that since the study was done in mice, it cant be said with certainty that the same mechanisms are at play in people.

But we can now say that this is a biologically plausible explanation for why some benefits of these drugs appear to extend beyond simple weight reduction, Krumholz added.

GLP-1s effect on inflammation

The ability of GLP-1 medicines to tamp down inflammation may be a key reason they help with heart conditions and kidney disease in ways independent of weight loss, as well.

A study of results from a major cardiovascular outcomes trial of Wegovy in 2024 found that its ability to reduce the risk of people having a second heart attack or stroke wasnt dependent on how much weight people lost.

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The study author, Professor John Deanfield from University College London, suggested that positive impacts on blood sugar, blood pressure, or inflammation, as well as direct effects on the heart muscle and blood vessels, may be at play.

Thats not to say weight loss doesnt also help  and is probably a key driver of improvement in conditions including arthritis and sleep apnea, said Drucker, who has received consulting and speaking fees from companies that make GLP-1 medicines.

But the new findings add to the body of evidence suggesting that the medicines could be used in more tailored ways, taking into account their sometimes substantial costs and side effects, which can include nausea and other gastrointestinal symptoms.

Its very important to understand: Should we be trying to maximize the weight loss, and sometimes that means using the highest doses of the medicine, and sometimes that means more side effects? Drucker said. Or, in this case with metabolic liver disease, we could only use a smaller dose of the medicine and not have so much of the adverse events, and it wouldnt cost the patient as much money because theyre not taking as much of the drug.

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So, Drucker added, its really clinically relevant to understand how these medicines work in every one of these conditions.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
(HedgeCo.Net) The artificial intelligence arms race has entered a newand arguably unprecedentedphase. Anthropic, one of the leading frontier AI developers, is reportedly entertaining investment offers that would value the company at a staggering $800 billion. If confirmed, the figure would not only double its valuation from just months ago but would also position the firm among the most valuable private companies in historysurpassing many publicly traded technology giants and fundamentally reshaping how investors think about AI-driven enterprise value.

For venture capitalists, institutional investors, and Wall Street alike, the implications are profound. This is not merely another funding round; it represents a potential inflection point in how capital markets price artificial intelligence, intellectual property, and the future of digital infrastructure.

From Challenger to Cornerstone

Founded in 2021 by former OpenAI researchers, Anthropic has rapidly evolved from a challenger in the generative AI space into a central pillar of the industrys competitive landscape. Its focus on constitutional AIa framework designed to align machine intelligence with human valueshas resonated strongly with enterprise clients, regulators, and policymakers.

While competitors have pursued scale at all costs, Anthropic has positioned itself as a safety-first innovator. This strategic differentiation has proven to be more than philosophical. It has become a commercial advantage, particularly as corporations and governments grow increasingly cautious about deploying large-scale AI systems without robust guardrails.

The companys flagship modelswidely viewed as among the most advanced in the worldhave seen rapid adoption across sectors including finance, healthcare, legal services, and defense. These use cases extend beyond simple chatbot functionality, encompassing complex reasoning, workflow automation, and decision support systems.

In short, Anthropic is no longer just an AI startup. It is becoming infrastructure.

The $800 Billion Question

The reported $800 billion valuation has sent shockwaves through both Silicon Valley and global capital markets. To put the figure in perspective, it would place Anthropic in the same league as some of the largest publicly traded firms in the worlddespite being privately held and only a few years removed from its founding.

Such a valuation raises immediate questions: What justifies this level of pricing? And perhaps more importantly, what does it signal about the future trajectory of AI?

At its core, the valuation reflects expectations of exponential growth. Investors are not valuing Anthropic based on current revenues alonethough those are reportedly accelerating rapidlybut on its potential to dominate a foundational layer of the global economy.

AI is increasingly viewed as a horizontal technology, akin to electricity or the internet. It has applications across virtually every industry, from automating back-office operations to transforming scientific research. If Anthropic can establish itself as a leading provider of this infrastructure, the addressable market is effectively limitless.

The Role of Strategic Capital

A key driver behind Anthropics meteoric rise has been its ability to attract strategic capital from some of the worlds most influential players. Unlike traditional venture funding, which often prioritizes financial returns, these investments are deeply intertwined with long-term partnerships.

Technology giants, cloud providers, and enterprise software firms are not merely investing in Anthropicthey are integrating its models into their ecosystems. This creates a powerful feedback loop: as adoption increases, so does the value of the platform, which in turn attracts more users and capital.

The reported involvement of Morgan Stanley and Goldman Sachs in early IPO discussions underscores the growing intersection between Silicon Valley and Wall Street. These institutions are positioning themselves at the center of what could be one of the largest public offerings in history.

For banks, the opportunity is twofold. First, there is the immediate financial upside of underwriting a landmark IPO. Second, and perhaps more importantly, there is the strategic value of aligning with a company that could redefine the financial services industry itself.

AI as the New Asset Class

Anthropics valuation also reflects a broader shift in how investors categorize artificial intelligence. Increasingly, AI is being treated not just as a sector, but as an asset class in its own right.

This has significant implications for portfolio construction. Traditional asset allocation frameworksbuilt around equities, fixed income, and alternativesmay need to evolve to accommodate the unique characteristics of AI investments. These include high upfront capital requirements, network effects, and winner-take-most dynamics.

For hedge funds and private equity firms, the challenge is identifying where value will ultimately accrue. Will it be captured by model developers like Anthropic? By infrastructure providers such as cloud platforms? Or by application-layer companies that leverage AI to disrupt existing industries?

The answer is likely all of the above, but the distribution of returns may be highly uneven. As with previous technological revolutions, a small number of dominant players could capture a disproportionate share of the value.

The IPO Horizon

The prospect of an October 2026 IPO adds another layer of complexity to the story. If Anthropic does go public at or near its rumored valuation, it would represent a watershed moment for equity markets.

The offering would likely attract unprecedented demand from institutional and retail investors alike. Given the scarcity of pure-play AI equities, Anthropic could become a cornerstone holding for a wide range of portfolios.

However, the transition from private to public markets also introduces new challenges. Public investors tend to be less patient than venture capitalists, placing greater emphasis on near-term financial performance. This could create tension between the companys long-term ambitions and the expectations of its shareholders.

Moreover, the IPO would subject Anthropic to increased regulatory scrutiny. As governments around the world grapple with the implications of advanced AI, companies at the forefront of the technology are likely to face evolving compliance requirements.

Risks Beneath the Surface

Despite the optimism surrounding Anthropic, there are significant risks that cannot be ignored. Chief among them is the sustainability of its valuation.

At $800 billion, even minor deviations from growth expectations could have outsized impacts on investor sentiment. The history of technology markets is replete with examples of companies that were priced for perfection, only to face sharp corrections when reality fell short.

Competition is another critical factor. The AI landscape is intensely competitive, with well-capitalized players vying for dominance. Advances by rivals could erode Anthropics market position, particularly if they offer comparable capabilities at lower cost.

There are also technical and operational challenges. Developing and maintaining cutting-edge AI models requires enormous computational resources and specialized talent. Any disruption in these areas could slow the companys progress.

Finally, there is the question of regulation. As AI becomes more integrated into critical systems, governments are likely to impose stricter controls on its development and deployment. While Anthropics focus on safety may provide some insulation, the regulatory environment remains uncertain.

The Broader Market Impact

Anthropics valuation is not occurring in a vacuum. It is part of a broader re-rating of technology assets driven by the AI boom. Public markets have already seen significant gains in companies associated with artificial intelligence, from semiconductor manufacturers to software providers.

This has created a virtuous cycle, where rising valuations attract more capital, which in turn fuels further innovation and growth. However, it also raises concerns about potential overheating.

For hedge funds, the challenge is navigating this environment without becoming overly exposed to a single theme. As BlackRocks recent warning on crowding suggests, the convergence of capital into popular trades can create systemic risks.

Anthropics rise could exacerbate these dynamics. If the company becomes a focal point for AI investment, it may draw even more capital into an already crowded space. This could increase volatility, particularly if sentiment shifts.

A Defining Moment for Venture Capital

For the venture capital industry, Anthropic represents both a triumph and a test. On one hand, it validates the model of backing high-risk, high-reward technologies. On the other hand, it raises questions about valuation discipline and the sustainability of returns.

An $800 billion valuation implies enormous expectations for future growth. Meeting these expectations will require not only technological excellence but also effective execution across a range of business functions.

For investors, the key question is whether this represents the early stages of a long-term trend or the peak of a speculative cycle. The answer will likely depend on how quickly AI can translate into tangible economic value.

Conclusion

Anthropics reported $800 billion valuation is more than just a headlineit is a signal of the transformative potential of artificial intelligence and the willingness of capital markets to bet on that future. If realized, it would mark one of the most significant valuation milestones in modern financial history, reshaping the landscape for venture capital, public equities, and alternative investments alike.

Yet, as with any period of rapid innovation and exuberance, caution is warranted. The path from breakthrough technology to sustainable profitability is rarely linear, and the stakes have never been higher. For now, Anthropic stands at the center of the AI revolutiona company that embodies both the promise and the uncertainty of a new economic era.
Forrester today released its The Top 10 Emerging Technologies In 2026 report, which highlights a pivotal shift in AI from digital experimentation to real-world transformation. AI is moving beyond software into physical environments  powering robots, vehicles, and ambient experiences that are already changing how consumers communicate, work, and buy.

As the pace of AI innovation continues, agentic software and physical AI will shape what consumers experience next, while technologies such as frontier models and AI security will be foundational to fueling future innovation. The research categorizes the top 10 emerging technologies by their impacts over short-term, medium-term, and long-term benefit horizons to help enterprises and leaders prioritize their investments. Key findings include:

Short-term emerging technologies that are quickly moving from trial to real use, delivering benefits to early adopters with solid business cases within the next two years:

Agentic commerce . Businesses will soon see ROI in owned environments such as apps or websites, where brands can leverage agentic commerce and personalization to lower friction and improve sales. Uptake in non-owned environments will take up to three years more as ecosystems develop and the underlying technology matures.

. Businesses will soon see ROI in owned environments such as apps or websites, where brands can leverage agentic commerce and personalization to lower friction and improve sales. Uptake in non-owned environments will take up to three years more as ecosystems develop and the underlying technology matures. AI security and trust technologies. As generative and agentic AI scale across enterprises, integrated security, governance, and trust controls are becoming essential. Sectors that depend on predictive models and high-stakes decisioning systems, such as financial services, healthcare, and the public sector, will see impact first.

Medium-term emerging technologies that require discipline, vision, and a substantial tolerance for risk in return for a larger reward in the next two to five years:

Agentic software development . ASD will unlock software development lifecycle acceleration as agents generate and refine software artifacts, but the technology will take a few more years to deliver significant benefits as agent coordination improves and stronger guardrails are implemented.

. ASD will unlock software development lifecycle acceleration as agents generate and refine software artifacts, but the technology will take a few more years to deliver significant benefits as agent coordination improves and stronger guardrails are implemented. Humanoid robots. Physical AI and robotics will eliminate labor bottlenecks in every industry and make way for systems to adapt on the fly, but the technology will deliver limited near-term value until organizations overcome integration, scaling, safety, data, and workforce challenges.

A long-term emerging technology that will take longer to deliver tangible value for enterprises:

Quantum computing. Advances in quantum hardware, algorithms, and hybrid architectures point toward future breakthroughs in optimization, simulation, cryptography, and materials science, but broad commercial value remains years away. Financial services, pharmaceuticals, and manufacturing will benefit from quantum first.

With new technologies constantly emerging, business and technology leaders need to plan their tech investments based on value, risk, and potential payout timelines, said Sharyn Leaver, Chief Research Officer at Forrester. While AI continues to dominate the top emerging technologies list for 2026, AI technologies vary widely in capability and impact. Our research is designed to help business and technology leaders spread their investments out by identifying shorter-term technologies that can deliver quick returns and longer-term bets that require more effort, more foundational investment, and the capacity to manage more risk.

Resources:

Learn more about this years top 10 emerging technologies in this blog.

Download The Top 10 Emerging Technologies In 2026 report (client access).

About Forrester

Forrester (Nasdaq: FORR) is one of the most influential research and advisory firms in the world. We empower leaders in technology, customer experience, digital, marketing, revenue, and product functions to make confident decisions in an AI-driven world and accelerate growth through customer obsession. Our unique research and continuous guidance model helps executives and their teams achieve their initiatives and outcomes faster and with confidence. To learn more, visit Forrester.com.
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Just when you thought Democrats couldn't sink any lower, along comes retread Kamala Harris to kiss the ring of Al Sharpton and adopt a fake mafia boss accent to tease another presidential run.

You can't make this stuff up.

Harris, the failed 2024 White House nominee, said over the weekend she just "might" run again.

"Listen, I might, I might," the former vice president told Sharpton. "I'm thinking about it."

JD Vance and Marco Rubio must be cowering in fear.

President Donald Trump doubled his share of Black voters in 2024 and Democrats think the way to combat that is to go to Al Sharpton for guidance?

The 61-year-old Harris, addressing an audience of black activists at the Sharpton conference in New York City, also mimicked what she thought was an Al Pacino mob boss accent to trash President Donald Trump.

"The way that he's thinking of foreign policy, it seems, is when he talks about America first. It's to withdraw from these relationships and these connections," Harris said. "And then he kind of, Rev, like a mob boss."

"So then he's kind of like, Well you know, you take Eastern Europe and I'll take the Western Hemisphere, and then you over there, you get Asia. And we'll just divide it up,'" she said, the accent getting more bizarre as she went along.

"Add Mafia boss to Kamala Harris's list of embarrassing accents," the Republican National Convention team wrote.

Harris, from Berkeley California, sometimes adopted a southern accent as she campaigned in 2024.

She was among about a dozen potential Democratic presidential hopefuls  each one lamer than the next  to address the Sharpton gathering at a Midtown hotel, an odd choice for Democrats to kick off the 2028 cycle.

And they want to prevent New Hampshire from holding the first primary?

Politico reported that Harris drew the most "buzz" at the disgraced Sharpton's National Action Network Convention over the weekend.

Other potential "star" candidates included former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker, Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, Arizona Sens. Ruben Gallego and Mark Kelly, Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear, Rep. Ro Khanna of California, Maryland Gov. Wes Moore and New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker.

Sounds more like a roster of potential VP candidates.

Buttigieg "strongly hinted" at another presidential run, Politico reported.

Democrats lost a major chunk of Black voters to Trump in 2024 and if they keep going like this, will lose even more in the next election.

Harris urged Black voters to be "transactional" with their votes in 2028.

"Get yours," she told Sharpton. "Vote and say, I'm voting because I expect something out of this. I'm saying it's okay to also give people permission to be transactional, and to say, if you will get my vote, this is what I expect. I expect to get something out of this."

(COMMENT, BELOW)

Joe Battenfeld

Boston Herald/(TNS)

Joe Battenfeld is a veteran Boston Herald political columnist and multimedia reporter.

Previously:
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On one of his recent shows, Bill Maher stated (and later posted on X), "Democrats are not going to win the midterms. Republicans are going to lose it."

In response, Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah) asked on X, "(1) Is he right? (2) Why?"

OK, Senator, I'll give this a shot.

If Maher is right, it's because:

1. Each day's news brings more evidence of widespread fraud in this country, bilking American taxpayers out of unfathomable amounts of their money. Independent journalist Nick Shirley exposed the fraudulent child care and medical transport services in Minnesota  created largely by Somali immigrants  and calculated it at more than $100 million. This fell on the heels of the $250 million "Feeding Our Futures" scam perpetrated during the COVID-19 pandemic. Now we're told that the financial fraud in that state could top $9 billion.

But those amounts are dwarfed by the fraud in California, where recent investigations have turned up $170 million in child care fraud and $3.5 billion in hospice fraud (in Los Angeles County alone.) Then there's the $15 billion spent on "high-speed rail"  without even a single foot of track having been laid.

How about the fraud perpetrated on the American public with the "Russia collusion" hoax?

We see plenty of Fox News appearances, irate posts on X and even a smattering of congressional hearings. But where are the indictments, the arrests, the prosecutions? (The "Feeding Our Future" fraudsters have been indicted, but that fraud took place half a decade ago.) Republicans run the Justice Department; what are they doing?

2. The single most important issue to Americans is election integrity. This isn't just a conservative voter issue, a Republican voter issue or a white voter issue. According to multiple polling outlets, a wide majority of Americans want voter ID as part of election security. Harvard CAPS/Harris puts the number at 81% of Americans, including 79% of independents and 70% of Democrats. Pew reports that 75% of Americans across all racial backgrounds want voter ID. Gallup puts the numbers even higher, with 84% of Americans overall wanting voter ID, including 98% of Republicans and 84% of independents. Eighty-three percent of those Gallup polled also want proof of American citizenship.

And yet somehow, a Republican-controlled Congress will not pass the SAVE America Act. Not cannot pass it, will not pass it.

3. In general, President Donald Trump is having to govern by executive order, because the Republican-controlled Congress appears to be doing very little. If Democrats had even the bare majorities Republicans have now, they'd be ramming their left-wing agenda items down our gullets so fast we'd be choking on them. But when Republicans get control of Congress, they act like a middle school student council given control of the mayor's office for a day. Or highly paid court jesters.

4. Republicans voters also want an end to illegal immigration, the enforcement of our borders, and deportation of people here illegally. They do not want amnesty or government benefits for people who came here illegally. But instead of moving on the issues their voters care about, we have Republicans like Florida congresswoman Maria Salazar repackaging "amnesty" and calling it the "Dignity ("Dignitad") Act." She and Texas Republican congressman Brandon Gill are now in a war of words about it on X. Popular X accounts Matt Van Swol, Wall Street Mav and DataRepublican (among an increasing number of others) have called Salazar's bluff (and that of her 19 Republican cosponsors) by reading the entire 261-page bill and explaining, with quotes and page numbers, how the "Dignity Act" is amnesty  and then some.

What's worse is that we don't really know how many people are living here illegally. We're told it's 7 million. Or maybe 10 million. But it's probably much more. The Federation for American Immigration Reform put the number last year at 18.6 million. Amnesty means millions more people added to the voter rolls (and most won't vote Republican, Rep. Salazar), millions more sponsoring family members to come in, and millions more struggling to get in themselves. As Ronald Reagan discovered when he signed an amnesty bill in 1986, "amnesty now and enforcement later" means "amnesty now and enforcement never." Because it takes courage to enforce the law, and Republicans don't have any, even when they're in power.

5. Trump ran on improving the economy and no wars. Now there is war in Iran. Gas is over $4 a gallon. The stock market is down (a huge hit for people living on a fixed income and dependent on the performance of their pensions). The price of oil affects huge swaths of the economy. What's the end game here? When do things get better?

I'm old enough to remember a free Iran, and I support the end of the mullahs' reign there, the elimination of the threat of their having nuclear capability, and the liberation of the Iranian people. But it's not among Americans' top priorities, and the voters who elected Trump don't see those priorities being addressed. Furthermore, at this writing, Iran and the United States are in a "ceasefire," which Trump says presents the possibility of a resolution. But any resolution of this conflict that does not include the permanent removal of the mullahs from power will be a failure.

The midterms are seven months away, and a lot can happen in that time. But the Republican leadership in Congress has established a practice of dragging its feet, and there's little reason to think they'll suddenly change their modus operandi as the election gets closer.

They'd better. A loss at the midterms will be disastrous. We can expect a Democrat-controlled Congress to impeach Trump (and likely other members of his administration). They will not show the same deference to procedural niceties that Republicans profess. Instead, they'll nuke the filibuster, pass amnesty, open the borders, defund federal law enforcement (including and especially Immigration and Customs Enforcement), reimpose censorship, renew their lawfare efforts, prosecute their political enemies and pack the Supreme Court. Which means you can kiss any judicial imposition of constitutional limits on government power bye-bye.

And that's just for starters.

You guys better get off your rear ends and do what we sent you to Congress to do. And don't bleat that Senate Majority Leader John Thune won't let you. If he's in the way, remove him and get the job done. Or lose in November.

There, Sen. Lee. Does that answer your questions?

(COMMENT, BELOW)

Laura Hollis is an attorney and academic. She resides in Indiana with her husband and their two children.


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ALLENTOWN  FBI Director Kash Patel joined a roundtable hosted by Sen. David McCormick (R-Pa.) earlier this month to discuss the work the Trump administration, Congress, local law enforcement and area prosecutors have done to curb the fentanyl trade in Pennsylvania over the past 13 months.

McCormick led the packed event at the Edward N. Chan Federal Building and said that while the state's death rate due to fentanyl overdoses has significantly decreased over the past year and a half, there was still work to be done. The senator said that fentanyl killed 4,000 Pennsylvanians per year between 2020 and 2023, but preliminary data showed that number fell to approximately 1,500 in 2025.

"That is the lowest number in a decade," McCormick said.

Patel credited the disruption of trafficking networks, enhanced enforcement efforts and the direction of treatment and recovery programs for the substantial progress.

Sitting across from Patel and McCormick were the Cullen, Miller and Ott families, all of whom lost children to fentanyl. They discussed the pain and devastation they experienced, stressing they don't want to see it happen to another family.

In 2024, then-candidate Donald Trump campaigned on a drug-war approach to fentanyl. This included strong border security and enforcement, pressure on foreign nations such as China and Mexico to curtail the flow of fentanyl manufacturing and trafficking, and severe legal penalties to disrupt drug supply chains.

Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday said that because of the state's collaborative efforts with both the local and federal partners, his office was able to remove a staggering 56.5 million doses of fentanyl last year alone.

In a joint interview with the Washington Examiner after the roundtable, both McCormick and Patel discussed how moved they were by the families' stories. They said the success of the past year was an inspiration to increase their efforts going forward. Patel discussed his visit with his counterpart in China, which resulted in increased export controls on the 13 precursor chemicals used by Mexican cartels to produce fentanyl.

WASHINGTON EXAMINER: You discussed numbers today in the fentanyl crisis, but you also sat across the table of families who were one of those numbers. What is the human element of this crisis like for you when you are face to face with the victims?

PATEL: It's two things: It's heartbreaking, and it's inspiring. It's heartbreaking because you have something that's irreplaceable that they lost that maybe could have been prevented if the prior administration had taken the steps we are taking. It's also inspiring because you know that you can take their stories, and our agents live and breathe them every day at the FBI, and say, "We're going to stop the next one."

And how do we learn from what happened to them to save the next life, or the next 10 lives, or a hundred or thousand lives? So for me, getting out of D.C. and meeting the Americans that are impacted by what we do in Washington, and where we came up short, and where we succeeded, is truly some of the best trips I can do. And coming to Pennsylvania is exactly that.

WASHINGTON EXAMINER: Do your agents talk to you about the impact it has on them? What do your agents tell you when they talk to you about this?

PATEL: My agents, almost 12,000 of them, tell me what my agents told me here today, which is, thanks for taking the shackles off us. Thanks for removing the bureaucracy, and thanks for letting us do what we signed up to do, which is crush violent crime and defend the homeland. And it wasn't anything that was new or super secret. It was simply letting them do what they signed up to do, the mission. And I hear that in every single state I go to, and that's how I know we are on the right track.

WASHINGTON EXAMINER: Sen. McCormick, you did a lot of events running for office around the fentanyl crisis, including with Sheriff Ott of Blairsville, who lost a son. What have you learned from these relationships? What's it like for you?

McCORMICK: It was probably the most shocking thing I discovered on the campaign trail. The scale, 4,000 Pennsylvanians, 100,000 Americans, and you look at those statistics and people's eyes glaze over (at) the numbers, but again, that is someone's family in those numbers. The reference point is how many people died in Vietnam. Remember, 52,000 people died in Vietnam. One hundred thousand died (from) fentanyl in one year. So it's just so shocking. So you have the shock effect. But then I met, through the campaign, with a number of families that were affected by it. And I did a sheriff's event where all the sheriffs came out to endorse me, and Sheriff Ott said, "Can I speak with you privately?" And he had heard me talking about fentanyl. He said, "I think I can help you on this." He said, "I lost my son." And he and I sort of bonded from that point forward, and he became my biggest advocate.

Every time you hear these parents' stories, it's so excruciating. And as a father of six daughters, just to imagine it. And two of these cases, the kids didn't even know they were ingesting fentanyl. It's a poison that was integrated in other things.

WASHINGTON EXAMINER: What did you do once you were sworn in?

McCORMICK: Once I got to Washington, I was like, "What can we do?" And of course, the president was all over this, secure the border, China. And I tried to do my part in legislation. So I'm involved. I'm a cosponsor of five or six bills that are focused specifically on fentanyl or synthetics, the next generation, nitazene, and things like that.

We have leadership (with) the president, we have leadership with the director, we have it in Congress, the U.S. attorney, these districts, everybody, you can feel it. They are focused. You didn't see one person in this roundtable try to sort of bigfoot anybody else and take credit. Of course, the resources are a critical part of it, but I think the focus and the team at that ethos, "We're going to crush this thing," is what's making a difference.

WASHINGTON EXAMINER: Director Patel, can you please discuss the root causes of the fentanyl crisis? And is that why (you visited) China last November, where the components are made, then shipped to countries south of our border?

PATEL: We needed a couple of things to happen. We needed a commander in chief who was willing to engage on the global stage with efficacy. And that's what we have with President Trump. He met with President Xi (Jinping) ... and they set up the framework for fentanyl, specifically for the scourge and crisis of fentanyl in America. And then, my trip to Beijing for the first time in over a decade as FBI director, would show up and engage with my counterparts for the first time. And thanks to President Trump's leadership, we were able to come to an agreement to shut off the 13 precursors that the Mexican drug traffickers were using to make the fentanyl.

That was a critical point of it. Reaching that historic agreement was attacking it at the source in terms of origination materials. President Trump didn't stop there. We are still going with ferocity after the drug traffickers in Mexico, and he was the one that designated them foreign terrorist organizations, giving us law enforcement more tools that we can use like we used to do to manhunt al-Qaeda and ISIS. We're now doing it against the Gulf Cartel, CGNC and every cartel down there.

So when you set up on both sets of the spectrum, you're able to really attack this problem. And that's why you saw the historic results. I mean, we say these numbers, and I didn't get to say this earlier, these are truly historic numbers for law enforcement and for President Trump, who backed law enforcement. We have saved hundreds of thousands of lives under this commander in chief.

We have taken enough fentanyl (off the) streets to (kill) 178 million Americans in one year. That's a 31% increase. Murder rate's down 20%. Opioid deaths are down 20%. I mean, the list goes on. Any one of those for just the FBI would have been a banner a year. And thanks to President Trump, we've done it all in 13, 14 months. And we're not stopping ... until we completely annihilate the problem. So starting the precursors and then meeting the problem head-on in Mexico.

WASHINGTON EXAMINER: What was your reception like in China?

PATEL: They were more than receptive. If they weren't receptive, we wouldn't have walked out of there with an agreement with President Trump and the Chinese government to shut off the precursors.

They got it. And that's because he set the stage and led that effort and made fentanyl, made attacking the fentanyl crisis a priority for law enforcement. That's what we did. And I mean, that in and of itself, getting an agreement with modern-day China and the United States of America to attack drug trafficking, is in itself history.

(COMMENT, BELOW)

Salena Zito is a CNN political analyst, and a staff reporter and columnist for the Washington Examiner. She reaches the Everyman and Everywoman through shoe-leather journalism, traveling from Main Street to the beltway and all places in between.
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"War is Hell," said Union General William Tecumseh Sherman in 1879.

Pope Leo and three cardinals of the Catholic Church who appeared last Sunday on "60 Minutes," agree. The problem for these theologians is that for them it appears war is only Hell when it is engaged in by the United States and for the best of reasons. They have little to say about the terrorist regime in Iran or for that matter the slaughter of civilians by Vladimir Putin's army in Ukraine.

These church leaders seem to be engaging in a kind of immoral equivalency. Do they not know that the Islamic regime hates Christians and Jews and believes their deity demands they be killed?

American Catholics have frequently disagreed with their popes, especially on issues such as abortion and traditional marriage. Consider Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) and former President Joe Biden, among the high-profile adherents to that faith. Both, along with other Democrat politicians who are Catholic, disregarded their church's teaching on these issues.

Pope Leo began the year criticizing America's military action in Venezuela, which removed the dictator and election cheat Nicolas Maduro from power and offered at least the hope of more freedom to the nation's population. How is repression a Catholic or even a biblical norm? Previous popes, notably John Paul II, were vociferous opponents of communism and especially the Soviet Union. Ronald Reagan famously called the Soviet Union an "evil empire." He knew evil when he saw it. The same might be said for President Trump when it comes to Venezuela, Iran and possibly Cuba, which Trump has hinted may be next on his "hit list."

At the time of the American Revolution, another pope  Pius VI  was on the wrong side of history. As Brady J. Crytzer writes in Journal for the American Revolution: "The American Revolution represented a looming crisis to the Pope, for its success was understood as a degradation of freedom, not an achievement."

Pope Pius XII failed to speak out against the Holocaust. Recently opened Vatican archives suggest he knew of the mass murder of Jews by the Nazi regime by 1942, but feared public protest would worsen persecution and endanger Catholics.

Since 1979, the ayatollah regime in Iran and its proxies have been responsible for numerous American deaths through targeted attacks, bombings and hostage crises. Major incidents include the 1983 Beirut barracks bombing, the 1996 Khobar Towers bombing and ongoing proxy actions in Iraq, Syria and Yemen, with thousands of U.S. troops wounded or killed over their four decades in dictatorial power. Is war to stop future atrocities  with a promise of worse to come, including the possibility of nuclear war which would kill millions  not on Pope Leo's unbalanced moral scales?

The theory of a just war, which is likely familiar to the pope, says war can be justified under the following conditions: "having a just cause (for example self-defense), right intention (peace), legitimate authority, last resort, proportionality and probability of success."

The Iran war is a pre-emptive strike to prevent the regime from obtaining a nuclear weapon and using it to kill millions. If that does not justify what is currently taking place, what does? As mentioned on previous occasions, popes have been wrong as the outcomes of some wars and revolutions have shown. The first American pope cannot be ignorant of this history.

(COMMENT, BELOW)

Cal Thomas, America's most-syndicated columnist, is the author of 10 books.


One hundred million Americans carry medical debt. Research published in JAMA Network Open found that medical debt is associated with higher mortality across every leading cause of death, including suicide. A national study in the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry found that people carrying debt burden are more than three times as likely to attempt suicide. Sixteen percent of suicides in this country involve a financial crisis. I do not write that to shock anyone. Physicians see the early stages of this every day and may not recognize what they are looking at. The patient who nods along with the treatment plan but never schedules the follow-up, who fills one prescription but not the other, who stops coming without explanation. I coordinate medical care abroad for Americans. The people who contact me are not the ones you would picture; they are not wealthy, and they are not thrill-seekers looking for a deal on a nose job. Almost without exception, they are people whose doctors recommended a treatment that the system made unaffordable.

A close friend of mine, a woman in her mid-30s working two jobs, had a severe rheumatoid arthritis flare-up late last year. She had employer insurance through a nonprofit advocacy organization. For six months, she did what patients are supposed to do: She saw her doctors, followed up on referrals, and waited for approvals. Her insurer denied one treatment after another. Prior authorizations came back rejected. Her physicians were overruled on clinical decisions. Then federal budget cuts eliminated her position and her coverage with it. After six months of fighting for care, she was uninsured with an active flare and no path forward in the U.S. system. She is now exploring rheumatology treatment in China through my organization, where biologic therapies and specialist rheumatology care are available at a fraction of the U.S. price. She did not want to travel halfway around the world for medical care. Every other option had been exhausted.

Her story is not unusual. One-third of Americans skipped or postponed care last year because of cost. Nearly a quarter of insured adults are underinsured, and 57 percent of that group reports avoiding care for financial reasons. Over 27 million people have no insurance at all. Another 41 percent of the privately insured hold high-deductible plans that make them functionally self-pay for most elective procedures. And it is about to get worse, as the Congressional Budget Office projects that 7.5 million Americans will lose Medicaid under recent spending cuts, with up to 15 million losing health coverage by 2034. ACA premium subsidies have expired. Twenty-two million people face sharply higher premiums or lost marketplace plans this year. Most physicians do not see the price discovery process that self-pay and underinsured patients go through, and honestly, it is a mess. The CMS Hospital Price Transparency rule was supposed to fix this, but only 21 percent of hospitals are fully compliant. Where data does exist, it is buried in machine-readable files designed for insurers and practically useless to someone trying to figure out whether they can afford a procedure.

Cash prices for the same procedure vary by a factor of three to 30 across hospitals, according to findings published in Medical Care by Linde and Egede. Hospital posted charges run two and a half to 10 times the actual cost of care, and the RAND Corporation documented commercial insurance rates averaging 254 percent of what Medicare pays. In analysis we conducted across 424 procedures and 21 specialties, we found that publicly available Medicare data can predict self-pay cash prices with about 17 percent error. That is far from exact, but consider what patients have now: nothing. A patient facing a $30,000 hospital quote has no way to know if that number is reasonable or three times what they should be paying.

I am not suggesting every physician become an expert in international health care or pricing models. But there is something practical that would help: Ask your patients about cost before they stop showing up. Patients will not bring it up. They will not mention they are rationing medication, splitting pills to stretch a prescription, or quietly giving up on the procedure you recommended. One question changes that. Is cost going to be a barrier to getting this done? It tells the patient you see what they are dealing with, and it gives you a chance to intervene before you lose them, such as providing a referral to a financial counselor, a lower-cost facility, or an adjusted approach. Without that conversation, treatable conditions keep going untreated until they become terminal. Families go bankrupt paying for care that costs a fraction of the price in other countries. Parents face the choice between depleting their childrens futures and forgoing their own treatment. Some choose a third option that no one should have to consider. If the system will not change fast enough to help the people in your waiting room, the least we can do is ask the question before they stop showing up.

Adam Cunningham is a health care executive.
China supports momentum of ceasefire, peace talks, FM tells Iranian counterpart

Xinhua) 08:26, April 16, 2026

BEIJING, April 15 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said Wednesday that China supports maintaining the momentum of ceasefire and peace talks, which serves the fundamental interests of the Iranian people and reflects the shared expectations of countries in the region and the international community.

Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks when speaking to Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi over phone.

Araghchi briefed Wang on the latest developments of Iran-U.S. negotiations and Iran's considerations, saying that Tehran is willing to continue seeking a rational and practical solution through peace talks.

Iran appreciates China's continued efforts to help ease tensions in the region, Araghchi said, adding that Tehran expects Beijing to play a positive role in promoting peace and ending the war.

For his part, Wang said that China, as always, supports Iran in safeguarding its sovereignty security and national dignity. President Xi Jinping has put forward a four-point proposal on promoting peace and stability in the Middle East, contributing a Chinese approach to resolving the crisis, he added.

The current situation has reached a critical stage between war and peace, with a window for peace opening, Wang said.

He called for respect for and safeguarding of Iran's sovereignty security and legitimate rights as a country along the Strait of Hormuz, as well as guaranteeing the freedom and safety of international navigation through the strait.

It is a shared call of the international community to strive to restore normal navigation through the strait, Wang added.

Following Xi's four-point proposal, China is ready to continue promoting de-escalation of the situation, facilitate improved relations among regional countries, and play a constructive role in ultimately achieving lasting peace and stability in the Middle East, Wang noted.

(Web editor: Wang Xiaoping, Liang Jun)
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What happens when a patient cant afford the treatment you prescribe but is too embarrassed to say so? Health care executive Adam Cunningham joins the show to unpack the devastating ripple effects of medical debt, drawing on his KevinMD article, The hidden toll of medical debt on patient health and survival, and sharing how one friend lost her job, her insurance, and nearly her ability to function before finding affordable biologic treatment for rheumatoid arthritis overseas. Youll hear why 16 percent of U.S. suicides have a contributing factor of medical debt, how patients weigh financial ruin against ending their lives, and what makes Chinas tier one hospitals a surprisingly viable option for Americans priced out of care at home. Cunningham explains the accreditation systems that ensure quality abroad, the role patient advocates play in navigating costs, and the one question every physician should ask before assuming a patient will follow through on a treatment plan. If youve ever wondered whether medical tourism is legitimate or just risky, this episode offers a grounded, practical perspective you need to hear.

Partner with me on the KevinMD platform. With over three million monthly readers and half a million social media followers, I give you direct access to the doctors and patients who matter most. Whether you need a sponsored article, email campaign, video interview, or a spot right here on the podcast, I offer the trusted space your brand deserves to be heard. Lets work together to tell your story.

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Transcript

Kevin Pho: Hi, and welcome to the show. Subscribe at KevinMD.com/podcast. Today we welcome Adam Cunningham, health care executive. Todays KevinMD article is The hidden toll of medical debt on patient health and survival. Adam, welcome to the show.

Adam Cunningham: Thank you very much for having me, Kevin. It is a pleasure to be on, and it is a pleasure to have sent my article to you as well.

Kevin Pho: All right, so tell us a little bit about yourself and what led you to write this article on KevinMD.

Adam Cunningham: Well, there are a variety of reasons. You could take the personal angle, or you could take the social angle. I have wanted to help people get into medicine ever since I was about four years old. I was a very sick child in Australia with asthma day in and day out, and I decided I wanted to be a doctor. I got to that point and realized that there is more to do, and I got very sick myself. So working inside of medicine was something quite difficult for me.

For instance, I have a friend in Maine in the U.S. She worked as a womens advocate, lost her job due to recent budget cuts in the U.S., and simply was unable to afford a treatment for rheumatoid arthritis, which she developed quite aggressively to the point where she can barely function in day-to-day life. Coming from that, I decided that I think I can help these people. I have certainly enough training and experience to understand the issues. So how do I help?

What brought me to that is the realization that geopolitical and social perspectives on other countries and outside health care are shifting significantly. Places that we wouldnt necessarily consider for getting treatment are all of a sudden viable destinations. If it is too expensive and you cant afford treatment in your home country, then why would you settle for a lifetime of pain and suffering when you can get a comparable solution elsewhere? So that is where I am now.

Kevin Pho: All right. In your KevinMD article, you talk about the hidden toll of medical debt on patient health and survival, and you cite some pretty stark statistics that connect debt with higher mortality rates and suicides. Tell us more about that article and those statistics for those that didnt get a chance to read it.

Adam Cunningham: Sure. Well, it is a pretty obvious conclusion that you have to come to if you are someone who comes into a whole bunch of medical debt. As a matter of fact, there is a great show about it, Breaking Bad. But it is quite simple. Say you are a family man or a family woman and you have got a whole bunch of medical debt. Say you have got cancer or something like that. All of a sudden you have got costs that are not just in the tens of thousands, but hundreds of thousands, and in some peoples cases, millions of dollars worth of treatment.

You have several options. You can burn through a lifetime of wealth that you have acquired and leave nothing for your spouse and leave nothing for your children. Or you can make another decision and simply end it all, whether it is through the pressure that is put upon you or whether it is through the desire or wish to improve the odds and chances for your family in the future. There is a whole host of reasons that can contribute to it. But charging hundreds of thousands of dollars for treatment that can be had elsewhere for thousands or tens of thousands of dollars is an absurdity that is going to result in people reaching for an option that should not be taken, especially in some of the richest countries in the world, and in particular the U.S.

Kevin Pho: One of the statistics that you cite was that 16 percent of suicides in the United States had a contributing factor of medical debt, right? You started off by sharing that story of your friend who couldnt afford rheumatoid arthritis treatment in the United States and had to go abroad. Tell us about that journey of your friend.

Adam Cunningham: Well, as I said, she was a womens advocate worker in Maine. She lost her job to budget cuts. It is a story that I think is quite familiar for a lot of Americans. As a result, she lost her health care insurance that was provided by her employer, which is a common story. The insurance companies, while she still had coverage, tried to give her the runaround for as long as possible and made things as difficult as possible. By the time she eventually lost her health care, she hadnt received any real treatment. There had been no improvement of symptoms, and it has just been a struggle ever since.

So when it comes to how that applies to her, she was able to get biologic treatment in China. As a matter of fact, this is before I even started this business. I just simply helped her out, and we contacted a bunch of hospitals. Before you know it, she was getting biologic treatment in China for her rheumatoid arthritis. I wont say that it has been a cost-free treatment process, but it has certainly been cheaper and quicker than had she tried to do it in the U.S. All up, it took us about four months to really get started on things. But now she is back to working. She is able to not just exist, but rather to go about her life in a relatively happy and healthy manner.

I think this is an option that exists for a lot of people in perhaps areas that they dont necessarily consider. When you have limited options because of the financial burden that would be placed upon you, you dont necessarily consider all those other things that need to get fixed up. All of those other things contribute to quality of life. People who have things such as TMJ issues, as an example, might leave it for 10 or 20 years simply because of the cost of getting treatment. Quite often, surgery is something that they just dont want to consider, so they suffer with it. But when that fix could be had for a relatively small amount of money in overseas countries, who wouldnt want to do that?

Kevin Pho: Now I always hear horror stories in the media about patients going abroad or to other countries where the care isnt quite the same as it is in the United States, and then they have bad outcomes because of that. How does one guard against some of those risks of going abroad, and how do they know that the care they are getting could be comparable to the care they are getting in the United States?

Adam Cunningham: I wont necessarily speak to other countries such as Thailand or Mexico. They are not my area of specialty. However, I can speak quite intensively as to the situation in China. I recently published a blog article on our website regarding the quality of health care and hospitals in China. It is an incredibly intensive process for accreditation and quality control in China, in particular compared to a lot of other countries, even the U.S.

Of course, there are going to be issues with various hospitals everywhere. If you go to some of the premier hospitals in New York, they are going to be significantly better than going out somewhere in the middle of Arkansas. The same goes for everywhere else, such as China. So we locate a lot of our partnered and associated hospitals in the tier-one cities in China, and they all have what is called 3A accreditation and certification. In China, there are about 35,000 different hospitals, and of those 35,000, about 1,600 have 3A accreditation. This is a government quality assurance accreditation that essentially proves that they are at the very peak of medical quality, whether it is in the cleanliness of their hospitals, the qualifications of their staff, or the outcomes of their patients. 3A pretty much is the top of the board. On top of that, you have got your international accreditations such as the JCI or Joint Commission International, which accredits hospitals, and there are about 50 of those in China right now. All the hospitals and clinics that we are partnered with currently are JCI accredited hospitals, which is really the international standard.

Kevin Pho: So in terms of other treatments and procedures, you mentioned this case with biologics for rheumatoid arthritis. What other common areas are people going to China for because of high costs in the United States?

Adam Cunningham: Well, it is not something that I necessarily believe to be the best choice, but I have seen a lot of recent TikToks and Instagram reels about people going to China for MRIs by comparison to the U.S. They talk about how they can go to China, specifically Shanghai, and get an MRI for 72 dollars or something like that. While that is true, I wouldnt necessarily recommend it. There are a lot of places in the U.S. that do offer quite reasonable treatment. They are just difficult to find.

When it comes to China, pretty much anything and everything you could possibly want to do is available. There are a lot of experimental cancer treatments there, as well as a lot of stem cell treatments. IVF is one of the biggest ones, in particular because of the one-child policy that they have had, and the knock-on effects of that. A lot of people are into IVF, so there is a massive industry built around it. Not just a massive industry in terms of quantity, but as a result of that quantity, the practitioners there have frankly perhaps more experience than anyone else in the world. I have spoken to doctors who have literally done tens of thousands of IVF procedures. That is not necessarily the volume or experience you would expect in other places.

Then you have got plenty of other things such as traditional Chinese medicine, a lot of acupuncture, and a lot of massage that is integrated into medical treatment. When people go in for a hip replacement, a lot of hospitals, in particular private ones in China, also have traditional Chinese medicine incorporated into their services. In addition to that, a lot of specialist treatments that, at least in Australia, you might have to go to Germany or the U.S. for, are quite often available in China to one degree or another. I think that is the strength of things. You dont necessarily have to go to Germany or a particularly overworked clinic or hospital in the U.S. when you can go to China and not face a wait time of six to eight weeks or three to four months. If you want to go in and get treatment, it is just a matter of how quickly you can get there. So I would frankly say anything and everything that you could possibly want to do medically speaking, you can do it in China.

Kevin Pho: So what happens if there are longer-term complications from whatever medicine and treatment a patient has in China and they come back to the United States? Talk to us a little bit about some of the follow-up and potential complications that could arise.

Adam Cunningham: Well, as I am sure you are quite well aware, pretty much any surgery or anything that involves some kind of incision in the skin is liable at some point or another to create some form of infection or lead to some form of infection. Most hospitals that we work with in China are quite aggressive when it comes to making sure that these things dont happen. Having been around plenty of hospitals in my life, I would say some of these are the most aggressive hospitals when it comes to making sure of the cleanliness and the very high standards of medical practice.

To answer your question fully, they quite often suggest a waiting time of two weeks or so when visiting China for surgical treatments. That is just a period in which you basically stick around. You dont necessarily have to be in the hospital. You can be at a hotel or something like that where you can be monitored and assessed, and then they can give you the all-clear to go back home. On top of that, all of the reports, all of the imaging, and pretty much anything that could be written down is then passed on to your doctor or to your medical team in the U.S. As long as your doctor in the U.S. agrees to it, all of the information regarding your treatment in China can be easily passed on and then can be monitored and supported from there. So it is really not a complicated issue, I dont think.

Kevin Pho: If a patient is in a similar situation to your friend and considering going to China or another country for lower-cost treatment, tell us the type of questions they need to ask themselves and the type of questions they need to ask whomever is arranging this to make sure that is the right option for them.

Adam Cunningham: Of course. In the end, I run a business where we refer people to Chinese health care. However, regardless of my own wants, wishes, and desires, I think the most important thing that people need to ask themselves is: Can I get it at home? Can I get what I want at home for a reasonable price? While I will say yes, there are very affordable quality procedures available in China, there are also very affordable quality procedures available in the U.S. It is just a question of looking in the right places.

One of the first things I would say is to speak with an advocate. Patient advocates are probably the most important resource for anyone who is undergoing some kind of surgical treatment or medical treatment. In effect, their responsibility is to help you. The hospitals responsibility is not necessarily to help you, but to make money out of you. By employing or consulting with a patient advocate, you are able to cross out both of those effects to some degree and reach a happy midpoint. So that would be the first step that I would take if I were a patient.

From there, I would start looking abroad. As I am sure you know, there are quite a few good medical tourism opportunities. However, from my experience and my study, and of course I have to say this, I believe China to be frankly the best combination of quality and price. While there are cheaper options, like India or the Philippines for instance, when it comes to the quality that you would expect from tier-one hospitals in the U.S., that is the same quality that tier-one providers in China will provide, however, without the cost.

Kevin Pho: As a primary care physician here in the United States, tell me the type of questions I should be asking patients to make sure that all the other United States options from a cost standpoint are fully explored before patients consider something abroad. What are the type of questions I can ask in the exam room?

Adam Cunningham: Probably the first question that I think you could ask a patient is whether they have spoken to another doctor. Have you got a second opinion? I am sure that is a question you have had to ask many times, but most people overlook it. I certainly know that many practitioners overlook it, but I think that is the most important thing to consider: Have you tried to get a second opinion on this? You dont just get a second opinion by going to another doctor; the facility itself can provide other options. Consulting advocates, for instance, provides other options.

On top of that, the other question that I think would be best to ask would be: What is your financial situation? I think that is perhaps one of the most important things to consider as a practitioner. I certainly was taught that you dont just have to attack the presentation itself, but you also need to understand the patient and the particular circumstances that they are living under. If a patient is prescribed a certain drug and they cant afford it, they might not necessarily tell you. It is something that could very well embarrass a patient to say that they cant afford it. I certainly know in my experience that I have seen patients who will say they will get a drug, but when we verify with a hospital pharmacy, there is no record of them doing it. You wont necessarily know these things unless you go above and beyond as a practitioner and investigate it. Is my patient actually taking this drug? Is my patient actually following up on treatment? I think the most important thing to ask is if your patient can afford this treatment.

Kevin Pho: We are talking to Adam Cunningham. He is a health care executive. Todays KevinMD article is The hidden toll of medical debt on patient health and survival. Adam, lets end with some take-home messages that you want to leave with the KevinMD audience.

Adam Cunningham: My take-home message, I think to reiterate, is that as a practitioner, one of the most important things you can do is to understand if your patient can afford the treatments that you suggest. You need to understand if your patient can afford the care that you suggest, whether it is investigations or treatments. As a patient, I think the most important thing that you can do is to explore options, whether those options be second opinions, patient advocates, or treatment abroad. For both parties, I think the most important thing to do is to fully understand the situation, to collect and collate as much information as possible, and then to make a decision with that information.

Kevin Pho: Adam, thank you so much for sharing your perspective and insight. Thanks again for coming on the show.

Adam Cunningham: A pleasure, Kevin. Have a good day.

Editors note: A statement made during this episode about Joint Commission International (JCI), a health care accrediting organization serving more than 80 countries, is incorrect. JCI does not currently operate in China and does not accredit any health care organizations in the country.
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Manuel Roberto Farias Laguna, accused of leading a fiscal fuel theft (huachicol fiscal) network that brought millions of liters of fuel into Mexico through maritime customs, sent a letter to President Claudia Sheinbaum.

La Silla Rota obtained this handwritten document from the so-called fuel-theft sailor, in which Farias Laguna asks the president for her intervention.

The sailor is being held in pretrial detention on charges of organized crime and offenses related to hydrocarbons.

In the letter, the sailor claims his right to an adequate defense has been violated. Through the Office of the Attorney General of the Republic, I have requested various investigative actions since November 7, 2025, and the Navy has refused to provide them under an arbitrary claim of information being classified, arguing impacts on national security and harm to the Mexican State, which leaves me in a complete state of defenselessness, he states.

He adds that this refusal by both the Attorney Generals Office and the Navy has prevented him from proving and demonstrating my innocence regarding the acts they intend to charge me with.

One year after the major seizure that exposed the fiscal fuel theft network led by Manuel Roberto Farias Laguna, along with his brother Fernando, the defendant requested Sheinbaums assistance.

ALSO READ: El Mencho tried to evade the Army with a facelift and hair and beard implants

In the handwritten letter, Farias Laguna said he is the most interested in clarifying these events and in demonstrating the truth, but these delaying tactics and the attempt to classify information only undermine human rights and due process.

In the letter, he also reiterated his subordination and respect.

Context

Vice Admiral Manuel Roberto Farias Laguna of the Navy, along with his brother Fernando, led a network of 13 people responsible for bringing refined fuel from the United States into Mexico using false documentation, passing it off as additives, oils, or ingredients for fuel productionwhat is known as fiscal fuel theft, as it involves tax evasion, unlike traditional fuel theft.

The Farias Laguna brothers are nephews of Rafael Ojeda Duran, Secretary of the Navy during the administration of Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, when the organized crime activities involving hydrocarbons were carried out.

High-ranking naval officers allowed the entry of 31 vessels loaded with millions of liters of fuel into the ports of Tampico and Altamira, in Tamaulipas.

The fiscal fuel theft network was dismantled in March 2025, when 10 million liters of fuel were seized aboard the vessel Challenge Procyon, which had departed from Texas.

Below is the sailors handwritten letter.

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Disappearances of minors in northern Mexico have risen as a result of the conflict between the Chapos and the Mayos. Teenagers from Durango, for example, travel to neighboring states lured by false job offers; they are recruited and then disappear in Sinaloa, according to search collectives.

Carmen Rosario Soto Valles, founder of the collective Buscando Emiliosnamed after her brother Emilio, who has been missing since 2008 in Sinaloaexplains that they also face a lack of coordination among state prosecutors offices in carrying out search efforts.

Yes, we are seeing an increase in the disappearance of minors. Unfortunately, they are being recruited and taken to armed confrontations in both Sinaloa and Zacatecas. There has been a significant risewere talking about children between 13 and 17 years old. I have two cases of 13-year-olds, another of 14, one more of 15, and one of 17. Its tragic, and its increasing, she said in an interview with La Silla Rota.

Families who report these cases to authorities are often revictimized. The response they receive is that they are responsible for failing to properly care for their children. Thats what they said about Rafaela minor whose case we handledthey declared at the Durango Prosecutors Office that it was due to neglect.

She clarified that adults from Durango do not disappear in Sinaloa only for work-related reasons. The organization has documented other cases of people who travel there as tourists and are later disappeared.

ALSO READ: El Mencho tried to evade the Army with a facelift and hair and beard implants

There is a terrible lackyou cant imagine the absence of coordination among prosecutors offices in the states where weve been working: Durango, Sinaloa, Chihuahua, and Zacatecas.

In addition to Sinaloa and Zacatecas, people from Durango also disappear in Chihuahua and within their own state. In Durangopart of the Golden Triangle drug trafficking region, along with Sinaloa and Chihuahuaa high number of disappearances is reported in Santiago Papasquiaro, the Laguna region, and the state capital.

This hadnt been seen before, or it was very well hidden, but many cases are now being recorded. It started about a year and a half ago, when the war in Sinaloa began. And in Zacatecas, they are also lured by job offers, she added.

The supposed job offers are often for agricultural work. I have two minors recruited for Zacatecas through false job offers. One of them managed to call his mother and say, Mom, I still have my phonethey havent noticed. They brought me here, and I just managed to read a sign that says Welcome to Zacatecas.

The situation has not changed

Carmen Rosario believes that since she began searching for her brother, little has changed in the search for the disappeared. Authorities even avoid entering certain areas, claiming they are conflict zones.

Disappearances in her home state are a long-standing crisis, hidden for years behind incomplete case files, institutional omissions, and the burden carried by families.

In Durango, searches dont move forward due to lack of investigation and the absence of effective protocols. Cases get lost in paperwork, not real investigations, she explained.

This indifference is not unique to Durango.

There are matches with forensic services that are never reviewed, unidentified bodies that families are never notified about. Right now, I have a case of a young man who spent a year in the Sinaloa Forensic Medical Service, and we were only notified last week.

In nearly 18 years of searching, she has identified a serious structural failure: the first 72 hours are often lost, with no activation of search protocols during that critical period. This is compounded by hundreds of case files with no investigative leads.

Criticism of the federal government

Soto Valles also criticized the stance of Mexicos federal government, led by President Claudia Sheinbaum, for rejecting a United Nations report highlighting the severity of disappearances and equating them with crimes against humanity.

The position taken by the presidency bothers me personally because they talk about numbers, she said, referring to the governments breakdown of 132,000 recognized cases, of which only 43,128 were acknowledged as having sufficient data.

These are not numbersthey are our relatives. They dont talk about families or human beings, she said.

There has been no changeI say this based on nearly two decades of experience. There has been no change, she emphasized. She also pointed out that even within the recognized cases, only 3,869 have a formal investigation file.

That means prosecutors offices that dont investigate, incomplete records, institutions that revictimize, and a state that tries to justify its absence with manipulated statistics.

She recalled that when her brother disappeared, there was no specialized prosecutors office for forced disappearance. Although such offices now exist, in Durango they are only now becoming specialized.

Its the samethey take the report and thats it. There are no investigative actions. What good are a national search commission and an executive commission if there are no results, no searches, nothing?

She returned to the case of the young man who spent a year in Sinaloas forensic service without his family being notified. Because he was wearing camouflage clothing, the state search commission refused to help return his remains to Durango.

They say he died in a confrontation, that he was a criminal, that he belonged to organized crime, and that they cannot help in those cases. How is it possible they say that to a family? she questioned.

The young mans aunt is the one claiming his remains because his mother has died and his father struggles with addiction.

How is it possible to revictimize them again? What is the point of creating these institutions if they dont support us?

The case of Pedro Emilio

Regarding her brother, Carmen Rosario recalled that he disappeared on December 11, 2008, in Mazatlan, Sinaloa.

He was working in the fields, preparing land for jalapeno crops, when he refused to pay extortion demanded by criminal groups and was abducted. From that moment, his sister began a search that would forever mark her family.

Nearly two decades have passed, and despite going through countless prosecutors, experts, and institutions supposedly created to address disappearances, there is not a single real line of investigation that could determine his whereabouts.

Pedro Emilio was 23 when he was taken.

Today he would be 41, but 18 of those years have been consumed by a painful absence, a waiting that becomes more cruel with each passing day. His disappearance is not just a forgotten fileit is an endless agony for those of us who love him and continue to demand that the state fulfill its duty to search, investigate, and tell us where he is.

A national crisis

Disappearances of minors occur within a broader national context in which Mexico exceeds 132,000 missing persons, according to official figures.

Of those, only 3,869 cases have formal investigation files, highlighting the level of impunity.

In this context, collectives warn that the disappearance of minors is no longer an isolated phenomenon, but part of a pattern linked to forced recruitment by criminal groups.

Experts point to policy failures

Specialists say authorities have failed to respond to the scale of the crisis, which continues to grow.

In Mexico, public policies to address forced disappearances have been insufficient given the magnitude of the problem, said Marisol Mendez, advocacy coordinator at Fundacion para la Justicia.

The measures have been insufficient and have shown no results to date. What indicator do we have? Disappearances are still happening, she said.

One alarming issue, she added, is that official figures appear to minimize the impact of more than 132,000 missing persons by presenting only a portion as fully documented.

The people searching for them are their familiesnot the authorities responsible for doing so, she stressed.

UN raises alarm

On April 2, the UN Committee on Enforced Disappearances requested that the United Nations consider measures to support the Mexican government in preventing, investigating, and eradicating this crime, which has reached levels that could be considered crimes against humanity.

It is the first time the Committee has used this mechanismnot even in countries at war, Mendez noted.

She explained that this action alerts the UN General Assembly that disappearances in Mexico are widespread and systematic.

The report, initiated in 2012, documents critical deficiencies in public policy and a serious lack of forensic investigation.

Lack of funding and impunity

Mendez highlighted several key issues, including insufficient budgets for search commissions and specialized prosecutors.

They must have enough funding for immediate searches and investigations, but another major issue the Committee highlights is the lack of investigation and impunity, she said.

She warned that absolute impunity in disappearance cases sends a message to perpetrators that they can continue without real consequences.

The Committee also points to the involvement not only of criminal groups, but also authorities at all levels, suggesting absence or tolerance by officials.

This implies that disappearances cannot occur without the knowledge of municipal, state, or federal authorities, and the Committee has identified cases involving official participation.

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23:28 India, China hold SCO bilateral consultations in Delhi File image India and China held bilateral consultations under the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) here on April 16-17, during which the two sides exchanged views on implementing the SCO leaders' decisions, and the future-course of the organisation, the Ministry of External Affairs said on... Read more >

23:01 India invited to join UK-France led initiative on Hormuz India has officially confirmed that it has been invited to take part in a maritime initiative led by the United Kingdom and France to protect transit through the Strait of Hormuz, widely regarded as a critical global chokepoint.During a weekly media briefing in the capital, Ministry of External... Read more >

22:43 West Asia: India supplied 22,000 MT of high-speed diesel to Bangladesh in March File image Amid the ongoing West Asia conflict, India has supplied 22,000 metric tonnes of high-speed diesel to Bangladesh in March and has received a request from Seychelles and the Maldives to meet their energy requirements, the MEA said on Friday.At his weekly briefing, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA)... Read more >

22:20 Comedian Anudeep Katikala granted bail remarks against Pawan Kalyan Andhra Pradesh deputy Chief Minister K Pawan Kalyan/File image A stand-up comedian who was arrested for allegedly making derogatory comments about Andhra Pradesh deputy Chief Minister K Pawan Kalyan and his family members, was granted bail by a local court in Kakinada district on Friday, a police official said.The official said Anudeep Katikala (30), a... Read more >

22:09 Modi ji's arrogance suffers a defeat: Kejriwal women's bill defeat Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) National Convenor Arvind Kejriwal on Friday said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi's arrogance suffers a defeat after the Constitution Amendment Bill was defeated in the Lok Sabha.In a post on X, Kejriwal even claimed that the countdown of the Modi government has... Read more >

21:51 Uddhav Sena leader Priyanka Chaturvedi expresses grief on Women Bill defeat Shiv Sena-UBT leader Priyanka Chaturvedi on Friday diverged from her party's stand and rued the defeat of the Women Reservation Bill in Lok Sabha, calling it a sad day for women who hoped to find themselves in the parliament or assembly.The Constitution Amendment Bill to implement reservation for... Read more >

21:46 NDA floor leaders' meeting begins in Parl A meeting of NDA floor leaders began in Parliament on Friday with several senior leaders of the alliance in attendance.Union Ministers J.P. Nadda, Kiren Rijiju, Arjun Meghwal and Shivraj Singh Chouhan were present at the meeting, along with BJP National President Nitin Nabin. Among other leaders... Read more >

21:24 Rupee rises 23 paise to settle at 92.91 against US dollar The rupee appreciated by 23 paise to settle at 92.91 against the US dollar on Friday, buoyed by a weakening American currency and retreating crude oil prices amid increasing hopes of easing geopolitical tensions.Renewed buying in domestic equity markets and fresh inflow of foreign funds also... Read more >

21:05 'TN defeats Delhi': Stalin on women quota bill's defeat in LS Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin burns a copy of the delimitation bill and dubbed it a 'black law'./@DMKITwing/X Chief Minister M K Stalin on Friday said Tamil Nadu defeats Delhi on the defeat of the Constitution Amendment Bill in the Lok Sabha.Quickly reacting to the defeat of the bill to implement reservation for women in legislatures in 2029 and increase the number of seats of the Lok Sabha in the Lower... Read more >

20:44 AAP to contest civic polls in Haryana Haryana Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief Sushil Gupta on Friday said his party will contest municipal corporation elections in Panchkula, Ambala and Sonipat and claimed that people are fed up with the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Congress and looking for a change.Gupta said he recently met AAP... Read more >

20:32 Chhattisgarh power plant blast: Death toll rises to 21 The death toll in the April 14 blast at Vedanta's power plant in Chhattisgarh's Sakti district has gone up to 21 after a worker succumbed to injuries, officials said on Friday.The explosion occurred in a steel tube carrying high-pressure steam from the boiler to the turbine at the power plant... Read more >

20:23 CJI warns new advocates-on-record against outsourcing legal work to AI Underlining the ethical obligations of the legal profession, Chief Justice of India Surya Kant on Friday warned the newly qualified batch of advocates-on-record (AoRs) against outsourcing legal work to artificial intelligence (AI) or other external parties.According to the rules framed by the... Read more >

20:09 US blockade to continue, Israel can't attack Lebanon: Trump United States President Donald Trump has welcomed the declaration from Tehran regarding the restoration of maritime access through the Strait of Hormuz.However, he said that the naval blockade of Iranian ports will 'remain in full force and effect'.The reaction follows an earlier announcement on... Read more >

19:49 Women's quota, delimitation bills defeated in Lok Sabha Constitution Amendment Bill to tweak women quota law defeated in Lok Sabha after division of votes.Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla says, The Constitution (131st Amendment) Amendment Bill did not pass as it did not achieve a 2/3 majority during voting in the House. Read more >

19:31 Imran Khan's wife undergoes eye surgery Bushra Bibi, the wife of Pakistan's jailed former prime minister Imran Khan, has undergone surgery on her right eye at a private hospital, jail authorities said.Bushra is serving a seven-year sentence in Rawalpindi's Adiala Jail after being convicted in the Al-Qadir Trust case, where the... Read more >

19:24 Lok Sabha to vote shortly on women's reservation bill With Home Minister Amit Shah concluding his 75-minute long speech in the Lok Sabha in defence of the women's reservation bill and delimitation bill, the Lok Sabha prepares to vote on the 3 bills moved by the government on Thursday. Read more >

19:03 Ready to include 50 pc hike in seats in bill: Amit Shah Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday he was willing to include the proposal to increase the number of parliamentary seats across the country by 50 percent, in line with his assurance to the Lok Sabha yesterday. The Opposition had opposed the amendments to the delimitation bill stating that they... Read more >

18:43 Strait of Hormuz completely open now: Iranian FM Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi on Friday said that the Strait of Hormuz has been declared 'completely open' for all commercial vessels during the remaining period of the ongoing ceasefire.In a post on X, Araghchi said the decision was in line with the ceasefire in Lebanon and that... Read more >

18:26 Those opposing delimitation are against SC-STs: Amit Shah in LS No one has objected to the women's reservation. But, if we see closely, all members of the INDI alliance have opposed it by using 'ifs and but' , says Union Home Minister Amit Shah, replying to the debate on the Women's Reservation Bill and the Delimitation Bill in the... Read more >

18:18 HC orders FIR against Rahul in dual citizenship case The Lucknow bench of the Allahabad high court on Friday directed the registration of a first information report (FIR) against Congress MP Rahul Gandhi in connection with an alleged dual citizenship controversy.The court also observed that after the registration of the FIR, the state government... Read more >

18:15 Can you solve Rahul Gandhi's 'number 16' jibe at BJP? Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, who made a number 16 jibe at the treasury benches during his speech in Lok Sabha on Friday on three new bills, refused to elaborate on it in his brief interaction with reporters and said it is a puzzle and I won't tell the answer just like that.It is a puzzle, I... Read more >

17:50 Fire breaks out in Mumbai's 16-storey apartment Representational image. Pic: ANI A fire broke out on the third floor of a 16-storey residential building in Tardeo area of Mumbai on Friday afternoon, officials said.Nobody was injured in the incident, they said.The blaze erupted at 12.44 pm on the third floor of Sai Leela Cooperative Housing Society, located in the M P Mill... Read more >

17:25 Pak intel agencies probe attack on LeT co-founder Image only for representation Pakistan's Punjab Police on Friday registered a case against unidentified gunmen for opening fire on Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) co-founder Amir Hamza, who suffered bullet injuries in the attack in Lahore.On Thursday, two unidentified gunmen riding on a bike opened fire on the vehicle of the private TV... Read more >

16:55 Sensex climbs 500 pts amid easing geopolitical tensions Stock market benchmark indices Sensex and Nifty rallied nearly 1 per cent on Friday, driven by optimism surrounding easing geopolitical tensions, falling crude prices, and fresh foreign fund inflows.Renewed hopes of a diplomatic resolution between the US and Iran, along with a 10-day ceasefire... Read more >

16:37 Fadnavis flags 'corporate jihad' at TCS, deep-dive probe on Accused Raza Memon and Shafi Sheikh were arrested Maharashtra Chief Minister & BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis on Friday termed the recent incident at the Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) facility in Nashik a very serious matter, stating that the government is investigating whether the incident constitutes corporate jihad.Speaking with ANI,... Read more >

16:26 My sister achieved in 5 minutes what I couldn't in 20 years: Rahul Update: In a friendly banter, Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi on Friday said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and he didn't have the wife issue, as the Congress MP emphasised that everyone has learnt from women in their lives.Participating in a debate in the Lok Sabha on the three bills... Read more >

16:20 Headache to listen to Rahul: Kangana On Rahul Gandhi's speech in Lok Sabha, BJP MP Kangana Ranaut says, It was such a headache to listen to him. He is going through his childhood traumas and through the magic show he witnessed in his childhood. It was a nuisance. The Chair also asked him to stop. He has made a mockery of the... Read more >

16:14 We are not accepting any temporary ceasefire: Iran Deputy FM Tehran has dismissed the possibility of any short-term pauses in hostilities, asserting that it is pushing for a total conclusion to warfare throughout the West Asian region, according to Al Jazeera.Speaking to journalists during the Antalya Diplomacy Forum, Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister, Saeed... Read more >

15:59 The PM and myself don't have that wife issue: Rahul LoP, Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi struck a light moment while speaking on the Women's Bill which led to much laughter among the MPs.All of us, every single one in this room, have been influenced, taught, learnt a lot by women in their lives... Mothers, sisters, wives...As Rijijuji said, of course, the... Read more >

15:48 Magician of Balakot, demonetization, Sindoor caught: Rahul LoP, Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi says, The magician of Balakot, demonetization, Sindoor has been suddenly caught...The ruling side objects to Rahul Gandhi's comments. Rahul Gandhi refers to the PM as a magician. Everybody knows there is a partnership between the magician and the businessman, he says... Read more >

15:28 Women's Bill attempt to change India's electoral map: Rahul Speaking in Parliament, on the delimitation issue, LoP, Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi says: The first truth is that this is not a women's bill. This has nothing to do with the empowerment of women. This is an attempt to change the electoral map of India, says Rahul Gandhi, during a special session of... Read more >

14:56 Give the women of India their rightful due: PM in LS Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday appealed to all Lok Sabha members to vote in favour of the women's reservation bill and not do anything that might hurt the sentiments of the country's 'nari shakti'.Hours before the voting on the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, which provides for 33... Read more >

14:37 Will bust entire module in Nashik TCS case: Fadnavis Operations Manager of TCS Nashik, Ashwini Chainani, in custody Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Friday said his government was confident of busting the module involved in the alleged sexual harassment and forcible religious conversion at a unit of Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) in Nashik.Addressing a press meet, Fadnavis said the MNC took... Read more >

14:19 European allies can clear mines in Hormuz: France European countries, including Belgium, the Netherlands and France, have the capacity to conduct mine-clearing operations to help secure vital shipping routes through the Strait of Hormuz, French Defence Minister Catherine Vautrin said on Friday, according to the French TV Station TF1.Vautrin told... Read more >

14:01 'BJP using Women's Bill as pretext for delimitation to never lose' Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav on Friday accused the BJP of using the Women's Reservation Bill as a pretext to carry out delimitation and redraw Lok Sabha constituencies for electoral gain.It is difficult to understand the BJP. When people were told that there would be an SIR, they were... Read more >

13:49 Apr 23 polls: DMK rules out Rahul, Stalin joint campaign The DMK on Friday said senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and chief minister M K Stalin will not campaign together for the April 23 polls in Tamil Nadu as both leaders have separate schedules.Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi will visit Chennai on Saturday to launch his election... Read more >

13:45 'Netanyahu Has Infiltrated Trump's Cabinet' As we enter the final days of the two-week ceasefire between the United States, Israel and Iran that has halted a war that began on February 28, Washington and Tehran remain poles apart on what they view as a comprehensive agreement.Will the ceasefire continue? Will the peace talks between Iran... Read more >

13:44 Caterer throws boy, 11, into tandoor for eating rasgullas Representational image An 11-year-old boy was allegedly thrown into a burning tandoor (clay oven) for eating rasgullas during a wedding ceremony in Basti, UP, police said on Friday.According to the police, the severely burned child was referred to the Lucknow Medical College, where his condition is currently stable.The... Read more >

13:05 Pakistan begins prep for next round of US-Iran talks Security personnel near the Serena hotel in Islamabad. Waseem Khan/Reuters Pakistan has started preparing to host the second round of high-stakes talks between the US and Iran during the next week for a landmark peacedeal to end the war in West Asia that has crippled global energy supplies, officials said on Friday.The US and Iran held rare direct talks in Pakistan over... Read more >

13:04 SC refuses to protect Cong's Pawan Khera seeking pre-arrest bail The Supreme Court on Friday refused to entertain a plea of Congress leader Pawan Khera seeking protection against possible coercive action till April 20 in a case lodged against him for levelling allegations against Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma's wife.The top court asked Khera to move... Read more >

12:47 Black colour of Ma Kali: Kanimozhi on PM's kala tika remark DMK leader Kanimozhi on Friday hit back at Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his 'kala tika' swipe at her party's protest over women quota law amendment, saying black is the colour of goddess Kali and that the ruling party of Tamil Nadu will protest over the issue till the end.Intervening in the... Read more >

12:32 Delimitation is political demonetisation: Tharoor in LS Delimitation will turn out to be political demonetisation, senior Congress leader Shashi Tharoor said on Friday while slamming the government for linking women's reservation with the expansion of Parliament.Participating in a debate in the Lok Sabha on the three bills introduced for amendments in... Read more >

12:16 Oppn flags amendments to women law before notifying Act Opposition members in the Lok Sabha on Friday questioned the government's move to move a bill to amend the 2023 women quota law before bringing the principal Act into force.Soon after laying of parliamentary papers, K C Venugopal rose to point out a law ministry notification issued last night... Read more >

11:57 K'taka govt to strictly implement paid menstrual leave policy Karnataka Labour Minister Santosh Lad has said that the government will strictly implement the paid menstrual leave policy across all sectors at the earliest, following the High Court directive.The High Court of Karnataka had recently directed the state government to strictly and faithfully... Read more >

11:33 Harivansh elected Deputy Chairman of Rajya Sabha unopposed Nominated member Harivansh was elected Deputy Chairman of Rajya Sabha unopposed on Friday.It is the third term as Deputy Chairman for the journalist-turned-politician.The Office of the Deputy Chairman, Rajya Sabha, fell vacant after the term of Harivansh ended on April 9.Union minister and Leader... Read more >

11:26 UK, France to co-chair summit on reopening of Hormuz British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron are set to host a virtual meeting of world leaders to discuss efforts to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and secure vital shipping routes, CNN reported.Leaders from around 40 countries are expected to participate in the summit,... Read more >

10:59 'India will get back PoK with Delimitation Bill' Representational image BJP leader Boora Narsaiah Goud on Friday said that one of the main highlights of the Delimitation Bill is the allocation of seats in the Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (PoK). This bill will enable PoK to access their right to vote, and their representatives will be able to attend the Lok Sabha and... Read more >

10:37 Iran war: This badass US navy ship is leading the blockade The US Central Command (CENTCOM) has highlighted the role of the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) in the ongoing US blockade operations in the Arabian Sea.In a post on X on Friday, CENTCOM said, USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) conducts US blockade operations in the Arabian Sea, April... Read more >

10:11 I hope Hezbollah acts nicely: Trump on Israel-Lebanon ceasefire Lebanon celebrates the ceasefire. Aziz Taher/Reuters US President Donald Trump on Thursday expressed hope that Hezbollah would act responsibly and peacefully during the 10-day ceasefire with Israel, urging an end to hostilities and stressing the need for lasting peace in the region.In a post on Truth Social, Trump wrote, I hope Hezbollah acts... Read more >

09:52 Iranian prez credits his people with aggressors retreating The body of Ghadir Baalbaki, 19, is lowered into her grave. Louisa Gouliamaki/Reuters Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has said that the steadfastness of the Iranian people compelled US-Israeli forces to retreat during the 40-day war, according to Iranian state media Press TV.According to Press TV, speaking at a meeting with the minister, deputies, and senior managers at the... Read more >

09:29 'Delimitation Bill like a 'sales pitch' of insurance salesman' Congress leader Karti Chidambaram on Friday took a jibe at the Central government over the proposed Delimitation Bill, saying it is akin to a sales pitch of an insurance sales match, with the oral assurances not matching the fine print of the Bill.The delimitation sales pitch by the government is... Read more >

09:19 Fire destroys six cottages near Ashvem beach in Goa Representational image A fire gutted at least six cottages of a resort at Ashvem beach in North Goa, police said on Friday. An official said that the incident occurred near the Ajoba temple in the area around 8:45 pm on Thursday, following which guests fled the premises. Nobody was injured in the fire, he... Read more >

09:15 Trump claims Iran agreed to give nuclear dust back to US US President Donald Trump on Thursday (local time) claimed that Iran has agreed to return its nuclear dust to the United States, asserting that the understanding comes as part of broader assurances from Tehran, as part of the peace deal, not to pursue its ambition to acquire a nuclear weapon.... Read more >

08:53 May go to Pakistan if deal with Iran signed: Trump United States President Donald Trump on Thursday (local time) said he would consider travelling to Pakistan if a peace agreement between the United States and Iran is finalised there, indicating Islamabad's possible role in ongoing negotiations. I would go to Pakistan, yeah, Trump told... Read more >

08:47 TCS Gives WFH Option To Employees At Nashik Centre Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) has given its employees the option to work from home at its Nashik centre, said sources in the know.The company has taken this decision for the convenience and safety of employees. Of course, those who wish to work from office, that option is also there, said a... Read more >

08:24 DGCA Initiates Probe Into SpiceJet-Akasa Collision A SpiceJet aircraft hit an Akasa Air plane at Delhi airport on Wednesday, prompting the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) to off-roster the air traffic controller and the SpiceJet pilots involved and initiating a probe.'Winglet of SpiceJet B-737-700 aircraft... hit the horizontal tail... Read more >

08:16 Had a very good conversation with friend Modi: Trump US President Donald Trump on Friday said he had a very good conversation with his friend Prime Minister Narendra Modi.He was referring to the talks the two leaders had on Tuesday.I had a very good talk with him, and he's a friend of mine from India, and he's doing great. We had a very good... Read more >

01:26 Shooter involved in firing at Rohit Shetty's residence arrested from Agra A joint team of the Uttar Pradesh Special Task Force (STF) and Mumbai Police Crime Branch on Thursday arrested a wanted criminal allegedly involved in the firing incident at filmmaker Rohit Shetty's residence in Mumbai. The accused, identified as Pradeep Kumar alias Gaath, was apprehended from... Read more >
Some of the longest sentences in British criminal history have been imposed on men involved in the so-called Great Train Robbery.

Sentences totalling 307 years were passed on 12 men who stole 2.6m in used bank notes after holding up the night mail train travelling from Glasgow to London last August.

The judge at Buckinghamshire Assizes in Aylesbury, Mr Justice Edmund Davies, said it would be positively evil if he showed leniency.

The robbery was the biggest-ever carried out in Britain.

The scale and style of the theft led to comparisons with rail robberies of the Wild West and the hunt for the perpetrators captured the public imagination.

But the judge said the robbers crime had in no way been romantic and was obviously motivated by greed.

The attack on train driver Jack Mills was proof of their violent tendencies, he added.

Anybody who has seen that nerve-shattered engine driver can have no doubt of the terrifying effect on law-abiding citizens of a concerted assault by armed robbers, the judge said.

Seven of the defendants  Ronald Biggs, Charles Wilson, Douglas Goody, Thomas Wisbey, Robert Welch, James Hussey and Roy James  were jailed for 30 years each.

Four were sent to prison for terms of between 20 and 25 years.

Another defendant, solicitor John Wheater, 41, was sent to prison for three years.

Wheater obtained the robbers hide-out  Leatherslade Farm in Bedfordshire.

Judge Davies said Wheater had no knowledge of the robbery until after it had been committed but should then have informed the police.

I realise the consequences of your conviction are disastrous, professionally and personally, the judge told Wheater.

Three men involved in the robbery are still at large including the man said to be the ringleader, Bruce Reynolds.

Courtesy BBC News

In context

All the three remaining gang members were eventually caught.

In 1969 the robberys mastermind, Bruce Reynolds, was sentenced to 10 years in jail.

In the meantime two gang members had made dramatic escapes from prison.

One of them, Charlie Wilson, was recaptured in Canada in 1968.

The other, Ronnie Biggs, was free for nearly 40 years before he returned voluntarily to Britain from Brazil.

An impoverished Biggs, 71, came back to the UK in 2001 to receive free medical treatment after having suffered a series of strokes.

He was immediately taken to a top-security prison to serve the remaining 28 years of his sentence.

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Australias richest woman, Gina Rinehart, has been ordered by a court to share part of her vast mining wealth after a years-long legal battle over one of the countrys most lucrative iron ore projects, according to BBC News.

The ruling caps a dispute stretching more than a decade, centred on the Hope Downs mine in Western Australia  a cornerstone of Rineharts fortune, estimated at about A$38 billion (20 billion), the BBC reported.

Quoting the broadcaster, the court found that while Rinehart retains control of the mining rights, she must pay past and future royalties to rival heirs linked to her fathers former business partner. In effect, ownership stays put, but the cash flow now has to be shared.

At the heart of the case is a decades-old agreement between Rineharts father, iron ore pioneer Lang Hancock, and his partner Peter Wright. The two had set up a joint venture, Hanwright, to manage their mining interests in Western Australias Pilbara region.

During a 51-day trial in 2023, the BBC noted, Wrights children argued that Rinehart had breached that agreement and owed them both royalties and rights tied to Hope Downs  one of Australias richest iron ore deposits.

Justice Jennifer Smith delivered what can only be described as a split verdict. As quoted by the BBC, she said: Wright Prospecting won half of its case, lost half of its case, and Hancock Prospecting has won and lost half of its case. Translation: nobody walks away entirely happy, but nobody walks away empty-handed either.

The financial stakes are anything but trivial. Hope Downs, jointly operated by Rio Tinto and Hancock Prospecting, generated A$832 million in revenue for Rineharts company last year. Under the arrangement, Rio Tinto pays a 2.5% royalty  and the court ruled that half of that share belongs to the Wright family.

The dispute also pulled in Rineharts own children, Bianca Rinehart and John Hancock, who claimed their mother shifted valuable mining assets out of a family trust, effectively locking them out of the proceeds. They argued that their grandfather intended the wealth to be shared.

Rineharts legal team countered that she acted out of concern over past business dealings, while her children suggested the move was designed to limit claims from other family members, including Lang Hancocks second wife, Rose Porteous.

On that front, the BBC reported, the court sided with Rinehart  rejecting her childrens claims to the mining rights. However, another family, linked to engineer Don Rhodes, did secure a partial victory in their claim for royalties.

Both sides claimed a measure of success after the ruling. Hancock Prospecting said the decision confirmed its ownership of Hope Downs and firmly rejected key claims against it. Meanwhile, Wright Prospecting said it was pleased to finally receive a result in our favour, according to BBC reporting.

The case underscores the long shadow of Australias mining boom  and how fortunes built in the Pilbara decades ago are still being fought over today. Even for a billionaire, it turns out, the real battle isnt digging iron ore out of the ground. Its deciding who gets a cut. MDT/BBC News

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Hopes rose for renewed talks between the United States and Iran yesterday, as the U.S. military said its blockade of Iranian ports was in full effect and Tehran threatened to retaliate by striking targets across the war-weary region.

U.S. President Donald Trump said Tuesday that a second round of talks could happen over the next two days, telling the New York Post the negotiations could be held again in Islamabad as diplomats worked through back channels to arrange them.

Regional officials said yesterday that the United States and Iran gave an in principle agreement to extend the two-week ceasefire, which is due to expire on April 22, to allow for more diplomacy.

One of the officials, who is involved in the mediation efforts, said mediators were working on a compromise to the three main disputed points  Irans nuclear program, the Strait of Hormuz and compensation for Irans wartime damages.

Both officials spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the matter.

U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said its highly probable that talks will restart, citing a meeting he had with Pakistans Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar. The office of Pakistans Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said he would travel to Saudi Arabia as his country pushes to mediate new talks, before heading to Turkey for the Anatalya Peace Forum, which starts Friday.

Oil prices fell on hopes for an end to fighting, and in the U.S. stocks surged close to records set in January. The war, now in its seventh week, has jolted markets and rattled the global economy as shipping has been cut off and airstrikes have torn through military and civilian infrastructure across the region.

Meanwhile in Washington, the first direct talks in decades between the Israeli and Lebanese ambassadors to the U.S. concluded on a productive note Tuesday, according to the U.S. State Department.

Israeli Ambassador Yechiel Leiter said the two countries are on the same side of the equation in liberating Lebanon from the militant Hezbollah group. Lebanese Ambassador Nada Hamadeh Moawad called the meeting constructive but urged an end to the ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran-backed Hezbollah militants. Since March, that war has displaced more than 1 million people in Lebanon.

Israel and Lebanon have technically been at war since Israel was established in 1948, and Lebanon remains deeply divided over diplomatic engagement with Israel.

An initial round of talks held last weekend in Pakistan, aimed at permanently ending the U.S.-Iran conflict, failed to produce an agreement. The White House said Irans nuclear ambitions were a central sticking point.

I think they want to make a deal very badly, Trump said in an excerpt from an interview with Fox Business Networks Mornings with Maria scheduled to air Wednesday morning. He added: I view it as very close to over.

A U.S. official said Tuesday that fresh talks with Iran were still under discussion and that nothing has been scheduled. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss sensitive negotiations.

Muhammad Aurangzeb, Pakistans finance minister, told The Associated Press that our leadership is not giving up on efforts to help the U.S. and Iran end the conflict.

Though the ceasefire appeared to hold, the showdown over the strategic Strait of Hormuz risked reigniting hostilities and deepening the regional wars economic fallout.

The fighting has killed at least 3,000 people in Iran, more than 2,100 in Lebanon, 23 in Israel and more than a dozen in Gulf Arab states. Thirteen U.S. service members have also been killed.

U.S. Central Command said Tuesday no ships made it past the blockade in the first 24 hours, while six merchant vessels complied with direction from U.S. forces to turn around and reenter Iranian waters.

The blockade is intended to pressure Iran, which has exported millions of barrels of oil, mostly to Asia, since the war began Feb. 28. Much of it has likely been carried by so-called dark transits that evade sanctions and oversight, providing cash thats been vital to keeping Iran running.

Tankers approaching the strait Monday turned around shortly after the blockade took effect, though one reversed course again and transited the waterway.

Since the war began, Iran has curtailed maritime traffic, with most commercial vessels avoiding the waterway. Tehrans effective closure of the strait, through which a fifth of global oil transits in peacetime, has sent oil prices skyrocketing, pushing up the cost of gasoline, food and other basic goods far beyond the Middle East. SAMY MAGDY, SAM METZ & MUNIR AHMED, CAIRO, MDT/AP

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Chinese President Xi Jinping on Wednesday called on Beijing and Hanoi to prioritize advancing infrastructure connectivity and strengthen their collaborations in emerging fields like artificial intelligence and semiconductors during a meeting with Vietnams newly elected president, the state broadcaster reported.

To Lams four-day trip to China, which began on Tuesday, is his first overseas trip since he was elected last week. That signaled Lams foreign policy priorities and stronger ties between the two Communist nations.

CCTV reported that Xi said defending the socialist system and the Communist Partys ruling position is the greatest common strategic interest between the two parties during their meeting.

He also urged both sides to firmly uphold confidence in their paths and systems and persist in reform without changing direction, the report said.

Lam said Vietnam would regard developing relations with China as its objective need, strategic choice and topic priority. He also said the country is willing to enhance the level of cooperation in various areas, including trade, investment, railways and other infrastructure, CCTV added. MDT/AP

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Chinese President Xi Jinping said yesterday that the stability and certainty of China-Russia relations are particularly precious in the face of an international landscape intertwined with change and chaos.

During a meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in Beijing, Xi said the strong vitality and exemplary significance of the friendship treaty between the two countries stand out even more under such a backdrop.

Xi said China and Russia need to use closer and stronger strategic collaboration to defend the legitimate interests of both nations and safeguard the unity of Global South countries, the state broadcaster CCTV reported. He also called for two countries to showcase the responsibility and commitment of major powers and permanent members of the U.N. Security Council, the report said.

Firmly uphold and practice multilateralism, work together to revitalize the authority and vitality of the United Nations, he was quoted as saying. Promote the development of the international order in a more just and reasonable direction.

Xi touted the value of the two nations ties, but he did not specify what he referred to as chaos and changes in the international context. His remarks came as uncertainty still lingers about how long the Iran war would last.

In clips from an interview with the Fox Business Network, U.S. President Donald Trump said Tuesday the war was close to over. Trump has repeatedly declared a U.S. victory in Iran after the war started  even as the reality on the ground has been far more complicated.

Relations between China and Russia have deepened in recent years, particularly following the Russian invasion of Ukraine in early 2022. Trumps unorthodox approach to the war in Ukraine has added a twist to the relationship but doesnt appear to have fundamentally changed it.

When Putin visited China in September, Xi welcomed his counterpart as an old friend. Putin also addressed Xi as dear friend.

Xi yesterday said foreign ministries from both countries would need to fully implement the consensus reached between him and Russian President Vladimir Putin, calling for strengthening strategic communication and close diplomatic coordination. He also urged them to promote the comprehensive strategic partnership between Beijing and Moscow to stand higher, walk more steadily and go further.

CCTV reported that Lavrov said Russian-Chinese relations demonstrated high resilience in a complex external environment, pointing to good momentum in trade and investment cooperation and close coordination in the U.N and other multilateral platforms.

He said Russia is willing to work with China to uphold international fairness and justice, push their ties to achieve greater development and make greater contributions to world peace, among other goals, CCTV said.

Lavrov arrived in China on Tuesday for a two-day trip at the invitation of his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi. MDT/AP

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Moroccos Minister of Transport and Logistics Abdessamad Kayouh held a series of meetings on April 14 with transport ministers and senior officials from international aviation bodies, signing agreements aimed at deepening cooperation and exchanging expertise in civil aviation.

The talks took place on the sidelines of the fifth Global Implementation Support Symposium for Civil Aviation in Marrakesh.

Speaking to reporters after the meetings, Kayouh said he had discussed bilateral aviation ties with Angolan Transport Minister Ricardo de Abreu, including the possibility of expanding air links between Luanda and Casablanca.

Royal Air Maroc is working on developing the route and could increase weekly flights to two or three services, Kayouh said. He added that the airline was also studying the deployment of new aircraft it is due to receive in the coming months.

Kayouh said discussions with Angola also covered maritime connectivity, noting that a sea link between the two countries is expected to be launched following the opening of Moroccos Dakhla Atlantic Port, which would connect Angola with the kingdom.

The minister said he also met the secretarygeneral of the African Civil Aviation Commission (AFCAC), during which the two sides signed an agreement under which Morocco will provide training for African air navigation technicians.

The initiative aims to strengthen aviation safety indicators across the continent, a move he said aligns with Moroccos longstanding cooperation policy toward African countries.

Kayouh said Morocco signed an air services agreement with Costa Rica granting third and fourth freedom rights for air routes between the two countries. He also held talks with Yemens transport minister focused on aviation cooperation, reaffirming Moroccos commitment to activating a previously signed agreement once conditions allow.

Beyond bilateral accords, Morocco is pursuing an ambitious strategy to position itself as a leading aviation hub between Africa, Europe and the Americas. Under its Airports 2030 program, the government aims to increase national airport capacity to around 80 million passengers by 2030, up from roughly 30 million, through new terminals, airport expansions and the construction of a second major airport in Casablanca, officials have said.

The expansion is being matched by a major growth plan at flag carrier Royal Air Maroc, which operates about 50 aircraft today and plans to expand its fleet to around 200 planes by 2037 under a longterm performance contract signed with the state.

The strategy is designed to turn Casablancas Mohammed V Airport into a major intercontinental hub and strengthen Moroccos role as an air bridge linking Africa with global markets, the government has said.
The President of Angola has travelled to Brazzaville to participate in the inauguration ceremony of Denis Sassou Nguesso, following his re-election in March 2026.

The ceremony, held on April 16, 2026, brought together several African leaders and international delegations, underscoring its diplomatic significance within the region. Sassou Nguesso secured another term after winning the presidential election held on March 15, 2026, with a commanding majority.

The Angolan leaders presence reflects the longstanding political and economic ties between Angola and the Republic of the Congo, as well as Luandas continued engagement in regional stability and cooperation.

The inauguration is being viewed as a platform to reinforce bilateral relations and deepen collaboration among African states, at a time when the region is seeking to consolidate peace, economic recovery and diplomatic alignment.
Security Forces in Nigeria have been placed on high alert following intelligence of a planned terrorist attack targeting key public infrastructure in Abuja and neighbouring Niger State, according to an internal memo dated April 13 and obtained on Wednesday, April 15.

The document, attributed to the Nigeria Customs Service, identified potential targets including the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, a prison facility in the capital, and a military detention centre in Niger State. The memo warned that the attackers aim to free detained militants and cause significant damage to aviation infrastructure.

Authorities noted similarities between the alleged plot and a January attack in Niamey, where terrorists struck an air force base, raising concerns about attempts to replicate such operations within Nigeria. The alert also referenced a 2022 prison break in Abuja, during which 879 inmates escaped, including 64 linked to extremist groups.

A senior official indicated that military and paramilitary forces have been mobilized to prevent any attack. The threat is believed to involve Boko Haram and its affiliates. Nigeria continues to grapple with a multifaceted security crisis, particularly in its northern regions, where insurgency and kidnapping-for-ransom operations remain persistent challenges.
An RTO official posted at Mira Road has filed a Zero FIR against an unidentified individual who claimed to be associated with jailed gangster Lawrence Bishnois gang. The Zero FIR, registered at Kashigaon Police Station, has been transferred to Soladevanahalli Police Station in Bengaluru on Wednesday for further investigation, confirmed a senior officer in Karnataka police.



The complainant Prasad Nalawade was in Bengaluru when he received a life-threatening call from an alleged member of the Bishnoi gang, a senior officer attached to Mira-Bhayandar Vasai Virar police told Mirror.



The unidentified caller allegedly warned Nalawade to stop the ongoing verification drive aimed at weeding out fake auto-rickshaw and taxi drivers. Authorities have maintained that, in addition to document checks, officials are also required to assess drivers proficiency in the Marathi language.



Since the drive is underway in Mira Road, the caller threatened Nalawade and said: Mai Bishnoi gang ka admi bol raha hu! tum aur tumhare do agents milkar sabko harass kar rahe ho band karo ye natak, mujhey malum hai tum kaha rehte ho apni suraksha badha lo, a senior officer attached to Kashigaon police station told Mirror.



We have registered a Zero FIR after we received a complaint from Nalawade and immediately transferred the case to Soladevanahalli police station in Bengaluru for further investigation, as he was there in Bengaluru when the caller threatened him on phone, the officer said.



A senior officer in Karnataka police confirmed that they have received a letter from Kashigaon police regarding the Zero FIR.



The state government asked RTO officials to carry out the verification drive after receiving complaints that a fresh lot of migrants are being handed licences, badges and permits for driving auto-rickshaws and taxis in Maharashtra.



The ongoing verification drive in Mira Road is being seen as a pilot project for the government, which will submit a report by the month-end.



Though taxi unions have called the drive a political diktat, Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik told Mirror, There is no politics, only working knowledge of Marathi language is required for understanding the language of passengers. We are only executing an old existing rule.



The Bishnoi gang recently grabbed headlines after its alleged connection to the murder of NCP leader Baba Siddique, sending fear waves through political and film circles.



It also made news for threats and a reported shooting scare linked to actor Salman Khan. In another episode, shots were reportedly fired near filmmaker Rohit Shettys premises, adding to the growing list of crimes attributed to gang operatives.




Seven years after a patient at Shatabdi Hospital in Kandivali was bitten by a rat during treatment, compensation ordered by the Maharashtra State Human Rights Commission (MSHRC) remains unpaid.



In 2018, the Commission directed the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) to pay Rs 2 lakh to the victim. The amount has yet to be disbursed. A more disturbing case followed in 2024, when a body kept in the hospital mortuary was allegedly mutilated by rats. Calling it a violation of dignity, the Commission ordered Rs 5 lakh in compensation to the deceaseds family. That order, too, remains unfulfilled.



RTI reveals repeated inaction



Both cases have been confirmed through a Right to Information (RTI) reply obtained from the Commission, which points to a pattern rather than isolated lapses. The RTI reply also shows that the Commission issued repeated letters and reminders to the Municipal Commissioner over several years, including communications dated February 2024, February 2025 and October 2025. Despite this, no acknowledgement of compliance has been recorded. The files exist. The orders exist. The reminder letters exist. What does not exist is any record of BMC paying the compensation, said activist advocate Rajesh Chavan.



Civic body contests liability



A senior civic official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said one case involved two patients from 201819 whose matters were taken up by the Commission. The court had directed compensation for surviving victims. However, by the time the order was issued, both patients had died. Since the directive applied only to living victims, no compensation was granted, the official said.



On the mortuary case, the official said the patient had been brought dead and classified as a medico-legal case. The body was handled with due dignity. The incident occurred later, when police shifted it for panchnama. While unfortunate, it did not result from hospital negligence, the official added, noting that the family had also stated it had no complaints.



Legal mandate, weak enforcement



The Bombay High Court has held that MSHRC directives are binding on authorities, making compliance a legal obligation. Yet, the absence of action raises serious questions. If compensation in such cases remains unpaid for years, the effectiveness of human rights rulings comes into doubt. The repeated finding of no compliance report on record suggests not an isolated lapse, but a systemic failure to treat these orders as enforceable obligations.




Many things that may seem scandalous in other cities are considered humdrum in Mumbai. A real-estate portal recently advertised five locations in MMR where you can buy a 1-BHK flat for less than Rs 75 lakh. The locations listed are all outside Greater Mumbai. While the advertisement spun this as an opportunity for buyers, the underlying message was clear: there is no affordable housing here, so get rich or go somewhere else.



Mumbai tops world rankings in one metric: the gap between average incomes and peak housing prices. It would take 580 years for an average income household in Mumbai to afford an apartment in the heart of the city, as compared to 46 in Singapore, 65 in Hong Kong and 180 in New Delhi. The gap is a dramatic consequence of sky high real-estate prices (comparable to global metropolitan cities), which is beyond the reach of a predominantly low-income population.



The term affordable housing has various meanings. A task force on Affordable Housing in 2008 defined it as a 30-60 sqm unit that costs not more than four times the annual household income, or where the rent/ mortgage is less than 30 per cent of the monthly household income. Some have criticised this percentage of income approach, and proposed a different method: affordability should be assessed based on residual income, or what a household can afford to spend after paying for other necessary expenditures of living.



For the moment, let us go by the Task Forces definition. The monthly median income in Mumbai has been reported to be about Rs 36,000. This means that an affordable house for at least half of the citys households (assuming a single earner) would be less than Rs 17 lakh. Unsurprisingly, studies indicate that 80 per cent of households cannot afford even MHADA units (which range from 20-60 lakh for low-income beneficiaries), and an estimated 94 per cent of families are effectively priced out of home ownership.



The BMCs 2016 development plan dedicated an entire chapter to affordable housing with the goal of constructing 1 million affordable units by 2034 by giving incentives to developers. Intriguingly, the BMC understood affordability as a function of unit sizes (30-60 sqm) with no reference to household income. In other words, a 30 sqm house built on Malabar Hill under the new scheme will be presumed to benefit the poor. Yet, how many actual units have been constructed under the scheme? Zero. Why? Because no developers have come forward.



As per standard estimates, the cost of construction of a 30 sqm unit is about Rs 10 lakh  a small fraction of the eventual selling price. Which means that the real problem of housing is not construction costs but price of land (which must be eliminated or controlled in the interest of affordability). Housing is out of reach for most people because all the agents in the development process  developers, landowners, banks, regulators  extract their fattest profits not from construction but from speculation on urban land.



For decades, pundits, planners, and promoters have provided a standard explanation for Mumbais high property prices. The city is geographically disadvantaged, they say, with no room to expand, creating land scarcity. To add to this, redistributionist laws like the ULC Act and environmental regulations like the CRZ further constrained land supply. And if this wasnt bad enough, Mum-bais planners foolishly restricted FSI, creating a scarcity of development rights. All these are variations on the same theme: housing is unaffordable because there is not enough supply.



So let us examine these claims. First, does Mumbai have a scarcity of land? According to the BMCs land use survey, there is about 13,500 hectares of residential use and vacant land. All of this land, developed with an average density of 250 homes per hectare, can potentially house 15 million people. Besides, land supply can be augmented by creating affordable mass transit to the mainland (something that the planners of Navi Mumbai had proposed in the 1970s).



What about restrictive laws like ULC and CRZ? It turns out that both of these have been eliminated  the ULC was repealed in 2007 and construction restrictions in CRZ-II areas have been effectively lifted since 2019. Their removal had no effect on property prices, which continue to rise.



And then we come to FSI, which may seem low on paper but is the opposite in practice. All redevelopment schemes in Mumbai have high FSI, and almost all of Mumbai is covered under one or another redevelopment scheme. The removal of all of these so-called constraints on the property market has not achieved the promised land of affordability, which goes to show that the talk of market constraints is meant to provide excuses, not explanations.



Pro-market pundits fail to consider that affordability undermines profits, and in the absence of restrictions, market actors themselves have an incentive to withhold supply. They fail to consider that planning regulations and infrastructure projects in Mumbai are designed to promote rather than curb real-estate speculation. They also ignore that developers and the authorities alike are determined to keep land prices high, and a search for high profits compels them to treat four-fifths of the urban population as non-existent. Unaffordability, in other words, is not a bug but a feature of Mumbais planning system.



Hussain Indorewala is a teacher and urban researcher at KRVIA. Views are personal




The battlefield is narrowing and the timeline is tightening in a congressional redistricting contest among states seeking a partisan advantage ahead of the November midterm elections.

Virginia voters on Tuesday approved a constitutional amendment authorizing a Democratic redistricting plan that could help the party win several additional House seats in this years elections. Next up could be Florida, where lawmakers are to begin a special session April 28 for a Republican attempt at congressional redistricting.

Voting districts typically are redrawn once a decade, after each census. But President Donald Trump triggered an unusual round of mid-decade redistricting last year when he urged Texas Republicans to redraw House districts to give the GOP an edge in the midterm elections. California Democrats reciprocated, and redistricting efforts soon cascaded across states.

So far, Republicans believe they could win up to nine additional seats in states where they have redrawn congressional districts while Democrats think they could gain up to 10 seats elsewhere because of redistricting. But that presumes past voting patterns hold in November. And thats uncertain, especially since the party in power typically loses seats in the midterms and Trump faces negative approval ratings in polls.

Democrats need to gain just a few seats in November to wrest control of the House from Republicans, potentially allowing them to obstruct Trumps agenda.

Next up on redistricting: Florida

Current map: eight Democrats, 20 Republicans

Proposed map: Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis has called a special legislative session to begin April 28 on congressional redistricting. Republicans havent yet publicly released a specific plan.

Challenges: The state constitution says districts cannot be drawn with intent to favor or disfavor a political party or incumbent.

Where new House districts were approved

New U.S. House districts have been adopted in seven states since last summer. Five took up redistricting voluntarily, one was required to by its state constitution and another did so under court order.

Texas

Current map: 13 Democrats, 25 Republicans

New map: Republican Gov. Greg Abbott signed a revised House map into law last August that could help Republicans win five additional seats.

Challenges: The U.S. Supreme Court in December cleared the way for the new districts to be used in this years elections. It put on hold a lower-court ruling that blocked the new map because it was racially gerrymandered.

California

Current map: 43 Democrats, nine Republicans

New map: Voters in November approved revised House districts drawn by the Democratic-led Legislature that could help Democrats win five additional seats.

Challenges: The U.S. Supreme Court in February allowed the new districts to be used in this years elections. It denied an appeal from Republicans and the Department of Justice, which claimed the districts impermissibly favor Hispanic voters.

Missouri

Current map: two Democrats, six Republicans

New map: Republican Gov. Mike Kehoe signed a revised House map into law last September that could help Republicans win an additional seat.

Challenges: A Cole County judge ruled the new map is in effect as election officials work to determine whether a referendum petition seeking a statewide vote complies with constitutional criteria and contains enough valid petition signatures. The Missouri Supreme Court rejected a lawsuit claiming mid-decade redistricting is illegal. Its scheduled to hear arguments in May on claims the new districts violate compactness requirements and should be placed on hold pending the potential referendum.

North Carolina

Current map: four Democrats, 10 Republicans

New map: The Republican-led General Assembly gave final approval in October to revised districts that could help Republicans win an additional seat.

Challenges: A federal court panel in November denied a request to block the revised districts from being used in the midterm elections.

Ohio

Current map: five Democrats, 10 Republicans

New map: A bipartisan panel composed primarily of Republicans voted in October to approve revised House districts that improve Republicans chances of winning two additional seats.

Challenges: None. The state constitution required new districts before the 2026 election, because Republicans had approved the prior map without sufficient Democratic support after the last census.

Utah

Current map: no Democrats, four Republicans

New map: A judge in November imposed revised House districts that could help Democrats win a seat. The court ruled that lawmakers had circumvented anti-gerrymandering standards passed by voters when adopting the prior map.

Challenges: A federal court panel and the state Supreme Court, in February, each rejected Republican challenges to the judicial map selection.

Virginia

Current map: six Democrats, five Republicans

New map: Voters approved a constitutional amendment authorizing new U.S. House districts backed by Democrats that could help the party win up to four additional seats.

Challenges: The state Supreme Court allowed the referendum to proceed, but it has yet to rule whether the effort is legal. The court is considering an appeal of a Tazewell County judges ruling that the amendment is invalid because lawmakers violated their own rules while passing it.

Where redistricting efforts were denied

Governors, lawmakers or partisan officials pushed for congressional redistricting in numerous states. In at least five states, those efforts gained some initial traction but ultimately fell short in either the legislature or court.

Maryland

Current map: seven Democrats, one Republican

Proposed map: The Democratic-led House in February passed a redistricting plan backed by Democratic Gov. Wes Moore that could help Democrats win an additional seat.

Challenges: The legislative session ended in April without the Democratic-led Senate voting on the redistricting plan. The state Senate president said there were concerns it could backfire on Democrats.

New York

Current map: 19 Democrats, seven Republicans

Proposed map: A judge in January ordered a state commission to draw new boundaries for the only congressional district in New York City represented by a Republican, ruling it unconstitutionally dilutes the votes of Black and Hispanic residents.

Challenges: The U.S. Supreme Court in March granted Republicans request to halt the judges order, leaving the existing district lines in place for the 2026 election.

Indiana

Current map: two Democrats, seven Republicans

Proposed map: The Republican-led House passed a redistricting plan in December that would have improved Republicans chances of winning two additional seats.

Challenges: Despite pressure from Trump to adopt the new map, the Republican-led Senate rejected it in a bipartisan vote on Dec. 11.

Kansas

Current map: one Democrat, three Republicans

Proposed map: Some Republican lawmakers mounted an attempt to take up congressional redistricting.

Challenges: Lawmakers dropped a petition drive for a special session on congressional redistricting in November, after failing to gain enough support.

Illinois

Current map: 14 Democrats, three Republicans

Proposed map: The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee in October proposed a new U.S. House map that would improve Democrats chances of winning an additional seat.

Challenges: The Democratic-led General Assembly declined to take up redistricting, citing concerns about the effect on representation for Black residents.

By DAVID A. LIEB

Associated Press
ISLAMABAD (AP)  A 15-second video put Pakistans powerful army chief back in the global spotlight.

Posted by Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, the video shows Field Marshal Asim Munir descending from a plane in military uniform and receiving a fraternal hug from him. The Pakistani official traveled to the epicenter of the conflict to try to ease tensions and arrange a second round of negotiations between Tehran and Washington.

Pakistan has been acting as the main mediator between Iran and the United States, and much of the attention has been on Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, in part because they have been tweeting and issuing press releases about their efforts. But another figure has also been key to the process: the army chief.

Here are a few things to know about his role:

Behind the scenes, but a key player

Since Pakistan announced a few weeks ago that it was mediating between Iran and the U.S., Sharif has tasked Munir with maintaining behind-the-scenes contacts with American and Iranian political and military leaders in an effort to de-escalate the widening regional crisis, according to Pakistani officials.

There have been no specific details about what the army chief has been doing or whom he has met beyond publicly released images. However, the initial efforts appear to have had some effect, as Pakistan managed to convince U.S. and Iranian delegations to hold rare face-to-face talks in Islamabad last week.

The talks did not produce a formal agreement, but the communication channel has remained open, and Munir is considered to have played a vital supporting role, according to the officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak to the media.

Just a few days after the first round of talks ended, Pakistan kept reaching out to the parties and both sides agreed to explore a second round. In order to convince Iran, Munir flew to Tehran on Wednesday.

Delighted to welcome Field Marshal Munir to Iran, Araghchi posted on his X account alongside the video showing the Pakistani army chief.

According to Charles Lyons-Jones, a research fellow at the Lowy Institute, Sharif and Dar, the foreign minister, may well appear to be prominent figures in the U.S.-Iran peace talks, but make no mistake, Asim Munir is the man taking the decisions.

The most powerful military chief in Pakistan

Munir, a prominent figure inside and outside Pakistan, in December became the most powerful military person in the country when the government named him both the chief of army staff and defense forces. Months before, he was promoted to field marshal, only the second military officer in the countrys history to hold the title.

Field Marshal Munir is easily the most powerful Pakistani leader since Pervez Musharraf, giving him complete authority over military appointments, civilian government decision-making and the militarys sprawling business empire, Lyons-Jones said.

Born in 1968 to a lower-middle-class family, Munir grew up in Rawalpindi and joined the military in 1986 in Pakistan-administered Kashmir, a disputed region claimed by both Pakistan and India. He served in various parts of the country and spent time in Saudi Arabia as a colonel under a longstanding arrangement in which Pakistani forces help train Saudi troops. He learned Arabic and gained exposure to regional culture and politics, according to colleagues.

Munir later held several senior positions and is the only army chief to have headed both Military Intelligence and the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), the countrys premier intelligence agency.

Getting Trumps attention

U.S. President Donald Trump has called Munir my favorite field marshal, underscoring the importance he places on him.

The relationship Munir built with Trump has made Pakistan uniquely qualified to mediate peace talks between the United States and Iran, Lyons-Jones said. It is, indeed, the only country in the region that enjoys strong ties to Iran, the Gulf nations and the United States.

Munir played a prominent role in last years four-day conflict between India and Pakistan, which raised fears of a nuclear confrontations, before Trump announced he helped facilitate a ceasefire. According to his associates, Munir played a central role in shaping Pakistans responses to regional crises.

When Iran carried out strikes inside Pakistans southwestern Balochistan province earlier this year, targeting what it described as rebel positions, officials say Munir supported a calibrated response that included Pakistans retaliatory strikes against militant hideouts across the border.

Similarly, following Indian strikes inside Pakistan last year, after an attack on tourists in Indian-administered Kashmir, Munir worked with senior military leadership on Pakistans response, according to Syed Mohammad Ali, a friend of Munir. Pakistani officials said they included coordinated use of air power, missiles and drones.

He adopted a similar approach along the border with Afghanistan, where the countries clashed over support for militant groups targeting Pakistan.

A man who takes on difficult assignments

Munir is regarded by those who know him as a figure who likes challenging assignments. He is also respected for his knowledge of the Quran, and is referred to as hafiz, or somebody who has memorized the holy book.

He understands Islam, he understands the Quran, and he believes in what it teaches, Ali said. His concepts are very clear: he does what others fear to do. Ali described Munir as a deliberate decision-maker. He thinks many times before taking a decision, and once he decides, he pursues it with full dedication, leaving the outcome to God.

His associates said that Munirs visit to Tehran also reflects the Iranian leaderships confidence in him, noting that senior Iranian officials  operating under heightened security concerns following U.S. and Israeli strikes  came out to receive him despite the risk of exposing their locations.

____

Castillo reported from Beijing.

By MUNIR AHMED and E. EDUARDO CASTILLO

Associated Press
NEW YORK (AP)  A looming jet fuel shortage in Europe and Asia could compound the Iran wars impact on world travel within weeks if a fragile agreement to reopen the Strait of Hormuz collapses, making higher airfares and flight cancellations even more likely as the summer travel season approaches.

Crude oil prices plunged Friday after Irans foreign minister said tankers and other commercial vessels could again pass unimpeded through the narrow waterway off the countrys coast that serves as a conduit for about one-fifth of the worlds oil and natural gas.

President Donald Trump cheered the announcement but then said the U.S. would continue its blockade of Iranian ships entering or leaving the strait until Washington and Tehran reached a deal to end the war, which started Feb. 28 when the U.S. and Israel attacked Iran.

The oil market is expected to take months to recover from shipment disruptions, and fuel prices typically take longer to fall than prices for crude. In a sign of the conflicts ongoing repercussions for airlines and their passengers, Air Canada said Friday it was canceling service to New Yorks John F. Kennedy International Airport between June and October due to surging jet fuel costs.

Jet fuel  a refined kerosene-based oil product  is airlines biggest cost, making up about 30% of overall expenses, according to the International Air Transport Association. And jet fuel prices have roughly doubled since the war began. Shortages could start next.

In an exclusive Thursday interview with The Associated Press, International Energy Agency Director Fatih Birol said Europe had maybe six weeks of remaining jet fuel supplies. In general, some European countries hold several months worth of jet fuel inventory at a time, according to an IEA report released this week

Airline officials have largely reacted with caution, acknowledging potential fuel issues but working to reassure customers. Still, some carriers have already passed costs on to consumers by increasing fees for baggage and other add-ons, embedding costs into ticket prices, or raising fuel surcharges.

Heres a look at how jet fuel supplies work and how consumers might see effects.

How does jet fuel get to the plane?

Jet fuel is made from crude oil at refineries, which also create gasoline and diesel.

Airlines generally buy jet fuel from refineries or fuel companies, similar to drivers buying gasoline from stations, but on a much larger scale. Jet fuel travels on ships and through pipelines and is stored by airlines at airports.

Purchasing is handled by airlines. If fuel supplies are running out in a region, that doesnt necessarily mean there will be no flights. Some airlines might have more stored than others.

But remaining flights are likely to be expensive, reflecting fuel costs.

Larger airlines have advantages in regions with shortages. They have the financial means to deal with high prices, said Jacques Rousseau, managing director at financial firm Clearview Energy Partners.

In Europe, a number of countries are now relying on less than 20 days of coverage in their fuel supplies, according to this weeks IEA report. Supplies havent dropped below 29 days since 2020, the report said.

If that falls under 23 days, physical shortages may emerge at some airports, resulting in flight cancellations and lower demand, the report warned.

Every passing day that the Strait of Hormuz remains shut, Europe is edging closer to supply shortages, said Amaar Khan, head of European jet fuel pricing at Argus Media. The strait accounts for around 40% of Europes jet fuel imports, but no jet fuel has passed the strait since the war broke out.

Which regions could feel pain?

Asia-Pacific countries are the most reliant on oil and jet fuel from the Middle East, followed by Europe, Rousseau said.

Most of Europes jet fuel is produced by European refiners, but about 20-25% of its supply is missing because of the war, Rousseau said.

To fill some gaps, the U.S. increased its exports of jet fuel to Europe considerably, sending about 150,000 barrels per day in April, or about six times the normal level, Rousseau said.

Availability of jet fuel is less of an issue in the U.S., a major oil producer, he added.

Its just going to cost more here, whereas in different parts of the world you could actually get to a point where theres just no fuel, Rousseau said.

How much is the world supply of jet fuel lagging?

The world is losing 10 million to 15 million barrels of oil a day due to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, said Pavel Molchanov, senior investment strategist at investment firm Raymond James & Associates.

Even though the IEA has released 400 million barrels of oil from members emergency reserves, that wont help in the short term, Molchanov added.

It could take until the end of the year to get all of those barrels onto the market, he said.

How will my travel be affected?

Christopher Anderson, a professor of operations, technology and information management at Cornell University, said travelers should prepare for more than just higher airfares.

This is no longer just a fuel-price story. For airlines, it is now a network-planning story, he said. Higher fuel costs matter, but so do longer routings, reduced scheduling flexibility and greater uncertainty about what demand will look like even a few weeks out.

Travelers might see a market with later booking patterns, more schedule volatility and fewer low-fare options if this disruption lasts into the core summer season, he said.

What are airlines doing?

Dutch airline KLM and U.K. budget carrier easyJet told AP they werent experiencing current fuel shortages and didnt comment further on the IEAs warning.

Still, KLM said Thursday that it would cut 160 flights next month  about 1% of its total European routes. The airline cited rising kerosene costs and said a number of flights were no longer financially viable to operate.

EasyJet said it expected to see a pretax loss of 540 million to 560 million pounds (about $731 million to $758 million) for the first half of the 2026 fiscal year. Still, CEO Kenton Jarvis said demand for flights remained strong overall.

Lufthansa said Thursday that labor disputes and high fuel prices are forcing it to immediately shut down feeder airline CityLine, earlier than planned, and take its 27 older, less fuel-efficient planes out of service. The decision accelerates a shutdown that had been expected for next year.

U.S. carrier Delta Air Lines  which frequently flies to European destinations  said on Thursday that it was aware of the potential jet fuel supply issue on the continent and monitoring the situation. Delta, which bought a refinery in Philadelphia in 2012 to manage its largest expense, said it doesnt expect any near-term impact to our operations.

How are prices affected?

Other airlines have sounded the alarm about rising fuel prices, with some already passing along new costs to travelers, often embedded into ticket prices and add-on fees.

U.S. carriers Delta, United, American Airlines, Southwest Airlines and JetBlue have all increased checked baggage fees, for example, in recent weeks.

Meanwhile, Hong Kongs Cathay Pacific recently bumped fuel surcharges by roughly 34% across all routes, while Air India added up to $280 in fees to some flights earlier this month. Emirates, Lufthansa and KLM have also adjusted fees or fares to keep pace with the price volatility.

___

AP writer David McHugh in Frankfurt, Germany, contributed to this report.

By MAE ANDERSON, CATHY BUSSEWITZ and WYATTE GRANTHAM-PHILLIPS

AP Business Writers
Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna lambasted President William Ruto following the latest spike in fuel prices, accusing the administration of deceiving the public.

In a statement on Wednesday, April 15, 2026, Sifuna condemned what he described as open lies from the Kenya Kwanza government regarding the nations fuel crisis. He pointed out that the massive price hike of approximately Ksh40 per litre arrived just two weeks after the President had publicly reassured the country that strategic interventions were working to keep costs stable.

Sifuna argued that providing misleading information to the public is not just a breach of trust but a legal violation. He highlighted the jarring contrast between the presidents recent claims of mitigation and the reality at the pump.

It is actually a crime under Kenyan law for public officers to give false/misleading information. We have been told a bunch of open lies about the fuel situation with Ruto himself, as recently as 30th March, telling us his strategic interventions had mitigated price increases only to hit us with a 40 shilling increase two weeks later, Sifuna wrote on X.

The senator placed the blame for the escalating fuel costs directly on the president, further ramping up the political pressure on the administration. His remarks come as public anger grows over the rising cost of living, with opposition leaders increasingly holding the governments leadership accountable for the countrys economic distress.

We are placing the pain at the pump squarely on Ruto, Sifuna added.
Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya has added his voice to the growing chorus of condemnation following EPRAs latest fuel price review.

In a sharp critique shared on Wednesday, April 15, 2026, Natembeya characterized the surge in petrol and diesel prices as a direct attack on the Kenyan people. He rejected the narrative that external global pressures alone dictate these costs, pointing instead to a combination of internal policy blunders and administrative oversight.

Kenyans have once again been hit with a painful fuel price increase, pushing petrol and diesel beyond Ksh200 per litre in major towns. This is not just a number; it is a direct attack on the cost of living, Natembeya said.

The governor argued that while the administration frequently cites international conflicts and market shifts as the culprits, structural inefficiencies at home play an equally damaging role. He specifically targeted the heavy tax regime and the lack of strategic foresight within the energy sector as primary drivers of the current crisis.

While the government blames global oil prices and international conflicts, the truth is that poor policy decisions, excessive taxation, and lack of proper planning have made the situation worse.

Natembeya further highlighted the disproportionate weight of taxes and levies within the final pump price, describing them as an unjust burden on the average consumer. He noted that even when global conditions fluctuate, the domestic tax structure keeps prices artificially high.

Additionally, he raised concerns over the nations lack of sufficient strategic fuel reserves, a failure he believes leaves Kenya dangerously vulnerable to foreign economic shocks. Without these buffers, he argued, the government has essentially left citizens to face the full force of a volatile global market without any local protection.

Governor Natembeya also turned his attention to the Petroleum Development Levy, arguing that the government has mismanaged and overextended the fund. He noted that this mismanagement defeats the levys primary purpose: serving as a financial buffer to protect consumers from sudden price surges.

Beyond the levy, he pointed to a long history of transparency issues within the energy sector, citing irregular procurement procedures and administrative failures as urgent areas in need of reform.

The governor warned that these fuel hikes trigger a devastating domino effect across the entire economy. As the cost of transport, food, and electricity climbs, the burden falls hardest on small-scale traders, farmers, and boda boda operators. Natembeya laid out the situation plainly, insisting on a shift toward accountability to save the crumbling domestic economy.

He wrote, Let us state the facts:

Taxes and levies still form a significant portion of every litre of fuel Kenyans buy. Even with minor VAT adjustments, the government continues to overburden citizens.

Kenya lacks adequate strategic fuel reserves, leaving the country exposed to global shocks. This is a failure of long-term energy planning.

The Petroleum Development Levy, which was meant to cushion Kenyans, has been inconsistently managed and repeatedly strained.

There have been serious allegations of mismanagement and irregular procurement in the energy sector, raising concerns about transparency and accountability.

Natembeya concluded his statement with a sharp demand for structural reforms, insisting the current administration stop hiding behind international excuses and start addressing domestic failures. He called for an immediate reduction in fuel taxes and levies, alongside a full disclosure of how the government manages fuel procurement and stabilization funds.

To prevent future crises, the governor advocated for a comprehensive national energy security strategy and strict penalties for any officials found guilty of mismanagement or exploitation within the sector.

According to Natembeya, true leadership proves itself during a crisisa test he believes the current government has failed. He maintained that the Kenyan people deserve a government that prioritizes their relief and honesty over administrative secrecy.

As the opposition, we demand:

Immediate review and reduction of fuel-related taxes and levies. Full transparency on fuel procurement and use of stabilization funds. A long-term national energy security strategy to shield Kenyans from recurring shocks. Accountability for any official found responsible for mismanagement or exploitation.

Leadership is tested in difficult times. This government has failed that test.

Kenyans deserve relief. Kenyans deserve honesty. Kenyans deserve better.
Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has leveled explosive allegations against the Kenya Kwanza administration, accusing the government of orchestrating a massive fuel scandal.

Speaking on behalf of the United Alternative Government, Gachagua linked the recent price hikes to deep-seated irregularities within the nations petroleum importation framework. The coalition explicitly named President William Ruto as the central figure in the alleged scheme, alongside Head of Public Service Felix Koskei, Energy Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi, and Senate Energy Committee Chairperson Oburu Odinga.

Gachagua claimed that President Ruto personally vetoed a decision by former Kenya Pipeline Company (KPC) and EPRA officials regarding emergency fuel imports to facilitate this arrangement. He argued that while three international firms officially handle the government-to-government (G2G) deal, a small group of high-ranking officials and specific local companies actually control the operation behind the scenes.

The three international companies in the G2G deal supply and distribute through six local oil marketing companies, but what was hidden from the public was the real culprits of this scandal. The team leaders are William Ruto, Felix Koskei (Head of Public Service), CS Opiyo Wandayi, and a local company, Gachagua claimed.

Dubai Meetings, Secret Deals, and KSh5 Per Litre Shocker

The former deputy president further alleged that on the nights of April 5 and 6, the president sent a high-level delegation to renegotiate pricing with international oil suppliers. This group reportedly included CS Wandayi and Acting EPRA CEO Eng. Joseph Oketje, working alongside Gulf Energy. Gachagua characterized Gulf Energy as a proxy for the president, acting as the primary agent in these high-stakes negotiations.

He specifically pointed to these secret meetings as the reason for CS Wandayis recent absence from Parliament. Gachagua alleged that while lawmakers sought answers, the Cabinet secretary was in Dubai finalizing a new pricing structure designed to incorporate profit margins for the president.

Gachagua escalated his criticism of the latest fuel price changes, alleging that President Ruto personally benefits from the revised pricing structure. He claimed the Head of State earns KSh5 from every liter of fuel consumed in Kenya.

Using the April 14, 2026 price adjustments, where petrol increased by KSh28.69 and diesel by KSh40.30, Gachagua argued that the arrangement generates about KSh2.5 billion from the 500 million liters allocated for regional consumption. He also alleged that since the government-to-government (G2G) fuel deal began, the President has accumulated up to KSh30 billion in personal profit.

Gachagua Demands Action

In response, Gachagua pushed for sweeping fiscal reforms, urging the government to abandon the proposed KSh5 trillion National Infrastructure Fund (NIF). He instead proposed that authorities sell equity in Safaricom PLC and Kenya Pipeline Company to cushion citizens from the rising cost of fuel.

Following the April 14, 2026, price adjustment, Mr. William Ruto will earn a profit of KSh5 for every liter consumed by the people of Kenya, Gachagua stated. This is the equivalent of KSh2.5 billion from the 500 million liters to be supplied for the regions consumption.

The United Opposition also presented a list of what it termed irreducible minimums aimed at delivering immediate relief to taxpayers. The coalition called for the suspension of the road maintenance levy, including reversing the recent increase from KSh18 to KSh25 per liter. It also urged the government to halt the 3 percent affordable housing levy and to stop what it described as punitive NSSF deductions, which it claims fund single-source infrastructure projects.

Additionally, the opposition demanded that Parliament remove the value-added tax entirely from petroleum products.

Gachagua maintained that these interventions are necessary to dismantle what he described as a system that exploits the public for private gain.

Resign Now

The United Alternative Government also called for the resignation of Energy Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi and his trade counterpart Lee Kinyanjui over the fuel importation saga.

We unequivocally demand the resignation and prosecution of the minister for energy and petroleum, Mr. Opiyo Wandayi, for the fuel scandal and lying under oath to the National Assembly committee, Gachagua demanded.

We also demand the resignation of Lee Kinyanjui for being complicit and for being part of the scandal, he added.

The United Opposition threatened that it would escalate its response if Ruto fails to act, signaling the possibility of new measures aimed at forcing government intervention.

If there is no action taken on the part of William Ruto, we shall announce further measures to the people of Kenya to force William Ruto and the National Assembly to act in the best interest of the people of Kenya, the United Opposition warned.
An audit has uncovered persistent irregularities in the pension system, raising fresh concerns over ghost pensioners, incomplete records, and questionable payments totaling billions of shillings. The Auditor Generals report for the financial year ending June 2024 reveals that gaps in records, delayed processing, and long-standing reconciliation issues have placed billions of shillings under intense scrutiny.

In her submission to Parliament, Auditor General Nancy Gathungu questioned the accuracy of KSh118.55 billion in pension payments. This figure includes KSh61.68 billion for civil pensions and KSh8.4 billion for military pensions.

However, as previously reported, the payroll provided for audit review had some missing pensioners details, such as ID numbers, while some pensioner employee numbers had been recorded as DUMMY, Gathungu said. In the circumstances, the credibility and integrity of the pensioners data used for processing pension payments could not be confirmed.

Pension payments represent monthly disbursements an employer makes to a retired employee upon reaching mandatory retirement age, voluntary retirement at 50, or due to injury, ill health, or restructuring. These funds also support the dependents of deceased officers.

The Auditor General further highlighted suspected fraudulent transactions, noting that the June 2024 bank reconciliation statement showed KSh15.64 billion in payments recorded by the bank but missing from the official cash book. Out of this amount, KSh14.89 billion has remained an unresolved mystery since 2008.

Although management attributed this to fraudulent payments that were made through the CFS Pension and Gratuities bank account and that after investigations and court proceedings, the accused were acquitted, it was not clear why it had taken unduly long to clear the items from the bank reconciliation statement, Gathungu said.

Past audit findings reveal a steady rise in returned pension payments, or re-credited cheques, which climbed to KSh7.1 billion in the 2023/24 financial year from KSh6.7 billion the previous year. Auditor General Nancy Gathungu attributed this growing balance primarily to the death of pensioners or a lack of claims from their dependents.

Alarmingly, she noted that the department lacks the actual cash in its bank account to pay out these returned pensions should the rightful beneficiaries come forward.

The audit further disclosed that some pension obligations have remained unpaid for over a decade. During the 2023/24 cycle, actual pension payments totaled KSh118.55 billion against a significantly higher budget allocation of KSh154.5 billion.

Significant delays continue to plague the system, with the average processing time stretching to 195 days. This figure far exceeds the National Treasury Service Charters 90-day requirement and the Citizen Delivery Charters 21-day target for complete documentation.

The balance has been increasing mainly due to the demise of pensioners or the lack of claims by dependents. Further, the department did not have the funds in the bank account to pay the returned pensions if they were to be claimed by the beneficiaries, Gathungu said.

The Office of the Auditor General linked these bottlenecks to internal inefficiencies, including late submissions and incorrect documentation from various government agencies.
Members of Parliament have recommended that the government immediately lift all suspensions and sanctions imposed on Mediheal, St. Lukes, and Oak Tree Centre hospitals following an intense investigation into allegations of organ harvesting. The Departmental Committee on Health tabled its report on Wednesday, concluding a probe that lasted nearly a year after finding no evidence of ethical violations in the hospitals kidney transplant procedures.

The inquiry began in April 2025 after Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale ordered the suspension of transplant services at the facilities due to claims of professional misconduct. The committee, led by lawmaker James Nyikal, spent months investigating the alleged breaches but ultimately cleared the institutions of any wrongdoing.

In its final recommendations, the committee urged for the full restoration of Mediheals operations. This move also clears two other Eldoret-based facilities: St. Lukes Orthopaedic and Trauma Hospital and Oak Tree Centre for Kidney and Chronic Disease, which had both been caught up in the lengthy investigation. The lifting of these sanctions allows the hospitals to resume providing critical specialized care to the public.

Despite clearing the hospitals of ethical misconduct, lawmakers have maintained restrictions on organ transplant licenses, calling for sweeping reforms in how Kenya regulates these services. The committee specified that while general operational suspensions should be lifted for Mediheal, St. Lukes, and Oak Tree Centre, the specific permits required for organ transplants will remain suspended for now.

Any sanctions placed on the Mediheal Group of hospitals, St. Lukes Orthopaedic and Trauma Hospital, and Oak Tree Centre for Kidney and Chronic Disease, including suspension of licenses, be lifted, with the exception of licenses related to organ transplants, the report read in part.

The committee proposed enacting a comprehensive law to govern the transplant of blood, cells, and organs. This framework would include the establishment of a National Organ Transplant Authority, a national registry, and a transparent system for organ allocation.

Furthermore, the lawmakers urged the Ministry of Health to fast-track new regulations under the Health Act and strengthen oversight agencies. They stressed the need for a national transplant policy that aligns with international standards and supports the countrys universal health coverage goals, ensuring that future procedures remain transparent and accountable.

To ensure the long-term integrity of the sector, the committee further recommended creating a joint inspection framework among regulatory bodies. This collaborative approach aims to streamline oversight and prevent future lapses. Lawmakers also called for a significant increase in funding for transplant infrastructure and the expansion of specialized training programs for medical professionals.

Specifically, the committee urged the National Treasury to prioritize funding for the East Africa Centre of Excellence in Urology and Nephrology at Kenyatta National Hospital. By investing in this center, the government can boost local capacity and ensure a steady pipeline of homegrown specialists.

To address the current shortage of experts, the report called on both the Ministry of Health and county governments to develop a national human resource strategy and increase investment in public health facilities.

Lawmakers also looked toward improving patient access by recommending a review of transplant coverage under the Social Health Authority. To support these structural changes, the committee suggested a nationwide public awareness campaign to promote organ donation and address common cultural and religious concerns.
Kiharu Member of Parliament Ndindi Nyoro has stepped forward with a series of proposals he claims could slash fuel prices by at least KSh27 per liter. Addressing the media on Wednesday, the lawmaker accused the government of failing to address the fuel crisis and labeled the latest price hikes as unacceptable.

Nyoro pointed out a glaring inconsistency in current market trends, noting that Kenyans are paying record highs at the pump despite global oil prices being significantly lower than they were two years ago. He questioned the logic behind the current pricing structure, comparing todays rates to the mid-2022 period when international crude topped $115 per barrel.

Kenyans take note of the fact that global oil prices were higher in 2022, topping $115 per barrel in May 2022, yet pump prices never exceeded Ksh.160 per litre of petrol Global oil prices are cheaper now Why are Kenyans being made to pay more? he posed.

The MP further cautioned that the governments lack of transparency regarding fuel price components could backfire. He warned that if the state fails to provide clear communication, it risks triggering artificial shortages through hoarding within the supply chain. Nyoro argued that the administration has shown a lack of commitment to solving a crisis that has been looming since late February, demanding an immediate and more compassionate reduction in pump prices.

It has been laid bare and apparent that the government has never been keen or committed to providing a solution to the crisis that has been imminent since the end of February. The drastic increment in fuel prices is unacceptable; a more humane variation must be made by reducing the pump prices now, he said.

Failure of the government to communicate clearly about the composition of the pricing may likely lead to supply chain hoarding, as dealers are not sure who is paying how much and for what.

The MP dismissed the current KSh6.5 billion fuel subsidy allocation as inadequate and urged the government to significantly scale up intervention measures. He called for a minimum injection of KSh10 billion from the Fuel Stabilisation Fund to ease pressure on consumers. He noted that the fund currently holds about KSh20 billion and argued that authorities should deploy it more decisively to reduce fuel costs in the period leading up to May 14.

The amount given for subsidies is too little The government must commit at least Ksh.10 billion into subsidies in the month up to May 14th, he stated.

On taxation, the legislator rejected the proposed VAT adjustments from 16% to 13%, describing them as insufficient to address the ongoing fuel crisis. He called for a full VAT exemption on petroleum products during the current period instead of incremental reductions. He further pushed for a return to the 8% VAT rate that existed before 2023 as an initial step toward broader relief for consumers.

The lawmaker also criticized the KSh7 fuel levy introduced in 2024, arguing that its removal, combined with deeper VAT cuts and higher subsidies, would significantly lower pump prices.

The VAT reduction of 3% is a dry joke taken too far. Fuel products must be VAT-exempt during the intervening period. The government must immediately revert the VAT to 8% as it was before 2023, he said.

Notably, President Ruto on Wednesday announced that his administration would slash the VAT further to 8 percent for the next three months.

Ndindi Nyoro also broke down his proposal in numerical terms, arguing that the combined reforms would reduce fuel prices by about KSh27 per litre for consumers. He attributed the expected savings to the removal of the 2024 fuel levy, additional VAT reductions, and increased subsidy allocation.

Reduce Ksh.7 from the fuel levy that was added in 2024. Reduce VAT by an additional 5% immediately, which will be approximately Ksh.8 per litre. Grant an additional Ksh.5 billion in subsidies which will be approximately Ksh.12 per litre. This should translate to a reduction by Ksh.7 + 8 + 12 = Ksh.27.

Nyoro further cast doubt on the government-to-government (G2G) fuel importation framework, openly questioning its transparency. He demanded an immediate review of fuel prices, warning that any delay would only deepen the strain on the national economy. The lawmaker characterized the current arrangement as a scheme designed to benefit those in power at the expense of ordinary citizens.

The arrangement is a scam and a profit machine for leaders. They must explain to Kenyans why they are profiting while Kenyans are bearing the pain, he said.

With the economy heavily dependent on energy costs, Nyoro rejected the idea of waiting for the next scheduled price review. He insisted that the government must act now to lower costs at the pump to prevent further financial damage to Kenyan households and businesses.

Kenyans cannot wait for another month for the revision to be done. Reduction in fuel prices must be done now without delays. Time is of the essence. Our economy runs on fuel.
Noah Eaton, a senior in SIU Carbondales fashion studies program, works on his Desperado collection ahead of the annual Student Showcase and Fashion Show. (Photos by Russell Bailey except the Aaliyah Lewis photo is provided)

SIU fashion studies students take center stage with fashion, merchandising concepts

by Pete Rosenbery

CARBONDALE, Ill.  Brightly lit third-floor studio lights in Southern Illinois University Carbondales Quigley Hall on late nights in early April mean one thing  the clock is ticking for students to complete their bold, artistic visions for the Fashion Studies programs Student Showcase and Fashion Show on Thursday, April 23.

Im in here most nights, I probably take one day off out of a week working until 11 p.m. or midnight, said Lennon Adams, a senior fashion design major from Kappa, Illinois, as he gently ripped out a collar on his Caramel Apple Concussion apparel line outfit because it wasnt quite right.

Nearby, senior Shantell Tompkins, who is designing under the name, Telle, is busy working on her beach and seashell-inspired Eternal Fold collection.

Time is something that really needs to be taken seriously, said Tompkins, who is from Mounds, Illinois. If you slack off even for a day, you are going to fall behind.

For Adams, Tompkins and senior Noah Eaton of OFallon, Illinois, time is crucial as they work on their respective collections. The runway fashion show begins at 7 p.m. in Ballroom D. The student showcase, with featured works from students in the fashion design and fashion merchandising specializations, is from 6 to 7 p.m. in the John W. Corker Lounge.

The program is free and open to the public.

The next two weeks Im going to be pretty busy, said Eaton, who finished his fashion merchandising specialization in May 2025, and who will complete the fashion design specialization next month. A lot of my designs right now are completely finished, patterned and sampled. Its literally sewing. Im going to be living in the studio finishing things up. Lots of late nights pretty much.

Time management lessons

Laura Kidd, an associate professor and fashion studies program director, said the three designers each illustrate very different ideas with their lines.

Its been fun to watch them come to life. Its going to be an interesting show, she said.

Students begin planning for shows during the fall semester conceiving their ideas and designs and then hit the pavement working to produce them in the spring.

I hope they take away a sense of accomplishment and how important having a good work ethic is, Kidd said. Hopefully they also understand the importance of time management skills. But I hope they get a good sense of accomplishment  its really a big job.

Varied fashion lines

Eatons Desperado line, which includes Napoleonic suit jackets, reimagines the cowboy/western look with French art embellishments featuring paisleys, velvets and rich fabrics. He incorporated corsets to show off all the things Im cable of doing.

I really love doing tailoring, said Eaton, who started sewing while in high school as a hobby during the COVID pandemic. That is what I want to do eventually after I get out of college. I worked as a tailor for a bit and since Ive started school here, with all my collections, this element has been taking suiting and kind of just doing my own thing with it.

The program is really great at allowing students to explore different aspects of the industry, Eaton said. With design, you are able to pick your own path and decide what you want to do.

Eaton is considering graduate school or moving to New York City and pursuing a job in costuming.

I think I would be good at costume design and from there I want to do commissions and own my own fashion design business.

Adams line is inspired by the Japanese manga comics/cartoon series Paradise Kiss and features high school students who are fashion designers. Each of the outfits are representative of characters on the show. The line features different shapes, colors and silhouettes so each one is its own experience and there is a learning curve to put it together.

Adams noted that he has always been the creative type. The sewing process that involves working with his hands, putting pieces together, is therapeutic.

I can sit back, put on my headphones and tune out. It feels nice, said Adams, who is looking forward to the show.

There is still time, but I want to make sure that everything is done and done well, he said. Im excited about it.

Tompkins collection utilizes pleating techniques and shimmering details as moving architecture, inspired by the seas natural movement and seashells. She also gets inspiration from her classmates lines and ideas. Tompkins became interested in sewing watching her aunt create small gowns for her to wear but arrived in the program without any sewing experience.

They have been very patient with me, she said, smiling. A double major in fashion design and marketing, Tompkins will graduate in May 2028 after completing the marketing program. She sees the marketing path enhancing her future fashion design goals.

My plan is to own my own business. I know its going to take a few years, but thats my end goal, she said. Im excited for the future.

A new twist in merchandising class

Fashion merchandising seniors Aaliyah Lewis and Kayla Vaughn, both from Chicago, brought a different component to associate professor Siwon Chos class this year  Lewis and Vaughn already have online hair extensions and accessories businesses that they plan to expand.

They will discuss their capstone projects at 6 p.m. in Corker Lounge.

Lewis began Ameria Beauty  which sells XXL scrunchies to women with long, thick, curly, wavy and coil hair types  while in high school, opening her first Etsy shop and launching her website in 2025. Lewis said she started the business because of her own hair struggles.

Being a girl with thick hair I understand the feeling when a scrunchie or a hair tie breaks when trying to make a ponytail, so out of that frustration I started to design scrunchies that were made for thick hair, she said.

Vaughns online hair extension business, Kay la Fluer, also began with an idea in high school. While her business currently also offers eyelashes and wigs, Vaughn plans to narrow the line to wigs and wig styling. Vaughn said the class helped her in organizing, developing a business plan, finding and narrowing her target market and utilizing comparative research to see how I could make my brand stand out more.

The class helped me because it was everything I was going to do, she said. When Dr. Cho told us we were going to work on our own businesses, I was happy. Its always difficult doing homework and working on your business.

The course pushed Lewis to think more strategically about my brand and how I can continue to grow it. I gained a clearer vision of my goals, as well as a better understanding of the steps I need to take to turn my business into something more established and successful.

This is the first time students have worked on a business they have already established, Cho said. The class allowed Lewis and Vaughn to examine their businesses strengths and weaknesses and look ahead. Both are working on five- and 10-year business plans.

We come up with a new theme every year, so with something like this that weve never done before, its always exciting, Cho said. Im glad that they were able to see who they are and what they can do in the future, so they can plan one-by-one and make it happen.

After graduating, Lewis wants to continue to grow her business while also exploring my career path within the fashion industry. She hopes to be a product developer and is particularly interested in being part of the sustainable fashion industry, focusing on developing products that are not only well-designed but also environmentally responsible.

Vaughn will launch her website shortly after graduating. Her first-year goal is to have a growing website and a social media platform presence. Vaughn eventually wants to open a business that includes hair and beauty products, along with a floral component and a fashion line. She is also considering pursuing a masters degree in fashion and beauty communications from the Vogue College of Fashion in London.

Fashion Studies lineup

The student showcase at 6 p.m. in Corker Lounge will include exhibits of student work from fashion illustrations, visual communications and student portfolios.

At 7 p.m., the Runway Fashion Show in Ballroom D begins with Dressed for Effect, with works from first-year designers:

Grace Ahne, Freeburg, Illinois.

Bethany Foster, Metamora, Illinois.

Iniya Jayabalan, Chennai, India.

Faith Pryor, Carbondale, Illinois.

Six advanced second- and third-year students will present fashion designs from mini-line Time after Time collections that highlight decades from the early 20th century to the 1970s:

Second-year designers and their line names include:

Julia Dunlap, Kankakee, Illinois.  Verdant, inspired by art nouveau and early 20th century designers.

 Verdant, inspired by art nouveau and early 20th century designers. Bailey Fry, designing under the name, Bailey Reyn, Millington, Tennessee .  Salvaged Dreams, inspired by a variety of designs from the 1930s.

.  Salvaged Dreams, inspired by a variety of designs from the 1930s. Alexandria Akers, Palatine, Illinois.  Le Nouveau, inspired by Christian Diors New Look from the 1940s.

 Le Nouveau, inspired by Christian Diors New Look from the 1940s. Anna Neimeyer, designing under the name, Anna Lucia, Elmo, Illinois.  Patchwork Prairie, inspired by the 1970s country western/prairie look.

 Patchwork Prairie, inspired by the 1970s country western/prairie look. Hieronymous Tice, Lincoln, Illinois  Wanted, streetstyle inspired by the 1970s.

Third-year designer

Chloe Antoine, Jerseyville, Illinois.  Reina, evening wear inspired by the strength and femininity of women.

More information on the fashion studies program is available at academics.siu.edu/design/fashion-design/ or by calling 618-453-1970.
SIU hosts Southern Illinois Chamber Music Society performance April 21

CARBONDALE, Ill.  The Southern Illinois Chamber Music Society will present a concert featuring SIU School of Music faculty and guest artists on Tuesday, April 21, in the Old Baptist Foundation Recital Hall at Southern Illinois University Carbondale.

The program, which begins at 3:30 p.m., will highlight both contemporary and chamber music that was a cornerstone of the 19th-century Romantic era repertoire. Tickets are $15 at the door for adults; $5 for general students. The performance is free for students and faculty in the School of Music.

Performers will include Michael Barta and Ching-Yi Lin on violins, Andrew Braddock and Rossana Cauti on violas, and William Cernota and Wei Liu Denton on cellos. SIU School of Music faculty performers are Barta, a professor of violin and chamber music; Cauti, an assistant professor of practice and SIU String Orchestra music director, and Cernota, an assistant lecturer in the SIU School of Music. Lin is a professor of violin at Western Kentucky University; Braddock is a faculty member and co-director of Western Kentucky Universitys String Academy, and Denton is a member of the Chicago Philharmonic Orchestra.

The concert opens with To See the Summer Sky for violin and viola, written by Helen Grime and performed by Lin and viola. The four-movement work offers a vivid and atmospheric exploration of color and gesture, moving fluidly between lyricism and rhythmic energy, Cauti said.

Helen Grimes writing is both refined and expressive, she said. This piece invites the listener into a sound world that is intimate and evocative, where the dialogue between violin and viola becomes a narrative of shifting moods and textures.

The second half of the program features Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovskys Souvenir de Florence, Op. 70, a richly textured sextet that combines the elegance of chamber music with the emotional breadth of symphonic writing. Composed in 1890, the work is celebrated for its lyrical intensity, vibrant rhythms, and virtuosic interplay among all six instruments, Cauti said.

Tchaikovskys Souvenir de Florence is one of the most beloved works in the chamber repertoire, she said. It brings together warmth, brilliance, and extraordinary energy, allowing each performer to contribute equally to a dynamic and cohesive musical experience.

Cauti noted that the concert reflects the mission of the Southern Illinois Chamber Music Society to foster artistic collaboration and engagement within the region.

Our goal is to bring high-level chamber music performances to the community while supporting the next generation of musicians, she said. This concert exemplifies the collaborative spirit of SIUs faculty and guest artists, offering a program that is both intellectually engaging and deeply expressive.

The Southern Illinois Chamber Music Society promotes chamber music through regional concerts and provides scholarships to outstanding students pursuing music studies at SIU Carbondale.
NewsVoir New Delhi [India], April 16: DJT Microfinance, one of India's leading NBFC-MFI committed to rural empowerment, announced its strategic expansion roadmap for the Northeast region with major Assam growth plan. This marks a significant step in strengthening the company's presence across eastern and northeastern India and builds on the company's existing operations in Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Bihar and West Bengal with the aim to extend responsible financial services to underserved communities. The company has announced plans to empower 20,000 new members by 2027, focusing on scaling financial inclusion in the region. This reiterates DJT Microfinance's commitment to deliver microfinance services to low-income households with a focus on empowering women to become self-employed in underserved and rural areas of the country through convenient and secure loans. As part of the initial phase, the company will focus on the Lower Brahmaputra Valley agro-climatic zone, covering districts including Darrang, Tamulpur, Kokrajhar, Bongaigaon, Chirang, Udalguri, and Bajali. Avinash Kumar, Chief Operating Officer, DJT Microfinance said, "Our expansion in Assam reflects our long-term commitment to responsible financial inclusion in regions where access to formal credit remains limited. Assam offers a unique combination of accessibility, economic potential and strong portfolio stability. We intend to adopt a calibrated expansion approach, focusing on disciplined growth, strong governance standards, and customer-centric products tailored to local requirements." The expansion will be primarily driven through the Joint Liability Group (JLG) lending model, which enables access to credit for low-income households and micro-entrepreneurs who often remain outside the formal financial system. DJT Microfinance recently commenced its operations in the state and is currently undertaking detailed market assessments and area surveys to design financial products aligned with local economic activities and borrower needs. Alongside its existing offerings, the company plans to introduce need-based products tailored to regional demand patterns. Avinash Kumar further added, "Our lending framework will remain aligned with the NBFC-MFI regulatory guidelines, targeting households with annual incomes of up to 3 lakh. We also ensure that the fixed obligation to income ratio does not exceed 50% of the household's monthly income. We will continue to adhere strictly to SRO guardrails while expanding our portfolio of services in the region." Currently, DJT Microfinance operates 75 branches across five states, serving approximately 75 thousand customers. Over the next three years, DJT Microfinance aims to build a scalable and stable portfolio in the Northeast, beginning with Assam. The strategy will focus on disciplined customer acquisition, prudent underwriting, and strong asset quality management. Through its phased expansion strategy, DJT Microfinance aims to deepen access to formal financial services for underserved households while building a resilient and quality-driven portfolio across eastern and northeastern India. (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by NewsVoir. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same.)
VMPL Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], April 16: Govind Kripa Infratech Private Limited, a subsidiary of Globe International Carriers Limited, has announced its strategic entry into the hospitality sector through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with OPO Hotels & Resorts, a fast-growing hotel operator with a strong footprint in India's premium and upscale hospitality segment. Under the MOU, OPO Hotels will operate and manage an upcoming upscale hotel under the brand "OPO Premier Marvel", located at Ajmer Road, Mahindra World City SEZ, Jaipur--one of Rajasthan's most prominent industrial and business hubs. The proposed hotel is expected to feature approximately 56 well-appointed rooms along with modern amenities, such as restaurant, library, banquet and boardrooms, gym, spa, and swimming pool. The property is designed to serve the needs of business travellers, corporate clients, and long-stay guests. The property's strategic location offers strong connectivity via the Jaipur-Ajmer Highway and proximity to Jaipur International Airport, positioning the property to benefit from sustained corporate and industrial demand. Strategic Rationale This collaboration represents a significant milestone in Govind Kripa Infratech's growth strategy, enabling diversification into a high-potential sector while leveraging the operational expertise and brand strength of OPO Hotels. Commenting on the development, a spokesperson of Govind Kripa Infratech Private Limited said, "This association with OPO Hotels marks our formal foray into the hospitality sector. With a strong location, a scalable brand, and an experienced operating partner, we believe this project is well-positioned to generate long-term value while strengthening our overall business portfolio. We see hospitality as a complementary growth avenue and are keenly evaluating more such opportunities aligned to our long-term strategy of diversification, asset optimisation, and value creation." OPO Hotels & Resorts brings deep experience in hotel operations, brand management, marketing, and technology-enabled distribution across India. The collaboration is structured as a hotel management and business collaboration arrangement, with detailed agreements to be executed in line with the MOU. The initiative is expected to: * Expand Govind Kripa Infratech Private Limited's business portfolio into branded hospitality assets * Capitalise on rising demand for quality accommodation in industrial and SEZ corridors * Establish a scalable platform for future hospitality-led growth * Deliver long-term, sustainable value to shareholders beginning from the current financial year Further announcements and updates will be shared as the project progresses. (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by VMPL. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same.)
IT company, Wipro Limited, on Thursday announced a share buyback worth Rs 15,000 crore at a price of Rs 250 per equity share, with the proposal approved by its Board of Directors, subject to shareholder approval. The company stated that the buyback will be conducted through the tender offer route on a proportionate basis, in accordance with the provisions of the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Buy-back of Securities) Regulations, 2018 and the Companies Act, 2013. According to the company, it plans to repurchase up to 60,00,00,000 equity shares of face value Rs 2 each, representing 5.7 per cent of its total paid-up equity share capital. The aggregate buyback size is capped at Rs 150 billion (approximately USD 1.6 billion). The buyback price of Rs 250 per share is significantly higher than the company's closing price of Rs 210.26 on Thursday, offering a premium to shareholders. The record date for determining shareholder eligibility for the buyback is yet to be announced. The company also indicated that a portion of the buyback will be reserved for retail investors, with a retail quota of 9,00,00,000 shares. Commenting on the development, Aparna Iyer, Chief Financial Officer of Wipro, said the company has maintained strong financial performance and cash generation during the financial year. "We have continued to invest in our clients, capabilities and people and maintained our margins in narrow band. Our cash conversion continues to remain strong with operating cash flows at 112.6 per cent of net income for FY'26," she said. "Additionally, in our recently concluded board meeting, the Board of Directors announced buyback of Rs 15,000 crore at a price of Rs 250, subject to shareholder approval," she said. The buyback is aimed at enhancing shareholder value and reflects the company's confidence in its financial position and future outlook. The proposal will now be placed before shareholders for approval through a postal ballot process. (ANI)
Oscar-winning director Christopher Nolan showcased the footage of his upcoming film 'The Odyssey' at the ongoing CinemaCon, reported Variety. Nolan's 'The Odyssey' is a historical drama that is based on Homer's Greek epic poem of the same name. It stars Matt Damon, Tom Holland and Zendaya in the lead roles. The director was greeted with a standing ovation as he walked on stage at the Colosseum. An introvert, the filmmaker tried to deflect the attention, joking that he's just happy that he's not following Steven Spielberg during Universal's presentation to exhibitors. Spielberg's new film "Disclosure Day" was teased later in the afternoon, reported Variety. The director addressed his decision to adapt the original epic for today's audiences. Matt Damon stars as Odysseus, the king of Ithaca, and the story chronicles his long and perilous return home after the Trojan War. "Why 'The Odyssey?' 'The Odyssey' is a story that has fascinated generation after generation for 3,000 years. It's not a story. It's the story," said Nolan treated exhibitors to an extended look at "The Odyssey," which opened with Damon's Odysseus, shirtless on the beach with a burly beard. He's been gone a long time and admits to Calypso (Charlize Theron) that he "can't remember anything before Troy." "Did I have a wife? Children? Maybe a son? If I had a son, how old would he be now?" said Matt Damon in the film, as quoted by Variety. According to the outlet, most of the footage revolved around 'the story of the horse', the famous Trojan horse attack, which the Greeks used as cover to enter the city of Troy at the end of the war. As the massive wooden figure washes up on the beach, thousands of men have to pull the Trojan horse out of the water and onto the sand before they can wheel it into the city. In the tense and thrilling sequence, the Greeks are forced to stay quiet as the Trojans plunge swords into the statue to see if anything was hidden, with one blade even slicing into the face of a hidden soldier. Later, there are shots of Odysseus urging his soldiers to keep rowing through a storm, and then slinging arrows as they launch their full-scale attack in the dark of night. The footage ended with a quick shot of Odysseus and his soldiers as they face the man-eating cyclops Polyphemus; the massive brute picks up a man in his hand before the screen cuts to black, reported Variety. According to the Greek tale, Polyphemus is one of many mythical beings, Cyclops, sirens, and Circe among them, who Odysseus will encounter as he ventures to reunite with his wife Penelope (Anne Hathaway) and son Telemachus (Tom Holland). Along with Damon, Hathaway, Holland and Theron, the stacked ensemble includes Zendaya, Lupita Nyong'o, Robert Pattinson, Jon Bernthal, Benny Safdie, John Leguizamo and Himesh Patel. Given the robust call sheet, Nolan joked there were too many stars to feasibly bring with him to CinemaCon. Nolan shared that the filming of the movie was done in Morocco, Greece, Italy, Iceland and Scotland, reported Variety. "This has been an absolute nightmare to film -- but in all the right ways," he said. "We had an amazing time." He singled out his leading man, referring to Damon as his "partner on this journey" and calling his work "incredible." "He was there on the boats, up the mountains, in the caves, in the beating sunshine, sideways rain, wind," Nolan said. "You'll be pleased to know how difficult it was. It was meant to be; that's the nature of this story," added Nolan as quoted by Variety. Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey is scheduled to be released in theatres and IMAX in the United States on July 17, 2026. (ANI)
Actor-politician Kangana Ranaut has revisited a formative moment from her early days in the film industry, recalling how Salman Khan once encouraged her to meet filmmaker Sanjay Leela Bhansali, calling her "a Sanjay Leela Bhansali's heroine." Speaking to ANI in a recent interaction, Kangana shared a detailed account of the meeting that took place when she was still struggling to find her footing in Mumbai. "When I was... struggling... in my... very early days... you know... I met Salman... through somebody... and I was hardly like 16, 17. Gangster hadn't happened. And he met me and he saw me. And he said, she is Sanjay Leela Bhansali's heroine. That's what he said. He said, you should go and meet Sanjay Bhansali," she recalled. Calling it a "very big compliment," Kangana added that Salman's suggestion led her to approach Bhansali with her portfolio. "That particular day, I went to Sanjay sir and I had my portfolio... I went to Sanjay sir's house, and his mother was also there. And, I told sir, Salman sir has sent me... He went through the pictures and he was looking at my face... He's like, you look different in every picture. What is your face like?... If we straighten your hair, you look different. If you put a wig, you look different," she recalled. Kangana noted that the filmmaker did not sign her at the time. "He didn't obviously sign me... He actually meant that maybe if you make it, you'll know," she said, reflecting on the encounter. She added that Bhansali later acknowledged the missed opportunity, saying, "Now whenever Sanjay sir met me, he always remembered that I wish I had listened to Salman." When asked if she takes satisfaction in such hindsight, Kangana responded candidly, "No, because that moment is gone. Then I desperately needed that job. It didn't happen." She further revealed that after the success of 'Queen' and 'Tanu Weds Manu Returns,' Bhansali had approached her for a song in 'Ram Leela', which was eventually performed by Priyanka Chopra. "He said, you should do this song. I said, sir, I don't want to do item numbers. And he kind of didn't like it," she said. Reflecting on her journey, Kangana emphasized that early setbacks shaped her career. "I always say, it's good when you get something, but if you don't get it, it's better... you learn how to make it work even without that opportunity," she said, adding that not receiving validation early on pushed her to evolve as a filmmaker and writer. Kangana Ranaut, who hails from Himachal Pradesh, made her debut with 'Gangster' (2006) and went on to deliver acclaimed performances in 'Queen' and 'Tanu Weds Manu Returns.' A four-time National Award winner and Padma Shri recipient, she currently serves as a Member of Parliament from Mandi. On the work front, she was last seen in 'Emergency,' a film she also directed, portraying former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. (ANI)
BJP leader Anurag Thakur accused the Congress and opposition parties of politicising the Women's Reservation Bill. "I express my gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his commitment to the Nari Shakti Vandan Act, so that Indian women can have their rights. This demand has been raised for a long time, but remained unfulfilled. Congress, which ruled for many years and even recently from 2004 to 2014, only made promises. Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi failed to fulfil them. But Narendra Modi has delivered on his promises. This is the Bharatiya Janata Party's commitment to women's empowerment. All the NDA constituents have stood together with full force," he said on Wednesday. The Delimitation Bill provides for the readjustment of the allocation of seats in the House of the People to the States and Union territories, the total number of seats in the Legislative Assembly of each State and Union territories having a Legislative Assembly, the division of each State and each Union territory having a Legislative Assembly into territorial constituencies for elections to the House of the People and Legislative Assemblies of the States and Union territories. "Last time, it was passed unanimously, but this time, Congress and other opposition parties are politicising it. They are once again trying to prevent women from getting their rights. They are finding one excuse after another. The truth is that Congress and other parties do not seem to be in favour of women's empowerment. But no matter what, women must get their rights. Since becoming Prime Minister, Modi has ensured justice for women," he added. The BJP leader accused Congress of "always tending to divide the country, sometimes based on caste and religion, sometimes based on region". He said seats will not be reduced for any state. "Even today, some Congress allies make the argument that the seats in southern states will be reduced. We want to say with great responsibility that no one's rights, no one's seats are being reduced, rather justice is being done to everyone," he said. Three significant bills, including on implementing women's reservation from 2029 Lok Sabha polls and on delimitation of constituencies, are slated to be introduced and taken up in the special sitting of the budget session of Parliament today, with the opposition questioning the basis of plans to redraw constituencies and an increase in the number of Lok Sabha seats to 850 from the existing 543. The Constitution (One Hundred and Thirty-First Amendment) Bill, 2026, and the Delimitation Bill, 2026, are slated to be introduced by Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal and the Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2026, by Home Minister Amit Shah. The Law Minister is also slated to move a proposal in the Lok Sabha to suspend the provisions of Rule 66 with the objective to pass the Women's Reservation Amendment Bill and the Delimitation Bill together. The motion states that the this House "do suspend the proviso to rule 66 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in Lok Sabha in its application to the motions for taking into consideration and passing of the Delimitation Bill, 2026 and the Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2026 in as much as these are dependent upon the Constitution (One Hundred and Thirty-first Amendment) Bill, 2026". The government has been seeking opposition support for passing the amendment bill to implement the women's reservation bill from the 2029 Lok Sabha polls on the basis of the 2011 census. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had urged opposition parties to support the amendment to ensure the women's reservation comes into effect from the 2029 general elections. "This is the wish of every sister and daughter of this country, and we must fulfil it with unanimity," he said at an event in Dehradun on Tuesday. (ANI)
Congress leader KC Venugopal termed the delimitation bill as "anti-national act". "The delimitation amendment is an anti-national act that denies access to political power to women from Dalit, Adivasi and OBC communities, and threatens to break India's federal structure. Southern, North Eastern and smaller states will see a massive shrinking of their political representation through this, and it will lead to catastrophic consequences for our Constitutional democracy," he said on X, in response to a video posted by Rahul Gandhi. https://x.com/kcvenugopalmp/status/2044452869349458285 "We demand that the latest caste census be used for delimitation and that no state is disadvantaged by this process. We reject this Bill in its current form," he added. The Delimitation Bill provides for the readjustment of the allocation of seats in the House of the People to the States and Union territories, the total number of seats in the Legislative Assembly of each State and Union territories having a Legislative Assembly, the division of each State and each Union territory having a Legislative Assembly into territorial constituencies for elections to the House of the People and Legislative Assemblies of the States and Union territories. His remarks come after Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, who is Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, slammed the delimitation bill, saying Congress will not allow the government to steal the share of representation of Other Backward Class (OBCs), Dalit and Adivasi communities, calling it an "anti-national" move by the NDA. In a post on X, Rahul Gandhi said his Congress unequivocally supports Women's Reservation, but the government must do delimitation only based on the 2026 Census, which is currently underway, adding that the Caste census must also be taken into consideration before bringing any such legislation. "What the government is proposing now has nothing to do with women's reservation. This amendment is an attempted power grab using delimitation and gerrymandering. We will not allow 'Hissa Chori' from OBC, Dalit and Adivasi communities by ignoring the caste census data. We will also not allow Southern, North Eastern, North Western and smaller states to be treated unfairly," he said. Rahul Gandhi said that if the government is serious about women's reservation in the legislature, then it must implement the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, which was already passed in 2023 in the Parliament. "This is an anti-national activity, PM Modi is lying and trying to steal a share of backward communities. PM Modi wants delimitation as per his whims, which we won't allow, he said. Three significant bills, including on implementing women's reservation from 2029 Lok Sabha polls and on delimitation of constituencies, are slated to be introduced and taken up in the special sitting of the budget session of Parliament beginning today with the opposition questioning the basis of plans to redraw constituencies and increase in the number of Lok Sabha seats to a maximum of 850 from the existing 543. The Constitution (One Hundred and Thirty-First Amendment) Bill, 2026 and the Delimitation Bill, 2026 are slated to be introduced by Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal and the Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2026 by Home Minister Amit Shah. The government has convened a special sitting of Parliament on April 16,17,18 to pass the amendment to the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam. The Law Minister is also slated to move a proposal in the Lok Sabha to suspend the provisions of Rule 66 with the objective to pass the women's reservation amendment bill and the Delimitation Bill together. The motion states that the this House "do suspend the proviso to rule 66 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in Lok Sabha in its application to the motions for taking into consideration and passing of the Delimitation Bill, 2026 and the Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2026 in as much as these are dependent upon the Constitution (One Hundred and Thirty-first Amendment) Bill, 2026".The government has been seeking opposition support for passing the amendment bill to implement the women's reservation bill from 2029 Lok Sabha polls on the basis of 2011 census. (ANI)
Communist Party of India (CPI) General Secretary D Raja said that no opposition party has opposed the Women's Reservation Bill; however, there are concerns about how the Delimitation process will be carried out in the States. Further, he alleged that the Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) is trying to deceive the people to take advantage in view of the upcoming Assembly elections in West Bengal and Tamil Nadu. "We have supported women's reservation, and we were the first to raise the issue inside and outside Parliament. No party in opposition is opposed to women's reservation. How this delimitation is going to be worked out, and how the number of seats for each state is going to be worked out. There are many questions which have far-reaching implications. That is why this cannot be done just like that. BJP is trying to hoodwink the people, to take political advantage in the elections," he said. Meanwhile, the floor leaders of the Opposition parties will meet in the office of the LoP, Rajya Sabha, Mallikarjun Kharge, in Parliament to chalk out the strategy for the floor of the House in the special session today. The meeting of the opposition comes ahead of the special sitting of Parliament called by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on April 16, 17, and 18 to pass the amendment to the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam. The Law Minister is also slated to move a proposal in the Lok Sabha to suspend the provisions of Rule 66 with the objective of passing the Women's Reservation Amendment Bill and the Delimitation Bill together. The motion states that this House "do suspend the proviso to rule 66 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in Lok Sabha in its application to the motions for taking into consideration and passing of the Delimitation Bill, 2026 and the Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2026 in as much as these are dependent upon the Constitution (One Hundred and Thirty-first Amendment) Bill, 2026." Prime Minister Narendra Modi had urged opposition parties to support the amendment to ensure the women's reservation comes into effect after the 2029 general elections. "This is the wish of every sister and daughter of this country, and we must fulfil it with unanimity," he said at an event in Dehradun on Tuesday. (ANI)
Trinamool Congress General Secretary Abhishek Banerjee on Thursday criticised the Election Commission of India (ECI), calling it the "real trump card" of the Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) in West Bengal. Taking it to X, Banerjee said, "If you think Narendra Modi, Amit Shah, or Yogi Adityanath are the BJP's trump cards in Bengal, you are sorely mistaken. The real trump card fighting for the BJP from the shadows is the Chief Election Commissioner. BJP calls the shots, and the Election Commission obediently follows orders." He further alleged that several security agencies have been deployed in the State to single out those who are protected by the Trinamool Congress (TMC). "Hundreds of companies of Central Forces, who would be far more useful in Pahalgam, Delhi, Manipur, or Noida, have been deployed in Bengal. Now they have been specifically instructed to single out Trinamool Congress protected, including my own family," he added. Banerjee further challenged the BJP, exuding confidence in TMC's victory in the forthcoming Assembly elections. "Do whatever you want. Target whoever you want. But remember that your stay in Bengal is limited to exactly 19 days. Those Gujarat babus who are threatening our party workers to stay indoors today won't be seen in Bengal even for an hour after the results are declared. That's not a threat. That's a challenge," he wrote. Earlier on Tuesday, Banerjee accused the BJP of "using agencies to threaten" over the arrest of Vinesh Chandel, co-founder of I-PAC. Speaking at the internal meeting with party workers, he said, "BJP is using agencies to threaten us, but these things will make us stronger." Polling for West Bengal Assembly elections will take place in two phases on April 23 and 29, with the results set for May 4. The upcoming elections follow the 2021 battle, where the TMC secured a landslide 213 seats. However, the BJP's growth from a minor player to 77 seats in the last cycle has set the stage for the current high-stakes confrontation. (ANI)
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Prakash Reddy said there is "no justification in opposing the delimitation exercise" while criticising the INDIA bloc for what he called a contradictory stand on constitutional and legislative matters. Speaking to ANI, Reddy said, "INDI alliance finally said that they will support the women reservation bill but they will not support the delimitation bill." Reddy referred to past delimitation exercises in the country and said, "Earlier in 1971, the Congress party itself completed the delimitation bill, they passed the bill and reorganized the constituencies." He added, "Even during 2009 reorganization, though it started in the Atal Bihari Vajpayee period, the final reorganization and delimitation process was completed by the Manmohan Singh government." He said multiple governments have carried out delimitation based on constitutional requirements. "You did the delimitation as per your interest, as per your political advantage," he said. Reddy stated that the current exercise follows a similar constitutional framework, adding, "Now it is the time for the BJP." He also said the opposition should not politicise the issue and warned them of public scrutiny. "People are observing your activity, people are monitoring your activity and the time comes when people take their decision," he said. Three important bills are likely to be introduced in the special session of Parliament starting today, including one to reserve seats for women in the 2029 Lok Sabha elections and another to redraw constituency boundaries. The opposition has raised concerns about the reasons for changing these boundaries and increasing the number of Lok Sabha seats from 543 to a maximum of 850. The Constitution (One Hundred and Thirty-First Amendment) Bill, 2026, and the Delimitation Bill, 2026, are slated to be introduced by Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal, while the Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2026, will be introduced by Home Minister Amit Shah. The government has convened a special sitting of Parliament on April 16, 17, and 18 to pass the amendment to the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam. The government has been seeking opposition support to implement the women's reservation bill since the 2029 Lok Sabha elections based on the 2011 Census. (ANI)
Congress MP Jairam Ramesh on Thursday strongly criticised the three Bills being taken up in the Lok Sabha, alleging that while they are being presented as measures for women's reservation, their real focus is on delimitation and could significantly alter the balance of representation among states. He said the Opposition sees serious concerns in the proposals and demanded that one-third of the current Lok Sabha strength be reserved for women, including those from SC, ST and OBC communities, calling it a more democratic approach aligned with constitutional values. In a post on X, Ramesh wrote, "Three Bills are being taken up in the Lok Sabha. The packaging and marketing is women's reservation but the fundamentals have to do with delimitation. Many concerns have been raised from across the country regarding the delimitation proposals that privilege a few populous states where the BJP is strong now. The relative strength of a number of states in the Lok Sabha will actually decline. The way delimitation has actually been done in Assam and Jammu and Kashmir shows how diabolically the Modi-Shah duo work." https://x.com/Jairam_Ramesh/status/2044623530701271126?s=20 "The true intent of these Bills is mischievous, their content devious, and their damage enormous. They have to be rejected completely in their present shape and form. The Opposition demand is simple: Reserve one-third of the current strength of the Lok Sabha of 543 for women along with reservation for women belonging to SC, ST, and OBC communities. This was the Opposition's position in 2023 and this continues to be the position even now. This is true power-sharing and vastly more democratic and in keeping with Constitutional values and principles," the post read. Further, TMC MP Sagarika Ghose said that while all opposition parties support women's reservation, the government is instead bringing a delimitation amendment bill that she alleged would reduce representation from opposition-ruled states and increase seats in BJP-ruled states. She added that the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, 2026 "must and will be defeated." "Every opposition party supports women's reservation.@narendramodiand @amitshah are not bringing the already passed women's reservation bill to parliament today. (women reservation passed unanimously in 2023) instead Modi-Shah are bringing a delimitation amendment to the bill, drastically cutting the seats in opposition ruled states and massively boosting seats in @bjp4india ruled states. Constitution ( 131st amendment) bill 2026 must and will be defeated. Jai Samvidhan," Ghose wrote in a post on X. https://x.com/sagarikaghose/status/2044617239568261411?s=20 Three important bills are likely to be introduced in the special session of Parliament starting today, including one to reserve seats for women in the 2029 Lok Sabha elections and another to redraw constituency boundaries. The opposition is raising concerns about the reasons for changing these boundaries and increasing the number of Lok Sabha seats from 543 to a maximum of 850. The Constitution (One Hundred and Thirty-First Amendment) Bill, 2026 and the Delimitation Bill, 2026, are slated to be introduced by Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal and the Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2026, by Home Minister Amit Shah. The government has convened a special sitting of Parliament on April 16,17,18 to pass the amendment to the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam. (ANI)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to address the Lok Sabha at 3 pm on Thursday, as the government prepares to introduce three key bills during the special session of Parliament. The proposed legislation includes measures on women's reservation and delimitation. From the BJP, the debate is set to be opened by Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal. Other party speakers are expected to include Bansuri Swaraj, Raksha Khadse, Aparajita Sarangi, Kangana Ranaut, and Dharmshila Gupta. Three major bills are expected to be introduced. These include a proposal to reserve seats for women in the Lok Sabha elections from 2029 and another bill to redraw constituency boundaries. The opposition has raised concerns over the proposed changes, particularly the plan to redraw constituencies and increase the number of Lok Sabha seats from the current 543 to a maximum of 850. The Constitution (One Hundred and Thirty-First Amendment) Bill, 2026, and the Delimitation Bill, 2026, are set to be introduced by Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal. The Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2026, will be introduced by Home Minister Amit Shah. The Centre has called a special sitting of Parliament from April 16 to 18 to pass the amendment linked to the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam. The Law Minister is also expected to move a proposal in the Lok Sabha to suspend provisions of Rule 66. The aim is to enable the Women's Reservation Amendment Bill and the Delimitation Bill to be taken up and passed together. According to the motion, the House will "suspend the proviso to Rule 66 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in Lok Sabha in its application to the motions for taking into consideration and passing of the Delimitation Bill, 2026 and the Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2026 in as much as these are dependent upon the Constitution (One Hundred and Thirty-first Amendment) Bill, 2026". The government has been seeking support from opposition parties to pass the amendment bill, which aims to implement women's reservation from the 2029 Lok Sabha elections based on the 2011 Census. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had earlier urged opposition parties to support the move. "This is the wish of every sister and daughter of this country, and we must fulfil it with unanimity," he said at an event in Dehradun on Tuesday. Opposition parties said on Wednesday that they support early implementation of women's reservation but strongly oppose the Delimitation Bill. (ANI)
Union Minister Giriraj Singh on Thursday expressed confidence that the Women's Reservation Bill would be passed in Parliament with broad consensus, asserting that all political parties would eventually support the legislation despite objections raised by the opposition over delimitation and related issues. Speaking on the Bill, Giriraj Singh said, "The Women's Reservation Bill is being introduced. The opposition says they have objections to delimitation and won't support it." He added, "I feel, and I'm fully confident, that when they enter the House, they will feel empathy for women. Women have been waiting for years, and their patience is running out. Everyone will come together to pass it; those who don't won't even get food at home." Rejecting concerns over regional imbalance, he said, "There will be no discrimination anywhere. The bill will come to the House, and the subject will be presented. There's no need to doubt it before it's even presented. I'm fully confident that just as it was passed before, it will be passed now. No discrimination against any state, equality for all." On allegations linking the Bill to delimitation concerns, he said, "No one will suffer a loss. No one needs to worry." Meanwhile, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav questioned the intent and timing of the Bill, calling it a "secret plan of secretive people." He said, " It is not against women's reservation, but against the manner in which it's being brought." Linking it to census and caste census debates, he added, "If a census is conducted, the country will demand a caste census. If a caste census happens, the country will demand reservations. They want to avoid all this." He further said, "These people are against the victims, the Dalits, the Muslims, the backward classes, and half of the population." Questioning the basis of reservation, he said, "If we talk about 33%, is the data correct? Until the data is correct, how can we say the reservation is correct?" Clarifying his party's position, Akhilesh Yadav said, "The Samajwadi Party is in favor of women's reservation but against the other bills." SP MP Rajeev Rai also said, "The way the Women's Reservation Bill was passed in 2023 is exactly how we want it. That bill was passed unanimously, and bringing amendments shows there is a flaw in the government's intentions. We oppose it regarding delimitation, regarding the census not being conducted. If there is a debate, we will put forth all the matters in Parliament." The three important bills are likely to be introduced in the special session of Parliament starting today, including one to reserve seats for women in the 2029 Lok Sabha elections and another to redraw constituency boundaries. (ANI)
Congress MP Manish Tewari on Thursday said that the Women's Reservation Bill is actually the Delimitation Bill dressed up as the former, which will marginalise the peripheral states and urged the government to propose 1/3rd reservation for women in the Parliament out of the existing 543 seats. "This is not a Women's Reservation Bill; this is a Delimitation Bill dressed up as a Women's Reservation Bill. That's the principal objection. I am the greatest supporter of women's rights. Government should delink it from the Delimitation and bring a proposal before the House that out of the existing 543 seats in the Parliament, 1/3rd (181 seats) should be reserved for women, and it should be operationalised by 2029," he said. Speaking to ANI, Tewari said that when the process of Delimitation is linked to the Women's Reservation Bill, the peripheral States which implemented development initiatives will be at a disadvantage until the one person, one vote and one value formula under Article 81(2)(A) is revisited. "When you link the Women's Reservation Bill with the process of Delimitation, you run into a complete minefield for the simple reason that till the time you do not revisit the enacting formula of Indian democracy, which is enshrined in Article 81(2)(A), which is one person, one vote and one value, the peripheral states and those states which have implemented developmental initiatives, especially population stabilisation since the 42nd Amendment in 1976, will be at a perpetual disadvantage. The question is not of proportion. The question is of absolute numbers," he said. He further underlined that it is the responsibility of the Parliamentary leaders to maintain the federal balance, even when some sort of sacrifice is required by the sovereignty of India. "I believe in the unity and integrity of India. I believe that the sovereignty of India requires even the utmost sacrifice by some people, but I also do believe that it is our responsibility as parliamentarians to balance the equity, to see that in a federal polity, while respecting the principle of one person, one vote, one value, the federal balance also gets maintained. And that federal balance is getting skewed," he said. Tewari said that the utmost question is how the government is going to balance the equity of one person, one vote, one value and the federal balance into the polity. "The peripheral States will be completely marginalised for no fault of theirs. That is the moot question. How are you going to balance the equities of one person, one vote, one value and the federal balance in our polity? That's something the government has not put their minds to?" he asked. The government is planning to implement the women's reservation ahead of the 2029 General Elections by bringing in an amendment to the 2023 Act and a constitutional amendment to delink the delimitation process from the 2027 census. The government has proposed to increase the number of seats in the House to 850, with 815 seats proposed for the States and the remaining 35 for the Union Territories. The Lok Sabha has 543 seats at present. The Centre has called a special sitting of Parliament starting today till April 18. (ANI)
A major controversy has erupted within the Himachal Pradesh Police after a viral letter purportedly issued by the Himachal Pradesh Police Service (HPS) Association accused Director General of Police Ashok Tiwari of 'unwarranted and whimsical actions,' even as the state government dismissed the document as fake and unverified. However, documents accessed, including a General Diary (GD) entry from Police Station Shimla East and a formal representation submitted by DSP (HQ) Vijay Raghuwanshi, indicate that an incident involving the alleged withdrawal of an official vehicle did take place, forming the core of the controversy. According to the GD entry dated March 10, 2026, recorded at Police Station Shimla East, DSP Vijay Raghuwanshi reported that his official vehicle was stopped near Kasumpti while he was on duty. The entry states that the vehicle, which had been officially allotted to him, was taken away on directions allegedly linked to senior-level instructions. The DSP stated that the incident caused him 'mental distress and humiliation,' especially as it occurred in public view. He further recorded that the vehicle was withdrawn without any written justification and despite being assigned for official use. The GD entry also mentions that the officer had been performing official duties and had, on that day, offered a lift to a senior officer of DIG rank in his government vehicle, an action he claims may have triggered the development. In his representation to Chief Secretary Sanjay Gupta and Additional Chief Secretary (Home) Kamlesh Kumar Pant, DSP Raghuwanshi termed the action as arbitrary and said it had adversely affected his dignity and functioning. While speaking with ANI on the phone, he said that the incident left him in a state of 'trauma and depression,' and he is currently on medical leave as he fell and had a tailbone fracture. The representation also raised concerns about administrative conduct and sought intervention. Adding to the developments, the police official who recorded the GD entry has reportedly been transferred nearly 300 km away from Shimla, a move that has raised further questions within administrative circles. The state government dismisses the viral letter as Fake. Amid the growing row, Chief Secretary Sanjay Gupta, answering to ANI, categorically dismissed the viral HPS Association letter. "It is fake. No such meeting of HPS officers took place," Gupta said, adding that the document appears to be unauthenticated. However, he did not comment on the substance of the DSP's complaint or the incident mentioned in the GD entry. The Director General of Himachal Pradesh Police, Ashok Tiwari, responding to ANI on the matter, also distanced himself from the viral document, questioning its authenticity. "From the language used, it does not appear to be a document drafted by a group of officers. It needs to be verified by the association first. We will try to trace its origin," Tiwari said. The DGP did not respond to specific questions regarding the alleged incident of the vehicle being taken from the DSP. Additional Chief Secretary (Home) Kamlesh Kumar Pant did not respond to queries, while officials maintained silence on the specifics of the representation as a complaint. Principal Media Advisor to the Chief Minister, Naresh Chauhan, speaking to ANI on the phone, said the matter cannot be commented upon without verification. "The issue needs to be authenticated. As of now, it is based on viral content, and I will be able to comment only after something concrete is on record," he said. The present controversy has the same pattern of Viral 'Association Letters' as it was noticed and released to the media earlier this year by the IPS and IAS officers Association in a matter of the allegations by a minister of the state government. This is not the first time such controversy has surfaced in the state. Similar viral communications allegedly from IPS and IAS associations had emerged earlier this year during a dispute involving a state Minister, raising concerns about the misuse of unofficial or fake documents to influence narratives. The Key Issue Remains the DSP's representation submitted to the Chief Secretary and the ACS home of the state government. While the government has rejected the viral HPS resolution as fake, the underlying issue, DSP Vijay Raghuwanshi's formal complaint and the GD entry remain unaddressed publicly. The episode has triggered debate within administrative and policing circles over internal functioning, officer morale, and the need for transparency in handling such sensitive matters. (ANI)
Opposition parties under the INDIA bloc met in the Parliament premises on Thursday to chalk out their strategy for the special session, focusing on their stand on the Women's Reservation Bill and the proposed delimitation Bill. Opposition parties are set to bills, including those on women's reservation and delimitation, in both Houses of Parliament. Three important bills are likely to be introduced in the special session of Parliament starting today, including one to reserve seats for women in the 2029 Lok Sabha elections and another to redraw constituency boundaries. The opposition is raising concerns about the reasons for changing these boundaries and increasing the number of Lok Sabha seats from 543 to a maximum of 850. The Constitution (One Hundred and Thirty-First Amendment) Bill, 2026 and the Delimitation Bill, 2026, are slated to be introduced by Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal and the Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2026, by Home Minister Amit Shah. The government has convened a special sitting of Parliament on April 16,17,18 to pass the amendment to the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam. The Law Minister is also slated to move a proposal in the Lok Sabha to suspend the provisions of Rule 66 with the objective of passing the Women's Reservation Amendment Bill and the Delimitation Bill together. The motion states that the this House "do suspend the proviso to rule 66 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in Lok Sabha in its application to the motions for taking into consideration and passing of the Delimitation Bill, 2026 and the Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2026 in as much as these are dependent upon the Constitution (One Hundred and Thirty-first Amendment) Bill, 2026". The government has been seeking opposition support for passing the amendment bill to implement the women's reservation bill from the 2029 Lok Sabha polls on the basis of the 2011 census. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had urged opposition parties to support the amendment to ensure the women's reservation comes into effect from the 2029 general elections. "This is the wish of every sister and daughter of this country, and we must fulfil it with unanimity," he said at an event in Dehradun on Tuesday. (ANI)
Janata Dal (United) MP Sanjay Kumar Jha on Thursday slammed the opposition for opposing the introduction of the Constitutional Amendment Bills, including the delimitation bill, and refuted their claims that this bill would widen the gap between South and North India. He accused the opposition of "making up drama" to oppose the women's reservation. "How can the gap between South and North India widen? There's a 50% increase going to happen in every state. I think they (the opposition) just want to oppose the Women's Reservation Bill, so they're making up all this drama," Jha told ANI. "The Women's Reservation Bill was passed back in 2023 itself, so why are they opposing it now? Our party has supported it from the very beginning, Nitish Kumar has always been in favour of it," he added. The amendment bills to operationalise the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam of 2023 were introduced in the Lok Sabha today, even as the Opposition pressed for a division against the move to introduce three Bills, instead of a voice vote. Secretary General of the Lok Sabha Utpal Kumar Singh had explained the procedure of casting a 'AYES', 'NOES', or 'ABSTAIN' vote to obtain the division through their respective systems in the Lok Sabha. Lok Sabha speaker Om Birla initiated the division to move to introduce the Constitution (One Hundred and Thirty-First Amendment) Bill, 2026. The Opposition members in the Lok Sabha had pressed for a division against the move to introduce the bill. As per the final division, there were a total of 251 AYES and 185 NOES out of the total 333 votes. The three key bills--The Constitution (One Hundred and Thirty-First Amendment) Bill, 2026, The Delimitation Bill, 2026, The Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2026--were introduced subsequently. The Constitutional Amendment bill's implementation is tied to a population-based revision of constituencies based on the 2011 census. It proposes delimitation--a wider political overhaul--aiming to change the size and composition of state legislative assemblies and Lok Sabha. The opposition to the proposed delimitation bill has been mounting for a long time and has escalated after the Centre's recent approval of draft amendment bills to operationalise the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, 2023. The government plans to implement the women's reservation ahead of the 2029 General Elections by bringing in an amendment to the 2023 Act and a constitutional amendment to delink the delimitation process from the 2027 census. The government has proposed to increase the number of seats in the House to 850, with 815 seats proposed for the States and the remaining 35 for the Union Territories. The Lok Sabha has 543 seats at present. (ANI)
Communist Party of India (Marxist) or CPI (M) General Secretary MA Baby on Thursday criticised the Narendra Modi government's move to link the delimitation process with the women's reservation in Lok Sabha and state assemblies, calling it a "devious move". He said that the Geeta Mukherjee Committee of 1996 had recommended ways to go about increasing women's representation in the electoral legislatures, but it met with opposition from the "ruling class parties" then. "The Communist parties, left parties have always given utmost importance to equality for women. In India, when we discuss women's representation in Parliament and the Assembly, we are compelled to refer to the Geeta Mukherjee Committee report. From ruling class parties, there was stiff opposition and various hurdles to realising women's reservation. Finally, in 2010, the Rajya Sabha passed an amendment, but it couldn't proceed further," Baby told reporters here. "Based on the amendment the Rajya Sabha has passed in 2010, the same structure could have been followed. Now what is being done is a devious move by the Narendra Modi government to introduce delimitation of constituencies in the garb of women's reservation," he added. Among seven recommendations, the Geeta Mukherjee Committee had asked the government to consider extending the reservation to OBCs to benefit women from these communities. Meanwhile, CPI(M) MP John Brittas said that the government must implement the women's quota on the current strength of the Lok Sabha and disconnect from delimitation. He said that his party would not support the delimitation process for increasing the number of seats in the Lok Sabha and state assemblies without consultations with stakeholders. "If the government is sincere about the cause of women's empowerment, let them forthwith implement women's reservation out of the 543 memberships of the Lok Sabha. Let it be disconnected from delimitation, census and all these plethora of qualifications which they want to bring in. We will not support any move to increase the number of Lok Sabha and assemblies without having sufficient consultation with the stakeholders and state governments," Brittas told ANI. Communist Party of India (CPI) MP P Sandosh said, "We are for women's reservation, but without any conditions. We have 543 seats, and out of these, 1/3 should be given to women. The power vested in the constitution should not be handed to the delimitation commission." TMC leader Majeed Memon said that the Centre should have held a meeting with the opposition parties before pushing for the delimitation process since the move was "unethical". "NDA government is stating the Women's Reservation Bill to be a historic step... However, the issue of Delimitation is being opposed by the opposition, and it is justified too because the government should have had a meeting with all the opposition parties before making changes in the constituency. It is an unethical act and is not good for democracy. They should have taken all political parties into confidence as far as the delimitation of each Parliamentary Constituency was concerned, from Kanyakumari to Kashmir," he added. (ANI)
Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav on Thursday tore into the Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP), saying that it wants to delay the caste-based census because if conducted, the Centre will have to release the caste-based data and implement caste-based reservations for the backward communities. Speaking in the Lok Sabha, Yadav stressed that the Samajwadi Party welcomes the Women's Reservation Bill, which will reserve 1/3rd seats for women in the Parliament, but raised questions on the "motives" of the government in the rush of its implementation. He said that the BJP is "transforming women into slogans." "Samajwadi Party is in favour of the Women's Reservation Bill. We have always worked towards the growth of women. But the Bhartiya Janata Party is trying to turn a woman into a slogan. BJP must answer out of 21 States they are ruling, how many of the States have women Chief Ministers? Even your Delhi CM does not have the rights of a Chief Minister; she is a 'half Chief Minister'. I want to know why there is a hurry?" he asked. He said that the BJP wants to delay the caste-based census. He accused the BJP of using women to play games and flagged ulterior motives behind the implementation of the Bill. He underlined that the BJP wants to avoid the caste-based census to avoid sharing caste-based data into public domain, which will compel them to give caste-based reservations to backward communities. "The truth is that the BJP wants to delay the caste-based census. BJP's electoral deception has been shattered. When we caught the Form 7 and SIR scams cutting out voters' names, the BJP came up with these Bills. This time, the BJP is using women to play games, but it won't succeed," he said. "The haste the BJP is demonstrating in the name of this amendment is driven by an ulterior motive. The BJP wants to avoid conducting a census. This is because if a census were to be conducted, they would be compelled to release caste-based data and, consequently, implement caste-based reservations for the backward communities. This constitutes a massive conspiracy on the part of the BJP," he added. Earlier today, the Constitution (131 Amendment) Bill, 2026, the Delimitation Bill, 2026, and the Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2026 were introduced in the Lok Sabha after the Opposition pressed for a division against the move to introduce three Bills, instead of a voice vote. As per the final division, there were a total of 251 AYES and 185 NOES out of the total 333 votes. The Lok Sabha primarily uses voice voting, but if challenged, a "division" is called, where the Automatic Vote Recorder (Ayes, Noes, Abstain) is utilised. The government has convened a special sitting of Parliament on April 16,17,18 to pass the amendment to the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam. It seeks opposition support for passing the amendment bill to implement the women's reservation bill from the 2029 Lok Sabha polls on the basis of the 2011 census. (ANI)
Former Chief Minister of Odisha and the President of Biju Janata Dal, Naveen Patnaik, on Thursday urged state MPs to oppose the 131st Constitutional Amendment Bill, "both inside and outside the Parliament," arguing that the states that controlled the population are being "penalised." In a post on X, Patnaik noted that the bill could "undermine the interests of the state" and said that if implemented, Odisha's share in the Lok Sabha would reduce from 3.9 to 3.4%, recognising it as a significant loss. "Appeal all MPs of Odisha, irrespective of party affiliation, to raise your voice both inside and outside the Parliament against the 131st Constitutional Amendment Bill as it could undermine Odisha's dignity, representation, and long-term interests. Let us stand united in protecting the interests of our state while continuing to support genuine and equitable reforms," he wrote. "The Bill if implemented, will reduce Odisha's share in Lok Sabha from 3.9% to 3.4%, making us amongst the top 6 states losing their share. A 0.5% share loss is a huge loss given our minuscule 3.9% representation today. A relative reduction in Odisha's voice in the Lok Sabha would weaken our ability to advocate for state-specific needs, from disaster management to tribal welfare and regional development. This is not merely a political issue--it is about preserving the federal spirit enshrined in our Constitution," he added. Further, Patnaik clarified that the BJD "wholeheartedly supports" the 106th Constitution Amendment Bill in 2023 with regard to Women's reservation, describing his family's rigorous efforts for pioneering women's reservation in Panchayati Raj institutions. BJD "wholeheartedly supports the principle of women's empowerment and greater representation of women in Legislative bodies. The idea of reserving seats for women in Parliament and the State Assemblies is both progressive and necessary. I have been a personal champion of it, as has been my father Late Biju Patnaik. He pioneered the reservation for women in Panchayat Raj Institutions and I took it forward further with your support. The Biju Janata Dal whole-heartedly supported the 106th Constitution Amendment Bill in 2023 with regard to Women's reservation (the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam)," he noted. Patnaik argued that the states which significantly controlled population are being penalised with the 131st Constitutional Amendment Bill. He pointed out that the reduction in seats in Lok Sabha could skew the "allocation of central resources and policy attention." "However, the current 131st Constitutional Amendment Bill, as proposed, raises serious concerns that go beyond its stated objective. The proposed linkage between women's reservation and the delimitation process, which is expected to follow the next Census, has far-reaching implications. States like Odisha, which have made significant strides in population control and human development are being penalised. A disproportionate increase in Lok Sabha seats in more populous states could skew the allocation of central resources and policy attention. This may adversely impact Odisha's share in national development priorities, fiscal transfers, and infrastructure investments," he pointed. The BJD Chief reflected on Odisha's contributions to the Centre's revenue, expressing disappointment at the denial of special status. He further emphasised the significance of representation of the state in the Parliament and asserted that it will take it "to the people of Odisha" if the BJD's concerns are trampled. "Odisha has been a large contributor to the revenue of the Government and yet has always received discriminatory treatment including the denial of a special status. Our development needs are unique given the composition of our population. For the people of #Odisha, representation in Parliament is not just about numbers--it is about identity, pride, and the assurance that our unique history, language, and aspirations are heard at the highest levels. Any move that diminishes our presence in the national discourse can create a sense of degradation among our people. The Bill steals the political representation future of people of Odisha. We cannot let it happen under our watch when people of Odisha have voted you to protect their economic and political future through the Parliament. Biju Janata Dal is prepared to take it to the people of Odisha if our legitimate concerns and demands are trampled by the majority voice of other states," Patnaik noted. https://x.com/Naveen_Odisha/status/2044708422097281246?s=20 His post comes amid an ongoing special sitting of Parliament, conveyed by the government till April 18 to pass the amendment to the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam. for taking into consideration and passing of the Delimitation Bill, 2026 and the Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2026 in as much as these are dependent upon the Constitution (One Hundred and Thirty-first Amendment) Bill, 2026". The three bills, the Constitution (131st) Amendment Bill, the Delimitation Bill, 2026, and the Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2026, were taken up for consideration in the Lok Sabha today after a division of votes over its introduction. Union Law Minister Arjun Meghwal introduces the Constitution (One Hundred and Thirty-First Amendment) Bill, 2026, and the Delimitation Bill, 2026 while the Home Minister Amit Shah tabled the Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2026 in Lok Sabha. (ANI)
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Thursday exuded confidence in the victory of the BJP in the upcoming West Bengal assembly polls, accusing the TMC government of allowing infiltrators in the state. Speaking with the media after attending a public rally, the Assam CM emphasised the need to fence the borders to prevent Bangladeshi infiltrators from entering the country. "We will get 100 seats in Assam and 200 in West Bengal," he said. "Our only concern is why Bangladeshis should be allowed to enter our country. Mamata Banerjee doesn't let us stop Bangladeshi from entering the country. It is very important to fence the border, especially in West Bengal...," he added. Furthermore, he hit out at West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee over alleged cow smuggling in the state, asserting that the BJP will stop it after assuming power. He also stated that meat has never been banned in BJP-ruled states. "Everyday day, an animal sacrifice ritual is done at Maa Kamakhya, but meat has not been banned in Assam. Mamata Ji fears that when the BJP comes to power, meat will be banned. There are BJP govts in Assam and Bihar, but meat is not banned. Mamata ji fears that with the BJP coming to power, cow smuggling in her state will stop," he said. On the other hand, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday accused the Bharatiya Janata Party of attempting to undermine Bengal's identity and constitutional rights, while saying she spent Poila Boishakh among the people of West Bengal and reaffirmed her commitment to serving the state. In a post on X, the Chief Minister further alleged that people of Bengal were facing "suffering and humiliation" under BJP-ruled states and claimed attempts were being made to impose uniformity by erasing Bengal's culture and diversity. "It pains me deeply to see the suffering and humiliation being inflicted upon them by Bangla-Birodhi BJP. Their existence is being questioned, their constitutional rights are under threat, and in BJP-ruled states, people are being tortured and tormented. They want to impose uniformity by erasing our language, our culture, our food habits, and our diversity," she said. "They believe Bengal can be controlled from Delhi and Gujarat. They are mistaken. Bengal will never bow," she added. Polling in West Bengal will be held in two phases on April 23 and April 29, with the results of the Assembly elections scheduled to be announced on May 4. The state is set to witness a high-voltage contest between the incumbent Trinamool Congress, which is seeking a fourth consecutive term, and the BJP, which is aiming to form the government after a strong showing in the previous elections. (ANI)
Congress MP Shashi Tharoor on Thursday raised concerns over linking delimitation with women's reservation, saying the government should have a broader consultation on the issue, especially with southern and smaller states. Tharoor said, "We have no problem with women's reservation, but why are you including delimitation in it? There are many issues and questions regarding delimitation." "A long discussion is needed, but the government is not ready to discuss it. Our South Indian states have many questions," he told reporters. He further questioned the timing of the legislation. "If the government only wants women's reservation, why didn't it happen in 2023? We are still ready for it, but why are you doing this delimitation?" Warning against linking the two issues, Tharoor said, "This is a matter of the unity of our country. Talk to South India, Northeast, Goa, other smaller states." The Constitution (One Hundred and Thirty-First Amendment) Bill, 2026, the Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2026 and the Delimitation Bill, 2026 were introduced and taken up for consideration and passing in the Lok Sabha. Prime Minister Narendra Modi sought unanimous support for the bills. Opposition parties have raised strong concerns over the Delimitation Bill. Opposition parties have said they are in favour of early implementation of the Women's Reservation Act but are strongly opposed to the Delimitation Bill. The government has convened a special sitting of Parliament on April 16,17,18 to pass the amendment to the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam. As per the final division, there were a total of 251 AYES and 185 NOES out of the total 333 votes. With the 251 AYES majority, all three Bills, including the Constitution (One Hundred and Thirty-First Amendment) Bill, 2026 and the Delimitation Bill, 2026, were introduced in the Lok Sabha. (ANI)
By Sudha Ramachandran

Afghanistan currently finds itself in an exceptionally precarious position. To the west, neighboring Iran has become an active war zone, while to the east, Pakistan has initiated what it describes as an open war against Afghanistan. After decades of conflict, Afghanistans capacity to manage the far-reaching consequences of the situation in Iran remains severely limited. The countrys already fragile economy is being further strained by rising global oil prices. At the same time, its access to maritime trade routes via Pakistan has been effectively closed for several months, while alternative trade corridors through Iran, the only viable substitute, are increasingly under threat. The likelihood of a substantial influx of refugees, including returning Afghan nationals, is expected to exacerbate an already critical humanitarian situation. Concurrently, the Taliban authorities are closely observing how the Iranian government responds to external pressures aimed at regime change.

BACKGROUND:

On the night of February 21-22, Pakistan launched Operation Ghazab Lil Haq against Afghanistan. Islamabad said that its missile and air strikes were targeting camps and hideouts of the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan and the Islamic State of Khorasan Province based on Afghan soil. Over the past month, Pakistans strikes have intensified and expanded in terms of the nature of targets and their geography. If initially Islamabad targeted border posts and alleged terrorist camps in Afghanistans border provinces, soon it was hitting Taliban military assets and ammunition depots as well as civilian targets, including a drug rehabilitation hospital in Kabul.

Meanwhile, Afghanistans western neighbor, Iran, came under devastating missile and air strikes launched by the U.S. and Israel on February 28. Since then, leadership compounds, military infrastructure, and economic and energy locations, including the countrys oil production and storage facilities have been destroyed. Top Iranian political and military leaders have been killed in the strikes as have hundreds of civilians. The war has spread beyond Iran. Tehran retaliated to the U.S.-Israel attacks by hitting Israeli targets as well as U.S. bases and oil infrastructure in Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. South Asia was soon drawn into the war when the U.S. torpedoed an Iranian warship, IRIS Dena, 40 nautical miles off the Sri Lankan coast. On March 20, Iranian missiles reached deep into the Indian Ocean to target the U.S.-UK base in Diego Garcia. The war could draw in more countries, such as Pakistan. The destruction of production and refining infrastructure in the Gulf and Irans blocking of the Strait of Hormuz have led to fuel shortages and surging prices worldwide. What started as a war on Iran has set economies across continents ablaze.

Among the countries that will be hit the hardest by the Iran war is Afghanistan. Several factors make it particularly vulnerable. It is Irans neighbor; the two countries share a 921 km-long border. Afghanistan is also a landlocked country, dependent on Iran and Pakistan for access to ports. Importantly, Afghanistan was ravaged by war for decades and internationally isolated since the Taliban captured power in August 2021. Its capacity to withstand the impact of the war in West Asia was limited to begin with. This capacity is being further weakened by Pakistans ongoing military strikes on Afghanistan.

IMPLICATIONS:

The Taliban regime strongly condemned the U.S.-Israeli airstrikes on Iran, describing them as an act of aggression. Following the assassination of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, it expressed its condolences to the Iranian government and people. Especially since the Taliban came to power in August 2021, relations between Iran and Afghanistan have grown, especially with regard to trade. Although there are several issues of conflict between the two, anti-Americanism serves as glue. The Talibans chief spokesperson, Zabihullah Mujahid, has said in the past that if Tehran requests assistance in the event of a U.S. attack, Afghanistan is ready and willing to extend help.

So far, Afghanistan has not been hit by Iranian or U.S/Israeli drones or missiles. Indeed, it is western and south-western Iran that has borne the brunt of U.S. and Israeli strikes. Eastern Iran, which borders Afghanistan, has escaped being hit so far. It is therefore an attractive safe haven for those fleeing western Iranian cities and towns. These internally displaced people can be expected to cross into Afghanistan and Irans other eastern neighbors should the war intensify, prolong or spread to eastern Iran. Afghanistan is already grappling with the economic burden imposed by the mass deportation of an estimated 5.4 million Afghan refugees from Iran and Pakistan since October 2023. The new refugee flows from Iran will substantially intensify the humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan. Persecution of Afghan refugees in Iran is set to increase as Iranians have often suspected that they are spying for Israel. Such perceptions are likely to intensify. They will be hounded by Iranian police and people, forcing them to join the exodus into Afghanistan.

Afghanistans weak economy is poised to fray further amid fuel shortages and surging prices. Given its low capacity for manufacturing, Afghanistan has depended on Iran for consumer goods. Afghanistans landlocked status has made it dependent on Pakistan and Iran for access to the sea, however, as access to Pakistani ports has been shut off, Afghan dependence on Iranian markets and trade corridors to the sea have deepened. Although Iranian border posts remain open to Afghan goods, the trade corridor through Iran to the sea is insecure as it runs through the conflict zone. While it continues to function, it is vulnerable to missile strikes as the war in Iran intensifies. There is a risk that Chabahar port could be bombed. The closure of the Iranian trade corridor would bring the Afghan economy to its knees and shatter Afghan lives and livelihoods. Afghanistan will have to strengthen its trade and transit ties with other Central Asian states.

Notwithstanding its condemnation of the U.S and Israeli strikes on Iran, Pakistan has benefited somewhat from the war in Iran. As the international community is preoccupied with the West Asia crisis, it has ignored the Pakistani military strikes on Afghanistan. Pakistan has therefore escaped global opprobrium for the horrific suffering its strikes have caused to Afghan civilians. Meanwhile, the Taliban regime is watching how Pakistan is responding to the crisis in West Asia. Should the Saudis decide to join the war against Iran, Pakistan, which has a mutual defense pact with Riyadh, is obligated to join the Saudis. Drawn into the West Asian crisis, the Pakistani military would need to halt its ongoing open war against Afghanistan. A termination of Operation Ghazab Lil Haq would be welcomed by Afghanistan.

Taliban leaders will also be watching Iran closely to see how pressure from outside in the form of military strikes and war impacts an authoritarian regime. Will decapitation and war trigger unrest and lead to regime change? Or will it strengthen national unity and see the population rally behind the regime against the foreign invader? In the event of regime change in Iran, its leaders could seek sanctuary in Afghanistan.

CONCLUSIONS:

The conflict involving Iran has arisen at a particularly challenging moment for Afghanistan, which is simultaneously facing missile and air strikes from Pakistan. As a landlocked state, Afghanistan is especially vulnerable to external disruptions; its economic difficulties are likely to intensify due to fuel shortages linked to the conflict in Iran and the resulting constraints on access to seaports. In addition to its geographic proximity to the West Asian conflict zone, Afghanistans already limited institutional and economic capacity is expected to come under severe strain. This pressure will be exacerbated by a further economic downturn and by the anticipated influx of refugees, including returning Afghan nationals, from Iran.

AUTHORS BIO:

Dr Sudha Ramachandran is an independent South Asian political and security analyst. She is also South Asia editor at The Diplomat. Her articles have appeared in publications like The Diplomat, Asia Times, China Brief and Terrorism Monitor.
Congress leaders on Thursday staged a protest near the Bharatiya Janata Party office in Hyderabad over BJP MP Tejaswi Surya's remarks in the Lok Sabha, accusing Congress of dividing Andhra Pradesh. Earlier today, addressing the Lower House of Parliament, Surya said, "Why are Opposition parties and some regional parties of the South, led by the DMK, making so much noise? The tears they are shedding are crocodile tears. I thank heaven that in 2026, when the country undertakes delimitation, the BJP-led Centre will carry it out. The Congress government divided Andhra Pradesh into two parts, and they did worse than the British in partitioning the country." Enraged by the remarks, Congress leaders staged a protest and burned an effigy of Surya. Speaking with ANI, Congress leader Motha Rohit expressed criticism towards Surya's remarks and called for an apology from Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, along with Tejasvi Surya, threatening a larger protest if the demands are not met. "Tejasvi Surya, speaking on the formation of Telangana, likened it to the partition of India and Pakistan. I demand from Tejasvi Surya an apology, as the people of Telangana are deeply offended by his remarks, as well as by the actions of the BJP and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Prime Minister Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, and Tejasvi Surya must apologise to the citizens of Telangana immediately. If not, the people of Telangana will take to the streets nationwide to teach you a lesson," he said. He also asked the BJP MPs and MLAs from Telangana to demand Surya's apology or tender resignation. He further hit back at the BJP, accusing the party of having "a penchant for befriending Pakistan," clarifying that the Congress secured India's independence and fought for the creation of Telangana. "To the 8 BJP MPs and 8 MLAs from Telangana: if you truly have Telangana's interests at heart, resign now or speak out against Tejasvi Surya and demand his apology. Otherwise, you will find no welcome in our state, as the people are ready to drive you out. The BJP seems to have a penchant for befriending Pakistan; Prime Minister Modi visited Nawaz Sharif's home for biryani in 2014, and party founder Lal Krishna Advani once praised Mohammad Ali Jinnah at his tomb. It is the Congress party that secured India's independence and fought for the creation of Telangana state. We have always stood with the people of Telangana and will continue to amplify their voices to hold the BJP accountable. BJP MPs should resign immediately," he stated. Meanwhile, Telangana minister Ponnam Prabhakar formally petitioned Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla to take strict action against BJP MP Tejasvi Surya for his remarks. In a letter, Prabhakar strongly objected to Surya's comparison of the Telangana-Andhra Pradesh bifurcation to the 1947 partition of India and Pakistan and labelled the analogy "factually untenable" and "deeply insensitive," arguing that it undermines the democratic process that led to Telangana's statehood. He demanded immediate removal of the remarks from official Lok Sabha records, A directive for the MP to offer an unconditional apology to the people of Telangana, an investigation into a "serious breach of privilege," and disqualification of Surya from the House if the decorum violation is confirmed. Prabhakar emphasised that such statements risk fostering regional discord and distorting constitutional history, urging the Speaker to uphold the dignity of the House. Speaking with ANI, Prabhakar said, "... A demand has been made to the Speaker of the Lok Sabha to immediately remove his remarks from the record, cancel his membership, and take strict action. The Telangana BJP leaders should withdraw his statement, as the people of Telangana view this as disrespectful to their long struggle for statehood. Also, the women's reservation and delimitation should not be used to undermine Telangana's rightful representation, and calls for united action to protect the dignity and rights of the state..." (ANI)
Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya on Thursday hailed the Women's Reservation Amendment Bill as a historic milestone and attacked Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, accusing him of being "anti-women". "Akhilesh Yadav is an enemy of women; he can never do any good to women, he is anti-women; that is why he is saying such things. When the issue of women's reservation is being discussed, he starts playing vote bank politics and demands separate reservation for Muslim women. The Women's Reservation Bill should not be obstructed," he told ANI. Maurya said if the three bills taken up by Lok Sabha are passed, "half the population of this country is going to get 33% reservation from the 2029 Lok Sabha elections." "The number of Lok Sabha seats in every state will increase by 50% due to delimitation, we respect this decision. Those who are opposing it will be punished by half the population," he said. Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav on Thursday attacked the Bhartiya Janata Party-led government, saying that it wants to delay the caste-based census because if conducted, the Centre will have to release the caste-based data and implement caste-based reservations for the backward communities. Speaking in the Lok Sabha, Yadav stressed that the Samajwadi Party welcomes the Women's Reservation Bill, which will reserve 1/3rd seats for women in the Parliament, but raised questions on the "motives" of the government over Delimitation Bill. He said that the BJP is "transforming women into slogans." "Samajwadi Party is in favour of the Women's Reservation Bill. We have always worked towards the growth of women. But the Bhartiya Janata Party is trying to turn a woman into a slogan. BJP must answer out of 21 States they are ruling, how many of the States have women Chief Ministers? Even your Delhi CM does not have the rights of a Chief Minister; she is a 'half Chief Minister'. I want to know why there is a hurry?" he asked. Lok Sabha is debating the Constitution (131 Amendment) Bill, 2026, the Delimitation Bill, 2026, and the Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2026. (ANI)
Amid a row over the delimitation Bill, Congress MP Manickam Tagore on Thursday accused YSRCP chief YS Jagan Mohan Reddy of compromising Andhra Pradesh's future by aligning with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the delimitation issue. In an X post, Tagore claimed that Jagan's support for the Centre's policies is a calculated move to secure personal relief from "long-pending Central Bureau of Investigation cases". "Y. S. Jagan Mohan Reddy once again seems ready to fall in line with Narendra Modi--this time on the contentious delimitation issue. While Andhra Pradesh's voice and future representation are at stake, Jagan's priority appears unchanged: protecting himself from long-pending Central Bureau of Investigation cases. Is this support about principles? Or is it about survival?" he wrote. Claiming that the proposed delimitation exercise could reduce the parliamentary influence of southern states, including Andhra Pradesh, he said that the state deserves a "leader who will fight for its rights, not trade them away to secure personal relief". "For years, the people have watched how these cases conveniently go silent whenever political alignment suits those in power. Now, at a time when states like Andhra Pradesh risk losing fair representation, Jagan chooses submission over standing up for his people. This isn't leadership--it's compromise at the cost of the state's future. Andhra Pradesh deserves a leader who will fight for its rights, not trade them away to secure personal relief," the post said. https://x.com/manickamtagore/status/2044744126118453556?s=20 Earlier today, Manickam Tagore also criticised Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, saying that he is ready to compromise the future of Andhra Pradesh for his political survival by supporting the Delimitation Bill. Calling the move a "calculated surrender," Tagore slammed Naidu, saying that he is shutting the doors on backward women from entering the Parliament by supporting the Delimitation Bill without a proper caste-based census. "Instead of fighting it, he talks about promoting larger families, anything but confronting injustice. And by supporting this move before a proper caste census, he is effectively shutting the doors on BC women who should be entering Parliament through the Women's Reservation Act. This is not leadership. This is calculated surrender. From betraying family to betraying the people, the pattern is clear," he said. The government is planning to implement the women's reservation ahead of the 2029 General Elections by bringing in an amendment to the 2023 Act and a constitutional amendment to delink the delimitation process from the 2027 census. The three bills, the Constitution (131st) Amendment Bill, the Delimitation Bill, 2026, and the Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2026, were taken up for consideration in the Lok Sabha today after a division of votes over their introduction. As per the final division, there were a total of 251 AYES and 185 NOES out of the total 333 votes. Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla said that discussion on the three key Bills will be held for 15-18 hours, with voting scheduled at 4 pm on Friday, as the House set the timetable for deliberations during the special session of Parliament. (ANI)
Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday took a dig at the opposition leaders in Lok Sabha who alleged that the government is keen on implementing the women's reservation Act on basis of 2011 census as it does not want to hold caste census and said "misinformation is being spread" and that the government has already taken a decision to hold a caste census. " Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, this government has decided to do caste census. Misinformation is being spread that there no mention about caste. Census happens in two phases. First, all the houses are counted and then the people living inside it. Now there has been no caste system for buildings, when there will be one then we will count that too," he said, taking potshots at the opposition members. He also sought to allay apprehensions of opposition members about the Southern states losing their influence as a result of increase in seats in the Lok Sabha to implement the women's reservation Act and said while there will be about 50 per cent increase in their seats, the relative proportion in total seats will also move up. Shah, who made his remarks during the debate in Lok Sabha on three bills, including the Constitutional Amendment Bill for early implementation of women's reservation, said he will reply to the debate tomorrow but was clearing some misconceptions. "The biggest narrative being created is that these three bills, the Constitution Amendment Bill, bill on delimitation, and changes to the constituency election law, will harm the power of the South," he said."If we listen to the entire narrative created for the South, then out of the 543 seats created by you, 129 MPs currently sit in this House, which is approximately 23.76%. In the new House, 195 MPs will be sitting here, and their power will be 23.97%," he added. Shah said Karnataka has 28 seats, and 5.15 per cent of the 543 seats in the House and after the passage of the bill, the number of Karnataka MPs will increase from 28 to 42, and the percentage in the Lok Sabha will increase to 5.44. "Karnataka will not suffer any loss at all. Andhra Pradesh has 25 seats, which is 4.60 per cent. After the passage of the bill, the number of MPs will increase from 25 to 38. which will be 4.65 per cent," he said. Shah said Telangana has 17 seats, which is 3.13 per cent and after the passage of the bill, the number of MPs will increase from 17 to 26, which will be 3.18 per cent. "Tamil Nadu has 49 seats, which is 7.18 per cent. After the passage of the bill, the number of MPs will be 59, and their percentage in the new House of 816 will be 7.23 per cent. Tamil Nadu will also suffer no loss. Keralam has 20 seats, which is 3.68 per cent. After the passage of the bill, the number of MPs will be 30, and their percentage in the new House will be 3.67 per cent," he added. Prime Minister Narendra Modi earlier sought to allay apprehension of opposition parties over the delimitation of constituencies and the "proportionate increase" in the strength of Lok Sabha to implement the Women's Reservation Act from the 2029 polls. Participating in the debate on the Constitution Amendment Bill for early implementation of the Women's Reservation Act in the Lok Sabha, PM Modi said he can give a guarantee or a promise about his remarks if the opposition wants, as the government's intention is clear. "I want to say from this House today with a great sense of responsibility that whether it is the South, the North, the East, the West, small states or large states... this decision-making process will not discriminate against or do injustice to anyone. In the past government that was in power, in whose time the delimitation took place, there will be no change in that proportion either, and the increase will also be in the same proportion," he said. "If you need a guarantee, I give you a guarantee; if you need a promise, I make a promise... because if the intention is clear, there is no need to play games with words," he added. Lok Sabha on Thursday took up simultaneous discussion on three bills for early implementation of Women's Reservation Act. The government had extended the budget session and called a three-day special sitting of Parliament for the purpose.The Constitution (One Hundred and Thirty-First Amendment) Bill, 2026, The Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2026 and The Delimitation Bill, 2026 were introduced and taken up for consideration and passing in the Lok Sabha earlier in the day. PM Modi urged the House to pass the bills with consensus."This should not be weighed from a political angle. Those who are carrying half the responsibility of the nation also have the right to be here; we should not stop them," he said.He said ever since the discussion on women's reservation took place in the country, and every time elections have come around thereafter, whoever has opposed this right being given, "women have not forgiven them". "In the 2024 elections, this did not happen, and it did not happen because everyone passed it unanimously then, so the issue itself did not remain," he said. "Those who opposed giving this right to women have not been forgiven by the women of this country. They have faced the consequences. If we all move forward together, this decision will not go in favour of any one political party, but in favour of the country's democracy," he added. PM Modi said if there is unanimous support for the bills, it won't go in favour of any party. "It will go in favour of the country's democracy, in favourof the country's collective decision-making power, and we all will be deserving of that glory. Neither the Treasury Bench will be deserving of it, nor will Modi be deserving of it. Therefore, anyone who smells politics in this should take a look at their own outcomes from the past 30 years. Their benefit lies in this. They will be saved from whatever damage is happening. Therefore, there is no need to give it a political colour," he said. PM Modi said anyone who wants to move forward in political life will have to accept that over the past 25 years, lakhs of women have emerged as grassroots leaders."The leadership that has developed at the grassroots level among women must be recognised and taken into account. Therefore, those who oppose this today will have to pay the price for a long time," he said. (ANI)
The seventh edition of the annual India-Uzbekistan bilateral military exercise "Dustlik" commenced on Wednesday with an opening ceremony held at the Gurumsaray Field Training Area in Namangan, Uzbekistan, according to the Indian Army. The exercise, scheduled from April 12 to April 25, aims to enhance operational synergy between the Indian Army and the Uzbekistan Army, with a focus on joint special operations targeting the neutralisation of unlawful armed groups. "Exercise #Dustlik 2026 The opening ceremony of the 7th edition of the annual bilateral Exercise Dustlik between Indian Army and Uzbekistan Army was held at Gurumsaray Field Training Area, Namangan, Uzbekistan. The exercise is scheduled to be conducted from 12 April to 25 April 2026. Aimed at enhancing operational synergy, the exercise focuses on Joint Special Operations aimed at Neutralisation of Unlawful Armed Group. It emphasises the integration of niche technologies to improve interoperability and facilitate the sharing of best practices," the Additional Directorate General of Public Information (ADG PI) of the Indian Army said on X. https://x.com/adgpi/status/2044420394011263171 Major General Saidov Oybek Azadovich, Commander of the Eastern Military District of Uzbekistan, attended the ceremony as the chief guest of the opening ceremony. "Exercise Dustlik reflects the shared commitment of #India and #Uzbekistan to global peace and security, while further strengthening defence cooperation, camaraderie and mutual trust between the two armies," the ADGPI's post further read. The aim of exercise DUSTLIK is to foster military cooperation and enhance combined capabilities to execute joint operations in semi-mountainous terrain. It would focus on a high degree of physical fitness, joint planning, joint tactical drills and basics of special arms skills, according to a release from the Ministry of Defence. The Exercise will also establish a unified operational algorithm between the command-and-control structures of both contingents for planning and execution of joint operations. Key operational aspects to be practised include land navigation, strike missions on enemy bases and seizure of enemy-held areas. The Indian contingent will take the opportunity to familiarise themselves with the operational procedures and drills of the Uzbekistan Armed Forces and share their own operational experiences with the Uzbekistan contingent, a release said. The joint training will culminate in a 48-hour validation exercise aimed at validating the tactical drills for joint operations, emphasising on Preparation & Execution of Joint Special Operations, aimed at Neutralisation of Unlawful Armed Groups. Exercise DUSTLIK will enable the two sides to share their best practices in Tactics, Techniques and Procedures of conducting joint operations and will further strengthen interoperability, operational synergy and joint command and control coordination between the contingents. The Exercise will facilitate developing bonhomie and camaraderie between soldiers of both countries. This will also enhance the level of defence cooperation, further fostering bilateral relations between the two friendly nations, a release added. (ANI)
As US President Donald Trump continues his diatribe against Pope Leo XIV, in a strong appeal for global harmony amidst the ongoing West Asia conflict, the Pope has urged the world to abandon violence and embrace a model of peace rooted in justice and compassion. In a post on X, the Pope said, "Let us reject the logic of violence and war, and embrace peace founded on love and justice--an unarmed peace, not based on fear, threats or weapons." https://x.com/Pontifex/status/2044491983759003783 He emphasised that true peace does not rely on coercion, adding, "This peace is disarming, because it is capable of resolving conflicts, opening hearts, and generating trust, empathy, and hope." Reiterating his message, he declared, " I strongly reiterate: The world thirsts for #Peace! Enough of war and all the pain it causes through death, destruction, and exile! " Despite facing intense criticism from his core Christian voter base, US President Donald Trump on Tuesday (local time) took another swipe at Pope Leo XIV, claiming that Iran has killed over 42,000 unarmed protesters after the Pontiff called for dialogue regarding the conflict with Iran. Trump reiterated that it was 'unacceptable' for the US that Iran gets a nuclear bomb. In a post on Truth Social, he said, "Will someone please tell Pope Leo that Iran has killed at least 42,000 innocent, completely unarmed, protesters in the last two months, and that for Iran to have a Nuclear Bomb is absolutely unacceptable. Thank you for your attention to this matter." Earlier, Trump had refused to apologise to Pope Leo XIV, the first American-born Pontiff, following his public criticism of the Pope's stance on Iran and domestic issues. Trump described Pope Leo's positions as "wrong" and suggested that the pontiff would be "unhappy with the result" of his administration's policies, further intensifying political and diplomatic tensions. "I won't apologise to Pope Leo. I think he's very weak on crime and other things," Trump told reporters at the White House.Responding to these provocations on Monday, Pope Leo XIV underscored his commitment to spiritual advocacy over political friction, stating that he has no desire to engage in a confrontation with the US administration. When questioned by reporters during his flight to Algeria, the Pontiff remarked, "I think that the people who read will be able to draw their own conclusions: I am not a politician, I have no intention of entering into a debate with Donald Trump." He further asserted his resolve to focus on global harmony, adding, "Rather, let us always seek peace and put an end to wars. I am not afraid of the Trump administration." The Pope maintained that his message remains grounded in faith rather than statecraft, warning that the Gospel should not be "abused" for political ends. (ANI)
The Lebanese armed group Hezbollah has claimed responsibility for two drone attacks targeting Israeli military positions in northern Israel, according to Al Jazeera. Hezbollah claims drone strikes on Israeli army positions near Nahariya The group also reported a second drone strike targeting an Israeli settlement near the Liman barracks, located north of Nahariya. Hezbollah claimed that its fighters carried out 39 military operations over the past 24 hours. These operations targeted Israeli settlements, troop concentrations and military vehicles, and included close-range clashes along the southern border and in northern Israel, Al Jazeera reported. Meanwhile, World Health Organization Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said that Lebanon's Tebnine Government Hospital, one of the busiest trauma centres in the south, is under severe strain after being damaged in two separate nearby strikes on April 12 and 14. According to Al Jazeera, the WHO chief said 11 health workers were injured in the incidents. He added that the hospital's emergency department, including critical equipment such as "ventilators, monitors, stretchers and trolleys", as well as the pharmacy and outpatient clinics, suffered significant damage. While services remain operational, Tedros said WHO was "supporting urgent emergency maintenance based on priority needs". Highlighting the broader impact on healthcare infrastructure, he said that since the start of the conflict, the WHO has recorded "133 attacks on health care with 88 deaths and 206 injuries", as per Al Jazeera. Tedros further noted that 15 hospitals and seven primary healthcare centres have been damaged, while five hospitals and 56 primary healthcare centres were forced to shut down. He reiterated his "call for the immediate protection of health care facilities, health workers, ambulances, and patients". Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israeli forces are continuing targeted operations against Hezbollah in southern Lebanon while also engaging in negotiations aimed at long-term peace. In a video message posted on X, Netanyahu said, "I support the residents of the north who continue to stand firm. At the same time, our forces continue to strike Hezbollah. Focused fighting in Bint Jbeil." He described Bint Jbeil as a key Hezbollah stronghold and said, "We are going to defeat Bint Jbeil; we are actually going to eliminate this large Hezbollah stronghold." He also said Israel is holding rare talks with Lebanon aimed at "dismantling Hezbollah" and achieving "sustainable peace--peace through strength." The talks between Israel and Lebanon are ongoing, with the security cabinet expected to review ceasefire prospects. Despite diplomatic efforts, hostilities have continued, with both sides exchanging fire. Residents in southern Lebanon have been advised to evacuate as tensions continue to rise, according to CNN. (ANI)
Iranian Foriegn Minister Seyyed Abbas Araghchi has warned of "dangerous consequences" in response to what he described as provocative actions by the United States in the Persian Gulf, referring to the imposition of the US blockade on Iranian ports. According to Iranian state media, Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB), Araghchi made the remarks during a telephone conversation with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi on Wednesday, as regional tensions continue to simmer despite diplomatic engagements to achieve a complete end to the hostilities in West Asia. According to the statement issued by IRIB, during his discussion with Wang Yi, Araghchi highlighted the latest developments in the region and cautioned that US actions in the Strait of Hormuz and the Persian Gulf could further complicate an already fragile situation. "Our country's Foreign Minister, describing the latest developments in the region after the ceasefire, warned of the dangerous consequences of America's provocative positions and actions in the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz, which will lead to a more complicated situation in the region," the statement read. He also criticised Washington's stance at the United Nations Security Council, describing its proposed resolution on the Strait of Hormuz as "irrational and unilateral." Araghchi also expressed appreciation for China and Russia's opposition to the US-backed resolution, stating that their position played an effective role in preventing an escalation of tensions. Wang Yi, for his part, praised Iran's "resistance and self-confidence" during the recent conflict and reiterated Beijing's readiness to facilitate diplomatic efforts aimed at ending hostilities and stabilising the region, as reported by IRIB. In a separate call with Japan's Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi, the Iranian Foreign Minister discussed both regional developments and bilateral relations. The two sides exchanged views on the security and economic consequences of recent military actions involving the United States and Israel, including disruptions to maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz, as per a statement issued by IRIB. Araghchi asserted that the insecurity in the strategic waterway was a direct result of what he termed as aggression by the United States and Israel, and stressed the need for all countries to adopt a responsible approach to prevent further escalation. "Referring to the fact that the insecurity created in the Strait of Hormuz is a direct result of the war imposed by the United States and the Zionist regime against Iran, our country's Foreign Minister emphasised the need for all governments to adopt a responsible approach to prevent the current situation from becoming more complicated," the statement read. Motegi expressed concern over the current situation and conveyed Japan's willingness to contribute to efforts aimed at reducing tensions and ensuring stability in the region. This comes amid an announcement by the United States Central Command (CENTCOM) on Wednesday that a comprehensive blockade of Iran's ports has been successfully implemented, with US forces asserting maritime dominance across key regional waterways, including the Strait of Hormuz. In a statement, CENTCOM Commander Admiral Brad Cooper said that within 36 hours of the operation's launch, US forces had effectively halted all maritime trade entering and leaving Iran. (ANI)
Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has sought a USD 2 billion fund from development partners to meet the country's immediate energy needs and safeguard its economic stability, state-run BSS news agency reported. "The situation before us demands urgency, solidarity, and decisive action. Immediate support for the most vulnerable countries must be at the top of our collective agenda," Tarique said during the Asia Zero Emission Community (AZEC) Plus Online Summit. "We urge the intentional community to respond swiftly and positively to this call," he added. Highlighting the ongoing global energy crisis, the Bangladesh PM said the crisis is a stark reminder of their shared vulnerability and interdependence. "No nation, regardless of its size or strength, can overcome this challenge in isolation", he said, adding that it demands a coordinated and forward-looking Asian response to strengthen regional energy security, address immediate supply disruptions, and support the most vulnerable countries. Tarique Rahman said the energy crisis has already disrupted Bangladesh's economy. "In response, we have taken a range of short-term measures to contain the impact," Tarique said. He said the measures include demand-side management through the rationing of government office and market hours; stabilisation of fuel supplies through emergency imports and diversification of sourcing; and consumption controls, including fuel rationing and limits on retail sales to prevent hoarding and panic buying through initiatives such as 'Fuel App'. He said that Bangladesh is concerned that the scale and consequences of this crisis could exceed those of the 1970's oil shock, which triggered a decade of stalled development in the 1980s. Since gaining independence in 1971, he said, Bangladesh has worked relentlessly to drive economic growth, lift millions out of poverty, and improve the quality of life for its people. "Today, these hard-earned gains are in danger, facing the real threat of reversal," he added. Tarique said Bangladesh is not alone in facing this risk, "nor can we overcome it through national effort alone". "This moment calls for a decisive and coordinated global action to contain the impact of the ongoing energy crisis, particularly to protect vulnerable countries, including the Least Developed Countries (LDCs), from its severe economic and social impact," he said. Tarique Rahman appreciated Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi for convening this timely and important Summit. Malaysia Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and heads of the government and states of Japan, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, Timor Leste and representatives of different countries took part in the online summit. Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi delivered concluding remarks at the meeting. (ANI)
Rajghat is an open-air memorial dedicated to Mahatma Gandhi and marks the site of his cremation on January 31, 1948.

Earlier, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar met Chancellor Stocker on Wednesday during his first official visit to India. The meeting signals a step forward in bilateral ties, with further high-level discussions planned.

In a post on X, Jaishankar said, "Delighted to call on Federal Chancellor Dr Christian Stocker of Austria, as he begins his first official visit to India." He added, "Confident that his discussions with PM Narendra Modi tomorrow will open new avenues for greater cooperation across various domains."

The Chancellor arrived in India on Wednesday.

Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal welcomed him, saying, "A warm welcome to Federal Chancellor Dr Christian Stocker of Austria on his first official visit to India." He added that the visit would give further momentum to the "Enhanced India-Austria partnership."

This is Stocker's first visit to India and his first official trip to Asia since taking office in 2025. During his stay in New Delhi, he is expected to hold detailed talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, focusing on cooperation in key sectors, green technology, and trade.

Stocker is accompanied by a delegation of business leaders, senior ministers, and government officials. Both sides are expected to explore collaboration in digital innovation, renewable energy, and advanced manufacturing.

The visit comes amid growing economic ties between India and Austria. The two sides are also expected to discuss regional and global issues and their cooperation in international organisations.

India and Austria share long-standing ties based on what officials describe as shared democratic values. The visit also builds on momentum from Prime Minister Modi's trip to Austria in 2024.

Further groundwork had been laid during the eighth India-Austria Foreign Office Consultations held in Vienna on December 12, where Secretary (West) Sibi George and Austrian Secretary General Nikolaus Marschik reviewed bilateral relations and discussed ways to strengthen India-EU engagement. (ANI)
Austrian Federal Chancellor Christian Stocker laid a wreath at Rajghat to pay tribute to Mahatma Gandhi on behalf of himself and his wife, Gerda Stocker Legenstein. Rajghat is an open-air memorial dedicated to Mahatma Gandhi and marks the site of his cremation on January 31, 1948. Earlier, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar met Chancellor Stocker on Wednesday during his first official visit to India. The meeting signals a step forward in bilateral ties, with further high-level discussions planned. In a post on X, Jaishankar said, "Delighted to call on Federal Chancellor Dr Christian Stocker of Austria, as he begins his first official visit to India." He added, "Confident that his discussions with PM Narendra Modi tomorrow will open new avenues for greater cooperation across various domains." The Chancellor arrived in India on Wednesday. Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal welcomed him, saying, "A warm welcome to Federal Chancellor Dr Christian Stocker of Austria on his first official visit to India." He added that the visit would give further momentum to the "Enhanced India-Austria partnership." This is Stocker's first visit to India and his first official trip to Asia since taking office in 2025. During his stay in New Delhi, he is expected to hold detailed talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, focusing on cooperation in key sectors, green technology, and trade. Stocker is accompanied by a delegation of business leaders, senior ministers, and government officials. Both sides are expected to explore collaboration in digital innovation, renewable energy, and advanced manufacturing. The visit comes amid growing economic ties between India and Austria. The two sides are also expected to discuss regional and global issues and their cooperation in international organisations. India and Austria share long-standing ties based on what officials describe as shared democratic values. The visit also builds on momentum from Prime Minister Modi's trip to Austria in 2024. Further groundwork had been laid during the eighth India-Austria Foreign Office Consultations held in Vienna on December 12, where Secretary (West) Sibi George and Austrian Secretary General Nikolaus Marschik reviewed bilateral relations and discussed ways to strengthen India-EU engagement. (ANI)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday called for "stable, sustainable, lasting peace" in conflict-hit regions, particularly in Ukraine and West Asia, noting that continued military confrontation will not lead to a lasting solution to such crises. Addressing a joint press meeting with Austrian Chancellor Christian Stocker, as part of his offical visit to the country, Prime Minister Modi said that the world is currently facing a serious and tense situation, and such challenges concern all nations collectively. He further emphasised the need for reform of global institutions, stating that it is essential to effectively address growing international challenges and reiterated that eliminating terrorism remains a shared global commitment. "Today, the world is facing a serious and tense situation, and this issue concerns all of us. In such a condition, India and Austria agree that military confrontations will not lead to a solution. Whether it's Ukraine or West Asia, we support stable, sustainable, and lasting peace. We also agree that reform of global institutions is essential to solve growing global challenges, and eliminating terrorism is our shared commitment," the Prime Minister said. Welcoming the Austrian Chancellor's visit, Prime Minister Modi noted that India is the first destination outside Europe on his current tour, describing it as a reflection of Austria's strong commitment to strengthening bilateral relations. He also highlighted the significance of the Austrian Chancellor's visit to India after four decades, calling it an important milestone in bilateral ties. The Prime Minister added that following the India-EU Free Trade Agreement, a new chapter has begun in India-EU relations. "We are pleased that India is your first destination outside Europe. This reflects your strong commitment to your vision and to strengthening India-Austria relations. The Austrian Chancellor's visit to India after four decades is highly significant. Following the India-European Union Free Trade Agreement, a new chapter has begun in India-EU relations," the PM said. Prime Minister Modi expressed confidence that the visit would take India-Austria relations into a new phase of cooperation and growth across multiple sectors. "Your visit is also set to take India-Austria ties into a new phase of cooperation and growth," he added. Stocker is currently on a four-day official visit to India. This is his inaugural visit to the country and his first official visit to the Asian continent since taking office in 2025. (ANI)
Human Rights Focus Pakistan (HRFP) has expressed deep concern and strong condemnation over the case of Maria Shahbaz, a 13-year-old Christian girl who was abducted in Lahore, forcibly converted to Islam, and subjected to a forced marriage recently upheld by court rulings, according to the official press release. HRFP has emphasised that this case is not an isolated incident but part of a persistent and well-documented pattern involving the abduction, forced conversion, and forced marriage of minority girls in Pakistan, particularly from Christian and Hindu communities. According to HRFP, Maria Shahbaz was abducted on July 29, 2025, and later presented before a magistrate, where a statement was recorded claiming that she had voluntarily converted and married a 30-year-old man. Despite official documentation confirming her minor status, the Federal Constitutional Court, in March, upheld the marriage and granted custody to the accused. As of April, Maria remains in his custody while her family continues to pursue legal appeals, according to the HRFP. HRFP has strongly criticised the court's decision, noting that it declared the minor to be of "mature" age, accepted her conversion without adherence to formal legal procedures, and dismissed verified documentary evidence regarding her age. Naveed Walter, President of Human Rights Focus Pakistan (HRFP), stated that this case represents one of the most alarming examples of child marriage, forced conversion, and judicial failure. He stressed that the ruling effectively legitimises the marriage of a minor under the pretext of Sharia law, in clear contradiction to Pakistan's child protection laws, which set the legal age of marriage at 18 under various provincial statutes. HRFP has condemned the judgment for undermining child protection frameworks and failing to safeguard minority girls from exploitation, calling for an immediate judicial review and justice for the victim. The organisation further highlighted that Maria's case reflects a broader and deeply concerning trend. Numerous reported incidents across Pakistan indicate that Christian and Hindu girls, often between the ages of 12 and 15, are abducted, forcibly converted, and married to adult men. Courts frequently rely on disputed statements rather than verified documentation, contributing to systemic injustice. Human rights organisations estimate that hundreds of such cases occur annually, particularly in Sindh, Punjab, and the southern regions of the country. HRFP's fact-finding team continued its monitoring and documentation efforts, while providing assistance and advocating for justice based on verified facts and evidence. The organisation also raised concerns over recent incidents of violence against minority communities. In Lahore, 25-year-old Christian labourer Sialtiel Masih (Sealtiel) was fatally attacked following a dispute reportedly involving religious discrimination. According to the HRFP, he was brutally assaulted with knives and later succumbed to his injuries despite being transported to a hospital. Although a First Information Report (FIR) has been registered, no satisfactory progress has been made in ensuring accountability. According to the HRFP, in another alarming incident on March 23, in Joseph Colony, Lahore, previously the site of a devastating mob attack in 2013, Babar Masih and his young daughter, named Sataish Masih, were threatened and narrowly escaped an armed assault. The accused reportedly used abusive language, issued threats to burn down the colony again, and opened fire, missing the victims. Despite the severity of the incident, no case has been registered, leaving the community in fear and insecurity. Similarly, according to the HRFP, on April 13, in Sammundri, Faisalabad, the home of Hanooq Masih and Faisal Masih was set on fire at night by individuals, with Muhammad Zaman pressuring the family to withdraw a prior case involving the kidnapping and sexual assault of a minor girl, Muskan Masih, last year by the same perpetrator Muhammad Zaman. While a case of attacking Hanooq's home was registered with the police on the same day of the incident, no arrests have been made to date. In another disturbing case, as per the official press release, Tanveer Masih, a brick kiln labourer from Sammundri, Faisalabad was allegedly deceived into undergoing medical treatment that resulted in the illegal removal of his kidney. After police failed to register his complaint, he was forced to seek legal recourse through the courts, but there has been no progress to date. He reported ongoing threats and highlighted his vulnerability as a poor Christian labourer. HRFP has strongly condemned these incidents, stating that abductions, forced conversions, forced marriages, targeted violence, and workplace discrimination reflect a pattern of systemic marginalisation. The organisation noted that the use of coerced or disputed statements in legal proceedings constitutes misuse of the law, while judicial decisions that disregard child protection frameworks contribute to the continued targeting of religious minorities. HRFP research has estimated that hundreds of Hindu and Christian girls are abducted and forcibly converted annually in Pakistan, with many cases involving minors and weak enforcement of existing laws and often with falsified age declarations in marriage documents, like the Maria Shahbaz case. HRFP has reiterated that such practices violate both national legislation and international human rights obligations, including protections against child marriage and religious coercion. HRFP has called for strict enforcement of laws against child marriage and forced conversion, and violations against religious minorities. According to the official press release, HRFP remains committed to documenting such cases through Fact Findings mission trips, supporting victims, and advocating for justice, accountability, and institutional reform. Human Rights Focus Pakistan (HRFP) is a non-governmental organisation dedicated to promoting and protecting human rights, particularly for marginalised and minority communities, through advocacy, legal assistance, and documentation. (ANI)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday held bilateral meetings with the Federal Chancellor of Austria, Christian Stocker, at Hyderabad House in the national capital, as part of the latter's four-day official visit to the country. Ahead of his meeting with Prime Minister Modi, the Austrian Chancellor laid a wreath at Rajghat and paid homage to Mahatma Gandhi. "Remembering Bapu and his ideals. Federal Chancellor Dr. Christian Stocker of Austria paid homage to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat, laying a wreath and reflecting on Gandhiji's enduring message of peace, non-violence and global harmony," the Ministry of External Affairs stated in a post on X. This marks Stocker's inaugural visit to India and his first official visit to the Asian continent since taking office in 2025. According to the MEA, the Chancellor held discussions on strengthening bilateral cooperation across a wide range of areas, including trade, investment, technology, renewable energy, and cultural exchanges, with PM Modi. They also exchanged views on regional and global issues of mutual interest, including cooperation in multilateral fora. After the meeting, there will be an exchange of MoUs followed by press statements, the MEA said. Earlier on Wednesday, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar met with the Austrian Chancellor. The meeting marks a significant step in strengthening bilateral ties between the two nations, with high-level discussions scheduled to continue. In a post on X, the External Affairs Minister expressed his satisfaction with the meeting, stating, "Delighted to call on Federal Chancellor Dr Christian Stocker of Austria, as he begins his first official visit to India." He further emphasised the potential for growth in the partnership, adding, "Confident that his discussions with PM Narendra Modi tomorrow will open new avenues for greater cooperation across various domains." The Chancellor is in India at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He is accompanied by a high-level delegation comprising Federal Minister of Economy, Energy and Tourism Dr. Wolfgang Hattmannsdorfer, senior officials, and business leaders. Prime Minister Modi will also host a lunch in honour of the visiting dignitary. India and Austria share warm, friendly, and multifaceted ties rooted in shared democratic values. The successful visit of Prime Minister Modi to Austria in July 2024 had significantly elevated bilateral relations, and the current visit is seen as a continuation of high-level engagement between the two countries. The visit of Chancellor Stocker also reflects the shared commitment of both nations to deepen and expand their partnership in emerging and priority areas of mutual interest, including trade, innovation, and sustainable development. (ANI)
Israel's security cabinet member on Thurday said that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netantayahu is set to talk to Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, according to Israel's army radio. Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump announced that Israel and Lebanon are set to hold "historic" talks, marking the first high-level engagement between the two sides in over three decades. In a post on Truth Social, Trump said the move is aimed at easing long-standing tensions between the two countries amid hostilities between the two sides, particularly between the Israeli military and Hezbollah, despite a ceasefire imposed to halt the conflict in West Asia. "Trying to get a little breathing room between Israel and Lebanon. It has been a long time since the two leaders have spoken, like 34 years. It will happen tomorrow. Nice!" his post read. The announcement signals a potential diplomatic breakthrough in a region marked by an increase in hostility and intermittent conflict between Israel and Lebanon. Earlier on Tuesday, the United States hosted a trilateral meeting with Israel and Lebanon, marking their first high-level engagement since 1993. The talks focused on launching direct negotiations, with all sides expressing willingness to move toward a ceasefire, security cooperation and a broader peace framework, the US Department of State said in a statement. The meeting was attended by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Counsellor Michael Needham, US Ambassador to Lebanon Lisa A Johnson, Israel's Ambassador to the United States Yechiel Leiter and Lebanon's Ambassador to the United States Nada Hamadeh Moawad.The United States welcomed the meeting as a historic milestone and expressed support for continued dialogue between the two countries. It also backed the Government of Lebanon's plans to restore the monopoly of force and curb external influence. Washington expressed hope that the talks would go beyond the scope of the 2024 agreement and pave the way for a comprehensive peace deal, while reaffirming Israel's right to defend itself against continued attacks by Hezbollah. According to the statement, the US affirmed that any agreement to cease hostilities must be reached between the two governments, brokered by the United States, and not through any separate track. The United States underscored that these negotiations have the potential to unlock significant reconstruction assistance and economic recovery for Lebanon and expand investment opportunities for both countries. Israel reiterated its position on disarming all non-state armed groups and dismantling terror infrastructure in Lebanon. It also expressed commitment to working with the Lebanese government to ensure long-term security for the people of both nations. Israel further affirmed its readiness to engage in direct negotiations aimed at resolving all outstanding issues and achieving a durable peace that would enhance regional stability and prosperity, the statement added. While Lebanon reaffirmed the urgent need for the full implementation of the cessation of hostilities announcement of November 2024, underscoring the principles of territorial integrity and full state sovereignty, while calling for a ceasefire and concrete measures to address and alleviate the severe humanitarian crisis that the country continues to endure as a result of the ongoing conflict. (ANI)
The Ministry of External Affairs on Thursday stated that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Austrian Chancellor Christian Stocker underscored the importance of ensuring safe and unimpeded maritime passage in West Asia and reiterated support for a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in Ukraine through dialogue and diplomacy. Addressing a special media briefing on the official visit of the Austrian Chancellor to India, MEA Secretary (West) Sibi George said both leaders discussed all issues of concern regarding recent developments in West Asia and other regions. "With regard to Ukraine, both sides continue to support efforts towards the achievement of a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in Ukraine through dialogue and diplomacy, based on the principles of the UN Charter and international law, including respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity," he said. He further added that the two sides also reviewed the situation in West Asia and stressed the importance of resolving disputes through peaceful means and sustained diplomatic engagement. "The two sides also discussed recent developments of concern in the West Asia region; they underscored the importance of dialogue and diplomacy in resolving issues in a peaceful manner, including the safe and unimpeded passage of maritime shipping," Sibi George added. The remarks came as part of a wider set of discussions between the two leaders during Chancellor Stocker's official visit to India, which also focused on strengthening bilateral cooperation across defence, trade, technology, innovation, and counter-terrorism. Both sides reaffirmed their shared commitment to upholding international law and supporting stability in conflict-affected regions through diplomatic efforts. Earlier in the day, PM Modi called for "stable, sustainable, lasting peace" in conflict-hit regions, particularly in Ukraine and West Asia, noting that continued military confrontation will not lead to a lasting solution to such crises. Addressing a joint press meeting with the Austrian Chancellor, as part of his official visit to the country, Prime Minister Modi said that the world is currently facing a serious and tense situation, and such challenges concern all nations collectively. He further emphasised the need for reform of global institutions, stating that it is essential to effectively address growing international challenges and reiterated that eliminating terrorism remains a shared global commitment. "Today, the world is facing a serious and tense situation, and this issue concerns all of us. In such a condition, India and Austria agree that military confrontations will not lead to a solution. Whether it's Ukraine or West Asia, we support stable, sustainable, and lasting peace. We also agree that reform of global institutions is essential to solve growing global challenges, and eliminating terrorism is our shared commitment," the Prime Minister said. Stocker is currently on a four-day official visit to India. This is his inaugural visit to the country and his first official visit to the Asian continent since taking office in 2025. (ANI)
In a special briefing on the official visit of the Federal Chancellor of Austria, Christian Stocker, to India, the MEA Secretary (West) Sibi George on Thursday said the visit marks a significant milestone in bilateral relations, noting that it is the first such visit in four decades. He emphasised the significance of the visit, "At the invitation of PM Modi, the Federal Chancellor is on an official visit to India, which is his first visit to India in four decades. The last visit by an Austrian chancellor was in 1984. He is accompanied by a high-level business delegation. He will call on the President (Droupadi Murmu) at the Rashtrapati Bhawan in the evening. This is a very substantive and productive visit." Sibi George also highlighted the economic and technical cooperation. He said, "Today, the leaders discussed all issues. Both sides exchanged six MoUs. Both sides made several announcements. A joint statement will be issued shortly. Leading business companies from Austria and indian companies in Austria will be participating in the business forum. India and Austria enjoy a close and friendly relationship. India and Austria have a growing economic partnership. High technology is identified as a central pillar of our partnership. Bilateral trade is around USD 3.5 billion." Emphasising strategic agreements and education, he said, "India and Austria signed a comprehensive migration and mobility agreement in 2023. Austria is a valued partner, and we would like to enhance our partnership in various sectors. Cyber security dialogue is important, which we have agreed to. It will help us enhance that cooperation and also institutionalise that. We now see a rising number of Indian students coming to Austria." The Secretary also highlighted the discussion of global Issues and counter-terrorism by both leaders, "Both sides condemned terrorism in all its forms and also cross-border terrorism. Leaders condemned attacks in Pahalgam, Red Fort, and the financing of terrorism. Both leaders discussed core issues in West Asia and Ukraine. Two sides also discussed West Asia. They underscored the importance of dialogue and diplomacy, including maritime security." Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that the combination of Austria's technological expertise and India's speed and scale will help build reliable global technology systems and supply chains, while highlighting the long-standing cooperation between the two countries. Addressing the press alongside Austrian Chancellor Christian Stocker in New Delhi, as part of his official visit to the country, Prime Minister Modi said that India and Austria have been reliable partners in infrastructure, innovation, and sustainability. He noted that Austrian companies have played a significant role in several landmark projects in India, including the Delhi Metro, railway infrastructure, clean energy initiatives, urban development, and engineering marvels such as the Atal Tunnel in Himachal Pradesh and the Girnar ropeway in Gujarat. The Prime Minister added that Austria's tunnelling and engineering expertise has contributed meaningfully to India's development projects. "India and Austria have been reliable partners in infrastructure, innovation, and sustainability. Whether it's the Delhi Metro or the Atal Tunnel built at an altitude of 10,000 feet in the Himalayas, Austria's tunnelling expertise has left its strong mark. Not only this, from railway projects to the Girnar ropeway in Gujarat, from clean energy to urban development, Austrian companies have been active participants in many engineering projects in India," the PM said. Speaking on future cooperation, the Prime Minister said Chancellor Stocker's visit, accompanied by a large business delegation, would inject new momentum into trade and investment ties between the two countries. He said India and Austria are looking to deepen collaboration in emerging and strategic sectors such as defence, semiconductors, quantum technologies, and biotechnology. "Chancellor Stocker's visit will bring new energy to trade and investment. We are very happy that he has come to India with a large vision and a large business delegation. By combining Austria's expertise with India's speed and scale, we will ensure reliable technology and supply chains for the whole world. We will also strengthen our partnership in defence, semiconductors, quantum, and biotechnology. Along with this, we will also further strengthen engineering and technical education cooperation," the PM said. (ANI)
India and Austria called for decisive and concerted international efforts to combat terrorism during the visit of Austrian Chancellor Christian Stocker to India. The two sides condemned the heinous Pahalgam terror attack and the Red Fort terror incident, which took place in the national capital, and underlined the need for cooperation to counter violent radicalisation and extremism. The details were shared by MEA Secretary (West) Sibi George while addressing a special media briefing on the official visit of the Austrian Chancellor to India here in the national capital on Thursday. Ambassador George said that the leaders also welcomed the signing of a Letter of Intent for enhancing cooperation between India and the EU in areas of counter-terrorism and counter-radicalisation. He said, "Both sides categorically and unequivocally condemned terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, including cross-border terrorism. The leaders welcomed the signing of the 'Letter of Intent' (LoI) to set up a joint working group on counter terrorism, which will serve as a platform to enhance bilateral cooperation in counter-terrorism and also counter radicalisation through information, knowledge sharing and capacity building within the appropriate multilateral fora in the framework of the respective collaboration between India and the European Union." He added, "The leaders condemned in the strongest terms the terrorist attacks in Pahalgam last year and the terror incident near Red Fort in November 2025. They also called for decisive and concerted international efforts to combat terrorism in a comprehensive and sustained manner." The Ambassador said that the leaders underscored the need for cooperation to counter violent radicalisation and extremism, and specifically the financing of terrorism, including by promoting internationally agreed anti- money laundering standards, as well as to prevent exploitation of new and emerging technologies for terrorist purposes and to tackle terrorist recruitment. He further noted, "The leaders also reaffirmed a strong commitment to continue taking active measures to disrupt the terror financing linkages and channels, including at the United Nations and the Financial Action Task Force." His remarks come as India and Austria on Thursday concluded 15 outcomes as part of the four-day official visit of Federal Chancellor Christian Stocker to the country, covering key areas including defence, technology, trade, innovation and skills development, with a focus on establishing a Joint Working Group on Counter Terrorism between the two nations. The outcomes were finalised following wide-ranging discussions between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chancellor Stocker in New Delhi, marking the first visit by an Austrian Chancellor to India in four decades. Among the major agreements signed was the Agreement on Audiovisual Co-production, which will promote collaboration between the film industries of both countries, facilitating joint productions and cultural exchange. To boost business ties, both countries announced a Fast Track Mechanism for Indian and Austrian companies, aimed at addressing investor concerns and improving ease of doing business. Among the major agreements signed was the Agreement on Audiovisual Co-production, which will promote collaboration between the film industries of both countries, facilitating joint productions and cultural exchange. To boost business ties, both countries announced a Fast Track Mechanism for Indian and Austrian companies, aimed at addressing investor concerns and improving ease of doing business. The visit comes at a significant time, following the India-EU Free Trade Agreement, which both sides noted would create new opportunities for trade, manufacturing, investment and job creation. With the conclusion of these 15 outcomes, India and Austria have set the stage for a more innovation-driven and future-ready partnership. (ANI)
As the security situation continues to evolve in West Asia, the Israeli Defence Forces said on Thursday that it located over 130 weapons belonging to Hezbollah inside a school in the area of Bint Jbeil. In a post on X, it noted that the weapons located included Kalashnikov rifles, pistols and additional weapons. As per the IDF, alongside the weapons, the troops also found Hezbollah flags and other terrorist organization insignia. https://x.com/IDF/status/2044730612418744452?s=20 This comes after IDF said earlier today that it dismantled nearly 70 Hezbollah terror infrastructure sites in just one minute Sharing the details in a post on X, the IDF said that the soldiers located dozens of weapons, among the weapons located were RPGs, Kalashnikov rifles, ammunition, grenades, an anti-aircraft missile, surveillance equipment and combat equipment. It further noted that in an additional operation, IDF soldiers also eliminated dozens of terrorists. https://x.com/IDF/status/2044714273239187932?s=20 Previously, Hezbollah had earlier claimed responsibility for two drone attacks targeting Israeli military positions in northern Israel, according to Al Jazeera. Hezbollah claims drone strikes on Israeli army positions near Nahariya. The group also reported a second drone strike targeting an Israeli settlement near the Liman barracks, located north of Nahariya. Hezbollah claimed that its fighters carried out 39 military operations over the past 24 hours. These operations targeted Israeli settlements, troop concentrations and military vehicles, and included close-range clashes along the southern border and in northern Israel, Al Jazeera reported. Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israeli forces are continuing targeted operations against Hezbollah in southern Lebanon while also engaging in negotiations aimed at long-term peace. In a video message posted on X, Netanyahu said, "I support the residents of the north who continue to stand firm. At the same time, our forces continue to strike Hezbollah. Focused fighting in Bint Jbeil." He described Bint Jbeil as a key Hezbollah stronghold and said, "We are going to defeat Bint Jbeil; we are actually going to eliminate this large Hezbollah stronghold." He also said Israel is holding rare talks with Lebanon aimed at "dismantling Hezbollah" and achieving "sustainable peace--peace through strength." The talks between Israel and Lebanon are ongoing, with the security cabinet expected to review ceasefire prospects. Despite diplomatic efforts, hostilities have continued, with both sides exchanging fire. Residents in southern Lebanon have been advised to evacuate as tensions continue to rise, according to CNN. (ANI)
South Korean President Lee Jae Myung will pay a State Visit to India from April 19-21 at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. According to the Ministry of External Affairs, Lee will be accompanied by First Lady Kim Hea Kyung and a high-level delegation comprising ministers, senior officials, and business leaders. This will mark President Lee's first visit to India. During the visit, Lee will hold discussions with PM Modi on "strengthening bilateral cooperation across a wide spectrum of areas," including shipbuilding, trade, investments, AI, semiconductors, and critical and emerging technologies. The two leaders are expected to focus on "people-to-people connect and cultural exchanges," while also exchanging views on regional and global issues of mutual interest. The Prime Minister will host a lunch in honour of the visiting dignitary. As part of the official itinerary, the South Korean President will hold discussions with President Droupadi Murmu, who will host a banquet in his honour. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar is also scheduled to call on Lee during the stay. India and the Republic of Korea share a multifaceted partnership "rooted in ancient civilisational ties and shared values of democracy and the rule of law." The visit highlights the "shared aspiration of both countries to further strengthen existing areas of cooperation while expanding collaboration in new and emerging areas of mutual interest." This high-profile visit builds on a period of sustained diplomatic momentum, following a key meeting between Modi and Lee on the sidelines of the G7 Summit 2025 in Kananaskis, Canada, in June 2025. During those talks, both leaders reached a consensus to enhance cooperation in strategic sectors such as commerce, investment, technology, and shipbuilding. To further operationalise this vision, the sixth India-Republic of Korea Foreign Policy and Security Dialogue was convened in Seoul in February this year. Co-chaired by Secretary (East) P Kumaran and South Korea's First Vice Foreign Minister Park Yoon-joo, the dialogue provided a platform for both nations to conduct a comprehensive review of the full spectrum of bilateral ties, setting the stage for the upcoming State Visit. (ANI)
Japan's missile buildup near China threatens regional peace, stability: FM spokesperson

Xinhua) 08:28, April 16, 2026

BEIJING, April 15 (Xinhua) -- Japan has been strengthening the deployment of offensive weapons and equipment including missiles in regions close to China under the cover of so-called defense and counterstrike, which is essentially an attempt to build a forward fortress of military confrontation and threatens regional peace and stability, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson said Wednesday.

Spokesperson Guo Jiakun made the remarks at a press briefing, in response to a query about reports that in a meeting on Monday with Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi, mayor of Yonaguni town, Okinawa Prefecture, expressed the approval on the deployment of air defense missile units in Yonaguni.

China is gravely concerned, Guo said. Japan's right-wing forces are pushing for a more offensive, expansionist and dangerous defense policy, which goes far beyond the scope of self-defense and Japan's "exclusively defense-oriented" policy and makes Japan's self-claimed image as a country for peace nothing but an irony, the spokesperson said.

It is observed that local residents, haunted by bitter historical memories, widely fear being dragged into conflicts, falling victim to wars and becoming cannon fodder, Guo said, adding that strong opposition has also emerged across the Japanese society.

The war of aggression launched by Japanese militarists brought catastrophe to the Japanese people as well as the rest of the world, he said, adding that defying public opinion and seeking military expansion will only repeat history.

"We urge the Japanese side to do serious soul-searching on its history of military aggression, honor its commitments and exercise prudence on its words and actions in military and security fields. International community must be highly vigilant and firmly stop Japan's fast-growing remilitarization and neo-militarism," the spokesperson stressed.

(Web editor: Wang Xiaoping, Liang Jun)
As Israeli military operations continue to take place against Hezbollah, the country's defence forces said on Thursday that they dismantled nearly 70 Hezbollah terror infrastructure sites in just one minute. Sharing the details in a post on X, the IDF said that the soldiers located dozens of weapons, among the weapons located were RPGs, Kalashnikov rifles, ammunition, grenades, an anti-aircraft missile, surveillance equipment and combat equipment. It further noted that in an additional operation, IDF soldiers also eliminated dozens of terrorists. "Following the completion of the searches, the soldiers dismantled ~70 terror infrastructure sites in just one minute," the post said. https://x.com/IDF/status/2044714273239187932?s=20 This comes after Hezbollah had earlier claimed responsibility for two drone attacks targeting Israeli military positions in northern Israel, according to Al Jazeera. Hezbollah claims drone strikes on Israeli army positions near Nahariya. The group also reported a second drone strike targeting an Israeli settlement near the Liman barracks, located north of Nahariya. Hezbollah claimed that its fighters carried out 39 military operations over the past 24 hours. These operations targeted Israeli settlements, troop concentrations and military vehicles, and included close-range clashes along the southern border and in northern Israel, Al Jazeera reported. Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israeli forces are continuing targeted operations against Hezbollah in southern Lebanon while also engaging in negotiations aimed at long-term peace. In a video message posted on X, Netanyahu said, "I support the residents of the north who continue to stand firm. At the same time, our forces continue to strike Hezbollah. Focused fighting in Bint Jbeil." He described Bint Jbeil as a key Hezbollah stronghold and said, "We are going to defeat Bint Jbeil; we are actually going to eliminate this large Hezbollah stronghold." He also said Israel is holding rare talks with Lebanon aimed at "dismantling Hezbollah" and achieving "sustainable peace--peace through strength." The talks between Israel and Lebanon are ongoing, with the security cabinet expected to review ceasefire prospects. Despite diplomatic efforts, hostilities have continued, with both sides exchanging fire. Residents in southern Lebanon have been advised to evacuate as tensions continue to rise, according to CNN. (ANI)
US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth has addressed reports concerning potential Chinese arms shipments to Iran, confirming that Washington has received high-level assurances that such a move will not take place. Addressing a Pentagon briefing, Hegseth was joined by the Chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Dan Caine, and Admiral Brad Cooper, Commander of US Central Command. During the session, the US secretary highlighted the diplomatic channels utilised to resolve the matter, pointing specifically to the direct communication between the American and Chinese heads of state. "President Trump has a very strong and direct relationship with (Chinese President Xi Jinping), and they communicated on that. China has assured us that that is not going to happen," Hegseth stated. These official assurances from the Pentagon follow recent intelligence assessments indicating that "China is preparing to deliver new air defence systems to Iran" within the next few weeks, according to a report by CNN citing three people familiar with the matter. The disclosure has sparked fresh scrutiny over Beijing's military cooperation with Tehran amidst heightened regional tensions, prompting a direct intervention from the White House. Addressing these reports, President Donald Trump stated in an interview that aired on Wednesday that he had personally engaged in an exchange of letters with the Chinese President to address the situation. "He responded to a letter that I wrote because I had heard that China is giving weapons to -- I mean, you are seeing it all over the place -- to Iran," Trump said, according to the interview. The President's remarks highlight a direct diplomatic effort to stall the reported transfer of advanced military hardware through personal correspondence. Confirming the outcome of this high-level exchange, the President noted that he had sought a firm commitment from Beijing to halt such shipments. "I wrote him a letter asking him not to do that, and he wrote me a letter saying that essentially he is not doing that," Trump added, indicating that the Chinese leadership has offered specific guarantees against the arms delivery. This diplomatic breakthrough serves as a significant backdrop to upcoming high-level talks, as President Trump is currently "planning to visit Beijing to meet with Xi in May" to further discuss the bilateral relationship and regional security concerns. (ANI)
Austrian Chancellor Christian Stocker called on President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan on Thursday, underscoring the strengthening strategic partnership between the two nations. Welcoming Chancellor Stocker on his first visit to India, President Murmu said that India and Austria share close and friendly relations based on common values such as democracy and the rule of law. The President said that in 2024, on the occasion of 75 years of the establishment of diplomatic relations between India and Austria, Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit gave a new direction to their relations, leading to expanded cooperation in new areas such as innovation, renewable and clean energy, hydrogen, water and waste management, and AI. President Murmu underlined that Chancellor Stocker's visit is taking place soon after the conclusion of the India-EU Free Trade Agreement. She expressed confidence that it will provide fresh momentum to India-Austria's growing trade and investment ties. She said that Austrian companies have vast opportunities to expand trade and investment in India, especially in emerging sectors such as semiconductors, green energy, and AI. She highlighted that both India and Austria are knowledge-based economies and that there are immense possibilities to enhance bilateral cooperation in science, technology, and innovation. The President said that India has one of the world's largest start-up ecosystems. She said she was happy to note that the "India-Austria Start-up Bridge," launched in 2024, is strengthening bilateral cooperation in this area. The two leaders agreed that this visit would provide momentum to all important dimensions of bilateral relations between India and Austria. Building on this diplomatic momentum, India and Austria on Thursday concluded 15 outcomes as part of the four-day official visit of Federal Chancellor Stocker. These agreements cover key areas including defence, technology, trade, innovation and skills development, with a focus on establishing a Joint Working Group on Counter Terrorism between the two nations. These outcomes were finalised following wide-ranging discussions between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chancellor Stocker in New Delhi, marking the first visit by an Austrian Chancellor to India in four decades. Among the major agreements signed was the Agreement on Audiovisual Co-production, which will promote collaboration between the film industries of both countries, facilitating joint productions and cultural exchange. To further boost business ties, both countries announced a Fast Track Mechanism for Indian and Austrian companies. This initiative is aimed at addressing investor concerns and improving the ease of doing business to capitalise on the newly concluded India-EU Free Trade Agreement. Both sides noted that the trade pact would create new opportunities for manufacturing, investment, and job creation. With the conclusion of these 15 outcomes, India and Austria have set the stage for a more innovation-driven and future-ready partnership. (ANI)
US President Donald Trump on Thursday described Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a "friend" and said he had held a "very good talk" with the Indian leader, amid ongoing diplomatic activity involving West Asia and regional security concerns. Responding to ANI's question on his conversation with PM Modi, President Trump said, "I had a very good talk with him, and he's a friend of mine from India, and he's doing great. We had a very good conversation." The remarks come days after PM Modi confirmed receiving a call from President Trump, during which both leaders reviewed the situation in West Asia and discussed key strategic concerns, including maritime security. "Received a call from my friend President Donald Trump. We reviewed the substantial progress achieved in our bilateral cooperation in various sectors. We are committed to further strengthening our Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership in all areas," PM Modi had said in a post on X. He also noted that the leaders discussed regional security challenges, including the need to ensure stability in critical sea routes. "We also discussed the situation in West Asia and stressed the importance of keeping the Strait of Hormuz open and secure," the Prime Minister added. US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor had also described the exchange as "a very positive and productive call" in a post on X. "A very positive and productive call! Stay tuned...," he wrote while responding to PM Modi's post. The latest exchange between the two leaders comes against the backdrop of heightened diplomatic engagement in West Asia, with global powers seeking to manage tensions and secure key maritime corridors. Meanwhile, President Trump on Thursday announced that Israel and Lebanon have reached an agreement to initiate a 10-day ceasefire, following intensified diplomatic efforts to reduce hostilities in the region. The US President said he had held "excellent conversations" with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, adding that both sides had agreed to a temporary truce as part of broader peace efforts. "On Tuesday, the two countries met for the first time in 34 years here in Washington, D.C., with our great Secretary of State, Marco Rubio," Trump said, referring to recent high-level talks. He also stated that Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and senior military leadership have been tasked with continuing diplomatic efforts toward a lasting settlement. "I have directed Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Rubio, together with the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Dan 'Razin' Caine, to work with Israel and Lebanon to achieve a lasting peace," Trump said. "It has been my honour to solve 9 wars across the world, and this will be my 10th, so let's get it done!" he added. The developments come as West Asia continues to witness complex geopolitical shifts, with global powers intensifying diplomatic engagement to prevent further escalation in the region. (ANI)
A Bangladesh court has granted bail to Hindu monk Chinmoy Krishna Das in one case, while he remains in custody. The order was issued on Thursday by Judicial Magistrate Shakhawat Hossain in Chattogram after a hearing. However, he is still facing six other cases, including one related to the murder of a lawyer. "The case in which he was granted bail was filed by former minister Mir Mohammad Nasir Uddin, father of State Minister for Hill Tracts and Land Mir Mohammad Helal Uddin. The case involved allegations of land grabbing, intimidation, and assault in the Mekhal area of Hathazari in Chattogram", Chinmoy's lawyer Apurba Kumar Bhattacharjee told ANI, over the phone. "Six people, including Chinmoy Krishna Das, were accused in the case filed in 2023", he added. On November 26, 2024, during clashes surrounding his bail in a sedition case over alleged desecration of the national flag, lawyer Saiful Islam was beaten and hacked to death. Following the incident, his father, Jamal Uddin, filed a murder case naming 31 accused. The cases were filed over attacks on police, obstruction of government duties, assaults on lawyers and litigants, and cocktail explosions. In the murder case, police submitted a charge sheet on July 1 last year, stating that the lawyer was killed following incitement and instructions from Chinmoy Krishna Das. On August 25, the court accepted the charge sheet against 39 accused, including Chinmoy Krishna Das. The trial is currently at the stage of witness testimony. (ANI)
US President Donald Trump on Thursday (local time) said it remains unclear whether the ceasefire with Iran will be extended, even as he expressed optimism about ongoing negotiations and indicated that the next round of talks could take place over the weekend. Responding to a question on extending the ceasefire, President Trump said, "We're doing very well. I can tell you, maybe it'll happen before that. I'm not sure it needs to be extended. Just so you know, Iran wants to make a deal, and we're dealing very nicely with them. We've got to have no nuclear weapons. If we do, that's a big factor, and they're willing to do things today that they weren't willing to do two months ago." He added that the US is currently focused on concluding a deal with Iran, suggesting that progress in talks could make an extension unnecessary. "We're focused so much right now on Iran, seeing if we can get that completed, and I think we're going to be in very good shape. And I think if you look, the stock market is good, the oil prices are coming down, and it's looking very good that we're going to make a deal with Iran. And it's going to be a good deal, it's going to be a deal with no nuclear weapon," Trump said. On the timeline for further negotiations, the US President indicated that the next in-person round may happen soon. "Probably maybe over the weekend," he said. Addressing concerns over uranium enrichment limits, Trump said there is a firm understanding that Iran will not possess nuclear weapons. "What we have is a statement, a very powerful statement, that they will not have beyond 20 years. That they will not have nuclear weapons, that's beyond. There's no 20-year limit," he said. He reiterated that failure to reach an agreement could lead to renewed hostilities. "I would say the fighting, if there's no deal, fighting resumes," Trump said. He emphasised that preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons remains the key priority. "The big thing we have to do is we have to make sure that Iran does not have a nuclear weapon. Because if they do, you want to talk about problems, you'd have problems. So, very important is that Iran does not have a nuclear weapon, and they've agreed to that," Trump said. "Iran's agreed to that, and they've agreed to it very powerfully. They've agreed to give us back the nuclear dust that's way underground because of the attack we made with the B-2 bombers. So we have a lot of agreement with Iran, and I think something's going to happen very positively," he added. Earlier, President Trump said he would consider travelling to Pakistan if a peace agreement between the United States and Iran is finalised there, indicating Islamabad's possible role in ongoing negotiations. The remarks come as diplomatic engagement intensifies over the Iran conflict. (ANI)
US President Donald Trump on Thursday congratulated "seasoned" diplomat Taranjit Singh Sandhu on his appointment as the Lieutenant Governor of Delhi, highlighting his role in strengthening India-US ties. In a post on Truth Social, Trump praised Sandhu's diplomatic experience and extended his best wishes for his new role. "Congratulations to Taranjit Sandhu on becoming the new Lt Governor of Delhi! As a seasoned Diplomat and former Ambassador to the United States, he has always shown deep commitment to strengthening the U.S.-India relationship. Wishing him success in leading Delhi's progress, and furthering global ties!" Trump wrote. https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/116416234640313369 Meanwhile, Delhi LG Sandhu highlighted the importance of strengthening India-US cooperation in the 'Freedom250' celebrations marking 250 years of American independence, which were launched in the national capital on Wednesday. Sandhu, who attended the launch event, said the engagement provided an opportunity to deepen collaboration between the two countries, particularly in investment and technology. "It was a pleasure to meet US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor at the launch of the Freedom250 celebrations in New Delhi. We had a productive conversation on enhancing American investments in Delhi and expanding India-US technology collaboration. The enduring partnership between India and United States remains a key pillar of global progress. I look forward to deeper cooperation that brings tangible benefits to the residents of our National Capital," Sandhu said in a post on X. Taranjit is the grandson of the eminent Sikh leader, Teja Singh Samundri. On March 11, Sandhu took the oath of office in the presence of Delhi High Court Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya. Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta was also present at the swearing-in ceremony. Taranjit Sandhu is part of the major administrative reshuffle of Governors and Lieutenant Governors across the country. In the reshuffle, Taranjit Singh Sandhu replaced VK Saxena, who has now been appointed as the Ladakh LG. He was also a BJP candidate in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. (ANI)
TOKYO, Apr 16 (News On Japan) - Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi held telephone talks on the night of April 15 with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, conveying Japans hopes for the resumption of ceasefire talks between the United States and Iran and for an early agreement.

During the roughly 30-minute conversation, Motegi strongly urged swift efforts to restore stability in the Strait of Hormuz, a vital maritime chokepoint facing Iran.

Araghchi explained the outcome of discussions with the United States and outlined Irans position. Motegi responded that he strongly hoped negotiations would resume and lead promptly to a final agreement.

Source: FNN
TOKYO, Apr 16 (News On Japan) - Thirteen Japanese men detained last month at a fraud base near Jakarta, the Indonesian capital, were transferred to Japan on Thursday and arrested by the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department on suspicion of fraud. It marks the first time Japanese nationals have been apprehended in a special fraud case operating out of Indonesia.

The suspects, aged between their 20s and 50s, arrived at Tokyo's Haneda Airport after being handed over by Indonesian authorities.

Investigators allege the group operated from a base on the outskirts of Jakarta and used a scheme known as the 'fake police scam,' in which callers impersonate police officers to deceive victims.

The men are suspected of defrauding a woman in her 60s living in Japan of cryptocurrency worth about 8 million yen.

The Metropolitan Police Department plans to transfer the suspects to police stations in Tokyo for further questioning, including how they traveled to Indonesia and the structure of the alleged operation.

Source: TBS
TOKYO, Apr 16 (News On Japan) - A large and powerful Typhoon No. 4, internationally named Sinlaku, was located near the Mariana Islands and moving north-northeast as of the latest update. The storm is expected to gradually shift its course eastward and pass southeast of the Ogasawara Islands around April 18, before making its closest approach around April 19.

Satellite imagery showed a clearly defined eye at the center of the storm, indicating that it remains strong. The typhoon was positioned roughly 900 kilometers south-southeast of the islands.

The system is forecast to continue moving northeast, drawing nearest to the Ogasawara Islands through April 19. It has developed into a large typhoon, with a storm-wind area exceeding 1,000 kilometers in diameter. While the islands may only narrowly fall within the storm's wind field, hazardous marine conditions are already developing.

Authorities are urging caution as waves around the Ogasawara Islands, including Chichijima and Hahajima, are expected to become very high. Conditions near the coast could turn dangerous, and people are advised to stay away from the sea.

The effects will also be felt far from the storm center. Coastal areas along the Pacific side of western and eastern Japan are expected to see waves of 2 to 3 meters or higher for the time being.

Marine leisure activities along the Pacific coast and in the Nansei island chain are likely to face dangerous conditions until the typhoon moves away and seas gradually subside after April 20.

Source: 
OSAKA, Apr 17 (News On Japan) - The fleet of 190 EV buses introduced for the Osaka-Kansai Expo has been withdrawn from plans for reuse on regular routes, with Osaka Metro abandoning efforts to redeploy the vehicles after the event.

The reason was a string of repeated malfunctions. Current bus drivers and government inspectors have since raised serious concerns over the vehicles' safety and reliability.

Powered by electric motors, producing no exhaust emissions and promoted as environmentally friendly, the EV buses were introduced by Osaka Metro to transport visitors during the Osaka-Kansai Expo.

Even after the Expo closed, the buses had been expected to continue operating on city streets. Instead, they now remain parked at Osaka Metro's Morinomiya depot, with the site crowded by rows of unused vehicles.

Most of the buses procured by Osaka Metro were supplied by EV Motors Japan, a company headquartered in Kitakyushu, Fukuoka Prefecture. The company develops and sells buses while outsourcing production to manufacturers in China.

However, the vehicles have been plagued by defects reported across Japan. A driver working for a Tokyo bus company, who still operates EV Motors Japan buses around 23 times a month, said breakdowns were common.

'If you drive them three times, something goes wrong at least once,' the driver said. 'When you ride them every day, your palms sweat constantly.'

The driver also described a near-accident last year, saying the bus drifted right even while the steering wheel was turned left.

'You wonder whether this is really a bus approved by the transport ministry,' the driver said. 'When I know I might be assigned one, I do not even want to go to work.'

Similar trouble has emerged elsewhere. In April last year, buses introduced as school transport in Fukuoka Prefecture were suspended after incidents including vehicles suddenly stopping on roads. In September, an Osaka Metro on-demand bus reportedly lost steering control while out of service and struck a central divider.

Following the repeated failures, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism carried out an on-site inspection in October last year. Problems were found in 113 of 317 vehicles inspected, more than 30% of the total.

In response, Osaka Metro decided last month not to use the 190 buses it had purchased and also abandoned plans to convert them for route bus operations.

EV Motors Japan issued an apology, saying it deeply regretted the concern and inconvenience caused by the buses.

The total amount spent by Osaka Metro on the EV buses was about 7.5 billion yen. Of that, around 4.4 billion yen in subsidies  effectively taxpayer money  came from the national government, Osaka Prefecture and Osaka City. The national government and Osaka Prefecture are seeking repayment. Osaka City said it is still considering its response.

Osaka Metro has also said it is demanding refunds for purchase payments and the retrieval of the vehicles, while considering further legal steps including damage claims depending on future responses.

Meanwhile, EV Motors Japan has filed for civil rehabilitation with the Tokyo District Court, citing concerns that it could no longer maintain financing. Total liabilities stand at roughly 5.7 billion yen.

The company says it will seek sponsors and attempt to rebuild operations, but the outlook remains uncertain.

With buses carrying passengers' lives in their hands, the scandal has raised broader questions over safety oversight, subsidy use and whether public funds can be recovered.

Source: KTV NEWS
A papal visit to Algeria aimed at promoting interfaith dialogue and reconciliation unfolded against two powerful and contrasting backdrops: renewed concerns over terrorist attacks and mounting criticism from rights groups over the treatment of the countrys Christian minority.

A visit the authoritarian regime in Algeria hoped to use for whitewashing purposes has unveiled to the world the enduring black decade legacy or a brutal civil war that led to the sprouting of terrorist groups in vast swathes of Algeria and the Sahel.

Algeria, which ironically claims to have defeated terrorist groups, has in recent years continued to face sporadic militant incidents, particularly in remote areas. The strategy of the regime was to force these groups to export their activities in the Sahel, where most Al Qeda and ISIS linked groups have been founded by Algerian nationals battle hardened during the 1990s black decade.

At the same time, multiple rights organizations have urged Pope Leo XIV to use his visit to denounce ongoing restrictions on Christian communities. In a joint appeal, Human Rights Watch, MENA Rights, and EuroMed Rights called on the pontiff to raise cases of church closures, prosecutions of Christians for unauthorized worship, and the removal of constitutional protections for freedom of conscience.

Similarly, the European Centre for Law and Justice, working alongside Christian Solidarity International and the Jubilee Campaign, highlighted a systematic pattern of legal and administrative repression against Christians  where churches have been shuttered, visas denied to clergy and worship forced into private homes, warning that symbolic engagement without accountability risks being used to whitewash the real situation.

These groups documented more than 40 Protestant churches closed since 2017, prosecutions over unauthorized worship, and legal obstacles for converts from Islam. Caritas Algeria, a Catholic aid agency, was officially closed in 2022  steps critics say confirm a harsher environment for religious minorities.

During the visit, the pope did not condemn or express solidarity with the oppressed Christians in the country but he addressed the legacy of Algerias 1990s civil war by paying tribute to 19 Christian men and women killed during the conflict.

Speaking at the Basilica of Our Lady of Africa, he said their sacrifice remained a living testimony to faith and coexistence, honoring victims of the violence without directly referring to current allegations of restrictions on Christian worship.
Morocco and the United States have formalized a new framework for bilateral military cooperation, by the signing of the U.S.-Morocco Defense Cooperation Roadmap at the Pentagon during a meeting between Under Secretary of War Elbridge Colby and a Moroccan delegation led by Minister Delegate for National Defense Administration Abdellatif Loudiyi and General Mohammed Berrid, Inspector General of the Royal Armed Forces. The document is designed to structure the two countries Defense partnership across the next decade, building on a relationship Colby described as grounded in 250 years of history  dating to Moroccos recognition of the United States as its first international partner.

The roadmap, signed during the 14th meeting of the Morocco-U.S. Defense Consultative Committee, codifies a partnership that has already grown considerably in operational depth. For the Royal Armed Forces, the alliance provides access to advanced American military platforms, training at US military academies, and privileged knowledge transfer in intelligence and counterterrorism. For Washington, Morocco offers a strategically positioned anchor point at the gateway to Africa, a reliable, tested partner in a region of growing geopolitical competition.

The signing comes weeks before African Lion 2026, the annual bilateral exercise scheduled from April 20 to May 8 across five Moroccan sites: Agadir, Tan-Tan, Taroudant, Kenitra and Benguerir. This years edition carries particular symbolic weight, coinciding with the 250th anniversary of the United States. Staff from more than 40 American technology companies will join the military personnel on the ground to validate next-generation combat tools, making Moroccan territory a live testing environment for tactical artificial intelligence systems, advanced command architectures and deep-strike capabilities.

A notable technical milestone has already been achieved in the run-up. On February 3 in Agadir, the Royal Armed Forces and US forces tested the Link-16 tactical communication system  a secure, real-time data-sharing technology for land, air and naval units that until recently had been reserved exclusively for NATO member states. Moroccos access to this system underscores the depth of interoperability that the two partners have achieved and the degree to which Rabat is being integrated into advanced Western Defense networks.

Together, the roadmap signing and the African Lion exercise frame Moroccos military posture in 2026 as one of deliberate and accelerating strategic alignment with the United States. The Kingdom continues to diversify its Defense relationships  acquiring Apache AH-64E attack helicopters, pursuing next-generation observation satellites, and hosting the continents first drone operator training center for African armies  but the Pentagon roadmap makes clear that Washington remains the anchor of this expanding security architecture.

During their visit to Washington to take part in the 14th meeting of the Morocco-U.S. Defense Consultative Committee, Abdeltif Loudyi and Lieutenant General Mohammed Berrid were received by Pete Hegseth, US Secretary of War.

The meeting was marked by in-depth discussion on the enhancement of bilateral relations, mainly in the fields of defense, the arms industry, and cybersecurity.

Both parties commended the historic and exemplary relations that underpin the robust, historic alliance between Morocco and the United States.

The Moroccan military delegations visit also provided an opportunity for the Moroccan side to welcome the American position supporting the Kingdoms full and complete sovereignty over its Sahara, and to highlight Moroccos sustained efforts, as a committed actor for regional peace and security, to promote stability and prosperity at both the regional and international levels.

The 14th meeting of the defense consultative Committee was held in Washington April 14-16.
As the African space economy accelerates toward an estimated $22.64 billion in 2026  up from $19.49 billion in 2021  Morocco is consolidating its position within the continents top tier of space-capable nations. Alongside Egypt, Nigeria and South Africa, the Kingdom is classified in Africas first circle of space powers by multiple international assessments including those of Space in Africa and the Africa Center for Strategic Studies, distinguished by the quality of its satellite payloads and their dual civil-security applications.

Moroccos space program rests on two operational pillars. The Mohammed VI-A and Mohammed VI-B Earth observation satellites, launched from Kourou in November 2017 and November 2018 respectively aboard Arianespaces Vega rocket in partnership with Thales Alenia Space and Airbus Defense and Space, provide the Kingdom with sovereign, high-resolution imaging capability covering the entire globe within 24 hours. The Royal Centre for Remote Sensing (CRTS), which functions as the de facto national space agency, manages these assets through a national ground infrastructure, trained engineers, and cooperative agreements with European and Arab partners.

Moroccos multilateral recognition in the space domain received a significant boost in October 2025, when a United Nations resolution on space expressly cited the CRTS-hosted UN-affiliated francophone African regional space sciences training center in paragraph 31 of its text  the first such explicit acknowledgement in a numbered UN document. This diplomatic dimension complements Moroccos technical credentials and supports its broader argument that it can serve as a responsible model for emerging African space nations.

The Kingdom is actively preparing the next generation of its space capability. Reports from 2024 indicated that Morocco was in advanced discussions to acquire new-generation observation satellites, with Israeli firm Israel Aerospace Industries and French partners both under consideration  a diversification that signals Rabats intent to maintain and upgrade its orbital assets as the Mohammed VI A and B approach the end of their operational lifespans. Morocco has also hosted the Africa and Middle East Space Conference (AMESC) in Rabat in February 2025, positioning itself as a convening hub for the continents space governance conversation.

The broader African space ecosystem is undergoing rapid transformation. The African Space Agency (AfSA), inaugurated in Cairo in April 2025, has set a target of coordinating 120 satellites in orbit by 2030, with 15 African countries having collectively invested over $4.71 billion in satellite development. Against this backdrop, Moroccos combination of operational satellites, accredited training infrastructure, UN recognition and active next-generation procurement places it firmly in the role the H24info article describes: a figurehead for African space ambitions, and a credible demonstration that sovereignty in space is achievable from the continent.
The Libyan Investment Authority has welcomed United Nations Security Council Resolution 2819 of 2026, which permits the reinvestment of frozen cash assets while maintaining existing sanctions, in a move aimed at preserving their value.

The Authority noted on Wednesday, April 15, that the resolution, adopted unanimously, strengthens its capacity to review, audit and monitor assets in line with international standards, while reinforcing transparency, governance and management efficiency.

The Authority also expressed appreciation to Abdulhamid Dbeibah, Prime Minister of the Government of National Unity and Chairman of its Board of Trustees, for supporting efforts to safeguard the institutions holdings. It further acknowledged the contributions of Libyas Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, as well as its Permanent Mission to the United Nations in New York.

According to the Authority, the resolution signals the Security Councils confidence in its stewardship and underscores its commitment to protecting and growing national assets for the benefit of the Libyan people.
The Moroccan Agency for Medicines and Health Products (AMMPS) has announced the launch of a Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) for the National Laboratory for Drug Control (LNCM  Laboratoire National de Controle des Medicaments). The project marks a pivotal step in the digital transformation of Moroccos pharmaceutical regulatory infrastructure, directly supporting the countrys ambitions to bring its drug control system into alignment with the highest international standards.

The LIMS is designed as an integrated, computerized management platform covering the full lifecycle of laboratory analysis activities. Its core functions include the end-to-end management of analytical workflows, enhanced security and traceability for analytical data, optimization of processing timelines, and reinforced interoperability with the other information systems operated by AMMPS. The system replaces fragmented manual and legacy processes with a unified digital architecture capable of supporting rigorous, auditable and efficient regulatory oversight.

The project has been made possible through financial support from the Global Fund, mobilized under a cooperation program aimed at strengthening national health systems. This international backing signals the projects alignment with global health security priorities and Moroccos increasing integration into multilateral health architecture frameworks. The funding source also underscores that the LIMS is not a purely administrative initiative but a component of a broader investment in the resilience and credibility of Moroccos pharmaceutical regulatory function.

The LIMS implementation directly supports two interconnected strategic objectives. The first is achieving a high level of maturity on the World Health Organizations Global Benchmarking Tool (GBT)  the international framework used to assess the performance and reliability of national regulatory authorities. The second is obtaining WHO prequalification for the LNCM itself, which would certify the laboratorys technical standards to international partners and open pathways for Morocco to supply quality-assured medicines to procurement programs serving developing countries.

AMMPS described the LIMS launch as a decisive step in the ongoing modernization of the LNCMs analytical and control tools, and as a foundational platform for the progressive integration of innovative digital solutions across the Agency. Taken together with Moroccos World Bank-backed pharmaceutical export ambitions  including a target of multiplying pharmaceutical export revenues nearly sevenfold by 2029  the LIMS project represents an investment in the institutional credibility without which export growth into regulated international markets would be impossible.
OSHA Cites Alabama Home Builder After Trench Collapse

The agency found multiple safety violations, including an unprotected trench, following a workers death in December 2025.

The DOL has cited a Huntsville, Alabama-based home builder following a fatal trench collapse that killed a construction worker in December 2025.

An investigation by OSHA found that Breland Homes Inc. exposed workers to multiple hazards while installing a sewage drainpipe in a Madison County subdivision, including allowing work in an unprotected trench.

OSHA cited the company for eight serious violations, including failing to train workers to recognize trenching hazards, not requiring protective helmets and permitting the use of a damaged ladder.

The agency has proposed $115,855 in penalties.

Breland Homes has 15 business days to comply, request an informal conference with OSHA or contest the findings before the Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.

OSHA officials emphasized that trenching hazards are well-known and preventable and encouraged employers to use available resources to improve safety and compliance.
As the NRC has offloaded some regulatory responsibilities to the INPO, companies that decline membership now effectively operate outside both layers of oversight  raising serious public safety concerns.

A growing number of nuclear startups are opting out of the Institute of Nuclear Power Operations (INPO), the voluntary safety watchdog created after Three Mile Island  breaking a decades-long industry norm.

While most countries manage their nuclear energy as a public sector, controlled and maintained by the state, the United States takes a uniquely American  which is to say, privatized  approach. As the tech sector becomes increasingly involved in nuclear energy and in the energy industry as a whole thanks to the insatiable energy needs of the AI boom, the nuclear energy landscape is changing. While there are some benefits to letting private interests compete in the nuclear energy sector in significant numbers, there are also considerable drawbacks, including the safety and oversight of these ventures. This is extremely concerning considering what can happen when nuclear energy goes wrong.

And the United States is no stranger to nuclear accidents. In 1979, a partial nuclear meltdown at the Three Mile Island plant in Pennsylvania released radioactive materials into the environment. While the accident was relatively minor, causing no detectable harm to the public or the plant's workers, it was a wakeup call for the nation. In response, The Institute of Nuclear Power Operations, or INPO, was created as a sort of watchdog organization to ensure safety compliance in nuclear plants across the United States.

But the appetite for such compliance has flagged considerably in the intervening years. While joining the INPO has always been voluntary, every single nuclear power plant operator has always joined. Until recently, that is. A study released earlier this month by Politico's E&E News found that a growing number of nuclear startups are declining to join the INPO.

These companies are balking at the invasivement of the organization, and the economic costs of compliance  but those hurdles are the whole point. When it comes to nuclear safety, rigor is key. And investigations have found that the INPO actually saves money for nuclear plants in the long run by diagnosing potential issues early, and thereby avoiding snags and shutdowns.

Related: The U.S. Just Took a Giant Step in The Rare Earth Race With China

But Silicon Valley apparently doesnt see it that way. These entities are businesses, and theyre trying to make money, Scott Morris, an industry consultant and former Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) official, told E&E. Any infrastructure that you put around that entity that is not directly contributing to its bottom line, its going to be questioned.

But Big Tech is not solely to blame for a backslide in nuclear safety measures. In fact, their priorities are reflective of a larger sea change trickling down from the Oval Office. The Trump Administration is hell-bent on a domestic nuclear power revival, and is actively seeking to undermine existing safety regulations in order to fast-track the sector's expansion.

An executive order issued in May of last year mandates that the NRC reconsider reliance on the linear no-threshold (LNT) model for radiation exposure and the as low as reasonably achievable standard, among other requirements, in order to reestablish the United States as the global leader in nuclear energy.

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As a part of the reorganization of the NRC, the government has actually offloaded additional responsibilities to the INPO, making membership more important for public safety than ever before  and effectively making previous mandates under the NRC completely optional for nuclear energy startups that decline to join the INPO.

The NRC has delegated some of its regulatory authority, so to speak, to INPO, specifically in the realm of operations and maintenance training programs, Morris went on to explain. The NRC and INPO are not duplicative; theyre complementary.

While safety is the largest potential casualty of the privatization and Big Tech takeover of the domestic nuclear energy sector, it is not the only drawback. If you dont have a financial stake in the nuclear race, Futurism recently wrote, you might notice this arrangement comes with side effects like chronic understaffing and public subsidies of private profit.

By Haley Zaremba for Oilprice.com

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Norway could unlock volumes comparable to the Johan Sverdrup field from its existing oil and gas assetsbut only if it moves quickly. In a tightening global market, advanced recovery may represent one of the few scalable sources of new supply.

Norways mature continental shelf still holds hundreds of millions of barrels of recoverable oil and gasbut the window to extract them is closing.

New analysis backed by the Norwegian Offshore Directorate suggests that advanced Enhanced Oil and Gas Recovery (EOGR) methods could unlock between 350 and 700 million standard cubic metres of oil equivalent, or almost 4 billion barrels from existing fields. At the upper end, that is comparable to the total lifetime production of the Johan Sverdrup fieldone of the largest developments on the Norwegian Continental Shelf (NCS).

Yet despite the scale of the prize, deployment remains limited.

The gap between identified EOGR opportunities and the few pilot projects actually moving forward is still wide, said Ove Bjrn Wilson, Senior Reservoir Engineer at the Offshore Directorate.

A Race Against Decline

The urgency is structural.

Production from the NCS is set to decline as fields mature and reservoir pressure drops. Advanced recovery is one of the few remaining levers to slow that decline without relying on new large-scale discoveries.

Recognizing this, Norways Ministry of Energy in 2026 formally tasked the Offshore Directorate with accelerating the identification and deployment of commercially viable EOGR projects.

Related: Iraqs Gas Capture Plan Signals a Strategic Shift

An internal review is now revisiting previously shelved conceptsprojects once deemed too complex, too costly, or too uncertain.

The investment case is shifting.

What failed to meet profitability thresholds in the past may now look compelling in a market defined by tighter supply, geopolitical instability, and rising demand for secure, non-OPEC barrels.

From Technical Possibility to Commercial Reality

EOGR is no longer the constraint.

Techniques such as advanced gas injection, chemical flooding, and CO?-based recovery have already been deployed offshore in other regions under comparable conditions. The challenge for Norway is no longer technicalit is execution and timing.

Historically, projects have been constrained by high complexity, strict capital discipline, environmental considerations, and limited access to injection agents such as CO?.

But the macro backdrop has changed.

In a market shaped by underinvestment in long-cycle supply, brownfield barrels are gaining strategic value. Compared to greenfield developments, advanced recovery from existing infrastructure offers shorter lead times, lower capital intensity, and potentially higher returnsif executed at the right time.

Timing Is Everything

Timing is now the defining variable.

Deploy EOGR too late, and declining reservoir pressure or aging infrastructure can render projects uneconomic. Move too early, and it risks interfering with existing recovery strategies.

There is no universal solution, Wilson noted. We need to identify the right method for each fieldand act at the right time.

Not all fields will qualify. Past development decisionssuch as water flooding strategies or early depletiondirectly influence whether advanced recovery can deliver incremental value.

But for those that do, the upside is material.

A Strong Macro BackdropDriven by Geopolitics

The timing of this renewed push is no coincidence.

Recent figures from Statistics Norway show that Norway posted a trade surplus of NOK 97.5 billion in March 2026, driven largely by a surge in oil export revenues amid renewed turmoil in the Middle East.

Total exports reached NOK 199.9 billion, up 28.5% year-on-year. Crude oil exports alone amounted to 56.6 million barrels worth NOK 57.4 billion. While export volumes increased by 27.3%, revenues surged nearly 68%a direct reflection of sharply higher oil prices.

The signal is clear: Norways external balance is highly leveraged to price shocks.

This is ultimately a question of whether Norway can slow decline in one of the worlds most stable non-OPEC supply regions.

In that context, unlocking additional barrels from existing fields is not just a technical opportunityit is a macroeconomic lever.

A Strategic Supply Lever in a Tight Market

As global oil markets grapple with geopolitical disruptions, supply fragmentation, and limited spare capacity, the implications of EOGR extend well beyond Norway.

Even partial realization of the identified resource base could extend plateau production across key NCS fields, delay the decline of North Sea output, and add a meaningful layer of low-risk, non-OPEC supply to a constrained global system.

Few alternatives offer comparable scale with similar lead times.

The Real Risk

For Norway, the opportunity is clearbut not indefinite.

As fields mature, the technical and economic conditions required for advanced recovery will deteriorate. Projects that are viable today may not be viable in a few years.

The risk is no longer missing upside.

It is acting too late.

By Jan-Thore Bergsagel for Oilprice.com

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Iraqs perennial unwillingness to reduce the vast amount of gas that it burns while drilling for oil (associated gas) caused it three major problems over the years. To begin with, by failing to capture this gas for domestic power generation, the country was left reliant on Iran for as much as 40 percent of those needs, supplied through imported gas and electricity. That dependence gave Tehran an enormous lever over Baghdad, reinforcing the political, economic, and security influence it already wielded through its various proxy networks, as analysed in depth in my latest book on the new global oil market order. On top of that, the Iranian imports remained a persistent irritant in U.S.Iraq relations, scaring off a wide range of Western investors who did not want to be caught in the crossfire of sanctions or geopolitical pressure. And finally, the failure to capture this associated gas and to monetise it through exports exacerbated Iraqs often strained financing, pushing it into severe budget crunches. When U.S. President Donald Trump won his second term in office it became clear that he was not going to continue to put up with Baghdad promising Washington that it would end its energy dealings with Iran, while at the same time making bigger and longer deals with Tehran than ever before. The latest developments in its gas-capturing efforts revealed last week appear to underline this new commitment.

At the heart of this new initiative was the announcement from Iraqs Oil Ministry of the launch of an accelerated gas processing and transport project in southern Iraq aimed at further reducing associated gas flaring and increasing supply to the domestic power sector. The project is being implemented by the South Gas Company (SGC) in partnership with the State Company for Oil Projects (SCOP) Oil Projects Company, focusing on capturing and processing additional volumes of associated gas from various oil fields, with several of these ranking as among Iraqs largest. The Oil Ministry highlighted that the project would supply around 55 million standard cubic feet per day (MMscfd) of dry gas to power plants, helping stabilise electricity generation across the country, which has frequently been subject to extended blackouts over recent years. The initiative includes transporting and processing associated gas from Bin Omar field, the Majnoon field, and the North Rumaila field in the Basra governorate through a new pipeline network, which will be executed in two phases. The first will cover 4.5 kilometres and the second phase a further 4 kilometres, with the overall effect being a mini-network that can connect to similar networks over time. It is due to be completed within a month, with the speed of the build partly being driven by the sudden and sharp drop in Iranian gas supplies following U.S. and Israeli attacks, which has reduced Iraqs electricity generation by 3,500 megawatts (MW), according to industry figures. The pipeline network being planned by the SOC and SCOP also encompasses moving gas from Iraqs first floating liquefied natural gas (FLNG) import platform, which is due to be operational by June.

Related: Fire at Domestic Refinery Worsens Australia's Fuel Supply Crisis

Crucially, from a Western perspective, U.S.-based technology and engineering giant KBR is the consultant firm for the FLNG platform, which is designed to handle 500 MMscf/d of gas, although it has a technical ceiling of up to 1 billion cubic feet per day (Bcf/d). The Khor al-Zubair port in the oil and gas hub of Basra is being modified to act as the permanent home of this infrastructure. Moreover, as exclusively analysed by OilPrice.com last year, U.S. firm Excelerate is a linchpin of the U.S.s push not just to sever the energy, economic and political links between Iraq and Iran but to replace Tehrans influence over Baghdad with Washingtons once again. Under a five-year renewable agreement signed with Iraqs Electricity Ministry, Excelerate holds a dual mandate to operate the terminal to convert liquid gas back into the dry gas needed for Iraqs power plants and to serve as the LNG supplier, effectively enabling it to prioritise U.S. gas to ensure supply reliability amidst regional volatility. This influence is further underpinned by the fact that Excelerate is the primary investor in the FLNG, with the projects cost now forecast at US$520-550 million. And just in case anyone in the Iranian, Russian, or Chinese governments missed the enormous strategic importance of what all this means, Excelerate made it clear in their summary of the deal: The project has been developed in close collaboration with the Iraqi government and enjoys strong support from both Iraqi and U.S. government stakeholders It represents not only a commercial partnership but also a strategic step toward enhancing Iraqs long-term energy security. Moreover, as the worlds leading producer and exporter of LNG -- and with nearby Qatars formerly steady and sizeable LNG supplies having been set back by recent Iranian attacks -- Washington is in an even better position now to press home its massive energy, economic, and political advantage in Iraq.

Whilst the U.Ss Excelerate will provide Iraq with the immediate relief from an energy squeeze, Europes TotalEnergies is continuing to build the permanent backbone of Iraqs energy future. As part of the French supermajors four-pronged US$27 billion deal, TotalEnergies projects to reduce gas flaring from key Iraqi oil fields will not compete with the SOC/SCOP mini-network, but rather are likely to anchor it, creating a unified, Western-managed grid for the south. Over time, this will work alongside the other key moving parts of the four-pronged deal, including most notably boosting Iraqs oil production up to levels at least on a par with Saudi Arabias by rolling out the Common Seawater Supply Project (CSSP). As also detailed in my latest book on the new global oil market order, the CSSP involves taking and treating seawater from the Persian Gulf and then transporting it via pipelines to oil production facilities in order to maintain pressure in oil reservoirs, which will optimise the longevity and output of the fields. The scope for oil output gains was made plain back in 2013, in the Integrated National Energy Strategy (INES). This analyses in detail three realistic forward oil production profiles for Iraq and what each would involve, as also detailed in my latest book. Specifically, the INES best-case scenario was for crude oil production capacity to increase to 13 million bpd (at that point, by 2017), peaking at around that level until 2023, and finally gradually declining to around 10 million bpd for a long-sustained period thereafter. The mid-range production scenario was for Iraq to reach 9 million bpd (at that point, by 2020), and the worst-case INES scenario was for production to reach 6 million bpd (at that point, by 2020). These numbers compare to the average Iraqi production of 4-4.2 million bpd before the recent U.S./Israel-Iran conflict broke out.

Taken together, these moves mark the most serious attempt in years to pull Iraq out of the structural trap created by decades of wasted gas, unreliable power, and external leverage. With U.S.?backed LNG capacity providing short?term stability and European?led flaring?reduction projects laying the foundations for a more resilient industry, Baghdad now has the beginnings of an energy architecture that could finally support genuine economic independence. Whether this becomes the long?awaited turning point will depend on execution rather than ambition, but the scale and alignment of the projects now underway give Iraq a clearer pathway than at any time in recent memory.

By Simon Watkins for Oilprice.com

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The boss of Britains largest industry body has called on the government to green-light extraction from two major North Sea oil fields and slash the windfall tax on domestic oil production in a bid to revitalise the countrys ailing oil and gas industry.

CBI chief Rain Newton Smith said the North Sea was a critical part of the UKs energy transition and that removing the additional tax on domestic producer profits and waving through the Jackdaw and Rosebank projects would encourage investment and economic activity.

[The energy profits levy] is reducing investment at the moment in the North Sea she told the BBCs Today programme. That needs to be reformed. There are proposals on the table that the government are considering  hey should implement them now and be clear that theyre going to encourage that investment and existing extraction.

Newton-Smith, who has been director general at the CBI for three years, also demanded that energy secretary Ed Miliband approve two major oil and gas projects off the north-west coast of Scotland. Operators of the Rosebank and Jackdaw fields were both barred from kicking off extraction last year, after a High Court judge ruled the licences had been granted unlawfully.

Those should be given approval which will help our existing oil and gas extraction, Newton-Smith said. It wont help the overall cost of energy but it will impact jobs, and investment, and tax revenue from the North Sea, which are a critical part of the skills we need for that energy transition.

Government resists calls to ramp up North Sea expansion

The outbreak of war in the Middle East has added to pressure on the government to overrule the decision as a means of securing UK energy production and helping protect jobs during the energy crisis. Newton-Smiths remarks echo a previous intervention from the think tank run by former Prime Minister Tony Blair, which also urged ministers to accelerate domestic supply to reduce reliance on volatile imports.

The North Seas Rosebank, which is majority-owned by the Norwegian state energy juggernaut Equinor, contains an estimated 300m-500m barrels of oil, making it the largest known untapped field in British waters. Shells Jackdaw gas field is believed to contain up to 250 million barrels of oil. The sites owners have suggested they could come online as early as 2027 if the extraction ban were to be lifted.

Both fields already boast a government-approved licence, and so are seen by some analysts as a way to boost domestic petrochemical production without the government reneging on its flagship promise not to approve new exploration.

But ministers have so far resisted pressure to green-light the projects. In a later interview on the Today programme, James Murray, chief secretary to the Treasury, refused to say whether ministers had come to a decision on the two fields future.

Thats a decision for the energy secretary to make, he said, adding, Im talking about our broader policy about continuing to use oil and gas from the North Sea.

By CityAM

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Who could ever transform a climate activist into a shale gas champion? Apparently, Donald Trump. This is exactly what is happening to President Claudia Sheinbaum, who is finally coming to terms with her countrys worsening imbalance between natural gas production and imports. Domestic demand stands at around 9 Bcf/d, while production covers only 2.3 Bcf/d, leaving roughly 6.8 Bcf/d - or 7075% of consumption  to be met by imports from the United States. This is not just dependence, it is near-total reliance on a single external supplier for the backbone of the countrys energy system. That imbalance is now colliding with geopolitics. Now, with pressure from Washington intensifying, that dependence is turning into leverage.

Mexicos natural gas dependency on US imports has deepened steadily over the past decade, with pipeline imports rising from 2.2 Bcf/d in 2015 to an average of 6.6 Bcf/d in 2025. The arrangement has been underpinned by favourable pricing: Mexico effectively accesses US domestic gas markets through Henry Hub-linked purchases, currently below $3/MMBtu, making it one of the cheapest sources of supply globally.

This affordability has shaped Mexicos energy mix. Natural gas now accounts for more than 60% of power generation, embedding US supply directly into the countrys electricity system. More than 70% of imported gas is used to generate roughly half of Mexicos electricity, with gas consumption reaching approximately 5.5 Bcf/d during peak summer demand in 2025. The scale of this reliance currently leaves the system exposed not so much to price fluctuations but rather to geopolitical risk, particularly as US foreign policy becomes more assertive.

Domestic vulnerabilities are amplifying the risk. Mexicos grid is increasingly strained by heatwaves, hurricanes, and seasonal volatility, while hydropower (once a key buffer) is losing reliability. Summer output in 20232025 fell to around 2 TWh, roughly half of 2018 levels, forcing greater reliance on gas-fired generation and tightening the link between weather shocks and gas demand. At the same time, domestic supply is struggling to respond. Production declined until 2018 and has only seen sporadic gains since, with the last meaningful increase in 2023  up by over 600MMcf/d, driven by Quesqui and Ixachi. Since then, output has plateaued, leaving unconventional gas as the only viable path to materially lift supply.

Related: Fire at Domestic Refinery Worsens Australia's Fuel Supply Crisis

Mexico is once again confronting the question it has long avoided, whether to fully embrace shale gas. Its share of the Eagle Ford formation offers clear potential, and Pemex tested it through pilot projects and dozens of fracked wells between 2010 and 2016. But the 2014 oil price collapse and a policy shift under Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador (including a halt to shale bidding rounds) stalled development. That stance is now shifting. President Claudia Sheinbaum, an environmental scientist and long-time opponent of fracking, is reconsidering unconventional gas as import dependence becomes a strategic risk. On April 8, she announced a new committee to evaluate shale development, focusing on making the process less environmentally damaging.

Yet even with political backing, the transition to large-scale shale development would be far from straightforward. The US experience illustrates both the potential and the challenge. Over the course of the 2010s, technological advances in horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing (combined with scale efficiencies across the Lower 48 states) reduced the marginal cost of shale gas production from nearly $15/MMBtu to around $4/MMBtu by 2014. This transformation enabled the US to offset declines in conventional production and establish itself as the worlds lowest-cost large-scale shale gas producer. Replicating this model in Mexico could significantly improve project economics, potentially reducing breakeven costs from the $56/MMBtu range typical of other regions to approximately $3-4/MMBtu, bringing domestic production closer to parity with imported gas.

However, the Lower 48 US model is not simply a set of technologies but an integrated system, combining extensive pipeline infrastructure, a mature oilfield services sector, and a high degree of operational scale. Mexico lacks much of this supporting framework, meaning that even with regulatory backing, development timelines would be longer and costs structurally higher.

This creates a fundamental economic constraint. Even under improved conditions, domestically produced shale gas would likely struggle to compete with imported US pipeline gas priced at Henry Hub levels. Sustaining investor interest in large-scale shale development would therefore require either direct state support  a significant burden on already constrained public finances  or access to higher-priced export markets.

In that context, Asia may be the only commercially viable outlet. Spot LNG prices in the region, as reflected by the JKM benchmark, are currently in the range of $1518/MMBtu, and even prior to the latest supply disruptions were trading at $1011/MMBtu. At those levels, exporting domestically produced gas would materially improve project economics and potentially make upstream development profitable. Yet this solution introduces a new layer of contradiction. Prioritizing exports would leave domestic demand structurally reliant on U.S. imports, preserving (rather than resolving) Mexicos exposure to external pressure.

Mexico does, in fact, have an LNG export project under development: the Energia Costa Azul terminal. However, it does not serve domestic production. The project is a joint venture involving TotalEnergies and Japanese buyers and is operated by the U.S.-based Sempra Infrastructure. Its business model is to liquefy U.S. pipeline gas for export to Asia. As a result, Mexicos emerging LNG capacity reinforces the existing dependency rather than alleviating it. Dedicated infrastructure for exporting domestically produced gas is effectively absent, and building it would require substantial additional investment, likely led by state-owned Pemex alongside private partners (assuming sufficient capital can be mobilized).

This duality defines Mexicos current position. The existing system delivers low-cost energy and supports industrial competitiveness, but it also concentrates risk in a single external supplier. The alternative  developing domestic unconventional resources  offers greater autonomy but requires substantial investment, technological transfer, and a recalibration of environmental policy. As external pressures mount and internal vulnerabilities become more pronounced, the balance between these two models is becoming increasingly difficult to sustain.

By Natalia Katona for Oilprice.com

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Just 48 hours after the United States and Israel launched a massive bombing campaign of Iran, Lebanese militant group Hezbollah entered the fray and backed its patron.

Tehran's closest nonstate ally, Hezbollah, has fired hundreds of rockets, missiles, and drones at neighboring Israel since March 2, opening a new front in the war and stretching Israel's military resources.

Hezbollah is both a militant group and a political party that controls much of southern Lebanon. It is considered a terrorist organization by the United States, although the European Union has only blacklisted its armed wing.

Israel has launched a ground invasion of southern Lebanon and waged a devastating campaign of air strikes in response to Hezbollah's attacks, killing over 2,000 people and displacing more than 1.2 million, according to local health authorities.

Now, as Tehran and Washington engage in negotiations over a possible peace deal, Iran has made an end to attacks against its proxies in the region -- specifically Israel's strikes on Hezbollah -- one of its core demands.

'Most Valuable Regional Asset'

"Iran sees Hezbollah as its most valuable regional asset -- its front line against Israel -- so leaving Lebanon out would mean accepting continued Israeli degradation of its core deterrent," said Sanam Vakil, director of the Middle East and North Africa Program at the London-based think tank Chatham House.

"Unlike Iraqi or Yemeni groups, Hezbollah sits on Israel's border with a large missile arsenal, making it uniquely central to Iran's leverage in both war and negotiations," she added.

Hezbollah is the bedrock of the so-called axis of resistance, Iran's network of armed proxies and Tehran-backed militant groups. They include Yemen's Houthi rebels and pro-Iranian militias in Iraq, allies that have also joined the war.

Built over decades, the axis of resistance has been a key element of Tehran's forward defense strategy of projecting power beyond its borders while reducing the need for direct confrontation with archfoes Israel and the United States.

The alliance has suffered a series of blows in recent years. A major military and political force in Lebanon, Hezbollah has been weakened after a bruising yearlong war with Israel that killed the group's longtime leader, Hassan Nasrallah. Even after a fragile cease-fire ended the conflict in late 2024, Israel continued to target the group's leadership and military arsenal.

Hezbollah was largely down and out; at least, that was the widely held view. But the group has surprised many observers by its consistent attacks on Israel, suggesting it still possesses a sizeable arsenal of rockets and missiles.

"Despite recent losses, Iran still treats Hezbollah as its primary deterrent and insurance policy against Israeli strikes, capable of threatening Israel directly if Iran is attacked," said Vakil.

Dispute Over Truce

When Iran and the United States agreed to a two-week cease-fire on April 7, the truce almost immediately collapsed after a dispute over whether it included Lebanon. Washington said the deal did not include a halt to Israeli attacks on Hezbollah, but Tehran said it did.

Less than 24 hours after the truce went into force, Israel carried out its deadliest attacks on Lebanon, killing over 300 people and wounding more than 1,000, triggering widespread outrage. Israel has since scaled back its attacks in the country.

Writing on X, Iranian President Masud Pezeshkian said the Israeli strikes "signal deception and noncompliance" with the cease-fire. "Iran will never forsake its Lebanese brothers and sisters," he added.

Iran did not retaliate by hitting Israel, but Tehran has refused to reopen the Strait of Hormuz -- a key artery for global oil and gas supplies and a key component of the cease-fire -- further straining the already fragile truce. The US Navy has since imposed a blockade on Iranian ports and traffic in the strait with the aim of stopping Tehran from exporting its oil and gas.

Ahead of peace talks between US and Iranian officials in Islamabad on April 11, Tehran threatened to back out of the negotiations at the last minute over Israel's continued attacks against Hezbollah. The Iranian delegation ended up attending the talks, although the sides failed to clinch a deal to end the war.

Before the Islamabad talks, Iran had issued a 10-point peace plan that included, among other demands, an end to American and Israeli attacks against its armed allies in Lebanon, Iraq, and Yemen.

Power Projection

Experts said protecting Hezbollah and including it in any peace deal will be a priority for Iran.

"Hezbollah has been Iran's oldest and most important ally and proxy in the region, and it entered the latest round of the war in support of Iran, so Iran wants to reciprocate as much as it can," said Farzin Nadimi, an Iran defense specialist at the Washington Institute.

"They also want to keep their most important proxy relevant and prevent its further weakening," added Nadimi.

Iran helped establish Hezbollah in 1982 in response to Israel's invasion that year of Lebanon, which was embroiled in a devastating civil war. Since it was formed, the Shi'ite political and military organization has received significant financial and political assistance from Iran, a Shi'a-majority country.

Naysan Rafati, senior Iran analyst at the International Crisis Group, said defending Hezbollah has taken on greater importance since Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, a longtime ally of Tehran, was ousted from power in December 2024. Under Assad, Syria was the only other state actor in the axis of resistance.

"Over the past year and half, Iran's influence and power projection in the Levant has taken significant hits," said Rafati.

That also includes the weakening of Hezbollah, which has faced growing domestic and international pressure to disarm. The Lebanese army has also been deployed in the country's south, Hezbollah's stronghold, in another blow to the group.

Ideology and geography make Hezbollah an ally Tehran does not want to abandon, said Rafati.

"In trying to include it into a wider cease-fire [and peace deal], the Iranians seem intent on ensuring that the group can live to fight another day, be it as a political actor or more literally as a military force across Israel's northern frontier," he said.

It is unclear if Israel will agree to end its strikes on Hezbollah and withdraw its forces from southern Lebanon as part of any US-Iranian peace deal. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to continue the country's attacks on Hezbollah and destroy the group.

The Israeli and Lebanese ambassadors to the United States will meet in Washington on April 14 in talks mediated by Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

Lebanon has called for a cease-fire, but Israel has rejected a truce with Hezbollah and insists on the disarmament of the group. Hezbollah chief Naim Qassem has urged Lebanon to cancel the talks in Washington.

By RFE/RL

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European energy companies are eyeing purchases of Canadian liquefied natural gas in search of supply diversification in challenging times, according to a Reuters report citing unnamed sources familiar with the matter.

European energy buyers are already big clients of U.S. LNG producers, but long-term diversification would require spreading reliance over more suppliers, hence the interest in Canadian LNG, which has yet to start flowing.

The report concerned a planned LNG export terminal, Ksi Lisim, which has yet to get a final approval and move to construction. The facility will involve a floating production vessel with the capacity to produce some 12 million tons of liquefied natural gas annually. The markets for this LNG will be in the Pacific Basin, per the projects website, with a focus on Asia, where demand for low-emission fuels is growing.

Yet demand for LNG is growing in Europe as well as the European Union prepares to stop buying all energy commodities from Russia by the end of next year. Since the war in Iran started, there has been especially strong interest in (Ksi Lisims) offtake from LNG buyers all around the world, including from Europe, one of the sources said, adding that the European buyers were ready to accept the higher cost of Canadian LNG for the sake of diversification into a stable, democratic jurisdiction like Canada, per Reuters.

One of the potential buyers of Canadian LNG is Germanys Uniper. According to Reuters, Europes largest economy last year bought 96% of its liquefied gas from the United States.

If built, the Ksi Lisims facility will be the second LNG project to be completed in Canada in less than a decade, despite the previous federal governments stance that there was no business case for building LNG trains. The current government, while still publicly committed to a transition from oil and gas to low-carbon electrification, has signaled eagerness to utilize Canadas hydrocarbon resources.

By Irina Slav for Oilprice.com

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Australia's fuel crisis in the wake of the Iran war just took a turn for the worse after a fire broke out at one of the only two refineries in the country.

Viva Energys Corio oil refinery in Geelong, southwest of Melbourne, caught fire late on Wednesday, after reports of explosions. The fire was extinguished on Thursday morning local time after burning for about 13 hours.

The Corio refinery, one of Australias two remaining processing plants, supplies more than 50% of the fuel in the state of Victoria and 10% of Australias fuel. The refinery can process up to 120,000 barrels of oil per day, manufacturing gasoline, diesel, LPG, jet fuel, avgas, and Low Aromatic Fuel.

Fire Rescue Victoria (FRV) said 50 firefighters worked to extinguish the large and intense blaze at the refinery.

According to FRV, an equipment failure was the reason for the blaze, while the fire was fueled by a significant leak of liquid hydrocarbons and gases.

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Local authorities later said the leak was caused by the mechanical failure of a piece of equipment. Investigation into all the events that led to the large fire was still ongoing as of Thursday afternoon Melbourne time.

The fire impacted the production of gasoline, Australian Energy Minister Chris Bowen said on Thursday afternoon, adding that jet fuel and diesel production continues at reduced levels as a precaution at this point.

My message to Australians is that this is one part of the supply chain, we continue to make very good progress internationally to procure fuel, Bowen said and warned against panic-buying.

Australia has moved to protect consumers from soaring fuel prices as a result of the war. Last month, the government halved the fuel excise on gasoline and diesel for three months in a bid to alleviate financial stress from spiking fuel prices.

The Federal Government on Thursday said it had secured approximately 100 million liters of additional diesel, with two shipments coming from Brunei and South Korea. This is the first of the expected shipments of fuel secured under the Governments new Strategic Reserve powers.

These cargoes are additional to existing contracted supply, are required to remain in Australia and will be directed to the industries and regions which need them the most, Bowen said in a statement.

By Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.com

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India is back to buying spot LNG cargoes as benchmark Asian prices slumped to the lowest in a month amid demand destruction and hopes of a resolution of the Middle East conflict.

Major LNG importers in India, such as Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL), Gail India Ltd, and Gujarat State Petroleum Corporation Ltd (GSPC), this week purchased cargoes of LNG at prices below $16 per million British thermal units (MMBtu), anonymous trade sources familiar with the deals told Bloomberg.

These are some of the first purchases in weeks. Indian importers retreated from the spot LNG market in the early days of the war when the Asian spot prices, off which contracts are priced, surged to a multi-year high of $25 per MMBtu.

Current prices of about $15 per MMBtu have significantly eased from last months peak, but they are still about 50% higher compared to before the war.

The new spot purchases would deliver LNG to India between April and June, hopefully to ease the supply crunch that resulted from no LNG carrier passing through the Strait of Hormuz in the month and a half since the war began.

India relies on Qatar for 45% of its LNG supply and 20% of its LPG supply, and the tiny Gulf state is the single biggest supplier of both fuels to India.

Qatar, however, halted all LNG production on the third day of the war, on March 2, and subsequently declared force majeure on deliveries. State firm QatarEnergy has said that it would be forced to declare force majeure on a number of long-term contracts, while repairs to the Ras Laffan LNG complex, the world's largest, could take up to five years to complete.

Over the past month, Asias imports of LNG have plunged to their lowest level since the Covid pandemic crashed demand in June 2020, as the Middle East war trapped supply and pushed prices to multi-year highs.

By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com

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The disrupted liquefied petroleum gas supply chains could take up to three to four years to recover, which would extend Indias LPG recovery from the current crisis, according to a government official.

Based on inputs from affected suppliers, restoration could take at least three years, and possibly longer, a senior Indian government official told Moneycontrol on condition of anonymity.

The war in the Middle East has stranded much of the energy supplies typically going to India via the Strait of Hormuz, creating a crunch in oil and gas supply in the worlds third-largest crude oil importer, which also depends on LPG for most of its cooking fuel.

India relies on Qatar for 45% of its LNG supply and 20% of LPG supply, and the tiny Gulf state is the single biggest supplier of both fuels to India.

Last month, state firm QatarEnergy said that Iranian missile strikes on production facilities would result in a loss of about 13% of Qatars LPG exports, with key facilities taking up to five years to repair.

Your LPG supply might take that long because some of the very critical LPG supplies are shut down. What shut exactly means is not fully clear -- whether entire wells have been exhausted or production has stopped -- but they themselves are saying it will take at least three years, the official told Moneycontrol.

Around 60% of Indian households rely on LPG for their primary cooking fuel, and the blockage at the Strait of Hormuz, from where 90% of all Indian LPG imports pass, has been immediately felt by consumers.

Some Indian tankers carrying LPG have cleared the Strait of Hormuz in recent weeks despite the de facto closure of the critical oil and gas chokepoint.

Amid the supply shortage, the Indian government has cut LPG supplies to commercial establishments and industries to have more cooking gas available for household use. Authorities are also pushing for an expansion of the city pipeline gas networks to replace LPG cylinders and use where possible.

By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com

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Iran has suspended all its petrochemical exports to ensure domestic supply amid reduced local availability following Israeli strikes early this month.

The Islamic Republic is halting all exports to prevent a supply crunch for its domestic industries and raw materials, local economic newspaper Donya-e-Eqtesad reported on Thursday.

A senior official at the National Petrochemical Company issued the order earlier this week, the Iranian media report. Exports would be halted until further notice, according to the directive.

The export halt is intended to support Iran's downstream industries and consumers following damage caused by recent attacks and to ensure adequate supply on the domestic market, as per the directive.

In early April, Israel hit several key petrochemical production hubs in Iran, including at the Mahshahr Petrochemical Special Zone in southeastern Iran and the country's biggest petrochemicals complex at Asaluyeh. The petrochemical facilities at Asaluyeh account for about half of Iran's total petrochemicals production.

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Iran was forced to shut down part of the facilities as the Israeli strikes on April 4 and 6 damaged power lines and providers of feedstocks for the petrochemical plants.

Iranian authorities have kept the prices of petrochemical and related products at levels from before the war despite the surge in global prices. Prices will remain low as Iran looks to support its domestic industries and consumers.

Iran exports 29 million tons of petrochemical products annually, worth about $13 billion in revenue each year, according to estimates by state media.

The halt to petrochemicals exports adds further economic pressure on Iranian revenues, on top of the U.S. blockade outside the Strait of Hormuz, which targets to prevent ships from going to and from Iranian ports.

Nevertheless, Iran-linked tankers, while steering clear of the U.S. blockade, are testing the practical limits of the blockade and attempt to move in an out of the Strait of Hormuz using deceptive operational patterns, including spoofing and reduced visibility.

By Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.com

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Spains Repsol will return to Venezuela after it signed a new deal with the Venezuelan government, with plans to increase crude oil production in the country by 50% from current levels.

Per media reports, the Spanish major secured licenses to return to Venezuela from the U.S. administration, which controls Venezuelas oil industry, and agreed deals with U.S. energy companies to restore production, which currently averages some 45,000 barrels daily. Over the next three years, Repsol plans to triple that.

Venezuela produced an average of 1.1 million barrels of crude daily this month, up from 942,000 barrels daily in February, according to a PDVSA presentation, as cited by Reuters.

The turnaround followed the selective lifting of sanctions by the United States after it removed President Nicolas Maduro from power and took him to the U.S. to stand trial for drug trafficking, while effectively taking over Venezuelas oil industry.

The turnaround will take a while, however. In the 1990s, Venezuela pumped around 3 million barrels of crude daily, but since then, the combination of bad management and U.S. sanctions has significantly reduced its production.

Oil majors, however, are returning to the country that is estimated to hold the worlds most abundant oil reserves. Chevron has been expanding since the U.S. takeover, Shell is in talks to develop gas resources, and now Repsol is returning to Venezuela.

Earlier this month, Chevron closed an asset swap deal with PDVSA that would see its stake in their joint venture Petroindependencia rise to 49%, while in exchange it would transfer some gas assets to the Venezuelan state company.

Shell, meanwhile, earlier in the year confirmed it planned to go ahead with exploration work at the Dragon projectan offshore gas field that contains an estimated 4.5 trillion cu ft in reserves. The plan is to feed the gas into the companys LNG facility in Trinidad and Tobago.

By Irina Slav for Oilprice.com

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A U.S.-Iran peace deal is not weeks away. Officials in the Gulf region are bracing for a timeline closer to six months.

The Strait of Hormuz remains effectively shut. Flows are nowhere near normal. Gulf exporters are unable to move crude, LNG, and refined products at scale. That is already showing up in prices. Brent climbed nearly 5% on Thursday to trade above $99 per barrel and remains roughly 36% higher since the war began in late February.

Leaders in the region want the Strait reopened immediately, and their concern goes well beyond energy. Officials are warning privately that if flows are not restored by next month, supply disruptions could spill into global food markets, given the regions role in fertilizers and energy inputs tied to agriculture.

Gulf states want limits on Irans nuclear program and missile capabilities. Iran is seeking sanctions relief. Those positions have been sticking points for quite some time, and a speedy resolution on those issues seems unlikely at this point.

Officials say a short extension of the ceasefirearound two weeksis being considered to allow talks to continue. There is no indication that a broader agreement is close. The timeline under discussion is closer to six months, reflecting the scope of unresolved issues, including uranium enrichment, missile programs, and sanctions.

Meanwhile, tanker traffic remains limited, and oil export volumes out of the Gulf are still well below normal levels. Some Iran-linked shipments have moved, but broader transit has not resumed.

Each week without a restart keeps supply tight.

And even if a deal is reached quickly, reopening the Strait and restoring upstream production will take time.

By Julianne Geiger for Oilprice.com

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(Photo courtesy of Ikemiya co.ltd)



Golden Week, a series of Japanese holidays, highlights spring every year. This year, the special week begins on April 29 and ends on May 6. Its a special time of the year for kids on the island, with many festivities taking place around that time.

Following last year, Agre Dome Chatan and Agre Softball Stadium Chatan will be hosting Kids Festival Adventure World during the Golden Week break!

The pop-up theme park features nine areas, which offer different types of adventures.

Starting with a live-action show where dinosaurs and big monsters will battle, gigantic 30-meter water slides and 14 big inflatable bouncers will be there to entertain adventurous minds.

Plus, they can try maneuvering ride-on cars or robots or have a soap bubble party and jump up and down on trampolines, plus pet cats and dogs.

There will even be a snow party to take them away from the ordinary in Okinawa.

Agre Dome Chatan and Agre Softball Stadium Chatan are near Camp Foster and Kadena Air Base. Why not take this opportunity and let the kids have a blast?

Kids Festival Adventure World 26

Date: May 2  6

Time: 9 a.m.  5 p.m.

Location: Agre Dome Chatan (26.310227, 127.760763), Agre Softball Stadium Chatan (26.310636, 127.759512)

Admission: 2,600 yen (approx. $16.40, Adults, high school students and above), 1,800 yen (between three years old and middle school age)

*Advance tickets cost 2,300 yen for adults, and 1,500 yen for those between three years old and middle school age.

*Advance tickets are available at locations such as Family Mart, Seven Eleven, and Lawson stores.

*Some attractions are subject to additional fees. There are also one-day passes for such attractions. A gold pass (2,000 yen, 1,700 if purchased in advance) gives visitors one access to each of such attractions, while a platinum pass (3,500 yen, 3,200 yen if purchased in advance) will let them enjoy such attractions as many times as they want on a single day.

For more info, check out the website (https://www.kodomo-festa.com/)


By Taxpayers Association of Oregon

OregonWatchdog.com





We received this letter from a supporter who left Oregon for Arizona, and the difference is striking.

Read below:

I left Oregon because of the Metro Supportive Housing Tax, the Tri-Met payroll tax, the Portland Arts tax, the Multnomah Free Pre-school-for-all-tax. But the icing on the cake, that ran me out of the state, was the Oregon death tax! The Oregon Estate tax can run up to 18% of the value of a persons estate. Now I already paid taxes on the money I earned to purchase all that real estate. I now live in Arizona. My property tax is cheap. My income tax is half. My vehicle registration was cheap, and the estate tax here is zero. How many other upper income people will the Oregon Democrats chase away? Dont they realize what that does to tax revenue?

Real people are leaving Oregon and escaping the death tax.

They are taking their businesses and their taxes with them.

This is even more reason to sign the current petition to abolish the Oregon Death Tax.

Sign the Oregon petition to abolish the death tax

Email us with your mailing address and the Taxpayers Association will send you a petition copy as soon as possible.


By Lars Larson

NW and national radio host,

The Northwest Nonsense

I dont make a million bucks a year, so folks tell me I dont have to worry about Washington states new income tax.

Not true

The state has already started hiring hundreds of workers to collect the deceptively named millionaires tax even though money from the tax wont start coming in for years.

And that assumes that the clearly unconstitutional tax survives court challenges.

And it assumes that angry citizens dont drag it to an election and beat the tax to death with a ballot box.

The Evergreen state plans to build a whole new bureaucracy to identify citizen incomes that go above 1-million dollars.

Most of us know in our hearts the state wont get as much money as it wants so the new income tax will soon hit folks who make less than a million.

Thats the same path Americas income tax took over the past 100 plus yearstax the superrich first and then let the numbers slide down to the average worker.

Starting July first of this year, paychecks start for 300 new revenuers in Olympia.

So, even though the first dollars from the new income tax dont come in till 2029, the cost of collecting it begins to be borne by average taxpayers this summer.

And when they decide to expand it to incomes UNDER a million, they already have the infrastructure in place to collect it.

Thats the Rose City Rap. Join me at noon on KXL for 4 hours of Honestly provocative talk. Im Lars Larson
Heavily armed men suspected of attempted abduction captured on Jose Maria Morelos highway

Jose Maria Morelos, Q.R.  Two heavily armed men suspected of an attempted abduction are in police custody. Eduardo N and Jorge Alexis N, said to be criminal group members, were arrested in Jose Maria Morelos Wednesday.

According to police, both Eduardo N and Jorge Alexis N attempted to abduct a local resident of Jose Maria Morelos the day before on April 14.

According to initial investigations, the suspects went to the victims home to attempt to commit the crime, however, the victim managed to escape captors and alert authorities through 911 prompting an immediate operation in the area, police explained.

They were captured while traveling on the highway Wednesday. April 15, 2026.

They were arrested from the a section of highway while heading toward the town of La Esperanza.

During the inspection, doses of substances with characteristics similar to marijuana and methamphetamine were seized along with three long guns, cartridges, tactical equipment with insignias of different corporations, a ballistic shield, electronic devices and a Nissan Versa vehicle, police added.

Initial investigations link the suspects to alleged members of a criminal group that generates violence, is dedicated to drug dealing, kidnapping and extortion.

Authorities reported that the men were taken into custody during an operation by members of the Interinstitutional Group made up of Investigation Police of the FGE, Defense, Navy, National Guard, Secretariat of Citizen Security and Municipal Police.
Today's the day! One of the biggest beauty events has taken over a small part of Florida.

Ulta is hosting its second-ever Ulta Beauty World ultra makeup and beauty products convention at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida, on April 16, 2026. The one-day expo has more than 200 brand booths with expert panels and exclusive swag bags worth $2,000.

How hot is Ulta Beauty World? So popular that tickets, which went on sale Jan. 21, 2026, for just over $160 each, sold out within minutes, according to reports. Not long after that, Ulta Beauty customers and beauty lovers took to social media to air out their frustration and disappointment, as officials promised to expand access for the 2027 Ulta Beauty World event.

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The USA TODAY Network's Samantha Neely is on scene at Ulta Beauty World in Orlando, Florida. Take a look at her photos and coverage.

What is Ulta Beauty World 2026 in Orlando, Florida?

Where is the 2026 Ulta Beauty World makeup convention?

Ulta Beauty World is a one-day mega makeup and beauty convention held at the west building at the Orange County Convention Center, 9800 International Drive, Orlando, Florida, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET Thursday, April 16, 2026.

Photos of 2026 Ulta Beauty World in Orlando, Florida. See beauty products, makeup and swag bag

Samantha Neely is a trending reporter for the USA TODAY NETWORK-Florida, covering pop culture, theme parks, breaking news and more. You can get all of Floridas best content directly in your inbox each weekday by signing up for the free newsletter, Florida TODAY, at https://floridatoday.com/newsletters.

This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: 2026 Ulta Beauty World makeup convention in Florida. See event photos
Beijing Youth Daily: The 17th UN Chinese Language Day is approaching. The theme this year is Chinese Language, Shining Civilizations. Celebrations have been held at UN headquarters and cultural institutions around the world. The Becoming Chinese trend on social media has made learning Chinese even more popular. Whats your comment?

Guo Jiakun: This year marks the 80th anniversary of the designation of Chinese as UN official language. The UN Secretariat, together with Chinese missions overseas, held events in New York, Geneva, Vienna and so on to celebrate the occasion. As one of the oldest languages in the world, Chinese dates back thousands of years and is spoken across the world. It embodies the Oriental wisdom of harmony and diversity, and has witnessed the UNs pursuit for its ideal for peace over the past 80 years. Language is the vehicle of civilization. All civilizations are humanitys treasures. They are all absolutely essential and deserve equal respect and joint protection.

You mentioned the popularity of learning Chinese. At our press briefings, for instance, more foreign journalists are raising their questions in fluent Chinese, which is appreciated and welcomed. We look forward to seeing more foreign friends learn Chinese, which will open for them the window on modern China and the Chinese civilization.

RT: Two questions regarding recent remarks by Donald Trump. First in an interview, he said that he and the Chinese side communicated on the situation in Iran. Can you confirm that? Second, Mr. Trump said his planned visit to China would not be affected by the war in Iran. But at the same time, the United States is imposing a naval blockade on Iranian ports, including vessels bound for China. So does China view this as a potential risk to the high-level meeting between Donald Trump and President Xi?

Guo Jiakun: On the Iran situation, China has made its serious position clear more than once. As to the specifics you asked about, I have no information to provide.

On President Trumps visit to China, the two sides maintain communication on the matter.

Reuters: Another question about the U.S. The U.S. yesterday said it believed China would not stop purchasing Iranian oil, and it also said it would sanction buyers of Iranian oil. Do you have any comment regarding that issue?

Guo Jiakun: China opposes unilateral sanctions that have no basis in international law or authorization of the UN Security Council.

AFP: In Sri Lanka today, nine Chinese nationals were arrested at an airport while attempting to smuggle communication equipment that was allegedly intended for cyber scamming operations. This is according to Sri Lankan customs authorities. Does the Foreign Ministry have more information or comments on this case?

Guo Jiakun: Im not familiar with what you mentioned. The Chinese government always asks our fellow citizens to observe local laws and regulations and not engage in any illegal or criminal activities while they are abroad. China stands ready to promote international cooperation with relevant countries and jointly combat criminal activities including cyberscam.
On April 14, 2026, Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Foreign Minister Wang Yi held talks in Beijing with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, who is visiting China.

Wang Yi stated that the current international situation is experiencing intense turmoil, with unilateral hegemony inflicting increasing harm, global governance system facing profound adjustments, and humanitys cause of peace and development confronting serious challenges. In the face of a complex and volatile external environment, under the personal attention and strategic guidance of President Xi Jinping and President Putin, China-Russia relations remain unshaken by fleeting clouds, with cooperation across all fields becoming stronger through repeated trials. The two sides coordinate and echo each other on the international stage, sending a clear message to the world that the right path still exists amid headwinds, and there remains steadfast responsibility amid upheaval.

Wang Yi said that this year marks the 30th anniversary of the China-Russia strategic partnership of coordination and the 25th anniversary of the signing of the China-Russia Treaty of Good-neighborliness and Friendly Cooperation. It is also the first year of Chinas 15th Five-Year Plan period. China and Russia should seize this historical opportunity, follow the trend of the times, fully implement the important consensus reached by the heads of state of the two countries, and elevate the China-Russia strategic partnership of coordination and mutually beneficial cooperation in various fields to a higher level. The two sides should strengthen cooperation within multilateral frameworks such as the United Nations, take the 25th anniversary of the founding of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization as an opportunity to implement the consensus of the Tianjin Summit through China-Russia cooperation, and support Kyrgyzstan in hosting a successful summit this year. The two sides should jointly maintain the momentum of unity among BRICS countries and safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of the Global South. The two sides should continue to maintain strategic coordination on major international and regional issues, jointly practice multilateralism and international morality, and jointly advance the process of world multipolarity.

Lavrov said that Russia and China are comprehensive strategic partners of coordination who respect each other and enjoy a high degree of mutual trust. Russia is willing to work with China to jointly implement the consensus reached by the heads of state of the two countries, maintain close high-level exchanges, deepen practical cooperation, and achieve mutual benefit and win-win results. The current international situation faces severe challenges, with some countries attempting to cobble together various small cliques to contain Russia and China. The two sides should align the series of global initiatives proposed by President Xi Jinping with President Putins visions such as the Greater Eurasian Partnership and the Eurasian security architecture, maintain coordination and cooperation on multilateral platforms and in international and regional affairs, safeguard their respective national interests, and jointly uphold the security and stability of the international system.

The two sides communicated and coordinated on preparations for the meeting between the heads of state of the two countries within the year, and had an in-depth exchange of views on international and regional issues of common concern, such as the US-Iran conflict, the situation in the Asia-Pacific region, and the Ukraine crisis.

After the talks, the two sides jointly signed the consultation plan for 2026 between the foreign ministries of the two countries.
Peng Liyuan, wife of General Secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and Chinese President Xi Jinping, and Ngo Phuong Ly, wife of General Secretary of the Communist Party of Viet Nam (CPV) Central Committee and State President, who accompanied General Secretary and President To Lam on his state visit to China, visited the National Centre for the Performing Arts (NCPA) of China.

Peng Liyuan and Ngo Phuong Ly visited the opera house, the virtual reality creative space and the recording studio, learning about the NCPAs efforts in supporting artistic creation, delivering cultural services and conducting international cultural exchanges. During the tour, they also watched rehearsals of a Chinese ethnic dance drama and a choir recording session, pausing from time to time to exchange views.

Peng Liyuan noted that China and Viet Nam are connected by mountains and rivers, share similar cultures, and their people enjoy mutual understanding and friendship. She expressed her hope that cultural institutions and artists of the two countries will strengthen exchanges and cooperation through various means to deepen the friendship between the two countries and nurture the bonds of goodwill between their people. Ngo Phuong Ly sincerely thanked Peng Liyuan for her warm and thoughtful arrangements, spoke highly of Chinas achievements in cultural development and artistic innovation, and expressed readiness to actively promote exchanges in the cultural and artistic fields between the two countries and advance Viet Nam-China friendship.
Care and Feeding is Slates parenting advice column. Have a question for Care and Feeding? Submit it here.

Dear Care and Feeding,

Last week my brother Kevin watched my two kids, Cheyenne, 8, and Elliott, 10 for the day while my wife and I attended a friends birthday party. I called in the afternoon to check on them. After I got off the phone and gave my wife the update, she lost her shit.

Kevin said the kids were playing in the front yard with the neighbors kids (same ages). Apparently my wife she thinks that 8 and 10 is too young to be allowed to play in a front yard without supervision. She made us leave the party then and there to pick the kids up. Now my wife says Kevin is too irresponsible to watch our kids again. Elliott and Cheyenne arent toddlers. My brother lives in a quiet suburban neighborhood, and the neighbors kids are not trouble makers. How can I convince her that what Kevin allowed was perfectly normal and acceptable?

24/7 Surveillance Isnt Needed

Dear 24/7,

The last time I weighed in on unsupervised kids, I shared that I thought a 6-year-old kid shouldnt be unsupervised at all on a bike. For a month after, I got angry emails telling me that my kid-coddling was responsible for societys demise. I share this to flaunt my protective-parent bonafides.

But! Im on your side on this one.

An 8-year-old and a 10-year-old playing in the front yard with other kids sounds OK to me. It sounds like your kids had a great time. Your brother knew where they were, and they knew he was in the house if they needed him. All good!

But your wife obviously disagrees, and you need to talk to her to understand why. Now that things have cooled off, pick a chill moment to bring it up. Say youve been thinking about what happened when the kids were at your brothers, and youd like to unpack it. Then let her talk. Dont interrupt! Try to remain curious about why this was so upsetting to her.

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When shes done, you can share why you thought the situation was safe. Dont argue! Calmly offer counterpoints and evidence. Talk about your experience with your kids, talk about why you think Cheyenne and Elliot are able to play safely in the front yard.

Maybe shell see that she overreacted and apologize. Or maybe she wont, and youll still disagree. Thats OK. Reasonable people can come to both conclusions, I think. (Not about the running out of the party part, but about the no paying the front yard part.) Ask her what would make her feel OK about the kids playing in the front yard. (No ball games?) Ask what would make her feel OK about your brother babysitting again. (A strict no-front-yard-playing rule?) Share that you still trust your brother and would like him to spend time with the kids, and youre sure you can figure something out.

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I hope a calm conversation can get you closer to the same page on this. Good luck!

Logan

More Parenting Advice From Slate

My family lives a little over an hour from Disneyland, and my sister Leah was supposed to take her 8-year-old son Curt there last Saturday. Unfortunately, Leah and my brother-in-law came down with a serious case of food poisoning the day before. She called me up and begged me to take Curt for them. Curt can be a complete dick much of the time, and I was hesitant, but decided to do it anyway.
This is Executive Dysfunction, a newsletter that highlights one under-the-radar story about how Trump is changing the lawor how the law is pushing backand keeps you posted on the latest from Slates Jurisprudence team. Click here to receive it in your inbox each week.

President Donald Trump has been taking what feels like an Oprah Winfreystyle approach with his pardon power: All you Jan. 6 rioters, you get a pardon! And all you folks who helped subvert the 2020 election for me, you get a pardon! And what the hell, that crypto billionaire charged with a felony, you also get a pardon! All in all, Trump has issued about 1,600 pardons since the start of his second term. Last week, the Wall Street Journal reported that Trump has even told his staff he will issue preemptive pardons for them in 2028 before hes slated to exit the White House.

No former U.S. president has exercised his pardon power quite like Trump has. In fact, hes even outdone his full first-term numbers, when Trump issued fewer than 250 pardons and commutations. The Wall Street Journal estimated that to date Trump has issued six times that number over the first 15 months of his second term. And he apparently has no intention of slowing down, with administration officials telling WSJ the president has repeatedly raised the specter of pardons with White House aides and other administration officials, particularly when staff have suggested they could face prosecution or congressional investigations over decisions. Its become a running joke within the White House, as Trump has promised he will pardon anyone who came within 200 feet of the Oval Office.

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Trump is wielding the pardon power with full impunity, aided by Supreme Court rulings that have affirmed the presidential pardon authority as unlimited, and left little to no room for congressional oversight. The only exceptions are in cases of impeachment and for state criminal offenses. This has essentially inspired Trump to wield pardons as a tool of political influence, as he pardons people facing serious federal criminal charges and who may have otherwise faced prison time. Now, these folks have a new lease on life, all thanks to the president, who expects unflinching loyalty in return.

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To understand what risks Trumps mass pardons create and what Congress can do to slow, if not outright stop, Trump, I spoke with Frank Bowman. Hes a law professor at the University of Missouri, a former federal prosecutor, and a pardon expert. Hes the author of a forthcoming book Pardons: Discretionary Clemency and the Rule of Law in Britain and America 10662026, all about the history of U.S. presidential pardons and the power they hold.

Heres our conversation, edited and condensed for clarity.

Shirin Ali: Whats been your impression of Trumps approach to the presidential pardon?

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Frank Bowman: One has to see Trumps use of the pardon power in the context of his

general attempt to undermine the rule of law and establish a sort of autocratic form of presidential governance. His uses of pardon power fit in with, for example, his progressive destruction of the Department of Justice as a meaningful law enforcement agency, and his transformation of it into an agency whose dual purposes are essentially to protect his friends or people who share his business interests, and to punish his enemies. Weve seen that in a whole variety of contexts, essentially as Trump disabled large swaths of the DOJs enforcement capacity, particularly in the areas of white collar crime and political corruption, to the benefit of people who are political adherents of Mr. Trump, or are, in the case of cryptocurrency offenders, people who are actually in the same business as the Trump family. Or in the case of finance, people who are directly contributing to the Trump family wealth.

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You have one side of Trumps second-term behavior, where hes essentially hamstrung the Department of Justice at the front end of the criminal prosecution and investigation process, and then the pardon power, as hes used it so far, is twinned with that. Trump has used the pardon power to excuse people who perhaps have already been prosecuted, or are in the course of being prosecuted for offenses. These are people that, again, are his political supporters, who share his economic interests, or for some reason, catch his attention.

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You have to see Trumps misuses of the pardon power in context of this overall transformation of the federal criminal justice process into essentially a personalized area of presidential control. The other instances of this, of course, began on his first day in office, when he issued pardons to all the Jan. 6 rioters and insurrectionists. Some months later, he preemptively pardoned 77 people who havent yet been charged, but certainly could be, for their roles in the effort to overturn the results of the 2020 election. These are people who were in some cases literally his co-conspirators in former special counsel Jack Smiths election interference criminal case.

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Its in this vein that you have to see his most recent comments in the White House that hes going to pardon everybody within 200 feet of the Oval Office. In other words, what hes saying is, If you folks commit crimes on my behalf, dont worry about any criminal consequences. Ill simply pardon you all at the end. Hes creating a whole permission structure for illegality, as long as its illegality that helps him and of which he approves.

Trump has suggested to his staff that if they carry out his orders, even if unlawful, he will pardon them. This sounds like a blatant manipulation tacticwhat do you make of it?

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All of that is made possible by the Supreme Court. If one looks back on fairly recent American history, Richard Nixon dangled pardons in front of the various Watergate conspirators, directly and indirectly. It was obviously considered both wrong in the general sense and criminally prosecutable. That practice by Nixon of dangling pardons was in fact one of the grounds on which the House Judiciary Committee voted to impeach him. The fact that at that time everyone conceived of this kind of behavior as fairly overt obstruction of justice and possibly criminally prosecutable for the president himself is surely at least one of the reasons why Gerald Ford felt it appropriate to issue Nixon a pardon after he left office. He widely understood that he was potentially liable for a whole array of conduct that was both impeachable and prosecutable. At that point, to stop the mouths of potential witnesses, Nixon offering pardons was a criminal offense of obstruction of justice.

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However, what happened a couple of years ago is that the United States Supreme Court in Trump v. United States extended completely unprecedented immunity from criminal prosecution to the president and made that immunity absolute. What it characterizes, again, completely without precedent, as core powers of the presidency among which it lists pardons. Essentially, as of 2024 the Supreme Court has said any use by the president of the pardon power, even overtly corrupt and indeed criminal uses of the pardon power, cannot result in criminal liability to him.

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Trump also knows, or thinks he knows, based on the failures of two impeachments to result in his conviction in the Senate, that he is essentially immune for an impeachment even for overtly criminal conduct. He knows that he can do something that Richard Nixon could not. When Nixon dangled these pardons back in the 1970s, he did so in extreme secrecy, knowing that if it ever came out it would certainly be impeachable, and it might very well be a criminal offense. There was considerable deterrence against this kind of behavior, but Trump is in a different world, one where the Supreme Court has given him permission to commit crimes if they involve pardons and his own political party has essentially given him permission to commit impeachable offenses because they wont vote to convict him. He is at liberty to throw around promises of pardons for any kind of prospective criminal behavior by his aides and associates in the knowledge that nothings going to happen to him.

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Despite the Supreme Courts sweeping presidential immunity decision, can Congress do anything about how Trumps using his pardon power?

Well, understand that regardless of the sad political reality, which is to say, the congressional Republican Party is so enthralled by Trump that it will not vote to impeach, even if he overtly commits crimes. I mean, thats a sad political reality, but it doesnt change the constitutional law of impeachment. Is it an abuse of the pardon power to pardon the past conduct of your criminal co-conspirators or to promise pardons for the commission of future crimes? Is that impeachable? Of course it is.

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That being so, Congress certainly has the power to investigate, if thats what the presidents doing. Congress today, if it wanted to, could investigate the uses and promises to use the pardon power of the president. Now they wont do it of course, because both chambers of Congress are controlled by Republicans. However, Democrats, if they gain a majority in either or both houses, I think its incumbent on them to investigate this pretty unapologetically. They should investigate these potential criminal misuses of pardon power as part of their oversight authority and through their power to inquire into impeachable conduct.

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Former President Joe Biden issued a slew of pardons on his way out of the White House, including for his son, other family members, and even members of the House committee that investigated the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol. Did he essentially open the door for Trump to abuse the presidential pardon power?

I understood Bidens impetus to issue preemptive pardons for members of his family and for a number of other people, like the Jan. 6 committee, Dr. Anthony Fauci, and Gen. Mark Milley. Trump and his surrogates were openly promising efforts to bring criminal charges against members of the Biden administration and others for things which were plainly not criminal, just simple retribution for political opposition. One understood Bidens disposition to try to protect his own family and other folks who were simply doing what public servants should do, and while you had active promises from the incoming presidential administration of Mr. Trump that they were going to misuse the criminal justice system, I think it was a bad idea.

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For one, I think it indicated a really insufficient amount of confidence in the criminal justice system to screen out totally baseless prosecutions, recognizing that even getting investigated, even if youve done nothing wrong, is a tremendously burdensome process in terms of reputation, time, and money. Its a form of harassment, even if its ultimately not successful in securing the prosecution and I understand that. I also understand Bidens impetus to try to spare people even that degree of embarrassment, expansive inconvenience, and so forth. But I thought at the time, and I think at least so far events have proven me correct, that efforts to try to charge people with noncrimes are very unlikely to succeed. We see this in the James Comey and Letitia James cases, where the justice system just spit out retaliatory, baseless prosecutions against Trumps enemies. Grand juries and judges are simply throwing them out and I suspected that this would be the case. I think Biden should have had more faith in the systems ability to deal with this kind of stuff.

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My second reason for not approving of these preemptive pardons is precisely that they create at least an excuse for Trump to do worse. They create a precedent, where Trump being Trump, he would not need, but he would absolutely use, along with his supporters to justify his own use of preemptive pardons to protect people around him who really had committed crimes. I was concerned that Biden was creating a precedent that would be abused and I think in that respect, I was correct. I think Biden made a grievous error in issuing preemptive pardonsunderstandable, but a mistake.

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Presidential pardons dont apply to state crimes, so is one avenue out of Trumps abuse of power to rely on states to pursue justice against the people he has already pardoned and those he may in the future?

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Youre certainly right that the presidential pardon power does not extend to state criminal offenses. Trump purported to pardon Tina Peters, a county clerk in Colorado who tried to

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mess with the states accounting system. Colorado courts recently just waived that away, correctly saying, Sorry, you cant do that. And its as plain as anything in the law that Trump cant do that. So yes, it is possible for states to bring state criminal actions against people who have received federal pardons. The tricky bit there, however, is the collection of evidence. If you take a look at the events in Minneapolis, you have ICE agents who shot and killed people, conduct which might well be a crime under state law, and which Minnesota authorities are investigating. However, a lot of the evidence of those offenses is in the hands of federal authorities who are refusing to turn it over. At least so long as Trump remains in office, there are going to be difficulties in collecting evidence, and even after he leaves office, there certainly would be concerns that relevant evidence of certain kinds of crimes would be lost or even consciously destroyed.

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That concern becomes exacerbated by a recent opinion by the Justice Department proclaiming the Presidential Records Act, which requires that presidential records be retained and remain the property of the United Statesthose need not be turned over by the president when he leaves office. If youre a state and you want to prosecute a federal official for some things that theyve done that amounts to a state crime, but Trump has pardoned them, theyre going to be evidentiary obstacles.

Another obstacle is that many of the kinds of crimes that you might want to prosecute somebody for and committed by a federal official during the Trump administration may not be state crimes.

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Related From Slate DOJ Says Laws Congress Passed to Prevent Another Nixon Dont Apply to Trump Read More

They dont perfectly match; there just may not be a state statutory authority to reach some of the constant behavior that Trump is going to pardon people for. For example, the extrajudicial killings that happened on the high seas. Trump and his appointees are frankly committing murder on the high seas, violating the laws of war and U.S. military code. Theres very little argument that theyre actually committing crimes out there. But, theyre committed on the high seas, so to the extent theres jurisdiction at all, this falls under the authority of federal district court or federal military tribunals. States have no jurisdiction there.

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Contemplating committing a crime and hoping that Id get pardoned for it, Id be wanting to look over my shoulder and see if theres state jurisdiction that will extend beyond the current presidents term. Its by no means sufficient to really fill the gap, but states could jump in here.

We hope you learned a thing or two from this edition of Executive Dysfunction, and if you enjoyed reading it, please consider supporting our legal journalism by becoming a Slate Plus member!

Elsewhere in Jurisprudence

In this weeks Amicus, Dahlia Lithwick sits down with Rep. Jamie Raskin of Marylands 8th Congressional District. They discuss how Congress could tap into a lesser-talked-about section of the 25th Amendment to try to remove Donald Trump over his recent threats to end an entire civilization. Instead of going through the typical impeachment process, which requires both houses of Congress and a two-thirds majority, the vice president and a majority of the presidents Cabinet can determine that the president is unable to successfully discharge the duties of office and then transfer the powers of the president to the vice president, Raskin explains. Congress also has a role in creating a body that can stand in for the Cabinet in backing a vice president who invokes the 25th Amendment.

In the Amicus bonus episode, Dahlia and Mark Joseph Stern ponder Justice Sonia Sotomayors surprisingly direct comments about her fellow Justice Brett Kavanaugh. Referencing his infamous opinion that allowed the federal government to detain immigrants based in part on their apparent ethnicity, leading immigration detentions to be dubbed Kavanaugh stops, Sotomayor said the opinion came from a man whose parents were professionals. And probably doesnt really know any person who works by the hour. The comments were surprising largely because Sotomayor has historically gone out of her way to praise her colleagues, but now the public is witnessing a breaking point where the Supreme Courts interpersonal deliberations are spilling out for all to see.

A new lawsuit is testing the Trump administrations brute force immigration strategy by suing federal officers under state law for violating a Maine mans constitutional rights. As Mark explains, Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents dont technically have absolute immunity from legal liability, but they do enjoy broad protections from prosecution thanks to federal law. The Supreme Court has issued conflicting decisions over if and how federal agents can be sued under certain federal laws, but just a few years ago a lower court judgeappointed by Trumpdeclared states can allow plaintiffs to sue federal officials if they allege federal constitutional violations. If the courts allow this lawsuit to proceed, They will finally compel immigration agents to operate within the Constitutionor face consequences for defying it, Mark writes.

Friend of Slate Steve Kennedy, organizing and network director at the Peoples Parity Project, explains how the Trump administration quietly proposed a new rule under the National Defense Authorization Act that declares all men between 18 and 26 would automatically be registered for the draft. The change demands the Supreme Courts intervention, Kennedy argues, because it raises a simple question that has been neglected for far too long: Is the draft itself constitutional?

Thank you for reading Executive Dysfunction! Were thrilled to be in your feeds and will be back with more dysfunction analysis next week.
Sign up for the Slatest to get the most insightful analysis, criticism, and advice out there, delivered to your inbox daily.

On Wednesday morning, the once iconic, now struggling footwear brand Allbirds announced that it was getting out of sustainable shoe production altogether, and transforming itself into an A.I. company. As so often happens whenever a publicly traded corporation mentions the words artificial intelligence, Allbirds bottom-trailing stock earned a massive 600 percent boost upon the news.

The company said it secured $50 million from an undisclosed investor to pivot its business from making shoes to A.I. infrastructure, according to a statement about the decision. This cash infusion will allow them to purchase graphics processing units that power and develop A.I. models, which they would then loan out to customers. As part of the shift, Allbirds also anticipates getting a new name: NewBird AI.

All said, if you still want to relive the recent past and associate yourself with the shoe of choice for Barack Obama and Silicon Valley, you will be able to: The holdings firm that bid for Allbirds last month will license the trademark for products sold by other shoemakers and retailers. But the rest of the Allbirds (sorry, NewBird AI) business is in a much more desperate placeand its flailing A.I. embrace, while amusing on its face, is yet another symptom of an especially grim trend in modern-day corporate America.

While the initial announcement sent Allbirds stock soaring from $2.50 a share up to $17 a share, the rally had already begun settling back down as of Thursday, and the stock remains nowhere near close to the monumental high ($650) it saw during Allbirds late-2021 IPO. But any surge is good news for the wool-runner manufacturer, which in March told investors it would sell all assets, at a fraction of their early-decade value, to the private holding firm American Exchange Group, owner and licensee of similarly lapsed fashion brands like Ed Hardy and Ecko Unlimited.

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A string of bad headlines preceded that sad agreement: Allbirds closed all its American full-price retail stores in February, and it reported massive losses throughout the past two years, thanks to a spawn of cheap imitators on the market as well as a direct-sales business model that imposed limits on how much exposure it could gain through big retail chains. (The uncertainty around President Donald Trumps tariffs also didnt help, since most of Allbirds products are made in Vietnam.) So while the embrace of a (for now) more lucrative industry is drastic, its not too surprising.

As various observers have noted, this isnt the first time a prominent brand has latched onto tech buzzwords as a means of securing investment and relevance. It was just a couple of years ago that major corporations were looking to virtual reality as the future of business, whether for internal meetings or external customer experiences. But its been a mighty long time since, say, Burberry has mentioned anything about its early-2020s metaverse partnershipsand the luxury designer, whose stock is way down, laid off 1,700 people last year following steep revenue shortfalls. Albertsons also bet on interactive virtual shopping during the era of the Facebook-to-Meta vibe shift, but it didnt exactly juice profits.

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Meanwhile, the Web3-crypto hype cycle that pushed clunky, glitchy headsets into every boardroom in America also brought NFTs to the forewhich has also been a complete bust. Media companies that invested in NFTs ultimately failed to earn lasting returns. Pizza brands like Papa Johns that bought NFTs for promotional purposes likewise failed to see their value appreciate. Reddit, which also got into the action, dismantled its NFT infrastructure at the start of the year.

Shiny snake-oil bottles and product bubbles have been around for centuries. But whats extra notable about the sputtering tech partnerships of the 2020s is how baldly they smack of desperation. Retail outposts, brick-and-mortar food joints, and text-based media have not been thriving sectors for a while now, but theyve been especially shellacked in the weird post-pandemic economy. Any generous cash provider, like Allbirds $50 million benefactor, appears all the more enticing in those circumstances, especially if the deal trade-offs seem like theyre cool and hip and with the times. The prospect of a hard fall afterward may not even come to mind because, hey, at least you tried.

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But as we get further into this decade and the economy looks ever creakier, the stakes of these boom-and-busts have become just as pressing as the perils that lead companies to take them on. Theres an interesting proviso in the AllbirdstoNewBird AI switchover thats gotten much less public attention. The shoemakers investors (who, it warrants mention, have yet to formally approve either the American Exchange sale or the A.I. pivot) are being granted a dissolution plan for the entire thing, should they decide a year from now that high-powered processing chips dont work for them as a product line after all. Essentially, if Allbirds shareholders give all of this their OK, it indicates a pretty dark ending for their once beloved footwear brand: This is the very last chance, and if NewBird AI cant find success, it all dies out except for the mere Allbirds logo, persisting as zombie intellectual property.

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Related From Slate One of Silicon Valleys Hottest Companies Is Facing a RevoltFrom Its Own Fans Read More

So the shoe that was once ubiquitous on San Franciscos sidewalks and praised for its open commitment to making a notoriously carbon-intensive industry just a little bit greener is turning to energy-sucking computer processors with short life spans because, well, thats where someone with flush pockets sensed an opening. Per federal filings, the new cash injectionwhich, notably, exceeds the $39 million price tag that American Exchange will pay for Allbirdsshall be used to buy super-efficient computing hardware from chipmakers and then sell them to A.I. enthusiasts unable to hoard or self-produce chips like larger tech firms (OpenAI, Amazon) can.

Its a real business need, sure, and its not a horrible idea on the surface. But the A.I. spending surge thats propped up the economy over the past few years is also showing signs that it might not be as strong as previously thought, between major companies in the sector reneging on prior commitments and local communities successfully obstructing the data centers that would house the very chips a company like NewBird AI would provide. Hence the one-year timeline for a kill switch should the bubble burst sooner than the stakeholders anticipate.

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Its also a sad way for Allbirds to go out: An enterprising moneymaker swoops in on a publicly traded company thats shed nearly all of its onetime $4.1 billion market cap and overhauls it into something else entirely because no one involved really has any choice. This buyer, unlike the customers who once made Allbirds go viral, holds no love for the actual shoes. And just as we saw for crypto and the metaverse, plenty of other failing businesses are going to take the hasty survival fund, even if it ends in disaster. We already saw a good example in February, when the car-karaoke-machine specialist Algorhythm Holdings decided to become an A.I.-assisted freight company, giving its stock a massive 262 percent lift. Not that this lasted long: Two months later, Algorhythms back to trading at one-third of that A.I. peak. If history is any indicator, Allbirds last-ditch pivot will play out similarly: a company that had its feet swept out from underneath it, praying that the latest tech trend will provide a cushion before it crashes to the ground.
Jane Marie Farrell, 65, of Hollywood, MD, passed away on April 10, 2026, after her courageous 3-year battle with colon cancer at her home surrounded by her family. Born June 6, 1960, at Andrews Air Force Base, MD, she was the daughter of Edward Thomas and Barbara Dean Flaherty. Jane grew up in Silver Hill, MD and graduated from La Reine High School in 1979. She married her best friend, James Wesley Farrell, on October 3, 1997. Together, they had one daughter, Melinda Faye Farrell Garrison, and one stepson, Kevin Bunting.



Jane enjoyed a successful 35-year career working for the Department of Defense. She began her career at the Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS) in Arlington, VA, and later transferred to the DFAS Technology Services Organization at the Patuxent River. Jane was a Senior Leader in the organization, managing a team of functional and technical personnel, supporting financial and material management systems used by the Navy and the Air Force. These systems helped DoD agencies track costs, manage contracts, and maintain financial and material records for audits and reviews. Jane retired in 2015.



Jane's smile and laughter were truly contagious, bringing warmth and joy to everyone around her. She cherished hosting holidays and family gatherings, creating lasting memories filled with love, laughter, and togetherness. Time spent with family and friends was what she valued most. Jane had a natural talent and deep passion for cooking and baking, often expressing her love through the meals and treats she prepared. She also had a special place in her heart for animals, especially her cats in her later years. A creative spirit, Jane found great joy in crocheting, one of her favorite pastimes. She also had a love for musicespecially Rock n' Roll and Taylor Swiftand she enjoyed attending many concerts throughout her life. Jane loved to travel, with Ocean City, Maryland holding a special place in her heart. Many family trips with her mother, brothers, nieces, and nephews were spent in Ocean City. She especially loved her visits to see her first nephew, Danny. You could often find her relaxing in her beach chair, toes in the water, soaking in the peace and beauty of the shore. Above all else, Jane treasured her role as a wife, mother, and grammy. She was deeply devoted to her husband, James, their daughter, Melinda, and their grandchildren, Callie and Dawson. The bond they shared was truly one of a kind. Jane was firm in her beliefs, she was a devout Catholic and her faith never wavered, even in the most difficult times. Her positive mindset through her colon cancer treatments was a great inspiration to her family and a prime example of her strength.



Jane is survived by her daughter, Melinda Faye Garrison (Jacob) of Lusby, MD; her grandchildren, Callie Marie and Dawson James, her stepson, Kevin Bunting (Joan), and her step-grandchildren, Jackson, Landon and Brooke. She was one of 4 children, survived by her brothers: Edward Thomas Flaherty, Jr of Brandywine, MD, John Robert Flaherty (Terry) of Brandywine, MD, and David Michael Flaherty (Donna) of Mechanicsville, MD, along with many cousins, nieces and nephews.



The family will receive family and friends for Jane's Life Celebration on Tuesday, April 21, 2026, from 5:00  8:00pm at Brinsfield Funeral Home, P.A., 30195 Three Notch Rd., Charlotte Hall, MD 20622. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday, April 22, 2026, at 10:00a.m. at St. John Francis Regis Catholic Church, 43950 St Johns Rd., Hollywood, MD. Interment will follow at Resurrection Cemetery, 8000 Woodyard Rd., Clinton, MD. Serving as pallbearers will be William Flaherty, Daniel Flaherty, Patrick Flaherty, Billy Turgeon, Jacob Garrison, and Joseph Cardello.





Visitation



Tuesday, April 21, 2026

5:00 PM - 7:00 PM



Brinsfield Funeral Home & Crematory, P.A.

30195 Three Notch Road

Charlotte Hall, MD 20622



Prayers



Tuesday, April 21, 2026

7:00 PM



Brinsfield Funeral Home & Crematory, P.A.

30195 Three Notch Road

Charlotte Hall, MD 20622



Funeral Mass



Wednesday, April 22, 2026

10:00 AM



St. John Regis Catholic Church Cemetery

43927 St. John's Road

Hollywood, MD 20636



Officiant: Rev. Raymond F. Schmidt
Driver Jason Ryan remains sidelined after an accident on Saturday, April 4 at Flamboro Downs.

In that race, Ryan and pacer Justine Ray 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. Hudon has since returned to driving action. Sweet Gadgets did not survive the spill.

After the accident, Ryan was transported to local hospital for observation. He told Trot Insider that he suffered a concussion and a AC (acromioclavicular) joint separation. He's feeling better but still waiting to hear from medical practitioners if the shoulder requires surgery.

A career winner of more than 2,200 races with $15 million in purse earnings, Ryan was third in the local drivers' standings at Flamboro Downs at the time of the accident with 36 seasonal wins.

Please join Standardbred Canada in wishing Jason Ryan a full and speedy recovery.

(Standardbred Canada)
Brett Beckwith, leading driver at The Meadowlands and second-leading driver in North America this year, underwent successful surgery for a wrist injury sustained in a racing accident this past weekend.

The 23-year-old reinsman was injured in an accident on Sunday, April 12 prior to a race at Saratoga Casino Hotel, suffering a broken wrist and jaw as well as a minor brain bleed. Meadowlands Racetrack shared an update on Thursday, April 16 from Beckwith's family.

He had surgery on his wrist [Monday] which was a success  as expected, he is in a lot of pain but he actually just got discharged from the hospital!" said Beckwith's sister Carly on Tuesday, April 14. "The other good news is, he no longer needs any CT scans for the brain bleed! Of course, he still has to deal with his broken jaw so he will be heading back to the hospital on Friday to get that taken care of. He also has hearing loss in his left ear and will be seeing ENT as outpatient for that."

Please join Standardbred Canada in wishing Brett Beckwith a full and speedy recovery.

(Standardbred Canada with files from Meadowlands Racetrack; photo of Beckwith congratulated by Meadowlands' Jason Settlemoir for earning the track's 2025 Driver of the Meet title)
Google has agreed to a $135 million settlement in a class-action lawsuit, alleging that its operating system used mobile devices to collect data from more than 100 million Android users without their consent.

The settlement includes Android users who have used their mobile devices to connect to the internet via cellular data networks at any time from Nov. 12, 2017, to the present, and users may qualify for compensation, according to CBS News and the settlement website.

Plaintiffs Attila Csupo, Andrew Burke, and Kerry Hecht filed a lawsuit against Google LLC in 2020. They allege that the tech companys Android platform transfers users information to Google without their permission. According to the plaintiffs, Google collects information even when users are not actively using their devices. This occurs when mobile devices are in the plaintiffs purses or pockets, or when they are simply sitting idle, according to the lawsuit and the class-action notice.

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Google deliberately designed and coded its Android operating system and Google applications to indiscriminately take advantage of Plaintiffs data allowances and passively transfer information at all hours of the dayeven after Plaintiffs move Google apps to the background, close the programs completely, or disable location-sharing, the complaint states.

Google has denied the allegations in the lawsuit, asserting that it did nothing wrong. However, the company has agreed to a $135 million settlement. Blavity reported that plaintiffs in California filed a $314.6 million lawsuit against Google, alleging misuse of data.

Heres what all Android users need to know about the Google settlement, including how to claim a payment, the amount they may receive, and the outcome if they do not take action.

How can users receive payments?

All eligible settlement members will receive a payment unless they opt out. To ensure delivery, they should choose a preferred payment method through the Payment Election Form; otherwise, the administrator will attempt to send the payment automatically, but payments may not be successfully received via the settlement, according to the settlement website.

How much will payments be?

The exact payment amount has not yet been determined, as it depends on how many eligible members successfully receive the funds. More than 100 million people qualify, and payments will be distributed from the $135 million fund after fees, costs, and taxes are deducted.

What happens if users do nothing?

If users take no action, they will still be included in the settlement and bound by its terms. The administrator will attempt to send them a payment, but may not receive it. They should select a payment method through the Payment Election Form.







The post Google $135M Settlement For Millions Of Android Users Eligible: What To Know appeared first on Blavity.
US marines just gave the M4 a driver-assist system for shooting drones.

The modern infantry battlefield is quietly undergoing a transformation that feels as much like a shift in automotive control systems as it does in traditional weapons design.

According to reporting from Task & Purpose, U.S. Marines are now fielding a new generation of rifle-mounted smart optics designed specifically to counter one of the most disruptive technologies of recent years: small, fast-moving drones.

Image Credit: Khamenei.ir, CC BY 4.0, Wikimedia.

The system featured in the report is the SMASH 2000L, developed by Smart Shooter Inc., and it is being integrated with standard service rifles like the M4 carbine.

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The SMASH term represents the Smart Shooter system family. Its a product line name, not a spelledout acronym. The 2000L designation or the 2000 series refers to the generation of optics, while the L indicates a lightweight version optimized for standard service rifles like the M4 carbine.

On paper it still looks like a conventional optic. In practice, it behaves more like a compact fire-control computer fused directly to the shooters weapon.

Already in the Hands of Deployed Forces

The Marines of the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit (11th MEU) were shown training with the system during pre-deployment work aboard the USS Portland, part of a broader operational deployment cycle in the Middle East.

Image Credit: Defense Visual Information Distribution Service.

That context is important. This is not a prototype sitting in a lab or a limited demonstration at a stateside range. It is already in the hands of deployed forces preparing for real-world missions.

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At its core, SMASH is built around automated target tracking and real-time ballistic computation. When a shooter brings the optic onto a target, the system identifies and locks onto it using onboard visual processing. From there, it continuously analyzes movement, range estimation cues, and the shooters own weapon stability.

The key technical step is the generation of a firing solution.

The optic calculates when a projectile from the rifle will intersect the moving targets path, accounting for variables such as target velocity, angle change, and shooter-induced sway. Rather than relying purely on instinct and reaction time, the system shifts the hardest part of the engagement into computation. Its a game changer.

In operational terms, the trigger mechanism is also governed by this solution.

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The weapon will not release a shot unless the calculated hit probability meets a defined threshold, though operators can override the system if required. This introduces a hybrid firing model: human intent still initiates engagement, but the system determines optimal timing.

Why Drone Warfare Demanded this Shift

The motivation behind this design reflects how drone warfare has altered infantry expectations.

Image Credit: Defense Visual Information Distribution Service.

Small unmanned aerial systems are difficult targets. They are compact, often irregular in motion, and capable of operating at speeds and altitudes that challenge conventional iron-sight or standard optic engagement methods. Marines training with SMASH are effectively being equipped with a tool designed to compress reaction time gaps that drones exploit.

The developmental philosophy behind systems like SMASH draws from older domains of fire control, particularly in armored vehicles and aircraft, where computers have long assisted with targeting calculations.

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Those platforms historically solved similar problems: moving shooter, moving target, and the need for precise lead and timing solutions. What is different here is scale. That level of computational assistance is now being mounted on a shoulder-fired rifle.

Image Credit: Defense Visual Information Distribution Service.

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The Task & Purpose report frames this as part of a wider doctrinal shift inside the Marine Corps. Infantry units are increasingly expected to operate in environments where drones are not exceptional threats but persistent ones.

As a result, counter-drone capability is no longer reserved for specialized air defense units. It is being pushed down to the level of dismounted infantry squads.

The Future of Infantry Accuracy

Training imagery from the 11th MEU suggests that Marines are learning to integrate the system into standard marksmanship practice rather than treating it as a separate specialty tool. That blending of traditional shooting fundamentals with assisted fire-control logic signals a change in how infantry accuracy is defined.

Skill is no longer only about raw trigger discipline and visual tracking, but also about managing systems that interpret and refine engagement timing.

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The SMASH 2000L itself represents a broader trend in defense technology: the convergence of computer vision, automation, and small arms. Its design compresses what used to require large, stabilized platforms into a rifle-mounted optic weighing only a fraction of legacy systems.

What emerges from the Task & Purpose report is a clear picture of infantry warfare adapting to a drone-saturated environment. The Ukrainians found a way to counter low-cost attack drones often fired in swarms; the US just raised the bar.

The Marines are not just adding new weapons. They are integrating computational assistance into the act of shooting itself, reshaping how engagements are judged, timed, and executed on the modern battlefield.

If you want more stories like this, follow Guessing Headlights on Yahoo so you dont miss whats coming next.
National Egg Benedict Day, celebrated every April 16th, is basically an official excuse to treat yourself to one of the fanciest breakfast foods out there.

Typically, a toasted English muffin is topped with Canadian bacon or ham, perfectly runny poached eggs, and that silky, buttery hollandaise sauce poured right on top. Its the kind of breakfast that sticks with you all day, especially when local chefs put their own creative spin on the classic.

With so many Greater New Bedford spots offering a variety of flavors and textures, National Egg Benedict Day turns into a mini food adventure.

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Check out these delicious and unexpected twists on a breakfast favorite and enjoy every bite.

Eggs Ben Franklin

Eggs Ben Franklin at Persy's Place.

For a tasty breakfast twist on a Benedict, you have to try the Eggs Ben Franklin at Persy's Place. It features two poached eggs, sliced turkey breast, sauteed mushrooms, melted Swiss cheese, and a rich hollandaise sauce. They also offer a variety of versions, including traditional, corned beef hash, Florentine, Portuguese, California, fish cake, and chourico hash at 43 Bedford St., Middleboro.

Crab Cake Eggs Benedict

Crab Cake Eggs Benedict at Farm & Coast Market.

If youre craving a truly mouthwatering Eggs Benedict, make your way to Farm & Coast Market. Alongside their classic take, they offer a Mediterranean-inspired Benedict with tomato, feta, and spinach. For something extra indulgent, their crab cake Benedict is a must-try. It features two full-sized crab cakes topped with perfectly poached eggs on an English muffin, fresh arugula, and rich house-made hollandaise sauce, all served with a side of home fries. Try one today at 7 Bridge St., South Dartmouth.

Thai Panang Benedict

Thai Panang Benedict at Loafy Lark.

For a spicy twist on the classic, you are going to want to try Loafy Lark. They are dishing up a Thai Panang Benedict featuring two poached eggs, shredded chicken, basil, lime, Panang curry hollandaise, and kimchi Benedict with slow-roasted pork, house kimchi, scallion, sesame, and gochujang hollandaise. They also offer classics like Florentine, smoked schmear, steak, and other rotating styles. Try something new today at 3103 Cranberry Highway, East Wareham.

Graces Portuguese Benedict

When you need a taste of home, order the Portuguese Benedict at Lexi- Lu's Place. It features scratch-made chourico and peppers on a grilled bolo roll topped with two poached eggs and a Mozambique hollandaise sauce, served with home fries or beans. You can also try the classic or crab cake version, or one of the daily specials at 1133 American Legion Highway, Westport.

Irish Benedict

Irish Benedict at Nellie Rose Restaurants.

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Nellie Rose Restaurants has no shortage of flavorful Benedicts for you to try. The Irish Benedict features a grilled English muffin topped with homemade hash, two poached eggs, and hollandaise sauce. You can also find a Texas version with chili, pulled pork, Florentine, crab cake, and Portuguese styles. Check out their menu at 444 Center St., Middleboro.

Cornbread Benedict

Cornbread Benedict at Toast N' Jam.

For a flavorful Southern-inspired combination, try the Cornbread Benedict at Toast N' Jam. It features fresh grilled cornbread topped with two poached eggs, chili, and sriracha hollandaise sauce. You can also get cacoila, Florentine, classic, Portuguese, corned beef hash, Portuguese steak, portobello, or California variations. The options make it difficult to choose from the menu at 2331 Acushnet Ave., New Bedford.

French Toast Benny

For a variety of delicious Eggs Benedict options, youre going to want to drive to The Phoenix Restaurant, 140 Huttleston Ave., Fairhaven. Not only do they have a French Toast Benny, but you can also get steak, cacoila, traditional ham, Portuguese linguica, a smorgasbord meat version, or the famous Phoenix Benedict with baked ham served on a cheese roll.

Veggie Benny

Veggie Benny at The Little Phoenix Lc

For vegetable lovers, take a ride over to The Little Phoenix Lc for the Veggie Benny. This savory delight features English muffin halves topped with grilled onions, peppers, tomatoes, mushrooms, broccoli, spinach, poached eggs, hollandaise sauce, and grilled asparagus. Also on the menu are a Portuguese-style Benny, a steak tip Benny, a traditional Benny, and even a Benny burger. Choose your favorite at 4128 Acushnet Ave., New Bedford.

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This article originally appeared on Standard-Times: Portuguese, Irish, Thai Eggs Benedicts to try in Greater New Bedford
Carey Mulligan's friends aren't concerned by her fame.

Carey Mulligan has reflected on her experience of fame

The 40-year-old actress has enjoyed huge success in Hollywood, starring in movies such as Drive, Inside Llewyn Davis and The Great Gatsby - but Carey manages to escape the glitz and glamour of the movie business whenever she returns to her home life in Devon, south-west England.

Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter, Carey explained: "I was going on to a friend about One Battle After Another, saying its the greatest thing Ive seen in the last 10 years, and she was like, Whos in it?

"I was like, Leonardo DiCaprio and Sean Penn. And she said, Which ones that? Is he from Shaun of the Dead?

"I was like, I cant f****** believe you dont know who Sean Penn is, but also, God, thats great.

"Here I am worrying about what people are going to think of my show or how theyre going to compare it to other things, and my best mate is like, Whos Sean Penn?"

Meanwhile, in March, Carey received a CBE from King Charles at Windsor Castle.

The film star was honoured by the monarch for her services to drama at an investiture ceremony on March 31.

Carey - who is married to Mumford and Sons musician Marcus Mumford - said of receiving the award: "I feel so unbelievably lucky to get do a job that I really, really love.

"To have this kind of recognition on top, is just sort of extraordinary to me."

Carey was also quizzed about who the next James Bond should be, as she is set to star alongside former 007 Daniel Craig in Greta Gerwig's upcoming Netflix film Narnia: The Magician's Nephew.

The three-time Oscar nominee said: "Oh, my gosh, that's so hard. Really hard, isn't it?

"He's got big shoes to fill. I think the thing about Daniel is that he was an extraordinary actor, I don't think he was sort of the person you would have thought of for that part.

"I think the main thing is it's just got to be someone who's an incredible actor."
Amber Sherlocks lawyer points to Nines own culture review

Lawyer says efforts to sully his clients reputation raise questions whether management are serious about their cultural review.

Amber Sherlocks lawyer has hit back at statements by Nine after it denied she was a well-liked and popular member of the news divisions team.

Nine had also denied her claims that she faithfully and diligently served the company during her 18 years of employment, stating she was counselled on her communications and interactions with colleagues.

But John Laxon, principal of Laxon Lex, seized upon Nines own history of toxic work culture.

The 2024 external review found Nine has a systemic issue with abuse of power and authority; bullying, discrimination and harassment; and sexual harassment.

Nines efforts to sully my clients reputation after 18 years of fabulous service are disappointing and unnecessary and also raise questions whether Nine management are serious about adhering to the lessons of their cultural review, which identified a toxic culture of gender inequality, he said.

Laxon claimed there was an absence of more mature female presenters at Nine, and that numbers would drop further following the departure of news anchor Georgie Gardner on Friday. The older blokes on screen are in abundance, Laxon said.

Nine denied sacking Sherlock because she was a woman nearing her 50th birthday, which were prt of wider redundancies.

We strongly reject any suggestion that this influences any decision to remove a role that is no longer required in our business, a spokesman said.

The dedicated role of the 6pm weather presenter for 9News Sydney was made redundant in November 2025. Since then, a number of different reporters and presenters have presented the 6pm weather in addition to filling other roles across the network.

Source: AFR.com.au
World's largest pure electric intelligent container ship enters service in China

Xinhua) 08:30, April 16, 2026

This photo taken on March 29, 2026 shows a view of Chuanshan area of Ningbo-Zhoushan Port, east China's Zhejiang Province. (Xinhua/Huang Zongzhi)

HANGZHOU, April 15 (Xinhua) -- China's first 10,000-tonne-class pure electric intelligent container ship, also the world's largest of its kind, launched commercial operations on Wednesday afternoon, marking a new phase of green, electric-powered development for the country's coastal container shipping.

The "Ning Yuan Dian Kun" vessel departed from Ningbo-Zhoushan Port for Jiaxing Port, both located in east China's Zhejiang Province. The busy shipping route, traditionally served by fossil fuel-powered vessels, is now clearly shifting toward electrification.

Independently developed and designed by the Shanghai Merchant Ship Design and Research Institute and equipped with an all-electric propulsion system, the ship boasts zero carbon emissions, intelligent operation and high efficiency.

The vessel is 127.8 meters long and 21.6 meters wide, with a design draft of 6.2 meters. It can carry 742 TEU, or standard 20-foot container slots.

It is fitted with 10 containerized batteries with a total capacity of about 20,000 kWh and powered by two 875 kW permanent-magnet synchronous propulsion motors. It will reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 1,462 tonnes annually, achieving zero emissions, zero noise and zero pollution throughout its operation.

On the intelligence front, the vessel is equipped with smart navigation and engine systems, enabling autonomous collision avoidance, high-precision tracking, and integrated ship-shore-cloud control. It adopts a dual-mode charging system combining high-voltage shore power and rapid container-swapping, ensuring efficient and flexible energy replenishment.

The vessel's open-deck design improves cargo handling efficiency, while its wind-reduction bow shape cuts air resistance by 15 to 20 percent.

The Chinese character "Kun" in the ship's name comes from the ancient Chinese classic "Zhuangzi," which refers to a mythical giant fish. Its sister ship, the "Ning Yuan Dian Peng," with "Peng" meaning a giant bird from the same text, is scheduled for sea trials in May and delivery in June. Once both ships are in service, they will form a scaled, green shipping operation on fixed routes.

"This project demonstrates our commitment to the green transformation of the shipping industry and China's dual carbon goals," said Chen Xiaofeng, chairman of Ningbo Ocean Shipping Co., Ltd., the operator of the two vessels.

(Web editor: Wang Xiaoping, Liang Jun)
Steve Guttenberg broke into an elderly couple's house to rescue them from the California wildfires.

Steve Guttenberg helped rescue people from the California wildfires

The Police Academy actor told how he "took somebody's car" to go to the aid of the unknown man and woman in the Palisades area of Los Angeles when the devastating blazes swept the area in January 2025, but ended up having a "big fight" with them because they didn't want to leave their home.

Speaking on the On Par With Maury Povich podcast, he said: "I have a really funny story that I just remembered the other day.

"There was a couple inside their house, and a friend of mine texted me and said, 'This elderly couple's in their house, and not leaving.'

"So I get the address, I find it, I get up there. And I actually took somebody's car that wasn't my car, because my car was way down, I couldn't find it."

The 67-year-old actor explained abandoned cars had littered the streets as the fires crept nearer, so he took one of the vehicles to get to the couple.

He said: "I knew that we needed emergency vehicles through there, and I wasn't the only one. But I started just moving cars."

Steve got to the house and urged the couple to leave their home but they ignored his pleas, resulting in him resorting to drastic action.

He said: "I knock on the window and they're watching TV and they go, 'Hey, get away.' I go, 'You've got to leave, the fire is coming.'...

"I had to break into their house through a window, you know, fall on the kitchen floor, glass everywhere, get up there. The guy's like, 'I'm going to call the cops on you.' I go, 'That's why I'm here, call the cops. You've got to leave!'

"[I had to] unlock the door, pick them up, and carry them outside so one of the fire trucks could come by and get them."

The Three Men and a Baby star admitted the couple "hated" him for his actions and continued trying to resist.

He laughed: "They hated me. I mean, the woman's hitting me in the head. I go, 'Lady, you can't stay in this house. Your house is going to burn down!' And it probably did."

At the time of the fires, Steve vowed to "stand and fight" rather than leave his neighbourhood.

He told People magazine: "At this time I have the choice of sitting down and walking or standing up and doing what I can. I choose to stand and fight. And help."

The Short Circuit star implored people to "leave the key" in their cars if they planned to leave their vehicles behind.

Steve told KTLA 5: "We really need people to move their cars.

"If you leave your car behind, leave the key in there so a guy like me can move your car so that these fire trucks can get up there. Its really, really important."
Australian Story: April 20

With exclusive access to a Tasmanian search, ABC followed volunteers as they scoured for Belgian backpacker Celine Cremer.

Australian Story next week continues its story on the search for Belgian backpacker Celine Cremer.

Two and half years after Belgian backpacker Celine Cremer went missing, her friends and family teamed up with local volunteers to search in the forest where she disappeared.

The search party of 28 people was led by private investigator Ken Gamble and included four of Celines friends whod flown in from Belgium.

With exclusive access to the search, Australian Story followed the volunteers as they scoured the dense rainforest and captured breakthrough moments that helped solve the mystery of what happened to Celine.

A few weeks after the search wrapped up, a local volunteer found human remains which have now been provisionally identified as Celines.

Those involved hope that understanding how Celine got lost can help others avoid the same fate. People need to be prepared, they need to stay on the formed tracks, says Inspector Andrew Hanson from Tasmania Police. They need to tell people where they are, they need to make sure theyve got appropriate communication equipment.

For Celines best friend Justine, the new information has brought closure. Ive got a lot of answers now  I can finally start grieving.

From Belgium, Celines family, too, feel they can finally mourn her death and celebrate her life.

I want people to remember my sister for her dreams, says sister Amelie. She lived for her dreams and I think a lot of people dont do that.

8pm Monday on ABC.
Renewed: From confirms final season

"Five seasons was always the goal, but we always wanted to let the story tell us when it was time to end."

US supernatural series From, starring Harold Perrineau, has been renewed for a fifth and final season ahead of its fourth season premiere.

Speaking to the Hollywood Reporter, creator and executive producer John Griffin, said, In full transparency, five seasons was always the goal, but we always wanted to let the story tell us when it was time to end. When we reached the end of season three and the death of Jim (Eion Bailey), it felt like we reached the end of the beginning.

Similarly, season four very naturally feels like the beginning of the end. Weve had the opportunity to tell this story from the beginning the way we really wanted to tell it, with the full support of Michael Wright and everybody over at MGM. Its rare you get to tell this type of story and give it the life you feel it needs, to let the story decide when its time to end.

S4 will now premiere in Australia at 6:30pm Sunday April 19 (marketing still indicates April 20).
Attending the meeting were Minister of Ethnic and Religious Affairs Nguyen Dinh Khang; Deputy Ministers Y Vinh Tor, Nong Thi Ha, and Nguyen Hai Trung; Deputy Minister-Chairman of the Government Office Don Tuan Phong; Deputy Minister of Home Affairs Vu Chien Thang; and representatives from central ministries and agencies including the Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Public Security, Ministry of Justice, and Ministry of Agriculture and Environment.

Determined to cut administrative procedures

Deputy Prime Minister Ho Quoc Dung chairs a working session with the Ministry of Ethnic and Religious Affairs on the afternoon of April 15. Photo: Le Anh Dung

Reporting to the Deputy Prime Minister, Deputy Minister Y Vinh Tor said that in implementing decentralization in administrative procedures, the ministry had simplified 2 out of 2 procedures in the field of ethnic affairs, achieving 100 percent of the decentralization plan. It also delegated three authorities to provincial-level Peoples Committees in the field of belief and religion.

Regarding simplification under the two-tier local government model, 78 out of 108 administrative procedures in ethnic, belief and religious affairs have been reduced or simplified, reaching 72.2 percent. At the same time, 118 internal procedures have been made public and uploaded to the national database.

Deputy Prime Minister Ho Quoc Dung delivers remarks at the meeting, commending efforts to streamline the apparatus and build institutions. Photo: Le Anh Dung

On reducing procedures in the field of belief and religion, Deputy Minister Nguyen Hai Trung reported that the ministry is currently handling 21 out of 56 procedures. To meet the requirement of reducing them to below 30 percent, around six procedures would need to be cut, though many require careful consideration before being removed.

Minister Nguyen Dinh Khang said further review is needed to ensure procedures are simplified in line with the specific conditions of disadvantaged areas, particularly in fields directly affecting peoples livelihoods.

He noted that administrative procedures in the ministry are mainly concentrated in the religious sector. In socio-economic development for ethnic minority regions, mechanisms should be further improved to be more open and facilitate local implementation of national target programs.

Minister Nguyen Dinh Khang speaks at the meeting.

Clarifying causes of slow disbursement

At the meeting, the Ministry of Ethnic and Religious Affairs, the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, and the Ministry of Finance reported on the implementation of national target programs on new rural development, sustainable poverty reduction, and socio-economic development in ethnic minority and mountainous areas for the 2026-2030 period.

Obstacles in implementing components extended to the end of 2026 under the 2021-2025 program were also clarified.

Deputy Minister Y Vinh Tor said slow disbursement stemmed from the programs design, which integrates ethnic policies and development investment. The legal framework was only largely completed around 2023 and has since been adjusted.

Deputy Minister Y Vinh Tor speaks at the meeting.

For the integrated program, the ministry is coordinating with relevant agencies to finalize decisions on allocation principles, criteria and norms.

Nguyen Xuan Dai, head of the Central New Rural Coordination Office, said that many guiding documents have been issued recently to remove local bottlenecks, and further improvements will be made to accelerate implementation and disbursement.

Deputy Minister Nguyen Hai Trung speaks at the meeting. Photo: Le Anh Dung

Enhancing flexibility for localities

Minister Nguyen Dinh Khang noted a potential issue regarding counterpart funding. Programs led by the ministry mainly target poor provinces and communes with difficult conditions, so funding mechanisms should differ from those applied to new rural development programs.

Applying uniform criteria and contribution levels would make it difficult for poorer localities to implement programs effectively, he said, stressing that mechanisms must ultimately serve essential needs such as housing, production land, water, healthcare and education.

Deputy Minister Nong Thi Ha speaks at the meeting. Photo: Le Anh Dung

He shared that during a recent visit to Ha Giang, access to clean water remained unresolved, with a boarding school sourcing water from 10 kilometers away.

According to him, although water supply is included in national programs, sufficient resources and flexible mechanisms are needed for effective implementation.

Nguyen Xuan Dai said seven provinces and cities capable of balancing their budgets are expected to cover about two-thirds of counterpart funding, easing pressure on poorer areas. Additional allocation criteria include the number of communes and villages, poverty rates, and the proportion of ethnic minorities.

Six key tasks assigned

Deputy Prime Minister Ho Quoc Dung delivers concluding remarks at the working session.

Concluding the meeting, Deputy Prime Minister Ho Quoc Dung praised the ministrys performance after more than a year of operation and said a review meeting would be held to comprehensively assess national target programs.

He outlined six key tasks for the ministry.

First, prioritize institutional and legal framework development by reviewing functions, identifying gaps, and improving legislation.

Second, effectively implement social, education and employment policies, including building programs to create jobs and sustainable livelihoods for ethnic minority communities.

Third, resolutely reduce and simplify administrative procedures to below 30 percent as required by the Government.

Fourth, closely monitor local situations, especially in sensitive areas, and strengthen coordination to respond promptly to emerging issues.

The ministry has also largely completed digitization and standardization of religious databases and is developing a database on ethnic groups, expected to be completed in 2026.

Fifth, improve the effectiveness of national target programs, ensuring they address essential needs rather than focusing only on visible infrastructure projects.

Sixth, strengthen personnel work and decentralization, ensuring policies match local capacities, especially in remote areas.

The Deputy Prime Minister also emphasized the need to improve communication so that policies are clearly understood and widely supported.

Minister Nguyen Dinh Khang thanked the Deputy Prime Minister and pledged to implement the six tasks, report issues beyond authority, and continue coordinating with ministries to resolve difficulties.

Sy Hao
The Vietnam Automobile Transport Association has petitioned the Ministry of Construction to adjust the emission inspection process for diesel cars by removing the requirement that the accelerator pedal be pressed to the maximum during measurement.

Nguyen Van Quyen, Chair of the Vietnam Automobile Transport Association, said that he continues to receive many opinions from members and the scientific community. These opinions suggest that the regulation to "depress the accelerator pedal for its full travel" in a very short time (about 1 second) is not suitable for operational reality.

According to Quyen, diesel engines usually operate efficiently in the medium rpm range, approximately 1,6002,800 rpm, while the maximum rpm can reach 3,5005,500 rpm.

Sudden acceleration to maximum levels is rare in normal driving, making it an unreliable indicator of typical emissions.

Furthermore, according to manufacturer recommendations, every vehicle line has an optimal rpm threshold to ensure performance and durability. When exceeding this threshold, rpm may increase, but power does not increase correspondingly and may even decrease. On the dashboard, this area is usually warned with a red band, a zone where operation is discouraged.

The association cited the example of the Hyundai Santa Fe 2.2, which reaches peak power at around 3,800 rpm, while the danger zone begins at 4,500 rpm. Testing emissions at full throttle could pose risks to the engine, whereas testing at peak power levels would be both safer and more representative.

An inspection expert echoed this view, noting that the full-throttle requirement pushes testing conditions far beyond typical usage.

Diesel engines, he said, operate most steadily in the medium rpm range, which accounts for the majority of driving time. For a vehicle traveling about 100km per day, mostly at steady speeds, sudden full-throttle acceleration is highly unlikely, especially in urban environments.

It is not reasonable to use an extreme condition to represent the entire operating cycle, the expert said.

Peak emissions

Another issue is that highest emission levels do not necessarily reflect typical emissions. Environmental impact depends on the cumulative emissions generated during regular operation, most of which occur under stable, everyday driving conditions.

As a result, testing vehicles only at maximum thresholds may be technically valid but fails to capture the full picture.

In several developed countries, emission testing methods have evolved. Instead of requiring throttle acceleration to measure smoke, authorities use diagnostic tools connected to the engine control system to collect real-time operating data.

Parameters such as engine speed, load, and operational history are recorded and analyzed, providing a more comprehensive assessment rather than relying on a single testing moment.

Practical pressures

Regarding the fact that some inspection centers require vehicle owners to sign a commitment to take responsibility if the vehicle is damaged during the inspection process, the Vietnam Automobile Transport Association requested the abolition of this regulation.

The association said it is necessary to clarify the responsibility of the inspection unit in ensuring technical safety before checking emissions.

A representative of an inspection center stated that the requirement for a signed commitment stems from real risks, as the sudden acceleration action can cause technical incidents, easily leading to disputes if the car is damaged. Meanwhile, citizens have almost no other choice but to accept and sign to complete the procedure.

However, the representative argued that the above commitment does not have high legal value as it has not been prescribed in legal normative documents and is primarily internal in nature.

Another difficulty is that the inspection system does not have full data on the maximum rpm of each type of vehicle. The common parameter currently is the rpm at maximum power, while the actual maximum rpm is usually about 1520 percent higher, making the inspection process somewhat dependent on the experience of the inspector.

In many cases, determining the acceleration threshold is still a matter of estimation, the expert said.

Facing the petitions, the expert argued that management agencies need to provide a response based on science soon. Whether maintaining or adjusting, the policy needs to be clearly explained, based on data and practice. This is a technical field; decisions cannot be made based on emotion.

Hoang Hiep
From May to September 2027, Vietluxtour is expected to receive one charter flight per month bringing visitors from Poland, with each flight carrying around 300 passengers. This marks the first time the company has hosted European tourists during the summer season.

Typically, the peak season for international visitors runs from November to March, when tourists escape winter. This year, we are fortunate to welcome Polish visitors during the summer, said Le Phong Tran, Director of International Markets at Vietluxtour.

According to Tran, this group of travelers usually chooses Thailand. However, instability in that country and neighboring destinations has prompted them to shift toward Vietnam.

As one of Vietnams leading inbound travel companies, Vietluxtour reports that European tourists account for more than 35% of its international arrivals. Key markets include the UK, France, Germany, Russia and Poland, with Polish visitors alone growing by over 45%.

Tran The Dung, General Director of Vietluxtour, said the strong performance reflects Vietnams more open visa policies, effective promotional campaigns and the countrys growing appeal among international travelers.

In the first three months of 2026, international arrivals rose significantly, supported in part by charter flights. Although some transit routes through the Middle East experienced disruptions due to conflict, direct flights remained largely unaffected, helping stabilize overall visitor numbers.

European travelers often rely on Middle Eastern airlines for convenient and cost-effective routes to Vietnam. When instability affects these transit hubs, some segments - particularly private tours and free-and-easy travelers - may slow due to higher airfare. However, pre-booked group tours have largely proceeded as planned.

Despite concerns that geopolitical tensions could disrupt Vietnams tourism sector, early 2026 data shows continued growth. According to the General Statistics Office under the Ministry of Finance, Vietnam welcomed 6.76 million international visitors in the first quarter, up more than 12% year-on-year and marking a new record.

Several markets recorded strong growth, ranging from 40% to 70%, with some nearing 200%. Compared to the same period in 2025, arrivals from Russia surged by 194.5%, Poland by 52%, Norway by 26%, Switzerland by over 27%, Sweden by 27.5%, and Denmark and Italy by more than 20%.

Industry representatives note that bookings for the remainder of the year were largely secured in advance, limiting short-term impacts. While new bookings may slow temporarily, overall demand remains positive. Once conditions stabilize, postponed travel is expected to rebound, similar to the post-Covid-19 recovery period.

A notable trend is the growing presence of long-haul travelers from Europe and the US, who tend to stay longer, spend more and favor cross-country itineraries. This has helped distribute tourist flows more evenly across Vietnam, including destinations without international airports such as the Mekong Delta, Ca Mau, Pleiku and Buon Ma Thuot, rather than concentrating solely on major hubs like Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi and Da Nang.

At key tourism destinations, international arrivals continue to rise despite geopolitical uncertainties.

Nguyen Quang Thang, Standing Vice Chairman of the Khanh Hoa Tourism Association, said the province recorded positive results in the first quarter of 2026, thanks to early promotional efforts.

This year, Khanh Hoa aims to welcome more than 18 million visitors, including over 6.5 million international arrivals. Key markets include South Korea, Russia and emerging segments. The province currently receives around 20 daily flights from South Korea, while Russian arrivals have surged due to previously arranged charter programs.

Thang noted that the impact of Middle East tensions is likely to be short-term. Although some flights have been adjusted, recovery is expected soon. Diversifying markets has helped reduce reliance on any single source of visitors.

Following the Covid-19 pandemic, Khanh Hoa has significantly restructured its international visitor base, expanding beyond traditional reliance on China and Russia to include South Korea, Southeast Asia, India and Europe.

In addition to air travel, international cruise tourism is also gaining momentum. The province expects to receive around 48 to 50 cruise ships docking at Cam Ranh Port and local marinas this year, bringing high-end travelers and contributing to increased tourism revenue.

Unlike air or road travel, a luxury cruise docking in Nha Trang Bay not only brings international visitors but also enhances the destinations global image, Thang said.

In Ho Chi Minh City, tourism authorities are also reporting positive signals from international markets.

Le Truong Hien Hoa, Deputy Director of the citys Department of Tourism, said that despite rising fuel costs pushing up tour prices, international arrivals remain stable. Amid global uncertainties, Vietnam is increasingly viewed as a safe destination, leading to a surge in travel searches.

According to Hoa, trends such as MICE tourism, high-end travel and personalized itineraries are on the rise. These segments typically involve higher spending and are less affected by short-term disruptions.

The 20th Ho Chi Minh City International Travel Expo (ITE HCMC 2026) is expected to gather more than 520 exhibitors and 34 localities across Vietnam, alongside 260 high-level international buyers from over 32 countries and territories, up 10% compared to 2025. The event is projected to attract over 30,000 visitors, a 15% increase year-on-year, and facilitate more than 20,050 business-to-business meetings between global and Vietnamese tourism enterprises.

Throughout the expo, thematic discussions and key agenda sessions will provide opportunities for international tourism organizations to exchange insights and update global trends with Vietnamese authorities and businesses, helping shape future strategies and policy directions.

Ngoc Ha
As part of an ongoing survey on the implementation of policies and laws related to food safety control within supply chains, a working delegation from the National Assemblys Committee for Science, Technology and Environment, led by Chairwoman Nguyen Thanh Hai, conducted an intensive working session in Bac Ninh province.

This effort is intended to support the appraisal of the revised Food Safety Law, which is expected to be submitted to the National Assembly at its second session of the 16th tenure.

The delegation was divided into five teams to carry out field inspections at various locations, including markets, industrial kitchens, hospital canteens, and schools across Bac Ninh.

Following these site visits, the delegation held a working session with the Bac Ninh Peoples Committee, where the issue of organizational structure and human resources for comprehensive food safety management once again came into focus.

More than 90% of personnel are part-time

Chair of the Committee for Science, Technology and Environment Nguyen Thanh Hai inspects a collective kitchen in Bac Ninh.

Among eight key issues raised, Vice Chairman of the Committee Nguyen Phuong Tuan highlighted concerns over the quality of the organizational system and personnel responsible for food safety management. According to the provincial report, the workforce from provincial to grassroots levels remains extremely thin, with more than 90% of staff working on a part-time basis.

In a densely populated area with a high concentration of industrial zones like Bac Ninh, is it appropriate to maintain this part-time model? Should food safety management continue to be handled by three separate agencies, or should it be consolidated under a single authority? he questioned.

Survey findings indicated that while goods in supermarkets generally have clear origins, most products sold in traditional markets lack traceable sources.

Vice Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Mai Phuong expressed concern that despite being a major province, Bac Ninh lacks sufficient human resources and equipment to effectively manage the sector.

Food safety personnel are a major issue. According to provincial data, full-time staff account for less than 8%, while the rest are part-time. At the commune level, a single official handles multiple responsibilities, including food safety. With heavy workloads and modest salaries, what solutions does the province have moving forward? she asked.

Sharing similar concerns, Vice Chairman of the Committee for Culture and Society Ta Van Ha noted that a large industrial province like Bac Ninh has only 24 full-time food safety officials, which he described as insufficient.

He also pointed to weak coordination among departments. Currently, three departments are assigned responsibilities in this field, yet it remains unclear which one holds primary accountability, despite the principle that a single task should be assigned to a single lead agency.

National Assembly deputy Nguyen Ngoc Son observed that food safety control is currently fragmented across different stages, making it difficult to assign responsibility when violations occur. This, he noted, raises serious concerns about law enforcement.

He stressed that the core issue lies in the lack of clear accountability across the food supply chain. Assigning specific responsibilities to each stage, individual, and entity is essential to addressing the problem.

To improve testing capacity, he proposed granting provinces the authority to collect samples, conduct testing, issue preliminary conclusions, and carry out on-site post-inspection. Official certification would then be granted once provincial laboratories meet required standards and are designated by central authorities.

He also suggested that testing results should be integrated into shared databases, subject to cross-checking and inter-laboratory validation. High-risk indicators or serious cases should undergo confirmatory testing at regional or central facilities.

Expanding staffing or creating new structures remains difficult

The survey found that goods sold in supermarkets have clear origins, while most products in traditional markets lack traceable sources.

In response, representatives from Bac Ninhs departments and agencies agreed that consolidating food safety management under a single authority would likely be more effective.

Nguyen Quang Huy, Deputy Director of the Bac Ninh Department of Health, asserted that the province has been a bright spot in food safety in recent years. Previously, Bac Ninh was among the few localities selected to pilot the establishment of a Food Safety Management Board, where all state management functions were centralized and operated efficiently.

Vice Chairman of the provincial Peoples Committee Le Xuan Loi, who oversees food safety, explained that responsibilities are currently divided: the Department of Health manages processed food and kitchens, as well as food poisoning prevention and response; the Department of Agriculture and Environment oversees initial production; and the Department of Industry and Trade handles circulation, markets, and supermarkets.

Under the former Food Safety Management Board model, all these functions were unified, allowing for streamlined direction, specialized management, and direct advisory support to the provincial leadership without overlap.

Chairman of the Bac Ninh Peoples Committee Pham Hoang Son emphasized that the province places high importance on food safety management, particularly the responsibilities of authorities at provincial, departmental, and commune levels, as well as advisory roles of sectors such as industry and trade, agriculture, health, and public security.

He acknowledged that inter-agency coordination remains largely formalistic and expressed agreement with the proposal to unify management under a single authority.

However, he cautioned that establishing a new organizational structure would be challenging. Instead, he suggested assigning responsibility to a single department, with a designated deputy director in charge and oversight from a provincial vice chairman. This approach would ensure both strategic direction and specialized management.

Chairwoman Nguyen Thanh Hai recommended accelerating the application of information technology and digital transformation in food safety management, noting that expanding staffing would be difficult.

She also called for stricter enforcement, stronger sanctions, and heavier penalties for violations, including the possibility of revoking business licenses for establishments that fail to meet food safety standards.

In addition, she urged a comprehensive review of food safety, particularly within the fresh food supply chain across the province.

Commitments made by businesses regarding food safety should be printed and publicly displayed at their premises. If commitments are kept in drawers and not made public, they carry no meaning, she stressed.

Buying and selling based on trust

Chair of the Committee for Science, Technology and Environment Nguyen Thanh Hai chairs a working session with the Peoples Committee of Bac Ninh.

During inspections at Ha Vi traditional market, Nguyen Thanh Hai pointed out that all fresh food products were sourced by traders without documentation, records, or invoices to verify their origin.

There were no supporting documents whatsoever, leaving consumers to rely solely on visual judgment. Similarly, vegetables and mushrooms, whether imported from China or sourced from Da Lat, were sold without proof of origin, effectively traded on trust.

At a facility supplying meals for 4,000 workers daily, record-keeping for food inputs was found to be largely superficial, with some logs left blank for an entire week.

According to Hai, inspection results often differ significantly from reality. To identify gaps, it is necessary to strengthen unannounced inspections across multiple stages and enhance post-inspection oversight.

Thu Hang
Hulk Hogan and his ex-wife Linda were in a "good place" before the wrestling legend's death.

Hulk Hogan died last year

The WWE superstar died in July 2025 at the age of 71 after suffering a heart attack and his son Nick Hogan has told how his parents - who split in 2007 after more than 25 years of marriage - were "friendly" with one another and were getting on well at his 2025 wedding to Tana Lea, at which his dad served as best man.

Nick told People magazine: "My mom was there cheering us on, and they were in a good spot, and they had open communication and they were friendly with each other. They got through a lot of the turmoil of what came after the divorce."

Before his death, Hulk - whose real name was Terry Bollea - was interviewed for the upcoming four-part Netflix docuseries Hulk Hogan: Real American, and he "really wanted" Linda to be part of the programme too.

Nick said: "I think my mom at first was a little bit hesitant, because she just didn't want to get mixed up and stuff. My dad really wanted her to be a part of this because she was such a tremendously huge part of his life."

The 35-year-old star eventually persuaded his mom to take part after telling Linda, 66, how much her former spouse had wanted her to be involved.

He added: "She said, 'I want to do this for your dad, I want to be there to give the full story and help him tell our story together.' "

And Linda was able to provide some deeply personal and intimate moments for the documentary.

Director Bryan Storkel said: "She ended up having some 40 hours of home video where you could just see [Hogan] with Nick and in the home, in diapers, rolling around with him. You finally get to see him being a dad and living a human life as opposed to just a character on the screen."

The series, which drops on Netflix next week, features interviews from various key figures in the wrestler's life, including his former manager Jimmy Hart and fellow WWE stars such as Bret 'The Hitman' Hart.

Despite Nick's comments about his parents, Linda - who also has daughter Brooke, 37, with Hulk - previously claimed she and her ex-husband were not on speaking terms when he died.

She commented on a previous Instagram post that featured a photo of herself and Hulk and was captioned, "Good old days": "I had no idea he would pass away this soon . We all really thought he would make a come back.

"Big surprise . We are all devastated . Its hitting me so hard .

"I loved Hulkster more than he loved me . It hurt when he cheated . But he was sooo famous . I sort of u detstood but it was crushing . It hurt . I bever got over him or started a real relationship w anyone .. I missed HIM! Ive been weeping all day . The finality . Its just shocking .

"We spent every minute together for so many years . Ive known him since he was 28 yrs old ! I was 22. I still love him . Even tho I never spoke or saw him , Nick did .. and Nick would tell me things and vice versa . Just news about life . I still felt .. although broken .. we still were a family . Its so hard to know hes just gone .(sic)"
Ho Chi Minh City has officially approved a strategic investor consortium to develop the Can Gio international transshipment port, marking a significant milestone for a mega project with a total investment of nearly VND128,872 billion (US$5 billion).

The selected consortium comprises Vietnam Maritime Corporation, Saigon Port Joint Stock Company, and Terminal Investment Limited Holding S.A. The latter is a member of MSC, the worlds largest shipping line, and will contribute 49% of the projects capital.

The participation of this global shipping powerhouse is expected to provide both substantial financial resources and access to an extensive cargo network, strengthening the ports position as a future international gateway.

With a total investment of VND128,872 billion (US$5 billion), the project will span around 571 hectares, with a main berth system stretching approximately 7.5 kilometers.

Under the development roadmap, by 2030 the port is expected to feature between two and four berths with a combined length of more than 2 kilometers, capable of handling up to 4.8 million TEU annually. Looking further ahead to 2047, the mega port is projected to reach a maximum design capacity of 16.9 million TEU, supported by a system of 13 modern terminals capable of accommodating ultra-large container vessels of 250,000 tons or more.

To ensure feasibility and long-term sustainability, the city has imposed strict conditions on the investor consortium.

The partners must arrange their own financing and are prohibited from transferring the project within 10 years from the date of land handover. They are also required to disburse at least VND50,000 billion (US$2 billion) within the first decade and complete the entire project within 20 years, in line with the spirit of Resolution 98 and Resolution 260.

Authorities have further instructed the investors to strictly follow the Prime Ministers directives, ensuring a balanced ratio between transshipment cargo and import-export goods, while implementing the project in a way that does not disrupt nearby ports.

Alongside the responsibility to protect the unique ecosystem of Can Gio, the project is expected to become a critical link in global supply chains. Once operating at full capacity, the mega port is projected to generate annual revenues of between VND34,000 billion and VND40,000 billion (US$1.3 billion to US$1.6 billion), while creating 6,000 to 8,000 direct jobs and tens of thousands of indirect employment opportunities.

Tuan Kiet
Sun Group is the latest business to enter the market through Vietnam Digital Assets JSC, a legal entity established on January 21, 2026, with headquarters at Sun Ancora building in Hai Ba Trung Ward, Hanoi.

The group has not officially commented on the project. However, the National Business Registration Portal shows the company has an initial charter capital of VND1,000 billion, with Sun Group holding a controlling 64 percent stake.

The remaining shareholders include Innovation IT Services Co., Ltd. (35 percent) and PetroVietnam Securities (1 percent).

Earlier, several banks and securities firms had announced plans to build platforms for trading digital assets.

Most recently, CAEX, a member of the VPBank ecosystem, stated said it has prepared all necessary resources to meet requirements for joining the pilot program for crypto asset exchange services under Government Resolution No. 05/2025/NQ-CP. The company is also finalizing steps to increase its charter capital to VND10,000 billion.

CAEX is backed by members of the VPBank ecosystem, including VPBank Securities and LynkiD. In addition to domestic shareholders, CAEX has established strategic partnerships with global industry leaders in exchange operations, liquidity, and custody.

Nguyen Hong Trung, Chair and CEO of CAEX, said: "We have prepared the technological infrastructure, developed a team of experts, and finalized international cooperation frameworks. CAEX prioritizes safety, security, and a seamless experience for investors."

Other companies are also preparing to operate digital asset-related platforms including Vimexchange, TCEX under Techcombank, VIXEX (backed by VIX Securities), SSI Digital, HD Exchange (backed by HDBank Securities), Dolphinex, and DNEX.

Among them, Vimexchange and CAEX are the two firms meeting the initial minimum charter capital requirement of VND10,000 billion under Resolution 05/2025/NQ-CP.

For Vimexchange, the largest shareholder is Vimeditmex Pharmaceutical, holding 50 percent of the charter capital. The remaining shareholders include Hoa Binh Securities (HBS), Bao Tin Manh Hai Jewelry JSC, and Hoa Binh Investment & Development JSC.

Not for everyone

Beyond these players, more companies may enter the digital asset market. MB Bank is also preparing to join the market by partnering with Dunamu, a leading South Korean firm.

In previous remarks, Luu Trung Thai, president of MB, expressed caution about the trend. While recognizing the markets potential, the bank plans to participate as a service provider for digital asset exchanges through international cooperation.

Apart from the minimum capital requirement of VND10,000 billion, the market carries significant technological risks, making success far from guaranteed, which is a reason why MB is taking a cautious approach.

Safety comes first. We must ensure maximum security, even if 100 percent certainty is impossible, Thai said.

He cited South Korea as an example, where about 30 licensed firms provide trading services, but only two are considered truly successful.

The challenge lies in technology and security. But precisely because it is difficult, we want to pursue it. If it were easy, everyone could do it, and there would be no competitive advantage, he added.

According to Thai, enthusiasm for digital assets stems from the fact that a significant volume of Vietnamese-owned crypto is already being traded on international platforms. This raises the question of why such assets are not managed domestically and formalized as part of the economy.

We should understand that trading digital assets is a real demand among Vietnamese people, while digital assets owned by Vietnamese are currently being managed by other platforms. So why shouldnt they be managed by Vietnamese entities? Why not legitimize these assets and turn them into a resource?

That is why there is widespread excitement, but that very excitement also shows that not everyone can provide these services, given the extremely high technological requirements, Thai said

Many want a piece of that "cake," but it is not easily acquired.

Vietnamese firms, he noted, are unlikely to meet the required standards without international partnerships, particularly in fields such as security and system reliability.

In practice, digital asset platforms must process transactions at speeds far exceeding those of traditional banking systems, while maintaining extremely high levels of safety and security. This makes collaboration with experienced global partners essential.

Thus, a cautious approach - finding the best partners and learning from their technology - is necessary to operate in a standard way, rather than simply "chasing trends" and overestimating one's own capabilities.

Duy Anh
According to the Quang Ninh Economic Zone Authority (QEZA), the proposal is under appraisal by the Ministry of Finance, which is consulting relevant ministries and agencies before submitting it to the Prime Minister.



The planned zone is set to span about 26,380 hectares across key areas including Hoang Que, Viet Hung, Bai Chay and Tuan Chau. Unlike existing zones focused on traditional industry and border trade, the new model will be built on four pillars: concentrated digital technology, AI and data centres, an Asia-level disaster recovery data hub, and an education city.



The project aims to develop an integrated digital ecosystem capable of attracting 80150 global Big Tech firms, including semiconductor design and AI projects. Once operational, it is expected to contribute 812% of the provinces GRDP and create 150,000250,000 high-quality jobs.



The initiative underscores Quang Ninhs shift from resource-based growth towards a model driven by digital data and knowledge, supporting a broader transition from brown to green development.



The provinces stable geological conditions and ample clean energy supply are seen as key advantages, with ambitions to become a major data storage and disaster recovery hub in Southeast Asia.



To support the plan, authorities are proposing special policy mechanisms, including regulatory sandbox frameworks, tech visa schemes to attract global talent, and modern governance models to improve the investment climate.



Local authorities said the zone would not only open up new growth space for the province but also enhance national data security and competitiveness, in line with the Politburos Resolution 57 on breakthroughs in science-technology, innovation and national digital transformation./.VNA
The Ho Chi Minh City Civil Judgment Enforcement Department released the appraisal results on April 14, confirming that the two bags - sized 25 and 30 - were assessed based on their condition and specifications.

According to the appraisal certificate, the size 25 white Hermes bag, featuring white stones set on the lock and trim, is valued at more than VND1.7 billion (US$68,000). Meanwhile, the size 30 white Hermes bag, without stones or decorative materials, is priced at over VND2.3 billion (US$92,000).

Truong My Lan. Photo: Nguyen Hue

The enforcement agency stated that within five working days from receiving the notice, both the judgment creditor and debtor have the right to request a revaluation once, provided they advance the associated costs. The parties may also reach an agreement on selecting an auction organization.

If no request for revaluation is made within the deadline, or if the parties fail to agree on an auction unit, the enforcement officer will proceed to select and sign a contract with an auction organization in accordance with legal regulations.

Earlier, on January 28, authorities completed the coercive seizure and inventory of the two white Hermes handbags linked to Truong My Lan.

During the first-instance trial, Lan had requested the court to return the bags, stating that many of her personal belongings - including handbags, mobile phones and shoes - had been seized during the investigation. She said one Hermes bag was purchased in Italy, while the other was a gift from a Malaysian businessman.

However, the trial panel determined that both white Hermes handbags under seizure were derived from criminal proceeds or formed from assets obtained through illegal activities, and therefore ordered their continued confiscation.

At the appellate hearing, Lan reiterated her request to reclaim the size 25 and size 30 white Hermes bags, arguing that they were her personal property and unrelated to the case. The appellate court, however, upheld the original ruling, maintaining that the assets were linked to criminal proceeds and must remain in custody to ensure enforcement of the judgment.

Thanh Phuong
Agriculture has always advanced in step with technology. From mechanisation to satellite-guided equipment, each wave of innovation has reshaped how farms operate and scale. Today, a new transformation is underway - one defined not by machines alone, but by software and data.

Across global markets, agribusinesses are accelerating investment in digital platforms that enable farmers to monitor crops, manage livestock, optimise inputs, and anticipate outcomes with far greater precision. An industry once defined by manual processes is rapidly evolving into one of the most data-intensive sectors of the global economy.

According to MarketsandMarkets, the global agritech market is projected to reach US$22.5 billion by 2028, growing at a compound annual rate of more than 12%. At the same time, McKinsey & Company estimates that digital agriculture technologies - spanning AI analytics, IoT sensors, and smart farm management systems - could unlock as much as US$250 billion in additional value for the sector by 2030.

This transformation is not only about increasing yields. It is redefining how decisions are made at every level of agricultural operations.

From experience-based farming to data-driven agriculture

For generations, farming has relied on experience, intuition, and familiarity with local conditions. These foundations remain important, but they are no longer sufficient on their own. Modern agriculture increasingly demands speed, accuracy, and the ability to respond to change in real time.

Volatile weather patterns, fluctuating commodity prices, labour shortages, and rising input costs are placing sustained pressure on farmers and agribusiness operators. In response, many are turning to digital platforms that bring together data from diverse sources - weather systems, soil sensors, satellite imagery, livestock monitoring devices, and operational logistics.

With this level of integration, farmers are better equipped to answer critical questions as conditions evolve:

When is the optimal moment to plant or harvest?

What is the precise amount of fertiliser or feed required?

Which animals show early signs of health risk?

How can water, energy, and other inputs be used more efficiently?

Matt Long, CEO of Groove Technology, says the growing role of software is helping farmers operate with greater clarity and control.

Agriculture is entering a stage where data and software carry the same weight as physical equipment, he says. Farms today are highly complex systems. Digital platforms connect fragmented data into a coherent picture, allowing decisions to be made faster and with greater confidence.

The rise of integrated agritech platforms

Among the most important developments in agritech is the rise of integrated platforms designed specifically for agricultural ecosystems.

These systems allow agribusinesses to unify farm management, analytics, logistics, and reporting within a single environment. Sensors deployed across fields and livestock facilities continuously capture data, cloud infrastructure processes it at scale, and intuitive interfaces translate it into actionable insights.

In practice, this can take several forms.

IoT-enabled soil sensors measure moisture levels and nutrient composition, supporting automated irrigation and fertilisation.

Livestock monitoring systems track movement patterns, body temperature, and feeding behaviour, helping detect health issues before they escalate.

AI-driven crop analytics interpret satellite imagery to identify disease risks or pest activity well before visible symptoms appear.

Mai Nguyen, General Director of Groove Technology, notes that while interest in these technologies is growing, building them remains complex.

Agritech platforms require seamless integration across many different data layers, she says. Weather data, IoT devices, farm machinery, logistics systems, and financial tools all need to function together. Ensuring that these systems are scalable, reliable, and secure is a significant engineering challenge.

Smarter farming through digital platforms

For farmers on the ground, the value of agritech is ultimately measured by how effectively it simplifies daily work.

Traditionally, recording field conditions or livestock data meant interrupting physically demanding tasks to take notes, or entering information manually at a later stage. In environments where time and labour are already stretched, this process can be both inefficient and impractical.

Digital platforms are beginning to remove that friction. By consolidating operational data into a unified system, farmers can monitor crops, livestock, and environmental conditions through accessible dashboards, often in real time. This reduces reliance on manual checks and makes it easier to capture and review information as part of everyday workflows.

Improved visibility also enables earlier detection of potential issues, from disease outbreaks and shifting weather patterns to abnormal livestock behaviour. With timely insights, farmers can respond more quickly, allocate resources more effectively, and maintain more stable operating conditions.

Hung Do, Business Development Manager at Groove Technology, emphasises that successful agritech solutions must support, rather than complicate, the realities of farm work.

Farming is physically intensive, and technology should not add to that burden, he says. Digital platforms need to be intuitive and practical - helping farmers stay informed, reduce manual effort, and act earlier when risks emerge.

Supporting the digital future of agriculture

As the sector evolves, the demand for tailored digital solutions is growing. Standardised systems are giving way to more flexible platforms that can be adapted to the specific needs of different farms and agribusiness models.

Groove Technology, a software development company founded by Matt Long with engineering teams in Vietnam, works with organisations globally to design and build scalable digital platforms. In agritech, the company supports clients through custom software development, IoT integration, AI-powered analytics, and dedicated engineering teams that accelerate product development.

Agriculture is one of the most essential industries in the world, Matt Long says. By enabling agritech companies to build robust digital platforms, we are contributing to a broader effort - helping farmers improve productivity, control costs, and manage risk more effectively.

As investment continues to flow into digital agriculture, agritech is emerging as one of the most dynamic intersections between technology and the real economy - where software is not just supporting farming, but actively shaping its future.

Visit our website: https://groovetechnology.com/

PV
Authorities organize the deportation of 30 foreign nationals. Photo: N.X

According to the Criminal Police Department under the Khanh Hoa Provincial Police, the operation was carried out in coordination with multiple units, including specialized divisions, the Office of the Investigation Police Agency under the Ministry of Public Security, and the Huu Nghi International Border Gate Border Guard Station in Lang Son province.

The handover was conducted in full compliance with Vietnamese legal procedures and relevant international agreements.

Local police emphasized that the close coordination among investigative units and relevant forces ensured strict handling of the case while maintaining public order and security.

Previously, in late 2025, authorities simultaneously inspected five locations across Nha Trang, Nam Nha Trang and Tay Nha Trang wards, uncovering 30 Chinese nationals using multiple electronic devices to organize illegal online gambling and betting activities.

During the investigation, police determined that all individuals had violated immigration regulations. Each was administratively fined VND17.5 million (US$700), along with the additional penalty of deportation from Vietnam.

Notably, three of the individuals were found to be wanted by Chinese authorities.

Xuan Ngoc
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has praised Vietnams swift and effective response to recent global energy market disruptions, highlighting the countrys timely policy measures in stabilizing its domestic economy.

The recognition comes in a newly released report titled Military escalation in the Middle East: Impacts on human development in Asia and the Pacific, which assesses conditions across 36 countries using macroeconomic simulations and regional data.

Amid ongoing geopolitical tensions, preliminary findings indicate that rising instability is spreading across energy, trade and labor markets, placing increasing pressure on incomes, consumption, employment and social protection systems throughout the region. Low-income households, informal workers, migrants and small businesses are identified as the most vulnerable groups.

Fuel and transportation costs have emerged as the most immediate strain. With more than 80% of crude oil and liquefied natural gas shipments to Asia passing through the Strait of Hormuz, the region is experiencing sharp increases in transport, electricity, food and fertilizer costs.

The report notes that growing dependence on imported energy and essential supply chains is intensifying financial pressure on households, small enterprises and public budgets. UNDP estimates that around 8.8 million people across Asia-Pacific could fall into poverty, while economic losses may range from US$97 billion to US$299 billion, equivalent to 0.3% to 0.8% of the regions GDP.

For an export-oriented economy like Vietnam, rising global energy and transport costs present direct challenges in maintaining stable growth and safeguarding consumer purchasing power.

However, governments across the region, including Vietnam, have responded quickly to mitigate domestic impacts through fuel price stabilization and targeted subsidies. Early adaptation measures such as diversifying energy sources and improving energy efficiency have also been implemented.

UNDP welcomes Vietnams timely response through emergency fiscal measures and price support policies to stabilize the economy, said Ramla Khalidi, Resident Representative of UNDP in Vietnam.

In other countries, short-term human development losses are equivalent to delays of several weeks to months in development progress. While Southeast Asia has been less affected than South Asia, UNDP warns that disruptions could intensify significantly if the conflict persists.

The pressure has reached households faster than policy adjustments can fully respond.

According to Kanni Wignaraja, Assistant Secretary-General of the United Nations and Regional Director for Asia and the Pacific at UNDP, prolonged volatility in global markets is forcing governments into increasingly difficult choices.

At the same time, she noted, the situation presents an opportunity to strengthen long-term resilience through adaptive social protection systems, reinforced domestic and regional value chains, and more diversified energy and food systems.

Tran Chung
After graduating with a major in veterinary medicine in 2009, Ngoc (born in 1979), in Don village, Truong Ninh commune, Quang Tri province, went through many different jobs, from state agencies to foreign enterprises to animal feed companies.

During that time, he had the opportunity to travel to many localities to provide technical support for livestock, accumulating practical experience. Realizing the great potential of agriculture, especially local breeds, he nurtured the idea of starting a business and decided to make a turning point, focusing on developing a breeding chicken model in his hometown.

Starting his business in 2010 with about 1,000 meat chickens raised at home, he accumulated experience, applying professional knowledge to care and disease prevention processes. Realizing the potential of the local indigenous chicken breed, he focused on researching, selecting, and cross-breeding a variety suitable for local conditions and market demand.

In 2012, he leased land and spent nearly VND300 million to build a farm, a housing system, and a hatchery. Initially, the farm produced about 400 eggs per day, equivalent to more than 10,000 breeding chickens per month. With a selling price of about VND12,000 per bird, the model brought in revenue of more than VND1.4 billion/year, with a profit of nearly VND400 million.

With the knowledge I learned along with perseverance, I cross-bred the variety based on the local free-range chicken foundation. When raised commercially, this chicken breed provides meat quality that is firm, fragrant, and characteristically sweet, so the selling price is always higher, Ngoc said.

After many years of developing the farm, by 2017, while working for an enterprise with an income of nearly VND30 million/month, he decided to quit his job to focus entirely on the agricultural model.

As one of the pioneers in producing breeding chickens in the region from Nghe An to Quang Tri, Ngoc said: Previously, breeding stock was mainly imported from the North; the long transport process caused high loss rates. I was determined to produce breeding stock on-site to take initiative in the supply source.

After more than 15 years, his farm has been developed with capital of nearly VND8 billion, with a closed housing system and modern incubators on an area of nearly 1 hectare. The flock scale consists of about 9,000 laying hens and 6,000 pullets.

Each month, the farm supplies around 60,000 chicks to the market at an average price of VND13,000 per chick, generating nearly VND9 billion in annual revenue and about VND1.2 billion in profit.

To ensure quality, disease prevention process is strictly followed from parent stock to chicks. Parent chickens are fully vaccinated, eggs are carefully selected before incubation, and chicks are vaccinated against four diseases from day one before sale, helping survival rates reach up to 90 percent.

His crossbred chickens reach a market weight of about 1.6kg after four months and are favored by consumers.

Despite earning nearly VND9 billion annually, Ngoc noted that farming is not easy. Costs for feed, electricity, and vaccines are high, with vaccines alone costing over VND1 billion per year and electricity more than VND600 million.

Agriculture does not bring high profit margins and requires persistence and attention. A small mistake can cause major losses, even billions of dong due to disease, he said.

The farm currently provides stable jobs for about 10 local workers with monthly incomes of VND89 million, contributing to rural economic development.

A representative of the Truong Ninh Farmers Association said Ngocs chicken breeding model is one of the most effective production models in the locality. It not only generates high income for his family but also creates jobs for rural workers and supplies quality chicks to farmers within and beyond the province.

We highly appreciate Ngocs initiative in researching and breeding native chickens suited to local conditions. This is a sustainable direction that should be replicated in the future, the representative said.

Ha Nguyen
Chairman of the National Assembly Tran Thanh Man and a high-ranking delegation of Vietnam attended the opening ceremony of the 152nd Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU-152), themed Nurturing Hope, Securing Peace and Ensuring Justice for Future Generations, in Istanbul, Turkiye, on April 15 evening.



The ceremony saw the presence of Speaker of the Grand National Assembly of Turkiye Numan Kurtulmus, IPU President Tulia Ackson, IPU Secretary-General Martin Chungong, along with more than 60 speakers, 40 deputy speakers, and over 1,000 legislators from 114 IPU member parliaments.



In his message to the IPU-152, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres emphasised the central role of parliaments in translating multilateral commitments into concrete actions at the national level, thereby strengthening the effectiveness of the multilateral system.



Underlining international cooperation, dialogue, and inclusive governance as key elements in responding to global challenges, he proposed promoting partnerships between the UN and parliaments to enhance accountability and public trust.



In his welcoming remarks, Speaker of the Grand National Assembly of Turkiye Numan Kurtulmus described the IPU-152 as an event of historical importance with a highly relevant theme, not only globally but also directly related to important developments in regions. The international community shares a responsibility for building peace and justice for future generations, not only through speeches, initiatives or ideas, but more importantly, through people-oriented actions.



He stressed the need to strengthen the role of multilateralism and build a new international relations structure that is fairer and more effective, especially in key areas such as politics, peace, security, and international economic cooperation.

Chairman of the Vietnamese National Assembly Tran Thanh Man and IPU President Tulia Ackson at the opening ceremony of the IPU-152 in Istanbul on April 15 (Photo: VNA)

Addressing the event, IPU President Tulia Ackson voiced concern over the growing inequality and serious warnings about the climate crisis and its long-term consequences for the future of humanity.



She affirmed the central role of parliaments in building consensus, guiding policies, and shaping global solutions while calling on parliaments to identify three key directions: inclusiveness promotion, persistent dialogue, and long-term action for future generations, thus reinforcing multilateralism with the UN at its centre.



For his part, IPU Secretary-General Martin Chungong also emphasised the role of parliamentary diplomacy in promoting peace, cooperation, and development in regions and around the world, as well as in ensuring better quality of life for people through dialogue and cooperation, building trust, and sharing experiences.



He called on the IPU-152 to discuss and adopt two important resolutions on the role of parliaments in establishing robust mechanisms for post-conflict management and restoring fair and lasting peace; and on building an equitable and sustainable global economy with the role of parliaments in combating protectionism, reducing tariffs, and preventing corporate tax evasion.



The IPU-152 is scheduled to last until April 19. Chairman Tran Thanh Man is expected to deliver an important speech at its general debate./.VNA
As part of the state visit to China by General Secretary and State President To Lam and his spouse, following the official welcoming ceremony, Peng Liyuan - spouse of General Secretary and President of China Xi Jinping - accompanied Ngo Phuong Ly on a visit to the National Centre for the Performing Arts.

The two first ladies watched a rehearsal of a musical, toured automated service spaces operated by robots, and experienced virtual stage production technologies as well as high-tech recording studios. They also held a warm and open exchange, sharing practical experiences and discussing cultural exchange and development between the two countries.

The two first ladies visited the National Centre for the Performing Arts and engaged in a warm, open exchange on practical experiences as well as cultural exchange and development between the two countries. Photo: VNA

During the exchange, Ngo Phuong Ly expressed her pleasure at returning to China and meeting Professor Peng Liyuan again. She conveyed her sincere thanks to the Party, State and people of China, especially General Secretary and President Xi Jinping and Professor Peng Liyuan, for the warm, respectful and thoughtful reception extended to the Vietnamese delegation. She also recalled memories of her visit to China in August 2024, particularly her meeting and exchange with Professor Peng Liyuan.

Sharing her impressions of the visit, Ngo Phuong Ly praised the quality and professionalism of Chinese artists, as well as the modern stage production techniques. She noted that the performance facilities are carefully invested, uniquely designed and grand in scale.

Referring to the dance drama Peacock, performed in Hanoi by Chinese artist Yang Liping, she encouraged more tours of high-quality artistic performances by renowned Chinese artists to Vietnam. She described such activities as meaningful in expanding access to the arts for Vietnamese audiences, contributing to cultural exchange, and strengthening the public foundation between the two nations.

According to Ngo Phuong Ly, if politics and economics are the pillars of bilateral relations, then culture and the arts are what bind the hearts of the two peoples.

The two first ladies experienced a self-service area featuring robot coffee preparation. Photo: VNA

Ngo Phuong Ly shared that after arriving in Beijing on April 14, she visited the Soong Ching Ling Youth Science and Culture Exchange Centre, where she witnessed the sincere and pure affection between young people from the two countries. She affirmed that Vietnam and China share similarities in valuing education and prioritizing the care, development and protection of children, dedicating the best resources to the younger generation.

For her part, Professor Peng Liyuan expressed her pleasure at meeting Ngo Phuong Ly again in China, recalling fond memories and positive impressions from her previous visits to Vietnam as well as the August 2024 visit to China by General Secretary and State President To Lam and his spouse.

She introduced several forms of Chinese stage performance, particularly musical theatre - an academic and sophisticated art form that China is currently focusing on developing and expanding.

The two first ladies visited the National Centre for the Performing Arts and engaged in a warm, open exchange on practical experiences as well as cultural exchange and development between the two countries. Photo: VNA

Professor Peng Liyuan also shared insights into the application of modern technology in social services, noting that many major global events hosted by China have incorporated advanced technologies, such as the 2022 Winter Olympics.

Notably, she expressed her interest in Vietnamese cuisine and her wish to have more opportunities to enjoy its distinctive dishes, especially pho.

In response, Ngo Phuong Ly warmly invited Professor Peng Liyuan and her family to visit Vietnam again in the near future. Professor Peng expressed her sincere thanks and gladly accepted the invitation at an appropriate time.

Tran Thuong
Amazon MGM Studios have issued an update on the search for the next James Bond.

Daniel Craig's 007 replacement is on the way

Daniel Craig quit his role as the superspy following the release of 2021's No Time To Die, which showed 007's death and he was followed out of the door by longtime producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson, but the franchise is being brought back to the big screen by Amazon MGM with Dune's Denis Villeneuve directing and Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight writing the script. Recent rumours suggested the new film - Bond 26 - is about to go into production at Pinewood Studios in the UK but a new lead actor has yet to be announced.

The studio's head of film Courtenay Valenti has now given an update and told fans the new movie is "coming" but they're taking their time. During an appearance at CinemaCon in Las Vegas on Wednesday (15.04.26), Courtenay said: "Now, I know youre all wondering when were going to announce whos playing James Bond. Dont get too excited.

"Please know that were taking the time to do this with care and deep respect. It is the dream of a lifetime for all of us to bring audiences this next chapter, and its a responsibility we dont take lightly."

The movie executive added: "What I can tell you is this: when you pair one of the most beloved franchises in history with a world-class filmmaking team, including the brilliant director Denis Villeneuve, extraordinary producers Amy Pascal and David Heyman, executive producer Tanya Lapointe, and screenwriter Steven Knight, youre setting the stage for something thats truly worthy of the Bond legacy.

"That film is coming, and when the time is right, well have much more to share."

Speculation about who is going to be cast has as Bond has been running wild in recent months with stars including Damson Idris, Jacob Elordi and Callum Turner all rumoured to be in the running for the coveted role.

The new movie will mark a new era for the franchise after Amazon MGM took creative control from long-time producers Broccoli and Wilson last year but Villeneuve vowed to "honour the tradition" of the iconic spy when he was announced as the director of the latest movie.

The 58-year-old filmmaker said: "Some of my earliest movie-going memories are connected to 007. I grew up watching James Bond films with my father, ever since Dr. No with Sean Connery.

"To me, he's sacred territory. I intend to honour the tradition and open the path for many new missions to come."
The top Vietnamese leader and his high-level delegation were welcomed by Cai Qi, Member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, Secretary of the CPC Central Committees Secretariat and Chief of the CPC Central Committees Office.

Party General Secretary and State President To Lam listens to presentations on exhibitions at the museum. (Photo: VNA)

After visiting the museum and listening to presentations on its exhibitions, General Secretary and President Lam noted that Vietnam has recently commenced construction of the Museum of the Communist Party of Vietnam in Hanoi, a project of special significance that reflects deep respect for the CPVs glorious history.

He said the museum will serve not only as a repository preserving and exhibiting invaluable historical documents and artefacts of the CPV, but also as an important venue for educating officials, Party members and people, especially younger generations, about revolutionary traditions. It will also introduce international friends to the history, role and major contributions of the CPV to national liberation movements worldwide.

The project is currently being accelerated, alongside the collection of documents and artefacts and the development of detailed exhibition plans, with a view to completing it on schedule, he added.

During the visit, the Vietnamese top leader wrote in the guest book, affirming that the Vietnamese and Chinese Parties and States will continue to preserve and promote the traditional friendship of "both comrades and brothers" while advancing the Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership and building a VietnamChina community with a shared future that carries strategic significance for the happiness of the two nations' people and for peace, stability and development in the region and the world.

Party General Secretary and State President To Lam is welcomed by Cai Qi, Member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, Secretary of the CPC Central Committees Secretariat and Chief of the CPC Central Committees Office. (Photo: VNA)

The Museum of the Communist Party of China is a major historical and cultural project showcasing the CPCs development since its founding in 1921, affirming its leadership role in Chinas development.

Construction began in September 2018 and the museum was inaugurated in June 2021, marking the 100th anniversary of the CPC. Covering 147,000 sq.m, it exhibits more than 2,600 photos and 4,500 artefacts, including 420 national treasures, offering a comprehensive overview of the CPCs century-long history./.
The songwriter behind Liam Payne's Live Forever has revealed the track was written about a tragic fall from a hotel balcony.

Liam Payne's song Live Forever was written about a fall from a hotel balcony

The Ordinary Boys frontman Samuel Preston, 44, wrote the song about his own brush with death when he took a tumble from the second floor of a hotel in Denmark in 2017 after consuming too much Champagne and he gave the song to Liam, who went on to release it in 2019 - five years before the One Direction star plunged to his death from a hotel balcony in Argentina in 2024.

Now Preston has admitted he was stunned by the chilling "circumstances" of Liam's death which mirrored the lyrics he wrote, telling the Guardian newspaper: "[I gave the song to Liam] and then he falls off a balcony and dies. There are certain things that happen in your life where you just cannot believe this is a real set of circumstances."

In the interview, Preston went on to talk about Liam, describing him as a "very funny, sweet, kind guy. Misunderstood. A great talent."

He added: "I saw a lot of him in me, because we both suffered. I massively wish Id been able to do more. But as for some kind of intervention, I dont think I [had that role] in his life."

Preston also wishes Liam, 31, had taken the lyrics from Live Forever as a warning and maybe the tragedy of his death could have been prevented.

He said: "[Live Forever] was me trying to say: 'Look, man, this thing happened to me.' But its hard to give people advice if theyre not ready to receive it."

Preston suffered several bones and a punctured a lung in the 2017 fall and he was initially told by doctors that he would never walk again. He spent six months in a wheelchair and underwent operations to fix several metal plates into his body to fix his injuries.

He went on to make a full recovery, but was plunged into drug addiction after becoming hooked on painkillers in the aftermath of the accident.

Preston described that time in his life as full of "dread and horror" but he eventually managed to kick his addiction issues after a painful few days when he went came off the pills.
A 6.9 million clinical trial programme aimed at improving treatment for one of the deadliest forms of brain cancer has been launched in Yorkshire.

New 6.9m trial aims to improve survival rates for brain cancer patients in Yorkshire

The project, funded by Yorkshire Cancer Research, will focus on recurrent glioblastoma, the most common and fastest-growing type of brain cancer. Researchers hope the new approach will speed up access to promising treatments and identify ineffective drugs earlier.

Around 247 people in Yorkshire are diagnosed with glioblastoma each year and about 181 die from the disease, according to the charity.

The programme, called EPIC-GB, will run in Sheffield, Leeds and Hull.

Unlike traditional trials, patients will begin new treatments before surgery. Tumour tissue removed during operations can then be analysed to determine whether the drugs have successfully reached and affected the cancer.

Researchers say this could allow ineffective medicines to be ruled out sooner, reduce unnecessary side effects and help patients move more quickly to better options.

Many drugs fail to treat glioblastoma because the brains protective barrier can prevent medicines from reaching tumours.

Yorkshire Cancer Research said there have been no significant breakthroughs in treating glioblastoma for nearly 20 years.

Emma Ward, 47, from York, who was diagnosed with a fast-growing tumour in 2025, said the new trials could offer families valuable time.

She said: For families like mine facing brain cancer, time means everything. The trials would bring hope right here to our region.

She added: Only through more research can we give families more of those memories.

Ola Rominiyi, clinical lecturer in neurosurgery at the University of Sheffield and neurosurgical resident at Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, said current treatments were failing many patients.

He said: We're optimistic this new study is a vital step forward, ensuring more people can access promising new treatments and giving hope where options have too often been limited.

Dr Stuart Griffiths, director of research, policy and impact at Yorkshire Cancer Research, explained the programme could help attract future investment and place Yorkshire at the forefront of innovative cancer trials.
Christopher Nolan has described The Odyssey as a "nightmare to film  but in all the right ways".

Christopher Nolan's much-anticipated film The Odyssey will be released in July

The 55-year-old filmmaker's upcoming blockbuster brings Homer's epic ancient Greek story to the big screen and he explained that he had an "amazing time" shooting the movie during a hectic production process across Morocco, Greece, Italy, Iceland and Scotland.

Speaking at a presentation for The Odyssey at CinemaCon on Wednesday (15.04.26), Nolan said: "This has been a nightmare to film  but in all the right ways."

The Oppenheimer director reserved praise for The Odyssey's leading man Matt Damon, whom he referred to as his "partner on this journey".

Nolan recalled: "He was there on the boats, up the mountains, in the caves, in the beating sunshine, sideways rain, wind. You'll be pleased to know how difficult it was. It was meant to be; that's the nature of the story."

Attendees at CinemaCon in Las Vegas got an extended glimpse of The Odyssey  which will be released in July  and Nolan explained that he decided to adapt Homer's story for the cinema because it "has fascinated generation after generation".

The auteur said: "Why The Odyssey? The Odyssey is a story that has fascinated generation after generation for 3,000 years. It's not a story. It's the story."

The picture tells the story of Odysseus (Damon), the Greek king of Ithaca, and his long and perilous journey home to reunite with his wife Penelope (Anne Hathaway) following the Trojan War and Nolan quipped that the film's cast  which also includes Tom Holland, Robert Pattinson, Zendaya and Charlize Theron  is so talent-filled that he couldn't bring all of the stars to CinemaCon.

The Inception director said: "How do you go about bringing this to a modern audience? Obviously, we start with the cast.

"It'll be quicker for me to tell you who isn't in the movie. I would have brought them all here, but the massive weight of extraordinary talent would have collapsed the stage."

The Odyssey is Nolan's first movie to be shot entirely with Imax cameras, something that the director considers to be the realisation of his "longest-held ambition".

He said: "As a boy, all I wanted to do was tell large-scale (stories) using that technology, putting the audience into the world.

"And I spent many, many years trying to bring that to fruition, starting with The Dark Knight, back when I was in my 30s. We shot the action sequences (in Imax), but we were never able to shoot the entire film.

"My crew did an incredible job figuring out how to do this for the first time."

Holland plays Odysseus' son Telemachus in the flick and described Nolan's epic picture as a "masterpiece".

The 29-year-old actor told GQ magazine: "Its unlike anything that Ive ever seen before. I think when I saw the movie, I found myself asking a question that I havent asked about a movie for a long time, which is, 'How did you do that?'"
The Secure Digital Future for SMEs forum brought together around 200 representatives from government agencies, industry experts, business communities, professional associations and international partners to discuss practical solutions for strengthening digital security capacity among small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

Vu Duy Hien, deputy secretary general and chief of office at the National Cybersecurity Association, highlighted the challenges facing many SMEs as they enter the digital space with limited resources, insufficient tech talent, inadequate tools and little experience in risk response, while cyber threats continue to grow more sophisticated.

For SMEs, incidents such as fraud, data breaches, malware or brand impersonation are not just technical issues, they can directly impact reputation, customer trust and even business survival, he said. Cybersecurity must be recognised as a foundational condition for effective digital transformation.

Hien added that in an increasingly volatile digital landscape, the association aims to act as a strategic anchor for Vietnamese businesses through three key commitments: connecting resources to reduce isolation among SMEs, sharing practical knowledge and policies, and providing implementation support and rapid incident response.

Hoang Quang Phong, vice chairman of the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry, stressed that digital security is no longer optional but a prerequisite for long-term business sustainability. More importantly, he said, it should be treated not merely as a technical issue but as a matter of strategic governance, starting from leadership awareness, risk-focused corporate culture, and proactive investment in cybersecurity across the value chain.

Businesses need to view data security management as a core capability, Phong noted, adding that this would enable them to move forward with confidence in their digital transformation journey.

Nguyen Hong Quan, deputy director of the Department of Cybersecurity and High-Tech Crime Prevention under the Ministry of Public Security, pointed to the governments digital transformation programme for SMEs for 2026-2030. The initiative aims to support at least 500,000 SMEs, including 300,000 adopting digital platforms and AI.

This is a strategic step, affirming that digital transformation and cybersecurity are vital not only for businesses but for the national economy, he said.

However, Quan warned that SMEs, despite making up the majority of enterprises, often lack resources, specialised personnel and incident response capabilities, leaving them vulnerable as the weakest link in the digital ecosystem. This exposes them to cyberattacks, fraud, data loss and operational disruption, with direct consequences for market credibility.

Nguyen Hoa Cuong, vice president of the Institute for Policy and Strategy Studies, noted that cybersecurity remains a major challenge due to low awareness, lack of dedicated personnel and the absence of long-term strategies. Many firms still rely heavily on third-party platforms and pursue only partial digitalisation rather than comprehensive transformation.

To address these gaps, Cuong proposed a range of solutions. At the ecosystem level, he called for the development of information portals and vendor directories, expanded skills training programmes, stronger public-private partnerships and early warning systems. At the enterprise level, he emphasised basic cyber hygiene, adoption of the 3-2-1 data backup rule, migration to cloud computing, use of licensed software, compliance with international standards and investment in specialised security tools.

Beyond technical discussions, the forum aimed to build a coordinated support network linking regulators, associations, experts, technology firms and international partners. This, organisers said, would help SMEs answer three fundamental questions: where they stand in terms of digital security, what assets need prioritised protection, and how to respond effectively when incidents occur.

Vietnam enhances SME ecosystem through digital and green transition training A two-day training programme aimed at strengthening support for small and medium-sized enterprises in digital and green transformation opened in Hanoi on April 9.

Small business ESG strategies unlocked A true sustainability ecosystem requires global endorsement, genuine green financing, and technology solutions to lower the cost of implementation for businesses.
Under Decision No.19/2026/QD-UBND issued on April 11 and effective from April 25, Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee will allow rentals, such as on Airbnb, in accordance with the type of apartment and its intended use as approved by relevant authorities, as stipulated under Circular No.05/2024/TT-BXD of the Ministry of Construction.

For short-term tourist units in apartment buildings, the new regulations stipulate that apartment owners must register their tourist accommodation business and ensure compliance with tourism laws.

Tenants and landlords can register temporary residence and notify the authorities of their stay through digital platforms such as the National Public Service Portal, the Ministry of Public Security's Public Service Portal, and the VNeID mobile application, the decision released.

It also provides more detailed regulations on the exploitation of common areas such as lobbies, car parks, and commercial areas.

Revenue from these activities must be deposited into an account to support the maintenance of the building, while ensuring transparency and accountability. This is considered an improvement compared to previous regulations, which often caused controversy regarding the distribution of benefits from common amenities.

Regarding responsibilities in the operation of apartment buildings, Decision 19 clearly states that apartment owners and operators must fully comply with tax obligations, ensure public order, and are also responsible for requiring tenants to comply with the apartment building's regulations.

The management board and residents are responsible for facilitating the business operation of organisations and individuals providing services and commerce in accordance with the buildings designs and must not cause any unlawful obstruction. The management board has the right and responsibility to report violations of residency, public order, or fire safety regulations to the relevant authorities.

Furthermore, Decision 19 also states that Ho Chi Minh City Public Security will increase inspections of residency registration, while the Department of Construction will annually evaluate the performance of commune-level People's Committees in managing their projects.

Public Security forces will also investigate and hold accountable those responsible for misappropriating maintenance funds.

According to Le Hoang Chau, chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City Real Estate Association (HoREA), Decision 19 allows short-term apartment rentals for tourism and accommodation purposes, but landlords and apartment owners must register their businesses, fulfil tax obligations, sign contracts with tenants, register temporary residence, and comply with the rules and regulations on the management and operation of apartment buildings. This is a point that HoREA has repeatedly proposed.

To facilitate implementation, we propose that the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Construction consider submitting to the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee a proposal to supplement regulations on electric vehicle parking areas (cars and motorbikes) and the placement of electric charging stations in Article 5 (parking spaces in apartment buildings) and Article 18 (responsibilities of the investor) to ensure fire safety and meet the actual needs of the people, said Chau.

The 2014 Housing Law and its guiding decrees have introduced strict regulations prohibiting the use of apartment units for purposes other than residential use, claiming that the leasing could make impacted to the permanent residents of that buildings.

In Ho Chi Minh City, over the past two years, management agencies and local authorities have often cited this regulation to tighten control over short-term rentals using the Airbnb model, causing numerous conflicts between landlords, management boards, and residents, especially regarding security and noise issues.

Meanwhile, market demand for this type of apartment continues to surge, posing a dilemma for regulators: tightening regulations is ineffective, but loosening them creates management problems due to the lack of a legal framework.

Decision 19 is expected to help partially resolve this issue and bring this renting activity under clearer regulatory control.

Proactively taking advantages of sharing economy The sharing economy makes the market more competitive, services more diversified, and opens up opportunities for investment, employment, and customers will benefit.
Photo: Shutterstock

As the main mechanism for bilateral dialogue on economic and trade issues, the commission was co-chaired by Undersecretary of Foreign Affairs Maria Tripodi, and Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Phan Thi Thang.

During the session, considerable attention was paid to strengthening cooperation in the fields of trade, industry, and investment. The parties also reaffirmed their joint commitment to the energy transition and, in the agricultural sector, to continuing negotiations for the opening to new products and strengthening collaboration in areas such as agricultural mechanisation and food processing.

Trade between the two countries reached 6.7 billion ($7.9 billion) in 2025 (up 9.2 per cent compared to 2024), with Vietnam becoming Italys leading trading partner among ASEAN countries. Within the EU, Italy remains Vietnams third-largest trading partner.

Undersecretary Tripodi emphasised the importance of continuing along a path of balanced growth in trade. She reiterated the importance of protecting intellectual property and improving market access for Italian companies, also through constructive dialogue aimed at overcoming the problematic issues highlighted by certain sectors.

The strategic partnership that unites us continues to prove an essential tool for fostering cooperation, supporting our companies, and responding to growing global challenges, Tripodi said.

On the sidelines of the commissions work, she also signed a memorandum on the Red River II project, funded by the Italian government with a 2.86 million ($3.37 million) soft loan. The scheme aims to improve the management of the Red River hydroelectric basin system through the development of a monitoring and decision-making support platform for energy. This objective will be pursued through new installations and the strengthening of existing equipment at multiple sites.

Italy deepens Vietnam ties as SACE backs Gelex and THACO's growth plans SACE, the Italian insurance and finance group fully owned by the Italian Ministry of Economy and Finance, together with HSBC and LBBW, has finalised two medium-long term loans totalling $139 million, guaranteed by SACE, for Gelex Group and THACO AGRI, two of Vietnam's leading industrial players.

VietnamItaly business connection: a new growth driver in bilateral cooperation The Italian Trade Agency (ITA) will host the ItalyVietnam Business Forum and Business-to-Business (B2B) Meetings at the Melia Hanoi Hotel on September 4.
The meeting, held on April 16, underscored the company's role in the global supply chain amid surging demand for strategic metals driven by AI and semiconductor expansion. The rapid advancement of AI is ushering in a new growth cycle for high-tech materials, particularly tungsten  an essential input for advanced manufacturing.

Against this backdrop, Masan High-Tech Materials is leveraging its resource base and downstream processing capabilities to strengthen its position in the global value chain.

At the AGM, company leadership highlighted the strategic importance of materials from the Nui Phao mine in the global AI and semiconductor ecosystem. The company currently holds an estimated 21 per cent market share outside China in this segment.

Michael Glover, CEO of Masan High-Tech Materials said, Through strategic investments, a focus on enhancing the value of our core product portfolio, and disciplined cost optimization, we are transforming our strategic material advantages into financial growth and long-term stakeholder value.

Michael Glover, CEO of Masan High-Tech Materials

The company recorded revenue of $278 million in 2025, up 19 per cent on a like-for-like basis. Growth momentum has accelerated into 2026, supported by a sharp increase in tungsten prices. In the first quarter, ammonium paratungstate (APT) prices exceeded $3,100 per metric tonne unit (mtu), well above market expectations.

Preliminary results show first-quarter revenue of approximately $112 million and net profit after tax of $20 million, already surpassing the full-year profit for 2025. The strong performance marks a better-than-expected start and sets the stage for continued growth in the remaining quarters.

The upcycle in tungsten prices, rising nearly tenfold from early 2025, has been a key driver of profitability, alongside operational restructuring and tighter financial discipline.

Looking ahead, the company expects to generate strong operating cash flow, prioritising reinvestment and balance sheet deleveraging. Assuming APT prices remain above $1,500 per mtu, Masan High-Tech Materials targets achieving a net cash position in 2027-2028, enabling potential dividend payments.

The company has set a 2026 revenue target of $640-812 million and net profit of $68-100 million, reflecting confidence in sustained market tailwinds.

Masan High-Tech Materials is also progressing with plans to transfer its listing to the Ho Chi Minh Stock Exchange, aiming to enhance transparency, improve liquidity, and attract a broader base of institutional investors.

Phan Chien Thang, deputy CEO, explained the companys favourable positioning for future growth. We are at a golden moment for breakthrough growth.

The convergence of strategic resource assets, world-class processing capabilities, increased strategic stockpiling, and surging AI-driven demand is creating strong momentum for our next development phase, he added
2026 National Brand Week launching ceremony

The opening ceremony took place on April 16, organised by the Ministry of Industry and Trade. Attendees included Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Sinh Nhat Tan, vice chairman of the Vietnam National Brand Council, along with representatives from other ministries, local authorities, trade promotion organisations, experts, businesses with recognised national brand products, and media agencies.

The event comes at a pivotal moment, as 2026 marks the first year of implementing the 2026-2030 socioeconomic development plan, with growing urgency to shift the growth model towards productivity, quality, and greater economic self-reliance.

In his opening remarks, Deputy Minister Tan stressed that the National Branding Programme should be repositioned with a broader vision, moving beyond traditional promotion and trade facilitation.

"The National Branding Programme is no longer just about image promotion or conventional trade promotion," he said. "It must be recognised as a strategic asset that reflects Vietnam's overall competitiveness and reputation within global value chains."

In the context of deeper global integration, building a national brand goes beyond enhancing the image of Vietnamese-made products. It is about strengthening national credibility and elevating Vietnam's soft power on the international stage.

Reflecting on more than two decades of the programme's implementation, the ministry noted that the number of recognised enterprises and products has steadily increased, demonstrating continuous efforts to improve technology, enhance quality, and reinforce the position of Vietnamese businesses.

"Vietnam's National Brand has been steadily strengthened, closely associated with the image of a dynamic, innovative, and globally integrated economy," Tan added.

Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Sinh Nhat Tan

Vietnam National Brand Week will run from April 16 to 23 nationwide, marking the 18th anniversary of Vietnam Brand Day (April 20, 20082026). More than a communications campaign, this year's programme is designed as a convergence point for policy, business, and the market. Key activities include the opening ceremony, the National Brand Forum, thematic seminars, exhibitions showcasing programme achievements, and business networking events.

The National Branding Forum is the highlight, bringing together representatives from ministries, localities, international organisations, experts, and the business community to discuss brand development trends in the new context. Broad participation reflects both the programme's growing influence and increasing awareness of branding as a driver of national competitiveness.

Deputy Minister Tan attributed past achievements to close coordination among ministries, localities, associations, and organisations, as well as the resilience, creativity, and determination of the business community.

Despite positive results, he pointed to emerging challenges as global standards become more stringent, particularly in green growth, digital transformation, and social responsibility. In this context, transforming the development model is essential to enhancing the national brand.

"Vietnam must move beyond low-value-added processing to mastering technology and branding," Tan said, calling this a fundamental requirement for businesses seeking deeper integration into global value chains.

Looking ahead, Vietnam's national brand should be built on quality, innovation, sustainability, and cultural identity, aligned with updated programme criteria. Key priorities include accelerating green and digital transformation as prerequisites for improving growth quality and competitiveness.

"Businesses need to adopt AI and big data in management and production, while strictly complying with environmental and sustainability standards," he noted.

Developing structured, long-term international market strategies, effectively leveraging free trade agreements, protecting intellectual property, and promoting Vietnam's intrinsic cultural values are critical pillars for elevating the national brand.

Reaffirming the government's role, Tan said authorities will continue to support businesses in building and enhancing their brands. He expressed hope that the forum would provide an open platform for practical discussions and solutions, contributing to the Vietnam National Brand Strategy for 2026-2035, with a vision to 2045.

Top 10 notable events of Vietnams industry and trade sector in 2025 The year 2025 has been a remarkable one for the industry and trade sector, truly affirming its role as a pillar of the economy and a key contributor to the country's impressive growth. The sector recorded the strongest results of the past five-year term and set multiple unprecedented records.

Spring Fair 2026 launches national fair series Efforts to stimulate domestic consumption ahead of Lunar New Year are set to gain momentum with a new national trade initiative.
The non-life insurance market has maintained its growth momentum in the early months of the year. By the end of February, total gross written premiums were estimated to surpass $640 million, up around 10 per cent on-year, based on data compiled from 33 non-life insurers operating in the market.

Motor vehicle insurance continues to serve as the backbone for many non-life insurers

In terms of market structure, the top three positions remain unchanged, held by PVI Insurance, Bao Viet, and Bao Minh, with respective market shares of 19.4 per cent, 13.9 per cent, and 8.2 per cent.

Notably, DBV Insurance has climbed to fourth place, with revenue approximating $40 million, accounting for 6.1 per cent of market share, surpassing several established players such as VBI, PJICO, MIC, and PTI.

Beyond improving its ranking, DBV Insurance is also among the fastest-growing companies in terms of gross premium revenue, posting an on-year increase of 98.4 per cent  nine times the overall market growth rate and significantly higher than peers such as Bao Viet with 15 per cent hike, PVI (9 per cent), and PTI (1 per cent).

Meanwhile, several insurers even reported negative growth, including Bao Minh down 3.9 per cent in gross premium revenue, AAA down 6 per cent, MIC down 7 per cent, and AIG down 16 per cent, respectively.

Although the top three positions remain intact for now, this could change as Bao Minh (BMI), currently ranked third, has posted consecutive negative growth during the first two months of 2026.

According to the Ministry of Finances Global Insurance Market Bulletin No.02, Bao Minh held a 9.06 per cent market share in January 2026, with estimated revenue of $38.84 million, down 9.4 per cent.

Recently, the Ho Chi Minh City Stock Exchange placed Bao Minhs BMI shares under warning status after its 2025 financial statements received a qualified audit opinion, indicating certain exceptions.

In a report released on April 3, auditors highlighted an issue related to assets worth over $6.2 million pending resolution, indicating that the financial statements did not fully reflect the companys situation. Bao Minh said it is working with relevant parties to address the outstanding issues raised by auditors.

Directly behind Bao Minh in market share is DBV Insurance, with 75 per cent stake held by South Koreas DB Group. In the non-life insurance market, DBV is increasingly seen as a phenomenon and is potentially expected to reshape the rankings in the near future.

Motor vehicle insurance continues to serve as the primary growth driver behind DBV Insurances strong performance in early 2026.

Revenue from this segment reached $26.2 million after two months, up 92 per cent and accounting for 66 per cent of the companys total revenue. DBV has also consistently maintained the number one market share position in this segment since May 2024.

Beyond the leading players, several lower-tier insurers have reported gross premium growth exceeding 50 per cent in the first two months of 2026, including Tasco ($8.6 million, up 127.7 per cent), VBI ($20.64 million, up 53.8 per cent), and VASS ($2.28 million, up 57.6 per cent).

Competition is not limited to the top tier; it is also intensifying among smaller players. Companies including VBI, Tasco, and VASS have recently posted strong growth, signalling significant untapped potential in the retail and small-to-medium enterprise segments.

This shift reflects deepening competition and suggests that, supported by stable demand and solid growth, the non-life insurance segment will continue to drive overall market expansion in the coming period.

To date, non-life insurance remains the strongest contributor to the industry's revenue growth.

According to data from the National Statistics Office under the Ministry of Finance, total insurance premium revenue in the first quarter of 2026 is estimated at $2.28 billion, up 2.5 per cent on-year. Of this, life insurance premiums are estimated at $1.32 billion, down 2.5 per cent, while non-life insurance premiums are estimated at $959.4 million, up 10.2 per cent.

Growth in the non-life segment continues to be driven by key lines such as motor vehicle insurance, health insurance, and property and engineering insurance  segments characterised by stable demand and less sensitivity to long-term spending deferrals.

In particular, motor vehicle insurance remains the backbone for many insurers, thanks to its large scale, ease of expansion through diverse distribution channels, and high frequency of use.

Overall, the sectors double-digit growth in the first quarter of 2026 reaffirms its role as a key pillar sustaining the broader market. However, future growth will depend heavily on insurers ability to balance market share expansion with risk control  an essential factor for the industrys long-term sustainability.

Private insurers must integrate advanced tactics Amid modest insurance penetration and early-stage digital adoption, Vietnams insurance sector stands at a pivotal turning point. Dr. Tran Phuoc Huy, chief of office at the School of Banking and Finance under the National Economics University, spoke with VIRs Khanh Linh about the emerging opportunities for private insurers.

Non-life insurers face mounting pressure after typhoon hits motor sector Typhoon Bualoi has triggered a wave of motor insurance claims in Vietnam, with hundreds of vehicles damaged by floods and debris, pushing compensation costs and insurance pressure to new highs.
The green development strategy was presented to shareholders during the bank's annual general meeting on April 15. By the end of 2025, OCB's green credit portfolio had climbed to more than $840 million, a rise of over 10 per cent from 2024, representing 10.7 per cent of total credit.

Renewable energy remains the primary focus, accounting for 49.5 per cent of the green portfolio. Sustainable water management follows at 17.4 per cent, green buildings at 16.6 per cent, and sustainable agriculture and forestry at 14.5 per cent, with clean transport comprising the remaining 2 per cent.

From 2026 onwards, OCB intends to maintain this ratio at approximately 9-10 per cent of total loans, above the industry average, while extending eligible sectors to include energy efficiency and sustainable farming.

CEO Pham Hong Hai stated that green credit remains a central operating priority.

On the foundation of strategic cooperation with International Finance Corporation (IFC) and international financial institutions, OCB is progressively completing its green bank governance framework, Hai said. "The bank is strengthening the integration of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) criteria into credit activities and risk management."

OCB has secured long-term capital and technical assistance from international backers, including IFC and Germanys DEG.

Hai noted that OCB will grow these ties to vary green capital sources and eventually use instruments like sustainability-linked loans as the market matures.

The IFC green banking advisory programme has been a key factor in bettering governance, helping OCB increase its number of eco-friendly ventures.

Our bank is consistently monitoring cash levels to align with Basel III standards in a broader effort to meet international safety requirements, he noted.

The green strategy sits alongside wider financial targets, with pre-tax profit aimed at $278.4 million this year, a 39 per cent surge on last years $200.8 million.

Total assets are targeted at $14.17 billion, while deposits and credit are projected to grow 14 per cent and 15 per cent respectively.

Chairman Trinh Van Tuan told shareholders that the strong targets rest on a meaningful improvement in asset quality following a difficult cycle.

From 2022 to 2024 OCBs business activity slowed due to the impact of changing monetary policies, which affected the banks operating results, Tuan said. Non-performing loans (NPL) are concentrated mainly among retail customers with collateral, and peaked in 2024, while the NPL ratio among corporate customers remains very low. In 2025, NPL control and debt collection saw significant improvement, reflected in debt recovery growth that doubled compared to the previous year. This forms the basis for OCB setting an ambitious plan for 2026.

During the meeting, shareholders approved a plan to issue 399.46 million new shares at a 15 per cent ratio to existing shareholders from equity reserves, lifting charter capital from $1.07 billion to $1.23 billion.

The proceeds will support lending, tech investment, and product development. Japans Aozora Bank is expected to remain the banks sole major shareholder at 15 per cent, while OCB intends to issue convertible bonds in the near future to fill the remaining 10 per cent foreign ownership limit.

OCB takes next step in AI integration Southern lender Orient Commercial Joint Stock Bank (OCB) and FPT Corporation signed off on the Data Analytics Modernisation Project, using Oracle ExaC@C Database 23ai, in Ho Chi Minh City on January 10.

Outlook brightens for bank stocks in H2 As bank stocks continue to trade below their book value, the sector is seeing growing optimism for the second half of the year (H2).
Photo: Shutterstock

The Ministry of Agriculture and Environment issued a decision authorising a site survey assessment for a 500MW offshore wind project in greater Ho Chi Minh City. The licence is one of the first to be granted to a foreign developer under new regulations.

The venture will strengthen Vietnams energy security and support its economic growth targets, while also promoting the shared national security interests of the US and Vietnam, aligned with the US-Vietnam comprehensive strategic partnership.

"Pacifico welcomes the opportunity to work closely with Vietnamese authorities and industry stakeholders to create an enabling regulatory framework that will ensure the successful development of Vietnams offshore wind resources," the company said.

It is one of the few US energy companies to have developed commercial-scale energy ventures in Vietnam, with a 40MW solar farm in Lam Dong and a 30MW wind farm in Vinh Long.

Pacifico is a leading US energy infrastructure developer, owner, and operator in the Asia-Pacific region, with over 1.5GW of projects in operation and $5 billion of capital deployed in Japan, South Korea, and Vietnam, and billions more in the pipeline, including a 3.2GW offshore wind venture in South Korea.

Pacifico Energy eyes major wind energy investments in Vietnam Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh met with Nate Franklin, chairman of Pacifico Energy Group from the United States, on March 12 to discuss wind power projects.

Pacifico Energy Vietnam secures $28.5 million financing for wind farm venture Pacifico Energy Vietnam (PEV), the Vietnam-based development platform of Pacifico Energy Group (PEG), on August 27 announced the closing of up to $28.5 million in senior debt financing from VietinBank for its utility-scale Sunpro Wind Farm.
A US-ASEAN Business Council (USABC) delegation led by Penny Burtt, president of Boeing Southeast Asia, held talks with representatives of the Ministry of Construction (MoC) on April 16. The mission included leading investors such as FedEx, Atlas Air Worldwide, and UPS.

Photo: The MoC

She stated that the US business community is eager for the MoC to share information and discuss ways to support Vietnam in its new development phase, with a focus on boosting innovation-based growth. Areas of their interest include the ministry's priorities in effectively implementing key national infrastructure projects, developing social housing, and building a transparent and stable legal framework for housing, urban development, and the real estate market.

Accordingly, cooperation directions could focus on developing modern, highly interconnected, and resilient infrastructure systems; utilising sustainable urban development; and improving construction efficiency.

The others are supporting the modernisation of the logistics sector and related infrastructure, aiming to enhance Vietnam's ability to participate in diverse and resilient global supply chains; while encouraging the application of technology and innovation in the fields of construction, engineering, and urban planning.

Specifically, transportation companies such as FedEx, Atlas Air Worldwide, and UPS plan to increase investment and expand their presence in Vietnam, aiming to develop freight and logistics operations, especially air freight.

Businesses also requested that the MoC and relevant agencies of Vietnam create stronger conditions for investment and expansion of transportation service infrastructure at airports, as well as improve policies to support the development of transportation, logistics, and transport.

Photo: The MoC

In the aviation sector, Boeing expressed its readiness to partner with and support Vietnam in commercial aviation, defence and security, supply chain development, technical training, and community initiatives. This includes aspects of fleet development, ensuring aviation energy security, and encouraging the use of sustainable aviation fuels.

In response, Deputy Minister of Construction Nguyen Tuong Van expressed appreciation for the interest and positive contributions of USABC member businesses to Vietnam's economic development in recent years.

He stated that as Vietnam accelerates the development of synchronous and modern infrastructure, the need to mobilise resources, absorb international experience, and apply science and technology is immense.

"Therefore, the ministry wishes to strengthen cooperation with US businesses in the development of transportation infrastructure such as airports, seaports, and railways, as well as in other areas including urban development, building materials, digital transformation, and high-quality workforce training," he said.

Regarding transportation infrastructure development, the Socioeconomic Development Strategy for the period 2021-2030 prioritises the development of expressways, airports, high-speed rail and urban rail systems, and seaports, while strengthening transportation connectivity between regions, such as the Mekong Delta and the northern mountainous region; along with focusing on solutions to address climate change and flooding.

Photo: The MoC

Deputy Minister Van noted that Vietnam has achieved significant progress in the transport and construction sector. The North-South expressway has been largely completed, bringing the total length of expressways nationwide to more than 3,000 km. Investment in Long Thanh International Airport is being accelerated, research is under way on the North-South high-speed railway, and the seaport system currently operates 306 berths.

Vietnam has also issued key policies to promote investment in transportation infrastructure, focusing on mobilising diverse sources of capital, including the non-state sector and international organisations, while refining the legal framework, investment incentives, and specific mechanisms.

The state encourages foreign investment and public-private partnership models in the infrastructure sector, applying preferential tax, fee, and land policies for businesses investing in transportation and urban development, while also promoting industrial development and technology transfer.

Regarding the proposals from US businesses, the deputy minister acknowledged them and said he would assign relevant units to compile, research, and consider them during policy finalisation and implementation. He also said the ministry is ready to act as a focal point for information exchange and business support within its assigned functions.

Deputy Minister Van expressed hope that US businesses would continue sharing international experience and proposing specific, feasible solutions to improve planning, design, construction, and operation of infrastructure projects in Vietnam, while focusing on cooperation in training and human resource development to enhance the construction industry's capacity.

"We hope to receive close cooperation from businesses, especially in essential infrastructure sectors, which are currently key areas for investment attraction in Vietnam," he said.

He requested that businesses continue contributing policy opinions and proposing cooperation and investment initiatives with the ministry to achieve practical and effective results.

US-ASEAN links attain higher status Given the current global challenges and uncertainties, the US-ASEAN business community is pinning high hopes on new opportunities in Vietnam backed by strong support from the government.

Cooperation advantages from US-ASEAN relations The economic landscape of Vietnam has undergone remarkable transformations, positioning it as one of the most dynamic and rapidly growing economies in Southeast Asia. The country has increasingly become a key player in the global market, attracting foreign direct investment from around the world, with the United States standing out as one of the most significant contributors.

Taking proactive steps to keep strong US interest in Vietnam As US-ASEAN companies maintain a strong interest in Vietnam, a new surge of investment is expected despite tariff uncertainties. Ted Osius, president and CEO of the US-ASEAN Business Council, spoke to VIRs Thuy Nguyen about how to hold the attention of the US.

US business delegation heads to Vietnam to foster cooperation A high-level US business delegation will pay a visit to Vietnam to promote trade investment and long-term partnerships.
Prince Harry rejected his "job" as a working royal because he was convinced it "killed" his mother.

Prince Harry has opened up about the moment he decided he didn't want to be a royal

The Duke of Sussex, 41, has admitted he was just a child when he decided he didn't want to be a part of his family's world as he battled grief over the death of his mother Diana, Princess of Wales, who died in a car accident in Paris, France in 1997 when Harry was just 12 years old.

During an appearance at the InterEdge Summit in Melbourne, Australia on Thursday (16,04,26), Harry confessed: "After my mum died just before my 13th birthday, I was like: 'I don't want this job. I don't want this role wherever this is headed, I don't like it'.

"It killed my mum, and I was very much against it, and I stuck my head in the sand for years and years."

However, Harry eventually changed his mind when he realised he could use his position in the royal family to do good.

He added: "Eventually, I realised  well, hang on, if there was somebody else in this position, how would they be making the most of this platform and this ability and the resources that come with it to make a difference in the world?

"And also, what would my mum want me to do? And that really changed my own perspective."

Harry made the comments in a talk with Australian business leader and former politician Brendan Nelson after giving the keynote address at the summit.

During his speech, Harry also touched on dealing with grief, telling the audience: "In my experience, loss is disorienting at any age. Grief does not disappear because we ignore it.

"Experiencing that as a kid while in a goldfish bowl under constant surveillance, yes, that will have its challenges. And without purpose, it can break you.

"There have been many times when Ive felt overwhelmed," Harry continued. "Times when Ive felt lost, betrayed, or completely powerless. Times when the pressure  externally and internally  felt constant. And times when, despite everything going on, I still had to show up pretending everything was okay, so as not to let anyone down.

"For many years I was numb to it, and perhaps that was easier then, but I also didnt yet have the tools to deal with it."

After spending many years as a working member of the royal family, Harry stepped back from his role in 2020 alongside his wife Meghan, Duchess of Sussex and the couple have since started a new life in California where they are raising their two children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet.

During their current trip to Australia, Meghan opened up about the difficulties she faced over the last decade - claiming she was "the most trolled person in the entire world" on social media.

The 44-year-old former actress told students at an event in Melbourne earlier on Thursday (16.04.26) that she was "bullied and attacked" online every day for 10 years and suggested social media platforms are "not incentivised" to take action against cruel trolls.

Meghan said: "For now, 10 years, every day for 10 years, I have been bullied and attacked. And I was the most trolled person in the entire world."

The former Suits actress  who was known as Meghan Markle before marrying Harry in 2018  added: "Now, I'm still here. "And when I think of all of you and what you're experiencing, I think so much of that is having to realise that you know that industry, that billion-dollar industry, that is completely anchored and predicated on cruelty to get clicks  that's not going to change.

"So you have to be stronger than that."
Shannon Leahy, senior trade and investment commissioner for Southeast Asia at TIQ

The event gathered leading Queensland institutions alongside Vietnamese partners to explore collaboration in priority sectors such as agricultural technology, healthcare and tourism.

Participants emphasised the importance of strengthening international cooperation in education and workforce development. Queensland, recognised as a global education hub, reported education export revenues of approximately $6.89 billion in 2024, underscoring its capacity to deliver high-quality training aligned with industry needs.

At the same time, the Australian state holds a leading position in tropical and subtropical agriculture, offering relevant expertise for Vietnam, where agriculture remains a key pillar of the economy and a major contributor to global food exports. This alignment creates opportunities for knowledge exchange and joint development, particularly in sustainable and high-productivity farming systems.

Speaking at the event, NIC deputy director Do Tien Thinh highlighted that deeper engagement with international partners, especially Queenslands education and research institutions, would help improve training quality, foster innovation and support Vietnams comprehensive digital transformation.

As Vietnams national innovation hub, NIC aims to connect talent, promote collaboration among government, academia and industry, and translate ideas into practical outcomes, Thinh said. Australia remains a trusted and strategic partner. Queensland, in particular, offers strong research capabilities and industry-linked education across fields such as medicine, agriculture, biomedical science, robotics and environmental science.

Shannon Leahy, senior trade and investment commissioner for Southeast Asia at TIQ, stressed that the education and research ecosystem is designed to integrate academic training with real-world business demands. Leahy expressed interest in expanding partnerships in Vietnam while providing broader opportunities for Vietnamese students and professionals in study, research and career development.

Vietnam has already become an increasingly important partner for Queensland. The country is now the third-largest source of international students from Southeast Asia to the state, with more than 3,400 enrolments last year, over 20 per cent higher than pre-pandemic levels. More than 36 active university partnerships are currently in place between the two sides, with recent MoUs signed between the University of Queensland, the University of Southern Queensland and Vietnams Ministry of Education and Training.

Phuong Hoang from TIQ pointed to agriculture, tourism and health technology as priority sectors where education-industry partnerships can deliver immediate, practical gains for Vietnam.

"Vietnams agricultural workforce, estimated at around 13 million people, faces a significant skills gap, with only a small proportion formally trained, she said. If we want to move up the value chain, we must invest in skills. The goal is not cheaper products, but higher-quality, competitive exports. Training is also critical in post-harvest stages, including packaging and traceability.

A practical example cited was the Mekong Sustainable Rice project, a $6.8 million initiative funded by the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research and SunRice, led by the University of Queensland in partnership with Vietnamese institutions. The project has helped quadruple yields and increase farmers income by around 25 per cent per kilogramme of rice, illustrating how research and education can directly support agricultural transformation.

In tourism, Vietnams rapid growth presents both opportunity and pressure, Hoang added. Despite strong demand, the sector currently meets only about half of its workforce needs, while just 10 per cent of workers have formal training. Without improvements in skills, language proficiency and service quality, Vietnam risks losing competitiveness to regional peers such as Thailand and Malaysia, she said.

Hoang highlighted growing connectivity between Vietnam and Queensland, including rising visitor flows and direct air links between Ho Chi Minh City and Brisbane. With Queensland preparing to host the 2032 Olympic Games, demand for skilled labour in tourism, hospitality and related services is expected to surge, opening further avenues for collaboration in training and student mobility.

In healthcare and health technology, Queenslands strengths in biomedical research and hospital systems were seen as highly relevant to Vietnam, where the healthcare system faces mounting pressure. With relatively low ratios of doctors and nurses per capita, expanding access and improving service quality will require both workforce development and digital solutions.

Technologies such as telehealth, digital consultation platforms and pharmaceutical innovation can help extend care to underserved areas and manage growing patient demand. However, Hoang stressed that the real challenge lies in building a workforce capable of deploying and scaling these technologies effectively.

Technology on its own does not create value, Phuong concluded. It is the people, trained, skilled and connected to industry, who turn innovation into real impact.

During the programme, delegates took part in thematic presentations and discussions on Queenslands education system and Vietnams human capital development strategy. A key panel session on cross-border collaboration examined how education and innovation can generate tangible impacts for industry, offering a platform for stakeholders to share experiences and propose practical cooperation models.

Business matching activities were also held, enabling universities, research organisations and companies from both sides to identify concrete opportunities in training, research and workforce development.

Following the Hanoi event, the programme will continue in Ho Chi Minh City on April 16, aiming to broaden connections and deepen engagement between stakeholders.

Forum outlines pathways to accelerate green transition The Vietnam-Australia Green Transition Forum 2026, organised in Ho Chi Minh City on April 9, highlighted the urgent need to bridge the gap between macro policies and business practices to accelerate the nations green transition.

Australia deepens fintech ties with Vietnam On April 14, the Australian Trade and Investment Commission led a delegation of nine Australian fintech and regulatory technology firms to Vietnam to support the countrys digital banking transformation and expand bilateral cooperation.
Photo: Shutterstock

On April 14, Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Sinh Nhat Tan held a working session with a delegation from the US-ASEAN Business Council (USABC) led by former Ambassador Brian McFeeters, president and CEO of the council. The meeting was attended by leaders of ministry units and more than 50 US enterprises investing and operating in Vietnam.

The meeting took place as the Vietnam-US relationship continues to develop strongly, particularly following General Secretary To Lam's working visit to the US in February 2026, which created new momentum for economic, trade, and investment cooperation. Both sides reaffirmed that economic cooperation remains a key pillar  highly complementary in nature  and directly contributes to supply chain stability and sustainable growth in each country.

Deputy Minister Tan said Vietnam considers the US a leading strategic economic and trade partner, and remains committed to maintaining stability, accelerating institutional reforms, and enhancing policy transparency to foster a favourable investment environment.

"Vietnam is promoting industrialisation in a green and sustainable direction, prioritising high-tech sectors such as semiconductors, AI, big data, and cloud computing, while developing synchronised energy, logistics, and digital infrastructure," he added.

The working session between the Ministry of Industry and Trade and the US - ASEAN Business Council delegation

Representatives of the US business community spoke highly of Vietnam's investment potential and business environment, putting forward specific recommendations in areas including energy, high-tech industry, logistics, trade, finance, healthcare, agriculture, and consumer goods. Notable proposals included development of the liquefied natural gas (LNG) market, gas-fired power, renewable energy, and a direct power purchase agreement mechanism, along with improvements to policy frameworks for technology, supply chains, and the digital economy.

Deputy Minister Tan welcomed the frank and valuable opinions of the US delegation, stressing that they serve as important references for government agencies in improving policies and governance effectiveness. The Ministry of Industry and Trade will coordinate closely with relevant ministries and agencies to study and address the proposals based on feasibility, harmonised interests, and conformity with international practices.

Regarding cooperation priorities, the Ministry of Industry and Trade outlined key pillars including ensuring energy security with a role for LNG and renewable energy; developing high-tech industry and digital infrastructure; utilising e-commerce, logistics, and the digital economy; and strengthening cooperation in healthcare, agriculture, standards, and market management.

On trade issues, Deputy Minister Tan said, "Vietnam is engaging in discussions with the US in a spirit of transparency, cooperation, and constructiveness, while calling on the US business community to continue serving as a bridge and to provide objective and positive voices to help strengthen a stable and sustainable cooperation environment."

Concluding the meeting, he stated that the Vietnamese government regards the US business community as an important, long-term, and trusted partner, and is committed to maintaining an open and substantive policy dialogue mechanism, accompanying businesses towards a balanced, sustainable, and mutually beneficial economic and trade relationship.

Vietnam-US trade discussions continue in Washington Vietnam and the US have continued technical-level negotiations on their Fair and Balanced Reciprocal Trade Agreement, seeking progress towards a mutually beneficial outcome.

Vietnam and US make progress in fifth trade negotiation round Vietnam and the United States made notable progress during the fifth direct negotiation round on the Reciprocal, Fair, and Balanced Trade Agreement in Washington, D.C.
Photo: Shutterstock

GlobalData expects the industrys growth to accelerate to 3.8 per cent in 2026 as the market stabilised in 2025 with an estimated 0.9 per cent annual growth after two years of contraction, as distribution adapts, digital journeys deepen, and banks re-engage on improved terms.

The broader insurance market is projected to expand in 2026, signalling a return to healthier premium dynamics that will also support the life insurance recovery.

Digital distribution shifts set the tone for recovery. Starting in 2026, growth is expected to be supported by Vietnams pro-digital regulatory agenda, the accelerating shift from bancassurance to e-insurance, and insurers pivot towards health and protection products. Regulators and market participants are refocusing on transparent, technology-led sales, with e-insurance rapidly overtaking bancassurance due to widespread smartphone adoption and clearer digital compliance standards.

Swarup Kumar Sahoo, senior insurance analyst at GlobalData, said embedded insurance and AI-enabled service, starting from automated claims processing to personalised coverage recommendations, are improving customer experience and trust.

"Platforms are scaling hybrid digital-agent models to bring term life and comprehensive health products online, while bolstering claims and service capabilities. These initiatives are poised to lift life insurance uptake in the medium term as consumers migrate to simpler and more transparent purchase paths," said Sahoo.

Policy reform and social protection initiatives provide structural tailwinds. Vietnams Insurance Supervisory Authority has mapped a 202630 sector agenda emphasising market efficiency, consumer protection, and coverage expansion. Concurrently, the government is advancing social insurance and wage reforms, including a 7.2 per cent regional minimum wage increase from January 2026, which supports income security.

The life insurance market is expected to enter a period of higher-quality and more robust development, aligning with the governments objective of achieving life insurance coverage for 18 per cent of Vietnams population by 2030. In support of this, insurance companies are undertaking transformation efforts that signal a market recovery characterised by improved quality and sustainability, Sahoo added.

Product strategy is shifting towards protection and health benefits as the market rebuilds. After a difficult period, life insurers are prioritising comprehensive protection propositions, responding to demographic change and heightened consumer focus on health. Insurers are partnering with technology companies to accelerate digital health and wellness ecosystems, while product innovation from unit-linked solutions with legacy features to universal life and critical illness riders broadens value propositions.

The recent surge in flu cases across Asia has also reinforced the need for preventive and senior-focused benefits, sharpening demand for well-structured health-linked protection and potentially supporting premium growth within life and health lines.

Insurtech momentum is also building in Vietnam. By deploying AI to streamline underwriting and claims, Insurtechs are positioned to capture demand migrating from bank channels to independent, digitally enabled options. This also aligns with regulatory expectations for transparent advice and should contribute to a more resilient, customer-centric life market over 20262030.

Health financing reforms are likely to bolster demand for protection within life insurance. Vietnam is moving to launch supplementary health insurance alongside the universal mandatory scheme to reduce high out-of-pocket burdens. Health-linked riders and protection policies within life portfolios are expected to help reinforce premium growth and improve financial resilience for vulnerable groups.

"Vietnams life insurance market will be supported by a pro-growth regulatory agenda, digital-first distribution, and a decisive pivot towards health and protection offerings," Sahoo explained. "With banks deepening their role, Insurtechs scaling next-generation platforms, and the state expanding social protection and health financing, the life market is positioned to reduce protection gaps and deliver sustained premium growth through 2030.

Techcom Life forms strategic partnership with RGA Techcom Life Insurance, a newly established company backed by Techcombank, and Reinsurance Group of America, Incorporated (RGA) jointly announced a strategic partnership on March 30.

Middle East turmoil raises risks for Vietnam's insurance sector The ongoing Middle East crisis is driving up insurance premiums and tightening reinsurance terms globally, with indirect effects posing growing risks to Vietnams insurance sector amid economic uncertainty.
Photo: Shutterstock

According to Vingroup's 2025 Annual Report, VinSpace is developing cleanroom facilities, testing equipment, and ground station systems to ensure project timelines are met.

In parallel, the company is strengthening research collaboration and satellite technology applications with both domestic and international partners to build a comprehensive technical, operational, and commercial ecosystem.

On that basis, VinSpace aims to commercialise satellite applications for telecommunications, remote sensing, and related fields, gradually expanding its market and establishing a foundation for long-term growth.

Established in November last year, VinSpace has a registered capital of VND300 billion ($11.54 million). The company operates in the field of space technology, focusing on the research and development of Vietnamese-made nano-satellite constellations to provide telecommunications, remote sensing, and other applications.

Vingroup owner Pham Nhat Vuong currently holds a 71 per cent stake in VinSpace. Vingroup itself is the second-largest shareholder, owning a 19 per cent stake. The remainder belongs to the billionaire's sons.

Besides VinSpace, Vingroup's ecosystem also owns many technology companies such as VinRobotics (industrial robots), VinSmart Future (software), VCSS (cybersecurity), VinDynamics (humanoid robots), and VinMotion (robotics technology).

Billionaire pours $8.5 million into new aerospace company VinSpace Billionaire Pham Nhat Vuong has established an aerospace company named VinSpace by contributing VND213 billion ($8.5 million), equivalent to 71 per cent of the company's capital.

Asian Hackathon for Green Future 2026 kicks off with $24,000 prize pool The Asian Hackathon for Green Future, a competition dedicated to developing technology-driven solutions for a sustainable future, launched on April 6.
A cancer support charity is encouraging people in Wrexham to take part in a special parkrun event this weekend.

5K Your Way, a nationwide initiative led by Move Charity, will take place in Erddig on 18 April.

The Erddig takeover aims to raise awareness of the local North Wales 5K Your Way groups and encourage anyone affected by cancer to come along and see what its all about. Participants can walk, jog, run, volunteer, or simply attend for the social connection and postparkrun chat.

Groups meet on the last Saturday of the month at selected parkrun events across the UK, providing a safe, inclusive space where participants can be active in a way that suits them.

The charity currently runs groups at Nova Prestatyn, Nant y Pandy, Rhos-on-Sea and Erddig, with Flint Castle launching at the end of April. It is also looking to expand to more parkruns in North Wales.

A participant for 5K Your Way said: Being active during or after cancer can feel daunting, but 5K Your Way is about doing what feels right for you. There is no pressure, no time limits, and no expectations just support, understanding, and community.

The group is also keen to connect with healthcare professionals working in cancer services who may wish to act as Healthcare Ambassadors by signposting patients to local 5K Your Way groups.

Erddig parkrun starts at 9:00am, with participants asked to arrive by 8:45am. The event is free, friendly, and open to all abilities.

More information about 5K Your Way and Move Charity can be found at www.moveagainstcancer.org.

Spotted something? Got a story? email us at Got a story? email us at news@wrexham.com
Time is running out for people in Wrexham to register to vote ahead of the Senedd election on May 7.

Thousands of voters across Wrexham will head to the polls in just 21 days to have their say in what is set to be a highly contested election.

The election on May 7 will be the first to take place with new constituencies following recent boundary changes, with voters in Wrexham County Borough falling into one of three:

Fflint Wrecsam

Gwynedd Maldwyn

Clwyd

The deadline to register to vote in next months election is 11.59pm on April 20. Registering to vote is quick and easy and only takes five minutes.

You will need to register again if you have recently changed your name, address or nationality.

If you want to vote via post, you need to apply by 5pm on 21 April. Applications for a proxy vote must be submitted by 5pm on April 28.

As long as youve registered youll be sent a polling card before May 7 so you can vote in person on election day. You will also be able to apply for a postal or proxy vote.

Voters in Wales will not need to show photo ID to vote in this election.

Alwyn Jones, constituency returning officer for Fflint Wrecsam, said: Without registering to vote youll lose your chance to have your say at the Senedd election in May.

Senedd elections are an important opportunity to have your say on who represents you and makes decisions about issues that directly affect day-to-day life.

Rhydian Thomas, head of the Electoral Commission Wales, said: Its important that people check theyre ready to vote ahead of the upcoming Senedd election on 7 May.

All voters must be registered, and some may need to apply for a postal or proxy vote. 16-17 year olds and foreign nationals living in Wales are also eligible to vote at this election, and photo ID will not be required.

If youve recently changed your name, address or moved home since you last registered, it takes just five minutes to update your details online. Checking now helps make sure you can vote in a way thats right for you.

Spotted something? Got a story? email us at Got a story? email us at news@wrexham.com
Scarlett Moffatt joked that her delayed wedding may be down to mirroring her parents' 27-year wait to marry to ensure they liked each other.

I'm A Celebrity...South Africa star Scarlett Moffatt

The I'm A Celebrity...South Africa star and policeman Scott Dobinson got engaged in November 2023, just months after they welcomed son Jude into the world, but over two years on, the couple are nowhere near ready to say "I do".

Scarlett, 35, told the new issue of Heat magazine: "I'm not stressed about it, and I think that's the problem. I got engaged three years ago. I think me and Scott are so laidback that nothing gets done.

"We need an intervention where someone comes in and physically books everything for us because we just keep going, 'We'll sort it next year.'"

The Gogglebox alum joked that she may have inherited her mum Betty and dad Mark's laidback attitude to marriage.

Scarlett continued: "I was a bridesmaid at my mum and dad's wedding, and they were together 27 years before they got married, just to check that they liked each other. Maybe there's a bit of that which comes into play."

But the Pilgrimage 2022 cast member teased she may finally walk down the aisle in 2030 - the same year as her milestone 40th birthday.

Scarlett said: "We're in no rush, but I've definitely said before I'm 40, ideally. But then you might ask us that question at 40, and I'll say 50."

In August 2025, the TV personality - who once wanted a "massive" wedding, be it a "Willy Wonka theme with centrepieces as sweets and munchkins as waiters" or a ceremony in Las Vegas - revealed she and Scott had made some progress with plans for their nuptials.

Scarlett told The Sun: "Weve actually been to see a few venues.

"And I actually did book to go and try a wedding dress on, and Scott was like, 'But we havent booked a venue.' And I was like, 'Yeah, I know, but I just want to play dress up.'

"Its the fun part! But yeah, weve got lists and lists of things to do, and it changes every day."

The Saturday Night Takeaway star even hoped to get married this year, but acknowledged that it was "too adventurous".

Scarlett added: "It takes a lot to plan a wedding, but Ive got this in the bag."
Smoke rises following an Israeli airstrike on the village of Qlaileh, as seen from the southern port city of Tyre, Lebanon, Wednesday, April 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Hussein Malla)
Unravel the chilling mystery of The Sorry Man. Discover Rachel's shocking fate and the dark secrets of the Cunningham family in this Netflix horror series.

AceShowbiz - Something Very Bad Is Going To Happen has sparked intense curiosity on Netflix, particularly about the mysterious figure known as The Sorry Man. Created by Haley Z. Boston, this horror limited series centers on Rachel, portrayed by Camila Morrone, as she navigates the tense week before her wedding to Nicky, played by Adam DiMarco. Each episode covers a single day leading up to the wedding, gradually unveiling Rachels mounting anxiety and suspicions about the Cunningham family she is marrying into.

In a revealing interview with ScreenRants Liam Crowley, Boston shed light on the enigmatic ending of the series, Rachels shocking fate, and the real identity of The Sorry Man. This figure is a pivotal part of the shows narrative, heavily featured in the initial four episodes and wrapped in chilling mythology.

According to the Cunningham family lore, The Sorry Man is a mythic entity introduced through stories told by Jules, a family member who recounts a childhood encounter. Jules recalls running into the woods and hearing a womans screams, witnessing a man with dirty, sharp fingernails cutting a woman while repeatedly apologizing with the words, Im sorry. Portia Cunningham adds that this murderer can be summoned by blood and has a particular obsession with brides.

Boston explained that The Sorry Man was conceived in the writers room as a red herring. She admits to wishing the character truly existed and enjoys how the pilot episodes storytelling creates intrigue around this figure. However, the true revelation about The Sorry Mans identity serves as a significant payoff for viewers.

Interestingly, Rachel initially suspects Nickys father to be The Sorry Man, but the series takes a shocking twist when it is revealed that the figure is actually Rachels own father, Jay. Jules did witness the horrific stabbing while hearing the repeated apology, but the victim was Rachels mother, Ali. The trauma deepens as it is revealed that Ali collapsed with blood pouring from her nose and eyes. To save the babyRachelJay performed an emergency C-section despite Alis fatal condition.

This chilling backstory reframes the entire mythology surrounding The Sorry Man, transforming him from a ghostly legend into a deeply personal and tragic figure. Boston expressed satisfaction that the audience found the true identity of The Sorry Man both unexpected and impactful, even though she had originally intended to explore the mythology in more depth.

Something Very Bad Is Going To Happen has garnered critical acclaim since its release, boasting an 83% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and consistently ranking in Netflixs top 10 most-watched series. Executive produced by the creators of Stranger Things, The Duffer Brothers, the show blends psychological horror and family drama in a unique format.

The series storytelling styleeach episode unfolding over a single dayadds to the mounting tension as viewers witness Rachels growing paranoia and the dark secrets of the Cunningham family unravel. With Camila Morrone leading the cast as Rachel and Adam DiMarco as her fiance Nicky, the show offers a gripping portrayal of anxiety, mistrust, and the shadowy pasts that haunt families.

Fans interested in deeper insights into the series lore can subscribe to the newsletter dedicated to Something Very Bad Is Going To Happen. The newsletter promises detailed analysis of The Sorry Man mythology, creator interviews, alternative theories, and comprehensive breakdowns that enhance the viewing experience.

As the series continues to captivate audiences worldwide, Haley Z. Boston remains the visionary behind this unsettling tale of family, secrets, and the eerie figure known as The Sorry Man. Something Very Bad Is Going To Happen is available to stream exclusively on Netflix, inviting viewers to uncover the dark truths lurking beneath a seemingly perfect wedding.
LL Cool J returns as Sam Hanna in NCIS: New York. He teams with Scott Caan to protect the city's vital ports. Premieres this fall on CBS.

AceShowbiz - CBS is set to expand its popular franchise with a new spinoff series, NCIS: New York, premiering this fall. The show will bring back LL Cool J as NCIS Agent Sam Hanna, who returns to his native New York City to join the local NCIS field office.

In this new series, LL Cool J teams up with a more unpredictable agent portrayed by Scott Caan. Together, they will lead a fresh team tasked with tackling high-stakes cases aimed at protecting New York Citys critical ports and infrastructure. The series promises intense action and complex investigations set against the backdrop of one of the worlds most important cities.

NCIS: New York will be broadcast on Tuesday nights at 9 p.m., strategically placed between the original NCIS series at 8 p.m. and NCIS: Origins at 10 p.m. Additionally, CBS plans to introduce NCIS: Sydney during midseason, which will replace NCIS: Origins in the schedule.

This move expands CBSs NCIS lineup, offering fans multiple perspectives on naval criminal investigations across different global locations. The inclusion of LL Cool J and Scott Caan is expected to draw viewers with their dynamic chemistry and strong performances, continuing the success of the NCIS franchise.
Strictly Come Dancing star Janette Manrara says the show's stars are on "standby" amid brutal culls to the cast as part of a big shake-up of the programme.

Strictly Come Dancing: It Takes Two co-host Janette Manrara

Bosses of the Saturday night BBC Latin and Ballroom dance competition have already axed professional dancers Karen Hauer and Nancy Xu, both 34, Gorka Marquez, 35, Nadiya Bychkova and Luba Mushtuk, both 36, and 30-year-old Michelle Tsiakkas - whose three years on the show ended in a brutal 30-minute online Zoom meeting with an executive producer.

And The Sun recently reported that former pro Janette, 42, and 38-year-old Fleur East's hosting positions on the weekday companion show, It Takes Two, "could be at risk", but the BBC said in a statement that "it is incorrect to claim that either has been axed".

Janette - who was a professional dancer on Strictly Come Dancing from 2013 until 2020 - appeared on BBC Breakfast on Thursday (16.04.26) and said she "doesnt know" about her future on It Takes Two after five years in the position.

The star added: "Well have to wait and find out.

"I think everyone at the moment is on standby, so well see what happens Thats showbiz!"

But one professional dancer who has reportedly survived the brutal cull of Strictly Come Dancing professional dancers is 30-year-old Julian Caillon.

It is believed that producers were impressed with Julian after he made his Strictly Come Dancing debut on the 2025 series - in which he reached the semi-final with 47-year-old EastEnders actress Balvinder Sopal.

Julian also has 52,000 TikTok followers, and it is thought that big social media presences among the professional dancers played a part in who stayed and got the chop in a bid to attract younger viewers to the show.

A source told The Sun newspaper's TVBiz column: "Julian was not only liked by the bosses, but he also went down well with the viewers. But most importantly, he leads a very clean-living and trouble-free life.

"His fiancee is a fitness expert, and together they really are that perfect, good-looking, clean-living couple, which after everything thats happened over the last few years is exactly what the bosses want.

"Hes set to sign in the coming weeks."

Strictly Come Dancing bosses are also searching for new co-hosts after Tess Daly, 57, and Claudia Winkleman, 54, stepped down at the end of the 2025 series in December.

Many names have been tipped, including former BBC Radio 2 broadcaster Zoe Ball, 55, ex-Big Brother host Emma Willis, 50, comedienne Miranda Hart, This Morning star Rylan Clark, 37, The Chase's Bradley Walsh, 65, and The One Show co-host Roman Kemp, 33.

In February, The Sun on Sunday newspaper reported that Zoe and Emma are in a "straight shoot-out" to host Strictly Come Dancing alongside a "female stand-up comedian".

A Strictly spokeswoman said: "Plans for Strictly Come Dancing 2026 will be confirmed in due course."
Kyle Cooke reacts to explosive Season 10 drama. Get the shocking cast revelations and reunion details from Summer House's latest episode.

AceShowbiz - Summer House star Kyle Cooke is gearing up for the highly anticipated Season 10 reunion with plenty of questions swirling around the recent explosive developments among the cast.

On April 15, Kyle Cooke, 43, took to Threads to express his shock and disbelief after rewatching some intense moments from the past decade of the show. He admitted, "I've watched some hard to re-live moments over the last 10 years. I've also seen things unfold as a viewer that I wasn't privy to as a cast member." His reaction to the most recent episode was emphatic: "Last night's episode? WTF ?."

The latest episode aired on April 14 and featured a confrontational scene where Amanda Batula criticized West Wilson for kissing another woman in front of Ciara Miller. This interaction gained new significance after Amanda, 34, publicly confirmed her relationship with West, 31, following her split from Kyle. This revelation has added a complex layer to the storyline, one that is expected to be a major focus during the upcoming reunion taping.

Amidst the drama, Kyle Cooke has been vocal about the emotional fallout from Amanda and Wests relationship. In an April 1 TikTok interview with journalist Adam Glyn, Kyle expressed concern about the impact of this new romance on everyone involved but did not disclose full details.

Adding to the buzz, reunion host Andy Cohen invited fans to submit questions for the cast ahead of the reunion via Threads on March 31. Kyle responded with a pointed query: "Are there repercussions for lying on WWHL?" This comment appeared to reference Wests appearance on Watch What Happens Live (WWHL) shortly before he and Amanda confirmed their relationship, where West denied anything beyond friendship. The timing and denial have fueled speculation about honesty and accountability among the cast members.

During the April 14 episode of Summer House, fellow cast member Mia Calabrese revealed that Ciara Miller had a strong intuition that something was going on between Amanda and West, though Mia initially refused to believe it. Mia shared with Andy Cohen, "Ciara had - her intuition was telling her something and I refused to believe it. Then, certain things started to click."

Asked about Ciaras emotional state in light of the new relationship between her former boyfriend and best friend, Mia responded, "Ciara is how anyone would be if their best friend started dating their ex. But, I will say, Ciara is one of my best friends - she's like a sister to me - she will always thrive and I will always be there to support her." This highlights the personal toll the situation has taken on the cast.

Despite trying to keep a low profile, Amanda and West were recently seen together at a New York City bar, confirming their relationship is no longer a secret. Amanda addressed her fans and followers publicly on April 10 through Instagram Stories, issuing an apology for any disappointment she may have caused. She said, "I wanted to come back on and say that I'm truly sorry to everyone I've disappointed and hurt, especially those I know personally who I've reached out to individually."

Amanda also spoke about her mental health, explaining her intention to try to regain some normalcy despite the heavy emotional weight of recent events. She asked for understanding from fans, stating, "If you see me out or posting online, please know that this still weighs very heavily on me. I'm not ignoring what's happened or what's unfolded."

She confirmed she will attend the upcoming reunion and promised to answer all questions openly and honestly: "I'll be at the reunion and will be addressing any and all questions honestly and directly there."

The Summer House reunion promises to be a revealing and emotionally charged event, as fans await the casts candid discussions about the complicated romantic entanglements and personal dynamics that have captivated viewers.

Summer House airs on Bravo Tuesdays at 8 p.m. ET, with episodes available for streaming the following day on Peacock.
Agnes fears her worst suspicions are true in a harrowing new scene. The Testaments continues its unflinching look at power and assault in Gilead.

AceShowbiz - The Testaments, the Hulu spinoff of The Handmaid's Tale, continues to tackle difficult and sensitive topics, prominently featuring another harrowing scene of sexual assault involving the character Agnes.

In the April 15 episode of the series, Agnes, portrayed by Chase Infiniti, suffers a chipped tooth and is again taken to Beckas father, who serves as the dentist in the dystopian society of Gilead. Agnes had previously harbored suspicions that Beckas father was abusing his position to inappropriately touch young girls, including herself.

During the dental procedure, Agnes is sedated, and upon awakening, she begins to question whether she was assaulted while unconscious. Her fears are confirmed when she notices that her shirt is tied differently than when she had put it on that morning, suggesting that Beckas father likely took advantage of her during the procedure.

Despite these traumatic experiences, Agnes has yet to confide in anyone about the assaults. The rigid and oppressive social structure of Gilead has instilled a dangerous belief among young girls and women that any sexual misconduct is their faultthat they were too tempting or somehow responsible for a mans inappropriate actions.

The Testaments is set four years after the events of The Handmaids Tale, which originally aired from 2017 to 2025. Based on Margaret Atwoods novel of the same name, the series depicts a dystopian future marked by plummeting fertility rates, where women are forced into reproductive servitude.

The narrative of The Testaments unfolds through multiple perspectives. Aunt Lydia, played by Ann Dowd, serves as the series narrator and a covert operative within Gilead, while Agnes and Daisy (played by Lucy Halliday) pose as "Pearl Girls" to infiltrate Canada and smuggle out damaging information about the regime.

The cast also includes Mattea Conforti as Becka, Eva Foote, Rowan Blanchard, Kira Guloien, Amy Seimetz, Brad Alexander, Birva Pandya, Zarrin Darnell-Martin, Shechinah Mpumlwana, Mabel Li, and Isolde Ardies.

Lucy Halliday, who portrays Daisy, shared insights with The Hollywood Reporter about the importance of the younger generations viewpoint in the show. She noted that because the story is told through the eyes of several young characters, it offers a fresh perspective that may shock viewers differently than the original series did. Halliday expressed hope that audiences will reflect on how the current societal structures will impact these children and teenagers as they grow up.

Chase Infiniti also weighed in on the critical themes at the heart of the series. She emphasized her desire for The Testaments to be seen as a cautionary tale, warning of the frightening parallels between the shows fictional world and real-life issues. Infiniti expressed hope that the series would inspire viewers to recognize the power of unity and collective strength, which she described as often missing in the real world.

Creator Bruce Miller addressed how the production team is very careful with the portrayal of trauma. He explained that the writers are mindful of how much distress they want to subject the audience to, especially when depicting flashbacks that illuminate Aunt Lydias mindset and motivations at the dawn of Gileads regime.

The Testaments continues to air on Hulu every Wednesday, maintaining its reputation for unflinchingly confronting dark and challenging subject matter while expanding the dystopian universe introduced by The Handmaids Tale.
Hunger Games actor Ethan Jamieson arrested for assault with a deadly weapon after shooting at a vehicle in Raleigh. Details on the charges and court date.

AceShowbiz - Ethan Jamieson, known for his role in the 2012 film The Hunger Games, was taken into custody in Raleigh, North Carolina, facing serious assault charges. The 27-year-old actor was arrested on March 22 following an incident involving gunfire reported to local authorities.

A spokesperson for the Raleigh Police Department detailed that officers responded to a call about shots fired at approximately 9:52 p.m. Upon arrival, the police found a victim who stated that an unknown suspect on an e-bike had fired a gunshot at their vehicle while driving. Two other passengers were also inside the vehicle during the incident.

After investigation, detectives identified Jamieson as the person who had fired a single shot toward the victims' car. He now faces three counts of assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill. His next court appearance is scheduled for April 30.

This arrest marks Jamieson's second within the past year; records show he was previously booked on March 21, 2025, on charges of resisting a public officer. A representative for Jamieson has not yet responded to requests for comment.

Fans of The Hunger Games will remember Jamieson as the male tribute from District 4 who was killed during the deadly Cornucopia scene on the first day of the 74th Hunger Games. The film starred Jennifer Lawrence alongside cast members like Josh Hutcherson, Stanley Tucci, Wes Bentley, Elizabeth Banks, Amandla Stenberg, and Liam Hemsworth.

At the time of the films release, Jamieson told LancasterOnline that although he was aware of the books popularity, he did not expect the movie to achieve such massive success. He also recalled feeling thrilled when fans asked for his autograph at the premiere, calling the experience pretty awesome.

In addition to The Hunger Games, Jamieson has credits in television and film projects such as One Tree Hill, The Rusty Bucket Kids: Lincoln, Journey to 16, and Justified. The outcome of his upcoming court case remains to be seen.
Scrubs is back! The beloved medical comedy returns after 16 years with JD as Chief of Medicine. Watch the revival now on ABC.

AceShowbiz - The Scrubs revival has returned to television after a 16-year hiatus, bringing back beloved characters, according to star Zach Braff and creator Bill Lawrence. The comedy, which originally premiered on NBC in 2001 and later moved to ABC, launched its 10th season revival with strong viewership and critical acclaim.

The original series ran for seven seasons on NBC before ABC picked it up for two additional seasons. Now, with the revival airing on ABC, the series features many original cast members including Zach Braff as JD, Donald Faison, Sarah Chalke, Judy Reyes, and John C. McGinley. The current season, consisting of nine episodes, began with JD returning to Sacred Heart Hospital as Chief of Medicine, stepping into the role previously held by Dr. Perry Cox and working closely with his ex, Dr. Elliot Reid, while navigating the challenges posed by a new group of interns.

In a recent interview at PaleyFest, creator Bill Lawrence and lead actor Zach Braff discussed the future of the series. When asked about the potential length of the revival, Lawrence admitted uncertainty but deferred to Braff, who suggested that five seasons would be an ideal run. Braff stated, fives a great number, and Lawrence concurred.

The revival also features a strong supporting ensemble alongside the original stars, including Joel Kim Booster, Robert Maschio, Phill Lewis, Ava Bunn, Jacob Dudman, David Gridley, Layla Mohammadi, Amanda Morrow, Andy Ridings, Michael James Scott, X Mayo, and Vanessa Baye. Executive production is led by Bill Lawrence, alongside Zach Braff, Donald Faison, and Sarah Chalke, with Aseem Batra serving as showrunner. This marks a return for Lawrence, who created the original series 25 years ago.

The revivals premiere was a significant success for ABC, drawing a record-setting 11.4 million viewers for its two-episode launch in late February. Since then, it has maintained solid ratings and received mostly positive reviews, earning an 89% critic score and a 93% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes.

ABC has already renewed several series for the 2026-2027 television season, including 9-1-1, 9-1-1: Nashville, Grey's Anatomy, High Potential, The Rookie, Will Trent, and Abbott Elementary. However, the renewal status of the Scrubs revival, along with freshman drama RJ Decker and sophomore comedy Shifting Gears, remains undecided. Industry observers note that of these series awaiting confirmation, Scrubs appears to have a strong chance for renewal given its premiere performance and positive reception.

The 10th season finale of the revival is scheduled to air on Wednesday, April 15, at 8 p.m. EDT on ABC.

Throughout its history, Scrubs has been praised for its unique blend of comedy and heartfelt drama, centered on the antics and relationships of the hospital staff. The revival continues this tradition, revisiting the dynamic friendship between JD and Turk as they face new medical challenges and navigate the evolving hospital environment alongside a fresh group of interns.

The creative team behind the revival includes a robust group of writers such as Aaron Lee, Amy Pocha, Aseem Batra, Mathew Harawitz, Michael Hobert, Seth Cohen, and Tim Hobert. Executive producers include Bill Lawrence, Donald Faison, Zach Braff, Sarah Chalke, and others who have contributed to shaping the revivals tone and direction.
Experience Megan Thee Stallion's electric Broadway debut in the spectacular, neon-drenched world of Moulin Rouge! A night of pure theatrical magic.

AceShowbiz - On a chilly Tuesday evening in New York Citys theater district, the atmosphere inside the Al Hirschfield Theatre buzzed with excitement despite the grey skies and biting wind outside. The occasion was the Broadway musical Moulin Rouge!, and the crowds energy was electric with anticipation.

From the moment the house lights dimmed, the stage was alive with spectacle. Contortionists traversed the stage and upper boxes, dancers posed around golden birdcages, and sword swallowers performed daring feats atop leather bars. The neon sign lifted as the curtain rose, revealing a lingerie-clad quartet launching into a vibrant rendition of Lady Marmalade.

Yet, the evenings fervor was focused on one star in particular: Megan Thee Stallion, the Houston-born rapper making her much-anticipated Broadway debut. Entering the stage in a sharp top hat, Megan Thee Stallion instantly ignited the audiences cheers, which continued unabated throughout the entire performance.

Onstage, Megan Thee Stallion embraced her role with confidence and charisma. No matter your sin, youre welcome here, she sang, No matter your desire, youre welcome here. For this is more than a nightclub. The Moulin Rouge is a state of mind. While a three-time Grammy winner might seem an unlikely fit for a musical theater stage, Megan Thee Stallion brought her star power and energy, drawing in audiences eager to see her new artistic venture.

Among the attendees was 27-year-old Simone Sanborn, who had never before seen a Broadway show but made the journey from Texas specifically to witness Megan Thee Stallion live. Im really impressed with Megan, she shared, noting the physical demands of Broadway that Megan Thee Stallion handles so well. Meanwhile, a group of friends from New JerseyLola Kelly, Keena Ranero, and Janel Accorturned the outing into a girls night. We live for her, said Ranero. Its our job to support other Black women. So we had to come out.

Accor added, Shes stepping out of her box. She has star quality. Shes the It Girl.

Moulin Rouge! is a Tony Award-winning jukebox musical inspired by Baz Luhrmanns 2001 film of the same name. It tells the story of Parisian bohemians devoted to freedom, beauty, truth, and love. The stage adaptation replaces much of the original soundtrack with contemporary hits from artists like Rihanna, Beyonce, and Katy Perry. Various performers, including Bob the Drag Queen and Titus Burgess, have portrayed Harold Zidler, the flamboyant nightclub owner. However, Megan Thee Stallion is the first woman to take on a gender-swapped version of this role.

As the nightclubs MC and narrator, Megan Thee Stallion guides the audience through the vibrant Parisian love story. While the historical accuracy of a Black woman owning a nightclub in early 20th-century France is questionable, the show embraces this playful twist. Megan Thee Stallion commands the stage with sparkly bustiers and top hats, doling out props and affection to a cast of cabaret performers and sex workers. Her signature tongue-out Ah punctuates the performance, adding a personal flair to the role.

Despite the acclaim, Megan Thee Stallion has faced challenges during her Broadway run. On March 31, she was forced to leave a performance midway and was taken to a hospital. The following day, she described the experience as a real wake-up call, explaining that the demanding schedule had taken a toll on her health. Ive been pushing myself past my limits lately, running on empty, and my body finally said enough. It honestly scared me, she wrote on Instagram. She reassured fans she would return stronger and ready to give her all.

Her transparency about the ordeal has only deepened fans admiration and support. Imani Eddins, 28, expressed pride in Megan Thee Stallions resilience. Shes been through a lot these past few years. Its an emotional thing. The production itself has embraced the rappers celebrity status, offering Megan Thee Stallion-themed merchandise such as posters, keychains, mugs, tote bags, and T-shirts for the audience to purchase.

The shows curtain call is a particular highlight, featuring a medley of Megan Thee Stallions hits: Body, Savage, and her verse from the Cardi B collaboration WAP. The crowd erupts as the cast, still in costume, dances energetically. Put your hands up, Moulin Rouge! Megan Thee Stallion urges, and the once-reserved audience members jump, scream, and dance along in their seats.

Even after the performance ends, the excitement spills out onto the streets. Fans cluster around the stage door, blocking the sidewalk as they wait for Megan Thee Stallion to appear. Strangers passing by join in the fervor, shouting I love you Megan! as they continue on their way. Despite dropping temperatures, the crowd patiently waits more than half an hour for her to emerge.

Megan Thee Stallions Broadway debut in Moulin Rouge! marks a compelling new chapter in her career. Her ability to blend her music stardom with theatrical flair has captivated audiences and critics alike, proving that an unexpected crossover can create unforgettable moments on the Great White Way.
AI resurrects Val Kilmer for 'As Deep as the Grave.' See his digital performance in this indie archaeology drama starring Tom Felton and Abigail Breslin.

AceShowbiz - The trailer for the upcoming film As Deep as the Grave prominently features an AI-generated portrayal of Val Kilmer, marking a unique approach to completing the late actors role.

Written and directed by Coerte Voorhees, the indie movie premiered its first footage at CinemaCon in Las Vegas on Wednesday. Alongside Val Kilmers digital likeness, the film stars Abigail Lawrie, Tom Felton, and Abigail Breslin.

As Deep as the Grave tells the story of real-life archaeologists Ann Morris, portrayed by Lawrie, and Earl Morris, played by Felton. The narrative focuses on their 1920s excavation of Ancestral Puebloan remains, shedding light on their significant contributions to archaeology.

Val Kilmers AI-generated character is Father Fintan, a Catholic priest and Native American spiritualist. In the trailer, his digital form delivers the line, Dont fear the dead, and dont fear me. This role holds particular spiritual and cultural significance within the films storyline.

The actor, who passed away in April 2025 at age 65 following a prolonged battle with throat cancer, was originally cast in the film but was unable to physically perform his scenes due to health issues. In response, director Voorhees and the production company First Line Films decided to digitally recreate Kilmers performance with the full support of his daughter, Mercedes Kilmer.

Voorhees previously explained, When Val came onboard the project five years ago, he immediately identified with the historical southwestern spiritual character of Father Fintan, and understood the importance of elevating awareness of Ann Morris incredible story as the first female archaeologist in North America. He added that it was unfortunate Kilmers health prevented him from filming a role that resonated deeply with him on spiritual and cultural levels.

Mercedes Kilmer commented on her fathers involvement, stating, He always looked at emerging technologies with optimism as a tool to expand the possibilities of storytelling. This spirit is something that we are all honoring within this specific film, of which he was an integral part.

The use of AI to digitally recreate Val Kilmers performance comes amid ongoing industry debates about AIs role in Hollywood. Recent legislation has aimed to protect actors digital likeness rights after death, a topic generating considerable discussion among artists and unions such as SAG-AFTRA.

This AI-generated portrayal highlights the evolving intersection between technology and filmmaking, especially when honoring the legacy of actors who can no longer perform on screen.
LL Cool J returns as Sam Hanna in NCIS: New York, the new fall 2026 spinoff joining NCIS and NCIS: Origins on CBS Tuesday nights.

AceShowbiz - CBS has unveiled its fall 2026 lineup, introducing a fresh addition to the NCIS franchise titled NCIS: New York. This new series will feature LL Cool J reprising his role as NCIS Special Agent Sam Hanna, a character fans recognize from NCIS: Los Angeles.

The upcoming spinoff will join the existing NCIS universe, airing alongside the original NCIS and the prequel series NCIS: Origins on Tuesday nights. The move signals CBSs continued investment in expanding the popular procedural franchise with interconnected storylines and familiar characters.

Developed by R. Scott Gemmill, known for creating The Pitt, and Byron Balasco, the launch of NCIS: New York came as a surprise to many. This is especially notable since CBS already supports a third NCIS series, the Australian-produced NCIS: Sydney, which returned for a third season in 2026-27 and will air midseason.

The schedule adjustment means NCIS: Sydney will replace NCIS: Origins midseason, as the latters episode order is reduced for its third season. CBSs strategy appears focused on balancing multiple spinoffs within the NCIS brand to maintain audience engagement across different settings and story arcs.

With NCIS: New York starring LL Cool J, the network aims to capitalize on the actors established fan base while expanding the franchises reach. This latest installment is set to bring fresh energy to the lineup when it premieres in the fall of 2026.
Christopher Nolan adapts The Odyssey with Matt Damon & Anne Hathaway. An epic cast brings the legendary voyage to life.

AceShowbiz - Christopher Nolan is once again gearing up to deliver a monumental cinematic experience with his upcoming historical epic, The Odyssey. Following his acclaimed works on World War II with Oppenheimer and Dunkirk, Nolan is shifting focus to ancient times to bring one of literatures greatest adventures to life on the big screen.

Known for his mastery of large-scale storytelling, Nolans adaptation of The Odyssey centers on the legendary journey of Odysseus, portrayed by Matt Damon. The film chronicles the aftermath of the Trojan War, where Odysseus embarks on a perilous voyage to reunite with his wife, Penelope, played by Anne Hathaway.

This new project boasts an impressive ensemble cast that includes some of Hollywoods most celebrated talents. Alongside Damon and Hathaway, the lineup features Tom Holland, Robert Pattinson, Charlize Theron, Lupita Nyongo, and Zendaya, all set to contribute to the films rich narrative tapestry. Theron takes on the role of Calypso, the enigmatic nymph who plays a crucial part in Odysseuss journey.

During Universals recent panel at CinemaCon, Nolan shared insights into the production and unveiled exclusive footage that underscored the films intense and immersive scope. The preview opens with a striking scene of Odysseus washed up on a desolate shore, reflecting on his experiences before the fall of Troy. The narrative then shifts to the infamous Trojan horse, where soldiers concealed within prepare to launch their surprise attack. The tension escalates as wooden swords pierce the horses structure to check for hidden enemies, leading to a brutal moment where a soldier is stabbed and silenced.

As night falls, Odysseus signals his men to emerge from the horse and commence their assault. A fierce and chaotic battle ensues as the warriors open the gates to Troy, charging forward to secure victory. This gripping sequence highlights Nolans dedication to authenticity and dramatic intensity, promising audiences an epic spectacle filled with suspense and emotional depth.

The decision to adapt The Odyssey reflects Nolans ongoing interest in exploring pivotal historical and mythological events through his cinematic lens. His previous successes with war dramas have demonstrated his ability to combine grand-scale storytelling with intimate character moments, and The Odyssey is poised to continue this tradition.

With such a high-caliber cast and Nolans visionary direction, anticipation is building for this ambitious project. Fans and moviegoers alike can look forward to a deeply immersive retelling of one of the most enduring tales of heroism, adventure, and endurance ever told.

In summary, Christopher Nolans The Odyssey promises to be a landmark film of 2026, blending historical drama with mythic storytelling, supported by a stellar ensemble cast. The recently showcased footage at CinemaCon offers just a glimpse of the epic journey ahead, setting the stage for what could become one of the years most significant cinematic events.
Avril Lavigne covers Alanis Morissette's "Ironic" for new movie soundtrack. Hear her faithful yet electric take on the iconic 90s anthem.

AceShowbiz - Avril Lavigne has released a new cover of the iconic 1996 single "Ironic," originally by fellow Canadian superstar Alanis Morissette. The cover debuted on Wednesday, April 15, as part of the soundtrack for the Canadian romantic comedy Mile End Kicks, which will premiere theatrically across Canada on Friday.

Avril Lavigne's rendition of "Ironic" remains faithful to the original track by Alanis Morissette. The cover starts with soft vocals accompanied by an acoustic guitar riff, mirroring the style of Morissette's 1996 hit. As the song progresses, it builds into a fuller sound led by electric guitars, particularly noticeable during the chorus.

This is not the first time Lavigne has performed "Ironic." Back in 2005, Morissette invited Lavigne to join her for a duet of the song at the House of Blues in Los Angeles, highlighting the ongoing connection between the two Canadian artists.

"Ironic" was the third single from Morissette's breakthrough album Jagged Little Pill, released in 1995. The song stands as Morissette's highest-charting hit on the Billboard Hot 100, where it spent 32 weeks and peaked at No. 4. The album itself was a monumental success, topping the Billboard 200 for 12 weeks and remaining on the chart for a total of 127 weeks. It was also named the Billboard Year-End No. 1 album for 1996.

Jagged Little Pill has had a lasting cultural impact, inspiring a Broadway musical of the same name that received 15 Tony Award nominations in 2018. This legacy underscores the significance of Lavigne choosing to cover one of its standout tracks.

Lavigne first emerged on the music scene three years after Jagged Little Pills release, with her debut album Let Go. Since then, she has achieved 20 entries on the Billboard Hot 100, including her 2007 No. 1 single "Girlfriend." Her latest studio album, Love Sux, was released in 2022 and peaked at No. 9 on the Billboard 200.

The new cover of "Ironic" marks Lavigne's first release since her collaboration with Yellowcard on their single "You Broke Me Too," which came out in October 2025. Fans eager to hear her latest work can listen to her version of "Ironic" as part of the Mile End Kicks soundtrack.

As the Canadian romantic comedy prepares for its theatrical release, Lavignes cover adds a nostalgic yet fresh layer to the films musical backdrop, bridging two generations of Canadian music stars through one timeless track.
Duran Duran reunites with Nile Rodgers for a new disco anthem, "Free to Love." Glittering grooves meet modern production in their vibrant comeback.

AceShowbiz - Duran Duran is shifting gears from their darker Halloween vibes toward a vibrant disco sound with the help of longtime collaborator Nile Rodgers. The iconic band recently teased their upcoming single "Free to Love," showcasing a sparkling disco aesthetic complete with glittering disco balls and dazzling outfits.

The teaser reveals a groove-heavy track driven by a thick synth bass line, coupled with heavily processed vocals from Simon Le Bon. The sound fits perfectly within the contemporary disco revival, blending nostalgia with modern production techniques.

Duran Duran and Nile Rodgers share a creative partnership dating back to 1984, when Rodgers, the celebrated New York City guitarist and producer known for co-founding the legendary disco band Chic, added his distinctive touch to the band's hit "The Reflex" from their album Seven And The Ragged Tiger. His involvement transformed the song into a worldwide success and marked Duran Duran's first number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.

The relationship between the band and Rodgers has remained strong over the decades, resulting in multiple collaborations across both live performances and studio projects. Notable works include the hit "Wild Boys" and contributions to albums such as Notorious, Astronaut, and Paper Gods. Most recently, Rodgers worked with the band on their 2023 Halloween-themed release Danse Macabre.

Looking ahead, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame-inducted British group is scheduled for an extensive series of performances in 2026. This includes a residency next month at Bleaulive at the Fontainebleau in Las Vegas, as well as arena and festival appearances across North America and Europe. A highlight is their headline show on July 5 at BTS Hyde Park.

Nile Rodgers also has a busy concert lineup planned for the coming months, with dates across the U.K., Europe, North America, and other locations.

Duran Duran stands out as one of the enduring acts from the early 1980s, managing to thrive despite the seismic shifts in the music landscape, especially after the rise of grunge. Over the years, the band has accumulated numerous accolades including the Brit Awards' Lifetime Achievement honor, two Ivor Novello Awards, a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and two Grammy Awards. In 2022, they finally received induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, a recognition long anticipated by fans and critics alike.

In addition to the band's honors, Simon Le Bon was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in 2024 by King Charles, acknowledging his contributions to music and charitable causes.

The highly anticipated single "Free to Love," featuring Nile Rodgers, is set for release on April 23, promising to deliver a fresh yet classic disco-infused sound from one of new wave's most legendary groups.
Love Island alum Zach Noble and his girlfriend Ava Hirons are having a baby boy.

Zach Noble and Ava Hirons /  Instagram

The 28-year-old personal trainer - who appeared on the ITV2 matchmaking show in 2023 - and the 24-year-old internet personality announced in February that they are expecting their first child together, and now the couple have revealed the gender in an adorable Instagram upload.

On Wednesday (15.04.26), Zach and Ava - whose 55-year-old mum is Caroline Hirons, the skincare expert on ITV's This Morning - posted a joint photo carousel, which included shots of a striped baby grow and hat, grey shoes and 3D ultrasound pictures laid out on a bed.

In other images, Ava showed off her blossoming baby bump, which Zac kissed in a separate snap, and the couple shared a warm embrace.

The pair captioned the sweet upload: "Baby boy."

Fans showered Zach and Ava with congratulatory messages in the cute post's comments section.

One supporter penned: "I knew it was a boy!! boy mums glowwwwwww during pregnancy (sic)."

A second follower typed: "Amazing big congrats to u both best wishes hope it all gose well for u X (sic)."

And a third fan wrote: "A baby boy!! Congrats again, so happy for you! (sic)"

In February, Zach and Ava took to Instagram to announce they are expecting their first child together.

He captioned a shot of the baby scan, alongside sweet photos of the pair, with: "Incoming summer '26 (sic)."

Love Island stars flocked to the post's comments section to congratulate Zach and Ava.

Sammy Root, 24, penned: "Congratulations brotha (sic)."

Will Young, 26, wrote: "Awwwww congratulations to the both of you."

And Luca Bish, 26, typed: "Congratulations to you both."

The following day, Zach returned to the social media platform and posted a photo carousel, which included pictures of him kissing Ava's bump, and another baby scan.

He captioned the post: "I've got you more than you'll ever know. Can't wait to meet you."

Zach and Ava's romance was confirmed in October 2025 after they were spotted on a walk in London, three months after he split from Molly Marsh, 24, whom he finished in fourth place with on Love Island in 2023.

In the months after Zach and Ava went official with their relationship, the pair seemingly dropped hints that they were ready to start a family.

On December 18, 2025, Zach took to his Instagram Stories and said he had received the "greatest news".

He wrote: "Just found out the greatest news I think Ive ever received. God must be real. Time to grind like never before."

And also that day, Ava took to her Instagram account and reposted a video about pregnancy fitness training.

In the days that followed, the smitten couple followed a series of parenting accounts.
Prince Harry reveals royal pressures felt unbearable, linking grief for Princess Diana to his past desire to leave duty. Hear his candid journey to finding p...

AceShowbiz - Prince Harry shared heartfelt reflections on his royal role during a keynote speech at the InterEdge Summit in Melbourne, Australia. Speaking on the third day of his and Meghan Markle's visit, he candidly revealed how the pressures of royal life once felt unbearable, connecting deeply to the loss of his mother, Princess Diana.

The Duke of Sussex opened his address on leadership and psychosocial safety by discussing the profound impact of grief and the emotional struggles he experienced after losing his mother just before his 13th birthday. "After my mum died, I was like: 'I don't want this job,'" Harry admitted. "It killed my mum, and I was very much against it."

He described years of avoidance and denial, saying he "stuck my head in the sand for years," before beginning to reconsider his responsibilities. This shift in mindset came from reflecting on what his mother would have wanted and recognizing the potential to use his platform to make a positive difference. "If there was somebody else in this position, how would they be making the most of this platform and the resources that come with it?" he questioned.

Earlier in the day, Harry acknowledged the overwhelming anxieties many face today, highlighting feelings of powerlessness and stress. Dressed in a jacket and white shirt, he candidly spoke about not having everything "together," despite appearances. "While my experiences may be unusual, the feelings that come with them are not," he said, emphasizing that loss is disorienting at any age.

He reflected on the difficulty of experiencing grief under constant public scrutiny, describing it as being "in a goldfish bowl." Harry explained that grief does not vanish simply because it is ignored and that without purpose, it can be devastating. "There have been many times when I've felt overwhelmed, lost, betrayed, or completely powerless," he revealed. He also spoke about the pressure to maintain a public facade, saying, "I still had to show up pretending everything was ok, so as not to let anyone down."

For years, Harry said he felt numb and lacked the tools to cope with these struggles, but therapy eventually offered relief. He shared that he only sought help "when I was literally in the fetal position, much older, lying on the kitchen floor," pointing to the importance of mental health support.

During the summit, Harry participated in a discussion with Australian business leader and former politician Brendan Nelson. The event included a range of ticket options, from 525 for general admission to 1,250 for platinum tickets, with a virtual ticket priced at 260 for on-demand access to the speeches. It is understood that neither Harry nor Meghan were paid for their appearances during this visit; Meghan filmed for MasterChef Australia on the same trip.

The Dukes remarks came shortly after Meghan spoke to young people at Melbournes Swinburne University of Technology, opening up about her decade-long experience with online harassment. She described herself as "the most trolled person in the entire world," revealing the toll that social media bullying has taken on her.

Meghan criticized social media companies, saying they are not incentivized to stop harmful behavior because their billion-dollar industry is built on cruelty to generate clicks. She encouraged resilience, urging those facing similar challenges to be stronger than the negativity. "Now, Im still here," she said, showing her determination despite the attacks.

At the same event, Harry connected the issue of social media to widespread loneliness, highlighting how online platforms often contribute to feelings of isolation. He shared his own journey toward seeking therapy as a way to manage these pressures.

The day began with Harry and Meghan participating in the Scar Tree Walk in Melbourne, a cultural event that highlights Indigenous Australian heritage. The walk was led by local Aboriginal guides and started at the Koorie Heritage Trust in Federation Square. The term "Koorie" refers to Indigenous people from Victoria and parts of New South Wales.

During the walk, the couple was surrounded by media and security, with a helicopter overhead and police officers present due to the growing crowd of journalists. The Scar Tree Walk educates participants about the traditional use of scar trees by Aboriginal Australians, who removed bark to craft canoes, shelters, tools, and weapons.

Harry and Meghan paused along the route to interact with the public and pose for photos, surprising joggers and cyclists who encountered them during their visit. This engagement with Indigenous culture was a key part of their third day in Australia.

The candidness of Harry's keynote and Meghan's discussion about online abuse shed light on the personal challenges they continue to face despite their public roles. Their openness about mental health, grief, and resilience resonated deeply with summit attendees and young people alike.

Overall, the Dukes reflections on his royal role reveal a journey from resistance to acceptance, shaped by the memory of his mother and a desire to use his position for positive impact. The couples visit to Australia combined advocacy, cultural respect, and personal storytelling, illustrating their commitment to mental health awareness and social change.
Meghan Markle's pantyhose choice in Australia sparks debate over royal fashion rules and past remarks. A minor detail ignites major social media discussion.

AceShowbiz - Meghan Markle and Prince Harry have been touring Australia this week, engaging in various public events and receiving warm welcomes from the local crowds. However, amidst the positive reception, some observers have focused on what they describe as a "blunder" by the Duchess during the trip, sparking debate on social media.

The controversy centers on Meghan Markles recent outfit choice, specifically her decision to wear black pantyhose during a public appearance alongside Prince Harry. This has been labeled "hypocritical" by some, given her previous remarks about pantyhose during her time as a working member of the Royal family.

In an interview with Bloombergs The Circuit With Emily Chang, which coincided with the launch of the second series of her Netflix lifestyle show, Meghan reflected on the constraints she felt in royal fashion protocols. She mentioned that she was required to wear nude pantyhose regularly, a rule that made her feel "a little bit inauthentic" and restricted her personal expression. The Duchess expressed that she had not worn pantyhose since the 1980s and described the mandate as a "silly example" of the limitations imposed on her comfort and authenticity.

Despite these candid comments, social media users quickly noticed that she was wearing tights during the Australian tour. On X (formerly Twitter), several posts questioned the apparent contradiction. One user wrote: "Didn't Meghan Markle state that 'being required to wear pantyhose as a Royal felt inauthentic and not very herself'? So what's that on her legs?" Others echoed this sentiment, with comments like, "My first thought when I saw this pic. Her words are coming back to bite her!" and "Yes, I immediately thought of that as soon as I saw her in this outfit. Such a hypocrite."

Some critics were blunt, simply calling Meghan a hypocrite for wearing tights after her outspoken remarks. These observations intensified as photos circulated showing her and Prince Harry engaging warmly with fans in Melbourne, including a notable public outing along the Yarra River featuring an Aboriginal cultural walk.

However, not all responses were critical. Some social media users defended the Duchess, pointing out that the tights she wore on this occasion were black, whereas her previous interview referred specifically to nude pantyhose. One comment argued: "But those were nude hose not black hose, just like that was Meghan Duchess of Sussex and this is Meg. Totally different things." Another added, "In a 2025 interview, Meghan Markle stated that being required to wear nude pantyhose as a working Royal felt 'inauthentic' and 'not very myself.' Do they look nude to you? You are really scraping the barrel now!"

The debate highlights the complexities surrounding Meghan Markles public image and the scrutiny she faces regarding her statements and choices. While she once described royal attire rules as limiting, observers remain divided over whether her current fashion choices contradict her past comments.

Meanwhile, the couples visit to Australia has included a mix of engagements. Prince Harry has made solo visits to a war memorial and a mental health charity, while Meghan appeared on television. Together again, they have interacted warmly with the public, posing for selfies and accepting enthusiastic greetings from fans. Reports indicate that at one point, a young boy expressed admiration for Meghans role in the TV series Suits, prompting Prince Harry to step aside to allow the fan to take a photo with his wife.

Despite the ongoing discussion about Meghan Markles pantyhose, the couple appear to be enjoying significant support during their Australian tour. They continue to participate in cultural activities and public appearances as their visit progresses into day three.

As the tour continues, the tension between public perception and Meghans own narrative about her royal experience remains a topic of conversation. Whether or not the pantyhose controversy will have lasting impact is yet to be seen, but it underscores how closely every detail of their appearances is examined by the media and fans alike.
Canceled by Fox, The Cleaning Lady is now a global Netflix hit. Discover the crime thriller that's dominating the top 10 worldwide.

AceShowbiz - Last year, in an effort to cut costs and maintain profitability, Fox launched a sweeping cancellation wave that affected many of its licensed shows. Several programs either concluded abruptly or shifted to other networks. Even those that remained on Fox faced short-lived runs as the network prioritized developing its own original series. Among those casualties was The Cleaning Lady, a crime thriller that drew a solid audience but was ultimately cut loose despite its popularity.

However, the story of The Cleaning Lady did not end there. Streaming analytics from FlixPatrol reveal that this gripping crime drama has found renewed vigor on Netflix. After all four seasons of the show were added to the streaming platform recently, The Cleaning Lady quickly rose to become the fifth most-watched series on Netflix worldwide at the time of this writing.

Since its initial limited release earlier this month, the series has expanded its reach globally, becoming available in nearly all countries where Netflix operatesexcept for the United States. Viewers around the world have been captivated by the story of its lead character, Thony De La Rosa, whose brave and complex journey unfolds throughout the series.

The Cleaning Lady centers on Thony De La Rosa, portrayed by Elodie Yung, an immigrant from the Philippines who was a licensed doctor before relocating to the United States. Thony's move was motivated by a desperate need to obtain medical treatment for her seriously ill son. Unable to secure work in her medical field, she takes on employment as a cleaning lady to support her family.

Her life takes a dramatic turn when she unexpectedly becomes entangled in the criminal underworld after witnessing a murder. Relying on her medical expertise and street smarts, Thony maneuvers through dangerous situations, proving her worth to powerful figures in this illicit realm. The series explores her gradual and complicated descent into crime as she balances her moral compass with the harsh realities she faces.

Despite its cancellation by Fox in June of last year, the story of The Cleaning Lady has garnered a new audience on Netflix, reigniting interest and speculation about a possible continuation. Fans of the show have praised its intense storytelling and the nuanced performance of its lead actress, making this resurgence an unexpected success.

This revival on Netflix exemplifies how streaming platforms can breathe new life into shows that traditional networks discontinue. By reaching a broader and more diverse audience, The Cleaning Lady is proving that compelling narratives and strong characters can find success beyond their original broadcast homes.

As the series continues to grow in popularity internationally, many viewers are hopeful that this renewed attention could pave the way for more seasons or spin-offs. For now, The Cleaning Lady stands as a testament to the evolving landscape of television, where cancellations don't necessarily mean the end of a story.

In conclusion, while Fox's aggressive cancellations last year cut short many promising series, The Cleaning Lady has defied the odds. Its availability on Netflix has opened up new opportunities for the show to thrive globally, captivating audiences with its gripping portrayal of an immigrant woman's fight for survival in a perilous world.
BTS's Jin opens up about aging as an idol, solo rock music, and balancing personal challenges with the group's new album and world tour.

AceShowbiz - Jin from BTS recently shared insights about his role as the oldest member of the globally renowned K-pop group and his experiences balancing solo work with group activities. Speaking in an interview with Rolling Stone, Jin opened up about the physical and emotional challenges that come with his age while still performing as an idol.

During the conversation with senior writer Brian Hiatt, Jin discussed his solo rock music, his admiration for Coldplay, and the excitement surrounding BTSs new album and their upcoming world tour. At one point, he candidly addressed the realities of aging within a high-energy performance group.

"I guess it's always physically taxing," Jin admitted when asked about performing at his age, noting that he is 35 years old by the traditional South Korean age system. "While it's true that the same moves can feel a bit more difficult now, that's just my burden to bear." This awareness has not deterred him; instead, it motivates him to work even harder to maintain his performance level.

Jin revealed that he often arrives early or stays late at rehearsals to keep up with the other members, acknowledging, "I'm aware that I don't move quite as well as the other members." Despite this, he finds confidence in another area, joking about his looks. "I do think I'm more good-looking than the other members," he said, recognizing that everyone in the group is handsome but wanting to claim one area where he stands out.

Beyond physical performance, Jin also discussed his involvement with the bands latest album. Interestingly, he did not contribute to writing any songs on the album, which topped the Billboard 200 chart. This was due to his commitment to his first solo tour, supporting his solo album Echo, which had achieved a No. 3 position on the Billboard 200.

He explained that the writing and recording sessions for the album occurred after his tour ended. By the time he returned, the group had already created over 100 songs. Jin spent about a week to ten days test recording the strongest tracks before the album was finalized. Reflecting on this process, he said, "I do think it would have been better," if he had been involved earlier, but he praised his bandmates for their outstanding work, saying, "the other members did a beautiful job."

Despite these challenges, Jin expressed genuine happiness about reuniting with BTS and embarking on the upcoming world tour together. When asked about his personal goals for the next five years, he emphasized his passion for touring with the group and connecting with fans worldwide. "My biggest dream has been to go on tour with BTS," he shared, highlighting the importance of meeting as many fans as possible across the globe.

This interview sheds light on the dedication and humility of Jin as he balances his solo career with his role in one of the biggest music acts in the world. His openness about aging, performance challenges, and teamwork offers fans a deeper understanding of his journey and commitment to BTS.
Grammy winner Lecrae explains Christian music's 25% surge, its appeal to youth, and how faith defines this booming genre.

AceShowbiz - Lecrae, the four-time Grammy-winning Christian artist and founder of Reach Records, recently joined Billboard On The Record to discuss the remarkable growth of Christian and gospel music. This genre is currently experiencing a surge in popularity, evolving within an ever-changing music industry.

Lecrae shared his perspective on why Christian music is resonating with younger audiences and how it stands apart from other music genres due to its unique combination of faith and business. He explained that Christian music is not defined by a specific sound but rather by its subject matter, with over 51% of the content referencing Christian themes qualifying it as part of the genre.

The genre's expansion is supported by a recent report from Luminate, which reveals that Christian gospel music grew by 25% from 2024 to 2025, making it the second-fastest growing genre in the United States, only behind rock. This surge is driven partly by new artists like Forrest Frank and Brandon Lake, who are making faith-based music appealing to platforms like TikTok and, in turn, to a younger generation.

During the conversation, Lecrae reflected on his journey of building an independent label and his approach to navigating the music industry outside of traditional systems. He emphasized the importance of staying connected to emerging artists and the role of speaking out on matters that affect the Christian music community and beyond.

Lecrae also highlighted the complexity of Christian music as a space where faith intersects with commercial success. This duality creates a powerful but nuanced environment distinct from many other music scenes. His experience over two decades positions him uniquely to comment on how the genre has evolved and why it continues to attract attention.

Billboard On The Record's host Kristin Robinson pointed out that Christian music has often been overlooked in mainstream discussions, but the current boom is significant. The rising popularity is not just a trend as faith-based music finds new ways to connect with listeners.

Listeners interested in exploring this topic further are encouraged to follow Billboard On The Record across social media platforms including Instagram, TikTok, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube @billboard to catch future episodes.

This episode, produced in partnership with SickBird Productions, offers an in-depth look at how Christian music is carving out a significant space within the music industry. Lecrae's insights provide a window into the genres expanding influence and the factors driving its success.

As Christian and gospel music continue to gain momentum, Lecrae remains a pivotal figure in shaping its future, blending artistry with faith and entrepreneurship in ways that resonate deeply with todays audiences.
Stacy Clyburn's fate hangs in the balance. Dive into the Western drama's finale cliffhanger and what's next for the Clyburn family on Paramount+.

AceShowbiz - The Madison concluded its gripping first season with a dramatic cliffhanger that left fans questioning the fate of Stacy Clyburn, portrayed by Michelle Pfeiffer. The Western drama, created by Taylor Sheridan and available on Paramount+, follows the wealthy New York-based Clyburn family as they attempt to rebuild their lives after a devastating loss by relocating to Montanas Madison River Valley.

Part 2 of the inaugural season recently premiered, wrapping up the initial chapter of this emotionally charged story. The finales closing moments showed Stacy lying beside her late partner Prestons grave, clutching a handgun for protection. This haunting image has sparked speculation about her mental and emotional state moving forward.

In a revealing interview with TVInsider, Beau Garrett, who plays Abigail Reesethe daughter of Stacy Clyburnopened up about the tension surrounding her mothers condition. Garrett explained that Abigail is deeply worried Stacy might not want to continue living after the loss, saying, There is a part of Abigail that doesnt trust that Stacy wants to be on this planet anymore. Theres a real instability in her mother that I think is very unnerving.

Garrett elaborated on the fragile state Stacy is in, describing how Abigail fears that her mother has retreated mentally and emotionally from the Montana setting and perhaps from life itself. She added, If youve lost the person that is your soulmate and you dont feel like theres any purpose to live anymore, I dont know where youd go, but shes really scared that shes not safe. Shes not herself.

The weight of grief and loss hangs heavily over Stacys character, a theme that Michelle Pfeiffer and co-star Kurt Russell also discussed. Both actors hinted that Stacys mental decline could escalate the familys struggles in the upcoming season. Pfeiffer described season 2 as the messy and profound building of having lost everything that you know, raising the question of survival both physically and emotionally. Russell added, It becomes questionable whether Stacys going to survive.

Pfeiffer further reflected on the complexities of Stacys grief and its impact on the family, noting, The family is fractured. How are they going to survive this as a family? How is Stacy going to survive her grief and the loss of the only man she has ever loved in her life? Theyre so entangled together, as youre still forming as a person. Where does one end and the other begin? These poignant insights highlight the emotional core at the center of the shows narrative.

Despite the heavy themes, the cast reassured fans that season 2 will also include moments of humor and levity to balance the intensity. This tonal variety aims to provide viewers with brief respites amid the unfolding family drama. However, given Taylor Sheridans reputation for blending tragedy with complex character arcsas seen in his previous works like Yellowstone and its prequels 1883 and 1923audiences can expect the storyline to continue exploring the darker facets of loss and survival.

The suspense surrounding Stacys fate remains a key point of interest as the series moves forward. Fans eager for answers will have to wait for season 2 to see how her story unfolds and whether she can overcome the devastating grief that threatens to consume her.

For viewers who want to dive deeper into the characters developments and the shows layered storytelling, subscribing to The Madisons newsletter offers rich context, including character analysis, cast insights, and scene breakdowns. This resource is ideal for fans who appreciate a closer look at the performances and narrative nuances.

As of now, all episodes of season 1 of The Madison are available for streaming on Paramount+, setting the stage for the much-anticipated continuation of this emotionally resonant Western drama.
Anya Taylor-Joy calls her Peaky Blinders role the worst she's ever taken. Discover why Gina Gray was such a controversial and challenging character.

AceShowbiz - Anya Taylor-Joy has openly described her character in the hit series Peaky Blinders as the worst role she has ever taken on. Speaking candidly during an interview on Late Night with Seth Meyers, the actress reflected on her experience playing Gina Gray, a controversial figure in the critically acclaimed British drama.

Peaky Blinders chronicles the life of Tommy Shelby and his gang as they navigate the dangerous criminal underworld of post-World War I Birmingham. The show has earned a massive following, featuring a star-studded cast including Cillian Murphy, Tom Hardy, Annabelle Wallis, Sam Claflin, and others. Taylor-Joys character Gina entered the narrative as the former wife of Michael Gray and mother to Laurence Gray.

Gina's storyline is a dark one, as she is driven by ambition to take control of the Shelby family business. She manipulates her husband Michael to execute a plan aimed at overthrowing Tommy Shelby himself. Despite her efforts, the scheme ultimately fails, resulting in Michaels death and leaving the future of the Shelby family uncertain.

During her interview, Anya Taylor-Joy admitted that while the character is widely disliked, the show maintains a passionate fanbase, particularly in Argentina. Peaky Blinders is huge in Argentina. Thats potentially the worst character Ive ever played. They love it, she noted. This sentiment underscores the complexity of Gina Gray, who has been ranked by fans among the series most detested villains.

Alongside Gina, other notable antagonists from the series include Sam Neill as Inspector Campbell, Adrien Brody as Luca Changretta, and Sam Claflin as Oswald Mosley. While Michael Gray also contributed to the conflict, many viewers believe Ginas influence intensified the rivalry between Michael and Tommy Shelby.

Peaky Blinders fans continue to debate Ginas impact on the show, some viewing her as a pivotal catalyst for the Shelby familys internal struggles. Despite her villainous role, Taylor-Joys portrayal brought depth to the character, highlighting a complex blend of ambition, manipulation, and vulnerability.

In other news for Peaky Blinders enthusiasts, Cillian Murphy has reprised his role as Tommy Shelby in the new Netflix film Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man. Set at the dawn of World War II, the movie follows Tommy as he fights to protect his familys legacy amidst growing threats. The film is currently available to stream on Netflix.

Additionally, the franchise is set to continue with a sequel TV series, though no official release date has been announced. Fans eagerly await further developments and hope to see more of the Shelby family saga unfold.

For those seeking deeper insights into the world of Peaky Blinders, including detailed character analyses and fan reactions, subscribing to specialized newsletters offers curated content covering the original series, film, and upcoming sequel.

The enduring popularity of Peaky Blinders reflects its compelling storytelling, rich characters, and intricate portrayal of crime and family dynamics. While Gina Gray remains one of the most controversial figures in the narrative, her storyline adds a crucial layer to the legendary Shelby family drama.
Ryan Paevey stars in a new holiday romance, 'Christmas at Moose Lake.' Watch as Sean reconnects with a lost love and searches for a missing ring. Premieres t...

AceShowbiz - Ryan Paevey is expanding his acting opportunities beyond General Hospital as he joins the cast of a new holiday film. Great American Media recently announced that Ryan Paevey will star in Christmas at Moose Lake, a movie currently in production that is set to be part of the networks Great American Christmas franchise.

The film is expected to debut just in time for the holiday season, providing fans of festive movies with fresh content. In a statement, Bill Abbott, President and CEO of Great American Media, expressed enthusiasm about working with Ryan Paevey again. Abbott highlighted their previous collaborations and praised the actors ability to bring warmth and authenticity to his roles.

Ryan Paevey will portray a character named Sean, who reconnects with his love interest Alyssa in a charming small-town backdrop. The plot involves some drama centered around a missing engagement ring, adding intrigue to this holiday romance.

This new project raises questions about what it means for Ryan Paeveys ongoing role on General Hospital as Cassius Faison, also known as the fake Nathan West. Since filming for Christmas at Moose Lake is taking place in Somerset, Kentucky, it remains to be seen how this will impact Ryan Paeveys screen time on the ABC soap.

Other cast members on General Hospital, like Cameron Mathison, have managed to balance their soap commitments with outside projects, so Ryan Paevey may continue juggling both. However, there is also the possibility that he might eventually leave the show to focus on new film opportunities, including his role in this holiday feature.

Fans should also consider that the storyline for Cassius, revealed as Nathans twisted twin, may be heading toward a conclusion. While Cassius hasnt been shown as ruthless as characters like Jenz Sidwell or Ross Cullum, he still remains a morally ambiguous figure. If he doesnt receive a redemption arc, his character might face an untimely exit from Port Charles.

Should Cassius have an expiration date on General Hospital, its reassuring for fans that Ryan Paevey has secured additional acting roles through Great American Media. This partnership will likely provide him with ongoing opportunities beyond daytime television.
Vanderpump Villa's Marciano drops a bombshell: he accuses Jessi of cheating with Jordan. Secrets explode in this intense crossover with DadTok.

AceShowbiz - The much-anticipated crossover between Vanderpump Villa and DadTok quickly became intense when Marciano Brunette made a shocking accusation regarding Jessi Draper and Jordan Ngatikaura. During the third season of the popular Hulu series, which premiered on Thursday, April 16, Marciano apologized to Jordan for an emotional affair he had with Jessi. However, tensions rose when Jordan questioned the sincerity of the apology, and Marciano hinted at withholding a major secret in a confessional.

The following morning, Marciano confided in Lisa Vanderpump, stating, "Jessi cheated on her ex-husband with Jordan." He added that he had known about this alleged betrayal for some time but had refrained from confronting Jordan about it on camera. Marciano expressed his surprise at having to defend the truth in such a public setting, commenting, "But what am I supposed to say? I didnt know we were going to have this conversation and I was going to have to stand on it and stick up for it."

This revelation ties into the ongoing drama explored in Hulu's The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, a reality show spotlighting content creators from Utah and their complex relationships. Since the shows September 2024 debut, it has showcased multiple cheating scandals, including those involving couples like Jen and Zac Affleck, Demi and Bret Engemann, and Whitney Leavitt.

Jessi and Jordan's marriage has been a central storyline on The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives. The turmoil intensified after Jessi was accused of infidelity involving Marciano during the second season of Vanderpump Villa. Before marrying Jordan, Jessi had been married to Zach Gish from 2014 to 2019. She openly admitted to having an emotional affair with Marciano, but Jordan suspected that there might be more to the story. Their troubled marriage culminated in Jordan filing for divorce in March after five years together.

Once Marciano revealed the alleged history between Jessi and Jordan, support came from both Lisa Vanderpump and reality star Stassi Schroeder. Lisa criticized Jordan's behavior, calling it an absolute example of f***ing hypocrisy, especially given Jordan's own alleged affair with Jessi.

Stassi Schroeder, 37, also took issue with what she perceived as Jordan's manipulation. She accused him of playing the victim and emotionally manipulating those around him. Stassi described how Jordan appeared to be putting on a show of vulnerability, saying, "Jordan is out here acting like the victim. He is crying and putting it on and we were all just fooled."

Before confronting Jordan directly, Stassi attempted to have a private conversation with him, but she was unsettled by his casual mention of Jessi's insecurities on camera. Jordan had explained, "When my wife is naked at the house and I am telling her how beautiful and sexy she is, it makes her uncomfortable. She has all these complaints about the way she looks and her body." In her confessional, Stassi responded, "Someone who says they want to protect their wife doesnt go around and talk about her insecurities."

The ongoing tension between the trio also surfaced during a confrontation where Stassi labeled Jordan hypocritical for attacking Marciano given that he met Jessi through him. She challenged Jordan in front of their co-stars, asking if he was lying about when he met Jessi. Jordan fired back, "When I met her, not when we got together. I am telling you the truth. Thats so stupid. The stupidest s*** I have ever heard."

Stassi further explained her distrust, telling producers that Jordan seemed to be trying to win her over but changed when she didnt fully back him. She said, "There is just something about Jordan where he was on a mission to get me on his team, and the second he saw I wasnt fully there, I felt a shift. He got weird. I dont f*** with people like that."

The fallout led Stassi to question other DadTok members, including Zac Affleck, about why they hadnt revealed the alleged past between Jordan and Jessi. Zac, caught off guard by the accusation during filming, explained his silence by emphasizing the sensitivity of the topic. He said, "It is super sensitive and not our story to tell."

As the drama continues to unfold, viewers can watch the escalating confrontations and revelations on Vanderpump Villa, streaming now on Hulu. The intersecting lives of these reality stars highlight the complex and often messy dynamics that reality TV thrives on, especially when personal relationships become public.

Fans of both shows are eagerly following the tangled web of relationships, emotional affairs, and confrontations that have dominated recent episodes. The combination of Vanderpump Villa's glamorous setting with the raw, personal storytelling in The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives continues to captivate audiences.

With Jessi and Jordan's divorce underway and Marciano revealing secrets, the reality television landscape remains charged with drama and suspense. As new episodes launch, viewers will see firsthand the repercussions of these intertwined relationships and the personal challenges each cast member faces.
Street Fighter's live-action reboot explodes in 1993. Ryu & Ken return for a brutal tournament, a deeper conspiracy, and an exclusive Tupac track. Game on.

AceShowbiz - The newly released trailer for Street Fighter delivers an intense glimpse into the upcoming live-action adaptation of the classic Capcom video game. Clocking in at just three minutes, the preview is filled with high-energy action and vibrant characters, setting expectations high for fans.

Noah Centineo stars as Ken Masters, sharing the spotlight with Andrew Koji as Ryu and Callina Liang portraying Chun-Li. The story is set in 1993, where former rivals Ryu and Ken are drawn back into combat when the enigmatic Chun-Li recruits them for the brutal World Warrior Tournament. This fierce competition is not just about fighting but uncovers a deeper conspiracy that forces the fighters to confront both their enemies and personal demons. The stakes are clear: failure means its game over.

The trailer also features an exclusive, unreleased track by Tupac Shakur, "Ambitionz az a Ridah," which adds a unique edge to the film's soundtrack. This choice enhances the gritty and intense atmosphere that permeates the movie.

Alongside the leads, the cast boasts a diverse and star-studded ensemble including Joe "Roman Reigns" Anoa'i, David Dastmalchian, Cody Rhodes, Andrew Schulz, Vidyut Jammwal, Eric Andre, Orville Peck, Olivier Richters, Hirooki Goto, Rayna Vallandingham, Alexander Volkanovski, Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson, and Jason Momoa.

The film is directed by Kitao Sakurai with a screenplay by T.J. Fixman, based on a story by Dalan Musson and Gary Dauberman. Executive producers include JJ Hook, Jay Ashenfelter, Kenzo Tsujimoto, and Haruhiro Tsujimoto. Producers Mary Parent, Cale Boyter, Takayuki Nakayama, Stefan Makhoul, and Jason Momoa also contributed to the project. Paramount Pictures will distribute the film.

Street Fighter is slated for theatrical release on October 16, promising a thrilling experience for fans of the iconic franchise and newcomers alike.
UN expands Mideast aid as hostilities persist in Lebanon, Gaza

Xinhua) 08:38, April 16, 2026

UNITED NATIONS, April 15 (Xinhua) -- Amid continuing hostilities, relief efforts were stepped up in swaths across the Middle East, challenged by mass displacements in Lebanon and aid access constraints in Gaza, UN humanitarians said on Wednesday.

OVER 2,360 IRANIAN DEATHS SINCE FEB. 28 STRIKE

The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said UN Emergency Relief Coordinator Tom Fletcher allocated on Tuesday 12 million U.S. dollars from the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) to support the humanitarian efforts in Iran.

OCHA said the authorities in Tehran reported that between Feb. 28, when the Israeli-U.S. bombing of Iran began, and April 8, when a shaky ceasefire was implemented, more than 2,360 deaths were recorded, including 257 women and 220 children, along with tens of thousands of injuries. The atrocities severely stretched trauma care, burn management and primary health services.

The Israeli-U.S. strikes also damaged homes, schools, health facilities, care homes, humanitarian warehouses, and water, energy, transport systems, and other critical infrastructure nationwide, including disruptions of essential services.

OCHA said that although the ceasefire has eased insecurity, widespread destruction, rubble, and explosive or toxic remnants of war continue to prevent people from accessing basic services and hinder rescue and response efforts. The crisis spans a broad geographic area, with particularly severe consequences in densely populated regions.

The office said the CERF funding for Iran will support life-saving activities, and, where possible, response activities will be implemented through local partners, aligned with large-scale efforts led by the government.

HIGHER LEBANON HUMANITARIAN NEEDS

In Lebanon, OCHA said that a growing number of casualties and continued hostilities are driving humanitarian needs higher across the country. The Ministry of Public Health reported that more than 2,100 people have been killed and over 6,900 injured since March 2, and the Israeli invasion has displaced more than 1.2 million people.

"Across southern and eastern Lebanon, dozens of locations are being hit daily by strikes," the office said. "Reports indicate that at least 35 villages in the south were struck yesterday (on Tuesday), with extensive damage to residential areas."

OCHA is particularly concerned by the situation in the district of Bint Jbeil in Nabatieh governorate, with reports of armed clashes since Monday further restricting the movement of civilians, limiting their access to essential services and humanitarian aid.

The UN Refugee Agency and others reported reaching more than 90,000 displaced people across 448 collective shelters and within host communities with psychosocial support and other protection services. They are focusing on people most at risk, including families experiencing repeated displacement, children and people with disabilities.

"As the situation continues to deteriorate, the United Nations continues to call for immediate de-escalation, full respect for international humanitarian law, including the protection of civilians; sustained and unimpeded humanitarian access; and more funding," OCHA said.

IMPEDIMENTS TO GAZA AID WORK

In Gaza, the world body and its humanitarian partners continue to deliver assistance, despite ongoing impediments.

The UN aid agency for Palestine refugees, known as UNRWA, reported being forced to reduce the operating hours of the electrical generators at its facilities in the first week of April, as they approached critical levels of mechanical failure.

"The facilities provide a range of services to vulnerable people," OCHA said. "The UN and its humanitarian partners need additional approvals to bring in much-needed spare parts and lubricants into Gaza to avoid further disruptions."

Asked at a regular briefing whether the generator spare parts were blocked from entering Gaza because they were considered dual-use, Farhan Haq, deputy spokesman for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, said that was the case in the past and that concerns had been raised.

"What we're trying to tell the Israeli authorities is that these are necessary parts in order for us to keep our facilities functioning," Haq said.

OCHA said its partners continue to deliver preventive and therapeutic nutrition services to girls and boys. Last month, they screened over 72,000 children and identified about 2,700 with acute malnutrition, and provided thousands with ready-to-use therapeutic food.

"In the first week of this month, partners working on child protection organized counselling and recreational activities for about 4,700 children," the office said. "These activities help girls and boys cope with ongoing displacement and dire humanitarian conditions."

(Web editor: Wang Xiaoping, Liang Jun)
Cat Deeley joked that Richard Madeley "almost killed [her] son" after the star nearly hit the youngster with his car when he suddenly crossed the road.

This Morning co-host Cat Deeley

The This Morning co-host enjoyed a bike ride with James, nine, and her youngest son, seven-year-old Milo - whom she has with 55-year-old ex-husband, TV presenter Patrick Kielty - on Wednesday (15.04.26).

But it turned tense after Cats eldest stepped into the road without looking, and forced Good Morning Britain anchor Richard, 69, to slam on the brakes in his convertible.

Cat, 49, revealed the revelation during her and 51-year-old co-presenter Ben Shephard's This Morning preview segment on Thursday's (16.04.26's) episode of Good Morning Britain.

She recalled: "We were all biking together, James was on his bike, he goes to cross the road, and I was like, 'No, no, James, you've got to stop, look and listen!'

"There's Madeley in his convertible, literally [brakes sharply]. Almost killed my son, but didn't."

Richard - who co-hosted Thursday's edition of the ITV morning news programme with 58-year-old Kate Garraway - initially did not realise it was Cat and her children, but he understood James' impulsivity at the crossing.

The broadcaster said: "I didn't know it was you because you had your shades on and your cap, and all the rest of it. But I did say, 'It's OK, it's how they learn.'

"I assume you gave him a lecture afterwards because he just came straight out."

Cat said she explained the dangers of crossing without thinking to James following the incident, and then reminded Richard: "That's what seven-year-olds tend to do."

Last July, Cat and Patrick announced their split, 13 years after they tied the knot during an intimate ceremony in Rome, Italy.

In a joint statement, the former couple - who met on BBC's Fame Academy in 2002, with sparks flying 10 years later - said: "We have taken the decision to end our marriage and are now separated. There is no other party involved.

"We will continue to be united as loving parents to our children and would therefore kindly ask for our family privacy to be respected. There will be no further comment."
American Pie star Shannon Elizabeth, 52, launches OnlyFans in a "new chapter" after her recent divorce. The actress embraces life's resets.

AceShowbiz - Shannon Elizabeth, known for her role as exchange student Nadia in the American Pie franchise, will launch her OnlyFans account this Thursday at age 52. The actress is embracing what she calls a "new chapter" in her life following her recent divorce.

Shannon Elizabeth has remained relatively private about her split from husband Simon Borchert, whom she married in 2021 after meeting him in 2015. Borchert is a South African conservation specialist. A source told Page Six that the divorce is still fresh and that she is now "freshly single and launching her OnlyFans."

The actress, who gained fame alongside Jason Biggs in the teen comedy series, hinted at her personal changes in a recent Facebook post. She reflected on lifes resets, writing about how the ocean resets everything, slows down distractions, and brings focus back to what truly matters. She expressed gratitude for quiet moments, sandy paws, and unconditional love.

According to Elizabeth, joining OnlyFans is part of taking control of her career narrative. She told People magazine, "I've spent my entire career working in Hollywood, where other people controlled the narrative and the outcome of my career. This new chapter is about changing that, showing off a more sexy side no one has seen, and being closer to my fans."

Elizabeth is excited to interact more directly with her supporters through the subscription platform. She said reconnecting with fans during appearances reminded her how much their support has meant and how much she missed that energy. OnlyFans, she explained, offers a unique chance to provide behind-the-scenes, unfiltered content and foster a genuine connection that no other platform allows.

She added, "This is also where I'll be sharing exclusive content that you simply won't find anywhere else. This isn't just content to watch from a distance. This is for the people who have always shown up for me, and I want them to feel that."

Despite this new venture, Elizabeth remains deeply involved with her charity work in South Africa through her foundation, which she describes as "incredibly close to my heart." She emphasized that although she is based in South Africa, this feels like the perfect moment to open up her world to her loyal fans.

In addition to her breakout role in American Pie, Elizabeth also appeared in several notable films including Scary Movie (2000), Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back (2001), and Thirteen Ghosts (2001). Her career includes a mix of teen comedies and horror films, establishing her as a recognizable figure in early 2000s cinema.

Creators Inc. CEO Andy Bachman commented on her OnlyFans move, stating, "Shannon has always been someone who genuinely enjoys connecting with and giving back to her fans, and this allows her to do that in a more direct, meaningful way than ever before. It's a powerful model, and right now, there's nothing more effective at facilitating that connection than OnlyFans."

Elizabeth was previously married to actor Joseph D. Reitman from 2002 until 2006. She first gained sex symbol status in the late 1990s through a series of teen film roles, solidifying her appeal with the success of American Pie and other comedies.

Her announcement to join OnlyFans at 52 marks a significant step in controlling her personal and professional image, allowing her to engage with her audience more intimately and on her own terms. Fans can expect a more revealing and authentic side of the actress, who is eager to share exclusive content that reflects her life beyond traditional Hollywood roles.

As she embarks on this new phase, Elizabeth is optimistic about the opportunities OnlyFans presents for fan interaction and creative freedom. Her journey showcases a desire to redefine her career and personal brand in a way that feels empowering and authentic.
Journey to Eternia. Witness He-Man's rise. See the epic live-action Masters of the Universe with Galitzine, Leto, and Knight.

AceShowbiz - This summer, audiences will journey to Eternia with Masters of the Universe, the long-awaited live-action adaptation from Amazon MGM Studios. The film stars Nicholas Galitzine as He-Man and Jared Leto as Skeletor, and is directed by Travis Knight, who offers a fresh take on the iconic Mattel toy line.

During Amazon MGMs presentation at CinemaCon, Travis Knight appeared alongside Nicholas Galitzine and Camila Mendes to showcase new footage from the action-packed movie. The preview opens with Prince Adam, played by Nicholas Galitzine, in police custody, stripped of his sword. A sudden traffic jam turns chaotic when the fierce Beast Man attacks the scene, prompting Adam to attempt to defend himself despite being quickly overpowered.

Fortunately, Camila Mendes' character, Teela, arrives just in time to rescue Adam, rekindling their bond. The footage then shifts to the pair escaping to Eternia, where devastation awaits. Skeletor, portrayed by Jared Leto, has ravaged Eternos, the city that is home to Adam. Forced to confront this destruction, Adam seeks allies who remember him to unite against Skeletors tyranny.

The trailer hints at the core conflict of the film: whether Adam can reclaim the mystical power of Grayskull and transform into the legendary He-Man to challenge Skeletors forces. Fans will need to visit theaters on June 5, 2026, to see if Adam succeeds in his heroic quest.
Craving a more complete Resident Alien finale? The cult sci-fi series returns to its comic roots for a final, expansive chapter from the original creators.

AceShowbiz - The challenge with cult sci-fi series finales is that fans rarely accept the version limited by production constraints as the definitive conclusion. This is particularly true for Resident Alien, a unique blend of quirky small-town murder mystery, heartfelt comedy, and extraterrestrial suspense centered around Alan Tudyks character. Since this show's identity hinges so much on its distinctive tone, viewers often crave a more complete and satisfying farewell.

Resident Alien aired four seasons from 2021 to 2025, but its origins lie in comic books, which provides a clearer path for returning to the storys original narrative voice. Now, that return is happening, with the series set to extend its saga beyond television back into its comic roots.

The original creators, Peter Hogan and Steve Parkhouse, are coming back to craft one final chapter. This upcoming story promises to be more expansive than a mere epilogue. It will feature former federal agent Jones and emissaries from Harrys alien home planet, as they become embroiled in a larger narrative about Earths role within a vast cosmic hierarchy. Meanwhile, danger once again looms in the town of Patience.

This revival will be published by Dark Horse Comics as a one-shot titled Resident Alien: One More for the Road, which is scheduled to hit shelves on April 15. Positioned as a finale, the issue will depict Harry covering for Ethan at the local clinic while the risk of his alien identity being uncovered escalates. This new chapter will arrive after the television series concludes in 2025, offering fans an alternate ending created by the franchises original architects.

Fans of Resident Alien can look forward to this comic as a meaningful continuation that reconnects with the storys roots and enriches the narrative with a broader cosmic context. The creative team's involvement ensures the tone and spirit fans love will be preserved, providing a fresh yet authentic conclusion to Harrys journey.

While the live-action series delivered its distinctive blend of humor, mystery, and sci-fi over four seasons, this comic return signifies the creators intent to deepen the mythos and explore themes left untouched by the adaptation. By focusing on Earths place in the universe and introducing new alien envoys, the story expands its scope beyond the confines of Patiences small-town setting.

For those who have followed Harrys story from its comic inception through its TV incarnation, this new installment will serve as a bridge connecting both mediums. It promises to offer a satisfying resolution that respects the fans desire for a fuller, richer ending, shaped by the original visionaries.

The announcement of Resident Alien: One More for the Road also underscores the evolving nature of storytelling in modern sci-fi franchises, where narratives can fluidly transition between screen and page. This approach allows creators to revisit and conclude stories in ways that production budgets or scheduling might limit on television.

As the TV series finale approaches in 2025, fans should prepare to experience Harrys saga in two complementary forms: the televised conclusion followed by this new comic book closure. This strategy not only honors the franchises origins but also rewards its dedicated audience with a multi-layered storytelling experience.

Ultimately, the resurgence of Resident Alien in comic format highlights the enduring appeal of its unique blend of genres and themes. From quirky mystery and humor to cosmic intrigue, the series continues to captivate by offering new adventures that resonate with its loyal fanbase while expanding its narrative universe.

With the original creative team at the helm, Peter Hogan and Steve Parkhouse ensure that this concluding story will remain true to the tone and spirit that made Resident Alien a cult favorite. The comics release on April 15 will mark the next exciting chapter in Harrys interstellar journey, inviting fans to explore the wider implications of his presence on Earth and the universe beyond.
A family is haunted by their catatonic daughter in Lee Cronin's visceral horror, fusing ancient evil with demonic dread and relentless gore.

AceShowbiz - Lee Cronin's The Mummy marks a fierce plunge into a visceral family horror that combines ancient evil with relentless gore. Directed by Irish filmmaker Lee Cronin, known for exploiting parental fears in previous works like The Hole in the Ground and Evil Dead Rise, this film doubles down on that theme with a wild, disturbing narrative about a family haunted by their violently catatonic daughter. The movies tone fuses the demonic dread of The Exorcist with the psychological torment of Hereditary, creating an unsettling and kinetic horror experience.

The film opens with a gripping prologue set on the outskirts of Cairo, where a familys normal life is shattered by a mysterious and malevolent force. The mother, who identifies herself as "a magician," grows increasingly irritated by her lively children, and the discovery of their pet canary drowned in blood sets the stage for the sinister presence linked to an ancient basalt sarcophagus buried beneath their home. This artifact holds a dark power, tethering the family to a dreadful secret and the need to contain a malevolent spirit.

The plot shifts to focus on eight-year-old American Katie Cannon (played as a child by Emily Mitchell), who forms a secret bond with the magician, and soon after disappears without a trace. Katies father, Charlie (portrayed by Jack Reynor), is a TV news correspondent devastated by her disappearance. Despite police investigations led by junior detective Dalia Zaki (played by May Calamawy), no clues surface, and the familys life unravels.

Fast-forward eight years, the Cannon family has relocated from Egypt to Albuquerque, New Mexico. Katies mother, Larissa (played by Laia Costa), her younger brother Sebastian (Shylo Molina), and younger sister Maud (Billie Roy)who was unborn at Katies disappearancelive with Larissas Mexican American mother, Carmen (Veronica Falcon). The familys fragile hope is reignited when Egyptian authorities inform them that Katie has been found alive.

Upon her return, Katie (now portrayed by Natalie Grace) is a terrifying figurewrapped in ancient bandages inscribed with centuries-old Hieratic script, her pale, withered skin and contorted body movements radiate an unholy presence. Though she is alive physically, her behavior is erratic, violent, and otherworldly. Her unpredictable convulsions and animalistic sounds unsettle everyone around her, especially as she exhibits strength and precision in her aggressive actions, posing a concussion risk from headbutts alone.

The Cannons wheel their unresponsive daughter back to New Mexico, where the desert setting mirrors the eerie Egyptian farmhouse from the films beginning. The tension escalates when Larissas mother prays over Katie, inadvertently stirring a malevolent force within her. Larissa, a nurse armed with sedatives, refuses to send Katie to specialized care, determined to keep her at home despite the growing danger. Meanwhile, Maud's curiosity about the sister she never knew contrasts with Sebastians fearful distance.

The film pays homage to classic horror moments, such as the projectile vomiting reminiscent of Linda Blairs Regan in The Exorcist, mixed with unnerving animalistic behaviors, levitation, and disturbing bodily contortions. Katies unsettling activities include crawling through the houses walls and ingesting live creatures, like a scorpion, adding layers of grotesque horror. Charlie eventually suggests relocating Katie for her safety, but Larissas maternal instincts push back fiercely.

Research into the origins of the evil reveals the presence of a malevolent spirit, "the destroyer of family," once believed to be sealed away.

Detective Zakis investigation in Egypt uncovers critical evidence. The films horror escalates mercilessly, challenging viewers with graphic and repulsive imagery that tests the limits of shock tolerance.

Lee Cronin crafts a relentless crescendo of body horror and gore that sometimes sacrifices narrative clarity for spectacle. The storys connective threads between major horror set pieces are thin, yet the directors flair for visual intensity and pacing keeps the audience engaged.

The movie culminates in an intense, brutal climax within the family home, where ultimate parental sacrifice is demanded. The narrative then returns to Egypt for a coda that ties together the films disparate plotlines, providing a satisfying conclusion to the chaotic nightmare.

While the films length and over-the-top body horror excesses may overwhelm some viewers, Lee Cronin's The Mummy offers a fresh, lurid take on the mummy mythos, emphasizing unflinching horror and family tragedy over traditional adventure or romance. It stands out as a boldly crafted, nightmarish exploration of supernatural dread and parental fear, backed by a talented cast including Jack Reynor, Laia Costa, and Natalie Grace.

Rated R and running two hours and twenty minutes, Lee Cronin's The Mummy is a harrowing experience for fans of visceral supernatural thrillers.
Lili Reinhart reveals the raw emotional core of indie series Hal & Harper, a story of grief, family, and love that defies conventional storytelling.

AceShowbiz - Lili Reinhart recently shared insights about the raw and uncompromising nature of the indie TV series Hal & Harper during her acceptance of the Art of Light Award at the Miami Film Festival. She emphasized how the show defied conventional storytelling by embracing complexity and discomfort to portray themes like grief, codependency, love, and family without diluting their emotional depth.

Hal & Harper, an eight-episode comedy-drama, was created, written, directed, and produced by Cooper Raiff, who also stars in the series as Hal opposite Reinharts Harper. The narrative explores the complicated relationship between a brother and sister following the news that their father, played by Mark Ruffalo, is expecting a child with his current partner, Kate (portrayed by Betty Gilpin). Their dysfunction is rooted in childhood trauma, particularly the loss of their mother, shown through both present-day tension and flashbacks featuring younger versions of the characters played by the adult actors themselves.

Following her award acceptance, Lili Reinhart, who also serves as an executive producer on the show, spoke with The Hollywood Reporter about the challenges of producing and marketing an indie series and the complexities of portraying both adult and child versions of her character.

When asked about how Cooper Raiff approached her for the role of Harper, Reinhart recalled receiving a call while on vacation in Hawaii. Despite initial annoyance at being disturbed on holiday, the call turned out to be one of the best shed received. Her manager informed her about the project and mentioned she might be playing the 9-year-old version of her character, which intrigued her immediately. After a coffee meeting in Los Angeles where Raiff deliberately withheld detailed information, she was sent the pilot script and then the entire 300-page series script. She was impressed by his previous films, such as Shithouse and Cha Cha Real Smooth, and found the tone of the new project deeply human and accessible, a perfect fit after her time on Riverdale.

Reinhart expressed how flattering it was for a director to envision her beyond the typecast role of Betty Cooper from Riverdale, and she quickly accepted the part.

Playing the 9-year-old version of Harper alongside real children was unique for Reinhart, who joked that she would never play a 9-year-old again as she gets older in Hollywood. The younger Harper was portrayed as somewhat jaded, representing not a literal child but rather a 24-year-olds recollection of her childhood self. This approach was shared by Raiff, who played a more authentic 7-year-old version of his character. The decision to cast adult actors as children was intentional to maintain continuity, allowing audiences to see the characters inner child and better understand their present emotional struggles.

The actors spent a year together prior to filming, which Reinhart described as a rare and valuable experience. They even took a spiritual retreat to Mount Shasta, California, a place known for its healing energies. This journey helped them connect deeply to the themes of the show and to each other, especially since both were navigating personal breakups at the time. Reinhart appreciated that Raiff was an accessible director, involved closely in the process rather than distant, which is uncommon in the industry.

In preparation for the role, Reinhart read the book Motherless Daughters, which explores the emotional impact on children who lose a parent or become parental figures themselves due to emotional absence or death. This informed her portrayal of Harpers complicated role within her family dynamic. Although rehearsal time was limited, particularly with Ruffalo and Raiff, Reinhart found the experience challenging but rewarding. She fondly recalled texting Raiff before her first rehearsal with Ruffalo, worried about her performance, but was reassured by Ruffalos supportive "dad energy."

The character of Kate, played by Betty Gilpin, was another crucial element of the series. She serves as one of the few people who truly perceives Harpers emotional burdens. Reinhart noted the dynamic between Kate and Harper as mutual and balanced, providing a healthy space for both characters. Interestingly, during the process of trying to sell the series, some studios suggested removing Kates character and even the fathers role, which was a significant obstacle for the creators.

Hal & Harper faced multiple challenges in its journey to find a platform. The original version contained 10 episodes, but was ultimately condensed to eight. The series began with an extended montage showcasing the relationship between Kate and the father, but this sequence was altered because studios found it too slow for the current binge-watching culture. According to Reinhart, the shows deliberate pacing and emotional honesty made it difficult to fit into the standard television mold, which often prioritizes quick engagement and commercial appeal.

Reinhart expressed that the shows refusal to simplify complex emotions and relationships was intentional and central to its identity. She believes that allowing characters to be fully human  flawed, messy, and uncomfortable  is what gives the story its power. This approach does not aim to produce likable or easy characters but rather authentic portrayals that resonate with viewers on a deeper level.

The experience of working on Hal & Harper has been personally meaningful for Reinhart, especially given the shows themes of loss and familial strain. The project reminded her of the importance of visibility in storytelling, where characters are seen in their entirety rather than as sanitized versions designed for mass appeal.

Ultimately, Lili Reinhart sees Hal & Harper as an artistic achievement that challenges the conventional indie TV landscape. It required the cast and creators to "shapeshift" the show during the selling process to align with industry expectations without losing the core emotional truth. This balancing act reflects the broader difficulties faced by indie projects attempting to find a home in a marketplace dominated by formulaic content.

From the initial spark of the script to the spiritual retreat and through the intimate rehearsal process, the journey of creating Hal & Harper has been a testament to dedication to authentic storytelling. Reinharts commitment to fully inhabiting both the adult and child versions of Harper illustrates the depth of the project and the unique challenges of such layered performances.

As the series continues to reach audiences, it stands as a reminder of the powerful impact of unvarnished human stories, especially in an industry often focused on polished and marketable narratives. Reinharts experience underscores the evolving nature of indie television and the resilience needed to bring nuanced, emotional content to screens today.
Gugu Mbatha-Raw leads new BBC sci-fi drama Sutherland. As a mission director, she faces mysterious threats to the UK's first crewed voyage to the stars.

AceShowbiz - The BBC is developing a new sci-fi drama titled Sutherland, featuring Gugu Mbatha-Raw in the lead role. The series is set in a near future located in the far north of Scotland and explores the challenges of space travel.

Gugu Mbatha-Raw stars as Mirren, the flight director at Paravel Space Hub overseeing the UKs first crewed mission to the stars. Her characters mission initially progresses smoothly, but soon after launch, a series of mysterious events threaten to derail the entire operation.

Alongside Mbatha-Raw, the cast includes Stuart Martin, known for his roles in Army of Thieves and Rebel Moon, and Iain De Caestecker, recognized from Roadkill and Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. Their performances contribute to the tense and atmospheric narrative centered on space exploration and unforeseen dangers.

The shows setting in the remote Scottish Highlands adds a distinct backdrop to the unfolding drama, emphasizing isolation and the high stakes involved in pioneering space missions. With Mbatha-Raw at the forefront, the series promises to blend emotional depth with thrilling sci-fi elements.

Sutherland is poised to be a compelling addition to the BBCs lineup, focusing on technological ambition and human resilience in the face of cosmic uncertainty. The story will follow Mirrens struggle to maintain control as events spiral out of her grasp shortly after launch, putting everything she has worked for at risk.
You know the warning signs  unexpected offers, promises of early access to pensions, or guaranteed high returns. However, your members may not recognise these signs as quickly as you do, Lord Hanson told the webinar, which was hosted by The Pensions Regulator (TPR). Every touchpoint you have with pension holders is an opportunity to reinforce our message. Whether it's in your correspondence, websites, or customer service teams, you can help people understand the importance of stopping and thinking before sharing personal information on their life savings. The webinar  which is now available to watch online  brought together more than 550 pension trustees, advisers and administrators to hear from experts on the latest intelligence, advice and tools to keep their members safe. Attendees were urged to: commit to TPRs industry Pledge to Combat Pension Scams campaign get up to date on the latest scam warnings educate their members on the risks and how they can keep themselves safe tell Report Fraud about any suspicions Lord Hanson also outlined the Governments new fraud strategy and the Stop! Think Fraud campaign, which provides advice on how to protect yourself from pension fraud. Mike Broomfield, Head of Intelligence at TPR and Chair of the Pension Scams Action Group (PSAG), updated attendees on PSAGs latest work to identify and disrupt fraudsters operations at source and prevent harm to pension savers.



He outlined how PSAG  a multi-agency taskforce led by TPR to tackle pension fraud  is working with the UKs national domain name registry, Nominet, to proactively flag newly registered domains and disrupt potential scam sites before harmful content is even published. Mike revealed how a series of suspicious websites, identified using TPRs AI website detection tool, were found to have involved the same bad actor operating as part of a wider criminal network.



These websites sought to deceive and exploit savers with promises of tax-free access to pension pots before the age of 55. Through collaboration with the National Economic Crime Centre and Nominet, many of these websites were promptly taken down. Mike said: Each of these malicious websites would have had the potential to reach thousands of savers. Removing these emerging threats disrupts criminals operations, uses our resource efficiently and, most importantly, helps protect the public from harm. To date TPR has reviewed more than 1,000 suspicious websites in this way. We are now exploring further ways of dealing with repeat bad actors and working with our partners to develop further disruption techniques, Mike added. Fraud wrecks lives. Through strong, coordinated action, we can stop scammers in their tracks and protect savers futures. Mike underlined how vital reports from industry are in informing this work. Chris Bell, Report Fraud, Service Delivery Director at City of London Police, gave an overview of Report Fraud, the new cyber-crime and fraud reporting service, outlining how every report related to pension fraud is analysed by a TPR analyst embedded in City of London Police (CoLP) and fed directly into active intelligence work. The intelligence were receiving is helping us build a clearer, more comprehensive picture of the threats out there  and high-quality reporting from pension professionals is a key part of that. You dont need to be sure that fraud has taken place before you report something. Every report counts. Sometimes its the small concerns that help complete a bigger picture.
'No Compromise on Workers' Rights': Yogi Adityanath Warns of Strict Action After Noida Unrest 2

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Wednesday asserted that there will be no compromise on workers rights, dignity and social security, warning of strict legal action against any violations in the state.

Chairing a high-level review of the industrial situation via video conferencing, Adityanath directed officials to ensure dignified working conditions, timely payment of wages and access to all statutory benefits for workers, according to an official statement.

Taking serious note of the recent unrest in Gautam Buddh Nagar, the Chief Minister instructed authorities to identify and take stringent action against elements found instigating violence or disrupting industrial harmony. He emphasised a zero-tolerance policy against misinformation, rumour-mongering and attempts to incite workers, directing continuous monitoring of social media and swift legal action against offenders.

The remarks come in the backdrop of widespread protests in Noida earlier this week, during which incidents of arson, vandalism and stone-pelting were reported across industrial areas.

Adityanath also ordered a detailed probe into labour practices across industrial units in the state. The inquiry will examine worker strength, wage payments, compliance with labour laws, and provision of benefits such as ESI, insurance and other entitlements.

The Chief Minister directed both government and private industrial units to establish effective grievance redressal systems to ensure transparent and time-bound resolution of workers complaints. He also called for improved workplace facilities, including better food arrangements.

Highlighting the need for worker welfare, Adityanath asked authorities to prepare plans for dormitories and affordable housing in industrial zones. He stressed that development authorities must go beyond revenue generation and fulfil their social responsibilities.

He further directed coordination with banks to ensure insurance coverage for workers, particularly in cases of accidents or untimely deaths, and emphasised the importance of education and healthcare support for workers families.

Officials informed the meeting that the situation in Gautam Buddh Nagar has largely normalised following a post-protest wage hike. The Chief Minister instructed that revised wages, effective from April 1, must be paid without delay.

Senior administrative, police and industrial officials attended the review meeting.
Four more Iranians have been sentenced to death as a result of January's protest against the regime, according to human rights groups.

Tehran has already hanged seven people in connection with the protests. Tens of thousands are believed to have been killed by government forces when repressing the demonstrations.

The people were found guilty of carrying out actions on behalf of the U.S., different organizations said in statements of their own, which were picked up by CBS News.

The groups added that a Tehran Revolutionary Court charged the people with, among other things, ""using explosives and weapons," "harming stationed forces on-site," and "throwing objects including bottles, concrete blocks, and incendiary materials from the roofs of buildings."

Those convicted are Mohammadreza Majidi-Asl, his wife Bita Hemmati, Behrouz Zamaninejad and Kourosh Zamaninejad. They all lived in the same building. CBS News noted that Hemmati is believed to be the first woman to be sentenced to death as a result of the protests.

Iran Human Rights Monitor said the regime has carried out 656 executions in the first three months of the year, but the figure could be "far higher" as internet has been largely unavailable in the country this year and only eight executions were recorded in March.

Another report by the Iran Human Rights (IHRNGO) with the support of ECPM (Together Against the Death Penalty) detailed this week that executions in the country rose 68 percent in 2025, the highest number carried out by the theocratic dictatorship since 1989.

The report notes that executions in Iran rose from 975 in 2024 to 1,639 in 2025.

"A large proportion of those executed were from the most marginalized sectors of Iranian society," the report states. "Nearly half of the executions were for drug-related offences, while hundreds were carried out under qisas (retribution-in-kind) laws for murder. Since poverty is an underlying factor, ethnic minorities were disproportionally impacted. Meanwhile, the right to access counsel, due process and fair trial rights were systematically breached, often in violation of the Islamic Republic's own laws."

The report noted that 48 women were executed, the highest number in at least 20 years. Eleven of the executions were carried out "in public spaces, where children were amongst the spectators, a practice intended to spread fear and reinforce the state's policy of intimidation."

The report also notes the difficulty in getting and verifying information within Iran and the risks sources take in providing the organizations with information. The report does not include executions unless they can be confirmed from two independent sources. The report states that this means another 553 executions were not included in the data.

Originally published on IBTimes
Stalin Burns Delimitation Bill Copy, Calls It 'Black Law' Amid Tamil Nadu-Wide Protest 2

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin on Thursday intensified his opposition to the Centres proposed delimitation exercise by burning a copy of the bill and calling it a black law, alleging it would reduce Tamil Nadus political voice and marginalise its people.

Stalin hoisted a black flag and set the bill copy ablaze in Namakkal district, where he is currently campaigning, just hours before a special session of Parliament. Raising slogans such as Poradavom, Velvom Ondraga (Let us struggle, win together), the Chief Minister accused the Union government of attempting to undermine the rights of Tamil people.

In a strongly worded statement, Stalin said the move could turn Tamils into refugees in their own land and urged widespread resistance across the state. Drawing parallels with the anti-Hindi agitations of the 1960s, he said Tamil Nadu had historically stood up to what he termed as imposition from the Centre and would do so again.

Following his call, black flags were hoisted across Tamil Nadu by DMK leaders, party workers and supporters at residences, party offices and public spaces. The protest also saw participation from allies, with black flags raised at prominent locations including the DMK headquarters Anna Arivalayam in Chennai, as well as offices linked to allied parties such as Makkal Needhi Maiam and MDMK.

Black flags were also seen at the residence of the Chief Minister and at homes of several cabinet ministers, signalling a coordinated statewide protest against the proposed legislation.

A day earlier, Stalin had announced the agitation, alleging that the BJP-led NDA governments delimitation plan would adversely impact Tamil Nadus representation and interests. The protest marks a sharp escalation in the political confrontation between the state government and the Centre over the issue.
California Democrats are rushing to criminalize the very kind of investigative journalism that exposed alleged massive fraud in taxpayer-funded Somali learning daycare centers and other immigrant support programs. Rather than clean up the waste, Sacramento has chosen to shield the perpetrators. Assembly Bill 2624 would make it a misdemeanor, punishable by fines up to $10,000 and potential jail time, to publish images or personal information of immigration support services providers, their employees, or volunteers if done with the intent to threaten, harass, or incite violence. Additionally, courts could issue content-removal orders forcing platforms to take down the material.

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Supporters call it anti-doxxing. In reality, it is a textbook content-based restriction on speech and press that cannot and should not survive First Amendment scrutiny.

The Supreme Court has long held that the First Amendment protects not merely the right to speak but the right to gather news and publish truthful information on matters of public concern, especially when taxpayer dollars are at stake. In New York Times Co. v. Sullivan (1964), the Court established that even harsh criticism of public programs and officials is shielded unless it involves provable falsehoods made with actual malice. Bartnicki v. Vopper (2001) went further: the publication of lawfully obtained information on matters of public importance enjoys full protection even if the underlying source obtained it improperly. Citizen journalists filming public-facing operations at government-funded facilities engage in core protected activity. Federal appellate courts, including the First Circuit in Glik v. Cunniffe (2011), have repeatedly affirmed the right to record government officials and publicly funded activities in public spaces without prior permission. Simply, quoting the Court in Glik:

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...the Supreme Court has observed, "the First Amendment goes beyond protection of the press and the self-expression of individuals to prohibit government from limiting the stock of information from which members of the public may draw... [T]he Constitution protects the right to receive information and ideas... An important corollary to this interest in protecting the stock of public information is that "[t]here is an undoubted right to gather news 'from any source by means within the law.' The filming of government officials engaged in their duties in a public place, including police officers performing their responsibilities, fits comfortably within these principles. Gathering information about government officials in a form that can readily be disseminated to others serves a cardinal First Amendment interest in protecting and promoting "the free discussion of governmental affairs." Moreover, as the Court has noted, "f]reedom of expression has particular significance with respect to government because '[i]t is here that the state has a special incentive to repress opposition and often wields a more effective power of suppression." Glik at pp 8-9 [citations omitted].

AB 2624 collapses under strict scrutiny, the demanding standard that applies to content-based speech restrictions. Reed v. Town of Gilbert, 2015). First, the law operates as a classic prior restraint. By authorizing pre-trial content takedown orders, the bill inverts the heavy presumption against suppressing speech that the Framers wrote into the First Amendment. Near v. Minnesota (1931); New York Times Co. v. United States (1971). Prior restraints are permissible only in the narrowest circumstances, such as imminent national-security threats. Protection from public embarrassment and continuation of protected corruption do not qualify.

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Second, the bills core prohibition hinges on vague, subjective terms such as intent to harass. The Supreme Court has repeatedly struck down laws that criminalize speech based on such open-ended standards because they chill protected expression and invite selective enforcement. Grayned v. City of Rockford (1972); Counterman v. Colorado, 2023). In Counterman, the Court made clear that even true threats require proof of subjective intent to threaten violence, not merely reckless disregard or a subjective feeling of harassment. AB 2624s harass language sweeps far more broadly, giving bureaucrats and judges unfettered discretion to label legitimate investigative footage as criminal.

Third, the bill engages in blatant viewpoint discrimination. It singles out immigration support services for special protection amid recent exposes of alleged fraud in precisely those programs. Governments may not enact speech restrictions that target disfavored speakers or messages while leaving similar conduct by favored groups untouched. Reed; Sorrell v. IMS Health Inc. (2011). The timing, rushed forward after Nick Shirleys videos went viral, makes the discriminatory purpose unmistakable.

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The bill is plagued by other legal infirmities. It directly conflicts with Californias strong whistleblower protections, particularly the Whistleblower Protection Act, and provisions of the Labor Code ( 1102.5). Those statutes shield employees and contractors who disclose (or reasonably believe they are disclosing) violations of law, including fraud in publicly funded programs. Whistleblowers inside these immigration support nonprofits often document wrongdoing precisely by recording video, taking photos, or sharing records that include images or personal information of staff and volunteers, the exact material AB 2624 would criminalize or subject to takedown orders. The bill contains no carve-out for good-faith disclosures or journalistic or whistleblower activity. Enforcement would therefore punish the very conduct the state otherwise encourages and protects, creating an irreconcilable statutory conflict and further chilling protected speech.

These infirmities compound because Californias own Constitution provides even stronger free-speech and press protections than the Federal First Amendment, protecting the right to freely speak, write, and publish. Article I, Section 2(a). The bills legislative findings attempting to justify reduced public-record access fall far short of the narrow-tailoring requirement. Taxpayers have a compelling interest in scrutinizing how their money is spent on programs serving non-citizens. Shielding the recipients of public funds from documentation is the antithesis of constitutional tailoring.

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California already has general anti-doxxing and true-threat statutes that can address genuine unlawful threats and even harassment without creating a special protected class for politically favored nonprofits. AB 2624 goes much further: it effectively deters citizens from filming and publishing truthful footage of public interactions at facilities suspected of fraud. That is not privacy protection. It is narrative control.

This fits a familiar Sacramento pattern. When the ruling class dislikes what citizens discover about failing schools, street chaos, or slush-fund NGOs, it rewrites the rules to make discovery illegal. From campus speech codes to agricultural ag-gag laws and now this, the goal is always the same: shield favored constituencies from accountability.

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If signed by Governor Newsom, AB 2624 will face swift federal-court challenges from journalists, transparency advocates, and civil-liberties organizations. The First Amendment does not and should not permit the state to declare a special class of untouchables whose public activities may no longer be documented by citizens exercising their constitutional rights.

Nick Shirleys investigations and videos do not constitute "harassment"; they are the modern equivalent of the pamphleteers and investigative reporters the Founders sought to protect. California Democrats reckless attempt to silence scrutiny of taxpayer-funded programs is not merely bad policy; it is a direct assault on the constitutional foundations of self-government. The voters should remember who tried to ram it through.

Image: SWinxsy
Theres a misconception among non-Catholics -- actually, among plenty of Catholics, too: That a pope is a monarch imbued with divine right. Or he believes he is. Any pronouncement made by a pope is Church law, goes the misconception.

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In the Roman Catholic Church, theres a mechanism that a pope can employ involving dogma related strictly to faith and morals. He can speak or write ex cathedra. When doing so concerning the aforementioned, then that binds Catholics. But that power is used sparingly.

Pope Leos statements on the Iran war arent writ. Hes making a policy pronouncement of sorts in the context of his ordinary magisterium -- or in his capacity as chief instructor of the Catholic Church, to simplify it. Catholics are free to hold contrary opinions and dissent in this case. When they disagree, they should do so as acts of conscience. Popes -- clerics of whatever stripe -- arent infallible. Certainly not when it comes to politics and current events. Certainly not pertaining to the purpose for the Iran war, which is imperative and moral.

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President Trumps remarks about Leo and his politics were vintage Trump: unvarnished, tough. We expect something other from Trump? George Patton wasnt going to cuss?

Observers decry Trumps lack of respect for the papacy. Diversionary tripe. Trump didnt comment on the office. He gave his trademark dressing down of an opponent. The object was Leos stances, which clearly dovetail with Western European elites politics.

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Those politics are in the process undermining Western Civilization in Europe. Exaggeration? Plunging birthrates have led to a demographic death spiral. Decades of welfare statism have dulled sensibilities. Europeans have lived comfortably while the U.S. heavy-lifted their collective defense.

Then theres Western Europes importation of Muslims. Islams entire history is driven by conquest -- thats with the sword, though Europeans are making it easy for Muslims to dispense with swords this time. Islam is intrinsically aggressive. That isnt supposition. Its not debatable. Its evidence-based observation. Short of historic revolts -- short of the second coming of Charles Martel -- the influx of baby-making Muslims will transform Western Europe into a minaret-studded landscape. Eastern Europe is resisting and may prove a repository of Western values and beliefs.

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The late, esteemed professor Bernard Lewis made famous an observation by Syrian philosopher Sadiq al-Azm. Europes future will be one or the other: an Islamized Europe, or a Europeanized Islam. Alas, Lewis was pessimistic. He believed the former was likely. An Islamized Europe means militancy, which means trouble for the world.

Trumps appraisal of Leos politics wasnt apropos of nothing. Leo reportedly doesnt like the president or agree with his politics and policies -- this well before ascending to the papacy. That means Leo isnt blameless. Clerics have very human biases. Leo didnt surrender his humanness when he entered the Vatican.

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Leos disapproval of the Iran war and counselling peace is no surprise. Christians are taught to abhor war, though there are times war becomes necessary. The Catholic Church recognizes just wars. The Church hews to Just War Doctrine. Leo evidently doesnt believe the Iran war is right. But theres ample room for disagreement and debate.

The heart of Just War Doctrine is found in the Catechism of the Catholic Church, here summarized by a website called Catholic Conscience:

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(2309) The strict conditions for legitimate defense by military force require rigorous consideration. The gravity of such a decision makes it subject to rigorous conditions of moral legitimacy. At one and the same time:

The damage inflicted by the aggressor on the nation or community of nations must be lasting, grave, and certain;

All other means of putting an end to it must have been shown to be impractical or ineffective;

There must be serious prospects of success;

The use of arms must not produce evils and disorders graver than the evil to be eliminated. the power of modem means of destruction weighs very heavily in evaluating this condition.

Damage inflicted is open to interpretation. Should the U.S. and its allies wait for Iran to use nuclear weapons before responding? Or does preemption aimed at safeguarding innocent lives fit the definition?

Bill OReilly answers the question. Per Overton at X, OReilly said this, in part, to Leland Vittert at News Nation, April 13:

OREILLY: I could mediate a settlement between the Pope and Donald Trump, I could do it. But in such a mediation I would have to ask his holiness very frankly you had 30,000 people gunned down in Iran just a few weeks ago, we heard nothing from the Vatican on that at all. NOTHING! You have a terror, a government, close to a nuclear weapon... Is it acceptable for the Catholic church to look away from that? [SNIP] How would you think that Pope Leo would answer that question? Very simple question. Is the Catholic church okay with the mullahs having a nuclear weapon? Your holiness, yes or no? ...Im a Catholic, Id like to know the answer. The Pope will never address that. And that frustrates Donald Trump because the Pope is also an open border guy.

Simple common sense dictates that stopping Irans rogue Islamic regime from possessing nuclear weapons is morally compelling. Forty-seven years of Iranian sponsorship of terrorism resulting in the deaths of many thousands of innocents and its frequent declarations of hatred for the U.S., Israel, and others should sufficiently persuade. But Leo seems blinkered.

As OReilly mentions, the pope is an open borders champion. Trump adamantly opposes open borders -- as do most Americans and most American Catholics. The president has closed U.S. borders with remarkably beneficial results. Leo frames his support for open borders in terms of Christian charity, and doubtless hes sincere, but Catholics can certainly argue that dismantling borders is anything but charitable. In fact, evidence supports the president and opponents of open borders.

Open borders are dangerous. Theyre harmful. Crime spreads. Public costs spiral, squeezing healthcare, education, and other critical public services. Charity for Third World peoples needs to happen in their homelands. Importing troubles and costs isnt compassionate -- certainly not for the existing downtrodden. Not for the poor, the homeless, the sick, the old, the drug-addicted, the unemployed, the mentally ill

America is blessed with unprecedented bounty. Americans are the most generous people on earth. But the bounty isnt limitless. And charity does, in fact, begin at home.

Surely, Leo acts in accord with his understanding of Catholic teaching derived from biblical revelation. But the pope is human, hence, no less susceptible to biases and errors. His perspective on the Iran war may be instructive and may serve as a guide for Catholics, but his understanding isnt Church law. Its open to challenge. A pope is intended to be an instrument of God -- but so are all clerics, Catholic and Protestant. God Almighty may choose anyone to be His instrument.

President Trump, in vanquishing a wicked regime hellbent on possessing nuclear weapons, is serving as an instrument of God, too. Leo surely doesnt agree. Thats his prerogative. But with the ripeness of time, and with the benefit of hindsight, clarity will emerge. Trump, then, very likely will be regarded as the right man who acted at the right time to prevent a great evil. If that doesnt make him an instrument of God, what does?
What do we mean by the Revolution? The war? That was no part of the revolution; it was only an effect and consequence of it. The revolution was in the minds of the people, and this was effected from 17601775, in the course of fifteen years, before a drop of blood was shed at Lexington.  John Adams, Letter to Thomas Jefferson, August 24, 1815

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As the year 1760 dawned, England and its perennial enemy, France, were at war for global dominance, fighting on five continents. It would later be known as the Seven Years War, with its theaters in North America labeled the French and Indian War and the 1st Anglo-Cherokee War.

By 1760, great, wind-driven ships traversed the worlds oceans. The Age of Sail, which began in the 15th century, and its companion, the Age of Discovery, had transformed the world through trade. Before 1600, in every developed society across the world, a tiny minority of royalty and their associates were wealthy, while all about them, the vast majority lived in subsistence-level poverty. That changed only with the advent of world trade, mercantilism, and capitalism, which together lifted the majority out of poverty and created a middle class.

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Image by Our World In Data. CC BY 0.

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By 1760, about 1.5 million people lived in the North American colonies, and the population growth rate was set to double in 20 years. The colonies had benefited from nearly 150 years of the British governments benign neglect. As the Privy Council told South Carolinas new governor in 1722, that policy was intended to make colonial governments as Easy and Mild as possible to invite people to Settle under it.

By 1760, a prosperous middle class had developed in the colonies. It was a society unburdened by Europes ultra-wealthy, permanent noble class. When Lord Wortley Montague died in London in 1761, his estate was worth over 1.3 million. When the wealthiest merchant in Boston, Thomas Hancock (Johns uncle), died near the same time, his estate was valued at only 70,000.

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The colonies were also unburdened by Europes permanently impoverished underclass, for they had great economic mobility and opportunity. As one British visitor, Nicholas Cresswell, wrote in contrasting the colonies with Europe, here there are no fears [of poverty] and with the least spark of industry, a man may support a family...

In 1760, religious issues were of central concern, although the nature of the battle had changed.

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For a thousand years, Islamic wars of conquest had demanded Europes energy. By 1760, the Muslim attacks against Europe had ended. Barbary pirates, who enslaved some 1.25 million Europeans, including American colonists, were still a problem (indeed, two of Americas first wars, the First (1801-1805) and Second (1815) Barbary Wars, were against the pirates), but they were not what led to Americas Revolution.

What mattered in the colonies were Christian schisms. Christianity had always been the indispensable beating heart of Western civilization, but the Reformation of 1517 splintered the universal Catholic Church, leading to numerous Protestant sects. Europe was riven by internecine religious wars and religious persecution, pitting Christian against Christian.

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For two centuries, Protestant minorities in Europe were persecuted. This was as true for the Huguenot Protestants in Catholic France as it was for the Puritans and all others who dissented from the state religion of England, Anglicanism. Many European and British Protestants fled to the North American colonies.

In the mid-17th century, Great Britain was in the midst of revolutionary turmoil. It had been convulsed by a bloody civil war pitting Protestant sects against Anglicans (the British version of Catholicism) and against Catholics. In Scotland, the Jacobite rebellions saw the Scots fight for Europes Catholic monarchs and against the Protestant English.

Other than the Jacobite rebellions, these conflicts were all about the ancient rights of Englishmen, which are detailed here. These rights, which began with the Magna Carta and included no taxation without representation and the right to due process of law, were mostly spelled out in the English Bill of Rights of 1689, to which the monarch agreed after Englands Glorious Revolution of 1688.

By 1760, roughly 80% of colonists in North America were members of persecuted Protestant sects, including Congregationalists (Puritans), Baptists, Quakers, Scots Presbyterians, French Huguenots, and German Lutherans. By 1760, English Anglicans made up only about 15% of the colonial population. Jews were about 1% of the colonial population, as were Catholics, despite their religion being proscribed in all but Marylands colony.

In 1760, there was bad blood between Massachusetts mostly Congregationalist population and the royally appointed Anglican government. Already a decade earlier, the Congregationalist minister Rev. Jonathan Mayhew had given a sermon justifying the prior centurys English Civil War, when Puritans beheaded the Anglican king.

Rev. Mayhew combined the Bible (Romans 13:1-7) and John Lockes 2nd Treatise of Government to reach a religious justification for rebellion and revolution against a tyrannical king. His sermon deeply affected a young John Adams, then sitting in the pews. As historian J. Wingate Thornton has described it, this sermon was The morning gun of the American Revolution.

The (mostly Protestant) British colonists in North America during this time of civil strife had the words British liberty on their lips. They knew their history well and were immensely proud to be British. They knew the Magna Carta and were proud to live in a land where they could speak freely and, in theory at least, be free from tyrannical government.

When Patrick Henry, in 1765, wrote in the Virginia Resolves that the colonists had all the Liberties and Privileges of Englishmen, including the right to be taxed only by their democratically elected governing body, he was not innovating. He was treading a path already blazed in England for half a millennium.

Finally, to this mix of economic and traditional liberty, the year 1760 added one more thing: the Enlightenment. It was a period of rationalism and reasona search for objective truth in all aspects of life. It would lead to great advances in science, economics, and political theory. Societally, it would lead to the First Great Awakening, a religious revolution in the American colonies and the UK. That, in turn, would lead to the abolitionist movement. For the first time in human history, people argued that slavery was morally wrong. By 1760, Quakers formed the colonies first abolitionist society. Ben Franklin eventually became its President.

In the UK, with its long history of both individual rights and Christianity, the Enlightenment led to classical liberalism. As John Locke wrote in his 2nd Treatise of Government, God gave man the right to life, liberty, and property. No man could give away those rights, nor could a government infringe upon them except for war and law enforcement. Other rights, such as freedom of speech and the right to democratically elect a representative of ones choice, were derived from and were necessary to enjoy these God-given rights.

Its noteworthy that the Anglo Enlightenment reached its apogee in the United States in 1776, when Thomas Jefferson wrote the preamble to The Declaration of Independence:

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.

Those words came from numerous inspirations, not least John Locke.

But even as the new United States was busy creating a constitutional framework for this new, classically liberal nation, the Enlightenment was reaching a different, bloody conclusion in France. In the crucible of the French Revolution, all of the modern ills of Western civilization were being born: socialism, the police state, state terrorism, state-sponsored atheism, and a war on Christianity as a first step to destroying Western Civilization, then for socialists to rule over the ruins.

All of history since 1792 has been a competition to see whether the French or the American Revolution will win in the West. Let us hope, on this, the 250th year of our nations birth, that it is the latter.

Image created using AI.
Britains civilizational collapse bothers me. As much as we Americans enjoy defining ourselves by the whooping our ancestors gave to the Crown, Brits and Yanks share a common language, enjoy similar beliefs, and broadly relate to one another. Rebelling against the British Empire is one thing. Watching foreign peoples conquer whats left of that empire in another thing altogether. Every day the United Kingdom becomes less united and more likely to collapse upon itself.

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The U.K.s media Establishment used popular actor Idris Elba to promote a documentary last year entitled, Our Knife Crime Crisis. Elba spent twelve months trying to understand why theres a stabbing epidemic in his country. He concluded that it mostly had to do with unregulated social media, corporate profits, and not enough Big Government. The actor then suggested to his countrymen that they hand over sharp kitchen knives or perhaps apply for permit licenses. Nobody had the guts to say, Hey, maybe we should stop inviting Islamic terrorists to live inside our borders, rape our daughters, and stab and murder our people in the name of Allah. Its as if the U.K. Establishment is going to wait for civil war to begin before considering the possibility that its open borders policies are killing people. Or maybe civil war is what the British government wants. Thats certainly what it looks like from this side of the pond.

Everybody understands whats happening because similar happenings are occurring throughout the civilizational West. Economic and political elites have spent the post WW-II decades engineering a new kind of global order. They didnt ask for our advice or permission. We were never allowed to vote for or against their long-term plans to reshape our worlds. They just decided to topple over this thing we once affectionately called home. That malevolent cabal we often call the powers that be decided to end the nation state for good, and thats what weve watched unfold for three-quarters of a century.

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Were all familiar with George Santayanas warning  Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.  but, frankly, that hasnt stopped most of us from forgetting everything. From one generation to the next, we ignore the consequential lessons immediately behind us, as we stumble forward into similar mistakes once again.

The first generation of the twentieth century witnessed technological marvels that most thought impossible. With the advent of radio, electricity, light bulbs, and automobiles, the world turned upside down in a matter of years. Instead of enjoying the luxuries of the modern world, that generation endured rolling waves of death from the Great War, famines, pandemics, and economic depression. The survivors marked Armistice Day each year as a concerted reminder never to unleash so much destruction again. Twenty years later, WWIIs mechanized slaughter and annihilation of whole cities made its predecessor look small.

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So what were some of the lessons that we learned from those two catastrophic global wars? We learned that elites walk us into big wars. They use propaganda to get us riled up and ready to fight. They are willing to sacrifice tens of millions of us for their own aims.

These arent great secrets. You can walk into history museums in Germany, the United Kingdom, and the United States and see colorful posters from both wars depicting enemies as animals, rapists, and murderers. You can play audio recordings of fake news stories meant to convince citizens that the citizens of other nations are evil. Most of us see and listen to these artifacts from just last century and enjoy our chance to step back in time and experience a little history. How many of us stop to wonder, If German, British, and American leaders were willing to lie back then, whats stopping them from lying right now?

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Military historian Hew Strachans magnificent first volume on the lead-up to WWI showed how military alliances, miscommunications, aristocratic egos, and legal treaties led the world to unnecessary carnage. An unmistakable argument in Strachans work is that mutual defense obligations between nations can turn small conflicts into huge wars. Let me repeat that: Expansive military alliances led directly to the First World War.

Given Strachans scholarly conclusion, I have always found it intriguing that former defense secretary and retired four-star Marine Corps General Jim Mattis has often referred to Strachans book as a seminal exposition on military strategy. Why? Because Mattis has also been a staunch defender of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. How a man could love Strachans masterpiece while simultaneously promoting NATOs expansion seems an inherent contradiction.

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Before his death, Senator John McCain was working to fast-track the admission of little Moldova into NATO. While Moldova can provide no military support for the United States, its integration into NATOs military alliance would have added yet another country on the Russian Federations border that the U.S. was obliged to defend. And while Ukraine is not a member of NATO, Europes NATO members continue to insist that the United States should nonetheless directly tangle with Russia today  the exact kind of nuclear power brinkmanship that we spent the entire Cold War avoiding.

This willful blindness  where prominent American leaders can recognize the dangers of foreign entanglements in one speech while arguing for new foreign entanglements in the very next speech  is confounding. If we are condemned to repeat what we cannot remember, shouldnt we all work really hard to remember the lessons of WWI and II?

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So what were two of the biggest lessons of the global wars? (1) Culturally-similar populations desire self-determination. No matter how much pressure a government places on disparate groups of people to remain a single nation, when divisions become too numerous, nations do not survive. (2) Totalitarian governments provoke bloodshed and civil unrest. When enough people feel the boot of government on their necks, the desire for revolution becomes greater than the desire for peace.

How have post-WWII Western powers used the last eighty years to transform their nations? (1) They have opened their borders and intentionally instigated the greatest mass migration of peoples in human history. (2) At the same time, Western governments have accrued more power over their national populations than ever before. They have ignored the lessons of last centurys great wars and led us back to the beginning.

Western governments promote censorship, viewpoint discrimination, and the criminalization of religious beliefs. They do this, they say, in defense of democracy. Western governments spy on their citizens, track their purchases, and create thousands of new bureaucratic regulations each year. They do this, they say, to protect the people. Western governments demonize Western civilization while promoting multiculturalism. They do this, they say, because diversity is our strength.

Meanwhile, nobody says out loud what is plain to see: The same conditions that preceded both world wars have returned with a vengeance. Western nations are overflowing with peoples from incompatible cultures. Economic stability is collapsing, as people struggle to support themselves. As governments read everything we write and watch everything we do, todays totalitarians have far greater powers than last centurys dictators ever possessed. Instead of recognizing that the world is on the cusp of great conflict, Western governments tell us that everything is okay. In Great Britain, the Establishment would rather pretend that knife crime is an inexplicable crisis than admit that society is quickly deteriorating.

Westerners alive today may prefer to forget the past. Its so much easier to live for the moment. Its also easy to predict what our descendants will one day ask: How on Earth did our ancestors ignore the lessons of WWI and II? Why did they sleepwalk right into WWIII? Ignorance is bliss, but it comes with costs. Lets hope our ignorance doesnt end up costing us everything.

Image: CristianIS via Pixabay, Pixabay License.
A friend recently declared, Its time to get all Jewished up! and sent me a book called As A Jew: Reclaiming Our Story From Those who Blame, Shame and Try to Erase Us. This book, written by Sarah Hurwitz and published this past fall, is a New York Times bestseller. The dust cover states the author was a senior speech writer for President Obama and head speech writer for Michelle Obama. If Im not mistaken, that would be the same President Obama who delivered $400 million dollars in cash as a down payment on a $1.7-billion cashout to Iran, the worlds leader in full employment for Jew killers.

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Anyway, Hurwitzs book can be summed as a progressive exercise against Trump, as well as a reminder that all too often, even Jews themselves are quick to disregard the faith of their fathers.

Quick context: There are three different forms of enmity towards the Jewish people: bigotry against Jews, Jewishness, and Judaism itself. The first is racism against people identified as displaying genetic characteristics associated with subgroups of Jews. Bigotry against Jewishness is the malevolent association of Jewishness with forms of immorality and psychosocial inferiority, and, finally, anti-Judaism is the assertion that Judaism is a false religion, or not a God-given religion at all.

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In keeping with the highly personalized style of contemporary, popular literature, Hurwitz shares her own emotionally intense journey of recovery from the first two forms of Jew-hating, even though she unwittingly reinforces the third. Regarding the societal influences, indoctrination, biases, and bigotries which she believes caused her to have a humiliating experience of being a Jew, she writes, I am no longer interested in being someone elses metaphor, and I am no longer willing to be haunted by this hateful bullshit.

However, she joins the camp of Jewish anti-Judaism by concluding it is not a God-given religion. Hurwitz begins sharing her recovery process at its only possible starting point, Torah. Disappointed in God as a supportive psychotherapist, she writes, Reading it I wanted to be soothed and inspired. I expected to find parables that would convey clear moral truths along with compelling theological language that would persuade me to believe in God. Instead I found a God who seemed to have a male gender and an anger management problem.; tedious lists of who begat whom. She concludes, I came to realize that words and concepts like belief, obedience, and what I understood as spirituality were simply the wrong keys  as was the very idea of Judaism as a religion. (Writers unconsciously disparage the significance of words by putting them in quotes.) She moves swiftly to full-throated rejection of Judaism as faith. Finally, I understood: the covenant is not a call to personal faith or obedience, but to collective action and transformation  to transformation through action  and to holy separation. This is the Jewish mission in the world, the reason why we are here.

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Would Hurwitz say Islam is not a religion? Or Christianity? She concludes that the Jews have survived as the worlds longest running social action collective without being held together by faith in and obedience to God.

Ms. Hurwitz rejects Judaism as religion for two reasons. First, leftists have an immovable dislike of organized religion, which they view as judgmental, dogmatic, and generally for intellectually inferior people. Also, the humanist-materialist social action collectivism functions like a religion for many on the left. In the early pages, Ms. Hurwitz vilifies the current president as having, a history of whipping up racism, who ran a campaign riddled with xenophobia, and who laced his condemnations of antisemitism with winks and nods to white supremacists She drags in the president, the devil figure of her religion, many times, and includes a reference to the original sin of Charlottesville. As far as the purpose of religion to tell us who the bad people are, Hurvitz writes: If you turned on Fox News  a primary news source of the American right  you saw talking heads spouting the great replacement theory, which she says is stoking antisemitism. Talking heads like Mark Levin, Liz Claman, Jessica Tarlov, Kassy Dillon, Howard Kurtz, Arnon Mishkin, and David Marcus?

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Her 100 pages of summarizing the bigotry against and persecution of Jews from the ancient world through 2025 is a quick read. But then she tackles Zionism, the increasingly agonizing dilemma for leftwing Jewish people. She offers many indecisive pages regarding Zionism, with both sides are to blame. Ms. Hurwitz is trying hard to mark her score card for the Jews, but of course, someone who rejects Judaism as a religion and Torah as God-given isnt going to rejoice in the Promise fulfilled. Sarah Hurwitz says her favorite definition of the Jews is that we are not a bloodline but a textline. She is building her link to that long-running text.

Dr. Tyler invites you to listen to her Psychology Reoriented Substack audio, The Lion Must Roar.

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Image: Book cover.
Media outlets across the country lit up in mid-April with the same jaw-dropping headline: Californias top Democrat contender for governor had just been forced out of the race over explosive sexual misconduct accusations. In a matter of hours, Rep. Eric Swalwell lost every major endorsement, watched his campaign collapse, and was effectively tossed into the political dumpster. On the surface it looked like another MeToo reckoning in a party that loves to lecture the rest of us about womens rights. But scratch the surface, and the real story is far uglier  a textbook case of Blue double standards.

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Californias 2026 gubernatorial race was already shaping up as a nightmare for Democrats. Golden State voters are fed up with years of progressive experiments that delivered sky-high taxes, rampant homelessness, and a cost-of-living crisis thats driving families out. For the first time since Arnold Schwarzenegger left office in 2011, Republicans have a genuine shot at flipping the state red.

Recent polls told the tale. Conservative TV host Steve Hilton and Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco were trading the top spots with support in the 1417 percent range. Democrats were scattered behind them, with Swalwell  until the scandal hit  polling as the strongest in the fragmented Blue field.

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Dont forget Californias peculiar jungle primary system. All candidates run on one ballot in June. The top two vote-getters  regardless of party  advance to November. That means the general election could feature two Republicans, two Democrats, or one of each. With the Democrat vote split among a half-dozen hopefuls, the math was already terrifying for the party of Gavin Newsom. A strong Republican showing could lock them out entirely.

Then came the bombshell. In the first week of April, detailed allegations of sexual assault and misconduct poured out  including claims from a former staffer who said Swalwell assaulted her in a New York hotel room. More women came forward with stories of inappropriate messages, unwanted advances, and worse. Within days Swalwell suspended his gubernatorial bid and later resigned from Congress. Democrat leaders raced to distance themselves. House Democrat Leader Hakeem Jeffries called for him to drop out. Nancy Pelosi said the allegations should be handled outside of a gubernatorial campaign. Labor unions and Sen. Adam Schiff yanked their endorsements almost overnight. The party that brags its the champion of #MeToo suddenly discovered its moral compass  right when the cameras were rolling.

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Heres where the hypocrisy stings. Swalwell wasnt some fringe backbencher; he was a high-profile Trump critic and reliable foot soldier in the fight against MAGA America. Democrats had promoted him, fundraised for him, and positioned him as a future star  until the public found out. The speed of the cancellation wasnt about principle. It was about damage control. Sexual misconduct was apparently tolerable behind closed doors when it stayed inside the Blue tent. The moment it became a national story, Swalwell became radioactive.

Democrat strategists wasted no time seeing the silver lining. Swalwells support  concentrated among certain Democrat voters  can now be redirected to whichever Blue candidate emerges strongest. That consolidation could be the difference between a two-Republican November ballot and one that still gives Democrats a fighting chance. In a fragmented field, his sudden exit might have been the best thing to happen to the partys long-term math.

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Whether the timing was pure coincidence or a calculated storm remains an open question. What isnt open to debate is the double standard. The same Democrats who spent years preaching zero tolerance for misconduct were perfectly comfortable carrying water for one of their own  until the voters could see it. Californias jungle primary just got a whole lot more interesting, and the Blue wall is showing fresh cracks. If the people of the Golden State are truly tired of the hypocrisy and the failed policies that come with it, November could finally deliver the red reset theyve been waiting for.

Mike Robertson is a contributor to American Thinker. Follow him on X at @Mike_for_MAGA and Reddit.

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If Guy Rivera isnt guilty of murder, then what do we call the killing of Jonathan Diller?

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Because thats what it was.

Jonathan Diller was 31 years old  a husband, a father, a New York City police officer, later posthumously promoted to detective. By every account, he was deeply in love with his wife, Stephanie, and devoted to their young son.

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In a matter of seconds, all of that was taken.

He was shot during a traffic stop in Queens  a routine interaction. The shooting was captured on video, along with the screams of a police officer dying in the street.

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Officer Diller didnt make it home that night  and he never would.

His wife didnt just lose her husband. She lost the love of her life. Their son lost his father. He will grow up knowing him through stories, photographs, and medals  never through memories of his own.

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That is what this manslaughter case is really about.

Rivera  a man with 21 prior arrests  was convicted of first-degree aggravated manslaughter and other charges, but not murder.

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Not murder.

So again, what do we call it when someone guns down a police officer?

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Because when a repeat offender  someone the system has cycled through again and again  pulls a gun and shoots an officer during a lawful stop, ordinary people dont hear legal technicalities.

When the verdict was read, Rivera smiled. Not relief  satisfaction. The same face Detective Diller saw before he was shot. If that doesnt chill you, it should. Because that is exactly what getting away with murder looks like.

No matter what the verdict says, people see it for what it is.

And they are asking how we got here.

How did we reach a point where a man with that kind of record was still on the street? Still able to come face-to-face with Diller?

How many chances does someone get before the system admits what they are?

And how many lives must be destroyed before we stop pretending these are isolated failures instead of a pattern?

Because this isnt just about one case.

It never is.

I saw this long before New York.

On April 4, 2009, three Pittsburgh police officers were shot and killed in an ambush. I was working in the courts at the time.

A coworkers husband  a Pittsburgh police officer  had worked with the fallen officers. I went with them to the memorial service and one of the burials.

I will never forget what I saw.

Three buses waited outside Zone 5, filled with officers in dress blues. Polished badges. Faces quiet and set. The rest of us wore black  suits, ties, mourning bands across badges.

No one spoke.

You could feel it before we even moved.

When the buses pulled out, motorcycle officers moved with precision  blocking intersections, stopping traffic, then rotating back into position.

And we never slowed.

Not once.

Mile after mile through the city.

Washington Boulevard. Shadyside. Into Oakland.

Busy streets filled with lights and traffic  and everything stopped for them.

Inside the bus, voices were barely above a whisper.

I remember one officer saying, It couldnt have happened to nicer guys.

It didnt feel real.

As we approached the University of Pittsburgh, people stopped what they were doing. Conversations died mid-sentence. Some stood frozen. Others placed their hands over their hearts.

And then they began to salute.

Not because anyone told them to.

Because they understood.

At the cemetery, the reality hit in a way words never could.

As one officer was laid to rest, the echo of gunfire carried from another burial nearby  another fallen officer receiving a 21-gun salute at the same time.

I remember the riderless horse.

I remember the sound of taps.

And I remember something I will never forget  grown men collapsing over the coffin of their friend. Strong men, broken by grief so raw it stripped everything else away.

That was a country that understood loss.

That understood sacrifice.

That understood exactly what had been taken from those families.

And now?

Now we debate what to call it.

Now we downgrade, reinterpret, and explain away.

As the funerals keep coming, what message does that send  not just to the public, but to every officer putting on a uniform?

Because there is already a target on their backs.

And every time the system fails to hold violent repeat offenders accountable, that target grows.

Every time we blur the line between what is and what we wish it to be, that target grows.

I fear for them.

I fear for their families.

For the wives who will get the knock on the door.

For the children who will grow up with folded flags instead of fathers.

For the parents who will bury their sons and daughters.

How many more funerals does it take?

At what point do we say enough?

At what point do we stop pretending this is complicated?

Because some things are not complicated.

A man with a long criminal history shoots a police officer during a lawful stop.

A wife loses her husband.

A child loses his father.

If that isnt murder, then the word has lost its meaning.

Kelly Rae Robertson is a former criminal court investigator with over 14 years of experience inside the Allegheny County justice system. She writes about crime, public safety, and the real-world consequences of failed pretrial policies.

Image: Pixabay // Pixabay License
A commercial for a cough medicine popular in 1984 began with an actor, dressed as a doctor, looking at the camera and telling viewers, Im not a doctor, but I play one on TV, followed by his endorsement of the product.

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The actors name was Chris Robinson and, true to form, he did play the role of a doctor on the daytime drama General Hospital. But, obviously lacking any kind of medical bona fides, Robinson was probably no more qualified than the average man on the street to render an expert opinion as to how this cough syrup was better than any other similar product on the market.

The commercial comes to mind as President Donald Trump and Pope Leo XIV exchange messages over whether we should be fighting the war in Iran. While the two menboth born in Americacommunicate in the same language, they speak two different languages when it comes to issues like the Iran war and immigration.

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Against the backdrop of the above commercial, one can almost hear Pope Leo qualifying his strategic insights about international matters with, Im not a real Iranian threat analyst or immigration specialist, but I play one in the Vatican. Pope Leos bottom line is basically war is bad and immigration is good while offering no convincing evidence to explain either.

The Pope, unsurprisingly, takes an approach one would expect a man of the cloth to take. That approach includes neither hearing nor seeing the evil entrenched in Irans foreign policy nor in the problems created by millions of illegal immigrants crossing over our borders and burdening the limited resources we have to take care of our own citizens.

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It was in January that Pope Leo made it known he was not one to remain silent concerning his objections to U.S. foreign policy. That month, he was quick to criticize Trumps operation into Venezuela to extract President Nicolas Maduro for his involvement in the drug trade. The criticism resulted in the Vaticans ambassador to the U.S. being called in for a meeting at the Pentagon. Both sides claimed the meeting was routine, providing an opportunity for the exchange of ideas.

In March, Pope Leo was asked specifically about the Iran war and his hopes for the Middle East. He responded:

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I am praying for peace, I hope that (a) ceasefire would be the most effective way to work together to find peace for all parties, to respect all parties and to come to a solution Work for peace.

Having demonstrated his directness, it was no surprise as well when the Pope condemned Trumps threat to destroy Iranian civilization, describing it as truly unacceptable.

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The quote prompted Pope Leo to issue a call to action as well. He told followers to call their political leaders totell them to work for peace and to reject war always.

To underscore his point, Pope Leo employed scripture noting, Blessed are the peacemakers. But he fails to note that the Bible also strongly warns against blindness to evil in the form of willful ignorance in the face of wrongdoing. Thus, a danger exists for those so spiritually focused on peace, they remain spiritually blind to the evil in front of them.

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It is always easier to call for peace in times of war than it is to confront and acknowledge the realities of what made the war unavoidable in the first place.

As a holy man, Pope Leo perhaps tends to view all men of the cloth as peace-loving. But nothing could be further from the truth when it comes to Irans mullahs. Such is reflected by the tens of thousands of executions of its own people and Irans status as having one of the highest execution rates in the world. Offenses run from drug activities to the catchall charge of waging war against Goda charge often used against government protesters.

Pope Leo ignores what is necessary in the mullahs collective mindset for true peace to exist with Iran. It is the submission of all non-Muslims to Islam. The Popes call to work for peace with Iran means to work towards such submission. And, lest the Pope be further misguided, admission of this submission mandate as a prelude to true peace would never be confessed as deceptively lying to infidels is sanctioned by Allah.

Pope Leo boasts he has no fear in challenging Trump. Thus, he can add his name to a long list of liberals and RINOs who similarly feel no fear. But where is this absence of fear when it comes to publicly challenging the mullahs and other Muslim extremists who truly make ours a world without peace?

Following Pope Leos criticism of Trumps Iran policy, the president gave him some sound advice: Focus on being a great Pope, not on a politician.

There are times when war is absolutely unavoidable. A Republican legislator from Montana, Jeannette Rankin, who was a lifelong pacifist, refused to accept this, becoming the only U.S. congressional member to vote nay in declaring war against Japan for its unprovoked and surprise December 7, 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor. The move ended her political career as even the most peace-loving Americans recognized the reality that a peaceful world was impossible with an unchallenged, war-mongering Japan.

Pope Leos wishes and prayers for a peaceful world are appreciated. However, the question of whether to fight or not to fight a war against a deadly world threat really needs to be left to qualified expertsnot to a well-intentioned but much less militarily savvy man of the cloth.

James Zumwalt is a retired Marine infantry officer who served in the Vietnam War, Panama, and Operation Desert Storm. He is the author of three books and hundreds of opinion pieces in online and print publications. He speaks frequently on foreign policy and defense issues as well as on the leadership of his famous father, after whom the worlds first stealth destroyer is named.

Image from Grok.
A friend called me today to say she was unhappy about the picture Trump posted and then deleted, in which he was shown ministering to a sick person. Although the image lacks the flowing hair and beard attributed to Christ in European and American religious iconography, it definitely has a Christ-like vibe. It was a tone-deaf thing for Trump to have done.

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Nevertheless, I hope that people, while miffed in the short term, dont sit out the 2026 and 2028 elections to punish Trump. If theyre patriotic Americans, the punishment that theyll be meting out will be to this country, not to Trump.

In legal terms, Trump is sui generis, that is, utterly unique. He is a man of extraordinary abilities, and his core values are excellent. Hes also larger than life, blustering, self-aggrandizing, vindictive, and a counterpuncher who doesnt always stop to think about whether its wiser at any given moment to pull his punches. Im not blind to Trumps failings, but when I look at his virtues, I still think hes the best thing to happen to America since George Washington.

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Big Picture things:

Trump is a politician who keeps his promises. Thats because hes not really a politician; hes a businessman. And in business, especially the rough and tumble world of commercial real estate, your word had better be your bond.

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Trump has the uncanny ability to strip away the nice facade of people who, in reality, hate America and Americans. He enrages them so much that they cannot maintain the pretense of being kind and reasonable.

Trump is utterly genuine. In a world of fakes, Trump is who he is. The clothes are the same, the accents are the same, the values are the same. He does not pretend to be black or Hispanic or anything else. Like him or not, he is always no more and no less than Donald Trump.

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Domestic policies:

Trump has effectively stopped all illegal immigration into the United States.

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Trump is slowly but steadily deporting illegal immigrants and incentivizing others to leave under their own steam.

Trump has made the U.S. government the smallest its been since 1966.

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The stock market has repeatedly hit record highs under Trump, as it did again today. Significantly, this reflects real growth, not what happened during the Obama years, when investors, worried about Obamas policies, just parked money in the market without investing in new businesses and innovation.

Hes brought unemployment down dramatically.

Oil prices, rather than going up to the $200 per barrel that panicans promised with the Iran war, closed today at $91.01/barrel for WTI and $95.00/barrel for Brent. Its higher than it was at the end of February (then $67.02 for WTI and $72.08 for Brent), but not by much, all things considered. I suspect that, once the war is wrapped up, oil will be lower than its been in a long time.

Hes brought the world to Americas doors to buy oil. This may not last once the war ends, but its a great boom for now.

The national murder rate is the lowest its been since 1900. (I attribute a lot of that to getting rid of criminal illegal aliens.)

Trump is attacking the alphabet soup of leftist initiatives: DEI, LGBTQ+, CRT, etc. All of those are designed to break American unity and, often, to break the American people.

Trump is the first true pro-life president in my lifetime. Those who are mad at him for attacking the Pope might want to rethink that. After all, the Pope still allows priests to give Communion to people like Nancy Pelosi, who are arguably active accomplices to murder via their support for abortion, often using your taxpayer dollars.

Trump has revitalized core American institutions like the military and the space program.

Trumps tariffs, as I predicted (and yes, Im smug), benefited the American economy.

International politics:

This is where I think were seeing Trump play something much greater than 3D chess. The people who are angry at him are like toddlers angry with Einsteins theory of relativity.

In an extraordinary act of military planning and action (yay, Pete Hegseth!), Trump effectively decapitated the Venezuelan regime. It was actively at war with us by sending drugs and Tren de Aragua gang members to America to undermine it. Now, Venezuela benefits America.

Last year, Trump ended the most extreme threat from Irans nuclear program by working with Israel to stop enrichment.

This year, again working with Israel, Trump has waged the most amazing war in human history. In six weeks, these allies have destroyed Irans air force, navy, military manufacturing sector, and entire political and military leadership. Nothing like this has ever happened before.

Now, Trump is economically strangling Iran by making it impossible for Iran to move its oil, even as Trump has refrained from attacking Kharg Island. That attack would have meant boots on the ground and would almost certainly have destroyed the refineries. Now, even if Trumps blockage means that Iran can no longer drill for oil (and drilling is a use it or lose it thing), the infrastructure remains and can be resuscitated. When the Mullahs and IRGC capitulate (and they will), the Iranian people will have something to work with.

Trump has gotten China to agree not to re-arm Iran. This is enormously important because China was Irans weapons supplier. (Although, as was proven in both Venezuela and Iran, it wasnt supplying very good stuff.)

Trump has shut down Chinas access to oil shipped via Indonesia. Between the Strait of Malacca, the Strait of Hormuz, and the shutdown of Venezuela, Trump has deprived China of such significant amounts of affordable oil that its shaky economy will soon be in deep trouble.

By depriving Cuba of Venezuelan oil, Trump is on the verge of destroying the truly evil Cuban regime (a regime Democrats have loved for decades, starting with the murderous Che).

The Iran War is driving the Gulf States ever closer to Israel. My prediction is that the Abraham Accords will bring peace to the Middle East.

Conclusion:

All those things I listed are off the top of my head. If I really sat down and thought about it, this list would be a whole lot longer.

The point is that those who are mad now had better ask themselves what happens if they stay home and hand Congress to the Democrats in November. Trump will be embroiled in impeachments and 25th Amendment hearings for the rest of his term. Currently, he struggles with a weak Republican Congress. Imagine if he had a strong Democrat Congress facing off against him.

And worse, imagine if passive, snitty conservatives stay home in 2028 and hand power off to Democrats in both the White House and Congress. Democrats have told us what theyre going to do: Pack the court, add two new states, open the borders completely, bow down to the Muslim world, escalate the lawfare they used to destroy their political opponents, double down on transing our children, make abortion unlimited, destroy Israel, etc.

So, feel free to be irked by Trumps insensitivity and occasional foolishness. But dont cut off your nose to spite Americas face. Thats a whole lot worse than Trump being Trumpish.

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Late Queen Elizabeth II privately mimicked Melania Trump as 'silent and remote' and viewed Donald Trump as 'very rude,' according to a new book examining her relationship with US presidents. The claims appear in The Queen and Her Presidents by American author Susan Page, who portrays the late monarch as sharply observant in private while remaining famously restrained in public.

Page, drawing on interviews and earlier reporting, says the Queen could be a gifted mimic behind closed doors. Her account suggests that, while Elizabeth II kept her political views to herself in public, she was far more expressive with trusted confidants.

How The Queen Allegedly Saw Donald Trump And Melania Trump

In the book, Page claims the Queen amused those around her by impersonating Melania Trump as 'silent and remote,' comparing the former First Lady to Greta Garbo. She is also said to have echoed Garbo's famous line from the 1932 film Grand Hotel, joking to confidants, 'I want to be alone' when mimicking Melania.

The anecdote stands in contrast to the warmth Donald Trump expressed after the Queen's death in 2022. The monarch first hosted Trump and Melania at Windsor Castle in July 2018, before meeting them twice more the following year, with each engagement presented publicly as cordial and respectful.

After Elizabeth II died aged 96, Trump wrote on Truth Social that he and Melania would always cherish their time with her. As quoted in the book, he said: 'Melania and I will always cherish our time together with the Queen, and never forget Her Majesty's generous friendship, great wisdom and wonderful sense of humor. What a grand and beautiful lady she was, there was nobody like her!'

Page also says Trump told her he had been struck by the Queen's discipline and restraint. He is quoted as saying: 'I couldn't get her to say a bad thing about anybody. She was amazing, actually. And not for any reason other than I don't think she wanted to create controversy. It was unnecessary.'

He reportedly went even further in his praise, suggesting her record was almost flawless. According to Page, Trump said: 'She was there for so many decades, and she literally never made a mistake, if you think about it. I mean, everyone was making mistakes around her, but she never made a mistake.'

Queen Elizabeth, 'Very Rude' Donald Trump And A Scorched Palace Lawn

The same book offers a far less flattering account of how the Queen may have viewed Trump. Page writes that Elizabeth II may have considered him 'very rude,' a characterisation she links in part to British writer Craig Brown's assessment of the monarch's private feelings.

One episode appears to have particularly irritated her. According to Page, the Queen was left 'furious' after Trump's helicopter scorched the lawn at Buckingham Palace during a visit, with the incident presented as a symbol of what she saw as his carelessness.

Trump, however, has consistently maintained that they got on well. Page says he told her the Queen was 'sort of the opposite of me' because she avoided controversy while he often embraced it, and he even suggested he may have been among her preferred presidential guests, though that is presented as his own view rather than anything confirmed by the Palace.

The portrait of their relationship is complicated further by another recent royal book, Robert Hardman's Elizabeth II: In Private. In Public. The Inside Story. Hardman reports that Trump keeps a rare portrait of the Queen at Mar-a-Lago in Florida, displayed in a prominent position.

According to People magazine, Trump told Hardman: 'She was so great. I wanted to hang her picture in a room where there is no one else on the wall.' The portrait is reportedly placed above a painting of a medieval ship in the resort's dining room.

Buckingham Palace has not confirmed any of the private anecdotes in Page's book. That means the claims about the Queen mocking Melania and viewing Trump as rude remain attributed to Page's reporting, sources and interpretation, rather than to any official record.

Originally published on IBTimes UK
The 19th-century evangelist Charles Spurgeon once said, Let the pure Gospel go forth in all its lion-like majesty, and it will soon clear its own way and ease itself of its adversaries. This notion has evolved to the saying, The truth is like a caged lion. Turn it loose, and it will defend itself, often incorrectly attributed to St. Augustine of Hippo.

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Regardless of who said it first, wisdom endures. We see in our culture daily the relentless attempts to silence the truth when it comes to fundamental human nature as male and female, distinct but equal as bearers of the Imago Dei. For lies to prevail, censorship of the truth is a necessary evil.

Silencing speech is merely one precarious step along the slippery slope descending to punishing thought. State governments intent on enforcing cultural orthodoxy on the issue of so-called transgender ideology are apparently unfazed by the First Amendments protection of free speech. California and Colorado are leading the farcical parade of more than 20 states banning counselors from assisting their clients in living comfortably in biological reality. These laws also butcher the English language by labeling counseling rooted in the truth that a male body cannot be converted to female or vice versa as conversion therapy.

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The Supreme Courts decision in Chiles v. Salazar cast a long constitutional shadow not only on Colorados ban on so-called conversion therapy, but also on the similar laws of numerous other states, including California. After Chiles, the First Amendments Free Speech Clause almost certainly will forbid states from imposing licensure sanctions on mental health professionals for engaging in talk therapy with patients seeking help with same-sex attraction or confusion about their sex.

Tacitly recognizing this, the California Legislature is currently considering a bill (S.B. 934) that attempts to circumvent Chiles by making it substantially easier to manipulate existing standards courts to impose malpractice liability on counselors like Kaley Chiles.

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Under current law, a person injured by a mental health professional must prove that the professional departed from the standard of care and that the departure caused the persons injury. S.B. 934 makes it infinitely easier for plaintiffs to establish causation.

In essence, they do not actually have to prove that the providers treatment caused whatever harm they are experiencing. Instead, they must first prove that talk therapy intended to help a person address distress over his sex or identity could hypothetically cause whatever ailment they claim to have suffered. If they can satisfy that relatively easy evidentiary burden, the provider will be guilty of malpractice unless he can prove that the plaintiffs injury was caused exclusively by other factors unrelated to the talk therapy.

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S.B. 934 almost certainly violates the Free Speech Clause of the First Amendment. As the Supreme Court observed in Chiles, the exacting proof requirements used in traditional malpractice actions  such as individualized proof of injury and causation  are necessary to protect the free speech rights of mental health practitioners engaged in talk therapy. S.B. 934 destroys those exacting proof requirements, rendering it unconstitutional as applied to mental health professionals like Chiles.

California is doubling down on censorship by changing the label to malpractice. It is symptomatic of the diseased aversion to truth  it does not matter what something is; what matters is what we call it. This approach was soundly rejected by the Court in the Chiles majority opinion: Ms. Chiles seeks to engage only in speech, and as applied to her the law regulates what she may say. Her speech does not become conduct just because the State may call it that.

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Not to be outdone by California, Colorado has a similar malpractice bill. HB 26-1322 is currently pending in the state Legislature. This, despite Colorados infamous trilogy of losses at the U.S. Supreme Court for violating the First Amendment in Masterpiece Cakeshop v. Colorado Civil Rights Commission, 303 Creative v. Elenis, and now Chiles.

If these bills are signed into law, the U.S. Supreme Court may be presented with another opportunity to continue our nations storied history of defending the right of free speech.

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Make no mistake: The laws in question may be the subject of the argument, but the truth will be on trial again. Counselors like Kaley Chiles and the clients she serves will benefit from the Courts protection. More importantly, Spurgeons pure Gospel will still go forth so that all who seek the truth may find it. You shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free.



Lathan Watts is the vice president of public affairs for Alliance Defending Freedom (@ADFLegal) and its sister organization ADF Action. He earned his juris doctor degree from the University of Mississippi.

Image via Pexels.
As you probably know, there aren't a lot of babies in Spain. Theyre going to more funerals than baby showers. Some call it a demographic collapse. It's a big problem, but countries often punt on big problems. In the case of Spain, what I heard the other day is that it's too complicated to have a baby or it's easier to be single and just live for today.

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So what do you do when it's "complicado" to have babies? You import them. You open door and let foreigners come in.

Let's check out what they are doing in Spain:

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Spains government has approved an amnesty programme that will allow an estimated 500,000 undocumented immigrants to apply for legal status. The measure, passed on Tuesday by Prime Minister Pedro Sanchezs administration, will open the way for applications on April 16. The decree makes Spain an outlier in Europe, as well as many other parts of the world, with anti-immigration sentiments festering. Advertisement It has also provoked opposition from political opponents and anger from civil servants who complain that they will not be able to cope. The measure was fast-tracked via a decree to amend immigration laws, allowing Sanchezs left-wing government to bypass parliament, in which it lacks a majority. The measure failed in a previous attempt to push an amnesty bill past lawmakers. Advertisement Under the plan, those who meet certain conditions will be able to seek a one-year residency and work permit. Migration Minister Elma Saiz said migrants could apply online on Thursday, and in person starting April 20. The window will close on June 30. Applicants must have arrived in Spain before January 1 and prove that they have been living in the country for at least five months and have no criminal record. After a year, those granted the temporary measure will be eligible to apply for other work or residency permits. Advertisement Sanchez, who is seeking to leverage immigration to help avert the problems on the horizon of Spains ageing society, labelled the move an act of justice and a necessity.

An act of justice, or so they say. PM Sanchez needed to do a "DACA" and go around the parliament. My guess is that most legislators don't think that their constituents see this as an act of justice. They see it more as a way of turning new arrivals into citizens supporting the Left in upcoming elections. Where have we heard that before?

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I recently spoke with a Spanish friend about this. She lives in Texas and shared two concerns. First, they qualify for public services. Second, and many Europeans are probably screaming about this, they will have Spanish passports. So that train across Europe may have a few new passengers checking out the rest of the European Union.

So that's the way it is. Spain, once a Catholic country where having a baby was a blessing, is now a land where having a little one is so complicated that they have to import mothers. Wonder what my late grandfather, who was born in Asturias and came to Cuba with his brothers in the 1920s, would think of all of this? He probably think that Spain has gone "loco."

P.S. Check out my blog for posts, podcasts and videos.

Image: Picryl
One of the Democrat partys rising stars, Gov. Abigail Spanberger of Virginia, recently signed HB965 into law awarding the states 13 presidential electoral votes to the winner of the national popular vote.

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Sorry, Virginians, your votes  your free will  dont matter anymore. You are politically moot. Impotent.

The bill Spanberger signed adds Virginia to the growing National Popular Vote Compact, an agreement between blue states to award the entirety of their electoral votes to the winner of the national popular vote. So, if Virginians vote for a Republican, but the Democrat wins the national popular vote, all 13 of the states electoral votes go to  the Democrat, of course!

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OMG. There goes the Constitution. The Electoral College was specifically instituted so that populous states couldnt ignore or run roughshod over less-populated states.

The rest of the country will never be able to overcome the votes of New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Portland, Seattle, Philadelphia, Boston, and the Twin Cities, just for starters. It will be game over, Democrats win. Forever.

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As it is, even after a Democrat wins the presidency, we have been looking at election maps of the U.S., virtually all red except for a number of blue dots for the big inner cities. Spanbergers actions, in Virginia of all places, home of Washington, Madison, Jefferson, and Patrick Henry  as well as many of our current ruling class  is particularly offensive.

The National Popular Vote Compact is nothing less than yet another Democrat attempt to turn the United States into a one-party country, theirs, and a pure democracy instead of a representative republic, thus ensuring chaos, bitterness, and true oppression, of the big versus the little. And it is proof positive that they are anything but tolerant and inclusive.

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Yes, Virginians, there is a Havana Clause.

And your Marxist-loving Gov. Spanberger just signed it into law. Rendering your votes worthless and removing your free will.

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This act beggars description. It is utterly un-American. And they claim President Trump is a king.

Spanberger is acting like a queen. And a tyrant.

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So much for Virginia's motto, Sic Semper Tyrannis.

Speaking of the Founders, Alexander Hamilton warned that a pure democracy, though enticing in theory, was the most unstable form of government -- and violent in its death. He also noted that ancient democracies were actually tyranny in disguise.

Democrats are generally no longer even disguising their desire for tyranny, though Spanberger did until the moment she was elected.

Sadly, there are no Washingtons, Madisons, Jeffersons, or Patrick Henrys left in Virginia.

Image: Pixabay, edited with Canva // Pixabay Content License
Air New Zealand is launching an innovative way for economy passengers to sleep on long-haul flights with bunk beds on board.

The airline will open bookings next month for its Skynest seats, which will allow economy class passengers to lie flat on flights.

These will debut on select ultra-long-haul flights between New York and Auckland, on sale 18 May with travel from November.

Beds on planes are nothing new  almost every airline that operates long-haul journeys provides upper-class passengers a seat which can be adjusted into a bed.

While bunk beds existed in various forms on flights in the early days of air travel, Air New Zealand will be launching a more modern approach that is not limited to upper-class travellers.

Passengers can book four-hour sessions as a bolt on (Air New Zealand)

The six lie-flat pods in a bunk-style layout will be introduced on the airllines new Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft that will take flight in November.

The pods will provide a private space with full-length mattresses, bedding, ambient lighting, a privacy curtain and charging ports.

Unlike upper classes, these pods will only be available in four-hour sessions, allowing for a mid-flight nap rather than a sleep that spans the entire journey.

Customers who book economy or premium economy seats will be given the option of adding on a four-hour session.

Initially, two rounds of sessions will be offered on each flight, priced from $495 NZD (215) per session.

Water will be the only drink allowed in the nests, and snacks are not permitted.

Alongside a bedding change between each session, passengers will also receive a nestcessities kit including an eye mask, earplugs, socks and Aotea skincare.

Bunks will have ambient lighting and a full-length mattress (Air New Zealand)

Skynests are only available for passengers aged 15 and over, and people will need to be able to get in and out of the bunk by themselves, which may involve bending, kneeling, crawling or climbing.

Air New Zealand chief executive Nikhil Ravishankar said that by giving more people the chance to properly rest on ultra long-haul flights, it helps make travel to and from New Zealand more manageable.

He added: "For a country as remote as New Zealand, the journey matters. Tourism is a $46 billion NZD industry, but growth depends on travellers' willingness to spend long hours in the air to get here.

"Skynest is designed to help make that easier. It reflects the practical innovation New Zealand is known for, and shows how thoughtful design can improve the travel experience.

Read more: Police investigate sudden death of woman on 17-hour Qantas flight
Almost a quarter of teenagers are sharing less of their political views because they fear being cancelled.

Research from the Economist Educational Foundation surveyed 4,167 students at British schools between the age of 10 to 17 between 26 January and 15 February this year as the voting age looks set to be lowered from 18 to 16.

The report found that 22 per cent of 15- to 17-year-olds and 19 per cent of 10- to 14-year-olds stopped themselves from sharing political views they feel strongly about because they were worried about being cancelled. Just under a quarter (22 per cent) of both age groups reported being asked to stop speaking about their political views at school.

The Economist Educational Foundations Vote Confident report showed that teens were divided over upcoming legislation to lower the voting age, with 45 per cent of 15-17 year olds feeling young people should not be given the vote at 16, and more than a third (33 per cent) confessing they were not confident talking about issues in the news.

Surprisingly, more teenagers were aware of former prime minister Boris Johnson (92 per cent of 15-17 year olds, 86 per cent of 10-14 year olds) than they were of Sir Keir Starmer (84 per cent for 15-17 year olds, 75 per cent for 10-14 year olds), with Reform UK leader Nigel Farage lagging slightly behind at 83 per cent among the older teenagers.

Former prime minister Boris Johsnon was the most recognised politician for 10-17-year-olds (PA)

The report suggested that while survey respondents would have been young during Mr Johnsons premiership, he would have played a key role in their lives due to the Covid-19 lockdown.

Researchers suggested Mr Farages recognisability could be down to his polarising reputation and Reform UKs high engagement on teen-favourite app TikTok.

Julie George, a teacher from Ormiston Sir Stanley Matthews Academy, Stoke-on-Trent, said the research revealed teenagers lack confidence around politics and how to express their views without offending others.

Many older teenagers are self-aware and realise they dont know enough about politics and are unsure how to express their views without offending others. Students want to be able to talk about the big political issues of the day, but in a supportive environment where they can learn to share ideas.

Less than a quarter of teens have stopped themselves from sharing political views they feel strongly about because they were worried about being cancelled (Getty/iStock)

The Representation of the People Bill, set to lower the voting age to 16, is currently in the committee stage of legislation in the House of Commons with a sitting due to take place on Thursday.

Campaigners have said the research reveals the importance of facilitating political conversations in the classroom so that the younger generation can feel confident when it comes to voting.

While politicians may discuss how to prepare the younger generation on registering to vote and the democratic process, Tiff Smyly, chief growth officer of the Economist Educational Foundation, said there needed to be a drive in political education.

If you look at our data, the things that [teenagers are] asking for to feel more confident in being more ready to vote, is actually that clear outline of different political parties, or really knowing more about different political viewpoints, she told The Independent. I think that's where social media has an opportunity, but there's also risks, because if you're only on social media, you can get into these bubbles of not looking outside of your own perspective. Or things that have been said to you through algorithms, which might diminish your ability to see these different political viewpoints.

Campaigners have said its important to facilitate political conversations in the classroom (Getty/iStock)

Ms Smyly emphasised that it was clear from the results that the younger generation was interested in politics.

"I think it's a positive to see that young people are curious about politics, and actually what we really want to be doing is being able to foster that curiosity and allowing young people to explore a wide range of perspectives and opinions across a range of political perspectives on topics that are affecting them, their communities and their world.

Changes for the 2028 curriculum for England will see children learn more around media literacy, democracy and citizenship, but Ms Smyly said more would need to be done to bring current affairs, political discussions and critical thinking into the education system.

"How do we support teachers, who aren't allowed to share their own political viewpoints and don't necessarily feel prepared to challenge misinformation or really polarising or offensive viewpoints in the classroom? How do we balance that with the right for young people and the need for them to be really exploring these complex and sensitive topics?"
Drugs aimed at slowing Alzheimer's disease progression "make no meaningful difference to patients" while raising the risk of brain swelling and bleeding, a new review has claimed.

However, charities have swiftly challenged these findings, accusing experts of unfairly combining failed and successful drug trials.

Researchers behind the review stated that the effects of these medicines on individuals with early-stage Alzheimer's and dementia were "either absent or consistently small".

Edo Richard, a professor of neurology at Radboud University Medical Centre in the Netherlands, noted his team observed "results from trials over the last two decades 'are not consistent'".

Charities argue that the review's authors have attempted to "paint an entire class of drugs with the same brush", potentially undermining the benefits of certain treatments. Anti-amyloid medicines work by binding to and clearing protein deposits in the brains of those with Alzheimer's, a process intended to slow cognitive decline.

Two anti-amyloid drugs  lecanemab and donanemab  are licensed for use in the UK.

Drugs aimed at slowing Alzheimer's disease progression make no meaningful difference to patients a new review has claimed. (PA)

The treatments were not approved for use on the NHS after the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (Nice) deemed their benefits too small to justify the cost.

The new Cochrane review looked at 17 studies involving 20,342 patients overall.

Most had either mild cognitive impairment (MCI), which causes problems with thinking and memory, dementia, or both, with a mean age of 70 to 74.

The studies included trials on lecanemab and donanemab, as well as aducanumab, which has been discontinued by its manufacturer, and bapineuzumab, crenezumab and solanezumab, which were discontinued after failed trials.

The analysis found that the effects of these drugs on cognitive function and dementia severity after 18 months was trivial.

According to Prof Richard, the differences made by the treatments were far below the minimal effect thats needed to be noticeable at all for patients and caregivers.

Francesco Nonino, neurologist and epidemiologist at the IRCCS Institute of Neurological Sciences of Bologna in Italy, said: Unfortunately, the evidence suggests that these drugs make no meaningful difference to patients.

There is now a convincing body of evidence converging on the conclusion that there is no clinically meaningful effect.

While early trials showed results that were statistically significant, it is important to distinguish between this and clinical relevance. It is common for trials to find statistically significant results that do not translate into a meaningful clinical difference for patients.

The drugs could also increase the risk of swelling and bleeding in the brain, according to the study.

These side effects were seen in brain scans and caused no symptoms for most patients, although the long-term impact was unclear.

Mr Nonino also highlighted that most studies reported after 18 months, which he described as a relatively short window in the context of a slowly progressive condition like Alzheimers.

Also it has to be remembered that these drugs in clinical practice may likely be used for much more than 18 months, he said.

Prof Richard, who runs a dementia clinic, said he was honest with patients about the effect of the approved drugs and that they were too small for patients and caregivers to notice.

He said he also highlighted potential side effects, the need for various scans and tests to confirm eligibility, and that patients would need to visit the clinic every two to four weeks to have the treatment from an IV drip.

He added: I would tell them I think you will probably not benefit from these drugs, and theyre burdensome for you and your family.

The review also looked at the potential side effects of the drugs, weighing them up with the benefits (Getty/iStock)

I just think its extremely important that were honest to our patients about what they can expect theres nothing more that I would like as a doctor to finally be able to prescribe them a drug that provides a bit more hope to the patients and their families, but Im always wary to avoid giving people false hope.

Reacting to the findings, Dr Richard Oakley, associate director of research and innovation at the Alzheimers Society, said: This reviews conclusions make the picture look bleaker than it really is, as authors combined results for a majority of failed drug trials with a small number of more recent successful trials.

This includes the trials for lecanemab and donanemab which the UK medicines regulator agreed bring a modest but meaningful benefit for people with early-stage Alzheimers.

Its essential that we interpret this review with nuance and avoid taking a sledgehammer to decades of pioneering scientific study.

Jonathan Schott, professor of neurology and group leader of the UK Dementia Research Institute at UCL, said: By combining studies of different drugs, many of which have long since been disbanded, several of which had little or no effects on beta-amyloid, and most of which have failed in randomised clinical trials, it is almost inevitable that the conclusion will be that as a group they are clinically ineffective.

Dr Susan Kohlhaas, executive director of research at Alzheimers Research UK, said the charity regularly heard from families impacted by dementia who said that even a delay of several months in their loved ones decline could provide valuable, meaningful time that shouldnt be minimised.

She said: Crucially, this study is attempting to paint an entire class of drugs with the same brush even though we know different anti-amyloid treatments can act in different ways.

Anti-amyloid treatments will not be the whole answer to curing Alzheimers, and research is already moving towards a wider range of biological targets.

But its not accurate to dismiss their impact as trivial, especially when the analysis has clear constraints that limit what it can tell us.

The review comes after it emerged Nice is looking again at evidence on donanemab and lecanemab following successful appeals by their manufacturers Eli Lilly and Eisai.

Issues that would be revisited include the conclusion on the quality of life of those caring for Alzheimers patients, as well as evidence provided by NHS England estimating the cost of giving the treatments by infusion.
Emergency workers rescue hostages through a broken window of the Credit Agricole branch in Naples. Photograph: Shutterstock (Photograph: Shutterstock)

Armed robbers held 25 people hostage at a bank in Naples for two hours on Thursday, before fleeing through a tunnel.

The three thieves entered a branch of Credit Agricole in the southern Italian city at about 11.30am, taking hostage staff and customers, who were freed by police a couple of hours later.

Thanks to the swift response  all the hostages were freed shortly after 1:30pm, without serious injuries, Michele di Bari, prefect of Naples, said in a statement.

Emergency responders smashed windows to enter the bank in piazza Medaglie dOro in the citys Arenella district, by which time the robbers had escaped, reportedly down a hole in the banks floor and into the sewers.

The company that manages Napless water network has been inspecting the sewer system, according to the local news site Fanpage.it.

It was unclear whether the robbers managed to flee with any loot. According to Fanpage, the robbers were believed to have targeted safety deposit boxes and there was no cash inside the bank.

The Naples prosecutor Nicola Gratteri was also at the scene.

One of the people held hostage, a bank customer, told Fanpage they had been locked in a room. I was in the bank when they entered; there was definitely three of them. They came and locked us  customers, employees and the manager  in a room. They were armed but they didnt use violence.

A branch of Credit Agricole in Milan was targeted in a similar robbery in 2020. In that case, two armed robbers walked into the premises through the main entrance and held staff hostage as two accomplices entered via a maintenance hole, having crawled through the sewer network. The gang stole several safe-deposit boxes before all escaping through the drains.
An asteroid named after a god of chaos is heading toward Earth  but there is no need to panic just yet.

The massive rock is arriving for a historic flyby rather than a disaster, according to NASA. The encounter is still a few years away, but when it finally arrives, it will be so close that spotting it wont even require a telescope.

Known as 99942 Apophis, the rare asteroid is expected to safely pass within 20,000 miles of Earth in 2029, representing one of the closest approaches ever recorded for a celestial object of this size.

Even though Apophis does not pose any immediate risk to Earth, an asteroid of its size passing so close to our planet is a very rare event, NASA astronomers stated. Scientists across the globe are excited to use this opportunity to study Apophis in detail.

At roughly 1,115 feet wide, the asteroid will pass closer to Earth than the satellites orbiting in geosynchronous altitude, according to NASA.

NASA and the European Space Agency are launching dedicated missions to study the space rocks internal structure as Earths gravity is expected to physically twist and stretch the asteroids surface (European Space Agency)

It will be the closest approach of an asteroid of this size that humans have ever been aware of in advance, according to the European Space Agency.

The rare timing of the flyby  falling on Friday, April 13, in many parts of the world, has already sparked a mix of excitement and superstition across social media.

Do you expect the god of death to arrive on a regular boring Friday? one Reddit user joked.

Another commented: I try not to be superstitious but come on!

The asteroid was named after the ancient Egyptian god of evil and destruction. The name was proposed by its discoverers  astronomers Roy Tucker, David Tholen and Fabrizio Bernardi of the Kitt Peak National Observatory near Tucson, Arizona  because Apophis is the Greek name for the Egyptian god known as Apep.

Tholen said at the time that this seemed like an appropriate name for such a potentially destructive asteroid.

Apophis was labeled a major impact threat to Earth for decades but NASA has officially ruled out a collision for at least the next 100 years following extensive radar tracking (NASA)

NASA reports that an asteroid of this scale passes this close to Earth only once every few thousand years on average, making it a potentially unprecedented event in recorded human history.

When it was first discovered in 2004, astronomers labeled Apophis a potential impact threat for Earth in 2029, 2036 or 2068. NASA has since ruled out a collision for at least the next 100 years, after tracking the asteroids orbit with optical telescopes and ground-based radar.

Observers in the Eastern Hemisphere will be able to see the asteroid without the aid of a telescope or binoculars, weather permitting, according to NASA. During the flyby, Earths gravitational pull is expected to pull, twist and stretch the asteroid, potentially causing small landslides on its surface and altering its orbit and rotation.

Named after an Egyptian god of chaos, the 1,115-foot-wide stony asteroid is composed of 4.6-billion-year-old silicate materials and metals that never formed into a planet (NASA)

Apophis is a stony-type asteroid made of silicate materials and a mixture of nickel and iron. It is a relic of the early solar system, formed approximately 4.6 billion years ago from raw material that never became part of a planet, NASA reported.

NASA has redirected its OSIRIS-APEX spacecraft to rendezvous with Apophis shortly after the flyby to study how the asteroid is affected by Earths gravity.

The European Space Agency is launching the Ramses mission to accompany the asteroid during its closest approach.

These missions aim to study the asteroids internal structure and physical properties to better understand near-Earth objects.
Microsoft and Apple's rivalry in the computer market continues as the Redmond-based Tech Giant now launches the "Microsoft College Offer," which offers discounts for Windows PC buyers.

The latest promotional campaign aims to challenge the immense popularity of the MacBook Neo, which has proven to be the ideal choice for many wanting to upgrade their computers without the hefty price tag of a MacBook.

Microsoft College Offer Challenges Apple's MacBook Neo

Microsoft announced in its latest blog post that it now has the Microsoft College Offer, which provides college students the chance to get a lot more from their purchase of a new Windows PC under the program.

This latest offer brings a massive discount on Windows laptops that are available for students to purchase, alongside special perks.

According to Microsoft, there are three PCs that are eligible under the Microsoft College Offer program, now available via third-party retailers and direct from their brands. This includes:

Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3x - $499 (from $749) via Best Buy; CPU: Qualcomm Snapdragon X, GPU: Qualcomm Adreno, 256GB Storage, 16GB RAM, 15.3-inch Display

HP OmniBook X Flip - $849 (from $949) via BestBuy; CPU: Intel Core UItra 5 Series 2, GPU: Intel Arc 130V, 512GB Storage, 16GB RAM, 14-inch touchscreen 2K LCD

HP Victus - $950 (from $1399) via HP; CPU: Intel Core i5 13th-gen, GPU: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4050 Laptop GPU (6GB GDDR6), 1TB Storage, 16GB RAM, 15.6-inch Display

Microsoft College Offer vs. MacBook Neo With Education Discount

Apart from the discounts that Microsoft offers for the computers, they are also giving students who buy under this program significant subscriptions for work and play services.

First, Microsoft will give College Offer buyers a year of Microsoft 365 Premium subscription, which includes Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and Copilot.

Next, Microsoft also offers a one-year subscription to the Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, which students can access on their PCs, Xbox consoles, and other eligible devices like handheld tech to enjoy various games and online services.

Lastly, Microsoft will give users a free design-your-own Xbox Wireless Controller to pair with their Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscription.

All of these are available under the Microsoft College Offer.

On the other hand, Apple's Education Store applies to all MacBook variants, including the Neo, as well as iPad, iPhones, Apple Watch, Vision Pro, Apple TV 4K, and accessories, offering significant discounts on devices.

The MacBook Neo on the Education Store costs only $499 for its base variant.

Originally published on Tech Times
Senator Bernie Sanders speaks during rally organized by Union Now in New York on Saturday. Photograph: Lev Radin/Shutterstock (Photograph: Lev Radin/Shutterstock)

Bernie Sanders on Wednesday led a failed effort to block the sale of bombs and bulldozers to Israel, but the votes revealed a growing appetite among Democrats to impose limits on US weapons transfers to a longtime US ally.

It was the fourth time Sanders, an independent who caucuses with Senate Democrats, had forced consideration of resolutions cutting off military aid for Israel in the Senate, all of which have been rejected by the chambers Republican majority, and many Democrats.

But on Wednesday, 40 senators backed a resolution brought by Sanders that would have prevented the sale of $295m in bulldozers and 36 members voted for a second resolution that would have halted a $151.8m sale of 12,000 1,000lb bombs to Israels military.

That shift reflects where the American people are, Sanders said in a statement late on Wednesday. Americans, whether they are Democrats, Republicans or independents, want to see our tax money invested in improving lives here at home  not used to kill innocent women and children in the Middle East and put American troops in harms way as part of Netanyahus illegal wars of expansion.

Whats astonishing is that, despite overwhelming opposition across this country, Republicans continue to side with Netanyahu and Trump, Sanders added.

Related: No more US military aid to Israel | Bernie Sanders

Last April, during the current Congress, only 15 of the caucuss 47 members supported similar measures, but in July, 27 members backed another batch of resolutions. The rising tally reflected shifting sentiment towards Israel among the chambers Democrats, who are grappling with souring attitudes among their voters on Benjamin Netanyahus conduct in the invasions of Gaza and southern Lebanon, and his collaboration with Donald Trump in the conflict with Iran.

Being a stalwart friend of Israel, however, does not mean agreeing with all decisions of the Israeli Government or Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, just like being a patriot of the United States does not require unquestioning agreement with the policy decisions of President Donald Trump and his administration, the California senators Adam Schiff and Alex Padilla said in a joint statement, after voting in favor of the resolutions. Both had previously voted against the measure.

Speaking before the vote, Sanders described the effort as an opportunity for Congress to stand up to the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (Aipac), which has spent tens of millions influencing races in the lead-up to the 2024 US elections, and continues to spend heavily before the November midterms.

Let us be clear: given the horrific and illegal behavior of the Netanyahu government over the last three years, the American people have had enough. Support for Israel in this country has plummeted, he said, citing a Pew Research Center survey released this month finding that 80% of Democrats and 41% of Republicans view the country negatively.

Maybe, just maybe, the Senate should start listening to their constituents and not just to the wealthy individuals who fund Aipac, he continued. And that is what todays vote is all about.

In the House of Representatives, sentiment has built among some progressive lawmakers for cutting off all military aid to Israel, even for defensive weapons such as the Iron Dome missile shield.

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez earlier this month said she would not support Congress sending more taxpayer dollars and military aid to a government that consistently ignores international law and US law. Fellow progressive Ro Khanna endorsed that approach in an interview with Zeteo, saying: I do believe Iron Dome is important in terms of saving lives. Israel can buy it with their own money.

Groups opposed to Israels policies have stepped up the pressure on Democrats to back the resolutions. On Monday, dozens of people were arrested at a protest held outside the New York City offices of senators Kirsten Gillibrand and Chuck Schumer, the chambers top Democrat. Protesters urged them to vote in favor of Sanderss resolutions.

On Wednesday, both senators opposed the measures, in line with their previous votes.

Last week, a coalition of progressive groups including Indivisible, MoveOn, J Street and Jewish Voice for Peace sent senators a letter urging them to support halting weapons sales, casting it as an opportunity send a clear message that senators oppose any continuation of the war with Iran.

They described the sale of the 1,000lb bombs as raising urgent legal and moral concerns, saying the munitions had been used in densely populated areas in Gaza, Lebanon and Iran, with significant documented civilian casualties. The bulldozers, the groups write, have been widely used in operations involving large-scale demolition of homes, civilian infrastructure, and entire neighborhoods in Gaza, the West Bank and Lebanon, contributing to forced displacement and de facto annexation.

Separately, Senate Democrats forced a vote on a war powers resolution that would prevent Trump from continuing hostilities against Iran on Wednesday, but it was voted down by Republicans. The party has used such votes as a pressure tactic against the administration to conclude a war that polls show is unpopular with the public.

In a statement after voting against Sanders effort, the Democratic senator Chris Coons of Delaware said that while he supported the war powers resolution to end president Trumps war of choice with Iran, he could not abandon our steadfast ally, Israel, and the Americans who live within its borders.

My votes should be taken neither as an endorsement of the actions of the Netanyahu government nor as an abandonment of the state of Israel, the Jewish people, or the US-Israel relationship, he said.
Olaolukitan Adon Abel is suspected of killing two women and seriously injuring a man (DeKalb County Sheriff's Office)

A British man is suspected of killing two women in the state of Georgia in what officials have described an act of pure evil.

Olaolukitan Adon Abel, 26, has been arrested in connection with the shooting deaths of two women. He is also suspected of the random shooting of a man who remains in a critical condition.

Department of Homeland Security (DHS) employee Lauren Bullis has been identified as one of the victims.

Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin said that Bullis had been brutally shot and stabbed to death in an attack he described as pure evil.

Adon Abel received U.S. citizenship in 2022, Mullin added.

He has also been arrested for the murder of an unidentified woman whom he reportedly shot outside a Checkers, before randomly shooting a homeless man multiple times outside a Kroger in Brookhaven.

These acts of pure evil have devastated our department and my prayers are with the families of the victims.

Department of Homeland Security worker Lauren Bullis was one of the shooting victims (Sunisa Kim Kipe)

The Brookhaven Police Department said that the suspect was taken into custody without incident in Troup County, south west of Atlanta, following co-ordination with local detectives.

Further investigation has revealed that Adon Abel is also responsible for other shootings that occurred earlier in unincorporated DeKalb County, police said in a statement.

This remains an active and ongoing investigation.

Adon Abels name appears in several variations in government and military records.

The Associated Press reported that military records show Adon Abel enlisted in the US navy in 2020, last serving in the helicopter maritime strike squadron in Coronado, California.

As a petty officer he received a navy commendation for superior performance for battle readiness but in 2024 was arrested and charged with assaulting two Coronado police officers and attacking another person.

Court records seen by the Associated Press show he was kicked out of the navy in September of that year.
Residents of one of Londons most expensive boroughs have lashed out over a planned expansion of the cancer hospital that treated the Princess of Wales, saying it will harm property prices.

Neighbours living near the Royal Marsden Hospital in Chelsea say the proposed redevelopment would cause irreparable harm to the area due to construction dust and noise, as well as a loss of sunlight and privacy to homes.

The planning application filed by the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea proposes to add a seven-storey extension to the 19th-century hospital to increase capacity by 50 per cent and modernise its ageing infrastructure.

The Royal Marsden is consulting on plans to extend its centre (PA) (PA Archive)

But in an anonymously-penned leaflet posted through locals doors, objectors say they will suffer a loss of light and overwhelming sense of enclosure from the scheme and urge neighbours to submit official objections.

The leaflet, titled OBJECT NOW, claims the proposals would cause five years of disruption through noise, dust, increased air pollution, and traffic disturbance in the area around Sydney Street and Fulham Road.

The Royal Marsden Hospital is a world-leading cancer treatment centre. Opened in 1851, it is known as the first hospital dedicated to cancer in the world and has helped pioneer advances in radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and surgical techniques.

Princess Kate recently received her cancer treatment at the hospital and is a joint royal patron of The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust.

The Princess of Wales during a visit to the Royal Marsden Hospital last year (Chris Jackson/PA) (PA Archive)

But the centre has faced challenges due to its ageing infrastructure, which NHS bosses say is in desperate need of modernisation. The Royal Marsden said the proposed expansion will allow it to increase capacity by up to 50 per cent and help more people access specialist treatment.

Residents have also submitted official objections to the works online. In one letter filed by the owner of a nearby Grade II-listed townhouse, the resident complains the plans will inevitably reduce the value of my home and render it significantly less attractive, or even unviable, as a residential property.

Another suggested property value will be greatly affected by this project during and after the proposed redevelopment, while a third wrote: This sounds horrendous, five years of construction, noise and air pollution in an area I moved into quite specifically for its tranquillity, which is one of the key attractions to the area.

But campaigners against the development have said the expansion is not the sort of project London can afford to delay.

Kane Emerson, head of housing research at the YIMBY alliance, said: If Britain is to build the homes, infrastructure and public services we need, we must find ways to build with local support.

It matters for patients across London that the Royal Marsden is able to expand and deliver the new theatres, inpatient beds and diagnostic facilities they need. This is not the kind of project London can afford to delay.

Dr Lawrence Newport, CEO and co-founder of Looking for Growth, added that the hospital extension must be approved to prioritise the British people again.

Patients deserve cancer treatment, he said. For decades, progress has been stopped, and the lives of people around the country have been sacrificed. We should ignore the consultants, lawyers, and lobbyists stopping the development of infrastructure like hospitals, and prioritise the British people again.

Some residents also voiced support for the hospital extension. In one letter, a resident said they are extremely happy with the proposals, adding they are desperately needed for the area.

Another wrote: I would not be where I am today without the Royal Marsden. Supporting this development means supporting more people like me  giving them access to the very best care, the latest treatments, and most importantly, more time.

The trust has engaged with residents, patients, staff, councillors and community groups over several years, and said it has made several key changes to the proposals after receiving feedback.

The Royal Marsden has been contacted for comment.
Prateek Sharma moved Delhi High Court against blocking of parody X handle posting satirical content on social media (Supplied)

The video begins with Narendra Modi enthusiastically shaking hands with a foreign leader, before it dissolves into bursts of laughter, an exaggerated hug and a candid look to the camera mid-conversation. The English is deliberately garbled, the pauses theatrical, but the mannerisms unmistakable. As a satire of Indias prime minister it is sharp, absurd, and instantly recognisable.

Posted on Instagram by comedian Pulkit Mani, the reel captioned POV: How Moody Gee Greets Foreign Ministers racked up more than 16 million views before it suddenly disappeared for users in India.

In its place now sits a stark notice saying access to the content has been restricted pursuant to a legal request from the government under the countrys information technology laws.

This is not an isolated case. In recent weeks, popular X accounts known for satire and political commentary have been taken down or restricted, only to be partially restored later following court intervention. Even then, some posts remain blocked, pending review by government-appointed panels.

The takedowns have sparked growing concern among digital rights advocates and creators, who warn of an expanding crackdown on online speech critical of the government and the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party.

The restrictions come as the government moves to widen its regulatory net, proposing amendments that would extend rules governing news publishers to ordinary users, including influencers, comedians, and independent journalists, who post about news and current affairs on platforms such as Facebook, YouTube and X.

Critics say the move could fundamentally reshape online freedom of speech in India, giving the authorities greater control over what hundreds of millions of users can say and how far their voices can travel.

For Prateek Sharma, the man behind a parody account called Dr Nimo Yadav that posts satirical political content, the shift from amusing side-project to all-consuming legal battle came abruptly and in the middle of the night.

I received an email from X on 19 March at 12.23am, he recalls in an interview with The Independent. It said that we have blocked your account on order from MeitY, referring to the Ministry of Electronics, Information and Technology.

The message, he said, offered little clarity. We dont have blocking orders, Xs mail said. And they told me to get in touch with MeitY for account restoration. Sharma wrote to the ministry asking why his account had been withheld and which posts had triggered the action. I did not receive a response, he said.

The Independent has reviewed the tweets cited in the blocking order. Most were critical or satirical of prime minister Narendra Modi or his Bharatiya Janata Party.

In an email exchange between X and MeitY seen by The Independent, the ministry said the flagged accounts fell under Section 69A of the IT Act. This provision allows the government or intermediaries to block content in the interest of sovereignty, integrity, defence and security of India, as well as to maintain relations with friendly states and prevent incitement to violence.

The ministry added it had attempted to identify and contact the users but was unsuccessful. It also alleged that posts by the Dr Nimo Yadav account contained AI-altered content that defamed the government and the prime minister, spread false narratives, and portrayed him as incompetent  content it said could harm public order and pose a security risk.

Sharma disputes this, saying he did not receive any formal communication from the ministry before the blocking.

Ranjan Gogoi retires today as a Rajya Sabha MP.



He asked zero questions and participated in only one debate.



He was nominated to Rajya Sabha by the BJP Central government, as a reward for the Ayodhya verdict delivered during his tenure as CJI.



What a waste of Taxpayers money. pic.twitter.com/nW93xX3Yqx  Dr Nimo Yadav 2.0 (@DrNimoYadav) March 16, 2026

According to the blocking order, also seen by The Independent, at least 11 other accounts, including Nehr_Who and Activist Sandeep, known for critical or satirical posts about the prime minister, were withheld in India. MeitY directed X to block them within an hour or face action.

The Elon Musk-owned platform pushed back against the 18 March directive, arguing the accounts did not meet the legal threshold under the IT Act and that the action was disproportionate. X also sought a fair hearing for the account holders, noting the order showed no clear attempt to contact them. It suggested withholding specific posts, rather than entire accounts.

A lawyer for X, advocate Ankit Parhar, tells The Independent that the platform sees account blocking as disproportionate and in instances of defamatory content, X suggests taking down posts instead of blocking the account as a whole. Ultimately, however, the government orders are passed under a legitimate and legal takedown regime in India. We have to comply, he says.

There is some pushback, he adds, For instance, if the account is generally posting newsworthy content and in some posts there may be something that MeitY finds objectionable, then the pushback is to please block only the posts you think are objectionable, says Parhar. Don't block the entire account. He says that it is rare for the ministry to take Xs objections into account.

Comedian Pulkit Mani posted reel captioned 'POV: How Moody Gee Greets Foreign Ministers' that racked up more than 16 million views before it was suddenly pulled down at the direction of the government of India (Dhruv Rathee/X)

The Independent reached out to MeitY for a response to this and other points raised throughout this article, but had not received a response at the time of publication.

Sharma has decided to fight the take-down order in court, a course of action that has transformed the anonymous satirist into a litigant at the centre of a wider debate over free speech  one that, according to digital rights advocates, has been building for years.

This concern is not speculative. It is empirical, says Apar Gupta, founder of the Internet Freedom Foundation. Section 69A blocking orders have been issued for reasons like decency and morality, which are not grounds permitted under the statute.

Gupta argues that a pattern is already visible in the kinds of content that gets removed. Accounts running political satire of the prime minister have been throttled or taken down. So when you ask whether this architecture could be used to curb dissent, it already is.

Part of the issue, he says, lies in how the system itself is structured. Blocking orders are confidential by design, meaning users often only learn about them after the fact, if at all. At the same time, mechanisms such as the governments Sahyog portal have streamlined and scaled the process, allowing multiple agencies to send take-down requests to all platforms quickly and in bulk.

India's prime minister and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Narendra Modi addresses his supporters during a mass rally in Kolkata on 14 March 2026 (AFP/Getty)

The swiftness is structural, not episodic, Gupta says, adding that platforms tend to over-comply because the cost of resistance, the potential loss of legal protections for hosting user content, is too high. The result, he argues, is a system engineered for over-removal.

The whole process lacks transparency, he says. There is no public register of takedown orders, and users are often left in the dark about why their content was blocked or who ordered it. Even when legal recourse exists, it is difficult to access in practice.

If you dont know your content was blocked, you cant challenge it. If you do know, the costs and timelines of constitutional litigation are prohibitive for most individuals, he said. The process is the punishment.

For Sharma, the consequences have been both immediate and deeply personal.

An engineer by profession, he had been running the account since 2018-19. What began as a joke  created on his birthday under the name of fugitive businessman Nirav Modi  gradually grew into a following of 1.3 million users, drawn to its sharp takes on political messaging.

A watershed moment came when Sharma used the account to take part in a pro-Modi PR campaign called #MaiBhiChowkidar (I too am a watchman). When an automated response from the prime ministers account thanked Nirav Modi  a fugitive pursued for extradition from the UK by the Modi administration  it quickly went viral.

Sharma believes it was this episode that put him on the radar of political operatives. After significant trolling the [automated PMs] tweet was deleted, recalls Sharma. He began receiving a backlash of his own online, with attacks labelling him Pakistani or Bangladeshi because of his decision to list his location broadly as South Asia.

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) supporters holding posters of India's prime minister Narendra Modi attend a mass rally in Kolkata on 14 March 2026 (AFP/Getty)

Still, he insists his content stayed within legal and constitutional boundaries. I take complete responsibility that none of my posts were in bad taste, he says. It was not derogatory I do not think I have written anything that the Constitution does not allow me to write.

The legal battle has also stripped away the anonymity he once relied on. Forced to approach the courts, Sharma had to reveal his identity, something he had deliberately protected for years.

I was hoping to stay anonymous. But it is not possible now, he said. With my identity card they have all my details, he says referring to the ID submission in court to the ministry. It is easy for them to target me, he says, fearing harassment from the right-wing supporters of the prime minister.

Since then, he claims to have received threats online. We now know where you live and who you are we will not spare you, some messages read, according to him. Others allegedly called for violence.

The Delhi high court later directed that Sharmas account, along with another parody account called Nehr_Who, be restored. However, individual posts flagged in the original order remain withheld pending further review.

Another lie of our PM  https://t.co/U5xE4bONsX  Dr Nimo Yadav 2.0 (@DrNimoYadav) March 19, 2026

The court also instructed that the matter be examined by a review committee within MeitY, which must determine whether the content falls within the scope of the law.

For Sharma, the fight is far from over. If they continue to withhold the posts, then we will file a fresh writ, he says.

The government has described some of the flagged content as being in bad taste and potentially harmful to public order  an assessment that Sharma strongly disputes.

How are my tweets derogatory? he asked. We live in a democracy we have the right to criticise our PM or any public figure. We are not living in North Korea.

Despite the risks, Sharma says he does not plan to change what he does.

I have never done anything that can disrupt public order. I dont intend to either, he says. However, if I think there is something that should be criticised, then I will continue do it.
Congresswoman blasts RFK for anti-vaxx messaging while hanging out shirtless in a hot tub with Kid Rock

A California Democrat has criticized Robert F Kennedy Jr for his remarks about vaccines, accusing the Health and Human Services Secretary of having the wrong priorities.

Rep. Linda Sanchez tore into RFK Jr as he testified before the House Ways and Means Committee on Thursday (16 April).

"You suspended this pro-vaccine messaging campaign, but somehow you're spending taxpayer dollars to drink milk shirtless in a hot tub with Kid Rock. And somehow you think that's a better public health message," Sanchez said, referencing a recent video of RFK with the MAGA musician.

Youve got a lot of misinformation there, Kennedy fired back. Weve done better at preventing measles than any country in the world.
Pete Hegseth in Arlington, Virginia, on Monday. Photograph: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images (Photograph: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

House Democrats filed six articles of impeachment against Pete Hegseth on Wednesday, accusing the defense secretary of high crimes and misdemeanors, in reference to the attack on Iran without congressional authorization and deadly strikes on suspected drug smuggling boats, among other official acts.

The move comes as the Trump administration faces mounting scrutiny over recent foreign action, particularly the war with Iran.

In Wednesdays resolution, Yassamin Ansari, a Democratic congresswoman from Arizona, and colleagues including John Larson of Connecticut accused Hegseth of disregarding rules to minimize civilian casualties during armed conflict.

The US may have been responsible for a March strike on a school in Iran that left at least 175 individuals dead, including children, according to a New York Times report.

The House Democrats also pointed at a growing number of boat strikes in the Caribbean. The military has repeatedly sought to frame individuals on the vessels as narco-terrorists.

House Democrats also accused Hegseth of compromising national security through careless and improper conduct, citing an episode where classified information was shared on Signal in 2025.

The defense secretary was embroiled in controversy last year after the Atlantics editor-in-chief Jeffrey Goldberg was added to a Signal group chat about a planned airstrike on Houthi fighters in Yemen. Hegseth, vice-president JD Vance, and CIA director John Ratcliffe were also in the chat.

The articles also continued on to include Hegesths efforts to withhold material facts relating to civilian casualties and operational conduct in Iran and Venezuela; his attempt to punish the senator Mark Kelly, a retired US navy captain, for reminding service members that they can refuse illegal orders; and forcing transgender service members from the military.

Pete Hegseth did not follow his oath to the US constitution, Ansari told the reporter Pablo Manriquez. He committed a war crime in Iran with the attack on a school that killed over 160 children. So not only do we need to end this war, but we need to hold accountable and prosecute anyone in the US administration who may have committed war crimes.

Pete Hegseth has been committing crimes and violating his oath, Ansari added. So I have no doubt that if this absolute clown  this former Fox News, not even a real anchor  continues in his position, there will be more, and we will get more support and I urge my colleagues to join me. He is a national security risk to the United States.

Kingsley Wilson, spokesperson for the Pentagon, dismissed the articles of impeachment as an attention-seeking bid.

This is just another charade in an attempt to distract the American people from the major successes we have had here at the Department of War, Wilson said in a statement to Axios.

Its unlikely the articles of impeachment will clear Congress, given the Republican majority in the Senate and the House.
The Ilford restaurant (Google)

A Pakistani restaurant in Ilford was fined almost 4,000 after fly-tipping rubbish just metres from its doorstep.

Video evidence showed two men leaving Chaat N Grill in Ilford Lane and dumping bags of rubbish on the pavement.

Owner Irshad Ahmed pleaded guilty to two counts of fly-tipping on behalf of his company at Barkingside Magistrates Court last month.

He was handed a fine and told to pay for Redbridge Councils legal fees, bringing the total penalty to 3,845.

The first video showed a man leaving cardboard and packing waste by a bin across the road from the restaurant and walking away, having also dumped his own rubbish there.

A second clip showed a separate man carrying a white plastic bucket and a bag of rubbish towards the same bin. He threw them on top of rubbish already piled next to the bin before leaving.

Ahmed was questioned by the councils neighbourhood enforcement team and told officers he would be able to provide the identities of the two men.

This never happened and he was issued with two 1,000 fixed penalty notices. When these went unpaid, he was summoned to Barkingside on March 17, where he pleaded guilty.

The owner admitted being responsible for the first incident and said a casual worker, who had since left the restaurant, was responsible for the second. He accepted it was his waste and that it had been dumped illegally.

John Richards, the councils director of community safety, said: This prosecution should serve as a strong warning that Redbridge Council will continue taking tough action against those who violate our spaces by dumping rubbish on the street.

The outlets website describes itself as vibrant spot known for its authentic Pakistani flavors and generous portions.

The action was carried out under the councils Operation Vanguard, a multi-team approach to tackling anti-social behaviour, fly-tipping and other environmental crime.
The Cochrane Review pooled results from different drugs all aimed to remove amyloid from the brain. Photograph: Andrew Brookes/Getty Images/Image Source (Photograph: Andrew Brookes/Getty Images/Image Source)

Drugs that have been hailed as a gamechanger for the treatment of Alzheimers disease make no noticeable difference to patients, according to an extensive review.

The analysis of clinical trials in people with mild cognitive impairment or mild dementia found that the effects of anti-amyloid drugs on cognition and dementia severity over 18 months were trivial, with improvements in functional ability small at best.

The verdict is a blow to the new wave of drugs that are designed to slow Alzheimers by clearing clumps of amyloid protein that build up in the brain. Amyloid plaques are a hallmark of Alzheimers disease, along with another protein called tau which forms toxic tangles in neurons.

The Cochrane review drew on gold standard methods to assess data from published clinical trials, but was criticised by some researchers and charities for combining results from older, failed drugs with those from newer, more effective medicines.

Its not surprising that if you pool results from effective and ineffective treatments you end up with a small or absent average treatment effect, said Charles Marshall, professor of clinical neurology at Queen Mary, University of London.

Anti-amyloid drugs were hailed as a gamechanger when clinical trials showed small but statistically significant improvements in patients. Medical regulators around the world approved lecanemab made by Eisai, and donanemab, made by Eli Lilly, but many countries stopped short of providing them through public health services.

In the UK, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (Nice) said that despite the drugs slowing the disease by four to six months, the cost to the NHS was not justified. Nice is revisiting the decision after an appeal by the manufacturers.

The Cochrane review analysed 17 clinical trials that typically lasted 18 months. They involved more than 20,000 people and assessed seven anti-amyloid drugs in people with mild cognitive impairment or dementia.

Edo Richard, a co-author on the review and professor of neurology at Radboud University medical centre in the Netherlands, said the analysis found no clinically meaningful effect on cognitive decline or dementia severity, and that the drugs caused more swelling and bleeding in the brain than the placebo.

These effect sizes are too small for patients and caregivers to notice, Richard said, adding that the drugs were also burdensome because patients must visit a clinic every two to four weeks to receive the intravenous drug infusions and have regular MRI scans to check for brain swelling or bleeding.

He defended the decision to pool results from different drugs as all aimed to remove amyloid from the brain and assessed the impact on patients in a similar way. The review concludes that researchers should explore new ways to treat the disease.

Robert Howard, professor of old age psychiatry at UCL, said emerging trial data for anti-amyloid drugs raised doubts about whether they truly altered the course of Alzheimers. Its very difficult being the person who says these things, but I dont think its fair on patients to have expectations raised, he said. The sad truth is that even the best-performing drugs dont do anything thats clinically meaningful.

Dr Susan Kohlhaas at Alzheimers Research UK said: This study is attempting to paint an entire class of drugs with the same brush even though we know different anti-amyloid treatments can act in different ways. Only two of the 17 studies included were for the medicines now approved in the UK, lecanemab and donanemab. The rest focused on drugs that were not pursued after failing to show meaningful benefit, inevitably shaping the reviews conclusions.

Anti-amyloid treatments will not be the whole answer to curing Alzheimers, and research is already moving towards a wider range of biological targets. But its not accurate to dismiss their impact as trivial, especially when the analysis has clear constraints that limit what it can tell us.
Police have warned crime and disorder will not be tolerated amid protests in an upmarket London commuter town following a suspected rape.

Large crowds squared off with riot police in the centre of Epsom on Wednesday as tensions soared following the attack.

Social media footage showed big groups of protesters and dozens of police officers wearing helmets and holding shields, with objects appearing to have been thrown at them.

The protest was promoted online by Danny Tommo, a former associate of Right-wing activist Tommy Robinson.

Local MP Helen Maguire said: To those who have come into Epsom from outside our community to spread division and cause disruption, take it elsewhere, it wont be tolerated.

Surrey Police announced on Wednesday they do not have enough information to release descriptions of the suspects who raped a woman.

According to the force, the victim, in her 20s, said she was followed and attacked after leaving Labyrinth Epsom nightclub.

The attack is believed to have occurred between 2am and 4am on Saturday outside Epsom Methodist Church in Ashley Road.

During Wednesdays demonstration, a letter was read out in which a resident asked for more information and reassurance from the police after the assault, particularly on whether any suspects had been identified and detained and if there was still a risk to the public.

Protesters faced riot police in Epsom on Wednesday evening after a woman was raped outside a church (Getty)

The group also blocked the road, causing disruption to motorists, before leaving the scene at around 8pm, according to police.

East Surrey Chief Superintendent Mark Chapman said: There was a significant police presence in Epsom town centre this evening to support the groups right to lawful protest and minimise disruption to the local community.

I appreciate that this may have caused concern to people in the town centre, and I would like to reassure you that our priority was to ensure the safety of the wider public, as well as the safety of those involved in the protest.

I also appreciate that there was some disruption in the town centre while the protest was taking place and I would like to thank all those affected for their patience.

Police are seen on Epsom high street as people come out to protest after a woman was raped last Saturday (Getty)

We respect the right to lawful protest and will facilitate this wherever possible where it is safe to do so. However, criminal offences and public disorder will not be tolerated, and we will always take robust action against anyone who commits a criminal offence.

Ms Maguire, Liberal Democrat MP for Epsom & Ewell, condemned the violence and told people involved in the protest who are not from the area to stay away.

She posted on X: While I support peaceful protest and understand that members of our community are rightly angry after the appalling assault on a young woman, those who are turning to disruption and intimidation cannot be allowed to do so.

Behaviour such as damaging police vehicles, blocking key roads, and intimidating officers is completely unacceptable.

To those who have come into Epsom from outside our community to spread division and cause disruption, take it elsewhere, it wont be tolerated.

She stressed that the victim was being supported by specialist police officers and that Surrey Police were working hard to catch the perpetrators.

If you want justice for this young woman, the best thing you can do is let the police do their work, she added.

Epsom is a compassionate and united community. Lets show it.

She later said: I've just left the 'Service of Hope' at Epsom Methodist Church, a really moving time of solidarity that was a beautiful reminder of what this community truly stands for.

It only reinforces my dismay at the agitators and far-right voices fanning the flames of division online. I once again urge the public to allow Surrey Police the time and space they need to investigate, and not spread disinformation. That is how we get justice for this young woman.

Police officers remained in the town centre on Wednesday evening.

The force urged people not to speculate about the descriptions of the suspects in an earlier update, saying it did not have enough information to provide descriptions.

Merseyside Police were criticised for not revealing the ethnicity of Axel Rudakubana when he was arrested on suspicion of murder after he killed three young girls at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in Southport in July 2024.

Within hours of the attack, posts on the internet claimed the suspect was a 17-year-old asylum seeker who had come to the country by boat.

Riot police were out in force in the London commuter town on Wednesday (Getty)

In August last year, police forces were told to share suspects ethnicity and nationality with the public after authorities were accused of covering up offences by asylum seekers.

Garrington Property Finders named Epsom the 12th most desirable place to live in England and Wales in its 2026 list.

It said the average cost of a home in the area is 712,105.

Witnesses or anyone with dashcam footage from the area at the time of the incident outside the church have been urged to contact Surrey Police quoting reference number PR/45260041426.

Information can also be provided anonymously through independent charity Crimestoppers by calling 0800 555111 or using the online form.
Students and parents at an Arizona high school are telling Turning Point USA President Erika Kirk to stay home after she announced she was planning a visit.

Kirk intends to spend time at Pinnacle High School in Phoenix on April 24, but she's being met with resistance from both parents and students at the school.

I dont know why shes coming here, to be honest, Francisco Sanchez, a senior at the school, told 12 News Phoenix.

He said he believes that Kirk's positions are too extreme for the school. I think there are better representatives we can have.

Another senior, Kasandra Acosta, told the broadcaster she thought it was a "little crazy" that someone like hera conservative influencerwould visit her school.

Erika Kirk is planning to visit a high school in Arizona, leaving some students and parents concerned about safety during the event (AFP/Getty)

Im pretty shocked. Honestly, Im surprised its even happening, she said.

Her event was organized by the school's Club America group, which is affiliated with Kirk's TPUSA.

Kirk also has local roots: she and her late husband, Charlie Kirkwho was assassinated last year during a campus event in Utahlived in Scottsdale for several years and TPUSA's headquarters is in Phoenix.

It's not just students who are perplexed by Kirk's visit. Parents told The Arizona Republic that they were concerned about security issues surrounding the woman's visit. They said Kirk's decision to skip a planned event at the University of Georgia over security concerns has them concerned about the safety of their children.

A spokesperson for TPUSA said Kirk declined to attend the event after she received "some very serious threats."

A letter from the Paradise Valley School District to parents described Kirk's visit as an opportunity for her to share her personal journey and life experiences, but concerned parents are more concerned with the possible safety risks her presence poses to their children.

Its not just your average citizen coming over to speak to the club. She brings politics with her, she brings division with her, just because everybody in America is divided, Bobbee Noland, who has a student at the school, told The Arizona Republic.

The school reportedly told students they might see an increased security presence on campus during Kirk's visit. That announcement drove some parents to request that her event be moved to after-school hours, allowing students who have no interest in her talk to leave the campus before her arrival.

According to 12 News in Phoenix, the city's police said Kirk's event is private and the responsibility for securing it will rest on her and the school district.

We regularly work with community partners to support public safety during gatherings. As with any event, our officers will continue to monitor activity, review available information, and adjust deployment strategies as needed to help ensure a safe environment for students, staff, and the surrounding community, a Phoenix police spokesperson said in a statement.

Kirk's planned high school visit won't be her only appearance in the Phoenix area. She is also scheduled to attend a political rally in the city alongside President Donald Trump and Republican members of the Arizona Congress.
Public sector agencies operate under continuous scrutiny from regulators, oversight bodies, and the public. Every grant distribution, procurement contract, and public expenditure should be traceable and verifiable. Audit processes exist to provide that verification, yet many government systems still rely on fragmented databases and manual reconciliation between agencies. These processes increase administrative workload and delay investigations when records must be reconstructed across multiple systems.

Distributed ledger technology introduces a different model for recordkeeping. A blockchain ledger records transactions in an immutable and verifiable sequence, allowing auditors to verify when events occurred and whether records were altered. When deployed with appropriate governance controls, this structure can support public accountability without requiring agencies to maintain duplicate reporting processes. The Cosmos technology stack allows government organizations to implement this capability through independent, permissioned blockchains that integrate with existing administrative systems.

Key Takeaways

Public sector agencies must maintain detailed records that support audits, investigations, and public oversight.

Blockchain ledgers create immutable, verifiable records that allow auditors to easily view the sequence and integrity of transactions.

These records reduce reliance on manual reconciliation between departments or external auditors.

Permissioned digital ledger networks allow agencies to maintain data confidentiality while still providing verifiable public records.

The Cosmos stack supports government blockchain networks with production-proven technology, a high degree of cybersecurity and data access control, and interoperability between systems.

The Administrative Burden of Public Sector Audits

Government agencies maintain large volumes of financial and operational records. Auditors and oversight authorities rely on these records to verify that funds were used according to statutory requirements.

The audit process frequently requires investigators to reconstruct activity across several independent systems. Procurement data may exist in one system, payment records in another, and contract documentation in a third. Auditors must request access from each agency, gather documentation, and reconcile inconsistencies.

Public sector oversight reports have repeatedly highlighted these challenges. The U.S. Government Accountability Office has noted that fragmented data systems across federal agencies increase administrative workload during audits and investigations.

These processes do not necessarily fail to produce accurate results, but they can extend audit timelines and increase administrative costs. Agencies must maintain records specifically for audit purposes rather than relying on operational systems that already contain the relevant information.

Blockchain-based recordkeeping offers a way to address this problem by recording verifiable operational activity as it occurs.

Immutable and Time-Stamped Records

A blockchain ledger records events in sequential blocks that are cryptographically linked to previous records. Once a transaction is confirmed and recorded, altering that record would require modifying every subsequent block in the chain. This structure produces two characteristics that support auditing.

Immutability

Records cannot be changed without leaving a visible trace. Any attempt to alter past entries would break the cryptographic links between different ledger entries. This makes it obvious when data integrity is compromised because it has been altered or tampered with.

Transparency

Transparency in data access control ensures that the right individuals have appropriate access to a shared source of truth, enabling clear visibility into data usage and creating strong, reliable audit trails.

These characteristics allow investigators to confirm data integrity. The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development has identified blockchain's immutable audit trail as a potential tool for improving public sector recordkeeping and oversight.

Instead of assembling audit trails from multiple administrative systems, investigators can examine a single ledger that records each step of the process.

Audit Readiness Without Additional Reporting Systems

Traditional compliance workflows often require agencies to maintain additional reporting layers for auditors. These processes may include manual documentation, reconciliation reports, or periodic reporting to oversight bodies.

A digital ledger-based record system reduces the need for these parallel reporting structures because operational activity itself becomes the audit trail.

A typical workflow might proceed as follows:

A government department issues a procurement contract. The contract issuance is recorded on-chain with a digital authorization. When the government entity pays the vendor, the payments are recorded as separate ledger transactions. Settlement of funds is recorded and linked to the original contract record.

Each step produces a verifiable record in chronological order. Auditors examining the ledger can observe the entire lifecycle of the transaction without requesting separate documentation from multiple departments.

This structure supports audit readiness without increasing administrative workload.

Blockchain in Public Procurement Oversight

Public procurement systems provide a clear example of how blockchain can support oversight and investigations.

Procurement programs often involve multiple agencies, suppliers, and financial systems. Oversight bodies must verify that contracts were awarded properly and that payments correspond to authorized work.

Several governments have tested blockchain-based procurement tracking. The government of Colombia conducted a pilot project that recorded procurement processes on a blockchain ledger as part of an anti-corruption initiative. According to the Inter-American Development Bank, the pilot demonstrated that blockchain-based procurement records allowed stakeholders to verify contract activity and detect irregularities in procurement processes.

Auditors can review the ledger to confirm that procurement decisions followed approved procedures and that payments correspond to authorized contracts.

This model supports accountability without requiring agencies to assemble records after the fact.

Cosmos as Infrastructure for Public Sector Blockchain Networks

Public sector deployments require more than an immutable ledger. Agencies must comply with regulatory requirements regarding data access, cybersecurity, and access control.

The Cosmos technology stack provides tools that allow government institutions to build sovereign blockchain networks with these characteristics. It provides resilient, secure, and stable infrastructure that is proven in production for over 10 years. With sophisticated engineering and modular architecture, Cosmos technology provides public sector institutions with the control, adaptability, and security they need.

Digital ledgers built with Cosmos technology support interoperability with external counterparties, such as other networks, as well as with existing data management systems internal to the public sector agency. The organization that owns the ledger has end-to-end control over who accesses data and when, where data can flow, and even transaction automation to facilitate typical day-to-day processes that involve the movement of data under specific conditions. These ledgers carry out these processes securely and safely in accordance with the organization's policies. For example, a procurement chain operated by a government department could share verified contract commitments with a treasury settlement chain responsible for payments.

Public Accountability Through Verifiable Records

Public institutions must balance internal transparency with operational efficiency and adherence to policy. Oversight requirements should not require agencies to duplicate administrative work or maintain parallel reporting systems.

Digital ledger-based recordkeeping provides a framework in which operational events automatically produce verifiable records. These immutable records provide a single source of truth for audit trails for both internal and external reporting requirements, as needed.

When implemented through the Cosmos stack, government agencies can operate secure, resilient digital ledger networks with controlled participation, automated policy control, and interoperability between departments.

For public sector organizations responsible for managing taxpayer funds and maintaining public trust, audit-ready blockchain infrastructure offers a credible approach to strengthening accountability and controlled transparency.
Exam board Cambridge OCR has been fined 270,000 by regulator Ofqual following significant errors in its 2025 physics A-level and AS-level papers and mark schemes.

Ofqual stated that 12 identified mistakes in the papers and mark schemes resulted in some students being issued incorrect grades.

Crucially, two errors discovered only after results day meant 37 students  33 at AS-level and four at A-level  saw their final grades increase by one.

The remaining exam errors were identified and rectified either before tests, with correction notices sent to schools, or prior to results, ensuring candidates received full marks for affected questions.

Institute of Physics chief executive Tom Grinyer said it is important these issues are not repeated in future to avoid jeopardising growing demand among students for physics.

Amanda Swann, Ofquals executive director for delivery, said: Students deserve quality exam assessment materials.

After years of hard study, these unacceptable failures caused anxiety for students during their exams.

Some were issued incorrect grades.

Two errors that were not identified until after results day meant 37 students (33 at AS-level, 4 at A-level) saw their grade go up by one (PA Archive)

Ofqual said Cambridge OCR failed to ensure paper content was fit for purpose, and also failed to have in place clear arrangements for schools to request adjustments to marks because of errors.

A Cambridge OCR spokesperson said: We accept this judgment and we are very sorry to the students and teachers who were affected by these mistakes.

We did not meet the high standards that students and teachers deserve, and that we set for ourselves.

When these issues came to light, we acted to support students and minimise any impact.

We undertook a detailed root cause analysis, using the findings to improve our processes.

We are determined to learn from this and to improve, and we are continually refining our processes.

Were grateful to all the physics teachers, students, subject experts, and Ofqual, for their scrutiny, feedback and insights that have helped improve our approach.

The news comes as a number of GCSE and A-level exams could be taken on screens by 2030 under new proposals from the exams watchdog.

The proposals could see GCSEs in smaller-entry subjects, including certain languages, and most A-level exams  excluding maths  moved onto screens by the end of the decade.

Ofqual ran a consultation on allowing each of the four exam boards to propose two new specifications for on-screen assessment, replacing traditional pen and paper. Its findings to be published later this year.

Approval could mean eight new GCSE, AS or A-level exams with at least one digital component.

Under the proposals, exam boards will not be able to put forward on-screen exams in subjects taken by more than 100,000 pupils in a year, which includes many of the main GCSE subjects, as well as A-level maths.
France is preparing for a terror strike targeting London.

French diplomats in the capital have carried out a crisis management exercise on responding to a major incident in the city.

They have sought to strengthen their emergency response plans as tensions run high over Donald Trumps Iran war.

The Met Police recently told how MI5 and counter-terror police have disrupted more than 20 Iranian state-backed terror plots in the past year, including alleged assassination attempts targeting individuals in London.

Security at a London-based dissident Iranian TV station suspected of being targeted in a Tehran terror plot (PA)

The Standard understands that the French crisis response blueprint aims to cover all scenarios, including a terror attack affecting French citizens in London.

If this happened, diplomats at Frances Embassy in Knightsbridge would be guided by the French governments Centre de Crise et Soutien (CDCS - Crisis and Support Centre) based in Paris.

Under plans to deal with a very challenging incident, or if it affected a large number of French citizens, CDCS agents could be flown over to help with the response.

French consular staff, who would offer support to victims and their families, also took part in the crisis room at the embassy in west London.

They could issue passports to French citizens and arrange repatriation flights.

The French Embassy in Knightsbridge, west London (French government)

French diplomats would liaise with the British authorities.

They already work closely with the UK Government, with France and Britain seconding police and military officers to each others ministries.

There are 300.000 French citizens in the UK, with just over half of them in London.

If they are in Britain for more than six months, they are urged to register with the French authorities, partly to facilitate a response in a time of emergency.

The American Embassy in London is urging US citizens to sign up to the State Departments alert system amid the growing global dangers.

US authorities have also raised concerns that Iran could attempt to activate so-called sleeper cells overseas in retaliation for the military action targeting the Tehran regime.

Meanwhile, international leaders were due to gather in Paris on Friday in an effort to come up with a plan to ensure the Strait of Hormuz can remain open to shipping after the Middle East war ends.

French President Emmanuel Macron and Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer (PA Wire)

Sir Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron will co-host the summit.

A Downing Street spokesman said: The summit will advance work towards a coordinated, independent, multinational plan to safeguard international shipping once the conflict ends.

Sir Keir told MPs on Monday the UK-French initiative would involve military planning to provide assurance to shipping as well as diplomatic efforts.

Britain has become increasingly critical of Trumps war, with Chancellor Rachel Reeves branding it a folly, accusing the US president of having had no exit plan and no clear war aims.

Mr Macron has previously said the countries participating in the initiative would work on a strictly defensive mission, separate from the warring parties to the conflict which is intended to be deployed as soon as circumstances permit.

He said the summit would bring together countries prepared to contribute alongside us to the peaceful multinational mission.

A week ago, Mr Macron welcomed a French couple back to Paris after they were held for more than three years in an Iranian prison on espionage charges.

Cecile Kohler, 41, and Jacques Paris, 72, were arrested during a tourist trip in May 2022 on spying charges that France branded baseless.

They were detained in Tehran's notorious Evin prison, where London mother Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe was also held.

In Westminster, a new Cabinet committee has been established to deal with the fallout from the Iran conflict.

The Middle East Response Committee had its first meeting on Tuesday to consider the situation in the Strait of Hormuz, the shipping route vital for global oil and gas supplies.

The Prime Minister established the committee to deal with the domestic and international impacts of the war, which has driven up energy prices, caused stock market turmoil and exposed deep divisions between the US and its traditional European allies.
More than three dozen Democrats supported an effort by Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders on Wednesday to block arms sales to Israel, signaling a growing discontent in the party with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the wars in Gaza and Iran.

The two resolutions to block US sales of bulldozers and bombs to Israel were opposed by all Republicans and rejected 40-59 and 36-63. But Sanders has repeatedly forced votes on the issue to put pressure on his colleagues  both Democrats and Republicans  to oppose Netanyahus regime.

Similar resolutions forced by Sanders in 2024 and 2025 were also rejected, but the number of Democrats voting with the Vermont Independent has more than doubled in less than two years amid Israeli campaigns in Gaza, Iran and Lebanon and a stepped-up campaign by party activists who have increasingly seen support for Israel as a litmus test for support.

Its clear that Democrats are beginning to listen to the average American who is sick and tired of spending billions of dollars to support Netanyahus horrific wars when people in this country cant afford housing or health care, Sanders said after the vote.

Read more'LAbuso': Real Italian magazine cover of Israeli settler sparks online storm

Arizona Sen. Mark Kelly, D-Ariz., voted in support of the two resolutions after opposing some of Sanders previous efforts. In a speech just before the vote, Kelly said that the reckless decisions being made by Prime Minister Netanyahu and President Trump led him to his decision, which he said he did not take lightly.

Under Prime Minister Netanyahus government, weve seen an expanded war in Lebanon that is putting innocent Lebanese civilians at risk, and ongoing violence against Palestinians and their homes being demolished in the West Bank, Kelly said. All of this has undermined the path forward for peace.

Among the Democrats voting against the resolutions were Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand. Nearly 100 protesters were arrested during a demonstration on Monday calling on the two New York senators to vote in favour of Sanders' two measures.

Led by the antiwar group Jewish Voice for Peace, the crowd of hundreds initially attempted to stage a sit-in inside the senators' offices as they said they were abetting Israels intensifying attacks in Lebanon and the US-Israeli war on Iran. But they were blocked and many of the protesters were arrested.

Read more'If we don't divide the land we're heading to apartheid': Ex-head of Israel's Shin Bet

The majority of Americans and New Yorkers want a resolution to what the Israeli government is doing, said the groups communications director, Sonya Meyerson-Knox.

Democrats supported a resolution earlier on Wednesday to halt Trump's war in Iran, though that was also rejected, 47-52. Democratic Sen. Chris Coons, a Democrat who voted against Sanders' Israel resolutions, said he voted to end the Iran war but did not want to abandon Israel.

My votes should be taken neither as an endorsement of the actions of the Netanyahu government nor as an abandonment of the state of Israel, the Jewish people, or the US-Israel relationship, Coons said in a statement after the vote.

Republicans said the vote could hurt US efforts in the Iran war.

Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Jim Risch, R-Idaho, said the resolutions could embolden Iran and send the message that the US is prepared to leave our ally Israel vulnerable".

They will not help the United States of America, Risch said ahead of the vote.

(FRANCE 24 with AP)
The Hampshire College campus in Amherst, Massachusetts, in 2019. Photograph: Boston Globe/Getty Images (Photograph: Boston Globe/Getty Images)

When Hampshire College enrolled its first class of students in 1970, it offered a new breed of liberal arts education, one meeting each students interests and motivations, emphasizing learning across disciplines and close relationships with teachers.

For the next 56 years, Hampshire provided just that, becoming a beloved alma mater to scores of unconventional learners who sought, and found, a college experience unlike anywhere else  and unlike anyone elses, as the schools site still promises to deliver.

It was the first time in my life where I truly learned in school, said Alec MacLeod, an artist and educator who enrolled with the second class of Hampshire students alongside film-maker Ken Burns. For his senior project, MacLeod invented a fictional country, designing its history and geography, even its cuisine and folklore, under the guidance of an anthropologist, a philosopher and an artist.

I cant imagine I could have done that anywhere else, he said of Hampshire. Its a special place where special things can happen.

But future students searching for the imaginative, quirky and occasionally unstructured undergraduate experience Hampshire became known for will have to look elsewhere. This week, the colleges president and board announced that the upcoming fall semester will be Hampshires last and that the school will shutter permanently due to low enrolment and years-long financial problems. In 2025, the school had set a goal to enrol 300 students  it got about half that number.

In a statement, the president and board wrote that they had left no stone unturned trying to save the college after it almost closed six years ago.

Related: Just not monetizable: humanities programs face existential crisis at US universities

Despite this herculean effort, the financial pressures on the colleges operations have become increasingly complex, compounded by shifting external factors, they wrote. We remain unwavering in our belief that the experience a Hampshire College education provides is exactly what the world needs.

Hampshire is hardly the first institution to fall to collapsing enrolment amid worsening career prospects for college graduates, a decades-long crisis affecting particularly the humanities and liberal arts and the rise of AI  among deeper societal fractures. Nearly 300 colleges and universities have closed between 2008 and 2023, according to the Hechinger Report, which tracks the closures. Dozens of faculty have been laid off and departments cut or consolidated at universities large and small, private and public. Even the countrys most storied institutions have not been immune. The Trump administration, which has declared US colleges and universities the enemy, has waged an unprecedented campaign against them that has only exacerbated the crisis.

Hampshire administrators said they decided to close now to use the schools last resources to help students transition out of it. Those who are close to finishing their degrees will be able to stay through the fall, while others may transfer to a number of partner institutions in Massachusetts and other states.

Its less clear what will happen to the schools roughly 250 faculty and staff, who were advised to apply for unemployment benefits. RL Goldberg, who teaches trans and queer studies there, said faculty were aware of the financial woes but were blind-sided by the announcement.

A lot of us felt like there was still significant time to course correct, they told the Guardian.

The announcement was also met with shock and disbelief from alumni, many of whom described the news as gut wrenching and devastating. As the tributes flocked in, former students spoke of Hampshire as a magical place and their time there as deeply transformative. I wouldnt be who I am without Hampshire was a common refrain. What a loss for future generations who need it was another.

The product of a 1958 committee established to re-examine the assumptions and practices of liberal arts education, Hampshire offered an experimental pedagogical approach, attracting what the schools president called bold, iconoclastic thinkers, and encouraging them to design their own curriculum and self-evaluate in place of traditional grades.

To know is not enough, the schools motto advises, and the Hampshire experience extended far beyond the classroom. The college was unabashedly progressive, fostering a socially conscious, advocacy-oriented education, and becoming one of the first in the country to require all students to complete community service. When conservative legislators in Florida overhauled the states only public liberal arts school, New College of Florida, promising to transform it into a bastion of conservatism, Hampshire offered its fleeing students admission.

Hampshire is exactly the kind of inclusive, critical-thinking-focused, left-leaning learning institution that the right has long accused of so-called wokeism. Already, conservative commentators have seized on the closure announcement to argue that colleges are responsible for their own demise.

Schools like Hampshire College wrote off half of the country and offered indoctrination over education, one such commentator wrote. Students were offered little more than woke credentials with few marketable skills or demonstrated abilities with their degrees. By removing the anxiety of grades and rigorous academic standards, the college became a comfort zone rather than a learning zone.

But alumni say that Hampshires methods were exactly what they needed to make it in the world. Its always been so funny to me that people thought Hampshire was a slacker school because we didnt use letter or number grades or tests, Sharon Goldtzvik, a communications consultant for progressive non-profits, wrote in a social media post. Those people were probably gobsmacked the first time they had to lead a project or face a performance review, sitting across from a boss or colleague and assessing their work. Weve been doing that since we were 18.

Goldberg, the Hampshire professor, argued the rights antagonism against higher education was largely manufactured, but masked deeper questions about the future of universities.

The truth is, there is [an enrollment] cliff of students who are applying for colleges right now, there are huge questions about what a college education is for. People wonder: Why invest so much money, go into so much debt? they said. (Hampshires tuition runs about $60,000 a year, excluding housing, though the school says 99% of students receive financial aid.) Were mired in this conversation about wokeism, which I dont think is particularly useful to any of us when our schools are closing, our students have no clear pathways, theyre in debt, our teachers are living paycheck to paycheck and our workers dont have any sense of stability.

Burns, who had in recent years spearheaded fundraising efforts to save the school, told the New York Times that Hampshires closure came at a time when higher education has been hijacked by the transactional.

A college education is, to some, like a Louis Vuitton handbag, he added. And thats not Hampshire.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth turned what was supposed to be a briefing on ongoing U.S. operations against Iran into a bizarre harangue against the countrys free press in which he compared journalists to a group of ancient religious scholars who are often portrayed as enemies of Jesus in the New Testament.

The ex-television presenter was roughly five minutes into a ten-minute monologue to reporters in the Pentagon briefing room on Thursday when he abruptly shifted from taunting Irans government about how U.S. forces remain locked and loaded if negotiations to extend a ten-day ceasefire fall through to chastising journalists for being insufficiently sycophantic towards the Trump administration and the war effort.

I just can't help but notice the endless stream of garbage, the relentlessly negative coverage you cannot resist pedaling, despite the historic and important success of this effort and the success of our troops, he said. Sometimes it's hard to figure out what side some of you are actually on  it's incredibly unpatriotic.

Hegseth continued his diatribe by accusing the Pentagon press corps of having bent over backwards to explain away the chaotic U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan that was carried out by the Biden administration under terms negotiated by President Donald Trump and then-Secretary of State Mike Pompeo during Trumps first term.

He claimed journalists had exhibited bias by calling the withdrawal the greatest airlift in history, though his criticism appeared to be a mischaracterization of reporting on the U.S. Non-Combatant Evacuation Operation during the fall of Kabul that was described by Air Force officials at the time as the largest airlift operation in U.S. history.

U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth speaks during a briefing on the Iran war, at the Pentagon in Washington, D.C., U.S., April 16, 2026. REUTERS/Nathan Howard (Reuters)

But the former Fox weekend anchors attack on the press took a strange biblical turn a moment later when he recalled how his Sunday church service last week had focused on a passage in which a group of Pharisees, who he called the so-called and self-appointed elites of their time, had visited a synagogue to watch Jesus heal a man with a withered hand.

They were there to witness, to write everything down, to report, but their hearts were hardened, even though they witnessed a literal miracle, it didn't matter ... I sat there in church and I thought, our press are just like these Pharisees, not all of you, not all of you, but the legacy Trump hating press, your politically motivated animus for President Trump nearly completely blinds you from the brilliance of our American warriors, Hegseth said.

He continued, accusing reporters of having hardened hearts that are calibrated only to impugn and complaining that reporters arent focused on the historic success of our troops, the courage of this President, and this historic moment for a deal that could end the Iranian nuclear threat.

Where's the coverage of the new spirit in the country? The new spirit in the ranks, the surge of Americans wanting to join the greatest military in the world? Nothing from the fake news, ... you only seek the negative, earning each and every day the fake news label. But the American people with goodness in their hearts see past the Pharisees in our press, they see the goodness, he said.

Hegseths biblical attack on his former industry was the latest in a series of diatribes against journalists that he has delivered at each of the briefings he has conducted alongside Joint Chiefs of Staff Chair General Dan Caine.

His tenure atop the Pentagon has been marked by non-stop hostility towards the press, including an ongoing attempt to banish journalists from workspace that has been set aside for their use for decades.

The defense secretarys attempt to cast journalists as antagonists of Jesus comes as President Trump is under increasing fire for his repeated use of AI-generated, religiously-themed images to promote himself.

Earlier this week, Trump drew outrage from even some of his most fervent allies by posting an AI-generated image of himself as Jesus to his Truth Social feed during a late-night posting and reposting spree in which he also lashed out at Pope Leo XIV, the Chicago-born priest who serves as the 267th Bishop of Rome, making him head of the Catholic Church.

He later deleted the post after intense criticism from religious conservatives and other right-wing figures, but days later reposted another AI-generated image in which he was being embraced by Jesus, with the two men shown bathed in light in front of an American flag backdrop.

Trump has continued to post AI-generated images of him with or as Jesus despite backlash from his own political base (@realDonaldTrump/Truth Social)

Ironically, Hegseth denounced a different use of Jesus-themed AI content when he was asked by reporters about an Iranian government video showing Jesus killing Trump and casting him into hell, calling it disgusting and detached from reality.

The repeated invocation of religious imagery by Hegseth and Trump is taking place amid the Trump administrations extraordinary feud with Leo, the first American to serve as the spiritual leader of the worlds 1.4 billion Catholics.

Trump and Vice President JD Vance have both lashed out at the pontiff in recent days after he criticized world leaders who spend on wars rather than focusing on peace.

Speaking in Cameroon, Leo decried leaders who used religious language to justify wars and urged a "decisive change of course" in unusually forceful remarks.

"The masters of war pretend not to know that it takes only a moment to destroy, yet often a lifetime is not enough to rebuild," he said.

"They turn a blind eye to the fact that billions of dollars are spent on killing and devastation, yet the resources needed for healing, education and restoration are nowhere to be found."

Leo also appeared to hit back at Hegseths remarks without mentioning his name in a tweet posted shortly after the defense secretarys press conference, writing: Woe to those who manipulate religion and the very name of God for their own military, economic, and political gain, dragging that which is sacred into darkness and filth.
Average mortgage rates appear to have reached a plateau, according to a financial information website, with several high street lenders making reductions this week.

HSBC UK is poised to make a wave of reductions on Friday, including for first-time buyers, home movers and people remortgaging.

Halifax Intermediaries has also signalled plans for product changes from Friday, with rate decreases of up to 0.35 percentage points on fixed-rate products, while BM Solutions will also make some reductions.

Amanda Bryden, head of Halifax Intermediaries and Scottish Widows Bank, said: Swap rates, which play a significant role in the price of mortgages, continue to be volatile, but while they are falling, we are taking the opportunity to pass that on to home buyers.

Santander also made some reductions on Thursday.

TSB said that from Friday, rates are decreasing on two-year fixed house purchase mortgages by up to 0.45 percentage points.

Some other TSB mortgage rates are increasing, including on product transfer deals and additional borrowing.

The average two-year fixed homeowner mortgage rate on the market on Thursday morning was 5.88%, down from 5.89% on Wednesday, website Moneyfacts said.

The average five-year fixed homeowner mortgage rate was 5.77%, unchanged from Wednesday.

At the start of March, the average two-year fixed-rate mortgage was 4.83% and the average five-year fixed-rate deal was 4.95%.

Moneyfacts said it had counted 6,665 homeowner mortgage products available on Thursday.

Santander said it is passing on a reduction in borrowing costs after a fall in swap rates, which are used by lenders to price loans.

Adam French, head of consumer finance at Moneyfacts, said average mortgage rates have held steady since Easter, adding: Rising mortgage rates seem to have plateaued for now.

Product numbers have also been steadily improving; 809 deals have returned to the market since it hit a low of 5,856 available products on 24 March.

However, this is still 973 (12.7%) fewer than before the conflict in Iran began.

Money markets are now pricing for fewer base rate hikes than they were a few weeks ago and swap rates have fallen back towards 4% from highs of around 4.4%.

This has given several lenders, such as Santander, Atom Bank and Skipton Building Society, the headroom to make a few meaningful cuts over the last few days.

However, mortgage pricing is driven more by expectations than current rates and borrowers are still exposed to sudden shifts. Ongoing uncertainty in the Middle East and the looming threat of Trumpflation mean the path to cheaper borrowing remains fragile.

Nicholas Mendes, mortgage technical manager at John Charcol, said of HSBCs plans to cut mortgage rates: When a lender of that size starts repricing, it does tend to give the wider market a nudge and adds to the sense that this could help kick-start further reductions from other big names over the coming days.

That is especially encouraging after the volatility of the last few weeks, where lenders were far more focused on protecting margins and managing risk than competing hard on price.

It is also a broader move, covering areas including first-time buyer, home mover, remortgage and buy-to-let business, which makes it more meaningful than a small, isolated tweak to one corner of the range.

For borrowers, the message is still not to sit back and wait for the perfect moment.

Anyone buying, remortgaging or coming off a fixed rate in the next three to six months should be using this window to get prepared now.
Rev. Franklin Graham, the son of the late Billy Graham and a leading evangelical figure close to Donald Trumps administration, doesnt believe the president knowingly depicted himself as a Christ-like figure in a now-deleted AI-generated image.

In a post on his Truth Social account on Sunday, Trump depicted himself in a white robe and red sash with a glowing outstretched hand placed on the forehead of a man in a hospital bed. The president later said it showed me as a doctor.

In a statement shared with The Independent, Graham condemned what he called ill-intended speculation about the presidents image, standing in stark contrast to backlash from other faith leaders  including conservative evangelicals  who accused him of grotesque blasphemy and making a mockery of holy symbols to serve a political agenda.

When I looked at the illustration, I didnt jump to the same conclusion as some, Graham said.

There were no spiritual references  no halo, there were no crosses, no angels, he added. I think this is a lot to do about nothing. There is so much ill-intended speculation. I think his enemies are always foaming at the mouth at any possible opportunity to make him look bad.

Rev Franklin Graham criticized ill-intended speculation about Trumps post and said the presidents enemies are always foaming at the mouth at any possible opportunity to make him look bad (Reuters)

Graham said he did not believe Trump would knowingly depict himself as Jesus Christ  that would certainly be inappropriate.

Im thankful the president has made it very clear that this was not at all what he thought the AI-generated image was representing  he thought it was a doctor helping someone, and when he learned of the concerns, he immediately removed the post, Graham added.

Graham, a prominent evangelist and president of Samaritans Purse and the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, has been allied with the president through both of his administrations.

He recently appeared at the White House with other Christian pastors, including Robert Jeffress, one of Trumps longtime religious advisers who leads First Baptist Church in Dallas, to celebrate Easter.

On Palm Sunday, Trump shared a letter from Graham on his social media platform that addressed the presidents suggestion that he thought he was going to hell. I dont think theres anything gonna get me in heaven, OK? Trump speculated on Air Force One last year.

In response, Graham wrote: Maybe you responded in jest, but it is an important issue to know for certain that your soul is secure and will spend eternity in the presence of God.

At last months Conservative Political Action Conference in Texas, Graham said, love Donald Trump and well never get another president like him.

That's why it's important that we do everything that we can to try to get him reelected, he said.

Graham said he misspoke in a statement immediately after his remarks.

Graham, who is a longtime ally of Trump, said he is thankful that the president claimed that the image was showing him as a doctor (AFP/Getty)

His latest comments follow a wave of bipartisan outrage from conservative Christian commentators and pastors who have otherwise aligned with the presidents agenda.

But evangelical figures close to the president have thus far either declined to weigh in publicly or have opened the door for Trump to consider the episode a teachable moment.

A fragile alliance between conservative Catholics and evangelicals has been increasingly tested by the presidents growing hostility towards Pope Leo XIV and Catholic leadership as well as the administrations characterization of war with Iran as a Christian calling.

Im not a Catholic, Im an evangelical, but I appreciate how President Trump has defended religious freedom for people of all faiths, including millions of evangelicals and Catholics in the U.S. and around the world, Graham said in his statement.

He is the most pro-Christian, pro-life president in my lifetime and he doesnt shy away from it, he added. I would hope that the President and Pope Leo can meet at some point, and that the Pope would have the opportunity to thank the President for his efforts to protect religious liberty.
Israeli army vehicles in southern Lebanon on Wednesday - Ariel Schalit/AP Photo

Donald Trump has announced a 10-day ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah, starting at midnight local time (10pm BST).

Writing on Truth Social, the US president said he had held excellent conversations with both Benjamin Netanyahu, the prime minister of Israel, and Joseph Aoun, president of Lebanon, and that the US military would work with both countries to achieve a lasting peace.

Its been my honour to solve 9 Wars across the World, and this will be my 10th, he boasted, promising to invite the two leaders to the White House for what he described as the first meaningful talks between Israel and Lebanon since 1983, a very long time ago.

The 10-day cessation of hostilities between Israel and the Iran-equipped and funded Hezbollah removes a major obstacle to a lasting peace between the US and Tehran.

Speaking on the White House lawn on Thursday, Mr Trump said the leaders of Israel and Lebanon could meet at the White House in the next two weeks.

He also said he would visit Lebanon at the right time if a deal is struck.

Mr Netanyahu said the deal offered an opportunity for an historic peace agreement but insisted Israeli forces would remain in Lebanon with an extensive security zone, having refused a Hezbollah demand to withdraw.

The current US-Iran ceasefire was almost derailed last week after Tehran insisted Hezbollah be included in the peace deal, while Israel continued its air strikes against Lebanon.

No formal details of the White House-brokered agreement have been released, but Mr Netanyahu reportedly told his security cabinet late on Thursday that the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) would remain at the strategic points it currently holds during the ceasefire.

Only 24 hours earlier, he promised to extend Israels buffer zone eastwards.

An Israeli strike on homes in the city of Nabatieh, Lebanon, on Thursday - Reuters

The war in Lebanon started on March 2 after Hezbollah began firing missiles and drones into Israel in support of Iran, triggering a heavy IDF bombing campaign that included hits on Beirut and a ground invasion and mass evacuation orders, creating more than 1.2 million refugees.

More than 2,610 Lebanese people have been killed in the fighting, according to its government. Israel says it has killed around 1,700 Hezbollah operatives.

Both Israel and the US are now likely to demand that Lebanon steps up its efforts to disarm Hezbollah, while knowing privately that the countrys armed forces lack the strength to take on the group, meaning Iran looks set to retain its terror army on Israels doorstep.

Nawaf Salam, Lebanons prime minister, welcomed the ceasefire on Thursday.

As I congratulate all Lebanese on this achievement, I pray for the martyrs who fell, and affirm my solidarity with their families, with the wounded, and with the citizens who were forced to flee their cities and villages, he said on X.

An MP from Hezbollahs political wing said the militant group would respect the ceasefire if Israel stopped its attacks.

The planned cessation of hostilities was also welcomed internationally.

Ursula von der Leyen, president of the European Commission, said: This is a relief, as this conflict has already claimed far too many lives, adding that it must lead to a permanent peace.

Hezbollah continued firing rockets into Israel on Thursday, while Israel pressed ahead with its ground and air campaigns, including destroying the last remaining bridge over the Litani River in an effort to stop Hezbollah resupplying its fighters.

1704 Israel's expanding control zone in Lebanon

Domestically, the ceasefire is difficult for Mr Netanyahu.

A recent poll indicated a large majority supported continuing the war against Hezbollah.

Within hours of Mr Trumps announcement, Mr Netanyahu was under attack by political rivals.

Gadi Eisenkot, expected to be a major contender at this years general election, said: A pattern is emerging in which ceasefires are imposed on us.

Yair Lapid, the main opposition leader, said: Not for the first time, all the promises of this government collapse in the face of reality.

Others warned that the respite would give Hezbollah time to recover and grow stronger.

An Israeli soldier fires towards southern Lebanon on Wednesday - Amir Levy/Getty Images

Since the fighting began in March, Israeli strategists have realised that the group retained more weapons and regenerated its forces more effectively than previously thought, following what appeared to be a decisive Israeli campaign in late 2024.

Exploding pagers, the successful assassination of long-time leader Hassan Nasrallah, and a short but effective ground incursion appeared to deliver a decisive blow, yet the terror group has since regenerated, updating tactics and operational security.

If Israel is unable to disarm Hezbollah, that leaves it up to the Lebanese army, which is unlikely to be strong enough to take them on.

Israel has contended with armed groups committed to its destruction in southern Lebanon since the 1970s.

It previously occupied the south of the country from 18 years up until 2000, which was blamed for giving rise to Hezbollah in the first place as a proxy of Iran.
Israeli artillery pounds southern Lebanon on Wednesday as the IDF ramps up attacks on Hezbollah - Getty Images

Israel has warned that southern Lebanon will become a Hezbollah terrorist kill zone despite negotiating a potential ceasefire.

Lt Gen Eyal Zamir, the chief of general staff for the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), made the order during a visit to troops stationed in the country, stating that the strikes against Hezbollah would continue as part of a multi-front effort.

I have ordered that all of the area of south Lebanon up to the Litani (river) line be turned into a Hezbollah terrorist kill zone, he told soldiers.

Later on Wednesday, Benjamin Netanyahu announced that the IDF was about to overwhelm the Hezbollah stronghold of Bint Jbeil in the southern part of the country.

The Israeli prime minister said strikes against the paramilitary group would continue, despite mounting pressure for a ceasefire between Jerusalem and Beirut.

His security cabinet convened on Wednesday to discuss a possible truce after officials held rare peace talks in Washington the day before.

A senior US official told AFP that Donald Trump would welcome an end to the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon, but that such an agreement is not part of peace talks with Iran.

01:36am

Todays top stories

Thank you for joining our coverage. We are pausing our live updates, but we will be back later this morning.

Here are todays top stories:

Thousands more US troops will arrive in the Middle East in the coming days, US officials have said

Trump suggested talks with Tehran could resume within two days

The US president lashed out at Nato and threatened to change the terms of the trade deal with Britain as relations sour

11:12pm

Pictured: Anti-US protest in Tehran

Reuters

10:00pm

US sends cargo vessel back to Iran

The United States military said it sent a cargo vessel back to Iran after it attempted to evade the blockade in the Strait of Hormuz.

US Central Command said on X that the ship attempted to leave Bandar Abbas and pass through the strait but was turned back by the USS Spruance, a destroyer.

The US military claimed that it has stopped ten such ships from passing through since the blockade began on Monday.

Yesterday, an Iranian-flagged cargo vessel tried to evade the U.S. blockade after leaving Bandar Abbas, exiting the Strait of Hormuz, and transiting along the Iranian coastline. The guided-missile destroyer USS Spruance (DDG 111) successfully redirected the vessel, which is pic.twitter.com/EUnwhwYiDv  U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) April 15, 2026

09:48pm

Trump would welcome end to fighting in Lebanon

Donald Trump would welcome an end to the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, according to a report.

A senior US administration official told AFP on Wednesday that the US president is keen for an end to the fighting in Lebanon but that such an agreement is not part of peace talks with Iran.

The United States wants to see a durable peace but did not demand an immediate ceasefire, the official is reported as saying.

They added: Negotiations between the US and Iran are not linked to ongoing peace talks between Israel and Lebanon.

A first responder at the site of an Israeli air strike in Tyre on Wednesday - Getty Images

09:00pm

Pictured: US helicopter lands on aircraft carrier in Persian Gulf

A helicopter operating as part of the blockade of Iranian ports lands on aircraft carrier - US Central Command

08:41pm

US Treasury to target Iranian regime elites with sanctions

Scott Bessent has warned Iranian regime elites that they will be targeted by economic sanctions.

The US treasury secretary announced that his department would continue to cut off Irans illicit smuggling and terror proxy networks.

In the statement, he wrote: Treasury is moving aggressively with Economic Fury by targeting regime elites like the Shamkhani family that attempt to profit at the expense of the Iranian people.

Under the president of the United Statess leadership, Treasury will continue to cut off Irans illicit smuggling and terror proxy networks.

Financial institutions should be on notice that Treasury will leverage all tools and authorities, including secondary sanctions, against those that continue to support Tehrans terrorist activities.

08:23pm

Four paramedics killed by Israeli strikes on Lebanon

Four paramedics were killed by Israeli strikes on Lebanon earlier today, according to the Lebanese state-run National News Agency.

Beiruts health ministry said the attacks had targeted paramedic teams three times in the town of Mayfadoun, Nabatiyeh District.

It added that six others had been injured in the strikes.

08:04pm

Pictured: Israeli vehicles near the Lebanese border

Israeli soldiers walk by artillery vehicles near the Israel-Lebanon border - Florion Goga/Reuters

07:45pm

US and Israel have identical objectives in Iran, insists Netanyahu

Benjamin Netanyahu has insisted that Israels and the USs objectives in Iran are identical.

The Israeli prime minister said: Our American friends keep us constantly updated on their contacts with Iran. The objectives of the United States and our own are identical.

We want to see enriched material removed from Iran; we want to see the elimination of enrichment capability within Iran; and, of course, we want to see the strait reopened.

07:26pm

Netanyahu: Strikes on Hezbollah continue

Benjamin Netanyahu has announced that the Israel Defense Forces is about to overwhelm the Hezbollah stronghold of Bint Jbeil in Lebanon.

The Israeli prime minister said strikes against Hezbollah continued to support the mission, despite mounting pressure for a ceasefire between Jerusalem and Beirut.

In a video statement, he confirmed that he had instructed the military to reinforce the security zone in southern Lebanon.

He said: In the negotiations with Lebanon, there are two central objectives: first, the dismantling of Hezbollah; second, a sustainable peace... achieved through strength.

07:08pm

Leavitt hits out at misreporting on Iranian port blockade timeline

Karoline Leavitt has hit out at the misreporting on the duration of the US blockade of the Gulf of Oman.

The White House press secretary said the Trump administration was supporting the freedom of navigation, but not any for any vessels that would benefit the economy of Iran.

She told reporters: I will never set timelines on behalf of the president of the United States. But with respect to the blockade, as you know, it has been fully implemented, and its being enforced against vessels of all nations entering or departing Iranian ports.

I want to make that point clear. Ive seen some misreporting on that as well. This includes all Iranian ports on the Arabian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman.

And our US forces in the region are supporting the freedom of navigation for vessels that are transiting the strait to and from non Iranian ports.

So I know some in the press were confused about that  we are supporting the freedom navigation, just not with respect to any tanker or vessel that would benefit the economy of Iran as these negotiations continue.

US navy guided-missile destroyers are among the assets executing a blockade mission that is affecting Iranian ports - US central command

06:55pm

We will sanction Beijing if links to Iran proved, warns Bessent

Scott Bessent has warned China that the US will apply secondary sanctions if there is Iranian money flowing through Chinese banks.

The US treasury secretary told reporters: Iran used to be the largest state sponsor of terrorism. China was purchasing more than 90 per cent of their oil, which is about 8 per cent of Chinas energy needs.

We believe with this blockade in the straits, there will be a pause of Chinese buying.

But I will tell you that two Chinese banks received letters from the US treasury  Im not going to identify the banks  but we told them that if we can prove that there is Iranian money flowing through your accounts, then we are willing to put on secondary sanctions.

Mr Bessent added that Xi Jinping, the Chinese leader, had assured Donald Trump that Beijing was not supplying Iran with weapons throughout the conflict.

Karoline Leavitt and Scott Bessent take questions at the White House - Kevin Lamarque/Reuters

06:50pm

No US request for extension to ceasefire, says Leavitt

Karoline Leavitt, the White House press secretary, has denied that the Trump administration has requested an extension to the ceasefire.

She said: I saw some reporting again, bad reporting, this morning that we had formally requested an extension of the ceasefire. That is not true at this moment.

We remain very much engaged in these negotiations, in these talks.

Ms Leavitt added: Ive also seen some reporting about the potentiality for in person discussions. Again, those discussions are being had, but nothing is official until you hear it from us here at the White House, but we feel good about the prospects of a deal.

06:39pm

Listen: US naval forces threaten cargo ships in Middle East

US central command captioned the clip: US naval vessels are on patrol in the Gulf of Oman as central command continues to execute a US blockade on ships entering and departing Iranian ports.

US forces are present, vigilant and ready to ensure compliance.

U.S. naval vessels are on patrol in the Gulf of Oman as CENTCOM continues to execute a U.S. blockade on ships entering and departing Iranian ports. U.S. forces are present, vigilant, and ready to ensure compliance. pic.twitter.com/dnHR2oz0ZN  U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) April 15, 2026

06:17pm

Trumps press secretary to speak shortly

Karoline Leavitt, the White House press secretary, is about to hold a press conference with reporters.

She is expected to appear alongside Scott Bessent, the US treasury secretary, and Kelly Loeffler, the head of the Small Business Administration government agency.

06:02pm

Pictured: US troops conduct weapon checks en route to Middle East

US marines conduct weapon function checks during a quick reaction force drill aboard San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock ship USS Portland in the Pacific Ocean - Cpl Avery Wayland/US Marine Corps

05:42pm

Reeves: Trumps war on Iran is a mistake

Rachel Reeves has branded the Iran war a mistake in the UK Governments strongest criticism of the US intervention in the Middle East to date.

The Chancellor said she was not convinced that the conflict had made the world a safer place, pointing to continued issues with the Strait of Hormuz.

She insisted that the UK retained a very good relationship with the US, but clarified: We dont always have to agree on everything.

Speaking at a conference in Washington, Ms Reeves said: There was a diplomatic channel open, [and] conversations, formal discussions were happening.

I think it was a mistake to end those and to enter into conflict, because Im not convinced that we are safer today than we were a few weeks ago.

She added: The question is not whether you like or dislike the Iranian regime  I strongly dislike the Iranian regime  but how to achieve the change that you want to achieve.

05:36pm

Pictured: Mother and twin babies displaced in Lebanon

Ghada Mohammed Fadel, a displaced mother who fled her home after an Israeli evacuation order, holds her twin babies Mohammed and Mehdi inside a university-turned shelter in Sidon, Lebanon - Aziz Taher/Reuters

05:19pm

US and Iran consider extending ceasefire by two weeks

The US and Iran are weighing up a two-week extension to the current ceasefire, according to reports.

Mediators on both sides believe that doubling the duration of the truce will create sufficient time for a peace agreement to be negotiated, Bloomberg has reported.

Officials suggested that the extension was required to resolve the most contentious issues, including the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and Irans nuclear enrichment.

05:09pm

Israeli military eliminates more than 1,700 Hezbollah terrorists

The head of the Israeli armed forces has claimed that more than 1,700 Hezbollah operatives have been killed since the beginning of the military operation in Lebanon.

Lt Gen Eyal Zamir, the chief of general staff for the Israel Defense Forces, visited troops as part of a visit to southern Lebanon.

He told soldiers: In Lebanon, we continue to strike Hezbollah in a multi-front effort. We have eliminated over 1,700 Hezbollah terrorists since the beginning of the operation  this is a severe blow to the terrorist organisation.

Lt Gen Zamir added: I have ordered that all of the area of south Lebanon up to the Litani (river) line be turned into a Hezbollah terrorist kill zone.

04:52pm

Trump infers his divinity again in new social media post

Donald Trump has posted another image inferring his divinity on Truth Social despite significant backlash from his base after he compared himself to Jesus Christ.

On Monday, the US president shared an AI-generated image depicting himself as Jesus in a white robe with his hand on a mans forehead, before later deleting it and claiming he thought it showed him as a doctor.

Mr Trump has now reposted a second image, this time of him being embraced by Jesus. He captioned the post: The Radical Left Lunatics might not like this, but I think it is quite nice!!! President DJT.

It comes after a public spat between Mr Trump and Pope Leo, in which the president described the pontiff as terrible and weak for his condemnation of the US-Israeli war on Iran.

04:32pm

Pictured: An Iranian banner mimics Lord of the Rings

A banner in Tehran displays ships being stopped by statues, much akin to the Gates of Argonath, a fictional monument from JRR Tolkiens Middle-earth.

A giant banner depicting the Strait of Hormuz is displayed at Fatemi Square, featuring Ali Reza Tangsiri, former commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy, and Rais Ali Delvarion, a former military leader - Fatemeh Bahrami/Anadolu/Getty Images

04:11pm

No ships broke blockade in first 48 hours, says US

US central command has announced that no ships have broken the American blockade in the Gulf of Oman during its first two days.

The force added that a total of nine vessels had complied with direction from the US navy to turn around and return to a port or coastal area in Iran.

In a statement issued on social media, it said: During the first 48 hours of the US blockade on ships entering and exiting Iranian ports, no vessels have made it past US forces.

Additionally, nine vessels have complied with direction from US forces to turn around and return toward an Iranian port or coastal area.

03:59pm

Pakistani delegation arrives in Tehran

A delegation from Islamabad has arrived in Tehran for further talks as a mediator in the conflict between the US and Iran.

Asim Munir, Pakistans army chief, and Mohsin Naqvi, the countrys interior minister, arrived in the Islamic Republic this afternoon.

It comes after Iranian state media said the delegation was planning a second round of talks between Washington and Tehran.

Asim Munir, Pakistans military chief, greets Abbas Araghchi, Irans foreign minister

03:37pm

Israel to discuss extending ceasefire agreement to Lebanon

The Israeli government will meet to discuss a possible ceasefire in Lebanon, a senior official has disclosed.

A truce applying to Beirut would likely be linked to the current two-week ceasefire between the US and Iran, senior Israeli figures told Reuters.

Benjamin Netanyahu, the Israeli prime minister, will meet his security cabinet at 8pm (6pm BST) in Israel to discuss the matter.

It comes after diplomats from Israel and Lebanon held talks in Washington yesterday for the first time in more than 30 years.

03:24pm

Pictured: UN forces ride through Lebanon

The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon has been operating a peacekeeping mission in the country since 1978.

A UNIFIL convoy patrols the city of Tyre, in southern Lebanon - Louisa Gouliamaki/Reuters

03:05pm

US and Iran agree to return to negotiations

The US and Iran have agreed to return to the negotiating table for another round of talks, according to reports.

Negotiators from Washington and Tehran failed to reach a permanent peace agreement over the weekend, but both governments have embraced the principle of further negotiations, the Wall Street Journal has reported.

Although an exact date and venue have not yet been decided, it is thought that the talks will take place in Islamabad again.

02:42pm

This is just a merry-go-round of ridiculousness

02:27pm

Indirect communications with US continue, Iran confirms

Iran has confirmed that indirect communication with the US via Pakistan has continued following failed negotiations over the weekend.

Since Sunday, when the Iranian delegation returned to Tehran, several messages have been exchanged through Pakistan, said Esmaeil Baqaei, the foreign ministry spokesman, in a weekly press briefing.

Today, we are very likely to receive a Pakistani delegation as a continuation of the discussions in Islamabad, he added.

02:19pm

US to send thousands more troops to Iran

Thousands more US troops will arrive in the Middle East in the coming days, US officials have said.

The White House is continuing to push Tehran towards a peace deal to end the six-week conflict.

The Pentagon has deployed roughly 6,000 personnel aboard the aircraft carrier USS George HW Bush, along with accompanying warships. An additional 4,200 troops from the Boxer Amphibious Ready Group and the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit are expected to arrive later this month.

Officials said the build-up would bring significant US military assets into the region as a fragile ceasefire neared its scheduled end on April 22.

The new deployments will join an estimated 50,000 US personnel already involved in operations aimed at fighting Iran.

When asked about expanding the US military presence, Karoline Leavitt, the White House press secretary, said Donald Trump had wisely kept all options on the table, adding that Iran would face increasing pressure to accept a deal limiting its nuclear ambitions.

JD Vance, the vice-president, said Mr Trump was seeking a grand bargain with Iran. His remarks hinted that a deal could include an end to the naval blockade, sanctions relief and the release of billions of dollars of Iranian assets held in foreign banks in exchange for Tehran giving up its nuclear ambitions.

Earlier, Mr Trump said the war was close to over and that talks could resume in Pakistan in the next two days.

02:09pm

Pictured: Temporary mass grave in Lebanon

Families have been forced to abandon traditional funerals in the southern Lebanese port city of Tyre.

Paramedics attach a portrait over the grave of Ghadir Baalbaki, 19, who was killed on Tuesday in an Israeli air strike - AP Photo/Hussein Malla

01:41pm

Turkey: There will be peace in the Middle East despite Israels Zionist regime

Turkeys president said peace would ultimately prevail in the Middle East despite [Israels] Zionist regime, Alisa Butterwick reports.

Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Turkey was working to reduce hostilities linked to US and Israeli actions against Iran and to extend ceasefire negotiations.

Negotiations cant happen with clenched fists, he told parliament in Ankara on Wednesday, urging all sides to seize what he described as a window of opportunity for a truce.

Mr Erdogan also accused Israel of repeatedly undermining peace efforts.

Whenever even the slightest hope for peace emerges, Israel will try every way to sabotage it, he said.

01:37pm

Trump: President Xi will give me a big fat hug as thanks for Hormuz

Donald Trump has claimed that China is very happy with him as he is permanently opening the Strait of Hormuz.

The US president suggested that Xi Jinping would give me a big, fat hug for Americas military operation in the Middle East.

In a post on Truth Social, he said: China is very happy that I am permanently opening the Strait of Hormuz. I am doing it for them, also  and the World.

This situation will never happen again. They have agreed not to send weapons to Iran. President Xi will give me a big, fat, hug when I get there in a few weeks.

We are working together smartly, and very well! Doesnt that beat fighting??? BUT REMEMBER, we are very good at fighting, if we have to  far better than anyone else!!!

01:29pm

Iran foreign ministry insists on right to enrich uranium

Iran has insisted that its right to enrich uranium is indisputable, although the level of enrichment is negotiable, according to its foreign ministry.

On Wednesday, Esmaeil Baqaei, the foreign ministry spokesman, said the right to peaceful use of nuclear energy could not be taken away under pressure or through war.

Regarding the level and type of enrichment, we have always stated that this issue is negotiable. We have emphasised that Iran should be able to continue enrichment in accordance with its needs, he added.

The issue of enrichment has been a central sticking point in talks with the United States, which have sought limits to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons capability.

Tehran maintains its programme is for civilian purposes, including energy production, and denies that it seeks to build a nuclear weapon.

12:55pm

Iran will block Red Sea if US naval blockade continues, military warns

Iran has threatened to close the Red Sea if the US continues to blockade its ports.

Ali Abdollahi, the commander of Irans Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, said the existing blockade of the Strait of Hormuz amounted to a prelude to a violation of the ceasefire agreed between the US, Israel and Iran.



If the US persists, he warned that Irans armed forces would not allow any exports or imports through the Persian Gulf, the Sea of Oman or the Red Sea - a move that would deepen the ongoing global shipping crisis.



The Red Sea connects to the Suez Canal, which handles roughly 15 per cent of global trade. The Strait of Hormuz, which was first closed by Iran, saw around a fifth of the worlds oil trade before the war.



Donald Trump imposed the blockade on the Strait on Monday following collapsed talks with Iran in Pakistan after the two sides failed to agree on Irans nuclear programme.

On Wednesday, the US military said no ships had passed the blockade in its first 24 hours, with six merchant vessels turned back in the Gulf of Oman.

The ceasefire was announced on April 8, after nearly six weeks of fighting involving Iran, the US and Israel.

Despite US claims, there are signs that the blockade may not be fully effective. Tracking data indicated that some vessels had already crossed the Strait of Hormuz, a critical artery for global energy supplies.

Iranian media, including Tasnim news agency, said commercial shipping from southern ports had continued over the past 24 hours.

12:24pm

Pictured: Israeli soldiers storm through southern Lebanon

Israeli soldiers drive through southern Lebanon, as seen from northern Israel - AP

11:25am

Vance: Trump wants grand bargain with Iran

Donald Trump is seeking to make a grand bargain with Iran, JD Vance has said, signalling a possible reset of ties with the Islamic Republic.

The US vice-president said the message given to Tehran was that it would thrive if it committed to not having a nuclear weapon. [Trump] doesnt want to make a small deal. He wants to make the grand bargain, he said.

His remarks hint at the deal including an end to the naval blockade, sanctions relief and the release of billions of dollars of Iranian assets held in foreign banks.

Mr Vance, who led Washingtons delegation in peace talks with Tehran in Pakistan last weekend, said no agreement had been reached because of unresolved issues over Irans nuclear ambitions.

There is a lot of mistrust between Iran and the United States of America. You are not going to solve that problem overnight, Mr Vance said.

Mr Trump on Tuesday said negotiations could resume in Pakistan in the next two days  even as the US naval blockade against Iranian ports puts strain on the fragile ceasefire.

Signs of further diplomatic engagement have calmed oil markets, pushing benchmark prices below $100 per barrel.

Soldiers from the 11th MEU, a US marine air ground task force, fire live drills at sea aboard the USS boxer - Department of War

11:07am

Pictured: Vehicle destroyed by Israeli strikes in Lebanon

Workers remove the wreckage of a vehicle at the site that was targeted by an Israeli strike in Saadiyat town, south of Beirut, Lebanon

10:31am

IDF orders evacuation as it intensifies strikes in Lebanon

The Israel Defence Forces has said it is operating with significant force in parts of southern Lebanon, as it issued a fresh evacuation order warning that air strikes are ongoing.

In a statement, the military said residents south of the Zahrani River should leave the area immediately and head north.

Anyone present near Hezbollah elements, their facilities, or their combat vehicles endangers their life, it added.

Israeli army armored personnel carriers operate in southern Lebanon, as seen from northern Israel - AP

10:00am

We want a Lebanon of peace and prosperity, says Lebanese MP

A Lebanese MP has praised a meeting between Lebanon and Israel in Washington as a first step toward breaking a long cycle of conflict.

Fouad Makhzoumi appeared to take aim at Hezbollah, the Iran-backed group that wields significant influence in southern Lebanon. He said he hoped the process would advance through balanced, gradual steps aimed at stabilising the country.

We hope this path advances through balanced, gradual steps that strengthen stability - by de-escalation, reinforcing state authority, ensuring that arms are held exclusively by the state, he said on X.

That would include de-escalation, reinforcing state authority and ensuring that arms are held exclusively by the state, he said.

We welcome yesterday's meeting between Lebanon and Israel in Washington as a first step toward breaking a long cycle of conflict. We hope this path advances through balanced, gradual steps that strengthen stabilityby de-escalation, reinforcing state authority, ensuring that arms  Fouad Makhzoumi (@fmakhzoumi) April 15, 2026

09:21am

Pictured: US fighter jet aboard the USS Tripoli

An F-35B stealth fighter jet is prepared for flight aboard USS Tripoli as the amphibious assault ship sails in the Arabian Sea

09:11am

Trump threatens to wreck trade deal with Britain

Donald Trump has threatened to wreck his trade deal with Britain in one of his strongest attacks on Sir Keir Starmer to date.

The US president suggested he could worsen the agreement reached by the two leaders last year following their split over the war in Iran.

The historic bond between the two countries is at its worst point in years after Britains refusal to join Mr Trumps war against Iran. The Prime Minister also refused to send British warships to help the US Navy block the Strait of Hormuz, a key shipping route.

In May 2025, Britain became the first nation in the world to agree to a trade deal with the Trump administration that included a baseline tariff of 10 per cent.



This was lauded as a victory compared with the 15 per cent facing EU goods, and some elements of the deal have already come into force.



However, in a thinly veiled threat to No 10 on Wednesday, Mr Trump said: We gave them a good trade deal  better than I had to, which can always be changed.

09:04am

Opinion: Saudi Arabia is winning Gulf War III

The cold war between Saudi Arabia and Iran has burned with varying degrees of intensity for decades. It remains an artifact of the even more ancient Arab-Persian, Sunni-Shia tensions that have roiled the Middle East for centuries, writes David Rundell.

The Saudis speak Arabic and place great store in their role as custodians of Mecca. The Iranians speak Farsi and have often challenged Saudi control of Islams holiest site. Saudi Arabia is a conservative monarchy seeking regional stability. Iran is a revolutionary republic that supports a variety terrorists groups know as the Axis of Resistance. Saudi Arabia is a longstanding American ally. Iran hopes to expel America from the region. Saudi Kings Fahd and Abdullah both put forth peace plans to improve relations with Israel. Iran never tires of calling for its destruction.

Saudi Arabia is a longterm player in oil markets with an interest in price stability. It seeks to avoid price spikes that destroy demand. Iran has long been the price hawk at OPEC meetings, an organisation set up to facilitate cooperation between oil-dependent countries. It would be hard to find two nations with more divergent interests.

Iran and its proxies have been damaged in ways Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman could never have hoped to achieve alone - AP Photo/Evan Vucci

08:37am

Minister does not know whereabouts of HMS Dragon

A senior Government minister has admitted he does not know where HMS Dragon is.



James Murray, the Chief Secretary to the Treasury, admitted he was unaware Britains only warship in the region had returned to port after experiencing problems with its water supply.

When asked about Britains defensive capabilities and where HMS Dragon was, Mr Murray said: I believe HMS Dragon is there in the Mediterranean.

LBCs Nick Ferrari replied: Its still tied up, Chief Secretary, its having repairs to water.

The frontbencher  who is Rachel Reevess de facto deputy at the Treasury  added: Ok, I take your word for it Nick.

The vessel was deployed to Cyprus after RAF Akrotiri was hit by an Iranian-made drone on the second day of the Iran war, but took three weeks to arrive.

It has now returned to port in the Eastern Mediterranean.

Mr Murray also refused to say when the long-awaited Defence Investment Plan will be published, despite being asked several times.

So the defence investment plan. Nick is going to be a 10 year blueprint, so its a transformation over 10 years. So its important that we learn the lessons from both Ukraine and whats happening in the Middle East, and we get it right.

08:16am

Pictured: Iran flag hangs on destroying building in Tehran

A flag of Iran hangs from a building damaged in a US-Israeli strike in Tehran - Majid Saeedi/Getty Images

07:40am

Europe accelerates Nato back-up plan in case Trump withdraws

Europe is accelerating a fallback plan to ensure the continent can defend itself if Washington abandons Nato, according to sources.

Donald Trump is threatening to withdraw the US from the alliance, repeatedly questioning the level of support provided by its member states.

In his latest outburst against US allies for refusing to back Washingtons war against Iran, he said on Wednesday morning: Nato wasnt there for us, and they wont be there for us in the future!

Amid the rift, plans are being worked on to get more Europeans into the alliances senior roles and reinforce US military assets with their own, the Wall Street Journal reported.

European officials want to maintain operational continuity, credible deterrence against Russia and nuclear capability if Washington withdraws forces from the continent.

The plans, drawn up last year, were expedited after Mr Trump threatened to take Greenland by force from Nato member Denmark. However, they received a renewed urgency over Europes refusal to join in the war against Iran.

07:05am

Pictured: Onboard the USS Abraham Lincoln in the Middle East

A US air wing plane captain signals during flight operations aboard USS Abraham Lincoln in the Middle East - CENTCOM

06:49am

Trump: Iran war close to over

Donald Trump said the war with Iran was close to over as he hinted at a resumption of talks with Iran.

In a preview clip of an interview with Fox News, the US president was asked whether the war was finished.

I think its close to over, yeah, he replied. I view it as very close to over.

Separately, Mr Trump said negotiations between US and Iranian officials could resume in Pakistan in the next two days, while JD Vance, the vice-president, said he felt positive about where things stood.

I think youre going to be watching an amazing two days ahead, Mr Trump told ABC News, adding he did not think it would be necessary to extend a two-week ceasefire that ends on April 22.

06:24am

Iran used Chinese spy satellite to target US bases

Iran secretly acquired a Chinese spy satellite giving it a new capability to target US military bases in the region during the recent war, according to a report.

The TEE-01B satellite, built and launched by Chinese company Earth Eye Co, was acquired by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) in late 2024 after it was launched into space from China, the Financial Times reported, citing leaked Iranian military documents.

Iranian military commanders directed the satellite to monitor major US military sites. The images were taken in March before and after drone and missile strikes on those locations, the documents show.

For example, the satellite captured images of Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia on March 13, 14 and 15. On March 14, Donald Trump confirmed US planes at the base had been hit.

According to the report, the satellite also monitored Muwaffaq Salti Air Base in Jordan and locations close to the US Fifth Fleet naval base in Bahrain and Erbil airport in Iraq  all around the time of IRGC-claimed attacks on facilities in those areas.

06:13am

Trump launches new criticism of Pope Leo

Donald Trump doubled down on his criticism of Pope Leo on Wednesday, urging he be informed about the brutality of the Iranian regime.

Writing on Truth Social, he said: Will someone please tell Pope Leo that Iran has killed at least 42,000 innocent, completely unarmed, protesters in the last two months, and that for Iran to have a Nuclear Bomb is absolutely unacceptable.

It came after Pope Leo warned of the risk of democracies sliding into majoritarian tyranny.

It is the latest in an escalating row between the US president and the American pontiff.

Pope Leo, has strongly criticised Mr Trumps decision to launch a war against Iran, saying God rejects the prayers of those who launch wars and have hands full of blood.

The pope termed Trumps threat this month to destroy the Iranian civilisation as unacceptable and previously declined to join his so-called Board of Peace initiative for Gaza.

On Sunday, Mr Trump called the Pope weak and terrible on crime and foreign policy issues.

06:01am

Deal with Iran preferable, says Trump

Donald Trump said he was not thinking about extending the ceasefire with Iran, but a deal was preferable.

It could end either way, but I think a deal is preferable because then they can rebuild, the US president told ABC News reporter Jonathan Karl on Tuesday evening.

Mr Trump previously said talks between the US and Iran could resume over the next two days in Pakistan.

Peace talks in Islamabad over the weekend ended without a deal after 21 hours of negotiations between JD Vance, the US vice-president, and Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, Irans parliament speaker.

05:56am

Centcom: Blockade of Iranian ports fully implemented

Statement from Adm. Brad Cooper, CENTCOM commander: pic.twitter.com/dJxKJcEcmO  U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) April 15, 2026

05:53am

Trump lashes out at Nato

Donald Trump has said he believes Nato wont be there for the US in future.

The US president has previously threatened to withdraw his country from the military alliance and repeatedly criticised its members for failing to support Washingtons war on Iran.

Nato wasnt there for us, and they wont be there for us in the future! he wrote on his Truth Social platform on Wednesday morning.

Europe is accelerating a fallback plan to ensure the continent can defend itself if Washington abandons Nato amid the standoff.

Plans involve reinforcing US military assets with the alliances own and adding more Europeans into command-and-control roles, according to officials cited by The Wall Street Journal.

He made the comment as the US Central Command said a US blockade of Iranian ports had been fully implemented, with American forces maintaining maritime superiority in the Middle East.

In a statement, Adml Brad Cooper, the Centcom commander, said: In less than 36 hours since the blockade was implemented, US forces have completely halted economic trade going into and out of Iran by sea.

truth social

05:51am

Welcome

We will be bringing you the latest out of the Iran war today.

Here is what you need to know this morning:
Former U.S. Capitol Sgt. Aquilino Gonell was beaten with a flag pole waving an American flag, bitten, punched and struck with his own baton while fighting off a mob on January 6, 2021. Gonell, among dozens of officers injured in the assault, struggled to breathe under the weight of rioters crushing him. Doctors later installed screws and a metal plate to hold his foot together.

However, everyone involved in the attack received a pardon from President Donald Trump, and the Department of Justice on Tuesday moved to toss out the remaining cases  and most serious convictions  to finish off what the president started on his first day in office.

Instead of praising the actions of the first responders for protecting elected officials on Jan. 6, Trump and his administration continue their assault on the truth, Gonell told The Independent.

If this administration really supports the police, law and order and the rule of law, it wouldnt be fighting so hard to rewrite or erase the violent history of the attack on our democracy and my colleagues, he said. History will record this betrayal accordingly.

The motions are the latest efforts in the presidents ongoing attempts to rewrite the history of the 2020 election and downplay the violence that was captured on video and admitted by assailants who tried to stop members of Congress from certifying his loss. The president himself was federally indicted for his alleged attempts to overturn election results and his failure to stop the mob, but the case was thrown out after his election in 2024.

Law enforcement officers who fought the mob on January 6 are outraged by the DOJs attempts to erase the most serious convictions connected to the attack (AP)

Former Metropolitan Police Officer Michael Fanone, who suffered a heart attack after a rioter shocked him with a stun gun, wasnt surprised by the Justice Departments efforts to erase what remains of the criminal cases against members of the mob.

Another Day, Another Injustice by this administrations DOJ, Fanone wrote.

I would remind Americans that these were traitors to this country, he added. They planned, incited and carried out an insurrection. Are we really going to let this stand?

Harry Dunn, a Capitol Police officer now running for Congress who endured the mobs racist slurs and left the chaos with bloody fists, said the Trump administration has opened a nonstop faucet of people with no accountability for January 6.

Its just so frustrating, he told MSNOW.

Former U.S. Capitol Sgt. Aquilino Gonell, left, says history will record this betrayal after federal prosecutors ask to toss out treason-related cases against members of the Oath Keepers and Proud Boys despite unanimous jury convictions (Getty)

On Tuesday, U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro filed motions in Washington, D.C. to erase convictions against 12 members of far-right groups, the Oath Keepers and the Proud Boys, including defendants convicted of treason-related charges.

More than 1,500 people were criminally charged in connection with the riots, fueled by Trumps false narrative that the 2020 presidential election was rigged and stolen from him. Hundreds of defendants pleaded guilty, and more than 200 others were found guilty at trial.

Trump pardoned virtually every person charged in connection with the attack, but those pardons did not extend to several defendants convicted of seditious conspiracy. The president instead freed them from federal custody.

Pirro and federal prosecutors are now asking the U.S. Court of Appeals in D.C. to wipe out their convictions so they can formally dismiss them.

In the Executive Branchs view, it is not in the interests of justice to continue to prosecute this case or the cases of other, similarly situated defendants, prosecutors wrote.

Rep. Jamie Raskin, the top Democrat on the House Judiciary committee who served on the congressional panel that investigated January 6, called the motions an appalling and dangerous turn of events.

These astounding motions are a humiliation for American democracy, he said in a statement. They constitute an attempt to vaporize the verdicts rendered unanimously by American jurors who considered all the evidence, and to pretend that these seditious conspiracies against our government never happened.

Trump pardoned virtually every person charged in connection with January 6 on his first day in office and has overseen government-wide efforts to erase what happened, including launching a White House website that blames police for deliberately escalating tensions (AP)

The Justice Department said the move ends these years-long, Biden-era weaponized prosecutions.

President Trump demanded we stop the two-tiered injustice  and we are delivering, DOJ said in a statement. No more rigged system.

Dozens of people who were convicted or accused of a range of crimes in connection with the riots are now suing the federal government, alleging law enforcement officers used excessive force while fighting back against them.

The Justice Department has already settled with the family of Ashli Babbitt, who was fatally shot by a Capitol police officer after trying to break into the House of Representatives. Trump has also pledged he would look at the governments decision to drop a potential case against the officer who shot her.

A newly launched White House website blames law enforcement officers for deliberately escalating tensions during the attack.

Dunn says he has been trying to get over it, but everyday Americans are now getting a taste of injustice with the presidents attempt to whitewash history.

He didnt think they did anything wrong. He didnt think we were assaulted, Dunn said. If you assault police officers, you should be held accountable.  Do we not deserve justice? Do our coworkers not deserve justice?

Gonnell and Democratic members of Congress are hopeful a historical record will preserve what happened that day.

No matter how many pardons Trump issues, how many rioters he hires into his administration, how many settlements, reparations or restitutions he awards to his marauders, they will always be known as traitors for their concerted assault on our U.S. Capitol trying to upend our constitution, Gonnell said.
Late-night host Jimmy Kimmel blasted Vice President JD Vance for defending Donald Trump after the president posted an AI-generated image online which portrayed him as Jesus.

Trump shared the image on Truth Social Sunday after dubbing Pope Leo XIV as WEAK on crime, following the pontiffs criticism of the U.S. war with Iran. The AI image showed Trump wearing robes and healing a sick man with beams of light coming from his hands.

The post received fierce backlash from Christians and political figures on both sides of the aisle. Trump took the image down Monday, claiming that he thought it had portrayed him as a doctor, not Jesus.

Vance, who converted to Catholicism in 2019, subsequently claimed the image was a joke during an interview with Fox News Bret Baier Monday. But Kimmel was having none of the excuses.

Trump is doing his best to upset every faction of Christianity, the Jimmy Kimmel Live! host said Tuesday. After he lambasted the pope, he posted an image of himself as Jesus, and then when everyone got mad, he said, Oh I didnt know that was Jesus, I thought that was me as a doctor healing people, which is so lame. Not one person believes it. It is quite clearly an image of Jesus with his dumb head on it.

Kimmel said not one person believes Trumps excuse for sharing an image that portrayed the president as Jesus (Jimmy Kimmel Live!)

The post received fierce backlash from Christians and political figures on both sides of the aisle. Trump took the image down Monday, claiming that he thought it had portrayed him as a doctor, not Jesus (@realDonaldTrump/Truth Social)

Kimmel noted that not even Vance was able to go along with this doctor storyline, and was forced to come up with an entirely different narrative.

The late-night host then played a clip of Vance on Fox News.

I think the president was posting a joke, and of course he took it down because he recognized that a lot of people werent understanding his humor in that case, the vice president claimed.

Kimmel then said: He was posting a joke, you understand? And like all the best jokes, it had to be explained and then deleted. First, he was Jesus. Then he wasnt Jesus, he was a doctor. And now, it was a joke.

He added: Why did I get kicked off the air again? I cant remember.

Kimmels show was suspended in September over comments he made about the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, who was shot and killed during a live debate on a Utah college campus.

During the show, Kimmel said that the MAGA world was desperately trying to characterize this kid who murdered Charlie Kirk as anything other than one of them, and doing everything they can to score political points from it.

ABC brought Jimmy Kimmel Live! back on air the following week.

President Donald Trump claimed he thought the image he shared online depicted him as a doctor, not Jesus (Getty)

Meanwhile, Trump seems unfazed by the Jesus image furor. On Wednesday, the president shared another image on Truth Social that showed Jesus giving him a hug.

The new image, which appeared to be AI-generated, shows Jesus with an arm around Trumps shoulder and one hand on his chest. The two are standing in front of a halo of light and an American flag, and have their heads leaning against each other.

Trump captioned the image: The Radical Left Lunatics might not like this, but I think it is quite nice!!! President DJT.
Trump rants against highly political judge who orders another pause on his White House ballroom construction

President Donald Trump has unleashed a series of lengthy social media posts in a rant about a highly political judge who has once again demanded a pause in construction on much of the White House ballroom.

District Court Judge Richard Leon, an appointee of former President George W. Bush who has previously expressed frustration at government lawyers in the case, accused those same attorneys of being disingenuous in a 10-page order Thursday that clarified above-ground construction of the ballroom is still halted.

It is, to say the least, incredible, if not disingenuous, that Defendants now argue that my Order does not stop ballroom construction because of the safety-and-security exception, he wrote.

Leon clarified that any construction related to national security and safety could continue, after lawyers for the government argued the building implicates the personal safety of the president.

President Donald Trump has unleashed a series of social media posts, ranting about a highly political judge who once again demanded a pause in construction on much of the White House ballroom (Reuters)

This highly political Judge, and his illegal overreach, is out of control, and costing our Nation greatly, Trump wrote in one fiery Truth Social post Thursday afternoon. This is a mockery to our Court System! The Ballroom is deeply important to our National Security, and no Judge can be allowed to stop this Historic and Militarily Imperative Project.

The president accused Trump Hating Leon of having gone out of his way to undermine National Security, and to make sure that this Great Gift to America gets delayed, or doesnt get built.

The federal judge is attempting to prevent future Presidents and World Leaders from having a safe and secure large scale Meeting Place, or Ballroom, Trump added.

Just two weeks ago, Leon ordered the Trump administration to pause construction of the White House ballroom, claiming it needed approval from Congress to erect the 90,000-sqare foot structure. Leon did say any construction related to national security  such as the below-ground facility  was permitted to continue.

But lawyers for the administration asked an appeals court to prevent Leons order from taking effect because the construction was imperative to the safety of the president. The appeals court granted their request and asked Leon to consider the national security implications.

Leon said the administrations latest assertions were a direct contradiction of their previous claims that the below-ground work on a military-grade bunker was separate from the above-ground construction of the actual ballroom.

District Court Judge Richard Leon, an appointee of former President George W. Bush, clarified that any construction related to national security and safety could continue, after lawyers for the government argued the building implicates the personal safety of the president (Getty)

Last month, the president told reporters the military was involved in building a big complex under the $400 million structure  potentially akin to the Presidential Emergency Operations Center, which was originally under the East Wing. He indicated the bunker would include major medical facilities, a hospital and bomb shelters.

In another Truth Social post later Thursday, Trump argued that the below-ground facility could not be built without the above-ground ballroom.

He said the out of control judge wants me to build the underground portion of the Ballroom, without the above ground portion, but the underground doesnt work, isnt necessary, and would indeed be useless, without the above ground sections.

Lawyers for the government have repeatedly argued that the national security elements of the ballroom construction made it imperative to continue, including below-ground construction.

But in his original ruling, Leon rejected their sweeping argument, saying the existence of a large hole beside the White House is, of course, a problem of the Presidents own making!

Leon did permit construction necessary to ensure the safety and security of the White House to continue.

'The Ballroom is deeply important to our National Security, and no Judge can be allowed to stop this Historic and Militarily Imperative Project,' Trump wrote on Truth Social Thursday (AFP via Getty Images)

But that exception was not enough, lawyers for the government told an appeals court.

Leon rejected their claim once again in Thursdays order.

I previously rejected Defendants' argument that any construction delay will undermine national security because - and here is the bottom line - Defendants themselves forged ahead and created this coordinated and managed safety hazard on White House grounds, Leon said.

In my view, these arguments fail to justify Defendants' extraordinary, if not disingenuous, reading of my preliminary injunction Order, the judge wrote.

Demolition crews started tearing down parts of the East Wing last October to make way for the planned ballroom.

Trump had complained in one of his Truth Social posts that the ballroom is needed now.

Demolition crews started tearing down parts of the East Wing last October to make way for the planned ballroom (Getty Images)

Almost all material necessary for its construction is being built and/or on its way to the site, ready for installation and erection. Much of it has already been paid for, costing Hundreds of Millions of Dollars, Trump wrote.

The ballroom is being paid for by private donors, including Amazon, Apple and Google, according to a list given to media outlets by the White House.

Leon clarified that any construction related to necessary structural integrity or safety was still permitted, including waterproofing, water management, structural reinforcement, and sealing off exposed construction areas so long as it does not lock in the above-ground ballroom.

He added that below-ground construction, and any above-ground work necessary to cover, secure or protect the below-ground facility, was allowed.

I will close by noting that I have no desire or intention to be dragooned into the role of construction manager, Leon concluded.

In another Truth Social post Thursday afternoon, Trump questioned Leons motives: Too much hard work, time, and money spent in order that a Judge can claim that he ruled against DONALD TRUMP, something which I have gotten very used to, BUT WILL NOT ACCEPT!
Kazakhstan has sent 19 people to jail for participating in a peaceful protest against human rights abuses in Chinas northwestern Xinjiang region.

A court in Taldykorgan, a town about 260km north of Almaty, found all the defendants guilty of inciting interethnic or social discord for staging protests in November last year.

The defendants, associated with the Atajurt movement, were arrested following a protest in which they demanded the release of Alimnur Turganbay, an ethnic Kazakh detained in Xinjiang.

Atajurt is an unregistered group which documents alleged rights abuses against ethnic Kazakhs and Uyghurs in Xinjiang and advocates for families separated by the China-Kazakhstan border.

While 11 of the 19 convicts were handed five-year prison terms on charges of social discord, the rest were given non-custodial restriction of freedom sentences. They were all also banned from engaging in public or political activities for three years.

Videos from the November protest showed the demonstrators burning the Chinese flag and a portrait of Xi Jinping, chanting slogans against the Chinese leader, and demanding the release of Mr Turganbay, who was detained in China last July.

Mr Turganbays wife, Guldariya Sherizat, said she went out to protest to demand her husbands freedom because he was not guilty of anything.

We wanted to reach the border holding Chinese flags and Xi Jinpings portrait but we were not allowed to proceed so we burned them, she told Eurasianet earlier in January from her house in Uzynagash, where she was kept under house arrest. We burned them to protest over why Xi Jinping is holding a Kazakh citizen".

The protesters were arrested after the Chinese consulate in Almaty urged Kazakh authorities to take appropriate measures. Beijing enjoys close diplomatic ties with its neighbour.

The trial was held under tight security restrictions, with reporters denied access to the courtroom and told to follow the proceedings via a live video link.

Kazakhstan, which shares a 1,700km border with China, is home to sizeable Uyghur and Kazakh diasporas from Xinjiang.

China stands accused by Western countries and rights groups of committing crimes against humanity against Uyghur Muslims and fellow ethnic minorities in Xinjiang over the past decade by subjecting them to alleged widespread abuses, including mass incarceration, forced labour, torture and sexual assault.

The US and other Western nations have labelled China's policies as a "genocide", a claim Beijing has denied as "the lie of the century".

Rights groups have accused Chinese authorities of punishing Uyghurs and Kazakhs with foreign links, detaining and arbitrarily imprisoning those who have family in or have visited any of the so-called 26 sensitive countries, including Kazakhstan.

Human Rights Watch said that Kazakh authorities had long misused the vague and overly broad offence of inciting discord to suppress dissent. However, Monday's sentencing marked the first instance of imprisoning "such a large group of activists advocating for human rights in Xinjiang".

With this heavy-handed prosecution and punishment, the group argued, the Kazakh government has made it clear that it is only too willing to sacrifice the freedoms of its citizens in an apparent attempt to maintain increasingly cozy relations with Beijing.

Amnesty International criticised the ruling and demanded the release of the convicts. Criminalising peaceful protest under the vague pretext of inciting discord is a travesty of justice and an affront to international human rights standards," said Marie Struthers, director for Eastern Europe and Central Asia.

Speaking before the start of the trial in January, Ms Struthers had called the charges baseless and warned that: Peaceful protest is not a crime simply because it makes those in power uncomfortable  even when that discomfort extends to displeasing a powerful geopolitical player such as China.
Asylum seekers who commit crimes or lie about their status will lose their right to benefits and free accommodation under plans to be put to Parliament by Shabana Mahmood next week.

The Home Secretary will seek parliamentary approval for new powers to bar migrants from receiving state support if they break the law or fail to comply with rules set by the Home Office, even if it leaves them destitute.

The move will break with EU law, which until Brexit required the UK to provide support to asylum seekers who would otherwise be destitute. It will also enable the Home Office to strip asylum seekers of support if they have the financial means to pay for their own accommodation and living costs.

The proposals will give new discretionary powers to Shabana Mahmood, the Home Secretary - Wiktor Szymanowicz/Future Publishing via Getty Images

Downing Street confirmed on Thursday that the Home Office and watchdogs were investigating allegations that migrants have pretended to be gay or victims of domestic abuse in order to bolster their asylum claims to remain in the UK.

A Government spokesman said the Home Office and Immigration Advice Authority would hold any lawyers, advisers or migrants involved in shameful and completely unacceptable abuse of the asylum system to account.

The statutory instruments to be laid before Parliament next week will revoke a requirement introduced in 2005 to implement EU law on asylum support.

It will be replaced with a discretionary power for the Home Secretary to deny support to migrants who have the right to work after a year of waiting for asylum and could therefore support themselves. It will also cover migrants who enter the country on a work or student visa with permission to work before claiming asylum.

Anyone who has not complied with the conditions imposed by the Home Office  including by failing to abide by a removal order or working illegally  will also see their support removed.

Any asylum seeker who breaks the law or refuses to relocate to cheaper accommodation will also lose their support. The move brings the UK into line with approaches taken by other European countries, including Denmark, the Netherlands and France.

Responding to the BBC investigation that reported migrants making false claims to be gay or victims of domestic abuse, Sir Keir Starmers official spokesman said: Any attempt to misuse protections designed to protect genuine victims from the devastation of domestic abuse is shameful and completely unacceptable.

The Home Secretary has been clear that those trying to defraud the British people to remain in the UK will have their application refused and find themselves on a one-way flight out of Britain.

Where unethical and illegal practices are identified and evidence exists, legal practitioners will be referred to the police through the relevant regulatory body.

The BBC investigation exposed law firms and advisers charging thousands of pounds to help asylum seekers pretend to be gay so they can make a successful claim to stay in the UK.

Ms Mahmood said sham lawyers would face the full force of the law, adding: Anyone abusing protections for people fleeing persecution over gender or sexual orientation is beyond contempt.
Sir Keir Starmer has been accused of misleading parliament over Peter Mandelsons appointment as US ambassador after it emerged that he failed crucial security vetting  but was given the job anyway.

Lord Mandelson was denied critical clearance after the prime minister had already announced he would be sent to Washington, but the Foreign Office took the rare step of overruling the recommendation.

The disgraced peer was sacked months later over his links to Jeffrey Epstein and is now facing a police inquiry over claims he leaked sensitive government documents to the paedophile financier when he was business secretary.

Keir Starmer said due process had been followed in appointing Peter Mandelson as ambassador to the US (PA)

The latest revelations have sparked a clamour of calls from across the political spectrum for the prime minister to resign. Leading them was Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch, who said Sir Keir had told parliament three times that full due process had been followed.

She said: If he has misled parliament, as it looks like he has, he should resign. If he has broken the ministerial code, as it looks like he has, he should resign. If he withheld documents by a cover-up from parliament, he should resign. Labour MPs are the ones who can remove him; they need to look at whether they want someone who has been telling lies to all of us and to the country, whether they want to keep him in No 10 or not.

The reports follow The Independents report last September of concerns that Lord Mandelson had not cleared vetting due to worries over his business links to China and fears that his past links to Epstein would compromise him. Lord Mandelson is believed to have been unaware that he failed the vetting.

In the wake of reports in The Guardian, the government admitted that officials in the Foreign Office had overruled the recommendation and granted Lord Mandelson what is known as developed vetting. But a government spokesperson insisted that neither the prime minister nor any government minister was aware that this had happened until earlier this week.

Once the prime minister was informed, he immediately instructed officials to establish the facts about why the developed vetting was granted, in order to enact plans to update the House of Commons, they said.

Mandelson (right) was sacked when more details emerged about his relationship with the convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein (centre), who died in 2019 (US Department of Justice)

The vetting was a two-step process that initially looked at information in the public domain at the time and was followed by highly confidential background vetting by security officials. But documents released last month showed that Sir Keir was warned of a general reputational risk over the association with Epstein, even before he made Lord Mandelson the UKs top diplomat in the US.

The Foreign Office has said it is working urgently to comply with a request from the prime minister to establish the facts of how developed vetting was granted.

The revelation about Foreign Office officials will pile pressure on the former foreign secretary David Lammy, who is now deputy prime minister.

Sir Keir said in February that Lord Mandelson had been cleared by security vetting, and suggested the system had to be strengthened as he hit out at what he said were his lies. He said: There was a due diligence exercise that culminated in questions being asked because I wanted to know the answer to certain issues. Thats why those questions were asked. The answers to those questions were not truthful.

There was then, I should add, security vetting carried out independently by the security services, which is an intensive exercise that gave him clearance for the role, and you have to go through that before you take up the post.

Clearly, both the due diligence and the security vetting need to be looked at again. Ive already strengthened the due process. I think we need to look at the security vetting because it now transpires that what was being said was not true. And had I known then what I know now, Id never have appointed him in the first place.

Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey said: Keir Starmer had already made a catastrophic error of judgement. Now it looks as though he has also misled parliament and lied to the British public. If that is the case, he must go. Labour came into government on a promise to clean up politics. Instead, were seeing the same old sleaze, scandal and cover-ups as we did under the Conservatives.

Tory leader Kemi Badenoch accused Keir Starmer of misleading parliament (PA)

The Green Party also called on Sir Keir to resign, accusing him of having lied and lied again. Green MP Sian Berry said: He must resign. Starmer told parliament due process had been followed. This report makes clear that was untrue. He has tried to blame the vetting process, when in fact it is reported that a decision was taken to ignore a failed vetting. We need answers on what and when Starmer and David Lammy knew about this decision to overrule the vetting report.

Ms Berry also called for the precise reasons that Lord Mandelson failed the vetting to be made public.

Mike Clancy, the general secretary of Prospect, the trade union which represents vetting officers at UK Security Vetting, said: It is deeply unfortunate that following the resignation of Morgan McSweeney, Downing Street allowed the impression to circulate that the vetting of Peter Mandelson had not been done correctly by UK Security Vetting.

Not only were UKSV put in an invidious position by being asked to conduct vetting after an appointment had been announced, but now deeply troubling reports have appeared in the media claiming that UKSV advice was overruled.

Civil servants, particularly those working in the most sensitive parts of government, cannot speak publicly, and deserve ministers to take responsibility for the decisions they take and not to seek to deflect blame onto them.

Ministers are set to release more documents on Lord Mandelsons appointment in the coming months, but The Guardian also reported that senior government officials had been weighing up whether to withhold some papers that would show he failed vetting. This was denied by the government.

Some material is expected to be held back because it relates to the police investigation, following Lord Mandelsons arrest in February on suspicion of misconduct in public office. Parliaments intelligence and security committee will consider whether the material could jeopardise national security or diplomatic relations. But keeping papers from the committee could amount to a breach of the Conservative motion, which requires ministers to release all papers relating to Lord Mandelsons appointment.
Lord Mandelson was denied clearance in January last year, but the Foreign Office used exceptional powers to overrule this decision

Sir Keir Starmer was accused of misleading Parliament after admitting that Lord Mandelson had been appointed as ambassador to the US despite failing his security vetting.

On Thursday, it emerged that the disgraced peer failed the enhanced vetting process but was given the post anyway after civil servants dismissed the findings.

Downing Street admitted this sequence of events but insisted that neither the Prime Minister nor any other government minister knew what had happened, instead blaming Foreign Office officials.

However, the Conservatives insisted that Sir Keir had misled the House and the public after he had repeatedly claimed that due process had been followed in the appointment of Lord Mandelson, and called for him to resign.

In a speech in Hastings in February, Sir Keir said Lord Mandelson had been given security clearance for the role.

It is believed the Prime Minister was made aware that the peer had failed his clearance on Tuesday night, but did not immediately alert Parliament in another potential breach of the ministerial code.

Misleading MPs is a breach of the ministerial code, and usually a resigning offence.

Kemi Badenoch, the Tory leader, said: The Prime Minister appointed Peter Mandelson before the vetting had been completed, vetting Mandelson failed. Starmer then said full due process was followed. That is misleading Parliament.

Im only holding him to the same standards to which hes held previous prime ministers  that if they mislead Parliament, they should resign. In these dangerous times, Britain cannot afford to have a Prime Minister who the country doesnt trust. Starmer has betrayed our national security. He should go.

Nigel Farage, the leader of Reform UK, said: Keir Starmer said in February that the security services had given Mandelson clearance for the role.

Now we discover that he has blatantly lied, the Prime Minister should resign.

Sir Keir appointed Lord Mandelson at the end of 2024, before he had been vetted and despite knowing that he had maintained ties with Jeffrey Epstein after the financier was convicted of child sex offences.

On Thursday afternoon, The Guardian published a story stating that Lord Mandelson had been denied security clearance but officials in the Foreign Office had used exceptional powers to overrule the decision.

At the time, David Lammy was foreign secretary while Sir Olly Robbins was the permanent under-secretary, the most senior civil servant in the foreign department. Sir Olly was sacked by the Prime Minister on Thursday night.

The newspaper cited multiple sources who said that Lord Mandelson had initially been denied clearance following the developed vetting (DV) process in January last year.

DV clearance is needed for those with access to top-secret information such as market-sensitive data, military plans or diplomatic cables. The process also involves detailed criminal, financial and security service checks.

As Lord Mandelsons employer, the Foreign Office was responsible for managing the process of his security vetting, which the UK Security Vetting Agency carried out on its behalf.

Lord Mandelson, pictured with Jeffrey Epstein and Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor - AFP

It is understood that there are three possible outcomes in this process  green, where the applicant passes with no issues; a red flag, where issues arise that mean the appointment cannot be recommended; and amber, where concerns arise but the decision is passed back to the sponsor.

The Telegraph understands that Lord Mandelsons links to China and Russia may have been an issue in his failing security clearance.

Officials in the Foreign Office then opted to override the recommendation and go ahead with his appointment.

Friends of Morgan McSweeney, Sir Keirs former chief of staff who was still in Downing Street at the time, told The Telegraph that he had no knowledge of the matter.

Lord Mandelson, who was sacked in September over his relationship with Epstein, is also believed to have been in the dark about his clearance being denied.

Nearly three hours after the story broke on Thursday, Downing Street blamed officials in the Foreign Office for the decision to ignore the vetting agencys recommendations.

It said it would publish the relevant documents in line with a humble address tabled by the Tories.

Government statement on Mandelson

It is understood that Sir Keir was told on Tuesday night that Lord Mandelson had failed his vetting, raising questions about why he had not made a statement at Prime Ministers Questions on Wednesday.

Government sources said the vetting information had been obtained by officials involved in releasing Mandelson documents to the public. Once the information was found, the Prime Minister and Cabinet Secretary were told and ordered an investigation.

The Ministerial Code states: It is of paramount importance that ministers give accurate and truthful information to Parliament, correcting any inadvertent error at the earliest opportunity. Ministers who knowingly mislead Parliament will be expected to offer their resignation to the Prime Minister.

Senior Downing Street sources said that they were furious with the Foreign Office for failing to inform Sir Keir about the decision.

Downing Street reportedly believes that the Foreign Office lied about Lord Mandelsons vetting, having told No 10 staff explicitly that he had been cleared.

Before Sir Olly was dismissed on Thursday night, sources said he was being set up to take the blame for the affair. He is understood to have told friends that he would not be the fall guy for the scandal.

The foreign affairs select committee intends to summon him over his previous evidence on the vetting process for Lord Mandelsons appointment.

No 10 claimed Sir Keir did not know that Lord Mandelson had failed vetting, but there is precedent for ministers to resign for inadvertently misleading the Commons.

Amber Rudd, the former home secretary, resigned in 2018 after inadvertently misleading MPs over the Windrush scandal.

Sir Keir explicitly assured MPs at least twice  on Dec 10 and Feb 4  that full due process had been followed during Lord Mandelsons appointment.

He subsequently said, on Feb 5, that Lord Mandelson had been cleared through all the proper procedures.

Speaking at a press conference in Hastings, the Prime Minister was asked whether he held any personal reservations about Lord Mandelsons appointment given his friendship with Epstein. He replied that a due diligence exercise had been carried out, during which Lord Mandelson had lied.

Sir Keir said: There was then, I should add, security vetting carried out independently by the security services, which is an intensive exercise that gave him clearance for the role and you have to go through that before you take up the post.

The Prime Minister is now expected to appear before MPs to explain how and why he reassured them that the process had been followed in the normal way.

On Monday, the Conservatives are also expected to be granted an urgent question in Parliament on the fiasco.

The next tranche of documents from the so-called Mandelson files is expected to be published in the coming weeks.

The Guardians investigation also found that government officials were weighing up whether to block MPs and peers from accessing Lord Mandelsons vetting documents.

Doing so would break the terms of the parliamentary motion that has forced Sir Keirs administration to release thousands of files relating to the appointment.

The first tranche of files relating to the appointment revealed that Jonathan Powell, Sir Keirs own national security adviser, believed the appointment had been weirdly rushed.

According to a record of a call between government officials on Sept 12 last year  the day after Lord Mandelsons sacking  Mr Powell said he had previously raised concerns about the peers reputation to Mr McSweeney.

Mr McSweeney, a protege of Lord Mandelson, had responded that the issues had been addressed, the note stated. He later resigned after taking responsibility for pushing for the peer to get the ambassadorship.

The news was met with shock among Labour MPs, many of whom have defended Sir Keirs handling of the Mandelson saga and insisted the peer had only been appointed because he had lied to Downing Street.

One Labour MP pointed out that Members of Parliament are not allowed to hire staff unless they pass basic security vetting to work on the parliamentary estate, which is less rigorous than the developed vetting process for senior government jobs.

Jo White, the Labour MP for Bassetlaw and the chairman of the partys Red Wall group, said MPs wont tolerate anyone who attempts to hide the truth.

She added: Im not interested in speculation, only facts and Im certain Im with the majority in the [parliamentary Labour Party] and the country on this.

Speaking on a visit to Washington, DC, Rachel Reeves distanced herself from the debacle, telling reporters: I didnt know anything about the vetting process. Im the Chancellor, Im not the foreign secretary, and Im not 10 Downing Street, so I cant give you any more information on that.
It begins with the sound of laboured breath, then an ominous clattering  like the tick of a grandfather clock  and stark, moody piano notes. Boots on the Ground, Massive Attacks first new music in more than a decade, feels like the most powerful new protest song in years.

A collaboration with the gravel-voiced Tom Waits, also returning to music for the first time since his 2011 album, Bad as Me, Boots on the Ground is accompanied by a video using imagery from the US photographer thefinaleye. The striking visuals depict recent anti-ICE demonstrations in America alongside Black Lives Matter protests sparked by the murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis, on 5 May 2020.

As for the song itself, Waitss lyrics are delivered in his trademark rumble: Now who the hell are these federal pricks?/ Hiding in the senate like a bloated ass tick/ Air conditioned f***stick loafers/ Sittin in a room full of army posters.

He continues: A coal to a diamond, a vote into law/ They campaign up all the blood they can draw/ Mould your world, a soldiers just clay/ How much does every soldier way? Cut you off at the ankles and they throw that away.

Massive Attack and Tom Waits join forces for a powerful new protest song, Boots on the Ground (Warren Du Preez/Getty)

Massive Attack, the trip-hop collective formed in Bristol in 1988, surely could have had their pick of collaborators, but arguably none would have been as well-suited as Waits, who at 76 has witnessed decades of upheaval and political turmoil in his native US. His instantly recognisable tones add a sense of resilience to the song, a veteran snapping and snarling at the chaos and injustice hes witnessing once more.

Waits has a number of politically tinged songs in his catalogue, many of which focus on anti-war sentiment, trauma, greed and cycles of violence. In 2004, he released what was regarded by critics as his first explicitly political song, Day After Tomorrow, interpreted as a criticism of the Iraq War. In 2006, he shared the blues number Road to Peace, about the Israel-Palestine conflict and his disgust at America supplying Israel with arms.

While the songwriting in this new Massive Attack track could reference any number of conflicts, its themes feel grimly pertinent on a week where Trump continues to unleash chaos on the world stage and send mixed messages about his disastrous Iran offensive. Waitss refrain of boots on the ground is a lambasting of Americas sacrificing of young men and women for its own ends  questioning if those soldiers even know or believe in what theyre fighting for  and perhaps also an encouragement to citizens to take to the streets and protest.

The cover art for Boots on the Ground by Massive Attack and Tom Waits (Press)

It certainly echoes Massive Attacks own long-running activism. Del Naja himself was arrested just last week after attending a mass protest against the ban on Palestine Action in central London. In a statement posted afterwards, the musician said that a few hours in police custody under unlawful arrest is a very small price to pay.

Our democracy, and the civil rights and liberties that now sit in constitutional law were literally built on small actions like these, he said. Perhaps thats why this draconian government wants to crush them?

Waits revealed in a statement that he received an invitation from Massive Attack to collaborate many years ago, but was not perturbed by the long delay in its release. Today, as in all of mankinds yesterdays, guarantees this song will never go out of style, he said. Mans fiasco folly is a feast for the flies.

Boots on the Ground is being released on vinyl with an exclusive B-side provided by Waits  a sardonic spoken-word piece titled The Fly. It is Massive Attacks first music to be released under a Spotify exemption policy, after they removed their catalogue from the platform in protest against CEO Daniel Eks 520m investment in AI military technology company Helsing.

Alongside the track and film by thefinaleye, Massive Attack are publishing a spoken-word reflection from the novelist Omar El Akkad, author of the novels American War and What Strange Paradise, as well as the non-fiction work, One Day, Everyone Will Have Always Been Against This.

Massive Attack said in their own statement: Its a career honour to collaborate with an artist of the magnitude, originality and integrity of Tom, but this track is arriving in an atmosphere of chaos. Across the western hemisphere, state authoritarianism and the militarisation of police forces are fusing again with neo-fascist politics.

Seen within the American emergency, at home and overseas, this track contains pulses of callous impulse and abandoned mind.

Boots on the Ground is out now. Massive Attack are on tour from 27 May 2026.
The Duchess of Sussex has revealed she was bullied and attacked daily for a decade on social media, describing herself as the most trolled person in the entire world.

Meghan made the candid remarks during a discussion with young people from the Australian mental health organisation Batyr at Melbournes Swinburne University of Technology on Thursday.

Her husband, the Duke of Sussex, added that social media had led to so much loneliness for so many people.

Discussing the benefits of therapy, Harry shared his personal experience, stating: I waited until I was literally in the fetal position, much older, lying on the kitchen floor.

Until I was like, OK, maybe this therapy thing  maybe I should try it.

The Duchess of Sussex meets young advocates during a visit to Batyr, a mental health engagement programme (PA)

Speaking in a classroom on the third day of her Australian visit, Meghan said social media companies were not incentivised to stop.

And I can speak to that really personally, which is why I like to listen, because it rings true for me in a very real way, she said.

For now, 10 years, every day for 10 years, I have been bullied and attacked. And I was the most trolled person in the entire world.

The duchess added: Now, Im still here.

And when I think of all of you and what youre experiencing, I think so much of that is having to realise that you know that industry, that billion-dollar industry, that is completely anchored and predicated on cruelty to get clicks  thats not going to change.

So you have to be stronger than that.

During the group discussion, Harry said Australias ban on under-16s using social media was epic from a responsibility and leadership standpoint.

The duke and duchess have long campaigned to raise awareness about the harms of social media (PA)

Wearing a blue shirt and jeans, the duke said: Australia took the lead.

Your government was the first country in the world to bring about a ban.

Now we can sit here and debate the pros and cons of a ban  Im not here to judge that.

All I will say is from a responsibility and leadership standpoint  epic.

He added: Because so many countries have now followed suit, but it should have never got to a ban.

The duke and duchess have long campaigned to raise awareness about the harms of social media.

The Duchess of Sussex hugs young mental health advocates during a visit to Melbourne (PA)

Harry said: It should have never ever got to a ban. And now that the ban is in place, now what follows?

Because the companies themselves have to be accountable, and theres no way that young people should be punished by being banned from something that should be safe to use, no matter what.

The duke also discussed regional differences in mental health support with the young people, telling them: Im not a city person, my mental health could not stand living in a city  no way.

Batyr is a preventative youth mental health organisation, which delivers peer-to-peer programmes in schools, universities and workplaces and uses lived experience storytelling to spark conversations around mental health.

Speaking in a classroom on the third day of her Australian visit, the Duchess of Sussex said social media companies were not incentivised to stop (PA)

It is hosting a two-day workshop in Melbourne to address the challenges faced by rural and remote young people, being left behind by a crisis-driven mental health system.

Batyr was founded in 2011 by Sebastian Robertson, who decided to share his experience of mental ill-health to normalise conversations and provide hope to young people going through tough times.

The organisation, named after an elephant in a Kazakhstan zoo that was claimed to be able to use more than 20 human phrases, works to address a youth mental health crisis in Australia.
Meghan has opened up about the online bullying she has faced over the past decade, claiming she was the most trolled person in the entire world.

The Duchess of Sussex told young people in Melbourne she was bullied and attacked every day for 10 years.

She made the comments during a discussion with advocates of Australian mental health organisation Batyr at Melbournes Swinburne University of Technology on Thursday.

Speaking in a classroom on the third day of her Australian visit, Meghan said social media companies were not incentivised to stop.

And I can speak to that really personally, which is why I like to listen, because it rings true for me in a very real way, she said.

The Duchess of Sussex meets young advocates during a visit to Batyr, a mental health engagement programme (Jonathan Brady/PA)

For now, 10 years, every day for 10 years, I have been bullied and attacked. And I was the most trolled person in the entire world.

The duchess added: Now, Im still here.

And when I think of all of you and what youre experiencing, I think so much of that is having to realise that you know that industry, that billion-dollar industry, that is completely anchored and predicated on cruelty to get clicks  thats not going to change.

So you have to be stronger than that.

The Duke of Sussex told the people gathered that social media had led to so much loneliness for so many people.

Discussing the benefits of therapy with them, Harry said: I waited until I was literally in the fetal position, much older, lying on the kitchen floor.

Until I was like, ok maybe this therapy thing  maybe I should try it.

During the group discussion, Harry said Australias ban on under-16s using social media was epic from a responsibility and leadership standpoint.

The duke and duchess have long campaigned to raise awareness about the harms of social media (Jonathan Brady/PA)

Wearing a blue shirt and jeans, the Duke said: Australia took the lead.

Your government was the first country in the world to bring about a ban.

Now we can sit here and debate the pros and cons of a ban  Im not here to judge that.

All I will say is from a responsibility and leadership standpoint  epic.

He added: Because so many countries have now followed suit, but it should have never got to a ban.

The duke and duchess have long campaigned to raise awareness about the harms of social media.

Harry said: It should have never, ever got to a ban. And now that the ban is in place, now what follows?

Because the companies themselves have to be accountable, and theres no way that young people should be punished by being banned from something that should be safe to use, no matter what.

The Duchess of Sussex hugs young mental health advocates during a visit in Melbourne (Jonathan Brady/PA)

The duke also discussed regional differences in mental health support with the young people, telling them: Im not a city person, my mental health could not stand living in a city  no way.

Batyr is a preventative youth mental health organisation, which delivers peer-to-peer programmes in schools, universities and workplaces and uses lived experience storytelling to spark conversations around mental health.

It is hosting a two-day workshop in Melbourne to address the challenges faced by rural and remote young people, being left behind by a crisis-driven mental health system.

Batyr was founded in 2011 by Sebastian Robertson, who decided to share his experience of mental ill-health to normalise conversations and provide hope to young people going through tough times.

The organisation, named after an elephant in a Kazakhstan zoo which was claimed to be able to use more than 20 human phrases, works to address a youth mental health crisis in Australia.
US President Donald Trump would "welcome" an end to the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon, but such an agreement is not part of peace talks with Iran, a senior US administration official said.
Mississippi is running out of booze. Stores now say an Iowa company is to blame

A software glitch at a Mississippi warehouse that resulted in a massive liquor shortage across the state continues to drag on, with copious amounts of booze sitting idle and at least four lawsuits pending against the billion-dollar Iowa trucking company at the center of it all.

Data from the Mississippi Department of Revenue, which oversees and controls all wine and spirit sales in the state, shows a backlog of 172,176 unshipped cases at the states Alcoholic Beverage Control warehouse.

That number is down from a March 3 high of 220,027 pending cases, but, four months into the apparently avoidable situation, retailers, restaurants and bars are still suffering, according to reports. When orders do come in, they frequently bear little resemblance to what was requested  prepackaged Jell-O shots arriving in place of small-batch Norwegian gin, for example  all combining to create what The Washington Post recently described as a state of emergency.

Local eateries were unable to get wine on Valentines Day, bars on the Gulf Coast have run out of alcohol, and nearly half a dozen liquor stores have closed amid the self-inflicted drought, according to business owners.

Mississippi is a so-called control state, in which the state government is the sole authorized liquor wholesaler. Its warehouse, located in Gluckstadt, about 17 miles north of Jackson, is the single point of wholesale distribution for all licensed retailers in the entire state, according to a civil complaint filed in Madison County Circuit Court by Calistoga Wines & Spirits, LLC, an area liquor store.

Normally, Calistoga received orders from the states ABC warehouse within one to three days of placing them, the complaint says. But, it goes on, as 2026 began, orders started to go unfilled, filled only partially, or delayed for weeks on end. In February, as store shelves grew barer and barer, many items suddenly became completely unavailable, according to the complaint.

A liquor shortage continues in Mississippi, as business owners continue to struggle with their supply (AFP via Getty Images)

A month earlier, the Ruan Transport Corporation, an Iowa-based company the Department of Revenue hired in 2023 to operate the ABC warehouse, underwent a partial shutdown for annual inventory and implemented new warehouse management software during the pause.

However, the complaint contends, the new software system was not compatible with the existing conveyor belt system used to load delivery trucks at the warehouse.

As a direct result of this incompatibility, three of the four conveyor belt lines at the warehouse were removed from service, the complaint continues. ... Rather than having a functional contingency plan in place, Ruan reverted the warehouse to a dramatically slower manual pick and pallet system for loading trucks. This resulted in a massive and ongoing reduction in the warehouses throughput capacity.

In a statement issued last month, attorney Tim Porter, who is representing Calistoga and three other retailers in separately filed lawsuits against Ruan, said the lawsuits were about accountability.

Ruan Transport  a billion-dollar corporation out of Iowa  was hired to run Mississippis only liquor warehouse, Porters statement said. They rolled out an untested system, it failed, and every liquor store, bar, restaurant and casino in the state has been paying the price ever since.

In its own statement, the Mississippi Department of Revenue said systems are improving. Yet, according to Calistogas complaint, the backlog is not expected to be fully resolved until May. Meanwhile, a statehouse proposal to allow Mississippi retailers to purchase liquor from out-of-state shops and sell them back home, died in committee.

Now, legislators say they are planning to build a new ABC warehouse, which is set to open in 2027.

As Shaun Blakeney, manager of Arrow Wine and Spirits in Clinton, told the Post, Were hanging on by the skin of our teeth.

Last week, Calistoga  which sought compensatory and punitive damages from Ruan for, among other things, gross negligence  voluntarily dropped its case against the company, suggesting a possible settlement. However, a Ruan spokesperson told The Independent that the company has not had contact with that plaintiff, and suggested the decision could have been made because of the improvements that have been made and product being received by permittees.

The spokesperson also shared a statement that laid the bulk of the blame for the distribution issues on the state, saying Ruan was saddled with an aging warehouse and an obsolete conveyor system that desperately needed an overhaul. The statement also claimed that things are improving and will soon be back to normal.

Over the past six weeks, retail ordering volumes have increased percent, it said. For example, in March of this year, 382,026 cases were shipped compared to 296,490 total cases shipped in March 2025. We expect to consistently deliver at these levels until delivery lead times and fill rates return to prior levels, which as of this communication is expected in the coming weeks.
Russia unleashed its deadliest attack so far this year on the Ukrainian capital Kyiv and other cities overnight, killing at least 19 people, including a 12-year-old child, and wounding scores more in drone and missile strikes, officials said on Thursday.

In Russia, a major Ukrainian drone attack on the Black Sea port of Tuapse killed two people, including a 14-year-old girl, wounded seven and sparked a large fire, Russian officials and media reported. The port is home to a major oil refinery as well as an export hub for oil, coal and fertiliser.

Overnight in Kyiv, fires in several different places sent black smoke billowing into the sky. Its heavy smell lingered through the morning as residents and emergency crews cleaned debris scattered around heavily damaged buildings including apartment blocks and a hotel.

I fear for our country and for everything we have. For the people. I feel so sorry for the children. So many people died today, said Olena Kapustian, 41, standing outside with her son.

Zelensky calls for aid and effective pressure on Russia

Four people, including the child, died in Kyiv, mayor Vitali Klitschko said. Nine people were killed in Odesa and five in and around the southeastern city of Dnipro, where Russian attacks set residential buildings ablaze, according to regional officials. Another person was killed later in the day in a Russian attack on Sumy in the country's northeast.

Reporting from Kyiv, Emmanuelle Chaze, FRANCE 24s correspondent in Ukraine said the death toll just kept on rising. Rescue workers are still on site, searching the rubble for survivors.

Chaze said that the air raid alarm had sounded for several hours during the night, and that debris from intercepted drone had been falling all over the city.

She also said that Russia had staged at least one double-tap attack, meaning it had waited for first responders to arrive at a specific attack site only to strike it again. At least four medics were injured in such an attack, she said.

Read moreRussiaUkraine Easter truce expires amid mutual accusations of violations

President Volodymyr Zelensky said the night had proven that Russia did not deserve any easing of global policy or lifting of sanctions, with 100 people wounded alongside those killed.

There can be no normalisation of Russia as it is today. Pressure on Russia must work. And it is important to fulfill every promise of assistance to Ukraine on time, he said.

Moscow said it had carried out a massive strike on Ukraine that had hit energy targets used by Ukrainian forces and cruise missile and drone production, without giving details. Kyivs drone forces commander said Ukrainian military struck two oil depots in Russia-occupied Crimea and infrastructure in Russias southern port of Tuapse.

Ukraine said its air force units shot down or neutralised 31 missiles and 636 drones, but 12 missiles and 20 drones hit in the 24 hours to 7am (0500 GMT) on Thursday.

Rescue operations were ongoing and the toll could rise, Deputy Prime Minister Oleksiy Kuleba said, while Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha urged the international community to act.

All decisions required to increase pressure on the aggressor must be unblocked now, he said on X. It is immoral, counterproductive, and dangerous to delay sanctions against Russia or packages of support for Ukraine.

Klitschko said a drone, flying very low, slammed into an 18-storey building in the capital early on Thursday. Officials put the number of injured in the city at 60.

The mayor said a mother and child had been rescued from a building in a central district. Four emergency medical workers and two police officers were hurt in the city as they attended the sites, emergency services said.

Kapustian and her son were among residents of a huge apartment block hit by a drone in Kyiv watching rescue efforts near a childrens play area littered with debris.

My son got scared. This is the second time (the apartment block was hit).

The EUs ambassador to Ukraine, Katarina Mathernova, posted a picture from a shelter. This night was terrifying. My hands are still shaking, she wrote.

Dnipro, Odesa under attack

Nine people were killed and dozens more wounded in the overnight strike on the southern city of Odesa, where a high-rise residential building was badly hit, officials said.

The regional governor said that port and critical infrastructure facilities in the city had also been damaged.

Serhiy Lysak, the head of the local military administration, also reported a new morning attack on the city, which hurt three people at a market.

In Dnipro, regional governor Oleksandr Hanzha said that four people were killed and 30 injured in an evening and overnight attack on the city; he posted pictures showing residential buildings ablaze. Another man was killed in the surrounding region, he added.

In Kharkiv, Ukraines second-largest city in the northeast, officials said two people had been injured in drone strikes.

(FRANCE 24 with Reuters and AFP)
MPs have for a second time rejected calls for a default ban on children accessing social media, instead backing the government's more flexible approach.

The vote, 256 to 150 with a majority of 106, saw the House of Commons side with the government's plan to tackle social media-linked harms affecting young people.

This decision comes as part of the Childrens Wellbeing and Schools Bill, under which ministers will gain adaptable powers to curb childrens social media use.

These powers could include implementing curfews, setting scrolling limits, and restricting location sharing.

The government may also gain the authority to block under-16s from specified platforms. A public consultation, closing next month, is currently underway to help ministers determine precise actions.

The rejected default ban was originally proposed by Conservative peer Lord Nash, who advocated for a blanket prohibition on harmful social media for children, with a 12-month implementation window.

Peers initially agreed to this, but MPs in the Commons, where the government holds a majority, voted last month to reject it in favour of the flexible power, prompting the Lords to insist on the default ban again.

But as part of the process to agree on the final wording of the Bill, sometimes known as ping pong, MPs have again agreed to back the Governments position.

Describing harms thought to be linked to social media, Conservative shadow education secretary Laura Trott told MPs that when young girls post dance videos, they learn that the way that they get approval is not internally but externally

Education minister Olivia Bailey told the Commons: Instead of the narrow amendment proposed in the House of Lords, our consultation allows us to address a much wider range of services and features.

She promised the Government would not pursue endless rounds of consultation.

Conservative shadow education secretary Laura Trott said: I will keep fighting until the Government offers a ban on social media on the face of the Bill.

Describing harms thought to be linked to social media, Ms Trott told MPs that when young girls post dance videos, they learn that the way that they get approval is not internally but externally.

She continued: Children quickly learn that likes equal approval, they learn that attention brings status, and too often, they discover that sexualised content attracts them the most attention of all.

This reshapes how young people see themselves and their value. If children spend significant time on social media, especially from a young age, posting dance videos, they begin to depend too heavily on the opinions of others rather than their own judgment.

Ms Trott warned that some children had died likely as a result of taking on dangerous social media trends, such as blackout challenges, which can involve choking.

MPs voted by 256 to 150, majority 106, to side with the Government on its plan to tackle social media-linked harms affecting children (PA)

Munira Wilson, the Liberal Democrats education spokeswoman, warned that ministers could choose not to act at all.

The Governments proposed wording in the Bill only says they may make provisions to tackle these issues, not that they will, she told MPs.

Labour MPs urged the Government to move quickly once ministers gained the new powers.

I support the Governments ambition to act, John Whitby said.

The Labour MP for Derbyshire Dales added: We need to get on with it.

I urge everyone to complete the consultation and I urge the Government to act with haste following the consultations closure on May 26.

Peter Prinsley, Labour MP for Bury St Edmunds and Stowmarket, said he supported the Governments position.

But I think the House should take seriously, very seriously, what the Lords have asked us to consider, he said.

If the Government is not minded to accept the amendment as it stands, then I believe theres a strong case for bringing forward its own proposal that achieves the same outcome clearly and in a timely fashion because, ultimately, this is about setting the right boundaries for children in a digital world that is evolving very quickly.

And on that there is a clear expectation inside and outside this House that we must act.

Conservative former minister Lord Nash had proposed a default ban on children using the social media platforms deemed harmful (Alamy/PA)

The Lords must again consider the Commons position before the Bill becomes law, and peers could continue the stand-off between the two Houses.

Lord Nash said he had every intention of once again telling the Government that our position is unchanged.

He said: The Governments approach is to sit and wait, to let the harms mount up and come forward with a statement in six months time.

How can that amount to effective action in the face of daily changing technology?

It would be such a small step for the Government to now propose delaying the age for access to harmful social media to 16 and then the consultation can be about how to do this and also the very important area of AI chatbots and companions and VPNs and the other matters that it covers.

On Wednesday, MPs also voted by 254 to 144, majority 110, to reject a review of a proposed limit on branded school uniform items within 12 months.

A bid to ban smartphones during the school day was blocked by 248 votes to 139, majority 109, but school leaders in England face a new duty to consider Government guidance on mobile phone use in education settings.
The Orkney isles (Local Library)

Police searches are set to continue next week for a monk who vanished from an island monastery in Orkney, after a church statement indicated he is presumed dead.

Justin Evans, known as Brother Ignatius, a 24-year-old from New Zealand and a member of the Redemptorist Community, was last seen at the Golgotha Monastery on Papa Stronsay just before midnight on Saturday, April 11.

The Diocese of Aberdeen has expressed profound sadness regarding the "disappearance and presumed death" of the young monk.

Police Scotland confirmed on Thursday that efforts to locate him would persist across Papa Stronsay and neighbouring islands in the coming days. He was last observed wearing a white robe.

Inspector David Hall said: Our thoughts are very much with Justins family at what is a very difficult time.

Extensive and detailed searches using local police resources and partner agencies have been carried out on the islands of Papa Stronsay and Stronsay, including along the shorelines.

Coastal areas on other nearby islands will continue to be searched by local and specialist police resources and partners.

Any further relevant information reported to police about Justin and the circumstances leading up to him going missing will be acted upon.

At this time there is nothing to suggest any suspicious circumstances or criminality.

Earlier, the Diocese of Aberdeen said Brother Ignatius was known for his humility and charity.

A spokesperson said: The Diocese has learned with deep sadness of the disappearance and presumed death of Justin Evans, also known as Brother Ignatius, aged 24, a member of the Redemptorist Community on the island of Papa Stronsay.

It is believed that he came to harm in conditions involving the sea.
Universities across the country have launched legal action against the government after it demanded 22,000 students repay maintenance loans and grants that were made in error.

Bath Spa University, Southampton Solent University and London Metropolitan University are among the nine institutions that have warned the abrupt decision stems from a failure by the Student Loans Company (SLC) to provide clear and consistent guidance.

Thousands of students studying weekend courses received a letter from the SLC to say they were classified as distance learning students and were therefore not eligible for maintenance loans or childcare grants, and had to repay the money.

Professor Georgina Andrews, vice-chancellor of Bath Spa University, said: The Department for Education (DfE) and SLC state they want to prioritise the needs of students, but their actions have punished those who are the most vulnerable in our society, who are trying to better their lives through education.

It is indefensible that individuals are suffering for what is clearly a systemic failure by the SLC. Universities have been acting in good faith, following guidance provided by the SLC over several years.

The Department for Education said the loan recalls are due to error made by universities when classifying their courses (PA Wire)

The group of universities that have co-signed the formal legal letter understand 22,000 students studying at more than 20 universities are affected. The other universities involved in the legal action have not gone public.

Professor Julie Hall, vice-chancellor of London Metropolitan University, said: We call on the Department for Education to resolve the inconsistencies in their guidance regarding in-person teaching. Students should not be forced into financial crisis because of technical reclassifications and a lack of joined-up thinking between different government systems. They must not be penalised for regulatory shifts that are entirely outside of their control.

The Department for Education (DfE) and SLC described the change in policy as an error by universities when classifying their courses.

Around 22,000 students are affected by the decision (Getty/iStock)

The National Union of Students (NUS) is presenting a petition with more than 13,000 signatures to the DfE on Thursday.

NUS vice president Alex Stanley said: Students are bearing the brunt of failed communications between the Student Loans Company and their universities.

These students are investing in their futures by studying each weekend, alongside caring or work. They trusted the government, the Student Loans Company and their universities to handle everything correctly: now that trust has been broken, mistakes have been made, and once again, students are made to face the brunt of it.

Regardless of where any blame lies, the immediate solution would be for the secretary of state to use the discretion she has in the regulations, and stop the immediate clawback of these students payments so that they are not plunged into poverty. She has an opportunity here to stand by the promises made by this government to ensure opportunities for all.

Education secretary Bridget Phillipson said: I have long been clear about our commitment to crack down on university franchising arrangements that do not deliver for their students and abuse the system. I will always prioritise protecting students and safeguarding taxpayers money.

This is not students fault. Too many organisations have let their students down, through either incompetence or abuse of the system. Many of these organisations lack the necessary governance and oversight to properly implement clear guidance. Others have used this loophole as another opportunity to abuse public money. Either way, this is not the standard I expect from our world-class university sector.

Universities must take immediate action to support students who will face financial difficulties as a result.
Blue sky thinking: Ryanair is running a full operation at Stansted airport (pictured) and elsewhere (Simon Calder)

UK airlines are currently not seeing disruption to jet fuel supply, says Airlines UK  representing all the main carriers operating in the UK. The trade association says this is in part due to the UKs diverse fuel supply. The industry is continuing to engage with fuel suppliers and government to monitor the situation.

Speaking on Thursday morning, easyJet boss Kenton Jarvis stressed: We have visibility [on the availability of aviation fuel] to the middle of May and have no concerns.

Dont panic, in other words.

Yet there seems to be blockade after blockade in the Strait of Hormuz, and a significant proportion of the worlds aviation fuel is held up on the wrong side of the coveted channel in the Gulf.

Ryanair told me on Thursday morning: We dont expect any near-term fuel shortages, but the situation is fluid. At present our fuel suppliers can guarantee supply to mid-end May. If the Iran war finishes soon then supply will not be disrupted. If the closure of the Hormuz Straits continues into May or June then we cannot rule out risks to fuel supplies at some airports in Europe.

A spokesperson for Wizz Air, the third-largest European budget airline (after Ryanair and easyJet), said: Wizz Air actively monitors fuel supply as it affects all airlines but there is no disruption at the moment. The airline will work with its suppliers to secure the jet fuel available in line with its needs. Well keep customers informed and provide timely updates if needed.

So this is my latest update on the chances that your holiday flight could be grounded if supplies in the UK or elsewhere start to run out.

Are there cancellations already due to lack of fuel?

No, but there are cancellations due to the high price of fuel and weakening demand for aircraft seats. My flight this weekend from London City airport to Guernsey has been cancelled, and I have been moved to a departure around the same time from Gatwick.

There are similar actions taking place in Scandinavia and the US  basically, routes that were previously marginally profitable can quickly become loss-making when the price of fuel soars.

How soon could it be that we see actual cancellations from fuel running short?

There are isolated parts of the world where cancellations are happening at scale  some of the Asian countries, for example. In Europe, a handful of Italian airports warned that fuel would be unavailable. But these were all smaller airports served only by short-haul aircraft, which can bring in fuel for the return leg.

What if supplies start to get really tight? Were this to happen, then airlines could act individually or collectively  or be instructed by government  to cut down on their use of aviation fuel.

How would airlines be able to reduce fuel burn?

As I have previously mentioned, I would expect airlines to organise an orderly reduction in their schedules. Routes on which there are multiple daily departures would be top of the list. In the entirely hypothetical event of airlines choosing, or being ordered, to reduce the amount of fuel used by, say, 20 per cent, British Airways would be in a reasonably strong position. It could fillet some of the thirsty intercontinental departures, particularly to busy US destinations (where its partner, American Airlines, could pick up some of the displaced passengers).

Within Europe, smart solutions such as switching Paris, Amsterdam and Brussels passengers to Eurostar trains could also help.

Some aircraft types are thirstier than others, per passenger flown. Airbus A319 planes could be grounded by BA and easyJet, with the much more efficient A321s being used on more routes. Airbus A350s are smaller than A380s, but use less fuel per passenger.

I should stress than easyJet says it is not contemplating any reduction in flying.

Could airlines be in jeopardy?

As the UKs and Irelands major airlines showed through the Covid pandemic, they are extremely resilient businesses that are regarded as having strong growth potential. It may be that pressure increases on smaller carriers. But bear in mind that a reduction in capacity spells higher fares. For a time at least, airlines could find themselves leaving planes on the ground but still making a decent living.

Read more: How can I ensure I wont miss my flight due to EES?
Media executive David Ellison is reportedly hosting an intimate Washington dinner next week honoring President Donald Trump, whose administration is weighing whether to approve Ellisons $111 billion bid to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery.

Ellison, CEO of CBS News parent company Paramount Skydance, will reportedly hold the dinner next Thursday at the U.S. Institute of Peace ahead of next weekends White House Correspondents Dinner, according to the media newsletter Breaker and Variety. The event will also reportedly celebrate CBSs White House reporters. It is unclear if President Trump has been invited to or will attend the event.

The Independent has contacted Paramount Skydance, CBS News, and the White House for comment and confirmation.

In February, Paramount Skydance and Warner Bros. Discovery reached a merger agreement, with Ellison beating out rival Netflix to acquire Warner Bros., a media empire with marquee properties including CNN, HBO, and the Harry Potter franchise.

The merger is awaiting approval from federal regulators and Warner Bros. shareholders, who are scheduled to vote on the deal on April 23, the same day as the reported Ellison dinner.

Paramount Skydance CEO David Ellison will reportedly hold a dinner in honor of the Trump administration next week as his company awaits federal approval for its $111 billion bid to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery (Getty)

In March, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth openly spoke of his support for the deal as he complained about media coverage of the Trump administration.

The sooner David Ellison takes over that network, the better, Hegseth said at a press conference on the Iran war.

CBS News has reportedly invited Hegseth and White House deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller to the Correspondents Dinner as guests, according to Breaker.

More than 1,000 prominent Hollywood figures spoke out against the merger this week in an open letter.

The result will be fewer opportunities for creators, fewer jobs across the production ecosystem, higher costs, and less choice for audiences in the United States and around the world, they wrote. Alarmingly, this merger would reduce the number of major U.S. film studios to just four."

Billionaire David Ellison and his father Larry Ellison, co-founder of the tech giant Oracle and a prominent donor to Republicans, have prior ties to the Trump administration.

The pair have been at the center of a series of highly scrutinized deals that have made them the most influential media kingpins of the second Trump era.

David Ellison and his father Larry Ellison (center), the co-founder of Oracle, have been at the center of a series of mergers and acquisitions in recent months (AFP/Getty)

Last year, the Trump administration blessed the merger between David Ellisons Skydance and Paramount, not long after the latter paid to settle a lawsuit from Trump.

After the acquisition was finalized, Ellison installed anti-woke commentator Bari Weiss as the new editor-in-chief of CBS News.

As The Independent has reported, under Weiss, observers have argued CBS Newss coverage has drifted in a more Trump-friendly direction, while staffers have groused that the network has become state TV for the administration.

In January, Trump told CBS Evening News anchor Tony Dokoupil he wouldn't have a job right now if Democrats had won the 2024 election.

Larry Ellisons Oracle is part of an investor group that now has majority control of the U.S. version of TikTok, after the Trump White House pressured the social media app to spin off its American operations.

Oracle is part of Stargate, a joint venture among tech firms to build up to $500 billion in new AI infrastructure in the U.S. The White House has publicly touted the deal as part of its America First tech agenda.

Oracle also helped sponsor the administrations Washington D.C. military parade celebrating the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Army.

The Trump administration has brushed off suggestions its ties to the Ellisons will influence its merger review in the Warner Bros. deal.

The idea that somehow enforcement has been politicized is ludicrous, Justice Department antitrust official Omeed Assefi told Reuters in March.

Trump is expected to attend this years White House Correspondents Dinner, after more a decade of skipping the event, where President Barack Obama memorably skewered him in 2011.
Fans of The Copenhagen Test have reacted with disappointment after learning that the spy series will not return for second season.

The show debuted on streaming service Peacock in December last year, and starred Simu Liu and Melissa Barrera.

It was well reviewed, earning a 71% score from critics and 80% from fans on reviews aggregator site Rotten Tomatoes, but failed to find a wide audience.

Several fans took to social media to express their sadness over the news that the show has been canceled.

Sad to hear, wrote one fan on X. It was fresh and entertaining.

Simu Liu and Melissa Barrera starred on the Peacock series 'The Copenhagen Test' (Getty)

Another drew a comparison to another spy franchise, saying: Wow lame.. it was a pretty good show. Had Jason Bourne elements to it.

A third fan added: What a shame cause it was such a good show, i feel if they would have marketed this show as sci-fi action show it might have attracted more audience. Cause once it hits other streaming services they will demand a second season. On the plus side main plot is resolved in season 1.

The official logline for the show stated that it followed Liu as first-generation Chinese-American intelligence analyst Alexander Hale, who realizes his brain has been hacked, giving the perpetrators access to everything he sees and hears. Caught between his shadowy agency and the unknown hackers, he must maintain a performance 24/7 to flush out whos responsible and prove where his allegiance lies.

Liu, who is best known for his role in the Marvel Cinematic Universe as Shang-Chi, recently urged DC to cast his The Copenhagen Test co-star Barrera as Wonder Woman.

She really pushes herself, said Liu. I dont know who might be listening to this interview, James Gunn or anybody else out there. But I think she really pushes herself. There were a couple of moments during stunt training where I was like, Thats Wonder Woman-esque. Im just throwing it out there.

He continued to rave about his co-star, saying: After the whole season and after all the training that she had been through, Melissa was looking really sharp as a fighter, and so, she came to set and she was just ready to come to blows. And it was really fun just to get to play that with her, and Im really proud of what we did too. Im really proud of her. She did a lot, most, if not all of her own stunts, and shes just the best.
A prayer delivered by Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth appeared to paraphrase a speech from the cult class movie Pulp Fiction, rather than scripture.

Viewers watching Hegseths sermon during a Pentagon worship service on Wednesday were left scratching their heads and questioning whether he had just quoted Samuel L. Jacksons famous monologue.

While discussing the Sandy 1 rescue mission, which brought back downed pilots stranded in Iran earlier this month, Hegseth urged his audience to join him in a prayer that he said was delivered at the start of the mission.

Hegseth said the prayer, CSAR 25:17, which stands for Combat Search and Rescue, is meant to reflect Ezekiel 25:17. He then urged his audience to pray with him.

The path of the downed aviator is beset on all sides by the inequities of the selfish and the tyranny of evil man. Blessed is he who, in the name of camaraderie and duty, shepherds the lost through the valley of darkness, for he is truly his brothers keeper and the finder of lost children. And I will strike down upon thee with great vengeance and furious anger those who attempt to capture and destroy my brother, and you will know my call sign is Sandy 1 when I lay my vengeance upon thee. Amen, Hegseth said.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth delivered a prayer at the Pentagon on Wednesday that resembled a fictional prayer Samuel L. Jacksons character delivers in the movie Pulp Fiction (Miramax)

The actual Ezekiel 25:17 reads: And I will execute great vengeance upon them with furious rebukes; and they shall know that I am the Lord, when I shall lay my vengeance upon them.

Instead of the scripture Hegseth mentioned, his prayer appears to mirror the fictional Ezekiel 25:17 that Samuel L Jacksons character, Jules Winnfield, delivered before killing a character in Quentin Tarantinos Pulp Fiction.

Theres a passage I got memorized, seems appropriate for this situation: Ezekiel 25:17, Jacksons character said. The path of righteous man is beset on all sides by the inequities of the selfish and the tyranny of evil men. Blessed is he who, in the name of charity and good will, shepherds the weak through the valley of darkness, for he is truly his brothers keeper and the finder of lost children. And I will strike down upon thee with great vengeance and furious anger those who attempt to poison and destroy my brothers. And you will know my name is the Lord when I lay my vengeance upon you.

The Independent has contacted the Pentagon for comment.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth delivered the prayer at the Pentagon on Wednesday (Department of War)

Hegseth did not say during his speech how the prayer was relayed to him by the rescue team. However, the sermon caught the attention of social media users who called the Defense Secretary out on the fake Bible passage.

Wow this is embarassing! one X user remarked.

Calling for peace is un-Christian, but Hegseth praying from Pulp Fiction is fine, an X user added.

All these Republican clowns cosplay as Christians. Its so aggravating, another X user chimed in.
Sir Keir Starmer is facing calls to resign after it was revealed Lord Mandelson failed security vetting but still became ambassador to the US.

The Prime Minister has been accused of misleading parliament after repeatedly insisting due process was followed in the appointment of the disgraced peer and that he had been vetted in the normal way.

But it emerged on Thursday that the peer was initially denied clearance in late January 2025 after a developed vetting process, a highly confidential background check by security officials.

But the decision was reportedly overruled by the Foreign Office as the Prime Minister had already announced he would be making Mandelson the UKs chief diplomat in Washington, the Guardian reported.

The Government denied Starmer had knowledge of the decision, but opposition parties demanded he resign.

Tory leader Kemi Badenoch said: The PM appointed Peter Mandelson before the vetting had been completed, vetting Mandelson failed.

Starmer then said full due process was followed. THAT is misleading Parliament. I'm only holding him to the same standards to which he's held previous PMs - that if they mislead parliament, they should resign.

In these dangerous times, Britain cannot afford to have a PM who the country doesn't trust. Starmer has betrayed our national security. He should go.

Reform leader Nigel Farage and Lib Dem leader Ed Davey also called for the PM's resignation.

Mr Farage said: Now we discover that he has blatantly lied, the Prime Minister should resign.

Mr Davey said: Keir Starmer had already made a catastrophic error of judgement.

Now it looks as though he has also misled Parliament and lied to the British public. If that is the case, he must go.'

Keir Starmer had already made a catastrophic error of judgement,' he said.

Now it looks as though he has also misled Parliament and lied to the British public. If that is the case, he must go.

Labour backbencher Graham Stringer said that if the Prime Minister was aware that Lord Mandelson had failed his vetting, he should resign.

Whether youre a junior minister or the most important minister, the Prime Minister, if you lie to Parliament knowingly, then you have to go, the MP for Blackley and Middleton South told LBC.

Dame Emily Thornberry, senior Labour MP and chairwoman of the Foreign Affairs select committee, said: My committee asked several times whether red flags had been raised by Peter Mandelsons vetting process.

It seems there were. Who overrode these concerns?

Why were we kept in the dark? People need to stop messing us about and tell us the truth.

Sir Keir has previously insisted due process was followed in the appointment, and that Lord Mandelson had lied about the extent of his links with paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein.

Lord Mandelson, a political appointment rather than a career diplomat, was sacked from his Washington role last September when more details emerged about his relationship with convicted sex offender Epstein, who died in 2019.

A government spokesperson said: The security vetting process for Peter Mandelson was sponsored by the FCDO.

The decision to grant developed vetting to Peter Mandelson against the recommendation of UK Security Vetting was taken by officials in the FCDO.

Neither the Prime Minister, nor any government minister, was aware that Peter Mandelson was granted developed vetting against the advice of UK Security Vetting until earlier this week.

Once the Prime Minister was informed he immediately instructed officials to establish the facts about why the developed vetting was granted, in order to enact plans to update the House of Commons.

The Guardian had also reported that senior Government officials were weighing whether to withhold documents from Parliament that would show Lord Mandelson failed the security vetting.

The spokesperson however said the Government is committed to complying with the parliamentary motion to disclose documents relating to Lord Mandelsons appointment in full as soon as possible.

Documents to be provided to the parliamentary intelligence and security committee (ISC) as part of the disclosure will include documents provided to the FCDO by UK Security Vetting, the spokesperson said.

An FCDO spokesperson later said: The Prime Minister has initiated a process to establish the facts of the granting of developed vetting and we are working urgently to comply with that process.

Sir Keir has previously said that vetting carried out independently by the security services gave him clearance for the role.

But the peer was not granted approval following the secretive process by the Cabinet Offices UK Security Vetting (UKSV) last January, The Guardian reported.

The committee intends to summon the Foreign Offices top civil servant, Sir Olly Robbins, over evidence he previously gave on the vetting process.

Sir Keir has been under fire over the decision to give Lord Mandelson the job despite it being known that his dealings with Epstein continued after the financiers conviction for child sex offences.

Questions over his judgment intensified after the first batch of documents related to the decision published last month showed that he was warned before announcing Lord Mandelsons ambassadorship of a general reputational risk over his association with Epstein.

That warning stemmed from the first part of the checks, carried out by the Cabinet Office, which was based on information in the public domain at the time.

The second was the highly confidential background vetting by security officials, which followed the announcement but before Lord Mandelson took up his role in February 2025.

Information unearthed in this process  including any concerns  is never shared with ministers, and the result is binary, either clearing the candidate or barring them.

Foreign Office officials deployed a rarely used authority to override the decision to deny Lord Mandelson clearance, and he was told days later that he had passed, according to The Guardian.

More documents relating to his appointment are yet to be released at the behest of MPs.

Some material is expected not to be published either because it relates to a police investigation into Lord Mandelson, or because Parliaments Intelligence and Security Committee believes it could jeopardise national security or diplomatic relations.

But keeping documents from the committee could amount to a breach of the Conservative motion to release all papers relating to Lord Mandelsons appointment.

Lord Beamish, the ISC chair, told the Press Association it was a welcome clarification from the Government that documents would be disclosed in full.

Sir Keir said in February that Lord Mandelson was cleared by security vetting, which he criticised for failing to disprove the former Labour grandees lies.

When Morgan McSweeney stepped down as Sir Keirs chief of staff in February, he took full responsibility for giving his boss advice that resulted in the wrong appointment decision, while also calling for the vetting process to be fundamentally overhauled.

Mike Clancy, general secretary of Prospect  the trade union which represents vetting officers at UKSV, said it was deeply unfortunate that Downing Street allowed the impression to circulate that the vetting of Peter Mandelson had not been done correctly by UK Security Vetting.

He said: Civil servants, particularly those working in the most sensitive parts of government cannot speak publicly, and deserve ministers to take responsibility for the decisions they take and not to seek to deflect blame onto them.
The Pope releases a bird during his visit to Cameroon on Thursday - Guglielmo Mangiapane/Reuters

The Pope has said the world is being ravaged by a handful of tyrants amid an unprecedented and acrimonious clash with Donald Trump.

Speaking during a visit to Cameroon, the second leg of his four-nation tour of Africa, the first American pontiff accused world leaders of manipulating religion for their own military, economic and political gain.

The world is being ravaged by a handful of tyrants, yet it is held together by a multitude of supportive brothers and sisters, the Pope said.

He did not refer to Mr Trump or any other leader by name, but many will interpret his remarks as a barb towards the US president following their bitter row.

Blessed are the peacemakers, said the Pope, who was elected as successor to Pope Francis last May. But woe to those who manipulate religion and the very name of God for their own military, economic and political gain, dragging that which is sacred into darkness and filth.

Earlier this week, Mr Trump posted an AI-generated image of himself as a Christ-like healer, laying his hand on a man who appeared to be on his deathbed.

The image Mr Trump posted to his Truth Social account

The Pope said: The masters of war pretend not to know that it takes only a moment to destroy, yet often a lifetime is not enough to rebuild.

They turn a blind eye to the fact that billions of dollars are spent on killing and devastation, yet the resources needed for healing, education and restoration are nowhere to be found.

The Chicago-born Pope has been a strident critic of the war in Iran, to the anger of the Trump administration.

Earlier this week, the US president attacked the pontiff for his his stance on the Middle East and claimed that he was weak on crime and terrible for foreign policy.

Will someone please tell Pope Leo that Iran has killed at least 42,000 innocent, completely unarmed protesters in the last two months, and that for Iran to have a nuclear bomb is absolutely unacceptable, he said on Wednesday.

Mr Trump then posted the AI-generated image depicting himself as a Jesus-like figure, triggering a backlash from his Catholic supporters in the US.

He later removed the image, but later reposted on Truth Social a soft-focus image of himself being embraced by Christ.

Asked about his feud with the Pope on Thursday afternoon, Mr Trump said: I have nothing against the Pope...Im not fighting with him.

The pope made a statement. He says Iran can have a nuclear weapon. I say Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon...I can disagree with the Pope.

He added: The pope can say what he wants, and I want him to say what he wants, but I can disagree. 

The Pope arrives in Bamenda in Cameroon during his a four-nation tour of Africa - Guglielmo Mangiapane/Reuters

Pope Leo, who was Cardinal Robert Prevost before being elected to the papacy, delivered his comments during a meeting in Bamenda, the largest city in Cameroons Anglophone regions.

The two English-speaking regions have suffered almost a decade of armed violence following attempts to secede from the rest of the mostly French-speaking country. More than 6,000 people have been killed, according to the International Crisis Group.

The conflict is rooted in Cameroons colonial history, when the country was divided between France and Britain after the First World War.

English-speaking regions later joined French Cameroon in a 1961 UN-backed vote, but separatists say they have since been politically and economically marginalised.

A decade ago, English-speaking separatists launched a rebellion with the stated goal of breaking away from the French-speaking majority and establishing an independent state.

Catholics gathered outside the Saint Joseph Cathedral in Bamenda to greet Pope Leo - Reuters/Guglielmo Mangiapane

Mr Trump first criticised the Pope as he arrived in Algeria at the start of his 11-day pontifical tour of Africa.

The president also hit out at Giorgia Meloni, the Italian prime minister, this week.

He was previously an admirer, regarding her as one of his strongest allies in Europe and praising her as beautiful, but that changed when Ms Meloni said the US presidents criticism of Pope Leo was unacceptable.

The rift widened when Mr Trump criticised her for not backing the US-Israeli war in Iran and the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. Ms Meloni has insisted that Italy will not participate in the conflict and recently denied the use of a base in Sicily to American bombers.

I thought she had courage, Mr Trump said. I was wrong.

He doubled down on his broadside against Ms Meloni on Wednesday, telling Fox News: Shes been negative. Anybody that turned us down to helping with this Iran situation, we do not have the same relationship.

Ms Meloni has reportedly told allies not to be provoked by his incendiary statements and social media posts and not to respond back and forth.

No ping-pong guys, she told her inner circle, according to Corriere della Sera newspaper on Thursday. The relationship between Italy and the US is certainly not over. We will find ways to talk to each other, we dont need to panic.

Adolfo Urso, a cabinet minister and a member of Ms Melonis Right-wing Brothers of Italy party, echoed that message.

Italy and the United States are allied countries and maintain their relationship and alliance within international institutions, starting obviously with the Atlantic Alliance.
Portcullis carried the colours of the King and Queen to a spectacular debut success in the Betway Wood Ditton Maiden at Newmarket on Thursday.

This one-mile contest for unraced three-year-olds has been won by many a smart horse over the years and looks to have unearthed another potential star in this son of Frankel, whose dam Castle Lady won the French 1000 Guineas in 2019.

Bred by the King, John and Thady Gosdens charge was slowly away and looked all at sea during the early stages but started to make inroads on the leaders from halfway and was in front well over a furlong out.

Good oss klaxon! Portcullis impresses I. The Wood Ditton pic.twitter.com/1bWNSXwaHu  Adam Morgan (@Adam_Morgs) April 16, 2026

The further he went the more impressive Portcullis looked as he fairly sprinted clear late on to score by an emphatic five and a half length at odds of 7-1 in the hands of Ryan Moore.

John Gosden said: He was a little lost leaving the gate, but he picked up and travelled well. Ryan said he found a nice rhythm and he left him alone so there we go  there goes the handicap mark!

Its obviously pleasing to win like that and you dont know what the second and third are as they are all unraced horses, but it was a pleasing start and Ryan was very happy with him, albeit embarrassed by the winning margin.

Keen to temper expectations slightly, Gosden added: What we do now is try to keep the feet on the ground and probably look for a novice to learn. Maybe we should just take a small step before we take a big step.

Portcullis looks an exciting prospect (Mike Egerton/PA) (Mike Egerton)

In stark contrast, the King and Queens racing manager is daring to dream after he conceded he could not help but be excited

John Warren said: Hes really exciting and he looks like he has got some nice aspirations ahead.

John liked him last year as a two-year-old but he had a little setback in November. Its nice to see him come out and show he has the talent John thought he had last year.

Ryan was very complimentary and a throwaway line was I think you could be brave which I think is indicative of the feel he got for the horse which is interesting given he is not a man who wastes his words.

The way he ran out there, there is an indication he should get further. If you could paint a picture you would go again at a mile in a bit better company and see how quick he could use his legs and then learn again in proper company where he can stretch out at the end of it. Theres a few steps to go yet.

 A nice one in the Royal silks Portcullis hoses up in the Wood Ditton pic.twitter.com/oDEB0CJ8DK  Racing TV (@RacingTV) April 16, 2026

Being honest Im really excited but Im trying not to be as weve been in this position plenty of times and to be frank hes got to run again before we can understand what we really have.

But the style in which he did that  being bred in the purple like that and a magnificent physical who is not even close to being there and furnished off yet  it makes you excited. He is only on the first rung of the ladder, but its an exciting ladder but were on it.

Adding further lustre to the Portcullis journey is that the colt was among the last mating plans pencilled in conjunction by the late Queen Elizabeth II before her death in 2022.

I was with the Queen the weekend before she died and proposed the matings to her that weekend, explained Warren.

The skeleton of the plan was hatched with the Queen before she died but then I took the mating plan to the King and Queen Camilla in the November to see if they liked the mating list. So I will call it a joint effort by all.

Im so thrilled for the King and Queen and they are getting so much pleasure out of their horses, I never thought they would get as much pleasure as they are.

I always thought the Queen might, but thought the King might be caught up with other things but they are enjoying it so much and its so nice as they give so much. To get a few nice pleasures is really nice and we look forward to the next step.
The public should be reassured that ministers are making contingency plans for the impact of the Iran war, the Business Secretary has said following a leak suggesting the worst-case scenario could see food shortages.

The Government is preparing for food shortages as a result of the conflict, according to the Times.

Though the war is not likely to lead to critical shortages, a reasonable worst-case scenario from leaked Government plans shared with the newspaper suggests there could be less variety on supermarket shelves should fighting continue unabated.

Carbon dioxide (CO2) supplies would also be hit should the conflict last into the summer according to the same leak, which would have an impact on the storage of packaged meats and salads, and on breweries, who use the gas to make drinks fizzy.

On Thursday, the boss of Tesco said the supermarket was in constant contact with the Government to support its contingency planning, but had not seen any problems with suppliers so far.

Peter Kyle told Times Radio the Government did not comment on leaks, but he added: It is difficult for me, because, of course, these leaks are very unhelpful.

But when people do read it, they need to be reassured that we are doing this kind of planning, and we are doing this kind of scenario planning.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves has stepped up her criticism of the US war with Iran in recent weeks (Stefan Rousseau/PA) (Stefan Rousseau)

Bear in mind that back in Covid, Boris Johnson missed five Cobra meetings in the lead up to it.

I can tell you, because Im in these meetings, the Prime Minister has been there since the very start, and he is going through personally and driving deep dives into lots of areas of resilience throughout our economy.

He later insisted supplies of carbon dioxide are not a concern for the UK.

The Business Secretary also told Sky News: If any of these things change, I will be up front with the public about it in advance so that we can prepare.

But right now, people should go on as they are, enjoying beer, enjoying their meats, enjoying all the salads.

But also there are critical uses for CO2: MRI scanning, for example, water purification; its involved in our nuclear industry, our civil nuclear power industry, some defensive uses for it as well.

Theres lots of needs for CO2, so these are the reasons why I took it so seriously way back to six months ago, not just in the last few weeks.

Mr Kyle said he had mothballed a CO2-producing plant in Teesside shortly after becoming Business Secretary in order to prevent it shutting down completely.

On the outbreak of war, the Government provided funding to reactivate the Ensus bioethanol plant, which makes CO2 as a by-product, in order to shore up supplies of the gas.

Tesco chief executive Ken Murphy said the Government was doing the right thing in planning for the worst-case scenario.

He told reporters during a press call: We are in constant contact with the Government for their scenario planning and we completely support their efforts.

At this time, we havent seen any issues and are in very strong shape. We constantly talk to our suppliers and none of our suppliers have raised any issues.

Separately, Health Secretary Wes Streeting told LBC he was confident that NHS supplies would remain resilient, but added there were plans to prioritise ambulances should diesel shortages materialise.

He added: The likelihood of us needing to activate these worst-case scenario plans is reassuringly low.

A Government spokesperson said: Reasonable worst-case scenarios are a planning tool used by experts and are not a prediction of future events.

Elsewhere, Rachel Reeves has expanded plans to cut electricity bills for thousands of UK manufacturing firms as she continues talks in Washington DC focused on the economic fallout from the Iran conflict.

In a bid to help businesses hit by rising costs, a plan announced last summer to cut electricity bills by up to 25% for more than 7,000 UK businesses will be expanded to cover 10,000 firms.

The GMB union said members in gas-intensive industries, the ceramics sector and other manufacturing companies were sickened at the lack of support after being shamefully ignored by the Government in this announcement.

Tory shadow energy secretary Claire Coutinho said just 0.2% of businesses will benefit from this, while pubs, restaurants, farmers, retailers being hammered by higher taxes and energy bills under Labour wont get any support.
Rachel Reeves has said the government is working intensely to allow further drilling in the North Sea as the fastest way to boost Britains oil and gas supply.

Speaking in Washington this week, the chancellor said the government was working to open up so-called tie-backs sites, which allow drilling on or near existing fields.

The comments come as calls continue for Britain to expand its use of domestic resources amid the closure of the Strait of Hormuz and conflict in the Middle East.

Ms Reeves said the government was not working pretty intensely through details with energy companies on the tiebacks, which she announced would be allowed at last years budget.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves also ruled out additional borrowing (PA)

I announced in the budget last year that we were going to allow tiebacks, she said.

Were now working through pretty intensely the technical details with the energy companies. What tiebacks are is where you use existing infrastructure to exploit a larger geography of oil and gas.

It is the quickest way to bring on stream more oil and gas, and its important that we get the detail right, so that companies have the confidence to exploit those resources.

She also said she and energy secretary Ed Miliband are looking at ways to break the link between the cost of electricity and gas prices.

Gas almost always sets the price of electricity under the marginal cost pricing model the UK uses.

Speaking at a summit of the International Monetary Fund in Washington, the chancellor said: So, this is something that Ive been attracted to for quite some time, delinking electricity and gas prices.

At the moment, when gas prices are high, we end up paying more for our electricity, even though the cost of producing it doesnt change.

And so myself and Ed Miliband are now working to come up with a practical way that we can delink those prices.

Ms Reeves said the government was working through the defence investment plan (AFP/Getty)

It is quite a big change but is absolutely the right thing to do, especially as electricity makes up an increasing part of our energy mix, and we hope, within the next sort of few days, weeks, to be able to give more details on what that looks like.

She also signalled she will resist the clamour to raise taxes to pay for increased defence spending in the face of rising global threats to UK security.

Ms Reeves said she had already hiked the burden on taxpayers substantially and would prefer not to have to do that again.

Former Nato chief and Labour grandee Lord Robertson on Tuesday accused the government of corrosive complacency on military spending. The ex-defence secretary accused non-military experts in the Treasury of vandalism.

But Ms Reeves insisted she had provided the biggest uplift of defence spending since the end of the Cold War.

National security always comes first, and I will always do the right thing as chancellor to protect our country, she said.

Sir Keir Starmer, pictured with defence secretary John Healey, came under fire from former Nato chief Lord Robertson, right (PA)

She pointed out she had taken money from the overseas development budget to increase defence spending.

She added: The biggest beneficiaries of my spending review last year were the NHS budget and the defence budget. Both of those saw big uplifts reflecting the choices that were making as a government.

We are working through the defence investment plan. Its a 10-year plan, so it is important that we get it right and were spending the money on the right things.

Theres a lot of focus on the quantum of the money, but actually what is more important is how that money is spent and whether it is meeting the defence needs that we have as a country, and were working through that detail at the moment.

Obviously, were working through a range of options, but my two budgets have both increased taxes substantially, and I would prefer not to have to do that again.
Residents living in the Muskegon River floodplain below Croton Dam are being urged to evacuate as water levels are rapidly rising (Google Maps)

Residents living in the area below a Michigan dam have been urged to evacuate now! as water levels are rapidly rising.

Newaygo County Emergency Services warned residents living in the Muskegon River floodplain below Croton Dam on Thursday morning to quickly evacuate as water levels continue to rise.

This is a rapidly developing situation, the agency wrote. Watch for rapidly changing water levels.

The agency warned anyone choosing to remain in the floodplain that public safety services will not be available until conditions become safe to respond. People living in the impacted areas can also expect to lose power.

Residents living in the Muskegon River floodplain below Croton Dam are being urged to evacuate as water levels are rapidly rising (Google Maps)

The rising river level and the speed at which its rising  we havent seen it rise this fast in prior events, Newaygo County Sheriff Bob Mendham told News 8 Thursday morning. One of the big problems that were experiencing is road washouts, and so our concern is that people will become stranded because a road is washed out.

Emergency responders have already had a hard time reaching some areas because of the water.

Weve got deputies and different fire departments out making contact with residents in those low-lying areas, but theres also been several residents that weve just been unable to get to because of the water levels, Mendham said.

Officials said they have no concerns about the safety of Croton Dam, but that the area downstream is prone to flooding.

Six of Croton Dams gates were open Thursday morning, allowing for a quick stream of water to rush through. Locals told News 8 that on a typical day, only one or two gates are open.

The warning comes days after residents living near another Michigan dam were warned they may soon need to evacuate (Michigan State Police Management and Homeland Security Division/Facebook)

As of Thursday morning, Muskegon River had reached 12.07 feet near Croton Dam, which is considered major flooding. All public access sites along the Muskegon River below Croton Dam are closed.

Officials expect that Muskegon River levels will crest Friday night and Saturday morning.

The urgent warning comes days after residents near the Cheboygan Lock and Dam Complex were warned they may soon need to evacuate amid rising water levels. On Monday, the Cheboygan County Sheriff's Office issued a warning noting that the dams water levels had reached the READY mark of the states emergency Ready, Set, Go safety protocol.

The river was at 5.28 inches below the top of the dam Thursday afternoon, prompting the sheriffs office to update the local alert status to level 2, or the set stage in the Ready, Set, Go protocol.

If conditions worsen, local leaders may issue a go alert, which means to evacuate the area immediately.
The decision from UKSV raised the prospect of Starmer having to withdraw a high-profile appointment he had already made public. Illustration: Guardian Design/Getty (Illustration: Guardian Design/Getty)

The top civil servant in the Foreign Office has been forced out after a Guardian investigation revealed his department overruled a decision to deny Peter Mandelson security vetting clearance.

The departure of Sir Olly Robbins follows the disclosure, based on multiple sources, that Mandelson had in January 2025 failed a developed vetting process, a highly confidential background check by security officials.

Related: Mandelson vetting saga reveals flaws in Starmers judgment, not process

Keir Starmer had by then announced he would be making Mandelson the UKs chief diplomat in Washington, posing a dilemma for officials at the Foreign Office, who decided to use a rarely used authority to override the recommendation from security officials.

News of Robbins departure came after Downing Street spent much of Thursday battling demands for the prime minister himself to resign over the affair. No 10 insisted that the prime minister had no knowledge that security officials advised Mandelson should not be given clearance, and said responsibility lay with the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO).

In September, in a letter co-signed with foreign secretary Yvette Cooper, Robbins told MPs that conducted to the usual standard set for developed vetting.

The Guardian understands that Robbins was told he had to resign after Starmer and Cooper lost confidence in the civil servant.

Mandelsons failure to secure vetting approval has not previously been publicly revealed, despite intense scrutiny over his appointment and the release by the government of 147 pages of documents supposed to shed light on the case.

Before news of Robbins departure, a government spokesperson said: The decision to grant developed vetting to Peter Mandelson against the recommendation of UK Security Vetting [UKSV] was taken by officials in the FCDO.

Neither the prime minister, nor any government minister, was aware that Peter Mandelson was granted developed vetting against the advice of UK Security Vetting until earlier this week.

Once the prime minister was informed he immediately instructed officials to establish the facts about why the developed vetting was granted, in order to enact plans to update the House of Commons.

Downing Street insiders said he was furious about having been kept in the dark about the vetting decision.

Earlier on Thursday, the Conservative leader, Kemi Badenoch, said that if the prime minister had misled the House of Commons over Mandelsons vetting he must take responsibility. Ed Davey, the leader of the Liberal Democrats, said: If Keir Starmer has misled parliament and lied to the British people, he has to go.

Further documents are due to be released. However, it can also be revealed that senior government officials have been considering whether to withhold from parliament documents that would reveal Mandelson was not given vetting approval from security officials.

The decision, which rests with the Cabinet Office, has not yet been taken. Any attempt to withhold the documents from the intelligence and security committee (ISC) could amount to a breach of a parliamentary motion to release all papers relating to Mandelsons appointment.

In the statement released on Thursday evening, the Downing Street spokesperson said the government was committed to complying with the parliamentary motion, called a humble address. Any documentation within the scope of the humble address that requires redaction on the basis of national security or international relations will be provided to the ISC. This will include documents provided to the FCDO by UK Security Vetting.

The revelation that the now former ambassador was not granted clearance by UK UKSV, a division of the Cabinet Office that scrutinises the background of prospective civil servants, will raise further questions about the prime ministers judgment in appointing him.

Starmer will also be pressed over whether he misled the public in remarks about the security vetting process, which he said had given Mandelson clearance for the role.

It is not known who in the Foreign Office made the decision to overrule UKSV.

Robbins was the departments top civil servant in late January 2025 when the decision was made, having taken up the role earlier that month. The foreign secretary was David Lammy, who is now the deputy prime minister.

Starmers then chief of staff, Morgan McSweeney, who resigned in February over his role in appointing Mandelson, could also now be asked whether he had any involvement in, or knowledge or, the decision to overrule UKSVs denial of clearance.

Friends of McSweeney told the Guardian that he had no knowledge of Mandelsons developed vetting process or the outcome.

That decision was made weeks before Mandelson was due to take up his post in February 2025. Seven months later, he was sacked over his relationship with the convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

Ministers and officials are now likely to be pressed over whether they have been fully transparent about the process that led to his appointment.

At a press conference in Hastings on 5 February, Starmer responded to a question from a journalist by saying there had been security vetting, carried out independently by the security services, which is an intensive exercise that gave him [Mandelson] clearance for the role. You have to go through that before you take up the post. He added: Clearly both the due diligence and the security vetting need to be looked at again.

This appeared to partly put the blame for Mandelsons appointment on the failure of a vetting process which, according to sources, his government had overruled.

As a result of Mandelsons sacking as US ambassador on 11 September 2025, after the extent of his relationship with Epstein came to light, parliamentary scrutiny mounted. On 16 September, Yvette Cooper, the foreign secretary, and Robbins, then her top official, responded to questions over the vetting process with a letter to the foreign affairs select committee.

Peter Mandelsons security vetting was conducted to the usual standard set for developed vetting in line with established Cabinet Office policy, the letter said, explaining that the process had been undertaken by UKSV on behalf of the FCDO.

Cooper and Robbins said the process had concluded with DV clearance being granted by the FCDO in advance of Lord Mandelson taking up post in February.

What the letter failed to inform parliament was that UKSV had denied Mandelsons clearance  a recommendation that threatened Starmer having to withdraw a high-profile appointment he had already made public.

UKSVs vetting decisions are almost always enforced by government departments, but they technically have the authority to override the recommendations. The precise reason that UKSV recommended that Mandelson not receive clearance is now likely to be subject to intense speculation.

According to publicly available government documents, the UKSV developed vetting process includes a questionnaire and interviews requiring disclosure of highly private information, including about personal finances, business connections and sexual history.

It is understood that developed vetting, which is a requirement even for junior civil servants in the Foreign Office, almost always ends in approval, although there is sometimes a recommendation to manage risks. In some cases, approval is subject to mitigations. An outright denial, as in Mandelsons case, is rare.

It is even more exceptional for a decision by UKSV to deny an applicant to then be overruled by a government department, although officials do have that power. The decision to do so in the case of Mandelson occurred over a 48-hour period in late January 2025.

A formal decision to deny him clearance was made by UKSV on 28 January 2025. According to sources, UKSV informed the Foreign Office that the risk factors involving Mandelson meant that his clearance should be denied.

Robbins was a few weeks into the role of permanent secretary at the time of the decision, and was Mandelsons soon-to-be line manager, both of which suggest he would have been involved in the decision. While a decision of that magnitude raises questions about whether there was political approval, or consultation, sources close to Lammy insisted that he only became aware of the vetting override on Thursday.

By 30 January, Mandelson was told by the Foreign Office that his security clearance had been confirmed. It is not known whether he was ever informed that UKSV had not approved his application.

In November 2025, after Mandelsons resignation, MPs on the foreign affairs select committee questioned Robbins at a hearing about the former ambassadors vetting process.

Robbins said the vast majority of vetting reports were relatively straightforward. He added: Ones that require more senior judgment, and potentially a discussion about managing and mitigating risks, are escalated appropriately.

Asked directly if Mandelsons appointment had been escalated, Robbins replied: I certainly cannot comment on that.

Starmers decision to appoint Mandelson  the first political appointee to the role, as opposed to a career diplomat, since 1977  despite well-documented concerns about his suitability, has prompted the most serious crisis of his premiership.

When McSweeney resigned in February, he said that he took full responsibility for advising Starmer to appoint Mandelson, and implied there had been shortcomings in the vetting process. While I did not oversee the due diligence and vetting process, I believe that process must now be fundamentally overhauled, he said.

Mandelsons vetting by UKSV was one of two separate processes that involved scrutinising his background.

The first, which occurred because he was a political appointee, was a due diligence process that occurred before the announcement of his role. It involved the propriety and ethics team (PET), a group of officials in the Cabinet Office.

This was largely based on publicly available material, with a report produced by PET for Starmer, summarising Mandelsons professional and financial relationships, reputational risks  which included his relationship with Epstein  and his previous roles. The prime minister ignored those warnings and went ahead with the appointment.

Far less attention has been given to the second, entirely separate process undertaken by UKSV in the weeks after his appointment was announced but before he took up the role.

The Foreign Office, the Cabinet Office, and Peter Mandelson have been approached for comment.
Firefighters put out a fire after a drone hit a residential building during a Russian air attack in Kyiv, Ukraine, Sunday, Feb. 22, 2026

Russia pummelled Ukraine with drone and missile attacks overnight, killing three including a child and triggering air alerts in the capital Kyiv, officials said Thursday.

Moscow has fired hundreds of drones on its neighbour almost nightly since the beginning of the four-year war, and recently expanded daytime strikes.

"As a result of the enemy attack on the capital, two people died - a 12-year-old boy and a 35-year-old woman," Kyiv's mayor Vitali Klitschko wrote on Telegram.

A separate attack on the central city of Dnipro killed one more person, Oleksandr Ganzha, head of the regional administration posted on Telegram.

Read moreLatest exchange of prisoners of war between Russia and Ukraine

Ganzha said earlier that the attack wounded 10 people, including a 40-year-old woman hospitalised "in a serious condition".

It was not immediately clear if the woman was the person reported dead.

In Kyiv, rescuers pulled a child from the rubble of a residential building that collapsed in the Podilsky district, Klitschko said.

The attack on the capital wounded at least 10 people, including several medics, Klitschko said.

A blaze broke out at a building in the capital's Obolonsky district where missile debris fell, and cars were on fire, he added.

Tymur Tkachenko, head of Kyiv's military administration, warned civilians to shelter until a missile alert was lifted.

A drone strike on the northeastern city of Kharkiv wounded a 77-year-old woman and a 66-year-old man, the head of the regional military administration Oleg Synegubov said on Telegram.

Five people were wounded in an attack in the southern port city of Odesa, the head of the city's military administration Sergiy Lysak said on Telegram.

(FRANCE 24 with AFP)
Shannon Elizabeth is launching an OnlyFans account to show off a more sexy side.

More than two decades after the 52-year-old actor played foreign exchange student Nadia in American Pie  and went topless in one of the films scenes  she is joining the adult content platform starting Thursday.

I've spent my entire career working in Hollywood, where other people controlled the narrative and the outcome of my career, Elizabeth told People. This new chapter is about changing that, showing off a more sexy side no one has seen, and being closer to my fans.

She added: I'm choosing OnlyFans because it allows me to connect directly with my audience, create on my own terms, and just be free. I really do think this is the future.

Her bio on the platform states, Here youll find the side of me that doesnt make it into moviesmore playful, spontaneous, and completely unscripted.

'American Pie' star Shannon Elizabeth is launching an OnlyFans account (Getty Images)

Elizabeth did not immediately return The Independents request for comment.

Her manager, Andy Bachman, said in a statement to Variety: Shannon has always been someone who genuinely enjoys connecting with and giving back to her fans, and this allows her to do that in a more direct, meaningful way than ever before.

He added, Its a powerful model, and right now, theres nothing more effective at facilitating that connection than OnlyFans.

The actor told the outlet that her NSFW endeavor is about her connection with her fans, saying: Reconnecting with my fans through appearances has reminded me just how much their support has meant to me throughout my career  and how much Ive missed that energy.

Her statement continued: OnlyFans gives me the opportunity to offer something more  a behind the scenes, unfiltered look at my life and a genuine connection that no other platform allows. This is also where Ill be sharing exclusive content that you simply wont find anywhere else. This isnt just content to watch from a distance. This is for the people who have always shown up for me, and I want them to feel that.

Elizabeth played the mysterious exchange student Nadia in the raunchy 1999 hit comedy, which brought her to fame in the early aughts. She went on to land roles in Scary Movie in 2000, Love Actually in 2003 and That 70s Show.

She has lived in South Africa since 2016, where she is focused on animal rights activism. She currently runs the Shannon Elizabeth Foundation and its Khusela Endangered Wildlife Sanctuary.
Sir Keir Starmer will declare reopening the Strait of Hormuz a "global responsibility" as he co-hosts a gathering of world leaders in Paris.

The crucial shipping lane, vital for a fifth of global oil supplies, was closed by Iran following America and Israels strikes.

In retaliation, US President Donald Trump has begun blockading Irans oil ports, aiming to stem Tehrans fossil fuel income.

Sir Keir will arrive in Paris late Friday morning for a virtual meeting with Emmanuel Macron, followed by lunch with the French president.

Around 40 countries and the International Maritime Organisation are expected on the call.

The Prime Minister is expected to tell the summit: The unconditional and immediate reopening of the strait is a global responsibility, and we need to act to get global energy and trade flowing freely again.

French President Emmanuel Macron (left) and Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer will co-host a summit on Friday (PA Wire)

Emmanuel Macron and I are clear in our commitment to establish a multinational initiative to protect freedom of navigation.

We must reassure commercial shipping and support mine clearance operations to ensure a return to global stability and security.

Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper and Chief of the Defence Staff Sir Richard Knighton will join the Prime Minister.

The call will focus on supporting the US-Iranian ceasefire and coming up with a plan to ensure the Strait of Hormuz can remain open to shipping after the Middle East war ends.

Planning for a joint defensive mission is under way with a view to countries sending a combined military effort as soon as conditions allow, Downing Street has said.

The conference on Friday will be followed up by a multinational military planning summit at Permanent Joint Headquarters in Northwood, north-west London, next week.

Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper is on her own diplomatic offensive in the run-up to the US-Iran ceasefire expiring on Tuesday and is due to visit Turkey and the Gulf as well as Japan.
Sir Keir Starmer will summon senior figures from TikTok, X, and Meta at Downing Street this week to demand greater action on child protection as the government considers new online restrictions.

The prime minister said the talks on Thursday are aimed at "making sure social media companies step up and take responsibility", warning of "stark" consequences should they fail to act.

The meeting comes amid a government consultation exploring measures such as an Australia-style social media ban for under-16s, limits on addictive features and enhanced controls for AI chatbots.

Leaders from Mark Zuckerbergs Meta, Elon Musks X, Snap, TikTok, and Google (owner of YouTube) are expected to face questioning from Sir Keir and technology secretary Liz Kendall regarding their efforts to safeguard children and address parental concerns.

The government faces increasing pressure to emulate Australia's approach, with opposition MPs advocating for Tory peer John Nashs amendment to the Childrens Wellbeing and Schools Bill, which seeks to bar under-16s from the most harmful platforms.

While previously hesitant about an outright ban, Sir Keir has indicated a willingness to tackle features like infinite scrolling that keep young users engaged.

Some social media firms have already ramped up protective measures but Starmer is pushing for more action (Reuters)

Ahead of the talks, the Labour leader said: Social media shapes how children see themselves, their friendships and the world around them. When that comes with real risks, looking the other way is not an option.

Parents rightly expect action and fast. Thats why weve already taken the powers needed to move quickly once our consultation ends.

I will take whatever steps necessary to keep children safe online. Today is about making sure social media companies step up and take responsibility.

The consequences of failing to act are stark. We owe it to parents, and to the next generation, to put childrens safety first  because they wont forgive us if we dont.

Some social media firms have already ramped up protective measures such as disabling autoplay for younger users, giving parents more control over screen time and introducing curfews, but the prime minister has said they must go further, No 10 said.

A ban for under-16s has received pushback from the industry, with Googles UK boss warning that it is not the right approach and could push children towards more dangerous corners of the internet.

Kate Alessi, managing director and vice-president of Google UK and Ireland, told the Press Association last month: We believe blanket bans take choices away from parents and push kids out of supervised spaces.

Lord Nash, a Conservative former schools minister, has said recent court cases in the US which found social media platforms liable for designing addictive platforms and exposing children to harmful content were game changers for his cause of introducing an age limit.

The government has promised to move quickly once its Growing Up In The Online World consultation closes on 26 May, with changes to be made within months.

It has already received more than 45,000 responses, including from nearly 6,000 young people, according to Downing Street.
Wes Streeting has become the first senior cabinet minister to appear to suggest that increased defence spending could be found from welfare savings.

The health secretary said that the money has to come from somewhere in a move interpreted as backing Labours former defence secretary and ex-Nato secretary general George Robertson earlier this week.

The health secretary has since issued a clarification denying that he specifically wants to slash benefits to fund defence.

But there is growing alarm at Sir Keir Starmers failure to decide on the UKs defence spending, with the Defence Improvement Plan (DIP) still stuck on his desk after months of rowing between the Treasury and Ministry of Defence (MoD).

In a stark warning, Lord Jock Stirrup, the former chief of the defence staff, told The Independent the UK needs a decade to rebuild its defence capabilities and urged Sir Keir to show leadership and start the reinvestment now, in the latest intervention over the parlous state of the defence estate.

Health secretary Wes Streeting later clarified that he did not want to reform welfare to specifically fund defence (PA Wire)

Mr Streeting, who is understood to still be hoping to replace Sir Keir as Labour leader and prime minister, is the first cabinet minister to appear to argue in favour of cutting the 334bn benefits budget to fund Britains military.

In so doing he risks reopening the dividing lines which saw Sir Keir forced into a humiliating U-turn by furious Labour backbenchers last year when he tried to trim the burgeoning welfare budget.

Mr Streeting has previously made it clear that money cannot be diverted from health spending following Labours manifesto commitment to increase it.

But asked if he would support switching funds from the welfare budget, Mr Streeting told LBC: Well, yeah. We want to reduce the welfare budget.

Mr Streeting was asked by LBCs Nick Ferrari about claims of corrosive complacency made against Sir Keir by Lord Robertson and other military leaders last week.

Lord Robertson of Port Ellen, the lead of Labours strategic defence review, warned the military could not be properly funded with an ever-expanding welfare budget.

Mr Streeting said: Yes, and we do need to put money into defence.

We have been putting more money into defence as a government, but we will need more. That is the reality of the challenge of the world that we face.

But with Treasury said to be blocking increases to defence spending, including a deal for UK troops to be peacekeepers in Ukraine, the health secretary said it was up to Rachel Reeves to set out in future Budgets, adding: I want to make sure I stay in my lane.

A source close to Mr Streeting later clarified: The governments position is to increase defence spending and reform welfare. Wes didnt link those two positions, and he robustly defended the abolition of the two-child limit, for which he was a strong advocate. Wes is a product of the welfare system, so knows the value of it, and the need to reform it, better than most.

There was a furious backlash from charities and Labour MPs to the health secretarys intervention.

Evan John, policy adviser at Sense, said: Its extremely concerning that the government seems to be laying the groundwork for further cuts to disability benefits, fuelling anxiety among disabled people already struggling as the cost of living rises.

Labour MP Rachael Maskell, who led the welfare rebellion last year, warned: I am clear that we have to provide household security and national security. It is a false choice to play one off against another. People supported by the Department for Work and Pensions are already struggling to make ends meet. The government must not contemplate such moves.

Former shadow chancellor John McDonnell said: Having lost the argument on the two child limit, the winter fuel allowance and cuts to disability benefits, now playing the poor off against the defence of the country to secure cuts in welfare benefits comes across as intellectually pretty desperate.

Another rebel, Norwich South MP Clive Lewis added: The usual siren voices are giving us Maginot Line thinking for a blitzkrieg world.

Comparing the UKs situation to 1930s France before Hitlers invasion, he said: The French state almost bankrupted itself building a fortification based on the lessons of the First World War. As the generals congratulated themselves behind their new defences, Germany developed the tank and drove around them. These calls to gut welfare in the name of security deserve to be seen in exactly that light - as the work of people fighting the last war, at the expense of our ability to fight the one that may or may not actually be coming.

The leading union, Unite, one of Labours biggest backers, demanded that more money be ploughed into defence, but resisted calls to find the cash in welfare savings.

General secretary Sharon Graham said: The governments failure to produce the DIP is a threat to national security as well as to jobs and skills.

It is becoming more apparent by the day that our armed forces are overstretched and under-equipped to deal with the global challenges we face.

Chancellor Rachel Reevess Treasury is the main block to increased defence spending (Getty)

Our defence workers should be treated as a strategic national asset and, when the much-delayed defence investment plan is finally agreed, the money must be spent in the UK.

Failing to preserve and protect the skills and experience of these workers would mean throwing away vital know-how for defence projects.

The government must now ensure that contracts for a new tranche of Typhoon fast jets, the Skynet satellite and the A400M transport plane are signed off and production lines in Britain get rolling as soon as possible.

But Ms Graham rejected the suggestion by Lord Robertson and others that increased defence spending should be raised by cutting the welfare bill, adding: It is completely wrong to suggest that caring for the most vulnerable is risking national security.

We are the sixth richest country in the world. If the government needs to raise funds, it should introduce a wealth tax rather than attack the most vulnerable in society yet again.
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Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor has issued a rare public apology for recent comments she made about fellow Justice Brett Kavanaugh, in which she accused the conservative of being out of touch in his opinion on a recent high-profile immigration case.

I made remarks that were inappropriate, Sotomayor, a liberal appointed by the Obama administration, said in a statement Wednesday to various news outlets. I regret my hurtful comments. I have apologized to my colleague.

Last week, during an event hosted by the University of Kansas Law School, Sotomayor accused Kavanaughs privileged background of blinding him to the impacts of a ruling allowing immigration agents in California to spontaneously stop migrants based on their appearances and language, according to Bloomberg Law.

Without naming Kavanaugh, Sotomayor reportedly described his concurring opinion in the September case, alleging that he was failing to grasp the real-world effects of the emergency decision, which allowed the stops to continue while lower court challenges play out.

I had a colleague in that case who wrote, you know, these are only temporary stops, Sotomayor said at the event. This is from a man whose parents were professionals. And probably doesnt really know any person who works by the hour.

Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor apologized Wednesday for making hurtful comments about her colleague Brett Kavanaugh in the wake of his opinion in a high-profile immigration case (AFP/Getty)

In his concurrence to the September high court decision, Kavanaugh wrote that such immigration stops were typically brief and those cleared of suspected wrongdoing were allowed to promptly go free.

Sotomayors criticism, as well as her subsequent apology, are both highly unusual for a Supreme Court justice. The high court has a long tradition of friendship and collegiality between even ideological opponents on the bench, and the courts operations are typically highly confidential, with details of behind-the-scenes conversations rarely making it into the public eye.

Kavanaugh has not publicly responded.

Kavanaugh has not publicly responded to Sotomayors comments and apology (AFP/Getty)

The Independent has contacted the Supreme Court for comment.

Critics in the California case and beyond accuse the Trump administration of using racial profiling to make warrantless arrests of suspected immigrants as part of its mass deportation campaign.

Lower federal judges in multiple states have concluded that the administration has indiscriminately targeted people for stops based on their appearance and perceived ethnicity.

Advocates have branded these detentions Kavanaugh stops after the courts 6-3 ruling in September on the tactics.
Tributes in Southport after three girls were killed in 2024. There are people walking among us who pose great danger, and they dont all carry knives. Photograph: Gary Calton/The Observer (Photograph: Gary Calton/The Observer)

While many public agencies, along with Axel Rudakubana and his parents, have rightly been highlighted as carrying the blame for the devastating attack on children in Southport, there are some elements of our national systems that repeatedly walk away untouched by criticism (Editorial, 13 April).

Social services, the health service, police, Prevent and schools are all organised and funded by our government. The government decides how these agencies should function and what their responsibilities are.

When ministers take momentous decisions such as plunging the country into more than a decade of withering austerity, and tell the public that there are no other possible options, they make political choices, and those choices have consequences.

Civil servants and the rather shadowy world of special advisers will of course be entwined in much of the thinking and planning, but our elected ministers and the cabinet ultimately make the decisions. They may from time to time face uncomfortable questions, such as during the Covid inquiry, but for the most part, the layer of their decision-making is perhaps too distant and too abstract for the remit of the inquiry. There are people walking among us who pose great danger, and they dont all carry knives.

Sean OSullivan

Banbury, Oxfordshire

 The Southport findings raise the need to immediately halt the families first policy of this government and raise funding for childrens services while a thorough independent review is undertaken. Southport shows that families first-type thinking and practice, plus reductions in local authority funding, reduce the monitoring and intervention of professionals. The incoming families first policy seeks to reduce this further. Prevent being overwhelmed shows there is at least unsafe uncertainty as to the prevalence of the Southport conditions.

The families first lobby does not wish it to be recognised that some children have multiple co-occurring, interacting high-level and need-intensive preoccupation and care needs beyond what a family can provide. Southport and the Prevent programme show that they exist and a system-wide workforce development programme is needed so that people can recognise when monitoring needs to become intensive intervention.

Jonathan Stanley

Godmanchester, Cambridgeshire

 The blamestorming of parents and public bodies concerned with Axel Rudakubana begins in earnest as yet another inquiry seeks to understand why a council hamstrung by massive cuts to its budget, a police force with too few staff and a fixation on inclusivity all combined to leave a dangerous individual at large to commit the most horrendous crime.

We constantly hear the excuses of failing service providers, but the reality of having a top-heavy managerial structure escapes public scrutiny and does little to protect the public.

Gordon Jackson

Cheadle Hulme, Greater Manchester

 I read that the Southport inquiry by Sir Adrian Fulford came to the conclusion that multiple agencies all thought that someone else was doing something, so nobody did anything. Isnt that the same conclusion as the Victoria Climbie inquiry by Lord Laming in 2003? Any chance of the lesson being learned any time soon?

Roger Cook

Rufforth, North Yorkshire

 Have an opinion on anything youve read in the Guardian today? Please email us your letter and it will be considered for publication in our letters section.
Business confidence in London rose in the first three months of the year but Donald Trumps war is putting at risk the capitals economic momentum, says bosses.

Around half of firms, 48%, had been anticipating a growth in turnover over the coming 12 months, up from 42% in the final quarter of 2025, according to the London Chamber of Commerce and Industrys latest economic survey.

But Karim Fatehi, chief executive of the LCCI, said:While it is encouraging to see clear signs of improving business confidence in London at the start of the year, this progress is now at risk.

The escalation of conflict in Iran has introduced a renewed period of geopolitical uncertainty, driving up costs and undoubtedly weighing on expectations for growth, investment and hiring.

Earlier, official figures revealed that the UK economy grew by a bumper 0.5% in February.

The latest GDP figure from the Office for National Statistics showed an unexpected boost to growth before Trump launched his Iran war.

The City had expected a far more modest 0.1% increase in GDP.

Amid the economic turmoil from the Iran war, the Bank of England was "not going to rush to judgements" on interest rate rises, Governor Andrew Bailey told BBC News.

Mr Bailey, in Washington for the International Monetary Fund's spring meetings, said higher oil and gas prices would certainly feed through to prices, but that other factors made a decision on rates "very, very difficult".

He added: "There's really difficult judgements to be made.

"We're not going to rush to judgements on those things, because there are a lot of uncertainties around this, not just how it's going to play out, but also how it's going to pass through into the UK economy."

On the latest growth figures, Ruth Gregory, Deputy Chief UK Economist at Capital Economics, said: GDP rose by a bumper 0.5% in February but Marchs activity PMIs suggest the war in Iran has already all-but extinguished growth.

And in our baseline scenario we think GDP growth will slow from 1.4% in 2025, perhaps to just 0.7% this year.

She added: The 0.5% rise in real GDP was far stronger than both the consensus forecast of a 0.1% rise and our forecast of a 0.2% gain.

She stressed there was strength across the board, in economic growth, including in the giant services sector, construction and industrial production.

Construction has shown a surprise rise (PA Archive)

Responding to the upbeat news, Chief Secretary to the Treasury James Murray said: Growth only happens when the economy is on solid ground.

That's why in a changing world our plan to restore stability, boost investment and deliver reform is the right one to build a more stronger more resilient Britain.

He added: At the IMF meetings in Washington the Chancellor has set out how we will go further and faster to boost Britains competitiveness and build a stronger, more resilient economy, keeping costs down for families and businesses and taking back control of our energy costs as today we cut bills by up to 25% for 10,000 British businesses.

However, the Government is braced for the economy to be hit by Donald Trumps Iran war which Chancellor Rachel Reeves has branded a folly.

She has accused the US president of launching the conflict with no exit plan and with no clear war aims.

Mortgage rates have risen (PA Archive)

Millions of people in the UK are now facing higher energy bills, mortgage rates have risen, and petrol and diesel prices are up.

Just days ago, the International Monetary Fund warned that the UK would be the most impacted by the war among G7 nations, which are the US, Britain, Germany, France, Italy, Japan and Canada.

The IMF predicted miserly growth in the UK of just 0.8% this year, down sharply from the 1.3% predicted in January.

In Washington, Ms Reeves has expanded plans to cut electricity bills for thousands of UK manufacturing firms as she continues talks in focused on the economic fallout from the Iran conflict.

The Chancellor, who is in Washington for the International Monetary Fund (IMF) spring meetings, said the plan will help UK businesses compete and create jobs despite the uncertain economic backdrop.

Ministers have been planning for the conflict to threaten to lead to shortages in the food industry in the UK, due to a possible lack of CO2 which is crucial to preserve products.

At this moment, this is not a concern for our economy, Business Secretary Peter Kyle told Sky News, stressing that the contingency planning had been under way for weeks.

I can tell you, because Im in these meetings, the Prime Minister has been there since the very start, and he is going through personally and driving deep dives into lots of areas of resilience throughout our economy, he added.

Business Secretary Peter Kyle (PA Wire)

Mr Kyle pointed to his own decision near the start of the conflict to reverse the mothballing of the Ensus bio-ethanol plant in Teesside to secure supplies of carbon dioxide.

He added: People should be reassured that we are doing this kind of action behind the scenes to keep resilience in our economy, so that when the full extent of what may or may not emerge, because this situation is still unfolding in the Middle East, you have a Government that is acting with creativity and boldness.
Former congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene has told British media personality Piers Morgan that President Donald Trump showed no compassion over death threats towards her family.

Greene was a fervent supporter of the president before a public feud last fall, which culminated in the Georgia Republicans resignation from Congress.

Greene broke with Trump on various issues, including healthcare, foreign affairs, and perhaps most notably, her support of the release of government files related to the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

In response, Trump called Greene a traitor and rescinded his support for her. The former congresswoman has vehemently denied Trumps characterization, telling Piers Morgan, Standing up for rape victims doesnt make me a traitor.

In an interview on Piers Morgan Uncensored released Wednesday, Greene said she reached out to Trump after her resignation, along with other members of the administration, about death threats she and her family were receiving. Greene has claimed that Trumps rhetoric against her had fueled the death threats.

Former Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene has told British media personality Piers Morgan that President Donald Trump showed 'no compassion' over death threats towards her family (Getty Images)

I cant even count how many death threats, Greene told Morgan, adding that the threats were also aimed at one of her adult children. I was so upset over death threats on my children because of him.

Greene said Trump was very unkind about these death threats when she confronted him over text message.

He blamed me, basically that if my son were to get killed, it would be my fault, the former congresswoman said. And I said back to him, No ones children should ever be the victim of death threats or have any kind of political violence brought on them because of our politics.

I dont know what kind of person basically has no compassion or care to someones child being threatened to be killed. Its unimaginable, really, Greene said.

The Independent has reached out to the White House for comment.

Greene said Trump was 'very unkind' about the alleged death threats against her adult son when she confronted him over text message (AFP via Getty Images)

Greene previously told podcaster Jillian Michaels that her team had reported more than 700 death threats to Capitol Police.

I started getting serious death threatsserious death threats. A pipe bomb death threat on my home, a pipe bomb death threat on my family construction business, and then direct death threats on my youngest child, my son, Greene said.

In December, Trump said at a North Carolina rally that the reason for his falling out with Greene is that he didnt return her phone calls, calling her highly neurotic.

After Trump withdrew his support of Greene, she said she hasnt called him at all, but that she did send him text messages about the so-called Epstein files.

Greene was a fervent supporter of the president before a public feud last fall, which culminated in the Georgia Republicans resignation from Congress (Getty Images)

Republican Clay Fuller, who was endorsed by Trump, was sworn in to replace Greene on Tuesday after winning a special election runoff against Democrat Shawn Harris.

Greene told Morgan shes very happy to no longer be in Congress, pointing out its dismal approval rating. According to Gallup, only 16 percent of Americans approve of the way Congress is handling its job as of February.

Looking ahead, Greene told CNNs Christiane Amanpour in a recent interview that she is focused on helping Gen Z.

Going forward, Im looking past Donald Trump. Im looking towards a future that is focused on my childrens generation. Theyre all in their 20s. And I think thats the generation that we should be fighting for, and thats the generation thats been largely failed, the former congresswoman said.
Pete Hegseth appeared to quote a fake Bible verse from the movie Pulp Fiction while addressing the Pentagon.

Speaking at a worship service on Wednesday, the US defence secretary urged worshippers to join him in the prayer that he said was meant to reflect Ezekiel 25:17.

Mr Hegseth told the crowd that the prayer, CSAR (Combat Search and Rescue) 25:17, was passed along to him by the lead planner on the Sandy 1 rescue mission, in which a downed US Air Force pilot was safely evacuated from Iranian territory on April 3.

The path of the downed aviator is beset on all sides by the inequities of the selfish and the tyranny of evil man, he said.

Blessed is he who, in the name of camaraderie and duty, shepherds the lost through the valley of darkness, for he is truly his brothers keeper and the finder of lost children.

And I will strike down upon thee with great vengeance and furious anger those who attempt to capture and destroy my brother, and you will know my call sign is Sandy 1 when I lay my vengeance upon thee. Amen.

The passage, rather than reflecting the words of the Bible verse, seemed to be almost the same as the lines recited by Samuel L Jacksons character in the 1994 Quentin Tarantino film.

The Bible passage in Ezekiel 25:17 is much shorter, and reads: And I will execute great vengeance upon them with furious rebukes; and they shall know that I am the Lord, when I shall lay my vengeance upon them.

Samuel L Jackson made the monologue in Pulp Fiction

Social media users suggested that Mr Hegseth had misunderstood or become confused, mixing up the Pulp Fiction monologue with the Bible passage.

Sean Parnell, the chief Pentagon spokesman, acknowledged the similarities in a post on X on Thursday but defended Mr Hegseth for using the quote, describing it as a custom prayer.

Mr Parnell said: Secretary Hegseth on Wednesday shared a custom prayer, referenced as the CSAR prayer, used by the brave war fighters of Sandy-1 who led the daylight rescue mission of Dude 44 Alpha out of Iran, which was obviously inspired by dialogue in Pulp Fiction.

However, both the CSAR prayer and the dialogue in Pulp Fiction were reflections of the verse Ezekiel 25:17, as Secretary Hegseth clearly said in his remarks at the prayer service.

Anyone saying the Secretary misquoted Ezekiel 25:17 is peddling fake news and ignorant of reality.
A young Orange Tabby cat was rescued by train workers after it was struck by a train in New York.

According to ABC 7 Eyewitness News, MTA officers rescued the cat after an engineer spotted it on the Long Island Rail Road tracks on April 11. At first, the engineer saw the cat on the tracks and thought he had already died, but after passing him again, they noticed the small cat had moved his head.

The workers then shut down the tracks and sent down rescuers to help the poor cat off the tracks.

"The cat was staring at us the entire time; we locked eyes with him," Officer Vikki Machado with the New York Police Department told the news outlet. "We wanted to make sure he didn't run away."

The cat, affectionately named Garfield, was rescued with the help of local volunteer and vice president of Long Island Cat/Kitten Solution (LICKS), John DeBaker, who secured him in a net to help him off the tracks. In a PEOPLE Magazine report, DeBecker recalled, "The scariest part was not knowing if the cat was going to bolt."

But rescuers successfully secured Garfield and returned him to South Shore Feral Care (SSFC) in New York, where they treated his injuries.

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In an Instagram post, DeBecker confirmed that Garfield is "fighting for his life" and revealed he "has a complete fracture of front limb, a broken nose and 2 fractured hips" during his accident, and shared some of the x-rays from his check up.

"His injuries are extensive," DeBecker confirmed in his caption. "But with youth on his side, his chances of healing well are good."

So far, his vet bills have reached $12,000, and the organization is currently seeking donations to help Garfield.

"Garfield didnt give up. And we wont give up on him," DeBecker wrote in his post. "We are asking you to stand with him now. Every single donation goes directly toward emergency orthopedic surgery, pain management, stabilization, and post-operative care and recovery."

Information on donations to help Garfield and the other cats the SSFC helps can be found on their website and Instagram page.

Related: Couple Reunites Injured Mama Cat With Her Kittens After the Babies Were Found Hiding in Their Garage

This story was originally published by PetHelpful on Apr 16, 2026, where it first appeared in the Pet News section. Add PetHelpful as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Rama Duwaji, the wife of New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, has issued an apology for "harmful" social media posts she made as a teenager.

Her public statement follows a conservative news outlet's investigation into her online profiles, which resurfaced material including a post containing an anti-gay slur.

In an interview with the arts website Hyperallergic, Duwaji, an illustrator by profession, conveyed "a lot of shame being confronted with language I used that is so harmful to others," adding that "being 15 doesn't excuse it."

She further stated, "Ive read and seen a lot of what others have had to say in response, and I understand the hurt I caused and am truly sorry."

Mayor Mamdani previously described his wife as a private person who does not hold a formal position in City Hall (Getty)

Duwaji did not specify which comments she was referring to, nor did she address other, more recent social media activity concerning Israel.

This activity has drawn considerable scrutiny as Mayor Mamdani endeavors to alleviate concerns among some in the city's Jewish community regarding his own criticisms of Israel's treatment of Palestinians.

Last month, The Washington Free Beacon reported on years of Duwajis online activity across various platforms.

Their findings included posts praising female Palestinian militants involved in plane hijackings and bombings in the 1960s and early 1970s.

In 2015, she shared a post where another individual wrote that Tel Aviv was occupying Palestinian land and "shouldnt exist."

The report also noted Duwaji's use of a racial slur for Black people, albeit while affectionately addressing a friend, and an abbreviated slur for gay people in 2013.

When asked about the posts his wife regretted, Mamdani said, What I will say, however, is that she is someone of incredible integrity (AP)

Mayor Mamdani previously described his wife as a "private person" who does not hold a formal position in City Hall.

When asked Thursday about the specific posts his wife regretted, Mamdani demurred, stating, "She shared some of her reflections in this interview. I wont add much to them, what I will say, however, is that she is someone of incredible integrity."

He added that questions about Duwaji's social media activity were "part and parcel" of his decision to run for mayor, "a decision that has ramifications for those that I love."

Separately, Duwaji has faced criticism for liking an Instagram post that appeared to celebrate Hamas' October 7, 2023, surprise attack on Israel.

The Free Beacon also reported that Duwaji provided an illustration for an essay by an author who described the October 7 attack as "spectacular" and referred to Jewish Israelis as "rootless soulless ghouls."

Mamdani clarified that his wife had been commissioned to illustrate an excerpt of a book by a third party, had never engaged with or met the author, and had not seen the author's previous comments.

He condemned the author's rhetoric as "patently unacceptable" and "reprehensible."
Emma Webber, whose son Barnaby was killed in Nottingham by Valdo Calocane in June 2023 - MARK PASSMORE/APEX

Emma Webber has endured the greatest and most painful loss a parent can experience. Given the horrors of the past three years  the fatal stabbing of her son, Barnaby, in the Nottingham attacks in 2023, and the media storm and statutory inquiry that have followed  it would be understandable if Webber retreated from view and never spoke publicly again. Instead, she has bravely done the opposite.

Since the public inquiry into the murder of Barnaby, Grace OMalley-Kumar and Ian Coates officially began on Feb 23 this year, Webber has been posting a raw and unflinching nightly video diary on social media. In it, she has been chronicling her reaction to the inquirys findings in real time and calling the agencies who failed to stop their killer, Valdo Calocane, to account. The boiling frustration she feels at sitting in the inquiry day after day and week after week while officials issue sanitised copy-and-paste apologies for her sons death is clear.

Barnaby Webber with his mother Emma

In a particularly heartbreaking video posted on Monday, she processes hearing about Barnabys last moments and the findings of the Southport inquiry, which has so far concluded that catastrophic failures from Axel Rudakubanas parents and various agencies meant that multiple chances to stop the killer were missed. While the Nottingham inquiry does not conclude until June, Webber and the other Nottingham victims families have highlighted unsettlingly similar serious failings by the police, mental health services and other officials that meant Calocane was left free to kill.

What we want from [this] is truth: nothing more, nothing less, she says, in the first instalment of her video diary. The true facts, from all the institutions which we believe have many answers to give.

Relatives of the victims outside the Royal Courts of Justice in London in May 2024 following a hearing into Valdo Calocanes sentencing - Victoria Jones/2024 PA Media

Webber, her husband David, and the other victims families are still waiting for answers. One can only hope that Webbers bravery and willingness to let the public see this through her eyes will bring them one step closer.

This is what she has found so far.

Day 0: This is going to be the beginning of the reckoning. It has to be

Speaking from accommodation in London the day before the first official hearing on Feb 23, Webber outlines her hopes for the inquiry. This is the first video message Im going to put out, and I think this is the best forum for me to try and document what this is like from a personal [perspective], she says. Im hoping it will help with my mental health and to process some of the things that are going to be happening to us now. She continues to say that more than a dozen institutions have many untruths to right.

Day 1: Yesterday was brutal my poor boy, Grace and Ian were lambs to the slaughter

Yesterday was a lot. Yesterday I had to leave the room on two occasions, Webber says. I dont know if Ill ever be able to hear details of that monsters brutal attack on my child. She looks tired and resigned as she reflects on the first day of the inquiry, during which it was revealed that Calocane had been arrested in May 2020 after repeatedly kicking and punching a door in his student accommodation. He was not sectioned, despite presenting with symptoms of psychosis  the first of several missed opportunities to stop him.

Day 18: Its the end of an absolutely effing horrible day

Recording from Paddington Station in early March, on her way back to her home in Somerset, Webber says she wants to cry, and cry, and cry myself to sleep following the second and third weeks of the inquiry. She explains that her younger son, Charlie, is doing his A-levels, so she and her husband are tag-teaming. She also points out that Nottingham City Council was celebrating being awarded a Purple Flag for being a vibrant and well-managed city. Did you look at the scale of failures in your vibrant, well-managed city? Webber says. I brought my son to your city. He was not safe to be left there. He was 18 years old. And I will never forgive myself.

Day 29: I dont think Ive ever witnessed anything like that in my life

End of day 1. week 5.



The failures just keep coming.



Ian was left in the road for 15 hours and only covered by blankets for two of those (no tents available!)!



More vapid dishonourable excuses for a pathetic search.



Ian was less than 2 miles away.



Had your drone pic.twitter.com/aAIMJbl7vv  Emma (@MrsEmmaWebber) March 23, 2026

In an update filmed on the street in London, Webber details a shocking day of admissions from the police in week five of the inquiry: that Coates was left in the street for 15 hours; that a WhatsApp group of police officers sharing graphic details of Barnabys murder was never properly investigated; and the admission that multiple people may have accessed sensitive data relating to his death. I want to cry and to scream and kick something, she says. Im just going to try and walk it out of my system a bit.

Day 50: I need to share what its really like warts and all

In an especially heart-wrenching video, Webber reflects on the findings of the Southport inquiry. She calls for accountability from the people who sit in those chairs, giving their evidence, defending themselves and defending their failures with such arrogance and lack of humanity. The day has also included hearing and seeing particularly horrific evidence relating to Barnabys death. It might be a terrible idea to record this, she says, through tears. But Ive got to try and find a way to process it and get ready for tomorrow, and keep on fighting the fight.

Day 51: I was going to do the British thing and apologise for how I posted last night. But Im not going to

Week 8. Day 2.



'The worst of humanity choosing to watch the actions of the worst of humanity.'



What kind of people are you.@nottspolice @MoJGovUK #policestandards#nottinghaminquiry  pic.twitter.com/E4tAd0bVco  Emma (@MrsEmmaWebber) April 14, 2026

In Webbers most recent video, recorded at the end of day two of week eight of the inquiry, she says she was going to apologise for crying but I wont, as I promised my son and myself that I would use this platform for complete transparency and honesty. It comes at the end of a day of the inquiry questioning experts in policing standards, the Ministry of Justice and the College of Policing. The unauthorised sharing of sensitive information about Barnaby and OMalley-Kumars murders between police officers is disgusting, its unforgivable and its been handled appallingly, Webber says. Its the worst of humanity.
Photo of Anthropic office

Artificial intelligence isnt just replacing jobs  its creating new ones, and some come with six-figure salaries.

Anthropic PBC, the company behind the Claude family of AI tools, is offering up to $320,000 a year (1) for experienced software engineers to help build and refine its systems  an example of how the "AI is killing jobs" narrative may be overstated.

Must Read

Research from Hong Kong University of Science and Technologys Wilbur Xinyuan Chen, and Suraj Srinivasan and Saleh Zakerinia from Harvard Business School (2), suggests the shift is about job evolution rather than elimination. While routine, repetitive tasks are more vulnerable to automation, demand is growing for analytical, technical and creative roles, particularly those that involve working alongside AI.

"Rather than solely eliminating jobs, generative AI creates new demand in augmentation-prone roles, suggesting that human-AI collaboration is a key driver of labor market transformation," Srinivasan said in the Harvard Business Review.

That leaves workers in an in-between phase: as new opportunities emerge, uncertainty about the future of jobs still exists.

AI is changing careers

Even as six-figure AI roles make headlines, unease around the technology is growing. For some workers, the concern is less about job security and more about whether adapting at this stage in their careers is worth the time and effort.

Luke Michel, who spent decades in digital publishing and most recently worked as a content strategist at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, said he chose to retire earlier than planned at 68 after being offered a package last year. For him, the challenge was keeping up with the technology.

"The time and energy you have to devote to learning a whole new vocabulary and a whole new skill set, it wasn't worth it," he told the Wall Street Journal (3).

His experience reflects a broader tension in the workforce. While many employees feel pressure to adapt, most haven't fully embraced AI yet  about 63% say they rarely or never use it in their jobs, according to Pew Research Center (4).

At the same time, companies are already rethinking how work gets done. Marc Benioff said last year that Salesforce cut roughly 4,000 (5) customer support roles because of AI, while Microsoft (6) reduced its workforce by about 15,000. Amazon (7) has laid off around 30,000 employees over the past six months, and earlier this month, Oracle cut thousands more.

This shift is starting to take shape across the broader labor market. A 2025 MIT (8) study found that AI technical capability can cover cognitive and administrative tasks spanning 11.7% of the labor market, in industries including finance, health care and professional services. Economists are increasingly warning that what we're seeing now may only be the early stages, with the most disruptive effects still on the horizon.

"I don't think A.I. has hit the labor market yet, and I don't think it's radically changed corporate productivity yet, either, but I think it's coming," Daniel Rock, a University of Pennsylvania economist who has studied the economic impact of artificial intelligence, told the New York Times (9).

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Read More: Almost 50 with no retirement savings? Heres why you shouldnt panic

The job market isn't collapsing

The changes aren't hitting every sector the same way. Laura Ullrich, director of economic research for North America at Indeed, told CNBC (10) that white-collar roles are more likely to see major disruption, while hands-on jobs, such as nursing or construction, remain harder to replicate.

Even with high-profile layoffs across tech, Ullrich said, "the probability of losing your job has not gone up all that much." In many cases, recent cuts reflect a post-pandemic reset, as companies that rapidly expanded during the hiring boom scale back to more sustainable levels (11).

At the same time, the kinds of roles companies are hiring for is shifting. Positions like full-stack software engineers are increasingly at the center of AI development. In the Anthropic job posting, the role is described as working to "understand new model capabilities and redefine what is possible for users in the world of LLMs  and how to build it." The role requires about five years of experience, which is not entry-level but far from executive, and still offers a highly competitive salary. It's a sign that mid-career, AI-adjacent skills are becoming especially valuable.

While opportunities are growing, they're not always accessible. New graduates in particular are facing the toughest entry-level job market since the pandemic, with underemployment hitting 42.5% (12)  its highest level since 2020  making it harder to break into these emerging fields.

Still, the broader data suggests the labor market hasn't been fundamentally reshaped, at least not yet. A 2025 report from Yale Budget Lab (13) found little evidence that AI has significantly disrupted the overall labor market.

"Overall, our metrics indicate that the broader labor market has not experienced a discernible disruption since ChatGPT's release 33 months ago, undercutting fears that AI automation is currently eroding the demand for cognitive labor across the economy," the researchers wrote.

Looking into the future of work

The way work gets done is shifting, and those who adapt early may have an edge. One of the most effective ways to stay relevant is to start using AI tools in your current role, rather than avoiding them. Whether it's automating repetitive tasks, analyzing data faster or brainstorming ideas, becoming comfortable working alongside AI can make your skill set more valuable.

Mo Gawdat, former chief business officer at Google X, wrote on LinkedIn (14), "AI will not replace you, but someone who knows how to use it will." He added that the future "belongs to those who stay curious, ethical and aware."

For those looking to go a step further, building even a basic understanding of how AI tools work through courses, certifications or hands-on experimentation can open the door to higher-paying, AI-adjacent roles.

At the same time, it's worth focusing on skills that are harder to automate. Work that relies on critical thinking, communication, leadership and creativity tends to be more resilient, especially when paired with technical literacy.

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We rely only on vetted sources and credible third-party reporting. For details, see our ethics and guidelines.

Greenhouse (1); Harvard Business Review (2); The Wall Street Journal (3); Pew Research Center (4); Los Angeles Times (5); The Guardian (6),(7); MIT (8); The New York Times (9); CNBC (10); CNBC (11); Federal Reserve Bank of New York (12;) Yale Budget Lab ( 13); LinkedIn (14)

This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.
Insentra senior consultant for end user computing (EUC) Brian Riegels-Morgan has been named within the inaugural cohort of IGEL Certified Technologists.

As one of two inductees from the Asia Pacific (APAC) region, as well as being one out of 21 globally, the IGEL Technology Professional program recognises Riegels-Morgan as a beacon within the vendors global community through sharing knowledge, publishing guides, contributing code, and answering questions.

According to Insentra, Riegels-Morgans activity within the IGEL ecosystem has included sharing technical content, deployment guidance, and practical insights to help organisations manoeuvre through the landscape of secure, cloud-ready endpoint management.

His work has covered technical blogging, community queries, and delivering complex EUC environments for Insentras clients in Australia and APAC. Riegels-Morgans is also recognised as a trusted voice on IGEL OS architecture, management configuration, and implementation patterns.

IGEL Technology director of product marketing Allen Furmanski said the program exists to honour the people who keep the lights burning for the rest of our community.

Brian Riegels-Morgan exemplifies everything we hoped to recognise with this award: deep technical expertise, a genuine commitment to helping others, and a track record of contribution that stretches well beyond his day-to-day role. We are proud to welcome him to the inaugural ITP class and proud to have Insentra represented in this cohort.
A partner like Qirx acted as an in-between and take those requirements to produce a satisfactory result for Masons team, the cyber security team, and the end-users.

Having a long relationship that goes back to 2013 means having an understanding of the business requirements.

This allows the IT service provider to plan and work out what kind of resources it needs to ensure the Universities requirements can be fulfilled, said Qirx sales executive Fabian Thongbai.

I work closely with Justin and his team to [look at] what [theyre] trying to deliver, he told ARN during Nutanixs .NEXT 2026 conference. Whether its from a cyber team, were that true system [integrator]. We will bring our skill set to ensure that we deal with all the various areas.

Equally important is the relationship between Qirx and Nutanix, which began in 20212 when it was really a fledgling company, Thongbai noted. [Nutanix] started virtual desktop infrastructure server, and now as [it] moves towards Kubernetes, AI  those are required for any business.

It allows them the flexibility to run whatever they want on the same platform wherever they want.

Thongbai explained that Nutanixs flexible platform  spanning virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI), virtual machines (VMs), databases, Kubernetes and AI  gives Qirx a whole wide range of flexibility to deliver all kinds of different projects for customers.

I mean, even though we sell products and solutions, at the end of the day we are still a system integrator, he said. Nutanix is part of the solution set that we have, but the key focus for us is how do we integrate different technologies, from Nutanix to the networking, cloud side, or into the security side.

Future proofing

As for its work current work with UC, Qirx is working to add capacity to the universitys self-service project.

The Nutanix-based, private-cloud style portal lets researchers and students provision their own workloads without going through IT each time. It uses Nutanix Self Service (formerly Calm) to automate provisioning and configuration.

It has been pretty successful and popular, so weve actually been asked to add more workloads to it, explained Mason. Weve got a Windows workload, a Red Hat workload, and now researchers want an additional workload as well  still on the Nutanix platform, with Qirx helping us deliver that.

The University is also looking to explore the Kubernetes side of Nutanix as a full stack, following interest from the Science and Technology faculty.

To their credit, they now offer that as a full stack as well, so were investigating that, Mason explained. As we move further down, itll continue to be around AI and sovereign data.

Theres a big push with universities at the moment in using AI. With Nutanix now offering things like run your own AI, thats about as sovereign as you can get if you already put it in your own data centre. Ill kind of see that maybe being a longer-term thing to play.

This is where Nutanixs external partnership with external storage vendors is important for Qirx and its customers.

Without that partnership, [Nutanix] couldnt really offer AI, because theres no way to store data locally. Its big enough to do lead to an external provider, Mason added.

Lilia Guan travelled to Nutanix .Next 2026 conference as a guest of Nutanix.
A new release by the human rights NGO highlights the increased pressure by Chinese authorities on Catholics in the shadow of "sinicisation" and the agreement with the Holy See on episcopal appointments. A member of an underground community merged into an official diocese laments that, We started praying like we were thieves. A United Front document has emerged calling for telling on parents who instill religious ideas to their children.

Milan (AsiaNews)  Human Rights Watch (HRW) released new blunt account today of Chinas crackdown on Catholic communities, saying that it intensified after the 2018 agreement with the Holy See on episcopal appointments.

Titled China: Pressure on Catholics Escalates, the study says that the repression "contravenes or violates international human rights standards and law." It summarises developments in China's religious policy over the past decade, drawing on many reports previously cited by AsiaNews regarding the increasingly tight control imposed by Xi Jinping through a series of new regulations under the watchword of "sinicisation.

It includes personal accounts by people with first-hand knowledge of Catholic life in China, as well as experts on religious freedom and Catholicism in China interviewed by HRW.

The accounts underlying thesis concerns the authorities' use of the agreement with the Holy See (renewed until October 2028) to pressure "underground" communities that had never sought to officially register by joining the Chinese Catholic Patriotic Association or other Chinese Communist Party-controlled organisations.

A person who attended a church that was demolished, its cross removed, said that members were threatened and arrested. Speaking to HRW, they explained that they were left with no other choice but to join the official church."

Another person said the agreement proved to be "a intelligent weapon to legally destroy underground churches," as senior underground bishops, persecuted for years, died or were replaced by officially appointed bishops.

On this issue, a particularly interesting story comes from a Chinese Catholic who fled the People's Republic in 2023 offering insight into what it means in practice today to accept this type of formal transition, which in theory should be done in the name of the unity of the Church in China.

After forcibly joining the official church, our church was in a state of panic, and some priests were forced to leave the county, he said. We felt the Chinese government became more heavy-handed after the agreement. We started praying like we were thieves, gatherings for major holidays disappeared. We used to have mass in hours that everyone could join, which changed to unreasonable hours, so people cannot join. 

The authorities, he added, also cancelled our choir singing and shuttered windows of the church so that prayers are not visible from outside. Children growing up now have no memory of church prayers or ceremonies.

The church premises are strictly regulated, and we cannot bring children since bishops and priests are very much afraid of the government. At one point, before escaping China in 2023, I stopped going to the church to avoid government surveillance. 

The reference to the ban on minors' participation in liturgies and youth-centred activities in parishes is a crucial aspect of the suffering of Catholics in China today.

The authorities, reads the HRW article, have increasingly restricted childrens access to Catholic churches throughout the country, especially since the promulgation of revised Regulations on Religious Affairs in 2018, which prohibit religious activities in ordinary schools and restrict the establishment of religious schools to national or provincial-level religious organizations, subject to state approval.

A Chinese academic who has interviewed dozens of Catholics said that, in the past, local governments did not check a lot whether children were attending church services.

However, the authorities now have started to strictly implement such bans, which a Catholic with firsthand knowledge of conditions in Shaanxi said in January 2026 is aimed at cutting generational ties within the Catholic community.

The HRW account cites a case reported by ChinaAid in December on a church in the city of Xuchang, Henan province, which was closed because it violated relevant regulations by allowing minors to enter the church to play music instruments.

A September 2025 internal paper, ostensibly by the Central United Front Leading Group, states that parents in China must not organize  home-based religious education to instill religious ideas to their children. The document even calls on schools to "guide students to proactively report" such cases to the relevant authorities.

In addition to Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, concerning freedom of conscience and religion, HRW maintains that, on this specific point concerning minors, China is also violating Articles 28 and 29 of the Convention on the Rights of the Child and Article 13 of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights.

Both treaties, to which China is a signatory, recognise that the right to education does not permit interference with the freedom of individuals and entities to establish and direct educational institutions, provided that the education in such institutions conforms to the minimum standards that may be established by the state.

A decade into Xi Jinpings Sinicization campaign and nearly eight years since the 2018 Holy See-China agreement, Catholics in China face escalating repression that violates their religious freedoms, said Yalkun Uluyol, China researcher at HRW.

Pope Leo XIV should urgently review the agreement and press Beijing to end the persecution and intimidation of underground churches, clergy, and worshipers, while The Chinese government should stop persecuting and intimidating worshipers for upholding their faith and spirituality independent of Communist Party control.

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